Author's Note: The first(and only) actual two part chapter. So Yay?


The Heroes and The Queen

Revenge, Peace, Arrogance, and Survival

Chapter Six: The Black Market Part One

One Year Ago…

Somber breathing could be heard. It's dark, but it's not as isolated and hopeless as before.

The girl was still sleeping peacefully but the outside world could still be heard out of the black horizon. Everything could be alright or everything could be the same. Someone could be heard and their warmth felt in the air unlike before.

Only one way to find out and see if it's constructed fantasy or 'real'.

Shiny green eyes woke up; filled with both dread and hope. The sound was slowly coming in: it was rain, loud and strong. Breathing in again, each note tasted by rosy lips.

She looked around. It was some kind of cabin, as best of she could recognized; having never seen one in person before. Like the books she read everything was handcrafted. Dark brown logs place on top of each other, decorated with a table, seat and the neat transparent curtains that partially hid the misty condensation.

Looking back indoors it was a strong contrast. So warm and cozy, it confused her for a minute. It is been a long time since she felt the feeling. So alien and ancient.

Her meek and pale hands felt something, the mint-green blanket draped over body. She then hurriedly took off the cloth to revisit the nightmare article of clothing that she's been used to. A grey and abysmal colored jumpsuit that jailed her; still muddy and torn. Damp feet exposed against the red plaited bed sheet.

There was a brief moment of clarity. A deep sigh.

Across from her the oil-lamp illuminated something else. A blue coat, it was some kind of lab coat. It was hanging off the bedpost with its back slightly facing her. There was an image of a white fairy against the blue backdrop adoring it. She stared at it for a good while before examining the rest of the room.

It was a moderately big room. It was not as bear as one would think it would be for a cabin in middle of the woods. On the wall adjacent to her was a flag or banner of a white wolf's head against a blue background. Eyes drawn she didn't hear the footsteps coming in from the other room.

The pleasant voice spoke, "Don't worry, I'm one of the good guys."

The suddenly spooked girl jerked her head to the other girl who just addressed her.

Hazel eyes meet dull green. The girl who was very tall dressed for comfort in a yellow knitted sweater and white pants. Grey-wolf ears twitched with a warm smile.

"So are you okay right? You took a nice spell so I'm glad to see you awake." she said.

A friend was made.


"Janey, Ya awake yet?"

A painful yelp was heard.

The girl dressed in pink-pajamas thrashed around and abruptly woke up. The expressionless face sprung to life as she stretched her arms. "Yawn! What a wonderful start to another great day!" The leader of team JOLT proclaim unaware.

A groan was heard.

Curious at the noise that beckon Jane lean in over to the right side of the bed where she saw her dazed partner Olga lying down on her butt with swirls of confusion in her eyes. "Oh my Olga, What are you doing down there?" she asked innocently.

The wolf Faunus was still wincing in pain before she responded to her gawking leader. "Ya look like ya had trouble waking up."

"Huh? I did?" Jane stared blankly, thinking back at the warm memories. After casting aside those thoughts she got out of bed and helped Olga up. Though, the Faunus couldn't help but notice that her leader wouldn't let go of her hand.

"uhm, Janey? Can I have that back?" Olga awkwardly chuckled.

Jane stared at their hands still gripping unaware, "hmm?" finally reading the uncomfortable air from the prolong gesture she quickly let go. "I am sorry!" she shyly panicked.

Olga coyly smiled. "Janey ya are so weird sometimes." She continued to chuckle.

The team leader smiled along with her, it felt good to feel well again after yesterday's events. She would always enjoy little moments like this with her partner and best friend.

"Olga?" The muttered words from Jane silenced Olga.

"Thanks."

"For what-"

Knock! Knock!

"Wait, why I'm knocking?" A confuse voice asked itself from outside the door.

"Luvia, use the scroll." The small patient voice that accompanied her advised.

The door slowly creaked open to reveal Luvia and Theresa standing idly. The smaller girl quietly entered the room and sat down on her bed while the dark chatelaine lugged the large ax-North's wind-on her shoulder.

"Still having trouble getting use to the scrolls?" Olga asked Luvia who nodded. "I'm with ya on that plight, the darn contraptions-"

'~Baby, baby I've been waiting for a longtime~'

"Huh? of all the-!" she patted herself, trying to look for her many pockets again for the alleged phone ring. Finding it, the scroll screen lit-up with a familiar number.

"Janey!" Olga turn around to her partner who was sitting upright on her bed-phone on one hand-shaking her arms with a dance and a smile.

"~I say ooh! what can I do?~" She sang.

Looking at her partner with studious eyes a smile soon rose.

The infectious charm from Jane was always a constant morale that would bring a touch of glee to her team. At times Olga would always find Jane to be a capricious enigma.

The once weary Faunus would always try to pry on Jane's ironclad thoughts and past but would get no results. But looking at as Theresa smiled as she enjoyed the tune and Luvia whose inquisitive stoic face stared with an imprint of genuine content it would simply bring to mind that she shouldn't coldly examine it. That she was very different from the girl she met a year ago.

Olga furtively kept away her frown.

As well it would bring to mind that her demeanor was fragile and prone to attack, that there would be times that she would have to leave her partner. A heavy burden that limited her options.

Luvia came up to her with an almost understanding expression, "Olga." out of her adsorbed state she turn to see a just maintenance North's Wind handed to her. Shined and armed, being 'teammates' with the CEO of a weapons manufacturer whose been drilled with the upkeep of weapons was beneficial.

"Thank you~ Luvia." She said earnestly.

The high-class weapon that was a handmade gift from both her and Jane; built around the frame of an old axe that she use to carry around.

Olga then squinted intensely into Luvia's eyes with a troubled face. "So, are ya really going with Ruby's partner to put the squeeze on the White Fang?"

Briefly taken back Luvia glowered warily. "Yes, tonight Schnee and I, along with Team RWBY (sans Ruby) will be following up on some White Fang matters. Schnee has mention that Ruby's older sister has it in with Vale's underground politics; so to speak."

The Faunus looked away, "I see." she then wistfully glance back. "Good luck then."


"So this is where I would find you."

Blake would have to admit that her attempt at playing casual felt a little wooden. The troubled blond reflected under the rising sun, uncharacteristically quiet with her head propped on her hand and her elbow resting on the black guardrail. Yang wasn't the sort of person to be out in the morning. Even more so up before anybody else; that's much she knew about her partner.

Upon hearing her Yang slowly turn her pouting head at Blake in which a friendly smile crept."Kinda ironic isn't?" She return to gaze at the sunrise. "This time it's me with the problem."

Blake said nothing as she strolled and leaned on the guardrail too. "Yes, It wasn't too long ago that you were the one talking sense into me. Funny how the tables have turn."

"Yup," Yang clicked her tongue.

She tried to be unassuming, the shtick was difficult, usually she would hide any doubt or other negative feelings with a bright smile and a reckless resolve. But after reviewing the events that lead up to this she felt like she would have to reconsider her choices. It was hard being coy.

After a minute of quiet filled the void between them Blake spoke.

"You know, instead of trying to hopelessly dissect the problem that we both know that we don't have much of a clue about maybe I should tell you more about how I have changed over the years."

Surprisingly intrigued Yang turned to her reclusive partner, never once thinking that she would open up more about her; especially in this situation.

"Having fought for a subjective war all my life hasn't given me the greatest of opportunities to build a character for myself. Before all this, the only sure thing that I could say about myself that I was a former idealist turn jaded warrior."

She sighed, brushing away at the rail. "Everyone else I met was either dull or just the same. Hopeless I just turn to books as another form of running away. Really, it would be the only time that I would get know that animated and valor characters existed; at least in some form."

Blake began to chuckle, free of any doubt. "It was a foolish whim but it kept me sane. Not being used to people without an agenda in mind...it was hard to get to know others. You, Ruby, Sun and even Weiss has helped me get out of that anti-social rut with the outburst of kindness and sunny disposition that all of you exhibit." She continued, "In 'stranger than fact' way, you're all better characters than any of the books I ever read, and upon reflecting that it made me a better person."

Everything that was said was thought provoking to Yang; self-improvement was always the name of the game. All the eyes that stared at her weren't there to reprimand but to help, weren't there to critic but out of concern. Yang brightly smiled. She knew now she wouldn't shun any help that offered her.

"Thank you Blake." She said sincerely.

The once apprehensive Faunus smiled a smaller one. "After all, we are partners; we are meant to pick each other up when one falls."

After a pause Yang started laughing catching Blake off guard. "Heh, you know I don't think I've ever been cheered up by being compared to a story character, not even Ruby would ever come up with that analogy."

Blake smirked. "Frankly, you do remind me more of a cartoon character than one from a book."

Yang's laugh started to die down. "Oh, the next four years are going to be something."


It was later into the evening.

Jane had a worried look on her face. She, Luvia and Theresa were standing outside the dorm-room of team RWBY: The indecisive and uniformed dark chatelaine had her knuckles suspended in mid-swing, she glanced at her knowledgeable partner who nodded that she indeed she would had to knock, for the scroll wouldn't work in this scenario.

The leader kept thinking of her partner who out of the blue announced that she would be doing some errands for her family in Vale. The sudden and skittish explanation made her feel anxious or something akin to it. The scroll of hers-left behind-only reinforced that fact.

A series of hollow knocking later Ruby opened the door with a welcoming smile. "Hey guys," in a pausing beat her face scrunched up in a confusing look. "Wait, you're here for something but I can't remember what."

Before the other girls could say something Weiss quickly explained, "Ruby you dunce, I have already told you that Brier, Yang, Blake and I will be undergoing in a covert mission." she said with sure tone.

"Weiss," Blake spoke up behind her. "From what you have told us we've know nothing yet, we're simply going a hunch by meeting with Yang's unsure sources in order to supposedly get some insights on a connection that honestly sounds very outlandish. I really can't not fathom fake companies being set up by the White Fang; it's way too byzantine for them to pull off."

Weiss was about present her argument before she was cut off.

"But Blake," the doubtful Yang abrasively rested her arm on her partner's shoulder. "None of us thought ol'Torchwick was working with the White Fang and we still don't know the whole shadowy mastermind behind all this."

Blake shook her head. "Still, I have my doubts."

"Enough!" Weiss shouted irritatingly. "If a hunch is all we have to go by then we just have to take it!" she started to sound desperately earning the silence in the room.

Both Blake and Yang exchange looks.

"Dibs." Yang simply said.

"What?" Weiss gawked.

"If this leads us to uncovering some massive conspiracy, and which it leads to the mastermind behind all the trouble that Vale has fallen into then I call dibs in kicking he's or she's sorry butt." Yang crossed her arms with the delight that she will serve some well deserved justice.

Weiss stood there befuddled, wondering what was wrong with her teammates sometimes.

"This may not only extend to just the kingdom of Vale," Luvia spoke, "It may very well hold interest in my home kingdom; maybe even the other kingdoms." her eyes widen distressingly, she caught herself speaking out of impulse. Salvaging her reaction she bit her lip. "Just a hunch." she said with a shrug.

There was a pause.

"Double dibs then." Yang re-clarified.

"So," Ruby chuckled embarrassingly. "Jane, Theresa, are you also going on a spy mission or whatever; I feel that label is subject to change."

Jane shook her head. "Actually-"

"Ruby," She turn her attention to the quiet girl who tried stand firm and resolute. "I ask that you could help me spar and better myself; if it's not much to ask." Theresa flush out the worried breath as the cheerful younger leader smile albeit with a stumped face.

"Me? um sure? but why me? I mean, I am a good fighter but, no, No I can train you, although." Ruby continued to stammer bemusingly.

"Ruby, don't blow a circuit my friend." Jane stopped her with sympathetic smile.

"Yeah," Ruby nodded, turning back to Theresa. "Okay Theresa, Let's train!" she pumped her fist.

The pink-eyes shined with optimism.


"~You miss me, you miss me~!"

In the oval arena of the familiar amphitheater two (less than reputable) people were making use of the place with an intense and fierce spar.

The smug smile taunted Emerald who growled while she tried to slice with her hook-blade pistol. Mercury had nothing but his playful grin and the hands behind his back, owing his fighting prowess to his lower-half; his boots.

Another dodge pass and he saw his opening. With his teasing smile plastered permanently as far as his partner was concern he lifted his leg and within a sequence he stomped on the blade as it was on its down swing. Emerald little out a surprise gasp as the weapon was pulled from her hand, the surprise expression turn sour with a tempered scowl as Mercury leaned in too close with his bright, overly confident smile.

"~Now you gotta kiss me~" he sang.

She rebutted with a frustrating and harsh growl. "Not now; not ever."

He simply shrugged, lifting his foot off the ground releasing the weapon. "So then how about business? 'Colorado', you think she has picked a side yet? shes been out all day."

Mercury looked around the arena as he waited for Emerald to speak, she painstakingly took long-maybe deliberately-as she inspected the damage on her weapon. They had some time after all, it was late in the evening and not much overzealous students taking advantage of the facilities in Beacon.

"I like it better when she didn't talk." she answered still examining the blade.

"Lot of girls are like that," Mercury winked. "But you Emerald keep on talking; it suits you."

She looked up. "Let me bring up an 'old' chestnut: 'Not now; not ever'."

"Ouch, anyway the highness might need step up her game. Them White Fang friends of ours has been getting a little too bold and I don't want to accuse them of anything but backstabbing is the word I'm looking for." said Mercury.

"What do you expect?" Emerald holstered her gun. "Regardless, I'm pretty sure with Cinder the highness will do her job."

"Or maybe with our guidance too." he press his finger on his lips as he eyed the entrance. Emerald turn around to see the girl, Ruby Rose, along with a couple compatriots entering. Targets, Emerald though. 'All of them.'

So far the young girl has not suspected anything. Fighting alongside them a couple of days ago has earn her and Mercury admiration from Ruby.

The silver eyes lit up with recognition that made Emerald smile weakly while Mercury waved at them.

Ruby sped ahead; Theresa lingered by Jane who was tediously and anxiously walking behind.

"Hey Emerald, Hey Mercury." Ruby pleasantly greeted; oblivious of the two's motives.

The older girl continued to feign her smile. "Hello Ruby!" while Mercury fared better with more enthusiastic wave. "Hey Rose." he said suavely.

She hesitated. "So...are you guys having a practice match now?"

"We were," Emerald and her partner knowingly glance. "But we just ended it."

"So the battle-ground is all yours Rose," he peer behind her, "and your friends too." Mercury said shooting another glance at Emerald. "Anyway like we said we've just finish and we got to go."

"Okay? See you around." Ruby watched as they started to leave.

"Yeah sure, see you around Ruby." Emerald waved. Both of them pass by Theresa and Jane. The chestnut-hair girl payed no mind while the leader had a bad feeling as looks between her and them were exchanged.

"Alright!" Ruby sped to the center of the arena. "Let's start with a free for all and start from there."

She had Crescent Rose transform and planted. Theresa nodded and planted Byrthen Knave opposite of Ruby. "Okay." The smaller girl responded in her usual timorous tone. But this time she was ready; she wanted to improve. And what better way was to understudy a prodigy.

Both felt like a presence was missing.

"Jane?" Ruby asked.

The girl in question was still looking out the entrance, brooding as she was lost in her thoughts.

"hmm?" she turned around, finally getting the hint she rushed over there.

"Alright," Jane smiled as she stood alongside Ruby, drawing her broadsword. "Let's start Theresa; give it your all friend."


The club owner had all the bad luck tonight.

"Lousy-good for nothing!"

He hoped to dust that the rancid juices oozing from the large garbage bag wouldn't get into his nice expensive clothes. Junior knew looking presentable was one of the duties of being a club owner; not that the other crooked and lucrative side cared much but they probably wouldn't want to do shady deals with a guy who stinks.

The tall man muttered-loudly-more obscenities. He learn a harsh truth that money can't buy everything: A honest job of taking out the garbage was too good for them!

Why does he even pay these people for? With all the wild hunters going around and getting into his business he often wonders why he had bodyguards on standby if they were no where to be found.

As he frustratingly slammed down the garbage container he felt his luck deplete to zero with a light tap on his shoulder and a cheerful hum.

His eye grew and mouth hang as he turn around and looked down to see the bane of his night: Yang Xiao-Long with a grin.

In disbelief he looked around to see none of his guards around.

"Seriously! Why do I even pay them?!"


The amphitheater briefly shook.

Theresa jump back-her white cape pressing around her, pushing it away as she stood guard with her halberd to block.

Both Ruby and Jane were speeding towards her; giving it their all. The small girl wouldn't wanted it differently, she wanted to correctly gauge herself.

The blue leader without hesitation kicked the ground and leaped forward. She swung a kick at her teammate, the brown boot made a loud and strong contact with the shaft making it vibrate.

Wincing at the pain Theresa instinctively drove her off by throwing up the shaft causing Jane to fly backwards. Wasting no time Ruby made for a seconding succeeding attack, using the gun recoil to jump high into the air she started spinning down like a blade disc.

Seeing the moment Theresa carried the ax head and met head on with the scythe. In an almost mirror image of last time she and Ruby found themselves squaring off in a stiff counter.

And again Ruby easily held her own while Theresa struggle.

Gazing into each others eyes Theresa started to think back on what Ruby had told her before. She had an idea to improvise: it was a shot that would leave her vulnerable for a second but if she could pull it off it might favor her.

Ruby tilted her head quizzically as the smaller girl raised her right leg and planted her red boot down on the handle. Pushing down with all three limbs Ruby was now the one quickly struggling as Crescent Rose came down on her, flicking her wrist she deflected it to the left which made the two opposing blades repel.

Commanding and centering her mass all in the one foot, Theresa closed her eyes, her body was bathed in a red Aura.

In a spinning motion she spun herself and her halberd and caught Ruby in the next revolution with a blow that send her flying off.

Ruby recovered, an impress face dawned on her while Jane looked on amazed by her teammate.


"Well at least you're asking for something easy this time." Junior said reluctantly.

He swirled his finger around the glass rim of his hard drink. looking around the club with an exasperated and tired face shuddering at the fact how high the insurance would go up with just four huntress hanging around; and they call him a crook!

Not wanting to incur the blond huntress wrath he answered. "Yeah I don't know much about Andrew's demolition, they just sorta pop into existence a while ago. They're nothing more to know about them than what's already public."

Yang started increasing the tapping of her fingers. She told Weiss and her business friend to stay put else they muck up the 'talk'. Clearly seeing the annoyance in her lilac eyes the taller man hurried along.

"But," he practically squealed. "Word on the street is that some level-up from that particular company might have been seen emceeing some unorthodox auctions."

"A black market?" Yang said.

"If that's what you outsiders want to call it, We of the more professional breed just modestly call it unorthodox." he smiled sarcastically.

A lapse in judgement as it tested Yang's patience. "Come on Junior you're walking on thin ice here." she made the point by slightly cracking the glass cup with a gentle pinch.

He frowned before trying to hurry the answers up.

"Okay, Okay. After having read the headlines a couple days ago I guess you're still trying to teach the White Fang some kind of lesson." He continued. "I heard that the next auction will be amazingly tonight around midnight. The fact is that the White Fang will be running the thing; trying to sell off a large dust score that they ran off with yesterday. I don't know about your mystery guy being there but who knows? Two birds?"

"Now we're getting somewhere little bear; gonna spill the beans on the location? In fact I also want the guys name." Yang smirked.

"I was just getting to that hothead. Anyway the location…." he tilted his head, tapping on his noggin trying to remember. "It's on the shipping yard down in Vale's industrial district: Warehouse C21, a former legitimate business place by Don Corvus. As for the white-collar racketeer it's Verdo Creek."

"Huh, Verdo Creek? And the shipping yard? Why does the underground clique always hang out in warehouses?" the blond raised an eyebrow.

Junior shrugged, "Its cheap and unassuming, really it makes for an establish background." He sighed. "Okay then, you got what you want. Will you please leave my club alone Blondy?"

She cupped her chin with a thinking expression. "Just one more thing." she smacked Junior in his forehead.

"What was that for!" he yelled not sure what to make of the sudden injury to his head. He needed another hard drink for the long night.

"For being a smart ass." She smiled. "But seriously I want one more piece of info."

"Oh come on!"

She silence him with the waggle of her finger. "If you tell me what I want to know I will owe you one favor, Deal?"

He irritatingly rubbed his head. "Can the favor be to leave me and the club alone forever?"

"Could be." she said teasingly.

"Fine, lay it on me." he said defeatingly.


"What are they saying Blake?" Weiss creaked the entrance door open; speaking in a hush voice.

"Yang has gathered some information." She said with her back press against the door. Blake made it a point to stand guard outside rather than come in. Eyebrows raised in doubt, "But too tenuous to be sure. However it does involve the White Fang."

Weiss didn't like the sound of it. Underneath the white hood she used to cover herself from scandalous, prying eyes she sulked. She wanted more information on the ghost fronts.

Luvia however paid careful attention. "Good enough." she said.

The angry heiress practically barked at her. "What?! We need more information if we are going to topple this! The connection might not be even sure!"

The fear of her father's repercussions were getting the best of her now. She was hoping for more, maybe a treasure chest of secrets that would lead to the dismantling of a conspiracy that would restore the possibility of earning her place and cleaning her family name. Weiss started to frown. Maybe it was pipe-dream to begin with.

Luvia sighed at Weiss's over eagerness. "It's more than a hunch now; its good enough."

Both of them stood there in angered silence.

"Melanie, is that who I think is?"a placid voice spoke.

Luvia momentarily grimace. She didn't like the voice that just spoke or the following one that always accompanied it. The girl turn her head and join Weiss in staring at the two others.

The twin in white smirked, answering her sister. "It just might be, Miltia, I think it is our doting relative Luvia of the Brier family."

This time the one red glance back confused. "Really? I heard you became CEO of the family company Luvia, didn't except a girl like you to be here."

After shooting daggers at them both Luvia swallowed her pride and strained to speak.

"Miltiades and Melanie," She tried to smile. "It's good to se-so this where you two have been." the smile deflated with sigh.

"How is Aunt Jade?" Luvia crossed her arms while the twins shared looks.

Each enjoying their own smile or smirk.

"Oh, you know mom being mom." the one white sharply spoke. "Yeah, Yeah," the one in red lazily added, "So yeah, hows Uncle Andro."

The dark chatelaine tried to passively move the answer about her father's well being. "Father...is fine." she struggled.

Melanie continued her smug look as she took a quick and observant gander at her boss and the blond brute girl having their conversation.

"Like you know Uncle has made you the CEO for a reason." she spoke clear and deliberately.

Luvia's eyes narrowed knowing full well what she was talking about.

"Whatever you are trying to do, don't know, seems kinda pointless to me." she added somewhat sympathetically; it didn't help calm Luvia's burning stare though.

"Melanie," her sister spoke hesitantly. "We should like get ready. Club opens in like a few hours."

"Prob right, Militia." the smirking girl reluctantly nodded.

To Luvia that one girl was always hard to read.

They both walked off. "See you around Luvia." they both said together as they left.

The inexperience CEO stood there sulking and contemplating. She knew what she was getting into, and she wouldn't stop until she stiffen an advance on the plans.

"That was weird, just who were they?" Weiss asked, still hiding her face.

Luvia sighed heavily. "My wayward cousins. Even though they live a posh life their vagabond way of living has led them in the most unconventional of places."


At first Yang couldn't understand the face Junior showed. An odd mix of surprise and distress, composing himself he look like he was thinking had or remembering something to say.

"I see...the Enforcers." he worded it almost deadpan.

It should have set some alarm off in her, after all it a haphazardly prepared question. She didn't think it would really bring up anything, that it would be just a shot in the dark to hope for an answer. Maybe she still didn't think nothing of it.

Finally some emotions return to his face-an irascible sigh-after some tedious thought process.

"um…" he spoke again. "There's really not much to know about the Enforcers, even back when I was younger all we heard were just stories. All is known about them is that they're a close-knit collective of criminals, ex-cops, ex-soldiers and even hunters. The only one thing they have in common: they live for battle."

"Sounds like fun bunch." Yang added sarcastically. She hesitated, blinking away a little anxiety. "Are they secretive or they just not around anymore."

"Could be one or the other really." he took moment to rub the back of his head. "Blondy, I don't think you're gonna get a clear answer from me that you're gonna like. Just where did you hear from them?"

She slammed her fist on the counter. "Never you mind, really is that you all know Junior?" getting infuriated her lilac eye change red.

The angry display made him look like a deer caught in a headlights. "Mirror-eyes." He muttered silently.

"What?" she pressed further.

"I basically already told you." he said panicky. "From what I heard Don Corvus became the leader of the Enforcers after he left the 'business', he disappeared to Vacuo and with it the group too. You might have better luck with the Vale police."

"The police?" Yang asked.

He nodded. "A decade ago back when the police were good for something they set off to challenge the Enforcers and bring them to justice."

"Bring them to justice? why is that?"

"In case you haven't caught on, the Enforcers were a bunch fearsome berserkers. They wasted a lot of lives on they're insatiable appetite for battles. So you're best bet for information might be the police records."

Her eyes widen. 'Berserkers?'

He drew up his hands in the air. "That's it Blondy that's all I know."

Yang glowered at him for good minute. She close her eyes and soon the lilac color return too.

"See little bear it wasn't that hard," she chuckled.

The blond satisfied turn to leave the bar. "Thanks, I'll make sure to owe you that favor yeah?"

Have she turn around for a second time she would have notice Junior smiling menacingly too.


"Olga…" the brunette said sadly.

Alone in the bleachers Jane felt cold or something akin to it. Putting up her hood for comfort she pulled out her partner's scroll. Still unnerved that the Faunus left it behind.

She didn't want to intrude on her partner's privacy but she wanted clues. With a little ingenuity Jane was able to bypass the security. Her eyes stayed glued on the screen, the worry became worse with each movement of the thumb.

It didn't go unnoticed.

Pink-eyes held their own worry. An hour into the battle she couldn't help but notice her leader's deteriorating attention. Passive and with the look of yearning; a troubled stature and a lack of awareness wherever she stopped.

In between the interval of a blink she saw something that startled her: Jane was gone, disappeared before her eyes.

Unfortunately the display was caught in the middle of the active battle. "Theresa watch out!" Ruby yelled.

Engrossed in the fight Ruby was already charging in mid-swing when Theresa averted her concentration away, only did the shock face of Theresa at the last minute did Ruby close her eyes.

Opening her eyes she hope her last diverted swing spared her friend the blow. To her surprise she saw nothing.

"Theresa?" Ruby whispered, unsure what to make of it. She couldn't have obliterated her right?! the red-hooded girl panicked.

She frantically turn around in all directions. "Theresa!" she called out.

"Present." the soft voice called back.

Turning back silver-eyes met pink upside down ones.

Ruby look astonished. Theresa-in a glow of red Aura-was standing upside down off of Crescent Rose's blade like it was normal for her.

She then jumped off, landing before Ruby who was still flabbergasted-and relief-that Theresa was fine.

"Why did you stop?" there was a mountain of questions she wanted to ask her but that one seem the most prominent.

The smaller girl suddenly looked up, "Jane, she disappe-" she stopped mid-sentence, looking back the bleacher the lonely figure of Jane was still there; still in the same position and with her hood still partially obscuring her face.

"Yeah, Jane is right there." Ruby scratched her head.

Theresa continued staring, unsure what to make of it.


"Schnee, you are going to make a thunderous racket out here and it's going to get everyone's attention."

Luvia of all people lectured Weiss who in all honestly started to make a visual commotion by leading her rapier in an aggressive manner.

She didn't even bothered to turn her back to her when she spoke. "I simply don't trust this area. The fact that this place might be staged by the White Fang makes it more sensible to be on guard."

Luvia stayed silent. Thinking back on what Theresa has told her, the terrorist group were a larger and more powerful force than before; of course she knew that already. Looking at the members of team RWBY she carefully consider their roles here and why she brought them along.

She knew her own reasons on why she wanted to strike back at the White Fang. Luvia really didn't think much of the other girls, somewhere between strangers and a casual acquaintance, she didn't see them past their task that she needed them for.

Even more so Weiss. But upon closer inspection as the street light illuminated her Luvia saw something familiar in the icy girl: Fear. Sure, she had a steady and steel gaze on her cold blue eyes but the way Weiss carried herself was constantly forced to the point it was almost sloppy. Luvia frown; it was an all too familiar feeling.

'I wonder...if...when are they going to make her a CEO too.'

Weiss glance back at Luvia, blinking a couple of times before she glowered. "Really, if anybody is going to sound the alarm and invite the enemies it would be Yang here." she pointed at her blond teammate who made a deliberate comical face; dramatic gasp and all.

"Me?! Hey snow-queen I could be very good when it comes to stealth, I'm very subtle, In fact I could be just as good of a ninja as Blake." her silent partner tried her best to hide her sheepish and mocking grin.

"Yeah, a blond ninja. No Yang you wouldn't be highly visible for all to see. I can really see Yang as a ninja; Believe it." the dry sarcasm just flooded.

Yang rolled her eyes. "Yup, thanks for the vote of confidence." she cocked Ember Celica. "I'm just here as the pretty face and the occasional mech buster."

Luvia squinted. "Interesting friends." admitting to herself that they're one the weirdest people she met and she's part of team JOLT.

Weiss retrieved her weapon. "Yes, weird and a bit of misfitted but they're my friends." she was glad to say it.

"I see…"a thought occurred: about a blond boy. "Speaking of which..."

A blush started to appear. "You're friends with the team across from yours correct?"

"Yes?" Weiss drawn it out, unsure where was this going.

"and the leader of team JNPR, the Arc fellow, is he by any chance," Her blush intensified. "Seeing someone?"

Weiss blinked a few times, naive to Luvia's intentions she snidely answered. "Not that I know of but I certainly wish that he was."

"Oh," a shy smile crept on her heating face.

"We're near." Yang jogged ahead to one of the tall warehouses pointing at the black faded call-sign light up by the dim light. "I think it's C19...I can't make it from heeere!" She immediately slip and landed on the wet asphalt.

"So you ran ahead and you fell into a puddle." Blake summarized.

"Yeah, somewhere someone doesn't like me today." Yang groaned, she didn't stay too long after she realized said puddle was very icy. "Being a shipping-yard the road up to here was relatively bone-dry and I just had to end up on the one freaking body of water." angrily dabbing away the water off her shorts.

Keen yellow eyes led the Faunus to the obvious source leading from slightly open doors of the warehouse. Peering inside the saw the unusual sight of broken and toss boxes along of signs of some intense battle. Looking up she saw the watery culprit: A straining beam, bend at the middle with a wilting cluster of ice covering it.

"Okay!" Before she knew it Blake was drag along into the alleyway along with Yang and Luvia.

"Understand Blake?" Weiss impatiently told her

"huh? What?" the sudden and aggressive pull has let her completely daze and stun as to what just happen.

The heiress touched the bridge of her nose, clearly irritated that she had to repeat herself again.

"I will go over this one more time: It's simple, Yang will hide near the warehouse, just in case something goes wrong, and you will be on top of that one," she helpfully point to the identical building across. "You will be keeping watch for any trouble and," She pulled out her scroll to a picture of a mid-thirties man will comb dark-brown hair dress in a business suit. "Keep an eye out for this man, Verdo Creek, if he isn't already in there."

"Meanwhile Schnee and I will be in there gathering incriminating evidence and taking pictures." Luvia added.

Weiss angrily walked over to Blake. "Got it?"

"You actually expected me to catch all that so quickly in the first try? But yes, I got." She nodded.


It was nearing midnight and in the lonely stretch of warehouses activity started buzzing. Pairs of White Fang troops started loitering outside the lit up building. Weiss peaked outside the wall of a building a couple ways down. She kept a vigilant eye in how the team was going to proceed it.

"It looks like your teammate has her information right." Luvia told her.

The icy girl didn't respond as she pulled out her scroll. "Are you all in your positions? over." It was a conference with both of the others.

"Yes, and this is not a radio; you don't have to say over." Blake was prone on the sloped sheet roof of the warehouse across from the target one.

"I know that!" Weiss tried not to shout. "I just always wanted to say that." she said with an embarrassed blush. "How about you Yang?"

"Oh Yeah, I always like doing that, back in Patch me and Ruby we-" she started to ramble on.

"Not that!" the flustered heiress cut her off. "Your position?"

"Oh...Roger dodger on that one." Yang slid on her back against the pale wall, she was not having fun staying near a mucky staircase for cover. "Ugh, Hate hiding."

"Told you." Blake quipped on the other end, the smirk could practically be heard.

Luvia crouched next to her. "I guess you don't need to know my status."

It took all her will to tell them not to 'shut up' personally. Weiss took a moment of angered solace to remember why she was here for: to save her family. More accurately the future of her family. It wasn't enough that her father was neglectful and corrupt, it wasn't enough that he inducted her older sister into his way of thinking but now outside forces are treating to penetrate from within too?

She took a good look at her scroll. Maybe with this mission, she could at least gain the board' trust and get them on her side. If she couldn't convince her father once in for all to change then with the influence of the board she could do the last thing she would have to resort to: A hostile takeover.

"Schnee." Luvia hurriedly told her.

Weiss held the phone close to her to make it as clear as possible. "It's go time!"

With that she summon a glyph around her and Luvia. Making a significant boost from it she made more series of it just landing on the roof. They were at least a warehouse in between them, using another series of glyphs to bridge them.

After making their way to the roof of the right one Weiss carefully made an opening. Both of them could see a mountain of stack crates and other goods.

"I hear voices." Luvia said. Soon a cornucopia of voices and machinery followed as the place became alive.

They scaled their way down the stacks to the bottom floor, using it as cover as they made their way deeper into the building.

As they past many oddities and stolen merchandise Weiss couldn't help but be captivated by one in particular: A giant suit of armor, a knight standing poise with its hands secured on top of the hilt of the long sword.


"Blake, you having fun up there?" Getting bored Yang called out to her partner.

The cat Faunus barely could come up with a mocking retort. There was something that she didn't like about the activity; it was way too low.

Back when she was still in the organization she would participate in this events. Any illegal contraband that they stole they would sell to fund the cause. It's been a long time since she's been to these, pretty much forgotten how and where they were held.

Usually they would have a small battalion of troops swarming the place, both to secure the profits and to intimidated with numbers. But for others that had more valuable goods to sell they would only stage the best fighters of the White Fang, low-key with low activity.

This was going to get serious if the others were caught.

If the best were here she could only think of one monster that would be here too.

She suddenly felt a chill behind her neck. Blake was being watched. Turning back to the next roof over she saw glimpse of red that made her heart slow down. 'No.' Her eyes narrowed and teeth grit as the red shadow disappeared from out of view.

There was no mistaking who it was.

'Adam.'

Standing up her eyes scrutinized the place for his whereabouts, an urgent need to confront him overwhelmed her. Finally the shrinking silhouette of a figure against the wall was spotted. Anger set on her she armed herself with Gambol Shroud and leaped off ignoring the possibility of being spotted.

Back at the alley Yang saw Blake running by. "Blake?" she said in disbelief. "Blake! what are you doing?" the blond stood against the wall trying to decided what to do. Looking back and forth in frustrating panic she growled as she ran after her. The now larger pool of icy water splash and waved as legs pumped hard trying to catch up, Yang hope the others could handle it for now.

A metallic groaning was heard.


In an effort to find a more viable position to get a better view Weiss and Luvia scaled the shipping boxes find a ladder leading to a frail walkway that provided a better view.

They both crawled trying to stay as invisible as possible. "You got your scroll ready?" Weiss asked. Having it was the least of Luvia's worry, sure calling was easy but everything else was up in the air. The heiress couldn't believe the dumbfounded sight of Luvia frowning, examining the scroll trying find the picture feature.

"We'll cross the bridge once we...craw this walkway. Now come on hurry." Weiss and Luvia pushed on further and further. Ignoring the squeaky sway they started to see the makings of a grand flat stage.

Weiss had stop herself from shouting in fury as she saw the boxes insignia with the Schnee dust company logo on the stage. There were a number of White Fang waking about the grounds but one prove different from the others, the one human there, a horrible man that held her ire as soon as she heard about him.

"I bet a lollipop."

A sharp dress man held up a lollipop and a bidding paddle on the other hand. He was the only lone figure in the rows of empty chairs. Dress in a disheveled chocolate brown suit and tie with a white dress shirt, Verdo Creek loll back into his chair with a self-satisfied smile.

On the dais the two White-Fang members looked at him like he was crazy.

Both high ranks couldn't believe they had to deal with this. The angered Lieutenant just sighed with his arms crossed, The calm Captain-who was called Nevada-next to him stood very still with the white-hooded cape enveloping her. Nevada subtly showed that she was just as annoyed as well, flashes of her silver gloves and dark blue sleeves appeared flicking at the armor chest plating over her white vest or opening the belt of brown pouches on her silver trousers at random.

The crickets could be heard yawning. What a bland group, the human thought.

Melancholic and bored face developed as he tossed the eaten lollipop stick. "I miss Sam." he muttered as he got up.

In a single leap he got on top of the platform. Standing tall over the Faunus he addressed them both. "I'll be needed in the other operations now. Not that you'll need to know." he turn his sights at Nevada. "I intrust that you will see that this event goes smoothly. Your partners in the other side don't need to hear a word about this, understood?"

"Yes sir." she said in a low bitter tone.

He then turn to the Lieutenant. "You got that puppy?" he smirked playfully.

The masked Faunus let out an annoyed growl. "Yes."

Verdo's smirk soon turn into a menacing grimace that wouldn't look that far from an actual Grimm. "Yes what?" the sheer intent from his voice started to make the Faunus nervous, even the cool Nevada was sidestepping back.

The terror finally coaxed him, "Yes, Sir!"

The human stayed quiet. Exasperated he exhaled deeply, "You know back in the old'UCDM the proper way to show repentance was to do hundred push ups." he said with a waiting stare.

The Lieutenant stood there trying to think if he was serious or not but the terrifying look Verdo gave him was enough to give in.

Watching the Faunus hastily do a few sets he then turn to Nevada. "Make sure that he cleans up before the clients get here." She nodded.

With that he casually strolled, bored and filled with hidden contempt he left for the back of the building to his next assignment

"Stupid Auraliens." he muttered out earshot.


"I've got you." Weiss took another picture. She felt oddly content with playing the role of the paparazzi trying to drum up a scandal; the other end was not fun though. "I think we she just got enough evidence to take down that slime-ball." she told Luvia.

The girl who otherwise was the image of collective cool had more than mind than to dish out dirt. "Schnee, just how volatile is that Dust? I assume is potent and pure." Laying out a proactive question for her to answer.

Weiss's smile died down, taking a careful and cautious look at the girl. "Just what are you," she saw the inimical intentions in the burning green eyes. Luvia didn't break eye contact with target she had in mind, the boxes of Dust that had enough potential to blow up the entire building.

"I think you should get ready to run." Luvia warned.

The heiress panic as the aloof girl pulled out a dust grenade and was in mid-move to throw it. Quick thinking lead Weiss to latch on to both Luvia's arm and cover the grenade in a vise tight grip.

"What are you doing?!" The brash yell was quickly silence by a loud deafening metallic groan.

The startling sound had them hold still, both didn't blink as they felt the vibrating build slowly. Then another larger and explosive groan erupted from the left. It felt like a quake that shook the building violently. The danger became closer as the weak walkway they were laying on started to buckle and sway, before they knew it it collapse.

They both tucked and tumbled as they impacted the floor. The girls felt alright but the blow depleted their Aura to some extent.

"Whats going on?!"

"Are we being attack?! is it Atlas?"

"What the? who are they? Those girls!"

There was talk of confusion from other people as Weiss's eyes fluttered and vision un-blurred. Metal chairs and pieces of shredded metal that she assume was from the walkway scattered all over her lying body.

She suddenly felt herself being lifted. "Schnee!" It was Luvia who pulled her up. Getting her bearings straighten out the first thing the discombobulated girl saw was a squad of guns aim at her and the panicked Luvia.

"Well, well," the voice from mask Lieutenant address with a taunting tone. The slashing grin could almost be heard from underneath in contrast to his cloak partner who was gritting her teeth with an alarm stance. "If isn't the darling Schnee heiress."

He chuckled. "Of the same Schnee family who has hounded us and mistreated our brethren." he tried to rouse antagonism among the others who were now aiming their weapons steady and true at her.

"I hope you're ready Schnee." Luvia pulled out the collapsible Drachenfeuer v2 from her satchel. How is that thing able to come out from there, Weiss thought as she drew Myrtenaster.

"This isn't going to be easy, we should try to find their weakest flank and make a run for it." she stood next to her.

"Ready for round two Weiss Schnee?" The Lieutenant had his chainsaw weapon ready with its buzzing whine. "Because I'm going to enjoy this special treat tonig-"

He stopped as something formidable caught his attention. The Faunus looked up and tilted his head as the other troops suddenly started doing the same in disbelief. Nevada however was not as she was seemingly staring at Luvia. It didn't distract Weiss as she was still waiting for the first move.

Luvia's eye peered out of the corner to take a good look behind her. The looming shadow over her made her eyes widen and her mouth open in shock. "Schnee, We have a problem."

"I know!" She responded in a frustrated tone, still oblivious to what the warning was.

"No." Luvia dreadfully uttered. "Another problem."

"What?" The angered Weiss finally snap her head to see why. The anger was swept away and replace with awed fear.

Over them all was the giant metal knight, animated and ferocious, standing tall like a behemoth and slowly moving the armored helmet to see. From left to right the burning and glowing visor glared at them. They were all too stun to do anything, the knight painfully and slowly lifted its arm with the large heavy sword over it's head ready to clash.

The giant sword creaked.

"Oh…" Weiss finally got the hint.


Author's final Note: So yeah, the first chapter in the new arc ends with a cliffhanger. With a giant knight about to attack them no less; Weiss must be having a bit of Deja-vu.

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