MEMEMEMEMEMEMEMEMSSSS! By the one and only Meme Fox in my Discord

  Now back to the News!!

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  Jogging in Beacon's Academy's courtyard at dusk, we see Ambré and Rose following behind Ruby and Weiss, as they all run towards the docking bays.

  "Weiss!" Ruby calls out. "What is the big deal!? Who is it? Who is she!?"

  Weiss stops as she looks at a figure marching down the ramp of a rge airships, escorted by crimson-colored Ats Soldiers and Atlesian Knight-200's.

  "Winter." Weiss smiles, as Ambré and Rose catch up.

  "Wait... Your sister?" Ruby asks.

  "I can't believe she actually made it." Ambré says with a rare smile.

  "I haven't seen her in a long time."Rose mutters.

  Ruby gnces over. "Do you not go and see your cousins?"

  Rose looks away with a slight sad look. "Wiess' father doesn't... like the Bell's."

  Weiss scoffs. "Another reason I hate him." She clears her throat and cups her mouth. "Winter!" The four run up to the elder Schnee as she turns to see them. "Winter! I'm so happy to see you!" Oh..." She curtsies. "Your presence honors us."

  Rose gnces at Weiss with a raised brow in confusion, while Ambré straightens up.

  Winter looks around. "Beacon... It's been a long time. The air feels... different."

  Ruby shrugs her shoulders. "I mean it is fall, so, eh, it's probably colder."

  Rose leans over to Ruby and whispers. "That's not what she meant."

  "...Oh.... Um... I don't think I understand."

  Weiss shakes her head at her leader, before talking to Winter. "So, what are you doing here?"

  "Cssified." Winter states.

  "Oh, right. Well, how long are you staying?"

  "Cssified."

  "Of course." Wiess' nods and smiles in understanding.

  Winter turns to Ambré, who salutes her. "Lieutenant Bell, at ease."

  "Captain." Ambré loosens up a little.

  "Wait... You're a Lieutenant?" Ruby asks.

  "And is Winter your superior?" Weiss asks.

  "You didn't tell me you've been seeing Winter." Rose pouts a little.

  "There's a lot of cssified information in there." Ambré states.

  Winter nods in agreement. "I just helped Ambré out a little when she needed it. And it ended up with the current situation, thought I am a little sad you left us to come here."

  "Sorry, Winter, but... Family came first." Ambré puts a hand on Rose's shoulder, making the younger Bell beam in happiness.

  "I... understand." Winter looks at Rose. "You've certainly grown, Rose. You nearly look like an grown women now."

  Rose blushes slightly. "T-Thank you. You've grown a lot too. It's nice to know that our family isn't just know for the mining company... Well, you're family."

  "Hey." Winter holds up a hand. "We're all family, no matter the st name. It's my father who thinks we should be separated, no one else."

  "I'm gd." A soft smile forms on Rose's face

  Ruby is just looking back and forth between the white haired family. Feeling nervous she's in the middle of something she shouldn't be. "Well... this is nice... I think."

  Weiss then grows excited. "You're going to love it here! I know you travel a lot, but so much of Beacon is different from Ats!" She then discreetly whispers. "Vale, too." She clears her throat. "The government and school are completely separate! Can you believe it?! I-"

  "I'm more than familiar with how this kingdom handles its... bureaucracy. This is not why I came."

  "Right! I'm sorry!"

  Winter then goes into her military Personality. "Nor did I come here to watch my own blood fail so miserably in battle, nor my own Captain. But it appears that I have no choice in the matter."

  Ambré buts her hands behind her back. "I will take responsibility for my errors."

  Weiss grows puzzled. "But, we won!"

  Rose is also puzzled.

  "Only a novice would refer to that as a victory. I counted at least three strikes missed." Winter looks at her soldiers. "Leave us." The AK-200s obey, walking to steps backwards into formation as she sighs and smiles a little more warmly at Weiss. "How have you been?"

  "Oh, splendid!" Weiss states. "Thank you for asking. I'm actually in the very top ranking of our sparring css!"

  Rose questioningly looks at Weiss. "Aren't you ranked four-" Weiss covers her mouth.

  "And the rest of my studies are going wonderfully, too! I'm-!"

  Winter sps Weiss on the head. "Silence, you boob! I don't recall asking about your ranking, I'm asking how you've been." She looks at Rose and Ambré. "All of you. Are you eating properly? Have you taken up any hobbies? Are you making new friends?"

  The three white haired teens point at Ruby. "Well, there's Ruby."

  Ruby giggles. "Heh, boob."

  "I see." Winter looks Ruby up and down. "So this is the leader you wrote of, Weiss. How appropriately... underwhelming."

  "Uh... thank you." Ruby doesn't understand she's been insulted.

  "Greetings, Ruby Rose. I wish to thank you for taking an interesting in my sister and cousins."

  "Oh! Uh, yes, of course." Ruby attempts to salute and curtsy. "The honor is in my... court!" She nearly loses her bance, waving her arms until Ambré pushes her back up. "Thank you."

  "I have business with the General and your Headmaster. But, seeing as I'm early, why don't you take me to your quarters."

  "Really?" Weiss asks.

  Winter starts walking towards the Academy, with her other family following, and the androids follow behind. "Yes, I wish to inspect them and make sure that they are up to my personal standards."

  "Of course." Weiss nods. "Just so you're aware, the bunk beds only look unstable."

  "Bunk beds?"

  Rose's jaw drops and she turns to Ambré. "I want bunk beds!"

  Ambré looks at her sister with a questioning look. "But our room is big enough where we don't need them."

  Rose crosses her arms as she pouts. "I never get what I want around here." Ambré just rolls her eyes.

  Ruby, having stayed behind, waves goodbye to them. "I'll catch up- I mean, I will... reconvene with you all... at a ter..." She pauses with her hands on her head, wracking her brain for the right work. "Juncture!" She raises her finger, before walking off to the side. "At a juncture. Yeah."

  The White haired family converse with each other as they head towards the Academy, that is until an AK-200's head rolls up behind them.

  "Hey!" A gruff voice calls out. "Yeah, I'm talking to you, Ice Queen!" He tosses the decapitated machine aside.

  It's none other then the Infamous Qrow Branwen.

  "Who the fuck-" Ambré questions as Winter takes a step past the girls.

  "Halt!"

  Rose waves her hand in front of her nose. "Is the strong smell of alcohol coming from him?

  Weiss angrily walks up to the offender's face. "Excuse me! Do you have any idea who you are talking to?!"

  Qrow puts a hand on Weiss' face. "Shhh. Not you." He pushes her out of his way as he moves forward.

  "Hey!"

  Ambré fists tighten as she gres at the drunken man in front of her.

  "I don't like him very much." Rose takes a step behind Ambré as she peaks out.

  Qrow looks at the irritated Winter as he crifies. "You." A revenge is seen perched on a mp post before flying off and circling past the group. "Saw that gaudy ship of yours in town. I guess you're here, too."

  "I'm standing right before you." Winter calls out.

  Qrow squints through his hazy state of mind. "So it would seem."

  Ambré grows as she takes a step forward. "Do you realize you destroyed Ats Military property. And those arn't cheap either."

  Qrow sarcastically apologizes as he looks at his surroundings. "Oh, oh I'm sorry. See, I mistook this for some sort of sentient garbage. And who are you, Winter's hand maiden."

  "Why you!" Ambré goes to step forward, but Winter holds her hand out, stopping her. She then walks over to face Qrow. "I don't have time for your immature games, Qrow."

  "Wait, you two know each other." Weiss asks.

  "You'd know this... um... unclean man?" Rose calls out in question. Her eyes turn red. "Let's kick his ass." She sps the side of her face, as her eyes return to their miss matched colors. "Sorry!"

  "You Ats Specialists think you're so special, don't you?" Qrow asks Winter.

  "It's in the title." Winter points out.

  "Well, you know what you really are? A bunch of sellouts. Just like your boss."

  "You bastard!" Ambré shouts in anger.

  "Lieutenant, stand down!" Winter gnces back as she orders.

  Ambré takes several angry breaths, before grunting in anger and taking a few steps back and stands beside her sister.

  Winter turns back to Qrow. "I'm not sure what you think you're implying, but I've heard enough."

  "Oh I heard, too. I heard ol' Ironwood finally turned his back on Ozpin." Qrow states.

  "Ozpin?" Weiss questions.

  Winter shoves Weiss to the side. "Weiss, It's time for you to go."

  "Listen to big sister, Weiss." Qrow starts. "She'll protect you. Just like Ats is going to protect all of us, huh?"

  "If you won't hold your tongue, then I will gdly remove it for you!" Winter draws her sword.

  "Alright then..." He slicks his hair back. "Come take it."

  Qrow and Winter get into a fight.

  Rose yelps as she hides behind the fuming Ambré.

  "Um... aren't they gonna get in t-trouble?" Rose mumbles.

  "Yeah, once I finally get to knock a couple teeth out of that bastard's mouth." Ambré grumbles.

  "Um... please don't get us in trouble."

  "Who does that jerk think he is?!" Weiss stomps over to the two as she watches the fight. "He can't go disrespecting us like that!

  Suddenly Ruby pops out of the crowd beside them. "What's going on?!"

  "Some crazy guy just started attacking my sister!" Weiss informs.

  "Oh no! Who would do such a th-" Ruby sees Winter's opponent. "That's my uncle!"

  "What?!" The three white haired girls shout in shock.

  Ruby then loudly yells. "Kick her butt, Uncle Qrow!"

  "Uh..." Weiss decides to shout her own encouragement. "Tech him respect, Winter!"

  "Kick his ass, Captain!" Ambré shouts.

  "Can we n-n-not fight, please!" Rose shouts as the fight picks up.

  In the back of the crowd a certain grey haired man sees the fight, before running off.

  Soon the fight comes to a close, with Winter propelling herself forward, screaming in rage and preparing to thrust towards Qrow, just before a commanding voice is loudly heard in the courtyard; stopping her balde's point mere inches away from Qrow's neck.

  "SCHNEE!" Ironwood shouts.

  Winter looks behind her to see General Ironwood standing behind her, with Penny and Maize behind him. Maize is no longer wearing gloves as her hands have been "Healed"

  Winter lowers her bdes as she addresses Ironwood at about face. "General Ironwood, sir!"

  Ironwood passes Ambré and she salutes him, he gives her a small nod and she goes at ease. Maize waves to her teammates and friends as she passes. Maize and Rose share a small gre as they pass each other.

  Ironwood approaches Winter with Penny and Maize by his side. "What in the world do you thunk you're doing?"

  "He started the altercation, sir!" Winter accuses.

  Qrow puts his hands behind his head in a rexed stance. "That's actually not true. She attacked first."

  "Is that right?" Ironwood turns to Winter, while she searched for words, only to realize Qrow is right. She looks down in shame. "And you." Qrow points to himself in mock confusion. "What are you doing here?"

  "I could be asking you the same thing." Qrow states.

  "I-"

  "Now, now, everyone." Ozpin intervenes as Glynda and Ash follow him. "There is a sanctioned fight happening just around the corner at the Colosseum, that I can assure you has better seats... and popcorn." He swirls his cocoa.

  "Break, it up everyone!" Goodwitch yells. "We will take care of this mess." She gres at Ironwood, Qrow and Winter.

  Ash holds up his hands, showing off his robotic arm, though not as technologically advanced as the ones from Ats. "Now everyone's, please leave the area. If you hurry now, the Colosseum is currently giving out free T-shirts of your favorite Hunters and Huntresses."

  The crowd begins to disperse. Winter notices Ash's prosthetic arm and gives him a look of worry.

  "Let's go." Ironwood orders.

  As Ironwood and Winter leave, Maize and Penny wave to their friends one st time as they then start conversing. Rose pulls some of her hair over her shoulders and begins to stroke it.

  "That was not what I expected to happen today." Rose states.

  Ambré huffs a little. "It was fun, until that drunk showed up."

  "..You know... I wonder where Byzan went." Rose looks behind her and searches.

  "Probably off flirting with some girl or boy he accidentally ran into." Ambré crosses her arms as she frowns.

  "I wish he'd flirt with me more..." Rose whispers.

  "What was that?" Ambré grows confused as her sisters face turns very red.

  "NOTHING!"

  Ambré rolls her eye. "Well, we better get ready for that party tonight."

  "Oh, I'm not excited for all the people." Rose strokes her hair harder. "I don't like being around so many people."

  "Oh, you'll be fine." Ambré puts her hands behind her head.

  The two sisters walk off as Weiss and Ruby are talking off to the side.

  Later that night in Ozpin's office. Ironwood is waiting with his arms crossed while Winter is impatiently pacing about. Suddenly, a smirking Qrow, accompanied by Goodwitch and Ozpin, arrive in the elevator.

  "What were you thinking?!" Winter yells at Qrow.

  "If you were one of my men, I would have you shot!" Ironwood speaks up.

  Qrow pulls out as fsk at the four enter the room. "If I was one of your men, I'd shoot myself. I'm surprised Cyprus here never did."

  Ash shrugs his shoulders. "Eh, I thought about it." Glynda elbows him arm in the side. "Ow, I was just making a joke."

  Glynda lightly gres at her husband, before turning to everyone else. "While I wouldn't condone his behavior, retaliating like you did certainly didn't help the situation."

  "He was drunk!" Winter shouts.

  "He's always drunk!" Goodwitch points out as the five of them turn to Qrow to see him drinking from a fsk. His eyes widen when he notices them staring, and he holds the fsk out to the side, looking at it awkwardly before grimacing.

  "I mean, it's been like that since we all left Beacon." Ash points out. "Nothing new we shouldn't expect from him."

  "Are you calling me a drunk?" Qrow asks.

  "No... I'm calling you an alcoholic, you drunk."

  Ozpin sighs and sits down at his desk. "Qrow, why are you here?"

  Ironwood speaks up with an angry tone. "You've been out of contact for weeks! You can't just go dark like that in the field!"

  Qrow frowns. "I'm not one of your special operatives, Jimmy!"

  "General." Winter corrects.

  "Winter." Ash says in a warning tone.

  "Sorry." Winter mutters.

  "Whatever." Qrow rolls his eyes at Winter. "You sent me to get Intel on our enemy, and I'm telling you, our enemy is here."

  Ironwood leans against Opzin's desk. "We know."

  "Oh!" Qrow throws his arms up. "Oh, you know! Well, thank goodness I'm out there risking my life to keep you all informed."

  Ash nods as she smiles. "Thank you." Qrow gres at him.

  Ironwood exhales. "Qrow-"

  "Communication's a two-way street, pal. You see this?" Qrow pulls out his Scroll and points to it. "That's the SEND button."

  "They had reason to assume you'd been compromised." Winter states.

  "And I have reason to assume you don't need to be here." Qrow points at Winter. "Seriously, who invited her?"

  After a moment of silence, Ironwood speaks to Winter without looking at her. "Schnee, we'll discuss this incident back at my ship."

  Winter looks at Ironwood in surprise. "But sir!"

  "Winter. Leave."

  Winter salutes Ironwood. "Yes sir."

  Winter turns on her heel and gives the winking Qrow a dirty look. As she passes Ash, he grabs her arm and she looks at him.

  "We'll catch up tomorrow." Ash whispers to her, and she looks at his metal arm before looking up at his good eye. "I'll expin then."

  Winter nods and he lets go of her, Winter leaves the office via the elevator.

  The General gestures to Qrow. "Go on."

  "Your little infiltrator isn't just another pawn." Qrow states. "They're the one responsible for Autumn's condition." He takes a drink from his fsk once more.

  "What?" Glynda questions.

  "Despite what the world thinks, we're not just teachers, or Generals, or Headmasters. The people in this room, The Leaders off the other two academies, we're the ones that keep the world safe from the evils no one even knows about!" He gets up in Ironwood's face. "It's why we meet behind closed doors, why we work in the shadows. So you tell me, James, when you brought your army to Bale, did you think you were being discreet, or did you just not give a damn?!"

  Ironwood stares down at Qrow as he pces his Scroll on Ozpin's desk. "Discreet wasn't working." The center of the room projects a hologram of Bale, Beacon Academy, the Amity Colosseum and Ironwood's fleet of Atlesian Airships, which he gestures to. "I'm here because this is what was necessary."

  Ash scoffs and Ironwood gres at him.

  "You're here because Ozpin wanted you here!" Qrow states. "He made you part of this inner circle and opened your eyes to the real fight that's in front of us!"

  "And I am grateful."

  "Oh, well, you've got a real funny way of showing it."

  Glynda sighs in annoyance as she pinches the bridge of her nose.

  Ironwood speaks again. "The people of Vale needed someone to protect them; someone who would act. When they look to the sky and see my fleet, they feel safe, and our enemies will feel our strength."

  Qrow starts ughing. "You.... You think they're scared of your little ships? I've been out there and I've seen the things she's made, and let me tell you - they are fear."

  Ozpin stands up from his desk. "And fear will bring the Grimm. A guardian is a symbol of comfort. But an army is a symbol of conflict. There's an energy in the air now, a question in the back of everyone's minds..." He gestures to the hologram. "'If this is the size of our defenses, then what is it we're expecting to fight?'"

  Ironwood gres at them before sighing walking forward, picking up his Scroll just as it fshes with the image of a Bck Queen chess piece. "So then, What would you suggest we do?"

  "I suggest we find our guardian."

  Ash smiles. "Then I suppose you have an idea of you?"

  Ozpin holds up two fingers. "We got two options. Pyrrha Nikos and Ambré Bell."

  Ash rubs his chin. "Hmmm, They're both good options. But are we sure we should trust Byzan to be around a guardian."

  Qrow raises an eyebrow. "Nightshade from Ats?"

  "The very same." Ironwood frowns in response.

  Qrow turns to Ozpin. "Why would you bring that kid here, he could be working for her for all we know."

  Ozpin remains silent for a few moments. "Mr. Beldonna is a useful asset."

  "How?" Glynda questions loudly. "You keep saying that."

  "...He's the only one to get in contact with Is."

  Qrow scoffs. "How would a kid like him know her?"

  "She contacted him a couple months ago. And they had a meeting together."

  Ash raises an eyebrow. "And how do you know this?"

  Ozpin takes a sip from his cup. "I have my ways."

  "Even if he could help us get in contact with Is again-" he points at Ironwood. "He made sure to burn any bridges of trust we had with her."

  "I was doing what was best." Ironwood states.

  "What was best?! She was one of our best soldiers, our greatest weapon against Her. And you wanted to kill her!"

  "She was a threat."

  "She was a friend!" Qrow takes a sip of his fsk. "But what if Nightshade couldn't get in contact with Is, what's the point of keeping him around."

  "It's better to keep your friends close, and your enemies closer, Qrow." Ozpin states. "Mr. Beldonna, even being so young, is very dangerous. He knows more then he should, and how, is what worries me."

  "Honestly, we should've just gotten rid of the kid, but if he could help us, it would be great." Ash states.

  Qrow grumbles. "I need a drink." He starts walking towards the elevator.

  "Aren't your drinking now?" Ash asks.

  "I need something stronger then this!" Qrow holds up his fsk. "If you need me, don't call me."

  Qrow enters the elevator and leaves.

  "He's more burdensome than he is useful." Ironwood pinches the bridge of his nose.

  "Then what are you?" Ash asks as he starts to lead his wife towards the elevator.

  "Ash." Ozpin calls out.

  "What, just making some banter. Now if you excuse me-" Ash picks up Glynda, as she yelps, and puts her over his shoulder. "Me and the Wife her got a dinner date."

  "Cyprus, put me down!" Glynda shouts as she blushes.

  "No can do!" Ash enters the elevator as the doors open. "Now, see you all tomorrow!"

  The door closes at Glynda keeps yelling in embarrassment.

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  10-18-2024

  3500 words