*Half a Kilometer outside of Helios Falls; November 8, 2019; 4:55 PM*

Alex and Yang flew at each other, sparring in the forests outside of the Settlement. Normally, their training would consist of more 'Grimm-Killing', but since Lilith's death at their hands, the Grimm just... shambled about, leaving the two hunters to train in relative peace.

That is, if you call a no-holds-barred sparring match peaceful.

Alex flipped backwards, dodging Yang's punch and countering with a kick.

Yang checked Alex's shin, forcing him to leap back up.

Before Alex was able to fully respond, Yang charged at him with a flurry of punches and kicks, one of which hit him in the chest.

Alex had to quickly duck, punching Yang as hard as he could.

Now strengthened by her Semblance, Yang leaped high into the air, diving downwards at him.

Narrowly avoiding Yang's attack, Alex jumped backwards, then flew towards Yang at full speed, catching her with his arm and slamming her into a tree.

Yang simply backflipped to her feet, jumping at Alex and hitting him at full force.

The sheer power behind Yang's final blow shot him through three trees, before he finally slammed into the fourth and collapsed.

"Ow... Guess you still got the edge, huh..?" Alex choked, pulling himself upwards.

Yang pulled out the Aura Reader she kept handy, pressing the small button at her right temple.

"Actually, you and I have basically the same amount of power. Aura Level 31." Yang explained.

"Ack..! Really?" Alex coughed, finally able to stand up.

"Yeah.. It's probably just technique, though." Yang shrugged.

"Ahh.. So, I'm almost good for today... Any plans..?" Alex asked.

"I was gonna go hit up a club, maybe. That might not be your thing, so you can probably stop at a gym or something." Yang figured.

"Y'know, I tried something like that once. I think we both know how that went." Alex replied

"So... You're coming with..?" Yang asked.

"Kinda have to. Besides, Adenienites can't drink, apparently. I'm pretty much your Designated Driver." Alex shrugged.

"Alright..! Let's get you patched up first, though!" Yang smiled.

"R-Right.." Alex winced, walking alongside Yang with a slight limp.

*Crystal Empire, Equestria; November 8, 2019; 6:00 PM*

Skirmish Sentry ran inside Shining Armor and Cadence's throne room, revealing the couple still looking mournful.

"Am I intruding..?" Skirmish asked.

"No... You don't look like the other guards.. Who are you?" Shining asked, looking at Skirmish upon realizing that Skirmish was not a crystal pony.

"I'm Skirmish Sentry, Honor Guard of the... Late... Twilight Sparkle.." Skirmish explained.

"Twilight isn't dead!" Cadence suddenly shouted.

"Cadence.. I.." Shining gasped.

"Twilight was able to face Tirek! The Inquisitors! Even Arabus, for Celestia's sake! There's no way she could've died from a teleport spell!!" Cadence yelled.

"C-Cadence.." Shining winced, shaken by his wife's sudden outburst.

"I... Understand if this is a rough time for you, but... Until Twilight returns, Celestia is transferring me to be your new Honor guard.." Skirmish explained.

Cadence sighed..

"...Okay... Any news on what happened to Spike..? I know for sure he must have been crushed.." Shining asked.

"Spike himself was moved to Canterlot to check on the New Nightmare forces.. At least now he's able to talk to Rarity more.." Skirmish explained.

"Oh... What did Princess Celestia have to say? I know for sure she might have something to say.." Cadence wondered.

"Ahem.. Celestia wrote a letter. She says that she is confident that Twilight will return to us quickly. In the meantime, however, she says that she's appointing new guardians over the Castle of Friendship." Skirmish explained.

"Is that so? What are their names?" Cadence asked.

"I believe they're both former students of her's as well... 'Sunset Shimmer' and 'Starlight Glimmer' are their names.." Skirmish explained.

*Crux Family Complex, Adenien; November 8, 2019; 6:22 PM*

"Down! Up! Down! Up! Come on, kids! Let me see some effort!" Venator shouted.

Ever since he'd received the news that Ultimus and Primis had supposedly died in the recent battle, Venator was outraged that an Emphas had managed to slaughter the two strongest young men in the family.

As a result, everyone on the Complex was to receive rigorous, constant training in preparation for their vengeance upon the now reconstructed Emphas Clan.

Behind him, a door slammed open, the sounds of the pouring rain, the booming thunder, and the crashing lightning outdoors as a very familiar face stepped inside the complex.

"Ultimus?!" Venator gasped.

Ultimus appeared much stronger than when he initially arrived, and now bore several new scars, along with a restructured, mechanical face.

"It's nice to be back. I have some news for you." Ultimus coldly announced as the other members of his family stood at attention, surprised that their supposed dead cousin was standing before them.

"Get on with it." Venator demanded.

"Saigo Emphas is no longer of any concern to me. It seems he is beyond his upbringing. And if a piece of trash like him doesn't care about this centuries old rivalry, than niether do I." Ultimus scowled.

"What?!" Venator demanded.

"You heard me, Uncle. This war has gone on long enough. I suggest we stop." Ultimus stated.

"That brat killed your elder cousin! He could have killed you!" Venator shouted.

"Primis was an arrogant brat that needed discipline. He took the job solely to make you proud of him. Saigo defended the town so that no others would have to carry his burden. Out of selfless rage. Primis took it to further inflate his illusion of an ego." Ultimus stated.

"What are you saying?" Venator demanded threateningly.

"I'm saying I'm done, and so should you." Ultimus replied.

Venator leaped at Ultimus in anger, lashing the Family Sword at him until Ultimus hit his uncle in the ribcage, causing him to collapse.

"Have I got your attention now? Or are you still holding on to an outdated ideal, Venator?" Ultimus asked.

"You... Traitor.." Venator scowled.

"That may be, but at least I'm ahead of the curve." Ultimus smirked wickedly.

"D-Did he just knock down Uncle Venator?!" Ultimus' youngest cousin, Spyden, gasped.

"That's insane..! What kind of crazy training did he do?!" Another cousin, Illiya wondered out loud.

"Now. I'm off to mentor a couple of Huntsman. Friends of mine. Should any of you want to come with, you're more than welcome." Ultimus offered as Spyden, Illiya, and Julius walked alongside him.

*Club Polar, Helios Falls, Sanus, Remnant; November 8, 2019; 10:15 PM*

"Woo hoo!!! Party!!" Yang cheered, obviously... Uh..

"Yang. You've had too much already." Alex stated.

"N-N-Don't worry *hic!* Aboot it... Heh... 'Aboot'..." Yang giggled to herself.

"Okay. Carrying you out before the bouncer does." Alex scooped Yang in his arms in a bridal carry, before she rolled out onto the floor and ran sluggishly back to the dance floor.

"Walking... Walking... Wa-*hic!*lking... No.." Yang smiled as she passed out.

Alex carried the immensely plastered Yang out of the club.

"Should've listened to me about eating something first." Alex shrugged to himself, taking her back to the hotel.

After about 5 minutes or so, the two had made it back to their room. Placing the unconscious Yang on the couch nearest the bathroom, Alex sat in the one nearby and decided to watch some tv.

"Heh... One thing's for sure. She ain't a lightweight. It'll be a while before even she's bounced back from this." Alex said, flipping channels.

Alex suddenly heard his scroll ringing from his pocket. He picked it up and saw that it was Raven calling him.

"Yeah?" Alex asked.

"Hello, Alex. This is Raven. Is Yang with you?" Raven asked.

"Yeah, she partied a bit too hard and I had to carry her back. She's out on the couch." Alex explained.

"I understand. So young, yet so burdened. I hope you've left Auburn with a good babysitter." Raven said.

"Little Auburn's fine. I left her with the Future Kids for the time being." Alex replied.

"I'm happy to hear. I hope you haven't forgotten our meeting, Alex." Raven stated.

"I haven't... I've been meaning to ask, what's this meeting about?" Alex asked.

"It's... More or less a job offering. For both of you." Raven explained.

"Job offering..? Okay... We'll discuss it at the meeting.. Roughly tomorrow." Alex shrugged.

"Thank you. Enjoying your honeymoon so far, though?" Raven inquired.

"Yeah. We're having fun. Thanks again for paying for most of the trip.." Alex smiled.

"No problem.. Goodbye!" Raven hung up the phone.

*Helios Falls, Sanus, Remnant; November 8, 2019; 10:29 PM*

Raven hung up the phone in her hotel room. Lying down in her own bed and sharpening her swords.

"It's going to be nice having those two helping.. The Tribe desperately needs their help.. It was a wonder I could afford this extrusion for them.." Raven said to herself.

"I agree, Raven Branwen. I know you need their help." A voice, similar to her own, said.

"Who was that?" Raven demanded.

Raven could feel an immense power, coming from somewhere..

"Who..?"

"Behind you."

Raven raised her sword at... Herself?!

A seemingly exact copy of Raven stood in the doorway, carrying what seemed to be a sword similar to her own, only with a shimmering, black and purple blade.

"Who are you? What do you want from me?" Raven demanded.

"Ah, Raven Branwen. Current Leader of the Inheritors, The Corvus Tribe, and a mentor to the oh, so brave Alexander Gabriel Walker. What more could I possibly want from you..." The Doppelgänger grinned sinisterly, stabbing Raven in the stomach before she even had time to react.

"...than you yourself?"

"W-W-What... What are you...?" Raven gasped, spewing blood on the ground under them

"No need to worry... Just sleep..." The Doppelgänger grinned sinisterly as she slowly laid Raven in the bed, leaving the original to die,.

Wasting no time, The Clone grabbed Raven's weapons, placing the sheath to her right side, and sheathing Raven's old sword.

"And before you go... My name is Corvus." The clone, Corvus, grinned as Raven finally passed.

Author's Notes:

Ultimus intends to train three of his younger cousins, as well as Ruby Rose and Sun Wukong, to face off against the Furies.

Meanwhile, Skirmish is sent to serve alongside Twilight's bereaved Brother and Sister-in-law, where they learn that Sunset and Starlight are now guarding the Castle of Friendship in Twilight's absense, and Raven kills... herself?!

What sort of ruthless plans does Corvus have in store? Will Sunset and Starlight be relevant? And will Alex die of an inexplicable bacterial infection?

We'll have the answers to at least one of these questions on the next episode of Blood Red Shadows 2: The Crimson Shade!