Here we go.

Cover Art: Mystery White Flame

Chapter 42

Oscar kept his eyes ahead as he pulled on the armoured vest provided by Atlas. It would shrug off small-arms fire, he'd been told. So would aura, but Atlas didn't want the negative press of sending foreign children against terrorists without some degree of protection. He didn't argue. He hadn't said a thing since Ozpin gave back control.

"Something is bothering you."

"It's nothing," he said out loud.

Ozpin's face was reflected in the changing room mirror. "If it was, I doubt you would be in such a mood."

"I'm not in a mood."

"Said like any young man in one. That immediate denial with the flash of temper. Come, Oscar. Is it the attack? Our job is to stand on the outskirts and prevent anyone escaping or – more likely – any curious idiots with death wishes approaching out of curiosity. We won't be in any harm."

Scowling, Oscar pushed his arm through the sleeve and zipped it up. He opened his locked, picked out Ozpin's cane – not his – and slammed it shut again. The metal reverberated. The sound echoed.

"Oscar…"

"He acted like I didn't even exist!"

There was a moment of silence, and then, "James?"

"Yes!" Oscar glared at Ozpin's face in the mirror. "He called me your host. He never once talked to me or referred to me by name. He acted like I wasn't even there!"

"James isn't the best when it comes to talking to people."

"It's not that, though. Is it?" Oscar turned away with a snarl, using it to hide his fear. Not that it mattered. Even if he looked away from the mirror, Ozpin was still in his head and could hear and feel everything. "He talked about secrets with me there, talked about stuff that could destroy Atlas. He didn't even try and hide the key code on the door from me, and he asked whether the headmaster would be a security threat but didn't even care about me."

Ozpin sighed loudly. "Perhaps he simply trusts you."

"Don't treat me like an idiot, Ozpin. It's not because he trusts me – it's because he doesn't acknowledge the fact I exist. It's because I'm not going to exist soon." Oscar's breath rattled as he said it, putting word to the nightmares. "How long? How long until I'm gone and it's just you in control?"

"I don't know. I don't think it will be soon though. James only knows of the phenomenon. He's not once seen it and has no idea how quickly it takes place. Don't take what he said as a sign, Oscar. You're still you."

"I won't always be, will I…?"

Ozpin said nothing. Had nothing to say. At some point, at some time unknown, he would cease to be. Oscar Pine would die, or at least his mind would. Maybe it would be absorption and not just death, but it would be the same thing. Ozpin had apparently been doing this for ages, but he didn't act like a man with a hundred different personalities, so it was doubtful the ones which belonged to the body he took over stuck around.

General Ironwood knew that, and so it was no risk to tell him anything. No risk to revel things he shouldn't know and not even bother swearing him to secrecy or impressing on him the importance of keeping it secret in the first place. Or maybe Ironwood just thought Ozpin had him in hand. That it wouldn't matter what he knew because Ozpin was the real one in control and Oscar Pine was an important little nobody who didn't matter-

"Oscar!" Ozpin roared. "Do not think such thoughts. Never think such thoughts!"

"Why not?" he yelled. "It's true."

"It's not and will never be. Whatever James thinks, whatever he implied to you, his thoughts do not dictate your worth, nor your place in this world. You are not my slave and I do not control this body. You are your own person."

"Then why can't I choose how to live my life?"

"I… I have little I can say to that…" Ozpin was silent for a moment. "Do you wish to leave? Have I forced you into things you do not wish?"

"Yes!" Oscar spat. "I had to leave my family. I had to leave my mom. I-" He cut himself off, biting down on his lip until it felt sore. "I – I know why it's important. I get that. It's just, it's not my mission, is it? It's yours. I'm just the convenient tag along who won't matter all that much longer."

"If it could be any other way, I would make it so. I didn't ask for this."

"I know. I… I'm not blaming you."

"Just James and his callous words." Ozpin sighed. "For what little it's worth I don't believe he meant to hurt your feelings. He was happy to see me again, and deeply stressed about what's going on. That doesn't excuse him, but I hope it provides a reason."

Oscar looked down at the floor. "I guess I'm being stupid."

"You're not." Ozpin barked. "Stop thinking that way. There's no cowardice in fearing for your life. No foolishness in asking why, or selfishness in wanting more. I wasn't always this way, Oscar. Once upon a time, I dare say I was very much like you. I was a boy. I had dreams. I had fears, desires and ambitions. I even had a wife and children whom I love dearly."

"Love? Not loved…?"

"My wife still lives, though she has been twisted by things not of her choosing." Ozpin trailed off, and Oscar looked back to the mirror, seeing the older man with his eyes held shut. "She did not ask to be this way. Tainted by the power of a God in her grief, she desired death. Release. Bound by them, she was cursed, her mind twisted. This isn't her fault, Oscar, and I… I still love her. Deep inside, I think she might love me as well."

"And yet you'll kill her?"

"It's what she would want. It's what she did want all that time ago. I'd kill the Gods as well if I could, after what they did to us both, but if she and I can move on together and find our children, I will consider that glory enough. I am tired of this, Oscar. Tired of fighting, dying and stealing away the lives of young men and women like you whose only crimes are being `similar` to me. I'm tired of watching good people like you fade away." His breath came out in a harsh sigh. "And… I am sorry. I can't prevent it. Can't change it. Can't stop it. All I can say is that I'm truly sorry for what will happen to you in time."

His hands bunched up. Tears formed in his eyes.

"Oscar…"

"It's fine," he lied. "I just… I have something in my eye."

"The air is dry here. It's likely dust."

Sniffling, Oscar nodded.

/-/

Jaune felt like he was juggling chainsaws.

There was a Blake-shaped chainsaw over by the side, pouting at having been told she was to not get involved in the fight and instead keep civilians away while they launched the attack. One didn't need a Blake Belladonna Instruction Manual to know why that might be a dangerous and ill-advised decision.

Then there was the general RWBY-shaped chainsaw itself, who weren't disobedient or bad in their own right, but basically had Pyrrha's Semblance but for trouble instead of metal. Actually, that didn't make sense. For all Pyrrha claimed her Semblance was polarity, she could control how metal moved – and that wasn't magnetism at all, was it? Unless she was literally changing the magnetism constantly to cause a push – pull reaction to move the weapons as she wished.

He read a lot of comics. Sue him.

The first two chainsaws weren't too difficult to juggle. He had two hands and could just bounce them up and down. It was when the third was tossed in that the amateur juggler would fail, and when the third happened to be Cinder Fall, even a professional was probably going to give up, retire, move to another country, change their name and settle down to grow melons.

Compared to that, Penny overseeing the whole affair was easy to ignore.

Kind of…

"Alright, ladies," Penny boomed. "Remember the plan. No funny business. Hit 'em hard and hit 'em fast. Keep those actions clear. Aim small, miss small. Lock 'n load."

Jaune sighed and tuned her out. While the speeches might have been ridiculous, the plan they'd been run through was anything but. It had Ironwood written all over it and covered not only the immediate approach, but contingency plans for everything up to and including Adam Taurus, a dust warhead and an army of Grimm. Penny was just in charge of making sure they followed that plan to the letter. And he was in charge of making sure Team RWBY and Cinder did.

"I know you five want to be more involved," he said to Team RWBY and Oscar. "That you're not isn't because I don't trust you to be or think you're not ready. You're just as ready for this as I am." Probably more so. "But General Ironwood decided this, and it's his operation. Beacon's reputation is riding on this and if anyone escapes to warn Adam, it's going to be bad for Atlas. We need you ready to run down anyone who tries."

They nodded. Blake did as well, and he hoped that meant she'd stick to the plan. He'd subtly pulled Yang aside and asked her to keep an eye on her, something Yang admitted she'd already planned to do. Apparently, Blake had promised the team she would stay back so long as Atlas did what they were supposed to and actually fought the White Fang.

Hard to argue they're not, he thought, looking over the various huntsmen teams. Specialists were among them, confident and calm figures who carried their weapons and selves with more poise than he could ever hope to. They'd been silent through the briefing but now talked quietly between themselves, poring over a map of the building and planning their entry like true professionals.

It was hard to imagine the White Fang escaping.

Glynda stood beside Cinder, looking like she wanted to be anywhere else but unprepared to leave her alone for even a second. Jaune walked over to rescue her, leaning in to whisper a warning in Cinder's ear as he passed. "Remember what I told you."

Cinder looked back and winked.

Why did she wink? Why was she winking? The thought stuck with him but would have to go unanswered as the mission was called to begin and they filed into the backs of the APCs that would deliver them all too unsubtly to the action. Jaune, Glynda and Cinder shared the back of one, sitting in silence as it rumbled to their destination.

Glynda, sensing his nerves, touched his arm. She looked much more confident. "It's not Adam," she said. "Simple White Fang with a few low-ranking operators. I doubt any are as strong as he was, and if they are, well, it's best we leave that to Atlas, otherwise James will complain."

Meaning they were at relatively little risk. Jaune smiled, already feeling a little better. "You're right. We'd be stealing their thunder if we captured the top dogs ourselves. It's Atlas that wants the top prize."

Cinder nodded.

The vehicles screeched to a stop. Sirens blared suddenly. A sharp blast of a warning more to any innocents in the area than those now trapped within a warehouse. A light above the door flashed green and it flew open remotely, spilling light inside as Specialists opened fire on the closest windows, shooting not to incapacitate, but to ensure no one inside felt brave enough to step up and shoot back.

"Go!" Glynda said, matching action to words.

Terrified, Jaune followed.

They weren't the first to the doors. That was intentional. A Specialist breaching team from Atlas blew them open and threw flashes inside, sure to blind the light sensitive faunus. They rushed in, shouting at the top of their voices for anyone to get down. Jaune and Glynda followed, spots of light dancing before their eyes. Inside, one faunus lay face-down, not bleeding but with his hands over and behind his head, a Specialist stood over him.

"We'll seal the entrances," he barked. "Huntsman teams go deeper. Sweep."

"Watch your six!" Penny ordered, rushing past and spouting more movie quotes. That didn't stop her efficiency as she breached a room and attacked four masked terrorists, however. "One hundred people used to work here. Now it's a ghost warehouse."

Ignoring her, Jaune followed Glynda up the nearest staircase and right into the waiting arms of a masked man who looked just as surprised to see him. Crocea Mors came up but the faunus parried. Clumsily. He staggered back and Neo's training kicked in. Jaune pushed forward, using his strength and better positioning to continue the assault until the man had such bad footing that he could swat the sword away. Sweeping in, he used the flat of his blade to knock the man down, then pushed on to help Glynda as more White Fang poured in.

Adrenaline rushed through him. Sounds muted. It was as though he could only see ahead, his peripheral vision narrowing until it was just him and the axe-wielding terrorist trying to lop his head off. Stepping left, he stepped on the haft of the weapon as it hit the ground, stamped it out the man's hands and swung at his head. The faunus went down but wasn't out. Aura flared.

Trained, he thought, then changed the notion. Trained poorly.

They had their aura unlocked and knew how to use it, and that made them strong. Stronger than the average person who didn't have a way to defend themselves. Not huntsmen, however. Not even him. He parried another strike, stepped through and punished the weak footwork by tripping his assailant. He didn't have to deal with them, as a Specialist behind pinned them down and started applying cuffs, freeing him up to take on the next.

Glynda and he cut a path down the tight corridor, never able to face more than three or four at once, and not having too much trouble doing so. The other teams spread out and burst through rooms, into the main floor and rushed across balconies. Gunfire sounded from elsewhere, while White Fang screamed about punishing humans.

No Adam. He'd have made his presence known if he was here. Grappling with another faunus, Jaune pinned the man against a wall with his shoulder and wrenched the weapon out his hands. The faunus headbutted him, making stars dance before his vision, but someone behind yanked him away and down, subduing him.

"You okay?" Glynda asked.

"I'm good." He wiped some sweat away. If anything, he was surprised at how good he was doing. Not on Glynda's level, but more than capable. "They're not as strong as the ones that attacked Beacon."

"Adam used and lost his best. I imagine he's had to start recruitment again."

"He wouldn't risk his finest inside Atlas either," a Specialist behind them said. "The leaders will be skilled, but the rest are just chaff. They're here to look imposing, do grunt work and recruit new people."

The fighters were being kept outside, where they'd be fighting. Jaune nodded and started moving again, watching as teams breached doorways and dragged out faunus. No dead from what he could see. That was good. Most of them were still conscious and struggling, while a few sported minor injuries.

It's proceeding well, he thought. Ironwood will be happy.

Glynda came to a stop and looked back.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"Where's Cinder?"

"Behind-" Jaune looked, paled and swore. "I – I thought you were keeping an eye on her."

"Me?" Glynda crossed her arms. "You're the one responsible for her."

Crap. Crappity-crap. Jaune swallowed, sweat beading on his forehead as he imagined all the things Ironwood might do when he found out. If he found out. That wasn't a given, was it? Anything could happen in the heat of the moment and no one would notice.

"I'm sure she hasn't gotten into any trouble. How bad can it be?"

Glynda's eyebrows rose to her hairline.

/-/

Blake watched the action take place and wished she could be a part of it. The building the White Fang were operating out of had been surrounded quickly – both by the APCs carrying the huntsman teams and Bullheads who were both preventing aerial support and providing support in tracking down any runners. Those were patched into earpieces they'd been told to wear as the perimeter teams. Down below, the exterior of the building had already been secured and the teams, including the headmaster, had already entered.

"Don't even think about it," Yang said.

"I'm not!" Blake didn't have to ask what that which she wasn't supposed to be thinking about was. "Just because I take a personal approach to stopping the White Fang doesn't mean I can't sit back and follow orders when I have to."

"Uhuh." Yang didn't sound convinced.

It was true, though. All she'd ever wanted was for people to take her concerns seriously, and now Atlas was, launching a full-scale assault. If she ran in now, there was just a chance someone would mistake and shoot at her. "I'm not as reckless as you think I am, Yang."

"Yeah. Sure. I'll pretend this one time of doing the right thing negates all the others of not." Yang stopped and held a hand up, touching her others to her ear. Apparently, she was receiving some instructions. Blake waited impatiently. Once they were over, Yang looked annoyed. "We have journalists en route that we're supposed to stop."

"How!?" Blake demanded. "This started exactly two minutes ago. It would take that long to figure out what's happening, let alone gather equipment, a news team and drive all the way here."

Bloody Atlas. How many holes in their security did they have? If the media could find out about a top-secret operation, it was a flipping miracle the White Fang couldn't. Blake followed Yang off the building, flexing her knees as they landed on a lower rooftop and vaulted the edge to fall the final fifteen feet to the ground. Aura flared as they landed, hands touching pavement and kicking off toward the marked van pulling up nearby.

They weren't the only ones. Across the street, another team – this one from Atlas and containing Flynt Coal and Neon Katt – were rushing to meet them, the four creating a barrier strong enough to block the one newscaster, two cameramen and one person carrying a log fluffy mic on a pole from getting through.

"No access," Flynt said loudly. "Huntsmen operation in progress. For your safety, please-oof!"

The newscaster had backed into Flynt, slapping her ass into his crotch as she took a position with her back to them and her face to the camera. "Get this live!" she yelled. "Three, two and – This is Rosaline Éclair, live from Ancholme Street, and at the scene of what appears to be a military battle conducted in the middle of the city. Shots have been fired and you can no doubt hear the explosions right now. As always, Atlas News Network is first on the screen with this exclusive scoop."

"Ma'am," Yang tried. "You can't-"

"Huntress Yang Xiao-Long from Beacon." A camera was shoved in her face, making Yang shriek and almost stumbled back.

"H-How did you know my name-?"

"You were seen fighting at the Vytal Festival."

"Oh. Right-"

"And now you're here in Atlas taking part in a raid. What can you tell us of the operation taking place?"

"Nothing," Yang said. "I can't tell you-"

"Is it true that the raid is on the White Fang?"

"How do you-?"

"An attack in reprisal for the cruel act of terrorism that claimed lives at the SDC plant on the outskirts of the city just days ago."

"I… well…"

"General Ironwood, working along side headmaster Jaune Arc of Beacon, entering the building at the head of an armed force of Specialists and Huntsmen to corner and apprehend the criminal, Adam Taurus, and bring him to justice. What comment can you offer on this, Miss Xiao-Long?"

Yang was backing away under the onslaught, breaking the human chain and giving the news crew a chance to push through. They took it, following Yang and zooming in so close on her panicked face that she was almost pushed up against the lens.

Blake stepped in to put her hand over the camera lens and push it back. "Give her some space! She can't say anything!"

"Blake Belladonna-" Damn it. They knew all their names. "As a faunus yourself, what do you think of the actions taken against the innocent people of Atlas? Do you consider Adam Taurus a terrorist? Do you think he should pay for his crimes?"

"Obviously-"

"Please don't evade the question."

"What do you mean evading? I said obviously!"

"Obviously what, precisely?" the newscaster pressed. "Are you prepared to condemn the actions of the White Fang? Are you prepared to say on national news that their actions are cruel, disgusting and inhumane?"

"Yes! I wouldn't be here otherwise."

"Our viewers would like to hear it said. To hear a faunus admit-"

"I'll happily admit Adam is a twat and that the White Fang are violent terrorists." Blake growled her answer, not at all missing why or how they kept pressing her. "And not all faunus support them. Now get back from the line or I'll be forced to arrest you."

"You can't legally do that," the newscaster pointed out.

"I'm a student. I'm not aware of what I can and can't do, so I'll just do it and get told off later." Blake raised an eyebrow challengingly. "Right now, the voice in my ear is telling me to go ahead and pin you down if you try and push through."

"Are you suggesting you hear voices, Miss Belladonna?"

Blake made a show of pulling out the earpiece so everyone on the TV could see it. "Yes."

Annoying as they were, they took the hint and backed away, continuing to talk and do their little show, but now with the woman talking to the camera and their viewers. Flynt used his Semblance to form four of himself in a wall. She wasn't sure if they were solid, but then neither were the news crew. Between her, Flynt and Sun, she was beginning to think a Semblance involving clones was downright pedestrian. Everyone seemed to have them. Either way, Neon was fast enough to stop them if they tried to make a run for it and got through.

"Assholes," Yang said, pulling her back. "Thanks for the save."

"No problem, and I'm used to it. You can see how Vale's easier to live in than Atlas for us."

"Yeah, I can tell." Yang listened into her ear for a second and then said, "Sounds like Oscar and Ruby had to stop another set of photographers on a different street. How does everyone in Atlas know about this when it was just decided?"

"Probably people selling the information. All you need is an officer or someone in the right place who wants to earn a little extra spending money." Under her breath, she muttered, "At least they waited for the raid to be in progress before doing it. They're just devoid of morals, not traitors working for the White Fang."

"Heads are gonna roll."

"Probably." In the end, it wouldn't matter. So long as it kept working, the various news crews would find new people to bribe, and even the staunchest of people could give in if they money was enough, they were desperate or a combination of the two.

I don't care so long as the White Fang are dealt with. Let Atlas deal with their own problems.

A loud explosion echoed behind them, all of them whipping about in time to see a pillar of flame tear upwards and blast the roof of the building away. It exploded in the air. Blake was ready to tackle the suicidal news team down until she realised the debris wouldn't reach them. It crashed down into the street in several places, loudly banging around until it came to a stop.

"So…" Yang said. "That a good thing or a bad thing?"

"Cinder uses fire."

"So…" Yang repeated. "Good thing or bad thing?"

"I have no idea…"

"Think she died?"

"One can only hope."

A hope, it turned out, that would go dashed. Teams filed out of the building, Penny among them and with two White Fang members, unmasked, cuffed in front of her. More followed, many escorting out prisoners and some carrying wounded. There were no dead thankfully, and that applied to both sides. The positive press of such a move would be dampened if the media got shots of corpses. Despite this being a good thing for Atlas, Blake had the feeling the news reports were disappointed by the lack of bloodshed.

Blake strained to hold them back as they yelled out questions to people doing their job. The Specialists ignored them. The Huntsmen rolled their eyes. She spotted the headmaster and Miss Goodwitch coming out a little charred and burned, but healthy and escorting three prisoners of their own.

And then, Cinder.

Cinder Fall marched proudly from the wreckage with Yuma and Trifa, the known ringleaders, limping ahead of her. They were bowed and beaten, clothes smouldered and burned. Blake saw Jaune gape with a white face and Miss Goodwitch pinch the bridge of her nose.

"Cinder Fall!" the newscaster yelled, straining so hard to get past Blake you'd have thought Cinder was a boyband member. "Can you comment on your sudden employment by Beacon? A comment please."

There was no way Jaune would allow that so Blake hauled the woman back.

"I'd love to make a comment."

No. No, no, no. Blake waved her head, not having to listen to the voice yelling `Stop her` in her ear loudly to know what had to be done. Yang was already moving, but Cinder foisted the two captured faunus into her arms, distracting her and stepping forward.

"Just let me give these two to one of our students here," she said, stepping past Yang. "They're the ones in charge of the White Fang in the area. Very dangerous."

"Are you saying you apprehended the leaders here?" the journalist asked hungrily.

"She isn't!" Blake yelled.

"I am," Cinder said, adopting a conciliatory tone. "I have to prove myself somehow, don't I? After the horrible things I was made to do."

Made to do? Made to do?

"Bullshit!" Yang howled.

Growling, Blake tried to tackle her, but still had the newscaster in her hold. Letting go almost had the woman running past entirely, so she had to dig in her heels and hold on, which sadly meant Cinder got to continue her little sermon.

"Coming here and helping stop the White Fang is but the beginning of that. I have to make things right, but Beacon is here to save Atlas. That's what our esteemed headmaster wants after all. To protect the people of Atlas from the White Fang."

"Wouldn't that be General Ironwood's responsibility?"

"I couldn't say," Cinder said innocently. "I'm sure General Ironwood is helping as best he can, but he couldn't be here today for some reason. Luckily, Beacon was." Calling attention to Ironwood's absence. Even Winter's. Jaune was already trying to push through the crowd, looking positively terrified.

"We, for one, thank you for what you've done today," the newscaster said, "What comment can you add on today's operation and the White Fang in general?"

"The White Fang are criminal. Both in action and mentality – criminally insane. As is Adam Taurus. He was when I dealt with him before and continues to be now." Cinder paused, knowing that would be a winner with the Atlesian audience. "As for the operation, I was surprised General Ironwood wasn't here to lead it himself, but I suppose he must be busy. I just did my part as I was expected to."

"And you found and captured the leaders yourself."

Cinder laughed. "Luck on my part, I'm sure. The Atlas forces would have caught them if I hadn't. Or at least I assume so."

"Will Beacon be assisting in further action?"

"You'd have to ask General Ironwood on that. I know the headmaster wants to help Atlas however he can, but we're limited by what General Ironwood will allow. All we can do is try our best to help our close allies as best we-"

Jaune finally fought his way through the crowd, launching himself at Cinder and wrapping a hand over her mouth. "NO COMMENT!" he yelled, voice high pitched in his panic.

"Headmaster Arc! What can you say about your actions here today?"

"No comment!"

"How does Atlas' law enforcement compare to Vale's?"

"No comment!"

"What are your thoughts on General Ironwood's absence here today?"

"No comment," Jaune yelled, dragging Cinder bodily away. "No comment, no comment, no comment!"

/-/

Ironwood watched from behind his desk as the news crews finished their story on what should have been a successful raid on the White Fang. What should also have been a moment to reaffirm his position and the professionalism of Atlas' forces was now used to raise questions as to whether he deserved to lead at all.

Stone-faced, he reached over and unhooked the cupboard to his alcohol cabinet. Dust coated the bottles, but he found a brandy that had been a gift from Jacques and brought it back to the table. He withdrew a tall glass from his drawer, uncorked the bottle and poured it out, filling the glass. He then set the glass aside, took the bottle by the neck and tipped it back.

"Glug. Glug. Glug."

"Sir!" Winer yelled, bursting through the door. "The assault – Oh…" Winter stood there, watching as Ironwood held out a hand for silence, the other holding the bottle up above him. "I see you've seen the news, sir."

Winter sighed.

"I'll tell your secretary you're not available for comment."

You know, for all that I slate the media in my stories, I AM a part of the media and can say that this whole "fake news" shtick is not really our fault. We are businesses and we have to do what keeps us in business. That's why news slowly became more sensationalist, because you (not necessarily you as an individual, but people in general) buy and read more newspapers if the news is more dramatic. As such, media companies who stuck solely to truth were either forced out of business or forced to adapt and embrace the sensationalism themselves or go bust.

It's a shitty situation and I'm not attacking the media in my fics. That'd be attacking myself.

Obviously, there are some exceptions who are just politically biased and basically spouting complete and utter lies. Propaganda and the like, but most independent news groups are just trying to survive in a world where Facebook and Youtube take all your advertising customers because a video of a cat looking grumpy gets more attention than hard-hitting news you spent weeks investigating and writing.

Omake:

"What was that!?" Jaune screamed. "You did the exact thing I told you not to!"

"Exactly." Cinder winked.

"No. No winking!"

"Got it."

Wink

"Stop winking!" Jaune gripped his hair and made to rip it out. "We're in so much trouble. Ironwood is going to pop a blood vessel. All the blood vessels! You made it look like I'm responsible for stopping the White Fang!"

"Well yes," Cinder said. "You told me to."

"I… I what…?"

"You said you wanted what Ironwood wanted yesterday," she explained.

"Yes. To stay out of trouble."

"That's not what Ironwood wants."

"What?"

"Ironwood wants you to stay away while he claims the glory for Atlas." Cinder gestured with two hands as if representing two people. "But you said you want what Ironwood wants, which means you were saying you wanted the glory."

Jaune stood stunned by the logic.

"That's what you meant, isn't it?" she asked. "You even talked about how you can't do it because your actions reflect bad on you, but how the same doesn't apply to me."

"I… well… I…"

"And then you said;" Cinder mimicked his voice. "Do exactly what General Ironwood wants. Nothing more. Nothing less." Her voice returned to normal. "Since Ironwood would want to personally be responsible for stopping the leaders, I assumed you meant I should do that, then claim the glory. That's what he'd want after all."

The blood had drained from Jaune's face.

Cinder noticed. "Isn't that what you wanted? You were hinting pretty heavily, not to mention our presence here in the first place. Isn't that your grand scheme? Undermine Ironwood and show the people here how capable you are, then take over Atlas and claim it as your own?"

"What? NO! That's not my plan at all!"

"It isn't?"

"No!"

"Oh." Cinder looked embarrassed. "You should tell me what your plan is, then. It's not easy having to figure it all out myself from the little hints you drop."

"I'm not dropping any hints!" he wailed.

"I know you're a genius and all, a true mastermind, but I'm only mortal." Cinder huffed. "I can only do the best I can. I mean, you said `the last thing I want is to upstage Ironwood` like, five times."

"Because I was trying to reinforce the concept in your head!"

"Yeah, well, a normal person would just say it once. I figured you were saying it so much you had to be hinting at something. And what's the most obvious thing…?" She trailed off expectantly. Jaune was happy to answer.

"Not that I wanted to stage a coup! That's the least expected thing!"

"Exactly. The element of surprise."

"No. No element of surprise." Jaune slapped both hands over his face and moaned. "What are you trying to do?"

Cinder scowled. "I'm trying to help."

"You're failing!"

"I said trying! No one ever accused me of being good at that." Huffily, she looked away. "And what was I supposed to think? You were dropping so many hints. You need to be clearer or a girl is going to get mixed messages."

"There are no mixed messages that say to stage a military coup!"

"Does that mean I'm also wrong about you wanting to add Winter to your harem?"

"My what!? And no! Ew, no!"

"Huh. Guess I'll shelve the marriage contract I blackmailed Jacques into signing."

"The what-?"

"What about the plan to overthrow the Council of Vale and declare yourself King?"

"When did I hint at that!?"

"A week ago. You complained about them and then said you'd do a better job. Seemed pretty clear to me. Guess I need to call off the assassins."

"YES! YES, YOU DO! And where do you find assassins? How do you pay assassins? You're a prisoner!"

"A woman has to have her secrets." Humming, Cinder sighed. "I guess you also want me to disarm the bomb hidden in Ironwood's drinks cabinet."

"What bomb?"

A huge explosion shook Atlas.

Jaune woodenly turned to look at Cinder.

Cinder winced.

"Viva la revolution…?"

Cinder just helping. Or halping.

Next Chapter: 16th January

P a treon . com (slash) Coeur