June 24th
Anima
9:38 PM
Vernal flicked another stick away casually, scowling at the people who had caught up to her the day before. She hated every minute she spent with them, and she almost cursed Raven for splitting up the tribe. They were all going to be less protected until they reconvened and, for all she trusted Raven, she could not trust Atlas for the life of her. Everything that she had known had been stripped away by Atlesians when the fucking Schnee Dust Company had fucking killed her parents in a fucking mining "accident" in fucking Lowell. Vernal had held a bitterness ever since. She was Mistrali born and raised but she had spent her teen years (just before meeting Raven, as fate would have it) in Atlas while her parents worked in SDC mines in the north eastern part of the kingdom. Vernal knew now that, under Jacques, the SDC had taken advantage of millions of immigrants seeking work as well as the faunus, and she detested every bit of it. It gave her no small amount of satisfaction to know that Jacques Gelè was now on trial for malpractice and would, in a few weeks, be officially divorced from his wife with no right to visitation. It was news to the whole world that the fate of one of the most important energy conglomerates was in the balance and it had raised more than a few eyebrows worldwide, Vernal's included.
"So," She said dryly, chewing on the edge of a stick. "Any word on your boss? The one that supposedly wants all of us captured to force Raven out of hiding?"
Arthur Watts snorted and glared at her. "No," He said venomously. "And, speaking of Raven, have you received any word from your mistress?"
"Of course not," Vernal snapped, wondering to herself how long she'd be able to keep up the charade. She knew it was only a matter of time before they figured out she had no idea where Raven was, and she feared that, when that time came, they would kill her for it. "Although I can imagine that -"
"Shut up," Watts hissed as an Atlesian ship came into view. "I recognize those ships. That's Atlesian Military -"
"The hell would anyone in the Atlas Military be doing in Mistral?" Vernal demanded despite having a strong idea as to why. "No, really, tell me -"
"It's landing in the city," Mercury said, motioning them to creep closer. "Let's see who it is."
Emerald perked up at that last and slid off her headphones with a hopeful look on her face that bit Mercury in the ass.
"Cinder!" She chirped.
"We don't know that for sure," Watts told her condescendingly. "After all, it could be President Ciel."
"What would someone as important as him want to do with Mistral unless it was strictly political? He wouldn't do subterfuge for that and it would be public knowledge if there were a diplomatic meeting scheduled," Vernal snapped at them and Emerald and Mercury both took a step back in case she decided to use her "maiden powers". "It's probably just a routine drill coming back in."
"Shush," Watts said as they crept up towards the city's edge and watched as, to their shock, General Ironwood and Glynda Goodwitch left the ship with several guards around the chair of the Atlesian National Security Council, Elizabeth Morell.
"Glynda Goodwitch?" Watts murmured. "I thought she was supposed to be dead."
"No..." Emerald said, realizing that if Glynda were perfectly fine that there was no way that Cinder was. "No!"
"Emerald," Mercury said, grabbing her by the wrist and shoving one of the aura blocking cuffs onto it to prevent her from using her semblance. "Emerald, I -"
"Cinder...no, she can't be! Glynda's supposed to be dead!" Emerald screamed, sobbing into Mercury as he dragged her off quickly through the woods. "She was supposed to die and –"
The screaming from Emerald slowly became quieter and, through that time, Vernal and Watts watched with equal disdain. Further down and throwing her over his shoulder, Mercury continued to pick up speed as he ran in a singular direction with no intention of stopping until they reached where they had set up camp in one of the abandoned villages of Mistral. Seeing the still lit fires, Mercury brought her into the camp and set her down gently. After a time, Mercury finally wrapped an arm tightly around Emerald as she began to cry, horrified by Glynda's survival because she knew that it meant that Cinder had not. Through her sobs, though, she felt her drive to destroy Haven Academy grow if only to honor what Cinder had been working towards.
"Emerald," Mercury began with caution. "What are you thinking about?"
"Why did that woman have to live?" Emerald screeched, scaring birds that had been rustling in the trees above. "I'm not in this for Salem! I'm in this for Cinder because I owe her everything, including my life! I was a truant orphan before she took me in and -"
"I agree, it sucks," Mercury said, bothered more so that Watts would now be in charge. "It also makes me want Torchwick and Neo back, but they're gone and who knows where they could be now. Hell, they're probably dead."
"No, no, no," Emerald whimpered, curling into herself. "She's going to be so angry when she realizes Cinder's dead. I can't...I can't -"
"It's going to be alright, it's not your fault," Mercury told her, embracing her again. "And I think we can all take comfort in the fact that we're going to still bring about Haven's fall. After all, we still have the White Fang, and we have Vernal -"
"But without Cinder -" Emerald protested.
Mercury pressed a finger to her lips to silence her words. "Even without Cinder, we can make Haven fall," He said with finality. "Don't you want that?"
"Of course!" Emerald exclaimed, shocked that he had even considered that she didn't. "I just -"
"I get it, Cinder meant a lot to you," Mercury sighed as he shook his head. "She saved you from the streets, she saved me from abuse, she helped Neo who, honestly, I never figured out if I think she's super cute or super creepy -"
"Mercury…" Emerald said, her voice breaking. "I know you're trying, but you're not helping. I -"
"What is going on here?" Vernal demanded as she came into the temporary camp with Watts following her. "I thought I told all of you that if you want my help you need to behave like adults and not children, or did you all forget about that?"
Mercury turned towards her and crossed his arms but he didn't say anything. Emerald, however, glared.
"Do you even care?" She snapped. "Do you even care that Cinder's -"
"It doesn't really affect me," Vernal told her, mimicking her glare perfectly. "After all, I'm not one of you kids."
"But you are in our trust," Watts commented slyly and she snapped her fingers as a threat she knew was empty although they did not. "Never mind."
"To get that Relic for Salem, you need me," Vernal reminded them. "And I am not going to stay if you all can't pull yourselves together. So, how are we going to attack Haven Academy?"
"The same way we were going to," Mercury said. "Minus Cinder, of course. We're going to plant a trap, and we're going to take advantage of it. Besides, we're all powerful. And we can still kill Qrow and, maybe, we can avenge Cinder."
"I...I..." Emerald began, squeezing his hand tightly. "I want her back! I can believe that that huntress killed her!"
"That huntress is a killer, remember?" Mercury said, rubbing her arm. "That huntress has blood on her hands for gaining power. I promise that we'll still take our allies to Haven and kill her. It's not murder if it's justified."
"I know that," Emerald sniffed. "Cinder never murdered or hurt anyone. She always had a justification."
"Exactly," Mercury said with a smile. "And we'll take back what is ours, and Salem will bring about their downfall."
"I hope so," Emerald said with determination beginning to rise in her. "And we can take out the Schnees too."
"The Schnees are a major threat," Mercury agreed.
Watts scoffed. "Without Jacques' power and influence, they can't do anything and, I'm afraid, he has lost that back home."
"Lady Branwen will not kill a child or an innocent," Vernal stated firmly. "And I will not permit it. I will protect the...innocents among them, if there are any."
"There's no reason -" Emerald began though Vernal held up a finger menacingly.
"Out of the question, do not test me."
"But they -"
"Shut up, Emerald!" Vernal snapped. "If Lady Branwen or I judge any of them to be innocent, they will live and that's final."
Emerald crossed her arms and looked away. "Fine."
"And don't you dare try anything," Vernal warned her. "Or I will make sure that Lady Branwen will bring consequences of the utmost severity."
June 30th
Mistral
7:37 PM
"I swear to God," Elizabeth began, walking into the room to the surprise of everyone but Glynda and James, still looking at her scroll. "If Ozpin is being cryptic, then I'm going to -"
Looking up, Elizabeth froze when she realized that they were all staring at her and she clenched her fists when she saw Raven, who looked faintly amused to see her. Tai wrapped an arm around his wife and the chair of the Atlesian National Security Council sent her husband's ex a glare that she returned. Sighing, Glynda adjusted her glasses and James shared a look with Emmett and Emmeline, both of whom seemed to be anticipating a fight. Ozpin sighed, Cristal gently set a hand to his shoulder, and Yang, like Elizabeth, glared at her biological mother. At the same time, Matt forced himself to not start biting his nails while his teammates tried to take in the scene. Near him, Nora was trying not to react like Qrow, Ren had calmly crossed his arms, Jaune seemed particularly uncomfortable, and Ruby buried her face in her cape. Weiss sat down beside her and gently rubbed Ruby's back, while she tried to find a clear side to take in the fight they all knew was impending. It wasn't until Ozpin spoke that Ruby awkwardly peeked out from under her cape.
"Madame Morell," Ozpin said as calmly and respectfully as he could muster. "This is quite unexpected but nonetheless welcome. I believe this means that all of the members of our group besides Leo, Rose, Theodore, and Ronnie are now present."
"Yes and especially our fearless, saint like leader," Elizabeth commented dryly, scowling at Cristal. "I think it goes without saying that Ozpin's been keeping more than a few secrets from us. Cristal too."
An uneasy silence passed before Qrow spoke.
"Eliza, look," He said, taking a swig from his flask. "Everyone has their secrets."
"Yes, and it seems that some of us have more so than others," Elizabeth retorted, her glare still on Ozpin. "So, Oz," She said, her voice starting to shake. "When were you going to tell us what could happen to Ruby if Salem were to get her hands on her?"
Ozpin stared before shaking his head.
"Madame Morell," He said calmly. "I can assure you that Ruby is not a weapon -"
"You're a liar and a hypocrite," Elizabeth snapped, her voice shaking. "Because I personally looked into some of the...legends about silver eyed warriors and I had a few people on the council come forward with information for what they know -"
"Who else on the council knows about any of this?" Emmeline asked, genuinely surprised. "I thought that it was just —"
"You know Karissa had it figured out ten years ago," Elizabeth told her, tiredly shaking her head. "Now, of all people, she was the last one I had expected though I suppose it explained some of her oddly personal hatred of your sister-in-law. But, since we're going to tell the world anyways, who knows is well beyond the point. Karissa handed over some of her and Spencer's...personal research into Salem and her history to me and it turns out that Ruby's not the first silver eyed warrior that Ozpin's taken advantage of and I'll be damned before I assume she's the last."
"Elizabeth, I have had to make some difficult decisions in the past -" Ozpin began though the woman only glared.
"Her mother, for instance?" Elizabeth suggested.
The room fell silent once again. Cristal started to fidget with her wedding ring, looking rather uncomfortable, while Ozpin loosely wrapped an arm around her. Glynda and James shared a knowing look, one that suggested they had some idea of what had happened to Summer for awhile. Emmett chewed at the inside of his cheek and nervously pushed up his glasses. Beside him, Emmeline tensed despite herself and all of them seemed to be anticipating a fight. Even Tai seemed ill at ease, although why that was could have been debated, considering both how angry Elizabeth was and Tai's tendency to justify her and, on rare occasions, disagree with his wife. Qrow, however, didn't give a damn either way and stood up violently, looking particularly affronted.
"That's going too far, Eliza," Qrow snapped. "I don't care that you're the fucking chair of the Atlesian National Security Council! Don't you dare -"
"You used Summer Rose?" Raven exclaimed in sheer horror, staring at Ozpin who merely sighed. "You let Ashlynn Schnee kill her?"
"I did not 'let Ashlynn Schnee kill her'," Ozpin said though everyone except his wife was glaring at him. "I sent her and Qrow out on an investigative mission, one that was intended to -"
"What's wrong with you?" Emmeline demanded, standing up in her artificial 5'6'' and adjusting her strappy heels. "No, really, tell me. Tell us. How is that you can take people's lives for your purposes and still be able to live with yourself? What is your plan anyway? Are we going to ambush Salem to death? Are we going to...are we...there is no defeating Salem, is there?"
Raven nodded and gave the Atlesian general a shockingly grateful look.
"Tell us the truth, Oz," She said venomously. "Has there ever been a chance or are we all just pawns in this asinine game of yours or -"
"Shut up Raven!" Elizabeth shouted, clenching her fists while Raven only raised an eyebrow with an ever so faint smirk. "Even if you're right," Elizabeth went on, struggling to regain her composure. "No wants to hear you say it or -"
"So if it was anyone else you would be fine?" Raven countered and Elizabeth took in a sharp breath while Tai pulled her closer. "You're nothing more than a jealous -"
"Mom!" Yang snapped, crossing her arms as she moved towards her mother. "Stop it! It's not as if you don't keep secrets from us either, or is there something you have to tell us?"
Raven flinched despite her better judgement "That's for my own protection." She said, knowing they were all, perhaps even righteously, angry with her.
"Might I ask what you're referring to, Raven?" Ozpin asked and she sighed. "Raven, do you have the Spring Maiden as Qrow says you do?"
Raven didn't respond but, in her rage, Yang did.
"Fuck that," The girl said darkly. "She is the Spring Maiden."
A beat passed in utter silence that was more painful than any of them had expected it to be.
"You're the Spring Maiden?" Qrow eventually growled, and his sister intentionally activated her maiden powers to capitulate on the point.
"Yes, I am!" Raven shouted, her eyes sparking. "And -"
"How?" Cristal asked her, confused before anything else. "And how long have you -"
"About thirteen years," Raven told him and she and Ozpin stared at her while Raven herself glared at Ozpin. "And I learned about that time the same thing that dear Emmeline seems to have figured out: there is no beating Salem!"
"You're afraid of her!" Elizabeth snapped and Raven turned to face her. "You only act powerful, don't you? You're just a weak little child, aren't you?"
"I am not weak!" Raven roared, her eyes still sparking. "I have survived because I am strong enough to, because I -"
"You're such a hypocrite, maybe you're even worse than Ozpin is," Tai said but he sighed when he realized how harsh that was. "Raven, what happened to you? You weren't like this -"
"You don't know me, not anymore," Raven angrily replied. "And I know you don't care about me anymore either."
Tai hesitated before sharing a look with his eldest daughter.
"You were the one who left us," He said.
"I didn't -" Raven protested.
Tai shook his head. "For everything you've done, for everything you are...you still hurt our family and I've moved on. I have Eliza, Yang, and Violet. Besides, it seems like -"
"Shut up, Tai," Raven said, her maiden powers fizzling off. "You don't understand anything about me."
"Yeah, no one does," Yang told her with a tinge of regret. "Because you don't let us."
"I...I..." Raven began before closing her eyes for a moment and taking in a sharp breath. "That's not true."
"I'd be willing to bet Yang's right," Emmett muttered.
Raven smacked him across the face, sending his glasses flying. Everyone stared at her in shock, furthermore when she stormed out of the room in a huff.
"So, then we have three of the four maidens," Ozpin eventually said, sighing heavily. "We have Glynda, Raven, and Chrissy...which means that -"
"We're at great risk," Elizabeth scowled at him. "All because of you."
"That isn't completely accurate," James said, crossing his arms. "Regardless, we may not have the strength to –"
"Oh, what do you know about strength?" Qrow challenged and they all scowled at him. "After all, I'm sure you all have had a very cozy existence back in Atlas -"
"Qrow!" James said, anger rising in him. "You don't know anything about my family or the things -"
"Oh, fuck you!" Qrow snapped. "You all are trying to avoid fighting Salem when –"
"The feeling is mutual, you know," Emmett said quietly and they all stared at him in surprise. "So what if Ash is gone? So what if three of the maidens are against her? Tell me, Oz, how many people have died for you and this cause?"
"More than should have," Ozpin admitted and Emmeline sighed, taking Emmett's hand tightly in her own. "And I don't fault any of you in feeling that way because, in many ways, they are correct. It shouldn't be this way but I can't change the way things are."
"But is it possible to defeat Salem or not?" Elizabeth demanded, clinging to Tai. "Well?"
Ozpin hung his head before responding. "I am not sure. I would like to believe so and I have toiled relentlessly for years but that doesn't mean that I do not feel discouraged by the amount of setbacks I have faced. I also know that...that I have only sacrificed people's lives but I have also hurt those that I love. Especially...especially..." Looking to Cristal who forced herself to meet his gaze though she looked particularly anxious, Ozpin finished. "Especially Chrissy and our children. I am sorry for everything that I have caused, but I do believe that we have to fight her."
"We can win," Ruby said, looking to her father who nodded. "It's not as if Salem's power is unlimited. If we fight together, we can succeed."
"Ruby," Elizabeth began gently, looking to her adoptive stepdaughter. "You know that if this goes to hell that you could die, right?"
The girl bit her lip but nodded. "That doesn't mean we shouldn't fight."
"Are we all staying?" Ozpin asked, and, slowly, everyone eventually nodded or murmured in assent. "Alright then. Let us discuss are plans to defend Haven Academy."
Qrow chortled as he took a sip from his flask. "What I want to hear is how Glynda killed a psychotic bitch that had it in for her."
The forty-four-year-old huntress scowled. "You can shut up now."
"You wish I would," Qrow replied with a causal smirk. "You wish."
