The rest of the group fought valiantly against the Grimm, each member contributing to their survival while Yang cradled a barely conscious Ruby near the campfire, trying to keep her warm.
Rinko wielded his kunai with precision and efficiency, every strike methodical and lethal.
Beside him, Blake moved with swift elegance, Gambol Shroud tearing through Grimm with calculated precision.
On his other side, Weiss fought in perfect coordination, her rapier Myrtenaster glinting in the dim light as she spun and struck with the efficiency of her finely honed Glyphs.
Weiss created a series of Glyphs beneath Rinko and Blake, allowing them to move faster across the icy terrain. Her refined swordsmanship and precise Dust use kept the Grimm at bay, each attack leaving trails of frost or bursts of flame as she alternated between Dust types.
Selene spun Galeguard, her parasol-shotgun firing bursts of Dust rounds that scattered the Grimm and provided crucial cover fire.
Maria and Qrow moved like seasoned veterans, their attacks seamless as they covered each other's blind spots.
Harbinger cleaved through Beowolves while Maria's miniature scythe danced in her hands, slashing down the attackers with unmatched efficiency.
As the last Beowolf crumbled into ash, the battlefield fell silent, save for the howling wind. The group exchanged weary glances, their breath visible in the freezing air.
Rinko lowered his kunai, his sharp gaze sweeping across his teammates. "Everyone okay?"
Nods came from all sides, though their exhaustion was evident.
Weiss exhaled sharply, brushing a strand of hair from her face as she lowered Myrtenaster. "We can't keep fighting like this. We need to regroup and prepare for whatever comes next."
Blake sheathed Gambol Shroud and turned her attention to the remnants of the train scattered across the icy ground.
"Rinko," Blake called, her voice steady but tinged with urgency. "We should check the train for any remaining supplies. There might be something useful in there."
Rinko followed her gaze, his eyes landing on the supply crates half-buried in the snow. He considered it briefly before nodding.
He turned to Selene, Maria, and Qrow, who were still standing near the fire, weapons at the ready. "You three stay here by the fire," he instructed. "Keep an eye out for any more Grimm and guard Yang and Ruby. Blake, Weiss, and I will check the train for resources."
Selene nodded, still gripping Galeguard tightly. "Got it. Be careful."
Maria adjusted her scythe, her tone wry but focused. "Don't take too long. Grimm seem to like making encore appearances."
Qrow leaned on Harbinger, his tired eyes scanning the horizon. "If anything happens, call us. We'll back you up."
Rinko gave a curt nod before turning to Weiss and Blake. "Let's move."
The three of them approached the wreckage cautiously, their steps deliberate on the icy ground.
Blake stayed close to Rinko, her ribbon at the ready to assist with debris or defend against ambushes.
Weiss walked slightly ahead of Rinko and Blake, her sharp eyes scanning the surrounding area for any threats. Myrtenaster glowed faintly with Dust energy, ready to strike at a moment's notice. Her movements were cautious yet precise, the weight of their situation clearly reflected in her determined expression.
Meanwhile, Selene trailed behind Maria and Qrow, who led the way back to the campfire. The three moved in silence, the tension in the air palpable. Selene's grip on Galeguard tightened as she cast quick glances over her shoulder, ensuring no Grimm followed.
Back at the campfire, Yang held Ruby close, trying desperately to warm both herself and her younger sister. Ruby's shivering had slowed, but her face was pale, and her body trembled with every breath.
"Yang..." Ruby murmured, her eyes still closed, her voice weak and barely audible.
Yang's grip tightened around her sister. "I'm here, Ruby. Just hold on, okay?" she whispered, her voice strained with worry.
Selene approached them, her sharp gaze softening as she took in their condition. Without hesitation, she shrugged off her maid uniform jacket and gently draped it over the two sisters.
The warmth of the fabric offered a small reprieve from the biting cold.
Yang looked up at Selene, gratitude evident in her tired eyes. "Thanks, Selene..." she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Selene nodded silently, her stoic demeanor not faltering, though her gaze lingered on Ruby. Her usually composed expression revealed a hint of concern.
'She's still so cold,' Selene thought to herself, her fingers tightening around Galeguard as if willing herself to do more.
Maria placed a hand on Selene's shoulder, offering a small, knowing smile. "You've done well, dear. Let's keep them safe while the others are out there."
Selene nodded again, forcing herself to focus. She couldn't afford to falter now—not with Ruby and Yang depending on them to stay alive.
Meanwhile, Rinko, Weiss, and Blake made their way to the wreckage, navigating through the frozen debris and remnants of the train. The icy wind bit at their skin, but their determination drove them forward.
After some time, Weiss and Blake emerged from the wreckage, both pushing a damaged Bumblebee motorcycle through the snow.
Its frame was scratched and bent, but it was still intact.
Behind them, Rinko followed, carrying several cases of Dust he had salvaged from the ruins. His expression was stoic, but his focus was sharp.
"Look what we found," Weiss announced, gesturing to the damaged motorcycle as they approached the campfire.
Yang's eyes widened slightly, despite her weakened state. "Bumblebee..." she whispered, her voice tinged with both surprise and relief.
"And I found more Dust," Rinko added as he placed the cases on the motorcycle's seat. He glanced at Weiss. "You'll need these."
Weiss gave him a curt nod, her hands brushing some snow off Myrtenaster. "Good. This will help if we run into more Grimm."
Qrow stepped forward, his gaze scanning the horizon. "We move now," he said firmly. "Yang and Ruby stay on the bike while we walk. We either keep moving or get swarmed again."
"Agreed," Selene spoke, her eyes shifting to the Relic dangling from her waist. "The Relic attracts Grimm. If we stay out in the open like this, we'll be overrun in no time."
Rinko nodded in agreement, his voice steady. "Then we go now." Without hesitation, he approached the sisters.
He carefully lifted Yang in his arms, ensuring not to aggravate her already fragile condition.
Qrow followed suit, gently picking up Ruby.
Together, they placed the two on Bumblebee's seat, with the Dust cases strapped securely in front of Yang to stabilize the load.
Yang gave a weak nod of thanks to Rinko, her hand resting protectively on Ruby's shoulder as the group prepared to leave the wreckage behind.
"We'll find shelter," Rinko said firmly, his voice cutting through the frigid air. "We don't have a choice."
As the group set off, the biting cold grew harsher. Snow crunched beneath their boots, and their breath formed clouds in the icy wind. Maria walked alongside them, her mechanical eyes glowing softly. She pressed a small button near her temple, and her eyes lit up like flashlights, illuminating the dark path ahead.
"Stay close," Maria instructed, her tone commanding but calm. "This storm's only going to get worse."
The group trudged forward, each step a battle against the cold and exhaustion. The wreckage faded behind them as they ventured deeper into the frozen wilderness, the weight of survival pressing heavily on their shoulders.
Mistral, Salem's Pawns
Watts, Hazel, Mercury, and Emerald stood at the dust airship dock under the cover of night. The cold air bit at their skin, but urgency outweighed discomfort.
They had been on the run from the authorities for weeks now.
Thanks to Emerald's Semblance, things had gone smoother than they would have otherwise, but they were far from safe.
Behind them lay several unconscious dockworkers, innocent employees who had simply been doing their jobs before being taken out by Hazel's brute force.
Watts tapped furiously on his console, his expression a mix of focus and frustration. In his other hand, he held the ship's ignition key. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he worked to override the ship's security systems.
"Rghhh..." Watts growled under his breath, his exhaustion showing. The thought of reporting yet another failure to Salem gnawed at him. His situation was further complicated by Raven's sudden disappearance. For weeks, they had tried to reestablish contact with her to no avail.
"That traitor..." Watts muttered venomously, his hands still flying across the console.
Mercury leaned casually against the ship, his silver eyes flicking toward Watts. "So... we're just stealing this thing now?" he asked, knocking lightly on the airship's hull.
Mercury could walk now, while they were in the run, Watts replaced Mercury's missing prosthetic leg with a wooden support.
"Obviously," Watts snapped, not even looking up. As he finally unlocked the hatch, he smirked in triumph. But before he could step inside, a parasol shot out from the darkness, striking him square in the nose with a sharp crack.
"ARGH!" Watts staggered back, clutching his face. Blood trickled between his fingers as he howled in pain.
Hazel, Mercury, and Emerald immediately turned toward the source of the attack, their eyes narrowing. From the shadows, Neopolitan stepped forward, her usual mischievous smirk absent.
Instead, her expression was cold, deadly serious. She twirled her parasol with slow, deliberate movements, her intent unmistakable.
"Neo?!" Mercury called out, his surprise evident. He straightened up, his guard rising instinctively.
Emerald stared at her, wide-eyed. "What the hell are you doing here?" she demanded, her voice sharp.
Neo didn't respond—not that she could. Her lips pressed into a thin line, and her gaze darted between the group, assessing them. The tension in the air was suffocating.
Watts, still clutching his nose, glared at her. "You miserable little—what is the meaning of this?!" he barked, his voice muffled by the pain.
Neo's eyes darkened at his words. Her grip on her parasol tightened, and for a moment, her mind replayed the events at the Vault.
Now, as Neo stood before Watts and the others, the betrayal burned brighter than ever in her chest. These were the people who had sent her and Torchwick into that death trap.
These were the ones who had trusted Raven, only for her to turn on them.
It's so easy to blame when you're blinded by rage.
Neo twirled her parasol once more before leveling it directly at Watts, her intent clear. She wasn't here to talk—she was here to make them pay.
Mercury's smirk returned, though it was wary. "Looks like someone's not happy to see us."
Hazel stepped forward, his massive form towering over the others. "Neo, whatever grudge you have can wait. We need that ship." His voice was calm but firm, a warning laced within it.
Neo didn't flinch. Instead, she shifted into a combat stance, her parasol pointed at the group.
Her silence spoke volumes.
Emerald narrowed her eyes, her hand twitching toward her weapons. "Neo, this isn't the time for this!"
But Neo wasn't listening. Her mind was made up. The betrayal, the loss, the pain—it all boiled over. And now, she was ready to make her stand.
Watts, still nursing his injury, backed away slightly, muttering curses under his breath. "Kill her already!" he barked.
Neo's icy gaze flicked toward Watts for a brief moment before her focus shifted back to the others. Without hesitation, she lunged forward, her parasol spinning with deadly precision.
Emerald was the first to react, raising her weapon to block the incoming attack. Sparks flew as the parasol clashed with her blades, but Neo's movements were fluid, relentless.
In one swift motion, Neo ducked low, sweeping Emerald's legs out from under her. Before Emerald could recover, Neo struck, driving her knee into Emerald's face with a sickening crack.
"Argh!" Emerald cried out as she hit the ground hard, rolling to a stop, groaning in pain.
Mercury moved to intervene, but a massive hand shot out, stopping him in his tracks. Hazel stepped forward, blocking Mercury's path.
"Stay back," Hazel said firmly, his eyes locked on Neo.
Neo, undeterred, shifted her stance, ready to face Hazel.
"Child," Hazel said, his tone calm but guarded, "what happened? Why are you doing this?"
She ignored him. Her grip tightened on her parasol, and without warning, she charged, her movements a blur.
A sharp blade extended from the tip of her parasol, gleaming in the dim light. Neo unleashed a flurry of strikes, each one precise and deadly.
Hazel weaved and dodged, his massive frame surprisingly nimble, but he was forced to parry most of her attacks with his powerful hands.
As Hazel studied her movements, he noticed an opening. In a calculated move, he caught her wrist mid-swing, his grip like a vice. With a powerful yank, he slammed her to the ground effortlessly.
Neo hit the floor with a thud, her parasol falling from her grasp as she struggled against Hazel's overwhelming strength. She thrashed and clawed, but Hazel held her firmly, pinning her to the ground.
Their eyes met. Neo's defiance faltered as tears began to well up in her eyes. But these weren't tears of weakness—they were tears born from pain, loss, and betrayal.
Her gaze burned with anguish, a haunting reminder of everything she'd endured.
Hazel's expression softened ever so slightly as he looked into her eyes. He recognized that look all too well.
It was the same look that stared back at him from the mirror after her sister's death—a look forged by the weight of despair and loss.
"What are you waiting for?!" Watts barked, staggering to his feet, still clutching his bloodied nose. "End her!"
Hazel didn't move. His grip remained unyielding, but his eyes bore into Neo's, seeing something no one else seemed to notice. Behind her fury, behind the sharp edges of her parasol and the deadly precision of her strikes, he saw it—grief.
A deep, soul-crushing grief that mirrored his own.
Neo closed her eyes, bracing for the inevitable. She felt the weight of Hazel's massive hands pinning her down, her parasol lying useless on the cold floor.
She thought this was it—her end. But the crushing force on her wrists loosened, replaced by a faint tremor.
But Hazel didn't move. He couldn't.
"Neopolitan," he said, his voice softer now, though still steady, "I know what it feels like to lose someone. To carry that weight with you, like it's carved into your soul. That look in your eyes? I see it every time I look in the mirror."
Neo's lip trembled, and for a moment, she seemed like the fragile, grieving girl she was underneath her silent fury.
Hazel let go of her wrists slowly, his massive hands retreating as he rose to his feet.
Neo remained on the ground for a moment, stunned by his actions, before she scrambled to sit up. She clutched her parasol tightly, watching him with wary eyes.
Watts groaned in frustration. "Hazel, I swear to Salem, if you don't—"
"Enough." Hazel cut him off sharply, his voice calm yet commanding. He didn't bother to glance back at Watts. His attention remained fixed on Neo, whose trembling hands clutched her parasol.
"What happened, Neopolitan?" Hazel asked, his tone softer now, carrying a weight of understanding. "What did they do to you?"
Neo's lips pressed into a thin line. Her free hand fumbled for her scroll, her movements shaky but deliberate. She typed quickly, and after a moment, held the device up for Hazel to read.
"Torchwick is dead. Betrayed by Raven."
The lines on Hazel's face deepened, his expression darkening as the words settled in. He nodded slowly, his voice heavy with understanding. "I see... You lost him."
Neo's fingers curled tighter around the parasol, her knuckles turning white. She nodded once, her eyes burning with a mix of sorrow and rage, unshed tears threatening to spill over.
Hazel crouched down, bringing himself to her eye level. His hulking frame seemed less imposing now, his gaze filled with something rare—empathy.
"You can't change what happened," he said, his voice steady but quiet. "I know that pain, child. Losing someone who mattered more than anything... It leaves scars no one else can see."
Neo's lip trembled, and for a brief moment, the fury in her eyes dimmed, replaced by a flicker of grief. She clutched her parasol tighter, as though it were the last connection to the life she'd lost.
"Rinko Schnee," Hazel continued after a moment. "You've fought him before, yes?"
Neo's expression hardened slightly, her eyes narrowing as she gave a small nod.
"It's clear after Cinder's death, he's made it his mission to stop us," Hazel said, his voice low but firm. "Gathering allies, opposing Salem at every turn. From the looks of it, he won't stop until we're destroyed. Just like Ozpin."
Neo's gaze dropped to the ground, her chest rising and falling as she processed his words. The parasol in her grip quivered faintly.
"They're the real enemy," Hazel pressed, his tone gaining a sharper edge. "The Schnee, his allies.. All of them. They've taken everything from you, just like they've taken from me. You want them to pay for what they did. So do we."
Neo's fingers twitched around the parasol's handle. Her head tilted slightly, her teary eyes darting back to Hazel.
"I'm not telling you what to do," Hazel said, standing to his full height again. "But that pain you feel—it doesn't go away. Not on its own. If you want to do something about it, you can't do it alone."
Neo's gaze lingered on him, her expression unreadable. There was no manipulation in his words, no empty promises.
Just the raw, brutal truth.
"You're strong, child," Hazel said, his tone resolute. "But even the strongest need allies. You don't have to trust us completely. But you know this fight isn't one you can win by yourself."
Neo didn't respond right away. She remained still, staring at Hazel as though searching for some hidden motive.
Yet all she found was understanding.
Finally, Neo stood, brushing the dust from her skirt. Her parasol hung loosely at her side as she glanced at her scroll, hesitating before typing something into it. She held it up to Hazel.
"I want them dead."
Hazel nodded once, his gaze following her as she climbed aboard their ship.
Mercury and Emerald exchanged confused glances.
"Wait... what just happened..?" Mercury asked, raising an eyebrow.
[End]