Chapter 35
POV: Omniscient
When Raven stepped outside, there was once more a circle of bandits around the group of four facing her.
Raven: I don't remember inviting so many guests into our home. So, either I'm losing memory, or you're all losing your spine!
Cinder: Oh, don't be too hard on them, Raven. They just recognize the power of a maiden when they see it. That is also why I would like to have a word with you.
As she said this, Cinder let her power flow enough to make her eye start glowing with an orange flame. Raven turned back to the circle of spectating bandits.
Raven: Leave us. Pack your things, and break down camp. We're moving.
Watts: Now, Raven, you've been on our master's list for quite some time. You can understand when we say we can't let you slip away again, can't you?
Raven: I know all about your master, but I don't believe I've met you all before.
She began walking towards the small group of four.
Mercury: We're the ones you should be afraid of.
Raven: I doubt anyone should be scared of you.
There were only a few things that kept Mercury from attacking Raven there and then. High on that list was Raven's sword, slightly unsheathed to allow for a quick attack directly from the sheath.
Cinder: I'm Cinder Fall. This is my associate, Arthur Watts. And these are my disciples, Emerald and Mercury.
Raven: Hmm… Two kids you've tricked into following you, a disgraced Atlesian scientist, and a Fall maiden with a surname so appropriate, I wouldn't be surprised if she chose it herself. Something tells me you have more than a slight case of egomania. Is that right?
The group was silent, awestruck at her flagrant remarks. Dr. Watts was the only one to raise his finger in objection.
Watts: Technically, I was also a doctor, but must say the rest was spot-on.
Cinder: Well, aren't you perceptive.
Raven: It is what has kept me alive throughout the years.
Cinder: Actually, I'm afraid the only reason you're still alive, is because you have something our master wants. Of course, if I'm wrong…
Cinder created a ball of fire in her hand. Raven wasn't intimidated.
Raven: Vernal!
Vernal slowly walked out of the tent, standing next to Raven.
Cinder: So, this is the long-lost Spring Maiden. Prove it.
Vernal sighed and closed her eyes. Then, she stretched out her hands, as a wind began to blow around her. The affected area from the wind increased, and soon a spiraling grey cloud appeared over their heads. But then, as soon as the wind and storm had begun, they stopped. Vernal opened her eyes as the wind died away.
Raven: Vernal has done well under my guidance. I would take that into consideration before you try anything.
Cinder: Raven, I will not underestimate you and the maiden, so I would appreciate it if you would not underestimate us. There is a very slim chance that you and the maiden could escape here today if it weren't under such kind circumstances. If you truly knew our master, you would know you could never escape her. That's why we've come here today bearing an olive branch.
Watts: You see, the Maidens are merely a means to an end to us. We don't need her permanently, just to borrow her. Salem's true desires lies not with the maidens, but the relics in the vaults. She simply needs those vaults opened, and we will not bother you again. All previous acts of defiance will be forgiven. It's the best deal either of you are going to get.
Raven: You talk as if walking into Haven will be easy.
Cinder: That's because it will be. Headmaster Lionhardt is loyal to Salem now. All we need is the key. You weren't the only one to turn your back on Oz, Raven.
Raven: I don't want to help Salem or Ozpin. I don't want any part of this.
Cinder: That ship sailed when you chose to harbor a maiden. But if you come with us to Haven, Salem will leave you alone. We just need the relic.
Raven: I need some time to think this through-
Watts: You don't have time. In two days, Haven will be destroyed by the white fang. You're going to choose now.
Raven: Backed me into a corner, huh?
Cinder: So, are you with us, or against us?
Raven reached up and took off her mask.
Raven: Agreements like these are built on trust. Forgive me, but I don't really trust any of you. What I'm saying is… I'm going to need more.
Watts: I don't think you understand. You are in a very poor position to negotiate.
Raven: Well, you haven't heard what I want. I want my brother dead.
Cinder: Qrow?
Raven: Is there another? That's right. He knows that I have Spring, and if you get the relic, he's going to become a problem. I already have enough problems to deal with as it is. Now, he doesn't trust me, but he does trust Ozpin's other lieutenants. If Leo is as loyal as you say, then you can order him to invite Qrow right into an ambush. He arrives at Haven, we take him down, you get your relic, and we all leave happy.
Cinder: Now this is a proposition I can get behind.
Watts: Alright, ladies, let's pause for a moment. We have one objective: retrieving the relic of knowledge. Now, Qrow Branwen might be on the list of individuals we would like dead, but he's not going to go down without a fight. And… he's not going to fight quietly. Currently, our advantage is just how you said. We walk straight into Haven, grab the relic, and leave. No resistance, and no one the wiser. A battle with your brother throws that all out the window.
Raven: He's good, but not THAT good. With all of us against him, it will be a breeze.
Emerald: But it's not just him. He has the students with him, remember? He has Ruby.
Cinder: So he does…
Watts: If we leave that school a bloody mess, it will attract the attention of the authorities! The kingdom will be on high alert, and the white fangs attack will be ruined.
Cinder: Then we wait. We wait for two days, then ambush Qrow and the students on the night of the attack. That way, any evidence we might have left will be destroyed along with the school.
Raven: Then, Salem leaves my people alone for good.
Cinder: I think you have yourself a deal.
Cinder stretched out her hand but felt it get pulled back. She looked down to find Dr. Watts' hand around her wrist.
Watts: Wait. Don't think I don't see what you're after. If this plan falls apart because of your grudge with a child, I will not be taking the blame.
Cinder: Then what are you worried about? Just fly home and tinker with your machines. Oh, and tell Salem she'll get what she wants and more.
She shook his hand off, and once more held hers out to Raven. Raven took it.
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Back at the Belladonna manner, Ghira had begun his fight against the twins. Fennec fired two fireballs. The first, Ghira rolled around. When he stood back up, he had a spear that one of the white fang members had dropped in his hands. Fennec aimed the second fireball, and Ghira drew back the spear. They both fired at once. The second he threw, Ghira knew it would miss. The spear flew straight past his original target, the fireball, but found a new one, pinning Fennec to the wall by his robe. The fireball still hadn't been hit, and so it nailed Ghira on the shoulder, which was the part facing forward after the follow-through of his throw. Then it was Corsec's turn. His dagger summoned a tornado, which slowly but surely pushed Ghira back. Something no one knew about, was the white fang member hiding behind a nearby pillar. As Ghira was pushed back, the white fang grunt jumped out from behind the pole, aimed, and-
Crash
-was hit in the face by Sun, who appeared at just the right time. Fennec managed to untangle himself from his robe, and join his brother, who had stopped firing. They glanced at each other, and put the points of their daggers together, both firing at once. The result was a stream of fire spinning directly at Sun, who spun his staff in the opposite direction of the fire tornado to block it.
Sun: Hurry!
The brothers stopped, confused, before hearing a clicking sound from above them. There, they saw Blake, perched on a beam over their heads. They both fired separately, letting Blake easily dodge the projectiles. She landed in front of the brothers, with one hand on the ground, and the other holding Gambol Shroud out to the side. Her back was arched upwards, leaving her open to both the brothers, who took that opportunity to try and stab her in the back. She had planned for this, however, and pulled the trigger on her sword as she used her semblance, leaving behind a frozen version of herself that caught both the brother's blades. Then, she jumped over to her father and Sun.
Blake: Where's mom?
Ghira: I'm not sure, I was ambushed right away.
Blake: Once we take out Corsec and Fennec-
Crack
Fennec had used his dagger to melt the ice, thinning it to the point where he could easily break it.
Ghira: No, go now. You keep assuring me your friend here isn't a worthless waste of space. Let's see him prove it.
Sun: We got this, Blake. I've wanted to do this since the day we met them.
Ghira: You'll have to get in line.
Corsec and Fennec were waiting. Though, if you think about it, it made sense. If they had attacked immediately, they might have had to fight all three. But, since they waited, Blake left Sun and Ghira to fight, making it an even match in their minds. Oh how wrong they were.
Sun: I won't let you down, sir.
Ghira: Shut up and fight.
Sun: Yes sir!