It was supposed to be the last time. The Fall of Beacon, the momwnt the heroes fell...

The day he lost a good friend. The love of his life.

So what did he see? It was a machine, yes. It moved like a human, yes. But that was all it was. A machine that moved like a human. He didn't hear it speak, or anything.

It couldn't of been her. She was gone.

"Jaune!" He heard. He soon snapped out of his thoughts, looking over to the source of the voice that spoke to him. It was his teammate Ren, who had sat by his side the whole time. He was the only one of his group awake aside from Qrow, who was in another ship entirely.

"Oh...hey...What's up?..." Jaune spoke, his thoughts drifting off as he started his conversation.

"I wanted to make sure you're alright." the magenta streaked Huntsman replied, putting a hand on his own shoulder, which was bandaged up to stop the bleeding of his arm.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just..." the Arc sighed softly. He rested back against the metal wall, closing his eyes as the back of his head rested against the steel. "I...think I saw her...But it wasn't her, it..."

"Jaune? What are you talking about?"

"That giant robot! It stared right at me, and I saw her..." the blonde huffed as he ran his hand over his face. It was hard to believe, yes. But, it had that same presence in its eyes.

"Saw who?" Ren raised a brow as he looked at his leader. Something that lead to a moment of silence before Jaune said,

"Pyrrha..."

Argus was a rather small city. A mostly independent city, and rather stable in its structure. At least compared to other towns around Remnant. It was considered a canyon town, from it being formed in a small canyon just near the waters for easier transport of supplies.

The military base of Argus, which was built into the cliffside, was the monarch of this city. And the Queen was waiting.

The General of the base stood tall, two soldiers by her side as the wind blew in her face.

Above her an Atlas Convoy ships hovered, slowly descending along with evacuation ships on the landing platforms. Already she was dreading it. Because she knew exactly what type of disaster was about to come forth. From him.

The back of one of the convoy ships opened itself, lowering a ramp down to the concrete ground below it.

Footsteps were heard. Three sets of them as they made their way down the ramp.

The first person she saw caused Cordovin's insides to churn in anger.

A man stood tall. Twice Cordovin's height at 5'8. He had black hair, slick back and greying a bit. His eyes were unseen, from the tinted black glasses over them. He looked from his left to his right as he stepped onto the ground. Only when Cordovin spoke did she get his attention. a piece of it anyhow.

"Lenard. You look...pale." She attempted to compliment. Which failed miserably.

"And you look like you lost three more inches since the last time I saw you." Church replied plainly, looking back at the ship, where two young women stood in the cargo bay. One Winter Schnee and Glynda Goodwitch.

"Ms. Schnee, if you'd please help Ms. Nikos get set up in the hanger?"

The mature Schnee simply nodded, turning around back into the ship. Penny simply followed.

"Understand me, Church. I will not tolerate any of your antics." Cordovin growled out as she looked up to the greying old man.

"Why is that? Your superior Ironwood doesn't have a problem bending over for me." Church taunted, while behind him a sort of crane mechanism extended from the cargo bay, the dirtied and battle torn white and red mech curled up, before being set down on its feet. "You don't even have to do that. You're the perfect height to eat my dick and still stand!"

The short old woman groaned at that, stomping her foot onto the ground in anger. "Why you putrid little undisciplined-"

"Glynda told me you're housing my recruits? Right?" Church asked simply, ignoring everything she said. While behind him the white and red mech came online, with another mech in white, thinner armor stood up, tall. The crane of the ship unloading two more, bare mech frames, which they both picked up and too to the hanger built into the mountains.

Soon the midget calmed herself, keeping her hands behind her back as she spoke in a composed manner. "We were able secure the last recruit from Haven. The others arrived hours pri-"

"Good, get the pods inside for me." the doctor interrupted once more, stepping away towards the mountain base hanger. "Bring me my last recruit, then send them to the lab."

Cordovin growled lowly watching him leave. A look of rage in her eyes.

The side doors of the Evacuation ships lowered, forming into ramps for passengers to exit. As the many citizens scurried away onto base grounds the group of young Huntsmen followed.

Jaune held an unconscious Ruby in his arms as he stepped off the Evac ship, alongside Nora and Ren.

They were nearly swept up in the crowd being escorted by soldiers.

Nora looked around for the rest of their group, while still staying close to her team. When she saw the two four story mechs exit the hanger towards a convoy ship, her eyes widened greatly, as she grew a grin. "Guys, look!" She tugged on Ren's shoulder, pointing in the direction of the humanoid machines.

The two looked towards the massive metal giants in the distance, in awe of them. They seemed far too advance. Even for Atlas tech.

In a moment however, Jaune realized something. The battle damaged white and red mech had stopped in its tracks. Its optical lenses focused on him. It was nerve-wracking, yet at the same time as that shiver went down his spine, his heart pumped faster than before.

The young girl in his arms let out a whimper, weakly lifted her arm up and putting her hand on her bloodied forehead. "What..What happened?..."

"Ruby? You're up.." Jaune turned his full attention to the Huntress in his arms, as did the others.

"How do ya feel?..." Nora questioned, leaning in closer.

"Jaune, try using your semblance." Ren suggested.

"I tried already. She's out of Aura..." Jaune simply shook his head. "You need to get some rest."

"No, I'm...I'm fine..." Ruby stated weakly as sje looked up at Jaune. "You can put me down now..."

"Ruby I-"

"Put me down!..." She grit her teeth in pain trying to push away from the Arc with any strength she had left. "I can...still walk..."

"Ruby!" They all heard someone yell. It was an old raspy voice, coming from her Uncle Qrow. Then another voiced called out. "Nora!" From the Farmboy Oscar. "Sis?!" "Jaune!" "Blake! Where are you?!"

Nora turned to the direction of those calls, through the crowd, and lifted her right arm, only to wince from stretching a few of many sore muscles. "Over here! We're over here!" She called out, wearing her usual grin.

Out of the crowd came the rest of the group. Qrow, Oscar, Weiss and a limping Yang. But no sign of Blake.

The four made their way towards Juane and the others, as Ren asked. "Are ypu guys alright-"

"We're fine!" Qrow spoke hastily, coming to Juane's side and looking down at his niece. She was breathing, even squirming after everything. Just like her mother. "Petals, you alright? You aren't hurt that bad are you?"

"U-Uncle Qrow..." She spoke weakly, and it was only seconds until Yang was standing over her as well. "I'm fine...Are you guys okay?..."

To that Yang gave a nod as she stairrd down at her lityle sister. Tears were threatening to run. "We're okay...We're all okay..."

"Nora Valkyrie!" they all heard, all turning to the direction it came from. There stood an Argus patrolman. "You're needed with the other recruits. Follow me." He ordered.

Qrow stepped forward, standing tall for once as he's been sober for the last few hours with no incident. "Recruit for what?"

"That is strictly confidential sir! Ms. Valkyrie, ppease come with me-"

"You're not taking my kids." Brawnwen growled, stepping closer to the patrolman. "Now get a medic over here! We got an injured Huntsman in training!"

"Sir that's not my orders. I'm to bring her to the others, that's all!" He spoke with authority. But most of it went out the window when Yang stepped up, past Qrow and grabbing the young patrolman by the collar. She lifted him up with ease, gritting her teeth as her gorgeous blue eyes changed into a demonish crimson red.

"Call. The medic. Now. Or I will beat you like a set of drums!" She stated,and couldn't help but grow a smirk as she saw the young man flail and stutter to be released.

Meanwhile in the distance the forty foot white and red mech stood, staring at the group with its piercing yellow optical lenses. Its vision magnified tenfold to watch them better. In plain sight, a few yards, which was was only a couple feet for it, from the hanger entance. It almost didn't notice the second robot that walked its side and put a hand on its shoulder.

"You should get some rest. I'll handle the recruits, okay?" Winter's voice escaped the thin armored, more agile mech. The white and red mech turned its head towards her, its eyes giving off a more solemn expression as it nodded. She then turned around, heading into the hanger.

Time passed since their arrival to the base. The first thing they did was get Ruby the medical attention she needed, and it would be at least a few days before she was back to herself again.

The relic in their possession, they hadn't told anyone about. After figuring out Lionheart was a rat for Salem, he did his best not to tell anyone, even those he trusted. He attempted to speak to Cordovin, but she wouldn't even let a 'Mongrel' like him get a word out. And Nora...

"So? How does Momma look?!" She questioned ferociously with her hands and a maddive grin on her face as she showed herself off to her two favorite boys in the world, Ren and Oscar.

On her was the suit for the project. Form fitting armor covering her from neck to toe, all of it being carbon black with the thin plating a hot floral pink, while the lights of it were glowing hot pink.

"I think it looks good." Ren shrugged, while Oscar stared and stutteres out his response.

The next thing either of them knew her arms were around both of them, holding them tight enough to break their backs, which for Oscar she almost did. "Awe! Thanks!" She grinned before she let go, stepped away and put her hands on her hips. "Alright, I'm gonna go head off to meet the others. Ren, bring Oscar with you to Weiss and Jaune!" She instructed the two, pointing a finger towards the older of the two. "Got it?"

Ren simply nodded. "On it." He then turned to Oscar. "Lets get going then."

The three split up, Ren and Oscar heading towards the medical bay to meet the others while Nora headed off to the mess hall to meet the others.

She searched the halls for where she needed to be, her bomber jacket on and her hands behind her back as she looked around. She asked for directions to where, but hadn't gotten that much out of it. Apparently not much people knew what was going on either. Which was odd considering.

Because of this Nora ended up barging into six different rooms in search of other recruits, getting screams of panic from some, and screams of anger from most.

She only found the right place when she heard screaming from down the hall.

"Ey! That hurts!" Spoke a voice she swore she knew, with a bit of an Australian accent that also seemed familiar.

"I didn't do it!" Another voice filled her ears. It sounded childish, filled with energy.

"Then who the hell just tugged on me ear?!"

"Grif did it." The conversation continued on as Nora made her way down the hall to the room all the comotion occured.

"Shut up, I'm not in the mood for this!" A third voice spoke out with a groan.

The door to the room of all the comotion slid open in front of her, and immediately she was caught with abstract surprise.

There right in front of her was a group of all shapes and sizes. From novices to to seasoned veterans. young to middle aged, with a pair of brown rabit ears thrown in. Only four of them were wearing the same type of armor she was. And everyone was staring at her. The only thing she said was.

"I feel like I'm in the right place...Who are you guys?"

A stack of folders slammed down on a table, some sliding off to the ends while the former holder spoke.

"Nora Valkyrie. Michael J. Caboose. Velvet Scareletina. Dexter Grif. These are the new recruits that you will be helping us mold into shape for the program." Winter spoke as she made her way around the table, behind the General, who had grabbed one of the other files on the table. The moment she opened it her face contorted into a look of disgust.

"You can't possibly be serious..." She grumbled while looking up at the Pilot and head scientist. "Him? The anarchist?!" Cordovin looked over at Church, who was sitting across the table from her. "Even for you the very idea is far too incompetent."

To that Church raised a brow, tilting his head as he replied. "Is it? The program is coming along, but it has a long way to go. Just recently we found out how to broaden the spectrum of compatibility, but only just a little. And as far as we know, these are the only candidates we have. Including the anarchist."

"Miss Goodwitch is with him right now. And he's irritated." Winter stated. "Mainly of people with the viewset of his kind being below them. Your viewset, if I remember correctly."

"And for good reason!" Cordovin replied, slamming her small hands on the table in front of her. "This mongrel has killed over a dozen of people!"

"Twenty confirmed kills." Church clarified as he leaned back in his seat. "And if you can't control that viewpoint, at least around him, especially during Upload? It'll be twenty-one, plus."

All he got was a scoff from the short General, who stuck her nose up.

"I don't like this anymore than you do." Winter sighed, and crossed her arms. "But the way things are going, with the Grimm overrunning three fifths of Vale, and the Haven attack? We need as many pilots as we can get."

Cordovin groaned lowly, muttering under her breath as she looked away from the two for the moment in thought. As much as she hated to admit, those mechs were the saving grace of the latest attack. Had they not been there, who knows what would've happened.

"Ugh...Very well...For his duration here, I'll...bite my tongue..."

"Perfect!" The doctor clapped his hands together with a smug smile. "For a second I thought we'd have to demote and replace you. Again."

All the short old woman did was growl as she looked him in the eye.

"Excellent." Winter smiled while putting her hands behind her back prim and proper. "Now, if you will excuse me, Ms. Nikos doesn't feel well. So I need to run the recruits through orientation." She gave a nod as the two as an effective means of saying 'goodbye' before turning around and walking towards the door of the room, before it slid open and allowed her to leave.

The moment she exited and the door behind herslid shut, the former Atlesian soldier let out a sigh. It was far too tiring to act so neutral and professional when you wanted to wring someone's ignorant neck.

"Winter?" She heard a familiar voice, and turned her attention down the hall to the source. It was her little sister, Weiss, slowly stepping closer with a confused look.

"Sister!" Winter made her way towards her the young Schnee, growing a soft smile. "Are you hurt? You should be in the infirmary!"

"No, no, Winter I'm fine!" Weiss assured. After a quick moment however Weiss' smile went away, when her attention switched from her sister's, two her sister's white plated battlesuit. "But...What are you wearing?"

The older Schnee followed her sister's gaze, and looked down towards her battlesuit, before putting her hands behind her back. "It's my new attire, for my new position."

The Huntress looked her older sister up and down, raising a brow at her statement. This was unlike anything she had seen before from Atlas.

Winter put her hands on her hips, smiling down on her. "You saw it. Right? At Haven?"

Weiss simply shook her head. "I was...knocked out...I didn't see anything, really."

"Oh...Well then I suppose you'll find out later." The soldier shrugged, before turning around to head the other way. "I have to go. Before my new recruits rip each other apart..."