A/N: The prologue for Arc 2. If I had to give it an intro song, I would make it "Awake" from OK Goodnight, which is Casey Lee Williams' band. It's also the song used on the Cinder vs Rhodes fight in V8E6.
(Edit: As pointed out by hirshja, I made a blunder. Ironwood should not be able to be given control of Vale's hunters. That is a grave mistake on my part., and thus I have edited it. My deepest apologies, it slipped my mind.)
Truth. Just when you think it's you, the treachery will creep inside.
"There we go, you look perfect!" Cinder, of thirteen years, looked up to the woman with silver eyes that called herself Summer. She was now dressed in a thick winter coat, with appropiate pants and boots. A cap covered her hair, while a facemask covered her face. No one would be able to recognize her.
She had to admit, it was warm, warmer than anything she had ever been allowed to wear. She didn't know what this woman, Summer, wanted. However, she had dressed her and apparently intended to feed her. Whatever she desired from her, Cinder would bear with it, until it was time to escape.
Still, there was one thing that bothered her. "I look dumb," she complained.
Summer frowned, which caused Cinder to flinch slightly. Frowns meant shocks, even if the Madame was dead. "But are you cold?" She asked as the frown disappeared.
"N-No. Not at all." Cinder replied. Atlas usually had a heating system, an excellent one at that. But it was late into fall season, and no matter how much heating was used, Atlas remained cold. It even snowed some days, along with chilling winds. According to the Madame's daughters, it was due to being so high up.
"Good. Let's get going then." Summer said, pulling her white hood over her head and grabbing Cinder's hand. She flinched again, this time because of the contact. Summer's hand was warm and soft, and while she did pull, it was not a harsh move, but a soft one, like a gentle mother guiding their offspring.
It did not take long for Cinder to forcibly pull it away, retracting into herself and looking at Summer with suspicion. Cinder would not be made a prisoner again. For the first time since she was a child, she was free. She was not about to give in to this woman's words.
Summer turned back, gave her a sad look, and then began walking ahead, quickly tilting her turned head forwards as if to gesture the girl to follow her. With some trepidation, Cinder followed.
And so, they travelled the streets of Atlas. The wind was cold, the people walked without a care in the world as lights and screens shone in every direction. Everything was so prim, so perfect, like the Madame at first glance. But now, Cinder could see the ugliness underneath it all.
The pavement was cracked, the alleys were dark and full of unwanted junk that should not have been thrown away, and every time she looked at a passerby, they looked back with suspicion and disgust.
The worst part was a central plaza they passed by, which was not only full of people that mindlessly bumped against the two women, lost in their own selfish world, but also drowning in noise and holographic screens of leaders and commercials. She remembered, cause she had heard the Madame's TV make the very same sounds, the very same melodies.
Luckily, it was not long until they left that area. Summer, with her white cape, was like a light in the darkness, easy to see and shining brightly, contrasting with the greys, blues and browns from the city around her.
A few minutes of walking later, and they arrived at a much open area, an avenue of sorts, that had long buildings, alongside a wider walkway and few vehicles. Instead tables where strewn about, and the only thing that was announced was food. It was in every sign, every image, every person. It was all about eating. Dishes she had seen and craved a million times, or ones she had never seen in her life. Due to the open air, there was little smell, but she could imagine it, and it made her empty stomach turn about.
"We're here. You hungry?" Summer asked, looking back with a smile. Cinder nodded. "Good. Where would you like to go? We need a place with healthy food, and lots of it. Maybe..." Summer looked around and rambled on. It was nothing more than white noise to Cinder's ears once she noticed a particular place. She recognized that big, white sign from one time the two daughters of the Madame came back, gleeful and greasy, and even dangled the food in front of her. The smell had been intoxicating, and her stomach was left making noises that night.
"There," she said, pointing to the restaurant that was packed, yet also was the least fancy of the lot. Summer looked towards it, then back to her with a raised eyebrow.
"You want… to go to McSchnee's…" Summer said, her expression at a point between confusion and amusement. Cinder narrowed her eyes, stood tall, and nodded. If Summer didn't want to go there, Cinder would go anyways.
Then, something unexpected happened. There was no anger, or disappointment, or punishment. Instead, the huntress in front of her simply chuckled, bringing a hand to cover her mouth.
Cinder wondered for a second if the Summer had gone insane.
"Of all places, you want to go to McSchnee's. I guess…" Cinder narrowed her eyes, stopping Summer in her tracks.
"We're going there," Cinder said, mustering up all her strength. Summer simply stared with a blank expression, before smiling once again.
"… Alright. It's my treat." Bringing out a white and black credit card, Summer entered the place, and Cinder followed.
It was loud, had long lines towards the main counter, the white lights burned her eyes, and the grey blue and whites of the place made it all look cold and stilted. Still, a few robots were going around, greeting people and entertaining children while talking about some 'Schnee Dust Company'.
Cinder followed Summer closely, watching the other children with narrowed eyes. She would not let them hurt her, not anymore. She would hurt them first if they even got near.
"What do you want?" Summer asked.
"Huh?" Cinder raised an eyebrow.
"What do you want. There's a selection there." Summer pointed towards a long holographic display hanging above the counter, which had a bunch of hamburguers and other 'junk food' as the Madame had called it. They all looked apetizing and she wanted them all, but forced to choose, Cinder herself wanting the biggest one, that had every ingredient and at least three hamburgers.
"That one," she said, pointing to her selection.
"I guess you'll want large everything, right?" Summer asked with a smile. Cinder once again was taken aback at how… nice Summer was. But she wasn't going to be fooled. Not again.
Cinder stuck by Summer as she progressed in the line and ordered food from the cashier, who looked as exhausted as her. Was he a slave as well?
Once they got their food, they sat at a table outside the establishment. Cinder found herself lifting herself from her seat a little as her hamburger was placed in front of her. She didn't wait, she just grabbed it without a care and began eating.
It was juicy, salty, fulfilling, delicious. She didn't care that her clothes were being stained, or how hideous she must have looked, she was starving. Was this a reward for escaping? For killing them?
In a few minutes she was done, and as she licked her fingers she took one glance at Summer. The woman looked at her with sadness in her eyes. Was she going to punish her?
"What?" Cinder asked, glaring at the woman.
"You must have been starving." Summer said. The expression on her face said she was upset, but Cinder did not believe that.
"So?" She asked.
"No child deserves to starve, especially on a city like this," Summer's eyes then wandered to the fries that Cinder had left alone. "Mind if I–" As the woman reached for a fry, the girl was fast to grab them and hold them close to her body, glaring and showing her teeth, like an animal.
"Yes! I refuse to keep starving!" Cinder said, stuffing her mouth with fries. Summer looked around as people gave them stares.
The huntress sighed. "I see, forgive me." Summer said before falling silent. Cinder just ate, looking at the woman in front of her for any attempts to take her food away.
They spent a few minutes like that, neither talking nor doing anything of note.
Once Cinder finished her fries, Summer spoke.
"Cinder," the girl stood to attention as the woman leaned forwards a little, catching her gaze with her silver eyes. "What happened to you?"
"What do you mean?" Cinder asked. Summer closed her eyes, as if pained, then opened them again.
"Why did you… kill your family?" Cinder's chest grew cold as the memories of a few hours ago came back. The pain, the blood, the glee.
"Does it matter?"
"Yes. Please answer me." Cinder's mouth closed for a moment. She had never voiced her true feelings before. She just kept them all in, otherwise, the Madame would punish her for moping, her sisters would laugh at her for crying.
"They hurt me. They would never let me go. I needed to be free." Cinder said with a resolute voice. Summer's eyes widened, then narrowed.
"Cinder, you understand that what you did… was wrong, right?" Summer asked, her voice hard as steel.
"How was it wrong? They hurt me. I hurt them back. Everyone always does that. Rhodes told me to wait, but I could not take it anymore. Now I'm free. There's nothing wrong there, right?" Cinder asked with a smile. The thought of being free made her smile.
Summer said nothing, keeping an eye on her for a moment.
"Cinder… there is a lot wrong with what you said." Cinder's chest grew cold. The huntress was going to take her back, turn her in. "But none of it is your fault."
"What?"
"You've been hurt. You made the only choice you were given. So… please… let me help you." The girl scoffed.
"I don't need help." She was lying. She was not a street rat like some of the other kids at the orphanage. She could steal, if she tried. But she didn't know much else. But she could learn, she could survive. She had skills, she was strong, she didn't need Rhodes, nor Summer, nor anyone else.
Cinder moved to get up, but Summer also moved in front of her, but enough distance away that the girl could escape if she wanted to.
"Please… Cinder. Think about this," Summer said, almost pleading. Cinder looked at the ground. The huntress looked so sincere, so hurt. She almost believed she was telling the truth.
"I'll be fine on my own," she said after a moment.
"You don't deserve to be on your own." Summer said immediately. That made Cinder turn to her.
"Why do you care so much? I'm a nobody." She told her, nearly spitting the words out.
"I'm a huntress, it's my duty to help people," Cinder grit her teeth.
"You're lying. You don't have to do anything," Summer seemed taken aback, before her lips became pursed in a thin line.
"You've met a huntsman before," she stated. Cinder simply nodded, which made Summer sigh. "I see. It's true, not all huntsmen are good. But they should be. It's what I want to be, that very ideal. So when I say I want to help you, I'm being truthful," Summer said, holding a hand to her chest. But then, she lowered it, alongside her head. "But I understand. Given your situation, I'm sure it's hard to trust anyone. At the very least, let me take you away from this place." Summer said, once again locking eyes with the teen.
"What? How?" Cinder asked. Being away from Atlas? From the Glass Unicorn? That was too good to pass up.
"I can book an airship." Summer said, a smile returning to her lips. Cinder's alarms flared up.
"And where will you take me?" Asked the girl, stepping away.
"Wherever you want to, the choice is yours." Choice. Cinder could choose and go anywhere she wanted, that is, if Summer was being truthful.
"W-Where could I go?" Cinder asked. She knew of the continents but not anything else. She was too eager to be suspicious of Summer at that moment.
"Well, you have Mistral in Anima, Vale in… Vale, and Shade in Vacuo. Those are the best places, capitals, where you could live, get education, and a job. You're almost of age, too." Summer said.
Cinder rubbed her chin. Capitals were big, like Atlas. She would get swallowed up, or so Rhodes had said at some point.
"Is there not anywhere else?" Cinder asked.
"W-Well… there's a few major settlements outside the capitals, but not as safe from Grimm. There's also Patch," Cinder raised an eyebrow.
"Patch?"
"A small island near Vale. It's safe from Grimm, has a nice community, and it's where I live." Summer said.
"You… live there?" Cinder asked. Being near Summer… near someone that had helped her without Cinder asking… that seemed ideal. But she still had some doubts.
"Yes. With my family. My husband, and…" Summer seemed to hesitate.
"And…?" Cinder asked, narrowing her eyes.
"I have a home with two girls. I'm sure they would be delighted to meet you. That is, if you want to come with me." Summer said. Cinder froze. Two girls. Being on a nice island, with Summer nearby, safe from Grimm, away from big cities.
"And you… won't hurt me." Cinder asked with trepidation.
"Never. You'll be safe. And if you don't feel like that, you can leave. You're strong. I'm sure you could make it on your own. But let me at least help you, to ease my conscience."
Summer extended a hand to her, her palm open, waiting for another to fall onto it.
"Trust me."
A loud banging jolted Cinder's eyes open. Someone was knocking on her door. She was still on campus, since Ozpin's house arrest was still in effect, despite all she'd done to help him.
The banging continued, like a jackhammer.
"Alright already! I'm coming!" She screamed as she got up to open her curtains. The bright sun nearly blinded her. She had overslept, and so she quickly got dressed in her huntress outfit.
She hated dreaming of Summer, because she missed her. For years, Cinder had wondered wether trusting her had been a mistake. She could easily have ended up in the same situation as before, with a family that locked her up and prevented her from being happy.
She opened the door to her room in the Teacher dorm room in Beacon, and was reminded of why it had not been a mistake.
"Super sis!" Ruby yelled, turning into petals and rounding her a few times, before materializing in front of her. She was jumping like a bunny, a grin plastered on her face. "Today is the day! Today's the day! Todaysthedaytodaystheday!"
Cinder was taken aback by this display. Normally, she would frown, but now… she felt at ease around Ruby. Maybe because she still was so excited around her despite knowing of her past. And so, she smiled instead.
"What did you do? Create the BFG 9000?" She asked, one side of her mouth curved upwards. Instantly, Ruby stopped, pouting.
"It was just a joke! A concept! Stop ridiculing me!" Ruby said. Cinder simply flicked her little step sister on the forehead, which made her recoil.
"Never. So what's this about?" She asked, turning serious again.
"Well," a new voice said. Both sisters turned to see their third, the blonde brawler Yang Xiao Long step in. "We came to remind you we–"
"–get our first match at the Vytal Festival today!" Ruby said, jumping in front of Yang. Cinder took a step back.
"Huh? Really?!" Cinder asked.
"Really! Don't tell me you forgot." Yang said. Cinder had not forgotten the details. The Beacon Headmaster had selected eight teams from Beacon to represent Vale, while the other headmasters would each handpick eight of their own. RWBY were indeed a powerful team, but to have them in the Vytal Festival as first years… Cinder was envious.
"Amazing. That Ozpin must really see something in you." She commented.
"Oh come on! We're not that big a deal." Ruby said, blushing slightly.
"But we are! We stopped the White Fang AND a breach! We are the bomb, sis!" Yang said, patting Ruby on the back very strongly. So much Ruby nearly fell face first into the floor.
"Yang's right. You have all the merits to be in the festival. And more importantly," Cinder said, locking eyes with Ruby. "You need to be confident in your abilities. And be sure that even if you don't believe yourself up to the task, you must still try."
"Got it sis!" Ruby said with a fist pump.
"So when are you fighting?" Cinder asked with a yawn.
"Right now! Blake and Weiss are waiting for us!" Ruby said. "We came to pick you up, make sure you don't forget. Now come on!" Ruby said, dashing ahead of them.
"Gods," Cinder said, rubbing the bridge of her nose. "I haven't even showered."
"Then do it. As long as you come watch, it's all good. But if you spend too long, I'll drag you out." Yang said.
"I'll do it, I'll do it." Before Cinder could go back into her apartment, Yang's voice stopped her.
"Did you really… forget?" Yang asked. Her voice seemed delicate. Cinder sighed.
"Sorry. I have a lot on my mind lately," Cinder said.
"Like what?" Yang asked, crossing her arms.
Like what? For starters, the Raven situation. She had kept it under wraps, along with Qrow and, as far as she knew, Taiyang. It was frustrating, but necessary, even if it made Cinder a hypocrite. Then there was the media, especially Lisa Lavender, pestering her for details about the White Fang in Mountain Glenn. And lastly, an impending visit.
"It's Tai," she said.
"Dad?" Yang asked, expression becoming one of concern.
"Yes. I don't know what I'm going to say to him." Cinder admitted. Taiyang, being the amazing father he thought he was, decided to see Ruby and Yang fight in person, while also taking the time to catch up with Qrow.
"How about 'Hey dad? How's it going? Want to catch up?' That usually works." Said Yang with a smirk.
"It's not that simple." At this, Yang threw her arms into the air.
"You can't still be angry at him," she was right. A long time had passed since then, but, Taiyang had failed Ruby and Yang for close to three months. Months in which they needed him the most. She could not easily forgive his emotional absence, even in spite of the circumstances.
"And what if I am?" Cinder crossed her arms and fixed Yang in place with a stare. And yang stared back.
"I get it, he left you alone with us," Yang said, gently squeezing Cinder's arm. "But he's gotten better. You saw it before you left for Beacon. He loves you, he has never stopped. So please, give him a chance." Cinder looked at the ground. Yang was right of course, Tai was better. But seeing him had her anxious for an additional reason.
She had asked him to look up the name 'Cinder Fall'. Whatever he found, wether it was some world changing revelation or nothing at all, scared her. That surname, 'Fall', was a foreign thing constantly on the back of her mind, creating questions that needed answers. Anything to do with that, she dreaded.
"Are you sure? What if–" Cinder closed her eyes for a moment. She felt lighter around her and Ruby. She could trust them, because their interactions had not changed for the worse since revealing her past. In fact, they were better, almost back to the level they were at when they were still living together. But even with all that, opening up, being vulnerable, it was not easy. "– I guess a part of me wishes things were still the same." She admitted.
"They won't be, I think. But they'll be better." Yang said, beaming at her. "Trust me."
Trust. That was a powerful and dangerous thing.
Trust had gotten her here. Trust from Yang and Ruby had mended their broken bond when she had revealed her past and they accepted it.
And yet, Cinder could not trust things to go well. Could not trust the world to not take everything away from her.
But for now, she was happy, she was safe. And that made her lower her guard. In retrospective, that would be her gravest mistake.
"Fine. I trust you." Cinder said, grabbing Yang's shoulder and giving a gentle squeeze. "Now get going. Ruby will be mad if you get them disqualified." Cinder teased. Yang forcefully shoved her hand away.
"Says Miss 'I forgot my sisters' big day'. You better be there, or it's your ass!" Yang said, sprinting away. Cinder smiled at her antics before going back into her dormitory.
Once inside, she sniffed at her armpit. Yes, she definitely needed a bath.
Once Cinder was clean and refreshed, she set about to get to Amity Colosseum. Airships were in constant use to get one from Beacon to the skyward arena, so going in was not a problem for anyone. Considering how big and flamboyant this year's Vytal Festival was, it was no surprise most of Beacon was on the Colosseum.
Even so, the school felt somewhat eerie. It was not silent by any means, but the students moved about in quick steps. There was lots of excitement and festivities, but there were many others who seemed less than thrilled, even worried, as they looked skywards.
The last month, the passing of an Atlas airship had become a common sight.
As she crossed a courtyard, now decorated for the festival, she heard gasps of amazement and hushed whispers of fear. That was not good.
As she looked around, Cinder noticed the absence of any teachers. Beacon had many huntsmen in the staff, and to not see any of them in the academy proper was worrying. Some had duties for the festival of course, but none were seen in her trip to the airships.
She reached the port. There were quite a few people waiting for their airships, but the landing bay was so wide people were distributed in singular cliques. Then an airship arrived. White in color, with four metal wings facing up. An Atlas design.
Once it landed, under it's nose a ramp lowered, and out excited General Ironwood, alone.
He walked out, the hatch closed behind him and the ship departed. He then continued as people gawked. He walked upright, back straight, always looking forwards with an iron gaze.
He passed by Cinder, and as he did so she caught his sight, and he, hers.
He stopped. "Ah, Cinder. Perfect timing. I was just about to call for you." He said, a smile on his face. Yet, his eyes were looking at something else in her, as in waiting for her to move.
"General Ironwood," she said with a nod. "What for?"
"A meeting with Ozpin. We have a job for you." Cinder looked back at the docking bay before turning her eyes back to the general.
"I'm going to watch the festival. Team RWBY is–"
"–I didn't ask. You need to come with me." Was his reply. His face remained neutral, but she could discern some edge on his voice.
"You don't give me orders," she said, clenching her fists.
"I'm afraid I do now. The Vale Council has made me the head of security, for both the festival, and the city. And while as a huntress you are not beholden to orders, as professor of this institution you are to help in defending it, as well as the city. Now come, we're wasting time." He said, turning around and heading towards the campus. Even as he turned around his gaze never left her.
Cinder grit her teeth. What was up with him?
Still, she had to keep her job. As much as she hated it, she'd play along.
As she followed Ironwood back to the main campus, a lavender haired woman appeared in front of her. Cinder's mood went from rock bottom to underground.
"Hello, Professor Cinder. May I have–?"
"–No. Now get out of my face." Cinder said, glaring at a small ball sized robot that hovered near her.
"Cinder, the people need to know what's going on with these airships, with Atlas, and with Professor Ozpin. Being relieved of his charge–"
"None of that is happening!" Cinder said, her patience drained. Lisa Lavender stepped back as Cinder towered over her. "Now stop pestering me. I cannot, nor do I want to say anything." She heard a click at her side, and her arm snapped. The robot soon melted in her hand, reduced to a pool of electronics and steel in a matter of seconds.
"Luckily for me," Lisa said, stone faced as another camera drone popped out from behind her. "I brought spares. I did learn from last time." With a sigh, Cinder simply elected to ignore the reporter by walking away.
"As you wish," Cinder heard from behind her. "We'll have this talk later, Miss Cinder." She heard, then some rambling could be heard, probably the making of a report. Cinder did not care. She just wanted to see her sisters stomp the competition.
As she turned around, Cinder spotted Ironwood, hands dangling at his side. He kept his gaze on her, until she made eye contact. Then he turned around and resumed his path.
How she wished she had Midnight right now.
Rhodes Fatin liked Vale. People were peaceful, accepting, and had a fantastic culture. The city, especially, while big and bustling, was unlike the suffocating and cold Atlas. Coming to the Vytal Festival on a whim from his partner, Annika Koyanskaya, had been a breath of fresh air.
While the pink haired foxy woman had left to find a partner for the night, Rhodes had decided to drink alone on a bar. He Blocked out the sounds of drunken banter as he watched the TV above the counter. The Vytal Tournament would start soon, and while he usually never watched it, it was better than anything.
As he watched kids fight for… reasons… he drowned his glass down his throat. Kids fighting for no reason. That was the way of the world. A sick way, but what could he do. It was all he knew.
"Many things," he said to himself. "So many. What a coward I am."
"Hm? Need something?" Asked the bartender, a dark skinned and muscled woman.
"Another one, please." Said Rhodes. The big woman nodded and another amber liquid was poured down.
The round was over. The Vacuo team had beaten a team of straight laced Atlas teens that looked more like they belonged in an office than a field of Grimm.
"Serves them right," said the woman, noticing his gaze.
"Cheers to that," Rhodes replied, raising his glass before downing it.
A commercial passed by, and then, a news section. The camera moved from behind a well known reporter, Lisa Lavender, as she ran behind someone. Rhodes did not care.
"Professor Cinder!" His drink flew out of his mouth. While he did redirect it, it went to a nearby customer.
"What the fuck man!" he did not hear the man. He instead stood up, paralysed over the counter as he stared into a face he could never forget.
Black hair, amber eyes, a round but lean face.
Cinder, the girl he failed to guide to a better life. The girl he believed was dead, or far worse. She was on the TV, like a ghost haunting him.
"W-Where is that? Where is that?!" he asked, sounding like a madman.
"Hey now. Calm down, don't make me throw you out." Said the bartender, towering over him.
"Sorry. But where is that?" He asked, sitting down and pointing to the TV.
"Beacon. Can't miss the tower,"
"Beacon…" Rhodes mused to himself, looking at the now empty glass. He had stopped. He knew he had failed, came to terms, and then forgot about it all. Life moved on with or without him, and he did the same.
But now, he had a chance to make things right, for real.
He needed to find Cinder. Make sure she was safe.
With a hardened expression, he stood up once again. "Thanks for the drink." He said, leaving some lien on the table before turning to the soaked customer, who glared daggers at him still. "Sorry about the mess."
He to a nearby hotel, asked for his partner, and entered her room without a care in the world. It was no surprise the pink haired fox faunus screeched and covered herself on the bed.
"What's wrong with you?!" Koyanskaya asked, pink eyes staring into his brown ones. A man was beside her, also covering himself.
"I need to get to Beacon."
A/N: And so, Arc 2 begins. What awaits our dear Professor Cinder? Only time will tell, but trust is a fragile thing indeed, and that will be the theme of this Arc.
On another note, I had to reinstall Libre Office, and so the formatting got eff'd up. Forgive if weird things slip past. I'll fix them in a heartbeat.