So, this chapter has no RWBY or JNPR, but it does focus on some rather important side-characters. Sorry if it isn't what you were expecting, but the things that happen, are pretty much the most important things for the continuation of this half of the Arc.

We get to see how CRDL is doing and we finally get to truly see who and what kind of person Orion was before his introduction. I really experimented with some shit and got pretty philosophical with it because as someone said many chapters ago in the reviews; I made Jaune and Ren unbelievably powerful. That can go one of two ways - incredibly boring, or absolutely nutty. I'm leaning toward nutty with how this will continue.

Whoop - let's go

Disclaimer: I don't own RWBY

Chapter 43: Rebuke Your Fear

Cardin couldn't help the feelings building in his chest. The city in turmoil, the Silver Tower locked down; the Redwood Bridge militarized. It wasn't even a week since the incident and the Police still had no idea how the whole thing happened. Leaning against a bench, he sighed in defeat. Bags next to him, his team lounging around as if there was nothing to worry about; it made him paranoid. Viridian Hollow was a two-day train ride, now with all of the bullshit happening, it would seem the wait would only extend further.

"Birdy," Velvet said, resting her head on his shoulder, "what's bothering you?"

"I don't think I need to say what's on my mind," Cardin frowned, "I don't think I can handle another battle. Not like the Battle of Vale…not again."

Sky looked up from his scroll, as did the rest of CRDL and CFVY, "look, Cardin…"

"No, I'm not going to just forget what happened," Cardin said, "most of you literally…died that day. If it weren't for Jaune and Ren, the rest of us would have joined you. The carnage we faced, the lives we lost…"

"Cardin, this is different," Dove said, "bro, we're not gonna die."

"Look at the reports from the explosion," the Winchester frowned, "there were over two hundred were killed and another thousand were wounded but healed. Why didn't he bring the dead back to life? Why didn't he save them like he saved us all before?"

"I mean, look at what happened after he healed those people," Coco said, spitting a loogie, "they started worshipping him like he's a god. The CCTN has been blowing up with videos of his semblance and people with all kinds of wounds, miraculously healed – even Faunus who've lost animal parts, suddenly grew them back. No healing semblance known to Remnant can go so far as to heal someone without scars or repercussions. It's been a week since then – not a single mention. I mean…I guess I can see the appeal–"

"You gonna tell me he isn't a god?" Cardin asked.

Coco was stumped for a moment, "fair enough, Cardin. Though, going so far as to call him a god is insane. The gods still exist, if Salem is still gunning for the Relics."

"Wait, what makes you think that?" Russel turned to her.

"The only reason the Relics were so important to Salem, was because of the ability to bring the Brothers back to Remnant," Fox said through his semblance, "if the gods suddenly didn't exist, then she'd have no reason to still play from the shadows. She'd have no objectives anymore, but to destroy Remnant somehow, someway."

"Still, we're getting off track," Coco said, "people are already worshipping Jaune; the last thing we need is a cult of personality. We're already fighting one – we can't become one. As much as I appreciate what he's done for us so far, I agree that he shouldn't just flaunt his power at every given opportunity. That just isn't his style and honestly, not mine. If he were able to just flick his wrists and solve every problem – what's the point in us?"

"What, you saying we're just pawns?" Dove turned to her.

"Hardly; what I am saying, is that if we let Jaune solve every problem; if we let Ren disappear the Grimm; what's the point in aura, in fighting, in being a Huntress?" Coco turned to them, "Everything that Jaune entrusted to the leaders of the Fireteams…all of this, is because of Salem and her inability to accept that there is a cycle to life. We're born, we live, we die. I've never been the philosophical type, but after everything I've seen; I've done; everything I've believed until then has been put into question."

"I was never a religious person," Coco said, "gods this; gods that; I'm not the kind of person to think that there's some higher power in control of my life. Jaune told me the truth, just like he did with you Cardin. If something were to happen to my mother, I know that she lived her life fully. I wouldn't go and ask for Jaune to just revive her. I know my mother better than anyone in the world, probably better than my dad, and they've been happily married for almost twenty-five years."

"My mom lives life to its fullest extent, making clothes for people, doing charity, doing everything she can to ensure that her mark has been made," Coco smirked, "and honestly, she believes she's done that. She hopes to give me the company one day so she can retire somewhere with nice beaches or something like that. It's hard to think, but it's something I've accepted the moment I became a Huntress – life comes and goes, that's just how it is. We do our best to protect the lives we can. That's the mission."

"You saying you should have stayed dead – that we should have stayed dead?" Sky snapped up.

"That's not what she's saying," Fox quickly said.

"Fox," Sky turned to the blind man, "I literally watched you die in my arms. I was killed in the streets by a Grimm Spitter. I deserved it? I just needed to die?"

"Wait, Sky," Dove turned to him, "that's definitely not what they were saying."

"Dove, don't tell me you agree with that shit!"

"Guys…"

"Look man, I'm just saying she has a point," Dove frowned, "if I died to that Seer, there are worse ways to go, but even if I died and stayed dead – there will be always be someone better, someone stronger, that could have taken our place. That's growth, Sky. We're not gonna live forever. The goal is to make something that does. What we do here, we're sowing the seeds for people to follow in our footsteps for the dream. People will see what we do, they'll be inspired to run where we walked. So on and so forth until the dream comes true."

"Couldn't have said it better myself," Coco gave him a head pat.

Sky wasn't convinced, neither was Russel, "but…we can't just let people die."

"That's why we're fighting," Yatsuhashi joined the conversation, "we are fighting to stop the carnage to the best of our abilities."

"But if Jaune can literally stop any conflict with a flick of his wrists, then what's the point in working so hard?!" Russel stood up, "What's the point in even struggling, to even risk our lives? We put our lives on the line for what? All Jaune needs to do for every confrontation is to flare his antlers and flick his wrists. All Ren has to do is hold his hands up and kill the Grimm, or even turn the Grimm. What is the logic in fighting?"

"Because, that's what we're trained to do, Russel," Coco raised a brow, "why did you become a Huntsman? I know why I did, Yatsuhashi knows why; Fox, Velvet, Cardin – we all know why we did the things we did – do you?"

"I did it because it was expected of me," Russel turned to them, "Me, Dove and Sky; it's what our fathers have done, what their fathers and so on and so forth since even before the Great War. We serve House Winchester – we always have. But to be a Huntsman, that's not something I ever really wanted. Look at me – I'm scrawny. I can't do much and I don't know if I'm really adding anything to the King's Fist. CRDL has Cardin and Dove, while me and Sky, we were the first ones to either die or get caught in the Battle."

"If it weren't for Jaune and Ren – we'd have stayed dead." Russel lowered his head, "we are always thinking of some other way to keep the morale, to keep fighting, to keep standing on our feet, but what's the point when Jaune can literally solve every single one of our problems."

"But that's the thing; he can't," Cardin spoke up, "why do you think he's sending us to Viridian Hollow? He can't protect the Winchesters or the Arcs in Orléans. He can't stop the Brotherhood in Glade; he couldn't evaporate the Grimm at the King's Pass, or Dene or Magnus. He can't be everywhere at once, and that's why we're here, guys. To think we're just pawns is oversimplifying and is a dangerous line to cross. We aren't just people to throw away – we're people he trusts to fight, because he's seen us fight before. Don't forget; we were the first team to join him in the Siege of Mistral in the Future-Past. He trusted us through ten years of war; I'm not failing him now."

"But, Cardin…" Sky said, "why are we risking our lives for problems that Jaune wouldn't even break a sweat over?"

"D-Did you not hear what I just said?" Cardin asked, "I agree, yes, it's hard to accept that when we have the power to literally deny death its due, we are going to do nothing; but like Coco said; that's life. Living is different than existing. That's what we've been taught, that's what we've been trained to understand. Without hope, without struggle, there is no life. Without rising over challenges of your hard work; without expressing the very thing that makes your soul, a soul, that's not living. So, what, if I die, I refuse to let Jaune bring me back."

"Cardin," Velvet whispered, holding his hand.

"I got to call Dahlia my mom; I got to hold and play with Blair; I got to have a drink with my dad," Cardin smiled, "I'm literally engaged to Velvet – I've lived my life to the fullest. I've done everything I hoped for and then some. In our career, life is never certain. Tomorrow, we could be in Viridian Hollow and I could suddenly have a stroke, aura be damned, sometimes you can't stop when the body gives up. Shit, we could be out in the wilds one day and a blizzard will come out of nowhere and we could freeze to death. Shit happens, sometimes, shit that we can't control. But that's why we do what we do – so someone else can step in and finish what we started."

"And what are we starting?"

"We're bringing hope to a hopeless world," Cardin said, "despite everything that's happening in Vale, across Sanus – we're not giving up. We're not backing down and we're definitely not going to turn away. Jaune is doing all he can to stay sane and happy for our people; the best we can do for him is to make sure those very same people don't lose hope. We're in between school years right now and this is the perfect time to continue expanding the powerbase of Vale, of Jaune and the King's Fist."

Coco smirked, "and that's why you're a team leader, Cardin. Look guys, we may have started off on the wrong foot, but you're our sister team in all but official record. You're all little brothers to me and I'll be damned if anything happened, to any of you. Even though we live and we die, that doesn't mean I won't fight tooth and nail to preserve that life. It's more than just a job – you're my family. I get it, Sky, Russel…it's hard to wrap your heads around it, but in the end, we've got a job to do."

"I never said…I never said I wouldn't do it," Sky looked down in shame, "it's just that, there was so much I still wanted to do; there was so much I dreamed I'd be doing, but as time passes us by, what have I done to accomplish that? All I can think of…it's…I can only think of the Grimm Spitters and the Colossus that spawned in the streets. I can only hear the screams of people dying all around me, of Fox's last breaths…we were unprepared. We weren't ready for that kind of shit and it's only getting worse with half the Fireteams returning to their original schools."

"We bled with them and now, they're not even on the same continent anymore," Sky said, "we have enemies that we've neglected in our borders; in our Kingdom and we're doing nothing to stop them. Jaune is literally King; there has to be something we can do."

"Well, his dad was pretty adamant that we stay out of Council affairs," Coco said, "in a briefing with Fireteam leaders, we all agreed to Jaune and Lord Arc's assessment of the situation. If Jaune acted out of line, the Council will have their excuse to put him in prison, Lieutenant Rosemary, the Reds and Blues, and so many other people for transpiring against the Silver Tower. That's not something the King's Fist can afford, not after we just garnered the hate of the Brotherhood."

"Then again, Jaune can just flick his wrists and problems go away," Russel glared.

"That is not going to happen," Cardin snapped, surprising Velvet, "if Jaune used his powers to just annihilate those he deems as enemies, we're going to be no different than Cinder Fall, than Team ACID, than RRGE, than fucking Salem!"

"Look at what they threaten!" Sky stood as well, "that kind of shit shouldn't fly!"

"Oh, so we should just disappear every dipshit we don't agree with?!" Cardin shouted, "We should just eradicate the opposition until what? Someone always comes to fill the space, someone always fills the power vacuum, Sky. That's how the White Fang happened, how the Brotherhood happened; that's how the Faunus War happened; that's how every fucking war in the history of this world has happened! How far will be go to eradicate our enemies, how far are you going to say that Jaune should go? How far, guys? How far?! Where do we draw the line?!"

"What, Jaune should just snap his fingers and boom, the Brotherhood is gone, what about the people who followed them, moderates who could have had a chance to change, without being killed; what of their followers who were sitting on the fence and just needed the right push to be abandon the Brotherhood, what about them? What about those who are innocent, who are too young, too naïve to even understand what they're being forced to believe?! Someone will fill the space left behind and then what, Jaune repeats the cycle? How far will he go down the line? We aren't omniscient, we don't know what they're thinking – but that doesn't mean we should kill them on association alone!"

"What of me, what you?! What of CFVY?! What of the rest of the Fireteams, of our allies and friends in the King's Fist?!" Cardin growled, "Who decides who's who? Who decides what's what? Who decides? Because putting all that power in the hands on one person, gave us the mess that caused the Great War to begin with; what makes Salem the enemy she is! We are trying to stop Salem, not turn Jaune into another one! This is a dangerous train of thought, guys, and it's not something I'm going to tolerate! You didn't see the things the Fireteam leaders did…and honestly it's for the best."

"I'm sorry, Cardin, but I just don't see a point anymore," Russel frowned, "it doesn't feel right."

"Russel, what the fuck man?" Dove turned to the mohawk, "What? You're just gonna pussy out on us?!"

"I joined Beacon because I had to," Russel picked up his backpack, "I can leave whenever the fuck I want."

"Don't do this, Russel–"

"Sorry," Sky huffed, lifting his own, "I'm really sorry guys, but Russel's right. I've defended that guy for a long time and honestly, he doesn't need my help. Look at all the shit he's done with or without us. I died once; I'm not dying again just to stay that way just because he chose not to give a shit."

"Sky!" Coco bellowed, "If either of you do this…"

"What?" Sky scoffed, "You're gonna shoot me? You're gonna tell on me? I respect you a lot Coco, you know that, but we're in way over our heads right now and I don't know about you, but I'm not fighting some fucking goddess. There is very little I can do to help. I ain't about to give my life for a fight I know could be avoided altogether."

"C'mon, Sky," Russel bit his lip, "Cardin…I'm sorry man."

"Don't be," the bird took a deep breath, "just be safe on the way back home, alright? Give me and Coco a call as soon as you get back."

"Wait, you're just gonna let them go?!" Dove sprang to his feet, "You can't be serious, Cardin! That's half the team!"

"Russel's right, all three of you only went to Beacon because it was your obligation," Cardin frowned, "if they want out, then they can tell Jaune and Headmaster Ozpin themselves. I'm done trying to fight against you guys. If it's what you want, then it's what you want. Salem won when we turned on each other–"

"Hey! You fucking pussies!" Dove shouted at the two fleeting boys, "get back here!"

"Yatsu, do something about this," Coco sighed into her hand, "this is not a good start to our vacation."

"Dove, stop – you're not gonna convince us to stay," Sky turned to the boy, "you want to die again, by all means – do so. We're not gonna stop you."

"I thought we were brothers," Dove punched him. Russel dropped his bag in shock, backing away from the Bronzewing, "I thought we were supposed to fight together until the very end – because that's the oaths we took! Now, just because the going gets tough, you're gonna pack your bags and abandon us?! How is that brotherhood?!"

Sky wiped the blood from his lip, "yeah, I am. Unlike you morons, I joined Beacon because I wanted to. I wanted to fight Grimm and fight other people. I'm not about to go to war with the Argents, no matter how much I fucking hate them. I don't know how many times I'm gonna have to say it man, but I've already died once, I'm not going to die again."

"What about Jaune?"

"He's got that freaky semblance shit that makes him relive his life," Sky spat, "last I checked, I don't got that shit. All I got is a shitty semblance and a fucking spear. Not exactly the soldiering type. We've gone well beyond the call of duty with all this shit, and I'm just about done with it. I'm not dying again, unless it's on my terms. Got that?! Punch me again, shout at me again; I don't fucking care – I'm not changing my mind."

"Sky, Russel," Yatsuhashi's voice came, "don't worry, I can see the both of you have made your minds. You're still our friends; don't be strangers."

"Heh, I wouldn't think of it, big guy," Sky gave him a salute, "c'mon Russel, let's go home."

Dove stood there, numb and shaking, "you can't be serious right now!"

"Dove, I know that you feel betrayed–"

The Bronzewing snapped to the giant man, "betrayed doesn't even begin to describe how I feel. Whatever…our train will be coming soon. I just wanna sit down and forget any of this fucking happened."

Orion nodded, "I just got word from the Marigolds during the week, saying something about supporting me if I turned on the Brotherhood."

"The Marigolds?" Jaune raised a brow, "did you get in contact with May?"

"Sadly, no," the Argent shook his head, "it was her cousin, Henry. I've been trying to get a chance to get down into Mantle to talk to the Happy Huntresses, but nothing's come up. I'm sorry, King. Atlas is getting pretty locked down because of all the shit happening in Vale and the SDC in the first phase of moving their assets to Vale. Some of the head families here in Solitas are already trying to filibuster and convince Schnee to stay, but the man refuses to listen. So, I guess, that's a good thing?"

"Somewhat," Jaune said, scratching his chin, "I find it interesting that he would choose to move to Vale of all places. We don't have any Dust Mines worth anything – the only place I can think of is Dale. After all, the city has a large Dust Quarry that is strangely potent in a rare type of Burn Dust. Could that be why?"

"It's not something I want to think about," Orion said, "the Argents gained their power in the wars before the Great War because of that very Dust. The stories say that they could disintegrate a person with a single bullet. You think the SDC will start supplying the King's Fist with that?"

"I wouldn't be against it – that kind of Dust mass produced for my Fireteams would turn the tide against the Grimm," Jaune murmured to himself, "but it sounds too dangerous. How are the processing plants for the Argents? Do they supply the Brotherhood?"

"No, my father and his father, kept the mines and quarries to themselves, ensuring no other family thought to rise against them. The only other families that even got an ounce of Inferno Dust, were the Luna in Mistral and the Alivia, one of the most loyal houses. But I think they lost some favor with Pallidus being arrested. T-Thank you for the save, even if it cost your sister's freedom."

"It's fine, she knew the risks," Jaune said, "what else can you tell me about this Dust?"

"It's not the kind of thing that can be standard issue," Orion said, "it's for people you know won't waste a shot. It's incredibly volatile, expensive to create, and its effects are nearly impossible to synthesize, so if you want that kind of power – you'll need to go straight to the source. With one single shot, I could make someone disappear. Know anyone who wouldn't screw up a shot like that?"

"I got a few people," Jaune nodded, "just…be safe in Atlas, Orion. I just wanted to say that I'm sorry if I caused you any harm in Atlas."

The Argent raised his brows, surprised at the apology, he stammered over his words, "I-It's alright, King. N-No need to a-apologize! I understand w-why you d-did it! I-I would h-have done t-the s-same t-thing!"

Jaune smiled, "no need to be so flustered, Orion. You're doing great in Atlas and with all the information you've given us is invaluable. Just keep an eye on your father and mother. Is there any word about your sister? She is a factor we're afraid of falling out of our watch."

"None," the boy shook his head, "her team still acts like it's the most normal thing and the General is starting to take notice. I saw the Ace Ops searching Team LVDR's barracks a few nights ago with a pair of them holding the entire team at gunpoint. Cuffs and everything; all I know is that people in high places are pissed. Not just General, but the Brotherhood High Council. My parents don't even know where she is."

"Odd, but thank you for that, I'm going to have that written down for documentation," Jaune said, "if there's nothing else?"

"No, I'll let you know the instant I find my sister," Orion nodded. He was silent as the King gave him a nod. Before he knew it, the King was gone, leaving only his reflection to stare at. Amethyst to amethyst, silver-white hair, the genes of a tyrant. He couldn't stomach it any longer.

Taking a deep breath, he sighed in defeat, sinking into the driver's seat. Tossing his scroll away, he gripped the steering wheel, digging his forehead into his sweating palm. Frustrations and annoyances growing, he panicked, hands turning crabby, skin growing goosebumps and sweat pouring down his face. Unable to breathe, he unbuckled his seatbelt, legs hot and weighing like lead. Breath hot, head pounding with a force of a million hammers, the boy punched his steering wheel, shouting, running his fingers through his silver-white hair.

He tried to calm down, but his racing heart nearly exploded in his chest. Lungs tight, muscles cramping, he struggled to fight a breath. It was pinching tight, as if his chest had just compressed. Tears were falling, streaking across his pale face, Orion punched once more, breaking the console, destroying his radio. As his heartbeat slowed and his tears stopped falling, he wiped his face, wiped the mist from his windows and opened the door. For a moment, he thought about taking the scroll he had just thrown, but decided to leave it, stepping into the cobblestone pathways of his family's manor.

He dragged his feet up the winding steps and stopped just a foot away from the massive doorway. Balled fist and freezing in his iced sweat, he knocked. Blinking, he waited; he didn't know who was working in the manor today, but he hoped no one of his family would be the one to answer. To his surprise, the door opened to reveal a young terribly skinny woman, with one bunny ear. Before he could even think, his eyes watched her, taking in her face. From the light blue hair, the pale white bunny ear, the smooth skin and deep purple eyes. The woman was beautiful despite her mangling.

Before he could speak, she immediately shot her head down, bunny ear tilting down. What angered him however, was the black bandage wrapped around the wound where her other ear should be. She might have sensed his anger, because she immediately fell to the floor, forehead pressed against the tiles. Panic, groveling, words spilled from her mouth like a broken dam and there seemed to be no stopping it. Even when other Faunus servants walked into the foyer to see the ruckus. Orion blushed, rubbing the back of his head as Faunus slowly calmed down.

"L-Lord Argent, I'm so sorry, I should have answered the door sooner," the woman pleaded, keeping head low, "I haven't seen you in such a long time, I thought I wouldn't see you again–"

"Ciane," Orion smiled softly, taking her hand, "there's no need for that. Yeah…I was hoping you'd be the one to welcome me when I last came h3ere…"

She blinked. He saw the glimmer in her eye flash with something other than appreciation. Her eyes displayed a hint of shame and a hint of embarrassment. She stood, following his hand, "I-I'm sorry, Orion…I was…busy in Mantle, running errands for your Lady Mother…"

"Don't apologize, I know what kind of bullshit they do to all of you," he said. Walking to her, closing the distance, the woman blushed beet red, shrinking under his gaze, "enough with all of that; how are you feeling? How have things been for you since we last saw each other?"

"I-I'm fine," she said, "it would be nice if the manor was a little warmer. It's been years since the last time…still cold."

"I can't help there," Orion chuckled, "one of the cardinal rules; never touch a man's thermostat. Also, we live in Solitas; cold is kinda expected."

Ciane couldn't help but giggle, "Yes, how could I forget? What brings you here, Orion? I heard about that shout match you had with your lord father; I thought you wouldn't come back for again."

"Heh, and leave you here all alone?" Orion asked with a smirk, "I don't think so."

"O-Orion," Ciane blushed, "y-you're with Rei, I c-can't!"

He shook his head, tenderly holding her hand, "it was a joke. But I didn't come here for the company alone…she's here, isn't she?"

The Faunus servant paled, knowing exactly what he was asking, "s-she's…no, she's n-not."

"Really?" he asked, raising a brow.

"T-Truly; no one's seen her. The General sent the Ace Ops here yesterday and they searched for her already," Ciane shook her head.

Orion thought for a moment before turning to her, "then I guess she won't be here to yell at me. Come on."

Grabbing her hand, Ciane blushed wildly as she was led to a dining room on the far side of the manor. Faunus servants looked at the two of them, flashing thumbs up and bright smiles. Despite his relationship with Rei, known to all who worked, it was their collective secret how Ciane felt for the Argent heir. She stumbled over her feet as she was suddenly sat down in an expensive wooden dining seat that she has had the honor of cleaning a million times. She waited as he stood up, walking toward a cabinet. Sifting through papers and folders, he snapped his fingers with an 'aha' echoing through the empty room.

Turning back to her, he arrived with a First Aid kit, placing it carefully on the table, "now, you just sit still, Ciane. I'm gonna be right back. I gotta wash my hands."

"O-Okay," she nodded, unable to stop the blush from growing.

As he turned and left, she released the breath she didn't know she was holding in. Hands were cold and crabby, she shook them, trying to calm down. A series of footsteps caught her attention, the one bunny ear twitched, turning her toward the sound. A series of maids suddenly burst into the dining room, smiles beaming across their faces. One by one, they rushed to her side, giddy and pushing her left and right.

"By the gods, Ciane!" one of them cooed, "it's been so long since he's done this!"

"Look at you!" another said, "he's a taken man, Ciane – you sly bitch."

"T-That's not – I am doing nothing to ruin that for him! He and Rei are…are perfect," Ciane said with hushed breath. Her cheeks burning like fire, "every time we see each other, he's always trying to help me. No matter how he talks to his sister, or his parents…I feel like he really cares about me…"

"I think that's the understatement of the century, bunny," another smirked, "of all the people, you got the literal heir of the House coddling over you."

"I-I don't even know why," Ciane pressed her hands into her cheeks.

The maids looked to one another, "you know…if he wasn't in the Military and that teammate of his, he might have ran away with you. I see the way he looks at you. We all do."

"T-This is the first time I've seen him since he joined the Military," Ciane frowned, "he rarely comes back to the manor…the last time he did, I wasn't here and I had to be told that he and his father were shouting at each other…just – just what happened in Vale?"

"No idea, but after seeing the news and some of the things circulating the CCTN," a maid said, "there's this guy who calls himself the King of Vale…he's all the forums can talk about…he's really something else. Look."

Holding out a scroll, Ciane pressed play. She flinched, looking away from the gruesome carnage playing before her. People were in the street, screaming and dying in a wave of flame. Explosions shook the cameraman, throwing him to the ground. Men and women, children even, were running left and right, skin melting off their bones, horns, tails, ears and all kinds of features, scorched black until it crumbled like ash. Ciane bit her lip, seeing the high-definition recording of a child's melted skin, lifeless in the street. The camera focused, almost as if the cameraman was too shocked to move.

Before it could get worse, a gunship appeared. Bay doors opening on either side, a flash of rose petals and a girl arrived, lifting the cameraman off his feet. A whip of pixels and flashing recording static, the picture refocused to see a boy drop from the gunship. Glowing gold and white, a pair of golden antlers slowly raised from his forehead, expelling flame from his wake, dousing the streets with a single action of his hands. Next to him, a redheaded goddess followed, throwing her hands up to the sky, outlined in a strange black aura. Ciane gasped, whoever she was, she stopped a pipe that was several hundred feet long and almost fifty feet wide. It hovered, creaking violently before she tossed it aside, a safe distance away from the destruction.

The glowing blond ran into the fire, lifting people in his arms, reappearing in the street, setting them down safely. The first one, the one in a red cloak, appeared and reappeared, dashing between the rose petals, returning with someone. Soldiers of the legendary King's Fist were cutting off the street, doing what they could to mitigate damage, but the screams were getting worse. As more wounded were laid out on concrete, the boy turned back, rushing to the wounded. A hand pressed against their burned chests, Ciane's eyes widened with surprise as skin began to reform, burnt flesh chipped off as new skin grew underneath. Men and women who would have been dead, suddenly sat back up, as if nothing had happened.

What truly surprised her, Faunus who lost horns or ears, grew them back. Tails sprouted from their backs, growing fur and motion, showing no signs of damage. Faunus like her, who suffered impossible wounds, were rebounding, falling to their knees before this boy, hands gripping his pants legs, praising him like a god. That was when the video ended. Ciane was speechless, blush gone and skin riddled with goosebumps; she was rocked with an involuntary shiver, snapping her back to reality.

"W-What the fuck was that?" She asked with wide eyes. Tears grew in the corner of her purple orbs, "What was that? Who was that?"

"That's Jaune Arc, of the House of Arc," Orion said. The four of them snapped to the voice in surprise. The three maids pushed off the table and chairs, fixing everything to how Orion left it. They bowed ferociously, spewing their apologies to the Argent, "no, it's fine…"

"D-Did you really meet him when you were in Vale?" Ciane asked.

"Yeah," Orion chuckled, walking toward them. Hands behind his back, the woman raised a brow, "we had a talk, I'm certain you've heard. He and I seemed to have similar goals. Here, you look hungrier than usual."

The four servants watched with wide eyes as the boy placed a bowl of rice and steaming roast beef. Ciane gulped thinking back, the video was almost twenty minutes long – how did he cook all of that so fast? Not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, she grabbed a spoon and a fork and immediately began to scarf down the grain and beef. As she chewed, the maids bowed, letting Orion take a seat beside the Faunus.

"What do you want to know about him?" Orion asked.

"C-Can…can he really…heal people?"

Taking a deep breath, he grabbed the First Aid kit, heartbroken by how fast she ate her meal, what the fuck did Larissa do to her? "I never saw it myself, but after everything I've seen…I don't doubt it."

"Is…" a maid spoke suddenly. Before Orion could even respond, she shot a hand to her mouth, "I-I didn't mean to speak out of turn…"

"Gods, what has happened since I've left?" Orion scowled, "before I joined the Military, none of you were this malnourished, nor were you this afraid. Do I need to talk to my father? Do I need to talk to my mother, my sister?"

"N-No, my lord," the three maids bowed their heads.

"Ask your question."

"Is…is he a god?"

Orion blinked at the question, "a god? No, I wouldn't go that far…powerful? Absolutely. One of the strongest men I've ever seen."

"Would it…" Ciane twiddled with her thumbs, "would it be possible to see him one day?"

Orion turned to her, carefully taking her hands into his own, "if…if everything goes to plan, then I'll make sure you get to see him. Now hold still…how long have you had these bandages?"

Ciane murmured to herself, "it's been a while…"

"Oh."

She took a deep breath as he leaned toward her, hands fiddling with the bandages. He was careful, tender and ensured she did not feel any pain, despite what hid beneath. Placing the blackened bandage on the table, he scowled reaching into his pocket. The maids gave their regards and winked at Ciane before disappearing to continue their duties, much to Orion's gratitude. Pulling a vial of powdered Burn Dust, he pat a pinch between his index and thumb. No words shared as he snapped his fingers, igniting the Dust for a split second.

She flinched, feeling extreme heat pressed against the jagged wound of her stumped ear. Maggots, infections, dried and still flowing blood, were incinerated. It was hot, it pierced like needles in her bone and flesh. Orion tapping the vial once again, he snapped, igniting the rotting flesh and removing maggots, killing the smell of decay, replaced with smoke. He focused, making sure he didn't dig his fingers into the wound. Heat, fire and a snap, the wound was cleaned. Reaching out, he opened the First Aid Kit, taking out a tube of antibiotics, squeezing a small dab into the pad of his index finger.

Ciane winced at the effects, her only bunny ear twitching and flopping where she wasn't moving. Orion sighed, lifting a roll of gauze and medical tape. As careful as before, he wrapped the gauze, taping where he could, encasing the jagged stump with a warm, comfortable, sterile embrace. As he neared once more, he stopped himself. Backing away from the Faunus, he sat back down, wiping his hands with a disinfectant wet-wipe.

"Ciane…" Orion began, "I really wish I could have stopped Larissa that night. Rei and I talk about it a lot…there are just so many things that could have been avoided if I just paid attention to her and paid more attention to you. No one deserves what she's done to you – no one."

"Orion," she frowned, "what's done is done…you can't change the past."

The future. Salem. He knows about May and the Marigolds. Orion blinked, "if only, right?"

"It happened," Ciane sighed, holding her stomach as it grumbled violently, "s-sorry…she doesn't like it when I eat…"

"Well, she's not here, right?" Orion asked with a knowing look on his face, "come on, we're gonna fill that stomach with food."

"W-Wait, Orion, I c-can't!"

"Last I checked, you were her personal servant – she's not here, right?" Orion asked.

"I…she…"

"Ciane…I can't help you if you don't tell me the truth…"

"S-She's…she's in her laboratory," Ciane bowed her head, "I'm sorry, Orion…I was told not to tell anyone!"

"Then I'll deal with her in a bit. Right now, I'm going to feed you. Fuck whatever deranged bullshit she makes you do," Orion grabbed Ciane's skinny hands, "we're gonna have a feast, alright?"

Ciane was whisked off her feet and practically floated with the boy. Dancing across the kitchen, she giggled, laughing for the first time in a long time. Chest to chest, their heartbeats echoed together. Released, he immediately went to the refrigerator, pulling out a pair of steaks, already wrapped and butchered. Giving her a wink, he cut the butcher's twine, unwrapped the paper and licked his lips, staring at the prime cut ribeye. Giving commands, Ciane followed, pulling a series of mixed vegetables. A pot was pulled, slapped on the stovetop. Water poured, and fire ignited, she turned back to her favorite human.

Salt and pepper sprinkled all around the pieces of meat, he ensured to cover every inch of each steak. She watched him, careful not to step over any lines. His undercut hair, the bangs whipping over to the side, it framed his face ever so slightly. A tapered, yet wide strong set jaw, it accentuated the smile he wore. Intimate, delicate, focused. She couldn't look away from him as he continued to work. As the final space of marbling was covered in salt and pepper, he got a cast iron pan and sliced butter, tossing it in. Heat on and already melting, he went back to the fridge, pulling a few sticks of rosemary and thyme. A handful of garlic cloves and a bottle of olive oil, he brought everything to the stove counter.

She watched, her mouth watering as he brought all the ingredients together, the steak seared and sizzled. He flipped after a few minutes. Moving fast, he began to baste, moving melted butter and the spices, splashing and carefully flavoring the meat. He looked at her, raising a brow. She blinked; snapping at attention. Springing to her own pot, she found the water had already boiled wildly with steam building into the steamer. Broccoli, cauliflower and carrots, steamed to tender perfection. He made a motion with his head, flipping his hair. She got the message, almost skipping across the kitchen to a cupboard, pulling out a pair of plates.

"Now, I want you to actually taste your food this time, Ciane," Orion gave her a pointed look.

She couldn't hold herself back, salivating as she held her knife and fork. But she was worried, Orion didn't lift his utensils, "aren't you going to eat too?"

"Nah, I already ate before I got here," Orion shook his head, "both are for you. You better eat em. I'm going up to find Larissa."

"B-But…" she blinked as he dropped his steak and vegetable helpings on her plate, "I…okay…I'll make sure to eat…"

"Alright, I'll see you in a bit, Ciane."

As he turned away and ran up the steps of the stairwell, she perked up, noticing something on the countertop. Reaching out, her hands wrapped around his car keys. She blinked, gulping as she bit into her steak. A ding and a blip, she fished her pocket for her scroll and paled at the message. Giving her meal a quick glance, she grabbed his keys and slowly rose to her feet, turning to the camera hidden in the corner of the ceiling, tears already welling in her eyes.

He was planning to be calm, maybe open the door say something of an introduction, maybe something sassy. However, every step he took toward his sister's room, his anger only seemed to grow. He knocked on her door, patient as can be. But when he received no response, he swung the door open, finding the room empty. Her tv was cracked beyond belief and her bed was done. Shaking his head, he moved to a wall, pressing his hand against the surface.

He waited as the wall suddenly hissed, splitting in two. Just as the crack was made in the surface, Orion burst through the door, unsurprised to see a pair of Brotherhood gunmen stationed at either side of the door. As he approached, they stood with their hands out trying to stop him, "Get the fuck out of my way! Larissa!"

"Lord Argent, you cannot be here–"

Orion snapped, holding up his hand, making the two men flinch, "touch me, motherfucker, and I will paint this lab with your blood. Back up! Back the fuck up!"

The guardsmen lowered their weapons, raised their hands in defense, keeping a respectable distance from the Argent. Standing straight, he coughed, smashing a table full of glass instruments. As expected, the silver-white haired woman turned in her stool, wearing a lab coat and safety goggles. Moving her eyepiece from her face, she grumbled, "wow, it took you long enough to find me. You could have just said something, instead of breaking my stuff."

"I knew you were here from the start, you idiot!" Orion marched to her, "The General only sends the Ace Ops if it's a threat of national security. Don't you realize the General is working with the King?! He knows our faces; he knows we're part of the Brotherhood. Father is already struggling to keep it together with the trial in Vale, then he had to deal with the smear campaign, the industrial bombing and now you disappearing?! What the fuck were you thinking?"

"I was doing things of my own agenda," Larissa glared, "the Brotherhood be damned, I don't take orders from them anymore. It seems we both have something in common for once in our lives."

"I d-don't know what you're talking about, Larissa," Orion hissed.

"Oh please, you're out of practice brother," she chuckled, "you must have forgotten, I have cameras in every major room in this manor. From the Foyer to the all seven dining halls and rooms. Don't think I didn't hear what you said to father, or to Ciane. You always did have a soft spot for her. I don't know, I thought I was doing the both of you a favor when I made her ugly."

He slammed his fist into her lab table, knocking specimens all over the floor, "don't you dare."

"What?" she smirked, "I mean, she's alright, if not a little skinny. I suppose you can do better – you seem to have a type–"

She yelped as his hand suddenly wrapped around her throat. She flinched as he lifted her off the stool. Dangling her like a rag doll, he tightened his grip, lowering her aura. She tried to use her semblance, but she couldn't concentrate, she couldn't focus her vision. Bringing her down to eye-level, he choked further, not a single budge from her kicks and punches.

"Choose your next words carefully, Larissa. They might be your last!" Orion threatened. The two Brotherhood guardsmen raised their weapons, but he raised his hand. He didn't even look at them as their bodies suddenly expanded, pushing them to nearly burst, "you've already hurt Ciane; you're not gonna hurt my team, especially Rei!"

"That's why you didn't want the Schnee right?" Larissa choked, hands wrapping around his own, "s-she didn't have the features you like?! M-Maybe if she had some bunny ears; you might've hopped right into her hands too!"

With a roar, he threw her into the lab table, hand tightening around her throat, "shut up! You have been a pain in my ass since we returned to Atlas!"

"T-Then do s-something about it, d-dipshit," Larissa spat, choking on her words, "kill me. Take your place in the Brotherhood; I don't know if your little bunnies will like that."

Releasing her, he swung his hand out, smashing beakers and test tubes, "do you have any idea what kind of bullshit I have to deal with because of this stunt?! I have been questioned by Military High Command three times since you've disappeared. I have had to watch my back because the Brotherhood hasn't even heard from you. Those two idiots back there, they're among your supporters, right? Well, excuse me if I don't just undo my semblance. You have made things too difficult for me these last few weeks and I want you to stop this. I don't know what father is planning; or what you are planning, but I'm asking you to stop."

"The Arc's trials are happening in Vale and my voice is still playing across the world, despite everything father is doing to shut it up," Orion said, "you disappearing, you garnering the General's attention, is putting too many eyes on us. We can't afford that, not now."

"And I'm supposed to care…why?" Larissa asked, "why the fuck should I give a shit about the Brotherhood?"

"W-Why?" Orion turned to her, "what the fuck are you talking about, Larissa?!"

"I mean what I said," she glared, fitting her goggles over her eyes, "father and mother are stupid. You are stupid. Everyone in that dead organization is stupid. You guys want to fight against the King, by all means, do so. I'm not going to die for an ideology. I think you'd know me better than that."

"I…"

Larissa perked, "oh? So, my brother, the one who people call the knight in shining armor, is thinking of betrayal? Heh, I knew the smear campaign wasn't fake. My, you really did grow some balls since Vale. It's only been a month and you're already calling out the Brotherhood? Jeez, Orion, save some testosterone for the rest of us."

"What point are you trying to make?"

She gave an exasperated sigh, removing her goggles, tossing the eyewear onto the lab table. As she stood, Orion caught sight of her microscope, the plates and petri dishes, and oddly enough, blood samples and liquified Dust. What the hell is she doing? "isn't it obvious? I know that pea-brain of yours struggles to comprehend simple concepts, so let me simplify it for you. The Brotherhood is a defunct organization. They have all this bureaucracy, all these levels of control, and yet, they can't even make a council react appropriately. They can't even get a judge to make a unilateral decision."

"The power we were led to believe we had, was a lie," Larissa said, "I'm pretty sure you've seen it yourself. How did father react when he approached you gave him the report of what happened in Vale? What did he say in regards to the trial? Did he even give you a moment to speak – or did you tell him something just to shut him up?"

"I told him what he wanted to hear – that was the only way I could get a word in," Orion frowned.

"See, that's what I mean," Larissa turned to him, "he and the Brotherhood don't care about facts – the only want what they gain from. They only want to hear what they want to hear. You can tell them the truth, tell them that this King of Vale isn't working with his father, or that the Lord Arc had nothing to do with this King's ascension – it won't matter to them. They will come to their own conclusions, their own answers and make up their own investigations in their heads until they come to something that will indict their opponents. Real or not; and that's what's making our parents so insufferable lately."

"Why do you think they're so concentrated on making us marry someone of high status?" Larissa asked, "despite all the technicians and professionals, they are no closer to understanding the Burn Dust in Dale and Glade – one of the main reasons why they wanted the Faunus city so badly. It's pathetic. Arcs of Orléans have a strange understanding of their own Dust Mines, as do the Winchesters of Viridian Hollow – something that the Argents, the Alivia, the Carbo and so on and so forth, who are so blind and hungry with jealousy, that they cannot conceive that maybe, just maybe, they're messing with something they don't understand."

"The Schnee wasn't for the Fourth Queen at all – it was for her father, to bring him into the Brotherhood," Larissa shrugged, "they don't care about him either – they wanted his employees and his facilities. But Jacques rebuked the Brotherhood because it would seem that most of the major shareholders didn't want to be associated with people like us. Morals…how weak. But like every other mogul and monopolist – he cares more about Lien than he does about ideology. Something we need to grow out of, if we're going to survive against the King of Vale."

"It's not that simple," Orion glared.

"It isn't?" she asked, "it definitely seems that way. I've seen the news; the King of Vale has a cult that grows, even as we speak. There are plenty of healing semblances that have been recorded since the start of the Huntsman Academies; but at the level of the King's? No. Never. It's almost supernatural. Aside from soldiers; we're also trained medical personnel in the event first responders aren't available. Thanks to our Aura, we're able to do all kinds of healing miracles – even with aura, if we were to say, lose a finger – it's not gonna grow back, or reattach. This man, is growing limbs; regrowing flesh, without any adverse effects, nor showing any scars, or signs of previous trauma."

"What, you're thinking of joining them or something? I didn't think you were religious, Larissa."

She rolled her eyes, "no, I'm not. All I am saying is that people think he's a god because they haven't seen him bleed. I intend to find a way to hurt him."

"For the Brotherhood? I thought you just said you're working on your own?"

"No, it's for my own purposes," Larissa shook her head, turning back to her experiments. Lifting a gloved hand, she motioned for him to come close. Taking a frustrated breath, he leaned over her shoulder, eyes widening at what she held. It was a massive cartridge of brass; however, the projectile was a huge brass bullet topped with a glowing Dust tip. Agitated Dust, even in small doses like this bullet tip, would obliterate the entire desk and all of her research. Coupled with the liquid Dust sitting in vials and beakers, tucked in the corner, the destruction would be tremendous.

"See this?" Larissa asked, "this is an Assassination round – chambered for fifty Caliber sniper rifles. The perfect assassin's weapon. Seven hundred Burn grain, high-impact, AP, hyper-incendiary and tipped with twenty-five milligrams of Inferno Dust, straight from Dale's Dust Mines. Look at it and admire this work of engineering. Now, watch as I throw it away."

"E-Excuse me?" Orion backed away from her.

"Yeah, it's fucking pointless," she raised a brow, "Inferno Dust is highly unstable – even with the best rifling, the best tech – there is no way to properly weaponize it without obviously blowing the users up. If I were to shoot this right now, the barrel of any firearm would explode. Hitting a primer and igniting the grain would cause the Inferno Dust to explode."

"That's why, I've been able to do this, I managed to liquify Inferno Dust," Larissa smirked, lifting a test tube. Orion blinked, there was no more than two milliliters of liquid, but at least it wasn't glowing, nor was it bubbling, "it took a lot of experiments and a lot of help from our dear Doctor Merlot's and another's notes into Dust. It has been theorized that Dust has more forms than crystal and powder. I just confirmed at least a part of that hypothesis. I was waiting for you to show up and find this discovery with me, but you were too late. I found the way a few days ago and thus far, I've been trying to find ways to duplicate the process with other types of Dust."

"Father's semblance could be multiplied – your teammate, Rei, and my own, Sterling; could control earth and stone with ease," Larissa took a deep breath, carefully setting the test tube down on its rack, "you and I could introduce Hard Light Dust into our semblances – the benefits could be endless."

"Hold on, I'm going to need you to backtrack real quick," Orion raised his hands, "what does this have to do with the Assassination round?"

"Now, take a look at this," Larissa smirked. Standing from the stool, she motioned him to follow once again, walking to the back of the laboratory. Orion couldn't keep his eyes away from the trophies of experiments, nor of all the equipment, sterile and painstakingly placed about the confines of the ever-expanding room. Larissa clapped her hands, bringing his attention, "embrace my genius."

Not the same as the entrance to the lab, it was deeper, with a forge, a 3D Printer and a synthesizer. She walked to a machine, pressing a collection of buttons. A hum was made and before he knew it, she was smiling like a maniac. Smoke and steam exploded from the machine. She opened the tempered glass, wafting black smoke from her face. Reaching in with her gloves and a pair of sterile white tongs, she pilled the object from the machine, revealing a similar bullet as the first one he saw.

"This here is the new and improved Assassin Round, same grain, same effects; only this time, Adamantine Glass tips the bullet, instead of bare Inferno Dust. To get the Dust in a volume that can do any real damage, we had to liquify it. In this one tip, is the power of twenty-four milligrams of Inferno Dust. More than enough to evaporate a horse."

"And who's going to use this bullet?" Orion glared, "Who's going to be targeted?"

"I don't know – whoever can pay me the most," Larissa smirked, "I already have a buyer–"

"What the fuck?!" Orion grabbed her by her collar, "I am not going to let this shit get released into the world! We got enough bullshit to deal with on the daily already. We could be targets; the King and his Queens could be a target!"

"And…" Larissa released herself from his grip, "I forgot the part where I give a damn. Mother, father, the Tournament, Vale in general; it has taught me one thing and one thing only – I don't care about any of you. None of you have done anything for me – why should I start worrying about your lives, when you never cared about mine?"

"Y-You're literally my sister! How can you say that?!" Orion snapped.

Larissa shrugged, her smirk never leaving her face. Fishing her pocket, she raised a scroll and pressed a button, "that's you, talking shit with Ciane, isn't it? That's you whining and crying in your car, right? That's you, talking behind my back. Don't even get me started on what I've heard from my teammates – from Pallidus before you got him arrested. Yeah, keep crying that family angle – family only comes around when they want something. That's why mother sought us out; that's why you sought me out. I have been in this house since we returned to Atlas and father has not once come to see me since we had our own argument."

"And you, you're always trying to make your own shadow, that you completely forgot and ignored that I even existed," Larissa glared, "I lost at the Tournament; I got my ass handed to me on a silver platter and you weren't there to even see your sister. In fact; you went to congratulated the enemy, the very one who hurt me physically and damaged my pride. Then after that; you go the King, the one who stood in our way and treated us like children, telling him all the secrets he needs to know – all the things he wanted to know. Then you get one of my friends thrown in a Valean Prison, with no hope for a trial because of that very King's own issues."

"Did I get everything, Orion?" Larissa asked, "Oh yeah one more thing; forgetting your place! Forgetting that we are humans and they are animals!"

Orion snapped his fingers and two men bellowed out harrowing shrieks. There was a deep breath, one that sucked the air from the lab. Boom. Liquid splashed across the laboratory, spilling blood and gore over her instruments, over her lab work and notes. What remained at the entrance of the lab were the remnants of the two guardsmen, only their boots remaining in place. Steam, smoke and heat wafted through the lab as the air conditioning suddenly turned on, removing the sudden warmth, calming the agitated Inferno Dust.

"I told you to watch your next words, Larissa," Orion wiped the stray blood from his shoulder.

"What?" Larissa dabbed the blood from her cheek, "are you going to crawl to that King? Are you going to tell him everything you saw today, like a good little soldier?!"

"I haven't told anyone that you're here – need I remind, I've known the instant you disappeared," Orion glared, "I didn't even tell my team, so consider yourself fortunate. You can bet your ass I'm going to tell the King and the General about this Assassin round. It's too dangerous, Larissa. For the sake of our youth…I will keep your secret, but if you dare to insult Rei, Yuki or Xue, I'll personally lead the Ace Ops here myself. Am I clear?!"

Larissa wiped blood from her lab tables, "crystal, Orion."

She watched him march away, his boots splashing in blood and viscera. Slapping his hand against her bedroom walls, the doors hissed and slammed shut. A ding was heard and a glimmer of air was seen. From the shadows, Ciane appeared, tear stains streaking down her cheeks. Her ear tilted down, she held her skinny arms to her chest. Her legs moved on their own, leading directly to the Argent.

"Did you do what we asked?" Larissa turned to the Faunus.

"Y-Yes, mistress," Ciane trembled under her gaze. She fished through her pocket, lifting a scroll, "Xue's encryptions were quickly overwritten by your benefactor."

Suddenly, a stylized 'W' hologram popped into existence from Larissa's scroll, "I told you, Larissa; if you treated everyone the way you were; you'd miss out on every opportunity. Thank you, Ciane, my dear. It would seem Orion has quite the plans himself. Larissa, your payment has already been transferred, I believe you have something to share with me."

"As soon as Doctor Merlot landed in Atlas, he was redirected by my servants, who were expanded until they exploded, to the Eastern Tundra Wastes, toward the old ruins of Cronos and Gaia. Even with aura and the military machines, the General would never send troops or even their Atlesian Knights, to root him out. I believe you can do something with that."

"Good," Watts nodded, "I will have someone pick up the cartridge to have it delivered to Vale at exactly midnight tonight. Be there, or your little operation will be in jeopardy in an instant. Am I understood, Larissa?"

"Yes," she nodded, "if you're going to use it…make sure you let me see."

Watts chuckled, "I can promise you…you will definitely get to see it in action."

So, CRDL is split in half; the wedge between Larissa and Orion grows deeper and now we learn that something happened between Ciane and Orion! Let's not forget; Ciane has a semblance; she has aura and she is just as broken as he believed. The split will come back to bite Cardin in the ass and thus, the King's Fist.

Fear grows among the cast as people look for something to hold on to, something to believe in. As their problems continue - who knows what they might do, when they snap.

anyway; tell me what you thought!

Ja ne!

gottahavekyuubi