RWBY: Origins Of LUNR

Chapter 40: Set Up

The full moon illuminates the night sky above Haven Academy. On the school grounds, Qrow Branwen takes the lead as the currently present members of Team RWBY, Team ARAM, Team JNPR, Estelle, Miyabi, Dyna, Team LUNR except for Lance and Oscar Pine followed close behind. Ruby stops and looks up to admire Haven's CCT tower, before following the rest of the group to a nearby building.

"Do you think Bayne's hunch was correct?" Estelle asked looking at Qrow.

Qrow sighed as he scratched the back of his head "I hope not. But we're about to find out."

Once he said that they entered the building and were greeted by Leonardo Lionheart, who is standing on a terrace at the top of the stairs that is being held up by a statue.

"Why hello. Thank you for... coming. There... seems to be more of you than last time." He said with a nervous chuckle.

Qrow and the rest of the group stop to look up at Lionheart.

"Eh, you know what they say, 'The more the merrier'. So what's going on with the council?" Qrow asked.

"Why... did you bring your weapons?" Lionheart asked as he looked at them.

Qrow raised an eyebrow "What? Leo, we're Huntsmen. You okay?"

Lionheart nodded "Of course! Of course, sorry. Just haven't had my evening coffee." He chuckled nervously. Uzziel narrowed his eyes at Lionheart and gave him a stern look, knowing he was acting awkward and suspiciously.

"Look, it's nice to see you, but we got work to do. Are we getting support from the council or not?" Qrow asked.

While the two talked, Yang notices from the corner of her eye a black bird perched on a balcony railing.

"Mom?" She said in a confused tone

Everyone's attention is turned to the bird. It flies away just as Qrow shoots at it, but he misses. The bird flies down behind Lionheart, transforming into Raven Branwen, donning her mask. Everyone glares at her.

"Raven..." Estelle muttered.

Miyabi gritted her teeth as she gave Raven a look of pure anger.

"They weren't kidding... They do have magic!" Arrietty said in amazement.

Raven took her mask off and looked at her brother "If you're going to shoot me, shoot me. That was insulting."

"What are you doing here?!" He asked.

Raven began walking down the stairs "I could ask you the same thing. You've been scheming, little brother. Planning to attack your own sister."

"Leo... what have you done?!" Dyna yelled out.

Lionheart gave her a sad look "I..."

"Leo did what any sane person would in his position - he looked at all the information he had in front of him, assessed the situation, and made a choice. And it seems you all have too." Raven replied, cutting him off.

"You have the Spring Maiden," Qrow stated as he looked at his sister.

"I do." She quickly replied.

"Then hand her over and let's work together! We can beat Salem!" Qrow said.

Raven shook her head as she kept her eyes on him "All that time spent spying for Ozpin and you still have no idea what you're dealing with. There is no beating Salem!"

Ruby took a step forward and spoke "You're wrong. We've done things that most people would call impossible, and I know the only reason we were able to do it is because we didn't do it alone! We had people to teach us, people to help us, we had each other. Work with us. At least I know we'll have a better chance if we try together. Please." She pleaded.