The sun slowly set, the large star began to hide behind the mountains that surrounded the abandoned Dust mine. Four trucks drove up the road that led to the entrance, and Amity colosseum floats towards it as well. Soon after the trucks come to a complete stop, the Ace Ops walk out of the darkness with Qrow by their side.

The rest slowly exit behind, Jaune, Ruby, and Nora looking at the Ace Ops with stars in their eyes. Pyrrha and Ren exchanged concerned glances worried about their teammates.

Nora: (high pitched) Aaaah!

Jaune quickly zips over to Clover's side.

Jaune: You guys were incredible!

Jaune zipped over in front of Clover, enthusiastically gesturing as he continued to speak.

Jaune: Oh, the way you took down that Geist without needing to plan your tactics out, you knew exactly what to do!

Clover: Well, the Ace-Ops are hand-picked to perfectly complement one another. So we can focus on our assets and leave out liabilities behind.

Elm looked over her shoulder and spots Nora who stared at her with wide eyes and an unnerving smile.

Nora: Hi. Do you need a new best friend? Our pair name can be...

Nora's eyes suddenly spark with pink electricity, she holds her hammer high over her head with both hands as lightning strikes in the background.

Nora: THUNDER THIGHHHHHHHHHHS!

Harriet stares at Nora with a confused expression, Ruby then quickly runs over to her side.

Ruby: Perfect complementary teamwork. Oh, yeah, I want to have my friends' backs just like that/

Harriet: ...Friends?

Harriet questioned this with a raised eyebrow.

Elm: (laughs) This isn't the schoolyard, kid.

From behind, Nora continued to stand proud. Ren walked over, lifting Nora who stuck in her pose as if she was a cardboard cutout, repeating herself one last time with a husky voice.

Nora: Thunder Thighs...

Yang and Blake look back at each other overhearing how Harriet and Elm responded to Ruby's comment about her friends.

Yang: But, I mean, when you go through so much with someone, it kind of changes things, doesn't it?

Harriet: We get along well enough, sure. I count on them to keep me alive. They do the same. But that's the job. We don't confuse the two.

Harriet responds, Vader crossed his arms at this. Speaking to Din who stood next to him. Neither had barely removed their helmets since they entered Atlas. Vader learning from past mistakes, and Din heeding Vader's warning.

Vader: As I stated before.

Din: Yeah...

Clover: Oh, well look who's here.

Vader and the others all look over at Ironwood who had been speaking through a comm. The General gives a brief order to a soldier that stood beside him, the soldier salutes him before walking away.

Clover: Duty ever beckons. You all hang back for a second.

Vader did not like being ordered but stayed back regardless. Clover and the rest of the Ace Ops all walk over to him. Ruby looks down, releasing a small exhale before her eyes widen with an idea. She smiled and zipped back to her teammates.

Ruby: What do you guys want to do when we get back to Atlas? Sightseeing? (gasp) Oh, what should we visit first?

Blake: (yawns) How about our beds?

Ruby: Oh, come on, guys! This is a great time to go exploring! We haven't done that in so long!

Weiss: Ruby, we just explored a whole continent on foot before flying to this one.

Weiss inputs before walking away as well.

Ruby: Well, yeah, but... it was only the boring parts.

Yang: We almost died.

Ruby: Ppt.

Vader stepped towards Ruby who stayed behind as her Team walked forward.

Vader: Do not rush things Ruby, you and your team just fought an entire cave of Grimm. Take the time to rest, we don't know how long we'll be staying here.

Ruby: Yeah, I guess your right.

Qrow: Hey. Heads up.

Qrow points over at Ironwood, who was talking to Clover while the rest of the Ace Ops walked away.

Ironwood: Can I get the team leaders over here? There's something I'd like to discuss with you. Qrow and Vader as well, please.

Vader: Why must I come?

Qrow: Your the leader of your own team, that's why.

Vader: I am no leader, we simply banded together due to our... shared past.

Vader said carefully wording his words as the Ace-Ops passed.

Qrow: Bullshit. Your teammates look to you for guidance, along with the kiddos. Hell, I don't know what would've happened to Jaune if you didn't help him through his loss. Even though... she is back.

Qrow said, his thoughts drifting to his own dead teammate.

He stuffed his hands into his pockets, walking over to Ironwood with Ruby, Vader, and Jaune.

Ironwood: (to Clover) I need you on the ground, but be subtle. If people see too many Huntsmen milling around, they'll get nervous.

Clover salutes the General with a nod before walking away.

Qrow: New problems in Mantle?

Ironwood: (Sighs) More of the same, unfortunately.

Ironwood pulled out his scroll, generating a hologram screen in front of him. On the left was a mugshot of a man named Forest, while the left showed his dead corpse in the alleyway.

Vader's eyes widened slightly, recognizing the handiwork.

Vader: Hm, I am assuming whoever is doing this, with all of your forces down in Mantle, you are being framed for these murders?

Ironwood deactivated the hologram, putting his scroll away with a sigh.

Ironwood: That's exactly what I was thinking. I don't much care for my public image, but... people are starting to pick up on it and it's causing a heap of controversy. Along with the relentless amounts of fake news being released to the public... Whoever or whomever is trying to frame me... It's unfortunately working.

Jaune: Well, if it wasn't for the embargo making everybody so mad, people probably wouldn't be so quick to blame you for everything else.

Ironwood frowned at this, glaring at the knight. Jaune awkwardly clears his throat, Vader interjecting between them drawing Ironwood's attention.

Vader: The boy has a point, I understand the reason behind the embargo (he didn't, he thought it was foolish) but you must expect that citizens will not.

Ironwood rubbed the bridge of his nose, sighing once more.

Ironwood: No. No, you're right. Things in Mantle have been... hard to manage lately. I'm not blind to its issues. In fact, that's what I want to talk to you about.

Vader: (internally) The beard and weary eyes make more sense now.

Ironwood then turns to look up at Amity Colosseum. Vader and the others doing the same.

Ironwood: With the launch of this mobile communications tower and tensions down in Mantle, I think there are a lot of good your teams can do here.

Ironwood's comm suddenly begins to beep, he rests his fingers on it and listens.

Ironwood: What? Already? Here? No, it's fine. Let him land. I'll deal with him myself.

Qrow, Ruby, and Jaune all look back at each other with concern, while Vader's eyes narrowed.

Jaune: Well, that didn't sound too appealing.

Qrow: More Mantle problems?

Ironwood's sights are focused on a lone airship that flew by, descending on a landing pad.

Ironwood: No. This one's an Atlas problem.

Vader notices the ship bearing the Schnee Dust Company logo. Ironwood, Team RWBY, and Ahsoka anxiously wait with JNPR, Maul, and Oscar not far behind. Qrow and Vader rounding up the rear.

A ram extends from the ship's doors, which open up to reveal a familiar face. An angry Jacques Schnee stormed down the ramp.

Jacques: So let me get this straight, James. In addition to this nonsensical embargo of yours crippling my business, you've also decided you have the authority to commandeer private property?

Ironwood kept his posture, his arms folded behind his back while Jacques continued to ramble.

Jacques: When the Council hears about this, you will never -

Ironwood: Actually, I've already informed them. As this is now the site of a classified military operation, it didn't even require a vote.

Jacques: Didn't require a vote?!

Ironwood: You might want to brush up on Council law before you lose this upcoming election, Jacques. Now. I've allowed you to land here once as a courtesy. The next time. it won't be a friendly reception.

Jacques glared at Ironwood aggressively, making Vader smile slightly.

Jacques: Lately, you seem to forget who your friends really are. I'm going to get that Council seat, James, and maybe then, you'll -

Jacques stopped as his eyes trailed elsewhere, his eyes widen as he spots his daughter. The two stare back at each other.

Jacques: You...

Jacques pushed past Ironwood, keeping his sight on him as he does so.

Jacques: You roped my missing daughter into these schemes of yours, too? How long has she been back in Atlas? Did Winter know about this?

Vader's eyebrows lift slightly as Weiss stepped forward to confront her father.

Weiss: It was my decision to come here. Just like it was my decision to leave. Or have you forgotten all about that?

Jacques: If you think I'm one to forget anything, girl, then you've misjudged the man your father is.

Weiss: Believe me, I know exactly the kind of man you are.

Weiss said with an obvious attitude as she crossed her arms.

Jacques: (angrily) How dare you speak to me that way!? I have half a mind to -

Jacques reached out to grab Weiss, Vader suddenly appears next to them and grabs his wrist. Jacques's eyes widen in surprise as he looked up at Vader.

Vader: You will not lay a finger on her...

Vader said, using his mechanical voice to install fear within the man. He crushes his wrist slightly with his mechanical arm, making Jacques pull away with an angry growl.

Jacques: How dare you! Do you know who I - ?!

Jacques was cut off as a violet blade extended inches away from his face. Jacques's eyes widening out of fear.

Vader: I know who you are, touch one of my students again and you will know who I am.

Vader powered off his lightsaber, clipping it back to his belt. Jacques growled once more before his eyes widen again, he then begins to chuckle.

Jacques: So... this is the famous freak huntsman?

Vader: Pardon?

Jacques: Oh, please. How will the public think of you when they learn the truth.

Vader takes a step forward towards Jacques but is stopped by Weiss.

Weiss: (quietly) It's not worth it, Vader...

Jacques shakes his head in a mocking manner.

Jacques: I shall have this man arrested.

Weiss: What?! You can't do that!

Jacques: Oh? And why not? There's a price on his head!

Jacques said, pointing over at Vader who stood with his arms crossed. Ready to force-choke him at a moment's notice.

Ironwood: I don't think so.

Jacques: What?

Ironwood: Last time I checked, they were hunting for Vader. Not Professor Skywalker that used to teach at Beacon. As far as I'm concerned, well... they're entirely two different people.

Ironwood says with a stern expression, forming into a smile as he looks over at Vader. Jacques stomped a foot into the ground as his breath became shaky, he ultimately stopped as he exhaled loudly, clearing his throat as his attention returned to Weiss.

Jacques: You know... your mother was devastated when you left.

Weiss' demeanor shifts into an upset one.

Jacques: Didn't leave her room for days. You know how... she gets... when she's upset.

Jacques put on a sad act, peeking at an ashamed Weiss. He was about to continue when he was interrupted.

Ahsoka: That's enough. As Ironwood said before, you have no jurisdiction here, therefore, you have no business here. Please leave before you are escorted away.

Jacques looked at Ahsoka with a face of disgust, her montrals a dead giveaway of her species.

Jacques: I will not be ordered around by some ani -

Din: I'm human, you can take orders from me. Leave.

Din rested a hand on his blaster, getting his point across.

Jacques: Fine... (turns to Ironwood) I knew one day, you would overextend your reach, I didn't come here to beg for an abandoned mine. I came here to thank you...

Weiss continues to look sad before she feels the warmth of an embrace wrap around her. Weiss lifted her head to see Ruby hugging her eagerly. Weiss looks on as the rest of her teammates surround them, all coming in for a group hug. Weiss feels a single tear stream down her face, her saddened expression reverting back into a smile.

Jacques: ...for personally handing me the noose to hang you. You'll regret this.

Jacques turns back to see Weiss with her friends all standing by her side.

Jacques: So these are the little friends you threw everything away for?

Weiss: Not friends.

Weiss shakes her head as she smiles once more, looking back at all of her friends.

Weiss: Family.

Jacques scoffed before turning to walk back to his bullhead, Vader watching him as he left. Their attention was then drawn to several other trucks driving up to them.

Ironwood: Ah, she's here.

Vader: Who?

Ironwood: Penny. She wanted to celebrate Team RWBY and JNPR's promotion.

The truck comes to a stop, and Winter Schnee peeks her head out.

Weiss: (jokingly smiles) Oh, no you show up, Winter. You just missed father.

Winter: I wouldn't say I missed hi-.

Penny came crashing down, landing on one knee. The force from her landing sends Team RWBY flying with a small scream, while Vader stood there unaffected, his cape rustling. Penny straightens up and throws her hands into the air, the word CONGRATULATIONS! appearing above her head as a green hologram, with bright green hologram confetti spawning from it with a party horn sound.

Penny: Suprise!

Penny looks around with a giant grin as the hologram flickers. When she notices Team RWBY on the ground, her grin and the hologram both fade.

Penny: Uh, did we not start yet?

Winter: (sighing) Apparently not.

-Small time skip-

RWBY, JNPPR, Qrow, VADM, Winter, Penny, and Ironwood gather in the center of Amity Colosseum's arena. RWBY and JNPPR stand lined up, with Ironwood, Winter, and Penny standing across from them and Qrow, VADM standing off to the side.

Ironwood: It goes without saying that this arena holds significance to all of us. It's only fitting that we should be able to reconvene here. Now. When the world needs to be brought together more than ever. The road you traveled from our first meeting hasn't been easy.

Maul: (leaning over to Vader) What is happening?

Vader: They have already been granted their licenses, apparently, this is the official ceremony.

Din: We didn't get a ceremony.

Ahsoka lightly slaps Din's shoulder at this.

Ashoka: Be happy that we're still huntsmen,

Ironwood: You fought for your school and your friends at Beacon. (Pyrrha's and Jaune's emotions flared for a moment) You fought for the world and the innocent at Haven Academy and beyond. You faced down terrors people can't even fathom. That's not the behavior of students. It's the behavior... of Huntsmen and Huntresses.

He looks over at Penny, who happily begins humming and walking past JNPPR and RWBY, stopping in front of each person to tap on her scroll. With each tap, her Scroll emits a beep, and someone else's scroll buzzes. Ren's scroll is the first to buzz, and he removes it from his pocket and opens it, checking the screen. It displays his student license, which displays a photograph of him in her new outfit with his emblem in the to left corner and a barcode below the photo. The Vale symbol is in the background behind the license information. The license says.

STUDENT LICENSE BEACON

NAME: Ren, Lie

LN: 63700-16778-13563

Place of issue: Vale

Authority: Beacon Academy

Restrictions: Class C

The screen blinks, and the license suddenly changes. The Kingdom of Atlas symbol in the background behind the information. The new license says:

HUNTSMAN LICENSE ATLAS

NAME: Ren, Lie

LN: 63700 - 16778 - 13563

PLACE OF ISSUE: ATLAS

AUTHORITY: ATLAS ACADEMY

RESTRICTIONS: CLASS C

Ren: Wait... what is this?

Everyone else begins checking their scrolls as well, seeing the same thing.

Winter: You are being fully granted your Huntsman licenses, today.

Penny finishes using her scroll to grant everyone their licenses and walks away with a big grin. Her scroll displays the Atlas Huntsman License Registry.

Ironwood: Team VADM if you'll please step forward.

The four move towards Ironwood, Vader crossing his arms.

Ironwood: The four of you haven't been here for very long, yet sacrificed everything for us. You display skills that best even the best of a fully trained huntsman, for that, I thank you, and want to award you properly.

Penny then begins moving towards them and began tapping on her scroll again.

Ironwood: Thank you for your services... Jedi.

This shocked each member of VADM, each wondering how he knew what that term meant.

Ironwood: Even if you fought without expecting anything in return, allow us, Atlas Academy to give you this as a thank you, not only have you helped Mistral but also helped parts of Atlas.

Each members scroll's began to buzz, Vader's extended out of his arm to which he grabbed it.

HUNTSMAN LICENSE VALE

NAME: VADER

LN: 3465 - 1267 - 800944

PLACE OF ISSUE: VALE

AUTHORITY: BEACON ACADEMY (SPECIAL ISSUE)

RESTRICTIONS: NONE

HUNTSMAN LICENSE HAVEN

NAME: TANO, AHSOKA

LN: 6892 - 1538 - 100234

PLACE OF ISSUE: MISTRAL

AUTHORITY: HAVEN ACADEMY (SPECIAL ISSUE)

RESTRICTIONS: NONE

HUNTSMAN LICENSE HAVEN

NAME: MAUL

LN: 3271 - 3618 - 18829

PLACE OF ISSUE: MISTRAL

AUTHORITY: HAVEN ACADEMY (SPECIAL ISSUE)

RESTRICTIONS: NONE

HUNTSMAN LICENSE HAVEN

NAME: DIJARIN, DIN

LN: 7261 - 1237 - 73669

PLACE OF ISSUE: MISTRAL

AUTHORITY: HAVEN ACADEMY (SPECIAL ISSUE)

RESTRICTIONS: NONE

Ironwood: (turning to face JNPPR and RWBY) I know this is coming a little ahead of schedule, but brothers know you deserve it. I only regret that I couldn't do something a little more ceremonious for the occasion.

Ruby stares in awe at her license.

Ruby: I-we... we're honored, General Ironwood. But you really don't have to do th-

Ironwood: Please. With the threat of Salem still out there and tensions rising in our kingdom, I certainly could use more trustworthy fighters by my side.