Weiss was putting Akane through the wringer with glyphs for the past two days and after many hours of practice Akane nearly had everything down.

“ I think that should do for now. The only thing left for you to improve on is expanding your arsenal of summons. That condor is not enough, you need to fight more enemies,” Weiss said before Akane fainted from exhaustion.

“ Talk about strict and rigorous. You whipped Akane so much she collapsed,” Blanc said.

“ I know and I wish I could be more gentle with her but there is something you girls need to see,” Weiss said while showing a news article on her scroll.

“ The Iron Shackles strike again. Unruly Fuanus threat in Vacuo dealt with,” The article said.

“ What does this have to do with you putting Akane through Bootcamp?” Sapphire asked.

“ This was the day after Blake and the White Fang settled the issue and now they are on the hunt for all fuanus, not just the evil or unruly ones,” Weiss said.

“ So you're worried they will hurt Akane when they decide to come here is that it?” Blanc asked.

“ That’s right and according to Yang’s latest intel report they are planning to attack during the Vital Tournament,” Weiss said.

“ Not good and with the other kingdoms coming to Vale for the Tournament we won't know who to trust?” Sapphire said.

“ Just keep your eyes peeled for anything or anyone out of place and you should be fine,” Weiss said.

“ Should we wake Akane up and tell her about this?” Blanc asked.

“ It would be best not to do that. I don't want her to get angry and do something reckless like she did to Raven,” Weiss said, making sure Akane was still out cold.

“ She will find out eventually what will we do then?” Sapphire asked.

“ We will worry about that later, for now, you girls should return to your room and rest,” Weiss said before taking her leave. As soon as they mentioned that Lightning returned from her trip.

“ Glad you made it back to Beacon Lightning mind carrying Akane back to the dorm?” Blanc asked.

“ What happened to her?” Lightning asked.

“ Her mom put her through two whole days of nonstop training and she passed out from exhaustion,” Sapphire said.

“ Makes sense. Come on Princess time to take you to bed,” Lightning said as she carried Akane on her back. The other students were looking at her like she was wearing Akane like a pelt.

“ What are you all staring at?” Lightning said.

“ Nothing, it's just why are you carrying that wolf girl on your back?” One of the students asked.

“ She is my friend and she is exhausted so I’m taking her back to our room,” Lightning said. After making it back to their dorm room lightning put Akane in her bed. Akane was still not moving. “ So mind telling me why Weiss was here?”

“ She came to train Akane and to warn us of an evil organization called the Iron Shackles,” Blanc said.

“ I heard that they are an anti-Faunus group who despise all Fuanus and aim to control them like robots,” Lightning said.

“ What do you mean like robots?” Sapphire asked.

“ They have this former Scientist from Atlas who was researching ways to control the Fuanus who were enslaved by the Schnee Dust Company. His latest breakthrough was these collars that allow him to control their emotions and make them feel how he wants them to feel,” Lightning said.

“ How exactly do you know all of this?” Blanc asked.

“ When I was defeated by my rival back in Equas I left to do some training on my own in Vacuo when I entered a Village that despised Fuanus so much. Everyone wouldn’t shut up about the Iron Shackles so that’s how I know of them,” Lightning said. As they were talking Akane finally woke up.

“ What did I miss?” Akane asked.

“ Nothing, we were just having a conversation about Lightning’s trip,” Blanc said as convincingly as possible.

“ Will all first-year students please report to the Anfa Theatre,” An announcement said.

“ Looks like we will have to wait to talk more about it,” Lightning said before the girls left.

Sometime later after everyone was gathered included the students from the other huntsman academies Professor Oscar took the stage.

“ Thank you all for coming now on to business. As I’m sure some of you have heard The Iron Shackles are on the move and we have just learned that they are looking for the Relic of Reality which when used will allow the user to shape the universe as they see fit,” Oscar said which caused everyone in the room to gasp. “ Now don,t panic the location of the relic is still unknown and the Vital Festival will still be on but we will be increasing security for the safety of everyone gathered. After explaining the additional security measures that will be going into effect Oscar told the students to report any suspicious behavior to either the Atlas Military or the teachers and staff. With the assembly now over Akane and her team went back to their room.

“ I swear if I ever see any of those monsters from the Iron Shackles I will kill them myself,” Akane said as her eyes glowed.

“ Easy Akane don,t let your anger take hold, we promise not to let them hurt you,” Sapphire said.

“ Sorry it’s just these guys need to be taken down,” Akane said.

“ They will but we are just kids, we don't stand a chance against these guys,” Blanc said.

“ Let’s just focus on getting ready for the Vital Tournament,” Lightning said.

Meanwhile inside the Training Room of the White Fang HQ Raven was busy training with Blake. Blake used her semblance to try and confuse Raven but failed and was pinned by Raven’s arrow.

“ There is nothing more I can teach you. You are now ready to return to Beacon,” Blake said. As soon as she said that she and Raven were on their way to the port to catch the next boat back to Vale. As soon as they reached the port the captain stopped them.

“ Sorry ladies but the port is closed due to the impending threat of the Iron shackles,” The captain said.

“ Great how am I supposed to return to Beacon now?” Raven asked close to losing hope.

“ I can get you there,” A woman with long blonde hair and a yellow mechanical arm said as she approached them.

“ Yang? What are you doing here?” Blake asked.

“ I came to warn the Fuanus of Menagerie of the Iron shackles,” Yang said.

“ Well thanks to that the port is closed and all ships off the island are stuck in the bay,” Blake said.

“ Who said I got here by boat I rode here on my hoverbike,” Yang said before tossing Raven a spare helmet. After getting on Yang took off for Beacon with Raven. After arriving at Beacon Yang and Raven went to the dorms to find the rest of Team KRAG. As soon as Raven entered her Team’s room Kinro, Ginro, And Amber were glad to see her again.

“ Raven, we missed you so much,” Ginro said while shedding some tears.

“ I missed you guys too, especially Amber,” Raven said before Amber hugged her.

“ I’m sorry for what happened to you. With how you felt about Faunus I was never honest with you,” Amber said.

“ It’s not your fault I only have myself to blame for hurting your kind and now that I lost my humanity I no longer have any reason to be so mean to you or even Akane,” Raven said.

“ So which animal are you now?” Kinro asked.

“ I’m now part wolf thanks to that quack scientist Gold Cinnabar,” Raven said.

“ Well human or Faunus you're still a part of Team KRAG and we are glad to have you back,” Kinro said. After catching up everyone went to bed.

Meanwhile in the secret underground level of Beacon Oscar and Glenda were showing Krystal something.

“ As i’m sure you can guess this is the vault of the Fall Maiden and hidden inside is one of the four keys only the maidens can use to unlock the hidden vault that contains the Relic of Reality,” Oscar said.

“ Why are you showing this to me?” Krystal asked.

“ Because we know your one of the maidens and with the impending threat approaching the time for secrets is over,” Oscar said.

“ Tell us Krystal have you ever felt a huge surge of power you cannot explain?” Glenda asked.

“ Come to think of it sometimes during our Roller Derby Matches back in Atlas when we were on the edge of losing I felt this hidden source of power take hold,” Krystal said.

“ That's the power of the maiden and by the looks of it your the Fall Maiden,” Oscar said before telling Krystal to try and open the vault. After placing her hand on the door it opened and reveal another realm full of falling leaves and a pedestal with an orange key on it. “ That is the Key of the Fall Maiden. It will only work for whoever holds the power of the Fall Maiden so take it and keep it safe. Krystal took the key and went back to the elevator to return to her room.

“ Are you sure it's a good idea doing this?” Glenda asked.

“ The enemy will most likely try and fight their way down here to get that key so if we leave it with its maiden then we can keep that relic safe,” Oscar said.

The next day everyone was gathered to welcome the transfer students from the other kingdoms. Some were very friendly while some were very mean spirited and only cared about winning the Vital Tournament. After meeting everyone Oscar took the stage to explain why everyone was here.

“ As I stand before you I see people from Beacon, Haven, Shade, Canterlot, And even Atlas gathered together. And now for the reason, we are all here today we will be having all of you take on missions. As Huntsmen and Huntresses, you will sometimes be required to take on missions. Some may involve gathering intel or dealing with a Grimm invasion. While others may involve seeking and killing a wanted criminal. If you look to the left you will see a giant mission board with missions on it. Now don,t think you can just choose whatever one you wish because we have some restrictions set up based on your skill and grade level. The high-level missions are blocked off from all the first years. The low-level missions are blocked off from all the third and fourth years. If a First-Year student should even try to take on a high-level mission without permission from me or Glenda. They will be expelled rather they come back dead or alive,” Oscar explained before Glenda took over.

“ Now that we established the rules lets get started,” Glenda said before the mission board turned on. As soon as the assembly ended Akane and her team went to see what was available for them.

“ This one looks interesting,” Lightning said referring to a mission that involved dealing with hoards of Grimm.

“ We can,t take that one it’s for third years and above,” Akane pointed out after seeing the three-plus in the top right corner of the tab.

“ Well how about this one,” Blanc said referring to a mission that involved being a crossing guard.

“ That one is way too easy I want to bust some skulls not help kids and old ladies across the street,” Lightning said. As Blanc and Lightning debated over what mission to pick Oscar came over to check on them.

“ I see you girls are having some trouble deciding which mission to choose,” Oscar said.

“ You could say that. Lightning wants something challenging and Blanc just wants something within the rules,” Sapphire said.

“ What about miss Schnee what does she want?” Oscar asked.

“ I think she just wants something that will satisfy everyone and I do too,” Sapphire said.

“ In that case, I think I know just the mission for you girls,” Oscar said before guiding Akane to a mission that involved investigating some ruins near Mt Glenn that had a two-plus on it.

“ Are you sure we can accept that one it said its for second years or higher?” Akane said.

“ As my predecessor once said. Instead of waiting for you to break the rules why don,t we just bend them,” Oscar said before pulling his tablet out and unlocked the mission for them.

“ We won,t let you down,” Akane said.

“ I sure hope not. Professor Valkyrie will be joining you. Listen to what she tells you because she will have you sent back to Beacon if she sees your skills are not satisfactory,” Oscar said before leaving. As soon as the mission was selected, Team ABSL left to find Professor Valkyrie who was waiting by a helijet for them.

“ You girls ready to go?” Valkyrie asked while pounding her fists together.

“ Sure am,” Lightning said.

“ Then let’s get going I am too pumped up to keep waiting,” Valkyrie said before she dragged all four of them inside the helijet and taking off.

Author's Note

Sorry, it took so long.

The Iron Shackles belong to Mr Tenebris