Ironwood: They were here... Ozpin, they were here!

Ironwood angrily slams his fist against Ozpin's desk.

Glynda: We're very much aware of that! Thank you, James.

Ironwood: Fantastic! You're aware! Now are we going to do something about it or should we just stay the course and continue to ignore what's right in front of us?!

Mia: Settle down, James! We know it's a little complicated for you.

An alert sound plays, signifying that someone has arrived on the elevator.

Ozpin: Come in.

Ruby and Rex steps out and into the room.

Ruby: Sorry it took so long. Someone accidentally hit all the buttons on the elevator on the way up here. It wasn't me.

Rex: (glares at her) It was obviously you.

Ruby: I said it was an accident.

Rex: 😑 Sure, it was.

Ozpin: Thank you for coming, you two. How are you feeling?

Ruby: Okay, I guess. I'd feel better if my bad-guy-catching record wasn't O-for-three.

Everyone stares silently.

Ruby: Okay, so that's the tone we're going for, got it.

Rex: I'm doing fine.

Ironwood: Rex, Ruby, I feel it's appropriate to let you two know that I think what you did last night is exactly what being a Huntsman and Huntress is all about. You two recognized a threat. Both of you took action. And you did the very best you could.

Ruby: Thank you, sir.

Rex: It was nothing, James.

Ozpin: Now, the general here has already informed us of the events that... transpired last night, but now that you've rested, we were wondering if you had anything to add.

Glynda: Was anyone else with her? Did she look familiar to you at all?

Ruby: I... I don't know. She was wearing a mask, and she never said anything to me. But I know she fought with glass. I don't think that was her Semblance, though. Her clothing lit up whenever she attacked.

Mia: Do you have any idea what she look like?

Rex: For what I saw, Mom, I think that woman uses her Semblance like some fire magic.

Glynda: Save for the glass, that sounds like the woman I fought the night we met Rex and Ruby.

Ironwood: Embedding Dust into clothing is an age-old technique. It could have been anyone.

Ruby: Wait. You think this girl is connected to Torchwick and the White Fang?

Ozpin: It's possible. But we still lack the required evidence to link the two together.

Ruby: Actually, I... I think I remember her saying something about a hideout, or something, in the southeast. Just outside the Kingdom.

Rex: (Thinking) That was a biggest lie you came up with.

Ozpin: Interesting.

Glynda: I thought you said the intruder never-

Ozpin: Thank you for your cooperation, Ruby. Why don't you go and spend some time with your team? You have a big day ahead of you.

Ruby: (leaving) Any time.

Ozpin: And Miss Rose, please try and be ... discreet about this matter.

Ruby: Yes sir. Rex, you coming?

Rex: I'll catch up.

Yang: What happened?

Ruby: Uh... well, um... (laughing nervously)

Mia: Is there something bothering you, son?

Rex: I... I've been thinking.

Mia: About?

Rex: About that woman. I think she must've have amber eyes.

Mia: Amber eyes... (Gasps) No...

Ironwood: Mia?!

Rex: Mom, what is it?

Mia: Son, did you say she has a fire magic?

Rex: Uh, yeah?

Mia: I know that Semblance anywhere.

Mia pulls out her scroll and tries to find the culprit that she remembers.

Mia: I've got it! Cinder Fall.

Rex: Wait a minute, that's the woman I saw the other day!

Glynda: The same woman I fought that night.

Ironwood: Well there we have it.

Ironwood: We send as many troops as we can to the southeast, find out exactly what's going on, and eradicate any forces that stand in our way.

Mia: Same old General, always wants to bring an army with no regrets.

Glynda: (growls in frustration) Why must your answer to everything involve a triumphant display of military bravado!? You treat every situation like it's a contest of measuring di-!

Ozpin: Glynda!

Glynda: Well, he does.

Ozpin: She's right. As much as I too would love to end this situation once and for all, we must remember that this may go beyond Vale. Beyond Beacon. And if this truly is part of some master plan for which we know not the final move, we mustn't be so bold. Nor can we risk the spread of panic.

Rex: That could cause a total different level. Might wanna think this through, James.

Ironwood: I have served you faithfully for years... but if you mean to tell me that your plan is to really hold the defenses, and wait-!

Ozpin: (abruptly stands from his chair) It is not! You're a general, James. So tell me, when you prepare to go to war, which do you send in first? The flag bearers, or the scouts?

Rex: For me, I would've picked the obvious choice.

Mia: I think you should go, son. We have very important things to discuss.

Rex: Sure.

Ozpin: And thank you for informing our situation, Mr. Venti.

Rex: Anytime, Sir. (Leaves)

Ironwood: That boy is something else.

Mia: He sure is.

Glynda: Agree.

(In Team RWBY's Dorm)

Weiss: That was a risky move.

Blake: No, I think you handled it well.

Ruby: I hope so.

Yang: I'm sure everything will be alright, Ruby.

(Knock, knock)

Ruby: Come in!

Rex: (opens the door) Yo.

Ruby: Rex! (Hugs her boyfriend) What took you so long?!

Rex: Just had a little straight things out. But, I still can't believe you just lied.

Weiss: Then again, that was a risky move.

Yang: Oh, I know what will cheer you up!

Yang produces a cylindrical package the length of her forearm.

Ruby: What's that?

Yang: I don't know yet. Dad sent it to us. I thought we could open it together!

Ruby: Ooooh! Something from home!

Rex: What could it be?

Ruby zooms over to Yang and wraps herself around Yang, trying to take the cylinder from her. The package opens, and another cylinder, hairy and black, falls out onto the floor and starts to shake. The object suddenly transforms into a corgi. Team RWBY leans in, staring at it.

The animal barks twice. While Weiss and Blake continue to react with great shock, Ruby and Yang react excitedly, with Ruby jumping in the air.

RWBY: Waaa-aaah!

Rex: No way!!

Ruby: Zwei!

Blake: He sent a dog?

Weiss: In the mail?

Yang: Oh, he does stuff like this all the time!

Blake disappears, shown now to be on Ruby's bunk.

Blake: Your father or your dog?

Rex: Zwei! Good to see you, buddy! Who's a good boy?

Team REBL comes to the dorm.

Rin: What's all the commotion about? (Gasps) Oh, my gosh! Zwei!

Zwei: Ruff, ruff!

Percivals: You got a corgi! He's so cute!!! Aw~!!

Briana: I've always wanted one of these!

Rex: This is Zwei. Ruby and Yang's dog.

Zwei looks at Luke and came to him but Luke backs away.

Luke: Why are you looking at me like that? Dude, no!

Yang: Babe, he's trying to say hi.

Luke: (Backs up a little)

Zwei begins to chase Luke barking at him.

Luke: No! Stop! (Shrieks) Mommy!!!

Rex: (Chases after them) Oh, crap. Luke, hold on, dude!

Elena: He's just a puppy, Luke!

Ruby: I didn't know Luke is scared of dogs. (Picks up Zwei) Luke?

Luke: Up here!

They look up and saw Luke holding between the walls.

Luke: You got him?

Rex: Dude, it's okay. He won't hurt you.

Briana: Come on, dude, he won't bite.

Luke: Hell, no! Not on your life!

Rin: Luke, Zwei's harmless. Just come down.

Yang: Babe, look at him.

Zwei gives Luke the old puppy eyes trick.

Luke: (Groans and gives in) Damn it! The puppy eyes always win.

He comes down as Ruby hands Zwei over to Luke.

Luke: Gee, you're a good boy, aren't you?

Zwei: Ruff, ruff! (Licks his face)

Luke: (Laughs) Okay, okay! You had me a scare, first.

Rin: I told you he's harmless.

Weiss: Are you telling me that this mangy... drooling...

Weiss: mutt is going to wiv wif us foweva? Oh, yes he is, yes he is! Oh, isn't he adorable!

Briana: Well, she got melted pretty fast.

Blake: Please keep it away from my belongings.

Glynda: (Over the intercom) Would all first-year students please report to the amphitheater?

Weiss: Well, we can't exactly leave him here while we're gone for the week.

Ruby sets Zwei down and he walks over to Blake still on the top bunk, and barks.

Rin: Look, there's a letter! (Zwei arrives in front of Yang)

Yang: "Dear girls, I've got to leave the island for a few days, so I'm sending Zwei to you to take care of. Enclosed is all the food you should need. Love you both, Taiyang."

Dozens of cans of dog food spill out of the small package, piling up around Zwei.

Elena: Does he really need this much?

Weiss: What is he supposed to do with that?

A can opener falls from the package, bouncing off Zwei's head.

Yang: Well, that settles it! Come on girls, Zwei will be here when we get back!

Luke: See ya later, Zwei.

Elena: We'll be back before you know it.

Weiss: (talking to Zwei as she leaves) Oh, I'll miss you so much, we're going to be best friends, I can't wait to see you. (her speech deteriorates into incomprehensible baby talk)

Meanwhile, Blake jumps down from Ruby's bunk and jumps across the table, avoiding Zwei.

Ruby stares at Zwei for a moment, before smiling sneakily.

Rex: You're not thinking you're bringing him with you, Rosebud?

Ruby: I don't want him to be alone, Rex? Please. We have to bring him.

Rex: I'm telling you, it's a bad idea.

Ruby: (Giving Rex the puppy eyes) Please, Rex?

Rex: Oh, fine. You win.

(At the amphitheater)

Glynda: Quiet! Quiet please. Professor Ozpin would like to share a few words before we begin.

Ozpin: Today we stand together, united.

Ozpin: Mistral. Atlas. Vacuo. Vale. The four Kingdoms of Remnant. On this day, nearly eighty years ago, the largest war in recorded history came to an end.

Ozpin: It was a war of ignorance, of greed, and of oppression. A war that was about much more than where borders fell or who traded with whom, but about the very idea of individualism itself. We fought for countless reasons, one of which being the destruction of all forms of art and self-expression. And as you are well aware, that was something many could not stand for. As a result, those who opposed this tyranny began naming their children after one of the core aspects of art itself: color. It was their way to demonstrate that not only would they refuse to tolerate this oppression, but neither were the generations to come. And it was a trend that is held to this very day. We encourage individuality, expressionism, and unity through diversity. As I have said, today we stand together, united. But this bond cannot exist without effort. Which is why today, while the rest of the world celebrates peace, Huntsmen and Huntresses will work to uphold it. As first year students, you will be tasked with shadowing a professional Huntsman or Huntress on a mission. Some of you may be taken out of the Kingdom for several days. Others may work within the walls for the rest of the week. But no matter which path you choose, remember to be safe, remember your training, and remember to do your very best.

Ozpin steps away as the students all begin to file out of the amphitheater.

Ruby: This is perfect! All we have to do is shadow a Huntsman working in the southeast!

Yang: Yeah! We'll follow them around by day and give them the slip by night!

Weiss: Let's check "search and destroy"!

Rex: I love where you're heading!

Team RWBY and REBL approaches a hologram screen.

Ruby: Here we go! Quadrant 5 needs Grimm cleared out!

Blake: Well, it's in the southeast!

Yang: Sounds perfect!

Rin: Well, my team would be heading to Quadrant 6.

Rex: Isn't it nearby or something?

Briana: If I remember correctly, it's not far from the other side of Quadrant 5.

Rin: Let's do it! We'll regroup at night and start our mission.

EBL: Yeah!!!

Ruby selects it and types in her team name. However, the screen says that first years are not allowed to take this mission. Rin did the same and types her team name. Unfortunately, it didn't work, either.

Briana: Damn it!

Weiss: Wonderful!

Luke: Our luck just got sunked.

Blake: Any other ideas?

Ruby: We mail ourselves there!

Ozpin: (offscreen) Well, that's one option.

Luke: What the-!?

Ozpin suddenly appears.

Ozpin: Unfortunately, we determined that the concentration of Grimm was too extreme for first-year students. It seems that particular region is rather popular. In fact, I have the sneaking suspicion that you four will make your way there no matter which job you choose.

Weiss, Blake, and Yang glare at Ruby, who nervously rubs her head.

Ruby: Whatever makes you say that?

Ozpin: I'm still curious how you all found yourself at the docks last semester. I'm interested to know how you really learned about a hideout in the southeast. And I certainly wonder why witnesses reported seeing robots and rose petals in a dance club some time ago.

Rex glares at his girlfriend.

Ruby: Um... well...

Ozpin: I doubt I'll ever find the exact answers I'm looking for. So how about this: instead of waiting for you all to break the rules, why don't we just bend them?

Ozpin selects some things on his scroll, and the hologram screen makes a noise.

Percivals: All right!!

Luke: Yes!

Ruby: We won't let you down. Thank you, professor.

Rex: Yeah, thanks!

Ozpin: Do not thank me for this. Teamwork and persistence have carried you far. But you must understand, the things that await you beyond the protection of the Kingdom will not care. Stay close to your Huntsman at all times, and do exactly as he says. He will be leading you on this mission, and he can have you sent back to Beacon, if he finds your skills to be unsatisfactory. Good luck.

Team RWBY and REBL have left the auditorium and are on their way to the airship that will take them to Quadrant 5 and 6.

Yang: That wasn't exactly uplifting.

Luke: True dat.

Blake: But it's the truth.

Ruby: It's gonna to be tough, but I know we can do it!

A student runs past the team.

Student: Hey! Team CFVY is back!

Beacon students gather around to witness the return of Team CFVY. Blake goes up to Velvet.

Blake: Velvet? Are you okay?

Velvet: I'm fine. I had Yatsuhashi to look out for me. Hey, Rex.

Rex: Hey, Velvet.

Weiss: Your mission was supposed to end a week ago! What happened?

Velvet: Nothing happened. It was just ... there were just so many... Oh, but don't worry. You first-years are just shadowing Huntsmen, so you should be fine.

Yang: Right.

Velvet: I should go. Be safe, okay?

Rin: You know we will.

Ruby: We can do this. We've never backed down before, and we're not going to start now.

Blake: Right.

Ruby: Besides, it won't only be us out there! We'll be fighting alongside a genuine Huntsman!

Yang: Yeah!

Rex: This'll be awesome!

Luke: What's the worst that could happen?

Briana: Let's get out there and kick some asses!

Oobleck: Why, hello boys and girls!

Oobleck: Who's ready to fight for their lives?

Rex and Luke: I take it back. We're so dead.

END OF PART 24