Chapter 19

Before I start the chapter, I want to thank you guys for not only all the nice reviews but also 100 followers! It means the world to me, so thank you guys so much. (=

"Your...a…bird?" Everyone in team Rwby's dorm stared in shock, and why wouldn't they? The three older girls in team Rwby had just witnessed their team leader fly through the window as a bird, and then transform back into a human, that shouldn't be possible, semblances could do amazing things, but they were limits.

Ruby felt panic swell up inside of her, why were they still in the dorm room, weren't they supposed to be watching that new Spruce Willis movie?

"Why are you guys here? I thought you guys were seeing a movie." Ruby asked, ignoring Yang's question. "We didn't want to go without you, we decided to braid each other's hair instead" Blake answered, and it was true the three girls sat atop Blake's bed, with Weiss getting her hair braided by Blake, and Blake getting her hair braided by Yang.

Originally Weiss and Blake had wanted to form a circle, so that all the girls could have their hair braided together but Yang quickly shot that idea down, saying that the first one, to lay a finger on her hair, would be thrown out of the window.

"You didn't answer my question, how is that possible?" Yang asked, her lilac eyes locked onto her baby sister. Ruby didn't know what to do she couldn't tell them the truth, they wouldn't believe her but she also couldn't think of a good enough lie, she would just have to use a half-truth.

"I...I don't know, my mother and I are just able to do...do it," Ruby stuttered her silver eyes looking between her teammates, a small frown plastered on his face. "Just able to do it, you can just turn into a bird a will?" Blake asked, earning an affirmative nod from Ruby. "Why didn't you tell us, tell me?" Yang asked, a little sad that apparently Ruby didn't trust her. "It's not something I'm supposed to talk about, I'm sure you understand, Blake," Ruby responded.

"Me?" Blake asked, pointing to herself.

"Yeah, I mean faunus have been persecuted for centuries, due to their animal traits blurring the line between humans and animals. With me and my mom's ability it only blurs the line even further," Ruby said. Weiss looked away, ashamed at her past prejudices, truth be told without her time at Beacon, she probably would have been one of the people, Ruby was talking about.

"We wouldn't hate you," Yang defended, getting off of Blake's bed to wrap her sister in a loving hug. "I could never hate you," Yang said soothingly, causing Ruby to smile brightly.

"Thank you, I'm so lucky to have you guys," Ruby said, as Yang released her hold in Ruby, grabbing her hand and leading her to Blake's bed. Jumping up, Ruby leaned against Yang, while Weiss and Blake braided her hair. "I have already selected or dresses for the Vytal dance, we will just need to pick them up," Weiss said, earning a 'Tank you," from the rest of team Rwby.

A short while later, Ruby's red and black hair was in a beautiful ponytail and her teammates were all softly snoring on Blake's bed. Ruby had been tempted to join her teammates, sleep seeming really appealing but decided against it, needing to speak with Cinder.

Ruby slowly removed herself from the bed, careful not to wake her sleeping teammates, she made her way to Cinder's dorm room.

Knocking on the door, Ruby was meet by a nervous-looking Emerald, "Ruby, what are you doing here, and what did you do to your hair?" Emerald asked, loud enough for the rest of her team to hear. "I need to talk with Cinder, oh and I got it braided," Ruby said. At that moment, the door opened slightly revealing Cinder, standing in the middle of the room, looking at her. Cinder's hair was a mess, she had stress and worry written all over her face.

"Are you OK?" Ruby asked, stepping into the room, while Emerald sat down next to Neo. Ruby noticed Mercury was noticeably absent, not that she really cared. "I'm fine...just a little stressed is all," Cinder reassured, putting on her best smile. "Oh, I'm sorry," Ruby apologized. "You have nothing to apologize for, now what is it you need to talk to me about?" Cinder asked, leading Ruby over to a chair so they could talk.

"My team knows," Ruby said quietly, causing alarms to go off inside of Cinder's head, Emerald and Neo also looked at Ruby in shock. "What do you mean, your team knows? What did you tell them?" Cinder questioned, startling Ruby with her sudden outburst.

"I didn't tell them anything, they saw me flying through the open window," Ruby squeaked, shrinking down a little.

Realization hit Cinder hard, Ruby hadn't blabbed about her secret mission, her teammate had caught her as a raven. "I'm sorry Ruby like I told you I'm stressed out," Cinder apologized. "Do you want to talk about it?" Ruby suggested, "Whenever something is on my mind, I usually talk about it with mom, it makes me feel better."

"I appreciate it but I'll be fine, I just need some time to relax," Cinder said, "Anyways, have you made any progress in finding Amber?" Cinder asked, changing the subject and causing a small frown to appear on Ruby's face.

"No, Ozpin just won't talk about her, and I can't exactly ask him where she's at," Ruby grumbled, pouting a little. Neo suddenly gained a thoughtful expression, gaining Emerald's attention. "What's up Neo?" Emerald asked Neo in response started signing at Emerald.

"You want some ice cream?" Emerald guessed, causing Neo to shake her head.

"You want to see my scroll?" Emerald guessed again, causing Neo to shake her head again.

"You want to make cookies?" Ruby suggested excitedly, causing Neo to roll her eyes playfully, and Cinder to giggle slightly. "You two can't ride sign language, can you?" Cinder asked.

"Nope," Ruby confirmed

"I guess not," Emerald said

"Neo, if you have something important to say, I suggest you type it on your scroll," Cinder said, Neo in response pulled out her scroll, her eyes switching from brown and pink to yellow and green. A minute later Neo handed her scroll over to Cinder.

Ruby needs to find this girl right? The only problem is Ozpin hasn't lead Ruby to her, so why don't we go ahead and blow that generator up, maybe it will flush this girl out.

"That...is actually a good idea Neo, if we were to cause a big enough disturbance, Ozpin might lead Ruby right to Amber," Cinder rationalized. "I like that, I'll watch Ozpin while you guys cause a distraction if we're lucky, Ozpin will lead us straight to her," Ruby said. "When are we going to do this?" Emerald asked, "I thought we had another plan for the generator," Emerald said. Cinder tapped her chin in thought, "We'll continue with the original plan, but while we're completing our task, Ruby will follow the headmaster." Cinder finished, with a confident smile.

"When are we doing this?" Ruby asked."During the Vytal dance," Cinder answered, pulling out a holographic map of Beacon, with her scroll.

"While you're watching Ozpin in his tower, the rest of us will cause a distraction here," Cinder said, pointing to the base of the CCT tower. "If we cause a big enough...distraction Ozpin should lead you to Amber."

"Cinder if I may, after I complete my task for you, may I assist Ruby?" Emerald asked, locking eyes with her mentor.

Cinder hummed the suggestion over, she honestly liked the idea, with Emerald's semblance, she could keep an eye on Ruby and assist her if needed. "Very well after you complete my task, you will move in to assist Ruby," Cinder answered.

Emerald smiled, happy with Cinder's answer. A soft snore caught everyone's attention, their eyes going to Ruby, who had nodded off over the last moment. "Well, I guess that's it for tonight," Cinder said, picking up the sleeping girl and carrying her over to an empty bed.

Emerald and Neo blinked in surprise, never seeing Cinder so caring before.

"Goodnight, Ruby." Cinder said as she pulled the sheets over Ruby. Turning around, Cinder met Emerald and Neo's shocked faces.

"One word and I'll burn you alive," Cinder threatened.

"Come on Rae, it's time to go where losing daylight," Summer complained as she waited outside of Raven's tent. After a few days in the infirmary, Summer was feeling much better, eager to continue her search, Ruby. "Don't get your panties in a twist, I'm on my way," Raven replied, stepping outside of her tent with her sword already drawn. "I sent one of my agents to scout out a Schnee base, she found one last night and is waiting for our arrival, are you ready?" Raven asked.

"Yep!" Summer cheered, as Raven cut in the air, producing a blood-red portal, the two stepped in without hesitation.

The two arrived on top of a small hill, with trees surrounding them, it was obvious they were still in Mistral. Stood nearby was Raven's agent. She was a tall tanned woman, with long brown hair, she had a skinny face with brown eyes. The woman was dressed similarly to Raven, except for the long black sleeves that accompanied her arms and her Grimm stag mask.

"Kindra," Raven greeted. "Raven, I have done what you have asked," Kindra said, motioning to the bottom of the hill, where a small concrete building stood.

"That's it?" Summer asked, causing Kindra to stare at her. "Who's this?" Kindra asked Raven, completely ignoring Summer."Don't worry about her, return to the camp," Raven demanded. "Yes ma'am," Kindra answered, stepping over to the shadow of a tree. Kindra slowly started to sink into the shadows, quickly disappearing from view.

"That was weird,"Summer commented, causing Raven to give her a deadpan look. Raven slid her mask on, Raven and Summer made their way down the hill, dodging cameras along the way. Raven approached the big steel door, pulling a fire dust crystal out from her pocket.

Raven activated the crystal, igniting a large flame to burn the lock off.

Once the door was unlocked, Summer and Raven made their inside the first room, finding a long stairway leading underground.

"You requested me, your grace?" Asked the giddy voice of Tyrian, as he bowed before his queen.

"I did, do you have any idea what we do to liars?" Salem asked rhetorically, tapping her fingers along her thrones, armrest. "We...ha ha...we kill them," Tyrian laughed. "That we do," Salem agreed, chuckling slightly. "That is the reason why I called you in here, I have a task for you to complete," Salem said.

"What is it, my queen? Do you want me to hunt down a silver-eyed warrior? Maybe kill a few huntsmen? Oh, maybe Set fire to a village?" Tyrian asked with a sadistic glee in his eyes. "Actually yes, Raven Branwen thought she could lie to me without consequences, but as I will show her, that I am no fool," Salem said.

"I'll rip her apart," Tyrian snarled, his scorpion tail raising slightly. "No, you won't, I want Raven Branwen alive, same goes with her child. I want you to set her village ablaze, and kill all those except for the Branwen's," Salem ordered. "And do not worry, I will make sure you have reinforcements."

"Yes, my queen, I'll...ha ha...let the little bandit camp burn down, while I whisk the Branwen's...ha ha...away," Tyrian laughed. "All I require is that she is breathing and that she can see everything that I do to her," Salem ordered.

"It shall be done, my goddess," Tyrian said, standing up before Salem. Salem waved her hand, creating a dark black portal.

"That will be all," Salem dismissed as Tyrian exited his queen's land, off to destroy the Branwen tribe.

"Three...two...one," Raven counted down, as she and Summer got ready to breach the Schnee bunker. The door bursted open with a loud flash, Summer and Raven stepped trough, weapons drawn prepared to take down any threats.

Much to the two woman's confusion, they were not met with any resistance, the room was completely empty. "Where's everybody at?" Summer asked, gaining a shrug of the shoulders from Raven. "Let's keep going," said a determined Raven, who continued deeper into the bunker. "Honestly Rae, why are you helping me?" Summer asked. Raven stayed silent for a moment, "For my daughter," answered Raven ambiguously. "Yang really does miss you, you know," Summer said.

Raven stopped dead in her tracks, turning her head to the side she stared at Summer for a moment before turning back and continuing deeper into the bunker. Summer rushed forwards to catch up, keeping her rifle at the ready. "Not in the talkative mood, Rae?" Summer asked, "I'm not," Raven confirmed. Summer and Raven continuing in silence. Room by room the rooms were cleared, neither finding anyone in their search.

Eventually, the two came to a large red door, it being the only room the two haven't searched yet. "I guess this it, we've searched every other room in the bunker," Summer said getting ready to enter the room.

Summer and Raven stormed into the room, the white artificial lights changing to a deep red, a loud alarm started to sound. "Arrgghh, turn that crap off," Raven complained, holding her hands over her ears. Summer complied, aiming her rifle at the room's speaker, destroying it with a single shot.

With the alarm now off, a large screen turned on a blue hue of static appearing on the screen, suddenly a gruff-looking man appeared on the screen.

"Great," Summer muttered, making the man on screen smirk.

"Would you look at this, long time no see, you miss me already? Commander Zachery asked arrogantly, "Ooh and you brought a friend." He observed, noticing Raven stood nearby.

"Yep, we came to say hello, but it seems no one's home," Summer faked a pout, making the man chuckle. "Sorry bout that, orders came down and we packed up and left, more important matters to attend to." commander Zachery said.

"How's the hand," Summer asked mockingly, surprising Raven with her attitude. Commander Zachery snarled in hatred, "Better than ever," he said pulling his new hand into view, "Can't wait to test this baby out," commander Zachery said, flexing his cybernetic hand.

"Well, I'm right here, ready for round two," Summer challenged, changing her rifle into its spear mode to emphasize her point.

"Hahaha, sorry babe, but another girl has my eye," Commander Zachery smirked an evil smirk. "Who?" Summer asked angrily, only to receive a knowing smirk from commander Zachery. "Oh, I wouldn't worry about it, your file says you haven't seen her in 12 years, you must not care about her."

"No," Summer gasped, gaining a horrified expression.

"Oh yeah, you screwed up big time, I'm not someone you should have messed with" commander Zachery taunted. "Where is she!" Summer demanded, her silver eyes full of fury. Raven was just as mad as Summer, already making plans to sever the man's head.

"You don't know? I guess you never will then, but don't worry the Schnee Dust Company promises to take good care of her," Commander Zachery mocked, ending the call, and leaving summer and Raven's faces covered with a blue hue from the monitor.

"In all honesty, Raven wasn't that worried Ruby was at Beacon Academy, she would be safe there, but Summer didn't know that. Tears were spilling from the woman's eyes, as she started to cry freely. Raven wasn't really the emotional type, preferring to look calm and collected around people, the only exception being Ruby, but at that moment Raven wrapped her team leader in a small hug.

"Shh shh shh, it's going to be alright," Raven reassured as she rubbed Summer's back, in an attempt to ease the woman's fear.

"They're after h-her," Summer started taking shaky breaths, trying her best to calm down, she didn't have to break down, the SDC was hunting her missing daughter down, she had to get moving track down her attackers and finally reunite with her daughter. "Alright, that's enough of the sappy crap, we need to get back to my camp," Raven said, practically prying the shorter woman off of her.

"Okay," Summer said quietly, as the two exited the bunker.

End of chapter 19

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