Rain is heard pouring outside. Qrow Branwen opens up a sliding door leading into a small restaurant. A man can be seen sleeping at a table in the corner, while the Ramen Shop Owner stands behind the counter sharpening his kitchen knife on a wood block. Qrow walks up to the owner, who is still paying attention to sharpening his knife. "Regular? Or the Special?"
"I'm actually looking for someone, goes by the name Shiro Wan. Ever heard of him? I heard he's a regular around here." Qrow asks.
"Who's asking?"
"Hey, I'm not some cop if that's what you mean. I need Shiro for a gig. We go way back." Qrow says.
The Ramen Shop Owner nods. "Way back, huh?" He stops sharpening his knife looking up at Qrow. "So, he's a friend of yours."
Qrow rubs his chin. "Hm, yeah, I'd say so. He's a pretty alright guy."
"Well, in that case..." The man's tone turns hostile, pointing his knife threateningly at Qrow. "You tell that jerk that he better not show his ugly face in here until he pays me the Lien he owes me!!"
"Uh, did I say friend?" Qrow nervously chuckles. "I, uh- I meant acquaintance." The owner angrily slams his knife into the counter. Qrow slowly backs away. "Really, we're just colleagues!" He nervously chuckles again. "Anyways, thanks for your time, buddy. I'll just be taking off now." Qrow exits the restaurant, quickly closing the sliding door. He quickly turns around, leaning against the door. He takes a drink from his flask before pulling out his scroll, which has a list of "CONTACTS" with the following names:
WAN, SHIRO
GRIFFIN, BLANKA
RAINE, BOYD
KREISS, AMETHYST
ALTHAM, IVY
RIVAS, AOI
VACCARO, FARROW
LUNSFORD, HARKIN
Qrow crosses off Shiro's name with a sigh. "Great start." Suddenly, the owner's knife is stabbed through the door cloth, barely missing Qrow's head.
Qrow then walks up to several people asking if they know any of the Huntsmen on his list; first, a pair of two men standing on the rainy street. Next, to a one-eyed, blonde blacksmith selling her wares. Then, he seeks the help of a beat-up man filled with bruises, resting while two other men are currently fighting in a match. After every person he asks, Qrow's expression and body language grows more aggravated, and each time, the number of Huntsmen he crosses off the list increases. Finally, he walks up to a small house with boarded-up windows. He looks at his Scroll for his two remaining contacts, the first of which had been crossed out.
FIORENZA, SHANI
SHIELDS, HEATHER
"Heather Shields." He mutters. He knocks on the door. A group of small children is seen near the house. After Qrow turns around from looking at them, since there's been no response, he bangs it loudly with the side of his fist. As he's about to bang on the door again, a man opens up the door. "Oh, uh, hey there. I'm looking for Heather?" The man just stares back at him. "Look, pal, I've had a rough day. Do you know where she is or not?"
"Daddy?" A small girl walks up next to her father. "Does he know where Mommy is?"
Having realized that Heather was missing in action, or worse, Qrow immediately regrets his mistake. "I um... I'm sorry to bother you." The man and his daughter go back into their house. Qrow walks back out into the rain. He removes his flask from his shirt and considers taking another drink from it, but decides not to.
Later, at the park, he looks up at the Mistral Bounty mission boards, listed as the following:
LUCERO, FLANN - MISSION TYPE: VILLAGE SECURITY
MISSION STATUS: IN PROGRESS 8 WEEKS AGO
DURHAM, AZURA - MISSION TYPE: SEARCH AND DESTROY
MISSION STATUS: IN PROGRESS 6 WEEKS AGO
COWAN, DOVE - MISSION TYPE: SEARCH AND DESTROY
MISSION STATUS: TERMINATED 1 WEEK AGO
CHOI, LALI - MISSION TYPE: BOUNTY
MISSION STATUS: ON HOLD 7 WEEKS AGO
LIN, FUSCHIA - MISSION TYPE: SEARCH AND RESCUE
MISSION STATUS: TERMINATED 6 DAYS AGO
SILVER, STARK - MISSION TYPE: SEARCH AND DESTROY
MISSION STATUS: IN PROGRESS 1 WEEK AGO
HAWKINS, JAY - MISSION TYPE: SEARCH AND DESTROY
MISSION STATUS: IN PROGRESS 3 WEEKS AGO
HAWTHORNE, LUCERO - MISSION TYPE: BOUNTY
MISSION STATUS: TERMINATED 4 DAYS AGO
ANDREWS, RORY - MISSION TYPE: SEARCH AND DESTROY
MISSION STATUS: ON HOLD 9 WEEKS AGO
CASTILLO, AURORA - MISSION TYPE: VILLAGE SECURITY
MISSION STATUS: IN PROGRESS 8 WEEKS AGO
HUGHES, DAISY - MISSION TYPE: SEARCH AND RESCUE
MISSION STATUS: ON HOLD 4 WEEKS AGO
LEVINE, MAE - MISSION TYPE: SEARCH AND DESTROY
MISSION STATUS: TERMINATED 3 DAYS AGO
FOREST, WYATT - MISSION TYPE: SEARCH AND DESTROY
MISSION STATUS: ON HOLD 5 WEEKS AGO
PAGE, ORION - MISSION TYPE:
MISSION STATUS:
RIVERA, STAR - MISSION TYPE: BOUNTY
MISSION STATUS: TERMINATED 4 DAYS AGO
KRATZ, CYAN - MISSION TYPE: BOUNTY
MISSION STATUS: ON HOLD 8 WEEKS AGO
HYACINTH, ZACH - MISSION TYPE: SEARCH AND DESTROY
MISSION STATUS: TERMINATED 2 DAYS AGO
NASH, INIGO - MISSION TYPE: VILLAGE SECURITY
MISSION STATUS: TERMINATED 5 DAYS AGO
TEALE, CAROLINE - MISSION TYPE: SEARCH AND DESTROY
MISSION STATUS: ON HOLD 10 WEEKS AGO
LI, MIDORI - MISSION TYPE: BOUNTY
MISSION STATUS: ON HOLD 2 DAYS AGO
THURMON, ONYX - MISSION TYPE: SEARCH AND RESCUE
MISSION STATUS: ON HOLD 4 WEEKS AGO
VARGA, VIOLA - MISSION TYPE: VILLAGE SECURITY
MISSION STATUS: ON HOLD 2 WEEKS AGO
CARRILLO, NOVA - MISSION TYPE: BOUNTY
MISSION STATUS: ON HOLD 5 WEEKS AGO
HALE, VENUS - MISSION TYPE:
MISSION STATUS:
HUNT, TERRA - MISSION TYPE: SEARCH AND DESTROY
MISSION STATUS: TERMINATED 2 DAYS AGO
ERDOS, MAUVE - MISSION TYPE: BOUNTY
MISSION STATUS: TERMINATED 5 DAYS AGO
BASHIR, MAZA - MISSION TYPE: SEARCH AND DESTROY
MISSION STATUS: ON HOLD 8 WEEKS AGO
RHODES, CASCADE - MISSION TYPE: SEARCH AND DESTROY
MISSION STATUS: ON HOLD 2 WEEKS AGO
HOPKINS, CLOVER - MISSION TYPE:
MISSION STATUS:
LARSEN, MAPLE - MISSION TYPE: SEARCH AND DESTROY
MISSION STATUS: ON HOLD 9 WEEKS AGO
YU, LOTUS - MISSION TYPE:
MISSION STATUS:
LYNCH, ASH - MISSION TYPE:
MISSION STATUS:
After looking at the boards, Qrow crosses off the following names on his Scroll:
FORHAN, ROUX
DE SENA, SLATE
CHOI, LALI
He then checks for more names on the mission board one last time:
UMBRA, AYRESS - MISSION TYPE: SEARCH AND RESCUE
MISSION STATUS: TERMINATED 1 WEEK AGO
GRIFFIN, CARMINA - MISSION TYPE: SEARCH AND RESCUE
MISSION STATUS: IN PROGRESS 8 WEEKS AGO
WAN, SHIRO - MISSION TYPE: SEARCH AND DESTROY
MISSION STATUS: IN PROGRESS 5 WEEKS AGO
Qrow sighs and takes a seat on a nearby bench, realizing that all of his contacts, let alone many others on the mission board, were nowhere to be found. After a while, Qrow goes back into the restaurant from earlier. The owner has more wood carvings on his counter now. He notices Qrow walk in.
"You've got a lot of nerve showing up back here, unless you've brought that idiot with you."
Qrow looks to the man broken. "How much did Shiro owe you?"
The Ramen Shop Owner notices Qrow's somber expression. "Well, I'd say about... 16,000 Lien." Qrow then tosses a Lien note, which clatters softly on the surface of the bar. "Wait, what? Man, you must be in some serious trouble with him if you're paying me off."
"His name is clear." Qrow says somberly,
"Yeah." Qrow starts to leave again, and the owner returns to his carving. "That idiot..."
Qrow opens the door. "Yeah..."
At the Branwen Tribe camp, Vernal pours cups of tea for Raven Branwen, Yang Xiao Long, Erin Eclipse, and Weiss Schnee. They are all inside Raven's tent with the latter four seated around a table. Raven looks to Vernal. "You can wait outside. Thank you." Vernal does so.
"So, what's the "truth"?" Yang asks.
Raven takes a sip from her cup. "You know, it's better when it's hot."
Erin huffs taking a sip. "You know, you're still really obnoxious."
"The truth is that "truth" is hard to come by. A story of victory for one person is a story of defeat for someone else. By now, your uncle has surely told Ruby and her friends plenty of stories."
"Well, he's never given me a reason to doubt him before." Yang says.
"That doesn't mean those reasons don't exist." Yang glares at her. "You know, you and your teammates might as well be the poster children for the Huntsman Academies. Your motives vary, but you all enrolled to try and make the world a better place. It's adorable."
"I didn't enroll to make the world a better place." Erin says, getting everyone!s attention. "I did it to hide from the Fang. But, "making the world a better place?" It's what Huntsmen and Huntresses do."
"Not all of them. Some people are just in it for the money and the fame, but there's even more that are just looking to grow stronger. Your Uncle Qrow and I didn't attend Beacon to become Huntsmen, we did it to learn how to kill Huntsmen."
Yang and Weiss gasp at this, exchanging a brief look with each other, Erin however, hums taking a long sip of his tea.
"Daddy and Uncle left that part out, hm?" Raven begins to pour more tea for herself. "Aside from the Grimm, Huntsmen were the only ones capable of ruining our raids and hunting us down. Our tribe needed a counterforce." She takes another sip. 'And Qrow and I were the perfect age." Raven stands and turns away from the teens. "The entrance exams were child's play compared to what we'd already been through. We were good. So good, that we caught the attention of Beacon's very own Headmaster, Professor Ozpin. Even after we were put on a team, I could tell he was keeping his eye on us. Back then, I thought it was because he knew, but it was Team STRQ he was interested in."
"What do you mean by that?" Yang asks.
"Constant attention, extra training missions, turning a blind eye whenever we happened to break the rules and get into more trouble than we should've. Sound familiar?"
Yang and Weiss share another glance at each other. Erin shrugs still drinking tea. Weiss gestures Yang to keep going. "What's your point?" Yang asks.
"How much do you know about Professor Ozpin? About his past?"
"Less than we should." Erin says realization dawning on what's coming.
"He was... a prodigy. One of the youngest headmasters to be appointed to a school." Weiss says, Erin eyes Weiss and Yang.
"Because that's how he planned it. Because the man you know as Ozpin designed those schools and has followers inside every academy on Remnant that are loyal to him and no one else."
"That doesn't make any sense! How could he have...? No. Why would someone even do that?"
"Because old man Oz has a great and terrible secret. One that could spread fear across the world. One that he eventually entrusted to our team, and once I knew, there was no going back. I needed to know more, but with every new discovery I made, the more horrifying the world became."
"Okay, then tell us. What's the big secret?" Erin says, his gaze boring into Raven. "What's so crazy that the rest of us don't know?"
"The Creatures of Grimm... have a master named Salem. She can't be stopped, she can't be reasoned with, and she will not rest until Humanity crumbles at her feet." As she speaks, Weiss and Yang's eyes widen more and more. They sit in silence. Erin's left ear flickers for a moment, as two chains made of his aura attach to Weiss & Yang.
"What?" Weiss mutters.
"You know, you two haven't even touched your tea." Raven takes another sip from her teacup, while Yang stands up.
"Why should we believe any of this?"
"Now you're catching on. So far you've done nothing but accept what others tell you." Raven puts her cup down. "But you need to question everything." The two stare at each other face to face, before Raven turns around. "Otherwise you'll end up just as blind as Qrow..." Yang grits her teeth, and her eyes narrow, seething. "...and your fool of a father."
A shot from Ember Celica is heard, destroying the table. Raven's empty teacup clatters across the floor, stopping when it hits the heel of her boot. Raven looks toward Yang, faintly smiling. Yang's eyes have turned red. "Don't you dare talk about my family like that!" It's now that Erin stands dragging Weiss up with him. While Yang speaks, Weiss stares up at her wide-eyed and flinches when she raises her voice for emphasis. A weapon is heard being drawn at Yang.
"You need to calm down." Verbal says.
"Yang, not now." Erin says placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Listen to your friend, Yang. Your teammates never let you down before."
"You don't know the first thing about my teammates! About me! You were never there! You LEFT US!!" Yang's eyes then turn back to normal. "Why?!" She hangs her head in sadness.
"I know more than you realize. Not just about you, and not just what I've been told, but things I've seen with my own eyes. I know the Grimm have a leader, I know people who can come back from the dead, I know that magic is real, and I can prove it." Weiss stands up, while Raven continues addressing her daughter. "You said Tai told you all about my Semblance." Vernal lowers her weapon while Raven heads toward the back exit of her tent. "Well, I doubt he ever told you what Oz did to my brother and me." Raven exits her tent. Yang and Weiss exchange confused looks. Erin sighs and begins following dragging the pair behind him.
"Let's go see for ourselves." He says. Yang and Weiss take his advice and exit the tent. They see no one there.
"Mom?"
"Yang, are you okay?" Weiss asks.
"I'll be fine once we can get her to take us to Ruby."
Weiss relents while Yang continues to look around. "It's okay if... you're not okay."
"You didn't believe what she said, right?"
"I... of course not. Well, not all of it. It was crazy. We have Dust, Semblances... But, I mean, there's no such thing as magic."
"That's foolish." Erin chuckles. "Anything is possible." He mutters. Just then, the three hear a bird caw. They watch it fly in front of them.
"A raven?" Weiss mutters.
"I've... seen that bird before." Yang says.
"Maybe it belongs to your mom?"
"No." Erin says softly. The three continue to watch the raven fly in the dusk-colored sky. It descends, flying and weaving between the trees, before shapeshifting into Raven herself. Raven lands back on the ground on her feet, while Yang and Weiss have shocked expressions as she stands back up.
"How... did you do that?" Yang asks.
"Well, I could explain it to you..." Raven then draws Omen, slashing behind her, creating a portal with her Semblance. "...or you could ask your uncle."
"You're letting us go?" Yang asks.
"I'm giving you a choice." Raven says as she sheathes her sword. "Stay here, with me, and I'll answer all your questions and more. We can have a fresh start." Yang glares at her. "Or..." She steps to the side of her portal. "...you can go back to Qrow and join Ozpin's impossible war against Salem, and meet the same fate as so many others. But can you really go back to trusting someone that's kept so much from you?"
"I've already signed on for this war. Thanks for making my trip quicker." Erin says. "Oh yeah, here." Erin tosses to Raven a bag of lien. "A payment for this trip from the bloody captain."
"You're with the Vermillion's? I though you were a former Fang Captain, Erin."
"I was. Now I work with the Virmillion Family's Assassination unit."
"Ah, you work the kid I saw."
"Oh you met the captain. Good. The payments from him. Stay out of this fight." Erin warns before walking through the portal.
"Well, what'll it be Yang?" Raven asks.
Weiss reacts timidly, while Yang just glares at her mother. "All I care about is making sure my sister is safe."
Raven hums dissatisfied with Yang's response. "Ugh..." Yang and Weiss are then shown riding on Bumblebee. However, before they can enter the portal, Raven addresses her daughter one more time. "Yang. If you side with your uncle, I may not be as kind the next time we meet."
Weiss rolls her eyes and looks ahead. "You weren't kind this time either." Yang says. Yang and Weiss proceed through the portal on Bumblebee. The portal then disappears.
"I know..." Raven mutters.
Back in Mistral, Qrow is seen leaning against a stone railing.
"This isn't right. I get one or two of them, but... all of them?"
"And then there's Oli." Rei says sitting on the rail next to him, drinking from a bottle in a bag.
Qrow sighs and hangs his head in disappointment. Suddenly, he hears the sound of Raven's portal behind him. "Raven?" The sound of a motorcycle is heard coming from the portal. Qrow looks on surprised. "Oh."
Rei chuckles tossing the bottle over his shoulder. "It's about damn time."
Back at the house Team RNJR is staying at, each of the members are helping prepare dinner: Ruby Rose and Lie Ren are cooking at the stove, Jaune Arc is setting up the table, and Nora Valkyrie is cutting carrots, occasionally eating slices.
"Alright, the first batch of stew is just about done." Ren announces.
"Awesome! Now we just need Qrow and we'll be all set." Ruby says.
Nora speaks still eating carrots. "Do you really think he's gonna bring that many people? This is a lot of food." She eats another carrot slice.
"Uh, I don't know, but it sounds like we could use all the help we can get." Ruby says.
"I'm back!" Qrow says entering the house away from the group.
"Be right there!"
Ren looks to Ruby. "You're going to overcook that."
"No I'm not, shut up!"
"Hey, uh, Ruby?" Rei says from the front room.
"I'm coming!" She says with no intention to head over yet, Some smoke comes from the pan Ruby is cooking with. Ruby deadpans to Ren. "Fine! You take over."
Ruby grabs the tea tray and heads to the living room while Ren helps cook the pan.
Ruby walks into the living too looking at the tea tray. !So, we didn't know how many people were coming, so we just cooked all of it." She looks up, and gasps as she drops the tea tray and its contents, which shatter on the floor. She stares in disbelief at the sight of not only Qrow, but of her older sister Yang and teammate Weiss. Yang approaches her little sister.
Ruby tries to speak, voice cracking. "Yang, I... I'm so sorry! I- I should've stayed, and I should've talked to you more! I'd-- I just..." Tears start pouring from her eyes. "I wasn't sure if you wanted me around and--!"
Suddenly, her big sister gives her a strong hug. Ruby's lips quiver, and she looks toward her sister. "I love you. Yang says softly as tears stream from her eyes.
Ruby sobs as she leans into her sister's hug. "I love you too."
"Do you love me, Cap'n?" Erin asks jokingly.
"I should throw you out that door." Rei responds as Sky smiles sitting on the couch watching everything.
Jaune, Ren and Nora enter the room, smiling at the sight of the two sisters embracing each other. Qrow smiles as well. Oscar Pine enters the room. "Uh..."
He looks up, seeing Ruby and Yang hugging, and smiles. Weiss smiles as she wipes a tear from her eye, before frowning while looking down.
"Weiss." Ruby calls out.
Weiss looks up, and sees the two sisters open their arms up for her. She smiles and eagerly joins them in their hug. Everyone smiles as they watch three of the four Team RWBY members embrace each other.
Later, the dinner table is abuzz as the currently present members of Team RWBY, the present members of team REDS, and the remaining members of Team JNPR all talk over each other indistinctly. The mood is quite cheery, with the children all smiling and laughing.
Yang laughs to Jaune. "How do you lose your map at a time like that?"
"Believe me, I've asked myself the same thing ever since." Jaune says glancing at Rei who rolls his only visible eye.
Yang, Weiss, and Ruby laugh, while Jaune smiles and giggles sheepishly. "Hey, but you made up for it, Mister Muscles! You shoulda seen this guy take a giant Grimm head on!" Nora says.
"I couldn't have done it without Ruby wearing it down." Jaune says.
"Uh, me? Did you see Ren during that fight? He was out of control!" Ruby says.
"I'm sorry, I may have lost my temper momentarily."
Rei chuckles. "No, she meant out of control as in "awesome."" He explains.
"Oooohhh." Ren smiles turning to Ruby. "Thank you." Many at the table bursts into laughter. As dinner continues, Weiss tells her story about how she accidentally summoned a Boarbatusk during the Schnee charity ball.
"You did not!" Ruby gasps out.
Weiss has her face in her hands. "Yeah, right in the middle of the party."
"Please tell me you or Dusky let that lady have it." Rei asks.
"Of course I didn't!" Weiss stresses that she didn't. "Even if I did really want to."
Nora crosses her arms, skeptical. "No way, I don't believe it."
Weiss summons her Boarbatusk right next to Nora. The Grimm summon growls, causing Nora to yelp and fall to her side. Weiss, Yang, Jaune, Sky and Rei all laugh. As dinner nearly finishes, Yang shows off her robotic prosthetic arm to the rest of the group. Many of them react in awe.
"It's not a replacement for the real thing, but I'll make sure to make good use of it."
"That's amazing." Jaune says.
"Incredible." Ren says.
"Who made it?" Rei asks.
Yang grins. "You can thank Kai Weapons & Manufacturing." She says making Rei chuckle.
Ruby gets all starry-eyed and quickly zooms over to her sister's side to admire her arm. Ruby holds Yang's arm up. "And it's just as strong?" She asks
"Hm, sure is."
Suddenly, they hear a bang on the table. Nora has her arm out ready to arm wrestle. "Wanna bet?"
"Nora, please, now's not the time..." Weiss says. Despite Weiss' protest, Yang and Nora arm wrestle. Jaune and Ren cheer on Nora while Ruby cheers on for her sister. Weiss looks on disdainfully.
"Don't let her beat you! You can do it! Come on!" Jaune cheers.
"You can do this! Show 'em what Team JNPR's made of!"
"C'mon, sis! Aw, you can't lose to a girl in a skirt!" Ruby cheers Yang on.
"You wear a skirt, Ruby." Rei says.
"Weiss, you're not cheering loud enough!!" Ruby shakes Weiss, who is still frowning.
"It definitely feels like the original, I'll give you that!" Nora says during her struggle to beat Yang.
"Yep. But, it does have some new features!" Yang says.
"Heh, oh yeah?" A robotic sound is heard coming from Yang's arm, and suddenly Nora's is knocked back to the wall holding Yang's detached arm in her hand. Nora groans in pain while the others look on in concern, except for Yang, who has a smug grin on her face.
"Did she... win?" Jaune asks. As Nora comes to, she realizes she's holding Yang's robotic arm, causing her to scream and throw it away from her. Yang laughs while she catches her arm.
Later on, Jaune helps clean up the dishes.
"Gyah... We ate it all..." Jaune says as he and Erin pick up the pot holding all the bowls. "Oh, I think I'm gonna be sick."
"Easy there, Vomit Boy, I believe in you." Yang jokes.
Jaune rolls his eyes sarcastically. "Oh, we're doing nickname throwbacks now. Wonderful." He says walking away with the dishware in his hands.
Weiss giggles. "I mean, the Ice Queen seems to like it." Rei comments. Weiss stops giggling, and Ruby bursts into laughter at his remark. Weiss smiles nonetheless.
Weiss rolls her eyes. "I so did not miss you people."
Sky gasps. "Oh my gosh, she really does like it! What went and warmed your heart while you were gone?"
"Hey! You make it sound like I used to be terrible."
Yang shrugs. "Nah. Just a lot to deal with it once." Weiss huffs at Yang's response. Yang playfully sticks her tongue out at Weiss.
"How can nine kids possibly make so much noise eating dinner?!" Qrow asks entering the room, he and Oscar are seen standing next to Jaune. Nora presses her scroll to stop the song. Oscar gives a small laugh. Everyone relocates to the second-floor living room, with Weiss, Erin, and Yang having finished being filled in on what everyone else knows so far.
"So, the Maidens. Magic. Salem. It's all true?" Weiss asks.
Qrow nods. "Uh-huh."
"Miss Xiao Long, is this more or less what your mother told you?" Ozpin asks through Oscar.
Yang doesn't respond, still having her arms crossed. Weiss answers for her. "For the most part."
"You forgot something. You forgot to tell everyone what you did to Qrow and my mother."
Ruby gasps. "What is she talking about?" Jaune asks.
Qrow sighs. "Oh, great." Rei hums leaning against the wall.
"Hm, that's not a secret I thought she would give up so easily." Ozpin says softly. "Your mother must trust you a great deal." Yang scowls at him. "My ability to reincarnate, though a curse, isn't without a few key benefits. Much like the Maidens, I too possess a certain... "magical" power." Oscar stands up and walks next to Qrow. "Using this power, I was able to gift the Branwen twins the ability to "see" more, to move freely and be unburdened by their natural bodies. I... well... gave them the ability to turn into birds." Ozpin chuckles. "Rather ridiculous sounding out loud, isn't it?" Ozpin sighs. "I also helped Rei unlock an ability he's had since birth but was locked away due to him never knowing it."
Everyone turns to Rei who sighs, from his forearms extends his blood fully in his control able to shaped and molded how he would like. "I learned about this when trying to learn more about one of our enemies. He is my brother. And this is a family ability." Rei says.
Ruby turns to Qrow. "Uncle?"
"You turned them... into birds." Ren asks.
"Alright, now you're just messing with us." Nora says.
"What else is new?" Jaune says angrily glaring at Rei.
"He's telling the truth. We saw it. Yang's mom... changed, right in front of us." Weiss says.
Yang turns to Ozpin. "Why would you do something like that? I mean, what is wrong with you?"
Qrow steps forward. "Yang, that's enough! We made a choice. We wanted this." Yang relents.
Ozpin looks to Qrow. "May I?" Qrow nods. "Granting this power to them was no trivial task, and I can assure you it was not done frivolously. I required assistance in gathering information on Salem's plans, as well as searching for Maidens when their hosts became unclear."
"Okay, so, have you done this with others? Like General Ironwood? Or Professor Goodwitch?"
"As helpful as that might be, unfortunately, it is not that simple. My power is finite, and if I'm being honest, dwindling. The amount that I gifted to Qrow and Raven was, all things considered, rather miniscule. You see, centuries ago, I sacrificed a great deal of magic to four young women, who I hoped would use my gift for good. They were the first Maidens." Almost everyone is silent for a moment. Rei hums eating popcorn that he offers to his teammates who join him. "Miss Xiao Long, it was never my intention to lie to you. To any of you. There are just some matters that I prefer to... "play close to the chest." "He says looking to Qrow. "I believe that's how you phrased it?"
Qrow chuckles. "Yeah."
"Everyone has a choice. The Branwens chose to accept their powers and the responsibilities that came with them. And later, one of them chose to abandon her duties in favor of her own self-interest. Now, all of you have a choice. If anyone wishes to leave, now is the time. There's no shame or disgrace in abstaining, only in retreat." Everyone is silent as they ponder Ozpin's words. "Very well, then."
Yang suddenly stands up.
"Yang?" Ruby asks.
"If Ruby sticks around, then I will too. If there's one thing I know about her, it's that she somehow always knows the right thing to do." She smiles at Ruby after saying that, which causes Rei to roll his eyes. "But, if we're going to help, if we're going to keep risking our lives, no more lies. No more half-truths."
Everyone remains silent. Ozpin and Qrow exchange a brief look with each other. Ozpin ponders Yang's words for one last moment, before responding. "Understood." Ozpin says.
Yang sits back down.
"So... what now? I mean, what can we do?" Jaune asks.
"Mm, that is a difficult question. One that I believe is best answered tomorrow."
"What do you mean?" Jaune asks.
"The road ahead is undoubtedly filled with hardships and peril. However, it's been far too long since you have all been together." Ozpin puts Oscars hand on Yang's shoulder. "Please, take tonight, enjoy this moment." Yang smiles.
Suddenly Oscar's eyes glow, with Ozpin giving him control back to his body. Oscar realizes he has his hand on Yang's shoulder "Geh!" Oscar quickly takes it off and nervously holds his cane in his hand.
Yang and Weiss laugh at him, before hearing a noise from Nora. "Oooohhh. Raven? Qrow? They're birds!! Cracked it!" Ren shakes his head at Nora being slow on the uptake.
At the Branwen Tribe camp's entrance, Shay D. Mann and two other bandits stand guard, conversing with each other. Suddenly, a voice calls out from the forest.
"Hey ugly!" With Shay and the bandits' attention drawn, Mercury Black and Emerald Sustrai walk out from the forest toward the camp's entrance.
"Is Raven Branwen home?" Emerald asks.
Shay sighs. 'Ya know, I've had a real bad week. So I think I'm gonna take it out on you--!"
Shay stops mid-sentence when he notices Cinder Fall, Dim Spring, Ambrose, and Arthur Watts walk out of the forest and joins the two of them.
"Hmph, doesn't look like he wants to cooperate, Boss." Mercury jokes.
"Then make him." Cinder commands.
"I was hoping you'd say that." Mercury grins.
Emerald proceeds forward. Shay and the other bandits hold their ground while Emerald unsheathes Thief's Respite, twirling them before they transform into their sickle forms. However before anyone can move Dim steps forward, surrounding the three with his blood sharpened and pressing into the bandits necks.
"Gentlemen, take us to Raven." Dim orders.
It is early morning in Mistral. Ruby Rose is seen lying on the ground on the patio outside of the training room. She watches a group of four birds flying together, before one of them flies away from the group. As she watches it fly, Ruby sees Yang Xiao Long peek over her head.
"You're up early." Yang says.
Ruby smiles. "Hey sis."
"Boop." Yang lets her hair down and uses it to tickle her little sister's nose. Ruby giggles affectionately at her older sister's action. Ruby then sits up as Yang sits down next to her.
Ruby sighs. "What are you doing up?"
"Can't fall back to sleep." Yang comments.
Ruby nods. "Ah, me neither." Ruby locks to the weapons rack, finding Rei's, Sky's, and Erin's missing.
"Well, fortunately, coffee exists." Weiss says. Weiss Schnee carries a tray with three cups of coffee and walks over to join her teammates. She lowers the tray down so Yang can grab a cup.
"No, please!" Ruby says.
"Don't worry, I put in blasphemous amounts of cream and sugar, just for you." Weiss holds the cup out in front for Ruby.
"Oh yeah! Nice Weiss strikes again!"
Suddenly, Weiss pulls the cup away just as Ruby was about to grab it. "I will pour this on you and it will burn." She hands the cup to Ruby, who nervously giggles. Weiss sits down next her teammates and grabs her cup of coffee after placing the tray down next to her.
"Can't believe we're actually in Mistral." Yang says.
"That's what you can't believe?" Ruby asks.
"Well, yeah! And all the other magic and stuff. But... Okay, you know what I mean!"
"I honestly wasn't sure if I'd ever see you two again." Weiss says.
"Well, here's to defying expectations." Yang says. Yang and Weiss clink cups together, while Ruby gulps her cup down in one go, opening one eye to glance at the others' cups.
Ruby slumps down. "I just wish Blake could be here with us."
Yang huffs. "Yeah, well, she made her choice."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Weiss asks.
Yang stares into the middle-distance, showing her bitterness. "I mean she could've been here if she just stuck around. It's no big deal though. We'll be fine."
Ruby and Weiss have concerned expressions on their faces, as footsteps are heard approaching.
"Don't you want her here?" Ruby asks.
"Why would I want her here?"
"Are you still mad at her for leaving?" Erin asks taking a seat. "You know she's my best friend right?" He comments.
Yang scoffs. "She left."
"She went home, Yang." Erin says annoyed. "I already told you this. She went to see her parents, likely to atone for abandoning them as a child. You really need to chill." Erin says cracking open a can of soda.
Yang's eyes turn red. "Don't tell me to calm down!"
Ruby and Weiss gain startled expressions. Erin sighs and takes a long sip of his soda.
"Whoa, Yang." Ruby says scared.
Yang realizes what she did, and her eyes turn back to normal. Her hand shakes while holding her cup. "Whatever." She gets up and leaves. Ruby and Weiss watch her go before exchanging concerned looks with each other.
Later, Yang sits alone on a bed looking at the "New Friends!" photo of Team RWBY. She hears a knock on the door and quickly puts the photo away. "Yeah?" The door opens but Yang doesn't look up to see who entered. "Look Ruby, I really don't want to talk about it, okay? Can you just leave me alone for a bit?" Yang looks up, and is surprised that it was not Ruby, but Weiss and Rei at the doorway. "Oh. Hey Weiss. Did you need something?"
Weiss says nothing. She closes the door behind her and sits on the bed opposite to Yang. Rei however leans against a wall.
Yang sighs. "I know she's our teammate, but I'm not just going to change my mind. I'm sorry, I just... I don't think you know what it's like to be left. You have a giant family, recitals to perform at, dinners to attend. I didn't have any of that. My mom left me. Ruby's mom left too. Tai was always busy with school and Ruby couldn't even talk yet. I had to pick up the pieces. I had to keep things together. Alone. (pause) Weiss, Rei, if you have something to say, then say it."
Weiss remains silent for a moment, before responding. "When I was ten, my dad finally admitted to my mom that the only reason he married her was for the family name. (sighs) It was actually on my birthday. He missed the big dinner, she got mad, he finally snapped. I think she already knew. Looking back, I think I knew too. But hearing him say it finally pushed her over the edge." She gets up and sits down next to Yang on the other bed. "First it was separate lunches and dinners, opposite balconies at my recitals, a glass of wine here, a glass of wine there. Then, it was no dinners, no recitals, a bottle of wine here and... well, you get the idea."
"I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have assumed."
"You're right though. I don't know loneliness like you do. I have my own version." Weiss says.
"And, I'll bet Blake has her own version too." Rei says. "We all do."
"What's yours?" Yang asks Rei.
"A story for a different time. It's... not a happy story, nor is it one you need to hear right now."
Yang sighs. "She doesn't have to be alone though. I was here for her. We all were! She chose to leave us."
"Why do you think she did that?" Rei asks getting a hum from Yang. "The entire time Blake was at Beacon, she was afraid to open up to people. She tried to keep her past separated from everyone but Erin. She tried to protect you. Eventually, those walls she put up came down. And the moment they did, the one thing she was afraid of actually happened. The universe proved her right."
"No one blamed her for anything! If she had just talked to us, she would've known that! How could I be there for her if she doesn't let me? What if I needed her here for me?" Yang buries her face in her hands and starts sobbing quietly. Weiss puts a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"I know it's not easy. I wish she hadn't left too. The only thing we can do now is be there for her when she's ready. When she comes back."
Yang lowers her hands from her face. "If she comes back."
"She will." Weiss says. "Yang... You, Ruby, and even Blake are more like family to me than my brother or even my own father. I would do anything for you three, and I'm willing to bet Blake feels the same way. So, when she's ready, I'll be there for her. And I know we're not as close, but... I'm here for you too." Weiss smiles and Yang calms down.
"Also, Erin had Canary & Sun go with Blake so they can watch her back until she rejoins with us. We'll see her again. Trust me." Rei grins.
They hear a knock at the door, which opens up and reveals Ruby. "Is, uh... everything okay?"
Yang smiles. "Yeah, it is." Ruby sighs in relief.
At the Branwen Tribe camp. Raven Branwen sits alone in her tent sharpening Omen. Suddenly, Vernal enters. "Raven, we have a problem."
"What is it?"
"Salem's found us."
Raven's eyes widen briefly. "Salem... okay."
"Five of her followers are waiting to speak with you." Vernal hesitates glancing back. "Dim is with them."
Raven pauses for a moment before standing up. "Right. We planned for this... Bring me my helmet."
Outside of her tent, Cinder Fall, Arthur Watts, Dim Spring, Ambrose, Emerald Sustrai, and Mercury Black all stand and wait while the bandits surround them, eyeing them carefully. Raven steps out of her tent with her mask on as she addresses her bandits.
"I don't recall inviting so many guests into our home. Either I'm losing my memory, (raising her voice) or you've all lost your spines!"
"Don't be too upset with them, Ray." Dim jokes. "Your men simply recognized my power when they saw it." His blood extends surrounding Shay D. Man ready to slice him to pieces. "Which is why we'd like to have a word with you."
Raven turns addressing the bandits. "Leave us. Pack your things, then break down camp. We're moving." The bandits all leave to do so.
"Little late to run and hide. You've been on her shit list for some time, so you must understand that we can't allow you to simply slip away."
"I know all about your master, but I don't believe we've met."
Mercury hums. "We're the guys you should be afraid of."
Dim turns to Mercury annoyed. "I doubt anyone should be afraid of you." He deadpans.
"Oh yeah? Tell that to--!"
"You're father?" Dim rolls his eyes. "Grow up." Mercury relents.
"That's what I thought." Raven comments.
"I'm Cinder Fall. These are my associates, Arthur Watts, Dim Spring, and Ambrose, and my disciples, Emerald and Mercury."
"Two children you've tricked into following you, a disgraced Atlesian scientist, the son of one of my old companions, a crazed Yandere, and a Fall Maiden with a surname so appropriate, she probably picked it herself. Something tells me you've got more than a slight case of egomania, is that about right?"
Mercury and Emerald exchange a brief look, while Watts clears his throat.
"Technically, I was also a doctor, but I must say, the rest was spot on." Watts says.
Cinder glares. "Aren't you perceptive."
"It's what's kept me alive."
"I'm afraid the only reason you're still alive is because you have something our master wants. Of course, if I'm wrong..." Cinder activates her Maiden power again and holds out a small flame in her right hand, grinning evilly.
"Vernal!" Vernal steps out of Raven's tent and walks up next to her.
"So, this is the long lost Spring Maiden. Prove it." Cinder says.
Raven and Vernal share a glance with each other, with Raven nodding. Vernal sighs and closes her eyes. She holds her hands out and suddenly, the wind starts to pick up gradually. The blue sky turns to gray as clouds cover it. Leaves blow in the wind. Watts, Mercury and Emerald cover their faces as thunder is heard, while Cinder smiles in amazement as she watches the Spring Maiden unleash her power. Vernal then lowers her hands and opens her eyes as her powers settle.
"Vernal has done well under my guidance. I'd take that into consideration before you try anything."
Watts and Mercury brush themselves off as Cinder speaks. "Raven, I won't underestimate you, so please don't insult my intelligence."
"Yeah, like that could be easily done." Dim says sarcastically.
"There is a slim chance you and your Maiden could escape today, but if you know our master as well as you claim to, then you know you could never truly escape her. But we come bearing an olive branch." Cinder says trying to ignore Dim.
Watts walks up to Raven. "The Maidens are merely a means to an end. Salem's true desires are the Relics locked inside the Huntsman Academies. Come with us. Allow Vernal here to unlock the Relic of Knowledge, and all previous acts of defiance against Salem will be forgiven." He whispers to Raven's face. "It's the best deal either of you are going to get." Watts walks away from them to rejoin his group.
"You talk as if walking straight into Haven will be easy."
"That's because it will be. Headmaster Lionheart is loyal to Salem. And now, all we need is the key to the vault. (pause) You're not the only one to turn your back against Oz, Raven."
Raven grips the hilt of her sword. "I'm not helping Salem, I'm not helping Oz! I don't want a part in any of this!"
"That ship sailed when you chose to harbor a Maiden. But if you come with us to Haven, we'll leave you, your tribe, and your little secret to live out the rest of your lives squabbling in the wilderness. We just... need... the Relic."
"I need time to think this over." Raven says.
"You don't have time. In two days, Haven Academy will be destroyed by the White Fang. You're going to choose now."
Raven sighs. "Backed me into a corner, huh?"
"So, are you with us, or against us?"
After a tense moment, Raven removes her grip from her hilt and takes her mask off. "Agreements like these are built on trust. And forgive me for saying, but I don't trust a single one of you except Dim. You're going to need to give me more."
"You are in a poor position to negotiate." Watts says.
"I want my brother and the red captain dead."
Her unexpected declaration momentarily stuns the group. "Qrow? And Ferrari?" Cinder asks.
"That's right. They know I have Spring. And if I help you get your Relic, he's going to become a problem. I have enough problems to deal with. Qrow doesn't trust me, but he does trust Ozpin's other lieutenants. If Leo really is loyal to you, then you can order him to invite Qrow into an ambush. He arrives at Haven, we take him down, you get your Relic, and we all leave happy."
Cinder grins. "Now this is a proposition I can get behind."
"Alright ladies, let's pause for a moment. We have one objective - retrieving the Relic of Knowledge. Now Qrow Branwen may be on our list of individuals we would very much like dead, but he's not going to go down without a fight, and he's not going to fight quietly. And Rei Ferrari isn't going to travel alone given he's protecting that silver eyed girl. Our advantage here is just as you said - we walk straight into Haven, no resistance, no one the wiser. A battle with your brother throws that all out the window."
"He's good, but not that good. All of us against him? It'll be over in a heartbeat."
"But it's not just him. He has the students with him. He has Ruby!"
Cinder hums. "He certainly does."
"If we leave that school a bloody mess, we will draw the attention of the authorities! The Kingdom will be on high alert, and the White Fang's attack will be ruined!"
"Then we wait. We wait until the full moon. Leo invites Qrow and his little fighters to Haven the same night Hazel and Adam arrive with the White Fang. As soon as the battle is won, the White Fang demolishes Haven, and any evidence we may have left behind is lost along with the school."
"Then, Salem leaves my people alone. For good." Raven says.
"You have yourself a deal." Cinder holds her hand out to shake with Raven's, but Dim suddenly grabs her wrist.
"Wait. Don't think I don't see what you're after. If this falls to pieces over your grudge with a child, I will not be taking the blame."
Cinder speaks glaring at him. "Then what are you worried about?"
Cinder activates her Maiden powers and burns Dim's hand, he glares at her as one of his tendrils of blood is placed against her neck, she puts in more magic causing him to remove his grip and hold his hand in pain.
"Fly back home, find your mother and tinker with your machines." Cinder holds her hand out again in front of Raven. "And tell Salem she'll get what she wants - and more."
Raven stands still for a moment, glaring at Cinder's hand in front of her, but then offers her own hand out and shakes it with the Fall Maiden, sealing the deal.
Rei sighs as he and Erin walk down the slums of Mistral.
"So why did we leave Sky with the others?" Erin asks.
"I'm not taking Sky where we're headed." Rei says.
"Isn't this Spider territory?"
"Aye, I've got news for their boss." Rei says grimly. The two walk up to the entrance of a entertainment establishment named Charlot's. Entering Erin understands why Rei refuses to bring Sky to the establishment.
"Hey, Cap'n you haven't brought anyone else here have you?"
"No." Rei answers bluntly. Walking past one of the poles bolted into the ground and a woman barely dressed, she attempts to flirt with Rei, however he raises a hand politely. "Sorry ma'am. We're in a rush." He raises a hundred lien card. The woman takes the money and walks away from he and Erin. The two walk towards the back door and are let in where they find Little Miss with her guards.
"Hello demon child." She says frowning at Rei.
"Hello ma'am. And my condolences for the loss Oliver. He was a bright kid, had a real future unlike me." Rei says placing some lien down and sliding it over a small payment towards the funeral service for Oliver Hunt. "I'm here for what intel there is."
"Leonardo, has sent every huntsman and huntress in the kingdom out into the woods to their deaths. The school is being left open. And Taurus is readying t9 attack Haven Academy and destroy the CCT Tower. As for the others, we have them in this file. These are copies of what we have. You already payed for this, but now that I know you have Mr. Eclipse with you, I'll say this to you. Adam Taurus has slain Sienna Khan."
"Damn him." Erin mutters. "Any news on Menagerie then?"
"Yes, though it's been very limited. The Belladonna's and the Eclipse families will be attempting to gather a militia to fight the White Fang soon." Little Miss informs them. "That nugget is free of charge."
"Thank you ma'am." Erin says as he and Rei stand to exit.
"Oh, boys." She calls out getting them to stop. "Some of the girls think you're rather cute, might wanna make them feel special for anymore favors."
"Noted." Rei says opening the door gathering people's attention. He holds up a bag of lien. "Next rounds on me fellas! Ladies, have fun!" He shouts and winks at one in particular who blushes which Little Miss chuckles watching his display.
"That kid is just like Cyril." She says looking through the lien for Oliver's funeral which seems to have been mostly payed for by Rei. All across the city dozens of White Fang members are found dead in alleys and or their homes. Carved into each of their bodies a letter, that when put in the right order reads "OliveRequiem."
Back at the Branwen Tribe camp, Raven sits on her bed leaning her forehead to her hand. She hears someone enter her tent. Raven speaks without looking up. "Yes, Vernal?"
"I followed them as you asked." Vernal says.
"Did they spot you?"
"I did." Dim says walking past Vernal.
"Dim."
"Hello Auntie Raven." Dim says softly.
Vernal scoffs. "Other than him, of course not. They have a ship two klicks west of here, looks like they're staying there for the night."
"Thank you, Vernal." Raven finally sighs looking up. "Anything else?"
"Do you... actually believe they'll let us go once they have the Relic?" Vernal asks.
"Of course not. They'll never leave us alone. Once our purpose has come and gone, we'll be discarded. Salem only uses people until they are no longer useful. If we want to have any chance of defending ourselves against her, then we need this Relic." She stands up from her bed. "If Qrow and those brats want to follow Ozpin, then let them. When the chaos reaches its peak, we'll grab the Relic and make our escape."
"And the fact that your daughter will be a part of all that?" Vernal asks.
"Little Yang's gonna be there? Well, that makes my request harder." Dim sighs.
"Doesn't matter. I warned her. She made her choice." Raven approaches the exit of her tent. "This path won't be easy for us either, but we must do what's right for the tribe."
"I know. I'll do whatever it takes."
"Good." Raven says.
"About that. I need one person kept alive." Dim says. "If you try to kill him Ambrose and I will attack everyone."
"Who?" Raven asks.
"Rei Ferrari." This causes Raven to turn to Dim.
"He's already been fed Ozpin's lie. There's no hope for him." She says.
"He's my brother." Dim says. "Unlike you, I will never turn my back on my blood like father did when he left me with you and Tai." Dim sighs. "Aunt Raven. My only goal is finding my mother. Once I find her, Salem's getting dropped like a bad habit. That bitch can chase me all she wants but I was never her tool. Ambrose is in the same boat as I am. She's in love with my brother. Once we get him away from the others kill at your discretion."
Raven looks away from Dim, hearing him talk about his family causes her to stare down before she exits the tent. Vernal walks out to see where she has gone and notices a cawing black bird and the sound of Raven's portal activating.
In the exterior of the OzHouse. The sound of Raven's portal is heard closing as her bird form flies in. Qrow is seen drinking from his flask while sitting on a bed, and he hears the sound of Raven cawing, seeing her through the window. Oscar Pine walks up to his doorway.
"Hey, Qrow?" Qrow turns his attention to him. "Oz needs to talk to you." Qrow stands up and follows Oscar out of the room, looking over his shoulder at the window, Raven is gone.
Chapter End.