We open to a shot of Beacon Academy's courtyard at dusk, with Weiss Schnee and Ruby Rose running up the main avenue towards the docking bays.
Ruby: (running to catch up with her partner) Weiss! What is the big deal!? Who is it? Who is she!?
Weiss: (as she stops and smiles at the sight of...) Winter.
Ruby and Weiss watch Winter Schnee, escorted by crimson-colored Atlas Soldiers and Atlesian Knight-200's as she exits her airship.
Ruby: Wait... Your sister?
Weiss: (cups mouth) Winter! (the two then run up to the elder Schnee as she turns to see them) Winter! I'm so happy to see you! Oh... (suddenly curtsies) Your presence honors us.
Winter: (looks around she she approaches them) 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) So, what are you doing here?
Winter: Classified.
Weiss: Oh, right. Well, how long are you staying?
Winter: Classified.
Weiss: Of course. (nods and smiles in understanding)
Ruby: (looks pensively around in the silence) Well... this is nice... I think.
Weiss: (excitedly) You're going to love it here! I know you travel a lot, but so much of Beacon is different from Atlas! (discreetly whispers) 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: (puzzled) 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) Leave us. (The AK-200s obey, walking two steps backwards into formation as she sighs and smiles a little more warmly at Weiss) 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-
Winter: (she slaps Weiss, leaving a massive bump on her head) 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.
Ruby: (giggles as she pushes the lump back into Weiss' head) Heh, boob.
Winter: I see. So this is the leader you wrote of. How appropriately... underwhelming.
Ruby: Uh... Thank you!
Winter: Greetings, Ruby Rose. I wish to thank you for taking an interest in my sister.
Ruby: Oh! Uh, yes, of course! (attempts to salute and curtsy) The honor is in my... court! (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: (as she and Weiss begin walking towards the Academy, followed by the androids) 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?
Ruby: (waving goodbye behind them) I'll catch up- I mean, I will... reconvene with you both... at a later... (she pauses with her hand on her head, wracking her brain for the right word) juncture! (she raises her finger, before stepping out of sight to the left) At a juncture. Yeah.
The camera cuts to Weiss, Winter and the androids walking towards the courtyard, before shifting to first-person view, where a certain someone dizzily sneaks up behind the AK-200s and promptly decapitates one, before kicking its head towards the group.
Qrow Branwen: Hey! (group turns around to see the man who was previously seen in the Crow Bar) Yeah, I'm talking to you, Ice Queen! (tosses the decapitated machine aside)
Winter: (as one of her automated soldiers advances, rifle raised) Halt!
Weiss: (angrily walks up to the offender's face) Excuse me! Do you have any idea who you are talking to!?
Qrow: (places hand on Weiss' face) Sssshhh. Not you. (pushes her out of his way as he moves forward)
Weiss: Hey!
Qrow: (looks at the irritated Winter as he clarifies) You. (a raven is seen perched on a lamp post before flying off and circling past the group) Saw that gaudy ship of yours in town. I guess you're here, too.
Winter: I'm standing right before you.
Qrow: (squints through his hazy state of mind) So it would seem.
Winter: You realize you just destroyed Atlas Military property.
Qrow: (sarcastically apologizes as he looks at his surroundings) Oh, oh I'm sorry. See, I mistook this for some sort of... sentient garbage.
Winter: (walks over to face Qrow) I don't have time for your immature games, Qrow.
Weiss: Wait, you two know each other?
Qrow: Geez, you Atlas Specialists think you're so special, don't you?
Winter: It's in the title.
Qrow: Well, you know what you really are? A bunch of sellouts. Just like your boss.
Winter: I'm not sure what you think you're implying, but I've heard enough.
Qrow: Oh I heard, too. I heard ol' Ironwood finally turned his back on Ozpin.
Weiss: Ozpin?
Winter: (shoves Weiss aside) Weiss, it's time for you to go.
Weiss: What-
Qrow: Listen to big sister, Weiss. She'll protect you. Just like Atlas is going to protect all of us, huh?
Winter: If you won't hold your tongue, then I will gladly remove it for you! (draws her sword)
Qrow: Alright then... (slicks back hair) Come take it.
The square clears before Winter charges at Qrow, making several quick, but futile thrusts at Qrow's head as he swiftly bobs away from the blade, teasing her with several faces until he mockingly bows towards her. A downward strike is blocked by the base of Harbinger, right before he tosses it in the air and points it towards Winter. The two openly clash blades as Qrow lands a downwards strike, and aggressively swipes at Winter, forcing her to do a series of back handsprings away from the greatsword and eventually block it. The camera then cuts to the two spinning and trading blows as Ruby enters the crowd next to her teammate.
Ruby: What's going on?!
Weiss: Some crazy guy just started attacking my sister!
Ruby: Oh no! Who would do such a th- (sees Winter's opponent) That is my uncle!
Weiss: What?!
Ruby: (yells loudly) Kick her butt, Uncle Qrow!
Weiss: Uh... (decides to shout her own encouragement) Teach him respect, Winter!
Both Winter and Qrow parry each of their foe's strikes with rapid speed, as Winter dodges a two-handed swing before smacking Qrow's left cheek with the pommel of her saber. But Qrow grins as his left eye flashes brightly and Winter is forced to leap away with a glyph as Qrow slams his sword on the ground, shattering the pavement.
Winter then breaks away from the mid air crane stance as she lands near a lamppost, which is subsequently destroyed with a swipe from Qrow. Winter then leaps above him and dodging his swings, finally leaping on top of his sword, then giving him an excellent view of her foot as she kicks him in the face. Winter backflips onto the stump that used to be a lamppost, but then leaps off onto a railing high above, right as Qrow throws his sword at the stump. Qrow transforms his weapon, firing a cannon shot at Winter and forcing her to jump onto the side of a concrete, arched pillar. She uses her sword to stay on the vertical surface until Qrow runs forward and tries firing more blasts at her, which she dodges by scaling the pillar's face and eventually leaping onto the archway itself. Qrow follows suit on the opposite structure, firing off round after round at his opponent.
Qrow then searches for Winter as he sees a cloud of white steam consume her, narrowing his gaze. Suddenly, Winter flies towards him, separating her bifurcated saber into two, and Qrow blocks her attack. The arch collapses from the force, causing the two to crash back down to ground level, continuing their furious attacks towards each other. Qrow is forced backward and drags his sword in the ground to slow to a stop before holding it in a one-handed stance, to the cheer of the audience.
Winter then stabs the ground with one of her swords, summoning a glyph that creates a flock of small white Nevermores, which begin flying towards him. Qrow swings his sword at the flock, causing a few to burst into small clouds of steam. He then sends an Aura arc at Winter, causing her to jump back and putting an end to the birds. Winter angrily summons a second glyph behind her, and the blade of Qrow's sword begins to transform in a sequence initiated by its clockwork gears. But suddenly, his gaze travels elsewhere, and he suddenly sheaths his sword, instead beckoning his bewildered opponent to come at him with his right index finger. The glyph fades away, and there's a bright flash of light, followed by Winter speeding forward with light trailing behind her. Just as the tip of Winter's blade closes in on Qrow's throat, the voice of James Ironwood is loudly heard in the courtyard.
Ironwood: SCHNEE!
Winter looks behind her to see General Ironwood standing behind her, with Penny Polendina behind him.
Winter: (lowers her blades as she addresses Ironwood at about face) General Ironwood, sir!
Ironwood: (approaches Winter with Penny by his side) What in the world do you think you're doing?
Winter: He started the altercation, sir!
Qrow: (puts his hands behind his head in a relaxed stance) 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) And you. (Qrow points to himself in mock confusion) What are you doing here?
Qrow: I could be asking you the same thing.
Ironwood: I-
Ozpin: Now, now, everyone. (intervening beside Glynda, you, and Jimmy as Maz and Rose approached you talking about what happened) There is a sanctioned fight happening just around the corner at the Colosseum, that I can assure you has better seats... and popcorn. (swirls his cocoa)
Goodwitch: Break it up, everyone! We will take care of this mess. (glares at the three)
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!!! (as she hangs on Qrow's outstretched arm) 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! (the Huntsman turns to look at the headmaster as Ruby gets dropped) A word, please. (Goodwitch then repairs the courtyard using her telekinesis)
Qrow: (to Ruby, discreetly) I think I'm in trouble.
Ruby: You did kinda tear up our courtyard.
Qrow: Yeah, I did. (winks and gives her a fist bump) Catch ya later, kid. (he walks off to join the others)
Weiss: (walking up beside Ruby, arms crossed) And suddenly, your recklessness makes sense.
Ruby: (nudges Weiss' shoulder) You're just mad because he whooped butt.
Weiss: That was a draw, at best!
Ruby's grin says otherwise.
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 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 three enter the room) 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 four 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.)
Ozpin: (staring at Qrow in shock, then sighs and sits down) 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.
Ironwood: (leans against Ozpin's desk) We know.
Qrow: Oh! Oh, you know! Well, thank goodness I'm out there risking my life to keep you all informed!
Ironwood: (exhales) Qrow-
Qrow: Communication's a two-way street, pal. You see this? (pulls out his Scroll and points to it) 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. (points to Winter) Seriously, who invited her?
Ironwood: (after a moment of silence, without looking at her) Schnee, we'll discuss this incident back at my ship.
Winter: (looks surprised) But sir!
Ironwood: Winter. Leave.
Winter: (salutes Ironwood) Yes sir. (turns on her heel and gives the winking Qrow a dirty look as she exits via the elevator)
Ironwood: (gestures to Qrow) Go on.
Qrow: Your little infiltrator isn't just another pawn. They're the one responsible for Autumn's condition. (takes a drink from his flask once more)
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! (getting up in Ironwood's face) 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) 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) 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 fight that's 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: (starts laughing) 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: (standing up) And fear will bring the Grimm. A guardian is 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... (gestures to the display) "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) So then, what would you suggest we do?
Ozpin: I suggest we find our guardian.
The next morning, the crowd sees a match-up on the screen at the Amity Colosseum of Yatsuhashi and Coco vs. Emerald and Mercury.
Peter Port: (over the announcement system) The randomization process is complete! Ladies and gentlemen, your doubles tournament fight!
As the announcement is heard, RWBY cheers with arms raised, JNPR is seen providing applause, and SSSN is shown sitting in front row seats. Bolin Hori and Nolan Porfirio are seen talking to each other behind RWBY, and Dove Bronzewing is sitting behind JNPR.
Meanwhile, at the drop off of Beacon towards the Emerald Forest. Multiple noises could be faintly heard. The sound of clanging, whirring, and grunts as four figures pulled parts out of the wreckage towards a medium sized cave opening that lead into beacon.
Inside one would find Team SHDW working on a ship of unknown design to Remnant, UNSC, or Covenant. This ship a custom Sabre class fighter combined with newer equipment and combined with covenant technology. Its name was Hellfire.
(Inside the code of the CCT Tower)
Ariel: That bitch won't know what hit her.
She then accessed a code named "Black_Queen.Exe" and inserted a fake file hack insertion copy of Y/N's own.
Cut to a dorm room, where Mercury is sitting in a chair, reporting on the fight he saw earlier, while 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. (picks up her Scroll as it too flashes with the Black Queen) Speaking of which... it appears we have a two new access points. (Ironwood is shown on the Scroll as an icon alongside a symbol of the UNSC Bird, 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. A smile forms on her face as she looks through the files of Y/N at least what she thinks is files...
(A/N) Sorry for the extremely late update on this story but I have got a full plan for the next few volumes and will try to pump out as many updates I can. Yes this will very much mess this timeline up. I got plans for it after all. Be prepared because this volume will be a very battle heavy one.