Chapter 16: Hook, Line, Sinker

XxX

World of Remnant: Punishment

Now, I don't wish to paint a false picture of Remnant before you begin your journeys. While some criminals are powerful enough that any confrontation would be extremely dangerous, and others subversive enough to slide beneath the Kingdoms' radar, most fall in between. It is these in-between criminals who catch the notice and ire of the four kingdoms and the huntsmen who patrol them. It is these criminals who will suffer the blows society would rain upon those who attempt to break it. When these criminals are caught, they are not let loose with a slap on the wrist. The societies of Remnant are delicate, after all - a single spark could set a country ablaze. Remnantian 'Justice', such as it is, aims to quench that spark before it lights.

Of course, what penalties society would mete out are moderated by that same urge to preserve balance. Any punishment too harsh would invite Grimm when the townspeople become repulsed from such so-called justice. Thus, in frontier villages and the outskirts of the kingdom, punishments are primarily limited to financial and social reparations for small crimes, or banishment, leading to a likely death, for the unconscionable acts some will inevitably commit. In Vale and Vacuo, the laws are much the same, though the council has slightly more leeway in enforcing its rules, allowing for more granular punishments like temporary exile and the beginnings of a court system.

In Mistral, however, the laws are...different. Banishment and exile are used rarely, if ever. Instead, the truly depraved, powerful or dangerous criminals will vanish, returning years later as members of the Huntsman corps, or as bandits. It is rumored that the underbelly of Haven is home to whole families of such 'disappeared' malcontents, allowed to live out their lives in peace as long as they continue producing pawns on the Mistral gameboard. Of course, this mechanism of power generation has attracted considerable...attention. One tribe in particular has made quite a name for themselves spiriting away the most powerful of the Mistralian underworld and training them up to bolster their own forces- but this is a topic for another day, and we have not enough time for idle tangents.

I suspect some of you are wondering why I've neglected to mention Atlas in this list. The reason for that is simple: Atlas is an unusual case in its own right. Until a decade ago, their laws looked similar to Vale's, albeit with somewhat more regimented stringency and a fuller court system. However, a decade ago, their guilty began vanishing. Not into exile, and not, as far as anyone could tell, to be executed. Just...disappearing. Some theorized that they were being held captive, but that only raised more questions: Atlas's military began to ramp up around the same time- did they somehow garner the resources to run a prison and build an army from nowhere? Or was something entirely different going on? These questions, and more, still linger. But, more than that, consider this: is this how punishment in the four kingdoms must look? Or does someone benefit from this particular structure? If so...who?

XxX

Ruby

Where...where was she? It felt soft like blankets with the gentle rocking motion of a Bullhead in flight. Her head still hurt, but not as much as it had when she - when the other girl had - Wake up -

Ruby's eyes shot open as her heart started pounding. If the other girl was still there and what she was remembering was right she needed to fight- but if it was right she couldn't think about what that meant-

"Calm down, Ruby. You're safe." Yang's arms tightened slightly around her, almost painfully. Ruby's shoulders slowly slumped.

"Yang, I'm sorry, she knocked me out and then I woke up and there was blood everywhere and then I blacked out again and-" sobs pushed themselves out of her throat as she curled into her sister's arms. Yang winced slightly but continued rubbing Ruby's back. Ruby looked down and gasped. Her sister was cut. Small, but it looked deep. "I'm so sorry, Yang, I should have been more careful, I should have been stronger I should have been stronger I should have-"

Yang tapped her on the nose gently, silencing her. "This wasn't your fault, Rubes. And the one whose fault this was isn't going to be in the best condition for a long time." She said, grinning darkly for a moment before her smile softened. "Anyway, I'm fine. I'll shake it off in no time." She paused before releasing Ruby from the hug and straightening. "Blake and Weiss are at the front. Are you alright with talking to them before we land back at Beacon?"

Ruby inhaled. Her head felt fuzzy and her forehead hurt, but it didn't feel deep and her thoughts didn't feel damaged. She probably didn't have a concussion, or at least nothing more than a mild one. She smiled slightly in response.

"Yeah, send them in."

Yang stood and walked to the door, turning every few moments to look back at her. Ruby waved her off.

"Go. I'm not going to get hurt on a transport to Beacon."

Yang laughed once sharply as she left. Ruby closed her eyes. She was alive. She had made it through, thanks to Yang and Weiss.

But she couldn't be confident of that the next time.

She needed to be stronger. No longer could she stand by and wait- No. She couldn't lose herself. Her team was waiting for her, and she needed to tell everyone she was alright and she couldn't let go yet - The time will come - but it didn't have to be now.

Ruby opened her eyes as Weiss and Blake walked through the door. Weiss made a beeline for her.

"I told you we needed to practice hand to hand combat, Ruby! You just said 'I can get away with my rose state' but look where that's gotten you!"

Ruby knew it was a serious moment, and that Weiss was right, but...maybe it was the stress of nearly being dead, but telling Ruby she needed to fix her combat style as the first thing since she'd woken up was just so Weiss she couldn't help but laugh, and then Weiss was hugging her and crying and that started her off crying and laughing and the next minute was a confused blur of tears, 'I'm ok's, and 'never do something like that again's. Weiss reluctantly pulled away after a few moments, blinking tears away from her eyes. Ruby smiled slightly back at her.

"Guess I owe you two, now. Or, well, one and a half, but I owe Yang too many to count so I've stopped at this point."

"Ruby, are you suggesting that we're exchanging favors?" Weiss replied. "I seem to recall you getting really annoyed at me for suggesting that sort of thing. Something about life mattering more than favors?"

Ruby laughed under her breath.

"You know what I meant, Weiss," she said, "Thank you."

"Any time," the other girl responded earnestly. "You'd do it for me."

Ruby nodded. "Of course I would." She paused for a moment, turning towards Blake. The other girl was standing a few feet back, smiling slightly. She met Ruby's gaze, smile widening.

"I-" she blinked once, pausing for a moment. "I'm glad you're okay, Ruby."

"Thanks." Ruby paused for a moment. "Didja get him?"

Blake paused. "Get him?"

"Torchwick? I missed the rest of the op and Weiss and Yang helped me so they probably missed lots! Didja get him?"

Blake closed her eyes, shaking her head.

"No. We almost had him, but he got away at the last moment. Just like last time."

Ruby sighed.

"We'll get him eventually, Blake. Every time we get a little closer."

Blake closed her eyes.

"Maybe you're right. I just hope we do it soon enough."

"I do too," Ruby replied. "I do too."

XxX

Ozpin

The Bullhead touched down, doors opening quickly to allow the Headmaster on board. He took one look at Ruby and Yang's injuries before he shook his head. Too fast, too soon. They weren't ready. Not yet.

"You can't keep doing this."

Ruby's eyes widened.

"That's it, Headmaster? I'm hurt, but-"

His cane snapped out against the ground.

"I allowed this when you were 'watching from a distance', Miss Rose. Not when you were entering close quarters with trained killers."

Her sister met his eyes.

"So the ones who did this get off with nothing?"

He closed his eyes briefly. Set the hook.

"What they get is being tracked down by the same expert huntsmen who are tirelessly working to stop crime in this city. You aren't working alone, RWBY," His voice sharpened. "You'd do well to stop acting like you were."

Weiss Schnee's eyes widened. She touched Yang's shoulder, shaking her head for a moment. It looked like the heiress had realized. Good. Strike. He turned away from them, walking towards the door.

"After you get out of the hospital, you'd do well to spend a few days around Beacon anyway. The other schools only arrived last night, after all. Go out and meet them, spend time with friends or meet new ones, and enjoy your peace while you have it. I do not want to hear about you doing this again." He turned back, looking into their eyes. "You were lucky this time to get away with only a few temporary wounds, RWBY. The next time will not be this simple. And if you're alone when it happens, you likely won't fare anywhere near as well as you did tonight. Do you understand?"

They nodded back at him as he left. The moment the door closed behind him, he leaned against the wall of the dropship. Ensure success - casting his awareness forward just far enough to hear Weiss say "- Ironwood is tracking Torchwick too -" before pulling it back. Nothing could be set in stone. And yet the future must be guided.

Ozpin turned away from the Bullhead, every step echoing with finality. That made 12 condemned. Hopefully James would make sure they came out alive.

XxX

Weiss

She lifted her scroll, flicking it open, scrolling through her contacts.

"Winter Schnee: Available."

Weiss relaxed, turning to the others.

"My sister is an Atlesian specialist and one of Ironwood's personal guard. If we get this to her, he'll hear about it."

Blake's eyes widened.

"You want to go to Atlas? After everything that's happened?" she asked incredulously.

Weiss shook her head.

"I didn't say I wanted to go to Atlas. I said I wanted to go to James Ironwood."

Ruby tilted her head.

"What's the difference? Ironwood's a general of Atlas and the headmaster of the huntsman academy, isn't he?"

Weiss inhaled. In for a penny, in for a pound.

"The general and the rest of the Atlesian council don't always...get along. I can't say much, but just know that Ironwood will go after Torchwick or any other threat to the safety of the kingdoms, regardless of the wishes of the others on the council. He's forced through resolutions about security before. My father...doesn't like him very much because of that."

Ruby nodded.

"Good enough for me. Blake, Yang?"

Yang hmmed for a moment before nodding.

"Penny's one of his, right? She could have sabotaged us more than a few times already. If Ironwood wanted us gone we would be. I say go."

Blake inhaled softly, muscles tensing. Her bow flattened back against her head, obviously enough that Weiss couldn't believe they hadn't realized Blake was a faunus until three months into the year.

"I...I'm still not sure. Torchwick has been using Atlas or SDC gear every step of the way. We can't risk playing into their hands! Ruby already got hurt now, think of what's going to happen if we fall into the belly of the beast! We can keep following this up on our own, doing more research, being more careful, we can't risk everything on this-"

Yang's hand slammed into a wall. Blake cut off, but stared at her defiantly.

"We thought we were being careful this time, Blake. Look at Ruby. Look at me. This is us being careful. What will it take before we give up on working this on our own? Does one of us have to die?"

Blake shook her head.

"Of course not-" she began.

Yang slowly returned her hand to her side.

"Then we don't go out again unless we have backup. Real backup. So which is it? Nothing or Ironwood?"

Blake closed her eyes.

"Ironwood, when you phrase it like that," Blake growled. "But...what are we going to do? Rattle off a text about stolen military goods?

"Exactly," Ruby snapped her fingers into finger-guns. "Weiss, how soon can you let your sister know what's happening?"

Weiss tapped out a quick message on her scroll.

"Winter, I apologize wholeheartedly for being this informal, but we need to talk."

Blake crossed her arms. "No one will believe us."

"Well, then believe in me," Weiss said, sounding more confident than she felt. Please, Winter. Don't let us down.

The reply only took a few moments.

"What is it, sister?"

Weiss exhaled, then responded:

"My team and I have uncovered information about the theft of Atlas military materials and large quantities of dust. We suspect a potential inside man."

She sent off the message. This reply took longer. Every second, Weiss's heartbeat a little bit faster. Was Blake right? Had Weiss underestimated Winter's faith in her?

"The CCT will not be secure enough for this. Moving up my timetable for the Vytal festival should be possible with minimal paper trail. I will be there within the week. See you soon, sister."

Weiss smiled slightly, turning back to the others. Inside, she was elated.

"Within the week. She's coming to Beacon."

The others smiled, and Yang nudged Blake teasingly. The Faunus only rolled her eyes. They remained there in silence for a few moments before Ruby yawned softly.

"We should probably get to the medical wing."

XxX

Jaune

Jaune watched from the entrance hall window as the Bullhead slowly touched down, doors opening. His eyes widened as the headmaster walked briskly into the ship, walking out a few moments later. He froze for a moment as team RWBY followed him, Weiss supporting Ruby and Blake supporting Yang. They looked hurt. What had happened to them out there? He turned back to the rest of his team.

"That's definitely RWBY. And they don't look too good. They're all alive, but Ruby and Yang look wounded."

Pyrrha gasped quietly.

"Are they able to walk? What's visible?"

Jaune nodded.

"They look unsteady but they're walking. I can't see anything else from here."

"Well, what are we waiting for?" Nora asked. "Let's go see if they need help!"

"I assume they're headed to medical. Let's meet them there."

Nora nodded and ran, sprinting in the direction of the medical wing, dragging Ren off behind her. Jaune and Pyrrha turned to follow when a voice from behind them interrupted the turn.

"Are the people who just landed coming in from Vale?"

They turned to see two unfamiliar people rounding a corner and walking towards them. Jaune focused on them, tensing slightly, waiting for his semblance to return - safe - before relaxing. One of the two, a tall, grey-haired boy, raised his hands.

"Hey, relax, guy. I'm just asking where that ship came in from. Nothing to be worried about."

Jaune nodded.

"Yeah, it came in from Vale. And sorry about being tense - you surprised me. I don't like being surprised."

The other teen shrugged.

"Have better situational awareness, then? No skin off my nose either way. Know if there are any other ships coming in? Or were you too busy making sure you wouldn't be surprised to check?"

The second of the pair, a shorter, green-haired, red-eyed girl, sighed.

"Sorry about my partner, he's not good with people. Are your friends from the ship alright? We were on our way here when we overheard the last bits of your conversation."

"I'm not sure yet," Jaune replied, a little nonplussed. "Thanks for asking."

She nodded.

"No problem. I'm Emerald Sustrai, by the way. My misanthrope of a partner over here's Mercury Black. We're second-years, in from Haven for Vytal."

Jaune smiled slightly.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Jaune Arc, and my partner's -"

Mercury cut him off.

"Pyrrha Nikos, right? A lot of people at Haven talked about you being some sort of big shot here. Mistrali regional tournament, right?"

Pyrrha sighed and nodded.

"Yes, that was me."

Mercury grinned.

"Nice. I'll need to test those rumors in an exhibition bout or something. See if you're all you're cracked up to be, y'know?"

"I'd like that," Pyrrha responded, grinning slightly. "It's nice to meet someone who wants to test themselves against me."

"You mean rather than just giving up? Nah, I have dignity. And I'm pretty sure I'll win regardless."

Emerald tilted her head slightly, looking more closely at Jaune.

"Wait, she's Pyrrha Nikos? Then you must be Oracle."

Jaune's eyes widened slightly.

"Yeah, that's me," he paused, then asked, " Why?"

"We caught the end of the match this morning after we landed. Pretty impressive moves, I have to say. You planning on going into the tournament?"

"Yeah, I think we are."

Emerald grinned suddenly.

"Good. Maybe we'll make Mercury and your partner's fight a double, then? I could use a test myself."

"Sounds like fun. If you don't mind me asking, why are you two up here at this time of night?"

"A bit nosy, are you?" Emerald laughed. "Nah, it's fine. We're here because one of our other teammates went out to Vale right after we landed and hasn't shown up since."

"I told you we shouldn't have brought Mint," Mercury shot back over his shoulder. "And look what happened. She gets lost in like four hours."

"Who else would you have brought, Mercury? We need four to enter."

"Literally anyone else, Em. Literally. Anyone. Else."

"You want to try explaining that to Cinder? I sure don't-" She paused, turning back to Jaune.

"Sorry, our team's got a bit of...drama. You know how it is," she said apologetically.

He nodded.

"I'm not sure I do, but you look like you're dealing with it. Anyway, we should probably go check up on our friends in medical. It was nice to meet you two!"

They nodded, Emerald waving as Jaune and Pyrrha turned away and began to walk towards medical. As they walked away, Jaune saw Pyrrha humming pensively.

"What is it, Pyrrha?"

"Nothing much. I just can't remember having seen either of those two when I visited Haven last year. It's likely just a coincidence, though."

XxX

Emerald

Mercury glanced back at her as the other two students vanished around a corner.

"Those are the other two, huh? I have to say, I was expecting more of the Oracle and the Champion in person. I wasn't even trying to avoid making noise back there."

Emerald grinned.

"They're first years, Mercury. Impressive first years, maybe, but not much else. The rumors are just that: rumors. Which of them do you want to take care of?"

He tapped his chin once or twice.

"I have to say, I'm tempted to take Oracle, just to watch you get annoyed by losing whatever professional vendetta you're having with him - or is it even professional?"

She laughed.

"To tall, blond and earnest over there? Come on. I have taste. He's worse than you."

"So a 9 or lower? I see no issue."

She sighed.

"This is how you're trying to disguise your budding infatuation with little miss tournament winner, is it? Bald-faced lies about my own interests?"

"What can I say?" Mercury replied. "I like competent women. Oddly enough, I've never liked you."

Emerald tilted her head.

"I'm sorry, were you saying something? I couldn't hear you over the scoreboard that currently reads 3-nil."

"You're counting the drop as a point? Anybody could have done that."

"Be that as it may, I was the one who did. 3-nil." She grinned victoriously.

"Fine," Mercury grumbled for a bit before subsiding. "Champion's mine. You take Oracle. You know what has to be done?"

"Of course I do. Chin up. We only have to be here for a few months. Then we can head back to Haven."

A/N: Non-story: God, RWBY S5, I want so badly to like you. Just repace and actually kill people we care about. And cut it out with people just talking during fights. Please. You're so close to being alright. (I mean, I'm still going to keep watching, and it's still fun, but ugh. If you don't have time to animate massive fights then write people out of fights.)

Story: This chapter's mainly denouemont and set-up. A welcome rest after the last one, I feel.

World of remnant: dealing with the whole 'how can you have prisons with Grimm' was interesting, but I think I pulled it off. Also, Mistral and Atlas are, well, Mistral and Atlas.

Ruby waking up: This was one of the most fluid sections I've written in some time. Ruby kind of just...took over.

Ozpin: Enjoy the foreshadowing here. Also, a rare glimpse of Ozpin's semblance!

Blake vs RWY argument: No, this isn't the end of things. Also, yes, this does mean Winter is going to be arriving in S2-and, in fact, pretty early on in S2. The butterfly effect is powerful, is it not?

JNPR/Emerald and Mercury: Not much to say here, beyond E+M being an absolute joy to write. JNPR's fuller story will pick up next chapter in the medical wing.

Please review!