There, another chapter. Altough, there's one 'random' part I can't get out of it. Personally a weaker chapter, but I couldn't fix it (No matter what I tried.)

Disclaimer: Do I even have to?

Anotamous (guest): well, hope this is the progress you were waiting for. If not, stick around, next ones are better, I promise!

The Atlantean King: Glad you like the premise of the tale! I hope you enjoy the ride!

ARoseForRose: Glad you enjoyed! Yeah, it's this weird mental tick I have that makes me write far to much. And about Cinder...I make no promises, but I'll try!

Anyways, here's the next enstallment, enjoy!

'Everyone remember the plan?'

'Since you told it but five seconds ago, I think we do'

'Right...sorry'

Wiess shook her head. They stood in front of the Schnee Dust Company. The main branch of the Company was located in Atlas. But every major kingdom had a 'control' point over the production of mining Dust. So that the CEO could have enough control over all the branches. Each 'sectorhead' had the authority of a CEO, but simply answered to the CEO alone.

Weiss had Ruby behind her. Considering Yang and Blake had agreed to stay outside, to reduce the attention on them, Ruby had made the 'plan' of them checking the nearby place for Dust Musketeers, while she and Weiss would walk through the main door and question the sectorhead.
Weiss walked in the door first. Dressed in her usual outfit and a 'facade' smile plastered over her face. At first she had argued Ruby that she wanted Yang or Blake to accompany her, considering Ruby was a little impulsive. And she was a Schnee family member. So there was a bit of social pressure. But Yang and Blake both agreed with Ruby, they were partners after all. So, slightly gulping as she walked in, Weiss was accompanied by Ruby.

As they made their way to the information desk, Ruby gave of soft squeels. She had never seen the inside of a Schnee building. Overall, it was impressive. Wide open spaces, works of art on the wall. But the most desturbing was the picture of a fairly middle-aged man that looked stern and dominant over the entrance hall. Ruby wanted to ask who it was, but as she noticed how Weiss was avoiding staring at the painting, Ruby figured that she already knew.

'Goodafternoon. How can I...'

The man behind the counter looked up and froze. He could have seen a ghost. Then, shaking it off, he continued as if nothing had happened.

'How can I help you, miss Schnee?'

'I was wondering if you could answer me a couple of questions'

'However can I help you?'

'I was wondering if you could get me in touch with the leader of the Musketeers for me'

'Miss Schnee?'

'You heard me'

'I'm sorry to inform you, but your father has ordered all of us to not share sensitive material. Schoolproject or not'

'Is it sensitive material to ask if I could speak with the Musketeer captain?'

'...No...But...'

'Then would you kindly inform him that I wish to speak with him?'

'No need, but I would like if thou would adress me as a she, milady'

Weiss and Ruby made a jumpscare. A pretty normal female voice, with a strong tone of authority, spoke from behind their backs. A woman stood in front of them. Bowing down, taking of her hat. She wore a big hat with a green feather. A leather jacket and combat trousers. Rapier on her left side and a rifle holstered on her back. She was a musketeer. The Schnee Dust emblem displayed on her left chest compartment of her jacket.

Weiss recovered instantly, Ruby was still a little distracted by the sudden appearance of the Musketeer Captain. It wasn't every day you got snuck up from behind by a high ranking musketeer. As the Captain gestured for them to accompany her, Weiss followed. Grabbing hold of Ruby and dragging her allong as well.

'Shall we also bring thine friends in?'

'Sure'

'Splendid! They are already waiting'

Ruby raised an eyebrow. Walking into a nearby meetingroom where seats were placed for people with appointments, Ruby was greeted with Yang who was wandering around and Blake who sat down on a seat and had her hands folded behind her back. Yang raised her left hand and waved hello as they walked in. Which caused Weiss to roll with her eyes. The Captain also took a seat and adressed Weiss.

'Why art Thou looking for me?'

'I was wondering if you could answer me some questions'

'However I may help, I shall'

'Alright, have you ever heard of the name Crimson?'

The Captain brought her hand up to her chin and thought for a moment. Then she spoke.

'I don't seem to recall someone by the name of Crimson'

'Well, what about the name Phoenix?'

'Phoenix? I recall a recruit a while back named Phoenix, yes'

'What do you remember about him?'

'Well, he was skilled. That's for sure'

Can you...ellaborate on that?'

'Well, he graduated with top grades from the entry exam, he bested nearly every single trainer in a sparring duel and he arose to be an elite in the record time of a single year. He was the personification of our Honour Bound Code. He fought with honour, never hesitated to protect the ones in need and he was both kind to others and humble to his opponent'

'How is that possible?'

'Beg Thy pardon, milady. But what does Thou mean?'

'Isn't he a murderer and a criminal?'

'...I don't believe that, he swore an oath of Honour and held that high in regard. Milady, I know what the news and reporters claim. But I hesitate to judge the man. He was a true Brother to the Code'

'Doesn't sound like the man we've fought'

'Milady, I regret Thine encounter, but he is not a murderer. I know this because he saved my life during a violent riot once'

'Wait, what?'

'Anarchy Phoenix saved my life'

'Wait...what?'

Weiss exchanged a swift look with her teammates. Their suspisions were confirmed, somewhat. He had used a different name after he applied for the Elite. That's why Weiss didn't remember him. She never heard the name Crimson before. But she could swear that the name Anarchy was familiar somewhere. If only she could remember.
Yang stood behind Weiss and took over the conversation with the Captain.

'How exactly did he save your life?'

'Oh, he caught a bullet that was meant for me. During the riot that happened, one of the agitators drew a pistol and shot. Because I wasn't paying attention to that particular person, the front of the riot was bashing on the riot shields of the police force. And we were about to move in to assist. But then he pushed me aside and caught the bullet'

'What happened next? Did he kill the shooter?'

'Not that I can tell. He sank on his knees, obviously in deep pain, but we simply caught and arrested the shooter. Later that same day, he received the Medal of Honour because of his valor and he alsor received the title of 'protector' . And after the next few days, he was appointed to the Elite after I cleared him for that'

'You cleared his promotion? Why's that?'

'The Captain of the Elite, Treville, asked me if I could name a replacement of one of his Elites that retired. And I nominated Phoenix'

'What was he like in the ranks of musketeers?'

'He was an easy going and friendly person. But he was secluded. He never had many friends, nor did he allow people to . Either training his combat skills or he was on duty. He never seemed to take a break. He was always on the move. Sitting only during the time he ate, took a bathroom break or slept. According to what others told me, he even practiced stance and footwork during showers'

'Interesting. When was the last time that you saw him?'

'Last time I saw him, he held his head high. With bandage around his chest and his left arm because of the gunshot wound. Everyone was wishing him luck and complementing him. But I saw he would have loved it if no one took notice. I saw the uncomfortable stare in his eyes. But the others didn't notice. And after that, I never saw or heard from him again. Other then the news that stated how Phoenix had killed his family'

Hearing these facts, the four girls exchanged looks again. The man they fought hadn't exactly been the one she described. And the media kept portraying him as a mass murderer that could take down festival level of human concentrations all in the blink of an eye. So hearing that the same person that killed an entire family in cold blood was actually a respected member from the Musketeers...

'Milady Schnee, I desire not to be rude, but Thou and Thy friends are required to leave now. My every day business are about to start up again'

'Sure, thank you for your time, Captain'

'Happy to oblige Thee'

Weiss bowed down. Greeted by a bow almost immediatly by the Captain. Then, Weiss and her teammates left the building. Once outside, they began comparing what they had heard and what they had learned. Walking over the street back towards Beacon, they noticed a big concentration of specators in the middle of a dead end. Curious as to what was happening, they walked up to the crowd. Ruby, being the fastest and most nimble of the four, was able to manouvre through the crowd and see what the fuzz was all about. And what she saw was a crimson red eye accompanied by a navy blue one. One man on the ground, out cold and a woman in full panick mode.

'Consider that your 'payment', you bastard'

…

Walking for hours. Pain in your joints and a tail wiggling ball of fur that you hold close to you. It provides comfort and allows you to stay focused on what just happened. The sounds of people around you make you suspicious and the fact that most are pointing at you, make you uneasy.
That's how Crimson felt when he walked through the City of Vale. Beacon had just finished classes and everywhere students were running about doing what they love doing. And he was drawing attention. His clothes were slightly dirty and his face was exposed in a place where the holoscreens were plastered with images of wanted outlaws. He needed something to draw less attention. And he had to find food and a place to sleep. Walking around the corner, his eye caught a very favorable hoody. A black one which would fit his combat trouser. So, after dropping the required amount of money over at the counter, plus a little bonus if the man forgot about him, he bought the hoody and left.

Now with the hood pulled deeply over his eyes, he managed to avoid some attention. But that wasn't what bothered him. What bothered him, was the change in his companion. The small ball of fur in his arms was shaking in utter fear. The flames that had nearly taken his life caused the small dog to cower. Paralysed by fear.

'Cinder...'

Crimson's voice trembled in hate. Her attack had caused the one living creature of the world, the only thing that didn't judge nor hated him, to shiver in fear. Using his left eye to read the aura of the dog, he gasped in fear. The dog had now developped a fear. A 'scared to the death' fear. A phobia. A pyrophobia.

He felt tears. Something he knew he would regret but he couldn't take it anymore. Making his way to a small hotel, he rented a room. Once inside, he locked the door, released the poor dog from his hold and sunk down in utter despair. Tears flooding from his eyes, which he hid under his hood. He let his guard down. He let his awareness drop and he closed himself to everything. He broke down.

His mind sank into deep pits of darkness and his heart was beating loudly in his chest. The kind of beating that could rival the feeling of something trying to bumb it's way out of your body. His eyes hurt, his tears leaked and his body shivered. His one and only friend, nearly killed by his signature weapon. Fire had dared to try and consume his friend. And probably now his only friend would probably abandon him if he ever used fire again. Despite trying not to, his voice trembled and his breath was shakey.

But even in the darkest ot nights, stars shine bright. In the deepest of pits, life still grows wonderfull flowers. And despite the strongest of rains, sunlight always manages to dry the rain up. While he had broken down, his hand had fallen on the ground. But a soft wet nose sniffed his fingers and a warm tongue licked his hand. A caring and gentle gesture, sometimes, is all you need.

Looking up, he saw his friend. Maybe not wiggling his tail, but not shivering in the face of Crimson. Instead of running away or barking in his face, the dog simply crawled close by and rested his body near Crimson's waist. Looking up with brown eyes that weren't judgemental nor afraid. Only concerned. The dog had felt his despair. And tried whatever he could, to help Crimson.

'I'm sorry, I'm so sorry'

The dog whined softly, rubbing his head softly against Crimson's waist. Comforting and carefull. Crimson's hand began petting and stroking the fur of the dog. Over the head and allong the side.

'I trully am sorry for the pain that was nearly caused upon you'

The dog looked at him.

'Syius, I promise that nothing will happen to you'

Syrius wiggled his tail once he heard his name. The fact that Syrius was still the joyfull fuzzball as Crimson knew him for, lifted some of the despair up. A small smile worked it's way on his lips. He bend over and placed his forhead against that of Syrius. A signature thing he had done since he knew him as a puppy. And they both had grown to see that as a gesture that stood symbol for their bond. A bond...not easily broken.

After several seconds of this passed, Crimson stood up. He felt new energy burn through his body. He had his strength back. And that's what matters. That and the well being of his comrade. And as it would happen, he hadn't fed him in several hours. Poor thing must be starving. He looked at his friend, who was wiggling his tail and hung his tongue out of his mouth because he was happy.

'What do you say, should I get you some food?'

Syrius barked. Agreed! Crimson laughed. Yes, he was not going to lose a friend. He grabbed the key, unlocked the door and then kneeled in front of his friend.

'Listen, I'm going to lock the door. I don't want you harmed. Do me a favor and hide. I really don't want you to get harmed'

Syrius tilted his head to the left. As if he didn't understand. But before Crimson opened his mouth again, Syrius turned around and hid under the bed. Yeah, he would be safe. Crimson closed the door once he was outside and then locked it. Turning on his heels, he walked back into the world.

After gathering the needed things, like food and drinkable stuff, Crimson returned. Feeding Syrius while also grabbing a bite to eat himself. He didn't realise how hungry he was. But that was not nearly important as finding a new employer. As a mercenary, he didn't exactly have a lot of choices. That and the way employers could contact him, via scroll or other means, were unusable. He had nothing, other then the money he had earned in his lower trouser pocket and his weapons. And selling a weapon...was out of the question!

And that's why, after he had finished his meal and had attended to the daily care of Syrius, he left again. Syrius sleeping on the bed, covered with a blanket. He went out and began scouting the place of town where he was. He needed a steady flow of money. But where to get that? Maybe he could find a place with the Musketeers. They would welcome him back, as a Brother. Or they would throw him in jail. And the latter was more likely to happen. What else? Running for vigilante wasn't a good idea either. Helping the inocent is a moral desire he...usually...felt. But it didn't exactly pay well. And going to a jobinterview was even more stupid. He could just as easily walk into the police office and turn himself in. And so he wondered his thoughts and roamed the streets.

'Don't move. And pay me all your money!'

He looked up from his wondering to see a woman of middle aged being robbed by a young punk with a knife somewhere in an alley way. He sighed. He couldn't just walk away from this. He started walking towards the pair. Until he saw how the youngster began twirling the knife in the face of the woman. Acting on instinct, he kicked the knife out of the youngster's hand. He did this by using a side kick: standing back to back with the punk, kicking his left leg sideways. Then he reached with his right arm to grab the punk in a headlock and pulled him out of balance and over his side. Making the youngster dance ackwardly with a bad cuved back to keep his balance.

'What the?'

'Alright, punk, that's no way to treat a lady'

'What are you sticking your nose into? Let go!'

'I don't think so. Drop the knife'

'Why?'

'Because I can choke you into unconciousness this way'

'Really? Back off, piece of...'

Crimson entered the choke hold, cutting the swearing of the youngster in half.

'Didn't your parents taught you that swearing is bad for you?'

Crimson Looked over his shoulder. The woman looked back at him. She shuffled backwards. And fiddled around with her fingers. She had a panicked look in her eyes. Something was wrong.

'Let go of the kid. Pick on someone your own size, tough guy'

Crimson looked back. There was a band of four guys standing before him. All menacingly cracking their knuckles. Each weared the same stupid combination of jeans with a trench coat and had short hair. Probably a so called 'gang'.

Crimson released the boy. Who ran towards the four big guys. Before he could speak, however, one of the four slapped him in the face. Crimson moved instantly. Stepping closer, he raised his foot and kicked with moderate kinetic energy. Making the 'gangster' fall backwards. The other three, enraged by this act of 'disrespect', pulled out folding knives. Crimson laughed mentally. This was no challenge.

'That was a bad call, tough guy'

'Really?'

'Yes, very bad'

'You have a deathwish?'

'No, not really, mister 'I hit children' '

'Oooh, looks like we got a hero here'

'Good, I like the hero type. They squirm so loudly and lo...'

Crimson roundhoused. Turning around and swinging the back of his heel in an arc from right to left, the gangster felt to his knees. A crowd began gathering around them. This, however, did not slow the guys down. As the other one who had been knocked down got back up, he helped the second one back on his feet. Then they all four twirled stupidly with their knives. Considering drawing his rapier and his Phoenix Blade would take far to long, he opted for a better trick. Entering a guard stance with his right foot extended forward a bitand his left arm to cover his chest and the right one in a ninety degree angle guard, he waited.
Sure enough, the four lunged. A smirk on his face. He duck through his knees, dodging the knives. Then he rose up with a jmpkick. Knocking one of the four back. Before the others could recover, he backflipped on one hand. Pulling out his C96 with a quickdraw motion. The boy ran. The four bad buys all stared at him in disbelief.

'What? You're gonna shoot us?'

Crimson smirked. Pressing a hidden button right next to the mag release, he changed the type of ammunition. He had just normal bullets, but a secret mechanism within his gun could alter the bullet from deadly shot to a painful, non-lethal bullet. Then he aimed and shot one of the four.

While the others ran away in disbelief and self preservation, Crimson holstered his pistol and wallked over to the guy that layed on the floor, coughing violently. Crimson dragged him back to the woman and punched him in the face.

'That's for hitting the kid. Now appologice to her'

'I'd rather die'

'Really?'

Crimson chopped with the side of his hand in the neck of the bad guy. Again he coughed. Without waiting for an answer, Crimson hit him again, stating he would keep doing that, until he heard an appology. It lasted for five of those chops, before the man broke under the pain and appologiced.

'Why did you try to rob her through a kid?'

'He was just some school renegade. And she was late in protection money'

'Well then...'

Crimson punched the man out cold.

'...consider this your payment'

Crimson turned around and spotted two silver eyes in the crowd. A little girl from fifteen stared at him. And Crimson saw her teammates were nearby. At first he didn't knew how they found him. Then he knew how to respond. Slowly backing against a fence, that reached just over his waist in size, he placed his left hand on it and jumped over. As he landed, he sprinted away...

'Quick! We have to catch up!'

Ruby worked her way out of the crowd and ran after him. Hot in persuit. While she was running behind him, despite the fact he was a snake in a fight, she could keep pace quite easily. Not gaining, but not losing either. He wasn't at all that fast. Running their way through alley ways and streets, Ruby messaged the others via scroll that they had to box him in. Blake would work around fromt he left allong with Yang, while Weiss would try to outmanouvre him from the right. Yet, strangely, Ruby figured this was like a deer hunt. Each time they began boxing him in, he lept over someone and ran for it again.

Breathing heavy, he placed his left hand on his side. The running had caused stinging feelings to hit him. As if he was poked with a rapier between the ribs each step he took. Exhaustion. Already, and the fight hadn't begun yet. This wasn't looking good. At all. And they were persistant. Maybe if he could...

A massive blow to his jaw caused him to stagger, tumble and eventually stop his movement. He was trapped. The blow had blasted him out of the 'ideal' vector. Tumbling face first into a wall. Dead end...

'Finally, now we're alone'

He rose to his feet, shaking the pain of. He stared in the blazing eyes of Yang. The blonde berserker. He gulped. He knew his limit and he was dangerously close to that point. A fight that he normally prefered, stalling for time and waiting for someone to make a mistake while he hid behind his defensive wall, was a bad idea at this time. He wasn't able to drag a fight out. That would result in a loss.

'Normally I'd just draw my Blade and fight you...but I've got other plans'

'Sure you do, tough guy'

'Wow, attitude'

'Oh Crimsy, I was just playing with you. But now I'll be fighting you seriously. Teach you what happens if you harm my sister'

'Crimsy? You have a deathwish, Blondie?'

'Never had and never will'

'Alright. If it's a fight you want, it's a fight you'll get'

'Finally, some action!'

'Yang!'

Crimson looked up. Blake had found them and sided with Yang instantly. Both of them boilin for a rematch. Crimson sighed and entered the same guard stance as before. His right foot extended forward and his left arm locked close to his chest in a guard. His right fist was held in a ninety degree angle guard in front of his torso and face.

Yang raised her fists, Ember Celica folded out into the boxing gauntlets that they are. Entering a classic boxing guard, Yang was more then ready. Blake was less easy to pinpoint. She grabbed her Gambol Shroud in a dual wield version. Using the thin fine blade in her right in conjunction with the reversed grip on her scabbard that held a sharp edge. Crimson slowed his breathing. And entered the mindset he always entered during combat.

This was something he thanked his teachings of both his father, the musketeers and the Elite for. In his long carreer of fighting, Crimson managed to develop a specific mentallity. Like a fencer needs to remain calm and focused. Crimson's breathing slowed down, his mind relaxed and his body went in a state of hyperfocus. This hyperfocus, enhanched by his special ability of reading the aura of others, translates the information that he saw into simple motions that he had drilled into his body. Every movement he made in this state was just as simple as taking a deep breath. It was this mindset that enabled him to rival other duelists at all. Considering that if he wasn't focused, he made msitakes. And in battle: every mistake, is a one way ticket to the afterlife.

Yang dashed forward, supported by the gunshots of Blake. Crimson dodged to the side. Making sure that either Yang or Blake were between him and the other. This forced Blake to stop shooting, as a bad vector could mean a serious wound for Yang. Yang, however, was always in close proximity and made a barrage of jabs, punches and hooks.
Crimson's breathing quickened slightly, but he was able to either match the blows, block them or alter their angles. Like when she had found an opening, she angled for his face. But he swung his right elbow defensively and altered the angle of her punch. Causing her to miss. Which in turn caused her to be even more enraged.
So much so that her jabs were becoming faster and stronger by the second. Crimson tried whatever he could, but he could only block. She was even so swift in her attack, that he couldn't even made snake like dodges. He had but one trick for this.

Yang was letting her anger loose. Beating away at the man who had tried to harm her sister. Every fist was a blow for justice. And every ounce of justice would be painful. Yet with the deepest of effort, he managed to hold his own against her. The fact that he was this close yet still holding firm, make her tremble in anger. She wanted to drive her fists in his body. In this mindset, her punches became even faster. More explosive. Her hair flairing up slightly. And then she made one overpowering blow to his right shoulder. But instead of sinking to the floor in pain, he used the blow of her fist to rotate around and get closer. Planting a firm elbow to her belly, Yang staggered back. Only for Crimson to rotate again, placing an open left palm against her belly.

In an instant, the energy travelled through his hip and into his left arm. Guiding it with a gentle push, Crimson struck Yang. Staggering back about five steps, Yang glared up. Yes, his strike was strong enough to make her back off, even on the verge of going berserk. Quite a feat. But Yang wasn't alone. A single gunshot alerted Crimson. With a sidestep, he dodged the ranged Gambol Shroud attack. Yet Blake had seen this before and acted faster. Retracting the ribbon, the gun fired and sliced a single cut over Crimson's left shoulder.

'What the...'

He stepped back and reached for his shoulder. It wasn't to deep and the bleeding was minor. He was in luck. Unless, she wasn't aiming for him. Crimson glared back. A yellow flame driving hard on his right cheek. Crimson's vision blurred while he was flung back first into a nearby wall. Coughing violently and spitting out a drop of blood, Crimson shook it off. But not as easily, this time.

'Gotcha'

'Lucky shot'

'Oh really? Maybe you're just not as good as you think'

'Maybe...maybe not'

Crimson recovered and entered a different guard this time. His right arm and feet were the same. But his left arm was withdrawn, fist made and pulled back behind his side. Leaving his chest wide open. But that was the point. He intentionally opened himself, allowing for a fake sense of security in his opponent. This had worked thousands of times on duelists and other raging scrappers. So he hoped it would work on Yang as well. But again, he had to focus part of his attention on Blake. Blake, who seemed to have grown even faster since their first scuffle. Which was potentionally problematic. Speed, no matter how hard he tried, was the absolute weakness he had. He just lacked the stamina to properly counter it with more speed. And he wasn't strong enough to stay in a total defensive stationary position. He was neither a cat darting left and right. Nor an immovable rock. He was a clumsy dancer at best.

Yang closed in again, fists blazing and hair glowing. She wanted to get him And he wasn't able to sustain against her unslaught. So, there was but one thing he could do. He had to trap Yang. She wasn't the one trick brawler he made her out for. And that coupled with the precision that Blake brought in suport, was bad. Very bad for him. He needed a way out. A way to be what he always was...

Well, apart from the fight and hunt scenes, the talk with the Musketeer captain, I really don't like this chapter. Feels kinda random. If you feel the same, let me know. Cause I'm curious!