Cinder cursed as they withdrew from the doomed diner, Emerald selectively covering their retreat with her semblance while Mercury kept his head down. There was no sign of Neo as they escaped, the cowardly waif disappearing as soon as the tides turned. Thankfully, the few bystanders Emerald failed to reach paid them little mind compared to the burning. The hero was similarly distracted, pulling the injured diner keeper and Maiden out of harm's way.
They ducked into an alleyway a few blocks, too close to scene of panic for Cinder's tastes. Unfortunately, they had to deal with a more immediate concern, namely, the arrow through her hand. The injury bled profusely, and despite the adrenaline coursing through her body, only her fortitude kept her fighting through the pain. They needed to staunch the bleeding, before someone investigated the annoyingly obvious trail leading right to the arsonists.
She gripped the wrist of her injured, squeezing tightly. Cinder glared at Mercury. "Make yourself useful and get me something to cover this up!" She snapped.
"With what?" Mercury snapped back. "I didn't exactly bring a first aid kit on this little excursion, boss."
"Moron," Emerald snorted. "What kind of fighter doesn't carry basic supplies?"
"The kind that never needs them, little miss distraction. Oh wait!"
"Why you—"
"Children!" Cinder snarled. "Get me a bandage or a coat, now, or that blood trail's going to lead to your corpses!"
Mercury paled. Shooting one last glare at Emerald, he tore off a sizeable strip of his shirt, leaving his stomach as bare as Emerald's. He tossed her the fabric, a high-grade material meant to resist hard impacts. No doubt he'd grumble about it later. Not that she cared; they had finances to spare.
Cinder caught it, quickly crumbling it up into a rough ball and stuffing part of it into her mouth. Releasing her iron grip on her wrist, she grasped the haft protruding from the palm. 3, 2, 1, she snapped the wood, jaw slamming down on the fabric preventing her from shattering her teeth and biting her tongue, as white-hot pain blasted up her arm.
Cinder would remove the rest of the arrow later, when they'd safely extracted themselves from the immediate danger. She took the makeshift bandage and wrapped it around the wound, careful not to press down on the arrowhead still extruding from the back of her hand. With a final twist, she tightened the knot on the end, ignoring the pain that came with it.
Having completed her rudimentary treatment, Cinder returned her attention to her disciples. Mercury dutifully kept watch at the mouth of the alley, ready to warn them if anyone was in pursuit. Emerald awaited her command.
"Where's Torchwick's nearest safehouse?" Cinder asked the mint-haired teen.
"I-I think it's only a couple blocks south, past Walker Street," Emerald replied uncertainly.
"Then we head there," Cinder ordered.
Once again, fate was kind enough to let them travel through the fire-panicked slice of Vale without interruption. Cinder and her minions made it to one of Torchwick's numerous abodes without any attention, from neither law enforcement nor Ozpin.
Cinder had Emerald scrounge up some proper medical supplies. She intended to stitch and bandage the wound herself, but she recognized that eager-to-please gleam in the girl's eyes, so she allowed Emerald the privilege of sewing her up.
Her stitches needed work, and more than once did Cinder stop her and correct her motions. If the girl felt guilty for allowing the hero past her, Cinder would endure sloppy first aid. It served to bind the street rat further to her proper mistress. Nevertheless, Cinder failed to stop the sigh of relief once they'd finished, the wound snugly wrapped in white linen, the arrow properly removed, and painkillers swallowed. Roman knew to stock the stronger stuff.
The injury frustrated her. Even with aura, it would be weeks before the wound healed. Even now, Cinder couldn't move her two middle-most digits properly, the nerves damaged. It was possible that without medical attention, she'd lose dexterity anyway. If only she hadn't needed to lower her aura to properly activate the power she wore.
The white glove that had allowed her to summon the Grimm Beetle was ruined beyond salvation. Draped blood-stained on the back of a nearby chair, the mark of her queen was no longer even visible, not to mention the bound Grimm was clearly slain back at the diner.
"Ma'am?" Emerald asked, hesitating. "What are we going to do now?" The girl's eyes slid over to the glove. "Without the glove, how do we steal the Maiden power?"
Cinder pursed her lips, wondering the same. There was only one person in the entire world who could fix or replace the white glove, and she wouldn't take kindly to such a request. Reporting another failed attempt on the Maiden powers, especially so soon after the last, Salem would doubt her capability. Maybe she'd even consider replacing Cinder.
The Queen had sunk a significant amount of resources in this operation, into Cinder, but she wasn't so delusional to think this made her indispensable. Any young woman would technically suffice. Cinder sized Emerald up, contemplating. No, the teen was much too loyal to consider such a betrayal.
Still, they needed a new way to take what she deserved from Amber. Should she risk contacting Salem later? The Queen would be just as angry if she found out Cinder had concealed her mistakes from her. Would she find out anyway? It was possible. Cinder had little idea how much the media would report on or if Ozpin would suppress the attack to protect Amber.
She was cornered, jeopardize her standing with Salem or jeopardize the operation by continuing without means to steal the power.
"Where's Mercury gone?" Cinder asked, avoiding the subject. She needed to time to consider her options, assess the status of her resources.
Emerald shifted uncomfortably. "He left after changing, said he needed to replace the gear he sacrificed."
Cinder hummed. That was alright, though she would've preferred the boy announce to her his intentions before taking off on his own.
"Leave me," Cinder ordered.
"What," Emerald swallowed. "What should I do?"
"Do whatever you want," Cinder said, already withdrawing. A thought struck her, and she quickly reconsidered. "No wait, make sure we weren't followed. And get in touch with Roman. He's to oversee the acquisition at the docks with the White Fang. I'd rather this day not be a total failure."
"Yes, ma'am!" Emerald chirped. From anyone else, Cinder would think they were mocking her, but Emerald was sickeningly devoted, just the way Cinder liked it.
The teen left to carry out Cinder's orders, leaving the older woman alone in the safehouse. Cinder exited the common area to a private sleeping abode, where she wouldn't be disturbed unless matters needed her. Which was more often than she would've liked.
She reclined on the bed, careful with her injury. Safely alone, exhaustion filled her. Perhaps the battle with Amber had been more trying than she realized. Or more likely, her injury and subsequent flight had taken its toll on her. Still, she refused to sleep.
Her dreams had been strange of late. Filled with foreign women, speaking a tongue that only made sense in the foggy environment of sleep. And sand, so much sand, coarse and rough and irritating. Cinder half-expected to find her shoes filled with the stuff whenever she awoke from one of her desert dreams.
The specifics always fled shortly after waking to her annoyance and relief. On the one hand, she'd like to understand them better, but on the other, she'd rather peaceful rest than whatever was plaguing her.
Cinder sighed, forcing her eyes wide. It was more productive to consider the plan moving forward. Beg forgiveness or risk it all?
Eventually, she was shaken from her planning by the return of Emerald and Mercury. They had the sense to keep their bickering to a minimum. But it wouldn't do to leave them to their own devices too long; otherwise, one would likely kill the other.
Cinder graced them with her presence, intent on breaking up whatever petty squabble they were involved in. As expected, they fell silent once she made herself known.
"Anything to report?" Cinder asked the two teenagers.
"Huntsman gear here is way overpriced," Mercury snorted, kicking back on the sofa he was sitting on. Cinder noted the replaced shirt idly. She turned to Emerald on the other side of the room.
"Um," Emerald frowned. Bad news then. "Roman ran into trouble."
Cinder clenched her jaw. Of course that flamboyant imbecile did. "What kind of trouble?"
"Beacon students interrupted the steal. He had to ditch the Fang and most of the Dust."
Cinder frowned. It was annoying to lose the Dust, but they could always steal more. Losing the White Fang, however, presented a bit more of a problem. Taurus already distrusted her, and their relationship was tenuous. If he suspected that Cinder was wasting his men, he might sever ties completely.
She'd have to bring him in sooner than she'd have liked, if only to assuage his ego. Once again, she was left wishing she had the power to force these incompetents into line, but she'd squandered two opportunities to take it thanks to the pointed-ear hero accompanying Amber.
"Well. Perhaps we should pay dear Roman a visit," Cinder said, thinking of repaying the thief for the added inconvenience. "Get a first-hand account of what went wrong.
"Uh, ma'am?" Emerald said hesitantly. Cinder approached the girl. "Should you really be going out injured—"
Cinder cut her off, placing her injured hand against the girl's cheek, shutting her up succinctly. "Emerald," Cinder said sweetly. "Do you think me incapable of overcoming a little scratch like this?"
"N-no, ma'am—"
"Do you think me weak?" Cinder asked, letting her semblance flare. Pain burst through her hand, and the stench of burning cloth permeated the air, but Cinder kept her visage cool. From the way Emerald winced, Cinder could tell the girl felt the heat.
The skin of her palms was heat-resistant due to her semblance, but the inner muscles and tendons were not. Cinder would have to be careful about using her semblance in the future. Her point made, she withdrew her hand.
"Now, then," Cinder said, brokering no further dissent. "Shall we be off?"
Emerald and Mercury glanced at each other but nodded at her. Such good little children. Neither of them bothered to bring up the subject of the future that had left Emerald so uncertain before. No doubt Mercury was wondering the same thing but was too smart to ask about it. Retreat or risk it all?
Well, she always was one to take risks.
Link stared at the injured woman, resting in the infirmary bed. Another person he'd failed to save. Another woman he failed to rescue.
Rescuing Amber and the owner of that building was easy. The hard part came after, when he had to face Ozpin. The headmaster had listened to the knight relay the tale of the attack without judgement. Link, however, had plenty for himself.
Amber was taken to the infirmary at Beacon Academy, the headmaster's authority overriding whatever power the emergency responders had. Link did not understand it, but from the way the uniformed strangers were acting, he took it to mean that such an action was unusual. Still, Ozpin assured him that Amber and he would be safest in Beacon.
His charge remained unconscious, her shallow breaths in tune with the beeping of unfamiliar machinery at her bedside. She was alive, at least, though there was no telling when she'd wake up. The physicians were optimistic, as was Ozpin, so he took some comfort in that.
Looking at her, lying still like this under his watch, Link could not help but recollect the others he'd failed in the past. The list was long, but there were some names that hurt more than most. Mipha. Zelda.
Paya.
Now he could add Amber to the list. Perhaps someday it'd stop growing, but Link doubted it.
He went over the events in his head again, considering what he should have done differently in order to avoid this outcome. What change of tactics would have led to total victory, and what mistakes he needed to avoid.
First of all, the illusionists, the two woman that kept him outside while Amber was alone. He'd have to deal with them first, starting with the mismatched woman who'd engaged him melee. She was obviously the more dangerous of the two.
He'd need to avoid being separated, that was truly the root of the issue. Even outnumbered, he could deal with the threat, but he couldn't protect anyone if he wasn't present where he needed to be.
Link was broken from his contemplation by the headmaster's sudden appearance in the room. The man was out of sight, but Link could hear the tapping of his cane and his light footsteps. Link chose not to react to his presence.
"Sir Link," Ozpin announced himself. "I see your still by Amber's bedside. It's quite late, you should get some rest."
Link shook his head, unbothered.
Ozpin hummed, accepting the non-answer. Finally, he shifted topics. "Team RWBY's returned to Beacon. All four of them. I gather they've had quite an exciting evening of their own."
Link didn't respond.
"They were quite distraught upon learning of Amber's condition. It seems she made a good impression on her junior Huntresses."
Ozpin moved beside him, letting Link see the man from the corner of his eye. "I've requested they not visit for the moment, so as to not crowd her. They'll likely ignore, but I won't press the issue. I trust you'll be here whenever it is they decide to arrive?"
Link nodded.
"I suppose that is that then." Ozpin paused, waiting for some verbal response. It never came. "Link. You must know that this is not your fault."
Link nodded. Of course, he knew that; the ones at fault were the enemies they'd faced. Nevertheless, he had a duty that he failed to keep.
Ozpin sighed, weary. "I'll take my leave. Though I doubt you'll listen to me, I'd be remiss not to encourage you to get some sleep." The headmaster moved away, reaching the exit of the infirmary. Link heard the sound of the door opening.
"Team RWBY," Ozpin said loudly, as if Link hadn't heard the four girls approach the door while Ozpin was talking to him. "It's quite late for visiting, is it not? Besides, I believe I asked you to keep away for the time being. I must say I didn't expect you to ignore me quite so fast."
"Professor Ozpin!" Link heard Ruby shout, wincing slightly at the young girl's volume. He could practically see the red-cloaked student waving her arms in panic. "We were just… on our way to get a midnight snack! Yeah! Tell him guys!"
"…Yep," another voice said. Blake, Link recognized, from the dry tone. "What she said."
"Well, far by for I to interrupt," Ozpin chuckled, pushing past them. "Ladies. Link. I bid you good night."
"…Do you think he bought it?" Ruby whispered after the headmaster was out of earshot.
"…Yep," Blake repeated, drawing out the sound.
The girls approached Amber's bedside with caution, afraid to disturb the knight at his vigil.
"Er, hey Link," Yang greeted awkwardly. "How's it going?" She must have realized the obvious because she immediately flushed. "Never mind," Yang coughed.
"We wanted to see how Professor Amber was faring," Weiss explained. "Could you tell us what happened? All we were told was that she was injured in a fire."
Link shook his head.
Weiss looked helplessly at her teammates. Ruby bit her lip, looking between Link's tense from and Amber's injured body. Awkward silence permeated the room.
Blake was the one to break it. "I'm sorry," the newly revealed faunus said. "If I hadn't run away, this never would have happened…"
"No! Blake, you shouldn't—"
"It's not your fault—"
"You can't be serious—"
All three of her teammates protested her innocence, refusing to allow her to shoulder the blame. Blake ignored them, watching Link nervously for his judgement.
Link shook his head vigorously. "Not your fault," he insisted.
Blake nodded, but her expression said she didn't believe him. Link gave her a disarming smile. Seems they have something in common.
The girls stayed with him for a while, trying to pierce the tension with levity. Their adventure at the docks had been quite a scene.
"Penny was all 'Brrrappp' and laser'd down two Bullheads, slicing them right down the center! It was awesome!" Ruby told, flailing her arms for dramatic effect. Link could practically imagine it, the image reminding him of the Guardians back in Hyrule.
Ruby's excitement was infectious, even in a place such as the Beacon infirmary. Link hoped the girl would visit again when Amber awoke. Her cheer would do good.
"Yeah, wish we knew what happened to that girl," Yang said. "She just disappeared without a word after the battle."
"I'm sure she's fine," Weiss brushed it off. "She's more than capable."
"Still," Ruby said, calming down. "I hope she's alright."
Link wondered after the strange girl himself, though less from concern and more from curiosity. In their brief encounter, she had mentioned seeing someone like him. What that meant, he had no idea, nor any time to investigate.
"Anyway, we should go," Weiss announced, checking her scroll for the time. "It was already late when we got back, now we'll be lucky to get any sleep before the sun comes up."
"Aww, Weiss, do we have to? Break's starting…"
"No buts! Sleep is important for good health," Weiss insisted. Yang chuckled rising from her position. The girls of RWBY shuffled off, exchanging farewells with Link.
Blake stayed behind. "Link?" she asked. Link hummed. "I just wanted to say… thanks. For coming after me. Both you and Amber, I mean."
Link nodded, waving it off.
"Um, yeah," Blake said, suddenly awkward. "Get some sleep yourself, right? Amber wouldn't want you to run yourself ragged…" The girl bit her lip, thinking to say more. She shook her head, and followed after the rest of her team.
Link acknowledged the point, and promptly discarded it.
Ozpin pushed aside the latest stack of paperwork into the completed section of his desk. With a sign, he grabbed another sheaf of papers and started work on it. The work of headmaster was mostly paperwork he found. No matter how many lives he led, it would always remain his least favorite part of the job.
Frankly, running a shadow war against an immortal queen with the power to control the Grimm was more pleasant than deciding which purveyor of corn dogs to serve at the Vytal Festival commencement ceremony while fending off noise complaints from businesses disturbed by the construction. Despite classes being in recess, the work never abated.
It had been around forty hours since Amber fell unconscious. The resident doctor here was optimistic; her vitals were strengthening, and her aura was stable at maximum. She could technically wake at any moment. Hopefully, the Fall Maiden would not suffer any lasting consequences beyond her new facial scars, as dismissive as that may sound. He was certain the power itself was the target of the attack, and he feared whatever foul magic Salem had concocted to swipe it from Amber. Link's intervention may have saved more than just her life.
The elevator doors opened, announcing the arrival of someone he hadn't expected for another week at the earliest. General James Ironwood strode confidently into Ozpin's office, a tepid grin ready to greet his old friend.
"Ozpin," the General boomed. "It's been too long."
"James," Ozpin acknowledged, smiling faintly. "I wasn't expecting you so soon. At least until after the break. And with a great deal more fanfare."
"Ah," Ironwood nodded, smile faltering. "I came ahead of the fleet to discuss something with you of some importance. I suppose there's no time to dawdle."
"Come now, James," Ozpin pushed back from the desk and rose. "No reason why we can't share a drink and catch up."
"Later perhaps," Ironwood's face turned serious. "The Fall Maiden. How is she?"
"Alive and stable," Ozpin told him. "We're hopeful she'll wake soon."
"That's good," Ironwood breathed in relief. "I feared the worse when I heard. I'd lambast you for the security breach, but I'm no better I'm afraid. Recent events have shown me otherwise."
"Oh?"
"It's why I'm here so soon. It's a long story, starting with a monumental discovery out in the ice wastes around Atlas…"
That covers the aftermath of V1.
So guess what. This chapter was originally pretty different, and it was nightmare to write. Normally, I write a chapter's worth over a couple days. For whatever reason, this time it took me over a week to get it nearly done. I say because two days ago, I went to put the finishing touches on it, only to discover the entire chapter just gone. All of it. Had to scramble to rewrite everything, ended up cutting some content, pushing other parts back.
Usually, I use Git to prevent stuff like this from happening, but the one time I don't, this happens. Lesson learned.
In happier subjects, anyone else catch IRyS's debut?
Thanks for reading, reviewing, following, and favoriting!
LeonTetra