Chapter 37
Schnee Mansion
Weiss is seen walking down a long, carpeted hallway of blue, white and gray. Protruding columns from the walls are decorated with black sconces and lit candles. Nature paintings are hung in an alternating pattern between the columns. There is also the occasional cushioned chair or round coffee table placed along the walls.
Next, she is seen walking along an upper-level balcony above a large dining hall. A white and green floral centerpiece decorates the white-clothed table. Every column both above and below bears a sconce, but these candles are not lit. Beside Weiss on the balcony are large arch-shaped openings with white gauze curtains. Through one of the curtains, a crystal chandelier can be seen in another room. There is a shut, brown wooden door in the direction Weiss is heading.
Weiss walks down a wide stairway with curving balconies on either side above it. Large armor statues fill the space on either side of the bottom stairs. Behind Weiss, a paned triptych of arched windows lets in the sun, casting her shadow onto the blue-carpeted steps in front of her. The floor at the bottom of the stairs has a blue and white oval design in its center. Both levels have open archways leading to other rooms.
Walking in another room with blue and white floor patterns, Weiss strides pass a life-size statue of a King Taijitu without looking up. Once again, both the lower level and the balcony level have open archways and unlit sconces. A chandelier hangs from the ceiling.
An upward view shows that the chandelier is in the middle of a blue and white circular pattern that matches the floor pattern from the previous room.
From the point of view of a music room, Weiss is seen walking down another hallway. In the music room is a large grand piano with open sheet music. A portrait on the wall shows Whitley Schnee.
Weiss walks alone in the hallway, never having looked up the entire time until she has a startled reaction to hearing her brother's voice coming from right in front of her.
"Good afternoon, sister." Whitley called
A teenage boy, somewhat younger than Weiss, stands before her. He's got his hand on his chest and he affects a bow. "A pleasure to see you out of your room for a change."
Weiss sidesteps him and turns to speak, and since he moves to face her the effect is that of the two of them briefly circling each other.
"Hello, Whitley. You're in a cheery mood today." Weiss noted observing her brother
"Klein made crepes for breakfast." Whitley said as he clasps his hands behind his back and smirks at her.
"What do you want?" Weiss asked
"I heard Father shouting with someone in his study earlier."
"Mother?"
"No, she's already drinking in the garden. I think it was a man." Whitley waved her off
Weiss looks up at him on this.
"I just wanted to warn you. I heard he had asked to speak with you." Whitley said feigning concern
"I'll be fine." Weiss said
"I know you will. You are strong, like Winter."
"You never liked Winter." Weiss deadpanned
Behind Weiss the Schnee Dust Company emblem can be seen above the archway she was walking toward.
"True, but you can't deny her resolve." Whitley said
"You... seem different."
"And you've been gone. I'll have you know I didn't stop growing while you were away at Beacon." Whitley turns and walks away. As he does so, the lower half of a family portrait can just be seen on the wall between where the two were standing. "Anyway, good luck with Father!"
After he is gone, Weiss responds. "Thank you."
She continues walking, and there is a close-up view of the family portrait. Clockwise they are Jacques Schnee, Weiss, Whitley, Winter, and Mrs. Schnee. Jacques has black hair that is graying and a full mustache. Mrs. Schnee has a stern look on her face, Winter and Weiss are frowning, Whitley is smiling, and Jacques has a neutral expression.
Woods
With a gasp, Ruby open her eyes. This is the second time she's having a dream concerning Scorpion's demon form. She's lying in a red sleeping bag on a clearing in some woods. The rest of her group all have their own sleeping bag, except Sonya and Johnny who are sharing a sleeping bag as they are all sleeping around a long burned-out campfire. Ruby sits up and looks around. Birds can be heard tweeting and all seems peaceful. Ruby, however, puts her hand to the side of her head and sighs as though she's in pain.
Later on, the entire group are seen walking down a sunny road. Ruby is in front, looking at a map.
"So the next town is... uh-huh... uh-huh... We're lost." Ruby signs in defeat
"We're not lost. The next town is Shion. My family used to visit it all the time." Jaune said
"Oh yeah. Don't you have, like, four sisters?" Yang asked
"Uh, seven." Jaune said causing Pyrrha to giggle.
"You know, that actually explains a lot." Johnny said
"Wait, what do you mean?" Jaune asked
"So, what did you guys do there?" Liu Kang asked
"Oh, all sorts of stuff! Over here is a great hiking trail, and over here is where we went camping all the time. I got my own tent because I was special. Also, so my sisters would stop braiding my hair." Jaune said
"Didn't like the look?" Ruby asked
"Yeah, they just kept doing pigtails, but personally, I think I'm more of a "warrior's wolftail" kind of guy." Jaune
"That's just a ponytail." Pyrrha corrected
"I stand by what I said." Jauns said
Nora stops short, raising her hands to her lips as her eyes widen. Soon after, the rest of the group stops, as they visibly tense.
"Uh, guys?" Nora called
"Huh?" Ruby muttered
"What?" Jaune asked
Jaune and Ruby look up from the map. Their eyes widen and jaws drop. In front of them is a desolated village. The sky is gray and two columns of smoke rise in the air. A gazebo has a broken tower and lampposts are askew from the ground. At least one dead body can be seen on the side of the road approaching the town.
The map is dropped and they all rush forward. They briskly move into the town, looking around. Ren tosses his backpack on the ground and moves ahead while the others gather in the middle of a road.
"There could be survivors!" Ruby said
"Over here!" Ren called
The others then rush to where Ren is leading them. On the ground, sitting propped against a broken building wall is a young man in armor. He breathes heavily and holds his hand against a bleeding wound in his abdomen. Ren drops by his side and puts his hand on his shoulder.
"A Huntsman!" Ruby said
"What happened? Who killed all these people?" Yang asked
"Bandits. The whole tribe... Then, with all the panic…" The Huntsman couldn't finish and coughs repeatedly.
"Grimm." Sonya growled
Ren stands and walks a few paces away, placing his hands atop his head. Ruby, Jaune, and Nora step away to confer while the others are still watching the injured Huntsman
"Alright, we can get him to the next village and try to find a doctor there!" Ruby said
"Yeah. Ren and I can take turns carrying him there." Jaune
"I don't know if he'll make it." Nora said
"He will. He has to." Jaune said
"Guys." Johnny called causing the others to turn and discover that the Huntsman has already died.
"Should we bury him?" Nora
Liu Kang walks right past them without a backward glance. "We should go. It's not safe here."
Schnee Mansion
Weiss is standing outside her father's door and listening to the discussion inside. She hesitates to put her hand on the doorknob.
"I'm not talking about the good of my company; I'm talking about the good of Atlas, our entire Kingdom!" Jacques yelled
"That is a load of garbage and you know it." Iroonwood said as Weiss opens the door and peers in.
"I beg your pardon?!" Jacques scoffed
James Ironwood is sitting in a chair in front of a bookcase. "Jacques, will you please, just hear me out?"
Jacques places his glass down on the table roughly. "You are a trusted friend and ally to this family, James, but what you're suggesting is absurd!"
"You are blowing it out of proportion." Iroonwood said
"The council will never agree to it!" Jacques said
"They don't have a choice, especially with this coming crisis." Iroonwood said
"Your Dust embargo has already cost me millions! I can promise you, I have not forgotten!" Jacques said
"So this is about you." Iroonwood muttered as Weiss has come into the room, and she watches to two men awkwardly while the door shuts behind her. She startles at the sound while James and Jacques turn and look at her.
"Miss Schnee! My apologies. I should have been gone by now." Ironwood said while bowing
"It-it's okay." Weiss said
"We'll continue this at another time." Ironwood said
"Indeed. Klein can show you out."
"Don't worry, I know the way." Weiss steps aside so that Ironwood can reach the door. He turns and looks at her father. "Until next time, Jacques."
Jacques solemnly nods back at Ironwood, who turns to Weiss. "Please know, you'll always have a home at Atlas Academy, Miss Schnee. We'll be back in session once this crisis is delt with."
Ironwood leaves. A pan shot of Weiss and Jacques reveals a portrait of a younger black-haired Jacques hanging on the wall behind his desk.
"Did you forget your manners while you were away?" Jacques asked
He turns and walks to his desk, which is a few steps up from the chairs and tables where he and Ironwood were just sitting. Weiss looks annoyed at the comment but calms down with a sigh. "No, Father. I'm sorry."
"Can you believe there are still people in the world that blame Atlas for what happened to Beacon? To Vale?"
"Well, they weren't there." Weiss said
Weiss begins walking across the room to stand before his desk.
"It's a wonder Ironwood wasn't stripped of his rank." Jacques muttered as he finally sits down, swinging the seat so that his back is to Weiss. "I suppose the council trusts him, for better or worse."
"I trust him." Weiss said
Jacques signed and turned toward his daughter. "Thanks to him, Atlas is forbidden from exporting Dust to other Kingdoms. "A precautionary measure", as he puts it, "until we're certain no one is going to declare war". How anyone could possibly find that to be sound logic is beyond me."
Weiss blinks at her father, clearly uncomfortable. There is one framed picture on the desk, and it's of Whitley.
"Which is why the Schnee Dust Company will be holding a charity concert in the coming weeks." Jacques said
Weiss looks up at him in surprise as he continues. "We need to show the people of Remnant that we are on their side. That we are all victims of the fall of Beacon."
"That's... wonderful news." Weiss muttered
"I know. And I think it would make a lot of people happy if you performed at the event."
"Excuse me?"
"Many forget that you were there. My own daughter, a Schnee, on the grounds, defending another Kingdom! We need to remind them! And we need to show them that the Schnee family is just as strong as ever!" Jacques said
"Are you asking me if I'd like to sing, or telling me?" Weiss asked
Jacques leans forward and makes a tent with the fingers of his hand as he meaningfully gazes at Weiss. "I think it would make a lot of people happy."
"I'll start practicing." Weiss signed
"That's... my girl."
Weiss shuts the door to her father's office and turns to find the butler waiting for her with a tray.
"Hot coffee, Miss Schnee? I always find he keeps his study dreadfully cold." Klein said
Weiss takes the mug off of the tray with a smile. "Thank you, Klein."
"You know what I think? Klein lifts the tray to cover his face before dropping it dramatically as he leans forward toward Weiss making a less-than-formal face, his brown eyes having turned red. "I think it's to balance out all his hot air."
Weiss' eyes widen in delight and she turns and looks over her shoulder at the closed office door. She turns back to Klein with a giggle. "Klein!"
The two giggle together before he fakes a sneeze, and his eyes turn blue. "Uh, apologies, madam."
Klein pretends to sneeze again. Weiss giggles merrily, hiding her smile behind her hand. Klein wiggles his mustache and looks up. His eyes turn yellow. "Ah, there's my happy little snowflake."
Weiss breathes a sigh that releases some weight off her shoulders, and she gives the butler a genuine grin. "Thank you, Klein."
"You know, I think you should invite some of your friends to watch you perform." Klein said
"I doubt they will be able to make it in time." Weiss said before an idea hit her. "Except they can travel to any location in the world in an instant." With that Weiss brought out her scroll to send a message
Land of Darkness, Salem's Training Ground
Cinder and Salem are alone in the training ground, while Kabal and Scorpion wait by the door as they observe the training session. Cinder is breathing heavily with effort while Salem has her right hand casually held out. As the training continues, Kabal decides to start up a conversation.
"So, what's it like being a zombie?" Kabal asked causing Scorpion to groan
"I am not a zombie."
"Right Spectre, still the same thing though. Say are you and Blue Berry brothers?"
"By the Elder gods, you remind me of Cage." Scorpion signed. "No we're not brothers."
"So you guys are just Ninja's that happen to look alike?"
"Sub Zero is not a Ninja, he's an assassin." Scorpion corrected
"Then why dress like one?" Kabal asked scratching his head
"It's complicated. Why did you join the Black Dragons?" Scorpion asked
"Me? Well I was kinda born into it, so no interesting backstory."
"Hmm, I almost feel bad for burning you." Scorpion said
"Hey, don't you start going soft on me. I'm still killing you, once I figure out how to do so that is." Kabal said
"I said almost, doesn't mean I completely regret it." Scorpion scoffed. "You did stab me in the heart."
"Heh, guess I did." Just then Scorpion received a message from his scroll causing him to raise a brow. Taking out his scroll he noticed the message was from Weiss.
"Hey. Don't know if you'll see this, let alone read it. But I just wanted to let you know I'll be performing tonight at my father's Charity. So I was hoping maybe you'll show up, P.S I miss you."
"Girlfriend?" Kabal asked teasingly having seen part of the message
"It's none of your business." Scorpion said as he pocketed his scroll
"Hey, you don't need to worry, your secret's safe with me."
"If I were you, I'd be worried about Cinder." Scorpion said
"Heyyy, what the heck does that mean?"
"Oh nothing." Scorpion said with a smirk before teleporting away, causing Kabal to fume as he returned back to watching Salem train Cinder
"Do you feel it? Don't fight it, girl. It can sense your trepidation. You must make it dread you." Salem said to Cinder
A soft clicking sound makes Cinder turn toward the door. All is blackness but for a slowly moving forward yellow glow. It is revealed to be inside a jellyfish-based Grimm with long red tentacles and a black and white body.
It glides its way over to Salem. Once the Seer Grimm reaches her side, she leans closer to it. After a moment, she puts her hands together.
"Cinder, I am going to ask you this one more time, and I expect a clear answer. Did you kill Ozpin?" Salem asked
"I-" Cinder whispered causing Salem to slam both hands on the ground, eyes glowing as she speaks.
"No! I want to hear you say it."
"No." Cinder muttered as Salem looks at her for a long moment before speaking.
"Withdraw our numbers at Beacon. The Relic is most definitely not there." Salem said as The Seer Grimm glides away. At the door. Salem turns her head thoughtfully, looking in the direction away from Cinder and bringing her fingers to her chin. "What are you planning?"
Schnee Charity Ball Room
The broken moon shines brightly to the sound of Weiss Schnee singing.
She stands alone on a large, empty stage, singing a wordless aria, her arms outstretched. She is perfectly positioned below the center of the painted emblem of Atlas that dominates the stage.
The song changes to emphatic lyrics.
"I'm not your pet, not another thing you own.
I was not born guilty of your crimes.
Your riches and your influence can't hold me anymore.
I won't be possessed,
burdened by your royal test.
I will not surrender.
This life is mine."
Weiss concludes her song and bows while the audience applauds. She looks up to the balcony above stage left where her father and brother are watching. Jacques Schnee remains seated, not applauding, while Whitley Schnee is standing giving a slower paced, sarcastic clap. Weiss looks back at the audience, all clapping still in their seats. She turns and walks backstage, her feigned smile replaced with a frown.
"Guess he couldn't make it." Weiss thought
A waiter carrying martini glasses on a tray opens up a door and enters the ballroom where people mill about to soft piano notes. He holds the tray next to a young man, who takes a glass before walking off. A blonde woman in a dark green halter dress stops to look at the waiter before moving on. Background conversation is audible.
"Need anything else?" The Waiter asked the woman
"No." Blonde Woman replied as she walks up to a man.
"Hey. Nice dress." Background Man said
"What, this old thing?" Blonde Woman scoffed
"Heh. Didn't you enjoy the performance?"
"Yes, she has a lovely voice." She said
Meanwhile, on the far opposite end of the room is a display area with three large paintings and two abstract statues. To one side Jacques is conversing with a man in glasses and a gray-haired woman in a green dress. They are laughing. Weiss is behind her father, looking at the floor with her hands held primly behind her back. Whitley stands similar further behind their father, only his gaze is directly on him.
"That's precisely my point. We offer Faunus the exact same wages given to the rest of our mining staff. Their argument's completely invalid right out of the gate." Jacques said
"Well, I think the bigger issue here is our society as a whole." Businessman said causing Weiss to groan
"Why, you mean Atlas?" Jacques scoffed
As they converse, Weiss looks over to the largest painting on the end of the ballroom, depicting Beacon Academy with its Cross Continental Transmit tower still standing.
"Atlas, Mantle... You can't deny the economic disparity between the two." Businessman states
"I mean, what exactly are you suggesting?" Businesswoman asked
Weiss starts to step away, only to have her forearm grabbed by her father, who doesn't even turn around. Weiss halts, startled.
"I'm just saying I don't think it's necessarily an issue of compensation as much as it is one of opportunity…"
"Where are you going?" Jacques asked pulling Weiss
"I'm... just a little thirsty." Weiss said with a meek expression
"Sweetheart, we have people for that." Jacques lets go of Weiss and begins to raise his arm to call over a waiter. Weiss stops him by grabbing his forearm, prompting a sideways glance from Whitley.
"What? No, I can get it. I'll be right back, I promise." Weiss said as the two lock gazes as the conversation next to them continues.
"Look, no one asked them to move here." Businesswoman said
"But companies like the SDC promised jobs." Businessman added
Jacques decides to let Weiss go and turns back to his companions. "I'm sorry, I tuned out for a second, but sounds like I'm the good guy again?"
Jacques and the businesswoman share a laugh. Weiss moves across the room to look at the painting of Beacon Academy. She has barely reached it when Henry Marigold speaks to her.
"It's beautiful. You two match." Henry said
Weiss stands with her arms crossed, maintaining a cold expression throughout most of the conversation. "Yes, it's a lovely painting."
"So, that was my attempt at breaking the ice. How am I doing so far?" Henry asked
"You are leaving a lot to be desired." Weiss signed
"Well, I've always appreciated honesty. Henry. Marigold." He said offering his hand
Weiss turns her head to look at him. "Weiss Schnee." She lightly places her fingers across his in a very loose handshake.
"I know, I saw your performance." Henry cringes at himself before clearing his throat. "Obviously. You were wonderful. And I promise I'm not just saying that 'cause you're pretty."
Weiss turns her attention back to the painting, and there is brief silence between the two.
"Honesty, remember? So, you thinking about buying it?" Henry begins to rattle the railing as he speaks.
"No. I don't think so." Weiss said
"Yeah, kinda pricey for a painting."
"It's to raise money." Weiss said in an annoyed voice
"Oh really? For what?"
"For what?" Weiss asked throwing him a disgusted look
"Heheh, I'll admit, I only come to these things for the food and drinks." He reaches out and takes a champagne flute as a waiter walks by. "And the extraordinary company. Of course."
As he sips his drink, Weiss shifts her stance to face him.
"So what, is it another Mantle fundraiser or something?" Henry asked
"Get. Out."
"What?" Henry asked with a small laugh
"Get out, or I will have security escort you out." Weiss threatened
"But I haven't done any-"
"Leave!" Weiss takes on a more aggressive stance as she raises her voice. He stares at her in disbelief before obeying.
"Pfft, whatever." She watches him walk away, and once he is gone, she turns back to the painting, crosses her arms and closes her eyes.
"No, no, no! I asked for a double sundae! This is completely…" A Businessman complained
"I'm so sorry. Sir." Waiter apologized
Back to the Beacon Academy painting, it then shows the sign in front of the display, which reads:
"SHOW THE WORLD WE CARE. All proceeds go to the Kingdom of Vale".
Weiss' eyes are open again as if she had just been observing the painting, and she once again closes her eyes. The chatter of the party guests grows louder, but one voice stands out among the rest.
"But really, does it come as any surprise, what happened to Vale?" Trophy Woman asked
Weiss opens her eyes and turns slightly, peering over her shoulder at the woman.
"It was a long time coming if you ask me." She continues
"Honey…" The Trophy Woman's Husband places his hand on her shoulder, trying to shush her, but she shakes it off, leaving him to glance around the room with a forced, nervous grin.
"What?" She asked laughing. "You said the same thing last night. If they're so arrogant to think they can get by without proper kingdom defense, then I say good riddance."
While she talks, her Husband drops the act and heaves a silent sigh. The Trophy Wife's rant is cut off by a voice shouting angrily across the room at her.
"Shut up!" Weiss yelled as the room falls silent, and all of the party goers turn to look at her.
"Weiss?" Jacques turned to Weiss
Her voice still raised, Weiss angrily gestures to the guests while she speaks. "You don't have a clue! None of you do!"
"Excuse me?" Trophy Woman asked annoyed
"You're all just standing around talking about nothing! Worrying about your hair, your money, your stupid problems that don't mean anything!" Weiss growled
Her father quickly approaches her while Whitley looks on with a faint smile on his face.
"Weiss, that's enough." He grabs her wrist, and she immediately begins struggling to pull away.
"Let go of me!"
"You're embarrassing the family!"
"I said let go!" Weiss breaks free her father's grasp with a harsh tug, but in the process, she loses her balance and collapses to the floor. Suddenly, a glyph manifests next to Weiss, and a Boarbatusk is summoned. She looks at it with wide eyes, her jaw dropping. The Boarbatusk Summon charges toward the Trophy Woman.
"Please, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, just leave me alone." The Woman begged
It leaps toward her and her Husband, jaws wide open, but it is shot down by James Ironwood before it can reach her.
"Arrest her! What are you waiting for? She's insane, she should be locked up." The Woman demands
"She's the only one making sense around here. Thanks for the party, Jacques." The general casually makes his exit. Still on the floor, Weiss looks up to see her father turn to glare at her.
Forest
As the Group continue out of Oniyuri, Liu Kang suddenly senses something. He puts out his hand to stop the others, eyes closing as he focuses. Somewhere close by Tyrian Callows can be seen running. Ren having sensed the same thing draws his weapon. The rest of the group immediately follow suit. Tyrian soon leaps high over the wall to engage them in kombat.
He immediately takes out his weapons in a seamless motion and, laughing eagerly, moves to attack Ruby. Ren intervenes, StormFlower clashing with Tyrian's claw blades. Ren attempts to both kick and shoot Tyrian, but he dodges. The two have a couple more attack and parries until Tyrian kicks Ren several feet away.
Tyrian turns to go after Ruby again, who rushed forward with Crescent Rose to meet him. Tyrian uses his blades to block the scythe and kicks Ruby backward. She easily remains upright and they clash again. Tyrian manages to land a strike on Ruby's right arm, causing her to cry out at the pain and him to laugh. She's doesn't break stride however and leaps back to take a swing at him with her scythe. He dodges and then lands a moving blow against the body of Crescent Rose, causing a red shimmer to cross her Aura in the area of the strike.
Jaune steps in at that moment and Tyrian climbs onto his shield and grins at him. Nora rushes in with Magnhild, but Tyrian just leaps from Jaune's shield to her hammer and up through the top story of a narrow, rectangular building. Holding himself up with his feet on wooden frames to either side of him, Tyrian looks down at group of teens.
" Quan Chi was right, she does have Silver eyes." Tyrian thought with a grin
"We're not looking for a fight!" Jaune said
"Who are you?" Liu Kang asked
Tyrian leans forward, drops from the tower, does a front flip, and lands on his feet in front of them.
"Who I am matters not to any of you." Tyrian said before facing Ruby. "No, I only matter to you."
He points to Ruby, and the rest of the group turn to look at her. She tilts her head in confusion. "Me?"
"You, you haven't the slightest clue, do you? Oh, how exciting this must be." Tyrian starts laughing
"What do you want?" Ruby asked
Tyrian begins acting dramatically in response to her tone of voice. "Oh, the rose has thorns! My little flower, I'm here to whisk you away with me!"
"Well, what if she doesn't want to go with you?" Nora asked
He stares for a moment with his lips scrunched up before answering. "Well, I'll take her."
Pyrrha walks over and stands between her and Ruby, her shield held in front of her. "We're not going to let you do that."
Tyrian closes his eyes and inhales through his teeth. His eyes slowly open, and he happily growls a single word with a dark grin. "Good."
Delighted that they're willing to fight, Tyrian moves fast to attack Pyrrha from behind.
"Pyrrha!" Ren deliberately shoots Pyrrha's shield so that the ricochet hits Tyrian. Tyrian covers his eyes with his arm and then cartwheels onto Pyrrha's shield, using his claw blades to spin in the air against it. Ruby steps in to face Tyrian on his descent, but he just kicks her to the side. She regains her ground by using Crescent Rose to steady herself. Jaune takes a swing with his sword at Tyrian, but he simply dodges and kicks him away as well.
His next move is to run toward Nora. From across the way, Ruby grins and shoots Nora with lightning Dust. It passes just over Tyrian's left shoulder, and he turns as he senses it. Nora gets knocked down when the bolt makes contact, dropping Magnhild in the process.
Mistaking the move for an error on Ruby's part, Tyrian gives Nora a baffled stare and laughs while the group simply watch and wait.
"Well, if that isn't ironic." Tyrian said
He senses something is up and loses his mirth. With a determined, satisfied grin, a now upright and supercharged Nora rushes Tyrian from behind, moving over his right shoulder and coming before him just in time to hit him with Magnhild. The blast from the contact has the others covering their eyes from the backwash of dust and air, Jaune actually taking cover behind his shield.
The air clears to reveal a perfectly fine Tyrian in a crouch, using his now unveiled scorpion tail to block Magnhild. He giggles and curls his fingers at Nora.
"Surprise." He kicks Nora twice in the face before leaping backwards and upward onto a roof, leaving his coat behind.
"He's... a Faunus." Ren muttered
"What is this about? The White Fang? Roman Torchwick?" Ruby asked
"Plastic soldiers and pawns. My heart and body belong only to our goddess!" Tyrian said
"Cinder…" Pyrrha asked
"Hmph, only in her wildest dreams." Tyrian leaps back into the fray. He uses his tail to knock Crescent Rose down. Though surprised, Ruby doesn't lose her grip on it. The two both attack each other and miss until Tyrian kicks Ruby backwards again.
Tyrian uses his tail to go after Ren before finally kicking him away and attacking Jaune next.
Having had enough Liu Kang jumps into the fray to deliver a flying kick to Tyrian but the Faunus was able to block the attack, but Liu Kang didn't stop there as he continued to deliver more kicks until his kicks evolved into a bicycle kick that took Tyrian's face, chest and shoulder knocking him back a few feet.
"Okay, I was not expecting that. Then again I wasn't expecting to expect anything so bring it on." Tyrian said standing up
"And I thought I was crazy." Johnny muttered
Then an incoming crow turns into Qrow Branwen who keeps running forward after landing. Tyrian is about to strike with his scorpion tail when Qrow bursts through a building and inserts himself between them, holding his weapon behind his back. There's a metallic noise as Tyrian's stinger hits against Qrow's weapon and clips into the blade. He lets out a nervous giggle of surprise while Ruby, Yang and Qrow make eye contact and smile at each other. "Hey."