Vale was in flames. Barely any buildings were still complete and standing, and Grimm were still pouring in and out of the city. A few Huntsmen and Huntresses were scattered here and there, trying there best to protect the citizens of Vale and fight the endless onslaught of Grimm, but with the CCT down, there was no way to call for backup from any other kingdoms.
General Ironwood, Glynda Goodwitch, and Qrow Branwen had gathered together one last time before they parted ways. The majority of the battle was over, but the influx of Grimm hadn't stopped. For the moment, it seemed as if the Grimm, and the strange woman who had organized the attack, had won.

"What will you do, James?" Qrow asked, pulling out a silver flask and taking a swig. General Ironwood looked at the meager number of soldiers and Atlesian Knights.

"We're...moving most of our knights and paladins out," he said slowly, looking a little guilty. "Many people were injured, and I just don't know how much I can trust the robotics' system. We lost multiple airships, and some good men, Qrow." Qrow paused, staring off into space.

"I know, James. I don't blame you for trying to save what few soldiers are still here," he said. He took another long drink. "It looks like we lost this one." The three sat there silently for a moment, somberly gazing at the destruction around them.

"Glynda-," Ironwood began.

"I'm staying here." The other two Hunters looked at her, and she met their stares with a cold, though tired, gaze of her own. "Someone has to help the people still here, and look after the city. We cannot leave it to be completely abandoned. And someone needs to protect Beacon as well, now that Ozpin-," she stopped and clicked her tongue, as if annoyed by something, though her dreary expression clearly showed how miserable she was, and how much she worried about Ozpin. Qrow, who had searched through some of the ruins of the Beacon tower, had found nothing but his cane. Glynda had momentarily gone into a frenzy before composing herself, and James had nearly punched out a wall. Qrow stood up, slipping his flask back into a pocket and dusting his pants off.

"Well, I should-," he began, before a low muffled rumble cut him off. The rumble grew into the roar of an engine, and an airship with decorated wings landed near the three older Hunters. Ironwood's shoulders sagged a bit, and Qrow stiffened. Both knew who was on the ship.

The door of the ship opened, and a young woman quickly stepped out, her chalky white hair piled into a bun and her expression one of barely stifled panic. Two soldiers followed her, flanking each side. When she got close enough to the other three, she stopped and saluted James.

"General Ironwood, sir!" she said.

"At ease, Schnee," he said in a tired tone. The woman snapped her hand back to her side, and continued forward.

"Sir, I was informed briefly of the situation by Airship Blue 1 before our line was cut. It seemed our communications have been jammed, and I came as quickly as possible," Winter said, her eyes scanning the surrounding area. Her frown deepened as she took in the destruction. Her gaze fell on Qrow for a split second before she turned back to Ironwood.

"Sir, if there's anything I can do," she said.

"I want you to do a last check for any civilians in this area," Ironwood commanded. "Then, join the last few troops in moving out." Winter's eyes widened.

"Moving out? Sir, are you sure?" she asked in surprise.

"Are you questioning me, Schnee?"

"No sir," she muttered, dipping her head. Her eyes darted around again. "Have you seen my sister?"

"Your sister?"

"Have you seen Weiss?" Winter asked pleadingly, and this time the question was directed to Glynda and Qrow too.

"Your pop picked her up not too long ago." Qrow said, jabbing his thumb in the direction of where Weiss had last been. Winter's normally pale face lost what little color it had.

"My father was here?" she stammered, looking almost frightened. Qrow raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah," he drawled. "You didn't know?" Winter's mouth snapped shut and she looked away. It was as good as a confirmation.

"Professor Ozpin?" Winter asked.

"We couldn't find him," Qrow said, giving the cane in his hand a sad look. Winter stared at him, unable to find the words to say in a situation like this. General Ironwood cleared his throat.

"Winter, you should head back to Atlas as soon as you possibly can. We don't know where our enemies will strike next," Ironwood said. "And with the CCTs down, it will be best if the entire Atlas military convenes back at the base for further instructions. You might want to see your father and sister as well, to let them know you're okay." Winter bit her lip. Her first instinct was to salute the general and agree with him, doing a sweep of the area and fighting off any Grimm in the way before leaving with some of the troops. But then she caught Qrow's eyes again, and the disdained look he was giving her. Whether it was because of the option Ironwood gave her to leave, or the fact that the Atlesian military technology was part of the destruction, she didn't know. But she knew that she hated that look. And she would probably regret the decision she was about to make. Weiss, I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I probably won't see you for awhile, and that you had to leave your friends to go with father. I'll try to see you as soon as possible, but…

"Sir, I'd like to request to stay here and help as much as I can," Winter asked formally, keeping her back ramrod straight and her chin pointed. General Ironwood raised his eyebrows in surprise, and Qrow looked away, but Winter could have sworn he was grinning.

"Are you sure, Schnee?" the general asked.

"Absolutely, sir." Ironwood sighed, rubbing his wrist.

"Well then, you can take your troops and patrol the city, rescuing any civilians and fighting off any Grimm you see." The four turned their heads to the sky as another airship left, presumably with multiple Vale citizens, Beacon students, and visitors who had arrived for the Vytal Festival aboard.

"Well, I think that's my cue to leave," Qrow said, turning to leave.

"Where are you going?" Winter asked. Qrow glanced at the woman for a minute, scoffing in an annoyed manner.

"Not that it's your business or anything, but I have two nieces, friends of your little sister, who had a shit day today. I had to practically drag one out of that!" He pointed at the half-destroyed Beacon tower. "And both are unconscious and in rough shape. I'm leaving to take them back to Patch." Winter remembered the day Weiss had introduced her to Ruby, how happy Weiss was with her leader, the number of letters Weiss had sent to tell her of Team RWBY. Winter picture the young girl with the red cape, bruised and unconscious among the crumbling tower, and she immediately felt horrible for calling Ruby underwhelming. Someone who had been a friend to her sister, and who had tried to fight the day Vale fell was anything but "underwhelming".

"Qrow!" Ironwood snapped. Qrow waved him off dismissively, walking towards the center of the city, where most of the airships were, waiting to take people to a safer location.

"Good luck Qrow," Glynda murmured.

"He'll need it," Ironwood mumbled. Winter stiffened at the general's words. Need it for what? James Ironwood caught Winter's eye and looked away. "It's going to be hard for everyone after this. And this isn't the end." That wasn't it. Winter knew there was something going on between Qrow, Glynda, and the general. It was the same the day she had arrive at Beacon, when Qrow had kicked her out of Ozpin's office. There was something they didn't want her to know. She knew Qrow had been away on covert missions for the general and Professor Ozpin. General Ironwood had shared that much with her. But there were still some things they were keeping from her.

She had an idea, and she wasn't sure how smart of an idea it was. But for once in her life, Winter wanted to do something of her own free will, something she herself thought was right. She bowed to General Ironwood quickly.

"I'll be right back sir," she said apologetically, turning and running after Qrow, leaving behind a confused looking Ironwood. She turned down a street and inwardly groaned. Why was every street in Vale so long, and connected to every other alleyway and road?! In Atlas, the streets were like a neat, straightforward grid. It was much less complicated and tangled than this web of roads. She gritted her teeth and concentrated, focusing her Aura. A large, pale blue glyph appeared at her feet. She pressed her feet against, then she let it go. She shot forward, running across a trail of blue-white glyphs. Her feet carried her faster than usual; with her glyphs, she could increase her speed and momentum, and incorporate Dust for varied effects. She reached the center of the city in less than a minute. Qrow was nearly aboard one of the medical airships. Winter could see tiny spots of dark red and golden yellow further in the ship. His nieces no doubt, Weiss' friends.

"Qrow!" she called. The older Huntsman stopped at the foot of the stairs leading into the ship. One of the paramedics aboard looked confused.

"Sir, we're leaving soon," he called worriedly.

"Give me a minute," he said gruffly, turning to face Winter. His eyes were narrowed, and he still held Ozpin's cane in his hand. "What do you want?"

"I want to help," Winter blurted out.

"Yeah, I got that. The general already gave you some busy work, didn't he?" Qrow asked, raising an eyebrow.

"That's not what I meant," Winter snapped. She took a breath, trying to level her head. "I know that you've been on missions. For the general and Ozpin." Qrow paused, staring at her. "I know it had something to do with the attack on Vale, and the person who caused this."

"Give the woman a prize."

"And I want to help you find whoever did this." That got a serious look from Qrow. Actually, he was looking at her as if he was crazy.

"Go back to your robots and your soldiers, kid," Qrow said, and Winter thought her almost looked sad. "You don't need to go off on some crazy adventure and get yourself killed because you're mad."

"I'm not a kid, and I'm not mad," Winter snapped again. "I want to do something." Qrow just kept looking at her with the same, arrogant look of his. It made her want to slap him with her rapier. He finally smirked, crossing his arms with an amused gaze.

"Finally tired of constantly taking orders from old Jimmy?" he asked in a mocking tone.

"General!" Winter corrected, annoyed. "And I have nothing against him. I hold the general in the highest respect. But I feel that I can be more helpful if I redirect my skill and effort elsewhere. General Ironwood has given me the simple task of patrolling the city, and after doing that he still wants me and the other soldiers to leave. But I want to do something else. I want to find whoever did this, and stop them from causing anymore destruction on Remnant."

"Is that all?"

"I want to protect my sister," Winter said, looking at the Huntsman with an even gaze. To her surprise, he nodded in agreement.

"You're right. I was working with Ozpin, Ironwood, and Glynda on a few secret missions. On one of them, I fought a group of people who I believe infiltrated Beacon, and caused the Grimm to attack," Qrow said steadily.

"Sir, we're leaving!" the paramedic yelled, waving his hand furiously. Qrow shook his head.

"I should be going," he said reluctantly. He slipped a piece of paper into Winter's hand, closing her fingers around it.

"What is-,"

"Three weeks. Exactly. Meet me at that location. If you're serious about wanting to help, you'll be there. If you change your mind, don't come. I'll be there that day, and only that day." With that, Qrow spun on his heel and boarded the airship, no goodbye or last look. Winter looked at the piece of paper and frowned.

Alright, Qrow. I'll see you in Mistral.