Ruby whizzed through the cart interiors, her semblance leaving a trail of rose petals in her wake. She stopped abruptly upon spotting a familiar figure—a woman in a maid's uniform and a young boy standing at the far end of the cart. It was Selene and Oscar. The Relic of Knowledge swung from Selene's waist as she threw a powerful punch, sending a Manticore flying out the shattered window.
"S-Selene!" Ruby called out, her voice a mix of relief and urgency.
Selene turned sharply, her expression softening only slightly at the sight of Ruby. "Ruby? What are you doing here? Where are the others?"
Ruby caught her breath. "They're fighting Grimm at the end of the train! And... Rinko's fighting Adam!"
Selene's eyes widened, a rare crack in her usual calm demeanor. "Adam? He's here?"
"Yeah!" Ruby nodded, her words tumbling out quickly. "I think he brought these Grimm with him!"
Selene frowned, her mind racing, but before she could respond, Oscar stiffened, his expression shifting as Ozpin's voice spoke within him.
'No, Ruby. Adam didn't bring the Grimm,' Ozpin's voice said gravely, echoing in Oscar's mind. 'It's the Relic. They're drawn to its power.'
Oscar's eyes widened in realization, and he stepped forward. "Ruby, Selene—it's not Adam. It's the Relic. The Grimm are after it."
Ruby and Selene turned to Oscar, momentarily stunned by the revelation.
"Ozpin said so," Oscar added, his voice steady despite the tension.
Before they could respond, the roof above them groaned ominously. With a deafening crash, a Manticore burst through, its claws raking the floor as it landed between them.
"Look out!" Ruby cried, diving forward to avoid the creature's massive bulk. A weapon she's carrying slipped as Selene catched Galeguard—her parasol shotgun.
The Manticore roared, its wings spreading wide as it prepared to lunge at Ruby. Selene moved with practiced precision. With a sharp crack, she fired a shotgun blast, the pellets slamming into the Grimm's side and momentarily halting its advance.
"Not on my watch," Selene muttered, her voice cold and steady. She spun the parasol, gripping it like a club, and with a forceful swing, slammed it into the Manticore's jaw. The creature let out a screech of pain as it was sent hurtling back through the hole it had created.
Before they could catch their breath, the door behind them burst open. Ruby turned, relief washing over her as Team JNPR, Qrow, and Maria entered the cart.
"Guys! You're here!" Ruby exclaimed, rushing toward Qrow.
Her gaze shifted behind him, landing on an older woman with piercing mechanical eyes. Ruby gasped in surprise. "Miss Maria?!"
Maria smirked, her arms crossed. "Hello, kid," she said simply, her tone as dry as ever.
Selene and Maria exchanged a brief nod, a silent acknowledgment of each other's presence.
Qrow placed a hand on Ruby's shoulder, his crimson eyes scanning the room. "Kid, glad to see you're in one piece. Now, where's Rinko and the others?"
"They're at the end of the train!" Ruby said quickly. "And Rinko's busy fighting Adam!"
The mention of Adam sent a ripple of shock through the group.
"Adam?" Pyrrha's voice was tinged with disbelief.
"Why is he here?" Ren asked, his brow furrowing.
Qrow's gaze hardened as his grip tightening on Harbinger.
"And the Grimm are after the Relic," Selene interjected, her hand resting on the object secured at her waist. "This has to be Salem's doing."
Jaune clenched his fist, his jaw set. "Then we can't let them get their hands on it."
Ruby nodded firmly, her determination shining through. "We won't. But we need to regroup and help Rinko. He's holding off Adam by himself!"
Ruby pulled out a bundle of weapons, her semblance having allowed her to retrieve them earlier. She tossed them to Team JNPR.
Jaune caught Crocea Mors, his sword gleaming as he drew it from its sheath and readied his shield. "This is better. Let's do this!"
Pyrrha gripped Miló and Akoúo̱, her spear and shield settling into her hands with practiced ease. "I'm ready."
Nora hefted Magnhild with a wide grin. "Finally! I was starting to miss my hammer!"
Ren reloaded his StormFlower pistols, his expression calm but resolute. "Let's not waste any more time."
Maria adjusted her mechanical eyes, scanning the cart. "No more standing around. If the Grimm are after the Relic, we need to keep moving and keep them off us."
Qrow nodded. "Agreed. Stay sharp, everyone. Let's move."
Selene glanced at Ruby, her parasol resting on her shoulder. "I'll cover the rear. Ruby, you're with me."
Ruby nodded, her scythe ready in her hands. "Got it."
Together, the group charged forward, their weapons gleaming and their resolve unshakable as the sounds of Grimm echoed through the train. The fight wasn't over, but they were ready to face whatever came next.
Rinko & Adam
The clash of steel echoed across the roaring train as Rinko Schnee faced off against Adam Taurus. Sparks flew with every strike, the rhythmic clang of their weapons a deadly symphony amidst the chaos. Rinko wielded twin kunai, their edges gleaming with precision, a stark contrast to the imposing crimson blade of Wilt in Adam's hands.
Adam lunged forward with a brutal overhead slash, the weight of his swing cracking the air. Rinko countered with both kunai, crossing them to catch Wilt's blade. The force of the blow pushed him back a few steps, his boots skidding against the train roof, but his balance remained unwavering.
"You're quick," Adam sneered, his fiery aura flaring. "But speed alone won't save you."
Rinko smirked beneath his breath, his blue eyes calm and calculating. "Funny. I was about to say the same thing."
Adam growled, dashing forward with a series of rapid strikes. His blade carved through the air in arcs of crimson fury, but Rinko moved like a shadow, weaving through the onslaught with practiced grace. His kunai danced in his hands, deflecting Adam's strikes with sharp, deliberate movements.
As Adam thrust his blade forward, Rinko pivoted to the side, parrying the attack with his left kunai and spinning to deliver a quick slash to Adam's side with the right. The blow drew a shallow cut across Adam's jacket, earning a hiss of pain and a murderous glare.
Adam scoffed, his grip tightening on Wilt.
Rinko flipped one of his kunai into a reverse grip.
Adam roared, unleashing a powerful horizontal slash. Rinko ducked low, the blade whistling inches above his head. He surged forward, his kunai flashing as he delivered a flurry of precise strikes. Adam blocked most of them with Wilt, but Rinko's relentless assault forced him on the defensive.
The two warriors became a blur of motion, their weapons colliding in a whirlwind of sparks. Rinko's movements were fluid yet unpredictable, each strike calculated to exploit the slightest opening. His kunai danced in his hands, deflecting and parrying with surgical precision. He feinted left, drawing Adam's guard, then spun to the right, slashing at Adam's leg with a quick, cutting motion.
Adam stumbled, a thin gash tearing through his pants, but his fury only intensified. His crimson aura flared like a raging fire, his grip on Wilt tightening. "You're going to regret that," he snarled, his voice laced with venom.
Rinko straightened, unfazed by the threat.
With a burst of speed, Adam closed the distance between them, Wilt carving through the air in a deadly downward arc. Rinko met the attack head-on, crossing his kunai to lock Wilt's blade in place. Sparks sprayed between them as the two pushed against each other, their faces mere inches apart, the strain visible in their tense muscles.
"You're nothing compared to me!" Adam growled, his eyes blazing with hatred.
"Nothing, you say?" Rinko leaned slightly forward, his tone calm but laced with quiet mockery. "I'm a Schnee. I practically have everything—friends, family, purpose. Unlike you." He paused, letting the words sink in before delivering the final blow. "You're alone, Adam. You left the White Fang to crumble, just like you leave everything else you touch."
"Shut up!" Adam roared, his semblance flaring brighter, the glow of his sword intensifying. "You don't know anything about me!"
Rinko smirked faintly. "You're right. But from where I stand, it looks like even you don't know who you are anymore."
Adam's fury boiled over, and with a defiant roar, he pushed against Rinko with all his strength. But Rinko twisted his kunai, breaking the lock and using Adam's momentum against him. With a sharp kick to the chest, Rinko sent Adam skidding backward, the Faunus barely keeping his footing.
Adam's glare darkened as his aura flared again. Wilt began to glow ominously, the energy around the blade pulsating with deadly intent. Rinko's instincts screamed danger. Adam was preparing another Moonslice, and the devastation it would cause was too great to risk.
"No, you don't," Rinko muttered, his jaw tightening. Without hesitation, he summoned a glyph beneath his feet, using its energy to propel himself forward in a zigzagging dash.
Adam swung Wilt upward, the attack moments from release. Rinko's shoulder slammed into Adam's midsection, tackling him backward. The force of the impact sent both of them crashing through the nearby window, shattering glass in every direction as they tumbled off the train and into the frigid air.
"RAGHHH!" Adam roared, twisting mid-fall to unleash the Moonslice.
FWOOM!
A searing wave of energy tore through the snowy mountainside above them, triggering a massive avalanche. Snow and ice broke free in a roaring cascade, tumbling toward the train like an unstoppable tidal wave.
Rinko's mind raced as they fell, his instincts kicking into overdrive. He summoned a series of glyphs beneath his feet, the glowing platforms appearing in midair. With practiced agility, he leapt from one glyph to the next, each one vanishing as his boots left it.
Adam, meanwhile, plummeted uncontrollably toward the forest below, his furious scream echoing through the icy air as he disappeared into the snow-laden trees.
Rinko landed on the train roof with a soft thud, his breath coming in heavy puffs against the cold. He stood and turned back to the chaos, his sharp gaze catching the roaring avalanche bearing down on them.
"Rinko!" Yang's voice cut through the noise.
He barely turned in time to see a Manticore swooping down toward him, its claws outstretched. Yang vaulted forward, her Ember Celica firing as she landed a devastating punch that obliterated the Grimm in a burst of black smoke. She landed behind him, her fiery hair swaying in the wind.
"Thanks," Rinko said, offering her a small smile.
"I gotcha," Yang replied with a wink, brushing her knuckles against her jacket. But their brief moment was interrupted as the avalanche loomed closer, its deafening roar shaking the train.
"Rinko! Yang!" Ruby's voice rang out from farther down the train, cutting through the howling wind and the chaotic roars of Manticores. She and the others were already on the roof, their weapons flashing as they fought to keep the creatures at bay.
Qrow and Team JNPR fought alongside them, holding their ground on the roof of the remaining cars. Below, Selene, Maria, and Oscar were battling the Manticores that had breached the train's interior.
"An avalanche is incoming!" Blake shouted, her voice barely audible over the cacophony of battle and the growing roar of snow cascading down the mountainside.
The train trembled violently as the snow began to pile against its side. The rear carts tilted ominously, the creaking metal groaning under the strain. One cart buckled, its wheels losing contact with the tracks before slamming back down. Then another followed suit.
Ruby's silver eyes darted between the chaos unfolding before her. The train teetered dangerously on a bridge spanning a massive gorge, its structure groaning under the weight of snow and the swarm of Grimm. The avalanche pressed against the bridge's supports, and Ruby could see the cracks spreading like spiderwebs in the stone.
Her heart sank.
The rear cars of the train were dragging the entire train toward disaster—like a domino effect. Every second counted. She clenched Crescent Rose tightly, her decision already made.
Her heart pounded as she glanced at her team—Yang, Blake, Weiss—who are fighting from the rear cars behind her, and then to Team JNPR fighting valiantly on the front cars. The train's weight and the swarm of Grimm were pulling them all toward oblivion. There was only one choice, and Ruby knew what she had to do.
Her lips trembled, but she forced a sad, brave smile.
"I'm sorry."
In a swift motion, Ruby slashed at the coupling connecting the rear cars to the rest of the train. The blade cut clean through with a metallic screech.
"RUBY!" Jaune's voice tore through the air, filled with shock as he reached out toward her, his hand outstretched.
The rear carts shuddered as they disconnected, their momentum slowing as the main train surged forward. Ruby stood on the roof of the now-isolated cart, her silver eyes filled with determination.
Maria, who had been inside the cart, sensed the sudden shift. Her instincts kicked in as she grabbed Oscar by the arm.
"Hold on, kid!" she barked, yanking him forward just in time.
Oscar barely managed to leap to the next cart as the gap between them widened. He hit the floor hard, rolling to a stop. Dazed, he turned back just as Maria locked eyes with Selene, who remained inside the doomed car.
"SELENE!" Oscar's voice cracked as he scrambled to his feet, reaching toward her with desperation.
Selene's eyes met his for a fleeting moment. She offered him a soft, resigned smile, as if silently telling him to be strong.
The rear carts tilted violently as the avalanche struck with full force. Snow and ice surged against them, breaking the bridge's supports. The rear cars tumbled into the gorge below, dragging the crumbling bridge with them in a deafening roar of destruction.
"NO!" Oscar's scream echoed, his hand still outstretched even as the wreckage disappeared into the white void.
The remaining train car rocked violently, barely holding onto the tracks as the avalanche shoved the train closer to the edge of the bridge. The air was filled with the cacophony of screeching Grimm, grinding metal, and the panicked shouts of those still clinging to survival.
"HOLD ON!" Yang's voice cut through the chaos as she gripped a rail, trying to steady herself. The bridge groaned ominously under the weight of the train and the relentless force of the avalanche. Manticores swarmed the roof, clawing and snapping at anything that moved.
Rinko and Weiss exchanged a glance, their shared determination unspoken but understood. Together, the Schnees raised their hands, summoning a network of glowing glyphs. The platforms appeared beneath their teammates and passengers, providing just enough stability to stop them from being thrown off the roof of the train.
Grimm screeched in fury as two train cars collided, crushing the creatures caught in between.
Maria slammed her mini-scythe into the train's metal exterior, hooking herself in place while her other hand held tightly onto Selene. The Relic of Knowledge dangled precariously at Selene's waist, glinting in the dim light.
Blake swung gracefully between falling debris using her ribbon, her focus unshakable despite the chaos.
Above, Qrow soared through the air in his crow form, weaving through the falling wreckage with precision. He transformed mid-flight, landing hard on one of the carts as he reached out to grab Maria and Selene.
"Hold tight!" Qrow growled, his grip firm as he shielded them from a falling beam.
Rinko's eyes darted across the scene, assessing the danger. His glyphs stabilized most of his allies, but a massive piece of debris suddenly broke free from the bridge above, hurtling straight toward Weiss.
"Weiss!" Rinko shouted, deactivating his own glyphs and dashing toward her. He tackled her just in time, shielding her from the falling debris as it crashed inches away.
But his action came at a cost. The glyph he had placed beneath Yang disappeared, leaving her unbalanced. She slid dangerously close to the edge, the ground beneath her crumbling.
"RINKO!" Weiss screamed, her voice laced with both gratitude and panic.
Thinking quickly, Weiss summoned a glyph beneath both Rinko and Yang, stabilizing them just as the last remnants of the bridge gave way.
"Hang on!" Weiss shouted, her voice cracking under the strain of maintaining multiple glyphs at once.
But the chaos wasn't done. Ruby, who had been fighting off Grimm further along the train, lost her footing as the cart beneath her tilted sharply. She fell too far for Weiss's glyphs to reach her, her body hurtling toward the icy ground below.
"RUBY!" Yang's scream tore through the storm as she watched her sister disappear into the blizzard. Her eyes burned with desperation, tears streaming down her face.
Ruby hit the ice with a deafening crash, her momentum carrying her straight into the freezing waters below while Rinko, Weiss and Yang descent safely from the glyphs.
"No!" Weiss gasped, her hand flying to her mouth.
Qrow held Selene and Maria as they rolled through the snow thanks to the momentum Qrow built as a bird.
Yang's fists clenched tightly, trembling with fury and fear. "We have to save her!" she yelled, her voice cracking as her fiery determination flared. Without hesitation, she leaped toward the water.
"YANG, WAIT!" Rinko shouted, but it was too late. Yang dove headfirst, breaking through the icy surface with a resounding splash.
SPLASH.
Rinko's heart pounded as he cursed under his breath. "Damn it!" The icy wind cut through him, but he forced the cold from his mind. There wasn't time to hesitate.
Blake, sliding gracefully across the ice with her ribbon, landed nearby, her breath visible in the freezing air. "Rinko, we have to act fast!" she shouted, urgency sharpening her tone.
Without missing a beat, she tossed one end of her ribbon to him. "I'll anchor you. Go!"
Rinko wrapped the ribbon securely around his waist, tying it with a quick knot. "Hold tight!" he called back before plunging toward the hole in the ice.
Beneath the freezing surface, Yang fought with everything she had. Her Aura flickered weakly, the protective barrier struggling against the relentless cold. Her arms tightened around Ruby's unconscious form, her fiery determination blazing against the odds.
I've got you, Ruby! Yang thought, the mantra keeping her going as her limbs grew heavier with each passing second.
Her blurred vision caught a faint light above—the ice breaking with a faint glimmer from Rinko's glyphs. But her strength was nearly gone. Her muscles screamed in protest, her breath burned in her lungs, and the crushing cold seeped into her bones. She wasn't going to make it.
Is this it? Yang thought, despair flickering in her mind as her vision darkened.
Suddenly, a hand pierced through the water, strong and steady. It grabbed her arm, pulling her and Ruby upward with unwavering resolve.
It was Rinko.
His grip tightened as he held onto Yang and Ruby, his thoughts racing. I've got you. I won't let go.
Blake braced herself on the ice, her boots digging into the slick surface as she tugged the ribbon with all her strength. "Pull them up! NOW!" she yelled, her voice breaking with urgency.
Weiss summoned glyphs beneath her feet to anchor herself as she grabbed the ribbon alongside Selene and Maria. Together, they hauled Rinko, Yang, and Ruby out of the freezing depths.
As they emerged from the icy water, Rinko collapsed onto the ice, gasping for air. The cold bit into his skin, but he ignored it, his focus entirely on the two sisters in front of him. Yang and Ruby lay on the frozen surface, their Auras flickering weakly, their breaths shallow.
"Yang!" Rinko—no, Kakashi—muttered, his voice trembling with panic and despair. He dropped to his knees beside her, pressing his hands against her chest. "Stay with me!"
Without hesitation, Rinko began CPR on Yang, his movements precise but frantic. He counted under his breath, his mind racing with memories of first-aid training from his old life.
Meanwhile, Qrow skidded to Ruby's side, his face pale with fear. "Ruby, kid, wake up!" he muttered, his hands shaking as he started chest compressions on his niece.
Blake knelt beside Rinko, her hands trembling as she clutched Yang's limp hand. "Come on, Yang. Please," she whispered, her voice cracking.
Weiss, Selene, and Maria stood nearby, shielding the group from the biting wind as they anxiously watched.
Yang's body convulsed, and she suddenly gasped, coughing violently as water spilled from her mouth. Rinko froze for a moment, relief washing over him like a wave. "Yang! You're okay," he said, his voice hoarse.
Yang's eyes fluttered open, her breath ragged as she looked up at him. "R-Rinko..." she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Rinko smiled faintly, his exhaustion evident but his relief overwhelming. "I told you I've got you."
On the other side, Qrow let out a shaky breath as Ruby coughed weakly, her eyelids fluttering open. "Uncle Qrow...?" she murmured, her voice faint.
Qrow chuckled, though his voice broke with emotion. "You scared the hell out of me, kiddo."
Weiss let out a shaky breath, tears streaming down her face as she knelt beside Ruby, cradling their team leader's hand. "You idiots... You're going to give me a heart attack one day," she said, her voice trembling.
Blake's grip on Yang's hand tightened, her tears falling freely now. "Don't ever do that again," she whispered, her words trembling with both relief and anger.
Rinko sat back, his body shaking from the cold and adrenaline. His sharp eyes scanned their surroundings for any lingering danger. The icy wind howled around them, carrying an eerie stillness that felt unnerving.
He exhaled, his breath visible in the freezing air. "Let's warm up for a second. Weiss, make a fireplace around there," he ordered, taking charge of the situation.
Without hesitation, Weiss summoned a glyph, creating a small but efficient fireplace with her Dust. Rinko lifted Yang into his arms, her body still shivering from the icy plunge. Qrow followed suit, carrying Ruby with care. The group carefully made their way off the slippery ice and toward the edge of the forest, settling near a sturdy tree that offered some shelter from the biting wind.
Ruby and Yang were placed nearest to the fire, their pale faces gradually regaining color as the warmth seeped into them. Weiss adjusted the fire to maintain a steady heat, her hands trembling slightly from the ordeal.
Minutes passed in heavy silence as everyone absorbed the events that had just transpired. The crackling of the fire was the only sound, a fragile barrier against the oppressive cold and the growing tension.
"That... was close," Blake muttered, finally breaking the quiet. She sat with her knees pulled to her chest, her amber eyes glancing at Yang beside her.
"Too close," Qrow added, his voice grim as he leaned against the tree. He pulled his flask from his coat, though he hesitated to drink from it.
Selene nodded in agreement, her usually composed demeanor shaken. "We were seconds away..." she said softly, her voice trailing off.
Ruby and Yang remained silent, their exhaustion leaving them too tired to speak. Yang leaned against Ruby, her body trembling slightly as she shared her sister's warmth.
Rinko stood apart from the group, his sharp gaze sweeping the surrounding terrain. The sun had almost set, the creeping shadows of night casting an ominous glow across the icy plains. His expression hardened as his eyes caught something between the trees.
"We won't be staying here for long," Rinko announced, his voice firm.
Blake looked up at him, frowning. "Why? What's wrong?"
Rinko pointed to the darkened forest. "There," he said.
Everyone turned their attention to the treeline, where faint glowing red eyes pierced through the shadows. A chill ran through the group that had nothing to do with the cold.
Blake tensed, her hand instinctively moving to Gambol Shroud.
Maria sighed, "Grimm," she said quietly.
"Ahh... give me a break," Qrow muttered under his breath, his hand tightening around Harbinger.
The glowing eyes multiplied as Beowolves began to emerge from the darkness, their low growls reverberating through the air. The sky darkened further, the faint moonlight casting eerie silhouettes of the approaching pack.
Rinko took a step forward, his hand already moving to his weapon. "Everyone, get ready. We're not out of this yet," he said, his voice steady despite the rising tension.
Weiss adjusted Myrtenaster, summoning glyphs beneath her feet. "We're in no shape for another fight," she muttered, though her tone held no hesitation.
"Then we'll make this quick," Blake replied, drawing Gambol Shroud. She glanced at Yang and Ruby, who were still recovering. "Stay behind us."
Yang's hand weakly reached for Ember Celica, but Rinko stopped her with a firm hand on her shoulder. "You've done enough. Let us handle this," he said.
Yang hesitated, her eyes meeting his before nodding reluctantly. She pulled Ruby closer, shielding her sister as the rest of the group prepared for battle.
The Beowolves howled, their cries echoing through the frozen terrain as they charged. Rinko's eyes narrowed, his stance firm. "Here they come!"
The fight for survival wasn't over yet.
[End]