The Grimm reaper

"Okay let's start this episode" zen said

"Okay so we're going to find out who Maria is?" Weiss asked

"Yes let start" zen said

In the Vault under Haven Academy, the sound of a weapon clanging is heard. Neopolitan stares at the door that once guarded the Relic of Knowledge; the door itself is now a stone wall since the Relic has been taken out.

Cinder: Now you understand.

Cinder Fall is sitting on a boulder, flicking her dagger and changing its form.

"So that what happened when we took the relic out the vault" ruby said

"Yeah seems like it" weiss said

Cinder: I've got to get the Relic before it can be secured in Atlas. It's the only way that Salem... (sighs before she finishes) It's the only way we can accomplish our goal.

Neo looks back at Cinder.

Cinder: You're not the only one who wants Ruby dead. But unfortunately, Salem does not feel the same way...

"Why do you want ruby alive?" Yang asked

Salem simply ignored yang

"Well don't try to ask me either because I don't know" zen said

"Well great but will it be revealed at all in the future" yang asked

"Well it hasn't happened yet so I'm still in the dark but it might be explained in the future but I will have no clue about why she wants her alive might be because of her slivers eyes or something else" zen said

Neo places her umbrella on her shoulder and walks toward Cinder.

Cinder: I've been... instructed not to kill her... (melts her dagger in her hand) But you... You have no such orders. You can do as you please.

Cinder's dagger disintegrates and she stands up to walk towards Neo.

Cinder: Help me get to Atlas, help me find her... and the rest is up to you.

"Cinder you dare to betray me when i give a order I expect it to happen and if neo did kill her I would put all the blame on you for failing to do as I ask do you understand" Salem said staring cinder

"Yes master" cinder said scared

Neo ponders Cinder's words for a moment before smiling at her and holding her hand out. Cinder takes Neo's hand with her own, sealing the deal with a handshake.

Wind is heard howling. In a mountainous region, a lone, cloaked feminine figure with a skull mask concealing her face crosses a rickety bridge. Halfway across the bridge, she hears the screech of a Nevermore. She turns to her left to see the Nevermore appear from the fog, and she draws her weapons - a pair of sickles.

"Hey look on the positive at least cinder won't try to kill you" yang said

"Really comforting yang" ruby said smiling slightly

"What who is that?" Weiss asked

"Well you'll see" zen said

"She taking on a nevermore all by herself" ruby said

The young Maria Calavera backflips off the bridge just as the Nevermore rams through it, splitting the bridge in half. She throws one of her sickles at one of the Nevermore's wing and uses the gravity Dust imbued in it to pull herself back up, while also dragging the Nevermore down. She grabs her other sickle on her way back up, getting above the Nevermore, and uses the recoil of her weapon to spin and grapple onto the Nevermore. She then throws one of her sickles to a mountain, pulling the Nevermore with it. The Nevermore crashes into the mountainside, losing its balance, before crash landing to the ground. Maria's other sickle is called back and lands on the ground in front of it.

"That was awesome especially the weapons" ruby said excited

"Calm down ruby" yang said laughing a little

"It still amazing to use her weapons like that to pull the nevermore down" Weiss said

"That weapon I seen it somewhere but where" Qrow said

Maria takes out the sickle from the Nevermore's wing, catching her breath. She looks over to the Nevermore's head, whose eyes stare back at her, causing her to gasp. The Nevermore tries to snap its beak at Maria, forcing her off. It swipes at her, knocking Maria back and forcing her to drop her sickle. The Nevermore charges forward, but Maria's eyes glow brightly, engulfing the area around her. She stands back up and notices the Nevermore petrified in midair, before dropping down and crumbling. Maria walks over to her sickle to pick it up, using the gravity Dust to call her other sickle back to her.

"Yeah it dead right" ruby said

"I don't think so it not disappearing" Weiss said

"Wow that the same thing that ruby did wit h her sliver eyes" yang

"That means she a sliver eyed warrior" ruby said

"Yeah I think I know who it is" Weiss said

"Who do you think it is weiss" ruby asked

"Well I think it Maria because she said she had sliver eyes and the design of the weapon is the same as Maria cane she uses" Weiss said

"Well done Weiss you are correct that is a young Maria" zen said

"What happens to her eyes then?" Ruby asked

"Now I remember the design of the weapon after all my weapon is designed after her weapon she the Grimm Reaper" Qrow said

"That right she is the Grimm reaper" zen said

Suddenly, Maria deflects a bullet aimed at her. She notices three men - one with a giant hammer, one carrying a rifle, and one with a machete - come out of hiding. Another woman, a crocodile Faunus named Tock, then walks up behind her.

Tock: Well, that's a fancy trick now, innit? 'Fraid it comes with a price though, love. (crushes a small piece of the petrified Nevermore in her hand)

"Who are they and why are they attacking maria" ruby asked

"I thought that would be obvious by now it because of her sliver eyes" zen said

"But how did they know she had sliver eyes" Weiss asked

"Well you can thank Salem for that" zen said

Maria turns around to face Tock, while the three men ready their weapons.

Maria: I don't think you realize who I am.

Tock: Course I do. (takes out an alarm clock, setting the timer and placing it on her belt) You're the Grimm Reaper, and these... are the last sixty seconds of your life.

"She sounds cocky" Weiss said

"Yeah she does and it cost her life for being cocky" zen said

Tock hits the button on her clock, starting the timer's countdown. She then draws a pair of saber swords and activates her Aura. The ticking clock can be heard in the background as the battle begins. Tock rushes forward and clashes blades with Maria. Maria attacks back, but Tock's Aura knocks her sickle out of her hand. Tock kicks Maria back, with the latter summoning her other sickle back to her hand. She then proceeds to fight the three men, deflecting their bullets. She cuts down the rifle-wielding man, knocks out the machete-wielder, and dodges out of the way of the hammer user before cutting him down. She then blocks another attack from Tock, who manages to push Maria back, causing her Aura to flicker.

"Wow she fighting all of them on her own and defeating them easily" ruby said

"Yeah but her aura seems like it amplified" Blake said

"Yes tock aura is amplified for 60 seconds" zen said

"That a good semblance" Weiss said

"It a lot like Jaune's but it only affect her" ruby said

Maria's sickles then circle around her due to the gravity Dust, before combining together to form a double-edged scythe. Tock and the machete-wielder rush forward to attack, but Maria blocks them. The Grimm Reaper then takes down the machete-wielder before proceeding to clash with Tock again. The two lock weapons with each other, before Tock uses her razor-sharp metal teeth to chomp through Maria's weapon. The crocodile Faunus headbutts the Grimm Reaper, shattering her skull mask in the process. Maria briefly opens up her silver eyes for a bit, when suddenly, Tock slashes at her eyes, permanently blinding Maria.

"No come on Maria you can do it" ruby said

"Ruby she can't her you and it already happened" weiss said

"Yeah forgot sorry" ruby said

"So that how she has them eyes now and how she lost them" Weiss said

Silence for a moment, before Maria screams out in pain, her eyes bleeding. She continues to cry out as Tock's alarm clock rings. Tock presses the button on her clock as her Aura deactivates.

Tock: It was a close call, I'll give you that.

Tock walks over menacingly to Maria, who continues to cry out in pain as she holds her blinded eyes. Maria manages to grab one of her sickles and tries to fire at Tock, who nonchalantly dodges out of the way. A clicking sound can then be heard from Maria's sickle, indicating her weapon is out of ammo.

"How is she still alive in the future?" Weiss asked

"Maybe she stops her or convinces her to let her live" ruby said unsure

"Yeah I don't think that will happen" weiss said

Tock: You know, the only reason my master wants you dead is 'cause of your eyes. (laughs) But seein' as you ain't got 'em no more, you might be able to convince me to spare your life.

In response, Maria tries to throw her sickle at Tock, but she dodges that too.

Tock: (chuckles) Well, I respect that, a fighter to the end.

"Well I was close on the sparing part but that not how she survived " ruby said

Tock readies her saber to kill Maria, but Maria manages to find her other sickle. She clicks the switch on it, calling the other blade back over. Tock, in its path, gets the blade of the other sickle embedded into her back, causing her to fall forward. Maria then uses the sickle in her hand to slash at Tock as she falls forward...

"She used her other sickle to call her sickle back to get her" ruby said

"Yeah but it seems like she killed tock" yang said

Back in the present day...

Maria: But I wasn't... I went into hiding soon after.

The now elderly Maria is seen finishing her story to Team RWBY, Qrow Branwen, and Oscar Pine, who all have wide-eyed expressions.

Qrow: (astounded) I can't believe it. You... You're the Grimm Reaper, you were a legend! And then you disappeared...

"Yeah that how we acted as well" ruby said

"Yeah uncle Qrow you knew about her" yang said

"Yeah firecracker she is was a legend" Qrow said still shocked

Oscar: How exactly does a legend just disappear?

Qrow: You never used your name, never showed your face. Lots of us thought you were just layin' low. Eventually, we just came to accept that you were probably dead. But the stories about you, I based my weapon off of yours. I wanted to be as good as the Grimm Reaper.

Maria: Well, I'm nothing but a disappointment, so you're well on your way.

"Wow uncle you really look up to the Grimm reaper didn't you" ruby said

"Well yeah" Qrow said embarrassed

"It must be cool meeting the Grimm reaper since you look up to her so much" yang said

"Yeah yeah" Qrow said

"Why is she a disappointment" ruby asked

"It will be explained" zen said

Blake: How can you say that?

Maria: Child, a Huntress is supposed to protect others to the bitter end. But after I lost my eyes, I only ever looked after myself. Even after my surgery, I was too afraid to fight. Afraid someone would find me again, finish what the others started. You shouldn't aspire to be like me, especially when some of you are clearly stronger already.

Upon hearing this, Yang looks down sadly.

"Yeah but who wouldn't be scare about that but  we should keeping moving forward because we're huntress" ruby said

"Of course you'll say that" yang said smiling along with others

"What?" Ruby asked

"Ruby no matter what happens to you you'll keep moving forward won't you and won't let anything stop you" zen said smiling slightly

"Wow that the first time I seen you smile" ruby said

"Don't count on it again" zen said

Maria: It's... comforting, seeing that your generation seems up to the task of inheriting this world. I'm just sorry I didn't do more to leave it in better shape.

Ruby: Well, maybe you can do something now. Teach me to use my powers the way you did.

As Maria looks back at Ruby, a Scroll's ringtone can be heard. Ruby pulls her Scroll out and gasps in excitement.

Ruby: It's Jaune!

"Yeah Maria can teach me to use my powers" ruby said

"Wow jaune calling us that means we are close to Argus" yang said

Yang stops her bike, looking back in surprise. Everyone says "Huh?" as they wonder how Jaune contacted them.

Weiss: How?

Ruby: (answering her Scroll) Uh, hello?

Jaune: (voiceover from the Scroll) Ruby! Oh, thank you! I've been checking my Scroll for your signal since we made it to the city!

Ruby: The city? Wait...

"Yeah we must be close to the city" ruby said excited

Ruby looks to her Scroll, her contact name for Jaune being "Vomit Boy". She looks at the little signal symbol under Jaune's portrait, watching it get better as she points her Scroll toward the road ahead. The group sees a hill where the snow ends. Yang proceeds forward to drive them up the hill. At the top of the hill, the group sees a walled city in the distance along the ocean.

Yang: (smiling) Ladies and gentlemen, we have arrived in Argus.

"Really ruby vomit boy vomit boy" jaune said

"Yep" ruby said

"Yay we made it to Argus" yang said

At the entrance to the city of Argus, Yang inputs a code, "4-5-8", to lock Bumblebee and the trailer in a garage. Team RWBY, Qrow, Oscar, and Maria take the time to admire their surroundings. Through the crowd, a certain bubbly ginger-haired girl in pink zooms in.

Nora: Cute! Boy! OZ!!! (points her finger to the group)

Oscar looks over in confusion, only to get tackle hugged by Nora.

"Yeah I'm finally here again" Nora said

"Cute boy oz" yang said

"Yeah he cute" Nora said

"Please stop" Oscar said embarrassed

Nora: Oh, come here!

Jaune and Lie Ren also arrive.

Ren: Are you all okay? (hugs Yang)

Jaune: We were so worried! (hugs Blake)

Yang: It's been kind of a crazy trip.

Weiss: That's an understatement.

Nora: (noticing Maria) Wait, who's the old lady?

Blake: I'm so glad you're all safe.

"A happy reunion" yang said

"Yeah it was definitely crazy" yang said

Weiss: Seriously...

Nora: Ah! You're gonna love this place!

As everyone else engages in their own conversations, Ruby and Jaune walk up to each other and give each other a big hug. After parting from the hug, Jaune looks down and frowns.

Ruby: Hey. I promised, didn't I?

Jaune: (smiling while tears well up in his eyes) Yeah, you did. (wipes his eyes) It's good to see you guys.

"You were that scared jaune" ruby said

"Well yeah we lost Pyrrha and we almost lost Weiss at haven of course I would be scared" jaune said

The two share a smile together.

Later on, the group is seen traveling through the city on a trolley.

Yang: It's a lot bigger than I thought it'd be.

Ren: It's actually one of the largest non-capital cities in all of Remnant.

Ruby: (gasps) No way! But wait, wouldn't it be harder to settle something this big away from the main Kingdom?

Jaune: Well, it was, until Mantle showed up. Early settlement attempts by Mistral didn't go well. But colonists from Mantle were able to help them brave the cold climate and return for goods that Solitas couldn't provide.

"Yeah it incredible that they are the one of the largest non capital cities" ruby said

"Yeah that means we will be able to get to atlas" ruby said

Ren: The two nations worked together to create a hybrid city. While it falls under Mistral domain, Atlas keeps a military presence here to help keep the people safe and keep trade between the two nations steady.

Nora: Well, until recently...

The trolley makes a stop and everyone hops off.

Blake: We should probably start looking for a ship.

Oscar: (to Jaune) So, where have you guys been staying?

Jaune: Uh... (chuckles nervously)

"Yeah where are you guys staying" ruby asked

"Well I think I can guess where we're staying" jaune said nervously

"Where?"nora said excited

"My sister place" jaune said

Saphron: There you are!

As the trolley leaves, a blonde woman, Saphron Cotta-Arc, with her baby son, Adrian, in her arm is seen on the other side of the street waving to Jaune.

Yang: Is that...?

Jaune: Hey, Saph. (smiles and waves back)

Ruby then zooms in, all starry-eyed. She looks back and forth between Jaune and Saphron, and gasps upon realizing who the woman is.

"Oh no please don't" jaune said

"You two look so must alike" ruby said

"Okay does she have embarrassing stories about you" yang said

"Yep she definitely has embarrassing stories about me" jaune said

The group later reconvenes in a living room at a home.

Ruby: I can't believe I'm meeting your sister! I have so many questions.

Nora: Oh, I can give you the rundown later!

Jaune: Will you guys knock it off?

Saphron: What? I love telling stories about my baby brother. (squeezes Jaune's cheek)

"I can't what to hear about them in the future" ruby said

"Yeah let hear them all" Nora said excited

Jaune: (groaning while also flailing his arms at his elder sister) I am not a baby! That is a baby. (points at Adrian, who huffs back at him)

Yang and Weiss get all wide-eyed as they fuss over Adrian. Both of them make baby talk at him.

Yang: Aww, you're so cute! Yes you are! Oh, look at your little face!

Weiss: Aww, coochie-coochie! Aw, baby! Oh my!

"Wow that baby is smart and seem like it doesn't like jaune" Ruby said

"Oh no you two are going to go all crazy over the baby aren't you" ruby said

"It so cute though" yang and Weiss said at the same time

Blake: So Saphron, you're the only Arc living here?

A picture on the bookshelf of the Arc siblings all together can be seen, with the young Jaune at the center with pigtails and a deadpan expression while holding a sign that says "HELP" on it while his sisters do various crazy things around him.

Saphron: Yep! Moved the second I could. Jaune and I are the only two living away from home. (in a teasing voice) I guess he just wanted to be like his big sis.

"Oh my that picture" yang said laughing

"Oh really" jaune groaned

"That is adorable" Nora said

"She really likes teasing you doesn't she" ruby said

Jaune: I, uh... (groans)

Saphron: (teasing) Aw, you didn't deny it!

The two siblings play fight with each other by pulling each other's cheeks. Then, a door is heard opening. A dark-haired woman with glasses is seen walking in with bags of groceries.

Saphron: Everyone, this is my wife, Terra Cotta.

"Jaune your sister is married and she a lesbian" ruby said shocked

"Yeah she likes girls" jaune said

"That so awesome" ruby said

"Yeah it awesome but she still annoying" jaune said

Everyone greets Terra.

Ruby: Hello!

Nora: Hey there!

Blake: Nice to meet you.

Terra: (chuckles) Why, hello there! Wow, quite a party, you weren't kidding. Hun, can I get some help please?

Saphron quickly runs over to help Terra in the kitchen. Later on, Jaune, Ren and Nora are seen preparing sandwiches for everyone.

"I could eat some sandwiches right know" Blake said

"Let me guess you want it eat tuna sandwiches don't you" yang said teasing Blake

"Shut up" blake said

Weiss: And you're sure it's alright if we stay with you?

Saphron: Of course, we're happy to house Huntsmen and Huntresses.

Terra: You all risk so much to keep people like us safe. It's the least we can do. (turning to Qrow) Especially for such an elite Huntsman like yourself. Although, I will say I was surprised to learn you had students helping you. Is that even... legal?

Qrow, not paying attention, gets his arm bumped by his niece.

"Really uncle Qrow" ruby said

"Yeah sorry should be paying attention" Qrow said

"Yes you should be" winter said

"Can it ice queen" Qrow said

Qrow: Uh, of course. Think of it as an extended training mission. Trust me, I was a professor. Even went to the same academy as them. Let me tell ya, these kids are way better than we were at their age.

Jaune, Ren and Nora walk back into the room with plates full of sandwiches. Ruby gasps happily upon seeing them.

Qrow: (continuing) Well, not better than me specifically, but a lot of students--

"Thanks uncle Qrow" ruby said

"Of course you aren't better than me at that age" Qrow said

"The food does look delicious"ruby said

Ruby: Shut up, there's food!

Everyone heartily eats the sandwiches. Saphron and Terra share a look with each other, before the latter's Scroll is heard buzzing.

Terra: (sighs) Excuse me, I'll be right back. (answers her Scroll and walks out of the room) Hello?

"Wow ruby telling your uncle to shut up" Qrow said in mock sadness

"It doesn't matter there food" ruby said

Blake: Is everything okay?

Saphron: Oh, yeah, it will be. Terra's a technician for the town's relay tower. Unfortunately, the military's radar system is also housed there. (making baby talk at Adrian) Guess what's been on the fritz lately and who's getting falsely blamed.

Terra: (peeking back into the room) Me.

Saphron: So, what's your plan for tomorrow?

"Wow must be hard" ruby said

"Yeah but blaming it all on one person" Qrow said

Ruby: (mouth stuffed) Well... (takes a gulp) We're trying to make our way to Atlas. We'll probably start with the military base.

Nora and Ren share concerned looks.

Jaune: (nervously) So, we kind of already tried that, and... it didn't go... super great.

Yang: Come on, it couldn't be that bad...

The next day, Team RWBY walks up to the Atlesian Military base on the island off the coast of Argus, only for the gates to abruptly close on them before they could even enter.

"Yeah we need to start at the military base to get to atlas" ruby said

"What that suppose to mean?" Weiss asked

"Oh great something back must have happened when we tried too" jaune said

"Great so they won't let us get to atlas let's hope we can convince them with uncle Qrow there" ruby said

"Yeah let's hope" yang said

"I'm actually getting tired and what to sleep" Blake said

"Oh yeah you guys will still get tired so go though them doors with your names on them and inside will be beds among others things like a bathroom" zen said

"Yay let get some sleep" ruby said

Everyone left to do to bed to get some sleep and rest and relax

"Well it seems like they were tired and should rest and relax" zen said