Yang continued to drive along the unknown pathway, the others listened in on Maria's incredible tale about how she lost her eyes, about how she was the fearsome, legendary Grimm Reaper. Maul's respect for the old woman growing by the second.

Maul chuckled as Qrow began fanboying over the old woman, obviously happy to meet his inspiration and Idol.

As they continued to speak though, Maul's attention was drawn to Ruby's scroll, which was now ringing. Ruby pulled out the scroll, her face lighting up in delight.

Ruby: It's Jaune!

Yang stopped the bike once she heard this, everybody else seems in disbelief over Jaune being able to reach them this far out.

Weiss: How?

Maul: Maybe our luck has changed...

Qrow scoffed at this but had a small smile on his face.

Ruby: H-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?

Weiss: Huh?

Ruby: Wait-

Ruby held her scroll out, seeing the signal strengthen Yang revved bumblebee and drove up the hill. Maul and the others strained their necks as they drove up the hill. A wave of relief washes over them as the snow begins to thaw as they see the city lights. Yang smiled and turned to face the group.

Yang: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Argus.

Once inside the city, Yang stored her bike inside a storage unit. Digging around, Qrow found an old wheelchair to wheel around Maul in, he begrudgingly got on, obviously hating not having his legs anymore.

As they walked down the road, eyes were drawn to them, Qrow spoke up.

Qrow: So... Where are we supposed to go?

Maul reached out with the force, searching for Vader and Ahsoka, he smiled while having still having his eyes closed.

Maul: Do not fret... They will be here soon.

On queue, as they rounded the corner, the other half of the group ran into them.

Jaune: Ruby!

Ruby: Jaune!

The two hugged as the two groups reconciled, Nora was zipping around giving hugs to everyone but hesitated when she saw Maul missing half of his body.

Vader: Maul... What happened to your legs?

Maul: I had to abandon them when we ran into Grimm.

Weiss: Well, when we get to Atlas, I'm sure I could get you new ones.

Maul nodded at this, pushing the wheelchair forward with the force. They walked down the road before getting into a trolley, Maul having some trouble.

As they rode down the trolley, the kids all spoke with each other as the force-wielders and the Mandalorian spoke with each other.

Maul: In our travels... I have learned our purpose and why we're here.

Maul said this in a hushed tone, making everybody lean closer to him. The kid's conversation drowning out their own.

Vader: How?

Maul: The relic of knowledge. (Trolley comes to a stop) I will explain once we get back to the house.

As they stood off the trolley, Oscar volunteered to push Maul, while asking a question.

Oscar: So where have you guys been staying?

Jaune awkwardly chuckles as the trolly drives away, from across the street stands a short blonde woman with seemingly her child in hand.

Woman: There you are.

The woman waves at Jaune, her child giggles in delight at the sight of him.

Yang: Is that -?

Jaune: Heey, Saph

Ruby gasps at this, she looks over to Saph before looking back at Jaune, her head flipping between the two.

-Inside-

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

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

Jaune: Will you guys knock it off?!

Vader smiled as he watched Weiss and Yang who had sat down next to the child, Yang waved the toy airplane around in the air while the toddler reached out for it with his stubby little hand.

Turning, Vader strode into the dining room where the rest of his team were waiting, Maul sat in a chair, Din had his helmet off and on the table next to him. Ahsoka had hung her cloak on the coat rack.

Vader: (taking a seat) Alright Maul, what did you learn?

Maul proceeded to tell them about the third god, The Being, who had been there even longer than Ozpin and Salem. How he wanted representatives for the third side of the conflict, due to the fact Ozpin was seen as the good guy even though some of his actions weren't redeemable.

Vader: This is... Certainly interesting. This means we need to get to Atlas even quicker now.

Ahsoka: I agree, with this information Ironwood will need to know about this information, he controls the largest army on Remnant.

Din: But getting there will not be as easy.

Maul: What do you mean?

-The skip of time-

Vader and co are seen standing in front of the Atlas military base where the gates are immediately shut in their faces. The guards refusing to listen to them.

Yang: Come on! You didn't even hear us out!

Guard 1: Our orders are clear! The Mistral-Atlas border is closed! Please!

Guard 2: Have a good day!

Vader: We have dire information we need to give Ironwood.

Both: "GENERAL" Ironwood!

Qrow: ...Yeah, "General Ironwood!" then fine. But look, we have Weiss Schnee with us and we're trying to get her home.

Both guards looked at each other for a moment, ignoring Vader entirely, to which he crossed his arms, annoyed.

Both: Approach.

Weiss stares back at Vader, he nods his head. Weiss cooperates and approaches the gates, allowing the guards to closely inspect her. Weiss had a stern look on her face as the guards stare back at her for a minute before accepting this ordeal.

Both: Very well.

Guard 1: You may speak with our commanding officer.

Guard 2: We will fetch her at once!

The two guards waddled away chanting "Atlas" while they did. The group staring at them with a stunned expression.

Blake: They were kinda...?

Din: Idiots? Morons? Jokes? Yep.

Maria: Hmm...

Vader: What is it?

Maria: Well, I... may know this commanding officer.

Vader: That is good, it may help us get to Atlas quicker.

Ruby: Yeah! If she's your friend, then maybe she'll be more willing to help us?

Maria: I wouldn't exactly call us "friends".

Weiss: Acquaintances?

Maria: Not quite.

Blake: Colleagues?

Maria: Warmer.

Yang: ...Enemies?

Maria: That's the one!

Oscar: ...Wait what?!

Vader: (sighing) fantastic.

Maria: Oh, yes I come through here about once every 10 years to get my eyes checked up in Atlas. You bring outside cashews on one flight, and suddenly you're placed on the additional screening list for life!

Qrow: You've gotta be kidding me...

Maria: Now now, let's not give up on hope yet. Maybe she's dead...

Ahsoka: I can't believe I'm saying this, but for our sake...I agree.

Guard 1: Introducing!

Guard 2: Special operative!

Both: Caroline Cordovin!

Vader frowns as an elderly woman walked out from behind the guards, she's obviously not dead, Vader thought. She immediately spots Maria and quickly walks over to stand in front of her, face to face.

Caroline: Witch.

Maria: She-devil.

Caroline: Hmm. I see you've chosen larger contraband to smuggle this time.

Maria: Oh, Cordo. You know, they say time changes people, but I see you still got that stick right up your a -

Ruby: H-Hello, Miss, uh, Cordovin! My name is Ruy Rose, and I was wondering if you would hear us about -

Caroline: I've already heard what your other little friends had to say, Miss Rose.

Caroline then notices, Ahsoka, Din, and JNR farther away. Clearly annoyed by their presence.

Caroline: What are you doing back here?! I thought I told you to leave!

Nora growls, Jaune and Ren quickly grabbed hold of her to restrain her from going any further.

Nora: AND I TOLD YOU WE WOULDN'T REST UNTIL YOU LET US THROUGH!

Ren: Nice to see you again as well!

Caroline You civilians are clearly incapable of comprehending the importance of our mission here in Argus. So allow me to say this slowly with smaller worlds. This base! That relay tower! The very safety of Argus is all gifts from the glorious kingdom of Atlas! And it is my duty to uphold them as only I have the wit and tenacity for such a task.

Guard 1: Such wit!

Guard 2: Such tenacity!

Maul: Such stupidity.

Caroline glares at MAul, who sneers back.

Maria: Or maybe Atlas just wanted to get you as far from Atlas as possible.

Caroline: (growls) You're just like the rest of these Argus ingrates! This city wouldn't even be here if it weren't for our Atlesian ancestors! And what do we get in return? The entire world is ready to put a knife at our throats!

Vader: We are not here to argue about politics...

Caroling: SILENCE!

Ruby: Please, we know your kingdom had nothing to do with the fall of Beacon, we were there.

Weiss: No one's happy about the Atlas borders or embargo, but I know General Ironwood is just worried. It's why we need to talk -

Caroline: The General is no coward! Atlas is strong! If all the kingdoms plan to make us their enemies then so be it! Atlas will prevail!

Both: Atlas will prevail!

Yang: Do you guys seriously have to do that?

Vader: You cannot be a bad guy without your minions.

Caroline: Bad guy? Coming for the one who destroyed an Atlas research facility after he was gifted with the opportunity to assist the Atlesian army!

Vader: I take it you know who I am.

Caroline: Ha! There's no hiding something like you!

Vader: "Something?"

Vader took a step forward, unclipping his lightsaber. Caroline flinched at this, but Ahsoka ran in front of him making him stop.

Caroline: Besides... we wouldn't things of... questionable character entering Atlas either.

Caroline eyed Blake, Ahsoka, and Maul. Maul narrowed his eyes, Ahsoka sighed but continued to restrain Vader who tried dashing forward again. While Blake just looked down in shame.

Vader took a deep breath, he stopped trying to rush forward.

Vader: This is a lost cause. Come...

Vader turned to leave, but Caroline stopped him.

Caroline: Oh, your not going anywhere. Your still a fugitive of Atlas! Guards! Arrest him!

Both: Gladly!

They moved forward toward Vader who still had his back turned. They froze mid stride, obviously confused as Vader and the group strode away.

A simple use of force stasis froze them in place, Vader had a small smile as they regrouped with JNR.

Nora: Well, that didn't work. But we can think of something else! We've got Ozpin with us after all!

Vader: Yes we do...(looks at Oscar who looked away ashamed) Don't we?

Maul: It would be best if we spoke about this at home.

-Time moves forward-

Jaune punched the wall of his sisters house, forming a small crack on it. His breathing became shaky as his body felt the pain.

Vader sat on a chair, his arms resting on his knees. He had his hands intertwined and his chin resting on them, deep in thought. Maul had explained how Salem couldn't be killed, this surprised Vader because he only thought she could heal.

Ruby: Jaune!

Jaune: Everything... Everyone we sacrificed! (Tears begin to form) was for nothing!

Blake: That's not true!

Nora: Really?! Because that's what it sounds like!

Blake: I... um...

Blake sat down in defeat. Vader continued to think.

Ren: What chance do we have is Salem can't be killed?

Weiss: W-Well, I'm sure Vader has a plan... Right Vader?

Everyone turned to him, he continued to sit, not moving. Everyone's spirit plunging.

Vader: I have no plan.

Jaune: Great...

Oscar: Look, I know this looks bad. But we aren't the bad guys here!

Jaune: How do you know?

Oscar: W-What?

Jaune: He was in your head, how do we know you didn't know this from the beginning?!

Jaune grabbed Oscar by the collar, slamming him into the wall.

Maul: Jaune!

Weiss: He didn't know anything!

Yang looked worriedly from Vader to Jaune, sighing with regret, Vader slowly stood and walked over to Jaune.

Jaune: How can we even trust him?! How do we know if we weren't talking to that liar this whole time?!

Jaune said tears beginning to flow down his face.

Vader: Jaune.

Jaune turned to look at Vader who placed a hand on his shoulder. He tried to turn his anger towards Vader, but he didn't move. Jaune collapsed into a hug, Vader hugged him back listening to his crying with a tear rolling down his cheek.

They both thought of Pyrrha, for Jaune it was a lover and amazing friend. For Vader, he remembered a amazing student that he saw a part of himself in, and it pained him when he watched her die.

Ashamed, Oscar bolted out the door.

Maul: Oscar!

The group stayed in silence, trying to comprehend what happened. Jaune eventually stopped and let go of Vader, both of them breathing in and out.

Later Vader was walking down the street, searching for Oscar's presence through the force.

He sighed, it was near impossible to focus when his thoughts went back to his grief. Taking a break, he sat down on a bench to collect himself. Closing his eyes, he felt an incredibly familiar presence nearby.

Vader: Pyrrha?

Vader's eyes shot open and looked around, not seeing her around him. He sighed and leaned back, he heard a rustling noise and looked down.

In front of him was an orange leaf, it rolled in the wind. Sensing something, he watched the lead roll away. Standing, he decided to follow it.

The lead continued blowing down the street, he passed by a sign that he didn't bother to read. It stated Argus memorial. The leaf turned, blowing into the memorial.

The leaf eventually collided with another one, looking up he saw Jaune.

Vader: Hello there.

Jaune: D-Did the leaf lead you here?

Vader: I-

Sensing a disturbance in the force, Vader and Jaune turned, both freezing.

Down the path was a statue of Pyrrha, both of them stare in awe. Vader saw the leaf fly around Jaune and floated down to Vader.

Vader catches it and stares back down at the leaf, before seeing it lift out of hand again. The two followed the leaf as it blew towards the statue. The leaf rose with the wind, circling the statue, a tear began rolling down Jaune's cheek as he stared at the statue.

Vader smiled as he watched the leaf float down from the statue and wipe away his tear, confirming his suspicions that Pyrrha was with Jaune. Jaune touched the leaf still having a saddened expression on his face, they turned to leave but a voice stopped them.

Woman: It's very beautiful, isn't it?

Vader turned to see a woman that had similar physical attributes to Pyrrha, he suspected this was her mother. The woman was also holding a bouquet of roses.

Jaune: Yeah. Uh... why here?

Woman: She trained here, Sanctum Academy. Everyone was crushed when she chose Beacon over Haven. No one wanted to see her go, but... it was where she wanted to be. I'm glad she was surrounded by such amazing people, and mentors.

She smiles over at Jaune and Vader, Jaune stared back at her in surprise at her comment with tears forming in his eyes.

Jaune: She should be standing here...

Woman: She is.

Jaune stares back at her, confused.

Woman: She understood that she had a responsibility... to try. I don't think she would regret her choice, because a Huntress would understand that there really wasn't a choice to make. And a Huntress is what she always wanted to be.

Pyrrha's mother said as she stares back up at the blonde boy with those similar emerald-colored eyes she shared with her daughter.

Jaune: Pyrrha never got the chance to graduate...

Vader: But she was a huntress.

They said with a smile. The woman smiles back at them as she too begins to form tears in her eyes, wiping them away with her free hand as the bouquet of flowers rested on the other.

Woman: Thank you...

Jaune once again smiles, his and Vader's attention turns to a familiar voice that calls out to them. It was Ren and Nora both with drinks in their hands.

Ren: Jaune?

Both approach Jaune, Vader's attention returns to the red-haired woman only to find that she had disappeared completely. Vader looks in surprise as all that was left were the flowers she had brought with her, now resting on the pedestal that displayed Pyrrha's name.

Nora: Jaune, why did you-

Nora stops with a gasp as she notices the statue of their friend. Team JNPR all stare up at it in awe, all of them together once more. Vader smiled at the sight of this. Pyrrha was never truly gone.

Jaune: ...I'm sorry. I've been a terrible leader, and a terrible friend, and I-

Vader: You have not.

Jaune looked at Vader with surprise on his face, Vader smiled warmly at this.

Jaune: V-Vader! I...

Vader: Jaune... Putting yourself down isn't going to get you anywhere. Trust me. Pyrrha led you here so you could see that there's still hope.

Vader stares back at the statue once more.

Vader: One thing I know for sure, she would be proud of you. You've remained strong. You've gotten stronger. For yourself. For Ren. For Nora. For...her. I know you only reacted the way you did back there because you were angry, and the anger took you over completely...

Vader stared down to his flesh hand, seeing bolts of lightning flicker across his fingers.

Vader: A feeling I know all too well.

Nora: Jaune...we love you. Just like we loved Pyrrha. We're teammates. Family. All of us.

Nora says as she smiled over at Vader.

Vader: Of course.

Ren: We're not going to lose you too.

Jaune smiles at his friend's comments before looking back at Pyrrha's statue.

Jaune: I think...I think Pyrrha knew when she entered that tower, that there would be a chance where she wouldn't come back. But she did it anyway.

Ren: So she did.

Nora: Maybe we should too.

Jaune: Yeah, we should...

Vader looks happily as the three all smile at each other, all of them staring up at the statue once more.

Nora: Pyrrha may not be by our side anymore, but we can fight like she is.

Jaune: And in a way...she will be.

Vader: No...

Team JNR all look towards him.

Vader: She will always be with you. She never left.

Nora smiled at Vader, handing Jaune the extra cup in her hand. Ren and Jaune also smile at his comment.

Nora: Sorry, Mr. Vader. Would have gotten you one if we knew you were here!

Vader: It's quite alright. (chuckles)

Ren: We should check back in at the house. Come on.

Ren and Nora begin to walk away, Vader and Jaune stay behind, both of them staring back at Pyrrha.

Jaune: Thank you...

Vader: May the force be with you, Pyrrha Nikos.