Mistral, After Meeting with Leo"So... what now?" Nora's voice cut through the silence, sharp and clear, breaking the weight of uncertainty hanging over the group.Everyone paused outside Mistral Academy's entrance, the world around them seeming to hold its breath. Qrow sighed heavily, glancing at his team."You kids stay in the house," he said, voice low but firm. "I-""Uncle, we can't just sit around!" Ruby's voice cracked with frustration. "We've got to do something!"Qrow's gaze softened, but only for a moment. "We will," he assured her. "Don't worry, kid. For now, just stay put. We'll come up with something. With or without Leo's help."He glanced down at his empty flask, the weight of the day's events pressing on him. "I need a drink," he muttered to himself.Turning, Qrow began descending the steps toward Haven Academy's entrance, his movements quick and purposeful, as Team JNPR stood behind him. They exchanged uneasy glances, their concern for their leader palpable."It'll be fine, Ruby," Pyrrha said, laying a reassuring hand on Ruby's shoulder. "You're not alone in this."Ruby's smile was small but genuine, the warmth of her teammates offering some comfort in the face of everything weighing on them."Thanks, guys," she said softly, before watching Qrow walk off.Later, BarThe low hum of the empty bar greeted Qrow as he stepped inside, the quiet of the place in stark contrast to the turmoil brewing in his mind.The bartender, a weathered man with an indifferent look, didn't seem surprised by the sudden entrance, but his brow raised slightly when he saw Qrow approach.Qrow reached into his pocket, pulling out several liens, and slid them across the counter. "Something that punches," he ordered flatly.The bartender didn't respond, but with a nod, he pocketed the payment, pulling down a bottle from a shelf and pouring the drink into a glass with smooth, practiced ease.He slid the glass to Qrow without a word.Qrow stared into the amber liquid, his mind far from the moment. Leo's behavior today didn't sit right with him.'A week to convince the council? No, there was no time for that. Mistral was on the edge, and everything was moving too fast.'The Spring Maiden-once within their grasp-was slipping further and further away.'The Relic of Knowledge could be snatched at any moment. Every passing second is a threat.'He gripped his glass tighter.'What was Leo thinking? It didn't make sense. Nothing about this situation felt right. It was illogical. And worse-it was unlike him.'Qrow exhaled sharply, taking a swig from his glass. The bitter burn of the alcohol did little to numb the gnawing thoughts in his head.He needed more help.More Huntsmen, more strength, more allies-anything to turn the odds back in their favor.After one last sip, he went outside to gather and recruit huntsmen for aid to get the Spring Maiden out of Raven's clutches.Qrow spent the rest of his time from house to house in the upper levels of Mistral.After some time of searching for Huntsmen-so far, none-he heard a loud explosion at the distance.BoomThe people around the streets shook in fear and panic."An explosion!" One pedestrian said."C-call 811!" One girl yelled. (Idk their actual emergency number so I kinda made up one.)Soon, there was another explosion.BoomHis expression darkened. "Damn it... what now?"Wasting no time, Qrow leapt onto a nearby rooftop with practiced ease, his cloak trailing behind him.He sprinted across the roofs, his eyes fixed on the rising smoke.As he approached the scene, he skidded to a stop, crouching low behind a crumbling stone ledge.What he saw made his breath hitch in disbelief: The Schnee Twins.Weiss Schnee, a Maid, and... Rinko Schnee.He got there as their battle ended, the enemy vanished within the smoke-even Qrow couldnt tell which direction they went.Soon after, they made a run at the nearby Alleyway as they disappeared into the shadows."Were those... Schnees?" The familiar, gravelly voice of Qrow Branwen broke the stillness.Qrow muttered under his breath, piecing together the implications."This... just got a lot more interesting," he mused, flipping his cloak over his shoulder.His grip tightened around Harbinger's hilt as he considered his next move.If the Schnees were involved in whatever was brewing in Mistral, things were about to escalate faster than he'd anticipated.Without another word, Qrow leapt from the rooftop, disappearing into the city's labyrinthine streets-ready to follow the trail and uncover just what the Schnee siblings were up to.Random Alleyway"I can't believe Torchwick's here in Mistral!" Weiss fumed, her voice sharp with frustration.Weiss kicked an empty can lying in the alleyway, sending it clattering noisily against the wall. Her mind raced with possibilities, none of them good.Rinko stood with one hand thoughtfully resting on his chin, piecing together the reasons for Torchwick's presence.'He's not just some petty thief anymore... he was involved in the Fall of Beacon. He's an international criminal now.'"Torchwick and Neopolitan are here in Mistral..." he muttered aloud, his voice calm but thoughtful.'Wait.. if they're international criminals, how are they able to roam free within the upperlevels..? Isn't this place packed with Huntsmen?' He bitterly thought, this doesn't sit right with Rinko.Selene quietly observed him, still clutching their briefcase with both hands, her expression unreadable but attentive.Rinko's gaze darkened as another possibility crept into his mind. "If they're here... then Mercury and Emerald might be too." His voice dropped lower, as if speaking more to himself. "They're planning something... and it's not far-fetched to think they're targeting Haven Academy next, especially since their last victim was Beacon Academy."Weiss exhaled sharply. "Great... another academy at risk. What's next, the fall of Haven?! Cinder might be plotting something even worse this time!"Rinko's voice cut through the tense air like a blade. "Don't worry about Cinder."Weiss halted mid-step, her brows furrowing. "What do you mean 'don't worry'? She led the attack on Beacon! If she's still out there-""She's dead."His words hit like a shockwave, freezing Weiss in place. She stared at him, eyes widening. "Dead? How could you possibly know that?"Rinko's tone remained cold and matter-of-fact. "Because... I killed her."His words hit like a truck, 'Killed..?' Weiss flinched upon the idea of Rinko killing Cinder.Before he could elaborate, Weiss stormed toward him and grabbed his collar, yanking him down to her level. Her voice trembled with disbelief and anger."What?! And you're just now telling me this?! After everything-after all we've lost?!"Rinko didn't flinch. His gaze met hers evenly, steady and unyielding. "Beacon was falling apart. There wasn't exactly time for a debrief-it wasn't relevant until now."Weiss' grip tightened for a heartbeat before she let go, stepping back with a sharp exhale. "You should've told us... told me sooner."Rinko's gaze softened, but remained unfazed. He raised his hand to Weiss', "You know now. What matters is why they're here. Torchwick and the others aren't operating without purpose." His gaze sharpened.Weiss stayed silent for a second before letting go, still processing the revelation. "Then we need to figure out what they're planning-fast."The three of them exchanged determined glances-until the sound of approaching footsteps echoed from behind Selene.Without hesitation, Selene spun around, drawing her parasol in a fluid motion, the tip glinting ominously as she aimed it toward the source of the sound.A familiar voice spoke, calm but firm."Hey, relax, kid. I'm not here to fight."Emerging from the shadows stood Qrow Branwen, his signature cloak trailing behind him, his crimson eyes keen and watchful.He raised his hands in mock surrender, his ever-present flask peeking from his coat pocket.Weiss and Selene exchanged wary glances, instinctively shifting into defensive stances, but Rinko remained still-his sharp eyes narrowing as recognition set in."Qrow." Rinko's voice was low, edged with both wariness and familiarity.Selene and Weiss turned to him, confusion written across their faces."You know him?" Weiss asked, her eyes flicking between the two men.Rinko didn't respond immediately, his gaze still fixed on Qrow, as though assessing his presence."I never would've thought I'd be seeing you two here in Mistral, especially you, the White Devil of Beacon." Qrow remarked, his tone casual but tinged with curiosity.Rinko exhaled softly before turning to Weiss. "I've seen him before... when Ozpin called me into his office. I believe we can trust him."At that, Weiss and Selene gradually lowered their weapons, though their guards remained half-raised.Qrow relaxed slightly, though his sharp gaze remained steady. "So... you say you killed Cinder. The one who orchestrated the Fall of Beacon?""I did," Rinko confirmed coldly, his voice devoid of emotion. His eyes met Qrow's unflinchingly. "I plucked her heart out... with my bare hands."His words hit like a thunderclap, heavy with brutal certainty.Weiss's eyes widened in shock, unable to hide her surprise. The weight of Rinko's admission lingered in the air like a cold wind.This was something far beyond what she'd imagined.Selene remained silent but attentive, her calculating eyes locked on Qrow, studying his every reaction.Qrow tilted his head, his lips curling into a knowing smirk. "Heh... Plucked her heart out, huh? Guess that explains why you're nicknamed as a heart-catcher... my nieces in particular."Weiss froze, her eyebrow twitching in confusion at his words. Before she could voice her confusion or respond, Rinko's sharp voice cut through the moment."What do you want, Qrow?" His tone was direct, his gaze steady and unwavering.Qrow's smirk slowly faded, his face transforming into a mask of seriousness.He placed his flask back into his coat pocket, his usual casual demeanor replaced with something more urgent."I'm recruiting Huntsmen." His words were firm, each syllable carrying weight. "The entire fate of Remnant is at stake."A tense silence followed as everyone processed his words.Qrow's eyes scanned the three of them, looking for any sign of understanding or hesitation.Weiss frowned, her thoughts racing as she tried to piece everything together. "Recruiting Huntsmen? For what? What's going on that's so important?"Qrow sighed, his expression hardening into something more serious. He shifted his weight, clearly uncomfortable, as he spoke."It's not something I can explain easily. But I need the best. The people who can keep up. And right now... strangely enough, you guys are the only ones I've found yet-surprisingly, during my time of searching, I still haven't found any other huntsmen."Weiss blinked, still skeptical, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. "Seriously?"Rinko's gaze never wavered, his attention fixed on Qrow with unwavering focus.Qrow's voice was heavier now, as if each word carried more weight. "I haven't searched the entirety of the upperlevels, but it's still weird not seeing any huntsmen-even within the streets."He paused before taking a sip from his flask. "This place is known for their security and your performance there earlier wouldn't have happened if there were any, I mean, ANY huntsmen around."His voice trailed off, leaving the unsettling implication hanging in the air.Weiss glanced at Rinko and Selene, her brows furrowed in confusionQrow sighed, his expression darkening with the weight of the situation. "Strange, right?"He turned to his flask and took a long swig, his eyes distant as if the world around him had temporarily faded."Ahh.." He exhaled from the alcohol, he continued, "This is bigger than any of us, and I've got a bad feeling about where it's all headed."Rinko's gaze didn't waver, but Weiss shifted uncomfortably, still trying to process the complexity of what Qrow was telling them."If you guys are in, I'll be able to share more information. But the stakes are high, and right now, I need you to trust me," Qrow said, his voice heavy with seriousness. Though his usual smirk lingered at the corners of his lips, it didn't hide the urgency in his tone."Since you're already friends with my niece, I can take you there right now..."Weiss, clearly frustrated, snapped. "Your niece..? And who might that be? Someone we know?" Her tone was sharp, louder than before, a mix of curiosity and impatience building.Qrow's grin widened, a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. "You definitely know her. Your team leader, Ruby Rose."At the mention of Ruby's name, both Rinko and Weiss tensed, their expressions momentarily betraying the shock and confusion that rippled through them.The twins exchanged a glance, wordlessly communicating.After a brief moment of silence, they both nodded in unison, a quiet agreement passing between them.Turning back to Qrow, Rinko spoke first, his voice steady but filled with determination. "We're in."Weiss followed suit, her voice more measured now, though still tinged with disbelief. "Take us to her!"Selene, who had remained quietly observant through the exchange, gave a subtle nod of approval.Her attention shifted between the others, sensing the gravity of the situation.Qrow looked at them, his grin slipping into something more serious, yet filled with respect. "It's settled then. Let's head straight there."Without wasting another moment, Qrow gestured toward the street, signaling for them to follow him.As they moved, the air felt charged with anticipation, the uncertainty of what lay ahead settling heavily on their shoulders.HouseTeam JNPRR sat at the living roomThe living room had a worn couch, a low table, and a flickering fireplace. It wasn't much, but it would do.Ruby's thoughts still on their earlier meeting with Leo and Qrow's abrupt departure. She clenched her fists. They couldn't afford to wait around."We need to talk." Pyrrha's calm but commanding voice pulled them from their separate thoughts.She stood near the fireplace, her emerald eyes sharp and determined. "We can't sit here doing nothing."Ruby stepped forward. "Exactly. We don't have time to waste. Leo might be stalling, but we don't have a week. We need more Huntsmen if we're going to stand a chance."Before anyone could respond, a sudden knock echoed from the front door, snapping everyone out of their thoughts.Jaune, being the closest, exchanged a cautious glance with the others before stepping toward the door.His hand hesitated on the handle, uncertainty weighing heavily on his mind.As he slowly opened the door, his eyes widened in disbelief. "W-Weiss...?" Jaune's voice trembled with shock, barely above a whisper.Hearing the familiar name, everyone in the living room turned their attention toward the entrance, tension crackling in the air.Jaune instinctively stepped back as Qrow strode inside, his expression unreadable.Behind him stood Weiss, Rinko, and an unfamiliar maid dressed in refined attire.Ruby's breath hitched, her silver eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "Weiss... Rinko...!" she gasped, her voice trembling with emotion.Without a second thought, Ruby rushed forward, throwing her arms around Weiss in a fierce embrace. "I can't believe you're here!"Weiss staggered slightly from the force of Ruby's hug but quickly steadied herself. Her usually composed expression softened as she gently returned the hug. "It's... good to see you too, Ruby."Rinko stood silently nearby, observing the emotional reunion with an unreadable expression.His eyes flickered with something close to relief before he quickly masked it behind his usual stoicism."Rinko... You're safe as well!" Ruby said, turning toward him without hesitation.Before he could react, she wrapped her arms around him in a tight, heartfelt hug.Rinko blinked, momentarily stunned, but slowly raised his arms and hugged her back. "Heh... I'm glad you're safe too, Ruby." His voice softened for a brief moment, filled with genuine warmth.After a beat, his expression darkened slightly. "How's Yang...? Is she...?"Ruby's smile faltered, her gaze lowering. "S-she's still alive... but her energy isn't what it used to be."Rinko's jaw clenched subtly, his hands tightening into fists before he forced himself to relax. "I... I see..." he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.The room fell into a brief, somber silence, the weight of past events hanging over them.Breaking the tension, Pyrrha stepped forward, her arms crossed. "Rinko? Weiss? What are you guys doing in Mistral?"Weiss and Rinko exchanged glances, silently agreeing on what to say."Actually," Weiss began, her voice steady, "we were about to head to Vale... to find you guys."Everyone's eyes widened in surprise."Wait, what?" Jaune asked incredulously. "You were looking for us?"Weiss nodded firmly, her gaze steady. "We... didn't know where else to turn. After everything that happened... sticking together seemed like the only option left."She turned toward Rinko, silently urging him to speak. He sighed, running a hand through his silver hair. "And... my initial hunch was right. Cinder's goons aren't done causing chaos. After the fall of Beacon, I couldn't just sit back... I felt a huge responsibility to do something-anything."A brief silence followed, the gravity of his words settling over them."We understand," Ren said quietly but with conviction. "That's why we're here too... together."Nora nodded energetically. "Yeah! We're not about to let some creepy bad guys ruin what's left of the world!"Qrow stepped forward, arms crossed, his sharp eyes scanning them. "And with the mess brewing in Mistral... your timing couldn't be better."Their shared resolve burned brighter than the looming shadows of Mistral. Whatever was coming... they will be ready.Mistral Lower Levels, HideoutThe air in the Mistral lower levels was thick with tension as Watts packed away his electronics.Hazel stood silently beside him, arms crossed, his attention fixed on the room's dark corners.Emerald and Mercury sat in silence, their eyes occasionally flicking toward Watts, waiting for orders.The door suddenly burst open, the sound sharp and jarring. In walked Neo and Torchwick, both looking a little worse for wear, but their expressions hardening as they entered."Sorry I'm late, boys," Torchwick said with a smirk, flicking his cigar aside. "We had to take a little detour... bumped into a... problem."The room fell silent for a moment before Mercury, his eyebrow arched in curiosity, spoke up. "Problem? What do you mean?""Tch-Rinko Schnee is here in Mistral," Torchwick muttered, walking deeper into the hideout, with Neo trailing silently behind him.At the mention of the name, Watts froze mid-motion, his fingers pausing on the equipment he was packing. 'Rinko Schnee? Jacques's son?' The thought echoed in his mind, his brow furrowing in confusion. 'What's he doing here?'Emerald's face twisted into a frown. "Wait-Rinko's here?" She shot up from her seat and stormed toward Torchwick, her voice sharp with disbelief.Eight months ago, the team had hacked into security footage showing Rinko in an intense battle with Cinder inside Ozpin's tower.The footage had shown a bloodied Rinko emerging from the elevator alone, his hands stained, the aftermath of a fight that only left one conclusion: Cinder was gone.The memory of that night still burned in Emerald's mind."We need to get to him and end him!" Emerald growled, her frustration boiling over as she took a step forward, ready for action.The image of Rinko's bloodied hand had haunted her, a constant reminder of his involvement in Cinder's demise.Before the situation escalated, Watts cleared his throat, cutting through the tension and bringing everyone's focus back to the matter at hand."Let's not focus on the Schnee for now," Watts said, his voice steady and commanding."Our mission is bigger than personal vendettas." He looked at each of them with a piercing gaze."Thanks to Leo's report, we have the exact coordinates of the tribe... We need to recruit the Spring Maiden, still under Raven Branwen's control, if we are to accomplish our objective of obtaining the Relic. The Schnee can wait."Hazel, who had been watching the exchange without a word, finally shifted his gaze. His calm demeanor never faltered.Watts glanced at him, then back at the others, his voice taking on a cold edge. "Focus on what matters. Personal quests come later. Right now, we need to move on the mission. We'll deal with the Schnee when the time is right."The group fell silent, the weight of Watts' words sinking in.Despite the urge for revenge, they all knew Watts was right. The mission came first, even if Rinko's presence in Mistral posed a dangerous complication.They would have to be patient. For now, the Spring Maiden was their target.[End]