RWBY belongs to Rooster Teeth

Beta: Termin8r

Chapter 44-B

Drake and Asch separated from each other, both landing on the floor.

"I honestly shouldn't be surprised that you of all the Nobles were able to track me down." Asch pointed his sword at Drake. "Thanks for saving me the effort of going after you."

Drake rested Yin on his shoulder. "I guess neither of us needs introduction. And even though I don't wanna know anything about you at all."

Asch scowled as his adversary pointed at him with his own blade.

"I might be a little hypocritical about this," Drake continued, his thoughts focusing on Blake for a moment, "... but my curiosity is the only thing keeping you alive right now."

Both executed a Sonic Thrust, clashing blades with one another as they exchanged attacks.

"I knew you were full of yourself," Asch remarked, "but this is ridiculous! Just how did you plan to kill me?" He swung his sword in a diagonal arc along the ground. Drake successfully managed to block his attack, jumping back to evade a vertical uppercut from Asch.

"You're only arrogant when you can't back up your talk." Drake replied, somersaulting forward with his blade outstretched (Tempest). Asch smirked behind his mask, pulling a red dust crystal from under his sleeve and crushing it in his hand and absorbing the red particles.

"AOF Change: Burning Havoc!"

Asch was surrounded by flames as he launched an airborne kick into Drake's face, interrupting his Tempest.

Asch landed easily on the floor with grace while Drake fell and then rolled on it as the flames surrounding him disappeared. "Let's see… You probably thought about confirming if I was here or not. If I was, you would've kept your distance from this place and used Indignation to destroy the hideout and everything within a good range."

Drake stabbed the floor, using his sword like a cane to help him stand. "You really have me figured out, don't you?"

"Not really. Someone gave me the answers I needed for a good while. Although, I figured out that you can't use your semblance on my own."

"Yeah… sucks doesn't it?" Drake recovered his footing, taking an offensive stance. "You know so much about me, and I'm already starting to learn about you."

"Tch." Asch charged while Drake held his ground. Drake blocked Asch's attack and delivered a spin kick that Asch managed to duck.

"Your fighting style," Drake continued, blocking Asch's attacks, "it's from the Abyss Artes School; the same school Luke and Guy bel-" He stopped the moment he saw a red glowing fist come flying at him. He brought his left palm to Asch's forearm, forcing his Raging Blast to misfire.

Drake headbutted Asch, causing him to stumble back. Drake rubbed his forehead, realizing how hard his adversary's mask was.

"You are making too many mistake, Aurion." Asch replied, still grinning behind his mask.

Drake held out his blade as it began to spin around his wrist (Shining Fang), but Asch was two steps ahead of him, sidestepping Drake's attack and crushing another small dust crystal that was concealed under his sleeve; a brown one this time.

"You are full of openings." Asch whispered as he absorbed the dust particles. "AOF Change:" Asch thrusted forward with his sword, hitting Drake in the ribs. "Rending Quake!" He shouted, raising his other hand as the ground beneath Drake began to tremble and shake, sending chunks of rocks into the air, each making contact with him.

"Aaaah!"

Asch jumped into the air after crushing and absorbing an Ice Dust Crystal. "Too many mistakes, Aurion!" He shouted, grabbing Drake by the collar in midair, "Too many! AOF Change:" A white-blue energy began to surround his free hand. With the incantation of "Frigid Blast!" Asch released an icy explosion, sending Drake flying towards the other side of the room.

"Do you know what your first mistake was, Drake?" The Noble struggled to stand as Asch approached him. "Leaking that tiny bit of killer intent when you were hiding. But I suppose you couldn't stand someone speaking ill of your friends."

"Screw… you…" Drake tried to gather the strength to stand, the little Aura he had left trying to ease the pain. But he didn't need to focus on that; he had other plans.

"Drake Aurion — the stoic badass who thinks that nothing can hurt him — has the most insignificant fear of all; and I'm not talking about your fear of clowns."

"No... Seriously, screw... you!" Drake rested his palm on the floor to gain balance, only to be knocked over by a kick from Asch.

"Being alone… the undaunted Drake Aurion is afraid of being alone. I get it. they're your pillars of support that prevent you from having to experience that same feeling of coldness and loneliness you felt all those years ago, to the point you started to create a psychological figure in your mind to resemble your fear."

Drake's eyes narrowed. Asch was talking about Shadow. But that was impossible, not to mention the description he was given was… wrong.

'Wait a minute… The only time the others and I thought Shadow was a figment of my imagination was when…'

Realization struck him like a brick.

"You really are pathetic." Asch knelt beside Drake after kicking Yin away from his hand. "Too bad your pillars of support will crumble one by one, but don't worry, I am only interested in one. I won't let-" Asch stopped as Drake started to chuckle. "What?" Asch looked at Drake. "I am sorry, but do you find something funny?"

Drake didn't answer, laughter gradually getting louder. "You are so fucking stupid." He said between breaths.

Asch gritted his teeth, grabbing Drake by the collar and lifting him off the ground. "Do you think the predicament you are in is a laughing matter!?"

Drake smirked as a large purple glyph appeared below them. "No. But yours sure is." Drake's eyes started to glow as strong as they could. "From the land of the living, I call upon the land of the dead, to unleash the fury of thunder!" Several Glyphs appeared above them. "Indignation!"

The lightning never struck. Instead all that was heard was laughter, but this time it came from none other than Asch.

"You damn fool. Didn't that trash teach you anything!?" Asch threw Drake to the ground. "The Phonic Artes users can absorb any particle of dust or Aura in the air. That includes all the energy surrounding any kind of spell. So, what I'm trying to say here, Aurion…" Asch slashed upward as his sword sparkled with electricity, "thank you for the charge. AOF Change:" Asch jumped high into the air to where Drake was. "Lightning Tiger Blade!" A large volt of lighting was summoned, hitting Drake full force.

Drake hated to admit it, but if it wasn't for Asbel Lhant, Drake would've been killed on the spot. In the past, Drake had started training to develop an elemental resistance to lighting, but he stopped once Lloyd died.

Up til Drake had to fight Asbel, The wielder of Excalibur had a variety of Artes at his disposal, most of them lighting based. That was why Drake asked Zelos to cast Lighting on him until he could develop a partial resistance to the element.

Unfortunately, something else happened. The plan itself failed, Drake didn't develop a resistance to lighting, but rather retain the electricity coming at him to negate any incoming attacks of the same element. But that didn't mean Drake would stop trying, that is why he re-took the training after the whole Cruxis fiasco.

The result?

"What!?" Asch's eyes widened as Drake caught the blade with two fingers with a confident smirk.

"Using your own words, Asch." He replied, "Thanks for the charge." Drake successfully delivered two spin kicks and a slash, knocking Asch away.

Asch managed to recover in mid air and land without a problem. He raised his head and saw that Drake land across from him as his body crackled with dark electric energy.

Drake's training had helped him obtain more than he wanted, immunity to lighting. But thanks to what happened last time, he knew he could control the electricity running through his body, so he kept training to the point he could not only block it with his aura, but also feed on it.

"Just like new." The color of his skin returned as the black electricity dissipated. "Thanks for giving me everything I needed." His aura flared around his body. "Now, only one thing remains…"

Asch was dumbfounded, analyzing Drake's words. "No… You're bluffing! I call bullshit." Drake smirked behind his scarf as Asch's anger increased. "You are telling me all of this was part of your plan!?"

"Isn't it obvious?"

Basic psychology. Someone that felt comfortable with his current situation was willing to talk and absent-mindedly slip some information. It had worked with an angel in the past, so why wouldn't it work with a mere human? Or Faunus.

Asch chuckled, taking heavy breaths to calm himself. "I have never taken you for a liar, Aurion. What could you possibly have gained from all that has happened!?"

"Let's see." He raised his arm and started counting. "The most obvious one, you're an artes user from the same school as two friends of mine." Asch's grip on his sword tightened, making Drake smirk behind his scarf. "This one is intriguing: you're fighting style is very similar to one of the friends I just mentioned."

The blonde was able to hear a small growl from Asch. "Are you comparing me with that trash!?"

'Bingo.' Drake thought, ignoring Asch's question, even if he hated to admit he was stronger than his friend. "And last but not least; that little comment about Shadow gave me the limit of information you have about me and probably the rest." He pointed his blade at Asch. "There are a couple of questions I want to make you, Mr. Bloody. But that can happen after smash that mask into a pile of splinters."

Asch chuckled, gradually rising into laughing. "Even if you have obtained some useless information, the results will be the same. I already know all your quirks and moves."

Drake's eyes started to glow as black aura manifested around him. Asch took his stance once again.

'There's a lot of distance between us. So he'll either use Sonic Thrust to get close or-' Drake threw his blade at Asch, 'Or throw his blade-' Asch parried the blade, sending it upwards. 'Then run up, grab it and deliver a Rising Fal- Huh?'

Something was off. Drake should have been above him by now in order to grab his blade, but he wasn't.

Asch looked down to see a blue fang-like (Demon Fist) projectile coming in his direction.

'Improvising, Aurion?' Asch conjured a Demon Fist of his own as he readied his blade, knowing full well Drake would be coming charging him once both Artes clashed with each other. At least… that was what Asch thought until he was forced to block an incoming kick.

"You sure I'm still predictable?" Drake didn't waste a second in lowering his leg and delivered a somersault kick, which Asch avoided by stepping back.

"Maybe not, but you're still giving me openings!" Asch took out another crystal off his sleeve, a Light Dust Crystal. It was no mystery Drake's aura was extremely weak against light-based attacks. A Phonic Arte would be enough.

5 seconds, was all Asch needed.

Too bad Drake only needed 2.

Drake extended his hand, catching his blade while airborne. "So are you," He finished, "Destruction Field!" Drake slammed his blade onto the ground as it was surrounded by a red energy.

Asch quickly raised his arms to guard his vitals from the explosion and debris generated by the Arte.

"You may not accept it…" Drake rushed past the debris with a Sonic Thrust, connecting with Asch's chest, sending him back, "But you and my friend have the same way of thinking!"

Asch growled, crushing the Light Dust Crystal in his palm and preparing to execute his Phonic Arte. But there was something missing, something the assassin noticed right after opening his eyes: his target was out of sight.

"And I keep telling him time and time again-" Drake's voice came from the last place Asch expected; from above. "BEAST!"

The last thing Asch could see was Drake using the ceiling as a launching pad, propelling himself back down with a black Aura surrounding his fist.

*CRACK*

'A Beast by the hand!?' Asch thought as Drake's fist connected with his as the black aura took the form of a lion. The lion passed through Asch's head as the blonde's fist forced his head to crash against the pavement, shattering Asch's mask along with any remainders of his Aura.

"I always told my friend, 'Luke, for the love of Oum, stop trying to do Phonic Artes whenever you see a chance, it makes you predictable'." Drake said, planting his foot on Asch's chest. "I guess that's another thing you two have in common. Neither of you really listen."

Asch glared at Drake in pure anger as the the mask fell apart, revealing a face that bore an uncanny resemblance to someone Drake knew…

Luke Fon Fabre.

"Son of a bitch." Drake silently cursed, striking his now dislocated shoulder with the pummel of his blade in order to fix it. 'How Mithos is able to use that Arte that way without problem is beyond me.'

"How…" Asch growled, struggling to recover from the immense pain he was experiencing in his head, even though his Aura was already working to on it. "You weren't supposed to be this strong. You stopped your training after Lloyd's death, and the data I had on you didn't match this!"

Drake snorted. The answer was fairly simply. He had his ass handed to him by people stronger than him since the beginning of the year: Magnius, Presea Combatir, even his own uncle and some others had beat the living shit out of him in some way. Not to mention his problem with Asbel reminded him of his many flaws in battle. But despite that, Drake still had access to his most effective weapon: his cunning mind, a mind that knew when thinking outside the box when necessary.

"You are not in any position to ask anything, Ginger." Drake replied, pulling Asch off the ground by the collar. "I already know you have something against Luke; your fighting style is fairly similar to his and you know what he knew about all of us before Lloyd's death; seeing what you think Shadow is. What I still don't know is how you know that and why you look like him." As Drake finished his statement, the remainders of Asch's mask fell apart.

He looked exactly like Luke, except for a few minor differences. His skin was tanner, his hair was longer and darker in tone. The same could be said for his eyes. There was no doubt; those were the eyes of a murderer… but there was something else, something Drake couldn't really define at the moment.

"Stop comparing me with that piece of trash." Asch growled, only to be silenced by a headbutt.

"You're in no position to talk, not to mention none of your White Fang buddies will come. Or have you not noticed that they should've come thanks to all the noise we've made?"

"You… brought help?"

Drake didn't answer that. He hoped it was Zelos arriving fashionably late and taking care of the WF soldiers, but something told him that was not the case. Truth to be told, it didn't matter at the moment.

"Like I would tell you. Just answer the damn question, faker."

Something in Asch snapped after hearing those words. "I… You're calling me the faker?" Asch began to chuckle, transitioning into a loud laugh. Drake scowled as he Asch's grew feral.

'That is what I missed. He is a Faunus… but still…'

This little revelation only gave Drake more questions about Asch's relationship with Luke.

"Here's the answer to your question, Drake." Drake's eyes widened as he saw Asch's hand grab Drake's face. "It was none other than your dear friend who told me!"

Drake struggled as Asch's fingers dug into his face. Asch continued to laugh as Drake's vision began to fade.

"The hell!?" Drake waved his hand in front of his face, seeing nothing but darkness.

"I'm have to admit… my greatest mistake was dealing you as an Arte's user, when I should have used my specialty…"

Drake's eyes widened as he felt Asch's presence disappear completely.

"...As an Assassin."

The next thing he felt was the cold sensation of steel against his back, and yet he could not detect Asch's presence, nor his killing intent, just... nothing. Not to mention that his opponents aura had been depleted, making him harder to detect It remained like that with every hit Asch successfully delivered.

Drake forced himself to use his instincts, but none of that worked when his adversary could hide his presence like a ghost. Not to mention Asch attacks had been slashes to non-vitals, wearing away at his Aura, knowing that Drake would be able to counter when given the chance. He didn't use Arte's either, since the use of his Aura would give him away in an instant

"I must admit, Aurion, many people are left scarred stiff after I blind them. They flail around like a child having a temper tantrum, screaming in fear, cursing my name, but not you." Asch chuckled, as Drake knew he was only taunting him to attack in the direction the voice came from. "But I suppose that's because you're used to being in the dark."

Drake grit his teeth, tightening his stance. He wanted to go deeper into instinct, but then all reasoning and thought would vanish, making him predictable. That was the last thing he wanted with Asch.

Drake felt his Aura slip away with each attack he received. His enforced clothing wouldn't do any good, seeing Asch could simply aim for his head when his Aura reached 0; seeing there was no way to see the attack coming.

"The hell!?" Drake's train of thought stopped after Asch's sudden outburst. "So you did bring help!"

Drake lowered his stance slightly. Unless someone else hiding his presence to the point Drake could not sense them, then there was one else in this room than Asch and himself.


"Surrender immediately, you are surrounded!"

The sounds of bullheads and voices tore through the sky.

'The Atlas military!' Asch thought, stopping dead in his tracks. He shot Drake a nasty look. 'You of all people asked help to the Atlas military!'

"Asch the Bloody! All of your White Fang allies have been apprehended! Give up, or we will have no choice but to use lethal force."

Asch grit his teeth as he pulled his hood over his head. "Consider yourself lucky, Aurion. But have this in mind, I will make Fon Fabre suffer one way or another…" Asch was cut short by an explosion from the wall, revealing several Atlesian Knights. "See you soon, Aurion." Asch said, before running at a high window while avoiding gunfire from the knights.

'There is no way I can take care all of this alone if they know my location.' He thought, jumping through the window and running straight into the forest. Several bullheads and Knights continued to shoot at him until he was out of sight while Drake Aurion was left dumbfounded; ignorant of all what Asch had seen.


"I knew redheads had few screws loose… but this one just takes the cake." He thought the blonde out loud as he sheathed his blade and asked himself the following question.

'How the hell am I gonna drive blind? Better yet, how am I gonna return to the car in the first place?'

Using his weapon as a cane, Drake carefully navigated through the room and towards the nearest exit. The first thing he had to do was find out who took care of the White Fang outside. Or perhaps the White Fang were so incompetent; they didn't know what happened in here.

He really hoped that wasn't the case. But it didn't matter, because the person who opened the door from the other side would answer that question for him.

"Drake?"

Drake paused for a second, recognizing the voice almost instantly, even if he had only heard it a few times.

"Ci?" He asked confused as he heard a small snort that belonged to someone else he was acquainted with; a male. "... And Black, by the sound of it?"

"What do you mean, 'by the sound of it'? You blind or something?" Mercury asked, standing directly in front of Drake, only to notice the lack of reaction or recognition in his eyes. "Well shit. The hell happened here?"

"Annoying redheads. But more importantly, what are you two-" Drake stopped, quickly drawing his blade and holding it to his right. "Three doing here?" he paused, "I hope you weren't trying to pickpocket me, Sustrai…"

The green-haired thief rolled her eyes, carefully moving away the blade. "We're here on official council business."

Drake quirked an eyebrow and opened his mouth, but was beat by Cinder. "Unofficial business, to be more precise." Cinder glared at Emerald, making her step back and stay quiet.

"Sorry, but that still doesn't tell me anything."

"Asch The Bloody."

Drake scowled. "How-"

"I have no problem in sharing the information we have with you." Cinder approached Drake and placed her hand on his shoulder. "Any signs of him?" She asked close to his ear, taking the edge off of him a little.

"You just missed him. He started saying things that didn't make sense before jumping out a window. It was like if he was living a completely different event from me." Drake chuckled. "It almost sounded like he was re-living a Spruce Willis movie."

Mercury shot a glare to Emerald and mouthed a 'Really?'

'You said 'make him go away'' she mouthed in defense. 'Like if you could have come with anything better?'

"I suppose I should thank you for the White Fang soldiers outside."

Both Mercury and Emerald stopped their silent ranting to see Cinder and Drake walking to the entrance while the femme fatale held his hand to guide him.

"Yes, although you could have dealt with more than just two. Which reminds me… you two." Cinder turned to face Emerald and Mercury. "Stay here and see what you can find while I take Drake back to Beacon."

Emerald stepped forward. "Wouldn't it be better if we all head back at once? It's getting late, going on foot at this hour would not be wise with Grimm activity."

It was not a matter of transportation or traveling together. They had a bullhead nearby that was used for their arrival. Emerald just didn't want to leave Cinder alone with the Noble.

"That's not my problem." Drake responded. "I have a car nearby, but I can't drive at the moment." He looked at Emerald's direction. "You two have legs, use them."

"Talk about cheap."

Drake shrugged. "I honestly don't have a problem with waiting for Black. You on the other hand are a different story." Emerald looked surprised, and so did Cinder and Mercury.

"H-how come he can get in your stupid car and I don't?" Emerald asked as Drake started to head out of the room with Cinder's help.

"Because he's not the kleptomaniac." Drake replied. Just before exiting the room, Cinder gave her two associates a look of "You know what to do." as Emerald started fuming.

"Arrogant bastard." Emerald muttered, not risking being heard. "We should have left the Bloody to finish the job."

Mercury paid little attention as he walked to the computer Asch used before. "Do you really want to ask her that? You better than anyone should know how she gets when someone doesn't obey her."

Emerald shuddered.

"But I do have to agree with you in something…" Mercury continued, "We could have gotten rid of the Asch problem and everything would have returned to normal. Not to mention we wouldn't have to work with those damn Nobles of Vacuo."

Emerald snorted. "You only say that because Gaillardia outsmarted you… woof, woof."

Mercury twitched before smirking at her. "Aren't you sure the role of dog belongs to you? Because that's the image you've been given, seeing how you're the one following Cinder wherever she goes. Right now you are just mad because she was holding Aurion's hand."

Emerald scoffed after seeing Mercury's smug face. "Don't be ridiculous." The thief gave a serious gaze. "But seriously though…"

"Hmm?"

"Don't you think Cinder acts… different… whenever Aurion is involved?" Emerald recalled all the events since infiltrating Beacon. Cinder didn't let her get back at Yuri Lowell, or by extension Drake or Zelos for almost freezing her to death. When asked if they should add them both to their list of possible threats, Cinder said no since 'their alliances haven't been confirmed.'

She had also given the order to not approach Drake in any way due to the threat of raising suspicion, and yet Cinder, herself, had interacted with him a few times, the proof of it was how Drake called her before: Ci.

"… I'm honestly not surprised by that." Replied Mercury, turning his focus back to Asch's computer. Emerald looked confused.

"What do you mean by that?"

Mercury stopped for a moment as he searched for the right words. "How do I say this…" he looked over his shoulder with a serious gaze, "I get this familiar feeling from Aurion whenever I look at his eyes. It kinda reminds me of someone very terrifying."

Emerald snorted. "Who? Your father?"

Mercury focused back on the computer as he answered in a null tone. "Cinder."


"And he ran away, just like that?" asked Ironwood through a call via Flynn's car. "At least you found a White Fang base. Anything you can tell us?"

Drake sat in the passenger seat, his elbow resting next to the window while his head rested in his hand. "His semblance allows him to blind whoever he touches."

"Blind? I suppose the effects must be temporary seeing you're driving back as we speak."

Drake didn't answer back as he 'eyed' Cinder. He knew she was smirking while eavesdropping the conversation.

"Were you able to see his face?"

Cinder's smile widened. She looked at Drake, who scowled after remembering Asch's resemblance to Luke. She was able to hear him growl out his answer.

"No."

She hadn't been able to see Asch's face as she and her team peaked through the door, but she did watch him escape without his mask and saw that he had red hair. There was no way Drake couldn't have seen his face. He was lying.

But, why? What could he win from doing that? If anything, it would make things easier for him.

"There is something else," Drake continued, earning both Cinder and Ironwood's attention, "Something that it is of great importance for Atlas's military."

"Hmm?" the General raised an eyebrow.

"I overheard Asch talking with someone on a video call. I couldn't see who it was, or get his name. But he's planning on assaulting an Atlas Military train soon."

The General scowled. "Is there anything you could have caught about their conversation? Perhaps we can make a profile of it."

"Hmm… If I could summarize him in a few words… it would be psychotic and maniacal. The guy gave a vibe of a person with no sanity. Also, he's really confident in his abilities, seeing he rejected Asch's offer of letting the White Fang lend a hand. And by the sound of it, he's missing an arm."

Cinder internally relaxed. The description Drake had given made her think of a certain scorpion that could have been lurking around where he shouldn't. But she knew for a fact that Tyrian had both arms… unfortunately.

"I will see what I can find. But you don't need to worry. Transportation security has been increased since the White Fang managed to obtain the Paladin prototype."

"Hmm…" Drake's scowl deepened as he recalled something else, something the General managed to catch up to by the silence on the line.

"There is something else that caught my attention, General. Something of great importance." Cue for dramatic pause. "The White Fang's movements have been strange this past year, and I'm not saying that because of their allegiance with Torchwick, but what I saw today easily takes the cake. They're capturing Grimm."

"Are you 100% sure?"

"Yes. Not only that, but it seems the Grimm are being rather docile when it comes to their capture, and it all seems to be thanks to a certain woman."

If Drake could have seen the screen, he would have seen the biggest scowl on the Ironwood's face while Cinder cursed the White Fang. But she didn't need to worry, because Drake's behavior towards her indicated that her cover was safe.

"A woman? You wouldn't happen to catch her name, did you?"

"I'm afraid not. The only thing I know is that she's, and I quote, 'Smoking Hot'."

General fought the urge to growl. For a second he thought he was speaking with Zelos.

"But that's not what worries me." Drake continued. "This little revelation of the Grimm made me re-evaluate everything that's been happening this past year. From Torchwick, then the Breach, to this. The White Fang is clearly preparing for something big. The Breach was gonna be part of that invasion, seeing how it was strategically well thought out. But it was somehow 'ruined' by Team RWBY, making it go ahead of schedule. But that doesn't make me feel any comfort seeing that the White Fang is not only continuing with their plan, but also collecting Grimm in herds. So I ask you this General… permission to be blunt…"

The General closed his eyes. "Permission granted." He knew what Drake was going to say.

"What the fuck are you and Ozpin doing?" Cinder looked amused as Drake took a more serious stance in the conversation. "The White Fang is preparing something big and yet you and that excuse of a headmaster sit and do nothing. I can already tell you had foreseen this scenario by how calm you are. So I ask you again, General… what are you planning on doing?"

"I understand how you feel, Drake. But you better than anyone should know what would happen if we took action."

Drake gritted his teeth. "People would go into panic. Not to mention the council doesn't do a very good job with damage control. Mountain Glenn is proof enough. But that still doesn't give me any reason to believe you or Ozpin have taken action. Even when he used Team RWBY as scouts."

"They told you about that?"

Drake snorted, remembering they did tell him about that little fact, but he didn't need to know that. "Please, Mountain Glenn is too big of a mission for first years. Not to mention that I find it incredibly convenient that the same team that stopped the stolen Paladin is the very same team that was sent on that mission."

"You're observation never ceases to amaze me, Drake." The General admitted with a sigh.

"It's pretty easy when you're surrounded by ignorant people that think they are above all else." That message was clearly directed at Ozpin.

"You don't need to worry." The General assured. "I will use this information to create counter measures."

"I'll believe it when I see it, General." Drake sighed, relaxing a bit. "I would have done something earlier, but you know how screwed my life is at the moment… " He scowled again, "...not like a certain someone who's trying to spy every single move I make."

Ironwood chuckled. "Not that he's doing any good. Speaking of which," he tone turned serious. "I would like to speak with you about that promise you made with Torchwick."

"The information he gave me was correct. So it's fair I keep my part of the deal."

"I'm afraid to tell you this, but there is no way I'll pay for his demands. Not even my quarters have all the things he asked for. He even asked for a hot tub."

Drake chuckled. "Funny. I'm not paying either."

Cinder raised an eyebrow. She knew about the deal he and Torchwick made. And although it was little and it wouldn't change the fact that Roman would still be imprisoned, it was a really good deal.

"Then yo-"

"Ozpin will." Drake interrupted, plain and simple, leaving both Cinder and Ironwood confused. "Or rather, the person who is charge of all the money of the Festival will… so… Goodwitch?"

The General absorbed Drake's words and thought in the hidden meaning, only to in shock after figuring it out. "Please, tell me You didn't do what I think you did."

"What? Suggest the Council that Beacon should cover all the necessities of the Atlas Military as an of excuse for Beacon's staff being incompetent?" Drake said nonchalantly. "Who would be cruel enough to do that?"

The General sighed. "You really are resentful, you know that, Drake?"

"I prefer 'getting even', General. Ozpin wants to screw with me, then I screw with his damn budget. With any luck I might even be able to cut his supply of coffee."

"Clearlythat video of cats having an intimate session with Glyndais just the tip of the spear."

Drake snorted. "That was Zelos, not me." He scowled. "Which reminds me, I have to call the dumbass and find out why he didn't show up."

The General chuckled again, which caught Drake's attention.

"… What did that idiot do now? Did Goodwitch catch him?"

"No. It was actually something more serious… let's just say you weren't the only one with a hard day."

Drake raised an eyebrow. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"You'll find out soon enough. I'llbe taking myleave, Drake."

The call ended as Drake narrowed his eyes. Not only because of Zelos, but also because Mithos said he and the General had spoken for a moment and told him nothing… but now wasn't the time for that… especially since he had a hot driver next to him.

"I see you and Ozpin have the best of relationship." Cinder remarked, initiating a conversation. She already knew Drake disliked him, but she wanted to know exactly how much.

"Ozpin carries an air of arrogance so big that he thinks waiting for the enemy to attack is the best solution for anything."

"Funny, my… mentor thinks the same way as you." She scowled. "Although, her disdain for him is much more than 'Despise'."

"The feeling is mutual. The guy's not only arrogant, but also extremely manipulative."

That piqued Cinder's curiosity. "You mentioned something about that during your talk with the General of Atlas. Did he try to manipulate you in any way?"

Drake nodded. "He's definitely trying. So far he's making progress, seeing how he's limiting my every move. I just hope there's some kind of divine retribution waiting to happen with that bastard."

'Don't worry, it will happen sooner than you think.' Cinder was pleased, very pleased. The tone in Drake's voice, the look in his eyes; he clearly despised Ozpin as much as her mistress. It was so much that Cinder was sure of it that there was no doubt Drake would face the headmaster, if she set something in motion.

But the question was, what? It had to be something that did not only trigger Drake to attack Ozpin, but also something that would put both Ozpin and Beacon in a bad spot and lose credibility.

It didn't have to be right away, especially since she still had sometime before the Vytal Tournament, she only had to wait for the perfect chance. And since she knew Ozpin, she knew the perfect opportunity would present itself soon. So she would have to turn her attention to Drake in the meantime.

"How's your sight?" She asked, amused and a little angry at what she had heard. But it didn't matter; her cover was still safe.

"Still seeing black." He found it ironic considering he should already be used to the darkness by now.

"So, do you believe me?"

Drake thought about the question.

Cinder had told him the same story she had shared with Guy and Luke. But she didn't mention those two yet. She wanted to see what she could gain from all of this.

"Students that aren't officially huntsman doing under cover missions for their respective Kingdoms… Ozpin is already doing it, so I honestly shouldn't be surprised that other headmasters are doing the same thing… even though the point it's supposed to be top secret."

"Thank you for that, by the way." Cinder added. She had asked Drake not to mention her or her team, seeing they weren't supposed to be there in the first place.

"No problem." He said, leaning back in his seat while making a mental note to check her backstory with Yuri and Flynn back in Mistral. It wasn't that he didn't trust her words, but hated when he didn't have all aspects of a person in check, which reminded him. "But at least this little revelation explains something about you…"

Cinder glanced at Drake. "What exactly?"

"That air of professionalism you bring."

She smiled. "Flattery will get you nowhere, Drake."

"I'm just stating a fact…" The atmosphere in the care became heavy in an instant as Drake said the following words. "But it also explains why you have the eyes of a killer."

He noticed it the moment he first laid his eyes on Cinder's the night Emerald tried to steal Yuri's bracelet. And yet he didn't tell anyone about it, even after seeing her over and over again. The scariest part was that he couldn't explain why when it came to her, even now.

Her eyes narrowed slightly, but she was still smirking. "It takes one to know one, doesn't it?"

Drake said nothing.

"Like those two members of the White Fang we found outside. One missing an arm, and the other an eye. Both left for dead a couple of meters away, waiting to die from blood lose." She eyed Drake as he took his previous resting stance and noticed something peculiar.

She knew he was smirking behind his scarf.

"You say that as if you were inspired."

"Maybe I am. But I'm also intrigued." She said, their smirks never leaving their faces. "Why not just kill them? Sure, they're dead by now. But if I've learned something in this line of business, it's that you don't leave a possible threat alive."

She was saying that, yet she was talking with a threat as dangerous as Ozpin.

"Hmm… you ever heard of the Bloody Winter?"

"Yes…" the mood turned serious, "I will not deny that I know the role you, your friends and brother had in it. My condolences."

He shook his head. "Keep them." He took a deep breath before looking in her general direction. "The White Fang had taken the life of someone that was family to me, and I killed them without a hint of mercy as retaliation… but several days later, I realized that wasn't what I wanted."

"You wanted the person that was taken from you back?" Cinder asked. It was the most logical answer. It didn't matter how smart and cynical he was, Drake was still a human with emotions… so she was honestly surprised with the answer that came out of his mouth.

"Don't be stupid." Her eyes widened slightly. "My sister can't return from the dead. That's the harsh reality of the world we live in. But that doesn't change the fact that the people responsible are still breathing… but the thing is… death is too easy as a punishment. The person just dies and… that's it. Why end it when they can be put through more pain and suffering than a simple death…?"

Cinder opened her mouth and closed it again as she tried to find the perfect words to describe the emotion she was feeling. "You really are something else."

Cinder and Drake, they were the same… because deep down she knew Drake wasn't really satisfied by his acts.

"I prefer being called 'human'. Don't you think?"

She smiled fondly. "It's a shame you and I didn't meet sooner."

He chuckled with the same sentiment. "A shame indeed. Perhaps then I might've had Zelos off my back about having a girl-space-friend."

Her smile faded as she recalled a certain conversation with said red head. "Funny you mention him."

Drake groaned, wondering how his best friend could fit into this conversation.

"Truth to be told, I wanted to speak with you about the whole Asch business. I tried to approach him earlier today, but somehow he interpreted my message as a-"

Drake interrupted her as he put his hand on his face. "Let me guess, an invitation for a Devil's Three Way?"

Silence was all the answer he needed.

"Goddammit, Zelos. As if being blind right now wasn't good enough." He sighed deeply. "Why didn't you try to speak with me in the first place?"

"I tried. But you were nowhere to be found. Although, it does not really matter now."

Drake looked confused.

"Some people I recruited today said they didn't want you in on this, even if they knew you were already on your own search."

Drake frowned. The way she spoke about them made it sound like it was for personal reasons.

"… I know them, don't I?"

Cinder's lips curved up as Drake closed his eyes. He knew she wasn't going to answer.

"Not fair. I have screwed up so many people that I would need a week with no sleep to make a list." He muttered as Cinder decided to toy with him.

"It's actually very easy when you consider those close to you."

The Noble looked at her confused. "Wh-"

*RING!*

The blonde sighed as he leaned back on his chair. "Who's calling?"

Cinder answered amused at the name the digital screen in the car showed. "Sassy Brunette."

Drake groaned deeply as he motioned Cinder to answer for him. "I knew I was forgetting something… Hey Coc-"

"Where the hell have you been!?"

Drake nodded, he deserved that. "Near home?"

The woman on the screen moved her glasses down. "Was that a question? Also, why I am getting a 'sound only' on the screen?"

"Maybe 'cause I don't want to be seen?" Drake readied himself; he knew where this was going.

"Or perhaps you're with another woman and all that ruse of feeling homesick was only a pretext to keep me away… you wound me, Drake." Coco said mockingly. "How could you NOT invite me?"

Drake gave a small smirk behind his scarf before 'looking' at Cinder, who caught up the message immediately. "What do you think? I don't think there could have been any space for her."

"Uh?"

"I don't really think so. Things were already Bloody enough as they were, you'll need to change your jacket after this."

Coco's face was unreadable as she acknowledged the fact that Drake was with another woman.

"… You can really be an ass when you want to, you know that?" The upper classmate said. "I spent my whole day moving my own bags while you were fooling around?"

"How do you even know she's a ba-"

"Honey, please." She titled her shades down. "I know your type." Her statement made Drake roll his eyes.

"Now I feel like I'm talking with Zelos." His best friend said that when the subject of dating came up.

Coco snorted. "Funny you mention your bud."

Drake face palmed. "What the hell did he do? The General already mentioned something about it, but didn't tell me anything." He groaned, feeling a migraine incoming.

"I would like to mess with you with the details. But the truth is I don't know all of them. All I know is that your friend caused quite the commotion in Beacon." She sighed. "The headmaster tried to contact you through me, and I kept my end of the deal in covering for you." Her eyes narrowed. "Even when you were fooling around."

"Coco… what did you tell Ozpin?" He had a really bad feeling regarding her answer.

"Serious case of diarrhea." The fashionista replied, without a hint of remorse.

'Of course. Not to mention there's no way in hell Ozpin would believe that excuse.'

Drake sighed. "You could have said food intoxication… but thanks anyway. I'll call Zelos right away."

"Happy to assist. But, darling…" He felt a chill run through his spine as he heard Coco's tantalizing voice. "You owe me, and it's a big one. I don't know when and where, but you will pay me every bit of it."

"Yes, ma'am." The call ended with Drake rubbing his eyes in annoyance. "Can you please dial Zelos for me? He is under 'red-haired bastard'."

She chuckled as she dialed. "I think you might have a problem with redheads."

Drake ignored her, wanting to avoid the possibility of starting a rant about it.

"Sup, bu-" Zelos couldn't even complete his greeting before Drake interrupted him.

"What did you do?"

"N-nothing."

"What. DID. You. Do?"

"Listen, I was minding my own business."

"Bullshit."

"I was!" Zelos whined. "Look, Ihad just finished watching my masterpiece of revenge against Goodwitch, the video has gone viral by the way."

"Zelos." Drake warned him, he was really not in the mood for this.

"When suddenly a smoking hot woman wanted to ask me if we wanted to be in a Devil's Three way-"

"I already know that part." Drake said as he swore he could hear Cinder chuckling very lowly.

"How do you even know that? You weren't even there!"

"That's not relevant."

"Ok… she asked you as well, didn't she?"

"Zelos, you better start talking. And it better have been a good reason for not showing up as we planned."

The line went silent, something Drake made a comment of it seeing there was no smartass comment as an answer. "Well shit… it's that serious."

"You judge it." Zelos replied, looking away from the screen. "Come on and say 'hi'."

Drake raised an eyebrow. "Who're you talking to?"

Drake's question would be answered soon as Cinder saw the image of someone, a Faunus, she didn't know.

"…Hey… Drake."

Drake's eyes snapped open. It even surprised Cinder a little seeing it looked like he was about to jump right out of his seat.

"…You have NO idea how much trouble you're in…" Drake replied in a voice that would anyone tremble if it was said close to their ear.

The person on the other line sighed. "Believe me… you're not the only person who has told me that today."


Artes used or mentioned in this chapter:

Sonic Thrust: When using this arte, the user thrusts the weapon at the target, pushing it slightly backward. It is difficult to use this arte during a combo because it might force the enemy away, breaking the combo and giving the enemy a chance to retaliate

Tempest: When using the arte, the user somersaults into the air while extending their weapon outward, slashing the enemies multiple times while airborne.

Indignation: the caster calls a massive bolt of lightning that creates a large dome of energy around its impact point, dealing Lightning-elemental damage. It is the highest-level and most powerful spell of its element that can be learned.

Raging Blast: the user reaches forward at the target and gathers explosive energy in their palm, causing any nearby enemies to be blasted away and knocked to the ground. Although this attack does not have a wide blast radius, it is useful to clear away small groups of enemies. It shall never be used in both hands while being close to each other, otherwise it will also affect the user.

Shining Fang: The user rotates his weapon around his wrist, swinging it around in a complete circuit six times.

Rending Quake (FOA version with the use of Rending Thrust): The user thrusts forward into the enemy with their sword, followed by either an upward slash or an uppercut with their other arm. This action creates a small earthquake beneath the target, damaging all enemies within a small range.

Frigid Blast (Phonic Version)(FOA Version of Raging Blast): Frigid Blast involves the user concentrating ice energy into their palm. They then release it in an icy explosion.

Lightning Tiger Blade (FOA Version with Fang Blade): the user slashes upward and jumps high into the air, summoning a large bolt of lightning to deal several hits to nearby enemies, before falling back to the ground.

Lightning: the spell involves shooting lightning diagonally toward the target.

Rising Falcon: The user jumps into the air and then dives downward at an angle toward the enemy. This arte is capable of covering a far distance of the battlefield, enabling it to be used as a tactic for mobility while also dealing damage to a distant target. It can also be used with a kick instead of a sword

Demon Fist: Same as Demon Fang but used with not weapons.

Demon Fang: When the Demon Fang arte is used, the user launches a ground projectile towards a target.

Destruction Field: The user flips and strikes the ground, creating a fiery blast of energy.

Beast: When this arte is activated, the user slams the target with extreme force, creating a blast of energy in the image of a lion's head, which forces all nearby enemies to be blasted away and knocked to the ground. This is an effective arte to clear mobs when surrounded by many enemies because of its power and force.