Who Is In Control?

-Somewhere in Remnant-

A room filled with dark stones, had been filled with candles as it had been the only thing that was kept alit. Grimm had attacked the young Fall Maiden--Cinder had been taking them all out, one by one. There had been no hesitation and no stalls between her attacks.

Even with her present condition.

It wasn't long until four to five of them had surrounded her as they were ready to attack. They jumped towards her all at once. In an instant, the four of them turned to ash. Cinder caught her breath once more, as she had prevented herself from passing out. The sound of heavy footsteps had been heard nearby, as Cinder was nearly caught off guard when a Beringel came charging at her.

As it did, the fire appeared from her hand and attacked the Beringel head on, allowing it to disintegrate.

Finally, exhaustion took hold of her as she collapsed to her knees; her breathing had been labored.

"Enough."

Salem stepped forward having watched Cinder take on the creatures of Grimm; Cinder had only turned to her slightly.

"I thought you were the girl who wanted power--" Salem said, "--Did you lie to me?"

Cinder only shook her head in reply, as her voice hadn't recovered yet.

"Than stop holding back." She told her, "If you wish to master your new powers, you must--"

Soon enough, they heard the doors open as they were drawn towards the sound. The sound of footsteps were heard, followed by… What appeared to be sobbing.

Tyrian and Elise had stepped through, having returned from their assignment; though Cinder took notice, his own stinger had been missing. Elise had been at his side the whole time they had stepped into the room.

He soon fell to his knees, as Elise kneeled beside him. Placing her hand on his shoulder as he bowed his head.

"I'm sorry…" Tyrian whimpered, "... She'll forgive us…! She'll forgive me…!" He soon put his head to the floor, "Please… Forgive me…"

"Tyrian, Elise." Salem said, making the both of them flinch; Elise was quick to help him sit up as she approached.

"Your task." She said, "Were you successful?"

Tyrian looked over to Salem, but turned his head to the ground, "...N-No…"

Salem said nothing, though Elise could see the look in her eyes changed. As if she read her thoughts, she stood in front of Tyrian defensively. "Mother--" Elise said, "--We were forced to retreat, because of my decision. I overestimated the girl, and the others, and made the call myself. So please, don't blame him for--"

Salem only motioned her to stop as Elise was quick to hold her tongue.

"It is admirable for what you're trying to do--" Salem said, "--But, you of all people should know, it's meaningless to lie to me."

Elise only sighed, before she bowed and replied calmly, "Yes mother. I'm sorry."

Salem looked satisfied by this answer, despite the fact, there was no change of expression on her face. She soon stepped towards Tyrian as he kept his head down.

"Is there anything else you wish to tell me?" She asked him.

"Ro--" Tyrian said as his voice shook, "--Ro-Roman Torchwick is alive… A-And his eldest daughter was with him as well. But--We failed to retrieve her. Nor did we learn about the youngest location."

Cinders eyes had widened slightly at this, at the sound of her former subordinate's name. Salem still showed no change in her expression as she went to step out of the room.

"P-Please my lady--" He pleaded, "--Hope is not lost! My tail! My stinger! I poisoned him! Qrow!" He laughed softly, "He will not be a nuisance to you any longer, no! No longer! I've done that!" He's eyes looked to be pleading once again, "Have--Have I done well? Have I pleased you?"

Salem stopped in her tracks, before she looked over her shoulder, "The last eye is blinded… You disappoint me."

With that being said, Salem left them alone, as there was nothing but silence. It was soon broken up, when Tyrian started to let out a horrific wail, burying his face in his hands. This had drawn a Beowolf that had been left standing in the room, as Elise could hear its whispers.

Her posture changed as she realized it had gone to attack him.

"TYRIAN!" Elise shouted as she ran to him.

Suddenly, Tyrian batted the Beowolf out of the air with his dismembered tail, stopping Elise in her tracks and making Cinder jump when it hit the ground. As he wailed, he armed his weapons before jumping to the creature of Grimm. With tears falling, he started to stab the beowolf with brute and aggressive force. Elise could hear the Grimm cry in agony, and pleading for mercy; it's very voice gave Elise a headache.

It hadn't been long before the voice had quieted down which seemed to have put her at ease. Though not for long.

Despite the Beowolf having long gone limp, she and Cinder, who had long been petrified, saw that he kept on attacking and attacking, until eventually, they could swear they heard him laughing despite his tears.

"Stop it--" Elise said softly before shouting, "--STOP IT!!"

She ran over to Tyrian and grabbed his arms. He didn't seem to register that he had grabbed a hold of him as he continued, despite it being a corpse.

"TYRIAN THAT'S ENOUGH!" Elise shouted as she struggled to pull him away, "IT'S ALREADY DEAD! YOU HAVE TO STOP BEFORE--"

Cinder jumped at the sound of Elise's shriek as Tyrian suddenly hit her across her face, knocking her over and causing her mask to fall off. It was only until he heard the sound of a thump, Her mask had been cracked as she struggled to sit up. He could see a familiar black substance that evaporates before it could hit the floor; it had been a deep cut on her cheek.

"N-No--" Tyrian said as he went over to her, "--El-Elise, I'm-I'm so sorry!" He soon bowed his head, as his forehead had been practically touching the ground, as she could hear him whimper, "I'm sorry--! I'm so sorry--! I didn't mean to hurt you--I didn't mean to hurt you…! Forgive me…! Forgive me please…!"

His words started to trail off as his cries overshadowed them. Elise for the longest time said nothing as she only looked at him. Finally she placed her hand on his shoulder as it caused him to flinch, like he had been expecting to receive payback for the wound he caused. He looked up to her, seeing her right eye had been red, while her left side appeared to have a large burn that almost covered the entire left side of her face, as it had been discolored and gray.

"Tyrian…" Elise spoke gently, "... You shouldn't apologize for this. This was partially my fault as well." She got him to sit up before she surprised him with a hug, "You don't have to say your sorry--I've already forgiven you."

Though there were still tears, Tyrian managed to put his arms around her. "My Eclipse…" He spoke softly, nuzzling his face into her neck, making a tickling sensation.

Her hand brushed against his cheek, as he soon looked up to her. She brushed away the tear that remained, before she leaned until her lips had been upon his own. He had no hesitation to respond in kind, as he put his hand behind her head, gripping the strands of her hair tightly while she in turn put her arms around his neck.

Cinder only had a look of shock, before she quietly took her leave as she was still unsettled by the face of Elise as it had bared a striking resemblance a certain red hair girl.

***

-Patch-

Yang had always enjoyed mornings like this. The sun had been at its highest point, as the day wasn't too hot, nor was it too cold. It had been perfect to make the proper adjustments for her new arm. With a piece of cardboard and a bottle of spray paint, she started to paint the entire silver arm yellow like her weapon, Ember Celica.

Maize had been by her side, as she had been watching her work.

"How did I know you would choose your color?" Maize said with a chuckle, "Couldn't you just keep it silver?"

"You know me, it's not my style." Yang said as she finished up; she had been satisfied by her work, "What do you think?"

"Not bad." Maize replied, "I still would've gone with a red streak, but it's your weapon/limb."

Yang only smiled at this, "Do--You have everything ready?"

"Weapon, ammo, dust in all." She replied, "Don't worry--I've been kind of planning this for awhile. And given the Fall of Beacon--" Her expression softened slightly before she regained her smile again, "--Someone's gotta help fix the world right?"

"... My thoughts exactly." Yang said before she set off to the garage, "Mind helping me get Bumblebee?"

"I don't see why not." Maize said.

With Maize following behind her they went on over to the garage that had been nearby; opening the doors they approached the bike as they ripped the sheet off of it. Yang had been taken back as she noticed how shiny it looked. It was almost like it had been brand new.

"I kept her warm for ya Yang." Maize said, "Figured you were gonna use her sooner or later."

"You really are the best cousin anyone could ask for." Yang said as she gave her a hug, "This oughta make our trip a whole lot faster.

"I don't remember saying you two were ready." A familiar voice soon said.

Of course, the voice belonged to none other then Taiyang. Yang only smiled, "Oh yeah? You're gonna try and stop us?"

Tai chuckled, as he had been leaning against the doorframe, "Nah--I think I'm still too sore after our last fight. I just wanted a better goodbye then a letter. And… I wanted to ask you a question."

Yang and Maize looked at him a bit confused, especially after he asked the girls just one question.

"Where are you going?"

Yang gave a quizzical look as Maize had been taken back by this sort of question.

"What do you mean Uncle Tai?" Maize asked.

"Well--" Tai soon spoke, "--Despite me asking him numerous times not to, I know that Qrow told Yang he knows where her mother is." His look softened slightly, "I know how much you girls want to see her. I've stopped both of you in the past before… But I won't anymore. I know you all read the note. We know that Ruby is heading to Mistral… To find that girl's little sister."

Yang only had a look of worry, as Maize looked concerned by this sort of matter.

Though Maize soon spoke up, "... As much as I want to find Melody, I'm going to help Yang with whatever she needs. Whatever she decides… I'll follow her. I know my sister, I know she would've done the same."

Yang thought about it, as she had admitted, it was a pretty good question.

Where was she going to go?

Of course she wanted to see her mom; she wanted it ever since she was a child. She tried to search for her on her own, though had been constantly stopped by Yang. She remembered the promise her cousin Melody made that day she left home. She left home, she promised she would find her mother, and keep her updated with every chance she got. Since the CCT fell, all contact she had with her. She didn't even know if she was okay.

She soon looked at the bracelet around her wrist, as she thought about her sister.

Cristal…

Destiny…

She knew all too well they were out there right now--Searching for Destiny, and finding out why Beacon was attacked at all. She knew Ruby had gone with Jaune, Nora and Ren. She knew Roman was alive and Cristal was okay. She had to be honest with herself, she was worried about them. She was even concerned about the person who was once her enemy.

It was then… Yang knew her answer.

***

-Atlas; Schnee Mansion-

It took her awhile, but Weiss had finally mastered her summoning. And with it, she and her sisters were ready to see Winter. The only difficult part about it was… Getting out without letting anyone know. Weiss wasn't a prisoner, she wasn't a pet, a thing or father owned… She was her own person. It was time she started to live her life.

After she had made sure she had everything she needed, she grabbed her weapon and put in a suitcase. She opened the door and looked around the hall, making sure none of the staff had been around. When she was certain she stepped out, quietly shutting the door behind her.

She silently made her way towards the twins room before knocking on the door softly.

"Van? Nilla?" Weiss whispered, "Are you both ready?"

The door opened as the twins peaked out; wearing their casual clothes, they had stepped out revealing their bags and a bag of marbles attached to the buckles around their waists. "We're ready Weiss." Van said.

"I can't believe we're actually doing this!" Nilla whispered as she had the biggest grun.

"Me too." Weiss said, "But are you sure you both want to go through with it? We might not come back if we leave."

"We've been sure the moment you came back." Van said.

"We'll follow you Weiss, till the very end!" Nilla added.

Weiss couldn't help but smile and turned to lead the way, though she soon jumped back at the sight of Nava. She was wearing a white hoodie with a casual black shirt and a set of black cropped pants with dark gray knee high boots. Her braided ponytail had been done in a french braid. She looked to be packed and ready to go like they were.

"So-Sorry." Nava said nervously, "I didn't mean to startle you."

"It's alright--" Weiss said with a smile, "--I'm just glad you're here." She soon noticed the weapon behind her back. It wasn't a saber like hers, rather, it was a falchion, as it had its own dust cartridges. "Are you sure you can handle that okay?" She asked, concerned.

Nava took a deep breath as her look changed, "Don't worry. I've been practicing a lot while Father wasn't looking."

"We should know!" Van said, "We've watched her!"

"That's good to hear." Weiss said relieved, "I could use someone to watch my back. Have you been practicing your semblance?"

"I--Have control over it a little." Nava replied nervously, "But I think I can manage, since it's not like what it's supposed to be."

They soon heard someone getting their attention. The girls turned over as they saw Klien had been just nearby. "Let's go." He said. He soon lead the four of them down the hall towards their destination in the mansion. They made one turn after another, avoiding the other staff that had roamed about, and keeping quiet.

Van had been holding onto Nava's hand while Weiss had Nilla. Though she noticed she had been slowing down as she could feel her tug on her hand slightly; she stopped in her tracks. "I--I'm okay." Nilla said, "I just need to catch my breath."

Weiss didn't hesitate to pick Nilla up off the floor as it made her squeak in surprise. "I've got you." She said with a smile. Nilla could only smile back at this sort of thing before they pressed on. Though as quickly as they resumed they stopped again at the sound of a chime. It had been coming from Klein's scroll as it had been from Whitely.

He took the call, "Master Whitely I--Yes of course, I'll be there in a moment." He pocketed his scroll before he turned to the girls, "Head to the first floor library, I'll meet you there."

Weiss nodded before Klein went to tend to Whitley, before they headed in the direction towards the first floor library. "Nava, Van, stay close." Weiss told them, as they both nodded. As they were coming close to the library which had been in the next hall, they--

"You need to control yourself!"

The girls were startled by the sound of Ironwood's voice as they quickly hid themselves as they put themselves against the wall and kept quiet. Weiss could feel Nilla's grip tightening as more shouting came from within the office; Van hugged Nava as she didn't hesitate to pick her up.

"You're talking to me about control!?" They heard Jaques say through the door, "Do you even hear what you're saying?!"

"I'm basing everything on my report from YOUR daughter!" They heard Ironwood say

"A daughter YOU stole!"

"We're not going through that again!"

"Oh yes, we have far more pressing matters to discuss, starting with your apparent lunacy!"

"Jacques!"

They heard Ironwood let out a sigh through the door, in an attempt to gather his thoughts. Weiss motioned Nava to move as Nava herself nodded. Keeping a firm grip on Van she treaded carefully past the door before she ended up stopping again.

"Winter is one of my best--" They heard him said, "--If she's telling me there's a threat in Mistral, then I'm not going to take that news lightly. She's been there for weeks, people are mobilizing, there's a sudden spike in weapons and Dust trades. Someone is about to make a play and I do not trust Leo to stop them!"

"You never trusted anyone but yourself." Jacques said.

"AND FOR A GOOD REASON!" Ironwood shouted.

BANG--Went the table inside as it startled the girls; the twins had been especially unhinged as they hugged their sisters tighter.

"If Oz had listened to me from the start…" They heard Ironwood say, as they could hear guilt in his voice.

"You need to get a grip." Jaques told him.

"... That's exactly what I'm doing." Ironwood said, "Our people need protection. By this time next week--Atlas will be officially closing its borders. No one in. No one out. Not without the council's permission."

Weiss and Nava gasped in shock at this sort of thing. Seal off from the rest of the world? Now there really wasn't any turning back.

"You mean without YOUR permission." Jacques said.

"And if that's the case--" Ironwood said, "--I would think you'd want to stay on my good side."

They soon jumped at the sound of footsteps coming towards the door. "What do we do?" Nava whispered.

Weiss quickly took hold of her weapon before practically jumping from the door. Using her Myrtenaster, she casted a black glyph on the doorknob. They soon heard the doorknob rattling, followed by the sound of a loud bang.

"Let's go!" Weiss told Nava, before they made a break for it, with each twin in their arms. They quickly headed for the library, trying their best to stay quiet, though they had to keep up the pace, until finally they arrived. They entered the room and each were looking for a certain someone; Weiss and Nava put Van and Nilla on the ground as they started to search.

"Where's--" Van said, "--Where's Klein?"

"Klein!" Weiss called out as she looked around, "Klein where are you?"

They were startled as they heard something open just nearby; they turned around fast as they saw an open passageway just hiding behind a bookcase. Klein stepped out of the doorway as his eyes were red, instead of its usual color.

"Keep your voices down." Klein said with a gruff accent, "I told you I'd be here."

"Klein!" The girls exclaimed with relief.

Weiss dropped her suitcase and weapon before she hugged him, as it took him by surprise. He froze a little, but didn't hesitate to return the gesture.

"Are you sure Mistral is safe?" Klein asked Weiss.

Weiss broke out of the hug before she answered, "No… But that's where we're going to find Winter."

"Anywhere with her is better then being here." Nava added, as the twins nodded.

"I can't wait to see her again!" Van said.

"Wait till we show her our dancing figures!" Nilla added with a smile.

Klein looked at them, as his gaze softened, "I suppose… She'd be the only family you girls will have, after you leave here tonight."

The girl's own expression softened this sort of thing. "We'll always have you." Weiss soon said as she placed her hand on his shoulder; in turn he smiled.

"You most certainly will." Klein said, "All of you will."

Nava couldn't help but tear up, before she hugged him, "Thank you--For being there for us."

Van and Nilla had tears to their eyes, before they went to hug him as well, "I wish you could come with us." Nilla said.

"We'll miss you so much Klein…" Van added.

"I'll miss you all as well." Klein said.

They were soon startled by the sound of a loud noise, coming from their fathers office. "KLEIN!" The sisters heard Jacques shout, "KLEIN GET DOWN HERE NOW!"

He gently broke the embrace before he gestured to the opening, "Go. Now." He told them. Van and Nilla took each other's hands before they went outside first. Nava soon followed them after she gave Klein one last hug.

"Take care of them." Klein said to Weiss as she went inside.

"I will." She said, before she gave him a smile, "Thank you Klein."

Klein nodded and smiled back before closing the passage. For a moment she looked at the beaded bracelet around her wrist before she went to catch up with the others.

***

-Menagerie-

Sun let out a groan as he felt himself slowly come too. The first thing he felt was agony, particularly coming from his shoulder. He found himself in a familiar surrounding as he was laying on the couch. It soon hit him that he was in Ghira's study. He turned his head and noticed a familiar young girl sitting on the coffee table, with her head buried in her hands.

"Shae…?" He groaned, getting her attention.

She picked up her head as he noticed how worn out she looked, "Hey--" She groaned as she rubbed her eyes, "--You're finally awake."

"Were you up all--" Sun said before he cut himself off, when he noticed Blake on the lounge chair nearby, "... Blake…?"

"We--couldn't sleep after Illia got you." Shae explained before yawning, "We really thought you were going to die. I thought you were going to die. After what I went through at Beacon and Vale--How many innocent lives I saw lost… I just couldn't go through something like that again."

"Aw--" Sun said, touched, "I didn't know you cared."

"I do, but that doesn't change the fact you have a thing for Blake." She told him.

Sun immediately looked embarrassed, "I don't know what you're--"

"This is why…" Blake soon said, as Sun stopped again; she had gotten the attention of Shae as well as she picked up her head, "... This is why I left them all behind."

"Sis?" Shae said with worry.

"I'm done with it." Blake told them, "I'm done seeing my friends, the people I love and care about get hurt because of me."

Sun sat up as he groaned, "Blake it's--"

"JUST SHUT UP!" Blake shouted as it made Sun and Shae jump. Blake soon took a deep breath as she collected herself.

"Do you think I LIKE being left alone?" Blake told him, "Everyday…! Everyday I think about them! Ruby, Weiss, Yang, Destiny and Cristal… They were my friends! I loved them like I never thought I could love anybody! Destiny and Cristal--Despite everything they went through in the White Fang, they didn't care that I was a Fanus… Neither of them were scared. They all accepted who I was… And I hope they hate me for leaving."

Both of their eyes widened in shock at this sort of thing.

"Blake--" Sun said, "--You don't mean that."

"YES I DO!" She shouted as it made them jump again, "Everyone thinks they can help me but they can't! You saw Illia last night and she's not even the worst!" She soon took her seat on the couch as she looked at her hands, "I don't want any of this anymore of this… They're better off without me. I made my choices and I'll deal with the consequences because they belong to me…"

"How could you…?" Shae soon said as it caught Blake by surprise,

"What?" She said with a quizzical look.

"Sis--You just said how great they were, how great your own team is, and yet you just turned the other way and ran!?" She stood looking at her with a pissed off look on her face, "How could you do that to them without even talking to them or even saying goodbye!? Do you know how cruel that sounds!?"

"Shae wait!" Blake said, "What are you saying?!"

"I think I know." Sune said, "You think you're being selfless… But you're not." Blake looked at him, this time she was put into shock; she looked at him questioningly. Sun finally sat up fully leaning back against the couch, "I'll tell you one thing, your chameleon friend got me good, but I'd do it all again if it meant protecting you… I could promise you Yang would say the same thing too."

Blake lightly gasped at this at the thought of Yang; she couldn't but have a look of guilt at this at the thought of what happened to her.

"You can make your own choices for sure… But you don't make them for us." Sun said to her, "When your friends, or your family fight for you, it's because we want to. So stop pushing us out! That hurts more than any of the bad guys could do to us." Blake looked to Sun once again, shocked by what he was saying.

Shae, who had her back turned to her, finally turned to her; Blake noticed tears had been threatening to fall, "Blake--I've always loved you, but you want to know the one thing I never liked about you growing up. You always thought you had this responsibility to protect people to protect me from dangerous things that you think you can handle on your own, but you know what? YOU DON'T GET TO DECIDE AND JUST AUTOMATICALLY ASSUME IT'S OKAY FOR US. They're not little kids, and I'm definitely not a kid anymore! You have no idea how much that affects people when you just up and leave them? Do you have any idea how that makes them feel? How it REALLY feels? They wouldn't even feel mad, they would feel hurt and betrayed! Hell, I know exactly how they feel after you left me in the White Fang, without even saying goodbye!"

"I just… I was doing what was right for them." Blake said.

"Right for them… Or right for you?" Shae said as it took Blake back, "I hope when you find them you beg them to forgive you about what you did, since you want them to be mad at you, like you hope for."

The words struck Blake like lightning.

Shae didn't know what she was saying. She had to leave to protect them.

Her friends--Yang--

They had gotten hurt because of her. She just… Couldn't deal with that kind of pain anymore.

"Running away again? Is that what you've become my love? A coward?"

The words of Adam echoed in the back of her head, and only one question appeared at the top of Blake's mind.

Had she become a coward?

She was trained,as a survivor, and a Huntress. They were trained to never run from a fight! She didn't run, she told Adam herself she was done… Right?

When Blake thought about it again, it all became clear. Who was she even fooling? Deep down, she knew the real answer why she left.

She was… Afraid.

Afraid they would reject her after everything they've been through. That they would never forgive her, after what happened at Beacon, after what happened to Yang. Adam… Had been right about her. She hated it, but Adam was right about everything. She really did become a coward.

And she hated it.

Blake sighed, "Fine… I'll admit it. I may have been wrong about--"

"May have been wrong?!" Shae said in disbelief.

"Okay--" She said, "--I WAS wrong. About everything, about my decision." She soon took Shae's hand, "And what I did to them… What I did to you was horrible. They didn't deserve it, not after I called them my friends. And I maybe I might've--"

Shae only cleared her throat, and gave her a look. Blake read the room before sighing again, "Alright, alright. I DO carry the weight on my shoulders more often than I do. I don't ask for help, and I don't consult with anyone, not even Angel or our parents. I'm sorry. I was--No I was being selfish. I thought I always thought I was doing the right thing, but I ended up hurting everyone around me. I should've talked to them instead of running. I was wrong, and I was stupid. I'm sorry."

The anger in Shae's expression left her, as she soon smiled towards her. She took Blake by surprise when she hugged her, "There's the sister I know and love. But--I've forgiven you the moment we found each other. I shouldn't be the one you apologize to."

"Yeah, I got that." Blake said as she hugged her back, "Don't ruin the moment."

"I'm your little sister. It comes with the job." Shae said with a smile.

"And hey--" Sun soon said, as it got the attention of the sisters, "--For what it's worth--The next time we face off that chameleon girl, it won't be for you--It'll be for payback."

Sun cringed slightly when he tried to move his arm. Shae could hear Blake giggle, which surprised Shae since she had never seen her smile or laugh in general.

"My hero." She said with a smile.

Shae only stuck out her tongue and gagged a little which earned a look from Blake and Sun. Though right before anyone could say something.

"OW!"

The three of them jumped as they turned to see the door had been broken--Again. This time they had seen Kali flat on her face, and Angel and Ghira had been standing outside. There was an awkward silence for a few moments before Kali recovered from the fall.

"Oh dears!" She said as if nothing happened, "Would you look at that? He's awake! Thank goodness!"

"Kali--Please…" Ghira said as he face palmed himself.

"Way to play it cool mother." Angel said as she shook her head.

"MOM?!" Blake and Shae exclaimed, having processed what had just happened.

"H-Hi Mrs. B!" Sun said with a sheepish smile.

"What are you doing here?!" Blake asked.

Kali cleared her throat before replying, "Well sweetheart, your father needed to speak with all three of you."

The teens looked confused as Ghira, Kali and Angel stepped into the room. "I'm afraid--" Ghira said as he placed the scroll that was recovered from Illia on the table, "--You and Sun had every right to be suspicious of the White Fang."

"What do you mean?" Blake asked.

"What did you find Papa?" Shae asked.

"Adam Tarrus is planning to overthrow the leader of the White Fang--" Ghira explained, "--And stage a full-scale attack on Haven Academy."

"In other words--" Angel soon added, "--It would be a repeat of what happened to Beacon."

The three of them cringed at the thought of another academy being destroyed. They couldn't let history repeat that awful event.

"Not if we destroy the White Fang--" Sun soon said, "--Once and for all."

Blake looked at the beaded bracelet around her wrist as she put her hand close to her chest. A familiar voice of a child soon spoke to her. "Do what you think is right. No matter what you decide, I'll wait for you, as long as it takes."

Another voice soon came to her side, as the very tone of it sounded familiar.

"You do you Blake. Just know if you die--I won't forgive you."

Blake soon picked up her head, the look on her face changed to that of determination. "No…" She said, surprising them, "... We're not going to destroy the White Fang--We're going to take it back."

***

-Kuroyuri-

They all knew the sound.

They all knew all too well what it was.

And the only thing they knew--Was they had to be there.

Ren, Nora, Rosario, Cristal, Roman had immediately gone back down the way they came as Senka followed close behind them. Ren ran ahead them as they had entered the abandoned village, while the others did their best to pick up their pace to keep up with him.

"Not again--" Ren said as he ran, "--Not again!"

"Cristal!" Rosario said, "How close do you think it is?!"

"It's hard to tell!" Cristal replied with urgency, "I never felt anything like this before! Not since Beacon anyway!"

"It doesn't matter!" Roman said, "We just have to get there before it does!"

"Let's just hope we make it there in time!" Nora said.

In a few short moments, they all reached the center of the town with the dead tree standing in the middle of it. They all stopped in their tracks catching their breath; Roman had groaned with agony, but managed to keep himself standing. Ren picked up his head before he had a look of relief. Qrow was still resting against the tree while Ruby, Jaune and Scout stood.

"Guys?!" Scout said, shocked.

"Oh thank God!" Rosario said with relief, "You're all okay!"

"We made it!" Cristal said, "We actually made it!"

"What are you guys doing here?!" Ruby said.

"Did you all hear that noise?!" Jaune said, "What was that?!"

"No time to explain!" Roman said before groaning again, "We gotta get out of here!"

Ruby's eyes soon widened in shock as she noticed a faint color of red seeping through the side of his shirt, "Roman, your wound--!"

"Don't worry about that!" Roman said, "We NEED to go!"

"Wait--" Nora said before she finally realized someone was missing, "--Where's Frosty and Melody?!"

"We're not sure." Scout replied, "They haven't come back yet! I was about to go and look for them!"

"What the hell is Branwen doing at a time like this?!" Rosario said.

"Does it matter right now?!" Cristal said, "We need to get her back here before it shows up!"

"Before it--" Ruby said before she put it together, "--You mean a Grimm?!"

The group's attention was soon drawn over to Ren as he had fallen to his knees. He had a look of alarm on his face, not to mention… Fear.

"No…" They heard him say.

"Ren?!" Ruby said, "What is it, what's--"

Roman quickly shushed her when his ears picked up something odd; just as he did, Cristal started to groan in agony as she nearly collapsed. It was then… They heard it clearly.

CLIP CLOP, CLIP CLOP--It went.

They each had a look of alarm, as they were trying to find the source of the sound at least; each of those that still had their bearings readied themselves, as Senka started to growl. The sounds had gotten louder and louder, until finally it stopped as it had just been behind the group. They turned and saw the source of it had been.

"My God…" Scout said horrified.

A bone horse with its eyes glowing red stood, though… That wasn't what had terrified them. The thing they were terrified of was the humanoid creature attached to the horse's back; it had several arrows and spears pierced in its spine and yet, they could still see it moving.. It twitched it's head in a creepy like why, as they saw through its sewn mouth, there had been a fiery red endless void.

Cristal seemed to regain herself as she realized what had been standing before them.

"... You're a Nuckelavee…"

It soon let out a terrifying shriek as it nearly made their ears bleed.