The Making of a Storm
Beginning of Volume 2
The streets of Vale were as lively as every. A nice breeze blow throughout the city's lower level well sunlight beamed down from on high through the clouds. Your average citizen's walking on by this afternoon well Shops served customers coming and going as they pleased. There was even a Dust shop reopening! Who's owner was just outside of admiring his handy work.
"Um excuse me. Can you help me? I'm kind of new around here." A young teenage girl asked the owner.
She, like many other teens inside Remnant, was dressed head to toe in slightly outlandish clothing. Light green was her primary color, just like her bowl haircut, as she wore a one piece top that only covered her upper area. Her pants, on the other hand, were brown and had two holsters strapped to it's back. Both holding similar long barrel pistols.
It was her red eye's though that held the owner's attention.
Happily, he told the girl where she needed to go. Even offering to write down the street of which her destination laid. Not once noticing the young girl's hand slide down into his back pocket.
After she got what she needed, the girl said her thanks and walked away. Turning down an alleyway and out of the owner's site.
"I knew you were lost," A boy's voice, filled with fake shame, expressed as Emerald turned the corner.
"Mercury. I will pay you to shut up." The girl told her partner well handing him the wallet she stole.
Mercury, leaning against a wall with his cross in front of him, just stared down the young girl with shame. His color, being a teenager on Remnant as well, was gray. With his clothing being a mixture of gray and black colors. No weapons could be seen on him. Instead, the only possible thing he could use in a fight was his fist and the armor plants covering his arms and legs.
"That's not your money Emerald," Mercury replied back well shaking his head.
Before any comeback was made another, though buffer, male teen entered the mix. Plates of white armor covered this boy's body. With the only variation being a red hoodie and brown pants worn underneath. As well as a red colored scarf thrown over his head covering up the boy's dark hair. A large and busted up rifle was held to his back by a strap giving the boy an even larger aura of intimidation.
"How about you pay me and I won't shut you both up?" The boy's tone made the statement sound like a promise. An odd companion to be seen joining the two bantering partners.
Walking in between the two and grabbing the wallet out of Emerald's hands. He quickly took the money out and throw the wallet to the sidewalk. Emerald may have been annoyed by the action, losing money pissing off any thief, but found joy at Mercury's cold silence. Her partner may be angry but at least it looked like he'll shut up now.
"If you know our destination than lead the way."
"What? Not up for any fun, Soul?" Mercury asked. His displeasure being voice and destroying Emerald's hope of silence.
Soul didn't bother acknowledging Mercury's question. Instead, he turned to face Emerald pairing her down. Two yellow wolf-like eyes meeting the more wide eyed red of Emerald's.
"If you know our destination than lead the way." Soul ordered the girl again. More than slightly annoyed to be repeating himself well nearly entering the girl's personal space.
By now, even Emerald was getting fed of with Soul's behavior. Sure they may be on the job but there was only one person who could order her around like that. It was then Emerald remember who had ordered this mission. Looking towards Mercury, the two nodded in understanding. Ignoring their third wheel for now and starting their walk towards the destination marked on the slip of paper.
Along the way, both Emerald and Mercury picked pocketed off any oblivious passerby they could get their hands on. The need to improve their moods being found in a little criminal mischief. Soul though kept his hands clean. Head forward well everything else was ignored. It wasn't until Mercury spoke up did Soul's eyes change directions.
"Sure you don't want to get in on the fun, Soul?" Mercury asked. "Even a rookie will have an easy time on these streets."
Soul's eyes went straight once more. Opting to just shake his head at the request.
"We shouldn't bother trying. That guy has been with that psycho Lanius far too long. His brain's probably not all there," Emerald explained for her gray haired optimistic. Neither noticing Soul's tightening fist.
The three finally reached their destination and quickly headed inside into a lightly lit building littered with books. With the librarian seemingly out, Soul and Mercury stayed near the front door well Emerald went to the front desk. Ringing the bell laid out.
"Be right there." A man's voice came from behind the desk through a wooden door.
A second later, a both burly and hairy man came out. Carrying stacks of hard covered books.
"Welcome to Tukson's Book Trade! Home of every book under the sun!" The man, Tukson, proclaimed with joy. Placing the books in his hands down and then turning towards his new customers. "Um? How can I help you?" He asked, taken back by Emerald's appearance.
"Yes! I was wondering if you had a copy of 'The Thief and The Butch'?" Emerald asked receiving a nod from Tukson.
"Would you like a copy?" He asked after Emerald made no response back.
"No, no. Just wondering," She explained. "Oh! How about 'Violet's Garden'?" Again, Emerald received a yes but this time from Mercury. Now opening and slamming books close when ever he grabbed one.
"What about 'Third Crusade'?" Soul asked this time.
Walking towards the front desk. Both Soul's voice and expression prompted Tukson to take a step back. Something Emerald noticed as her eyebrows slanted inwards as Soul stopped next to her.
"Um?" Tukson said out loud. "I don't think we have that one." Mercury slammed another book close, placing it back quickly.
"But I thought you had ever book under the sun?" Emerald asked innocently enough but hidden intent below it wasn't missed by anyone.
"It's just a catchphrase." Tukson explained, his arms going backwards as his body shifted.
"It's false advertisement!" Mercury yelled from the back, the teen's new position next to the libraries light switch.
The lights in the book store then went off. Darkening it enough to keep anyone outside blind to what was happening in the store but keeping those inside visible to one another.
"No one likes a liar Tukson. Especially from those inside White Fang." Soul stood firm well his hand reach down into one of his pockets.
"You know why we're here right?" Emerald asked.
Tukson just nodded. For some time, the library by day and White Fang informed by night had slipped information to the organizations opponents. When he was found out the White Fang quickly marked him a traitor. Since than Tukson has been planning his escape but it would seem he had waited too long. He'll have to fight his way to freedom.
His claws were out in a second but before any fighting took place. Soul's hand gripped a black handle inside his pocket and soon a piece of straight curved metal was thrown through the air. Finding a new home inside Tuckson's neck, his aura far to weak to do anything but shimmer before shattering in a display of drown light.
The male Faunus's body fell to the wooden floor under him, blood covering his now corpse and the few areas around the wound.
"You know we're here to right?" Mercury asked Soul. Who by now had walked around the desk to retrieve his knife.
"Yes and now we're done," Soul explained, taking out a rage to clean the blade. "I only wish now the traitor had gotten a much crueler fate."
Soul finished up his cleaning and soon walked towards the store's exit. As he left Mercury and Emerald got themselves to gather and followed behind. Though not right away, Mercury made it paramount to grab a good comic before leaving.
Torchwick was a man of many things. Stealing, killing, avoiding dumb cops, and much more. Miracle worker though was not one of them.
"Those old routes are going to be useless," Torchwick was currently examining a map that had both the White Fang's supply routes and positions marked down.
With the advent of MoJave forces entering the Kingdom in just tomorrow. The international criminal had his work cut out for him as he tried desperately to find just one suitable safe house that the MoJave wouldn't find in a few weeks time. Much like the incident last month.
If his past history with the organization told Torchwick anything. It was that the MoJave plays for keeps. They'll kill him and everyone else in a heartbeat so long as you proved a threat. It was a behavior Torchwick both admired and despised. Huntsman and police were one thing but the MoJave's another even for this criminal. Second thoughts soon plagued his mind as three new footsteps entered the warehouse.
"Oh great! The triplets are back!" Torchwick howled out throughout the warehouse. Beating out even the nosie cause by the White Fang soldiers moving equipment around. "And where have you beautiful three kids been!"
Torchwick then proceed to pate both Emerald and Mercury on the head. He thought about doing the same to Soul but stopped upon receiving the boy's death glare.
"Cleaning dirty clothes is all," Emerald explained, having no time for Torchwick's games. Just being in the man's presence was enough to nearly make her puke.
"Oh really! Well maybe this will tell me otherwise," Torchwick replied back, showing he had grabbed the card from earlier from Emerald's pocket. The girl saw this and quickly went into a frenzy wondering how he did it. "I'm a professional dear, try to keep up," Torchwick then turned serious reading the address printed on the card. "Why?"
All sense of humor died. As the two sides faced each other with a defensive redirect. An argument had now fully lapped those involved as each side soon turned to accusations. It was only broken when a woman in red appeared.
"Cinder!" Emerald yelled out delight. The rest though only turned around, fearful of the woman approaching them. A fear that only grew as a masked man followed behind her.
Both Emerald's and Soul's backs went straight as their leaders stopped to examine them.
"I thought I made it clear that the run away was to be eliminated?" Cinder questioned, eye's unwavering as Torchwick tried to defend himself.
"That's why Mercury and I decided to handle the situation ourselves," Emerald smiled in glee waiting for praise that she would not receive. Earning only a scolding from her leader as well as Soul's death glare.
"Really? I thought I specifically told you two to keep your hands clean well inside Vale." Now it was Torchwick's turn to laugh off to the side as the Cinder's lackeys receive the full brunt of Cinder's displeasure. Then, Lanius spoke up, taking Cinder's eyes away from her current victims.
"They were the only ones doing nothing here. So, I gave them the mission," Lanius explained honestly.
Cinder's eyes squinted as she stared down her latest pawn. From the moment Lanius' fist appeared, Cinder knew he did not fear her. Unlike the rest, fear would not be the controlling factor that kept those under her in line. In the beginning, she thought a show of force could be enough to restrain him. But in the end, the effort proved 'wasteful'. Instead, a different strategy was needed to keep the brute loyal and manageable.
"Those two are for my command only. Keep that in mind next time." Cinder simply turned her head away, treating Lanius almost as an equal. The man himself took note of this and, out of respect, decided to let the conversation end there. "Now, onto more pressing matters."
The group followed Cinder well she walked over towards the map. Picking up a marker, the woman marked down one location just outside Vale's walls.
"Empty out this warehouse and everything else you see fit. We're moving the base here," Cinder ordered, throwing the marker towards Torchwick.
The man didn't bother questioning the woman's logic, knowing what would come of it. With new orders, Torchwick went and made the calls necessary for the move. Well, the rest followed Cinder out of the Warehouse into what had now become a cold dark night. The shattered moon of Remnant just barely shining its way through the clouds onto the group below.
"Lanius. I have a question for you," Cinder asked, stopping dead first in front of everyone. Her eyes looking up towards the sky. "What did your night sky look like?"
Lanius's eyes followed Cinders and for the first time since arriving on Remnant. The former Legion Legate fully observed world's stares. From just a first glance, the legate knew these were not his stares. Old constellations learned now were gone replaced by ones he could not read. Lanius made a mental note to study up on them in the future. Those old stars had assisted him on numerous campaigns back on Earth.
"Different. But our moon was whole." The Legate told the woman. "Was there a point to that question?"
"Yes," Cinder answered, eyes still facing up. "I wish to know if those clouds of fire, you described, could be recreated in the night sky? More specifically, by the MoJave."
The two went deadly silent, with the rest observing off to the side. All here, were present when Lanius explained the biggest secret the MoJave kept. And all knew of the world that was once drenched in the fires of mushroom clouds. That turned into the home Lanius, the MoJave, and Andrew Garnet. This was a question that needed to be answered.
"No. He would never unleash that," Lanius spoke as if referring to an old friend. "But we can recreate it. With that new toy of theirs." Cinder smiled at Lanius's enthusiasm.
"Good. That's all I needed to know. Take this," Cinder than handed Lanius a card. Printed on it was an address. "That will be your new safe house," She explained, as Lanius handed the card off to Soul. "By tomorrow morning phase 2 of the plan begins. I'll make contact with you then."
After that, Cinder and her subordinates walked off. Leaving Lanius and Soul alone. Reading the card over again, the two went out to follow their new order. Grabbing a local soldier to take them to their new home.
Izzycity12: Next time will show team RWBY and the rest again. But setting up the villains took priority. Also, we'll be seeing the MoJave's new toy. So stay tune.
(Ps. I know this is early. But one I know none of you will mind and two I somehow got an excess amount of free time this week that I didn't know I would have. Also, scheduling stuff is not my forte.)
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