Chapter Eleven: A Maiden's Magic
The Camp of the Branwen Tribe
The Schnee girl offered the prospect of some pretty Lien. They could pretty much ask their price for her ransom. Some might say they'd hit the jackpot. Hell, Raven had said it herself.
But she still didn't like it.
Running into Qrow at Shion might simply be regarded as back luck; rather fitting, considering. While he'd be able to interfere in their plans, he hadn't been able to stop the tribe from pillaging the village. But now Qrow knew. Not as much as he doubtless thought, but he knew, at least, where the Spring Maiden was. He'd tell Little Rose too, and he'd surely tell Ozpin whenever he deigned to reappear. And considering Ozpin's failure at Beacon, odds were good that Salem would find out eventually too.
Damn it. Damn him. Damn them all.
And then the Schnee girl literally fell from the sky in a wrecked airship. Sure, she offered the chance of a lucrative payday, but the same girl who'd happened to be on the same team as Summer's daughter and her own? The same team Ozpin himself had been grooming as his latest set of patsies? She didn't like that one bit. She'd been free of Ozpin's schemes and his unwinnable war for over a decade now. Even the prospect of her own daughter being dragged into that conflict hadn't changed that. But Qrow and now the Schnee girl? It felt Ozpin's war was encircling her, drawing her in whether she wanted it or not.
She could hear some commotion rising outside the tent. Whatever was happening out there was getting nearer and attracting the attention of more of the tribe. It could be something important, or it could be nonsense; the Branwen tribe were a truculent lot at the best of times and had their share of idiots she had to keep in line. Either way it sounded like she needed to sort it out. She put on her mask, turned, and walked outside, passing through the tent flaps.
Only to see her standing there. Yang Xiao Long, her very own daughter. She was flanked on either side by cut and bruised tribesmen, who'd clearly come off worse in some altercation. Raven supposed she and Yang looked a lot alike now, save that Yang had her father's blonde hair, and had lilac eyes rather than Raven's own red. There was the other difference, the one Qrow mentioned: her right arm was now clearly artificial. But it clearly didn't slow her any, and she had strength too. She must, or she would not be standing before her.
Standing before her for what, however? Could it be? She took a moment to compose herself, as they gazed at each other.
"Mom," Yang said, raising an arm to her hip.
Raven removed her mask.
"Yang," she said softly, unwilling feeling seeping out. She placed her mask on the crate, and raised her voice, pushing confidence into her tone. "So, after all this time you finally decided to visit me." She stepped forward, arms gesturing wide.
"You know that I searched for you. I spent years looking for you!" her daughter replied.
"And you've found me. You were patient, determined, and strong enough to make your dream a reality. Well done, Yang." She leaned forward with a smirk. "But did you have to be so rough with my men?"
"I didn't want a fight." Yang crossed her arms. "They started it."
"Well, you certainly finished it," Raven said with a smile, feeling more than a hint of pride.
Yang did not respond and continued to glare back at Raven with her arms crossed. A bad sign.
"Right," Raven said, an edge entering her voice. She pushed it away. "I'm sure this is all very overwhelming. But I must admit that you've proven yourself. So, any questions you have, I'll be happy to answer. You can stay with us tonight. I'll even have the cooks whip up something for you."
"That's not why I'm here," Yang said with undisguised hostility.
Of course it isn't. You left her first. What did you expect? Raven could see the tribesmen bristle at Yang's disrespect, but it was nothing to the pang that struck at her heart. She beat it down like she always had, as she always did with such feelings of weakness.
"What was that?" she asked sharply. She could not afford to lose face in front of the tribe.
"I'm not here for you," Yang replied, gesturing with her natural arm. "Ruby is somewhere in Mistral. She's with Qrow, and she's going to need my help. I just need you to take me to her." She placed her hands on her hips.
"And why would I do that?"
"Because we're family."
"Family!" Raven muttered, turning in frustration. That hadn't stopped Qrow from fighting her at Shion, hadn't stopped him abandoning the tribe in the first place. And now Yang wished to be reunited with them?!
She turned back towards Yang and spoke again in a loud voice, pushing hurt aside. "I have to say, I'm disappointed. After all, you found me, didn't you? Why not take that drive and use it to find your little sister if she means that much to you?"
"Because you're going to save me time. Ruby was headed to Mistral, but I don't know if she got there. Searching Anima could take ages. But… Dad told me how your semblance works."
"Tai…" Raven whispered. No. She would not regret the past, the decisions she had to make to survive.
"You bond with certain people," Yang pressed on. "And when you do, you can create portals that lead straight to them. You've a bond with Dad. One with me. And one with Qrow. Ruby went with him, and he won't leave her. So, make a portal to them, and I'll be on my way."
Here and then off. Raven held no malice towards Summer's daughter, but she resented the hold she had on Yang's affections, a hold that would bind both the little Rose and Yang to Qrow and in turn to Ozpin and Ozpin's doom.
"You know, it takes real strength to march in here and demand such a favour of me. I've got to say, I'm impressed. It's very noble," Raven said, pacing to the side, scorn now entering her tone, "to want to help out your sister. But if she's with Qrow, then she's already a lost cause."
"What does that mean?" Yang asked angrily.
"You don't want to get mixed up in all of that, Yang," Raven said, facing away to the side, with a flash of gentle sincerity. "Ozpin is not the man you think he is. And Qrow is a fool for trusting him." Raven turned back towards her daughter, hoping she could make her see sense. "I would know, I trusted him once, too."
"I don't care what you think!"
The tribesmen braced themselves, while Raven took a moment to reign in her own feelings. Her child was being petulant, but anger alone would not show her the truth.
"Your choice is your own. All I'm suggesting is that instead of getting wrapped up in something too big for you, for any of us," Raven said, gesturing about her, "is that maybe you take a moment to wonder if you're already where you belong." Let me explain, at least.
"Save your breath!" Yang said. "You can spout off whatever you want, but nothing is going to keep me from my sister!"
"Well, aren't you stubborn," Raven growled in frustration. Why couldn't her girl listen to her?!
"I get it from my mom," Yang shot back, crossing her arms once more.
Raven stared at Yang but saw no weakness in her expression. She'd be proud, if her daughter weren't being so foolish. If she wasn't refusing to even talk.
"Well, if that's how you feel, then it sounds like we're done here." Raven turned on her heel. Yang may not see it, but she was doing her daughter a favour. If Yang wouldn't see the truth, Raven certainly didn't want to speed her way to being inveigled by Ozpin's lies. "Take her away," she ordered, and began walking back towards her tent.
"Did you not hear me?" Yang called out. Raven looked back over her shoulder. "I said send me to Qrow, damn it!" Yang yelled, eyes suddenly blazing red.
"That's enough!" said one of the tribesmen. "You watch our mouth in front of our leader!" The tribesmen visibly tensed.
"Make me," said Yang.
The tribesman who spoke charged forward, cleaver held aloft. Yang ducked beneath the swing and brought her robotic arm back. She brought it forward in a punch that sent the tribesman through a tent, collapsing it.
"Yang?" The white-haired Schnee girl called out, now revealed in her cage from behind the tent.
"Weiss?" Yang exclaimed in surprise.
The Schnee girl said something to herself and bent down. Her cage burst open as a spectral armoured giant grew from within it. Raven looked on incredulously as the Schnee and her summoned creature ran over to her daughter, while her tribe – supposedly bandits with some spine – did little or nothing aside from circle around the trio.
"What is that?" Yang asked the Schnee, waving at the giant.
"Don't worry about it. What are you doing here?"
Yang turned and nodded towards Raven. "Well that's my mom, and she can take us to Ruby."
Raven scoffed in frustration. As much as her daughter's evident strength pleased her, her one-track mind when it came to Summer's daughter was disappointing.
"Your mom kidnapped me?!" The Schnee yelled.
"You kidnapped her?!" Yang shouted at Raven.
The tribesmen began to respond, recovering from their surprise, and drew closer to the trio, weapons ready. The three turned to fight them.
Raven had had enough. The Schnee girl had indeed been an ill omen. The appearance of her daughter, strong and able, should have been a great day. But she was also resentful, and positively anxious to take a course of action that would plunge her into Ozpin's war. Now her tribe had embarrassed itself and was seemingly intent on making things worse by engaging in a full-scale fight in the middle of their encampment. She had to bring this to a close.
Her mask was off, but attention was focused away from her. Good. She closed her eyes, hoping that Vernal was ready to improvise.
The power within her responded.
Lightning shot down between the prospective combatants.
"Enough!" Vernal yelled. Raven opened her eyes to see Vernal posed dramatically before her.
Well done, Vernal, Raven thought. Impeccable acting as always.
"Thank you," she told her. She turned to the crowd. "If you people don't keep it together this place will be crawling with Grimm." She looked again towards Vernal. "Give the girl her weapon back," she ordered."
Vernal was reluctant but obeyed. A valuable quality indeed amongst the tribe. She tossed the Schnee girl's sword towards her, which was deftly caught by the white-haired girl. Raven made a mental note to make sure Vernal was suitably rewarded later. She, at least, was not a disappointment.
"You two," Raven called out to Yang and her teammate. "In my tent. Now."
"Why?" Yang asked in challenge.
"Because if you're really going after your sister, then you need to know the truth," she said. She turned and walked back into her tent, not even waiting for acknowledgement. If Yang wanted a portal, she'd have to come in here. Then at least she'd have another opportunity to talk to her, another opportunity to warn her daughter of that manipulator and his hopeless battle. Ideally before Yang lost herself to it. Preferably before she dragged Raven into it right alongside her.
-000-
A Safehouse in Mistral
"Adam!" Cinder Fall called out with faux affability as she walked into the small apartment. "It's been a while."
Adam Taurus glowered at her, while the White Fang around them – a couple of guards on the door, a couple of others beside him at the table – looked on uneasily.
It was good to be out of that castle, back in her element. She was back on the path that led to her destiny, and this time there would be no enforced time out. She walked up to the table, aware of Emerald and Mercury right behind her, right where they belonged.
"Cinder," Adam eventually said.
"This is her?" said one of Adam's underlings, a big woman with what looked like bear ears. "This is the Cinder that monster is looking for?" The woman looked over her. "She doesn't look like much."
"I don't recognise you," Cinder replied. "In fact, I don't recognise any of you," she said, looking at the other White Fang in the room. "New staff, Adam? Whatever happened to the old ones?"
Mercury snorted, while the bear-woman clenched her fists in anger. The other White Fang in the room tensed up, hands drifting to weapons.
"Rajah," Adam put a hand on the woman's arm and she relaxed, though she continued to glare at Cinder. "Was that necessary?" he asked Cinder.
"No," she said. It was fun. "Though to be clear about my identity," she raised her hand, fingers outstretched to show no weapon in them. She brought her hand flat, palm up, and with but a little effort of will caused a small flame to appear in the palm of her hand. She smirked as she saw in alarm in Rajah's eyes.
"Is that a semblance? Fire dust?" asked the other member of the White Fang at the table, a man with vaguely reptilian traits.
"No," she replied. "It's magic."
He looked at Adam and Rajah with shock, but Adam nodded.
"Cinder, and Cinder's master, have many powers some would consider impossible," he said. "But they're real. I've seen them. They were powerful allies to our cause in Vale and can be again." He paused and looked at Cinder. "Though this is your mess we're dealing with, Cinder, she's after you."
"And I'm anxious to meet her. Rest assured she will be no problem for the White Fang – or anyone else – when we're done. I'll deal with it for you."
"She won't be easy," Rajah said. "She has a measure of… power too. And she was able to manipulate our own weapons."
"Polarity," Mercury spoke up. "It's her semblance," he shrugged.
"I'd advising against underestimating her," Adam said with some irritation. "She could disarm us at range."
"And I can see why that would be inconvenient for you, Adam," Cinder replied.
"It'll be inconvenient for you too if you don't take this seriously."
"Hardly," Cinder smiled. Just a little bit of dust and sand and… she flicked her wrist, took of the 'clay' and used her semblance to superheat the raw material and give it form. The group, bar Adam, flinched as with a flash of heat a black glass dagger appeared in Cinder's hand. She twirled it in her hand before placing it on the table. "She can deflect metal; she can't deflect this. She won't be able to stop my weapons." Not this time.
"You still need to find her," said Rajah.
"Now that is the trick," admitted Cinder. "Where has she attacked?"
Rajah glanced at Adam, who nodded. In response she pulled out a map and laid it on the table.
"Five sites have been attacked," she said, pointing them out on the map. "Four belonging to the local branches of the Fang. The first attacked, here, was home to our Valish brothers. That's also the site we were ambushed at."
Cinder caught the 'we'. So, she was with Adam when it happened. She looked at the map. "So how did she know?" she asked.
"Know what?" said Rajah.
"Where your bases were," Cinder replied condescendingly. "She's not psychic, and I doubt you make their location public knowledge."
Adam kept his gaze levelled on her.
"She isn't," Cinder said. "Trust me, I'd know."
"Dax," Adam nodded at the reptilian looking man.
"A bar run by one of our Valish brethren was burned the preceding week. At the time it just seemed like some local trouble, a fight that got out of hand, but the last to leave the bar report that the bartender was arguing with a young human girl."
Cinder could feel the hunger clawing at her. She could feel her prey was near. "And from there to the first warehouse?"
"Sal, the 'owner' of the bar, reported to us via the Lieutenant who ran that cell," Dax said.
"Well that explains that, and why she knew to keep an eye on that warehouse for you, Adam," she said offhandedly. She continued to stare at the map, wishing she could will Nikos location to disclose itself. A thought struck her. "But what of the others?"
"Others?" asked Rajah.
"The other hideouts," Cinder said scathingly. "You said it yourself, they housed local cells. Last I checked, cells aren't accustomed to sharing vital information." She turned to Adam. "And they don't report to you, do they Adam?"
"No, they don't," Adam said, annoyed but seeing her point. "Perry only found out after the attacks, after the police found them. And I was informed of their locations by the High Leader."
"So, this… what do you call her?"
"She called herself the Fall Maiden," offered Rajah.
"That… is not her name!" Cinder said icily. "That is a title that does not belong to her!" She took a breath and unclenched her fists. She needed to calm herself; Pyrrha Nikos would pay for her arrogant presumption in time. Should she disclose Nikos' identity? No, not yet: information, like any other source of power, was to be hoarded until it was time to use it. "This… I believe the rumour mills call her the 'Red Huntress'? She somehow knew things about the White Fang that you didn't."
"How?" Rajah growled.
Adam looked away for a moment, before looking back. "The gangs," he said.
"I thought that was just what the police thought?" asked Rajah. "That they don't know what's really going on?"
"They don't," Adam replied. "But many of the local cells were having trouble with the syndicates, enough that the gangs would at least have some idea of their turf. And I expect they had most trouble with the Spiders." He turned to Cinder. "Lil' Miss Malachite heads the Spiders. She's also Mistral's foremost information broker. If anyone outside the Fang had an idea about the location of those hideouts, it'd be her."
"Well," said Cinder, "I guess my next step is to meet with this Lil' Miss Malachite."
"If she's working with the… Red Huntress, why would she tell you anything?" asked Rajah.
"She sounds like a businesswoman," Cinder replied. "I'm sure we can do business, providing I offer the right price."
Adam nodded. "Just bring it to an end, quick. Our plans depend on the White Fang in Mistral still being a functional organisation."
"I'm aware of that, Adam," Cinder said. "And I'm as anxious to end this quickly as you are. But let me worry about it. Don't you have a flight to catch? My colleague Hazel is waiting."
"Adam?" asked Rajah with concern.
"It's time for me to meet with the High Leader," Adam replied.
Rajah nodded, a look of understanding in her eye. "I'll look forward to hearing word."
"As will I," Cinder replied. "And rest assured, by the time you do this Red Huntress will be nothing more than ashes."
-000-
Raven's Tent, The Camp of the Branwen Tribe
They sat in the tent around a low table – Raven one side, Yang and Weiss the other – as Vernal prepared tea. Raven kept her gaze on her daughter in contemplation, hoping for some clue to pierce through Yang's stubborn nature. Persuasion wasn't a tool Raven Branwen had much practice in using. The way of the tribe was simpler: the strong prevailed, the weak succumbed. Raven had always been strong, had always been able to rely on force to lead the tribe. But she had no wish to crush her own daughter's strength. She just wanted her to see the truth.
Some would wonder why she persisted. It was Yang's life, Yang's decision. Everyone had to sink and swim by their own choice. And yet Raven couldn't simply pass Yang along to Ozpin in a neat package, even if she could avoid being drawn in herself. And she no confidence in the latter, not after Shion and all these other little 'coincidences'. Qrow, little Rose, Schnee and now Yang. She left this war seventeen years ago, and yet it felt like fate itself was conspiring to mire her in it.
Vernal finished pouring the cups of tea.
"You can wait outside. Thank you," Raven said to her.
Vernal laid the teapot on the table and left the tent. Raven took her cup and sipped the tea.
"So, what's the 'truth'?" asked Yang.
Raven finished her sip.
"You know, it's better when it's hot."
"You know, you're really obnoxious," said the Schnee girl snidely. The brat. Raven had no objection to Ozpin using her as his latest cannon fodder. Raven kept her attention on Yang.
"The truth… the truth is truth is hard to come by. One person's tale of victory is another's story of defeat. Your uncle… by now I'm sure he's told Ruby and her friends plenty of stories."
"He's never given me reason to doubt him," said Yang.
"That doesn't mean such reasons don't exist," Raven replied, remembering her last encounter with the man.
Yang scowled at her but said nothing. Raven wondered if she should mention her fight with Qrow, but decided against it. Yang was still idealistic, still attached to the fictions so-called civilised society lived be. She'd doubtless sympathise with the villagers of Shion, and so Qrow himself. But perhaps she could use that.
"It seems you and your teammates could be the poster children for the Huntsman academies. You all joined up to try and make the world a better place. It's adorable," she said.
"It's what huntsmen and huntresses do," said Yang.
"No. Not all of them. Some are in it for money and fame, and others just looking to get stronger. Your Uncle Qrow and I didn't attend beacon to become huntsmen. We did it to learn how to kill huntsmen."
Both Yang and Weiss gasped and glanced at each other.
"Left that part out, did he?" Raven asked. She smiled inwardly as she poured more tea for herself. Hung by your own misguided morality, Qrow. "Aside from the Grimm, huntsmen were the only ones capable of ruining our raids and hunting us down. Our tribe needed a solution." She took another sip. "Qrow and I were the perfect age. The entrance exams were trivial compared to what we'd already been through. We were good. So good, we caught the headmaster's own attention. At first, I thought it was because he knew what we were, but it was Team STRQ as a whole that Ozpin was interested in." Thinking of the past, of her old team – of Tai and Summer especially – always provoked a rush of mixed feelings. She stood and turned towards the back of the tent, keeping her back turned so that none might show on her face.
"What do you mean by that?" Yang asked.
"Constant attention, extra training missions, turning a blind eye whenever we got into trouble." She looked back over her shoulder at the girls. "Sound familiar?"
The two stole another glance at each other, Weiss gesturing at Yang.
"So, what's your point?" said Yang.
"How much do you really know about Professor Ozpin?" Raven asked turning towards them. "About his past?"
"He was a prodigy." Weiss spoke up. "One of the youngest headmasters to be appointed to a school."
"Because that's the way he planned it," Raven nodded. "Because the man you know as Ozpin built the schools and has followers inside every huntsman academy on Remnant that are loyal to him, and to no one else."
"But that's crazy!" replied Yang. "How could he…? Why would he…?"
Raven took a deep breath. This was her best chance at getting through to Yang, so that if she crossed blades with Qrow again, her daughter wouldn't be there standing alongside him. This was the best chance she had at stopping the renewed encroachment of Ozpin's war into her life.
"And why does it matter? He's dead," said Weiss.
"Is he?" said Raven, taking the opening. Seeing their confusion, she continued. "To answer your first question, Yang, Ozpin is far older than he looks. And he never stays dead. Qrow knows this too; ask him, if you see him again.
"As to why, that's a secret he eventually entrusted to our team. One which, once I knew, made me dig deeper, needing to know more, and the more I knew the worse it became. The creatures of Grimm have a master, one named Salem. And Ozpin has been at war with her for a very long time. A war he cannot win. So, he set up the schools to recruit children for his little war. He cannot give his own life, but thinks little of spending the lives of others like water."
The two girls sat, aghast. Yang shook her head as if trying to clear it and stood. "Why should we believe any of this?" she asked.
"Good," Raven said, and approached her daughter, standing face to face with her. "You're catching on. So far, you've done nothing but accept what you've been told, but you need to question everything."
She looked into Yang's eyes, willing her to be open to sense. She turned away.
"Otherwise you'll end up as blind as Qrow…" she said, and then – before she could stop herself – quietly added, "…and your father."
The sudden blast of a shotgun filled the tent. The table splintered. Raven span, to see Yang glowering at her with sudden red eyes, faint smoke emanating from the barrel of her wrist mounted weapon.
Blast indeed. Raven inwardly cringed at her mistake.
"Don't you dare talk about my family like that!" she yelled.
The Schnee girl looked on wide-eyed, while Raven's gaze flickered to the front of the tent. Vernal stepped back through the flaps, her weapon drawn and pointing at Yang.
"You need to calm down," said Vernal.
Weiss reached up and took hold of Yang's hand. "Yang, please."
"Listen to your friend, Yang." Raven urged. "Your teammates have never let you down before."
"You don't know anything about my team! Or me! You were never there! You left us!" Yang shouted. Her eyes returned to their usual lilac, and her head dropped. "Why?" she said softly.
That confusing, contradictory mix of feelings came again, the feelings that Raven both loved and hated, feelings that longed to reach out and the feelings that despised her for her weakness in wanting so, and feelings of guilt either way.
"I know more than you realise," Raven replied. She refocused on the task at hand. "Not just about you, and not just what I've been told, but things I've seen with my own eyes. I know the Grimm have a Queen, I now someone who can come back from the dead, I know that magic is real, and I can prove it."
"How?" asked Weiss, getting up from the floor.
"You said Tai told you all about my semblance?" she asked Yang. Yang nodded. "Well, I doubt he ever told you what Ozpin did to my brother and me."
She waved off Vernal, and moved to the back of the tent, pausing at the flaps.
"Come and see."
She passed through, not waiting for them, and shifted, as she'd been able to do ever since Ozpin had foisted this upon them. In the blink of an eye her form changed to that of a raven in truth, and she flew up and perched on one of the trees overlooking the rear of the tent.
Her daughter and her daughter's friend came stumbling out.
"Mom?" Yang called, looking around in confusion.
"Yang, are you okay?" asked Weiss.
"I'll be fine once we get her to take us to Ruby."
If Raven could roll her eyes in this form, she would. Such single-mindedness could be a virtue if rightly directed. But like this? Well, she'd promised them proof. She launched herself off the tree.
"You didn't believe what she said, did you?" ask Yang.
"I… well no! How could it be?! We have Dust and Semblances, but Magic? People coming back to life? That's impossible, right?"
Ah, her cue. She cawed, catching their attention.
"I've… I've seen than bird before," Yang whispered.
Raven shifted as she neared the ground, transforming into her true self once more. She landed on her feet and stood before them.
"Well?" she said.
"How… how did you do that?" asked Yang.
"I told you. Ozpin used his magic. I could explain more… or you could go ask your uncle."
"You'll send us there?" asked Yang.
"I'm giving you a choice, like I said before," Raven said. "Stay here, with me, and I'll answer all your questions and many more. We can have a fresh start."
Yang glared at her. Raven showed no outward reaction. The tribe taught one to always avoid displaying weakness, and she was the strongest of them all. But she felt it, nonetheless.
"Or you can go back to Qrow and join Ozpin's impossible war… and meet the same fate as so many others," she said with resignation. She chose to add one last appeal. "But can you really trust someone that's kept so much from you?"
"All I care about is making sure my sister is safe," Yang insisted.
"Ugh…" Raven grunted in frustration. Perhaps there would be another opportunity. Perhaps when Yang came face to face with their lies. Maybe she'd get out in time, before she became just something else sucking Raven back in. But for now, her daughter's gaze showed she would not be shaken.
Her daughter's motorbike was fetched swiftly. Yang and Weiss sat upon it, poised to ride it to their destination. As Yang revved the motor, Raven sighed and drew Omen. She brought it down, carving through the air behind her, and a red rent appeared, widening to form a portal.
Raven spoke one last time.
"Yang, the last time your uncle and I met, we came to blows. If you side with him when that happens again, I won't be able to be as kind."
"You weren't kind this time," Yang shot back, and launched the motorbike forwards. It roared through the portal, before that red tear in reality sealed itself shut.
Raven gazed on where the portal had stood. "I know," she whispered.
-000-
The City of Mistral, 3rd Level
"It's getting late."
Ruby looked up from her Scroll to see Ren nodding westwards. The sun was setting.
"There's one more that's nearby," Ruby said. "C'mon, guys, let's go!"
"We've been at this all day," sighed Nora. "And we have nothing to show for it."
"That's why I want to check this one," Ruby replied. "I don't want to let Uncle Qrow down."
"Don't you think it's a bit odd though?" Nora said. "That we can't find any of the huntsmen on Qrow's list?"
"It is strange," Ren agreed. "They can't all be late or delayed on missions. And that last one…"
Ruby inwardly shivered. Seeing a little girl asking after her mommy had struck a little too close to home. She dealt with it the only way she knew how, by locking those feelings tight away and focusing on doing good.
She had to. She had to be a hero like her own mother. She couldn't let anyone else down. If she'd just gotten to the truth sooner, been able to warn someone, maybe Penny would be alive. If she'd just been a bit faster, maybe Jaune would be alive and Pyrrha wouldn't be hurting so bad. If she'd just lead her team right…
"That's why we've got to try one more," she declared. "We have to find one huntsman."
Nora groaned.
"I'm not sure your uncle would want us to be this far down the city after sunset," Ren insisted.
"And where is everyone?" Nora asked.
They all paused, looking around. The street was still and silent, with little sign of movement in the buildings around them.
"I don't like this," admitted Ruby.
"We should get going," said Ren.
"Oh, I'm afraid it's a bit too late for that," a voice called out with a giggle.
Ruby, Ren and Nora drew their weapons, and huddled together, looking for the voice.
"Who's there?" asked Ren.
Ruby heard movement above, and saw a tall, lanky figure drop down from one of the roofs around them. A pale man stood before them, his dark hair drawn into a pony-tail, wearing a thick leather coat.
"It doesn't matter who I am," he said with a gleeful smile. "Well, not to you, anyway. Nor to your other companion. I'm just here for the little Rose."
"For me?" Ruby asked, confused.
"You're more famous than you realise, my dear! I'm here to whisk you away to someone very important."
"And what if she doesn't want to go?" asked Nora.
"Well, she doesn't have a choice," the man. "I'll take her."
Ren reacted first. "Nora, cover us," he yelled. Nora sprang with Magnhild at the ready, while Ren moved in front of Ruby and went for his Scroll.
The man moved, leaping forward. Nora swung Magnhild but the man dodged it and swept in, spinning into a kick that knocked her to the side.
Ren had made his call. "Qrow! We're on the third level, North peak. They're after Rub–"
Ren's scroll was sent flying from his hand as their attacker stretched forward with a scorpion's tail. Ren's eyes opened in alarm. Ruby brought Crescent Rose's scythe down, hoping to cleave the tail off, but their assailant somersaulted to the side out of reach. Ruby took aim with Crescent Rose, but the man moved too fast, knocking it aside with his tail. He lunged forwards but was struck in the side as Ren kicked him. Yet he took the blow and grabbed Ren's leg, and then sent Ren backwards with a punch to his face.
Ruby fired several shots, but the man deflected them with his stinger. She held her fire as Nora came back in, swinging Magnhild in a wide arc. The man leapt above the hammer, and upon landing kicked out again, sending Nora sprawling once more. He turned on Ruby once more but was distracted as Ren opened fire with his Stormflower pistols.
"Ruby, he's after you. Run!" he yelled.
"I can't!" Ruby said. She couldn't leave her friends to this madman. She simply couldn't! She instead dashed in with her semblance, bringing her scythe round. Yet their attacker dodged out of the way and kicked her in the side, sending her tumbling.
She kept hold of Crescent Rose and held it upwards as she came to a halt, just in time to block a downward strike by his stinger. She prepared for a second blow, but their attacker was pushed away as Magnhild hit.
"Ha! How do you like that?!" Nora bellowed.
Their opponent was knocked back but remained on his feet. "I do enjoy it when the prey is… sporting," he said with a grin.
Ren came running over, joining Nora and Ruby. "You're going to have to get through us," he said.
"Good!" the man said with a laugh. He darted forwards again, ran towards a building to their life and kicked off it to come at them from the side. He struck at Ren with his arm-mounted blades, smacking him to the ground. Nora brought Magnhild down, but he ducked to the side and punched her several times, sending her backwards. Ruby rushed in with a burst of petals, and slashed out Crescent Rose, striking a glancing blow that smashed off his aura. He reacted fast, however, bringing his tail round and smashing into Ruby, sending her flying. She landed across the street with a thud, her aura still intact but feeling bruised.
"Now, now, that wasn't polite," the Scorpion Faunus said as he sauntered over. Ruby struggled to get to her feet, to bring Crescent Rose to bear, but he was too close.
She heard several thuds above her and looked up to see a man dropping off the building she was lying against. He landed with her back to her, right in her attacker's way.
"Back off, pal. That's my niece you're after."
"Qrow Branwen," their attacker bowed in mockery. "I was wondering when you would show up."
"Do I know you?" Qrow said.
"I don't think you've had the pleasure, no. Tyrian is the name. I'm afraid Her Grace insisted that your niece accompany me to meet her, and I cannot disobey an order from my Queen. So, if you'll stand aside?"
"That's not going to happen," growled Qrow, levelling Harbinger and firing. Tyrian jumped out of the way of the blast but Qrow charged forwards, switching Harbinger to its sword mode, slashing at the Faunus. He forced Tyrian back as he launched a flurry of several blows.
Ruby stood. She saw Ren and Nora across the street coming to their feet, at a loss at what to do. "We've got to help Uncle Qrow!" she yelled.
"No, Ruby! Stay back! Remember what I told you!" Qrow yelled back.
Right, his semblance. Ruby was torn. Uncle Qrow couldn't expect her to sit back and do nothing, surely? And yet he'd been very clear: in combat they had to keep their distance from him. She was torn by frustration. She tried to take aim with Crescent Rose, offer some support from a distance, but couldn't get a straight shot as both combatants moved too fast.
Ren and Nora ran across the street as she tried to line up a shot. "We've got to help him!" Ruby said as they came to her side.
"We are," Ren said. "By guarding you. You're the one that man is after, and we'd only get in Qrow's way." He levelled Stormflower, taking pot-shots when he could, though the Scorpion Faunus' reactions meant that little hit.
Ruby watched, vexed by Qrow's instructions, as Tyrian suddenly got the upper hand, kicking Qrow back against one of the buildings and Harbinger out of his hands. Now with a clear shot, Ruby fired twice with Crescent Rose, one shot striking his aura, the other being deflected off his stinger.
"I can make your trip quite unpleasant, girl," Tyrian said, turning to face her. Qrow dived for Harbinger, but Tyrian's stinger struck out, just missing Qrow and blocking his way. Qrow rolled to his feet and leapt up, punching Tyrian several times, forcing him back.
"Where's the police?" said Nora. "This is Mistral itself, shouldn't there be some nearby?"
Ren shot a concerned glance, still aiming with his pistols. "They don't always guard the lower levels as they should."
Ruby dismissed such thoughts from her mind. What mattered is that they weren't here now, not why. They couldn't let her uncle do this all by himself. What if he got hurt? Qrow was on the back foot again and was shoved against a post. Tyrian punched him in the gut but was taken aback as a sign fell off the post and struck his head. Qrow pushed past him, rolled, and picked up Harbinger once more. Perhaps he could take this?
And then Tyrian lashed out with his tail, knocking Qrow flat. Qrow lay on the street and began turning over to get to his feet, but Ruby feared he wouldn't be quick enough. The Scorpion Faunus eye's glowed purple as he approached.
Ruby could hold herself back no more. She ran forwards, using her semblance. "Uncle Qrow!" she yelled.
"No, Ruby!"
Their attacker smiled as Ruby approached them but was thrown into confusion when the air itself was suddenly torn open by a red gash. Ruby turned to move out of the way but tripped, landing near Qrow.
He gazed at the red hole. "Raven?" he whispered. Then they heard the distinct sounds of a motorbike.
"Out of the way Ruby!" Qrow pushed Ruby aside, diving just in time to avoid the yellow motorcycle that powered from the portal. Their assailant wasn't so fortunate, as the motorcycle plowed into him, sending him flying. The bike skidded over, and the riders tumbled into the street.
Qrow stumbled to his feet, looking around for their attacker. Ruby picked herself up too.
"Are you okay?" asked Ruby.
"Yeah, I am, aura's still intact. I should be asking you."
"I just tripped," she said.
"You were lucky, kiddo," he said, with no hint of sarcasm. "I did warn you."
"I know," she said sheepishly.
"I know you mean well," he said, ruffling her hair. "Ren, Nora, see any sign of him?"
"Not after that crash!" yelled Nora. "That was awesome! Who was that?!"
Ruby looked again at the bike, realising she recognised it. "Bumblebee?" she whispered. She looked up, towards the erstwhile passengers who were picking themselves up.
"Yang?!" she called out.
"Hey Sis, fancy finding you here!" Yang called out, waving back. Waving back with what had been a stump when Ruby had left.
"Yang!" Ruby called out in excitement, and sped over to her, embracing her sister. "I'm… I'm so sorry," she said, with tears in her eyes. "I wanted to stay, to talk more, but we had to leave…"
"Hey, it's okay," Yang said, returning the hug with both arms, natural and artificial. "I love you."
"I love you too," Ruby said.
Ruby could feel Qrow, Ren and Nora walk over.
"So, what happened here?" asked the other rider. At the sound of the voice, Ruby looked up to see the familiar features of her partner from Beacon. "Weiss!" she cried in excitement, and extended an arm towards her. Yang did the same, and Weiss joined her teammates in the hug. As she did, Ruby felt a great sense of warmth. Warmth not just being reunited with family and friends, but of something being mended. The fall of Beacon had shattered her team, bringing with it a sense of loss and even of failure as team leader she could barely admit to herself. But now things were being made right. Was it too much to hope that the fourth member of their team would join them soon, that team RWBY could be whole again?
"So, what did we miss?" asked Yang, as they broke from the hug.
"Well you just interrupted a kidnapping attempt," Qrow said, a faint smile on his face. He approached, placing an affectionate hand on Yang's shoulder "It's good to see you, firecracker. You couldn't have timed it better."
"Thanks Uncle Qrow," Yang laughed. "It's a long story."
"Well you can tell it to us when we get back to the lodgings," Qrow said. "I'm sure we've got a lot to speak about.
"Yeah…" Yang's voice became a little more distant. "A lot to speak about."
-000-
A Restaurant in Lower Mistral
Lil' Miss Malachite sat at her usual table, waiting for business. Until business found her.
One of her employees came over and whispered in her ear. She glanced at him, puzzled by the message, and arose from her table and made her way to the back rooms. She made her way to the room her employee had indicated and opened the door.
Her unexpected guest was waiting for her.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't the 'Red Huntress' herself!" she said, entering the room.
"Miss Malachite," the girl replied politely with a nod. She was seated on a crate, and wore a long scarlet cloak, beneath which the bronze and black of her armour could be seen. Her face was covered with a bronzed helm, so that only her clear green eyes appeared.
It was part of the puzzle, Lil's Miss realised. The girl was always so damn polite, despite her by now terrifying body count. What made her tick?
Not the only puzzle tonight, however.
"How did you get in here," she asked. "That window's locked."
"So it is," replied the girl. Some semblance trickery, Lil' Miss wagered. "I thought it perhaps best to avoid the front entrance dressed like this?"
"You're not wrong," admitted Lil' Miss. She drew up another crate and sat on it. "Your activities have caused some heat for my organization."
"No more than you expected," replied the girl. "We discussed this. With the casualties the Fang has taken, there's less and less they can do to you. And I've been doing exactly what I promised I would do. I've always been honest with you."
"You have," Lil' Miss nodded. "It's one of the things I like about you. So, I happen to know you've not exhausted that little target list I drew up for you, so what can I do for you?"
The girl paused, looked away for a moment, before looking back at her with her emerald eyes.
"Someone will be coming for me. Someone by the name of Cinder Fall. She will be looking for me, drawn by… recent events, and one of your business interests is providing intelligence to interested parties. She may come to you."
"I like to call myself an information broker, it sounds more legitimate," Lil' Miss said. "So, are you wanting me to lie for you? I wouldn't want to sell you out, but misinformation will cost you, it's risky to my reputation."
The girl pulled some Lien from beneath her cloak.
"I'm willing to pay, but I don't want you to lie."
"Oh?"
"I want you to tell her exactly where I'll be, and when."
"This could backfire on me," Lil' Miss said.
"I promise you, I'm not asking you to tell her anything other than what will be true. If she comes to you, tell her that I came to you for information. Tell her that I will be attacking a certain White Fang hideout the night following her visit. And have someone contact me afterwards and I guarantee I will be there on the given night."
"Well okay," said Lil' Miss a little doubtfully, "if that's the way you want to play it. So which hideout?"
"The one based in the former Chalyps Engineering site."
"The old steel machining plant?" asked Lil' Miss.
"That's the one," replied the girl. "Leave that little detail out."
Author Note: Thanks again for all the reviews and comments, including from guest accounts!
The Raven scenes here run similarly to canon, although with some important differences and from Raven's point of view. Most of those involved have been little affected by the plot divergences as yet, but these scenes were necessary to reintroduce Raven and introduce Yang and Weiss to the story of 'Fallen Maiden'. Raven, as I have come to realise, is probably the figure with the biggest role in driving events in canon volume 5, alongside Cinder. Here, of course, there's a third party also pushing events, and it's perhaps appropriate all three are Maidens or half Maidens. These introductions set up some crucial events to come.
Thanks again for all the reviews and comments, including guest accounts! The next chapter should hopefully pack a few punches, so stay tuned for Chapter 12: A Maiden's Vengeance sometime in the coming week.