#RWBY Thoughts

[one-real-wrimonkey]

Taiyang Xiao Long is a bad parent.

Tai is a pretty bad dad. Not Jacques Schnee, but there’s some real issues to be considered. Some of his reasons for this are understandable, not necessarily his fault and it doesn’t make him a bad person, but it does make him a bad parent. And yes he loves his daughters and they love him, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t not a bad parent.

For one: the parentification of Yang.

When Summer dies he is paralysed by grief. It’s said he just shuts down, and this does happen. Grief does that and hits different people differently. None the less, Yang was younger than ten and looking after herself, Ruby and probably him as well. Not to mention she sneaks off with Ruby to find Raven and they would have died if Qrow hadn’t saved them. Yang was left picking up the pieces after Summer died.

Yang still has trauma from this, and from (as is implied) continuing to be a key figure and parent in Ruby’s life. Ruby mentions several times that Yang raised her (as well as them both referring to Qrow as a role model and mentor more than Taiyang). Yang did a lot of raising herself and raising her sister when she was a child herself. Its very heavily implied that even once he was past his grief, he had stepped back as a parent and was very busy with his teaching.

Again, and I cannot emphasise this enough, it’s not necessary his fault and it doesn’t make him evil, but it still had impacts on his kids that lasted to adulthood. It was still bad parenting.

For two: staying in Patch.

This one annoys me more.

When Ruby left to go to Haven and he didn’t go after her, that made sense, Yang still needed help and Qrow was able to go after her. Fine.

But then Yang left. Yang went after Ruby and Qrow, and he stayed behind. Knowing about Salem, knowing what was at Haven, knowing what was at risk, he didn’t go after his kids or help, he stayed behind. Despite having been a part of Ozpin’s inner circle, despite knowing what these kids, his kids, are heading towards, he stayed at home.

And before anyone says ‘he’s retired’ or ‘he’s a teacher’ it’s mentioned he was a teacher and it makes sense that Summer died he chose to stay home and be with the kids. However, once the kids are both at Beacon he starts taking missions again. And this is fate of the world stuff. He could have gone with them, but he stayed in Patch with his gardening and his sunflowers. Yet again, it seems he’s happy to leave his kids to manage themselves, this is a reoccurring pattern.

In conclusion:

He loves his daughters, and they love him. He tries to do what’s best for them, however, his actions had a lasting negative impact on his daughters. He neglects them in his grief and leaves his eldest to raise his youngest and it’s suggested several times that even when he recovers from his grief, this pattern of behaviour continues. He is a good person, a huntsman, and loves his kids, but he’s still a bad parent.

And it makes him a very interesting character. I think this is better than a two dimensional ‘good parent’. It drives and influences Ruby and Yang as people, somewhat influences Qrow, shapes all their relationships. It’s a very real, messy family dynamic.

TLDR- he loves his kids but his actions negatively impact them in ways that last into adulthood. They’re a messy family, they do love each other, but even considering outside factors, the end result is that he was a bad parent to Yang and Ruby.

[asm5129]

RWBY has always been a scrappy indie production that beat the odds and hit the mainstream despite everything going against it.

Looks like it still is <3

what I’m being told is that Viz is primarily a licensing and distribution company. They’ve done some stuff in house but not much. I rewatched the announcement video, they said Viz will be the home for production as well but that’s a wide term so since details aren’t available yet obviously so I’m not 100% clear what the approach to production will be.

However, I’m being told Viz have lots of money, lots of experience, lots of respect and lots of connections.

This seems like objectively good news in every way

…

The petty part of me also adores how thoroughly this announcement *destroys* HTDM narratives 😅

Not only is RWBY valuable enough for a company like Viz to both want it and have such faith in it, but they *also* guaranteed they had Kerry—one of the people who supposedly “ruined” it

I mean just

Hot damn I would not want to be the people who celebrated RWBY dying right now

They must be absolutely scrambling to figure out how to spin this

How humiliating

[the-elegant-necromancer]

Comparing Cinder Fall to a Dragon

She is as much a dragon as Jaune is a knight. Both on the surface seem to embody the idea of what they are but under it all is nothing more than a farce.

Each of them desperately vying for approval as proof of their abilities. Both of them falling short in so many ways, in many of the same ways. Cinder the dragon hordes nothing but power, no gold, no person, and covets what she does not have.

Jaune a knight who can't protect those he wants to, save those he wants to. Barely even given a chance to prove what he can do. Force to make impossible decisions. Cursed and thrown in purgatory as punishment for his envy of others and what they can do.

He too covets power, maybe for a different reason but he still craves to have power that does not belong to him. The Ever After arc showed just how he really feels about Ruby and the others.

They are all skilled, talented, strong, and fierce. He saw them with their abilities only grow as the story went on. He felt left behind, weak, useless. He wished to have the same power that the others had. Yes he worked hard for what he was able to do but the feeling never went away.

He craved to be stronger than even Ruby, even Cinder in order to be at peace in his role. He was given the chance in the Ever After and even as he tried to once again embody the farce of being a Knight he knew better. It did nothing to stop his craving for the power to keep others safe.

Albeit altruistic he still envied Ruby, the girl who was a prodigy in combat with the silver eyes and a spoken destiny. He came to resent it. Bitterness he hid and kept under control so very well. Till the Ever After.

Cinder fell after being beaten by Raven, she licked her wounds and refused to die. She is a dragon and as such can only be felled by a knight. Not even another dragon or anyone else. She craves the power to be safe, to be untouchable.

Through this logic she craves Jaune, a man who thirsts for the power to protect. If it does come to it, she could help Jaune become powerful and through that she will have the power to stay safe. He would become that thing she craved for so long. Jaune would have the proof that he could protect anyone.

If he could make a dragon feel safe and secure then surely nothing would be able to best him.

Just some thoughts about Jaune and Cinder.

[spectralpixelsredone]

Analysis: Sienna Khan’s Role in Adam Taurus’ Extremism and Her Fatal Mistakes

Introduction

Sienna Khan, as High Leader of the White Fang, played a pivotal role in shaping Adam Taurus’ descent into extremism, while her misjudgments and strategic errors led to her death at his hands. Her advocacy for violent retribution against human prejudice empowered Adam’s radical tendencies, but her failure to recognize his unchecked ambition and the dissent within her ranks left her vulnerable to his coup. This analysis explores how Sienna exacerbated Adam’s behavior, her poor judgment of his character, and the mistakes that culminated in her demise, drawing parallels to the Brother Gods’ negligence.

Sienna’s Contribution to Adam’s Extremism

Sienna’s leadership, rooted in the belief that violence was necessary to demand respect for the Faunus (Page 1, Document), provided a framework that amplified Adam’s destructive tendencies. Her validation of his actions and promotion to leadership roles fueled his vendetta against humanity.

Validation of Violence: Sienna praised Adam as a hero for killing a human to protect Ghira Belladonna during a convoy attack, dismissing Ghira’s disapproval (Page 3, Document). This endorsement, coupled with her indifference to Adam’s near-killing of a defeated guard during a Schnee Dust Company raid (Page 3, Document), normalized his brutality, shifting him from hesitation to embracing violence (Page 15, Document 68).

Promotion to Power: By appointing Adam as leader of the Vale branch and envisioning him as a future co-leader (Page 3, Document), Sienna gave him a platform to pursue his extremist vision of Faunus supremacy and war against humanity (Page 16, Document 68). This trust empowered Adam to act independently, escalating his actions beyond her control.

Ideological Reinforcement: Sienna’s philosophy of retributive violence aligned with Adam’s personal grievances from his time at the Schnee Dust Company (Page 12, Document 68). Her lack of concern for human lives, unless they harmed the Faunus cause (Page 2, Document), reinforced Adam’s hatred, creating a feedback loop that deepened his radicalization.

Poor Judgment of Adam’s Character

Sienna’s misjudgment of Adam’s loyalty and ambition blinded her to the threat he posed, allowing him to amass power and orchestrate her overthrow.

Overestimating Loyalty: Sienna’s trust in Adam, based on their shared history and her defense of his actions (Page 3, Document), led her to believe he would remain loyal. This ignored his manipulative nature, seen in his emotional control over Blake (Page 15, Document 68), and his willingness to betray those close to him.

Ignoring Extremist Tendencies: Despite criticizing Adam’s role in the Fall of Beacon for its recklessness (Page 3, Document), Sienna failed to recognize the depth of his hatred and desire for total war (Page 16, Document 68). Her focus on the White Fang’s broader goals overlooked his personal vendetta.

Underestimating Support: Sienna did not anticipate Adam’s support from high-ranking members like the Albain brothers and her personal guard (Page 3, Document). Her arrogance in assuming her authority was unassailable (Page 2, Document) prevented her from addressing internal factionalism.

Mistakes Leading to Sienna’s Death

Sienna’s strategic and personal errors, rooted in her leadership style and failure to adapt, left her vulnerable to Adam’s coup.

Failure to Restrain Adam: Sienna’s early support for Adam’s violence (Page 3, Document) empowered him without setting clear limits. Her later attempts to reprimand him, such as over the Fall of Beacon (Page 3, Document), were too late to curb his influence or ambition.

Arrogance and Defiance: Sienna’s refusal to negotiate Adam’s plan to invade Haven Academy and her defiant stance against his coup (Page 3, Document) reflected her belief in her absolute authority. This arrogance blinded her to the immediate threat of betrayal.

Neglecting Internal Threats: Sienna’s focus on external human discrimination (Page 3, Document) left her unaware of internal dissent, allowing Adam to secure loyalty from her guard and other members (Page 3, Document). This oversight enabled his coup to succeed unchallenged.

Combat Vulnerability: Despite her agility and skill with Cerberus Whip (Page 2, Document), Sienna was caught off guard by Adam’s attack, unable to counter his nimble assault (Page 2, Document). Her reliance on authority over constant vigilance left her exposed.

Connection to Broader Context

Sienna’s mistakes mirror the Brother Gods’ flaws—arrogance, negligence, and a flawed understanding of balance (Page 1, Document 66). Like the Gods, who abandoned creations like the Curious Cat and Jabberwalker without addressing their flaws (Pages 2, 8, Document 68), Sienna failed to guide Adam or curb his extremism, allowing him to become a destructive force. Her use of controlled violence parallels the Gods’ artificial balance (Page 1, Document 66), both leading to unintended chaos. Adam’s parallels with the Jabberwalker—horned, destructive, and favored by the God of Darkness (Page 4, Document 68)—highlight how Sienna’s failure to manage him echoes the Gods’ negligence, contributing to the Faunus’ broader struggles.

Conclusion

Sienna Khan’s advocacy for violence and trust in Adam Taurus fueled his transformation into an extremist, while her misjudgment of his character and strategic errors enabled his coup. By validating his early violent acts and promoting him to leadership, she amplified his radical tendencies. Her arrogance, failure to address internal dissent, and combat vulnerability left her defenseless against his betrayal. Sienna’s legacy, like that of the Brother Gods, is one of unintended consequences, as her leadership sowed the seeds for Adam’s destructive path and the White Fang’s further radicalization.

[akiraarabella]

Is it just me or the volume 9 ost is just perfect? I was saving the songs that i liked while watching this whole show and the most songs that i saved are from volume 9. Its either that or im just a sucker for this show which is also most likely but WHO CARES! I just finished the whole series in two days 😎😎😎 and after hearing the ost i wanna go back and watch it again just to pay attention more.

Also its fascinating to see how much the animation quality got better and better each season. Like in the first season they didnt bother to animate the NPCs but now! And dont even get me started on this story!

I cant believe im just finding this show and not sooner! I envy all the people who started watching this series early on and actually experienced these changes and upgrades! you guys must feel so proud! I know i am even tho im a two day old fan 😅😅😅😅 BUT THIS WAS PERFECT AAAAAAAAAAAAAA

imma probably write some stuff abt this show too like i did for tdp and i dont even know where to start!!! Theres so many places i wanna talk about!!!!

ALSO IF ANYONE HAS FUNFACTS OR ANYTHING THEY WANNA SHARE ABT THE SHOW PLS DO TELL I WANNA KNOW MORE!!

[eviltomb]

RWBY used Atlas in a interesting way to examine the foundations of the series. something that had been written in since the very near beginning.

many places in show taught how Huntsmen worked in society of remnant. Maria is an example of how Huntsmen were always a part of Remnant society, even if they weren't called that back then. Perhaps they were not widely trained as they are, but they were there.

And after the war, and the nations demilitarized, they were needed more than ever. and thus a support network was created. a system to separate huntsmen from nations. So that they can work together freely to face humanity's true enemy, the Grimm.

However, only Atlas remained as a Militarized nation. Instead of granting power to the now titled Huntsmen to act freely, They were absorbed into the already existing power structure. now Atlas decides where they are station, where they hunt, who they hunt with. what they protect. Always in Atlas' Interest, as military do as military does.

Yes, Atlas had freelance Huntsmen. As shown by the Happy Huntresses, but they seemed to be the exception to the norm.

Atlas from the start is a nation created to be the antithesis of the very premise, Humanity must come together or be destroyed divided.

[quattro-bacheema]

I try not to think too hard about RWBY's worldbuilding (bcs frankly I'm not sure even CRWBY thought too much about it outside of the bare minimum) but one thing that'll never sit right with me is how... disarmed, the nations are. In a world where monsters roam the countryside freely and are a constant danger, relying on a small class of specialists to deal with everything is frankly kinda stupid. Atlas being the only Kingdom with a large standing army doesn't make sense no matter how much suspend your disbelief.

[dragonotaku-justineverything]

Ok, hear me out, but since jaune Semblance is basically using what I would would like to call the true manifestation of energy, life force would h3 hypothetical have more control over his aura and how it is used and thus be able to manipulate it easier and possibly create new techniques with that aura

Do you mean just in general or what my opinion on it is?

Because yeah, I absolutely want to see more Aura stuff in RWBY rather than just being a passive "force field". Ren used it like a actually, physical shield during initiation back in Volume 1, and not much has been done with Aura physically in the show.

I think Jaune would be a fantastic way to show off some more cool stuff Aura can do. Both the line from Vine of "Have you ever thought about extending your aura?" (Volume 7, Episode 5. Same episode as the Atlas Mom's debut~) AND the fact he has been shown to be able to recharge his own aura very quickly in the next episode. His Aura helps others and this could really help him fill in the support/medic/strategist role he seems to keep circling.

By the way, this is definitely something I'll be touching on in the Jaune Sempai AU. I think I've already touched on it a little bit there in one of the asks, but I'm not sure.

But yeah, I think it'd be cool if Aura sort of became Jaune's specialty. From going to not even knowing what it was in Beacon's initiation, to being a "master" of it in a sense

[purrgiri]

Rwby theory time

Salem is slowly losing her healing factor and that why's she's not a frontline fighter

Okay hear me out

Back during the age of the gods when she led her army the gods vaporised everyone on the planet her included and she regenerated so fast you barely caught the glow symbolising that she's healing before she's back at peak shape

Then we go a few thousand years (or milions if you want to believe what miles said about her watching mankind evolve back into existence wasn't a mistake when talking in a camo) to her first battle with ozma where she takes a few seconds to come back from a puddle clearly a downgrade in regen speed but this could be chalked up to inconsistency

And then we go a couple thousand years later again and salem takes a couple seconds to regen a messed up torso and broken face objectively far lesser wounds then anything she took so far (not that it's saying much all her injuries would be fatal on a mortal women) and finally the big one

Salem gets vaporised again but this time it takes her hours to come back instead of a few seconds

So now that i established that it seems like salem healing is slowing down a question that still needs answering is "why?"

The entire point is for her to suffer till she learns her lesson or the planet stops existing as decreed by light so why would her healing factor start running out?

The pools of grimm created by light brother that salem jumped into

My theory goes that while salem immortality allowed her to survive the pools of grimm for a time it's not perfect and the grimm in her body is slowly growing stronger and adapting putting on more and more of a strain on her body forcing her healing to work overtime to keep her body functional which has the side effect of making her take longer to heal with it possibly being sped up by the use of her curse as we have multiple examples of magic growing stronger or sometimes weaker and speeding up due to use namely ozma curse and magic

So i hear what you are saying "isn't this absolutely Ideal Salem wants to die if her healing factor can be overtaxed so why not just pay a couple mercenaries to spend a century or two beating the crap out of her till she stops healing instead of wasting her time fighting her ex for relics?" And to that i bring up a part of salem powers people tend to ignore when talking about her Immortality

She's not Deadpool or wolverine when she suffers a fatal blow she's not dead in the afterlife or teetering in some sort of limbo she's conscience for every moment of it which is why she can do stuff like cast magic while having a chunk of her head missing or being nearly ripped in half light decreeed "thou shall not die" and went all the way with it

At some point the grimm and light magic would achieve some sort of equilibrium a Balance if you will where salem just stops healing in general if she loses her head it's not growing back and she's now just a conscious headless women

Salem knows that a day would come and she'll never heal again and that's worse then her already hellish existence because what happens when she runs into some trigger happy huntsman and gets her head blown off what happens if she falls down the stairs and her legs are now permanently broken?

What happens if she gets vaporised again?

Is she just a disembodied spirit forever in agony constantly unable to move unable to scream due to lacking a mouth or lungs

Salem is terrified and desperate to break her curse because no matter what she does unless it's broken her existence is about to go from horrible to worse beyond mortal comprehension but she also doesn't want to risk losing her curse to early before she can obtain the relics or gods help her have ozma learn about this and pour everything he has into overtaxing her curse

That would explain why salem doesn't step up on the battlefield this is a massive weakness that could ruin everything if the right people learned about this

It could also play into the theme of balance finding itself on it's own and nature correcting itself man are not meant to live forever so it's slowly correcting itself with salem forcing a form of death upon her

it can also been seen to an extent with ozma since he is experiencing a form of death as well since it's questionable how much of that soul is still the original ozma ship of theseus and all that

I like this idea it could explain a lot about how salem operates and why she's doing things the way she does

Thoughts?

[queerqueenbeelove]

What if when Penny died the second time, two Pennys ended up in the afterlife

If Aura is the soul, then the Penny that died at Beacon could be considered separate since Pietro had to give up another piece of his Aura

Maybe I'm misunderstanding things but yeah

I think it's an interesting idea

[one-real-wrimonkey]

Forever amused by my headcanon that because Ruby and Yang both call Summer ‘mom’ (because she is) and because Qrow talks about Summer so fondly, it’s ages before the Ace Ops find out that Summer isn’t Qrow’s sister, some woman named Raven is and she’s his twin.

Oh and also she’s a bandit leader, and the Spring Maiden, and Yang’s mother but not Ruby’s, and had tried to kill Qrow, and held Weiss hostage for a while…

[asm5129]

Okay folks let’s be real

With the caveat that objective quality is a myth

Vol 1-3 was NOT the strongest RWBY has been

The fights were at their best, yeah, but in almost all other categories that was in fact the weakest part of RWBY.

I don’t mean it can’t be your favorite or that it can’t speak to you more than what came after

But objectively the animation and performances have improved significantly since pre v4, and have especially improved post v6.

Writing is even more subjective but I do think it would be extremely disingenuous to say that Miles and Kerry haven’t grown as writers, not to mention the impact of new writers like Eddy.

RWBY is a better show now than it was in vol 1-3 in almost every aspect, even if you personally dislike the direction it’s gone or find some execution leaving something to be desired.

Stop romanticizing vol 1-3. Please. It’s exhausting.

[sandyca5tle]

The Maidens and their Relics

So I had a thought:

There's been a few posts talking about how Cinder, the maiden who unlocks the relic of choice, has actually had very little choice in life, and in her current situation, which got me thinking, how do the other maidens compare to their relics, so:

Raven - Knowledge

Raven certainly has plenty of knowledge, however, she really doesn't share it, unlike Jinn and the Relic.

Winter - Creation

A soldier, something very much associated with war and destruction, and one, through her inaction (until the end) in stopping Ironwoods plans, that lead to the destruction of her kingdom (not saying it's all her fault, but she was complicit for a while, something she herself admits.

Obviously we don't know anything about the Summer Maiden yet, but would be interesting if she's someone creative, or potentially helps to create and build bridges between the Atleasians and the Vacuans.

Adding an extra for Penny because a) she's not a current maiden and b) i kinda feel like she's the one who *did* match her relic (creation again). To start with, her *own* creation is something very impressive (something Ambrosius remarks upon when inspecting her), the first synthetic person capable of generating an aura. Beyond that (and granted, this is a little weaker than the rest, but) she is someone good, and arguably helps create a bridge between Mantle and Atlas (or at least helped before the situation and Ironwood began to force her hand (and then Tyrian and Watts' whole shenanigan)). Also i feel like there's some clever wordplay on 'making friends' or maybe just about her forging her own connections in the world (true that everyone does, but it was something very dear to Penny, having friends)

[nightingale2004]

I wonder if any of the kids of Hephaestus cabin ever watched Rwby and saw the weapons the characters had and tried to make weapons like that of their own.

Just a thought...

[spectralpixelsredone]

You Can't Thwart Stage One (Cinder/Salem Circle Analysis)

RWBY Volume 3 Analysis

This analysis focuses on the events of RWBY Volume 3, particularly the Vale Arc, and the villains' success in achieving their goals. It draws on insights from TV Tropes and the RWBY wiki. Feel free to share your thoughts or conclusions in comments or reblogs.

The Vale Arc: Villains' Triumph

Despite numerous opportunities, the heroes fail to thwart the villains' scheme in Volume 3, achieving only minor victories. The villains' plan unfolds successfully due to the heroes' repeated failures:

They cannot prevent the villains from infecting the control tower with a virus.

They fail to stop a bomb-laden train from releasing Grimm into Vale, allowing the villains to pose as allies by "saving" the city.

The villains manipulate Yang into attacking a seemingly defeated opponent during a live broadcast.

They orchestrate Pyrrha's accidental killing of Penny during another broadcast.

Using these moments, the villains seize global airwaves to deliver a speech that triggers a massive Grimm invasion.

As a result, Beacon Academy is destroyed, many lives are lost (including two key characters), Cinder gains the Fall Maiden's full power, and Salem confirms the Relic of Choice is hidden at the school. Salem concludes the volume with a speech to Ozpin, vowing to extinguish humanity's hope and destroy all he holds dear.

The heroes' limited successes include:

Saving Vale city, which the villains deem unimportant.

Freezing the Grimm Wyvern to Beacon's ruined tower, inadvertently attracting more Grimm and preventing Huntsmen from reclaiming the school.

Permanently injuring Cinder, fueling her obsession with vengeance against Ruby. (Which is useless as Cinder and Salem get Vale destroyed anyhow)

Villains' Strategy: Flaw Exploitation

The villains' success stems from exploiting the heroes' weaknesses during a vulnerable period when training and systems prioritize strengths over addressing flaws. Their "Stage One" plan is meticulously crafted to succeed without interference, leveraging deep intel and preparations. However, there is no equally strategic "Stage Two." The chaos they create prevents them from immediately targeting another static objective, making their victory a surprise escalation in a cold war rather than a bid for world domination. The lack of a clear endgame contributes to their success by obscuring their ultimate intentions, slowing the heroes' responses.

Villains' Dynamics

Surprisingly, Salem commands a small inner circle, with few minions. Unlike larger villain groups like DC's Legion of Doom, her team is effective despite internal tensions and mutual dislike, with occasional villainous friendships. They outmaneuver larger organizations and make fools of their opponents.

Cinder Fall

Cinder, initially presented as a formidable antagonist, self-destructs due to her flaws. Her obsession with power lacks a clear purpose, mirroring Salem's ambiguous goals. Her backstory reveals a desire to avoid pain and gain strength, but she has no defined endgame. This vagueness inadvertently aids her, as her unpredictable motives make her plans hard to counter. However, her role as Salem's intermediary with the White Fang creates tension with Adam, who views her as a threat.

Adam Taurus

Adam, a key White Fang leader, is more popular than his predecessor, Sienna Khan. Salem values his loyalty, entrusting him to secure the White Fang's cooperation. Adam kills Sienna to assume control, resolving Salem's concerns about her reluctance. However, his actions backfire. Using his power, Adam attempts to kidnap Blake Belladonna and kill her parents, who later form a Faunus militia that foils his mission to destroy Haven. His self-destructive tendencies, like Cinder's, undermine their cause. It’s unclear if Salem knows or cares about Adam’s death.

Salem

Salem's goals remain enigmatic—possibly seeking the Relics to rule the world or to end her own existence, though the cruel Brother Gods are unlikely to grant the latter. She operates indirectly, relying on her minions, who often dislike each other, underperform, or lack resources. Watts and Tyrian are exceptions: Tyrian excels in his role, while Watts identifies issues but is ignored. In Volume 8, Watts achieves success when acting independently, but Cinder’s ego-driven actions lead to his death. Salem’s indifference to losing a competent minion like Watts highlights her detachment. A potential "Stage Two" could have succeeded if Watts’ warnings had been heeded.

Salem’s Inner Circle

Salem’s small, fractious inner circle is remarkably effective despite its dysfunction:

Arthur Watts: Highly competent but ignored, achieving success when independent. Dies due to Cinder’s actions.

Cinder Fall: A dangerous "big bad" wannabe whose lack of clear goals makes her unpredictable.

Hazel Rainart: Motivated by irrational goals, eventually turns against Salem.

Mercury Black: Skilled but low-ranking, likely to defect.

Tyrian Callows: Highly effective but dangerously unstable.

Emerald Sustrai: Defects from the group.

Neopolitan: Motivated solely by vengeance against Ruby, indifferent to Salem’s goals.

Roman Torchwick: Unaware of Salem’s existence but effective. His death indirectly aids Salem’s Volume 8 victory via Neo’s actions.

Vermillion Raddock: Status unknown, possibly dead.

Other groups like human supremacists, Silver Bullet, Starhead Industrial Company, or the SDC are not directly tied to Salem. The White Fang aligns with her after Adam eliminates Sienna, but his self-destruction leaves Salem without their support. The Grimm serve as cannon fodder, relying on zerg-rush tactics, exploiting weaknesses like Atlas’ lack of air defenses. (Prob. cause they would hate Salem also, the somewhat help her goals by accident)

The Heroes’ Dysfunction

Salem’s small, dysfunctional team triumphs because the heroes are equally disorganized and weaker. With major militaries neutralized, Salem holds a strategic advantage despite her reduced forces. The heroes’ reliance on Ruby’s optimism as a “Morality Pet” exacerbates their failures. Her “Silly Rabbit, Cynicism Is for Losers!” personality allows teammates to justify their flaws:

Weiss uses Ruby’s optimism to avoid confronting her father’s influence over her family and company.

Blake condemns even sympathetic White Fang members, driven by Adam’s extremism and her aversion to violence.

Yang frames their journey as a fairy tale, blaming Salem for all problems (including Summer Rose’s death). (Granted she's not wrong if Salem been in the background pushing causing strife...but who knows)

The villains’ blunders, particularly Cinder and Adam’s “Bond Villain Stupidity” in pursuing revenge, temporarily mask the heroes’ flaws. However, when the villains adapt, the heroes falter, ignoring the strain on Ruby, assuming she’ll recover due to her outward resilience.

Key Takeaways

Cinder: Mysterious enigmas are often just grunts, unlikely to evolve beyond their role.

Adam: Leaders prone to self-destruction undermine their own causes.

Salem: Her ambiguous, ever-shifting goals make her unpredictable, giving her control over the planet’s fate.

The Forces of Good: Disunity and dysfunction allow weaker villains to dominate, leaving the heroes dependent on the villains’ mercy—or facing defeat.

Other Drabbles

(Roman sudden death allows Salem to win.)

[lesbianseaweed]

I kinda wish Ruby kept Penny's sword, as a reminder of Penny but also as something to help her fight with people in close combat

We see Ruby often struggling in close combat with people bc she's not good at hand to hand and Crescent Rose is made for ranged attacks and mostly to fight Grimm

Qrow would've had a similar problem had Harbinger not been made to be able to turn into a sword

but I also think it would be pretty boring if Ruby just straight up copied every detail of Harbinger into Crescent Rose so an extra weapon for close combat, just in case, would be useful and I genuinely think Penny's sword could've been it

At the same time I am awfully conscious that this could set Ruby back on her grieving

but it would, once again, contrast Jaune, who used Pyrrha's circlet to upgrade his shield after she died and he was also struggling with her loss for a long time

But he did get better, and I do believe that if Ruby kept the sword, it could also become a way to help her grieve

also it would reference her using one of Penny's old swords to fight at the Fall of Beacon after Penny died