The next day Ruby attended the tournament again, Yang, Weiss and Jaune all in tow. Pyrrha and Blake again won both matches with ease, and this was when Jaune began to notice the oddities in their fights. When the matches were over, the group headed to a café to get some drinks, which is where Jaune began to question them about what was going on.

'Hey,' Jaune began, taking a sip from the coffee he ordered, 'is there something going on that I don't know about?'

The girls averted their gazes, instantly giving him his answer.

'Alright, what's going on? Why do their opponents seem to be so weak? You didn't… you didn't sabotage them, did you?'

'Or course not!' Weiss blurted out angrily, furious that he would even suggest they were the perpetrators.

'Well you were being kinda suspicious. Even if it's you Weiss, wouldn't you find it weird if when you questioned your friends about it they suddenly go all silent?'

'We aren't behind this,' Ruby firmly told him. 'In fact, we're looking for the person who is. Now that you've figured out something's wrong we might as well tell you the whole story.'

'I'm listening,' he patiently responded. 'Tell me everything, no matter how small. I might be able to help a little.'

Ruby began explaining the situation to him, from Benihime's strange letter to the kidnapping, and all the phone calls they had received. She even described how Benihime seemed to enjoy playing games with them whilst she committed her crimes. Jaune seemed to have something in mind as he appeared quite eager to say something.

'From what you've told me these attacks aren't random. I'm sure it's something you've already noticed, but don't these attacks seem like they're directed at you, Ruby?'

'I had a hunch that they might be,' she responded tensely. 'I mean, the letters, the phone calls… they were all sent to me. And everyone who's been affected by Benihime is a friend of mine. I think she's trying to hurt me by using the people around me.'

'Yeah,' Yang added. 'The kidnapping and this stunt with Pyrrha and Blake is some really nasty stuff. I wouldn't mind as much if it was physical, at least then we could fight her off, but… psychological warfare is really low. If she really wants to hurt us she'll have to come face us out in the open. The second we let her get into our heads she wins. I'm not willing to let that bitch have her way.'

'It's a bit late for that, Yang,' Jaune told her with a wistful smile. 'She's already way past the point of 'in your head.' Right now you might as well be a puppet if your anger is anything to go by. Getting angry is proof that it's having an effect on you.'

'Maybe you're right,' she responded, frustrated. Suddenly standing up, she announced that she was going to go home to clear her head.

'Yang,' Ruby called after her, the blonde turning round in response, 'don't do anything stupid please.'

'Come on, would I really do something like that?' she replied, a playful smile on her face.

'Yes. Yes you would.'

The two of them broke into laughter, Yang making her exit soon after.

'You guys have gotten even closer since Beacon, huh?' Jaune noted, Ruby blushing slightly at the observation.

'Well, I mean… she is my sister, I guess. Besides, I care about her. Her, Taiyang and Qrow are the only family I have left.'

The three sat in an uncomfortable silence until Weiss broke the tension.

'So who wants to go to the festival tonight? I hear there's going to be fireworks.'

'Yeah,' Jaune cheerily agreed, 'that sounds awesome. You in, Ruby?'

'Yeah, sure.'

From the tone of her voice even Jaune could tell that she was more concerned with other thoughts, but he chose not to bring it up.

Jaune contacted Blake and Pyrrha, informing them of their plans to which the girls happily agreed. It was at least something to distract them from the horrible images left in their mind during the tournament.

Later that evening, the four of them headed out to see the nightlife, and the atmosphere was far different than during the day. Usually the daytimes were relatively quiet and peaceful, but during this event the streets were bustling with people enjoying the various attractions, from carnival games to dancing and karaoke, and of course anticipation for the fireworks it made for an experience that could not be found elsewhere in Vale. Ruby wore a silky red dress after some teasing from Pyrrha, with some matching heels much to her dismay, whilst Weiss had a similar white and gold dress. Blake chose to wear a black and grey yukata lined with a golden velvet belt, and for this one night she decided to leave her bow at home. Although it felt unnatural to her, even she had to concede that she didn't find it exactly unpleasant. Pyrrha however was wearing a maroon dress with dark blue dust embedded into it, giving it a shimmering appearance. Jaune stuck with a simple tuxedo, one that had apparently been passed down his family line for important occasions like this.

'Where did you get that dress Pyrrha?' Ruby excitedly asked, forgetting all about her worries as she admired the beautiful garb Pyrrha was donning.

'I had it handmade when I was in Mistral. I'd known the tailor for a long time, so he made a special exception for my request,' she triumphantly responded, pleased that her choice of clothing was approved.

'May I just say that all of you lovely ladies look stunning tonight,' Jaune tried to suavely add, although it seemed to have the opposite effect.

'It was worth a try,' Ruby whispered into his ear, patting his shoulder out of pity. His antics got a giggle out of the others though, notably Pyrrha who had been giving him glancing looks all night.

The group went around sampling the stalls, buying a lot of things they definitely didn't need before setting off to go see the fireworks. This was when Ruby decided to take matters into her own hands. Yanking Jaune to one side, she silently lectured him.

'What the hell are you doing? Pyrrha's been looking at you all night!'

'I… uhh…'

'Are you a man, or aren't you?'

'I… I guess so,' he timidly replied, caught off guard by her grilling.

'I guess so?' she responded with a scary tone, striking fear deep into Jaune's soul.

'Y-yes! I'm a man!'

'Then go over there, sweep her off her feet and take her to the fireworks!'

'Y-yes ma'am!'

He wasn't sure why he was saluting, but he did it anyway out of fear that she would hit him otherwise. Nervously approaching Pyrrha, he tripped over one his own feet just seconds later, causing Ruby to slap a hand against her forehead with a hopeless grin on her face.

'There is no hope for him,' Weiss said to Ruby with a smirk. 'Honestly, can you believe I almost dated that dunce?'

That was news to Ruby, and Weiss soon realised her misstep, her face turning a shade of bright crimson.

'I-I mean I almost hated him once. Yeah, because he was extremely annoying and not at all cute with the way he always trips over his words… or anything…'

Ruby wasn't buying it, and Weiss quickly became flustered.

'I-I'm going to the bathroom. You can head to the fireworks without me. I don't mind.'

Ruby watched her go, still wearing that same smile from earlier. Now it was just her and Blake.

'So… do you wanna go see the fireworks, Blake?'

'Actually I might go take a nap on the hill behind us. The grass is really soft.'

'Ok then, have… fun?'

'Will do. See you later Ruby.'

And then there was one. Ruby made her way over to the fireworks alone, a little pleased that she had at least helped Jaune and Pyrrha out. As she sat in the breeze, she was approached by none other than Ozpin.

'Enjoying the festivities?' he asked her, that same stoic look on his face as usual.

'They're not bad. It just sucks not to have anyone to enjoy tonight with I guess.'

'I spent many a night alone during my younger years and many more as I grew older. Don't worry Ruby, you don't shoulder the same responsibilities as I do. You have many friends around you that will always look out for you. Don't ever forget that.'

'Thanks,' she replied, uplifted by his words of encouragement. 'Oh, they're starting.'

Sure enough, the fireworks were beginning to fill the sky, a myriad of colours lighting the festival with joy. Even Benihime took a few moments to admire them from afar, watching from above her hideout on the outskirts of Vale.

'They really are beautiful, aren't they? Every few years Vale turns into a wonderful place of celebration like this,' she said to her men, many of whom had taken a moment to watch them with her. 'It's just a shame this year I will have to destroy that celebration. Those traitors cannot be allowed to live any longer. Is Operation: Red Star finished?'

'It is indeed. The White Fang are so weak it's almost laughable. To think that Hunters have such a tough time with them makes them seem like a joke.'

'It isn't that the Hunters are weak,' Benihime stated. 'It's that you're just that strong. I only hire the best men, after all.'

'Thank you for the compliment. We'll make sure we continue being so efficient.'

'I hope you do.'

Meanwhile at Taiyang's house, Yang had paid a visit.

'Dad, it's me, Yang! Are you home?'

'Yang?' he said, rushing down the stairs as soon as he heard her voice. 'Yang! It is you! It's been a while since you last visited. Something the matter?'

'No, nothing in particular,' she said with a sigh as she plopped herself down on the sofa.

'Work troubles?' he said with a knowing smile.

'Something like that. You mind if I bunk here for a couple of nights? There's a couple of things I've been meaning to talk to you about but they can wait for tonight. It's too late for conversation.'

'Sure you can,' Taiyang pleasantly responded, 'but I'm heading out myself in a second. I want to see that festival.'

'A bit late aren't you? The main stuff started over an hour ago,' Yang commented.

'I always was a fan of "fashionably late." I shouldn't be too long, so I might see you before you go to sleep. Remember to lock up afterwards!'

'Will do,' she called as Taiyang quickly hurried out the front door.

Taiyang quickly hurried to his destination – in the opposite direction of the festival. Just moments before Yang had come home he received a message of his own, one mentioning 'the place we claimed our own.' To anyone else that would seem like some impossible riddle, but Taiyang knew precisely what it meant, and he had a very large suspicion he knew who sent it. Except that person was dead. Or at least, they were supposed to be. Carrying Crossmine, his crossbow-pickaxe hybrid under his clothes, he made his way to the Emerald Cave, a small hidden opening in the cliffs of the Emerald Forest, deep in the outskirts of Vale.

There's no way it can be them.

That's impossible.

They died years ago.

Taiyang tried to convince himself he had the wrong suspect, but he couldn't shake an uneasy feeling that he was right. Within the hour he reached the cave, the one he and his friends always played at when they were children despite the protests of their parents.

'Here we go,' he quietly said to himself as he entered, Crossmine in hand.

After taking a look around, it was very obviously occupied. Whole boxes of red dust lined the entrance, and he knew that he had the right place.

And then he saw that person.

'So you came, Taiyang,' Benihime softly said to him, ordering her men to stand down.

'How are you alive? You died over 16 years ago,' Taiyang protested, pointing his crossbow at Benihime.

'I didn't die. I was officially recognised as dead but I did not perish. The government decided I was a thorn in their side and wanted to get rid of me. They still believe I'm gone, in fact. But I'm not going to let them get away with it that easily.

'So you turn to terrorism?! Was there really no alternative than this?'

'Terrorism? What proof do you have that I am a terrorist?'

'Oh come on, you think I'm blind? All this red dust, the mysterious injuries appearing in Blake and Pyrrha's tournament matches, the Schnee Dust incident? I'm a professional Hunter, in case you forgot. If I missed warning signs that big I wouldn't have the right to call myself a Hunter. And "Benihime?" What the hell is that? Your stage name?'

'I go by Benihime to remain incognito. And it isn't terrorism. It's liberation. I'm going to free the public from the governments claws. Besides, you hardly have the right to talk. After all, weren't you a frontrunner for the White Fang themselves?'

'That was a long time ago, way before the violent protests began. I left as soon as the White Fang changed. You should know that seeing as you've been keeping an eye on me ever since.'

'Just watch me, Taiyang. I'm going to change the world.'

Benihime gave him a look of contemplation.

'What are you after?' Taiyang demanded, his finger firmly held against the trigger.

'Oh please, we both know you won't shoot. For starters, my men would kill you where you stand the second you pull the trigger, and secondly you don't want to kill me. In fact, you actually like the sound of my plan, don't you?'

She was met with silence from Taiyang.

'I thought so. How about I strike you a deal. You can help me shape the world and free it from those who want it for themselves, and I'll agree to use less violent means in future. But my plan for the festival remains. Understand?'

Taiyang realised he had two options; either he could join her, or he could die. Eventually, he gave a large sigh as he lowered his crossbow.

'You'd better not go back on your word. I won't hesitate to put an arrow through your skull if you betray me, and then you really will be dead.'

'I'm glad we could come to an agreement.'

The two slowly walked towards each other and shook hands as proof of their partnership.

'Let's change the world,' Benihime said with a smile.

'Sure, let's do it,' Taiyang responded, almost as though it were a challenge to see who could do it first.

As the festivities continued, an unlikely alliance was formed, one which Benihime was sure would prove useful later on.

The game's all set, Ruby. Let's see how you handle my next move.