"Rumors of an Emerald assault in Lower Glenn have been confirmed, though we don't yet know the number of casualties. However, we strongly urge you to stay at home, and let the poli-" The feed cut off abruptly, startling Damocles where he sat on the bed. He quickly glanced down, hands patting down the bed around him, rifling through crumpled sheets.

His actions stopped and shoulders tensed as a sigh from behind him reached his ears.

"Damocles, if you keep watching this it will just make it harder for you to focus on the mission."

The young man snorted. "I can focus just fine, Artemis. It's just... how? How can they believe it?" He asked.

He slowly turned his head to the side to find Artemis, standing in the middle of the room holding a remote. She shook her head, ponytail swaying behind her.

"Because she came to them at a dark hour. Gave them what they wanted: Hope. And she abused that. And now the only thing we have is hope. So we're gathering resources as best we can." She set the remote down on the bed before gripping Damocles' shoulders.

"But to do that, we need our Captain. And he needs to be at his best. After all, the others are ready and in position. Now get your ass off of this bed or so help me, I will make you run the worst obstacle course at the Fort and gladly authorize Claymore to make it a living hell. Understood?" She said, glaring down at him.

Damocles chuckled. "You know the effect is ruined somewhat by your goggles, right, Red?" He asked, smiling. "Thanks. Now move. I need to do some leadering."

Artemis rolled her eyes as she moved to the side, smiling as she watched him stand up.

Damocles tapped at the wireless piece in his ear.

"Aegis, Highlander, gather up the lads. Mission is go. I repeat: Mission is go. And keep in mind what the doc said. She's watching Vale like a hawk, so we need to be inconspicuous."

"Copy that, sir."

"Gotcha, Bossman."

Damocles turned to Artemis, smirking.

"How's the new compression suit doing?" He asked. "Ready for a field test?"

"Bit snug, but I can at least appreciate the extra armor." Artemis said as she adjusted various parts along the body suit. "Here's hoping I won't need it. Or the other features."

"Well this should be a milk run, help us start building a rep and bring in supplies. We even have some hired help for it. You ready?" He asked, motioning toward the door.

"You're forgetting your fedora."

Damocles' eyes widened, before he turned to a hat on the bed. He scooped it up, putting it on his head and cocking it to one side.

"How do I look?" He asked, crossing his arms.

Artemis leaned forward, examining him.

"Very dashing," She said, smiling.

"Alright then," Damocles rolled his shoulders and buttoned up his trench coat, "Let's mosey."

"... Sir's not wearing the hat, is he? Because I seem to recall something about him wanting us to be... 'inconspicuous' I believe was the word."

"I swear by all you find sacred, Aegis!"


"My Beacon acceptance letter came today, the storm should hold until tomorrow, and I've just enough lien to pick up some extra Dust. Things are shaping up quite nicely." Cinder said as she strolled along the sidewalk, a giggle escaping her lips.

Her stride faltered as she heard a chuckle to her left. She glanced over, spotting a man leaning on the building wall, the bottom of his trench coat swaying in the breeze and hat covering his eyes. She shook her head, continuing down the sidewalk.

"Just ignore him. Go in, get your supplies, and get out. Nice and straightforward." Cinder slowed, spotting the entrance of From Dust till Dawn. She moved to the door, a bell ringing as she opened it, before going inside.

"Back again, Cinder? Thought I wouldn't be seeing you till the end of the month."

Cinder grinned.

"Well I had to celebrate the occasion, Greyson. Initiation shan't be easy. I'll need to bring my best."

Greyson smiled as he reached underneath the counter, bringing out a cylindrical vial. He ran a hand through his hair, frowning as he then shook off a few strands.

"I suppose. You know what'll best serve you, girl." He said, holding out the vial.

Cinder took it before she headed toward the back, passing shelves with various states of Dust to reach the fine-grain dispensers.

"Let us see. Lightning, Ice, no, no, ah- here we go: Fire Dust. Wonderous." She said, stopping in front of a depositing tube. She started humming as she inserted the top of the vial into the tube, the Dust pouring inside. A bell chime filled the store.

"Kinda late to have a store like this open, don'tcha think, old man? It's what… nine-thirty, ten? Who's even buying this late?" A voice said from the front of the store.

"Sir, can we please just rob him?"

"… You're no fun tonight, Aegis. You heard the man though. Fill 'em up, lads! And just keep your hands where I can see them, old man. Don't want this place becoming a circus, right?"

Cinder stood in front of the dispenser, her hands trembling. She heard multiple footsteps, glass breaking, and the sounds of Dust being dispensed into containers. She clutched at her vial, her brow knitting as she frowned.

"Hey Aeg. What do you want for dinner? I know it's a bit late, but there should be something open."

"Do focus, sir; we're on a mission."

"You shouldn't be so stiff on duty. Lighten up."

"She let you watch the news before the mission again, didn't she?"

"… 'Let' is a strong word. It was only thirty minutes, man. Stop being a buzzkill."

Cinder crouched down, moving slowly to the shelf opposite her, then along it to the aisle. She peered around the shelf's corner, spotting thugs along the store, including in the front. She heard a soft click, then stiffened as something pressed into the back of her neck.

"Freeze." She heard. "Put the vial down, get up, and turn around. Slowly."

Cinder fingered the vial in her hand and took a deep breath. She set it down on the ground in front of her, before corkscrewing up and around, trapping the thug's wrist in one hand while slamming her fist into his stomach. The thug let out a strangled rush of air as he fell across the young woman's shoulders.

"My apologies for this, Greyson." She muttered as she ran toward the front of the store, carrying the thug with her. Using him as a shield, she plowed through the storefront window.

Cinder landed on her feet, brushing glass off her pants and vest, readjusting them as she watched the thug roll along the ground. She paused before sighing as she looked down at her clothes.

"And now I'll have to spend valuable time repairing this. Grand." She said, hand running over a tear in her vest.

"What on Remnant?"

Cinder turned toward the store, watching as a young man leaned out of the broken window with a fedora perched on his head, his gaze moving to her through the sunglasses he wore.

"Damn." He muttered. "Guardian… or close enough."

A shrill whine started emanating from inside the store. The man's shoulders slumped at hearing it.

"Grand. The alarm. This I need. Thanks old man. Highlander!"

"Present." A nearby girl said, bouncing on her feet.

"Plan's changed. This place is about to become the big top attraction. Get that guy outta here." The young man said, gesturing to the laid out thug. "And get the rest of these mooks to the rendezvous point with the Dust. Then meet at extraction point Delta. Call in our ride and make sure Artemis gets on it."

Highlander saluted.

"You got it, Bossman." She said, hopping out of the store and rushing toward the thug on the ground, boots crunching over the glass. She picked him up before starting to make her way down a nearby alleyway. The girl slapped the side of her leather helmet, the straps swaying slightly as tinted goggles glanced back and forth.

"Alright you scallywags, get a move on! Spec Ops is going to be here any minute." Highlander said as several people streamed out of the store to follow her, all of them carrying several bags. "Spidey, we're flying outta here. So you better untangle yourself…" Her voice trailed off as the group made their way down the alleyway.

The boss shook his head, smiling as he tapped at his ear.

"Aegis, get out here. We've got an annoying little gnat to swat."

"Coming, sir."

He stepped out of the ruined storefront, followed by a suited teen in a mask.

"Do you really think the two of you is all that's required to hold me off?" Cinder asked, drawing her weapon as the two circled her.

The boss chuckled.

"That's right. But then, lass, we just need to stall. Though considering I don't see any arrows for that bow of yours, that shouldn't be too hard, eh, Aeg?" He said.

"Better possibility than usual, I'll admit, sir."

"Than I wonder what you will you say when I make you gorge on those words with that hat following as a chaser." Cinder glared, her gaze focused on his sunglasses.

Aegis smirked as he and his leader stopped on opposites sides of Cinder.

"I like her, sir."

"Yeah, yeah."

Cinder glanced to both her sides, rolling her shoulders. Both men readied themselves. Aegis brought his arms up, flexing his hands as his leader opened his trench coat and unsheathed a longsword. Cinder clenched and unclenched her free hand, taking deep breaths. She smirked as her right hand shot up from her side as glass from the ground followed her movement, forming an arrow that landed in her palm.

"Oh that is so awesom-" The boss ducked as the arrow flew past, skimming his hat. "Less awesome! Very much less awesome!"

Aegis charged as Cinder gripped her bow in the middle, yanking it apart into two swords, the bowstring winding itself into a holding place on one of the swords.

"Shall we dance, masquerade mask? I'll lead." Cinder stabbed forward with a sword.

Aegis shifted left as he continued forward, shoving her arm back into her as he slammed a palm into her ribs. Cinder let out a grunt as she backpedaled, bringing her arms around and slashing at him with both blades. Aegis bent backwards, letting them pass over him. He straightened up as his leg shot out, heel slamming into Cinder's knee before he rammed his elbow into her stomach, a rush of air escaping from her as it landed.

Cinder fell to the floor, immediately scrambling up to one knee as she took in big gulps of air. She quickly glanced up, bringing her blades forward.

"Sloppy form, partner." Aegis said, adjusting his tie.

"Mind if I cut in?"

Cinder glanced over to see her opponent's partner swinging up, his blade whistling through the air. She flicked her weapon up, using the flat of her blade to deflect the attack. The young man lunged forward, his knee leading. Cinder rolled to her left, getting to her feet. She crossed her arms before slashing forward with them both. The leader turned, intercepting the strike with his blade, locking it between Cinder's with a grunt.

"Could use a little help here." He said, pushing forward on his blade as Cinder shoved back.

Cinder glanced back, spotting Aegis coming up behind her. Her foot came up, striking him in the face and knocking him back. Her opponent shoved their blades down, before bringing his elbow up and slamming it into the bottom of her chin. With a cry, Cinder backpedaled, shaking her head.

"SURPRISE ATTACK!"


Damocles pulled Aegis toward the alleyway as he watched the lass hurl herself away from Highlander's strike, the hammer cracking the street with a loud echoing sound. He smirked as he saw the words 'There Can Be Only One' emblazoned on his subordinate's brown leather jacket.

He started moving down the alleyway with Aegis as he saw Highlander get up and head toward them.

"I thought I said to meet at the extraction point." Damocles said, starting to climb a ladder on the side of From Dust Till Dawn.

"Weeeeeellll. I'd gotten the boys out of here, but then it sounded like you were having fun playing. Then you said you needed help. So I helped."

"Hard to argue with that logic, sir." Aegis chuckled.

"It is. It really is. Let's get go- Dammit!" Damocles shifted back as an arrow flew through the space between him and the ladder. "Is she still trying to get us?"

"She's persistent."

"You said annoying wrong. Climb faster."

"It's gonna be like dodging Arty's shots. Awesome!" Highlander grinned.

Damocles' boots hit the rooftop and he took off running, his team at his heels.

"She still following us?" Damocles asked as he glanced behind them.

He tilted his head to the side as an arrow shot past and embedded itself into a nearby chimney.

"I can hazard a yes on that, sir."

"Astute as always, Aegis."

"Thank you, sir."

"That wasn't a compliment."

"I'm aware, sir."

"All of my hate."

Highlander chuckled.

"She reminds me of the doggies on the obstacle courses at the Fort." She said as her head bopped side to side.

Aegis and Damocles turned their heads to stare at her as they continued running, hopping over to the next rooftop.

"You do realize those aren't dogs, right Highla- no. No, now is not the time to start this up again." Damocles said as he shifted to the side, dodging another arrow. "Okay, what's the deal? It's like I have a target on my back."

"Or head." Aegis said, smirking.

"Okay look you-"

Damocles stopped as a Bullhead swooped down two rooftops ahead, before starting to hover. The side panel opened, revealing Artemis.

Damocles smiled as he tapped his communicator.

"Perfect timing as always, Artemis. I need a warning shot for our tag along. Right across her nose."

"Copy that."

A gunshot rang out. A scream followed.

The team stopped on the roof in front of the Bullhead, before turning to the scream.

Damocles' jaw dropped as he watched the lass cover her bloodied face as she moved to hide behind a chimney.

"Sorry." Artemis said.

"I said across her nose, not up it."

"My aim slipped."

"... I think my hearing just died. Your aim what?"

"It. Slipped."

"We gotta go, Boss." Highlander said, tugging at Damocles' sleeve. "I'm starting to see Spec Ops arriving."

"Alright." Damocles said as Highlander got into the Bullhead. "One thing first."

He cupped one hand on the side of his mouth.

"My apologies for the face, lass. But I will say you put up a good fight. So take solace in the fact that this was the day you almost caug-"

Damocles ducked as an arrow shot over his head, watching as it dropped into the street below.

He felt around the top of his head.

"My hat... she's going down."

Aegis wrapped his arms around Damocles' waist, dragging him into the Bullhead.

"Let me go, Aegis! This is bull-"

"Head. In. Now. We need to go." Aegis said as he turned his head to the pilot. "Roman! Take off now!"

"I'm gonna go. Go kick her ass!" Damocles said, fighting in Aegis' grip.

"Acceptable losses, sir."

"You would say that."


Cinder watched the Bullhead's side panel close as the aircraft lifted and took off.

She sighed as the sound of sirens drew closer.

"Well. At least I got his hat. So I suppose things are shaping up… decently?" She said, holding her bloody nose. She winced as her hand brushed against the bullet's impact point.

"I just know that's already bruising up the rest of my face... and I forgot to take my Joules Pill today. Grand."


Ruby fidgeted in her seat, eyeing the plate of cookies on the table in front of her. The light above her swayed slightly, casting shadows across the plate. Her eyes narrowed.

"Miss Rose, if you would take one of the cookies, then this whole situation can be cleared up. You aren't even in any trouble." Ruby's gaze swayed to meet the man in the room. Captain Black raised an eyebrow.

"Nope! How do I know it isn't drugged with some kind of truth serum?" Black let out a sigh, rubbing his brow.

"For the last time: There. Is. No. Truth. Serum. You've been here for five minutes, and you don't even want sweets. I baked them myself! Gods above, kid, eat 'em. They're really good. My son loves them."

Ruby's brow furrowed. "I would never succumb to such... heresy." She glared at him as she jabbed a finger forward. "I will never eat oatmeal raisin."

"Calm down, the both of you." The two occupants of the room's eyes flashed to the woman standing in the doorway.

The woman stepped further into the room, dark eyes focused on Ruby. "Good evening, Miss Rose. It is a pleasure to meet you."

"It is?" Ruby asked, before stuttering. "I- I mean, thank you ma'am." The woman chuckled.

"You know, you have the most beautiful eyes."

Ruby's cheeks reddened. "You think so? I mean, dad always said I was special, and that I had mom's eyes. But silver eyes are really really rare, y'know!"

The woman again chuckled. "Now, Miss Rose, you have a most impressive combat record at Signal." Ruby nodded rapidly. "After reviewing these records, and several other... noteworthy recommendations from some of my colleagues, I've decided there's something special about you. Something Beacon would definitely benefit from having."

"Wait, does this mean-" The older woman held up a hand, and Ruby quickly quieted, fidgeting even more in her chair.

"Welcome to Beacon Academy, Miss Rose."

"Thank you, Headmistress Salem! I won't let you down!" Salem smiled, looking into the young girl's eyes.

"I have no doubt in my mind about that, child."

-x-


AN: Welcome to Looking Glass. We are the Discord of Lurkers, a writing community who got bored one day and started being productive. I'm KillJoy because I occasionally kill jokes, and I'm taking the lead on this one. So just sit back, relax, and enjoy. The DoL is not responsible for any damages incurred while reading this. All complaints will be sent to our HR department where it will be ignored reviewed by a salty Byzantine historian. This chapter was beta'd by the DoL members Terra and Horribrah.