The trees beneath the Bullhead whipped by, a blur of green that obscured any possible sight of the forest floor beneath. Neo stood near the open door, parasol held above her head with the handle resting in the nook of a strap hanging from the ceiling. It was too high for her to hold unaided, and she loathed the idea of relying on any others within the cabin itself.

The rest of her 'team' also stood, the whole pretentious lot nearest the cockpit in various states of unrest. Neo could tell that they were feigning complete composure, though knowing the plans they had in store was the only reason she was clued into that fact. For her, tricking people was the simplest act.

'Even if my size does make it easier…'

The other team joining them on this venture, and the targets for their manipulation, consisted of three humans and a faunus. Team Coffee sat shoulder to shoulder in the only seating the Bullhead had to offer, groggily attempting to get in a few minutes of sleep despite the overwhelming roar of the ship's engines. Cinder had requested the doors be left open for exactly that reason, though the fools weren't aware of it.

Neo's eyes returned to the exterior of the ship, wondering how much longer it would be until they reached their destination. She hadn't been outside Vale for the past ten years, since the incident that brought her and Roman together in the first place. The small town they were going to sounded vaguely familiar, though Neo didn't care much for the surrounding countryside. 'Arcus' would be totally new to her, along with many of the others aboard the ship.

"We'll be arriving shortly. Prepare what you need to," a voice spoke over the intercom, the pilot giving them a heads up that they wouldn't have to wait much longer.

Cinder had been leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, but now stood straight to look over the younger team. Her eyes roamed across them with the smallest flicker of disdain, careful not to grow attached when some of them might not survive the afternoon.

"Alright, listen up. The reports have been sporadic, placing Grimm sightings at various locations around the town. When you arrive, Mercury will be in charge. I've already filled him in on what needs to be done, so take his orders as if they were my own."

The faunus girl, 'Velvet?', raised her hand nervously, "Where are you going to be?"

Cinder glanced over to Neo, sharing an unreadable message between them before acknowledging the girl's question, "Neo and I will be scouting ahead. We'll drop into the forest and meet back with you once we've gathered some intel."

"Just the two of you?" Coffee's leader spoke up with a frown, her eyes drifting over to Neo for a moment. Neo's hackles raised, recognizing the look of someone that doubted her abilities. It was a look often followed by terror, whenever the small girl had her way.

Cinder smirked, knowing the anger that Neo was being forced to keep bottled up inside, "No need to worry about the resident cinnamon roll. I'll protect her~"

Neo shot Cinder a glare, her hand tightly gripping her parasol while she wished sweet death upon the smug woman, 'I'll bury all six inches of my blade in that stomach of yours if you aren't careful, Cinder.'

Cinder only grinned harder, seeing the profound effect her words had on the mute. The members of team Coffee looked back and forth between the two with a measure of concern, though whether it was for Neo or Cinder, she couldn't tell. Personally, Neo was used to being underestimated. It wouldn't do any good to let others get away with disrespecting her, though. She at least needed to make her displeasure known.

Her team leader raised her hands after a moment, smug smile turning the slightest shade apologetic, "Sorry, Neo~"

Neo waited a few moments before giving a nonchalant shrug and returning her eyes to the forest below. They had spoken with their contact ahead of time, a woman that she had unfortunately already been acquainted with. Once they were close to the town, a signal was supposed to appear that 'would be obvious', as the woman had put it. As far as she was concerned, it couldn't come soon enough.

The cabin returned to silence for a handful of minutes, finally being interrupted by the intercom buzzing on once more, "Arcus is on the horizon. ETA, two minutes."

Neo's eyes scoured the forest floor below, wondering exactly what sign would be given to them. She didn't have to wait long, as a small speck of black flashed up out of the green canopy, following along beneath them. Neo flinched as a voice softly spoke in her ear, seemingly from nowhere, "Follow the birdie."

Cinder appeared to have heard the voice as well, as she moved from her place near the cabin over next to Neo. Her eyes caught on to the adolescent Nevermore instantly, and mere moments after the voice had spoken, both watched the small winged Grimm dip back beneath the trees.

Cinder turned back around to give Mercury a tight nod, "Take care of them, will you?" She didn't wait for a reply before stepping backwards out of the Bullhead and plummeting towards the ground below.

Neo sighed at the theatrics and followed, opening her parasol part of the way down to kill her momentum while Cinder used a portion of her strange powers to slow herself. The woman disappeared beneath the canopy, only the smallest rustling of leaves showing signs of where she had gone. The canopy itself was far too thick to see past.

'Might have given all of you away if it wasn't…' Neo thought in disdain, gliding down past the trees to find herself in the midst of hundreds of Grimm. Beowolves, Ursa, Taijitu… those rolling boars. Neo didn't have much experience with the Grimm, and was by no means well-versed in the various types and breeds. Even she could tell that the amount gathered was overkill, though.

'Those second years won't stand a chance… Neither will the town…'

Cinder was already waiting in the small clearing that Neo landed in, the space devoid of Grimm for the most part. They appeared entirely disinterested in the two of them, despite the aggressive behavior they would normally express. The entire idea of controlling the Grimm was still alien to her, but… 'They can be useful.'

Unfortunately, Cinder hadn't yet trusted her with the technique. Neo truly wasn't sure how she had accomplished the feat, or what she might have taught Emerald and Mercury in order to give them the same benefit. The miniscule illusionist simply couldn't be trusted. Her allegiance was not with Cinder, but with Roman, and the woman in question was well aware of that.

Cinder eyed the gathering of Grimm around them until a larger group began to shuffle away from each other, parting to allow their contact through. Widow wore a smug grin, giving the Grimm hardly any attention as she stepped lightly past them.

"Glad you could finally make it. I was starting to grow a little bored out here, you know? The Grimm might be useful, but they're terrible at holding conversations~"

Neo watched Cinder draw herself up a little taller, not enough to be comical, but enough to give her an air of confidence and command. Both she and Widow radiated a dominant energy that demanded respect, a clash of wills that Neo had no desire to be a part in. She was well aware of both women's skills, and while no slouch herself, knew she didn't measure up to either.

Instead, Neo plastured a grin of her own across her face and assumed a relaxed pose. In reality, her body was ready to move at a moment's notice. If it came down to it, her money was on Cinder, and she made sure to emphasize that with the unwelcoming smile she sent Widow's way.

Cinder gave an apologetic frown, "My apologies. We needed to make sure our underclassmen were unfit for combat before venturing out. They were surprisingly resilient, despite us putting them through their paces."

Widow waved it off as if she wasn't truly bothered, "Well, what can you do? You wanted a team that the Headmaster would trust, right? There's no escaping it if they're a cut above the rest," she looked Cinder over carefully before continuing with a smile that nearly made Neo shiver, "How many?"

Cinder tapped her chin thoughtfully, "The rabbit faunus and the orange haired boy should suff-"

The sound of Cinder's scroll buzzing from her pocket cut her off mid-sentence. With a small sigh, she pulled it from her pocket to check the caller ID. Cinder frowned when she saw it, then disabled her camera and accepted the call.

"Melanie?" Cinder spoke the singular name, careful not to give too much away. Neo recognized it as one of Junior's bodyguards, a delightful pair of brats that had mistaken themselves Neo's equals once upon a time.

"U-uh, yeah. Lotus wanted to talk to you?" the girl spoke uncertainly.

"Put her on."

Though Widow tried to hide it, Neo could see the immediate interest she had in the conversation. Her body shifted slightly forward before she could help herself, attention piqued towards the scroll in Cinder's hands.

"Hey Cindy, this a bad time? Can't help but notice you have your camera off. Wouldn't be up to anything nefarious, now would you?" Neo recognized the female assassin's voice from their brief encounter. She'd made sure not to forget it, after a display like that.

Cinder flashed Neo and Widow a warning glance before replying, "I was beginning to think you'd never call. I've been respectful of your desires, so what's the occasion? Don't tell me you're bored of being a law abiding citizen~"

"It has its moments," Lotus laughed quietly, "I'm afraid not, though. A friend of mine mentioned they were going on a mission with you today… I was wondering whether or not they were the mission, or… if you're really only out there to kill a few Grimm."

Cinder narrowed her eyes slightly, "And if they are?"

There was silence over the call for a few moments, then Lotus's voice, without the playful tone it had held before, "I would be… upset. Perhaps there's some arrangement we could come to?"

"Are you offering to work for me? Are you sure you want to risk that? It may be better to just look the other way. Many of my plans hinge on their… emotional recounting of today's events."

"What would you ask of me in return?" there was a slight hesitation to Lotus's words, but they were firm once spoken. She had clearly resolved herself already to whatever Cinder might request.

Cinder grinned, and held up a finger once more to gesture for Widow's silence, "Swear yourself to me, as Mercury and Emerald have done. I am nothing, if not benevolent towards my followers. Help me in my goals, and I promise that neither I, nor my compatriots, will harm a hair on the head of anyone you care for."

"...What are you planning…?"

"We can go over the details later. For now, I'll need your word that you will help me in my endeavors. Do so, and I swear that all of Team Coffee will survive."

"I'll…" there were a few moments of silence while Lotus seemingly debated with herself on her answer. Finally, her voice carried quietly over the scroll, "I'll help you. As long as my... friends... are left unharmed."

"You have a deal, then~ We'll set up an appointment to meet down in Vale later this weekend. I'll fill you in on the plan, and we'll work out exactly what part you'll have in it," Cinder smirked and held the scroll out, preparing to put it away, "Until then, I have a town to ransack. I look forward to working with you again, Lotus."

Cinder ended the call and moved to return the scroll to her pocket before freezing warily. A deep rumble rose around them, the growls of hundreds of Grimm that had all turned their eyes to the trio in their midsts. Neo raised her parasol, blade out, and stepped closer to Cinder while eyeing the Grimm around them. The entire sea of red eyes were focused on the pair, hungrily gnashing their teeth and raking sharp claws through soft dirt as they paced forward.

Widow's face was a tightly held mask, obscuring the fury that lay within as she forced herself to remain civil, "...I don't... appreciate... you encouraging my daughter's weakness. Our agreement was for you to break her of it, not let her fall even further."

Cinder glared as the entire mass of Grimm ground to a halt. They remained in place, growling low, some even whining with the promise of a kill so close within their grasp. The strain was evident to Neo, whatever contest of wills between the two forcing Cinder to strain herself so entirely on such a simple command.

"I already have a plan for your daughter," Cinder's voice was slightly breathless, the effort of speaking while concentrating so entirely on their survival self evident, "She's already become too ingrained by her team's influence. Forcing her to work for me may help, but…" the Grimm took a unanimous step closer as Cinder trembled, "You'll never get her back if you betray me now."

The Grimm halted once more, still on edge and ready to pounce at a moment's notice. Widow spoke quietly, the continued threat clear to all as she had eyes only for Cinder, "You do have a plan?"

"I do."

"What is it?"

Cinder forced herself to stand straight and cross her arms, haughtily regarding Widow despite the danger they were in, "You'll get your daughter when I get what I want."

Widow scoffed, "You make it sound so simple. As if you could carry it out at any time."

"I could," Cinder replied matter of factly.

Widow paused, staring at Cinder while looking for a hint of deceit. The younger women glared back, no longer budging in their contest of wills. The Grimm themselves started to back away, though whether that was through Widow relenting, or Cinder gaining some type of ground, Neo couldn't tell.

"You're certain you can get my daughter back?" Widow's voice was anything but certain, some semblance of doubt managing to creep its way into her mind due to Cinder's self assurity.

"I am many things. One of those is resourceful. Trust me when I tell you that recovering your dear Lotus will be rather simple," Cinder smiled despite their situation, "She'll be exactly as you remembered her, questionable morality and all. Nothing she does in the meantime will matter in the end."

"Just like that?"

"Just like that."

The Grimm finally retreated fully, heading further back into the treeline and leaving their small clearing while Widow allowed herself to relax more than before. Her eyes remained on Cinder, though it appeared her curiosity was thoroughly piqued, "Well then, what are we waiting for? It's time to get this show on the road~"

'That's one way to put it…' Neo thought idly, returning to a relaxed pose herself as both women turned their gazes to her. She began with Widow, using Cinder as a reference since the other team would be in more direct contact with their 'leader'. In a brief moment of shimmering pink glass, Widow's body was transformed into that of Cinder's.

Widow looked down at her body and drew her weapons, now perfect replicas of the ones at Cinder's side. Her voice changed, becoming that of the younger woman's as well, an effect of her own abilities, "Will your semblance hold up in a fight? Not that I expect anything to land a blow on me, but it might appear out of place if your glass suddenly shattered to reveal my weapons in their stead."

Neo shrugged, then held up her own parasol before allowing her aura to encompass it. Just to demonstrate her point, she flicked it with her opposite hand, eliciting a few small ripples of pinkish aura across its exterior. Widow nodded her understanding, seeming satisfied after replicating the act. As long as her aura protected what lay beneath, the illusion would remain intact.

Neo turned to Cinder next, tapping her chin lightly while considering how to make her look. They hadn't discussed an exact disguise, but apparently the ruse would work as long as Cinder remained a woman and appeared to be in her twenties. Neo smirked, thinking of turning her into a hag while she had the chance if only to get her back for her earlier comment in the bullhead. Today's mission was important though. With a muted sigh, Neo created a cascade of pink glass that rippled down Cinder's body from head to toe.

Standing before them was the image of a woman, a few years younger than Cinder's actual age. Her features were striking, bold and slightly exaggerated so that Team Coffee would remember her well. A pair of piercing amber eyes rested beneath a mane of shaggy auburn hair that faded into gold near the tips. Her attire was form fitting, a mixture of black and gold filigree that appeared in swirling patches, reminiscent of flames burning in a blackened sky.

'That ought to catch their eye~' Neo smirked, admiring her handiwork while Cinder did the same.

Widow let out a small whistle from within her Cinder disguise, face shifting into an appreciative expression that Neo had never seen the actual Cinder wear, "You doing anything later~?"

Cinder glared, crossing her arms in a pose reminiscent of her true self. Her voice remained the same, despite the change in her appearance, "Be careful not to embarrass yourself while acting as me. I hardly need any rumors floating around that don't pertain to a crazed maiden on the loose."

Widow scoffed, "I was only joking. As if I would be interested in a human anyway. I don't know what Lotus sees in you lot," she seemed to shiver, looking down at herself again, "Don't take it personally, but just looking like one of you is making my skin crawl."

Cinder's glare continued for a few moments before she allowed her gaze to fall on the Grimm around them, "You and Neo should head back. I'll give you around thirty minutes before I attack, so be ready to put on a show. Emerald has been instructed to remain on the sidelines as much as possible to scare the townspeople with her own illusions. The more extravagant the tale, the better."

"We aren't wiping out the whole town?" Widow sounded disappointed, the hunger for blood clear within her tones, "How many should we leave alive?"

Cinder shook her head, "Our team has to appear victorious in the end. The more reputation we can gain in the eyes of Ozpin, the sooner my true plans can be put underway. Focus on pressuring the younger team as much as possible, then save them when all seems lost. All in all, we should keep the casualties at a minimum, if still believable."

Widow grimaced, appearing unhappy about the prospect of helping those they were trying to fool. She shrugged in the end though, setting her feet in the direction of Arcus and sparing Neo an eye, "Let's not keep them waiting then. Time to play the Hero," Widow did lighten up a small portion then, looking off into the distance, "Maybe I'll see if it's really all it's cracked up to be. Lotus wouldn't have left me for nothing, right?"

"It can be entertaining, for a time. I've never seen the allure myself, aside from basking in praise or making a few lien," Cinder chuckled humorlessly, "Having others grovel in fear is much more exciting, if you ask me."

Widow grimaced, beginning to walk away as she spoke to Cinder over her shoulder one last time, "I never could stand begging. Words have never saved anyone from my blades."

Neo spared an eye with the real Cinder, both watching as the Grimm parted to make way for Widow. Cinder leaned in more closely, speaking quietly while watching the spider faunus's back, "Keep an eye on her, and make sure she doesn't kill anyone on Team Coffee. I wouldn't put it past her to ruin my plans, in more ways than one. They'll prove useful in the future…"

Neo nodded and set off after Widow. She kept as far away from the Grimm as she could, the mass of black and white creatures slowly closing behind the pair as they walked through. It was a full minute before they were free, the forest opening up once more into an assortment of thick green foliage. The low muttered growls of the Grimm faded into the distance, as Neo finally stepped up to walk side by side with the current Cinder look alike.

Widow spared her an eye, seeming to consider the short girl for a few moments before speaking, "I was wondering where you'd gone off to. Roman wouldn't say, other than that another contact had hired you," her eyes brightened, a small grin working its way across her lips, "Speaking of Roman, you might want to give Lotus a little visit yourself. I met her a while back, and despite her current misgivings, seemed fairly keen on your dear employer meeting an untimely end. Now that she's agreed to help, you might want to make that particular connection clear. Wouldn't want your whole group falling apart, now would we?"

'Lotus wants Roman dead?' Visions of some invisible force piercing through the young boy and leaving a gaping hole in his chest flickered through Neo's mind in a panic. On top of her monstrous power, Lotus was also a spider faunus and wouldn't be affected by Neo's semblance, just like Widow hadn't. When it came down to it, there was no way she'd be able to stop Lotus from getting her way through force.

'My only option is to make peace… What did Roman do to earn her ire?' Neo would need to ask him personally, once the mission was over. Perhaps she'd tag along with Cinder during their little meeting. The woman had hardly divulged her true intentions to Neo thus far, though. It was possible she wouldn't be allowed to come.

'At least I can get her number from that Melanie brat. I've heard the rumors of their promiscuity. There's no way she doesn't have a way to contact Lotus.'

Neo nodded her thanks to Widow, who seemed mostly indifferent regardless. The conversation ended there, with Neo being no better of a talking companion than the Grimm in most cases. Widow appeared content to simply walk while humming lightly, a delicate smile playing at her lips. There was a slight skip to her step, and a hunger in her eyes that left Neo's stomach a twisting mess.

As ruthless as she could be, when it really came down to it…

Widow was something else entirely.

Sorry for the lack of uploads, but I've been depressed af for quite a while now. Working on it, but it's tough getting the treatment I'm planning on with the whole Corona debacle happening in the meantime. On top of that, I'm an essential worker, so haven't really had any extra free time to write.

A portion of the next chapter is already written. I shuffled things around, and felt like this was a good place to stop before the upcoming events. What exactly is Cinder's end goal, and why has she traded places with Widow?

As always, thanks for reading. I'll try to get back into the flow of things, for this story and The Lonely Goddess. The other two (ASU and RE:G) might remain on the back burner for the time being.

- Sybaen