No one can hear me scream, maybe it's just a dream or maybe it's inside of me. Stop this monster!

CLANG! The hammer crashed down against the bent metal, the heat causing sweat to drip from her forehead. It fell from her hair onto the scorching metal, only to sizzle away on contact. She had been slaving for days in this rundown blacksmith's hut trying to make an adequate weapon for Ruby. Scarlet Bloom would, to Cinder, not be enough for her plans.

It had been three years now. Three years of gruelling strengthening and physical, as well as emotional, building. Lord knew how many bandit-occupied areas there were outside this small town, so they needed to be ready.

It had also been three years since Cinder had started what she dubbed as her 'five year plan'. Ruby had been constantly toughened and trained to fit Cinder's vision. Due to this, there relationship had been sidelined yet it couldn't help but show sometimes. Shaping her wasn't easy either – her buoyant nature made sure of that. Every day however, Cinder could see improvement. The cracks from the loss of Summer were slowly being paved over. Cinder saw a fighter materialising before her eyes.

She knew that wouldn't be enough though. It would only work if she built up more people, which was why she had inconsistently been going back and forth with Torchwick over the last three years. She and Ruby alone wouldn't be enough, they needed more help and each of them needed to be as brutal as the last.

Why was she doing this though? It was a question she asked herself everyday and more so when she was alone in the hut. The answer had been uncertain at first, but Cinder grew surer of it every time she asked herself.

"People need to be punished for their ridicule and hate."

She grew more confident every time she spoke those words. It all came down to humanity unbalancing the preset equality of Remnant. The hate she felt for those narcissistic pigs was the fuel to her fire. Anger had slowly consumed her after the bandit raid, only Ruby almost kept it at bay all this time.

Almost.

Cinder ended up taking out her anger on Ruby from time to time. It was rare, but it did help remind the both of them that Cinder hadn't lost her intentions.

"One day, I'll show them. All their power will mean nothing then," Cinder said as she wiped her hands on her dress.

"Did you say something, Cinder?"

Cinder slowly turned, brushing her face as she did. Ruby was at the entrance, clutching her mother's weapon. Dirt coated her dress and her hair was matted, no doubt she had been practising. Cinder smiled at that.

"Just reminding myself of people like those bandits," Cinder said. There was no reason to hide it. She knew well that Ruby hated the bandits and people like that as much as she did. Sadness had since been replaced by a sole emotion that gave Ruby a reason to fight – vengeance.

"Okay. You got another letter, by the way, from that Torchwick guy," Ruby said as she walked towards Cinder. The younger girl could almost feel the heat radiating from the woman's skin.

"Thank you." Cinder took the letter and almost eagerly opened it.

Cinder,

I had some men scout the outside of the town. If you're going to get to Vale, you'll need to go through a bandit camp first of all. They'll be easy enough to take out now, and then prepare for Vale afterwards.

I'll meet you and your 'project' then for completion.

Roman.

It was almost time for action.

"Is it finished yet?" Ruby asked sadly as she peered around Cinder to look at the half-finished weapon. The latter quickly stuffed the letter into her pocket.

"Just about." Cinder sighed and rested her hand on Ruby's sheath. "You can't keep clinging onto remainders from your past. It's only holding you back and you need to move forward. You have to choose your own path Ruby."

Clearly, Ruby didn't see the contradiction in the statement. That, Cinder was happy about. She was deterring her from her old roots to lead her on a path which Cinder had already chosen.

Ruby stopped and looked at Cinder. Only she didn't see the raven-haired girl, she saw Summer.

"You're going to have to choose your own path."

Then she was gone, and Cinder took her place.

Ruby bowed her head, her eyes refusing to look at Cinder's hand. It felt as if Scarlet Bloom was the last thing she had left of her mother. Fighting with her was what kept Ruby fighting, in her opinion. But they both said that her own path was to be chosen, so maybe it would be better if she started afresh.

Putting her own hand on Cinder's Ruby nodded. "You're right. Tell me when it's finished."

She turned around and began to leave, leaving Cinder muttering to herself as she returned to work. "This weapon is fit for a killer. Hopefully that will help in a way."

Ruby reached the outside and sighed as she allowed the pleasant breeze to wash over her. Her silver orbs became fixed on the sunset. A gentle purple haze accompanied the golden glow. Small strokes of red were painted around the sun in a majestic array of colour.

Summer had always loved the sunset.

Ruby sighed as she pulled out Scarlet Bloom. She began walking, and walking. Each step feeling longer and more excruciating. The past was holding her back, she knew, but it was not something she could break away from. In the end, every ending is a new beginning I will always love you, mom. Ruby raised her arm. But this is for the best.

She brought her arm down and plunged the sword into the dirt.

Collapsing back, she allowed the fading warmth to consume her. The vanishing rays of sunlight bounced of the stainless, silver blade of her mother's weapon and into Ruby's eyes, obscuring her vision. Ruby, covering her eyes, swore she could see Summer alongside Scarlet Bloom with a disappointed look on her face.

Then the last of the light faded over the horizon, and she was gone.

"It's finished!" Cinder brandished her weapon in front of her. It was a fairly standard weapon to her, a simple sword with a sickle-like hook at the bottom of the hilt. It was nearly as long as her arm yet felt extremely light, something Ruby would take to well.

Funny, Cinder didn't feel that the weapon was an extension of her. No, it wasn't because she used her aura in combat or that it wasn't built for her. It was because the sword was not made with any other purpose besides violence. However, the talk of a weapon being near useless when the wielder didn't feel connected to it was rubbished by Cinder. To her, every weapon had one purpose.

And that was to kill.

"Ruby?" Cinder called again. The younger girl had not returned since she had walked out, and it didn't look like she was answering either.

She stepped out and relished in the cold air of the night. The stars dotted the sky like dozens of tiny crystals. The moon, on the other hand, was shattered. It broke the majesty of a flawless image.

It reminded Cinder of this town.

One they would be leaving soon.

It didn't take long to spot Ruby. She was lying nearly motionless on her back, the sword planted firmly in front of her. The look on her face only showed uncertainty, she hadn't even left the sword at all.

Silently, Cinder moved and sat alongside Ruby. She didn't even seem to notice her until Cinder allowed her hand to drift to drift to Ruby's shoulder. The touch was a magnet to Ruby, as she sat up and pulled herself closer to Cinder.

The older girl couldn't help but smile at Ruby. Even through everything they had been through, she still deeply cared about Cinder, and the feeling was mutual too. Her intention wasn't to grow closer to this child. She was glad she did though; she would be getting retribution because of it.

Was there more than that though?

Cinder shook her head as the thought of loving Ruby sneaked into her mind. Of course she didn't, she couldn't. Then what did she feel? It wasn't like anything she had felt before, especially with another girl, even if she was this young.

Her head turned and she found her eyes locked with Ruby's. The moonlight almost seemed to make her eyes glow. The adorable look that could, even to Cinder, lift you up. It would have been the perfect time to lean in, to close the distance.

Control yourself!

"We're going to have to get up early tomorrow," Cinder said, edging away from Ruby. Something neither of them wanted to happen.

"Where are we going?" Ruby said, tracing unfathomable shapes in the dirt as if she wasn't listening.

"To Vale," Cinder said. Upon seeing Ruby's eyes jump up to her in surprise, she added, "But we need to take out the bandits and prepare first." She made an effort to avoid the word 'kill'.

"That'll be easy! I mean, I can finally see Yang and Qrow again."

Cinder paused. The pure joy that lined Ruby's every word made her do so. In Cinder's plan, they weren't going to meet her sister and uncle. Cinder contemplated for a moment. No matter what excuse she used, Ruby wouldn't take it well.

"I can't wait for you to meet them. It'll be like we're one big family again!"

"Um, Ruby?" Cinder tried to protest but the young girl had already found her way into her arms.

Sighing contently, Ruby whispered, "Thank you, Cinder."

Oh no. Cinder had a real job to do now. The only good Ruby had left to hang onto was Yang and Qrow. Without them, her innocence would surely be crushed by a lack of anything to fight for. The girl would lose the light.

But create the dark…

Cinder would get to witness the side of Ruby she wanted to see. She'd wait until tomorrow, just before their attack. Her mind had been forcefully made up.

Ruby will become mine tomorrow.

The sun was rising in Vale. Its expanding rays caused the water to twinkle in the early morning light. It wasn't so pleasant for everyone, as to Roman Torchwick, another day past was another day wasted.

He resided in a warehouse on the docks. He, some men and a Bullhead were the only inhabitants. It wasn't because it was the only safe place; Vale was untouched by bandit activity. But, as a master criminal, he needed to stay low.

"I couldn't have just gone and found another powerful girl, could I?" Roman complained as she slammed his cane on his desk. He didn't have anything he needed to start spreading terror through Vale. He needed men, money, and killing machines. The last one was what Cinder was and it was the only reason he had waited over three years for her.

Also, there was a subliminal power struggle between the two which had not been won, with neither referring to the other as their superior. Admittedly, if fear was going to do the best job, then Cinder would be the leader. She could scare people into working with her, while Roman was more cunning. But fear seemed to work more these days.

He knew the reason Cinder was still there, and it was because of the girl she had found. At first, Roman had been more than unconvinced, but Cinder insisted that this girl would become their best. All she need was to be 'completed'.

Roman turned back around jumped. There was his partner, back sooner than expected.

"Don't scare me like that, Neo," Roman said, adjusting his bowler hat from the scare. His partner, Neo, was the only other resident of the building. She also had a tendency to appear unexpectedly, being Roman's personal mailwoman.

Neo simply handed Roman a note, undoubtedly from Cinder, before walking off without saying a word. Probably to go back to bed.

Roman growled and tore open the letter. Maybe he would receive clarification now. It would have been long overdue.

Roman,

Ruby and I are preparing. After we kill the bandits, we'll set off for Vale soon after. Have everything ready for when I arrive.

Cinder.

Grinning, Roman glanced over at a pile of wires and vials of dust lying on a table. He had hoped this would be used sooner, but now he was happy that it was going to be used at all.

It was time.

There was no time to bask in the warm weather of the calm serenity. Today was all about hurt, and the infliction of it. Cinder wouldn't rest until their blood had been spilt.

They were at the tree line. Beyond it, there was a group of bandits. Probably the same ones that destroyed the town. It would make this all the sweeter for Cinder.

Ruby was shaking. Whether it was because of the nerves or eagerness, Cinder couldn't say. There was just one more blockade on the road, one that shouldn't pose as much of a threat.

"After we beat them, we'll prepare then leave for Vale afterwards. We'll meet Torchwick there." Cinder looked down at Ruby, expecting obedience.

What she got was a confused expression. "Who is Torchwick?"

"We're meeting him in Vale."

"What about Yang and Uncle Qrow?"

It's time to tell her… Cinder turned away, not wanting to look Ruby in the face as she spoke her predetermined lie. "Ruby, Roman told me they don't want to see you." She bit her lip after speaking. Lying was never this hard for her.

"What do you mean?" Ruby asked dejectedly.

"They don't feel you'd be useful enough without Summer." Cinder snuck a glance at Ruby before adding, "They think you're worthless."

Looking right at her, Cinder had mixed feelings towards what she saw. Ruby's eyes had darkened considerably, banishing the usual shine which they contained. Her fists and jaw were clenched and she was shaking. Anger looked to be showing wherever it could as if it was waiting to escape.

Worthless. The word exploded in Ruby's head. So many times she had doubted herself for being just that. Now there was her own family, confirming it. It had felt as if a malevolent wind had blown around her, and now only one thing remained in her mind.

I'm not worthless. I'll prove it!

She yanked her hood up, concealing her eyes. Her hand grabbed the hilt of her weapon and she burst into the trees without waiting for Cinder.

"Ruby! You'll get yourself killed!" Cinder shouted as she attempted to follow. But all she could see were trees and a cloud of rose petals. She kept on running until she heard a harsh voice which stopped her instantly.

"What do you want, you little bitch?" Cinder didn't recognize the loud voice, so it must have been a bandit. He must have been talking to Ruby.

Some inaudible mumbling later, and the same bandit shouted, "How dare you, I'm going to-"

He didn't finish his sentence; a howl of pain cut him off.

"Quick! Kill the freak!" A different bandit this time. The shrill sounds of swords being unsheathed, followed by gruff battle cries, had Cinder fearing the worst. She broke into a run, determined not to let anything bad happen.

As she got closer, more sounds could be heard. The whooshing of swords cutting through hair, the sound of cold metal plunging into flesh and the cries which ensued.

Leaping out of the trees, Cinder primed her flames. But what she saw was quite extraordinary.

Bodies. Blood. Weapons. They were all scattered on the ground. Petals were dancing all around them. All of the bandits were all dead. Cinder counted seven bodies, maybe some had escaped. Only one was standing tall, and that was Ruby Rose.

Her blade was pointed at a downed bandit, who was crawling backwards. He had a gaping wound in his chest.

"Please, I'll do anything. I have a wife and kids."

"An eye for an eye," Ruby said simply. "You killed my mother and now you'll pay."

Raising her sword, she brought it high above her head.

Cinder closed her eyes, but her mind still saw it perfectly. The sword dropped, earning a bloodcurdling scream. Then silence.

She was no stranger to violence, but never this brutal. Especially not from a thirteen year old. Yet, Cinder felt an emotion she knew she'd feel – pride. She was proud that Ruby had reached her potential emotionally.

Anger is your greatest weapon, and also your greatest enemy.

Ruby suddenly fell backwards with a hard thud. Her sword followed suit with a loud clattering, causing the remaining Nevermore to disperse. It was when Cinder rushed to help that she saw what Ruby had really become.

Her face was dotted with red patches, which gradually trickled down her cheeks. Her cloak was darkened in some places and her clothes were stained also. Her sword, however, was painted in a thick scarlet coat. The metallic smell filled her nostrils, causing her to gag.

"I am not worthless, you see," Ruby said, in a gruff voice with closed eyes. After sighing, she added in a small voice which Cinder was used to, "I'm sorry, mom."

Cinder felt mystified. Was Ruby talking to her or her mother? What was this new personality that had emerged? Would it be Ruby's rise or her fall? None of them could be answered, but Cinder could gather one thing.

That was that things were going to be different now.

Cinder wasn't sure if she had made the right choice.

A/N: Actually updated on time... very late, admittedly (UK time), but still on a Sunday nonetheless! Sorry for not updating last week by the way, I was on holiday and was strained for time so I could only complete the latest chapter in my other fic. I will try to get one out every Sunday for you guys while From Black to White may take two weeks per chapter (although I'm trying to shorten them for a weekly update (tell me your thoughts on that idea by the way)). Hell, if you think that some of the ideas on my profile are better than let me know and I might it on hold if that many want to see something else.

Phew, I feel this is the strongest chapter so far in terms of plot and stuff. Also, this story may fall into the M-rated soon if I decide to add more blood and gore etc. Additionally, I feel this is a good time to mention that Ruby will be OOC from this point on. I also just had to throw Neo in there (sorry). Unfortunately, I return to school this Tuesday too so I apologize if this means more delays, but I will try and push thanks to the support some of you guys have shown. Knowing people want to read it makes me want to write more.

Next chapter will introduce another familiar character to raise tensions too. Check back sometime on September 7th for Chapter 5. Remember to review, follow and favourite if you enjoyed. Thanks for reading!