In the Vault under Haven Academy, the sound of a weapon clanging is heard. Neo stares at the door that once guarded the Relic of Knowledge; the door itself is now a stone wall since the Relic has been taken out.

Cinder: Now you understand.

Cinder is sitting on a boulder, flicking her dagger and changing its form.

Cinder: I've got to get the Relic before it can be secured in Atlas. It's the only way that Salem... (sighs before she finishes) It's the only way we can accomplish our goal.

Neo looks back at Cinder.

Cinder: You're not the only one who wants Ruby dead. But unfortunately, Salem does not feel the same way...

Neo places her umbrella on her shoulder and walks toward Cinder.

Cinder: I've been... instructed not to kill her... (melts her dagger in her hand) But you...

Cinder: You have no such orders. You can do as you please.

Cinder's dagger disintegrates and she stands up to walk towards Neo.

Cinder: Help me get to Atlas, help me find her... and the rest is up to you.

Neo ponders Cinder's words for a moment before smiling at her and holding her hand out.

Cinder takes Neo's hand with her own, sealing the deal with a handshake.

Wind is heard howling. In a mountainous region,

a lone, cloaked feminine figure with a skull mask concealing her face crosses a rickety bridge. Halfway across the bridge, she hears the screech of a Nevermore. She turns to her left to see the Nevermore appear from the fog, and she draws her weapons - a pair of sickles.

The young Maria Calavera backflips off the bridge just as the Nevermore rams through it, splitting the bridge in half. She throws one of her sickles at one of the Nevermore's wing and uses the gravity Dust imbued in it to pull herself back up, while also dragging the Nevermore down. She grabs her other sickle on her way back up, getting above the Nevermore, and uses the recoil of her weapon to spin and grapple onto the Nevermore. She then throws one of her sickles to a mountain, pulling the Nevermore with it. The Nevermore crashes into the mountainside, losing its balance, before crash landing to the ground. Maria's other sickle is called back and lands on the ground in front of it.

Maria takes out the sickle from the Nevermore's wing, catching her breath. She looks over to the Nevermore's head, whose eyes stare back at her, causing her to gasp. The Nevermore tries to snap its beak at Maria, forcing her off. It swipes at her, knocking Maria back and forcing her to drop her sickle. The Nevermore charges forward,

but Maria's eyes glow brightly, engulfing the area around her. She stands back up and notices the Nevermore petrified in midair, before dropping down and crumbling. Maria walks over to her sickle to pick it up, using the gravity Dust to call her other sickle back to her.

Suddenly, Maria deflects a bullet aimed at her. She notices three men - one with a giant hammer, one carrying a rifle, and one with a machete - come out of hiding. Another woman, a crocodile Faunus named Tock, then walks up behind her.

Tock: Well, that's a fancy trick now, innit?

Tock: 'Fraid it comes with a price though, love. (crushes a small piece of the petrified Nevermore in her hand)

Maria turns around to face Tock, while the three men ready their weapons.

Maria: I don't think you realize who I am.

Tock: Course I do. (takes out an alarm clock, setting the timer and placing it on her belt) You're the Grimm Reaper, and these... are the last sixty seconds of your life.

Tock hits the button on her clock, starting the timer's countdown. She then draws a pair of saber swords and activates her Aura. The ticking clock can be heard in the background as the battle begins. Tock rushes forward and clashes blades with Maria. Maria attacks back, but Tock's Aura knocks her sickle out of her hand. Tock kicks Maria back, with the latter summoning her other sickle back to her hand. She then proceeds to fight the three men, deflecting their bullets. She cuts down the rifle-wielding man, knocks out the machete-wielder, and dodges out of the way of the hammer user before cutting him down. She then blocks another attack from Tock, who manages to push Maria back, causing her Aura to flicker.

Maria's sickles then circle around her due to the Gravity Dust, before combining together to form a double-edged scythe. Tock and the machete-wielder rush forward to attack, but Maria blocks them. The Grimm Reaper then takes down the machete-wielder before proceeding to clash with Tock again. The two lock weapons with each other, before Tock uses her razor-sharp metal teeth to chomp through Maria's weapon. The crocodile Faunus headbutts the Grimm Reaper, shattering her skull mask in the process.

Maria briefly opens up her silver eyes for a bit, when suddenly, Tock slashes at her eyes, permanently blinding Maria.

Silence for a moment, before Maria screams out in pain, her eyes bleeding. She continues to cry out as Tock's alarm clock rings. Tock presses the button on her clock as her Aura deactivates.

Tock: It was a close call, I'll give you that.

Tock walks over menacingly to Maria, who continues to cry out in pain as she holds her blinded eyes. Maria manages to grab one of her sickles and tries to fire at Tock, who nonchalantly dodges out of the way. A clicking sound can then be heard from Maria's sickle, indicating her weapon is out of ammo.

Tock: You know, the only reason my master wants you dead, is 'cause of your eyes. (laughs) But seein' as you ain't got 'em no more, you might be able to convince me to spare your life.

In response, Maria tries to throw her sickle at Tock, but she dodges that too.

Tock: (chuckles) Well, I respect that, a fighter to the end.

Tock readies her saber to kill Maria, but Maria manages to find her other sickle. She clicks the switch on it, calling the other blade back over.

Tock, in its path, gets the blade of the other sickle embedded into her back, causing her to fall forward. Maria then uses the sickle in her hand to slash at Tock as she falls forward...

Back in the present day...

Maria: But I wasn't... I went into hiding soon after.

The now elderly Maria is seen finishing her story to Team RWBY, Team REBL, Zach, Qrow, Kyla, Crim, Mason, Shane, and Oscar, who all have wide-eyed expressions.

Qrow: (astounded) I can't believe it. You... You're the Grimm Reaper, you were a legend! And then you disappeared...

Oscar: How exactly does a legend just disappear?

Qrow: You never used your name, never showed your face. Lots of us thought you were just layin' low. Eventually, we just came to accept that you were probably dead. But the stories about you, I based my weapon off of yours. I wanted to be as good as the Grimm Reaper.

Maria: Well, I'm nothing but a disappointment, so you're well on your way.

Mason: Grandma...

Blake: How can you say that?

Maria: Child, a Huntress is supposed to protect others to the bitter end. But after I lost my eyes, I only ever looked after myself. Even after my surgery, I was too afraid to fight. Afraid someone would find me again, finish what the others started. You shouldn't aspire to be like me, especially when some of you are clearly stronger already.

Upon hearing this, Yang looks down sadly.

Maria: It's... comforting, seeing that your generation seems up to the task of inheriting this world. I'm just sorry I didn't do more to leave it in better shape.

Ruby: Well, maybe you can do something now. Teach me to use my powers the way you did.

As Maria looks back at Ruby, a Scroll's ringtone can be heard. Ruby pulls her Scroll out and gasps in excitement.

Ruby: It's Jaune!

Rin: What?!

Yang stops her bike, looking back in surprise. Everyone says "Huh?" as they wonder how Jaune contacted them.

Weiss: How?

Ruby: (answering her Scroll) Uh, hello?

Jaune: Ruby! Oh, thank you! I've been checking my Scroll for your signal since we made it to the city!

Ruby: The city? Wait...

Rex: Does that mean we're close?

Ruby looks to her Scroll, her contact name for Jaune being "Vomit Boy". She looks at the little signal symbol under Jaune's portrait, watching it get better as she points her Scroll toward the road ahead.

Rex and Rin both use their semblance and ran up the hill and saw a beautiful city of Argus in the distance.

Rex: (shouted) Guys! We made it!

Rin: (shouted) It's just up ahead!

The group sees a hill where the snow ends. Yang proceeds forward to drive them up the hill. At the top of the hill, the group sees a walled city in the distance along the ocean.

Yang: (smiling) Ladies and gentlemen, we have arrived in Argus.

Luke: Let's not keep Vomit Boy waiting!

At the entrance to the city of Argus, Yang inputs a code, "4-5-8", to lock Bumblebee and the trailer in a garage. Team RWBY, Team REBL, Shane, Mason, Crim, Zach, Kyla, Qrow, Oscar, and Maria take the time to admire their surroundings. Through the crowd, a certain bubbly ginger-haired girl in pink zooms in.

Nora: Cute! Boy! OZ!!!

Oscar looks over in confusion, only to get tackle hugged by Nora.

Nora: Oh, come here!

Jaune, Athena, Yugo, Mia, and Ren also arrive.

Ren: Are you all okay? (hugs Yang)

Jaune: We were so worried! (hugs Blake)

Yang: It's been kind of a crazy trip.

Weiss: That's an understatement.

Shane: Hope you guys didn't have too much fun without us.

Nora: (noticing Maria) Wait, who's the old lady?

Mason: That would be my grandmother.

Nora: Your WHAT?!

Blake: I'm so glad you're all safe.

Weiss: Seriously...

Mia: We thought that you all gone missing or something.

Briana: Well, we didn't.

Nora: Ah! You're gonna love this place!

As everyone else engages in their own conversations, Ruby, Rex, and Jaune walk up to each other and give each other a big hug. After parting from the hug, Jaune looks down and frowns.

Ruby: Hey. We promised, didn't we?

Rex: I told you we make it to the other side.

Jaune: (smiling while tears well up in his eyes) Yeah, you both did. (wipes his eyes) It's good to see you guys.

The three share a smile together.

Yugo: Oh, guys! Ever since we stayed here, I've unlocked my Semblance!

Zach: Wait, for real?!

Oscar: You did, Yugo?!

Athena: It happened yesterday. Show them, kid.

Yugo runs and makes a portal out of his hands and jumps through it. He makes another one and flies down.

Shane: Dude, that was incredible!

Crim: It's like you teleported.

Yugo: Pretty cool, huh?

Zach: Neat. Pretty neat.

Briana: That's nice and all, Yugo, but is there a place we can eat, Jaune?

Jaune: Don't worry. I got everything ready.

Later on, the group is seen traveling through the city on a trolley.

Yang: It's a lot bigger than I thought it'd be.

Ren: It's actually one of the largest non-capital cities in all of Remnant.

Rex: This place is bigger as Vale's?

Ruby: (gasps) No way! But wait, wouldn't it be harder to settle something this big away from the main Kingdom?

Jaune: Well, it was, until Mantle showed up. Early settlement attempts by Mistral didn't go well. But colonists from Mantle were able to help them brave the cold climate and return for goods that Solitas couldn't provide.

Ren: The two nations worked together to create a hybrid city. While it falls under Mistral domain, Atlas keeps a military presence here to help keep the people safe and keep trade between the two nations steady.

Nora: Well, until recently...

Mia: As Ironwood backs off his armies back to Atlas... right?

The trolley makes a stop and everyone hops off.

Blake: We should probably start looking for a ship.

Oscar: (to Jaune) So, where have you guys been staying?

Jaune: Uh... (chuckles nervously)

???: There you are!

As the trolley leaves, a blonde woman, Saphron Cotta-Arc, with her baby son, Adrian, in her arm is seen on the other side of the street waving to Jaune.

Yang: Is that...?

Luke: No way...

Jaune: Hey, Saph. (smiles and waves back)

Ruby then zooms in, all starry-eyed. She looks back and forth between Jaune and Saphron,

and gasps upon realizing who the woman is.

The group later reconvenes in a living room at a home.

Ruby: I can't believe I'm meeting your sister! I have so many questions.

Nora: Oh, I can give you the rundown later!

Briana: We would like to hear that too. Jaune vs his seven sisters.

Elena: That would be hilarious.

Crim: I bet you guys braided his hair and put him in a dress.

Jaune: Will you guys knock it off?

Saphron: What? I love telling stories about my baby brother. (squeezes Jaune's cheek)

Jaune: (groaning while also flailing his arms at his elder sister) I am not a baby! That is a baby. (points at Adrian, who huffs back at him)

Luke: Ha. The kid doesn't like his uncle.

Yang, Briana, and Weiss get all wide-eyed as they fuss over Adrian. Both of them make baby talk at him.

Yang: Aww, you're so cute! Yes you are! Oh, look at your little face!

Weiss: Aww, coochie-coochie! Aw, baby! Oh my!

Briana: Who's a good kid? You are! You little precious you! I wanna gobble your cheeks!

Blake: So Saphron, you're the only Arc living here?

A picture on the bookshelf of the Arc siblings all together can be seen, with the young Jaune at the center with pigtails and a deadpan expression while holding a sign that says "HELP" on it while his sisters do various crazy things around him.

Saphron: Yep! Moved the second I could.

Saphron: Jaune and I are the only two living away from home. (in a teasing voice) I guess he just wanted to be like his big sis.

Jaune: I, uh... (groans)

Saphron: (teasing) Aw, you didn't deny it!

The two siblings play fight with each other by pulling each other's cheeks. Then, a door is heard opening. A dark-haired woman with glasses is seen walking in with bags of groceries.

Saphron: Everyone, this is my wife, Terra Cotta.

Everyone greets Terra.

Ruby: Hello!

Nora: Hey there!

Blake: Nice to meet you.

Kyla: It's a pleasure, Mrs. Cotta.

Terra: (chuckles) Why, hello there! Wow, quite a party, you weren't kidding. Hun, can I get some help please?

Saphron quickly runs over to help Terra in the kitchen. Later on, Jaune, Ren, Athena, and Nora are seen preparing sandwiches for everyone.

Weiss: And you're sure it's alright if we stay with you?

Kyla: We wouldn't want to be a burden for you two.

Saphron: Of course, we're happy to house Huntsmen and Huntresses.

Terra: You all risk so much to keep people like us safe. It's the least we can do. Especially for such an elite Huntsman like yourself.

Terra: Although, I will say I was surprised to learn you had students helping you. Is that even... legal?

Qrow and Zach, not paying attention, get their arms bumped by their nieces.

Qrow: Uh, of course. Think of it as an extended training mission. Trust me, I was a professor. Even went to the same academy as them. Let me tell ya, these kids are way better than we were at their age.

Zach: Yeah, I'd trust these kids with my life and they are prepared for anything to come their way. I've seen it firsthand.

Athena, Jaune, Ren, and Nora walk back into the room with plates full of sandwiches. Ruby gasps happily upon seeing them.

Qrow: Well, not better than me specifically, but a lot of students--

Ruby: Shut up, there's food!

Rex: Can't wait!

Everyone heartily eats the sandwiches. Saphron and Terra share a look with each other, before the latter's Scroll is heard buzzing.

Terra: (sighs) Excuse me, I'll be right back. (answers her Scroll and walks out of the room) Hello?

Blake: Is everything okay?

Saphron: Oh, yeah, it will be. Terra's a technician for the town's relay tower. Unfortunately, the military's radar system is also housed there. (making baby talk at Adrian) Guess what's been on the fritz lately and who's getting falsely blamed.

Terra: (peeking back into the room) Me.

Saphron: So, what's your plan for tomorrow?

Shane: Well... We're trying to make our way to Atlas. We'll probably start with the military base.

Nora and Ren share concerned looks.

Jaune: (nervously) So, we kind of already tried that, and... it didn't go... super great.

Mia: You can say that again.

Athena: We'd even asked the boss and she refused.

Yugo: That lady was really cranky, I mean, what gives?

Yang: Come on, it couldn't be that bad...

Kyla: What's the worst that can happen?

The next day, Team RWBY, Team REBL, Kyla, Shane, Crim, and Mason walk up to the Atlesian Military base on the island off the coast of Argus,

only for the gates to abruptly close on them before they could even enter.

Rex: (to Kyla) You were saying?

Kyla: (blushes) Oh, shuttup.

END OF PART 72