Beginning where they all left off, they were all attempting to wrack their brains for how it was even possible to have the ability to turn into a bird. Every time they tried to narrow it down to anything scientific, nothing made any sense! After going over it for a few moments, they began to go through unorthodox solutions, like magic. It was quickly stomped out though because that's ridiculous, magic doesn't exist, that's all fantasy and something you would see in books.
All they seemed to be doing at this point was giving themselves brain cramps in efforts to figure out the 'How'. They couldn't turn to Raider as she would just tell them that this information would be revealed in due time and them that it's spoilers. But they don't know how long it will be until they get answers and the impatience and unknown is eating away at their sanity. When they realized that all this thinking was doing more harm than good, they decided it would be best for all to take a breather.
With so much quiet and they're thinking away from Qrow, they all start reflecting on what they were shown in the last episode. Their brains were so caught up in Ruby and Yang's uncle that they completely forgot about the situation they were left off with: Team RNJR encountering Tyrian. And let's not forget the way Jacque looked at his daughter after that disaster of a gala. Just those two things alone were worrying the kids to bits about what could happen, and they sure knew they weren't gonna like the outcomes.
Taking a couple more moments to calm down as they were all anxious to see where the episode would take them, and to be honest the title of the episode gave no hope whatsoever. But, they knew they had to continue, so with a heavy heart, they began the episode Punished.
(Volume 4 Intro)
Oscar rests on his bed, a book in hand as his aunt calls to him that supper's almost ready.
Hmm, so we're starting with me, well it could be a lot worse. Still, I always seem to be the one to randomly begin the episodes. Oscars begins to think over the possibilities of why his appearances are few and far between, I mean, it must lead up to something, or else he wouldn't be here or on the screen. The last time he came up Ozpin scared him, talking in his head. If Professor Ozpin, supposedly now, died, how is he in his head?
"Aww, cute farm boy!" Nora coos. She isn't the only one appreciating a nice change of pace considering the last episode. It was good that they were going to be eased into everything in this one.
"What are we having?" He calls back, pausing his reading. His aunt yells back that it doesn't matter and that he's going to eat it anyway. "I never agree to these terms!" He shouts, flipping another page in his book.
"It's part of the 'Living Under My Roof' contract! Read the fine print then come wash up!"
"She seems like a lot of fun," Yang states, loving the light back and forth between the two. Oscar doesn't disagree.
Oscar closes his book and lets out a breath, but the moment is interrupted by Ozpin, telling Oscar that they have to leave.
Oscar releases a sigh, wondering what he wants now. And leave for what? Where would they even be going and why? It was starting to get a little annoying to Oscar with this guy popping at random and only giving him vague pieces of information.
Now that Professor Ozpin had the ability to…use telepathy, something about him just didn't sit right with all of them anywhere. What else was he able to do and why did it suddenly feel like he was keeping so much from them?
Professor Ozpin repeatedly tries to gain Oscar's attention but he chooses to ignore him, deciding that he isn't real and sticking with it.
Blake's eyes narrowed as she looked at the screen. Something about this seemed very familiar to her like she's some kind of concept of this before. She has a faint idea but rather waits as there is a piece that hasn't happened yet that she's looking for. Waiting for the two souls to–
"Hey, Blake, you okay? You've been staring real intensely at the screen, is everything alright?" Blake's broken out of her thoughts by her partner as she looks at her in concern. It takes a moment for Blake to register her question.
"Oh, yeah, just lost in thought is all. No, I'm okay." Yang stares at her for a few seconds, as she doesn't fully believe her, but she takes her word for it as this seems like one of those times where this will come up again and Blake will reveal what's on her mind. Yang could tell it wasn't anything bad, just her face when she concentrated and analyzed what was in front of her.
"I understand how you're feeling, I went through the same panic and confusion."
Professor Ozpin says that like he's been through this multiple times, but how?
Oscars repeats to himself over and over again that none of this is real as he puts away his book. He stops and looks at his reflection in the window as Ozpin 'consoles' him that he's perfectly sane. "I'm talking to a voice in my head."
"Yeah, what part of any of that screams sane?" Sun asks.
"I didn't say you were normal, I said you were sane."
Oscar scoffs, pfft, like that's any better.
"There's quite a significant gift between u–" "Shut up!" After Oscar's outburst, Ozpin goes silent. "You think this is funny? It's not."
"We are in complete agreement on that matter, I promise you. Believe me, I wish this were the case, but as I've told you, our aura, our souls are combined."
That only added more proof to Blake's theory. This same scenario is just the same as the book she read on her first night at Beacon. The Tale of Two Souls.
"I'm done listening to you." Ozpin quickly changes the subject, asking Oscar if he's ever been to Haven.
Haven? Why does he want Oscar to go to Haven?
"I told you I'm not going and I told you I'm done listening." Ozpin ignores him and asks if he can describe the headmaster's office.
How would he be able to do that? He's never been.
"No, how would I know that? I've never seen–" Ozpin cuts him off, wanting him to try. Oscar thinks this is a waste of time, but is shocked when he answers that it's autumn colored with a large mahogany desk and a small table and chairs in the corner for guests with a tea set that he gave him.
The room sat silent, wondering how that was even possible. They doubted Oscar had ever stepped foot off his farm much, let alone stepped inside an academy. How could he know what the inside of the office looked like?
The more they watched, the more questions were raised, and every one of them was left sitting with no meeting. Were these all of Professor Ozpin's memories connected with him? Is that how he knows? And if that were the case, how on Remnant are they being shared anyway?
Oscar began to start panicking, trying to grasp how he knew any of that and why he said that. "Because I helped build that school and the tea set was a gift to the man running it now," Ozpin informs, only enraging Oscar further.
How much is there to this man that they don't know about? How much is he keeping from all of them?
"If you don't believe me you can look it up. If I recall your aunt has several books on Mistral downstair, I'm certain you can find a picture in one of them." Hearing this, Oscar calms down, rationalizing that that's where he saw it. Professor Ozpin calls the boy's name to which Oscar abruptly stands from his bed, yelling for Ozpin to stop talking to him. He doesn't listen though.
"I have a grave responsibility to uphold, we both do." Oscar falls to his knees, mumbling that he never agreed to anything, he never wanted any of this.
This is my future? To have my mind taken over by some killed headmaster? And for what?! Why is it me? What does he want with me?
"No, you didn't, and neither did I, at first, but you do have an opportunity." Oscar wants to know what those opportunities entail. "Greatness, hopefully. Greatness in knowing that when the world needed help, you were the one to reach out your hand. It won't come without hardship, without sacrifice but I know you don't want to live the rest of your life working as a farmhand in Mistral."
Oscar's eyes widened. What is with this man? Now he's reading my thoughts? Ugh, he wants me to go Haven but for what? WHAT DO YOU WANT WITH ME?!
Oscar didn't realize he was breathing heavily until called out his name multiple times, everyone looking at him with worry. He just now noticed that he seemed to have been crying. "Oscar, are you okay?" The boy was silent for a few moments before responding that no, he wasn't okay. Figuring out that his future is now being based on some wild Grimm chase for a reason has no clue of by a dead man who just decided he wanted to inhabit his own head for who knows what!
So no, Oscar wasn't okay, but he didn't want anyone else to know his thoughts. One person would already be enough as he's witnessing right now.
Professor Ozpin corrects him, claiming them as their thoughts now. Oscar's had about enough of him and screams for him to get out of his head. Oscar's aunt brings him back to the present, reminding him that dinner's ready and that his hands better be clean.
"So much for being eased into the episode," Nora tries lightheartedly, but the others could tell there wasn't any humor in it.
Weiss stares at her father as he paces in front of her.
Great, just what we all needed. Weiss's frown deepens as she sees herself. She sat, scared of what her father was going to do to punish her.
"Unbelievable, absolutely unbelievable. Do you have any idea what your stunt cost us?" Jacque demands, pointing a finger at his daughter. Weiss doesn't get a chance to speak up as Jacque goes on, "And don't think I'm just talking about lien here. Our reputation! Our-our…" He lets out a frustrated sigh as he scratches the back of his head.
No one liked this, they could just sense something impending coming. They didn't know what it was going to be, but they knew one thing: it was going to leave a horrible feeling of wanting to beat the shit out of Jacque Schnee. So, that man better watch where's he stepping because he's on very thin ice with every single one of them.
"I want to leave," Weiss looks down as she speaks up. Jacque gestures for her to repeat herself. "I said I want to leave. I don't want to stay here anymore, I don't want to stay in Atlas anymore!"
"Young lady, I don't give a damn about what you want! This isn't about you, this is about the Schnee Family name and your apparent insistence on dragging it through the mud!"
"Hey, Weiss, you wouldn't mind if I pounded your father into next week, would you?" Yang asks, eyes red as she punches a fist in the palm of her hand. It might not be the best thing to be telling your friend you want to beat up their dad, but damn was Jacque Schnee the man that made it really enticing to do so.
"Oh! Can I join in that too?" Nora pleads, sending Weiss puppy eyes as a way to convince her. Blake wasn't going to voice her opinions on the matter but she was more than willing to beat that man's ass for all he's done. Ruby and a few others were trying to reign their teammates in as Weiss sat quietly. Yang and them took that as a maybe. She didn't completely turn down the idea.
"I have done nothing but fight to uphold the honor of my family name. A name that you married into!" Weiss stood up, yelling in her father's face, but his actions were just as quick as a resounding slap echoed throughout the room. Weiss's face was turned in another direction as she slowly raised a hand to the reddening cheek.
…
…
"I'm gonna murder that man!"
…
…
Everyone gasped, silently gazing with shocked expressions as Ruby was the one standing from her seat, glaring daggers at the man. Out of all the people that could come from, they all expected it to be Yang, but Ruby was a surprise.
How dare he. How dare he, how dare he, how dare he! The voice inside of Ruby that normally sat dormant was arising with a deadly vengeance at the sight of Jacque hitting Weiss. Throughout her time here, it was usually so quiet, seeming to make comments here and there whenever Weiss was concerned. Ruby was naturally protective of all her friends and family, but this felt…different. Much different than with her other friends. Ruby tried to go through her memories and found they became more apparent with moments involving Weiss and Neptune together or a protectiveness like no other with her and her father.
No, I can't be, that's ridiculous, we're just…friends…nothing more. If that's the case, why does it hurt more and more to think those thoughts? No, I'm just really overprotective of her. Yeah, that's what it is.
It wasn't until now that her friends were still all staring at her with wide eyes. Her face goes increasingly red and she sits back down, apologizing for her outburst. Weiss doesn't take her eyes off her partner, though and Ruby can feel it. "That probably wasn't a nice thing to say about your father. I'm sorry Weiss." Unbeknownst to Ruby, Weiss was currently having the exact same thoughts, her face burning a bright red as well. If you look directly into her eyes, you can see the confusion dancing and the cogs turning. She doesn't get a chance to conclude as Yang seems to be smirking as she clears her throat to grab their attention.
Weiss takes a minute to gather her bearings. What were they doing? Oh, right, this is supposed to be a sad scene as she just got slapped in the face by her own father. That should be what she should be focussing on, but her mind was elsewhere.
"This behavior of yours is incredibly disappointing. You couldn't possibly understand the lengths I've gone to in order to keep this family where it is. You think running off like your sister is going to make the Schnee name stronger, you're wrong, siding with her only divides us."
Weiss stands her ground as she glares at the man, "I'm not siding with anyone. I'm doing what I feel is right and that does not include wasting my time up here with these clueless people in Atlas. The Schnee Family Legacy is yours to leave, it's mine, and I'll do it as a huntress."
"No, you won't. You're not leaving Atlas, you're not to leave the manor grounds unless I specifically allow it."
That grabs Weiss out of her thoughts. Does he plan to keep me there forever? Ugh, doesn't he realize people are going to question why the heiress to the Schnee Dust Company suddenly disappeared?
"You are going to remain here. Out of sight and out of trouble, until you and I come to an agreement on your future." This news shocks Weiss. "Your presupposition that you can simply have whatever it is you want is a clear sign of our failure as parents. But from now on I'll be giving you the full attention you require, starting by keeping you where I can see you." Jacque decides that their discussion has come to an end, but is stopped by Weiss's rebuttal.
"You can't just keep me from leaving!"
"Yeah, Weiss isn't your prisoner to be locked away in some tower!" Jaune shouts.
Jacque thinks otherwise and the staff at the manor will be informed of her whereabouts. Weiss yells that now she's just his prisoner. "You are my daughter, you're a child, and children are grounded when they misbehave."
"This is only going to make things worse father, people will ask questions, they'll want to know why the heiress to the Schnee Dust Company is suddenly nowhere to be found."
"Which is why you are no longer the heiress to the Schnee Dust Company." Weiss becomes too taken aback by this response, wanting to be sure she heard right.
W-what? Did she–she's not the… Weiss has no idea what to think as it feels like her entire body has shut down. In the future, she isn't the heiress anymore?
In the future, how is she ever going to fix the damage her father's done if the heiress's name has been taken from her? Weiss now finds that tears have been running down her cheeks. But, in that same moment, she's engulfed in a large hug from who she sees is from Ruby. The rest of her friends quickly join in as Weiss allows herself a minute to let this all sink in.
After that moment ends, she thanks all of them, appreciating all the comfort.
"Clearly the trauma you endured at the Fall of Beacon was too much for you, which is why you've generously revoked your claim to the company and its earnings and passed them on to your brother Whitley."
Whitley?! Why would he–? What does Whitley want anyway? Just the power that comes with the title? Is that all it is?
"It's time to wake up and face reality." Jacque takes his leave and standing right outside the door is Whitely himself. Weiss angrily stomps out of her room, catching her brother as he's walking away.
Whitely turns around, answering her with a voice as sweet as honey. "Did you know about this?" Weiss doesn't waste any moment, cutting to the chase. He tries to play dumb. "You never liked Winter, you never liked me, but you've been supportive since the moment I came back."
Weiss lets out a quiet gasp. He's been wanting this to happen, for my title as heiress to be renounced. But why?
"If being kind to my big sister is some sort of crime, then I supposed I'm guilty." This is the moment where it hits Weiss. Whitely has been waiting for this exact thing to happen. "It's foolish not to do as father asks." Weiss has no words for his actions as his true colors shine through. "Don't worry, Weiss, the Schnee Family name is in good hands."
Nora and a few others would really like to say a thing or two about Weiss's brother, but small gestures from their teammates signal that now isn't the best time as Weiss stares at the screen, specifically her brother. He was turning out to be just like their father. Weiss feels a hand on her shoulder to see it's from her partner, "Don't worry Weiss, when we get back we're gonna make things better. You're gonna keep your standing as the heiress so you can change your family name into something greater than who it was left to."
Chanting agreements rang all over the room and Weiss wiped away her remaining tears, thanking all her friends once more.
Weiss's eyes well up with tears and she throws herself on her bed to let it all out. Weiss doesn't sulk for long as determination burns inside of her. She gets up from her bed and starts to rearrange everything, messing it all up. She walks over to her bedside, taking Myrtenaster out of its casing.
The room erupts into a small fit of cheers, happy to see Weiss take a stand for herself. Weiss couldn't help the small blush of embarrassment that made its way to her cheeks.
Tyrian stumbles as Qrow stands before him.
Ah yes, they were hoping to forget about this fight, but seeing how it hasn't finished yet they knew it was going to come back eventually. They all just hope it turns out in their favor and everyone makes it out okay.
"As I live and breathe, Qrow Branwen. A true huntsman has entered the fray." Qrow looks back at Ruby, confused, but she confirms that she has no clue who this guy is.
"Look pal, I'm not sure who you are, but you need to leave my niece alone." Tyrian lets out a deranged chuckle, giving the man his name.
"And I'm afraid that is not possible, my assignment from Her Grace was to retrieve this young girl. So, that is what I must do, one does not upset the queen." Ruby's confused about what he means by 'queen', but Qrow mutters her name.
"He knows who she is? How?!" Sun exclaims. This only continued to add to the mountain of questions they have about Qrow and none of them have yet to be answered. So, Qrow can turn into a crow and he knows about this Grimm queen named Salem? What else is there that he isn't telling any of them?
Ruby asks who they're talking about, but Tyrian decides they've had enough chit-chat for his liking. He crouches to the ground and Qrow is almost finished with his sentence before Tryian pounces. The two repeatedly go back and forth with each other, none of them making a dent in the other. A gust of wind is produced from the impact of Qrow's sword and Tyrian's blades, cutting off the roof of a distant building.
The group of kids have mixed expressions of terrified, worried, and mesmerized. An interesting combination from the scene at hand.
Qrow gives the guy a smirk. Tyrian does the same, shooting bullets from the grip of his weapon. Tyrian runs around him, firing and Qrow blocks every one of them. It is at this point that the rest of them help, but Tyrian tosses them all back before running right back to Qrow.
They all mutually decided that this battle was not the battle to get involved in. It was best to allow Qrow to handle it because all it seemed to prove was that they were getting in the way.
Qrow makes him pause with Harbinger, but it isn't for long as Tyrian pushes forward. Qrow demands that none of them come any closer. Ruby shouts that she will before running off to place herself on a broken roof.
"Question, what am I doing?" Ruby asks, a dumbfounded smile growing across her face. The others agreed, what is she doing?
From atop, Ruby tries to get a good shot but the battle's all happening too fast, frustrating the girl.
Once more, Ruby questions her counterpart's actions. This isn't her fight anymore and it wouldn't be smart for her to do so anyway, from a farther vantage point or not because she has no aura left!
None of the two men rest and Qrow barely avoided getting stung. Tyrian's tail wraps around Qrow's arm, leaving Harbinger to be thrown out of his hands and stuck into a wall. Qrow rolls his wrist and there's a moment of break as Tyrian takes a laugh. A bullet shot right in front of Tyrian and one after the other he blocks the rest with his tail.
"First off, how on Remnant did I miss? That was a clean shot! Second, can someone please tell my other self to stop? This seems more like a pride thing now than wanting to actually take down Tyrian," Ruby exclaims, crossing her arms. Everyone, even Ruby, couldn't deny she was being a tad bit stupid at the moment.
Qrow looks down at his knuckles and concludes that they'll have to do. With a shrug he punches Tyrian right in the eyes, causing him to cry out in pain.
"Yes! Haha, that's our uncle!" Yang screams, pumping her fist in the air.
Punching him once, twice, then a kick to the stomach. Taking his time he walks over to Harbinger, putting his fingers against the handle and jumping it when Tyrian uses it to attack. Changing harbinger to its scythe form, he's propelled in the air with a wooden beam. Balancing on it, Qrow is then knocked down as Tyrian cuts it in half. The real fight between the two continues. In the midst, Qrow sees a gap, so he leaps back, letting Tyrian crash down from a high jump kick.
Qrow is about to jump off when Tyrian's tail catches his ankle, dragging him down with him. Ruby sees all this happening and swiftly rushes over to the scene as Qrow is thrown through the wall. He gains his traction as he watches from the blade of Harbinger. While standing his aura crackles. Tyrian lightly depletes as well and when he is about to go for another hit, it is stopped by Ruby.
"Ruby! What are you doing? He told you to stay back!" Yang wanted to be angry at her sister's reckless actions, which she was, but this was coming more from a worried older sister than an angry one. Ruby was the last one that should be taking part in this fight, she was the one he was after in the first place. "Forget your pride in being told to stay out of the fight and actually do it!" Yang added.
"Ruby!" Jaune called out in alarm. Ren held him back as the leader took a step forward. Tyrian shouts if she wishes to be taken.
"No, but I won't stand by and watch someone get hurt!"
Ruby and Qrow both face Tyrian together, but the older man is kicked aside by the Faunus. Ruby is about to get stung by his tail but Qrow blocks it with Harbinger and once again tells her to Get. Back! The girl refuses as it's her fight too. She runs behind Tyrian and Qrow tries to explain that it isn't that. Tyrian knocks her back and above her, a wooden beam comes falling.
"Ruby!" Everyone collectively shouts as the girl isn't paying attention.
Just as she looks up to notice it Qrow is already cutting in half. Ruby gives her uncle a thankful look but it's all ruined when Tyrian manages to cut Qrow in the hip.
Both Yang and Ruby jump up from their seats in horror, screaming. Ruby is the first one to sit back down as she stares at the floor, all the noise around her fading out. I'm the reason Qrow got hurt. All I did was get in the way. It's all my fault, I should've just listened to him! Tears were streaming down her face and she was desperately trying to rub them away. I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry Qrow!
Everyone is at a standstill. In that same moment, Ruby takes her scythe and shoots the end of his tail off, causing him to let out a horrendous scream. The stinger and venom fall and splash onto the stone.
All winced as they heard the scream, Blake and Sun especially. Their animal attributes were sensitive enough, to have them torn off. They couldn't even imagine the pain from it. But, they were seeing it.
Tyrian stumbles away, Qrow and Ruby glaring at him. "You bitch!" He becomes defenseless as Jaune, Ren, and Nora step in front of him, weapons ready. "She'll forgive you…" He mumbles to himself. Realizing he can't win, he flees.
Qrow drops to a knee, holding onto the wound. Ruby rushes over, asking if he's okay.
"Bit of a stupid question there, me," Ruby states, her voice sounding clogged as she sniffles.
Qrow tells her he'll be fine and that it was only a graze, but upon removing his hand, it shows blood and his voice is shaky. The rest of Team RNJR rushed over and began bombarding him with questions.
Ruby asks her uncle about what's going on. His response: What's your favorite fairytale?
The credits of the episode begin to play, signaling the end and that's when all most affected begin to break down. Weiss, Ruby, and Yang all burst into a fit of tears as everything only seemed to be getting worse and worse. They all wonder when they're gonna get a reprieve from all this, something happy or whatnot.
They doubted it would be soon, but they really wished they could have some optimism right about now. Sadly, one of those people was covering their eyes, repeating 'Sorry' like a mantra. There was no bright side, and they all got to wondering if there would ever be a bright side anymore.