Morning – Vale Hospital

The sterile air of the hospital hallway was filled with quiet tension. Yang sat on the bench, her leg bouncing restlessly and her hands clenched tightly together. Her eyes were fixed on the floor, but her thoughts raced elsewhere. Across from her, Weiss watched her carefully, noticing the nervous energy practically radiating off her. Weiss gently placed a hand on Yang's shoulder, causing the blonde to glance at her.

"She's fine, Yang," Weiss said softly, her tone attempting to reassure.

"I know she is," Yang replied, though her voice betrayed her doubt. "But that doesn't mean I'm not worried. She's been through so much already, and now this? What if it pushes her to do something reckless? Like after... like what happened when Matthew died. But worse this time."

Weiss frowned at the mention of Matthew, recalling the toll his death had taken on Blake. She leaned closer, her expression serious. "Did she say anything about what happened? About who killed that girl?"

Yang nodded faintly. "No. She hasn't told me or the police yet. I think she's still in shock. Gods, Weiss..." Yang's voice cracked as she ran her hand through her hair. "She was just a kid. Barely older than Ruby was two years ago. How could anyone do that to her?"

Weiss's face hardened with quiet determination. "I don't know, Yang. But whoever's responsible needs to be stopped before they hurt anyone else."

Before Yang could respond, the sound of a door opening drew their attention. A doctor in a white coat stepped out of a nearby room, holding a clipboard. He glanced at Yang and approached.

"Miss Xiao Long," the doctor began, his tone professional but gentle. "May I ask how you know Miss Belladonna?"

Yang stiffened slightly, caught off guard by the question. "Why do you ask?" she replied, a hint of suspicion in her voice.

The doctor adjusted his glasses and glanced at his clipboard. "Miss Belladonna's file shows no immediate family or relatives that could arrive quickly. According to her records, you're listed as her emergency contact. We just want to confirm the relationship for our records."

Yang hesitated, glancing briefly at Weiss, who looked just as puzzled by the question. Yang's cheeks flushed faintly, and she sighed before answering.

"She's my wife," Yang said finally, her voice steady but soft.

Both the doctor and Weiss blinked in surprise. Weiss's eyebrows shot up, and her mouth opened slightly as if to say something, but she quickly shut it, choosing to let Yang explain later.

The doctor nodded, noting something on his clipboard. "I see. Thank you for clarifying."

Yang quickly refocused. "Is she going to be okay?"

"Yes," the doctor said with a reassuring smile. "The cut was deep but missed the major artery in her leg by about an inch. It could have been far worse, but she's stable now. She'll need rest and some time to recover, but the surgeons did an excellent job."

Yang exhaled deeply, relief washing over her. "Thank you, doctor."

The doctor gestured toward a group of surgeons in scrubs, many of whom bore Faunus features—tails, ears, or other visible traits. "The thanks should go to the surgical team. Their precision ensured the best outcome for her."

Yang glanced at the group, her expression softening. "I'll be sure to thank them when I can. Can I go see her?"

The doctor gave a brief nod and smiled. "Yes, you may. She was already awake when I checked in earlier. I'll leave you to it. I've got other patients to tend to."

As he left, Weiss turned to Yang, her expression a mix of surprise and curiosity. "Your wife?"

Yang hesitated, reaching into her jacket pocket to pull out a small golden ring. She held it between her fingers, the light catching its surface. "We were going to tell everyone next week when we all got together," she admitted softly.

Weiss blinked. "How long have you—?"

"Eight months," Yang interrupted, her voice carrying a note of vulnerability. "We've been married eight months."

Weiss furrowed her brow, confused. "Why didn't you tell anyone?"

Yang's gaze fell to the floor. "I proposed to Blake a week before the mission Ruby and I went on with Qrow. We planned to tell you all after the mission... but after what happened with Qrow..." Her voice faltered, and she trailed off, clearly struggling to continue.

Weiss placed a hand on Yang's shoulder. "Yang?" she prompted gently.

Yang inhaled deeply, steadying herself before continuing. "Do you know what Ruby said to me afterward? She looked me in the eyes and said, 'I fucking hate you.'" Yang's voice cracked, and her fists clenched. "My own sister said that... to my face. I was ashamed, Weiss. I felt like I'd lost everything. Blake was the only one there for me when no one else was."

Weiss winced at Yang's words. "I… I guess I understand," she said softly. "Ruby was furious for so long. I remember how just mentioning your name would make her fly into a rage."

Yang glanced at Weiss, guilt and pain evident in her expression. "I'm sorry you had to deal with that, Weiss. And I'm sorry I didn't tell you guys. I just couldn't after everything."

Weiss offered a small, understanding smile. "It's okay, Yang. I get it now. We can talk more about it later, but right now, we should focus on Blake."

Yang nodded, slipping the ring back into her pocket. "You're right."

The two entered Blake's hospital room quietly. Blake was sitting up in bed, her gaze fixed on her bandaged leg. She looked pale, her usually radiant complexion dulled by the blood loss. She didn't notice them at first, lost in her own thoughts. Weiss shut the door softly behind them.

"I'll talk to her," Yang said quietly. "You stay here."

Weiss nodded and stood near the door as Yang walked to Blake's side. She pulled the chair closer to the bed and sat down, leaning forward.

"Blake?" Yang's voice was soft but filled with concern.

Blake finally turned her head, her golden eyes meeting Yang's. Tears welled up instantly as her lips trembled. "Yang…"

Before she could say more, the tears spilled over, and her voice broke into sobs. Yang quickly stood, sitting on the edge of the bed and wrapping her arms around Blake. She pulled her wife close, letting Blake cry on her shoulder.

"It's alright, Blake," Yang whispered, her voice soothing as she stroked Blake's hair. "It's okay. I'm here."

Blake clutched at Yang's jacket, her grip desperate, as if holding on to her would stop the pain. She sobbed uncontrollably, and Yang tightened her embrace, resting her cheek against Blake's head.

Weiss stood silently in the corner, her eyes cast downward as she gave them space. Seeing Blake in such a broken state was heart-wrenching, and even Weiss found it hard to hold back her own emotions.

Yang continued to whisper comforting words, her voice steady despite the tears forming in her own eyes. She refused to let them fall, focusing all her energy on comforting Blake. She held her as tightly as she could, letting Blake release her pain, while Yang silently promised herself that she would do everything in her power to protect her wife from further harm.


JAUNE'S HOUSE - KITCHEN

Neo was at the stove, her movements slow and deliberate as she scrambled the eggs, the sizzle of bacon filling the quiet kitchen. When the food was done, she slid it onto a plate, covering it with a lid to keep it warm. As she turned, she saw Ruby entering the kitchen, her steps dragging and her eyes slightly puffy and red.

"Morning," Neo said, her tone light but tinged with concern.

Ruby yawned as she pulled out a chair at the dining table. "Morning," she replied, her voice hoarse.

"You hungry? I made eggs and bacon. Toast's about done," Neo offered, gesturing toward the stove.

"I'll just have toast," Ruby muttered, slumping into the chair.

Neo frowned, noticing Ruby's distant expression. Setting the plate down, she walked to the table and stood across from her.

"Ruby, Jaune and I are worried about you," Neo said, her voice soft but firm.

Ruby glanced up, her expression guarded. "Really?"

"Yes," Neo said, her gaze steady. "We heard you yelling last night. Then crying for a while. And I know it's not just about what happened yesterday. There's something else, isn't there?"

Ruby looked away, hesitating, her hands fidgeting slightly. "I... um…"

The sound of the front door opening cut her off. Both Neo and Ruby turned toward the entrance as Jaune stepped into the room. His face was pale, his expression tense, and he clutched his Scroll in one hand.

"Jaune?" Neo asked, alarmed by his demeanor. "What's going on?"

Jaune blinked, as if snapping out of a daze, and tucked his Scroll into his pocket. "You might want to sit down, Neo," he said, his voice low.

Neo hesitated but eventually sank into a chair, her unease growing.

"Who were you just talking to?" Ruby asked, her voice sharp with apprehension.

Jaune exhaled deeply, his shoulders sagging. "Yang."

Ruby started to rise from her chair, her movements stiff. "She knows I'm here, doesn't she?"

Jaune raised a hand, stopping her. "It's not just about you, Ruby. It's… something else. Something bad."

Ruby froze, her heart sinking. "What do you mean?"

Jaune placed his hands on his hips, glancing between the two women. "Yang called a few minutes ago. She already knows you're here—I don't know how, but she does. And… she also wanted to tell us something else." He hesitated, his face clouded with guilt and sorrow. "Blake was attacked last night. She's in the hospital."

Ruby's hands trembled as she pressed them over her mouth, her eyes wide with shock. "What?" she whispered. "What happened to her?"

Jaune hesitated, his face pale as he carefully chose his words. Finally, he spoke, his voice heavy with regret. "One of Blake's students… was killed at Beacon."

Ruby's breath hitched. Her hands dropped from her face, trembling. "No," she murmured, the weight of the news sinking in. "Oh, my god. Blake… she…?"

"Blake tried to save her," Jaune continued, his gaze locked on the ground. "But she got hurt in the process. She's going to be okay, Ruby. The doctors said she just needs a few days of rest to recover."

Ruby's fists clenched, her breathing shallow as anger began bubbling beneath her sorrow. "Who did it? Who would dare do something like this?"

Jaune exchanged a glance with Neo, who was frozen in her chair, the color draining from her face. He exhaled sharply before answering, his voice tight. "It was him, Neo."

Neo's eyes darted to Jaune, confusion etched across her face. "What are you talking about?" she asked, her tone cautious.

Jaune nodded solemnly. "He's alive."

Neo's confusion quickly morphed into disbelief. Her lips parted as realization dawned on her. "No," she whispered, standing abruptly. Her expression shifted to fear, her hands curling into fists. Ruby noticed the sudden change in Neo's demeanor and stood as well, her own emotions spiraling.

"Who, Jaune?" Ruby demanded, her voice tense.

Jaune locked eyes with Ruby, his voice low but steady. "Roman Torchwick."

Ruby's gasp filled the room. "That's impossible," she said, shaking her head. "He's dead."

Neo's breathing quickened as she backed away from the table, her gaze darting around the room like she was searching for answers. "He got eaten by that Nevermore," she said, her voice trembling. "I saw it happen."

"I'm just telling you what Yang told me," Jaune said. "She sounded dead serious, Ruby. You know how she is—Yang doesn't make these kinds of claims unless she's absolutely sure."

Ruby's jaw clenched, her fury barely contained. "If it's true," she said through gritted teeth, "then where the hell has he been hiding all this time? How did he survive?"

Jaune shrugged helplessly. "I don't know, Ruby. But he wasn't alone." His voice grew heavier. "Yang said Cinder Fall and Emerald Sustrai were there, too. They made Blake watch as Roman… as he killed the girl in cold blood."

Ruby's eyes burned with anger. Her aura flickered faintly as her emotions threatened to overwhelm her. "That bastard," she hissed, slamming her fist onto the table. "I'll make him pay for this."

Neo suddenly bolted from the room, rushing upstairs without a word. Ruby stared after her, confused but too consumed by her own anger to call out. Jaune remained silent, watching Neo disappear with worry.


HOSPITAL

Yang sat beside Blake, her hand holding Blake's gently. Her thumb traced soft, repetitive circles, offering silent comfort. Across from them, Weiss sat stiffly in her chair, her foot tapping against the floor in an almost mechanical rhythm. The quiet in the room was heavy, broken only by the occasional distant sound of footsteps or muffled voices in the hallway.

The door creaked open, drawing their attention. Ren and Nora entered, their expressions a mixture of relief and concern.

Nora quickly made her way to Blake, bending down to hug her carefully but tightly. "I'm so glad you're okay," she said softly, her usual enthusiasm replaced by quiet warmth.

Weiss rose from her chair, nodding in acknowledgment. "Thank you for coming," she said to Ren, her voice steady but tinged with gratitude.

Ren gave a small nod back. "It's the least we could do. We wanted to be here for Blake."

He approached Blake, his voice calm and empathetic. "I'm sorry about Bella," he said. "She seemed like such a kind person when I met her."

Blake lowered her gaze, her shoulders heavy with guilt and sorrow. "She was," she murmured. "She didn't deserve to die like that."

Ren shook his head slightly, his brows furrowing. "I can't believe it," he said. "Torchwick. After all this time… I thought he was gone for good."

Blake's hands clenched into fists on her lap, anger flickering in her amber eyes. "So did I," she said, her tone sharp and bitter. "But now he's back, and he needs to pay for what he did."

Yang's grip on Blake's hand tightened slightly. Her expression was calm, but her voice carried a note of unease. "Blake..."

Blake turned to Yang, her gaze meeting her partner's with firm resolve. "I'm not going to walk that path again, Yang," she said firmly. "I've learned what happens when I let myself go to that dark place. I came so close to being like Adam... especially after I killed him. I won't let myself go back there."

Yang searched Blake's face, her eyes scanning for any hint of doubt. Her voice softened, almost pleading. "You promise me?"

Blake nodded without hesitation. "I promise."

Yang exhaled quietly, her hand relaxing in Blake's. Across the room, Weiss allowed herself a faint, relieved smile as the tension in the air began to ease.

Nora's eyes shifted uneasily around the room, her usual exuberance replaced by an undercurrent of concern. Then she noticed something, her brow furrowing. "Hey," she said, breaking the brief silence. "Where's Ruby?"

Yang's hand stopped tracing the soft circles on Blake's, and she looked at Nora. "After everything that happened yesterday, she flew off," Yang said. "She's staying with Jaune and Neo for the time being."

"Why?" Ren asked, stepping closer.

Yang sighed heavily, running a hand through her hair before answering. "Two days ago, I found Cinder Fall in this rundown bar in Vale. I... I drugged her and dragged her to an abandoned factory downtown. I nearly killed her."

Ren and Nora exchanged a glance, startled by the admission.

"But Ruby stopped me," Yang continued, her voice tight.

"And now Ruby blames herself for what happened yesterday," Weiss added. "She thinks if she hadn't stopped Yang from killing Cinder, the bombing at the courthouse wouldn't have happened. She feels responsible for not seeing the attack coming."

Nora frowned deeply, her fingers gripping the edge of her coat. "Oh, man," she muttered.

"Do you think she'll come back?" Nora asked hesitantly.

"I don't know," Weiss said softly. "We just need to give her time."

Ren, folding his arms, took a measured breath. "So... what do we do about Cinder? And Roman?"

The room fell silent for a beat until Blake spoke, her voice carrying a quiet but resolute determination. "We fight."

All eyes turned to her.

Blake sat up straighter, the fire in her gaze cutting through her earlier sadness. "We need to bring everyone together," she said. "Roman told me this is only the beginning. He mentioned someone named Envy. I don't know who that is yet, but Roman made it clear—whatever she has planned will make Salem's schemes look like child's play."

Yang looked over at Weiss, whose expression hardened. "We need to get Ironwood in the loop," Weiss said. "Inform him about all of this."

"I'll handle that," Yang said, standing and stretching her stiff shoulders.

"Ren, Nora," Blake continued, "we need you two to start reaching out to everyone. Tell them to meet us in Patch. We'll plan from there."

"What about Jaune and Neo?" Blake asked, her tone softening slightly. "Do you think they'll come?"

Yang frowned, crossing her arms as she leaned against the wall. "I don't know," she admitted. "They've got their own lives now, and with Ruby staying there... I'm not sure Jaune would want to drag her back into this mess."

"And Neo..." Weiss said, her voice quiet and thoughtful. "If she already knows Roman's alive, she may not want to fight at all."

Blake nodded, her ears twitching slightly as she mulled it over. "Fair point," she said. "But we should still ask. We might be surprised."

Yang locked eyes with Blake, the resolve in her partner's expression making her nod. "Alright," Yang said. "I'll try. But I won't get my hopes up."

Weiss exhaled sharply, straightening her posture. "We don't have much time to wait. Let's move quickly."

Everyone nodded in agreement, a sense of urgency filling the room as they prepared for the battle ahead.


JAUNE'S HOUSE

Neo lay on the bed, her back to the door, staring blankly at the wall. The dim light from the bedside lamp cast faint shadows on the room's walls. The sound of footsteps made her tense slightly, but she didn't turn.

"Neo?" Jaune's voice was gentle as he stepped into the room, concern etched across his face.

Neo remained silent, her eyes fixed on a spot that only she could see.

Jaune sighed softly, moving to sit on the edge of the bed. He hesitated for a moment, then placed a hand on her shoulder.

"How can he be alive?" Neo finally whispered, her voice trembling.

"...I don't know," Jaune admitted quietly. "I honestly don't know."

He shifted closer, wrapping his arm gently around her waist. The contact seemed to anchor her, though her body remained rigid.

"I know you're afraid of him, Neo," Jaune said. "But you can't let that fear take over. You're not alone anymore."

Neo sat up slowly, her eyes glistening with unshed tears as she turned to face him.

"Roman used to hurt me, Jaune," she said, her voice breaking slightly. She rolled up her sleeve, revealing faint scars etched across her forearm.

Jaune's eyes widened in shock and anger.

"He did this to me," Neo continued, her voice cracking. "Whenever something went wrong, he took his anger out on me. And he—he forced me to smile, no matter how much it hurt. Whenever we were in public, or around others, I had to pretend everything was fine. I thought I cared about him. I thought he was my friend. But I was wrong."

Her tears began to fall freely, and her voice dropped to a whisper. "If he finds me..."

Jaune pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly.

"Then I won't let him hurt you," Jaune said firmly, his voice filled with quiet determination. "I promise, Neo. If he even comes near you, I'll stop him. For everything he's done to you, I'll make sure he never gets the chance to do it again."

Neo looked up at Jaune, her tears glistening in the soft light. His hand gently wiped them away, and she gave him a small, grateful nod.

Leaning forward, Neo pressed a soft kiss to Jaune's lips before resting her head on his shoulder. For a moment, the room was silent, save for the soft hum of the lamp.

Unbeknownst to them, Ruby stood just outside the door, her backpack slung over one shoulder. She had heard the entire conversation, her heart heavy with guilt and sadness. She quietly turned away and descended the stairs, heading out through the back door.

The cool evening air brushed against her face as she stepped into the grassy field behind the house. The weight of everything pressed down on her, but her steps were steady.

"Ruby!"

Ruby stopped mid-step and turned to see Jaune standing at the back door, his expression a mix of concern and curiosity.

"Where are you going?" Jaune asked, stepping down into the yard.

Ruby adjusted the strap of her backpack, her silver eyes meeting his. "You said Yang's gathering everyone in Patch to prepare for this... Envy woman."

Jaune nodded. "So, you're heading to Patch, then?"

"Yes," Ruby confirmed. "But I have a few things I need to take care of first." Her gaze softened. "I know you and Neo want to stay out of the fight, and I completely understand. You've earned your peace, Jaune. At least you two will be safe."

Ruby closed the distance between them and wrapped her arms around him in a firm hug.

"Thank you for letting me stay here," she said quietly.

Jaune hugged her back tightly, his voice filled with warmth. "You're my best friend, Ruby. Friends take care of each other. And if you ever need to crash here again, you know you're always welcome."

Ruby stepped back, smiling faintly. "Stay safe, Jaune."

"You too," Jaune said, his voice trailing off as Ruby extended her cape, leaped into the air, and flew off into the fading light of the morning sky.

Jaune watched her silhouette grow smaller until it disappeared over the horizon. He let out a long breath and turned back toward the house, only to stop in his tracks.

Neo stood in the doorway, her arms crossed as she watched him. Her expression was unreadable at first, but her gaze shifted to something in the yard. Following her line of sight, Jaune's eyes landed on Crocea Mors, lying next to the woodpile he'd stacked the day before.

For a moment, the two of them stood there in silence, the weight of Ruby's departure lingering in the air.


DARK PALACE

Envy stood regally across from Cinder, Roman, and Emerald, her cold eyes scanning their faces with quiet disdain. Her lips curled into a thin smile.

"I'm impressed, Roman," she said smoothly. "Killing that Faunus girl in front of Belladonna. Quite the touch. Not bad at all."

Roman tilted his hat with a smirk. "I aim to please, Mistress."

Before Roman could bask in her praise further, Cinder swatted him sharply on the back of the head. He staggered slightly, glaring at her, but said nothing.

"While Roman's theatrics are noted, Mistress," Cinder interjected, her tone clipped, "it's clear that Team RWBY will rally their allies. Huntsmen, Huntresses, and most likely Ironwood and his military. We may need to adjust accordingly."

Envy's smile widened, almost indulgently. "Let them, Cinder. Their unity will only make my plans... easier."

Cinder's brows furrowed. "Easier? How so?"

Envy turned her gaze to the glowing flames that lined the throne room, her tone laced with malice. "Originally, the plan was to pick them off, one by one. But if they gather together, their destruction will be swift and complete. One stroke of the blade instead of many. But first... I will crush their fragile minds. Their despair will be their undoing."

She turned back to the group, her eyes landing on Roman. "And Roman, let us not forget your former partner, Neopolitan. She's now aligned with Jaune Arc, of all people."

Roman's cocky demeanor evaporated, replaced by a simmering anger. "Don't remind me," he growled.

Envy chuckled darkly. "You'll get your chance, Roman. When the time is right, Arc will be yours to deal with."

Roman's grin returned, sharp and vengeful. "With pleasure."

Envy smiles. "Good. You may go."

The trio bowed slightly before retreating toward the exit. Just as they reached the door, a soft cracking sound echoed through the room, freezing them in place. Their eyes darted toward the source—the massive mirror on the far wall.

Envy's expression darkened as she strode toward the mirror. Pyrrha, battered and exhausted, was on her knees behind the glass, staring defiantly back at her.

Envy's eyes narrowed. She leaned closer, noticing something she hadn't before—a small crack in the corner of the mirror.

Her voice was a low growl. "How did this happen?"

Pyrrha's lips curled into a faint, mocking smile. "How do you like that, bitch?" she spat, her voice weak but filled with venom.

Envy's eyes glowed brightly. Pyrrha let out a guttural scream as the brand on her back flared, her body writhing in agony. But even through the pain, Pyrrha's defiance didn't falter. She locked eyes with Envy, her growl rising to a furious roar. Summoning all her strength, Pyrrha charged at the glass and slammed her fist into it. The crack lengthened.

Envy's fury erupted. Her hand plunged into the mirror like water, seizing Pyrrha by the head. With her eyes blazing, Envy unleashed another surge of agony into her captive. Pyrrha collapsed, unconscious, onto the mirrored floor. Envy released her, pulling her hand back and turning toward the trio, who stood frozen in shock.

"GET OUT!" Envy roared.

Roman, Cinder, and Emerald quickly exited the throne room without another word.

Envy's breathing was ragged as she placed a hand to her temple. Suddenly, her vision blurred.

The world around her shifted. She was no longer in the throne room but in the Emerald Forest. From her vantage point, she looked up and saw Jaune high in a tree, his hood pinned by a spear.

"Jaune," she muttered involuntarily.

Jaune glanced down at her, his expression serious. "Do you have any spots left on your team?" she heard herself say.

Jaune crossed his arms. For a moment, he appeared as though he might scold her, but instead, he smiled warmly. "Very funny."

Envy gasped, snapping back to the present. She was in the throne room again, her heart pounding.

Looking down, she noticed pale patches spreading across her once-pristine white skin. She grabbed a smaller mirror and stared at her face, searching for any changes. At first, there were none, but then... faint streaks of green appeared in her crimson eyes.

"No..." she whispered.

With a furious scream, she hurled the mirror against the wall, shattering it into pieces. Her reflection splintered into countless shards, each one seeming to mock her as she seethed with rage.


WAREHOUSE

The dim glow of a nearby streetlight barely reached the small, nondescript warehouse. The pink-haired girl approached cautiously, her sharp eyes scanning the area to ensure no one was around. Satisfied, she reached into her pocket, pulling out a set of keys. She unlocked the heavy padlock, removed the chains wrapped around the door handles, and pushed the door open with a soft creak.

Once inside, she quickly closed the door behind her, securing the lock again. Her fingers found a button on the wall, and a soft hum filled the room as overhead lights flickered on, illuminating the interior. It wasn't much—makeshift furniture cobbled together from various materials, a tiny kitchen area, a corner that resembled a living room, and a curtained-off space that likely served as a bedroom.

The girl walked to the kitchen, pulling a small device from her pocket. She pressed a button, and upbeat music began to play. Smiling to herself, she started to sway to the rhythm, her steps light and playful as she moved toward the refrigerator. She opened it, grabbed a bottle of water, and took a long drink.

Suddenly, the music stopped.

The silence was abrupt, almost deafening. The girl froze, lowering the bottle. Her eyes darted to the living room, her body tense. She reached for the pistol holstered at her side, drawing it quickly.

"You know," a calm voice broke the silence, "I'd prefer something more classical every now and then."

The girl's grip tightened on her weapon, her breathing shallow. She aimed toward a revolving chair facing away from her, her tone sharp. "Turn the chair around and show yourself."

A pair of hands rose from behind the chair, palms open in a show of surrender. Slowly, the chair turned, revealing a calm, smiling Ruby Rose. Her crimson hood framed her face, and her silver eyes glinted in the warehouse light.

The girl's eyes widened in shock, lowering her weapon slightly. "Ruby Rose."

Ruby's smile didn't falter. "Violet Blume," she said smoothly. "It's good to finally meet you."

Violet hesitated, her weapon lowering completely. A nervous smile crept across her face. "I know who you are. Everyone knows who you are."

Ruby stood, her movements deliberate but non-threatening. She glanced around the warehouse, taking in its patchwork charm. "So, this is where you live, huh?" she asked, curiosity in her tone.

Violet nodded cautiously, her hand still lingering near her holster. "Yeah... I built most of it myself."

Ruby wandered to a nearby table, picking up a small, odd-looking device. She turned it over in her hands, examining its rough construction.

"Please don't touch that!" Violet shouted, her voice panicked. Ruby paused, raising an eyebrow as she looked at her.

"Sorry," Violet said quickly, her tone softer. "But that device releases a toxic gas. It can temporarily asphyxiate the target. It's... dangerous."

Ruby's expression remained neutral as she carefully set the device back down. "Noted," she said, stepping away. Her eyes scanned the room, noting the various contraptions Violet had crafted. There were traps and tools built from scraps, some designed to ensnare or disable a target. One particular creation caught Ruby's attention—a rudimentary snare trap rigged to dangle its victim by the ankle.

"You made all of these?" Ruby asked, her eyes scanning the various devices and gadgets scattered around the warehouse. "I'm impressed. Tell me, what's a girl like you doing staying in a place like this? Don't you have any parents?"

Violet's expression darkened as she stared at the floor. "I did. But they're dead."

Ruby's posture softened, and her voice dropped to a gentler tone. "Oh. I'm sorry to hear that. What happened?"

"Salem happened," Violet replied curtly, her voice tinged with bitterness. "But that's all I want to say about it."

"I understand," Ruby said, nodding solemnly.

Violet shifted her gaze to Ruby, her eyes narrowing. "Wait a minute. How the hell did you even manage to get in here? Every door is chained up."

Ruby's lips curled into a small smile as she tilted her head toward an open window high above. Violet followed her gaze and sighed.

"Ah," Violet said. "Of course."

"Yep," Ruby said with a hint of pride.

Violet crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. "Well, this is nice and all, but can you explain what you're doing here? And why were you sitting on my favorite chair?"

Ruby chuckled lightly. "First, the chair—very comfortable. Kudos to you for that." Her expression then shifted to a serious one. "Second, I need your help."

Violet blinked, caught off guard. "Help?"

Ruby took a step closer, her silver eyes locking onto Violet's. "There's a dark evil coming, something bigger than anything we've faced before. My team is gathering everyone we can to help us. I'm on a personal mission to recruit people with the skills we need. And you, Violet Blume, just happen to have the exact talents I'm looking for."

"Oookay," Violet said, still looking a bit skeptical.

"But," Ruby continued, her tone firm, "if you join us, I need you to understand something. This is going to be a serious operation. No doubt about it—the chances of death are—"

"Okay, stop right there," Violet interrupted, holding up a hand. "I'm in."

Ruby blinked, genuinely surprised. "Wait, what? Even knowing the danger, you're in?"

"Yeah," Violet said with a shrug. "I've got nothing else to do. Plus, I get to work with the Ruby Rose. And also..." Violet hesitated before finishing, "I don't have any friends."

Ruby sighed, her expression softening. "Great." She extended her hand. "Welcome, then."

Violet reached out and shook Ruby's hand, giving a small, genuine smile.

"So, now what?" Violet asked.

Ruby smirked and adjusted her hood. "Now? We do some more recruiting."


HOSPITAL

Blake sits in a wheelchair, her hands resting on her lap as Yang pushes her gently down the hallway. Weiss walks alongside them, while Ren and Nora follow closely behind. Blake presses the elevator button, and the doors slide open with a soft chime. The group enters, and the doors close behind them.

"Sun and Neptune will be coming," Ren said, breaking the silence.

"Nolan, Brawnz, May, and Neon are in too," Nora added. "Neon sounded really excited about it, actually."

"I talked to Velvet and Coco," Weiss chimed in. "They sounded hesitant, but they agreed. They'll be the first to arrive at the house."

"Good," Yang said with a nod. "What about Cardin?"

Weiss sighed. "Yes, he's coming as well."

"I managed to get Qrow and my mom," Yang said. "They'll be there too."

The elevator doors opened with another soft chime, and the group walked out into the hospital lobby. The cool air of the late morning greeted them as they approached the front entrance.

"Were you able to contact Ironwood?" Weiss asked, glancing at Yang.

"Not yet," Yang replied, frustration flickering in her tone. "He's probably busy helping with the investigation into yesterday's attack. I'll try again later."

When the automatic doors slid open, they saw a Schnee Dust Company car waiting for them at the curb. Weiss walked ahead and opened the back door.

"You two get in first," Yang said, nodding toward Ren and Nora.

Ren and Nora nodded, stepping into the car. Yang was just about to help Blake into the car when the sound of shattering glass startled them all. A glass bottle smashed against the car's windshield, cracking it and spilling liquid down the glass.

The group froze as the bottle smashed against the car. Weiss's sharp tone broke the silence. "What the hell?"

Yang's gaze locked on a young man turning to flee. Blake, despite her injury, moved quickly. With Gambol Shroud in hand, she lashed the weapon's ribbon around the man's legs and yanked him toward her. The man crashed to the ground but managed to free himself, only to freeze upon seeing Blake. His face twisted in anger, and he charged at her.

Before he could get close, Yang stepped in, grabbing the man by his shirt and lifting him slightly off the ground.

"Hey! Let me go!" the man shouted, struggling against her grip.

"Not until you calm down, sir," Blake said firmly, her voice calm yet cold.

"Shut up, freak!" the man spat.

Yang's eyes flashed with anger. "HEY!" she bellowed. "Don't you dare talk to her like that!"

The man sneered, glaring at Yang. "What? You're actually friends with this animal?"

Yang's grip tightened as her eyes shifted to red. "DON'T YOU EVER CALL MY WIFE THAT AGAIN!" she roared, her voice filled with fury.

Blake placed a calming hand on Yang's shoulder, her touch gentle yet grounding. Yang glanced at her wife, her breathing heavy.

"It's okay, Yang," Blake said softly. "His words can't hurt me."

Yang hesitated before nodding. She released the man, who stumbled back and landed hard on the ground.

Yang loomed over him, her voice steady and dangerous. "Now, you're going to apologize. Once for the bottle. And once for the names. Or so help me, you'll end up in one of those hospital beds."

The man scowled but, feeling the intensity of Yang's gaze, growled reluctantly. He turned to Weiss first. "I'm sorry about the car," he muttered. Then, looking at Blake with clear reluctance, he added, "And I'm sorry for what I said."

Blake nodded once. "Thank you. You can leave now."

The man scrambled to his feet, brushing himself off. As he turned to Yang, he sneered again. "I lost my father two years ago when your sister threw that Grimm woman into our apartment building," he spat venomously. "I blame her for everything I've lost. She doesn't deserve to be alive."

Yang's eyes went wide, her fists clenching. She took a step forward, ready to lash out, but Blake quickly grabbed her arm, holding her back.

"Let him go," Blake said quietly, her voice steady. "He's drunk, Yang. Just let him walk away. The police will handle him if he causes more trouble."

Yang took a deep breath, exhaling sharply as she forced herself to calm down. "Yeah. You're right," she muttered, stepping back as the man stumbled away, muttering curses under his breath.

Ren and Nora, who had been watching silently from the car, exchanged wide-eyed glances. Finally, Nora broke the awkward silence.

"Uh… wife?" Nora said, her voice rising in surprise.

Yang froze, realizing what she had just shouted in her anger. She groaned, rubbing her forehead. "Son of a bitch," she muttered under her breath, glaring at the ground.

Weiss smirked faintly, folding her arms. "Well, I suppose it's out now."


ALLEYWAY

Jackson Blaze stumbled through the dimly lit alleyway, his drunken muttering echoing off the grimy walls. His steps were uneven, his anger simmering just below the surface.

"Jackson Blaze."

He froze at the sound of his name, spinning around to see a hooded figure stepping out of the shadows. The woman's voice was calm, almost unnervingly so.

"What do you want?" he slurred, his hands twitching with leftover adrenaline from the confrontation.

The woman tilted her head slightly, her voice carrying a deceptive softness. "I overheard your argument with the blonde. I am deeply sorry for what happened to your father."

Jackson scoffed, his drunken bravado making him bold. "Yeah, thanks, I guess." He waved dismissively and turned to leave.

"Tell me, Jackson," the woman continued, her tone dipping lower, "you want to see Ruby Rose dead. Is that right?"

That stopped him cold. His shoulders stiffened, and he slowly turned back, narrowing his bloodshot eyes at her. "What if I do? Who's asking?"

The woman stepped closer, the faint glow of a distant streetlamp catching the edge of her face as she smiled. "What if I told you I could help you? That I can provide the tools you need to kill her?"

Jackson's suspicion flared, but so did his curiosity. He took an uneasy step toward her. "Who are you?"

The woman's hand reached up, pulling back her hood to reveal a familiar face: striking amber eyes, a sharp smile, and a presence that radiated both danger and confidence. Cinder Fall.

Her smile widened at the flash of recognition in Jackson's eyes. "I'm looking for people to join our cause. And you, Jackson Blaze, just happen to be my first recruit." Her hand extended toward him, palm up, as though offering a gift. "Should you accept, you'll have the revenge you've dreamed of."

Jackson stared at her hand, his breathing unsteady. Hesitation flickered in his eyes as his drunken haze warred with his thirst for vengeance. Finally, he reached out and clasped her hand in his, his grip firm despite his trembling fingers.

"When do I start?" he asked, his voice steady now, sharpened by the anger coursing through him.

Cinder's smile turned predatory. "Sooner than you think."


EVENING - PATCH

Yang sat on the porch, the golden hues of the setting sun casting a warm glow over the landscape. She leaned against the railing, her eyes fixed on the horizon. The soft sound of a caw snapped her from her thoughts. Turning, she saw a raven perched on the fence nearby.

"About time, Mom," Yang muttered.

The raven leapt gracefully into the air, transforming mid-flight. Raven Branwen landed lightly on her feet, her scarred face mirroring Yang's in so many ways.

"Where were you this time?" Yang asked, folding her arms.

"Vacuo," Raven replied, brushing off imaginary dust. "Simple bounty mission. I was halfway back to Vale when I got your message."

"Fair enough," Yang said with a nod. "Qrow with you?"

"Right here."

Yang turned to see her uncle emerging from the shadows, arms crossed, a faint scowl on his face.

"Good to see you, Raven," Qrow said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Still bitter, Qrow?" Raven asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Somewhat," Qrow replied curtly.

Yang stood and stepped between them, holding up her hands. "Alright, now's not the time to argue. Just go inside."

Qrow shot a lingering glare at Raven before grumbling and walking into the house. Yang sighed deeply and looked back at her mother.

"What happened this time?" Yang asked.

Raven smirked. "A silly little thing. I took all his money in a game of cards last week."

Yang chuckled, shaking her head. That's when the faint sound of rushing air made her look up. A familiar figure descended from the sky, landing lightly in front of them.

Ruby.

"Ruby," Yang said, surprised. "I thought you needed some time away."

Ruby nodded slightly. "I did. But after hearing what happened with Blake, I realized I can't do anything useful from Jaune's house. Plus, I heard you were gathering everyone here, so I figured I'd do some recruiting of my own."

Yang raised an eyebrow. "What?"

Before Ruby could answer, a small airship descended nearby, its thrusters blowing dust and leaves into the air. Ruby gestured toward it as it landed.

"And here they are," Ruby said with a smirk.

Raven tilted her head. "Are they... soldiers?"

"Not even close," Ruby replied, watching as the airship's bay doors opened.

Four figures emerged, led by a pink-haired girl who waved enthusiastically. Yang and Raven watched as the group walked toward them. Ruby turned to Yang with a grin.

"Meet the new recruits," Ruby said.

Yang squinted at the group as Ruby began pointing them out.

"These three," Ruby said, motioning to three of the recruits, "were there two years ago. You remember that guy with the stolen Paladin? Oh, good times." She pointed at a scruffy-looking young man, who gave a sheepish wave. "And this fourth guy..." Ruby pointed to a brown-haired man, "was recommended by Violet here."

Violet grinned and waved. "Hi."

Yang raised an eyebrow. "Riiight." She glanced at Ruby. "You want to explain why you recruited them?"

Ruby folded her arms. "We need all the help we can get. If this Envy person is as bad as Roman said, worse than Salem, then we'll need more fighters."

Yang sighed, running a hand through her hair. "You're not wrong." She turned to the recruits. "Alright, fine. You four, head inside. Mom, show them where to go."

The young recruits followed Raven toward the house, Violet chatting animatedly with one of her teammates. Once they disappeared inside, Yang turned to Ruby, her expression softening.

"You really think they'll be enough?" Yang asked.

Ruby looked at the horizon, her eyes narrowing. "They'll have to be."

"They're just kids, Ruby," Yang said, her voice heavy with concern.

Ruby met her sister's gaze, her silver eyes steady. "So were we, when we fought Salem."

Yang frowned, crossing her arms. "And they know the chances they're taking? That they could die?"

"Yes," Ruby said firmly. "All four of them. They know the risks."

Yang sighed, glancing toward the house. "Very well."

"How's Blake doing?" Ruby asked, her voice softening.

Yang's expression shifted, sadness flickering in her lilac eyes. "She's holding up. But she came so close to death last night, Ruby. If I hadn't been there at Beacon..." Her voice trailed off, and she stared at the ground.

Ruby's attention drifted to Yang's hand, catching the glint of a golden ring. A small, knowing smile tugged at her lips. "I get it. You have every right to be worried. She is your wife, after all."

Yang's head snapped up, her eyes wide in shock. She looked down at her ring, muttering under her breath, "Oh, crap."

Ruby chuckled lightly. "I've known about it. Jaune told me."

"When?" Yang asked, her tone a mix of embarrassment and annoyance.

"Just today," Ruby replied.

"Goddammit, Jaune!" Yang groaned, dragging a hand down her face.

Ruby smirked. "We'll talk about it later. Right now, let's focus on the task at hand. Let's head inside and wait for the others."

The sisters turned and walked toward the house, their boots crunching softly on the gravel.

Yang broke the silence with a teasing grin. "So, you still planning on marrying Weiss?"

"Of course," Ruby answered without hesitation. "But given the circumstances, I'll have to talk to her about postponing things for a while." A small laugh escaped her. "She's already talking about wedding locations, though. She's way ahead of me."

Yang chuckled as they reached the door. "That's Weiss for you."

The atmosphere was a mix of somber reflection and subdued camaraderie. Ren sat near Blake, carefully watching as Nora signed her name on Blake's bandaged leg, making sure not to hurt her. Blake winced slightly but offered Nora a small, amused smile.

Across the room, Neptune was deep in conversation with Weiss, Nolan, May, and Brawnz. Weiss, her arms crossed, nodded at something Neptune was explaining, her calculating demeanor as sharp as ever.

In another corner, Sun had his arms wrapped around Neon, animatedly showing her Ruyi Bang and Jingu Bang. Neon giggled, twirling one of her rollerblade wheels idly with her finger.

Velvet stood nearby, nervously shuffling her hands. Coco, noticing her anxiety, gently took her hands and held them still, giving Velvet a reassuring nod. Velvet smiled faintly, her ears twitching as she relaxed.

Cardin leaned against the kitchen counter, his eyes scanning the room, silently observing the interactions with his usual stoic demeanor.

Raven and Qrow stood with the new recruits, the latter doing most of the talking. Raven listened, arms crossed, occasionally chiming in with her own remarks.

As Ruby and Yang entered, all eyes briefly turned toward them. Ruby gave a small wave, and Yang offered a quick nod before the room resumed its quiet hum of conversation.

Ruby turned to Yang, her voice soft but resolute. "This is it. These people—all of them—they're counting on us."

Yang nodded, her jaw tightening. "Then we can't let them down."

Yang opened the door, stepping aside to let Ruby in. Weiss, seated nearby, immediately shot up from her chair. She walked briskly to Ruby, her expression a mix of relief and frustration. Ruby, anticipating the worst, flinched slightly as Weiss stopped in front of her, bracing for a slap.

But no slap came.

Instead, Weiss threw her arms around Ruby, pulling her into a tight embrace. Ruby's eyes widened in surprise.

"Uh..." Ruby began to say, only to be silenced as Weiss pulled back slightly, grabbed Ruby's face, and gave her a quick peck on the lips.

"Don't scare me like that again," Weiss said firmly, her voice trembling just a little.

Ruby nodded, managing a small smile. "I won't."

Weiss wrapped an arm possessively around Ruby's waist, her icy demeanor melting into a rare warmth. She leaned in, speaking quietly but teasingly. "Besides, that pink-haired girl has been eyeing you ever since you walked in."

Ruby followed Weiss's gaze to Violet, who was seated nearby. At Weiss's words, Violet quickly turned her head, pretending to examine the room's décor as her cheeks flushed.

"I just wanted to remind her that you're mine," Weiss said with a sly smile.

Ruby raised an eyebrow, a grin tugging at her lips. "Weiss Schnee... are you jealous of her?"

"No! Of course not!" Weiss exclaimed, her cheeks turning pink as she immediately released Ruby, crossing her arms defensively.

Ruby laughed softly, leaning in close. "I'm joking. Don't worry—I'm yours. Always."

Weiss smiled back, though she quickly recomposed herself when Blake's voice broke the moment.

"All right, you two lovebirds," Blake said, sipping from a teacup as she leaned back in her seat. "Now that everyone's here, we should probably talk about why we've gathered everyone in the first place."

"Right," Ruby said, her tone shifting to something more serious. She joined her team as Weiss stood close by, their expressions united in focus.

Team RWBY gathered together in front of the room, the quiet hum of chatter dying down as everyone turned their attention to them.

Yang stepped forward, her voice steady and clear. "Here's what we know so far. Based on Blake's account from last night, Roman Torchwick is alive. Cinder Fall and Emerald Sustrai are working alongside him. And whatever they have planned... what happened yesterday at the courthouse and last night at Beacon? That's only the beginning."

Blake crossed her arms, her tone grim. "And this Envy woman Torchwick mentioned… if what he said is true, she's going to be much worse than Salem. Add Torchwick, Cinder Fall, and Emerald Sustrai into the mix, and we've got a bigger fight on our hands than ever before."

A knock echoed through the room, interrupting the discussion. Yang frowned, exchanging a glance with Weiss.

"Were we expecting anyone else?" Yang asked.

Qrow moved to peek through a nearby window. His eyebrows shot up, and a smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Well, I'll be damned."

He strode to the door and opened it, revealing Jaune Arc in his polished body armor, Crocea Mors hanging securely from his belt. Standing beside him was Neo, her parasol resting casually on her shoulder. Jaune smiled at the group, his familiar warmth immediately filling the room.

"Did we miss anything?" Jaune asked, his tone light but resolute.

Yang, momentarily caught off guard, stammered, "N...no. We're just...starting."

Jaune grinned and stepped inside. "Good. We made it."

Ruby quickly walked up to him, her silver eyes narrowing in confusion. "What are you doing here?" she asked. "I thought you didn't want any part of this."

Jaune hesitated, glancing back at Neo, who gave him a small nod of encouragement. He turned back to Ruby, his expression firm. "We talked it over. We figured you need all the help you can get."

Ruby frowned, concern evident on her face. "But what about Roman? What if he comes after Neo?"

Jaune stepped closer, lowering his voice. "I made her a promise, Ruby. I swore I'd keep her safe. And if it comes down to it…" He leaned in slightly. "If I have to kill him to protect her, I'll do it. But only if there's no other choice."

Ruby studied Jaune for a long moment, seeing the determination in his eyes. Finally, she nodded. "Then let's hope it doesn't come to that."

Jaune gave her a reassuring smile and stepped back, joining Neo, who was already quietly observing the room.

"Well," Qrow said, stepping forward, his flask in hand. "Looks like we've got everyone now. All except Jimmy."

"Don't be so sure, Qrow," Yang interjected, a small smirk creeping onto her face.

Qrow raised an eyebrow. "Huh?"

Yang held up her Scroll and grinned. "And just in time."

Yang pressed a button on her Scroll, and a holographic screen appeared in the middle of the room. General Ironwood's image flickered to life, his expression firm and no-nonsense. Behind him stood a blonde woman holding a file.

"About time you answered, Ironwood," Yang said, crossing her arms. "Did you get the information I sent?"

"I did, Miss Xiao Long," Ironwood replied, his voice calm but focused. He gestured to the woman. "Topaz, thank you. You're dismissed."

The woman nodded, handed the file over, and exited. Ironwood opened the file, glancing over the documents inside with a furrowed brow.

"While we address this new threat, I'm also overseeing the investigation into the courthouse explosion," Ironwood began, flipping a page.

"Cut to the chase, Jimmy," Qrow interrupted, leaning casually against the wall. "We all know this is Cinder Fall's doing."

"I don't disagree, Qrow," Ironwood admitted. "But with the Councils gone—and Glynda—I need to manage public perception carefully. If the people learn Cinder Fall was behind this, the backlash will be catastrophic. They'll demand answers, including why she wasn't executed after her capture."

The room grew tense at the mention of Glynda, and Weiss cast her eyes downward. Coco scoffed, breaking the silence.

"So, it's true," Coco said. "She's really still alive."

"Unfortunately," Velvet murmured, fidgeting with her hands. "But why wasn't she… you know… dealt with?"

Qrow's sharp eyes flicked to Ruby, who had been uncharacteristically quiet. She was shuffling her hands, her head bowed slightly as if trying to disappear. Qrow's gaze lingered, suspicion growing.

"That information is classified," Ironwood said firmly.

His tone shifted as he addressed Ruby directly. "Miss Rose, you were at the courthouse. Did you notice anything unusual? Even the smallest detail could help."

Ruby hesitated, glancing around the room before finally speaking. "I didn't see anything unusual at first. But… while I was speaking to the Council, I heard Ms. Goodwitch gasp. When I turned, she was holding a red envelope. I didn't realize it in time, but… it was Cinder's doing."

Yang walked over to a drawer, pulling out a red envelope identical to the one Ruby described. She held it up to the hologram.

"This one showed up at my place," Yang said. "Same design."

Ironwood's eyebrows furrowed, and without a word, he reached into his desk drawer and pulled out another red envelope. He held it up to the camera, and the room fell silent in surprise.

"This is bigger than we thought," Ironwood said, his voice grave. "I'm officially offering my support to help you take down Cinder Fall, Roman Torchwick, and anyone else tied to their group. What happened yesterday cannot happen again."

Ironwood pressed a button on his desk, and a new image appeared on the screen. It displayed a heavily fortified building surrounded by tall fences and patrolling soldiers.

"This is the Citadel. For the past two years, I've had it built as a precautionary measure. It's equipped with cutting-edge stealth technology, rendering it invisible to most detection methods. It will serve as your base of operations for this fight."

Yang raised an eyebrow. "You built an entire fortress because you didn't think peace would last?"

"It was a precaution," Ironwood said, unfazed. "And now it will serve its purpose."

Yang scanned the room, taking in everyone's expressions. "What do you guys think?"

Coco leaned back in her chair, arms crossed. "Heavily guarded. Stealth tech. A ton of weapons. It's no Beacon, but it sounds better."

"Anyone else agree?" Ruby asked, looking around. Most of the group nodded in approval.

Velvet hesitated before speaking. "What about our families? Will they be safe?"

Ironwood's image on the screen shifted as he responded. "Your families are welcome to stay at the Citadel. It's the best option to ensure their safety. It was designed with protection in mind, both for combatants and civilians."

Ironwood's Scroll rang, and he glanced at it briefly. "I must go for now. You'll need to give me your answer by tomorrow. Goodbye for now."

With that, the screen blinked off.

Velvet sighed, running a hand through her hair. "This feels just like two years ago… But, it's the best option. I don't like it, but we have to."

"She's right," Raven said, arms crossed. "If this Envy person is as dangerous as Torchwick claims, we can't afford to be in places they already know."

"They probably still have tabs on our old addresses," Jaune said. "They'll think we're hiding in familiar places. The Citadel's a solid choice."

"I'm kind of surprised your family didn't come, Jaune," Blake remarked.

"My parents were always pretty discreet about their location," Jaune replied. "They're lucky they weren't found."

"Bring them to the Citadel," Ruby suggested. "Although… your sisters might have to share a room."

Jaune chuckled at the thought. "I'll manage. They'll probably just argue over which bunk to take."

Jaune's attention shifted to the unfamiliar faces standing at the edge of the group. He gestured toward them. "Speaking of new faces… who are they?"

"Oh," Ruby said, realizing she hadn't introduced them yet. She walked over to the recruits, motioning for them to step forward. "Everyone, I'd like to introduce our new recruits."

The group turned their attention toward the young recruits, curious but reserved. Violet, standing slightly ahead of the others, gave a nervous wave.

"This is Violet Blume," Ruby began, gesturing toward the pink-haired girl. "She's got a knack for building traps and tools, and she's… well, inventive."Violet pulled a small, square device from her pocket and casually tossed it onto the table. "Check this out," she said, a mischievous grin on her face. She pressed a button on her Scroll, and the device sprouted mechanical legs, springing to life.

"This little guy here is designed for surveillance operations," Violet explained. "Watch this." She pointed at the device, which scuttled across the table and onto the floor, its tiny legs carrying it with impressive speed. "Head upstairs," she commanded, and the device obeyed, darting toward the staircase.

Violet quickly typed on her Scroll, bringing up a live camera feed. "Here's what it's seeing," she said, showing the group a clear view of the device's journey as it ascended the stairs. The feed showed it making its way down the hallway, stopping just outside Yang's room.

"Uh-oh," Yang muttered, leaning in closer to the feed.

"What's wrong?" Violet asked, glancing at her Scroll. Her grin faltered slightly as the camera revealed Zwei, Ruby and Yang's dog—now noticeably larger than before—sitting in the hallway, staring directly into the camera lens.

"Oh, no worries," Violet said, recovering her confidence. She pressed another button, and the device spun around, scurrying back down the hallway at full speed. The feed showed Zwei giving a playful bark and a half-hearted chase before the device made it safely back into Violet's hand.

"Interesting," Yang said, raising an eyebrow. "But maybe don't mess with my dog again."

Violet chuckled nervously. "Sorry about that," she said, tucking the device back into her pocket. "No harm done, though."

Ruby smirked. "You'd better be glad he's in a good mood today. Last time someone messed with him, they lost their lunch."

Violet nodded, taking the warning seriously this time. "Noted."

Ruby moved toward the blue-haired girl standing quietly with a bow slung over her shoulder and a sheath of arrows secured to her back. The girl straightened slightly as Ruby stopped in front of her.

"This is Cyan Marcus," Ruby introduced, gesturing toward the archer. "She's got incredible skill with a bow. Her village knows her for her insane accuracy."

Cyan gave a polite nod, her calm demeanor underscored by a slight smile. "Pleasure to meet you all," she said, her voice carrying a soft accent that reminded Weiss of Velvet. "Would you like me to demonstrate my skills?"

Weiss raised a hand before anyone could respond. "Perhaps not right now," she said. "We'll have plenty of opportunities to see what you can do at the Citadel."

"Fair enough," Cyan replied, giving a small shrug. She adjusted her bow slightly, her fingers brushing the fletching of one of her arrows.

Ruby smiled and nodded, then turned her attention to the tall, black-haired man standing nearby, gripping the hilt of his sword. His eyes locked onto Ruby as she approached, his stance steady and confident.

Ruby gestured toward the tall, black-haired man with a well-worn sword resting at his side.

"This is Ash Dyson," Ruby said. "He's got impressive sword skills, though he doesn't talk much."

Ash gave a curt nod, his sharp, focused eyes scanning the room briefly before settling back on Ruby. His expression remained unreadable, save for a slight grunt of acknowledgment.

Ruby smiled awkwardly, taking his silence in stride, before moving to the final member of the group—a brown-haired boy standing a little apart from the others. His posture was casual, but there was an eagerness in his expression as Ruby approached.

Ruby gestured to the final recruit, a confident-looking young man with light brown hair and a sniper rifle slung across his back.

"This is Hazel Marks," Ruby introduced. "He's an expert marksman with a sniper rifle. And, he can do this."

Hazel smirked before suddenly vanishing into thin air. The room collectively gasped. Yang whipped her head around, searching.

"HEY!" Yang shouted as her golden hair was suddenly ruffled by an invisible hand.

She spun and snatched at the air, grabbing onto something. Hazel reappeared in her grasp, grinning playfully.

"Don't. Touch. The hair," Yang growled, releasing him.

"Noted," Hazel said, brushing himself off casually. He walked over to one of the windows, looking outside, as though nothing unusual had just happened.

Qrow crossed his arms, nodding in approval. "Not bad. I'd recommend putting them in their own team."

"Already done," Ruby said, smiling. "Violet came up with the team name: Team HAVC—Havoc. Hazel's the leader. He's got the potential for it."

Hazel gave a short nod of acknowledgment, his calm demeanor a sharp contrast to the chaotic energy of his sudden appearance trick.

"Well, that's everyone introduced," Yang said. She looked around at the group. "So, are we all agreed on heading to the Citadel?"

Blake nodded. "We already decided, Yang. That's a yes."

Yang glanced at the clock on the wall. It was nearing 11 PM. "Alright, then. Tomorrow, we start making plans to head to the Citadel. For now, everyone should get some rest. It's going to be a long day."

Ruby turned to Team HAVC. "Come on, I'll show you where you'll be sleeping."

The four recruits followed Ruby upstairs. As they reached the upper floor, a familiar bark echoed down the hallway.

"Zwei!" Ruby said, her face lighting up. She crouched down, arms wide open.

Zwei bounded toward her, tail wagging furiously, and leaped into her arms. He licked her face enthusiastically as Ruby giggled.

"You've gotten so big, Zwei," she said, cradling him. "I missed you too, boy."

She turned to Team HAVC, still holding the excited dog. "Hope none of you are allergic to dogs."

Violet beamed as she reached out to pet Zwei. "Allergic? Are you kidding me? Who wouldn't love a dog this cute? Oh, yes, you are!" she cooed, scratching Zwei behind the ears.

Zwei barked happily before wiggling out of Ruby's arms and scampering back downstairs.

Ruby straightened up and smiled. "Alright, this way. I'll show you your rooms."

he center were two twin beds, neatly made. She gestured toward them.

"Alright, you've got two beds here," Ruby said, pointing. "Either two of you can share, or someone can take the floor. Totally up to you."

She then pointed at a small stuffed Grimm toy sitting on a nearby shelf. "Oh, and just a heads up—don't mess with that. It's my favorite stuffed animal."

Violet raised an eyebrow and looked at Ruby. "Wait… this is your room?"

Ruby nodded with a small smile. "Yep. But don't worry about it. I don't mind letting you use it for the night. I'll just sleep downstairs on the couch. Bathroom's across the hallway if you need it. Alright, goodnight."

Without waiting for any objections, Ruby turned and walked out, closing the door softly behind her.

There was a moment of silence before Hazel broke it. "She's... very nice."

"That's probably masking something," Cyan said thoughtfully. "Could be suppressed sadness or unresolved trauma."

"Or maybe," Violet countered, plopping onto one of the beds with a smirk, "she's just genuinely nice. Not everything's that deep, Cyan."

Hazel chuckled lightly and leaned against the wall while Ash silently settled onto the other bed. The group exchanged glances, Violet's words hanging in the air.

"Maybe she really is just nice," Cyan muttered, conceding quietly as she sat down.


MIDNIGHT

The moonlight streamed through the window, casting a soft glow over the living room. Ruby sat on the couch, her silver eyes fixated on the full moon. The tranquil scene did little to calm the storm inside her. She turned her head slightly, noticing Weiss asleep on the other end of the couch, her face peaceful, almost angelic. A small smile tugged at Ruby's lips.

Carefully, Ruby stood up, her movements deliberate and quiet. She stepped over Jaune and Neo, who were sleeping side by side on the floor, their breathing steady and rhythmic. Ruby paused for a moment, looking at them with gratitude before slipping into the bathroom and closing the door behind her.

She turned the faucet on, letting the cool water run over her hands before splashing it onto her face. As the droplets dripped from her chin, she raised her head, staring into the mirror. Her reflection looked back at her—tired, worn, and haunted. But she wasn't alone.

Salem's face appeared in the mirror, her crimson eyes gleaming with malice, a wicked smile curling her lips.

"You're afraid, Little Rose," Salem's voice cooed, low and menacing.

Ruby froze, her breath caught in her throat. Her reflection didn't move, but Salem's hand extended, reaching out through the glass. The touch was cold and real, gripping her shoulder. Ruby's eyes widened in terror.

"Go ahead," Salem taunted, her voice dripping with malice. Her hand moved to Ruby's face, the icy sensation sending shivers down Ruby's spine. "Be afraid. Envy will finish what I started."

Ruby spun around, her heart racing, only to find the bathroom empty. The air felt heavy, and the phantom grip on her shoulder lingered like a cruel reminder. She stumbled back, her legs giving way, and slid down the bathroom wall, her back against the cold tile.

Covering her face with trembling hands, Ruby began to cry, her sobs muffled and low, careful not to wake anyone in the house. She stayed there, curled against the wall, as the weight of her fear and grief pressed down on her, suffocating and relentless.


DARK PALACE

The vast, dimly lit throne room echoed with the steady march of armored footsteps. Jackson Blaze stood tall at the forefront, clad in sleek black and red armor, a symbol of his newfound allegiance. Behind him, a line of similarly clad recruits stood rigid, their faces concealed by dark helmets that reflected the faint crimson glow of the torches lining the walls. The atmosphere was thick with tension and malice.

Cinder strolled into the room with an air of authority, her sharp golden eyes scanning the line of recruits. Her heels clicked ominously against the polished floor, the sound amplifying the silence as she approached. She stopped a few paces in front of the recruits, her gaze piercing.

"You are the first of many," Cinder began, her voice commanding yet laced with sinister pride. "This is only the beginning. Soon, our numbers will swell, and others—those who share our vision of a world ablaze—will flock to our cause. Together, we will bring Remnant to its knees."

She slowly paced along the line, her presence unsettling yet captivating. Some recruits straightened their posture, while others shifted uncomfortably under her scrutiny.

"You will be known as the Dark Seekers," Cinder declared, her tone sharp and resolute. "Your mission is straightforward: destroy everything in your path and kill anyone who stands in our way. No mercy. No hesitation."

Cinder stopped in front of Jackson, her gaze settling on him with a mix of appraisal and warning. "As of this moment, Jackson Blaze is your Commander. You will obey his every order without question. Should any of you falter in your loyalty or fail to comply..." Cinder's voice dropped, icy and threatening. "You will die."

The recruits answered in unison, their voices ringing out in a chilling affirmation. "Yes, ma'am!"

A satisfied smile spread across Cinder's lips. She turned her full attention to Jackson, who stood confidently, his expression unshaken and his aura exuding dangerous ambition.

"Do not disappoint Mistress Envy," Cinder said, her words more a demand than a request.

Jackson smirked and unsheathed his sword, the blade gleaming with deadly precision. He inspected it briefly before addressing her.

"I'll do more than that," he said with venomous determination. "As long as I get to kill Ruby Rose..." His lips curled into a wicked grin as his eyes met Cinder's. "You'll have my absolute loyalty."

Cinder's smile widened. "Good," she said, stepping aside to admire the ranks of recruits. "Then let the destruction begin."