Argus, Atlas Base

Team RWBY sat in a sterile meeting room, still shaken from the earlier chaos. Commander Cordovin, flanked by Atlas officers, had just seen Adam taken away and secured in a cell. With a curt nod, she dismissed Tweedledee and Tweedledum, leaving her alone with the team.

Taking a measured seat, Cordovin looked over the battered but determined faces before her. After a heavy pause, Ruby spoke first. "Thank you for getting us to the infirmary... Adam really left his mark on us today."

Cordovin sighed deliberately and then rose, moving to the window as she spoke in a cool, controlled tone. "Miss Rose, I see you still possess a fully functional scroll?"

Ruby glanced around uncertainly. "Uh... yes, it works just fine."

Cordovin's gaze hardened as she continued, "And all its features are intact? The speakers, the interface?"

"Yes," Ruby replied softly.

Cordovin then turned to Ruby, her tone growing sterner. "Now, tell me clearly—what were my orders?"

Yang piped up from behind Ruby, "We were supposed to secure the wall, right?"

Cordovin's eyes fixed on Ruby. "I'm asking you, Miss Rose."

Ruby's face paled as she stuttered, "W-we were told to hold the wall, ma'am."

Turning her attention to the entire group, Cordovin said coldly, "Then explain why, upon reaching the wall, you all chose to retreat—allowing a notorious criminal and a swarm of uncontrolled Grimm to wreak havoc through the city center, all while leaving behind wreckage that would make any military commander weep."

With a few swift motions, she pulled up her scroll, displaying a series of surveillance videos on the holographic display. The footage showed the chaotic retreat, the confused, panicked expressions, and the destruction left in their wake.

Ruby's face turned stony. "But—but—" she began, voice trembling with frustration.

Cordovin cut her off sharply, "No excuses, Miss Rose. You were entrusted with a critical post, yet at the first sign of trouble, you abandoned it."

Blake leaped to Ruby's defense. "That's completely devoid of context!" she exclaimed, her tone pleading for understanding.

Cordovin's eyes flashed dangerously as she growled, "Keep your pets under control."

Yang stepped forward, her eyes red with anger, while Weiss gritted her teeth and shouted, "Excuse me?!"

Ruby raised a trembling hand, silencing them. In a shaky voice, she said, "When we arrived, Adam was slaughtering the Huntsmen who were already stationed there. Some of us have encountered him before, and we knew that the only way to deal with him was to get him as far away from the breach as possible."

Cordovin scoffed, "Abandoning your post in the process? Exceedingly convenient. I gave you all a degree of trust far beyond what you've earned, and today you displayed outright cowardice. You saw your comrades, your brothers and sisters, lying in their own blood, and it proved too much for you to stand your ground. Were it within my power, I'd revoke your provisional status and recommend you be permanently barred from The Guild."

Meaning... They won't be able to become huntresses.

Ruby's eyes flashed with indignation as she shouted, "We're not cowards! We've been fighting for so long—"

Cordovin slammed her hands on the desk, cutting her off. "Have you? How am I to know? All you've given me is a fanciful tale, a series of excuses I now regret entertaining. You never truly faced Beacon's fires—if you had, you'd still be there. You haven't clashed at Haven, or else you'd be helping to rebuild it. No, Miss Rose, I suspect you've been fleeing, hiding behind Atlas's supposed protection. But Atlas is safeguarded by the courageous, and such timidity is unacceptable."

Ruby stared, horrified. "W-what do you mean—"

Before she could continue, Cordovin's voice turned ice-cold, "Your actions reveal that your intelligence is matched only by your lack of resolve. The deal is off! I want you off my base—out of my sight and out of my mind! You have disappointed me, Miss Rose."

Team RWBY stood frozen, a mixture of shock, horror, and fury painted on their faces. Weiss began to protest, "But the—"

"That trinket stays here," Cordovin declared flatly.

Ruby's voice rose, "But that's not what we agreed to!"

Yang shouted, "You can't do that! That's completely unfair!"

Cordovin turned back to the window, her tone detached, "Life is rarely fair. This is the consequence of your decisions. You have all proven yourselves to be failures."

Her words cut through the silence like a blade, leaving Team RWBY to grapple with the harsh judgment—and the uncertain future—that now lay before them.

Outside

Outside, Team RWBY emerged from the base just as the gates slammed shut behind them. The cool Argus afternoon air bit at their skin as they gathered in a quiet cluster, each face etched with exhaustion and sorrow. Qrow, waiting in the shadows, stepped forward to greet them. His eyes, always keen despite the dim light, took in the group's weary expressions.

"I heard about what happened—I came to make sure you're..." Qrow began, but Ruby cut him off by lowering her head and hurrying past him without a word.

Qrow reached out feebly after her, his hand trailing behind her for a moment before Yang grabbed his arm, while Blake scratched her neck and Weiss rubbed her temple. The three girls exchanged uneasy, conflicted glances, clearly uncomfortable with the raw emotion in the air.

They walked off the bridge together. Ruby drifted toward the sidewalk, and beside her the looming Atlas Base loomed—a constant, oppressive reminder of what they'd just endured. She paused for a moment, then, with an abrupt stomp, plopped herself onto the wall that divided the beach from the concrete. Her eyes remained fixed on the base, troubled and distant.

Behind Ruby, Qrow advanced slowly, his hands stuffed in his pockets. The rest of Team RWBY continued toward the city, their damaged bike rattling along the pavement. Qrow's gaze, heavy with regret, followed Ruby's fixed stare. After a long moment, he sighed, "The girls told me everything... I—"

Ruby's voice cut through his words as she snapped, "I don't want to hear anything from you. Just leave me alone."

Qrow paused, his expression softening as he hesitated. Instead of pressing further, he stared at Ruby in silence.

After a moment, her gaze dropped, and she sank her hands into her hair, her frustration bubbling over.

Suddenly, her voice rang out in a raw cry:

"We HAD it! WE HAD EVERYTHING! It was right there—we only needed one thing to go right, and it did—it almost did!"

Her hands slammed against the concrete in a futile, desperate rhythm. "And now we don't have a route to Atlas, stuck in Argus, and we don't have that stupid relic!" Her scream rang out, echoing off the nearby buildings. With a final, anguished cry, she shouted to the indifferent sky, "Why does everything suck?!"

Her voice trailed off into a defeated whisper as she sank inward, "Why does everything I try suck...?"

Qrow watched her for a long, pained moment. With careful deliberation, threw his legs over the wall to sit beside her. He was about to speak when Ruby interrupted softly, "Don't... don't tell me I told you so, please..."

Qrow hesitated, his eyes locked on hers as he shook his head slowly. "No, I wasn't going to say it," he murmured. "Someone had to make a call, Ruby. While Rinko was in the hospital, you stepped up to guide the team. You made a choice—and this one, unfortunately, didn't work out."

He paused, pulling out his flask to glance at his reflection in the cool metal of the wall. "There's no easy lesson here. The cruel irony is that even if you had made a different decision, nothing guarantees it would have turned out any better."

Ruby's eyes filled with doubt. "So, I shouldn't have done anything? What if Rinko had handled it like he did in Mistral? Would things have been different? Am I... just naive?"

She lowered her gaze to the water lapping at the edge of the concrete, her voice barely audible. "I'm nothing like him... Back in Beacon, he was always the one who got the perfect scores, the strong, independent, laid-back guy everyone admired. When I saw him fall, something inside me shattered... and I instinctively took his place without a second thought. I... I feel like I'm a terrible leader."

Qrow's gaze softened at her words, but the silence hung heavy as the weight of her self-doubt settled in. The city around them was indifferent to their struggle—a harsh reminder that sometimes even the bravest hearts are burdened by failures that feel insurmountable.

"You're not a terrible leader, Ruby," Qrow said quietly, his voice rough with emotion. "A truly terrible leader wouldn't have made it to Mistral in the first place. A terrible leader would let the words of that granny get through them—they'd have given up and disappeared into the shadows. But You... you didn't give up."

Ruby's eyes glistened with unshed tears as she looked at her uncle. Qrow's words cut through her despair like a blade. He turned his attention back to the flask in his hand, twisting it slowly so that Ruby could see her reflection on its dark, glossy surface.

"It's so easy to run away," he murmured, his tone laced with both regret and determination. "But staying, fighting even when it hurts... that's what makes a difference. It's harder, sure, but it's worth more in the end."

For a moment, Qrow studied the flask, as if weighing the significance of his own actions.

Then, with a decisive motion.

He unscrewed the cap and tossed it into the ocean below.

They both watched as it sank beneath the waves—a small, symbolic sacrifice.

Ruby's eyes widened in shock, then softened as she turned to her uncle. "Uncle Qrow, I..." Her voice trailed off, uncertain.

Qrow rose his head slowly, his tired eyes now filled with a gentle resolve. "Ruby, listen to me," he said. "I know it feels like everything is falling apart, like you're alone in this fight. But you have people who believe in you—people who need you." He paused, searching her face. "I stepped up when things got rough because I never wanted to lose you. I never want you to feel like you have to carry all this weight by yourself."

Ruby swallowed, her voice barely above a whisper. "I... don't know what to do anymore."

Qrow sighed, placing a calloused hand on her shoulder. "You're not expected to have all the answers right now. We all lose our way sometimes. Even me. But that doesn't mean you're not strong enough to find your path again." His tone was soft, yet resolute. "Sometimes, a leader isn't someone who never falls—it's someone who gets back up, time and time again."

Ruby closed her eyes, leaning into his comforting touch. "I'm scared, Uncle. I'm scared that I'm not enough—what if I keep making the wrong choices?"

Qrow shook his head slowly. "Everyone makes mistakes, kid. It's not about never erring; it's about learning from those mistakes and still standing tall. You're not defined by one failure, or even by all the failures you think you've had." He squeezed her shoulder gently. "You're stronger than you believe, and you're not alone in this fight."

For a long, quiet moment, Ruby simply listened. The weight on her heart lightened just a fraction, buoyed by the raw honesty in Qrow's words.

Finally, with a shaky smile, she whispered, "Maybe... maybe I can try again."

Qrow nodded, his eyes softening further. "That's all I ask, Ruby."

Outside, the distant hum of the city resumed its indifferent chorus, but in that moment, inside the quiet room, Ruby and Qrow shared a bond that transcended the chaos—a promise that no matter how many times they fell, they would always rise again.

Ruby's gaze turned back to the Atlas Base as her eyes filled with renewed energy.

"We're going to get that Relic, get to Atlas, and we're going to do it whether Cordovin likes it or not."

Arc-Cotta Residence

The Arc-Cotta residence was thick with exhaustion, the remnants of battle clinging to the air like smoke after a wildfire. The once-cozy home bore the scars of the recent chaos—cracked walls, overturned furniture, and a front door left barely hanging on its hinges. Despite the damage, there was an undeniable sense of relief. The battle had passed, and they were still standing.

In a quiet corner near the busted entrance, Jaune winced as Saphron dabbed at his bruised arm with a damp cloth.

"Ow—" he muttered under his breath, hissing at the sting.

Saphron arched an eyebrow at him, unimpressed. "Oh, please, you whine more than my two-year-old son."

Jaune chuckled weakly, shaking his head. "Yeah, well, your two-year-old son didn't get tackled by a Beowolf twice his size."

Saphron smirked but kept her touch gentle, carefully tending to his wound.

Across the room, Rinko & Oscar sat with Pyrrha, Ren, and Nora, their conversation quiet yet tense.

"I see... so there really was a breach," Rinko said, his voice laced with concern.

"That's concerning.." Oscar muttered.

Ren nodded solemnly, arms crossed. "It wasn't an overwhelming force, but it was coordinated. More precise than most Grimm attacks."

Nora, resting her chin on her knees, frowned. "Yeah... almost like they knew exactly where to hit."

The Grimm's presence had thrown Argus into turmoil, and it nearly cost them Adrian. If it hadn't been for Selene, Oscar, and himself, the baby might not be sleeping so soundly in Terra's arms now.

When Terra and Saphron had arrived home earlier, their panic was immediate—until they saw Adrian, unharmed and peaceful. The moment Saphron scooped him into her arms, her body had sagged with sheer relief.

Before anyone could dwell on the thought further, the sound of heavy boots against the broken threshold drew everyone's attention.

Three familiar figures stood at the ruined entrance—bruised, battered, but alive.

Yang, Weiss, and Blake.

Rinko's breath hitched for a moment as he took them in. Their clothes were torn, dust and blood smeared across their skin, but their eyes still burned with determination.

Blake's gaze flickered to the door, her ears twitching. "What happened to the door...?" she asked dryly.

Rinko let out a breath before managing a small, relieved smile. "Thank goodness you're all right."

He barely had time to react before Yang made her way to him first, settling down beside him on the worn couch. The moment she leaned against him—just enough for her shoulder to brush his—he knew she was just as relieved as he was.

Weiss, ever-practical, took the far end of the couch, rubbing her temple with a tired sigh. Blake, quieter than usual, slumped into the space between them, exhaustion evident in her posture.

"Where's Ruby?"

Yang tensed beside him, her voice dropping into a near whisper. "We made it through, but Ruby's still out there with Uncle Qrow." She let out a shaky sigh and rested her head against Rinko's shoulder. The soft pressure of her body against his was warm, but the way she leaned into him told him everything—she was drained, but more than that, she was worried.

Rinko's gaze flickered to Blake and Weiss. Blake had curled in on herself, her golden eyes distant, lost in something unseen. Weiss let out a frustrated sigh, rubbing at her temples as if she could erase the weight pressing down on them.

"What happened?" Rinko asked, his voice calm but insistent.

Weiss was the one to answer, her tone clipped and sharp, "We had a breach." She hesitated, her fingers tightening into a fist. "Adam—he was here."

The weight of her words hit like a hammer.

Across the room, Oscar, Team JNPR, and Selene all tensed. Even Selene—who had just returned from the kitchen with a tray of cold drinks—paused mid-step, her eyes sharpening like a blade.

Rinko's grip on Yang tightened ever so slightly, his body tensing at the mere mention of that name. He turned back to Yang, noting the subtle tremor in her right hand. She wasn't looking at anyone—just staring at the wall, her expression blank. But Rinko knew better. He had seen that look before.

Without hesitation, he pulled her closer, one arm wrapping firmly around her waist while his free hand clasped her trembling fingers. His grip was steady, unwavering, like an anchor in the storm.

"I'm here," Rinko whispered against her ear.

Yang let out a shaky breath, closing her eyes as she fought against the sting of tears. She refused to cry—not now, not again. But she leaned into him just a little more, grounding herself in his presence.

The room fell into a heavy, reflective silence. The hum of their breathing and the distant echoes of movement outside were the only sounds that remained.

Then, Jaune finally spoke, breaking the tension. "So... Adam—"

Blake's ears twitched, her breath hitching. "He chased us..." Her voice was quiet but strained, as if she were reliving it all over again. "When we got to the wall, he was already slaughtering Huntsmen and Grimm alike. And when his attention fell on us, he just kept coming. We barely managed to slow him down."

Weiss scoffed, her arms crossed. "You guys were lucky we managed to lure him away before any more harm could be done."

"Pfft—what are you talking about? We had Pyrrha and the full strength of Team JNPR backing us up! Adam wouldn't have stood a chance!" Nora chimed in, puffing out her chest in exaggerated confidence.

Blake's voice dropped, her shoulders tightening. "We had every advantage in that fight, and he still overpowered us..." Her hands curled into fists. "He's always been strong, but this was different... He was like a man possessed by—"

Before she could finish, Rinko, still holding Yang close, murmured a single word:

"Hatred."

The word carried weight, settling over them like a storm cloud.

Blake swallowed hard. Trembling slightly.

Then, after a long pause, Weiss spoke, her voice quieter this time. "I wouldn't blame him entirely... Did you see his face?" Her blue eyes darkened, troubled. "That eye—marked with the Schnee Dust Company insignia."

At that, both Rinko and Selene stiffened. Their gazes met for a split second—silent, knowing.

Weiss continued, "My family, the Schnee Dust Company—our legacy—they did that to him."

Blake reached out, resting a hand gently on Weiss's shoulder. "It wasn't your doing, Weiss. It was a mistake made by a night guard when he was just a kid. You and Rinko aren't responsible for what your family allowed to happen."

Weiss let out a slow breath, but it was clear the words did little to ease her guilt. "But I'm a Schnee. Rinko is too. He's destined to inherit that company—and its legacy."

Yang pulled back from Rinko then, her posture shifting as something hardened in her eyes. Her voice, once soft, now carried a dangerous edge. "I appreciate the self-reflection, but that bastard almost killed Ruby. And in doing so, he cost us our only route to Atlas."

Jaune blinked, confused. "Wait... what do you mean? We lost our ticket to Atlas?"

Yang, Blake, and Weiss exchanged glances. Then, with an exhale, Yang answered, bitterness laced in every word.

"After Adam was captured, everything went south. Commander Cordovin used the chaos as an excuse. The breach turned into a disaster, and in the aftermath, Atlas sealed off the route to the city. All our plans—everything we worked for—vanished in the collateral damage."

Blake clenched her fists. "The transport we were relying on was rerouted and then canceled entirely. Cordovin made it clear: with the chaos from Adam's rampage, we're on our own now."

Weiss's voice trembled with controlled anger. "We had one chance, one clear route to Atlas, and it slipped through our fingers because we couldn't hold our ground. And we can't afford to sit here for months waiting for Winter—not with the Relic in the city."

Yang's jaw tightened. "We lost the relic, too. The deal meant handing it over, and without it... our bargaining chip is gone."

A heavy silence followed. The weight of their failure pressed down on them all, a crushing reminder of just how precarious their situation had become.

Then, suddenly—

"She can't do that!"

Nora shot up to her feet, her fists clenched, outrage burning in her voice.

Weiss sighed, shaking her head. "She can... and she has."

Ren's voice was quiet but firm. "Why would she even take the relic? Does she know what it does?"

Yang let out a dry, humorless laugh. "No... she doesn't care about its power. She just hates us."

Jaune's expression fell, disbelief settling into despair. "What are we gonna do now? We spent a whole week working toward that deal!"

For a long moment, no one spoke. No one had an answer.

Yang looked down, her voice barely above a whisper. "I... don't know."

Rinko let out a slow breath, leaning back against the couch. His expression unreadable, he stared at the cracked ceiling for a moment before muttering under his breath—

"Huh... shit happens."

Everyone turned to look at him.

The sheer casualness of his remark—after everything—was so absurd, so Rinko, that it actually cut through the oppressive tension in the room.

For a second, silence.

Then—

"Pfft—" Nora let out a sudden laugh, biting her lip.

Even Blake huffed a quiet chuckle, shaking her head.

Yang, despite herself, smirked. "Really, Rinko?"

He shrugged. "Well? Am I wrong?"

The weight in the air didn't fully dissipate. The reality of their situation was still dire. But, somehow, in that moment, the suffocating pressure eased just enough.

Because at least they were still together. And if nothing else—

They'd find a way.

[End]

ADVANCED CHAPTERS ON WATTPAD!