Volume 4, Chapter 14:
A few days have passed but everything...almost everything...remained the same and ordinary at the medical base in Atlas. Penny felt like her normal self again despite the large metal box helping her heart but she's getting used to it now. She's been spending more time as well with Doctor Simm, watching, listening, and observing.
Ever since that disturbing reveal that the patient that keeps reaching out to her happened to be Mercury Black, she needed to be very careful of what goes around and has been keeping a close eye on Doctor Simm while also spending more time with Mercury.
Doctor Simm: I may have gathered a strong signal that could reach communications to the nearest communication tower. If all goes well, we should be out of here soon.
Penny: *sighs in relief* Finally, we need it. Weeks of being here has created a bit of boredom.
Doctor Simm: It's not boredom. It's called peaceful time.
Penny: Riiiight. That's definitely your style *giggles*
Doctor Simm: *looks over at the computer* It seems your number 1 fan is requesting your presence again.
Penny: Pfff Stop that. *gets up* Turns out he remembers me from the night I saved him from the Election Slaughter...
Doctor Simm: Wow, very good memory by him. And as always, very great act by you my dear. Always remember the good you did and the impact you left.
Penny nodded as she thanked Doctor Simm and left the office with the medication needed for Mercury Black. Her soft smile turned to a serious expression as the only thing that kept bothering her about Doctor Simm was that mini figure of Tyrian Callows. Besides that, everything has remained the same.
She made her way to the room to where the covered-up Mercury Black heard footsteps approaching and awaited for Penny's arrival. Penny gently played with the keyboard when in reality it's a code of speaking to Mercury and avoiding any suspicion by Doctor Simm.
Penny: He knows about us but believes you need me to help you most. I can't speak nor whisper just to avoid suspicion. So, time for your daily meds again.
Mercury: Pain. We... Pain. Need... Stop. To Find... Stop. The Ship...
Penny: I got you, don't worry. There's a ship?
Mercury: He stole the ship that Tyrian and I were in.
Penny: Let me know when you feel the medication. I saw a figure that looks just like him. Where is he?
Mercury: Pain. That's him...
Penny's eyes looked up in horror at Mercury's reveal about Tyrian's fate. He was killed and turned into a small figure. She couldn't even wonder how it was possible but it startled her especially if it was truly done by Doctor Simm.
Mercury: Relief. It's too cautious to find the ship especially if he's watching us.
Penny: That's wonderful to hear! I was thinking the same thing. What do we do then?
Mercury: Rest. Rest. Wait for now, plan on our own for your escape.
Penny: If you need anything else, let me know. What about you?
Mercury: Rest. Rest. I'm pretty much near death, all of us are. Best we can do is get you out of here.
Penny bit her lip with a look of guilt at being the only one to escape while the others here are slowly dying. It hurt her and it made her realize her friendship with Doctor Simm was all bait. Him raising her like a pig for slaughter. Getting up, Penny bid goodnight to Mercury and made her leave. She needed to get out of here and soon as possible...
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
Here they were...standing as if hell froze over at the very person in front of them. So many emotions running through the mind, none of them thought they would see her again yet...here she was...
Pyrrha was here...after what happened over a year ago in Beacon...
Ruby: P-Pyrrha...
Pyrrha: *nods* That would be me. Nice to meet the four of you.
Ruby: W-What...
Yang: H-How?!...
Blake: We...never thought we...
Weiss closed her eyes in absolute heartbreak and looked down momentarily for she knew the truth behind all of this. The first clue gave away when she mentioned her full name...
Weiss: *breathes shakily and takes out my hand* Weiss Schnee-Smith. Nice to meet you as well Ms. Arkos.
Pyrrha: Just Pyrrha would be fine.
Ruby: Weiss? What are-
Jaune: Pyrrha, can you check the exit with Juniper and make sure it's all cleared? Considering it's a group now, we can't risk more danger.
Pyrrha nodded as she moved ahead with Juniper leaving Team RWBY and Jaune behind for a moment as Jaune and Weiss both shared a saddened look.
Jaune: I know...
Ruby: How is she alive?! I...I saw her-
Weiss: That's...not our Pyrrha...
Yang: What?!...
Jaune: Our Pyrrha...her last name was Nikos. This one's Arkos...
Weiss: This Pyrrha...is from another universe...I sensed it the moment she took off her helmet...
Blake: B-But...she's right there!
Weiss: There are universes where some of us exist and some of us don't Blake. Pyrrha happened to be one where another version of her exists out there...
Ruby: *looks over* Jaune...
Jaune: *looks down* I thought...when I first saw her here...I really thought it was her...I thought I was dreaming or that I moved on to the afterlife...but it tore me apart when she asked who I was...
Weiss: Which means...in her universe, there's no Jaune...
Jaune: In their Remnant or as she calls it, Earth, there's no Grimm, no Salem, no Semblances, no Auras, No Relics, Huntsmen and Huntresses are history. Few of us happen to exist in her world and others...not so much...
Each of them had to take a heavy breather on all of this sudden revelation about this version of Pyrrha. It broke their hearts knowing it wasn't their close friend as they hoped but now, they all wonder how she ended up down here as well.
Weiss: If I'm right, the Ever After is only connected to Remnant so unless it has to do with a rupture in the pocket dimension, we need to find out how exactly did Pyrrha get here and potentially who else. Slim chances there could be other versions of us as well.
Jaune: You said you were the last to enter the Ever After and it was by a portal...what else has happened back home?
Once the reunion came to be with the shocking appearance by Pyrrha which wasn't their friend but a different variant of the original, Team RWBY alongside the two Rusted Knights walked on a route in a large field of grass, heading to the next destination as Weiss finished the entire explanation of what has been happening in Remnant.
Yang: Whoa...
Jaune: No kidding. Seems like Ruby's message was heard all over the place and now we have allies outside of the Remnant and more Daleks joining the fight?
Weiss: None of us knew about the Daleks surviving and switching sides.
Blake: And how exactly do we know that they switched sides?
Weiss: Dalek Khan.
Yang: That makes a lot of sense.
Pyrrha: Excuse my interruption but your world has magic...and monsters...and time travelling alien with a spaceship disguising as a police box?
Weiss: Yep, that would be the Doctor.
Pyrrha: Doctor Who?
Weiss: *snickers* Now I see why he likes it. You could also call him that.
Yang: Or Doctor Mysterio as well!
Pyrrha: As if this universe wasn't enough weird...
Jaune: *chuckles and smiles* You have no idea the joy I felt when you told me about Nora becoming the Fall Maiden.
Weiss: You guys know her very well, little more than we do so I can imagine you know how she would take this new chapter for her.
Jaune: *chuckles* I'm pretty sure she'll want to have some fun with the powers before getting serious about it. *sighs* So, Cinder...dead but revived as her time lord self, The Rani.
Weiss: YeeeeP and that's how I got here basically, by a portal she created and went haywire.
Jaune: And the Doctor...
None of the girls had the strength to talk about him because it only drove back to what the Herbalist told them about the Doctor's fate in defeating Salem. Jaune noticed and stopped for a moment to check on them.
Jaune: Guys?...
Weiss: W-We...learned something...about him...from the Herbalist...
Yang: And...it's not good at all, Jaune...
Jaune: W-What's going on? Is he okay?
Blake: For now...
Weiss: The Herbalist...told us Salem's darkness will burn...*gulps* ...When the Doctor Falls...
Jaune: *eyes widened* N-No...that's impossible. The Doctor...he-
Blake: We said the same thing as well! But then we remembered a conversation the Doctor had with us about what happens to Time Lords when they die...
Yang: They regenerate...into someone new...
Jaune: Yang...you don't think...when he got shot...
Yang: *eyes widened* N-No?...I don't think so! Plus, he had that Cyberman armor around his upper body when he got shot! I think it was too close...
Pyrrha: Seems like your home world needs you now more than ever and for various reasons.
Weiss: How did you end up here, Pyrrha?
Pyrrha: It's...a complicated story...
Weiss: Jaune, there's something else going on here and maybe you know about it?
Jaune: I know...The Master...
Blake: So you've heard about it as well.
Jaune: Been trying to keep an eye out if he were to show up. I explained to Pyrrha who he was and how dangerous he is.
Pyrrha: When we see him, we'll finish him at the spot. While it doesn't look like it, he's already done heavy damage to this place.
Yang: So...where're we going now?
Jaune: My village. Heh. I still can't believe you made it all the way from the Crimson Keep on your own.
Blake: Not on our own. We had help. I hope the Cat is okay.
Jaune stops immediately as clouds were beginning to form. They all stopped at the sight of the dark clouds while Pyrrha noticed Jaune's change of expression.
Pyrrha: Jaune?
Jaune: What Cat?...
Team RWBY looked at each other with confusion until Little looks over and spots the Master of Curiousity.
Little: That Cat!
Curious Cat: Oh! Woo! I found you. Why is it you always find the thing you're looking for in the very last place you look, hah! *Looks over* Jaune! Oho-my! It has been an indeterminant amount of time hasn't it? So, how've you been?
Weiss: Wait. You two know each other?
Ruby: Well, they'd have to. From the story.
To everyone's surprise, Jaune pulled out his sword and tried to approach the Curious Cat only to be held back by Yang and Pyrrha.
Yang: Whoa, Jaune!
Blake: I think there's a misunderstanding. The Cat can get us all out of here.
Jaune: The very same way he got The Master here?!
Team RWBY: What?...*looks at the Cat*
Curious Cat: I believe Jaune has been...a bit rusted in the mind. How exactly do you think I let someone in?
Jaune: We don't have time for this! We've got to get to my village! Don't worry, we don't need a guide.
Curious Cat: But your friends wanted to go to the tree.
Jaune: That's where you're letting them take you?
Blake: Well, yeah. That's...that's how...Alyx got out. Right?
Jaune: *looks at the Cat* You didn't tell them anything.
Curious Cat: No, that's simply not true. I told them plenty of things. A few any things and lots of somethings.
Weiss: Can somebody please make sense?!
Jaune: That tree is DEATH!
Weiss: *looks at him* What?...
Jaune: It absorbs you, takes your memories, and turns you into something else. If you go there, it's going to erase you! They call it "Ascension" here. That's really what it is.
Ruby: Wait. The tree is what causes the Ascension?
Blake: That's what got the Herbalist. The roots of the tree.
Yang: *glares at the Cat* Pretty curious that you neglected to mention that...
Curious Cat: *chuckles* Excellent pun-manship. But, you are not from here. It won't do that to you guys!
Jaune: Oh yeah? Then what happened to Lewis?
Ruby: Who?
Jaune: Alyx's brother.
Team RWBY all looked at Jaune with a mix of shock and confusion at this sudden reveal from him. So many questions came to their minds and they all looked back at the Curious Cat, hoping they get the answers they want.
Blake: That...That can't be right.
Yang: She had a brother? Why didn't you mention him?
Curious Cat: Well, you never asked, silly. It was always "Alyx this" and "Alyx that".
Weiss: We've been following the story the whole time, and it's not even true?
Jaune: Let's go. I've got a plan.
Curious Cat: *scoffs* A lot of good that's done after...what? How many years?
Ruby: Can everyone please stop! This is a lot to take in...
Curious Cat: Huh. Looks like we're stuck at a crossroads then...
Jaune & Pyrrha: NO!
Lightning struck and suddenly everything went pitch black. Next up, eyes open all around to see Ruby, Weiss, Jaune, and Pyrrha in some sort of twisted pathways.
Ruby: What...is this place?
Jaune: Welcome to a Punderstorm. A uh...weather pattern that creates a physical manifestation of a mental, or emotional problem. So we appear to be at metaphorical and literal crossroads.
Pyrrha: We've...unfortunately went through this when Jaune and I recently met.
Weiss: Sort of like a confession dial...
Ruby: A confession what?
Weiss: The Doctor would explain to me that there comes a point when Time Lords are called in to their confession dials. Face off against their nightmares, difficult obstacles, and the only way to escape is confessing everything that's been only kept in secret by yourself.
Pyrrha: I must admit, this Doctor of yours sure knows his thing.
Jaune: Believe me, you would be surprised at all he does and all he knows. *Looks around* The only way out is to solve the problem or wait until the storm passes. Let's just get moving...
Weiss: Huh, wasn't expecting us to have our own confession dial.
Ruby: *looks around* Wait! Where's Yang? And Blake?
Pyrrha: Must've had something bigger to work out.
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
Another sudden flash of lightning appears before Yang wakes up startled and looked around to see herself on a swaying bridge. She instantly held on, trying to avoid looking down at the deep clouds but instead saw another bridge across from her and a familiar figure as well.
Yang: Huh?! BLAKE!
Blake: YANG!
Yang: What do we do!?
Blake: *holds on tight* We need to get to that platform!
Yang: *looks down* But how do we take the next step... *looks over* You alright?
Blake: *struggling* I'll feel a lot better, when we're together! On that platform!
Ask and you shall receive as they say or better yet here, Confess and you shall receive. Multiple steps appeared on her side of the bridge as she carefully walked through. Yang noticed as well and tried to think how to give herself a shot at it.
Yang: Uh...Is it a password or something? Together! Platform!
Blake: No luck?
Yang: *shakes head* I'm sure you'll figure it out though. You're good at that.
Blake: You think so?
Yang: Well...yeah! You've got a really good...brain. *Looks at more steps appearing* Okay, that did something! Uh...I talked about you! So...Ahem! You have cat ears!
Blake gave out a soft smile with one of her cat ears flapping in excitement while nothing appeared forward for Yang. She thought about it very well and took a deep breath.
Yang: I think your cat ears are cute. *Watches more steps appear* Nailed it! Even though I don't know what "it" is yet.
Blake: *thinks* Maybe it's...saying things we never said. *Looks at Yang* To each other.
Yang got the idea but let out a fun little gesture to give Blake the turn to start things off. If only she knew that this confession dial was one that needed both girls to release their deep secret. Blake knew where this was going and she knew it was finally time...
From their first meeting at Beacon...
To here...
(Worthy by Casey Lee Williams)
Ha-Hee, Ha- Hee, Ha-Hee
Why did
Why did I come here?
Was I always meant to take this shape?
Never was given a love like this
A parachute falling with no fear of hitting the ground
Hitting the ground
Blake: I...think...you're an extraordinary person. You're...always the first to lighten a situation. You act bravely, when you're afraid. You do what you say. *Walks more steps and giggles* Try to keep up!
You fell
And suddenly I did too
Yang: *smiles* I like that you've never been intimidated by me. Even when you didn't like me all that much.
Blake: *looks away embarrassed* I was a little wary of people in general.
While the world was dying
Didn't know how to not lose you again
Yang: But you never gave up on them. Even when they hurt you. You never give up. You know what matters to you. *Walks forward to more steps* Let's make things quicker. Any big truths we haven't dropped each other yet?
Hands down
Heart wide
I've only ever known the fight
The dark skies around them lightened up to a bright sunshine as the clouds move away. It was at this very moment that both girls knew where this was going. One was open and the other was closed filled with anxiety and doubt...
Those memories continued to flood their minds from their first meeting, their first team-up, their first travel, the Beacon dance, their reunion, and to where they are now.
Here.
Ready for the next step to cross.
But I'll catch you
This time
I'll never let you out of my sight
Blake smiled at Yang and blushes. Yang stares right back at Blake before she flusters completely and looks away. Suddenly, this causes a jolt on the bridge, separating the girls at farther distance completely ruining the connection they made.
Blake: Did you...just think of something, but didn't say it?
Yang: *blushes red* That can't be what this is about...*in thought* It's like a cliff. And if I do it, I'm just going to fall.
Blake: *in thought* I think we're already falling.
Unguarded I
Surrender to a softer side
I loved you, I'll love you
Till the end of time
Blake: Just...say it, Yang.
This was their moment and there was no going back. These were the feelings that were creeping up on them in the beginning and began to fully blossom when they reunited at Haven. They've wanted to get closer but each time they were too nervous to make the move or something always got in the way.
Not here...
This is where Blake Belladonna and Yang Xiao Long could finally break the chains and finally blossom together.
Kiss me
Hold tight
I'll never let you out of my sight
Yang: *breathes deeply and looks up* I...think I love you.
Blake: I love you too!
And now I know I'm worthy of you (Oh can't you see, you could be with me)
With every smile you told me, "I love you" (I am your dream, I love you)
Far from each other no more, they were no longer on the bridge nor separated. They were together on the grassy platform as the beautiful sun shined across the place. Pink flowers emerged across the platform as the two girls only stared at each other, eye to eye, heart to heart...
See me for everything I am
You don't run away
No matter the mistakes I made
It's here, you'll stay
As if time froze all around them, Blake and Yang embraced each other, arms wrapped around each other, blushing red, they leaned in slowly with Yang waiting for the approval and Blake gave in...
They sealed their first kiss in a beautiful, passionate way as flowers bloomed all across the grass while the two continue their tender moment that they have been waiting for a very long time.
And now I know I'm worthy of you
(Oh can't you see, you could be with me)
With every smile you told me, "I love you"
(I am your dream, I love you)
For the next chapter of Blake and Yang's story has begun as girlfriends.
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
Back in the other section of the "Confession Dial" as Weiss likes to call it. The group of Weiss, Ruby, Jaune, and Pyrrha all continue to walk across the different paths that felt like a long maze while Weiss tried to get some signal for a way out with her Sonic Myrtenaster but not even the most advanced technology could figure this out.
Pyrrha: What is that?
Weiss: Oh, Uhhhhh to put it simple, it's an advanced device that could work as a navigator, system breaker, and it's part of my sword as well.
Pyrrha: That's fascinating!
Jaune: Y'know this would go quicker if you make up your minds...
The two girls chuckles sheepishly while Jaune sighed but couldn't hold in the small smile as it brought back memories from Beacon when Weiss was fawning over Pyrrha. Now here, it was the complete opposite with Pyrrha fawning over Weiss. Ruby has been the quietest and distanced from everyone else as she looked around the place.
Ruby: I just don't get how the story is both real...and not.
Jaune: It all happened. Just not the way Alyx said when she wrote it...
Weiss: So what? She just lied?
Jaune: You have...no idea...
Right in front of Jaune as he looked at his own reflection, the reflection changed to what appeared to be a younger Rusted Knight version of Jaune, looked still recent from the Fall, still waiting on the beach for the others.
Jaune: I waited for you to fall. For years, but...somebody else showed up first.
In that same reflection displayed two young siblings, one young boy with short dark brown dreadlocks and hazel eyes, the other being a young girl with long dark brown wavy hair and hazel eyes. It was Lewis and Alyx.
Jaune: It was Alyx and her brother, Lewis, two siblings from Earth, the same world where Pyrrha came from. I told them I was from a similar place like Earth called Remnant. I was waiting for my friends.
Ruby: They're...not from Remnant at all...
Weiss: The more secrets we know...the less we truly know about the history...
Jaune: Once I started helping them, it didn't take long for me to figure out I was in her story. I...was the Rusted Knight. But things weren't always the same as the book. Like Alyx...she wasn't just a little petulant or inconsiderate. She was selfish...cruel. Like this whole word was simply make-believe and the rules didn't apply to her.
The reflection changed once again to display the few adventures the trio had and the actions Alyx had displayed while the actions of Lewis were very much different.
Jaune: Lewis was the kind one, the clever one. We went places she didn't mention in the story. Like the Herbalist. Something changed there. Whatever he said to her, she wasn't the same after that.
The reflection then displayed a paranoid and distanced Alyx. This worried Weiss deeply as she slightly looked over to Ruby and saw that exact same reaction.
Jaune: She lost all trust in us, started accusing us of things. The more I tried to get the story back on track, the more she distrusted me. Was it my fault? Did I change the story? I couldn't even be the make-believe hero. I didn't have time to make it right.
The reflection followed a more disturbing display for the girls to watch as Alyx dropped a drip of poison into a drink and handed it to Jaune, which he gratefully took and paid the price, collapsing on the ground.
Jaune: The Rusted Knight drank the poison in her stead. She said she wouldn't let anyone get in the way of her leaving. That she'd do whatever it takes. And then she was gone.
The last display on the reflection was an angry Alyx with dark aura surrounding her, watching a poisoned Jaune slowly dying before making her leave. Weiss caught something in the corner of her eye, a shadow figure watching from afar and her eyes widened at the possible guess of that figure before the reflection closed.
Jaune: So...not exactly my favorite story anymore. I thought it would be it for me...until I saw the face I didn't think I would see again. *Looks at Pyrrha*
Pyrrha: *blushes softly* I heard someone struggling for air and when I got there, I realized I saved him just at the knick of time. A minute late and he would have been gone...
Ruby: Wait. Why don't you trust the Cat then?
Jaune: The Cat's role in the Ever After. I figured it out later, but the Cat came back for me once Alyx left. When people lose their way here, the Cat...convinces them...somehow. Either to keep performing their role, or...to go to the tree, get a new one. The Cat calls it "healing", but...it's manipulation. The Cat was never helping Alyx or you. Their purpose here is to feed the tree, to keep the cycle going.
Ruby: How can you be sure?
Jaune: Because the Cat took Alyx and Lewis there. Only one of them made it back to our world.
Weiss: And that's not all...
Jaune: What do you mean?
Weiss: Your story, I noticed something...hiding in the woods...a shadowy figure watching it all unfold...
Ruby: *eyes widened* Weiss...
Jaune: Y-You don't mean...
Curious Cat: *gasps* Oh how odd. This time you were in the first place I looked, rather than the last!
Ask and you shall receive as they say but none of them wanted this here. They all looked at the Curious Cat making its arrival while an angered Ruby and Weiss stepped forward.
Ruby: Jaune told us.
Curious Cat: *scoffs* Oh, I thought there was more to the story. You're accusing me of something. Same page now.
Ruby: You're the one who gives Afterans to the tree. Why haven't you been telling the truth?
Curious Cat: When Afterans get all higgledy-piggledy, I help them return to the Ever After, yes... but you're, not, Afterans! I'm not taking you there to ascend! I'm taking you there because you all have such delightful information for me!
Weiss: You pretended like you'd never heard of the story when you met us. But Jaune had already told you.
Curious Cat: I think ol' Jaune's...maybe a few sand berries short of a picnic these days...Wouldn't you say?
Weiss: I saw him there. In Jaune's reflection with you and Alyx being there as well. You said you didn't know about it yet he was right there! Why was The Master there when Jaune got poisoned?
The eyes widened in Ruby, Jaune, and Pyrrha at the sudden reveal by Weiss of what she spotted. Weiss activated her Myrtenaster and pointed at the Cat.
Weiss: ARE YOU WORKING WITH THE MASTER?!
Curious Cat: Such a bold accusation to point out. And yet this place is supposed to be a Confession Dial. I don't know who the Master is and I wouldn't know he was there because I went with Alyx and Lewis. Can't accuse if you don't have the evidence.
Ruby: What happened when you took Alyx and Lewis to the tree?
Curious Cat: I...I don't know. She had told me she'd take me with her through the door to Remnant, but...she tricked me. Just...Just like all of you. You only want to use me, in the same way I've only seen others as sources for knowledge and entertainment. *Turns around* Well...at least now I know what not, to do. Are you certain The Master is real...or is it simply who each of you are becoming...
Ruby: We...We just want to get home.
Curious Cat: Thank you for this lesson, Ruby. Rose. Huntress. I'll be on my way now. Stay with your friend.
The Curious Cat made its leave while everyone else watched on with different mixtures of emotions before a flash of light appeared and shattering noises were heard everywhere. The group opened their eyes again to see that they are back in the grass field where they last stopped walking before being part of the confession dial.
Ruby looked around before noticing Jaune, Pyrrha, and Weiss all looking at the same direction at something as Ruby looked over and squeaked at what was happening right in front of her.
They all saw Yang and Blake still going at it with the kiss as Little woke up and gasped at the sight in front of everyone, causing the Bumbleby couple to break the kiss and look at the others with small blushes.
Yang: Did we miss anything?
Jaune: Feels like I've been waiting forever for that. *chuckles* C'mon.
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
The sun had finally set down for the night and right on cue as everyone made it back to the village where Jaune and Pyrrha had currently being staying. It was a bit difficult to really tell what the village is other than being a small one but the girls were relieved to finally found a place to rest.
Pyrrha: I can see the candlelight from inside which means the Chief is still awake. Probably worried to death about us.
Jaune: I'm sure he'll be relieved to see us now. Oh! Um...*looks at Team RWBY* Look, I know a lot has happened today and...*breathes*
Weiss: What is it now, Jaune?
Jaune: *looks at Weiss* Don't freak out.
Confusion and concern grew upon Team RWBY at Jaune's odd request. They instantly thought back to the reveal of Pyrrha as the 2nd Rusted Knight which meant the Chief was a familiar face they have encountered.
Pyrrha knocked on the door as footsteps were heard approaching and the door opened as an older man, late-50s at most, long, white hair, a white beard, and a very noticable thick, white mustache. He wore a brown fur coat in what looked like a casual buttoned shirt covered with protective armor, dark pants, and black gloves.
Chief: Oh, I'm so glad you made it back safely. I was beginning to worry if something went wrong on the way.
Pyrrha: We're okay, Chief! We had...a few bumps on the way back.
Jaune: And we've brought some lost folks as well.
Chief: Ah, I see now. Nothing to worry about, we can just find some extra blankets and pillows for them to stay. *Eyes widened and gasps* Weiss...
Confusion grew even more as the voice of the old Chief recognized Weiss and for some reason, she felt that voice familiar as well. As the old figure stepped out, Weiss's heart stopped completely at the moment while the girls gasped in shock at the full reveal of the Chief.
Weiss: N-No...Father?...