Setting: Caverns

Zinnia pushed some vines out of her way, making her way out of the thick forest and stepping onto grass. A few more steps and the grasslands would quickly change to grassy patches then the ground changed to dirt and stone. She scanned the area before her and appeared satisfied.

"We're here."

Her small announcement was heard by the others following her. Ebony and D'Rado were the first to see what she was talking about.

It was the entrance to a cave on the side of small mountains. There was nothing about this cave, but what was important was what they could find in the cave: the Underland Flower, a key ingredient in Supernova.

Alexandrite followed behind everyone, reaching the entrance to the cave where everyone stood. She gazed at the rocky formation then asked, "So what now? What's the point of finding the flowers? It's not like we can do anything with them."

D'Rado opened his mouth to answer…but he realized that he wasn't sure what they were doing either. What was the plan now that they're here? Were they going to collect all of them to stop production? D'Rado shook his head at such a silly thought.

"Don't think about it too much, Didi," Ebony told him as she watched him try to discern her motives. "The next step is long but simple. This opening leads to a large cavern where the flowers bloom. It's full of pathways through the mountains and burrows underground. Scouting the inside to find the flowers and memorize the interior. Sooner or later, the person making Supernova will come. The Underland Flower is incredibly difficult to farm or cultivate so allowing it to grow in its natural habitat then pick them. Rose also told me it's a vital ingredient."

Zinnia investigated the cave entrance and found markings along the left side. It was man-made. This was a good sign. This cave was marked for someone to remember it. Her family always knew its location and had no need for marks or maps, but someone else needed to know where this cave was for a reason. This was the place and she knew the ins and outs of it better than most.

"I'll take the lead. Stay close. Getting lost in there wouldn't be ideal," she told the others and waited for them to gather.

Ebony was the first to approach then D'Rado, but Alexandrite had a faster pace and came up beside him. He noticed and glanced at her, finding her red eyes staring directly at him. Their eyes locked and D'Rado felt like a frightened rabbit. From red to green, her eyes were piercing into his soul and the presence she gave off wasn't intimidation. His fear was unwarranted when he learned she looked at him with curiosity. It was very different from her usual expressions.

"Um...Alexandrite?" he hesitantly called her name.

She didn't respond as he expected.

"The next one to get stronger will be me." She walked past him to join the others. He didn't fully understand what she meant, but a part of him felt elated she said he got stronger. The recent acknowledgment today sent his confidence through the roof. He marched to the cave with the others.

Setting: Underland Cavern

The inside was dark and dank D'Rado expected no less. The cavern had many pathways that lead to who knew where, though he believed Zinnia knew every inch of this place since her family frequented this location for historical teachings. Her confidence showed as she pressed on with no hesitation or second-guessing which path to tread. Ebony followed her without question, displaying how much faith she placed in her friend.

Thinking of them made him think about Rouge and his betrayal. What he did to the Caped Corps felt like he fractured D'Rado's perfect dream. Things would never be the same.

"No. Just don't think about it," he told himself to stay focused on the mission at hand.

They walked deeper into the cavern for quite some time and with no sun or daylight, it was hard to gauge the time of day. The only light any of them had was from their sounds of running water echoed. This place would have housed some form of life such as bugs, reptiles, or any other lifeform they've yet to see. Luckily there were no signs of Grimm activity in this place which was relieving. Grimm in this setting was too much of a horror for D'Rado to bear.

He glanced at Alexandrite who showed no worry or fear. She was unfazed in the face of the unknown. The words she said to him before entering. He believed she was...competing with him. She sang his praises then said she'd get stronger. How pathetic would it look for him to be unnerved just by a cave after someone of her caliber saw him as a possible rival?

"I need to shape up,"

Zinnia continued leading the others to the place where the Underland flowers bloomed. It wouldn't be hard to know where they were once she saw…

"There," Zinnia said, breaking the silence.

She walked further ahead with a faster pace ahead of the group. Ebony and the others followed her to a space in the cavern much roomier than any other place they traveled. It was large and dome-like. The ceiling above was riddled with holes that gave way to the world above. The dark sky above showed night had arrived and the light of the moon pierced through the openings, giving light to this place. The ground was no longer made of stone and transitioned to dirt. The area had something the other places didn't: flora.

Around the ground and away from any light were flowers growing. The subterranean umbral flowers, the Underland flowers, were here. They were shaped like iris flowers but the colors were so unique. The petals were almost black with small, shining spots like stars.

"It's very beautiful," Ebony commented as she walked toward one.

"Thank you, but it's a flower that could only bloom in darkness, hiding its true nature from the common eye. A fitting flower for the Underlandland family," Zinnia said.

"You're family's not perfect, but family is family," Ebony told her while thinking of Clair, "Those bonds are important."

"Sooooo," Alexandrite started to get their attention, "we found the flowers, but what next?"

"We wait," Ebony answered.

"For the person to cultivate this stuff? Do you have any idea when they'll come?" Alexandrite wondered. Staying in a cave was not her idea of a good plan.

"If my theory is correct, then the creator should be here soon," Ebony answered with a grin. "It may seem a bit of a stretch, but I'm feeling unstoppable today. I'm back."

Alexandrite could not think of a counterpoint to make. Ebony was sure of herself and that seemed to be enough for everyone else. Plus, she wanted to make a real attempt to better her relationship with Ebony, so arguing with her was not a good starting point. She put her faith in Ebony on this strategy.

As per Ebony's orders, everyone stayed hidden in the room. They clung to the walls where the moonlight didn't reach and remained silent, waiting for their target to come. None of them were to move or make a sound unless Ebony gives the signal to swoop in.

Nothing happened. No one came within two hours of their skulking. D'Rado had never done anything close to this before. He saw this as a stakeout like the ones he watched on cop shows, but he wished he experienced the end of one instead of the long, boring, process in the middle.

Faint sounds could be heard in the distance.

It seemed their patience was about to be rewarded. Footsteps were echoing from the cavern path they entered and it was getting louder. Someone was finally coming.

"Can't believe this happened," a deep voice said.

"It's your stupid fault for being so reckless and listening to your muscle," another voice answered. A feminine voice.

"Doesn't matter now. It doesn't change anything. We just got more names to cross off our list." This voice was beginning to sound familiar.

"You mean 'we' have more names to cross off. You're going to lay low until this is taken care of." the other voice was familiar too.

The two people talking were getting closer and closer until they finally entered the area. With the light of the area illuminating the room and the entrance leading to it, everyone was able to see who entered.

"That takes care of the bitch and her group, but what about the newbie?" Ruge asked. "What do we do about him?"

Stepping into the room with him, "If he doesn't see things our way, then eliminate him. That's always been the way Patterns has done it," Rose said with a cold tone.

It was hard for D'Rado to remain silent. His heartbeat pounded so violently in his chest he thought the sound resonated throughout the whole cavern. He was doing all he could to control his breathing so he wouldn't be noticed. It was so hard. Everything felt difficult.

Zinnia watched them with a cool, controlled demeanor as she waited for her liege to give the signal. Rose and Rouge. Everything Ebony told her was true. Her hypothesis was accurate.

"Just as Ebony said. Caped Corps are the ones behind Supernova,"

Been meaning to post these on the last few chapters. Better late than never, right? Ebony and Zinnia get new theme songs.

Zinnia would've had her theme before Ebony. Oath Sign by LiSA is her new theme. The lyrics in this song portrays chivalry very well and match Zinnia's desire to partner herself with Ebony. She shows concern for her friend's well-being, supports her to make her dream a reality, and has great faith in her, much like a knight. The song also keeps to the knight theme Zinnia has had previously. It felt fitting.

Ebony's theme would've come after speaking with Violet and rediscovering herself. Origin by Besomorph. The lyrics perfectly explain how Ebony feels about herself and starting over. The past is set in stone for her. She knows she can't change it, but her future could be anything she wants it to be. Ebony truly wants to turn her life around. Her dream to be remembered is still present but the method of doing so is what she's changing. This theme is more of a character song than a battle song.

If asked to define Ebony now, she could be an anti-hero wherein in the original series she was an anti-villain. She does good, but still uses the underhanded, pragmatic, devious tactics she always utilized in the past. Keeping a clear goal in mind and having Zinnia around prevents her from crossing the line again. Her new role aligns well with Team VRSZ who are also anti-heroes since they look out for themselves and their home rather than the greater good like RWBY.