(Neo)- You know, I feel like you are neglecting me. Am I that annoying to you? *Makes puppy eyes*

No, and don't do that. I've just encountered writers block. And somewhat of a likeliness that I'm more of a copycat than an originality writer. Every idea had been borrowed it some way shape or form. From Starting Anew, to Legacy of Skye, then to this story being a damn near copy and paste to the original show. So, not neglecting my little ice cream cone.

(Neo)- Okay, one, don't call me your little ice cream cone. I can deal with nicknames, but don't dub me as yours. Two, if you've got anything to make it somewhat like your piece of art, then go for it.

I may have something. But it would be a little on the easy short cut way than the original plan. But I'll try, and if it doesn't feel like it should, I'll either change it or delete this chapter and rewrite it. Let me know what you think of the short notice idea.

(Neo)- Oh boy, let's see what that perverted mind has next.

"Miss me kiddo?" Qrow said, following up with a warm smile.

The maniacal man retracted his stinger from the sword, having it inbred into it from his last attack, and backed up to study his opponent up and down. Qrow proceeded to face the man and readied Harbinger for another incoming attack. His eyes narrowed as he studied the Faunus himself.

"Well as I live and Breathe, Qrow Branwen." The man chuckled some, "A true huntsman has entered the fray." He then proceeded to bow.

Qrow looked back to Ruby, seeing her stand with Crescent Rose as support. He then raised an eyebrow, expecting some explanation to the situation.

"I don't know. This guys weird." Ruby said, just loud enough for Qrow to hear.

He looked back, only to see the man step forward some.

"Look, pal, I don't know who you are, nor do I care. But you need to leave my niece and her friends alone." Qrow said, trying to put an 'I mean business' look on. He flicked his wrist with a barely audible clicking sound coming from the hilt of his weapon.

"Why friend my name is Tyrian, and I'm afraid that's not possible. My orders from her grace were to retrieve this girl. So that is what I must do. One does not upset the queen." Tyrian said.

"Queen?" Ruby questioned, trying to figure out the one he spoke of.

"Salem," Qrow responded. Although it may not have been to Ruby, moreover self-realization.

"Who?" Ruby asked.

Salem? I've heard stories, but didn't think they were real! Whatever is going on here, it's way bigger than I thought. Bigger than me... or Roman for that matter. Neo thought. Even in her semi battered state, she readied herself, If he works with her in any way, I hope we can survive this.

"Well now, I think we've had enough talk. Don't you?" Tyrian said, getting into a crouching position, poised to strike.

"You took the word right outta m-" Qrow started, but was cut off by the oncoming attack Tyrian launched upon him.

Blocking it, he pushed him back and tried to swing down, but Tyrian jumped left to avoid the attack. The scorpion Faunus then came forward again and tried to send a downward kick, but Qrow had flipped back and narrowly avoided it, only to raise his sword to clash with another foot. He pushed his sword into the ground and used the sturdiness to lift himself and send his own two feet after his opponent.

Tyrian quickly twisted to avoid them and tried with his left hand for another slash, only to be met with the pink blade of Neo's new parasol. He just grinned harder and with a small movement, shattered her replaced illusion. He then used the momentum to twist and block another swing from Qrow, this time pushing the both of them back.

Qrow regained his footing and charged, and Tyrian did the same with Neo right behind him. Qrow swung his sword in a strong leftward arc, but his target completely dodged his strike and rolled as Neo had jumped for his back. They both wore a look of surprise as Harbinger clashed with her and sent her into a far wall behind them.

He had no time to worry as he dodged an uppercut from his real target, and tried to reciprocate by swinging Harbinger up, then down onto the cement. And like last time, before he could land a hit, Tyrian dodged left. To which Qrow proceeded to mimic the movement with a swing and Tyrian with a duck, his leg out to hopefully land a kick on his opponent, it was met with air as the Faunus ducked and brought up his tail for his own counter-attack. Qrow brought his sword behind his back and stopped it with a clang, and tried for another swing.

Tyrian just leaned back and brought his tail to meet his sword again. It was blocked before he sent a flurry of attacks from the appendage, each one getting blocked by Qrow's, thankfully, quick reflexes. Qrow then shifted his finger and shot the ground in front of him with a jump to get some air, before reshifting his hand and twisting into a ball with his blade swiping overhead, another shot ringing out to increase the force.

His Faunus opponent just retracted his tail and crossed his arms to stop the powerful blow when it clashed, hearing a building collapse behind him. They stayed blade locked as Qrow pushed harder and chuckled with a cocky smirk, only to have Tyrian return the smirk with his own sickening smile. And with a flick of his fist, a cocking sound was heard before he swiped away, pushed back to gain distance and started to pepper Qrow with bullets, all the while laughing like a mad man.

Each bullet was blocked as Qrow flipped to avoid one coming in close contact with his forehead. Each bullet he blocked was sent into the ground with a spark as sweat began to roll down his just recently in peril head. Tyrian just kept running in a wide circle and shooting as Ren and Nora readied their weapons before charging. They split to flank his right and left with Nora bouncing off of the small fountain and Ren going into a spin, both clashing their weapons as their target ducked from the oncoming attack. He then dropped to the ground and started to spin with kicks landing on either of them.

He finished with a powerful kick that sent them backward to Jaune and Ruby and charged at them. He jutted his blades out and stuck his arms forward, but met nothing but the familiar clang of Harbinger.

"Don't come closer!" Qrow said as he pushed back against the force Tyrian was equally dealing out.

"Wha- ugh, Fine!" Ruby shouted, before readying her weapon and running to a nearby tower and using the gun to boost herself to the top. She flourished her scythe before slamming the blade into the edge and taking aim. She struggled to find a time to fire because of the two constantly moving forms of her uncle and Tyrian. She began to grow frustrated and scowled, before taking aim again.

Meanwhile Qrow and Tyrian were still in a dual, occasionally sending potshots at the other, Neo stood with the help of her weapon and wiped blood trickling down from her head. She saw the two locked in another blade shove before she saw one of them flying in her direction. It landed straight into the wall with a resounding ringing sound and just grazing her ear. She let out a breath before taking this opportunity to study the weapon; she saw the engravings etched into the actual blade, but more importantly, she saw Qrow's name scribbled aimlessly on the hilt.

Damn it. She sighed, before using the rest of her strength to pull it out of the wall.

A loud shot rang out as Tyrian looked down at the ground to see a small, sizzling crater where it landed. More shots rang out as he flicked his tail to block each one with a small giggle of amusement. And with each one blocked, Ruby became more and more frustrated and fired faster. He ignored her constant shooting and lunged for the disarmed Qrow. In response, Qrow leaned left to avoid the lethal blade, grabbed his attacker's arm, and pulled him into a headbutt. The scorpion Faunus took a step back and grimaced from the pain, but the onslaught hadn't stopped as Qrow sent a fist into his face, followed by a right hook and then another left.

With Tyrian dazed, he walked up and kicked him square in the chest. This sent him tumbling backward as the same familiar blade from earlier came at Qrow the same way it was pulled out of his grasp. He caught it with surprise and looked to where it came from, only to see an angry glare from the short girl he hit. He shrugged and sent an apologetic smile to her. Though before he could do anything else, Tyrian was already upon him with a few strikes from his tail and fists. Each one was blocked successfully as the Faunus kept throwing punches. One particular throw had caused Harbinger to be lodged between the space of Tyrian's weapons.

To escape, he figured now was best and pushed the lever down completely, causing the cogs inside of the open hilt piece to whirr to life. The blade quickly bent backward and segmented as he flipped it to block his opponent's incoming tail, and with the barrel pointed right at him, he pulled the trigger. This sent both of them flying in opposite directions. The force was a bit more than Qrow had anticipated and caused him to start rolling on the ground. To combat this he threw the sword out and let it spear the ground before straightening himself out and landing on the hilt, pushing it farther and deeper with the impact. He stood tall and awaited his Faunus opponent.

Tyrian, still soaring tried to straighten himself out but met resistance as Neo swiped down with her weapon. He narrowly dodged it with a flip in the air, and used his tail to wrap around her neck and catch himself. He picked her up off the ground before leveling her to his eye level. She clawed and scratched at his tail to no avail. His sadistic grin grew as he spoke, "Oh little girl. All alone in this world. Lost your 'father' and cast away by that wench Cinder? My, how far you've fallen from your high horse." Chuckling, he flicked his tail and threw her back out to the others. She was caught by Jaune before the momentum sent them both to the ground.

"Are you alright?" He asked. She looked to her captor and nodded, taking the time to stand with his help.

Cinder... if I see you again, I'm making you suffer for this. Neo thought, imagining her old assailant tied to the same chair she was as she made her scream in agony.

Her thoughts were interrupted when they looked back to the fight just in time to see Tyrian extend his tail to an unsuspecting Qrow. He gasped as he doubled over, clutching his wound. They all stared on as Ruby took the advantage and swung her scythe down to where the blade and armored tail met, and pulled the trigger to shoot. Half of the tail fell to the ground as the scorpion Faunus screamed in agony, stumbling away and trying to regain his footing.

Eh, close enough.

Ruby took aim and Qrow readied for another attack before Tyrian turned to face them with an angry glare, "You bitch!"

He tried to move in for the attack, albeit slowly, but Nora, Jaune, Ren, and a wobbly Neo came and readied their weapons too. The Faunus all but shied away and turned around, whispering barely audible, "She'll forgive you." Over and over again. He then sprinted off and leaped over the wall. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief as the threat was no longer constant.

A clatter and grunt were heard behind them as they looked to see Qrow hunched over and breathing heavily. They all rushed to his side.

"Uncle Qrow! Are you okay?!" Ruby panicked, clutching onto his arm.

He took deep breaths, "I'll be fine," another deep breath, "He just grazed me." He looked down at his clutching hand and lifted it to see a small murder scene on his palm. He returned the pressure as he still took steady deep breaths.

"Who was that guy?" Nora asked, hoping for an answer.

"How did you get here?" Ren followed up.

"And why are people after Ruby?" Jaune asked last.

Neo and Ruby looked to him, hoping for some clarification, "Uncle Qrow, what's going on?"

He took more steady deep breaths, taking a moment to calm himself. He then chuckled at nothing. This sent alarm to everyone as he lifted his head to meet Ruby's eyes, "What's your favorite fairytale?"

He collapsed onto his back as the poison kicked in, and everyone panicked over him.

Hours later...

They all sat around the crackling fire on four separate logs, each staring solemnly into it as their thoughts digested the information Qrow had thrust upon them. Gods, Maidens, Silver eyed warriors, Relics... Salem... They all just needed to space out and let their thoughts calm before thinking about anything else.

If I had truly known about... a sliver of this even, I might have rethought about my trusts. Becoming a hunter was the worst thing possible I thought, but now there's a bigger fish than whatever dream anyone had.

Qrow sighed as he stood and stretched, "Get some sleep. We have a long day tomorrow." He started walking away to a nearby tree, "I'll take watch."

Everyone watched as he disappeared into the treetops, and returned their gazes back to the fire.

"I feel like Light and Darkness are nothing but a grey void now," Ren spoke, breaking the silence. This hit hard on everyone, as Ren wad the calm and collected one of the group. To have him say something like that, just made them all realize how heavy their situation was. Nora leaned against his shoulder and continued to stare into the flames, yawning and closing her eyes shortly after.

"The world was never black and white. There are always complicated answers to simple questions." Jaune said, putting his shield on the ground and laying his head on it.

Ren and Nora leaned their backs against the log and fell completely asleep, leaving Ruby and Neo as the only ones up. Silver eyes met pink and brown, and they both sighed before looking back to the fire.

"Ren and Jaune are right. I mean, look at our situation. You were a criminal, you beat my sister to a pulp almost and even helped in the fall. Yet here we are working side by side to only uncover more questions to this life." Ruby sighed, "I'm sleeping. I'll see you int the morning." And with that, Ruby walked off a small distance before slumping against the same tree Qrow was supposedly perched in, letting her head lean back and closed her eyes.

What a crappy life we have. Neo thought, before taking off her coat and using it as a makeshift pillow.

Now that they all had calmed down, one thought popped up in each of their minds; Tomorrow will be a long day.

Weirdly incomplete in some way, I know. But look, I made up for it by giving the characters something to do instead of just being like 'ooh' and 'aah' while Qrow fought off Tyrian. Not only that but oh my lord almighty I cant believe I never noticed this but a small poop is made by the animators when I rewatched the scene. If you pay attention to Ruby after she jumps from the building to help Qrow, when he bursts out of the wall and waits for Tyrian, Ruby looks like she is in some sort of T-pose. Like they just forgot to give her natural movements when being viewed from far away. Then again, this is Volume 4.

(Neo)- At least your back. I started losing money there for a sec. I had to go on cup noodles for a few months, but now that things are in order, I can go back to fine dining and luxury condos!

Who said I was paying you?

(Neo)- Wanna play that game? Take a look at the contract you made buddy, *Hands contract from thin air.*

Where'd you-

(Neo)- Don't worry about it! Now read.

It says here... sadly... that you are to be paid 15 dollars an hour with 30% interest when being featured in this story. *Sheds tear as he hears bank account crying.*

(Neo)- *Smug* And that settles it. See you all next chapter folks.