A/N: Hey guys I'm coming in hot with another chapter of RWBY: Darkfall. So I got this chapter done insanely quickly; which was very surprising for me. Like as I'm writing this I'm thinking of how board I'm going to be while I try and figure out what to do with my hands. . . Okay so let's get to the chapter as I have run out of stuff to say; remember to review, favorite, and follow. I love you guys, see you next week B)
"The Coming Storm"
Sun sat at a large metal table; his blood stained cheek resting on the table. Ever since he had been arrested by the Sequoia Tree he had been tortured until he had been found guilty and was slated to be suspended. The way the justice system worked in the Tree was that their were three levels of severity for an offense. The first one detailed rioting specifically against the Tree which was punished by imprisonment, the second level was open rebellion against a kingdom which was punished through a new method called, "Suspension". The third and final level was open defiance of the Supremacy of the Tree which carried a death sentence. This final level was reserved for those who committed treason willingly; and without prior compensation. This included, Adam Taurus, Raven Branwen, and Cinder Fall.
Sun looked up through his swollen eye and noticed Saffeara standing in front of him. She had a satisfied smirk on her face; and was bracing herself up with Evercaster. She looked on the length of Sun's naked body that was once muscular. Now, however his skin was rubbed raw and his tail was a matted, bloody mess. Blood dripped down from in between his legs a signature mark that Saffeara had just done with Evercaster; blood streaming down its purple blade.
"You know how this goes Sun, tell me whatever information you can about Atlas or Ironwood." Saffeara said; her red eyes dancing in the light.
Sun raised his head, "You've taken everything from me; my best friend, my freedom, my team, and even the thing that defines me as a man. Why would I ever tell you anything?"
Saffeara watched as he started breathing heavier; trying to compensate for the pain he was feeling.
"Because you know what it means if you help me. It means that even though you're suspended you can live out the rest of your sentence; but if you don't I will have the Sentinels come back in here and chain you up. Your wounds will fester and become infected then you'll die from the infection." Saffeara put it bluntly, not wanting to waste time.
Sun put his head back on the table and did not make a sound.
"Fine I'll tell the Sentinels to just shoot you it'll free up the cell." Saffeara said; turning towards the door.
"Wait!" Sun yelled.
Saffeara turned on her heel, the bottom of her robe flaring out like a dress for a moment.
"Bradley mentioned that the Schnee Dust Company had started hiring other teams like ours from all across Remnant." He said; swallowing his pride.
"And?" Saffeara asked; curious as to if there was any more.
"The way she said it sounded like most of the teams agreed." He said, hanging his head low.
Saffeara smiled, "Very good."
She opened the door to meet two Sentinels.
"Send for a medic and have him treat Sun's wounds; and then after we verify his information I'll be sending a warm meal down depending on whether or not it's true." Saffeara said; walking out of the room.
"Yes ma'am." The one on her left said, as she walked pass.
Saffeara continued down the long metal corridor; her bare feet thudding on the cold floor. She put her hood up and got stuck in a deep thought. She looked up when she only suddenly heard the click of heels coming towards her. She looked up to see Liz coming toward her; her natural red highlights glistening in the light. In her right had she held a large data pad and wore her usual soft smile.
"Moyo, Liz. (Morning, Liz.)" Saffeara said; in Valysian.
Liz stopped her lips parting enough to show her teeth in her smile, "Morning, it's been awhile since I've heard you speak Valysian."
"Yeah, I guess it has been awhile. So what are you doing here; I thought you were on strict desk duty thanks to the bun in the oven." Saffeara asked; a playful smile growing on her face.
"Well, something important came up so Jozy sent me to deal with Raven." Liz explained.
"Oh okay, so I take it they fucked up on Neo's case." Saffeara conjectured.
"Major fuck up; I feel sorry for that girl she's been through enough in my opinion." Liz said; putting her left hand on her hip.
"You feel sorry for everyone, Liz. That's why we love you." Saffeara said; sincerely.
"Thanks." Liz didn't know exactly why but Saffeara was always nicer to her than anyone else. She figured it was payment for taking care of her wounds for so many years. "Did you get Ruby up?"
"I did; but we were up late last night so I should probably go check on her." Saffeara said; awkwardly scratching her head.
Liz nodded, "If you need to wake her up just tap her on the cheek a couple times."
"Will do." Saffeara said.
She waved to Liz before parting ways.
It took her some time; but she got back to Ruby and hers shared room. She opened the door to find Ruby still asleep; the room itself was shaded in grey light that was trying to break through the white curtains. Ruby herself looked like a peaceful mess with her arms and legs uncovered; and sprawled out all over the place. Her nightwear was very simple, being only a grey loose fitting tank top and a pair of rust colored panties. Her hair was sprawled out all over her pillow in the most ridiculous ball she had ever seen. Saffeara had to stifle a laugh as Ruby's expression changed to a wide grin; apparently whatever dream she was having was amazing.
"Wei..ss." She muttered in her sleep.
Saffeara covered her mouth to keep her from laughing as she strolled over to Ruby. She tapped the younger girl on her cheek which made her eyes flutter open. "Holy shit, it worked." Saffeara thought.
"Saffeara, good morning." Ruby said; sitting up.
"It's 12 A.M. Ruby." Saffeara said; with a smirk on her face.
Ruby looked over to the digital clock on their dresser and saw that this was true.
"Oh." she said.
"So your dreams a little wetter than usual?" Saffeara asked; a sly expression on her face.
Ruby's cheeks reddened, "H-How do you know about that?"
Saffeara laughed, "Would it be bad if I told you that you talk in your sleep?"
Ruby was horrified, "Oh god, I'm sorry you had to hear that."
"So long as that wet spot isn't the result of you pissing your pants I think I can live with it. Come on, Ruby, quit apologizing for stuff you have no control over." Saffeara said; walking over to her closet.
She pulled her robe over her head and hung it up. She now only wore her white strapless bra; and a new pair of black and white striped panties.
"I like those." Ruby said; standing up.
"Thanks; by the way your mission briefing slip should be waiting for you downstairs." Saffeara said; laying down on her bed and putting her hands behind her head.
"Thanks, but I need a shower first." Ruby said; walking into their bathroom.
Saffeara heard the bathroom door close and the water start to run. She started to think about the briefing Ruby had yet to read.
"Arbiters the leaders of Ironwood's Huntsmen. Monsters among men; but we are gods among men are you ready Winter?" she muttered; her hair covering her eyes.
When Ruby had re entered the room she found Saffeara fast asleep. "I guess I wasn't the only one who was exhausted." Ruby thought. She quickly went over to her closet and put on her clothes. Leaving the room she decided to let her hair air dry since it would take her some time to get to the Command Office where her briefing was kept.
Back in the interrogation rooms, Raven was sitting at a metal table much like everyone else. She didn't have a scratch on her, in fact the only thing they had taken were her clothes that were then replaced by a grey jumpsuit with a prison number. She counted it as a blessing that she had been treated so well; but then a again she had barely been there a day.
She looked up when she heard the door open. Her eyes went wide as she saw Liz walk in; datapad in hand.
"You've got to be kidding me." Raven muttered.
"Long time no see, Raven. Are you surprised to see me?" Liz asked; sitting across from her.
"Very, I thought you would've died after you lost your kid." Raven replied.
Liz scoffed, "I almost did, but I didn't really lose her like you did yours."
Liz had dealt with Raven before and she knew that bringing up her failures would cause her to crack like an egg eventually.
"I never did lose anything; but you apparently can't keep your legs shut." she said; referring Liz's pregnancy.
Liz chuckled, "I can keep my legs shut I just chose not to, because unlike you I actually married someone I love. You just married Tia because he could give you the longest ride and could reach inside you farther than any other man could, right?"
"I did no such thing you, tramp. I married him because I loved him." Raven spat; getting visibly agitated.
Liz braced her head up with her hand, "Oh yeah, then why did you run away? I mean if you loved him so much then why did you run away after having your only child? Unless you only did love him for what he could do between your legs; in that case you are the one who should have kept your legs shut."
Raven grit her teeth in anger at Liz.
"A seventeen year old me would be afraid of your anger; but now it's not even a threat. It's almost like that time I slapped you and knocked you on your ass in front of both of our teams." Liz taunted her.
Raven stood up clenching her fist.
"I kill you just like I should have all those years ago!" she yelled; throwing a punch at her.
Liz just raised her left hand and caught it with little effort. She wore an unimpressed look on her face.
"Wow, your daughter throws a harder punch than that." Liz said; jumping out of her seat.
Before Raven's brain could even register what was happening she felt her forehead slam into the table. She yelled as her head recoiled back and her hands went up to hold herself steady. Liz was now back in her seat.
"The Council has slated you for disposal; but in the end I am the one who determines how to carry out your execution. However, Yang wants to speak to you so I'll postpone my judgement till then" Liz said, picking up her data pad.
Liz got up from the table and opened the door; she then instructed the Sentinels to handcuff her before Yang entered. As they were handcuffing her she noticed the yellow haired girl walk up to Liz.
"Am I okay to go in?" Yang asked.
"Yes, but if anything happens you yell, understand?" Liz asked; putting her hand on her shoulder.
"Yes, ma'am." Yang said.
"Okay, you have ten minutes so say whatever you need to." Liz said; letting Yang go.
Yang nodded and walked into the room. They closed the door behind her as a precaution.
Elsewhere Neo was struggling to sit up in her bed. Her jaw had just been unwrapped; but was still stiff from lack of movement. Her arm and leg were still wrapped up, however and were giving her the most trouble when it came to just sitting up. Her blue hair was a mess as she grit her teeth in frustration.
"Need some help?"a voice asked.
Neo looked up to see Jozy standing in the doorway. She didn't exactly trust him; but doing it herself wasn't going to work.
"Promise you won't hurt me?" Neo asked.
"I'm a mage I was first taught how to be gentle before I was taught to kill." Jozy said; raising his hands.
Neo suddenly felt a force wrap around her waist and gently lift her into a sitting position.
"Cool, I'm still mad at you for the umbrella though." Neo said.
"That's fine with me; although I would have liked to add it to my collection." Jozy said; sitting down on a chair next to her hospital bed.
"Hmm, so why are you here? I bet it's not just to check and see if I'm still here." Neo assumed.
"That would be correct. Last night the Valysian Council held a secret meeting in order to try your case. This is highly illegal; and highly unfair to you because no matter what you did you do have the right to defend yourself." Jozy said.
"You put a lot of faith in the Council of a kingdom don't you?" she said; sarcastically.
"No, that's why I'm here. The Council ruled that you were to be imprisoned for the crimes you have committed; but I'm not stupid and I know that no normal prison could hold you."
"I will admit that you do learn quickly."
"My point exactly, so I'll give you two options." Jozy pulled out his scroll; and brought up an image. "We can imprison you via suspension; or you can join the Sequoia Tree and in exchange we'll keep you out of the Valysian's hands." Jozy said; putting his scroll away.
"So either way I'm being imprisoned." Neo conjectured.
"Pretty much; but it's your decision on whether or not you want a good or bad day for the rest of your life." Jozy admitted.
Silence fell over the room as Neo thought about her decision. She weighed her options carefully before choosing.
"What would I be doing in the Tree?" she asked.
"You wouldn't be fighting; but we're working on a special assignment for you and one other person." Jozy replied.
"Who is this other person?"
"You'll find out if you say yes. So will you do it?"
Neo thought some more, " I will."
Jozy got out of his seat and walked towards the door, "Awesome, I'll send your partner up as soon as possible."
With that he left, leaving Neo to think about the decision she made.
Meanwhile Ruby was down at her favorite noodle shop reading the mission briefing about Atlas. Around her were soldiers and other officers all eating and conversing amongst one another. Ruby was half eating and half reading; her multitasking on point.
"Is this seat taken?" a male voice asked.
Ruby looked up to see a Sequoia Tree officer standing in front of her; holding a tray of food. He looked to be in his late fifties with his brown hair just starting to turn gray. Ruby made note of his age and figured that he was extremely experienced since he had not been discharged yet.
"I don't mind; go ahead." Ruby said; as sincerely as possible.
He gave her a grateful smile as he set his food down and sat across from her.
"I've never seen you around here; are you new?" he asked; picking up his chopsticks.
Ruby chuckled a bit, "No, I've probably been here for quite a while."
"Oh really, well then I probably know you. Where did you serve?" he asked.
"I killed Atlysians in the Deathwind, then SF in Mistral, and then marched into Vale where I killed one of my best friends. Now I'm here talking to you." Ruby said; taking her reading glasses off.
He looked at Ruby with a smirk on his face, "I've heard of 're Ruby Rose the Sequoia Tree's reaper."
Ruby chuckled a bit, "Is that what they're calling me now?"
"Look around you ma'am everyone of the soldiers in this room is talking about you." he said.
Ruby looked around, "I suppose you're right; but who are you anyway?"
"I'm Major General Connor Amaranthe, I'm also a subordinate under you Miss Rose." Connor said.
"Interesting, I take it you know your stuff." Ruby said; standing up and extending her her metal arm.
Connor grabbed it and shook her hand before allowing her to leave.
Yang came out of the interrogation wiping her eyes. She had just gotten done talking to her mom, and only had a minute left to spare. Liz came over to her and put her arm around her. Yang got as close to her as she could; but was careful not to knock her over.
She rubbed Yang's back, "It's okay, you don't have to worry about her anymore."
Liz turned towards the guards; her hair blocking their view of her topaz eyes.
"Death by suspension." she said; before escorting Yang out of room.
The two Sentinels looked at each other; their black visors reflecting the light in the room. They then entered the room to find Raven sitting, staring at the ground. Wordlessly they took her hands and stabbed hooks threw her wrists, sending thick amounts of blood sailing to the floor. Raven grit her teeth and grunted in pain as they made sure the hooks were secure. They then picked her up and walked her over to the wall behind her. With the swipe of the left ones fingers the wall opened to reveal a dark room with no floor. The hole was so large that one could not see the bottom. The two Sentinels grabbed one of the two chains that hung from the ceiling of the room and attached them to the hooks in Raven's arms. They pushed her in and Raven felt the weightless feeling of falling until the chains stopped her; sending shockwaves of pain throughout her body. She looked up to see the last shred of light disappear behind the door as it closed. This was it. In several days she would die of starvation; but in a few she would die of dehydration. Her body would then fall into the expanse below and would be disposed of.
"I'm sorry, Yang." she said; a single tear running down her face and dripping off her face into the void below.
Yang now sat on a bench a level below the interrogation sector. The hallway itself was part metal walls and giant windows that gave the individual a great view of the sky and clouds. She looked up as the sun broke through the clouds and reflected off the ocean below. Liz had left her soon after making sure she was alright since she had other official business to take care of.
"Its funny how the sun can shine so brightly during a time like this." Yang mused to herself.
Suddenly she felt something cold and wet tap the exposed skin of her shoulder. She turned to see her very own step sister standing there holding a can of beer towards her.
"Liz told me you could use one of these." Ruby said; sitting next to her, making sure to not sit on her cloak.
"Thanks." Yang said; opening the can and taking a drink.
Ruby opened a can of her own and took a drink; her throat ready for the taste this time.
Yang was surprised, "Since when did you drink, sis?"
"Very recently, but I kind of like it." she said; brushing her bangs out of her face.
"What's Weiss going to say about that?" Yang asked; snickering a bit.
"I think she'll be okay with it; so long as I don't go full drunk." Ruby said; with a smile on her face.
Yang laughed at her sister; her mood suddenly a lot brighter.
"So when did you get on the ship? I literally just heard that you were here." Ruby asked.
"I've been here for about day; but when I first got here I didn't think I'd even be here for that long." Yang admitted.
"I see, so what are were you doing here anyway?"
"I was helping Jozy clear the White Fang from the BD Continent. It involved my mother so he thought it best if I were here."
"Oh, I take it she's still alive." Ruby said; taking a drink.
"She should be; but she was marked for disposal." Yang said.
"I'm sorry, Yang. What method?" Ruby asked; somewhat guilty about the barrage of questions.
"Death by suspension." she replied.
Ruby looked towards the floor, "I'm sorry again, Yang."
"It's funny I don't know whether I'm sad or relieved that I don't have to wonder where she is anymore." Yang said; leaning over.
Ruby chose her words carefully, "I'm not going to tell you how you should feel, Yang. However, I can tell you how I feel."
Yang looked at Ruby.
"If I had a choice between the two I would say, 'I'm relieved.'; because now I don't have to worry about you getting into trouble looking for her. Plus I bet it'll make Blake feel better knowing that you won't be leaving randomly in the middle of the night." she explained.
"Heh, that woman's going to be the death of me." Yang admitted; taking the final sip of her beer.
"At least we know she loves you; and if it were me that's how I would want to die." Ruby admitted.
"Heh, it's kind of strange when I first kissed Blake it was out of frustration, and now I do it because it's one of the most pleasant things to do." Yang said; thinking of more than a few times this happened.
"You sound like Weiss and I; Blake's really lucky to have you Yang." Ruby said.
"Thanks, by the way Weiss wanted me to give you this if I saw you." Yang said; reaching into back pants pocket and withdrawing her wallet.
She opened it and withdrew a picture of Weiss in a small grey tank top, and white panties. She wore a confident smile on her face; while her cheeks were dusted with a cute shade of light pink. Her engagement ring dazzling in the light as her left hand rested on her thigh.
Ruby smiled as she accepted the picture from Yang.
"Thanks Yang." Ruby said; placing the picture in her pocket.
"Yep." Yang said; leaning back on the bench.
Both women sat there for a while content to watch the clouds roll by as the day disappeared. Yang looked at her scroll and saw that it was 2:30 already and noted that her Bullhead would be leaving in twenty minutes.
"Well, it's time for me to go, Rubes." Yang said; standing up.
"Okay take care of yourself, Yang." Ruby said; standing up and hugging her.
Yang gently hugged her back before pulling away and walking passed Ruby with a smile on her face. Ruby got a determined smile on her face as she walked away; the sun silhouetting the two women as they parted ways.
It took Yang around ten minutes to get to her Bullhead; but before she boarded it she was stopped by Kale and Tyler.
"Yang!" Tyler yelled; over the sounds of the Bullhead's engines.
She looked over to the two men who were approaching her. She hastily walked over to them, not wanting to miss her flight.
"Yang, we searched all over for you. We need to talk." Tyler said.
"Is it going to take a while? I have to leave in ten minutes." Yang asked.
"Unfortunately it will; but if you listen to us you'll be able to leave immediately after." Kale said; his collar hiding his mouth.
Yang was confused as to what exactly was so important that it merited her missing her flight; but if it was serious she probably could live without the flight.
"Okay." she said; following Kale.
Tyler waved off the Bullhead before following the two of them. All of them met up inside a small office inside the hangar bay. Kale set a cross from Yang at a large wooden desk. Tyler leaned up against the wall to her left and crossed his arms.
"Yang as you know, in Vale, Beacon doesn't have the manpower anymore to regulate huntsmen and huntresses to the effectiveness that they could four years ago. This leaves us to pick up the slack, which in a time of war is very concerning." Kale explained.
"Hasn't Beacon begun rebuilding their personnel though?" Yang asked.
"They have ,but not at a rate that would be able to sustain the large volume of Huntsmen that come through Vale on a daily basis." Tyler replied.
"This is where you come in. We need someone who is able to manage the Huntsmen and get them to where they needed." Kale said.
"Are you offering me a job?" Yang asked; a small trace of shock evident in her voice.
"Pretty much. The details are in this envelope." Kale said; withdrawing a small manilla colored envelope.
He slid it across the table to Yang, and waited patiently for her to open it and read it. Yang opened it quickly and began to read the details of it. Her eyes went wide two times. The first was when she actually found out what she was going to be doing; the second time was when she found out how much she was going to be paid if she accepted.
She set the paper down, "So you want me to run a bar that caters specifically to Huntsmen; and you want to pay me 30,000 lien a week." Yang said; kind of not believing her words.
"Well we intent you to use half of the profit to maintain the place; but yeah that's the jist of it." Kale said.
"Um, this sounds a little too good; no offense." Yang said.
"Well, I will say there is one stipulation. Neo, due to a lengthy legal fuck up that I will not explain here, is now a member of the Sequoia Tree; however we can't let a convicted criminal fight on our front lines. So the secondary objective of this place would be to hide Neopolitan from the people who want to shove a fist up her ass." Kale admitted.
"While I do admit we haven't been on the friendliest terms; it'll probably be better for her." Yang said.
"Yeah, so will you do it?" Kale asked.
Yang thought about it for a moment, "I would be happy to."
"Great, we'll just need you to sign here; and it should be ready for you in about a month." Kale said; pulling out a pen.
Yang accepted the pen with a smile on her face.
As she started to sign her name, Ruby made it back to her room after running some errands. She opened the door to her room to find the lights off; and Saffeara just waking up from her nap.
"Way to sleep the day away, Saffeara." Ruby said; placing her laundry basket on the ground.
"Heh, yeah I never get to sleep like I did today." Saffeara said; stretching her body.
Ruby, went over to the lamp sitting on their shared dresser and turned it on. Saffeara shut her eyes and quickly reopened them after she got used to the sudden light in the room.
"Sorry." Ruby said; returning to her laundry basket and proceeded to hang up her clothes.
Saffeara yawned, "What time is it?"
"Its like 3:30." Ruby said; standing up.
"Damn, did your sister leave already?" Saffeara asked; sitting up and tucking her knees into her chest.
"She did, but how did you know that she was here?" Ruby asked.
"Tyler, called me and asked me if I had seen her." Saffeara replied; wiggling her toes for no apparent reason.
"Oh, I wonder what he wanted." Ruby said; placing the laundry basket outside their room.
"I don't know. I was too tired to ask and was also too busy dreaming about paradise." Saffeara said; a grin forming on her face.
"Paradise?" Ruby asked; sitting on herown bed.
"Yeah, puppies, rainbows, and sexy frisky women. I'm a woman of simple tastes Ruby." Saffeara said; laying back down, her skin glowing softly in the light.
"I think simple isn't a way to describe you." Ruby said; laying down as well.
Saffeara chuckled, "Okay, so what's your version of paradise?"
"Hmm, a land where everything is strawberries; and cookies." Ruby replied.
Both of them laughed.
"Okay then, where does Weiss come in?" Saffeara asked.
"Weiss is a real life paradise; and I would prefer her to remain that way." Ruby replied; a smile on face.
"Heh, okay so who was your first crush?" Saffeara asked.
"Why do you want to know?" Ruby asked; turning towards Saffeara.
"Because I want to know what it takes to make a Rose's heart flutter." Saffeara said.
"I never really developed a crush on anyone, even with Weiss it was more of a slow burn until I realized that I was head over heels for her." Ruby admitted.
"Hmm, you remind me of a fairy tail I read a long time ago. It was a rather short one where a girl in a red cloak was eaten by a wolf." Saffeara said.
"O-Oh." Ruby said; not knowing just how to respond to that.
"However, it was a pretty shitty story. Wolves should help people not hunt them." Saffeara said.
"What do you mean Saffeara? We hunt people all the time." Ruby asked kind of confused.
"We hunt trash, Ruby." Saffeara said; getting her point across.
"I have a question for you, Saffeara." Ruby said; not wanting to miss her opportunity.
"shoot."
"What's the real reason you don't wear clothes?"
Saffeara chuckled, "I was wondering how long it would take you to ask that. It kind of surprised me that it took you this long; no offense to you of course."
"Well I've been meaning to ask, but I've been busy." Ruby admitted, looking down at her metal arm.
"I understand." Saffeara turned toward the ceiling again. "You know my story Ruby; and let's just say I like the visual confirmation that my underwear is on instead of just knowing it."
"I see, so that's why you don't like baring it all to the world." Ruby said.
"Well, it depends on the person and the situation; but you would be correct." Saffeara explained.
The room fell into silence as the two women started to daydream.
"Hey, when are we supposed to to arrive at the BD Continent?" Ruby asked.
Saffeara looked at their digital clock, "In thirty minutes; and tomorrow all hell will break loose, are you ready?"
"I've been ready for a long time." Ruby replied.
"You know you don't need that mask anymore, right?"
"I know; but I fight better with it on."