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

Since the Battle of Beacon, law enforcement and hate towards the faunus in Vale have become very strict, since the White Fang attack, since faunus were responsible for the fall of Beacon and the death of many innocent people. Streets and planes are thoroughly searched and watched with prying eyes, looking for any suspicious thing or person.

There is one place that isn't being watched.

Mandy, as relieved as she was that she didn't have to be so careful about stealth, was disgusted by the stench of the sewer she was cutting through. It was the only place where the Vale army wasn't watching and could get anywhere in the city undetected.

She watched her Scroll and realized that she had reached her goal and climbed the first ladder she saw. She found herself in an alley, behind some large boxes. She slowly crept behind the boxes, like a shadow and saw a soldier patrolling in front of the boxes. The alley opened into a loading area, at the exit of which more boxes were loaded onto a truck.

Mandy waited for him to turn around and quietly slipped behind him, behind a few more boxes but she didn't stop, she kept running silently so that another guard, who had just finished smoking, wouldn't see her at the last moment.

Suddenly, the sound of a truck's engine hit her ears, which made her a little nervous. "They started the truck, I have to hurry!".

She ran up the huge pile of boxes and started running again until he reached the edge of the big mountain of boxes and descended it, all the way behind the exit guard booth. A guard was stationed there and supervised which vehicles passed through the lattice gate, which could be opened with a few presses of a button in the stall.

Mandy crept up to the left side of the stall and waited for the truck that had just been started to reach the stall. The driver showed some papers, making the guard to push a few buttons and the exit gate opened and the truck started but Mandy used her Semblance and teleported into the truck's hold.

There were guns, Dust and explosives in the truck but Mandy didn't take any of them, as that wasn't her main purpose. She just waited as she jostled her way through the crowded and uncomfortable hold. Less than a quarter of an hour had passed before the truck stopped and turned off the engine, indicating that it had reached its destination.

The cargo bay door opened but she quickly ducked behind a larger container and went straight to the end of the storage area to listen in on the driver's cab. She didn't hear anything that meant the driver had left the vehicle, so she teleported over to the cab where she had a much better view of the terrain.

It was Vale's prison where the brothers and sisters of the White Fang were held captive and it was her mission to free them. She carefully and quietly got out of the truck and again, like a shadow, slipped between the many guards in the yard and entered the prison building without difficulty.

"The first part of the plan, getting in," she thought as she got into an elevator and started it towards the lower levels. "Unfortunately, that was the easy part. The really hard part will be getting out."

As soon as the elevator opened, she saw a long corridor, where there were no windows or natural light, only lamps lit the whole way and a few doors led to other rooms. Mandy knew there were cameras in the hallway, so they didn't bother to set up patrols but her Semblance helped again and teleported her to the first room.

There was no one inside, so she didn't need to worry, even though she found herself in a weapons and armor warehouse. It didn't take long for her to take off his own Grimm's mask and White Fang crested vest and put on white Vale military armor, which she tucked under and hid her fox tail and a helmet that hid her fox's ears. She looked exactly like an ordinary Vale soldier and was free to walk around, just not to mix with anyone.

She put her mask and vest into the bag she carried on her back and walked out of the warehouse and down the hall as if she had always worked here.

The next one was a larger place where the prisoners were already kept, for at least 3 floors, guards crowded everywhere and of course, cameras were watching in the whole place.

She wanted to go on a rampage so she could vent her anger on as many people and save her faunus brothers and sisters but she had to be patient and move slowly but surely. She walked around the floors where the cells were and looked over the prisoners, most of them were indeed White Fang soldiers who had been captured during the battle but luckily, they didn't seem to have been treated particularly cruelly, they were rather bored and angry.

Mandy made it to the ground floor where the guards were stationed, there was a table where an officer was doing some paperwork, there were two guards talking, but in one corner was the entrance to the room that was Mandy's next target.

Thanks to her uniform, no one stopped her except the guard who was standing in front of the door.

- I came to replace you. - Mandy said to him.

- Well, finally. – The soldier wasn't suspicious, as he looked quite tired and worn. - The shifts have become damn long. Thanks to these damned animals. – He looked angrily at the faunus prisoners and Mandy also had to restrain herself so as not to hit in the face of this human scum.

Once he was far enough away and no one was watching, she went through the door where the generator that powered the entire building was. Mandy took out one of her daggers and stabbed it into the machine, causing sparks and lights to flicker. She stabbed another and another, causing the generator to give up and pitch black.

"The second phase, extinguishing the lamp."

She quickly left the generator room and mingled with the other soldiers who were a little confused but panicked a bit after hearing the alarm because it was the alarm that indicated the facility was under attack.

"Okay, Adam is doing his thing."

Most of the soldiers rushed upstairs to stop the unwanted intruder but the confusion and darkness gave Mandy the opportunity to go deeper than the other soldiers, into a deserted, empty dead end.

She took out a bomb from her bag, which she had also received from Adam, pressed a few buttons on it and placed it in front of the wall, walked to a decent distance and pressed the button on the detonator.

BANG

In the context of a huge explosion, a huge dust storm engulfed the entire corridor and the entire building shook. As the dust settled, Mandy saw that she had blasted a large hole in the wall that led into the sewer and created a perfect exit.

She quickly ran back upstairs, where the increasingly confused guards didn't even know where to go or what could have happened.

- Quick! - Mandy shouted. - The White Fang wants to attack us from underground! – She pointed towards the tunnel leading down, while the other half of the guard, who remained here, immediately started towards the tunnel that had just been blown up.

There were barely a dozen guards left in the huge prison block, whom Mandy could easily dispose of, but she didn't have time now. She caught one of the guards and knocked her out from behind and took her card, which she used to open the cells. As fast as the wind and as quietly as a shadow, she swept past the cells, causing the cells of the White Fang soldiers to open.

- I am your sister! - As soon as they gathered, Mandy took off her helmet, revealing her fox ears and also pulled her tail out from under her armor to prove her existence of the faunus.

- You have a plan, don't you? – One of the soldiers asked.

- Sure, - Mandy pointed towards one of the rooms. - that's the armory over there. From there we can get tools to make a way for ourselves.

The newly freed White Fang soldiers were happy to finally be free and burned with the desire to take revenge on the people who imprisoned them.

- Hey, - Unfortunately, the human soldiers noticed the escape prematurely. - the prisoners escape! Alar... - There was nothing to do, Mandy took out her bow and shot the man, who fell to the ground dead.

Mandy just shook her head as this was the third time she had killed someone and the second time she had done it out of simple anger.

- Nice shot! – One of the prisoners praised her and went into the armory with his companions, where they took the guards' weapons.

By the time the soldiers in the prison block regained consciousness, it was too late, as they found themselves confronted by an entire platoon of armed faunus who were eager to get revenge on them. The force of surprise hit the Vale soldiers like a sharp knife, so they didn't even have time to react before the men of the White Fang opened fire on them and finished them off with ease.

- To the lower levels! - Mandy instructed the others. - The exit is there but we have to ambush on the other half of the guard.

- That's it! - One of the men enjoyed killing more people but the others didn't shy away from violence either.

Mandy led the others into the tunnel she had just blown up and where the Vale soldiers were stationed, looking for the White Fang attackers. The escaping prisoners quietly lined up, aimed their guns and fired.

Again, surprise was their greatest advantage but it was also helped by the fact that the enemy was trapped in a narrow passage and they had nowhere to hide, so the superior numbers meant nothing against the people of the White Fang.

- Okay, - Mandy noted as the last enemy was dead. – this is how we get to the lower parts of the city and from there...

- No! - Suddenly, Adam appeared at the top of the stairs, covered in blood and his sword, Wilt, was also soaked in blood from tip to hilt but he was smiling nonetheless. - We'll go up, kill the rest of the guard and tie up their planes.

- Yes!

- This is my liking!

- Let's kill a few more humans!

The White Fang's members enjoyed more killing but Mandy paused a bit.

- But Adam, the plan was to…

- The plan has changed! - That's all he said. - That way we move a little faster. - He put Wilt on his shoulder and walked around his men. - Who wants to clean up some more human scum? - His question was followed by loud cheers and warlike roars from his faunus brothers and sisters. - Good answer.

Mandy was the only one who hesitated. She didn't want to kill more people. She turned her head towards the door that leads to the tunnel where she could leave this madness.

- You're not intending to leave?! – Adam grabbed one of her arms and pulled her back.

- Wha… - Mandy gulped one in her fear as Adam watched with a manic and mad look, it's scared Mandy.

- You don't want to know what happens with those who leave me.

- I… - Mandy wished to leave but she was afraid of Adam, afraid that she let her people down.

- Do you wish to run? Like a coward? Like Blake did? What's your answer?

- I… - Mandy clenched her fists and shut her eyes. She wanted to stay as far as it possible from this war. – I… follow you. – She gave up and accepted Adam's way.

The remaining guard didn't stand a chance against Adam, Mandy and the escaped faunus, so they easily crushed them and stole a large number of aircraft, which they used to leave Vale and go to the village outside the city, which they used as a hiding place and where, on Adam's instructions, in the city living oppressed faunus also congregate.

- This war, - Adam wiped the human blood off his sword with an evil smile and stared at the horizon from the plane's window. - has just began.

As night fell and darkness fell, Mike finally made up his mind to finally see what his mother was hiding in that particular cupboard, so he put on his soft-soled bunny slippers and put a pile of talcum powder on himself, which covered his smell.

As soon as she reached the closet she stopped and wondered if he was doing the right thing, his mind told him to forget it all and go back to sleep but his heart wanted to know what it was that his mother wanted to keep away from him.

He mustered the strength to open the cupboard, but found nothing but a pile of letters and books. One book was about the administration of placebo drugs, while another was about the dangers of drug overdose.

In the first book, there were a lot of medications that Mike was taking but in the second book, he had the same allergy complaints that had tortured him for who knows how long. He could hardly believe his eyes all those allergies and illnesses were because his mother overdosed on his medicines.

The letters that were tucked away seemed to be much more interesting reading, as the sender was Marvin Birmingham, Mike's father, who was said to have died many years ago. In the content of the letters, he inquired a lot about Mike but in later replies it turned out that his mother didn't answer him and based on the dates, his father didn't write for a long time, until the beginning of the year. He wrote that he had become terminally ill and that he would like to see Mike at least once.

Then 9 months passed between the last letter.

"Honey,

I know I hurt you a lot in the past and not a day goes by without regretting what I did but I don't have much time left. According to the doctors, I won't live to see the end of the year and I can leave at any time. This is probably the last letter I will send. I'm in the Mistral hospital and I'll probably die here too. Consider this as my last wish. Please let me see my son at least once before it's too late.

Again, I'm terribly sorry for what I did.

Marvin Birmingham"

It was unbelievable, his father, whom he thought was dead until now, was actually alive and dying in a hospital in Mistral.

The lights came on and Mike's mother's shrill voice buzzed the place.

- Mike! What do you think?! I told you that closet! – Mike just squeezed the letter in his hand, turned to his mother and for the first time in his life, stood on his heels facing her.

- Mom! What is this letter?! Dad is alive and you didn't tell me?!

- Son, your father is dead, at least for me and if I see him again, he will be dead for everyone else too!

- Why didn't you say he was alive?!

- Because you don't know what he did! Believe me, he's a better person dead than alive!

- But he's dying!

- He just wants peace to his soul! After what he's done, I don't think there's any hope for him!

- Then let's talk about what you did to me! – Mike was now showing the books that indicated that his mother made him sick on purpose and constantly filled him with drugs, which also weakened his immune system.

- I only did it for your sake! I wanted to protect you!

- Protect me?! From what?!

- From being tricked and taken advantage of, from being hurt by someone like your father did to me!

- Not everyone in the world is like dad! My friends sure don't!

- Mike, I forbid you to see your friends! The only reason I let you go to Beacon was because I thought if you found out how hard a Hunter's life is, you'd come home to me crying but I was sorely mistaken!

- It was really hard, - Mike recalled the times he spent with his friends and realized that he was the happiest in his life then. - I certainly wouldn't have survived alone, but my friends helped and supported me, even when I felt like I was just a burden to them.

- Mike…

- No, mom! Enough of you trying to keep me away from everything! I'm old enough to make my own decisions! I'm going to Mistral today, I'm going to find my father and my friends, because yes, they need my help and I won't let you stop me!

- Mike. – His mother looked at her son with both shock and slight sorrow, who was preparing to leave her. - I think... you've grown up a long time ago, I just didn't notice. - They hugged each other. - I just wanted you to be my little boy forever, because you're the only one left for me.

- I know, mother, but it's part of life that the child grows up and sets off to explore the world. I feel like I'm already very late. - They let go of each other and Mike started for the exit of the house but suddenly stopped. - Um... maybe first, I should get dressed, pack some things and prepare for the trip. - He looked at his mother awkwardly. - Perhaps...

- How about I make you some meaty sandwiches for the trip, which I'll cut off the crust off while you put on your big boy clothes and pack everything you might need for your little adventure? – Mike's face turned into a smile and he was happy that his mother finally understood, that her little boy had finally grown up.

- Mom, I'm a man now. - He looked at his mother with determination and courage. - Let the crust on it.

The night was rough, two White Fang spies attacked Blake, Lynda and Sun, Sun was injured but luckily Lynda and Blake brought her back to the Belladonna mansion in time, however, Lynda still had an important task left. Her little brother, Monty, was left alone in their house on the outskirts of town and her sister, Luna, is also a member of the White Fang. Who knows what they would do with him, she absolutely had to get him to a safe place. Blake stayed with Sun while Lynda fetched her little brother.

Quickly, with her Semblance like lightning, she crossed the streets, ran through the valley, all the way to the lower quarter until she reached their house. She didn't even knock, she just barged in.

- Monty! - She shouted, desperately looking for her brother. - Are you here?! Answer me! - She looked through all the rooms as quickly as she could before someone spoke to her from behind.

- Lynda? - Monty sleepily rubbed the sleep from his eyes. - Why are you shouting? - Lynda quickly hugged the little boy. - Hey! What's going on?! - He tried to get out of his sister's arms angrily.

- I thought you were in trouble. - Lynda calmed down and put her little brother down.

- Why? - Monty shook his head in confusion. - What happened?

- Monty, do you know what happened to Luna? - Lynda just grabbed his arm and started pulling him out of the house.

- No, - Monty could barely keep up with his sister. - why?

- She became a member of the White Fang. - Lynda told him, but Monty still didn't understand why his sister was so upset.

- I know, they keep order here.

- Monty, has Luna ever worn a Grimm mask?

- No, I've never seen it before.

- I'm afraid Luna has sided with the terrorist faction of the White Fang.

- What?! - Monty pulled his arm out of his sister's. - Luna would never do that!

- Well she did! - Lynda just pushed his back so they could go faster. - She tried to kill Blake last night and seriously injured Sun!

- That's not true! - Monty just got angry. - It certainly wasn't her! Luna wouldn't hurt anyone who didn't deserve it!

- Then, - Finally, they returned to the mansion, they didn't even knock, they just entered. - ask Blake and Sun.

Lynda led Monty into the room where Sun was still lying unconscious, shirtless, her left shoulder bandaged and Blake sitting next to her.

- Blake? - Sun suddenly opened his eyes.

- That's why, Sun. – Blake spoke, but she was completely broken and also lowered her head. - That's why I left my team.

- About what... - He sat up and looked around the room. - Wait… where am I?

- This... - Monty was completely shocked by the sight of Sun's wound. - Did Luna do?

- Actually, the one who was with Luna but she was also involved. - Lynda answered.

- But... - Monty still didn't want to believe it.

- It was really her. – Blake also stood by Lynda and Sun's facial expression said a lot.

- I've had enough, - Blake turned back to Sun. – I have to watch my friends get hurt because of me.

- Blake... - Sun would have answered but Blake cut him off.

- Shut up! - Blake clenched her fists and tried to hold back her tears. - You think I like being alone? Every day! I think about them every day! For Ruby, Weiss… - Her voice trailed off. - and Yang! They were my friends! I left them without any kind of goodbye and I hope they hate me for doing that!

- You can't be serious! - Sun sat up but Blake snapped.

- Yes, I am! - Blake just rubbed her forehead and paced up and down. - Everyone thinks they can help, but they really can't! You saw Ilia yesterday and she's not even the worst! - Blake sat down and closed her eyes. - No. They're better off without me. I have made my decision and I am ready to accept the consequences, because they are mine alone.

- You think you are very selfless now, - Sun now sounded the most serious so far. – but not really. - He rubbed his wound, which hurt him quite a bit. - Yes, your chameleon friend left me in good stead but I'd take it one more time if I could protect you with it. And I'm pretty sure Yang would do the same. Yes, you can make your own decisions but not ours. When your friends fight for you, they do it because we want to. So, don't push us away because that hurts more than anything the bad guys would do to us. – Blake didn't answer, there was only a long awkward silence, which Sun broke. - But if it matters, the next time I wrestle the lizard girl, I won't do it for you, I'll do it so that we can be even. - He tried to look tough but his wound still hurt, which made Blake laugh a little.

- We are here for you Blake and you can rely on us. - Lynda assured.

- My heroes. - Blake replied, before the door of the room burst open and Blake's mother fell through it, who awkwardly jumped up and stood next to her husband.

- Look, honey, Sun has woken up! - Blake's mother was still excited while her father just tiredly placed his hand on his forehead.

- Khali, please.

- Mom! - Blake glared at her mother.

- Hey, Mrs. B! - Sun just waved awkwardly.

- Did you listen all the time? - Lynda laughed but Blake stood up angrily.

- What are you doing?!

- Well, your father needs to talk to you. – Blake's face softened and she looked curiously at her father, who came into the room and put down the Scroll that they got from Ilia that night.

- I'm afraid you were right.

- What are you talking about? - Blake asked.

- Adam Taurus plans to overthrow the leader of the White Fang and launch an open attack on the Haven academy to repeat the fall of Beacon. - Blake, Sun, and Lynda just bowed their heads.

- Not if we destroy them first. - Sun raised his head first.

- That's right! - Lynda jumped up too. - We'll kill that bastard with cold blood!

- No! - Blake also raised her head and stood up. - We won't destroy the White Fang! We will take it back!

Ruby, Jaune, Lance and Qrow reached the ruins of Kuroyuri and it was clear that Ren was right. The buildings of the village or rather of the small town, have been demolished for years, the buildings were covered with decades of dust and the entire area was eerily silent. It gave the feeling as if ghosts were swarming here, wanting to warn the passers-by to turn back immediately.

- Sh*t. - That's all Jaune said upon seeing the ruined city.

- Maybe we should have gone the other way. - Lance already regretted.

- Come on. - Ruby told them, who went ahead, while the two boys carried the increasingly ill Qrow on the stretcher. - Do you see anything that resembles a pharmacy?

- It's hard to say. - Jaune just looked around between the destroyed buildings.

- Everything looks like the same. - Lance didn't have any more success either. - Maybe we should look for a medical cross.

- Yes, - Ruby agreed. - that would be a great help. – She kept looking at the long-dead city, which still showed traces of the Grimm attack. - Ren really didn't want to come here.

- Certainly not. - Jaune remembered too.

- Any ideas why? - Ruby asked the two boys.

- I have a very good idea why. - Jaune replied. - He said that he and Nora came from a village in Mistral that was destroyed by a very powerful Grimm.

- And this would be it? - Lance stated.

- Very likely. - Jaune nodded as they placed Qrow in the main square and propped him up against a tree.

After hours of searching, none of them succeeded and gathered.

- Nothing. - Lance shook his head.

- Neither do I. - Jaune wasn't successful either.

- Let's go back to Qrow.

Qrow was still alive but it was certain that he wouldn't survive the night. The only hope is Ren and Nora get to Mistral and call for help. Suddenly, some sort of Grimm growl could be heard and the two knights reached for their swords and looked around nervously.

- Calm down, - Ruby was the only one who remained calm. - it's quite far.

- I know, - Jaune still had his hand on his sword. – but Ren and Nora are still out there.

Ruby stood up and stood between the two boys, who still looked like a tiny ladybug next to her.

- I'm sorry. - She lowered her head and her voice was filled with sadness.

- What? - The two boys just looked at him in shock.

- This is all my fault. - Ruby replied. - I shouldn't have dragged you with me.

- Ruby… - Lance could hardly believe his ears.

- You didn't drag us! - Jaune smiled at her. - We wanted to come.

- I swore to protect you and follow you! - Lance also assured Ruby that he didn't hold a grudge against her at all.

- But, - Ruby looked sadly at her dying uncle. – you couldn't have known about Tyrion and…

- Ruby, - Lance couldn't stand Ruby whipping herself. – it's not your fault! You couldn't know about that madman and Salem either! If we hadn't come, you might have been killed or kidnapped and we wouldn't even know what happened to you!

- Yes, - Jaune joined Lance. - we lost... - He thought about it so many times but this was the first time he said it out loud. - We lost Pyrrha. As are you. And Penny and your team and in a way, your sister. - Ruby was still sad as she thought about how much she had lost. - But still, here you are! After so much loss and with so much more to lose, you chose to go on and fight because you believed you could do something. - Ruby looked up at the two knights, who smiled kindly at her. - You didn't drag us at all. - Both boys put their hands on one of their shoulders. - You gave us the courage to follow.

Ruby calmed down and smiled back at the two boys but the touching moment was interrupted by a blood-curdling, perhaps not even human scream, to which all three took out their weapons and heard footsteps running behind them. They turned and saw two familiar figures.

- What are you doing here?! - Ruby asked desperately.

- Did you make it to Mistral?! - Then Lance.

- Did you hear that voice?! - And Jaune. - What was that?! - Before Ren could answer, his eyes widened and his jaw dropped from what he saw.

- No. - Ren fell to his knees and looked up, even Nora's words stopped.

- Wait! - Jaune heard slow hooves. - Do you hear that?

- No… - Ren just lowered his head from the familiar terror.

- Ren… - Nora just shivered, before the others turned and saw what shocked their two friends.

- What the f*ck is that?! - Lance couldn't believe his eyes.

This kind of Grimm had never been seen before in life, not only was it huge, but its lower body was a whole horse, its hind legs ended in hooves, its front legs in two clawed fingers, the mouth part of the horse's head was covered by a well-known Grimm mask and his eyes glowed red. From the horse's back grew a human-like body with a thin trunk and very long, thin arms, at the end of which there were only two long clawed fingers that it dragged along the ground, its human-like head was covered by a large horned mask but in its back, there were at least a dozen weapons, arrows, swords and spears were drilled but it didn't seem to mind at all.

Suddenly, the human part of it screamed, so loud that the resulting gust of wind knocked them all backwards, except for Ren, who flew with the wind and landed on a dry, dead tree. The creature slowly stepped out of the dust cloud and the horse's head stared bloodthirsty at its victims in front of it.

The fingers at the end of its long arms moved slowly, then it suddenly started flapping them and screeching again, stirring up another windstorm but this time the team was prepared for it and stayed on their feet.

Shaking and moving grotesquely, the human head stared at its opponents, then its gaze wandered to the half-dead Qrow. Jaune immediately switched, knowing that the creature wanted to finish off the weak link first, so he ran as fast as his legs could to protect Qrow. The creature lunged at him with one of its long arms but Jaune dove out of the way and continued running towards Qrow. He swung an arm over his shoulder, standing him up but the Grimm galloped straight at him to run them over.

- What the… - Lance knew that none of them would be able to get there in time but Ren had an idea.

He dropped to one knee, touched the ground and used his Semblance. Ren's Semblance is the ability to mask his and others' emotions from the Grimm, making them invisible. He did this to Jaune and Qrow, making them disappear from the creature's sight.

- Take him to a safe place! - Ren instructed Jaune.

Jaune did as he and Qrow hobbled behind a ruined building where he hopefully left him safely. Before he could leave, Qrow grabbed Jaune's arm.

- If... - He moaned weakly. - I wouldn't survive... tell Ruby... - His arm went limp and he passed out. Jaune had no idea what he was trying to say but he didn't have time to think about it, he had to help the others.

In order to prevent the Grimm from accidentally following them, Nora opened fire on the Grimm with her grenade launcher, Ruby Crescent Rose and Lance with his pistol, causing them to charge at them in a frenzy.

It wasn't an easy opponent, because despite its size, the Grimm's arms were very fast and it hit Ruby and Ren several times in the air. It managed to catch Ruby and Nora at one point but Ren opened fire on it with his weapons and Lance charged at it with his shield, which confused it enough to let go of the girls and focus on the boys.

Ren ran back and forth as Lance slashed at both of its front legs, forcing it back but suddenly, its front leg bent forward irregularly, while strange bone crunches could be heard, and it kicked Lance into a ruined building and nearly caught Ren too but he parried this attack with his blades and held his own.

- Guys, - Jaune shouted. – let's keep moving! Run around it!

Nora fired another grenade at the creature, causing it to release Ren and turn towards her. After being released by the creature, Ren did as Jaune said and started running around while shooting at it. He moved too fast for the Grimm and couldn't catch him, as did Nora and Ruby. Lance and Jaune joined in and Jaune managed to cut its left hind leg but it only angered the horse's body and Jaune understood firsthand the meaning of the saying 'strong as a horse's kick'.

Lance, learning from his previous mistake and Jaune's, left the creature's legs and shield increased in size, trying to topple the horse's body, only succeeding in pushing it a few inches. He quickly switched and retreated, blocking the blow of its arm with his shield.

- Any ideas? - Lance asked as Jaune just sheathed his sword.

- What are you doing?! - Ruby didn't understand why he put his weapon away but Jaune actually combined the sword and shield, making a much stronger two-handed sword and attacked with it.

- Modern innovations. - Lance smiled at him and they continued their attack together with Ruby.

While Ruby was firing at it, the horse's body rose up onto its hind legs and this gave Jaune and Lance time to get behind it and take a big jab into its hind legs, causing the horse's head to yelp in pain. The creature jumped away and turned to face the two knights but the human body quickly began to spin around its own axis and its arms flapped all over the place like a propeller, sending the team RRNJL back to the ground.

As soon as it calmed down, it pulled its arms back and white, bone-like spikes grew out of its back and it started to scream again, paralyzing the team members. Ren ran up a tree and started firing from there, the creature lunged at him with one arm, but he jumped aside, only caught him with the other and pinned him against the wall of a building.

- Ruby! - Nora shouted and Ruby immediately knew what to do.

Nora jumped onto Ruby's scythe, who shot her with a single shot, straight at Ren to prevent the Grimm from executing him. Fortunately, Nora got there at the last moment and the creature only caught her hammer and nailed it to the wall but Nora still clung to it, leaving it hanging several meters off the ground.

- Don't snoop! – Nora awkwardly closed her skirt lower part which Ren could see under involuntarily.

- Sorry!

The Grimm didn't stop, it grabbed Nora's hammer, along with Nora, it started swinging her in the air and hitting whatever it could, finally hitting her on the ground, causing Nora to fall to the ground and in a flash of pink, her aura ran out.

Ren, who was still pinned to the wall, started slashing at the Grimm's arm with all his might to get it to drop but it wouldn't let go, so he plunged the blades into the hand and opened fire.

Lance and Jaune didn't give up and again, they cut its two hind legs at the same time, which made not only the horse but also the human head scream. Ren managed to pull the creature's arm off of him and fell to the ground. He didn't think and charged madly at the Grimm that lashed out at him with its arms but Ren was so angry that he forgot to be afraid and fueled by his anger, he dodged almost all of the blows but one hit knocked him back.

This didn't stop him and he attacked again, running straight towards the creature.

- Ren, calm down! - Jaune shouted, but in vain, Ren's mind was taken away by anger and he decided to destroy this Grimm even if he dies. Unfortunately, as the Grimm pulled one of its arms back, it caught Ren's leg and, just like Nora before, swung him in the air and slammed him into the ground, causing him to drop his blades and fall to the ground next to Nora. A purple flash around him indicated that his aura had also drained.

Nora tried to get up and saw that in the distance the others were still fighting but Ren was lying there in front of her, not knowing if he was even alive, she worriedly crawled closer. Fortunately, Ren moved and tried with all his might to stand up but his face wasn't what it used to be. He was fueled with anger and did everything to finish this monster that took his parents from him.

Both of them were able to stand up but the creature prepared for another attack to run over the two young people, as it was Ren's anger and desire for revenge that it felt so well. Before the Grimm could charge, Nora immediately threw herself at Ren and together they slipped under one of the houses.

As soon as they heard the creature gallop off they cautiously peeked out from under the house to see Jaune with his new broadsword trying to hold back the creature's front legs but it pushed him back but before it could finish him off Lance charged it in the side again to push it aside and Ruby also fired at it from a distance.

- Ruby! - Lance yelled when he saw the Grimm was about to strike her with its arm but Ruby reacted in time, jumped high and dodged the blow, landed on a roof, shot a few but the Grimm struck at her again but she used her Semblance, dodged the blow again.

Anger flooded Ren again, he stood up and started towards the creature but Nora caught his hand and held him back.

- Nora, let me go! – She didn't let go but Ren continued to insist. - Nora, they're going to get hurt if we don't... - Nora slapped him, which silenced him.

- No. - She said as she lowered her head. - I won't let you get killed yourself. - After what we've been through… I won't let you end like this. – She raised her head and Ren was shocked to realize that Nora was crying, because of him. - Not like that.

Ren realized how foolish it was to let the desire for revenge rule him. A minute ago, he was ready to avenge his parents even by sacrificing his life but as soon as he saw Nora crying, he realized that there was something more important than avenging his loved ones. To live for your loved ones. He remembered how lonely and broken Nora was before Ren came into her life and the thought of how much pain he'd cause with his own death made Ren realize that he had a responsibility and a duty to live for the girl he loved so much.

He took out an old but sharp, crooked, redwood-handled dagger from his boot, which he had carried with him for so many years, since it was the last relic from his father. Nora closed Ren's hand on the dagger's hilt and smiled confidently at him.

- We can do it. – Ren just nodded and left but he was no longer driven by revenge but by the thought that he had to protect his loved ones.

- Are you okay?! - Lance backed away from them, panting with exhaustion.

The team regrouped and took a defensive position together.

- Ren? – He looked towards Ruby and summed up the plan. - Jaune and I will seize both of its arms!

- The horse's head is mine. – Nora spoke up.

- The rear body is mine. - Lance replied.

- And mine the rest.

Nora jumped onto one of the tall buildings as Ruby and Lance opened fire on it, distracting the creature from her. It lunged at Ruby but she knew it well enough to confidently dodge it and jump from building to building, firing at it continuously but with a sudden movement, she shot into the air, which gave her enough momentum to bring her to the ground in the blink of an eye. The creature lashed out at her with its hand again but Ruby trapped it and as soon as she dodged the hand, she immediately pierced it with Crescent Rose and nailed it, causing it to let out a loud yelp.

Ren's dagger was stabbed into the horse's body, distracting Ruby and glared at Jaune, lashing out at him with its remaining arm but Ren, using Jaune's shield, pinned the arm to the ground.

- Now! - He said to Jaune, who immediately came and pierced the arm with his sword, impaling it. - Nora, Lance!

Nora finally got the signal to jump off the top of the building and hit the horse's head full force with her hammer, causing the front body to fall to the ground, but it didn't give up yet because it was still able to move with its hind legs.

Lance didn't leave it at that and quickly attacked the two hind limbs and cut them both off with Golden Sting, making the Grimm completely immobilized. Ren pulled the dagger out of the creature's side and walked up to its human head, which only screamed at Ren in its helplessness but he wasn't frightened by the great windstorm.

- For my mother. - He cut off its left arm, causing it to scream in pain. - For my father. - Its right arm too, which made it scream again. - For everyone you killed. - He stabbed it in the chest. - And for myself! – He struck the creature's head with a single cut, which caused it to curl up and its body began to vaporize, leaving nothing but a cloud of black smoke that rose into the sky.

Panting, Ren dropped the dagger and wearily acknowledged that he had avenged his parents. Nora immediately jumped onto his neck and they both fell to the ground from the sudden weight but Nora didn't care, she just hugged the boy.

- It was a tough ride. - Lance blew himself out, turned his shield back, put his sword away and patted Jaune on the shoulder.

- Ruby! - Jaune noted with concern that Ruby was running off somewhere.

Ruby ran towards Qrow, worried and terrified that her uncle might already be dead. Qrow lied where Jaune had left him, eyes closed and not moving. As Ruby moved closer to him, she was relieved by the fact that he was still breathing.

- There is silence. - He whispered, then looked up at Ruby but her eyes widened in shock. - Summer… is that you? - Smiling weakly, he reached towards Ruby's face to caress her. - Is this… the afterlife? Am I dead? – Ruby didn't know what to think about her uncle's behavior, he was obviously hallucinating from the fever and believed her mother was in front of him but what she really didn't understand was when he touched her shoulder and pulled her close, with the intention of kissing her.

- Uncle Qrow! - Ruby pushed Qrow away before he could succeed.

- Ruby?! - Qrow realized in shock that he almost kissed his niece. - I thought I was dead and an angel came for me! - He laughed weakly and awkwardly. - But it's just you. This poison kicks hard.

- Did you believe me my mother? - Ruby looked at Qrow a little strangely. - Uncle Qrow... - Ruby felt that her uncle hadn't told her something in a while. - Don't you want to tell me something?

- Well... – Qrow felt that he hasn't much time left. The poison is gonna end him soon. At least, with his last words he felt that he has to tell Ruby the truth. – I…

Suddenly, before he could start, beeping could be heard in the distance, followed by the whirring of propellers, which could only mean one thing.

- Guys, - Jaune shouted. – something's coming!

There were two Mistral aircraft, which the team immediately started waving and signaling that they needed help. Fortunately, the two pilots saw the team and immediately landed.

- You have to help! - Lance told them. - One of us needs medical care!

It didn't take long, two of the crew members brought a stretcher on which Qrow was placed and put into one of the planes, Jaune, Ruby and Lance went with him, while Ren and Nora went with the other plane.

- How did you find us? - Jaune asked, very happy that help had arrived in time but he didn't understand how they knew they were here.

- A woman called and said that a larger group was in trouble in this village.

- What if we don't get there in time? – Ruby just held her uncle's hand and looked at him worriedly.

- Ruby. - Jaune said to Ruby.

- I think our chances are good. - Lance was more confident.

An incredible sight unfolded in front of them, the city of Mistral, built on two large mountains, which were connected by several bridges and the Haven academy looked like the crown of the mountain and the city.

- You led us to Mistral. - Lance put his hand on Ruby's back but she only held her uncle's hand.

- We have arrived, Uncle Qrow. - Qrow just squeezed her hand weakly.

They immediately headed to the hospital and since Qrow is a professional Hunter, he got his own private ward, which was much more comfortable and since Ruby was his niece, they allowed him to check his condition and stay with him until he recovered.

Until then, the JNR team and Lance had booked two rooms in an inn, Nora and Ren slept in one room and Jaune shared with Lance. Jaune's teammates came over to visit to share their joy and congratulations on successfully making it to Mistral, hugging as a team.

Lance looked a little sad and enviously at the three good friends as they laughed together and enjoyed each other's company. He remembered his own team, they were there for each other and Ruby had Qrow but he had no one here.

- Hey, - Jaune asked the red knight to join in the group hug. - you're not alone.

- Thanks. – Lance's heart was very happy because even if he wasn't a member of the JNR team, he was happy to be surrounded by friends who cared about him.

Lance was happy to put down his sword, shield and armor for a while, he moved around comfortably and instead of weapon, he grabbed a pen and paper and sat down at a desk to write a letter to Mike, the only teammate he knew the address of. He would love to write to Lynda and Mandy too but he has no idea where to find them, so the fat boy is the only one he can let know where he is.

"Hey Mike

I don't often write letters and I'm not the sentimental type myself but I hope this letter finds you in good health. Since the CCT-Tower in Beacon is still down, we'll have to make do with this.

My father warned me many times how stupid it was that I signed up as a Hunter and considering what I had to go through with Ruby and the JNR team, I'm starting to understand why. I'll tell you that it has been quite a difficult journey for all of us and not just the struggles and physical trials. Maybe Ruby has the hardest time, I believe in her and I'm sure she can achieve something big if she gets the right support. It's a shame that her team isn't here with her, we could use the help of the whole team RWBY, as well as my team, the LLMM but those days are over.

I don't know if we will see each other again, or if you will receive this letter at all, the only thing that is true in both cases is that we must hope.

I know we've lost a lot, all of us but we can't give up, we have to keep going and help those we care about. I miss you, Lynda and Mandy so much. I can't complain, I know, because I have the team JNR's here, Ruby and her uncle leading us but I wish you were here in Mistral. Because we made it here, Ruby led us to Mistral.

Qrow has revealed a few things about what we're up against but I'd rather not write it down in a letter. All I'm saying is that he takes us to Professor Lionheart, the headmaster of Haven academy, a wise and powerful man that Ozpin trusted and will help.

Now that Beacon has fallen and Vale is weakened, I hope my father and the other Hunters will do their best to rebuild the city and protect its people.

Goodbye,

Your teammate and best friend,

Lance Monroe"

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