Ron’s Journey Through Remnant

As Ron and Maple joined Gaster and Adrian amid the chaotic battle against the Nevermores, Ron couldn't help but voice his frustration.

[Ron]: (gritting his teeth) Gaster, of all places, why did you have to land on a Grimm?

[Gaster]: (defending himself while parrying a Grimm's attack) It was out of my hands, Ron! I only used my blaster and hands to adjust my direction so I could meet up with you. Besides, I've just discovered that using wings requires more training than I anticipated!

Maple's shield clanged as she blocked the giant Nevermore's beak just in time, saving Adrian from a fatal strike. Seeing Maple's quick action, Adrian leaped into the air, his sword gleaming as he slashed through another Nevermore that was swooping in. His movements were fluid, despite the ever-present coffee can in his other hand.

[Adrian]: (grinning) Thanks, Maple! I owe you one!

[Maple]: (smiling) Just keep that coffee safe, Adrian. I've got your back!

Meanwhile, Ron was locked in combat with two more of the massive Grimm birds. His blade flashed as he sliced through the wing of one Nevermore, sending it crashing to the ground in a flurry of black feathers. The other one screeched in rage, lunging at him with its talons, but Ron was ready. With a swift, precise strike, he cut the creature down before it could reach him.

Gaster, a little farther back, was using his blasters to rain down powerful energy blasts on the Nevermores from a distance. Each shot was calculated, tearing through the Grimm and causing them to disintegrate into nothingness. His expression was focused, his mind working as quickly as his blasters to keep the tide of Grimm at bay,

Gaster kept his focus sharp, even while taking notes between blasts. As they battled through the swarm of Grimm, an idea formed in Ron's mind when only two Nevermores remained.

[Ron]: Gaster, can you use one of your blasters to fly us to the temple?

[Gaster]: (nodding) Yes, I can do that.

With precise aim, Gaster took down the last two Nevermores in a single, powerful blast. As the dust settled, Ron's attention was caught by something on the ground—a pair of chess pieces.

[Ron]: (puzzled) Why are these here? We're still far from the temple.

Gaster picked up one of the pieces, examining it closely.

[Gaster]: (frowning) This chess piece is ancient—far older than it should be. It doesn't belong here, definitely not from the temple.

[Ron]: (serious) Strange, but we don't have time to figure it out now. We need to get to the temple fast.

As Gaster's blasters carried the team through the sky, the forest below became a blur of green and shadow, the wind rushing past them as they approached the temple. Meanwhile, at the cliff, Ozpin and Glynda were observing the proceedings with a watchful eye.

[At the Cliff]

[Glynda]: (glancing at her tablet) Our last pair has been formed, sir. Nora Valkyrie and Lie Ren. Poor boy, I can't possibly imagine those two getting along. Still, he's probably better off than Miss Nik's.

[Ozpin]: (humming thoughtfully) Mhm.

[Glynda]: I don't care what his transcript says, that Jaune fellow is not ready for this level of combat. But I suppose we'll find out soon enough. At their current pace, they should reach the temple within a few minutes. Speaking of which, what did you use as relics this year, Professor Ozpin?

Ozpin seemed more absorbed in the feed from Ron's team, his eyes narrowing slightly as he watched their approach.

[Ozpin]: (distracted) Mhm...

[Back to Ron's Team]

As the team landed at the temple, they were greeted by Yang and Blake, who were already there. Blake, the girl with black hair, stood quietly beside Yang, who had a confident smile on her face.

[Yang]: (grinning) Well, look who decided to join the party! Took you long enough.

[Ron]: (smirking) We had a few detours along the way.

Gaster stepped forward, his eyes flicking over the temple surroundings, still processing the ancient chess piece they had found earlier. His mind raced with questions, but he pushed them aside for now.

[Blake]: (calmly) The relics should be inside. We haven't gone in yet.

[Gaster]: (nodding) Then let's not waste any time.

The group stepped inside the temple, the structure giving off an eerie, vibe. Scattered across the floor were several chess pieces, each one seemingly untouched. Ron quickly spotted two pieces that matched the ones they had found earlier and picked them up. Yang and Blake each selected a horse piece, while another group that had just arrived took the bishop pieces and left.

[Ron]: So, is this everyone?

Before anyone could respond, Ruby suddenly plummeted from the sky, landing directly on one of Gaster's blasters. The force of her impact caused the blaster to jolt, spilling the coffee Gaster had been saving for later. Gaster let out an exasperated sigh, placing a hand on his heart as if the loss was almost too much to bear.

[Gaster]: (with a dramatic sigh) Why is it always my coffee?

Ruby looked sheepishly at Gaster, realizing her mistake.

[Ruby]: (apologetically) Sorry! I didn't mean to—

Suddenly, Jaune came crashing down from above, colliding with Adrian, who was resting on one of Gaster's blasters. The impact sent Adrian's coffee flying, splashing across Jaune's face and the rest soaking into Adrian's lap before the cup fell into the forest below.

[Jaune]: (screaming) IT BURNS!

[Adrian]: (devastated) MY COFFEE…

[Gaster]: (turning to Yang, deadpan) Yang, is it normal for your sister to fall from the sky?

Before Yang could finish, everyone's attention snapped to the direction of the forest, where they heard a commotion. Emerging through the trees, they saw a girl riding an Ursa Grimm.

[Nora]: (cheerfully) Oh, it's broken!

[Ren]: (exasperated) Nora, please don't do that ever again.

Nora dismounted from the Ursa, standing proudly in front of a chess piece that was shaped like a castle. She picked it up and began singing.

[Nora]: (singing) I'm queen of the castle, I'm queen of the castle!

[Ren]: (frustrated) NORA!

Ron, observing the chaos, handed out new cans of bitter black coffee to Gaster and Adrian. Both took immediate sips, relishing the strong brew despite the strange circumstances.

[Yang]: (stunned) Did that girl just ride in on an Ursa?

As if on cue, everyone's attention was diverted again as another girl, pursued by a giant Grimm Death Stalker, dashed into view. The girl was dodging the beast's attacks with impressive agility.

Ruby, who had just reunited with her sister, was about to embrace her when they were interrupted.

[Nora]: (loudly) Nora!

[Blake]: (disbelieving) Did that girl really run all the way here with a Death Stalker on her tail?

As the chaos continued, Yang's patience reached its limit.

[Yang]: (exasperated) I can't take it anymore! Can everyone just chill out for two seconds before something even crazier happens?

Gaster took a slow, deliberate sip of his coffee, a smile spreading across his face. He looked up with a hint of amusement.

[Gaster]: (smiling) Ask and the world will answer.

[Ruby]: (noticing) Um, Yang...

Ruby pointed at Weiss, who was still clinging to a large Nevermore.

[Weiss]: (shouting) How could you leave me?

[Ruby]: (yelling back) I said jump!

[Yang]: (concerned) She's going to fall!

Ron glanced at Gaster, who was still smiling.

[Ron]: (earnestly) Can you help her this time? I'll give you half the Dust I have.

[Gaster]: (nodding) Deal.

Gaster summoned his blasters with a swift motion, using them to assist Weiss in descending safely. With precise shots, he took down the large Nevermore and injured the Death Stalker. The impacts only seemed to enrage the Grimm further, their roars echoing through the forest.

[Yang]: (sighing with exasperation) Great, the gang's all here. Now we could die together.

[Ruby]: Not if I can help it!

[Yang]: Ruby, wait!

Ignoring her sister's warning, Ruby charged at the Death Stalker. With a burst of speed from her weapon, she launched herself at the Grimm, using her scythe to deliver a powerful strike. She then shot at the Death Stalker, drawing its attention and causing it to chase her. The Nevermore, enraged and disoriented, joined the pursuit.

[Ron]: Gaster, Maple, help Ruby! Adrian and I will handle the Nevermore!

[Gaster]: On it!

Gaster carefully set Weiss down, then he threw a pinch of salt at her face, causing her to flinch in surprise, he and Maple mounted the blasters, speeding off to confront the Death Stalker.

Ron and Adrian mounted their blasters as well, heading straight for the remaining Nevermore. The team split into two groups, each focused on their respective foes.

As Ruby sprinted away from the Death Stalker, her cape got caught on one of the Nevermore's feathers. She struggled momentarily, her movements slowing as she tried to free herself. The Death Stalker, seizing the opportunity, prepared to strike.

[Maple]: (shouting) Ruby, duck!

With a swift motion, Maple interposed her shield between Ruby and the incoming sting of the Death Stalker. The shield absorbed the impact, saving Ruby from the deadly attack. Maple gritted her teeth, bracing against the force of the blow as she held her ground.

[Gaster]: (yelling over the commotion) Maple, hold it steady!

As Gaster's scythe sliced through the Death Stalker's stinger and then cleaved the creature in half, the mighty Grimm fell with a thunderous crash. Ron and Adrian swiftly dealt with the remaining Nevermore, who was now leaderless. Adrian continued to sip his coffee with a calm demeanor, while Ron, covered in bird blood that he had accidentally eaten in the sky, looked both determined and horrified at his accidental meal.

The sudden stillness of the forest was shattered by the collective shock of the group.

[Weiss]: (eyes wide) How did they... how?

[Jaune]: (innocently) Well, that was easy.

As Jaune's words hung in the air, Ron's face went pale, and Gaster and Adrian simultaneously spat out their coffee, tossing the cans aside in disgust. Maple held her shield tightly, ready for any possible threat. The group's reaction only deepened the collective confusion.

[Jaune]: Did I say something bad?

[Gaster]: (grimly) Ask and the world will answer.

The ground trembled violently, causing the entire team to brace themselves. From the shaking earth emerged a massive Grimm, a horrifying fusion of an Imp and an Ursa. Its form was a grotesque amalgamation of features:

[Ron]: (grimacing) You just had to open that mouth, didn't you?

[Chapter end]