Halo, it's time for a new chapter. Enjoy the reading.

Team VERF attacked first, Rinne and Fuuka from the right, and Vivio and Einhart from the left. The team LLMM took a defensive position, Lance transformed his shield into a rectangle, so the crest on it also transformed into a golden rook and then 3 pointed, long spikes grew out of it. He turned his sword into a spear and thrust it forward.

Mandy attached the nerve to her bow and cocked it and shot straight at Einhart. Lynda used her blades to fight with Fuuka while Mike faced Rinne. Lance fought the captain of the VERF team.

- This is the fierce showdown! – Port commented on the events. - The combative and confused little ladies of the VERF team shouldn't be underestimated, as they are amazing in the use of melee and ranged weapons and they are blessed with a very strong fighting spirit.

- However, - Oobleck added. – the team LLMM, belying their name, is one of the most outstanding and experienced team in Vale, they are characterized by excellent teamwork and analytical skills.

Einhart dodged the arrow and started returning fire with her revolvers but Mandy easily dodged the bullets with her Semblance, teleported behind Einhart and another arrow flew towards her, which Einhart could have easily dodged with a smile but the arrow split into three and one caught her, damaging her aura.

- Wow, - Port laughed excitedly. – Ms. Stratos just took note of Ms. Forester's splitting arrows, which multiply when fired, causing larger area damage.

- Also, - Oobleck continued. – Mandy's Semblance Flashing, which allows her to appear wherever she pleases within a certain area.

Einhart angrily opened fire but Mandy was too fast to hit her and she teleported one more time but Einhart didn't let herself be fooled again she immediately turned around to open fire on the fox faunus as it appeared but it was nowhere to be seen but she felt a strong kick to the back of her head that sent her face down in the sand.

While Mike was fighting Rinne, he loaded a fire Dust crystal into What the Heck, pressed its button and a bunch of exploding fireballs went off at Rinne. Rinne dodged the projectiles with her tonfas in the blink of an eye, then transformed her weapons into submachine guns and opened fire on Mike. Mike raised his energy shield to protect himself from Rinne's bullets, then fired again with What the Heck.

- Ah, Mr. Birmingh's weapon, What the Heck, is a very tricky, underrated weapon that allows its user to create anything to aid him in battle.

- Also, the given weapons can be enhanced with different Dust crystals.

This time he put ice Dust in it and at least 6 giant balls rolled towards Rinne, which she quickly and gracefully dodged and aimed again but before she could fire the trigger, one of the ice balls pushed her up and the other five passed through her, draining her aura.

- Ho-ho, it's time for Ms. Berlinetta to catch the ball!

Rinne angrily jumped up, restored her tonfas and smashed all six ice balls but she didn't notice Mike launching another attack at her, this one with Rock Dust. He shot the familiar boxing gloves at her but this time as a rock that just kept sliding but Rinne dodged it at the last moment and grinned confidently.

Lynda collided with Fuuka on the mast of the ship, the two girls proved to be lightning fast and could only be seen for a few flashes as Lynda's claw blades and Fuuka's katanas collided. They finally stopped, where Fuuka began aggressively attacking Lynda, who was forced to back up to the edge of the mast. Lynda switched in time and seeing that Fuuka was full of bloodlust, focused rigidly on one thing and pinned the girl.

Fuuka was completely shocked and fell from the mast to the deck but she didn't give up and wanted to continue the fight, which she got because Lynda didn't wait long before jumping on her, landing two powerful blows on the green-haired girl, who picked up the rhythm and began to attack Lynda wildly and aggressively again.

Lynda had already thoroughly seen through Fuuka's style, so it wasn't difficult to understand the wild and aggressive girl, dodge her attacks and use her Semblance to get to her side and kick her in the stomach at the right time. Fuuka fell off the ship and into the water.

- Alas, an unpleasant bath has begun for Ms Bucksworth.

- And Lynda is planning an unpleasant bathing to her.

Lance and Vivio clashed on the ice field, where Lance was at a disadvantage, as no matter how strong his defenses were, he couldn't stay on the slippery ice, especially against Vivio's telekinetic attacks, which has just started pushing him.

- Well, an equal fight has begun, between Mr. Monroe and Ms. Takamachi.

- Indeed, Vivio's Semblance is telekinesis, which allows her to move certain objects at will with her aura but Lance's shield, Scarlet Rook is a very strong shield that resists Dust and Semblance attacks, however, thanks to the ice field, Vivio is able to push Lance a bit but nothing more. Lance can't move from behind the cover of his shield unless he wants to take the full force of Vivio's attack.

Vivio didn't approach Lance, who was only hiding behind his shield, Scarlet Rook but that way he couldn't attack her either, since he was just sliding on the ice. Lance turned his spear, the Golden Sting back into a sword and thrust it into the ice, marching forward towards Vivio.

As soon as he got close enough to the girl, she gave up the telekinetic strikes and took out her two nunjakus, which she handled very well and spinning with lightning speed, cruelly charged up Lance's rectangular shield but the Red Knight didn't back down, he just kept pushing forward. Vivio threw herself on the ground and immediately came up behind Lance and hit him on the back with one of her nunjakus.

Lance was protected by his armor from the first blow but parried the second with his sword and the third again with his shield after managing to turn. They went back to where it started, Lance thrust his shield forward and transformed Golden Sting back into a spear, making Vivio back away.

Einhart was dedicated to wipe the floor with Mandy even if it was the last thing she did and started firing at the faunus girl at a cruel, crazy pace, who, seeing that her opponent was barely thinking just charged forward like a rabid dog and eschews any kind of strategy.

Unfortunately, Mandy didn't have a chance to strategize, as Eihart was hit from the side by a rock boxing glove, sending her flying out of the ring. Mandy just stared for a while but managed to realize that it was actually her teammate Mike's botched attack that accidentally hit and knocked out a member of the VERF team.

- Ugh, painful right straight for Einhart!

It didn't take long for her to come to Mike's aid.

- Look, Ms. Forester and Mr. Birmingh teamed up for a combined attack!

Mandy jumped onto Mike's shoulder and the fat boy quickly recognized that he doesn't have to worry because he actually got help and put another Fire Dust into What the Heck and gave one to Mandy as well, then fired more Fire projectiles in Rinne's direction.

Mandy put Fire Dust in her bow and started firing at Rinne at lightning speed.

Rinne dodged Mike's fireballs with her tonfas again, avoided and then deflected Mandy's fiery arrows but this was their plan all along, as they were redirected her to the ice field, where due to the meeting of the fireballs and the icefield a large steam was generated, which worsened Rinne's vision.

- Ms. Berlinetta got an ominous steam bath but at least her poles will be clean.

Mandy jumped off Mike's shoulders, put away her bow and took out her daggers and a quick duel between Rinne and Mandy ensued. Rinne pushed the fox faunus back with ease but due to the duel and the steam, she was too late to notice that Mike had fired a missile at him from the What the Hecl. Mandy immediately teleported away but Rinne, before the missile could hit her, jumped into the air, dodging the projectile but what she didn't count on was Mandy jumping as high as she could and straight at Rinne, knocking her back in front of the missile and herself she jumped from Rinne to safety.

The missile hit Rinne in the face, draining her aura and flying out of the arena, straight onto Einhart.

- If that's not teamwork, dear viewers, then I don't know what is!

Lynda didn't wait long before she followed Fuuka into the water and the two girls showed the viewers another amazing duel. Lynda used her Semblance again and attacked Fuuka from all directions, who barely managed to dodge the blows but Lynda kicked one of the katanas out of her hand and found herself back in the water.

- Who's going to start yelling?! - Lynda scoffed as Fuuka stood up from the water, quickly gasping for air and with red, angry head.

Lynda easily dodged the girl's attacks, who charged at her mindlessly, hooking Fuuka's katana between her blades, twisting it out of her hand and sending her under the water for the third time with a spinning kick. The machine indicated that Fuuka's aura was depleted, thus knocking her out of the game. Only angry bubbling came from her from under the water.

- Don't hold your breath. - Lynda joked.

- I think Ms Bucksworth was overwhelmed with salt water and anger.

- None of them are healthy.

Vivio, the team leader, was still a major problem for Lance, as they were both able to ward off the other's attacks but neither could hurt the other. Vivio got behind Lance's back again and was about to use the Semblance but suddenly, her whole body glowed blue for a moment and her power went away.

- Looks like Ms. Takamachi used all her aura against Mr. Monroe.

- One of Lance's basic tactics is to exhaust his opponent's resources with his strong defense. Inconvenient for Vivio.

Lance just smiled, put his sword away, then threw a large and heavy block of ice at her, nearly crushing her.

- This will cool you down a bit. - Lance told her.

- We were awesome! – Lynda was out of herself with joy and then the whole team LLMM came together to hug from the joy caused by the victory.

- It was almost too easy! – Mandy's mood improved a little due to the victory.

Lance noticed someone in the cheering crowd who was completely left cold by the outcome of the fight. His father, who stared at the match with an unflinching and stern face the entire time. Lance shrugged happily and just gave his father a sullen look. He knew very well that the only thing his father owed him was that he had to come to the doubles match tomorrow.

- Who should go to the doubles battle? - Lynda asked after they left the arena court.

- How about you and Lance go? - Mandy suggested.

- I'm not saying that I'm happy that you didn't take me into account but it's a good idea. - Mike added.

- Are you sure? - Lance wasn't so sure. - I mean, you and Mike worked quite well together.

- Maybe, - Mandy, on the other hand, knew what she wanted. – but in the next match you will have to face stronger teams.

- You're right, - Lynda didn't want to sit out since she wanted to fight the stronger ones. – we might face Yang and Weiss from team RWBY or Pyrrha and Norah from team JNPR.

- Then, that's settled. - Lance bucked his waist. - Me and Lynda are going to the next round.

- I hope you get team JNPR, - Mike was enthusiastic and glad that he didn't have to fight. – it would be nice to see you fight Pyrrha.

- Yes, it's long overdue! – Mandy also supported the idea.

For the rest of the day, team LLMM didn't have to fight anymore, they could easily put down their weapons and Lance could take off his armor as well and they occupied some space between team RWBY and team JNPR.

Weiss looked in wonder at a plane that had just landed on the academy's runway.

- There she is! – Weiss was completely taken aback by the sight and started running towards the landing pad.

- Who is she? - Ruby couldn't understand why her white-haired friend was so excited.

- I'm curious about that. – Lance also went after them.

Weiss ran all the way to the landing until the plane landed, followed by Ruby and Lance.

- Weiss, what's all this?! - Ruby called after her. - Who is it?!

- You are unusually excited, Weiss! - Lance also ran to catch up with them.

- Winter. - Weiss watched in amazement as the ramp of the plane opened and a woman older than them, in her 20's got off. Her white hair was tied up in an elegant bun but hanging freely on the right side of her face in an all white Atlas military uniform and a long, thin sword hung at her side. She's clearly related to Weiss.

- Your sister? - Ruby guessed.

- Obvious. - Lance snapped.

- WINTER! - Weiss called out to her sister who, upon hearing her sister's voice, turned away from the robot soldiers and headed straight for her. Weiss, Ruby and Lance also rushed over to greet her. - Winter, I'm so excited to finally see you! – Weiss, as if she had just noticed that she wasn't behaving like she usually does, quickly changed to a formal style and bowed elegantly. - I mean, we're honored by your presence.

- Beacon, - Winter didn't answer, just looked around the academy. - it's been a long time. The landing field is a little different.

- Well, it's autumn. - Ruby replied. - So, it might be a little colder. – Weiss just slapped Ruby in the side because of her stupid comment, which Lance just laughed at but the big boy didn't escape from Weiss's elbow, which crashed into his ribs.

- So, - As if she hadn't beaten her two friends, she kindly continued. - what wind brought here?

- Classified. - Winter replied in a cold way.

- Oh, I see. And how long will you stay?

- Classified.

- Of course. - There was an awkward silence between the two sisters, which Ruby felt she should break.

- Well, that's… pleasant. I see.

- Awkward silence. - Lance couldn't say anything either.

- You will love being here! - Weiss' excited version came back to life. - I know you've traveled a lot but Beacon is completely different from Atlas! Vale too. The government and the army work completely separately! Can you believe it?!

- I know how this kingdom deals with... - She looked contemptuously at Lance, who she knew was the son of Vale's governor. - bureaucracy. - She turned back to her sister. - That's not why I came.

- Yes! - Weiss was a little broken. - I'm sorry.

- And not to see my sister fail so spectacularly during the fight. But I had no choice in this.

- But... we won.

- Only an amateur would consider what I saw a victory. I noticed at least three fatal errors. - She finally signaled to her soldiers. - Leave us. – The soldiers and robots took a few steps back, causing Winter to loosen up and show a much kinder face. - How are you?

- Great! - Weiss brightened again. - Thanks for asking. That's right, my studies are excellent and I'm considered among the best fighters and… - Suddenly, Winter hit Weiss on the head, causing a hump to grow on it.

- Shut up, you fool! - She stared sternly at her sister for a moment. - I didn't ask about your results I asked, how are you?! - Her face softened again and she smiled kindly. - Are you eating properly? Do you have any hobbies? Did you make new friends?

- Well… - Weiss could barely speak, so she said the first thing that came to her mind and pointed at Ruby and then at Lance. - Ruby and Lance are here. - Ruby pushed the hump back into Weiss' head with a grin.

- I see. - Winter measured Ruby and Lance all the way. - You must be the son of Chad Monroe, the Governor of Vale. I hope you don't end up like your father. - Lance narrowed his eyes a little at the mention of his father but Winter didn't want to get into an argument with the son of a man he didn't like either. She didn't know Lance, so she didn't judge him at first glance. She then eyed Ruby. - So, she's the leader you wrote about? Overwhelmingly… appropriate.

- Um... thank you? - Ruby didn't know what to say.

- Welcome, Lance Monroe and Ruby Rose. Thank you for taking the trouble to be friends with my sister.

- Ruby's much better friend of her. – Lance, even though he liked Weiss, she wasn't on his team and Ruby was more her best friend.

- Yes of course! - Ruby tried to sound grown-up and formal but it didn't look any better than when she danced with Lance at the prom. - I'm trying to... fulfill... my... duty! – She also tried to bow like Weiss did before but it just turned out to be a clumsy leaning and if Lance hadn't caught her, she would have fallen. Lance just laughed while Weiss just buried her head in her hands in shame.

- I have important business with the general and your headmaster but since I arrived a little early, how about you show me the room where you live?

- Really?! - Weiss's eyes cheered up.

- Yes. – Smiling kindly at her sister, she set off, accompanied by her robot soldiers. - I want to make sure they meet my personal expectations.

- Of course. But be aware that the bunk beds may be a bit unstable. – At this Winter shook her head in confusion.

- Bunk… beds?

- We'll catch up... - Ruby would have called out but it occurred to her again that she might be more formal. - I mean, it was a pleasure…meeting…I hope we can do it again at a…gathering!

- Don't push it, - Lance just put his hand on her shoulder. - you won't fool anyone.

- At least I'm trying.

- Did you see the look on Weiss' face when she saw her sister?

- Like if she had been struck by lightning. – Lance and Ruby noticed that a crowd had gathered in the academy courtyard for some reason and the sound of a fight was heard.

- What's there? – Lance asked, and Ruby just ran forward without a word, leaving Lance behind, to which he silently noted. - I hate when she does that.

As Lance pushed his way through the crowd, he saw Winter standing down to fight a strange man but this fight was on a completely different level than anything he had experienced before, both real and in the arena. The man was tall, had short, spiky hair, red eyes and a shaven face. He wore a light gray coat, red cape, black pants and shoes. He wore a cross around his neck and a huge sword strapped to his back.

An amazing duel ensued between Winter and the stranger, during which they destroyed a good part of the school yard but despite this, everyone excitedly cheered for one or the other. Even Weiss and Ruby, Weiss clearly for her sister and Ruby for the man she clearly knows.

The man suddenly put away his weapon and defiantly called Winter, who, enraged, summoned a huge rune and charged at the man with all her strength.

- SCHNEE! - General Ironwood spoke to her from a distance, and the blade stopped inches from the man's throat.

- General Ironwood?! Sir! – Winter immediately lowered her weapon, turned to the general and pulled herself out.

- What good life are you doing? – The general came closer but they could see that Penny was also behind him.

- He started this atrocity, sir! – Winter reported and the man just clasped his hands on the back of his head.

- This isn't true. She actually attacked first.

- Is this true? - Ironwood stared sternly at Winter, who was speechless with shame. The general looked around at the surprised crowd, who were still staring in astonishment. - And you, - He stared at the man, who pointed to himself in surprised as if he didn't know what he had done wrong. - what are you doing here?

- I could ask you that too. – The man answered but before the general could answer, Headmaster Ozpin and Professor Goodwitch intervened.

- Well, if you want to fight again, there is a floating arena above the academy that would be much more suitable, there are seats and popcorn for the spectators.

- Leave, everyone! - Goodwitch instructed the onlookers, who began to leave the courtyard and return to their duties.

Lance again struggled to make his way through the crowd but by the time he made it to Ruby and Weiss, he saw Ruby clinging to the man's arms and hugging him, who was stroking her head.

- So, Ruby, is he your father? - Lance held out his hand for a handshake. - Mr. Rose.

- Nah, - Ruby burst out laughing at this. - no way! He's my uncle, Qrow!

- Yeah, - Qrow looked a little sad as Ruby said it so easily, but he tried not to show it. - Qrow Branwen, professional Hunter.

- Oh, sorry, you're just so... - Lance could hardly believe that this man wasn't Ruby's father. - Your cloaks, your weapons...

- And your reckless behavior. - Weiss added.

- Qrow, - Ozpin called to him from a distance. - a word, please. - That was more of an order than a request.

- I'm in trouble. - He whispered to Ruby.

- You crushed the yard a bit.

- Ah, yes. - Qrow winked at her and they fist bumped. - See you later kid. - With that Qrow followed Ozpin and the teachers into the academy.

- So, is he… your father's brother? - Lance asked.

- No, he's Yang's mother's brother. - This confused Lance more and he shook his head.

- Okay, let's clear it up now, because this is a bit confusing! - Weiss didn't fully understand either. - You and Yang are half-siblings.

- Yes. - Ruby nodded.

- The same dad, - Lance continued and Ruby nodded again. – but your moms are different.

- Exactly.

- And Qrow… - Weiss was already putting the puzzle together in her head but Lance gave the answer.

- Yang's mother's brother. So, is he… how is he related to you?

- Well... maybe he's not my uncle by blood but he was always there and looked after me. He taught me how to fight, he helped me build Crescent Rose and he showed me how to be a Huntress, just like my mother.

- Yeah. - Lance and Weiss were just analyzing things in silence.

- And Qrow…does he visit you and Yang often?

- Of course, he helps us financially but in most cases he's on missions.

- And he also taught Yang everything?

- No way! Dad taught her! Well, he gets along with her too but me and Qrow have a lot more in common. He often took me to amusement parks, zoos, cinemas and such places. – Ruby just happily skipped back to her dorm room, leaving her two confused friends behind.

- She has no idea about it? – Weiss switched faster in those 5 minutes than Ruby had in her entire life.

- Do you also think Qrow is Ruby's real father? - Lance asked the obvious question.

- Why else would a guy take his sister's ex-husband's child from another woman under his wing?

Both Lance and Weiss have rested at the academy and the remaining matches of the Vytal festival have also ended.

Team CFVY from Vale against team GRRN from Heaven. The tea, CFVY won with an overwhelming result.

Team CRDL from Vale against team PRPL from Atlas. The team CRDL won but only by a hair.

Team FNKI from Atlas against team YTTH from Vale. The team FNKI won with an overwhelming result.

And finally, team PNCL from Atlas against team XLLL from Vacuo. The PNCL team won with an amazing result.

The following teams are going to fight:

Team RWBY from Vale,

Team CMEE from Mistral,

Team JNPR from Vale,

Team SSSN from Mistral,

Team LLMM from Vale,

Team CFVY from Vale,

Team CRDL from Vale,

Team FNKI from Atlas

And the team PNCL from Atlas.

These 9 teams made it and two of their members had to be selected to fight on.

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