3rd Person POV:
In an open field near the Rose Xiao Long household, Yang gets into a fighting stance as Taiyang takes a swing at her with his left hand, but she easily blocks it with her robotic wrist, pushing his hand away from her.
Taiyang then takes a swing from the right as Yang blocks with her left before using the momentum to turn and come back at her father with a roundhouse kick.
Taiyang bends backwards to dodge it, his legs in a lunge. He lands a solid punch on Yang, pushing her back a few feet.
Nearby, Zwei watches the two spar, panting happily. Beside him is a low stool with two white towels. His head changes angles, oscillating to the sounds of grunts and contact. Abruptly he holds his head straight and makes a noise of surprise.
Taiyang stands alone and moves forward, doing his own roundhouse kick. Yang joins both hands atop each other to block Tai's landing foot. With a loud cry, she pushes it up and back.
Taiyang regains his footing in a flip while Yang waits for his landing. Using her robotic arm, she knocks him back with a single hit.
Holding onto his right bicep, Tai slides through the dirt, his feet flat on the ground until he comes to a stop.
Taiyang: Whoa, that thing packs a punch!
Yang: We've been at this for weeks. I get it, you wanna make sure I can still fight. (bumping her own fists) I think I'm doing just fine.
Taiyang: You're close.
He stands upright, no longer nursing his arm. Walking around Yang, assessing her progress.
Yang: Oh, really?
Taiyang: You're still off balance.
Yang: What?! No I'm not!
Taiyang chuckles.
Yang: Honestly, I'm kind of surprised.
She lifts her robotic arm, looking down at it with a smile.
Yang: I thought it would be just this huge weight, but it feels... natural. They did a great job with this thing.
Taiyang then goes for a surprise attack landing a left hook on her face. Yang rears back from the impact and shock as she readies herself to block his right hook and uses the turning momentum to deliver an elbow jab.
Tai blocks it and then dodges all the kicks she follows through with. Yang switches to punches, but Tai is too on point for her.
While she uses her left hand to block an elbow thrust, Tai grabs her robotic arm and pulls forward causing Yang to lose her balance as she's forced to relay on one leg to keep from falling.
Taiyang: I wasn't talking about your actual balance.
He sweeps her forward leg, sending her onto the ground on her back. He leaves her there and walks over to Zwei, who happily gets the top towel for him.
Taiyang: Although, that could use some work too.
Taiyang takes the towel and give Zwei a rub on the top of his head. Zwei hums happily. Arms spread on the ground, Yang takes a breath before speaking.
Yang: Meaning?
Taiyang: (toweling off his sweat) I saw your tournament fights. During the Vytal Festival.
Yang: Let me guess. (in mocking accent) "I was sloppy."
Taiyang: No, no, you were predictable. And... stubborn. And... maybe a little boneheaded.
Yang sits up and spins to stare at her father.
Taiyang: Do you realize that you used your Semblance to win every fight after the qualifiers?
Yang: (spinning to have her back to him) So what? How is me using my Semblance any different than someone else using theirs?
Tai tosses his towel on the ground and moves towards Yang.
Taiyang: Because not everyone else's is basically a temper tantrum. (laughing and crouching by her side) I'm serious! Once you take damage, you can dish it back twice as hard, but that doesn't make you invincible!
Taiyang: It's great when you're in a bind, but what happens if you miss? What happens if they're stronger? What then? Now you're just weak and tired!
Taiyang: You've always been one to burn brighter than everyone else, whether it was with your smile, or, well, I remember your first haircut.
He playfully tugs her hair as Yang bats him away. He chuckles and gets up, walking away a few paces with Zwei just behind him.
Taiyang: But you gotta keep your emotions in check. Keep a level head, and think before you act. Your Semblance is a great fallback, but you can't let yourself rely on it. It won't always save you.
He lowers his head, sadness creeping into his tone.
Taiyang: Obviously. You definitely have your mom's stubbornness.
Taiyang faces one of the trees, not looking at Yang. Between the two of them, Zwei moves his head back and forth as each speaks.
Yang: Oh, so now we can talk about her?
Taiyang: Well, as I have been informed, you're an adult now, remember?
Yang: Well, sorry I remind you of her.
Taiyang: Don't be. Raven was great in so many ways - her strength, her ambition, her dedication to whatever cause she thought was worth fighting for.
He turns around.
Taiyang: I'm proud of how much of her I see in you. But, I'm glad I don't see all of her in you.
Yang: Why?
Taiyang: Your mother was... a complicated woman. Like everybody, she had her faults, but those faults are what tore our team apart. And, it did a real number on our family.
Taiyang: You both act like the easiest way to tackle an obstacle is through it. (pointing at Zwei) That strength is all that matters in a fight. But if you just take a second look, then maybe you see..
Taiyang: (walking toward her, stepping around Zwei) there's a way around as well. (extends hand) Come on - one more before dinner.
Yang takes his hand and he helps her up. They circle each other, both of them getting into their fighting stances.
Tai makes the first move with a left hook, followed immediately by a right cross and a kick. Yang blocks and dodges, continuing to avoid being hit even when Taiyang flips in the air. She cartwheels, avoiding him and he lands across from her.
They face off again, Tai doing a single punch and kick. Veering to avoid it, Yang rolls a few feet away before turning and rushing at him.
They meet in the middle, each with their left hand on the other's right elbow, pushing against each other.
Taiyang: Heh. See? Alright! Now you're using your head instead of your--
Yang kicks his leg out from underneath him but catches him as he falls back.
They both smile at each other as Tai sits on the ground breathing heavily with Yang joining him.
Taiyang: Now that's progress.
Yang: Hehehe...
A silence passes between the two as Tai breaks it.
Taiyang: Let me know if this is too much but I want to ask you something.
Yang: Hmm?
Taiyang: Since I told you about Raven can you tell me about...Y/N?
Taiyang: I only heard a little bit about her from your sister, and I'm a little curious about her.
Yang: I guess you could say Y/N was like mom...complicated. She was strong, nice, cute a lot of things that I couldn't help but fall head over heels for.
Yang: She could definitely beat you and Qrow in a fight no problem.
Taiyang: (laughing) Probably, I did see how she fought at the tournament.
Yang: She had her flaws too and that was the main things she would use to describe herself, she only ever saw her bad qualities and would call herself a bad person no matter how much she'd change from her past.
Yang: I hated it whenever she did that, because she would never see her good qualities and doubt how much we loved her, and it would sometimes lead to doing something reckless each time.
Yang: Everytime we were on a mission or big fight she would always try to protect us and let herself get hurt for us. She would always end up bloody and injured barely even able to stand but she still had a cute smile no matter how bad it got.
Yang: To be honest, I felt like if Y/N didn't die she was just gonna find us no matter how hurt she is and smile at us like it was nothing.
Taiyang: She must've been a really amazing person.
Yang: She was, and she's part of the reason why I'm trying to get better and move forward because I know she wouldn't want me moping around anymore.
Taiyang: I see...
A silence passes between them as the sound of a stomach growling can be heard as Yang starts blushing in embarssment.
Taiyang: (standing up) Let's go and get dinner.
Yang: (embarassed) Y-Yeah. Let's go.
The scene changes to Schnee Manor as Weiss is in her room holding Myrtenaster at the ready.
She steps back, twirls, a stream of blue-white light coming from the tip of her sword. On the close of her twirl, Weiss hold it aloft before striking the tip to the floor.
A summoning glyph appears as Weiss holds the image of her battle against the Arma Gigas when she was trying to apply for Beacon as the Gigas's sword starts to slowly appear with the increase in power causing a cold wind to blow on her face as Weiss suddenly hears a voice.
Whitley: Hello, sister.
Weiss opens and her eyes and turns to see Whitley propped up against the frame of her open door. The sword shatters and disappears, the glyph fading away after.
Weiss: Ugh, leave.
Whitley: How hurtful. And here I am, about to offer you a favor. Father's taking me to town to introduce me to some of his business partners.
Whitley: I'd thought I'd see if you wanted me to pick up anything since you're... well, stuck here.
Weiss: Are you jealous? Is that it?
Whitley: Whatever do you mean?
Weiss: Is that why you hate me? Are you jealous of my abilities? Of Winter's?
Whitley: (stepping away from the door frame) Hmm... no, not really. Honestly, I find it barbaric. It's beneath people like me. Like Father.
Whitley: What can a single Huntsman possibly do that an army cannot? That's why we have one, even if it is run by a fool.
Weiss: I said, leave.
Whitley: Fine, fine. I've got better things to do. (leaving) Enjoy your... training, however pointless it is.
At the door, Whitley turns around, on hand on the jamb.
Whitley: What is your plan, anyway? What do you hope to accomplish while trapped in your own bedroom?
A black glyph appears on the open door, promptly swinging it shut on Whitley's briefly surprised face.
Weiss lowers Myrtenaster with a sigh and resumes her Summoning position. The glyph appears and this time Weiss looks down holding Y/N's necklace before looking at the portrait of the Arma Gigas.
She repeats the same twirl and stab. The glyph glows brightly and spins faster as the memory of her battle against the Gigas is made clearer.
The books shake in the bookcase on the wall. One particular tome, decorated with floral relief, falls off the shelf and opens on the floor.
The window bursts outward as the room is consumed in a bright white light. The light abates to reveal Weiss covering her eyes with her arm. The door to her room is pushed open by Klein.
Klein: Miss Schnee! Are you alright?!
The butler's eyes widen and he leans backwards, looking amazed. Weiss smiles at him and turns to face the Arma Gigas she successfully Summoned.
Weiss: Yes.
The Arma Gigas goes down to one knee and bows at Weiss.
Weiss: (looking out the broken window) Klein, I need a favor.
Klein nods determinedly.
Back at Menagerie Blake and the masked White Fang spy leap from tree to tree, Blake in pursuit of the other Faunus. They both pause for a moment, gripping different trees.
A noise above the spy makes her gasp and Sun appears, dropping down.
Sun: Gotcha!
She leaps on, out of his path. Blake pursues while Sun lands on a branch.
Sun: Hey, wait up!
Blake: Don't let her out of your sight!
The spy emerges from the trees and onto a roof. She continues to run across the buildings, Blake right behind her. Sliding under some arching pipes, she finally turns and stops.
Using her weapon in whip form, she slices the pipe, releasing steam to block Blake. It doesn't work; Blake moves right under the pipes through the steam.
Blake: Why are you watching me?
The girl smiles and lowers her weapon. Sun lands on the roof behind her, causing her to turn around.
Sun: Give it up! I'm not above hitting a girl, you--
gets cut off when the spy's whip comes at him in an attack, which he falls back to avoid. Blake takes advantage of the distraction to kick the Scroll out of the spy's hand.
The girl is surprised, avoids Blake's next attack, responds with a kick of her own and attempts to retrieve the Scroll. Sun tackles her instead.
Sun: Grab the Scroll! Seems someone thinks it's important!
Spy: Get off!
She headbutts Sun, cracking off the part of the mask covering her left eye, and tries to race Blake to the Scroll. Sun then uses his semblance to create four clones that tackle her to the ground as Sun holds his stance to keep it under control.
Sun: (to Blake) Quit staring and grab it!
Blake listens, and Sun finally releases his Semblance, which he had been struggling to maintain, and falls to his knees. The clones disappear from atop the girl. She rises and aims her weapon at Blake.
Sun: Blake, watch out!
Blake turns, rising with the Scroll in her hand. She sees the broken Grimm mask crumble from the spy's face.
Blake: Ilia.
Sun: (getting to his feet) Wait, you know her?! But she doesn't even look like a f--aagh!
He gets cut off when the color-changing Ilia strikes an electric hit near his shoulder with her weapon. Sun cries out and falls.
Blake: Sun!
Ilia: Give it to me.
Blake: No.
Ilia changes color again.
Ilia: You shouldn't have come back.
She uses her weapon to create a rush of dust, which allows her to escape.
Blake briefly acknowledges that Ilia has disappeared before rushing over to Sun.
Blake: Sun! Sun!
Sun is lying on his back, bleeding from the wound Ilia caused. Blake covers the wound with her hands.
She sees his image change to that of Yang without her arm before finally changing to Y/N with multiple slash marks on her body.
Blake: No, no, no, not again, please! Help! Somebody! Hold on, Sun, just hold on.
In a dreary forest, Team RNJR and Y/N can be seen walking through the woods as Ruby and Jaune carry Qrow on a makeshift stretcher with Y/N limping behind them as Nora and Ren lead the way.
Ruby: Just hold on, Uncle Qrow
Qrow: Tai. She's not... coming... (grunting in pain) Tai.
Qrow coughs repeatedly.
Jaune: He's getting worse.
Ruby: How much farther?
Nora: We've gotta be close.
Ren: Without the map, there's no way of knowing. But I feel like we're close to something.
Ren holsters StormFlower.
Ruby: What is it?
Directly ahead is a fork in the road with a signpost. They are coming from the direction of Higanbana. Kuchinashi and Mistral are to the right, where the land is mountainous. To the left is Kuroyuri, its name crossed out. The path that way remains low ground.
Nora: Hey, hey! Mistral! We're on the right path! Oh...
Ruby: Does it say how close?!
Ren: No. And it looks like the path takes us up the mountains.
Jaune and Ruby set Qrow down.
Jaune: Guys, I don't know if all of us can make that climb.
Ruby looks at Qrow and Y/N, concerned, before rushing forward to the signpost.
Ruby: Okay. Well, what about this place? (pointing) Kuro... Kuroyuri? Can we get help there?
Jaune approaches.
Ren: That village was destroyed years ago.
Jaune: But if it takes us around the mountains, it's the best bet we've got.
Ren: (sternly) It will take too long.
Ruby: The town would have had a doctor, right? Maybe we could scavenge for medicine!
Jaune: Right!
Ren: (closing his eyes, lowering his head and shaking it) We're not going to find anything! We just have to press on!
There is just a brief moment of silence. Ruby watches him, clutching her hands before her chest.
Jaune: Ren, why are you acting--
Nora: (cutting Jaune off and coming up beside Ren) We can split up.
Ruby: Huh?
Nora: (putting her hand on Ren's shoulder) Ren and I can cut through the mountains while you and Ruby take Qrow and Yui around through the village.
Jaune: No, we're supposed to stick together! We keep each other safe!
Nora: We don't have time for safe! If we make it to Mistral, we'll bring back help! If we don't, at least we'll have a better view of the land! Up there, we can see if there's somewhere else we can go!
Ren turns and looks at Nora. They exchange small, affectionate smiles. Still holding his gaze, Nora drops her hand from his shoulder.
All five remain silent, feeling the weight of the choice before them. Qrow coughs, making them all turn in concern and giving the motive to continue.
Jaune looks at Ruby before turning to Nora and Ren.
Jaune: OK.
Jaune steps forward and he and Ren hug each other.
Jaune: Just take care of each other.
Nora: (smiling at Ren) We always have.
On the path to Kuroyuri, Jaune and Ruby lift Qrow as Y/N follows. They turn to Nora and Ren, who are on the path through the mountains to Mistral.
They nod and Nora waves. Ren starts to turn, looks back one more time, and then runs. Nora follows.
Ruby: (confidently, offering comfort) They're gonna be fine, Jaune.
Jaune: You don't know that.
Ruby turns forward, her expression saddening before turning to Yui.
Ruby: You okay, Yui?
Y/N: Yeah...I'm sorry, I should've been more cautious with Tyrian because I'm just holding you all back.
Ruby: Don't say that, you saved us from him so we'll have your back this time.
Y/N: (smiling underneath her mask) Right.
They continue forward as the walk over an imprint on the ground, being the same imprint Ren found back at the destroyed Shion.
Chapter End