3rd Person POV

Robyn cheerfully laughs, lying on her bed in her cell and examining her fingernails.

Robyn: You should've seen the look on Joanna's face. I don't think she'd ever lost a fight before that. At least not fair and square.

Met with silence, Robyn sits up and looks at Qrow and then Jauques, the latter of whom was frantically swatting away at a fly.

Robyn: Tough crowd tonight. Guess Ironwood should've paid for better cell block entertainment.

Robyn stood up and stretched as she spoke, and walks over to Qrow's cell. Her comment had earned a small chuckle out of the man while he stares at Clover's pin.

Robyn: And he smiles. Did I win?

Qrow: Hey, it's your game. I don't make the rules.

Robyn loses her cheerful demeanor.

Robyn: I'm sorry for what happened. It wasn't your fault.

Qrow: It was, though. I made a deal with the darkness, and he paid the price. It was all happening so fast, but Clover wouldn't let up. Could have worked together against Tyrian if Clover just... But the thing that really stings? For the first time in a while I thought, maybe, maybe I could be around somebody- anybody- without my Semblance making it... complicated. And now, it just feels like a childish dream. Gone... like everybody else.

Robyn sadly looks at her hand, listening to Qrow.

Robyn: Believe it or not, I know a little of what that's like.

She walks over to the wall between her and Qrow's cells.

Robyn: When people are worried you're gonna sniff out their secrets, they tend to push you away. It makes a real connection... difficult.

She places her fingers to the cell wall, the Hard-light distorting in reaction to her touch. She then pulls her hand away and looks at it.

Qrow: I--

A small beep is heard, and the door to the chamber opens. Qrow looks over at the door, clutching Clover's pin to his chest, and continues speaking as Atlas soldiers bring Arthur Watts back to his cell, acompanied by a bandaged Marrow and Harriet.

Qrow: Never thought of it that way.

The soldiers toss Watts to the floor before reactivating his cell. Harriet stands in front of Qrow's cell with her arms crossed.

Robyn: What happened to you?

Harriet: Shut up. *to Qrow* You don't get to keep that.

Qrow: I didn't kill him.

Harriet: You keep saying that but it was your weapon covered in his blood.

Qrow lowers his head, Robyn speaks up again, drawing Harriet's attention.

Robyn: If you really want to know what happened, mohawk, why not open this cell and take my hand?

Harriet scoffs and starts walking over to Robyn's cell with a noticeable limp to her movement, Marrow finishes locking Watt's cell.

Harriet: If I open this cell, it won't be to shake hands.

Marrow looks over to Harriet a worried frown appearing on his face.

Robyn: Yeah, because you don't care about the truth. You just want someone to be mad at. Easier than taking an honest look at what side your on.

Harriet narrows her eyes and quietly growls in annoyance. There is a tense silence as Qrow watches the two. Harriet looks over at the security panel for Robyn's cell. Harriet looks at Robyn and shifts her feet.

Marrow: Har? What're you doing?

Harriet looks at Robyn, then at Marrow, angered. She pushes past Marrow, storming out.

Harriet: Nothing.

Marrow rolls his shoulder with the pain from the fight with the Dinobots. Marrow looks back at Robyn, who walks back over to her bed and lies down with her arms behind her head.

Robyn: Well, that was... almost exciting.

From the half destroyed hangar, Winter had used her security clearance to tap into the prison cell feed and had watched what happened. She shuts off her scroll and fills a vial with Grimlock's spilled blood.

Soldier: Lieutenant? The General needs you back ASAP.

Winter: Understood.

The soldier salutes before going back to what he was doing earlier. Winter then looked outside and saw a star shimmer through the dark clouds in the sky.

Winter: *to herself* I know what I must do.

Meanwhile, Jaune, Ren and Yang drive their hoverbikes across the tundra just outside Mantle, following the Hound up into a rocky chasm.

Jaune: It's going to lose us in these mountains! We can't keep up!

Ren's bike starts shaking, and he looks at the frost covered display, to find it's engine losing it's integrity.

Ren: I don't know how much longer these bikes can withstand the cold.

Yang: I'm really wishing one of us could fly right now!

A screech is suddenly heard, before Jaune can look around something speeds past all of them very fast, went up a uphill ledge and leaped at the The Hound with enough force to tackle it into the chasm wall.

Yang: What was that?

The group bring their hoverbikes to a stop a short distance from the dust cloud, there is the sound of growls, screeches and blows landing. Suddenly, Slash's Dinobot form jumps out with Oscar in her clawed hands.

Jaune: Slash?!

Slash utters some low chirps before setting Oscar next to the adults.

Ren: Oscar!

A growl is heard as the dust cloud clears, and The Hound Grimm is seen staring down our heroes. The Grimm howls as it's body starts to twitch and morph into a larger, more muscular form.

Yang: What is this thing?

The Hound finishes transforming and eyes Oscar's still unconcscious body, Slash moves in front of the group.

Jaune: Slash, be careful. This Grimm is surprisingly smart.

Slash: *screeches*

The Hound: *loud Growl*

The two charge each other at full speed, even though Slash used her Semblance however, the Hound managed to power through and slam into her like a battering ram, sending her flying back. Slash landed on her feet and skidded to a stop, but the Hound continued it's charge towards Jaune and the others. Slash ran in and leaped onto the Hound's back, knocking it off course and the two rolled away from the group. Slash recovered just in time to dodge The Hound's two bite attacks, she then stamped her right foot on the Grimm's head before climbing on it's back and stabbing her claws in the Grimm's hing quarters, she switched sides whenever the Hound snapped it's jaws near her. The Hound though finally managed to throw Slash off it, but she recovered and the two circled each other.

The Hound moved first and again snapped his jaws at Slash, she moved her body back to avoid it and then leaped onto the Hound's neck and used her foot claws and teeth to try and kill this thing. The Hound respond by bucking around and then brought it's front left paw up and pushed Slash to the ground and pinned her. Slash quickly responded by kicking her foot claws at the Hound's stomach, she moved her head to the right to avoid a bite attack then stabbed the Hound in the eye. It roared as it reeled back in pain, releasing Slash, she jumped onto the Hound's side and pushed it to the ground, she then used her foot claw on her right foot, as well as her teeth to try and kill the Grimm. The Hound, however, managed to latch it's jaws onto Slash's left arm and held on for a few tense seconds before pushing and jumping a few feet in the air, with Slash stuck on the Grimm's back, the Hound landed on top of Slash finally breaking her Aura and temporarily knocking her out.

The fight was moving so fast that Jaune and the others couldn't really react and try to help, but when the Hound stood over Slash and howled into the sky, Jaune snapped back to reality.

Jaune: Slash!

He drew his sword and ran towards Slash, the Hound responded by simply picking her body up and throwing her at Jaune. Jaune was sent backwards and crashed into the others, sending the whole group away from Oscar's still unconscious body. Yang pulled herself together first and saw the Hound approaching Oscar, she jumped in between the two.

Yang: You want him? You'll have to go through me.

The Hound: *loud Growl*

The Hound charged for Yang, but before it could leap at her, Slag's Dinobot form came from the side and smashed into the Hound like a freight train, sending it flying into a rock bridge causing it to collapse on top of it.

Slag: *growls then snorts through nose*

Yang: *happy* Slag!

The others recovered as Yang ran up to Slag and hugged his nose. While Ren saw to Oscar, Jaune checked Slash over.

Jaune: Slash?

Jaune used his Semblance to help Slash recover, when her Aura starts recovering on it's own, she starts waking up. Her eyes landed on Jaune and she let out a weak chirp.

Jaune: *sigh of relief* Thank goodness.

Yang let go of Slag and turned to the others.

Yang: We'd better get moving back to Mantle before night falls.

As she says this, a distant sound of jet engines are heard, Yang looks up and sees several objects flying towards them. The objects in question, get closer to the group before transforming into six identical looking robots.

Ren: Who are these guys?

Yang: I don't know, but I've got a bad feeling about this.

The six robots all speak one phrase at the same time.

Infernocus: We are Infernocus. We are your doom.

Slag: *with a growl* Decepticons.

Slag nudges Yang to the side with his nose, she looks at him and then he gestures to Oscar, then Mantle.

Yang: *realizes* What? No! No, I won't leave you like this!

Slag simply snorts angrily before, again, gesturing to Oscar.

Ren: Yang we need to get Oscar to safety, he's what they're after!

Ren picked up Oscar and laid him on one of the still functioning hoverbikes, he then hops on and starts the engine.

Yang: Be safe.

Slag only nudges Yang to go and she finally relents and gets on the other hoverbike.

Infernocus: Infernocus! Attack!

The six Decepticons leap at Slag who stands there and activates his Semblance and his whole body is covered in electricity. The second the Decepticons touch Slag, they're all electrocuted and sent backwards.

Jaune: *to Slash* Come on. Let's go.

Jaune heads to the final hoverbike but Slash doesn't follow, when Jaune looks back, she is looking at Slag's situation, which sees him bucking and spinning around to shake the Decepticons off him. She then looks back at Jaune and chirps a little, a look of worry comes over his face but that almost immediately turns into understanding.

Jaune: Look after each other, and be careful, or your mother will hate me.

Slash turns to the Decepticons and screeches before rushing in and tackling one of the Decepticons. By this point, the Hound had managed to recover and erupted out of the rubble with a howling roar.

Yang: This stupid dog won't die!

Jaune: These bikes won't last much longer, let's move!

The trio hit the trail back to Mantle, with the Hound in pursuit. Slash was easily dodging than strafing the single 'Con she was up against, while Slag had one jump on his side. He roared in response before he ran sideways and slammed into the chasm wall, knocking the Decepticon off him, he then felt blaster shots bouncing off his head armor and charged at the group of three which hit and landed the 'Cons near the others. The Infernocus Decepticons looked at their two opponents on either side of their group.

Infernocus: Infernocus! Transform!

The six Decepticons all jump into a pile as they all combine together to form a single large opponent that towers over the two Dinobots.

Infernocus: *Roars*

Back with Yang and the others, the Hound is still hot on their tails, when it lets out a different kind of howl. Seconds later, a large horde of centipede Grimm erupt out of the ground and a bunch of Teryx's and Sabyrs appear and go after the trio of bikes.

Yang: Did this thing just call for back up?

Jaune: Grimm aren't that smart!

Jaune draws his sword and slices down two centipede Grimm, Ren readies one of his guns and starts shooting Grimm as he passes by them and weaving through the horde to protect Oscar, Yang readies her gauntlets and punches several Centipede and Saybrs into dust. The Hound dives after Ren and misses the first swipe but hits Ren in the back of the head with it's second swipe, causing Ren to hit his head on the handlebars, his resulting dizziness didn't allow Ren to see an incoming boulder.

Jaune: Ren!

Ren's eyesight refocused and he saw the boulder, but he couldn't avoid it and he ended up riding up and off like a launch pad. Ren's hoverbike flew through the air and landed hard back on the snow, turning the bike and throwing both Ren and Oscar off.

Back with Slag and Slash and their fight with Infernocus, Slash was intimidated by the combiner Decepticon, Slag, not so much. Slag charged in like a battering ram, to which Infernocus responded by firing his arm mounted cannons at him, the shots were hard hitting and pretty much stopped Slag almost dead in his tracks, but he still tried to push forward. Infernocus kept firing at Slag, but the commotion had allowed Slash to speed around and jump onto Infernocus' back, she starts kicking with her foot claws but these are doing little to nothing to the giant Decepticon. Because of Slash's position on his back Infernocus found it difficult to get her off, this also allowed Slag to pull himself together and charge at Infernocus again. Infernocus finally grabs Slash and throws her at the wall of the canyon and turns back and stops Slag's charge with his right hand, then executes a hammerfist onto Slag's head, driving him to the ground, causing Slag to groan in pain.

Ren starts to slowly recover from the crash, his hearing is distorted and as he looks around he sees Grimm approaching him, but then sees Yang and then Jaune as he looks to his right. Ren sees Oscar and starts trying to crawl to him, but finally his hearing returns and he can hear Jaune.

Jaune: We've gotta get out of here!

Yang: I'm open to suggestions!

Ren finally reaches Oscar, but is suddenly swatted away by The Hound, it picks Oscar up in it's arms and starts to take flight.

Ren: Oscar!

Yang looks to see the Grimm getting away as well and grows a look of distress.

Yang: Oscar!

Jaune: We can't follow, the engines are frozen!

The trio finally defeat the last of the Grimm and take a look around.

Jaune: Did we get them all?

Yang: Yeah, I think so.

Ren: Doesn't really matter though, does it?

Yang was about to say something when a roar is heard from further up the chasm.

The roar came from Slag as he was kicked into the wall of the chasm, breaking his Aura. Infernocus approaches and readies his cannons, Slash watches but doesn't move because she's scared.

Slash: *in her head* I can't beat those 'Cons. They're too scary.

But as she watches Infernocus pin Slag underfoot and readies his cannons, Slash comes to a new revelation.

Slash: *out loud* But I'm more scared of losing my family. So, let's get prehistoric. *screeches*

Slash's body starts changing, her limbs grow longer, her body larger, more powerful, more armor forms on her body and her claws look sharp enough to cut through even the toughest boulders.

Slash: *Roars*

Yang, Jaune and Ren just came up over the hill and saw Slash's new Dinobot form and were in awe.

Yang: Since when could she do that?!

Jaune: I have no idea.

Slash: *Roars*

Slash charges Infernocus and avoids his cannon fire and leaps at him and her foot claws actually start doing damage to him when he tries to block. Slash continues to do these hit and run tactics, Slag, meanwhile, is just coming to and sees the battle unfolding a short distance away from him. Slag tries to get up but can't seem to find the strength to stand.

Slag: *sigh* Guess I'm not strong enough after all.

Yang: Slag!

He looks over and sees Yang with a confidant look in her eyes. Slag can finally see the meaning in her eyes and breaths before telling himself.

Slag: Strength doesn't come from just yourself, it comes from those around you. Slash hasn't given up, so what am I doing?

Slag slowly rises to his feet and looks at the battle and sees Slash finally take a hit while her Aura was still down, sending her skidding across the ice covered ground. Infernocus aims his cannons at Slash until-

Slag: *Roars*

The view returns to Slag whose Dinobot body also starts to change it's  appearance. His size now almost rivals Infernocus' combiner height, but is much bulkier and heavier as more armor appears as well as some spikes on his tail, his horns grow longer and his mouth is now lined with sharp teeth.

Slag roars once more before charging at Infernocus, the Decepticon, however, reluctantly seperates back into their six individual 'Cons to avoid a head-on-collision. The 'Cons look around and see their odds, turn around and fly away, towards Salem's Monstra.

Slag/Slash: *Roars*

Yang: Yes!

Jaune: Way to go you two!

Slash and Slag transform back into their child forms, Slag stumbles a little, but Slash starts to fall, who Jaune was quick to catch before she collapses completely.

Jaune: I've gotcha, kiddo.

Yang approaches Slag as he steadies himself, but he then starts to shiver, because he, and Slash for that matter, have no Aura to protect them from the cold. Slag is wearing heavy metal armor over a kevlar surcoat, and Slash is merely armored in kevlar at her joints and vital areas over top what clothing they are wearing.

Slag: I don't suppose any of you have a blanket on you?

Jaune: They're Aura's are broken, they can't protect themselves from the cold.

Yang: And this far out, none of us will make it back to Mantle in time.

Ren: I saw a shelter not far while we were getting our asses handed to us.

Jaune: That's probably our best bet, do you remember which way?

Ren nods and leads the way, Jaune picks up Slash and sets her on one of the Hoverbikes and starts pushing it with Slash and Slag riding in the seat. After a while though the group still hasn't reached the shelter Ren spoke of. Yang checks on Slag and can tell he's getting really cold, so is Slash.

Yang: These kids aren't gonna last much longer in the cold. How much further to the outpost?

With an angry expression, Ren remains silent.

Yang: Ren, how much--

Ren: I don't know.

Yang looks back at Jaune, who shrugs. She catches up with Ren.

Yang: I thought you said you saw while we were at the entrance to the chasm?

Ren: I did, but I was also a little busy trying to keep that Grimm from taking Oscar.

Yang brings her hand up and rubs the back of her head, uncomfortablely, then lowers it as she speaks.

Yang: Yeah, you've mentioned that a few times. Something you need to say?

Ren: Not really. Wouldn't want to waste any more time.

Ren walks ahead, while Yang stops with a gasp. Annoyed, she catches up with him again.

Yang: Hey! What's your deal?

She steps in front of Ren, stopping him.

Ren: Don't worry about it.

Yang: Well, I'm sorry things aren't going smoothly enough for you.

Jaune stops.

Jaune: Guys--

Ren: They're not going smoothly at all.

Yang: I hate to break it to you, but that's part of being a Huntsman.

Ren: Are you kidding?! We don't know the first thing about being Huntsmen. We clearly weren't ready, and the children were nowhere near ready for any of this fighting.

Jaune takes a couple steps towards them.

Jaune: Guys, stop it.

Yang: Were we not ready when we saved Haven? When we took down a Leviathen? Helping defeat a race of tyrannical alien robots? Or even fighting kaiju sized robots from another dimension? We got the Lamp to Atlas.

Ren: And then we lost it! And after that, when we had to make real decisions, we got every single one wrong.

Yang: I'm not going to pretend like we did everything perfectly, but if we'd done nothing, things would be even worse than they are now.

Ren: How can they possibly be worse? We are stuck out here while Salem has the Lamp, Oscar and the Winter Maiden power. We've got no plan, no army. People are going to die, because of us.

Yang: So what? We should just surrender to Ironwood and let him do what he wants? Abandon Mantle? You think Atlas is going to float away now that Salem's on it's doorstep?

Ren throws his fists down as he speaks.

Ren: I don't know. But these aren't the kinds of decisions we should be making because we have no idea what we're doing.

Jaune: Okay, both of you. Cut it out.

Ren then gets in Yangs face.

Ren: I'm just saying what no one else wants to. We're in way over our heads, Ruby's barely more than a kid, I'm an orphan from the middle of nowhere, the Dinobots act no more than animals--

Jaune: Ren, I--

Ren turns to Jaune.

Ren: You cheated your way into Beacon!

Yang's eyes widen and her mouth drops open. Everyone stands in silence for a few moments, until Ren relaxes his shoulders and gains a regretful expression. He looks away from Jaune, frowning. Jaune stares wide-eyed, then lowers his gaze with a frown.

Jaune: You don't think we should be Huntsmen, fine, but I'm getting the kids out of the cold.

Jaune resumes pushing the hoverbike, pushing past Ren and Yang.

Jaune: *mumbling* We've still got a job to do.

Yang: *to Ren* Seriously, is your goal just to push everyone away?

Yang walks away to follow Jaune, while Ren clenches his fists.

Night falls when the group finally reaches the outpost, Yang quickly gets Slag and Slash inside while Jaune manages to get the heater working, Ren is staring out the window with his arms crossed.

Jaune: You're right, Ren. I... I did cheat my way into Beacon.

Jaune stands as he speaks and walks to Ren until he stands beside him.

Jaune: And I'm glad that I had people around me to help me see that I was bigger than that mistake. You've got people around you too. You don't have to force yourself to be strong. The more you hide from what you're feeling, the more alone you're going to feel. Trust me.

Ren glances at Jaune, then uncrosses his arms and walks out of the small building, shoving the door open. Yang is kneeling by the kids as she tucks them into whatever she could find, she sadly watches as Ren leaves.

Yang: If anyone cares I picked up parts outside to fix the bike. So, yay. Good news.

She stands and walks over to a workbench, Jaune turns back to the window to watch Ren sit down beneath the lamp post.

Yang: For what it's worth, I'm sorry he said that to you. I know you had to work harder than most to get here, Jaune.

Jaune: And we all know the kids have their own problems they've been dealing with. I think everyone is just under a lot of stress. I used to push people away too.

Yang turns back to the workbench and begins using a wrench on the part she found, after a few seconds she puts the wrench down and asks.

Yang: Do you... think they think less of me... for not helping out with Amity?

Jaune: Ruby's your sister, and Blake and Weiss are your friends, they're always going to love you even if you disagree with each other.

Yang smiles at the comment and realizes he's right.

Yang: *small chuckle* Thanks, I needed to hear that.

Jaune: I need to get some sleep but... I can't stop thinking about Oscar.

Yang sets the wrench down and walks over to the window.

Yang: Go on. I'll make sure Ren doesn't brood himself to death out in the cold.

Jaune: Thanks, I just have a bad feeling. Thing always seem to get worse before they get better.

Down the hill from the outpost and a fair distance away, the ground has begun to cracking and noises can be heard beneath it. Suddenly, the cracks lengthen and then expand.

(A/N): And cut! Great take everyone! Let's hang it up for the night, be back bright and early tomorrow.

Hope you're enjoying so far, have a great day/night and I'll see y'all next time. PEACE OUT!!!