Volume 5

by orphan_account

Summary:

Team RWBY are on track to reuniting as Salem’s forces plan the fall of Haven.

Chapter 1: One-Shot: Mistral

“I still can’t believe we made it.” Ruby looked out to Mistral from the airship taking them to Haven, admiring the city for all its beauty, despite some of the buildings being destroyed and large sections of the city being closed off due to Grimm infestations.

“You’re determination got us here.” Pyrrha placed a hand on Ruby’s shoulder, smiling at her.

“So did you guys, though.” Ruby hugged Pyrrha, Ren, and Nora. “You supported me the whole way through and I know for a fact I would’ve given up if you weren’t there.”

“Don’t forget your Uncle taking a poison scorpion tail for you,” Qrow joked.

“Never.” Ruby took Qrow’s hand. “Thank you, Uncle Qrow.”

“Don’t mention it, kiddo.” Qrow smiled. “Now, let’s go see Leo, maybe he can shed some light on the situation.”

The airship landed on Haven’s dock, and the group stepped out to a mostly empty Haven Academy.

“Strange…where is everyone?” Ruby noted. “Is this place usually so empty?”

“No…” Qrow noted, looking around. “I guess we’ll have to ask Leo when we get to his office, come on.”

The group walked through Haven Academy, their footsteps echoing through the empty halls of this once-great school. It was an eerie feeling that left them on edge when they finally made it to Leonardo’s office.

“Leo, open up!” Qrow banged his fist against the door.

“Q-Qrow?” A meek voice asked.

“Yeah, open up,” Qrow ordered.

The group heard footsteps and the door unlock, opening to reveal a middle-aged man with a mane of tan/gray hair and a beard. He had a tanned complexion with brown eyebrows and dark brown eyes. He wore a brown greatcoat with a matching mantle, which had cross emblems on each side. He also wore a white dress shirt under his coat, and a western necktie and carried a pocket watch with a lion head on it as an emblem. Lionheart also wore dark brown slacks and dress shoes. He was a lion Faunus and possessed a tufted lion's tail the same color as his hair and beard.

“Qrow, you’re not dead,” Leonardo said.

“You make it sound like that’s a bad thing.” Qrow narrowed his eyes at Leonardo.

“Of course, that’s a great thing!” Leonardo assured. “Come in, come in!”

Leonardo sat at his desk the group stood before him.

“Leo, what the heck is going on down in Mistral?” Qrow asked. “The place is almost in as much a bad spot as Vale.”

“Yes, unfortunately, the broadcast of what happened in Vale caused the city to get plunged into complete chaos,” Leonardo explained. “Many civilians and huntsmen died that night, and we needed to make all of the students into full-fledged huntsmen to recoup from the losses.”

“Why did you not cut off the broadcast?!”

“What?”

“Both James and Theodore were able to cut off the broadcast,” Qrow explained. “They only had control over Vale’s airwaves.”

“I d-don’t know!” Leonardo cried. “M-Maybe…they plan on targeting M-Mistral next, so they backed our airwaves, as well!”

“Let me talk to your tech guys.”

“They…aren’t around.”

“Aren’t around?”

“They were killed during the Grimm attack.”

“Awfully fucking convenient.”

“I’m sorry, look, you all are free to stay at Haven,” Leonardo offered. “There are plenty of empty dorms and the like.”

“First, we need to secure the relic and the Spring Maiden.”

“Relic?” Ruby cocked an eyebrow.

“Spring Maiden?” Ren did the same.

“Secure-oh wait, that’s not weird,” Nora interrupted herself.

“I can explain the Spring Maiden,” Pyrrha said, bitterly.

“I can explain the relics,” Qrow assured.

“Okay…about the Spring Maiden…we don’t know where she is.” Leonardo closed his eyes and shrunk back.

“What?!” Qrow slammed his hands on Leonardo’s desk. “What do you mean?!”

“The poor girl we chose couldn’t handle the pressure and ran away.”

“How long ago was this?!”

Leonardo gulped. “About a year ago.”

“You let that much time go between telling us?!” Qrow threw all of the contents of Leonardo’s desk onto the ground. “Why?!”

“I’m sorry…I didn’t want to face you!”

“Listen here you little-”

“Uncle Qrow!” Ruby took Qrow’s hand in an attempt to calm him down.

Qrow rubbed his eyes, trying to calm down. “Leo, I need all of your forces to look for the Spring Maiden, we won’t be able to secure the relic without her.”

“It’ll be done.”

“And…I’m sorry for wrecking your shit,” Qrow said. “Do you want me to clean it up?”

“No, I’ll handle it,” Leonardo assured. “I’m sorry for not being honest with you and the others before it was too late.”

“It’s alright,” Qrow assured. “Just get us a nice place to stay, the kids deserve it for what they’ve been through.”

Leonardo open one of the drawers in his desk and handed Qrow the key to the best dorm in Haven.

“Thanks, Leo.” Qrow took the key. “We’ll get out of your hair.”

Leonardo watched as Qrow, Ruby and the remnants of JNPR left his office, then immediately pulled out his scroll.

“Watts, they’re here!” Leonardo whispered the second Watts picked up.

“Who?” Watts asked.

“Qrow, that Ruby girl and the team of the boy Cinder killed.”

“Those idiots just don’t know when to quit,” Watts grumbled. “I have to work on fixing up one of my allies and then I’ll be heading off to Atlas, but I’ll be sure to inform Salem.”

---

When Qrow, Ruby, and the remnants of JNPR arrived at the dorm, Qrow handed Ruby the key to the dorm.

“Here kiddo, you and your friends get situated,” Qrow said.

“Where are you going, Uncle Qrow?” Ruby asked.

“Well, with my lingering trauma from Beacon, my brush with mortality, and learning just how fucked things are over in Mistral, I think I need a goddamn drink!” Qrow shoved his hands in his pockets and turned on his heel. “Have a good night, kids!”

“What about explaining the relics!” Ren called.

“Later!” Qrow called back.

“But-”

“Ren, just let him go.” Ruby patted Ren’s shoulder. “There isn’t much you can do to stop him from drinking.”

“That seems…detrimental,” Pyrrha noted.

Ruby laughed. “It is.”

---

As Qrow drowned in booze, a pair of small footsteps walked over to him at the bar.

“E-Excuse me?”

Qrow looked down at the child standing before him.

“A-Are you Qrow?” Oscar asked.

“Yes?” Qrow cocked his eyebrow.

Oscar held up Ozpin’s cane.

Qrow widened his eyes and then smiled. “Welcome back, Oz.”

---

Ruby, Pyrrha, and Ren sat on the couch. Ruby was reading a comic, Ren was reading a book, and Pyrrha was cleaning Crocea Mors when there was a knock on the door.

“I’ll get it!” Ruby stood up.

“Ruby, wait!” Ren took Ruby’s hand.

“What?”

“Aren’t you the least bit paranoid?” Pyrrha asked, grip tightening on her sword.

“Good point.” Ruby stepped away from the door.

“Get Nora.” Ren readied StormFlower.

Ruby nodded and ran to the bedrooms.

Ren made his way to the door, then looked at Pyrrha, who nodded. Ren threw the doors open and was greeted by Oscar.

“H-Hi!” Oscar held up his hands in fright.

“Oh Gods, I’m so sorry!” Ren immediately lowered his weapon. “Who are you?”

“Uh…Oscar Pine, I think?” Oscar rubbed his head. “I met up with Qrow Branwen and he took me here.”

“Where is he?” Pyrrha asked.

“Well, he said ‘welcome back Oz’ to me and then immediately went back to drinking for like an hour in celebration,” Oscar answered. “It was very uncomfortable.”

“Okay…but where is he?”

“Right here, bitches!” Qrow suddenly jumped onto the scene, wrapping his arm around Oscar. “I found him!”

Qrow pulled Oscar into the dorm before face-planting onto the couch.

“Whose head do we have to bash in?!” Nora, Magnhild in hand, rushed into the scene, Ruby with Crescent Rose following behind her.

“False alarm, Nora,” Ren assured. “It’s just-”

“Oh. My. Gods.” Nora looked at Oscar with sparkles in her eyes. “Look at this precious boy!”

Oscar blushed as Nora hugged him tightly.

“Who brought this kid in?” Ruby asked.

“Qrow,” Pyrrha answered.

“Where is Uncle Qrow?”

Pyrrha wordlessly stepped aside to show Ruby Qrow passed out on the couch.

“Ah, of course.” Ruby facepalmed.

“Can we adopt him, Ren?” Nora asked.

“What?” Ren rubbed his eyes. “Nora, we’re eighteen! We are too young for that!”

“Too late!” Nora slammed adoption papers down on the table and began to write her signature.

“Wait, where did you get those?!”

Oscar watched as Ren tried to stop Nora from signing the papers, while Ruby and Pyrrha were trying to shake Qrow awake.

“What the heck did I just get myself into?” Oscar asked himself.

Chapter 2: One-Shot: Battle in the Air

Weiss stared out the window, lost in thought. She thought about Ruby, and what it would be like to see her again after all that had happened. She thought about Blake Yang if she’d ever see them again. Weiss was pulled from her thoughts when the airship began to shake. Grabbing Myrtenaster, Weiss ran to the cockpit, ready for a fight.

“What’s going on?” Weiss asked.

“Don’t worry, kid,” the pilot assured. “Just some turbulence caused by gravity dust.”

“Oh.” Weiss sheathed Myrtenaster and looked out the window to see the small floating islands, purple gravity dust crystals lining their bottoms. “Is it safe to fly through these?”

“Pilots less skilled than I am can still fly through gravity dust islands with their eyes closed,” the pilot answered. “We’ll be fine, we just have to watch out for lancer hives.”

“I’ve heard about those,” Weiss said. “Lancer used gravity dust islands as good places for their hives, I read that there isn’t a single place with gravity dust islands that don’t have lancer hives.”

“Which means there is definitely one here,” the pilot noted. “So keep your eyes peeled, I’d like to go back to my husband in one piece.”

“I’d like to meet up with my friends the same way.”

“I gotta focus on flying, so I’d appreciate it if you kept watch.”

“No problem.”

Weiss’ eyes scanned every gravity dust island in view. That’s when she caught sight of a large white structure hanging from one of the islands.

“There!” Weiss pointed at the lancer hive.

“Good eye, kid.” The pilot nodded. “Now comes the hard part.”

The pilot activated the ship’s stealth mode. The airship began to slow down as its engines began quiet down.

“What are you doing?” Weiss asked.

“The best way to get past lancer hives,” the pilot answered. “Just power down the engines and let the gravity dust quietly float us out of here.”

“What if the lancer hive has returning workers?”

“Then we’d have a problem.”

“We have a problem!” Weiss pointed ahead just as a group of worker lancers spotted.

“Uh oh!”

“Do we have any defenses?!”

“We usually have guards, but since I’m illegally smuggling a certain Schnee Heiress I couldn’t afford to have any!”

“Well, lucky for you this Schnee Heiress is quite defensive, herself!” Weiss prepared Myrtenaster. “Open the back of this ship, I may need to lob creates at them.”

“But that’s my cargo!”

“What happened to returning to your husband in one piece?” Weiss asked.

“Touché!” The pilot conceded. “Opening up.”

Weiss arrived at the back of the airship just as the doors opened, revealing a few lancers following the ship. Weiss narrowed her eyes and stuck Myrtenaster into the floor, summoning an army of small nevermores to fly toward the lancer. Two of the lancers were overwhelmed, but one powered through, launching its stinger at Weiss, who dodged it and left it impaled into the floor. Taking a note from Yang, Weiss grabbed the stinger as the lancer retracted it, pulling her close and allowing Weiss to pierce its eye with Myrtenaster, using a glyph to jump back to the relative safety of the airship.

“Kid, the hive noticed us!” The pilot shouted.

Weiss looked to see the lance hive start to shake. Having read that this is a sign lancers will attack, she quickly summoned an average size nevermore and sent it at the hive, the nevermore pecked at the stem holding the hive to the island, successfully knocking it loose and sending the hive crashing into the waters below.

“Phew, good job kid, really saved our asses!” The pilot cheered.

Weiss sighed in relief, only to notice the water the hive had fallen into began to bubble.

“I don’t think we’re done just yet!” Weiss shouted.

“Ah crap, did I jinx it?!” The pilot asked.

The Lancer Queen burst out of the water with a mighty roar.

“Yeah, you did,” Weiss answered, bluntly.

“Damn it!” The pilot checked the sensors. “Good News: The rest of the hive is down. Bad News: The rest of the hive except the queen is down, so we’re dead!”

“Not if I have anything to say about it!” Weiss didn’t lose her determination. “Fly up!”

“Yes ma’am!”

As the ship flew upward, the enraged Lancer Queen followed, determined to avenge her home and children. Weiss used a glyph to keep her anchored to the floor as the ship flew at a 90-degree angle above the Lancer Queen. The creates filled with dust began to fall out of the airship. Spinning Myrtenaster’s chamber onto fire dust, Weiss sent shots of fire dust into fire dust creates, which detonated right beside the Lancer Queen, stunning her. She used this opportunity to once again stick Myrtenaster into the floor but took a much longer time to summon her Arma Gigas.

“Alright, we gotta straight out!” The pilot began flying the ship horizontally once they were past the gravity dust islands.

The Lancer Queen was still following close behind. Weiss waited as the beast got close and close to the ship, before sending her Arma Gigas to jump out of the airship, raising its blade over its head, and bringing it down upon the Lancer Queen’s head.

“Got you!” Weiss smirked.

The Lancer Queen was not planning on going alone and used her last moments to fire her stinger straight up. Weiss gasped, barely dodging the stinger as it flew past it and pierced itself through the ship into the engines.

“Ah nuts…” the pilot whispered as the ship’s sirens began to screech.

Weiss looked down to see her Arma Gigas and the Lancer Queen’s bodies disappear before they reached the water.

“Kid, we’re going down!” The pilot shouted. “You wouldn’t happen to have a way to help us…you know…not die?!”

Weiss thought, then desperately used giant glyphs to try and slow the airship’s descent. It didn’t help, it was still plummeting to the ground at high speeds.

“Oh no…” Weiss's lip quivered, fearing she’d die here and never see RWBY again.

“Good try, kid,” the pilot gently complimented before trying to raise the ship.

Weiss closed her as the ground grew closer. She didn’t hear the crash.

---

When Weiss regained consciousness and opened her eyes it was dusk, and she was buried under debris from the ship. She could hear people talking, but couldn’t see them outside of the slivers of light from under the debris.

“This ship ain’t got anything!” A man complained. “Looks like they literally threw the whole load into the ocean or something!”

“We’ll find something of worth here, Shay,” a woman assured. “We always do.”

“Yeah right, not like we’re going to stumble upon a million bucks!” Shay shouted.

That’s when someone pulled the debris off Weiss, revealing a short-haired woman.

“Found the next best thing!” The woman shouted to a group Weiss couldn’t see, and that’s when Raven Branwen walked into her line of sight.

“Good job, Vernal.” Raven stroked Vernal’s cheek. “What would I do without you?”

“You’d probably forget to breathe.” Vernal snuggled into Raven’s touch.

Raven scoffed and rolled her eyes in mock offense, but the smile never left her face.

“Please, just let me go!”

Weiss shot up to see the pilot being dragged out of the wreckage by Raven’s men.

“Cough up any lien you got!” Shay ordered.

“Here!” The pilot threw his wallet on the ground. “What else do you want to take?”

“Your life?” Shay pressed the barrel of his revolver against the pilot’s forehead.

“Wait, wait, wait!” The pilot begged. “Please, I have a husband.”

“Soon to be widowed, how sad,” Shay mocked.

“Shay!” Raven barked.

Shay flinched.

“What do I keep telling you?!” Raven stomped over to Shay, snatching his revolver from his hands. “We. Do. Not. Kill.”

“We kill all the time!” Shay petulantly crossed his arms.

“Only those who attack us, first,” Raven pointed out. “You let this man go!”

Shay sighed but looked at the pilot. “Get lost.”

The pilot looked at Weiss, reluctant to leave her.

“We won’t hurt her,” Raven assured. “Promise.”

“Pardon me, but I don’t believe that,” the pilot said.

“It’s okay,” Weiss said.

The pilot looked at Weiss, who gave him a warm, comforting smile.

“You told me you had a promise to your husband, and I wouldn’t be a good huntress if I fail to let you keep that promise,” Weiss said. “Go.”

The pilot sighed and then ran off from the scene.

“Very noble, Miss Schnee.” Raven put on her helmet. “Far different from the rich bigot my daughter met at Beacon.”

“D-Daughter?!” Weiss’s eyes widened.

“I’m so proud of my little dragon, she made a better woman out of you.” Raven stomped on Weiss’ face, knocking her out.

Chapter 3: "Full Deck" Arc: Part 1

For an uncomfortable long time, the only sound in Jacques’ office was the sound of the ticking of the clock on his desk. He stared at the door, the people he was expecting were late, and he knew he couldn’t afford to punish them as he’d usually do. At the very least, Jacques was sure they couldn’t piss him off more than he already was. That’s when he heard the vase outside his office shatter.

“Oh, for the love of…!” Jacques stood up, stomping to the door and throwing it open.

There were three members of Team CARD, Canvas, Adrian, and Deacon, trying their best to put together a vase Adrian had knocked over.

“Uh…hi?” Canvas greeted.

“That vase was…priceless…” Jacques said, exasperated.

“Sorry, I saw a bug on the floor and thought stepping on it would be too messy,” Adrian explained.

“So you thought smashing a vase was less messy than stepping on the damn thing?!”

“Yep.” Adrian smiled, obliviously.

“Get in my office,” Jacques hissed.

Deacon followed Jacques into his office, Canvas pausing to smack Adrian upside the head and drag him into the office by the ear.

“Ow, ow, ow!” Adrian whined. “Sorry, sorry, sorry!”

“Sit down!” Jacques ordered.

CAD did so.

“Alright, so I’ve been trying to keep this hidden from the public, but Weiss has run away.”

“What?!” Canvas widened his eyes.

“Who is Weiss?” Adrian cocked an eyebrow.

“You went to school with-” Jacques began.

“Just ignore him!” Canvas waved Adrian off. “If we stopped the conversation every time he said something that didn’t make sense we’ll be here forever.”

“Fine,” Jacques sighed. “I disciplined her after she had an outburst at a charity event I was holding, and she apparently wasn’t mature enough to take it, now she’s run off.”

“Do you know where?” Canvas asked.

“Yes, she tried to keep it a secret, even had Whitley and Klein take the blame like the selfish little brat she is,” Jacques grumbled. “Unfortunately for her, she didn’t know I keep cameras and microphones in every room in this house.”

“You keep cameras and mics in your kids’ rooms?!” Deacon didn’t hide his disgust. “You violate your own family’s privacy?!”

“I was right too!” Jacques spat. “They were conspiring against me!”

“I wonder why!” Deacon got to his feet.

“In my office, you stand up when I tell you to, boy!”

“Listen-”

“Deacon,” Canvas said, calmly. “Please, sit down.”

Deacon looked at Canvas, then nodded and sat down.

“Do keep a muzzle on your pets,” Jacques snarked. “Anyway, I know she is heading to Mistral to help her friend Rory.”

“Uh…Ruby is her name, Rory is her dead name,” Canvas said.

“Whatever,” Jacques scoffed.

Even Adrian noted the disrespect, snorting like an angry bull to keep his cool.

“As much as I’d hate to admit it, Weiss has grown strong as a huntress, and the skills she’s learned at Beacon have no doubt made her stronger,” Jacques explained. “If I send anyone after her she’ll fight and probably win, but if I send someone she trusts…”

“We’ll do it,” Canvas said.

“Excellent!” Jacques leaned back in his chair, clasping his hands together. “I’m glad you boys understand the cutthroat world we live in. The only friends you need are ones you can easily drop or stab in the back, it’s good to know Beacon didn’t make you soft.”

“I’m glad…as well.” Canvas gave him a shaking smile, hiding his anger.

“Now, I’ll supply you with all the lien you need and even a ship once you stop by the airport to pick up your little pet Faunus.”

Deacon gripped his chair, resisting every urge to jump over the table and beat the smug grin off of Jacques’ face.

“Thank you, sir.” Canvas nodded. “We’ll get out of your hair.”

“You may leave.” Jacques went back to his paperwork, not paying the boys any mind.

As they left the Schnee estate, Deacon spoke up.

“We’re not actually going to drag Weiss back to that abusive piece of shit, are we?” Deacon asked. “You remember what she told us at Beacon.”

“Are you insane?! Of course not!” Canvas assured. “We just did that so we could get Weiss’ location out of him!”

“Of course!” Deacon slapped his head. “Why did I think you honestly wanted to help…damn, I’m sorry, Canvas.”

“It’s cool, bud.” Canvas punched Deacon’s arm and winked at him. “Now let’s go pick up your boyfriend.”

Deacon blushed. “He isn’t my boyfriend!”

---

“How is my beautiful boyfriend doing?” Revon asked, jumping into Deacon’s arms at the airship dock.

“W-Wait are we dating?!” Deacon looked to Canvas and Adrian as if looking for some sort of confirmation he’s been missing.

“Not yet…but being separated from you for so long hurt back at Menagerie,” Revon began. “I don’t want to spend another day playing around. Deacon Temple, will you be my boyfriend?”

Deacon once again looked back at Canvas and Adrian, who gave him thumbs up.

“I think it’s time I stopped denying it.” Deacon touched foreheads with Revon. “I’d love to be your boyfriend.”

“You boys ready to go?” Their pilot asked.

“Hey, you’re the guy who flew us away from Beacon, right?” Canvas greeted. “Sorry, what was your name?”

“Harry.” The pilot greeted. “Harry Johnson.”

“Sweet Jesus.” Revon almost fainted.

Adrian and Deacon both snorted and looked away, barely keeping it together, themselves.

“Oh…” Canvas snorted, trying to hold in his laughter. “C-Can we c-call you HJ?”

Revon fainted just as Canvas widened his eyes and covered his mouth, realizing what he had just said.

“Is that young lady okay?” Harry asked.

“He’s a guy and he’s fine,” Canvas assured. “Let’s just get out of here, Harry.”

“What about HJ?”

“I’mnotcallingyouthatlet’sjustgo.”

As Harry led Team CARD onto the airship, Deacon made sure to pick up Revon and carry him and their bags onto the bullhead.

“Thanks, handsome.” Revon woke up and snuggled against him. “I can tell I made the right decision.”

Deacon smiled. “So did I.”

Chapter 4: "Full Deck" Arc: Part 2 (Final)

“Do you know how long it’ll take us to get from Atlas to Mistral?” Canvas asked.

“About nine and a half hours, you boys might want to get comfortable,” Harry answered.

“Why?” Adrian asked, checking the time in his scroll. “At that rate, we’ll get to Mistral by like 10:10.”

“He said nine and a half hours Adrian.” Canvas rubbed his temples. “Not minutes.”

“Is…is there a difference between-”

“Yes, there is a difference between hours and minutes,” Canvas interrupted, then he looked to Harry. “This thing has Wi-Fi, right?”

“Of course, I’m not an asshole,” Harry assured.

“Good.” Canvas took out his scroll and handed it to Adrian. “There ya go, buddy.” He patted Adrian’s back. “You go watch cat videos.”

“I love cat videos!” Adrian sat down and gleefully began to watch cat videos.

“That kid hasn’t been playing with a full deck for a long time,” Harry noted.

“He’s never had a deck to begin,” Canvas sighed, sitting in his chair.

“One of my boys is the exact same way,” Harry chuckled.

“Aww, you have kids?” Revon asked.

“Six,” Harry said. “Mother passed away a few years back.”

“Oh my Gods, I’m so sorry.”

“It’s fine, the oldest has done a fine job caring for them when I’m away.”

“Why do I get a bad feeling about this guy sharing his backstory with us?” Deacon scratched his chin. “It’s almost like-”

“I’m going to take a nap, wake me up if Adrian starts to cause a ruckus,” Canvas interrupted.

“On it, boss!” Revon saluted and gave Canvas a wink.

“He shouldn’t be too difficult to handle,” Deacon said, forgetting his previous point.

Canvas got comfortable and after a few minutes was sound asleep.

---

The airship had been flying for a few hours when Canvas was woken up by the ship shaking.

“What’s going on?!” Canvas jumped awake.

“The ship is frozen in midair!” Harry shouted.

“What could’ve possibly caused the ship to…ADRIAN?!” Canvas’ headshot in Adrian’s direction.

“I swear to the Gods I’ve been sitting here!” Adrian held his hands up.

“It’s not him, sensors say it’s something behind the ship,” Harry said.

“Open up the back, we’ll deal with it!”

Team CARD ran to the back of the ship just as they saw a cloaked figure rising into view, they readied their weapons.

“MWHAHAHAHAHA!” Blackheart laughed. “Hello, fools!”

“Who are you?!” Canvas demanded.

“I am Blackheart!”

“Why are you attacking us?!”

“Because I am evil!”

“That’s…a reason I guess.”

“Tremble in fear,” Blackheart ordered. “For I am the most infamous villain in Remnant’s history!”

“Then why don’t we know who you are,” Adrian pointed.

All of the wind in Blackheart’s sails went out.

“Well…um…I did them in secret!”

“Then you’re not infamous,” Canvas pointed out.

“Yes, I am!” Blackheart shouted. “I committed many horrendous crimes!”

“Like what?”

“Look then up!”

“I can’t,” Canvas said. “If you did them in secret, nobody knows what crimes to attribute to you.”

“Exactly!”

“That means you aren’t infamous!” Canvas shouted. “In-famous. Famous. Do you know what that means?”

“I don’t.” Adrian raised his hand.

“Shut up, Adrian,” Canvas deadpanned.

“Look, I hold the power here.” Blackheart raised his staff and shook it. “I used my magic to stop your ship!”

“Your semblance?”

“Yes!” Blackheart boasted. “I have a semblance I simply call magic, I can stop things in midair and shoot magical blasts from my staff!”

“Okay…let us go,” Canvas demanded.

“Oh, okay.” Blackheart causally released his hold on the ship, causing it to fly away. “Hey wait, you tricked me!”

“I really didn’t,” Canvas chuckled.

“You fool, those who disrespect me will face my wrath!” Blackheart bellowed, following the ship. “I will rain down my magic upon you, with the power of a billion cucks!”

Everyone in CARD froze.

“I’m not hearing things, am I?” Revon asked. “Like everyone else heard-”

“Cucks?” Deacon asked.

“Yep,” Canvas confirmed.

“I also heard it!” Adrian raised his hand.

“You know that’s not really threatening,” Canvas noted.

“Sure, it isn’t even a fraction of the power of your average man, but watch!” Blackheart pointed his staff at Canvas and fired a blast that harmlessly bounced off his armor.

“Ow,” Canvas snarked.

“Let me try that again!” Blackheart tried to fire, only for some sparks to fizzle out.

“Oh, what’s wrong, sweetie?” Revon mocked. “Having trouble firing out of your long staff? Don’t worry about it, I know plenty of guys with that problem!”

“Fine, whatever!” Blackheart impotently flew back to his boat. “You’ll see how evil I am when I destroy Vacuo!”

“Then why is your ship pointed toward Mistral?” Adrian asked.

“Wait…what?!” Blackheart’s head snapped around.

“Yeah, you’re going to Mistral, dumbass!” Adrian shouted. “Mistral is in the continent of Anima! Vacuo is in Sanus! You know, behind you?”

“Gods Damn it!” Blackheart shouted.

“Bye!” Adrian gave Blackheart a sarcastic salute as the back of the ship closed.

“I wasted so much damn time! Now I gotta go back to Salem’s domain and restock on supplies because I’ve been out at sea for months, then I need to travel who knows how many months again to get to Vacuo!” Blackheart cried. “It’ll be a year by the time I get there!”

“Man, what an idiot.” Adrian shook his head.

The rest of Team CARD looked at Adrian in shock.

“Should we be scared that someone out there is dumber than he is?” Deacon asked.

“Yes.” Canvas looked the most horrified out of the three.

“Alright boys, we’ve arrived at Anima!” Harry spoke over the ship’s intercom. “Nothing can stop us-”

Suddenly, the ship started shaking.

“Oh Gods, is that idiot back?” Canvas asked.

“Nope!” Harry shouted. “Some geese flew into the engines! We’re crashing!”

“Shit, guys hold onto me!” Deacon held his arms open.

“Is now really the time for a hug?!” Canvas asked.

“Come here!” Deacon grabbed the rest of CARD and turned to stone.

When the ship crashed onto the earth below, his statue form stood tall, ensuring none of CARD was thrown around. When the ship stopped, he returned to his form and left the rest of CARD down.

“Whoa, I’ll note that in a fight,” Canvas said. “Let’s go check on Harry.”

Canvas went to the cockpit and opened it, freezing.

“Oh…oh no…” Canvas widened his eyes.

“What?” Deacon asked.

The rest of CARD went to the cockpit to see that the seatbelt had been broken and Harry was launched from the chair, threw the windshield, and landed several feet away.

“Oh, my Gods.” Canvas ran out of the ship, followed by the rest of CARD to Harry’s body, checking his pulse.

“Canvas…is he…?” Revon asked.

Canvas shook his head. “He’s gone.”

Revon gasped and covered his mouth.

“So…when is he coming back?” Adrian asked.

“Adrian…buddy…he’s dead,” Canvas answered.

“Oh.” Adrian gasped. “What happened?”

Canvas rubbed the bridge of his nose.

“So…what should we do?” Deacon asked.

“I think there are some shovels in the ship,” Canvas noted, sadly.

---

It was dusk by the time CARD got finished burying Harry.

“So, does anyone want to say anything?” Canvas asked.

“I do.” Deacon stepped forward. “Harry, we didn’t know you, but you flew us here.” He stood in silence for a full minute. “That’s it.”

“Okay…I think you could’ve been a bit more tactful, but good job.” Canvas gave a shaking thumbs up.

“He truly was a Harry Johnson,” Adrian said, mournfully.

“Yeah this was a mistake,” Canvas sighed, then he widened his eyes. “Wait, why the fuck are we burying him in the middle of nowhere?!”

“Oh my Gods, why are we doing that?!” Revon widened his eyes.

“We got to get him back to Atlas so his family can give him a proper burial!” Canvas shouted.

“It was your idea!” Deacon noted.

“He had six kids!” Adrian suddenly remembered.

“By the Gods, he had six kids!” Revon cried.

Canvas ran his fingers through his hair. “Okay, calm down, we just gotta-”

Canvas was cut off by a gun clicking and being pressed against the back of his head.

“Sup.” Shay smirked, smugly.

“Bandits?” Canvas asked.

Shay nodded.

“We left our weapons in the ship, right?” Canvas asked Deacon.

“Yep,” Deacon answered, deadpan.

That’s when ten other bandits surrounded the team and pointed their guns at them.

“Of course,” Canvas sighed in resignation.

“You boys are lucky you survived the crash,” Raven said, walking onto the scene. “Unfortunate about the pilot.”

“Yeah…” Canvas sighed in guilt.

“You’re a Canvas?” Raven pointed at Canvas, and then at Adrian. “He’s a Church, right?”

“Yep.”

“Pretty rich families,” Raven noted. “I’m sure they’d love to pay for the ransom for you two and your two teammates.”

“Look, there is a beacon in the ship,” Canvas explained. “Just activate it over his body and a team will come to take it back to Atlas.”

Raven whistled and two of her men went into the ship, coming out a few minutes later, one of them with a small object.

“Press that button,” Canvas ordered. “Place it on his grave.”

The bandit with the object pressed the button, causing it to start blinking and beeping. He placed it on the grave.

“A few of my people will stay behind to make sure animals don’t dig up the body,” Raven ordered.

“Can we really trust your men to stay with a body for nine and a half hours?” Canvas asked.

“No worries, kid,” one bandit mockingly assured. “We’ll only steal a little.”

“Maybe cut the Branwen Clan crest into his body, too,” the other bandit mocked.

“I’ll leave Vernal with them,” Raven assured. “She keeps them in check.”

“You try to leave or loot this body, and I will skin you alive!” Vernal threatened the two bandits with her.

“Yes ma’am!” The bandits whimpered, simultaneously.

“That’s my girl.” Raven smiled, then she became stoic and turned to her men. “Knock them out.”

“Wait!” Revon shouted, dramatically.

“What?”

“You obviously don’t have to give them to us, but can you bring our weapons?”

“Ugh…fine!” Raven rolled her eyes.

“Thanks,” Revon sighed in relief. “You can knock us out, now.”

Each member of team CARD got a gun to the back of the head. All were knocked out except Adrian.

“Uh…” the bandit who hit Adrian said.

“Oh, sorry, was that supposed to knock me out?” Adrian asked.

“Yeah…”

“My bad, I sometimes forget how to do that!” Adrian then face-planted on the ground, unconscious.

“That is one strange kid,” Vernal noted.

“Strange or not, he’s worth a lot of lien.” Raven hosted Adrian over her shoulder. “See you when you get back, V.”

---

Team CARD was tossed into a wooden cage beside Weiss.

“Wait…CARD?!” Weiss shot up from the floor of her bed. “What are you guys doing here?!”

“We’re here to help!” Canvas smiled.

Weiss looked at team CARD in a cage.

“Good job,” Weiss snarked.

“Yeah, well, it didn’t work out!” Canvas sat in his cage, sadly.

Chapter 5: One-Shot: The White Fang

“Humans all across Menagerie have been vanishing,” the news reporter explained. “It seems the kidnapper has gotten more confident, as almost a dozen men, women, and children are being taken in populated areas with no witnesses. Many suspect the White Fang in the area is responsible for these disappearances, but no evidence has been found.”

“When will Sienna stop?” Kali asked, heartbroken.

“I don’t know, but this can’t go on any longer.” Ghira shut the television off.

Blake had heard the report and her parents from the hallway and knew she was going to have a tough time sleeping tonight. She went into her old bedroom, which Ghira and Kali hadn’t touched in all these years, and sat on her bed, patting it in familiarity. Blake wished she could go back, go back to sitting on this bed and reading books with Alessandro, while Aunt Sienna and Mary were in the kitchen talking with her parents, but she knew that was impossible. Alessandro was gone, taken from this world in a manner no one, let alone a child, deserved to be taken. Then Mary took her life and Sienna’s heart along with her.

“Oh, Gods.” Blake curled into the fetal position and cried at the memories. “Alessandro, if only you were still here…”

While Blake couldn’t excuse what Sienna had become, she still felt nothing but loathing and scorn toward Atwood. She knew if he hadn’t done what he did, if the humans hadn’t excused his actions, the White Fang wouldn’t have been born and so many wouldn’t have suffered.

“Thinking about the past?”

Blake shot up, pulling Gambol Shroud from under her pillow and aiming at where the voice came from.

“Whoa, any way to greet an old friend?” Ilia raised her hands.

“Ilia?” Blake lowered Gambol Shroud.

“That’s right.” Ilia stepped into the room and began looking around.

“What do you want?”

“Can’t have an excuse to check up on you?”

“Not when you’re still loyal to the Fang!” Blake aimed her gun at Ilia, again.

“You’re not going to shoot me.” Ilia kept her back to Blake.

“I’m not the girl you knew, Ilia,” Blake assured, coldly. “I haven’t been myself in quite some time.”

“Because of the Fall?” Ilia asked, genuinely.

“Because of a lot of things…” Blake answered.

“Look, even I think that was a bit extreme, but we have to get rid of humans!”

“How do you think that’s okay, Ilia?!”

“Because of what humans do to us!” Ilia argued. “They enslaved, oppressed, and killed us! They say we’ve moved on, only to let dozens of Faunus children be victimized by a monster!”

“What about the humans who fought for Faunus' rights?” Blake asked. “What about the humans who hunted down Atwood?”

“Humans caused the problems in the first place!” Ilia shouted, not caring who hears. “They’re trying to wipe us out!”

“So that means you can do it, first?!”

Ilia opened her mouth but wasn’t able to find the words.

Blake caught on, quickly. “You don’t want to do this, do you?”

Ilia closed her eyes and sighed. “No, but I have no choice.”

“Yes, you do.” Blake stood up and put a hand on Ilia’s shoulder. “Ilia please, you’re still my friend, I’ll always give you a second chance.”

Ilia wretched her shoulder from Blake’s grasp. “I lost my choice the first time Atwood used me and Principal Gray told me I was lying.”

Blake lowered her head.

“I’ll be back…and I don’t know if I’ll be back this peacefully.”

“I know…I’ll be ready,” Blake said. “I’ll always love you, Ilia.”

Ilia was glad her mask could hide her tears. “I’ll always love you, too.”

---

Adam bowed before Sienna Khan.

“Adam, it is good to see after all your time in Vale,” Sienna began. “I want to congratulate you for your part in the Fall of Beacon, this will prove to humanity we will not back down in our quest to rid the world of them.”

“Thank you, high leader,” Adam said. “I wish I could take full credit for this victory, but I’m afraid I didn’t work alone.”

“I saw the broadcast, who did you work with?”

“A very powerful being who wishes to burn down the current Remnant to make a new one,” Adam answered. “A world where Faunus and humans are equal.”

“Who is this being?”

“I brought a representative of her organization.” Adam stood and turned toward the door just as Hazel walked in.

“Human!” One of the White Fang members guarding the gate shouted, the rest drawing their spears.

“Please, I do not wish to fight.” Hazel held up his hands. “I only wish for you to join our cause.”

The guards looked to Sienna, who nodded her head, causing them to stand down.

“Salem has walked this earth for eons, and seeing the treatment of the Faunus firsthand was one of many things that caused her desire for a better Remnant to grow,” Hazel began. “She shares your ideals and your methods of seeing those ideals into fruition, and we promise you true equality for the Faunus in her better Remnant.”

Sienna leaned back on her throne, hand on her chin.

“I’ve witnessed the power of this woman,” Sienna said. “An entire kingdom annihilated off of the face of Remnant.”

“With help from your loyal followers, who were treated as equals,” Hazel said.

“I may hate humans, but I am also not foolish.” Sienna got to her feet and walked down the steps to Hazel. “I’ve made deals with the human-run Crown for weapons, I knew about Adam working with Cinder in Vale, and I feel this shall be no exception.”

Hazel smiled. “Is this a yes?”

“If what your mistress promises is true, you’ll have my loyalty and the loyalty of every White Fang member on Remnant.” Sienna held out her hand. “Yes.”

“Thank you, Sienna.” Hazel shook Sienna’s hand. “With you sitting at our table, we know that you’ll be able to craft a Remnant for the Faunus as well as humans.”

Adam rubbed his hands together as he watched Hazel and Sienna shake hands, knowing he was gaining more power within the White Fang with this act. That’s when two members walked into the room, the Albain Brothers, Corsac and Fennec, and whispered something into Adam’s ear.

“High Leader Khan,” Adam said.

Sienna turned to Adam.

“Blake Belladonna has arrived in Menagerie.”

“Perfect, then the next phase of the White Fang’s plans can begin,” Sienna said, turning to Hazel. “Once I’m done in Menagerie, I would like to meet your mistress.”

“I’m sure she would love to meet you, too.” Hazel bowed. “She and I…we both know what it’s like to lose family.”

Sienna widened her eyes.

“My condolences.”

Sienna held herself together. “Thank you.”

With that, Hazel left the room, continuing Salem’s plans of going to Mistral to wipe out the huntsmen there.

“Adam,” Sienna took a commanding tone.

“Yes, High Leader.” Adam bowed.

“You are to stay in Mistral and oversee the fall of Haven and the rest of the Kingdom.”

“Understood.”

“The Albain Brothers and I will reunite with Damian on Menagerie and kill the Belladonna family,” Sienna explained. “We will martyr them, and surely bring more Faunus to our side.”

Adam wanted to argue, as he still had plans for Blake, but he knew better than to question Sienna.

“Yes…High Leader…” Adam hesitated to say.

“You have done well, Adam.” Sienna motioned for Adam to rise to his feet. “After the fall of Haven and Mistral, you will become my number two, and we will lead the White Fang side-by-side.”

Adam smiled. “It will be my honor, High Leader Khan.”

---

Adam sat in his room in the White Fang HQ, contemplating. A part of him hoped Sienna would fail to kill the Belladonnas if only so he could kill Blake’s parents before her very eyes himself. Sighing, he pulled out his scroll and saw a message from Ilia. She was tasked with following Blake after she arrived with Menagerie and sent Adam’s videos that were recorded from the small camera on her mask.

“Well, might as well see my beloved one last time,” Adam said, opening the video Ilia sent.

---

Ilia was standing on a tree not far from the Belladonna estate when she got a call on her scroll.

“Ilia, you’re needed,” Damian said. “Meet me in the board room.”

“On my way.” Ilia looked out to the estate one last time before jumping to the ground and running off.

When she arrived at the White Fang HQ, she walked in to see no other members were around. This made her feel like something was wrong, but she was requested and not going to question a direct order. When she arrived at the board room, where the White Fang of Menagerie plan their attacks, she found Damian sitting in the dark.

“Damian?” Ilia asked. “Where is everyone?”

“There still on assignments.” Damian held up a small device and placed it on the table. “Adam wanted to speak to you, personally.”

As Ilia sat down, Damian got up and walked behind her. That’s when the device came to life, revealing a small, holographic Adam.

“Ilia, I would like to inform you that Sienna and the Albain Brothers will be arriving on Menagerie to martyr the Belladonnas,” Adam said.

Ilia’s skin noticeably turned blue.

“You seem saddened.”

“I know this was inevitable, but it still hurts,” Ilia admitted. “Blake was my friend.”

“I loved her too, but she turned against us, and you know what that means.”

“I know…” Ilia’s skin returned to normal. “When the time comes, I’ll do what I must.”

“That’s the bright side, you won’t.”

“What?” Ilia cocked an eyebrow.

Damian slipped on a pair of leather gloves and pulled out a pistol.

“You see, I decided to kill two birds with one stone,” Adam began. “We need more martyrs for our cause, and I made a promise to Blake.”

“A…promise?” Ilia didn’t hide her confusion.

“A promise to hurt and killed everyone she loves.”

Ilia felt a gun barrel press against the back of her head.

“Thanks to your message, I know she loves you,” Adam said.

“Adam…d-don’t do this,” Ilia begged. “I’ve been a loyal member of the cause.”

“And that’s why this breaks my heart,” Adam mocked, then he nodded to Damnian.

Ilia was shaking as Damian clicked the gun. “Damian, ple-”

Blake was woken up in the night by the sound of two gunshots.

Chapter 6: "Reunion" Arc: Part 1

“So, what’s a little girl like yourself doing out in a dangerous place like this?” The bartender asked.

“I’m no little girl.” Yang took off her sunglasses. “I’m…looking for someone.”

“Who would that be?”

“Raven Branwen.”

Shay who sitting at the same bar as Yang, coughed on his drink when he heard Raven’s name.

“Leader of the infamous Branwen Tribe?” The bartender asked. “Why are you looking for her?”

“I got my reasons,” Yang said. “What do you know?”

“Sorry kid, not much.” The bartender set down the glass he’d been cleaning. “I tend to stay out of the business of bandits.”

“Don’t sweat it, it makes sense most people wouldn’t be involved with criminals of her caliber,” Yang assured.

Shay narrowed his eyes at Yang, got up, and walked out of the bar, pulling out his scroll as he did so.

“Well, sorry I couldn’t help with that, can I help with anything else?” The bartender asked.

“Yeah.” Yang placed down some lien. “Top shelf. Strong eat you got.”

“Aren’t you a little young to be-”

“The legal drinking age out here is 18!” Yang slammed her ID on the table. “I’m 18, check my birthdate!”

“Okay kid, I’m sorry.” The bartender held up his hands. “Top shelf. On the double.”

“Thanks.” Yang rubbed her eyes. “Sorry for snapping.”

“It’s alright,” the bartender assured. “Something got you troubled?”

“Life.”

The bartender chuckled, bitterly. “Kid, you have no idea how many people come in here and say that.”

When Yang was done at the bar, she came out to see Shay petting Zwei, who was still in Bumblebee’s sidecar.

“Hey!” Yang shouted.

“Oh, hey, sorry!” Shay stood up. “Dog is real cute.”

“Thanks.” Yang narrowed her eyes at Shay.

“Hey, listen, I heard you talking in there, and I actually have some information on Raven Branwen.”

“Do you, now?” Yang cocked an eyebrow.

“Yeah,” Shay said. “Her tribe is pretty nomadic, but I know where her current camp is.”

“What do you want out of this?”

“I just want to help you!”

Yang wanted to scoff, Ruby this man was not. She didn’t believe a word Shay said, but he could lead her to the camp and she needed some practice dummies.

“Alright.” Yang jumped on Bumblebee, putting her helmet and sunglasses on. “Hop on, but you keep your hands to yourself.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it!” Shay sat on Bumblebee in a way that left two legs dangling off one side.

As Yang started up Bumblebee, she looked down at the picture of Sapphire to see a butterfly crawling on it. She waved the little bug off and then took off, Shay giving directions all the way.

---

“Alright, stop here,” Shay ordered.

Yang did so in the middle of a clearing of trees.

“I don’t see a camp,” Yang noted, playing dumb.

“Well, there are certainly a group of bandits, here.” Shay got off the bike and pulled out his revolver.

Four other bandits came out of the woodwork, blades, and clubs in their hands.

“No guns. Yikes.” Yang took off her sunglasses and helmet, tossing the latter to the ground.

“We only need one.” Shay held up his revolver.

Zwei growled.

“Stay back, Zwei,” Yang ordered. “I got this.”

Suddenly, Yang felt something pierce her neck.

“Do you?” Shay smugly grinned.

Yang felt dizzy as she pulled the tranquilizer from her neck.

“Get her!” Shay shouted.

Yang was tackled from behind by the person who spit the dart into her neck. All the bandits piled on top of her, holding her arms and legs down.

“Don’t know why you’re looking for the boss lady, and I honestly don’t care.” Shay knelt at Yang’s ear. “We’re going to beat you to death and take this sweet-looking bike, along with anything else you have.”

Yang tried to fight the effects of the tranquilizer, but she couldn’t. That’s when Zwei swooped in, jumping onto one of the bandits and biting his hand.

The bandit screamed in pain. “Get this stupid mutt off me!”

“I got him! Hold still!” Shay ran and kicked Zwei off the bandit.

Zwei wasn’t backing down, barking and growling at Shay.

“Aww, isn’t that cute?” Shay shot Zwei with his revolver.

Zwei’s yelp caused Yang’s eyes to turn red, and her newly empowered semblance to activate. She released a burst of energy that caused all of the bandits to fly off of her.

“Huh?!” Shay widened his eyes.

“Big mistake!” Yang shouted.

Yang looked at the bandit who spit the dart into her neck. Moving at a speed that broke the sound barrier, Yang punched a hole through the man’s chest.

“Oh shit!” A female bandit attempted to slash Yang with her blade, only for Yang to catch it.

“Nice try.” Yang punched the female bandit.

The female bandit was launched toward a tree, her body breaking upon impact.

“Fuck this!” One bandit threw down his blade, only for his head to explode, caking the bandit next to him.

“Oh, Gods!” The blood-covered bandit tried to rub the blood from his eyes. “I can’t see! It burns!”

“No one runs.” Yang lowered her smoking metal arm. “Not when you start it.”

“Die you animal!” The other female in the group tried to punch Yang.

Yang for her to grab her wrist, grab her by the groin, lift her into the air, and break her back over her knee.

As all this was happening, Shay was left stunned, frozen in fear as Yang tore through his compatriots. That’s when she turned her attention to him. Yang stalked over to Shay, being sure to shoot the blood-covered bandit who was still too preoccupied with his friend’s blood in his eyes.

“Get back!” Shay aimed his gun at Yang. “Get the fuck back!”

Shay begin to fire upon Yang as she walked toward him. Shot after shot doing nothing against the walking inferno she had become. When Yang was close enough, she grabbed Shay’s hand, holding the revolver, and crushed both. Shay screamed, desperately punching Yang’s face in an attempt to make her let go, only for Yang to grab him by the throat and lift him into the air. Shay gasped for air and mercy, and Yang responded by slamming him onto the grown so hard it made a crater.

“Please…” Shay begged.

Yang looked at Shay’s jacket, noticing his scroll peeking out of his front pocket. She reached down and picked it up, using the thumb on his broken hand to allow access, ignoring his screams of pain as he did so.

“Knowing how much of an idiot you are, you must…” Yang check the scroll’s map and found a specific location with no landmarks that had been highlighted. “…need a map on how to get home. Thanks.”

“S-See!” Shay laughed, hysterically. “I helped you out! Please let me go!”

“I would,” Yang stood up, “but you still shot my dog.”

Yang raised her foot.

“No!” Shay begged. “No! No!”

Yang turned Shay’s head to paste with four good stomps. With all the bandits down, Yang sighed, her red eyes turned lilac, and the heart around her dissipated.

“Zwei!” Yang suddenly remembered the reason for her anger and turned toward the corgi.

Zwei’s aura had taken the bullet, but it was still a lot for the little guy, who was laying on the ground, whimpering.

“I got you, Zwei.” Yang picked up Zwei and carried him to Bumblebee, placing him in the sidecar. “You rest up, buddy.”

Zwei curled into a ball.

“We’re going to go pay that deadbeat a visit.”

Chapter 7: "Reunion" Arc: Part 2 (Final)

Two bandits stood in front of the gate to Raven’s camp.

One of them yawned.

“Bored Fern?” The other bandit asked.

“Of course I am, Bush,” Fern answered. “All we do day in and day out is stand here and nothing ever happens!”

“Oh, don’t complain.” Bush waved Fern off. “It’s an easy job!”

“A job is something we’re paid for!” Fern whined. “This is one of Raven’s ‘Camp Duties’, which are basically chores we do without pay!”

“Look, you don’t like the position, take it up with the Boss Lady,” Bush said. “We’re out here to protect our people. Our family.”

“I suppose…” Fern sighed. “Maybe we can at least cycle through men, ya now? I do it one day and then some other sap does it another day.”

“You can do that, I’ll always be guarding this gate!”

“Whatever man,” Fern sighed. “You can enjoy this boring…”

Fern stopped speaking when the sound of a bike was closing in on the two bandits, fast. Looking ahead, they saw Yang speeding toward them.

“Looks like the action you wanted is coming!” Bush shouted. “Take that bitch out!”

Fern and Bush opened fire on Yang, who kept her head low and key Bumblebee take a majority of the shots. Suddenly, Yang grabbed Zwei and the picture of Sapphire, jumping off the bike just as she drifted, causing Bumblebee to careen toward the shooting bandits.

“Uh…you think we should move?” Fern asked.

Before either bandit could actually, they were struck by the bike, knocking them through the wood wall surrounding the camp. Naturally, every bandit in camp was on the scene in seconds, guns, blades, crossbows, and clubs ready for a fight. As the smoke cleared, Yang walked into the camp, carrying Zwei while stuffing the picture of Sapphire into her pocket. Two bandits went to check on Fern and Bush, who was under Bumblebee.

“Oh my Gods, are you two okay?!” A female bandit asked Fern and Bush.

“Finland!” Fern shouted, delirious from the pain.

“What’s Finland?” One bandit asked.

“I don’t know, but I’m pretty sure it doesn’t exist!” The female bandit shouted. “Get them a medic!”

The rest of the bandits trained their weapons on Yang.

“You got balls, child!” One bandit shouted.

“Now doesn’t that sound like something that gets you’d put on a list,” Yang snarked. “I don’t want to fight you guys, I just want to speak to Raven Branwen.”

“Well, my apologies,” the bandit who shouted snarked. “I guess we’ll just chauffeur you to our leader after you break down our walls and hurt two of our men.”

“Just because I don’t want to fight you, doesn’t mean I won’t.” Yang threw Shay’s scroll in front of the crowd of bandits.

“That’s…Shay’s scroll.” One bandit picked it up. “What did you do to him?!”

“I caved his skull in,” Yang answered, bluntly. “I suggest if you don’t want the same, you take me to Raven Branwen.”

“You bitch!” The bandit pulled a sword and charge at Yang, thrusting the blade toward her, aiming for her heart.

Yang nonchalantly sidestepped the attack, grabbed the bandit’s arm, broke it, and threw him at one of the huts within the bandit camp. As the hut was destroyed, Weiss and Team CARD were revealed from behind it.

“Wait…” Yang squinted her eyes at Weiss, then they widened in realization. “Weiss?!”

“Yang?!” Weiss‘ eyes widened, as well.

“CARD?!” Yang looked at Team CARD.

“Yang?!” Canvas didn’t hide his shock.

“Adrian!” Adrian smiled obliviously, causing Canvas to facepalm.

“Well, I wanted to wait for the right opportunity, and I think this might be it!” Weiss summoned her Arma Gigas.

The Arma Gigas was small at first, but then it grew, breaking the roof of Weiss’ cage. It then tore the roof off of Team CARD’s cage, with them doing the rest.

“Man…wooden cages were…probably not the best pick…” one bandit noted, awkwardly.

“No, they weren’t.” Weiss ran to Yang’s side, Team CARD doing the same.

“That’s a real Adrian moment, as we in Team CARD like to say,” Deacon said.

“Can you guys not…” Canvas sighed. “…we’ll talk about it, later.”

“I was going solo you guys, but since I got back up, I think my chances are even better.” Yang put down Zwei, who had fully healed and was ready for battle, himself.

Raven and Vernal got out of their tent, being the last to respond to the commotion due to how soundproof their tent is, good for planning when they can’t hear any brawls or shooting range from inside.

“Are we under attack?!” Raven looked out to see the crowd of bandits ready to attack Yang and her friends. “By the Gods…”

“Raven is that-” Vernal began, but Raven had already turned into a Raven and flew toward the group.

Just as the two groups charged, Raven flew between the angry bandits, turned back human, and stood in front of them.

“Stop!” Raven shouted, holding her hands in front of her.

The bandits stopped in a mixture of shock and their willingness to follow every order Raven gave them. The shock came from the fact Raven’s order locked her usual commanding tone, instead sounding more like a plea.

“Okay, I’m actually super glad we didn’t have to fight them,” Revon sighed. “We still don’t have our weapons.”

“I’m pretty good at hand-to-hand,” Deacon noted.

“Canvas and I are pretty good at pathetically slapping our enemies in embarrassing displays,” Adrian boasted as if it was a good thing.

“I’m getting more tired by the minute…” Canvas rubbed his eyes.

Raven turned to the group, looking Yang in the eyes.

“Yang,” Raven greeted.

“Raven.” Yang made sure to put as much emphasis on her greeting as possible.

It worked, Raven noticeably flinched.

“Everyone back to your stations,” Raven ordered. “I can handle this.”

“She killed Shay!” One bandit shouted.

“What?!” Raven shot around to look at Yang.

“He shot Zwei!” Yang motioned to Zwei.

“Gods Damn it, Shay.” Raven rubbed her eyes.

“Oh my Gods, she had her own Adrian…” Adrian noted.

“Adrian, please for the love of the Gods,” Canvas begged. “Stop talking.”

“I guess I can’t fault you for that,” Raven said. “Please, join me in my tent, I’ll have Vernal prepare tea and we can talk privately.”

“Give us a minute,” Weiss ordered.

Raven nodded. “I’ll call you in when the tea is ready.”

As all of the bandits reluctantly returned to their huts, two of them pulled Fern and Bush out from under Bumblebee, taking them to the closest thing they had to medic. Raven went back to her tent, telling Vernal what happened, afterward, they both entered their tent to make tea. Weiss, Yang, and CARD were left standing in the middle of the camp.

“Hey, guys, sorry about-”

Yang was cut off by Weiss jumping into Yang’s arms.

“Yang!” Weiss hugged Yang tightly, tears pouring down her cheeks as she kissed Yang’s cheeks, nails digging into her shoulder. “I missed you! I missed you! I missed you!”

Yang felt the crushing weight of grief she didn’t realize she needed. So distracted by the pain of losing Sapphire, she had practically forgotten that team RWBY was fractured, spread all across Remnant. With that, tears began to pour from her eyes, too.

“I missed you too, Weiss.” Yang returned the hug, lifting Weiss off the ground.

Weiss and Yang stood there hugging and crying as Team CARD watched on.

“Should…should we go or…” Canvas asked the rest of CARD, who shrugged in response.

“Hey.”

The group looked to see Vernal.

“Tea is ready.” Vernal motioned her head toward her and Raven’s tent.

“How do you prepare a letter?” Adrian asked.

“Adrian…” Canvas narrowed her eyes at Adrian.

Adrian motioned a zip over his lips.

“Thank you.”

Weiss and Yang finally broke their hug but held hands as they followed Vernal into Raven’s tent, Team CARD following behind. They sat with Raven and Vernal, awkward silence growing.

“This is lovely tea,” Revon complimented, breaking the silence.

“Thank you,” Vernal said, equally awkwardly. “Sorry for knocking you out, kidnapping you, and trying to sell you for ransom.”

“It’s fine,” Revon assured. “Replace you with muscular bodybuilders and I’ve had dreams worst than what you did.”

“Why are you here, Yang,” Raven said, changing the subject.

“Well, Raven, I needed your help.” Yang sipped her tea.

“I didn’t want to say this out there, but could you stop calling me that?” Raven let out a shaky sigh. “I’m your mo-”

“No, you aren’t.” Yang held up her hand. “You birthed me, and I guess I appreciate that, but you’ve done nothing else to earn that title.”

“I know you want to hate me, but I had my reasons for leaving,” Raven explained. “I’ll gladly sit you down right now and-”

“Sorry to interrupt, Raven, but I don’t give a damn why you left,” Yang spat. “Why would I care about you when you never cared for me?”

“I do care about you, I was always watching over you, Yang,” Raven said. “I saved you when that woman had you dead to rights on the train.”

“So that was you?” Yang cocked an eyebrow.

“Yes.”

“What, you save me once and you think that makes you mother of the year or something?!” Yang held up her metal arm. “You did a really good job protecting me then.”

“That’s not fair.”

“Not fair?!” Yang laughed, bitterly.

“Nobody expected what happened that night!” Raven shouted. “I tried to look for you…I swear to the Gods I tried to save you.”

“You didn’t,” Yang hissed.

“Yang…about Sapphire.”

Weiss gasped, covering her mouth.

Yang widened her eyes. “Don’t.”

“I’m sorry,” Raven said.

“I’m warning you.” Yang’s eyes turned red.

“I would’ve saved her too if I could have.”

“Shut the fuck up!” Yang slammed her hand on the table, pushing herself to her feet and pointing at Raven. “You say one more thing about her and I will kill you, myself.”

Raven raised her hands. “Okay, okay, I’m sorry.”

Yang sunk to her seat, holding her face in her hands, fighting back tears. Weiss put a hand on her shoulder while Zwei rubbed his head against her, whimpering.

“Hey, sorry to interrupt, but…can we have our weapons back…maybe…please?” Canvas didn’t hide how awkward he felt like he and his team were invading on this personal issue.

“We’ll go get them.” Vernal set down her cup, motioning for CARD to follow her.

With Vernal and CARD gone, it was just Yang, Raven, Weiss, and Zwei.

“Why are you here, Yang?” Raven asked, again.

“I know about your powers, Raven,” Yang answered. “Your little portals to people you allegedly give a shit about.”

“Qrow?”

“Dad, actually.”

“Ah.” Raven nodded. “What about them?”

“Ruby is missing, Qrow is following her,” Yang explained. “You portal me to Qrow, and I’ll find Ruby.”

“That’s it?”

“You open up a portal and we’ll be on our way.”

“You come all the way to see your mother and that’s all you want from me?”

“You. Are. Not. My. Mother,” Yang hissed.

“Then what am I, Yang?!”

“A means to an end.”

Raven recoiled at Yang’s harsh words.

Weiss was shocked, Yang had changed from the pun-making, happy-go-lucky girl she wasn’t when she first met her at Beacon. Though she should’ve remembered what it was like seeing someone lose the woman they love.

“Alright then…” Raven said, tears running down her face. “I’ll make you a portal…just wait outside.”

Yang got to her feet and left, Zwei growling at Raven before he followed her. Weiss looked sympathetically at Raven but did as she was told without a word.

“Yang…” Weiss said to Yang.

“She’ll get over it,” Yang assured, coldly.

“Here’s your weapon.” Vernal handed Weiss Myrtenaster.

“Thanks.” Weiss spun Myrtenaster’s chamber.

Raven walked out, wearing her mask to hide her red eyes and tear-stained face. She held onto the grip of her blade.

“I’ll…I’ll have to walk through with you to keep the portal open.”

“I’m sure Qrow would love to see you, again,” Yang snarked.

---

Qrow was watching the sunset, sipping from his flask. Sighing, he decided to go back inside to check up on Ruby, Oscar, and the remnants of JNPR. As he was walking back, the familiar sound of one of Raven’s portals opening was made behind him. Qrow turned to see Raven walking out of the portal.

“What are you doing here, Raven?” Qrow asked.

“Someone wanted to see you.” Raven stepped aside.

Qrow widened his eyes when another familiar sound graced his ears. The sound of a motorcycle.

Inside, Ren was cooking as Ruby, Oscar, Pyrrha, and Nora were sitting on the couch in the living room.

“So you really remember nothing?” Pyrrha asked.

“Yeah, I just woke up in the middle of a field with this cane and…felt the urge to come here.” Oscar looked at Ozpin’s cane.

“Strange…” Pyrrha rubbed her chin.

“We’ll help you figure this out.” Ruby placed a hand on Oscar’s shoulder.

“You don’t have to help me, you already have so much on your plate,” Oscar said.

“We may not have to, but we definitely want to,” Ruby assured. “Right?”

“Right.” Pyrrha nodded with a warm smile.

“Right!” Nora cheered.

“Hey, guys.” Qrow opened the door to the living room. “We got some guests.”

“Really?” Ruby asked. “Who?”

Qrow opened the door to reveal Yang standing behind him.

“Yang?!” Ruby gasped, shooting to her feet.

“H-Hey sis…” Yang greeted with a small wave.

“Y-Yang…” tears began to fall from Ruby’s eyes. “Yang I’m so sorry for leaving you and Dad, I just…I felt like the Fall of Beacon was all my fault and that I needed to do something and I just…I just…I-”

Yang silenced Ruby by hugging her tightly.

“I’m sorry…I got so wrapped up in grieving for Sapphire…I forgot about you guys.” Yang had tears running down her eyes, as well.

Ruby returned the hug, Weiss watching passively from the doorway.

“R-Ruby?”

Ruby’s eyes shot open. “Weiss?!”

Weiss held her shoulder, an uncomfortable look on her face.

Ruby looked to Yang, who nodded. Both sisters held open their arms. Weiss was shocked, then tears began to pour from her eyes as she ran into Ruby and Yang, embracing.

“We are also here…by the way…” Canvas greeted, awkwardly.

“It’s lovely to see you again, CARD,” Pyrrha greeted, genuinely.

“Thanks, Pyrrha.” Canvas rubbed the back of his head.

As Ruby, Weiss, and Yang hugged, Ruby heard something.

“Thanks for this, Raven,” Qrow said.

Ruby’s eyes shot open, and the happy feeling she had was sucked out in an instant.

“I just want to make…some sort of amends,” Raven said.

Ruby looked to see Raven talking to Qrow in the doorway.

“You!” Ruby pulled herself out of the hug between her, Weiss, and Yang.

“Ruby?” Weiss reached out to Ruby, feeling the hug was broken too early.

“What’s wrong, sis?” Yang asked.

“You were part of STRQ, right?” Ruby pointed at Raven.

“I was,” Raven confirmed.

Ruby used her semblance to push Raven and Qrow inside.

“Ruby, what is the matter?” Qrow noticed Ruby’s forcefulness.

“He told me about you,” Ruby said to Raven.

“That’s right!” Pyrrha widened her eyes when she remembered. “Back at Kuroyuri!”

“Who told you?” Raven asked.

“Wendigo!” Ruby pointed at Raven. “He told me you knew that he killed our mother!”

Everyone in the room gasped in shock.

“You’re not leaving until you tell me exactly what happened.” Ruby closed the doors behind her.

“Hey guys, dinner is ready!” Ren walked into the living room in a “Kiss the Cook” apron, freezing when he saw the scene before him. “Oh…I guess I should probably cook more.”

Chapter 8: "Whatever Happened to Summer Rose?" Arc: Part 1

Ruby showed a surprising amount of strength while subduing Raven. Despite her small size, she easily forced Raven to the couch, pushing her onto the seat and holding her down by her shoulders.

“Raven…is this true?” Qrow asked. “Do you know how Summer died?”

Raven took off her mask, revealing her fresh tear-stained face. “Yes.”

“You talked about wanting to make amends,” Qrow said, bitterly. “So when were you going to tell us you knew how Summer died?!”

“When I accept that she’s dead!” Raven snapped, then she looked to the floor. “Guess what hasn’t happened, yet.”

“You’re going to tell us everything,” Ruby ordered, uncharacteristically cold. “I want every last detail, you understand me?”

“I do.” Raven nodded, then chuckled bitterly. “I guess I can kill two birds with one stone, eh?”

“What do you mean?” Yang glared at Raven.

“I can tell you how Summer died and why I left you.”

“I hope you know nothing you can say will justify it.” Yang crossed her arms and leaned back.

“Just hear me out, and maybe I can change your mind.”

“I doubt it.”

“Start from the beginning,” Ruby ordered.

“Wait, before you start…should we be here for this?” Deacon interrupted. “I mean…we already felt a bit awkward at the camp, and I don’t want to intrude on your family matters.”

“You’re intruding on family matters when you’re family.” Ruby smiled at Deacon.

“Oh…oh my Gods were we in a found family the whole time!” Canvas had an epiphany.

“Okay, that’s sweet and all, but maybe we shouldn’t be here because we have a tendency to interrupt stories,” Deacon said, subtly motioning to Adrian.

“If you think it’ll be a problem, you guys can go,” Ruby assured. “We don’t want you to do anything you aren’t comfortable with.”

“Here’s the deal, if any of us interrupt,” Canvas glared at Adrian, “we’ll leave.”

“Deal.” Ruby nodded, then looked to Raven. “Okay Raven, you can start now.”

“From the beginning?” Raven asked.

“From the beginning.”

“Well, I was born-” Raven began.

“Wait, you were born?!” Adrian widened his eyes in shock.

Everyone looked at Team CARD.

“Gods Damn it.” Canvas took Adrian’s ear.

“Ow, ow, ow!” Adrian whined.

“Sorry guys, we’ll get out of your hair.” Canvas walked toward the door, Adrian in tow. “Give us the abridged version of Raven’s story when we get back.”

Revon and Deacon followed Canvas and Adrian out of the room.

“What’s wrong with the Church kid?” Raven asked.

“He’s an idiot, keep going!” Yang ordered.

“Alright, alright…” Raven sighed. “So…Qrow and I were born into a bandit tribe.”

“The one you abandoned us to run back to?” Yang asked, bitterly.

“Yeah…yeah, that one.” Raven didn’t hide her guilt. “When we came of age, we were sent by our parents to train at Beacon Academy, they had done so when they were young and they felt it was best to prepare us for being leaders of the tribe.”

“But you didn’t return to your tribe after you graduated…” Oscar suddenly spoke up. “You grew close with your peers at Beacon, and decided to stay to fight the Grimm.”

“How do you know that, kid?” Raven glared at Oscar, and that’s when she noticed Ozpin’s cane. “Oh.”

“What?” Oscar asked.

Raven was going to speak, but Qrow interrupted.

“We’ll talk about that later, continue your story,” Qrow ordered.

“Fine, STRQ was considered the best team at Beacon,” Raven continued. “We have no idea how we managed to mesh so well together, but Summer made it work…she always did.”

“Were you close?” Ruby asked.

“They didn’t tell you?” Raven already knew the answer.

“Know what?” Yang leaned forward.

“I really should stop carrying this around, I’m worried about what Vernal would think if she caught me staring at this.” Raven reached into her pocket, then placed a picture on the table in front of her.

Ruby and Yang looked down, gasping at the sight.

It was a wedding photo, specifically Summer and Raven’s.

“You two were married?!” Ruby and Yang shouted, simultaneously.

“Doesn’t surprise me Qrow and Tai would try to just pretend I never existed,” Raven said.

“That’s not true,” Qrow spoke up. “We were perfectly willing to tell Yang about you.”

“Then why didn’t you?”

“Because I didn’t want to know a damn thing about you,” Yang spat. “They asked me when I was older and I said no.”

“Y-You really didn’t want to know about me?”

“What the fuck do you know about me, Raven?”

Raven opened her mouth but froze.

“Welcome to the consequences of your actions!” Yang leaned back and crossed her arms.

Pyrrha patted Yang’s shoulder. “I know Mommy Issues.”

Yang put her arm around Pyrrha in solidarity:

“Wait, if you and Mom were married, why did Dad and you…uh…you know…” Ruby coughed. “…make Yang?”

“Simple,” Raven said.

“You want me to donate?!” Tai asked.

Summer and Raven had just sat Tai and Qrow down in STRQ’s shared house on Patch, then told them of their desire for a child. The catch? They wanted Tai to be the father of said child.

“That’s right!” Summer cheered.

“Wh…Why me?!”

“Because you’re a great guy, Tai,” Raven said. “We trust you.”

“Oh…do you want me to help you raise the kid?”

“Well, they’ll already have two parents, so you won’t have to if you don’t-”

“No, no!” Tai exclaimed. “I want to be a part of this kid’s life!”

“I knew you’d be sweet enough to offer that, Tai.” Summer smiled at him.

“So…which one of you is having the kid?” Tai asked.

Raven meekly raised her hand.

“I see.”

“Finally knocking my sister up, Tai?” Qrow joked, having shaken his shock off.

Raven slapped Qrow upside the head.

“Worth it.” Qrow rubbed the back of his, chuckling.

“Man…I’m gonna be a dad!” Tai cheered.

“We’re going to be mothers!” Summer hugged Raven. “I’m so glad we made this decision, sweetie!

“I am too, Summer.” Raven returned the hug. “I know for a fact we won’t regret a thing.”

Chapter 9: "Whatever Happened to Summer Rose?" Arc: Part 2

“Okay, so why did you leave?” Ruby asked.

“Since Team STRQ was the best, Ozpin chose us to continue the fight against Salem,” Raven answered, then she chuckled. “Well, all of us except for Tai, Ozpin very justly concluded he’d probably lose his shit if he learned about Salem.”

“Salem?” Ruby cocked an eyebrow.

“She’s the woman behind everything,” Qrow said.

“Was she the one who spoke on the monitor?” Ruby asked.

“The one who killed Jaune?” Pyrrha gritted her teeth.

Ren and Nora instinctively comforted her.

“No, we got no info on who that was, the only person we know is working for her is-”

“Watts,” Ruby interrupted, remembering Watts making her watch as Penny was killed.

“Yeah…Watts…”

“I think you should keep going,” Yang suggested, changing the subject.

“Right, we did a lot of jobs for Ozpin in the secret war with Salem,” Raven explained, face growing grim. “Then we were given the job to protect the Spring Maiden.”

Raven placed the newborn Yang in her crib, stroking her cheek with the back of her hand as she did so. She smiled, then quietly left little Yang’s bedroom, going down the stairs to see Summer talking with Tai.

“Make sure her heating blanket is on and if she starts crying, her formula is in the fridge,” Summer said.

“Yep, got it!” Tai finished taking notes.

“Maybe we shouldn’t go.” Summer didn’t hide her worry. “This is the first time both of us will be leaving her alone.”

“Uh…I’ll be here.” Tai raised his hand. “She will not be alone.”

“Summer, you gotta have faith in little Tai, here..” Raven walked over to Tai, patting his head like a dog.

“Oh, don’t patronize me, Branwen.” Tai took Raven’s hand off his head. “I get enough of that crap from your brother.”

“Sorry, but I do have faith in you, and you should too, Summer.”

“I suppose…” Summer chewed on her nails, a nasty habit Raven had noted she had since Beacon.

“Hey, knock that off.” Raven smacked Summer’s hand. “I thought we talked about that.”

“Ow.” Summer waved her hand in pain. “Sorry.”

“Look, you need to relax.” Raven cupped Summer’s face in her hands.

“Then let me stay here and watch over Yang!” Summer held Raven’s hands. “Surely we don’t need two people for this mission.”

“It’s very important.” Raven touched her forehead with Summer’s. “It’s to make Remnant a better and safer place, especially for our sunny little dragon. You understand?”

“Of course…” Summer kissed Raven’s hand.

“Good luck, Tai.” Raven turned to him. “That kid ain’t going to let you get any sleep.”

“Jokes on you, I have insomnia!” Tai laughed. “Can’t wake, what was never asleep!”

“Right.” Raven rolled her eyes.

“Oh, Gods.” Summer check her watch. “We gotta grab our bags.”

“I already put them in the car, we can go.” Raven walked toward the door.

“Wait!”

“What?”

“Let me say goodbye to her, again.”

“Summer.”

“Please!”

“We’re going to be late, sweetie!”

“What if we die!”

“Now I’ll make damn well sure that doesn’t happen.” Raven gently took Summer’s hand. “Come on.”

Summer sighed and nodded, following Raven out the door so they could catch the bullhead to Mistral.

---

Summer and Raven walked the path to the Spring Maiden’s shack. The two were walking in silence, Summer absentmindedly kicking rocks with her hands behind her back.

“I hate this,” Summer suddenly spoke up.

“Hate what?” Raven cocked an eyebrow.

“Isolating these girls like this,” Summer answered. “They’re so young, girls their age need to be out and socializing.”

“Girls their age don’t have to weight of the world on their shoulders.”

“Who put that weight on them?” Summer asked, bitterly.

“It’s unfair, but that’s life.”

“Maybe we can offer more protection.”

“A bunch of huntsman or guards surrounding some random girl? That’d make them more noticeable.”

“We could teach them to better hide their powers!”

“Ozpin already confirmed Salem has the ability to track their powers,” Raven reminded. “That’s we routinely move them and check up on them.”

“Gods…”

“I don’t like it either, but…,” Raven sighed. “…that’s how it is, and you need to accept that.”

“No.” Summer pointed forward.

Raven followed her line of sight and saw the Spring Maiden’s shack. The door had been torn off its hinges, the windows shattered, and from what little of the inside could be seen, the house was a wreck.

“Shit!” Raven widened her eyes, unsheathing Omen as she ran toward the shack. “Summer, get ready!”

Summer readied Crescent Rose, following Raven.

“Juliet!” Raven shouted as she ran inside the shack. “Juliet!”

“Raven!” Summer shouted.

Raven turned to Summer, who was standing at the back door. Raven ran to her side and looked out to see footprints, running into the woods.

“Let’s go.” Raven took off down the path, Summer following close behind.

As Raven ran through the woods, she began to hear noises. At first, it sounded like harsh winds blowing, something she recognized as Juliet using her Spring Maiden abilities, but it soon died Dow and was replaced with screams. Juliet had fought and lost. Raven finally reached a clearing and saw a scorpion Faunus, his stinger wrapped around Juliet’s throat.

“P-Please…” Juliet begged. “Please don’t kill m-”

Tyrian hushed her and began stroking her cheek with the back of his hand. “Don’t worry, dear.”

Juliet began to weep.

“Salem doesn’t want you dead, she needs you for a little…experiment.”

Juliet widened her eyes.

“You can avoid this fate if you tell us where the Vault is and open it for us?”

Juliet, despite her terror, refused to speak.

“Come on, child!” Tyrian lifted Juliet with his tail. “Don’t you want a better world than this one?!”

Juliet remained quiet.

Tyrian sighed. “Experimentation it is, then.”

“Get away from her!” Summer screamed.

Tyrian’s head snapped toward Summer and Raven, the former fired Crescent Rose into his face. Tyrian’s head flew back as his body stumbled, dropping Juliet. He didn’t fall, and his head fell forward, revealing he caught the bullet in his mouth, a deranged grin on his face.

“Fuck,” Raven whispered.

Tyrian spit the bullet out. “Let’s dance.”

Tyrian began to fire upon Summer and Raven, the latter spun Omen to block the shots.

“Oh, that’s fine, I prefer to be up close and personal!” Tyrian stopped firing, rushing at Raven faster than she expected, getting up in her face in mere seconds.

Raven slashed at Tyrian, who dodged it and picked Raven up with his scorpion tails causing her to drop Omen. He then threw Raven into Juliet, who was getting up and turned his attention to Summer, who fired upon him. Tyrian just blocked every shot with his scorpion tail, an oblivious grin on his face.

“Son of a…” Summer fired Crescent Rose, only for the gun to click empty. “Oh no.”

Tyrian rushed at Summer, who changed Crescent Rose from its rifle form to its scythe form. Seeing how Tyrian dealt with Raven, Summer decided to go on the defensive, blocking Tyrian’s wild slashes to the best of her abilities. When Summer’s back hit a tree, Tyrian thrusts his scorpion tail at her, which Summer dodged, causing it to be embedded into the tree.

“Damn!” Tyrian hissed, trying to pull his tail from the trunk.

Summer used this opportunity to reload and fire a few rounds into Tyrian.

Tyrian yelped in pain. “Stop it!”

As this was going on, Raven got off of Juliet and was checking up on her.

“You alright, kid?” Raven checked Juliet’s wounds.

“My aura is down,” Juliet said.

“Then you stay out of this fight.” Raven grabbed Omen. “I gotta help Summer.”

“You sure about that?”

Raven turned to see Summer slashing at Tyrian, who was still stuck in the tree.

“That’s my girl.” Raven smiled, deciding to help Summer, anyway.

Tyrian finally pulled his tail from the tree, slashing it at Summer who jumped away as his wounds started to heal.

“Aura is still active, Missy,” Tyrian cackled. “I’m not out of this fight yet.”

Raven slashed at the air, revealing a portal in front of Summer, and behind Tyrian, she drop-kicked into it, kicking Tyrian onto his stomach.

“Need some help?” Raven asked.

“Not really, but I appreciate it.” Summer smirked.

Tyrian growled in frustration, then closed his eyes. When they shot open, his eyes flashed purple as a purple glow emanated from The Queen’s Servants. Tyrian then laughed as he rushed Summer and Raven, gleefully slashing Summer’s arm.

Summer screamed and jumped away, Raven doing the same.

“What?” Summer touched the wound, looking at her hand to see blood on her fingers. “How? My aura is full! Wait…” she widened her eyes in realization, looking up to see Tyrian charging at Raven. “Raven! His semblance! He can cut through auras!”

“That’s just what a psycho like this needs!” Raven spat.

Tyrian began to wildly attack Raven, who wasn’t good at defense. With a wack from his tail, Omen came flying out of Raven’s grasp, leaving her open for Tyrian to slash at her, cutting her up.

“Raven!” Summer screamed, running at Tyrian while firing rounds from Crescent Rose.

Tyrian blocked every shot and used Summer’s loss of emotional control to counter her when she got close, cutting her stomach and kicking her so hard that she flew into a tree and was knocked out.

“Oh no…” Juliet watched in horror, jumping to her feet and running at Raven and Tyrian.

“Summer!” Raven reached out to Summer, but her wounds kept her from standing.

“Any last words?” Tyrian asked.

“Fuck you,” Raven spat, defiantly.

“Oh well.” Tyrian thrust his scorpion tail at Raven, aiming for her heart.

Raven closed her eyes, but the blow never came. She opened her eyes to see Juliet, standing in front of her, Tyrian’s tail through her chest.

“Juliet!” Raven screamed.

“Oh no!” Tyrian widened his eyes in horror.

“I’m…sorry…” Juliet fell forward in Raven’s arms.

“Oh no! Oh no! Oh no!” Tyrian began to cry hysterically. “This isn’t what she wanted, I failed!” He got on his hand and knees, beginning to slam his head into the ground. “Failure! Failure! Failure!”

As Tyrian broke down, Raven held Juliet in her arms…and saw the power of the Spring Maiden leave Juliet’s arms and travel.

“No…” Raven looked at her hand as she felt the power course through. “No!”

“This is all your fault!” Tyrian spat at Raven. “You made me fail-”

“Shut up.”

The wind began to blow as Raven looked up at Tyrian, eyes glowing white with the power of the Spring Maiden. She aimed the palm of her hand at Tyrian, and a gust of wind so powerful it looked like a white beam fired toward him.

“Huh…” Tyrian noted before he was hit in the face by the wind beam, sending him flying for miles.

With Tyrian out of sight, Raven let her hand fall, looking down at Juliet, sadly. The girl wasn’t even 18 yet, and here she was, dead in Raven’s arms.

“Raven…”

Raven looked up to see Summer get up, using Crescent Rose to keep her steady as she limped toward the two.

“Summer, are you-”

“I’ll live,” Summer assured. “Wound isn’t deep.” She looked down at Juliet, gasping. “Oh, Gods…Raven…is she…?”

Raven solemnly nodded.

Summer dropped Crescent Rose, fell to her knees, and placed her hands together, praying for Juliet.

“Summer,” Raven meekly said.

“Where is her power?”

Raven closed her eyes, then opened them to reveal the power of Spring Maiden. Summer’s heart fell.

“No…” Summer widened her eyes, tears pouring down her cheeks. “Raven, you didn’t get…”

“I was the last woman she saw.”

“No!” Summer covered her mouth. “Raven, what are we going to do?!”

Raven looked down at the still, silent body of Juliet, stroking her cheek with the back of her hand as she did with Yang every time she tucked her in for the night.

“Raven,” Summer got Raven’s attention. “Please, there has to be something…anything…we can do?”

“I’m sorry, sweetie.” Raven shook her head. “I don’t think there is.”

Chapter 10: "Whatever Happened to Summer Rose?" Arc: Part 3

Notes:

There is a little bit of nudity this chapter, but nothing too explicit.

Rave stood before Ozpin, who had taken off his glasses and was rubbing his eyes.

“Miss Branwen, let me begin by saying how sorry I am.” Ozpin put his glasses back on. “For your situation and the loss of young Juliet.”

“It’s my fault,” Raven said. “She died protecting me.”

“Don’t say that, it was the fault of the madman who killed her,” Ozpin assured. “What matters now is…what do you want to do?”

Raven was going to open her mount to speak.

“She’s not doing a damn thing,” Summer spoke up. “She’s going to come home and be a mother to Yang.”

“Miss Rose, I know this is hard, but doing so would endanger everyone in the STRQ household,” Ozpin reminded. “Not only that, but any attacks by Salem could risk Taiyang and Yang, when she comes of age, to discovering her existence.”

“We’ll fight any threats that come our way.” Summer took Raven’s hand. “I sacrificed a lot for this secret war, but I’m not sacrificing my family!”

“Miss Rose, I’m afraid that isn’t your choice.” Ozpin motioned to Raven.

“She wants to stay with us,” Summer looked to Raven, “right?”

Raven looked at the floor.

“Raven?” Summer whispered, despair evident in her voice. “Right?”

“I need to think about this,” Raven finally spoke.

“Please, think fast,” Ozpin advised. “We don’t know how long we have until Salem figures out the Spring Maiden is no longer in Mistral.”

“I know, Oz.” Raven nodded. “I’ll have a decision by tomorrow.”

“I won’t rip you from your family,” Ozpin promised. “If you decide to go into hiding, I will do everything within my power to make sure you can spend as much time as possible with them.”

“Thanks, Oz,” Raven said.

With that, the two left Ozpin’s office.

---

It was agonizingly quiet on the trip back home. From the moment Summer and Raven left Ozpin’s office, to getting on the bullhead, the whole fly back to Patch, and the drive from the airship dock, neither said a word. When they entered STRQ residents, Tai was asleep on the couch with Yang in his arms. Summer couldn’t help but smile, gently nudging Tai to wake him up.

“Ugh…what?” Tai stirred.

“Hey sleepy head,” Summer greeted. “How was she?”

“A handful, but I love her to bits.” Tai looked down at the sleeping Yang.

“We can take her off your hands for a bit.”

“I’m…” Tai yawned, “…fine.”

“Sure, go rest up.” Summer gently took Yang from Tai’s hands.

“Fine, fine.” Tai got up and headed up the stairs to his bedroom. “Welcome home, ladies. Good night.”

“Good night, Tai,” Summer called.

“We should probably tuck her in,” Raven said.

The warm atmosphere dropped as the weight of Raven’s situation was placed back on Summer’s shoulders. She nodded in agreement, and with heavy legs, trudged up the stairs to tuck Yang in. As she did so, Raven watched from the doorway.

“Raven, come here,” Summer requested.

Raven stood beside Summer.

“I want you to look at this,” Summer ordered. “I want you to see what you have, right here and now. I want you to stay.”

“Summer-”

“Please.” Summer cupped Raven’s face in her hands, touching her forehead with her own. “Please stay.”

Raven took Summer’s hand and lead her to their bedroom.

“Raven?”

“Let’s just forget about it for now.” Raven slipped out of her clothes. “I just…I just need to feel you.”

Summer couldn’t deny she needed a break from the stressful situation herself, and did the same, taking off her clothes and throwing herself at Raven, passionately kissing her as the two fell onto their bed.

---

After they made love, Summer and Raven spooned in their bed. Summer was clinging to Raven, their naked bodies finding warmth with one another.

“Raven?” Summer’s voice was soft, so quiet Raven wouldn’t have been able to hear it if she weren’t so close.

“Yeah, Summer?”

“Please stay…” Summer begged. “We can work this out, figure out what to do.”

“What about Yang?” Raven turned to face Summer. “She deserves a normal life.”

“She deserves a mother.”

“She already has one.”

“Raven, you know that’s not what I meant!” Summer snapped, sitting up.

“I know, I’m sorry,” Raven sighed. “Summer, I’ll always watch over you and Yang, I swear that I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Summer smiled, sighing in relief as she believed Raven was confirming her desire to stay.

“That’s so good to hear, Raven.” Summer hugged Raven. “You won’t regret this.”

“I think a part of me might.”

“Then hopefully that regret goes away.” Summer laid down. “Let’s go to bed, we can think about what to do in the morning.”

“Good night, Summer.”

“Good night, Raven.”

Raven was grateful Summer had let her go so she wouldn’t have to slip out of her grasp. After a few hours of sitting and watching her sleep, she realized she needed to act now. Raven gently got out of bed, ensuring no creaking or shifting would wake Summer up, and got dressed, took off her wedding ring, got a pen and paper, and wrote down something simple.

I’m sorry

- R

Raven wished she could’ve written a more detailed apology, but writing anything about their situation could expose Tai or Yang to Salem’s plot. She taped the ring to the paper and put it on her pillow beside Summer’s bed. She then crept out of the room and went to Yang’s bedroom. Raven took one last look at her sleeping daughter, holding back tears as she stroked her face one last time.

“Goodbye, my Sunny Little Dragon,” Raven wept.

Raven went to the window beside Yang’s crib, and jumped out, turning into a Raven before she hit the ground. Before she left, she landed on a branch just outside her and Summer’s bedroom, looking at Summer sleeping. Raven stayed on that branch for hours, still struggling with herself on whether or not she should leave. She lost track of time, and the next thing she knew, the sun was up and Summer was stirring.

Oh no… Raven though. I wanted to be gone before-

“Raven?!” Summer shot up, seeing Raven wasn’t in their bed.

That’s when she noticed the ring and the paper it was taped to. With shaking hands, she took the paper in and read it, tears falling onto the paper. It was two words, but Raven could tell they had ripped out Summer’s heart.

“Raven!” Summer screamed, tears in her eyes.

Summer had screamed so loud it had woken up Yang, Raven could hear her crying from outside the window. Raven figured Tai must’ve been woken up too, and was proven correct as he rushed into the room a few seconds later. Knowing she wouldn’t be able to stomach seeing his reaction, Raven took off, thankful Qrow was on a one-man mission, as she knew their shared semblance would’ve made it easier for him to go after her.

Where will I go now? Raven wondered, then she remembered. The Tribe. Mom and Dad.

Chapter 11: "Whatever Happened to Summer Rose?" Arc: Part 4 (Final)

Notes:

TW: non-con kissing

“Wait, you’re the Spring Maiden?!” Qrow widened his eyes.

“Oz didn’t tell you?” Raven cocked an eyebrow.

As Qrow tried to figure out the situation, Yang spoke up.

“So that’s why you left?” Yang asked.

“Yes, I did it to protect you!”

“Bull!” Qrow snapped back to reality just in time to be pissed off. “Ozpin had dozens of plans to keep you and our family safe!”

“I didn’t trust Ozpin’s abilities,” Raven defended her actions. “Considering what happened at Beacon and Vale, I was right.”

“Don’t you dare pin that on him!” Qrow shouted. “We believe Salem is reaching her endgame, and that’s why her forces are going all out!”

“And Ozpin couldn’t protect anyone!”

“Raven, if Ozpin couldn’t protect Beacon and Vale with the greatest military this planet has ever seen, what makes you think a fucking bandit camp is going to do you any good?”

Raven opened her mouth to speak, then her furrowed brow changed to a look of wide-eyed shock and realization.

“Yeah, fucking idiot.” Qrow rubbed his temples, then looked to Oscar. “Hey kid, enough of Oz come back into that head of yours to tell me why he didn’t tell me Raven was the Spring Maiden?”

“Uh…” Oscar closed his eyes in thought. “I think he was going to, but since you were at a mission in Mistral, Leonardo offered.”

“And Leo didn’t tell me for 15 years, along with pretending he had lost the Spring Maiden.” Qrow stroked his chin. “Then he fails to explain why Mistral kept broadcasting the Vytal Tournament. Yeah, I got some questions for him.”

“Look this is all well and good, but I feel we’re forgetting the reason I’m making you tell this story,” Ruby spoke up. “What happened to Mom?”

Raven’s already grim mood dropped even lower.

“I want to know, too,” Qrow said. “I found her on a bed of flowers.”

Raven nodded tears in her eyes. “I did that.”

“Do you know how long I needed closer?” Yang hissed. “You said you wanted to protect me, yet you let me suffer with this question for so long, and for what?”

“I couldn’t-”

“Couldn’t be an adult and accept she was gone?”

“It’s complicated.”

“Just tell us what happened!” Yang snapped.

“Oh Gods, where do I even begin?” Raven wiped the tears from her eyes. “So I had been watching over you and Summer throughout the years, watched Summer and Tai get together, watched you grow up, watched as Ruby was born. I’d occasionally pop up when situations were going bad for Summer.”

“So you were her mysterious savior?” Qrow asked.

“I’d usually only show up when she was unconscious or couldn’t see me.” Raven stared off. “Then I fucked up.”

“Like you’re a real stranger to that,” Yang snarked.

“Yang. Shush!” Ruby hushed Yang.

Raven had taken the time to cover her face with her hands as she prepared to relive this moment.

Raven, in her bird form, landed on a tree branch just outside of the police station. Summer and Qrow had just arrived, investigating the slaughter of an orphanage that took place a few days ago. Security cameras on the premises revealed it was none other than Wendigo, one of Salem’s most prominent minions. Taking him out could put a massive dent in her plans.

“Okay, be sure to tell Yang I love her when you tuck her in,” Summer spoke into her scroll. “Good night, Tai. Love you.”

“Glad you could make it,” Leo greeted, having been waiting outside. “It’s-”

“Leo, not in public,” Qrow scolded.

“Right, right, sorry!” Leo squeaked. “The commissioner allowed us to use his office, we can speak there.”

As the three walked inside, Raven flew around the station, having scoped out the police station before to save a member of the Branwen Clan when he had been arrested. She flew to the window of the commissioner’s office just as Summer, Qrow, and Leonardo entered.

“Okay, this office is pretty soundproof, so we should be able to discuss it here,” Leonardo said.

“Are you sure it’s Wendigo?” Summer asked.

Leonardo sighed and took out his scroll, sending a video to Summer. Raven could see the video through the window, showing children being dragged into the shadows, and the staff being pulled up into the ceiling by long, clawed arms. The perpetrator wasn’t seen much, but everyone in the room could tell it was Wendigo.

“How many?” Summer turned to Leonardo

“140,” Leonardo answered. “All 24 members of staff and all 116 children.”

“Why?” Summer asked. “What’s she planning?”

“Maybe he’s just doing his job of spreading more negativity?” Qrow suggested.

“I don’t see how that would work,” Leonardo said. “Who would care about a bunch of orphans?”

Summer and Qrow looked at Leonardo, shocked.

“What?” Leonardo was genuinely confused.

Qrow backhanded Leo and grabbed his collar.

“That fucks the matter with you?!” Qrow shouted. “Over a hundred kids are dead and you think people don’t care?!”

“They don’t have families!” Leonardo cried.

“Qrow, I’m the last person to say what Leo said was okay, but we can’t afford to be at each other’s throats,” Summer advised, placing a hand on Qrow’s shoulder.

“Right.” Qrow dropped Leonardo. “You keep your fucking mouth shut!”

Leonardo nodded.

“I actually need to ask him some questions,” Summer spoke up.

“Oh…uh…only speak to answer her questions!” Qrow threatened, much more awkwardly.

“Leonardo, the orphanage had a security system, correct?” Summer asked.

“Yes, it had been shut down,” Leo answered.

“Do you know who could’ve done so?”

“Only I and a few of the council members have access to every single security code in Mistral,” Leonardo explained. “I swear to the Gods, I’d never assist in such a horrific tragedy.”

Qrow hummed. “Might want to look into the other two council members, maybe Wendigo threatened them.”

“Something must be up,” Summer noted. “One of Salem’s inner circle exposing themselves like this isn’t usual.”

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

“Headmaster Lionheart, our men were able to track down the Grimm that did this,” the commissioner said as soon as he opened the door. “We’re sending a squad out to exterminate it.”

“No, let us handle this,” Summer said.

“Of course.” The commissioner nodded. “Be quick, every second that creature is alive is a threat to the people of Mistral.”

---

Raven continued to follow Summer and Qrow as they ventured into the woods of Mistral.

“Alright, the cave is only a few miles ahead.” Summer looked at her scroll. “Keep your eyes peeled, Qrow. We don’t know what else could be in these woods.”

Prophetically, Qrow, who was taking point, tripped a rope that was hidden from sight by the darkness.

“Oh shit!” Qrow widened his eyes.

Thankfully, Summer grabbed Qrow by the cape and pulled him to the ground just as a branch with blades sticking out of it swung out of the darkness, embedding itself into a tree.

“Wendigo…” Summer whispered to Qrow.

“He must’ve known someone would come looking for him after his little stunt,” Qrow whispered back. “Set traps.”

“I hate how smart he is,” Summer let out an angry breath.

Raven watched, worry growing in the pit of her stomach as Summer and Qrow made their way through the woods. Trap after trap they narrowly avoided, a tree would fall, logs would crash together, and pits would open up. Eventually, their luck ran out, and Qrow stepped on another pit trap.

“Shit!” Qrow screamed as he crashed through the trap.

“Qrow!” Summer looked down to see Qrow, impaled on a wooden spike. “God, Qrow!”

“I’ll be alright!” Qrow called. “I don’t…I don’t think it hit anything important.”

“Qrow-”

“Don’t be an idiot, Summer!” Qrow shouted. “Hundreds of kids are dead, remember? You need to go after him. We can’t let him do something like this, again.”

Summer looked back, she could see the cave not far from this position.

“Summer…”

Summer looked down at Qrow.

“Go,” Qrow ordered.

“I’ll be back!” Summer shouted. “We will be getting out of here.”

Raven watched as Summer ran toward the cave. She flew down to the edge of the pit, looking down at Qrow. Raven’s love for Summer overshadowed her love for her brother, so she selfishly left him to his wound to follow Summer, who just arrived at the mouth of the cave. Shaking, Summer steadied her grip on Crescent Rose and walked into the cave. Despite trying to keep quiet, she couldn’t help but gasp at the trophies from the villages he destroy lining the walls.

“Hello, Silver Eyes.”

Summer aimed Crescent Rose at Wendigo, who was sitting in the darkest corner of the cave, tossing a ball from one of the children he slaughtered against the wall.

“Wendigo…finally found you,” Summer said, trying to keep her composure.

“I expected you would,” Wendigo growled. “Quite the risky move on my part, and it wasn’t even worth it.”

“Why did you kill those children?” Summer demanded. “Was it Salem’s orders?”

“No.” Wendigo picked up a small nail he kept on the floor around his cave and jammed the ball into the cave wall, adding it to his many trophies. “Two kids managed to escape my raid. I had recently orphaned them, so I threatened that cowardly fuck who coughed up the security codes and went to check the orphanage so I could finish what I started. I checked every single one of those little brats and none of them were the two I was looking for!”

“You killed hundreds of children just to find two?!” Summer shouted in disgust.

“Yeah, and now I need to blow off some steam before I leave my cave for good.” Wendigo stood up tall. “I’m afraid my position here has been compromised, with those two little brats and the cameras catching me, I’ll have to return to Salem’s domain.”

“You won’t get there.” Summer cocked Crescent Rose. “Your reign of terror ends here.”

“We’ll see about that!” Wendigo began to rush at Summer.

Raven threw caution to the wind, Summer could very well die here and now. She flew down as Wendigo charged at Summer, who fired at him, some rounds missing or others getting soaked up by Wendigo’s natural armor.

“Get away from me!” Summer screamed as Wendigo pounced.

That’s when Raven returned to her human form and delivered a kick to Wendigo’s gut as she fell from mid-flight. The gut sent him flying back into a tree, striking it so hard it cracked and fell on top of him.

Wendigo screamed in rage, clawing at the tree, trying to push it off him.

Raven stood there, panting and shaking.

Summer, in a trance-like state, looked at Wendigo and walked over to him. She jumped on the tree he was pinned under and aimed Crescent Rose at his head. Wendigo snapped and snarled at Summer in defiance, until she emptied Crescent Rose’s entire clip into his head, turning it into a paste.

“R-Raven…?” Summer looked at Raven, having finally realized who had just rescued her.

“It’s me, baby.” Raven walked over to Summer, cupping her face in her hands.

“Raven, get off me.” Summer tried to push Raven away.

“I just need to touch.”

“Let go of me, Raven!”

“Please…” Raven leaned in.

“Raven…don’t…” Summer begged.

Raven passionately kissed Summer, who resisted but ended up melting into the kiss. Eventually, she snapped back to her senses, push Raven away, and slapped her in the face.

“What the Hell are you doing here?!” Summer shouted.

Raven touched her red cheek. “I was making sure you were safe.”

“You can’t just do that to me, Raven!” Summer screamed, tears in her eyes. “I’m with Tai now, we have a little boy.”

“I know, I’ve been watching you, Summer.”

“What?”

“I promised you I’d do that,” Raven reminded. “I watched over you and Yang since I left.”

“So that just means you’re forgiven?!” Summer spat. “You left Yang alone, Raven! I’m going to have to tell her you left one day!”

“I did it to protect you!”

“No, you did it to protect yourself!”

Raven was taken aback.

“You left Ozpin’s cause, your family, and Remnant as a whole because you’re scared!” Summer pointed at Raven. “You’re scared of Salem and her plans!”

“Summer…that’s not true…”

“Then why did you leave?” Summer asked, rage turning to sadness. “Why did you leave us?”

“Summer…I…” Raven was about to speak when she noticed Wendigo lifting the tree over his head, having healed. “Summer!”

Summer whirled around just as Wendigo threw the tree. Summer was able to dodge in time, but Raven wasn’t.

“Raven!” Summer screamed.

Raven was stunned, lying on the ground, the world spinning. She had just enough vision to see the thing she spent so many years trying to avoid.

“This is it, isn’t it?” Ruby asked, softly. “This is how she died?”

“Yeah, Wendigo came at me, and Summer…”

Wendigo loomed over the shaking Summer, then charged. Summer fired round after round into him, but he let them hit him to prove he was invulnerable. Wendigo finally grabbed her by the neck and lifted her into the air, stabbing her in the chest with his claws.

“…she took the blow,” Raven wept.

“Goodbye, Raven.” Wendigo tossed Summer’s body to Raven’s side. “I’ll leave you to wallow in your grief!”

With that, Wendigo ran off, completely content.

“Summer!” Raven took Summer in her arms.

“Did she have any last words?” Ruby asked.

“She faced death with absolute dignity,” Raven assured. “She asked me to tell you…that she loves you…and she knew you’d grow up to do great things…”

“R-Raven…” Summer begged. “H-Help me!”

Raven tried to stop the bleeding, but Wendigo’s claws had dug in too deep.

“P-Please help me!” Summer began to cry. “I don’t want to die!”

“I know, Summer.” Raven had tears running down her face. “I can fix this…I can…”

“Raven…” Summer reached up and touched Raven’s face. “R-Raven…please…please…”

Raven took Summer’s hand in her own. Summer looked at her, her crying, tear-stained face turned to a more neutral expression as the light faded from her eyes and she took her last breath. Summer’s hand fell from Raven’s cheek to the ground.

“Summer?” Raven cupped Summer’s face in her hands. “Summer?!”

“After that, I took her body, and made that little flower bed you found her in, Qrow,” Raven finished her story, barely keeping it together.

“I see…” Yang sighed. “Thank you, for telling us, Raven. I feel…like I have closer.”

“Me too,” Ruby said.

“I just wish you had told us, Raven,” Qrow said. “I wish you had stayed.”

“I’m starting to think I should’ve…” Raven admitted.

“You can help us, now.” Ruby reached a hand out to Raven. “Please, you don’t have to run away anymore.”

“I’m sorry, I can’t.” Raven stood up, putting her mask back on.

“Your tribe can’t protect you, Raven,” Qrow reminded. “If you can stay for the moral reason, stay for the pragmatic!”

“My tribe can protect itself just fine,” Raven assured.

“Like it was protected from me?” Yang asked.

Raven paused, then turned to look at Yang.

“I’ll think about it.”

With that, Raven opened the door and walked into the dark, rainy night. She cut a portal open and stepped through and was left standing in front of her camp. Once the portal closed, Raven stood stock still.

“Hi! I’m Summer!” Summer greeted as she shook Raven’s hand. “I guess I’ll be your leader, huh?”

Ozpin had just appointed them team STRQ.

“I’m so glad we’ll get to be partners!” Summer cheered.

Raven remains stoic and silent. She had been sent to Beacon to train to lead her tribe, not make friends. She was certain she wouldn’t care for this overly cheery girl.

Summer hummed and tilted her head at Raven.

“What?” Raven finally spoke.

“You don’t smile much, do you?” Summer asked, jokingly.

“Not much.”

Summer smiled warmly. “I’m sure I can change that.”

Raven dropped her sword and threw her head back, thankful the thunder could hide her screams of grief from the rest of the camp.

Chapter 12: One-Shot: Second Chances

Ciel looked down at her hands. In them, was Penny’s power core, having been secured by two Atlas soldiers. Glynda was missing, and a search had been put together to look for her, but even though the Grimm causing all the murders and suicides to happen was reported to be away from Vale, the party has had no luck in finding her.

That didn’t matter to Ciel right now, what matters is Penny. She needed to deliver this to Pietro as soon as possible. She was on the way to the lab as she thought about all this, memories drifting back to the day her life fell apart.

Ruby deserves the chance I’ll never get, Ciel thought.

“Alright guys, we got a map of the whole building.” Ciel placed down the map.

Ciel, Dawn, and Winter were leading a group of Atlas soldiers to storm a White Fang HQ said to house Adam Taurus. It was only a week ago that the rabid bull Faunus shot Winter’s wide and baby girl dead for insulting him on television, and Winter was burning for a chance at revenge.

“Winter’s got the skyline covered.” Ciel pointed to the roof of the building. “I’ll be leading a small squad through the front and Dawn will lead another through the back, the rest of you will cover every possible exit. I mean it, I want every door and window covered, the only White Fang who are leaving this building are either surrendering or in a body bag. Got it?”

“Yes ma’am!” The soldiers saluted.

“Good.”

Ciel and Dawn were the first to leave the large vehicle they had parked on the outskirts of the warehouse. It wasn’t technically abandoned, it was one of many warehouses owned by Damian Void’s company, which in truth were White Fang HQs.

“Hey Dawn,” Ciel said.

Dawn looked at Ciel.

“I…you be careful.” Ciel held up her first.

Dawn smiled, bumping Ciel’s fist. “You too.”

“See you on the other side.”

Ciel leads her squad to the front of the building.

“Want to knock on the door?” Dawn joked into Ciel’s earpiece.

“For a given definition of knock.” Ciel placed C4 on the front door of the warehouse. “C4 set?”

“Set,” Dawn confirmed.

Ciel stood beside the door, readying the C4’s detonator.

“On three,” Ciel ordered. “1…2…3!”

Ciel clicked the detonator blowing the front door wide open. A familiar explosion was heard on the other side of the building. Ciel and her squad entered to see a group of White Fang members disoriented by the explosion.

“Pop ‘em,” Ciel ordered.

Two Atlas soldiers expertly took out the group, each with a shot to the head.

“Let’s make this clean and quick people, move out.”

Ciel lead her group through the warehouse, taking out any White Fang they came across. Things were going well until some White Fang members began pouring something onto the soldiers from the catwalk.

“Shit! It’s gasoline!” One soldier shouted.

Unfortunately, a White Fang member dropped a lighter from the catwalk, setting the soldier ablaze. Ciel could only watch as they screamed in agony, any soldier who tried to put out the flames were shot.

“Has Atlas grown so foolish they forget the superiority of the Faunus?” Adam’s voice echoed throughout the warehouse. “We smelled you, heard you, and saw you before you even entered the building!”

“Shit!” Ciel cursed herself.

“Ciel!” Dawn screamed into her earpiece. “We’re under attack! We’re-”

The sound of gunshots and screaming cut Dawn off and her transmission was lost.

“Now…” Adam made himself known by activating his semblance, mask, hair, and blade glowing red. “Let’s end this silly game before it even has a chance to begin.”

Before a shot could be fired, Adam slashes forward until he was standing right before Ciel. She stood still, shaking, as the rest of the Atlas soldiers fell to pieces behind Adam.

“We already killed your other team,” Adam admitted, smugly.

“D-Dawn?” Ciel widened her eyes.

“The one leading the other team?” Adam tilted his head. “No worries, we intend to make an example out of both of you, so she’s alive for now.”

Ciel stepped back to aim her gun at Adam, but he simply cut the gun in two.

“Shit, shit, shit!” Ciel stepped away as White Fang members surrounded her.

“Give up, we got you now!” Adam commanded.

That’s when something crashed in from the skyline and landed on one of the White Fang members. He screamed in pain before his throat was slashed by a blade, coating his attacker in his blood.

“What is the meaning…of…” Adam trailed off when he saw who it was.

Winter stood, blood-covered face staring emotionlessly at Adam. “Where is he?”

“Wh-Who?” Adam asked, voice shaking.

“The one who helped you?”

“H-He was injured when you threw him out the window,” Adam immediately answered. “Sienna ordered him to be sent home to heal up.”

“That’s fine…I’ll hunt him down later.” Winter suddenly pulled a pistol.

Adam acted fast, grabbing a White Fang member near him and using her as a human shield. Winter ruthlessly put two bullets in the woman, but before she could fire more another White Fang member jumped onto her back.

“Kill her!” Adam shouted, throwing the body of the White Fang member on the floor as he ran away.

Winter reared her head back and struck the White Fang member who had jumped on her in the nose. As he stumbled back, holding his face, Winter put a bullet between his eyes.

The other White Fang tried to shoot Winter down, but they were all jumped by her summons. The room was filled with screams as Beowolves tore limbs from their sockets, Ursa mauled the skin off their bodies, and Nevermores pecked their eyes out. Through this all Winter paid no mind, instead keeping her eyes on Adam, who had run toward Dawn, taking her hostage.

“Dawn!” Ciel cried.

“Come on!” Adam shouted to a White Fang member, and both ran out of the building.

Ciel ran out the door to see Dawn being tossed into a van. Adam opened fire on Ciel, causing her to take cover, as he entered the van. Winter causally strolled out in front of the van, which hit the gas and sped toward her. She was unmoving, raised her pistol, and fired. A single shot hit the driver in the head, causing the van to start spinning out of control.

“Winter!” Ciel cried. “Move!”

Winter didn’t move. Instead, she closed her eyes and braced for impact, only for the van to just barely miss her and crash into a lamppost. She opened her eyes and turned toward the crash van, not hiding her disappointment.

“I gotta get out of this city…” Adam stumbled out of the van, delirious.

“You’ll be leaving this city in a body bag,” Winter said, stoically.

“Get back!” Adam grabbed Dawn, pointing blush to her head. “Well, not unless you want to kill her, too!”

Winter paused.

Adam backed away from the van, and Winter took a few steps forward, standing beside the van.

“I mean it!” Adam shouted.

Winter paused once more.

Adam smirked, revealing a trigger in his other hand. “Got you.”

Adam pressed the trigger and the bombs within the van lit up. Winter widened her eyes just before the van exploded, breaking her aura and sending her flying back.

Adam laughed triumphantly and celebrated his victory by stabbing Dawn in the back with Blush.

“Dawn!” Ciel screamed in anguish.

“Be seeing you around, Winter!” Adam saluted as he ran off into the darkness, Ciel fruitlessly firing shots at him.

When Ciel realized Adam was gone, she looked down at Dawn.

“Dawn, I got you…” Ciel held Dawn in her arms.

“C-Ciel…” Dawn coughed up blood. “I need to tell you something…”

“You can tell me later.”

“There won’t be one.”

“Dawn, don’t say that, I’ll call a medic!” Ciel began to cry. “I’ll-”

“I love you.” Dawn took Ciel’s face in her hand. “I always…loved…you…”

Dawn took her last breath and her body went limp in Ciel’s arms.

“Dawn?!” Ciel tried desperately to shake Dawn awake. “No! Dawn…please don’t do this! I didn’t get to tell you I…I love you too.”

Ciel looked at Winter, hoping she could do something to help, but Winter had broken her stoic façade and looked at Ciel with a heartbroken expression. No doubt another body to add to her conscience.

Ciel arrived at the lab where Pietro was working on a new body for Penny.

“Ciel, thank the Gods, do you have it?!” Pietro begged, desperately.

“Right here.” Ciel held out Penny’s power core.

“Give it to me!” Pietro snatched Penny’s power code from her hands and placed it into the new body, right where a human heart would be. “Miss Soleli, can you please hit the button on the console?”

Ciel hovered her finger over the button. “Doc?”

Pietro turned to Ciel.

“Will this wake her up?”

“I prayed to the Gods not to take another daughter from me,” Pietro said. “Press the button.”

Ciel nodded and pressed the button.

“Please come back, Penny,” Pietro begged. “Please come back to us.”

---

Winter lay in silence, eyes staring up at the ceiling.

“Winter?” Ciel entered the hospital room, took off her cap, and sat on the seat beside Winter’s bed.

Winter didn’t respond.

“Hey,” Ciel smiled as someone else entered the room, “someone wanted to see you.”

“Salutations!” Penny leaned over Winter so she could see her face.

For the first time in months, Winter’s eyes moved.

“It’s me, Winter.” Penny took Winter’s other hand.

“M-Mein Licht…” Winter squeezed Penny’s hand.

Chapter 13: "Burning Cinders" Arc: Part 1

Wendigo screamed in agony. He had just returned from his attempt on Ruby and her friends’ lives and needed to be fixed up after getting hit with the former’s silver eyes. The process to return his regeneration abilities was quite agonizing. Eventually, though, the process was completed and he slipped off the slab he was on as Salem worked on his body.

“Are you alright?” Salem asked, holding out a hand to help Wendigo to his feet.

“I’m going to rip that little brat's eyes out!” Wendigo pulled himself up.

“I’m afraid that will have to come later.”

“What?!”

“As much as I would love to avenger Cinder and Tyrian, we need to prepare for Mistral’s fall,” Salem explained. “Hazel has finished up discussions with Sienna Khan, who has graciously agreed to join our cause, and now you two must hunt down the remaining huntsman in Mistral.”

“Fine,” Wendigo growled in frustration but knew better than to argue with Salem. “Maybe it’ll help me blow off steam.”

“I’m sure it will.” Salem placed a comforting hand on Wendigo’s shoulder. “Now head out, your airship is ready to go.”

“As you wish, Mistress.” Wendigo bowed and walked out of the room, dragging his claws along the stone walls, still frustrated.

“I should check on Cinder,” Salem said.

In her room, Cinder was staring at the picture she had been carrying with her. It was a picture of her and her sisters. Her parents had tragically passed in a car accident not long after her twenty-first birthday, leaving Cinder to take care of her teenage and kid sisters on her own.

They were her whole world.

Past

Cinder worked as a maid for a kindly hat maker named Samuel Cotton in Vale.

“Miss Fall!” Samuel called for Cinder as she was dusting the elegant glass closet.

“Almost done, Mr. Cotton!” Cinder called.

“Take your time, dear,” Samuel assured.

When Cinder finished, she slid down the ladder.

“What did you need from me, sir?”

“Cinder, you have done such a good job taking care of the house, I just have to show my appreciation.”

“You don’t have to, sir,” Cinder assured, chuckling. “After all, the checks you sign are appreciating enough.”

“Well, I still want to give you and your sisters a gift.”

“What?”

Samuel pulled out three golden tickets. “These, are tickets for the up-and-coming Charity Ball I’ll be holding in Vale.”

“Y-You want me to come?”

“I want your whole family to come.” Samuel smiled, handing Cinder the tickets. “Be sure not to lose those, security can be stingy and I can’t guarantee I can get you in.”

“I’ll take good care of them, Mr. Cotton!” Cinder looked at the tickets with sparkles in her eyes. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

“Not only that, I’ll be giving you a raise and you can go home early.”

“Really?!”

“Yeah, after all, you gotta prepare for the Ball, tonight!”

“Thank you, sir…” Cinder looked like she was going for a hug but stopped herself.

“It’s okay,” Samuel assured.

Cinder hugged him and headed out the door.

---

“Annabel!” Cinder called as she entered her apartment. “Rain!”

“Sis?” Annabel poked her head out of her bedroom, taking out her AirPods. “Boss let you out, early?”

“Yes, with an amazing gift!” Cinder handed Annabel a ticket.

“Whoa…is this for the…?”

“Yep!”

“Oh, my Gods!” Annabel screamed in joy.

“What’s going on?”

Cinder’s little sister, Rain, walked out of her bedroom, rubbing her eyes. She was always a sleeper and pretty much spent every day out of school napping.

“Rain, do you remember the annual Charity Ball you always wanted to go to?” Cinder asked, hiding the ticket behind her back.

“Yeah?”

“Guess what the kindly Mr. Cotton gave us tickets to?” Cinder held up the ticket.

Rain gasped and reached for it, but Cinder raised it out of her reach.

“Cinder!” Rain whined.

“Be careful with this,” Cinder said. “Mr. Cotton might not be able to let us in if even one of you loses this.”

“I won’t lose it.” Rain jumped at the ticket.

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

“Good.” Cinder smiled and handed Rain the ticket. “Now, you two need to get dressed!”

“Why?” Annabel and Rain asked, simultaneously.

“We need to get gowns, of course!”

Chapter 14: "Burning Cinders" Arc: Part 2

Cinder and her sisters arrived at the Charity Ball right on schedule, all three managed to keep their tickets safe.

“Tickets?” The guard held open his hand.

Cinder and her sisters handed the guard her tickets and headed inside the gala. It was a beautiful event, a sparkling chandler hung over the dance floor, a band playing soft music as people slowed dance, and groups of Remnant’s richest families chatting and drinking.

“It’s beautiful, Cinder!” Rain cheered running to speak with other children.

“Keep an eye on your sister, please,” Cinder said to Annabel. “I’m going to find Mr. Cotton.”

“On it.” Annabel gave Cinder the “OK” signal and a wink.

Cinder walked through the party, looking among the groups of rich people talking about their future aspirations and ideas for their companies. She eventually found Cotton talking with none other than Jacques Schnee, the head of the Schnee Dust Company, and the largest provider of dust in the whole of Remnant.

“Jacques, while I appreciate the large donation you’re offering, I’m not going to sell the company to you,” Cotton said, uncharacteristically annoyed.

“Come now, Cotton,” Jacques pushed. “Who on Remnant needs silly hats when soldiers can have SDC-branded helmets with dust containers?”

“Listen here-” Cotton looked ready to go off on Jacques, but Cinder interrupted.

“Mr. Cotton?” Cinder meekly greeted.

“Ah, pardon me, Jacques,” Cotton said to Jacques before turning to hug Cinder. “Cinder, how are you?”

“Fine, thank you so much for inviting my sisters and me.” Cinder returned the hug. “We could really use it after Mom and Dad…you know.”

“Hey, least I can do.”

“I’m sorry, who is this?” Jacques cocked an eyebrow at Cinder.

“Oh, Jacques, this is Cinder Fall,” Cotton introduced. “She’s my maid.”

“You invited the help?” Jacques’ face contorted into one of disgust.

Cinder gasped in offense.

“Jacques, they’re human beings,” Cotton said, defensively.

“Oh, I’m not denying that, but they’re beneath us, Cotton. Our lessers.” Jacques sipped his wine. “See, this is why I want your company, a man this delusional could barely take care of himself, let alone a business.”

“How dare you!” Cotton snapped at Jacques.

“What, I’m just speaking the truth,” Jacques said.

Cotton looked at Jacques in disgust. “Get out.”

Jacques choked on his wine. “Pardon me?”

“Get. Out.”

“I will not!”

“Security!” Cotton shouted. “Get this man out of my sight!”

Two guards grabbed Jacques.

“Get your hands off me!” Jacques fought the guards. “You can’t do this to me, Cotton!”

“I can, and do you know why?” Cotton spat. “Because the only lesser I see in this room, is you.”

Jacques fell silent, quietly seething in rage.

“Good night, Mr. Schnee.” Cotton motioned for the guards to throw Jacques out.

“You’ll regret this Cotton!” Jacques shouted in rage.

Cotton ignored Jacques and turned to Cinder.

“I am so sorry about him,” Cotton apologized.

“It’s okay, Samuel,” Cinder assured. “Not your fault he’s a prick.”

Cotton chuckled. “Fair enough, hope the rest of your time here can make up for that.”

Cinder turned to Annabel and Rain, who were dancing.

“I’m sure we can make up for it, thanks Cotton.” Cinder smiled.

Cotton nodded.

Cinder ran to her sisters, her and Annabel taking turns taking Rain into their arms and swaying to the slow music together.

---

Hours later, Cinder was all danced out when she sat at one of the tables. She smiled as she saw her much more hyperactive sisters still dancing away. As she watched them, she noticed something in her peripheral vision. Curiously, Cinder turned her head to see one of the tablecloths had lifted and fallen as if a large gust of wind had blown it, but she felt nothing and knew they were inside. Narrowed her eyes as she got up and walked toward the table, pulling up the cloth to see a terrifying sight.

A bomb. With a timer dangerously close to zero.

“Bomb!” Cinder’s head shot up.

Cinder didn’t hear the blast that knocked her to the floor. She was grateful she had gotten an aura while working as a maid, she had fallen off too many ladders and missed too many days of work, but it still barely protected her from the blast.

“Cinder!” Rain screamed, trying to run toward Cinder but Annabel stopped her.

Cinder could only watch as bombs were set off all across the ballroom, causing the partygoers to crowd into the center of the dance floor. Cinder used the last of her strength to reach out to her sisters and Cotton, who was in complete shock. Annabel looked at her terrified as Rain reached out to Cinder, screaming her name before a bomb under the dance floor engulfed the crowd.

Cinder wanted to scream, to cry out to her sisters, but instead, she blacked out.

---

“Let’s see now.”

As Cinder returned to consciousness, she heard a man’s voice. She opened her eyes to see, in the darkest coincidence, the bodies of her sisters had landed right beside her, Annabel on top of Rain, as of still guarding her even in death. Rain’s hand was still reaching out.

“N-No…” Cinder reached over and took Rain’s hand. “No, no, no!” She sat up, weeping as she held her sisters’ bodies in her arms. “I p-promised Mom and Dad I would look out for you…I…I’m sorry girls…I’m so sorry…”

“There you are, old man.”

Cinder looked to see a man in a cat mask, purple hoodie, jeans, shoes, and blue stripes decorating the back of his hoodie. He was taking a picture of Cotton’s body.

“You!” Cinder screamed in rage, feeling something inside her release.

“Huh?” Cheshire looked up to see Cinder. “Oh, looks like we got a straggler.”

Cinder let out a haunting scream as she aimed the palm of her hand at Cheshire, an orange glow appeared at his feet.

“What the-” Cheshire didn’t get to finish his question as he was blown from the ground so hard he hit the ceiling before crashing back to the floor.

Cinder looked at her hand in shock.

“What…was that?!” Cheshire looked at Cinder.

Cinder glared at Cheshire with intense hatred.

Cheshire’s stance became more relaxed.

“Oh…okay then.” Cheshire nodded his head, then he heard sirens. “Sorry sweetheart, I gotta go.”

“No!” Cinder screamed in rage.

Cheshire began to vanish. “And the mome raths outgrabe…”

Cinder caused the orange glow to appear under Cheshire again, but by the time the floor exploded, he was gone.

“No!” Cinder screamed, tears of rage and grief in her eyes as she began to destroy the whole ballroom hoping to hit Cheshire. “Come back, you coward! Come back!”

Cinder threw her head back and let out one last scream as she took out the entire room, falling to her knees and weeping amongst the bodies of the partygoers and the last of her family.

Chapter 15: "Burning Cinders" Arc: Part 3

“Out of the nearly three hundred people at Samuel Cotton’s Charity Ball, only a single survivor remains: Cinder Fall,” Lisa Lavender explained. “Jacques Schnee was also lucky enough to have been kicked out of the party, and gave us this statement.”

“Cotton was a dear friend of mine, and it pains me so to know that our last interaction was an argument,” Jacques said. “His family has graciously sold the company to me, and I will continue to ensure it survives so his family will have compensation.”

Cinder turned to television off, sitting back in her empty apartment. She would do anything to hear the sounds of Annabel blasting music from her bedroom, or Rain screaming her little head off and running around. Now all that remained was a rundown apartment, and eviction notices on the table. She hadn’t bothered to find a job after losing her sisters, and the notices would be pointless in a few hours, anyway.

When night fell, Cinder decided it was time. Getting on a jacket, jeans, and sneakers, she trudged out of her apartment. On numb, unfeeling legs, Cinder walked out into the dark, quiet streets of Vale. It wasn’t a city with much nightlife, and she was grateful, as it assured no one would be around when she finally arrived at the bridge. Staring out into the vast darkness, Cinder stepped over the railing but held on.

“Mom…Dad…I hope Annabel and Rain kept you company.” Cinder closed her eyes and let go, smiling. “We’re going to be a family, again.”

Suddenly, Cinder’s descent was stopped by something wrapping around the wrist of her right arm. She opened her eyes and gasped.

There a strange, jellyfish-like Grimm was holding onto her.

“Don’t do this, child,” a calm, warm voice that reminded Cinder of her mother spoke.

“Who’s there?!” Cinder looked around for the source of the voice.

“Me.”

A dark fog poured from the seer Grimm, and from that dark fog, Salem revealed herself.

Cinder widened her eyes, mouth agape in incomprehension at the sight before her. “What are you?”

“I am Salem, and I heard your call,” Salem greeted.

---

After saving Cinder, Salem took her to her realm on a mysterious airship. While on the journey, Salem explained to Cinder her origins and her goals.

“Ozpin did that to you?” Cinder looked at the floor in shock. “From what I’ve seen he’s always been a standup guy.”

“Do not be fooled by his benevolent exterior, inside he is a spineless, cowardly man who cares for no one but himself,” Salem said, venomously. “He took my family, and is now he is trying to rule Remnant as a shadow dictator, and look where he’s brought us: Faunus oppression, rich men killing and tormenting who they please, and he is no closer to solving the Grimm problem than anyone else in history.”

“You have the solutions?” Cinder asked.

“I do,” Salem answered. “My master, Abyss, has a very similar story to mine.”

“He does?”

“That’s right.” Salem nodded. “Like Ozpin, the God of Light and Creation is truly a monster while the God of Darkness and Destruction, like myself, is misunderstood and just wants what is best for Remnant.”

“I see…why are you telling me this?”

Cinder jolted when the airship came to a halt.

“We’re here.” Salem lifted Cinder to her feet and they both stepped out of the airship. “Cinder, I want you to know that joining my cause is entirely your choice, and you will be unharmed if you refuse.”

“Really?” Cinder didn’t hide her apprehension.

“The memory-wiping process is harmless,” Salem assured, then chuckled in amusement. “Not like anyone would believe you, either way.”

“I guess…I’ll hear you out,” Cinder said.

“Good, follow me, I have something to show you.” Salem lead Cinder to a cave with a large door at its entrance.

“What’s this?”

“My ark.” Salem opened the doors to reveal millions, if not billions of sacks with humans inside.

“What…what is all this?!” Cinder widened her eyes in horror.

“These are people who have helped me, and then their useful came to an end,” Salem explained. “I’ve lived for countless eons, and once my follows use has come to an end, I would cocoon them, granting them immortality until my better world is born.”

“So there…”

“Still alive?” Salem looked at Cinder, face warm and loving. “Of course.”

“They’re not still consciousness, are they?”

“Definitely not,” Salem assured. “To them, they will have simply blinked and will wake up in a Remnant filled with peace and equality. A Remnant where the Grimm have been wiped off the face of the planet, and we can spread our species far and wide. To thrive and live amongst each other.”

“You…you can achieve this?!”

“That’s right.” Salem knelt at Cinder’s eye level. “I will be blunt, we will have to kill others to get this better world, a lot of them won’t deserve it, but this is millions of innocent lives compared to infinite trillions that will live in peace on our new Remnant.”

“What about the men like Jacques?” Cinder asked, clenching her fist.

“They have no place in our better Remnant,” Salem assured. “As penance for their crimes, they will be sentenced to total annihilation.”

Cinder nodded. “I will join you.”

Salem smiled. “Welcome to the family, Cinder.”

“Family?”

“Yes, since you’ve agreed to join us, I will introduce you to the others!”

Salem took Cinder’s hand and began to lead her out of the cave. Cinder couldn’t help but look back at the pods, seeing so many people who had helped Salem over the years made her feel much more comfortable with her decision. After all, if so many people agreed, surely this must be right.

---

“Gentlemen!” Salem opened the doors to her board room, revealing four men.

“Did she agree?” Hazel asked.

“She did.” Salem stepped aside to reveal a meek Cinder.

“Why hello, my dear!” Tyrian jumped from his seat directly in front of Cinder, bowing. “Tyrian Callows at your service!”

“H-Hello…Tyrian?” Cinder held out her hand.

“Oh, a polite young thing!” Tyrian shook Cinder’s hand. “I can already tell we’ll be great friends!”

“Hazel.” Hazel raised his hand. “Hazel Rainart.”

Salem looked to Watts, who wasn’t paying any attention. She awkwardly coughed.

“Oh…right…Arthur Watts,” Watts halfheartedly greeted, not taking his eyes off his scroll. “Don’t fuck this up for us, rookie.”

“Wait, aren’t you supposed to be dead?” Cinder narrowed her eyes at Watts. “Yeah, you died in an accident! I remember reading an article about it when I was younger!”

“Oh goody, you can read,” Watts snarked. “You’ve proven your worth in that department.”

“Yikes,” Cinder said.

“Yeah, you’ll have to get used to him,” Salem warned. “I can keep him in line when I’m around, but he’s absolutely abysmal to deal with on your own.”

“Why do you have him, then?”

“It’s not like I’m the smartest person here or anything,” Watts set his scroll down, “but I’m sure the sister-less orphan knows more about the ins and outs of every security system in Atlas than I do.”

Cinder gasped.

“Watts!” Salem shouted.

Watts shrunk into himself. “My apologies, I-”

“Silence!” Salem commanded. “You are not to speak in my presence for the rest of this meeting.”

Watts nodded.

“Don’t not be alarmed, citizen!” Blackheart jumped on the table.

“Oh lord.” Hazel rubbed his eyes.

“I know you must quaking in terror at the sight of me…Blackheart!” Blackheart laughed.

“Uh…no,” Cinder said.

“Oh…well…you should!” Blackheart sunk back into his chair. “I am the greatest villain Remnant has ever seen.”

“Then why don’t I know how you are?”

Blackheart noticeably flinched at Cinder’s question. “I’ll…I’ll get back to you on that.”

“Why is he a part of your group?” Cinder asked.

“He’s adorable, I just want to keep him around,” Salem answered.

“Ah.” Cinder nodded.

Salem looked around the room. “Wait a minute…where is-”

“Boo!” Wendigo snuck up from behind Cinder and screamed in her face.

Cinder shrieked and fell onto her back, desperately crawling away as Wendigo stalked over to her.

“Wendigo!” Salem scolded.

“What?” Wendigo backed off of Cinder and laughed. “I was just giving the new meat a little scare!”

Salem’s arm changed into a tentacle and she smacked Wendigo in the back of the head with so much force it knocked off an antler.

“Ow!” Wendigo cried. “What?!”

“Sit down!” Salem pointed at his seat.

“Jeez, fine mom,” Wendigo grumbled.

“Sorry about him, as well.” Salem offered Cinder her hand to help her up. “Unlike Watts, he’s pretty decent to deal with once you get settled in.”

“Understood.” Cinder took Salem’s hand, being pulled to her feet.

“Alright Cinder, now that you’ve met the rest of the group, you’ll need to be trained,” Salem began. “Once I feel you have enough experience, I will send you out on your first mission, and then I’ll do something for you.”

“What?” Cinder asked, tilting her head, curiously.

“I'm afraid it’ll have to wait until then,” Salem said. “Do you still wish to join our cause?”

Cinder reached into her jacket and pulled out the picture of her and her sisters.

“Yes.”

Chapter 16: "Burning Cinders" Arc: Part 4

The training was a lot less harsh than Cinder had expected. Salem always made sure the Grimm would stop attacking after her aura had been completely drained. Through training, she eventually mastered her semblance, which she chose to name Scorching Caress, and created her weapon, a bow and arrow combat she called Midnight. Cinder also got to know the rest of her teammates, a little too well in the case of Tyrian, Watts, and Wendigo.

“You killed four girls for an imaginary Grimm Goddess?” Cinder asked.

“Not imaginary!” Tyrian paid Cinder no mind as he sharpened the Queen’s Servants’ blades. “My little friends told me to do it, to summon her, and it worked!”

“L-Little friends?”

“My little friends up here.” Tyrian tapped his temple.

Cinder avoided speaking to Tyrian after that.

---

“The accident that allegedly killed you also killed your brother and your parents, you know that, right?” Cinder asked Watts.

“That’s right,” Watts confirmed, causally. “Don’t forget the half-a-dozen staff on my family’s private airship.”

“You know I would do anything to get my parents and sisters back, and you threw yours away,” Cinder said in disgust.

“Listen, it doesn’t surprise me that someone as small-minded as you don’t understand the bigger picture,” Watts sneered. “My family crashing their private airship was the perfect way to fake my death, they had to die.”

“No,” Cinder spat. “They didn’t.”

“Ironwood chose Pietro over me,” Watts noted, coldly. “They did.”

“I don’t like you.”

“Join the party of people I could give less of a shit about it.”

---

Hazel’s story was the one that interested Cinder the most. As she could relate to it on a personal level.

“Ozpin was interested in my sister’s silver eyes,” Hazel explained after he trained with Cinder. “Their kind is especially rare.”

“So, what did he do?” Cinder asked

“He let her into Beacon at a young age,” Hazel answered. “15, two years younger than the average age.”

“What happened to her?”

“She wanted to investigate a series of crimes committed by the local mobster.” Hazel rubbed his eyes. “He let a 15-year-old girl do what full-grown police officers and huntsmen should be doing…with a predictable end.”

“I’m sorry.” Cinder placed a hand on Hazel’s shoulder. “I know what that’s like.”

“I know.”

“Did they catch the monster that did it?”

Hazel shook his head. “Bastard left town.”

“Now being able to get justice is something I can relate to, as well,” Cinder sighed.

“We will get justice, though,” Hazel assured. “One day.”

Cinder and Hazel were the closest out of everyone else in Salem’s inner circle.

---

“Cinder, I believe you have enough progress in your training to begin your first mission,” Salem said to Cinder in the boardroom.

“Anything, mistress.” Cinder nodded.

“It’s a simple mission, go to Haven Academy and assist Watts in cowing Leonardo Lionheart into submission,” Salem ordered.

“It’ll be an easy enough job, kid,” Wendigo laughed. “I once scared the cowardly lion into handing me the security codes of the city orphanage, he’s practically working for us already.”

“Yes mistress,” Cinder said.

“Once your mission is complete, I will share what I promised you a year ago.”

“Thank you, Mistress.” Cinder nodded. “I will not fail.”

Salem gave Cinder a knowing smile. “I know.”

---

“I can’t believe she sent you to assist me,” Watts complained into Cinder’s earpiece. “I would’ve gotten him on our side in a few days.”

“Maybe you’re just not a scary man, Arthur.” Cinder looked out from the bushes as Leo walked into Haven Academy with three huntsmen at his side, having gotten guards after Watts threatened him.

“You do not call me Arthur,” Watts hissed. “Ever.”

“Just be ready to turn off the cameras, Arthur.”

Watts growled in rage. “They’re off, work fast.”

Cinder jumped out from the bushes and connected Midnight, firing an arrow into the chest of one of the huntsman.

“Oh shit, run Headmaster Lionheart!” One of the huntsmen shouted.

Leo ran away, another huntsman following behind as another stayed to hold back Cinder. She swing at Cinder, who blocked the blade with one half of Midnight, sneakily un-connecting the bow to stab the woman in the gut. The huntswoman gasped and stepped back, allowing Cinder to slit her throat. Once the woman was dealt with, she ran after Leo and the other huntsman, chasing them to his office.

“Lock the door!” Leo shouted. “Locked the door!”

Cinder kicked the door, causing the huntsman to fly across the room onto Leo’s desk, knocking him out.

“Hello, Leonardo.” Cinder sauntered into the room.

“Who…who are you?!” Leo hid behind his desk.

“A representative of Salem.”

“You can’t attack me here, the cameras-”

“Are off,” Cinder interrupted. “I can kill you whenever I please, and no one would know.”

“Oh, Gods…please!” Leo begged.

“However…”

Leo peaked from under the table.

“Salem doesn’t want to see you dead,” Cinder assured. “In fact, she wants your help.”

“H-Help?”

“That’s right, and in exchange, you’ll be allowed to live.”

Leo stood. “I’m listening.”

“We need you to do a few things for me,” Cinder began. “For starters, I need fake Haven Academy records, so I can pose as a student for the Vytal Tournament.”

“Alright.”

“We need you to shut down the CCT here.”

“Done.”

“And we need a weapon to wipe the major kingdoms of Remnant off the map,” Cinder ordered. “We know you’re the greatest weapons designer in history, Leo.”

“I am…”

“Shouldn’t be hard for you.”

“No, it shouldn’t,” Leo sighed. “You promise to let me live?”

Cinder motioned a cross over her heart.

“Okay…then you have yourself a deal.” Leo walked over to Cinder and shook her hand.

“Ugh…what happened?” The huntsman say up, holding his head, then he noticed Cinder and Leo. “Huh?”

“Uh oh.” Leo froze.

“Headmaster Lionheart, why are you shaking hands with that woman?!” The huntsman asked, confused.

“It’s alright!” Leo walked over to the huntsman and patted his back.

“No, it isn’t!” The huntsman shouted. “She killed my friends.”

“She sure did.” Leo suddenly grabbed the pen from his desk and jammed it into the huntsman’s face.

Cinder was taken aback by the sudden brutality. The huntsman screamed in pain before Leo pushed the pen into his brain, killing him. Leo sat up, groaning in annoyance at the blood on his suit, turning to Cinder.

“You did this.” Leo motioned to the body of the huntsman.

“Yeah…you might want to call security,” Cinder ordered.

“Right away.” Leo pulled out his scroll, face going from cold to panicked and frantic. “Help, someone is attacking me!”

Cinder ran towards the window and jumped out, rushing off into the night.

---

Cinder sat in her Mistral apartment, waiting for the call from Salem on her scroll. She was given instructions to stay in Mistral until Watts could confirm to Salem that Cinder had completed her mission. It was almost midnight when she got the call.

“Yes, mistress?”

“Excellent work, Cinder,” Salem complimented.

“Yes, congratulations on proving yourself to not be completely worthless,” Watts spat, bitterly.

“Watch it, Arthur,” Salem warned. “She’s a lot more useful than you.”

Cinder smiled when she heard Watts gulp.

“As I was saying, there is a reason I wanted you to stay in Mistral, Cinder,” Salem explained.

“Why?” Cinder asked.

“Because the thing I wanted to do for you gave you the man who killed your sisters.”

Cinder froze. “What?”

“Cheshire is here,” Salem began. “Mistral is his home and the location of his disgusting side business.”

“Side business?”

“Like his vile partner Lurker, who thankfully met a brutal end, Cheshire has another source of income when he’s not killing for Jacques.”

“What’s that?”

“An illegal fighting ring where men, women, and children are forced to fight to the death on livestream,” Salem explained, not hiding her disgust. “Send her the info, Watts.”

“Of course.”

Cinder received a few messages on her scroll. As she looked through them, her hatred for Cheshire grew even more. Children were beaten to death, men with broken necks and women strangled, all for the entertainment of others.

“Cheshire and his customers are the kinds of people who deserve our brand of penance,” Salem said. “Do you remember what that is?”

Cinder nodded. “Total annihilation.”

Chapter 17: "Burning Cinders" Arc: Part 5

Cinder snuck into Cheshire’s hideout. She used a vent on the roof and snuck through the air ducts.

Cheshire’s hideout was on the outskirts of Mistral and appeared to be abandoned, no doubt so passing airships wouldn’t be aware of the horrors being perpetrated inside.

“Come on, now!” Cinder could hear Cheshire shouting. “You don’t want to disappoint our viewers!”

Cinder quickened her pace threw the vent, she wasn’t going to let this animal kill another person. When Cinder found one of the many grates in the vent and looked down into the makeshift arena, seeing two very young Faunus children fighting. Cheshire was sitting just outside the arena with a chair, a small table, and a laptop, him clicking between cameras to get the best view.

“Clock is ticking kids, don’t want me to kill Mommy and Daddy, do ya?” Cheshire mocked.

One of the children pushed the other to the ground and began putting all their weight on their throat with their elbow.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” the winning child wept.

“Hope my lovely viewers are enjoying the show,” Cheshire spoke to his audience through the laptop. “Oh, thank you for the lovely donation, Mr. Pillar, I made sure to have two Faunus children killing each other just for you!”

Cinder kicked out the vent and landed in the arena.

“Enough!” Cinder shouted.

“What?!” Cheshire shot to his feet.

The two Faunus children stopped fighting.

“Do you know where he’s keeping the prisoners?” Cinder asked the children.

One of the children pointed to a large door on the other side of the room.

“Thank you, now get off him and run!” Cinder used her semblance to melt the bars, allowing the two children to run out.

“Sorry folks looks like we’ll need to have a little intermission!” Cheshire cut off the stream and rushed Cinder.

“Don’t move!” Cinder aimed midnight at Cheshire.

“Wait a minute…” Cheshire narrowed his eyes at Cinder. “By the Gods, it’s you! The girl from the party!”

“That’s right,” Cinder hissed. “I’m touched you remember me.”

“Of course I did, you’re my magnum opus!”

“What?”

“You think I let you live just because?” Cheshire laughed. “No, I saw something in you.”

“You’re insane.”

“I regularly kill dozens of people who weren’t my targets because I like bombs, of course, I am,” Cheshire snarked. “I’m not wrong about you, though.”

“What are you talking about?!”

“I’m talking about the darkness inside you.”

“Darkness?”

“Yes, darkness,” Cheshire explained. “Deep in your soul there is someone even worse than I ever will be, she just needed the motivation to come out.”

“You’re not one of those, ‘if you kill me you’ll be just like me’ idiots, are you?” Cinder aimed her bow at Cheshire’s head. “Because I don’t give a shit.”

“No, not at all.” Cheshire shook his head. “You’re pure evil Cinder, just like I am.”

“I nothing like you.”

“Then you answer my question honestly,” Cheshire demanded. “Underneath your rage and hatred of me for killing your sisters and boss, you hate me for a selfish reason…don’t you?”

“No…” Cinder lowered Midnight. “No! I only hate you for what you took from me!”

Cheshire glared at Cinder. “You’re a terrible liar.”

“Fine!” Cinder snapped. “I hate how weak you made me feel!”

“Did I?”

“You made me feel weak, frightened, and powerless.”

“So what do you want then?”

“I want to be strong, I want to be feared, I want to be powerful!”

“There she is!” Cheshire pointed at Cinder and laughed.

Cinder responded with an arrow to the leg.

“Argh!” Cheshire screamed.

“No more vanishing acts.” Cinder disconnected Midnight picked up Cheshire and held one blade to his throat. “Free your hostages.”

Cheshire scoffed. “Only saved three of them.”

“I don’t give a damn!”

Cinder forced Cheshire on his wounded leg towards the large doors. He pulled out his keys and unlocked them.

“Sure you want to see this?” Cheshire turned to Cinder, raising an eyebrow at her.

Cinder silently pushed the blade against his throat.

“Your funeral.” Cheshire opened the doors.

The sight almost Cinder her vomit. In the hallway were dozens of bodies of men, women, and children Cheshire had murder each other that night.

“This is where you keep your losers?” Cinder asked in disgust.

“Only for the night,” Cheshire causally answered as he lead Cinder throat the hall to another pair of doors at the end of the hallway. “Once the show is over I dump them wherever.”

“How has nobody caught you?”

“Mistral is a wretched hive thanks to Leo,” Cheshire said. “As long as he gets a cut of the profits, guys like me can do whatever we want here.”

Cinder began to regret allying with Leonardo.

When they reached the doors at the end of the hall, Cheshire opened them to reveal a large room with metal, coffin-like pods filling it.

“The hostages are in the first to your right,” Cheshire said.

Cinder made Cheshire unlock the coffin-like metal pod, causing a woman with green hair to jump out, and point at Cinder and Cheshire.

“You’ll have to kill me before you make me kill someone you sack of-” the woman cut herself off when saw Cinder with a blade to Cheshire’s throat. “Oh…you here to save me?”

“Yes.” Cinder nodded.

“Well, took the window out of my sails.” The woman rubbed the back of her head, blushing awkwardly. “Thanks.”

“Don’t mention it,” Cinder said.

“I’m…I’m gonna go.” The woman began to leave.

“Wait.” Cinder stopped the woman, then turned to Cheshire. “Is there another way out of here?”

“There’s a back.” Cheshire pointed his chin toward the door at the end of the room.

“Go wait outside, I’ll handle this scumbag,” Cinder ordered.

“Just one thing.” The woman walked over to Cheshire and kicked him in the groin, flipping him off as she walked out the door.

“Oh, I like her.” Cinder blushed.

“Cute,” Cheshire sneered.

Cinder grabbed Cheshire by the back of his hoodie and threw him into the metal coffin.

“You gonna kill me?!” Cheshire didn’t hide his excitement.

“You’re not afraid to die?” Cinder asked.

“Of course not,” Cheshire laughed. “You’re going to burn this world to ash. The knowledge of what I created will ensure I have nothing to fear in death.”

Cinder glared daggers at Cheshire, she wasn’t going to let him have any dignity in this. So she did something dirty, she held him down, and brought the blade to his groin.

“H-Hey!” Cheshire’s composer almost immediately broke. “What are you doing?!”

“You may have nothing to fear in death…” Cinder took Cheshire’s manhood.

Cheshire screamed in agony.

“Pain, however?”

“Y-You…” Cheshire wept.

“I’m going to lock you in this metal box and burn this place to the ground,” Cinder began, leaning in close to whisper in Cheshire’s ear. “The flames will heat up the metal, and you’ll be roasted alive.”

“W-Wait!” Cheshire begged as Cinder slammed the lid shut, locking the box back up. “Not like this! Please, not like this!”

Cinder ignored Cheshire’s cries and used her semblance to cause a fire. She felt guilty for burning the bodies of the deceased but considered it a necessary sacrifice for her revenge.

As Cinder walked out of the burning building, she caught sight of the woman waiting for her.

“Hey, what are you still doing here?” Cinder asked.

“I…I wanted to see if you could use any help,” the woman answered.

“I don’t,” Cinder assured.

“I meant after this.”

“What do you mean?”

“You saved my life,” the woman said. “I owe you one.”

“What’s your name?”

“Emerald.”

“Well, Emerald, what if I told you we could make the world a better place?”

Chapter 18: "Burning Cinders" Arc: Part 6

“I hope that felt good, Cinder,” Salem said.

Cinder had just arrived back at Salem’s domain with Emerald in tow. The experience with Cheshire had opened Emerald’s eyes to the evils of the world, and she wanted to put an end to it just as much as Cinder did. Naturally, she was greeted with open arms by Salem, Hazel, and Tyrian. Watts and Wendigo weren’t so thrilled.

“It did,” Cinder said.

“I hope to feel as relieved as you are the day I can permanently kill Ozma,” Salem mused to herself. “That is for the future, for now, I think it is time I told you why I recruited you specifically.”

“You wanted me specifically?” Cinder pointed to herself.

“That’s right.” Salem smiled. “You see, I need a woman in my forces who can claim the power of the Four Maidens.”

“Wait…the maidens are real?!” Emerald piped up. “I thought that was just a fairytale!”

“I think you’ll find a great many of the stories of Remnant are real.”

“Like what?”

“An answer for another time,” Salem said. “For now, I’ll need you to return to Vale.”

“Vale?”

“So you may hunt down the Fall Maiden.”

Emerald snorted. “Cinder Fall. Fall Maiden.”

“Quite the funny coincidence, I’ll admit,” Salem chuckled.

Cinder didn’t speak, but she didn’t need to say a word. The look on her face showed how uncomfortable she was.

“Cinder, do you wish to return to Vale?” Salem asked, concerned.

“Yes ma’am.” Cinder nodded. “I can’t run from that place forever.”

“Understood,” Salem said, nodding herself. “If it becomes too taxing, you can always return here.”

“Thank you, ma’am.” Cinder bowed. “I will not fail you.”

“By the way, there is an assassin by the name of Marcus Black who will be a valuable asset to our cause,” Salem recommended. “I suggest you make some allies yourself while you’re in Vale.”

“Do you want me to tell him about you?”

“That’s your choice.”

---

As Cinder and Emerald walked through the forest to Marcus’ house.

“So, have you considered telling him, Cinder?” Emerald asked.

“Not yet, my little Gem,” Cinder answered, looking at a picture of Marcus with his son. “He has a young boy.”

“What happened to his mom?”

“Apparently she was killed fighting off rival assassins sent after them to hurt Marcus.”

“Damn.” Emerald shook her head.

“Maybe I can use the boy to convince him.”

“By threatening him?”

“Of course not,” Cinder assured.

“Okay, that’s…good…” Emerald trailed off.

“Emmy, what’s wrong?” Cinder looked at Emerald, who pointed forward.

Cinder followed her line of sight to see a house burning in the distance.

“Oh, Gods!” Cinder ran forward, Emerald following behind.

When they reached the clearing, they saw two people. One is standing, and the other is on the ground, not moving. It was the boy, who was now much older than the picture showed. The one on the ground was Marcus.

“Hey, are you okay?!” Cinder to the boy’s side.

“What?” The boy turned to Cinder. “Oh yeah, I’m cool, you?”

“Uh…” Cinder wasn’t expecting this causal response.

“Why are you so calm?!” Emerald screamed. “You’ve been attacked!”

“We weren’t attacked.” The boy smiled. “I did this.”

Emerald was taken aback. “What?”

“Yeah, I killed my old man, too.” The boy pointed at Marcus’ body.

“Why?!” Emerald demanded.

Mercury shrugged. “I got bored of him, just like with Mom.”

“I thought your mom died protecting you.”

“Nah, she managed to kill all three all by herself,” the boy explained. “She was so distracted I was able to grab a kitchen knife and just gut her.”

Cinder and Emerald shared disturbed glances as Mercury began to laugh.

“Man, the look on her face.” Mercury wiped a tear away. “Hysterical.”

“Cinder…I think we should leave,” Emerald recommended.

“No, we can still use him,” Cinder said. “Hey, I take it to you like killing?”

“Damn right.”

“Join me, and we can promise you a life of killing and murder.”

Mercury grew a sadistic grin. “Well, I like your style, lady.”

---

Roman ran through his hideout as the screams of his men echoed down the halls. He pulled out his scroll and called Neo.

“Neo, meet me in my office!” Roman shouted.

Roman ran into his office, locking the door behind him. Neo was sitting on his desk, legs crossed.

“Get ready!” Roman jumped behind his desk.

Neo jumped off the desk and prepared her umbrella. The doors were blown open, but no one was there. Neo gasped and looked around, only getting an elbow to the face, a kick to the gut, and a fire blast knocking her across the room.

“Neo!” Roman ran to Neo’s side.

Emerald dropped her semblance as she, Cinder, and Mercury stood over Roman and Neo.

“Hey, whatever you want this is between you and me.” Roman stood between Cinder and her followers and Neo.

“You care about her?” Cinder asked.

“Of course, she’s my daughter.”

“Well, in that case, let’s strike a deal.” Cinder sauntered over to Roman, stroking his face. “You help me, and I won’t butcher you both.”

Roman widened his eyes.

“You know we can do that.” Cinder smugly grinned. “So, what’s it going to be? Live in the world of peace Salem will create or die?”

“Okay, I’ll join you!” Roman held up his hands.

Cinder snapped her fingers, causing Emerald to toss a scroll at Roman.

“We’ll call you with our demands.” Cinder turned on her heel and walked out of the room.

Emerald followed behind and Mercury flipped both birds as he walked out.

---

Cinder, Emerald, and Mercury walked down a dirt path on the outskirts of Vale.

“Man, I’m so bored,” Mercury yawned.

“Well, you be bored soon,” Cinder said. “We have to meet with the White Fang and hunt down the Fall Maiden.”

“Riveting,” Mercury snarked.

“Stop being disrespectful!” Emerald scolded.

“Stop being a simp.” Mercury smirked.

“Why you little-”

“Knock it off, you two,” Cinder gently scolded. “Though you best start taking the situation more seriously, the Maiden will be a tough fight.”

“We’ll just have Emerald wig her out with her OP semblance and then we win.” Mercury shook his head. “Y’all are more boring than I thought.”

“Listen here you sadistic little freak!” Emerald shouted.

Cinder rolled her eyes as Emerald and Mercury began to argue as they walked toward the White Fang camp.

Chapter 19: "Burning Cinders" Arc: Part 7 (Final)

Amber was walking down a long, dirt path back to her home on horseback. She had gone into Vale to grab some food for her small shack. As she rode along, she noticed a little girl sitting in the middle of the road. Gasping, Amber hopped off her horse and ran to the girl, kneeling beside her.

“Hey, are you okay?” Amber asked.

The crying little girl flinched at Amber.

“Don’t worry, I don’t bite.” Amber smiled, pulling out an apple.

Suddenly, the girl vanished from existence.

“What?!” Amber shot to her feet in shock.

Amber’s horse let out a distressing sound, and she turned to see it fall to the ground with an arrow in its throat.

“Arion!” Amber cried out, running to her horse’s side.

Arion let out a few pained noises before finally going stills.

“No, no, no!” Amber cried. “Don’t leave me, Arion.” She cradled her horse’s head in her arms. “Please…you’re all I have left…”

Cinder, Emerald, and Mercury were hidden from Amber’s sight by Emerald’s semblance. Thanks to it, Amber couldn’t see or hear them. Cinder and Emerald looked horrified, as they didn’t think about how much Amber cared about the horse. Mercury was laughing.

“That was awesome!” Mercury cheered. “Good shot, boss!”

“Mercury, will you please take this seriously?”

“Hmmm…” Mercury tapped his chin. “Nah.”

Cinder rolled her eyes.

“Where are you, you monsters!” Amber shot to her feet, tears in her eyes as she readied her staff.

“Ladies, watch this!” Mercury strolled up to Amber and kicked her feet out from under her.

“What the Hell is going on?!” Amber looked around for her attackers.

“Mercury, be careful!” Emerald warned.

“What?” Mercury turned to Emerald. “She can’t see or do shit!”

Amber screamed rage and key out a blast of fire that sent Mercury flying into the wooden railings along the path.

“He’s going to be trouble, I can just feel it.” Cinder readied midnight.

“Hey, I recommended we leave him,” Emerald reminded.

“I know, my little gem,” Cinder said. “Now be ready.”

“Yes ma’am.” Emerald readied her recently crafted weapons, Thief's Respite.

Cinder and Emerald charged Amber, who was still unaware of them. Getting on either side of her, Cinder and Emerald delivered a series of brutal slashes to Amber.

“Invisible?” Amber nodded. “Okay then.”

Amber once again sent a blast of fire, but Cinder and Emerald were able to avoid it by jumping a safe distance back. Amber rose into the air, raised her palm to the sky, and began to rain down fire upon the path. Cinder and Emerald jumped off the path as it was destroyed by flames. Amber looked out to the grass and was able to see their footprints.

“Gotcha!” Amber fired a ball of flames at Cinder and Emerald.

“Cinder, look out!” Emerald screamed and pushed Cinder out of the way, taking the blast.

“Emerald!” Cinder cried.

Due to the hit, Emerald lost her focus and wasn’t able to keep up her illusion semblance, causing her, Cinder, and Mercury to become visible.

“So you’re the reason I couldn’t see you.” Amber landed next to a stunned Emerald, preparing a fatal blow with her staff. “Then I’ll take you out, first!”

“I killed your stupid horse!” Cinder shouted.

Amber froze and turned to Cinder. “What?”

Cinder held up one of her arrows, revealing it to be the same type that pierced Arian’s throat.

“You witch!” Amber screamed in rage, preparing to send a blast of fire at Cinder, only for someone to tap her shoulder. “Huh?”

“Sup?” Emerald struck Amber in the head with Thief’s Respite, sending Amber flying back into the path, her aura destroyed.

“Ozpin is a fool,” Cinder noted. “Choosing a girl with such a weak aura.”

“Ugh…what happens?” Mercury sat up, rubbing his head.

“You’re an idiot, that’s what happened,” Emerald spat.

Mercury just flipped Emerald off as he got to his feet.

“No arguing you two, not now,” Cinder ordered, putting on a white glove. “Lift her up, let’s make this quick.”

Emerald and Mercury nodded, holding Amber up so she was on her knees. Amber regained consciousness and began to struggle.

“Hey, what are you…?” Amber looked up to see Cinder pointing the palm of her hand at her face, a small Grimm bug coming out of it. “By the Gods, you work for her, don’t you?”

Cinder nodded.

Tears formed in Amber’s eyes. “Will it hurt?”

“Yes,” Cinder answered, remorsefully.

Amber didn’t say anything after that, just hyperventilating as she cried.

“I’m sorry.” Cinder closed her eyes as the bug Grimm shot a black substance shot out of the glove and onto Amber’s face.

Amber screamed out in agony as the Fall Maiden's abilities were torturously pulled out of her and into Cinder.

“This…this power…” Cinder opened her eyes in wonder. “It’s…it’s…intoxicating.”

Emerald and Mercury shot each other confused glances, agreeing for the first time.

“It’s…wonderful~!” Cinder threw her head back as she moaned.

“Looks like you got some competition, Em,” Mercury joked.

“Shut it!” Emerald hissed, and that’s when she noticed something out of her peripherals. “Oh shit!”

Emerald was quick to activate her semblance so this new attacker couldn’t see their faces. Qrow slashed the connection between Amber and Cinder, ensuring Cinder didn’t get all of the Fall Maiden’s power.

“Who are you?!” Qrow demanded.

“None of your concern,” Cinder’s distorted voice spoke before she, Emerald, and Mercury vanished.

“Hey!” Qrow looked around, then threw Harbinger on the ground. “Fuck!”

Qrow turned to Amber and ran to her side.

“Kid?” Qrow checked Amber’s pulse. “She’s alive but…”

Qrow looked at the scars across Amber’s face.

“I’ll get you help, kid.” Qrow picked up Amber and ran off.

Cinder, Emerald, and Mercury snuck away, knowing they shouldn’t pick a fight with a veteran huntsman like Qrow. They would wait for a better opportunity to hunt down Amber, in the meantime, they had to visit Adam Taurus.

---

“I’ll kill her!” Adam screamed from his tent. “She left me, she left our cause, I’ll put her head a damn spike for this!”

“Sir, please calm down,” the lieutenant begged.

“Don’t tell me what to do, lieutenant!” Adam threatened the lieutenant with Blush. “I am the leader! I will not have anyone question me!”

Suddenly, sounds of screaming, gunshots, and flames could be heard from outside.

“What’s going on out there?!” The lieutenant grabbed his chainsaw.

“I don’t know…” Adam stepped back in fright. “Go check.”

The lieutenant nodded, cautiously making his way to the tent, only for a chain to wrap around him, and pulled him outside. Adam shrieked and backed up to the furthest corner of the tent.

“Mr. Taurus, come out,” Cinder beckoned. “We don’t bite.”

Adam, shaking and aiming blush forward, stepped out of the tent to see his men slaughtered, and the lieutenant under Emerald’s boot.

“Hello, Adam,” Cinder greeted.

“Wh-What do you want?” Adam asked, fearfully.

“We want you,” Cinder answered. “We want the White Fang to work for us.”

“Why would we work for a human cause?!” Adam tried to regain his sense of control, but it was lost as Cinder sauntered up to him.

“Because I know what you are, Adam.”

Adam backed away. “What?”

“A sexist coward scared of powerful women.” Cinder grabbed Adam’s groin. “So you’ll give us everything we want because I’ll kill you if you don’t.”

“Yes ma’am!” Adam cried. “I’ll do whatever you ask!”

“Good.” Cinder let go of Adam’s groin, watching as he fell to his knees, hands between his legs.

---

“I’m pleased to hear the progress you’ve made in Vale, Cinder,” Salem spoke through her seer Grimm. “Thought it is a shame you didn’t get all of the Fall Maiden’s abilities.”

“It feels…strange…” Cinder said.

“What do you mean?”

“I feel…starved, hungry,” Cinder answered. “I feel I will not be made whole until I take all of this power.”

“Are you alright?”

“I’m better than alright.” Cinder smiled. “This feeling of hunger and desire, it’s beautiful!”

Present

Cinder walked out of her bedroom, bumping into Salem on the way.

“Cinder, it’s good to see you.” Salem smiled.

“I want to go,” Cinder spoke up.

“To Haven?”

“Yes.”

“Are you sure?” Salem asked. “You just got your voice back.”

“The girl will be there!” Cinder hissed. “Please Salem, I need this!”

“Who am I to deny somebody revenge?” Salem asked herself.

“Thank you, Mistress,” Cinder said with a bow. “When do we leave?”

“About a week from now.”

“Understood,” Cinder said. “I will train until then, please tell Emerald to meet me in the training room.”

Salem nodded as she watched Cinder walk off.

---

“You needed me?” Emerald walked into the training room, seeing Cinder with her back to her. “Cinder?”

“Emerald, I need you to help me with training.” Cinder turned to Emerald.

“Whatever you need!”

“I need you to make the girl, Ruby,” Cinder ordered. “I want you to make her as real as possible. I want to be able to burn her, to hear her screams as her flesh blackens and chars.”

“Cinder…I don’t think I can do that.”

“What?!” Cinder glared at Emerald.

“After…so many people dead…I can’t don’t it.”

Cinder walked over to Emerald, gently stroked her cheek, and viciously smacked her. Emerald held her face in shock, hand coming to the freshly made red mark on her cheek. She looked back at Cinder, horror, confusion, and betrayal on her face.

“Who saved your life?” Cinder asked.

“Y-You did.”

“That’s right, now you do what I tell you before I change that decision.” Cinder coldly turned around, walking back into the center of the room. “Make her. Now.”

Emerald, tears in her eyes, nodded as she made an illusion of a begging, terrified Ruby in front of Cinder. Cinder snarled as she blasted the illusion with flames, only for her grimace to turn into a sadistic grin as Ruby’s form burned and screamed as she was reduced to ash.

Chapter 20: One-Shot: Interrogation

Yang was sitting outside, looking out at the sunrise.

“Yang…” a soft, familiar voice spoke to her.

“Sapphire?” Yang gasped, eyes immediately shooting to where she heard the voice.

Sapphire wasn’t there, but instead a strange being. A woman who appeared to be made entirely of blue, surrounded by butterflies.

“Morning.” Ruby popped in front of Yang’s face, causing her to jump. “Whoa, sorry.”

“It’s fine…” Yang assured, looking back to see the being had vanished.

“What’s up, looks like you saw a ghost.” Ruby sat beside Yang.

“I think I’m going crazy.” Yang rubbed her eyes.

“Hey, don’t say that,” Ruby said. “You’re just…in a bad spot…we all are.”

“I’m sorry about Penny, Ruby,” Yang said, sadly.

“Me too.” Ruby bitterly smiled. “I’m sorry about Blue.”

“You two definitely look like you could use these.” Weiss walked into the scene, a tray of coffee mugs in hand.

“Thanks, Weiss!” Ruby took a cup.

“Probably feels weird to serve drinks instead of receiving them, eh Princess?” Yang joked.

Weiss rolled her eyes, but her smile never left her face. “Oh shush.”

“Man, it feels so good to be back together,” Ruby said, but grew somber. “I only wish Blake was here.”

Yang scoffed, bitterly. “I don’t.”

“What?” Ruby gasped.

“How could you say that?” Weiss asked.

“She abandoned us, guys!” Yang exclaimed. “She assaulted Sun and left us when we’re supposed to be a team!”

“I’m sure she had a reason,” Ruby defended.

“Nothing excuses what she did, especially hurting Sun,” Yang pointed out.

“I know, but she’s still our friend, and I’m sure if she were here, she’d explain it and do whatever she could to make up for it,” Weiss said.

“Yeah, well, she isn’t here,” Yang sighed. “I think that’s for the best.”

“Yang-” Weiss reached out to Yang.

“Don’t touch me!” Yang snapped, red eyes burrowing deep into Weiss, who flinched away.

As Ruby and Weiss looked at Yang in shock, the latter’s face noticeably softened.

“I’m sorry.” Yang stood up, shoved her hands in her pockets, and walked away.

“Yang, wait!” Weiss was going to stand up but was stopped by Ruby.

“Give her some space, Weiss,” Ruby said. “She took the fall harder than any of us.”

“We have to try something.” Weiss watched as Yang walked away. “I can’t watch another woman go down a destructive path thanks to losing the one they love.”

“We will,” Ruby assured. “Just…just not now.”

“Okay, I trust you.”

As Yang walked inside, she walked past Qrow.

“Hey Kiddo,” Qrow greeted Yang, only for Yang to not respond, walking right past him without a word.

“Sorry Uncle Qrow,” Ruby apologized on Yang’s behalf.

“Don’t worry about it, squirt,” Qrow assured. “I know she doesn’t mean anything by it.”

“What’s up?”

“Oh, going to pay Leo and little visit, then I’m going to get some friends together,” Qrow answered.

“Anything we can do?”

“Yeah, go around Mistral, ask some questions, help some people out, they could use it.”

“Surprising,” Weiss noted.

“What?” Qrow cocked an eyebrow at Weiss.

“You can selfless.”

“That’s surprising?”

“You hit me to spite my sister.”

“Right…sorry about that.” Qrow looked at the ground, remorsefully. “It was a shitty thing to do, especially in hindsight. My petty grips with Atlas meant nothing considering what was going on around us.”

“It’s alright.” Weiss smiled. “I forgive you.”

“I actually really needed to hear something like that kid,” Qrow chuckled. “Thanks.”

---

RWBY, NPR, and CARD headed to Mistral’s police station to see if there was anything they could help out with the situation in Mistral.

“Headmaster Lionheart, we clearly need more assistance!” The Commissioner shouted into a phone. “With all that is going on, I think we need to call Atlas, they did an excellent job securing Vale during the breach!”

The group of young Huntsmen-in-training couldn’t hear what Leo said in response, but the Commissioner’s face contorting into an even more angry expression was all they needed to see.

“Fine.” The Commissioner slammed the phone back on the hook.

“Sir?”

The Commissioner turned to see Ruby and the others.

“You more kids from Mistral?” The Commissioner asked.

“Actually, we’re survivors from…from Vale,” Ruby answered.

“Oh…I’m sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Ruby assured. “We just want to help in any way we can.”

“I would usually be hesitant, but we’re so thin I’ll have to accept.”

“We heard you’re argument with Leo on the phone,” Pyrrha said. “He’s really denying help from Atlas?”

“Headmaster Lionheart has been making some controversial decisions since the Fall of Vale,” the Commissioner explained. “Higher taxes, sending young huntsmen-in-training into the Grimm-infested parts of the city to die, and making everyone here feel like he’s intentionally making us as miserable as possible.”

“I’m…I’m sure he doesn’t mean to…” Ruby said.

“It doesn’t matter what he means to do, he’s doing it!” The Commissioner snapped.

Ruby noticeably recoiled.

The Commissioner caught this and calmed down.

“Gods, I’m sorry, these past few months have been very stressful.”

“It’s okay,” Ruby assured. “I’d be lying if we weren’t all in the same boat.”

“Anyways, Commissioner Kraken.” Kraken held out his hand.

“Dude, that’s a metal ass name,” Nora said.

“Thanks,” Kraken chuckled.

“So, got any jobs for us?” Ruby asked.

“Got a few actually, some very simple jobs, don’t want to force too much on you kids after all you’ve been through.” Kraken snapped his fingers, and an officer at the front desk handed him a stack of files.

“I can take the heavier stuff,” Yang volunteered.

“Yang, are you sure that’s what you need, right now?” Weiss asked.

“It’s cool.” Yang winked at Weiss while giving her a confident smile.

“If you’re sure, we do have someone you should talk to.” Kraken motioned for Yang to follow him.

Kraken handed the pile of files to Ruby, allowing her and the others to pick from a wide variety of easier jobs as he took Yang to the interrogation rooms of the police station. There, in one of the rooms, was a White Fang member. A young woman with gray-blue eyes and medium-length gray-blue hair covering her right eye. She has pale skin and pronounced gray veins on her chest and arms. She wears a black and dark gray uniform with gold buttons and a zipper.

“This young woman is Trifa, and she is responsible for shooting a large civilian airship with a rocket launcher a few days ago.” Kraken looked at the woman through the glass in disgust. “152 people are dead, and she was captured at the crash sight, and tried to eat a cyanide capsule.”

“What do you want me to do?” Yang asked.

“Well, while we can’t get Atlas to come over, we did call Ironwood and he gave us a pardon to use military interrogation techniques.”

“You want me to fuck her up?”

“A lot of us were watching when you shattered that boy’s leg.”

Yang glared at Kraken.

“In self-defense, of course!” Kraken laughed, awkwardly.

“Hmm…” Yang scratched her chin. “Can I get a phone call? I think I know someone who can help.”

“Sure.” Kraken pointed to a phone at the end of the hall.

“Thanks.” Yang walked over to the phone, dialed a number, and waited.

“Hello?” Hector answered.

“Sup, old man?” Yang smiled.

“Yang?”

“That’s right.”

“You find the bastard yet?”

Yang’s smile fell.

“I’ll take that as a no,” Hector sighed. “What do you need?”

“You ever encounter a criminal who wasn’t afraid to die?”

“Of course.”

“What did you do to them?”

---

Yang walked into the interrogation room, walked over to the security camera, and turned it off.

“Alright.” Trifa cracked her neck. “Think I’ll break?”

“I know you will.” Yang walked over to Trifa, sitting on the table. “You tell me why you blew up that plane and what your plans are, and I won’t have to.”

“I heard what you and the commissioner said!” Trifa laughed. “Faunus hearing, remember? You think we weren’t trained to withstand military interrogation methods?”

“Now Trifa.” Yang cracked her knuckles. “What if I told you I know someone with worse methods?”

Trifa’s smug grin fell off her face, and she looked genuinely terrified.

“Let’s begin.” Yang grabbed Trifa by the collar.

Kraken and another officer watched from outside the interrogation room, watching in horror as Trifa screamed in agony.

Yang got every last bit of info out of her in a matter of minutes.

---

By the time RW, NPR, and CARD returned to the police station from their missions, Yang was walking out.

“Hey Yang, what was your job?” Ruby asked.

Yang walked past Ruby without answering.

“Yang?”

“Sorry…” Yang turned to Ruby and the others. “White Fang is here, apparently Adam likes to announce his presence by having his men conduct a large-scale attack.”

“In Vale, it was the breach,” Pyrrha noted.

“Here it was an airship with hundreds being shot down,” Yang finished. “They’re here, and we know they’re working with whoever destroyed Vale.”

Ruby’s face grew cold as Penny being torn to pieces flashed before her eyes. “We need to tell Qrow.”

Chapter 21: "Election" Arc: Part 1

Notes:

Just a warning, I don’t know how debates work, so sorry for how messy this is! 😅

Tonight was the night of the Election.

First, there will be the debate. The next night, voting and the results of said voting.

Robyn Hill and Jacques Schnee stepped on stage in the Event Hall of the Atlas Military Academy. They met at the center and shook hands.

“Good luck, Miss Hill.” Jacques smugly grinned.

“I’m not the one who needs it,” Robyn spat.

“I was about to say the same thing,” Jacques sneered.

The moderator walked Bettye two, coin in hand.

“Heads,” Jacques called.

“Tails,” Robyn called.

The moderator flipped the count, catching and opening his hand to reveal heads.

Jacques laughed. “Not a good start to your night, eh Robyn?”

“This is actually what I wanted.”

Jacques scoffed. “I’m sure it was.”

The two walked over to their podiums.

“Jacques Schnee will be answering first,” the moderator explained. “Once his question has been answered, Miss Hill will have a chance to respond.”

One of the many reporters in the room walked over to the microphone in the center of the audience.

“Mr. Schnee, in light of your controversial business practices, what makes you believe the Atlas people would want to become a member of the council?” The reporter asked.

“My good friend, my ‘controversial’ business practices is exactly why the people of Atlas should want me!” Jacques cheerfully boasted. “Isn’t a leader who is willing to make sacrifices the kind of leader we all need?”

“Miss Hill.” The moderator turned to Robyn.

“Sacrifices? Is that what you’re calling it?” Robyn asked in disgust. “So the hundreds of workers, workers like Calvin and Marina Thyme, you’ve lost over the decade you have been in charge of the Schnee Dust Company are mere sacrifices.”

“Those were accidents,” Jacques defended.

“I’m not denying that, but they’re avoidable accidents,” Robyn began. “Well, avoidable for someone who isn’t as greedy as you.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“What’s the matter, Jacques?” Robyn asked. “ Safety precautions not worth a dent in your bank account?”

“That’s not why I don’t have them!

“Then what is the reason?”

Jacques opened his mouth to defend himself but realized he had nothing. The audience began to whisper and murmur.

“Next question,” the moderator spoke.

The debate has just started, and Jacques already needed to pull the handkerchief from his jacket’s breast pocket to pat down his sweating face.

“Mr. Schnee, what do you say to accusations of corruption?” Another reporter asked.

“All fabricated,” Jacques answered, having regained his composure.

“Your response, Miss Hill?” The moderator asked Robyn.

“Too bad I spent the better part of three years taking down your criminal empire,” Robyn snarked.

The audience gasped.

“This is slander!” Jacques pointed at Robyn. “She can’t say that here!”

“Except we have testimonies from all the criminals we captured,” Robyn calmly explained. “Percy Note, Dobson Doberman, and Nail all confirmed that you were the one calling the shots! Assassinations, extortion, dust smuggling, and we got all of it pointed at you, Jacques!”

“This is ridiculous!” Jacques exclaimed, exasperated. “Need I remind you I’m friends with Simon Blade, one of the most famous officers in Atlas!”

“An officer who has gunned down unnamed criminals and killed a defenseless Henry Marigold?!”

“More lies!”

“You know about lies more than anyone, Schnee!” Robyn fired back. “Every time you say you don’t mistreat your workers or your family, every time you say it’s a tragedy when a business rival is shot down or blown up, and every time you claim to hold no prejudice toward Faunus!”

“I hold no ill will towards Faunus.”

“So it wasn’t you who ordered them branded like cattle?!”

“I had no idea that was happening!”

“How about the White Fang attack on Mantle’s Mall?” Robyn demanded. “A survivor and closed friend of mine, Joanna Greenleaf, reported she heard White Fang members speak about how you screwed them over after providing them a layout of the mall and weapons, an accusation backed up by the testimony of surviving White Fang members.”

“You can’t honestly believe a bunch of terrorists!”

“I believe in the truth!”

“No, you don’t!” Jacques snapped. “You’ve had it out for me for three years!”

“Considering the lives you’ve taken from me, how could I not?”

“Are you suggesting I’m a murderer?!”

“No, I’m far past the points of suggestions, I know you’re a murderer!” Robyn shouted. “You killed dozens of rivals like Nova Ivy, my wife, and Maple Greenleaf! The woman I loved more than life itself and the girl I loved like a niece is gone because of you!”

The entire Event Hall fell silent. Jacques looked at Robyn, eyes wide with horror as she glared at him, panting like a wild animal. After a few minutes, she calmed down and began to laugh.

“What’s so funny?” Jacques asked, still in shock.

“You don’t know a damn thing about the real world, Jacques,” Robyn chuckled. “You can have all the money and power in the world, but when even your own family can’t stand you, you’ll only get so far in life.”

---

To say the debate didn’t go in Jacques’ favor would be an understatement.

“That bitch humiliated me!” Jacques threw his glass against the wall of his office and began to drink directly from the bottle. “Gods…what can I do? She’s a shoo-in for the council, and with her and James working together I’m guaranteed to be exposed!”

Jacques’ self-pity was cut off by a knock at the door.

“Leave me be!” Jacques shouted.

“Now, now, Jac, is that any way to greet an old friend?” Someone asked from behind the door.

“Wait…” Jacques looked at the door in shock. “Arthur?!”

Watts opened the door, Tyrian behind him.

“In the flesh!” Watts greeted.

“I thought you were-”

“Dead?” Watts looked at his nails. “Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated.”

“Why are you here?” Jacques narrowed his eyes at Watts.

“Why, to help you, old friend.” Watts walked over to Jacques, sitting across from him.

“Why?”

“For my own purposes, of course,” Watts admitted, bluntly. “Hey, you’ll get the power you crave, so I suggest you don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.”

Jacques looked at Watts and then at Tyrian, who gave him a wide grin.

“Would you two care for a drink?” Jacques poured his bottle into three glasses.

Tyrian gleefully snatched one from off the table.

“Thank you, Jacques.” Watts raised a glass, sarcastically.

“So,” Jacques leaned back in his seat, “what did you have in mind?”

Chapter 22: "Election" Arc: Part 2 (Final)

It was voting night, and both parties were waiting to see what the results were going to be. Robyn and the rest of the Happy Huntresses met up in Jack’s Movie Theater, along with a crowd of Robyn’s supporters. Everyone was happy and hopeful, certain Robyn had a unanimous victory against Jacques. A giant monitor was up on the screen, showing the votes as they piled in, with Robyn already having 30% over Jacques’ 7%, with her percentage growing exponentially as Jacques’ grew at a snail’s paste.

Once Robyn hit 50% to Jacques’s 14%, they began their victory speech early. Fiona walked on stage, letting out an adorable “eep!” and jumping back behind the stage when the audience applauded her entrance.

“You got it.” Robyn put a comforting hand on Fiona’s shoulder, gently ushering her out onto the stage.

Fiona walked out onto the stage and up to the microphone, taking it off the stand.

“Is…uh…is this thing on?” Fiona tapped it, causing feedback that sent a high-pitched noise throughout the room.

Everyone covered their ears, and the Faunus in the room gave Fiona an especially dirty look.

“To any Faunus in the room, that hurt me just as much as it hurt you,” Fiona chuckled in embarrassment. “Sorry.”

Fiona looked over to Robyn, having lost all confidence, but Robyn’s thumbs up brought some of it back.

“Hi everyone!” Fiona greeted. “I hope everyone here voted before arriving!”

The audience applauded.

“I’ll take that as a ‘I did!’ hehe,” Fiona said, then she sighed. “Seriously though, I want to thank everyone for going to the polls today. This is Mantle's moment. I know that, like me, you're all thrilled that we chose Robyn as our voice in Atlas. No one has fought harder for Mantle than she has, and…”

Fiona got emotional, needing to pause to wipe the tears from her eyes. Robyn's eyes sparkled as she watched Fiona cry for her, realizing just how much she loved and appreciated her.

“…I think she should speak for herself.” Fiona held up her microphone, gesturing for Robyn to come on stage and take it.

Smiling warmly, Robyn walked on stage and was greeted with a round of applause by the audience. She walked over to Fiona, who handed her the mic and gave her a quick peck on the lips before rushing off stage.

“Hello everyone, I’m happy to see so many people who have voted for me in this election,” Robyn began. “My parents always told me I should be the change I wanted to see in the world, and when I lost my wife, along with the losses of my fellow Haply Huntresses, I knew I wanted to change Atlas.”

Tyrian was among the crowd of people in the packed Movie Theater. He had even voted for Robyn, just as a joke. With a hood over his head, he watched Robyn intently, he was on the other end of the room from her, giving him a good excuse to cut through the crowd when the time came to attack.

“After three years of hard work, I think the time to change Atlas has finally arrived!” Robyn cheered. “I promise, when I get a seat in the council, I will not rest until every wrong has been made right, that every crooked cop is behind bars, and Jacques Schnee will answer for his crimes!”

“Ready Tyrian?” Watts asked, gleefully watching over the security monitors.

“Always,” Tyrian giggled.

“Robyn, the polls are about to close!” May called from backstage.

Robyn turned to the screen to see she was at 87% to Jacques’ mere 36%.

“Alright everyone, count down with me!” Robyn raised her fist. “10…9…8…”

“Oh, don’t give me a countdown,” Tyrian got even more excited.

“…6…5…4…3…”

“Tyrian?”

“…2…”

“Yes?” Tyrian pulled his hood off and readied The Queen’s Servants.

“1!”

“Go,” Watts ordered as he hacked into the building and poll results.

The lights went out, disorienting everyone.

“Hey, Jack what’s going on?!” Robyn called.

“I don’t know, I swear the building was working perfectly!” Jack exclaimed. “I checked for months in advance!”

That’s when the screaming started as Tyrian began to cut his way through the crowd to Robyn, gleefully butchering anyone unlucky enough to be in the way.

“Don’t mess around, Tyrian!” Watts ordered. “The lights will only be off for a few seconds! You kill her and then leave! In and out!”

“Understood,” Tyrian said, stopping his b-line toward Robyn to make sure one of his victims was dead.

“Huntresses, to me!” Robyn ordered, readying her crossbow.

Fiona, May, and Joanna rushed to her side, their own weapons ready.

“Fi, what’s going on?” Robyn asked, keeping her cool.

With her night vision, Fiona was able to see Tyrian jumping onto the stage, activating his aura disrupting Semblance, and aiming one of his blades right at Robyn’s gut.

“Robyn!” Fiona jumped in front of Robyn, taking the cut, instead.

“Fiona?!” Robyn screamed, unable to tell in the darkness but feeling Fiona fall on top of her.

“Oh, poor thing,” Tyrian cooed, preparing another strike.

That’s when the lights flashed back on.

“Whoops.” Tyrian visibly cringed.

“Tyrian, you psychotic buffoon!” Watts hissed.

“I can’t still kill her!” Tyrian assured, making the mistake of briefly taking his eyes off of Robyn, allowing her to load an explosive arrow into her crossbow.

“Eat this!” Robyn hissed in rage as she fired.

Tyrian turned back to Robyn, causing the arrow to hit him in the face, exploding on impact and sending him flying into the rafters above. Despite the hit, his aura held and he was still conscious.

“Sorry for the intrusions!” Tyrian called. “I must be off!”

With that, Tyrian escaped Theo the roof.

“R-Robyn…?” Fiona looked at Robyn in pain.

“I got you, Fi.” Robyn put her hands on the wood. “I got you.”

“The results are in, the winner of the election is…Jacques Schnee!”

May and Jonna’s heads snapped out to the screen, their hearts sinking as Jacques’ pools were suddenly higher than Robyn’s, 99% to her 87%.

“No…” Joanna almost dropped her weapon.

“How?!” May shouted in rage.

She looked out to the crowd, the sight of civilians dead, injured, or cradling their loved ones brought back memories from the bombing.

---

Jacques was welcomed into the council with less than open arms. Ironwood, Sleet, and Camilla all glared at him suspiciously as he entered the chambers and sat in one of their chairs.

“Welcome to the council, Jacques.” Ironwood didn’t hide his discontent, but Jacques was too wrapped up in his victory to care.

“This is as satisfying as I thought it’d be.” Jacques leaned back in his chair, looking at his three fellow council members smugly. “Now, let’s talk about Atlas.”

Chapter 23: One-Shot: Friends

“I’m getting real sick, of you lying to me, Leo!” Qrow slammed his hands on the desk.

“I’m not lying!” Leonardo held his hands up. “I swear.”

Qrow jumped across the desk. Leonardo stepped back, but Qrow grabbed him, lifted him off the ground, and slammed him into the wall.

“Got a call from Ruby, apparently you’ve been making things pretty hard for the people of Mistral,” Qrow noted. “Making them miserable.”

“Qrow…”

“Like you're fattening them up for a Grimm attack,” Qrow said.

“Qrow, you’re sounding paranoid!”

“Doesn’t mean I am, Leo.” Qrow threw Leonardo onto his chair. “You stop with the taxes, you stop sending kids to die, and you fix this fucking city!”

“Alright, alright,” Leonardo cried. “I swear, none of this was intentional.”

“Really?” Qrow crossed his arms.

“The city took a massive hit, and I needed the money to pay for the damages,” Leonardo explained. “As for the children…it was a horrible choice, but most of the huntsmen in the city were preoccupied and I decided they needed to pull their weight.”

“They’re fucking dead, Leo.” Qrow’s gaze bore through Leonardo, who looked away from him.

“I’m sorry.”

“Not gonna cut it.” Qrow pulled out his scroll. “I’m going to track down these huntsmen, and we’re going to sort out the Grimm problem. After that, I’m grabbing Raven, taking the relic, and moving it to Atlas.”

“What?!” Leonardo widened his eyes.

“You got a problem?!”

“Of…of course not.” Leonardo shrunk.

Qrow glared at Leonardo suspiciously. “I’ll be back.”

---

Qrow made sure to make a stop at the  coroner’s office.

“Qrow Branwen.” Qrow showed the receptionist his Huntsman license.

“What do you need Mr. Branwen?” The receptionist asked.

“Yeah, I need to talk with the guy who worked on the technicians who died during the Grimm attack.”

“That’s Horton Mortar,” the receptionist answered. “I’m afraid he can’t see you at the moment, he’s informing the families of young huntsmen-in-training of their passings.”

Like clockwork, Qrow and the receptionist heard a woman let out a haunting scream and rush out of Horton’s office, making a mad dash toward the morgue to identify her child.

“He’s very busy.” The receptionist’s face fell.

“Don’t worry about it,” Qrow assured. “Just tell him to call me up once he’s told me how they died, I need to look into it.”

“Understood sir.” The receptionist nodded.

---

Qrow looked at the list of huntsmen on his scroll, and the large list of huntsmen on the screen in the Haven’s courtyard.

“Alright, I can do this, I don’t need to get everyone,” Qrow spoke to himself. “I can just find my friends, then tell them to tell others, and I’ll have an army prepped in no time at all.”

It ended up taking a lot longer than Qrow intended. Place after place he checked the huntsmen he knew just seemed to have up and vanished. By the time he entered a ramen shop looking for Shiro Wan, he was at the end of his rope.

The Ramen Shop wasn’t very impressive. Only a single person was in the building, passed out at the bar, more likely there for the beer than the food. Qrow couldn’t help but relate.

“Good morning, sir,” the shop owner greeted, not taking his eyes off the wood he was carving. “Welcome to Natto’s Ramen Shop, what can I get you?”

“Yeah, a name,” Qrow answered, sitting at the bar.

“A name?” Natto took his eyes off his wood carving.

“Shiro Wan.”

“Shiro. Wan?” Natto stuck the knife he was using to carve wood into the table. “Shiro Wan owes me 16,000 lien!”

“He does?” Qrow began to stroke his chin. “That doesn’t sound like Shiro at all.”

“You’re damn right he does!” Natto shouted. “After he promises to pay me back, he up and vanishes!”

“So…he’s gone too, then?” Qrow didn’t hide his devastation.

“What do you mean?”

“Natto, all of the huntsmen in the kingdom have been disappearing, have you noticed?!”

“I…don’t get out much,” Natto admitted.

“I can see…” Qrow suddenly widened his eyes. “Shit, Heather!”

“Heather?”

“Close friend of mine, she’s got a husband and daughter,” Qrow explained. “If the huntsmen in this kingdom have been disappearing, she could be in danger!”

“Do you know where she lives?”

“Yeah.”

“Let me give you a ride,” Natto offered. “If huntsmen are disappearing, then you could be in danger.”

“You sure?”

“Not much going on, anyway.” Natto motioned to the passed-out guy at the bar. “Don’t worry, I’ll be back before he’s up.”

“If you insist.”

---

On the drive over to Heather’s, Qrow got a call from Horton.

“Mr. Branwen?” Horton asked when Qrow answered.

“Speaking,” Qrow answered.

“I was informed you wanted the cause of death of the Mistral technicians?”

“Correct,” Qrow said. “What Grimm killed them?”

“Grimm?”

“Yeah, Leonardo told me they were killed in the Grimm attack on Mistral.”

“Mr. Branwen, while the time of death was estimated to have been during the attack, they weren’t killed by Grimm.”

“They weren’t?!”

“No, they were assassinated when they tried to shut down the broadcast.”

Qrow’s grip on the scroll tightened so hard he threatened to crack it.

“Thank you,” Qrow said through gritted teeth.

“You’re wel-”

Qrow suddenly hung up. “We almost there, yet?”

“Better.” Natto stopped his car. “We are here.”

Qrow stepped out of the car, ignoring the slight drizzling rain, and walked to Heather’s house. When he turned the corner, he found a disheartening sight. The door to Heather’s house was open, with claw marks on the door frame. Wendigo’s claw marks.

“No!” Qrow shouted as he bolted toward the house. “No, no, no!”

“What’s going on?!” Natto followed Qrow.

“No, stay out here!” Qrow ordered.

“Heather?!” Qrow shouted when he entered the house, a rancid smell causing him to cough. “Heather?!”

“Qrow?” A soft, feminine voice came from the kitchen.

Qrow rushed to the kitchen to see Heather, sitting on the floor, a pistol in her lap. She looked up at him, tracking blood trickling down her mouth and chin.

“Heather, thank the Gods!” Qrow ran to her side. “What happened?”

“I don’t know…that thing…” Heather spoke. “It was…9 feet tall…talked…”

“Wendigo…”

“Qrow…he made me…made me…”

“Heather…where are Bolt and Cat?” Qrow asked, horrified.

Heather, shaking and crying, pointed to a pot on the stove. Qrow hesitated but steeled himself and walked over to the pot to see a hand sticking out of the bubbling pot. He covered his mouth with his hand, holding back vomit.

“He tied me to a chair…forced it down my throat…”

“Heather, I’m going to get you help, okay?” Qrow tried his best to comfort her.

“He left this for me.” Heather held up the pistol.

“Heather…”

“Told me I could either waste the bullet on him or…”

“Heather, don’t do this.”

Heather looked at Qrow with a broken expression.

“Heather, please…” Qrow begged.

“I’m sorry, Qrow.” Heather put the gun under her chin.

“Heather, don’t!” Qrow ran toward her.

Outside, Natto heard a single gunshot.

---

Qrow and Natto arrived at the coroner’s office, having called the police about Heather’s death.

“Thanks for the ride,” Qrow said.

“Don’t worry about it,” Natto assured.

“Hey, I can pay off Shiro’s debt if-”

“No.” Natto shook his head. “I don’t need it.”

Qrow nodded, and with nothing else to be said, got out of Natto’s car and watched him drive off.

“Mr. Branwen!” The receptionist ran out of the building for Qrow. “You’re looking for huntsmen correct?”

“Yeah.” Qrow cocked an eyebrow. “Why?”

“We…we found them…” the receptionist answered, face pale. “All of them were dumped on the back doorstep.”

Qrow followed the receptionist to the back of the coroner’s office to find a pile of hundreds of bodies of the huntsmen of Mistral.

“By the Gods…” Qrow said.

“We’ve already moved well over a hundred bodies into the building,” Horton said. “We examined some of the bodies and found human remains in some of their stomachs, the killer having force-fed them their families. That said, other bodies are shown to have had relatively quick deaths by broken necks.”

“Yeah, that sounds like Hazel,” Qrow whispered.

“What was that?”

“Nothing.” Qrow shook his head.

“We also found this letter addressed to you.” The receptionist handed Qrow a letter.

Qrow held it under the light to read.

Dear Qrow,

If you’re reading this, you’ve found the bodies of the huntsmen Hazel and butchered. I just wanted to let you know I’ve been watching you the whole time, waiting for you to come across Heather so I could drop off these bodies. No worries, I’m not watching you now, but just know I could’ve killed you at any time ;D

-Love <W3

Qrow crumbled the letter up, shoved it into his pocket, turned in his heel, and walked out of the coroner’s office. Calm with rage, he pulled out his scroll and called up Leonardo.

“Yes?”

“Leo, unless you want me to kill you now, you best tell me why you’ve been dancing around!” Qrow shouted. “You didn’t tell me the tech guys were murdered!”

“I said they died during a Grimm attack, I never said they were killed by a Grimm specifically!”

“Don’t pull that shit on me!” Qrow shouted. “I’m getting Raven and we’re moving the relic tonight!”

“What?!” Leonardo asked, fearfully. “Qrow, listen, I know you’re at the end of your rope with me, but I can explain. I just need some time to get things ready and we can move the relic to Atlas.”

Qrow’s rage was dying down as the weight of all his friends’ deaths crashed down on him.

“I’m bringing myself, Ruby, and her friends to Haven Academy’s Grand Hall,” Qrow began. “You meet us there, and I want an explanation, access to the vault, and an army to help us clean up Mistral, you fucking got that Lionheart?!”

“Yes, Qrow!”

“Good!” Qrow screamed in rage and grief. “You best count yourself lucky I’m too upset to go over there and kick your ass now!”

“I will…good night, Qrow.”

“Fuck you.” Qrow hung up and texted Ruby he’d be going to the bar and won’t be back until morning.

---

Leonardo looked out the window of his office, a cold look on his face. He punched in a random number on his scroll.

“Yes?” Salem answered.

“Mistress, I am afraid we’ve run out of time,” Leonardo said.

“What do you mean?”

“Qrow has access to the Spring Maiden and plans to move the relic from the vault tomorrow night.”

“Damn,” Salem whispered. “Cinder is already on her way.”

“Very good,” Leonardo said. “All of the huntsmen in Mistral have been dealt with, and the trainees have been all but wiped out by my orders.”

“What about the bombs?”

“One is placed under Mistral, and another has already made its way to Vacuo,” Leonardo answered. “I’m afraid the last bomb hasn’t made it to Atlas, yet.”

“We’re out of time,” Salem said. “Contact Adam Taurus and inform him to attack Haven tomorrow night. Wendigo has moved on to Argus, but Hazel is still in the area and will assist you. I want those huntsmen dead, Leonardo. Do you understand me?”

“And dead they shall be,” Leonardo assured.

“I trust you to end this.”

“I will not fail you, Mistress.” Leonardo sat at his desk. “Good night.”

Chapter 24: One-Shot: Assassinations

“Taking hostages, killing civilians, rape, torture, and murder.” Jacques looked over the file of the man standing in front of him on his computer. “These are war crimes. Are you aware of that?”

“I am,” the man before him spoke.

“Why did you commit these acts?”

“To show the world the superiority of Atlas.”

“You are a vile man.” Jacques stood, walked over to the man, and held out his hand. “Which is exactly what I need. Welcome to my inner circle, Special Operative Hayden White.”

“Thank you, sir.” Hayden shook Jacques’ hand.

“Are you two done?” Watts was looking over a board filled with plans, locations, and people. “Need I remind you we don’t even have complete control of Atlas, yet?”

Jacques sighed. “No Arthur.”

“Good, because we need to ensure you get Emergency Powers,” Watts explained. “So we’ll be axing off the two Atlas councilmen and I have the plan to frame Ironwood for the recent massacre.”

“Why don’t we just kill Ironwood?” Hayden suggested.

“Because I’m not done with him, yet,” Watts hissed. “He’s not dying until I grant him that mercy.”

“So…how are we going to do this?” Tyrian asked, excitedly.

“Simple Tyrian,” Watts began.

---

Sleet arrived at his home at about 10:30 PM.

“Marcus, I’m home,” Sleet called out, but no response came.

Sleet could already feel something was wrong. Marcus, Sleet’s husband, was always ready to greet him whenever he came home.

“Marcus!” Sleet looked around the apartment. “Marcus!”

Sleet eventually found Marcus in their bedroom, tied to a chair, his mouth taped shut.

“Oh my God, Marcus!” Sleet ran to his husband’s side.

Marcus looked up and began frantically shaking his head.

“Oh it’s okay, I’m here.” Sleet took the tape off of Marcus’ mouth.

“It’s a trap!” Marcus cried.

“What do you-”

Sleet was cut off by the door to their bedroom being slammed shut. He whirled around to see Tyrian standing in front of the door, cackling.

“Hello,” Tyrian greeted with a demented grin.

---

There was a knock on the door of Councilwoman Camilla’s home. Her husband, Alban, was the one to answer. He opened the door to see a SEAT officer.

“Yes?” Alban asked, concerned.

“Good evening, is Councilwoman Camilla home?” The officer asked.

“Camilla!” Alban called.

“Yes?” Camilla walked into the hallway.

“Councilwoman, I have terrible news,” the officer said.

“What?” Camilla walked to the door. “Has something happened?”

“I’m afraid Councilman Sleet and his husband have been murdered.”

“By the Gods!” Camilla covered her mouth. “When did this happen?”

“Last night, we’ve been keeping a lid on the news to avoid panic,” the officer explained. “We believe you and your family are in danger and need to get you to a secure location.”

“Alban, get the kids,” Camilla ordered.

Alban nodded, leaving while calling to his kids to get packed.

“Take this.” The officer handed Camilla an envelope. “It’ll tell you where you and your family are going.”

“Will this keep us safe?”

“Ma’am, even I don’t know what this envelope says,” the officer assured.

Camilla nodded, taking the envelope.

“Good luck, councilwoman.” The officer nodded before walking down the steps.

Camilla held the envelope to her chest as she waited for her husband and children to finish packing. When they were all four of them got in her car.

“Where are we going, mom?” Camilla’s daughter asked.

“Yeah, I have soccer practice,” Camilla’s son said.

“Kids, this is very important,” Alban said.

“This envelope will tell us where to go.” Camilla opened it, only to find a completely blank sheet of paper with one word.

Up

“What?” Camilla widened her eyes in confusion.

With the simple press of a button, Watts blew the car with Camilla and her family inside sky-high. The officer didn’t break his stride, taking off his helmet to reveal none other than Simon Blade.

“Excellent ruse Blade,” Watts complimented as Blade walked past him, being sure to follow him.

“Don’t mention it,” Blade said, coldly.

---

Ironwood leaned back in his chair, hand covering his mouth, news of his fellow council members' deaths was too much to bear, even for him. Winter and Penny were at his side, worried sick about him.

“Is this bad?” Penny asked, worried.

“This is terrible, Penny,” Winter answered. “I thought I knew better than anyone how vile father could be, but this something so much worse.”

That’s when the doors to Ironwood’s office were kicked open, and men began pouring in.

“What is this?!” Ironwood demanded as the men aimed their guns at him.

“This?” Jacques walked into the room, hands behind his back. “This is a tragedy, James.”

“Father!” Winter reached for her sword, but the men aimed their guns at her.

“Now, now, Winter.” Jacques shook his head. “Didn’t they teach you not to threaten authority in Atlas Academy?”

“I will never recognize you as authority!” Winter spat.

“Well, I do believe this sounds like treason.” Jacques glared at Winter. “I’m afraid I’ll need to have you arrested along with the dear General.”

“Why are you arresting me?!” Ironwood asked.

“Why, for your part in the massacre of Robyn’s rally.” Jacques pulled out some photos of Ironwood, shaking hands and paying Tyrian.

“These are edited!” Ironwood shouted.

“You think the people will care?” Jacques asked, coldly. “Surrender easy now, James.”

Ironwood stood up from his desk.

“General?” Winter looked at Ironwood, heartbroken.

“If you get Winter off of Treason, I’ll come with you,” Ironwood said.

“No deal.” Jacques snapped his fingers, causing the men to aim their guns at the two. “Either you both come in quietly, or I’ll say you put up too much resistance.”

Winter stood defiantly at Ironwood’s side.

“Fine, we’ll both-” Ironwood began.

“No!” Penny shouted, appearing from behind Ironwood and Winter and grabbing them.

“What are you doing?!” Jacques demanded.

“Saving them from a bad man!” Penny blew a raspberry, activated her rocket boots, and flew of the large glass window in Ironwood’s office.

“What…what just happened?!” Jacques shouted, exasperated.

Flying through the air, Ironwood and Winter finally shook the shock of what Penny did off.

“Penny, that was…wonderful,” Winter said. “Completely insane, but wonderful.”

“Thanks?” Penny didn’t hide how unsure she was to take that.

“What now?” Winter asked.

“First, considering Penny just turned in him, we should probably get down to Mantle and warn Pietro,” Ironwood said.

“Then what?”

Ironwood sighed. “I fear Atlas is lost for now, but I think I know a certain activist who can help.”

“Considering the allegations made against you, General,” Winter said. “What makes you think she’ll want to help you?”

“She has a good way of getting the truth out of people,” Ironwood assured. “I’ll be fine.”

---

With Emergency Powers granting Jacques complete control of Atlas, he returned to his office where the others were waiting. Blade was having a drink while lounging, while Watts, Hayden, and Tyrian were planning their next move.

“Other than James’ escape, I’m happy.”Jacques sat down and poured himself a drink.

“Honestly, James escaping was probably for the best,” Watts said. “I’ll enjoy making him squirm during the hunt.”

“So, what is our next move?” Blade asked.

“You and Jacques stay here and spread as much pain and misery as possible,” Watts ordered. “I don’t care how.”

Jacques and Blade shared knowing glances, knowing exactly what they wanted to do.

“Jac, I’ll need an army of Atlas soldiers, airships, and robots l.” Watts turned to Jacques.

“For what?” Jacques asked.

“I’ll be taking Mr. White and an attack dog of his to Vacuo, and wiping it off the face of the planet,” Watts answered. “Along with securing the relic and the maiden.”

“Pardon?” Jacques cocked an eyebrow. “Relic and Maiden?”

“I’ll explain later,” Watts assured.

“Fine, but only out of obligation,” Jacques said. “I owe you for granting me power.”

“Wait, wasn’t Vacuo supposed to be Blackheart’s job?” Tyrian asked.

“Are you insane?!” Watts glared.

Tyrian gave Watts a demented grin.

“Right.” Watts rolled his eyes but continued his ran. “You really think that worthless idiot can do anything?! I bet you 20,000 lien I can destroy Vacuo, secure the maiden and the relic before he even gets there.”

“Deal!” Tyrian giggled.

“You’re staying here,” Watts ordered Tyrian. “I need you to wipe out any critics of Jacques’ regime.”

“Understood.” Tyrian saluted.

“I also need you to send a platoon to Argus to assist Wendigo and another partner of mine in that city,” Watts said.

“Argus? That rat-hole of little importance?” Jacques scoffed. “I guess I can send the worthless runt.”

“Cordovin?” Hayden guessed.

“Correct.” Jacques nodded picking up his glass. “So, are all our plans in order?”

“They are.” Watts nodded.

“Then have a toast to me, gentlemen!” Jacques raised his glass, a joyous smile on his face. “To the new Atlas, I will create!”

Notes:

I know these last couple chapters have been dark, but this will not be a retread of Volume 4, I promise. Hope returns next arc with full force!

Chapter 25: "White Fang" Arc: Part 1

“Blake!”

Blake felt someone shaking her shoulder, pulling her from her dreamless sleep. She opened her eyes to see the blurry image of Kali.

“Blake, wake up!” Kali begged.

“Mom…what’s wrong?” Blake sat up and rubbed her eyes.

“It’s…Oh, Gods Blake, I’m so sorry,” Kali said. “It’s Ilia.”

“What happened?!” Blake felt her fatigue leave her at the mention of Ilia’d name. “Is she okay?”

Kali took Blake’s hand, leading her out of her bedroom and into the living room. Blake saw a truly horrific sight on the television. Ilia had been hung by her arms, between two buildings.

“The body of White Fang member Ilia Amitola was found hanging in the middle of Menagerie, this morning,” the newscaster explained. “She had been stripped naked with anti-Faunus slurs carved into her body, many believe this to be the work of the Enemies of Faunus, though many have pointed out that the group has been disorganized with a combination with the death of their leader and a mysterious vigilante hunting down and executing any remaining members.”

Blake sat down, covering her mouth.

“Blake?” Kali sat beside Blake, putting a hand on her shoulder.

“Ilia…” Blake softly wept as Kali held her.

---

Sienna arrived at Damian’s hideout. Walking through the buildings, she saw that Damian had turned the place into a prison and torture dungeon. Cell after cell held a single human man, woman, or child, gruesomely tortured to death and left to rot. One man had his skin peeled off, a woman had been hung and a child had been completely skewered with pipes. Not far ahead, she heard the screams of some other poor man up ahead.

When she arrived at the door, two White Fang guards saluted her and one knocked on the door.

“A little busy!” Damian called in a sing-song voice.

“Sir, Sienna is here,” the White Fang guard said.

“Ah, open the door.”

The guard opened the door to reveal Damian, a blade in his hand. He was kneeling in front of a man stripped down to his underwear, tape over his mouth. The man had been cut up, blood pooling at his feet. Damian stood up, roughly grabbing the man by the face and enjoying the pained cries he made as he squeezed.

“Alright buddy, Imma give you a little break.” Damian smiled at the man.

The man breathed a sigh of relief.

Damian walked over to Sienna, checking his watch the whole time.

“Breaks over.” Damian handed the knife to one of the guards. “Take his nuts.”

The man looked up and began to scream through the tape. The White Fang guard given the blade walked in while the other shut the door, though the screams from the man could still be heard.

“Sienna, baby, how are you?” Damian put a hand around her shoulder.

“I’m…the best I can possibly be, I suppose,” Sienna answered.

“Well…good?” Damian waved Sienna off, motioning for her to follow him into an elevator at the end of the hallway.

When they stepped inside, Damian pressed the button for the top floor and the two stood in silence as they were taken up.

“You enjoying the task I gave you?” Sienna asked, breaking the silence.

Damian smiled. “Of course.”

“That’s good.” Sienna nodded.

Damian sighed, causing Sienna to look at him.

“What’s wrong?” Sienna asked.

“Ilia…Ilia Amitola was found dead this morning,” Damian said, faking sadness.

“What?!” Sienna’s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

“Yeah, the poor kid was found with two bullets in the back of her skull, strung up naked with slurs carved into her.” Damian shook his head. “Damn humans.”

“Those fucking monsters!” Sienna roared in rage, stomping out of the elevator when it reached the top floor. “Ilia was a victim of Atwood, you know that?”

“Yes, Sienna.” Damian rolled his eyes while Sienna wasn’t looking.

“Now they do this to her?!” Sienna sat down, on the verge of tears. “It’s too much…it’s all too much.”

“Hey look, we will avenge her!” Damian assured. “Before that, I got good news and bad news.”

“Bad news first.”

“The Crown? Yeah, they’re fucking gone.”

“What?!”

“Yeah, they got completely wiped out,” Damian said, causally. “Their leader even got his brain fucked by some kid’s semblance.”

“Why are you so casual about this?!” Sienna demanded. “They were our primary source of weapons!”

“Yeah, but we got a better one!”

“Who?”

“An Atlas Specialist by the name of Caroline has graciously given us quite a lovely gift.”

“What kind of gift?”

“Well, gifts would be the better word.”

---

Damian unlocked the padlock to a large warehouse just outside of the building, letting the chains fall to the ground, causing sand to fly up. He opened the warehouse to reveal it was filled with guns, hacked knights, paladins, and other weapons to supply an entire army.

“By the Gods…” Sienna looked up in shock.

“This, my dear Sienna, is the ticket we need to give Menagerie its own Fall of Vale!” Damian wrapped an arm around Sienna. “After we martyr the Belladonnas, we’re going to round up as many new recruits as we can and lay waste to this shit-hole island. The protection from the Grimm that Cinder chick gave us is still in effect, so we can start a massacre, and the Grimm from the desert will flock here to help us out. It’ll be so much fun!”

“You have done well, Damian,” Sienna said.

“Of course I did.” Damian blew on his nails and rubbed them on his suit. “After this, you’re sure to get a spot with that salami-”

“Salem.”

“Whatever.”

“Yes…but first we’ll need to…” Sienna stared off.

Damian rolled his eyes. “Don’t back out on me now, cousin.”

“I won’t…it just still hurts, is all.” Sienna shook her head. “I dated Kali for the Gods’ sake. Ghira was like a brother to me and Blake was like the niece I never had.”

“You know who else you treated like a niece? Ilia,” Damian pointed out.

Sienna noticeably flinched.

“We got a job to do, and I’ll be with you tonight to make sure you see it through.” Damian patted Sienna’s shoulder. “For Ilia?”

Sienna nodded. “For Ilia.”

Chapter 26: "White Fang" Arc: Part 2 (Final)

“Remember, they’ll be able to hear and smell us before we get inside, so stealth isn’t an option,” Sienna advised as she, Damian, the Albain brothers, and a group of White Fang members moved in on the Belladonna house. “I’ll deal with Blake.”

Sienna motioned to the Albain brothers.

“You two deal with Kali,” Sienna ordered.

“Yes, High Leader.” Both Albain brothers bowed.

“I guess I’ll deal with the Mayor?” Damian asked.

Sienna nodded.

“Sweet.” Damian smiled, sadistically.

“Let’s make this quick and clean,” Sienna said. “Let’s get this over with.”

Blake was sleeping in her bed, squirming due to a nightmare. That’s when her ears and nose caught something, and she shot up, looking at the window to see a pair of amber-colored eyes.

“Sienna?” Blake softly whispered.

“Hello, Blake.” Sienna threw the blade of her Cerberus Whip at Blake’s face.

Blake barely dodged, the blade cutting her cheek as she moved her head out of the way. As her aura healed the wound, she pulled Gambol Shroud from under her pillow and fired at the amber eyes, which vanished into the darkness.

Elsewhere in the Belladonna House, Ghira was doing mayoral paperwork in his office while Kali was doing the dishes in the kitchen, and both of their ears picked up the gunshots.

“Blake!” They both shouted simultaneously.

Ghira shot up from his seat only for a group of White Fang to crash through the window, four men holding him down on his chair.

“Get your hands off me!” Ghira shouted with uncharacteristic rage.

The White Fang members stabbed his hands into the chair, causing him to scream out in pain.

“Ghira, how are you, buddy?” Damian hopped into the office once Ghira had been subdued.

“Damian Void,” Ghira hissed.

“In the flesh.” Damian mocked a bow, then jumped onto Ghira’s desk. “Now, guess what we’re here for?”

“I don’t care,” Ghira spat. “All I know is, you’re threatening my family, and if anything happens to Blake or Kali I will kill you myself.”

“Oooooooooh you hear that, fellas?” Damian mocked.

The White Fang members laughed.

“We’re going to kill you all, Ghira.” Damian grew a sadistic grin. “Unlike your wife and daughter, I’m going to take my time.”

A White Fang member handed Damian a blade, and he began to cut into Ghira.

Kali rushed out of the kitchen in time to see Sienna chasing Blake into the large living room.

“Sienna?” Kali asked, heartbroken.

Sienna couldn’t help but pause and look at Kali. Holding back tears, she turned her back to her.

“Goodbye, Kali.” Sienna followed Blake.

“Sienna!” Kali shouted, but a group of White Fang got in her way.

The Albain Brother appeared behind Kali, grabbing her arms and forcing her to her knees

“Just so you know, Miss Belladonna,” Corsac said.

“This isn’t personal,” Fennec finished.

A White Fang member readied his pistol and walked over to Kali. She closed her eyes in fear, but the sound of Blake shooting at Sienna and the sound of Ghira being tortured was still in her ears. The sound of her family in peril caused something to bubble up in Kali, rage growing.

“Goodbye.” The White Fang member said, pressing the barrel of his gun to her forehead.

Kali screamed, and despite the Albain brothers holding her down, raised to her feet and head-butted the armed White Fang member. She then wrenched her arm from Fennec’s grasp and knocked him down with an elbow to the face. Kali then got Corsac to let go by gabbing her thumb into his eye, causing him to scream.

“Why you-” The armed White Fang member shot at Kali, who dodged and grabbed his gun. “Hey, let go!”

Kali used the gun to shoot Fennec in the head.

“Fennec!” Corsac screamed only for Kali to put a bullet in his head, as well.

Kali then broke the armed White Fang member’s grip so she could snatch the gun from him, pointing it at his head.

“What?” The previously armed White Fang member asked in shock.

“Goodbye,” Kali spat before firing into his head.

“By the Gods, take that bitch down!” A White Fang member shouted.

Kali used the dead body as a shield as the White Fang members opened fire on her. Peeking from behind her cover, she shot one in the leg, stunning him, and then shot another in the head before moving back to the stunned one to shoot him in the head, as well. Kali dragged the body behind better cover, stealing the ammo he had before looking out into the hallway.

“Get out of my house!” Kali shot the closest White Fang member in the head.

“Shit, get to cover! Get to-” the panicking White Fang member didn’t get to finish before Kali did the same to him.

One White Fang member remained, hiding behind a pillar. Kali jumped over her cover and ran to the nearest pillar herself. Peeking from behind her pillar, she noticed the White Fang member's foot and shot it. The White Fang bent over, screaming in pain while exposing his head, which Kali took full advantage of.

“Blake!” Kali ran into the living room to see Sienna throwing the fire dust blade from her Cerberus Whip.

Blake dodged it, but it hit one of the small flower beds that were placed around the Belladonna House, causing a fire to erupt.

“Sienna, stop this!” Kali shouted.

“Kali?” Sienna turned to Kali in shock. “I thought you were-”

“Dead? No.” Kali shook her head.

“What did you do to my men?!” Sienna shouted.

“What I had to!” Kali shouted back. “You’re trying to kill us!”

“To save the Faunus!”

“You aren’t saving shit!” Kali screamed in rage. “You think you’re some savior, but I know what you are deep inside.”

“Shut up, Kali!”

“A sad, broken woman burning the world down to ignore her grief!”

“I said shut up!” Sienna threw the yellow, electrical dust blade at Kali, but Blake shot it down.

“Mom, get down!” Blake ordered.

Kali ran to Blake and jumped into cover beside her.

“You can’t run or hide!” Sienna shouted. “I can still smell you! I can still hear you!”

“Mom, you need to save dad,” Blake said.

“What?!” Kali widened her eyes. “Blake, I’m not leaving you!”

“Please Mom, I’m a huntress, this is what I signed up for.”

The sound of Ghira screaming as he’s tortured caused them both to look down the hallway.

“Mom, trust me,” Blake begged.

Kali hugged Blake.

“If you die you’re grounded,” Kali said.

“Deal.” Blake smiled, but then she grew serious. “I’ll provide cover.”

Kali nodded, then bolted out from behind the cover. Sienna prepared to swing her Cerberus Whip at Kali, but Blake managed to pump a few rounds into her while she was distracted. Sienna leaped behind cover, panting in shock as her aura healed wounds.

“You grew up, Blake,” Sienna complimented. “I’m proud of you.”

“In another lifetime that would’ve meant something to me,” Blake said.

In Ghira’s office, he was still being tortured by Damian, who would cut and stab him, wait for his aura to heal, and then continue to do so.

“Once your aura is out, I’ll give you a few more wounds, let you bleed for a bit, and then put you outta your misery,” Damian said. “That sound good to you?”

Ghira spat in Damian’s face.

“You’re going to regret that!” Damian wiped the spit off of his face.

“Yes, you will!” Kali kicked in the door and used the last of her bullets to down a White Fang member.

“Whoa, impressive Kali.” Damian slow-clapped, sarcastically.

“Get away from him!” Kali ordered.

“You hear that boys?” Damian looked to his remaining three White Fang members. “Kali wants to play hero, so why not give her a hero’s death.”

Damian snapped his fingers and the three White Fang members pulled out blades.

Kali cracked her neck. “Okay, come on.”

The White Fang members charged Kali. She threw the gun at one of their heads, hitting him in the face, and she grabbed his blade and forced it into his throat. Kali blocked the second blade, kicking the White Fang member in the groin and causing him to fall to the ground. The third she countered, knocking his blade from his hand and slashing his throat, pushing him to the ground. The second recovered in time for Kali to thrust her blade into his throat.

“No fucking way!” Damian held his blade to Ghira’s throat as Kali glared at him. “Get the fuck back!”

Kali froze.

“Now…just…don’t move and give me a second to think on how to get out of here!” Damian panicked.

“Ghira…Blake is in danger,” Kali said.

Ghira widened his eyes and screamed. Ignoring the pain as he pulled his hands out from the blades, Ghira pulled his hands from the chair and grabbed Damian.

“What the fuck?!” Damian shouted as Ghira grabbed his arm, pulling the blade from his throat.

“Get out of my house!” Ghira threw Damian into the marble case.

Kali ran to the case and put her hands on the marble case.

“Kali, wait, wait, wait!” Damian begged.

“Fuck you!” Kali screamed as she pushed the marble case.

“No!” Damian screamed as the case fell on him, the edge crushing his head and splattering it all over the floor.

“Ghira, are you alright?” Kali ran to Ghira’s side.

“I’ll live,” Gita assured, holding his hands that had holes in them. “Let’s go help Blake.”

Blake fired upon Sienna, who jumped from her spot and landed on her, holding the blade of her Cerberus Whip to her throat.

“I’m sorry, Blake,” Sienna said. “Please, let this happen.”

“Sure, do it,” Blake said. “Finish what Atwood started.”

“Don’t you dare compare me to him!” Sienna shouted.

“Your right, I shouldn’t, you slaughtered an entire city and killed countless men, women, and children,” Blake spat. “You’re worse than he ever was!”

“Shut up!” Sienna screamed. “We kill for a cause, not pleasure!”

“You may not, but your other members rape, torture, and kill for fun and pleasure!”

“That’s not true,” Sienna said.

“Adam raped me!” Blake screamed, tears in her eyes.

Sienna recoiled off of Blake, stumbling back.

“No…no, no, no!” Sienna shook her head. “I wouldn’t let that happen, we’re better then-”

“Better than what, Sienna?” Blake got to her feet. “Better than humans? Wake up! You and the White Fang proved Faunus can be just as bad as humans!”

Sienna finally broke down crying. “No…I wouldn’t let that happen to you, Blake…I would never let that happen.”

“You’ll kill me, though,” Blake said. “You’ll kill the only family you have left.”

Sienna fell to her knees, looking at her hands as her excuses and justifications burned along with the Belladonna household. She brought them to her head, threw her head back, and screamed.

Blake stood back and watched Sienna scream, then she felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see her parents.

“Blake…did Adam really…” Kali’s lip quivered.

Blake nodded.

“Oh, Gods.” Kali covered her mouth and hugged.

“I’m sorry, Blake,” Ghira said, tears in his eyes. “I never should’ve let you leave with that bastard.”

“It’s okay, Dad,” Blake assured, then she looked down at Sienna, who was now crying. “Sienna, where is Adam?”

“It doesn’t matter…” Sienna wept. “I’m irredeemable.”

“You are, but you should still try,” Kali spat.

“Haven,” Sienna answered. “I sent him to assist the people who destroyed Vale to assist in the destruction of Haven and Mistral.”

“What?!” Blake widened her eyes.

“Blake, one last thing,” Sienna said. “To beat Adam…just fight back.”

“Fight back?”

“Adam is a coward, a bully, and will turn tail the second someone fights back,” Sienna explained. “You know him.”

“I do…”

“I’m sorry, Blake.” Sienna held the blade of her Cerberus Whip.

“Sienna, don’t,” Blake begged.

“I can’t.” Sienna raised the blade to her throat, but Kali kicked the blade out of Sienna’s hand. “Kali, please, let me die!”

“No!” Kali put Sienna in a chokehold.

“Please Kali…” Sienna begged as she began to blackout. “I can’t face them.”

“Too bad.” Kali hissed in Sienna’s ear.

---

Sienna was put in a police car screaming and crying.

“Blake, are you alright?” Kali asked.

“I think I’ll be okay,” Blake answered. “We got to get to Haven.”

“I called the army of Menagerie,” Ghira said. “We can arrive at Haven by the next night.”

“Blake, are you ready to face Adam?” Kali asked.

Blake looked up at the shattered moon, looked to Kali, and nodded.

Chapter 27: One-Shot: Spring Maiden

Cinder stared out the window of the bullhead as it flew toward Mistral.

It was morning, and by tonight Haven and Mistral will be destroyed, she’ll have the relic and the Spring Maiden’s abilities. If she was lucky, she’d also have Ruby’s head on a silver platter.

“Where are we going, ma’am?” Emerald reluctantly asked scared Cinder was going to strike her, again. “Aren’t we supposed to be meeting Leo in preparation for the attack?”

“That can come later, right now we have a maiden to find.” Cinder raised her regular hand, revealing she is wearing the glove she used to attack Amber, the symbol on it pulsing.

---

“Man, out here, again.” Fern shook his head. “So boring.”

“Are you seriously complaining again?” Bush looked at Fern in anger. “Why do you possibly action after what happened to us last time?”

“Ah, our wounds were patched up and aura did the rest, it wasn’t that eventful.”

“You are an idiot,” Bush insulted. “Just shut up and do your job.”

“Jobs are something that-”

“That is paid for, I remember what you said,” Bush interrupted. “Do your chores, then.”

“I’m not five!”

“You’re certainly acting like it,” Bush snarked.

Fern crossed his arms and grumbled, having set his weapon down.

“Hey, keep your hands on that weapon, you don’t know when we’ll get jumped,” Bush advised.

“Yeah right, like anything happens out here,” Fern said.

“Have…have you gone completely insane or is your memory that bad.”

“As I said, it wasn’t truly eventful.”

“Oh my Gods, how could you say that?!”

“If it wasn’t boring, why do I find it boring now?” Fern asked.

“Because-” Bush began, it before he could continue, an arrow flew out from the trees and impaled him through the temple, pinning him to the wooden walls that surrounded the Branwen Camp.

“Oh shit!” Fern stumbled back. “Bush?!”

“Hello.”

Fern’s head whirled around to the source of the voice and found Cinder, Emerald, and Mercury standing in the dark shadows created by the trees.

“Who…who are you?!” Fern shouted.

“Your death.” Cinder walked out from the shadows.

“Get back!” Fern shouted, desperately reaching for his gun, trying not to take his eyes off of the trio.

“Emerald?” Cinder turned to Emerald. “Kill him.”

“Cinder…I don’t think I can kill anymore,” Emerald said. “Not after-”

“You do as you’re told,” Cinder scolded, coldly.

Emerald looked at Cinder, confusion and hurt blended to make a heartbroken expression anyone would’ve been swayed by, but not Cinder.

“Do it,” Cinder ordered. “Now.”

Emerald nodded and readied Thief’s Respite. With numb legs, she stalked over Fern.

“Come on, come on!” Fern watched in terror as Emerald slowly walked over to him, eventually taking his eyes off her to grab his weapon. “Got you.”

Fern turned only to see Emerald had, silently and quickly, moved directly in front of him. Thief’s Respite aimed directly at his head.

“P-Please,” Fern begged tears in his eyes.

“I’m sorry.” Emerald closed her eyes before she pulled the trigger.

Cinder and Mercury walked up to her.

“Nice kill, Em.” Mercury punched her shoulder. “Maybe you aren’t a pussy after all.”

“Yes, excellent jump my little gem.” Cinder lifted Emerald’s, who still had her eyes closed, chin. “Open your eyes.”

Emerald did as she was told.

“I’m done being gentle about this.” Cinder squeezed Emerald’s face. “Grow up and get used to this.”

“Yes ma’am,” Emerald said through her tears.

“Good.” Cinder smiled, lessened her grip, and kissed Emerald. “Now let’s get these Spring Maiden powers.”

Cinder walked to the entrance of the Branwen Camp and prepared a blast of Fall Maiden power.

Inside the camp, Raven sat in her tent, staring at nothing. Vernal had woken up in their shared bed, turning to feel Raven wasn’t there, opening her eyes to see Raven in the corner, staring at the wall.

“Hey, you okay, honey?” Vernal asked, sitting up and rubbing her eyes.

“Yeah…just had to reveal a lot of personal shit to Yang and her group,” Raven answered. “I hate reliving that night.”

Vernal got out of bed, bare feet silent as she made her way to Raven and sat beside her, resting her head on her shoulder.

“Do you love her more than me?” Vernal asked.

“Of course not.” Raven turned to Vernal. “If losing her hurt me, losing you would kill me.”

“Sorry, I was being selfish by asking.”

“No you weren’t,” Raven assured. “I can’t blame you, considering how much I talk about Summer.”

“It’s okay,” Vernal chuckled. “You loved her a lot, and when you lose love like that, it can be hard to get over.”

“It is.” Raven nodded.

Suddenly, there was an explosion. Raven and Vernal jumped, shared horrified glances, got dressed, and rush out, weapons ready.

“Who dares attack us?!” Raven shouted, authoritatively.

Cinder’s amber eyes revealed themselves from the dust and smoke from her blast. She stepped out, hips swaying.

“Hello Raven,” Cinder greeted.

“You.” Raven gripped Omen’s hilt.

“You didn’t think you could run forever, did you, Spring Maiden?” Cinder raised her gloved hand, the Grimm bug revealing itself. “All those years of running, and all you did was delay the inevitable.”

“You’re not touching her!” Vernal stood protectively in front of Raven.

“Oh Raven, you really think you and this little worthless little bandit camp can stop us?” Cinder asked, raising her palm to the sky as a flame burst out of it.

“Say yes, I want to kill you all!” Mercury grinned, sadistically.

Emerald remained quiet, holding her elbow.

Bandits surrounded Cinder, blades and guns ready. Vernal readied her weapons, herself.

Raven looked at her bandits, seeing some shaking. Then she looked at Cinder and her group, seeing them cool and confident.

“Stop!” Raven ordered. “Lower your weapons!”

The bandits lowered their weapons.

“Raven?” Vernal looked to Raven, worried.

“It’s alright, love.” Raven gently stroked Vernal’s face as she walked past her and toward Cinder.

“Surrendering yourself?” Cinder asked.

“I’ll make a deal with you,” Raven began.

“I’m listening.”

“If you let my tribe and I live, I’ll open the vault for you,” Raven offered. “I’ll…I’ll also provide my army for Salem’s cause.”

“Tempting.” Cinder stroked her cheek in thought.

“You kill me, and you’ll have nothing.”

“We could use another army.” Cinder shrugged, holding out her hand. “We have a deal.”

Raven, with great reluctance, shook Cinder’s hand.

“Excellent!” Cinder smiled, smugly. “In fact, we have a little trap laying in wait for Ruby and her friends, and you’ll be a perfect way to spring it.”

“Y-You’re going to kill Yang and…”

“I’m sorry, do I hear someone who wants me to slaughter her and her entire tribe?” Cinder sarcastically held a hand up to her ear.

“That’s what I heard, boss,” Mercury said.

“You can’t threaten me with a lack of army all you want, Branwen,” Cinder hissed. “We already have the White Fang and the Grimm, so don’t act like you hold any power.”

Cinder walked over to Raven, leaning close and whispering into her ear.

“You don’t want to lose another love, do you?”

Raven widened her eyes in horror.

“You don’t do as your told, and I’ll assure Vernal’s death is as slow and agonizing as I can dream.”

“Okay…okay, I’ll help you spring the trap,” Raven said.

“Good.” Cinder stepped back. “Get prepared, we move out tonight.”

Raven nodded.

“You don’t mind if we stay in your camp until the time is right, do you?” Cinder asked, knowing the answer.

“Of course.”

“Excellent.” Cinder looked to the bandits. “Prepare a tent for us.”

The other bandits hesitated.

“Do it,” Raven ordered, gently.

A group of bandits nodded, leading Cinder and her crew away.

“Raven, no matter what decision you make, know we will always follow you.” Vernal took Raven’s hand.

“I know, love.” Raven returned to staring off into space. “I know.”

Chapter 28: "Haven" Arc: Part 1

“Guys, we’re going to confront Leo!” Ruby called out to Team CARD.

“Go without us!” Canvas called back. “Adrian got his hand stuck in the toilet and it’s going to take a team effort to get him out!”

“How did he get his hand stuck in the toilet?!”

“You don’t want to know!”

Ruby groaned, rolled her eyes, and turned to the others. “Guess we’ll go without them.”

“Then let’s not waste any more time.” Qrow shoved his hands into his pockets.

RWY, NPR, Zwei, Oscar, and Qrow all headed to Haven Academy’s Grand Hall. On the walk, Ruby couldn’t help but stop and look up at the shattered moon.

“Ruby, you coming?” Yang asked.

“Sorry, just got distracted is all,” Ruby said, continuing to follow the group. “Nice night.”

“Let’s hope it stays that way.” Yang winked and smiled at Ruby.

Ruby returned a smile of her own, then the two continued on the way to the Grand Hall.

When the group arrived, Leonardo stood atop a balcony in the center of the room.

“Welcome Qrow and guests,” Leonardo greeted. “Say…where is Team CARD?”

“Got held up,” Qrow answered. “We want answers. Now.”

“Right, I suppose I should no longer delay the inevitable.” Leonardo half his hands behind his back. “I’ve been working for Salem.”

“What?!” Qrow screamed.

Everyone else in the group gasped in shock. All, except for Oscar.

“Leo, how could you do this?” Oscar asked, tone sounding quite familiar.

“Oz?” Leonardo cocked an eyebrow at Oscar. “Didn’t expect you to reincarnate into such a young body.”

“Wait…Oz?” Pyrrha looked at Oscar. “As in, Ozpin?!”

“That’s right.” Oscar nodded.

“Reincarnation?!” Nora shook her head. “Too many complicated topics, let's beat this guy who works for the evil lady!”

“If you do that you won’t get answers,” Leonardo said.

“Then start speaking, or I’ll start spanking!” Nora threatened. “That threat sounded better in my head!”

“I don’t need to say anything.” Leonardo looked up. “Isn’t that right, Raven?”

The group followed his eyes as a raven that had been quietly perched on a railing. It flew down, Raven turning humans and landing on her feet.

“Raven, what are you doing?!” Qrow demanded.

“Protecting my people.” Raven stepped down the steps. “I’m sorry.”

“I knew I was right about you,” Yang hissed. “You lost whatever chance you had at me seeing you as a mother.”

Raven closed her eyes in guilt.

“Why?” Ruby asked.

“Salem promised my people a place in her better Remnant if I helped,” Raven said.

“You don’t have to do this.”

“I wish I believed that.” Raven cut open a portal, a fireball blasting through and striking Ruby in the chest.

“Ruby!” Yang and Qrow shouted, both running to her side.

Cinder, Emerald, Mercury, Vernal, and Hazel all stepped out of the portal.

“Look. Who. It. Is!” Cinder gritted her teeth, eyes ablaze at the sight of Ruby.

Ruby looked at Cinder, eyes wide with horror, lip quivering. The image of Jaune glowing orange and disintegrating flashed through her mind.

“You won’t touch her!” Pyrrha got between Cinder and Ruby. “I swear to the Gods, I will not let take another life in my presence!”

“We don’t have to do this,” Hazel suggested. “If you surrender, you can live to see the better Remnant.”

“You didn’t have to kill my friends, either!” Qrow spat.

Hazel flinched. “I’m sorry, but it was-”

“Necessary?” Qrow interrupted. “Excuses, excuses.”

“What are you planning?” Oscar asked.

“Simple,” Leonardo began. “Once Miss Fall has secured the Spring Maiden and the relic, the White Fang, who are outside, will bomb Haven Academy and release Grimm into the city.”

“Is that all?”

“No.” Leonardo shook his head. “Once we’ve all retreated, I’ll have my assistant activate something I’ve worked decades on.”

“What is that?”

“An a volcanic dust bomb.”

“Leo, those were outlawed!” Oscar shouted. “They’re considered weapons of mass destruction so powerful they can destroy an entire kingdom!”

“That’s exactly why I’m using them,” Leonardo said, coldly. “I have one beneath Mistral and Vacuo, and one is being shipped off to Atlas as we speak.”

“This is madness!”

“This is survival!” Leonardo shouted.

Cinder rolled her eyes at the two’s argument. “I don’t have time for this!”

Cinder blasted Pyrrha, Qrow, and Yang away from Ruby, then created a ring of fire around her and Raven.

“Hey, what are you doing?!” Vernal demanded.

“Killing two birds with one stone,” Cinder answered.

“What do you mean?” Raven turned to Cinder.

“Prove your loyalty to Salem’s cause, Miss Branwen,” Cinder ordered. “Kill Ruby Rose.”

“Raven, don’t!” Yang begged.

Raven turned to Ruby, who was still on the ground, then looked to Omen.

“Raven, don’t do this!” Ruby got to her feet.

“I’m sorry.” Raven stalked toward Ruby.

“Ruby, you gotta fight!” Qrow shouted.

Ruby made no move toward Crescent Rose.

“Raven, I know you loved my mother,” Ruby said, showing no fear. “Please, think of her! She fought Salem just as you did!”

Raven kept moving toward Ruby. She bagged up until the flames were lapping at her cape, threatening to catch it on fire.

“Nowhere to go now.” Raven raised Omen.

“Raven, you know I could’ve been your daughter in another life,” Ruby said.

Raven’s grip on Omen began to shake

“I won’t fight you.” Ruby held up her hands, closing her eyes. “You do what you think is right.”

Raven froze.

“What are you doing?!” Cinder shouted. “Kill her!”

Raven sheathed Omen and turned to Cinder, eyes glowing white with the power of the Spring Maiden. With a powerful guest of wind, Raven put out the ring of fire surrounding her and Ruby.

“I knew it!” Ruby smiled.

“You fool!” Cinder shouted in rage. “Your people with burn for-”

Cinder was suddenly launched into the air by being shot in the back by Vernal’s guns.

“Oh shut up!” Vernal rolled her eyes.

“Nora!” Pyrrha shouted.

Nora nodded and held Magnhild like a launcher. Pyrrha jumped onto the face of Magnhild, Nora launching her into Cinder, who she slammed into the ground, then grabbed by the back of her hair and threw her into a pillar.

“That was for Jaune!” Pyrrha readied Crocea Mors.

“Well, at least we agree on one thing, Nikos.” Cinder pulled herself to her feet.

“What’s that?”

“You should’ve died at Beacon!”

“Get away from her!” Emerald aimed Thief’s Respite at Pyrrha, only for Zwei to charge in, head-butting her in the gut.

Emerald dropped her weapons and fell to her knees.

“How…how can a corgi hit that hard?!” Emerald coughed.

Outside, Adam was overseeing the White Fang placing charges all over Haven Academy.

“I want all those charges set!” Adam barked. “Once our allies are done inside, we’ll blow this place sky-high and start releasing the Grimm into Haven!”

White Fang members had various Grimm locked up in cages, snarling and frothing at the mouth, ready to be free to slaughter any humans in their path.

“This is a great day to be me.” Adam rubbed his hands together in glee.

That’s when he heard something. Something loud up in the sky.

“Huh…what is that?” Adam looked up, and all his smugness dropped to the pit of his stomach.

In the sky were dozens of Bullheads, carrying the armies of both Mistral and Menagerie.

“What?!” Adam screamed, terrified.

Inside, most of the group was battling Hazel as Leonardo watched in shock.

“They can’t seriously be turning the tables so quickly, can they?!” Leonardo asked himself. “How?!”

“Because you chose the wrong side.”

Leonardo whirled around to see Oscar, Ozpin’s cane raised, ready for battle.

“You think I’m scared of a mere child, Oz?” Leonardo asked, smugly. “I can’t believe you think so little of me.”

“Considering the revelations I’ve had tonight, I clearly thought too highly of you.”

Mercury sat back to watch the fights, mildly entertained as his supposed allies were attacked.

“Man, who knew losing could be so much-”

“Finally.”

Mercury glanced to his left to see Yang, cracking her knuckles.

“Hey, blondie!” Mercury grinned. “How’s your fiancé doing?”

“In a few minutes, you’ll be doing as well as her.”

Mercury rolled his eyes. “I doubt that.”

“I need you to think for a fucking second,” Yang began. “What have you been doing since you took Sapphire from me?”

“Uh…playing video games on my scroll?”

“Guess what I’ve been doing?” Yang rhetorically asked. “I got my will to fight back, I upgraded my semblance, and I’ve been thinking about the night I get my hands on you. So you know what that means?”

Mercury began to sweat. “I’m fucked.”

“That’s right.”

Yang activated her semblance, blasting Mercury into the statue below the balcony Leonardo was on. Before he hit the ground, Yang grabbed him by the throat and threw him into a pair of large double doors. Mercury tried to stand, but Yang kicked him through the doors, knocking them off their hinges.

“Bitch!” Mercury got to his feet and threw a punch, which Yang caught. “Oh shit.”

“Yep.” Yang punched Mercury’s elbow, bending his arm in the opposite direction.

Mercury screamed and stepped back, holding his arm. Yang watched him squirm.

“You fucking animal!” Mercury, holding his arm, tried to kick Yang with his robotic leg, but she once again caught it.

“You need this?” Yang gripped the leg and yanked.

It came off with little effort on Yang’s part.

Mercury fell to the ground and began desperately crawling away from Yang.

“It’s scary, isn’t it?” Yang asked. “Being injured and helpless, a monster closing in on you, about to give you a slow and painful death.”

“Please!”

“Now you know how she felt.”

Yang grabbed Mercury by the throat and lifted him into the air, then threw him through another pair of doors. This led outside, Mercury’s body crashing against one of the many cages holding Grimm outside. No White Fang were around, too busy dealing with the sudden arrival of the armies, leaving Mercury all alone.

“Well, isn’t that ironic?” Yang walked over to Mercury, pointing at the cage she threw him against.

Mercury looked up to see the Grimm in the cage he hit were ursas. Yang grabbed him by the back of his jacket and threw him to the roof of the cage. Yang jumped up herself and saw a wooden hatch on the roof, locked tight. She broke it with a kick from her heel, opened it, grabbed Mercury, and held him over the opening.

“Now, get to talking,” Yang ordered.

“I don’t know anything!” Mercury shouted.

“Might want to see what you’re dealing with,” Yang advised.

Mercury looked down to see three Ursas, all looking up at him with watering mouths.

“If I tell you what I know, will you let me go?”

“Of course.”

“Okay look, I don’t know much, I just know that whatever plans they got after this are in Atlas.”

“That’s all you know?”

“Yes, I swear!”

“Thanks.”

“So you’ll let me go?”

“I’ll let you go, Mercury.” Yang nodded. “Just as you did with Sapphire.”

Mercury widened his eyes. “Wait.”

“Goodbye.” Yang dropped Mercury.

“No!” Mercury screamed as he was dropped into the cage.

Yang closed the hatch with her foot, jumping down to watch the show from the side.

The ursas looked at Mercury, who crawled to the edge of the cage.

“Yang, you gotta help me!” Mercury begged.

“You know Mercury, I was wrong before,” Yang said.

“Yang!” Mercury turned to the ursas, that crowded around him.

“Now you’ll truly know what it felt to be like Sapphire at that moment.”

“Yang please!” Mercury begged one last time before the ursas dug into him.

Yang watched as Mercury’s pleas turned to screams of agony as he was torn apart. As she watched, some of Mercury’s blood splattering on her face, she couldn’t help but feel all was right in the world.

Chapter 29: "Haven" Arc: Part 2

“You killed him!” Pyrrha shouted as she struck Cinder in the face with her shield, then slashed at her with her sword. “All he wanted to do was help people and you killed him!”

“He got in my way!” Cinder grabbed the sword with her Grimm arm. “It was his own fault!”

Cinder struck Pyrrha in the chest, sending her flying across the room and into a pillar. Ruby briefly took her eyes off Hazel to see this.

“Pyrrha!” Ruby screamed in anguish.

Hazel used this opportunity to hit Ruby in the back of the head, knocking her out.

“Ruby!” Qrow shouted.

“Foolish, she should know one should never take their eyes off of their opponent,” Hazel said.

“You’ll pay for that!” Qrow charged Hazel with Harbinger, but Hazel effortlessly dodged it and struck Qrow in the stomach.

Qrow was sent flying.

“One also shouldn’t let their emotions take too tight a hold during a fight,” Hazel advised.

Raven slashed at Hazel, who blocked the strikes with his bare arms. Vernal and Ren were circling him, spraying him with bullets from their respective guns, but this just seemed to annoy him. Eventually, Raven left herself open, allowing Hazel to grab his blade and throw her into Vernal, both crashing against the statue.

“Nora, try not to make the same-”

“Suck on my hammer!” Nora screamed, raising Magnhild over her head and swinging down on Hazel, who grabbed it and lifted her into the air. “Uh oh.”

“Too blatantly choreographed attack,” Hazel noted. “I could see that coming from a mile away.”

Nora began to kick Hazel in the chest, not stopping even as it didn’t phase him.

“Also, you’re really not good with threats.” Hazel threw Nora at Ren.

“It sounded better in my head!” Nora exclaimed as she was thrown.

“Oh man,” Ren sighed, knowing he couldn’t get out of the way in time.

Nora crashed into Ren, both laying in the crumpled mess on the floor.

Hazel looked down at Ruby, reluctantly reaching for her to finish her off, only for a blast of fire to burn his hand. He couldn’t feel it, but he could see the damage the burns will have on his hand.

“She’s mine!” Cinder hissed, stalking toward Ruby.

“Cinder…help me…” Emerald begged, still winded from the blow to the gut from Zwei.

“Help yourself.” Cinder didn’t break her stride.

Ruby groaned in pain as she sat up just in time for Cinder to grab her by the throat and lifted her into the air.

Pyrrha was in pain and could barely move from Cinder’s strike, but the sight of her holding Ruby caused her to try and ignore the pain she grabbed her sword, trying to stand.

“Ruby!” Pyrrha got to her feet, only to fall back down at the first step.

“I want you to watch, Invincible Girl,” Cinder said. “Watch as I kill another one of your friends.”

“No!” Pyrrha begged.

“Pay attention girl, I want to show you what you did to me.” Cinder took off the face mask that was covering half her face.

Ruby struggled, eyes shut.

“Look at me,” Cinder ordered Ruby.

Ruby kept her eyes closed.

“Look. At. Me!” Cinder demanded.

Ruby opened her eyes, gasping at the sight. The left half of Cinder’s face had been completely disfigured, with her left eye missing entirely.

“You did this to me,” Cinder hissed.

“I’m sorry, but you killed my friend,” Ruby said.

“That’s no excuse, and now you’ll pay!” Cinder raised her Grimm. “I will tear your heart from your worthless chest!”

“Ruby!” Pyrrha fruitlessly reached her hand out.

Ruby closed her eyes as Cinder prepares to strike, only for the strike to never come.

“What the Hell?!” Ruby heard Cinder scream.

Ruby opened her eyes to see Zwei had Cinder’s Grimm arm in his mouth, biting into it.

“Let go you stupid mutt!” Cinder dropped Ruby, pathetically trying to pull her Grimm arm from Zwei’s mouth.

Cinder spawned a flaming sword using the power of the Fall Maiden.

Pyrrha acted quickly. Pushing aside all pain, she rushed to her feet, charged at Cinder, and leaped into the air, sword raised above her head as she let out a warrior’s scream. Cinder only had enough time to widen her eyes before Pyrrha brought her blade down on Cinder’s Grimm arm, cutting it off at the elbow.

Cinder’s screams of pain could be heard across Mistral.

Cinder fell to the ground, writhing and screaming as her Grimm arm rapidly regenerated.

“Cinder!” Emerald ran to Cinder’s side. “Are you okay?!”

Cinder lay there, curled into a ball, panting and crying in pain.

“Cinder?” Emerald touched Cinder’s shoulder.

“I need more,” Cinder wept.

“What?”

“I need. More!” Cinder looked over Raven and Vernal, who were recovering.

Using the Fall Maiden powers, Cinder cut off Ruby and her friends using a fence of fire, got to her feet, and made her way over to Vernal and Raven.

“Raven…are you-” Vernal was cut off by Cinder roughly grabbing her by the back of her head.

Raven shot to her feet, hand reaching for Omen’s hilt.

“Ah, ah, ah!” Cinder held a small molten blade to Vernal’d throat, causing Raven to freeze. “That’s a good little Spring Maiden.”

“Don’t hurt her,” Raven begged.

“Then do as I say,” Cinder ordered. “Behind you, there is a hidden button that leads to the vault, Leo was gracious enough to tell me.”

Meanwhile, Leonardo was being destroyed by Oscar, who would counter every attack with a whack from his cane, causing the cowardly man to yelp like a kicked puppy.

Raven felt her hand along the wall until she found the hidden button, revealing that statue to be an elevator down to the vault.

“No!” Qrow cried, having recovered in time to see Raven, Cinder, and Vernal stepping onto the elevator. “Raven, don’t do this!”

Raven tried her best to ignore Qrow.

“Distract them,” Cinder ordered Emerald.

“Yes ma’am.” Emerald nodded, turning to face Ruby and her friends.

“Emerald, please,” Ruby begged. “You don’t have to-”

“Yes, I do,” Emerald interrupted, closing her eyes as she prepared to use her semblance on everyone in the room. “Because I love her.”

---

Down in the vault, Cinder, Raven, and Vernal all stepped off the platform.

“Raven, don’t-” Vernal was cut off by Cinder holding the blade against her throat.

“Shut up!” Cinder hissed, then she looked to Raven. “Open it.”

Raven hesitated, but seeing Vernal in such a vulnerable state caused her to shallow her reluctance and walked over to the door. Closing her eyes, Raven touched the door, using her abilities the door began to vanish into dust, revealing the relic in its strange domain.

“There, I did it.” Raven turned to Cinder. “Now let her go.”

Cinder looked at Raven coldly.

“Raven?” Vernal’s voice was small and terrified.

“Cinder, you promised!” Raven’s face contorted into one of fear and realization.

“So did you.” Cinder remorselessly slit Vernal’s throat.

“No!” Raven screamed in anguish.

Cinder let Vernal go, who took a few steps forward, eyes widening with terror. In seconds, they rolled to the back of her head and she surrendered her last breath, dying before she hit the ground.

Raven stood in shock, hand reaching out to the body that lay motionless on the ground, a pool of blood growing from the neck wound.

“Now, let me put you out of your misery by taking those Spring Maiden powers.” Cinder pointed her blade at Raven.

Raven clenched her fist, eyes glowing with the power of Spring Maiden. With tears streaming down her face, she glared daggers at Cinder.

“You won’t get them without a fight.”

Chapter 30: "Haven" Arc: Part 3 (Final)

Adam was frozen in terror as war raged around. To make his terror even more pronounced, even in his fear, he could tell they were losing. The military of both nations had armor, shields, and superior weaponry, the White Fang had not even an inch of body armor with some basic weaponry.

“Adam…” a voice softly called out to him over the chaos.

“Adam.” The voice was more firm.

“Adam!” The voice yelled.

Adam was pulled out of his stupor and turned to face Blake.

“You bitch!” Adam snarled, rage overriding his fear at the sight of someone he saw as helpless. “First you abandon the cause and now this?!”

“I least I believed in it at one point, unlike you!” Blake spat back. “All you care about is how much death and destruction you can spread, Adam.”

“Don’t you dare talk to me like that!” Adam went to strike Blake. “Don’t forget, I don’t need my weapon to-”

Blake effortlessly dodged the attempted slap and returned one of her own. Adam held his cheek, looking at Blake in shock.

“Y-You aren’t scared of me?”

Blake responded with a defiant glare.

Adam’s work fell apart right then and there. He’s never felt so defeated. So he turned in his heel to run, only to bump right into Ghira.

“She told me what you did, Adam,” Ghira said, voice low with rage.

“Ghira, I can’t ex-” Adam’s excuse was interrupted by Ghira grabbing him by the throat, lifting him into the air, and slamming into the ground so hard the stone beneath him cracked.

Ghira began to viciously beat Adam, punching, scratching, and kicking him well after his aura broke. By the time Ghira was done, Adam was broken, bloody, and curled into the fetal position.

“Do you have anything to say for yourself?” Ghira asked.

“B-Bombs…”

“What was that?”

“Bombs!” Adam held up his hand, revealing a detonator. “If you don’t let me leave, I’ll blow this place sky-high and kill all of us.”

“You wouldn’t dare!” Ghira widened his eyes. “You’d kill us, yourself and your men!”

“Try me.”

“Dad.”

Ghira looked at Blake.

“It’s okay, let him go,” Blake assured.

Adam got to his feet and began to scurry away.

“There is no way he isn’t going to set off those bombs,” Ghira said.

“Mom and I planned for that.” Blake smiled, putting her hand to her earpiece. “Mom, Adam is on the run with a detonator, the bombs could take us all out.”

“You know which hand?”

“Right.”

“Direction.”

“Forest, front of the school.

“Got it.” Kali looked down at the scope of her rifle.

Kali was in an airship above the battle, occasionally sniping White Fang members. Using the scope, she caught sight of Adam running through the forest. When he stopped, turning to watch Haven go up in smoke as he pressed the detonator, she fired.

“Goodbye, Blake.” Adam sneered before his hand and the detonator would be torn apart by the powerful round.

Despite all the chaos around them, Blake and Ghira could still hear Adam’s screams of pain.

Kali was going to finish Adam off, but some gunfire from the battle hit the glass of the cockpit, causing the airship to dip.

“Shit!” Kali swore, but by the time she looked back down her scope, Adam was gone. “Damn. Blake, I stopped Adam from detonating the bombs, but he escaped.”

“It’s okay, mom,” Blake assured. “You stopped him, that’s what matters.”

“Blake?” Kali contacted Blake.

“Yes, mom?”

“That was for you.”

---

Hazel had soundly defeated the group with the help of Emerald’s semblance.

“You did a good job, kid,” Hazel said.

“Yeah…just…” Emerald fell from using her semblance on multiple people at once.

“Kid!” Hazel ran to Emerald’s side, concerned for her.

Suddenly the doors to the Event Hall opened, and Team CARD rushing in.

“Holy shit guys it’s a freaking war zone out there!” Canvas slammed the doors shut, only to turn to see Ruby and the rest of the group on the ground, Hazel holding an unconscious Emerald, and Leonardo getting whipped with a cane by Oscar. “Oh, stuff is going down in here, too!”

“You boys beat leave now,” Hazel advised, standing up and ready to continue fighting.

Team CARD exchanged glances.

“Can you give us a minute!” Canvas asked.

“Uh…sure,” Hazel said, awkwardly.

Team CARD got into a group huddle.

“Are you…seriously giving them…a minute?” Emerald asked.

“I mean…yeah, I guess,” Hazel answered. “They asked.”

“Okay, so how do we deal with this guy?” Adrian asked.

“Maybe Deacon and I can seduce him,” Revon suggested.

Canvas looked at Revon. “No.”

“Aww…” Revon pouted.

“Guys!”

Team CARD looked to see a battered Qrow sit up.

“He can’t…feel pain.”

“Okay, that definitely complicated things further,” Canvas said.

“I think I have an idea,” Deacon suggested.

“We’re all ears.”

Hazel stood there, awkwardly waiting for CARD to finish strategizing.

“Game.”

Team CARD broke their group huddle.

“Okay, we can fight now!” Canvas pulled out his sword as the rest of Team CARD readied their weapons.

“Let’s do this.” Hazel cracked his knuckles and charged at Team CARD.

The rest of the team dodged out of the way, but Deacon didn’t move. Hazel reared back to throw a punch, and Deacon turned to stone just as he made contact. Though he didn’t feel the pain, Hazel still felt his fingers bend in unnatural positions as the full force of his punch went into the invincible rock.

“Wow, that doesn’t look good,” Deacon noted, turning back to flesh and blood.

Hazel looked at his broke hand in shock, completely missing Canvas and Adrian behind him. Giving Adrian a boost, Canvas helped him reach Hazel’s head to strike him in the back of the head with his bat. Hazel fell forward, and as he did so Deacon reared back and delivered a stone head butt. Hazel’s ears began to ring as he stumbled back, holding his head as his whole world spun.

“What’s wrong, buddy?” Deacon asked, sarcastically. “Ears ringing? Seeing stars?”

“What’s going on?” Hazel asked. “What did you do to me?”

“Gonna give you a little revelation.” Deacon turned his fist to stone. “Being able to feel pain means jack-shit when you got a concussion!”

Deacon punched Hazel in the head, sending him flying onto his back, sliding several feet before coming to a stop. Hazel was out cold.

“Holy shit…we beat someone!” Revon cheered. “I mean…I didn’t do anything, but this was a team effort so I get a little props!”

“Huh.”

Team CARD turned to see Yang. Blood was on her face and she had tranquility about her.

“Good job, guys,” Yang complimented.

“You okay, Yang?” Canvas asked. “Your face is covered in blood.”

“Isn’t mine,” Yang answered, causally.

“Yang…” Ruby got to her feet.

“Ruby!” Yang was snapped out of her tranquil state by the sight of a battered Ruby. “What happened.”

“Hazel, but CARD took care of that,” Ruby assured. “We need to get down to the vault, Cinder is forcing Raven to open it.”

“You guys hang back,” Yang ordered. “I didn’t take any licks from Mercury, so my aura is still full and I’m not too tuckered out.”

“She’s a maiden Yang,” Ruby reminded. “Be careful.”

Yang nodded and walked over to the elevator, looking down.

“I can survive this, right?” Yang turned.

“Uh…” Canvas began.

“Most definitely!” Adrian gave her a thumbs up.

“Alright then!” Yang jumped down the elevator.

Everyone glared at Adrian.

“Sure hope she doesn’t die!” Adrian shrugged.

---

Cinder fired upon Raven with an army of small fireballs. Raven used her Spring Maiden wind to cause all of the fireballs to fly off course. Cinder flew at Raven and swung a flaming sword at her. Raven block it, but the force of the hit sent Raven hurtling toward the ground.

Cinder slammed her hand into the ground, causing giant fireballs to fly from the ground. The fireballs all converged on Raven, who once again used her Spring Maiden to redirect them, this time at Cinder. Cinder widened her eyes before the fireballs made contact, sending her flying back into a rock.

“You’re inexperienced, Fall,” Raven noted. “Weak.”

Cinder’s eyes shot open, rage taking hold.

“Weak? Weak?!” Cinder screamed as she got to her feet. “I am not weak!”

“Then why do you always lose?”

“You’re one to talk, Branwen,” Cinder sneered. “You lost your whole life!”

“Don’t you dare!”

“You lost the maiden, your daughter, and your precious Summer Rose!”

“You leave her name out of your filthy mouth!”

“Then perhaps I should speak Vernal’s instead!” Cinder motioned to Vernal’s body. “It’s appropriate you turn into a Raven, as all you do is bring death to those who know you!”

Raven screamed in rage, causing harsh, cold, and bitter winds to hit Cinder.

Cinder tried to use the flames of the Fall Maiden, but the cold from the winds put the flames out. “What?!”

Buts of frost and ice began to form on Cinder the more Raven’s winds blew. She tried to get away from her but found her movements growing stiff as her body began to freeze.

“No…this can’t…” Cinder said, unable to finish her sentence as she was frozen solid.

Raven’s rage died down, and by the time her winds had come to a stop, Cinder was frozen at the edge of the platform. Walking over to her, Raven tipped Cinder off the edge with her pointer finger.

Raven turned to Vernal’s body. “V-Vernal?”

Raven knew it was pointless.

“I’m here, love.” Raven knelt beside Vernal’s body and turned her onto her back, only to be greeted by Vernal’s glazed-over eyes.

Yang landed after jumping down the elevator shaft.

“Man, I was falling for a while,” Yang noted, but her mood soured when she saw something she could relate to.

Raven, cradling Vernal’s body, neck deep in denial.

“I can still save you…I can…” Raven broke down in tears, threw her head back, and screamed. “Vernal!”

Yang flinched.

“R-Raven?” Yang meekly called out.

“I’m so sorry, Yang.” Raven turned to her. “I see now, I n-never should’ve left! I never should’ve left!”

“Raven, I know this hurts, but we need you.”

“I can’t!”

“You’re the Spring Maiden,” Yang reminded. “You can’t afford to just run away, again.”

Raven laid down Vernal’s body, closing her eyes. “I’m sorry.”

Raven turned into her bird form and flew past Yang.

“Raven!” Yang looked up as Raven flew away. “Raven!”

It only took a few seconds for Raven to fly completely out of sight.

“Fuck!” Yang punched a nearby rock, shattering it.

Yang looked to the vault and sighed, knowing what had to be done. She walked inside and took the relic.

---

After the battle had died down, Emerald finally recovered just to see Hazel unconscious, Leonardo defeated, and she surrounded by Ruby and her friends.

“Emerald, it’s over.” Ruby held out her hand. “Please.”

Emerald looked up at Ruby, considering whether or not she should take her hand, only for the sound of Yang returning up the elevator to catch her attention.

“Cinder?!” Emerald whirled around only to see Yang. “Wh-Where’s Cinder?!”

“Raven Branwen won their fight,” Yang answered, bluntly. “She’s gone.”

Emerald widened her eyes, tears pouring down her cheeks.

“Emerald, you don’t have to be loyal to her, anymore,” Ruby tried to assure. “You can be free!”

“Cinder!” Emerald screamed in anguish, activating her semblance to spawn a giant hallucination of Salem to loom over the group.

“By the Gods!” Ruby almost dropped her weapon.

The Salem hallucination looked down at the group, letting out an inhuman screech as it descended upon them. Outside, Blake could hear the screaming.

“Sounds like they're in trouble!” Blake immediately ran toward the Event Hall, kicking open the doors only to be greeted by a stunned Ruby and her friends, Emerald having escaped with Hazel’s unconscious body while Leonardo did the same.

“R-Ruby?!” Blake froze.

Everyone turned to Blake, looking at her in shock.

“Blake?!” Ruby, without a second’s hesitation, used her semblance to zip over to Blake and embrace her.

Weiss ran over and did the same.

Yang just stood there, staring at Blake in shock.

“You have the relic!” Oscar noted, having rushed down the stairs when he realized he lost Leo. “Why, you must put it back in the vault!”

“Can’t, Raven fucked off.” Yang held up the relic. “So unless you want to be leaving this in a room with the door wide open, I think it’ll be safer with us.”

“Damn,” Oscar swore.

“So, what do we do now?” Qrow asked.

“I got some information out of Mercury, said Salem’s next plans are in Atlas,” Yang said.

“Then that’s where we’ll head next.” Oscar nodded.

Yang looked over to see Ruby, Weiss, and Blake all hugging and crying, feeling conflicted.

“Hey, at least you got her back,” Qrow said, trying his best to comfort her.

“Did we?” Yang asked, bitterly.

---

Leonardo rushed through the halls of Haven, pulling out his scroll and calling his assistant.

“Yes sir?” Leonardo’s assistant spoke.

“Activate the bomb,” Leonardo ordered. “I’ll tell you how to get out of here once I’ve secured an escape route.”

“Understood, sir.” Leonardo’s assistant hung up.

“Fool.” Leonardo tossed his scroll to the floor, having no intention of allowing his assistant to escape Mistral.

When Leonardo arrived at his office, he quickly began to pack up his belongings.

“Leonardo?”

Leonardo stopped packing and turned to face the seer Grimm.

“Salem,” Leonardo greeted, causally.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Salem asked.

“I’m getting out of here, and leaving all the evidence of my crimes with me,” Leonardo answered.

“You’re activating the bomb?!”

“So what if I am?!”

“What about Cinder, Hazel, Mercury, and Emerald?!” Salem demanded. “What about the relic?”

“What about them?!” Leonardo snapped.

“Leo, I will give you one chance to change your mind.”

“No, I see I was mistaken thinking you’re all powerful, so I’ll annihilate this place and everyone in it,” Leonardo coldly explained. “Then I’ll head to some secluded part of the wilderness, away from the prying eyes who can charge me for my crimes.”

“You’re not going anywhere,” Salem said, harshly.

“What, you intend on killing me with that jellyfish?” Leonardo asked, mockingly. “Don’t make me laugh.”

The seer Grimm began to bend and contort, smoke filling the room.

“What…what is this?!” Leonardo began coughing.

When the smoke cleared, Salem was standing before him.

“S-Salem?!” Leonardo’s cold, calculating personality turned to pure, mortal terror at the sight.

“You think I am a fool, Leonardo?” Salem placed her hands behind her back staring out the window at the night sky. “I knew a man so cowardly he would turn on the whole world would just as easily turn on me the second things went bad on my side of this war.”

“What do you mean?”

Salem turned to him. “I mean your assistant will not be activating that bomb, because I left a little surprise for anyone who entered the caves the bomb is being held in before the date I wanted it to be detonated.”

---

Leonardo’s assistant walked through the caves under Mistral, torch in hand. When he located the bomb, he began to punch in the code to activate it, only for growling to interrupt him.

Looking up, he saw a Grimm crawl up the bomb, revealing The Hound.

“Oh, Gods!” The assistant screamed.

The Hound pounced, and in mere seconds, the assistant’s blood caked the bomb.

---

“My Q-Queen, I didn’t mean it!” Leonardo begged.

Salem stalked over to Leonardo until she was looming over him.

“P-Please…I can’t still be of assistance!” Leonardo begged tears in his eyes. “I can still be useful to you!”

“You want to be of use?”

Leonardo nodded, desperately.

“Then die.” Salem reached toward Leonardo.

“No!” Leonardo begged. “No please!”

Outside of Leonardo’s office, the sounds of his bloodcurdling screams could be heard.

Notes:

Hey guys, I’ll be taking a break from War of Remnant for the rest of the month until Volume 9 is over. I’ll still be writing my other fan fics on this channel.

Hope you guys enjoyed, and have a good night!

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 3 of War of Remnant: A RWBY Anthology (Redux)