Author's Notes;

-Looks like we've reached 100 reviews. Many thanks to all my readers!

-This is where we start to see some of the characters take their timeskip designs. Of course, not all will be shown at once.

-I know it's later than I would normally publish this, but between the last scene and the fact that I was in Chicago for a few days made me think I wouldn't complete it in time. But I did! Also, there's another lemon for you in this chapter. Once again, it is in the last section, and it features the always adored Arkos.

Now then, let's weigh anchor and get this ship sailing!

Jaune and Pyrrha were walking in the forest, having recently started on their quest. As Jaune held a map in his hands, he groaned, "I can't believe that the airports in Olympia aren't in operation."

Pyrrha snickered. "I thought you hated being on a plane."

"I do, but still, it would be better than having to trek for miles. Hopefully, when we get the team back together, we'll have an easier time getting to Mistral."

"Then again, it's not like either of us are anxious for this quest."

"No, you're right." He sighed. "I guess I'm just scared, and Rouge's parting words aren't helping matters."

"Forget about her commentary. We have to focus on the present. Right now, we still have to reunite team JNPR if we want to stand any chance against Cinder and her allies."

The two walked forward. "So how are we going to get to Fiti?"

"Well, if you're not up walking to Vale and catching a boat from there to Fiti, we could try and find a boat that'll take us directly to Fiti, hopefully without depleting too much money."

"That might work. But where are we going to find a harbor?"

"Hand me the map?" Jaune handed the world map to her. She looked at the red dot marked on Olympia. "Hmm... This map tells us of a coastal city about... ten miles northwest from here? Maybe we can find a ship there. Have you ever been on a ship?"

"A few times. Have you?"

"I never have. Well then, here's hoping that I'm not seasick."

Back in Atlas, Jacques Schnee and his son stood in the courtyard as the butlers took their luggage to the cargo hold of the private jet. Whitley watched on as Klein took his white suitcase and whisked it away.

"So, are you ready for your first business trip?" Mr. Schnee asked.

Whitley nodded happily and eagerly. "Oh, yes! I'm eager to see what events will occur! I'm surprised that big sister isn't here to send us off."

"You have to bear in mind, Whitley, that Weiss is still recovering from the events of Beacon."

They watched on as they took a periwinkle roll on suitcase into the plane. "But wasn't that nearly two months ago?"

"You are forgetting, Whitley, that she witnessed first hand the destruction of a huntsman academy. Several lives were lost and many more were injured. It is also likely that a close friend of hers perished during the fall."

"Huh. I never thought of it like that."

"You never do." a feminine voice said. Estelle walked forth, pointing her finger at both of them. "You have not even bothered to hear her story, neither of you."

"Oh come now, Madame Blanche. Why would the details of the Fall of Beacon matter to us? We already know what happened."

"But you don't..."

"Now, now, go be sure that Willow hasn't run off somewhere." She groaned under her breath and walked away. Klein turned away despondently as well as he put the last suitcase in the jet. "Well, our bags are packed. I would say it's time to get moving."

The father and son walked into the plane and soon thereafter, it took off. Far above them, Weiss stood in her room against the window, watching the scene unfold below. She couldn't hear a word they had said, nor could she see the expressions on their face and how Estelle angrily walked away. Turning away from the window, she went to her closet and looked in her chest, where her weapon had been placed. She hadn't touched it since she got home. She hadn't used her semblance in so long. Everything, her path to become a huntress at Beacon, breaking free from her father, almost all her plans for the future had come to a grinding halt.

At least I still have the title of heiress to inherit.

She took the pendant she wore and held it in her hands.

I once promised that I'd never become a pawn for my father. I also promised that I'd save Pyrrha... She examined the apple charm on the pendant. Did she fall? Did she survive? If anything happened...

Three consecutive knocks were heard on her door, disrupting her thoughts. "Come in."

Estelle entered the heiress's chambers, followed by Klein. The elderly maid spoke, "Jacques Schnee and your brother Whitley have departed, Mistress."

She set her necklace down on her nightstand. "I know. I saw them depart, but thanks for informing me."

Klein observed. "Something's wrong." Weiss merely nodded in response. "What's on your mind?"

"I've been wondering to myself... is there any chance that Pyrrha Nikos could be alive? I've been wondering for weeks if my efforts to save her actually worked."

"Well..." Estelle began. "I've done a search around the city to see if any of my friends knew what happened to your friend."

She slowly turned to the maid. "And what did you discover?"

"It is... not good. From the few friends I have been able to contact, they have heard news about Pyrrha's whereabouts. According to what I have gathered, they said that Pyrrha had perished during the Fall of Beacon. Her body was never found, so there is a debate on how she died. Some say that she was too grief stricken after what happened in the Amity Colosseum and was eaten by a Grimm. Some say that she was assassinated, possibly by someone who believed she meant to murder Penny. Others say that she was horribly injured in battle and taken to a hospital but they couldn't save her in time."

"I was there when she was taken to Everbright hospital. She must not have made it." She sniffed. "Part of me didn't want to believe it, but the information gathered here is telling me what I feared to be true." Tears formed and started to fall down her face. "Pyrrha Nikos... has fallen."

"Weiss... I'm so sorry..." Weiss threw her arms around her, and sobbed into her arms. "I know.. It hurts..." Weiss sniffed. "If it helps you to feel any better, I too have lost a close friend in combat and never heard from her again. Maria Calavera disappeared long ago."

The heiress blinked, trying to get tears out of her eyes. "She did?"

"She disappeared decades ago. No one knows where she is or what became of her. She worked under an alias, she was a legend, but most of us have come to believe that she's dead."

"Who was she?"

Before she could answer, one of the servants, a young maid, came rushing to the door to Weiss's room. "Ah, Mr. Sieben, Mrs. Blanche, we require your assistance."

"What happened?" Estelle asked.

"Well, it's easier if I show you." the maid answered.

Klein and Estelle quickly sped off with the other servant, leaving the troubled heiress to her thoughts. Weiss let the tears fall, slowly cascading down her face and then, by force of gravity, found their way to the floor.

I failed... I have bitterly failed. She fell to her knees and buried her face in her hands. I'm sorry... So so sorry...

Unbeknownst to the young heiress, and many others, Pyrrha was alive, as she and Jaune were getting on a boat. As they ascended the ramp up to the ship, they started talking among themselves.

Jaune smiled to himself. "I still can't believe that we were able to find a ship from here to the island of Patch, and at a good price."

Pyrrha looked sad. "I feel a bit guilty. The only reason we got a reduced rate per night is because the captain is a huge fan of me."

"Hey, that's good. It means one less person thinks you're evil."

"True..." She looked at the ocean below her. "I just hope there aren't too many people here. I'd rather not attract unnecessary attention." The two went from the main deck into the hallway where the cabins were. "A ferry from here to Kana. That's nearly three weeks of travel." Pyrrha noted. "Our expected day of arrival is December 20th, and from there it's another week of walking to Fiti, which means that we'll get to Fiti around December 27st."

Jaune opened the door to their cabin. "That's a long time of just sitting around."

"True, but in the meantime, we can try to figure out how to face Cinder and her allies. So let's review." Pyrrha sat down on the bed, got out a clipboard and a pencil and began writing. "'Cinder Fall-Fall Maiden, highly dangerous. Has the semblance of glass manipulation, multiple weapons she can form from it including swords and bow and arrows. Extremely capable fighter, even without magic. Known to use fire magic, likely has other tricks up her sleeve as well...'"

"And I think we can safely assume that her use of magical powers is unlimited?"

"Most likely. 'Can utilize magical powers as much as she wants. Extremely powerful and difficult to defeat. Challenge at own risk. Emerald Sustrai- An illusionist, has the ability to create individual hallucinations. Also highly dangerous, but not as much as Cinder. Very capable fighter. Mercury Black- Moderately dangerous. As seen in the Vytal Festival Tournament, he has special boots allowing him to fire projectiles and dust at his opponents. Also could have metallic legs. Very capable fighter. Hmm...'"

"What about the 4th team member? Neopolitian... Glace they called her?"

"She wasn't present with Emerald and Mercury when we confronted them at Beacon."

"Maybe she's injured like Cinder supposedly is... or was. Or maybe the 4th teammate is dead."

She put the tip of the pen to her chin. "Or maybe she wasn't involved in their plans. She was never seen around Beacon Academy prior to the Vytal Festival Tournament and she was only with them for the team round. She might have been a hired stand in. Either way, we're not gonna worry about her unless she actually shows up."

"Good point. However, I do remember that Mercury and Emerald did mention someone named Watts. Who are they?"

"Watts... Hmm... That name sounds a bit familiar... I've not sure where I've heard it... But now that you mention it, the duo did say that they wished Watts was here to help them. He or she might be a hacker, or at least, has skill in hacking. 'Watts-Gender and real full name unknown. Has skills in hacking. Possibly other technological skills as well.'"

"That's all we know about our foes and potential enemies we could encounter in the future."

"Yeah, but if there's one person we barely know anything about, there could be more that we don't know about. The likelihood of them having other magic users is low, but then again, we'll have to be ready for anything. Best case scenario, there are no other mages. Worst case scenario, there's more than one mage."

Jaune faltered as he asked, "What's a mage?"

She wrote something down as she answered, "A mage is a magician, or a magic user."

"Well, mages, as you call them, they must be rare, right?"

"I would assume so..."

"Although if the Fall Maiden exists, is it possible that the other seasons exist?"

"Probably." She turned to him curiously. "Why do you ask?"

"What if all of them were in cohorts with each other, in some sort of evil league?"

"Don't say such things! That would be a nightmare!" Pyrrha exclaimed.

"Okay, forget I said that." He threw his back against the bed, sighing as his girlfriend put the clipboard, paper and pen to the side on a nightstand. "What are we getting into?"

She sat beside him. "We don't really even know, do we?"

"Perhaps we don't."

He secretly thought, And that scares me.

Back on the Noire Armada ship, Blake, Sun and Xanthe were sailing the seas. As Blake stood in the captain's quarters, she looked at herself in the mirror. She wore long white tailcoat with dark gray lining and a sleeveless black crop top with rectangular and diamond-shaped cutouts around the neckline. Additionally, she wore a white belt over black fitted pants.

She then put on thigh-high black heeled boots with a white version of her emblem with gold-colored edging around the top, with the left boot having a belt wrapped twice around the thigh. Then she placed a diagonal strap containing a smaller magnetic clip across her torso to sheathe her weapon.

The new captain took the obvious valuables first- money, expensive jewelry, a gold key. She had taken everything out of the room, but out of the corner of her eye, she saw a book on the nightstand. It had a lock on it. She took the key she found earlier, put it in the slot and opened the lock. She took the book and opened it, reading the first page, written in big black letters-

Diary of Corvina Noire

Curious, she flipped to the next page.

Dear diary,

I just got this small little book today as a birthday present. Mom was so nice to get it for me. I guess now I have somewhere I can write my thoughts in. Mom got me this diary, dad got me a beautiful flower pendant. Real sliver. I can't believe it! I promise to wear it for the rest of my life, and if anyone tries to take it, they'll be hurt! The celebration was great! My favorite cake, presents and time with the family. I really am lucky to have such wonderful family. I guess that's all I have to say.

Goodbye for now, diary

The writing looked like it had been done by a five year old. Perhaps that was how old Corvina was when she received the diary. She flipped to a random page, wondering if she could find out what she had meant by "unspeakable horrors".

January 4th, 75 AGW

Dear diary,

It's been a few days since the new year began. It was a slightly chilly, not snowy day, fine for walking if you layered yourself to keep warm. Today, while taking my daily walk in the park, I saw this most handsome guy standing over there by a tree. He had white cream colored hair with blue eyes and fair skin. He was wearing black sweats, a white pullover hooded jacket and white cream colored gloves. He complimented me and said my lavender snow boots looked cute.

I said 'Thank you' to him and began speaking with him. We sat down under the tree and began a conversation with him. After about 20 minutes, I looked closely at him and noticed his sheep ears. He said he normally hides them in order to avoid being harassed and discriminated against, so that people wouldn't call him a freak. I said that I honestly didn't care, and that he wasn't a freak. I told him about my parents being judgemental, but that I didn't mind. A few minutes later, he said he had to go, so he asked me for my number and asked me if I wanted to meet him at a cafe. I agreed and was about to continue on my normal path when asked for his name and I told him mine. His name was Marrok. Never gave a last name. Probably doesn't matter.

My parents would be frightened and angered that I befriended a faunus. I want to tell them, but I can't. For his sake and for mine. I least I can write down these thoughts where no one else can see them.

Blake thought to herself, So this was before he betrayed her. Before she lost her mind... What really happened?

Her thoughts were disrupted when she heard the door creaking open. The catgirl quickly put the diary away in her backpack as Sun opened the door. "Oh, there you are Blake." He smiled at her. "Lookin' mighty fine, captain."

Blake blushed at his compliment. "Aw, you're too kind." She looked at him curiously. "Have you looted the rest of the ship?"

"Yep! We've taken everything that can be used or sold and it is sitting on the main deck. We are ready to depart."

"Land ho, Captain Belladonna!" Xanthe announced from afar. "We'll be docking soon!"

"Looks like we've made it." Sun said. "So what are we doing with the prisoners?"

"Me and Xanthe have already discussed it." The two them went to the main deck. "The two of us will go on our quest as intended. Xanthe, however, will take Ivy to prison and the flag of the Noire Armada ship as proof their existence." As the two stood on the deck, all living prisoners, save for Ivy, cleared away and stored below deck. "Once that's done, Xanthe will sail out to sea, place the bomb on the ship, set the timer, and row away in a boat before the ship explodes. From there, he'll continue his quest."

"I don't like the idea of killing most of the prisoners, but..." Sun stated. "we really don't have much choice, do we?"

"No, we don't. Just look on the bright side, the blood won't be on your hands."

Sun nodded in agreement. "You'll never get away with this, you sons of bitches!" Ivy proclaimed, still struggling against ropes. "Especially you, Xanthe!" She craned her neck up to see him removing the flag from the ship. "You thought you could trick a captain/first mate and get away with it?! You're wrong! Dead wrong!"

After dropping the flag onto the deck below him, the Noire Armada Traitor climbed down the mainmast. Upon reaching the deck, he folded his arms and glared at the first mate. "Yeah, yeah, tell it to the judge, Greenie."

"Captain and first mate?" Sun asked. "I thought Corvina was the captain. Wha..."

"Ivy was the captain of this particular ship before Corvina stepped on board. Corvina often traveled from one ship to another to avoid capture. Whenever she stepped on the ship, she became the captain of said ship while still keeping the title of admiral of the Noire Armada and Ivy became the first mate." Xanthe elaborated.

"Alright, that makes sense."

Xanthe did a brief check for his important possessions; his wallet, scroll, water, spare food, and his frying pan. Then he docked the ship. "Here we are." He lowered the wooden ramp to the bridge before taking Ivy into his arms. Blake walked off with Sun in tow and behind him, the Noire Armada traitor carried Corvina's right hand woman down the big plank of wood. "It seems as though this is where we part ways. Farewell to thee, Blake and Sun. I wish you the best of luck in capturing and defeating Adam Taurus."

"Goodbye Xanthe. Thanks again for helping us out."

"We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you. Goodbye and good luck."

"Thanks and no problem. Now to get this bitch to prison. If she can go for five minutes without screaming her head off..."

The two began to walk away as Ivy screamed, "You'll never get away with this! Neverrrr! Curse you, Blake Belladonna! And you too, you no good monkeyman!"

Blake and Sun continued forth, leaving the Noire Armada right hand and traitor behind them.

Several hours back on the ship, Jaune and Pyrrha were lying on the bed, making out with Jaune on top of Pyrrha. Her hand circled around his neck while the other one was pinned down by Jaune's hand, her knuckle against the white sheets. Pyrrha broke the kiss, gasping for air. "We shouldn't be doing this. We'll get distracted and forget our purpose."

Jaune smirked, giving her a quick kiss. "But is it a good distraction, or are we just trying to forget about the problem at hand?"

She gave him a smug grin. "What do you think?"

He kissed her again. "You are the perfect distraction." He kissed her again, sliding his hands down her buttocks to the backside of her legs. "You once mentioned that we could return the highly intimate acts we did in the apartment complex."

Pyrrha gave him a knowing smirk. "We could. Wouldn't it be considered... scandalous?"

"They can try to tell us what's right and what's wrong, but we know better..."

She inched away from him sadly and stood up. "There are also many that believe I'm a criminal who deserves to be imprisoned."

"But most people don't believe that's true."

She sat down, hanging her legs over the bed and looking down in despair. "They think I'm dead. Sometimes I wonder if I'll have the courage to admit that I'm not dead and publicly appear without my cloak ever again." She sighed. "Thank the gods that there are few people on this ferry."

He gave her a curious look. "How many people are on this ship?"

She turned her neck to answer him, "According to what the captain told me, only 50 or so."

"That's not many at all." He looked around at the light blue walls of the room. "If we were to commence with this, do you think anyone would hear us?"

She shifted to being on her knees and gave him a devilish smirk. "Maybe. But even then, would they even know that it is specifically us?"

"Hmm..." Jaune kicked off his shoes and Pyrrha followed his lead. The Arc warrior proceeded to remove the armor and cloth Pyrrha wore and the gladiator girl proceeded to remove his shirt. She hastily removed her skirt, slipping it down her legs. He undid the button and zipper keeping his jeans up and took them off.

"Anxious, are we?"

They continued stripping themselves down,

"Are you ready?"

"Yes."

Without further hesitation, he entered her, going through her with his mansword. She bucked her hips in response to his motion and he responded by moving even faster. As his semen went into her, he kissed her more passion than before. Gosh, he wanted her. He didn't think it was wrong, or scandalous.

As he thought this, suddenly Rouge's words came straight to his mind as if they were being whispered in his ear.

"You've been naughty."

"...you try seduce one of the most gifted warriors in the whole world."

He broke his kiss and stared at Pyrrha's face.

If Rouge criticized me for this, then she doesn't even know what this feeling is like.

The thought left his mind as quickly as it entered. Rouge was wrong. About him, about Pyrrha, about everything she had said.

"Is something wrong?"

He didn't realize he slowed down and left Pyrrha, fluids dripping in between her legs. He sighed and answered, "Rouge's words are hunting me again. Even when she's not here, it feels like she's trying guilt trip me."

She cupped his face with her hands. "I told you, her words mean nothing. Your eldest sister is the worst."

The red-haired warrior kissed him, her tongue snaking towards his. He smiled, now reassured by her words. "You're right. Thanks for reassuring me."

He thrust his pelvis towards her once again and she hastened his pace to match with his. They were in heaven. But secretly, they knew it wouldn't last. They both dismissed these thoughts at once, shoving them to the side as they lay entangled with each other. Jaune looked at his partner; his girlfriend, the love of his life, his best friend. If they were going into the dark, he would follow her. If Pyrrha was going to go through hell, chasing after Cinder and her cohorts, then Jaune would be right there with her. If she was going to burn, he would burn with her.