AUTHOR'S NOTES: Thank you all so much for reading Part One. Your follows, favorites and reviews are absolutely incredible. You're all super cool! Part Two actually ended up being almost 10k words so I split it in half. Part two of Promise should be up sooner than this one took. Thanks again and, if you can, review! Reviews are amazing.
The Burnt Rose
Part Two: Promise - 1
-Adam- Night before the meeting-
The sky had an ominous feel to it, what with the dark clouds that hid most of the moon. The light that shone through illuminated a cliff and the camp atop it. The edge of the cliff was twenty meters from the outermost tents. There were no more than fifty of them, all dark and set up close together. Ringing the tents were nearly twenty airships, all black and unmarked.
Throughout the camp, White Fang members and hired thugs roamed. In all, there were nearly two hundred of them. They usually spoke only with their own kind, occasionally shooting disgusted looks to those of the other race. To Adam, most of them seemed nervous, and all were unnaturally quiet.
Adam walked between the tents, ignoring all who either looked at him or else called after him. He didn't want to speak with anyone right then, all he could do was think about what was to happen the following day. He still had a hard time accepting it. Perhaps there would be a way to do some good.
His old partner, Blake, had crossed his mind repeatedly since the beginning. Adam hoped that he'd be able to at least protect her, at least keep her safe. 'None of them really deserve this,' Adam thought to himself as he reached the outskirts of tents.
The White Fang had been all but disbanded over a year ago because of Libra. Libra was an organization partnered with Schnee Dust, and when it came to faunus rights, they did things the right way. They had fought the White Fang, blocking them at every turn. Eventually, the previous symbol for hope was thrown down, all because lust and greed got the better of them.
Those who remained followed Adam as they went underground, performing small jobs through local gangs and leaving the faunus rights act in the past. Even though those people took away most of what Adam considered his livelihood, he harbored no ill will towards them. 'Well, not the sort he has planned for them.'
Walking towards the largest airship of the lot, Adam attempted to clear his head. He had to keep up appearances, and right then the snarl that curled his upper lip might give more information than he was willing.
Standing outside the ship were two guards. One was about the same height as Adam, though slightly wider. The other stood a good head and a half higher than them, with arms the size of boulders. The skin on his biceps looked as though it might tear if he flexed any harder. The behemoth glowered down at Adam as he approached, a faint growl sounding in the back of his throat. 'Yeah, maybe next time, buddy!' Adam shoved passed and through the metal door.
Inside, the ship was semi dark, the main light coming from a series of computer screens arrayed on a wall of the fuselage. An older man stood with a scroll in hand, pointing to some figures as a video played in a corner. The man was small and had a short scraggly beard that made him look twice as old as he probably was. Even though the lighting was so low, he still wore small sunglasses over his eyes. No one knew his real name, seeing as he refused to give it. He was only ever called the 'doctor'.
Although the doctor had some interesting qualities, it was the slightly taller man next to him that attracted Adam's attention. Clad in the remembered black and white trench coat, with his orange hair sticking out from beneath a bowler hat, was Roman Torchwick. Leaning over the doctor's shoulder, Roman listened as he talked.
"As you can see, it followed instructions perfectly," He had an odd accent, one that didn't remind Adam of anywhere in Remnant. "Compliance was at one hundred percent and it felt no pain, just as I said."
"This is quite remarkable, doctor. It's a shame the poor bastard didn't get her. Though, it's not a complete loss," Roman sounded impressed and pleased. The old man walked off to the monitors as Roman looked up. "Ah, Adam, good to see you!"
Annoyingly, he sounded as though it was mere coincidence they should meet. 'Like you don't order me to make reports every night,' Adam simply nodded in greeting.
Roman walked forward and leaned heavily on his cane, clearly favoring his right leg. Adam didn't know how, but apparently on the day Roman was arrested he'd gotten his leg broken. Because the physicians in prison famously neglect the inmates, Roman's leg hadn't healed properly; hence the limp. "So, how are the 'troops'?"
"The men are quiet," 'They're hardly troops.' "From what I can see everything is set for tomorrow."
"Perfect, and the doctor just showed me that the final piece of our plan will be working perfectly tomorrow. Everything should go smoothly." Roman was far too happy for Adam's liking.
"About that, there was something I wanted to ask you. Regarding tomorrow, are you sure this isn't too big an undertaking? I know I've asked before, but you can't blame me for wanting to keep my people safe." Though it had yet to work, Adam consistently second-guessed Roman's plan in hopes of shedding a bit of doubt, though in as subtle a manner as possible.
Roman was about to answer when the door to the airship opened and a man walked in. "Sir, I have what you requested." The man walked up to Roman and handed him a small rectangular box.
"Ah yes, the cherry on top, excellent," Roman removed the lid of the box and smiled at what he saw. "Now, if I remove it, it'll–?" Roman made an exploding gesture with his free hand to which the man nodded. "Perfect," he placed the lid back on the box and stuck a small card he had pulled out of his jacket onto the front. "Make sure you get it there on time. Our intel says that they will all be together tomorrow morning so it's the best time to deliver it."
The man took the box and left, closing the door behind him. Roman turned back to Adam, "Now, what was I going to say? Oh yes, your question! Well, Adam, I wouldn't worry about tomorrow. If things go awry, you're a sneaky fellow, I'm sure you'll get away just fine."
Roman turned to the doctor and handed him a communicator. "I'll signal when to start moving them." Roman turned, limped passed Adam and out the door.
He followed, giving the glaring mammoth a nod and a smirk as he passed. Adam looked to see Roman walking to the edge of the cliff. Wanting to try once more, Adam went as well.
Roman looked over the edge, his hideous smile still twisting his face. Adam stood with his back to the cliff, surveying the tents a short distance off. "Are you sure you can trust this doctor, –Sir?" Adam hated using the term, making him seem subordinate to this lowlife.
"I don't trust other people, Adam. But I do trust their desire; their greed." Roman looked at him then. "All men lust for one thing, be it money, sex or prestige it's all the same. They want power, and if I can provide it then they will take it. The doctor is like all other men, he wants a power of sorts and I think I know what it is."
'Where's all this coming from?' Adam thought, feeling somewhat surprised.
"I feel as though you and I are cut from the same cloth, Adam. We both want power of a similar nature. I believe a desire for respect motivates you." Adam said nothing, just continued to examine the tents. "Yes, that lust for respect once pushed me to do many things. But now a more vital need drives me; the want for satisfaction, for reprisal and revenge."
There was silence then. Adam attempted to absorb Roman's words, hating the comparison he made of the two of them. 'I could care less about respect.'
Roman narrowed his eyes then, clearly noticing the way Adam's back was to the cliff. "Do heights frighten you, Adam?"
"No, I'm just not fond of this particular view,"
"Ha, not a very pretty sight, I'll grant you, but you cannot deny the sheer force down there." Roman turned to face the cliff, and Adam did likewise. He looked down the several hundred feet to the valley floor, only it wasn't the valley floor he saw. Instead, his view was impeded by a mass of black beasts, all standing still as soldiers waiting for an order. The creatures of Grimm were beyond count, with every type imaginable present. Just the thought of that sent shivers down Adam's spine.
"Now you see, Adam, when you take in numbers like this, it's really not a matter of if my plan will work, but how long it will take." And Adam had to agree, knowing that no one could stand against this. "As promised, you and your men will have all that you want once it's done. All the Lien you could ever need, and I'm sure there will be some pretty women for them to enjoy. Or men, whatever their fancy may be." Roman gave a dry chuckle.
That thought made Adam's gut clench, and he resolved to make sure his followers weren't involved. "I'll make sure they're aware of their privileges."
Just then, Roman raised his communicator and spoke into it. "Very well, doctor, you can move them out now." There was no response, but a moment later every single Grimm turned to face south and began to march.
The sound of an avalanche would be like a sigh of wind compared to the noise created by the monsters. "I've always wanted a city." Roman said as though to himself.
Forcing his eyes away from the sight of Deathstalkers marching next to Boarbatusks, Adam turned his back once more on the cliff. "Well, Sir, if that's all…" he walked away. As he walked, his thoughts returned to Blake, hoping, once more, that he'd be able to do something when the time came.
-Blake-
The personal limo of Schnee Dust's CEO sped down the roads of Vale as fast as traffic would allow. Blake sat across from Weiss, drinking tea from a small cup, lost in thought. The meeting with team RWBY had ended nearly twenty minutes before, and the two of them were off to complete the one thing all four of them had agreed on; speaking with Professor Ozpin.
Weiss had made the suggestion, saying that with all of his influence and spread out friends, he must have heard something about Torchwick's activities or at least something else of use. Unsurprisingly, Ruby had wanted to go right off. She was immediately shot down, however, when both Weiss and Yang shouted 'No!' She'd seemed upset, but didn't say anything else on the matter.
Before Blake and Weiss had left, Ruby said a few words to the latter in private before giving her a kiss and dismissing herself. When she was gone, Yang walked up and began to speak. "The rose..." She let that hang in the air for a while before saying anything else. "What are we gonna do about it?"
Weiss spoke first, "What can we do? If we're to assume that R.T. means Roman, then all that's left to do is to continue with our original plan and find him."
"It's possible he may be expecting that now." Blake put her hand on her chin as she spoke. "The card was addressed to all of us, which means that he knew we all would be meeting here today. If he knew that, then he's planning something. It's quite possible we could walk into a trap at any moment."
"You're right, but–" Weiss began before getting cut off.
"Hold on!" Yang closed her eyes and raised her hands; clearly frustrated. "You guys remember the burning rose, right? Don't you realize what that meant? He's made a fucking threat against my sister! What are we going to do about that?!"
Weiss took in a deep breath and rubbed her furrowed brow; something Blake had seen her do on several occasions when dealing with stubborn board members or lax employees. "Yang, I know that you're worried for Ruby and angry at what we've just seen, I understand perfectly. But, in the heat of your anger I would appreciate it if you did not insult me by suggesting that I either overlooked or ignored a possible death threat on the one person that means more to me than life itself." She said all this quickly and in one breath. Her eyes were locked onto Yang's and filled with venom. Whether the utter rage was because of Yang or the rose, Blake didn't know. "Believe me when I say, that if anything were to happen to Ruby, I would not rest until those responsible suffered appropriately, and if she were to die; I would cease to find living bearable. So, in answer to your question, no, I did not misinterpret the meaning of rose and nor, do I think, did Blake."
Yang was fuming, her hair beginning to glow. "Weiss, I think it'd be best if you waited in the car," Blake said, giving a suggestive nod towards the doors. Scowl only growing fiercer, Weiss turned and walked outside, leaving Blake alone with Yang.
"Listen," Blake began, grabbing Yang's shoulders and pulling her in close. "We're going to keep Ruby safe. You'll be with her while Weiss and I are out. We're not going to let her out of our sight until this is all dealt with, okay?" She wrapped her arms around Yang, whose muscles loosened and hair returned to its normal state.
"You're right, I just overreacted, I guess." Her expression went from relaxed to serious all of a sudden. "Blake, can you make me a promise?"
Blake's eyebrows rose at the tone of Yang's voice, "Yes, of course!"
"If anything were to happen to me, and I wasn't around to watch out for Ruby, you would keep her safe, wouldn't you?"
Blake looked into Yang's eyes, "What are you talking about? You aren't going anyw–"
Yang cut her off, "But let's say I do! Let's say something happens and I'm not… Around anymore; would you?"
Blake sighed, resigned to answer a question to a scenario that made her cringe internally. "You shouldn't have to ask something like that in the first. I love Ruby; you know I'd do whatever it took to keep her safe!"
Yang closed her eyes and exhaled, pressing her forehead to Blake's. "Thank you. I know I didn't have to ask, I just felt I needed to." She opened her eyes and smiled. "I love you, you know that?"
Blake gave a light laugh, "Yeah, I guessed as much." She then leaned in and kissed her.
Back in the limo, Weiss spoke up. "I'm sorry for getting upset with Yang."
Blake hadn't been expecting that, "Thank you…?" She continued to sip her tea, confused by Weiss' apology.
"I think the last thing we need right now is division," Weiss said, staring at the floor of the limo. "Ruby wasn't happy that I made her stay, and, of course we both saw Yang. Hopefully they'll have cheered each other up by the time we get back."
Blake smiled as she thought of Yang's methods for cheering Ruby up. They probably involved immense physical exertion and a bit of alcohol to be safe. 'Or unsafe,' "I'm sure they'll both be a lot happier by that time."
Weiss was quiet for a short while after that, and then she turned to face Blake, seriousness in her eyes. "Blake, I need to ask you to do something. I need to know that no matter what, you'll always be there for Ruby. If something ever were to happen to me, please tell me that you would not let anything bad happen to her."
Blake was immediately reminded of the promise she made Yang just a short while back. "You know, between you and Yang you'd think I never once showed the slightest interest in whether or not Ruby lived." She gave a light smirk over the top of her cup.
Weiss' brow furrowed, "What do you mean, 'me and Yang'?"
"She just asked me to look out for Ruby, as well, if she were ever to die." She put down her cup, "I feel slightly offended that you two think so little of me." Sarcasm dripped from her words.
"Blake, you know what I mean. I know you wouldn't just abandon Ruby, but let's say you had to save one person, Ruby or me." Blake attempted to interject, trying to complain about the validity of 'what if' scenarios, but Weiss cut her off. "As your boss you have an obligation to protect me and nothing I say can change that. But as your friend I would ask you to make Ruby's life a higher priority than my own."
Blake sat in silence, thinking Weiss' words over. She hated the feeling of having to choose between two lives, especially the lives of her friends. But in the end, Blake decided that the chances of something like this ever happening were about one in a million. "Fine," Blake said, deciding to placate Weiss. "Should that ever happen, I'll keep Ruby safe."
Weiss seemed satisfied, and the rest of the car ride passed in silence.
In a quick call they'd made before leaving, Professor Ozpin had agreed to meet with them. However, he told them that it would have to be at the Vale air-docks because he was leaving for Signal Academy on school business and that there wouldn't be a lot of time.
They drove for another ten minutes or so, which passed slowly due to the tension from their closed conversation. Finally, they reached the docks and got out of the limo. When they got to where the ships were, they saw an airship getting prepped for takeoff in the distance. As they walked towards it, they noticed a man in a green suit standing alone, drinking coffee. They made their way towards him.
After a few minutes of exchanging pleasantries, the three of them began to discuss their purpose for meeting. "So, how might I assist you two?" Ozpin placed his cane in front of himself and took another sip from his mug.
Weiss began to explain about Roman Torchwick; about his escape, their task to find him again, even the rose he had sent them. Finally she asked him if he'd heard anything from his contacts throughout the Four Kingdoms regarding Torchwick.
Ozpin considered their words before speaking. "I can't say that I've heard of where Roman might be or what he's been doing since his escape. I understand that, before his previous arrest, he was collecting substantial amounts of dust. Perhaps you could start by looking into dust thefts throughout the kingdoms."
"We've considered looking into that, yes." Weiss said.
"Well, I'll certainly ask some of my friends if they've heard of anything recent, and if something comes up I will, of course, let you know." The roar of the airship's engine broke the silence following his words. "Now, I may not have any information regarding Torchwick, but I have heard of some discredited Scientist who has apparently vanished since Roman's escape."
Blake looked at Weiss to see if she thought the information was worth anything. She merely looked puzzled and asked, "Why do you think they're related?"
"I'm not sure; perhaps I've developed a sixth sense over the years, then again, I doubt it." He gave a light laugh. "Apparently, he was discredited due to practices that were deemed 'inhumane'. Also, he's believed to be tied to the disappearance of an associate of his from several years ago. No one knows what happened to the woman, but this scientist was definitely a person of interest in her investigation."
Blake contemplated the information, wondering why this crooked scientist might be connected with Torchwick. "I don't know if you'll find that useful, but there you go. I do apologize that don't know more."
The pilot of the airship came up and told Ozpin they were ready for takeoff. He thanked him and bid farewell to Blake and Weiss. They watched as the ship flew off, remaining below the dark clouds as it made its way west.
The two women returned to the limo, talking about what little the Professor had told them. Blake felt slightly discouraged, because even after talking to Ozpin, they still had nothing to go on. 'All we have is the rumor of some mad scientist and a pile of ash.'
Weiss appeared to be equally upset; frowning as the limo drove them back to the Manor. They were driving past a large park when her frown of concern melted into a look of confusion. She got closer to the window and Blake followed her gaze outside.
In the park were several hundred cops, talking to each other or on their coms. "I wonder what they're doing." Blake said.
Weiss clearly wanted to find out. "Driver, pull over, please." When the limo stopped, Blake followed Weiss outside and over to the policemen.
"Excuse me," Weiss said to a cop, examining his name badge. "Um, Officer Burns, how come there're so many of you out here?"
At the sound of his name the cop looked down. "Oh, there you are. Well for some reason, every cop on duty was called here. No one really knows why." He pointed over to the larger group of cops. "That's what we were called here for, but it's not even our problem, that's a job for Hunters. Believe me; I've got a few things I'll be saying to HQ about this whole mix up."
Weiss looked confused, "What do you mean 'a job for Hunters'?"
Blake didn't wait for his answer; she began to walk towards the large group of cops, pushing her hair back as she reached for Gambol Shroud. She overheard some cop talking to his partner. "Just standin' there, hasn't attacked anyone yet." She shouldered her way through the men and women in uniform to stand at the edge of a clearing one hundred feet across.
The center of the empty circle held the answer to Weiss' question. Standing tall and menacing, with feral teeth glistening and fur as black as its heart, was an Ursa. Flanking the beast were two Beowolves, red eyes burning into the human faces that surrounded them. The ivory barbs on their arms and backs loomed out threateningly.
'What the…?' The three creatures of Grimm were standing still, not making any sort of attempt to fight. They stood, as if in formation, glaring at the cops. Their behavior was nonsensical to say the least.
Blake was about to ask one of the cops how long they had been there when something interrupted her. There was a roar of engines and a rush of wind that made everyone duck. Blake looked up and her stomach dropped.
