Tipping Point

Road...

It is a cloudy day, and RNJR and Jared is following a mossy stone tile path through the wilderness. While walking, Nora Valkyrie stretches her arms up wide.

"Another day, another adventure!" Nora said, happily.

Beside her, Jaune Arc reads a map while Ruby Rose, Lie Ren, and Jared Shay continue alongside them.

"What's on the agenda today?" Ruby asked.

"Walking!" Jaune said.

"With a side of...?" Nora asked.

"Walking." Ren said.

"Ugh, there is so much walking!" Jared said, holding Ruby's hand. "I thought chasing after a Wasp was enough. But walking to Haven is a chore!"

"Tell me about it, you had an extra adventure." Ruby said, letting out a sigh. "Haven is a lot farther away than I thought."

"Ruby? How long did you think this journey was going to take?" Ren asked.

"I don't know! I grew up in a small area; I've never been this far away from home!"

"Little Red, how long did you think this trip was gonna last?" Jared asked, looking at his silver eyed best friend.

"Maybe like, uh...two weeks?"

Jaune is looking up from the map to glare at Ruby, "What?!"

"We're not gonna get there in two weeks." Jared said, squeezing Ruby's hand. "Hell, I had long vacations with family. But this is due to you not going out much, Ruby."

"Okay, fine! Three or something!" Ruby said, not making eye contact with Jaune and Jared. "Look, whatever."

"Um, Ruby…" Jared said, moving his hand to tug Ruby's shoulder. "Look!"

Ruby looks up again after a beat and notices something ahead, "Hey, what's that?"

Nora jumps onto a slightly fallen post of a fence to get a closer look at a wall and building ahead.

"That's...strange." Jaune said, checking his map. "I didn't think we'd be hitting another village for a few days."

"Are those buildings...damaged?" Nora asked.

"We should search for survivors!" Jaune said, dropping the map.

"Right." Jared said, letting go of Ruby's hand. "This, um, isn't good."

Oniyuri...

All five go running into the village, with Nora leaping onto the wall and to a rooftop from there.

"There's no one here." Ruby said, looking at Jared. "Where is everyone?"

"I don't know." Jared said, and the five discover the town to be empty.

Ruby lifts a fallen plank of wood to find only plant outgrowth underneath, "Anything?"

"Nothing over here!" Nora said.

"No one over here, either!" Jaune said.

"It almost seems like...the town was abandoned." Ren said.

"I don't like this." Ruby said, walking with Jared and the two are feeling uneasy in the wind.

"Neither do I." Jared said, when Nora, Jaune, and Ren walked away. "Things haven't been easy for all of us."

"Hey, I think I found something!" Nora said.

Ruby and Jared turn and rushes over. Nora, Jaune and Ren are looking at a town sign.

Nora moves the ivy growing over it to the side to read what it says, "Oniyuri? Never heard of it."

"Me neither." Jaune said.

"Spirit lilly?" Jared asked, knowing that it's Japanese to him. "Why? Even so, I've never heard of it."

"I have." Ren said.

The other four look at him, surprise on Nora and Ruby's faces.

"You might think of it as Anima's Mountain Glenn, had it never been completed. Years ago, the richest members of Mistral were unhappy with how the Kingdom was being run." Ren said, as Jared is looking at the various unfinished buildings, disrepair and neglect of the village. "Frustrated with the council, they pooled their resources together to build their own city, with their own laws. They hoped that one day, it could maybe even become its own Kingdom. Many thought it would be the future."

Ren walks away from the other four, "I know my parents did."

"What happened?" Ruby asked.

Ren brushes some dirt off of the stone border of a low wall to reveal claw marks.

"What always happens." Ren said.

"Grimm, as bad as a Witch, Familiar, or an Uwasa." Jared said, sadly. "But recently I found more about Magical Girls and Witches, through Yachiyo. And the truth behind it all for them, it's just sad. Were there a lot of Grimm?"

Ren tightens his hands into fists, "Not just any, one."

Ruby briefly faces Nora in confusion, but Nora doesn't move her concerned gaze away from Ren.

Ruby turns back to Ren, "One?"

Several small black birds take off from a tree outside Oniyuri's wall. They fly over the village and the five travelers.

"Come on. Let's just get through here. This place gives me the creeps." Jaune said, while he turns and leaves, soon followed by Nora.

Ren lingers for a moment for a few moments, seemingly in thought, then follows.

Ruby and Jared are last to move as they look over the empty village.

"I can't believe you chose to stay with us." Ruby said, looking at Jared.

"I had to. Come on, I don't like it here. I need somewhere more busy." Jared said, letting out a sigh."

Leaves blow through behind Ruby and Jared after they follow their friends.

Schnee mansion…

The broken moon shines brightly to the sound of Weiss Schnee singing.

She stands alone on a large, empty stage, singing a wordless aria, her arms outstretched. She is perfectly positioned below the center of the painted emblem of Atlas that dominates the stage.

The song changes to emphatic lyrics.

"I'm not your pet, not another thing you own. I was not born guilty of your crimes. Your riches and your influence can't hold me anymore. I won't be possessed, burdened by your royal test.

I will not surrender. This life is mine." Weiss said, concluding her song and bows while the audience applauds.

She looks up to the balcony above stage left where her father and brother are watching. Jacques Schnee remains seated, not applauding, while Whitley Schnee is standing giving a slower paced, sarcastic clap. Weiss looks back at the audience, all clapping still in their seats. She turns and walks backstage, her feigned smile replaced with a frown.

Ballroom...

A waiter carrying martini glasses on a tray opens up a door and enters the ballroom where people mill about to soft piano notes. He holds the tray next to a young man, who takes a glass before walking off. A blonde woman in a dark green halter dress stops to look at the waiter before moving on.

"Need anything else?" A second waiter asked.

"No." A blonde woman said, walking up to a man.

"Hey. Nice dress." A man in the background said.

"What, this old thing?"

"Heh. Didn't you enjoy the performance?"

"Yes, she has a lovely voice."

A number of people are dressed up as the waiter moves across the room. On the far opposite end of the room is a display area with three large paintings and two abstract statues. To one side Jacques is conversing with a man in glasses and a gray-haired woman in a green dress. They are laughing. Weiss is behind her father, looking at the floor with her hands held primly behind her back. Whitley stands similar further behind their father, only his gaze is directly on him.

"That's precisely my point. We offer Faunus the exact same wages given to the rest of our mining staff. Their argument's completely invalid right out of the gate." Jacques said.

"Well, I think the bigger issue here…" A businessman said.

"Ugh." Weiss said, to herself.

"...is our society as a whole."

"Why, you mean Atlas?" Jacques asked, scoffing.

As they converse, Weiss looks over to the largest painting on the end of the ballroom, depicting Beacon Academy with its Cross Continental Transmit tower still standing.

"Atlas, Mantle...you can't deny the economic disparity between the two." The businessman said.

"I mean, what exactly are you suggesting?" A businesswoman asked.

Weiss starts to step away, only to have her forearm grabbed by her father, who doesn't even turn around. Weiss halts, startled.

"I'm just saying I don't think it's necessarily an issue of compensation as much as it is one of the opportunities…" The businessman said.

Jacques is pulling Weiss back and turning to face her, "Where are you going?"

"I'm...just a little thirsty." Weiss said, with a meek expression on her face.

"Sweetheart, we have people for that." Jacques said, letting go of Weiss and begins to raise his arm to call over a waiter.

Weiss stops him by grabbing his forearm, prompting a sideways glance from Whitley, "What? No, I can get it. I'll be right back, I promise."

The two lock gazes as the conversation next to them continues.

"Look, no one asked them to move here." The businesswoman said.

"But companies like the SDC promised jobs." The businessman said.

Jacques decides to let Weiss go and turns back to his companions, "I'm sorry, I tuned out for a second, but sounds like I'm the good guy again?"

Jacques and the businesswoman share a laugh. Weiss moves across the room to look at the painting of Beacon Academy. She has barely reached it when Henry Marigold speaks to her.

"It's beautiful." Henry said, pausing for a moment to think. "You two match."

Weiss stands with her arms crossed, maintaining a cold expression throughout most of the conversation, "Yes, it's a lovely painting."

"So, that was my attempt at breaking the ice. How am I doing so far?"

"You are leaving a lot to be desired." Weiss said, letting out a sigh.

"Well, I've always appreciated honesty." Henry said, offering his hand. "Henry. Marigold."

Weiss turns her head to look at him, "Weiss Schnee."

She lightly places her fingers across his in a very loose handshake.

"I know, I saw your performance." Henry said, cringing at himself. "Obviously." He clears his throat. "You were wonderful. And I promise I'm not just saying that 'cause you're pretty."

Weiss turns her attention back to the painting, and there was a brief silence between the two.

"Honesty, remember? So, you thinking about buying it?" Henry asked, and he begins to rattle the railing as he speaks.

"No. I don't think so." Weiss said.

"Yeah, kinda pricey for a painting." Henry said.

"It's to raise money." Weiss said, annoyance in her voice.

"Oh really? For what?"

"For what?" Weiss asked, throwing him a disgusted look.

"Heheh, I'll admit, I only come to these things for the food and drinks." Henry said, reaching out and takes a champagne flute as a waiter walks by. "And the extraordinary company. Of course." As he sips his drink, Weiss shifts her stance to face him. "So what, is it another Mantle fundraiser or something?"

"Get. Out."

"What?" Henry asked, with a slight laugh.

"Get out, or I will have security escort you out." Weiss said.

"But I haven't done any…"

"Leave!" Weiss said, taking on a more aggressive stance as she raises her voice.

Henry stares at Weiss in disbelief before obeying, "Pfft, whatever."

Weiss watches Henry walk away, and once he is gone, she turns back to the painting, crosses her arms and closes her eyes.

"No, no, no! I asked for a double sundae! This is completely…" An angry businessman said, but the whole room is talking.

"I'm so sorry. Sir." The waiter said.

Weiss is looking up at the Beacon Academy painting. She then looked at the sign in front of the display, which reads: 'SHOW THE WORLD WE CARE. All proceeds go to the Kingdom of Vale.'

Weiss once again closes her eyes. The chatter of the party guests grows louder, but one voice stands out among the rest.

"But really, does it come as any surprise, what happened to Vale?" A trophy wife asked, while Weiss opens her eyes and turns slightly, peering over her shoulder at the woman. "It was a long time coming if you ask me."

"Honey…" The trophy wife's husband said, placing his hand on her shoulder, trying to shush her, but she shakes it off, leaving him to glance around the room with a forced, nervous grin.

"What?" The trophy wife asked, laughing. "You said the same thing last night. If they're so arrogant to think they can get by without proper kingdom defense, then I say good riddance."

While she talks, her Husband drops the act and heaves a silent sigh. The Trophy Wife's rant is cut off by a voice shouting angrily across the room at her.

"Shut up!" Weiss said, angrily.

The room falls silent, and all of the party goers turn to look at her.

"Weiss?" Jacques asked.

Her voice still raised, Weiss angrily gestures to the guests while she speaks, "You don't have a clue! None of you do!"

"Excuse me?" The trophy wife asked.

"You're all just standing around talking about nothing! Worrying about your hair, your money, your stupid problems that don't mean anything!" Weiss said, annoyed.

Weiss' father quickly approaches her while Whitley looks on with a faint smile on his face, "Weiss, that's enough."

Jacques grabs Weiss' wrist, and she immediately begins struggling to pull away.

"Let go of me!" Weiss said.

"You're embarrassing the family!" Jacques said.

"I said let go!" Weisss said, breaking free her father's grasp with a harsh tug, but in the process, she loses her balance and collapses to the floor.

Suddenly, a glyph manifests next to Weiss, and a Boarbatusk is summoned. She looks at it with wide eyes, her jaw dropping. The Boarbatusk Summon charges toward the Trophy Wife.

"Please, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, just leave me alone." The trophy wife said.

It leaps toward her and her Husband, jaws wide open, but it is shot down by James Ironwood before it can reach her.

"Arrest her! What are you waiting for? She's insane, she should be locked up." The trophy wife said.

"She's the only one making sense around here. Thanks for the party, Jacques." Ironwood said.

The general casually makes his exit. Still on the floor, Weiss looks up to see her father turn to glare at her.

Oniyuri...

As the four members of Team RNJR and Jared continue out of Oniyuri, Ren suddenly senses something. He puts out his hand to stop the other three, eyes closing as he focuses. Somewhere close by Tyrian Callows can be seen running. Ren draws his weapon. Ruby, Nora, Jaune, and Jared immediately follow suit. Tyrian soon leaps high over the wall to engage them in combat.

He immediately takes out his weapons in a seamless motion and, laughing eagerly, moves to attack Ruby. Ren intervenes, StormFlower clashing with Tyrian's claw blades. Ren attempts to both kick and shoot Tyrian, but he dodges. The two have a couple more attack and parries until Tyrian kicks Ren several feet away.

Tyrian then goes towards Jared who has his weapon out in bow form for a bit of defense, the fanboy aimed his two swords to Tyrian's chest. But Tyrian blocked it with his blades, and he knocked Jared down with his tail. He also made Jared drop his swords to the floor.

Tyrian turns to go after Ruby again, who rushed forward with Crescent Rose to meet him. Tyrian uses his blades to block the scythe and kicks Ruby backward. She easily remains upright and they clash again. Tyrian manages to land a strike on Ruby's right arm, causing her to cry out at the pain and him to laugh. She's doesn't break stride however and leaps back to take a swing at him with her scythe. He dodges and then lands a moving blow against the body of Crescent Rose, causing a red shimmer to cross her Aura in the area of the strike.

Jaune steps in at that moment and Tyrian climbs onto his shield and grins at him. Nora rushes in with Magnhild, but Tyrian just leaps from Jaune's shield to her hammer and up through the top story of a narrow, rectangular building. Holding himself up with his feet on wooden frames to either side of him, Tyrian looks down at Team RNJR and Jared.

"We're not looking for a fight!" Jaune said, angrily.

"We really aren't!" Jared said, standing in front of Ruby.

"Who are you?" Ren asked.

Tyrian leans forward, drops from the tower, does a front flip, and lands on his feet in front of them.

"Who I am matters not to you." Tyrian said, pointing a finger at Ren. "Or you." He then pointed a finger at Nora. "Or…" He cuts himself off and pauses. "Well...you do interest me."

Tyrian points a finger at Jaune. Jaune gasps nervously.

"And you also do interest me." Tyrian said, pointing a finger at Jared. "No, I only matter to you."

He points to Ruby, and the rest of RNJR and Jared turn to look at her.

Ruby tilts her head in confusion, "Me?"

"You, you haven't the slightest clue, do you? Oh, how exciting this must be." Tyrian said, breaking down into laughter.

"What do you want?" Ruby asked.

Tyrian begins acting dramatically in response to her tone of voice, "Oh, the rose has thorns! My little flower, I'm here to whisk you away with me!"

"Well, what if she doesn't want to go with you?" Nora asked.

Tyrian stares for a moment with his lips scrunched up before answering, "Well, I'll take her."

Jaune walks over to be next to Jared and the two men with swords stands between Tyrian and Ruby.

"Nope." Jared said, picking up his dual swords, and Jaune has his shield held in front of him. "Not gonna happen. I lost three friends, I'm not gonna lose the woman I..."

"We're not going to let you do that." Jaune said.

Tyrian closes his eyes and inhales through his teeth. His eyes slowly open, and he happily growls a single word with a dark grin, "Good."

Delighted that they're willing to fight, Tyrian moves fast to attack Jaune from behind.

"Jaune! Jared!" Ren said, deliberately shooting Jaune's shield so that the ricochet hits Tyrian.

"Ren, careful!" Jared said, deflecting the bullets with one of his swords. "You almost hit me."

"Sorry." Ren said, and Tyrian covers his eyes with his arm and then cartwheels onto Jaune's shield, using his claw blades to spin in the air against it.

"Jared!" Ruby said, stepping in to face Tyrian on his descent, but he just kicks her to the side.

"Ruby!" Jared said, running up to Ruby when she regained her ground by using Crescent Rose to steady herself. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah." Ruby said.

Jaune takes a swing with his sword at Tyrian, but he simply dodges and kicks him away as well. Jared combined his dual swords into his bow form, and he pressed a button on it to change the Dust cartridge on it.

His next move is to run toward Nora. From across the way, Jared grins and shoots Nora with lightning Dust.

"Nice shot." Ruby said, as the bullet passes just over Tyrian's left shoulder, and he turns as he senses it. "How did you know I was gonna do that?"

Nora gets knocked down when the bolt makes contact, dropping Magnhild in the process.

Mistaking the move for an error on Jared's part, Tyrian gives Nora a baffled stare and laughs while Ren, Jaune, Ruby, and Jared simply watch and wait.

"Well, if that isn't ironic." Tyrian said, sensing something is up and loses his mirth.

With a determined, satisfied grin, a now upright and supercharged Nora rushes Tyrian from behind, moving over his right shoulder and coming before him just in time to hit him with Magnhild. The blast from the contact has the other four covering their eyes from the backwash of dust and air, Jaune actually taking cover behind his shield.

The air clears to reveal a perfectly fine Tyrian in a crouch, using his now unveiled scorpion tail to block Magnhild.

Tyrian giggles and curls his fingers at Nora, "Surprise."

He kicks Nora twice in the face before leaping backwards and upward onto a roof, leaving his coat behind.

"He's...a Faunus." Ren said.

"Yup." Jared said, sadly. "Thank you, Captain Obvious."

"What is this about? The White Fang? Roman Torchwick?" Ruby asked.

"Plastic soldiers and pawns. My heart and body belong only to our goddess." Tyrian said.

"Cinder…"

"Hmph, only in her wildest dreams." Tyrian said, leaping back into the fray.

He uses his tail to knock Crescent Rose down and he used his foot to knock Jared back a couple of feet, when the fanboy was running towards him. Though surprised at what the two friends are doing, Ruby doesn't lose her grip on her weapon.

"Come on, Ruby." Jared said, his swords lying down next to him. "Shouldn't have used up my Aura..."

The two both attack each other and miss until Tyrian kicks Ruby backwards again.

Tyrian uses his tail to go after Ren before finally kicking him away and attacking Jaune next.

A crow flies determinedly toward the fray while Tyrian kicks Jaune back and then Nora, and then Ren returns for more only to leap away again. Without missing a beat, Tyrian lets Ren be and goes after Ruby again. In quick succession, he delivers a right hook to her face and a left blow to her torso, causing red shimmers on her Aura on her head and chest respectively. He turns and swings his tail to knock her back into the air. She flies back several feet and he rushes forward to meet her before she lands right next to Jared. While Ruby's still midair, he kicks her right in the abdomen, causing a large red shimmer over her abdomen and hips.

The incoming crow turns into Qrow Branwen who keeps running forward after landing.

Tyrian approaches Ruby on the ground and raises his stinger, his eyes turning dark purple. Nora, who is comforting a fallen Ren, Jared, and Jaune and the three look on in horror. Laughing, Tyrian is about to strike with his scorpion tail when Qrow bursts through a building and inserts himself between them, holding his weapon behind his back. There's a metallic noise as Tyrian's stinger hits against Qrow's weapon and clips into the blade. He lets out a nervous giggle of surprise while Ruby, Qrow, and Jared make eye contact and smile at each other.

"Hey." Qrow said.