RWBY: Sacrifice

Now onto the third and (currently) last completed volume of RWBY's recaps. Here, everything starts to change.

We kick off with the first episode 'Round One', with RWBY visiting her mother's grave and telling her all the fun times she has had at Beacon with her friends. At the end of the scene, we see some birds flying off into the sun, making the signature symbol that Monty Oum has been known for.

(Still miss you, Monty)

Next scene and the Vytal Tournament in full swing as Team RWBY takes on the visiting team ABRN (pronounced 'auburn'). Professors Oobleck and Port provide both commentary and exposition on how exactly the Tournament functions:

• It has three phases: round one is will full teams, second round has two members from each team, and third round is just single fighters.
• Each team must either knock out the other team (by reducing their aura) or by ring out
• Shown later on, but not mentioned, is that arenas will be randomly generated around certain themes, like lava lakes, glaciers, forests, city ruins or even water.

Team RWBY manages to win their first round and have some lunch to celebrate. Emerald manages to catch up to them (still under the pretenses of being their friend) while making note that Weiss and Yang will be heading into the next round. Its also noted that Emerald, Mercury, Cinder, and a disguised Neo are also competing and have completed their first round too. 

After team RWBY gets their food, Weiss tries paying for team, but finds her credit card revoked. Thankfully, team JNPR comes in with the save with some cash and get wished 'good luck' before their next match. The episode ends as team JNPR takes to fighting team BRNZ (pronounced 'bronze).

Next episode to pop up is 'New Challengers'. Here, Team JNPR manages to win their round while Team SSSN (pronounced 'sun') with members Sun, Neptune, and their other teammates Sage and Scarlet, take to fighting Team NDGO (pronounced 'indigo'). Despite half the field being covered in water, which turns out to be Neptune's greatest fear, team SSSN manages to advance to the next round relatively unfettered,

Throughout this episode, we also see a man getting drunk in a bar watching the fights. He comments on how it all 'isn't really that great' while noticing a large plane touching down near the festival area. He leaves, making note that someone is arriving. Back at the tournament, Weiss and Ruby also notice the plane touching down, making Weiss realize that 'she' is here now.

This leads us into 'Its Brawl in the Family', with the arrival of not only Weiss' sister Winter Schnee, but also the full appearance of Ruby's uncle, the man drunk in the previous episode, Qrow Branwen. The two end up getting into an argument, which leads into a fight across the area. Mercury ends up catching a bit of it before leaving to tell Cinder. Before the fight can come to a finish, Qrow bows out and leaves Winter to blame, forcing her to leave under Ironwood's orders.

Qrow and Ironwood soon meet with Ozpin and Glynda in secret, the quartet discussing a matter of things: the infiltrator (meaning Cinder) is the one responsible for the condition of one 'Autumn', that the Atlas military on point could be more trouble than protection, and that Qrow has been away a lot on reconnaissance and found things to get pretty scary pretty quickly. Back with the villains, not only does Mercury reveal that Qrow has arrived, but also that Cinder has been manipulating the standings for certain fights to occur. This leads to her creating a matchup between Mercury and Emerald against members of team CFVY from volume 2.

(I could post something more serious, but with the way this volume is going, I'll need all the laughs I can get.)

The followup is 'Lessons Learned', showing Mercury and Emerald defeating the two members of team CFVY rather handily. Meanwhile, Weiss and Winter have a family talk about their lives away from their father's influence as well as their rare family Semblence of 'glyphs'. Winter reveals the higher level skill of actually summoning defeated enemies like the Grimm as ice creatures, something she tries to teach Weiss to do as well. It sort of takes, but not to any major extent.

With the Rose family, Qrow discusses a bit about his journey with Yang and Ruby, making reference to the team he was previously a part of with Ruby's mother and Yang's mother and father; team STRQ (pronounced 'stark'). Yang takes particular note of her mother, who bears a slight resemblance to the woman that saved her in the previous volume (that little ending scene from volume 2? never really addressed yet). Weiss says goodbye to her sister as she leaves with the episode wrapping up.

We continue in 'Never Miss a Beat', with RWBY members Weiss and Yang taking on members of the Atlas team FNKI (pronounced 'funky'), Flynt Coal and Neon Katt. After some heavy fighting, Weiss and Yang manage to win their fight and advance to the next round. Ruby herself manages to reunite with Penny for a bit, the latter also having entered into the tournament and made it to the third round as well. It is a bit of a breather episode before the big kick off coming up next.

Halfway through the volume and we reach 'Fall', which drops a bunch of different bombshells. Pyrrha gets asked to meet with Ozpin and the secret co. to go over the 'Maidens', four girls who possess incredible magic power. One, Amber, had been critically injured and half of her power stolen. The only way to save the other half would be to transfer that half into a worthy vessel. For them, they picked Pyrrha. She is given the choice of whether or not to go through with it, but she'll need to decide sooner than later.

The third round of the tournament starts, with Yang facing off against Mercury. Its a tough battle, but Yang manages to come out on top. However, Mercury tries to go for a sneak attack, which Yang is able to counter attack. Unfortunately, with his Aura down, Mercury gets shot in the knee. While Yang saw Mercury attacking her, the audience saw Yang dealing a cruel blow after the match. Everyone is in shock as forces move in to potentially stop Yang, who herself is confused as to what just happened.

(Given his behavior, he kind of deserves it)

The next episode is mostly a flashback titled 'The Beginning of the End'. Ominous.

It brings up Cinder's recruitment of a young Emerald and Mercury (the latter whom probably just killed his father shortly before recruitment). They try getting the White Fang onboard as well, but it is clear that Adam isn't biting at this point. Instead, they trio focus their attention on one of the Maidens, Amber. Here, we learn a multitude of things:

• Emerald can cast illusions on people, usually one at a time
• Mercury actually has prosthetic metal legs instead, making the inevitable shot to the knees another trick
• Amber's Maiden powers are pretty incredible, though she ends up losing the fight
• Cinder uses a small, parasite-like Grimm to try and acquire those powers, succeeding in only getting half.
• Qrow actually arrives on the scene to prevent the full power capture, but the villain trio escape

With the maiden's powers all hers, Cinder forces the White Fang into the alliance with her. Back in the present, the villains manage to trick the medics into believing the injury while they retreat and hide out until the next match.

We then head into the episode 'Destiny'. Ironwood reveals to team RWBY that they've been disqualified for their actions. Some write off Yang's actions as being under heavy stress in battle, but it is clear that there is more afoot when Ruby learned of it happening with team CFVY as well. 

Meanwhile, Jaune and Pyrrha have a nice moment together, though each misinterpreting the others words. Pyrrha tries talking about destiny and whether or not to follow through on it (since she can't talk about the maidens outside of Ozpin and co.) Miscommunication leads to Pyrrha getting upset and knocking Jaune away, apologizing before leaving. 

The next fight in the tournament starts, with Pyrrha fighting against Penny. Not only does Ruby know of the possible implications here (a metallic robot fighting someone with magnetisim), but also sees Emerald in the crowd, despite the latter supposed to be tending to her friend. It gets worse when she sees Mercury walking around all fine, notices Ruby, and she forgets that she doesn't have her weapon to properly fight.

It leads us to the next episode, 'PvP'. Pyrrha and Penny start fighting as Mercury keeps Ruby from alerting people. Once Penny starts busting out the swords on strings, Emerald uses her Semblance to make Pyrrha see hundreds of blades instead of a few. Pyrrha overreacts and uses her magnetism to disrupt the blades, the strings of which actually end up cutting straight through Penny and killing her, much to the shock of everyone in attendance.

(Fun fact: this fan picture was put online BEFORE the actual episode aired)

Ruby breaks down in shock and surprise as Mercury just exits stage left. Cinder gets on all intercoms, delivers a speech about the secret counsel of Ozpin and co. were doing stuff that may seem amoral (paraphrasing here), which gets the crowd riled up enough to bring the Grimm in as well as the White Fang lead by Adam (which brings more Grimm in). Also, Neo frees Roman on one of the Atlas ships.

The real fighting begins in 'Battle of Beacon'. Pyrrha is still in too much shock to react to a giant Grimm coming down in front of her. Ruby comes to the save as many of the hunters and huntresses in training come in to help. Ironwood arrives (and kicks butt against the Grimm) and tells them to either stay and fight or run before heading on one of his ships to help. However, Roman activates a virus which turns many of the Atlas machines away from the Grimm and White Fang and against everyone else. Ironwood himself gets caught on his own airship, which ends up exploding on its own.  Ruby realizes something is up and goes to try and stop the machines at the source. As the heroes try to fight and split up, Blake runs into Adam, who is all too upset upon seeing Blake. Meanwhile, a massive dragon Grimm bursts out of one of the mountains and attacks, as well as deposits Grimm from its hide onto the surface. Pyrrha breaks off to find Ozpin while Jaune follows her in pursuit.

The penultimate episode of Volume 3 is 'Heroes and Monsters'. The remaining heroes do their best against the Atlas machines and Grimm, but are clearly faltering. Ruby manages to get on the ship with Neo and Roman, taking out the former by opening her umbrella (imagine doing that off of the top of an airship) and the latter gets eaten by a Grimm mid-rant. Blake fights Adam, though the latter is certainly stronger and crazier than her. Yang arrives to help and attacks, but Adam manages to react fast enough to swing his blade and cut off one of Yang's arms.

(I honestly hope she ends up with something like this after that experience)

Blake manages to get herself and Yang away from Adam thanks to another shadow clone. Meanwhile, Ozpin prepares Pyrrha to receive the maiden power with Jaune standing guard to help. Unfortunately, Cinder interrupts with an arrow, killing Amber and taking the full maiden power for herself. Ozpin orders Pyrrha and Jaune to leave as he tries to hold off Cinder himself.

The final episode for the volume is 'End of the Beginning'. Ozpin tries to fight Cinder in the dark, but Cinder somehow manages to come out on top. As the heroes start to retreat, Ruby goes to after Jaune and Pyrrha (the latter kissing the former and sending him away to safety to fight Cinder alone). In this battle, Pyrrha tries her hardest to fight Cinder, but ends up dying in the end. After witnessing another friend fall, something in Ruby is awaken, drowning her, Cinder and everything else in a bright flashing light.

Time passes and Ruby awakens from a coma, which leads to an info dump by her father Taiyang and uncle Qrow:

• Beacon Academy is overrun with Grimm, the dragon itself now frozen in stone, but still drawing them in
• Communications are down thanks to the villains, making inter-kingdom communication virtual nonexistent
• Atlas' reputation is most likely in the toilet, thanks to video showing the rogue Atlas robots attacking
• Weiss is taken back by her father for protection
• Blake is back on the run...again
• Yang is stuck in bed and mostly mopey, due to losing her arm and Blake
• Ruby's silver eyes make reference to legends of 'silver-eyed warriors' that make them feared amongst the Grimm

When winter comes, Ruby leaves with the remaining members of team JNPR (which sort of manes them now team RNJR) leave for Haven to try and stop what may be coming next. Qrow follows them in secret and we get revealed of the true mastermind behind it all: a villainess named Salem, residing in the unknown lands of Grimm.

(Behold, new nightmare fuel)

Certainly a lot to unpack there. This coming Friday, I'll give my thoughts for these three volume, as well as series in general at this point.

Until next time...

RWBY: All Our Days

Onto the second volume of 'RWBY', which has less episodes, but also less multi-parters and more time in each episode. So, it kind of all evens out.

The volume begins with the episode 'Best Day Ever', introducing us more villains working under Cinder: Mercury Black and Emerald Sustrai. They spend a bit of the intro killing someone who's trying to leave the White Fang. What a way to introduce us to this villains, eh?

Back at Beacon Academy, students from the different academys start taking hold at Haven. Among them include Sun Wukong and his team partner, Neptune Vasilias. While they meet up with team RWBY and JNPR in the academy cafeteria, The latter teams end up starting a food fight, even using literal food as their weapons.

(You can't make up stuff like this)

After much fighting and destruction, Glynda appears to fix everything and scold the teams for their violent disruptions. Ozpin, however, reminds her that they deserve some happy moments for it could get worse for them down the road. Best to let them enjoy the moments while they can.

Back with the villains, Roman meets up with Emerald, Mercury and their boss, Cinder. Roman wants more info on why he is stealing so much dust, but Cinder keeps quiet on it. Its also clear that Roman isn't a big fan of working with Emerald or Mercury.

Next episode is 'Welcome to Beacon', we are introduced to the Headmaster of Atlas Academy and its military, Ironwood. He ends up bringing a large force to Vale as a means of both showing Atlas's power and helping to defend it against any threats.

Meanwhile, Sun helps give Neptune a proper introduction to the teams during a study session/military strategy game. However, Blake herself is a bit distracted by the recent events of the White Fang and Roman Torchwick. She wants to figure out what they are exactly up to and goofing around in the off hours isn't helping them. Team RWBY decides to go for it during said off hours. Near the end, Ruby herself runs into Cinder, Emerald and Mercury disguised as actual students.

Now onto 'A Minor Hiccup', with Team RWBY donning some new outfits to go out with. Ruby and Weiss decide to do research in the recent robberies against the Schnee Company, Blake goes out to look into a White Fang rally, while Yang tries looking up an 'old associate' of hers to learn more that way. Sun and Neptune end up overhearing the planning and join in, Sun following Blake and Neptune going with Yang.

(Seriously, we only see these for two episodes and never get used again)

While visiting the Cross Continent Tower for information, Ruby and Weiss encounter Penny again, who surprisingly leaves in a hurry once she is recognized. Ruby decides to follow her to see what's up, leaving Weiss to do the research all by herself. Ruby eventually catches up to Penny, noticing her reactions to an open display of new Atlas robots and armed soldiers chasing after Penny. Ruby tries to help her escape with her speed, but ends up pushing too hard and nearly gets hit by a truck. Penny makes the save to catch said truck, though reveals to Ruby that he is in fact a robot.

A third of the way through the volume and we reach 'Painting the Town...' Yang and Neptune end up meeting the 'old associate', who happened to be a mobster whose men were hired out by Roman at the start of Volume 1. Meanwhile, Blake and Sun managed to infiltrate the White Fang meeting, seeing Roman getting the Faunus fanatics over thanks to stolen Atlas tech, including a large working mech. He quickly pics out Blake and Sun in the crowd, but the pair managed to escape. However, Roman makes pursuit with said stolen mech.

The group ends up reuniting to fight the mech, spilling it out into a freeway before taking it off road. Sun and Neptune get blasted away, but team RWBY manages to destroy the mech to get to the Roman center inside. However, he evades capture once more thanks to the arrival of the short (but hardly sweet) associate named Neo.

(Given the coloring themes going on, having her 'ice cream' based makes the last joke easier to swallow. Wait.)

Next up is 'Extracurricular', starting off with Pyrrha completely dominating a practice fight against team CRDL. Afterwards, Glynda gets a volunteer from the audience for a one on one fight against Pyrrha: Mercury. The two are more evenly matched, but Mercury calls it off before the fight can be finished. Meanwhile, Blake is too obsessed over the White Fang's work to focus properly in school, worrying the rest of her team.

Afterwards, Mercury reconvenes with Cinder and Emerald, making note of Pyrrha's fighting style and 'polarity' semblance. Cinder makes a note of her, saying that she will be 'removed' soon enough.

We've reached the halfway point of Volume 2 with 'Burning the Candle'. Ruby, Weiss and Yang work to set up the academy dance, still sad at watching Blake obsessing over the White Fang more and more. Yang resolves to fix this as Weiss resolves to get past Jaune's attempts at inviting her to the dance. Jaune gets some advice from Pyrrha, though the former remains oblivious to the latter's obvious attraction to him. Meanwhile, Yang manages to pull Blake away from her work to get it across how her stubbornness will get her killed.

Yang does this by explain that it almost killed her and Ruby when they were younger. A flashback occurs, with Yang explaining how she lost her mother after one mission and wanted to try and find her. She brought a young Ruby along to keep her company and safe. Unfortunately, Yang almost gets killed by a group of Beowolf Grimm before the arrival of her uncle, Qrow. Yang sums up that Blake needs time in between to rest and be ready. Blake ends up taking it to heart and resolves to make it up to Yang.

Later that night, the dance is in full swing, Jaune isn't able to get it with Weiss (he saw her talking with Neptune instead and thought the worst) and the evil pair Mercury and Emerald arrive as well.

Continuing with the second half of the volume is 'Dance Dance Infiltration', with Cinder attempting to break into the communications tower to install a bug. Ruby manages to follow in suit (she isn't a big fan of dances or high heels) but is unable to stop her nor able to discern her identity.

(That little mask apparently hides a lot)

Back at the dance, Jaune learns that Pyrrha wasn't able to get a date herself since she feels that she intimidates people for her abilities. She talks about enjoying Jaune's company so much because he was the first person to treat her like a regular person. Jaune resolves to make it up to her by wearing a dress (he made a remark last episode that he'd wear one if Pyrrha wasn't asked on a date prior to the dance) and the members of team JNPR dance the night away as a team.

Next episode is 'Field Trip', with Ruby being brought to the academy office to see Ozpin, Glynda and Ironwood to discuss the break in (as she was the only one able to keep up with Cinder before she fled). They realize the danger that could be ahead, as well as Ruby's help in trying to stop her. After the debrief, the RWBY team try to cheer up their leader with a mail package from Ruby and Yang's father.

Its a little black corgi named Zwei (which the cat Faunus Blake isn't too receptive of at the start). The four members leave for a trip with an experienced Hunter arranged by Ozpin (who realizes that they're looking into the White Fang situation a lot and that they would deviate just to get that chance). Their assigned hunter? Their high energy history teacher, Professor Oobleck.

(See? He's even dressed for adventure!)

On to the next episode, 'Search and Destroy', with team RWBY and Oobleck arriving at an abandoned city in Vale overrun with Grimm. It is also revealed that Ruby brought along Zwei in her backpack, which Oobleck decides is quite a helpful asset to the mission. They spend most of the day hunting Grimm, though Oobleck himself asks Weiss, Blake and Yang about their thoughts on becoming a huntress. At one point, Oobleck and Ruby manage to spot a herd of giant Grimm marching around a perimeter of Vale. Here we learn of how these larger Grimm are waiting for an opportunity to strike and are more intelligent and resilient compared to their younger counterparts.

At the end of the night, the three girls wonder why Oobleck didn't think so highly of their answers to become huntresses and wonder why Ruby wasn't also questioned about it as well.

Three quarters done with the volume and we reach 'Mountain Glenn'. Weiss, Blake and Yang still think about their conversation with Oobleck and realize that it is more important to recognize the responsibility to protect others than their own personal reasons. Meanwhile, Ruby manages to stumble upon the White Fang thanks to a literal underground network. Oobleck brings up how the city used to have another underground, before the Grimm overran that as well.

Now, the White Fang have control of it, as well as a direct train line to Vale itself, requiring the hunter and huntresses to stop them. Unfortunately, Ruby gets herself captured pretty quickly and runs into Torchwick once more.

The penultimate episode is 'No Brakes', with the heroes regrouping to stop the White Fang operation, mainly the train from reaching its destination. Unfortunately, not only do the White Fang have stolen Atlas tech helping them, but also loaded bombs on end train cars that open up entries for Grimm to appear in. As Ruby, Oobleck and Zwei (yes, the dog) take care of White Fang on top of the train, the rest of team RWBY load into the train to stop it there. They end up splitting up to fight different enemies, with Yang going against Neo, Weiss against a White Fang lieutenant wielding a chainsword, and Blake taking on Roman once more.

(Told you Neo was tiny)

Yang and Weiss get their butts handed to them something fierce, though Yang gets saved from a killing blow thanks to the arrival of a mysterious stranger. Blake manages to handle her fight better (thanks to some Dust ammunition supplied by Weiss) and knocks out Roman. The team reunite as they realize the train isn't stop and that ahead of them is a collapsed exit. Weiss brings up an ice barrier around them as an explosion creates an opening for the Grimm to arrive in Vale itself.

The final episode of the volume is 'Breach'. Team RWBY tries calling in help to deal with the onslaught of Grimm, which gets answered in full. Team JNPR quickly arrives along with Professor Port and Glynda Goodwitch, as well as a more experience team of hunters in training known as Team CFVY (pronounced 'coffee') and Sun and Neptune. Heck, even the Atlas military jump in to help as well. By the end, the whole is sealed, the Grimm has stopped, and Roman is taking into custody. Team RWBY writes off today as a great success.

However, Cinder, Mercury and Emerald are still planning in the shadows. They realize that the tunnel destruction took out a lot of White Fang members, potentially making their alliance hazardous. However, one White Fang members makes sure to keep their alliance going: Adam Taurus, the White Fang partner to Blake before she left the group.

An end credits bit showed Yang meeting the stranger in a mysterious void, asking who she is. The woman removes her helmet to reveal herself as Yang's long lost mother.

Its weird how much can go on in 12 episodes than 16, am I right?

Anyway, we're about to reach RWBY's current finished volume recap soon and its going to be a doozy.

Until next time...

RWBY: Shine

Back into the World of Remnant and 'RWBY', so lets go on with the recap portions. To make things all organized and such, I'll be splitting up each volume of 'RWBY' in between, so you'll actually be getting multiple posts throughout the weekend. It also helps to see how things will change from one to another moving on.

With that said, let's start from Volume 1 and the first 16 episodes.

Starting with 'Ruby Rose', it starts with a bit of background of the show, how humans and Grimm fought and the usage of Dust to make civilization. There is also a dialogue between two voices, one male and female. The female voice talks about how victory cannot be won simply by strength, while the male voice talks about how they must rely on hope to bring them through as well.

The scene transitions to a Dust shop being robbed by a group of goons, being lead by one Roman Torchwick.

(who kind of reminds me of that one kid from Pinocchio with the red hair and cigar smoking)

However, they also end up in the one Dust shop with our main character, Ruby Rose. She makes quick work of the goons, forcing Roman to flee with the help of an airship and mysterious girl in glass slippers. With the surprise arrival of Glynda Goodwitch, Ruby manages to survive as the villains flee. While Ruby gushes over meeting a real-life huntress, Glynda spends a bit berating her for the unnecessary risks she took. Both quickly get quite with the arrival of Ozpin, the headmaster of Beacon Academy.

(Come to the hunter's side. We have cookies)

A discussion breaks out between Ozpin and Ruby, talking about the latter has silver eyes, been trained by an experience hunter of an uncle at Signal (sort of a transition school into Beacon) and being offered a chance to jump ahead a few grades to get into Beacon. Ruby accepts, quickly transitioning to getting hugged by her sister Yang, who is excited to be joined by her little sister in the academy. As they travel by airship, they watch news of a recent attack by the 'White Fang' group on a Dust complex and seeing future friend and ally Jaune throwing up in the corner.

Continuing into the two parter 'The Shining Beacon', we are also introduced to Weiss (in a rather explosive fashion) and Blake (in a more subdued fashion). We also get a bit more into Jaune, showing that despite his status as a new arrival at Beacon Academy, he is still quite over his head. Ozpin later addresses the incoming students in a speech that they must be ready for what comes to them and the like. The two parter ends with the new students sleeping together in a large room (I guess they haven't been assigned rooms yet) as the rest of future-team RWBY get to try and know one another.

Onto the next two parter 'The First Step', which also introduces the rest of future-team JNPR as well. Nora and Ren are shown as close friends, with Pyrrha being introduced as one of the best Huntresses-in-training at Beacon. There is also clear interest from Pyrrha to Jaune, but the latter tries pining for Weiss while oblivious to the latter. 

We are also introduced to the 'entrance exam' of Beacon Academy: everyone will be launched into the woods by themselves. The first person they make eye contact with will be their partner for the rest of their time at Beacon. Afterwards, they'll need to acquire a certain tribute from a selection before meeting back. 

As the class gets spread out, pairings get formed rather quickly, with Ruby and Weiss quickly teaming together while Jaune meets with Pyrrha. The former clearly have differenting opinions about each other (Ruby likes the teamup but Weiss is unsure of it all), while the latter seem to get along just fine.

(A common statement regarding the JauneXPyrrha love angle)

In the next two parter (yeah, I'm already sick of typing it out, but we still got a few more to go) 'The Emerald Forest', the rest of the pairings are shown: Ren gets found by Nora (the former having beaten a large snake Grimm with his bare hands) while Yang is found by Blake. Weiss and Ruby still try to get along, while Pyrrha helps Jaune learn about his 'Aura'. Unfortunately, both of the latter groups ends up encountering larger than life Grimm of their own (a raven and scorpion Grimm respectively).

The second single episode of the volume, 'Players and Pieces', the future teams of RWBY and JNPR work together to take down the massive Grimm. The latter manages to take it down with its own stinger, while the former manages to decapitate the bird with Ruby's scythe. At the ceremony officially forming the teams, both Ruby and Jaune are made respective leaders of their own team (much to both's surprise, though given that the first letter of each team name denotes the leader, it kind of shouldn't be a surprise).

(So were these guys, but I'll get to them later)

The next two parter 'The Badge and the Burden' focuses a bit more on the Ruby/Weiss relationship (not what you think!). While Ruby tries giving Weiss some advice in one of their classes, Weiss mostly writes off Ruby as an unfit leader due to her maturity and lack of understanding in the position. Both get approached by teachers (Ozpin to Ruby, while Weiss meets with the teacher of said class, Professor Port). Ozpin discusses how important of a burden it is to be leader and advises Ruby to take the same care with said burden. Port calls Weiss out on her rude behavior, making her question of her attitude would truly fit in the role of leader? Eventually, the pair make up in the end of the episode pair.

The next two 'two part' episodes may as well be a four part episode revolving around Jaune Arc. Both 'Jaundice' and 'Forever Fall' deal with the fact that Jaune actually snuck into Beacon academy through false manuscripts. He wants to be a great Huntsman like the rest of his relatives, but still comes up short, Pyrrha tries to offer him help, but he turns it down on the belief that he needs to do it on his own. Unfortunately, after Pyrrha leaves, Jaune gets confronted by the resident bully Cardin Winchester (the guy with brown hair and a bird on his armor), who blackmails poor Jaune into doing his homework for him.

Eventually, during a field trip, Cardin and his team want to get back at Pyrrha for embarrassing Cardin before in a class. Jaune refuses to go through with the mean-spirited prank and tries to defend himself, but they end up attracting a large Ursa Grimm creature to their scuffle. While most of Cardin's group flee in fear, Jaune actually stand up to the Grimm and stops it from attacking Cardin. Eventually, with a little unknowing help from Pyrrha's magnetic 'semblance', Jaune manages to not only beat the Grimm, but also decapitate it and put the fear in Cardin that he won't be pushed down again by him or his team. At the end of the day, Jaune takes up Pyrrha's offer for the extra training, realizing that he still has a ways to go.

The final two episodes aren't really two parters, but it certainly feels that way to a degree. Dubbed 'Stray' and 'Black and White', they help set up some important foundation for the next volume and beyond.

Team RWBY end up taking a walk through the city of Vale, talking about an upcoming tournament with the neighboring kingdoms. It sort of sidetracks into a discussion about the 'White Fang' group, mostly between Wiess (whose family had suffered through their actions affect the Schnee Company) and Blake (who does her best to try and defend the 'White Fan' as the innocent party). Eventually, the group is introduced by two new characters: the monkey Faunus Sun Wukong and the strange but kind Penny (who first says hi to the team while on the ground). Despite the quick meetings, Weiss and Blake just won't give up on the 'White Fang' conversation. It eventually ends when Blake lets it out that she was once part of the gang and leaves to be by herself. She ends up being found by Sun and it is revealed here that she is actually a cat faunus.

(Its amazing what a simple bow can hide)

At the start of the next episode, Blake reveals that she was once part of the group back when it was a peaceful protest group. Unfortunately, with a new leadership installed years later, it became more violent towards the Faunus cause. Eventually, she left to become a Huntress to fight against evils like that instead. With Sun in tow, she hopes to stop whatever the 'White Fang' are trying to do in the city. The remaining members of team RWBY encounter Penny again as they try to look for Blake. While Weiss and Yang leave in one direction, Ruby teams up with Penny to try and find Blake themselves.

At night, Blake and Sun managed to find the 'White Fang' looking heavy cargo from a shipyard. To their surprise, a human is actually leading them- none other than Roman Torchwick himself from the first episode. Blake tries to intervene and make the 'White Fang' members see reason, but they remain undeterred. A fight breaks out as Sun and Blake fight off most of the 'White Fang' before taking it to Roman himself. Ruby and Penny arrive on the scene, though Ruby takes  a cheap shot from Roman when she was distracted. Upset over the hit of her new friend, Penny joins the fight by unleashing several blades on string from her back, taking down several White Fang members by herself (even taking down a few airships by charging up a laser!). 

In the end, the 'White Fang' is stopped, Roman retreats, Penny is taken away back to her 'father' while no one was paying attention, Blake and Weiss try to make up, and Sun makes friends with team RWBY. Elsewhere, Roman laments over the loss of cargo from the heist before being confronted by his boss: the glass slipper lady from the first episode, now known as Cinder.

(No surprise Roman isn't feeling too 'hot' right now)

And that is it for Volume 1. I'll have the Volume 2 recaps up by tomorrow.

Until next time...