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In. Goodwitch paused and produced an object from a nearby drawer. A shiver went down my spine.

"A death mask. What is the reason behind death masks? Physical resemblance is minimal. In dead faces, muscles relax. The animating spark leaves. Death masks seem almost an intrusion upon beautiful memories. Yet... who could throw it away? Cast away the memory of a loved one? Is it really so strange to want to study it longingly, as the distant train blows its mournful tone?"

Chapter XXVII

The War's End

"So, this girl in red... what was her name?"

"I'm having trouble remembering," May Marigold shook her head. "P...Peer..."

"Pyrrha," Henry spoke up- he had previously been staring at the wall, unwilling to meet the visiting police officers in the eye. He was in full mourning attire as he and his sister attempted to direct them towards Sae's killer- according to them, of course. "Pyrrha Nikos- from Vale."

"A drifter," the deputy- a tall, well-built man in blond- nodded. "Seems the type. God, I'd snap people like her out of existence, if I could. She was probably long gone by the time Sae set out on her fateful journey."

"I just wish we could have found someone else to fix the car," May nodded sadly.

"How did you meet him, Henry?" the officer asked.

May answered for him. "The steakhouse down the road. He went in to use the phone- she offered to help."

"Then that's where we'll go first," the officer nodded. "Thank you for your cooperation."

He left the house and rendezvoused with his fellow officers- a somewhat sloppier cop with dirty brown hair and a stone-faced woman in blond.

May waited until they were alone to smirk at Henry. "And so we say goodbye to Pyrrha Nikos."

"Yeah... great..." Henry struggled to smile, but couldn't.

"Perk up, Henry," May ordered, suddenly sounding far less friendly. "I don't feel too confident in nervous co-conspirators."

"I'll... just be glad when this is all over. That's all."

"Sounds good to me," May smirked as she pulled him into a kiss- but for the first time, he pulled away.

"I... need to be on my own for a bit."

XXXX

As it happened, Pyrrha actually was at the steakhouse, where Sun was trying to tend to her. "We're in it deep now- we can't get out on our own. We're gonna need some help."

"I... didn't do anything," Pyrrha swore. "Sun, I promise, I didn't do anything- May killed Sae, and set me up to take the fall."

"I believe you," Sun assured her. "But... it doesn't matter what I believe. It matters what the cops believe, and they're gonna take those snobs' word over yours any day. We need to talk to Yats."

"No," Pyrrha shook her head. "He's got enough on his plate- the last thing he needs is a dispute with Centralia. The only way out of this is to talk to Henry. He admitted that it was a set-up- I might be able to talk him into telling the truth."

"And how d'ya plan on getting past the cops?" Sun countered. "You think they're gonna let you waltz into their house after all this? We need to get back to Vale."

"No- he'll listen to me. I know it."

"How? What makes you think she'll listen to you?"

Pyrrha didn't answer.

Sun sighed. "I'm gonna call Yats. Don't move."

He stepped outside, producing his scroll.

"Hello?"

"Yats, this is Sun. I don't have a lot of time, but Pyrrha's in trouble... Yes. She got duped into doing a job for this guy- Henry Marigold. There was an accident, and-"

There were cops pulling up. He changed at the speed of light. "Sage wanted a second opinion on his newest poem. Yeah, I know, he doesn't trust mine for some reason- philistine. He's done with his Poe phase, he's gonna start trying to write like Elliot. I'm sure he'd love to hear-"

The policeman walked by without paying him any mind- he turned and struggled to figure out a way to warn Pyrrha.

She'd already seen- she pulled on her coat and flipped up the hood just before he could see her, and slipped out the door, joining Sun in putting as much distance between themselves and the steakhouse as possible.

XXXX

Ruby had spent a good hour or so setting up a chessboard in the police station's conference room to perfectly mimic the game she was playing with Emerald- but that wasn't what she was paying attention to at the moment. Instead, she was busy interrogating Cardin Winchester and Velvet Scarlatina. "What were you doing at Velvet's house last night, Cardin?"

Cardin seemed exasperated. "Velvet almost gets murdered, and you're worried about why I was there to save her?! Why not worry about the Adamstein Monster?!"

"What were you doing there?" Yang repeated firmly, allowing her sister time to continue examining the board, planning her next move.

"Look," Cardin groaned, "you want the truth? You got the truth- Velvet and I are together. We have been- way before Jaune died, all through Adam's little droolfest."

Ruby drummed her fingers next to the board. "And... where were you the night the mill burned?"

Cardin blinked. "The hell does that have to do with the price of tea in Anima?" One of Joseph's favorite sayings.

"Adam burned the mill down, and he tried to kill you- it seems like you might have been his shooter."

"Like hell," Cardin scoffed. "Yeah, I was there- I was worried about Velvet. He freaks out and tries to sharpen his axe with my skull when Big Boy Hazel shoots him through the window."

"Hazel Rainart?" Yang asked, brows knitting.

"How many other Hazels are there in this town?"

"You're sure it was him?"

"Damn sure. My life flashed in front a' me. I thought he might plug me, too."

Yang glanced at Ruby. "The hell does Hazel have to do with Adam?"

"Hell if I know," Cardin grunted.

Yang took a deep breath, and turned to Velvet, who had been stonily silent the whole conversation- Yang suspected she was still in shock. "Vel, if you're up to it... do you have any idea where Adam is now?"

Velvet shook her head minutely from side to side, but didn't speak.

Yang nodded in resignation. "Alright, I'll get a couple of deputies watching that place twenty-four hours a day."

"Save the deputies," Cardin interrupted. "That bastard comes crawling around again, I'll take care of him myself."

Yang rolled her eyes. "Cardin... zip it. You're free to go."

"Gotcha," Cardin rolled his eyes in return. As he rose to his feet and helped Velvet do the same, Yang offered one last word of reassurance. "Don't worry, Vel, we won't let you out of our sight."

At last, she spoke- barely a whisper, but she spoke nonetheless. "Thank you."

"Yeah, I feel much better, don't you?" Cardin scoffed as he guided her toward the door.

Their exit hailed Winter Maxwell's entrance- she immediately took in the cast and sling on Velvet's arm, but didn't comment.

She stepped into the conference room. "Ruby, Yang. I always enjoy my trips on the Vytal-Vale shuttle."

"Aaayyy, Winter!" Yang grinned, approaching and pulling her into a bear hug- Winter returned it halfheartedly.

"At least someone's taking care of themself," she muttered.

"Good to see ya, Winter," Ruby smiled, settling for a simple handshake.

"What's in the case?" Yang asked.

"My invitation," Winter grunted, producing a photo of a woman in traditionally oriental clothing. "Emerald Sustrai's latest disguise. Maria's putting as many resources as she can into tracking down this crazy bitch. In her dulcet words..." Winter cleared her throat, "I'M WORRIED ABOUT RUBES!'"

The sisters chuckled at the rather spot-on impression, as Winter produced a map of Vytal and laid it out on the table. "Emerald's been sending packages to law enforcement agencies all over the kingdom. Set up like a mail bomb, but always harmless. Paid by a phony card registered to Emerald Sustrai."

"And in the packages...?" Ruby prompted.

"One article of clothing each," Winter answered, producing a stack of photos. "Exhibit one, black blazer. Exhibit two, a pair of black slacks. Three, a pair of simple non-brand sneakers. Four, Hope's Peak Crest pin, and five, a brown hoodie."

Ruby closed her eyes. "Makoto's clothes..."

"Over half the kingdom have agencies out after her," Winter continued. "Maria invited everyone, but my guess is Emerald won't play with anyone but you, Ruby."

Another photo. "The man she killed- you called it. Death via severed aorta, took a bullet through the eye postmortem."

"His finger... it was pointed at one of the chess pieces..." Yang noted, leaning closer to the picture. "How'd she pull that off?"

"Rigor mortis is a funny thing," Winter shrugged. "Sets in head to toe, then leaves two days later- toe to head. She waited for it to leave the arms and fingers to maneuver his body into proper position. You know the story from there- she decided to break into the power station to try her hand at being Thor. That's where we found this map, in fact- taped to the bottom of a table."

"...Good work," Ruby muttered, moving to the window. "Good... work..."

Winter sighed. "We knew this would happen one day- it was just a matter of time before she made her move."

"... I guess so."

Winter awkwardly placed a hand on Ruby's shoulders, then straightened up, as if she'd just remembered something. "You know... Rubes..."

"Yeah?"

"I'd normally describe switching out your usual clothing for the more traditional garb of this town to be fashion suicide, but somehow... you make it work."

An unwilling smirk formed on Ruby's face. "Thanks, Winter."

XXXX

Adam awoke the next day to the sound of Emerald playing one of her wood-carved flutes, gazing solemnly at a circle of stones that seemed like they'd make a decent fire pit, though clearly, no fire had ever been lit there.

Her blood red eyes met his crystal blues. "About time you woke up," she muttered. "Hope you slept well- I was busy learning everything I could about you. Adam Taurus- I can see why you ran into me now. The police are out for your blood. Where to even begin? Drug trafficking- not my area of expertise, but I can respect it. Arson- very flashy. Attempted murder- a man after my own heart. Domestic violence... that, not so much."

Adam struggled to pull himself to his feet as she easily listed off his crimes- before he could make a beeline for the door, she leapt to her feet and smacked his legs with another flute, at least three feet long and several inches in diameter. He screamed as he fell to the ground. Emerald knelt on his chest and pressed the flute against his throat.

"That wasn't very nice," she chastised him. "I took you in for the night and fixed your wounds. You're just healing- because I took the thorn out of your paw- so to speak. Taurus- how fitting. Did you pick that name yourself?"

She reached out and grabbed one of his horns, pulling on it as hard as she could. Adam screamed as it fractured at the base and broke away. Emerald held the horn in her hand, twirling it idly. "Fair's fair, Adam- I help you, you help me. Sound like a fair trade to you?"

Adam was still writhing in pain- he didn't answer.

Emerald didn't appreciate it. "I'm sure you've already noticed my little pun here." She brandished the flute. "An instrument of music and of torture. I think Ruby would have liked it- puns seemed to remind her of home."

She swung the flute close to his head- as close as she could have without making contact.

Adam whimpered.

Emerald rolled her eyes, and produced something else from nearby- a collar. Adam recoiled- he would not be humiliated-

Another whack of the flute, and he gave in as she forcefully wrapped the collar around his neck. "This is a special bit of jewelry, Adam- I wanted to save it for a special occasion, but congratulations- you've forced my hand."

At last, Emerald rose to her own two feet and sat at a rudimentary table. "Come on, Adam- breakfast time. It's nothing fancy- I'm sure you understand, living out in the woods."

Adam did not come- he was still struggling to his feet- his eyes on the door.

Any thoughts of running disappeared when Emerald fiddled with her bracelet and sent nearly five thousand volts of electricity through him.

He screamed and fell back to the ground- a bowl was shoved in front of him.

"Have it your way- you want to act like an animal, I'll treat you like an animal," she scoffed. "Hurry up and eat before I make you."

XXXX

Yatsuhashi lay in bed, gazing up at the ceiling. "Twenty years. We haven't been like this for twenty years."

"You're telling me," Coco nodded at his side- neither were clothed.

Yats sighed. "One day, we're talking about a graduation party, the next, we're here. Nothing... nothing but pain between."

"I guess I... was trying not to think about it," Coco admitted. "I threw myself into the diner- threw everything I had into it, because at the end of the day... it was all I had. I kept it open every day so I wouldn't have the chance to think about how... empty I felt. No birthdays... no holidays... not even Christmas. You're in love with Mrs. Ebenezer Scrooge, Big Yats."

"Like I'm any better," Yats scoffed. "All my Decembers were a full week of Mondays. All I could think about was all the presents I never gave you."

"Ever the classic man," Coco laughed. "But... wanna know something funny? I got you a present last Christmas. Picked out a full set of clothes for ya- the most fashionable I could find. I headed over to your place to hand it over, but bitched out at the last second. When I say 'last second,' I'm talkin', I could see you through the window. But for some reason... I couldn't take those last few steps." She faltered, fighting back tears. "Sorry, Yats- Sorry I didn't come in."

She turned her head and pressed her lips against his cheek.

He smiled faintly. "If it weren't for my stupidity, it would have been your home, too. You'd have been there... in my bed."

He rolled over to face her, but she was the next to speak.

"Enough about the past- we need to think about the future. What we're gonna do from here." A full kiss on the lips. "I want you to come to the diner tonight- after closing. Take me home."

"As you wish," Yats nodded. "You're right, of course- it's all ahead of us."

"We've still got plenty of time," Coco smiled, pressing their lips together.

They heard the front door get kicked open. "Yats! Yatsy!"

Coco panicked, but Yats placed a hand on her shoulder. "Don't panic, Coco... we have to face this sooner or later. We may as well do it now."

The bedroom's door fell off of its hinges as Neon barged in with an unusually solemn look on her face, which only intensified when she saw what was going on. Without missing a beat, she clambered into bed on Yat's opposite side.

"...Hello, Neon," Yats greeted her.

"...I got disqualified," she admitted. "Turns out the airplane slam is illegal."

"Tough break," Yats nodded in understanding.

"Hi, Neon," Coco waved somewhat awkwardly.

Neon took a deep breath. "Hey, Coco- you know, I think I owe you an apology. I know you really like Hazel, and I really gave him a beating. Sorry about that. I just... I saw him picking on Yats, and I couldn't hold myself back!"

"Nah, I should be thanking you," Coco shook her head. "I don't want anything happening to this big lug either."

Neon nodded in what may have been satisfaction before sliding out of her covers rising to her feet.

She smiled as she approached the door. "Oh, betcha think I didn't notice the elephant in the room, huh?"

"Just... waiting for you to comment," Yats shrugged.

"Right- you're nice like that," Neon beamed. "But yeah, I knew about you guys already. And you know what? I'm okay with it! This way, I don't have to feel guilty about Sky!"

"...Sky?" Yats asked hesitantly.

"Not to get into it too much," she rolled her eyes with a grin, "but, uh... things are really starting to heat up! So you two- go ahead and do whatever you want! I'm fine- completely fine- with it!"

She managed to leave without breaking anything else, so Yats was happy to take her at her word.

XXXX

The wind was picking up again, making the trees dance as Yang once again struggled to reason with Blake. "Blakey... I'm in a corner here." Ruby was there as well, but, per her sister's wishes, remained silent. "The Vytal City police are hounding me for answers, and... I gotta give 'em something! They know you had connections with Yuma."

Blake bit her lip. "How... how did he die?"

"Three shots to the back of the head," Ruby answered- that was basically her role today, to be blunt where her sister couldn't.

"Blake..." Yang pressed. "If there was ever a time to tell the whole truth... now's the time."

Blake felt around beneath the coffee table, and found Yang's hand, gripping her in reassurance.

Yang glanced at Ruby, who immediately downed the rest of her coffee. "Be right back- gotta get a refill!"

She headed into the kitchen, and was careful to double-check the percolator for any errant fish- when a mass of plastic-wrapped clothing made its way in the back door. "Dad?"

"Rubes- that you!"

"Yeah- are you okay back there?"

"Had to make a run to the laundromat, and wouldn't you know it, Mei Ling's working the counter! A sweeter lady you won't find, but she doesn't speak a word of English! She's from Western Anima- we just end up staring at each other like a coupla wood statues!"

"Is that all Blake's clothes?" Ruby asked in surprise.

"Nah, hers and Raven's," Tai shook his head- not that it mattered, concealed, as he was, behind so much laundry. "I'm just trying to cut her a break- Raven's been working the poor girl to death! Twenty minutes for a simple cleaning job, but twenty minutes well-spent, if I do say so myself!"

Tai's scroll began ringing.

"Oh- gotta get that- give me a hand, Rubes?"

He foisted the clothes off on her- she staggered as she struggled not to let them fall to the ground as Tai moved a couple of rooms over to take the call.

"Oh, this is for Blake- is she here?"

"Talkin' to Yang in the dining room!"

Honestly, Ruby was glad for this chance- Winter had spoken to her earlier, away from Yang's prying ears, and planted the seed of a terrible idea in her head. She didn't want to believe it, but this was the only way to deal with it- let the idea bloom, or nip it in the bud. She went through the clothes, finding one of Blake's coats. She snipped off a small piece- barely noticeable- and slipped it into a plastic bag. A few strands of hair were stuck to the coat- she took those as well.

XXXX

Blake stepped away from the others to take the call. "Hello?"

"Hello, Blake. This is Sienna. Sienna Khan."

Blake froze. There was no need for Sienna to introduce herself- she'd have known that voice anywhere.

"It took a lot of time and resources to find you, Blake, but I'm glad I have. I'm hoping we can get together soon."

Blake struggled to respond, but succeeded only in opening and closing her mouth like a fish.

"Did you hear about Yuma? A terrible thing- what kind of monster could do something like that, do you think?"

Far away, Raven smiled as Tai filled her in on who had just called. "Welcome to Vale, Ms. Khan."

XXXX

Sienna sighed as she hung up her scroll. "She ran back to Raven Branwen," she hissed to the spider faunus currently bringing her a glass of wine. "How... disappointing."

"But expected," the spider faunus smiled nastily.

"Yes... she'd hardly be Blake if she'd chosen any other course," Sienna nodded.

XXXX

"SO I AskED COloNEL JacksOn What WE ouGHta do AFTEr We RUN Those VytS BACk to THE dESERt," Willow narrated to Oobleck- she had commandeered the Gold Room to recline on the back of a taxidermized horse. Oobleck was listening raptly, Weiss with concern, and Whitley sat on the edge of the corral Willow had erected, hardly reacting to anything at all. "he sAID 'fOlLOW ThEM. I've AlwayS WANtED TO coNQuer sHade.'"

"Jackson is quite the character," Oobleck nodded as he continued to write out her ramblings.

Weiss threw a glance over at the drummers that Oobleck had hired- they were looking quite baffled themselves, decked out in attire appropriate for the era Willow imagined herself to be in.

"I'VE BeEN COnsidEriNg WHAT tO DO with The qUeeN Of vYTal- SHe'S aboUT As usEful AS a priEsT IN a catHOUSe."

Whitley laughed- it was hard telling if he understood why.

Jacques entered the room as she mounted the horse and began pretending to ride it. He quickly filled his pipe.

"So, what can you tell us, Oobleck?"

Oobleck glanced at the drummers. "Well, interaction with the public doesn't seem to have had quite the desired effect."

"Hmm... I haven't seen her this happy in years..." Jacques noted.

"Maybe, but we can hardly leave her like this!" Weiss pointed out.

"Oh, I don't know about that," Jacques shrugged. "I can see some potential advantages to leaving her in this state of mind. Obviously, it was a blow at first, but there are some projects, domestic and international, that might fall entirely under my purview. As they say, one man's crisis is another man's opportunity."

Weiss narrowed her eyes. "I'm afraid things won't quite work out the way you imagine, father. Mother has set things up so that, should she be incapable of running the company, I take over."

"When you turn eighteen," Jacques countered, glaring at her down his nose.

"I turned eighteen last month," Weiss fired back. "You... honestly didn't know, did you?"

Jacques fumbled, glancing to Oobleck, watching with wide eyes. "Er... of course I knew. Oobleck, we must get my wife back!"

Oobleck raised a hand to his chin. "Well, there is one last thing in my bag of tricks..."

"Hey- sorry I'm late!"

Cardin had arrived on the scene, wearing an era-appropriate uniform. "A coupla bikers thought it'd be funny to fuck with me. Sure don't think it was funny now."

"AH, WincHEster!" Willow cut herself off mid-ramble. "I'M GlaD YO've coME! TRoops, AboUT FacE!"

The drummers, as nonplused as ever, turned around.

"YOU KnoW WhaT i wANNa heaR!"

Cardin rolled his eyes as he produced a trumpet and began crudely blowing out an old war song- Weiss wouldn't have recognized it if she didn't already know what it was. The drummers listlessly tapped away at their drums as they marched, not that Willow seemed to notice the lack of enthusiasm.

XXXX

The steakhouse was in the process of closing by the time Henry returned to it- several chairs had already been lifted onto their tables, but the barkeeper was notorious for never turning down some last-minute lien.

"Henry Marigold, right?"

He slowly turned to see the blond boy from earlier approaching.

"Name's Sun Wukong- Pyrrha's friend."

"Yeah, I remember you," Henry nodded as he listlessly turned his chair to face him. "Get this guy a drink too, would ya?"

Sun continued eyeing Henry with caution- Henry rolled his eyes. "Take a seat, would ya? It's fine."

Sun did not sit. "Why are you doing this to her?"

"Why not?"

Sun was taken aback by the bluntness of the answer. "Because she's a good person!"

"She was good at two things," Henry shook his head. "The car, and me."

"We're talking about her life!" Sun fired back, eyes narrowing in anger.

"And life will be so wonderful if you can get out of one little jam, huh? Maybe, maybe not."

Sun was starting to get the impression that Henry had had a few drinks even before coming to the bar.

"What I'm trying to say is, wait a couple of years, let your whole life turn to shit, then come back and bitch at me."

"Or maybe I won't let my life fall apart in the first place," Sun objected immediately.

"Listen, bud- if there was a reason to climb out of this primeval swill, I'd know it."

"I doubt it."

"Oh- Henry, the car's waiting!"

It was May, pulling her brother up from his seat and forcing him towards the door.

"You wait one second!" Sun shouted, rising to his feet, but May stepped between them.

"So sorry about your friend, ape, but there's nothing you can do. Why don't you plod back to your backwoods town, safe in the knowledge that, as long as you're there, I won't kill you. Sound good?"

Sun advanced forward, but May seized him by the throat and shoved him back to the ground before turning and continuing to guide her brother towards the door.

XXXX

"Well, Rubes, I'm afraid we called it right," Winter muttered, clicking through a slideshow she had prepared. "This is the sample you took from Blake's coat- a perfect match for the sample we found outside your room."

"...You're sure?" Ruby asked sadly.

Winter tilted her head, and decided that right now, bluntness was necessary. "Ruby, either Blake Belladonna shot you, or she really needs to pick some better people to loan her clothes to."

Ruby pursed her lips and nodded. "And... the gloves?"

"Still checking for burns," Winter answered. "I'll have results by morning."

"And the Vytal police? Have they found anything more about Yuma's killer?"

"They've got a profile- a cat faunus, mid-twenties."

Winter brought up the sketch, and Ruby winced- it was a dead ringer for Blake Belladonna.

"Try not to pity Yuma too much," Winter muttered. "He has an international rap sheet taller than you standing on your sister's shoulders. But he also has three bullets in the back of his head- bullets I'm willing to bet will match the slugs we recovered from you."

"I... for Yang's sake, I hope there's another explanation," Ruby whispered. There was no anger or betrayal in her heart- only fear for what this revelation might cause for her sister.

Winter sighed. "You know your sister and I have had our... differences in the past, but the big lug always had her heart in the right place, if not her brain. Even I'm not above sympathy."

"You have a point?"

"Permission to be blunt?"

"When aren't you?"

"Your sister has some serious woman problems."

Ruby took a deep breath. "Keep this quiet until we know for certain."

She slunk into the hallway and over to Yang's office, where she was killing time by playing darts. "We've got an ID on the body," she announced when she spied Ruby out of the corner of her eye. "Makoto Yuki."

Ruby froze. "Makoto?"

"Yeah..." Yang nodded. "Any relation, do you think?"

"No, but... there's no way it's a coincidence. This is a game to her- every move she makes sends a message. This time, she's saying she still remembers everything."

"That's her game, then?" Yang crossed her arms. "She takes one of your pieces..."

"She makes another kill," Ruby nodded. "Yang... I never beat her. Not once."

"Then you're gonna need a chess expert," Yang clapped her hands, rising to her feet. Thankfully, it won't be hard to convince the best one in town."

XXXX

"Checkmate!"

Nolan Porfirio rolled his eyes. "Shoulda guessed..."

"Checkmate!"

"I mean, I never really win anyways," Ruby rubbed the back of her head.

"And... checkmate!"

"You gotta be kidding me..." Michelle whispered.

"CHESS GOD!" Taiyang rose to his feet and danced. "KING OF THE PAWNS, PRINCE OF THE CHECKERED BOARD!"

Yang laughed, and Ruby smiled- given that her father had just won three games simultaneously, he'd probably earned the right to gloat a little. "Never knew you were this good at chess, Dad!"

"If there's chess boards in Heaven, I wanna play with the Lord," Tai bowed.

"I swear I'll beat him one of these days," Michelle whispered.

"Try again in ten years!"

"Yeah, but before that, I need some help, Dad," Ruby piped up. "Long story short, I'm playing a really important mail game. I don't really care to win, I'd rather stalemate, and lose as few pieces as possible- none, if we can swing it."

"Now that is a challenge," Tai grinned, rubbing his hands together. "I accept!"

"Thanks, Dad!" Ruby beamed, tackling him in a tight hug.

XXXX

Coco was on her knees, foraging through some cupboards, when she spied a pair of feet out of the corner of her eyes. "Velvet!"

She leapt to her feet and pulled her old employee into a hug. "I heard what happened- I'm so sorry. Are you okay?"

"...Not exactly," Velvet admitted.

"I've been trying to make time to pay a visit, but with Hazel gone, I've been manning the place almost single-handedly."

Velvet tapped her index fingers together nervously. "You... wouldn't happen to need any help, would you? I mean, I... I might... feel safer..."

Coco laughed. "It hasn't been the same without you, Vel- get your cute lil butt into uniform, would ya?"

Velvet tightened her grip. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Yang watched on, smiling, before clearing her throat. The two women leapt apart. "Oh, Sheriff!" Velvet saluted.

"Coco, Velvet," Yang inclined her head. "Can I talk to you for a minute, Coco?"

"Oh, sure," Coco nodded, stepping outside the counter as Velvet hurried to don her uniform.

Yang guided Coco into another room and whispered, "Hazel's just about ready to leave the hospital- figured you oughtta know."

Coco looked her in the eye. "Yang... I don't want him back."

"He won't be," Yang assured her. "All the crap he's been pulling, he's going back to jail. The parole violations are just the tip of the iceberg- we're charging him with the attempted murder of Adam Taurus. He's got a good few years ahead of him."

"...Good."

XXXX

A half moon glowed overhead as Blake made her way to the Haven Inn's front door- she opened it, and found herself face-to-face with Sienna Khan.

"Ah, and here's our guest!" Raven beamed. "Come on, Blake, take her coat!"

Sienna smiled as a terrified-looking Blake took her coat away, before stepping in and directing her smile at Raven. "I'll admit, I was surprised to receive an invitation."

"Word travels fast in Vale," Raven explained, guiding her to the dining room. "I wanted to dine with Ghira's old business rival- it seemed only fitting. Blake, wine!"

"We were friends," Sienna countered.

"But that friendship did sour?"

"Unfortunately, yes. Sometimes, it becomes difficult to separate business and the personal."

Raven smirked as Blake finally appeared with a bottle of wine. "So, Ms. Khan, when you had him killed, was it personal, or business?"

Blake froze.

"Don't just stand there, Blake, pour," Raven chastised.

Sienna seemed unfazed as Blake finally poured. "Please, call me Sienna- Ghira did."

"Sienna... of course. The appetizers, Blake."

As Blake eagerly dashed away, Sienna tilted her head. "I wouldn't classify my motivations purely as either- it was more for the sake of love."

"Parental love, I hope," Raven remarked as Blake returned with some tiny sandwiches. "You really love her that much?"

"Yes."

"So, what do we do about this, then?" Raven pondered. "I'm sure you have no desire to leave empty-handed. On the other hand, I'd miss her too- she brings so much cheer into the home."

"She is not a pet, Branwen," Sienna's eyes narrowed.

"Not in my hands," Raven fired back with ease. "But still... she's mine. What would you give me for her?"

"How could I place a value on something so precious?"

"Make an effort."

"...I'm sure I can think of something."

XXXX

Henry reclined in his living room, a glass of champagne in one hand, a cigarette in the other.

The door burst open, and Pyrrha was there. "Why did you do it?" she asked furiously. She came closer, fire in her emerald eyes. "I've gone through it over and over- I still can't figure it out."

"Go away, Pyrrha- you're not safe here."

Pyrrha ignored him, standing close enough to tower over him. "Was it for money? Or perhaps it was all for May? Is that it? She forced your hand every step of the way, didn't she? Why not tell me the truth, because for the life of me, I can't put my finger on it."

Henry continued backing away, finally tripping and falling backwards onto his couch. Pyrrha showed no sympathy.

"What... what is it you're looking for?" he demanded. "An apology? A hidden heart of gold? To turn the bad boy good? Because no, it wasn't for her- I did it all. I found you, I lured you in, I kept you here long enough for May to plan the frame job."

"Why?"

"For the money! For fear... because I wanted to! Is that what you wanted to hear? Well, there's your precious truth- hurts, doesn't it?"

Pyrrha faltered slightly.

"Pyrrha, you're good... and honest. We're not. But... there were moments that I wanted you here. Not for her, not for money... but for me. To... to see just a glimpse of that goodness, that honesty."

"...I... I suppose I must have seen something in you, as well," Pyrrha admitted.

Just in time for the gun to smash her in the back of the head.

Henry gasped as he saw his sister. "What did you do?!"

He began to struggle, but May casually drove her knee into his sternum to keep him from getting up.

"Let me tell you what happened," she whispered. "She broke into the house- angry, crazy. She killed Sae, and wanted to finish the job by killing you. A poor, defenseless widower. But you were ready for her. You shot her... shot her dead."

He faltered as she began to kiss him fiercely, gazing emptily at the ceiling overhead.

XXXX

Weiss sighed. This was her life now, standing at the edge of her mother's study, looking like an extra from Gone with the Wind, looking through an antique pair of binoculars to spy her mother on the other side of the office with a cigar clenched between her teeth, riding a stuffed horse.

She forced a smile. "General Schnee!" she called.

The entire office had been made up to resemble a sound stage for a film about the first War for Remnant. Cardin was there in his soldier uniform, awkwardly waiting to be called to action, as Willow dismounted.

Weiss curtseyed. "Welcome to our humble home, General Schnee."

"thanK you vERY KinDLY," Willow bowed and kissed her hand. "And wHO migHT YoU be, yoUNG ladY?"

"We- er, Scarlett. Scarlett McLean. And this is my father-"

Her father wasn't there.

"This... is my father!"

Finally, Jacques appeared, looking significantly ruffled in an old-fashioned suit and top hat, sword in hand. "Wilmer McLean at your service." His performance was remarkably phoned in, but Willow either didn't notice or didn't care. "I am honored to make your acquaintance."

Willow's eyes narrowed. "and wHY Are yoU aRmeD witH MY SworD, Sir?"

"It's a fine sword... ma'am."

Weiss quickly shooed him away. "Thank you, Daddy. Thank you."

"WHERe is GenERAl cHUrCH?" Willow demanded.

"He's on his way, ma'am!" Weiss assured her.

Cardin stepped up and blew on his trumpet. He hadn't gotten any better.

Oobleck quickly darted in, looking very much like a decorated soldier of the era- except for stubbing his toe on one of the props.

To his credit, he stood up straight immediately after Willow greeted him. "GENErAL ChurCH!"

"General Schnee!" Oobleck saluted.

"WE Met aT thE BAttlE oF BLoOD GUlCH, IF yOu reCAll."

"I do indeed! I am here to surrender on behalf of Vytal!"

"woNDErfUll! tHis waR HAS bEEn notHInG But maDNEss- As ARe all WarS!"

At Oobleck's bidding, a large Atlesian flag fell for Willow's grand speech.

"maDness, YEs, DIsgUIsed AS The paTRIOtiC VENtURes oF POLitICIAns THAt ARe tOO old AND CowArDLY To pArtiCIPAte tHEMSeLVES! i haVE no lOVE of wAr!"

"Nor do I!" Oobleck assured her.

"anD LEss fOR poliTiciaNS"

"Amen!"

"HOweVEr, fOR THe mEN Who FIgHt THEm... theY hAve my eTERNaL RESpecT ANd sYMPathy!"

She turned to Oobleck. "ENOUgh fRuiTLess CONverSATIoN! MY terMS:"

A very long list followed, during which Cardin leaned over to Weiss. "I don't exactly have an A in history, but I don't think this is how the war went."

Weiss slowly turned to him, and smacked him upside the head.

"I surrender!" Oobleck declared.

"of COURsE you DO! leT Us siGN THe artIcLES!"

They sat at a table, where Jacques brought them a stack of papers.

"Let's get this done," Oobleck nodded. "I would also like to add my appreciation for your status as a valiant opponent of fine character!"

The 'generals' stood and shook hands firmly- and Willow collapsed onto the ground.

"Willow?" Oobleck stared, rushing to her side.

"Mom!" Weiss cried, hurrying over. Cardin hesitated a moment, then followed.

Willow continued to thrash around as everyone gathered above, calling her name in concern.

Finally, her eyes cracked open. "...Where am I?"

"You are in Vale, Willow, my dear!" Oobleck smiled.

Willow tried to glance around, but didn't seem to have much use for the muscles in her neck. "Uurrrghhh... I had a truly bizarre dream." She smiled as she glanced at Weiss. "And you were there... and you... and you..." Cardin and Oobleck, "and... you..." she didn't seem as enthusiastic when she glanced at Jacques. "It was... incredible. There was... there was a war. I was a general- General Willow Schnee. And somehow, despite the incredible odds, I led Atlas to victory."

"And now you're home," Weiss smiled.

"Yes... I'm home." Willow took her daughter's hand and ran it over her face. "Yes... I'm home."

"It is good to have you back, Willow," Oobleck smiled. "How do you feel? Any aftereffects? Dizziness?"

"Absolutely not- I feel... I feel wonderful!"

Her gaze seemed to come into focus, and she said the most rational thing she'd said in nearly a week. "...What are you all doing in those clothes?"

She seemed even more bemused when the others broke into laughter- except for Cardin, who raised the trumpet to his mouth to blow a few out-of-tune victory notes.

XXXX

Emerald gazed into a broken mirror as she perfected her disguise- Ruby was no doubt wiser now, she'd have to use all her talent to fool her, especially with her limited resources.

"Slowly and carefully, Adam," she whispered. "A steady, uncompromising hand."

She took a break and hurried to Adam's side- he was slumped in a chair, writing out the words she'd dictated to him. "No, no, that's terrible. Erase it."

Adam glanced at her blankly.

"I said... erase!"

A press of a button, and Adam screamed.

Emerald let go of the button, propped him up, and ordered, "Try again."

His hand was remarkably shaky.

"CONCENTRATE!"

The markings he made on the paper didn't resemble characters in any language she was aware of- and she knew quite a few.

"For God's sake!"

She pressed the button again.

"Alright, I guess I'm gonna have to show you."

She took his hand in hers and guided the pencil along the paper. "Like that, see? Yes, that's much better. Congratulations, Taurus."

Adam cringed away from her.

"Keep going- pretty words for pretty girls."

Emerald pointed to three pictures on the table in front of him- Weiss Schnee, Pyrrha Nikos, and Velvet Scarlatina. "One of these, Adam- one of these is my key into the Black Lodge."

"B...Black... Lodge?"

Emerald took the paper he'd been working on and shredded it in front of him.

"Black... Lodge? No... no..."

Emerald folded an envelope and placed it in front of him. "Lick," she ordered.

His tongue was hanging out- she ran it along the edge of the envelope, and smiled as she sealed it. "Good. See? You can do something right."

XXXX

"Take the gun, Henry," May ordered, holding it with a handkerchief. "The story will seem truer if your fingerprints are on it."

"I... I won't."

"Just take it. I'll take care of everything else. I can imitate a hysteric just fine."

Sun peered in through the window, and saw what was going on- he immediately ran to the door.

"Don't you fucking dare!" he yelled as he rushed into the room. He charged the Marigolds- May grabbed him by the throat and held him against the wall. Henry, in an almost dream-like daze, reached out and picked up the gun.

"This has to stop!" Sun forced out, glaring at Henry. "You've done enough to her, let her go!"

"Hand the gun over, Henry," May ordered. "I'll wrap this all up with a nice bow."

"The police are on their way," Sun hissed. "You won't get away with this!"

"May-"

"It's a load of shit. Give me the gun."

"You've already fucked up her life, are you really going to kill her, too?!"

"The gun!"

"May, I'm... I'm done with this..."

"Done? You're never fucking done-"

The gun went off.

May hit the floor.

Henry screamed as he lurched forward and fell onto her.

May twitched and thrashed for a few seconds, then was still.

"Crazy... she was crazy... killed Sae... tried to kill me..."

Henry remained in a trance as he continued chanting those words. "I did it... I did it all... I shot her. I shot her dead..."

XXXX

Ruby felt like there was a great weight on her shoulders as she finally returned to her room at the Austin. She pulled out her wallet- in it was a picture of Makoto Naegi- she teared up slightly as she gazed at it. What would he say in a situation like this? If she'd gotten to know him better, perhaps she'd know.

She didn't know that down below, a message was being left at the front desk for Weiss Schnee. It was being delivered by a dark-skinned woman who took an odd interest in a postcard nearby prominently featuring an owl.

Ruby stepped into her own room and began undressing, wishing only to collapse into bed.

She faltered when she saw something on the pillow.

A white mask, perfectly resembling a face she knew.

She took it, and a message beneath began to play.

"Handsome, wasn't he? Makoto was such a wonderful person. Funny, isn't it? After all this time- after everything that happened in Hope's Peak- I still love him. And I know that you do, too.

"So listen carefully: it's your move."

XXXX

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DRINk DEEP and dEScend

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DArknEss wiTHIN.