The Boy of Yore will soon take up the Sword

One who despairs in his helplessness cannot change the winds of fate

The Boy of Yore will soon take up the Dark Sword

Hate and Anger are a double-edged blade

the day will soon come, when he bares his teeth against destiny

To those reaching for a dream, chasing after more than just your life

If you ever will succeed, you will have to make your sacrifice

To think that any dream could be coming true, if you never take a single risk…

So, step on up, and take it, take it!

Fool's indecision, just an illusion

Maybe your reckless bravery

Liberty's pawn they're pressing you on

The Shackled will ride to victory!

Sick of the cage, that's just the beginning
We're a disgrace until we're winning
Over the walls like hunters, we're fighting
They're not the predators anymore!

Hungry to kill, you'll never forget this
Piercing the sky with scarlet vengeance
Bloody the bow and arrow in crimson,
Rally the hunters to war!

- Jonathan Young "The Crimson Bow and Arrow"

CASTLEVANIA: Bloody Tears like Roses

Chapter 2: The Vampire Killer

Atlas

Emerald's eyes slowly fluttered open as she felt the bumps from the vehicle she was riding in. "oh my head…" she groaned, holding her head, and glanced to see Mercury driving them in a stolen truck.

"Figured this off-road path would wake you up finally, Em," Mercury said without taking his eyes from the road.

"Where are we?" Emerald asked, glancing around.

"Outskirts of Atlas, we're past even the Grimm devastated areas," Mercury stated, "Dad used to hide out this way after big jobs. This place is horrible, even the Grimm won't set foot."

"What happened… Cinder?!" She sat up quickly as her mind regained focus.

"That… thing that attacked her," Mercury explained, "Ripped her throat out… she's dead. And… it looks like you're the new Fall Maiden, congrats!"

"I… I can't believe she's gone…" Emerald eyes teared up as she looked at her hands. "I don't… feel any different…"

"Might need to learn how to do it," Mercury shrugged, "The last two so called Fall Maidens weren't that impressive. I wouldn't worry too much."

"Whatever…" Emerald glanced away, and brushed the tears from her eyes with the back of her hand. "Hey…"

"What?" Mercury asked, as she pointed forward, toward what looked like chimney smoke.

"I thought you said no one set foot out here…"

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Bumblebee engine roared as she came to a stop just outside Haven Academy in Mistral. "We made it before sun up, I can't wait to surprise my baby sister," Yang said, as she and Isaiah dismounted the motorcycle.

"Thank you again, Yang," Isaiah said, before reaching for his rifle when she gasped loudly. "What's…"

"UNCLE QROW!" She said, launching herself into the bar, and tackling her uncle off the bar stool.

"Look, Dude, I swear I didn't know she had a boyfriend…" Qrow said as he tried to wrestle out of Yang's hold, he blinked when he felt her curves, "Or a girlfriend…"

"Uncle Qrowwwwwwwwwww stop being stupid!" Yang let go, and smiled at him.

"What are you doing out here, Sparky," Qrow asked as Yang helped him up with her prosthetic arm. Qrow cocked an eyebrow, "Atlas tech? bout time they did something helpful…"

"I'm looking for Ruby, is she here?" Yang said, planting her hands on her hips.

"Yeah, she's here, probably up there with the Schnee girl," Qrow, glanced toward the inn farther up the road. He then finally laid eyes on Isaiah, "So, that time already huh…"

Isaiah patted the case to his thigh, "Sooner than expected, but Dad did play extra dirty last time. Shouldn't be surprised he came back angry."

"The boy, he's not ready," Qrow frowned and shook his head.

"Name a Belmont who truly was ready for the horrors they must face, Branwen," Isaiah sighed, "If he survived the Battle of Beacon and made it across Anima, then he's ready for Vampire Killer and the fate that comes with her."

"Alright then," Qrow sighed, "I'll take Yang to her sister. The boy is on the roof of the inn, beating himself up. So, go ahead, give him his last mission…"

"Last mission, Vampire Killer? … what's going on? Who is this guy?" Yang demanded, her eyes starting to change to red.

"Just say Pyrrha wasn't your only friend fated to a suicide mission, kiddo… now c'mon, let's go find Ruby." Qrow said, leading Yang away from the priest, who glanced up to the roof top at the inn, seeing Jaune standing alone.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Mistral

Ruby was sleeping soundly with Weiss snoring lightly with her arm thrown over her. "Hey, kiddo, Ruby… wake up," Ruby groaned as she opened her eyes to see her uncle looking down at her, "Wake up, someone wants to see you…"

"Professor Lionheart?" Ruby asked, gently moving Weiss's arm and getting out of bed carefully not to wake her this time.

"No, not yet, someone else I think you'll want to see more," Qrow smiled. "Now hurry up, don't waste time."

Ruby nodded, and followed her uncle out of the room, neither noticing someone heading in the direction of their room from the other direction.

"What's going on…" Ruby started to ask, as they rounded a corner to find Yang leaning against the wall waiting. "Yang!"

"Ruby!" Yang called, waving as she stepped from the wall and started to run toward her waving sister.

"Yang!" Ruby cried happily waving.

"Ruby!" Yang's face contorted in anger as her eyes turned red.

"Yang?" Ruby slowly lowered her arm fearfully.

"RUBY!" Yang yelled, breaking off into a run toward her.

"Oh, sugar honey ice tea!" Ruby yelped, turning and running away.

"YOU ARE IN SO MUCH TROUBLE, YOUNG LADY!" Yang called as she chased after her.

All the while, Qrow smiled fondly at them. "Kids…"

"I CAN EXPLAIN!" Ruby called back toward her angry sister.

"EXPLAIN LATER, BUTT WHOOPING FIRST!" Yang yelled, hot on her heels, "I TOLD YOU! I TOLD YOU IT WAS A BAD IDEA! AND NOT ONLY DID YOU NOT LISTEN, BUT YOU DIDN'T EVEN SAY ANYTHING! YOU LEFT IN THE NIGHT WITH A STUPID NOTE! A STUPID NOTE! AND YOU ARE NOT TOO BIG FOR ME TO PUT YOU ACROSS MY KNEE AND WEAR YOU OUT, AND THIS HAND IS GONNA HURT A LOOOT MORE!"

"I'M SO SORRY!" Ruby cried out as Yang finally tackled her.

While the happy reunion of the Rose/Xiao Long sisters, back in Ruby and Qrow's room, Weiss remained cocooned in the bed, and missed the door slowly open, and the figure silently walk in smiling seductively toward the human sized mound on the bed. The woman's eyes saw Ruby's pajamas on the floor and smiled hungrily toward the bed. "Your niece is gone, Lover… hope you don't mind a very pleasant wakeup call…" the woman said as she slowly removed her uniform, carefully placing it on the table.

Silently she climbed into bed, and began to kiss Weiss' face, moaning softly with every kiss, till she reached her jawline, when she froze. "Qrow… did you shave?"

She reached for the lamp by the bed and turned it on, and as the light illuminated the room, a pajama wearing Weiss Schnee looked up in horror at her older sister, who was now wearing nothing but a matching horrified expression.

Twin screams filled the inn.

Ruby, Yang, and Qrow all glanced toward the direction of the screams, and moved quickly to the commotion. The three threw open the door to find Weiss staring blankly and Winter trying to cover herself.

"Ah, sisters… not the first time I had a pair in my bed…" Qrow shrugged.

"Uncle Qrow!" Yang and Ruby cried out.

"What is going on?!" Winter snapped.

"Ms. Schnee, it is a pleasure to meet you again at this… uh… crossing…" Ruby said awkwardly, doing a bad curtsy.

Ruby yelped when a pillow slammed into her face.

"I thought it was you, what is my sister doing in your bed, Qrow?!" Winter snapped angrily.

"She's not in my bed, my Ice Queen," Qrow smirked, "She's in Ruby's." Ruby and Weiss' cheeks both turned bright red as Yang's eyes goggled.

"Excuse me?" Yang asked, looking between her sister and her former teammate.

"I uh…" Ruby squeaked, but before she could try to explain the situation, the whole building shook from an explosion.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Several miles away, Blake Belladonna sat up quickly from the tent she was sleeping in. She shook the memories of her nightmare from her mind, before reaching for the black pajama top to cover her modesty.

"Don't cover up on my account," a voice spoke from her side, "You weren't very shy last night. Why start now?"

Sun Wukong smiled cheekily at the cat faunus with the blanket over his lower half. Blake rolled her eyes and looked at the time on her scroll. "You were … distracting last night, and you need to get back to your tent. If Daddy catches you in here like this, he'll do more than 'really not like you'…"

"Not that I'm complaining, but … after last night, I get the feeling you and Taurus were more than co-leaders of the White Fang…"

"I made a lot of mistakes with Adam," Blake sighed, glancing away as Sun stood up and pulled his pants on. "A lot of regrets… But… it was nice. Last night." She smiled at him, "It was the first time I remember not regretting … doing that. It felt good. Thank you."

"Well, I enjoyed it, too… uh… obviously…" Sun blushed, "Anyway time to exit stage… oh dear…"

"Please tell me it's not my dad outside…" Blake said looking over his shoulder outside the tent, both watched as dark smoke rose from the direction of Mistral. "We're too late…" She turned and reached for her gear and clothing, "Sun, hurry, get Mom and Dad, and rally the forces! We have to hurry!"

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Jaune ran through the instructions Pyrrha left behind yet again as the night moved on. Listening to her words, it was like she was still there. He could still feel her palms touching his face, and her lips pressing to his. And the sad determination in her eyes as she shoved him into that locker.

Deep down, he knew she did it to protect him. Yes, he had come a long way, but they both knew he especially didn't stand a prayer against the Fall Maiden. But that didn't stop the pain. That didn't stop the guilt. That didn't stop the longing to die by her side. Now, he had no choice to press on, in hopes that he could become strong enough to avenge her.

"You've come a long way, Wolftail," Isaiah said, walking up on the rooftop, carrying the metal case. "You've gotten very strong, but that's not the weapon you're destined to wield."

"Isaiah, what are you doing here?" Jaune turned to his older cousin. "Wait… you don't mean…"

The priest picked up the case and held it toward Jaune. "It's time for the Belmont to hunt the night once again."

"Dracula…" Jaune closed his eyes, "I'm not worthy of the name Belmont."

"That why you're using your mother's maiden name, Jaune?" Isaiah asked, "Arc is a good name. I'll grant you that. But it's not the name you're going to be remembered by for generations to come."

"Castlevania has risen already, Jaune, Vampire Killer thirsts for evil blood," Isaiah opened the case to reveal a weapon shaped like a cross, as a slow rain began to fall upon them. Long ago the enchanted weapon, made to destroy all things of pure evil, was simply a whip. But as weapon technology came with the creation of transforming Dust Weapons, the Belmont of the age made some modifications. A long handle ending with a stake, jagged blades on either side of the cross, and at the end, a sharp tail on the retracted whip. The 'combat cross' itself was black with gold trim, and the hidden whip was red as the blood it was destined to draw.

Jaune unconsciously reached into the case, and pulled the weapon toward him. Vampire Killer seemed to vibrate and purr at the contact. "You have been chosen, son."

"No, I'm not good enough…" Jaune said, staring at the cross. "Go back home, give it to Sonya, she's much better at using a whip than me… or even dad…"

"I can't… Dracula… struck your home first…" Isaiah said without breaking eye contact. "Your parents… your sisters… they're all dead." He said as lightning began to flash through the sky.

"What?" Jaune took a step back as if he had been slapped. "That's not… that can't… no…"

"They're gone, and we're all that's left," Isaiah stated, "Vampire Killer has chosen you for the task. Only you can face Dracula and end this. Only you can avenge them. Only you can avenge your family… only you can avenge Pyrrha Nikos. And Vampire Killer will cut the path for you."

Jaune fell to his knees, clinging to the combat cross with both hands. The building rocked from explosions all throughout Mistral. "And now, Salem has made her play for the relic. Just as she did at Beacon. More of your friends will be hurt today, Jaune," Isaiah walked to the edge of the rooftop, looking on as Grimm and White Fang soldiers began to flood the streets. "You will lose more. More of your team. Are you ready to grieve for more of them? Or are you ready to give up this mask you've worn to get into Beacon, and be the Belmont? Which will it be?"

Pain, anger, fear, and hatred began to swirl within Jaune out of control as he clung to the combat cross. Tears rolled down his face. It was too much. Far too much…

"Use it." Isaiah growled.

Jaune trembled, his knuckles growing white within his armored gloves as he gripped the weapon.

"Use it." Isaiah repeated a little louder.

Jaune clinched his eyes shut, and brought the flat of the cross to his forehead.

"Use it!" Isaiah said even louder.

And Jaune's eyes snapped open, all the hate. All the pain. Seeing the shock of Pyrrha after she was tricked into killing Penny. The kiss goodbye at Beacon Tower. Learning Pyrrha would never return to him. Seeing Ruby in a coma. The broken look in Yang's eyes, both at her severed limb and the abandonment of her partner. Learning the truth of what Ozpin and the others pushed on Pyrrha. All the struggles and hardships they went through getting to Mistral. All of it. Jaune gripped it all internally like he was gripping Vampire Killer with his hands. As if baptized in the anger and hatred festered inside him, he shot to his feet.

He left Jaune Arc on the ground, now he stood, with the legendary weapon in his hand, Jaune Belmont roared to the heavens, baring his teeth to the cruel destiny that had taken so much from him.

"You were never meant to be a Huntsman, Jaune," Isaiah stated, pulling his rifle and placing it on his shoulder. "You were born to be the alpha predator. Now then… let's get to work."

And as the city was being overwhelmed with the darkness and fear of the Grimm, a spark of hope shined in the storm.

For the Belmont Clan hunts the night.

To Be Continued

Next chapter: the Battle of Haven.

A/N somethings happened fast, and somethings will be touched on later when they all have a chance to sit down and catch up... at least the ones willing to sit down and catch up ;) the gang is all coming back together, but will they live long enough to make up and be the team RWBY once were? and who will Emerald and Mercury meet in those outskirts? one thing is certain... war is coming. Will Jaune Ruby and their friends be ready?