Jaune struggles with combat lessons while Cardin makes a name for himself as a bully.

While the teachers assess the threat they're facing, Team RWBY receive a surprise package from Ruby and Yang's father. Meanwhile, Team CFVY finally return home from their mission and Team RWBY is horrified to learn which teacher will be escorting them for their first field trip.

The first doubles match of the tournament puts Mercury and Emerald against Yatsuhashi and Coco. Later Qrow and Winter spend some quality time with their families.

Team RWBY rally around Yang when Ironwood tells her she's been disqualified then Qrow and Yang discuss Yang's mother. Jaune and Pyrrha have a heart-to-heart which distresses Pyrrha due to her confusion about Ozpin's offer. The next fight is confirmed to be Penny versus Pyrrha while Ruby finds herself confronting Mercury, who is supposed to be on his way back to Haven.

On the airship, Ruby fights Roman and Neo while Ironwood joins Glynda and Qrow on the battlefield below. The students fight Atlesian Paladins while Blake confronts Adam in the school's cafeteria, leading to a showdown between Yang and Adam.

Meanwhile, in the secret vault, Ozpin, Jaune and Pyrrha attempt to transfer Amber's Aura to Pyrrha... and Cinder shows up.