Witch

***Witch*** is the fifteenth episode of *The RWBYA Adventures*.

## Plot

*[As the Atlesian Military prepared to fight the scores of Grimm emerging from Monstra's body, Yang, Jaune, Ren, and Alan sprinted down a corridor within the gigantic Grimm. They stopped to catch their breath.]*

Yang: Well, that was harrowing.

Jaune: We're not in the clear yet. We still have to search this whole thing and find Oscar before the Ace Ops blow us to pieces.

Alan: Then let's get this over with. They're not gonna do the right thing and *not* follow Ironwood's shit word, after all.

Yang: How are we supposed to find Oscar? Without your Simplicitrix working, it's going to be like finding a needle in a... giant... whale. Why did we think this was a good idea?

*[Ren looked thoughtfully down the corridor.]*

Ren: I... I might be able to help. I can sense spikes of people's emotions, I think. It happened on Winter's ship. If I focus my Aura, I can keep it up.

Yang: Okay, that's new. Maybe one of them is Oscar.

*[Ren touched his temples with his fingertips, focusing.]*

Ren: I can sort of tell where they are, but not who. They're more of less in the same area though. Further in. I can lead.

*[Ren started to move down the corridor, but Jaune stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.]*

Jaune: Hey, you don't have to drain yourself. I can help too.

Ren: Yeah, good thinking. Thanks.

Jaune: Well, lead the way.

*[Jaune awkwardly pointed finger guns at Ren while Yang rolled her eyes. Alan sighed in frustration.]*

*[Team RYNJ moved down a corridor. Jaune was using his Semblance to amplify Ren's. Before long, Jaune's Aura shimmered, and he spluttered, short of breath.]*

Jaune: Sorry.

*[Jaune tried to put his hand on a wall for support, but it glided off the mucus-covered surface, and he shook the goop from his hand, disgusted.]*

Ren: It's not your fault. I'm masking and tracking at the same time.

Yang: Do you guys need a minute?

Alan: I don't know if you noticed, Xiao Long, but we don't *have* a minute.

*[Yang got angry from Alan's comment, and went to move toward him, but stopped when Jaune got between them.]*

Jaune: Alan's right. We don't know how much longer we have. Why don't you give masking a break? Give me directions and I can scout ahead.

Ren: Thanks. We should be heading straight for a while.

*[Jaune took off down the corridor, raising an arm in farewell. The other two watched him go.]*

Yang: Well, at least you guys being friends again takes the sting out of impending doom.

Ren: It's okay to be afraid, you know. You don't always have to hide it with a joke.

Yang: *[slightly caught off guard from being vibe checked, then sighs with a smile]* Glad I'm not the only one who's scared.

Ren: Of course I'm scared. *[looks off in the direction Jaune went]* Him on the other hand... There's no fear at all. I can see it, he believes we're going to get this done.

Yang: *[chuckles]* Then I do, too. Alan?

*[Ren and Yang both turned to Alan. Yang tried to keep up her smiling facade, but Ren's look turned back to concern. He once again saw the almost immobile black petals around Alan.]*

Yang: ...Alan?

Alan: *[disinterested]* ...Yeah, sure, whatever. Let's just get this over with. I already don't like being here.

*[Yang and Ren shared uneasy glances from Alan's response. Suddenly, Jaune came sprinting at full force towards them. He hurried them into an alcove and crouched by its entrance, expanding his shield and drawing his sword.]*

Jaune: Mask us, Ren!

*[The group turned monochrome as Ren used his Semblance. A Seer hovered into the nearby corridor. Ren's Aura shimmered, and he struggled to keep his Semblance active. The Seer floated passed them, but stopped in its tracks after Ren's Aura broke and his Semblance deactivated. The Seer turned back and hummed, glowing red. The growling of several Grimm could be heard approaching. Yang used the recoil of her weapons to charge out of the hallway, and the Seer's tentacles wrapped around her arm. Turning, she saw a group of Sabyrs gaining on them. She pulled the Seer by its tentacles, punching it multiple times to attach explosives to it. Spinning about, Yang caused the Seer to hit one of the Sabyrs at the same time she activated the explosives, destroying the two Grimm simultaneously. Jaune then ran out of the hall, a Sabyr charging him; he put his shield out, blasting the Sabyr away with the Gravity Dust. He then leaped forward, hitting his shield to the ground to launch himself, and stabbed his sword down into the Grimm. The grappling blades of StormFlower passed him, attaching to a Sabyr's shoulders just before Ren used their retraction to propel himself at the Grimm, killing it. A yell was heard, and the three turned to see a final Sabyr had knocked Alan to the ground. It attempted to bite down on him, but he put his Simplicitrix hand out, blocking the tusk as his Aura flashed, adding additional protection. Building up strength and determination, Alan forced himself up while pushing the Sabyr. His free hand grabbed the other tusk while his right broke the one it held. He then swung his arm around and stabbed the Sabyr in the head with its own tusk, and then flipped it, throwing it against the wall before it died and disintegrated. His Aura then flashed over his body, running low. He sighed and looked over at the other three, who were all surprised.]*

Alan: ...Guess my human form's not *that* useless. What's our next move?

Yang: Let's do what we do best: Charge blindly into danger.

Jaune: Would've gone with "keep moving forward," but sure. Ren?

Ren: Forward, no matter what.

*[Continuing on their way, Team RYNJ rounded a corner, coming face-to-face with Emerald Sustrai and Hazel Rainart.]*

Yang: ...*You*.

*[Emerald had her weapons leveled at the trio, not paying much of any attention to Alan, but Hazel stepped forward, holding his hands out.]*

Hazel: No, wait, stop!

*[His image shimmered and fades, revealing Oscar in the hallucination's place, having been made to look like Hazel by Emerald's Semblance. Yang and Ren lowered their weapons with relieved smiles, but Jaune dropped his sword and shield, running forward to embrace Oscar.]*

Jaune: Oscar!

*[Oscar winced in pain, but chuckled weakly and returns the embrace. Yang lightly ruffled Oscar's hair, and Alan gave a halfhearted smile.]*

Emerald: I knew I sensed some weak minds nearby.

*[The group's reunion was cut short, and they all stared at Emerald.]*

Jaune: What's going on here?

Oscar: It's a long story.

Yang: *[stepping forward defensively]* You're gonna have to *try* and summarize it. Why should we trust you?

Ren: Because she's scared. Just like us.

*[Emerald raised her eyebrows in surprise. Yang and Jaune's expressions softened. Alan looked away with a grimace.]*

Emerald: ...Or maybe because I know how to get out of here.

*[She moved forward down the corridor passed them, only sparing a glance in their direction.]*

Emerald: Anybody coming?

*[Team ORYNJ and Emerald headed for one of Monstra's open-air landing bays. The outskirts of Atlas were visible in the distance.]*

Oscar: We're almost out!

*[A terrific rumble shook the ground, forcing them to stop. Alan held his stomach, his eyes looking as if they were losing life.]*

Jaune: What is that?

Emerald: *[taking on a horror-filled expression]* It's her.

*[Alan took a quick glance up at Emerald. A massive screech sent the lot of them covering their ears. Then, everyone except Emerald was knocked off their feet by a blast of purple magic. Salem stood at a freshly carved hole in the wall, her eyes sweeping over Oscar, then travelling to Emerald. The girl turned to run, but Salem extended her arms, grabbing her and pulling her close.]*

Salem: You really have been honing that... *Semblance* of yours.

*[Ren fired at Salem, who turns and retaliated with another blast of magic. Jaune stepped forward with his shield, but both he and Ren were blown off their feet and onto the wall behind them, breaking the former's Aura. Yang pressed on, jabbing at Salem's tiddy window and planting her explosives there. She quickly got out of range and detonated them. Salem's upper body bent backwards from the force with her chest ripped open. Her free hand then twisted and spit outs an adhesive substance in Yang's direction. She blocked it with her gauntlets, but Salem pulled, reining the girl in as her body regenerated. She finally closed her hand on one of Yang's gauntlets.]*

Oscar: Let them go!

*[Salem turned to face him, and took a green beam of magic to the chest. She staggered, then glared and hurled Yang at Oscar. They tumbled bodily on the ground. Sigils appeared on the ground, spawning Shadow Hands that immobilize Yang, Jaune, Ren, and Oscar. She then noticed the fearful, still Alan, who had been cowering off to the side, and used the Shadow Hands on him as well. She used one last sigil to immobilize Emerald upright. A roiling ball of magic appeared in her hand.]*

Salem: What did you do with the Lamp?

Emerald: Nothing.

*[Emerald appeared resolute at first, but turned away when Salem moved the ball of magic toward her face.]*

Salem: It's missing. Where is it?

Emerald: I didn't do anything with it.

*[Emerald squeezed her eyes shut as Salem turns to look at Oscar.]*

Salem: Where is it?

*[The Shadow Hands binding Oscar forced him into an upright position, his hands bound. Salem slowly approaches him.]*

Salem: *[sighs]* Look how you've diminished. How you've lessened yourself, and for what? These children, this ruined world?

*[Salem looked at him calmly, but then, overcome by rage, she suddenly grabbed Oscar's head from both sides, holding her thumbnails threateningly close to his eyes.]*

Salem: Why....do...you...keep...coming...back?!

Yang: Why do you?!

*[Salem's gaze shift to Yang, who was still pinned to the ground. As Yang spoke, she ignored the Shadow Hands tightening around her.]*

Yang: All of this endless death, because something bad happened to you once upon a time?!

*[Salem moved away from Oscar, slowly moving toward Yang.]*

Yang: Nobody gets a fairy tale ending! Everything I've lost, every person I've lost, is because of you!

Salem: *[scornfully]* And who is it I've taken from you, girl?

Yang: *[angrily glaring]* Summer Rose. My mom.

*[Salem chuckled, bending forward to look at Yang with a bemused expression.]*

Salem: ...Her, again?

*[Salem's reaction, understandably, only angered Yang more. But her rage was short lived, as both her and Salem were suddenly distracted by the roar of pain let out by Alan nearby. Salem stood upright again, seeing Alan break free of one of the Shadow Hands. She silently observed his actions. He balled his Simplicitrix hand into a fist and hit the ground, and then did it again, this time with his entire hand having turned black, save for the white claws that appeared on the ends of his fingers. A black, tar-like substance grew over his entire body. His cries of agony and pain became louder, and louder, and louder... Until being stifled. His head was submerged by the substance, and a white, skull-like growth appeared over the area, with uneven teeth lining the jaws, even where they shouldn't. Glowing red markings covered the skull, and two pointed ears jutted from the top.]*

***Grimm....oire...***

*[Grimmoire turned about, revealing to look exactly like the Hound. Passing by Yang, he let out a low growl in her direction. He slowly approached Salem, and sat in front of her, the others' looks of horror having only increased due to the transformation. Salem looked down at Grimmoire, seeing her reflection in the core of the Simplicitrix, located on his forehead.]*

Salem: ...An interesting development.

Your grace.

*[Hazel Rainart, the real one, entered the scene, passing in front of a still bound Emerald.]*

Salem: Ah, Hazel. I found our guests.

*[Salem gestured at the subdued teens as Shadow Hands shot up to cover Yang's mouth.]*

Yang: No!

*[Salem conjured another ball of magic in her palm, turning to look at Emerald.]*

Salem: This one was helping them.

*[Emerald looked at Hazel, pleading with her eyes, but his expression was indecipherable. The hands holding Oscar retracted, unceremoniously dropping him to the ground.]*

Salem: Take the boy back to his chamber. I have work to do with this one.

*[Walking towards her, Salem caressed a now tearful Emerald's cheek with the back of her hand, the churning magic inches from her face.]*

Hazel: Yes, of course.

*[With Hazel walking towards Oscar, Salem kept her eyes on Emerald, but spoke to Grimmoire.]*

Salem: Find the lamp, and bring it back to me.

*[Grimmoire stood and closed in on Emerald, gently sniffing her, then began walking off. Hazel looked at Yang, Jaune, and Ren as he passed by, then finally grabbed Oscar by the collar and lifted him up to eye-level. Hazel regards him for a moment, grimacing, before pulling him close.]*

Hazel: *[whispers]* No more Gretchen's, boy.

*[Grimmoire suddenly stopped walking, his ear twitching from having heard Hazel. Hazel dropped Oscar, who lifted his right hand to find the Long Memory. Hazel headed back toward Salem and Emerald.]*

Emerald: I really don't know!

*[Salem pulled her hand back to use her magic on Emerald, but was sent flying by a punch from Hazel. She cushioned her fall with a swirling cyclone, and Hazel moved forward to do battle. The Grimm arms and sigils binding the others disappeared. Hazel discarded his vest, and produces a large Dust crystal.]*

Hazel: *[to the others]* Go! Now!

*[He embeds crystal after crystal of various types into his shoulders: Ice, Fire, Lightning, Earth, Wind, Hard-Light. Each sent tracks of glowing energy out under his skin, and his eyes started to glow from the power he was channeling.]*

Emerald: Hazel.

*[Hazel turned to look at Emerald. Her eyes were glimmering, and she gave him a subtle shake of the head. He gave her a determined and reassuring smile, denying her wordless plea.]*

Hazel: Go.

*[Hazel was suddenly attacked by an enraged Grimmoire, Grimmoire roared, attempting to bite as his face, though Hazel kept him at bay purely with his grip; Hazel then activated the Ice Dust, freezing part of Grimmoire's body before throwing him against the wall. With Grimmoire down, Hazel used Earth Dust to try to trap and subdue him. He then turned back to face Salem, who had levitated higher into the air.]*

Salem: So you've decided against vengeance for your sister, after all this time.

*[Hazel set his fists ablaze, settling into a boxer's stance.]*

Hazel: I'm doing what Gretchen would have done!

*[Salem gathered her magic, sending it at Hazel in short bursts. He used Lightning Dust to augment his speed, weaving and dodging between them, then sent a barrage of fireballs at Salem. She easily dodged them, and sent a spread of beams his way. He dodged, before slamming Wind Dust at his feet. The resulting burst of air launched him toward Salem. Hazel then combined the Dust between his palms, creating an oversized ball of rock, fire, and lightning, which he slammed into Salem. She was knocked to the ground, and he bashed her stomach upon landing, slamming his fists into her face and head. The ground was quickly covered in dark, glistening blood. Even as she was beaten to pieces, Salem's hand crooked upright to make a gesture; her sigil appeared on the ground, and Shadow Hands lunged out to immobilize Hazel's limbs, lifting him into the air. Emerald could only watch, dismayed. She noticed Yang, Jaune, and Ren making an escape behind her, and gave Hazel one last glance before taking off as well.]*

Jaune: Come on everyone, out!

*[Emerald raced passed him, and she, Yang, and Ren safely made it outside.]*

Jaune: Wait, Oscar?!

*[Oscar solemnly turned to face Jaune, holding up his cane.]*

Oscar: She'll just come after us.

*[Oscar turned back to face the battle, extending his cane. Still holding Hazel immobile, Salem regenerated her head, her jaw cracking and popping back into place. Hazel readied a crystal hidden in his palm, and used it to block Salem's burst of magic with a Hard-Light shield. Salem used her Shadow Hands to fling him into a distant wall as Oscar watched. She grabbed the back of Hazel's head and slammed it into the ground repeatedly, the disappointment evident on her face. The Earth Dust surrounding Grimmoire burst open, with Grimmoire roaring; he had used his wings to burst through the dust. The gears in the Long Memory started to glow, and a sudden breeze ruffled Oscar's collar and hair. The sound of the breeze caught Grimmoire's attention and he jerked his head over to "look" at him. Salem turned to look at him, as well, then glided across the floor toward him at an alarming speed. However, Hazel stopped her, closing his arms around her waist and lifting her off the ground. A sigil appeared at his feet, causing Shadow Hands to wrap around his ankles and his throat. In one last act of defiance, Hazel parted his lips to reveal a Fire Dust crystal, which he then crushed between his teeth. Both he and Salem were engulfed in flames. The latter started screaming in rage. The hands around Hazel's neck tightened, and he painstakingly craned his neck to lock eyes with Oscar.]*

Hazel: ...Do it.

*[Oscar readied his now glowing cane as Hazel gasped, his eyes becoming unfocused. Grimmoire runs towards the three, and leaps, his wings granting him flight at a high speed. The boy depressed the lever on his weapon, causing its length to shimmer gold. A sphere of crackling green magic formed around him, and the immediate area was filled with bright yellow light, just before Grimmoire came in contact with him.]*

## Major Events

* Team RYNJ obtains Oscar Pine again.
* Team RYNJ fights Salem for the first time.
* Emerald Sustrai and Hazel Rainart officially switch sides.
* It is revealed the Simplicitrix's "damage" taken from the Hound was actually it attempting to scan it, creating and debuting the transformation Grimmoire which had been affecting Alan's mood and personality since first encountering the creature.
* The fate of Oscar Pine, Salem, Hazel Rainart, and Alan/Grimmoire is left intentionally vague at the end of the episode. As for Monstra... Well. Read the credit scene.

## Characters

* Alan Nomaly
* Yang Xiao Long
* Jaune Arc
* Lie Ren
* Oscar Pine
* Emerald Sustrai
* Hazel Rainart

### Grimm

* Monstra
* Seer
* Sabyr

## Trivia

* It could very well be said that this episode, particularly the inclusion of Grimmoire, was the fuel to continue writing the series. That, and the stuff that's yet to come, of course.

## Credit Scene

*[On the roof of a skyscraper in Atlas, Cinder and Watts stared at the disintegrating carcass of Monstra, apparently having been destroyed by... whatever it was that Oscar did.]*

Watts: Did... Did anyone respond?

Cinder: *[glancing at her Scroll]* No.

Watts: Well, she'll come back. In the interim we need a plan.

Cinder: Plan? The plan hasn't changed. *[begins walking away]* I'm going to rip the Maiden power out of Penny Polendina, because *you're* going to bring her to me.

Watts: I beg your pardon?

Cinder: You said in your message that you have control over Penny.

Watts: I said I had Penny "under control," not that I could telekinetically force her to do whatever I want.

Cinder: *[turning around, irritated]* What?

Watts: I implanted a virus in her, you dimwit. She's on a set path now. At least, she should be. As much as I hate to admit it, there seems to be some part of her capable of resisting. *[turns away]* Regardless, it's only the matter of time before her mechanical body succumbs to the virus. She'll open the Vault, then she'll destroy herself, and our little Penny problem will be do-

*[Cinder's Shadow Hand lashed forward, grabbed Watts by the collar, and pulled him toward her.]*

Cinder: What do you mean, she'll destroy herself? How am I supposed to take her power if she's dead?!

Watts: You know, it's impressive that you haven't realized this yet, but I don't work for you!

*[Cinder extended her arm again, hanging Watts off the edge of the roof.]*

Watts: *[incredibly unimpressed]* Please. You can't just threaten me like everyone else.

Cinder: You think you're so clever, don't you, Arthur?

Watts: Salem sent you to bring me back-

Cinder: Salem isn't here right now, but I think we can still come up with a plan while she's pulling herself together. First, I'm going to watch you plummet to an unremarkable end. And then I'm going to burn a path *directly* to the Vault where I will wait to tear that magical puppet to pieces. *[extends her Shadow Hand further, dangling Watts in the air high above the streets of Atlas]* And take... what is *mine*.

*[Cinder conjured a flame in her free hand, smiling confidently, but her smile quickly faded as Watts starts laughing.]*

Watts: Oh, of *course* you are! Because that's just what you do, isn't it?

*[Watts willingly let go of Cinder's Shadow Hand, as if allowing Cinder to drop him.]*

Watts: And how has that worked out for you? You stormed into Fria's room, thinking you can take on Ironwood's top fighter and war machine. But you couldn't. And that machine became the Winter Maiden. Oh, and let's not forget your deal with Raven Branwen! Get all your enemies in one place so you'd have a shot at revenge. If only someone could have warned you against such a miserable idea... Oh wait, ***I*** did! But *you* pushed ahead and you lost it, when all you had to do was your job!

*[Cinder's expression became increasingly angry; her Maiden powers formed a vortex of orange energy around her.]*

Watts: You think you're entitled to everything just because you've suffered, but suffering isn't enough! You can't just be strong, you have to be *smart*! You can't just be deserving, you have to be *worthy*! But all you have ever been, is ***a bloody migraine!***

*[Cinder screamed in rage, but instead of dropping Watts, she dragged him back, released him and walked away, breathing heavily. She sat on the edge of the roof, a tear dropping from her eye. Behind her, Watts exhaled heavily.]*