"What do you mean Mercury's been traveling with us all this time!?" Ruby exclaimed in disbelief, looking at Emerald, hoping it was just some humourless joke.
"Like I said, he'd been posing as a member of your team since coming to Vacuo, I just don't know which." She explained, the Huntress trying her patience.
"But that would mean that he has a Semblance that would let him blend into the group." Tried to explain Oscar, his mind racing, Ozpin equally as surprised by the reveal as he was. "Like Neo's or your own."
"Most likely Neo's." Emerald calmly deduced. "I've been able to use my Semblance without problems."
"What does that even mean!?" Begged Ruby.
"Let's assume the three of us have no idea what you're talking about." Finally interjected Qrow. "Why don't you explain it to us?"
Emerald sighed, she had been asking too much from them, she'd have to spell it out.
"Okay, so like your little Schnee friend, the men in Mercury's family all had the same Semblance and that allowed them to use another person's Semblance for a short time, provided he's got a piece of the person on them." Emerald began to explain.
"A piece of the person?" Oscar questioned. "Like clothing?"
"Clothing, hair, blood- I don't know the details." She admitted.
"Wait! If Mercury had such a cool Semblance, why is this the first time we're hearing about this?" Ruby complained. That really was a handy Semblance! It was impossible Salem's side had had it in their sleeves all this time and had never used it before now.
"Because," The green haired girl droned out the word slightly, not liking being interrupted. "He was never able to activate it on his own. Like I said, his dad had the same Semblance and, eventually the old man lost his mind worrying about it- that Mercury would try to steal his or some nonsense like that. Long story short, he tried to steal the unactivated Semblance and kill Mercury in the process. Mercury was the better assassin but his Semblance never activated even after that so he assumed his dad had succeeded."
"That doesn't explain how he can use his Semblance now ." Qrow interjected, not fully believing the youth's tale. She had been on the wrong side of this story for too long for him to believe her so easily.
"There's a story in the Wastelands." Theodore explained, looking at the Huntsman with dark eyes. "Of a reptilian Faunus capable, not only of self-regeneration, but regenerating others…he could have helped activate his Semblance "
"So you think Tyrian paid this lizard a visit before strolling here to Shade?" Qrow countered, it all sounded too convenient but things always seemed to go more smoothly for the other team.
"The body we found a few months ago leaves us little doubt." Theodore ominously answered. "We initially thought it was a rival tribe looking for blood but now…"
"It wouldn't be past Tyrian to stab someone after they've helped him." Qrow darkly agreed, the man was merciless, had been so since his youth.
"The good thing is he can only use one Semblance at a time." Added Emerald, seeing the dejected looks on their faces. Under normal circumstances she would have enjoyed it but not today. She grudgingly needed their help again.
"Because that's such an advantage for us." Muttered Ruby. shaking her head. The notion seemed ridiculous, she'd have known if one of her companions had been replaced, right? They'd fought together, laughed around lousy campfires together and all this time, one of them had not been who they had appeared?
"So that explains the warm welcome Bellamy gave us at the entrance." Began Qrow, "But to have called the three of us to your office, you must be damn certain we aren't the spies."
"If Salem had captured either of the big fish, specifically these two pipsqueaks here, I assure you I wouldn't have been the only one to have heard of it." Emerald assured them.
"As for you," Theodore addressed the younger Huntsman with a knowing smirk. "A suspicious video of a crow flying into port with a golden staff was all the evidence we needed."
"Right!" Agreed Oscar, "Because Mercury wouldn't be able to copy that since it has nothing to do with your Semblance."
"What about the rest?" Ruby carefully enquired, "Is there a way to find out which one is Mercury?"
She didn't want to believe it and she still didn't fully trust Emerald, their goals were completely different, but the fact she'd come out of hiding to warn Headmaster Theodore had to mean something, right? Unless this was all part of Cinder's plan...
"That's where the good doctor comes in." Casually answered Emerald. "When Mercury burnt down his house, the only thing he took with him was a small pendant in which his dad used to keep the stuff needed for his Semblance. If I know Mercury, and I do, he'd be using that to maintain his Semblance."
"Bellamy's using the check ups as an excuse to look for that." Theodore added. "Once he finds this he'll discreetly send me the person's identity and we can capture them before an attack can ever happen."
"That's assuming you aren't already too late." Qrow's deep voice was a beacon of optimism, as usual.
"You really know a lot about Mercury's Semblance, considering you claim he only got it back recently." Carefully enquired Ruby.
Emerald was no fool, of course Ruby would not trust her so easily after all she'd done to her sister and her friends. But Emerald didn't need Ruby's trust, she just needed her as bait until Cinder appeared.
However her voice sounded surprisingly softer, even to herself, as she explained to the Huntress.
"There was a time that he was the only one I believed had my back while we were in that witch's castle." She remembered her time there. She'd follow Cinder to the pits of Hell and, in many ways, going to Salem's headquarters had been just that. The stench of her own fear of the witch and her monsters had permanently attached itself to her being, even more so when Cinder had vanished. Mercury had been the only one she could remotely trust.
Ruby nodded her head in understanding, now that was the first thing Emerald had said that she could definitely believe.
"So, what do we do now?" Interjected Oscar, looking amongst the small group.
"We wait until Bellamy finds the culprit." Concluded Theodore, his well defined jaw sat.
"Or for Cinder and Tyrian to attack." Direly finished off Emerald, retrieving from her pocket her scroll and turning the screen towards them. What she saw caused Ruby's breath to hitch and, finally, she began to see the truth in the woman's words. She saw a small number of profile pictures, those of Watts and Hazel were to one side, a lack of line under them indicating they were out of communication range. However, three pictures had a bright green line under each of those- Cinder Fall, Mercury Black and Tyrian Callows. Some truth must have laced Emerald words, for there was no doubt that those three were within the signal's range, hidden somewhere within the city of Shade.
"So we just wait?" Anxiously asked Oscar, looking towards Ruby and Qrow, searching for answers. He didn't like this game of waiting, for once, it seemed they were almost on the same playing field as Salem. They could not let her get the upper hand, not now that her plan had been uncovered. However, before anyone present could answer him, a distant, shrill cry filled the air, reverberating from the floor beneath their feet throughout their whole bodies.
And just like that, Salem was one step ahead of them once again.
"Where is Valerian?" Ordered Oscar, a film of light coating his eyes momentarily as Ozpin hurriedly took over. "Is she safe?"
"That sounded like it came from inside the academy!" Rapidly deduced Ruby, her mind already racing, trying to figure out who could have been the source.
"How many staff members do you have with her?" Ozpin demanded, standing up straighter and asking Oscar to excuse him for his abrupt take over.
"We've got three other staff members in the academy beside Bellamy and myself." Theodore explained.
"That's nowhere near enough!" Growled Qrow, was Theodore being completely stupid?! He'd known beforehand of the attacks and what had he done to prepare? Send all the students away and leave the whole place unguarded. "What about Huntsmen?"
"They are aware of the situation and will ensure that the citizens of the city are safe." How could Theodore remain this calm? Was he unable to see how dire a situation he had just created for himself? Instead of surrounding himself with allies, he'd simply allowed the enemy to surround him.
"Please tell me Valerian is safe…" Ozpin raised his free hand and massaged his brow. He knew he had not chosen Theodore to be headmaster of Shade but he had proven adequate over the years and yet…
"She should have left the Academy grounds when you arrived." Theodore assured him, however his voice sounded uncertain. He had not heard from either Bellamy or Valerian for some time. Communication had always been key to a successful mission, radio silence, although useful, was unnerving.
"Alone?" Now Ozpin's voice raised slightly. "You let the Summer Maiden leave here alone ?!"
"You know Valerian." Theodore answered defensively. "It's already enough she agreed to leave the academy, she claims she can still handle herself if need be."
"Guys!" Ruby's shrill voice pierced through their conversation, causing Emerald to raise a quizzical eyebrow at the girl.
"Are we just going to ignore the fact that that scream came from inside the Academy?!" Ruby looked frantically between the men around her. "Someone could already be hurt… or worse!"
Memories replayed inside her mind… of all the friends she'd lost over the years, of others she almost had- The spear piercing through Pyrrah's chest, disintegrating her into ash as the deed was done, Weiss narrowly suffering the same faith. Nora lying unconscious in bed, scars forever to mark her body. The light vanishing from Penny's eyes, not once, but twice. Every time she could do nothing but watch, the power in her eyes and her skill as Huntress proved useless time and time again. She couldn't let that happen, not here, not again. If these men wished to discuss details now, they could do so without her. She had to make sure everyone was safe.
Theodore made to answer but, before he could, a low knocking sound echoed through the office. Three knocks, that's all it was and the heavy door that had stood guard since the academy's conception exploded into a shower of fiery splinters. The scent of firewood instantly filled the air as the room occupants raised their hands to protect their eyes from the splinters that rained through the air.
A few of the ambers landed on the fur rug that lined the floor, the dark brown pelt slowly catching fire but none paid it any heed for the new arrivals required their full and undivided attention.
Cinder Fall stood in the doorway, a sword of solidified fire grasped in each hand, their light reflected in her one eye, making gleam with menace. She took in the sight of her audience with a dark glee, her smirk shifting ever so slightly as her gaze fell on Emerald. She would have to teach that insolent girl a lesson, only then would she redeem herself in her master's eyes.
However it was who was standing in her shadow that caused Ruby to tremble, to make her movement feel as if she were wading through syrup, stopping her from reaching for Crescent Rose. It felt as if the fire had burnt away all the oxygen in the room, leaving behind fumes that were nothing but poison to her lungs.
Her Scroll began to vibrate in her pocket but still Ruby could not react.
No.
This was impossible.
She had died in Atlas.
"M-Mercury?" Jaune stammered out, but, although he was confused as to what had just happened, he instinctively unsheathed his sword and brandished it before him, Ren doing the same beside him. Weiss pushed the doctor behind her protectively, his breathing progressively getting better as he struggled to straighten up.
"Where's Pluto?" She demanded, narrowing her eyes, the point of her sword aimed at his throat.
"You idiots." He laughed. "There never was a Pluto Hydrargyrum ."
"But that doesn't make any sense…" Began Weiss, looking back at Jaune and Ren. "How could you do that?"
"A magician never reveals his secrets." Mercury answered.
"The… pendent." Bellamy coughed out, finally standing up straighter to look up at his attacker. "H-he can steal other people's Semblances."
"That's new." Admitted Ren but, then again, his Semblance had changed, it wasn't the most far fetched thing they'd had to deal with.
"And I don't have the time or the patience to explain the details to you." Mercury admitted, adjusting his jacket slightly to better fit his now wingless back.
"He can use the Semblance of others as long as he has a piece of that person on him and he carries that in that pendent." Explained Bellamy, his breathing having returned to normal at last. "Take the pendant away from him and he's as good as being without a Semblance."
"And even without it I am a darn good assassin." Mercury countered, annoyed. How did this man know so much about his Semblance? Well, it wouldn't matter for long, he doubted any of them would be leaving Shade Academy alive, not after what Salem had planned for them.
"You've got to tell your friends." Bellamy warned. "They've got to warn Theodore that we found the spy. That the attack is happening now."
Mercury let out a cruel laugh, running his hand through his hair. "Dude, that scream just told the whole academy we're here but trust me, it won't make a lick of difference."
Then Mercury's eyes fell on the doctor.
"Why don't you make this easy on yourself? If you don't know where the Vault is, that's fine, but you'll still be coming back with me. The headmaster and Maiden may need a little persuading to help us."
"He won't be going anywhere with you." Weiss began as Jaune struggled to retrieve his Scroll from his pocket.
"That's your first mistake." Bellamy answered. "You'll never find her, she's nowhere near the academy."
"Oh? So sure about that are you?" Mercury mocked. "Did you actually see her leave?"
"Have you managed to contact them yet!" Bellamy yelled, for the first time raising his voice. He couldn't lose his cool, this was how they worked, by keeping them apart. Inciting doubt in his mind so he'd slip up. Make a mistake. But not this time, they'd make it out of here. They all would.
Jaune had the Scroll to his ear but, although it made the sound of a call being made, Ruby did not answer.
"Nothing."Jaune admitted, trying to call again. His whole body felt taut, he was itching to reach his friends, find out where the scream had come from. Make sure they were ok. Salem had found them when they had been separated. The last time that had happened, Atlas had almost been destroyed and they had lost Penny. That wouldn't happen again, not under his watch.
Bellamy cursed under his breath. He wished he could try to get in touch with Valerian but there was no way of contacting her at the moment.
"Like I said, it would be easier for all of us if you just come with me." Mercury insisted.
"He's not going anywhere with you." Declared Weiss but Mercury shrugged in response, unfazed by the Huntress's threats.
"Hey, I'm just trying to make this easier for all of us." He cooly answered. "I'm kinda digging my new threads and blood takes ages to get off."
As he spoke, the temperature of the room seemed to suddenly drop, so quickly that Ren actually wondered if Nora, for one reason or another, may be using the Winter Maiden's powers.
What if the scream had been hers? But he forced that thought to the back of his mind, desperately trying to keep calm when faced with so many unknowns. He wanted to head out there and look for her, just as the others wanted to leave Mercury behind and make sure the rest of their friends were intact. But, although it was secretly killing them all, they could not let Mercury get what he wanted, especially if that meant that both the Maiden and the Relic would fall into Salem's pale hands.
If it were possible, Mercury's smile broadened in response as the temperature continued to fall, the meaning behind it boosting his confidence further.
"It's about time you got here!" He called, his eyes looking past Weiss and the rest and towards the door, where, slowly, a shadow was emerging.
And just like that, everyone in the waiting room seemed to freeze, however it had nothing to do with the cold. Bellamy looked at the new arrival in disgust and terror but did not know who she was. It was the Huntsmen who did.
Neptune took a surprised step away, shaking his head.
His eyes had to be deceiving him.
This couldn't be right...
Ren's eyes widened in horrified disbelief. His blade shook with a sudden, uncontrollable tremor.
This couldn't be true.
This had to be another trick of Salem's as what she'd conjured within Monstra back in Atlas.
What he was seeing couldn't be true…
An audible gasp left Weiss lips, a slender hand raised to her mouth.
T-this couldn't be.
Was this some cruel conjuring of Salem's magic?
This was impossible...
Jaune's Scroll fell to the ground, the screen shattering from the impact. But, he didn't even look down at it. He couldn't move, he might as well have been turned to stone. He could no longer feel the cold, or his racing heart within his chest. If he weren't careful, his body needed a reminder to simply breathe and even then, it felt hollow and empty. That's all he could muster as the shadow came into the light.
This couldn't be...
Distorted and yet impossible to mistake.
This couldn't be...
A face he'd longed to see again, draped in the paleness of death.
This couldn't be…
… And yet there was no doubt as to who she was.
"Hello again, my friends." The shadow of Pyrrah Nikos greeted, looking at Jaune with glowing crimson eyes.
And we're back with the first Tuesday update after too many months! Thank you so so much for reading and I really hope you enjoyed the chapter. Next update will be on Friday 😁