Nothing could be seen but darkness, until...
Cinder Fall and Xana's bodies are seen floating in water, ice chunks surrounding her. A closeup of both their right eye suddenly opens up, twitching as they come to terms with their current situation. Bubbles escape from their mouth as they struggle to get upright in the water. Cinder activates her Maiden powers and Xana activates his Saiyan powers. The screen goes black, only Cinder and Xana are gasping for breath is heard.
They're next seen crawling out of the pool of water onto the shore of an underground cave. Cinder holds her hand out and tries to activate a small flame in her hands, but it dies out quickly. Cinder grunts in frustration, slamming her Grimm-like fist to the ground, unknowingly opening up an exit to the cave. She looks up to see light pouring through the crack as well as the sound of howling wind. Cinder and Xana then look up to notice the Vault under Haven Academy where they fought against Raven Branwen and Damian Locke. Cinder then uses her Grimm fist and Xana use his fist to punch at the crack in the wall.
Cinder and Xana both staggered out of the cave and into the rain. The two of them struggled to walk for a bit before Cinder collapsed to the ground, Xana catches her and carries her bridal style, but even he was feeling weak and falls to his knees. A woman can be heard approaching her.
Woman: Gods, are you two okay?
The woman, holding a basket of food, looks down at Cinder and Xana with concern.
Woman: Where did you...?
Xana slowly moves forward, but falls to the ground, revealing Cinder's Grimm arm. The woman gasps and drops her basket. Cinder then looks up to the frightened woman, activating her Maiden powers and smiling evilly...
Ruby: We need to take the Relic and the Yamato to Atlas?
Team RWBY, JNPR, SDOW&T, Raven and Qrow Branwen are seen back at the house in Mistral.
Qrow: That's what Oz said.
Everybody looks to Weiss Schnee.
Weiss: You've got to be joking...
Watari: Please say you're, Qrow.
Damian: Unfortunately, he's not. Although, I am fully on board with giving up the Yamato to Ironwood.
Raven: You're right to question that option. But, do you have a better idea on who can protect it? Let alone study it?
Silver: She got you there.
Nora: I mean, bright side, we finally get out of this house!
Pyrrha: She's right. It will give us something to do. Not to mention, we still have a job to do.
Weiss sighs. Watari holds her hand and smiles at Weiss. She gives a smile back.
Qrow: Well trust me, I'm not crazy about it either.
Onyx: But we still need to go.
Damian: He's right. And even though Raven is the Spring Maiden we still need a Vault to seal the Relic back.
Ren: Atlas may be the safest kingdom we have at the moment, but their borders are closed. General Ironwood called everyone back.
Qrow: Eh, not everyone.
Damian: Silver. Your Scroll, please my friend.
Silver activates his Scroll, showing a hologram of a highlighted portion of land and explains everything.
Silver: The city of Argus is a ways North of us and it's the primary trading port between Anima and Solitas. They've got the largest Atlas military base outside of the Kingdom. There's no way they would leave it abandoned and, if we play our cards right, I think there's a good chance we could convince them to escort us straight to Coppercrotch.
Blake: I mean, we do have the missing Heiress and her Bodyguard to the Schnee Dust Company.
W&W: Ex-Heiress and Bodyguard, actually.
Yang: True, true. But if there's a chance of reward money, I say we go for it.
Weiss: Ugh...
Ozpin: Hopefully the first option will suffice.
Oscar Pine, letting Ozpin take over, walks into the room.
Qrow: Glad to see you're feeling better.
Ozpin: Likewise, and while I'm sure we could all use more time to recover, I'm afraid time is of the essence.
Onyx: Right, as long as that thing's out in the open, its power could fall into the wrong hands.
Jaune: Speaking of, what does it do exactly? Qrow never really told us.
Everyone looks to Ozpin, who turns around to face them.
Ozpin: Of course. (detaches the Relic from his hip) The Relic of Knowledge has a wonderful, and incredibly dangerous ability. (the Relic grows into it's original size as it was found) Its user can ask any question, and the Lamp will provide an answer.
Ozpin places the Relic down, and it floats on the table.
Ren: (in awe) Intriguing...
Blake: That's incredible...
Ozpin: Indeed. However, it's not without drawbacks. The Lamp cannot tell of events that have yet to happen, and it will only ever answer three questions every one hundred years.
Terry: And the Yamato?
Damian: Like the Rebellion. It is a very powerful sword that allows the wielder to unspeakable things. However, it is still very dangerous for anyone to use, I do believe it can still be a great ally in the right hands.
Yang: Well, I guess that's not so bad. Adds a lot of pressure though.
Damian looks down at the Yamato with sadness and Silver notices this.
Silver: You alright?
The others look at Damian as he continues to look at the Yamato.
Jaune: Damian, why so glum?
Pyrrha: Yeah. This Kingdom and so many others are finally free Xana's tyranny.
Damian: I do not disagree my, friends. It's just... a small part of me hoped to change Xana's mind, not take his life.
Onyx(shaking his head): Damian, his vileness was not slain by your hand, but by his own twisted arrogance.
Damian: Hmm.
Onyx: I'm sorry. We know that you two had quite a history.
Damian: But the Xanadu who I wanted to know as a brother perished a long time ago, the day when he chose to join Salem's side. (stands up) Salem's forces may be in disarray, but they are not without leadership, and while my Evil Twin is no Xanadu or Cinder. He is far from predictable.
Silver: Meaning?
Damian: Meaning, we must remain on full alert, for he will make our job very difficult by coming after the Yamato and the Relic of Knowledge.
Nora: Then let's put it to a vote! (zips around the room, causing Ruby to jump and Qrow to spit out his coffee) What should we ask first? Oh! Can we ask for more questions? CAN WE ASK FOR MORE QUESTIONS?!
R&P: (facepalming) They're not wishes...
Ozpin: (chuckling) I'm afraid you won't be able to ask it anything at the moment. (Nora grunts in frustration) The questions were used before I sealed it away.
Ruby: Well, at least now we know what it is. And we'll be sure to keep it safe!
Back in the present day, Ruby scours through the train wreckage and picks up Dust bullets, before looking to see the Relic of Knowledge slightly buried in the snow nearby. Yang can be heard complaining as she struggles to get Bumblebee out of the snow.
Yang: Great! This is just great! We're stranded, we lost a third of our party, and we've gained a defenseless old lady!
With one final heave, Yang manages to extricate Bumblebee, but falls over to the ground, with her motorcycle following suit as she's partially covered in snow.
Onyx walks over to Yang's bike and stands it up and offers her a hand.
Onyx: Here let me--
Yang gets up on her own ignoring his hand.
Yang: I'm fine, I got it thanks.
Onyx: You sure--
Yang: I said I got it!
Onyx backs away.
Onyx: Oh, ok.
Damian walks towards his friends and looks at Yang with anger.
Damian: Back off, Yang. We got enough problems already and you disrespecting one of my guys isn't going to help.
The two of them stare at each other with anger, but they soon hear Maria's voice.
Maria: My name is Maria Calavera, and I am not defenseless! I'm just a little hard of hearing. And blind without my eyes, that are in desperate need of repair. (taps on her prosthetics, which open wide and close, before opening narrowly again.) Okay, I'm starting to see your point.
Qrow: (grunts) Yang, knock it off, will ya? If we lose our cool now, we'll just be inviting even more Grimm.
Blake: Does that even matter? Apparently, we've been attracting Grimm ever since we left Haven.
Damian walks towards Oscar and checks on him.
Yang: Oh, and how could I forget about that? (turns to Oscar and Damian) What happened to no more lies and half truths?
Oscar: Yeah, I think it's time we got an explanation...
Damian: This isn't the time. We need to keep moving.
Silver(to Oscar): Damian's right. (to Maria) What are you even doing here, Maria?
Maria: What? Can't an old girl like me have a thrill for the adventure?
Damian: Not this kind.
Onyx: Enough already. (to Damian) We need some answers, (to Oscar)so start talking.
Oscar's eyes glow as control of his body is switched to Ozpin, who furrows his brow at Yang's accusations.
Ozpin: I did not lie to you...
Weiss: Well you certainly didn't tell us everything about the Relic or the sword.
Ozpin: Please, now is not the time.
Yang: No, we're past that! I wanna know why you guys are still not telling us everything!
Ozpin: It is true that the Grimm are attracted to the Relics. It's faint, but undeniable. I believe it has to do with their origin, but I'm not entirely sure. Regardless, I feared that making you all aware would only add anxiety and negativity. It seemed like the safer option.
Watari: And the Yamato?
Damian: The Yamato is still infused by the strong connection of Xana. Thus, attracting the Grimm like the Relic.
Watari: And you didn't obliged to share that information.
Damian: I'm not obliged to share anything. This was for your protection.
Weiss: You know, I'm getting real tired of people choosing what's best for me.
Watari: I agree. We all agreed no secrets. No half-truths. This team can't be part of a mission, when the people work alongside with, have a mission of their own.
Damian: It's called compartmentalization. Nobody spills the secrets, because nobody knows them all.
Onyx: Except you.
Yang: Is that why you chose to lie to everyone about Lionheart too?
Ozpin: Yes, as a matter of fact, I believed the Kingdom of Mistral deserved better than the truth. And I believed Leonardo deserved to be remembered for his lifetime of service, and not for the unfortunate missteps he made in his final years.
Yang: Missteps?!
Damian: Yang, what Professor Lionheart did was reprehensible. I am not here to argue differently, but does one lapse in judgment truly negate all of his good? Do we not all have regrets?
Ozpin: Damian is right. You may have met Professor Lionheart, but you never met the man he was before Salem found him.
Ozpin: (raising his voice) Do you really think Leo was the first?!
Everyone stops.
Ozpin: That he didn't say those exact same words to me? I'm sorry, but you have to understand that my behaviors are backed by experience. I'm not saying that I have reason to think you will betray me. I'm saying that I have reasons for the things that I do, the secrets I keep, the reason I... (suddenly stops and realizes something) Where's the Relic?
Ruby: Right here. (holds it in her hands) It got scattered in the crash.
Damian: Please, hand it over, Little Rose.
Ozpin reaches his hand out, but Ruby hesitates.
Ruby: So all those times you talked about having faith in humanity, that was just for everyone else?
Ozpin: (sighs) That's not what I meant to suggest. Miss Rose, the Relic is a powerful item and I simply feel as though it is my burden to bear.
Ruby: But, you said it couldn't do anything right now.
Blake: Why does it matter who carries it?
Damian: Because there are some things that are beyond anyone's comprehension. So hand it over Ruby, now.
Damian slowly walks towards Ruby and Silver gets in his way.
Damian: Step aside, Silver.
Silver(to Damian): Once again, you know as well as I do that this was meant to happen. Secrets kept for our protection, even when knowing full well that we can take care of ourselves, is foolhardy.
Damian(to Silver): Not these secrets. This isn't the time for us to share. I cannot let her activate that Relic. There is something that you and others must not know.
Onyx and Watari get in the way as well.
Damian(to his teammates): Please don't. I'm asking you not to do this.
Onyx: I'm sorry my friend.
Watari: But this is the only way.
Ozpin: I need you to listen to me--
Ozpin reaches his hand out, but suddenly is stopped, stuck in his position.
Qrow: Oz?
Oscar: (fighting back for control) Hurry... he's... trying to stop you!
Yang: Stop her from what?
Oscar: He's afraid... you'll find out what he's... hiding!
Onyx: What is he talking about?
Damian remains silent.
Oscar suddenly collapses, Yang, Watari, Onyx Weiss and Blake glare at Damian and the boy with intense looks while Ruby holds the Relic of Knowledge defensively.
Oscar: Her name is Jinn. Say her name to summon her.
Ruby: Her name?
The wind picks up much more gradually, blowing snow even harder. The Relic starts to glow in Ruby's hands.
Ruby: Jinn?
Suddenly, the snow stops, floating in midair. The wind stops blowing too.
Qrow: What?
Ruby then lets go of the Relic as it floats a short distance away, cyan smoke emanates from it. Suddenly, the lamp is enveloped in the smoke, and from it, a giant, semi-nude feminine figure emerges. Her skin and hair is colored blue, and decorated with gold jewelry and ornaments. The figure stretches and moans as she has been awakened once again. This is Jinn, the aforementioned being inhabiting the Relic of Knowledge.
Jinn: Wonderful.
Everyone stares in awe at Jinn.
Jinn: Tell me, what knowledge do you seek?
Back in Mistral, Cinder, now dressed in the clothes of the woman she and Xana encountered earlier, steps out of an alleyway. Her Grimm arm is bandaged up. They looks to their left and notices a holographic screen showing portraits of the two of them and their allies. A subtitle below says "LAST KNOWN LOCATION: HAVEN ACADEMY, APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH AGO".
Newscaster: The perpetrators, Cinder Fall, Hazel Rainart, Emerald Sustrai, and Mercury Black have still not been seen since the attack and are presumed to have fled the city. The Mistral police department is offering a reward to any citizen...
Cinder and Xana, realizing they're wanted criminals, puts her hood up to conceal her identity. They walk out into the rainy streets of Mistral, among crowds of people with their umbrellas up. People still carry out their businesses as usual, both legally and illegally. As Cinder and Xana continue walking, they notice notice a symbol - a spiderweb with a spider in it - etched into the wall.
Cinder and Xana then walk into a restaurant, with some of the customers bearing tattoos similar to the symbol they found. The two of them then walk up to Lil' Miss Malachite, who she presumed is leader of the gang. Lil' Miss notices them just as she was about to have her meal.
Lil' Miss: That's far enough.
Her two bodyguards walk up to Cinder and Xana, blocking their way. Cinder tosses down a sack full of Lien on the table.
Lil' Miss: Okay.
The bodyguards step back and Cinder takes a seat across from her.
Xana: You're Lil' Miss Malachite?
Lil' Miss: (takes out her hand fan) I'm Lil' Miss Gon'-Skin-You-Alive if you ever take that tone with me again. (looks to the Lien on the table) Looks like your life's savings.
Cinder: It was somebody's.
Lil' Miss: (laughs) Cute. (closes her hand fan) What do you want for it?
Cinder pulls out her scroll, showing portraits of Jaune, Ren, Nora, Pyrrha, Team SDOW&T and Team RWBY.
Cinder: We're looking for these travelers.
Lil' Miss: Well, sweetheart, you came to the right place.
Cinder jolts a little as she looks behind her, noticing a man entering and being greeted by his group of friends sitting around a table. Xana remains calm and reassures Cinder with a hand on her shoulder.
' Miss: (chuckles) A little jumpy today, hmm? You know, I used to be afraid of spiders. Want to know what I did about it?
Cinder: Learn to kill them?
Lil' Miss: Oh no, the world needs spiders. I just made the spiders work for me.
Cinder looks around, noticing all of the customers have the tattoo of spiderweb, insinuating that they all work for Lil' Miss.
Lil' Miss: Give us a week, we'll find your travelers.
Cinder then gets up and leaves.
Bodyguard: Lil' Miss, we already know where they are. That big guy asked about 'em last week.
Lil' Miss: I know we know, but what we don't know is who here in Mistral might be asking about her...
Back in the snow, Maria adjusts her goggles to get a better look at what's in front of her.
Jinn: I am Jinn, a being created by the God of Light to aid Humanity in its pursuit of knowledge. I've been graced with the ability to answer three questions every one hundred years. You're in luck, as I am still able to answer--
Ozpin: That's enough!
Everyone looks to Ozpin, who managed to regain control over Oscar's body.
Jinn: ... two questions this era.
Everyone is shocked, despite Ozpin telling them that the Relic won't work for them beforehand.
Jinn: (chuckles) It's a pleasure to see you again, old man.
Damian: Ruby, please... Don't.
Qrow glances to Damian, and steps forward.
Qrow: Hey.
Suddenly, Yang, Weiss, Watari, Onyx, Silver and Blake get defensive at Qrow. Ruby stares in disbelief.
Damian, however, keeps walking and his eyes start to turn red.
Qrow: (relenting) Do whatever you think is right, kiddo.
Damian: Ruby, I am ordering you, TO SURRENDER THAT RELIC RIGHT NOW!
The others look shocked at how he raised his voice so Silver, Onyx and Watari all turned Super Saiyan.
Damian: You don't want to do this guys.
Watari: Why not? We're not your pawns.
Onyx: We're your friends.
Damian: Silver.... please, don't. I'm asking you not to do this.
Silver: I'm sorry Brother.
Ruby: (pondering her question) Jinn?
Ruby turns around to face Jinn, who has a curious look on her face, while Ozpin grits his teeth in anger.
Ruby: What is Ozpin and Damian hiding from us?
D&O: NOOOOOOO!!!!!
Ruby gasps and looks behind her. Ozpin lunges forward and is about to touch her, but suddenly, Ruby finds herself alone in a blank white space.
Ruby: Wha-- what? Weiss? Yang?
Ruby goes off screen, Yang comes from her position.
Yang: Blake? Ru--
Yang goes off screen, and Weiss then appears, also calling out for their team leader.
Weiss: --by? Ruby?
Weiss goes off screen, and Blake then appears.
Blake: Yang?
Blake goes off-screen and then Onyx appears.
Onyx: Blake?
Onyx goes off-screen and then Watari appears.
Watari: Onyx!
Watari goes off-screen and then Silver appears.
Silver: Ruby?!
Silver goes off-screen and then Damian appears.
Damian: NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
Suddenly, an environment manifests, showing a path leading to a castle in the distance. A woman humming can be heard in the background.
Jinn: (narrating) Once upon a time, there stood a lonely tower...
Smoke envelops Damian, and Qrow appears where he was. He looks behind him.
Jinn: ...that sheltered a lonely girl.
A rather beautiful woman sitting in front of a mirror then appears. Ruby and Silver are seen walking up to her.
Jinn: Named... Salem.