Coming from the same state of mind they left off on, everyone was really nervous for Team RNJR. They were terrified that Tryian Callows would catch up and confront them. As much as they hoped it wouldn't happen, the episode's title didn't help calm their worries.
Having nothing else to say to each other while letting the unsettling tension sit in the air, the group of students began the sixth episode, starting everything off in a cold sweat.
(Volume 4 Intro)
Nora happily stretches her arms while Ruby asks what their next adventure is as Jaune holds the map. Jaune enthusiastically shouts 'Walking'. Nora attempts to try and fish out more, but Ren reiterates that it's just more walking.
In a different scenario, the kids would have eased up at hearing this, but in context, it only made them more wary as a psychotic man could be lurking and hiding in any one of the trees they're near.
Ruby sighs, commenting that Haven was much farther than she originally thought. Ren asks the question of how long she thought this trip was going to take.
That got them curious too. The four of them were traveling across an entire continent, on foot mind you, so it would be common sense to know it would take weeks, months even. Did future Ruby really expect any less than that?
Ruby cries in an outburst that she doesn't know, she grew up in a more isolated area, never having been that far away from home before.
"Yeah! Patch isn't exactly a big area like Vale or Atlas!" Ruby pouts as she tries to defend her counterpart, wanting to reason her cluelessness. Yang pats her on the shoulder, reminding her that she honestly doesn't need to get this fired up about it. Ruby lets out a sigh, apologizing to Ren for yelling at him for a small question. If Ruby had to guess she must have been feeling the nerves of her onscreen self. Not exactly understanding how that works, but sensing it nonetheless.
Ren tells her that it's alright, but doesn't say any more than that, looking back at the screen.
Jaune gets where she's coming from, but wonders how long she thought they were going to travel for. She responds with 2-3 weeks. This sent Jaune into a spiral.
They all felt the same. "Ruby, you thought walking across an entire continent was going to take 2-3 weeks?" Yang asks while Weiss mutters something along the lines of 'Dolt' and 'Ruby', shaking her head in the process. This kind of answer was bordering on naive at this point, not cluelessness.
Ruby decides to change the subject to something else, like the town just ahead of them. However, Jaune is confused as he doesn't see anything on the map for it.
The group concluded that the town must have been abandoned then. But even so, a village as big as that would have appeared on the map, deserted or not. This only raises more questions, specifically, what happened?
"That's strange, I didn't think we'd be hitting another village for a few days," Jaune comments. Nora asks the group if they notice that the buildings are damaged. Jaune lets go of the map, jumping into action and telling everyone to search for survivors.
Everyone got a bad feeling from that place like something was lurking nearby. Or someone. They didn't want to dwell on that thought for long and hoped they weren't correct in their assumptions.
The team looks around but comes up short when they don't find anyone. Ren notes that the town seems to have been abandoned. They move deeper into the village when Nora calls out that she found something. Everyone rushes over to a sign as Nora brushes off some hanging leaves. The sign read "Oniyuri", but the group doesn't seem to have heard of the name.
Ren speaks up that he has. "You might think of it as Anima's Moutain Glenn, had it never been completed. Years ago, the richest members of Mistral were unhappy with how the Kingdom was being run. Frustrated with the Council, they pulled their resources together to build their own city with their own laws."
"That explains why it wasn't on the map. It wasn't finished so it never became an official village," Oscar concurs with a finger to his chin.
"They hoped that one day it could maybe even become its own kingdom. Many thought it would be the future, I know my parents did." Ren walks over to one of the stones and Ruby asks about what happened. Ren wiped the dust away to reveal claw marks, "What always happens."
Ren stared off at the screen. The rest of the room sat silent, knowing that this was a sore subject for their friend.
"Not just anyone," Ren finishes. Ruby is confused, but Nora knows exactly what he's referring to.
Nora quickly looked over at Ren with a frown on her face, grabbing his hand and then looking back at the screen. She felt the small jump of his body that relaxed just as swiftly.
Jaune wants to leave, saying the town is giving him the creeps as a murder of crows flies overhead.
Everything became tense as they noticed the shift in music becoming more suspenseful and creepy. They wanted the four of them to get out of there already before something or someone horrible shows up.
Ren and Nora follow Jaune as Ruby pauses for a moment, looking around behind her.
The shattered moon shines brightly and a beautiful voice resonates in the air.
The room instantly becomes more calm at the familiar voice as well as Team JNPR leaves without anything happening.
The spotlight shines brightly as she sings her troubles to the people. "I'm not your pet, not another thing you own! I was not born guilty of your crimes, your riches and your influence can't hold me anymore! I won't be possessed, burdened by your royal test, I will not surrender this life…is…mine!"
Everyone sat amazed and Weiss planned on asking Raider if she could hear the song in its entirety. "Weiss, your voice is so pretty!" Ruby shouts in wonder. Weiss couldn't help the burst of pride that went through her. She only heard a small bit of the song, but she knew the rest of it was breathtaking.
"Dang, we should hear you sing more often." It was a shame to Yang that they'd only heard her singing voice a few times.
The auditorium erupts into applause, but while Weiss makes her way off stage after looking at her family there's nothing except a frown etched on her face. After the concert, a party is held in full swing, waiters are passing out drinks and the guests are mingling.
Weiss doesn't bother to hide her annoyance and disgust. She always hated these parties, only forced to attend to save face for her Father.
Jacque converses with a few of the other upper-class while Weiss is made to stand next to him and keep silent. Weiss's attention is pulled away from the conversation to the painting of Beacon Academy across the room. She takes two steps and Jacque already has her wrist in an iron hold, demanding where's she off to.
The room burst in a flare of protectiveness, wishing for the slimy piece of shit to release her.
Weiss's excuse was that she was thirsty. Jacque insists they have people for that, but Weiss is persistent, telling him she's capable of getting it herself. She promises she'll be back after a moment of staring he releases her. The man jumps back into the discussion and calls himself the 'Good Guy'.
Multiple students scoffed and rolled their eyes. They were glad Weiss was able to escape, even if it was just for a moment. Jacque Schnee was the farthest thing a person could possibly get from the 'Good Guy'.
Weiss paused as she was only offered a moment to admire the piece before a gentleman beside her spoke up. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" The man only receives an eye roll and he makes a second attempt to talk to her, "You two match."
Yang cups her hands around her mouth, "Take the hint buddy!"
Weiss's answer is short as she agrees with his statement. "So, that was my attempt at breaking the ice. How am I doing so far?"
"You leave a lot to be desired," Weiss responds honestly. A few people snicker around the room while others think he should just leave her alone as she's clearly not in the mood to have a conversation. She steps away from her Father to escape, only to end up in the same situation.
Weiss lets out a sigh, "You are leaving a lot to be desired."
They all find it funny but in a creepy way that they seem to be repeating the exact same words that they're commenting on. It is the future and anything could happen, though it doesn't shake off the slight nerve of it all.
The man has always appreciated honesty, then proceeds to introduce himself as Henry Marigold. Weiss returns the gesture with her own. "I know, I saw your performance, obviously. Ahem, you were wonderful! And I promise I'm not just staying that because you're pretty. Honesty, remember?"
My, how charming he is, Weiss thinks sarcastically. The guy is trying much too hard and at this point it would be best for him to move along.
"So, you thinkin' about buying it?"
"Isn't that whole gala thing a charity for Vale?" Nora asks, confused by his question. Yes, yes it was. Which is why that question brought a burning anger inside Weiss.
Weiss replies with a cold 'No'. Henry agrees with her decision as it seems a bit pricy for a painting. "It's to raise money," Weiss tells him coldly. Henry had the audacity to ask what it was for. This just upset Weiss further, rightfully so.
"What's the point of this guy even being here if he doesn't even know what it's for?" Sun demands. That's a question they'd all like an answer to.
"I'll admit, I only come to these things for the food and drinks. And the extraordinary company, of course," He finishes, grabbing a flute glass off a passing tray. "So, what? Is it another Mantle fundraiser or something?"
Everyone just about had enough of this man's ignorance, Weiss more so than the others. She really hoped her future told his ass to leave.
Weiss was past the point of being fed up and sternly told the man to get out.
"THANK YOU!" Weiss screamed. It was about time, they were done seeing his stupid face anyway.
Henry is confused but Weiss merely repeats herself, "Get out or I will have security escort you out." Henry claims that he's done nothing wrong, but Weiss simply shouts in his face to leave.
Weiss thinks about this conversation she might have but stops when there is a possibility that this party never happened at all.
Henry leaves with a scoff and Weiss takes a moment to herself. She hears all the conversations around her, but one in particular causes her to freeze. But really, does it come as any surprise what happened to Vale."
Just as that caught Weiss's attention, so did it catch everyone elses. All heads shoot up and eyes wide. "Excuse me, what did this bitch just say?" Yang demands, anger bleeding through her words with her eyes red.
"Yeah, run that by us again?" Ruby adds, just as enraged as her sister. No, really, they wanted to hear what this random lady had to say about the tragedy that happened at Beacon and Vale. How countless lives were lost and peoples' homes destroyed.
"It was a long time coming if you ask me." Her partner puts his hand on her shoulder, signaling for her to stop, but she just shrugged it off. "What? You said the same thing last night. If they're so arrogant to think they can get by without proper kingdom defense then I say good riddance."
"That's enough!" Weiss shouts, standing up from her seat as if the woman was right in front of her. "You haven't any clue! People are dead and all you and the others worry about are your- your fucking money, your status, your damn politics! Talking about pointless nonsense that don't mean anything! SO SHUT UP!"
The room is left silent as they watch Weiss take deep breaths to calm herself. Her face is a deep crimson as she glares at the screen, eyes sending daggers the woman's way. It took only a few moments before Weiss noticed everyone's shocked stares. She clears her throat and then goes back to sit in her seat. They were left off with that as they continued to hear on-screen Weiss continue to chew out the rich snob.
They've never seen Weiss blow up like that before, always the calm and composed one alongside Blake. And they never heard so many slurs come out at one time. It was fucking amazing!
Weiss's yell captures all the guest's attention, including her Father. "You don't have a clue! None of you do!" The lady is appalled at being called out. "You're all just standing around talking about nothing! Worrying about your hair, your money, your stupid problems that don't mean anything!" Jacque marches over to his daughter, grabbing her arm and telling her that this is enough. "Let go of me!" Jacque's pitiful excuse was that she was embarrassing the family.
"You've been embarrassing our family since the moment you took over the company you elitist asshole!" Weiss shrieks. Her friends were beginning to rapidly like Weiss without a filter, it was beautiful.
Weiss repeats one more time to let go of her, but as she breaks free she falls to the ground and summons her own Boarbatusk. It lets out a cry before heading straight for the woman, it never harms her as General Ironwood shoots it dead with a single bullet.
The woman demands that Weiss is to be arrested. General Ironwood looks back at Weiss as the lady yells that she's insane. "She's the only one making sense around here. Thanks for the party, Jacque." With those bidding words, General Ironwood takes his leave. From the floor, Weiss looks up to a very displeased man.
Weiss sat apprehensive in her seat, wondering what her father planned on doing once out of earshot.
Team JNPR stands in a very broken and abandoned village, but before they can take another step, Ren halts them.
They already didn't like the look of the village, but every single one of them felt dreading chills running down their spines. They hated how quiet everything was and Ren immediately stopping them as soon as they came on screen did nothing but build those worries.
Ren senses another presence and goes to take out his weapons, the others following suit as they stand their guard. From outside the village, Tyrian comes sprinting, catching them by surprise from the roofs and landing in front of them.
No! No, no, no, no! They much rather wanted it to be a Grimm or anything else!
Tyrian doesn't waste a second as he rushes into battle, already tossing Ren to the side in a couple of seconds. Going for Ruby next he gives her a hard time yet she stands her ground. He manages to chip her aura and proceeds to attack Jaune, perching himself on his shield.
This man was throwing them around like they were nothing! They wouldn't give up though, that's for sure! If he wanted a fight, he's got himself one. Deep down, Yang is extremely nervous because he's here for Ruby and he's the kind of man to eliminate whatever's in his path to achieve his goal. And that scares her more than anything else.
Ren grunts to himself, wondering where he is because his friends need him, he can't be gone for the rest of the fight!
Nora runs up from behind as Tyrian jumps onto her hammer as leverage to slam himself into a building. He remains standing and looks down at them from between the supporters. Jaune yells that they're not looking for a fight as Ren demands who he is.
They may not be looking for a fight, but this guy certainly is…
Tyrian smiles maliciously, dropping down in front of them, "Who I am matters not to you. Or you, or you, or…well, you do interest me," He goes down the line of friends but pauses on Jaune, shocking him.
What do I have that intrigues him so much? Jaune wonders curiously.
"No, I only matter to you." Tyrian points past her friends to Ruby, causing them all to turn. Ruby's confused response leads Tryian in a hysterical fit of laughter.
Fucking psycho. Yang grits her teeth as well as her fists tightening, just waiting for this man to try something with her sister. She'll gladly kick his ass even if it'll be a tough match.
"You haven't the slightest clue, do you? Oh, how exciting this must be." Ruby commands him to tell them what he wants, especially with her. "Oh, the rose has thorns. My little flower, I'm here to whisk you away with me."
Nora steps in front of Ruby, "Well what if she doesn't want to go with you." Tyrian looks unimpressed, replying simply that he'll just take her. Jaune copies his teammate, putting himself in front of Ruby, and telling Tyrian that they won't let him do that. Tyrian was hoping he'd say that.
In the blink of an eye, he's behind Jaune, about to slice him when Ren calls out to his teammate, quickly shooting. Tyrian spins around on Jaune's shield using his blades. No matter how much they go in the offense he's too lithe. As he darts over to Nora, Ruby has electric dust ready, smirking as she hits Nora.
Everyone else has the same look on their faces.
Tyrian goes into another fit as Ruby smiles. "Well, isn't that ironic." The man looks confused at all their smug expressions as Nora embraces the electricity. Running forward, Nora slams her hammer down on him, creating a large cloud of dust.
The group was about to celebrate, but it was swiftly cut short as they watched the dust clear. Their mood was shattered by what they were witnessing.
Pressed up against Nora's hammer is a tail, a scorpion's tail to be exact.
"He's a Faunus?!" Sun shrieks.
"Surprise!" Tyrian swiftly kicks Nora away and sheds his remaining coat as he lands on a rooftop. Ren voices what they're all thinking.
"What is this about?!" Ruby shouts, "The White Fang? Roman Torchwicke?" Tyrian describes them as all plastic soldiers and pawns at best.
"My heart and body belong to only our Goddess." Since Ruby doesn't know of any other enemy she narrows it down to Cinder. "Hm, only in her wildest dreams!" Tyrian launches himself off the building. He kicks Ruby to the side and attempts to poison Ren with his tail. Thankfully, he dodges each one.
Outside the village, a crow comes rushing, frantically, it would seem, as if it were terrified.
Taking their minds away from the fight for a single moment, haven't they seen that crow before?
Knocking them all back with his feet as well as his tail, the crow comes closer and closer. With each hit, Ruby's aura drops lower and lower. With a final beat, her aura is destroyed. Where once the crow flew was now Qrow running.
"Wait, wait, wait, wait! You all saw that right? That crow transforming into…Qrow?" Sun states, needing everything to be stopped for the time being. "How did-? How does he? What?"
Now all they were filled with her questions of when this all had become a thing and how?! It's unheard of for anyone to be able to turn into an animal. Would Qrow technically be classified as a Faunus? How come he's never told this to the girls before?
They assumed they wouldn't be getting answers anytime soon as the episode was almost over, but that only made them want to know more. How is that even possible? Is it something genetic like a repressed DNA thing?
Tyrian looks down at Ruby as she holds her stomach, everyone seeming to already accept Ruby's fate.
"Why the hell are we all just watching this happen?! Why aren't we doing anything more?!" Nora shouts. More questions were asked, yet none of them were given any answers.
Qrow arrives in the knick of time, stopping Tyrian's stinger from going any further. Ruby is more than happy to see her uncle as Qrow calmly greets his niece.
The screen goes black, indicating the end of the episode. And, now that it's over they mulled about the question of Qrow! How the heck is he able to turn into, well…a crow? Also, why hadn't ever told Ruby or Yang about this information, did their dad know about this? What all were they keeping from them?
Surely they were going to be given some type of explanation in the future, but when they get about, boy do they have a conversation waiting for those two when they see them again.
A/N: Sorry it's been a minute. Just school work having my free time around a chokehold lately. But, anyway, I hope you all enjoyed the chapter, and thank you all for sticking around. I know this is very late, but Sept. 4th was this story's second anniversary and I want to thank all of you for the support you've given me and this fic. I have news for you all and that news is me finally putting this story onto Ao3. The title and my account name are still the same, nothing new so it won't be that difficult to find. Currently getting close to finishing up the first volume, so go take a read if you want. But I wish you all a good day/night and I hope you all stick around for the next chapter when I can get that out in my schedule.