RWBY is property of Roosterteeth, I only own my characters.


Chapter 51

"My Lord!" an Order soldier ran up behind Vortex as the Bloodline continued his long staring contest with the temple's sealed entrance. Whatever the structure had been made of, it was nigh indestructible. Even Vortex slamming winds powerful enough to knock over trees in the surrounding landscape into it had not caused the doors to budge in the slightest.

"What is it?"

"Sir, a ship bearing EDC insignias is approaching the temple. Corvette class."

"Its appearance may be a trap to attempt to lure some of us away from the defenses. Keep an eye on it, alert me if anything changes."

"Yes, my Lord." the soldier bowed, "I will carry out your orders at once." Vortex turned back to the temple.


"Hilda, would you be so kind as to open a call to Alex and the others? I'd like to know how close they are." Barnes asked as he stared at the temple in the distance.

"Right." Bernstein pressed a few buttons on a nearby console. "There." A floating hologram appeared in front of the EDC General.

"Barnes?" Ironwood's voice answered the incoming hail. "What is it?"

"Just wondering how close you all are to getting here. Order's been trying to force open the temple door."

"We're pushing the dustplane's engine as hard as it can go right now. At our current pace, we should be there in an hour or so."

"Sounds good. I'll hold here for now."

"See you soon, Barnes. Ironwood out." The Atlesian General gave a quick, respectful nod before the transmission ended.

"Sir." Barnes turned towards the voice of the leader of Fireteam Cerberus. The red-haired commando's boots thudded against the floor of the bridge as he walked. He saluted his superior.

"Yes, Axton, what is it?"

"Fall asked to see you."

"Tell her she's welcome to come up to the bridge if she's ready."


Vortex growled at the temple's exterior. Had he come all this way to be foiled by a door? Inscriptions in varying colors outlined the entrance, written in a language the Lord had never seen. He studied the words carefully, hoping to- He stopped as something caught his eye. Hidden amongst the dark stone was a small imprint of a human hand.

No...It couldn't be that simple. Vortex pressed his palm to the indent and pressed. As he had expected, nothing happened, but at least he had found a possible way to break the temple's seal. He repeated the process, this time gathering raw energy in his hand as he pressed down. The doors remained stubbornly closed, but the inscription around the door seemed to pulse in response. A thought struck the Lord, and he removed his right gauntlet from his forearm. He drew his sword and ran the sharp implement across his thumb, drawing blood. He placed his hand back in the impression.

The door's inscription suddenly shone a bright golden hue, causing Vortex to take a step back and shield his eyes. The change in color slowly flowed from the imprint of the palm across the entire temple. The Lord followed the light's path with his eyes as it skittered towards the peak of the pyramid-like structure. A thin beam of golden light shot from the apex of the temple into the air. The sealed entrance cracked and groaned as it slowly ground open, its two stone doors swinging inward.

Without hesitation, Vortex stepped into the temple's interior, motioning for several soldiers to follow him with their Shades. He made sure to grab the case of Void Dust as he entered. His moment of triumph was here.


Barnes turned as the Cerberus squad leader reentered the bridge, this time accompanied by Cinder.

"Miss Fall." the General greeted.

"General." she nodded, "I...just realized that there's a possibility we'll all die today...I should thank you...for offering me a chance to help."

"You're quite welcome." Barnes smiled, "Don't stress out too much about dying, though. If you spend too much time backing up from one thing that might kill you, sometimes you'll just back into something else."

"I'm not sure I understand." Cinder cocked her head and rose an eyebrow.

"I'm telling you to stop being a pessimist." he chuckled.

"...Oh." Cinder responded. "I see. What would you suggest I think about instead?"

"Me? I'd say think about what you want to do after we win. That should keep your drive up."

"About that..." Cinder's expression fell, "I'm just going to wind up in prison even if we do win...it's hard to look forward to that..."

"Well, you could always work for me." Barnes shrugged casually. "Ironwood got pardons for your mint-haired friend and the White Fang we picked up along with you. They're planning on working with the EDC and the kingdoms to help build a better future. Sound like something you'd want to be part of?"

"I..." Cinder trailed off and began to think deeply about her answer. Ever since she'd been a girl, she'd been consumed with an intense hatred of the kingdoms. When her hometown had been overrun by Grimm, Atlas had left them to rot. When she and the few left became refugees, the kingdom had turned them away. They were told it was their fault for living in a frontier town. They'd eventually wound up in a section of the slums. Cinder could clearly remember the cold ground and the feeling of rain dropping onto her small form from holes in their roof. She'd seen her mother slowly waste away, as the woman gave up her own food so her child would live. She'd watched a pair of drunk Atlesian soldiers beat her father into the ground, then watched helplessly as he died from the ensuing infection.

As she grew, her hate only grew with her. Cinder remembered the first time she'd stolen. She had snatched a case of Dust away from a businessman when he had left it unattended. At first, she was going to sell the Dust for money, but then she had discovered her affinity for the substance. She practiced at night, carefully rationing what she had acquired. During the day, she had continued to hone her skills as a thief, slowly picking the pockets of richer and richer people.

Then...she'd learned how to kill. She had seen them, the two soldiers that had killed her father, with shiny new promotions pinned to their chests. She had been sixteen at the time, and the two men had been just inebriated enough to be guided away to an isolated location. She'd killed them slowly, with a genuine grin on her face. It felt good when she ignored their pleas like they had ignored her father's. After their corpses were charred past the point of recognition, she'd felt...empty. The thrill and fulfillment she had felt at exacting revenge just...evaporated.

After that, Cinder had continued to steal for a while, needing it to live. She learned what people could do to each other, and how the kingdoms did nothing but watch and sanction the slaughter of those less fortunate than them. Cinder had made a vow, that she would tear down each and every kingdom, with her bare hands if she had to.

But, now? Where did she stand? It was actually something that she hadn't given much thought since being rescued by the EDC. Despite being part of a military, the EDC operated very differently from the armies of the kingdoms. The feeling in the air was more...familial...than hierarchical. Barnes may have called the shots, but his men were free to question his decisions, to find holes in the man's planning, to improve upon his ideas. They all worked together as a cohesive whole to make sure as many of them survived as possible. On top of that, despite the fact she was a stranger, none of the five members of the EDC treated her like anything less than a guest aboard their ship. The thought of being welcomed into their ranks was...enticing, to say the least.

"...What would I do?"

"Well, you've shown a knack for digging up information, and if James' reports on what was happening in Vale are accurate, you've got a head for tactics as well. Plus, it never hurts to have an extra pair of eyes watching your back."

"So...you want me to just...help out wherever I'm needed?"

"That's just how I run things. I can try to give you a more structured role of you'd like."

"It's not that. It's just...what's the benefit for you? It's not like you'd be adding anything aside from an extra set of hands and a mouth to feed."

"Is it wrong to say that the benefit is more personal in nature?"

"What do you mean?"

"You're right, Cinder, I don't need an extra body aboard this ship. I see potential in you to be someone remembered for something great. You've got the same look of determination Alex had the first time I called him into my office back home. Both of you have something that many don't. Leadership. How you two have used it has been different, yes, but the fact remains that you and he inspire the people around you. Alex decided to be a hero. I'd like to give you that chance."

Cinder didn't answer immediately, she just gaped at the General for a few moments. She blinked a couple times and shook her head.

"Why? Why do you care what happens to me? Someone not from your world, and a wanted criminal on top of that?"

"I really can't say. Mostly because I hate seeing kids with promise getting locked up because they were dealt a bad hand." Cinder's face broke into a look of surprise. "Yes, James found your records."

"And...even knowing all that...the killing-"

"Doesn't change my offer. Every EDC operative in Remnant has had to pull the trigger on somebody at least once." Barnes crossed his arms behind his back. "...You'd have to cut out the stealing though." The corner of the General's mouth twitched impishly. Despite her best efforts to remain serious, the gesture cause Cinder to cover her own lips to stifle a laugh.

"Very well, General. Since it seems that my best chance of making up for what I've done and for making changes it with you and the EDC..." Cinder straightened her back, regaining her composure. "I will accept your offer."

"Excellent, then wel-" Barnes was cut off as a bright flash of light erupted into the sky from the temple. "That can't be good. Hilda! Call James and Alex again, let them know we're starting without them!" He stopped. "Oh, and one last thing. Welcome to the EDC, Private Fall."


More doors. Vortex was getting tired of seeing them. Thankfully, none of them required more of his blood to open, or he'd be half-dead by the time he found wherever it was he needed to be to activate the structure. As if on demand, the next set of doors revealed a tall, stone archway...with yet another set of doors. At the very least, this entrance was clearly different from the others. The golden light that had spread throughout the temple gathered at this massive vault-like section.

"At last." Vortex breathed. He turned to issue commands to the troops that had accompanied him. "Spread out. Make sure no one interrupts me."

"Yes, my Lord."

The Bloodline walked across the large room that stood between him and his goal, reaching the titanic door at the other end. Unlike the main entrance and all the doorways prior, the eight-meter tall stone panels were pure white, instead of the dark gray stone that had comprised the others. Vortex placed his hands to the entrance and pushed, finding the doors surprisingly light for their size as they glided inward at his touch.

As he stepped though the archway, the two doors swung shut behind him. He had entered a rather underwhelming room for such a magnificent entrance. The chamber was a cube, around sixteen meters in length, width, and height. A single crystal floated in the center of the room, suspended in some sort of complex altar. Vortex hefted the case of Void Dust in his hand and neared the hovering mineral.

"Welcome, Lem Cadellin. Or do you prefer Vortex?"


The combined forces of the EDC, Atlas, and Vale arrived to the temple's coordinates to see the Corvette already engaged with the Order forces on the ground. As tracers of projectiles and bursts of flak surrounded the EDC ship, it responded with steady volleys of strikes from its cannons. Alex switched his radio on as the Atlesian dustplane approached the battle.

"General, we've arrived."

"Good, and here I thought I'd get to have all the fun without you."

"What's the situation, sir?"

"The Order certainly set up a lot of anti-air defenses. We've been clearing them out steadily so we can put troops on the ground, but they're working hard to shield the things every time we hit them."

"So it's a stalemate slightly in your favor at the moment?"

"That would about sum it up." Alex heard a muffled voice over the radio that wasn't Barnes.

"No cover or civilians to protect you this time, bastards!"

"...Cerberus seems to be enjoying themselves..." The Major commented.

"Axton and his team are quite eager, yes."

"Anyway, once we've got a clear landing zone, we can drop the Talons and troops off."

"I'll work with James on that, you go get your end ready."

"Roger that, sir. Greene out."


Alex looked over the forces as they boarded the Bullhead aircraft used by the Atlesians. The Albatrosses were being designated as gunships for this attack, not transports, so they were remaining devoid of much beyond the pilots. They was a major problem with this operation that concerned Alex, the Grimm. The creatures were crawling around everywhere in the forest around the temple. This meant that they would have to divide their forces to make sure they wouldn't get overwhelmed from behind.

Alex's heart jumped slightly as someone touched his arm. Behind him stood a girl with multicolored hair, who eyed him curiously. Neo, if Alex recalled correctly. She gave him a silent wave of greeting, then fell back behind the group behind her. Three Faunus and two other Humans. Vio, Adam, Erwin, Roman, and Zephyr.

"Hey, Greene." The purple-haired wolf Faunus said, "Adam and I brought you this lot because they had something to say."

"H-hello, Major." Erwin took a step forward, "I just wanted to say thanks for giving us all second chances."

"Hey, it's nothing." Alex replied kindly. "Anyone deserves another chance if they're willing to take it and improve."

"That's a rather pleasant philosophy, though one I can't say I've personally held." Roman commented, "All the same though, it looks like it's working out. Thanks, Greene." Neo nodded her agreement.

"Zephyr has something to say as well." Erwin gently guided the girl forward.

"Major..." She took a deep breath. "...I can't forgive what people like you did to my family...but, you've proven that things weren't as black and white as I once thought...I can't bring myself to fight the Order...but I can help hold off the Grimm if you'd let me."

"We'd all go with her, of course." Roman added.

"I see no problem with that. Thank you all for your help."

"Thank you, Alex." Adam nodded to the soldier. "We'll make sure to prove your trust isn't misplaced. Good luck." The Faunus man reached out a hand, which Alex shook readily.

"Good luck to all of you as well."


"Rear-guard has already encountered Grimm. Sounds like they're fine for now." Dimitri reported as he listened in on the radio chatter. Their Bullhead shook as the few remaining flak turrets attempted to pick the aircraft out of the sky. "Just like old times, huh Boss?"

"Yeah," Alex nodded, "Not sure I'd call eight months ago 'old times', though."

"We came a long way, didn't we?" the Russian asked.

"We did. Never would have thought all this would happen." Alex felt Luna hook her arm around his.

"You're glad it did though, right?" She rested her head lightly on his shoulder.

"Of course. The people we've met are the best part of our time on Remnant." Alex chuckled and ruffled the girl's blue hair. "Everyone here is a friend and ally, and in a few cases, more than that." He looked at the total of twelve occupants seated in the Bullhead. Luna, Ruby, Dimitri, Firo, Blake, Charles, Weiss, Winter, Ryland, Yang, Carbon, and himself. They were all people that Alex was glad to have fought alongside. The Major felt the jolt of the Bullhead stopping above the ground. He rose from his seat, friends both old and new at his side.

"You ready, Alex?" Charles asked, unsheathing his blade from his waist and moving to the front of their group.

"As much as I'm ever going to be."

"Good. Then let's give em hell."


A/N: The final countdown begins! I hope it's living up to everyone's standards so far.

So, Cinder was an interesting and difficult character to write, simply because we know barely anything about her. I thought long and hard about what could motivate her to be the way she's shown in the show. What makes someone want to destroy the lives of thousands that isn't just the writers going, "It's cause they're evil, LOL!"?

Reviews, Follows, and Favorites are always appreciated! Let me know what you think with one of those if you want. Also, got a question for me? Go ahead and leave one in a review, or if you don't want to share the question, send me a PM. As long as its not overly personal, I'll answer it.


REVIEW REPLIES:

MaskedReaper: If it was that early in the story, that was Charles.

Skaana: No, you got it right the first time.

AnalPoptarts: Thanks for the words of praise and encouragement! As for the last part of the previous chapter, well, that's Chaos for you."

Guest: I can't really respond to your review, so I'll just say thanks for leaving it and for clearly sticking with the story for this long!