MISTRAL
The sun beat down mercilessly on the dirt path as Team RNJR trudged forward, the sound of boots crunching against the rocky ground filling the silence. Neopolitan, her hands bound by thick rope, walked alongside them. Her once-vibrant umbrella was now slung across her back, useless for any combat. Jaune was at the front, his pace determined but heavy, his mind wrestling with the tension in the air. Ruby, walking slightly behind him, refused to let him near Neo. She kept a cautious distance, her eyes darting between the mute woman and the road ahead.
Nora kept a careful watch over Neo, walking just behind her. Magnhild, in gun form, was trained steadily on Neo's back. The weight of the silence between them seemed to grow with each step.
"This was a bad idea, Ruby," Jaune said quietly, his voice low but frustrated. His gaze flickered over to Neo, who walked with her head down, her silence a heavy presence. "Letting her come along... it's dangerous."
Ruby didn't look at him but spoke firmly. "It's better than the alternative, Jaune. We can't just leave her behind, and we can't take the risk of having her go off on her own."
Ren, who had been quietly watching the exchange, finally spoke up. "Ruby's right. As much as we don't trust her, keeping her close is the only way to make sure she doesn't pull anything."
Jaune frowned but didn't argue. He glanced at Neo again. She had barely moved since they'd started walking, her steps slow, her shoulders slumped. She didn't even look up, lost in her thoughts or perhaps in the weight of her actions.
"Let's rest for a bit," Ruby said after a pause, sensing the growing tension in the group. "An hour should be enough. We've still got a long way to go."
Nora's footsteps dragged, and she groaned dramatically. "Let's do that. My feet are killing me."
Jaune hesitated for a moment, his eyes locked on Neo. The weight of everything—the loss, the betrayal, the confusion—pressed on him. He nodded silently. "Alright."
Ruby took charge once again, her gaze scanning their surroundings. She pointed to a nearby tree stump. "Tie her to that stump, Nora. We're not taking chances."
"You got it," Nora replied, a determined look in her eyes as she walked over to Neo, who remained still, unblinking, as Nora roughly tapped her back with Magnhild. "Move it, Neo. You're not getting any sympathy from us."
Reluctantly, Neo complied, walking toward the stump where Nora swiftly tied her to it. Meanwhile, Ruby, Ren, and Jaune sat down, digging into their supplies. They unscrewed their water canteens, the sound of liquid filling the air as they took deep, satisfying sips. Nora joined them moments later, her gaze briefly lingering on Neo, who was now secured and sitting on the ground, staring at the dirt with an unreadable expression.
Ruby exhaled, wiping a bead of sweat from her forehead. "Couple more days, and we'll reach Haven. Then we can finally get the answers we've been looking for."
"Hopefully," Jaune said, his voice still edged with skepticism. He didn't look at Ruby or the others but kept his eyes fixed on Neo. "I wonder how much she knows."
Ruby glanced over at Neo as well. The mute woman hadn't made a move, her expression as neutral as ever. "Probably not much. But whatever she does know could be important. She's connected to Cinder, after all." Ruby's tone was calm, but there was an undercurrent of something else—something that weighed on her too.
Jaune wasn't so sure. He couldn't tear his gaze away from Neo. "I hope you're right," he muttered. His voice was tight with frustration, the raw wound of Pyrrha's death still fresh in his chest.
Ruby noticed the way Jaune's eyes never left Neo. She could see the turmoil in his gaze—the same way she felt about the whole situation. "Jaune," she said softly, her tone pleading. "I know she played a part in everything, but she didn't kill Pyrrha. Cinder did."
Jaune turned to look at her, his jaw clenched. "I know, Ruby. But she's one of the reasons why it happened. She's tied to all of this. To Cinder, to the destruction of Beacon..." His voice cracked slightly, but he didn't look away.
Ruby felt a pang of sympathy for him. She understood the pain he was carrying, the loss of his teammate, of his friend. "I know, Jaune. But right now, we need to focus on what's ahead, not what we can't change. We'll figure out what Neo knows. But we can't let this hatred consume us."
Jaune didn't respond, but his frown deepened.
Ruby's attention was drawn to Neo, who was staring at a water bottle in front of her. The empty bottle rested just out of reach, a reminder of the silence between them. Ruby took a small cup from her pack, filling it with water before standing up and walking over to Neo. She crouched beside her, holding the cup out.
"Hey," Ruby said gently, "Look at me."
For a long moment, Neo remained still, her head down. Then, slowly, she turned to meet Ruby's gaze, her eyes cold but tired.
"I'm offering you some water," Ruby said softly. "The least you can do is accept it."
Neo stared at the cup, her eyes flicking between Ruby's face and the water. Finally, with a hesitant movement, she reached for the cup and took a sip. Ruby waited in silence as Neo drank.
"Thanks for the water," Neo muttered quietly, her voice barely audible.
The words hung in the air, and Team RNJR exchanged surprised looks. They hadn't expected her to speak, let alone thank them. The tension was still thick, but the small gesture of civility between them felt like a small crack in the walls that had been built.
Ruby smiled faintly. "I'm a nice person, Neo," she said, standing up. "It's just what I do."
PATCH
The warm, golden light of the evening sun filtered through the curtains as Weiss and Velvet sat across from each other at a modest dinner table. The meal before them was simple yet comforting, a testament to the skill of Velvet's mother, Daisy. The aroma of home-cooked food filled the room, creating an atmosphere of warmth and familiarity.
"Thank you, Mrs. Scarlatina," Weiss said, a small but genuine smile playing on her lips as she took another bite. "It's delicious."
"It's my own recipe," Daisy replied, a proud smile on her face as she leaned against the counter, watching them. "I'm glad you like it. Velvet has told me a lot about you."
Weiss froze mid-bite, her silver-blue eyes widening slightly as she looked up at Daisy, the tension in the room shifting. Velvet, who had been happily eating, suddenly went quiet.
"...Did she?" Weiss asked, her voice careful, as if bracing for something.
"Yes," Daisy replied simply, her gaze warm yet knowing.
Weiss put her fork down, a faint sigh escaping her lips as she stood and walked over to the window, looking out at the peaceful landscape beyond. The setting sun cast long shadows over the yard, the tranquility of the moment sharply contrasting the turmoil stirring within her.
"...Then I guess you know about..." Weiss hesitated, her voice faltering, "...my father's company."
"Unfortunately, yes," Daisy said, her tone soft but firm. It was clear she didn't need any explanation to understand the weight behind Weiss's words.
Weiss let out a slow breath, her eyes focused on the horizon. She felt a knot tighten in her chest as memories of her family, her past, began to flood back.
"I spent my early years unwillingly learning to be the heiress to the Schnee Dust Company," Weiss began, her voice quiet but heavy with emotion. "I hated it. I hated everything about it. But my sister refused the position so many times... So, my father turned to me to succeed him. I had no choice but to follow his orders. I learned everything—how to manage the company, how to use dust for my weapon... But it was when I found out about the Faunus workers that I truly understood the depth of my father's prejudice." She clenched her fists, her gaze turning inward as painful memories surfaced. "The White Fang attacked our Dust shipments... and my father, well, he blamed the Faunus. I hated them, too. I thought it was justified, because my father was all I had. But... I never really questioned what was happening until Beacon."
She turned back to face Velvet and Daisy, her eyes filled with both regret and determination. "Attending Beacon... it changed me. I went from being the spoiled heiress to someone who wanted to carve out her own path. I found real friends—friends who accepted me, not because of my name or my status, but because of who I am. And because of them, I've changed. I've become a better person."
Velvet stood up and walked over to Weiss. The words Weiss had shared hung in the air, the weight of them deepening the bond between them. Velvet reached out and wrapped her arms around Weiss in a tight, heartfelt hug.
"Weiss," Velvet said softly, her voice sincere, "we don't blame you. Your father's influence shaped you, but coming to Beacon—that changed everything. You became my friend. You helped me when I was hurting, when I didn't know where to turn. You became someone I could rely on."
Weiss closed her eyes, her heart swelling with emotion. She hugged Velvet back, the simple comfort of the gesture bringing a sense of peace she hadn't expected.
"Thank you, Velvet," Weiss whispered, her voice trembling slightly.
Velvet pulled back, a smile tugging at her lips as she wiped a tear from her eye. "So, now that we've cleared the air, the guest bedroom upstairs is free. You can sleep there tonight. Tomorrow, I can take you to where Ruby and Yang live."
Weiss nodded, but just as she was about to respond, Daisy spoke up, a thoughtful expression on her face.
"Yang?" Daisy asked, tilting her head slightly. "The blonde-haired girl you told me about?"
Weiss looked up at her, surprised. "Yeah. Why?"
Daisy hesitated for a moment, then her brow furrowed slightly. "Well, I think I saw her today."
"What?" Weiss said, standing straighter, her heart suddenly pounding in her chest. "Where?"
"In Vale," Daisy replied, her voice slow as she thought back. "I believe she came out of a coffee shop. Then, a few minutes later, I saw her drive off on her motorcycle with another girl."
Weiss's mind immediately began to race. "Another girl? Who?"
Daisy paused, as if piecing the memory together. "She had black hair, and I think her eyes were yellow."
Weiss's heart skipped a beat. She didn't need to think twice to know who it was. "Blake."
Without another word, Weiss quickly grabbed her weapon, Myrtenaster, and slung her backpack over her shoulder. "Is there a ferry nearby?" she asked urgently, her voice filled with determination.
"Um... yeah, about ten minutes east of here," Velvet answered, her voice laced with confusion at Weiss's sudden shift in demeanor.
Weiss didn't wait for further explanation. She turned towards the door, her steps quick and purposeful. "I really appreciate you letting me stay. But I have to go. And again, the food was amazing."
Velvet and Daisy exchanged worried glances as Weiss hurriedly left the house. As she stepped outside into the cool evening air, she summoned a glyph beneath her feet. In a flash of light, she was off, speeding toward the ferry.
Her thoughts raced as she soared through the air. Blake was alive. She was with Yang. But why? What had happened after Beacon? Weiss couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more—something hidden—that would change everything.
COTTAGE
The faint glow of the fire flickered in the corner of the room, casting long shadows on the walls of the small, modest cottage. Matthew sat beside Blake, who was lying still on the bed, her eyes distant and glazed as if trying to process everything that had just happened. Her usual calm and collected demeanor was replaced with an unsettling silence. She barely moved, only when Matthew gently placed a blanket over her, ensuring she stayed warm.
"I'm sorry," Blake's voice was barely a whisper.
Matthew glanced at her, surprised by the softness of her words. "Hm?"
Blake turned her head slightly, her eyes meeting his, the vulnerability in her gaze raw. "I'm sorry you had to see what happened earlier. How Yang..." She faltered, the memory of Yang's uncontrolled rage still hanging heavy in the room.
Matthew's lips curved into a small, reassuring smile. "Trust me, Blake. I've seen worse."
Blake looked at him, the words not quite comforting her, but his calm demeanor provided some small amount of solace. "I had never seen her like that before. All that anger... all that rage she had. I was scared of her, Matthew."
Matthew nodded slowly, understanding all too well the kind of fear she was describing. "I know. I was scared too. But it's like you told me years ago, 'Don't give into your fears.'"
Blake's eyes softened, and she sat up, her movements slow and deliberate. She turned to face him, her expression serious, yet filled with a quiet gratitude. "Matthew... I... I wanted to thank you. For everything. You've been like the brother I never had."
Matthew blinked, surprised by the sincerity in her words. He smiled, his heart warmed by her kindness. "I appreciate that, Blake." He paused for a moment, his smile fading just slightly as concern crossed his features. "You going to be okay?"
Blake hesitated, her gaze distant for a moment. Then she gave a small nod. "Yeah... I think I will."
But before either of them could say anything more, Blake's attention was suddenly drawn to the window. Her eyes widened, and her body stiffened as she peered outside.
"The White Fang," she muttered under her breath, barely able to keep the fear out of her voice. "They're here."
Matthew's face shifted into one of shock, quickly followed by determination. He grabbed her hand and pulled her from the bed, urgency in his movements. "We need to move. Now."
He led her out of the room and into the living area, his mind already racing with escape plans. He quickly lifted a rug to reveal a trapdoor beneath, the hidden escape route he had prepared for emergencies like this.
Blake's eyes widened in disbelief. "What's this?" she asked, confusion evident in her voice as she watched Matthew yank open the door, revealing a ladder leading down into the darkness below.
"Get in!" Matthew urged, his voice tense as the sound of banging echoed through the walls. The White Fang soldiers were getting closer.
Blake's heart raced. The sound of pounding fists on the cottage door grew louder, more frantic. "Blake!" a voice shouted from the other side. "Get in!"
Without thinking, Blake climbed down the ladder, her pulse pounding in her ears. Matthew followed close behind, but as soon as his foot landed on the first step, something crashed through the window above them with a deafening noise.
Matthew's eyes snapped up in alarm. It was a bomb, hurtling through the shattered glass, its fuse already burning down.
"No!" Matthew yelled, his heart racing. He rushed to slam the trapdoor shut with a resounding thud, just as the bomb detonated above. The ground beneath them seemed to shake as the explosion ripped through the cottage, sending debris and dust flying in every direction.
"GET DOWN!" Matthew screamed, throwing himself to the stone floor below, dragging Blake with him.
The world seemed to explode around them as the blast reverberated through the earth.
VALE
Yang sat on Bumblebee, the low hum of the engine vibrating beneath her as she filled the tank at a quiet refueling station. She absently scrolled through her messages, each notification a dull blur. Her thoughts kept drifting back to the conversation with Blake. The words she had said, the things left unsaid—her mind couldn't escape it. The fight, the way things had spiraled out of control… She had never felt so helpless. She should have done something, said something—anything. But instead, she had pushed Blake away.
A sudden, violent boom interrupted her spiraling thoughts. The ground seemed to tremble slightly from the force of the explosion, and Yang's breath caught in her throat. The sound was too loud, too close. Her eyes snapped up from her scroll, scanning the horizon with a sickening sense of dread.
In the distance, a thick cloud of black smoke billowed into the sky, the darkness stark against the bright afternoon. Her stomach churned. That could only mean one thing.
Blake.
The guilt slammed into her, sharp and heavy. What if it was her fault? What if Blake was in danger because of how she had acted, how she had pushed her away when all Blake had needed was someone to listen? She hadn't even apologized, hadn't tried to make things right. And now, Blake might be out there… alone. Hurt. Or worse.
Yang shoved the fuel pump back into its slot, her hands shaking as she hastily wiped the screen of her scroll. She barely registered the actions. The weight of the guilt kept pulling at her, suffocating her. I should've been there for her.
She swung herself onto Bumblebee, the bike's familiar rumble offering little comfort as she gripped the handlebars tightly. Her fingers dug into the leather as she revved the engine, pushing the bike forward.
What if I'm too late? The thought kept repeating in her head. She could feel her heart pounding against her chest, each beat a reminder of her failure. Blake had always been there for her. She had been the one to pick up the pieces when Yang was falling apart. Yet here she was, driving toward an uncertain danger, her mind clouded with guilt over everything she hadn't done.
The motorcycle surged forward, the wind whipping her face as she sped toward the smoke, faster and faster. The road blurred beneath her wheels, but all Yang could focus on was the dark pillar rising in the distance. Her guilt tightened around her chest like a vise. What if I don't make it in time?
The thought of Blake hurt, or worse, with no one there to help… it was unbearable. Yang pushed Bumblebee harder, her guilt now twisting in the pit of her stomach. I could have done more, she thought, clenching her teeth. I should have done more.
The world outside felt like it was fading away as she accelerated, the roar of the engine matching the pounding of her heart. She wasn't sure if she was driving to save Blake—or to make up for her own failure. Either way, she wouldn't stop. Not until she knew Blake was safe. She couldn't fail her again. Not this time.
FERRY
Weiss stood at the bow of the ferry, the sea breeze ruffling her hair as she stared across the vast water towards Vale. She had been halfway across when the thunderous boom erupted in the distance. A wave of tension rippled through the air, and some of the nearby civilians glanced anxiously at each other, uncertain of what had just happened.
Weiss's grip tightened on Myrtenaster, her eyes narrowing as she caught sight of the black plume of smoke rising high above the horizon. Without hesitation, she leapt into the air, her silver eyes fixed on the source of the explosion. Glyphs appeared beneath her feet, creating bouncing platforms that carried her swiftly across the open sea, propelling her towards the smoke on the horizon.
COTTAGE
The White Fang soldiers were sifting through the remnants of Matthew's cottage, their movements frantic as they searched for any sign of their quarry. The dog-eared Faunus soldier barked out orders, his voice laced with frustration.
"Where are they?" he demanded, his patience wearing thin.
Behind a bush, Blake and Matthew crouched, watching the soldiers scouring the rubble. Matthew's face was grim, his eyes sharp as he turned to Blake.
"Get out of here," he said, his voice urgent but steady.
Blake looked at him in confusion. "What? No, you can't—"
"Go!" Matthew interrupted, his voice filled with a quiet resolve. "I'll hold them off. You need to get as far from here as possible."
Blake's heart clenched, the weight of his words sinking in. She knew what he meant, but she couldn't bring herself to leave him. "No, I won't let you do this. I'm not going anywhere without you."
Matthew's expression hardened, and he shook his head. "You have to. They'll go after Yang if they know you're still here. I won't risk that. Go now."
Blake's chest tightened, but before she could respond, Matthew cupped her face gently, pressing a brief kiss to her lips. Blake's eyes flew open in shock, and when Matthew pulled back, his hands held hers tightly.
"Forgive me," he said softly, then vanished into the distance.
"MATTHEW, NO!" Blake screamed, but he was already gone. Desperation clawed at her as she stumbled after him, but he was too far ahead. With a heart-wrenching cry, she dropped to her knees, helpless and torn.
Matthew had already reached the edge of the woods. His body was weak from exertion, his energy nearly spent, but his determination remained unwavering. He checked his Scroll — the screen flickered, showing his drained aura. He was close to empty.
"Damn it," Matthew muttered, forcing himself to focus. He reached for his revolvers, swiftly loading them with Dust bullets, his fingers moving with practiced precision.
"No more running," he said quietly to himself as he stepped out from behind the trees, his weapons at the ready.
"Looking for me?" he called, his voice loud enough to echo through the clearing.
The White Fang soldiers immediately turned their attention to him. Marlie, the dog-eared Faunus who had been giving orders, stepped forward with a predatory grin.
"Get rid of him," she commanded coldly.
Without hesitation, the soldiers opened fire. Matthew dove to the side, narrowly avoiding the first barrage of bullets. He returned fire with a series of well-placed shots, taking down three of them in quick succession.
"You guys need to practice more," Matthew taunted, his grin widening as he continued to dodge and shoot. He rolled behind a boulder, popping up just in time to take down two more soldiers.
One of the remaining soldiers, wielding a large sword, lunged at him, but Matthew was faster. He sidestepped the attack and struck the soldier with a sharp blow to the jaw, knocking him out cold.
"Still not impressed," Matthew quipped, wiping some dust off his jacket. "You might want to start taking notes."
Marlie's patience seemed to run out as she raised her hand, activating her Semblance. A surge of energy pulsed toward Matthew, draining the strength from his body. He gasped, his knees buckling as his aura was rapidly siphoned away.
His body felt like lead, his limbs sluggish as he fought to stay on his feet. His grin faded, replaced by a grimace of pain. "Not... cool," he muttered, but he wasn't done yet. With what little strength he had left, he fired another round, knocking one more soldier off his feet.
But Marlie only smirked, watching his weakening form with amusement. "You really thought you could take all of us on?" she taunted, savoring his slow collapse.
Matthew's vision blurred as he staggered backward. "I never back down," he managed, though his voice was weak. "And I'm not done yet."
Marlie raised her hand again, and Matthew's legs finally gave out, dropping him to his knees. The last of his energy was drained, and he could barely hold his head up.
"Goodbye, Matthew Bronze," Marlie said, her voice dripping with cruel satisfaction.
Suddenly, Blake's voice rang out from behind them.
"NO!"
Marlie turned just as Yang charged at her, fists blazing with fury. Yang ducked under Marlie's strike, her fists slamming into two of the remaining soldiers. The battle turned into chaos as Yang fought fiercely, her Ember Celica roaring with each punch, taking down the two soldiers in quick succession.
But as Yang was distracted, Marlie attempted to strike, knife in hand. In an instant, Blake tackled Marlie to the ground, fists pounding against her face. Blake's rage was raw and unrestrained as she pummeled the Faunus soldier, the sound of each punch landing deafening.
Blake's hands shook as she continued to strike, her fury barely contained. Marlie's mask shattered under the assault, but Blake didn't stop. She kept punching until Marlie was completely unconscious, her body slumped beneath Blake's fists.
Breathing heavily, Blake pulled herself off of Marlie, her chest heaving as she stood up, her hands still clenched tightly.
"Blake?" Yang said softly, her voice full of concern.
Blake didn't respond immediately. She was too focused on Matthew, lying lifelessly on the ground in front of them. Her heart sank as she rushed to his side, kneeling next to him. She gently placed a hand on his chest, her eyes searching his face for any sign of life, but there was none.
Matthew's breathing was shallow, his once fiery spirit now dimmed. But even as he lay there, his eyes flickered open for a brief moment, meeting Blake's tear-filled gaze.
"It's okay, Blake," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "I'm... glad... I met you. You'll be alright... don't let this... break you."
Blake's tears fell freely as she clasped his hand, her voice breaking as she whispered, "No... Matthew, please... don't go."
But Matthew's hand slowly loosened in hers. His final breath came in a soft exhale, and his body went still. Blake's heart shattered as she cradled his lifeless form.
"No," she whispered, her body shaking with grief. "No, Matthew..."
Yang, who had been watching from a distance, walked over and placed a hand on Blake's shoulder, offering silent comfort. Weiss appeared beside them, her gaze fixed on the cottage ruins, the smoke still rising from the fire that had consumed it.
The scene was one of devastation. The battle had ended, but at what cost? Blake cried softly, mourning the loss of her friend, while Yang and Weiss stood quietly, watching the remains of Matthew's cottage burn. The weight of the loss hung heavily in the air, and the trio stood together in their shared grief.
No more words were needed. The silence spoke volumes.
MISTRAL
Team RNJR and Neo had been walking for what felt like hours along the winding dirt road, the dense trees surrounding them in every direction. Ruby checked the map on her Scroll again, furrowing her brow.
"This isn't right," Ruby muttered, tapping the map as if it would suddenly make sense. "We should have passed a small town by now. But all I see is road and trees."
Ren, walking beside her, glanced over with a raised eyebrow. "I think we're lost."
"N-no!" Ruby protested quickly. "We're just... not going the right direction, that's all."
"That sounds like lost to me," Nora said with a grin, crossing her arms.
"We're not lost!" Ruby huffed, trying to ignore the growing sense of doubt creeping in.
Neo, walking a little behind the group, glanced up from her Scroll and chimed in dryly, "Yeah, you're lost."
The rest of Team RNJR turned to look at her, and Jaune raised an eyebrow. "You sure know how to keep things positive, Neo."
"Just saying," Neo shrugged, her usual mischievous smile tugging at her lips.
Jaune turned his attention back to Ruby, his tone more serious now. "Ruby... are we lost?"
Ruby hesitated, trying to pinpoint their location on the map, but after a few moments of silence, she sighed in defeat. "Okay, okay! We're lost," she admitted, her shoulders slumping in frustration.
"Told you," Neo smirked, crossing her arms with satisfaction.
"Dammit," Jaune muttered under his breath, but Ren interrupted with a small gesture toward a nearby building.
"Hey, there's a house over there. Maybe they can point us in the right direction," Ren suggested, his calm voice offering a solution.
Ruby's face brightened, nodding in agreement. "Right! Let's ask for directions. Good idea."
The group made their way toward the house, the faint sounds of distant voices and laughter coming from inside as they approached the door. Ruby noticed the door was slightly ajar and paused before turning to her team.
"Stay here," Ruby instructed, her tone firm. "I'll check it out."
She drew Crescent Rose from her back, activating its scythe form as she carefully approached the door. Her footsteps were soft as she pushed the door open, scanning the interior of the house. It was quiet, the living room, dining room, and kitchen all seemingly empty.
But then—screaming.
The sound echoed from upstairs, followed by what could only be described as a heated argument. Ruby's heart raced. Slowly, she made her way toward the staircase, her weapon ready in her hands. Each step was measured, cautious.
She reached the hallway at the top of the stairs, where the door to one of the rooms stood ajar. Holding her breath, Ruby pressed herself against the doorframe and peeked inside.
Her expression changed instantly—from tense to surprised, and then to delighted.
Inside, Team SSSN was sprawled on the floor, completely engrossed in a video game. The room was filled with the sounds of excited shouting, not of distress, but of competitive fervor.
"I'M ALMOST FIRST! I'M ALMOST FIRST!" Sun Wukong yelled, his hands flying across the buttons of his Scroll as he raced in the game.
Ruby couldn't help but laugh at the chaos. The room erupted into a mix of cheers and groans as the game came to an end.
"DAMMIT!" Scarlet David yelled, crossing his arms in frustration as his character finished last.
"You were in last place AGAIN!" Neptune Vasilias laughed, poking fun at his teammate while Sage Ayana chuckled, his blue hair flicking with each laugh.
"STILL THE REIGNING MISTRAL GAMING CHAMPION!" Sun shouted, throwing his arms up in victory.
Ruby couldn't hold it in any longer. The sound of her laughter filled the hallway, loud enough to cause Team SSSN to turn around and look at her in surprise.
"Ruby? Is that you?" Sun called, a grin spreading across his face.
"Yeah," Ruby said, trying to catch her breath. "It's been a while, Sun."
She turned to the window and opened it, waving at her team below. "Come on in, guys! It's Team SSSN!"
Nora squealed with excitement and bolted inside, practically launching herself into a group hug with Team SSSN. Ren and Neo followed more calmly, with Jaune bringing up the rear. Nora continued to hug everyone, her energy infectious.
"Oh, it's so good to see you guys!" Nora exclaimed, squeezing each of them tightly.
Scarlet, who was still clutching his back from Nora's enthusiastic embrace, gave a weak smile. "Yeah, good to see you too, Nora."
"I... what are you guys doing here?" Neptune asked, still trying to catch his breath from the sudden chaos.
"We didn't know!" Nora answered brightly, glancing over at Ruby with a teasing smirk. "Ruby got us lost!"
Ruby flushed, hiding her face in embarrassment, but she quickly recovered. "I'm not lost! Just... momentarily off course!"
"Sure," Jaune said dryly, rolling his eyes, though a smile tugged at his lips.
Ren shrugged and gestured toward the living room. "You guys are welcome to stay a bit. We can catch up and all."
"Yeah, let's relax for a while," Sage suggested with a nod, leading the way out of the room.
But as Team SSSN started to file out, Sun noticed Ruby wasn't moving. He tilted his head, a concerned look crossing his face.
"Ruby, what's wrong?" Sun asked.
"Sun... there's someone else with us. And... I don't think you're going to like it," Ruby said, her voice suddenly quiet, the weight of the moment settling on her.
Ruby and Sun made their way down the stairs, and when they entered the living room, Sun stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes widening in disbelief.
Neo was sitting quietly in a chair, her arms crossed, watching them with her usual, unreadable expression.
"You have got to be kidding me!" Sun yelled, his voice a mix of frustration and shock.
The rest of Team SSSN turned to look at him, their eyes flicking between Sun and Neo. Sage, Neptune, and Scarlet exchanged confused glances.
"You know her, Sun?" Sage asked, a frown tugging at his lips.
"Who is she?" Neptune asked, his tone laced with concern.
Jaune stood from his seat, his voice sharp as he spoke up. "Guys, meet Roman Torchwick's right-hand. She's one of the ones responsible for what happened at Beacon."
Sun's eyes narrowed. "What is she doing here, Ruby?"
Ruby hesitated, then nodded at Jaune to answer. Jaune crossed his arms, his expression darkening.
"We're keeping her with us," Jaune said, his voice thick with anger. "Only until we get all the information she knows about Cinder Fall and her plans. If she doesn't start talking soon… things are going to get bad for her."
Neo's eyes flicked nervously from Jaune to the others in the room. She remained silent, but her unease was clear.
Scarlet frowned, his gaze flicking to Neo. "Why is she tied up like that?"
"Because we can't trust her yet," Jaune said curtly, his tone leaving no room for argument. "She doesn't get to make the rules anymore. Not after what she did."
As the tension in the room grew, Team SSSN exchanged uneasy glances. Neo sat still, her hands bound and her expression unreadable, though a flicker of worry passed over her face as she realized the full weight of her situation.
1 DAY AFTER BEACON FELL
The remnants of Beacon Academy stretched before Ozpin, the once-thriving institution reduced to rubble. His breath came in ragged gasps, his chest aching with the wound Cinder Fall had dealt him. His broken leg throbbed painfully with each step, but he pushed forward, determined. He had to reach Amber.
With each agonizing step, he limped through the corridors, the weight of his failure pressing down on him. The flickering light of the damaged building seemed to echo the fading light of hope. The fight had taken so much, and still, so much was left undone.
Finally, he arrived at Amber's chamber. The sight of her lifeless body stopped him in his tracks. She had been a beacon of hope, and yet even she had fallen. The arrow that Cinder had sent through her chest was still fresh in his mind. He approached the glass chamber where Amber lay, the faintest glow still emanating from the device that held her.
"I'm... I'm sorry," Ozpin murmured, his voice filled with grief.
A tear slipped from his eye, falling onto the glass, a quiet tribute to the lives lost and the countless regrets weighing on him. He had failed her, failed so many. His body swayed with exhaustion, and he slid down to sit against the cold, stone floor. His broken leg ached, but it was the wound on his chest that consumed his thoughts.
The pain was a sharp reminder of what had happened, of what he hadn't been able to prevent. But there was still work to be done.
With a groan, Ozpin shifted his attention to his leg. His gaze fell on it, twisted at an unnatural angle. He didn't hesitate—he gritted his teeth, held his breath, and yanked it back into place with a sickening crunch. The agony was immediate and overwhelming, but he fought through it, focusing only on the task ahead.
After a moment, Ozpin forced himself to his feet, clutching his side where the bleeding wound still seeped. Every step was a struggle, but he couldn't afford to stop. There was still hope, faint as it was.
He turned his gaze to the elevator, a small beacon of escape in a world now filled with chaos. He limped toward it, pressing the button with the last bit of strength he had left. The soft glow of the elevator's light reassured him, and he exhaled in relief as the doors opened.
The elevator was slow, painfully slow, but Ozpin allowed himself a moment to lean against the wall as it ascended. The weight of the building's destruction was heavy on him, but so was the knowledge that he could still do something, however small, to help in the aftermath.
The elevator doors opened with a soft chime, revealing the wreckage of Beacon's ground floor. Ozpin's breath caught in his throat at the sight. Beacon Academy, the place he had fought so hard to protect, was in ruins. The tower, once a proud symbol of hope, now lay shattered on the ground, and the once-thriving campus was nothing more than a graveyard of stone and debris.
"No…" Ozpin whispered, his heart sinking.
He staggered out of the elevator, his movements slow and deliberate. His eyes scanned the horizon, hoping for something, anything, to break the disheartening silence. But there was nothing. Only the destruction that loomed over him like a dark cloud.
With a grim resolve, Ozpin began to make his way toward the hangar, the one remaining place he could seek shelter. He reached for his Scroll to check for any messages, but it was useless. The screen was shattered, and he cursed under his breath.
"Damn it," he muttered, frustration growing.
Then, the unmistakable growl of Grimm reached his ears. His heart skipped a beat as he heard the sounds of creatures moving in the distance. He cursed again. He was defenseless, and his staff was nowhere to be found. He broke into a limping run, knowing he had to reach the hangar or risk being caught by the Grimm.
Suddenly, the sound of tearing flesh and the sickening snap of bone filled the air. Ozpin turned just as an Ursa and two Griffons emerged from the shadows, charging toward him with deadly intent. His injured body was too slow to dodge, but before the Grimm could close in on him, a sharp, slicing sound rang out, followed by the sickening thud of the creatures' bodies hitting the ground.
Ozpin's eyes widened as he saw Qrow Branwen standing in the clearing, his scythe slick with the remains of the Grimm. Qrow, ever the cynic, casually took a sip from his flask, his back turned to Ozpin. He hadn't even noticed the headmaster.
"Ozpin?" Qrow said, his voice rising in surprise as he turned around. "What the hell are you doing here?"
Ozpin tried to walk toward him, but his legs buckled, and his vision blurred. Before he could fall, Qrow was there, steadying him with a firm hand.
"Oz!" Qrow exclaimed, his voice thick with concern. "What the hell happened to you?"
Ozpin tried to speak, but his body betrayed him, and he slumped against Qrow's shoulder, weak and disoriented.
"Don't you dare pass out on me, old man," Qrow muttered. He quickly pulled out his Scroll and activated a call.
"Glynda," Qrow said into the device, his tone urgent, "It's Qrow. You won't believe who I just found."
Ozpin's eyelids fluttered as he fought to stay conscious, but the weight of everything—his wounds, his failures, the weight of Beacon's fall—was too much. He closed his eyes, allowing himself a moment of rest, trusting Qrow to get him the help he needed.
As the faint hum of a distant airship began to fill the air, Qrow's voice called out, soft but steady.
"Hang in there, Oz. Help's on the way."
And for the first time in what felt like forever, Ozpin allowed himself to believe that it just might be.