FLASHBACK: THE CITADEL
The Citadel stood in ruins, its once-proud walls now cracked and crumbling under the weight of abandonment.
Days had passed since the attack. Now, the only inhabitants of the fortress were the Grimm that wandered aimlessly through its hollow corridors and shattered courtyards.
A lone Ursa stomped through the courtyard, its massive claws dragging across the stone as it sniffed the air for prey.
THWIP.
An arrow pierced through its skull.
The beast let out a choked growl before collapsing, its massive form disintegrating into black mist.
Cinder lowered her bow, her lips curling into a small, satisfied smile.
"Nice shot."
She turned at the sound of the voice, her expression hardening.
Torchwick stood behind her, smirking, flanked by a large group of Dark Seekers. Their presence was unnerving, their armor stained with the evidence of their work.
"I'm pretty sure," Roman drawled, adjusting his coat, "that you could take out all these Grimm by yourself."
Cinder exhaled sharply, barely sparing him a glance. "I'm not in the mood for sarcasm, Roman."
Roman raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Oh? Why not?" His smirk widened. "Because your mission to kill Little Red failed?" He let out a mock sigh. "And here I thought killing Neo would've been satisfying enough."
Cinder's golden eyes flickered with something dangerous.
"Neo was weaker than Rose," she stated flatly. "She didn't possess any Maiden powers."
Torchwick let out a small chuckle, shaking his head.
Cinder ignored him, turning back toward the ruins of the Citadel, her gaze set on the darkened halls ahead.
More Grimm emerged from the shadows, drawn by the lingering anger, pain, and bloodshed that still clung to the air.
She narrowed her eyes.
"Kill every Grimm in the area," she commanded, her voice sharp and unwavering.
The Dark Seekers immediately drew their weapons, their movements swift and precise.
"And after that…" Cinder's lips curved into a smirk.
"We take a look around."
PRESENT – ATLAS - ROOM
Yang stood near the edge of the small, dimly lit room, arms crossed, her golden eyes narrowing at the sight before her.
Junior was sprawled out on his bed, snoring loudly.
Across from him, the Malachite Twins lay curled up in their own beds, breathing evenly, completely oblivious to the time.
Yang sighed and pulled out her Scroll, glancing at the screen.
1:00 PM.
She blinked. Seriously?
"WAKE UP!"
Junior let out a loud snort, jolting awake as he quickly sat up, blinking blearily.
"Geez," he grumbled, rubbing his face. "What's with the yelling?"
Yang rolled her eyes. "Get up."
The Twins stirred, groaning as they reluctantly sat up as well.
"ALL of you. And get dressed." Yang gestured toward the door. "General Ironwood wants to talk to you."
Junior let out a long yawn, stretching his arms over his head. The Twins followed suit, muttering under their breath as they rubbed the sleep from their eyes.
"I'll be waiting for you outside," Yang said, turning toward the door. "Don't take too long."
As she reached for the handle, she heard Melanie's voice behind her.
"I hate to say this," she murmured, "but I kind of liked her better before."
"I agree," Miltia added.
Yang paused.
For a split second, she squinted at them over her shoulder.
The Twins immediately looked away, pretending to be very focused on getting out of bed.
Smirking slightly, Yang shook her head and stepped out, closing the door behind her.
PATCH
Jaune sat slumped over the dining table, his face buried in his arms, letting out a low, miserable groan. His head pounded, his entire body aching from the previous night's mistakes.
Footsteps echoed down the stairs.
"You'll be there? Great. See you then."
Ruby's voice was calm but firm as she finished her Scroll call.
She slid her device into her pocket, immediately turning her attention to Jaune.
With a small sigh, she walked into the kitchen, opened the freezer, and pulled out an ice pack.
Jaune barely lifted his head as she walked back over and set it down in front of him.
"This will help a little," Ruby said.
Jaune muttered a thanks before grabbing the ice pack and pressing it to his aching forehead. The cold sent a sharp sting through his skull, but it was better than the pain.
Ruby pulled out a chair and sat across from him, her expression shifting into one of concern.
"I'm disappointed in you, Jaune," she said quietly.
Jaune's shoulders tensed. He slowly lifted his head to look at her.
"I know," he murmured.
Ruby's fingers tapped against the table. "What exactly were you thinking?"
Jaune swallowed, ashamed. "I… I wasn't thinking, Ruby."
Ruby let out a sharp exhale, shaking her head. "I'm trying to help you move on. And then I come home to find you wandering the upstairs hallway, drunk out of your mind, mumbling and screaming."
Jaune's gaze dropped back to the table, his grip tightening around the ice pack.
Ruby watched him for a moment before standing up.
"Come on," she said, motioning toward the door.
Jaune blinked up at her, confused. "Where?"
"Velvet's."
Jaune furrowed his brow. "Why?"
"Well…" Ruby crossed her arms. "One, you've been cooped up in this house way too long. You need to see a friend."
Jaune sighed, already sensing where this was going.
"And two," Ruby added, a small smirk forming, "Velvet has a remedy that'll get rid of your hangover in minutes."
Jaune groaned and rubbed his temples.
"Alright," he muttered. "Anything to get rid of this headache."
FLASHBACK – DOJO
Pyrrha stood in the center of the dojo, her chest rising and falling heavily as she struggled to catch her breath.
Her grip tightened around the sword in her right hand and the dagger in her left. Her muscles ached, sweat dripped from her brow, but her stance remained firm.
Across from her, Adrian Forrest stood calm and composed, wielding a golden staff.
"Break time's over," Adrian announced, tapping the staff against the wooden floor. "Time to continue your training."
Pyrrha exhaled sharply, glancing down at her weapons before lifting her gaze back to him.
Then—she charged.
With a loud yell, she swung both weapons at him.
Adrian blocked effortlessly, the metallic clash echoing through the dojo as his staff caught both her sword and dagger. With a swift motion, he brought up his knee and kicked her back.
Pyrrha staggered but quickly regained her footing.
Without hesitation, she rushed again.
This time, she leaped over him, twisting mid-air as she swung downward.
Adrian ducked, narrowly avoiding the blade, before spinning his staff toward her head.
Pyrrha ducked just in time, and before Adrian could counter, she swept her leg under him.
With a sharp kick, Adrian's staff was sent skidding across the floor.
Pyrrha immediately pointed her sword at his neck.
Silence.
They locked eyes, both breathing heavily.
Then, Pyrrha let out a breath and sheathed her sword. She extended a hand toward Adrian.
Adrian chuckled before taking it, allowing her to help him to his feet.
"Well done, Miss Nikos," he said, brushing off his robes. "I suppose a week of non-stop dual-wield training is finally showing results."
Pyrrha bowed slightly. "Thank you, Master Forrest. But…" She straightened, her expression thoughtful. "I have a feeling this is just the beginning of my training."
"You are correct," Adrian confirmed with a smirk. "The next step in your training will focus on hand-to-hand combat—every form of it. After that, we move on to knives-only combat."
He gestured toward the weapons rack. "Then, sword and shield training. And after that…"
"Guns," Pyrrha finished for him, smirking slightly. "That should be easy for me. I was always a good shot when it came to my weapon."
"Yes, true," Adrian admitted. "But that was your weapon." He folded his arms. "You'll be learning a wide variety, from handguns to machine guns. Your knowledge will expand far beyond what you're used to."
Pyrrha nodded, understanding the weight of what was ahead.
She walked over to the weapon rack, placing the sheath and sword back in place. Her eyes scanned the collection before she reached out and grasped a spear.
It was longer than Milo, heavier in her hands, but the familiar shape brought a small sense of comfort.
Her shield, Akouo, was still missing.
Pyrrha swallowed hard, her fingers absently brushing over the shaft of the spear.
Then, slowly, she sat down on the floor and removed her shoe and sock.
She stared at the **scar on her foot—**the place where Cinder's arrow had pierced through, somehow bypassing Akouo.
A reminder of that night.
A reminder of everything she lost.
Three years of her life—stolen.
Her jaw tightened as she stared at the ground, memories threatening to resurface.
Then, out of the corner of her eye, she saw Adrian approaching.
Without a word, he held out a bottle of water.
Pyrrha hesitated for only a second before taking it.
She met his gaze, nodding in silent gratitude.
PRESENT DAY – VELVET'S HOUSE
Velvet lay stretched out on her couch, eyes fixed on the screen as a documentary about Remnant's history played softly in the background.
Her Scroll rang.
She sighed, already knowing who it was.
Grabbing the device, she glanced at the screen.
Coco.
Velvet closed her eyes, her thumb hovering over the screen as she hesitated.
Answer or ignore?
Before she could decide, the doorbell rang.
Velvet immediately rejected the call, pocketing her Scroll as she stood up.
She made her way to the front door and pulled it open—only for her expression to soften when she saw Ruby standing outside.
"Ruby," Velvet said, offering a small smile. "Nice to see you."
"Well… we kind of needed to come by," Ruby admitted, scratching the back of her head.
Velvet's smile faltered slightly. "We?"
She glanced past Ruby and noticed Jaune approaching.
His hood was up, his gaze fixed on the ground, his movements sluggish.
Velvet's smile dimmed.
"Oh," she murmured. "Hey, Jaune."
Jaune barely lifted his head. "Hey," he mumbled back, his voice weak.
"Sorry, Velvet," Ruby said, shifting her weight. "He's got a hangover. Do you still have that special remedy he can drink?"
"Of course," Velvet replied without hesitation. She stepped aside, motioning them in. "Come on in."
Ruby and Jaune walked inside, and Velvet shut the door behind them.
"You two sit down while I prepare the brew," Velvet instructed, already heading toward the kitchen.
Ruby and Jaune made their way to the couch.
Ruby grabbed the remote, flipping through the channels until she landed on something that made her eyes light up.
A show about weapons—how they were made, designed, and improved over time.
Jaune, still slumped over, slowly lifted his head.
He saw the familiar spark in Ruby's expression as she watched the screen, completely entranced.
A small, tired smirk tugged at his lips.
"At least you're still a gun nut," he muttered.
Ruby chuckled. "Always will be."
Jaune let out a short laugh before focusing on the TV, allowing himself to be distracted.
A few moments later, Velvet's voice called from the kitchen.
"Ruby?"
Ruby turned her head, seeing Velvet peeking out from the doorway.
"Can you come help me for a minute?"
Ruby nodded and stood. "Yeah, sure."
She glanced at Jaune. "I'll be back."
Jaune nodded but didn't say anything.
Ruby made her way toward the kitchen, stepping inside as Velvet continued gathering ingredients.
The moment Ruby entered, Velvet checked over her shoulder, making sure Jaune wasn't in hearing range.
Then, she turned to Ruby, her expression more serious.
Velvet kept her voice low, glancing over her shoulder to ensure Jaune couldn't hear.
"How is he?"
Ruby exhaled, crossing her arms. "He's… almost doing great." She hesitated before continuing, "But it's going to take time. Especially after his drunken rant last night."
Velvet's ears twitched slightly as she let out a small sigh.
"I'm worried about him, Ruby."
Ruby's brow furrowed. "Why do you ask?"
Velvet gave her a pointed look. "Both Pyrrha and Neo meant everything to him. After Pyrrha died, he was barely holding himself together." She paused, voice lowering further. "But now, after Neo and his parents…"
She shook her head.
"I'm afraid he's been pushed to the breaking point."
Ruby's jaw tightened.
"We can't let that happen, Velvet." Her silver eyes hardened. "Jaune doesn't deserve to spend the rest of his life like this."
"I know," Velvet murmured.
She turned back to the counter, dropping the last of the ingredients into the blender.
"Okay," she said, straightening. "Here we go."
She pressed the button, and the blender roared to life.
The mix of ingredients slowly morphed into a thick, green liquid.
Ruby wrinkled her nose. "Still looks disgusting."
Velvet chuckled, shaking her head as she poured the liquid into a cup.
"Yeah, well, it works."
Jaune lifted his head as Velvet and Ruby walked back in, the cup in Velvet's hand.
"Here," Velvet said, offering the drink. "This will get rid of your hangover in minutes."
Jaune took the cup, eyeing the green sludge suspiciously.
"It may taste bad," Velvet warned, "but it's a guaranteed cure."
Jaune sighed. "Looks like the stuff Ren tried to give Pyrrha during the tournament."
He stared at it a second longer before muttering, "Well… bottoms up."
He tipped the cup back, gulping down the mixture.
After a few long gulps, he lowered the cup, immediately grimacing. His face twisted in discomfort as he fought to keep it down.
For a second, it looked like he might lose the battle.
But then, after a few deep breaths, he managed to compose himself.
Velvet grinned. "Told you."
Jaune exhaled sharply and looked at her.
"Thanks," he muttered.
"Anything for a friend," Velvet said with a warm smile.
She and Ruby sat down, and Ruby shifted, looking at both of them.
"There's… something I need to talk to you two about."
Jaune tilted his head. "What is it?"
"Well…" Ruby hesitated. "I won't tell you yet. I'm waiting on a couple people to stop by first. When they do, I'll explain everything."
Velvet frowned slightly. "But what's it about?"
Ruby tapped her fingers against the armrest, glancing at the time.
"I…" she sighed. "I think I'll wait until everyone gets here first." She offered them both a small, reassuring smile.
"Just give it about twenty minutes. Thirty, tops. Then I'll tell you."
CONTROL ROOM
The doors slid open as Yang, Junior, and the Malachite Twins stepped inside the Control Room.
At the center, Ironwood, Wesley, Qrow, and Raven stood in deep discussion, their expressions serious.
As the newcomers entered, the conversation ceased.
Ironwood and Wesley turned toward them, their gazes settling on the nightclub owner.
"Hei Xiong, I presume?" Ironwood asked.
Junior's posture stiffened slightly. "I prefer 'Junior,' sir."
Ironwood simply nodded before shifting his attention to the Twins.
"Miltia and Melanie Malachite," he said, his tone measured. "It's been a long time since I last saw you two in Atlas."
The Twins exchanged uneasy glances before looking down, avoiding his gaze.
Yang raised an eyebrow. "You know them, General?"
Ironwood folded his arms.
"These two were involved in illegal activities with a former crime lord a few years back," he stated plainly. "They left a trail of injured civilians before escaping Atlas. I always wondered where they ended up."
"Technically, we didn't hurt anyone," Miltia muttered.
"We just… watched those people get hurt," Melanie added.
Ironwood's gaze sharpened.
"But you were still accessories to those crimes," Wesley cut in, adjusting his glasses. "However, since none of those crimes involved murder, we're willing to let that slide."
The Twins' eyes widened slightly.
"Hence," Ironwood continued, "why you three are allowed to stay here."
He took a step closer, his expression unwavering.
"In exchange, you will provide us with any additional information on Roman Torchwick and what he's told you." His voice grew firmer. "And you will help us fight against Cinder Fall and her army."
Junior blinked, looking at the General as if he were insane.
"You're crazy, right?" he asked, incredulous. "You expect us to fight against the people we've been providing weapons for?"
Yang smirked, crossing her arms. "It's better than jail, that's for sure."
She tilted her head. "And you get a roof over your heads until your nightclub gets rebuilt."
Junior let out a deep breath, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Uh… she has a point," Miltia admitted.
Melanie nodded, her voice quieter. "We'd be safe here. Away from Torchwick… and whatever he would've done to us if he found out we were even thinking about this."
Junior sighed, clearly conflicted.
But after a moment, he glanced at the Twins.
Then, reluctantly, he looked back at Ironwood.
"Fine," he muttered. "We're in."
Ironwood gave a curt nod. "Follow me."
Without hesitation, Junior and the Malachite Twins followed as he led them toward the center of the room.
Yang watched them go, arms still crossed.
At her side, Wesley stepped closer, lowering his voice.
"I hope you know what you're doing."
Yang turned her head slightly, meeting his gaze.
"Me too."
Wesley studied her for a moment before shifting the subject.
"By the way," he said, adjusting his glasses, "how's Weiss?"
Yang hesitated, her expression tightening.
"She's… she's getting better." She sighed, rubbing the back of her head. "But she still has episodes… every once in a while."
Wesley frowned, concern flickering across his features.
"Perhaps, I should speak with her."
Yang gave a small shrug. "You could do that. Hopefully, you'll actually have time to."
Wesley let out a tired sigh. "Hope so… It's been pretty busy here."
Yang let out a dry chuckle, glancing around the control room filled with personnel hard at work.
"Yep," she muttered. "Pretty damn busy."
VELVET'S HOUSE
The room was quiet, save for the steady hum of the television.
Ruby, Jaune, and Velvet sat on the couch, their eyes fixed on the weapon documentary playing on the screen.
A moment of calm.
Then—the doorbell rang.
Ruby stood up immediately.
"That must be them." She turned to Jaune. "How's your head?"
Jaune gave a small nod. "All better."
"Good."
She made her way to the front door and pulled it open.
"Come on in, guys."
Jaune and Velvet glanced toward the entrance—then froze.
Ren and Nora stood there, their expressions filled with concern.
Jaune's breath hitched.
His gaze dropped to the floor.
Nora took a step forward, her voice softer than usual.
"It's been a while, Jaune."
A long pause.
Then, in barely a whisper—
"Yeah… it has."
Nora didn't hesitate.
She moved toward him, crouching down before wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug.
Jaune didn't resist.
Ren, standing nearby, turned to Velvet, offering a small nod.
"It's been a while for you too, Velvet."
Velvet, though still processing the surprise, gave a small smile and nodded back.
Once Nora finally pulled away, she and Ren sat across from Jaune on the coffee table.
Ruby remained standing.
Velvet frowned slightly, looking at her.
"Ruby," she said. "Why are Ren and Nora here?"
Ruby took a breath, shifting slightly.
"Because…" she exhaled. "It's about what I'm about to tell you all."
Jaune finally lifted his head, his tired eyes focusing on her.
"And that is?"
Ruby hesitated.
For a few seconds, the room was silent.
Then, finally—she sighed.
"…I'm going back."
Velvet tilted her head, confused. "Going back? What do you mean?"
Ruby's hands clenched at her sides.
"I mean…" she said, her voice steady but resolute, "I'm going back with Ren and Nora."
She glanced at Jaune before continuing.
"I'm going back to Atlas."
Jaune and Velvet's eyes widened.
"I'm rejoining the fight."
Velvet's expression hardened as she folded her arms.
"So, you plan to leave, then," she said. Her voice was calm, but there was an edge to it. "Just you?"
"Not just me," Ruby corrected.
She glanced toward Ren and Nora.
"I know you've already given your answer, Velvet," she continued, her tone gentle yet firm. "But that's why Ren and Nora are here."
Velvet's ears twitched slightly.
Ruby took a step forward.
"To convince you to come back with me."
The room fell silent.
Then, Velvet stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor.
"No."
Her voice was sharp, resolute.
"Absolutely not."
She turned away slightly, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Not while Coco's there. If she's still there, then forget it."
Ren furrowed his brows. "You're really not going to come back… just because of what Coco did to you?"
"That's right," Velvet answered, her tone colder.
Jaune, who had been silent until now, finally spoke.
"What exactly did she do to you?"
Velvet hesitated.
Then, she took a breath, lowering her gaze.
"She… she got very drunk," Velvet said, her ears drooping slightly. "Losing her father hit her hard. I found her with a bottle of wine, and after that… it just kept going."
Her voice faltered slightly.
"I tried to get her to lie down and sleep. But she—she started screaming at me."
A small shiver ran through Velvet's frame.
"When I tried to hold her, she—she hit me. Just once."
A heavy silence filled the room.
Velvet's arms tightened around herself.
"I… I was scared. And hurt. That she would do that to me."
Her fingers clenched.
"So, I left."
Her voice hardened again.
"I don't plan on seeing her again. And I won't."
"Velvet—" Ruby started.
"I said no!"
Velvet's voice rose suddenly, her hands slamming against the table.
The outburst surprised everyone.
She took a shaky breath.
"Just… just don't ask again. Please."
Ren and Nora exchanged glances before looking at Jaune.
"What about you, Jaune?" Nora asked softly.
Jaune didn't answer right away.
His fingers fidgeted on his lap as he stared at the floor.
"I…"
He let out a long exhale.
"I don't know."
Jaune finally looked up at them.
"As much as I want to go back, to help my friends and win this war… I just don't know if I should."
Ren leaned forward slightly.
"Jaune," he said, his voice steady. "I know that losing Neo and your parents took a heavy toll on you. But you can't let your emotions consume you. You have to accept that sometimes… bad things happen."
"But I can't."
Jaune's hands gripped his hair.
"Every night, I dream of Neo," he said, voice trembling. "I see her again and again."
He swallowed hard.
"And at the end of those dreams… I watch her die. Every. Night."
His breathing became uneven.
"And when I wake up, I still see it."
Ruby noticed Nora's hands gripping the table tightly.
Jaune continued.
"And after my parents were murdered, I just lost it."
His voice cracked.
"I keep getting more and more depressed." His hands shook slightly. "And even angrier at the person who took them. The person who took Pyrrha. The person who took Neo."
His knuckles turned white.
"But I don't even do anything."
His breathing hitched.
"I left you guys because I'm a coward."
His nails dug into his skin.
"I'm weak."
His voice dropped to a whisper.
"I'm… worthless."
SLAP!
Jaune's head jerked to the side, the sting of the impact radiating across his cheek.
The room fell into stunned silence.
Jaune's wide eyes slowly turned to Nora.
Her chest heaved, her hand still raised from the slap, her fingers trembling.
"Nora!" Velvet gasped, covering her mouth.
Jaune stared at her, stunned.
"DON'T YOU DARE SAY THAT!"
Nora's voice cracked as she screamed, tears streaming down her face.
"Don't you dare say that you're weak! That you're worthless! That you're a coward!"
Jaune's breath hitched.
"Nora—"
Ren tried to intervene, but before he could take a step, a firm grip caught his arm.
He turned to see Ruby.
She silently shook her head.
Ren hesitated, then stepped back.
"Do you have any idea how hard it's been for ALL of us, Jaune?" Nora's voice shook with emotion.
"It's not just you who's suffering!"
Jaune, shaken, slowly turned to look at her.
"Neptune has been depressed since he lost his parents. He won't talk to anyone except Sun and Neon. Not even Jade."
Jaune blinked, his jaw tightening.
"Cyan and Violet left Atlas to stay in Vale. Weiss has been drowning in sadness because of her father being held hostage by Cinder. And on top of that, her mother's sudden return is only making it worse."
Nora clenched her fists.
"Yang and Blake barely talk to us—except on missions."
Jaune's breathing became shallow.
"And Coco…" Nora exhaled sharply. "Coco is drinking herself into a hole."
She then turned to Velvet.
"A problem that started when you left her."
Velvet's entire body stiffened.
Guilt flashed across her face.
Her ears drooped.
Without saying a word, she turned and left the room.
Ruby immediately followed after her, leaving Ren and Nora with Jaune.
Nora took a deep breath, her voice softer now.
She crouched down so she was eye level with Jaune.
"We've all been hurt, Jaune," she whispered.
Jaune's shoulders shook.
"We've all lost somebody we loved because of this war. Because of Cinder."
Nora wiped her eyes.
"But we're still here, Jaune."
She placed a hand over her heart.
"We keep fighting. Because we still have hope."
Jaune stared at her, his vision blurred with tears.
"As long as we keep fighting, we won't lose the hope in our hearts."
Nora's grip tightened slightly on his shoulder.
"And you shouldn't give up either."
Jaune swallowed, his throat dry.
"…But…" His voice was barely above a whisper. "I just… can't."
Ren finally spoke.
"Jaune," he said, his voice firm, yet compassionate.
"This is going to sound harsh, but…"
He exhaled, closing his eyes briefly before opening them again.
"Sitting here, drowning in guilt, sulking, and letting your grief control you…"
Ren's gaze didn't waver.
"That's not what Neo would want."
Jaune's lips parted slightly, but no words came out.
"Ren's right," Nora added.
"Neo would want you to keep fighting."
Jaune squeezed his eyes shut.
"She'd want you to fight so that no one else has to lose the people they love—just like we did."
Jaune tried to speak, but his voice broke.
He covered his mouth with a shaking hand, trying to hold back his sobs.
Nora's expression softened.
"Just remember, Jaune…" she murmured.
Her hand gently pressed against his chest.
"Just because they're gone… and we won't ever see them again…"
Jaune looked at her, eyes filled with sorrow.
"Doesn't mean we can't remember them."
She gave him a small, sad smile.
"They'll always be with us…"
She pressed her hand a little firmer over his heart.
"Right here."
Jaune let out a shaky breath.
His barrier finally crumbled.
Tears streaming down his face, Jaune reached forward—
And Nora pulled him into a tight embrace.
Ren placed a steady hand on Jaune's shoulder, his voice filled with warmth and reassurance.
"We're all here for you, Jaune," he said. "Us. Team RWBY. Everyone. We take care of each other. We always have."
His gaze softened.
"We're your non-related, extended family."
Jaune's lips parted slightly, eyes glistening with conflicted emotions.
Nora tightened her grip on him, pressing her forehead lightly against his shoulder.
"That's right," she whispered.
She pulled back just enough to look him in the eyes.
"We love you, Jaune."
Her voice cracked slightly.
"So, so much."
Jaune's breathing hitched.
"Please…" Nora gave him a pleading look.
"Come back with us."
Jaune blinked in surprise.
For a moment, he didn't move.
Then—slowly, he returned the hug, wrapping his arms around her.
Nora's breath shuddered.
"…Okay," Jaune murmured.
Nora pulled back, blinking. "Okay?"
Jaune let out a small, tired chuckle.
"I'll go back with you guys," he said. "But…" He sighed. "Only if you help me get back on my feet."
His eyes darkened slightly.
"My mental recovery is going to be a tough one."
Nora nodded without hesitation.
"Of course," she said, her smile gentle but determined.
Then, after a brief pause, she awkwardly rubbed the back of her head.
"Uh… and sorry for the slap."
Jaune gave a soft laugh.
"It's okay," he admitted. "I actually needed that."
Ren and Nora turned toward the doorway as Velvet and Ruby re-entered the room.
Velvet's expression was more composed now, though there was still hesitation in her eyes.
In her hand, she held a case.
Jaune immediately recognized it.
Her camera.
Velvet sighed, adjusting her grip on the case before speaking.
"Alright," she muttered. "I'll come too."
She let out a breath.
"But only because Ruby convinced me."
Ruby gave her a warm smile.
"Thank you, Velvet."
She turned to Jaune, her silver eyes gleaming with hope.
"I take it you said yes too?"
Jaune nodded.
"I'm going to need to grab my weapon and armor, though."
"We can stop by the house first," Ruby said.
Ren nodded. "Yeah, and we need to head to Vale after that."
He shot a knowing glance at Nora.
"Because someone wants to stop by that ice cream parlor she loves so much."
Jaune raised an eyebrow. "Seriously?"
"What?" Nora said, shrugging innocently. "We've been living in Atlas for two months. The ice cream there is okay, but nothing beats Vale's ice cream."
Ruby let out a chuckle, shaking her head.
"Now there's the Nora we all love."
ALPHA BASE – REC ROOM
Neptune sat at a table, his head resting in his hand as he stared blankly downward.
His expression was distant, his mind clearly somewhere else.
"Hey, Neptune."
At the familiar voice, Neptune lifted his head.
Standing nearby, Blake looked at him, her arms crossed in a casual stance.
"Feeling better?" she asked.
Neptune nodded. "Yeah… I am." He offered a small smile. "Thanks again for the tea."
"No problem." Blake gave a slight nod before studying him for a moment.
Then, she tilted her head.
"You look a bit sad today."
Neptune let out a heavy sigh.
"Yeah… I guess I do." His fingers tapped idly on the table. "I guess I miss my folks more than I thought."
Blake's expression softened.
She pulled out a chair and sat across from him.
"They were very nice people," she said sincerely. "And… I'm sorry about them."
Neptune glanced up at her, offering a grateful nod.
"Thanks."
For a few moments, neither of them spoke.
Then—
"Have you heard from Jade?" Blake asked carefully.
Neptune sighed, shaking his head.
"Not today." He leaned back slightly, running a hand through his hair. "But… I totally get it. She doesn't want to talk to me right now."
Blake frowned slightly.
"Why do you say that?"
Neptune exhaled.
"We both lost people," he said, voice quieter. "And we deal with loss in our own way."
His fingers curled slightly against the table.
"I stay here and fight for my folks."
His eyes flickered toward the window.
"While Jade decided to go back to Vacuo."
Blake studied his expression carefully.
"Are you… mad at her for leaving?"
Neptune shook his head.
"Not at all." He let out a small chuckle, but there was a hint of sadness behind it. "I mean, yeah… I miss her. But I'm not upset."
His voice steadied.
"And I don't mind waiting."
Blake nodded slowly, a small smile playing at her lips.
"You care for her a lot, don't you?"
Neptune didn't hesitate.
"Absolutely."
His answer came without doubt, without hesitation.
"Haven't felt this way in a long time."
Blake raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.
"Would you… commit to just her?" she asked curiously. "No other girl?"
Neptune didn't even blink.
"I would die to protect her."
Blake's eyes widened slightly.
"Wow," she admitted. "Wasn't expecting that."
Neptune chuckled, leaning back slightly.
"You wanted an answer."
THE CITADEL – ROOFTOP
Cinder stood on the edge of the rooftop, arms crossed as she gazed down at the Dark Seekers training below.
The air was thick with the sounds of clashing weapons and shouted orders.
She turned slightly as Roman approached, his hands in his coat pockets, staring down at the Citadel's hangar bay.
"Any luck?" Cinder asked.
Roman let out a frustrated sigh.
"I wish." He shook his head. "They really kept their hangar bay locked up tight. But don't worry—" he smirked. "We'll get there."
He then glanced at Cinder, his smirk widening slightly.
"Oh, by the way—word is Little Red and some of her friends are currently in Vale."
Cinder's golden eyes gleamed.
"Interesting."
She turned fully, her lips curling into a wicked smile.
"Tell Stryker to come here at once," she ordered. "I want to speak to her."
A voice suddenly echoed from behind them.
"Already here."
Cinder and Roman whipped around.
A figure stood a few feet away, clad in a dark cloak and hood.
Her face was hidden behind a sleek, expressionless mask, a faint distortion in her voice—likely caused by a modulator within the mask itself.
Roman clicked his tongue.
"Creepy."
Cinder, however, smirked.
"Stryker."
The masked figure remained still.
"I have an assignment for you."
"I already heard," Stryker replied smoothly.
Cinder's smile didn't falter.
"How do you want me to handle this?" Stryker asked.
Cinder tilted her head slightly, her tone dripping with amusement.
"Simple, really."
Her golden eyes glowed faintly.
"Bring Rose and Arc back alive."
She let the words linger before her expression darkened.
"Kill the rest."
Stryker gave a silent nod before turning and walking away, disappearing as quickly as she had arrived.
Roman let out a low whistle.
"Well, then." He placed his hands behind his head. "This is gonna be fun."
Cinder's smirk deepened.
"It will, indeed."
VALE – ICE CREAM PARLOR
The small ice cream parlor was lively, filled with the soft hum of conversation and the occasional sound of scoops clinking against metal tubs.
Inside, Ruby and Jaune stood near the counter, glancing at the array of flavors, while Ren was on damage control.
"Nora."
Ren's tone was half-exasperated, half-pleading as he stood between her and the enormous glass case of ice cream.
"You're an adult now. Please try to act like one."
Nora turned to him with her sweetest smile.
"I'm trying, Renny." She batted her eyelashes. "But look at all these AWESOME flavors!"
She gestured dramatically toward the case.
"Vanilla, Mint Chocolate Chip, Rocky Road, Cookie Dough, Mango Swirl, Caramel Brownie, Bubblegum—"
She continued listing flavors, her excitement growing with each one.
Ruby let out a chuckle, shaking her head.
"Just like old times."
Jaune smirked slightly. "Ha. Yep. Just like old times."
Ruby turned back to the menu board.
"So… what are you gonna get?"
"Hmm." Ruby tapped her chin. "I'm stuck between strawberry and cookie dough."
"What about you?" she asked, looking at Jaune.
"Well, when it comes to…"
Jaune's words trailed off.
Ruby noticed the shift immediately.
She turned her head—only to see Jaune frozen in place, his gaze locked onto something.
His hand trembled slightly.
Ruby followed his line of sight—
And her chest tightened.
Neapolitan.
Jaune's fingers clenched.
Before she could reach for him, Jaune suddenly turned and bolted.
"Jaune!"
Ruby's heart dropped as she watched him rush out of the parlor.
Ren and Nora, who had been too caught up in their ice cream debate, snapped their heads toward her.
Their expressions immediately turned to concern.
Without another word, Ruby took off after him.
Outside, her eyes darted around the busy streets—
And then she saw him.
Jaune was crossing the road, slipping into a narrow alleyway just across the street.
Ruby's stomach twisted.
Velvet stepped up beside Ruby, her brows furrowed in concern as she watched Jaune disappear into the alleyway.
"Is Jaune okay?" she asked, her voice soft but worried.
Ruby exhaled, shaking her head slightly.
"I don't know, Velvet." She turned her gaze toward the alley's entrance. "I'm going to go check on him."
She took a quick glance at the street, making sure no vehicles were approaching before crossing over.
As she entered the alleyway, she immediately spotted Jaune.
He was grabbing at his hair, pacing back and forth in a restless, frantic motion.
Her heart clenched at the sight.
"Jaune?"
At the sound of her voice, Jaune froze.
His hands slowly lowered as he turned to look at her—before his gaze dropped to the ground.
"Sorry, Ruby."
His voice was strained, but he forced out a small, humorless chuckle.
"I just… I just needed some air."
Ruby took a step closer, her expression gentle.
"I understand," she said softly.
She hesitated for a moment before offering, "If you want, we could all just go."
Jaune quickly shook his head.
"No, no. That's okay."
He took a breath, trying to steady himself.
"I think I'll just stay out here."
A small smirk formed on his lips.
"Besides, Nora would throw a fit if we left now."
Ruby let out a light chuckle, relieved to see at least a hint of his usual self coming through.
"Yeah, she would."
She tilted her head slightly.
"You want anything in particular?"
Jaune was silent for a second.
Then, he smiled—just a little.
"Cookies 'n' Cream."
Ruby's lips curved into a small smile of her own.
"Coming right up."
She turned and headed back across the street, re-entering the parlor.
Jaune, now alone, slowly backed up until his shoulders pressed against the cool brick wall.
He slid down into a seated position, his elbows resting on his knees.
His hands clenched together, fingers intertwining as he let out a deep, shaky breath.
ALPHA BASE – WBY ROOM
Weiss sat on her bed, her red headphones snug over her ears, completely immersed in the soothing sounds of the ocean.
She didn't notice the door open.
She didn't hear the soft footsteps approaching.
It wasn't until she felt a hand gently grasp her shoulder that she flinched, her body tensing on instinct.
Quickly, she turned her head— only to see Crystal standing beside her.
Weiss let out a slow breath and removed her headphones.
"Please don't do that again," she muttered, setting them aside.
"I apologize, Weiss." Crystal's voice was calm, sincere. "Might I ask what you were just listening to?"
Weiss exhaled, relaxing slightly.
"Nothing special," she admitted. "The sounds of the ocean. Nature. It really helps a lot."
A small, almost fond smile crossed her lips.
"Ruby gave me her headphones and sent me some music to help."
Crystal nodded, watching her daughter closely.
"I see."
Without another word, Crystal pulled a chair from nearby and sat across from Weiss.
"How are you feeling?" she asked gently.
Weiss thought for a moment before shrugging lightly.
"A bit better," she answered. "I've been enjoying the peace and quiet today."
"That's good," Crystal said, a hint of relief in her voice. "You've improved a lot in these past couple of months."
"Thank you, Mother."
Weiss smiled softly.
Then—it faded.
Her eyes lowered slightly, guilt creeping into her expression.
"…I'm sorry."
Crystal's brow furrowed. "Sorry? For what?"
Weiss took a breath.
"When you came back… back at the mansion two months ago… I took out all my anger on you."
Crystal's gaze softened.
"You had every right to, Weiss," she said simply.
Weiss looked up at her, surprised.
Crystal leaned forward slightly, resting her hands on her lap.
"I forced you to pretend I was dead for years," she admitted. "And then I suddenly came back into your life… I knew you'd be angry."
Weiss clenched her hands slightly.
"But the things I said to you—"
"Were correct."
Weiss blinked.
Crystal's expression didn't waver.
"I was a cold-hearted woman." She exhaled deeply. "The only things I cared about were money and the company. You and Winter were miserable. And I did nothing."
Crystal's voice was calm, but there was a deep weight behind it.
"You probably would've still hated me if I was still that person today."
Weiss hesitated before asking, "But… what made you change?"
Crystal met her daughter's gaze, then slowly lifted her hand.
Weiss instinctively glanced toward the window.
Outside, the flowers in the garden began to grow taller, their petals opening as if drawn to her mother's energy.
Weiss's eyes widened.
Crystal lowered her hand.
"The day I received the powers of the Spring Maiden."
Weiss was silent for a moment.
Then, she nodded slowly.
"…Okay."
Her voice was steady—but there was curiosity beneath it.
"Tell me the whole story."
Crystal blinked. "The entire story?"
She raised a brow. "Are you sure? It's a long one."
Weiss chuckled lightly.
"Please?"
Crystal smiled softly.
"Alright," she said, settling into her seat.
"I'll start from the beginning."
FREEWAY
The vehicle cruised steadily down the freeway, the sky above shifting into the warm hues of late afternoon.
Inside, Ruby, Ren, Velvet, Nora, and Jaune sat cramped together in the backseats, each holding a small cup of ice cream.
Despite the limited space, the atmosphere was light.
"I told you, Renny," Nora said between spoonfuls. "Vale ice cream is the BEST!"
Ren, unable to hold back a smile, glanced at her.
"I know, Nora."
Jaune let out a chuckle, his cup halfway finished.
"This is nice," he admitted, leaning back slightly. "The five of us, crammed in a car, eating ice cream."
His smile grew softer.
"Just like old times."
Ruby turned her head, watching him closely.
For the first time in months, Jaune was truly smiling.
Not a small, forced smile.
Not a brief moment of amusement before sadness crept back in.
A real, genuine smile.
She felt a warmth in her chest.
"I agree," Velvet said, exhaling lightly. "It's good to have moments like this."
Ruby nodded. "Yes, indeed."
She was about to reminisce further when—
THUMP.
A heavy, dull impact sounded from above.
The group froze.
Ren's relaxed expression disappeared as he instinctively reached for StormFlower.
The atmosphere in the car shifted instantly.
Then—
CRASH!
The driver's side window exploded.
A hand—strong, fast— shot inside, grabbing the driver by the collar.
"What the hell?!"
Before the driver could react, he was yanked out of the car—
And thrown directly into the path of an oncoming truck.
A sickening impact.
Gunfire erupted.
The passenger was hit multiple times, their body jerking violently before slumping over.
The car swerved violently.
Ruby barely had time to brace herself before the entire vehicle tilted—
Flipping.
The world blurred.
Metal screeched. Glass shattered.
The car rolled down the freeway like a discarded toy, spinning multiple times before coming to a crashing stop.
Smoke rose from the wreckage.
Nearby vehicles screeched to a halt.
Doors slammed open.
Figures exited, moving swiftly—Dark Seekers.
Their weapons glinted in the fading sunlight.
Inside the wreck, Jaune groaned.
His head throbbed.
Vision swimming, he forced himself to lift his head.
Next to him, Ren and Velvet stirred, coughing as they tried to regain their bearings.
But—
Ruby and Nora weren't moving.
Jaune's breath hitched.
His fingers clenched into fists as he turned, catching sight of the Dark Seekers approaching.
He gritted his teeth.
"We need to go."
Jaune gritted his teeth, his heartbeat pounding in his ears.
No time to hesitate.
With a quick motion, he unsheathed Crocea Mors.
He and Velvet crawled out of the wreckage, their movements hurried but precise.
As soon as they were on their feet—
A figure emerged.
Jaune's eyes widened.
A woman stood a few feet away, her face hidden beneath a sleek mask, a long cloak fluttering in the wind.
She lifted a grenade launcher—aiming directly at them.
Stryker.
Jaune barely had time to react.
"MOVE!"
With a hard shove, he pushed Velvet out of the way and lifted his shield.
BOOM!
The grenade impacted against Crocea Mors' shield form.
The explosion erupted with a forceful blast.
The sheer impact sent Jaune flying backward—
Over the freeway.
He crashed into a bus, the impact crumpling metal as the vehicle flipped onto its side, skidding several feet before smashing into a light post.
Smoke and shattered glass filled the air.
Velvet, now hiding behind a nearby vehicle, took a shaky breath.
Her hand immediately reached for her camera.
She pulled it up, aiming at Ren, who was also crouched behind the wreckage, taking cover.
With a quick snap, she captured a perfect image—
StormFlower.
In seconds, a light projection of the twin pistols formed in her hands.
"Ready?" she asked, gripping them tightly.
Ren gave a firm nod.
"Let's go."
The two jumped out from cover, opening precise, rapid fire at the incoming Dark Seekers.
Stryker, unfazed, calmly reloaded her grenade launcher.
She raised it once more, her aim locking onto Velvet.
Velvet's eyes widened.
Not good.
She sprinted away just as Stryker fired.
BOOM!
The explosion engulfed the vehicle behind her, the force knocking Velvet off balance.
As she tumbled, she reached desperately for something—
Her hands caught a light post.
With a quick maneuver, she used it to swing herself down, landing safely on the ground below.
Her breathing was ragged, but she wasn't done yet.
She immediately broke into a run.
Her target?
The crashed bus.
Stryker watched Velvet retreating.
Unacceptable.
Without hesitation, she discarded the grenade launcher, letting it clatter against the pavement.
She snatched an assault rifle from one of the Dark Seekers.
Stepping to the edge of the freeway, she aimed—
And opened fire.
Bullets rained down.
Civilians screamed, scattering in panic.
Velvet kept running, dodging between parked cars, using them as cover.
"Bring me Rose alive."
Stryker's voice was cold, mechanical.
"Kill the rest."
One of the Dark Seekers nodded and signaled the others.
As they moved forward—
CRACK!
A shockwave tore through the air.
Then—
A hammer swung into view.
Magnhild.
BOOM!
The force sent the nearest Dark Seekers flying, their bodies launching into the air like ragdolls.
Nora stood at the freeway's edge, her grin wide.
"Wakey, wakey, boys!"
She turned slightly, catching sight of Ren.
He was crouched beside Ruby, trying to wake her.
Nora nodded to herself before looking back.
But—
Her smile faded.
Stryker was gone.
Jaune groaned, his head spinning as he slowly opened his eyes.
He was inside the flipped bus.
Broken seats. Shattered glass. Smoke drifting in the air.
His fingers instinctively reached out, grabbing his shield.
But—
His sword was missing.
Damn.
Jaune quickly climbed out of the wreck, scanning his surroundings—
And froze.
Stryker stood a few feet ahead, rifle raised.
Her aim was locked onto him.
Jaune tensed.
She was about to fire—
Then—
BOOM!
An explosion erupted behind her.
Stryker swiftly rolled to cover, dodging the sudden blast.
Jaune's eyes shot upward—
Nora.
She stood on top of a wrecked vehicle, her hammer still aimed forward, smoke trailing from it.
"GO FIND VELVET!"
She didn't look at him—
She just kept her weapon trained ahead.
"I'LL TAKE IT FROM HERE!"
Jaune hesitated.
Then—he nodded.
Without another word, he turned and ran.
Nora watched him go—
Then her eyes narrowed.
Stryker was nowhere in sight. "…Where'd she go?"
CONTROL ROOM – ALPHA BASE
Ironwood stood stiffly in front of the large strategic display, his eyes locked onto a flashing red dot hovering over Vale.
Something was happening.
His jaw tightened as he stepped forward, pressing a button on the central computer panel.
Instantly, the screen switched to live footage.
What he saw wasn't good.
The freeway was littered with wreckage, vehicles either flipped, burning, or abandoned.
Smoke billowed into the sky.
Dark Seekers swarmed the area.
And in the middle of it all—
Ren and Nora were on the freeway, both on high alert.
Near them, Ruby lay motionless, unconscious.
Ironwood's eyes narrowed.
"Miss Polendina."
Across the room, Penny sat at her terminal, typing rapidly.
At the sound of Ironwood's voice, she swiveled in her chair, facing him immediately.
"Yes, sir?"
Her emerald-green eyes blinked attentively.
Ironwood didn't hesitate.
"Alert Miss Xiao Long and Miss Belladonna." His voice was sharp, authoritative.
Penny's expression shifted.
She could already tell something was wrong.
"Have them head to Vale, ASAP."
Penny gave a firm nod.
"You got it, sir."
Without another word, she spun back around, fingers flying across the keyboard, sending the emergency alert.
VALE – STREET
Stryker moved with a calm, calculated precision, her steps unhurried as chaos unfolded around her. Civilians screamed and fled, desperate to escape the violence that had erupted in the heart of the city. Their fear didn't concern her. Her focus remained on the task at hand.
Then—a voice.
She stopped mid-step.
Velvet.
It was faint, muffled slightly by the nearby wreckage, but it was unmistakably hers. The sound came from behind a damaged vehicle just a few feet away.
Stryker's hand instinctively moved to her belt, fingers brushing against a small metallic device. Without hesitation, she pressed a button, arming the mechanism before flicking her wrist and tossing it forward.
The device landed near Velvet's Scroll, which was playing an audio message.
Then—BOOM.
The explosion erupted with violent force, sending smoke and flames surging into the air. The vehicle shuddered under the impact, its windows blasting outward in a rain of shattered glass.
Stryker stood still, watching the wreckage impassively.
Then—impact.
From behind, Velvet struck.
She launched herself at Stryker, her legs coiling around the masked woman's neck in a crushing hold. With a grunt, Velvet hammered her fists against Stryker's head, aiming for any vulnerable spot she could find.
Stryker staggered slightly under the unexpected assault.
Then—she moved.
With a powerful leap, she threw herself backward, slamming Velvet directly into the hard surface of a concrete wall. The impact knocked the wind out of her opponent, Velvet's grip loosening instantly.
Stryker wasted no time.
She grasped Velvet's arm in an iron grip and, with a quick spin, hurled her across the street.
Velvet's body crashed onto the hood of a car, denting the metal on impact before rolling off onto the pavement with a painful thud.
Stryker's movements were calm and methodical as she lifted her rifle, adjusting her aim.
She prepared to fire.
Then—footsteps.
A blur of motion caught her attention from the side.
Jaune.
He was charging straight at her.
Stryker reacted instantly, shifting her weight before leaping into the air. As Jaune closed the distance, she twisted her body mid-air and drove her heel against his shield.
The force sent Jaune skidding backward, his boots scraping against the pavement as he struggled to regain control.
Stryker landed effortlessly, already raising her weapon.
She fired.
Jaune barely managed to brace himself, his shield absorbing the impact as bullets ricocheted off the reinforced metal.
Meanwhile, Velvet groaned, her vision still hazy from the crash.
Forcing herself onto her hands and knees, she scrambled for cover behind the same vehicle she had been thrown into moments before.
Then—a click.
Stryker's weapon ran empty.
Without missing a beat, she discarded it, letting the gun clatter onto the asphalt before leaping onto the hood of a nearby car.
Jaune pushed himself up, watching as she reached for a secondary weapon.
A pistol.
Her movements were swift—a single shot rang out.
Jaune dived behind cover just as the bullet whizzed past.
Without hesitation, he launched himself over the car, closing the gap in an instant.
His first punch slammed into her ribs.
His second strike landed against her side.
Stryker reeled slightly, but before he could press further, she lunged forward—her grip locking onto his shield.
In one fluid motion, she ripped it from his arm and tossed it aside like dead weight.
Jaune barely had time to react before her fist connected with his jaw.
The blow sent him stumbling backward, nearly knocking him off his feet.
Before he could recover, Stryker drew a knife.
Jaune's breathing was heavy, but he planted his feet firmly against the ground.
Then—they clashed.
Stryker's blade sliced through the air with precise, deadly swipes. Jaune ducked, dodging the slashes by mere inches. His fists moved quickly, landing solid blows whenever he found an opening.
A quick slice grazed his shoulder, but he barely acknowledged the pain.
He retaliated with a powerful punch, striking Stryker's mask directly.
The force of the impact was enough to send her stumbling back.
Jaune didn't stop.
He lunged forward, delivering a swift kick to her chest.
Stryker collided against a nearby truck.
Jaune saw his chance.
He surged toward her, his arms outstretched, ready to pin her down—
But Stryker's hand shot out first.
Her fingers clamped around his throat.
Jaune's eyes widened in shock.
Her grip was ironclad.
For a moment, she simply stared at him, expression unreadable behind the mask.
Then—
She threw him.
Jaune's body slammed onto the pavement, rolling several feet before skidding to a stop.
Jaune staggered back, pain radiating through his body as he struggled to remain standing. His breath came in ragged gasps, his mind barely able to process the chaos around him. But there was no time to falter. His gaze darted to the nearby ground, spotting his shield lying just within reach.
He lunged for it.
The second his fingers wrapped around the handle, Stryker was already on him. Her movements were fast, precise, ruthless. A powerful kick struck the metal of his shield, followed by a flurry of sharp punches aimed at his head and torso. Jaune braced himself, using every bit of his strength to deflect her attacks.
He needed an opening.
Summoning his remaining energy, he sidestepped a strike, pivoting sharply before grabbing Stryker's arm. With a sudden burst of force, he twisted his grip, flipping her body up and over him in a clean arc.
Stryker soared through the air, landing hard against the pavement with a heavy thud.
Jaune tensed, expecting her to recover immediately. But then—something caught his eye.
Her mask.
It had fallen away in the struggle, landing a few feet away.
Jaune's breath hitched.
Stryker pushed herself up, brushing dust from her clothes before turning to face him.
Jaune froze.
Everything inside him stilled.
Red hair.
Emerald-green eyes.
But there was something off—deep within those green irises, slits of red cut through them unnaturally. A familiar yet foreign presence, as though the person standing in front of him wasn't real.
His heart pounded violently. His grip on his shield loosened.
"Pyrrha?"
The name barely escaped his lips. It wasn't a question—it was a plea.
Stryker's brows furrowed slightly, her expression shifting to mild confusion.
"Who the hell is Pyrrha?" she asked, her voice carrying nothing but cold indifference.
Jaune felt his stomach drop.
His body screamed at him to move, to do something—but he was rooted to the spot, caught between shock and devastation.
Before he could form a response, Stryker moved without hesitation.
Her hand snapped to her holster, drawing a sleek black pistol. The barrel rose swiftly, aiming directly at his chest.
Jaune barely had time to react.
BANG!
A sharp, searing pain exploded in his shoulder.
A strangled yell tore from his throat as his shield slipped from his grip, clattering against the ground. His free hand shot up, clutching the wound instinctively as he staggered.
His breathing turned uneven.
Despite the burning agony, his focus never wavered from the woman standing before him.
"Pyrrha…" his voice trembled, his vision blurring slightly.
He shook his head, trying to push through the haze.
"Pyrrha, please."
His words were desperate, broken.
"It's me. Jaune."
For a moment, Stryker didn't respond.
Her pistol remained trained on him, her expression unreadable. Then, she tilted her head slightly, eyes flickering with something that almost looked like… curiosity.
"My name is Stryker." Her voice was sharp, matter-of-fact.
"Not Pyrrha."
Her finger twitched against the trigger.
"And I don't recognize you. At all."
Jaune felt his heart shatter.
Before she could pull the trigger again, a blur of red and silver came crashing into her from behind.
Stryker stumbled forward, her gun jerking upward as a powerful kick sent her sprawling.
Jaune gasped, blinking as a familiar figure landed beside him.
Ruby.
Her face was etched with urgency, one hand already reaching out to help him up.
Jaune winced, feeling the sharp pull of his injury as he allowed her to support him. But then, Ruby froze.
Her body stiffened, her expression morphing into something far more than shock.
She was staring at the woman on the ground.
"Pyrrha?"
The moment the name left her lips, Stryker's expression twisted.
"Stop calling me that name!" she snapped, her voice laced with irritation.
Her hand shot into her belt pouch, retrieving a small metallic device.
Before either of them could react, she threw it at the ground.
A brilliant flash erupted, blinding them instantly.
Jaune and Ruby instinctively shielded their eyes, staggering backward as the intense white light engulfed them.
Seconds passed.
Then—silence.
As the light faded, Jaune blinked rapidly, trying to clear his vision.
He turned to Ruby, then to the space where Stryker had been.
She was gone.
Ruby exhaled sharply, her chest rising and falling.
Velvet came rushing toward them, her face a mixture of disbelief and confusion.
"Was… was that…?"
Ruby swallowed hard, still trying to process what she had just seen.
"I… I think it was."
Her voice was barely a whisper.
She turned to Jaune—but he hadn't moved.
His entire body remained frozen, his eyes still locked onto the empty space where she had stood.
His expression was one of shock, grief… and something even deeper.
When he finally spoke, his voice was soft, broken.
"How is she alive?"
ALLEYWAY
The dull clang of metal on metal filled the narrow alleyway as Pyrrha's fists slammed repeatedly into the side of a rusted dumpster.
Her knuckles struck with violent force, the impact denting the surface with each blow.
She screamed.
A raw, guttural sound of anger, confusion, and pain.
Her breath came in ragged gasps, her body trembling with frustration.
Then, suddenly—
She stopped.
Her fingers curled into her hair, gripping it tightly as she fell to her knees.
The world around her blurred.
Her vision shifted.
The red slits in her emerald eyes flickered—
Then, vanished.
Her eyes returned to their natural green, free of the foreign taint that had clouded them moments before.
Pyrrha's chest rose and fell erratically, her body frozen as realization crept over her.
Slowly, she lifted her shaking hands.
Her breath hitched.
These hands…
They had hurt Jaune.
Her gaze drifted downward, taking in the sight of the armor covering her body.
Dark. Cold. Foreign.
It wasn't hers.
Nothing about this was hers.
A deep sense of dread pooled in her stomach, twisting painfully as her heart pounded against her ribs.
With a desperate gasp, she stumbled backward, pressing her back against the nearest wall.
She needed air.
She needed out.
Her fingers clawed at the armored gloves encasing her hands, yanking them off and flinging them away as though they were something toxic.
Her bare fingers trembled.
The weight of what she had just done crashed into her like a tidal wave.
Her lips parted, but only a whisper escaped—
"What… what did I just do?"
Then—
The tears came.
She curled into herself, her shoulders shaking violently as she sobbed into her hands.
Her cries were quiet, broken.
She had hurt him.
She had looked into Jaune's eyes and seen nothing.
No memories.
No recognition.
Only emptiness.
And yet, something deep inside her chest ached.
As if there was a piece of her that still knew.
A piece of her that was screaming to be let out.
But she didn't understand.
She didn't know who she was.
She wasn't Pyrrha.
She was Stryker.
Wasn't she?
In the shadows of the alleyway, a figure stood watching.
Cinder.
Her golden eyes glowed softly, a satisfied smile playing on her lips.
She had seen everything.
And she was more than pleased.