1,075Author's Note: Sorry that this chapter was published late. I was very preoccupied with celebrating Christmas and New Years with my folks. Among other priorities. I only have so much time to write. And for those of you who haven't heard yet, RWBY Volume 9 will be coming out February 18th.
thundercharger123: You have my utmost assurances that "Aliens" will be adapted. The opportunity and demand for it is too great to pass up.
Guest, January 11th: That is a good idea. "Ghostbusters" is a great classic and RWBY would make a great casting choice.
Guest, January 7th: Don't worry. Thanks to Gold-Sith's time slowing abilities, the audience will have ample time to watch his viewings well before the fall of Atlas. I won't disclose too much information of the cast for "Aliens" but I'll let you know that Taiyang will play a part. And you're right, Whitley had it just as rough as his sisters and will not be playing Burke in "Aliens".
Jbb: "Speed" is a good choice for an action adaptation. Nice cast choices too. I'll think about it. Thank you.
Omni warrior: I couldn't agree more. While "Pirates of the Caribbean" isn't the brightest movie (at least by Disney standards), it's still far more lighthearted than "Alien".
GojiraFan455516: Sorry if the winning film wasn't your vote. But I may do a Godzilla film in the one-shot multiverse fic I have planned for the near future.
Xenozip: My thoughts exactly. RWBY technology is lightyears ahead of Earth technology. I have no doubt that Remnant humans understand how fusion works, even if they can't replicate it the way we do.
Batthan the Dark Knight: Bwa-ha-ha-ha! Nope!
VirusChris: Wow. That was a big review you left. Lol. I'd rather answer via PM.
wearedeadpool: Yes, I take requests. If I like them, I add them to the voting poll. Ultimately however, it's up to my readers as to which movie gets chosen. That's democracy for you.
LoamyCoffee: I've wondered the same thing myself. Probably because Jonesy (or Zwei) was too small and thus unsuitable to be a host for a facehugger. Plus, the cat was no apparent threat to any future colony that could be built, so it didn't bother. That's all I can think of.
Farmer Abe: Sorry man. "The Princess Bride" didn't win. But thank you for the congratulations and encouragement.
Straw Hat PiratesFan2023: Oh, she's going to eat those words when "Aliens" comes along. Though at least the sequel is more of an action film than horror.
In the hallway right outside the theater, about half of the movie-goers were stretching their legs or chatting amongst themselves before heading back in for the next show. Mostly about the terrifying impact of the previous movie.
"That was definitely the scariest flick I ever saw," Ruby commented, knowing she would have at least one bad night's sleep afterwards.
"I'm never going to forget that chestburster part," Nora agreed, trying and failing to keep the infamous scene out of her head.
"At least Summer came through in the end and killed the damn thing," Qrow said, eliciting nods from the others.
"In the meantime, I trust Gold-Sith will have something more lighthearted for us to watch," Jaune said, knowing everyone could use a brighter film viewing.
"Well, let's head back in and see," Oscar said as he re-entered the theater first, followed by the others.
As everyone collected snacks and beverages and retook their seats, Ironwood spoke up. "So, Gold-Sith. I trust you have something brighter for us to watch?"
"Indeed, I do, General," Gold-Sith answered.
Everyone looked relieved by the confirmation.
"That's good to hear," Nora said with a smile.
"Well then. Sit back and enjoy," Gold-Sith beckoned his audience.
Everyone complied as the overhead lights dimmed and the screen displayed the next film.
The screen showed a dark background with smoke and embers floating upwards in front of the film's title while unsettling music played.
"Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl"
The mention of pirates in the title piqued the interest of several audience members who were wishing for a more lighthearted film.
"Pirates? Oooh, now that sounds cool," Nora said in elation by the change of pace.
"And definitely less scary than the alien," Ruby agreed as she munched on some strawberries. (1)
Marrow smiled. "A swashbuckling adventure film is definitely my cup of tea."
"I actually fought a few pirates in one of my previous lives," Ozpin mentally informed Oscar.
"But what's the Caribbean?" Yang asked Gold-Sith, being unfamiliar with the term.
"It's the body of water between Menagerie and Anima. It is larger than your own version and is named after a group of indigenous Faunus who inhabited the many islands within. Some also call it the Menagerie Sea," Gold-Sith answered.
Cut to the Caribbean Sea. A thick fog covered the area. But slowly, a large naval ship materialized from the fog. It's the H.M.S. Dauntless. A ship of the line in the Atlesian navy.
"That's a fine vessel, even if it's an old-fashioned sailing ship," Ironwood commented on the Dauntless.
"Well, in that case, this must be several centuries ago," Vine referred to the masts on the ship.
"So, we'll be seeing stereotypical pirates who sailed Remnant's oceans just before the industrial age started," Weiss said in realization.
As the vessel draws closer, the feint singing voice of a child could be heard from somewhere on board the Dauntless.
"We pillage, we plunder, we rifle and loot. Drink up me hearties yo ho ho!"
"Is there someone singing on that ship?" Maria questioned as scanned the screen for the sound.
"Yeah. And the voice sounds very familiar," Blake said as her strong sense of hearing recognized the voice.
"It does. In fact, it sounds like..." Winter began as she identified the singer.
Now visible atop the bow stood a girl in a light blue dress. She had white hair tired into a ponytail and looked to be about eleven years of age.
"It's me as a little girl," Weiss said in surprise, not expecting such a thing.
"Aaaaw!" a few female audience members cooed at how cute Weiss was a child.
"Look at the little ice princess," Yang teased while the heiress blushed in embarrassment.
Winter smiled wistfully to see Weiss at an age when she was brighter and happier. Before her father did a number on her and the rest of the family.
"We kidnap and ravage and don't give a hoot. Drink up me hearties yo ho! Yo ho, yo ho a pirate's life for me," young Weiss Schnee sang in tempo.
Cut to a shot behind Weiss as a hand reached towards her as she continued singing.
"We extort, we pilfer, we filch and sack. Drink up –" the hand clutched her shoulder startling her into turning around, ceasing her singing.
The hand belonged to Warrant Officer Qrow Branwen "Quiet, missy!" he said sotto as he gazed around warily. "Cursed pirates sail these waters. You don't want to bring them down on us, do ya?"
"Qrow's in the Atlesian navy?" Ironwood questioned in surprise.
"I wasn't expecting that," Winter said, knowing Qrow wasn't the type to follow orders.
"Me neither," Qrow admitted begrudgingly.
"Mr. Branwen, that will do!" a familiar voice scolded Qrow from behind.
Camera shift to Lieutenant Clover Ebi in Royal Atlas Navy uniform. Behind him was a white-haired woman in a fancy red dress.
"There's you, Clover," Marrow pointed at the screen.
"You look pretty good in that classic naval uniform," Marrow commented.
Weiss and Winter both looked surprised when they recognized the woman standing behind Clover's counterpart. "Mother?" they both said together.
Ruby gasped softly. "That's your mother?" she asked,
"She was singing about pirates. Bad luck to be singing about pirates with us mired in this unnatural fog. Mark my words," Qrow defended.
"Consider them marked. On your way," Clover ordered.
"Aye, Lieutenant," Qrow obliged as he walked off, but whispered to Clover as he passed. "It's bad luck to have a woman on board, too… even a miniature one."
Ruby tilted her head in puzzlement. "Why would it be bad luck to have a woman on board a ship?" she asked.
"Besides sexism?" Elm said flatly.
"Well, it could be an old superstition for sailors back in those days," Maria guessed as she sipped a cup of tea.
"I think it'd be rather exciting to meet a pirate," Weiss said.
Clover smiled at Weiss' naivete. "Think again, Miss Schnee. Vile and dissolute creatures, the lot of them. I intend to see to it that any man who sails under a pirate flag or wears a pirate brand gets what he deserves – a short drop and a sudden stop," he declared.
Weiss glanced at Qrow who mimed a hanging with his necktie.
"Really, Branwen? Are you trying to frighten the girl?" Winter reprimanded Qrow with a glare.
"I think Clover made his intentions quite clear," Qrow defended.
"Lieutenant Ebi, I appreciate your fervor, but I'm, uh… concerned about the effect this subject will have upon my daughter," Willow lightly scolded Clover.
"My apologies, Governess Schnee," Clover said.
"Actually, I find it all fascinating," Weiss said with interest.
"Yes. That's what concerns me," Willow sighed.
"That takes me back to happier times... before she started drinking," Weiss said sadly.
"Me too," Winter murmured with sorrow.
Weiss looked back over the railing. She spotted a parasol floating in the water. And then a piece of wreckage with a dark-haired girl sprawled atop it. She wasn't moving.
Ruby's eyes widened as she recognized her onscreen counterpart. (2)
"Oh, my Oum! That's Ruby!" Yang cried in alarm.
"Someone must rescue her!" Penny added.
"Look! A girl! There's a girl in the water!" Weiss loudly informed the others.
Clover looked over the side of the ship. "Woman overboard! Man the ropes. Fetch a Hook! Haul her aboard,"
One of the crewmembers threw a line towards Ruby and she was quickly brought aboard.
Weiss watched as Qrow gently took Ruby in his arms and set her down on the deck.
Clover knelt to inspect Ruby. "She's still breathing," he said.
Everyone was happy to hear Clover's words. Yang and Qrow both sighed in relief that Ruby was okay.
"But what happened? Why was I floating in the middle of the ocean?" Ruby questioned aloud.
Qrow gazed out on the right. "Mary, Mother of Oum!" he muttered in shock at something offscreen.
Weiss and the other crewmembers turned to see a grisly sight. It was the burning, half-sunk, wreckage of a ship. It had been split in half by something with flotsam surrounding it.
A few members gasped at the sudden burning shipwreck onscreen.
"Well, I guess that answers my question," Ruby said in shock.
"Ruby's lucky to have survived that," Jaune remarked.
"What happened here?" Willow questioned in horror.
"It's most likely the dust magazine," Clover guessed calmly, having seen worse. "Merchant vessels run heavily armed."
"A lot of good it did them. Everyone's thinking it. I'm just saying it. Pirates," Qrow assumed.
"It could have been," Ironwood conceded.
"In that case, they should be on high alert, Clover said cautiously.
"There's no proof of that," Willow dismissed Qrow's claim. "It was probably an accident."
"Rouse the Captain immediately! Heave to and take in sail. Launch the boats," Clover ordered the rest of the crew.
"Rouse the Captain immediately! Heave to and take in sail. Launch the boats," Clover ordered the crew.
"Heave to!" a sailor hollered.
"Weiss, I want you to accompany the girl," Willow instructed her daughter. "She'll be in your charge. Take care of her."
While Clover and a group of sailors took a rowboat towards the ship's wreckage to search for other survivors.
Weiss nodded and approached the young Ruby who lay still on the deck. Weiss reached over to gently brush Ruby's hair off her forehead.
"Awww, you two look so cute together as kids," Yang cooed while Winter nodded in agreement.
Ruby and Weiss couldn't help but smile. It was a very cute scene.
Suddenly, Ruby awoke, grabbing her wrist. "It's ok. My name's Weiss Schnee," she soothed.
"R-R-Ruby Rose," she stuttered.
"I'm watching over you, Ruby," Weiss assured.
"Looks like we'll become friends much sooner than we did in real life," Ruby said with a warm smile which Weiss returned with a nod.
Ruby fainted and slumped back down, as if in exhaustion. Weiss then noticed a something tucked under Ruby's shirt collar. Curious, she fished it out. It was a golden medallion with a skull etched on it.
"That's a pretty scary looking necklace," Nora commented on the medallion.
"Yeah. In fact, it looks…evil," Jaune added.
"I wonder where she got it," Penny said curiously.
Weiss' eyes widened in realization. "You're a p-pirate," she said softly.
"Has she said anything?" Clover suddenly asked from behind.
Weiss whirled around to face Clover. "Her name is Ruby Rose. That's all I found out," Weiss answered half-truthfully while hiding the medallion behind her back.
"Take her below," Clover ordered the other sailors.
"But Clover would never hang a kid...would he?" Ruby muttered, horrified by the implication.
Yang and Qrow's eyes widened in fear at the possibility of Ruby meeting such a fate.
"Not me. But my counterpart might if he thought she was a pirate," Clover admitted, not at all approving of capital punishment inflicted on a child.
Weiss moved to the stern of the ship and studied the medallion more closely. And upon looking up she spotted a ship sailing silently away half-hidden in the fog. It had dark wood and tattered masts. And its black flag bore a Jolly Roger. The skull matching the one on the medallion.
"Qrow was right. It was pirates," Ironwood said, knowing the Jolly Roger was a surefire sign of a pirate ship.
"And they took full advantage of the fog to destroy that ship and slip past the Dauntless," Winter added.
"I guess your counterpart isn't so excited to see pirates now," Yang said to Weiss.
Too frightened to move or scream, Weiss squeezed her eyes shut.
Cut to eight years later as an adult Weiss' eyes open. She was laying on her side in bed.
"Was that a flashback or a dream?" Weiss questioned.
"I suppose we'll find out," Winter answered.
Weiss grabbed a candle from her nightstand and approached her bureau drawer. She opened it and fished out the dust coated medallion from its hiding spot underneath some papers.
Strange music played as Weiss gazed at the medallion before putting it around her neck while looking in a mirror.
"She kept the medallion all these years. But why?" Ruby wondered aloud.
"Maybe as a keepsake from the day she and Ruby first met," Yang guessed with a smile.
"I don't know about the rest of you, but somethings not quite right about that medallion," Maria said suspiciously with narrowed eyes.
There came a knock at Weiss' door. "Weiss? Are you alright?" Willow asked from outside.
Startled, Weiss ran to her bed and put on a nightgown.
"Are you decent?" Willow asked from outside.
"Yes, yes!" Weiss answered as she hastily tucked the medallion in the bodice of her nightgown.
"So, I've kept the medallion a secret," Weiss pointed out.
"Makes sense. If anyone discovered it and found out Ruby was wearing it…" Yang began but stopped herself, not wanting to imagine her little sister facing the gallows.
Willow and a pair of maids entered, one of them carrying a giftbox.
"Still in bed at this hour?" Willow asked while Weiss simply smiled.
One of the maids opened the curtains and window, revealing clear blue skies and the tropical bucolic town of Port Royal. A harbor with multiple ships could be seen in the distance as well as the ocean stretching out for miles and miles.
"It's a beautiful day," Willow said brightly.
"And that's a beautiful town," Nora said with a warm smile.
"I wouldn't mind living there," Elm agreed with Nora.
"It's definitely better than the dark gritty world of the last viewing," Ren agreed with his partner.
"Where is this Port Royal located?" Ironwood inquired as he sipped a glass of water.
"In the Caribbean Sea. There are multiple tropical islands throughout it. Port Royal, which is under Atlesian control, is on one of the largest," Gold-Sith answered.
"I have a gift for you," Willow said as she opened the giftbox, revealing a gorgeous formal dress inside.
Weiss removed the dress. "Oh, it's beautiful!" she praised the gift.
"Isn't it?" Willow agreed with a smile.
"That is a very nice dress. Reminds me of the dance back at Beacon," Blake reminisced on happier times.
"It reminds me of a dress mother gave me for my 10th birthday. Right before she and…" Weiss began before stopping herself, not wanting to talk about her father admitting the terrible truth of his marriage to Willow.
"May I inquire as to the occasion?" Weiss asked Willow.
Willow shrugged. "Does a mother need an occasion to dote upon her daughter?" she laughed softly.
Willow turned to the maids. "Go on," she instructed, and they walked off. "Actually, I, um…I had hoped you might wear it for the ceremony today."
Weiss undressed behind a divider to try on the dress. "The ceremony?" she inquired.
"Captain Ebi's promotion ceremony," Willow revealed.
Weiss peaked around the divider. "I knew it!"
"Commodore Ebi, as he's about to become!" Willow said excitedly.
"Advancing up the ladder, I see," Harriet remarked about Clover.
"Well done, Clover. Commodore is a high rank for someone as young as you" Marrow congratulated his leader.
"I must be quite the naval officer," Clover remarked with a hint of pride.
The two maids got to work on cinching a corset around Weiss' waist.
"Fine gentleman, don't you think? He fancies you, you know," Willow continued.
Clover nearly did a spit-take of water. "He…I what?!" he said in befuddlement.
Weiss gasped and blushed slightly at the reveal.
The maids kept tightening the corset, eliciting a gasp of discomfort from Weiss.
"Weiss? How's it coming?" Willow asked.
"It's difficult to say," Weiss replied in a strained tone.
"I'm told it's the latest fashion in Atlas," Willow informed.
Weiss held her breath. "Well, women in Atlas must've learned not to breathe," she snarked.
Yang, Nora, Jaune, and Qrow laughed at Weiss' sarcastic remark.
"Reminds me of those heels back at Beacon," Ruby reminisced about the dance.
"I actually know the feeling of corsets, unfortunately," Weiss said while looking at Winter.
"Oh yes, you're 14th birthday. When Jacques made you wear that corset at the party," Winter recalled from the past.
Klein, the family butler, entered the room. "Milady, you have a visitor," he informed Willow.
Weiss and Winter smiled fondly to see Klein onscreen and looked forward to reuniting with the real Klein at the Schnee manor.
Downstairs was Ruby, also aged nineteen, and wearing rougher clothes. She was holding a long black package.
Ruby studied a sconce on the wall and upon touching it, a piece of it came off in her hand. She hastily hid it in a vase holding canes and umbrellas just as a servant carrying a tea tray walked past.
Snickers and chuckles filled the theater at Ruby's antics onscreen.
"Do you have to break things in my house," Weiss sighed, hoping her partner wouldn't do the same in her real house.
Ruby scratched the back of her head. "Sorry," she said with a sheepish grin.
"It's okay, kiddo. We've all been there before," Qrow muttered, having accidentally broken more than a few things in a drunken stupor.
Willow and Klein came downstairs. "Ah, Ms. Rose, good to see you again," she greeted.
"Good day, ma'am. I have your order," Ruby reported as she placed the package on a table and opened it. Inside was a beautifully crafted saber and scabbard.
"Very nice weapon for the time period," Winter complimented the weapon, being reminded of her own rapier.
"I'll say. But did Ruby buy it or build it?" Jaune wondered aloud.
Ruby reverently handed the sword to Willow, who took and carefully unsheathed it for examination.
"Well?" Willow inquired on the craftmanship.
"The blade is folded steel. That's gold filigree laid into the handle," Ruby said proudly.
"So Ruby is a blacksmith I take it?" Yang inquired with a bit of pride for her sister.
"It suits you given your obsession with weapons," Weiss remarked whilst sipping a glass of water.
"And the fact you built Crescent Rose all by yourself," Qrow finished with a proud smile, knowing he taught Ruby well.
Ruby giggled and blushed a little at the praise from the others.
"If I may," Ruby requested and Willow handed her the sword. Ruby balanced it where the blade met the gourd. "Perfectly balanced. The tang is nearly the full width of the blade."
Ruby flipped the sword and presented it gracefully to the governess.
Willow took the sword and sheathed it. "Impressive. Very impressive. Ah, now, Commodore Ebi is going to be very pleased with this. Do pass my compliments on to your Master. Hmm?" she requested while handing the sword back to Ruby.
Ruby's smile faltered briefly. "I shall. A craftsman is always pleased to hear his work is appreciated," she said as she placed her handiwork back into the box.
Ruby blinked. "Huh? But I made that sword, didn't I?!" she said with outrage.
"I think so, kiddo," Qrow said with a hint of irritation. "But it looks as though your so-called master just got the credit."
"Oh, that's bullshit!" Yang scoffed.
Just then, Ruby looked past Willow and her eyes widened as if her heart had skipped a beat. Weiss had appeared at the top of the stairs in her ravishing new dress and bonnet.
"Oh, Weiss, you look absolutely stunning," Willow commented on her daughter's appearance.
Many of the younger male audience members nodded in agreement to Willow's statement. Weiss couldn't help but smile with pride and dignity.
Yang on the other hand identified the expression of Ruby's counterpart and she barely held back a squeal of adoration. A few others noticed as well, but didn't say anything out of sheer surprise.
Weiss descended the stairs. "Ruby! It's so good to see you. I had a dream about you last night," she informed her old friend.
Ruby bowed slightly. "About me?" she asked curiously.
"Weiss, is that entirely proper for you to…?" Willow asked with a hint of disapproval.
"About the day we met, do you remember?" Weiss asked, ignoring her mother.
"How could I forget, Miss Schnee?" Ruby replied with a smile.
"Ruby, how many times must I ask you to call me Weiss?" Weiss asked with slight irritation.
Ruby paused for a moment. "At least once more, Miss Schnee, as always," she said politely.
"There. See? At least the girl has a sense of propriety. Now, we really must be going," Willow urged as she handed Weiss a parasol. "There you are."
"Jeez. Snobbish much?" Yang chided Willow's counterpart.
"She's still better than Jacques would have been," Weiss retorted.
Winter nodded. "You're right. He'd have resorted to flat-out insults," she agreed with her sister.
A couple of servants appeared to escort Willow and Weiss outside to depart for the ceremony.
"Good day, Ms. Rose," Weiss bid her friend farewell.
"Come along," Willow said as she and Weiss exited the Schnee family manor.
"Good day…Weiss" Ruby said dreamily as she trailed after Weiss and Willow.
Weiss looked back at Ruby as she and her mother left in a carriage for Fort Charles.
Ruby and Weiss both gaped at the screen as the realization hit them. They exchanged glances, stammered, and then averted their gazes as they blushed deeply. Everyone else was either surprised or sincerely moved.
Yang couldn't contain herself anymore. "D'aaaaw! That's so cute!" she squealed as she wrapped Ruby in a big bear hug.
"I'm so happy for you friend Ruby and Weiss!" Penny chirped as she bobbed up and down a few times.
"Well...I didn't see that coming," Winter said as she cleared her throat.
Cut to the waters just off Port Royal. A pirate stood atop the yardarm of a ship just beside the crow's nest. Music filled with adventurous spirit played concurrently as she sailed towards the harbor, the HMS Dauntless visible.
The camera shifted to reveal the pirate to be Blake Belladonna as a swashbuckler in her early thirties. She wore tricorn hat over a red bandana. The wind whipped her long hair, a strand of which was decorated with multi-colored beads.
"Look, it's me," Blake identified herself, noticing she took a lot after her mother while in her thirties.
"Blake is a pirate?" Yang said in surprise.
"That's awesome!" Ruby said while pumping her fists.
"So is this music," Marrow said as he swayed his head to the soundtrack, as did a few other audience members.
"Awesome isn't the word I'd use to describe a pirate," Weiss said with uncertainty. "They are criminals after all."
"I'll bet she's got a cool ship," Nora assumed excitedly.
Blake glanced down and noticed something. She grabbed a rope and rappelled down to the deck, her boots hitting the half-flooded deck with a splash. It was revealed that her "ship" was a merely a small fishing boat with a single mast.
"Pbbbt!" Yang sputtered before bursting into laughter, along with almost everyone else.
"Oh yes. A fine vessel indeed," Harriet said in between laughs.
Blake sighed and hung her head in disappointment that her vessel was so unimpressive. And sinking to boot.
Blake began to bail the water out via bucket. Then she suddenly stopped as she noticed a trio of pirate skeletons hanging from a rocky promontory. Beside them hung a sign reading: "Pirates ye be warned. Blake paid homage to them by removing her hat and giving a salute.
"Geez. Excessive punishment much?" Ruby commented on the grisly sight.
"Well, those days were considered the golden age of pirates. So, the authorities often made an example out of them to discourage others from engaging in piracy," Maria explained from her knowledge of history.
"I'm just glad they don't do stuff like that anymore," Yang said, not wanting to see skeletons randomly hanging from nooses during her travels.
At Port Royals dock, many merchants and workers were busy offloading cargo from a ship. One of them spotted a bucket floating in the water. More men stopped their work and pointed at something offscreen as they stared in bewilderment.
Blake had just pulled into the port. Her boat having almost completely sunk by that point. Luckily, the mast she stood upon was level to the dock, allowing her to nonchalantly step off once she was close enough.
There was another round of laughter from the audience while Blake rolled her eyes with a scowl.
"I've got a sinking feeling you'll be needing a new ship, Blake," Yang giggled while everyone else groaned.
"Oh Yang," Ruby mumbled as she facepalmed.
Blake strolled down the dock past a harbormaster carrying a book and quill.
"What? Hey! Hold up, there, you!" he called after Blake.
Blake stopped, turned, and approached the harbormaster.
"It's a lien to tie up your boat at the dock," the harbormaster said as he and Blake both glanced at the sunken boat beside the dock.
"Is that really necessary? It's not going anywhere," Nora commented with a giggle.
"Even so, her boat is at the dock," Ren reasoned with a grin.
"And I shall need to know your name," the harbormaster finished.
Blake fished three lien out of her pocket. "What do you say to three lien… and we forget the name?" she proposed as she placed the coins inside the harbormaster's ledger.
The Harbormaster considered the offer for a moment. "Welcome to Port Royal, Ms. Smith," he said, accepting the bribe.
Blake smiled and gave a short, grateful bow. Once the harbormaster's back was turned, Blake spotted the Harbormasters money pouch on a desk. She discreetly grabbed it, jangled it, then walked off.
"Schmuck," Qrow chuckled, referring to the harbormaster.
Cut to Clover's promotion ceremony at Fort Charles, a stony fortress overlooking the harbor.
A column of Royal Atlesian Marines in red uniforms marched into the courtyard of the fort.
"Those are some nifty uniforms they're wearing," Yang commented in admiration of the Atlesians attire.
"I just hope mother doesn't plan to force me into marrying Clover. No offense," Weiss said, holding a placating hand towards Clover.
"None taken, Ms. Schnee," Clover said politely.
"Two paces march! Right about face!" Lieutenant Harriet Bree ordered loudly.
The marines obeyed and turned, now facing each other.
"Now you're there too, Harriet, Vine pointed out.
"Present arms!" Harriet hollered.
The marines obeyed again and held out their muskets in a ceremonial pose. Clover, now in full dress uniform, entered the courtyard, walking between the two marine columns towards Willow at the opposite end.
"You definitely have the best uniform, Clover," Marrow complimented his leader.
"Except maybe that white wig," Elm giggled.
"I always though those wigs looked ridiculous. Why did men wear them back then?" Clover said with distaste.
"According to my history research, men wore them in colonial times as a representation of a higher social rank or even royal blood," Penny explained.
"Either that, or to avoid head lice, which was common back then," Maria added in disgust.
With graceful precision, Willow removed the sword and scabbard from its case and presented it to Clover.
Clover accepted the sword and executed a flourishing salute, first to Willow, then to the officers, and then to an assembled audience in the courtyard.
Standing in the audience was Weiss, who was fanning herself with a stiff look on her face.
"The sooner I get out of that corset, the better," Weiss said in concern for her counterpart.
"I'll say. You look like you're about to keel over," Maria agreed, knowing it would be humiliating for Weiss to feint in front of a crowd.
Cut back to the docks as Blake descended a staircase towards the dock. Two Atlesian Ships, the HMS Dauntless and the HMS Interceptor are stationed there. However, two marine sentries, Dudley and Dee, spotted her and quickly blocked her path.
"This dock is off limits to civilians," Dudley notified Blake.
"I'm terribly sorry. I didn't know. If I see one, I shall inform you immediately," Blake replied and tried to continue on her way but was again thwarted as the guards blocked her path.
"I recognize those two. They were the goons we saw at Mistral station," Qrow identified the two marines.
"And they played those two idiot guards in the dark ages film back in Vale," Ironwood recalled from the past.
"Apparently their more competent here than the last viewing they were in," Winter assumed, noticing they weren't allowing Blake to enter the dock where the naval vessels were stationed.
"Apparently there's some sort of high toned and fancy to do up at the fort, eh? How could it be that two upstanding gentlemen such as yourselves did not merit an invitation?" Blake inquired.
"Someone has to make sure this dock stays off limits to civilians," Dudley informed Blake.
"It's a fine goal to be sure but it seems to me that a ship like that makes this one here a bit superfluous, really," Blake said while pointing at the Dauntless first and then the Interceptor.
"Oh, the Dauntless is the power in these waters, true enough, but there's no ship as can match the Interceptor for speed," Dudley said with pride.
"I've heard of one, supposed to be very fast – nigh un-catchable…the Black Pearl," Blake informed the marines.
"That's the same ship mentioned in the title," Ironwood recalled again.
"I wonder if we'll see it," Oscar said as he chowed on some popcorn.
"I think we already did in the opening," Ozpin assumed internally.
"Well…there's no real ship as can match the Interceptor," Dee scoffed at Blake's claim.
Dudley stared at Dee. "The Black Pearl is a real ship," he told his partner.
"No, no it's not," Dee countered.
"Yes, it is, I've seen it," Dudley insisted.
"You've seen it?" Dee asked skeptically.
"Yes."
"You haven't seen it," Dee chuckled doubtfully.
"Yes, I have," Dudley insisted.
Blake gazed at the two marines impatiently.
"You've seen a ship with black sails, that's crewed by the damned and captained by a man so evil that Hell itself spat him back out?" Dee asked dramatically.
Everyone listened with interest about the Black Pearl and wondered what part it would play, particularly the aforementioned curse in the film's title.
"Sounds like one hell of a ship," Yang commented.
"It wouldn't surprise me. There was a mention of a curse relating to the ship in the title," Maria reminded.
"So… it's a cursed pirate ship?" Ruby guessed with a hint of unease.
Dudley paused before answering. "No."
"No?" Dee asked as he shot a glance at Blake, who smiled back at him.
"But I have seen a ship with black sails," Dudley said.
Dee looked at Dudley. "Oh, and no ship that's not crewed by the damned and captained by a man so evil that Hell itself spat him back out could possibly have black sails therefore couldn't possibly be any other ship than the Black Pearl. Is that what you're saying?"
Blake slipped away while the two inept marines continued to banter.
Everyone laughed as Blake snuck past Dee and Dudley. Even Ironwood chuckled a bit.
"Nevermind, they're just as bumbling as their previous counterparts," Winter sighed.
Dudley nodded. "No," he said with a smile while Blake walked aboard the Interceptor in the background.
Dee smiled and turned to Blake. "Like I said, there's no real ship as can match the Interce-" he began, but Blake wasn't there.
The two marines finally spotted Blake at the helm of the Interceptor.
"Hey! You! Get away from there," Dudley shouted as he and Dee hopped aboard and pointed their muskets at Blake.
"Oh, now they notice," Elm laughed at the two guards.
Weiss giggled. "They're still the worst guards ever," she reiterated from Vale.
"Personally, I wouldn't allow those two clowns to guard a fishing boat, let alone a naval ship," Clover said dryly.
"You don't have permission to be aboard there, mate," Dee added.
"I'm sorry, it's just - it's such a pretty boat...ship," Blake said, correcting herself at the end.
"What's your name?" Dudley demanded.
"Smith. Or Smithy, if you like," Blake answered insincerely.
"What's your purpose in Port Royal, Ms. Smith?"
"Yeah. and no lies," Dudley added, trying to sound intimidating.
"Well, then, I confess, it is my intention to commandeer one of these ships, pick up a crew in Tortuga, raid, pillage, plunder and otherwise pilfer my weaselly black guts out!" Blake admitted.
"So... she admits she's a pirate?" Nora asked in puzzlement as she tilted her head.
"At least she's honest about it," Qrow said with a shrug.
"I don't see how that makes it any better," Ironwood said sternly as he sipped a glass of water.
"I said no lies!" Dudley shouted.
"I think she's telling the truth," Dee corrected his partner.
"If she were telling the truth, she wouldn't have told us," Dudley said in frustration.
"Unless, of course, she knew you wouldn't believe the truth even if she told it to you," Blake pointed out.
Dee and Dudley exchanged glances, considering Blake's point.
Back at the ceremony, multiple formally dressed guests were chatting amongst themselves.
"Reminds me of those charity balls Jacques used to hold," Weiss reminisced, never fond of meeting and chatting with complete strangers who only wanted to rub elbows with the Schnee family.
Clover approached Weiss. "Can I have a moment?" he requested.
Weiss complied. She and Clover stepped onto the battlements overlooking Port Royal Bay. Weiss struggled to steady herself and fanned herself hastily to catch her breath.
"Uh, you look lovely, Weiss," Clover complimented Weiss as she continued fanning herself.
Weiss chuckled softly and half-heartedly but was clearly uncomfortable from the corset.
"I, uh, apologize if I seem forward, but I… must speak my mind," Clover began awkwardly. "This promotion throws into sharp relief that which I have not yet achieved. Uh… a marriage to a fine woman. You have become a fine woman, Weiss."
"Is he asking me to marry him?!" Weiss in disbelief.
"He…I…" Clover stuttered in shock and embarrassment.
"But he looks to be about ten years older than Weiss," Blake pointed out with distaste (3)
"You're right. By modern standards, that is a bit creepy," Harriet agreed with Blake.
"I can't breathe!" Weiss wheezed on the verge of passing out.
Clover turned his back to Weiss. "Yes, I… I'm a bit nervous myself," he admitted obliviously.
Just then, Weiss feinted and toppled over the ledge, plummeting towards the rocky waters a hundred feet below.
Gasps filled the theater, the loudest coming from Winter and Weiss herself as she watched her counterpart fall.
"Weiss!" Winter cried out in concern for her sister.
"Well, she sure fell for him," Yang joked, though part of her felt it was in poor taste.
Ruby gave her sister a light punch on the arm. "That's not funny, Yang!" she scolded, while Yang scratched the back of her head.
Cut to Blake on the Interceptor telling Dudley and Dee a story from her past, the two marines holding their muskets in a passive manner.
"And then they made me their chief," Blake finished.
In the background, Weiss hit the water with a loud splash, prompting the trio to look in the direction of the sound.
"And then who made Blake they're chief?" Penny inquired about Blake's story.
"Nevermind that for now. Weiss is in danger," Winter disregarded Blake's counterpart's story.
"At least she didn't hit the rocks," Ruby pointed out.
Clover turned around, finally noticing Weiss was gone. "Weiss?" he then glanced down and saw a geyser in the water indicating Weiss' fall.
"Oh, now you notice?!" Weiss said indignantly while Clover just shrugged awkwardly.
"Weiss! My Oum!" as he began to remove his coat to jump in after her.
Harriet ran up to stop Clover from jumping. "The rocks! Sir, it's a miracle she missed them," she said in amazement.
Weiss sank towards the bottom of the bay.
Back aboard the Interceptor, Blake, Dee, and Dudley watched the scene unfold.
"Will you be saving her then?" Blake asked Dee.
"I can't swim," Dee said with a shrug.
Blake then glanced at Dudley who stared back at her, indicating he couldn't swim either.
"Really?" several people said in confused unison.
"What kind of sailors can't swim?!" Harriet asked in bewilderment.
"Actually, from a historical standpoint, that makes sense," Maria said, drawing everyone's attention. "For centuries, it was considered best that a sailor couldn't swim. Because in the event of a ship sinking with no chance of rescue, it was best for survivors to drown sooner rather than later in the event they could swim."
"Pride of the King's Navy you are," Blake said sarcastically as she handed her hat, flintlock, and sword to the two marines.
"Do not lose these," Blake warned before diving off the Interceptor and into the water to save Weiss.
The unconscious Weiss continued sinking like a stone. As she did, the medallion released a pulse that rippled through the water.
"Huh?" Ruby, Nora, Jaune, and Oscar all said in confusion at the shockwave.
"That was weird," Yang commented as she munched on a handful of popcorn.
Dee and Dudley noticed the strange ripple course through the water. They exchanged dumbstruck looks.
"What was that?" Dudley asked Dee, who simply shrugged.
"Good question. What was that?" Ruby repeated Dudley's question.
"Maybe the medallion is magic," Ren theorized.
"Well, there was a mention of a curse in the film's title... perhaps it has something to do with that," Ozpin pondered inside Oscar's mind, the latter nodding slowly.
A strong breeze suddenly blew across the area. Dee and Dudley gazed up as one of the Interceptors flags flipped over. Not far away, the trio of hanging pirate skeletons swayed in the powerful wind.
Meanwhile, Weiss' body hit the bottom. Blake quickly swam over to the unconscious girl, grabbed her, and made a break for the surface.
"Good job, Blake," Ruby congratulated her teammate.
"And here I thought cats hated water," Marrow chuckled while looking at Blake.
Blake rolled her eyes. "I'm so sick of that stereotype," she murmured.
Across the bay, Clover, Harriet and a squad of marines rushed towards the dock.
Dee and Dudley helped Blake back onto the dock with Weiss slung over her shoulder.
Weiss was laid down onto the dock, still passed out. "Ooh, I got her. She's not breathing!" Dee said in alarm.
"Move!" Blake said as she shoved Dee aside with a knife in hand, which she used to cut open corset and Weiss suddenly woke up, spitting out water and gasping.
"Blake!" Weiss cried while blushing in embarrassment.
"I did it to save your life!" Blake defended her counterpart.
"Suuure you did," Yang teased, while Weiss and Blake stared daggers at the blonde.
Blake handed the torn corset to Dudley.
"Never would've thought of that," Dee said.
"Clearly you've never been to Menagarie," Blake said to Dee before looking down at Weiss and noticed the medallion around her neck. "Where did you get that?" she asked as she seemed to recognize the trinket.
"Does she recognize the medallion?" Oscar asked aloud.
"It appears so," Vine agreed.
At that moment, Clover and his troops arrived.
Clover drew his sword and pointed it at Blake's. "On your feet," he ordered, to which Blake complied.
Willow showed up and helped Weiss to her feet. "Weiss. Are you alright?" she asked.
"Yes, I'm fine," Weiss confirmed.
Willow then noticed Dudley holding Weiss' torn corset. Dudley dropped the garment and pointed at Blake to avoid getting in trouble.
Willow glared at Blake. "Shoot her!" she hissed as she draped a blanket over Weiss.
"What?!" Blake and Yang said together in outrage.
"She just saved your daughter's life!" Qrow shouted.
"To be fair, it doesn't look that way from where they're standing," Penny observed, realizing it looked as if Blake had sexually assaulted Weiss.
"Mother! Commodore, do you really intend to kill my rescuer?" Weiss defended Blake.
Clover sheathed his sword. "I believe thanks are in order," he said and offered his hand to Blake.
Blake gingerly reached over to shake Clover's hand, but the latter suddenly grabbed her wrist and rolled up her sleeve to reveal a "P" mark on branded her forearm.
"Had a brush with the East Mistrali Trading company, did we, pirate?"
Willow glared at Blake again. "Hang her!" she demanded.
"Mother! How could you?" Weiss shouted at Willow onscreen.
"Uh-oh...looks like you've been busted, Blake" Yang said worriedly.
"Keep your guns on her, men. Bree, fetch some irons," Clover commanded, then noticed a green tattoo of a plant on Blake's arm just above the "P" mark. "Well, well…Blake Belladonna, isn't it?"
"Captain Blake Belladonna, if you please, sir," Blake corrected.
"Well, I don't see your ship…Captain," Clover said mockingly.
"I'm in the market as it were," Blake explained.
"She said she's come to commandeer one," Dudley informed Clover.
"Told ya she was telling the truth. These are hers, sir," Dee said as he handed Clover Blake's effects.
"So, Clover's heard of Blake," Marrow realized.
"Well then, she must be a pretty famous pirate," Qrow commented as he sipped a diet soda.
"I think you mean infamous," Maria corrected Qrow, who shrugged in response.
Clover inspected Blake's belongings, starting with the flintlock pistol. "No additional shots nor powder. A compass that doesn't point north."
"Not very well equipped, are you, Blake?" Weiss noted.
"Did that shoddy boat I arrived on not tip you off?" Blake snarked, eliciting a few snickers from the others.
Finally, Clover unsheathed Blake's sword, revealing it to be worn and rusty. "And I half expected it to be made of wood. You are without doubt the worst pirate I've ever heard of," she sneered.
"But you have heard of me," Blake said with a gesture.
Clover pulled Blake was pulled along to be put in irons while Weiss followed them.
"Commodore, I really must protest," Weiss said.
"Carefully, Lieutenant," Clover instructed Harriet, ignoring Weiss.
"Pirate or not this woman saved my life," Weiss reminded Clover.
"One good deed is not enough to redeem a woman of a lifetime of wickedness," Clover refuted.
"Though it seems enough to condemn her," Blake noted.
"Indeed," Clover said bluntly.
"That's awfully harsh," Ruby criticized Clover's decision.
"Unfortunately, he's right," Ironwood agreed with Clover's counterpart. "Doing good doesn't absolve Blake's counterpart of blame for piracy."
Blake awkwardly cleared her throat with a downcast expression, reminded of her shameful past in the White Fang.
After slapping irons onto the pirate, Harriet moved away from Blake.
"Finally," Blake said as she quickly wrapped her irons around Weiss's neck and held her in front as a shield.
The marines aimed their weapons. "No, don't shoot!" Willow plead.
"I knew you'd warm up to me," Blake joked to Willow.
"What the hell, Blake?!" Weiss exclaimed in outrage.
"It's not me and you know it," Blake said. "And I'm not justifying it...but it's the only way I can escape."
"And she is a pirate. What else do you expect?" Harriet reasoned.
"Commodore Ebi, my effects, please, and my hat," Blake demanded.
Clover hesitated while Willow shot him an indignant look for endangering Weiss.
"Forget about hanging her. Save my sister!" Winter shouted at the screen.
"Commodore!" Blake demanded loudly.
Clover scowled and grabbed Blake's belongings from Dee.
"Weiss. It is Weiss, isn't it?" Blake asked.
"It's Miss Schnee," Weiss answered curtly.
"Miss Schnee, if you'd be so kind," Blake said while Clover handed the effects over. "Come, come, dear. We don't have all day."
Blake took the pistol from Clover and aimed it at Weiss' head as she forced her to turn around so the two are facing each other.
"Now if you'd be very kind," Blake requested.
Weiss angrily strapped on Blake's sword and put her hat on. "Easy on the goods, darling," Blake said.
"Getting a little handsy aren't you, Weiss?" Yang teased as she waggled her eyebrows, noticing how much time Weiss spent on the straps of Blake's scabbard.
Weiss turned as red as a lobster. "Sh-shut up, you pervert!" she stammered.
"You're despicable," Weiss snarled.
"Sticks and stones, love," Blake brushed off. "I saved your life, you save mine, we're square."
Blake spun Weiss around to face the marines. "Gentlemen, milady, you will always remember this as the day that you almost caught Captain Blake Belladonna!" she declared proudly.
With that, Blake shoved Weiss away into Clover's arms as she made her escape. She grabbed a nearby rope connected to a crane and kicked a belaying pin. This released a cannon used as a counterweight that lifted Blake high into the air. The cannon fell and smashed through the dock, causing a few marines to fall into the water beneath.
"Nice one, Blake," Yang complimented her partner's stunt.
"Yeah, that was pretty cool," Ruby agreed with a smile.
"Did you plan that all in advance?" Harriet questioned.
"No, I think I just make it up as I go along like Sun's counterpart did in his own film," Blake pointed out, reminded of "Raiders of the Lost Ark".
As Blake reached the top of the crane, it began to pivot and turn, sending Blake swinging around in a circle.
"Now, will you shoot her?!" Willow shouted impatiently.
"Open fire!" Clover ordered and the Atlesian marines opened up with their muskets.
Luckily, the inaccurate fire of the muskets and Blake's fast spinning prevented her from getting hit. She managed to swing over on top of another crane further down the dock.
"Didn't think that escape plan through, did you?" Marrow chuckled as Blake spun out of control onscreen.
"Well, at least you're hanging in there, kitty," Yang joked, prompting groans from everyone else.
"On her heels!" Clover shouted as he and the marines chased after Blake.
Atop the crane, Blake threw her chains about a rope on top and slid down them like a zipline to the ground.
The marines continued firing and narrowly missing Blake as she ran across a stone bridge, eliciting shocked cries from nearby townspeople.
"Fortunately for Blake, smoothbore muskets weren't known for their accuracy," Penny pointed out.
"The marines could at least try to avoid firing when there's civilians present," Elm said in disapproval.
"Yeah. Clover doesn't have to be that determined in fighting pirates," Jaune agreed with Elm.
Clover and Harriet arrived on the scene as Blake disappeared into the streets of Port Royal.
"Bree, Ms. Belladonna has a dawn appointment with the gallows," he informed his lieutenant. "I would hate for her to miss it."
Author's Note: Well, here it is. The beginning of a full-length multiverse viewing of Pirates of the Caribbean. There have been a couple of one-shots that inspired me to add the film to the poll. After watching Alien, the audience could definitely go for something relatively brighter in nature. Furthermore, I may have shoehorned a bit too much of Remnant into Earth in "Raiders of the Lost Ark", but not this time.
(1)- This might be debatable, but in my opinion, the undead members of the Black Pearl can't hold a candle to the Xenomorph in terms of scariness.
(2)- It was high time Ruby finally got a starring role in one of the viewings. And I personally have nothing against slash pairings, so I figured why not let her play Will Turner?
(3)- Keira Knightly (Elizabeth Swann) was 17 during filming while Jack Davenport (Norrington) was 29. I don't know if the actor's ages matched their characters, but either way, it felt a bit creepy even if it wasn't illegal in the 18th century. So, I decided to make Weiss her canon age of 19 instead of 17 to avoid this.