Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Lancelot Pendragon – The Crimson Knight

The winter snowfall had blanketed the dark forest in a thick layer of white. The trees, long stripped of their leaves, loomed ominously in the silence. Amid the frozen stillness, a lone figure clad in crimson and golden armor pressed forwar,drawing the attention of the Grimm that lurked deep within, ever-hungry for human emotion.

The man wore black combat boots and blue jeans reinforced with red armor plating at the knees and groin, trimmed in gold. A holster hung at his side, holding a heavy-caliber handgun. His upper body was dressed in a red shirt and a black hooded cardigan, over which he wore a red-and-gold breastplate and pauldrons. Matching armored gloves protected his arms, and his head was covered by a conical helmet, its T-shaped visor cutout allowing just enough visibility.

Strapped to his left arm was a red, diamond-shaped metal shield, adorned at its center with a golden pawn figure, like a heraldic emblem. At his left hip hung a crimson scabbard, the golden hilt of a sword peeking out.

From the shadowy forest came a low, menacing growl, followed by a dozen pairs of glowing red eyes. Within seconds, a pack of Beowolves surrounded the Crimson Knight. But he showed no fear. He raised his shield into a defensive stance and drew his sword, revealing a light-gray blade of masterfully forged steel. He leveled it at the approaching beasts.

The first Grimm lunged, and the knight stepped aside and decapitated it with a single fluid strike. The head fell silently into the snow.

The rest attacked at once.

But the knight stood firm. He blocked and countered with relentless precision. His shield didn't just deflect blows, it crushed skulls. His blade severed limbs, slashed throats, and pierced weak spots with deadly accuracy.

For a time, he held his ground. But he wasn't invincible. One Beowolf knocked the sword from his hand. Another landed a powerful blow to his helmet, sending him to the ground. The helmet flew off, revealing his long, tousled blonde hair, pale features, and ice-blue eyes. He remained conscious, his Aura still intact, still shielding him.

He glanced around, searching for his sword, but the creatures had surrounded it. It was out of reach for now. He lifted his shield again and took a step back.

The Grimm sensed it, the hesitation. Like blood in the water, it emboldened them. They crept closer.

He drew his pistol and braced it atop the shield, using it as a firing rest. Then he opened fire.

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

The knight aimed calmly. The Grimm were close, easy targets. He shot them through the head with practiced efficiency. But the magazine emptied fast, while the Grimm showed no sign of thinning. With a click, the empty mag dropped free.

A beast lunged from the side, but the knight's shield was as lethal as his sword. One crushing blow caved in its skull.

With a swift motion, he reloaded, chambered a round, and shot two more Grimm. Then he spotted his sword, unguarded. If he moved quickly, he could reach it.

He tapped a button on the shield. It transformed, unfolding into a massive, rectangular barrier that covered his whole body. He gathered his strength, and charged straight through the pack.

This version of the shield wasn't smooth anymore. Three pointed, triangular spikes jutted from its surface, built for plowing through bodies.

He reached the sword, snatched it up, spun, and cleaved another wolf in two. The pack was thinning, but the knight showed no mercy. With a press of a button, the blade extended into a long spear. He advanced, shield up, thrusting the spear forward, skewering any foe in his way.

One Grimm struck from behind. The knight shoved it off, but not before it tore through the shield's straps, yanking it from his arm.

Now only the spear remained.

He spun it once, finished the wounded, and turned to face the last of the Beowolves. Perhaps a dozen were left, still charging with no fear.

The Crimson Knight danced through them. Seconds passed, three more fell. He shot two with the pistol, then converted the spear back into a sword and finished the rest.

If Grimm bled, the snow would have run red. But as always, their bodies dissolved into black mist, leaving only footprints in the snow.

The knight sheathed his sword. He picked up his transformed shield, roughly tying it back in place with the torn straps. Then he put his helmet on again, and continued on his way.

Chapter Text

Lynda Dawn – The White Hound

The barren wastelands of the desert were home to jagged rocks, thorny cacti, giant lizards, and carrion worms, creatures that survived by feasting on the flesh of the lost or the recently dead. The desert teemed with dangers, but none more lethal than the figure currently tearing across the sand.

A black chopper roared through the dunes, leaving a trail of dust in its wake. Its rider was a man in worn brown leather boots, tattered black pants, a brown shirt, and a scuffed black jacket. A dark visor concealed his face beneath a motorcycle helmet.

He rode at full throttle, driven by a single purpose.

He sniffed the air, then growled low and feral, like a predator.

- Lynda! - He snarled into the wind and twisted the throttle. The engine screamed louder as the bike surged forward, kicking up a storm of sand behind him.

Meanwhile, the morning sounds of Menagerie drifted peacefully across the city. Its residents, exclusively faunus, were beginning their day, waking one by one to carry out their routines. The isolated island nation, far removed from the politics of Remnant, had been founded by those who sought refuge from the world's power games.

Two-thirds of the island was an uninhabitable desert, swarming with bloodthirsty creatures. The rest had once been dense jungle, now cleared enough to house the faunus population. Their exports were few but distinct: fish, exotic fruit, and the remains of dangerous predators.

Menagerie seemed peaceful, but it was far from defenseless.

On one quiet morning street, a young girl was walking alone. Her long white hair tumbled down her back, and her tired yellow eyes blinked slowly. She hadn't slept properly in days, working nonstop, but she didn't feel exhausted.

She wore black-and-white sneakers, short denim shorts, and a tight white tube top that left her midriff exposed and her long, toned legs fully visible.

Suddenly, her white dog-like ears twitched.

She froze. Focused.

Then she sniffed the air, and her eyes went wide with shock and fear. A low growl escaped her throat.

- Saber…

She bolted. In seconds, she reached an abandoned alleyway, where she pulled a beat-up box from beneath a heap of trash, her combat gear. She suited up fast.

Brown combat boots, black leggings, a short blue battle skirt with brown trim. Brown leather pauldrons over her shoulders, fingerless leather gloves. She strapped metallic devices to both arms, locking them tight with buckles. Then she stepped back into the street, ready to fight.

She sprinted across the town. No one paid her much attention. The small city had few roads, and barely any working vehicles, so she reached the desert's edge in minutes.

There, she stopped and waited.

She couldn't see it yet, but she heard the roar of the approaching motorcycle in the distance. She could smell him, the stench of sweat and fuel. Behind her, the jungle loomed. Ahead, the desert stretched wide. Danger surrounded her from both sides.

Then the engine's growl grew louder, from the jungle side.

Lynda spun around and dropped into a defensive stance.

A motorbike shot out from the trees. Most people would've been caught off guard, but Lynda wasn't most people. She was a faunus. A Huntress-in-training. And she knew her enemy well.

She dodged just in time.

The rider skidded to a halt and dismounted, eyes locked on her through the helmet visor.

- I came to finish this, kid. - The man growled with contempt.

- Try it, old man. - Lynda bared her teeth and snarled like a beast. She tapped a button on her forearm. From the metal bracers on her arms, three razor-sharp steel blades slid out on each side.

The man revved the engine again and charged straight at her, intent on running her down. Lynda waited, then dodged at the last second, spinning and slashing. Her blade struck true, slicing off the front wheel.

The motorcycle buckled. The rider leapt off, rolling across the ground.

He stood quickly, unharmed. He tore off his helmet.

His brown, feline-like eyes gleamed with rage. His long, greasy hair, unshaven face, and sharp teeth made him look less man than monster. He growled at Lynda. She growled back.

He drew a twin-bladed sword made of gray steel and began to spin it in his hands, ready to strike.

The two faunus locked eyes.

He was in his late forties. His gaze burned with fury, fueled by an old grudge. Lynda was barely eighteen, but there wasn't a trace of fear in her bold, wild stare. And yet, her opponent's presence would have been enough to shake most.

He lunged first, swinging with raw aggression. Lynda parried the first strike easily, then blocked a follow-up aimed at her head. The sword caught between her three blades.

That was what Saber had been waiting for. He smashed the hilt into her nose.

She staggered back.

He yanked his weapon free and attacked again. Lynda rolled aside, trying to trip him, but he jumped over the sweep and landed behind her. Another attack, Lynda blocked it, this time knocking both blades aside. When he tried to strike from the hilt, she ducked low and cut him. His Aura absorbed the damage, but the hit enraged him.

Now Lynda went on the offensive, wild and relentless.

But Saber countered with brute force, ignoring defense. He tied up her blades and kicked her in the side, sending her sprawling.

She rolled backward and sprang to her feet. Attack, defend, attack again, the fight dragged on for minutes, neither gaining the upper hand.

Then Lynda backed away and raised her guard once more.

That's when Saber activated his Semblance.

His strength surged, but so did his feral nature. His body was still human, but barely. What stood before Lynda now was a snarling beast.

She responded with her own Semblance. Her body blurred, becoming blindingly fast.

- Looks like this is the end. - Saber sneered. - I always knew one of us would die by the other's hand.

- I didn't know you were into that kind of philosophical bullsh*t. - Lynda snapped back, still snarling.

It all happened in a flash.

A burst of brown-yellow light erupted around Saber, then he collapsed.

A white glow shimmered around Lynda. She dropped to her knees, panting heavily.

Saber rose slowly, glaring at the girl who'd brought him down.

- You got lucky… this time. - He muttered, before vanishing into the jungle. His voice echoed in her ears, only trackable by her faunus hearing:

- Next time, I'll taste your blood… just like your father's.

Lynda stood frozen.

Saber's cruel laughter still echoed in her bones. She knew, neither of them had the strength to finish it today.

Not yet.

Chapter Text

Mandy Forrester – The Black Fox

On the unlivable, frozen plains of Solitas, the howling wind cuts to the bone. Snow falls so fiercely that anyone who stumbles risks being swallowed by the endless white within minutes. And yet, the soldiers of the White Fang waited patiently inside a rocky cave. They knew a promising target was drawing near.

A small unit huddled around a campfire, sheltering from the blizzard. Clad in the signature black uniforms of the White Fang, they talked, ate, tapped on their Scrolls, or simply complained about the cold.

- How much longer do we have to freeze in this icy hell?! - Aaron grumbled, looking to his towering superior.

- Until we get the signal. - Derrick replied calmly, checking his massive two-handed chainsaw.

- This is inhumane! - Aaron protested. - Humans may work us to death, but at least they don't freeze us out here!

- Shut it, Aaron! - Derrick snapped. - You think I'm not cold too? Sienna gave us orders. We hit the transport here. That's final.

- But for how long—?

Just then, Derrick's Scroll chirped softly. He checked it, stood, and looked around.

- That long. Everyone, gear up! You too, Mandy.

From the corner, a silent girl stood and joined them. She wore similar gear to the rest: black pants, boots, a hooded long-sleeve pullover pulled low over her face. A white vest bore the image of a snarling saber-toothed tiger, crossed by three crimson claw marks. Her face was hidden behind a black mask and a Grimm-styled visor.

At her side hung two daggers. On her back, a quiver bristling with arrows, beside a longbow.

- You'd do better with a good rifle. - Aaron laughed, hoisting his own.

- Too loud. Slows me down. Gives away my position. - Mandy replied coolly, following Derrick into the snow.

Twenty minutes of trudging later, as the snowfall eased, they reached the edge of a cliff. Derrick raised his fist to halt the group. Then he turned to Mandy.

- You know what to do.

Without a word, Mandy crawled forward into the snow, half-burying herself. She drew her bow, nocked an arrow, and scanned the targets below.

A kilometer away, a Schnee Dust Company convoy moved across the tundra, massive trucks hauling tons of Dust. It was heavily guarded: tanks, military vehicles, and robot transports flanked the cargo. But Mandy's eyes quickly found the command vehicle, the largest, most protected truck. At the very end of the convoy, neglected and unguarded, sat another truck, packed with Faunus laborers, huddled together, starving, half-frozen.

She knew exactly what she had to do.

She drew back her bowstring, and fired.

The black arrow cut through the frigid air, slamming into the underside of the lead truck. The suspension exploded. The truck came to a halt, and the convoy stopped with it. There was no alarm, just confusion. A mechanical failure, they assumed.

A few repair bots exited their carriers to investigate.

That was the moment Derrick and his team struck. Using the element of surprise, they advanced without a sound, and attacked, outnumbered but swift.

Explosions, gunfire, and screams tore through the snowy silence. The tundra erupted into chaos.

The bots were slow to react. The human soldiers were quicker, mounting a defense.

Mandy remained hidden, providing overwatch from above. She didn't shoot to kill, not the humans. She aimed for their legs, or used blunt arrows to knock them down. The robots, however, she dispatched without hesitation.

Not cowardly. Strategically.

But victory didn't last.

The convoy's commander climbed into a Paladin mech, a towering, armored war machine. The crazed officer intended to wipe them all out by detonating the entire shipment, sacrificing his own men and the laborers alike.

Mandy didn't flinch.

She loosed an arrow straight at the cockpit. It shattered the glass but didn't disable the machine. It did something else: drew the commander's full attention.

Meanwhile, Derrick's team enhanced their weapons with stolen Dust, increasing their destructive power.

The commander tried to crush Mandy underfoot, but she was too fast, too nimble. She dodged every lumbering strike.

Then came the missiles.

Mandy looked up.

She froze in disbelief.

That many missiles, for one target?

The barrage rained down. Snow and smoke exploded into the sky.

The commander grinned, confident.

Until Mandy reappeared, clinging to the Paladin's cockpit.

He stared in shock. How had she survived? He opened fire, swung, stomped, but Mandy moved like a shadow, vanishing and reappearing with each step, striking weak points, chipping away at the armor.

When his system finally locked onto her, she was already gone. The commander grew frantic. It felt less like a battle and more like being haunted by a ghost.

Then, his shield failed.

Desperate, he slammed the Paladin to the ground and began to roll, trying to shake her off.

He succeeded.

Mandy flew through the air and landed in the snow.

Her Grimm mask cracked. Her hood fell. She pulled down the mouth covering herself.

Revealed at last: short, neck-length black hair, two black fox ears poking from the top. Pale skin. Emerald green eyes. Her face, seen for the first time during the battle.

The Paladin was damaged, but still functional. And deadly enough to finish her.

But then...

A firebomb struck its side.

Derrick and the others opened fire, Dust-charged weapons blazing. Derrick's chainsaw cleaved through the bot's left arm, creating an opening.

Mandy fired an explosive arrow into its right leg, weakening it.

The commander charged at Derrick in rage, but that was his final mistake. Derrick spun, slicing through the bot's other leg.

The Paladin stumbled, then crashed face-first into a destroyed tank. Its cockpit shattered.

Mandy approached slowly.

Inside, the commander stirred, dazed. She raised her bow.

- Go on then, you filthy animal! - He spat. His eyes blazed with hatred and contempt as she stepped closer.

She didn't shoot.

Instead, she lowered her weapon.

And kicked him in the face.

He collapsed, unconscious.

- I'm not like you. - She whispered, and turned to rejoin her allies.

- A damn fine victory, kid! - Derrick said proudly, clapping her on the shoulder. - Right on time. - He looked up as multiple cargo dropships descended from above, each bearing the White Fang symbol.

Mandy watched as soldiers loaded the Dust containers and freed the faunus workers from the back of the truck.

Then, a new figure descended from one of the ships.

A young faunus man. A Grimm mask covered his face, but his head was bare, revealing spiky red hair and two black bull horns. He wore a black blazer, red shirt, black slacks, and shoes. A long black sheath hung at his side; a crimson katana rested in his hand.

- Adam. - Derrick greeted him warmly. - Didn't think Sienna would send you of all people.

- She wanted to make sure everything went according to plan. - Adam replied, scanning the soldiers. - Besides… I have a new assignment for you all.

Especially the girl, Mandy.

Mandy glanced toward him, but her eyes quickly turned to the prisoners. The captured Atlas soldiers knelt in a row, trembling.

- Please… we have families!

- We were just following orders!

- Spare us!

- What's going to happen to them? - Mandy asked softly.

- What do you think? - Adam answered coldly. He didn't even look at them. He turned his back and walked away.

- They're the enemy. - Derrick said, stepping beside her. - They must die.

- But… - Mandy's voice trembled, but not from fear. - They surrendered. They have families. They're not fighting anymore.

Adam paused. He was about to respond, but Derrick beat him to it, placing a hand gently on her shoulder.

- You don't have to do it. - He said quietly. - Go. Get some food. After today, you've earned a hot meal.

Mandy nodded and walked away.

But she didn't feel hunger. She hadn't eaten properly in days, but instead of an appetite, something else grew in her stomach:

Guilt.

She couldn't stop thinking about those men and women. They'd just been doing their jobs.

And now they had to die.

And what could she do?

The choice had already been made for her.

This… was who she was now.

Chapter Text

Mike Birmigh – Mommy's Little Boy

It was late in the city of Vale. Most shops had already closed, except for one lone pharmacy, where the final customer of the night had just stepped out. He'd picked up the last few items he needed before setting off for Beacon Academy in the morning.

That customer was Mike.

Chubby, awkward, and bespectacled, Mike wasn't exactly handsome, but he always kept his short black hair neatly combed. He wore green-and-white sneakers, black velvet pants, and a long-sleeved yellow shirt. A massive backpack weighed down his shoulders, inside, his weapon waited. Tomorrow, his new life would begin.

A life as a Huntsman.

He walked home with a bounce in his step, excitement bubbling in his chest. He knew his mom had given him a strict curfew, and being late would definitely spell trouble.

But then, his plans were interrupted.

Two figures stepped out of a dark alleyway. Men. Not the friendly kind.

- Hey, buddy! Mind helping us out? - One of them asked.

- Sorry, I don't have much money. - Mike said sincerely, with honest regret in his voice.

- You sure? - The other pulled a gun, and pointed it straight at him.

- Ohh, I get it! - Mike suddenly burst into laughter. - This is a test, right? From the Academy! Of course! Okay, let's start again, say something like, 'Hand over the cash!' or something dramatic like that.

The two men glanced at each other, confused.

- Hand over the money or I'll fill you with holes! - The gunman shouted.

- Nice. - Mike nodded. - Strong. Assertive. Just let me get a line in next time, okay?

Then he started crying.

- Please… don't hurt me! I'll give you everything! I don't have jewelry, I don't have anything expensive… It's just, my dear mommy is waiting at home. And my kitten. They'd both be so heartbroken if someone found me here, bleeding in the dark…

- Uh… - One of the muggers stepped back. - I… I don't really want to kill you, man.

Mike kept sobbing.

Then, suddenly, he stopped.

And laughed again.

He wiped his tears, adjusted his glasses, and straightened up.

- That was Phase One. Now for Phase Two. - He cleared his throat.

His voice dropped, cold, firm.

- What's the world coming to? - He took a step toward them, looking down his nose. - A guy can't even go out to pick up his allergy meds for Beacon without getting hassled by two bottom-feeding stains on society?

The robbers backed away.

- You two are less than the gunk I scoop out of my cat's litter box every week.

Silence. The men just stared at the chubby kid in disbelief.

- So? Which performance did you like better? - Mike asked. He pulled out his wallet and offered them some cash. - Here. Take it. And let me know how I did on the test.

The two men stared at the money.

- Come on… take it. - One muttered.

- No way. - The other shook his head. - This guy's insane. You take it.

Eventually, one of them yanked the money from Mike's hand, and they both ran off into the night.

Mike never found out whether he'd actually been robbed.

He just walked home, proudly.

Back to his mommy.

And his kitten.

Chapter Text

Beacon Academy, the most prestigious Huntsman school in all of Remnant. The place where future Hunters and Huntresses were trained to become the protectors of the world.

On the day of the opening ceremony, hundreds of young students arrived aboard airships, ready to begin a new chapter in their lives. The ships were spacious, allowing plenty of room to walk, talk, and even watch the latest news on the floating holographic screens scattered throughout.

- …local criminal Roman Torchwick continues to evade authorities. - The male newscaster reported, as the screen displayed a slick-haired, redheaded man's mugshot. He stared back with not the slightest hint of remorse. - If you have any information on his whereabouts, please contact the Vale Police Department. Now, over to Lisa.

- Thank you, Cyril. - Said a white-haired woman as she took over the report. - In other news, a protest for Faunus Civil Rights turned violent last Saturday when members of the White Fang disrupted the event. The group, once peaceful, now—

The feed suddenly cut out, replaced by the stern face of a woman in glasses, her holographic image floating above the crowd.

- Welcome to Beacon, students.

- Who's this? - A girl asked aloud.

- My name is Glynda Goodwitch. - The woman continued, her voice calm and commanding. - You are here because you've earned the honor of attending this esteemed Academy. Remnant may currently be at peace, but it will fall to you to keep it that way. You've already proven your courage. Now, it is our turn, to provide you the knowledge and training to defend the world.

Her image faded. Only the hum of the ship remained.

A boy broke the silence.

- Let's hope we're worthy of being the next generation of Hunters. - He said. He had long blond hair, black boots, blue jeans, and a black hoodie. A sword hung at his side, a backpack on his shoulders, and a suitcase by his feet.

- Plenty of people underestimate the training and end up failing hard. - Said another boy, short, chubby, wearing glasses. His black hair was neatly combed, and his outfit consisted of a yellow long-sleeved shirt, black velvet pants, and an oversized backpack. He dragged three suitcases behind him.

- If it were that hard, there wouldn't be so many Hunters in the world. I'm Lance. - The blonde offered his hand.

- Mike. - The chubby boy replied, shaking it.

Lance raised an eyebrow at the mountain of luggage.

- So… Mike, what's with all the stuff?

- My mom wanted to make sure I had enough clothes, socks, underwear, allergy meds… and a few other essential items.

- I mean, I get that, - Lance said, glancing at his own modest bag. - but we're going to be here a whole year. Beacon's a city, you can buy things.

- My mom doesn't trust anything outside of Signal. It's a miracle she even let me come.

Just then, everyone rushed to the windows.

They had arrived.

The view was breathtaking.

Beacon's white towers reached high into the sky, surrounded by elegant gardens and paved marble walkways. From this height, you could even see Signal in the distance.

- You can see all of Signal from up here! - A girl exclaimed. She wore a red-and-black outfit with a long crimson cloak. Her short black hair had red tips, and her silver eyes sparkled as they took in the view.

- I guess home isn't so far away after all… - She whispered, a touch of sadness in her voice.

- Beacon's our home now. - Said the taller, muscled blonde girl beside her, pulling her into a warm side hug. She wore brown boots, short black shorts, and a cropped brown leather jacket.

Just then, a blond boy dashed to the edge of the ship, and threw up.

- Ugh, Yang, he puked on your boots!

- Gross, gross, gross!

- Get outta here!

The two girls fled, laughing, as Lance and Mike turned back toward the commotion.

Mike looked pale.

- Oh man… I can't handle vomiting… - he muttered, right before throwing up himself.

- Well… that's not a great start. - Lance sighed as the ship touched down.

The ship finally landed. Mike and the other boy who had thrown up, whose name, as they'd soon learn, was Jaune, ran straight down the ramp and emptied what was left of their stomachs into the nearest trash bin.

Lance chose a calmer pace, stepping out onto Beacon's main plaza.

The ivory towers loomed overhead, vast and imposing. They made even the most confident student feel small. The surrounding gardens were pristine, and the marble paths led deeper into the heart of the Academy like ceremonial trails.

- Look, Yang! - Ruby pointed eagerly at the other students' weapons. - That guy's got a vortex staff! And that girl has… a fire sword!

Before she could lose her mind completely, Yang gently pulled her sister back to reality.

- She really likes weapons? - Lance asked with a smile.

- She's a big fan. - Yang shrugged.

- What kind of weapons do you guys have?! - Ruby bounced in place with excitement.

- Mine's this, - Lance said, pulling a blade from his side. The golden hilt shimmered, and the light-gray blade glinted in the sun. - Golden Sting. It transforms into a lance. - With a press of a button, the blade extended outward.

- Like your name? - Yang laughed on her own pun.

- Cool! - Ruby's eyes lit up.

- And this is my shield, - Lance continued, opening his suitcase and lifting out a red, diamond-shaped shield. An emblem of a golden pawn was etched into its center. - Scarlet Rook.

- Nice one. - Yang remarked with genuine admiration.

- It can get bigger too. - Lance said, pressing another button. The shield shifted, becoming a full-body rectangular guard with three pointed spikes. The golden pawn transformed into a rook symbol.

- Isn't that heavy? - Ruby asked.

- It is. But I trained to handle it. Wanna give it a try?

Yang caught it in both hands, then casually balanced it in one.

Lance nodded with approval. "Strong girl."

- This shield's saved my life more times than I'd like to admit. - He added.

The girls laughed.

- And you?

- Mine's… - Ruby unslung a metallic object from her back and, in a flash, unfolded it into a massive scythe. - Crescent Rose. Scythe and high-caliber sniper rifle in one.

- Isn't it a bit big for you? - Lance asked, eyeing the weapon's size compared to her petite frame.

- People say that a lot. - Ruby twirled it with dizzying speed, clearly in full control.

- Mine's, - Yang said, showing the yellow gauntlets on her wrists. - Ember Celica. Fires heavy shotgun rounds and helps me leap and launch around.

- Remind me not to get in a fight with you guys. - Lance chuckled.

Just then, Yang noticed Mike standing awkwardly behind Lance.

- And what about you? What's your weapon?

Mike immediately broke into a sweat. His breathing quickened.

- Y-y-you're talking to me?!

- Uh… yeah?

Mike whipped out an inhaler and took a deep puff.

- Sorry, I'm just not used to pretty girls talking to me. - He said, flushed red. Lance rolled his eyes.

- You were one of the guys who puked, weren't you? - Ruby giggled.

- Y-you remember me?! - Mike's shirt was soaked with sweat. It poured down his forehead, forming a puddle on the ground.

- I'm taking him to the bathroom! - Lance declared, pushing Mike away like a wheezing human sponge.

- Thanks, Lance. - Mike panted once they were a few meters away. - Besides my mom they're the first girls who'd ever talked to me.

- What the... - Lance stopped in his tracks and looked down. - Did you… wet yourself?

- Just almost. It's sweat. I… I get sweaty. Around girls. Especially angry ones.

- Watch it! - Lance didn't notice in time, and accidentally shoved Mike straight into someone's back.

- Ugh, disgusting! - The girl snapped, spinning around. Long white hair spilled down her back, and two white dog ears twitched above her head. She wore black-and-white sneakers, short denim shorts, and a white tube top that barely covered her athletic figure. She looked at Mike with sheer revulsion.

- Why are you sweating so much? Did you walk… fifty meters or something?

- I… I… I…

- You! You! You! Is that all you can say, or is eating the only thing you're good at?!

- Hey, chill out! - Lance stepped in. - Mike's kinda having a moment.

- Oh yeah? What happened, he had to leave his mom's basement?

- Look, - Lance raised his hands, trying to defuse things. - Mike's sorry he bumped into you. Right, Mike?

- Y-yeah! I'm really sorry!

- Let's try this again: I'm Lance, this is Mike.

- I'm Lynda. - The girl growled. - And tell your sweaty little blob to stay away from me.

And with that, she stormed off.

- Do you think it's the dog blood that makes her like that, or are all Faunus like this? - Mike asked.

- That's… kinda racist, dude. - Lance replied.

- I've just never met a Faunus before. Not a great first impression for her species…

Suddenly, a small explosion cut off the conversation. Ruby had accidentally inhaled a puff of fire Dust, then sneezed it out, nearly blowing up another girl.

- We should probably head to the ceremony.

All the first-year candidates were now gathered inside Beacon's grand hall.

- Hopefully we don't run into any more girls like that. - Mike muttered, finally beginning to relax. - I mean, she had the worst attitude I've ever seen, no manners, completely unpleasant...

- Mike, maybe shouldn't...

- Seriously! Sure, I get it, someone bumps into you, it's annoying, but she piled it on like it was a crime. All that sarcasm and those nasty comments? Total emotional immaturity...

- Immature?! - A voice snapped from behind.

Lance winced. Too late.

Lynda was standing right behind Mike, and had heard every word.

- I'm surprised you're not out chasing ice cream trucks!

Mike snapped back, surprising even himself.

- I'd never do that! But for the record, if you lie down in front of one, they're required to stop.

- Listen, Sweatpatch, - Lynda snarled. - you don't want to get in my way. I'm not wasting half a year trying to walk around you, and I sure as hell don't want to smell you.

- How am I supposed to know if I'm in your way?

- You'll know by feeling this.

Lynda clenched her fist, ready to punch, when the PA system crackled on.

- Students, please welcome your Headmaster, Professor Ozpin.

The crowd immediately quieted.

To the students' surprise, a surprisingly young man stepped up to the microphone. He wore a dark suit, green scarf, and sunglasses, and had short, silver hair. Beside him stood Glynda Goodwitch, silent and imposing.

Ozpin spoke softly, but his voice carried authority.

- I'll keep this brief.

- You've come here to seek knowledge. To hone your skills. To learn new ones. But ultimately, you're here… to protect humanity. And as I look out at all of you… I see nothing but wasted potential. Energy, without purpose. Enthusiasm, without direction. You think knowledge will save you. But in time, you'll learn… only your own dedication and experiences will carry you forward. The road ahead is long. But even a journey of a thousand miles begins… with a single step.

He stepped away. Glynda took his place.

- Tonight, you'll sleep here, in the main hall. Tomorrow begins your initiation. Dismissed.

As the crowd began to break up, Mike and Lynda picked up right where they left off.

- If you're still planning to hit me, - Mike said nervously. - please don't aim for my face. It's the only decent thing I've got left.

Lynda sighed. The speech had cooled her temper a little.

- Relax, Doughball. I'm not gonna hit you. Just… try not to smell like a chemical spill next time, okay?

The great hall gradually emptied out as students were handed sleeping bags. The place turned into a massive slumber party.

Mike made sure to stay close to Lance. Just in case Lynda came back.

- Why, - Lance sighed, unrolling his sleeping bag - did we have to camp right next to the bathrooms?

Lance had stripped down to black boxers. In the dim lighting, his toned abs and muscular arms were… noticeable.

- If I need to pee, I don't want to step over people. - Mike replied, now dressed in a yellow, full-body bunny onesie and matching slippers.

- Use a bottle.

- And I need to take my meds.

- Meds?

- Yup. Dust and animal hair allergies, insulin, eye drops, vitamins, sleeping pills… - He pulled out a small pharmacy's worth of supplies, then a machine. - This one keeps me from snoring.

- Are you opening a drugstore?

- No. I'm just… a little sick.

Lance tried to get some sleep, but Mike spent the next half hour fiddling with his medicine. Then he headed off to the restroom.

At the door, he stopped.

Toilet flushing. Bare footsteps.

And Lynda.

Not in pajamas. Just a bra and underwear.

Lucky I got in before you. - She said, her voice cool and teasing. - These toilets already suffer enough on hard days.

- J-just came to tinkle! - Mike blurted, white as a sheet.

Lynda stared at him for a second. Then shrugged.

- Word of advice… Only toddlers say 'tinkle.'

And with that, she walked out, leaving Mike alone with his thoughts and a bathroom full of regret.

Chapter Text

The black-haired Faunus girl slept curled up in her sleeping bag. Her messy hair was spread across the pillow, and from beneath the dark strands, two black fox ears peeked out, betraying her heritage.

One ear twitched suddenly.

She opened her emerald eyes, stretched wide, then slipped out of the bag.

She rubbed the sleep from her eyes, then checked her Scroll.

06:00. On the dot. As always.

Mandy hadn't needed an alarm in years.

She always rose earlier than everyone else. This morning was no different. She wore only a dark gray shirt and black underwear, she didn't bother with gowns anymore. Her fox tail always flipped them up during the night, and it disturbed her sleep. This was more practical.

She handled her morning routine in the bathroom, then returned to her bag.

Today was the Initiation—the day they'd prove whether they were worthy of staying at Beacon. She needed to be at her best.

She pulled on a pair of snug black leggings, then a red-and-black checkered mini skirt that allowed full mobility. A pair of soft-soled black boots, black-laced, of course, followed, along with a long-sleeved black shirt. It concealed her curves, but more importantly, helped her blend into the shadows.

Black was her color.

She woke two hours ahead of everyone else for a reason: her training routine.

2 kilometers of running (round trip),

200 push-ups, squats, and sit-ups,

1 hour of weapon training, blades and bow alike.

By the time the others started stirring at 08:00, Mandy had already finished her workout. She headed straight to the showers, washed off, dried, and dressed in an identical, clean set of clothes.

Breakfast was held in a massive dining hall, endless tables, countless chairs, and a veritable feast of food lined up for the hungry students.

Mandy sat alone, far from the others.

She quietly observed them while eating scrambled eggs with onions and cottage cheese, followed by a light fruit salad. Quick to digest, high in energy.

- I'm just saying, sure, overweight people might be slower, but they're stronger too! - Mike argued, as he ate beside Lance.

Lance was working on a plate of sausage and a four-egg scramble.

Mike had twelve pancakes, an eight-egg scramble, a mountain of bacon, and a bar of chocolate for dessert.

- And I'm saying all those carbs are gonna knock you out by noon. - Lance replied.

- Hey, sorry my body requires proper calories!

"Whose body requires the rest?", Mandy thought as she stood, passing by them.

Once breakfast was done, everyone suited up in their combat gear and made their way to the edge of the Emerald Forest, where Professor Ozpin and Glynda Goodwitch were already waiting. Behind them stood a row of giant launchpads, each one ready to fire a student into the sky.

Ozpin stood there calmly, sipping cocoa as he addressed the group.

- You've trained for years to become warriors. Today, we put that to the test, here, in the Emerald Forest.

Mike nervously raised his hand.

- No, Mr. Birmingh, it's not called the Emerald Forest because it's full of emeralds. - Ozpin sighed. - It's because it's lush and green.

He'd clearly been asked that one too many times.

- Uh, follow-up question, if I may...?

- Yes, Mr. Birmingh, we received the message from your mother. - Ozpin handed him a syringe. - One dose of allergy relief serum.

- Oh, thank you, sir! Sorry, it's just, I'm allergic to dust, animal fur, black, red, and brown ants, wasps, bees, acidic berries, eucalyptus, worm innards, certain mushrooms… and goat saliva.

Several students struggled not to laugh.

- Goat saliva? - Ozpin blinked over his glasses. - That's a new one.

Glynda stepped in smoothly.

- You've probably heard rumors about team formation. Let's clarify that now: today, we'll form the first-year teams.

Ozpin resumed:

- The first person you make eye contact with after landing… will be your partner. For Initiation. And for the next four years.

A collective gasp rippled through the group.

- Once you've found your partner, head north. At the far end of the forest, you'll find an old temple. Inside, we've hidden golden and black relics. Each pair must retrieve two and return.

Glynda projected a large map from her Scroll.

- We'll be watching. But we won't interfere. Don't hesitate to kill anything in your way or it might be the last thing you ever see.

- Any questions? - Ozpin asked.

- Yeah, I... - Jaune began, raising his hand.

- Excellent! - Ozpin interrupted. - Take your positions.

The students moved like clockwork, except for Mike and Jaune, who shuffled uncertainly toward the launch pads.

- Excuse me… this, uh, landing strategy, does it involve parachutes? Or… do we get caught, or—?

- No. - Ozpin said, sipping his cocoa. - You're gonna fall.

- So then, what's our strategy supposed to be exactly, becau... AAGGHHHH!

Jaune was launched into the sky mid-sentence, followed by the others.

Ozpin calmly watched as his students flew screaming into one of the most dangerous forests in Vale.

Lance landed smoothly. His red-gold armor and helmet offered little actual protection from freefall, but he had a plan.

As he descended, he expanded his shield, then activated the gravity Dust built into it. It functioned like a makeshift parachute, slowing his fall just enough to let him land safely on solid ground.

Lynda deployed her triple-bladed gauntlets midair. She hooked one claw into a thick tree branch, spun around it multiple times, then dropped to the forest floor with practiced ease. Like she'd done it a hundred times before.

Mandy used her Semblance. With a short-range teleport, she blinked onto a high branch, then leapt gracefully to the ground. No sound. No trace. Pure precision.

Mike…

Well, Mike summoned his own Semblance: a yellow, translucent bubble of energy formed around him.

It absorbed the impact of his landing, but hit the underbrush with a thud, leaving a small crater.

Groaning, Mike sat up, dusted himself off, and looked around.

Silence. No people. No footsteps. He was utterly alone.

And it felt like a thousand Grimm were watching from the shadows.

Trembling, he pulled out a bag of chips and began stress-eating.

"Please let Lance be my partner… please, just let it be Lance…"

But fate had other ideas.

From the bushes, a figure stepped out: a white-haired Faunus girl with dog ears, Lynda.

Only this time, she wasn't in her usual half-casual clothes. She was fully geared up: brown combat boots, black leggings, a blue combat skirt with brown trim, leather shoulder armor, and fingerless gloves.

She looked down at Mike, who was still clutching the chip bag.

- Seriously? - She sighed. - Chips. In the middle of the forest?

- W-what?! I'm a stress eater!

- If I actually have to explain why that's stupid, you've got way bigger problems than I thought.

Suddenly, a low growl came from the nearby brush.

Lynda snapped into action, her gauntlets clicking into place. Three gleaming blades extended with a shink, her fingers flexing into combat form.

Mike backed away, still holding the chips.

The bushes rustled.

And then—

Grimm.

Chapter Text

The fearsome Grimm collapsed quickly after Lance smashed its skull with his shield, knocked it over, and finished it with his sword. He now wore his full battle gear: red armored guards on his knees, elbows, shoulders, and groin, a crimson-and-gold breastplate across his chest, and a pointed helmet with a T-shaped visor. A large pistol hung at his side, and strapped to his left arm was his red shield, emblazoned with a golden pawn symbol.

The first encounter in the Emerald Forest was no challenge for Lance. He dispatched the initial wave of Grimm with ease.

Then, a sound from the bushes.

He raised his shield and sword toward the noise and waited.

Two massive snake-like Grimm slithered into view. One lunged at him, but he blocked the strike with his shield. The beast latched onto the shield with its jaws, trying to wrench it free. Lance was caught off guard, and before he could react, the second snake lunged from behind, no way to block it in time.

Three arrows struck the attacking Grimm in the head. It collapsed instantly.

Then, with a flash of light, a faunus girl appeared atop the first serpent's head and plunged two daggers into its skull. The beast dropped lifelessly to the ground.

- Nice work. - Lance said, freeing his shield and looking up at his rescuer.

She was short, black-haired, with fox ears and a swaying tail. Her expression was cold and uninterested.

- Partners? - Lance asked.

She just shrugged.

- Awesome! - He replied and walked alongside her. - Name's Lance.

- Mandy. - She answered plainly. Her voice and posture made it clear she had no interest in small talk.

- So… think the temple's far? - He tried again.

- Hopefully not. - She said with the same flat tone.

- This forest is full of unpleasant surprises, huh?

- Yeah. - Mandy said, dry and bitter. - Like when the Schnee Dust Company sends a squad of bots to evict you, raze your home, and build a factory on top of it. Then a guy in a suit hands you a contract like, 'Congratulations, you're hired. You start tomorrow.' Surprise.

She added a fake smile at the end.

- …Wait, are you being serious? - Lance blinked.

Mandy didn't answer.

Elsewhere in the forest…

Lynda spun around at a sudden rustle in the bushes. She instantly drew her triple-bladed gauntlets and dropped into a defensive stance.

Mike, meanwhile…

- Oh no! A Grimm! - He yelped in panic. - I want to live!

He scooped up a rock and hurled it toward the sound. With nothing else in reach, he tossed his empty chip bag, followed by half a pack of gummy worms, a chocolate bar, and a handful of caramel cubes from his backpack.

- …I think you can stop now. - Lynda said, placing a hand on his shoulder. Mike froze, trembling.

From the bushes emerged… a small brown bunny.

It blinked up at them, nose twitching.

- Oh my gods! - Mike gasped, horrified. - I almost killed you, you poor little thing!

He nearly burst into tears.

- With what? - Lynda asked, glancing down at the sugar-covered ground. - Diabetes?

- Huh… - Mike exhaled with relief, unwrapping a caramel. - What can I say? Fear brings out my craving for caramel.

- And whiny, panicking fat guys bring out my craving to kill. - Lynda replied flatly.

Another rustle.

This time, it was real.

A pack of Beowolves burst from the trees, snarling, ravenous.

- These will do. - Lynda muttered, drawing her clawed weapons again.

She charged forward, swiftly cutting down two of the creatures. As she moved for the third, a massive translucent yellow boxing glove punched her in the face from the side, knocking her into a nearby tree.

- …Oops! - Mike mumbled.

His weapon, What the Heck, resembled a vending machine on wheels, but was actually a device powered by his Aura that could generate all sorts of gadgets and explosives. Unfortunately, his aim wasn't great.

And he had just decked Lynda.

- If we survive this… - Lynda growled, staggering to her feet with a bruised face. - I swear I'm going to kill you.

Mike quickly slapped another button on his machine. A cloud of gray smoke bombs erupted, filling the air and allowing them to escape.

Once they were a safe distance away, Lynda exploded:

- What the hell was that?!

- You stepped into the blast zone! How was I supposed to know you were going in?!

- Well I didn't think you were going to fight!

- What's that supposed to mean?!

- It means you're a walking disaster! How the hell did you even get into Beacon?! You nearly had a heart attack over a rabbit!

- You don't know me… - Mike muttered, just loud enough for her to hear.

- I don't want to know you. - She shot back coldly. - And now I'm stuck with you! So stay out of my way.

- …Why do you even want to be a Huntress? - Mike asked, trying to understand her. - I'm sure you're not as heartless as you act.

Lynda stopped walking.

- …You really want to know?

She turned, looking straight at him, serious, deadpan.

- It's for my little brother. I want a better life for him. I want him to look up to me. I don't want him to go to bed hungry ever again.

A tear slid down her cheek, which she quickly wiped away.

- That's why this matters to me.

- Oh, Lynda, I... - Mike began, moved.

But she burst out laughing.

- Wow, you actually fell for that? - She smirked. - Hope Ozpin's just as gullible.

She turned and walked ahead.

Mike stood there, stunned, then followed her in silence.

Meanwhile, Lance and Mandy had reached the temple at the heart of the forest.

Lance, ever the optimist, kept trying to make small talk with the fox-eared faunus girl beside him, but she remained as distant and silent as ever.

- This must be it. - he said, glancing around the ruined, abandoned structure.

Mandy didn't reply. She simply walked forward without a word.

- …What do you think happened here? - Lance asked.

- Why are you asking me? - Mandy shrugged, brushing past him with cool indifference.

Lance had no answer, he simply followed.

The ground around the temple ruins was scattered with strange clues: massive black feathers embedded in the dirt, long drag marks carved through the earth, and among them, a piece of crimson fabric, pierced by one of the feathers.

- These are Nevermore feathers. - Mandy observed calmly. She crouched, studying the grooves in the ground. - And those are Death Stalker tracks. Two of the most dangerous types of Grimm.

- This is a piece of Ruby's cloak. - Lance added, lifting the torn red scrap. - I hope she's okay…

Suddenly, footsteps approached from the nearby brush. Both Mandy and Lance instinctively drew their weapons, but relaxed once they saw who it was.

- Made it back? - Lance asked.

- Not thanks to Sweat-Patch here! - Lynda snapped, glaring at Mike, who collapsed on the ground, panting and drenched in sweat.

- Just because I'm not great at hiking doesn't mean I'm useless! - Mike protested.

- Then what are you good at, huh?! - Lynda barked back.

- These two are like milk and grape juice. - Lance muttered. - They just don't mix.

- We need to get the relic. - Mandy reminded them, already heading toward the temple's ruined inner sanctum.

They followed her inside,only to find every pedestal empty.

- …We're too late. - Lynda muttered, scanning the room. - They took everything! This can't be happening.

- I can't fail! - Mandy snapped. The always-calm, aloof girl now showed clear signs of anger and frustration. - I won't!

- Relax! - Mike tried to reassure her. - There's gotta be something left.

- Over here! - Lance called. He held up two golden pawn pieces. - They must've fallen during the fight.

- Pawns? - Mike wrinkled his nose. - That's kinda lame…

- They're all we've got. - Lance pocketed one and handed the other to Mike. - Let's head back before time runs out.

- Maybe there's a shortcut. - Mike suggested.

- Bad idea. - Mandy shot back. - We should retrace our steps.

- That'll take too long. - Lynda argued.

- …Where exactly would this shortcut even go? - Mandy asked, turning to Mike.

- Well… the cave that Death Stalker came from, it might cut through the forest.

- Are you insane?! - Lynda shouted. - Who knows what else is in there?!

- The Death Stalker hasn't returned yet. - Lance pointed out, backing Mike up. - It's probably safe.

Three to one. The team voted, and Mandy was outnumbered.

They turned toward the dark, yawning cave entrance, unaware of what truly awaited inside.

The group stepped into the shadowy, cavernous maw of the cave. Water dripped from above, the sound echoing against the stone walls. The deeper they went, the thicker the darkness became.

- This is a limestone cave. - Mike noted aloud. - These can run deep underground.

- It must be mapped out. - Mandy reasoned. - I mean, it's part of an academy training zone, right? If it were truly dangerous, there'd be warning signs…

- Good point. - Lynda agreed with a nod. - It'd be unbelievably irresponsible if there weren't.

As they ventured deeper, the two human boys, Mike and Lance, gradually slowed down.

- What's wrong? Why are you stopping? - Lynda asked, puzzled.

- It's pitch black. - Lance said, pulling out his Scroll. He switched on the flashlight and clipped it to his chest plate. Mike did the same.

- Can you two even see anything? - Lance asked.

- Actually, yes. - Mandy replied, matter-of-factly. - We're Faunus.

- …And? - Lance blinked.

- They can see better in the dark. - Mike explained for her.

- Really? - Lance was intrigued. - You learn something new every day. - He turned to the girls. - Guess that means you're on point.

Mandy and Lynda moved ahead, their ears twitching as they sensed something. Both sniffed the air.

- There's a strange smell. - Lynda murmured. - The damp stone… Lance's deodorant… Mike's sweat… and something else. Something I don't recognize.

- A faint scent… you can't place it? - Mandy asked.

- What are you two smelling? - Lance asked.

- I don't know. - Lynda replied curtly. Then, suddenly, she stopped and turned. - I'll check it out.

- DON'T MOVE! - Mandy's voice echoed violently through the cave.

Lynda froze. A thin, sticky strand stretched out just in front of her boot, she had nearly stepped into it.

- Ugh… - Lynda grimaced as some of the substance stuck to her hand. - What the hell is this?

And then, something dripped onto her shoulder. She looked up…

Eight glowing red eyes stared down from the darkness above.

- What the... - She gasped, as the realization hit her. - Run!

A massive spider-like Grimm loomed over them, its web sealing off the path behind.

The spider Grimm struck, lunging for Mike. He could do nothing but scream, until Lance yanked him back and blocked the attack with his shield.

- Open fire! - Lynda shouted, activating the mini-guns on her gauntlets and unleashing a barrage.

Mandy drew her bow and loosed an arrow into one of the Grimm's eyes. The monster reeled back in agony.

Lance pulled out his pistol and joined the fight, firing round after round.

- It's not enough! - Lynda cried out, seeing the creature prepare for another attack.

- We need a better position! - Mandy called. - Fall back!

They retreated deeper into the cave, holding the creature off as best they could. Eventually, they reached a dead end, a towering rock wall. The only exit was a narrow ledge far above.

- Now what?! - Mike panted.

- We fight! - Lynda declared, drawing her triple-bladed claws.

- But... - Mike hesitated, but there was no choice.

- She's right! - Lance agreed, charging forward with sword in hand.

Mandy followed without a word.

Lynda activated her semblance, zipping between the spider's eight legs in a blur of speed, slashing as she went. Lance shifted his sword into a spear, expanded his shield, and went for the monster's body.

Mandy sniped from the shadows, hitting another eye, then the softer tissue behind the jaw. The Grimm spat venom at her, but she teleported away just in time.

Mike, seeing an opening, triggered his weapon, What the Heck. A comically oversized boxing glove launched from it and slammed into the spider's face, stunning it.

The creature turned its fury toward him, but Mike activated his Semblance, a yellow, translucent dome formed around him, blocking the blow.

Lance and Lynda together severed several legs. Mandy continued her barrage. Mike, thinking fast, loaded fire Dust into his weapon and fired a rocket straight into one of the Grimm's open wounds. It exploded.

The spider burst into flames and disintegrated into smoke.

- Now that's teamwork! - Lance cheered.

But the celebration was short-lived.

The spider's bloated abdomen began to swell… and burst. Thousands of tiny Grimm-spiders poured out, a black tidal wave of chittering death.

- Its spawn! - Mike screamed. - They'll eat anything in their path!

Lynda opened fire, mowing them down, but for every one she killed, two more replaced it. They were surrounded.

- I've got an idea! - Mike shouted. - Get to me!

The others dove toward him. He activated his Semblance shield, then loaded earth Dust into What the Heck and slammed the trigger.

A massive spring launched all four of them upward, onto the ledge above.

Mike landed face-first. Lance tumbled. Lynda and Mandy stuck the landing.

But the swarm was fast, already crawling up the walls after them.

Mike reactivated his shield, but he was shaking.

- I can't hold this much longer! - He gasped.

The others stood ready, weapons raised.

- Well, - Mandy muttered sarcastically, fear hidden in her tone. - it was nice knowing you.

Then, a low, guttural roar shook the cave.

The tiny Grimm froze. All turned toward the sound.

And then, they fled. Like panicked vermin, the entire swarm scattered and vanished into the darkness.

A yellow flash marked the collapse of Mike's aura, and the shield dropped.

- …What was that? - Lance asked, staring into the gloom.

He couldn't see it. But Lynda and Mandy, Faunus eyes cutting through the shadows, stood pale and frozen.

- A Dragonoid Grimm. - Mandy whispered. - An ancient one… stronger than all of us.

- Then...

- RUN!

The team bolted into the darkness. From behind them, a blast of violet flame lit up the tunnel. Lance turned, raised his shield, and blocked the inferno.

- Go! - He shouted, standing his ground.

The others didn't argue. Mike, Mandy, and Lynda ran, while Lance stayed behind, ready to face the beast alone.

"Time for my Semblance.", Lance thought, as his teammates disappeared into the cave's depths.

He focused. Red aura began to blaze around him, growing thicker and more intense. His breath quickened, fists clenched. Muscles bulged, body tensed, his heartbeat thundered in his ears. His eyes snapped open, glowing like embers.

Fury, rage, and unwavering resolve radiated from him, drawing the Grimm like moths to flame. But not even they dared approach now. Only the Dragonoid stood unafraid, and it answered his challenge.

RRRRROOOOOAAAAARRRRR!

Lance roared back. The sound shook the entire cave, echoing off the walls. His aura flared like fire in the darkness.

The Dragonoid Grimm stepped into view, a black, two-legged dragon with a spiked tail, skeletal wings, and blade-like claws. Glowing red eyes locked on its foe.

Lance charged. A blast of violet fire shot at him, he blocked it with his shield and closed the distance. With a mighty swing, he drove his sword into the beast's chest. Sparks flew on impact.

The creature screamed, slashing back with its claws. Lance blocked one, but the other struck his side, sending him crashing to the ground. He rolled and sprang back to his feet.

His sword shifted into a spear. He spun, drove it deep into the Grimm's belly.

The Dragonoid staggered. Its tail whipped toward him, Lance leapt and slammed his shield into it. The sharp edge severed the tail cleanly.

The beast howled in pain, slamming the cave wall in rage. Stones fell from the ceiling. Lance dodged one, shattered another, but two hit him, knocking him to one knee.

The dragon breathed fire again. Lance planted his shield in the ground, using it as cover. The flames washed over him, his aura straining to hold.

As the Grimm reared to crush him, Lance leapt forward. He converted his spear back into a sword and, in one powerful strike, sliced off its left leg.

The monster collapsed with a screech. This was his chance.

He pulled the sword from its chest, stepped to the head… and brought the blade down with all his might.

The Dragonoid Grimm's head fell. Its body smoldered, then dissolved into black mist, like all slain Grimm.

Lance's aura dimmed. His body returned to normal. His breathing slowed. He collapsed to his knees, planted his shield in the ground… and blacked out.

When he opened his eyes, he was blinded by sunlight.

His helmet was being lifted off. A breeze touched his face. Fresh air filled his lungs. A familiar figure stood among the trees, Mandy, arms crossed, leaning against a trunk. Her left fox ear twitched. She looked at him.

- You're awake? - She asked, her voice surprisingly soft. - I thought we lost you.

- I'm alive… What about the others?

- They're here too.

Lance looked around. Mike lay sprawled beneath another tree, Lynda sitting nearby, resting.

- What you did down there. - Lynda said first. - That red aura… it was insane.

- My Semblance. - Lance replied, slowly sitting up. - I'm usually forbidden from using it.

- Why? That thing… it was an ancient Grimm. You killed it.

- The truth is… my Semblance is extremely dangerous. - Lance said quietly. - When I activate it, anger takes over. My strength, speed, endurance, they all increase tenfold… but I lose control. I'll attack anyone. Friend or foe. And if that weren't enough… I attract Grimm like a beacon.

- Anger is the strongest negative emotion. - Lynda nodded. - That explains it.

- And there's more. - Lance continued, rubbing his forehead. - Every time I use it, it shortens my lifespan.

- What?! - Mike and the others were stunned.

- It's a family curse. - Lance said. - Passed from father to son. Most of us don't live past forty.

- Promise me you won't tell anyone. - He added, lowering his head. - Everyone always sees me as a monster. I can't go through that again.

- You don't need to worry. - Lynda said firmly. - Your secret's safe with me.

- Same. - Mandy nodded.

- You can count on us. - Mike smiled.

- Thank you… and thanks for coming back for me.

- Mandy insisted. - Lynda admitted. - She wouldn't leave without you.

- Really? - Lance asked, surprised.

Mandy looked away, flustered.

- You've got one of the gold pawns. - She muttered. - I've got the other.

- Right… - Lance smiled.

- Can we get moving already?! - Mandy snapped, but her twitching fox tail betrayed her embarrassment. - They probably think we're dead!

Later, at Beacon Academy…

They returned just in time. Professor Ozpin stood before the assembled students in the great hall, announcing the final team formations.

- Russel Thrush, Cardin Winchester, Dove Bronzwing, and Sky Lark… You recovered the black bishops. From now on, you will be known as Team CRDL, led by Cardin Winchester.

Polite applause echoed across the hall. Ozpin continued without pause:

- Jaune Arc, Pyrrha Nikos, Nora Valkyrie, and Lie Ren. You retrieved the golden rooks. You shall form Team JNPR, led by Jaune Arc.

Jaune stared in shock, but his teammates, especially Pyrrha, smiled reassuringly.

- Ruby Rose, Weiss Schnee, Blake Belladonna, and Yang Xiao Long. You brought back the golden knights. You will be Team RWBY, led by Ruby Rose.

- I'm so proud of you! - Yang pulled Ruby into a hug. Weiss looked visibly disappointed, Blake just nodded silently.

- And finally… - Ozpin paused for effect. - Lancelot Pendragon, Lynda Dawn, Mandy Forrester, and Mike Birmingh. You retrieved the golden pawns. From now on, you shall be Team LLMM, led by Lancelot Pendragon.

A few students chuckled at the team name, but the four of them remained solemn and serious.

- Your dormitories are on the upper floors. The faculty will guide you. You are dismissed.

As the applause swelled around them, four young Huntsmen-in-training, each with a very different past, looked to one another, knowing that their real journey at Beacon had only just begun.

Chapter Text

The next morning, Team LLMM was assigned their own dorm room.

The place was spacious, but not really made for four people. There were four beds, a fully carpeted floor, two wardrobes along the wall, and a large window that let in the morning light, complete with a pale red curtain to block it if needed. Every bed had at least one power outlet next to it.

- Bit cramped. - Lance noted.

- Compared to the Mantle worker barracks, this is a palace. - Mandy replied dryly.

Everyone received their uniforms. Mike and Lance were issued the boys' version: black suit, white shirt, and a red tie. Lynda and Mandy got the girls' version: black blazer, white blouse, red neck ribbon, black-and-red checkered skirt, and formal shoes. Lynda wore short white socks to move more freely, while Mandy preferred black knee-highs.

- We'll make it work if we manage the space smartly. - Mike said, unpacking his medications onto the nightstand, making his area look like a miniature pharmacy.

- Team RWBY apparently turned their beds into bunk beds. - Lynda commented.

- How? - Mandy asked, surprised.

- Dangerously. - Came the flat reply.

- We're not doing that. - Lance declared, and no one argued.

Lance set up a large armor rack in one corner and hung up his red armor and shield. He mounted a weapons rack on the wall opposite and placed his sword there. His clothes, mostly T-shirts, pants, and underwear, went into the wardrobe, and his now-empty bag was tossed beside the bed. Done and dusted.

Lynda didn't need a rack for her armor. Her leather gear fit neatly into a box, and her gauntlets went into a drawer. Her clothes were thrown into the other wardrobe, still plenty of space left.

Mandy was far more organized than the others. She carefully folded her clothes, leaned her bow against the bed, laid her quiver beside it, and placed her daggers in the drawer.

Mike was still unpacking his meds, going on twenty minutes now. His area was starting to resemble a survivalist's supply depot. Backup underwear and socks packed by his mom, personal dishes, his own cup, a water bottle, and at least a ton of wet wipes, he didn't believe in regular toilet paper. Once he placed What the Heck, his weapon that looked suspiciously like a candy vending machine, onto the top drawer, he sighed in sweaty satisfaction.

- All done! - He announced proudly. - How about you...

He trailed off. The others had long since finished, already packed their gear for class, and were quietly relaxing before heading out.

- You really need to work on your speed, lardball. - Lynda said, not looking up from her Scroll game.

- We've got twenty minutes until first class. - Lance said calmly, lying on his back, mentally preparing. Mandy sat quietly, resting.

Ten minutes later, they decided to head out.

Their first class was Grimm Studies and Defense, and the RWBY team arrived a bit late, Ruby had misread the time.

Each team had their own assigned row of four seats, to help them stay together.

- Monsters! Demons! - Roared Professor Peter Port at the front of the class.

He was an older, round-bellied man with gray hair slicked back and an enormous mustache that nearly covered his mouth. The classroom walls were covered in illustrations of Grimm species: Beowolves, Deathstalkers, Nevermores, Ursas, Boarbatusks, and many more. In front of his desk sat a large cage, hidden beneath a canvas sheet.

- Creatures of the night! - He continued, in a dramatically theatrical voice. - Grimm go by many names, but I call them one thing: prey!

He chuckled at his own joke. The class met him with silence.

His voice droned with the rhythm of a rehearsed speech, but most students still tried to pay attention. Most… but not Ruby.

- If you succeed here, you will become Huntsmen. - Port continued, pacing the platform. - The four kingdoms, Vale, Mistral, Atlas, and Vacuo, are safe havens from these monsters. But beyond the walls, the world is crawling with Grimm, creatures with only one purpose: to destroy mankind. That's where we come in. We, the brave Huntsmen and…

- Huntresses. - He added, winking at Yang, who only rolled her eyes.

- Those who swear to protect the innocent. And where do we do that?

- Everywhere! - He raised a triumphant fist.

- Woo-hoo! - Mike was the only one to clap enthusiastically, until he noticed the cold stares from the rest of the class and quickly stopped.

- That is why you're here. To learn how to defend the helpless. But first… a story. A tale of a young, handsome lad's adventure… - He paused for effect. - me.

He launched into a nostalgic tale from his youth. Unfortunately, his storytelling was so dull that it was nearly impossible to stay focused.

- Typical self-absorbed teacher. - Mandy muttered, resting her head in her palm.

- Yeah, you last five minutes, then you're done. - Lynda grumbled.

- He should be used as a sleep aid. - Lance added.

- I think he's great! - Mike's eyes sparkled with admiration.

- You are a powerful minority, Itch-Mite. - Lynda said, rolling her eyes.

- …despite the smell of cabbage, my grandfather was a wise man. - Port went on. - He told me, 'Peter, never let fear defeat you.'

At that moment, Lance felt a crumpled paper hit him.

He unfolded it and found a doodle of Port, complete with exaggerated mustache and a comic caption:

"Ruby Rose – Grimm Studies – Day One: Smelly Professor."

Lance glanced over at Ruby, who was giggling with Weiss. He showed the drawing to his team, Mandy and Lynda both smirked.

- Ahem! - Port's dramatic throat-clear demanded silence.

- And so, the Beowolves had no chance against my courage! When I returned to the village, I was hailed as a hero! The lesson? A good Huntsman is honest, dependable, prepared, trained, and wise! Now then, who feels they fit that description?

- I do, sir! - Weiss immediately raised her hand, then stood angrily when she noticed Ruby completely ignoring the lecture.

- Excellent. Then prove it, Miss Schnee.

Port pulled the canvas from the cage. Inside, red eyes flashed.

- Step forward, change into your combat attire, and face your opponent!

Weiss stepped out, fully dressed in her combat uniform: a white dress with red lining, high-heeled boots, and an elegant look that matched her noble background. In her hand was Myrtenaster, her signature rapier, its hilt lined with a rotating cylinder of multicolored Dust canisters.

- Go Weiss! - Yang cheered.

- Fight well! - Blake waved a tiny RWBY flag with a smile.

- You're representing Team RWBY! - Ruby added brightly.

- Ruby, I'm trying to focus! - Weiss turned on her sharply.

- Oh, sorry…

Team LLMM watched the scene unfold from their row.

- Think she's really as good as they say? - Lance asked.

- She's loaded. Probably has the best gear money can buy. - Lynda muttered.

- The Schnee family is powerful. A lot of famous Huntsmen and Huntresses came from them. That's no accident. - Mike added. - Her grandfather, Nicholas Schnee, founded Atlas.

- Just another overhyped name. - Mandy mumbled. - Money buys anything.

- Let the match begin! - Port declared, smashing the cage lock open with his massive weapon.

The Boarbatusk, a black, bone-armored Grimm resembling a monstrous wild boar, charged straight at Weiss.

She dodged with a graceful pivot and slashed the creature as it passed.

Weiss conjured a snowflake-shaped glyph midair, leaping off it toward the Grimm. But the Boarbatusk baited her, it clamped her rapier between its tusks and threw her down.

- What will she do without her weapon? - Port asked aloud, although he was ready to step in if needed.

Weiss rolled aside just in time, retrieved Myrtenaster, and squared off again.

The Grimm whirled into a spiked ball and slammed toward her.

- Hit the belly, Weiss! That's the weak spot! - Ruby shouted.

- Shut up! Don't tell me what to do! - Weiss snapped.

The Boarbatusk spun toward her like a spiked cannonball.

Weiss summoned multiple glyphs in rapid succession. The Grimm smashed into them as if hitting solid walls, stunning itself. Weiss leapt again and drove her blade into its exposed underbelly.

Myrtenaster pierced clean through.

- Bravo! - Port applauded. - A true Huntress with great potential!

With that, the class ended. Port reminded everyone to study the material before dismissing them.

Despite the dull start, Weiss' dramatic battle with the Boarbatusk had lifted the class' energy, though Weiss herself didn't look pleased. She seemed more frustrated and embarrassed than proud.

- Look at her, - Lynda snorted. - she gets a shiny A and still throws a tantrum.

- Rich, self-important princess. - Mandy sneered while packing up her books. - What did we expect from a Schnee?

The rest of the day was spent introducing the other subjects.

History turned out to be far more engaging than expected, Professor Oobleck's high energy, rapid-fire speech, and genuine passion for the past actually kept the students hooked. Even Mike stayed focused the whole time. Oobleck was also in charge of Dust studies and natural sciences, so the students would be seeing him frequently.

Economics, on the other hand, made Port's class feel like a thrill ride in comparison. Professor Glynda Goodwitch's stern demeanor and commanding presence at least ensured that no one dared to fall asleep.

Weapons Maintenance and Mechanics was, unsurprisingly, taught by Professor Port again, who insisted on admiring and commenting on every weapon and armor piece personally.

That afternoon came Team Training.

All students reported to the gym in full combat attire, weapons at the ready.

- As you know, - Professor Goodwitch began, standing tall at the center of the arena. - not all Huntsmen are front-line warriors. Some have Semblances suited more for support. But every role is vital, as long as you learn to work together. That's what this exercise is for.

The gray floor and walls of the gym shifted and moved. Within seconds, it had transformed into a large obstacle course.

- Your task is to reach the end of the course as a team, in the shortest time possible. Alone, it's impossible. Together, it's doable.

The course included steep climbs, scalable walls, wide gaps, trap mechanisms, and robotic enemies shaped like Grimm. While not lethal, the traps could inflict pain and rapidly drain a student's aura.

Each team took their turn. Team RWBY finished in record time. Ruby, more confident after her talk with Ozpin, led with surprising command. Weiss followed her lead for once, and Blake and Yang worked together with ease.

Team JNPR did moderately well. Jaune might have been the weakest, but he made decent calls as a leader, letting Pyrrha, Ren, and Nora carry the weight with their skills and coordination.

Team CRDL, led by the bulky and arrogant Cardin, came in second.

- Only the lamest team left! - Cardin jeered toward Team LLMM, earning himself a round of sharp glares.

- Final team: LLMM. - Goodwitch announced.

Lance, Lynda, and Mandy looked focused and composed. Mike clutched his weapon nervously, visibly trembling.

- Three… two… one… begin!

The course activated. The team took off, but Mike lagged behind immediately. The first obstacles they managed to push through, but soon robots cut them off. Lance had to turn back.

- Go ahead! - Lance shouted after slicing down a few bots. - Keep moving!

Mandy teleported. Lynda used her speed. Lance returned to grab Mike, who was already surrounded. Mike's shield barely held up. He was practically useless on the course.

- Damn it, fat*ss! - Lynda exploded as Lance rushed back to help. - If we fail because of you…

- I'm trying… - Mike panted, drenched in sweat.

- Then drag that lard butt forward!

- Enough! - Lance barked.

- I've got this! - Lynda pushed forward in anger, but quickly burned out.

Mandy had long split from the group, advancing solo, while Lance and Mike struggled together.

Eventually, Lance found a detour that looked passable.

- This way!

Mike followed, slowly but surely. By then, Lynda had collapsed from aura exhaustion. Lance didn't make it either, there were simply too many enemies. Mike's aura gave out last.

- I surrender! - He cried, dropping to his knees and raising his hands.

The course powered down.

- That went well. - Lynda muttered bitterly, kicking a broken robot carcass.

- We almost had it… - Lance tried to stay positive.

- Almost? We totally screwed it up! - Lynda snapped, nowhere near sharing his optimism.

- It wasn't that bad. - Mike offered meekly, trying to lighten the mood, but only fueled Lynda's fury.

- This is all your fault! If Lance didn't have to babysit you, we would've finished ages ago!

- Hey! - Lance stepped up. - You were the one who rushed off on your own instead of sticking together!

- They could've broken through without you.

- Oh look, the missing fox finally returns! - Lynda redirected her rage at Mandy. - Didn't occur to you to help us out, maybe?!

- I reached the goal. - Mandy shrugged coldly.

- None of you completed the exercise. - Goodwitch announced flatly. - All four of you receive an F.

- But I finished the course! - Mandy shot back.

- The task was for the team to reach the end. - Goodwitch emphasized. - Mr. Birmingh, your stamina is critically low, and your combat ability is insufficient. Ms. Dawn, you broke formation and put your teammates in danger. Ms. Forrester, you made no effort to support your team. Mr. Pendragon, you failed to demonstrate the leadership resolve expected of you. I suggest you all learn from this. Class dismissed.

After their final class, the students returned to their dorms. Most teams were in good spirits, they'd done well. Except for LLMM.

That evening, everyone except Mike stayed behind to talk.

- Mike's just dead weight! - Lynda began, still fuming. - He's holding us back!

- I agree. - Mandy nodded. - He didn't help at all during the drill.

- Hold on, - Lance raised a hand. - he might not be the strongest, but at least he's trying. You saw how hard he was fighting out there.

- Trying isn't enough! - Lynda snapped. - I'm going to ask Professor Ozpin to remove him from our team.

- You can't be serious…

- Oh, I'm dead serious. He never should've been placed with us to begin with! - She shouted, then stormed out of the room.

Meanwhile, Mike had been listening outside the door. His face went pale. There were no words to describe how crushed he felt. Lynda's words hit deep. Maybe they were right. Maybe he really didn't belong here. Maybe he was just dragging everyone down.

He walked down the hallway, shoulders slumped. This whole thing felt like a mistake.

That's when he ran into Headmaster Ozpin, casually sipping cocoa with his usual calm demeanor.

- Ah, Mr. Birmingh. Out for a stroll this late? - Ozpin asked cheerfully, not a hint of scolding in his voice.

Mike hesitated before speaking softly.

- Professor… did you make a mistake putting me on Team LLMM?

Ozpin smiled.

- Mr. Birmingh, I've made more mistakes than anyone could possibly count. But this? This wasn't one of them.

- The others think I'm just holding them back. I can't fight well. I couldn't even finish the course…

- Instead of focusing on what you can't do, try thinking about what you can. Not every Huntsman fights on the front lines. Some support, some plan, some protect. You do have a place here. I believe in you.

Mike nodded quietly. Ozpin's words didn't fix everything, but they lifted a little of the weight from his shoulders. Without another word, he turned and walked back to the dorm.

At the same time, Lynda stormed toward the headmaster's office, but found it empty. Instead, she was greeted by Glynda Goodwitch.

- Ms. Dawn? It's late. Is something urgent?

- Yes, Professor… I need to speak with Headmaster Ozpin.

- About what, exactly?

Lynda hesitated for a moment before finally blurting it out:

- I want Mike Birmingh removed from our team.

- And why is that?

- He's just holding us back. He's slow, weak, useless! We'd be better off without him!

Goodwitch raised an eyebrow.

- So you believe he's the weak link? - she asked calmly. Then, before Lynda could reply, she continued. - And what kind of teammate are you, Ms. Dawn?

- At least I can fight! Not like that fat pig who sweats just walking down the hallway!

- You may fight, but you don't cooperate. - Goodwitch looked her straight in the eye, her tone turning firm. - Every team is made of four. That's not optional. No exceptions. Instead of pushing away the weaker members, perhaps you should try helping them. A good Huntsman isn't just strong, they're a good comrade. Remember this: true teammates are for life.

Lynda stood in silence, then turned and left with her head lowered.

She returned to the dorm, where Mike was already lying in bed, facing the wall, silent. He didn't say a word, but he didn't need to. The tension hung heavy in the room.

Their first day had been eye-opening, and painful.

Team LLMM was still far from becoming a real team.

Chapter Text

Months had passed since the start of the school year, and most students had shown clear signs of progress. Among them, Team RWBY stood out the most: their skills and combat prowess had improved significantly. Weiss, in particular, had learned to trust Ruby and accept her as their leader.

Team JNPR was also doing well, except for their team leader, Jaune. He struggled not only with his studies but also in combat, where his poor performance was slowly wearing down his self-confidence.

Team LLMM, on the other hand, had a harder time. Lance was gradually growing into a more confident leader, and Mandy had begun to participate more actively in teamwork. But Lynda and Mike's progress had stalled. Mike remained shy and clumsy, while Lynda made no secret of her opinion that Mike was little more than dead weight on the team.

The latest combat exercise was led by Professor Goodwitch. It was a supervised sparring session in which students faced off in serious but non-lethal duels, meant to showcase their Semblances and combat skills. Each team was matched against another.

Team JNPR was set to battle Team CRDL, while Team LLMM faced off against Team RWBY.

JNPR did well against CRDL, except for Jaune, who was pitted against Cardin: a big, red-brown-haired guy clad in gray armor, wielding a massive mace.

Jaune was no serious challenge for Cardin. The larger boy's brute strength and endurance far outmatched his opponent. Jaune was panting, leaning on his sword, barely able to hold up his shield with his other hand.

- Come on... - He wheezed.

Gathering what little strength he had left, he launched a desperate attack. Cardin sidestepped with ease and, before Jaune could even turn around, slammed the mace into his face, knocking him to the ground.

Still, Jaune refused to stay down. He threw aside his shield, gripped his sword with both hands, and charged again. Cardin blocked easily and shoved him back with the mace.

- This is the part where you lose. - Cardin sneered.

- Over my... - Jaune began, but couldn't finish. Cardin's knee drove into his gut, and he collapsed.

Cardin raised his mace for the finishing blow, just as the bell rang, signaling the end of the match.

- Mr. Winchester, that's enough! - Ordered Professor Goodwitch as she stepped between them and pulled up her Scroll. - As you can see, Mr. Arc's aura is now in the red zone. In a tournament setting, that would mean he's no longer eligible to fight. His match is over.

Jaune got to his feet, disappointed, but Goodwitch added:

- Mr. Arc, months have gone by. Please start checking your Scroll during battles. It shows your aura level, and it can help you decide when to attack and when to defend. We wouldn't want a Beowolf having you for dinner, would we?

- Speak for yourself. - muttered Cardin, slinging the mace over his shoulder and walking off the field.

Goodwitch turned back to the others.

- Final two teams: RWBY and LLMM.

Cardin scoffed loudly as LLMM passed him.

- Time for the loser squad. - He jeered, his teammates laughing obnoxiously.

As the two teams took their places on the sparring ground, it quickly became clear that Team LLMM was one member short.

- Where is Miss Forester? - Asked Goodwitch, her brows furrowed.

- She said she wasn't feeling well and couldn't come. - Lance replied.

Goodwitch narrowed her eyes.

- A true Huntress doesn't back down from a fight, even when she's under the weather. Please, relay that message to her.

- Yes, ma'am.

- Since Team LLMM is one member short, Miss Schnee will sit this one out. - She added, turning to Weiss. The girl gave a small nod and stepped down from the field without protest.

- First match: Miss Xiao Long versus Mr. Birmingh.

Mike swallowed hard when he heard he'd be fighting Yang. He immediately started sweating again.

The rest of the teams cleared the field. Yang confidently loaded her weapon, Ember Celica, while Mike shakily raised his own: the bizarre device known as What the Heck.

As soon as the bell rang, Yang wasted no time. She charged forward. Mike reflexively activated his Semblance, creating an energy shield around him, and desperately tried to fend off her punches and blasts.

A red glow began to burn in Yang's eyes. She pounded on Mike's barrier with increasing fury while he scrambled to press buttons on his weapon. What the Heck spat out an energy boxing glove, which Mike tried to punch Yang with, but she'd seen that trick before and blocked it with a single blow of her own.

Mike tried again, this time four mechanical arms sprang from the machine, reaching for Yang. She dodged with ease, used her Semblance to power up, and in seconds destroyed both the arms and Mike's defense. Caught off guard, Mike failed to reinforce his shield and collapsed after a single punch.

- The match is over. Miss Xiao Long is the winner. - Declared Goodwitch.

She turned sharply to Mike.

- Mr. Birmingh, you and Mr. Arc demonstrated the weakest performances in the individual matches. You panic too easily, freeze up, and become an easy target. I strongly recommend you work on your close-combat skills.

Mike walked off the field, head down. Yang, meanwhile, didn't look particularly proud of her victory.

- You were awesome, Yang! - Ruby cheered.

Her sister just shrugged.

- Didn't really have to try. I got the weakest opponent.

That didn't do anything to help Mike's confidence.

- Next match: Lynda Dawn versus Blake Belladonna.

- Finally! - Lynda stepped eagerly onto the field, glad to be fighting without having to think about her teammates.

Blake moved into position silently, her team's supportive gaze behind her. Lynda sharpened her long claw-like blades against each other and smirked.

- Time to pet the kitty with my claws.

Blake's eyes narrowed. When she spotted Lynda's white dog ears, she realized instantly, no headband could fool another faunus.

- You bark a lot. Do you bite too? - She replied coolly and smiled.

The bell rang. Lynda struck first. But Blake, using her Semblance, swapped with a shadow clone, and Lynda sliced nothing but air. Blake dropped from above and kicked her in the head before flipping behind her.

Lynda spun quickly, slashing in all directions, but missed. She listened, pinpointing Blake landing a few meters away, and then activated her own Semblance, rushing forward at blinding speed.

Blake baited her again with another clone, and this time set a trap using her weapon's ribbon. Lynda ran right into it. Blake opened fire with her pistol-mode weapon, but Lynda's aura still held. She stood up and fired back, but Blake swapped again and attacked from behind.

This time, however, Lynda was ready. She blocked the strike with her blades. One of her weapons clashed against Blake's, and with her three-pronged claw she swung at her opponent, but Blake was quicker, sweeping Lynda's leg and pressing her pistol to her head.

The bell rang.

- The match is over. Miss Belladonna is the winner.

Lynda slammed her fists into the ground in rage.

- Son of a...

- Miss Dawn, - Goodwitch snapped sharply from behind her glasses. - show some self-control and respect! As for your strategy: you're too hot-headed and aggressive. Learn to think with a cool head. Never underestimate your opponent. That's how people die.

Lynda stormed off the field, still swearing under her breath.

- Last match of the day: Lancelot Pendragon versus Ruby Rose. - Goodwitch announced.

- Yay! - Ruby cheered. - Finally I get to show what I can do!

- Saving the best for last. - Lance replied with a half-smile, though after his teammates' performance, he was beginning to worry.

- Your team didn't exactly impress. - Ruby pointed out.

- I'll try to fix that. - Lance said confidently.

The match began. Lance wasn't nervous like Mike, nor reckless like Lynda. He raised his shield, sword held in a guarded stance, and slowly advanced.

Ruby struck first, swinging Crescent Rose from the side, but Lance blocked with his shield. She switched to rifle mode and fired, Lance blocked again, pressing forward.

Ruby began zipping around him using her Semblance, slashing and shooting, but she couldn't break through his defense. Lance, however, couldn't land a hit either, Ruby was just too fast.

For several minutes, the fight remained a stalemate, until Lance made a bold move: he threw aside his sword, grabbed Ruby's cloak, and slammed her to the ground, than again and again.

A red flash pulsed around Ruby, her aura had hit its limit. The bell rang.

- The match is over. Winner: Mr. Pendragon.

Goodwitch turned to Ruby.

- Miss Rose, you were circling your opponent, but you only depleted your own aura. You failed to land any meaningful strikes or break through his defense. That is why you lost. Please focus on improving your physical strength.

- You fought well. - Lance said, helping her to her feet. - At least your team did better than mine.

- Thanks. - Ruby replied with a faint smile.

Goodwitch gave a final statement:

- Let this be a reminder to all of you: the Vytal Festival is only a few months away. Students from other kingdoms will soon arrive in Vale. If you want to participate in the tournament, train hard. Only those passing all subjects will be eligible.

The bell rang. Class dismissed.

As most of the students filed out of the training hall, Mike and Jaune were left trailing behind, looking thoroughly defeated.

Lunchtime didn't improve their mood much. Nearby, Nora was in the middle of recounting one of her and Ren's adventures.

- …and there we were. - She said dramatically, scanning her audience, which included her own team, as well as members of RWBY and LLMM. - In the middle of the night!

- It was daytime. - Ren corrected softly.

- Completely surrounded by Ursas!

- Beowolves, actually. - Ren added again.

- A DOZEN OF THEM! - Nora exclaimed triumphantly.

- There were two. - Ren sighed.

- But they didn't stand a chance! In the end, Ren and I took them down, sold their fur, and made a mountain of money!

- It's been her recurring dream for about a month now... - Ren murmured, rubbing his forehead.

Pyrrha turned to the gloomy duo, mainly addressing Jaune.

- Jaune, Mike… are you two okay?

- Huh?! - Jaune startled, having been poking at his food in silence. - Yeah! Why?

- I'm fine too! Totally fine. No idea why you'd ask! - Mike chimed in, trying to sound casual.

- You just seem a little down. - Ruby offered gently. - And… you're playing with your food. - She looked at Mike. - You never play with your food.

- Guys... - Lance joined in. - Are you sure you're okay?

- Seriously, we're fine. - Jaune insisted, trying to sound convincing. Mike nodded along, but no one at the table looked convinced.

Suddenly, a loud burst of mocking laughter came from a nearby table. The entire CRDL team sat there, led by Cardin, and joined by Lynda, who had recently been spending more and more time with them. They were harassing a brown-haired faunus girl with long, soft bunny ears. Velvet, from Team CFVY.

- Jaune, Mike, - Pyrrha said, her tone serious. - Cardin and Lynda have been picking on you since day one.

- What? Cardin Winchester? - Jaune looked up.

- And Lynda Dawn? - Mike echoed.

- No way! - Jaune tried to brush it off. - They're just messing around!

- Yeah, Lynda's on my team. She's probably just teasing. - Mike said quickly.

- They're both jerks. - Ruby said flatly.

- Agreed. - Lance nodded. - I've tried talking to Lynda a dozen times, but it's in one ear and out the other. She's a very bad dog.

- Honestly... - Mike scratched the back of his head awkwardly, glancing toward the faunus girl whose ears were now being pulled by Lynda and Cardin. - Sometimes I really feel like she wants to get rid of me.

- Come on! - Jaune tried to dismiss it. - Name one time they actually bullied us!

The others didn't hesitate.

- Last week, when he knocked your books out of your hands in the hallway.

- When she put a whoopee cushion on your chair during history class.

- When he opened your shield and you got stuck in the doorway.

- When she scattered her dog fur on your bed and triggered your allergies.

- When he locked you in your locker and fired it in a random direction."

- When she pushed you down the stairs into a trap she'd set, and you almost broke something.

Mike and Jaune still tried to deny it.

- It's not like I flew that far...

- The stairs were kinda like a rollercoaster...

- Guys... - Pyrrha spoke more firmly. - If you ever need help, please talk to us. Your teammates. Your friends.

- I know! - Nora jumped up. - Let's break their legs!

- Guys, really, - Jaune stood up with his tray. - we'll be fine.

- He's right, - Mike added. - Lynda and Cardin don't just pick on us...

- For example, her. - Jaune pointed toward Velvet. Cardin and Lynda were still tugging at her ears. The girl finally burst into tears and ran out of the cafeteria.

- What a bunch of jerks. - Pyrrha muttered. - I hate people like that.

- I get Cardin, - Blake finally spoke up. - but Lynda's a faunus too.

- I thought faunus were supposed to stick together. - Yang added.

Next class was History, taught by Professor Oobleck, a wiry, green-haired, bespectacled man who zoomed from one side of the classroom to the other, sipping coffee and speaking at the pace of a machine gun.

- Yes! Yes, the Faunus Rights Revolution, sometimes referred to as the Great War, saw humanity place tremendous pressure on the faunus population of Menagerie! - He exclaimed, rushing to the opposite corner of the room in a blur. - Though this may feel like ancient history to some of you, it is vital to understand that these events still echo through the present!

Sip.

- This level of violent, ignorant behavior easily leads to... species war!

He abruptly paused, turning to address the class.

- Has anyone here ever been a victim of bullying, exclusion, or discrimination because of their faunus heritage?

Velvet and Mandy silently raised their hands.

- Outrageous! - Oobleck shook his head. - Now then... who can tell me what turning point, according to many theologians, occurred in the third year of the war?

A few students raised their hands. Oobleck pointed to Weiss.

- The Battle of Fort Castle. - She answered confidently.

- Excellent! And, what advantage did the faunus have over General Lagune's forces?

As he posed the question, Cardin flicked a paper ball at Jaune, who flinched and let out a startled yelp.

- Mr. Arc! - Oobleck pounced. - Delighted to hear from you at last. The answer, please?

- Uh... - Jaune froze. His mind went blank. He stared forward, panicking, while Oobleck practically buzzed with anticipation.

- The advantage... the faunus had... against that guy...?

Pyrrha tried to gesture hints from afar, but it was no use.

- Binoculars! - Jaune blurted.

The classroom erupted in laughter. Oobleck sighed and took another sip of coffee, while Pyrrha rubbed her temples.

- Very funny, Mr. Arc. Mr. Winchester, care to share your thoughts?

Cardin leaned back in his seat, propped his feet on the desk, and said smugly:

- Animals are easier to train than soldiers.

Only Lynda laughed, then added her own jab:

- Or maybe their enemies were just a bunch of fat, soft, whiny little boys who gave away their position by the stench of their own poop.

She flashed a grin at Mike, who turned pale.

- Not very open-minded of you, Cardin, Lynda. - Pyrrha said calmly but firmly.

- Do you have problem? - Cardin sneered.

- No, just the answer of the question. The advantage was superior night vision, hearing, and smell. The faunus were unbeatable in that regard.

- General Lagune was inexperienced. - Blake added. - He tried to attack at night, which was a fatal mistake. His big army was outplayed, and he was captured.

She glanced at Lynda and Cardin and gave a sly smile.

- Maybe if he'd paid attention in class, he wouldn't have made such a big mistake.

Lynda started to leap to her feet, but Oobleck raised a finger to stop her.

- Miss Dawn, sit down, please.

Then he stopped by Jaune's desk and continued:

- You, Mr. Arc. And you, Mr. Winchester. Stay after class. You've earned yourselves some extra homework.

He wrapped up the lesson at high speed. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, except Jaune, Cardin, and Lynda, who remained behind.

- You three have been struggling in my class since day one. - Oobleck began. - I don't know if it's apathy, arrogance, or sheer weak mind, but it ends now.

- You were accepted into Beacon, which means you showed promise once. From now on, I expect excellence. Because history matters, ladies and gentlemen. Those who do not learn from it are doomed to repeat it.

- Write me an essay based on pages 51 to 91. Due next class. Dismissed.

He vanished in a blur, coffee mug in hand.

As soon as he left, Cardin kicked over a trash can.

- You've got to be kidding me! A little joking around and we get extra homework?!

- Seriously! - Lynda chimed in. - Who cares about some stupid war and some stupid general making some stupid mistake and getting captured in some stupid battle?!

Lately, Lynda had been spending more and more time with Team CRDL, especially Cardin. That's why she didn't even bother going back to her own room anymore; she just hung out with the guys.

- Why don't we get the fat kid on your team to do it? - Cardin suggested, flopping down and tossing his bag aside.

- Flab-boy? I don't think that's an option. Lance already flipped out after the first few times.

- You scared of Lance? - Cardin laughed and reached to pinch one of Lynda's pointy dog ears.

- Hell no! - Lynda slapped his hand away. - But if we make him do it, Lance will rat us out in a heartbeat.

Cardin sighed.

- Then... I guess we'll have to...

He stopped mid-sentence as Lynda clamped a hand over his mouth. Her dog ears twitched. She gestured for silence.

- I just want to help you! - Pyrrha's voice drifted down from the rooftop. Cardin and Lynda crept to the window.

- How could you help? - Jaune's voice replied.

- We could train up here, alone. No one would interrupt us. - Pyrrha offered brightly.

- So you think I need help?

- N-no! I didn't mean it like...

- Sure you did.

- Jaune, everyone needs help sometimes. That doesn't make you less. You belong here too. Like the rest of us.

- You're wrong. I don't belong here.

- Don't say that...

- I mean it! I wasn't accepted into Beacon. I didn't go to combat school. I never passed any exams. I lied. I got in with fake transcripts!

- What? But why?

- Because it's my dream! My family's full of heroes, my dad, my granddad, and his father before him! I wanted to be one too… but I was never good enough.

- Then let me help...

- I don't want help! I'm sick of being the screw-up and needs rescuing! I want to be a hero!

- Jaune, I...

- I'm tired of being the idiot stuck in a tree while everyone else is fighting for their lives. If I can't do this on my own… what good am I?

- Then… if that's what you want… - Pyrrha said quietly.

Cardin and Lynda had heard everything.

- You heard that too, right? - Cardin grinned.

- Looks like we've got ourselves a little servant. - Lynda smirked.

- Maybe being a faunus isn't so bad after all. - Cardin chuckled.

- Was that a compliment?

- Totally, - He waved it off. - I'm full of romance.

He climbed onto the roof.

- Oh, Jaune...

- Cardin?!

- We couldn't help overhearing your little confession.

- We? - Jaune backed up nervously as Lynda climbed up beside him.

- Yep. - She said. - Your little girlfriend isn't here to save you this time.

- So… you snuck into Beacon, huh? - Cardin grinned wickedly. - Honestly? Didn't see that coming.

- Please… don't tell anyone! - Jaune begged.

- Jaune, come on. - Cardin approached with mock sweetness. - We wouldn't snitch a friend.

- Especially a useful friend. - Lynda added with a fake smile.

- Friend? - Jaune asked nervously, already dreading what was coming next.

- Of course! - Cardin clamped a strong arm around him, squeezing hard. - We're buddies, Jauney boy. If you play your cards well and do us favors, we could be friends for a long time.

- For starters… we really don't feel like writing Oobleck's essay. - Lynda smiled.

- Think you could take care of that for us, buddy? - Cardin added.

Jaune couldn't say no.

- Don't worry, Jaune. Your secret's safe with us.

Chapter Text

A very important week had begun at Beacon Academy: the midterm exams had arrived. The school halls were eerily quiet, students either crammed study materials or fine-tuned and polished their weapons in preparation for the trials ahead.

Teams RWBY, JNPR, and LLMM passed most of their exams with relative ease, some with top scores, others more modest, but they all managed to complete the semester successfully. Except for one subject: Team Training. For Team LLMM, this would prove to be their true crucible.

All student teams were gathered in the training hall, where Professor Goodwitch, Professor Port, Professor Oobleck, and Headmaster Ozpin were waiting.

- We're eager to see whether you possess the qualities of a true Huntsman or Huntress. - Goodwitch began, her gaze sharp and uncompromising.

- You bet we do!

- Heck yeah!

- Absolutely!

The students buzzed with excitement.

- However, you must have passed all your other subjects to reach this point. - Goodwitch continued. - You now face the final challenge of this semester's exams: the Team Training exercise. The three teams with the best time will represent the academy at the upcoming Vytal Festival. Professor Port, please explain why teamwork is so vital to a Huntsman's life.

- Thank you, Glynda. - Port stepped forward, pacing slowly as his bushy mustache twitched with every word. - My children, remember this: for a Huntsman or Huntress, the battlefield is not a place of solitude. It is where you fight side by side as brothers and sisters. Yes, squabbles happen, but never forget: there is strength in unity. In battle, you are one. You must learn to trust each other, and to protect one another!

- Which team shall go first? - He asked, prompting eager hands to shoot up.

- I believe the team with the best results so far should start. - Oobleck suggested, gripping his ever-present coffee mug.

- Think he means us? - Lance joked half-heartedly, knowing full well they were the weakest so far.

- Team RWBY. - Oobleck declared, and the named team rose with enthusiasm.

- Team RWBY, take your position on the obstacle course. - Goodwitch instructed.

- Maybe we can learn something from them. - Mike whispered hopefully.

- Shut up, tubby! - Lynda growled.

Team RWBY took their positions. The teachers activated the course, and mechanical Grimm surged forward. The team moved with incredible synchronicity, it was astonishing how much they'd grown, especially Ruby and Weiss, who had once bickered constantly but now seemed to read each other's thoughts.

They stayed together, breezing through the first half of the course. But halfway in, they were surrounded by Grimm.

- Ladybug! - Ruby shouted.

Blake threw Gumbo Shroud, Ruby tied the wire around her waist, and Blake yanked her into a sweeping arc, slicing through a wave of enemies.

- Freezerburn!

Weiss froze the floor while Yang punched it, creating a rising mist that obscured the Grimm's sight.

- Bumblebee and White Rose!

Weiss summoned a glyph in front of Ruby, amplifying Crescent Rose's blasts so they froze each enemy on contact. Meanwhile, Yang and Blake launched a joint attack, Blake guiding Yang's strikes to shatter the frozen Grimm.

- Strawberry Sunshine and Checkmate!

They rotated positions: Weiss and Blake used glyphs and shadow clones to funnel the enemies together. Ruby and Yang finished the job with a final combined strike, then used their weapons and Semblances to propel themselves over the final wall, together.

- Pfft, - Lynda scoffed. - we're better than that.

- One ruby prize for Team RWBY. - Lance quipped sarcastically, trying to ease the tension. In truth, he was happy they had done well.

- Well done! - Port praised. - Excellent teamwork, excellent performance. That's top marks from me!

- Next up, Team LLMM. - Goodwitch said, wasting no time.

- Here we go... - Lance muttered, strapping on his helmet and drawing his sword. - We're up.

- Stick behind me, I'll lead the way. - Lynda said confidently.

- Mandy, you're staying with us this time, right? - Lance asked the fox faunus.

- Relax. We're going in together, and we'll finish together. - Mandy replied, slightly offended by the question.

- Let's just stay together and we'll be fine. - Mike added, clearly nervous. But as Team RWBY passed them on their way out, anxiety crept back in. - They're so much better than us...

- Oh, shut up! - Lynda snapped.

The trial began. The robot Grimm surged into action. Surprisingly, LLMM started strong, they stuck together, and even Mike kept pace. Their coordination wasn't as tight as RWBY's, but they were progressing.

- Mandy! - Lance shouted as he and Mandy unintentionally got separated. - We need to regroup! Mike and Lynda won't last alone!

- Don't worry about it! - Mandy snapped back, but turned to rejoin them.

Meanwhile, Lynda fought recklessly, ignoring Mike, who was quickly surrounded by Grimm.

- Lynda, Mandy! Mike's in trouble! - Lance warned.

- Leave him! He's just dead weight! - Lynda shouted.

Mandy didn't argue, she pressed forward. Lance hesitated... then followed.

- We've got this. - He muttered as they reached the final wall. But just then, the Grimm shut down, signaling the end of the trial. - ...Or not.

The teachers stepped onto the course.

- Team LLMM, - Goodwitch said coldly. - that performance was abysmal.

- Were you even listening to what I said before the exam? - Port asked, clearly disappointed.

- Fragmentation. - Oobleck muttered, eyeing Mandy. - Recklessness. - He added, glancing at Lynda. - And abandoning a teammate. - His gaze settled on Lance.

- These are serious failures. - Goodwitch added, noting the results into her Scroll. - Your final mark: insufficient.

The failure hit Team LLMM hard. Lynda threw her weapons to the ground in frustration and stormed out of the training hall without a word. Mandy clenched her fists and punched the wall. Lance, silent and ashamed, went back to retrieve Mike, whom they had left behind.

- Sorry it had to go like this. - Ruby said gently. Behind her stood the full RWBY and JNPR teams, radiating sincere sympathy.

Lance slumped down onto a bench.

- How do you do it? How do you work together so well?

The RWBY girls exchanged glances. Weiss answered first.

- We simply trust each other.

- Professor Port said it best: in battle, we fight like family. - Blake reminded him.

- Yeah. - Yang added. - You have to let go of personal grudges. That's the only way to become a real team.

Lance lowered his head.

- Maybe I'm the problem... Maybe I'm just a bad leader.

Just then, the intercom buzzed to life.

- Team LLMM, report to the headmaster's office.

It was Ozpin, calm, but serious.

None of them were thrilled by the invitation. Lynda was the angriest.

- Great. Ozpin's probably going to expel us in person.

- We'll have to wait a whole year to retake the exam... - Lance sighed.

Mandy said nothing, but her face said enough. Mike tried to smile.

- Well... it was kind of fun, right?

The others shot him deadly looks.

- Or... maybe not... - He mumbled.

From the windows of the headmaster's office, the entire academy campus could be seen. Ozpin sat behind his large desk, typing at his computer. When the team entered, Lance spoke first.

- You called for us, sir?

- Yes. Please, have a seat.

He gestured to four prepared chairs. After they sat, he finished his coffee and looked up.

- What's wrong with you? Individually, you're all excellent. But as a team... you're a disaster.

It was true. Each member had done well in their individual exams, even Mike had shown improvement. But their teamwork…

- Incompetent teammates. - Lynda muttered, eyeing Mike. - We'd be better off ditching the dead weight.

- Lack of communication and coordination. - Lance admitted.

- Could you... maybe reassign us to different teams? - Mandy asked hesitantly.

- Children, - Ozpin's voice remained calm. - the foundation of a Huntsman's bond is unity and complete trust.

- Exactly. - Lance nodded. - That's why we're asking, together, that you split us up.

Ozpin smiled faintly.

- Funny. You're not asking as a team, you're asking as individuals. Curious, isn't it?

They didn't understand what he meant at first.

- What I mean is… I'm allowing a retake of the exam.

The news instantly brightened the room, except for one person.

That evening, Ruby, Jaune, and Lance met in the hallway. Jaune was venting his frustrations.

- I've really messed up… Cardin's blackmailing me, Pyrrha's mad at me...

- At least your team passed all their exams. - Lance replied, sitting beside him. - Ozpin's letting us try again tomorrow, so we won't be joining you in the Forever Fall.

- That's great news! - Ruby smiled, clearly more excited than Lance. - Aren't you happy?

- I'm afraid we're just delaying the inevitable. I think we're going to fail again. Jaune and I could compete for Worst Leader of the Year.

- Nope. - Ruby said firmly.

- What? - Both boys asked in unison.

- Nope. Lance, Jaune, you're leaders now. That means you can't afford to give up."

- But what if we do fail again? - Jaune asked, full of doubt.

- I'm not exactly the best leader either. - Lance added.

- Hmm... Nope. - Ruby smiled and sat down between them like a red ladybug between two boulders.

- You're not easy to talk to. - Jaune chuckled.

- At least she's direct. - Lance found her endearing.

- Nope. Maybe you've failed in the past, - Ruby began. - but you can't fail the future. Know why?

- Because...?

- Because it's no longer just about you. You both have teams that believe in you. That rely on you. If you fall, they fall too. That's why you have to put them first, only then can you lead.

She stood and offered Lance her hand. He took it with a faint smile.

- Thank you, Ruby.

He felt something like awe toward her, for someone so young and small, she had truly risen to the challenge of leadership.

- Your teams need a leader. And I believe you both can become that. Good night, boys.

She returned to her room, leaving Jaune and Lance exchanging glances.

- Well then... - Lance offered his hand. - Good luck in Forever Fall.

- And good luck on your exam. - Jaune replied.

When Lance returned to his room, his teammates were already asleep. But Ruby's words echoed in his head. He would fight, not just for himself, but for them.

In the middle of the night, when the academy had fallen into silence, Lynda quietly got out of bed. She dressed, packed her clothes, books, and gear, then slipped out. At her locker, she grabbed her wristblades and ammo, stuffing them into her bag.

- Lynda?

A familiar voice broke the silence.

- Mike?! - She gasped. - How the hell did you sneak up on me?

- I wear bunny slippers and I powder myself with talcum. I literally smell like a baby. - He explained proudly. Then he noticed what she was doing. - Wait... what are you doing?

- I'm leaving. - She snapped.

- What...? You... you can't!

- Yes, I can and I will! - She slammed her locker shut. - It's my choice!

- And what about our team? How can you just leave us like this?

- Team? LLMM? Even our name screams loser. Especially you!

She pulled out a White Fang flyer.

- Maybe I'll join them. At least I'd fit in. I could be their mascot. - She laughed bitterly.

- You... want to be a criminal?

- It's not about what I want. - Her voice broke, a tear sliding down her cheek. - It's about why. For my family... my little brother.

Mike's eyes widened.

- Your brother...? Then... what you said in the Emerald Forest... was true?

- Yes. I promised him I'd become a Huntress. That I'd give him a better life. But... I screwed it all up.

- Lynda, we can still try. Tomorrow. Together. It's not too late.

- Yes it is! I'm not sticking around to humiliate myself again! If you're fine failing with a team of losers, then go ahead! But I'm out!

- And what gives you the right to call me a loser? When you're the one walking away from your last chance to win?

Lynda froze. Mike stepped closer.

- I think you've been on your own your whole life. That's what you're doing now, pushing everyone away. But now you have a team. Friends. And we need you. Just like you need us.

Lynda stared blankly. Mike continued.

- You don't have to carry it all alone. You don't have to win by yourself. You can share the burden. But you have to help us too. We're a team, Lynda. Like Ozpin said, we're exactly where we're supposed to be.

- Ozpin was wrong! - Lynda shouted, stepping out of the main building. - They just threw us together randomly! He just didn't want more paperwork!

- Even you don't believe that. Ozpin believes in you. And I believe in you. Don't go. If you walk away now, you'll regret it for the rest of your life.

Lynda clenched her fists, fighting back tears.

- Just... shut up and leave me alone.

She turned and vanished into the night.

Mike watched her go, then returned to their dorm, heart heavy with disappointment.

The next morning, Team LLMM assembled once more at the training hall. But one member was missing.

- Where's Lynda? - Lance asked, checking his Scroll nervously. - We start in two minutes!

- If we don't have a full team, we automatically fail. - Mandy said tensely.

- Guys... - Mike still held out hope that Lynda would return. But as the seconds ticked by, it grew harder to believe. - Lynda...

- Like hell I'm letting that happen! - Came a familiar voice from across the hall.

The white-haired, dog-eared girl strode toward them with determination in every step. Her eyes were blazing with fire.

- Today we're passing this damn test, and proving that we are not the lamest team here, no matter what our name says!

Mike beamed with relief. Mandy and Lance exchanged puzzled glances. Something about Lynda had changed.

With Professor Goodwitch leading a field trip to the Forever Fall, Professors Port and Oobleck would be supervising the retake.

Team LLMM silently took their places at the start of the course. They all knew, this was their last chance.

The exam began. The mechanical Grimm activated. And something happened that no one expected:

Lynda didn't charge in.

Instead of recklessly attacking, she stayed beside Mike, covering him and clearing a path for Lance and Mandy to advance. Mike, in turn, cast his energy shield around the team.

The four of them moved like a true spear formation: Lance and Mandy at the front, cutting through enemies; Mike protecting the middle; and Lynda guarding the rear from ambushes.

- Nice work! - Lance said as they reached the center of the course. - Keep it up! Mandy, left flank!

Mandy reacted instantly, a Beowolf was about to pounce on Mike, but her arrow took it down in time.

- Thanks, Mandy! - Mike called out gratefully.

- We're a team. - She replied with a small smile.

As the Grimm began to surround them, Mike focused on strengthening his shield while the others took down enemies with coordinated precision.

- Okay, great so far! - Lance encouraged. - Now we just need to reach the wall!

- Could we really be about to make it...? - Mike asked, barely daring to believe it.

- Focus on the shield! - Lynda barked. - We're not done yet! That wall won't climb itself!

The team pushed forward quickly. Just a few meters left, then trouble.

- Mike! Use your weapon to get us up the wall! - Lance ordered.

- I... I can't! - Mike said, sweating. - As long as the shield is up, it won't work!

- If he drops it, we'll get swarmed. - Mandy warned.

- We just need a few seconds! - Lance insisted.

- Of course. - Mandy muttered. - We get this close, and now we get stuck?

- Not quite! - Lynda snapped.

She grabbed Mike's weapon, What the Heck.

- Mike, when I say so, drop the shield and grab onto me!

- But then...!

- Trust me!

Lynda activated the device and anchored it to the ground.

- Now! Come on!

Mike dropped the shield. The Grimm charged, but before they could strike, all four teammates clung to Lynda.

The machine's massive spring launched them up and over the wall, together.

The Grimm powered down. The exam was over.

Professors Port and Oobleck stepped onto the course, both wearing rare expressions of satisfaction.

- Congratulations! - Port said, hiding a smile behind his mustache. - Now that was the performance of a real Hunter team. Top marks.

The LLMM members looked at one another, then threw their arms around each other, overwhelmed with joy.

- Excellent teamwork, clever tactics, and cohesion! - Oobleck added.

Even Ozpin arrived.

- Told you. - He said with his usual calm. - You're right where you're supposed to be. I have no doubt you'll become great Huntsmen and Huntresses. Today you proved it. Be proud of yourselves.

- Thank you, Headmaster, for giving us this second chance. - Lance said, bowing.

As the team exited the hall, Mike and Lynda lagged behind slightly.

- You were right. - Lynda said, her voice free of mockery or anger for the first time. - Sharing the burden... working together... it really does make things easier.

- And I'm proud of what we achieved. - Mike said, practically glowing.

- And I'm proud... - Lynda hesitated, then continued. - Proud to have a friend like you.

Mike's heart skipped a beat. Lynda, who had never called him anything but insults... had just called him a friend.

- What are you doing? - Mike asked as he noticed her reaching into her pocket.

Lynda pulled out a small, silvery, moon-shaped pendant.

- This... belonged to someone. Someone who's gone now. It means a lot to me. And... knowing how hot-headed I get in battle, I'm afraid I'll lose it. Will you keep it safe for me?

Mike carefully took the pendant, as if it carried the weight of the world, not as a burden, but as an honor.

- I promise I'll protect it. No matter what.

- Thank you. - Lynda finally smiled, genuine, warm, and human.

- Now come on. Let's go brag to the others that we nailed it!

And they walked off together.

As a real team at last.

Chapter Text

The midterms were finally over, and every student at Beacon could breathe a sigh of relief.

No more studying, no more relentless training, at least not for a while. They were granted a full week of vacation to rest and recharge.

Vale City, usually cloaked in shades of gray and brown, seemed to come alive again. Greens, blues, whites, and yellows lit up the streets in the form of ribbons, balloons, flags, and flowers. The colors of the four kingdoms, Vale, Mistral, Atlas, and Vacuo, merged into a single festive symphony. In the central square stood a massive banner:

"Welcome to Vale!"

The Vytal Festival had long been a symbol of peace after the war. Visitors from all over the world came together to celebrate unity and hope.

Team LLMM was enjoying their time off.

- Guys! The Vytal Festival is coming soon! - Lance announced with excitement. - And my family organizes it every year!

- What?! - Lynda blinked, clearly impressed by the decorations.

- My dad's one of the most influential members of the Vale Council. - Lance said proudly.

- So... you're rich?! - Mike asked, and all three teammates stared at him in surprise.

- Of course! My father never spares any expense for the festival. There'll be parades, food, military marches, weapons exhibitions, dancing, singing, fireworks, performers, everything!

- Your dad… - Mandy started, ignoring Lance's enthusiasm. A name echoed in her mind. - Uther Pendragon? That businessman and ex-Huntsman who's been accused of corruption, theft, and forced labor like a dozen times?

That immediately killed the mood. Mandy, Mike, and Lynda gave Lance a sharp look.

- Look... I'm not saying he's a saint. - Lance defended. - But ever since he became governor, Vale's economy has seriously improved.

- That's true. - Mike chimed in, as if a thought had struck him. - They say he had something to do with the deaths of Jimmy Vanille, the former councilman... and his wife, Carmel. And that he kidnapped their daughter, Trivia.

Lance blinked.

- None of that was ever proven. - He said, drawing a line. - Yeah, he's done things I'm not proud of... but murdering a whole family? That's going too far.

- I'm lost... - Lynda admitted. - This Vanille family sounds like an ice cream brand. Can someone explain?

- Jimmy Vanille was a former member of the Vale Council. - Mandy began, but Lynda raised a hand awkwardly.

- Wait, I thought Ozpin was the boss here…

- Not exactly. - Mike cut in. - Each kingdom is run by a council. There's also a headmaster, like Ozpin, who's in charge of defense, and the Council handles politics and economics. They make decisions together, but usually the most influential Council member or the headmaster has the final say.

- So Lance's dad is… basically the big dog after Ozpin. - Lynda concluded.

- Exactly. - Mandy confirmed. - Anyway… Jimmy Vanille and his wife were killed in their home. Two gangs, one from Vale, one from Mistral, burned it down. Jimmy and Carmel died in the fire. Their daughter, Trivia, went missing.

- Why do people think Lance's dad was involved? - Lynda asked.

- Because they constantly clashed with the Vanille family. They had completely different views on how to lead Vale. - Mandy replied.

- A lot of people think he hired the gangs. - Mike added.

- Hey! You're talking about my father!

- He's friends with Jacques Schnee, too. - Mandy snapped. - That scumbag from Atlas who uses faunus slave labor and ruins families.

- My father doesn't hate faunus! - Lance shouted. - We have both human and faunus servants, they get paid, they're respected for their work. This isn't Atlas, and my dad isn't Jacques Schnee!

- Then you know what? - He continued angrily. - Come to my house. I'll show you.

The team exchanged glances.

- Better than standing here arguing. - Lynda agreed.

- Sounds cool! - Mike said.

- Fine. - Mandy sighed.

Suddenly, Lynda stopped in her tracks and pointed across the street.

Police cars blinked red and blue. Officers were keeping curious bystanders at bay. The door of a Dust shop was shattered, its windows reduced to shards, furniture inside overturned. A yellow tape cordoned off the entrance.

- This is the store Roman Torchwick robbed. - Lance realized. - Ruby told me this is where she first fought him.

- Looks like he came back to finish what he started. - Lynda noted.

- The weird thing is, - Lance added. - they left the money again. They only took the Dust.

- Why would anyone need that much Dust? - Lynda wondered.

- A big generator? - Mike suggested. Everyone looked at him. - You know, Dust isn't just for weapons. Vehicles, reactors… anything, really.

- Eyewitnesses say it was the White Fang. - Lance said grimly. - They might be planning something big.

- Whoever's stockpiling this much… - Lynda looked at the rubble. - They're not playing around.

- This isn't our problem! - Mandy suddenly snapped. - This is for the cops to handle, not us! Let's just go to Lance's place!

The team froze, startled by Mandy's sudden outburst. Something was definitely off.

- What's her problem? - Lynda asked.

- No idea. - Lance shrugged, following after her.

- Maybe… - Mike began cautiously. - It bothers her that other faunus are doing this kind of stuff.

Lynda placed a hand on his shoulder.

- Thanks for talking me down.

Lynda's smiles were rare, but this one was genuine. Mike blushed, and together they followed after Lance and Mandy.

Lance led the team to his home, a tall wrought-iron gate that only opened with a keycard. Inside, luxury cars lined the courtyard, and the house itself was a massive, multi-story classical manor.

- Looks a lot like the Schnee style. - Mandy muttered.

- Would you give it a rest?! - Lance snapped, but didn't press the matter.

- My father's busy at the moment. - He continued. - Important meetings. But I can show you around the house.

- This is so cool! - Lynda was already excited. - Can't wait to see how rich people live.

Inside, everything was spotless. Dozens of hallways, countless rooms. Servants, both human and faunus, moved quietly through the house, cleaning. The walls were lined with gold-framed portraits of ancient Pendragons. The family crest was everywhere: a golden pawn on a red background.

- Our family's lived in Vale for a very long time. - Lance explained. - My great-great-grandfather was one of the founders. My grandfather always raised me to respect honor and chivalry. To be worthy of a Huntsman's legacy.

- That's a heavy burden. - Lynda said thoughtfully.

- I think it's just self-deception. - Mandy chimed in.

- My dad would agree with you. - Lance said quietly. - He thinks it's all nonsense. He called my grandfather a pathetic fool. Said he died like a pawn. - His fist clenched as he said it.

Mike pointed to a different picture. It showed Lance with a younger boy, also green-eyed.

- Who's that?

- My half-brother. Arthy. He's studying at Sanctum Academy in Mistral.

- Half-brother? - Lynda asked. - So… different dad?

- Yeah… - Lance's expression darkened. - My mom cheated on my dad. Arthy's not his. When it came out, they divorced. My dad… took care of her. - He caught himself. - Not gangster-style! He just… erased her. From everything. Even her pictures. I don't know if she's still alive.

- That's sad. - Mike said quietly. - I never had a dad. You never had a mom.

- I lost both. - Lynda said plainly. - At least you two kept one.

- Then who takes care of your little brother? - Mike asked, and Lynda froze. Her fists clenched, her eyes flashed.

- You have a little brother? - Lance asked, surprised.

- Yeah. - Lynda sighed. - Since our parents died, I've been taking care of him. Right now, my stepsister is hiding him… to keep him safe."

- Hiding him? - Mike's eyes widened. - Is he in danger?

- A lunatic… - Lynda bit off the sentence, then shrugged. - A lunatic who had a grudge against my dad now wants revenge on me. But he doesn't know my brother exists. That's why he's safe.

- If the issue was with your dad, why would he come after you?

- Honor code. Or some cr*p like that. My dad's dead. I'm what's left.

- And you didn't tell the police? - Mike asked.

- No. - Lynda rolled her eyes. - Never occurred to me to call the police because a psychopath wants me dead.

- You could be a little nicer. - Mike mumbled.

Lance turned to Mandy.

- What about you?

Mandy's hands were clenched into fists.

- They're dead. - She said quietly. - And someday… I'll make the one who took them pay.

- I'm sorry. - Lance said, sincerely.

Mike then noticed the family crest again.

- Why is your symbol a pawn?

- The pawn is the weakest piece in chess. But you can't win without it. The smallest move changes the whole game. That's why our motto is: 'First in battle.'

Returning to Beacon was a quiet affair. The break was over, but that wasn't what troubled the teams. Even from the stairwell, shouting could be heard.

- I just don't get why it's a problem! - Weiss yelled.

- That's exactly the problem! - Blake snapped back.

Ruby and Yang stood nearby, clearly at a loss. The tension in the room was thick enough to cut.

- You know the organization you're defending hates humans, right?! - Weiss slammed her hand on the bed. - The White Fang are criminals, Blake! Pure evil!

- There's no such thing as pure evil! - Blake fired back. - The White Fang became that way because people like Cardin... and you, pushed them to it!

- People like me?!

- You're discriminatory, Weiss!

- I'm a victim! - Weiss trembled with fury. - My grandfather's company has been a target for years. The White Fang have killed relatives, employees, stolen entire Dust shipments. My father came home furious every night. That was my childhood, Blake! Blood and fear! - Her hand struck the table, shaking.

- Weiss... - Ruby stepped forward, but it didn't help.

- Do you know why I hate them? Because they're liars. Thieves. Murderers!

- Maybe we're just tired of being pushed aside all the time! - Blake shouted, but then stopped. Her own words had shaken her. - I...

She bolted from the room, tears in her eyes, brushing past Team LLMM on the way out.

- Blake! - Ruby called after her, but didn't follow.

- What happened? - Lynda asked as their team stepped inside.

- Blake and Weiss… had a fight. - Yang explained.

- We heard it. - Lance nodded. - But why did she run?

- We don't know. - Ruby said, clearly disappointed.

- She's a faunus! - Weiss reminded everyone.

- So what? - Lynda replied calmly. - That's not news.

- What?! You knew?!

- Faunus can sense each other. - Lynda shrugged. - Besides, she's your teammate. Shouldn't you have known?

- Maybe you're together! Two faunus, two White Fang members!

- Are you serious right now? - Lynda growled. - Don't lump all faunus together, you racist princess!

- If you want, - Lance stepped in. - we can help you find her.

Meanwhile, Blake was already sprinting through the academy courtyard. She ran past fountains and finally stopped in front of the statue, two Huntsmen standing victorious over a slain Grimm. She pulled off her bow.

Two black cat ears rose from her hair.

- I always knew you looked better without it. - Said a voice.

A blond-haired faunus boy with a monkey tail stepped out from the shadows. Sun Wukong.

They sat at a quiet café, tucked away in the back. Blake had tea. Sun, coffee. He held his cup with his tail, which made Blake smile in spite of herself. For a moment, she forgot the pain in her heart.

- So... - Blake began. - You wanted to know more about me.

- Finally! - Sun grinned. - You can talk! You've been looking at me all night like... - Blake gave him a glare. - Like that! Exactly! - She rolled her eyes.

- Sun… do you know about the White Fang?

- Of course! What faunus doesn't?! A bunch of crazies who think the world owes them everything! If you ask me, they're just a bunch of...

- I used to be a member. - Blake cut in, quietly.

Sun choked on his coffee.

- You?! Seriously?!

- Yes. I was born into it. But back then... it was different. The White Fang was a peaceful movement. They fought for equality between faunus and humans. I was at every protest, every boycott. I believed in it.

- What changed?

- Five years ago. The original leader stepped down. The new one... brought anger and violence. The peace was replaced with fire. We started burning and looting stores that refused to serve us. And the worst part? It worked. Humans respected us, but only because they were afraid.

Blake paused.

- That wasn't what I wanted. So I left. I want to be a Huntress. Someone who protects, not destroys.

Sun didn't say anything. He just listened. Then he asked:

- Do your friends know?

Blake didn't answer. But the silence was enough.

Neither of them noticed the figure watching them from the shadows.

Meanwhile, Ruby, Weiss, Yang, and Lance were still searching.

- Blake! - Ruby shouted. - Where are you?

- Weiss, you're not even trying. - Yang accused.

- The police would be more efficient. - Weiss replied. The others gave her sharp looks. - It was just a suggestion.

- A bad one. - Ruby muttered.

- We should at least listen to Blake before judging her. - Lance added.

- All I'm saying, - Weiss crossed her arms. - is that once we find her, you'll see I was right.

- I think Weiss's hair looks amazing today. - Said a fifth voice.

They all turned. A girl stood nearby, with green eyes, orange hair, and slightly robotic movements.

- Penny?! - Ruby gasped. - Where did you come from?!

- From my human mother's womb.

- Who's she? - Lance asked, he hadn't met the girl before.

- My name is Penny. - She introduced herself. - What are you doing?

- Uh… - Ruby hesitated.

- We're looking for our friend. Blake. - Yang answered.

- The faunus girl?

- How do you know that? - Ruby asked.

- From her cat ears. - Penny replied innocently.

- Cat ears? - Yang began, but the words trailed off. - She always wears a… bow…

A stunned silence fell over the group, broken only by the wind. A tumbleweed rolled down the street.

- She likes tuna. - Ruby whispered.

- Lynda always called her 'kitty'. - Lance added.

- So, where is she? - Penny asked eagerly, glancing around.

- We don't know. - Ruby admitted, her voice low. - She's been missing since yesterday.

- Oh... - Penny stepped up to Ruby and gently grasped her shoulders, speaking with concern. - That's terrible! Don't worry, Ruby Rose! I won't rest until we find your friend!

Ruby tried to smile.

- That's... really sweet, Penny. Guys, could you…?

But when she turned around, Yang, Weiss, and Lance were already gone. Another gust of wind. Another tumbleweed.

- It's a little windy today. - Penny noted.

Meanwhile, Sun and Blake were walking through the streets.

- So, - Sun said. - what's the plan?

- I still don't think the White Fang is behind the Dust robberies. - Blake said, still unconvinced. - They've never needed that much Dust before.

- And if they are? - Sun offered. - Then the only way to prove they're not involved is to go to the most likely target, where they would strike. And if we don't find them there, they're in the clear. Right?

- Problem is, I don't know where that would be.

- Well, while I was still on the ship, I overheard this guy talking. He said a huge Dust shipment is arriving from Atlas tonight.

- How huge?

- Very huge. From Schnee Dust Company.

- You're sure?

That was all the two faunus needed, they turned and headed straight for the docks.

Meanwhile, Ruby, Weiss, Yang, and Lance continued the search.

- Blake! - Ruby called. - Where are you?

- You don't even care, do you? - Yang turned to Weiss, frustrated.

- Don't be ridiculous! - Weiss snapped. - Of course I care! I'm just afraid of what we'll say once we do find her.

- Why don't you trust your teammate? - Lance joined Yang's side.

- Because innocent people don't run away!

That, Yang and Lance had to admit, was hard to argue with.

Night had fallen over the docks. The air was heavy, and the stars shimmered faintly above the ocean. Blake and Sun crouched on a rooftop.

- Did I miss anything? - Sun asked, holding two apples, taking a bite of one.

- Not really. - Blake pointed to the loading area. - The Schnee Dust shipment has arrived. But no one's come for it yet.

- Nice. - Sun nodded. - I stole some food. - He offered her the second apple, earning a glare.

- You break the law without second thoughts?

- Hey, didn't you use to be in a terrorist group?

Blake's eyes narrowed.

- Okay, too soon. - Sun conceded.

Just then, the hum of engines broke the quiet. A massive transport airship descended into the docks, its floodlights cutting across the night.

- Oh no… - Blake's face darkened as she saw the figures disembarking. White Fang soldiers.

- That them? - Sun asked, spotting the red fang emblems and familiar Grimm masks.

- Yes. - Blake said grimly. - It's them.

- Move it! - Barked a soldier. - Unload the shipment!

More soldiers poured out of the ship.

- I knew it, deep down... but I didn't want it to be true… - Blake whispered.

- Hey! - A new voice rang out from the ship.

A man stepped out, white coat, black pants, black hat, orange hair, green eyes, and a sleek metal cane. Roman Torchwick.

- What's the holdup?! We're not exactly the quietest or fastest thieves! Maybe pick up the pace, mutts?!

- This… this isn't right. - Blake muttered, standing. - The White Fang would never work with a human!

She drew Gumbo Shroud.

- Hey, what are you...?! - Sun tried to stop her, but it was too late.

An arrow whistled through the air toward them. Blake dodged, spotting a sniper on a nearby rooftop, a faunus woman.

In an instant, she vanished, then reappeared like a shadow, striking from the darkness.

Blake began leaping between shadow clones, dodging as soldiers surrounded her.

- Hands up! - One of them shouted.

- I'll give you credit, you're brave. - Roman stepped forward, smiling. - But you're surrounded, kitty.

Blake removed her bow. Her black cat ears flicked in the night air.

- White Fang brothers and sisters! - She shouted. - Why are you helping a scumbag like him?!

Some soldiers hesitated. But none moved.

- Didn't get the memo? - Roman tipped his hat. - We've joined forces for a mutual business, and all that.

- Tell me what those are, or I end your little business here and now! - Blake warned.

Just then, two more transport ships arrived, their engines howling through the night.

- I wouldn't call it little. - Roman said, looking up. - But I'll admit, you've got guts, sweetheart.

Soldiers aimed their weapons. Roman gave the signal.

They opened fire.

Blake used her Semblance to dodge the gunfire, knocking out a few soldiers in the process, but the faunus woman with the blades attacked her again.

Blake leapt from a shadow clone just as Roman fired his cane, barely missing her by inches. The faunus woman immediately chased after her, while Roman strolled along at a leisurely pace.

- Come on, kitty-cat.

Suddenly, a banana peel landed on his hat. Annoyed and disgusted, he swatted it away and looked up, just in time to see Sun come flying down from above, delivering a full-force double kick to the face. Roman went down. Sun hit the ground with a roll.

- Leave her alone!

More soldiers spilled out of one of the airships, instantly surrounding both Roman and Sun.

- You're not exactly the brightest banana in the bunch, huh? - Roman quipped.

Sun wasn't laughing.

He knocked out the first soldier, elbowed the second in the gut, spun midair and landed a kick to a third's face. He tucked into a roll to dodge a counterattack, then drew his crimson staff, spinning it with blinding speed. In a blink, three more soldiers hit the ground. He grabbed one last attacker and hurled him toward Roman, forcing the criminal to duck.

Roman fired again, but Sun blocked it clean with his staff.

Blake darted between her clones, dodging bullets and knocking out soldiers, but the faunus woman archer struck again, fast, relentless, always one step ahead.

Blake realized she couldn't shake her. She had to fight.

This time, she didn't dodge. She parried with her katana, meeting the woman's blades head-on. She blocked strike after strike, then managed a kick to the gut.

Blake increased her tempo, striking from the sides, behind, ahead, her clone assault overwhelming.

But the woman was relentless. Blake slipped. She was struck and thrown to the ground, but she got back up, teleporting between shadows, launching surprise attacks. Still, it wasn't enough.

Sun wasn't faring much better. Fighting Roman one-on-one, he realized his opponent was tough. He split his weapon into dual nunchaku, each also a shotgun, and launched into a flurry.

Roman and Sun were equally fast, clashing with insane speed. But Sun made a mistake. Roman knocked one weapon away and struck him with his cane. Sun fell. Roman stepped over him, cane pointed at his chest.

Meanwhile, Blake was still locked in combat with the archer. Matching speed, neither could get the upper hand. Blake hooked her katana between the woman's three blades, split the weapon in two, and used the motion to throw her into a metal crate.

One of the woman's blades pierced the wall, trapping her arm. Blake leapt forward, pinning her and punching her repeatedly.

Then, the woman vanished. Reappeared behind her. Slammed Blake into the wall. A blade to her throat.

- Hey! - A voice shouted.

Ruby Rose stood at the ready, Crescent Rose in her hands.

- Oh, hello, Red! - Roman smirked. - Shouldn't you be in pajamas?

- Are these people your friends? - Penny asked behind her.

- Penny, stay back! - Ruby shouted.

But Roman had already fired. The blast knocked Ruby away. He laughed.

Penny's eyes hardened.

- Don't worry, Ruby. - She said. - I'm combat-ready.

Her backpack opened. Eight swords shot out like they were alive, whirling around her in a deadly cyclone. Penny leapt down. The blades followed.

The White Fang soldiers fell like dominoes.

Her blades danced around her, sparking with each slash and strike, moving like they had minds of their own. They shielded, they pierced, they spun like ballet. The soldiers stood no chance, some were flung into the air, others thrown against walls in a single hit.

Sun and Blake took the opportunity to break free from their attackers.

More airships arrived. Winds howled across the docks. The ships opened fire on Penny, but her blades spun into a perfect shield in front of her.

Then, three more blades extended from her backpack, connected by nearly invisible wires. They yanked her into the air like a marionette.

She spun midair, halted, and an orb of greenish-white energy formed between her blades. It discharged into three precise laser beams, taking out three enemy ships.

The burning wreckage plummeted into the sea.

A fourth ship tried to escape. Penny's swords pierced its hull, wires tethered. She pulled hard, and guided the entire craft into an empty warehouse, where it exploded in flames.

- That's not normal. - Sun muttered.

- That's not human. - Blake said quietly, her eyes filled with awe.

Roman knew he's lost.

- These kids are getting weirder by the day. - He muttered, retreating with the faunus woman onto the last remaining ship. They lifted off just before Penny's blades could reach them.

The attackers were gone.

Moments later, the police finally arrived. The battle was over. Ruby, Blake, and Sun were exhausted but unharmed.

Yang, Weiss, and Lance finally caught up.

Ruby immediately stepped in front of Blake.

- Weiss, it wasn't what you think! Blake tried to stop them, not help them! And… she has cat ears. Which are actually kind of cute…

Weiss stepped forward.

- Weiss... - Blake started.

- Do you have any idea how long we've been looking for you?! - Weiss asked, but her voice wasn't angry. It was worried. - Twelve hours... Which means I had twelve hours to think.

Silence.

- I've decided... I don't care.

- You don't care? - Blake echoed.

- You said you're not one of them anymore, right?

- I'm not! Not anymore. - Blake said sincerely. - Though, when I was younger…

- Stop! I don't want to hear it. - Weiss shook her head. - Just… next time you're in trouble, don't go to a stranger. - She glanced at Sun. - Ask your friends.

- Okay. - Blake whispered, tears welling in her eyes.

- Yay! Team RWBY is back together! - Ruby cheered, pulling Blake into a hug. The others joined in, except Weiss, who still gave Sun a suspicious look.

- I'm still not sure about you.

- Where's Penny? - Ruby asked suddenly, looking around.

- She was just here. - Lance said, but the girl was nowhere in sight.

Penny had vanished. Quietly, without a trace, just like she'd appeared.

The young Hunters returned to Beacon in silence, the strange girl gone, and their thoughts heavy after the night's battle.

Chapter Text

The last two airships barely escaped the strange girl's assault, along with Roman Torchwick and the faunus woman who had fought Blake. Once they cleared the docks, they glided silently through the clouded night.

- Well, that didn't go at all how I planned. - Roman sighed, slumping into a seat, clearly drained.

- This was your idea! - The woman snapped. She wasn't tired, she was furious. - We should've grabbed that shipment of Dust clean and vanished before anyone knew what hit them! Instead, half our crew's dead, three transports are gone, and we're coming back empty-handed!

Roman tilted his head lazily.

Are you gonna keep barking, or are you gonna bite, little puppy?

- What did you say? - She stepped in front of him, eyes blazing behind her mask.

Roman smirked.

- Deaf too? I said, are you just barking, or are you actually gonna bite, little puppy?

This time, Roman stood. Towering over her. She flinched before she could stop herself.

- How the hell was I supposed to know that girl had a built-in death laser and could throw a plane like a ragdoll?!

- Sounds like an excuse. - The woman growled. - We needed that Dust, and now...

- Whoever, or whatever, that kid was, she wasn't human. - Roman cut her off, lighting a cigar. After a long drag, he added. - Super soldier or Grimm in disguise, I don't know. We could've handled the kids. But that thing? I've never seen anything like it.

- Uh, boss? - The pilot glanced back nervously. - So… where now? We didn't get the goods, do we still head to the rendezvous?

- Yeah. - Roman muttered, rubbing his temples. Then he glanced sideways at the woman. - But first, we're dropping her back off at Beacon. If she's gone too long, they'll get suspicious.

- How gentlemanly of you. - The woman said with icy sarcasm.

- Hey, you didn't kill that other girl. If you had, we'd have fewer problems.

The jab landed. She went quiet. She could've finished Blake, but she hadn't. Something held her back.

- A friend of yours at the academy?

- She's just a classmate. - She muttered. - I barely know her. But I see her. Every day.

- Then maybe it's time you decide whose side you're really on.

They said nothing after that. The rest of the flight was silent.

They landed just outside of Beacon. She changed out of her White Fang uniform, ditched the mask, and slipped back toward the school. Roman continued on.

His destination: an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of Vale, dark, remote, forgotten. Perfect for hiding. Tonight's haul: one sad crate of Dust.

- You were disappointing tonight, Roman. - Came a woman's voice from behind.

- Whoa! - He jumped. - Didn't expect you so soon.

Three figures stood in the doorway. Two women and a boy. The boy looked barely seventeen, with pale skin, short gray hair, and matching gray eyes. His clothes were a uniform shade of black and ash. One woman had mint-green hair and dark brown skin, maybe eighteen at most. The other, older, with long and dark hair, wore a crimson gown, high black heels, and a sly smile that promised nothing good.

- Hey, - Roman chuckled nervously. - you're the one who said we should work with those savage animals.

- And you will keep working with them. - the older woman replied, summoning a flickering yellow flame in her hand. - We have big plans for you, Roman. - She stepped closer. Roman didn't flinch. - All I ask is cooperation.

- No problem. I'm not planning on bailing. - Roman said. - But what happened at the docks… kinda complicates things. I promise, in a few weeks, this place will be overflowing with Dust.

- It better. - The woman said coolly, extinguishing the flame. - Remember: your life, and your little girlfriend's, depends on how useful you prove to be.

With that, she turned and left with her companions. Roman stood there a while, staring at the single dusty crate.

"One hell of a night.", he thought.

He was tired. He longed for sleep. But there was someone waiting for him first.

He slipped quietly into another room, using his Scroll as a flashlight. The bed was empty. His heart skipped a beat, until he heard a toilet flush and water running in the sink. He exhaled.

From the bathroom emerged a small woman. Pale skin, messy long back-length hair, brown on one side, pink on the other. Eyes to match: one brown, one pink. She wore only a white t-shirt and pink ice cream-print panties. She yawned, then smiled and hugged Roman tightly.

- Feeling any better, Neo? - Roman took off his gloves and placed a hand to her forehead. She nodded. - Good. Tonight was hell. I missed you.

Neo just nodded again, still smiling, and climbed back into bed. Roman sat beside her.

- Did I tell you about the Schnee shipment we were supposed to steal? - Neo nodded. - Started off smooth, until a bunch of kids got in the way. - She signed something.

- Yeah, Little Red was there. Took her out fast. - Roman chuckled. - One shot, down she went.

- But then this weird girl showed up, laser beams and all... Took out three ships. - Neo's eyes widened in disbelief.

- I know, right? I couldn't believe it either. That girl... Something's seriously wrong with her. We barely escaped. Ended up with just one lousy crate. - Roman rubbed his forehead. Neo placed a worried hand on his shoulder and signed again.

- You're sweet. - Roman smiled and kissed her on the forehead. - We've botched jobs before, but never this bad…

Neo signed something firm, confident.

- Get better first. Then you can help.

He stood, heading for the door.

- No kiss tonight. Don't wanna catch your plague. - He teased. Neo signed one last thing.

- Don't worry. - Roman replied. - When this is all over, we'll have a night, just the two of us.

He stepped out and walked toward the bathroom. He wanted to sleep beside Neo, but he couldn't risk getting sick.

She was Neopolitan. Roman's partner in crime and girlfriend. For five years, they'd been Vale's most elusive criminals, behind countless robberies and police headaches.

But now something much bigger was brewing.

A mysterious woman had made Roman an offer he couldn't refuse. Step one: fill the warehouse with Dust. The rest of the plan? Still unknown.

Roman hated playing blind, but the stakes were too high. So was the reward.

At first, everything went fine. He and Neo robbed shops across Vale. But then Neo got sick. Roman had to hire help, amateurs. He hated that. But he had no choice.

Then came Little Red, the girl in the red hood. At first, just a nuisance.

Then came her. The one with the magic.

Roman didn't believe in magic. But this, this was something else.

Next came the White Fang. Unreliable, but effective. And now... all Roman could do was hope Neo got better soon.

The girl they dropped off near Beacon had only a kilometer to walk. She quickly shed her mask and White Fang uniform. Every movement was trained, silent, precise.

She glided through Beacon's halls like a shadow, slipped her weapons back into her locker, and crept into her room.

Team LLMM had no idea.

Their teammate was a member of the White Fang.

And she was working with Roman Torchwick.

Chapter Text

Life at Beacon had settled back into its usual rhythm, at least for Team RWBY and Team LLMM.

It had been several weeks since Blake, Sun, Ruby, and that mysterious girl, Penny, helped stop Roman Torchwick and the White Fang at the docks.

- So what exactly happened again? - Lynda asked, skeptically, as Lance recounted the whole event.

- Blake and that exchange student, Sun, were trying to catch Torchwick. Then Ruby and Penny showed up, and with all of them together, they actually pulled it off.

- I thought... - Mike looked up, frowning in thought. - The White Fang only worked with faunus. What was a human doing with them?

- Maybe they're expanding their horizons? - Lance shrugged.

- Who cares about the White Fang or that Remus guy?! - Lynda waved her hand impatiently. - The real question is: what are we doing this weekend?

- Team RWBY just got a new high-def TV and a Pi-Box. - Mike suggested. - What if we had a video game marathon?

- Not a bad idea… - Lynda pursed her lips. - But I'm not really in the mood to sit in front of a screen all day. Let's go outside instead!

- You already have something in mind, don't you? - Lance asked with a suspicious smile.

- Of course I do! - Lynda grinned. - A fishing trip! Just the four of us, team bonding!

- Didn't think you were into fishing. - Mike said, surprised.

- Why wouldn't I be? - Lynda laughed. - I'm from Menagerie. It's an island surrounded by ocean. We have a fishing festival every year. Pretty big deal back home.

- I'm in. - Lance said. - My dad used to take me fishing outside the city all the time.

- My mom would never let me leave the city. - Mike muttered. Lynda just clapped a hand on his shoulder.

- Come on. Time to live a little. You don't have to be 'mommy's little boy' forever. - She grabbed both his shoulders and gave him a shake. - Break out of the cage and live, Mike!

- Well… - Both of them held their breath, waiting.

- I'll go fishing with you. And I won't tell my mom.

- YES! - Lynda pulled the chubby boy into a hug and howled. - He did it! Tomorrow, 4AM wake-up!

- What?! - Mike instantly regretted his decision. - That early?!

- Of course! Rule number one of fishing: the earlier, the better!

Just then, Lynda spotted Mandy sitting alone in the distance, eating lunch. One of her fox ears twitched at the sound of her name.

- Hey, Mandy! - Lynda called. - We're going fishing tomorrow! We've got room. It'll be fun. You in?

- Thanks, but that's what they said when they lured me into a Schnee factory at age six to work sixteen-hour shifts for pennies. - Mandy replied in a deadpan voice.

- Oh come on! - Lynda refused to give up. - It'll be fun! We'll talk, laugh, actually be a team for once!

- They said the same thing to my parents in Atlas before they got dragged into a mine. - Mandy said with a hollow tone.

- Please… - Lynda's voice softened. - You might enjoy it more than you think.

- My pedophile shift manager said the exact same thing. - Mandy answered, her green eyes glinting with cold defiance.

- Mandy... - Lance stepped in this time. - We just want to spend a little time together. As a team. As friends. Who knows when we'll get another chance?

- Especially since if my mom finds out I did something without her permission, she'll never let me out again. - Mike added.

By now, the entire team had surrounded Mandy, cornering her gently.

- Fine! - She growled. - But only if you all promise no one tries to rape me!

- Pinky promise! - Lynda cheered. - Tomorrow at four it is!

Mike was already mourning that part again.

The next morning, right on schedule, Lynda kept her promise.

The second the alarm rang out at 4AM, she went into full barking mode.

- WAKE UP, YOU LAZY BUMS! - She howled, leaping out of bed and sprinting around the room. - FISHING TRIP, LET'S GO!

Mandy had no issue waking early, she was used to it. Lance woke up with a long yawn, but Mike was still dead asleep, peacefully snoring behind his breathing mask.

- Mike! - Lynda barked, poking his side with her foot. - Get up!

- Not now… sleepy… - Mike mumbled, half-conscious.

- You brought this on yourself. - Lynda narrowed her eyes, then casually pinched off the end of his air tube. Mike instantly shot up, gasping.

- WHAT THE—?! - He shouted in panic. - What happened?!

- Wake-up call! We're going fishing!

- Oh… right… fishing… - Mike groaned as he struggled out of bed, still dazed.

- I've got everything ready! - Lynda beamed, practically buzzing with energy. - I booked the boat, there'll be bait vendors, we can rent rods! All we need is a tent for shelter!

- You're really into this, huh? - Lance noted, trying not to laugh.

- Of course I am! Fishing's close to my heart!

Despite Mike's sleepy stumbling, the team made good time. They left the academy, hopped on a bus, and headed toward the city's edge. Mike fell asleep again on the ride, snoring loudly, while the others stayed up.

- Mind explaining, - Mandy broke the silence. - why we had to leave this early?

- Fish are still waking up before dawn. - Lynda explained, sounding like a pro. - They're half-asleep, don't know where they are, and they'll bite at anything that moves.

- How do fish sleep? - Mandy asked, unusually curious.

- With their eyes open. - Lynda replied without missing a beat. - Totally possible.

- She's right. - Lance added. - My dad had a friend who slept with his eyes open. We thought he was binge-watching Elder Scrolls: The Skyrim Chronicle for three days straight… then realized he was dead.

- Have you ever gone fishing, Mandy? - Lynda asked.

- Yeah. In Dormir Village, one of Atlas' colonies. They forced us to work for scraps—long hours on a freezing fishing boat, pulling in tons of fish to pack and ship.

- Sounds awful…

- It was. - Mandy replied with a shrug.

A few hours later, the bus dropped them off at the city's outskirts. It was only a fifteen-minute walk to the lake, where their rented motorboat and four fishing rods were waiting.

The view was breathtaking.

The lake reflected the early morning sky, golden light streaked across the calm water. The air was crisp and fresh, and the entire area was so silent they could hear each other breathe.

- Not sure I'm stepping into that deathtrap. - Mandy muttered as she eyed the boat.

- What now? - Lynda groaned, exhausted by Mandy's constant pessimism.

- I've got a pretty bad history with boats and water.

- Just stay in the boat and you'll be fine. - Lance offered calmly.

Lance and Mandy started loading up the gear while Lynda and Mike stayed behind a moment.

- Do you go fishing with your brother too? - Mike asked cautiously, knowing Lynda didn't often talk about him.

- Uh… yeah. - Lynda looked around quickly to make sure no one else was listening. - Every weekend, we compete to see who catches the most. Winner gets to bite the loser's ear.

- For real? - Mike laughed. - And you let him win?

- Like hell I do! - Lynda grinned and pulled down her right dog ear, revealing a long scar near the base. - I let him win once. The little gremlin nearly bit it off!

Mike burst out laughing.

- That's kind of adorable.

- Didn't feel adorable when blood was pouring down my head. Had to get it sewn back on.

- Hurry up, you two! - Lance called from the boat. Mandy was already inside, clutching the sides tensely, looking thoroughly unamused.

- We're coming, don't drown. - Lynda muttered, hopping in with Mike close behind.

The motorboat set off toward the middle of the lake. The water was calm, the air was still, and everything was perfect for a peaceful day of fishing. Once they stopped, everyone cast their lines.

- So… we just sit and wait now? - Mandy asked, suspicious.

- Exactly. - Lynda replied, leaning back with her hands behind her head. - That's the whole point. Silence, serenity, peace…

- It is kinda peaceful. - Mike admitted, scrolling on his Scroll. - But no signal.

- We're in the middle of nowhere. - Lance said jokingly. - Just us, some bait shops, and… old White Fang hideouts.

That made Mike stand up nervously in the boat, hoping for a better signal from higher up. But as soon as he stepped toward one side, he lost balance, tripped, and the boat tipped, letting water rush in from one corner.

- WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!

- SIT DOWN, YOU MORON!

- MOVE YOUR FAT—!

Everyone shouted at once, but it was too late. The water reached the engine, it sputtered and died, and the boat began to sink.

- Thanks a lot, Mike! - Lynda glared. - Only fishing trip in history that literally went under!

- Did anyone honestly... see this coming? - Lance tried to joke, even though he was stuck at the bow, unable to do anything.

- Did I mention I can't swim? - Mandy asked with biting sarcasm.

- Me neither! - Mike cried out in panic. - Someone's gonna rescue us, right?!

- Come on, you heavy idiot. - Lynda muttered, wrapping Mike's arm around her shoulders and swimming toward shore with him in tow.

- Need a hand? - Lance reached out to Mandy, pulling her from the water.

Soaked, freezing, and thoroughly miserable, the members of Team LLMM huddled around a makeshift campfire Lynda had finally managed to light with a bundle of gathered sticks.

- Well... - Mandy muttered bitterly, staring into the flames. - I'm cold. I'm starving. And I'm squatting next to a damn campfire trying not to freeze to death. Just like home. I knew this trip was a stupid idea. - She shot a cold glare at Lynda.

- Hey! I wasn't the one who sank the boat! - Lynda snapped back, then turned toward Mike with a pointed look. - Right, Mike?

- In my defense… - Mike tried to salvage his pride. - It's not entirely my fault. The weight distribution was… suboptimal.

- In short: we're not fat enough? - Lance muttered.

- So what now? - Mandy asked, shivering in her soaked clothes.

- Let's go home and pretend this never happened. - Lance suggested.

- NO! Wait! - Lynda jumped up. - We can still salvage this! Let's have fun, okay?

- I'm with Lance. - Mike groaned. - We're freezing, we're hungry, and that White Fang talk at the shore kind of freaked me out. What if they actually show up? I don't wanna be raped in a forest.

- If that happens… - Mandy said coldly. - I'm never going fishing with you people again.

- Relax. - Lance patted her on the shoulder, then looked at Mike. - They always go for the chubby ones first.

- I HEARD THAT! - Mike snapped.

- Fine… - Lynda sighed, visibly disappointed. - Let's head home. - She started packing up the wet gear. - All I wanted was a normal fishing trip…

- I'm sorry I sank the boat, Lynda. - Mike admitted, seeing how down she looked. - Next time, I promise I won't move a muscle. At all.

- We'll go again someday. - Lance added, giving her a nod. - I promise.

- Are we leaving before we get eaten by Grimm? - Mandy grumbled. - Wow, I'm just devastated that this trip's over…

Everyone glared at her.

- You really are an insufferable jerk, you know that?! - Lynda snapped.

- No. I'm a fox. - Mandy replied.

Lynda blinked.

- …Worst. Trip. Ever.

Even though the debacle at the docks had been a major setback, Roman and the White Fang hadn't been idle.

Over the following days, they managed to steal tons of Dust, and slowly but surely, the warehouse began to fill again.

Roman had been hunched over a map of Vale for hours, planning, calculating, strategizing. With every shipment they hit, the number of possible targets shrank, and the police response grew stronger. The noose was tightening, and Roman could feel it.

- Well, well… - He turned away from the map as he sensed two new arrivals. - She sent the kids again.

Emerald and Mercury stood before him, both in their late teens, both looking edgy and impatient.

- This is about as pleasant as a divorce hearing. - Roman muttered, spreading his arms as if to hug them. Naturally, neither was thrilled, they shrugged him off immediately.

- Spare us the verbal diarrhea. - Emerald snapped, arms crossed.

- Just kidding. - Roman grinned, pulling a folded note from Emerald's pocket. - This might give me a clue where you two were this morning.

- What?! - Emerald gasped, instinctively patting her pocket.

- I'm a professional, sweetheart. - Roman's smile started to fade. - So… care to explain what business you had at this address?

- Curious, are we? - Emerald asked smugly.

- Yes, very - Roman replied flatly. - And you'd better answer.

- We cleaned up your mess. - Mercury cut in. - One of them, anyway.

- I had things under control!

- The guy had two suitcases packed and a ticket to Vacuo. Doesn't sound too 'in control' to me. - Mercury retorted coldly.

- Listen here, you little punk, - Roman growled, gripping his cane, Melodic Cudgel, and stepping toward them. - you talk about me or Neo like that again, I swear—

- "Do" what, Roman?

A woman's voice cut him off cold.

It was Cinder.

She descended from the upper floor in her signature red gown, black heels, and piercing amber eyes. One look from her was enough to make Roman freeze.

- I... not hurting them? - Roman stammered.

- Cinder! - Emerald greeted her, clearly relieved.

- If I recall correctly, - Cinder said calmly as the lift brought her down. - I told you to eliminate any traitors and deserters immediately.

- I was just about to do that! - Roman lied, but Emerald jumped in first:

- He was planning to run to Vacuo! Mercury and I handled the rat.

- Pretty sure he was some kind of cat. - Mercury added, to which Emerald snorted.

- Like a puma?

- Something like that.

- Enough! - Cinder's voice cracked like a whip. - I told you not to draw attention while we're still in Vale.

- I just thought— - Emerald began.

- DON'T think. Obey.

- Yes, ma'am… - She muttered, head lowered.

- And you. - Cinder turned to Roman, who gave a nervous laugh. - Why didn't you or your girlfriend handled it?

- Neo's been… sick. But she's feeling better now. And as you can see— - He gestured toward the crates that filled the whole warehouse. - I've been very productive these past few weeks. Literally drained half of Vale's Dust supplies. Sorry if that meant one or two rats slipped through the cracks.

- You're an inspiration to all ski-mask-wearing teenage burglars. - Mercury muttered.

- Watch your mouth, kid… - Roman growled, taking a step forward but stopping himself. - Me and Neo have this city running scared. Cops on every corner, Dust prices through the roof, and now we're sitting on a stockpile so massive, we don't even know where to put it anymore!

He straightened up and looked at Cinder.

- Speaking of that, if you'd involve me in on your grand master plan, I might actually be useful. Don't underestimate me, I'm pretty good at connecting the dots.

Cinder stepped close, brushing her hand along Roman's cheek.

- Oh, Roman… have a little faith. You'll know everything. In due time. In the right place.

Her eyes shimmered gold. Roman stiffened for a moment.

- …Alright. - He said quietly.

- You've gathered enough Dust for now. It's time for the next step. We're moving. Take the White Fang and the cargo. I'll send you the coordinates soon.

- Coordinates? You mean… outside the city?

- The second phase begins. - Cinder's voice lowered. - Let's hope your little girlfriend proves more useful this time.

With that, she turned and left, Emerald and Mercury flanking her on either side.

Roman pulled out a cigar in frustration, only to realize his lighter was missing. Then he heard a faint click.

He looked up. Emerald stood there, holding his lighter with a smug grin. She stuck her tongue out playfully.

Roman wanted nothing more than to crack her smug little skull with Melodic Cudgel, then toss her off the tallest tower in Vale. And if there was even a flicker of life left…

He'd do it again.

Stealing Dust was exhausting, but kind of fun.

He only regretted one thing:

Neo hadn't been at his side.

Luckily, she was recovering fast. And once the second phase began… they'd be together again.

Whatever that phase was.

Chapter Text

An overwhelming roar filled the early morning hours as a massive Atlesian warship descended upon Beacon, so colossal it nearly rivaled the academy itself in size. Despite its bulk, the airborne titan moved with surprising grace, landing gently on the designated airstrip beside the school. If the sight of that alone wasn't intimidating, a dozen smaller fighter jets and transport aircraft flanked it, forming a spectacle that could drain the courage from any would-be enemy.

Soldiers and combat drones in white and navy-blue armor and uniform disembarked in orderly formations. Some remained to guard the ship, while others fanned out to patrol the grounds. No one quite knew the reason for this overwhelming display, and rumors of an Atlesian invasion were already beginning to stir.

Fortunately, that wasn't the case.

- Any idea… - Mandy asked, eyes fixed on the soldiers through the library window. The familiar uniforms stirred something between nostalgia and unease within her. - What's the Atlesian military doing here?

- Maybe it's just a drill. - Mike mumbled, nose buried in a book.

- Or they're preparing for war! - Lynda exclaimed with stars in her eyes, practically drooling over the sleek weaponry. - Those guns are wicked. And the uniforms? Total dreamboats. The Atlesian army is so cool!

- And let's not forget their robotics tech. - Mike added. - Increased operational capacity, lower human casualties. Very efficient.

- My father heard… - Lance began, sounding less enthused than the others, as was Mandy. - That General Ironwood himself, headmaster of the Atlesian Academy, is visiting. No one knows why, though.

- Why would the headmaster of another academy show up here? - Lynda asked, squinting out the window.

- Maybe it's just a courtesy visit? - Mike offered.

- You don't bring an army to a courtesy visit. - Mandy deadpanned. - They're planning something.

- Planning what, exactly? - Lynda scoffed. - What kind of enemy would need that kind of firepower? It's probably just a show.

- Amen to that. - Mike closed his book with a firm snap.

Neither Mike nor Lynda gave the matter much thought. But Lance and Mandy weren't so quick to shrug it off.

- I don't know, guys… - Lance rubbed the back of his neck. - My dad told me stories about Ironwood, how he lost a bunch of limbs in some incident twenty years ago, and how far he's willing to go to win. Some say he doesn't even have a heart anymore. More machine than man.

- A general has to be tough and make hard choices. - Mandy said calmly.

- I know. But Ironwood? He always seems to take it one step too far.

Most of the library's students didn't share the LLMM team's concern. Team RWBY were happily playing a board game, and Team JNPR was "studying", Jaune read comic books, Nora snored loudly, Pyrrha took the comic away and handed him a textbook, and Ren was the only one actually reading.

Sun from Vacuo and Neptune from Mistral had joined RWBY's table. Everyone seemed to be having fun, except Blake. She had that distant look in her eyes again. Eventually, she stood up silently and left the group.

- At least Roman got us real papers…

- For an arrogant jack*ss, the guy's got skills.

- Would you two shut up? - A third voice snapped. - No paperwork's gonna save us if you blow our cover.

Four new students had arrived on campus, three girls and one boy. Their uniforms were black and dark gray, a stark contrast to Beacon's usual red-and-black palette. Their shirts, blouses, jackets, and shoes all followed the same shadowy theme.

The boy had short silver hair and gray eyes, wearing a dark suit and matching dress shirt.

One girl had mocha-toned skin, mint green hair, and reddish-brown eyes. She wore a fitted blouse and a pleated gray-and-black plaid skirt.

The second girl was short, with long black hair tied into twin tails with white ribbons. Her emerald green eyes practically glowed.

The third appeared older than the rest. She had long black hair and intimidating golden eyes that seemed to burn.

- I still don't get why we brought the pipsqueak. - Mercury grumbled, tugging at the collar of his shirt. He motioned to the small girl, Neo.

- Because only four-person teams can enter the Vytal Festival. - replied Emerald, the green-haired girl.

- Yeah, but why Roman's freaky mime girlfriend?

The short girl was none other than Neopolitan, here under the alias Ella Stracciat. Her real identity and look were too notorious to go public. Officially, she was here to assist Cinder's team. Unofficially, Roman sent her to keep an eye on them in case they got too ambitious.

Neo, Ella, smirked and responded in sign language.

- Yeah, I don't speak sign. - Mercury shrugged. - So I have no idea what the munchkin's flailing about.

Neo whipped out her Scroll, typed furiously, and shoved the screen in Mercury's face:

"Only four-person teams are allowed in the Vytal Festival. You need me.

P.S. Call me munchkin again and I'll shove Hush so far up your *ss you'll taste steel, you loudmouth prick."

- Big words for someone who could pass for twelve. - Mercury muttered, still grinning.

Neo typed again, faster this time:

"Big words from a street rat who thinks he's hot sh*t but hides behind orders and runs at the first sign of trouble."

- You little... - Mercury lunged, but Cinder stepped between them.

- Enough! - She snapped. - Mercury, you're too loud and too vain. - Then, turning to Neo: - Ella, watch your mouth. Because if you don't, our fourth teammate might just have a tragic accident. - Her amber eyes glowed dangerously, and Neo immediately stepped back. - Listen up: You don't have to like each other. We're not here for friendship bracelets and cafeteria drama. We have a mission. If your personal issues get in the way, the consequences will be... severe. Understood?

- Yes, ma'am. - Emerald and Mercury replied in unison. Neo nodded. She reached for her Scroll again, but found her pocket empty.

- Looking for something, short stack? - Mercury dangled the Scroll in one hand, flipping her off with the other.

Neo hated this team. Especially Mercury. She liked confident men, but arrogant ones? Couldn't stand them. Mercury was the worst kind: a cocky brat who thought the world revolved around him, even though he hadn't accomplished a damn thing except clinging to Cinder like a parasite.

If it were up to her, she'd have skewered him with Hush already. Multiple times. And if he was still breathing after that? She'd throw a truck at him.

But she held back. Roman had promised: if this worked, the payoff would be worth it. So for now, she had to play nice.

The CMEE team, "See Me", headed toward the dorms. But as they rounded a corner, one of the doors flew open, and a girl in Beacon uniform dashed out, colliding square into Emerald.

- Oh! Sorry! - The girl said, shaking herself off and looking up. - Are you okay?

- No harm done. - Emerald offered her a hand and helped her up. - But maybe keep an eye on where you're going next time.

- Right. Sorry. I'm Ruby. - She said, then glanced around the group. - You guys are new?

- We're from Haven. - Cinder replied with a smile that sent a shiver down Ruby's spine. There was something… wrong about her. Something unnatural.

- Emerald Sustrai. - Said Emerald.

- Mercury Black. - Mercury continued.

Ruby's eyes turned to Neo, Ella.

- And you?

Neo didn't respond.

- Does she understand us? - Ruby asked hesitantly.

- She does, - Cinder answered. - but she's mute. Mercury, give her back her Scroll.

Mercury rolled his eyes but returned it. Neo began typing immediately, then showed Ruby the screen:

"My name is Ella Stracciat. Pleasure to meet you, Red."

Ruby blinked at the nickname but didn't say anything.

- You're here for the festival, right? - She asked. - Exchange students' dorms are in the eastern wing.

- Must've taken a wrong turn. - Mercury said quickly.

- Happens to me all the time. - Ruby laughed. - You'll find it just down that hall and to the left.

- Thanks for the directions. - Said Cinder, placing a hand on Ruby's shoulder. - I'm sure we'll be seeing more of each other.

- Yeah… maybe. And… welcome to Beacon!

As CMEE walked away, Ruby couldn't shake the uneasy feeling gnawing at her. That team, especially Cinder, something about them wasn't right. Not at all.

Chapter Text

Classes had ended for the day.

Once again, Jaune tried to approach Weiss, only to be met with the usual icy dismissal worthy of the Ice Queen herself.

- One day... - Yang encouraged him, patting his head with a friendly smile.

After class, Team RWBY gathered in their dorm room. Everyone had changed into their casual gear and armed themselves.

Ruby wore black boots with red laces, black tights, and a one-piece overall that ended in a battle skirt. Underneath, she had on a dark gray, long-sleeved shirt, and of course, her signature red hooded cloak.

Weiss wore gray knee-high heels and a white, one-piece, skirted jacket.

Blake showed up in black heels, black pants with a belt, and a white cropped blazer that revealed her midriff.

Yang had on black boots, black pants, a black-and-white cropped jacket, and fingerless black gloves.

- I thought those lectures would never end. - Blake muttered as she finished adjusting her clothes.

- All right, people! - Ruby declared from the top bunk, visibly excited. - The day has finally come! The investigation… - — She leapt from the bed — …begins!

- I'm so glad you're taking this seriously. - Weiss noted with thinly veiled sarcasm.

- Hey, we have a plan! - Yang nodded enthusiastically. - Okay, kind of a plan. But still!

- Right! - Ruby turned to the others. - Everyone remembers the assignments?

- Yes, - Weiss began. - you and I are going to the CCT tower to check the Schnee Company's loss reports. They might give us a clue about where the next heist will be. Since, - She placed a hand on her chest proudly, - I'm family, we shouldn't have much trouble accessing them.

- The White Fang regularly holds meetings where they also recruit new members. - Blake explained. - If I can infiltrate one, I might figure out what they're planning.

- I've got an old friend in Vale's lower district, - Yang added. - Xiong Junior, he's got his ear to the ground. If something's going down in Vale, he'll know about it.

- Perfect, - Ruby clapped her hands like a squad leader. - we meet back here tonight and pool what we've learned. Let's move!

- Yeah! - A fifth voice chimed in, from the window.

They all turned in surprise to find Sun hanging upside down from the windowsill, gripping it with his tail.

- Sun?! - They jumped back, startled.

- How did you get up here?! - Weiss asked, understandably confused. Their room was on the second floor.

- Easy, - Sun shrugged. - I do this all the time back home.

- You what?!

- I mean... tree climbing! - He nodded toward the tree growing outside their window. - Anyway, are we going or what? Time to get some payback on Torchwick!

- We… - Blake stepped forward. - are handling this as a team. Just the four of us.

- Sorry, Sun, - Ruby said with genuine regret. - but we don't want our friends getting dragged into this.

- That's nonsense! - Sun pouted. - You should drag your friends into this! That's why I brought Neptune with me! - He leaned out the window.

They followed his gaze: Neptune was balancing unsteadily on the edge of the windowsill with a very nervous expression.

- Hey. - He called out.

- How did you get up there?

- I climbed the tree. - He pointed behind him. - But seriously, can I come in now? It's kinda high up here…

A sudden thump came from the front door as Mike and Lance from Team LLMM tumbled into the room, followed closely by Mandy and Lynda.

- We heard everything. - Lance said as he stood up and brushed himself off.

- We want in on the investigation! - Lynda beamed.

- Mandy noticed you guys were having a secret meeting. - Mike added.

- Thought you could use the help. - Mandy said with a shrug.

- How did you know we were having a secret meeting? - Ruby asked.

Mandy's fox ears twitched.

- I heard you say, and I quote: 'Let's go to the room for a secret meeting.' - She crossed her arms and smirked.

- So much for secrecy. - Weiss sighed.

- All right, - Ruby adjusted the plan quickly. - Sun and Team LLMM can go with Blake to the White Fang meeting. Neptune, you'll go with Yang. She doesn't have a partner.

- I'd rather come with you two to the CCT tower, if that's okay. - Lynda raised her hand.

- Why?

- There's someone I'd like to call. A long-distance call, I can only make it from there.

- Okay, come along. - Ruby nodded.

- Actually… - Weiss hesitated. - could you go with Yang instead? She is your sister.

- Why?

- No reason. It's just that… maybe Neptune could go with me instead… - Weiss trailed off, visibly flustered.

Ruby burst out laughing, completely missing the subtext. Meanwhile, Lynda smirked and gave Weiss a knowing shove toward Neptune.

- You two are sisters? - Lance asked, glancing between Ruby and Yang.

- Yep.

- Doesn't really show.

- We'll explain later. - Yang replied as the teams started to move out.

The CCT(S) tower, short for Cross-Continental Transmit System, was a massive cylindrical structure surrounded by four smaller towers that stabilized the entire complex. A small park stretched in front of the entrance, complete with trees, grass, and benches. A viaduct led to the main gate, flanked by four ponds.

Only four of these towers existed across all of Remnant, each representing the pinnacle of communication technology. When Atlas scientists had developed the first one, it had been a groundbreaking achievement. These towers enabled real-time communication between the four kingdoms, especially useful for exchange students, who could now stay in touch with their loved ones.

- Whoa! - Ruby practically bounced with excitement. - I totally forgot how huge this thing is up close!

- Never seen anything like it back home. - Lynda said, visibly impressed. - Must fit a ton of people.

- You should see the one in Atlas. - Weiss said proudly. - It's way bigger.

- It was the first one, right? - Ruby asked.

- Correct. Atlas developed the system so the four kingdoms could communicate more easily after the war. It was basically a gift to the world.

- A really boring gift. - Lynda muttered, making Ruby snicker.

- 'Look at me, I'm Weiss! I'm smart, rich, and know things!' - Ruby teased in an exaggerated voice.

Weiss shot her a deadly glare.

- You're just jealous. And anyway, the only reason we're here is because Ruby wanted to see the tower, and you, Lynda, to make your call. You could've done it from the library.

- But doing it from here is way cooler! - Ruby pulled out her Scroll. - I'm totally taking a pic... - She dropped it.

The device landed right in front of a girl's feet. She wore black shoes, green-striped pants, a beige suspender top over a light gray blouse. Her bright orange hair was tied back with a pink ribbon, and her green eyes sparkled as she bent down and handed the Scroll back to Ruby.

- You dropped this.

- Penny?! - Ruby and Weiss exclaimed in unison.

- Who's that? - Lynda asked.

- She's the one who saved us at the docks. - Ruby explained.

- You really shoot laser beams?! - Lynda stared at Penny, wide-eyed.

Penny suddenly stiffened.

- Where have you been?! - Ruby's voice was sharp. - Ever since that fight at the docks, we haven't heard a word from you!

- I'm sorry. - Penny said quickly, pretending not to recognize her. - I think… you've mistaken me for someone else… - She hiccupped. - I must go! - And with that, she took off running.

- What… was that about? - Weiss asked.

- She's weird. - Lynda muttered.

- I don't know. But I'm gonna find out. - Ruby ran after her. - You guys handle the calls. I'll catch up later!

- Ruby, wait! - Weiss tried to call after her, but Ruby had already vanished into the crowd.

- Well, let's get on with it. - Lynda said, patting Weiss's shoulder.

Inside, the CCT tower felt even larger. A grand, domed chamber housed rows of benches and screens where students and civilians alike were calling friends and family. Multiple levels bustled with activity, with hundreds of communication terminals operating simultaneously. Weiss and Lynda made their way toward the long-distance section, which required special access terminals.

- This place is huge. - Lynda said, still awestruck.

- When we graduate, we'll go visit the one in Atlas together. - Weiss offered. - It's even bigger.

- I'm holding you to that, Ice Queen.

They stepped into an elevator.

- Welcome to the CCT. - Said an automated voice. - How may I assist you?

- We'd like to access the long-distance communication section. - Weiss replied.

- Of course. Please connect your Scrolls to the ID terminal.

Both girls plugged in their devices.

- Thank you, Ms. Schnee and Ms. Dawn. Ascending now.

The elevator began to rise. Weiss stood calmly, while Lynda clung to the railing like she was on a roller coaster.

On the next floor, they arrived at a smaller but still spacious room. Emblems of the four kingdoms glowed on the walls. Terminals lined the perimeter and center, many already in use. The reception desk was empty, until a holographic woman materialized in front of them.

- Welcome to the Beacon CCTS long-distance communication suite. How may I assist you?

- I'd like to place a call to the Schnee Dust Company executive branch in Atlas. - Weiss said.

- Certainly. You may use Terminal 3.

- Thank you. - Weiss walked over.

The hologram turned to Lynda.

- How may I assist you?

- Uh… - Lynda looked nervous. She had never used a long-distance terminal before. - I'd like to call Menagerie. To this Scroll. - She held up the ID.

- Certainly. You may use Terminal 7.

Lynda crossed to the other side of the room. The terminal numbers seemed to be arranged in no logical order, but she eventually found hers and sat down. She stared at the screen for a moment, unsure what to press.

- Okay, can't be that complicated… - She muttered to herself. After a few seconds, she found the "Initiate Call" button and tapped it. The call began to connect. A few seconds later, a familiar face appeared on-screen.

- Hello? Who's... Lynda?! - A young Faunus girl appeared, with short dark-purple dyed hair and brown wolf ears. Her natural hair color seemed to be brown. Under her blue eyes was a black crescent-moon tattoo.

- Hey, Luna. I came with some rich chick from the academy. - Lynda said with a smile. - No idea when I'll be able to call again.

- Well that sucks, but it's so good to see you!

- How's Monty?

Luna brightened.

- Oh! Right! - She called out over her shoulder. - Monty! Come quick! It's your sister!

A young boy's voice rang out, followed by the appearance of a short, white-haired boy around 12, with the same floppy dog ears as Lynda.

- Lynda! What's up, sis?!

- Busy as ever. Miss you, kiddo.

- I miss you too! Are you a Huntress now? I bet you've taken down, like, a ton of Grimm already!

- Monty, she's still in training. It's a four-year program. - Luna reminded him.

- What?! You said you'd be home by summer! You didn't say anything about four years!

- I am coming home for summer, but I'll be going back in the fall for the next year.

- So… are you in a team, like the real Huntress?

- Yeah. Four people.

- What's your team's name? - Luna asked.

- Uhh… LLMM. - Lynda answered a little awkwardly.

- That sounds kinda lame. - Monty said bluntly.

- We didn't pick it. - Lynda shrugged. - Anyway, right now we're investigating the White Fang and a guy named Roman Torchwick.

- Like, detective-style? That's awesome!

- You're so cool!

Lynda smiled. But then she noticed Weiss waving to her, she was finished.

- I've got to go. Maybe I can call you again sometime.

- Stay safe!

- Come home, okay?

The screen went black. Lynda stood and walked over to Weiss, who looked… troubled.

- You okay?

- I got what I needed. Just… - She trailed off.

- Just?

- Nothing. Let's go. - And with that, they boarded the elevator and left the tower.

Blake, Sun, Mandy, Lance, and Mike were scouting the lower districts of Vale for signs of the White Fang. Blake knew the organization's patterns and behavior well.

- Are you sure they're around here? - Lance asked, eyeing the rundown streets.

- I know the signs. - Blake replied, brushing her fingers over three distinct claw marks on a wall.

- And you two… - Mandy glanced at Mike and Lance. - How exactly do you plan on blending in?

- Don't worry, - Mike said confidently, pulling something from his bag. - I brought disguises. Well, disguise accessories.

- Disguises? - Blake raised an eyebrow. - A mask doesn't make a convincing cover.

- Maybe not for them, - Sun said - but in a bigger crowd, it helps.

- What did you bring? - Lance asked, growing curious.

- This is yours. - Mike said, clipping a pair of fake pig ears onto Lance's hair. - And these are mine. - He put on a pair of fake dog ears himself.

- Seriously? I get the pig ears?

- They were the cheapest, and I bought it. My name's Kevin, you're Ronaldo, and we're a happily married, gay couple.

- What?! Why?!

- A proper cover story needs detail and convincing performance! - Mike declared, as if preparing for the role of a lifetime. - We just adopted a sick faunus child named Chedric. Treatment is expensive, so we're considering joining the White Fang.

- He… he knows this is fake, right? - Sun whispered to Mandy.

- Of course I do! - Mike snapped. - But performance is the key to being undetectable! - He turned to Lance and offered his hand. - So… Ronaldo?

- Kevin… - Lance sighed and accepted Mike's hand.

At the building entrance, a Faunus guard was posted. A few other disguised civilians were being let in, and the group slipped in with them. They were each handed a white mask, the same kind the White Fang wore, and ushered down a hallway into a large meeting room.

At the door stood a uniformed, military-style White Fang operative.

- Recruits to the right! - He ordered, gesturing to a section of the room.

- I don't get it, - Sun muttered, examining the mask. - if they really believe in their cause, why hide their faces?

- It's symbolic. - Blake replied. - Humanity sees us as monsters, so we wear masks like monsters.

- Grimm masks? That's sick.

- So was the guy who started all this.

- Not very fashionable. - Mike added.

- With you the life's full of ray of sunshine. - Sun teased, slipping on his mask.

- I just don't get what they're hoping to accomplish. - Lance muttered as he followed suit.

- Change. - Mandy murmured, slipping hers on too.

Inside, two groups had gathered: uniformed members of the White Fang to the left, and the new recruits to the right. The air was tense with anticipation.

It was a big night, for both the White Fang and for Roman and Neo. Cinder had just informed Roman that they had enough Dust stockpiled to begin the next phase of their plan.

But they still needed manpower. Fortunately, Roman had an idea, courtesy of their last successful raid.

- The arrival of the Atlesian military couldn't have been more convenient. - Roman said. - I still can't believe you got your hands on one of these. - He looked at a large, tarp-covered object nearby.

Neo only shrugged, arms folded, her expression saying it was no big deal.

- Yeah, show-off. - Roman smirked. - Still, glad you're back on your feet. I nearly broke my back getting Dust with those mutts. - He placed a hand on her shoulder, pausing to look into her mismatched eyes. - Thanks for sticking with me. I honestly don't know what I'd do without you.

Neo simply smiled, adjusted his scarf, and brushed a stray hair off his face.

- You always look out for me. - Roman nodded, then pulled out his cologne, sprayed a mist into the air, and walked through it.

- If you're done with perfuming yourself, can we start already? - Barked one of the Faunus officers, a huge man named Derrick, with a massive two-handed chainsaw on his back.

- It's cologne, you uncultured brute! - Roman snapped, while Neo gave the officer a deadly glare. We need a few more minutes to prepare our surprise. Keep them busy in the meantime.

- With what?

- Give a speech. Y'know, oppression, freedom, purpose, suffering… the usual.

- You don't sound very committed to our cause.

- I'm not. I just like making a profit from it. But as long as our goals align, I'll help.

Derrick grunted something under his breath and stepped forward.

- Thank you all for coming, - He said to the crowd. - especially the new recruits joining us for the first time tonight. And now, let me introduce someone who's made all this possible, our newest ally. Without him, we wouldn't be here. - Roman stepped up. - I assure you, he's the key to achieving everything we're fighting for!

The crowd erupted in confused and angry murmurs.

- Thank you! Thank you! - Roman waved like a celebrity greeting his fans. - Hold the confetti, please.

- What's a human doing here?! - Shouted a female faunus with tiny antlers.

- Good question, Deery! - Roman grinned. - I'll be the first to admit, humans suck. But I doubt that's news to any of you. - He stepped closer, lowering his voice. - I understand if you hate us, want us locked away… or worse. But let me remind you of something important: we share a common enemy.

The room quieted.

- The real enemy isn't human or faunus. It's the system. That greedy, dehumanizing machine that cares only about profit, not people. They exploit you. And what do you get in return? Discrimination, exclusion, a mark on your head just for being different! The governments. The military. Even the schools. Those are my enemies too. Parasites who deserve to be wiped out! - His voice rose. - And me? - He pulled out a cigar, lit it. - I'm the best exterminator in town! No offense to the rodent faunus. - He snapped his fingers.

Neo waved her hand. The assistants yanked off the tarp. The crowd gasped.

An Atlesian Paladin combat mech stood before them, newly painted gray, with the White Fang emblem emblazoned on its side.

- One of Atlas' newest toys. - Roman said, patting the side of the mech. - Meant to 'protect' the kingdoms from all the nasty stuff beyond the borders. Thanks to my boss and my lovely partner, - He winked at Neo, who only smiled. - we managed to snatch one. And we'll be getting more soon.

- And this is just the beginning. - He stepped forward again. - Join us, and we can get even more. Or stay here, enjoy Vale's safety, that's fine too. - His tone might have sounded fake, but the crowd didn't seem to notice. - But if you really want to fight for the cause, and make a profit while you're at it... - He lit another cigar. - Then I can guarantee this arsenal. Any questions?

There were none. Just thunderous applause and cheers.

Derrick stepped forward.

- New recruits, line up! We're handing out uniforms!

The group lined up.

Blake, Sun, Mandy, Lance, and Mike quickly retreated toward the exit.

- What do we do now? - Sun whispered.

- We get out of here. - Blake answered.

- I have an idea. - Mike stepped forward with Lance. - We'll distract Torchwick. The rest of you sneak out.

- Do I have a choice? - Lance asked, already knowing the answer.

Mike confidently approached Roman.

- Mr. Torchwick! Allow me to thank you for your efforts! You're such a cutie pie! - He shook Roman's hand.

- Flattering, but I'm already taken.

- So am I! - Mike latched onto Lance's arm. - This is my fiancé, Ronaldo! He proposed last month, super romantic!

- Chubby's your type? - Roman asked, amused.

- He forced me. - Lance deadpanned.

- Nonsense! Our love, and our adopted son, Chedric, is what keeps us going in these hard times. - Mike dabbed at his eyes dramatically.

- I never even wanted kids. But Kevin really wanted to become a mom. - Lance added stoically.

While Mike and Lance kept Roman distracted, Blake, Sun, and Mandy slipped behind the stage toward a side window. Just as they were about to escape, someone blocked their way.

A short, elegantly dressed human girl. She wore heeled boots, tight brown pants, a corset that revealed her hips, and a white tailcoat lined with pink. Her hair and eyes were two-toned: pink and brown. She held a parasol that was clearly not for rain. She smiled sweetly, but her gaze said: "Don't you dare."

- I think she's with Torchwick. - Sun muttered.

Blake immediately noted she wasn't a faunus. No one else had seen them. That could only mean one thing:

- She can't see in the dark. - Blake whispered. She drew Gumbo Shroud in pistol mode and shot out the power box. The room was plunged into darkness.

- Sun, Mandy, through the window! - Blake shouted.

- Don't let them escape! - Roman's voice echoed through the dark, he'd spotted them at the last moment.

He jumped into the Paladin's cockpit. The robot smashed through the wall with a roar, chasing after Blake's group.

Mandy, Mike, and Lance remained in the hall, where the emergency generator had just restored the lights. The White Fang soldiers had now fully armed themselves and surrounded them. In the middle stood the hulking officer, Derrick, wielding his massive chainsaw.

- So, it looks like some pests have nested among us. - He growled. - Time to exterminate.

Lance stepped forward, raised his shield, and blocked the first swing of the chainsaw. Sparks flew in a blinding flash.

Meanwhile, Mandy pulled back, loosing quick, precise arrows that wounded several soldiers, but didn't kill. Mike also went on the offensive: his weapon, What the Heck, launched explosive rounds into the crowd, and then he whistled sharply with his fingers.

But suddenly, Mike was kicked in the back of the knee from behind and collapsed to the floor. Looking up, he saw Neo standing over him. One swift kick landed squarely on his face.

Neo moved in to finish him off, but Mandy appeared just in time, crossing her daggers to block the strike from Neo's parasol.

Neo smiled, opened her parasol, rested it on her shoulder, extended her left arm gracefully, and bent one knee in a mock bow. Mandy didn't hesitate, she blinked out of sight and reappeared behind her. But Neo was already turning, and parried again.

Now Neo took the initiative. Her movements were quick, elastic, almost like a dance. Mandy tried teleporting again, but Neo's rhythm was unpredictable, she always turned, blocked, or countered in time.

Lance was still struggling with Derrick. He blocked the brutal swings with his shield, but barely kept up. The man was stronger than expected. Just as the chainsaw came down for his head, a metallic clash rang out, three blades locked the weapon in place.

It was Lynda. Her white hair flew behind her, and she held the chainsaw fast with her triple blades.

- Did I miss something?

- Lynda! - Mike nearly leapt with joy. - Didn't think you'd hear the whistle!

- I was in the area anyway.

- Alright, - Said Lance. - Lynda and I will handle the musclehead. Mandy, Mike, you take the mute girl!

Team LLMM moved into formation, ready for an all-out fight, four siblings standing side by side.

- Be careful, she's fast and unpredictable. - Mandy warned.

- Yeah, I noticed. - Mike muttered as he took up stance.

From his weapon, Mike launched a boxing glove at Neo, but she tilted her head and was already behind him. Mandy kicked her back, but Neo landed on her feet, opened her parasol, and blocked the arrows.

Mike summoned a swarm of bees from his weapon and sent them at her, but Neo simply caught them in her parasol. Most got stuck; the few that didn't, she cut down easily after snapping the parasol shut and triggering the blade at the tip.

Neo moved so quickly and fluidly, her body almost seemed made of rubber. Mandy couldn't hit her with arrows, and Mike's attacks were useless too.

It was clear: she was toying with them.

Meanwhile, Lance and Lynda took down Derrick. Lance distracted him, and Lynda pounced like a predator, knocking him out.

But Neo now had the full attention of LLMM.

They surrounded her.

She didn't flinch, in fact, she seemed to enjoy it.

Lance charged. Neo dodged the sword, leapt back with a graceful motion, and with a swift kick, knocked Lance off balance. Lynda followed, but Neo vanished like a ghost, and suddenly Lynda was on the ground. Mandy blinked behind her, but Neo was waiting. A kick to the stomach knocked her breath away. Mike's attack missed entirely, and he received a painful kick to the groin in return.

- This... - Mike groaned, curled into fetal position. - ...was the very tip of her heel!

Neo strolled among the groaning teammates with a smile, like a predator savoring her prey's suffering.

Lance managed to get up again. He raised his shield, assumed a defensive stance, and slowly advanced toward Neo. She yawned dramatically.

"Should I use my Semblance?" Lance wondered. If he activated it, he might stand a chance, but he'd endanger his friends and the surroundings. Too risky.

He decided to wait.

Suddenly, a Scroll beeped. Neo glanced at the incoming message, and her expression changed. In the blink of an eye, she shattered into glass and vanished.

Lance lowered his shield.

Too soon.

A blade struck his chest, right side. He collapsed, bleeding.

- Lance! - Lynda cried out.

The White Fang soldiers immediately began retreating. The roar of airships and vehicles filled the night. They were gone.

- That's right… - Lynda pushed herself up, resting on one knee. - Run, you cowards.

- Let's not advertise how badly we just got beaten. - Mike grumbled, groaning as he got up.

- Let's just be glad we're alive. - Mandy added. Then she noticed Lance, lying motionless in a pool of blood.

- And let's get him to a hospital before he bleeds out.

Chapter Text

Neo didn't have time to finish off the LLMM team. She glanced at her Scroll to take a closer look at Roman's message:

"These kids are tougher than I thought!

The Paladin won't hold much longer!

Neo, help!

Hurry!"

Without hesitation, she jumped aboard one of the nearby transport ships, where a few White Fang soldiers were already seated. She pushed her way past them without a word and marched straight to the pilot.

- What the...?! - The pilot began, but Neo held up her Scroll, flashing the screen where Roman's exact location blinked on a map.

- Torchwick's in trouble?! - The pilot asked. Neo nodded rapidly, then made urgent, circular motions in the air with her hand.

- Alright, alright, calm down! - The pilot grumbled, initiating takeoff. - Speak and don't poke!

Neo simply rolled her eyes and locked her gaze on the Scroll. Roman's signal was getting closer. The transport swooped low over the Lower District, and soon the highway came into view, along with the battered remains of the Paladin mech.

Its arms were missing, the armor was scorched and dented, and it barely resembled the awe-inspiring war machine Neo had stolen just a week prior.

Four figures fought around it, familiar ones. Team RWBY. The pride of Beacon.

Blake launched Yang using her weapon attached to a black ribbon, and Yang crashed right into the Paladin's cockpit. The machine exploded into pieces. Roman rolled from the wreckage, barely managing to stand and dust himself off.

There was no escape left.

Yang, wasting no time, fired a blazing shot from her wrist-mounted Ember Celica, aiming straight at Roman.

Neo didn't hesitate. She leapt from the transport, landed between Roman and the projectile, and opened her parasol, Hush, just in time. The shot slammed into the parasol, deflecting harmlessly.

Neo exhaled in relief, then gave her signature confident smile. She rested Hush against her shoulder and awaited orders.

- Ladies, - Roman said with his usual sarcastic charm. Neo still wasn't sure whether he'd truly believed she'd arrive in time, or if he'd had a backup plan. - Ice Queen.

- Hey! - Weiss barked indignantly.

- Always a pleasure to play with you. - Roman added, saluting with two fingers and a wink. - Neo, if you would…

Neo stepped forward, bowed, and extended her left arm. A shimmering wall materialized, and two illusions took shape, herself and Roman. While RWBY focused on the clones, the real Neo and Roman dashed to the waiting transport.

By the time Yang shattered the illusions, watching them fall like glass shards, the ship was already airborne.

- Whew, - Roman sighed as he flopped into a seat. - that was way too close. - He glanced at Neo, who stood triumphantly, hands on her hips, grinning wide.

- What are you smiling at? - He teased. - I had it all under control!

Neo silently laughed, covering her mouth, and then threw herself into Roman's arms.

He embraced her tightly, one hand around her waist, the other stroking her two-toned hair as he inhaled deeply. The scent of chocolate and strawberries filled his lungs, familiar, comforting. He kissed her gently.

- I love you.

Neo just smiled, silent as ever. She buried her head in his chest and rubbed her cheek playfully side to side.

- You're never going to say it, are you? - Roman chuckled. Neo shook her head mischievously.

- That's fine. We'll get there. - He didn't mind her silence, he was used to it, but he always wondered what her voice might sound like. He told her he loved her often… but Neo only ever responded with signs or messages on her Scroll. Never her voice. Not once.

- I can wait. - Roman whispered.

They held each other quietly as the ship buzzed smoothly above Vale. Finally, Roman released her and looked out the window.

The city shimmered in the night, streetlamps, warm light from apartment windows, and the colorful decorations for the Vytal Festival made it glow like a giant jewelry box.

- This will all be ours, Neo. - He said softly.

Neo knelt by the window, pressing her hand against the glass, mesmerized.

- If this job works, - Roman continued. - we'll be the ones calling the shots. We'll be able to do whatever we want.

Neo turned back to him, smiling, but there was a hint of sadness behind it. She began signing.

- It's not your fault you got sick. - Roman replied. - And now, you have an important role to play.

Neo pouted and signed again.

- I know you don't like them either. But Cinder's the boss. We have to tolerate her… 'kids.'

Neo gestured more forcefully this time, her annoyance showing.

- Okay, okay, sure, you're the one stuck with them all day… but they boss me around too. - Roman sighed. - At least it's easier to get weapons and gear now that Atlas deployed their army here. Their arrogance will be their downfall.

Neo flashed a wicked grin.

- I'm glad you're helping again, even if just in the afternoons. - Roman said. - But I have to get you back to the Academy now.

Neo grimaced. School brought back awful memories, especially of Lady Branwen's old institution. But Roman and Cinder's plan required her to be embedded in Beacon. She had to play the part of Ella Stracciat, student and Vytal Festival participant.

Roman would've preferred to keep her by his side, especially after she saved his life today. But the mission came first. If it succeeded, power and influence would be theirs, and they both knew: this was just the beginning.

Fortunately, all teams made it back to the Academy on time, except for Lance, who was still recovering in the infirmary after his injuries. He had to miss the afternoon sparring session, which his LLMM teammates still attended.

- The match is over. - Professor Goodwitch announced, bringing the fight to a halt.

On the training floor stood Pyrrha Nikos, triumphant once again. Team CRDL, Cardin and his lackeys, lay groaning on the ground. Pyrrha barely looked winded.

- She just… got lucky. - Cardin muttered before passing out.

- Excellent work, Miss Nikos. - Goodwitch said, her voice carrying a rare note of praise. - I doubt the tournament will pose a challenge for you.

- Thank you, Professor.

- We've got time for one more match. Any volunteers?

No one moved, until a hand shot up.

- I'll go! - It was Mercury.

- Mr. Black? Excellent. - Goodwitch began typing on her Scroll. - Let me just find you an oppone...

- Actually, - Mercury interrupted. - I'd like to fight her. - He pointed at Pyrrha.

Gasps rippled through the audience. Pyrrha raised an eyebrow.

- Me?

- I'm afraid Miss Nikos just finished a match. - Goodwitch interjected. - I suggest you pick someon...

- No! - Pyrrha cut in. - It's fine. I'll gladly fight him.

The two stepped into the ring together. Mercury moved with a casual swagger, like this was all a game. Pyrrha stood poised, focused, but calm. The crowd held its breath.

Mercury struck first. A quick kick, easily blocked by Pyrrha's shield. She countered, but he flipped away with a spin and landed neatly.

The pace quickened. Mercury's kicks came fast and fierce, Pyrrha's defenses flawless. Blow for blow, they seemed evenly matched, until Pyrrha began controlling the rhythm. A well-timed shield bash knocked Mercury back.

He grinned and nodded.

He lunged again, jumping high with a spinning heel kick. Pyrrha blocked it again. He followed with a flurry of strikes. She parried and suddenly activated her Semblance. Almost imperceptibly, she manipulated the metal in his boots, throwing off his balance. He stumbled and fell to one knee.

Just as Pyrrha moved in to finish it, Mercury sprang backward, using her shield as a vault, and landed in a clean flip. But instead of continuing, he raised a hand.

- I give up.

Gasps. Murmurs. Pyrrha blinked in surprise.

- You're not even going to try?

- What's the point? - Mercury shrugged. - You're the champion. I wouldn't stand a chance.

Goodwitch, though clearly puzzled, declared the outcome:

- Winner: Pyrrha Nikos. Again.

Mercury walked off, sneaking a glance at Team CMEE. Emerald and Neo smiled from the sidelines.

The plan had worked.

From the bleachers, LLMM watched the scene unfold.

- Wow, Pyrrha really is something. - Lynda said, impressed. - If she'd been with us yesterday, that tiny girl with the umbrella wouldn't've stood a chance.

- It was a parasol, but yeah, I get what you mean. - Mike nodded.

- You think Lance could beat Pyrrha? - Lynda asked thoughtfully.

- Doubt it. - Mandy replied. - She's too experienced. Took down Cardin and his team without breaking a sweat, and he's stronger than her physically.

- But Lance is smarter. - Lynda countered. - You never know.

As they chatted, the dismissal bell rang. Goodwitch made one last announcement:

- Don't forget: the school dance is next weekend. And Monday marks the beginning of your first real mission. No excuses.

The students began filing out. LLMM headed toward the infirmary to check on Lance, except for Lynda, who suddenly stopped in her tracks.

They were walking past Team CMEE when she caught something, something familiar.

A scent. A very familiar scent.

Especially strong around "Ella Stracciat."

Lynda turned, sniffing the air. Neo, aka "Ella", stiffened.

- Excuse me, have we met before? - Lynda asked, narrowing her eyes.

- Her name's Ella Stracciat. - Emerald answered, stepping protectively in front of Neo. - Why do you care?

- It's her scent… It's familiar. - Lynda muttered, furrowing her brow and sniffed towards Ella. - I've smelled it before, I'm sure of it.

Neo quickly typed something on her Scroll and held it up:

"Popular perfume. Maybe that's where you know it from."

- Maybe… - Lynda didn't look convinced. - But why don't you talk? What are you, mute or some kind of retarded?

Neo's fists clenched, but Emerald cut in sharply:

- Hey! She doesn't insult you for being a faunus. Don't insult her.

- You're right. - Lynda blushed, backing away. - I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend.

Mercury chimed in with a smirk:

- Curiosity kills the dog…

Lynda turned away, and Mandy was already waiting for her. They walked off together.

- You didn't smell anything on her? - Lynda asked.

- No… - Mandy replied, though her voice sounded uneasy. - Nothing.

But Lynda couldn't shake it.

- That scent… I've definitely smelled it before. I just don't know where.

Mandy tried to steer the topic elsewhere, and soon they arrived at the infirmary.

The infirmary door creaked open quietly. Lance lay asleep, chest still wrapped in bandages. Mike sat beside the bed in a chair, but the scene was far from peaceful.

Mike's Scroll was in his hand, a dreamy expression on his face… and one of his hands was suspiciously buried deep inside his pants.

- You've got to be kidding me?! - Lynda's outraged voice echoed through the room.

- Are you serious right now?! - Mandy stared at him in disbelief.

- What's your problem?! - Mike looked at them as if he was the victim. - It's a medical video… or, well, almost.

- There's an injured Huntsman lying right there, and a fat guy's sitting next to him watching porn?! - Lynda snatched the Scroll from his hand and paused the video. - You seriously thought this was okay?!

- What a coincidence, - Mike said, completely missing the point. - that video started exactly like this. Then two hot faunus nurses walk in and—

Lynda's glare made him shut up instantly.

- Let's just forget this happened. - Mandy muttered, trying to move on.

- What happened? - Lance had woken up from the noise. His face was pale, but his eyes were open. - Mike did something stupid again?

- Yes. - Lynda said flatly. - But more importantly, how are you?

- Just a scratch. - Lance tried to smile heroically, though the pain was still evident in his face.

- They stabbed you through the chest, Lance. - Mandy said coldly. - That's not a scratch.

Lynda clenched her fists at the thought of the parasol-wielding girl.

- If I ever see that little umbrella chick again…

- Parasol. - Mike corrected.

- SHUT UP!

- Lynda! Sit! - Lance ordered. With a sigh, she sat down at the edge of the bed.

The tension eased a little.

- So… what did I miss?

- Pyrrha wiped the floor with Team CRDL. Alone. - Mike reported excitedly.

- And with Mercury too. - Lynda added. - The new guy. Question is: do you think you could beat Pyrrha?

Lance chuckled softly.

- Let's not kid ourselves. She's the Mistral Sanctum champion.

- And the face of Pumpkin Pete cereal. - Mike chimed in. - My mom used to buy it all the time.

- That cereal's awful. - Lynda said with a grimace.

- Terrible. - Lance agreed.

- But you're also a champion, Signal's champion, from Vale. - Lynda reminded him. - A match between two champions would be something to see.

- I have no idea if I could beat her. - Lance rubbed his forehead.

- We should talk about something else. - Mandy suggested, forcing a neutral expression.

- Yeah, for example… - Lynda's face darkened. - That girl. Ella. I know I've smelled her before.

- The small, mute, black-haired one? - Mike asked.

- She didn't seem familiar to me. - Lance shrugged. - Why, does she to you?

- It's just her scent. I can't place it, but I've definitely smelled it before.

- I didn't notice anything. - Mandy said quickly, not happy Lynda was bringing this up in front of the boys.

- Maybe it's just some perfume you've smelled on someone else? - Mike guessed.

- Mike, I can tell the difference between perfume and someone's actual scent, and that girl wasn't wearing just perfume!

- Seriously? - Mike looked genuinely surprised.

- Yes. Everyone has a unique smell, and I've definitely smelled hers before.

Mandy visibly tensed.

- And what if you have? - She snapped. - What does it matter? Maybe it's just a similar scent. Let it go.

- It just bugs me that I can't remember where I know it from. - Lynda said, lowering her voice.

Mike cut in with a grin:

- Let's talk about the dance instead. Who's going with who?

- I'm not even sure if I'm going. - Mandy shrugged.

- What?! - Lynda spun toward her, shocked. - This is your chance to actually enjoy yourself for once!

- I hate events like that. - Mandy muttered.

- I've never been to a prom either. - Mike admitted.

- WHAT?! - Lynda gasped. - Then this has to be our first shared experience! Mandy, you're coming. No excuses!

Mike's eyes lit up.

- My mom said I can go, but she told me to shave my back first…

- Please… don't elaborate. - Lance said, exhausted.

The group burst into laughter and kept chatting. For a little while, they forgot about the tension, Neo's attack, and the looming darkness in the world.

The mood in Team CMEE's dorm room was completely different.

Cinder sat holding a Scroll, scanning a list of students. Mercury lay on the floor flipping through a comic book. Neo, having dropped her "Ella" disguise, had returned to her true form, her black twin tails shifting back to their signature pink and brown.

- Next: Pyrrha Nikos, - Cinder said, studying the list. - "The 'Invincible Girl.'

- Sure, she's strong, - Mercury nodded. - but I wouldn't call her invincible. Just good at hiding her edge.

Emerald joined in:

- Her Semblance is polarity, magnetic control. She used the metal in your boots during the fight. Subtle, but effective.

- Hm. - Cinder found that familiar. - People believe she's destined for greatness, but in truth, she's just someone who seized her own fate. - She smiled. - Interesting. - She turned to Emerald. - Add her to the list.

- Smart girl. - Mercury admitted. - I bet you could beat her.

- It's not about beating our enemies. - Cinder said sternly. - It's about taking and using their power. And in time… we'll do just that.

- I hate waiting. - Mercury groaned, stretching out on the floor.

- Don't worry, Mercury. - Cinder replied calmly. - We've got a very fun weekend ahead. And there's still one name missing from the list. - She tapped her Scroll. - The Crimson Knight. Lancelot.

- Team LLMM's leader. - Emerald added, pulling up his file. Neo stood and began typing rapidly on her Scroll.

"I fought Lance. I beat him. But it felt like he was holding back."

- Interesting, - Cinder raised an eyebrow. - why didn't he use his Semblance?

- Maybe it's too dangerous. - Mercury guessed.

- He supposedly has documentation saying he's forbidden to use it. - Emerald noted.

- Then we need to find out what it is. Quickly. - Cinder said firmly.

Just then, a knock at the door.

Emerald opened it.

Mandy stood there, black-haired, fox-eared, and tailed. She stared straight at Cinder with her piercing green eyes.

- Yes? - Emerald asked cautiously.

- I'm here to speak to Cinder.

- What for? - Emerald's tone was suspicious.

- To warn her. I know who you are. - Mandy held up a piece of cloth marked with the White Fang emblem. - I'm with the White Fang.

- Let her in. - Cinder's voice came from within.

Emerald stepped aside and Mandy entered the room.

- So," Cinder said, looking her over. - the White Fang sent someone to Beacon too?

- Yes, - Mandy replied. But her eyes were locked on Neo. - Just like Torchwick sent her. Neopolitan.

Neo's eyes widened. She silently dismissed her disguise.

- Why have you come? - Cinder asked.

- To warn you. One of my teammates is starting to get suspicious of Neo.

- How? - Mercury asked.

- You fought us in that warehouse the other night. - Mandy explained. - We Faunus recognize people by scent. Lynda remembers hers. She doesn't know it's Neo's, but she might figure it out eventually.

- And what do you propose we do? - Cinder asked, though she already knew the answer.

- Lynda… - Mandy clenched her fists, as if the words were physically painful. - Lynda is a threat to our mission. She has to be… removed.

- I assume you have a plan? - Cinder asked coolly.

- I do.

Mandy had taken her first step down a dark path. She had never thought it would be this hard to betray her team. She knew this moment would come, but she hadn't anticipated the guilt. It crushed her.

She wasn't seeking forgiveness.

She wanted revenge.

Chapter Text

The school was abuzz with anticipation, the Vytal Festival Dance was approaching fast. With Team CFVY assigned to a different mission, organizing duties fell to Team RWBY. They decorated the gymnasium with colorful streamers and balloons, set up tables for food and drinks, and gathered every little detail that could make the night unforgettable.

Beacon was a hive of excitement. Boys scrambled to ask out their crushes, while girls fine-tuned their outfits and perfected their looks. The academy had never felt more alive.

Except for one student who couldn't care less: Blake.

The cat faunus was consumed by her investigation into Roman Torchwick, and her growing suspicion that a member of the White Fang had infiltrated the Academy.

She knew there were multiple faunus attending Beacon, which made narrowing it down nearly impossible. But a few days ago, she'd finally found a clue: three white claw marks scratched onto the locker of one LLMM team member, Lynda. The exact same symbol had appeared at a recent White Fang meeting where Torchwick himself had been present.

It wasn't enough evidence to alert the authorities or even her team, but Blake had made up her mind: she would investigate Lynda herself.

She'd followed her for a week, found nothing. But one thing was clear, Lynda's weapon matched the one Blake had seen a month ago during the ambush at the docks.

- What the hell do you think you're doing?! - A sharp voice suddenly snapped behind her.

Blake spun around. Lynda was standing there, eyes blazing with fury. She had caught Blake red-handed trying to pick the lock on her locker.

Their gazes locked, two faunus girls, tension crackling in the air.

- I know your secret. - Blake said coldly.

Lynda raised an eyebrow in confusion.

- Mike told you about my little brother? - Her fists clenched, ready to punch Mike next time she saw him.

- Your brother? No. I'm talking about you being a member of the White Fang.

- What? - Lynda glanced at her white hair and dog ears, then burst out laughing. - I mean… I do kind of look like their mascot.

- You think this is funny?! - Blake shoved her hard, making Lynda stumble back with a growl. - You have blood on your hands!

- What are you babbling about, you creepy-cat?!

Their raised voices began to draw attention.

- What's going on here? - Yang rushed over, immediately moving to protect Blake.

- Your teammate was trying to break into my locker, and now she's accusing me of being in the White Fang! - Lynda shouted.

- What?! - Yang turned to Blake, shocked.

- Just look at the locker! - Blake pointed urgently, but the claw marks had vanished. - They were just there…

- Blake… you've been obsessed lately. Maybe you imagined it…

- I know what I saw! I'm not crazy!

- You could've fooled me. - Lynda muttered.

- You're not helping. - Yang snapped at her.

- What's this noise? - Mandy joined them.

- Blake's fixated on the idea that I'm part of the White Fang. - Lynda growled.

- Do you have any proof? - Mandy asked evenly.

Blake looked at the locker again, still nothing.

- No.

- Then leave me alone if you know what's good for you. - Lynda snarled.

Yang stepped forward defensively.

- If I were you, I'd dial it back… unless you want to be a stray dog.

Lynda bared her teeth. Yang clenched her fists. They were about to explode when someone else interrupted:

- So lovely to see the Beacon students getting along so well. - Emerald remarked with dry amusement.

- Lynda. Sit. - Mandy's voice was stern.

- Yang, that's enough. - Blake said quickly, calming her partner.

The two girls finally walked away in opposite directions.

Blake glanced over her shoulder one last time, just in time to see something white sticking out of Lynda's back pocket. A cloth… with the White Fang emblem.

She blinked, and it was gone.

She didn't want to cause another scene.

Mandy remained behind, awkward and alone.

- Nice work. - Emerald said approvingly.

- Couldn't have done it better myself. - Added Mercury.

- It wasn't easy. - Mandy muttered.

- Aww, don't tell me you're getting attached. - Mercury teased.

- I know my duty. - Mandy shot back. - I'm doing this for the White Fang. Not for you.

Mercury and Emerald walked off. Mandy lingered a moment longer before slowly walking away, deep in thought. She hated what she'd done, and what she was planning to do.

But she had no choice.

After days in the infirmary, Lance was finally free. He sighed with relief, thankful that the upcoming dance meant no classes, and therefore no need to wear his stiff uniform. Instead, he slipped into his favorite outfit: blue jeans and a red T-shirt.

He'd barely made it a few steps outside when Mike came sprinting toward him, panting and looking desperate.

- We need to talk! - Mike grabbed Lance's arm and started pulling him away.

- About what? - Lance asked, confused.

- My mom can't send my tux!

- …Okay?

- It's the prom, Lance! We have to dress up!

- Then buy one in town. - Lance shrugged.

- I can't go alone! And I hate shopping in public! And I won't find anything in my size! I've always ordered online!

- Well, that explains why your clothes look like circus tents. - Lance muttered. - For what it's worth, I don't have a tux yet either.

- You don't get it! - Mike wailed. - No tux, no dance!

Just then, Jaune wandered over, looking glum and holding a guitar.

- I think I can help. - He said, overhearing the commotion.

- Wait, why are you holding a guitar? - Lance asked.

- I tried to serenade Weiss to ask her to the dance… didn't go well. - Jaune admitted sheepishly.

- I wish I'd seen that. - Lance grinned.

- So… about that help? - Mike prompted.

- One of my sisters owns a clothing store that specializes in large sizes. Arc Big & Tall.

- For real?! - Mike's eyes sparkled. - You're a hero, Jaune!

- Worth a shot. - Lance nodded.

That very afternoon, they headed to the shop. The sign above read Arc Big & Tall, and the display windows were filled with oversized mannequins and enormous suits.

- Those are huge mannequins. - Lance said, impressed.

- And even bigger pants! - Mike marveled.

- You wouldn't believe how successful my sister's become. - Jaune beamed. - Remnant is full of people who can't find decent clothes. Blanc is a real trailblazer.

They stepped inside. A tall woman with long blond hair tied back in a black ribbon stood behind the counter. Her eyes were the same bright blue as Jaune's. She wore black heels, tights, a black skirt, white blouse, and a sleek black vest.

- Jauniey! - She chirped, pinching his cheek playfully. - What brings you here?

- Blanc, cut it out! I brought customers. - Jaune gestured to his friends. - Mike and Lance, this is my sister Blanc, owner of Arc Big & Tall.

- And Remnant's queen of size and style. - Blanc added with a wink. - Any idea what you're looking for? Fabric, color, vibe?

- Simple black jacket, pants, and a white shirt's fine for me. - Lance said.

- Easily done. And you, big guy? - She turned to Mike. - What'll make you pop?

- Everything pops on me. - Mike joked. The others chuckled.

- Can I get leather pants? - Mike asked hopefully.

- NO! - Blanc, Jaune, and Lance all barked in unison.

- Why not? - Mike blinked.

- Because you need clothes that let through the farts. - Lance deadpanned.

- I take it you sweat a lot? - Blanc asked more delicately.

- Yeah…

- Trust me, - Blanc said kindly, resting a hand on his shoulder. - leather is not your friend. I've seen guys your size try to squeeze into leather in summer heat, it takes three bottles of talcum powder and half an hour just to get the pants on. Taking them off? A whole other story. We had to cut them off one guy. Mike, if you want to save time, money, and dignity, listen to me.

- You've convinced me. - Mike nodded. - Okay… can I get a high-collared shirt?

- No. - All three said at once, shaking their heads.

- But people say I look good in those!

- I'm sorry, - Blanc smiled gently. - but your mom lied to you.

- Just trust Blanc. - Jaune said encouragingly. - With her help, even our uncle looked like a chubby Marshal Pines!

- He is kind of handsome actor. - Mike muttered. - Just… nothing bright. No horizontal stripes.

- Horizontal stripes? Seriously? - Blanc sighed. - You're only leaving here in your best possible form. And don't worry, we have a 30-day guarantee. As long as you don't sweat through it, spill on it, or rip it.

- Bet nobody cashes that in. - Lance grinned.

- Not once in three years. - Blanc laughed. - I'll grab a few things for you to try. Help yourselves to the pastries, my twin sister Bleue made them at her bakery across the street.

- Did I mention my sister's a business genius? - Jaune whispered proudly.

Later that day, Lance and Mike left Arc Big & Tall with perfectly fitted tuxedos, and huge smiles. They couldn't wait for the unforgettable night ahead.

Chapter Text

The dance had begun.

Night had fallen, the lights sparkled, and the gymnasium was fully transformed, balloons, streamers, music, and tables overflowing with food and drinks. Students dressed in their finest attire laughed and mingled. Most of the boys wore black suits, while the girls dazzled in a variety of colorful dresses. The atmosphere was full of joy.

Blake had finally given in to Yang's relentless pushing and showed up. She danced once with her teammate, and later with Sun. Her team was delighted to see her smiling, laughing, even, a rare sight from their normally quiet and reserved friend.

- Told you she'd come. - Yang said smugly, arms crossed.

- Mission accomplished. - Weiss agreed with a nod.

- So now… - Ruby looked around nervously, clearly uncomfortable in her red evening dress and heels. - What do we do?

- Let's party! - Yang grinned and took off with Weiss, leaving their captain behind, looking helplessly after them.

- So does that mean I can finally take off this ridiculous outfit and change into my normal clothes?! - Ruby begged, though she already knew the answer. - Stupid high heels.

- They look good on you. - Came a voice. It was Lance, wearing a black suit, white shirt, and a red tie, though the tie was crooked, the jacket unbuttoned, and his shirt untucked. Still, he looked pretty sharp.

- I just hope I don't break my ankle, or my neck. Or have to bend over. - Ruby groaned, clearly struggling in her fancy getup.

- I don't like the monkey suit either, - Lance said, unbuttoning his top collar. - But hey, dress code.

- Not enjoying the festivities, Miss Rose and Mister Pendragon? - A calm voice asked behind them.

Ruby jumped. Lance didn't move, just turned to stare at Professor Ozpin.

- Oh, no! Everything's great! - Ruby said with nervous laughter. - It's just… I'm not really the fancy-pantsy-dancey girl.

- And I hate wearing suits. - Lance added bluntly.

- You can't spend your whole life on the battlefield, no matter how much you might want to. - Ozpin remarked thoughtfully.

- Seems simpler. - Ruby muttered, folding her arms.

- Agreed. - Lance nodded.

Ozpin found it oddly endearing, how similar the two young leaders were.

- If you think about it, - He continued, gazing out at the slow-dancing students, his voice soft with nostalgia. - dancing and fighting aren't so different. Two partners. Coordinated movement. Mutual trust. But one wrong step, and someone pulls a muscle…

- Or sprains an ankle. - Ruby mumbled, glancing nervously at her shoes.

- These moments, when friends gather and simply enjoy being together, they're rare. Time will test your bonds. But nights like this can strengthen them. They're the kind of memories that never fade.

With that, Ozpin walked away, leaving the two of them a little more at ease. Around them, everyone was having a good time.

- Maybe he's right. - Lance said, offering his arm. - Care to dance?

- Pff, seriously? - Ruby laughed.

- Why not? I bet my leg cramps up before your ankle gives out.

- If it does, - Ruby smirked, accepting the offer. - you carry me to the infirmary.

- If it happens to me, then you're carrying me.

They laughed as they headed to the dance floor. Ruby wobbled in her heels; Lance moved with the grace of a dancing chimpanzee. At one point, he even had to catch Ruby to keep her from falling. Their clumsy attempts only made them laugh harder.

The others chuckled too, but kindly. Even the teachers smiled, Oobleck and Port sipped drinks in the corner, and General Ironwood, watching Ruby and Lance flail around the floor, gathered his courage and asked Professor Goodwitch to dance. She rolled her eyes… but accepted.

- Crafty couple. - Lance laughed, once he and Ruby had collapsed with cups of punch in hand.

- I didn't know Professor Goodwitch was capable of feeling. - Ruby giggled.

- The witch and the tin man. - Lance quipped.

- The witch and… the tin man? - Ruby blinked.

- It's what popped into my head looking at them.

Their conversation was soon interrupted by Jaune.

- Mind if I join the cool kids' table?

- Why not? - Lance shrugged.

- The socially awkward elite. - Jaune clinked his cup to theirs. - I saw your dance.

- We regret everything. - Ruby said flatly.

- It was fun. - Lance shrugged. - Hopefully no one recorded it.

- Dream on. - Ruby replied.

- So… are you two together now? - Jaune asked.

Ruby and Lance glanced at each other, then shook their heads.

- Wouldn't work. - Lance said.

- Agreed. - Ruby smiled. - Let's stay friends.

- My dad says that's easier. - Lance added.

- You'd have made a cute couple though. - Jaune offered with a shrug.

- Let's not overcomplicate things. - Ruby said, steering the topic. - Sorry things didn't work out with Weiss.

- It's okay. - Jaune took a sip of punch. - Neptune's a good guy. I hope they're happy.

- What are you talking about? - Ruby and Lance looked at him, confused.

- Oh come on, there aren't many people with blue hair. - Jaune chuckled.

- But Weiss came alone. - Ruby said.

- What?! - Jaune nearly choked on his drink.

- Look, there she is, - Lance gestured toward Weiss, who was arranging flowers in a vase. - alone.

- She said she didn't have time for dating.

Jaune looked stunned, then turned toward Neptune, who was dancing with Sun and Blake.

- Hold. My. Punch. - He said, handing his cup to Ruby and stomping off.

- You are drinking that, right? - Lance asked.

Ruby was already sipping it.

- I hope they don't fight. - She said.

- Should I stop him?

- I don't think you'll need to. - Ruby replied. - Look.

They watched as Jaune passed Pyrrha, who was quietly heading upstairs. All the anger on his face faded, and instead, he turned to follow her.

- Better split up. - Lance said, spotting Mike across the dance floor, using his inhaler.

- Yeah, good idea. - Ruby nodded and started heading toward Yang, who was watching the event from upstairs.

Lance pushed through the crowd and sat beside Mike, who was still catching his breath between puffs on his inhaler.

- How's the party so far? - Lance asked.

- Awful! - Mike groaned. - The fog machine is killing me, I need this thing every five minutes, and my eyes are burning like someone rubbed peppers in them!

- Allergy?

- Big time.

- Where are the girls? - Lance looked around but saw neither Mandy nor Lynda.

- Mandy said she was going to get her dress. As for Lynda… no idea.

- So Mandy's actually coming? - Lance raised an eyebrow.

- Yeah. Lynda nagged her until she gave in.

- Anyone you've got your eye on?

- Just being here is already a huge step for me. Dancing? That's, like… another universe. - Mike sighed. - You think anyone would actually want to dance with me?

- I'm sure someone would.

Before Lance could say more, a roar of laughter erupted across the gym.

- What the—? - Lance turned toward the commotion.

- Is that… Jaune?! - Mike stared in disbelief.

Jaune strutted into the ballroom in a flowing white dress, shoulders bare, striding as if it were the most normal thing in the world. The crowd burst into laughter as he approached Pyrrha and offered his hand.

- Guess my dance with Ruby won't be the night's biggest headline. - Lance grinned.

- Wait, what?! You danced with Ruby? - Mike gawked.

- I thought you saw. It wasn't a big deal.

- But… are you guys, like, together?

- No! - Lance groaned, rubbing his temples. - We danced as friends!

- Okay, cool... - He said, a little awkwardly. - …So, would you dance with me as a friend?

Before Lance could answer, Team JNPR stepped onto the dance floor and broke into a full choreographed routine. They moved in perfect sync, Ren with Nora, Jaune with Pyrrha.

Nobody was laughing at Jaune's dress anymore.

From the upper level, Team CMEE watched the event unfold. Mercury wore a sharp black suit, Emerald a dark green dress, and Neo a striking black-and-white gown.

- Looks like everyone's got a dance partner. - Emerald said into her earpiece.

- How much time do I have? - Came Cinder's voice on the other end.

- Be back by midnight. - Mercury replied.

Just then, Neo noticed someone sneaking out of the ballroom.

She silently followed, then sent an alert from her Scroll.

It was Ruby.

She froze when Neo jumped out in front of her.

- Oh, hey! Ella, right? From CMEE? - Ruby smiled. Neo nodded and started typing on her Scroll.

"What are you doing out here? The party's inside."

- I saw someone jumping across the roof. Looked suspicious. I wanted to check it out.

Neo realized Ruby must've spotted Cinder. If she didn't stop her, things could go south, fast.

"Probably just your imagination."

- I'm checking anyway. - Ruby replied, brushing past her. Neo clenched her fists and followed.

- What are you two doing out here? - Came Lance's voice behind them.

- I saw something weird on the roof. - Ruby explained. - Ella and I were going to check it out.

Neo frantically gestured, clearly trying to say they shouldn't go.

- Hey, if you're scared, - Lance teased, ruffling Neo's hair. - you can stay here. We'll handle it.

Neo glared daggers at him, but couldn't break cover.

Then her Scroll buzzed.

"I'll deal with them. Get back to the party."

She gave the message a thumbs-up and walked away.

- What was that about? - Lance asked.

- Pretty sure she doesn't like short jokes. - Ruby replied.

- I wasn't trying to be mean…

The two team leaders pressed on, when Ruby suddenly shouted:

- Look!

A soldier lay unconscious in the bushes. Lance rushed over and checked him.

- He's alive, just knocked out.

- This is serious. - Ruby said, and both started typing rapidly on their Scrolls.

Within seconds, two weapon lockers crashed down into the courtyard. Ruby grabbed Crescent Rose, and Lance retrieved Golden Sting, his shield, spear, and pistol.

No time for armor. No time for hesitation.

They ran toward the CCT tower.

Inside the CCT tower, unconscious guards littered the floor. A shadow darted toward the elevator. Suddenly, a masked woman in White Fang uniform jumped in front of Ruby and Lance.

- You attacked the guards?! - Ruby shouted, raising Crescent Rose. - What does the White Fang want?!

The woman didn't answer. She picked up one of the guards' pistols and opened fire.

- Not very talkative! - Lance pulled Ruby behind his shield, deflecting the bullets.

Ruby activated her Semblance and charged. The masked attacker dodged gracefully and lunged at Lance. He shifted Golden Sting into its spear form and met her blades head-on.

Twin wrist-blades, a familiar style.

- Ruby! - Lance yelled. - Take the elevator! Stop whoever's upstairs!

- What?!

- She's just here to slow us down!

Ruby turned to the elevator, it was already on a higher floor. She slammed the call button.

The White Fang woman slashed at her, but Ruby blocked with her scythe. Lance slammed his shield into the attacker's back, knocking her over.

The elevator arrived.

- Go! - Lance ordered.

Ruby nodded, dashed in with her Semblance, and hit the button for the upper floor.

Lance was left alone with the attacker.

Her movements were familiar. Too familiar.

- It's not you… is it, Lynda? - He asked.

No response, only another attack.

But Lance was starting to understand. This fighter wasn't truly aggressive. She didn't want to hurt him, she just wanted to keep him here.

He blocked her strikes with ease and pushed her back with measured counters. Whoever she was… she was holding back.

Suddenly, a voice cut through the tension:

- What's going on here?!

General Ironwood stormed in.

The masked woman froze, then bolted. Lance and Ironwood pursued her, but by the time they reached the exit, she was gone.

- Report! - Ironwood demanded.

- Sir, Ruby went after someone suspicious on the upper floors. We need to help her!

Ironwood didn't hesitate. The two men entered the elevator.

Upstairs, the sounds of gunfire and explosions echoed.

Lance charged out the moment the doors opened. Ruby turned toward them with a quick smile, then refocused. Her opponent had vanished.

The control room showed clear signs of a fight. But the enemy was gone.

Meanwhile, Mandy's stomach churned as she fought Lance. She couldn't bring herself to hurt him, just to hold him off long enough. Ruby had slipped past, but Lance couldn't be allowed to follow.

She hesitated too long.

When Ironwood appeared, she had no choice.

She ran.

Outside the building, once she was out of sight, she activated her Semblance and teleported far away.

She'd stashed a black evening dress in advance, complete with a slit in the back for her fox tail. She changed quickly and returned to the party, blending into the crowd.

Back inside, she found Team CMEE. They gave her a subtle nod.

- Cinder says: mission accomplished. - Emerald whispered.

- Good. It worked. - Mandy replied.

She didn't look happy.

- To avoid suspicion, how about a dance? - Mercury offered.

- You so much as try to touch me, I swear... - Emerald growled, planting her hands on her hips.

- You wish. - Mercury muttered, offering his arm anyway as they stepped onto the dance floor.

- I'll stay here, if that's okay. - Mandy said quickly. She glanced at Neo. - Ella and I have had enough fun.

She was careful not to use Neo's real name.

But inside, Mandy was unraveling.

The White Fang had taught her: never see the world through the eyes of your victims. But since joining Team LLMM, that was all she could do.

She felt like a monster.

She had come here to destroy everything.

She glanced at Neo, who silently watched the dancers, expression unreadable.

- You okay? - Mandy asked.

Neo glared coldly at her.

- I mean… I know we're not exactly friends, - Mandy stammered. - but… do you really think what we're doing is okay?

Neo didn't move.

- I know it's wrong. - Mandy whispered. - But we're doing it to build something better… a new order.

Neo finally signed something.

- I know. - Mandy replied softly. - But that doesn't make it easier.

Chapter Text

The next morning, Lance and Ruby were summoned to the headmaster's office to give a detailed report about the previous night's incident, when an unknown intruder and a White Fang soldier infiltrated the school, making it all the way to the control center.

- Do you think... - Lance began, after the elevator doors closed and the cabin started ascending - ...we'll get punished for not reporting it immediately?

- Huh? - Ruby wasn't really listening, she had just pressed every button on the panel except the middle one.

- Seriously? - Lance stared at the glowing buttons, exhausted. Ruby finally noticed it too.

- Oops. - She quickly hit the last one that wasn't already lit. - Missed one.

- So what do you think... - Lance shook his head as the elevator stopped on the first floor. - Are we in trouble?

- I hope not. - Ruby answered nervously, fidgeting with her fingers and bouncing her foot up and down as they passed the second floor.

- I mean… the one I fought was definitely White Fang. But who was the one who got into the control room?

- I have no idea. But it's obvious they were working together. - Ruby said as the elevator passed the third floor.

- Yeah. One of them was clearly just there to stall us while the other did... something upstairs. - Fourth floor.

Eventually, slowly but surely, they reached the top level, where Headmaster Ozpin, Professor Goodwitch, and General Ironwood were already waiting for them, though they seemed to be in the middle of an argument.

- Sorry we're late. - Ruby apologized as she stepped out of the elevator. - Somebody pressed all the buttons.

- That was you! - Lance interrupted.

- I never said it wasn't... - Ruby mumbled quickly.

- Thank you for coming, Ruby, Lance. - Ironwood greeted them. - How are you feeling?

- Well... I guess I'm fine. - Ruby shrugged.

- I don't have a sword stuck in my chest, so I'm good too. - Lance added.

- I'd feel better if I wasn't down three points in the villain-catching leaderboard. - Ruby muttered half-jokingly.

- At least you didn't end up in the infirmary. - Lance tried to cheer her up.

But the teachers remained silent and serious, watching them intently.

- Okay, I think... - Ruby scratched her head awkwardly. - ...maybe joking isn't the right call right now.

- Ruby, Lance, - Ironwood stepped closer, placing one hand on Ruby's shoulder, and the other on Lance's. - I want you to know: what you did last night is exactly what we expect from a Huntsman. You recognized the threat, you acted, and you did what you could.

- Thank you, sir. - Ruby replied with a genuine smile of her own.

- And now... - Ozpin took over. - the General has already briefed us on what happened, but perhaps now, with some rest, you might remember more details.

- Were there others with the attackers? - Asked Goodwitch. - Did you recognize anyone? Their faces, fighting styles, anything familiar?

Ruby thought hard, while Lance's memory flashed back to the White Fang soldier he'd fought. The woman's movements, the way she wielded her weapon... it was all too familiar. She reminded him of Lynda. And yet… something felt off. He couldn't say for sure. He didn't want to accuse anyone without proof.

- I… - Ruby tried to recall the events. - She was wearing a mask. Didn't say a word. Her weapons fired glass and fire, but I don't think that was her Semblance. Still, every time she attacked, her outfit lit up.

- Glass and fire? - Goodwitch furrowed her brow. - That sounds familiar. That might be the same woman I fought back when I first met Ruby.

- Outfits infused with Dust, that's an old trick. - Added Ironwood. - Could've been anyone.

- And you, Lancelot? - Ozpin turned to him. - Did you recognize the other one?

- Well… - Lance hesitated. - She was fast, hard to pin down, and clearly only there to delay us.

- Lancelot, - Ozpin now looked directly into his eyes, as if he sensed something unspoken. - is there anything you want to tell us?

- No, Headmaster. - Lance shook his head. - Nothing.

- Excuse me, - Ruby interjected. - but… could that girl be working with Torchwick? Or the White Fang?

Ironwood and Goodwitch turned to Ozpin, who nodded slightly.

- It's possible. - He answered. - But that alone proves nothing. It could've been a personal mission. Or something else entirely.

- I see… - Ruby lowered her gaze, but suddenly looked up again. - I think… I think she mentioned something. A hideout. Near the southeastern border. Outside the kingdom.

- Interesting. - Ozpin gave a faint smile.

- I thought you said she didn't speak… - Goodwitch began, but Ozpin cut her off:

- Thank you both for your cooperation, Ruby, Lancelot. You may return to your team now. A big day lies ahead.

- Anytime! - Ruby replied cheerfully, turning on her heel and stepping back into the elevator with Lance, who this time made sure she didn't push all the buttons.

- Oh, one more thing. - Ozpin called out just before the doors closed. - Keep this matter discreet, understood?

- Yes, sir!

The elevator descended. Lance and Ruby went their separate ways and returned to their dorm rooms.

Lance entered the LLMM dorm to find his team already waiting for him, excitement written all over their faces.

- So? What happened?! - Lynda nearly bounced around the Crimson Knight, clearly in high spirits, showing no signs of nervousness.

- Well... Ruby and I got summoned by the headmaster...

- Skip to the good part! Did they catch the culprits?! - Lynda interrupted impatiently.

Lance fell silent for a moment, then looked her in the eye. He saw nothing suspicious, no guilt, no anxiety. Maybe she was innocent... or maybe she was just an excellent liar. He couldn't decide.

- No, - He said finally. - but we reported everything to Ozpin.

- Even about our adopted faunus son, Chedric? And that crazy night in the warehouse?! - Mike blurted out in panic.

- The what now?! - Lynda stared at him in disbelief.

- Long story. And totally irrelevant. - Lance cut him off quickly. - Ruby dropped a few hints about Torchwick and the White Fang plotting something in the southeast. If we're lucky, maybe they'll send a team to investigate.

- Hopefully us! - Lynda clapped her fists together eagerly.

- Actually... I've got some good news! - Mike pulled out a large box. - My mom sent me something. A surprise that always makes me happy! - He began tearing into the package with excitement.

- What is it? Your favorite food catalog? - Lynda teased.

Mike raised an eyebrow in confusion.

- That was kind of weak, Lynda.

- Really weak, - Mandy agreed, nodding. - three and a half out of ten.

- You can't always be on top of your game! - Lynda pouted, crossing her arms. - So, what is it?

- Princess Madeleine! - Mike announced as he pulled a fat, white cat out of a pet carrier. The cat wore a pink ribbon on her head and had green eyes so indifferent, she could've easily passed for a plush toy.

- Who?! - All three teammates asked in unison.

- Princess Madeleine. - Mike repeated, hugging the cat to his face. - She's my kitty. My best friend. My everything.

- I... see. - Lance didn't really know how to respond.

- Aren't you allergic to fur? - Mandy asked. - You were already sneezing from Lynda's shedding.

- Hey! - Lynda snapped. - Don't talk about me like I'm some kind of house pet!

- You act like one! - Mandy shot back. - You shed all over, leave a mess in the bathroom, and you even chewed my shoe!

- Here we go again... - Lance sighed and stepped back with Mike to a safe distance, observing the two faunus girls arguing.

- I was studying for exams, and when I think, I have to chew something! I ran out of snacks! - Lynda snapped at Mandy. - And while we're at it, don't act all high and mighty about fur when last time the shower drain was clogged with yours!

- What are you talking about?! - Mandy protested. - I always clean up after myself! And I don't dry myself by shaking like a dog!

- I'd like to end this argument right here. - Mike raised his hand. - That fur... was mine.

- What?! - Lynda looked at him in disbelief.

- I shaved my back for the dance, then forgot to clean up the shower.

- Okay, let's all pretend that never happened. - Lynda took a step back, visibly shuddering.

- So, Mike... - Lance tried to steer the conversation back. - What's the deal with the cat?

- Princess Madeleine… My mom's going away for a while, so she left her in my care. - Mike pulled out another postal box, this one filled with medicine. - She sent the full kit!

- Don't tell me your cat has better healthcare than I do. - Lynda muttered in disbelief, staring at the box.

- Did your mom raid a veterinary clinic? - Lance asked, reminded all too vividly of when Mike first arrived at Beacon with a full pharmacy's worth of supplies.

- Of course not! She only sent the essentials: vitamins, hairball remedy, Lynda could use some of that, anti-diarrhea, laxatives, anti-inflammatory cream, joint oil, skin lotion, eye drops, shampoo, hypoallergenic food, and... suppositories. Just the basics.

- Uh... - Lance scratched the back of his head. - You do realize we're going on a dangerous mission, right? You can't bring her along.

- Yeah, I know. I'm not taking her. - Mike's eyes welled up. - I'll drop her off at a shelter. Hopefully, she won't miss me too much... - He hugged the cat tightly. - I know it'll be hard for you, Princess… but it's the right thing to do. - The cat remained utterly still, staring blankly into the distance.

- I think... - Lynda whispered to the others. - there's something not right about this cat.

- Agreed, - Mandy nodded, staring at Madeleine almost hypnotically. - it has… an ominous aura.

- Maybe she needs to see a vet. - Lance added.

- What are you talking about? She's adorable and soothing to pet. - Mike said, continuing to stroke her. The cat remained completely motionless.

- I'll pass. - Said Lynda, backing away.

- Me too. - Mandy was creeped by the sight of that cat.

- Don't worry, Princess. - Mike whispered gently. - Their dog blood makes them.

The LLMM team quickly pulled themselves together: they suited up, checked their weapons, and Mike, after much difficulty, managed to leave Princess Madeleine at a shelter. He provided thorough instructions and had to be practically pried away from his cat.

Afterward, they returned to Beacon Academy, where students were already gathering, including the exchange program participants. The time had come for their first official mission.

In the main hall, the students assembled while Headmaster Ozpin and the faculty waited on stage. Professor Goodwitch stepped up to the microphone.

- Quiet, please! - Her voice rang out, and the hall fell silent. - Headmaster Ozpin would like to address you before we begin the assignments.

Ozpin stepped up calmly to the mic, surveying the diverse crowd.

- Today, we stand together. United. - His words were slow, heavy with meaning. - Mistral, - He looked toward the students in black and grey uniforms. - Atlas, - Then to the white and grey uniforms. - Vacuo, - The casually dressed students. - and Vale. - Finally, to those in black and red, including our heroes. - The four kingdoms of Remnant, gathered in one place.

- Eighty years ago today, the greatest war in history came to an end. A war born of ignorance, greed, and narrow-mindedness. It was not just fought for land, but for ideology, dragging humanity and faunus alike deeper into the mire of hatred. Words failed, so weapons spoke.

- After the war, we wanted to build a new world. Some named their children after colors, as a gesture to remember peace and unity, a tradition that still lives today, though its roots reach deeper than most know.

- We are all unique individuals with our own desires and goals, but the struggle we're part of is shared. The unity we pledge today wasn't easily won, it took effort, and will take even more to preserve.

- That is why we celebrate together. As Huntsmen and Huntresses, we fight not only against the Grimm, but against chaos and division as well.

At that moment, a massive screen lit up on the wall, filled with mission listings.

- As first-years, you now have the opportunity to choose your first mission. You may select long-term scouting operations outside the kingdom, support roles in urban law enforcement, or assignments guarding the city walls. Whatever path you choose, remember the most important thing: unity is key. Look out for one another, and trust your teammates.

As Ozpin finished, the hall erupted in applause. The RWBY and LLMM teams moved together toward the screen to pick their assignment.

- This one's perfect! - Ruby pointed excitedly at one of the missions. - Grimm extermination in the southeast!

- Right where we want to be. - Blake nodded.

- Let's take it! - Yang chimed in eagerly.

Ruby typed in the mission code, then entered both team names: "RWBY" and "LLMM". But the screen flashed back in red letters:

"Mission unavailable to first-year students."

- Well, great... - Lance crossed his arms, clearly annoyed.

- Wonderful. - Weiss rolled her eyes.

- Any other ideas? - Blake asked.

- We could mail ourselves there. - Ruby offered.

- That's... a possibility. - Said a voice behind them. Everyone jumped, Ozpin had appeared out of nowhere.

- You seem very determined to reach the southeast. - He said, scanning both teams. - I suspect that no matter what mission I assigned, you'd end up there anyway.

- What makes you say that? - Ruby asked, feigning innocence.

- I still don't understand how you ended up at the docks last semester, how you found a hideout in the southeast, or why there were rose petals and robot parts scattered around a certain dance club...

- Uhm... - Ruby smiled awkwardly.

- I'm afraid I'll never get answers to those questions. - Ozpin smiled faintly. - But how about this: we won't break the rules... we'll just bend them a little.

He tapped a few buttons on his Scroll, and the RWBY team's mission was suddenly marked with a green checkmark. LLMM's was still unavailable.

- What about us? - Lance asked.

- I have something else in mind for you. - Ozpin replied. - Consider it a favor... in exchange for another. It's not recommended for first-years, but I trust you.

- Thank you, Headmaster. - Ruby nodded gratefully. - We won't let you down!

- Neither will we! - Lance added, determined.

- Don't thank me. - Said Ozpin. - Your teamwork and trust brought you here. But don't forget: what lies beyond the walls doesn't care what year you're in. Both teams will be assigned an experienced Huntsman to supervise and evaluate your performance. Follow their orders, they can send you back at any time. Good luck.

The two teams headed out to the school courtyard, where other teams were also gathering, ready to depart.

- Where are you guys headed? - Yang asked.

- East. A research mission. - Lance replied, checking his Scroll. - Good luck in the southeast!

- Good luck in the east! - Ruby waved goodbye.

At that point, the RWBY and LLMM teams parted ways.

The LLMM team found their assigned transport, but their excitement evaporated instantly when they saw who would be accompanying them.

- Greetings, young warriors! - Boomed a pompous, all-too-familiar voice.

It was Professor Peter Port: the overly theatrical, self-absorbed, thick-mustached teacher whose lectures could put even the most restless student to sleep. Now, however, he stood before them in full Huntsman gear, a massive firearm slung over his shoulder, twin axes mounted on its stock.

- I do hope you're prepared for an adventure you'll tell your grandchildren about one day!

The team stared at one another in disbelief. Mandy sighed. Mike turned pale. Lynda wore an expression of pure dread.

Meanwhile, the CMEE team was browsing their own mission options.

- We should pick something simple. - Mercury mused, scrolling through the list. - Helping old ladies cross the street, picking up litter, directing traffic...

- I'd rather something a bit more exciting. - Emerald said, clearly unimpressed by the peaceful choices. - What if we played junior detectives? We might even get a badges.

- Ugh, not really my thing. - Mercury grumbled. - What about you, Ella? What are you in the mood for?

The short girl stared longingly at the map, particularly at the southeastern region of Vale.

- She's thinking about Roman. - Emerald whispered.

- Look, Neo... - Cinder stepped in front of her, speaking seriously. - I know you miss him. But right now, the mission comes first. Just a few more weeks, and the plan moves into its next phase. Then you can be with him again. - At that moment, her Scroll pinged with a message. She read it and smiled.

- Mandy? - Emerald asked.

- What's she say? - Mercury leaned in.

- Ozpin just deployed a team to the southeast. - Cinder replied. - Clearly investigating Roman and the White Fang.

Neo's eyes snapped up. Her expression sharpened, and she began stomping her foot to draw Cinder's attention.

- Yes, Neo, you can go. - Cinder finally said with a nod. - Warn them. We'll come up with an excuse for your absence.

Neo's face lit up. She didn't waste a second, she skipped off, leaving Beacon behind and heading straight for the darker districts of Vale.

There, in a hidden alleyway, she removed her disguise. She was herself again: brown and pink hair, a sleek and tight white-pink-brown outfit, high-heeled boots. Silent, confident, elegant.

She hadn't seen Roman in weeks. Not since she saved him from the highway ambush, when Team RWBY had cornered him. Roman had promised her everything would be fine, she just had to stick to the plan.

Neo returned to one of their old hideouts, a warehouse now used by the White Fang. She immediately relayed the message: scouts were on their way, and Roman and their "brothers" needed to be warned. That same afternoon, using a transport vehicle, they set out for the southeast.

Chapter Text

The LLMM team stared wearily at the self-satisfied Professor Port, who was posing in front of the aircraft with his massive weapon slung over his shoulder, a blunderbluss with twin axe blades protruding from its butt.

- Professor Port? - Lynda couldn't tell whether this burly, mustached man was truly experienced in combat, or if he was only good at talking about it.

- I know, I know! - Port laughed. - Touching, isn't it? Your very first mission, and you're being escorted by such a highly ranked, professional Huntsman! No wonder you're speechless with awe!

- Well... he's not wrong. - Lance muttered to the others.

- Now then! - Port cleared his throat. - You're already in good hands with me around! But that doesn't mean you can let your guard down. You must remain alert at all times during the mission!

Mandy raised her hand.

- Yes, Miss Forester?

- What exactly is our mission?

- Yes, - Lance joined in. - they only told us it was for research purposes.

- Ah! - Port twirled his bushy mustache. - Excellent question. Unfortunately, I can only reveal that something, or someone, has been making travelers heading north disappear. There have been multiple reports of strange sounds...

- Definitely a Grimm. - Mike guessed.

- Obviously. - Lynda said confidently with a shrug.

Port wasn't telling the whole truth. A regular Grimm wouldn't warrant assigning a professional Huntsman to a team of first-years. But he didn't want to crush their confidence.

- I hope everyone's packed, young adventurers! - Port raised his fist into the air. - For we're leaving the kingdom for several days, in search of an unforgettable adventure! - With that, he boarded the airship.

The team hesitated for a moment before following.

- You guys heading out of the city too?! - Nora called over from Team JNPR.

- Sure are! - Lance replied. - What about you?

- Yeah, - Jaune answered. - we're helping a village sheriff with local security.

- Where are you headed? - Pyrrha asked.

- East. - Said Lance. - Something's been snatching travelers, we're supposed to find out what it is.

- Sounds exciting. Just like Team RWBY's mission. - Pyrrha remarked. - We're not leaving until tomorrow evening.

- Good luck to you guys, too. - Lance said, and with that, the LLMM team climbed aboard the airship, which soon began to rise into the sky with a quiet hum.

Within minutes, they had left Vale behind and were heading toward the eastern region.

- Sure, you may be nervous, - Port exclaimed, clearly the one enjoying this the most. - but by the time you return, your classmates will be green with envy! After all, you're being escorted by a Huntsman of renown such as myself! You may feel free to recount my tales of valor and glory far and wide!

- Yeah, I feel way calmer already. - Lynda muttered sarcastically.

- Professor, what can you tell us about the place we're headed to? - Mike asked.

- Ah! - Port clasped his hands behind his back and launched into a lecture. - Many say the eastern highlands are cursed. Even the Grimm avoid them. It's true, it's not the friendliest landscape in Remnant, but it is one of the most unique natural wonders, its secrets still unsolved to this day.

- Interesting… - Mandy looked up. - I didn't think you were the type to care about nature and mystery, Professor.

- True, - Port said, placing a hand on his chest and beaming with pride. - I feel most alive in the heart of battle, staring down a bloodthirsty beast. But that doesn't mean I can't appreciate the wonders of our world, or attempt to uncover their secrets.

- Then… - Lynda tried to steer the conversation back. - What exactly is going on with this mountain range?

- Oh, yes! - Port had wandered off-topic again, but now returned to the point. - This region is no place for the weak. A labyrinth of steep, jagged rocks, some say the terrain itself shifts, driving out any intruder. And, as I said, even Grimm steer clear… which is especially troubling.

- What's so strange about that? - Lynda asked with a shrug.

- Grimm usually seek out dangerous places like that. - Lance explained. - They settle in, guard them like territory.

- That's true for most of them, - Port corrected. - but there are nomadic Grimm as well. One day they rest in a burrow, the next they're gone. Still, most do prefer dark, hostile environments. That's why this place being avoided is so odd. It's made the route seem safer, so travelers have favored it for years.

- So what changed? - Mandy asked.

- It seems something has disrupted the balance. - Port said, his tone suddenly more serious. - Lately, anyone venturing into that region has disappeared. That never used to happen. Several Huntsmen have attempted to map out the cave systems, but those who went in… never came out.

- So... caves? - Mike turned pale at the very mention.

- Don't worry, Mr. Birmingh. - Port reassured him. - We won't be entering the caves. Most likely, we're just dealing with a few bandits, nothing you can't handle. Prepare for landing.

The aircraft approached a frigid tundra. The temperature was far lower than in Vale. The sky was overcast, the wind bit sharply at their skin, and the pilot had to land with caution to avoid any accidents. The LLMM team was the first to jump out, armed and ready, followed by Professor Port.

Silence.

Nothing but the howling wind, whipping against their faces, rustling the tall grass, whispering with a strange foreboding: Turn back...

- Ladies and gentlemen, - Port rested his massive blunderbuss, with the embedded axe blades, on his shoulder. - your first official Huntsman mission... begins now!

- And... - Mandy glanced sideways at the professor, who was still dramatically posing like a statue of 'The Ideal Huntsman,' but hadn't given any orders. - What exactly are your orders, sir?

- What...? - Port jolted, as if just now remembering he was the team leader. - Ah, yes! The plan has changed slightly. Due to the wind, we can't approach the mountains by air. We'll have to cover the remaining distance on foot.

- Ugh... - Mike groaned loudly, devastated by the news.

- Nothing to worry about! - Port tried to reassure them. - There are only a few Grimm between us and our destination. Who... are now arriving.

- What? - Lynda furrowed her brow and turned with the rest of the team, sure enough, a pack of Beowolves was approaching in the distance.

- Come on, kids! - Port gestured toward the LLMM team. - Let's see what you've got!

- Finally, some action! - Lynda activated her blades, her eyes lighting up.

- A little exercise never hurts. - Lance added, unsheathing his sword.

- One shot, five kills. - Mandy smirked, drawing her bow and nocking an arrow.

- Let me know if I hit anything! - Mike squeezed his eyes shut, activated What the Heck, and pressed a button, launching a missile that blew up three Beowolves in one blast.

- Did... did I do that?! - He gaped at the smoking crater.

Five Beowolves encircled Mandy, but she didn't retreat. She fired an arrow high into the air, then, after a brief delay, teleported right into the pack. The arrow landed precisely at their center, killing all five instantly. She teleported back again, landing amid their disintegrating remains.

Lynda didn't hold back either: with incredible speed and agility, her triple blades sliced through the Grimm like hot knives through butter. Before anyone could register what had happened, at least seven Beowolves lay dead in her wake.

Lance started with his high-caliber pistol, picking off enemies one by one. By the time he ran out of ammo, eight Beowolves had fallen. He switched to his sword, cut down four more in a flurry of slashes, then transformed his shield into a massive, spiked slab, and charged straight through nine more, crushing them into the ground.

- Child's play. - He muttered, surveying the decimated pack before turning proudly to the professor.

- Excellent work. - Port nodded, though not particularly impressed. - But don't let glory blind you.

Everyone frowned a little at that. Port noticed, but simply smiled.

- Our journey has only just begun.

The LLMM team pressed on at a steady pace. The students led the way, while Professor Port remained at the rear, hands clasped behind his back, admiring the stark beauty of the tundra and the distant mountains more than participating in the combat.

- Hey, Professor Port. - Lynda called over her shoulder after cutting down her twentieth Grimm. - No offense, but... I thought we'd see you in action. Or at least helping us fight.

There was no hiding the irritation in her voice. It frustrated her that while they were risking their lives, Port was just strolling and reflecting.

- Ah, Miss Dawn, - Port replied in the tone of a wise mentor. - a good battle is like a fine feast. If you gorge on the appetizers, there's no room left for the main course.

- So basically, - Lance muttered under his breath inside his helmet. - we handle the small fry so he can hog the big one.

- If you've got the aptitude for challenge, the 'big one' might be yours too. - Port replied. - Remember: I'm not just your mission leader, I'm your teacher. I need to assess your field capabilities. That's what this mission is really about.

After a few more hours of hiking and minor skirmishes, Port decided it was time to talk.

- Miss Dawn, - He addressed Lynda. - why do you want to become a Huntress?

- Excuse me? Why? - Lynda blinked, surprised. - To make good money and help my little brother have a better life.

- A noble goal... but that's not what I was asking. - Port replied, a bit disappointed.

- What?! - Lynda bristled.

- Why a Huntress? - Port clarified. - There are other ways you could help your brother. Maybe even faster ones.

- Well... - Lynda scratched the back of her neck, clearly caught off guard by the question. - My dad was a Huntsman. And he was awesome. A real hero, at least to me. But my little brother's too young to remember him. I figured... if I became just as cool as he was, maybe my brother would look up to me the same way I looked up to him. And yeah... the money's a plus.

- I see. - Port nodded. He didn't say anything further. Instead, he turned to Mike, who was fiddling with his inhaler.

- Mr. Birmingh, - Port asked. - honestly speaking, not many would expect someone like you to become a Huntsman. Why did you choose this path?

- You know... - Mike sighed. - My whole life, I was raised in a bubble. My mom didn't let me interact with anyone. I never had friends. People laughed at me, no one took me seriously. I got tired of just sitting at home watching other people's heroic deeds on TV. I wanted to prove I could be worth something. That I deserve to be counted.

- Excellent answer. - Port said, and continued on to Mandy, who had just shot down another Grimm.

- Miss Forester, if I may... why did you become a Huntress?

Mandy looked up, surprised, and a bit startled. Port's expression wasn't mocking or condescending, but genuinely curious. Yet the question felt sudden... and dangerous.

- Well... - Mandy's tail twitched anxiously. - Have you ever been to the lower quarters of Atlas? The ones where faunus are kept? Where they treat us like trash? - Her fists clenched. - I wanted to break free. To be more than a servant who gets ordered around and tossed aside when no longer useful.

- But why a Huntress? - Port asked. - Huntsmen and Huntresses fight for both humans and faunus. They help others. That doesn't really align with hatred.

The question hit home. Mandy couldn't answer, because that wasn't why she came here. She wasn't here to help the world. She was here as a spy. She didn't want to be a Huntress. She hated humans. And in her heart, she was full of anger... and shame.

- I... - she whispered, but couldn't speak further. In an instant, she vanished, teleported away.

- Hm. - Port didn't seem surprised, nor was he angry. He saw her reappear in the distance, throwing herself into battle with tears in her eyes. - Perhaps she doesn't know who she really is yet. Her anger... may lead her astray. - He murmured softly to himself.

Then he turned to Lance, who had just decapitated another Grimm.

- Mr. Pendragon, you come from a wealthy family. You could've done anything. Why a Huntsman?

- Easy, - Lance answered, twirling his sword before sheathing it. - because it's one of the best ways to help others. And because I love fighting. I always have. I trained with swords, spears, shields, pistols... ever since I could lift a weapon, I've practiced.

He drew his pistol, reloaded it, and continued.

- I train every day to be strong enough. To face whatever comes. To protect those who can't protect themselves. This has been my dream for a long time.

- Hm. - Port stroked his mustache and looked over the team: Mike was completely exhausted, Mandy was emotionally shaken, but Lynda and Lance were still holding up well. He glanced at the sky, dusk was setting in. They couldn't be far from the mountains now. He assessed it all in five seconds.

- Attention! - He called. - We're making camp for the night!

- Thank the gods... - Mike collapsed into the grass.

- I'll get firewood! - Lynda was off like a shot and returned seconds later with a bundle of sticks and branches.

- Mike... - Lynda pointed to his weapon.

- Right! - Mike whipped out What the Heck, pressed a button, and the weapon spewed fire, igniting the campfire instantly.

Flames flared up. The team gathered close, feeling just how cold and tired they really were. The warmth brought some energy back into their weary limbs.

- Mr. Pendragon, - Port said. - would you assist with the evening recon?

It was more a command than a question.

- Yes, sir. - Lance replied, reluctantly, but obediently.

Lance and Port climbed a nearby hill together. The professor was surprisingly silent, which put Lance slightly on edge. When they finally reached the top, a breathtaking view awaited them: the tundra bathed in the fading twilight, sky and land blending into one, all shades of gray, so much so that it was nearly impossible to tell where one ended and the other began.

- Nice view, sir, but... - Lance began to ask something when Port suddenly interrupted.

- Look. - Port pointed ahead.

- At what? - Lance scanned the horizon, then finally saw them. A massive herd was moving slowly along the same path they had traveled earlier. Towering elephant-like Grimm, Goliaths, silent and heavy, but orderly and calm.

- I see them now... those are Grimm?! - Lance's eyes widened. - I've never seen any that huge!

- I don't usually teach first-years about them. - Port said, for the first time speaking with deadly seriousness. - But I'll make an exception for you.

- Are we in danger?

- Not at all. - Port shook his head. - But there's something you must understand. Not all Grimm are like the ones you've encountered so far. These creatures may have lived for centuries. And those who live long enough... learn.

- You mean...

- Exactly. - Port nodded. - The ones that survive grow stronger, and smarter. They learn how to avoid us. They know that killing a human draws more humans. Attacking the borders usually means their own destruction. So instead... they wait.

- Wait? For what? - Lance asked, growing tense.

But Port didn't answer. He simply turned and began walking back down the hill.

Lance stared a moment longer at the giant silhouettes marching across the landscape, then followed him.

- Professor... - He finally asked again. - why did you want to become a Huntsman?

Port stopped. His ever-smiling face turned uncharacteristically serious.

- As a Huntsman, my duty is to protect as many people as I can. I've spent most of my life fighting. But I know my time is nearing its end. I'm no longer the great Huntsman I once was. What I can do now... is train the next generations. So that they can protect those I no longer can.

Then he paused, took a deep breath, and opened his eyes fully, something he rarely did.

- I'm a Huntsman... because there's nothing else I'd rather be.

Meanwhile, the rest of the LLMM team sat silently around the fire as night fell. Mandy, having calmed down a bit, curled into her sleeping bag, trying to sleep. Mike did the same. Only Lynda remained awake, lost in thought.

- You guys can't sleep either? - She finally asked.

- No. - Mandy answered, sitting up. Mike followed suit.

- Did Port ask you too, why you want to be Huntsmen? - Lynda asked.

- Yeah. - Mike nodded. - I told him I want to prove I'm worth something. I'm just not sure if I'm trying to prove it to others… or to myself. But one thing's for sure, I'm glad I'm on this team with you guys. - He smiled at the two faunus girls.

Lynda smiled back. Mandy, however, only stared silently into the flames.

- Yeah, me too. - Lynda continued. - At first I just wanted the money. And to kill monsters, of course… but now… I don't know. - She smiled faintly. - I'm definitely telling my little brother all about you someday.

- What about you, Mandy? - Mike asked the other faunus girl, who sat hugging her knees, head down by the fire.

- I'm fine! - Mandy snapped, maybe a little too quickly. - Just… leave me alone for tonight. - She whispered, then rolled back into her sleeping bag and turned away from them.

- We leave early tomorrow. It'll be a long day. - Port announced as he and Lance returned to the camp. - Who's taking first watch?

- I will! - Lance volunteered at once.

The others settled in for the night. Lance stayed behind by the fire, eyes scanning the darkness. The world had fallen still, only the wind howled across the tundra. Then... something else broke the silence.

A wolf's howl, riding the wind. Grimm.

Lance's thoughts returned to what Port had said, about Grimm that live long enough to learn. How much did they still not know about these creatures? Their origins… their nature… and why they were so drawn to human emotion?

"Come..."

A whisper pulled him from his thoughts.

"Come to me."

Chapter Text

Night had fallen on the mountains, and the only sound was the howling wind cutting through the silence.

Lance stood watch so the rest of his team could sleep peacefully. But then, a strange voice echoed from somewhere far off in the distance.

"Come…"

- Who's there? - He asked, reaching for his pistol, but not yet drawing it. He scanned the area, trying to spot the source of the voice.

"Come to me!"

Cautiously, Lance began walking in the direction of the voice.

- Show yourself! - This time, he drew his pistol, but still saw nothing, only a protruding rock slowly retracting into the ground.

"This way!"

The boy continued on, watching as the rocks shifted to guide his path. He followed them.

"Come closer!"

The rocks led him toward the tallest mountain. With their help, he climbed easily and reached the mouth of a cave.

"Keep going!"

Now the voice was coming from inside the cave.

Meanwhile, Lynda stirred in her sleeping bag, still groggy. It took her a moment to notice Lance was missing. He wasn't on watch, his sleeping bag lay empty.

- Hey! - She shook Mike awake, who groaned as he came to. - Lance is gone! Wake up! - She roused Mandy as well.

- What happened? - Mike mumbled sleepily.

- What do you mean 'gone'? - Mandy rubbed her eyes, still half asleep.

- I mean he's not here, genius! - Lynda jumped up, strapped on her wristblades, and started moving. - Come on! He could be in trouble!

- I doubt it, Miss Dawn. - Said Professor Port, who was already awake as well. There are no signs of a struggle, and none of you heard anything. Mr. Pendragon likely left of his own accord.

- But why? - Lynda frowned in confusion. - That was a stupid and irresponsible thing to do.

- Perhaps he expected to return quickly. - Port said, lifting his massive blunderbuss-axe and starting to walk. - But he miscalculated. - He suddenly stopped and turned to the two faunus girls. - By the way… is there any chance you could track him by scent?

- Yes! - They both answered in unison.

The team followed Lance's trail, which led to a dried-up ancient riverbed. Though it was nighttime, the riverbed appeared unnaturally black, devoid of any vegetation despite being dry for what must have been centuries.

- What on Remnant happened here? - Lynda asked, unsettled by the strange landscape.

- This can't be natural. - Mike observed.

- Even the smell is awful. - Mandy added, wrinkling her nose. Lynda did the same.

- This is the work of an evil creature. - Port said grimly. - A very familiar evil.

They continued after the Crimson Knight. The two faunus girls tracked his scent, while the stones also shifted ahead of them, just as they had for Lance earlier. They reached a tall mountain and climbed with the help of the moving rocks. But this time, they found four different cave entrances.

- Hm... any ideas, - Port turned again to the two girls. - which one Mr. Pendragon entered?

- No clue. - Lynda tried sniffing the air again, but it was no use. - His scent ends here.

- Could be a trap. - Mike muttered.

- In that case, - Port's face hardened. - you three return for help. I'll search for Mr. Pendragon myself.

Just then, the mountain shook, and in the blink of an eye, Mike tumbled into one of the caves.

- MIKE! - Lynda dove in after him without hesitation, using her Semblance.

- Ms. Forester, the most important thing is... - Port turned around, but Mandy had already teleported into the cave to follow her teammates.

Seeing the young Hunters incapable of staying put, Port moved to follow, but the cave entrance sealed shut behind them like a zipper, forming solid rock as if it had been there for centuries.

- Incredible. - Port muttered, touching the stone. It was impenetrable. - I'll have to find another way in.

With that, he turned and headed for one of the other caves, hoping to reunite with the four students.

Lance stepped into the cave, but it wasn't as dark as he had expected.

Dim orange and yellow lights illuminated the walls, helping him find his way. The temperature was surprisingly pleasant.

"Come to me!"

The voice urged him again.

Lance paused for a moment, wondering if it was truly wise to follow the call. He turned to go back, but behind him, the cave entrance had sealed shut. He had no choice now but to press forward, toward the source of the voice.

Meanwhile, Mike had landed in a narrow corridor and felt himself land on a hidden pressure plate. A trap activated, sharp spikes, made of stones dropped from above.

Had Lynda been even a second slower, Mike would've died. She sliced the spears apart with her blades, saving his life.

- Are you okay?! - Lynda asked, worried.

Mike just nodded in fear, still in shock.

- It's not over! - Mandy warned, pointing at the wall, sharp stone spikes were emerging from the rock and creeping closer, as the corridor began to narrow.

Without hesitation, Mandy grabbed her teammates and used her Semblance to teleport them to a safer section of the tunnel. But what they found there took them by surprise.

- Lance! - They all shouted.

- You?! - Lance could hardly believe his eyes. - How did you get here?

- We were looking for you, you idiot! - Lynda snapped, clearly blaming him for the situation.

- What the hell were you thinking, just vanishing like that and walking into this cave?! - Mandy added angrily.

- The voice called me here. - Lance replied. The others looked at him in confusion.

- What voice? - Lynda asked.

- You didn't hear it? - Lance blinked. His faunus teammates had far better hearing than he did.

- Maybe you imagined it. - Mandy suggested.

- I didn't imagine it! I heard it, clear as day!

- Maybe it was a dream? - Lynda offered.

- I wasn't asleep! Mike, you believe me, right?! - Lance turned to his teammate, who was staring fearfully back toward the corridor.

Once again, rocks were emerging from the wall, moving toward them threateningly.

- Run! - Lance shouted.

Lynda grabbed Mike, Mandy took Lance, and using their Semblances, they escaped. They slid down a steep slope, going deeper and deeper until they finally reached the bottom.

Mandy looked around.

- Oh my god… - She whispered. The chamber was filled with dozens of skeletons. From their gear, it was clear, they had been Hunters.

- These aren't just Hunters. - Mike said, examining fresher corpses. - There are civilians too.

- Must've been some monster that ate them all! - Lynda looked around, ready to fight.

- I don't think so. - Lance said as he examined the bodies. - There are no bite marks, no scratches, no signs of a struggle. No stabs or bindings. Their necks were broken from the fall.

- He's right. - Mandy confirmed, looking over one of the older bodies. - This one was crushed by the rocks, not killed in combat.

- Then… what is this place? - Lynda asked, confused.

- Whatever, or whoever, is trapping people down here, it's not doing it to eat them. It has another purpose. - Lance concluded.

At that moment, Mike touched a cobweb that tore away, revealing a hidden passage behind it. As they entered, another trap was triggered: thousands of tiny, sharp stones began shooting through the corridor like a storm.

- I can't make it through with my Semblance. - Lynda said. - I'm fast, but not fast enough for this density.

- Mine either. - Mandy added. - The hallway is at least fifty meters long, I can't teleport that far, especially not carrying all of you.

- Maybe mine will work. - Mike said, and activated his protective bubble.

The others huddled under the shield with him, and together they moved into the stone storm.

"Come forward!"

The voice echoed again.

- Now I heard it again. - Lance began, but stopped when he saw the fear on the others' faces. - You heard it too?

- That was the voice that led you here? - Lynda asked, ashamed for having doubted him.

- It was.

- Something ancient is hiding in this mountain. - Mandy said quietly. - Something filled with rage.

- Then let's move. - Mike said. - I don't know how long I can keep the shield up.

They pressed on through the storm. The rocks bounced off Mike's shield, allowing them to cross unharmed, but the barrier was dimming. Mike was running out of strength. They had to hurry. Distracted by the chaos, they didn't notice a ledge at the end of the corridor. One by one, they tripped over it.

The fall led them to another steep slope that dropped into a deep chasm filled with jagged rock spikes.

Lynda dug her blades into the stone to slow her descent, sliding down in a spray of sparks. Lance reshaped his shield into a rectangular parachute and floated down. Mandy shot a grappling arrow into a distant rock and zipped across on the wire. Mike activated a rocket boost from the "What the Heck" and safely flew down.

Only after landing did they notice: at the tops of the spikes, more Hunter skeletons had been impaled, those who had not been as lucky as the LLMM team.

The chamber shook.

One of the walls slid open, and molten, orange liquid, lava, began pouring toward them, destroying everything in its path.

There was no time to think: they had to run.

The passage led to a dead end, where a lake of lava spread before them. Luckily, rocky platforms began rising from the lava's surface.

Lance jumped onto the first one, but it started sinking immediately. He had to move fast, leaping from one platform to the next. Lynda and Mandy followed with ease, but for Mike, the jumping was a serious challenge.

By the time the others had crossed, Mike was still stuck on a rapidly sinking stone, with nowhere left to jump. Mandy reacted instantly, she fired a grappling arrow tied to a wire, and together they pulled Mike to safety.

They finally had a moment to catch their breath… but only for a moment.

They had arrived in a vast chamber, and the ground started to tremble again. In the center of the room, rocks began rising, not randomly this time, but in the shape of a statue. The creature was at least eight meters tall, with angular limbs. Sharp white crystals protruded from its shoulders and chest. Its red-orange eyes lit up, locking onto Team LLMM.

Its right arm moved. It clenched into a fist, then transformed into a mace covered in crystal spikes. The statue took a step forward. The ground shook.

- Welcome… to the place of your destruction!

It was the same voice that had lured them here. Every step it took echoed through the cavern. Team LLMM drew their weapons and took up defensive positions.

- You lured and killed dozens of Hunters! - Lynda accused. - Why?

- To fight them! - The creature roared, raising its mace arm. - But they were all weak! UNWORTHY!

The blow missed as they all dodged, then surrounded it from four sides. The monster lunged at Lance, trying to crush him, but he rolled away and blocked the attack with his shield. Lynda slashed at its legs with her blades. Mandy fired three arrows into its arm. Mike launched a rocket into its chest, forcing it to one knee. Lance cut off its mace arm.

- AAARGH! - The creature screamed. But it wasn't pain, it was joy. - Finally!

Red vapor burst from the wounds like blood.

- After all these years… at last… a worthy opponent!

- You know what? - Lance sheathed his sword and lowered his shield. - We're not fighting you.

- What?! - Lynda shouted. - Are you insane?!

- Why give him the satisfaction? - Lance said grimly. - He's murdered people just for fun!

He turned his back and started walking toward the far side of the chamber. The creature growled in anger.

- You will not leave without a fight! - It roared, striking at Lance again. But Lance dodged, and still didn't retaliate. Nor did the others.

The beast shook the cavern walls. A wall of stone sealed off the exit.

- YOU CANNOT REFUSE ME!

Lance was the only one now on the far side of the chamber.

- This battle won't end… until someone is destroyed!

The creature regrew its severed arm. A new rock formation rose, from which it drew a massive, grey two-handed sword.

- Fight me! - It lunged at Lance again, but he dodged once more.

- We're not fighting you. - Lance replied firmly.

- I won't accept this insult! - The monster bellowed, striking again, just inches from Lance's neck.

- You know what… - Lance sat down on a nearby rock. - If you want it that badly, go ahead. Kill me. But I'm not fighting.

- Lance, are you out of your mind?! - Lynda and the others stared at their leader in disbelief. It was like he had completely lost it.

- Come here, all of you! - Lance shouted. - No matter what happens, don't fight!

The team hesitated… but eventually obeyed. Lynda retracted her blades. Mike holstered the "What the Heck." Mandy lowered her bow. One by one, they walked toward the beast… and sat down.

- I will not stop fighting! - The creature shouted, swinging its sword toward Mike.

The chubby boy trembled, eyes squeezed shut, bracing for death, but the blow never came. When he opened his eyes, the blade hovered a few centimeters above his head.

- You… can't do this to me! - The monster cried, swinging at Mandy. But seeing Mike unharmed, she didn't even flinch. The sword missed her too.

- I must fight you! - It tried again, but Lynda remained still.

- I can't strike the defenseless…

- This duel… must be finished by Knightly Vode. - The voice cracked with disappointment. - Please… raise your weapons… and continue the battle.

- You said you don't attack the defenseless. - Lynda said reproachfully. - So how could you kill innocent travelers who were defenseless too?

- To lure warriors strong enough to reach me… strong enough to be worthy of fighting me.

- But why are you so desperate to fight? - Lance asked.

- For my freedom. - The rock-beast knelt, driving its sword into the ground. - This kingdom of stones… it's just another prison. And its king… is just a man. A cursed man, imprisoned within stone.

His voice trembled with sorrow.

- But that was long ago… so long, I don't even know how much time has passed. It happened back when I was still a man. A noble Knight and warrior. My name is Ser Percival the Strong. Knight of the Round Table.

He raised one hand, and the walls of the cave began to tremble. Stone reliefs appeared, sculpted images of astonishing artistry.

- I carved my past into the rock… so I wouldn't forget who I was. So my people would not vanish into oblivion. Let me show you my memories.

The walls seemed to come alive, shifting like a living picture book. Images flickered and flowed like a moving tapestry.

In the first scene, knights celebrated together.

- You may not believe it… but I wasn't born in this world. I came from another planet, after winning a war alongside my fellow knights.

The next image showed a damaged spacecraft crashing.

- My ship was damaged… I crashed here… I couldn't call for help, couldn't communicate with anyone. And the power source, Dust, was unlike anything I'd ever seen. It disintegrated when exposed to space. I was trapped here forever.

Next image: the knight wandering alone across a desolate land, until he reached a city.

- The locals took me in. They were kind. They let me stay. It was the happiest time of my life… I found a home.

One image showed the knight surrounded by friends and family.

- I loved my wife and our two children. We lived well. We fought, we hunted, we never lacked for anything.

The walls moved again. The images now showed joy, struggle, and companionship… then darker times followed.

- Then everything changed. Something ominous happened. A pitch-black river appeared around our city and encircled it completely. From that black river came terrible monsters that attacked us.

The creatures in the carvings were unmistakably Grimm.

- Our army and I did everything we could to repel the beasts, but it was futile. No matter how gloriously or fearlessly we fought, the monsters never stopped. For every one we killed, two more took its place. And over the long months, the overwhelming numbers wore us down.

Then a new image: a woman, more terrifying than any Grimm.

- A witch led them. She was merciless. There was no reasoning with her. She gave only one command to her monsters: kill everyone.

The city burned in flames.

Next, an image of the knight slaying dozens of Grimm.

- I was the last one left… to finish her. But it was useless. My weapons, even my sword, were meaningless. Whatever I tried, she found it entertaining.

The knight stood face-to-face with the witch in the picture. He held his sword to his chest with anger and resolve. The witch just smiled wickedly.

- I prepared for one final battle, but she denied me even that. She had a crueler punishment in mind.

In the next image, the knight was trapped in a crystal, crying as he watched his city burn and fall to the Grimm.

- She imprisoned me in an indestructible crystal, robbing me of the honorable death a knight deserves. Helpless, I watched as her beasts destroyed my beloved home… slaughtered my family. Than, she came to me again…

A massive Grimm carried the crystal-bound knight to a mountaintop, where the witch stood before him once more.

- She delighted most in making me share her punishment. She cast me into the depths of this mountain, my sentence for defying her. To remain here for all eternity, imprisoned in stone… never to follow my fellow Knights to Avalon, the resting place of the greatest Knights.

- For many long years, I lay motionless. But my will was strong. Somehow, I began to move the matter around me. When I finally escaped the stone, this was the only form I could take. I built this labyrinth, filled it with traps, so only the strongest could reach me. Because I can only reach Avalon if I die… in a glorious duel. And you… you are the only ones who survived.

- This is… - Lance couldn't find the words.

- So tragic… - Lynda said softly.

- All those years… alone… - Mike stared at the ground, his expression broken.

- A cruel fate. - Mandy added.

- I have spoken the truth. - Percival concluded, turning his gaze to the members of Team LLMM. - My fate now lies in your hands.

The team exchanged glances. They didn't need words, they all understood what had to be done.

- Then prepare yourself. - Lance said, drawing his sword and raising his shield.

- We'll end your suffering. - Lynda added, drawing her blades.

- No one deserves a fate like this. - Mandy said, nocking an arrow.

- And I… - Mike started, then scratched his head awkwardly. - Aw, come on! You took all the cool lines!

- Finally! - Percival cried with joy. - At last the gates of Avalon will open for me!

Percival struck at Lance, but this time, the boy didn't dodge, he raised his shield and blocked the powerful blow. Their strength seemed evenly matched.

Lynda and Mandy attacked from the sides, but the stone monster reacted quickly, spinning his sword to knock them back and forcing both faunus girls to retreat. Mike fired another rocket from the "What the Heck," but Percival slashed it mid-air, then hurled a giant boulder at him. Mike barely rolled away in time.

Lance reshaped his weapon into a spear and lunged, trying to pierce his foe, but Percival deflected it and countered with a heavy strike that sent Lance flying.

- That's all you've got?! - Percival roared. - Get up and fight me! I want a glorious death! A knight's death! I cannot give up!

- Take it easy… - A red aura flared around Lance. His muscles swelled, and light replaced his eyes. - Now the real fight begins.

- Take cover! - Mandy yelled, recognizing Lance's Semblance.

The rest of the team knew what to expect. When Lance activated his power, it was best to stay clear.

Lance charged in alone. His sword reformed, and with all reason lost, he struck. Percival was stunned by the sudden increase in strength.

The two knights clashed. Each blow shook the chamber, sparks flying with every strike of their blades. Neither could overpower the other.

Though Percival's body was stone, he could still feel pain. Lance's attacks were truly powerful. His own armor offered some protection, but the rage and strength granted by the Semblance overwhelmed even that.

Lance parried a blow, reshaped his weapon into a spear again, and stabbed Percival. His shield transformed, spikes sprouted from its edges, and he slammed it forward, forcing the monster back.

- Finally, a worthy opponent! - Percival was thrilled.

With one well-aimed strike, he knocked Lance to the side. Lance staggered, and Percival seized the moment, launching a counterattack.

Lance returned his weapons to their original forms. The fiercest part of the duel had begun. He nearly severed Percival's head several times, but the stone knight also came close to impaling Lance. At one point, Lance dove to the ground to avoid a slash, then leapt up to knock Percival down.

But Percival wasn't done. With a mighty swing, he returned to his feet and slammed Lance into a wall. The red aura vanished. Lance's body returned to normal and collapsed.

Percival raised his blade to finish him, but a sudden arrow pierced his back. Claws dug into one arm. A rocket exploded against his chest. Team LLMM, waiting for their moment, struck together.

- Forget about us? - Lynda shouted.

The blast opened a wound large enough for precise attacks. Mandy fired three arrows into it, making the monster roar. Lynda drove her blades into his chest. Mike launched another explosive into the gap, and Lance, now awake, thrust his spear through Percival's heart.

Percival's body began to glow yellow. Cracks spread across it as he started to fall apart.

- After… all these years… - He gasped, stunned, but joyful. - At last… I am free…

More and more stone fell from him, until he shouted one last time:

- CURSED WITCH! YOUR SPELL IS BROKEN AT LAST!

All the rock shattered away. What remained was a tall, muscular man, short brown hair, stubble on his chin, clad in blue armor with a golden star on his chest. He raised his sword toward the sky, smiling.

- I! AM! FREE! - He cried. - At last, I can…

But the team couldn't share in his joy. Four deep wounds gaped across his chest. Blood poured from them, and from his mouth. He collapsed, falling onto his back. His sword slipped from his hand.

- The curse… is… gone...

Lance rushed to his side.

- Hey! Are you okay?!

He removed the breastplate, but it was too late, lungs, stomach, everything was pierced. The bleeding was unstoppable. Only seconds remained.

- I'm sorry…

- No… it's all right… - Percival smiled weakly. He looked over them one last time. - Just… my sword…

Mandy handed him the weapon. He clutched it to his chest.

- Thank you. - Those were his final words. He closed his eyes.

The team stood silently around the fallen knight. His body began to glow white, then slowly faded. Only his armor and sword remained.

- I think… - Lance stood, took a deep breath, and looked at his teammates. - We did the right thing.

- Yeah. - Lynda smiled gently.

- It's sad… but this is for the best. - Mike wiped his eyes.

- He's with his loved ones now. - Mandy seemed calmer.

- An excellent performance! - Came a voice from the corridor. Professor Port stepped forward with his usual confident stride. - I've been observing you. What you did… was worthy of true Huntsmen and Huntresses.

- If you were here, couldn't you have helped? - Lynda asked.

- Oh, Miss Dawn, that would've been unnecessary. You did splendidly. - He glanced at them all. - I'm certain you will all become fine Huntsmen and Huntresses.

- You knew he was here… that's why you came, isn't it? - Mandy narrowed her eyes.

- Of course, Miss Forester. - Port straightened up. - I was originally meant to fight him myself. But it seems you proved strong enough.

- You could've told us… - Lance added dryly.

- I didn't expect you to be the ones to face him. My plan was to go in alone, leave you safely behind. Now… - He turned and began walking toward the exit. - it's time to go.

Of course, Port hadn't been entirely truthful. Ozpin had given him a different mission… one he could no longer fulfill because of Percival's death. Not that he really minded. He simply picked up Percival's sword and followed Team LLMM toward the exit of the mountain.

Chapter Text

Weeks of digging, drilling, loading, and managing White Fang soldiers had completely exhausted Roman. It hadn't been a small task to prepare an entire train loaded with weapons and robots on the newly restored tracks, tracks that also had to be built by White Fang labor.

Part of the stolen Dust was used to fund these operations, while the rest was needed to power the weapons and Paladin robots.

His mission was simple: with the help of the White Fang, seize the underground ruined city beneath the Glenn Mountains from the Grimm, establish a base there, and then reach the Vale border through the abandoned tunnels. In the meantime, they loaded the train with enough weapons, Dust, and attack-ready Paladins to launch a surprise strike against Vale.

The empty train cars were filled with bombs. These were slowly detached one by one, and holes were blown into the tunnel ceiling, openings through which hordes of Grimm could flood the area, supporting the White Fang attackers and ambushing Vale from behind.

The first stage of the plan, seizing the ruins, had gone smoothly. Thanks to overwhelming firepower and Roman's leadership, they had driven out the last of the beasts. However, patrols had to be posted, as their activity was likely to attract more than just Grimm.

The second stage, digging, was much slower and far more boring.

- How much longer until we reach the target? - Roman asked one of the White Fang engineers, a short, bespectacled man wearing the same uniform as the others. He was responsible for the calculations.

His real name wasn't Perry, but he didn't dare correct Roman.

- Uh… - Perry nervously tapped at his Scroll, checking the figures. - Roughly a week more, and the train will be able to break through the wall. We'll make the deadline.

- You'd better, or you'll regret it. - Roman gave him a sharp glare that nearly made Perry wet himself. He feared Roman, and had no intention of upsetting him.

- We're doing our best, Mr. Torchwick! - Perry stammered and quickly backed away.

"Threatening him isn't even fun anymore…" Roman thought. He moved on to check on the weapons.

- How are we doing here? - He asked Derrick, the massive lieutenant who had been with him during the warehouse battle. He and Neo had fought the LLMM team back then.

- The weapons are charged and ready when the time comes. - Derrick replied curtly.

- No mistakes. - Roman tried to sound stern, but Derrick didn't flinch, he barely even reacted.

- Won't be on me. - The big man replied coldly, and Roman smiled.

"At least he's got some spirit." Roman thought, starting to like him more. He finally turned to a female soldier who was currently assembling and repainting Paladins.

- I want to hear that everything's going perfectly, sweetheart. - Roman said. The woman just looked up at him.

- I still have at least two dozen Paladins to calibrate and repaint, but I'm working as fast as I can.

- Work as fast as we need. - Roman snapped. - If you need help, say so! I'll send people! - He was already tapping at his Scroll, summoning three soldiers to assist her.

- Thank you, Mr. Torchwick. - The woman nodded gratefully.

"Why can't they just open their mouths and ask for help when they need it?", Roman rubbed his forehead. He was tired of thinking for everyone else and constantly putting out fires.

He was worn out and frustrated. At least another week underground, without internet, sunlight, or proper relaxation. It was hard, but he kept his eyes on the ultimate goal. Every Dust robbery, every construction effort, every fight against those wannabe Huntsmen from Vale, it would all be worth it in the end, once he got his reward.

- Um… Mr. Torchwick? - Perry timidly approached again.

- Good news or bad, Perry? - Roman sighed. - Let me guess, something else you can't handle alone…

- Well… - Perry could tell from Roman's tone he was in no mood, but mustered the courage. - Someone, a girl, is here to see you.

Roman stepped out of the train car to see who the visitor was, and his eyes widened in disbelief when he saw the girl with mismatched brown and pink hair, his partner, Neo.

- Neo? Perry, that's the best news I've heard in ages. - Perry quickly took his leave as Neo rushed over and hugged Roman tightly. He returned the embrace.

- What are you doing here? - He asked as they pulled apart. - You're supposed to be at Beacon, playing student with Cinder and her brats. - Neo signed something, and Roman watched her carefully.

- I see. How many are coming? - She responded. - Just one team? Well… - Roman spread his arms with a confident smirk. - Even if they find us, unlikely, considering we're miles underground, we've got enough to deal with one Huntress and a bunch of kids.

Neo signed something again.

- That'd be nice. Want a tour? - She nodded eagerly.

Hand in hand, Roman and Neo toured the construction site, then wandered through the underground city. They climbed the stairs of a relatively intact building, and from the rooftop, they had a perfect view of the abandoned, ghostly ruins. The crumbling silence was broken only by the distant sounds of machinery from the base. Packs of Grimm roamed a few kilometers away, but any that got too close were shot down immediately.

- I know it's not the most romantic view. - Roman sighed as he sat on the edge, beckoning Neo to join him. She did, snuggling up under his arm as he wrapped it around her.

- How's the academy? - Roman asked. Neo rolled her eyes, then signed.

- My condolences. - He replied. - If it makes you feel better, this place isn't a dream either. At least you have internet, sunlight, real food. I'm stuck with canned crap.

Neo gently placed her gloved hand on Roman's cheek and stroked it. He softened and sighed.

- I'm so glad you're here… - Roman took her small hand and kissed it. - These idiots need everything explained… and... - Neo pressed her finger to his lips to silence him. Roman looked at her curiously. She took off his hat, set it aside, wrapped her arms around his neck, pulled him close, and kissed him.

Roman returned the kiss, then hugged her tightly.

- You just wanted me to shut up, didn't you? - He asked, gazing into her dual-colored eyes. Neo just shrugged, slipped from his arms, snatched his hat with Hush, and sauntered to the other side of the roof.

- Hey! - Roman hoisted himself up using Melodic Cludgel and followed her. - That's my hat! - Neo put it on her head and struck a pose.

- We both know it looks better on me. - Roman planted a hand on his hip and leaned on his cane. - Now give it back.

Instead, Neo simply leapt off the building. Roman ran to the edge and saw her gliding down like a feather, using Hush as a parachute.

- This girl… - Roman shook his head, hooked Melodic Cludgel to the ledge, and jumped after her.

The cord was long enough to get him down safely, and he retracted it once he landed. Neo, still wearing his hat, was already heading toward one of the train cars. Roman followed.

Neo ducked under a group of White Fang soldiers carrying a heavy bomb, then entered a car filled with armed explosives. Suddenly, someone grabbed her from behind, lifted her up, and whispered in her ear:

- If you act like a wicked little vixen, don't be surprised if I want to play. - It was Roman. He gently bit her ear, sending a shiver through her. - Did you miss Daddy? - He murmured into the hat, then removed it from her head. Neo giggled and signed something.

- You gave it to me, of course I treasure it. - Roman replied, cupping her chin. - Just like I treasure you. - Then he kissed her again.

After the kiss, Roman asked with a smirk:

- Wanna do it on a bomb?

Neo raised her eyebrows, glanced around, then back at Roman with a seductive smile. In seconds, she was unbuttoning her tailcoat.

Roman followed suit. He couldn't even remember the last time they'd been together, before Cinder, months ago. Finally, he could let off some steam. Neo removed her tailcoat and gloves, left only in her corset, which highlighted her bare shoulders and surprisingly full bust. She kicked off her heels and lay barefoot atop the bomb, striking a seductive pose.

- I'll take that as a yes. - Roman grinned, removing his jacket and running a hand down Neo's shoulder.

But before they could get started—

- Boss! - Perry's voice came from outside. Neo and Roman both froze. - You need to see this!

Roman clenched his fist in frustration, but Neo gently cupped his face, shaking her head as if to say, "Don't go."

- Just a moment more, and I'm all yours. - Roman growled. He buttoned up, grabbed Melodic Cludgel, and lit a cigar to calm himself. - Good or bad, Perry?! This better be important, I was in the middle of something really important!

- Uh… we caught a teenage girl. - Perry's voice was unsure.

Roman peeked out, and saw his soldiers dragging a girl in a red cloak toward him. He could barely believe it: Little Red. Ruby Rose.

- That's… bad news. - Roman said, taking a drag of his cigar and tossing it aside.

The soldiers threw Ruby to the ground before Roman.

- Well, well. You're much easier to handle without that oversized scythe of yours.

Ruby glared up at him with burning hatred. Then, suddenly, she lunged. Roman easily sidestepped and struck her with Melodic Cludgel from the side. Ruby crashed to the ground, and Roman let out a mocking laugh.

- You know what, Perry? This is almost as good as what you interrupted. - Roman knelt down, pressing Melodic Cludgel close to her face. - So tell me, Red, how did you find this place?

Ruby growled in response, then suddenly activated her Semblance and vanished. Roman jerked his head up and turned, she was already bolting away.

- Whoa! - Roman spun his cane and launched the grip. It latched onto Ruby's hood and yanked her back. - I see you've got some tricks up your sleeve. - He smirked as he reeled her in. - Guess we've got that in common. - Ruby hit the ground again, and Roman flipped his cane around. - You're not going anywhere.

Then came an explosion in the distance.

- Oh, what the hell now?! - Roman growled, glaring at his soldiers. - Perry, you and the boys handle it, I'm in the middle of something important.

They moved immediately, but another, even louder explosion shook the tunnel.

- WHAT THE F*CK IS GOING ON OUT THERE?! - Roman shouted. Neo appeared in the doorway, now fully dressed again, Hush resting on her shoulder, hands on her hips, looking equally irritated.

- As you can see, an old friend. - Roman pointed his cane at Ruby. Neo scowled at the girl.

Another blast echoed, and a squad of White Fang soldiers came retreating, chased by gunfire. In the distance, Roman could make out the attackers, those same girls from the highway underpass. Team RWBY.

- Oh, you've got to be kidding me… - Roman groaned. Ruby seized the moment, leapt up, and tackled him. He shook her off and slammed her into the floor. Ruby rolled and dashed away.

Neo activated Hush's blade and made to pursue her, but Roman grabbed her wrist.

- She's mine. - He growled, aiming Melodic Cludgel at Ruby.

The crosshairs popped open, and he fired, a fire Dust charge screamed past Ruby's head and exploded into the ground. The White Fang opened fire too, but Ruby zigzagged expertly, dodging every shot.

Roman clenched his jaw, flexing his cane. Neo signed something with a cheeky grin.

- Not now, Neo! - He snapped, then turned to Perry. - Start the train, and alert the others!

- But it's too early for that! - Perry protested, until Roman pinned him to the wall with his cane.

- Do what I said, or it will be too late for you! - Perry gasped and nodded.

Roman and Neo boarded the train, along with several White Fang soldiers. Roman entered the engine room, flipped the controls, and turned on the intercom.

- All units, to your stations! We're moving out!

The train started slowly, then picked up speed.

- What are you doing?! - Derrick, the burly lieutenant, shouted, storming in. - It's not time yet!

- They found us! - Roman shouted back. - It's now or never! Wait any longer and we'll have an army on our *sses! - Neo signed something with a worried look.

- At least they'll think they won. - Roman added. - Now get to your post and stop those kids from wrecking everything!

Neo obeyed at once. Derrick stared at Roman for a moment longer as he stood firm at the controls.

- Fine. - He growled. - But you'll answer for this. - He grabbed his massive chainsaw and marched out.

Neo and Derrick began activating the train's defense systems.

- They're on board... - One of the guards' transmissions cut off, but the message was clear: the enemy was on the train.

- All units, into the Paladins! - Derrick barked over the radio. - Hold them off as long as you can!

Then he turned to Neo.

- Activate the first bomb.

Neo nodded silently and pressed a button on the control panel. Derrick issued another command:

- Detach the last car! - Neo obeyed again. A metallic screech rang out as the car disconnected.

- Now! - Derrick shouted, and Neo hit the detonator. The detached car exploded violently, ripping a hole in the tunnel ceiling. Through it, dozens of Grimm poured in from the surface, drawn by the chaos, meant to support the White Fang, or at least, that was the plan.

The process repeated. With each of Derrick's commands, Neo dropped and detonated another car. More and more Grimm flooded the tunnels through the craters left behind.

- They're breaking through! We need reinforcements... - Another signal cut off.

- Oh come on… - Derrick shook his head angrily and grabbed the radio. - You're bigger, stronger, meaner, this is what happens when you skip leg day! Paladins, combat mode!

He turned off the radio and looked at Neo.

- Time for us to join the party. - Neo nodded wordlessly, raising Hush, while Derrick revved his chainsaw and marched down the connecting hallway.

He stopped in a cargo car to coordinate his troops, while Neo continued onward.

- Wouldn't be smarter to stick together? - He called after her.

Neo glanced back indifferently and kept going.

- Don't twist your ankle in those ten-inch stilettos. - Derrick muttered, but she didn't respond.

Neo eventually found the intruders. Standing before her were three familiar girls: Weiss Schnee, Blake Belladonna, and Yang Xiao Long.

Neo raised Hush, signaling that no one would pass.

- Go ahead. - Yang stepped forward. - I've got this.

Blake and Weiss rushed ahead. Yang fired a blast of flame at Neo, which the girl deflected with Hush, allowing the others to pass. Neo didn't care, she was more than happy to fight Yang. The biggest and strongest of RWBY, a true challenge.

Yang towered over her by almost half a meter, muscular and imposing, but Neo looked up at her with a confident, almost playful smirk. She wasn't afraid.

Yang struck first, but Neo dodged in a flash and countered with a slash that made Yang stumble. The blonde growled and came again. Neo folded Hush, using it as a shield, dodging punches and kicks until she found an opening, she landed a sharp kick to Yang's stomach, dropping her to her knees.

Neo went for another kick, but Yang dodged, sprang up, and attacked again. Neo caught her arm, struck her face, let go, then kicked her gut again, sending her sprawling. She slipped behind her like a shadow.

Yang barely had time to react when Neo lunged again. Two shots from Ember Celica struck, but didn't pierce Hush. One even backfired slightly.

Neo took advantage, knocking Yang's arm aside and sending her next shot into the ceiling. Then another kick sent her crashing down again.

Neo's style became increasingly bold, almost theatrical. She flipped, danced, and twirled through Yang's blows. At one point she flipped onto her hands, vaulted using Yang's shoulder, and flipped again, slamming the bigger girl to the ground.

Yang passed out.

Neo slowly approached, drawing Hush's blade to finish her, but a red and black blur suddenly appeared from the shadows, swinging a long crimson sword.

Neo barely blocked in time.

The attacker was a woman, long raven-black hair, Grimm helmet, black battle skirt, and a crimson armored blouse. At her side, a sheath filled with Dust vials, and in her hands, a red katana.

Neo didn't know her. But she felt it immediately: this one was dangerous. Without hesitation, she activated her Semblance and vanished.

Meanwhile, Derrick was ready to fight. He fired up his chainsaw, the blade roaring to life as he advanced down one of the train corridors. As he rounded a corner, two figures appeared before him: Weiss Schnee and Blake Belladonna. The moment he saw Weiss, something snapped inside him.

- You go on ahead! - Weiss whispered to Blake.

- Got it! - She nodded, but before she dashed off, she tossed a full set of Dust crystals to Blake.

Derrick's rage was uncontainable. The name Schnee alone was enough to make him see red. He was practically frothing with hate. A twisted grin spread across his face as he charged at Weiss with a crazed laugh. But Blake intervened one last time, diverting the attack and giving Weiss a moment to prepare. The girl flipped back, then launched a counterstrike that forced the chainsaw aside.

Thus began their duel. Derrick struck with brute force, but Weiss remained calm and composed. With Myrtenaster, her rapier, she parried and countered with precision. Elegant thrusts followed one after the other, and it wasn't long before she gained the upper hand.

Derrick stumbled to the ground for a moment.

- Finally… - He growled. - I get to kill a Schnee.

He raised his chainsaw once more, but Weiss was ready. Lifting her sword high, she summoned a glowing light-blue glyph that shielded her entire body. Derrick's attack bounced off harmlessly, and she launched a renewed assault. Her strikes forced the hulking man to retreat step by step.

Weiss flipped into the air, using the momentum for a spinning slash that struck Derrick's mask. He snarled and counterattacked, but she evaded with a cartwheel, the blade missing her belly by inches.

She stabbed at his chest next, the Aura absorbed the blow, but the sheer force drove him back again. Then she leapt high, nearly touching the ceiling, and came down in a vertical strike. Derrick narrowly rolled aside. Weiss tumbled upon landing and sprang back into motion. Her speed and grace were breathtaking, swift, deadly, and fluid.

Derrick grew increasingly furious. He attacked with wild, powerful swings, his chainsaw sparking against the metal walls. Weiss barely managed to hold her defense together. One strike knocked her to her knees, and Derrick kicked her down.

Still, she refused to give up. Leaping back, she summoned a glyph beneath her, then vanished. Suddenly, a dozen glowing runes lit up around Derrick. Weiss, now glowing with white light, darted from one glyph to the next like a rocket, each strike landing with surgical precision. Derrick couldn't follow her movements.

- Come here, princess! - He roared, managing to grab her by the face during a brief lull, slamming her to the ground. He hurled her into the air and readied his chainsaw to cut her in half.

Weiss barely blocked the strike with her blade, but her Aura finally shattered. With no more protection, Derrick kicked her again. She collapsed. Unmoving.

Roman returned to assess the situation, but instead of a report, he came face-to-face with an old enemy: Blake Belladonna.

The cat faunus' eyes burned with determination. The two stood across from each other, not under a highway this time, but in the chaos of a runaway train.

- Well, hello, kitty-cat. - Roman spun Melodic Cludgel around his finger. - Missed me?

He rested the weapon on his shoulder and put his other hand on his hip.

- You know, if we keep running into each other like this, people will start talking. Might think there's something going on between us. My girlfriend would be very upset.

Blake didn't answer. She lunged.

Roman sighed and swung his cane, but Blake left behind not just a shadow clone, but a fire clone. It exploded on impact, launching Roman into the air.

Blake was already there. She landed three sharp blows before Roman hit the floor with a painful thud.

He scrambled up and counterattacked, but Blake had left a stone clone behind. Roman's shot shattered it, but Blake was already behind him. Another leap, another strike, this time, he blocked just in time.

What followed was a fierce swordfight. Melodic Cludgel clashed against Gumbo Shroud in a blur of sparks. Roman landed a blow, but it turned out to be another clone. An ice one, which froze his weapon in itself.

Seeing her chance, Blake fired an energy blast. The ice shattered, and the blast hurled Roman into the wall. Melodic Cludgel flew from his hand. As he staggered to his feet, Blake pinned him down with a boot to the chest and her blade at his throat.

- Why are we even fighting? - Roman asked, surprisingly calm. - You're fighting your own people. You should be on our side, you know that.

Blake said nothing, just pressed her blade harder.

- What do you think, Blake? - Roman's voice darkened. - That a little bow can hide what you are? Or what you've done?

Just then, the door slammed open. Weiss stumbled through, bruised and unconscious. Behind her came Derrick, chainsaw still whirring.

- What now, Blake? - Roman asked quietly.

She hesitated, but then sheathed her weapon and knocked Roman out with a swift kick. He crumpled.

Blake rushed to Weiss, but Derrick was already preparing the finishing blow. Blake immediately activated her Semblance, left a shadow clone, grabbed Weiss, and vanished.

Derrick looked around, seething, but it was too late. They were gone. The end of the tunnel was fast approaching, and so was doom. He couldn't leave Roman behind, so he threw him over his shoulder and ran for the rear cars.

Too late.

A massive explosion rocked the train.

The city's sirens began to wail.

Derrick heard them… just before he lost consciousness.

Chapter Text

It had been an incredibly exhausting mission for Team LLMM: they had fought their way through a trap-filled cave system and defeated an ancient knight sealed in stone, who knows how long he had been imprisoned inside the mountain.

They boarded the transport ship and were already on their way back to Beacon.

- Do you think we'll get bonus points for this success? - Mike asked.

- We'd better! - Lynda snapped.

- Do you think that witch who cursed him… - Lance paused in thought. - Could she still be alive?

- Oh please, - Lynda shrugged. - that must've happened thousands of years ago. She's probably long dead.

- And her curse lasted this long? - Lance didn't sound convinced.

- Mines have exploded recently that were planted during the Great War. - Mandy said. - People just forgot about them. It's possible that the curse didn't end with the witch's death.

- Sounds logical. - Mike added.

- Then… - Lance changed the subject. - What do you think Team RWBY found in the southeast?

- Maybe they caught up with Torchwick and the White Fang. - Lynda guessed.

- Or maybe they found nothing. - Mike chimed in.

- Or maybe they're dead. - Mandy remarked flatly, and the mood immediately soured.

- How can you say that?! - Lynda shot her a sharp look.

- Think about it: Torchwick's a notorious criminal, and the White Fang is a dangerous organization. Team RWBY is... a bunch of first-years. What chance do they really have of tracking them down and actually beating them?

- Don't you remember how they took down that Paladin on the highway?! - Lynda snapped.

- And don't forget, Professor Oobleck went with them. - Mike added. - He's supposed to be a professional Huntsman, just like Professor Port.

- And we're first-years too, and we managed to defeat that cursed knight. - Lance concluded.

- First of all… - Mandy wasn't about to back down. - We got lucky with Percival. And second: do you seriously think Oobleck can fight off Grimm and the White Fang?

That one hit home, except for Professor Port, who had remained quiet until then.

- I'm afraid, Miss Forester, that you and your teammates are gravely underestimating Professor Oobleck. - He finally spoke. - He may not seem like much at first glance, but anyone who underestimates him regrets it. I made that mistake once myself, but after countless battles, I can say this: he holds his own quite well in any serious confrontation. - Port's words gave the team a renewed sense of hope. - As long as he's fighting beside Team RWBY, the're surely safe.

Then Lynda and Mandy's ears twitched.

- Did you hear that?! - Lynda looked in the direction of the sound.

- I did. - Mandy confirmed.

- If this is another cursed knight, I swear I'm gonna lose it! - Lance panicked.

- Please tell me it's not. - Mike pleaded.

- It's not. - Mandy replied. - It's a siren.

- From the city. - Lynda looked out the transport's window. - Is that... smoke?

Everyone turned to look, and saw it. Thick black smoke was rising from the city of Vale. Mandy didn't understand what was happening.

"But there's supposed to be at least a week left before the attack! What the hell happened?!",he panicked silently, because the smoke was coming precisely from where the White Fang had planned their assault.

- There! - Lynda shouted, pointing downward.

- Is that Team RWBY?! - Mike could hardly believe his eyes. In the center of the city was a massive crater, surrounded by the burning wreckage of a train. A swarm of Grimm encircled Team RWBY.

- How did they get there?

- Ask twice and easier! Let's help them! - Lance was the first to leap out of the ship, with Lynda right behind him.

Port jumped down as well, followed by Mike, but Mandy hesitated.

Lance took out an Ursa with one blow, Lynda dispatched two massive serpents, and Mike blasted several Nevermores with rockets from "What the Heck". Port swung his axe-gun through a pack of Beowolves, clearing the area with brutal precision. Mandy, however, slowly and reluctantly nocked an arrow and took down a single Ursa, her mind conflicted.

Soon, Team JNPR, Sun and Neptune from Team SSSN, and the entire Atlas military arrived. Within minutes, the Grimm were being pushed back as an army of Atlas robot soldiers dropped from airships and began cutting down the monsters without mercy.

Though the defenders didn't emerge unscathed and many robots were lost, each fallen machine was replaced instantly. They never tired. They showed no mercy.

The CMEE and CFVY teams joined the fight as well, and from that point on, the Grimm stood no chance, neither against the city, nor its inhabitants.

The battle ended with Glynda Goodwitch herself. In a rather foul mood, she crushed several Grimm using her telekinetic Semblance, then sealed the giant crater in the city center, as if nothing had happened.

It had been a terrible day for Roman Torchwick: weeks of work undone by a bunch of kids. His only hope now was that the Grimm horde following the train caused enough chaos for him to escape.

His head still rang from Blake's kick, but he retrieved Melodic Cludgel, put on his hat, and stepped out of the wreckage. But any chance of escape was zero, as an army of Atlas robots and Huntsman students had surrounded him, weapons raised.

- Is there something behind me? - Roman asked with a smug grin, glancing back. But none of the soldiers found him amusing.

- So this is it? - He gripped Melodic Cludgel. He knew it was a powerful weapon, he could probably take down a half-dozen robots in one shot. But there were hundreds of them. He simply tossed the cane aside and raised his hands.

Emerald and Mercury from CMEE were the ones who arrested him. Roman discreetly handed a pendrive to Emerald, who slipped it into her pocket without a word.

- Can't believe you caught me! - Roman said as the Atlas robots cuffed him. - I'm so sad, I'm almost sorry for what I did. - The robots shoved him toward a transport. - Hey, careful with the hat!

The city was saved. The Grimm repelled. Roman Torchwick captured, and the White Fang dealt a major blow, one they wouldn't recover from any time soon. Team LLMM had scored a major success. They were sitting by the fountain on a bench, resting.

- We were awesome! - Lynda tried to sound upbeat, though she was clearly exhausted.

- And you thought they were goners, Miss Doom and Gloom! - Lance teased Mandy, who gave a sheepish smile.

- Yeah. - She said awkwardly. - It was dumb of me to doubt them.

- So… should we go congratulate Team RWBY… or sleep? - Mike asked.

- SLEEP! - Lynda and Lance shouted in unison.

- I'm about to pass out. - Lynda added.

Mandy didn't know what to feel. She had many acquaintances among those who had gone beneath the Glenn Mountains... and many of them were probably dead, thanks to Team RWBY's interference. But she was sure of one thing: Cinder still had tricks up her sleeve, and she knew Adam Taurus well enough to know he wouldn't give up.

"This is just the beginning."

After the train crash, there was no time to stare in shock, the vehicle was quickly swarmed by Grimm, and the surviving White Fang members found themselves in a desperate life-or-death struggle in the tunnels. Gunfire, screams, growls, and explosions echoed from every direction.

As soon as Neo regained consciousness, she understood what had happened. Blood trickled down her forehead, she had hit her head during the crash, tearing her skin. The wound was bleeding heavily.

- You alright, kid? - Asked a deep, raspy voice.

It was Derrick, the White Fang lieutenant. He had pulled her out of the wreckage.

- I thought you were dead. - He grumbled, while Neo touched her forehead, only to make it hurt more. - Yeah, don't do that. - He added, handing her a healing salve and a clean cloth. - Your aura's working on it, but use this.

Neo took it without a word, cleaned the wound, and slowly stood up. Looking around, she realized she wasn't the only one Derrick had saved. The carriage was filled with wounded White Fang soldiers. Some were groaning, others curled up in the corners, and one was clutching a faded family photo, as if drawing strength from it.

Neo stepped outside to get a better view. The surviving soldiers were doing everything they could to protect the injured.

- Hold the line! If they break through, we're dead! - Shouted a female soldier, firing frantically at the Grimm.

- There's too many of them, ma'am! - Another reported.

- We're going to die here!

- Your fear draws them in! - Derrick's voice boomed as he stepped out of the shadows, raising his chainsaw and cutting down three Ursas in one swing. - Hold the line! Don't let panic spread! Help each other! - He raised the saw high. - WE WILL WIN, BROTHERS AND SISTERS!

His words reignited the fire in their hearts. With renewed courage, the soldiers threw themselves back into the fight.

It took nearly half an hour before they had pushed the Grimm back far enough that the creatures turned toward the city, escaping through the breached tunnel.

When the last beast disappeared into the darkness, the tunnel partially collapsed behind it, plunging everything into total darkness.

- What happened?!

- We're trapped!

- We're going to die here!

- SILENCE! - Derrick's shout cut through the panic like a blade. Don't give the Grimm the satisfaction of our fear! Reload your weapons! I want everyone combat-ready in ten minutes!

He returned to the carriage, dropped his chainsaw, and removed his mask. Beneath it, short brown hair, bear ears, and three deep claw marks across his face revealed his true features.

- Perry, you pulled yourself together yet? - He asked the trembling engineer, who had just emerged from a cabinet.

- Y-yeah, Derrick… please tell me you have a plan!

- That depends… any way we can start the train in reverse?"

- The control car was tossed out from the tunnel, along with Torchwick…

- Yeah, I noticed. Any alternatives?

- Well... if the emergency control module in the last car is intact, we might be able to get it moving again.

- Then we don't have time to waste.

Derrick, Perry, and Neo exited the car to inspect the damage.

- We're lucky. - Perry observed. - The train's mostly intact and still on the rails. If the module's functional, we can activate it.

- Then let's get to it. - Derrick nodded, pulling his mask back on and picking up his chainsaw again. - Listen up! - He shouted to the survivors. - We've got a plan to get out, but I'll need everyone's help!

He gave a short, rousing speech, and morale surged once more.

- Derrick… - Perry looked at him, deeply moved. - You've got a good heart.

- Don't expect a kiss. - Derrick snapped back, then turned to Neo. - I know we weren't exactly the dream team, but we need you. Will you help?

Neo folded her arms, then nodded. Derrick nodded back.

Six White Fang soldiers lined up at the front of the train, led by Derrick. Neo lingered in the shadows, ready to step in if things went south.

Derrick kicked in the door, miraculously, no Grimm inside. He signaled them forward, and the soldiers moved in to secure the car. Derrick and Neo followed.

The next car, however, was crawling with at least eight Beowolves. The soldiers opened fire instantly. Derrick charged ahead, carving a path with his chainsaw like a machine. The car was cleared in moments.

It took long hours before they reached the section housing the Paladins. Only three of the giant robots remained functional. Three experienced soldiers climbed in, ready to support the foot soldiers, including Derrick and Neo.

They mercilessly wiped out the remaining Grimm. The train was once again under full White Fang control, and they finally reached the emergency control module. One of the soldiers radioed Perry, who rushed over and managed to activate the system.

The engine roared to life. Everyone boarded. Perry finally started the train, heading it back toward the base.

- I sent a distress signal to Adam. - Perry reported. - He should be on his way with a med team.

- Good. - Derrick nodded, slumping into a seat. Blood streamed from his shoulder, but he didn't seem like he was about to complain. - We did good... I'm proud of you all. But we're not out yet. The base is probably overrun with Grimm. If we want to get out, we'll have to fight.

Some soldiers' faces filled with dread again.

- We barely have any combat-ready people left. - One woman said, terrified.

- And we're running low on Dust!

- But we called Adam! - Perry chimed in. - He's coming!

- Adam? - Another soldier asked, smiling now. - Why didn't you start with that?

A wave of relief and soft laughter passed through the cars.

- Adam can save us even at the last moment. - A third soldier said.

But Derrick didn't ease up.

- Don't get cocky. Adam's helping, but we're the ones who have to get our wounded to the airships on the other side of the base. That's where he'll be waiting!

About an hour passed before the train slowed and came to a stop. The wounded were moved to the front, and the three remaining Paladins rolled out to lead the charge. Neo, Derrick, and several soldiers followed, providing cover. The rest handled the wounded.

They moved through the center of the base, at first, everything was quiet. But that didn't last. Another Grimm horde attacked. The Paladins opened fire, but one was taken down by a Deathstalker, its stinger piercing the cockpit.

Derrick roared, charging the monster, severing one of its claws, and driving his chainsaw through its skull.

They were just steps away from the airships when the soldiers saw Adam waiting at the top of the stairs. The faunus wore a Grimm mask, black slacks, and a blazer, a crimson katana in hand and a sheath at his side.

The wounded were helped up first. Adam's men loaded them onto the ships. Then the rest followed, including Neo and Perry.

A pack of Ursas brought down the second Paladin, tearing the pilot apart. Derrick stayed to cover the others. A Beowolf bit into his arm, an Ursa grabbed his leg, and a third knocked off his mask. He was nearly overwhelmed.

- Adam…! - He cried desperately.

Adam raised his sword, charged it with energy, and unleashed a crimson blast that annihilated dozens of Grimm, but the last Paladin was caught in it too.

Adam lowered his blade, stepped forward, and extended a hand.

Derrick grabbed it, and Adam pulled him to safety. Together, they reached the airship. As they climbed aboard, the doors shut behind them, and the ship lifted off.

They had survived.

On the aircraft, Adam sat in silence, his face emotionless. Derrick collapsed into a seat, panting, blood streaming from his shoulder, but he didn't seem like the type to complain.

- You sure took your sweet time. - Derrick muttered, relief washing over him as he saw all the wounded soldiers safe aboard.

- You're too sentimental, Derrick. - Adam replied flatly before boarding one of the airships. - The plan was to launch the assault directly after the Vytal Festival. What happened?

- A bunch of Huntress brats found us. - Derrick answered. - Torchwick ordered an immediate launch.

Adam glanced at him sideways.

- So the whole plan fell apart because of a group of kids?

- I don't get it either. - Derrick looked at Neo. She took care of one, I dealt with the Schnee girl, but get this… your girlfriend was there too.

Adam's eyes narrowed.

- Blake?

- She's a Huntress now. Took down Torchwick. I beat her too, but when the train crashed, I had to make a choice, chase her and the Schnee, or save our people. - He looked toward his wounded comrades. - I chose them.

Adam was silent for a moment, his face unreadable.

- If you had taken out the Schnee girl, that would've seriously damaged her company. - He finally said.

- Sorry for not letting our men get torn apart by Grimm! - Derrick snapped.

- What about Torchwick? - Adam asked coldly.

- He was in the control car. It flew out of the tunnel during the crash, and a huge Grimm horde poured in behind it. The Atlesian military shut it down. So either the enemy captured him... or the Grimm tore him apart.

Neo, who had remained silent until now, elbowed Derrick sharply.

- Ow! What now?! - He glared at her. - It's his fault our people died!

Neo started signing furiously. Derrick just blinked.

- I don't speak sign language! - He growled.

- She says, - Adam translated calmly. - if Roman hadn't started the train, the kids would've escaped and the military would've come down on us anyway. At least this way, we surprised them.

- But a lot of people died, and we gained nothing! - Derrick barked.

- As I said, - Adam replied coldly. - you're too emotional.

The wounded were taken to a remote village where the White Fang had one of their main outposts. Thanks to Roman's earlier work, the locals welcomed them, they'd been protected from the Grimm, and paid well for the privilege.

Neo and Adam didn't stay. They returned to Vale, where the post-attack chaos had weakened security, allowing them to slip in unnoticed. Neo anxiously watched the news, until finally, she breathed a sigh of relief: Roman was alive. Captured, but alive.

Now she just had to break him out.

The ship dropped them off on the outskirts of the city, and they made their way straight to the crater left by the explosion. There they found Cinder and her two recruits, Neo's Beacon teammates.

- Those idiotic kids really messed things up. - Said Emerald, loud enough for Adam's faunus ears to pick up.

- Yeah. - Mercury nodded. - A lot of faunus died down in that tunnel. Think they'll still follow us?

- No. - Adam said bluntly, startling the CMEE team as he and Neo appeared behind them. - But they'll follow me.

- I'm glad we're still working together, Adam. - Cinder said with a wicked smile. - Don't worry, the deaths of your people will be avenged.

- They'd better be. - He replied, and walked away.

- Seriously, - Mercury muttered. - I'll never understand that guy. - Neo immediately began typing on her Scroll:

"What about Roman?! We can't leave him in Atlas custody!"

- Don't worry, Neopolitan, - Cinder said gently, placing a hand on her shoulder. - Roman Torchwick's role in our plan is far from over.

- The best thing you can do for him right now is to follow my instructions, and keep playing your role at Beacon. - Her golden eyes lit up, making Neo flinch just enough to nod in obedience.

Roman, meanwhile, wasn't exactly being treated gently by the Atlesian military. They had no qualms about shoving, beating, or taking his hat and Melodic Cudgel. They locked him up in a narrow cabin, dimly lit, with only a small foggy window.

But he was smiling. The pendrive he'd passed to Emerald was in safe hands, neither the Atlesians nor the Vale authorities would learn anything about the plan. Only one thing worried him:

Neo.

He had no idea if she got out, or if she managed to escape at all.

"Pull yourself together, you idiot! Neo's ten times tougher than you! She survived her psycho parents, didn't she? Got you out of the Malachite sisters' trap, and the Xiong gang too, she'll get you out of this too."

The door creaked open, revealing a towering man in a white Atlesian uniform, his stern expression unmistakable.

General Ironwood.

- You may go. - He instructed the two guards, who promptly left.

- I hear you're not being very cooperative with authorities. - Ironwood said.

- You know, - Roman grinned smugly. - this may be hard to believe, General, but… I've never been a big fan of 'the authorities.'

- How about the most powerful military in the world? - Ironwood crossed his arms.

- First impression? - Roman looked around his cell, unimpressed. - Not great.

- I'll give you one chance, - Ironwood's voice grew colder. - to tell me who's really behind all this.

- Isn't it obvious? - Roman leaned forward, serious for a moment. - You're looking at him. - Then he leaned back, grinning, arms wide open.

- Fine. - Ironwood said, disappointed, and turned to leave.

- What's the matter, General?! - Roman called after him, feigning offense. - I thought you wanted to chat!

- The Council placed you under my supervision for as long as I see fit. Make yourself comfortable, we'll have plenty of time to talk."

- Oh, wonderful. - Roman couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"Fools. They have no idea. Soon enough, they'll be the ones answering to me."

He laughed even harder, because everything was according the plan.

Chapter Text

The sun was already setting, casting a warm orange glow across the horizon and the city of Vale, as Lance looked out through the window of his room in the family manor.

He took a deep breath, excited, then turned around to put on his red-and-gold armor. He pulled on his black boots, buttoned up his blue jeans, then strapped on his red-and-gold knee, elbow, shoulder, and groin guards, along with his holster and pistol. Next came the red shirt, then his hooded cardigan, over which he buckled the breastplate and shoulder guards. On the other side of his belt, he hung the sheath for his sword, and slung his shield onto his back. Finally, he reached for his gauntlets, when he noticed an old letter underneath his helmet. He had no idea how it had gotten there.

"My son,

We, the members of the Pendragon family, have always been noble Huntsmen and Huntresses, doing all we can to protect people and uphold peace. Our crest bears the pawn, for we must always be ready to sacrifice our lives for the greater good, even if it seems insignificant. Not to mention, the pawn is the first to clash with the enemy.

That is where our family motto comes from: First in Battle.

I hope you will follow this path as well.

Your father,

David Pendragon."

"Grandpa…"

This letter wasn't addressed to Lance, but to his father, from his grandfather.

Lance hadn't known his grandfather well, but he knew the man had died on a secret mission, bravely, during an operation whose purpose no one remembered. He had died a pawn, someone no one remembered, not even those who loved him, unsure if his sacrifice had ever meant anything at all.

"Is that going to be my fate too…?"

His thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door.

- Come in! - He called, and the handle turned. An older, lean man entered, dressed in a sleek black suit and walking with a cane. His graying blonde hair was slicked back, and in his sky-blue eyes there flickered a familiar scorn as he caught sight of Lance, suited in armor, holding the old letter.

- You still haven't thrown out that nonsense? - The man scoffed, to which Lance replied with a disapproving glare.

- Dad, that was your father's final message to you. - Lance said as his father turned and stepped toward the window to admire the rising sun.

- Your grandfather was a naive fool, taking the family motto so seriously. The Eternal Pawn… - His father muttered, casting a dismissive glance at Lance's red shield, emblazoned with a golden pawn.

- Then… - Lance respected his father, but hated how he spoke of his grandfather. - Are you taking me to the tournament?

- I am. - His father replied curtly, though he clearly had one more question on his mind. - What's your team called again? Llama?

- Lame. - Lance corrected him, prompting his father to shake his head in disdain.

- Was 'Loser' already taken?

- What do you want from me, dad?! - Lance was starting to lose his patience.

- I should be asking you that, son. That pawn crest and your ridiculous team name… are you trying to make a fool of yourself?

Lance didn't answer. He left the room, went downstairs, and boarded his father's private aircraft. His father popped a dose of medication and followed him. The plane lifted off and soared into the sky.

The Vytal Tournament Arena, officially called the Amity Arena, was a massive floating complex equipped with cutting-edge defensive systems. These protected not only the structure from outside threats but also the audience from stray hits during battles. The stands, large enough to seat thousands, surrounded the fighting stage, which was relatively small compared to the rest of the facility: a 150-meter wide octagon with four entry points. At the center, a 20-meter circle marked the launch area.

Suspended high above Beacon, the arena was now nearly full of excited spectators, buzzing with anticipation, as the competing teams began arriving, including Team LLMM.

A total of 20 teams, or 80 students, would take part in the tournament:

RWBY vs ABRN (Ruby vs Auburn)

CMEE vs JTKS (See Me vs Jatkosota)

JNPR vs BRNZ (Juniper vs Bronze)

SSSN vs NDGO (Sun vs Indigo)

LLMM vs VERF (Lame vs Verf)

CFVY vs GRRN (Coffee vs Green)

CRDL vs PRPL (Cardel vs Purple)

FNKI vs YTTH (Funky vs White)

PNCL vs XLLL (Pencil vs Extra Light)

That was the order of the first-round matchups.

The opening match was between Team RWBY and Team ABRN.

- Well, well! Looks like we're in for a spectacular first match! - Came the enthusiastic voice of one of the commentators, Professor Peter Port. - Isn't that, Professor?!

- Doctor, - His partner corrected irritably, Doctor Bartholomew Oobleck. - And yes, Peter, though it's just the opener, this 4v4 fight is already shaping up to be an exciting one!

- Welcome, everyone, to the Amity Arena! - Port took over again. - For those unfamiliar with the rules, allow us to quickly review them!

- The tournament, - Oobleck began in his usual rapid-fire pace. - is divided into three rounds: team, doubles, and singles. Fame and influence mean nothing here. The only thing that matters is skill.

- Exactly! - Port agreed. - The winners of the 4v4 match choose two members to compete in the doubles round. From there, one victor advances to the singles round, where it's every fighter for themselves. In the end, a single champion remains, representing not just their team, but their entire kingdom.

- And, - Oobleck added. - the upcoming matches promise to be absolutely spectacular. I think it's safe to say no one on Remnant would dare disagree.

- And why is that? - Port asked with mock sarcasm. - But now, let's get back to our opening match between Beacon's own Team RWBY and Haven's Team ABRN!

The battlefield shifted, one half transformed into an ice field, full of ice crystals, while the other became a volcanic rockscape. Both teams fought fiercely, but in the end, Team RWBY emerged victorious. Weiss formed an ice ramp, which Yang used to slide across at high speed. Blake, with her Gumbo Shroud, and Ruby, using her Crescent Rose, gave her an extra boost, allowing Yang to knock out the remaining members of ABRN with a single explosive strike.

- And that's it! - Port shouted. - Team RWBY is victorious!

- You were awesome! - Lance rushed over from Team LLMM to congratulate them. The others quickly joined him.

- That was a knockout, literally! - Lynda laughed.

- Thank goodness we didn't have to face you first. - Mike added with a relieved sigh.

- We nailed it! - Yang cheered, pulling Ruby into a happy hug.

- Coordinated. - Weiss noted, trying to keep her tone official, though the joy on her face gave her away.

- Wanna hit the food stands? - Ruby asked as soon as she wiggled free of her sister's grip. - Your match isn't for a while.

- Fine by me, I skipped breakfast anyway. - Lance shrugged.

- I could always eat. - Mike declared enthusiastically.

- Yeah, I'm ready to wolf something down too! - Lynda joked. Yang burst out laughing, but the others just looked tired.

- I know, I know, dog faunus, not wolf, but still... - She tried to defend her pun. - What about you, Mandy?

The fox faunus girl was staring off into space.

- Huh? - She snapped back when Lynda's question finally reached her. - I'll pass… But if you all want to go, let's go.

- Settled then. - Lance concluded. - Let's grab some food with Team RWBY and come back in time for our match.

They boarded one of the shuttlecraft that connected the arena to the festival grounds. The festival was loud and colorful, with dozens of food and drink stalls, merchant stands, and a bustling crowd.

- Hurry… - Ruby groaned. - I'm starving…

- I could eat a little. - Blake said confidently, then immediately blushed as her stomach growled loudly enough to turn heads.

- Gee, if only there were a place to get food… - Weiss deadpanned as they walked through the booths. - Oh wait, I forgot, we're at a festival.

- No worries, Weiss. - Ruby said sincerely, patting her on the shoulder. - Sometimes I forget it's a festival too.

- That was sarcasm, you fishy sandwich!

- If you're hungry, you should've just said so!

- Come on, I know the perfect spot! - Yang announced and led the way to a familiar noodle stall, already emitting mouthwatering aromas.

- Mmm… - Mandy's ears twitched as she heard a Scroll ringing. - You're ringing. - She said to Weiss, who pulled out her Scroll with a scowl and rejected the call without a word.

- Who was that?

- No one! - She snapped and quickly followed the others.

- Hey! - A familiar voice called out. - You'll need this! - Emerald from Team CMEE jogged up, holding a wallet.

- Uh-oh… - Ruby patted her pockets, then looked up in horror.

- Good to see you, Ruby. - Emerald smiled as she handed it over.

- Thanks, Emerald! I must've dropped it… Girl pockets are the worst!

- What's up, Em? - Yang joined them.

- Just came down from the arena after watching your awesome match! You guys were amazing!

- Oh… - Ruby blushed, waving dismissively as the others gathered around.

- I heard you're up next. - Blake noted.

- Don't see your teammates. - Weiss added.

- How'd your match go? - Yang asked curiously.

Emerald paused, recalling how she, Cinder, Mercury, and Neo had ruthlessly dismantled Team JTKS.

- Pretty well. - She said at last, firmly.

- Awesome! - Ruby smiled. - Why don't we all grab some food together?

- Oh, that's sweet… - Emerald looked around nervously. She spotted Mercury fiddling with something at a leather stand, Neo, disguised, sipping tea, and Cinder inspecting a belt. - But my teammates… aren't really the sociable type.

- Oh, that's rough. - Yang nodded sympathetically.

- Anyway, Merc and I are going to represent our team in the doubles round. - Emerald said excitedly. - What about you guys?

- Well… - Ruby straightened up, trying to sound official. - As team leader, after long and careful deliberation, I decided that—

- We voted. - Weiss cut in flatly, making Ruby sweat and squirm.

- Yeah… but I suggested we have a vote! - Ruby tried to save face.

- We picked Weiss and Yang. - Blake stated simply.

- I'll be proud to represent Team RWBY. - Weiss said, curtseying elegantly.

- Yeah, we'll kick some butt! - Yang added, cracking her knuckles, making Emerald chuckle.

- Well, if we end up facing you, don't expect us to hold back!

- Wouldn't dream of it. - Yang replied, arms crossed.

- Alright, I'll catch you later. See ya! - Emerald waved and headed back toward her team.

- Have fun! - Ruby called after her.

Both teams sat down at the noodle stand Yang knew so well.

- One bowl of the usual! - Yang called, and within moments a massive serving of meat-and-sauce-covered noodles was placed in front of her.

- Whoa, I'll take one too! - Ruby shouted eagerly.

- Hm… - Weiss hesitated. - Do you have something low-calorie—

Before she could finish, another bowl of noodles slid in front of her.

- Okay then.

Blake didn't need to speak. The owner recognized her, one nod, and moments later a giant bowl of grilled fish was placed in front of her. Blake stared at the food, eyes sparkling, practically drooling.

- I'll have one of those noodles too. - Lance said, seeing how good it looked. His order arrived instantly.

- I'll take two. - Mike declared, and immediately received two full bowls.

- Is this chicken? - Lynda asked, but didn't wait for an answer, her bowl was already there. - Yup! - She confirmed, digging in.

- I'm not really... - Mandy began, clearly not hungry, but the vendor placed a bowl in front of her anyway.

- Try it, Mandy. - Lance encouraged her. - It's really good.

- I… - She tried to respond, but suddenly a harsh beeping noise came from the register.

- What?! - Weiss snapped. - My card got declined?! I've barely used my monthly limit!

Without a word, the vendor removed the grilled fish from Blake's tray. She stared at it, heartbroken, tears practically welling in her eyes.

- Want me to pay? - Lance offered, holding up his own card.

- Oh, you don't have to— - Yang began, but Blake snapped:

- Let him!

- Mind if we join you? - Came the voice of Team JNPR as they approached, just before their match.

In the end, Lance paid not just for himself, but for all of Team RWBY's lunch as well. Team JNPR sat down too. The vendor didn't even ask for orders, he just placed the same giant bowls of noodles in front of them as well.

Everyone was stuffed, some maybe a bit too much. Except Mandy, who barely touched her food.

- You feeling okay? - Lynda asked sleepily, dazed from overeating.

- Why do you ask? - Mandy shot back, her tone cold.

- Chicken's been a dog's favorite meal since forever, and I know you're a fox, but it's the same family… I was just worried. - Lynda added.

- I just don't wanna be bloated before the match! - Mandy snapped, then stood up and left without another word.

- What's her problem? - Yang asked, watching the girl leave.

- Not sure. - Lance shrugged. - She's been unusually quiet since we got here. Even more closed off than usual.

- Maybe she's just nervous about the match. - Lynda offered.

- She shouldn't be. - Pyrrha said kindly, rising from her seat. - We'll fight fair and square. It's a regulated match, not terrorists or madmen.

- She's right. - Yang agreed. - We've faced worse.

- Let's see… - Blake started counting. - Grimm invasion, terrorists, crime bosses…

- And we're still just first-years! - Ruby beamed. - Imagine how cool we'll be by the time we graduate!

- Maybe then I'll be able to pay for my own lunch. - Weiss muttered bitterly.

- We've done our share too. - Lance chimed in. - We fought terrorists and Grimm too, and even helped free a cursed ancient knight.

- We'll wipe the floor with you! - Lynda teased, giving RWBY a cocky look.

- Where and when?! - Yang instantly fired back. - Don't bark unless you bite!

- Team JNPR, please report to the Arena, immediately! - Port's voice rang from the speakers.

- We agreed on that minutes ago! - Oobleck's irritated reply echoed.

- Well then… - Pyrrha gestured to her teammates. - It's time.

- Good luck! - Ruby called after them.

- We'd better not miss it either. - Lance said, gesturing for his own team to get up and head toward the stands.

Team CMEE had already returned to the Arena. The next phase of their plan wasn't due just yet, so for now, they could enjoy the next match.

- I wonder who's going to win. - Mercury mused, lounging with a giant tub of popcorn. Neo simply waved dismissively, elegantly spooning parfait into her mouth.

- As if we don't already know. - Emerald rolled her eyes.

- Oh come now. - Cinder said as she plucked a kernel from Mercury's tub. With a spark of golden energy between her fingers, she popped it into fresh popcorn. - Even if we know how a story ends… doesn't mean it can't be entertaining. - She popped it into her mouth with a smirk.

The next match was between Team JNPR and Team BRNZ. The battlefield was split into two distinct zones: one side became a dense forest, the other transformed into a rocky mountain region with storm clouds gathering above.

Most of the spectators were rooting for JNPR, especially because of Pyrrha Nikos, who was already considered a living legend at Beacon. But it wasn't just Pyrrha's prowess that led to their victory. Jaune's quick thinking, Nora's powerful Semblance, Ren's speed and ingenuity, and the team's seamless coordination all contributed to a solid win for Team JNPR.

Next came Team NDGO, an all-girl squad from Vacuo, versus Team SSSN, an all-male group from Mistral. Even Weiss found herself cheering for Neptune… until she saw how smugly he was behaving around the other girls. After that, she quickly switched sides.

The battlefield transformed again: one side became a barren, rocky desert, while the other featured a sandy beach with a ship anchored offshore. This proved to be a critical detail, Neptune had a deep fear of water. He was hydrophobic.

The match began evenly, but once the fighting moved closer to the shoreline, Neptune completely withdrew, putting SSSN at a disadvantage. Sage was taken out early, making things worse.

Scarlet held out as long as he could, but he too was eliminated. NDGO looked poised to claim victory, until Sun's relentless encouragement finally pushed Neptune to confront his fear. Though he stayed at a distance, he used his electric trident to strike the water, sending a powerful shockwave that knocked out the entire NDGO team at once.

Then came the showdown between Team LLMM and Team VERF, both representing Vale.

The members of Team VERF:

Vivio Takamachi, the team leader, 157cm tall, blonde hair tied into a side ponytail with a blue ribbon, green eyes. She wielded dual nunchaku.

Einhart Stratos, 162cm tall, long light green hair, blue eyes, surprisingly muscular for her age. She used dual revolvers.

Rinne Berlinetta, 160 cm tall, silver-haired, blue-eyed, and a master of tonfa combat.

Fuuka R. Bucksworth, 155 cm tall, short brown hair, blue eyes. She fought with twin katanas.

- Oh come on… - Lynda smirked confidently as she drew her blades. - We have to fight a team of lolis?

- Watch your mouth, or you'll be screaming soon enough! - Fuuka snapped, twirling her katanas.

- Mouthy little brats. - Mandy grumbled, stringing her bow.

- If you underestimate us, you'll regret it, foxy-girl! - Rinne shouted, spinning her tonfas.

- And disrespectful too. - Mike added as he prepared to unleash the "What the Heck."

- I'll use your fat *ss as target practice! - Einhart jeered as she cocked her revolvers.

- And childish. - Lance said calmly, drawing his sword and raising his shield.

- I'll break your arms and legs, then we'll see who's childish! - Vivio snarled, twirling her nunchaku at lightning speed.

The battlefield once again split into two zones: one half a frozen ice field, the other a sandy beach.

- 3! 2! 1! Fight! - The announcers called, and the battle between LLMM and VERF began.

Chapter Text

Team VERF struck first: Rinne and Fuuka came from the right, while Vivio and Einhart attacked from the left. Team LLMM immediately took up defensive positions. Lance reshaped his shield into a rectangular form, and the crest on it shifted accordingly: now a golden rook stood in place of the previous pawn. Three long, pointed spikes extended from the front. He turned his sword into a spear and aimed it forward.

Mandy drew her bow and fired an arrow at Einhart. Lynda went after Fuuka with her blades, while Mike locked eyes with Rinne. Lance, meanwhile, chose to face off against Team VERF's captain.

- This is going to be a fiery showdown! - Professor Port exclaimed with enthusiasm. - Team VERF's fierce and behaviorally challenged little ladies are not to be underestimated. Exceptional melee and ranged combat skills, plus a strong fighting spirit!

- However, - Added Oobleck. - despite their name, Team LLMM is one of Vale's most outstanding and experienced squads. Their teamwork and tactical insight are remarkable.

Einhart dodged the arrow and returned fire with her revolvers, but Mandy used her Semblance to blink out of the line of fire, teleporting behind her opponent. She fired again, this time the arrow split into three mid-flight. Einhart managed to dodge the main shot, but one of the split arrows struck her, draining her aura.

- Oho! - Port laughed. - Ms. Stratos just realized the trick behind Ms. Forester's arrows, they split after release, increasing their coverage!

- And further, - Oobleck continued. - Mandy's Semblance, 'Blink,' allows her to teleport anywhere within a limited radius at will.

Einhart fired again in frustration, but Mandy was too quick. She teleported again. Einhart spun, expecting her behind, but instead, a hard kick slammed into the back of her neck, driving her face-first into the sand.

Meanwhile, Mike was engaged with Rinne. He loaded a fire Dust crystal into 'What the Heck' and unleashed a barrage of explosive rounds. Rinne blocked them in a flash with her tonfas, then morphed her weapons into SMGs and opened fire. Mike raised his shield, deflecting the shots, and counterattacked.

- Ah, Mr. Birmingh's weapon, 'What the Heck,' is a tricky and underestimated device, - Port explained. - allowing its user to generate any tool needed in battle.

- And these tools can be enhanced with various Dust crystals. - Oobleck added.

This time, Mike loaded ice Dust and launched massive iceballs toward Rinne. She dodged with elegant movements, but one knocked her off balance, and five more slammed into her, depleting her aura further.

- Hoho! Looks like Ms. Berlinetta's in for a frosty barrage!

Furious, Rinne leapt up and shattered the iceballs with her tonfas. But she didn't notice Mike preparing a new attack with rock Dust. He fired a familiar boxing glove, this time made of stone. Rinne dodged at the last second, grinning smugly.

Lynda and Fuuka were dueling on the ship's mast. The two girls moved like lightning, only flashes of claws and katanas could be seen. Fuuka attacked fiercely, forcing Lynda back to the mast's edge. But suddenly, Lynda tripped her, and Fuuka plummeted to the deck in surprise.

She wasn't done. Fuuka sprang up and resumed attacking. Lynda jumped down and landed two strong strikes before Fuuka retaliated wildly.

By now, Lynda had read her opponent's aggressive style. She blinked to the side with her Semblance, kicked Fuuka in the stomach, and launched her off the ship, straight into the water.

- Uh-oh! Ms. Bucksworth's getting an unexpected bath!

- And Lynda's giving a rather aggressive rinse!

Lance and Vivio fought on the icy side of the field. Lance was at a disadvantage: while his defense was strong, the slippery surface made movement difficult, especially against Vivio's telekinetic attacks.

- A balanced duel between Mr. Pendragon and Ms. Takamachi. - Port observed.

- Indeed, - Oobleck agreed. - Vivio's Semblance is telekinesis, allowing her to move objects via aura. Lance's shield, Scarlet Rook, is highly resistant to Dust and Semblance-based attacks. Vivio can shove him a bit using the ice, but I doubt she'll break through. Lance must stay behind his shield to avoid Vivio's full force.

Vivio kept her distance. Lance, only partially in control on the ice, reshaped Golden Sting into a sword, stabbed it into the ground, and used it to advance steadily.

When close enough, Vivio dropped her telekinesis and unleashed a storm of nunchaku strikes. Lance didn't retreat, he kept pushing forward behind his shield. Vivio leapt, trying to get behind him. She landed a blow on his back, but the armor absorbed it. The second strike he blocked with his sword, the third with his shield, now face to face again. Lance turned his weapon into a spear and forced Vivio to back off.

Einhart charged forward, determined to take Mandy down no matter what. She fired wildly, like a beast in a frenzy. Mandy couldn't plan a proper counter, until a stone boxing glove hit Einhart from the side, launching her out of bounds. She stared in shock, realizing it was one of Mike's stray shots.

- Oof, that's gotta hurt! - Port shouted. - A powerful right hook for Ms. Stratos!

- Well now, Ms. Forester and Mr. Birmingh accidentally pulled off a team combo! - Oobleck added.

Mandy leapt onto Mike's shoulder. He recognized her as an ally, not an attacker. He loaded fire Dust and gave Mandy a round as well. Both fired in sync, Mike's cannon and Mandy's bow lighting up with flames.

Rinne deflected Mike's rounds with her tonfas, dodged or deflected Mandy's arrows, but that was the plan. The barrage herded her onto the icy side of the arena, where the heat and ice created thick steam, obscuring visibility.

- A steamy sauna for Ms. Berlinetta, but at least her pores are clean! - Joked Port.

Mandy leapt off Mike's shoulder, stowed her bow, and drew her daggers, engaging Rinne in close combat. Though Rinne pushed her back, she didn't notice the incoming missile Mike had fired. Mandy teleported just before impact. Rinne dodged, but Mandy pounced from above, kicking her straight into the missile's path. It hit her full on, her aura shattered, and she crashed out of bounds, landing on Einhart.

- If that's not teamwork, dear viewers, I don't know what is! - Oobleck exclaimed.

Lynda didn't hesitate, she dove into the water after Fuuka, where their duel continued. Lynda attacked from multiple directions using her Semblance. Fuuka could barely block. With a clever move, Lynda kicked one sword away, Fuuka fell into the water again.

- Still got something to scream about?! - Lynda taunted.

Fuuka, fuming and breathless, attacked again, but Lynda dodged with ease, disarmed her, and delivered a spinning kick that sent her flying into the water for the third time. The scoreboard signaled her aura had dropped to zero, eliminated.

- Don't hold your breath! - Lynda quipped.

- Seems Ms. Bucksworth has been overwhelmed by saltwater and rage. - Port noted.

- Neither is good for your health. - Oobleck added.

Vivio still fought Lance. Neither could gain the upper hand. She tried to get behind him again and used her Semblance, but her body was suddenly enveloped in blue light, and she collapsed. She had drained all her aura.

- Looks like Ms. Takamachi has completely exhausted herself against Mr. Pendragon. - Oobleck observed.

- One of Lance's signature tactics is draining his enemies through relentless defense. - Port added.

Lance smiled faintly, sheathed his weapon, and tossed a huge ice block at Vivio, missing her by inches.

- That should cool you off a bit. - He remarked.

- We were awesome! - Lynda beamed, and the whole LLMM team hugged in celebration.

- That was almost too easy. - Mandy added, her mood visibly improved.

The crowd cheered, except for one man whose expression didn't change: Lance's father, Uther Pendragon. He watched the match sternly. Even after his son's victory, he offered only a grim glare. He knew he'd have to return the next day for the doubles round.

- Who should go to the doubles round? - Lynda asked as they left the arena.

- How about you and Lance? - Mandy suggested.

- I mean, I'm not thrilled you didn't even consider me, - Mike chimed in. - but… that's actually a good idea.

- Are you sure? - Lance asked hesitantly. - I mean, you and Mike are really in sync.

- Maybe, - Mandy said firmly. - but the next round will pit you against much stronger teams.

- She's right. - Lynda agreed. - We might be up against RWBY team or JNPR.

- Then it's settled, - Lance nodded. - Lynda and I will go.

- I hope you get Team JNPR. - Mike grinned. - It'd be fun to finally see you fight Pyrrha.

- Long overdue. - Mandy added.

For the rest of the day, Team LLMM didn't have to fight again. Lance removed his armor, and they joined the audience near the RWBY and JNPR teams.

Weiss was staring toward a landing aircraft, surprised.

- She's here! - She exclaimed excitedly and ran toward the landing pad.

- Who? - Ruby asked, confused.

- I'm curious too. - Lance said and followed them.

Weiss ran all the way to the ramp as the aircraft landed, with Ruby and Lance right behind her.

- Weiss, what's going on?! - Ruby called. - Who is it?!

- You're unusually excited. - Lance noted.

- Winter. - Weiss said in awe.

A woman in her twenties appeared at the top of the ramp. Her white hair was tied up in a formal bun, elegantly framing her face. She wore an Atlas military officer's uniform, with a long, thin sword at her side. It was clear she was related to Weiss.

- Your sister? - Ruby guessed.

- Obviously. - Lance answered.

- WINTER! - Weiss shouted. The woman turned from her robotic soldiers and walked toward them.

- I'm so happy to see you! - Weiss nearly forgot herself but quickly switched to a formal tone. - I mean, your presence is an honor to us. - She curtsied.

- Beacon… - Winter said as she looked around. - It's been a long time. The landing strip looks different than I remember.

- It's fall. - Ruby guessed. - So… it might be a little chillier.

Weiss slapped her in the back of her head. Lance laughed, until Weiss elbowed him too.

- So… what brings you here? - She asked, more politely this time.

- That's classified. - Winter replied coolly.

- Right… and how long will you stay?

- Also classified.

- Of course…

An awkward silence fell. Ruby tried to break it:

- Well this… is nice. I guess.

- Awkward silence. - Lance muttered.

- You're going to love it here! - Weiss said enthusiastically. - It's so different from Atlas! The government and military are separate! Can you believe that?

- I'm aware of how this kingdom handles its… bureaucracy. - Winter said, shooting a disdainful glance at Lance before turning back to her sister. - But that's not why I came.

- Yes… I'm sorry.

- And I didn't come to watch my sister fail so spectacularly. But I had no choice.

- But… we won.

- Only an amateur would call that a victory. I spotted three fatal errors. - She turned to her soldiers. - Leave us.

The robots backed off. Winter's expression softened.

- How are you?

- Great! - Weiss brightened. - My grades are excellent, I'm ranked among the best, and—

Winter bonked her on the head, leaving a bump.

- Enough, fool! - Then, more gently: - I didn't ask about your grades. Are you okay? Are you eating? Do you have any hobbies? Made any friends?

- Well… - Weiss hesitated, then pointed to Ruby and Lance. - This is Ruby and Lance. - Ruby quickly flattened the bump on Weiss' head.

- I see. - Winter looked them over. - You're Uther Pendragon's son, from the Vale Council. - She said to Lance. - I hope you're not like him.

Lance narrowed his eyes but didn't respond.

- And you're the leader Weiss wrote about? - She asked Ruby. - You seem suitable.

- Uh… thanks? - Ruby blinked.

- Pleased to meet you, Lancelot Pendragon and Ruby Rose. Thank you for befriending my sister.

- Ruby's much more her friend. - Lance remarked.

- Yes, of course! - Ruby tried to sound formal. - I strive… to fulfill my… duties!

She attempted a curtsy but almost tripped. Lance caught her, while Weiss facepalmed.

- I have a meeting with the General and your Headmaster, - Winter said. - but since I arrived early… how about showing me where you live?

Really?! - Weiss lit up.

- Yes. - Winter nodded and began walking with her soldiers. - I want to see if it meets my personal standards.

- Of course! Just a heads-up, the bunk beds can be a bit unstable.

Winter stopped, frowning in confusion.

- Bunk… beds?

- See ya... - Ruby tried to correct herself. - I mean, it was a pleasure meeting you… I hope we can repeat it… at a… gathering?

- Don't bother. - Lance patted her shoulder. - You're not fooling anyone.

- But I'm trying!

- Did you see Weiss's face when she saw her sister?

- Like she got hit by lightning.

Then they noticed a crowd gathering in the courtyard, and the sound of a fight rang out.

- What's going on there? - Lance asked, but Ruby had already rushed ahead.

- I hate when she does that. - Lance muttered.

By the time Lance pushed through the crowd, he saw Winter locked in battle with a strange man. Their skill level far surpassed what they'd seen in the arena or on missions. Half the courtyard was in ruins, and the crowd alternated cheers between them.

The man was tall, with short, spiky hair, red eyes, stubble, a gray coat, red cape, black pants and shoes, a cross necklace, and a massive sword on his back.

Winter and the man clashed fiercely. At one point, the man sheathed his weapon and taunted her with a gesture. Winter, furious, summoned a massive glyph and charged him.

- SCHNEE! - A voice boomed. General Ironwood stepped forward, Penny at his side.

- General, sir! - Winter stopped immediately and saluted.

- What the hell are you doing?!

- He initiated the altercation! - Winter reported.

- That's not true. - The man shrugged. - She attacked first.

- Is that correct? - Ironwood asked sternly.

Winter looked ashamed. The General surveyed the shocked students, then turned to the man.

- And you? What are you doing here?

- I could ask you the same.

Before he could answer, Ozpin and Goodwitch arrived.

- If you want to fight again, there's a floating arena above the academy. - Ozpin noted. - It has seats. And popcorn.

- Disperse! - Goodwitch ordered to the gathered students, while she fixed the ruined courtyard. - There's nothing to see here!

Lance pushed through just in time to see Ruby hanging onto the man's arm.

- Whoa… is that your dad? - He asked. - Mr. Rose?

- Pfft! - Ruby laughed. - No way! That's Uncle Qrow!

- Huh, - Qrow sighed, hiding his disappointment. - Qrow Branwen. Professional Huntsman.

- Sorry, it's just, the cloak, the weapon, the attitude—

- And the recklessness. - Weiss added.

- Qrow. - Ozpin called. - A moment, please.

- Guess I'm in trouble. - Qrow muttered to Ruby.

- A little. You did wreck the courtyard.

- True. - He winked and fist-bumped her. - Catch you later, kid. - Then he followed Ozpin.

- So he's your dad's brother? - Lance asked.

- No. He's Yang's mom's brother.

- Okay… - Lance shook his head. - Let's get this straight. So, you and Yang are half-sisters.

- Yep.

- Same dad, different moms.

- Exactly.

- And Qrow… is Yang's mother's brother.

- Right. Not my uncle by blood, but he's always been there. He taught me how to fight, helped me build Crescent Rose. He showed me what being a Huntress means.

- And he visits often?

- Mostly sends money. But yeah, he was around a lot. Theme parks, movies, the zoo…

Ruby happily skipped back toward the dorm. Lance and Weiss stood awkwardly.

- She really doesn't know, does she? - Weiss said.

- You think Qrow is her father too? - Lance asked.

- Why else would he raise his sister's ex-husband's child from another woman?

That night, everyone went to sleep. The rest of the Vytal Festival matches concluded:

CFVY (Vale) defeated GRRN (Mistral)

CRDL (Vale) narrowly beat PRPL (Atlas)

FNKI (Atlas) easily won against YTTH (Vale)

PNCL (Atlas) dominated XLLL (Vacuo)

The nine teams advancing:

RWBY (Vale)

CMEE (Mistral)

JNPR (Vale)

SSSN (Mistral)

LLMM (Vale)

CFVY (Vale)

CRDL (Vale)

FNKI (Atlas)

PNCL (Atlas)

Each had to select two members for the upcoming doubles round.

Chapter Text

The next day, the Vytal Tournament continued with the doubles round. Just as many spectators had gathered as the day before, cheering passionately for the competitors. Team RWBY, JNPR, and LLMM were all present, with the crowd cheering them on just as loudly.

Lance once again spotted his father on the far side of the arena, arms crossed, a scowl on his face, eyes closed as if he didn't even care to watch the matches.

"How generous of him to even show up.", Lance thought bitterly.

His father had never hidden his disdain for Huntsmen, what they stood for,and especially for Headmaster Ozpin. What had made him the angriest was when Lance announced he wanted to become a Huntsman.

Lance still remembered how much his father had opposed the decision. But instead of stopping him, he'd only said:

"You'll learn the hard way. And when you finally realize what a mistake you made, I'll be here, waiting for you to admit I was right."

So far, there had been no sign that his father was right. In fact, Lance felt like he had finally found his path the moment he joined Team LLMM.

The first doubles match of the day was between Team CFVY and Team CMEE. From CFVY, Coco and Yatsuhashi stepped onto the field; from CMEE, it was Emerald and Mercury. The arena had been divided into four sections this time: tall grass, ruined cityscape, geyser field, and forest.

Both sides appeared confident, but neither charged in right away once the match began. CMEE disappeared into the tall grass, which Coco promptly mowed down with her minigun, only to find that her enemies had already vanished.

Mercury held his own for a while against both opponents, but Emerald seized the opportunity to hook Coco with her chain scythe and pull her into the forest, isolating her for a one-on-one fight, leaving Mercury to face Yatsuhashi.

For a time, Yatsuhashi had the upper hand thanks to his physical strength, but Mercury's speed ultimately proved superior, he knocked the larger boy out with a powerful kick.

Coco fared no better: the trees gave Emerald perfect cover, and with the aid of an illusion, she managed to get behind Coco and knock her out as well.

The next match featured Team PNCL versus Team CRDL. Penny and Ciel stepped forward for PNCL, while Russel and Sky represented CRDL.

This fight was over before it even began. The CRDL members were utterly helpless against Penny's incredible power. Ciel impatiently tapped her watch, signaling "Time's up!", which dampened Penny's enthusiasm a bit, but she quickly eliminated the opponents.

The next match was far more dramatic: Yang and Weiss of Team RWBY versus Flynt and Neon of Team FNKI.

Tension was high even before the match started. Flynt held a personal grudge against Weiss, the Schnee Company had driven his father's business into bankruptcy, and he made sure she knew just how much he despised her. Neon taunted Yang, mocking her figure and aggressive nature.

Their strategy worked: RWBY's members took the bait and charged into the fight, furious. The battlefield was once again split into four zones: volcanic, ruined city, geysers, and desert.

FNKI aimed to split them up. Flynt kept Weiss occupied with soundwaves while Neon continued to provoke Yang. Their plan faltered in two places: Flynt underestimated Weiss and rushed off to help Neon too soon. Yang, meanwhile, held her ground, and when Flynt activated his Semblance, the "Killer Quartet", Weiss blasted him into a volcano. She was out. Flynt remained, but now Yang snapped.

There was no stopping her then, her sheer rage and pure strength was enough to overpower both enemies. Neon was launched into a geyser that sent her flying, and Yang finished her off with a single shot.

A brief intermission followed as the organizers decided what to do with the final three teams, since an odd number remained.

Team JNPR and Team SSSN stayed at the festival grounds beneath the arena while they waited for the decision, which didn't take long. Since RWBY had already finished their match, they were allowed to return to the academy to rest.

From Team LLMM, Lance, Lynda, and Mike also headed down to the festival to enjoy the fun with JNPR and SSSN. Mandy, however, stayed behind, claiming she had to meet someone.

Her stomach was in knots. After the match against Team VERF, she had realized just how deeply she had bonded with the members of Team LLMM, and now she was experiencing real physical symptoms from the stress.

She went to the bathroom, locked herself in a stall, and started throwing up. When she was done, she collapsed to the floor, trembling. After gathering herself, she flushed, exited the stall and washed her face. A few other girls watched her warily, she was pale, sweating, and short of breath.

- I'm fine... just ate something bad. - She muttered, drying her face with a paper towel.

Looking in the mirror, she recalled who she had been when she first arrived at Beacon: confident, determined, driven by vengeance, ready to do anything for her people. Now she was a shadow of that girl, scared, trembling, filled with doubt.

She slapped her cheeks lightly.

"Pull it together. It's too late to back out now."

She pulled out her Scroll and opened a photo: a group picture of Team LLMM. Lance was laughing, Lynda was licking her finger and sticking it into Mike's ear, who recoiled in disgust, and Mandy was giggling at the scene. A real smile, honest, surrounded by friends.

Her green eyes filled with tears. Her heart ached. She hugged the Scroll to her chest and thought:

"I wish I could go back to that moment. I never thought I'd make friends at this academy. I thought I'd hate every second. I was wrong. I thought I'd have more time…"

She left the bathroom and found a quiet bench where she wouldn't be disturbed. There, she started scrolling through the image folder Mike had sent her. Photos from the fishing trip, successful exams, the Torchwick exposure, the eastern mountain mission… all of it.

"And now all these moments will just be memories. Ones only I'll carry. Because if the plan works, they..."

The thought made her cry again.

But she couldn't stop. She couldn't turn back.

She put away the Scroll, stood up, and walked toward the student locker warehouse.

One of the White Fang soldiers, disguised as a spectator, wordlessly handed her a bag. They exchanged no words. Mandy knew exactly what she had to do.

Inside the warehouse, rows of student lockers stood, storing weapons, Dust, and personal items. Mandy could identify whose was whose by scent. She had memorized the codes earlier, and now opened the right locker with ease. The bag went inside. With a swift motion, she closed the door.

Then she walked out of the warehouse and rejoined the others at the festival.

Team LLMM, JNPR, and SSSN were already heading down via an earlier transport.

- How do you think they'll decide it? - Sun asked, arms behind his head, looking up at the sky.

- Maybe all three teams will fight at once, and only one moves on. - Mike guessed.

- Now that would be awesome! - Lynda's eyes lit up. - Imagine it, me, Lance, Sun, Neptune, Pyrrha, and Nora in one huge, all-or-nothing battle!

- That does sound fun. - Pyrrha laughed.

- We'll wipe the floor with you! - Nora declared confidently.

They were all on edge, waiting for the final pairing announcement, when their transport landed and they disembarked onto the festival grounds.

But then Lance saw someone he never expected. His father, Uther Pendragon, was waving him over.

- Hey, guys, - Lance said. - my dad wants to talk to me. Go on ahead, I'll catch up.

- Don't be long, buddy. - Sun called with a grin. - We've got partying to do!

Lance trudged over to Uther, head lowered.

- What do you want, Dad? - He asked, as if biting into a lemon.

- Ozpin loves messing with me. - Uther grumbled as he hobbled over, popping some pills. - He deliberately put your team last so I'd be stuck here longer.

- Always sunshine and rainbows with you. - Lance replied dryly.

- We haven't really talked since you enrolled. - His father noted, gesturing toward a coffee stand.

- You've been avoiding me whenever I'm home. You don't answer my messages, and you don't want to meet my friends.

- I wouldn't blame you for being angry. - Uther said as they sat. Lance ordered coffee, Uther took tea.

- Dad, when you insulted Grandpa, you insulted me too. He was a hero, even if no one wants to acknowledge it.

- I won't take back what I said. One day, you'll understand what a fool he was. - He sipped his tea. - So? How are you? Still enjoying the Huntsman life?

- Yeah. I'm doing great. - Lance smiled. - Your prediction didn't come true.

- Yet. - Uther said with a smirk.

- And you? How's your heart?

- Still ticking. Gotta avoid stress, though.

- I'm glad. I don't want to end up an orphan.

- Really? The way we act, you'd think you'd be happy if I keeled over.

- I don't want anything bad to happen to you, Dad.

- Same to you, son.

- So why did you want to talk to me?

Uther raised his head. Lance knew his father too well, it wasn't just small talk.

- Something's coming. I can feel it. We should leave the city for a while.

- What are you talking about? We can't leave the academy! And if there is danger, it's our duty to protect the city!

- I'm not leaving you behind. If you stay, I stay too. - Uther sipped his tea. - But if you fight like a pawn, you'll die like one. Without even knowing why. Or realizing you had a choice.

- If you're hinting at something, just say it.

- Ozpin is hiding something.

- What are you talking about?

- Why do you think the Atlas army is here? Why are two elite Huntsmen, Winter Schnee and Qrow Branwen, in town? What exactly is Ozpin protecting this city from?

Lance stared at his father, angry, but said nothing.

- You know this isn't normal. I came to warn you: be careful who you trust.

Uther stood, left his empty cup, and limped away toward the academy.

Lance just sat there, silently chewing on his father's words, before heading back to rejoin his friends.

- Hey, look who finally showed up! - Lynda waved in surprise when she spotted Mandy joining the others, smiling, laughing, enjoying herself like she hadn't in weeks.

- What got into you, Mandy? - Lance teased. - Did your fun switch finally flip?

But Mandy didn't respond with a glare or her usual biting sarcasm. She just laughed and answered cheerfully:

- Something like that.

In truth, she wanted to spend one last, perfect day with her friends. A day to laugh, to be together, while it was still possible. Because she knew,once they returned to the arena, everything would change.

First, Mandy played a balloon-popping game with Lynda, three throws to pop as many balloons as possible. Mandy won, and Lynda grumbled in frustration, claiming it was just dumb luck.

She then faced off against Sun in a balance beam challenge, but lost. Sun easily won and teased her with a big grin.

Next up was a dance-off, where Jaune beat her thanks to his training, growing up with seven sisters, it was about survival, as he said. In the hammer toss, Nora easily outmatched Mandy with her superhuman strength. And in a pancake-flipping contest, Ren won handily, his pancake tower put Mandy's lumpy attempts to shame.

Still, Mandy racked up a few wins of her own: she beat Pyrrha in apple-bobbing, Mike in a puzzle game, Neptune in ping-pong, and even managed to defeat Lance in air hockey.

They all laughed, teased each other, and each moment was filled with genuine joy. For Mandy, every second was precious.

But the most memorable moment of the day was the sapling planting ceremony. Team JNPR had suggested that each four-member Huntsman trainee team plant a tree at the edge of the Friendship Forest, so they could return years later and remember their student days.

It was an old tradition followed by all academies.

Many trees already stood at the forest's edge, some fully grown, others still young. Each one had a plaque with the team's name and four small stones painted with the teammates' handprints in their colors.

Mandy noticed that RWBY and JNPR had already planted theirs the day before. LLMM hadn't done it yet, because she hadn't been there.

Now was the time.

Lance dipped his hand in red paint and pressed it onto one of the stones. Lynda used white, Mike used yellow, and Mandy used purple.

They chose the same colors as Team RWBY.

They took a group photo, smiling around the tiny tree.

- How about we visit it every year? - Mike suggested.

- Of course we will! - Lynda said, proudly placing the "LLMM" plaque in front of the sapling.

- This will be our team's symbol. - Lance said, looking between the young tree and the larger ones surrounding it. - Strong and united.

- Let's hope so… - Mandy whispered, and something broke inside her again as she stared at the little tree. She knew the others might never see it again.

"I'm sorry… I don't think I'll ever see you again."

Uther Pendragon had a good reason to descend from the arena before the final match. He needed to speak with Ozpin. Lately, the Atlas military had increasingly taken over law enforcement in Vale, and even though he'd protested the absurd budget being spent on the Vytal Festival, Ozpin hadn't listened to a word.

Uther had no real power, within the Kingdom, academy headmasters held the highest authority, and even the city Council answered to them.

So he decided it was time to visit Ozpin personally and demand some answers. What exactly was going on?

He stepped into the elevator and waited patiently as it rose to the headmaster's office. When the doors opened with a chime, the first person he saw was Qrow, standing beside Ozpin.

- Well well, - Qrow said, arms crossed. - we called for a girl, and the Black Pawn showed up instead.

- Spare me your lousy jokes, you walking bad omen. - Uther snapped. The two men made no effort to hide their mutual contempt.

- I don't remember inviting you, Uther. - Qrow remarked.

- How may I help you? - Ozpin asked.

- You could start by giving me some answers. - Uther hobbled to the desk, sat down, and popped another dose of pills.

- I can't promise I'll be able to. - Ozpin replied.

- Try. - Uther said sharply. - I'll be honest, I thought we were at war again. Seeing that many troops around Vale… it's hard not to get confused. - He gave a dry chuckle.

- I was just about to file a complaint with Ironwood, asking his forces to step back from local law enforcement duties. - Ozpin said. - That's when I found out that the Council, without my knowledge or approval, removed you from the leadership of the kingdom.

- Well, if I'm so important that they didn't even bother asking me whether we should vote on who leads the kingdom… - Uther glanced out the window and saw the three massive Atlas airships, surrounded by dozens of smaller fighters whose firepower defied imagination. - Those airships are pretty cool though. Could level the whole city. Very impressive.

- On the way here, it hit me, we're not even in a war. And yet Ironwood shows up with a goddamn army. I highly doubt he brought it all just to watch the festival in person.

He leaned forward.

- So here's my question: why is Ironwood here, and why did he bring his army? Care to give me a real answer, Ozpin?

- Uther, - Ozpin said calmly, adjusting his glasses. - I understand this situation is difficult for you, but I assure you, I'm doing everything I can to preserve the peace in Vale. Ironwood's heart is in the right place… but he does tend to try and fix things on his own.

- Sometimes I wonder if he has a heart. - Qrow muttered.

- I get that, - Uther continued. - but people are scared, and I shouldn't have to explain what that leads to. What really bothers me, though, is that you still haven't answered the question. What's Ironwood doing here, and why did he bring an army?

Ozpin inhaled deeply and leaned forward.

- There are threats I cannot share with the public. Dangers the world would be better off never knowing, how close we've come to disaster.

Uther scoffed.

- Feels like we're talking past each other. But if I'm hearing you right… my father died because of one of those threats. One no one knew about, because someone decided silence was better.

- Uther, I can't tell you why Ironwood came here. And I can't tell you the real reason your father died. But what he did… it wasn't in vain. - Ozpin said quietly. - I know that's little comfort, but it's the truth.

- Then answer me this, - Uther said, standing his ground. - should I prepare the people for war? And if so, who will we be fighting?

- That won't be necessary. - Ozpin replied. - Not yet. We still have time.

- Same old story. Talking to you is like talking to a wall. You've lived too long, Ozpin. And the higher you climb… the further you fall.

Uther rose, gripped his cane, and headed for the elevator, just as the door opened again and Pyrrha Nikos stepped into the office.

- Good afternoon, Headmaster… - She greeted politely, then froze upon seeing the severe, imposing man before her.

- Uther Pendragon, from the Vale Council. - He introduced himself, offering a handshake.

- You're… Lance's father? - Pyrrha accepted the handshake politely, but Uther leaned closer and whispered in her ear:

- War is when bitter old people convince bright-eyed children to kill each other.

The girl instinctively pulled back as he let go.

- What… was that supposed to mean? - She asked uneasily after the elevator doors closed behind him.

- Don't worry, Miss Nikos. - Ozpin said reassuringly. - He's a good man… he's just endured too much.

Inside the closing elevator, Uther clenched his fist and stared ahead, seething.

"Arrogant fool."

The Vytal Festival continued, and the final decision was made for the last three teams. Since there was an odd number, only one more match could be held: two teams would fight, and the third would move on automatically.

Fate decided that the match would be between Team LLMM and Team SSSN, meaning Team JNPR would advance without a fight.

From LLMM, Lance and Lynda stepped forward. From SSSN, it was Sun and Neptune.

- Looks like it's our teams that'll settle this one. - Lance said, confidently tapping his sword against his shield.

- Don't expect us to go easy on you. - Sun replied, spinning his staff.

- Wouldn't want you to. That'd be boring. - Lance laughed.

- Nice to finally not be fighting only girls. - Neptune added, loading his rifle. - As long as it's not a water arena again…

- Your partner showing up soon? - Sun asked, just as Lance realized Lynda hadn't joined him in the ring yet.

- That's weird… - He glanced back. - Hey, Lynda, you getting cold feet or wha—

But the sight before him left him speechless.

- What's going on? - Sun asked, confused, as he saw a squad of Atlas soldiers surrounding Lynda, preventing her from stepping onto the field.

- Ladies and gentlemen, - Professor Port announced over the speakers. - due to security concerns, Team LLMM is hereby disqualified from the Vytal Festival. Team SSSN will advance by default.

- WHAT?! - Lance, Sun, and Neptune shouted in unison.

- This is insane! - Lance protested. - What the hell happened?!

- No clue. - Sun said as the three of them rushed toward the soldiers, demanding answers.

Chapter Text

- Yes! - Lynda exclaimed with excitement when she saw that their team would be facing SSSN. She immediately headed for her locker to grab her weapons, Lance right behind her.

But when she entered the locker area, she froze. A squad of Atlas soldiers and drones were standing in front of her locker, which had been pried open and was now being searched.

- What is going on?! - Lynda asked, her voice laced with indignation.

- Lynda Dawn, - One of the soldiers addressed her as two drones raised their rifles and aimed them directly at her. - you are under arrest on suspicion of collaborating with the White Fang!

- WHAT?! - Lynda could hardly believe her ears. The reality only hit her when the cold click of handcuffs snapped around her wrists. - You can't do this! You have no proof!

- Hey! What's going on?! - Lance barged into the locker room, having barely been let through. - Why are you arresting Lynda?!

- We found several items in her locker linked to the White Fang. - The soldier replied, pointing at a display laid out nearby: a pistol, a Grimm mask, a black hood, a white vest bearing the White Fang insignia, and a letter containing detailed instructions.

- Someone planted those! - Lynda protested. - I've never seen any of that stuff in my life!

- I have. - Came a new voice, Team RWBY had gathered around, curious about the commotion and the sudden disqualification of Team LLMM. Blake was the first to speak up. - At the docks, when we tried to stop Roman Torchwick from stealing the shipment, she was one of them.

- What?! - Lynda shouted in disbelief. - Blake! How can you say that?!

- She was using the same weapons as Lynda. - Blake continued, firm.

- What?! - Mike arrived just in time, the rest of LLMM close behind. - That night, Lynda was with me! I was helping her study for a makeup exam so she wouldn't fail!

- You were with her the whole night? - Yang asked, skeptical.

- Well… not the whole night. We split up before bed…

- The heist happened at 10 PM. - Blake cut in.

- She attacked us too, outside the CCT tower. - Ruby added. - Lance can confirm it.

- Lance, - Lynda turned to him, her voice trembling despite her attempt to smile. - you don't believe this nonsense… do you? Me? A White Fang agent?

- That's enough! - General Ironwood's voice silenced the room. The soldiers snapped to attention, and both LLMM and RWBY fell quiet. - We will get to the truth. But this is now a matter for adults.

- But Lynda... - Yang tried to protest.

- Not another word, Miss Xiao Long! - Ironwood snapped. - I'm asking all members of Team RWBY and LLMM to come give statements, so we can determine whether Miss Dawn is guilty or innocent.

- But... - Ruby tried to argue, but the general wasn't listening.

- You have to believe me. - Lynda pleaded with both teams as the soldiers escorted her out.

- She's innocent. - Lance muttered as he looked at the RWBY girls, none of whom broke eye contact. - You'll see.

- I don't want to accuse her, - Weiss said. - but it would make sense if she was sent here to break Torchwick out.

- Lynda would never do something like that! - Mike jumped in to defend her.

- Lance, - Ruby looked to him. - you saw someone attack us at the tower, right?

- I saw someone using weapons similar to Lynda's, - He replied. - but I didn't see her face. And their fighting style was different.

- She attacked me at the docks! - Blake insisted.

- Use your brains for a second! - Lance snapped. - Mike said he last saw her at 9 PM, and the attack happened at 10. You can't get from the Academy to the docks in under an hour!

- Someone could've picked her up. - Weiss noted. - Not impossible, especially with her Semblance.

While the two teams continued to argue, Lynda was originally going to be taken to an Atlas airship. But then General Ironwood received a call.

- What do you mean, Ozpin? Dealing with hostile agents and interrogations is my jurisdiction! But if you… sigh… fine. She's your student. Your responsibility. - He looked over at Lynda. - You're lucky. Ozpin will interrogate you.

- I'm innocent, General. - Lynda muttered.

- We'll see.

Ironwood and Lynda entered the elevator with two guards and began their ascent to Ozpin's office. A chime signaled their arrival, and the doors opened. The soldiers stepped out first, followed by Ironwood gently nudging Lynda forward.

Ozpin stood outside his office, sipping a cup of cocoa. When he saw her, he spoke calmly:

- Miss Dawn, I was disheartened to hear of your alleged involvement with the White Fang.

- Headmaster, please! - Lynda pleaded. - Someone set me up! I would never—

Ironwood placed a hand on her shoulder to calm her, and Ozpin raised his hand gently, indicating she didn't need to beg. She took a seat in front of his desk.

- They found a White Fang mask and vest in her locker. - Ironwood explained, handing him a document. - And this letter contains a plan to free Roman Torchwick, as well as details for a coordinated attack scheduled for next week.

- Hm. - Ozpin studied the paper, then looked at Lynda. - And you claim someone planted it in your locker?

- Yes, sir! I've never been affiliated with the White Fang, and I've never seen that letter before!

- I see. - Ozpin nodded, taking another sip of his cocoa. - James, bring up those who claim Miss Dawn is part of the White Fang.

- Right away. - Ironwood replied and signaled the soldiers.

Within minutes, Ruby and Blake from RWBY entered. They didn't sit down, clearly unwilling to sit next to a "traitor."

- Miss Belladonna, Miss Rose, - Ozpin began. - you claim Miss Dawn not only belongs to the White Fang but also attacked you?

- Well… - Ruby hesitated.

- Yes. - Blake answered firmly. - At the docks.

- Did you see her face?

- I… no, but her weapon, it had to be Lynda's. - Blake faltered slightly.

- And you, Miss Rose?

- When Lance and I were tracking that mysterious girl, we were attacked by a female White Fang soldier who used similar weapons to Lynda's… but I never saw her face. Lance stayed behind to fight her, but I don't think he saw her either.

- Do you have any concrete evidence to support your claim? - Ozpin asked.

The girls looked at each other, then shook their heads.

- No, sir. - Ruby answered. Blake nodded.

- Thank you for your testimony. - Ozpin said, signaling Ironwood to have the girls escorted out.

- What do you think, Ozpin? - Ironwood asked. - Is this enough to take her into custody?

- I'd still like to hear the defense. Bring in her team.

- Understood. - Ironwood pulled out his Scroll and typed in a few commands.

Soon the rest of Team LLMM arrived, escorted by two Atlas soldiers. Lynda's eyes lit up when she saw her teammates, her friends, who still believed in her.

- Please, have a seat. - Ozpin instructed. Mike and Lance sat next to Lynda, while Mandy kept some distance.

- Don't worry, Lynda. - Lance said. - We'll prove you're innocent!

- Let's hope so. - Ozpin replied. - Mr. Pendragon, Miss Rose said Miss Dawn attacked them at the CCT tower while you stayed behind to fight her.

- Well… - Lance scratched the back of his neck. - A female White Fang agent did attack me, but I didn't see her face, and she didn't fight like Lynda.

- Did she use the same weapons? - Ironwood interjected.

- Yes, but not in Lynda's style.

- Style doesn't matter. - Ironwood scoffed. - She might have held back… not wanting to hurt a friend. - He gave Lynda a suspicious glance.

- I'm telling you, sir, I didn't see her face. But I know Lynda isn't working with the White Fang. She's been with us on missions. She's saved our lives.

- I admire your loyalty, but that's not proof. - Ironwood replied coldly.

- Unfortunately, the general is right. - Ozpin added. - Mr. Birmingh, Miss Forester, do you have any evidence supporting Miss Dawn's innocence?

- I… - Mandy turned away, ashamed. - No. I'm sorry.

- Lynda would never do this. - Mike said instantly. - She just wouldn't.

- Do you have proof? - Ironwood asked.

- Well… no, - Mike admitted. - but she's a good person! Her actions speak for themselves! She's always been there for us, always cracking jokes, and I know she'd never join the White Fang. I talked her out of it!

- You talked her out of it? - Ironwood asked suspiciously. Lynda rubbed her forehead as if Mike had just ruined everything.

- Well… - Mike now realized his mistake. - The night before the team training retake, Lynda told me she was thinking about joining the White Fang. But I talked to her, and the next day, she said she changed her mind.

Ironwood and Ozpin exchanged a look.

- Thank you for your statements. - Ozpin said. - Return to your rooms and wait for our decision.

The members of LLMM stood, except for Lynda, who glanced one last time at her friends.

- Thanks… for trying. - She whispered.

Ozpin and Ironwood sat deep in thought. Finally, Ironwood spoke:

- Well, Ozpin? She's your student. Your responsibility.

Ozpin studied Lynda carefully. He saw no deceit in her eyes. Her body language was calm, sincere.

- I'm afraid, Miss Dawn, - He said slowly, and Lynda's heart skipped a beat, sensing the bad news. - that in the absence of proof, we can't release you.

- This can't be happening… - She said, her voice cracking.

- But, - Ozpin continued. - there is also no concrete evidence that you committed the crimes you've been accused of. Therefore, you will be placed under custody until your innocence or guilt can be determined.

- But…

- This is the best I can do under the current circumstances. - He concluded.

Lynda accepted it, disappointed, but relieved she wasn't condemned outright.

Downstairs, the rest of LLMM was being escorted out. Team RWBY was already waiting.

- Well? - Ruby asked.

- They didn't say anything. - Lance replied. - Just asked questions.

- Maybe she really is innocent… - Ruby murmured, doubt beginning to creep in.

- I don't know… - Blake was uncertain too. - I want her to be innocent, but…

- But?! - Lance snapped.

- Given the evidence… it's possible she really is one of them.

- Lynda's a good girl! - Mike insisted. - We know her!

- Maybe, - Blake said slowly. - but good people can still do bad things… if they're forced to.

- What's that supposed to mean? - Yang asked.

- There was someone I cared about… maybe more than a friend. - Blake said, lost in thought. - He did things I never expected. He told me not to worry, but I worried anyway. At first, I was sure he had good reasons… but over time, he did more. And worse. And he started to enjoy it. I don't want Lynda going down that path. She reminds me too much of him.

- Lynda won't turn down that path. Right, Mandy? - Lance turned to the faunus girl, but she was gone, already walking down the hallway.

- Hey! - Lance and Mike ran after her. - What's wrong with you?! Our teammate just got arrested and you don't even care?!

- Guys… - Mandy's voice trembled with sadness.

- Mandy… - Mike approached her gently. - You don't think Lynda's actually with the White Fang, do you?

- I don't know…

- What do you mean you don't know?! - Lance yelled. - You know her! She would never betray us! Just like we would never turn on each other!

At that, Mandy vanished, teleporting away.

She reappeared in the Academy courtyard. Tears streamed down her face. The red and gold light of sunset filtered through autumn leaves. The trees were nearly bare. Fall had arrived, and with it, the end. Winter was coming.

But she hoped for spring. A new beginning.

She collapsed onto a bench and wiped her face.

"I know it's autumn now… but tomorrow the last leaf will fall. And the operation will begin. People will suffer, and I'll be part of it. But I still have to believe spring will come."

- Mandy. - Mike appeared beside her, out of breath and deeply worried. - What happened? Did it really shake you that much, Lynda's arrest? - He noticed the red eyes.

- Mandy… - He said gently.

- Mike… - She struggled to speak.

- Don't cry. - He said, sitting beside her. - I'm sure this is just a misunderstanding. Lynda will be released, and everything will go back to normal.

But Mandy knew, "normal" would end tomorrow, and there would be no going back.

- Mike, - She finally said, her voice trembling. - do you think… for the greater good… it's ever right to make sacrifices?

- What? What are you talking about?

- I mean… throughout history, people have done terrible things. But if it led to peace, was it worth it?

- Well… - Mike scratched his head, confused. - Maybe? I guess? But why are you asking this?

- Imagine you're a Huntsman. And you had a chance to help your loved ones, but others would have to suffer for it. What would you do?

- I don't know… That's kind of a weird question. Why would people suffer if I'm helping someone? Doesn't make much sense.

- Exactly! It doesn't! - Mandy snapped. - It's easy to judge from the outside. But when you have to decide… believe me, it's not so simple!

- Mandy…

- Just… leave me alone.

And with that, she teleported away again.

"Pull yourself together!", she told herself. "Stop crying! You can't be friends with them. They're the enemy. The White Fang is your family. Your faunus brothers and sisters are suffering back home. You have to help them, no matter the cost. Make your parents proud."

Meanwhile, the CMEE team was preparing for the operation with zero guilt. Mercury was doing push-ups to stay in shape. Emerald was gaming on her Scroll. Neo was brushing her hair.

- Oh… - Cinder suddenly said, looking at something on her Scroll.

- What is it? - Emerald asked, and the others looked up.

- Nothing. - Cinder replied, but the grin on her face gave her away.

She had just discovered that Ironwood, foolishly, had connected his Scroll to Beacon's system. The virus they planted days ago had transferred all of his data directly to her device: Atlas military formations, strategies, troop counts, drone control codes, airship protocols, and most importantly, Penny's data.

- There'll be… a small change in the plan.

- And that means what, exactly? - Mercury stopped mid push-up.

- That this is going to be even easier than we thought. - Cinder smirked darkly, then turned to Neo. - Neo, you'll need to get on the airship where Roman is being held.

Neo gave her a confused look—why?

- Ironwood's Scroll data has synced to mine. - She handed it to Neo. - If you plug this into the command console of the flagship, and we neutralize the other two ships, we'll gain control of the entire Atlas fleet.

Neo's expression shifted. She understood the weight of the task. Finally, she could do something for Roman.

- Good thing he's being held on one of the flagships. - Cinder added.

- Wow, - Mercury muttered. - I thought the general was more careful with his data.

- The General is predictable. Just like his robots. - Cinder grinned. - I know what his next move will be.

She turned back to Neo.

- If you free Roman in time, and upload the virus, this will be over much faster, and with far less blood.

Neo didn't care about war.

She only cared about Roman.

And now… she had a chance to bring him back.

At any cost.

Chapter Text

"Why did this happen?"

That was the only question Mandy kept asking herself, over and over.

"Why did she have to die?"

No matter how long she thought about it, she couldn't find an answer.

"She didn't hurt anyone… and they still took her away from me."

The pain tore at her from the inside, as if it were trying to rip her apart.

She was barely six years old when she lost her mother.

They lived in a tiny house in the faunus slums of Mantle, a place where cheap labor was crammed together and forgotten. Atlas stood tall as a beacon of technology and economic prosperity, but most of that had been built on the backs of faunus forced to work in inhumane conditions.

Mandy's parents, and Mandy herself, had been born into that cruel system.

She still vividly remembered the day when the Atlesian police gunned down her father. He had stepped in to confront a few loudmouthed thugs who were harassing Mandy's mother, and in retaliation, they called the cops. When the officers arrived, they didn't hesitate for a second.

"That animal needs to be put down," they had said, before shooting him dead without warning.

All the Schnee Company sent afterward was a generic letter of apology and condolences. That was all they got.

After her father's death, her mother had to work even harder to support them. But then she got sick.

In Atlas, no doctor would treat a faunus for free. Her only option was to borrow money, illegally, from a local gang to pay for a proper physician.

But there are liars everywhere. Mandy's mother ended up dealing with a conman who sold her fake medicine, claiming it would cure her. The treatment was useless, and her condition quickly worsened.

Eventually, she became too weak to work.

The gangsters didn't care about her misery.

One day, on her way to see her "doctor," she found he had vanished. The loan sharks caught her in the street, beat her mercilessly, and left her in a bloody heap. With the last of her strength, she dragged herself back home, only to collapse and die on the doorstep, right in front of her daughter's eyes.

Mandy went into shock. She couldn't believe her mother was just lying there… lifeless.

She knew exactly who was to blame: the liar who had conned them, the thugs who had beaten her… all of them were people. Humans. Atlasians

She decided it wasn't safe to stay in the house anymore. She was afraid they'd come for her next.

It was already dark. The wind was biting, snow was falling, and Mandy had nowhere to go. No relatives. No friends. No one who could take her in or even offer a warm meal.

As she wandered through a dark alley, a strange noise caught her attention, chainsaw revving, shouting, screams. She followed the sound to see what was going on.

There, she saw a massive faunus man fighting off a group of humans.

He wielded a chainsaw with terrifying speed and precision, his enemies could barely keep up.

One by one, they fell.

When the last one dropped, the man shut off his weapon, sank to his knees, and exhaled heavily.

He looked up, bloodshot eyes locking with Mandy's. But the little fox faunus girl didn't flinch. On the contrary, she slowly stepped closer. Maybe because she didn't feel afraid… Or maybe because she was too exhausted to care.

- What are you doing out here? - The man asked. Mandy didn't reply. She just stared nervously at the ground, drawing circles in the snow with her foot. - Your parents aren't worried about you? You shouldn't be out alone this late.

At the mention of her parents, Mandy sniffled.

- What happened? - He asked gently.

He stood up and towered over her, then extended a hand. That was when she noticed how covered in blood he was, his face scratched and cut.

Still, she wasn't afraid. His size, the blood, the wounds, anyone else would've screamed. But Mandy just fidgeted with her fingers and slowly wagged her fox tail.

- What's your name? - The man asked.

- …Mandy. - She whispered.

- My name's Derrick. - He replied. - You've got nowhere to go, huh? - Mandy shook her head. - Well, neither do I. But I've heard of a place… a group.

He pulled out a blue cloth bearing a white insignia.

- They call themselves the White Fang. In Menagerie. They take care of people like us, faunus. They fight so we can live as equals to humans. If you don't have anywhere else to go, I can take you there. Wouldn't hurt to have a travel buddy to watch my back. - He added with a laugh.

Mandy smiled.

- What do you say? - Derrick offered his hand again. - Partners?

- Partners. - Mandy said, placing her tiny hand in his, comically small next to his own.

Derrick and Mandy traveled a long way before reaching Menagerie, where they truly joined the White Fang. And for a time, they were treated with respect.

But the world didn't change.

Across almost every corner of Remnant, faunus were still seen as second-class citizens.

The large man watched over the little girl like she was his own. He practically raised her. They got to know each other well.

Derrick was horrified when he learned what had happened to Mandy's parents, and in turn, Mandy learned that Derrick had once been a teacher in Mantle, teaching kids her age.

One day, the Schnee Dust Company arrived.

They tore down Derrick's school to build a Dust refinery. Most of the children, many of them orphans, were dragged off for forced labor.

That was the day Derrick truly learned to hate the Schnee name. And he swore revenge on the entire family.

Five years passed.

Ghira Belladonna, the leader of the White Fang, stepped down, and was replaced by Sienna Khan, a far more radical leader who wasn't afraid to use violence for the sake of their cause.

Her methods were bolder, and they brought results.

During those years, both Derrick and Mandy became elite fighters within the organization. Their ranks steadily rose.

Then, one day, Sienna summoned them for a special mission.

Sienna Khan was a female tiger faunus. Her glowing yellow eyes flashed with danger.

Her short black hair stopped at her neck, parted by two orange, striped tiger ears. Her skin was deep brown and marked with black tattoos that enhanced her fierce, feline appearance.

Gold hoop earrings decorated her human ears, while a small jewel adorned her left tiger ear.

She wore a form-fitting dark gray top with a chest cutout, a long gray skirt with white trim over black knee socks and shorts. A red cloak draped over her shoulders, and her weapon, Cerberus, a triple-bladed whip, hung from her belt.

- And how's Tracy doing? - Sienna asked as she poured them each a cup of sake, tea for Mandy.

- Whew… - Derrick sighed with a faint smile as he sipped his drink. - We broke up a year and a half ago. But thanks for asking.

- Really? I thought you two were getting along.

- We were. Mandy even did a few missions with her. But… I don't know. It just didn't feel right. I ended it.

- Why?

- She was fun to work with, but, well… bears and lynxes don't make the best couple.

He shrugged and rubbed his forehead.

- And where is she now?

- Last I heard, Vacuo. Hooked up with a local gang, the Crown, I think. Seemed to be doing well. Great girl, incredible fighter, but completely insane. - He added with a laugh. Sienna laughed along with him.

- So, why did you call us here? - Mandy interrupted abruptly, cutting off the small talk.

- You still don't open up easily, do you? - Sienna remarked with a touch of sarcasm.

- Give her some slack. - Derrick said. - She's had a hard life. Doesn't trust easily.

- Mandy, - Sienna smiled as she raise her sake. - we rarely get the chance to relax, drink and speak like friends. We should value the connections we can trust.

She set down her cup and looked up at the dark ceiling.

- After all, that's what we're fighting for.

- I get it. - Mandy replied bluntly. - What's the mission?

Sienna sighed and got to the point.

- There's a major train shipment we need to intercept in Vale. Dust, weapons, robots.

- I haven't heard of anyone looking to buy in bulk. - Derrick commented.

- Don't worry, it's pre-ordered. - Sienna assured him. - My contact, Ms. Malachite from Mistral, is paying top lien for that kind of cargo. In fact, I asked for double.

- You really think it's a good idea to deal with a human gangster? - Derrick frowned.

- With that money, we could feed countless Faunus. Recruit more. Sometimes, we have to set aside pride, for the greater good.

- You don't want anyone to know about this, do you? - Mandy said flatly. Sienna shot her a sharp look.

- How much time will we have? - Derrick interrupted before the conversation could sour.

- Thirty minutes. It'll be guarded, security bots mostly, nothing cutting edge, but a gun is still a gun. Not without risks. You'll have help, though. Adam Taurus and his girlfriend will be joining you. This is an Atlas shipment, en route to the Vale military.

- They won't be getting it. - Mandy said confidently.

- How big of a haul are we talking? - Derrick asked.

- Big. - Sienna replied. - But Mandy, you'll have a separate mission in Vale.

- And what's that?

- You'll infiltrate Beacon. As a student. Adam has a client who might be able to help us from the inside. In return for that help, Mandy will enroll at Beacon as a spy. That's all you need to know for now.

It didn't take long for Mandy and Derrick to pack up and board the first ship to Vale.

Mandy received her Beacon Academy admission documents by post, allowing her to infiltrate the school without ever needing to meet Adam or his girlfriend in person.

Derrick, meanwhile, traveled directly to the village where Adam and the White Fang had established their temporary base of operations.

Adam laid out every detail of the train's route, going over the plan again and again.

That night, a mysterious woman arrived, black-haired, accompanied by two youths barely older than Mandy.

Her name was Cinder Fall, and she brought with her a curious offer.

Most of the White Fang soldiers, including Derrick, wore signature Grimm masks and white combat vests. They stood behind Adam in a line, eyeing the newcomers warily.

- Let me get this straight. - Adam began, pacing irritably. - You could've gone to any local gang boss, or hired some washed-up Huntsman… but instead, you came to me.

He stopped and stared directly at Cinder.

- Because you are the one we need. - She answered in a calm, almost eerie voice. - Your skills. Your leadership. You're exceptional, Adam. And we know enough about you to—

- Then you also know, - Adam cut her off. - that coming here was a huge mistake. The White Fang is not some mercenary gang. We are the voice of revolution!

Behind her, Emerald and Mercury exchanged a look of tired resignation.

- I believe our goals can be mutually beneficial. - Cinder continued, unfazed. - I have… an ally in Vale. Someone preparing a revolution of their own. But without you, and your army, we can't pull it off.

- What you need, - Adam growled, gripping the hilt of his katana. - is to get lost. I won't risk my soldiers' lives for some human scheme.

- I see. - Cinder nodded politely and bowed. She and her group turned to leave.

Adam and Derrick watched them go in silence.

- What the hell was that? - asked a female voice nearby. Blake, Adam's girlfriend, had clearly been eavesdropping.

- Nothing. - Adam replied. He turned toward another tent. - We've got preparations to finish. The train arrives at dawn.

The heist went according to plan.

Adam and Blake went in first, disabling the security personnel. When they gave the signal, Derrick and the rest of the White Fang attacked what remained.

Several trucks arrived on site, and the armed faunus efficiently eliminated the entire train crew. In less than thirty minutes, they loaded up every crate of Dust, weapons, and inactive combat drones.

Only one thing didn't go according to plan.

Adam came back alone.

- Adam… where's Blake? - Derrick asked.

Adam didn't answer. He simply drew his sword and cleaved a stolen robot in half with a furious roar.

- She's dead? Captured?

Before Derrick could finish, Adam pressed the tip of his katana against his throat.

The threat silenced him.

- She betrayed me. - Adam said at last, lowering the blade. - She broke my heart. So I'll break her. I'll destroy everything she loves… and I'll watch as guilt and madness consume her. By the time I'm done, she'll beg me for forgiveness. Beg me to take her back.

- …I see. - Derrick replied quietly, choosing not to push further.

Adam's voice was cold. Emotionless. That alone was enough to keep Derrick from digging deeper.

- The shipment's loaded as planned. - He added quickly. - Cops'll be here in five.

Adam's expression didn't change.

Derrick couldn't read him, but instinctively, he stepped back, out of the sword's reach.

- Fine. - Adam said at last, climbing into the back of a truck, settling among the stolen goods, still clutching his weapon.

"There's something wrong with this guy… ", Derrick thought.

In the lower districts of Vale, law enforcement stood on shaky ground. The Xiong family ruled this part of the city. Their power maintained what little order existed, and the city Council tolerated them as long as they stayed out of politics.

It was a mutual agreement, unofficial, but understood. But even Xiong's influence had limits. They couldn't control everyone.

Especially not Roman Torchwick.

Some called him a genius. Others said he was clairvoyant, like he always knew what would happen before it did. He was the kind of criminal no one could command. And that's exactly the kind of man Cinder needed.

It was late at night, too dangerous to be walking the streets of Vale's slums. But not for them.

Cinder Fall walked with purpose, flanked by her two young companions: Emerald Sustrai and Mercury Black. Each carried a briefcase.

They headed for a run-down little bar, the kind of place where criminals made deals, exchanged contraband, or simply hid from the storm outside.

As soon as they entered, the low hum of voices fell into silence. Every head turned toward them. But none of the three flinched. They moved straight to the counter, where the bartender was polishing glasses.

- Aren't you a little young to be hanging around places like this? - The man asked, eyeing Emerald and Mercury.

- Aren't you a little too old to still be scrubbing glasses in a dump like this? - Mercury shot back.

The bartender paused, his expression hardening. But before he could retort, Cinder raised a hand. Her eyes didn't leave the man's face.

- We're not looking for trouble. - She said coolly. - Just someone. - She placed a lien bill on the counter. - We'd be very grateful if you'd help us.

- Name? - He asked, pocketing the money.

- Roman Torchwick.

The bartender's eyes widened slightly.

He leaned closer and whispered:

- Are you cops? After the bounty?

- Quite the opposite. - Cinder said. - We're here to offer him work.

That seemed to relax the man, though only slightly.

- Alright… couple things you should know about him. First: he always knows when something's off.

- Thanks, but we figured. - Mercury said, rolling his eyes.

- No, really. Meet him and you'll understand. It's like he's psychic. No one's ever beaten him at cards. He won the bar across the street in a poker game. Owner was a pro. Still lost everything.

- …That's kind of terrifying. - Emerald admitted.

- Second thing: he's expensive. Real expensive.

- Leave that to us. - Cinder said, smiling. - Just tell us where to find him.

- Back room. - The bartender nodded toward the far end of the bar.

- Thank you.

Cinder kept her gaze sharp as they crossed the room, not once taking her eyes off the shifty patrons.

They reached the back door and stepped into a darkened space, dimly lit by a single overhead lamp. A man sat beneath it, wide-bowler hat, cigar in his mouth, scrolling through something on his device.

- Heard you wanted to hire me. - He said before anyone could speak.

- You were eavesdropping? - Cinder raised an eyebrow, arms crossed.

- I hope they mentioned how outrageously expensive I am. - Roman smirked, blowing smoke.

The smoke drifted toward them. Emerald and Mercury started coughing, but Cinder merely waved it away.

- We've been informed. - She said without flinching. - I can only hope the price matches the quality.

- Seems fair. - Roman replied.

- Fairness. From a gangster? - Mercury scoffed.

- I can be fair. - Roman leaned back. - I'm loyal, too, if the pay's right. But threaten me with death for failure… and that loyalty vanishes. Just saying, kid.

- Don't underestimate us, Torchwick! - Mercury stepped forward, but Roman simply grinned.

- Likewise.

A blade suddenly touched Cinder's neck, someone had silently snuck up behind her.

She didn't flinch.

Roman gestured toward the girl holding the weapon.

- Allow me to introduce my partner, Neopolitan. She was the one eavesdropping, not me. - He clapped one. - Now, let's cut to the chase: what do you want, and how much are you willing to pay?

Cinder gave a small signal.

Emerald and Mercury placed their briefcases on the table and opened them, both packed with lien.

- Will this do as a down payment? - She asked.

Roman blinked. That much money… and it was only the advance?

Still, he kept his poker face.

- Before I accept, a few things. I don't do: trafficking, organ harvesting, animal cruelty, rape, prostitution, or anything involving bananas.

- …Bananas? - Emerald looked confused.

- I hate bananas. - Roman said flatly.

- They smell bad, feel weird, taste worse, and when I eat them, I feel like a monkey.

It was the most emotional his face had looked yet. His banana hatred ran deep.

- So… what do you do? - Mercury asked, chuckling.

- Theft. Smuggling. Surveillance. Breaking and entering. Assassination. Torture, no kids. Extraction. Explosions. Threats. Persuasive violence.

- …Got it. - Emerald nodded.

- So, - Roman continued. - what's the job?

- Dust theft. - Cinder answered. - On a large scale.

- For this kind of money, you could just buy it. - Roman said, instincts flaring.

- We're not here to buy. We're here to take. From Vale. And what we're paying you… is pocket change compared to what you could earn in Phase Two.

Roman glanced at Neo. Her heterochromatic eyes sparkled with interest. She grinned and nodded, she would've said yes already.

Roman, however, hesitated. Too much money. Too easy job. Too little detail.

His gut said run.

But the greed… the curiosity…

- …Well, - He finally said. - Neo and I… humbly offer our services. - He extended a hand. - And you are?

- Cinder Fall.

- Cinder Fall. - Roman shook her hand. - Here's hoping this partnership is a profitable one.

- I'm sure it will be. - Cinder slid him a contact card. - Use this to reach me. Emerald. Mercury. Let's go.

Roman watched them leave, then looked down at the money.

He still wasn't sure he'd made the right call.

Neo didn't hesitate.

She scooped up a bundle of lien, tossed it into the air, and laughed as the money rained down.

- Neo, something's off about that woman. - Roman said, lighting a new cigar.

Neo didn't stop smiling—she waved it off.

- I mean it. Why do they need that much Dust? Why us? Why not just buy it? And why pay this much? - Roman's voice was louder now, pacing, as Neo spun happily in the shower of cash. - My alarm's going off.

Neo finally stopped and began signing intently.

- Yes, it's that alarm. - Roman replied. - You know the one. Every time I ignored it, things went bad. Remember the liquor store? The gas station? The watch shop? Every time it went off, I didn't listen. Got burned.

Neo signed again, teasingly.

- Yes and yes. It didn't go off in those cases, and those jobs went fine. But this one… it's definitely ringing.

She kept poking at him. He groaned.

- Yes! I ignored it that time, too. All I could think about was the money. But this time, we need to be careful—

Neo gestured in protest.

- I know! It was close, we nearly died! And yes, we still got the loot!

They were clearly arguing now.

Roman liked to be cautious.

Neo was more adventurous, especially if the prize was big.

She smirked and signed again, mischief in her eyes.

- Yeah, I sound like a f*cking sane one!

Neo kept signing and smirked slyly.

- Oh, come on. Don't get me that case. It happened only one time and I thought he was going to shoot me!

Neo giggled silently, then resumed signing.

- Why corn, though? I would've understood a banana. Or his fingers, those look like guns. But a tube of corn?! That's not just careless, it's stupid.

Neo could barely hold in her laughter and signed.

- No, the real mistake was trying to stop an armed robber with a tube of corn and not the warning shot! If he hadn't, maybe he'd still be alive, and his parents would be mad about something else.

Neo's smile faded as she signed something serious.

- No, I didn't want to kill him. But I thought he had a real gun. It was one of those messed-up moments, me or him. I chose me.

Neo knew Roman didn't enjoy killing. Neither did she.

They avoided unnecessary bloodshed, but if it came down to a life-or-death choice, they had the strength to make it.

She signed a question.

- …Alright. We'll take the job. But something still doesn't feel right.

Neo, usually the bold one, now gently placed her hand on Roman's cheek, then kissed him. He returned the gesture, brushing a hand through her hair, and pulled her close.

- I love you, Neo. - He whispered. - You're not gonna tell anyone I said that, are you?

Neo gave him a mischievous grin and shook her head.

Roman laughed.

Several days had passed since the heist, when Derrick and the White Fang, with Adam and Blake's help, robbed the Schnee train bound for Vale. The loot was enormous, but despite the success, Adam had been acting more and more unstable.

Blake's disappearance, her betrayal, had left a deep wound in him, and he was becoming a shell of his former self.

His orders had grown increasingly aggressive. He demanded his men scour the region for any sign of her, but a week had gone by with no trace.

- We'll find her, sir! - Derrick said with conviction. - I swear on my life!

- Forget it. - Adam replied, tired but no less angry than before. - It's time to go to Mistral and—

Suddenly, scuffling noises broke through the tent. Derrick and Adam immediately grabbed their weapons and stepped outside.

To their surprise, it was the same black-haired woman in red who had tried to negotiate with them peacefully days earlier, but this time she hadn't asked for permission. Her two companions, Emerald and Mercury, had plowed straight through the guards, who now lay groaning on the ground.

- What the hell is going on?! - Adam snapped, weapon at the ready. Derrick lifted his chainsaw blade in turn, preparing for a fight.

- We could've gone elsewhere. - Cinder said, summoning two flaming swords into her hands. - But we chose you, Adam Taurus. - She dropped the blades and calmly stepped toward them. - This plan benefits both of us… - She extended her right arm, engulfed in orange flame. Fire erupted from the ground at their feet. -…or only one of us.

Emerald and Mercury each opened a briefcase, Emerald's was full of Dust, Mercury's stacked with lien.

The message was clear. Side with us and you'll be wealthy. Stand against us and you'll be eliminated.

- So? - Cinder asked coolly. - Which will it be?

Adam paused for a few seconds, then slowly sheathed his sword. Derrick lowered his chainsaw as well.

- Smart choice. - Cinder nodded. - But I haven't told you exactly what I want yet.

- We're listening. - Adam said.

- One of my people is organizing Dust heists across the city. The stolen supplies will go to you, so you can prepare for a large-scale assault on Vale and Beacon.

- Vale and Beacon?! - Derrick stared at her in disbelief. - Sienna ordered us to deliver the shipment to Mistral so that—

Adam cut him off.

- Why should we work with a humans? - He asked, the disdain obvious in his voice.

- Don't you think it's time to stop lumping all humans together? - Cinder smiled triumphantly. - For now, all you have to do is assist my agent.

- And who is this agent? - Adam asked.

- He'll arrive tomorrow and brief you on the details. - Cinder said, turning her back, then added. - Whatever happens, just do what he says.

- Shouldn't we check with Sienna first? - Derrick interjected.

- Let me ask you this. - Adam said with a wicked grin. - Which would get us results faster, selling off the weapons and Dust for pennies to some human criminal, or using them ourselves to topple an entire human kingdom?

- Adam… - Derrick still didn't like the idea.

- Mandy sent a message. - Adam remembered something. - Turns out, the heiress to the Schnee Dust Company attends Beacon.

That name alone was enough for Derrick's rage to override his better judgment.

- What's the plan?

Roman Torchwick's partnership with Cinder wasn't off to a great start.

Not even a day after accepting her offer, Neo had come down with a nasty cold. The doctor prescribed antibiotics, and Roman made her tea and tucked her into a bed in one of the warehouses he'd rented to store the Dust.

Neo was on bedrest. That meant Roman had to work alone.

The Xiong family had lent him a few men, but they were nothing but amateurs trying too hard to act tough. They knew nothing about real crime.

"I hate working with amateurs." Roman grumbled to himself for the hundredth time.

Cinder arranged a meeting with Adam Taurus, leader of the White Fang's Vale branch.

Roman could only hope Adam's crew would be more competent than Junior's.

The meeting point was a small village outside the city, its faunus population had grown in recent months, not by coincidence.

The White Fang protected this place, so the locals posed no threat.

Roman quickly found the central tent, guarded by masked faunus in white vests.

- Hey, I brought the pizza! - He joked, as the guards blocked his way without flinching. - I've got a meeting with Adam Taurus. It's about a very profitable gig. - Still, no response.

- Let him through. - A voice called from inside. Derrick stepped out. - Roman Torchwick, right?

- The one and only! - Roman struck a pose like he was on a red carpet, but the masked faunus didn't even blink. - Adam around?

- He'll be here soon. - Derrick replied, eyes narrowing at him in silent warning.

Roman didn't flinch, he simply pulled out a cigar. But before he could light it, Derrick snapped:

- Don't even think about it. Our noses are sensitive. That crap reeks.

Roman sighed and slipped the cigar and lighter back into his pocket.

- You got any coffee?

- No. Just tea.

- Pass. Tea makes me need to pee. Speaking of, got a bathroom?

- No.

- I'll just step outside for a... - He turned to leave, but the guards blocked him again.

- You don't leave this tent until you've spoken to Adam.

- No cigars, no coffee, no bathroom… - Roman started tapping his foot. - Alright, here's the deal: if Adam isn't here in sixty seconds, I'm going out there to smoke, caffeinate, and relieve myself. All at once.

- You'll have to wait. - Adam finally arrived.

- Ah, Adam Taurus! - Roman spread his arms theatrically.

- I hear you need my men for your Dust heists. - Adam said.

- What can I say? - Roman shrugged. - Local muscle's a joke. Total amateurs. Good help is hard to find these days.

- And how do I know you're qualified to lead them? - Adam asked coldly.

- And how do I know your people aren't completely useless?

- You won't find better than us. - Derrick snapped. - The White Fang isn't some street gang.

Roman smirked, but his eyes stayed sharp.

- Be proud of that. But let's be clear, I don't want bloodthirsty animals who kill everything that moves. My motto is: minimum casualties, maximum efficiency. We go in, we take what we need, no one gets hurt… unless necessary. - He turned to Adam. - I need to know your men can follow orders. That they can control their instincts and focus on the mission.

- How about a test run? - Adam offered.

- Now you're reading my mind! - Roman rubbed his hands together. - I know a dozen places perfect for testing whether your guys are pros, or just thugs in masks.

- How many do you need for the first hit?

- Five.

- You mean… fifty? - Derrick asked, confused.

- No! - Roman snapped. - Five. With me, that makes six. Oh, and a truck.

Adam's tone turned icy.

- If you think so little of us that you only need five men, you insult the White Fang. What are you going to rob, a corner store?

- Actually, I was thinking the Dusk Till Dawn. - Roman replied with a grin.

- You're insane! - Derrick shouted. - That place would take twenty men at least!

- Not if you've got professionals. - Roman said calmly. - One truck with a driver. Two people at the entrance. Two loading cargo. One lookout. If we're smooth, it's done in six minutes.

Adam stood in silence for a long moment, clearly torn.

Finally, he nodded.

- You'll get my people.

- Excellent! - Roman reached out a hand, but Adam didn't take it.

- Prove yourself first.

The next morning, Roman received his assigned crew: Derrick, Mandy, Aaron, Tina, and Eric.

Their first task was a full briefing, Roman wanted to go over every detail again to make sure no one screwed it up.

- Alright, one more time so it's crystal clear. - Roman began. - Aaron, when do we start?

- Eight o'clock sharp. One hour before closing. - Aaron replied.

- Number of employees?

- Ten cashiers, five bums posing as security, armed, but untrained. - Tina added.

- Derrick?

- I'll be at the entrance. No one goes in. No one goes out.

- Tina?

- I'll be in the truck, a few blocks away. Once I get the signal, I pull up.

- Aaron?

- I'll be with Derrick, controlling the customers and employees.

- Mandy?

- I'll be with you. We'll get the vault code from the manager.

- Perfect. - Roman clapped his hands. - Looks like everyone's done their homework. Questions?

Derrick raised his hand.

- What if the alarm gets triggered?

- If we're fast and take control right away, they won't have time to sound it. Once Mandy and I get the vault code, there's no need to break or smash anything, alarm stays quiet.

- But if we're unlucky and someone hits the panic button, don't panic yourselves. We'll still have four or five minutes. That's tight, but enough if we're quick.

Mandy lifted her hand next.

- What if someone tries to fight back? Or if the manager won't give up the code?

Roman shook his head with a sigh.

- This place belongs to a big company. The Schnee Dust Company's insurance covers everything. The store manager isn't going to risk his life over it. It doesn't worth for him.

- But if you do run into a wannabe hero, - Roman continued. - just break his nose and drop him on the floor, bleeding. The rest will freeze up. No one will move. That's when you look around hard and stern, make it clear, 'this is what happens to anyone else who tries something.' Silence could worth more than a hundred words.

Aaron and Vander chuckled at that.

- As for the manager, - Roman continued. - well… that's a different story. Those guys love being difficult. If he resists, we break him fast. Best method? Snap one of his fingers. Start with the pinky. Then threaten the thumb. He'll tell you the code, and probably what color underwear he's wearing.

The team nodded silently. Roman's tone was casual, but precise.

Even behind their masks, he could tell, some were impressed, others nervous.

This wasn't just a job. This was a test. And Roman was the examiner.

- Clear?

- Yes, sir!

- Great. - Roman adjusted his coat, then grinned. -Now, who wants ice cream before the job? Froyo's pretty good.

Chapter Text

There was nothing anyone could do: Team LLMM was disqualified, Lynda was taken into custody, and no one could change that now. The rest of the team could only watch the upcoming solo matches from the stands.

The contenders were as follows:

Team RWBY from Vale, represented by Yang;

Team CMEE from Mistral, represented by Mercury;

Team JNPR from Vale, with Pyrrha as their champion;

Team SSSN from Mistral, represented by Sun;

And finally, Team PNCL from Atlas, who had chosen Penny to fight.

- Still an odd number of teams. - Lance noted as he and his teammates took seats near Team RWBY. The incident with Lynda had cooled things between the two teams, but they still saw considered other as friends.

- Think they'll draw lots again to see who advances? - Ruby asked curiously.

- And now, the moment you've all been waiting for! - Boomed Professor Port over the loudspeaker. - The one-on-one duels!

The arena was packed, the crowd roaring in anticipation. The very best fighters of the tournament were about to take the stage. Spectators expected an epic show, but none of them could imagine just how far beyond that this would go.

The selected fighters, Yang, Mercury, Sun, Pyrrha, and Penny, stood by eagerly, ready for the matches to begin, but Port had one last round of announcements to go through.

- Barty, care to explain the rules?

Professor Oobleck rushed up, speaking a mile a minute:

- This time, no randomized terrain! Combatants will fight on the smaller, designated center platform, putting their reflexes and strategic instincts to the test. Only those who can quickly devise a winning tactic will come out on top!

- In other words: no prep time, no mercy. Just like real Huntsmen!

- Exactly! Now, let's see who'll face off first!

The audience held its breath as the scoreboard shuffled through the contestants' images, faster and faster, until it stopped.

- Yang Xiao Long versus Mercury Black! - Port declared.

The crowd erupted in cheers, they were ready for a show.

- Break a leg, sis! - Ruby shouted, doing her best to cheer her sister on.

- All other competitors, please exit the battlefield. - The announcer called.

Pyrrha, Penny, and Sun left the stage, leaving Yang alone with Mercury. The two fighters strode confidently toward each other. The platform lowered slightly below ground level, and spotlights locked onto the center, adding dramatic flair.

- You better not underestimate me. - Yang warned, arms crossed.

- You wish. - Mercury replied with a smug grin.

- Three! - The fighters began circling, taking cautious, defensive stances.

- Two! - They watched each other's movements, trying to predict the next strike.

- One! - Their hands barely brushed—

- Fight!

Both attacked at once. Yang led with a powerful right hook, Mercury with a leaping kick. Fist met foot, the impact forcing both to stagger back, equal power clashing head-on.

Mercury struck again, but Yang flipped over him, unleashing rapid fire from Ember Celica. Mercury expertly dodged the blasts, letting Yang close the distance.

They clashed in close combat: fists and kicks flying, neither able to gain the upper hand. Yang's punch, Mercury's kick, each blow sent the other reeling, but neither fell.

Yang fired again, but Mercury weaved through the bullets like a dancer, spinning into range with a somersault kick. Yang blocked with her arm, but Mercury flipped again and landed right in front of her, this time landing a hit under her chin. Yang stumbled back.

But she didn't fall. She flipped in midair, landing gracefully, and came back swinging. Her punches landed. Mercury adapted fast, spinning kicks, dodges, counters.

Mercury began reading Yang's rhythm and shifted from defense to offense. He went for a sweeping leg strike, but Yang leapt aside.

Attack, counter, repeat: Yang kicked, Mercury ducked and countered, hitting her in the stomach, but Yang didn't back down. She raised her guard, but Mercury split it with another kick and stepped away.

The two charged at each other again. Yang struck first: an uppercut to the jaw, followed by a gut punch that sent Mercury sliding across the floor. She opened fire, Mercury dodged with flips, rolls, and cartwheels.

But one of the shockwaves from her blast hit him off-balance, sending him flying off the stage.

He didn't quit.

Activating the air boosters on his boots, Mercury launched himself back onto the platform.

As he landed, he immediately attacked. Yang blocked, another flurry of punches and kicks, but still no clear victor. Eventually, Mercury knocked her down with a strong kick, leapt into the air, and unleashed a volley of air blasts from his boots.

Yang dodged the first, but quickly realized: he wasn't aiming at her. The shots scattered across the arena, like he was laying a trap.

Yang charged, but Mercury was ready. A powerful backward kick sent her flying, then another grounded her. The air blasts from earlier suddenly turned and shot toward her all at once. Every single one hit.

The stage shook with explosions.

Mercury exhaled, victorious, dusting himself off—

Then, from the heart of the firestorm, Yang emerged.

Eyes burning crimson, rage radiating off her, this wasn't the same Yang as before. This was fury incarnate.

Mercury tried to defend, but her strikes were overwhelming. The first few blows sent him sliding, and when he retaliated, she didn't flinch. She hammered him relentlessly, until one final punch shattered his Aura and sent him crashing to the ground.

The bell rang. The match was over.

- What a fiery duel! - Port cheered.

The crowd went wild. Yang raised her arm, the audience chanting her name.

- Yang Xiao Long is victorious! - Announced Oobleck.

- You were amazing, sis! - Ruby shouted in delight.

- Good thing I didn't have to fight her. - Mike muttered, stunned.

- I'll admit it. - Lance nodded, impressed. - Your sister is incredible strong, Ruby.

- She's not someone you want to piss off. - Mike laughed.

- Better luck next time. - Yang said as she walked past Mercury, who was still on the ground, struggling to get up.

But just as he stood, Yang suddenly, without warning, punched him in the leg.

There was a sickening crack.

Mercury collapsed, screaming in agony. His leg bent at a grotesque angle.

- AAARGH! MY LEG! MY LEG!

The arena fell silent. The crowd was stunned.

Boos erupted, angry shouts filled the air.

- That's what you get for... - Yang began furiously, but was cut off by the sudden arrival of Atlas soldiers and robots.

- Yang Xiao Long, stand down immediately! - A soldier barked, weapons trained on her.

- What the hell?! - Lance shouted. - Is this how you fight?! - He demanded, turning toward Ruby, but the RWBY team just stared back, shocked and confused. They didn't understand either.

Team JNPR, Team LLMM, even the audience, looked on in stunned disbelief.

- Mercury! - Emerald screamed as she rushed from the stands to his side.

- MY LEG! WHY DID SHE ATTACK ME?! - Mercury wailed, trembling in pain. Emerald stared at Yang, rage, confusion, and hatred churning in her eyes.

The monitors replayed the moment: Mercury stands, and Yang, unprovoked, breaks his leg. The crowd gasped.

- Someone, please help! - Emerald pleaded.

Two medics rushed in with a stretcher to assist.

- We have to get him to the hospital, now! - One of them said as they lifted Mercury. Emerald followed close behind.

- You don't understand! - Yang finally cried, still in shock. - He attacked me! I swear!

- That's enough! You've done enough damage! - Came the military command.

Cinder didn't wait any longer.

Long before the match even began, when she first learned Yang and Mercury would be fighting, she had already sent a message to Mercury, Emerald, Neo, and Mandy:

"The time has come. Be ready."

Now she rose from her seat and headed toward the arena's staff exit, where Neo was already waiting for her. The girl had come prepared, she had obtained a paramedic's uniform for Cinder.

Neo herself didn't need such things; with a shimmer of her Semblance, she conjured a complete medical disguise, white coat, black pants and shoes, a cap with a red cross. She even changed her hair to black and tied it back, her eyes now a shade of violet.

- You show-off. - Cinder muttered, a little envious of Neo's illusion skills.

Just then, Emerald and Mercury arrived with the medics. Neo jumped into the cockpit and started the engines on the medical aircraft.

- There's a medship ready for takeoff! - Cinder called out.

The paramedics didn't question her. They wheeled Mercury onboard without hesitation. Emerald joined them, staying right by his side.

- We'll take good care of him. - Cinder assured them, then stepped inside. The aircraft lifted off and departed the arena.

- Doc… be honest with me. - Mercury groaned, playing his part. - Will I ever walk again?

Without a word, Emerald slapped him across the face.

- Ow! What's your problem?!

Mercury suddenly sat up, no pain, no limp.

- Headache. - Emerald muttered. - Messing with one mind is fine. Two? That's tough.

- You both did excellently. - Cinder called from the cockpit. - So did our pilot. - She nodded toward Neo, who now dropped her illusion. Her hair and eyes returned to their pink-brown tones as she guided the ship, not toward a hospital, but toward a hidden White Fang base.

Cinder and Neo had both changed back into their usual outfits, well, Neo simply let her illusion drop, while Cinder had to change the traditional way. Meanwhile, Emerald poured herself a cup of coffee, still visibly rattled. Mercury hopped into the warehouse on one leg, rolling up the leg of his pants to reveal a fully mechanical limb, Yang's attack hadn't hurt him at all.

He sat down and started tightening the bolts in the metal.

- So? You think it worked? - He asked.

Neo didn't answer. She just switched on the news.

- A tragic incident shook all of Vale during the one-on-one matches of the Vytal Festival. - The anchor was saying as the screen cut to a street interview.

- I don't know what they're teaching at Beacon, but that was brutal. Totally not cool. - Said a civilian. Cinder grabbed the remote from Neo and flipped to another channel.

- Despite increased security, the defense forces are desperately requesting aid from licensed Huntsmen. In just the last hour, Grimm attacks have drastically increased in both frequency and intensity.

Cinder turned off the TV.

- Hey! I was watching that! - Mercury complained, fiddling with something inside his prosthetic leg using a screwdriver.

- Oh, shut up. - Emerald scolded.

- That's how you treat the wounded? - Mercury teased.

Emerald responded by tightening one of the bolts just a little too hard.

- OW! That's too tight!

- Enough. - Cinder interrupted. - Mercury did a fantastic job. Very brave.

Mercury smiled smugly at the compliment but still shot Emerald a glare.

- You know these parts aren't cheap.

- What's next? - Emerald asked, changing the subject.

- Neo, - Cinder turned to the petite girl. - you'll infiltrate the Atlas flagship where they're holding Roman. - She handed Neo a Scroll. - Upload the virus Watts sent us. Once it's in the system, we'll be able to override the Atlas security drones.

Neo took the device, her face lighting up with a mischievous grin.

- Tonight is the final match. - Cinder continued. - And after that… Beacon will never see the light of day again. Emerald and I will return to the arena to make sure everything goes as planned.

- What about me? - Mercury asked with a touch of annoyance, clearly feeling left out.

- You, - Cinder said without even glancing at him. - stay put. You're injured, remember? Wouldn't look good if you're seen walking around.

- Right. - Mercury grumbled and went back to adjusting his leg.

Later that day, Yang was escorted back to her dorm room, where General Ironwood was already waiting with two Atlas soldiers, ready to question her, just as they had done with Lynda the day before.

Outside the room, members of Team JNPR and the LLMM team stood waiting, worry written all over their faces.

- What do you think happened to her? - Lance asked, still struggling to believe it.

- I have no idea. - Jaune answered, eyes downcast.

- Maybe Mercury made a sudden move? - Ren suggested. - Or maybe she was angry at him?

- I doubt it. - Pyrrha said, shaking her head. - They barely even interacted.

- We've all seen the footage, - Nora pointed out. - Mercury didn't make any sudden moves.

- I'm just trying to make sense of it. - Ren sighed. - We know Yang. She would never attack someone who wasn't a threat anymore.

- Could she have hallucinated? - Mike offered.

- That actually seems most likely. - Mandy agreed quietly.

- You mean like adrenaline, stress, mental overload? - Mike clarified.

- But that extreme? - Lance frowned. - To imagine the guy she just beat was attacking again? In front of a full audience and cameras?

- Sure, Yang can be a little intense, - Mike admitted, trying to stay positive. - but I don't think she'd hurt someone who was already down on purpose.

- I'm not judging. - Lance said, arms crossed. - But we all saw what happened. So did the rest of the world.

- Maybe we should just ask her. - Jaune suggested, just as Ironwood stepped out of the RWBY dorm room and walked away with his escort of robotic guards.

- Should we knock? - Mike asked.

- Maybe… but they probably need some space. - Pyrrha said gently, and Team JNPR returned to their room.

- I… I think I'll go too. - Mandy whispered. She didn't want to face Yang. She knew well what had really happened. Her guilt might give her away.

- Just us, then. - Lance said, turning to Mike.

- I hope they'll be okay. - Mike said, glancing at the RWBY dorm door. - Remember when we first met them?

- Of course, - Lance said, smiling faintly. - Ruby and Yang were so excited to be here at Beacon.

- I know they'd never hurt anyone without a reason.

At that moment, the door opened and Ruby, Weiss, and Blake stepped out. Yang stayed behind inside.

- Is she… alright? - Lance asked, unsure.

- She will be. - Ruby replied. - She's just… in shock.

- And we got disqualified from the tournament. - Blake added flatly.

- You too? - Lance blinked. RWBY was out of the tournament, just like them.

- Did she say anything… - Mike asked gently. - about why she did it?

- She swears, - Weiss said. - that Mercury attacked her. That she was just defending herself.

- Then why didn't she defend herself? Instead of attacking? - Lance asked, and immediately regretted it.

- What's that supposed to mean?! - All three RWBY girls snapped. Lance took a step back.

- I mean… obviously Yang hallucinated. Mercury didn't do anything. But if she was angry at him, then—

- She wasn't angry at him! - Ruby shouted. - We barely knew that guy! None of us had any grudge! Yang's devastated over this, so don't you dare accuse her! - Lance fell silent.

- Try telling that to Mercury… or his parents. - He said coldly, then turned to walk away. But just before entering his dorm, he stopped and looked back.

- Oh, and one more thing. Don't forget how quickly you all turned on Lynda when she was arrested. Maybe now you understand how that felt.

And with that, he shut the door behind him.

- If it matters… - Mike said awkwardly. - I believe Yang didn't do it on purpose.

- Is she okay? - Jaune asked, peeking out from the JNPR room, clearly having overheard the argument. The rest of his team followed suit, curious.

- She might be… she just needs some time. - Blake replied softly.

- I heard Mercury and his team are heading back to Mistral. To his family. - Ruby added. - So until they land, we won't be able to ask for their side.

- If there's anything we can do to help, - Ren offered. - just say the word.

- Same here. - Mike added. - And I'm sure Lance isn't mad at you either. He's just upset about what happened with Lynda. But Mandy, Lynda, him, and me, we're still your friends.

- Okay. - Ruby nodded, then turned to Pyrrha. - Pyrrha, please… win the final for Beacon.

- Yang would want that too. - Weiss encouraged. Pyrrha looked away for a moment, then gave a faint smile.

- I'll do my best. - She said. Something was weighing on her, but now wasn't the time. Everyone was still thinking about Yang.

- I'll be watching your match! - Ruby beamed.

- And I'll bring popcorn and soda! - Mike grinned.

- I've had enough excitement for one day. - Blake muttered.

- Same. - Weiss agreed. - Coffee?

- Tea.

The RWBY girls went their separate ways, Ruby to the arena, Weiss and Blake to the dining hall, and Mike back to his own dorm. When he entered, he saw Lance standing by the window, looking troubled.

- You're not mad at the RWBY girls, are you? - Mike asked softly.

Lance turned to face him, but it wasn't his usual look. He didn't seem angry, just… sad.

- Maybe a little. Or… I don't know. More like disappointed they don't believe Lynda.

- You mean… betrayed?

- Disappointed is a better word. I'm not angry.

- Wanna go watch the finals? Blake and Weiss are skipping it, but Ruby's going. Let's not leave her alone.

Lance sighed, then nodded. He didn't want Ruby to sit through the match alone.

- Let's go together. - Then he looked toward the other bed. - Hey… Mandy? You coming?

That's when they noticed, all the beds were empty.

- Mandy didn't come back?

- I thought she went to the dorm.

- Maybe she just went to eat… or to watch the match.

- We'll catch her later. - Mike glanced at his Scroll. - Ten minutes till it starts. Let's go.

Lance and Mike headed to the airship hangar, where the transports to the arena awaited. There they spotted Ruby talking with Velvet, the bunny faunus.

- Hey, girls! What's up? - Lance waved.

- Not much. - Velvet replied, putting away her camera. - We were just talking about what happened with Yang.

- Actually, Ruby… - Lance started, ready for her to snap again, but she didn't. - I just wanted to say sorry. I'm not mad at you or your team.

- Thanks, Lance. - Ruby smiled. - We're not mad at you either.

- And people shouldn't be mad at Yang, either. - Velvet added. - Even the most experienced Huntresses can hallucinate during a fight. Like Coco.

- Coco? - Ruby tilted her head.

- Yeah. During her fight against CMEE. She swore she saw Yatsuhashi in the match, even though he never made it out of the geyser field. Mercury knocked him out.

- Hm… - Ruby's smile faded. These hallucinations, Yang's and Coco's, were too similar.

- You're thinking this can't be a coincidence. - Lance noted.

Ruby, Lance, and Mike boarded the first airship to the arena, which was still packed with excited spectators. Lance and Ruby went looking for seats while Mike grabbed snacks.

- Hey... - Ruby pointed to one of the upper stands. - Isn't that Emerald?!

- Where? - Lance looked around. Ruby pointed again.

- There!

- That really is her! - Lance narrowed his eyes. - Nice eyesight.

- What's she doing here?! I thought she was on her way to Mistral… with her team to Mercury's family!

- Yeah, I'd like to know that too. Time to ask her what's going on… and how Mercury's doing. What do you think, Ruby?

But when he turned, Ruby was already gone.

- Not again. - Lance sighed, and ran after her. - Mike! - He called to his friend, who was carrying a mountain of snacks. - Wait here! We'll be back!

- But—

- Just stay put!

Lance chased Ruby down the maintenance corridors, taking a shortcut toward Emerald's section.

- Okay… - He muttered to himself as the stadium's loudspeakers began announcing the next match, when suddenly, someone blocked their path.

- Mercury?!

- What the hell are you doing here?!

The silver-haired boy looked perfectly healthy, better than ever, in fact, and showed no signs of a shattered leg. He clearly had no intention of letting them pass.

- Next match: Penny Polendina of Atlas…

- What are you doing here?! - Ruby shouted. - Why isn't your leg broken?!

- …versus Pyrrha Nikos of Vale!

Ruby suddenly realized something, and the sheer terror in her eyes was unmistakable.

- No… - She whispered.

- What?! - Lance asked, panicking.

- Oh boy. - Mercury said with a smug smile. - Magnetism and metal… not the best mix.

Lance reached for his sword, Ruby for her scythe, but neither of them had brought their weapons. Lance wasn't even wearing his armor.

Mercury, on the other hand, had his armed boots, fully restored Aura, and limbs that were weapons all on their own.

And he was about to prove just how deadly that could be.

Chapter Text

Lance and Ruby stood there for a moment, locked in a silent standoff with Mercury, who still had no intention of letting the two team leaders pass.

- Mercury… - Ruby's voice was barely more than a whisper as she asked the first thing that came to mind. - What are you doing here? You're supposed to be injured. How… what's going on?

Mercury didn't answer, he just smiled wickedly. Lance didn't like that one bit.

- Fine. If you won't say… - She tried to slip past him, but Mercury kept blocking her way.

- Mercury, you gonna say something? - Lance pressed.

- Showtime. - The boy replied, and suddenly lunged for Ruby. Lance slammed into him, knocking him to the ground.

- Go! - he barked, but Mercury drove a kick into his gut, smashing him back into the wall.

- I wouldn't. - Mercury sneered. Then he lashed out with a kick into the air, sending an airshot down the hallway that hit Ruby. She readied her Semblance to bolt, but someone appeared at the far end of the hall, cutting her off with a sudden kick that sent her stumbling back.

- You… - Ruby blinked, thinking she must be hallucinating. - Mandy?

The fox faunus girl had her bow drawn and a nocked arrow aimed squarely at Ruby.

- Don't move. - She said coldly

- Mandy… - Lance pushed himself to his feet. - What the hell are you doing? Mercury attacked us… and now you're aiming your weapon at us?

- You wouldn't understand. - Mandy shot back, still keeping Ruby in her sights. Mercury, meanwhile, turned his attention to Lance.

- Without your weapons and armor, you're not much, are you? - He taunted, then blasted the Scroll out of Lance's hand with a kick-propelled shockwave. At the same time, Mandy's arrow shot Ruby's Scroll clean from her grip. - How about we keep this between us?

Lance tried to charge Mercury again, but despite being smaller, Mercury's skill in hand-to-hand was undeniable. He caught Lance with a kick to the face, then spun and swept his legs out from under him.

Mandy had no trouble disarming Ruby without her weapon, so in moments both team leaders were down, Lance face-first, Ruby landing hard on her butt.

But they didn't stay down. Both got to their feet again, Ruby squaring up against Mandy, Lance against Mercury. Lance gave Ruby the briefest nod, and she understood immediately what the Crimson Knight had in mind. In a heartbeat, they switched places, Lance grabbing Mandy before she could teleport, knowing she'd have to take him along if she tried. With a surge of motion, he hurled her toward Mercury.

Ruby triggered her Semblance and rocketed toward the end of the hallway. She flung open the door, only to freeze, eyes widening in shock.

- Penny… - She breathed, knees buckling beneath her.

- What happened, Ruby?! Are you hurt?! - Lance dashed to her side, kneeling and scanning her for injuries, finding none. Then he saw what she was staring at, turned toward the arena floor, and his own words caught in his throat.

- …Holy shit.

- Our work here is done. - Mandy said flatly, and she and Mercury walked away.

Mercury tossed one last barb over his shoulder:

- I'd say she's in a better place, but we all know she never had a soul.

Lance and Ruby bolted, leaving Mike behind, still sitting in his seat with an armful of snacks and a five-liter soda. With no idea what was going through their heads, and zero interest in climbing across half the arena, he decided to stay put and watch the next match.

- And now, for our next competitors, - Professor Port announced. - Penny Polendina of Atlas, and Pyrrha Nikos of Vale!

The two red-haired girls stepped into the arena without delay. Penny was bright-eyed and eager; Pyrrha looked… uneasy.

- Greetings, Pyrrha Nikos. - Penny said warmly. - It's an honor to finally meet you. - Pyrrha said nothing, lowering her head in silence. - This should be a truly fun match.

- Spectators, are you ready for an incredible fight?! - Port roared. The crowd answered with wild applause and cheers.

Penny rubbed her hands together, unable to contain her excitement. Pyrrha pushed her distractions aside and focused on the battle.

- Three! Two! One! Begin!

Penny wasted no time, she summoned all eight swords, each suspended on steel-hard wires guided by embedded chips. They spun in a precise orbit around her before she sent them flying at Pyrrha.

Pyrrha dodged and blocked with sword and shield, but the blades wheeled back around like soldiers in formation.

She reached Penny in a burst of speed, but Penny leapt back, arranging her blades in a defensive wall. Pyrrha found no opening, and the instant she faltered, Penny counterattacked, driving her back.

- What an incredible counter from Ms. Polendina! - Port praised.

Penny hurled her blades high again, then drove them down toward Pyrrha. This time, Pyrrha leapt onto them, startled to find they held her weight, and bounded forward, blade to blade. Penny, learning from before, kept half her swords close for melee defense, fending off Pyrrha's strike and forcing her back once more.

They traded blows, Penny pressing the attack, Pyrrha defending, even transforming her weapon into a spear like Lance's. But Penny's speed and power pushed her to the brink, battering her guard. Pyrrha reclaimed her shield, only to suddenly stiffen, as if struck by a surge of dread.

She fought back harder, more recklessly, yet Penny blocked every strike. Pyrrha landed only one solid hit, but Penny seemed almost delighted by the challenge. She split her blades into two groups of four, circling them like hunting drones, while firing twin laser cannons in between.

Pyrrha dodged frantically, weaving between shots and blades. Penny had her on the wires, until, with a sudden surge, Pyrrha drove a blow that knocked Penny back. The crowd erupted in cheers, cut short as Penny struck again, smashing Pyrrha into the arena floor like a meteor.

The impact tore sword and shield from Pyrrha's hands, but she yanked them back with her magnetic Semblance. Penny anticipated it, cutting the recall short with a flick of her own blades. Now all eight hovered, aimed at Pyrrha, whose face turned deathly pale. It wasn't adrenaline in her eyes. It was raw, unfiltered terror.

Penny launched them, Pyrrha, in blind panic, unleashed a massive magnetic wave. The swords rebounded as if they'd slammed into a wall. The pulse fried their control chips, and Penny lost all command over them.

They whipped toward her uncontrolled. None struck directly, but the wires, stronger than steel, wrapped around her arms, waist, and neck. The wave still surging, the wires sliced through her like knives through butter.

It was over.

Penny lay in pieces on the ground.

Her swords clattered lifelessly to the floor.

No blood, no organs, only green fluid spilling from severed cables. Her body sparked, wires dangling from the wreckage. It was clear now: Penny wasn't human. She was a machine. But the truth brought no comfort to Pyrrha, who stood frozen in horror.

The crowd… silent.

Mike's popcorn slipped from his mouth. Around him, some people sobbed. Others turned away in disgust. Many shouted at Pyrrha, cursing her for what she'd done. Mike just sat there, silent. Even his appetite was gone.

Then every screen in the arena flashed red, bathing the stadium in bloody light. At their centers, a black chess queen appeared, and a woman's voice rang out cold and sharp over the PA.

- This was no tragedy. And it was no accident.

"Is this part of the show?", Mike wondered, desperate for some explanation.

- This is what happens when you entrust your safety, your children, and your hope to those who claim to protect you. The truth? They're only human.

Lynda watched in stunned silence from the small TV in her cell as the voice cut through the air, hard, unyielding, speaking as if against the entire world.

- Our headmasters hold more power than most armies. One was foolish enough to lead both at once. They claim it's all in the name of peace. But look at what happened here: one kingdom sent a robot army, and the other's star student tore the other one apart. Did the people of Atlas really think it was a good idea to disguise a super-soldier as an innocent little girl? You think the Grimm will see the difference?

On a shadowed corridor, Mandy and Mercury waited, ignoring Cinder's voice over the speakers, focused on what came next.

- And what does Ozpin teach in his schools? One student cripples another. And now, this. Huntsmen and Huntresses are meant to protect each other. To fight with honor. I've seen none of it. Maybe Ozpin thought if Vale beat Atlas at the tournament, people would forget their failures, like when they couldn't stop Grimm from pouring into the streets in broad daylight. Or maybe this is just Atlas' answer for letting its army occupy Vale.

Elsewhere, Neo was already in motion. Dressed in crisp white-blue Atlas officer's uniform, hair cropped short and brown in a girlish ponytail by her Semblance, she blended with the shift-change personnel boarding a transport bound for the flagship.

- To be honest? I don't care who's right. I only know that so-called peace has always been fragile, clung to by leaders with iron fists, yet ready to shatter in an instant. I'm from Mistral. Trust me, it's no better there.

Adam Taurus and the White Fang needed no further cue. Dropships roared toward Beacon. Adam, Derrick, and the others had waited for this moment, the chance to strike back at humanity.

- Our kingdoms stand on the brink of war. And we, the people, know nothing. When the first strike comes… when the first shots are fired… tell me, who can you trust?

The queen symbol vanished, and the blood-red glow faded. But the silence that followed was heavier than ever.

- What the…? - Mike barely had time to think before the sirens screamed, high, piercing, unmistakable.

"This is definitely not part of the show…"

- Alert! - A mechanical female voice blared. - Grimm attack detected. Threat level: nine. Spectators, please evacuate the arena in a calm and orderly manner.

Calm and orderly was the last thing happening. Panic erupted. People screamed, shoving and trampling each other in a desperate rush for the exits.

- Ladies and gentlemen… - Ironwood's voice came over the speakers, trying to steady the crowd. - There's no need to panic!

It only made things worse. Fear spread like fire, and then the first Grimm arrived. A massive, black-feathered Nevermore slammed against the arena's shield.

- Now can we panic?! - Mike yelled, pushing his way toward the other teams.

- A Nevermore?! - Sun gasped.

- How'd it get past the city's defenses?! - Coco shouted.

- It wasn't alone… - Ren's voice was grim. The city was under siege by an entire army of Grimm.

Uther Pendragon had barely set foot back in the family estate when he knew: Ozpin couldn't protect Vale. It would fall to him. He called the heads of police and the military in quick succession, ordering full readiness. But nothing could have prepared them for this. Alarms blared; Grimm flooded the streets.

He snatched up his Scroll and dialed Ozpin. The man answered at once.

- Ozpin! Listen, you—

- Uther… - Ozpin's voice was raw, almost broken. - I was a fool. I don't know if I was trying to convince myself or everyone else that I had control. But it doesn't matter anymore. The city is in danger. Please… do whatever you can to protect the people.

- Oz… - Uther was stunned.

- You were right. And when this is over, you can curse me all you like. But right now, there's only one thing that matters: protect the people. You have full authority.

The call ended.

Uther stared at the burning city for a moment, then sent a mass order to his own forces, police, soldiers, Huntsmen, full combat readiness, all means authorized.

He opened a hidden compartment beneath his desk. The wall slid back to reveal a suit of black-and-silver armor, and beside it, a greatsword with a black blade. The hilt bore the Pendragon crest: a dark-gray chess pawn.

Before donning the armor, he swallowed his heart medication. His words were barely a whisper, but heavy as stone:

- Maybe I really am meant to die as a pawn… damn family curse.

The White Fang dropships touched down at Beacon. Doors flew open and armed Faunus poured out, charging Atlas troops.

- Break them! - Adam roared, leaping into the fray.

- Quick and clean, just how I like it. - Derrick grinned, revving his chainsaw to a murderous growl.

Some dropships hovered over Atlas defensive lines. Expecting more faunus fighters, the soldiers braced, only to realize too late their mistake.

From the holds, not faunus, but Grimm leapt forth, howling, tearing into human lines with claws and fangs.

Meanwhile, tension aboard the Atlas flagships was rising. Reports of Grimm incursions poured in, but without Ironwood's clearance, nothing could be done. Then an unusual transmission came from a transport, the relief shift.

- What happened to the shift crew? - The captain asked.

- An intruder attacked and killed them! - A soldier reported.

- Send a squad immediately!

- Yes, sir!

A five-man team boarded, one officer, four armored troops, finding at least six dead. One wounded officer still breathed.

- Hey! Are you okay? Did you see the intruder?

The woman slumped unconscious in his arms.

- She needs medical, sir!

- Take her! The rest of us will search the ship.

As the soldier carried her away, the others vanished down the corridor.

Rounding a corner, Neo dropped her illusion, Hush in hand, and silently closed the distance. One soldier went down with a silent stab to the gut. She held a finger to her lips as he bled out. Too late to call for help.

She cloaked herself again, now as an armored Atlas trooper, picked up a fallen weapon and grenades, and made for the comms room.

- What's your business here? - A comms officer asked suspiciously.

Neo answered with a hail of gunfire.

In seconds, the room was a slaughterhouse. She planted grenades on the consoles and triggered them as reinforcements arrived, killing a dozen more. Then, methodically, she ghosted through the ship, killing with Hush, stolen firearms, or her own hands, until she reached the bridge.

Less than thirty minutes later, the flagship was a tomb.

- This is Blue-4! - A panicked voice crackled over the radio. Neo turned to see a wounded soldier crawling for the comms panel. - Blue-3 and Blue-2, we've got clearance from General Ironwood! All units prepare—

- Copy! - Another woman's voice replied. - Blue-3 ready!

- Blue-2, status!

Neo dragged Hush's blade across the deck, letting the screech echo. The soldier almost reached the panel before she drove the blade into his heart.

- Blue-2, respond! Someone, anyone!

Neo just smiled at the silence. She searched the confiscated gear, quickly finding a familiar black hat with a red feather. She lifted it carefully, retrieving the Melodic Cudgel beside it. Hooking the hat over the weapon's head, she walked to a secure cell.

A stolen keycard unlocked the door.

Roman stood, grinning, as she twirled the hat on the cudgel.

- Aren't you a little short for an Atlas soldier? - He quipped. - About time. - He took the hat, settled it on his head, and claimed his weapon. - Daddy missed you. - He said with a sly grin.

Neo put a hand on her hip in mock offense.

- And you too, of course. - He laughed, pulling her into an embrace and kissing her. - Missed you more than the hat.

She just smiled.

- Always wanted to try one of these ships. - Roman said as they made for the bridge, though his eyes lingered on the bloodied corpses. - Wow… you really did a number on them.

Neo crossed her arms in satisfaction.

- Don't get cocky. - Roman smirked. - We've still got work to do.

At the controls, he brought the massive vessel about toward the other two flagships.

- Target locked. Fire!

The shot slammed into one ship.

- Direct hit! We're going down! - The admiral's voice screamed over the radio.

- What's going... - The second, female captain began, before her comm cut out, crushed as the falling ship dragged the other down. Both exploded in the depths below.

Atlas might have had the most advanced tech and strongest military… but against surprise and betrayal, there's no defense.

- Woohoo! - Roman laughed like a kid opening his favorite toy. - One shot, two ships! It's good to be back!

Chapter Text

The Grimm had broken into Vale, but these weren't mindless, feral beasts easily dispatched. These were older, battle-hardened creatures, survivors of countless fights and centuries, long yearning to hunt humans again. They were stronger, smarter, and far more experienced than their younger kin.

Vale's defenders fought valiantly, but it was no use. The Grimm's sheer power and overwhelming numbers swept aside both human and robot soldiers alike.

Had the Grimm been the only threat, there might have been a chance to push them back. But Vale's defenders found themselves caught in a crossfire.

While most of the army held the front at the borders against the Grimm, the White Fang launched a surprise assault on Beacon Academy, trapping Ozpin and the leadership and cutting off the Huntsmen and Huntresses from aiding the city. To make matters worse, the White Fang dropped additional Grimm from their transports as reinforcements.

The two or three platoons of soldiers and several dozen robots stationed at the academy did everything they could to evacuate civilians and drive the faunus terrorists and Grimm off the grounds—but they were badly outnumbered.

Countless soldiers and innocent civilians were killed in the attack. The marketplace, where students had enjoyed themselves without a care the day before, now lay in flames, corpses scattered everywhere as Grimm prowled the streets.

Inside the arena, things were no better. Though most spectators had been evacuated, the Nevermore continued pounding the energy shield, which was already on the verge of collapse.

- Warning. - The mechanical female voice announced. - Shield energy dangerously low.

Ruby still knelt on the ground in shock, her gaze empty, unseeing. She paid no attention to the fleeing crowd, the danger closing in, or to Lance, who was desperately trying to snap her out of it.

- Ruby! We're in danger here! - He shouted, but there was no answer.

In the next instant, the Nevermore smashed through the arena shield, spreading its massive wings as it landed in the center of the battlefield, directly in front of Pyrrha. She still sat frozen, staring at Penny's dismembered remains. Jaune tried to run to her, but the Grimm's impact sent a shockwave that hurled both him and Pyrrha back.

Lance started toward them, but he was too far away. A sudden gust of wind hit his side, he turned, and Ruby was gone. The next moment, he saw her: dashing across the arena at full speed with her Semblance, snatching up one of Penny's swords, and driving it into the beast's chest with all her strength. The Grimm staggered back, and Ruby leapt clear, ready to face it head-on.

- Ruby… - Pyrrha watched in shock. She never imagined that after what had happened to Penny, Ruby would still fight so fiercely to protect her.

- Leave her alone! - Ruby shouted, leveling Penny's sword at the Nevermore.

The monster took to the air, circling high above, then swooped down low in an attempt to finish both girls with a single strike.

But before it could connect, rocket-propelled lockers slammed into its body, pinning the massive creature to the ground. The lockers sprang open, weapons spilling out onto the field. Ruby, Pyrrha, and Lance looked up to the stands, and saw they weren't alone.

Teams JNPR, CFVY, SSSN, ABRN, and FNKI stood ready, weapons drawn, determined to fight for Vale, for Beacon… and for each other.

The Nevermore showed no fear. It broke free of the lockers and prepared to strike again, but the students struck first. Through perfect teamwork, coordinated attacks, and sheer determination, they brought the great Grimm down with ease. The killing blow came from Nora's hammer, with Yatsuhashi and Sage together severing its head.

The beast's body evaporated in seconds.

- You guys were awesome! - Lance called, stepping onto the field with Mike at his side, he had been forced to watch from the sidelines without his armor or weapons. - Would someone hand me a Scroll?

- Here. - Mike said, passing his own. Lance quickly tapped in a familiar code, and moments later, another locker slammed into the arena, this one carrying his armor, shield, and sword.

- Ruby… I… - Pyrrha's voice broke as she clutched a scrap of fabric, what was left of Penny's clothing. - I'm so sorry.

- So am I. - Ruby answered quietly. There was no anger in her voice, only pain and regret. - It wasn't your fault.

She clenched her fist, her resolve hardening.

- She's right. - Jaune said, holding Pyrrha's sword and shield. - The one who spoke over the loudspeaker, they are responsible for this. - He handed the weapons back to Pyrrha. - We can't let them take any more of our friends.

- Now you're talking! - Lance grinned as he strapped on his armor, locking his shield onto his left arm and giving his sword a few swings to warm up.

- This is going to be exciting! - Mike added, loading up What the Heck as the others readied their weapons.

The moment was short-lived. More Grimm, a swarm of smaller Hippogriffs, poured in through the arena roof, following the earlier Nevermore.

- Sun! - Ruby called confidently, eyes locked on the incoming monsters.

- Yeah?

- Lend me your Scroll for a second.

Sun retrieved it with his tail and tossed it to her. Ruby keyed in another code, summoning her own locker, inside was Crescent Rose, her beloved scythe. She started toward it, but a Grimm landed on top of the locker, forcing her back.

A gunshot rang out, striking the Grimm and driving it away.

- Students! - Port's voice rang out, he was reloading his weapon, Oobleck standing beside him.

- It would be best for you to leave now. - Oobleck said gravely.

- But... - Ruby started, only for Oobleck to cut her off firmly:

- Miss Rose, this day will be remembered in the history of Remnant. I want my students to live… so they can tell the story.

They understood. The real battle wouldn't be decided here, and their teachers were ready to lay down their lives so the students could escape and defend the city.

- Then let's go. - Ruby said with resolve, flipping open Crescent Rose and giving it a graceful spin.

- Like a true Huntress. - Lance remarked proudly as she passed him. A sudden camera flash made them turn, Velvet, the rabbit faunus, was taking pictures of Lance's sword and shield, then Ruby's scythe.

- Velvet! - Coco called, urging her to keep up. Velvet said nothing and hurried after her team.

The students left, while Port and Oobleck stood their ground, ready for one last fight, no doubt they would battle to the very end.

Outside, the arena's landing platform was still crowded with fleeing civilians. Atlas and Vale soldiers worked desperately to manage the evacuation, but the transports had limited capacity, forcing long lines.

The White Fang attacked here as well. Several ships appeared, disgorging Grimm, including an Alpha Beowolf. The powerful beast shredded Atlas robots in seconds.

General Ironwood wasted no time. He strode toward the Alpha, breaking into a run, then a sprint. The Grimm charged. Many thought the General meant to take it down barehanded, but at the last moment, he ducked, drew his pistol, and shot it in the gut.

It didn't fall. He fired again, three more times, but the Alpha stayed on its feet, striking back with a mighty blow. Ironwood caught it with his mechanical arm, gripping the creature's paw. Then he fired an explosive round into the ground, unbalancing it, vaulted over its head, and put a bullet through its skull, ending it for good.

When he saw the armed Huntsmen-in-training, pride and sorrow mingled in his eyes. Proud of their courage, sad they were so young to be fighting.

- What's going on?! - Ruby demanded first.

- The Grimm have overrun the city, the White Fang has assaulted Beacon, and worse, someone hijacked one of my cruisers and destroyed the other two. Until I take back control, we can't defend Vale. So… - He stopped mid-sentence, raising his pistol to shoot a Grimm creeping up behind the students. - …I'm taking it back. - He boarded a robot troop-filled transport.

- What about us? - Jaune asked.

- You have two choices. - Ironwood replied. - Defend the city and the school… or save yourselves. - The students stared at one another. - No one will blame you if you leave. You're just kids.

- One more thing, General! - Lance straightened. - Our teammate, Lynda Dawn, she'd be a huge asset if you released her! - He was certain she wouldn't turn on them. - Please, let her go.

- Alright. - Ironwood agreed, tapping commands to order her release. Then he stepped into the transport. - Launch! - The ramp closed, and the ship lifted skyward.

The students stood in uneasy silence until Sun broke it.

- So now what…?

- I think… - Jaune began. - …we grab a ride back to Beacon.

- Then let's move! - Lance ordered, and they rushed toward the first available ship. Ruby hesitated.

- What is it, Ruby? - Lance asked.

She watched Ironwood's ship rising toward the shattered moon.

- Nothing. - She said, shaking her head. She had a bad feeling but didn't want to burden them with it. She followed Lance aboard.

- Don't worry. - Lance assured her. - Ironwood will get that ship back. And better yet, he freed Lynda! She'll help us.

- I just hope she's not mad at us…

- She'll gripe, but she'll forgive you in time.

- And… Mandy? - Ruby's quiet question reminded Lance that the fox Faunus girl had sided with the enemy. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

- I hope I can talk to her… before she does something we'll all regret.

They boarded, but a blast shook the air nearby. Ironwood's ship was on fire, falling from the sky. Everyone stared in shock, hoping he'd survive. Ruby said nothing, just ran to the door.

- Ruby, where are you going?! - Lance called after her, but she didn't answer. She opened the hatch and leapt out, using her Semblance to sprint back toward the arena as fast as she could.

- I hate when she does that… - Lance muttered.

The plan worked like clockwork, just as Cinder, Roman, and Adam had intended. The chaos in the arena drew more Grimm to the city's edge, forcing defenders to pull more troops from elsewhere. After Penny's death, Cinder's speech signaled the White Fang and Adam to begin their assault.

Meanwhile, Neo freed Roman from the Atlas airship, captured it, and destroyed the other two. Atlas was now unable to send reinforcements or support its ground troops.

Roman turned Vale's map on the computer, overseeing the battlefield and directing White Fang movements.

- We're making good progress. - He reported via Scroll to Adam and Cinder. - Adam, another squad's trying to flank you on the right. Send Derrick's team to hit them from the side, then fall back, lure them into the open, and I'll blast them.

It went exactly as planned. Once the Atlas soldiers were in the open, Roman's cannons tore them apart.

- Perfect hit. - Adam's voice confirmed. - All enemies eliminated.

- We're a good, Neo! - Roman leaned back confidently. If everyone stuck to the plan, Vale's fall and Beacon's capture were guaranteed. Neo gave a satisfied nod, happy to be doing it all alongside Roman. - Cinder, how's it going down there?

- Holding, but a large force of Atlas robots and soldiers is approaching. They could take out the Grimm and White Fang. Oh, and Ironwood is heading your way. I trust Neo delivered my 'gift.'

- How long do I have?

- Five minutes. Do nothing until then.

- Got it. - Roman scanned the controls. - Now… what does this button do? - He pressed it, dropping bombs into the forest outside the city. - Nice! And this one?" He dropped a squad of robots from high altitude, shattering them on impact. - Hmm… nothing special.

He toyed with the controls a while longer before Neo, still watching the map, pulled out a Scroll from Cinder.

- Is it time? - Roman asked as she handed it over. He grinned and slotted it into the main computer. - Good. Let's see what Cinder's little 'friend' can do.

Every monitor turned red, the black queen symbol glowing in the center. The entire ship was bathed in crimson light.

- Now this is going to be fun. - Roman smirked. On the map, blue dots turned red, a virus had reprogrammed the Atlas robots. Their new orders: attack Huntsmen and soldiers, aid the White Fang.

The sudden betrayal was a crushing blow to Vale's and Beacon's defenders. Two-thirds of Atlas' forces turned on them, shattering their lines. Grimm and White Fang forces punched through easily, Beacon's fall was only a matter of time.

Ironwood wasn't spared, his own robots attacked him in his ship, which went down in flames.

- This one's in the bag, Neo. - Roman said smugly, watching the map as White Fang, Grimm, and robots advanced unstoppably. - Nothing can stop us now.

A heavy thud shook the ship. Sensors reported something landing on the hull.

- Go see what that was. - Roman ordered. Neo nodded and left.

Roman stayed, directing the White Fang and the now-reprogrammed Atlas robots.

- This is Tina! We've got trouble at Beacon's west wing! A group of Huntsmen trainees is holding out, we need backup!

- I'll send a squad of Paladin to hit them from behind. Adam, status? - Roman called, but there was no answer. - Adam! Respond! We're about to storm Beacon, check in!

Still nothing.

- If you don't move, the Grimm will reach you too soon and you'll be caught in a crossfire! Somebody answer!

- Torchwick… - A voice finally came through, but it was Derrick, not Adam.

- What happened?! Where's Adam?!

- Adam… has lost it.

- What do you mean 'lost it'?! Is he dead or alive?!

- Alive… but he's gone berserk. On a rampage!

- That's good, right? - Roman shrugged. - Means he's cutting through the enemy.

- You don't get it! Not just the enemy, he's killing civilians, our own men, anyone in his way! Completely snapped!

- What?! - Roman rubbed his forehead in frustration. He'd vetted every major White Fang member and found nothing alarming, though he'd never seen Adam in action, but he didn't consider it could be so bad. But now, ignoring the plan and rampaging unchecked, could be a problem.

- Can't do anything from here. I'll tell Cinder. - He muttered, switching frequencies. - Cinder, you there? Adam's gone rogue, he may not be following the plan—

Before he could finish, Emerald's voice cut in.

- Roman… Cinder's not here.

- What do you mean she's not here?! - Roman's voice sharpened. - Where is she?!

- She said to wait, and left for Beacon.

- ALONE?! - Roman exploded. - Is anyone in this team a professional besides me?! She should've waited for the White Fang to break through!

- I don't know what she's planning, just that she said she had to get something urgently.

- How's the White Fang holding up?

- Okay, but they've lost momentum. Adam's gone, Derrick's silent, no one's leading them.

- Damn it! - Roman slammed the console. - Without a leader they're useless! - He jabbed another button. - Someone get me Cinder or Adam, now!

Then the ship trembled again. Sensors flagged an enormous Grimm presence. A mountain outside the city collapsed, and a massive winged Grimm soared toward Beacon, dripping black ichor that spawned more Grimm wherever it fell.

A message popped up from Neo:

"Guess who?"

It came with a picture of Ruby.

"Little Red again?!", Roman scowled, grabbing the Melodic Cudgel and heading for the top deck.

"At least I can take out my frustration on someone."

It was finally the White Fang's day, the day to punish humanity for every crime against the faunus. As Adam rode toward Beacon in the dropship with his comrades, he could hardly wait to draw Wilt and fire Blush, the shotgun built into its sheath, into as many human wretches as possible.

- The time has come! - Derrick declared, revving his chainsaw as the dropship began its descent. The doors opened, and the craft touched down.

The armed, eager faunus poured out like a wolf pack upon a defenseless flock. Though the defenders had superior numbers and weaponry, the surprise and speed of the attack threw them into chaos.

The defense rallied slowly, establishing fortified lines, but the Grimm presence made holding them nearly impossible.

Adam cut down dozens of robots and soldiers in seconds. Derrick shredded an Atlas Paladin with his chainsaw. Under their lead, the White Fang pushed all the way to the academy courtyard.

There, two obstacles slowed them: Vale's troops and Atlas' robots forming a solid defense, and Grimm from the city breaking into the school grounds. Most importantly, a group of Huntsmen trainees stood in their way, fighting harder than anyone else.

- Cinder, - Adam said into his Scroll. - the Vale's defenders are too stubborn. We need reinforcements.

- Do not fear, Adam. - Came her calm reply.

The next moment, Atlas's robots turned on their former commanders, attacking soldiers and young Huntsmen alike.

The battle shifted instantly. With White Fang, robots, and Grimm together, the defense collapsed. Only one thing stopped them from taking Beacon: the trainees holding the sole entrance, refusing to let anyone through.

- Persistent little pups. - Derrick noted, almost sadly. He hated the thought of killing ones so young, but the operation couldn't stop.

- Admirable. - Adam said, his voice tinged with strange respect. - But it won't save them.

The ground shook, and a massive explosion echoed from afar. A mountain outside the city collapsed, and a colossal winged Grimm emerged, heading straight for Beacon, dripping thick black fluid that birthed more Grimm.

- This is already ours. - Adam whispered, savoring the fear and desperation on his enemies' faces. There would be no escape, and he relished it.

He spotted a shop where Vale soldiers had holed up, firing at the White Fang. Adam strode toward it.

He kicked the door in, gunfire erupted, but Wilt's blade absorbed the bullets. In moments, the soldiers were dead.

Then came a woman's scream and a child's cry.

In the corner, a mother and child cowered, the ones the soldiers had been protecting. Adam looked at them, then without hesitation, beheaded the woman and stabbed the child.

The woman's face froze in terror, the child's in fear and a single, silent question: Why? Their blood spattered Adam's mask, and he smiled. He enjoyed this. Finally, he felt powerful. Finally, he was the one to be feared.

Then a familiar scent hit him, one he hadn't sensed in a long time. Like blood to a predator.

Blake.

He saw her through a window, she stood frozen, watching in horror at what he'd become. She covered her mouth, unable to process that the man she'd once loved was now this.

- Hello, darling. - Adam said with a blood-streaked grin, stepping toward her.

There was no going back.

The moment Cinder's speech ended, Mandy knew what she had to do, and why. But it did nothing to ease her guilt.

She took a dropship to Beacon's courtyard, hiding in wait to sabotage the defenders when the White Fang arrived.

While waiting, she suited up: black pants, boots, long-sleeved shirt, hood, white vest with the White Fang emblem on the back, and finally, her Grimm mask.

The first strike came quickly, a transport landed, but instead of faunus comrades, Grimm poured out, attacking Vale's soldiers and civilians.

Mandy nocked an arrow, drew, aimed, and fired, killing an Atlas soldier manning a mounted gun, removing cover for his allies.

Before anyone could react, she vanished, then shot a sergeant giving orders. Her next target was a soldier's grenade, her arrow struck it, detonating it in his hands, killing him and injuring several nearby.

She picked off more and more soldiers and robots from the shadows, covering the White Fang with ease.

But in her heart, guilt churned.

When another transport landed, this one with her classmates and visiting teams, her guilt only grew.

As her resolve toward the White Fang faltered, so too did the attackers' momentum, the Huntsmen trainees fought fiercely. Then the Atlas robots betrayed their own side, turning the skirmish into chaotic close-quarters combat.

Mandy kept firing, but never at the young Huntsmen. She couldn't bring herself to harm those who'd once called her friend.

Sheltering on the ground floor of a building, she searched for a new target, when a sound behind her made her spin, bow drawn. But she didn't shoot.

It was Mike.

Her teammate. A member of LLMM. He recognized her despite her uniform, her movements, her build and of course, her fox tail gave her away. Mike stared, stunned.

- Mandy? Is that you? - He finally asked, voice shaking. - Even if you kill me, just… tell me why you're doing this.

She didn't answer. Her hand trembled, the bow still aimed at him.

- Just tell me one thing… - Mike stepped closer. - Have you hated us this whole time?

Her hands shook so badly now she could barely keep the bow drawn. Doubt and guilt gnawed at her, every part of her resisted hurting Mike.

- Mike… - She whispered. - I… I'm so—

But she never finished. A sudden flash of white seared her vision, followed by a blow to the face that slammed her into the wall. She shook her head and looked up.

A familiar white-haired, dog-eared faunus girl stood between her and Mike, blades extended from the wrist guards on her arms, aimed at Mandy.

- Lynda?! - Mike exclaimed, relief in his voice.

- Miss me? - Lynda grinned, ready to fight. - Mandy, you damn traitor! You're the one who got me locked up, weren't you?!

- Yes. - Mandy said flatly, drawing her bow again. - I wanted to take the suspicion off myself… and you were the perfect scapegoat.

- We thought you were our friend! - Lynda snarled.

- My friends… my family are in the White Fang. - Mandy shot back defiantly.

The three former teammates stood there, weapons drawn, staring each other down.

Chapter Text

Adam's time for personal revenge had come.

Blake, the girl he loved, the one who had left him, now stood before him, frozen in shock, unable to speak. As Adam advanced toward her, Blake began to back away.

- Running away again? - Adam was the first to speak. - Is that what you've become, my love? A coward?

Blake stopped and tried to muster her courage.

- Why are you doing this? - She demanded angrily.

Adam's grip on Wilt's hilt tightened.

- The two of us supposed to change the world! Don't you remember? We said we would be the fire of the revolution! - A wounded civilian lay at his feet. Adam stepped on him. - Consider this the first spark.

He drew Wilt to finish the man, but Blake unsheathed her weapon and moved to defend him. Gambol Shroud and Wilt clashed, the two blades locking. Blake used all her strength to push Adam's katana back.

- I'm! Not! Running! - Blake shouted with determination, but Adam was far stronger, and slowly towered over her.

- Oh, you will. - He said, then kicked her hard, sending her sprawling.

A nearby Grimm spotted her immediately and lunged at the downed girl, but Adam shot it with Blush before it could strike.

- But not before you pay for your betrayal… my love.

Beacon's gates were the final defensive line separating the White Fang from their ultimate victory. Every Vale and Atlas soldier had fallen; only a handful of trainee Huntsmen remained, resolved to hold the line even if it cost them their lives.

The Grimm, White Fang soldiers, and Atlas mechs put them to their hardest test yet. No matter how hard they fought, no matter how many Grimm or mechs they destroyed, two more appeared for every one they felled. It was as if the enemy had endless reserves.

The students' Aura, stamina, and Dust supplies were running dangerously low, and when an entire squadron of Paladins arrived, the fear of defeat washed over many of them.

- This isn't good! - Neptune shouted as he and Coco poured fire into the advancing machines, to no avail.

- Then… - Coco lowered her weapon and looked at Velvet. - It's time. Velvet!

- You mean it?! - Velvet's rabbit ears perked up.

- Just make it count. - Coco nodded.

Velvet charged the three Paladins alone, leaving the others staring in shock.

- What is she doing?! - Weiss barked. - She's going to get herself hurt!

- Has she lost her mind?! - Lance called out. He didn't exactly want to watch the mechs crush Velvet.

Coco simply said:

- Just watch.

Velvet pressed a button on the camera mounted to her hip and extended her right arm. A bluish, translucent Crescent Rose materialized in her hands, a perfect copy of Ruby's scythe. She held it exactly as Ruby did and leapt into the air with the same technique Lance could swear was an exact replica.

In one sweeping motion, Velvet sliced the cannon clean off one Paladin. The Crescent Rose replica vanished, replaced instantly by Myrtenaster, a duplicate of Weiss' rapier. She used it to parry the next blow, darting away in graceful Weiss-like movements before driving the mech back with a series of elegant thrusts.

Next came the Ember Celica, Yang's gauntlets, firing two explosive shots. When the Paladin tried to smash her, Velvet switched to Gambol Shroud, Blake's weapon, hooking the blade into its arm and wrapping the ribbon around it. One powerful yank disabled the Paladin, dropping it to the ground.

Another machine moved in behind her. Velvet spun, severing one of its arms, drove her blade into its head, then summoned Coco's minigun and unloaded a hail of bullets. When the mech still tried to strike, Velvet switched to Sun's staff to block, leapt skyward, called forth Nora's hammer, and slammed it into the Paladin's head.

Next, Penny's floating blades deployed from a copied backpack. Eight swords whirled around her in formation, slicing the Paladin's legs before combining into a single powerful laser blast that destroyed it completely.

A third Paladin struck from the side, but Velvet conjured Scarlet Rook, Lance's rectangular shield, bracing against the blow. She slid back a few feet, then swapped to Golden Sting, Lance's spear, and drove it into the mech's arm.

When the Paladin tried to stomp her, she switched again, this time to Lynda's wrist blades, darting and slashing at its legs until it staggered. Then she produced What the Heck, Mike's weapon, firing three rockets that knocked the machine over. Finally, she drew Mandy's bow, loosing a single arrow straight into its head.

The second Paladin, only damaged, not destroyed, counterattacked, kicking Velvet hard to the ground.

- Velvet! - Coco yelled, opening fire in fury. The ABRN team joined in, along with Lance, who backed them with his pistol.

- What are you waiting for?! - Lance shouted when he saw Weiss standing frozen. - She needs your help!

Weiss steadied herself. She was afraid, but she knew she couldn't stand by while her friends were in danger. Activating her glyphs, she sped to the Paladin's back. Above her head, a new glyph appeared, one even Lance had never seen before, and Weiss herself was startled by it.

She didn't hesitate.

Weiss stepped between the Paladin and Velvet, raising her rapier in defense. She poured all her strength into it.

It was an incredible sight: a massive knight's arm and sword emerged from the glyph, intercepting the Paladin's blow before cleaving the mech clean in two. Before it vanished, Velvet quickly snapped a photo of the sword and arm.

The ground shook as four more Paladins arrived.

- You've got to be kidding me! - Sun groaned, thoroughly sick of the giant machines.

- I've got an idea! - Lance shouted, taking off at a run. - I'll get reinforcements!

- Please hurry! - Neptune called after him.

The students engaged the Paladins, and Lance could only hope they'd hold out long enough. He remembered seeing his team land in the courtyard, having sent Mike to find Lynda, but he hadn't seen either since.

Lynda and Mandy circled each other for a while, neither making the first reckless move. At last, Mandy loosed an arrow, but Lynda activated her Semblance, her claw blades flashing as she sliced the projectile clean in half. She lunged immediately, but Mandy blinked away in a flash of teleportation.

Having trained with Mandy countless times, Lynda knew her style inside and out. She anticipated the next move, that Mandy would reappear overhead for an aerial strike. And she was right: the faunus girl appeared above, firing downward, but Lynda effortlessly cut the arrow apart. Mandy blinked behind her, then in front, then to the side, but Lynda parried every strike. She couldn't land a hit of her own either, Mandy knew her moves just as well, knocking aside one claw, grabbing the other, trying to wrench it, only for Lynda to spin using her Semblance and break free.

They were perfectly matched.

- Mike, you want to give me a hand?! - Lynda called.

The heavyset boy hefted What the Heck and fired a rocket at Mandy. The faunus teleported out of the way instantly, sending the projectile hurtling straight toward Lynda. But she had been counting on that: she caught the rocket in her claws and redirected it back toward Mandy. Mandy had no time to blink again; she only survived thanks to sheer luck, the missile whipping past her head by inches.

- Face-to-face, we're equals. - Lynda said flatly. - But with the two of us together, you don't stand a chance.

In an uncharacteristic gesture, Mandy smiled. It was as if she'd just pulled off a mask, confidence flashing in her eyes as she looked at her former teammates.

- Who said I was alone?

A massive fist smashed into Mike's face, sending him sprawling. Derrick appeared, dragging his chainsaw behind him, only revving it up after flattening Mike.

- You'd better remember this. - He said as Mandy nocked another arrow. - The White Fang always hunts in packs.

Overhead, a small aircraft descended, piloted by another White Fang operative, Aaron.

- Well, well… - Lynda looked up with mild surprise before smirking. - Mandy, I've never seen you smile this much. You take something?

- I'm drunk on my hatred for humanity! - Mandy shot back, loosing the arrow.

Lynda dodged with her Semblance, then slipped away from Derrick's swinging chainsaw. She landed a kick to his chest, but Aaron opened fire from the air as soon as he had a clear shot.

Lynda kept her Semblance active, weaving between bursts of aerial gunfire. Mike, meanwhile, pumped Dust into What the Heck and conjured a massive stone boxing glove with it, slamming Derrick so hard it drove him into a wall.

- How's that, big guy?! - Mike yelled, exhilarated. For once, he was the one landing the decisive blow.

Behind her mask, Mandy's eyes flashed dangerously at Mike, making him hesitate for a second, but then he loaded fire Dust into the weapon and fired at her.

She deflected every shot with her dagger, then blinked, appearing behind him, ready to drive the blade into his back. But Mike knew her too, He activated his Semblance just in time to block the attack. Mandy backed off a few steps, waiting for her moment. Mike opened fire again.

Then came the sound from behind, the ominous roar of a chainsaw.

Derrick was behind him. Mandy had been the distraction.

The faunus man swung, but Mike threw up his shield bubble at the last instant, stopping the blow. Derrick leaned all his strength into trying to break through, but he didn't have to, Mandy fired an arrow straight into Mike's back.

A burst of yellow light flared around him as his Aura shattered. He was unprotected now.

Blood began to seep down the back of his yellow shirt. He dropped to his knees, looking up at Mandy one last time, eyes sad and pleading.

For the first time in the fight, Mandy faltered. She pulled off her mask, meeting his gaze. In Mike's brown eyes, she saw confusion and disappointment, as if asking:

Why did you do this?

- Mandy… - Mike's voice was weak, the words trembling. - Don't… do this… - His eyes glistened as he pleaded, and Mandy's hands shook on the bowstring. - We're friends…

- Mandy… - Derrick interrupted, placing a heavy hand on her shoulder. - I can do it if you want.

- No! - Mandy shook her head sharply. - It has to be me…

Before she could release the arrow, a fist smashed into her face. Mandy hit the ground hard, a purple flash signalling her Aura's collapse. Lynda stood over her, blades drawn, a furious growl in her throat, ready to finish it.

Derrick charged from the side with his chainsaw. Lynda caught the blade between her claws, and the two locked into a brutal duel. Sparks flew as triple blades met grinding steel, neither side gaining ground.

Then gunfire slammed into Lynda's back, Aaron firing from the ship. A flash of white flared as her Aura shattered too. Derrick followed with a single punch to her face, dropping her to the ground, blood streaking her cheek.

- Damn… - Mandy groaned, pushing herself up beside Derrick, still clutching her aching jaw. - This… should have been easier.

- And it's not over yet! - A voice rang out.

Lance, captain of Team LLMM, strode into view, sword and shield leveled at the White Fang fighters.

- Mandy, after what you've done… I don't know if I can ever forgive you.

- Wasn't asking you to! - She snapped, drawing her dagger and moving toward the two wounded teammates, only for Lance to intercept her.

Derrick attacked with the chainsaw, but Lance blocked with his shield. Mandy tried to stab him in the back, but his sword turned the blow. The two faunus backed off to give Aaron a clear line of fire but Lance reshaped his shield into a rectangle and blocked the barrage, protecting himself and his teammates. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Mandy aiming an arrow, the shot bounced harmlessly off his helmet.

He had to protect his friends. But like this, he wasn't strong enough.

He needed power, something to distract the White Fang long enough for Lynda and Mike to escape.

Rage flooded through him. His red Aura flared violently. His body, muscle and mass, swelled, his eyes glowing crimson when they snapped open.

- You want a fight? You've GOT one!

- What the hell?! - Derrick stumbled back in shock. - What happened to him?!

But Mandy knew exactly what was coming.

- This… is bad.

Lance hurled his shield at Aaron's aircraft. The heavy rectangle tore through the weakened windshield, slammed into Aaron's head, and shattered his mask. Smoke began pouring from the craft as it dipped toward the ground, but Aaron wrestled it into a rough landing.

Derrick charged Lance, chainsaw roaring, a fatal mistake. Lance batted the weapon aside with ease, then drove his left fist square into Derrick's face. The blow sent the faunus spinning to the ground, a gray flash marking his Aura's collapse.

- What… what kind of monster…? - Derrick muttered as he struggled to rise. His mask cracked and fell away, revealing a face crisscrossed with scars.

Lance advanced again. Derrick instinctively backed away, straight into the massive form of an Ursa Grimm. He swung his chainsaw in panic, but the beast ignored him entirely, snarling instead at Lance. One strike from the Crimson Knight cut the creature down.

- The Grimm follow him… it's like he'd be a beacon. - Mandy remembered grimly.

She seized Derrick's arm, dragging him toward Aaron's damaged ship.

- Now's our chance! We have to move!

With her teleportation spent, they could only run.

- Hurry it up! - Aaron shouted from the cockpit, blood streaming down his forehead. - The place is crawling with Grimm!

As Derrick and Mandy scrambled aboard, Aaron didn't hesitate, the ship lifted, smoke trailing from its hull. It still flew, and that was enough to get them out alive.

- Guys… - Aaron's voice was weak, his grip on the controls unsteady. - I… think I'm hurt…

- It's just a scratch! You'll live! - Derrick barked.

- Just get us out of here! - Mandy ordered.

High above, Neo crawled onto the deck of the Atlas airship, the wind howling around her. The massive Wyvern Grimm swept past, heading for Beacon, flocks of Nevermores and Hippogriffs in its wake. She had to move carefully, one wrong step and the wind would throw her into the void.

"Better not open Hush… one gust and I'm gone."

Sliding down the hull, she spotted a familiar figure, a girl in a red cloak, wielding a ridiculously oversized scythe as she carved through a Hippogriff Grimm. Three slashes, and the creature dissolved into ash.

Neo decided it was time to ditch the Atlas uniform. Her usual tight, stylish outfit and heels were much more comfortable for fighting. As her Semblance shimmered over her, changing her clothes, Ruby spotted her, staring in surprise. Neo quickly pulled out her Scroll, snapped a photo, and winked.

She sent the picture to Roman with a message: "Guess who?"

"Roman's probably fuming that she's shown up again.", Neo thought with a smirk.

Ruby attacked immediately, but Neo danced around every strike, parrying or slipping out of range. Ruby spun Crescent Rose furiously, but Neo's speed and agility made every blow miss. Finally, Ruby stabbed the scythe into the hull and fired.

Neo couldn't risk opening Hush, so she used an illusion to dodge. As the false image shattered, Roman appeared behind Ruby and fired Melodic Cludgel, the shot knocking her back. She barely caught herself by hooking Crescent Rose into the deck.

Catching her breath, Ruby looked up, only for Roman to step into view, looking down at her.

- Little Red, Little Red… what did you think you were going to accomplish? - Roman's voice held not just irritation, but a kind of begrudging respect for the girl who kept showing up to challenge him. - You want to be such a hero, you forget to think.

- What are you doing?! - Ruby's voice was desperate. - Without this ship, the Grimm will destroy Beacon!

- That's the plan. - Roman smiled and leveled his weapon at her, but Ruby grabbed the cane, yanking it aside and nearly toppling him.

Neo moved in, Ruby struck again, but Neo flipped over Roman's shoulder, kicking Crescent Rose away and sending Ruby stumbling.

- But why?! - Ruby demanded. - What do you get from this?! - Roman only smirked.

- You're asking the wrong question, Red. It's not about what I gain, - He glanced at Neo, tightening his grip on Melodic Cludgel - it's about what I can't afford to lose.

Ruby lunged; Neo kicked her weapon away again. Ruby anticipated it this time, keeping hold of the scythe and sweeping it sideways in an attempt to knock Neo down.

Neo ducked under the swing, hooked Ruby's ankle with Hush's curved handle, and yanked her into the air, following with a sharp kick that sent her flying. Roman seized the moment, clubbing Ruby in the head and blasting her again.

Ruby tumbled toward the ship's edge, barely catching herself with Crescent Rose. Below, Grimm swarmed. She struggled to pull herself up as Roman and Neo loomed over her.

- I might be a gambling man, - Roman began. - but I know there are bets not worth making.

Neo activated Hush's blade and began walking toward Ruby, dragging the tip across the deck before pointing it at her for the kill.

- Like it or not, the people I work for are going to change the world. And in that new world, I'll have a big role. I'll be Vale's new ruler. Finally, I'll be someone important. You can't stop it, and neither can I.

- You know the saying, - He started. - if you can't beat 'em—

But Ruby suddenly snapped Hush open.

The gale-force wind ripped Neo off the deck instantly, hurling her into the dark clouds and the Grimm swarms below.

- NEO! - Roman roared.

He reached for her, but it was too late, she was gone. Perhaps dead.

Roman's heart stuttered. Neo… the only person who mattered to him… gone in a blink.

"My heart… Neo… because of this brat…!"

- I don't care what you say! - Ruby pulled herself back onto the deck, eyes blazing. - We will stop them, and I'll stop you too! BET ON IT!"

Ruby's Semblance flared and she dashed straight for Roman. He fired Melodic Cludgel, but she dodged, only to be smashed in the head with the weapon's end, the blow knocking her flat. Another shot sent her sprawling again.

- I'M GONNA KILL YOU! - Roman roared, fury boiling over, vengeance for Neo the only thing driving him now.

- I've gotta hand it to you… you've got spirits, Red! - He snarled, slamming the weapon into her head again. - But this is the real world!

Ruby tried to push herself up, but Roman slammed the cane into her side.

- The real world is cold! - He kicked her hard. - The real world doesn't care about spirit!

She kicked back, forcing him to stumble, and managed to stand, but Roman was still in a frenzy.

- You wanna be a hero?! - He shouted, glaring at her with burning eyes. - Then play the part… and DIE ALREADY!

He cracked her across the head again, dropping her to the deck.

- As for me… - He loomed over her. - I'll keep doing what I always have! Lie, steal, cheating... and survive!

A hard kick sent her sliding across the metal floor. Pain lanced through Ruby's body. This man, who had caused so much suffering, stood above her, and she couldn't bring him down.

- What's the matter?! - Roman grabbed her cloak and hauled her up. - Gonna cry? Come on, let's see it! - He slammed her to the floor and drove his shoe into her side. Ruby cried out.

- Go on, cry as much as you want! - He barked, rolling her onto her back with another kick. - Mommy and Daddy aren't here to save you! There's no happy ending! No one's coming for you!

He lowered Melodic Cludgel to her throat, pressing hard.

- I know what I'm talking about! Those fairy tales you believe in… they're just lies! Stories the adults made up!

Ruby clawed helplessly at the weapon, but his grip didn't loosen. Her vision blurred, until she noticed Melodic Cludgel had no safety pin in place. She pulled the trigger. The blast and recoil hurled Roman backward, and she kicked him off her, bolting.

A Nevermore blocked her path.

In front of her, the Grimm. Behind her, Roman, still enraged and intent on killing her.

Ruby charged the Nevermore, leapt, and kicked it in the head, forcing it to lurch forward, right toward Roman. He jumped aside at the last second, but the Grimm crashed into the command center's glass, shattering it and wrecking the controls.

- NOOOO! - Roman bellowed as explosions rocked the ship. The controls were gone. The airship was going down.

- Do you have any idea what you've done?! - He roared at Ruby.

- I stopped you. That's what I did. - She said with absolute calm.

- At least I'll... - He began, stepping in to finish her, but Ruby had already vanished. She'd spotted Crescent Rose, grabbed it, and leapt from the airship, using the weapon's recoil to slow her fall.

Roman stood there, helpless. The command center was wrecked, the ship plummeting, and Ruby had escaped.

He had to get out.

He ran, wrenching open a door into a corridor. The entire ship rattled with each explosion, sparks spraying from the walls. A blast threw him to the floor, knocking his hat off. A flaming piece of metal fell toward him, but he blew it apart with Melodic Cludgel, snatching up his hat, though the feather was singed.

Jamming it back onto his head, he sprinted to the hangar. Smaller craft sat waiting inside. He dove into one and fired up the engines, but the ship was already in a nose dive. Pushing the throttle to full, he launched two rockets, blasting open the hangar doors, and shot through the gap in the final instant.

A massive explosion bloomed behind him, the shockwave rattling his craft. It sparked, shuddered, and began to lose altitude.

Uther didn't know how much time he had left, or how long his heart would hold out, but he had joined the battle in Vale without hesitation. He'd already cut down at least thirty Grimm, and saved twice that many people, civilians and soldiers alike.

The people of Vale had never liked Uther Pendragon. They thought him cold, cruel. But now they saw another side: a man utterly determined to defend his city.

He paid no mind to his own health. His greatsword swung in sweeping arcs, cleaving Grimm apart with every strike.

Other Huntsmen fought alongside him, Glynda with her telekinesis, Qrow with Harbinger, and scores of young trainees who had thrown themselves into the fight.

- Uther… - Glynda's voice was both concerned and sharp. - Are you sure it's wise for you to be out here?

- If I had to choose between dying in battle or waiting for these beasts to smash down my door… I'll take this any day! - He barked, severing a mech's head and hurling the wreck into another.

Suddenly, an airship spiraled down from the sky.

- That's Ironwood's ship! - Qrow said immediately.

- James! - Glynda started forward in alarm, then relaxed when she heard two gunshots.

General Ironwood had survived. His coat was gone, the right side of his black shirt torn away to reveal the cybernetics beneath. His trousers were ripped too, exposing his mechanical legs.

He opened fire on the rebel mechs without a word, tearing through an entire squad in seconds. When the ammo ran dry, he smashed the last one's head in with the stock.

- Area's clear! - He reported. - We need to—

Qrow suddenly transformed Harbinger into its scythe form and charged at him.

- Qrow?! - Ironwood backed away. - Wait! It wasn't me!

- Don't...! - Glynda raised her wand, but then she realized Qrow wasn't aiming for Ironwood at all. A Grimm had crept up behind the general, and Qrow split it in two with a single slash.

- Idiot. - Qrow muttered. - I know it wasn't you.

Glynda stepped up beside Ironwood, resting a hand on his shoulder in solidarity.

- Let's not start s*cking each other's d*ck yet. - Uther cut in bluntly. - We're still knee-deep in sh*t.

- Agreed. - Qrow said. - So what's the plan, General?

Ironwood, uniform ruined but posture still ramrod straight, clasped his hands behind his back.

- Someone has accomplished the impossible: they've taken control of my robots. We need to destroy the Wyvern Grimm heading for Beacon. Glynda, Uther, gather the remaining Huntsmen and soldiers, and set up a safe zone in Vale. We need to evacuate the Academy. Qrow, I'm putting my forces under your command. I have to get back to the flagship.

Then came a deafening boom. On the city's edge, they watched as the flagship slammed into the mountainside and exploded in a massive fireball.

- Doesn't look like you'll have to walk far. - Qrow said dryly. Even as he spoke, all the Atlas mechs around them powered down.

- Good work, team. - Uther allowed himself a brief smile, which vanished when his Scroll began to blare an alert. He looked at it, and his face drained of color.

- What is it, Uther? - Qrow asked.

- Emergency. - e said grimly. Sliding the Scroll away, he hefted his sword onto his back and started running toward Beacon.

- What happened?! - Ironwood and the others followed.

- My son… - Uther slowed, then dropped his sword entirely, clutching his chest before collapsing to his knees. - Come on...! Not now!

- Uther?! - Glynda knelt beside him, panic in her voice. - Your heart! I told you—

- Forget me! - Uther pressed a small remote into Ironwood's hand. - My son… his Semblance… With this… you can stop him…

Then he collapsed, unconscious.

- THIS COULD HAVE BEEN OUR DAY! DON'T YOU GET IT?! - Adam roared, slamming Blake to the ground again. She struggled to rise, breath ragged.

- I never wanted this! - She panted, grabbing Gambol Shroud. - I wanted equality! Peace!

She fired, but Adam deflected every shot effortlessly with Wilt.

- What you want is impossible! - He snarled. Red light began to burn across his body, the energy from her bullets feeding into him. Empowered, he struck her with a single blow that sent her sprawling. - But I understand now… because what I truly wanted… was you, Blake.

She tried to raise her transformed weapon again, but Adam kicked it from her hand and forced her down.

- And as I've said before… I'll sacrifice anything to deliver justice to humanity, justice it has long deserved! - He knelt beside her, voice dropping to a poisonous whisper. - And I'll make it my mission to destroy and break everything… and everyone… you love.

- Blake?! - Yang's voice rang from the distance as she cut down a pair of White Fang soldiers. - Blake, where are you?!

Adam glanced toward the sound. Fear flashed across Blake's face, for Yang.

- Let's start with her. - Adam said.

He yanked Wilt free and drove it into Blake's abdomen, avoiding anything fatal, but making sure it hurt. She screamed. Yang immediately charged toward the sound. Adam raised his sword again, a cruel smile spreading as he set his sights on the blonde.

- GET AWAY FROM HER! - Yang's eyes burned red with rage, flames flaring around her.

- No… - Blake gasped, weakly trying to stop her. - Please…

Adam sheathed Wilt halfway, keeping a hand on the hilt, as Yang closed the distance, screaming.

This was exactly what he'd been waiting for.

It happened in a heartbeat: a flash of red light, then a yellow flare as Yang's Aura shattered. Blood spattered the ground, and her right arm fell away.

Yang hit the ground unconscious.

Adam cleaned the blood from his blade in one smooth motion, then strode toward her to finish it. But Blake, summoning every ounce of strength left, threw herself in his path.

Her eyes blazed with defiance and hatred. She would not let him touch Yang.

Adam stared at her for a long moment, the woman he had once loved, now looking at him as if he were a monster.

- Why do you make me hurt you like this, Blake? - He asked quietly. She gave no reply.

He raised Wilt to strike, only for the blade to slice through nothing but a shadow clone. Blake and Yang were gone.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her fleeing through the rubble, Yang's on her shoulder.

Adam snapped.

He roared in fury, charging at the first Grimm he saw. His sword tore through them, eight Grimm in moments, before turning on twelve Atlas and Vale soldiers, and even three of his own men who had done nothing but speak to him.

He killed without thought.

He had become a pure, uncontrollable, self-destructive beast.

Chapter Text

Serious problems arose for the White Fang after the Atlas flagship crashed and exploded. With the Atlas robots now inoperative, they could no longer provide support, and Roman could no longer coordinate the assault. Cinder had vanished on some errand to retrieve something, but there had been no word from her since. And Adam… Adam had completely lost control after Blake slipped through his fingers. Lance, having activated his Semblance, had drawn the Grimm away from Beacon.

This made things much easier for the young trainee Huntsmen. Now they only had to fight the White Fang soldiers, who were left without leadership or support. The enemy troops were confused, unsure what to do; without anyone to rally them, they sensed the battle was lost and began to flee.

Mandy, Derrick, and Aaron weren't in much better shape, their Auras depleted, no hope of standing against the incoming Grimm horde or Lance. They boarded a craft with Aaron at the controls, trying to escape from Beacon.

- Guys… - Aaron's forehead began bleeding where Lance's shield had struck him. - I'm hurt… - His vision blurred, and keeping the ship level became harder and harder.

- It's just a scratch, you'll live! - Derrick tried to reassure him.

- Just get us out of here! - Mandy ordered.

Aaron shoved the throttle forward, climbing over the Grimm swarm, but was immediately set upon by flying monsters.

- They're not letting us go! - Aaron shouted, firing back and dropping several of the creatures.

The ship was smoking but still holding together. Aaron threw it into spins, dives, and sharp turns to shake the flyers off.

- W–where the hell are we?! - Aaron muttered, wiping more blood from his eyes. His vision was fading fast.

- Look out! - Derrick yelled as Atlas soldiers below opened up with autocannons.

- Bank left! - Mandy snapped, and Aaron swerved away from the incoming fire.

- Was it always this dark or is it just…? - Aaron mumbled, his words slurring. - Don't you feel cold?

- Hang on! - Derrick urged. - We're almost safe!

The ship began to slow as Aaron fought to stay conscious.

- Hey, you still with us?! - Mandy barked.

- What?! - Aaron shook his head, wiping more blood away. - Can't see too well!

- Hold it together. - Derrick said, trying to stay calm despite the fear creeping into his voice. - Not much farther now!

- There's… something wrong with my eyes, guys! - He wiped again, but his sight only worsened.

- It's just blood in them! - Mandy shot back, though the edge in her voice betrayed her own growing worry.

- And my head… I can't see a damn thing!

- Aaron, - Derrick's tone softened but stayed firm. - just focus on flying!

Aaron tried to force his attention forward, but the nausea and dimming vision made it harder with every second.

- He's in bad shape… - Mandy admitted grimly.

- I'm… I'm gonna die, guys… - Aaron's voice trembled. - That guy… when he hit me with the shield… think he broke something in my head…

- You're not dying, Aaron! - Derrick barked. . You're a good man, you'll get us out, then you can lie down and you'll be fine!

- Thanks… - Aaron's voice weakened further. The engines began to lose power, the ship sinking lower. - For… trying…

- Aaron! - Mandy shouted. - Not to yell, but we're losing altitude!

- No… - Aaron used the last of his strength to pull the nose up and feed in more power, but he could barely see, barely keep conscious.

A few loud bangs, then an explosion from the engine. The ship dropped into a steep descent, Aaron powerless to stop it.

They crash-landed in a street. Aaron tried to lift the craft again, but it was done.

Derrick didn't waste time. He knew they couldn't stay, so he jumped out immediately to scout for whoever had shot them down. Mandy stayed with Aaron, trying to help him move.

- I can't see… - Aaron muttered weakly as she tried to haul him up, but his legs wouldn't hold him. - I'm blind.

- You're not blind, it's just blood in your eyes. - Mandy insisted, pulling out a rag to wipe them, but the moment she touched him, she realized he wasn't moving anymore.

Derrick, his Aura fully drained, moved cautiously. A group of trainee Huntsmen were approaching, Team BRNZ, minus one member.

As Brawnz, Roy, and Nolan neared the wreck, Derrick hid behind a rock before springing out with his chainsaw roaring. The boys froze at the sudden appearance of the huge faunus charging them.

The first swing went for Brawnz, who blocked with his cat-paw gauntlets. Roy attacked with his circular sawblades, but Derrick booted him backward. Nolan lunged with his electrified staff, but Derrick dodged with surprising speed.

The three began to push Derrick back, until Mandy intervened, an arrow dropping Brawnz and Roy's Auras to zero. Nolan fell moments later when Derrick's chainsaw hit home, stripping away his Aura as well.

Derrick pressed the attack: smashing one of Roy's blades, then decapitating him outright. Shock froze the remaining two boys. Derrick's next strike drove the chainsaw into Brawnz's stomach, blood spraying as Nolan fled screaming.

Exhaling heavily, Derrick returned to Mandy, only to find her staring silently at the two dead boys, her age. She'd known casualties were inevitable, but seeing life snuffed out so suddenly still rattled her.

- How's Aaron? - Derrick asked, snapping her from her thoughts. - Is he alright?

Mandy only shook her head. Derrick checked for a pulse, nothing. Aaron was dead.

- We have to move.

The two faunus continued on foot, but Mandy kept falling behind, her mind replaying Brawnz and Roy's deaths. Derrick urged her on.

- Keep up, or stay behind! - He called over his shoulder, wiping blood from his chainsaw. - Don't lag!

Luck was with them, they found a car. A dead couple inside, clearly killed by Grimm not long ago. The engine still running.

- Get in. - Derrick said, hauling the man's corpse out of the driver's seat. - I'll drive.

Before Mandy could pull the woman's body out of the passenger seat, a gunshot rang. She collapsed to the ground.

The missing BRNZ member, May, had been hiding behind the car. She'd shot the unprotected, Aura-less Mandy in the stomach. Derrick reacted instantly, hurling his chainsaw into May, knocking her down and stripping her Aura.

Wracked with pain and fury, Mandy drew her dagger and hurled it into May's chest as the girl tried to crawl away. She went limp immediately. Mandy froze, she hadn't meant to kill her, only stop her. But rage had taken over, and now a lifeless body lay before her, blank eyes staring.

- Hey, you still with me?! - Derrick was suddenly at her side, hauling her to her feet and into the back seat.

- Aah… - Mandy groaned as awareness returned, clutching her wound. - It hurts, Derrick! It hurts so much! - Tears and screams broke from her.

- Don't worry, you'll be fine! - Derrick said firmly, starting the car toward the city border. - Grab my hand!

Mandy's trembling fingers gripped his tightly.

- How could she do that? - She sobbed. - She shot me!

Derrick drove as fast as he could, one hand still holding hers to try and calm her as they sped toward the outskirts.

It only took a single careless moment for disaster to strike. With one press of a button, Ruby made the wind carry Neo away: she popped open Hush and Neo was swept off instantly. She was hurled toward a swarm of Grimm at high speed, and she couldn't let go of Hush, the only thing keeping her aloft.

The Grimm spotted her quickly and lunged, but Neo wasn't having it. She kicked the first attacker in the head. The second came in and she arched her body at the last instant, the creature only grazing her. A third dove up from below; Neo snapped the umbrella shut, used the drop to gain speed, drove a kick straight into its skull, then sprang off it toward the next.

She bounded from one to another, cutting a few down with Hush, but the swarm didn't thin. In the end, she had two choices: fight until she was completely spent, or dive into the depths.

Neo chose.

She fell like a small cannonball, quickly outpacing the Grimm. Once she was far enough away, she opened Hush again and managed a clean landing.

Catching her breath, one hand pressed to her racing heart, she looked around. She'd touched down at the edge of a forest, well outside the city. The village hiding the White Fang's headquarters was still a few kilometers away, and the woods were crawling with scattered Grimm. They weren't the strongest, but there were many, and the terrain was rough.

Neo glanced up at the sky, at the Atlas flagship.

"Hm. Roman's probably giving Little Red a proper beating.", she thought, then pulled out her Scroll and typed:

"Roman, I'm okay, landed safely. I'm in the forest, heading to the White Fang village. I'll wait for you there."

Neo knew she had a long way to go, and that plenty of Grimm still roamed the woods. Fortunately, her Semblance was perfect for avoiding them. She leapt from tree to tree, slipping silently through the canopy like a shadow. Now and then she stopped to check her Scroll to make sure she was still on course.

She was certain of two things: she was on the right path, and Roman still hadn't answered. She typed another message:

"Roman, did you manage to take down Little Red?"

She waited a few minutes. Nothing. He hadn't even opened it.

"He's probably busy.", she tried to reassure herself. "Coordinating the White Fang could be keeping him occupied.

She kept moving, tension building, when she looked up and saw it: the flagship's command center exploded. The ship began to descend.

Neo's hands shook as she pulled out her Scroll and tapped out another message:

"Roman, are you okay?! I saw the explosion! What happened?!"

The ship sank faster and faster, then smashed into a mountainside in a massive blast. The shockwave could be felt even in the forest.

Neo's heart hammered. With trembling fingers she typed again:

"For heaven's sake, Roman, answer! Give me a sign you survived! Don't joke!"

Nothing. Just the silent screen. More messages followed:

"Roman, if this is some stupid joke, I'm going to be very mad! Please answer!"

"Roman… say something."

"Anything."

"Don't leave me alone."

"Please, you're the only person I love."

"I need you, Roman."

"You're the only one I have left."

Neo didn't even notice her tears had started. She sat on a fallen tree, let the Scroll drop into her lap, and just stared at the screen, sobbing.

Then a soft ping.

"You didn't think you'd get rid of me that easily, did you?", Roman finally replied.

Neo wiped her tears, and a smile spread across her face.

The craft shook violently, sparking everywhere, with small fires breaking out in places, but Roman fought with all his strength to keep it in the air and prevent it from nose-diving into the ground. He knew it wouldn't last much longer, but he managed to fly over Vale without being shot down or attacked by a Grimm.

The machine was losing altitude fast, and Roman couldn't fool himself, it was going to be a crash landing. Luckily, he spotted an open street where he could put it down. It hit hard, bouncing and skidding along the road before sliding into an alleyway and coming to a jolting stop.

Roman exhaled in relief that he was no longer airborne, but his troubles weren't over yet. The vehicle's alarm blared: the fire Dust used as fuel had ignited and was about to explode.

He quickly grabbed Melodic Cudgel and his hat, trying to get out as fast as possible. The door was jammed. Without panicking, he raised his weapon, blasted the door off, and leapt out at the last second.

The craft exploded, the shockwave knocking him to the ground. Roman felt his hat fly off and his weapon slip from his grasp. He pushed himself up, touched his forehead, and found blood. Wiping it away, he put his hat back on, the feather now singed, and picked up his weapon.

Limping away from the flaming wreck, he headed for the alley's exit. A teenage civilian stepped into the alley, probably to see if anyone had survived the crash.

Roman immediately grabbed the boy, pulling him in front of himself as a shield, and aimed Melodic Cudgel at two approaching soldiers.

- Don't make me kill the kid! Drop your weapons! - The soldiers exchanged glances, then complied.

- All right, just don't hurt him!

- Smart choice. - Roman growled.

He kept the boy in front of him as he walked toward the soldiers.

- If you turn around, I'll blow his head off! - He warned. When he passed them, he shoved the boy away and ran.

Roman sprinted down the street but saw a larger military unit approaching, clearly alerted by the previous two soldiers. There was no time for a fight, so he smashed into a nearby building, found cover, and waited until the soldiers passed.

Once they were gone, he slipped out and continued toward the city's edge. Turning a corner, he came face-to-face with a herd of Grimm. Not wanting to engage, he quickly broke into another building, used it as a shortcut, and managed to bypass the creatures. He climbed the stairs to the roof and avoided the horde entirely.

As he moved forward, he reached an abandoned construction site. It was empty. He stepped into one of the site offices, sat down, and lit a cigar. As he took a puff, he calmed down, and thought of Neo for the first time since the crash.

Just then, his Scroll chimed, finally with a signal. Pulling it out, a dozen messages appeared, all from Neo.

"Roman, I'm fine. I landed safely. I'm in the forest and trying to reach the White Fang village. I'll wait for you there."

"Roman, did you manage to take down Red?"

"Roman, are you okay?! I saw the explosion! What happened?!"

"Oh my god, Roman, answer me! Give me a sign you survived! Don't joke!"

"Roman, if this is some kind of stupid prank, I'm going to be very angry! Please, answer!"

"Roman… say something."

"Anything."

"Don't leave me alone."

"Please, you're the only person I love."

"I need you, Roman."

"You're all I have left."

Roman felt a mountain lift from his chest, Neo was alive. But his heart tightened at the thought of her desperately, tearfully sending these messages.

He could endure a lot, but making Neo cry because of him was too much.

He started typing the first thing in his mind.

"You didn't think you'd get rid of me that easily, did you?", He sent it. Seeing that Neo had received it instantly but wasn't replying yet, he typed again:

"Don't have much time. Got out with a small craft, but it was damaged in the blast and I crashed in the city. I'm fine, but I need to get out."

Finally, he added:

"Come to the city's eastern edge and wait for me there. If I need help, I'll call."

Moments later, Neo sent back a thumbs-up emoji. Roman smiled. The relief he felt was almost enough to ease the physical pain. He knew he couldn't stop, Neo was waiting for him.

He was exhausted, his head ringing from the explosion, and his body at its limit, but he pushed on. The city borders were only a few streets away, and Neo would be there, waiting. Just a few more blocks until he could hold her again, feel her loving embrace, kiss her soft lips, motivation stronger than anything else.

He stubbed out the cigar, stood, put his hat back on, and took Melodic Cudgel in hand. The street was still empty, but he could hear approaching footsteps and the rumble of engines in the distance. Time to move.

Tired but determined, he stepped out of the site office, resting the weapon on his shoulder. The eastern edge wasn't far now, but he knew the last few streets wouldn't be a walk in the park.

He was almost at the corner when a patrolling Atlas unit appeared. The soldiers spotted him immediately.

- Hey, there he is! Torchwick! - One shouted, and they opened fire.

- Damn it… - Roman hissed, spinning around to run the other way.

The soldiers gave chase. Roman shoved a few civilians aside; they scrambled away in panic. The troops avoided firing into the crowd, trying instead to cut him off, but he weaved through the streets, turned a corner, and slammed straight into a man. Both went down.

- What the hell's your problem?! - The man yelled, not recognizing him.

- Shut it, *sshole! - Roman barked, snatching up his hat. - Out of my way! - He took off running.

- Jerk! - The man's voice trailed off, but Roman didn't hear it.

He crossed the street, a blaring horn cut through the air. A car screeched to a halt, but too late. Roman slammed into the windshield, cracking it like a spiderweb, then slid off to the ground. His hat was off again.

He jumped up, put it back on, and aimed Melodic Cudgel at the terrified female driver.

- Out! - He ordered, but she only stared, trembling. - I said, - He smashed the window with the weapon's butt. - OUT! - He yanked her through the broken glass, her legs sliced by shards as she screamed.

Gunfire erupted, the soldiers had caught up. Roman ducked behind the car for cover and returned fire. A blast loaded with fire Dust took down two of his pursuers. The woman whimpered behind him as he reloaded.

- Nice. - He muttered, shooting two more before jumping into the car and speeding away. In the mirror, he saw a surviving soldier sprinting after him.

- Stop, you bastard! - The man yelled.

Roman just raised a middle finger and hit the gas.

When he saw the city limits, he finally breathed easier. Slowing, he stopped to get out and look around. The exit wasn't guarded. Too quiet, suspiciously so. The southern district was likely swarming with Grimm, drawing all the attention there.

He walked cautiously, weapon in hand. Dead Atlas soldiers lay on the ground, blood and bullet casings scattered everywhere. Then, suddenly, a shadow moved behind him. Two arms wrapped around him from behind, firm, yet gentle. Roman froze for a moment, then smiled.

- Hey, Neo. - He said softly. He ran a hand down her arm, then slipped free to face her. He embraced her at once and kissed her. - Told you I'd be fine.

Neo clung to him tighter than ever. Roman breathed in her familiar strawberry-and-chocolate scent, instantly soothed.

- I know I scared you, but I didn't have the chance to write. - He murmured. Neo just pressed her face into his coat.

- Let's go. - Roman said at last. - We'll be safe at the White Fang hideout.

Neo finally let go, inspecting his injuries.

- I'm fine, just a few scrapes.

Neo looked around once more, then nodded. They headed back to the car together. Roman took the driver's seat, Neo the passenger. She noticed the feather on his hat was singed. She smiled and signed something.

- Almost lost it a couple of times, - Roman replied with a laugh. - but I'd never part with it. - He rested a hand on her thigh. - You'd better remember that. - Then he turned his head to meet her mismatched eyes. - I love this hat… and you, for stealing it for me.

Neo smiled and signed again: Still not going to talk.

- You will, someday. - He smirked.

The city slowly faded behind them. Soon, they reached the village that housed the White Fang base. The place looked almost deserted. When they arrived at the hideout, Roman parked. As they got out, they saw blood at the entrance. Roman instantly drew Melodic Cludgel, Neo drawing Hush.

- Something's wrong. - Roman whispered, and they stepped inside.

A complete bloodbath.

That was all Adam saw once he'd calmed down and realized there was no one left around him. In barely ten minutes, he had killed at least three dozen people, not only Atlas and Vale soldiers, but innocent civilians and even some of his own men.

He was in an office building, but he had to get out. Through the window he could see White Fang members pulling back. It was over. The battle was lost, and the surviving members were fleeing. Some were shot down, others captured, and still others devoured by the Grimm.

There was no point in staying any longer. There was no one left to save, he wasn't their babysitter.

They had known what they were signing up for and what it might cost. He hadn't planned any organized retreat; he simply sent the order from his Scroll, and from that point on, everyone was on their own.

- Freeze! - Shouted two Atlas soldiers as they burst in, opening fire immediately. Adam dove aside and rolled under a desk.

There he found a terrified office worker, a young woman who had been hiding there from him the whole time. Grabbing her by the hair, he yanked her to her feet and held her in front of him as a shield.

- Please, don't hurt me! - She begged, but Adam didn't even hear her. His eyes stayed locked on the soldiers, who kept their weapons trained on him but didn't dare shoot.

- Drop them, - Adam warned, pressing Wilt's blade to the woman's neck. - or she dies.

The soldiers were just about to comply when Adam suddenly fired Blush, cutting them down in seconds. Then he struck the woman down with his katana.

He exited into an alley just as an entire squad of Atlas troops arrived, drawn by the gunfire. Adam ducked behind a dumpster, and when the moment came, he burst out in a blur. Three soldiers fell to his blade, and a fourth went down to a shot from Blush.

They returned fire, but Adam drew one of Wilt's blades and absorbed the energy of the bullets. He then sent it back at them with Blush, leaving even more corpses in his wake.

Too many soldiers blocked the alley's exit, so he blasted out a nearby window and jumped through. Using the building to bypass the roadblock, he emerged on the far side, only to run into a resident. One swift cut ended the man's life.

Back on the street, Adam ran, until a herd of Grimm blocked his way. He didn't hesitate; he charged in with Wilt, and after a few quick slashes, the creatures lay dead. The path was clear again.

Turning into another alley, he found more soldiers stationed there. Without a second thought, Adam charged, decapitating one, impaling another, and cleaving the third clean in two.

He crossed the alley and headed toward the city borders, but an Atlas unit blocked the main road. Adam didn't slow, he was the first to fire Blush. The Atlas soldiers returned fire, but Adam either dodged or absorbed the rounds.

At least thirty soldiers opened up on him with assault rifles and autocannons, but none of it touched him, or if it did, Wilt swallowed the energy. The blade glowed red, and Adam swung a massive arc through the air. A wave of crimson energy surged down the street, killing at least twenty soldiers in one sweep.

Even so, the Atlas troops refused to give in. With grim determination, they kept shooting. The situation worsened: two aircraft arrived, their sole mission to bring Adam down.

The fighters opened fire. Adam was forced to run. Behind him, a Grimm horde approached; ahead, more soldiers closed in; above, the aircraft hunted him; and on either side, tall buildings hemmed him in. But to his left, he saw one possible escape:

The entrance to an underground parking garage.

He didn't hesitate and headed straight for it.

Inside, the garage was like a ghost town, silent, until soldiers appeared at the entrance. Luckily, with so many empty cars, Adam could easily hide and slip between them.

He reached a security room and found a generator inside. Firing several shots from Blush, he knocked it out. The entire garage went dark.

The darkness gave him a massive advantage. As a faunus, he could see perfectly, and his heightened hearing and smell let him move unseen. The human soldiers, on the other hand, stumbled with flashlights, bumping into each other. If they'd been faunus, it would've been a different story.

Silently, like a ninja, Adam began picking them off, cutting throats or stabbing from behind with Wilt. He relished the chance to use his faunus traits to slaughter a few arrogant human soldiers.

Still, he knew he couldn't stay long. He headed toward the stairwell to reach the ground floor. When he emerged, he spotted a group of refugee civilians hiding along the storefronts. They all froze, staring at him in terror, his White Fang-emblazoned jacket, Grimm-like mask, and blood-soaked clothes more than enough to justify it.

- Freeze! - Shouted an Atlasian soldier guarding the civilians, but Adam cut him down in a single move.

- Who's next?

- Everyone, out of his way! - A civilian man cried, and the refugees scattered in panic, scrambling to hide.

A few more soldiers tried to stop him, but none posed a real challenge. Wilt's blade ended them quickly. Adam strolled through the mall corridors as if he were just out shopping.

He stopped at a café, where he saw light, running on a separate generator. He stepped inside, went behind the counter, and found a kettle. Filling it with water, he lit the gas stove and set it to boil. He found tea bags, pleasant, Mistralian green tea, and added lemon juice and sugar.

Looking out from behind the counter, he noticed some civilians had followed him, either out of curiosity or misplaced hope. Adam fired a single warning shot from Blush into the air, and they quickly retreated.

He spotted a toaster. Finding two slices of bread, he popped them in and waited. A few minutes later, the toast was ready. He spread it with butter and garlic. The tea finished brewing; he poured a cup, sat down, inhaled the aroma, and let out a contented sigh. After a day like today, he deserved a little break, a cup of tea to calm his nerves and a few bites to restore his strength.

He drank the tea, ate the first slice of toast, then poured himself a second cup.

Blake had escaped him, but Adam swore he would hunt her to the ends of the earth. He would destroy everything she loved and kill everyone she cared about. The blonde girl whose arm he had cut off was one of them. When he'd seen her eyes, he had recognized the same look she once had for him. She had loved that girl.

A bitter smile touched his lips as he bit into the second slice.

"I wonder if she made a promise to stay with her forever.", he thought.

Blake's broken promise enraged him so much that he hurled the teacup. It shattered against the wall, just like his heart.

Adam stepped out of the café and made for the stairs to the upper floor. No one dared block his way. He reached the fire escape that led to the roof. The door was locked, but one shot from Blush blew the padlock apart, and he kicked the door open.

The moment he stepped onto the roof, several Atlasaian soldiers rushed him, and died within seconds beneath Wilt's blade.

On the roof sat an aircraft. Its pilot, seeing Adam cut down her comrades, frantically tried to start the engines, but Adam was faster. Smashing the cockpit glass with his fist, he grabbed the woman by the throat and, without hesitation, hurled her off the mall's roof.

Climbing into the cockpit, he fired up the engines. The thrusters roared, and at last Adam took off. The craft lifted from the mall rooftop and climbed rapidly, turning toward the city's edge.

Adam glanced back one last time at Vale's burning ruins, satisfied, before looking ahead, straight toward the White Fang's hideout.

Chapter Text

After successfully driving the White Fang and most of the Grimm out of Beacon, everyone gathered in the academy courtyard, where a temporary safe zone had been established. The evacuation was led by Professors Oobleck and Port.

- Everyone! - Port called out. - Line up! Mandatory evacuation!

- We've already set up a more secure zone in Vale! - Oobleck added. - Please remain calm and follow the instructions of the Atlesian personnel!

From the direction of the academy came Lynda and Mike. The chubby boy was bleeding, leaning heavily on the faunus girl for support. Lynda wasn't in much better shape herself; she nearly collapsed under Mike's weight, but she gathered every ounce of strength she had to get her friend to safety.

- Hey! - Sun was the first to run up to help, Weiss right behind him. - We'll take it from here! - Sun swung Mike's other arm over his own shoulder, and together with Lynda they got him into the evacuation zone, where he ended up beside Yang and Blake.

- Lynda… - Weiss felt a pang of guilt for having once believed, along with her team, that Lynda was working with the White Fang. - I—

- What… happened to her?! - Lynda stared in shock at Yang, whose right arm was nothing but a bloody, bandaged stump.

- A White Fang member did this… Are you okay?

- Just… - Lynda panted, glancing toward Mike with worry. - Get him to a medic.

- You could use one yourself. - Sun noted as Lynda turned away. - Hey, where are you going?!

- Lance… - Lynda could barely stand. - He's in trouble.

- What happened to him?! - Weiss asked, alarmed.

- His Semblance… He's surrounded by Grimm! - Lynda forced herself to keep moving. - We have to save him!

- Weiss! - Ruby's voice rang out in the distance, making Weiss' face light up.

- Ruby! - The two girls embraced tightly.

- I found you!

- Ruby, where have you—

- Don't worry, I'm fine. - Ruby looked around, taking in the sight: Mike, bleeding and exhausted; Lynda, her Aura nearly depleted but still determined; Yang and Blake beside each other, Blake clutching Yang's remaining hand as apologies were whispered to her over and over.

Ruby clapped a hand over her mouth when she saw her sister and friend in such a state.

- Ruby… - Lynda spoke up. - If you don't help me, Lance is going to die.

- What happened to him?! - Ruby asked.

- He activated his Semblance, and the Grimm swarmed him!

- Then we have to save him! - Ruby declared.

- But Jaune and Pyrrha are still missing! - Nora reminded them.

- Look. - Sun pointed toward the massive Wyvern Grimm circling above Beacon Tower. - That thing's still there! The smaller ones keep gathering around it! Even the White Fang pulled back! We need to get out of here! Now!

- No… - Ren tried to stand, but his strength failed him, and he collapsed.

Seeing how exhausted her friends were, Ruby knew she couldn't ask them to come with her.

- I'm going to find them. - She said firmly. - I'll find them and bring them back.

- No! - Weiss snapped, stepping up beside her. - We'll bring them back. - She turned to the others. - You stay here with Yang, Blake, and Mike. We'll be back soon.

- Then it's settled! - Lynda clapped her hands together, only to immediately drop to one knee.

- Drink this. - Weiss handed her a special potion. - It'll restore part of your Aura.

- Thanks. - Lynda drank it. A white flash signaled her Aura partially recharging, and her strength returned.

Lynda, Ruby, and Weiss set off toward Beacon.

- What's the plan? - Weiss asked.

- Well… we bring back Lance, Pyrrha, and Jaune. - Ruby replied.

- Okay, but where are they? - Weiss pressed.

- Well… - Ruby rubbed the back of her neck. - That's a good question.

- I don't know where Pyrrha and Jaune are, but I saw Lance last over there. - Lynda pointed toward the academy's west side. - I can still smell him, it won't be hard to find him.

Suddenly, Weiss' Scroll chimed.

- It's Jaune! - She said, answering immediately. - Where are you?!

- Weiss! - Jaune's voice was desperate, panicked. - Please, you have to stop her!

- What are you talking about?

- Pyrrha! She went to the top of the tower to go after that woman! She doesn't stand a chance! - The three girls glanced toward the CCT tower but saw nothing unusual.

- Jaune, what are you talking about? Where are you?

- Forget about me! - His voice trembled, as if he already knew what was going to happen to Pyrrha. - Please… you have to save her!

- We will, but are you... - Weiss began, but the call abruptly cut off. - Jaune? Jaune?!

The next moment, the Wyvern soared overhead, latched onto the CCT tower, and fixed its burning red-orange eyes on them. With a deafening roar, it released dozens of smaller Grimm to the ground below.

- Lynda, - Ruby drew Crescent Rose, Weiss unsheathing Myrtenaster, and Lynda pulling her blades free. - go find Lance and Jaune.

- You sure? - Lynda hesitated, reluctant to leave them. - You might need me.

- Don't worry. - Ruby said confidently, holding her scythe ready. - I've got a plan.

- You always have. - Weiss added, drawing her weapon.

- Good luck. - Lynda retracted her blades, activated her Semblance, and was gone in an instant.

She was grateful for Weiss' potion, it had given her the strength she needed, because now Lance and Jaune's lives depended on her. She rounded a corner and spotted massive destruction along Beacon's west wing: everything had been smashed to rubble. Grimm tracks were everywhere, but no creatures remained nearby.

Something powerful had passed through, smashing a hole through a wall and heading toward the city.

"I have to hurry!", Lynda thought, Lance's scent clear in her nose. She didn't even need her refined tracking skills; the trail of destruction was more than enough to follow.

In the distance, she saw the ominous dark-red glow radiating from Lance's berserker form. Luckily, the Grimm were approaching from the same direction she was, meaning they posed no threat to her.

Slowly and carefully, she approached her rampaging, mindless teammate, watching as he cut down wave after wave of monsters.

"Okay… now what?", she wondered. "I made it here and I'm watching him shred these things, but I can't exactly do much."

Then a familiar scent caught her attention: in one of the buildings, she spotted Jaune, hiding from the Grimm, trying to sneak back toward Beacon. Unfortunately for him, Lance was fighting right in front of the building, blocking the only way out. Lynda couldn't get in without Lance spotting them.

Jaune suddenly burst out, cutting down a few Grimm to help Lance, a huge mistake. The moment he got close, Lance slammed him into a wall with one punch.

- Lance… - Jaune coughed. - What's wrong with you?! It's me, Jaune! - He tried to back away but hit the wall, Lance towering over him with murderous intent.

"Damn it, he doesn't know!", Lynda realized instantly. She activated her Semblance and charged full speed, slamming into Lance and knocking him aside.

- Jaune, - She held out her hand. - we can't stay near him! - Jaune took her hand, and they ran.

- We need to get…! - A white flash erupted, Lynda's Aura was spent, her Semblance shutting off. She face-planted, dragging Jaune down on top of her.

- Ugh… didn't keep track of my Aura. - She groaned, rubbing her forehead.

- What's wrong with Lance?! - Jaune demanded, still reeling from the attack. - He's lost his mind!

- Long story. - Lynda said as they scrambled up. - But the short version is, we need to get as far away from him as possible!

- We can't just leave Pyrrha alone! - Jaune protested.

- Ruby and Weiss went after her. Right now, the priority is staying alive! - Lynda pulled him along, and though reluctant, he obeyed. He knew he couldn't help Pyrrha like this.

They hadn't gone far when a horde of Grimm blocked their path. Both drew their weapons, only for the creatures to ignore them entirely and march past.

- What the…? - Jaune stared.

- They want Lance. - Lynda said grimly.

- But why?

- It's his Semblance. It makes him so strong that nothing can beat him. But the price is losing all self-control, he can't tell friend from foe. And it draws Grimm like a magnet.

- That's… dangerous.

- It is. But at least it means we can get away. - They slipped through the horde, the Grimm paying them no mind.

Gunshots rang out, followed by dozens of Grimm being cut down. Ahead, a familiar figure stepped into view: Qrow, standing confidently before the still-raging Lance.

- Who's that? - Lynda asked, frowning.

- Ruby's uncle, Qrow. - Jaune replied.

- And what's he doing here? He can't beat Lance with just... - She stopped mid-sentence as Qrow pressed a button on a remote. Lance dropped his sword, clutching his head in agony as if it would split apart. He fell to his knees, tried to attack one more time, then collapsed unconscious. The red Aura faded, and his body returned to normal.

- You kids okay? - Qrow asked. Lynda just nodded, still confused. - Good. Anyone seen my niece?

- She went toward the tower to save Pyrrha. - Jaune said. - Please—help them!

- Don't worry, I'm on it. - Qrow handed Lynda the remote. - Get him somewhere safe. If he starts raging again, hit the red button.

With that, Qrow headed for Beacon while Jaune and Lynda lifted Lance and started toward the Vale safe zone.

- Damn it! - Mandy screamed, clutching at her wound in a desperate attempt to stop the bleeding, but the blood kept pouring from her stomach. - I'm gonna die! Damn it all!

- Hang in there, big girl! - Derrick called over his shoulder from the driver's seat, trying to keep her calm.

- I'M GONNA DIE! - She shrieked like a wounded animal. - I'm sorry!

- Give me your hand! - Derrick reached back, grabbing hold of hers. She clung to his large palm like it was her only lifeline.

- Should've just let her kill me… - Mandy groaned, still thinking about May from Team BRNZ, the one who had shot her. The pain was unbearable, and with the blood she felt like her very life was spilling out of her. - Turn back, please!

- Sit still! - Derrick barked, forcing his voice to stay steady despite his own worry. - I know it hurts like hell, but you're gonna live!

- I'M GOING TO DIE! - Mandy sobbed. - I'm bleeding out, Derrick! I'm bleeding out!

- Really?! - Derrick, feeling the weight of her words, tried to defuse it with sarcasm. - Didn't know you were a certified doctor! - She kept wailing, so he quickly tried something else. - You a doctor?! - She curled up on the back seat, still crying. - Answer me! Are you a doctor?! Please, just answer! Are you?!

- No… - She finally croaked, voice shaking. - I'm not.

- See? Then you don't know for sure you're gonna die. You might just be bleeding a lot but still pull through. You can have an amateur opinion, but only a doctor can tell you for sure. - Derrick's tone was convincing, and Mandy began to calm, slightly. - Listen to me. I'm taking you back to the village, to the HQ. The others are probably there. Roman will get you a doctor and fix you up. Now say it with me: 'I'll be fine.'

- Aaaah! - Mandy screamed again, the pain stabbing deep.

- SAY IT, DAMN IT! SAY 'I'LL BE FINE'! SAY YOU'LL BE OKAY! SAY IT!

- Okay… okay… - Mandy's voice trembled, tears spilling as she tried to breathe. - I'll be fine…

- That's it! - Derrick nodded. - That's good.

- I'll be fine… - She repeated faintly.

They reached the village, completely deserted, its residents having been warned to hide in time. Derrick jumped out, opened the back door, and carefully lifted Mandy from the seat. She was barely holding on, but she was still breathing. Carrying her in his arms, he strode into the warehouse the White Fang had converted into a temporary headquarters.

The place was empty, no people, no equipment, but that was the least of his concerns. He headed straight for the makeshift infirmary and laid Mandy down on one of the beds. Her hand still gripped his weakly.

- Look where we are. - Derrick said gently, leaning over her. - We made it back to HQ.

- Derrick… - Mandy's voice was hoarse, her eyes clouded. She could barely make out her surroundings, but she knew Derrick was there. - You'll save me… right?

- You're going to make it! - He answered immediately. - Now… who's the tough girl? C'mon, say it, who's the tough girl?

- I… - Mandy clenched her teeth and fists against the pain. - I'm the tough girl.

- That's right! You're the toughest girl there is. Not many would've survived this. Hang in there, kid. - He whispered encouragement as he carefully unbuttoned her blood-soaked vest and lifted her black long-sleeved shirt to check the wound.

The sight made his stomach turn: a deep, gaping bullet hole in her abdomen, still oozing blood. He had nothing to treat it with.

- There's not much I can do… but Roman should be here any minute. Maybe he can help. - He said it more for himself than for her. - Until then, we'll stay here. Rest, and try to stay calm.

- And if he doesn't come? - She rasped, voicing the fear that had been gnawing at her. - Or if he can't help?

Derrick met her eyes, they were full of fear and desperation.

- That's not—

- Derrick, I'm scared! - Mandy whimpered, squeezing his hand again. - Please… will you hold me?

- Of course. - he said without hesitation. He bent down, wrapped her in his arms, stroked her hair, and scratched gently at the base of her fox ears, drawing a small measure of comfort from her.

- You've been so brave. - Derrick whispered. - You're safe now. You're not going to die. You'll be fine. Once Roman gets here, it's only a matter of time before you're healed.

- Derrick… - her voice was barely audible, but her mind was clear. - I know this wound is serious…

- Well… - Derrick glanced at it again. Lying would've been pointless. - It's no scratch.

That actually made her smile faintly.

- I really panicked earlier. - She admitted slowly, her voice steadier now. - But I can see clearly again. There's a good chance Roman won't be able to help me. And yes… it's serious. Don't sugarcoat it.

- Mandy— - Derrick began, but she kept going.

- Derrick, without medical help, I'm definitely going to die. - She said it with certainty now, and he knew it wasn't fear talking, it was fact.

- Mandy, I can't take you to a hospital, they'd—

- For Gods' sake, you think I don't know that?! - She snapped, though her anger quickly faded with her strength. - I know they'd arrest me on sight! You don't have to take me in, just leave me somewhere in the safe zone! Out on the street! I'll handle it from there! - Her green eyes brimmed with tears. - I thought I'd be braver… but I'm not. I'm scared of dying! I don't want to die! I promise I won't betray you, no one will use me against you! Derrick… - She began to sob. - I'm begging you… take me there!

Derrick's heart twisted. If he did nothing, he'd have to watch the girl he'd raised since she was young, one he thought of as his own, die before his eyes.

- You're not going to die. - He whispered. He wasn't sure if he was trying to convince her or himself. - I won't let you. You'll be fine. The stomach's the second worst place to get shot, after the knee.

- Derrick, were you even listening?! - Mandy shouted weakly.

- But it can take a long time to… well, for you to die from it. - He insisted, though he didn't believe his own words. - Could be two days! Sure, it'll hurt like hell and you'll probably wish you were dead, but we've got time.

At that moment, the door opened and the sound of determined footsteps echoed toward them.

- What the f*ck happened?! - An all-too-familiar voice demanded. Roman stood in the doorway, Neo at his side. He'd followed the blood trail, and now he froze at the sight of Mandy. - Holy… what happened to her?

- She's been shot in the stomach. - Derrick said flatly.

- Sh*t... Where's Adam and the rest? - Roman asked, already gathering intel.

- Aaron's dead. - Derrick explained, standing up. - A lot of others, too. No idea where Adam is.

- How'd he die?

- How do you think? - Derrick shot back. - The Huntsmen killed him. Then they pushed us back.

- That's not great. - Roman muttered, rubbing his forehead before glancing at Mandy again. - How's she doing?

- How do you think?! - Derrick snapped, anger rising. - Roman, call someone!

- Call who the hell?! - Roman threw up his hands.

- A circus juggler. - Derrick growled. - A doctor, damn it, someone who can save her!

- Sorry, let me rephrase: what doctor should I call?! - Roman's patience snapped. - Vale's a damn war zone right now! The CCT tower's gone, no signal! Grimm everywhere! The city's civilians have all been herded into the safe zone! What doctor could come here?! And to treat someone who took part in the attack?!

- If you don't call someone, she's going to die! - Derrick roared.

- I'm sorry, but that's not on me! - Roman clenched his teeth. - You scr*wed us over!

- What the f*ck are you talking about?! - Derrick shot back, stepping forward. - This is YOUR fault! If that airship hadn't gone down, the robots wouldn't have shut off, and we could've taken Beacon!

- We were attacked! Grimm showed up! - Roman defended himself, though his frustration was building.

- Look... - Derrick sighed, lowering his voice. - let's talk somewhere else. Not in front of Mandy.

He started for the door, but Mandy weakly reached for him.

- Derrick… don't leave me… - She begged. - I'll die…

- I'll be right back. - He promised, leaning down to squeeze her hand. - I'm not going far, just a few minutes. - Neo and Roman were already waiting at the door, but before Derrick left, he turned to Neo. - Will you stay with her?

Neo only raised an eyebrow, she clearly didn't care for Mandy, but Roman put a hand on her shoulder and nodded. Neo walked over to the bleeding girl.

- Just hold her hand and call if anything changes. - Derrick told her, pressing Mandy's hand into Neo's. - You're not alone, okay?

- Derrick… - Mandy whispered, but she didn't have the strength to say more. She closed her eyes as Neo quietly sat beside her.

Derrick joined Roman out in the warehouse's main hall. The man was pacing, his face tight with tension and barely contained anger.

- Why the f*ck did we even agree to this job?! - Roman ranted, at first to himself, then squarely at Derrick. - I knew from the start something was off! Should've said no and walked away! But no… neither me nor Neo ever listens to our instincts! That's how we blow every big score! The warning bells were already ringing in my head, but I ignored them, only saw and cared the damn money!

- It's too late to cry about it now. Calm down. - Derrick said, folding his arms.

Roman kept pacing, then suddenly slammed his fist into the nearest wall.

- Feel better? - Derrick asked dryly.

- …Yeah. - Roman exhaled, sinking into a chair and pulling out a cigar. He lit it, the bitter smoke curling in the air. Derrick hated the smell, but let it slide.

- Alright, - Derrick said evenly. - let's recap. Once Cinder finished her speech, the attack started. At first, it was going smoothly.

- Right. Neo freed me, we took the airship, shot down the other two, and started covering you guys.

- But the defenders rallied fast. Started pushing our people back.

- I uploaded that virus Cinder gave me, flipped the robots to our side.

- And we pushed all the way to Beacon's gates… but then some Huntsman brats showed up and held us off.

- That's when I sent in a bunch of Paladins to deal with them. - Roman said.

- And then… they shut down. I saw the airship go down. You and Cinder didn't respond, and Adam… went completely off the rails.

- No, no, no! - Roman shook his head. - When Adam lost it and Cinder vanished, the bots were still fighting. The problem started when that little girl… Red… - He stopped mid-sentence, but it was too late.

- You telling me a little girl outsmarted you? - Derrick said in disbelief.

Roman took a drag on his cigar, visibly holding back his temper.

- She's not just any girl. There's something about her… fearless, quick, smart, sharp reflexes. When she grows up, she'll be someone big. But right now, she's young and naïve, easy to handle if she's alone. With her team? She's a nightmare. They tore my Paladin apart like a tin can. If Neo hadn't shown up, I'd be in chains right now.

- I see you're not above giving credit. - Derrick smirked.

- If you don't know your enemy, you're gonna get blindsided. That's what happened to us. We underestimated her, and we paid for it. The ship went down, the robots shut off, and everything fell apart.

- Got it… - Derrick mused. - Not your average kid. But how'd you get out?

- Neo floated down with her parasol. Me? Miracle I survived. Last second, I jumped into a small plane. The explosion wrecked it, but I managed to land in the city. From there I shot my way clear, stole a car, picked up Neo, and came here. You know the rest, we took out plenty of soldiers.

- So did we. Huntsmen, soldiers… no civilians. - Derrick said.

- A lot of people died. - Roman replied, exhaling smoke. - You, me, Neo, Mandy, Adam, Cinder, none of us has clean hands. Neo killed everyone on that ship, I shot down the other two… doubt many survived. And don't even get me started on what the bots did after I uploaded that virus. Not pretty, but I'm not losing sleep over it.

- That's war. - Derrick said flatly. - Everybody loses. I've got no guilt either.

- And Adam? - Roman's tone sharpened at the name.

- Craziest thing I've ever seen. What the hell was he thinking?!

- I've seen what he's capable of. - Roman said, spitting the words. - I don't like killing, but if it's my freedom or someone else's life, I'm not hesitating. That's human nature.

- Same here. If it's me or them, it's not a hard choice.

- Panic hits everyone the same, human or faunus. - Roman said, flicking his cigar butt away. - But that doesn't make me a madman! What the f*ck was Cinder thinking, teaming us up with that psycho? You can't work with someone like that.

- When Adam lost it, - Derrick said, his own anger rising. - he went berserk. Cut down everyone around him. Some of our own people too. I almost took his damn head off myself.

- Maybe he panicked. - Roman tried to reasoned it. - Doesn't matter how tough you are, panic's in your head. You lose control, you start killing anyone in your way, it's not right, but it's a reaction I can understand.

- Adam wasn't scared. - Derrick said darkly. - He hates humans, and something really set him off. I don't know what, but it blew his fuse.

- Oh, he got mad because you got pushed back? - Roman sneered. - That's when you go pro, not psycho beast. I don't work with psycho beasts, you never know when they'll snap and do something insane.

- No kidding! He took the arm off some blonde girl, couldn't have been more than eighteen. Nineteen tops.

- Yeah, Adam's not right in the head. So what happened with you?

- Mandy's old teammates jumped us. One of them turned into some kind of monster, we had to run. Aaron got hurt bad and died. Our ride crashed, Huntsman kids attacked us, we managed to win, but Mandy got shot. Barely made it here.

- And the others?

- No idea. We didn't look back. I know the retreat order went out. From there, I only focused on Mandy.

- So everyone saved their own skins… We've got nothing on Adam, Cinder, or the two kids.

- What do you think happened?

- Dead. Or captured.

- You don't think they made it? We did.

- That's different. We got damn lucky. If they survived… where are they? They knew to come here if it all went to sh*t. They didn't. I say we get in the cars and head for Mistral, staying in Vale is suicide.

- The plan was to meet here. - Derrick insisted.

- Then where are they?! The plan's dead! This coup was a f*cking disaster! We have no idea what happened to Adam and Cinder, they could be spilling everything about us right now.

Both men looked uneasy. If Adam or Cinder talked, it wouldn't take long for the trail to lead to them.

- Is there a bathroom? - Roman asked suddenly.

- Other side.

Roman walked out. Derrick spotted Neo waving from the infirmary. She pointed toward Mandy's room, and Derrick rushed over. Mandy lay pale and still in her own blood. He checked, she was still breathing.

- You know what, - Roman came back in mid-sentence. - you guys can stay if you want, but me and Neo are heading for Mistral tonight. We'll hide there, start over and…

He stopped cold in the doorway.

- Sh*t… is she dead?

- No. Just passed out. - Derrick exhaled in relief.

- Thought she's dead.

- If you really can't get a doctor, she will be. And we can't take her to a hospital in Vale… It's my fault she's hurt. Maybe it doesn't matter to you, but it does to me.

- We can't stay in Vale. - Roman said firmly.

- So what then? Drive to Mistral with a gut-shot girl? She can't walk, she's bleeding, and when she wakes up she'll be screaming in pain.

- What's your genius plan, then?!

Derrick stayed silent for a long moment.

- I don't know. - He sat beside Mandy, brushing her hair back. - I care about this kid. Not being able to help her… it's driving me crazy.

Roman watched him, then glanced at Neo. He thought about what he'd do if it were her.

- Look… - Roman's voice softened. - The only thing we can do… is end her suffering.

- What?! - Derrick shot to his feet.

- Just hear me out. We can't take her to a hospital. I can't get a doctor here. She won't survive the trip to Mistral. I'm sorry for what happened, I can see you care about her, but she's just going to suffer. The kindest thing would be to make it easier for her.

Derrick backed away, he couldn't believe this was the only option. Then Mandy's earlier plea came back to him.

- Roman… before you got here, she begged me to take her to the safe zone. To a hospital. Every bone in me hates the idea of handing her to the authorities, but it's either that or she dies. She begged me. I can't betray her like that.

Roman thought for a few seconds, then nodded.

- Alright. If she asked, and there's no better option… we'll take her.

- No. I'll take her. I'll make sure she doesn't get arrested. - Derrick lifted Mandy gently.

- And how exactly? - Roman asked.

- I'll do what I have to. - Derrick said simply, heading for the car.

- Derrick… - Roman gave a short, respectful nod. - You've got a good heart.

- Always been told that. And always told it'll be the death of me.

He started the engine and disappeared into the night. Roman watched the taillights fade, then heard a low hum from above.

A military aircraft descended into the deserted village. Roman expected Atlesian soldiers.

Instead, someone far worse stepped out.

Adam Taurus.

Chapter Text

Roman had never felt such deep hatred for anyone as he did now toward Adam Taurus, who had slaughtered people at Beacon and completely ruined the entire operation.

- Something bothering you, Torchwick? - Adam asked, taking a few steps toward Roman. In his hand was the sheath of his katana, blade inside.

- I'm damn curious about a few things, you idiot! - Roman tightened his grip on the Melodic Cudgel, while Neo held Hush tensely, waiting for either Roman to give the signal or Adam to make a threatening move. - You acted like a wild beast! That's what ruined everything!

- And what makes you say that? - Adam replied in complete calm, his expression hidden behind his mask.

- Cinder vanished, you lost your mind, I was attacked, the airship went down… and even before that I saw what you did! You ruined everything, you psycho beast! We had a plan, but you… it's like you just snapped! - Roman's internal alarm kept screaming in Adam's presence, so he signaled Neo to get in the car. - This place isn't safe. Me and Neo are leaving, and you'd better come with us.

- You're not going anywhere. - Adam's voice remained deadly calm. As Neo reached for the car door, Adam slammed it shut.

- You giving me orders, you beast?! - Roman snapped, raising his weapon toward Adam. - We're in this miserable mess because of you!

Adam still didn't draw Wilt, his tone unchanged.

- What's your problem?

- What's my problem?! - Roman lowered the weapon slightly, but his voice came out sharper, more furious. - I'll tell you what! You're a wild beast who slaughtered his own people!

- What are you talking about?

- The massacre you pulled at the academy! That girl whose arm you chopped off! Ring a bell?! - For the first time, Adam's hand twitched as he clenched his fingers around the sheath.

- Blake… - He murmured. - They stood in my way. They were enemies. My own men got caught in the crossfire. Collateral damage for eliminating an important target.

- That's it?! If I'd known you were like this, I'd never have worked with you in my life, you crazy beast! - Adam stared at Roman for a moment, then loosened his grip on Blush.

- If you call me a beast one more time, I'll kill you both. - He said coldly, his gaze flicking between Roman and Neo.

- What? - Roman aimed the Melodic Cudgel at him again, while Neo slipped behind Adam, Hush's blade drawn. - Say that again!

- I said... - Adam slowly slid Wilt forward from Blush, revealing the crimson blade. - if you call me a beast again… - He removed his mask, revealing his face: the white of his left eye tinged red, brown iris, and the SDC brand burned into his skin, with a line above and below it. - …I'll kill you both.

The wind stirred around them, swirling dust and tension alike, as if the world itself braced for the coming clash.

- What the hell's going on here?! - Emerald's voice cut in as she arrived in the village, Mercury following with an unconscious Cinder slung over his back.

- You really want to know what's going on?! - Roman snapped, still aiming his weapon at Adam. - The whole operation failed because of Cinder and Adam!

- This isn't Cinder's fault! - Emerald shot back angrily.

- Oh, isn't it?! She wasn't there, didn't help the White Fang like we agreed!

- That's a lie!

- Scr*w you, you little b*tch! If Cinder had done her job, maybe we could've taken Beacon! It's all her fault, and his! - Roman jabbed a finger toward Adam.

- Really? - Mercury said as he carefully set Cinder down against a fallen tree. - If you love blaming people so much… what happened to you and the airship? Let me guess, Ruby Rose kicked your and your girlfriend *sses?

- Don't push me. - Roman hissed. - Neo and I stuck to the plan. Cinder just left us in the sh*t.

- You're saying she betrayed you? - Emerald asked, now standing beside Mercury.

- I didn't say that. - Roman replied, his tone cooling but full of suspicion. - But if she hadn't abandoned us, maybe Adam's little rampage wouldn't have caused so much damage.

- She didn't abandon you! - Emerald's voice rose, indignant. - You're the stupid *ssholes! - She glared at Roman and Neo, who didn't take kindly to the insult. - You let some little girl outsmart you and blow the airship to pieces! And you dare blame Cinder?!

- Don't you call us stupid *ssholes! - Roman roared, swinging his cane at her, but Emerald dodged easily.

- Fine, MORONS! - Emerald screamed. - A little girl took you down, and you're still pointing fingers?! You're supposed to be pros?!

- What happened to her? - Adam cut in, looking at the unconscious Cinder. She was covered in burns, her left arm gone, left eye badly damaged, her hair partially singed.

- We don't know. - Emerald said, now much more serious. - She got the Fall Maiden's power, killed Ozpin and that girl, Pyrrha… but Ruby did something that nearly killed her.

- So Little Red got to her too? - Roman smirked. - Now who's the moron?

- Don't start again. - Emerald warned.

- By the way, - Mercury pulled out his Scroll. - Watts sent a message. Salem says we're to fall back.

- That your boss? - Roman asked, eyebrow raised. - Salem?

- Yes. - Emerald replied. - We've never met her, but Cinder works for her, so we do too.

- Great. - Roman muttered, opening the car door. - Then I've got a few choice words for her.

- You coming with us? - Mercury asked, loading Cinder into the back seat.

- Of course! - Roman climbed into the driver's seat, Neo beside him, Emerald and Mercury in the back. - I want to see what this Salem's like.

- Adam, you coming? - Emerald called through the window.

- After the way Torchwick treated me? - Adam just smiled. - He pointed a weapon at me, called me names, threatened to kill me. I think I'll head back to Menagerie. - He handed Emerald a slip of paper. - But I'd be happy to repeat the whole thing. - A dark, satisfied grin spread across his face. - I really enjoyed it. - Then he turned his back and walked toward his own craft.

Roman and Neo knew that gut-churning feeling Adam's presence brought all too well. Now Emerald and Mercury understood it too: this was a man who valued no one's life, who would kill his own allies if it pleased him. A sadistic lunatic who took joy in breaking people.

- Now do you get why I went off on him? - Roman asked as he started the engine. - So, where to?

The last thing Lance remembered was his teammates turning on each other, Mandy betraying them, revealed to have been an undercover White Fang operative all along. Mike was injured, and he had no idea what happened to Lynda.

Suddenly, his eyes snapped open. He was lying in bed, wearing a white shirt and black boxers.

He was in his own room. The light of the setting autumn sun streamed through the window, casting a golden hue across the wall. Everything was so quiet, so painfully peaceful, that he knew nothing would ever be the same again.

- I see you're awake.

The deep, familiar voice made him turn his head. His father was standing there, wearing his usual stern expression.

- Did you think my heart could bear losing you?

- Dad… - Lance tried to sit up, but he was still weak. - What happened?! Mike, Lynda, Mandy… what about my friends? Ruby and the others?

- Calm down, son. Everyone's fine. - His father answered, his voice unusually gentle. - That Huntsman, Qrow, - He said, holding up a remote. - luckily activated the inhibitor before you caused too much damage.

Memories came flooding back: the rage, the blinding red light… and Mandy's betrayal.

- Oh Gods… did I hurt anyone? And… this remote…?

- It activates the chip implanted in your head shortly after you were born. If you ever lose control, it knocks you out so you can't hurt anyone.

- What?! - Lance was stunned. - I've had a chip in my head this whole time, and you can knock me out with the push of a button?! Why didn't you tell me?!

His father was silent for a moment, then shrugged.

- I hoped we'd never need it. - A faint smile crossed his face. - I'm starting to sound like that old fool Ozpin.

- If there was something that could stop me, why didn't you say so?! Why hasn't anyone used it before?

- Because it's dangerous. - his father replied grimly. - Frequent activation could cause brain damage. Luckily, Qrow knew exactly when to shut you down.

- And why him? Why not you?

- I wasn't available. I was helping drive the Grimm out on the battlefield.

- But your heart… - Lance whispered.

- Just a mild attack. I'll survive.

- Because of me, you almost died… - The guilt pressed heavily on him.

- Yes. - His father said with surprising bluntness. - I've told you countless times how dangerous your Semblance is. What made you so angry?

Lance clenched his fists.

- Mandy… - Even saying her name hurt. - She… betrayed us. She'd been working for the White Fang the whole time. She nearly killed my other two teammates. If I hadn't used my Semblance… they'd be dead.

- I see. - His father nodded, but his tone remained firm. - That still doesn't justify what you did.

- We won the battle, didn't we?

- If we hadn't, we wouldn't be having this conversation. We drove the White Fang back. Many were captured, the Grimm were expelled, and Vale is ours again.

Lance felt a wave of relief, but his father's face showed no joy.

- That's… good news, right?

- The cost was too great. - He said darkly. - Ozpin's gone. Many are dead. The CCT tower is destroyed. Communication with the other kingdoms has been cut off, and Beacon is inaccessible. And remember… people saw what you did.

- What did they see?

- Your Berserker form. They saw you tearing through everything. Now they think you're some kind of monster. And they're blaming me for being part of the attack.

- But that's… that's not true!

- People will believe anything when they're scared or angry. They need a scapegoat. - Uther walked to the window, looking out at the ruined city. - With Ozpin gone, I'd be the one to lead Vale… but I doubt anyone will trust me now.

- What happens now?

- I'll likely be forced to step down, and another Huntsman will be appointed in my place.

- And Beacon?

- The Wyvern that roosted there… Ruby Rose used some strange, supernatural power to turn it to stone. It's not dead, but it can't move. Grimm still pour from its body, overrunning the academy. Atlas has withdrawn its forces, and we're too weak to reclaim it. We've sealed the school.

- Ruby… what did she do?

- Qrow says she used her Silver Eyes.

- Her what?

- An old legend. - His father sighed. - A gift from the God of Light and Life to those born with them. Legendary Grimm hunters.

- The opposite of me. - Lance realized.

- Yes. Your power is the curse of the God of Darkness and Death, passed down in our family for generations. - His father walked to the door. - Rest. When you're ready, you'll attend the memorial.

- Memorial?

- For those who died defending Vale. - With that, he stepped out.

Lance leaned back, staring at the ceiling. How many had died? How many friends had survived? Who was still by his side?

He pulled out his Scroll to see if anyone was reachable. With the CCT tower gone, he could only contact people within Vale.

Three names came to mind immediately: Lynda, Mandy, and Mike.

Lynda and Mandy were both unreachable.

Mandy's absence made sense, she had betrayed them and was surely gone from the city. But Lynda? Where could she have gone? No sign at all…

Mike, however, was online. Lance didn't hesitate, he called immediately.

- Lance? Is that you?! - Mike's voice was full of relief.

- Yeah, Mike, it's me. You okay?

- I am… Are you?

- As much as I can be. My dad told me everything that happened. Beacon… gone, the tower destroyed… so many dead.

- Pyrrha too. - Mike said softly.

Lance went silent.

- What? Pyrrha's dead?! How… how?

- Cinder… at least, that's what Ruby says. Then she disappeared. Ozpin too.

- And Ruby's team?

- As far as I know, they're alive. JNPR's heading to see them now. You coming?

- Of course. I'll head out right away.

- They're at Patch, near Signal, in a small house.

- Got it. I'll be there.

When the call ended, Lance wasted no time. He pulled on his black boots, blue jeans, and a red T-shirt, then threw on a black hoodie. His armor and weapons stayed behind, this trip wasn't for fighting, but for supporting and comforting friends.

Leaving the manor, he could feel it: Vale was no longer the city it once was. The rubble and ruined buildings were just the surface; it was in the people's eyes, in their movements, in the tense air that hung over everything, fear had sunk deep into the city.

The faces of the people rushing through the streets were blank, wary, uneasy. Vale's citizens still lived in the shadow of the Grimm, and Lance knew he had played a part in the chain of events that caused it.

Luckily, no one recognized him. Without his armor and with his hood up, he could move freely. He boarded a train heading toward Signal, then transferred to a line bound for Patch, finishing the journey on foot through a pine forest.

Finally, he saw the house. Simple, tucked away, yet cozy, an ideal hiding place in a world at war. In front of it stood Mike, Jaune, Nora, and Ren.

- You made it. - Jaune greeted him tiredly.

- How are you guys? - Lance asked, scanning their faces. They all looked worn down, subdued, almost colorless.

- Pyrrha's death… - Jaune began, but his voice cracked. He could barely keep from breaking down.

- It hit him hard. - Nora said softly. - All of us, really.

- I'm sorry. - Lance nodded. - And Ruby's team?

- We only just got here ourselves. - Ren replied. - We didn't want to disturb them… we weren't sure if we should knock or wait.

Lance took a deep breath and stepped up to the door. He knocked.

A few seconds later, it opened. Ruby stood there in gray pajamas. For a moment she just looked surprised, then relief washed over her face.

- It's you guys? - She asked, and the next instant she was in Lance's arms. - I thought… I thought I'd lost you.

- Hey, Ruby. - Lance smiled, hugging her back. - Good to see you. How are you and Yang?

- I'm… managing. But Yang… - Ruby trailed off, her head lowering.

- We heard what happened. - Jaune said grimly. - It's awful.

- Can we see her? - Mike asked gently.

- She'd probably like to see her friends. - Ruby nodded, stepping aside to let them in.

They moved quietly through the small entryway, across the living room, to a closed door. Ruby opened it softly.

- Hey, Yang… you have visitors. - She said, trying to inject a little cheer into her voice.

Inside, Yang lay in bed. It was her, but not the Yang they remembered.

Her posture was slumped, drained. Her right arm was gone, the stump wrapped in bandages. Her hair, once golden and vibrant, was now dull and grayish, like a storm-darkened sky. Her gaze was fixed out the window, watching the falling leaves.

- Looks like most of you is still here. - Lance tried a faint joke, but the dead silence and a few sharp glances told him this wasn't the time. - …Sorry.

- You okay, Yang? - Jaune asked, approaching cautiously.

- I'm alive… - Yang whispered. - But… I don't know what comes next.

- There are prosthetics made for Huntsmen. - Mike said encouragingly. - State-of-the-art stuff.

- Yeah! - Nora added brightly. - Once you hook one up, you'll be back to normal!

- Nothing will ever be normal again. - Yang murmured bitterly, eyes never leaving the window.

Ren took a quiet step back.

- Maybe we should give her some space. - He said softly.

Yang didn't react, didn't seem to hear.

- You know you can always count on us. - Jaune said in farewell.

- Hope you heal. - Nora added.

- I'm glad you're alive. - Mike said.

- We're all worried about you. - Lance said.

- I love you. - Ruby whispered, closing the door gently behind them.

They returned to the living room in silence. Jaune, Nora, and Ren sank onto the couch; Ruby curled into an armchair, toes tracing anxious circles in the rug; Lance and Mike grabbed chairs from the kitchen.

- Sorry, there's no snacks. - Ruby said apologetically.

- Don't worry about it. - Nora smiled. - Seriously.

- What happened to Weiss and Blake? - Lance asked, breaking the quiet.

- Weiss' father took her home. - Ruby said sadly. - And Blake… she just disappeared after the battle.

- Disappeared? - Jaune echoed, disbelieving. - Why?

- I don't know. Yang only just told me. She just… left.

- And Lynda? Mandy? - Ruby turned to Lance and Mike.

- Lynda said she had to go home to her family in Menagerie. - Mike explained. - She got on a ship.

- And Mandy… - Lance's fist clenched. - …betrayed us.

- Betrayed you?! - Jaune's eyes went wide. - What do you mean?

- She was working for the White Fang. - Mike said grimly. - She was one of the attackers.

- She was our friend. And she turned on us. - Lance added quietly. - She attacked me and Ruby in the arena. Nearly killed Mike.

- I'm sorry… - Ruby couldn't imagine how that must feel. Betrayal always cut deep.

For a while, no one spoke.

- So what do we do now? - Jaune finally asked.

- What can we do? - Mike replied. - Our enemies are gone, and we have no idea where they are.

- So we just sit here and count our losses?! - Jaune shot to his feet. - We have to do something! They killed Pyrrha! They killed Ozpin! They wrecked our lives! So many innocent people are dead! We have to hit back! Who's with me?!

- Even if we wanted to… where would we look? - Lance asked quietly, though he shared Jaune's anger.

Ruby spoke hesitantly.

- Maybe… Mistral.

- Mistral?! - Several voices said at once, startled.

- Why there? - Lance asked.

- Cinder and her team came from there. - Ruby explained. - Maybe the Haven Academy has information on them.

The others exchanged glances. It made sense, and they had no better leads.

- Ruby… - Jaune began, hesitating before asking. - …do you think it's worth it?

- Yes," Ruby answered firmly. - I'm going.

- Then we're going with you. - Jaune said without hesitation.

- Really? - Ruby's eyes widened.

- Of course! - Nora grinned.

- We owe Pyrrha that much. - Ren said quietly, but with conviction.

- If my life or my death can help you… my sword is yours, Ruby. I swear. - Lance said, meeting her gaze.

- I'd like to go too, but I'll need my mom's permission first. - Mike admitted.

- Then everyone handle what you need to. - Lance said, standing. - Ruby, when it's time… let us know.

Days passed. Weeks. Months. Winter came, covering the fallen autumn leaves in white. The world had changed.

At last, Ruby called them. The group she could gather assembled quickly.

Alongside Ruby were Jaune, Nora, Ren, and Lance. Mike couldn't come, his mother wouldn't allow it, so he had to stay behind.

- Hey, guys. - Ruby greeted as they met by the edge of the path. - It's a long road to Haven.

- We know. - Jaune said. - But it's our only lead.

- You all sure you want to come? - Ruby asked, making certain they were serious.

- The road will be long and dangerous. - Ren said calmly. - And we may not find the answers we seek.

- But we wouldn't be here if we didn't trust you. - Nora smiled.

- We believe in you, Ruby. - Lance said, nodding. - Just lead the way.

- Then… let's go.

They set off through the snowy forest. But Ruby made one small detour, turning down a path that climbed toward a hill. The others followed.

From the top, there was a beautiful view of the snow-covered land. At the summit stood a grave.

Ruby walked to it in silence. The stone was engraved with a rose emblem, the same one that adorned her belt. The name: Summer Rose.

- I just wanted to say goodbye to her too. - Ruby whispered, kneeling before the grave.

- Your mother? - Lance asked quietly.

- Yes. - Ruby's voice trembled. - I miss her so much. I wanted… to make her proud.

- I'm sure she would be. - Lance said, resting a hand gently on her shoulder. Ruby gave him a faint, grateful smile.

- Thanks, Lance… - She stood, wiping her eyes. - Let's go.

And so the team, truly ready now, set off on a new journey, into the unknown, toward Mistral, in search of answers. And vengeance.

Chapter Text

In the depths of one of Remnant's darkest and least-known continents lie secrets no human mind could ever truly grasp. The Fifth Continent, known as the Unknown, or the Forbidden, was home to creatures and horrors that would make even the worst horror movies look like children's fairy tales.

It was a barren wasteland where not even grass grew, where sunlight never reached. Everywhere, pools of pitch-black liquid stretched out, perfectly reflecting the cold light of the shattered moon. From these dark lakes, hundreds of Grimm were born each day. This was no place for mankind.

No water could be found here, no sign of life. As far as the eye could see, there was only a bleak, rocky land of dust and ash. The very air one breathed was part poison, part smoke. The only things breaking up the endless jagged rocks were eerie, violet crystals that made travel across the cursed land all but impossible.

The cold seeped into the bones, draining courage and leaving nothing but mortal dread. If darkness itself could take form, it would be this.

For any first visitor, even the mere sight of the place was enough to freeze blood in their veins. This was the location of Salem's stronghold: the Castle of Evernight.

- Gotta admit, the view's nice, but the décor's a bit grim. - Roman Torchwick muttered, trying to ease the tension with humor. But he was just as afraid as Neo, Emerald, and Mercury, who all stared in terror at the Grimm-infested wasteland.

- Hey, - Roman whispered as he set a hand on Neo's shoulder. She clung to him, and he wrapped an arm around her. - don't be scared. I won't let anything happen to you. - Whether he could keep that promise, he didn't know, but calming her down was all that mattered. It worked, at least a little: she looked up and gave him a faint smile.

The group stood in a vast oval-shaped chamber, more shrine than meeting hall. Instead of walls, towering arched windows opened out over the wasteland, separated only by thin gray pillars. The room glowed faintly with the same violet crystals that grew outside, their light serving as the main source of illumination. Candles burned high above, but their flames were pale and weak.

At the center rested a black stone table with five gray stone chairs at its sides. At the far end stood a crystalline throne that pulsed with that same violet glow.

A sharp snap broke the silence: Cinder signaling Emerald and Mercury, who instantly flanked her seat at the stone table. The battle for Beacon had left its marks on her, her once-sleek black hair now ragged, a steel plate covering her missing left eye. A scar carved across the left side of her face was plain to see, and her left arm was gone, her long sleeve hiding only the stump.

Other figures sat in the stone chairs, and Roman and Neo eyed them carefully:

A not-very-tall man with graying hair and a wide mustache, clad in a dark gray coat over a burgundy suit, yellow shirt, and matching tie.

A tall, wiry faunus with braided hair and a scorpion's tail jutting from his lower back, eyes burning with lunacy.

Finally, a hulking man nearly two meters tall, muscled, bearded, wearing a green-and-brown coat, and snoring in his chair.

Emerald pushed close to Cinder like a loyal pup seeking its master's hand. Roman, by contrast, strode with Neo to the other side of the table and sat between the mustached man and the brute. He had no intention of sitting next to Cinder, or that scorpion-tailed madman: one he didn't trust, the other he instinctively feared.

They sat like they belonged there, Roman leaning back with his hands behind his head, Neo perched cross-legged in his lap. Cinder shot him daggers with her gaze.

- We're not your lackeys. - Roman drawled, smirking. Neo stuck her tongue out for emphasis. - That role's already taken. - He gestured toward Emerald and Mercury.

Mercury lurched to his feet, but Emerald grabbed his arm. The mustached man chuckled.

- I like the new boy already. And we certainly owe thanks to the girl who put you in this state. - He looked at Cinder with malicious delight.

- If I were you, I'd hunt her down and… - The faunus cackled. - …she took your eye, didn't she? - He broke into manic laughter. Cinder clenched her fist, lips pressed tight. Emerald bent down as Cinder whispered into her ear.

- Pathetic. - muttered the mustached man.

- Want me and Neo to teach you sign language? - Roman taunted.

- But she's only got one hand! - The faunus howled. - If someone signs with one hand, is that a speech impediment or just an accent?

The mustached man was about to add something when a sound clicked at the chamber doors. Every head turned, even the hulking man rose to his feet. Roman, noticing their reaction, motioned to Neo, and they stood as well.

The doors opened slowly. A woman entered, her gown a dark evening dress beneath a black cloak, as though shadows themselves had clothed her.

Her skin was white as chalk, crisscrossed with crimson vein-like markings. Her hair, pale as snow, rose into a great bun with six long strands jutting out like a spider's legs. Her eyes were blood-red, sclera black, with a black gemstone set in her forehead and scarlet lines trailing from her temples to her jaw.

As she walked the chamber, blood froze in every vein. Roman and Neo had never seen her before, but it was instantly clear: this was someone to tread very carefully around.

- Watts, - She said in a voice chillingly ordinary, making the mustached man stiffen. - is such mockery necessary? - She raised a hand. Everyone sat, except Watts.

- Forgive me, mistress, - Watts bowed. - but I'm not particularly fond of failure.

- Then why this such cruelty toward young Cinder? - The woman replied. - She became the Fall Maiden, destroyed Beacon's CCT tower, and most importantly, - She paused, then smiled. - she killed dear Ozpin. Tell me, Watts, what failure do you see?

- Apologies. - Roman cut in. The woman turned her eyes on him. - You're… Salem, right?

- I am. - She said. - And who might you be? More importantly, what do you want from me?

- Well, - Roman tipped his hat, Neo bowing politely. - the name's Roman Torchwick, she's my partner Neopolitan. We came seeking… compensation.

- Compensation? - Salem's tone chilled.

- Cinder hired us, but never paid. Promised us riches, promised I'd be king of Vale. Instead, it turned into a bloodbath. Thousands dead, civilians, soldiers, faunus, Huntsmen-in-training. And Vale still isn't in your hands. If I were you, I wouldn't be so forgiving of Cinder.

- And whose fault do you think that was, Torchwick? - Emerald snapped, voicing Cinder's silent words.

- Hey, I played it straight! Stuck to the plan! - Roman raised his hands. - Cinder ditched us for some Maiden power-trip and let Little Red tear her apart!

- The same girl who wiped the floor with you too? - Mercury shot back.

- Neo and I still have all our limbs. - Roman retorted. Cinder rose, ready to finish him, but Salem's voice cut like a blade.

- Enough. Cinder, your hunger for power blinded you. Roman is right.

Roman smirked and flipped her off, convinced Salem's attention was his. He was wrong.

- You two. - Salem's gaze turned sharp on him and Neo. - You're lucky you survived that girl.

- You mean Red? - Roman asked, startled. He respected Ruby's strength, but this?

- What you did in Vale proved you can be valuable allies. - Salem continued. - I need people with your talents. Do good work, and my rewards will not disappoint.

- Look, lady… - Roman hesitated. - Cinder already made us one offer that nearly got us killed. And we never saw a single lien. We care about money, and living long enough to spend it.

- And fame. - Salem purred. - Your greatest desire, Roman. To be known, and feared. That's why you did what you did in Vale. But more than anything… - She turned to Neo, who straightened. - …you want her safe.

- How do you—?

- Join us, and you'll have what you seek. - Salem extended her hand. - Everything.

Roman sighed.

- Like we have a choice.

- There is always a choice. - Salem said. - Accept my offer, or try to run. But know this: such an offer comes only once.

Roman knew it was an ultimatum, one he'd heard before.

- We're in. - He said, shaking her hand. Neo followed suit, though both felt sick to their stomachs.

- Excellent. - Salem smiled. - Allow me to introduce the others. As you know, I am Salem. You already know Cinder, Emerald, Mercury. This, - She gestured to the mustached man. - is Dr. Arthur Watts. That, - She nodded to the brute. - is Hazel. And finally, - Her gaze fell on the mad faunus. - Tyrion.

- A pleasure. - Roman said, Neo nodding faintly.

- The girl… with the Silver Eyes. - Watts muttered.

- We've dealt with her kind before. - Hazel growled. - But she's just a child. How did she best you, Cinder?

- That's exactly my question. - Watts grumbled. - Even without your new powers, you should have defeated her.

- Because of the Maiden power. - Salem replied coolly. Silence fell. - Make no mistake, Cinder. You are the key to my ultimate victory. But your new strength comes with weaknesses. You'll remain with me for treatment.

Cinder bowed her head, disappointed.

- Dr. Watts, - Salem went on. - you will assume Cinder's duties and contact our Mistral liaison.

- At once. - Watts nodded.

- Tyrion, continue searching for the Spring Maiden.

- With pleasure! - Tyrion laughed manically.

- Hazel, I send you to the White Fang. Adam Taurus has arranged a meeting. The boy has proven loyal. Ensure Sienna Khan shares that loyalty.

- As you wish. - Hazel rumbled.

- I object. - Roman cut in. All eyes turned, but he didn't flinch. - I don't think it's wise to trust Adam Taurus.

- And why not? - Salem asked, curious.

- Because he's a psycho beast. In Vale he went berserk, killed at least twenty people, including his own.

- Adam has indeed become twisted. - Salem admitted. - But his hatred… serves our cause.

- Then better send the big guy. - Roman crossed his arms. - Because if I see him again, I'll—

- Set aside your grudge, Roman. - Salem warned.

- It's not a grudge. Adam is dangerous. That's fact.

- Our goals require dangerous people. - Salem said, final.

Meanwhile, Cinder whispered again to Emerald, who translated:

- She asks… what about the girl.

- Which girl? - Watts asked. - That's Cinder and Roman's problem.

- I don't care, - Roman shrugged. - Neo and I don't give a damn what happens to Little Red.

Cinder slammed her fist against the table, but Salem's voice rose once more.

- Enough. Tyrion.

- Yes, my lady? - He answered, almost gleeful.

- Spring can wait. Find the girl who did this to Cinder. - Salem ordered. - Bring her here. Alive.

That last word deflated Tyrion, for only a moment. Then he clapped and cackled. Salem looked around the chamber.

- Thanks to your efforts, Beacon has fallen. Now, Haven awaits.

The council slowly dispersed, but Roman overheard Tyrion whisper to Cinder:

- An eye for an eye.

Then he erupted into manic laughter, nearly toppling from his chair.

- That guy's seriously unhinged. - Roman muttered. Salem was the only one he feared more.

Months passed since Beacon's fall. Winter gave way to spring, bringing new life to Remnant. Trees bloomed, flowers and insects returned, and the air grew warmer. But not everything renewed: Teams RWBY and LLMM had dissolved, their members scattered to separate paths.

Ruby and Lance traveled with the remnants of Team JNPR, Jaune, Nora, and Ren, heading toward Mistral in search of answers to who, and why, had attacked Beacon. Their only lead: Cinder, Emerald, and Mercury hailed from Mistral. Perhaps Haven Academy's headmaster could help.

Since the CCT tower's destruction, communication between kingdoms was gone, public transport shut down. The team had no choice but to travel on foot across dangerous lands, where Grimm roamed freely and villages lay defenseless.

The debate raged as they walked.

- I'm just saying, - Nora argued. - there are more of us JNPR members than RWBY or LLMM. So it should be Team JRRNL (Journal)!

- But JRRNL isn't even a color. - Ren corrected.

- How many times do I have to tell you? - Nora shot back. - Five letters for five people! J—one, R—two, R—three, N—four, L—five! We're the majority, and we're not leaving Lance out!

- But this is Ruby's mission. - Ren countered. - Teams are usually four members, and always named after a color. RNJR makes sense. Like you said, majority rules, so someone has to be left out.

- Guys! - Jaune hissed from behind a fallen log. - Focus!

- Yeah, - Lance agreed. - Ruby's almost here. We need to be ready!

- And besides, - Jaune muttered. - JRRNL just sounds cooler.

- Thank you! - Nora cheered, while Lance groaned.

A thunderous crash shook the forest. Trees bent, leaves trembled.

- She's coming. - Jaune said.

Ruby burst from the treeline, Semblance blazing, a massive rock-bound Grimm on her heels: a Geist. This one had possessed tons of stone, forming a hulking body. It had terrorized the area for weeks.

Ruby soared too high, lost control, and dropped Crescent Rose. She landed awkwardly in the branches of a tree.

- Bad… landing… strategy! - She yelped, bouncing down from branch to branch. She caught her scythe just in time and launched herself again before the monster crushed the tree.

The Grimm swiped at her and missed.

- Take it down! - Jaune ordered.

Ren darted into the trees, flanking. Lance drew sword and shield, charging head-on. Jaune crept from behind, while Nora fired her grenade launcher to launch herself into the air.

- Draw it off Ruby! - Ren shouted.

- A little help here! - Ruby cried, slashing the Grimm's leg and firing, barely scratching it.

- Don't forget me! - Nora bellowed, blasting its back with three pink grenades. Smoke, but no real damage.

Ren's submachine-guns riddled its arm, and he leapt onto the limb to strike, but the monster shielded its face. He managed shallow cuts on its back, nothing more.

Lance rammed the legs with his shield. It staggered slightly, but when he struck with his sword, the stone barely chipped. With a swipe, the Grimm kicked him into the bushes.

- You okay?! - Jaune pulled him up.

- Yeah. - Lance coughed. His armor had saved him. - That thing's tough.

- My blades barely cut it. - Ren admitted.

- Sh*t! - Nora cursed.

- Try this! - Ruby loaded lightning Dust into Crescent Rose. A shot jolted its arm but only enraged it.

It slammed the ground, blasting Ruby, Jaune, Ren, and Nora back. Lance stood his ground but struggled. He considered using his Semblance… but it was too risky. He fell back instead.

- Everyone alright?

- Wish I'd brought more weapons. - Jaune groaned.

- Enough! - Nora transformed her launcher into a hammer and smashed its arm to rubble. The monster hurled the debris back, but Ruby sliced it apart midair.

The Grimm swung with its remaining arm, but Ruby blurred in and saved Nora.

- Got a plan, Jaune? - Lance asked, bracing with his shield.

- Look out! - Jaune warned. Chunks of rock flew their way.

- Behind me! - Lance raised his shield. Jaune ducked behind him as three boulders slammed harmlessly off.

- You're amazing! - Jaune said, grateful.

- It's not over yet.

The Grimm fought on, unfazed by losing an arm. Then Jaune spotted something: where its arm had been, a glowing red sigil appeared. Out shot a monstrous tendril, plunging into a half-fallen tree. With a heave, it tore it free, roots and all, forming a new arm.

- His arm's a tree! - Jaune shouted as it swung. - His arm's a tree!

Lance slashed roots and branches as best he could but was forced back with Jaune.

- Big mistake! - Ruby shouted, loading fire Dust. She blasted the wooden limb into flames.

- No, Ruby! - Lance warned too late.

- Why? - Jaune asked, until realization dawned. Burning wood meant a flaming arm. - Big mistake!

- Oops. - Ruby admitted. The Grimm swung its blazing arm furiously. Lance held it off, hacking chunks free, but when the other stony arm came crashing down, Ruby barely saved him in time.

Ren seized the chance, firing his bladed weapons into its face. At last, blood-red ichor. A wound! The monster reeled.

- Thanks for the save. - Lance said.

- Anytime. - Ruby replied.

- Okay, think. - Jaune urged.

- Its body's too hard. - Ren noted.

- Even my strikes don't work. - Lance added.

- And it can regrow limbs. - Nora said.

- But it always protects its face. - Jaune realized.

- But we can't break through. - Ruby countered.

- Then take its arms away! - Jaune declared. - If it can't block, it can't guard its face!

- That's your big plan? - Ren sighed.

- It's all I've got! Hit it harder! - Jaune barked.

- Alright! - Ruby cheered.

- Yeah! - Nora grinned.

- Fine. - Ren agreed.

- Let's do it. - Lance nodded.

- Ren, from the left! Ruby, the right! Lance, go for its legs! - Jaune ordered. - Nora, ready to use that upgrade?

She smirked and began charging her hammer with crackling pink energy while the others attacked relentlessly. Ruby and Ren tied up its arms, Lance harried its legs. Jaune waited.

- Now, Nora!

- Here goes! - Ruby used her Semblance to launch down with Nora in tow. Red and pink lightning streaked through the sky. Ruby cleaved the burning arm apart, and Nora delivered a single devastating strike. The Grimm's massive stone body shattered into rubble.

The Geist tried to flee from its broken shell, but Ruby sniped it midair with a single, perfect shot. Dead.

- Another win for Team RNJR! - Jaune declared.

Lance coughed.

- …Okay, maybe JRRNL makes sense. - Jaune admitted.

The return to the village was safe. Small Anima settlements were simple but grateful. The mayor greeted them warmly.

- We can never thank you enough. - He said, shaking Ruby's hand.

- Just doing our job, sir. - Ruby replied.

- That beast terrorized us for weeks. We nearly abandoned our home.

- If you'd like, - Ruby offered. - you could come with us. We're headed toward Mistral. Might be safer.

The man smiled faintly, looking over his quiet village.

- You must not be from around here. Anima's vast. My people wouldn't survive such a journey. We prefer our own way of life. - He bowed his head. - If only we could pay you more.

- The arrangement is plenty. - Ren assured him.

Their reward: food, shelter, Dust, and weapon repairs. Jaune would even receive new armor.

By then, everyone but Jaune had changed their look.

Ruby's hair had grown, swept to one side. She wore a long white blouse with brown straps at the sleeves, a black battle skirt with red trim, her old black corset with red details, and her signature red cloak clasped with a silver rose brooch. A black belt carried ammo pouches, paired with stockings and red-trimmed boots.

Ren's hair now tied in a ponytail, he wore a sleeveless green coat with silver trim over a black shirt, white pants, pink-and-black gloves, and tall sandals.

Nora's hair had grown to her shoulders. She wore a short-sleeved black zip-up top with pink stripes at the shoulders, a white undershirt cut into a heart on the chest, a pink skirt, gloves, and boots with pink laces.

Lance had let his hair grow to his shoulders, combed back. He'd realized heavy armor was impractical for long treks. He wore black boots, dark blue jeans with only one kneepad left, a black sweater over a red undershirt, but kept his breastplate, helm with T visor, pauldrons, and gauntlets.

The village blacksmith, a broad-shouldered faunus man, greeted them with Jaune's new armor.

- Here it is, lad! A bit heavier than what you're used to, but you'll be grateful when it saves you from a killing blow.

- Wow… - Jaune gasped. - I don't know what to say...

- No need for words! Just try it on.

- He's right. - Lance nodded. - Heavy armor saves lives.

- Go on! - Nora urged.

Jaune shed his old light armor, hesitating as he set it down. It had carried him through so much. But it was time to grow. He'd sell it.

- Guess… I was outgrowing it anyway.

- A sign of growth. - Ren said.

- Yeah. We're all changing. - Lance added.

- Change and growth. - Jaune smiled again. But Ruby caught sight of his hoodie underneath.

- What is that?! - She pointed.

- What? My hoodie? I always wear this.

- That's… a bunny! - Ruby burst into laughter.

- It's Pumpkin Pete's logo! You know, the cereal!

- You mailed a box in for the prize?

- No! Fifty! - He regretted it instantly. Ruby fell to the floor, laughing until she cried.

- You think, - Lance said, pointing at his pawn crest. - this is cool? I'm with you, bro.

- The pawn and the bunny! - Ruby wheezed.

- Hey! It's my family's emblem for generations!

- Who even picks a pawn for a crest?!

- One more word and I'll tie your nipples in a knot!

But nothing stopped Ruby's laughter until she wore herself out.

- Some things you don't need to outgrow. Family crests are worth pride.

At last the smith returned with the rest of Jaune's new gear gauntlets, a single pauldron and a new sword-and-shield scabbard.

- And what's a Huntsman without his weapon? - He set Crocea Mors on the bench. - I completed the upgrades. The sheath doubles as a shield. A fine challenge, but the metal you brought was quality. Where did you get it?

Jaune's eyes lingered on the crossguard, red-gold metal from Pyrrha's sword. Memories surged: her sacrifice, his failure to save her.

- From… a friend. - He whispered.

He donned the new armor: black boots, light-blue jeans, black hoodie, white-and-gold bracers, black and gold gauntlets, a left pauldron, new breastplate. A red sash hung at his belt, reminding him of Pyrrha. He held his reforged sword and shield.

- Looks good. - the smith said.

- Definitely. - Ren agreed.

- Could use a grenade launcher. - Nora teased.

- Or another pauldron and helmet. - Lance added. But Jaune was content.

- Now nothing can stop Team JRRNL! - Ruby cheered.

- RNJR! - Ren argued.

- We're not leaving Lance out! - Ruby shot back. Lance just smiled.

- Thanks, Ruby.

- The name doesn't matter. - Jaune said. - What matters is we're together.

- Not staying? - The smith asked.

- Sorry. - Ruby said. - We have another mission.

- We need to reach Haven Academy. - Nora declared.

- We heard the neighboring village still has a working airfield. - Ren added.

- Hm… signals were weak even before Beacon. I haven't heard from Shion since.

- Well, - Ruby lifted her gaze. - only one way to find out.

The team prepared to set off.

- Food?

- Check!

- Water?

- Check!

- Ammunition and Dust?

- Locked and loaded, thanks to the Schnee Dust Company!

- Map?

- Ren's got it!

- I don't.

- What?! - Everyone yelled.

- Relax, - Lance said, pulling it from his pack. - I thought of it.

- Oh, thank goodness!

Chapter Text

A single bullet to the stomach, and Mandy's journey nearly ended there.

She still remembered the battle of Beacon.

That night, she had thrown away her mask, revealed her true allegiance, and alongside the White Fang, they had come so close to conquering Vale.

But the battle was lost, and she was shot.

She remembered the panic flooding her veins.

It was Derrick who did everything in his power to save her, but both of them knew, without medical help, she would die.

She had begged Derrick to take her to a hospital, uncaring that it might mean falling into the authorities' hands.

She wanted to live. She wasn't ready to die.

That was when Roman Torchwick and his girlfriend, Neopolitan, had entered the infirmary. Roman had wanted to speak with Derrick, and at his suggestion, they had stepped outside, leaving Mandy alone in Neo's company.

She had begged Derrick not to leave her, but he had promised he'd return shortly.

That was the last time Mandy ever saw Derrick.

For a while she had just lain there, clutching her wound, Neo standing nearby, more indifferent than caring, her expression empty, almost detached. That cold, emotionless face was the last thing Mandy saw before the darkness swallowed her.

When she opened her eyes again, she was in another bed, in a hospital ward.

Startled, she sat up.

Around her were other wounded, humans and faunus alike, casualties of the battle. A white hospital gown was draped over her. She lifted it slightly to inspect her stomach, remembering the gush of blood. Now it was bandaged, the pain dulled, and she could feel her body beginning to mend.

Derrick… he had really brought her to a hospital.

But why a civilian hospital, not a military prison cell? None of the other patients looked like White Fang. They were civilians, even soldiers, some she had fought against.

- You're awake? - A woman's voice asked. A nurse in white approached, clipboard in hand, and sat down beside her. - If they'd brought you in any later, we might not have been able to save you.

- Where am I? How did I get here?

- You're in Vale City Hospital. An Atlas military squad found you, rescued you from that crazed beast and... - She froze when she noticed Mandy's fox ears. - Oh, sorry! I didn't mean to offend...

- It's fine.

- Can you tell me your name?

- Uh… Mandy… Forrester.

- I see. - The nurse jotted notes. - Are you a Huntress-in-training, by any chance?

- What?

- An hour after surgery your body suddenly began to heal rapidly. I assume your Aura activated.

- Yes… - Mandy said softly. It wasn't a complete lie, she had once been a Beacon student. - My friend… - She wanted to ask about Derrick, but couldn't reveal who he really was. - There was someone with me, he…

- Sorry. You were alone. Just your attacker.

- My… attacker? - Mandy froze as an image flashed: Mei, the one who had shot her. She remembered taking revenge on her.

- A large White Fang fighter, wielding a chainsaw. - The nurse said. Mandy knew instantly, that could only be Derrick. - Don't worry. He was executed on the spot.

The words hit like a blade to the heart. Derrick… was dead.

- Stomach wounds are tricky. - The nurse went on. - Your stomach wall was ruptured, but a quick operation saved you, and your Aura did the rest. It was close to damaging your spine. But in a few days, you'll be fine.

- Thank you… - Mandy tried to stand, but her legs wouldn't respond.

- Not yet. - The nurse cautioned. - You were in a coma for a full week. Your legs are still weak.

Mandy lay back, willing her toes to move. Nothing. They felt absent, gone.

- It's only an aftereffect. You're not paralyzed. The circulation just needs time. Tomorrow you'll feel them again. - The nurse handed her water. - You haven't eaten or drunk in a week. You need this.

Mandy drank greedily, her stomach growling. The nurse passed her a tray with bread, some cold cuts, and an apple.

- Eat. I'll be back soon. Rest while you can.

The nurse left. Mandy ate, then pressed the pillow over her face so no one could see her tears. Derrick… gone. She pieced it together quickly: he had tried to bring her here, but the soldiers hadn't listened. They must have shot him on the spot.

"Humans are scum…", she thought, fists clenching. Her hatred for them deepened.

- I hope I'm not too late for visiting hours. - Came a familiar male voice.

Mandy pulled the pillow away, eyes wet.

- Adam? - She could barely believe it. - What are you doing here?

Adam wasn't in his usual uniform. He wore jeans, simple shoes, and a hooded sweatshirt, the hood drawn low. A black eyepatch covered his burned left eye. His sword was absent.

- Derrick called me before he died. - Adam whispered. - Said he brought you here. You both served the White Fang well. The battle of Beacon has brought us closer to faunus dominion over Remnant.

- What? - Mandy shook her head. - I thought our goal was equality?

- Open your eyes, Mandy. - Adam smiled. - With one strike, look at the damage we caused! With Roman Torchwick and Cinder, we nearly took Vale. It proved it, the faunus are the dominant race. We don't need equality. We need rule.

- That's… madness. - Mandy whispered. She hated humans, but conquest had never been the plan.

- It's not madness. Derrick sacrificed himself for you. - Adam knelt beside her bed, staring into her eyes. - He was my friend. The only way to honor his memory is to keep fighting. Live and fight. Come with me to Mistral.

- I… - Mandy hesitated. She didn't want more innocent blood. But humans would never change on their own. Years of peaceful White Fang protests had achieved nothing. Sienna Khan's radical path, though brutal, had produced results. Beacon's fall had shaken the world. Perhaps now the faunus would finally be feared, and respected. - I can't stand yet. My legs… I need time. - She admitted.

Adam sighed, disappointment flickering.

- I understand. I'll return tomorrow. By then, I want your answer.

He left. Mandy remained alone, lost in thought.

Team JRRNL pressed on through the forest trails toward Mistral, Ruby leading with the map in hand. She frowned, turning it this way and that.

- The next village… uh… yeah… we're lost. - She admitted, hanging her head.

- Why did we give her the map? - Lance muttered.

- We're not lost! - Jaune said confidently. - The next village is Shion. My family vacationed there all the time.

- Oh, right! - Ruby perked up. - You've got four sisters, right?

- Uh… seven. - Jaune confessed. Ruby stifled a laugh.

- That explains a lot. - Nora teased.

- What's that supposed to mean? - Jaune asked warily.

Ruby quickly changed the subject.

- So… what did you do there?

- Oh, a lot of stuff! - Jaune grew animated, pointing at the map. - There's a mountain trail here, we camped over there! I always got my own tent, because I was special. . He puffed out his chest, then grimaced at the memory. - And… because my sisters always braided my hair.

- You're kidding? - Lance laughed.

- I think it sounds cute. - Ruby smiled.

- They always tied it in two pigtails. - Jaune explained. - But I wanted a warrior's braid. Like a wolf braid.

- …You mean a ponytail? - Ruby corrected gently. Awkward silence fell.

- I stand by what I said. - Jaune declared firmly.

- Uh… guys… - Nora spoke up. She, Ren, and Lance weren't watching the map anymore. Their eyes were locked on something else.

- What is it? - Ruby asked, looking up with Jaune.

The map was hastily stuffed away. Weapons came out.

Ahead lay the smoking ruins of Shion.

Bodies mutilated, houses gutted, flames still smoldering.

- There might be survivors! - Ruby dashed forward.

- This way! - Ren shouted, spotting someone. They ran.

A wounded man lay in armor, weapon discarded, life fading fast.

- A Huntsman. - Ruby muttered.

- What happened? - Jaune demanded. - Who did this?

- Gunfire everywhere. - Lance noted grimly. - Bullet wounds. Grimm don't use guns.

- Bandits. - The man rasped. - A… whole tribe. Then… panic… fear…

- Grimm. - Ren finished, resting a hand on his shoulder. The man nodded weakly, then went still.

- Okay. - Ruby said firmly. - We get him to another village, find a doctor!

- Yeah! - Jaune agreed. - Lance and I will carry him!

- Ruby, you're fastest. - Lance said. - Scout ahead! Find a village, call for help!

- I don't know if he'll last. - Nora whispered, worried.

- He will! - Jaune insisted.

- The faster we move, - Ruby added. - the better his chances. I'm going—

- Guys… - Ren's voice was heavy. He shook his head. - He's gone.

- Shouldn't we… bury him? - Nora asked softly.

- We have to move. - Ren said, turning away. - It's not safe here.

- Ren… - Nora followed, disheartened.

- He's right. - Lance agreed. - We need to keep going.

Ruby placed a hand on Jaune's arm.

- It's okay.

- I'm just… tired of we can't save everyone. - Jaune whispered.

- Me too. - Lance admitted. - That's why we keep moving. To save those we still can.

The team pressed onward, leaving the village of ashes and silence behind.

That night, after camp was set and the others slept, Lance lay awake. His mind wandered back to Beacon, the last time he saw his team. Mandy, who had sided with the White Fang, had nearly killed Lynda and Mike. He had saved them only by unleashing his Semblance, transforming into a Berserker. That was his final memory of them.

He didn't know what had become of Lynda. Mike was safe with his mother, thankfully. Lynda was said to have returned home to Menagerie. But Mandy, was she alive? Dead? He had no idea. What would he do if they met again? Forgive her? Hate her? Somewhere deep down, he still hoped.

Then he heard a familiar mechanical voice. Rising, he followed it to a small clearing.

There was Jaune, sword and shield in hand, Scroll propped against a fallen log.

- Alright Jaune, as we practiced. - Came Pyrrha's warm, familiar voice from the speakers. - Follow the instructions. Shield up… - Jaune obeyed. - …grip your sword tightly, feet forward.

He moved exactly as instructed.

- Ready? Strike!

Jaune lunged, thrusting, then slashed with such force that the air itself stirred. He spun, striking again, gusts following his blade. Exhaustion showed, but he pushed on.

- Okay. - Pyrrha's recording said. - If you didn't cheat, we can rest now.

Jaune bent over, panting.

- I know it's frustrating. Even the smallest progress takes hard work. But I want you to know, I'm so proud of you. I've never met anyone so determined to grow. Since I met you… you've come so far. And this is only the beginning.

Jaune stood still, basking in her voice.

- Jaune… - Pyrrha hesitated, as if there was more she wanted to say but couldn't. - …I just want you to know I'm glad I could be part of your life. I'll always be with you, Jaune.

The recording ended, then looped back.

- Alright Jaune, as we practiced…

And Jaune trained on. Night after night. Again and again.

- What's going on? - A whisper came from behind Lance.

- Jaune. - He answered quietly, nodding toward the boy.

Ruby gasped softly, hands over her mouth, as she saw him obeying Pyrrha's recorded instructions, every move in time with her absent voice.

- You think he'll be okay? - Lance asked.

- He just needs time. - Ruby whispered back. Her heart ached, but she knew Jaune had to walk this path himself.

- I hope you're right.

Then Ruby's eyes lit with an idea.

- What if you trained him?

- Me? - Lance blinked.

- Why not? You, Pyrrha, and Jaune all fight with similar styles. You could help him improve. Maybe then… he could move on. - Her voice faltered at Pyrrha's name. The wound was still raw.

- I see. - Lance nodded. - I'll ask him tomorrow.

He placed a hand gently on Ruby's shoulder.

- Come on. Let's get some sleep.

And they left Jaune alone, training tirelessly, guided by Pyrrha's voice, as though she were still there beside him.

Chapter Text

The salty sea breeze filled the air, accompanied by the gentle lapping of waves and the cries of seagulls as the large transport ship cut through the ocean. Its passengers were being ferried from one shore of Remnant to another.

Several families and groups of friends traveled together: some were on vacation, others visiting relatives. Many admired the view, chatting, eating, drinking. Children laughed and chased each other across the deck. The atmosphere was calm, peaceful.

But for Lynda, the voyage grew heavier with each passing hour. She was heading home, back to Menagerie, to see her family, of whom she had heard nothing since the destruction of the CCT tower in Beacon. And that terrified her.

She hadn't had time to say goodbye. Only Mike had gotten a farewell; Lance lay in a coma, and Mandy had… betrayed them. Lynda's fist clenched involuntarily whenever she thought of the fox-eared and tailed girl.

She stepped to the port side of the ship to get some fresh air. But there she unexpectedly ran into a familiar figure.

- Lynda? - Asked the boy, visibly surprised. She had considered every possibility, but not this one.

- Sun? - Lynda could hardly believe her monkey faunus friend was on the same ship.

- What are you doing here? - They asked simultaneously. Lynda answered first.

- I'm going home. To Menagerie. What about you? I thought you lived in Vacuo.

- Well… - Sun scratched the back of his head. - I came because of Blake.

- Blake? - Lynda blinked. - As in, Team RWBY's Blake?

- That's right. She's on this ship.

- What's she doing here?

- If I had to guess: she's planning to take down the White Fang alone. For revenge. For what happened in Beacon.

- She's lost her mind? I'd gladly deal with them too, but alone? She doesn't stand a chance!

- I know. That's why I followed her. To protect her.

- Where is she now?

- On the other side. - Sun grabbed Lynda's arm. - I'll show you!

- Hey! What are you doing?! - Lynda tried to pull free, but Sun stopped and tossed a dark cloak over her head.

- Put this on! We can't let her see us. - He whispered, pulling his own cloak on as well.

- As if she wouldn't recognize our scent… - Lynda muttered, irritably adjusting the hood. - Why don't we just say hello like normal people?

- Where's the fun in that? - Sun waved her off. - This way it feels like we're secret agents.

- I see… - Lynda sighed, choosing not to argue further.

The two Faunus made their way to the bow of the ship to peek around to the starboard side. There they spotted Blake.

She wore a new outfit: black high-heeled boots, tight black pants, a long white coat left open over a black crop top that exposed her midriff. Strapped to her back was her weapon, Gambol Shroud. Blake removed the black ribbon covering her cat ears and tossed it into the sea.

- Won't be needing that anymore. - She whispered.

The two watching faunus heard her clearly, then saw her retreat back to her cabin.

- Still not going to say hi? - Lynda asked.

- You're a terrible secret agent, you know that? - Sun sighed. - No. We keep our distance. Watch her. Protect her.

And so the day passed: Sun's idea, much to Lynda's irritation, was to shadow Blake from afar. The sun sank low, painting the sea orange as stars began to appear overhead.

Lynda was at the stern when Blake stepped out of her cabin, walked along the deck railing, and suddenly drew her weapon, eyes locking on Sun. She had spotted him. Though he still wore his cloak, Blake was too tense to notice his scent.

Sun bolted. The sudden noise broke Blake's concentration.

The next instant, a massive shadow fell across the entire ship.

Blake, Lynda, the passengers and crew looked up in horror, then saw what it was.

- Holy white asparagus! - Lynda yelled, staring at the gigantic sea-serpent dragon Grimm that had marked the ship as its prey.

- Alarm! - Cried one of the sailors as the siren blared. Passengers fled below deck.

- Gods… - The captain whispered, stunned at the sight. - Everyone to arms!

- Sir! - His first officer said. - We've never fought a Grimm this size before!

- And we've never seen one this size! - The captain shot back, eyes fixed on the beast. - But we won't go down easy.

Blake struck first. She vaulted onto the railing at the bow, launched herself high, boosting with a clone, and flew straight at the monster's head. Gambol Shroud's blade lodged in its bone mask; she used the ribbon to swing to its side and opened fire. But the Grimm barely flinched.

The creature turned toward the ship. Blake landed with a grimace.

- This won't work! - She shouted.

- Then let's try together! - Came a familiar voice.

- Lynda?! What are you doing here?

- Not the time! - Lynda drew her triple claw blades. - Let's finish this first! Sun, you can come out now!

- Sun's here too?! - Blake exclaimed just as the monkey faunus threw off his cloak.

- Miss me? - Sun grinned, then nearly toppled when the ship lurched hard to starboard to avoid the Grimm.

Cannons rose on both sides of the ship and opened fire as Blake, Lynda, and Sun assaulted the creature's head. Finally, the Grimm dove beneath the waves.

- It's not over. - The captain growled, as a massive main cannon extended from the bow.

The beast resurfaced, this time with most of its body. Fins unfurled along its back, sprouting two enormous membranous wings. It soared into the air, generating such a gale that the ship nearly capsized.

The captain ordered the main cannon fired, but the Grimm was too fast, unnervingly agile for its size.

Yellow energy built in its maw.

- I've got an idea! - Sun vaulted to the railing, leaping into the air and summoning two clones. They grabbed the monster's whiskers while he pulled back its upper jaw. - Not today, buddy!

The beast fired its beam, but thanks to Sun, it blasted harmlessly into the sea.

- What are you doing?! - Blake cried.

- Oh, just making friends! - Sun joked, until another charge rattled him, and he plummeted.

Lynda reacted instantly. She activated her Semblance, dashed across the water, sprang from a rock, and caught him.

- You're my hero. - Sun grinned, only for Lynda to dump him unceremoniously on the ground.

- Come on! - She readied her claws and sprinted back to the ship. - Blake needs us!

- Right behind you! - Sun scrambled after her.

Blake dodged blast after blast, but fatigue caught her. She fell hard onto the deck as the Grimm aimed a killing shot, only for Sun to intercept it just in time.

Meanwhile, Lynda vaulted from the stern onto the creature's tail, sprinting up its back with her Semblance until she reached the wings.

Then Sun and Blake unleashed a combo: Sun conjured three clones, one boosted him, one served as a platform, the last hurled Blake skyward. She bounded off them, then off Sun's shoulders, soaring above the Grimm.

She dove, Gambol Shroud slashing through the right wing's membrane. At the same time, Lynda shredded the left.

Both girls fell. Sun caught Blake, their impact cracking the rock beneath them, only for Lynda to crash on top of them moments later.

- Ughh…

- Everyone okay? - Lynda asked.

- Just… get off. - Blake groaned, wriggling free.

- That was a bit much. - Sun wheezed.

- You calling us fat? - Lynda teased, until the Grimm's roar silenced them.

Wingless, it smashed through the rocks beneath them. They scrambled, leaping across collapsing stone, the Grimm relentless.

It cornered them at last, energy glowing in its jaws.

Then the ship rammed it full speed. The sharp bow pierced its body, pinning it to a cliff. The main cannon fired point-blank, obliterating its head.

The Grimm's body dissolved into smoke.

- That… was awesome… - Lynda panted with a grin.

- High five! - Sun held up a hand. Lynda slapped it. - You too! - He said to Blake, who slapped his face instead.

- What's your problem?! - Lynda asked, stunned.

The sun had set, but the ship sailed on unchallenged. Crew and passengers cheered their three faunus saviors. Blake, however, withdrew, avoiding the praise.

- It was nothing, really. - Sun struck a pose for his admirers as Lynda patted herself on the back.

- We've taken down worse. - Lynda bragged.

- Relax and enjoy the trip. No reason to worry. - Sun assured the crowd, before joining Blake and Lynda. - It's like they've never seen a fight before…

- They're civilians. - Lynda shrugged. - For them, this'll last a lifetime.

- What are you two even doing here? - Blake demanded more firmly.

- By the way, - Sun interjected, noticing her missing ribbon. - I like the new look. The bow was never a good idea. - He tapped an ear.

- Sun! - Blake slapped his hand away, then glared at Lynda. - You followed me?

- He did. - Lynda admitted. - I just ran into him by accident. - Sun looked down guiltily.

- I saw you leave. - Sun said. - That night Beacon fell. After you made sure everyone was safe… you vanished. Just like that.

- I had to. - Blake said at last, her voice was sad and soft. - You wouldn't understand.

- Yes, I do! - Sun snapped. - I know exactly what you're trying to do!

For a moment Blake's eyes lit up with hope, until Sun continued:

- You're launching a one-woman war against the White Fang!

Blake's expression darkened instantly.

- Excuse me?!

- Guess not. - Lynda muttered, seeing her anger.

- You've always felt the Fang was your fight. - Sun went on. - They wrecked your school, hurt your friends, it makes perfect sense you'd—

- Incredible. - Blake cut him off, shaking her head bitterly.

- But if that's what you're doing, then I'm not letting you do it alone! - Sun draped an arm over her shoulders. - It won't be easy, but at least you'll have a backup. Or, - He glanced at Lynda. - maybe two if Lynda's coming.

- Lynda's not coming. - Lynda said flatly.

- What?! - Sun gaped. - We Faunus don't stick together?

- You're wrong, Sun. - Blake slipped out of his hold and walked away. - Very wrong.

- But… - Sun stared after her, bewildered.

- I'm not going near the White Fang. Not yet. - Lynda crossed her arms.

- Seriously?! - Sun sputtered.

- There are things I have to settle first.

- Then why not with your team? With your friends? - Sun spread his arms.

- You're one to talk! - Blake shot back. - I bet Neptune, Sage, Scarlet, Lance, Mandy, and Mike aren't hiding in the ship's hold!

- You think I could drag Neptune onto the ocean? - Sun scoffed, perching on the railing. - The others went back to Mistral. I just told them I'd catch up. Not the first time I've shipped out solo.

- At least I said goodbye to my team. - Lynda said quietly. - Well… to Mike, anyway.

- So where are you going? - Sun finally asked Blake.

- Home. To Menagerie.

- What?! - Lynda nearly shouted. - You're from Menagerie too?!

- You are? - Blake asked back.

- Yes. - Lynda said, hands on hips. - I'm going home as well. Same as you.

- Crazy you two never met as kids. - Sun remarked.

- Maybe… we did. - Blake mused. - Something's coming back. Once, in kindergarten maybe.

- Really?

- Yes. You were the loud one, always climbing on everything, getting scolded for biting people.

- Hmm… - Lynda strained to remember, a faint glimmer returning.

- Once we were tied together for a partner game of tag. I was your partner.

- That's it! - Lynda's eyes lit up. - Now I remember! And you were always quiet and withdrawn, usually just reading.

- Glad you're having fun. - Sun cut in. - Because I'm coming too. Grimm are getting worse, you saw that today. And just because you're not after the Fang doesn't mean they won't come after you.

He looked down at the sea.

- Besides, I'm already on the ship. Turning back isn't an option.

- Well… - Blake smiled faintly. - You really are impossible to stop.

- Never my style. - Sun puffed up, striking a pose. - This'll be great! Never been to Menagerie. An eastern adventure!

- Who are you visiting? - Lynda asked.

- My parents. - Blake said, her face falling. - Haven't seen them in a long time. And… we didn't part on good terms.

- Oh… - Lynda saw how deeply it weighed on her. - I'm sorry.

- And you? - Blake asked, steering the subject away. - Who's waiting for you?

- Just my little brother and sister. Our parents are gone. It's just us now.

- Oh… - Blake hadn't imagined Lynda carried so much. - I'm sorry.

- You're right to visit your parents. - Lynda said, looking up at the stars. - You still can.

Meanwhile, Salem's lair remained cloaked in deathly silence. In the council chamber, at the great table, Salem and Cinder sat. Cinder's body was undergoing a strange, dark transformation.

Her severed left arm was being consumed by thick, black, Grimm-like matter that flowed into the stump, wracking her with agony.

- Do you feel it? - Salem asked calmly, dark fluid streaming from her palm. - Don't resist it, my child. - She whispered, nudging a bishop forward on the chessboard beside her, capturing a rook. - I feel your doubt. You must accept this. Let it become part of you.

A clack signaled her opponent's move. Salem glanced at it once, then confidently shifted her knight, capturing the queen.

- How do you do that? - Roman asked from across the table. Though a practiced chess player, he could barely keep up with Salem.

- You cannot imagine how long I've been playing. - She replied. - I know this game inside and out. Every move, every strategy… every possible outcome.

- Really? - Roman smirked, moving his remaining rook. Salem answered instantly with her queen.

- Indeed. Checkmate.

- Tch. - Roman shook his head. That was his ninth loss. - Tenth time's the charm. - He reset the board.

Neo, watching quietly until now, only rolled her eyes and yawned.

- Typical humans. - Salem remarked. - Never giving up. But in the last two hundred years, you're by far the most entertaining opponent.

- Then I'll try not to disappoint. - Roman said as the next game began. Salem's every move was surgical, instantaneous.

But Roman tried a new tactic: an odd pawn move.

- Oh? - Salem looked up from Cinder, lingering a moment longer than usual. - Clever. - She conceded, then moved her queen. - But it won't save you.

- Worth a shot. - Roman replied, shifting his own queen. - Check.

For the first time, Roman had put Salem in check.

The match dragged on a few more minutes, but again Salem triumphed.

- Checkmate. - She declared, her faint smile carrying both praise… and threat.

- Incredible, ma'am. - Roman leaned back. - You psychic?

- No. Just far older at this game than you could ever comprehend.

Roman's eyes drifted to Cinder, to the black fluid seeping into her arm.

- So… what exactly are you doing to her? - He asked.

- Cinder would be at a disadvantage with one arm. I'm giving her another. - Salem's hand pulsed more darkness into her.

- Wouldn't a mechanical one be easier? Less pain, less terrifying…

- Easy isn't always better. - Salem said. - Pain motivates. And fear… is what we want our enemies to feel.

At that moment, the chamber doors opened.

Emerald and Mercury, who had been silently watching the game, recoiled as something floated in.

- What the hell is that? - Roman asked in shock.

A black, floating crystal orb drifted in, shaped like a skull with bone-like plates, jagged spikes beneath, and red, tendril-like arms coiling around it. It seemed to watch the entire chamber.

Neo sprang up to poke it, but Roman held her back.

- This is a little marvel. - Salem explained. - It can reach anyone in Remnant. And it has… other functions.

The orb pulsed with yellow light. Salem leaned closer. A distorted, rasping voice emanated from within, unintelligible.

- Cinder. - Salem said suddenly, her voice cold as ice. - I will only ask once, and I want a clear, direct answer: did you really kill Ozpin?

At the question, Cinder looked toward Emerald. The girl started to interpret, but Salem's hand slammed against the table.

- No! - Her eyes seemed to flash. - I want to hear it from you.

Roman dared not speak. He could feel it, Salem was no mere tyrant hungry for power and wealth. Something far deeper and colder dwelled within her. This wasn't ambition. It was something ancient. Something maddening.

Cinder struggled to speak, at first only a guttural rasp escaping her lips. But with tremendous effort, she finally forced out:

- Yes…

Salem folded her hands, then addressed the orb.

- Increase Grimm numbers around Beacon. The Relic is still there.

Silently, the orb slipped from the chamber. Emerald and Mercury shrank back in fear to let it pass.

- What are you planning, Ozpin? - Salem murmured. - Where did you hide it?

- Uh… - Roman blinked in confusion, glancing at Neo. - Wait, you just said he's dead. Ozpin can't be planning anything… right?

He spread his hands innocently.

- He's gone… - He whispered, then froze as he saw both Cinder and Salem looking at him. Cinder's smile was cold, twisted. Salem's expression was utterly blank, which somehow made it far more terrifying.

Roman stared back, unsettled.

- Or… not?

Chapter Text

For Mike, coming home was a crushing disappointment.

He had expected to be welcomed by his old, cozy room; to reread his yellowed comic books, play his video games, eat his mother's cooking, and be free from the grueling training.

But the moment he stepped inside, everything seemed dull and childish. His comics had been censored, every violent or exciting scene blotted out with correction fluid, the dialogue rewritten. His video games were old, meant for little kids, and he had already beaten them a thousand times. The food his mother cooked was mushy and greasy, the kind you could swallow without even chewing.

"This is the sweet home I dreamed about?", he thought bitterly after waking up.

He missed life at Beacon. Most of all, he missed his friends. It seemed so silly now, remembering how he used to talk to his stuffed animals, things that never answered back, never laughed, never gave him the kind of company his friends had.

He got dressed: light gray shorts, a tan t-shirt, white socks. Then he went to the bathroom. He had forgotten to put on his glasses, which lay on his desk. But when he tried them on in front of the mirror, his vision only blurred further. Shaking his head, he took them off, and suddenly, his sight was perfectly clear. Clearer than it had ever been. He could see far, sharply.

That's when he decided: he wouldn't wear them anymore.

Inside the cabinet behind the mirror stood what looked like a pharmacy's worth of pills. All the bottles had been transferred into unmarked plastic containers. No way to know what they were or what they did. Just a small note listing which color pill to take on which day.

For today: a green capsule, a gray one, and a tiny white tablet.

A strange feeling crept over him as he stared at them. At Beacon, he had often forgotten to take his meds, and he had felt much better without them. He decided to skip them again today. He wanted to slip them into his pocket, but he couldn't. His shorts had no pockets.

"Right… Mom doesn't allow me to keep anything in my pockets," he realized.

At Beacon, he'd bought new clothes from Blanc Arc, one of Jaune's sisters, those had real pockets. He had gotten used to carrying things.

He went into the living room and turned on the TV. The news was on.

- …the Huntsmen and Huntresses are doing everything they can to reclaim Beacon Academy, but the petrified Wyvern's body continues to spawn new Grimm. The Vale military and Hunters are overwhelmed, unable to break through. For now, all they can do is surround Beacon, no one in, no one out. It's sheer luck the horde hasn't turned toward Vale yet.

Click. Next channel.

- The loss of Beacon's CCT tower has caused severe communication disruptions across Remnant, especially in Vale. The surrounding Grimm presence makes any repairs impossible.

- The Vale Council has voted to restrict all air travel within the kingdom, except for evacuations. The goal is to prevent the perpetrators from escaping. The restriction will remain until the investigation is complete.

- It is still unknown who exactly was behind the Vytal Festival incident. What is certain, however, is that high-ranking White Fang officer Adam Taurus took part in the attack. Many civilians and soldiers were killed. Attempts to capture him have met with brutal resistance. Authorities urge anyone with information on his whereabouts to report immediately.

- Also wanted: Roman Torchwick and Neopolitan, two known criminals who previously clashed with Vale authorities. Confirmed reports state that during the Festival, they stole an Atlas airship, destroyed two more, and bombed soldiers and robots. They are extremely dangerous. If sighted, report at once.

- Mike! - A harsh, scolding woman's voice snapped from behind him. - I told you, only cartoons are allowed! The news is FORBIDDEN!

It was his mother. She barely looked different from him, like his face in women's clothes, with makeup. It was impossible to tell whether Mike looked like her or she looked like Mike.

- Sorry, Mom… - Mike mumbled, staring blankly at the floor. - At Beacon we could watch all kinds of things, and—

- Beacon was nothing but a bad influence! - She yelled. Since Mike's return, yelling had been her only form of communication. - I knew it was a mistake letting you go!

- But Mom… I made friends there, I trained—

- Friends?! The ones who abandoned you?! I told you this would happen! You will never see them again! - She especially hated his team. She blamed them for corrupting her son. She had even taken and locked away their team photo.

- Well… Mandy did betray us, but Lynda just wanted to see her family, and Lance is helping Ruby and JNPR—

- I don't care! You will not speak to them! You will stay in this house, and you only go out when I say so! And if I ever catch you watching the news or messing with your Scroll again, you're finished! Now go to your room!

Mike trudged back silently, disappointed, angry. His mother had taken his Scroll, his team photo, and What-the-Heck, his weapon. Locked them all away.

He had been alone all his life, but he had never felt so lonely.

Meanwhile, Team JRRNL continued their journey toward Mistral, following a twisting, rain-soaked forest path with the help of a map.

- Come on, guys. - Ruby tried to encourage them with her usual cheer. - If we hurry, we can reach the next village before sunset!

- Assuming it's even still standing. - Jaune muttered gloomily.

- It must be. - Ruby insisted, forcing a hopeful smile. - It's a pretty big place.

- And what's it called? - Lance asked, as Ruby squinted at the name.

- Hi… hi… gabna…?

- Higanbana. - Ren corrected calmly. - A well-defended village. Popular inn.

- Which means, - Nora cheered. - we don't have to camp in the rain!

- Mistrali names are so weird. - Lance grumbled, trying to memorize the pronunciation.

- Everything's going to be fine. - Ruby said firmly, though she was clearly starting to shiver.

- Well, we've had been through a lot lately. - Jaune added, a little brighter. - But things could be worse. For example… we haven't seen many Grimm.

- Finally, luck's on our side! - Nora grinned. - To Higanbana!

- TO HIGANBANA! - The others shouted with her, caught by her enthusiasm.

But darkness fell and the rain came pouring down before they reached the village. By the time they finally arrived, they were soaked to the bone, but at least the march was over.

A neat little inn awaited them. Warm light, traditional mistrali woodwork, and the shelter of a roof, it was like an oasis.

- Welcome. - The receptionist greeted politely. - Traveling Huntsmen?

- Uh… yes. - Ruby stepped forward nervously. - There are five of us, we'd like to rent rooms.

- I think two will do. - Lance suggested. - Ruby and Nora in one, Ren, Jaune and I in the other.

- Perfect. - Jaune agreed.

- Very well. - The receptionist nodded. - I'll have them prepared right away. Dinner is served at 7 p.m.

The team bowed gratefully and headed toward their rooms.

If Raven Branwen had gotten one Lien every time she warned people of something they refused to believe, she would be the richest person in Remnant.

No one had listened, save Uther Pendragon. But the Black Pawn was no longer the man he had been, aged, plagued by heart problems.

Raven had abandoned her family and friends, seeking another path to secure her tribe's survival. She hadn't seen her daughter, her husband, or her brother in years.

Now, in the form of a bird, she soared through the mistrali skies, memories pressing in. The old days. Team STRQ. Summer. Qrow. Tai.

But she had no time for nostalgia.

She knew where she had to go. And after a few minutes of flight, she found him.

Qrow Branwen, her younger brother, stood over the corpses of a Grimm pack in a mistrali forest. Exhausted, but sharp as ever. Raven noticed that Qrow wasn't traveling along the main road, but deliberately clearing a path for five young Huntsmen-in-training.

Especially the girl in the red cloak.

Summer Rose. Or rather, her living echo, Ruby. The daughter of Team STRQ's captain.

Qrow didn't travel with them directly, keeping his distance. But Raven knew exactly why.

She landed on a tree in her raven form and cawed.

Qrow noticed. He recognized her.

But he said nothing.

When night fell, Qrow didn't follow the kids into the inn. Instead, he went into the tavern across the street. Raven slipped in through an open window, shifting back into her human form.

Her long, jet-black hair and piercing red eyes gleamed darkly. She wore black high-heeled boots, long socks, a short battle skirt, and a red-and-black blouse. Fingerless gloves with crimson bracers. A fearsome helmet shaped like a Grimm skull, which she removed and set on the table.

She sat upstairs.

- Oh, I didn't notice you there. - The waitress said kindly. - What can I get you?

- A whiskey. On the rocks. But not for me. For the man at the bar.

- Right away! - The waitress smiled. - Got your eye on him?

- In a manner of speaking. - Raven answered cryptically.

It didn't take long. Soon, Qrow came upstairs.

When he saw Raven, he stopped cold. His eyes flashed with contempt and suspicion.

- Hello, little brother. - Raven greeted with a troubling smile.

Qrow didn't reply. He only stood there. Raven's sword leaned against the wall, not close enough to seem threatening, but not far if she needed it. The helmet sat on the table. Qrow only sat down after she tipped it over to show it was empty. Finally, with a roll of her eyes, she set it on the floor.

- So… - Qrow said, sitting. - What do you want?

- Can't a woman visit her family? - Raven spread her arms theatrically.

- Sure. Just not you. - Qrow pointed at the drink. - Get to the point. Unless you're paying for my booze.

- Did she get it? - Raven asked suddenly, dropping the act.

Qrow said nothing, dragging a finger around the rim of his glass.

- Did you know Yang lost her arm?

Raven didn't answer, only grimaced. She hated his evasions.

- That wasn't my question—

- It was rhetorical. - Qrow cut her off. - I know you know. I just think it's hypocritical of you to talk about family when you pretend your daughter doesn't exist.

- I saved her life.

- Once. And only because you promised. Mother of the year. - He took a sip.

Raven grabbed his wrist, staring into his eyes. Her red irises burned. His, paler but hard.

- I told you. I warned you. Beacon would fall. And it did. That Ozpin would lose. And he did. Twenty years ago, it was only us standing in Salem's way, and by a hair we avoided disaster. Because of Ozpin's arrogance. Now tell me, did Salem get the relic?

Qrow just stared. Silent.

- I just need to know what we're facing. - Raven said softly, for once, a trace of genuine concern.

- By "we"… who exactly do you mean? - Qrow smirked.

Raven let go angrily but said nothing.

- You should come back. - Qrow said quietly. - This… only together do we stand a chance.

- You left us! The tribe raised us, and you turned your back on them!

- They were killers and thieves. - Qrow said, downing his whiskey.

- They were our family.

- Funny definition of family. - Qrow muttered. - Dad was an *sshole.

- On that, we agree. - Raven replied. - Now I lead the tribe. Father ruled by fear. I by respect. Things have changed.

- Yeah… Shion Village saw your 'respect.'

- The weak fall. The strong remain. That's nature's law. If not us, another clan would've destroyed them.

- Someone strong is standing with you now… - Qrow said. - I saw the ruins.

- We didn't expect the Grimm to react so fast. - Raven admitted, almost regretful.

- I wasn't talking about them. And I wasn't talking about you.

- If you don't know where the relic is… - Raven picked up her helmet. - …then we're done.

Qrow put his hand on it.

- I don't know where the Spring Maiden is. But if you do, you need to tell me.

- And why would I?

- Because without her, we all die.

Raven only smiled.

- And by "we"… who exactly do you mean, little brother?

She picked up her sword, slashed open a swirling red-and-black portal, and stepped through.

Qrow didn't follow. He only listened as it closed.

Then, glass breaking. The waitress, who had been silently watching, had dropped her tray in shock.

- Make this one double. - Qrow muttered, pointing at his glass and leaning back.

Chapter Text

A loud horn signaled that the ship had successfully docked, and the ramp lowered to let passengers disembark onto the island of Menagerie.

Menagerie, the smallest continent of Remnant, was a massive tropical island far to the southeast, with only a single city, home primarily to the faunus. The harbor buildings were modest but welcoming. The weather was pleasantly sunny, and the town's bell had just struck noon.

- Wow… - Sun's eyes widened as he looked around at the sheer number of faunus in one place. A small market was running at the docks: some people stood in line for goods, others chatted, and many simply stared out at the sea.

- Finally home. - Lynda stretched as soon as she stepped off the ramp, gazing around her hometown. A warm wave of nostalgia washed over her, as if an eternity had passed since she left.

- I've never seen this many faunus together! - Sun exclaimed.

- This is the only place I've known since childhood. - Said Lynda. - The only place where our kind can feel safe.

- No matter who you are, - Blake added softly. - or what you are.

- Man… - Sun looked around the crowd in awe. - It's… pretty packed.

- Heh. - Lynda chuckled. - The one thing I didn't miss, the crowd.

- Yeah… I get that. - Blake replied, though her voice carried a restrained edge of anger.

- Which way are you going? - Lynda asked as she headed left. Blake and Sun turned to the right. - I live this way.

- Well… - Blake hesitated, visibly nervous. - Maybe… we should walk you home first.

- Don't you want to see your family? - Sun asked.

- I do… but maybe it's better if we take Lynda home first. - Blake muttered.

- Alright. - Sun shrugged, following Lynda, and Blake trailed after them. - But you can't put it off forever.

As they moved, the crowd didn't thin. They had to constantly weave between faunus of all shapes and sizes.

- Is it always this crowded? - Sun asked, dodging past a goat-horned faunus.

- You kidding? - Lynda laced her hands behind her neck. - This is light. On holidays it's an apocalypse, singers, shoppers, and those guys in ridiculous costumes—

- Mascots. - Blake supplied.

- Yeah, those! - Lynda snapped her fingers. - This is downright peaceful.

- Pretty nuts. - Sun muttered, though he seemed to enjoy the atmosphere, just not the density.

- Well… - Blake's voice hardened. - This is what happens when you cram an entire race onto an island where two-thirds of the land is desert. Yeah, it gets a little crowded.

- What?! - Sun gaped. - If there's that much unused land, why don't you move there? A desert never killed anyone!

- Sun, - Blake shook her head. - I'd argue with that last statement, but this desert isn't like Vacuo's. The wildlife here is more dangerous than anywhere else in Remnant.

- She's right. - Lynda nodded. - Plenty of people have died out there. You need a Huntsman license just to venture out, and even then no one's liable if you don't come back.

- Even this part used to be jungle before we settled here. - Blake added. - A lot of people died just to make it livable. There were several expeditions to expand, but all of them failed. Not enough money, not enough manpower.

- So… - Sun slowly pieced it together. - The government, to shut you up, handed you a deadly island and basically said: 'figure it out'?

- More or less. - Blake sighed.

- Huh… - Sun finally began to grasp just how unfair it all was. - That's rough.

- You bet. - Lynda agreed.

Before long, they reached Lynda's home. It stood at the edge of town, a small house, practically a shack. Even among the humble dwellings, it looked worn down. The wood was cracked, the windows broken, and a narrow stream of sewage trickled past the door.

- Here we are. - Lynda said. - I know, the dorm rooms at Beacon were bigger than this whole house, but you know the saying: it's not where you live, it's who you live with.

- Home sweet home. - Sun tried to smile encouragingly.

- Well… it's… - Blake began, but words failed her.

Not waiting for her to finish, Lynda knocked. The creaking door somehow stayed on its hinges.

- Hey, we paid off our debts last week! - Came a girl's voice from inside, and the door cracked open.

A young faunus girl appeared. She had short, dark-purple hair, though her brown wolf ears poking through betrayed it was dyed. Her eyes were blue, and beneath the left one was a black crescent-shaped tattoo. She wore a white, midriff-baring blouse, a dark-purple miniskirt with short black leggings underneath, and black sandals.

- That's how you greet your sister? - Lynda crossed her arms with a grin. The girl stared for a heartbeat, then gasped.

- Lynda?!

Without another word, she threw her arms around her. Lynda hugged her back.

- Hey, Luna. - Lynda smiled. The girl was beside herself with joy.

- Do you know how worried we were about you?

- How's Monty? - Lynda asked eagerly.

- He's fine. Come in! - Luna ushered them inside, eyeing Sun and Blake curiously. - Are they your friends?

- Yeah. - Lynda nodded. - Sun and Blake. We attended together at Beacon.

- Yo! - Sun grinned, shaking her hand while sneaking a glance at her tattoo. - Cool ink.

- Thanks. - Luna replied. She clearly found him likable, though her eyes on Blake were more reserved. - You must be Blake?

- Hello. I can see you two are close.

- Since childhood. - Lynda draped an arm around Luna's shoulders proudly. - Practically sisters.

- My parents died when I was little. - Luna explained. - Lynda's family adopted me, we grew up together.

- That's wonderful. - Blake managed a small smile. - It's rare to see such a strong bond.

- Monty's gonna lose it when he finds out you're here. - Luna ushered them further in.

Inside, the house smelled musty, cobwebs in the corners, but Lynda marched on unfazed. She led them into the living room, where a boy of about twelve sat on a ragged, dusty couch, playing a video game.

The boy had the same white hair as Lynda, cropped short. The same white dog ears, the same yellow eyes. He wore a white T-shirt, gray shorts, and socks. He was so absorbed in the game he didn't notice the visitors.

Lynda silently motioned the others to stay quiet, crept up behind him, and suddenly covered his eyes with her hands.

- Hey! - The boy yelped, struggling until he lost the game. - Dammit, Luna, because of you... - He spun around angrily, only to freeze in shock. - Lynda?!

- Miss me, kiddo? - She grinned, tugging playfully on one of his ears.

- Don't—! - Monty laughed, pushing her hand away, before launching himself into her arms. - I missed you so much!

- Oh, are you crying? - Lynda teased, ruffling his hair.

- No! - Monty snapped quickly.

- If you'd seen him when we first heard about Beacon… - Luna began.

- Not true! - Monty protested, already wiping at his eyes. He pulled away and changed the subject hastily.

- Are they from your team? - He asked, pointing at Sun and Blake. - That's Mandy and Mike? I thought he'd be fatter.

- Uh… - Lynda faltered, while Sun and Blake burst out laughing.

- Your little brother's adorable. - Blake chuckled.

- I think he's a cool kid. - Sun held up a fist, which Monty happily bumped.

- No. - Lynda corrected. - That's Sun, and that's Blake.

- Oh… whoops. - Monty giggled at the mistake.

- By the way, - Lynda glanced at the large TV. - where'd that fancy thing come from?

- Oh, - Luna fidgeted. - I… got a new job recently. Pays well.

- Yeah!" Monty beamed. - She's workin at... - But Luna quickly put a hand on his shoulder to hush him.

- At the docks! - She said quickly. - Good pay.

Lynda, Blake, and Sun saw right through the fake smile.

- Luna… you're not going out into the desert, are you? - Lynda asked seriously.

- What? No! - Luna shook her head rapidly.

- You remember what happened last time? We almost died.

- Relax, - Luna lifted her hands defensively. - I'm not going near the desert.

- Is it really that bad? - Sun asked, skeptical.

- Exotic animals from here fetch high prices elsewhere. - Lynda explained. - But catching them is deadly.

- I swear, - Luna said solemnly. - I haven't been out there since you left.

- I believe you. - Lynda finally relented.

- Are you staying home now? - Monty asked eagerly.

- Of course. - Lynda smiled, then glanced at Blake. - I just need to walk Blake home first. Right?

- Yes. - Blake nodded nervously. She knew she couldn't delay forever.

- It's really time to go home. - Blake sighed.

- Let's roll! - Sun grinned.

- Can we come too?! - Monty tugged at Luna.

- Of course. - Blake gave him a faint smile.

- Actually… - Luna pulled away awkwardly, scratching the back of her neck. - I've got some errands in town.

- What errands? - Lynda asked curiously. - We can help.

- It's nothing, really. I'll handle it. - Luna waved them off. - I'll see you later. - She hurried out, turning left.

Sun and Lynda flanked Blake.

- Casa de Belladonna! - Sun declared, mock-arresting her with a laugh.

- Fine. - Blake slumped, not resisting. They set off.

- Tell us, what's your house like? - Lynda asked, hoisting Monty onto her shoulders.

- Here's a hint. - Blake smiled. - Bigger than yours.

- Wow, thanks, super helpful. - Lynda rolled her eyes.

- You'll see.

As they entered the wealthier part of the city, the scenery changed: a long stairway led up a hillside with a breathtaking view. Beyond the ridge stretched desert, but on this side, dense forest and elegant houses dotted the landscape. At the center stood a grand manor, surrounded by walls, yet blending naturally into its environment.

- This is Kuokuana. - Blake said.

- Wish we lived here… - Monty whispered in awe.

- It's beautiful. - Sun admitted. - Okay, I take it back, this place is awesome! Why would anyone leave?

- That's not the point, Sun! - Blake snapped. - All we ever wanted was equal treatment! Instead, they gave us an island and said, 'fend for yourselves.' So we did. We built a community where every faunus could have a home. But this city, this island… it's a constant reminder that we're treated as second-class citizens.

- Hey. - Sun and Lynda both laid a hand on her shoulders. - If this matter, this guy's feeling it like a home.

- One day it'll change. - Lynda encouraged.

- Alright. - Blake sighed. - Let's go home.

- So, which one's yours? - Sun asked eagerly, scanning the houses. - Can we see from here?

- Yes.

- That one? - He pointed. - Or that smaller one? That one looks nice.

- That one. - Blake guided his hand to the grand manor at the center.

- That one?! - Lynda, Monty, and Sun shouted together.

- That one. - Blake repeated, heading down.

The path led straight to the manor. Soon they stood at the heavy front doors. Blake raised her hand but hesitated.

- What is it? - Sun asked.

- Just… - Blake shifted uneasily. - It's been a long time since I saw my parents.

- Well, we came this far… - Sun smiled encouragingly.

- No turning back. - Lynda added, setting Monty down.

Blake took a deep breath and knocked. The heavy sound made the others flinch.

- Honestly, that's kind of scary. - Sun muttered.

The door opened. An older faunus woman appeared: short black hair, golden eyes, and cat ears like Blake's.

- Blake? - She gasped.

- Hi… Mom. - Blake greeted shyly. The woman said nothing, only embraced her, stroking her daughter's hair. Blake stiffened at first, then smiled and hugged back.

- My little girl…

- Khali! - A man's voice called from inside. - Who is it?

A tall, broad-shouldered faunus man stepped out: black boots, brown pants, armored robe. His black hair and beard were neatly kept, his golden eyes gleaming like Blake's.

He froze upon seeing her. Clearly, this was her father.

The parents invited them inside for tea. Blake introduced her friends, and the family could hardly believe their daughter had truly returned.

- We were terrified when we heard the news. - Khali said anxiously. - Vale may not have been perfect, but it didn't deserve that. We worried so much.

- Please, - Her father, Ghira spoke firmly. - I always knew you'd be fine.

- That's not exactly true. - Khali rolled her eyes. - You should've seen him panic.

Lynda laughed, Monty had reacted the same way when he heard.

- Men always try to hide how sensitive they are. - Lynda teased, tugging her brother's ear again. Blake's mother giggled.

- Seriously, you don't need to worry about Blake. - Sun said, trying to make a good impression. - I've seen her in action, she's got some amazing moves.

Blake nearly spat out her tea. Lynda slapped her forehead, while Monty blinked in confusion.

- And what exactly did you mean by that, Mr. Wukong? - Ghira asked darkly. Sun froze.

- Well, uh... - He stammered, but Monty jumped in excitedly:

- My sister's got amazing moves too, right?! Who's better, Blake or Lynda?

Lynda slammed his head into the table and elbowed Sun in the ribs.

- WHY?! - Both boys yelped.

- So you'll think before you talk. - Lynda retorted.

- Why are they here again? - Khali asked.

- Lynda's from Menagerie too, and Sun… just sort of followed us. - Blake answered.

- I see. - Ghira eyed Lynda. - You're the brains of Blake's friends, then.

- I like him. - Khali whispered with a smile toward Sun.

- Mom! - Blake hissed through clenched teeth.

Suddenly, heavy knocking echoed at the door. Everyone flinched.

- Damn. - Ghira growled. - I forgot the meeting.

- Ghira… - Khali tried to hold him back.

- Just a minute. - He said, standing to answer.

- Is everything okay? - Blake asked her mother.

- Of course, sweetie. Just bad timing… but maybe they'll postpone. We've had to negotiate with them more often lately.

- With who? - Blake pressed.

- The White Fang.

- WHAT?! - Blake, Sun, and Lynda jumped to their feet. Monty and Khali stared in confusion.

- Dad! - The three rushed to the foyer, where Ghira was speaking with two guests.

- Blake? What's wrong? - He asked.

- Ms. Belladonna. - One of the visitors greeted politely. Both bowed.

They were fox faunus: one with a large, bushy tail, the other with prominent ears. Their brown skin and identical attire, red hoods, black coats, white shirts, pants, and sandals, marked them as brothers. The ear's hood was cut to let them stick out.

- We didn't know you had returned. - Said the one with the tail.

- Why are you talking to them?! - Blake snapped.

- These are Corsec and Fennec Albeit. - Ghira introduced. - Local representatives of the White Fang.

- They followed us even here?! - Sun growled.

- Then let's remind them what happens! - Lynda barked.

- Please, - Fennec raised a hand, signaling peace. - calm yourselves. We don't know what you've heard, but we are not nearly as bloodthirsty as the media makes us out to be.

- Heard?! - Blake shouted. - We saw it! You're fanatics who kill innocents!

- And you turned our friend against us because of it! - Lynda added.

- What are they talking about? - Ghira frowned suspiciously.

- That's precisely what we hoped to discuss. - Fennec's brother, Corsec, interjected.

- Everything alright? - Khali appeared with Monty, but Blake never took her eyes off the pair. Lynda growled under her breath, while Sun looked back and forth nervously.

- Wait! You mean you really don't know?! - Sun blurted.

- Know what? - Ghira turned to him sharply.

- The White Fang was one of the main reasons Beacon fell! - Blake declared. - They slaughtered people, sicced Grimm on the school. - The two brothers exchanged a glance.

Ghira stared at his daughter, then turned sternly to the emissaries.

- Is this true?

- Sadly, - Fennec bowed his head. - yes, sir.

- Don't you dare play innocent! - Blake shouted, but Ghira silenced her with a wave.

- Enough. I want an explanation.

The brothers glanced at each other. Corsec spoke.

- I regret to inform you, though it pains us greatly, that the faction active in Vale acted without the knowledge or approval of High Leader Khan. Their actions were the responsibility of Adam Taurus. I assume you are familiar with the young man's… extreme philosophy.

- Beacon wasn't the first time the Fang 'messed up'! - Sun snapped.

- The High Council suspected there was a radical faction, but couldn't prove it, until this incident.

- Incident?! - Blake hissed. - People died!

- And that is truly tragic. - Corsec nodded.

- We came, - Fennec continued. - to assure you that Taurus' actions do not reflect our organization's goals.

- And how can I be sure of that? - Ghira asked coldly.

- We understand your mistrust. - Fennec said. - The White Fang has indeed taken a harder stance since you stepped down as leader and became Menagerie's chieftain. But what happened at Beacon was not our way of spreading our message.

- We have numerous documents from the council's meetings, strategies on how to punish these renegades properly, if you are interested.

- I will be. - Ghira said firmly. - But not today. Today I want to spend time with my daughter.

- Of course, sir. - Both bowed.

- We fully understand. It was a pleasure to see you again, young Blake.

- We were saddened when you left the White Fang. - Corsec added. - But we understand if you can no longer support our cause.

- After all, this fight is a long one.

- And who said I won't fight anymore?! - Blake snapped.

- If you ever return, you will be welcomed with open arms. - Fennec assured.

- Sister Ilya would be glad too.

- Good day, gentlemen. - Ghira cut in, closing the door.

Blake stormed off without a word.

- So… - Sun broke the silence. - Those guys were… creepy.

- Agreed. - Lynda sighed. - Like a two-headed snake.

- I really don't like you. - Ghira growled at Sun, then headed back inside.

Chapter Text

The JRRNL team continued their journey toward Haven. They had been on the road for several months, and nearly every day brought the same routine: walking through the forest, battling Grimm, and sleeping under the stars. Occasionally, they stumbled upon villages where they spent the night in an inn. Sometimes, they defended these villages from Grimm; other times, they arrived too late, finding only ruins and no survivors.

What started as an exciting adventure had become monotonous and tiresome as the days dragged on.

- Another day, another adventure! - Nora was the only one who still seemed excited.

- What's the plan for today? - Ruby asked, trying to sound upbeat but less enthusiastically than Nora.

- Walking. - Jaune replied, studying the map.

- With a side of... - Nora began, attempting to lighten the mood, but Ren interrupted.

- Walking.

- And maybe some Grimm fights here and there. - Lance added, though his comment didn't lift anyone's spirits.

Ruby sighed, feeling the same boredom and monotony that weighed on everyone else.

- Haven is much farther than I thought.

- Ruby, - Ren walked beside her. - how long did you think this trip would take?

- I don't know! - Ruby snapped. - I grew up in a small village! I've never been this far from home!

- Yeah, but, - Jaune echoed Ren's question. - how long did you think?

- Maybe... - Ruby hesitated, realizing she hadn't considered the time spent on the road. - Two weeks?

- What?! - Jaune exclaimed, lowering the map in disbelief.

- Fine! Three or more! I don't know! - Ruby admitted.

- Don't worry, Ruby, - Lance reassured, walking on her other side. - I swore I'd follow you anywhere.

- Thanks, Lance. - Ruby appreciated the support.

- Though your organizational skills could use some work. - He added honestly.

- Couldn't you have stopped at the good part? - Ruby's sulking ended abruptly at the sight of a ruined village gate. - What's that?

Nora ran ahead, hopping onto a rotting fence post for a better view.

- Weird, - Jaune said, checking the map. - This village isn't on the map. The next one is days away.

- Those buildings look pretty damaged. - Nora observed.

- Quick, - Jaune said, putting away the map and running forward. - let's look for survivors!

The others followed, and as they crossed the village gate, they saw many ruined buildings. However, the damage seemed older than what they'd encountered before. Most buildings were still under construction, the streets were empty, and there were no corpses or signs of Grimm or bandits.

- Do you see anything?! - Ruby called as she searched the streets.

- Nothing! - Nora surveyed from the roof of a half-finished building.

- Not here either! - Jaune reported.

- I think this village is older than the others. - Lance said. - It wasn't even on the map.

- Like it's been abandoned for a long time. - Ren agreed.

- Hey, I found something! - Nora called, coming down from the building and running forward. She approached an overgrown field, brushing away weeds. - Oniyuri. I've never heard of it.

- Me neither. - Jaune admitted.

- All Mistralian village names sound the same to me. - Lance shrugged.

- I've heard of it. - Ren said, recalling bad memories as everyone turned to him. - Think of it as Mistral's Glenn Mountains. It was never completed. Roughly 20 years ago, Mistral's wealthy were dissatisfied with the kingdom's governance and Council activities. They gathered resources to build their own city with their own laws, hoping it might grow into a separate kingdom. Many thought it represented the future. - He walked away, disappointed. - My parents did too.

- What... - Ruby hesitated. - happened? - Ren brushed years of dust off a stone fence, revealing Grimm scratch marks.

- What always happens.

- Grimms. - Jaune answered as Ren clenched his fists in anger.

- Not just any Grimm. - Ruby and Nora looked at each other curiously.

- Only one?

Suddenly, a flock of birds flew off in terror, sending a chill through the group.

- Let's move on. - Jaune said, feeling uneasy like everyone else. - This place gives me the creeps.

The others followed, but Ruby paused, looking back down the path they'd come.

- Don't fall behind. - Lance told her, sensing her worry. - What's wrong?

- Something or someone is following us. - Ruby said nervously, and Lance glanced back.

- All the more reason to stick together. - He said, placing a hand on her shoulder and urging her forward. - Come.

They continued through the village, reaching the main square. They passed a dry, moss-covered fountain when Ren raised his hand, signaling them to stop. The silence was eerie, broken only by the wind howling through the ruins, as the JRRNL team felt their hearts pounding in their chests. They reached for their weapons, readying themselves.

- From behind! - Ren shouted, and everyone turned.

A strange man, tall with long legs, approached. His long black hair was braided, and his yellow eyes gleamed with madness. He wore a brown jacket over a white vest, white pants, and long black boots. He ran toward the team, who took defensive positions, but he leaped high, clearing them to block the village exit.

He drew his weapons, wristbands with curved blades on each side, and charged. Ren reacted first, attacking from the left, but the man dodged easily, staggering Ren with a kick and forcing him to retreat. The man laughed and charged Ruby, pushing her back. He would have attacked again if Lance hadn't intervened.

The stranger turned his attention to Lance, who parried his attacks with sword and shield but struggled to counterattack due to the man's speed and aggression.

The man somersaulted away from Lance's blow, getting behind him. Lance fell, pinned by something he couldn't see.

Ruby rushed to help, but the man dodged her scythe and knocked her back with a slash. Jaune stepped in, trying to push him with his shield, but the man climbed atop it, staring into Jaune's eyes with a crazed look, scaring him nearly to death.

Nora was next; the man jumped from Jaune's shield to Nora's hammer and then to a building wall, which crumbled under him like a cannonball. As the dust settled, he perched in the hole he'd made, watching the team.

- We don't want trouble! - Jaune called.

- Who are you?! - Ren demanded.

The man jumped down but didn't attack, instead pointing at each of them in turn.

- Who I am is none of your business, - He said, pointing at Ren. - or yours, - At Nora. - or yours, - At Lance. - or... - Finally, he pointed at Jaune but paused. - Well... you piqued my interest. - Jaune flinched. - Calm down, the only one I'm dealing with is you. - he pointed at Ruby, who was shocked.

- Me? - Ruby didn't understand; she'd never seen him before. The stranger seemed surprised, then bent over, laughing maniacally.

- You... - He laughed. - You have no idea, do you?! Oh, how exciting!

- What do you want from me?! - Ruby demanded. The man stopped laughing, feigning fear and slight offense, placing a hand on his chest.

- Oh, the rose has thorns. Well, little flower, I want you to come with me.

- And if she doesn't want to? - Nora and Lance stood defensively before Ruby.

- Well... - The man stared at them boredly. - I'll take her.

- We won't let that happen. - Jaune joined. The man took a deep breath, smiled, and whispered creepily.

- Good.

With lightning speed, he got behind Jaune to finish him off, but Ren, the fastest, reacted in time.

- Jaune! - Ren fired immediately. Jaune raised his shield, protecting himself from friendly fire and saving his life.

The man didn't relent, lunging at Jaune again. Jaune blocked with his shield, but the man deftly used his two blades to propel himself onto the shield, spinning with agility. He kicked away Ruby's scythe and Lance's sword, then delivered a kick to Ruby that sent her sprawling.

Lance and Jaune charged with their swords, but the man's speed and agility made their strong yet slow attacks ineffective. Lance's usual trampling tactics failed; the man leaped onto Lance's shield, stepped on his helmet, and pushed off effortlessly.

Dodging the two knights, the man targeted Nora, but Ruby quickly loaded a Lightning Dust bullet into Crescent Rose and fired past the man's head at Nora, who absorbed the electricity and fell back.

Seeing the friendly fire's effect, the man laughed maniacally, tears of mirth streaming down his face.

- Well... that's ironic! - He said, wiping a tear.

What he didn't expect was that it wasn't friendly fire, but supportive fire. Nora's Semblance, which amplified her power by absorbing electricity, kicked in. She rose behind him and struck with her hammer, pink sparks flying as she unleashed her newfound strength.

Though surprised, the man wasn't injured. A scorpion's tail emerged from beneath his coat, parrying Nora's hammer.

- Surprise! - He giggled, as if revealing a secret weapon. Two swift kicks sent Nora reeling.

He leaped onto a building and shed his jacket, revealing the scorpion tail growing from his back.

- Is he a... faunus? - Ren realized.

- Why is that a big deal? - Lance asked, confused.

- What's going on?! Who sent you?! - Ruby demanded. - The White Fang? Roman Torchwick?!

- They're just plastic soldiers and pawns, though Torchwick sends his regards, little girl. - The scorpion faunus replied. - He's not mad at you. But my heart, - He placed a hand on his chest and bowed. - belongs to our queen. - He looked skyward.

- Cinder? - Ruby guessed, thinking of who might want revenge for Beacon.

- Hm, - The man smiled, contempt in his voice. - in her dreams.

He dashed from the building, too fast for the team to react. He landed among them, slapped Ruby's scythe away with his tail, and countered her attack, pushing her back. He lunged at Ren, who dodged his stinger and kicked him aside.

Lance transformed his sword into a spear, attempting a stab, but the man was too quick. He tried jumping onto Lance's shield, which transformed into a larger, spiked form. Surprised, the man dodged the spikes like a shadow, slipped under Lance's legs, and lightly kicked him in the back, dropping him to one knee. A kick to the head sent Lance's helmet flying.

Nora and Ren, despite their efforts, couldn't match him. He overpowered the JNR team, knocking Ruby's scythe aside and striking her multiple times. She flew up, and before hitting the ground, he appeared to kick her in the stomach, sending her crashing down as her aura flickered out.

Standing over her, he pointed his tail to deliver the coup de grâce. The others were too far or incapacitated to help. They watched helplessly as the stranger poised to execute Ruby.

With a flash and metallic clang, Ruby was saved. Standing over her was Qrow Branwen, someone Lance recognized. He wore black pants, shoes, a white jacket, and a dark red cape like Ruby's. His black hair was slicked back, with stubble and red eyes. He wielded Harbinger, a massive two-handed sword, to block the stranger's attack.

Ruby looked up, shocked but relieved, smiling at her savior.

- Hey. - The man grinned, glad to have arrived in time.

The faunus stepped back as Qrow turned, twirling Harbinger.

- Are my eyes deceiving me?! - The stranger said, shocked and admiring. - Qrow Branwen, - He bowed. - a real Hunter joins the fun.

- I don't know what's wrong with him, - Ruby said, leaning on her scythe. - this guy's strange.

- Listen, pal, - Qrow stepped forward. - I don't know who you are, but you better leave my niece alone.

- Well, - The faunus extended an arm and tilted his head. - my name is Tyrion. I'm afraid, - He clasped his hands and leaned forward. - that's not possible. My mistress tasked me to bring this girl before her. - He looked skyward. - I mustn't upset my queen.

- Queen? - Ruby asked, confused.

- Salem! - Qrow snapped.

- Who?! - Ruby's mind raced with questions.

- I think, - Tyrion prepared to clash with Qrow. - we've talked enough.

- You took the words from... - Qrow began, but Tyrion charged

Qrow held his own, being an experience Hunter. The fight was intense. Tyrion dodged Qrow's blows, taking him seriously, while Qrow struggled to fend off Tyrion's attacks.

Their blades clashed, stirring a windstorm. Tyrion slid to the ground, but Qrow pressed, striking fast and hard with Harbinger. Tyrion dodged, countering, but Qrow parried.

Qrow leaped, striking again. Tyrion parried with his wrist blades, but Qrow opened Harbinger's rifle and fired. Tyrion deflected it with his tail, the shot damaging another building.

Qrow held Harbinger against Tyrion's blades, seeming to dominate. But Tyrion grinned, tiny turrets emerged from his wrist straps, and he opened fire.

Taking advantage of the shock, Tyrion broke free, ran around, and fired continuously. Qrow spun Harbinger as a shield, dodging bullets.

Ren and Nora joined, attacking Tyrion from the sides. Tyrion deflected them and pushed them back to their team. He prepared to finish them, but Qrow blocked, pushing him back.

- Don't get close! - Qrow warned.

- Fine! - Ruby had an idea.

She leaped onto smaller buildings, using her scythe's rifle to propel higher, gaining a vantage point. From there, she aimed at Tyrion, but they moved too fast. She risked hitting Qrow accidentally.

Qrow continued, Tyrion jumped over him, tried disarming him with his tail but failed. Qrow struck, Tyrion dodged, spun to kick Qrow, who ducked and countered. Tyrion jumped aside, fired, and Qrow dodged.

The tail aimed at Qrow's head again, Qrow dodged, but Tyrion twisted it back, yanking Harbinger from Qrow's hand, sending it flying into a wall.

Disarmed, Qrow remained calm. Tyrion laughed, but gunshots halted him. Ruby fired from her position, aiming at the mad faunus. She missed, but Tyrion dodged, focusing his aura into his tail.

Qrow noticed, seeing Tyrion channel his aura. Seizing the moment, Qrow punched Tyrion in the face, who focused on Ruby, sending him reeling. Qrow punched twice more, then kicked him, sending him crashing into a wall.

While regaining his composure, Qrow seized the opportunity to retrieve Harbinger from the wall. Just as he touched the hilt, Tyrion appeared, ready to intercept. Qrow quickly jumped onto Harbinger, pressing a button to transform it into a scythe. The rifle emerged, and Qrow grabbed the nearest beam, firing a shot that propelled him into the air, balancing skillfully on the beam with one hand.

Tyrion attempted to push the beam away, but Qrow had anticipated this move, landing easily on the beams of the half-finished, rickety roof. Tyrion charged again, but Qrow transformed Harbinger back into a sword, parrying Tyrion's blade. Tyrion leaped back, quickly charging once more, but Qrow dodged, causing Tyrion to fall off the building's edge. However, Tyrion managed to catch himself with his scorpion tail, swinging back onto the roof. He fired at Qrow, but Qrow's reflexes and weapon allowed him to deftly dodge the bullets.

Harbinger and Tyrion's blades clashed repeatedly, sparking with each contact. Eventually, Qrow found himself pinned at the building's edge, with Tyrion attempting to push him off. Qrow held his ground, parried the attack, and noticed a weak spot on the roof. He dashed toward it, but Tyrion blocked his path, jumping onto the weak point, which collapsed beneath him, causing him to fall.

Qrow attempted to leap away, but Tyrion caught his leg with the tail, pulling them both down into the building.

Concerned for her uncle, Ruby used Crescent Rose to slide off the eaves and land safely on the ground. She rushed toward the building where Qrow and Tyrion had fallen. Suddenly, an explosion rocked the building, causing the wall to collapse. Qrow tumbled out, rolling to a stop by planting Harbinger into the ground and using it to halt his fall.

A dark red light indicated Qrow's aura was depleted, while a dark blue light surrounded Tyrion.

Despite their drained auras, they prepared to clash again. Before they could, Ruby dodged Tyrion's blades.

- Do you wish to die?! - Tyrion chuckled.

- No! - Ruby gripped Crescent Rose with determination. - But I won't let anyone get hurt!

Ruby and Qrow attacked simultaneously, but Tyrion parried both, kicking Qrow aside to focus on Ruby. Though Qrow had exhausted him, Tyrion still dictated the fight's pace. In a vulnerable moment, he aimed to stab Ruby with his tail, but Qrow returned just in time to block the strike.

- Ruby, what did I say?! - Qrow chided, looking sternly at her. - Get back!

- This is my fight too! - Ruby insisted, disregarding her uncle's warning, attempting to attack Tyrion from the side, but he easily dodged.

- It's not just that, it's... - Qrow started, but Tyrion left him to engage Ruby.

Tyrion knocked Crescent Rose aside and double-kicked Ruby against the building wall. The impact loosened a beam, threatening to fall on Ruby, but Qrow sliced it apart just in time.

Ruby looked gratefully at her uncle, who tried to maintain his composure. Suddenly, blood flowed from his side as Tyrion, taking advantage of his distraction, stabbed him with the tail. The team watched in shock, fearing Qrow was gravely injured. Ruby acted swiftly, using Crescent Rose to sever part of Tyrion's tail.

- AAAAARRRRRRGGGHHHHH! - Tyrion screamed. Instead of blood, a purple liquid oozed from the severed tail, steaming upon contact with the ground. - You little b*tch! - In pain and off-balance, he advanced on Ruby, but the team blocked his path. Realizing he was outmatched with depleted aura and injury, he muttered. - She'll forgive me. - And retreated.

As he fled, Qrow collapsed, clutching his side.

- Uncle Qrow, - Ruby rushed to him. - Are you okay?!

- I'm fine. - He panted. - Just a scratch.

- Who was that guy?! - Nora asked.

- How did you get here?! - Ren followed.

- What did he want with Ruby?! - Jaune was concerned.

- Who sent him?! - Lance pressed.

- Uncle Qrow, - Ruby gently placed a hand on his shoulder. - What's going on?

- What… - Qrow struggled for breath. - is your… favorite… fairy tale?

Chapter Text

As the sun rose over the city skyline, Mandy faced the moment of decision Adam had forced upon her. Should she follow him, continuing the fight she had once believed in, or remain in Vale and try to live a peaceful life?

Derrick had given his life for her, and Mandy herself had barely survived her injuries. She had only just recovered, yet Adam was already calling her back to battle.

At least her leg had healed completely, allowing her to leave the hospital and pick up new clothes. She put on a pair of black-and-white sneakers, tight dark blue jeans, a short-sleeved black shirt, and a long-sleeved gray top underneath.

When she stepped outside, the sound of drilling, hammering, and the screech of metal greeted her. The city was still repairing the damage from the attack on Beacon. Mandy walked on, watching squads of Vale soldiers patrolling the streets. It was no coincidence, they were still on edge, and fear attracted the Grimm.

She headed toward Beacon, but after fifteen minutes she found every road to the academy sealed off and heavily guarded. Grimm were still pouring out of the ruins, their numbers unending. Most unsettling of all, they weren't attacking the city.

What stood out the most was the colossal, petrified Wyvern Grimm frozen atop Beacon Tower. It loomed like a grim statue, as if it had been guarding the dead spire since time immemorial.

- Quite a sight, isn't it? - Said a familiar voice behind her. The last person she was sure she wanted to see again. - They say a student did that.

- Adam… - Mandy breathed, unable to find the right words. He wore the same modest outfit as last time, except now his sword hung at his side. Strapped across his chest were Mandy's bow, quiver, and arrows, with her twin daggers at his hip. - I still haven't decided. I understand what we've accomplished, but so many people died. Our own, and so many innocents. I nearly died myself… I don't know if I can take up my weapons again.

- Then let me help you decide. - Adam said simply. He turned and gestured for her to follow.

He walked in silence. He didn't seem angry or disappointed in her hesitation, only resolute. Mandy worried about what he intended to show her, but curiosity outweighed her unease.

- What are you taking me to see? - She finally asked.

Adam stopped and pointed at a block of small apartments.

- Faunus live here. They didn't want to join us. They just wanted to live in peace with humans.

- And? - Mandy asked, not yet seeing his point.

- Watch. - He tilted his head toward a group of suited, hatted men in sunglasses, the Xiong gang, slipping into the building. - Follow them. Quietly.

Mandy led the way, curious about what business gangsters had with these faunus.

- Well now, you stupid animals, - Blared a voice over a loudspeaker. - this might be new to you, but the Xiong family's lost a lot of money thanks to your kind. So now you're gonna pay it back.

- We had nothing to do with the White Fang! - Shouted a faunus man, stepping forward.

- Yeah! - A woman called down from the upper floor. - Leave us alone!

Her defiance only earned the man a punch to the gut, dropping her to the floor, while she was slapped across the face and thrown against the wall.

- This is exactly what I'd like to avoid in the future. - The gang leader sneered. - Now, I'm gonna quote a rapist: don't fight it. It'll be over quick, like a prostate exam. Meanwhile, the others will ransack your homes and take whatever's worth a damn. Don't bother helping them, just stay out of the way. Gentlemen, let the show begin!

The thugs began kicking in doors. Terrified faunus families huddled inside, hoping barricades might protect them.

- They all have Scrolls. - Mandy whispered to Adam. - Why don't they just call the police?

- You really think the police would come? - He answered.

Mandy didn't want to believe it. She pulled out her own Scroll and made the call.

- Vale Police Department. - Answered a woman's voice.

- We need help! A gang is raiding an entire apartment block full of... - Mandy hesitated. She didn't want to say faunus. - …people.

- The address?

- District 12, number 14.

The woman's tone changed instantly, dripping with disdain.

- That's the faunus district?

- Why does that matter?! - Mandy demanded.

- Go to hell, prank caller. - The line went dead.

- Hello?! Hey! - Mandy yelled into the Scroll, nearly crushing it in her grip.

Then she spotted a patrol car. Without thinking, she threw herself into its path. The driver slammed the brakes.

- Dammit, you stupid animal! - The officer cursed, rolling down his window. - What the hell do you want?!

- There's a gang terrorizing the residents inside that building! - Mandy said quickly.

- George, we should help. - Muttered the younger officer.

- The hell we will, Freddy! - Barked the older one. - They're just a pack of filthy animals! My son died because of their kind! Let 'em rot! - He glared at Mandy. - And if you jump in front of me again, I won't stop next time. Be grateful I don't fine you right here.

The car sped off.

Mandy clenched her fists, fury boiling inside her. That was why she had joined the White Fang in the first place. Because of them. The humans who discriminated against her kind. Who had taken her parents. Who refused to see faunus as people.

The White Fang had been her refuge. Her home. Her family.

Adam stepped closer, handing her the bow he'd been carrying. Mandy took it without hesitation, strapping on her quiver and daggers once more. They re-entered the building.

She nocked an arrow, drew back, and let it fly. It struck a thug in the thigh just as he tried to assault a young girl. He screamed and collapsed. The girl ran free.

Another arrow pierced a man's shoulder. He fell, writhing in pain.

- Kill her! - The gang boss shrieked, panic in his voice.

Guns were drawn. Mandy slung her bow over her back, pulled her daggers, and vanished.

She reappeared behind one man, kicking his knee out and knocking him unconscious with a blow from her hilt. She blinked above another, flipped, and drove a kick into his head. The third collapsed. The last whirled, desperate, firing wildly, until Mandy materialized right in front of him, punched him square in the nose, and sent him crashing against the wall, out cold.

She turned her bow back on the gang boss, only to see he had taken the same young girl hostage, a gun pressed to her head.

- Alright, you filthy beast, - He gasped, hands shaking. - drop it or the little brat dies!

Mandy kept her aim steady but hesitated. To save the girl, she would have to kill. She didn't want more blood on her hands. Not after Beacon.

- You deaf?! - The man shouted, pressing the gun harder to the girl's temple as she sobbed. - I swear to Gods—

A red blade burst through his mouth. His eyes went glassy as he collapsed. Behind him stood Adam, silent, Wilt slick with blood.

The girl was free. She bolted into her father's arms, sobbing.

- So… - Adam wiped his sword clean, turning to Mandy. - You coming back?

He held out her old White Fang mask.

- Yes. - Mandy said quietly, taking the mask and fitting it over her face. Adam donned his own.

- Good. - He nodded in approval, then took the loudspeaker the gang had been using.

- My faunus brothers and sisters. - Adam's voice boomed through the building. The residents gathered, listening. - You didn't fight at Beacon, and no one blames you. You wanted peace. But humans don't want to live with us. The dream of equality is a lie. They will never accept us. There's only one option left: fight back. Fill them with fear. Make them understand that we, the faunus, are stronger! Join the White Fang. Stand with the revolution, and one day, Remnant will be ours!

At first, the residents listened in shock. Then slowly, voices rose in agreement. Mandy finally understood why she had to fight, and why so many had died in Vale.

- Tomorrow night, six o'clock, - Adam continued. - at the abandoned village east of the city. We have transports ready. Bring your families, your friends, anyone you know. Don't pack much, just the essentials. You didn't fight with us at Beacon. This is your second chance. There won't be a third.

The loudspeaker cut off. Adam and Mandy left the building.

- Why wait until tomorrow? - Mandy asked. - They could leave tonight.

- Because we still need more transports. And more people to crew them. - Adam replied, and they walked away.

The battered group left the ruins of Oniyuri, camping in the forest out of fear that the mad faunus Tyrion might return. Qrow's wound was bandaged. Ren and Nora sat together, Jaune brooded alone on a log, while Lance sat beside Ruby.

Qrow drank from his flask, scanning the silent group.

- Really? No one has any question?

- Of course we have questions. - Jaune finally said. - It's just… a lot.

- Yeah, - Qrow nodded. - I get it.

Ruby broke the silence.

- So… these Maidens… they're really that powerful, and they don't even need Dust for their magic?

- That's right.

- And there are only four of them? - Nora asked.

- Always.

- Like the four seasons. - Lance muttered.

- Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. - Qrow listed.

- And if one of them dies, - Ren tried to piece it together. - their power passes to someone they cared about?

- Not exactly. - Qrow corrected. - It passes to whoever they last thought of. Usually someone they trusted deeply. Their souls merge, in a way.

- That's what you wanted for Pyrrha, isn't it? - Jaune accused. - When the tower fell, you wanted to make her into one of them?

Qrow lowered his head.

- The last Fall Maiden, Amber, was attacked. She was young, inexperienced. We now know it was Cinder who came for her. She stole part of her power, but not all. We feared if we did nothing, she'd lose the rest.

- So you forced Pyrrha into it?

- We didn't force her. - Qrow said firmly. - We explained what was happening and gave her a choice. She chose. You were there, you heard her.

Jaune said nothing. He stood abruptly and stormed into the forest.

- Want me to go after him? - Lance asked.

- He just needs time. - Qrow replied.

Ruby spoke again, softer this time.

- That man, Tyrion… why did he try to kidnap me?

Qrow studied her. Her silver eyes, just like her mother Summer Rose's, gleamed in the firelight. He sighed.

- Because you painted a target on your back when you used your power at Beacon. The Silver Eyes are rare. And using them so young angered someone. Not many know about it… but the ones who do aren't happy it exists. That's why I was watching you all. To keep you safe. - He glanced in the direction Jaune had gone. - All of you.

- Then why not just travel with us? - Ruby asked.

- Yeah, that would've made way more sense. - Lance added.

- Because he was using us as bait! - Jaune shot back bitterly.

- Look, - Qrow raised his hands. - it's complicated.

- No, what the f*ck's going on?! - Jaune exploded. - They're hunting Ruby, schools are being attacked for no reason, just tell us what the f*ck is going on!

- Would you sit down first? You're making me nervous, kid.

Jaune dropped back onto his log, arms crossed. Qrow took out his flask, hesitated, then put it away.

- People aren't very religious these days. - Qrow began. - But the world's been around long enough for humans to come up with hundreds of religions. And if Ozpin's right, two of them are true. Two brothers. The elder, god of Life and Light. The younger, god of Death and Darkness.

- I think I see where this is going. - Lance muttered.

- The elder created earth, water, plants, and animals by day. At night he rested, and his brother crept out, disgusted by the elder's work. To undo it, he created pain, fire, hunger, and fear, things that destroy. But each day, the elder restored the world and life came back. And this was how it went for eons until one night, the younger brother created creatures like himself, born only to destroy.

- Grimm. - Ruby whispered.

- Exactly. The brothers clashed. At last, the elder proposed they create something together. Something they could both be proud of. The younger agreed. So they made humanity, beings who carry both Creation and Destruction. They gave them Knowledge, so they could understand the world. And most importantly, Choice, so they could decide which side to follow. Light or dark.

- And what does this have to do with us? - Ren asked.

- Here's the catch. Those four gifts, Knowledge, Creation, Destruction, and Choice, aren't just metaphors. They exist, physically. Relics. The gods left them behind when they abandoned Remnant. Each one holds immense power. If someone gathers all four… they could remake the world. That's what the enemy wants.

- And that's why the Huntsman Academies were built. Not just to train fighters, but to hide the Relics. The schools are fortresses, built to guard them. Ozpin's predecessor made sure of it.

- And who is she? - Ruby asked. - Salem?

Qrow nodded.

- Yeah. Not many know she exists, but she's behind it all. And if she gets the Relics… things will get bad. Real bad.

- Suppose we believe you. - Jaune said bitterly. - If this is true, why doesn't the world know? Why doesn't Atlas or Mistral act?

- Or Vacuo. - Lance added.

- And why aren't we rushing to Haven right now? - Nora asked.

- The headmaster there saw what happened at Beacon. - Qrow answered. - He's not an idiot. I'm sure he's prepared. And it takes time to plan an attack like Beacon. That wasn't done overnight. - He looked back at Jaune. - As for why the world doesn't know, it's the same reason the Maidens are a secret. If word got out, people would panic. Another war would start. And you kids would be the ones fighting it. Ozpin always said: 'We can't cause a panic.' Pretty convenient excuse, huh?

- Salem's smart and patient. She pulls strings from the shadows. She wants us divided, wants others to do her work, so when it comes time to point fingers, we only point at each other. And so far… it's working.

Qrow stared up at the sky, remembering someone he had lost. Someone who still haunted him.

- So what do we do now? - Ruby asked softly.

- Honestly? I don't know. - Qrow admitted with a bitter smile. - Ozpin always trusted the other headmasters. Atlas is surely making plans. Vacuo… well, Vacuo's Vacuo.

- Why? What about Vacuo? - Lance asked. - Am I the only one who cares?

- Yes, Lance. - Ruby patted his shoulder. - Just you.

- It'll be hard to hire thieves and thugs to fight other thieves and thugs. - Qrow explained. - Mistral's the bigger problem. Cinder and her team came from there. I'd bet Haven is their next target. That's why we're heading there, to speak with the headmaster. Haven't heard from him in a while… hope he's alright.

Qrow suddenly gripped his side, wincing.

- You should all get some rest. - He said at last.

- Uncle Qrow… - Ruby stopped him.

- Yeah?

- This is all… so hard. Crazy, even. But I'll do anything I can to help. Because I trust you. - Her voice broke a little. - But why can't you trust me? Why didn't you just come with us? Why all the secrets?

Qrow flinched. The pain on his face went deeper than any wound.

- It's not that I don't trust you. - He said finally. - It's just… a long story.

- Seriously? - Nora groaned. - You're tired of storytelling now?

Qrow just stared into the fire, haunted. A memory flickered. Someone he had lost. Someone he blamed himself for. His voice grew heavy with sorrow.

- You know, people say crows are omens of misfortune. Stupid, but… that's where I got my name. Some folks absorb electricity. Some turn into rose petals. Some go berserk. - He glanced at Lance. - And then there's me. I just… bring bad luck.

- That's your Semblance? - Ren asked in disbelief.

- Yeah. It's not something I do, it's just there. Like a curse. It gives me great advantage when I'm fighting alone. But everyone close to me could get hurt. Friends. Family… - His gaze lingered on Ruby. - That's why I stayed away. I didn't want you getting caught in it.

- So you're basically a walking disaster. - Jaune muttered.

- My dad called you a guaranteed catastrophe. - Lance added grimly. - I thought it was just a dumb nickname.

- He was right. - Qrow said with a nod, standing up. - I'm going for a walk.

- Where? - Ren asked.

- Just… need to be alone a while.

- Is there anything else we should know? - Ruby asked.

Qrow didn't answer. His eyes drifted to a raven perched nearby, its red eyes matching his own. He sighed.

- Not tonight.

As he limped away, a burning log rolled out of the fire, tumbling through camp. Misfortune lingered.

Ruby said nothing. She knew Qrow was wrestling with his demons. That he wanted to tell them the truth, but couldn't. At least… not yet.

The night passed in silence. Few of them slept, their thoughts too loud. When dawn broke, the birds sang, the fire's embers still smoking.

- We should get moving. - Ren said.

- Yeah. - Jaune agreed.

- You guys didn't sleep either? - Lance yawned.

- Not really. - Ruby admitted, then coughed broke the morning calm.

Their eyes snapped to a tree, where Qrow knelt, hacking violently. Ruby rushed to his side.

He was pale, drenched in sweat, trembling, coughing up blood.

But not just blood: thick, dark purple, poisoned blood, from Tyrion's sting.

Qrow looked at Ruby, then down at his hand, and managed a faint, bitter smile.

- Well… that's unfortunate.

Chapter Text

The situation was dire. Qrow had been poisoned, his condition worsening rapidly. He could no longer walk, so Team JRRNL fashioned a makeshift stretcher, with Jaune and Lance carrying him. They pushed on all day, hoping to reach a village with medical help, but by nightfall, they had found none.

As darkness fell, they trudged through a desolate, charred forest that reeked of death.

- Hang on, Uncle Qrow. - Ruby whispered anxiously. Her uncle grew paler with every step, fever twisting his mind into delirium.

- Tai… - Qrow coughed, turning his head weakly. - Tai… she won't… she won't come back… promise… promise me, Tai, that you'll…

- He's getting worse. - Jaune said grimly.

- How much farther could it be? - Ruby asked, clinging to hope.

- It has to be close! - Nora tried to sound optimistic.

- Without a map, we can't be sure. - Ren said, less hopeful. - But… I feel like we're getting near something.

- Let's hope there's a doctor there. - Lance muttered, just as Ren, who was leading, stopped at a crossroads.

- What is it? - Ruby asked. Ren didn't answer. He hurried ahead.

A battered, weather-worn signpost stood there, pointing in four directions. The arrow behind them read Higanbana. To the right, one path led to Kuchinashi, another toward Mistral. To the left, the word Kuroyuri was carved into the wood, crossed out with a crude, dark X.

- Look! - Nora's face lit up when she saw the arrow pointing toward Mistral. - We're on the right track!

But when she saw the broken, angry look on Ren's face, she glanced at the crossed-out word and realized why. The memory of Kuroyuri struck her too.

- But it doesn't say how far. - Ruby noted as she and Lance struggled with Jaune to carry Qrow.

- No. - Ren said flatly. - And the road cuts through the mountains.

- Guys, - Jaune gestured for Lance to set Qrow down for a moment. The Huntsman lay unconscious, breathing shallowly. - I'm not sure all of us will make it to Mistral.

- We have to do something. - Lance admitted, equally lost.

- What if we take a detour? - Ruby pointed toward the path marked Kuroyuri. - Maybe there's something left there.

- That village was destroyed years ago. - Ren said tensely.

- Then our only option is through the mountains. - Jaune offered.

- That would take too long. - Ren shook his head sharply. - Qrow wouldn't survive the journey.

- Were there doctors or a pharmacy in the village? - Ruby pressed. - There might still be something useful.

- Yes! - Lance chimed in. - Grimm don't exactly loot medicine.

- There's nothing left there! - Ren snapped, his voice suddenly raw with emotion. - We just need to keep moving!

The others were startled by his sudden outburst.

- Ren… - Jaune began gently, but Nora cut him off.

- Then we split up.

- It's safer together! - Lance protested.

- Ren and I will cut through the mountains. - Nora explained firmly. - You three search the ruins. Maybe you'll find something.

- No. - Jaune shook his head. - Lance is right. We stick together.

- There is no time safety! - Nora snapped. - Qrow's dying! If we reach Mistral, we can send help. If not, at least we'll have scouted another path. Maybe we'll find another option."

For once, Nora was the most rational voice among them. Ren's anger softened, but a violent coughing fit from Qrow made the decision for them.

- Alright. - Jaune finally agreed. He and Ren embraced quickly. - Take care of each other.

- Always. - Nora promised, hugging him tightly.

- We don't have a choice. - Lance said, and with Jaune, he hoisted Qrow once more.

Before they parted, they looked back at Ren and Nora. None of them knew if they'd ever see each other again.

For Mike, returning to his old life was impossible. The bubble he'd grown up in was now suffocating. His mother allowed him nothing. She had locked away What the Heck, the team photo of LLMM, and the necklace Lynda had given him, all shut inside a wardrobe that was strictly off-limits.

As he passed it, Mike hesitated. He didn't dare open it. He knew his mother's fury if he tried.

- Mike! - Her shrill voice rang out instantly. - How many times have I told you, that wardrobe is FORBIDDEN!

- But Mom…

- No 'buts'! Everything that might corrupt you is locked in there, and I'll get rid of it the first chance I get! Now, young man, to your room!

For the first time in his life, Mike was so angry that the thought of striking his mother flickered in his mind.

- My friends didn't ruin me… - He muttered under his breath.

- What did you say?! - She spun from the wardrobe, where she had just been fixing a new padlock.

Mike's hands curled into trembling fists. He had never dared defy her like this before.

- I…

The doorbell rang.

- Go to your room! - His mother barked, striding toward the door.

Mike didn't move. He looked from the stairs to the wardrobe, then toward the front door, where he heard his mother's voice, sharp and dismissive:

- We don't buy anything, we don't vote for any party, and we already have a religion!

- Forgive me, ma'am, - came the calm reply of an older man. He wore a tailored suit, his blond hair streaked with gray and combed neatly back. His stern features were softened by piercing blue eyes that Mike found strangely familiar. - I'm looking for Mike Birmingh. This is supposed to be his residence.

- My son is in no condition to receive visitors! - She snapped, already trying to slam the door.

- Please, - The man held it firm. - I only need to ask him a few questions. Then I'll be gone.

- I said NO! My son is fragile, and I won't have him disturbed by nonsense!

- You haven't answered my letters, and you never return my calls! - The man pressed. - I'm searching for my son, and yours is the only one who can help!

- Leave now or I'll call the police!

- I'm here! - Mike called suddenly. His mother whirled on him, furious.

- Mike, I told you, back to your room!

But he was staring at the man.

- You're Lance's father… Uther Pendragon? - He asked. - Mom, let him in.

She hesitated, then reluctantly stepped aside.

- Thank you. - Uther said, entering. - Mr. Birmingh, I've been trying to reach you for weeks.

- What? - Mike was stunned. - I had no idea.

- I've called a hundred times, sent dozens of letters, no reply.

Mike looked at his mother. The truth was obvious: she had hidden them all.

- My mother didn't tell me… What is this about?

- Do you have any idea where my son Lance might have gone? You were his teammate, I hoped he might have said something.

- Well… - Mike thought back. He remembered Lance swearing to Ruby that he would stay by her side. - They headed toward Mistral. Haven Academy.

- He went alone? - Uther's stern features softened, though his concern only grew.

- No, he wasn't alone. He went with classmates. - Mike clarified.

- Alright, time's up! - His mother cut in sharply, already ushering Uther back toward the door.

- If you remember anything, please contact me. - Uther urged, before the door slammed behind him.

- Mom! - Mike turned on her in outrage. - What did you mean, he sent me messages?

- Silence! - She shrieked. - I told you, I don't want you corrupted! Beacon was a terrible influence on you!

Mike lowered his head, trembling. But then, summoning courage, he lifted it again.

- What's in the wardrobe?

His mother froze, shocked. When he stepped toward it, she grabbed his arm at once.

- Enough, Mike! - She hissed. - Go to your room and don't come out until morning!

Mike was done. Locked away, forbidden from everything, his messages stolen, his past hidden from him… Before Beacon, he'd thought this was normal. That she only wanted to protect him. But now he knew the truth: she wanted to possess him. To keep him cut off from the world. The reason why was still unclear. But one thing was certain—

The answers were inside that wardrobe.

Even at night, Menagerie was bustling. Faunus residents finished their daily errands, couples strolled the streets, and the markets still buzzed with life. None of this stopped Sun, Lynda, and Monty from enjoying themselves.

- …and that's how we saved the ship and everyone on board! - Sun had been talking non-stop, recounting their latest adventures.

- That's the most amazing story I've ever heard! - Monty's eyes shone with awe, and Sun basked in his new admirer's attention. - When I grow up, I want to be a Huntsman too!

- You'll have to wait a while, kiddo. - Lynda ruffled her little brother's hair.

- Quit it! I'm not that little! - Monty pouted, pushing her hand away.

- Hey, - Sun grinned, remembering another tale. - did I ever tell you about how we took down a bunch of Atlas Paladins during the battle of Beacon?

- For real?! - Monty's eyes lit up, only for Sun to freeze mid-thought, pulling out his Scroll and snapping a picture.

- What is it? - Monty asked.

- A White Fang member… - Sun muttered darkly.

- Where?! - Lynda's blades were instantly in her hands, startling bystanders.

- There! - Sun drew his staff too, but the masked figure had already vanished.

- So? - Monty blinked, confused. - Here they're the law.

- What?! - Sun gawked. - Those maniacs caused Beacon's fall!

- But didn't Blake's mother say the radicals split off from them? - Lynda asked, sheathing her weapons again.

- Yeah… and she also said, - Sun added. - that the White Fang here don't wear masks. But this one did. - He showed them the picture.

Lynda's smile faded. The image showed a female White Fang soldier in a Grimm mask.

- Damn… We need to warn Blake and her family!

- Agreed!

- Hey, let me see! - Monty reached for the Scroll, but Sun pocketed it.

- Later! We have to hurry!

- I'm coming with you! - Lynda was already running. "Monty, go home!

- But—! - Monty protested.

- You'll be safe there! - She shouted back.

Sun and Lynda tore downhill like madmen toward the Belladonna manor. Lynda reached it first, pounding on the iron knocker while Sun hammered at the door. Khali answered, startled by their urgency.

- What on earth—? - She began, but both blurted out at once: