An Alternate Universe in which Tyrian Callows’ backstory was set in Atlas as a former Ace Op, before becoming the infamous serial killer thanks to Tor Tuga.
His relationships with majority of Atleasians was best described as oil and water trying to mix together. Except the oil thinks they’re already mixed and the water denies it along with any association towards them. The exceptions at best being Elm, Watts, Winter, and Althea. I’ll only expand on two and leave the rest to interpretations for you guys!
With Arthur Watts it solely started as a lecture on Tyrian digging into a trashcan to find Arthur’s crumbled up classified paperwork, during a fit of rage in a meeting with James. His work being second place as Pietro came on top, again. Tyrian respected Arthur’s work, but told him next time to ‘shred’ such confidential papers. That it’d be a shame for such brilliant work to be found by the wrong person. The rest was history~
Winter Schnee was a huntress in training, needing a huntsman to get her close to a Grimm and try to summon. To learn more. But her father had bribed every huntsman and huntress to not dare put Winter in danger. Except there was one individual who didn’t much care for money, and was crazy enough to suffer any consequence for helping a Schnee.
I wanna thank everyone who has cared and contributed to the AU! I’m not gonna expand upon this more, I wanna wrap up RWBY stuff- but if you got any questions about the AU, or even ideas! Feel free to ask and share! :3
"I know I messed up." Clover sighed, looking rather woebegone. "But I've been on all the worst missions for months now. The General told me to look after the kid, surely kids should be in school?"
"Tip isn't your normal child, Clover. You've known him more than long enough to have worked that out, surely?" Harriet sounded amused, eyes sparkling. But then, she'd known exactly who Tip was for awhile now. It was still rather surprising that Clover didn't, but then it WAS Clover.
"Children should be with other children. A school might keep him out of trouble." Clover wasn't whining, he really wasn't. At least that's what he told himself.
"Tip is a target, Clover, a massive one. There are people who would snatch him from a school... or destroy it... in a second. Really think about that for a second. You've told me he's familiar, just think about the why of that?"
Clover's eyes widened as he thought about Tip. About how he looked, how he acted... and the cane he used. He looked like a Schnee, yes, but he'd felt familiar for more than just that.
Harriet cackled as he started to swear. At least he got there in the end? Although he might have something of a point if she thought about it. Not that the kid should be in a primary school, but being around people more his physical age might help.
And there was always Titan Academy. The primary Hunters Academy of Atlas would certainly be far better protected that any primary school could ever hope to be.
I often think about the Ace Ops dropping the uniforms once they get to Vacuo since the Atlas military is no more. When I think about what clothes they would wear, I look at their uniforms for reference because unlike the rest of the military, their uniforms are custom designed. The colors they wear might also correlate to their aura color and/or the color they were associated with in the V7 opening.
So Harriet would wear form fitting clothes consisting of short sleeves, and shorts that go half way down her thighs. She might continue wearing chaps that expose her inner thighs like her uniform as well as trainers with asymmetrically adjusted socks. Her colors would likely be red and pink.
Elm would wear a armor vest as well as vambraces. Pants with calf plates. She still goes barefoot. Her colors would be green and orange/brown.
If Vine survived, he’d definitely maintain his zen inspired look, with the cloth that goes diagonally over one shoulder as well as the bead accessories. His colors might have been light blue and yellow.
If Clover survived, he’d probably go with a tank top and pants and boots while maintaining his lucky charm accessories. His color would be white and green but a darker shade than Elm’s green.
But Marrow. This is wear I’m stuck at. Because he’s the only Ace Op who doesn’t wear a custom outfit. He wears the standard uniform save for the hat. The only distinct thing in his outfit is the ascot he wears. The only thing I know is that his color would be blue but. What would he wear as Huntsman outside of the military? I get that he wears the standard uniform because he’s still the newest member and probably hasn’t reached the point of customizing his outfit. But man I wish I knew what his personal style would be.
Maybe that’s the whole point I guess. To keep it a surprise as part of possible future character development?
Whats your thoughts on the Ace-Ops? Is there any contrast/parallel between them and Team RWBY?
Hello anon!
Imo the Ace Ops are lovely secondary characters that tie very well in the story both in terms of plot and of theme. I also do not think they need much more exploration, but we may see the outcome of their story next volume.
First of all, I love the little pun with their team name! They are called Ace Ops as in Ace Operatives, but its pronoun sounds like Aesop’s since they all allude to Aesop’s fables :) This little pun also works thematically since the whole point of their team in volume 7 specifically is that they choose simple answers to complex moral problems:
Yang: It's not worth it, Blake. They're just following orders now.
They, like Winter, choose to obey orders instead of thinking with their own heads and this starts a spiral that almost destroys their whole team.
Well, Aesop’s fables are known to be simple and straightforward with a clear moral. In contrast, fairy-tales can be surprisingly more complex and rich.
As far as them foiling the main characters, I would say they do, but not all have the same importance and not all have received the same focus.
THE ELM AND THE VINE
The Elm and the Vine fable is a metaphor for marriage and mutual support. On one hand the elm who can’t bear fruits supports the vine. On the other hand the vine who can’t stand on its own gives fruits. The two plants support and help each other. They complement each other.
Now, this symbolism is used in the RWBY vs Ace Ops fight to highlight the strength of Blake and Yang’s partnership:
Elm: Time to wrap this up, Vine. They've had their chance. Don't be soft.
Vine: Are you telling me? Or yourself?
While Vine and Elm keep bickering, Blake and Yang perfectly work together and finally bring them down. So, this whole exchange ties into the build up focus Bumblebee has received throughout volume 7 and 8:
Marrow: Hey, have you two ever thought about branching out a little? You always pair up, but I don't know if your styles really--
Marrow: Really, really good stuff! Yeah, keep it up.
It is also interesting, for example, how Blake and Yang fight together against Elm and Vine, while Weiss and Ruby have 1v1 against Marrow and Harriet. This is because their focus is on them individually, rather than on their relationship.
Anyway, superficially, Elm is also similar to Nora:
Not much is done with it, but with Elm losing her Vine and Nora’s resolution to discover who she is without Ren, I would not be surprised if Elm receives some little focus about having to ironically stand on her own now that Vine is gone. And this focus might comment or foreshadow Nora’s journey as well.
Other than this, the theme of a partner losing their half might be important for Blake as well:
Obviously, Yang is alive, but her reaction to losing her might be explored more and commented in the upcoming volume.
THE DOG AND ITS REFLECTION
The Dog and Its Reflection is the story of a dog that after having stolen a piece of meat sees himself in a mirror of water. Thinking its reflection is another dog and wanting this other dog’s meat, he lets go of its own piece and finds itself with nothing.
Now, obviously such an allusion had to be paired up with the Queen of Mirrors:
What is the point of Weiss and Marrow’s foiling?
Well, they are two people born respectively at the very bottom (Marrow as a Faunus) and at the very top (Weiss as a Schnee) of Atlas. Both go through opposite journeys when it comes to Atlas society, I would say. On one hand Weiss gives up her wealth and status to be a Huntress. On the other hand Marrow climbs up until he becomes an Ace Op.
The result of their opposite journeys is a different attitude when it comes to social problems:
Weiss: I wish I could take back the years of pain my family has caused the Faunus and all of my complacency in it.
Marrow: This society is set up for Faunus to be at the bottom, and humans are willing participants. They benefit from doing nothing to help us. But there are still those who actively abuse us. Anyway, I didn't come over here looking to solve systemic societal issues. Harriet found a gap in the rubble we think one of you could fit through, ideally someone with a knack for seeing in the dark.
Weiss states she wants to make society better, while Marrow says he prefers to focus on the mission at hand. Weiss is idealistic. Marrow is cynical (because he is trying to conform).
Obviously, it is clear that Marrow has many feelings over social differences in Atlas and how Faunus are treated. However, he is limited by his role as an Ace Op and thinks law should come first:
Marrow: Sure, we won't have any problems, as long as you stay within the law.
Robyn: The law isn't perfect, you know. It's certainly not equal.
Marrow: Trust me, I'm well aware.
Robyn: My only goal is that all the citizens of Mantle and Atlas -- and Faunus -- have an equal shot at a good life.
Marrow: That sounds great. And you're planning to do all that equalizing legally, right?
Basically, Marrow finds himself in a very similar position to Weiss at the beginning of the series. Both are good people, but their roles in Atlas force them to compartmentalize parts of themselves:
There’s a part of me that’s desperate for changes,
Tired of being treated like a pawn
But there’s a part of me that stares back
from inside the mirror
Part of me that’s scared I might be wrong
That I can’t be strong.
By the time of their fight, Marrow still sees things through a clearly Atlasian lens:
Marrow: I know you Schnees are used to getting what you want. But it's time to let this one go!
He reduces Weiss to her family name, just like many of her opponents (Flynt, Vernal, Cinder).
So, Marrow lets his society define him and this is nicely conveyed by Freeze. This power has a double meaning thematically. On one hand it is strongly intertwined with Marrow’s identity as a policeman (it is a semblance that lets him “freeze” criminals and a crowd). On the other hand it is just about him “staying”, so obeying orders as an obedient dog.
Weiss has instead developed a stronger sense of self, which is conveyed by her summons:
Let’s also highlight that this mirror imagery and how it ties with her summons is used in a metaphorical way in Weiss’s fight against Marrow in volume 7.
Marrow’s allusion is The Dog and Its Reflection, which is a fable about a dog mistakenly believing his own reflection to be the real thing. He sees himself in a poddle of water carrying a piece of meat, thinks that the steak in the other dog’s mouth is bigger and lets go of his own to steal it. The end result is that he loses the meat that falls in the water.
Now, this fable means several things when it comes to Marrow. However, when it comes to his fight with Weiss, it is about him using Freeze against Weiss (the real thing), only to let go of her to stop Arma Gigas (her reflection). This leads to him being defeated by Weiss. In short, Arma Gigas acts as Weiss’s reflection in that fight and plays with Marrow’s allusion strengthening the notion that the Knight is a part of who Weiss is.
Weiss is sure of who she is. She knows her reflection. Marrow does not and as a result he loses. He is indecisive like his literary counterpart. Does he fight? Does he stall? Must he be aggressive? Must he try a kinder approach? Does he stop Weiss? Does he stop the Knigth?
So symbolically, Weiss vs Marrow is a fight about who you are outside your society and this is why Weiss wins. She has been told to stay her whole life, so obviously she is not the little bit impressed by Marrow trying it once again:
Blake: Have you ever met someone and thought to yourself, "They are the personification of this word.” (…) After a while, I saw Weiss was “defiance”.
Marrow by that point has yet to free himself from his own collar instead:
Marrow: Do you even believe what you’re saying anymore? Do any of you believe in anything? I used to wear this rank with pride. Now I see it for what it really is: a collar.
And the moment he does he helps Weiss’s older sister to free herself as well :) After all, Marrow acts as a mirror to Winter throughout the entirety of season 8 and expresses out loud the feelings and words she herself is repressing:
Ren to Marrow: You don’t like this either. In fact, you don’t want to be a part of it at all anymore.
Marrow: I… I have a job to do, and I’m going to do it.
Ren to Winter: I know you don’t, either.
THE FISHERMAN’S LUCK
The Fisherman’s Luck is the story of an unlucky fisherman who is rewarded for his patience with a fish jumping spontaneously on his boat. The moral is that
“Patience, constancy, and perseverance, in an honest cause and duty, can never faile of a happy end, one way or other. “
The story comments Qrow and Clover’s foiling:
Robyn: Clover was a lot of things. You respected him, but I gotta tell ya, I think you’re the better Huntsman. Not because you’re the one who walked away, but, because you’re the one fighting for what was right.
On one hand Clover’s semblance is good luck, but he has pledged his loyalty on the wrong cause. So, tragically, his stubborness and perseverance leads him to his death.
On the other hand Qrow’s semblance is bad fortune, but he keeps trying to do the right thing despite his upbringing and set-backs. So, the reward finally comes, one way or another:
This is one of the two reasons why thematically Qrow’s semblance is able to evolve in volume 8.
The second reason is more psychological and it highlights the positive impact Clover has had on Qrow’s life:
Clover: You shouldn’t do that, you know.
Qrow: Don’t worry, I-I gave that up.
Clover: I meant deflect a compliment. Those kids wouldn’t be where they are without you. You’ve had more of an effect on them than you realize.
Despite his contradictions, Clover teaches Qrow that he should love himself more and this helps Qrow with his major flaw (aka cynism). His semblance is in fact symbolic of Qrow’s self hate and pessimism. He brings bad luck because he has internalized that he is bad and that things will go badly either way. This is also one of the reasons why Clover dies:
Qrow: “It was, though. I made a deal with the darkness, and he paid the price. It was all happening so fast, but Clover wouldn’t let up. Could have worked together against Tyrian if Clover just…”
So, Clover’s death happens because of a combination of his (stubborness) and Qrow’s (cynism) flaws. However, even after his death, Qrow is still able to learn from Clover... both from his positive traits and from his mistakes.
In this way, Qrow is able to start processing his grief in a positive way and to make Clover a part of himself. He does not have to agree with Clover’s cause, but he can keep on caring for him and can treasure his teaching.
THE HARE WITHOUT THE TORTOISE
The Hare and the Tortoise is the story of how a tortoise wins a race against a hare because of her own perseverance and the hare’s overconfidence:
Harriet: You think you're going to stop us. We're the best Huntsmen in Atlas.
Ruby: You were. Then you trained us.
Superficially, this is what happens in the RWBY vs Ace Ops fight, where Harriet’s loss ties to another one of the fable’s morals:
The more haste, the worse speed.
Harriet refuses to stop and think because of her haste in following orders:
Ruby: Come on Harriet! We're playing right into Salem's hands! You know we need to be working together.
Harriet: Oh don't give me that crap! I had you kids pegged right from the start.
Her narrow-mindness and her repression of feelings through anger lead to her defeat.
However, Harriet’s true arc kicks in when it comes to the theme of grief:
Harriet: When you lose someone on your team, you move on. Replace them, like Marrow replaced Tortuga and Winter replaced-
She is the Hare without the Tortoise. She has already lost her half and since she has never dealt with this loss healthily, she is very vulnerable to other losses.
So, it is her struggle to accept and face grief (Tortuga, Clover, Vine) that defines her spiral in volume 8 and this, together with her wanting to outrun her own feelings, sets her up as a foil to two major characters:
Marrows foils Weiss and parallels Winter and Harriet parallels Qrow and foils Ruby (and maybe foreshadows her arc in volume 9).
In volume 8, Harriet and Qrow share the same pain. They are both grieving Clover and they spiral as a result. They both blame another person for Clover’s death because finding a scapegoat and hurting others is easier than admitting your own pain and vulnerability. So, Qrow blames Ironwood and wants to kill him, while Harriet blames Qrow and tries to blow Mantle up as a way to let her pain out.
It is only through the help of other people that both Qrow and Harriet are able to stop themselves:
Robyn: Listen, I get it. You are hurting. You’ve been hurting for a long time. But let’s stop pretending that what you’re trying to do here is for anyone but yourself.
Elm: Because you’re our friend! And we won’t let you go through with this!
Unluckily, though, Harriet is not able to do it in time and her actions lead to the death of another friend that saves her in the process:
Harriet: There’s no time to make it out of the blast range… I’ve… killed us all… I’m sorry…
Next volume will probably wrap up the Ace Ops story, so we’ll see if Harriet has learnt to accept her feelings more and how she will channel this new grief.
Next volume will also be Ruby’s volume:
And it is not a mystery that one of Ruby’s major traits is her tendency to push forward despite her negative feelings. This has been fundamental in inspiring others to do the same:
Jaune: Ruby. We lost... We lost Pyrrha.You lost her, too. And Penny, and your team, and in a way... your sister. But you're still here, despite everything you've lost, everything you could still lose, you chose to come out here. Because you felt like you could make a difference. You didn't drag us along. You gave us the courage to follow you.
But it is implied that it is a double edged sword:
Maria: You know, you don’t give yourself enough credit.
Ruby: Oh… Thanks.
Maria: That wasn’t a compliment.
This is touched on even when she uses her eyes against the Leviathan. Her unpacked negative feelings get the best of her and attract the Grimm’s attention:
Ruby: What?
Yang: Why'd it turn away?!
Ruby then remembers she has the Relic of Knowledge on her belt, which caused the Leviathan to have its attention on her.
Ruby: No, no, no, no!! J--JINN!!!
In that situation Ruby is able to get extra time to focus, but what happens when you do not have time? The answer’s her panic attack in the volume 8 finale, which volume 9 reveals to be the reason why she was unable to properly use her eyes against Cinder.
It is probably time for Ruby to face her feelings and to be helped by others just like she helped them.
By doing so, she will probably have to face grief because grief is at the heart of her character:
Red like roses fills my dreams and brings me to the place you rest.
Summer’s death is Ruby’s ghost and her life has been about overcoming it and living up to Summer’s legacy.
Right now, she will have to face another important loss:
And unpack some feelings when it comes to her relationship with Yang:
Yang isn’t dead obviously, but her falling first to protect Ruby and her final scream of Ruby’s name before falling echoing in Ruby’s own head are clear signs that something is up with their bond.
Ruby has been depending on Yang since the beginning and this past volume, Yang’s doubts over her leadership have clearly gotten to her. Not to count that when Ruby was at her worst, it was Yang the one who consoled her:
Just like Vine tried to comfort Harriet about Clover. And interestingly an idea introduced the past volume is that you can still love a person who died, but also recognize their limits:
Vine: Then perhaps Clover was wrong too.
Harriet: Don’t you dare! Clover was… He was…
Vine: …Important to you.
Yang: Mom took a risk the day she left, and I don’t think. I don’t think it went the way she wanted it to. But she’s still my hero.
This idea could be very important for Ruby’s arc and her dealing with Summer’s (and maybe Penny’s) death.
What is sure is that Ruby, just like Harriet will have to stop. So far, Ruby has avoided a spiral similar to Harriet’s because she has something Harriet lacks:
Harriet: Thought you said your Semblance was like mine.
Ruby: It… is?
Harriet: I've seen other speed Semblances before, but that was different. I think there's more going on than you think.
Ruby is flexible where Harriet is not. So, she has managed to twist and bend and to push forward where Harriet would have hit a wall. Still, Ruby too the past volume has found a gravity that she could not overcome and that made her fall. It is time to slow down for a while.
These are my main thoughts on the group. Thank you for the ask and Happy New Year!
