Black Paladin

Chapter 19: Family Time

After Pyrrha's conversation, Weiss wanted all of team RWBYO she could get to come with her. Blake and Yang were busy prepping for a test, so Ruby and I went with her to meet 'Her'.

Ruby and I had to walk faster to catch up with Weiss, Ruby called, "Weiss! What is the big deal!? Who is it? Who is she!?"

Weiss stops for a moment and smiles, saying, "Winter."

"Winter Schnee?" I asked.

We both look to see presumably Winter Schnee, who was escorted by crimson-colored Atlas Soldiers and Atlesian Knights as she exits her airship.

Ruby asked, "Wait... Your sister?"

Weiss yells, "Winter!" as we all get closer to them and Weiss continues, "Winter! I'm so happy to see you! Oh…" Weiss stopped, shame spiking strangely, and curtsies "Your presence honors us."

Winter looks around, slight disapproval present in her tone, "Beacon... It's been a long time. The air feels... different."

Ruby says, "I mean it is fall, so, eh, it's probably colder."

Weiss punches Ruby in the shoulder, causing her to gasp in pain before turning back to her sister, "So, what are you doing here?"

Winter says stiffly, "Classified."

Weiss not off-put in the least, asks, "Oh, right. Well, how long are you staying?"

Winter says again, "Classified."

Weiss nods, and smiles, "Of course."

Ruby looks to me and deadpans, "Well... this is nice... I think."

I look between the Schnee sisters confused, but unwilling to comment on their family structure.

Weiss begins exuberantly, "You're going to love it here! I know you travel a lot, but so much of Beacon is different from Atlas!" and whispers, "Vale, too. The government and school are completely separate! Can you believe it!? I-"

Winter interrupts, "I'm more than familiar with how this kingdom handles its... bureaucracy. That is not why I came."

Weiss says, "Right! I'm sorry!"

Winter begins, undercutting the silence with disappointment, "Nor did I come here to watch my own blood be so underwhelming in battle. But it appears that I have no choice in the matter."

Weiss asks, puzzled and slightly hurt, "But, we won!"

Winter continues, not scathing, but also as a front. "Only a novice would refer to that as a victory. I counted at least three strikes missed." Winter turns to the robots and says, "Leave us."

The AK-200s, if I recall, obey and walk two steps backward into a different formation as she sighs and smiles a little more warmly at Weiss, "How have you been?" The abrupt shift makes one wonder how, and to whom, those knights actually report.

Weiss begins, "Oh, splendid! Thank you for asking. I'm actually in the very top ranking of our sparring class! And the rest of my studies are going wonderfully, too! I'm-"

Winter smacks Weiss on the head, "Silence, you boob! I don't recall asking about your ranking, I'm asking how you've been. Are you eating properly? Have you taken up any hobbies? Are you making new friends?"

Weiss begins, "Well, there's Ruby and Obsidian."

Ruby giggles as she pushes the lump back into Weiss' head, "Heh, boob." Weiss and I both roll our eyes at her comment.

I bow politely, "Madam Schnee."

Winter calmly says, "I see. So this is the leader you wrote of. How appropriately... underwhelming."

Ruby stutters, "Uh... Thank you!"

Winter turns, ignoring Ruby's comments, "And the curiosity. Your performance was both pretentious and full of unnecessary displays of power over skill."

I respond politely, but directly, "Power and skill separate men from corpses. I prefer my current side of the divide." Shockingly she nods and turns to address both of us.

Winter begins again, "Greetings, Ruby Rose, Obsidian Sinclair. I wish to thank you for taking an interest in my sister."

Ruby stutters again, "Oh! Uh, yes, of course!" and attempts to salute and curtsy simultaneously, "The honor is in my... court!" as she nearly loses her balance, I place my hand behind her to hold her up slightly.

Winter continues, "I have business with the General and your Headmaster. But, seeing as I'm early, why don't you take me to your quarters?"

Weiss asks, "Really?"

Winter continues as she begins walking towards the Academy, "Yes. I wish to inspect them and make sure that they are up to my personal standards."

Weiss explains, "Of course. Just so you're aware, the bunk beds are acceptable decorum."

Winter asks, "Bunk beds?"

Ruby and I hang back, "I'll catch up- I mean, I will... reconvene with you both... at a later…" she pauses with her hand on her head, wracking her brain for the right word, "circumstance!" she raises her finger, before stepping out of sight to the left, "At a circumstance. Yeah."

As they begin to walk away, I ask, "Does she feel off to you?"

Ruby says, "No, but you have super senses."

As we walk toward the school and feel a lot of aggression appear inside my range. I rush toward the anger, and see a tall man in grey with a shabby red cape, about to attack one of the AK-200s.

I run forward as he begins his drunken statement, "Hey!" finally the Schnees turn around to see him, "Yeah, I'm talking to you, Ice Queen!" as he tosses the decapitated machine aside.

I stalk forward and draw Duality, prepping a spell, and reaching for his weapon, and everything goes horribly wrong.

The moment I get close enough to attempt to grab his weapon, the AK-200s all turn, leveling weapons. I pause as 3 assault rifles train down on me.

Winter demands, "Halt!"

As the Ak-200s lower their weapons, I slowly come to level Duality at the man and demand, "What exactly are to trying to do?"

At nearly the same time, Weiss angrily walks up to the offender's face, demanding, "Excuse me! Do you have any idea who you are talking to!?"

He goes to place a hand on Weiss' face, "Sssshhh. Not you." He freezes as I hold him in place. He flairs his aura and a week ago that would have helped, it doesn't anymore. His eyes turn slightly to look at me as I walk around in front of him and next to Weiss.

He looks at us and demands "You kids need to move, this is adult business." He turns to look at Winter as if we were going to obey, saying, "I saw that gaudy ship of yours in town. I guess you're here, too."

Winter snarks, "I'm standing right before you."

He squints as though confused about her statement, "So it would seem."

Winter comments, "You realize you just destroyed Atlas Military property."

He sarcastically remarks, "Oh, oh I'm sorry. See, I mistook this for some sort of... sentient garbage."

Winter stalks over to face the man, "I don't have time for your immature games, Qrow."

Weiss asks, "Wait, you two know each other?"

I comment slowly, as Winter walks past me to speak with this Qrow, "Is this expected behavior?"

Winter commands, "Unfortunately Mr. Sinclair...yes. It would be best for you to let me handle this."

Qrow demands, "Geez, you Atlas Specialists think you're so special, don't you?"

Winter says, "It's in the title."

Qrow yells, "Well, you know what you really are? A bunch of sellouts. Just like your boss."

Winter scathes "I'm not sure what you think you're implying, but I've heard enough."

"Oh I heard, too. I heard ol' Ironwood finally turned his back on Ozpin."

Weiss asks, confused "Ozpin?"

Winter says, as moves Weiss aside, "Weiss, it's time for you to go."

"What-"

"Listen to big sister, Weiss. She'll protect you. Just like Atlas is going to protect all of us, huh?"

Winter demands, "If you won't hold your tongue, then I will gladly remove it for you!" as she draws her sword.

Qrow smirks, "Alright then…" as he slicks back hair, "Come take it."

The square clears just before Winter charges at Qrow. During the fight, Ruby walks up next to Weiss.

Ruby asks, "What's going on?!"

Weiss yells, "Some crazy guy just started attacking my sister!"

Ruby exclaims, "Oh no! Who would do such a th-" until she sees Winter's opponent, "That is my uncle!"

Weiss and I both exclaimed, "What?!"

Ruby yells loudly, "Kick her butt, Uncle Qrow!"

Weiss confusedly yells, "Uh…" before she decides to shout her own encouragement for her sister, "Teach him respect, Winter!"

The fight ends as Winter propels herself forward, screaming in rage and preparing a stabbing thrust towards Qrow, just before a commanding voice booms throughout the courtyard, stopping her blade's point mere inches away from Qrow's neck.

General Ironwood's demand in fact, "SCHNEE!"

We all look to see General Ironwood standing nearby, with a pale young woman in green behind him.

Winter slower lowers her blades as she turns to him, "General Ironwood, sir!"

Ironwood approaches Winter with the young girl by his side, "What in the world do you think you're doing?"

Winter began, "He started the altercation, sir!"

Qrow slowly smirks, as he puts his hands behind his head in a relaxed stance, "That's actually not true. She attacked first."

Ironwood demanded, "Is that right?" Winter searches for words, only to realize Qrow is technically correct. She looks down in shame.

"Actually Sir, Mr. Qrow destroyed a member of her guard squad before making veiled threats against several students of Beacon, then Specialist Winter intervened." I stepped in, unwilling to let the scruffy man throw my teammate's sister under the bus, regardless of his relationship to my other teammate.

Ironwood looked to me and slowly began, "Hmm. Regardless of who began this, you." Looking to Qrow, "What are you doing here?"

Qrow asked drunkenly, "I could be asking you the same thing."

Ironwood began, "I-"

Headmaster Ozpin walked up and interrupted, "Now, now, everyone." as he and Professor Goodwitch walked up next to Ironwood, "There is a sanctioned fight happening just around the corner at the Colosseum, that I can assure you has better seats... and popcorn." as he swirls his drink.

Professor Goodwitch demanded, "Break it up, everyone! We will take care of this mess." as glares at the circle of the present members of RWBYO and the two fighters.

Ironwood looks to Winter, and says, "Let's go."

As Ironwood and Winter leave, the girl in green waves to Ruby, and Ruby waves back. Ruby then leaps giddily onto Qrow's arm, shaking her legs in delight.

Ruby squeals, "Uncle Qrow!" as she hangs on Qrow's outstretched arm, "Hi. It's so good to see you! Did you miss me? Did you miss me!?"

Qrow snarks, "Nope." as they share a grin as he pats his niece's head.

Ozpin demands, "Qrow!" the Huntsman turns to look at the headmaster he drops Ruby, "A word, please." as Professor Goodwitch repairs the courtyard.

Qrow stage whispers to Ruby, "I think I'm in trouble."

Ruby says, "You did kinda tear up our courtyard."

Qrow smarks, "Yeah, I did." as he winks and gives her a fist bump, "Catch ya later, kid."

Weiss comments, as she walks up beside Ruby, arms crossed, "And suddenly, your recklessness makes sense."

Ruby nudges Weiss' shoulder, "You're just mad because he whooped butt."

I comment, "It was more of a demonstration in pointless aggression."

Both Weiss and Ruby sputtered, as I walked off toward the school.

In Ozpin's office, a conversation took place and a turn.

Qrow laughs at Ironwood, "You... You think they're scared of your little ships? I've been out there and I've fought the things she's made, and let me tell you - they are fear. And another thing..."

Ozpin stands up, silencing him, "And fear will bring the Grimm. A guardian is a symbol of comfort. But an army is a symbol of conflict. There's an energy in the air now, a question in the back of everyone's minds…" as he gestures to the display, "If this is the size of our defenses, then what is it we're expecting to fight?"

Ironwood glares at the rest of the room before sighing and walking forward, picking up his Scroll, "So then, what would you suggest we do?"

Ozpin says, "I suggest we find our guardian."

With this final statement, Ironwood leaves in a huff. As he does, Qrow turns to Ozpin, "I saw the reaction of that boy with my niece. He is…"

"Yes." Ozpin says, "We have it handled."

"If you don't, I will." Qrow says, taking another swig from his flask.

We went to the stadium for the next doubles match. Coco and Yatsuhashi vs Emerald and Mercury.

The fight was far shorter than expected, beginning with a show of force by Coco, and ending with Mercury outmaneuvering Yatsuhashi and Emerald apparently taking out Coco while they were hidden by the forest area. After the fight, I went back to the team room, to relax before my fight.

❅Weiss❅

In an elegant twilit pavilion area of ivy-covered pillars, rounded archways, and lion-decorated fountains, Weiss Schnee and her elder sister Winter are sitting at a simple table with a plate full of croissants and strawberries. Winter is sipping from her teacup as Weiss repeats the news she was just told.

Weiss asks, saddened, "You're... leaving?"

Winter begins, as she sets her cup down, "Yes. I was merely needed to oversee the transport of additional units to Vale. Our last shipment was lost to an ambush. I believe you had a run-in with its cargo, actually. It's fortunate those Paladins were in the prototype stage; otherwise, your team may not have fared so well." As Weiss sighs and looks down dejectedly, Winter grabs Weiss's hand reassuringly, "Weiss, you've done... well, out here, on your own. You should be proud. I'll be honest, it was quite amusing seeing Father's face the day you left for Beacon!"

Weiss straightens up and smiles, arms crossed to announce, "I can't wait to show him what I learned!"

Winter asks, "Oh? Then what do you think you've learned?"

Weiss says happily, "I'm getting better and better with my glyphs! I've started Time Dilation! I even have my Summoning working!"

Winter stars intently at Weiss, "Truly, and what can you create?"

Weiss's smile fades slightly, "I...It's complicated." Thinking back on her summoning, and how they were all looked a lot like Obsidian.

Winter began, "It's difficult to explain how the summons work, I understand that, but you need to focus on the feelings associated with the creatures you summon."

Weiss began, "It's not that, they are different than I expected them to be."

Winter frowned, "The Schnee semblance isn't…."

Weiss interrupts, flustered, "What emotions do you use to anchor them?"

Winter ponders for a moment, before creating a glyph, summoning forth a crisp white Beowulf. "The satisfaction of victory, of peace and of safety."

"I'll try." Weiss says, before she thinks for a moment, and focuses on those 2 emotions, attempting to bring forth something that wasn't damning to her friend. As the glyph forms, it drains her more and more until she gives up and slumps to the ground, caught between needing to show she can use her family semblance and protecting her teammate. She eventually sputters to Winter, "It's…."

Winter interrupts this time and says, "Summoning is difficult, and if you have another method, something else that grounds you, that works, maybe someday you can explain it to me."

Weiss stands to hug her sister, "It was really good to see you, Winter."

Winter allows the embrace for a moment until she breaks off saying, "Until next time, sister."

The two Schnees walk out of the pavilion and go in opposite directions, neither of them noticing a small glowing white broadsword before it disappears into icy sparkles.

As I got back to my room, I nearly run into Qrow, as he is leaving our room. He sees me, and there is a mix of suspicious, angry, somewhat thoughtful idea that pulses through him.

I smile, despite his ill hidden hostility, and ask "So, no hard feelings about holding you in place, right?"

"Nope." he says. Brimming with the same hostility.

I nod, and step aside, watching as he walks away.

I went inside. We talked about the matches that day, and the ones to come. Wondering about their uncle, and why he felt so strange to my senses.

The next day held both of RWBYO's matches, so I actually got some rest, who knows I might need it.

The day opened with Penny absolutely destroying Russel and Sky from CRDL with absolutely no assistance from her teammate, leading me to wonder how she is going to do in the singles round. Ruby dragged me over at the end of the match, as Yang and Weiss were heading toward the locker rooms.

Ruby yells as she catches up and finally lets go of my arm yelling, "Penny!"

Penny exclaims, "Ruby!" as she lifts up her own arms, Penny RubyTackleHugsTM Ruby to the floor.

Ruby grunts and groans, "Why…"

Penny immediately gets up energetically and gestures to the other girl, "Ruby, this is my teammate."

The very proper women say, "Ciel Soleil." as she bows formally.

Ruby begins, raising her hand, "Hi! I'm Ru-"

Ciel interrupts, "Ruby Rose. 15. Hails from Patch. Leader of Team RWBYO. Status: Questionable. And Obsidian Sinclair. Hails from Spartum. 5th member of Team RWBYO. Attempting to compete in the Vytal Festival solo. Status: Enigma."

I mutter just loud enough for her to hear, "And Penny isn't?" as I try to feel out her emotions. Before saying aloud, "Since you apparently know me, let me take a guess…"

Penny interrupts, asking, "Could we have just a minute to talk?"

In response, Ciel checks the time, then takes a step back and nods, starting a countdown.

I step forward, just enough for my height and build to be uncomfortable, but not enough that she feels a need to step back. I continue, "Ciel Soleil. Below average Aura potential, annoyed at what seems to be a fluff assignment protecting someone who you don't feel needs protecting, annoyed when the subject of your monitoring decides to do things that you didn't account for in your schedule, but unable to tell her as...you have been informed to keep communication with her to a minimum. Developing inferiority complex at your subject. Status: Basic. How am I doing so far?"

Cial sputters, "How could you…."

I smirk, as she trails off, "I am an Empath. You have made a negative emotional impact on me, my team leader, and her friend. I never turn down simple potshots against someone who fulfills those characteristics, but however much they enjoy each other's company, I do understand that Atlas must keep you on a real tight noose. So you should go get Penny ...now." As her watch dings. We both turn to Ruby and Penny, and I overhear something from them.

Ruby says, concerned, "Penny, they'll never let you do that."

Penny is conflicted, but happy, saying, "I know, but I have a plan."

Ciel says, pointing to her watch, still flushed, "It's been precisely one minute, ma'am."

Penny says, "I'll talk to you more soon, Ruby. Bye Obsidian."

The two Atlesians leave, but as they Penny turns to give a wave of farewell to Ruby, who reciprocates. As she does, she asks, "Ciel didn't look like she was having a good time."

I explain, "I recognize the emotional output from her. Absolutely loyal. I am concerned at what they are monitoring from Penny to assign someone like her."

Ruby sputters, "Monit...that's...no...no no no….stop"

I sigh, "Don't tell me, if it's anything like the last Altas secret then the techno sorcery will end up trying to kill us, brief me then."

I felt Ruby's shift between lofty, anguish, and a more guarded emotional stance of trying to hide something. Oh, this is going to be fun.

Port voice echoes over the stadium speakers to announce, "Our next match will begin in 15 minutes!"

Ruby is suddenly really excited as she clasps her hands together, "Oh my gosh, that's right! It's time for Yang and Weiss!"

Ruby and I get back to your seats. We sit and wait as Yang and Weiss take the stage.

Yang stretches, and comments aloud, "Well, now it's our turn!"

Weiss says, with an underscore of expectation, "Just remember to keep proper form."

Yang chuckles, "Alright." Before getting serious, "You're from Atlas. What could we expect?"

Weiss explains, as Yang stretches, "Well, seeing as their Kingdom, academy and armed forces are all merged as one, I think we can expect strict, militant fighters with advanced technology and carefully rehearsed strategies."

At that very moment, a rainbow zooms past the two surprised Huntresses-in-training, coming to a stop opposite them, revealing a pigtailed Faunus girl with rollerblades and a cat tail swishing around her weapon next to a young man wearing a fedora and sunglasses, holding a trumpet in one hand.

Weiss recovers from her shock faster than Yang, ".. Or whatever they are."

The one labeled as Flynt yells, "Hey!" Weiss looks over to him as he gestures at her, smiling, "You're Weiss Schnee, right? The heiress."

Weiss bows her head, and smiles at the recognition, "I am."

Flynt asks, "I take it you're pretty good with Dust, then?"

Weiss shrugs humbly, "I do my best."

Flynt snarks, "Yeah, my dad was good too. Owned a little Dust shop of his own." he nods his head as his smile turns into a scowl, tone turning hostile, "Till your father's company ran him out of business."

Weiss looks shamed, "Oh. I'm sorry to hear that."

Flynt looks away sarcastically, "Sure you are."

Yang demands, "Hey! Why don't you-"

Neon interrupts, "Hey! Why don't you?" in an unflattering imitation of Yang, pointing and smiling, "That's what you sound like!"

Yang pauses, thrown "Uh…"

Neon asks, "Hey! Where'd you get your hair extensions?"

Yang expresses confused, "This is just my normal hair."

Neon asks mockingly. "Ooh, really?"

Yang shifts into an angry pose, "Yeah! Is that a prob-"

Neon cuts her off, "You should try rollerblading sometime! It's super fun!" as she starts spinning in place as she continues, "It'd probably take you a while, though, since you're so... you know, top-heavy."

Yang looks down at herself and demands, "Excuse me!?"

Ruby snarks, "Oh, here we go."

The field opens around the four combatants, and up rises the volcanic area, sandy desert, steaming geysers, and ruined buildings.

Port announces, "Three! Two! One! Begin!"

Right as it starts, Flynt raises the instrument to his lips and blows, issuing forth a sound wave that blows both Weiss and Yang back. Weiss creates a glyph under her stopping her. Obviously expecting the attack Neon uses it to propel herself toward the duo. Knocking Yang backward and separating them.

Flynt stops his attack as Weiss readies Myrtenaster, a second passing until the musician starts playing again. Weiss opts for mobility, and using her black glyphs leaps up, and in an evasive pattern, keeping out of the large moving cone of force Flynt is capable of and pushing closer to the trumpeter. As she gets closer, his cone needs to adjust less to hit her, and as she comes in to actually hit him, she is hit again by the trumpet and thrown back into the fire biome.

In the ruined city, Neon manages to evade every blast from Ember Celica, skating on the railings and making faces at an irritated Yang. She continues to flip and slide over the terrain.

She eventually comes down to the ground and charges at Yang, as her weapons become a rainbow blue while hitting Yang multiple times. Yang grits her teeth unloads her spent shells, as Neon smirks and cracks her glow sticks, turning them blue. She comes forward again, dashing past Yang encasing her left leg in ice.

Neon giggles, "Hm-hmm! Look!" as she smacks her own butt for emphasis, "Now you're bottom-heavy, too!"

Yang slams her foot down, freeing her leg and growing done with the rollerblader's shenanigans. Her eyes grow red, and she takes on her trademark glow as Port announces, "Ooh, looks like Yang's angry! And you wouldn't like her when she's... upset."

Yang slams her fists together twice, and leaps at Neon, shocking her and forcing the rollerblader onto the defensive. Chasing her around the ring, leaving small craters when she misses.

Looking to Weiss, she and Flynt are standing adjacent in the burning section, Weiss waves Myrtenaster and creates 4 glyphs behind her 2 large ice shards, accelerated by wind gusts fly toward Flynt, who times the fire geyser well and uses his trumpet to counter the assault. The steam cloud hides him for a moment, and as he emerges, he snarks, "Too bad all that money can't buy you skill."

Only to find Weiss smirking, her sword coming in for an attack. He draws up hit trumpet, and a black glyph appears perpendicular between them. He startles, but still attacks, and blow himself backward from the reflected force of the blow. As he stands back up, Weiss is still standing on the far side of her glyph, smug. He scowls, and plants himself, as he turns into 4 people and all play simultaneously. The black glyph brakes, uprooting Weiss, knocking her backward.

Oobleck explains to the crowd's shock, "It appears young Flynt has just activated his Semblance! And quite a remarkable one at that. Ladies and gentlemen, feast your eyes on Flynt Coal's Killer Quartet!"

I look back toward Yang, to find her standing still once again, looking more collected, as she pauses in her firing at Neon, to fire an incendiary round into her hand. A brief gasp through the crowd, as Port asks, "What is Yang doing?" as Yang smirks, and forms the fire around her hand into a ball that floats slightly, before tossing it into the path of Neon. She jumps over it, just as it explodes, the shockwave throwing her for a loop, as she skids to a stop near the edge of the city biome. She stands quickly, and Yang once again follows her toward the middle and sees Flynt standing over Weiss. She very abruptly shifts directions, as Flynt goes for a second showing of his semblance, Weiss lands a hand on Myrtenaster, and a black glyph appears in the path of Neon, pushing her directly into the path of the Quartet, as Yang uses a second glyph to leap over Flynt to land behind him/them. The quartet launches Neon into the rocky terrain across from him.

As Flynt turns, solidifying back into one person, she pulls back and given him a vicious uppercut launching him backward as the buzzer announces he is out of the match. Weiss turns to Neon, being lifted by one of the near-constant geysers in the rocky zone, and forms a glyph, this one fires a small bolt of lightning, that nits the poor rollerblader at the top of her arch, and removing her from play.

Ruby, Blake and I enter the ring, looking forward to celebrating the win, and we hear, Neon yell, "WHAT!? We lost? We lost?" feeling soured, and conflicted, "Team FNKI lost? That was... that was…" and then suddenly upbeat, "... amazing! Oh my gosh, you guys were super crazy awesome! We should definitely party together sometime, right Flynt?"

I pause for a moment, thinking 'Nora and now Neon. It that common?'

Flynt stands, "That was pretty gutsy" he pauses, "I dig it."

Yang and Weiss smile at the good losers, as the three of us arrive, Blake opes with "Good job, you two!"

Ruby yells, "Yeah!"

The team stays like that, huddled while we all soaked in the cheers of the crowd.

In a more villainous team's room that night, Cinder Fall is sitting on her bed looking through files on her Scroll. Emerald Sustrai is lying on the floor playing with her own device, and Mercury Black is doing push-ups beside her.

Cinder's eyes widen in surprise, followed by a contented smile, "Oh."

Emerald and Mercury look, as she asks, "What?"

Cinder opens Ironwood's document labeled "P.E.N.N.Y." "Oh nothing. We're just going to be making a slight, hmm... alteration in the plan."

Mercury looks toward Emerald conflicted, and asks "What does that mean?"

Cinder continues to look at blueprints for the robot girl, and says, "It means that this will be even easier than we thought."

AN: I have been trying to effectively cover this chapter faithfully from Obsidian's POV for a long time. This is part of the reason that I didn't cover the fight between Coco's team and Cinder's. For the plot it is crucial but from Obsidian's perspective, it was a quick power show and a little bit of an upset, not a huge deal.

AN2: I know this isn't exactly how the Schnee semblance works, however, I think that instead of the cannon hangup this "I can use it, but I can't sue to how," is a far better plot device then her just having unlocked summoning in general from Obsidian's teaching. It's an interesting middle ground for her to be trapped in for me to explore ramifications for.

AN3: This chapter was a long wait, and I'm glad to see it finished. Also, why does every Cinder scene feel like Foreshadowing; Maniacal laugh.