All Characters belong to RoosterTeeth etc.
Sentences in italics are internal conversations in Cinder and Pyrrha's head.
The others may be right about needing a break. I had been training Cinder's body to the breaking point after all so maybe a night off would be good for us… her. She had been oddly nice for some reason though even when I began to develop our muscles. Well aside from the mild whining she always did she wasn't fervently complaining that I was ruining her body. I mean I hadn't built much muscle, just strengthened what was already there and toned out the rest while losing a little fat. She liked to pretend it wasn't there but I think she was just annoyed how much weight the arm added.
"You're right. I am. You should tear it off and give me control."
"Alright." I seeded control to her much to her dismay as suddenly she lurched forward slamming our face into the mirror. She may not like it but I don't think Jaune really minds… I'm just glad Cinder has been less murdery towards him lately. And with a night off to boot. A little movie and maybe a quiet secluded restaurant to have a nice romantic evening. Yang even lent me some makeup… now if only I knew what half this stuff was.
"Funny!"
"Well you've always been fond of your own reflection. I just didn't know this much."
"Well at least I have a- Wait speak again." This was peculiar but so was this situation.
"You never ask me to speak preferring to tell me to shut up." Cinder kept us focused on our reflection as it's mouth moved with me, "Didn't Oscar say something about this?"
"Probably." Cinder wasn't paying much attention as she began fiddling with the makeup. Of course she knew how to-
"Well this is whorish," She picked up a container of dark red lipstick, a kind that would look fine on us.
"How? We both wear basically that color," she started applying it like I was going to ignore the crack at my friend or the fact she was applying a whorish piece of makeup.
"It looks normal on us but on Yang it would look awfully out of place." Yang did have a much lighter color palette… "And I'm pretty sure I've seen this color on Blake's neck…"
"Alright stopping there!" I had to take back over before she could really insinuate what I thought she was. Even with her rude attitude I felt like we were getting closer… like sisters or friends. I hope so.
*KNOCK* *KNOCK*
"You ready?" Jaune wasn't in a hurry but at the same time, he probably heard the thud… and us talking.
"No, I still need to put on several layers of whorish makeup before we leave," I have to stop letting her make quips, it always ends poorly, "Or we could just skip the movie and I could reinflate your empty balloons."
"...Alr-"
"NOPE!" I cut in as Cinder retreated, "Cinder! HE WILL AGREE TO ANYTHING!"
"Ohhhhh… She really needs to think before-"
"YES! I KNOW!" I may not know what Jaune was agreeing to but I know Cinder didn't expect his answers usually. But instead of complimenting his ballsiness like she usually does she remained silent. I shook my head as I turned back to the mirror... Where was my reflection? This didn't seem scientifically possible. I tried to get a better angle as if looking through a window until I found Cinder. Ducking beneath the mirror while attempting to conceal an extreme blush.
"It wasn't that embarrassing."
"Shut up and go on your date!"
"Alright…" I knew she didn't want to let her excitement show through. Ever since she heard we had a night off and Jaune invited us to a movie she had felt… different. It was hard to describe, for anyone else I'd say anticipation but for her- I wanted to say anxiety. Was she worried that he wouldn't like us? I wasn't even worried about that and this was technically our first date.
…
…
…
"Should not have thought that."
"What am I supposed to do?! I've never gone on a date before!"
"Fake a period and stay home to sleep with his best friend."
"What-no! What kind of advice is that!?"
"Dunno, I read it in one of those magazines… what was it called? Hustles? Joy Rabbits? I don't remember."
"I can't believe you would read such trashy content."
"Look- Watts isn't exactly the most entertaining pilot. So I only had whatever Mercury and Emerald would steal at the newspaper stand to entertain myself."
"So you would read Mercury's porno mags?!"
"No, I would take Mercury's coloring books; I read Emerald's porn… I think she's into girls." I have to stop asking about this or it was never going to end. Right a date with Jaune. It wouldn't be that hard, just a movie, sex, dinner, sex, and maybe a gentle walk through the park… where I screw him in a bush.
"I admit I was messing with your thoughts, but holy crap!" With the makeup done I had to complete the rest of the look… Which was putting on a nice dress… that I don't have. Right, I only have the clothes on my back. I guess that means the look is complete. And with a swift motion the door was open and I was out in the open.
"The lipstick is a little gaudy," Weiss was sat on a bed right next to Oscar. I wonder what they were doing tonight. I would never have thought those two would do something together, perhaps some sort of opera that Ozpin likes infecting Oscar.
"Sadly some of us don't have the complexion of a snowman to base our makeup choices on," Cinder wasn't a big fan of Weiss.
"I wouldn't know, I hardly have a need for makeup," Weiss turned her nose up at us as she arrogantly continued, "Some of us are just natural beauties."
"Is that why you're sickly pale?" Oscar asked, tearing her down in an instant by accident.
"Wah- No- I never. Who told you to say things like that? Was it Yang?" Weiss continued berating him as I turned my attention to Jaune. He was focussed on them as well but when he noticed me he turned and gave me a slight grin.
"I think you look great." That made my face light up or at least I hope it did.
"Thank you," I was probably blushing but I didn't let that stop me as I pulled his arm close holding it to my chest, "Shall we be off?"
"Yeah, you guys ready?"
"Huh," I dropped his arm as Weiss stopped berating Oscar before standing up to straighten her dress.
"I suppose." Oh he didn't.
"This is the first time I'll see a Spruce Willis movie in theaters!" Oscar was as energetic as a 10 year old experiencing something new for the first time should be.
"I wouldn't count on it. There is this new drama about the nobles of the Great War that I have been dying to see." Weiss corrected him as she led our way out of the dorm. Please don't. Please Don't. PLEASE DON'T!
"So… not a date?" Cinder as subtle as ever. Jaune raised finger while opening his mouth but as he was about to speak it caught in his throat. Then he turned away and brought finger to his chin.
"Why didn't I think of that?"
To say the movie was underwhelming was one thing. After bickering the entire way here Weiss and Oscar were surprised when they were talking about the same movie. The theater was in one of the most ostentatious malls I had ever seen. Filled with shops that anything inside would cost the same as a kidney or two. But the theater was even more pretentious looking like one of those old opera houses only for it to be a movie theater.
Thinking of which-I had little hope as the action star Jaune is so fond of appeared to portray the last king of Vale while the main character of the film was the bastard child of a noble as she desperately tried to become a knight. It was a tale of desperation as along the way as she picked up a relentless black knight on the yellow streets, followed by meeting a red scarecrow lookin soon-to-be-knight, quickly followed by White haired Mantle Noble as she acted like a robot who was aided by a cowardly blonde of Mistral descent. It was a tale of woe as the bastard child was pathetically weak as her constituents took it upon themselves to complete every mission for her. With the black knight chopping up all their enemies in the most graphic ways. But it began losing interest to me quickly… and Pyrrha wasn't exactly a fan of it either.
"One word and I'll get us out of here."
"No, it's fine. The film is fine. I'm enjoying myself- really. This is supposed to be historically accurate..."
"You can say boring. I won't tell."
"It's… dreadfully so. I'm sorry I just don't want to ruin this for them. Oscar and Weiss look like they're enjoying it."
"Oh I have no intention of ruining the movie for them..." My plan from this point on wasn't going to be perfect and may end with me getting screwed, I leaned over to Jaune, "Wanna go do it in the bathroom?"
"what WAS THAT!"
"I'm getting us out of the movie. You can solve it from there." Jaune's eyes went wide as he realized what I said. He hadn't turned to me as he grabbed my hand and dragged me out of the theater. I'm going to enjoy this, just him, me and an awkwardly small stall. Then I'd drag him out of the theater to take me to dinner where he would wine and dine me before getting on one knee to propose… Oh crap. I'm Cinder right? Oh gods. I'm both of us. Cinder was comfortable with forcing Pyrrha into this situation but both of us together formed an uncomfortable relationship with this whole idea. My hesitance did little to stop us though as Jaune charged ahead leading me to a bathroom. How do I talk my way out of this?
"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" A screaming child could kill any mood. But as we passed a small orange girl who was completely alone I couldn't help but pull on the reins of Jaune's arm. He turned back to me confused before he noticed the screaming as well.
"We have to help."
"I know. I know," He walked in the most humdrum way up to the child, "What seems to be the problem, miss?" She took one look at him and retreated away from him ending up grabbing onto my leg.
"Creepy old men shouldn't talk to children!" Jaune was visibly shaken as he had never been called old before… probably creepy but not old. Then we began drawing a crowd as plenty of people heard her shout that.
"Wha- No I'm a huntsman! I thought she was lost!" He panicked as he tried to cover more to the crowd than the child. I rolled my eye as I knelt down to meet her eye level.
"He's just trying to help. Do you know where your parents are?" She paused as I could feel her thoughts running. I felt sorry as she tried to hold back tears as she shook her head. Then she gripped me into an even tighter hug. I felt bad for her, she was just a few years off from meeting someone like Cinder and being turned into a weapon like Pyrrha… But then again I could also feel a tiny hand on my butt going for my wallet. I held her tight in the hug until she got my wallet out. But when she began to pull away I grabbed her sides and lifted her up to proclaim, "Really you don't know where they are as you ran into the nearest building to stay warm? I will not rest until I find them!"
"Eh." The child had a confused look as she wasn't sure if I was lying or if I knew. Jaune however gazed at me with a little pride in his eyes.
"Come Jaune we will begin our search!" Jaune rolled his eyes as he followed along. We were quick to exit the theater as I held the child like a doll in my arms. She was so small. She wasn't fidgeting, more resigned to her fate. Or plotting her escape.
"So where do we start looking? You have any ideas?"
"Mantle for one."
"Wha- How'd you know?!" She shouted as she tried to escape from my grasp. Flex on both of them now.
"With the dull slightly torn up clothes and the poorly patched newsboy hat that would make Dr. Polendina jealous, they are a far cry from the vibrant and relaxed wear of the Atlesian elite. Hence Mantle. The cap is a nice touch though; it hides your ears." She recoiled even more this time trying to flee as I found out about the hat. The fear in her eyes was strong and it made me feel strong for a second but after the joy of tormenting dissipated I had a nauseating feeling in my gut.
"I-I-I'm Sorry! Please don't-"
"Cinder I don't-"
"You won't what? You won't buy us ice cream?" I stopped in front of a small ice cream parlor I had seen on the way into the mall. Jaune was shocked as I pointed the child at the store, I couldn't see the face of the child but I hope it sparkled. I set the child down quickly as I took her hand and dragged her in. Being late at night it was nearly closing time leaving the store mostly empty, perfect. I leaned into the kid to say, "Now remember the way to get him to pay is to guilt him into it."
"What will it be?" I picked up the child once again and set her on the counter to see into the ice cream case.
"I'm not sure, what would you like dearest daughter-" I was trying to come up with a fake name when she whispered to me.
"Rainheart."
"Rainheart?"
"Uh… orange?" Rainheart had clearly never had ice cream and neither had Cinder so I guess it was a treat for both of us.
"Orange sherbet it is, and for you ma'am?"
"Oh I'll have…" I looked over the containers in the glass case, all having fancy names that I didn't really understand. What was I supposed to get? What did Pyrrha like? What did Cinder? I stood there for an uncomfortable amount of time.
"She'll have cinnamon. Right Cydar?"
"Oh that sounds lovely." I answered without thinking. Wait, how did Jaune know what flavor I liked? I didn't even know.
"And for you sir?"
"The bill." Jaune was more confused than annoyed as I took the ice cream and led Rainheart to a table. She had both a happy grin and a death glare, a hard mixture to keep but I remained firm as I refused to give her the ice cream as she reached for it.
"Wallet." She looked away as she reached into her sleeve. The twinge of shame on her face remained present.
"Was this all for that stupid wallet? You gonna turn me into the cops now?"
"No, but it does have my ID in it and that was a hassle to get the first one." She looked me in the eye as she leaned back in the chair before tossing the wallet onto the table. Rainheart was afraid she was going to prison more than she desired the ice cream. I took the wallet and with a gentle tap let the lien fall out of the top onto the table before reclaiming the wallet itself. Rainheart just stared at it while I slid the ice cream in front of her.
"Is this some kind of test? I go for the money and I get nothing, or I go for the ice cream and get ice cream. You are a sick woman, you know that right." Rainheart was apprehensive as she stared at both the cup and the cash. Smart if I was slightly more evil I would absolutely give her neither, but that didn't stop me from picking up the lien cards and sliding them under the ice cream.
"Word to the wise: If you're going to steal, make sure it's not from huntresses or huntsmen. That never works out, trust me I know from experience." And now with big eyes she gazed at the cup of ice cream. Then to me. Then back to the cup. She gently reached for the cup or more specifically the money using them to lift the cup while she slid them into her sleeve.
"And how would you know?"
"Well when I was young I stole from one too…" I noticed Jaune hadn't joined us at the table preferring to hover over at what had to be a bar, "When he reclaimed his property he could have ratted me out and gotten me in trouble… but he saw something in me. So whenever he returned to the hotel he chose to train me."
There was a silence as the three of us sat. They happily ate their ice cream while I just stared at mine. I could feel the pain from having my tooth pulled just looking at it… but I could also taste the birthday cake prepared for me by mom. One time couldn't hurt... So for the first time in a decade or since I died I dunked the spoon in and took a bite, "Cold! Why is it so cold?!"
"Yeah. That's the whole point of it." Jaune wasn't sure who I was at this point.
"How was I supposed to know? I've never had it! Or at least I don't remember Pyrrha's off the top of my head…"
"It's ice cream- cold is literally in the name."
"Heh," The child chuckled once, "Hahaahahaha." Then she broke out into full laughter.
"Yeah, sure laugh at my pain." I muttered as I stuck the spoon and more prepared shoved some more ice into my mouth. This time it was less unpleasant however.
"You gotta admit- it is kinda funny." Jaune tried to hold back several snickers of his own.
"Jaune D' Arc I wouldn't admit anything is funny. Especially when I know your worst moments-" he raised his eyebrows trying to torment me, I wouldn't stand for that as he took a seat at the table, "Oh really Mr. Wore-a-Dress-to-the-Dance for me."
"Ha, oh gods I had forgotten about that! It feels like a lifetime ago…"
"Well for me it was… even if it was the most romantic thing anyone's ever done for me…" Jaune grinned as I tried and failed to hide a blush. Rainheart was chuckling the entire time barely getting through her ice cream.
"Ha, and I thought I got picked up by a badass. Not an old married couple."
"Language young lady, but yeah- lady killer here is anything but a bad-a… What about you?" I tried to appeal to her, but I knew if I prodded too hard she would run away. This was evident by how she slowed her ice cream.
"I'm fine."
"What about your parents? They have to be worried about you," Jaune diplomatically reasonably asked.
"Wouldn't know- I never met them." Ah… I didn't like where I was going to take this.
"Orphanage we can drop you off at?"
"Ran away from there years ago." Oh… please don't give me that look Jaune. Please don't. Please Don't. PLEASE DON'T. I looked at Jaune and nodded as we both agreed someone had to take care of this child. Maybe Ironwood would be willing or Mr. Polendina, "But I'm fine-"
"Where do you live?" I cut all the niceness now and began being as cold as the ice cream.
"Uh, Mantle-"
"Specifically where? Address, Street name, area code?" And now Rainheart was fiddling with her sleeve, "Unacceptable. If you don't tell me then we will be adopting you." I was curt and rigid with how I said that. I had abducted Emerald when she was 15 and Mercury when he was 16. A small child was nothing new. If anything it would be easier. After all this is how Salem taught me how to grow a following: abduct them.
"Uh, What?" They both asked in unison. I turned to Jaune.
"We're adopting her." His eyes remained wide locked on me like I was some sort of lunatic.
"Are you sure that you want to 'adopt' her?" Why was he putting emphasis on abducting? I knew what it meant.
"Of course, we will train her to be the finest soldier in our army."
"Okay, Cinder. What army?"
"The army of adoptees…" There was something wrong with what I just said, "Abductees. We're going to abduct her. I said adopt that entire time didn't I?"
"Yeah, uh-huh." I leant back as I began contemplating my death. I'm not sure where that came from… Regardless I can't let her fall into the same path I did, I would much rather her follow the path I did… The path Pyrrha did…
"Fine… I live with my aunt," There was apprehension in her voice, "and her teammates... The Happy Huntresses." I can play this off like it was all part of some scheme. Even though I was absolutely imagining it.
"There that was easy. Now we- waitaminute. Isn't she the one running for office?"
"...her teammate is."
"Then why are you up here?" Jaune was asking the important questions.
"She's too busy hitting on her leader to realize I'm here…" This wouldn't end well. I pulled Jaune over to the side to ask.
"What's our burden of care on this one? She could be a very valuable hostage."
"Cinder!" Jaune may have been right about this.
"Fine, fine. We'll take her to Ironwood."
Rainheart was in the strong hands of Ironwood. Who was puzzled over Jacques' come from behind victory but he promised to make sure she got home. It was probably a good thing because I was about ready to walk us down to the court and adopt her… Rainheart Arc daughter of Jaune and Cydar Arc. Weird thing is I had no maternal instinct before the merge. Now I just wished it would end so we can go back to pouting.
"So, adopting her?"
"I mixed up the word alright." We were back in the dorm as we were removing the armor. Jaune finished untying my corset before I moved to unlatch his shoulder pads.
"But you were just so convinced."
"IT was an act. If she thought something worse would happen she'd fold in on the truth," One of the first lessons I learned in manipulation. But Jaune wasn't convinced as we both got out of our armor. Easy and simple something we had been doing for weeks at this point. Then we get in bed and sex- "WAIT NO!"
"Oh gods how long was that?"
"I don't know! But I'm not banging your boyfriend tonight! Swap back in."
"Alright, I'll swap. AHHWAN, gonna… take… over… any… sec..." Did she just yawn in my thoughts?
"Come on. Swap!" She didn't reply… Did she just fall asleep? What a little-
"Uh Cinder-"
"What!" Jaune had the TV on showing all the riots in Mantle. And the Grimm as they attacked. This was the first part of the plan wasn't it.
"Armor back on, tonight is gonna be a long one."
"I know."
After one exhausting night Mantle was under Marshall law and I was confined to quarters. I can't even make this up, how did they manage to drop the ball this much? I mean panic is one thing but Ironwood did exactly what I said he would. He reacted poorly. And yet with my warning and knowing the full plan they still manage to let him make decisions. If I was in that meeting I likely would have been shot. But being confined to quarters was still a better use of my time than fighting a losing battle.
*KNOCK* *KNOCK*
"I'm confined to quarters! Whatever you want I can't help." The only wise decision they made was locking me in the room so I couldn't scheme. It didn't stop me though. Pyrrha had been taking more naps lately and I had more time to kill because of it.
"Cinder… I need to talk to you…" Weiss was far from my favorite member of her team but then again I didn't like any of them specifically.
"Did you get special clearance?" I pantomimed Winter from the other side of the door.
"Do… Do you actually mean that?"
"No. But the door is locked otherwise." I could hear the door unlock from the desk as she entered. There was nothing I had to say to her so it was probably something she wanted to ask me. Yet she beat around the bush while walking in, meandering about clearly uncomfortable being around me. I honestly don't remember wronging her so I figure that she wanted to know about the maiden power, "You know if you kill me the power goes to Emerald right?"
"Really? Wait No! I'm not here to kill you!"
"Then why are you walking around like that?"
"I don't know how to ask," I rolled my eye at her fluster.
"What is it that you want to know? Did I ever find the relic at Beacon? Did I get my face kicked in by Raven? Did I learn a lesson from any of these? Because the answer might surprise-"
"My sister is going to claim the Winter maiden power, and I'm worried she'll turn into you-" That hurt a surprising amount, "No I mean-"
"It's fine, I'm used to it. It's not like any of you like me…"
"Well you never give us a chance." Was that her response? Where did she get the balls? Was she right?
"You're worried she'll change because the other maiden will tag along, right?" Weiss nodded and I shook my head, "I don't pretend to know how this works just that I'm a part of it. But what I do know is Pyrrha's here because she didn't want to give up and die. Can the same be said about the current Winter Maiden?"
"I don't think so…"
"Wait a better question- Did Ironwood choose your sister because her name was already Winter?" Weiss rolled her eyes as she chuckled.
"Did you get chosen for the same reason Ms. Fall?" She taunted back.
"Oh please that's a fake name. I can't exactly go around as Sharcoal P. Montag with the bounty." I chuckled before my jaw tightened up. I had just told her my real name! Mercury and Emerald didn't even know it! Quick cover- "I mean it's always been Cydar Nill. Wait- No! Pyrrha Nikos! Wrong again. Cinder Fall…"
When I turned to look at her I saw her eyes were wide as plates.
"You're kidding right?"
"Yes?"
"You do realize the movie we saw-"
"The one you came crying from-"
"Not important-was about Sharcoal Montag."
"Yeah I was named after a historical figure. Wouldn't be the first time. I mean I'm pretty sure I'm not the first Cinder Fall either," Weiss looked at me warily as if not sure. I shook my head gently before I checked the door swiftly followed by the window. I popped my feather off my side and presented it, popping it open to show my parents. Two average looking Mistral farmers, "I'm named after her because she was the main character of the only book my mother owned."
"Oh… that's good…" there was apprehension in her voice, "Cinder… Sharcoal died when she met Salem…" That was news to me. I never even knew half of her story nor did I care to look it up.
"You'd think that wouldn't get televised with how secret she is…"
"Someone that could control Grimm was present during the great war. This much is common knowledge so it doesn't take a genius to put two and two together." Weiss stood like a student that was too proud of herself.
"So I should be on watch to make sure I don't meet Salem- Great advice. Half of Remnant needs that advice and I'm sure they're not gonna get it." Now I was fed up with this conversation I wanted her to leave. All I had to do was pick her up and throw her.
"Well that's not entirely true… she only died when all her friends weren't by her side." That made me feel better as she considered me a friend and worse… Did I consider her one? We sat there in silence for a second as neither of us knew what to say. I should probably let her go- "Wait, what did you mean with the bounty?"
"Oh, I was on the run after I murdered my stepmother, her daughters and a professional Huntsman." That was a summation of what happened with as little detail as possible. Weiss just scowled as she heard that.
"Fine don't tell me." And now I was lost. When she got up to leave I felt a pang in my heart, I didn't want to be alone. Full 180 from wanting to be alone earlier. Ask her to stay! Ask her where she's going! Ask her anything!
"What's the plan?" She turned back to me and shrugged her shoulders.
"Father decided he's going to invite all of the Atlesian elite to a dinner party to turn them against Ironwood. He's plotting the end of the dust embargo through the mental instability of Ironwood."
"Good plan. Same one Salem had after all…" That was a thought. What if it was the same plan… Tonight could be the night this charade ends.
"I doubt it. My father may be a greedy little man but he's not a terrorist." Weiss stood firm on that point but I knew he was probably already compromised.
"I don't doubt it. But remember; Ironwood isn't a terrorist either and the plan relies on him going nuts."
It was hard to tell but I kept blacking out. Everyday since the election I would lose several hours, Cinder would always write it off saying she was having fun in the silence but I felt there was another feeling in there. I just couldn't read it. She was more closed off for some reason but I honestly didn't know why.
Up until now we had been getting along better. Maybe not friends but we certainly weren't enemies… right? But when I woke up this time I knew something was wrong. Cinder was up pacing in the dorm room and the first of her thoughts that I could feel were less than good, "What did you do?"
"This time- nothing. But Mantle's burning anyway." Why was I not surprised? Had she managed to set a fire from up here? Or was this something else entirely? Stop I have to stop suspecting her she's been here the entire time, "We need to help the others. Unlock the door!"
"Right!" I took control as we rushed to the door. It was magnetically locked… You'd think they would have fixed that by now. Either way it was like flipping a switch. And we were out, "What's the plan?"
"Find Oscar. He has the relic, he's a target!" I didn't even have time to take a breath as I shot through the halls. Lucky that she was storing my weapons in the room. He and Qrow were sharing a room… much to the young boy's dismay as they all quickly found out. Qrow makes a terrible roommate… everything breaks constantly around him whether it be shoelaces or chairs. But regardless charging through the halls I found it easy to track him down.
He's in the center of chaos as Neo and Adam were chasing him. How did they get here? How did they know about the relic? Why him specifically? I had so many questions, "Help him!"
"Right! Oscar!" When he noticed me his eyes lit up. He wasn't alone. We could do this! I just needed to get the relic and draw their attention away from him. He rushed out from several slashes and clones of Neo before he ended at my side. I readied my weapons as he ducked behind me.
"What do we do!?"
"I don't know…" Adam slashed several times at my shield but they were all shallow, he was covering something. I flared my semblance out and caught Neo by the buckle on her collarbone throwing her back to Adam. I needed to come up with a plan and protect Oscar at the same time. He may be able to fight but Adam was a killer and Neo was tricky, I didn't like those odds even with Cinder's help.
"Take the relic, they won't go after him!" That sounded like it was a sensible plan.
"Oscar the relic!" I held out my hand expectantly but he resigned, "I can't fight both of them and protect you at the same time!"
"I can fight!"
"I know, but right now I need back up and they'll chase you if you still have the relic." He believed me at this point, there may not be much backup at the moment but there was still enough to scare them away. He was resistant but he finally placed it in my hand.
"Thank you Oscar. I can't believe it was this easy…" Cinder please don't, "I'm going to assume you're crying up there, but for the life of me I can't hear a single one of your thoughts."
Oh no. Was this her plan the entire time? Had she just conned me into getting the relic before locking me away? Did none of this matter? Oscar had the same confused look on his face. But after a second he knew.
"Cinder you don't have to do this!"
"I know. But I get to." She holstered my weapons before she raised the robot hand, "So much pain for it to all be pointless in the end." As it began to melt I knew she was determined to make it look like she hadn't changed. But I knew differently, "To think all this took was the sweet little whispers of a student you thought dead."
"So none of this meant anything to you! It was all just a game you were playing! How are you so broken inside that you can go through with it after everything we did?!" His words cut me deep but I had no idea how they affected Cinder as she didn't even flinch. She just stood there and took it.
"It was truly horrifying to be stuck following along with your little band of suicidal fools but now-" The final bits of the arm melted allowing the shadow hand grew back, "I don't have to pretend anymore. No more listening to friendship speeches. No more 'we can beat the odds' speeches. No more pretend heroism. And no more having my body used as a plaything for a dead child. I am finally free." She raised her hand as a little flame appeared right in front of it. I didn't want to watch. But she wouldn't move her eye as she stared as the fire consumed him.
"So this dear Ozma, is 2
and
O."
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