(Play Opening)
After the opening, the scene opens to a shot of Beacon Academy's courtyard at dusk, with Weiss, Ruby, and Hercule running up the main avenue towards the docking bays. Ruby is seen running to catch up with her partner.
Ruby: Weiss! What is the big deal!? Who is it? Who is she!?
Hercule: It must be someone important to cause this reaction from her.
Weiss stops and smiles at the sight of the figure.
Weiss: Winter.
The camera then cuts behind Ruby, Hercule, and Weiss watching Winter Schnee, escorted by crimson-colored Atlas Soldiers and Atlesian Knight-200's as she exits her airship.
Ruby: Wait... Your sister?
Hercule: Sister?
Weiss: Winter!
The three then run up to the elder Schnee as she turns to see them.
Weiss: Winter! I'm so happy to see you! Oh... Your presence honors us.
Winter looks around as she approaches them.
Winter: Beacon... It's been a long time. The air feels... different.
Ruby: I mean it is fall, so, eh, it's probably colder.
Weiss punches Ruby in the shoulder, causing her to gasp in pain before turning back to her sibling.
Hercule: That wasn't really necessary, was it?
Weiss: So, what are you doing here?
Winter: Classified.
Weiss: Oh, right. Well, how long are you staying?
Winter: Classified.
Weiss: Of course.
She nods and smiles in understanding, leaving the others to stand in silence.
Ruby: Well... this is nice... I think.
Weiss: You're going to love it here! I know you travel a lot, but so much of Beacon is different from Atlas! Vale, too. The government and school are completely separate! Can you believe it!? I-
Winter: I'm more than familiar with how this kingdom handles its... bureaucracy. That is not why I came.
Weiss: Right! I'm sorry!
Winter: Nor did I come here to watch my own blood fail so miserably in battle. But it appears that I have no choice in the matter.
Weiss: But, we won!
Winter: Only a novice would refer to that as a victory. I counted at least three strikes missed.
The camera then cuts to a side view of the group as she turns to her security.
Winter: Leave us.
The AK-200s obey, walking two steps backwards into formation as she sighs and smiles a little more warmly at Weiss.
Winter: How have you been?
Weiss: Oh, splendid! Thank you for asking. I'm actually in the very top ranking of our sparring class! And the rest of my studies are going wonderfully, too! I'm-
The camera cuts to Winter's hand as she slaps Weiss, leaving a massive bump on her head.
Winter: Silence, you boob! I don't recall asking about your ranking, I'm asking how you've been. Are you eating properly? Have you taken up any hobbies? Are you making new friends?
Weiss: Well, there's Ruby, and Hercule.
Ruby giggles as she pushes the lump back into Weiss' head, causing Hercule to reel back as he imagined how painful that must have felt.
Ruby: Heh, boob.
Winter: I see. So this is the leader you wrote of. How appropriately... underwhelming.
Ruby: Uh... Thank you!
Hercule: Ruby, I don't believe that was a compliment...
He was met with a glare from the older sister as Hercule quickly covered his mouth visibly shaking.
Winter: Greetings, Ruby Rose. I wish to thank you for taking an interest in my sister.
Ruby: Oh! Uh, yes, of course!
She attempts to salute and curtsy..
Ruby: The honor is in my... court!
She nearly losing her balance with this gesture, waving her arms until she can get back up.
Winter: I have business with the General and your Headmaster. But, seeing as I'm early, why don't you take me to your quarters?
Weiss: Really?
Winter and Weiss begin walking towards the Academy, followed by the androids.
Winter: Yes. I wish to inspect them and make sure that they are up to my personal standards.
Weiss: Of course. Just so you're aware, the bunk beds only look unstable.
Winter: Bunk beds?
The sisters walk away as Ruby and a still silent Hercule stand in place.
Ruby: We'll catch up- I mean, we will... reconvene with you both... at a later...
She pauses with her hand on her head, wracking her brain for the right word.
Ruby: juncture!
She raises her finger, before pushing Hercule out of sight and stepping out of sight to the left.
Ruby: At a juncture. Yeah.
(Watch Video)
Hercule watched as the fight broke out, still finding it hard to believe that the mysterious drunk was actually Ruby and Yang's uncle Qrow. But he grew more worried as the fight progressed. Noticing Qrow leaving himself defenseless, and taunting Winter to strike.
Hercule: She's going to kill him...
He quickly removed his glasses and started running as Winter was launching herself at Qrow only to be stopped by a muscular hand belonging to Hercule holding her blade.
Hercule: Enough!
Winter looked up at him with surprise, as she doesn't even move an inch.
Winter: N-not possible, You're...
Qrow: Hey big guy, you just ruined all the fun.
Hercule turned his head and glared at the drunk uncle.
Hercule: How presumptuous, both of you, grown adults starting a fight and acting like children. The fact that it took me to step in to stop this childish quarrel is embarrassing all on its own.
Suddenly a new voice is heard gaining all the attention from the three.
Ironwood: SCHNEE!
Winter looks behind her to see General Ironwood standing behind her, with Penny Polendina behind him. Hercule releases the blade as Winter lowers her blades as she addresses Ironwood at about face.
Winter: General Ironwood, sir!
Ironwood approaches Winter with Penny by his side.
Ironwood: What in the world do you think you're doing?
Winter: He started the altercation, sir!
Behind both Hercule and Winter, Qrow puts his hands behind his head in a relaxed stance.
Qrow: That's actually not true. She attacked first.
Ironwood: Is that right?
Winter searches for words, only to realize Qrow is right. She looks down in shame.
Ironwood: And you.
Qrow points to himself in mock confusion, as Hercule puts his glasses back on shrinking back into his normal state, gaining a shocked looked from Winter.
Ironwood: What are you doing here?
Qrow: I could be asking you the same thing.
Ironwood: I-
Ozpin: Now, now, everyone.
Ozpin intervenes beside Glynda.
Ozpin: There is a sanctioned fight happening just around the corner at the Colosseum, that I can assure you has better seats... and popcorn.
Goodwitch: Break it up, everyone! We will take care of this mess.
Ironwood: Let's go.
As Ironwood and Winter leave, Penny notices Ruby and quietly waves to her, while Ruby waves back. Ruby then leaps giddily onto Qrow's arm, shaking her legs in delight.
Ruby: Uncle Qrow!!!
She screams as she hangs on Qrow's outstretched arm.
Ruby: Hi. It's so good to see you! Did you miss me? Did you miss me!?
Qrow: Nope.
They share a grin as he pats his niece's head.
Ozpin: Qrow! Hercule.
The Huntsman and student turns to look at the Headmaster as Ruby gets dropped. Goodwitch then repairs the courtyard using her telekinesis.
Opzin: A word, please.
Hercule worryingly fixed up his clothes before walking forward, while Qrow whispers to Ruby.
Qrow: I think I'm in trouble.
Ruby: You did kinda tear up our courtyard.
Qrow: Yeah, I did. Catch ya later, kid.
He walks off to join the others, as Weiss walks up beside Ruby, arms crossed.
Weiss: And suddenly, your recklessness makes sense.
Ruby: You're just mad because he whooped butt.
Weiss: That was a draw, at best! Especially with Hercule's interruption!
Ruby: Huh, why did Professor Ozpin need Hercule though?
_________________________________________
The scene shifts to Ozpin's office late at night. Ironwood is waiting with his arms crossed while Winter is impatiently pacing about. Suddenly, a smirking Qrow, accompanied by Goodwitch, Hercule,and Ozpin, arrive in the elevator.
Winter: What were you thinking!?
Ironwood: If you were one of my men, I would have you shot!
Qrow pulls out flask at the four enter the room.
Qrow: If I was one of your men, I'd shoot myself.
Goodwitch: While I wouldn't condone his behavior, retaliating like you did certainly didn't help the situation.
Winter: He was drunk!
Goodwitch: He's always drunk!
The five turn to Qrow to see him drinking from a flask. His eyes widen when he notices them staring, and he holds the flask out to the side, looking at it awkwardly before grimacing even leaving Ozpin staring at Qrow in shock, then sighs and sits down.
Ozpin: Qrow, why are you here?
Ironwood: You've been out of contact for weeks! You can't just go dark like that in the field!
Qrow: I'm not one of your special operatives, Jimmy!
Winter: General.
Qrow: Whatever. You sent me to get intel on our enemy, and I'm telling you, our enemy is here.
Hercule: Enemy?
Ironwood: We know.
Qrow: Oh! Oh, you know! Well, thank goodness I'm out there risking my life to keep you all informed!
Ironwood: Qrow-
Qrow: Communication's a two-way street, pal. You see this?
He pulls out his Scroll and points to it.
Qrow: That's the SEND button.
Winter: They had reason to assume you'd been compromised.
Qrow: And I have reason to assume you don't need to be here. Seriously, who invited her?
Ozpin and Ironwood exchange looks as the Headmaster answers.
Ozpin: That would have been James and I who did the inviting Qrow.
The room was filled with confusion, mainly from Qrow, and Hercule.
Qrow: Mind clearing up the confusion you just gave me?
Ozpin: I'm sure you've already met Hercule Nikos, he's made quite the name for himself. He also just so happens to be the bearer of the Sun mark.
Qrow's eyes widened as he turns his attention mainly to a nervous Hercule.
Qrow: The Sun mark? As in the Elemental Forces mark? You're kidding right, Oz.
Ozpin: I'm not, after all you've witnessed his power up close back in the courtyard.
Hercule: Um, actually sir, I was wondering why I was here?
Ozpin: You'll see, Young Nikos only has a small amount of power from his Element, if he is to be ready for when or if they come, he needs to be trained.
Qrow looks like he was losing his patience as he starts to raise his voice a bit.
Qrow: Don't spread out the explanation, just give me an answer!
Ironwood: Schnee, if you please.
Winter salutes before reaching for the top of her coat as she unbuttoned the collar, moving it slightly to reveal a black mark on the right side of her neck, something shocking to the drunk Huntsman and the bearer of the Sun mark.
Hercule: A S-snowflake...
Ozpin: I present to you, Winter Schnee; The Ice Elemental Force.
Qrow: No way...
Hercule: So aside from me, Zeke, and Winter... that makes the three. She's the third one you talked about before!
Ozpin: That's correct, and I trust that you will inform Mr McWolf about this?
Hercule: O-oh of course!
Ozpin: Splendid, Miss Schnee, from the amount of time you're here you are to assist Hercule in his magic training. He managed to use it once but we need him properly practiced.
Ironwood: That will be all Schnee. If you may take Mr Nikos with you so you two can discuss training.
Winter: Understood, sir. Come along Hercule Nikos.
Hercule quickly nodded as he then followed Winter into the elevator, leaving the three to talk about another important topic.
Ironwood: Go on.
Qrow: Your little infiltrator isn't just another pawn. They're the one responsible for Autumn's condition.
He takes a drink from his flask once more, letting the information sink in.
Goodwitch: What?
Qrow: Despite what the world thinks, we're not just teachers, or Generals, or Headmasters. The people in this room, The leaders of the other two academies, we're the ones that keep the world safe from the evils no one even knows about! It's why we meet behind closed doors, why we work in the shadows. So you tell me, James, when you brought your army to Vale, did you think you were being discreet, or did you just not give a damn!?
Ironwood stares down at Qrow as he places his Scroll on Ozpin's desk.
Ironwood: Discreet wasn't working.
The center of the room projects a hologram of Vale, Beacon Academy, the Amity Colosseum and Ironwood's fleet of Atlesian Airships, which he gestures to.
Ironwood: I'm here because this is what was necessary.
Qrow: You're here because Ozpin wanted you here! He made you a part of this inner circle and opened your eyes to the real fights that are right in front of us!
Ironwood: And I am grateful.
Qrow: Oh, well, you've got a real funny way of showing it.
Ironwood: The people of Vale needed someone to protect them; someone who would act. When they look to the sky and see my fleet, they feel safe, and our enemies will feel our strength.
Qrow: You... You think they're scared of your little ships? I've been out there and I've seen the things she's made, and let me tell you - they are fear.
Ozpin: And fear will bring the Grimm. A guardian or guardians are a symbol of comfort. But an army is a symbol of conflict. There's an energy in the air now, a question in the back of everyone's minds... "If this is the size of our defenses, then what is it we're expecting to fight?"
Ironwood glares at them before sighing and walking forward, picking up his Scroll just as it flashes with the image of a Black Queen.
Ironwood: So then, what would you suggest we do?
Ozpin: While we may have three of the Elements, I suggest we find our guardian.
_________________________________________
Cut to a dorm room, where Mercury is sitting in a chair, reporting on the fight he saw earlier, while Cinder Fall walks back and forth, interrogating him with Emerald Sustrai resting on a bed nearby.
Cinder: And you're sure?
Mercury: Bad hair, used a scythe, and smelled like my dad after a long day. It was him.
Emerald: What do we do?
Cinder: Nothing. We stay the course. They have no idea who we are, so we have no reason to worry. Besides, the last of the heavy lifting is being taken care of thanks to our clever little friend.
She picks up her Scroll as it too flashes with the Black Queen.
Cinder: Speaking of which... it appears we have a new access point.
Ironwood is shown on the Scroll as an icon, along with a curling "W" in the other corner.
Emerald: Anywhere good?
Cinder: You could say that. Go to your rooms. I'll prepare everything for tomorrow.
Emerald: Yes, ma'am.
Mercury: Got it.
The Scroll reveals the roster of the Vytal Festival Tournament doubles round, which includes CRDL's Russel Thrush and Sky Lark, SSSN's Sun Wukong and Neptune Vasilias, and Penny Polendina and Ciel Soleil.
Cinder: Let's give the crowd a good fight.
Cinder scrolls down each pair until she selects Mercury and Emerald to face off against Coco Adel and Yatsuhashi Daichi in the doubles round.
_________________________________________
The next morning, the crowd sees the rigged match-up on the screen at the Amity Colosseum.
Port: (over the announcement system) The randomization process is complete! Ladies and gentlemen, your doubles tournament line-up!
As the announcement is heard, RWBY cheers with arms raised, JNPR is seen providing applause, HSRM sitting happily waiting for the match to begin, and SSSN is shown sitting in front row seats. The camera shifts to Cinder, now watching her teammates in the seats as she menacingly claps with a devious smirk, before it cuts to black.
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(Hello readers and thank you for reading. I'm amazed by how many reads this story has gained in only a few months, I really appreciate the support for this story as I continue to work on it. Winter Schnee is one of the Elemental Forces and we are officially met three Elemental Forces, I plan on having more enter the story later but for now we only have three.)
-Until next time...