Frost stood outside of Salem's fortress with Mercury and Emerald. The two were training against Grimm under his supervision. He was disappointed by what he saw. They both grew tired and were slowly being overwhelmed. Frost scoffed watching this display of weakness before he stomped his foot on the ground. Ice blanketed the ground and crawled around Emerald and Mercury before large spikes of ice shoot up out of the ground killing the Grimm around Emerald and Mercury. The two looked over to Frost who walked over to them with a disappointed look in his eyes.
"That, was pathetic." Frost said.
The two were panting.
"You've been forcing us to fight for hours." Emerald complained.
"Yes, because our enemies won't give us a chance to breath and there will come a day when you must fight for a long time." Frost explained.
"Couldn't you like, I don't know. Help us then?" Mercury asked.
"No. Because you would grow dependent on me just like you grew dependent on Cinder." Frost scolded.
Emerald scowled as she glared at him for bringing up Cinder.
"And what makes you so damn special?" Emerald asked.
Frost raised an eyebrow at that question.
"Why does Salem see you as such a powerful asset?" Emerald asked with an angry look in her eyes. "I know you have an Evolutionary Semblance, but how does that make you even a sliver of important?"
Frost didn't answer before his eyes burst into blue flames similar to Cinder when she used the Maiden powers. This shocked Emerald and Mercury.
"How? Only maidens have that effect." Mercury asked.
"True." Frost answered. "Ozpin used his power to create the Maidens, so Salem did the same."
"So, what does that make you a Maiden?" Mercury. "Why did she even need Cinder then?"
"Because I cannot open the vaults." Frost said. "While my magic isn't as potent as others. It is still a powerful ally."
Emerald and Mercury looked at each other. Frost takes a deep breath before letting it out.
"You two are far from being capable of bringing down our enemies. Your failure at Haven was evident. Without Cinder, you two are nothing." Frost berated. "I wish we had more time, but we'll be leaving for Atlas soon, and once we get there you two are expected to preform your duties."
Frost stepped closer with a threatening look.
"If I find even a flicker of hesitation or doubt, I will not hesitate to end your life." Frost said. "After all, what good is a tool that cannot do its job?"
[Atlas]
The next set of days have been eventful. Team RWBY and JNPR have been tackling Huntsmen missions while aiding with Operation Rising Star aka the Amity project. Ryder and Kairos spent time to train together as rivals to push each other to newer limits. But with some time he had, Ryder scanned Atlas for the last Dragon Ball. That's actually what he was currently doing. He was far away from the city of Mantle and City of Atlas with the dragon radar in his hands as he flew over the snowy lands of Solitas. His training had been escalated into a newer level thanks to Atlas Technology. He's made good progress with his Second Stage of his semblance Amplify. He can now reach 15X which is a huge achievement. Kairos has developed some new techniques as well. Ryder's magic has also gotten stronger and more potent.
Of course, not all his time was spent on training. He did spend some of it with Weiss. The two of them have gotten closer to one another, oh and Winter knows by now. Ryder and Weiss were worried how she'd react, but she took it rather well.
[Flashback]
Ryder and Weiss were in the training room together, they had observed how each other has grown and tried to give each other tips on how to evolve further. Right now, Ryder was facing off against the Arma Gigas. Ryder dodges multiple swings from the Gigas' blade before he slid under the next strike. He then leaped up and hits the Gigas right in the jaw with a hard punch. This launched the Gigas into the air before Ryder creates a sword with his magic. He spins around and sliced the Arma Gigas in half. As the Arma Gigas vanished from sight, Ryder lands on the ground and makes his sword vanish. Weiss sighed.
"Hey, don't beat yourself up about it." Ryder said.
Weiss stands up and sheathes her sword.
"I know. I just really hoped I could beat you." Weiss said.
"Ha! Beat me?" Ryder asked in a challenging yet joking fashion. "You wish."
"Ryder Falcone, are you insinuating that I, Weiss Schnee, cannot beat you?" Weiss asked playfully.
"Which one of us killed a Maiden?" Ryder brought up playfully as he placed his hands on his hips.
"You're lucky I love you so much." Weiss mentioned.
"Can't stay mad at me forever." Ryder said.
"I probably could." Weiss countered.
They both then heard a new voice.
"I figured you two loved each other." Winter said.
They both turn to Winter who was walking towards them.
"W-Winter, how long were you there?" Weiss asked nervously.
"Long enough to hear your exchange of words." Winter said with a smile. "So, how long?"
"How long?" Ryder asked.
"Yes, how long have you two been a couple?" Winter asked, elaborating on her question.
"Just before we left Haven for Atlas." Weiss said, nervously.
"Relax, both of you." Winter said calmly. "I'm not mad, nor will I object."
"You won't?" Weiss asked.
"I won't." Winter answered. "Unless Ryder hurts you in anyway, then I will."
Ryder lets out a nervous chuckle at basically being threatened.
[Present]
Ryder was glad that Winter was okay with his relationship with Weiss. He feared that she'd be protective and not allow it. But thankfully that didn't happen. He then hears a set of beeping coming from the Dragon Radar. He looked at it and saw a blip on the radar to his east. He found the last Dragon Ball. He stops flying and turns to his east before blasting off in that direction. He follows the radar and when he arrives, he sees a forest covered in snow. So, he descends and lands in the forest. Once he landed, he looked around before looking at the radar. He was close, so now he just needed to find it. So, he searches around before he sees a shining object in the snow.
He walked over and pushed the snow aside to see a Dragon Ball. A smile came to his face as he grabbed the Orb and stood up. He finally found them all. He puts the Dragon Ball into his satchel before he rockets into the sky and made his way back to Atlas. But little did he know, things back in Atlas had gone south.