AN: I have a feeling this is going to be a very controversial chapter.

I would once again like to thank Lord Maximus for the help with this chapter.

(TW: Sexual assault)

Chapter 90

Emerald sat on her bed, waiting patiently for Cinder to finish stitching up a wound the green-haired girl had received fighting a Beowolf in training.

Of course, Emerald could just wait until her Aura healed the wound, as it was really more of just a light cut, but she wanted to use this opportunity to be physically close to Cinder.

Even with her scars, Cinder was still the most beautiful woman Emerald had ever laid eyes on.

Which only made Beacon even more infuriating. The kiss her mentor had shared with Ruby during the Festival still haunted Emerald.

They had been together for so long, what did Ruby have that she didn't?

"I'm finished, my lady," Cinder said in the monotone voice that she had adopted ever since Salem did…whatever it was she did to her. Cinder moved to stand up, but Emerald caught her wrist.

"Please," Emerald said. "Sit."

"Yes, Lady Emerald," Cinder said, taking seat next to Emerald on the bed. They sat there in silence for a few moments before Emerald finally spoke.

"So… I don't think you ever told me the story about how you knew Ruby."

"When I was younger, I was kidnapped by bandits," Cinder said, surprising Emerald. She hadn't heard that before, either. "Ruby was later captured by that same group. Aqua and her uncle came to rescue her, and brought me to their house. I then lived there for 6 months before my step-mother came to pick me up. Only she had already made a deal to sell me to Watts. That's how I ended up here."

"So, Watts just…bought you?" Emerald asked.

"Yes," Cinder said. "However, he killed my step-mother instead of actually paying her."

"I can see why you were so happy to see them again," Emerald muttered. "And how do you feel about Ruby? Do you love her?"

"She is very special to me," Cinder answered. Emerald breathed in deeply, wanting to ask a question, but dreading the answer.

"Am I… special to you, too?" Emerald asked, slowly reaching her hand towards Cinder's.

"Yes, you are," Cinder said, and Emerald knew her face reflected the happiness and relief she was experiencing. Smiling brightly, she placed her hand on Cinder's cheek, turning her head to look her in the eye.

Emerald leaned forward, taking Cinder's lips in hers.

…And Cinder didn't react.

"Kiss me back," Emerald said, coming to the realization that Cinder probably couldn't reciprocate unless ordered to. After giving the order, Emerald went back in, and this time her kiss was returned, with more enthusiasm than Emerald expected.

After several minutes, Emerald came up for air, looking at the black-haired woman with hungry eyes.

"Lay down," she said, and Cinder complied, lying down on Emerald's bed. Emerald climbed on top of her, straddling her waist and kissing her again, trying to find the straps to start undoing Cinder's dress.

That was when she got an idea.

"Cinder, speak freely," she said. She had never tried this before, but hopefully it would work.

She wanted to hear Cinder say how much she lov—

"Emerald, please don't do this," Cinder said, making Emerald freeze.

"W-What?' Emerald asked.

"Please, don't do this," Cinder repeated, and Emerald could see emotion in her eyes for the first time in months.

And instead of the love she had hoping for and expecting, Cinder was looking at her in fear.

W-what was I about to do?!

"Emerald, I—"

"STOP!" Emerald shouted, making Cinder's face go back to its neutral expression. "Just stop talking." Emerald swiftly climbed off of Cinder, sitting against the headboard with her knees pulled up to her chest. She was about to…

She felt tears start to well up in her eyes.

"Please, just leave," Emerald said quietly.

Without a word, Cinder got up, and left the room.

Once the door was closed, the tears fell freely.

Aqua looked sadly at Weiss, standing across the arena with Myrtenaster held tightly in her hand. Of all the things she had expected Jacques to pull, making them fight for Weiss's freedom wasn't one of them. It started when he walked into her dorm room with that damn contract…

The previous day…

"What is this?" Aqua asked, seeing Jacques slam a document onto the table in front of her.

"A contract," he said. "As I'm sure you're well aware, I have never been fond of Weiss's decision to become a Huntress. However, I'm nothing if not a fair man." Aqua scoffed at that. "I have decided to give her the chance to prove herself, and earn her chance to pursue her dreams."

"And what does that have to do with me?" Aqua asked.

"I would like for you to fight her," Jacques said, prompting Aqua to raise an eyebrow in confusion. "If she can defeat you, then she will be allowed to do whatever it is that she feels like."

"And if I win?" Aqua asked.

"Then Weiss stays in the manor, gives up on her silly notion of becoming a Huntress, and marries whomever I say she will marry." Aqua chuckled.

"Why in the world would I agree to something like this?" She asked.

"Because, I was thinking that the Schnee mines could use someone from the family to serve as an inspector," he said, smirking. "I hear that can be quite dangerous."

"You're going to send Weiss there?" she asked, narrowing her eyes at him.

"Unless you agree to this match. Provided that the fight takes place, Weiss will not be sent to the mines. I know you care about her, so which will it be?"

Aqua growled, before signing the paper.

"Thank you," Jacques said, scooping the paper up. "Oh, and I forgot to inform you, don't think of throwing the match, because if you lose, you'll be working for me. I could use a new maid, after all."

"What?!" Aqua yelled, standing up. "I didn't know about that!"

"Well, it's not my fault you didn't read the fine print," Jacques said. "Now, I'll see you first thing tomorrow for your match."

"…Bastard," Aqua growled.

"I'm sorry, Aqua."

Aqua closed her eyes, sighing as she summoned her Keyblade. "It's all right, Weiss. You do what you have to do…" Weiss watched as a barrier appeared around them as Aqua opened her eyes. "And I'll do what I have to do."

Weiss held her Myrtenaster in one hand, taking the classic fencer pose as Aqua settled into her own fighting stance. She knew fighting and beating Aqua was a tall order, given her skills and the power of the Keyblade… But she saw no alternative.

So without hesitation both Huntresses charged at each other.

They both leaped forward, spinning as they delivered the first slash that sparked on impact between the Master Keeper and Myrtenaster. Aqua swung her Keyblade up at Weiss, who jumped back, the Keyblade missing her face by mere inches. Weiss landed on her feet first and shot forward, slashing with Aqua again. After two slashes, Weiss swung at Aqua, who ducked and cartwheeled to the side, and then held up her Keyblade.

"Fire!" from her Keyblade launched a single fire ball that shot past Weiss, hitting the barrier walls.

Weiss stared back at Aqua, who remained composed, knowing that she had missed on purpose. Weiss briefly wondered before shaking it off and remained on guard as Aqua went on the offensive. Aqua leaped and spun, her Keyblade being parried by Myrtenaster twice before Aqua somersaulted and aimed her foot down on Weiss, who jumped back, parrying the kick with her weapon. Weiss quickly plunged Myrtenaster into the ground, using Ice Dust to create spikes of ice that traveled straight at Aqua, who calmly held out one hand.

"Defend," Aqua said, creating a barrier around her that blocked the ice, which shattered on impact. "You can do better than this, Weiss. I know you can."

Weiss said nothing as she lifted her sword up.

"Freeze!" Aqua shouted, sending an ice shard right at Weiss, who jumped out of the way. "Since ice seems to be the main theme, I thought we'd make it even… Fire!"

The remaining ice spikes were blown apart by a fire spell from Aqua, but Weiss summoned a glyph that blocked the spell. The force of the blast sent her back, but she remained standing.

"You can't beat me like this, Weiss," Aqua said. "I don't want to do this to you, but I can't back down, either."

"I can't give up," Weiss said. "I have to see this through."

She shot forward, thrusting her blade straight at Aqua's heart, but Aqua blocked. Weiss flew past and spun around. She leaped at her former teacher again, swinging her blade down. Aqua blocked the first slash, stepping back as she blocked the next two, but was taken back by the next one that had a bit of Wind Dust added to it that sent her flying back. Aqua cartwheeled and landed on her feet before charging back at Weiss, the two clashing their weapons again.

The two seemed evenly-matched, before Aqua kicked Weiss away, knocking her into a barrier wall. Weiss slid down, grunting slightly. She got back up and pointed two fingers at Aqua, who looked down to see a glyph appear under her. With a single gesture from Weiss, the glyph exploded, sending Aqua into the air.

Weiss summoned several more glyphs around Aqua and then underneath her, using it to catapult up and fly straight at Aqua. She delivered one slash before landing on the nearest glyph that served as the finishing touch. She landed perfectly on the ground, thinking that she had actually won…

And then turned to see Aqua hurl her Keyblade at her.

Weiss had no time to react as it slammed her into the barrier wall again. The Master Keeper flew back into Aqua's hands as she approached.

"That's enough," Aqua said, stopping in front of Weiss. "You can't beat me."

"I… don't… care!" Weiss shouted as light exploded around her.

Aqua jumped back to see the same armored giant from the party appear to protect Weiss.

"I have to do this… It's the only way he'll allow me my freedom!" Weiss shouted. "I don't want to do this but it's either this or I just sit back and become his perfect little angel and let him marry me off to whatever slime he chooses!"

Aqua looked at Weiss, seeing tears trailing down her eyes.

"Do you really believe he'd keep his promise?"

Weiss didn't have an answer and seemed to be shaking.

"All right," Aqua dismissed her Keyblade and spread her arms out. "Let's find out."

Weiss's eyes widened as she watched Aqua leave herself vulnerable as the Gigas Armor raised its sword above her and swung it down…

"NO!"

The armor and its sword vanished just mere inches above Aqua's head. She opened her eyes and watched as Weiss fell to her knees, tears dripping down her cheeks. Aqua dismissed the barrier and rushed over to her, kneeling down and hugging the girl.

"…I'm sorry," Aqua said. "I'm sorry you were put through this. You've earned your freedom. Enjoy it. When I find a way to escape, I'll join you."

"W-What do you…"

Weiss didn't get to finish her question, as both of them were suddenly restrained by Gravity Dust bolas being thrown at them, knocking them to ground and pinning their arms to their sides. A group of soldiers rushed into the room, alongside Jacques.

"What's the meaning of this?!" Aqua yelled. "I surrendered! Weiss won! Let her go!"

"Really?" Jacques asked. "From where I'm standing, both of you simply chose to stop fighting. There were no winners. Thus, per our agreement, Weiss will come back to the manor and do as I say, and you, my dear, will begin your new job as a maid."

"Wait, what is he talking about?" Weiss asked, struggling in her restraints.

"…"

"Aqua, what is he talking about?!" Weiss demanded, louder this time.

"…I'm sorry," Aqua said again, before the two women were picked up and hauled out of the arena.

Yang pulled her motorcycle, Bumblebee, out of the shed, giving it a once over. Her robot arm had been painted yellow and black, matching her usual aesthetic.

"So, you're really leaving?" her father asked. Yang turned around to see him and Barret, with Marlene perched on the large man's shoulder.

"I've been cooped up here long enough," Yang said. "Ruby needs me."

"It's been fun, kid," Barret said. "Don't forget to write." Marlene held out her arms, prompting Yang to scoop her up into a big hug.

"I'll miss you, Big Sis Yang," the girl said.

"I'll miss you, too," Yang said. "You be good for Barret, okay?"

"Okay!" she said, before Yang handed the girl off to her uncle.

"While I would've liked for you to stay a little longer, I know you care too much about your sister," Dad said. "I'm proud of you for that."

Yang pulled her dad into a hug.

"I'll say 'hi' to her for you," she said.

"Please do." He paused for a second. "I love you."

Oh, why not?

"Love you too."

Aqua and Weiss sat in the back of a small transport airship, Gravity Dust bolas being used to tie their arms behind their backs, and to tie their ankles together. Their seat belts had been fastened, which, while still fulfilling the usual safety purposes of a seat beat, restrained as they were they also served to keep them trapped in their seats. They had been silent since being captured, Aqua not meeting her gaze.

"What did he mean?" Weiss finally asked, breaking the silence.

"Hm?"

"What did my father mean?" Weiss clarified. "He said something about you being a maid." Aqua sighed deeply.

"He tricked me," she said. "He told me about the match, and that you would win your freedom if you beat me. He waited until after I had signed the contract to inform me of what would happen if I lost. I was just so mad at him for arranging this in the first place that I didn't think to ask."

"But then, why did you agree to this at all?" Weiss asked.

"He told me he was going to send you to 'inspect' the Schnee mines if I refused," Aqua said. "I couldn't just let him do that."

"You only agreed because my father told you he would send me to the mines?" Weiss asked, shocked by what she had heard. Aqua nodded.

"I knew I couldn't back out, especially after he had me sign that stupid contract."

"I can't bel—No, I can believe it," Weiss looked at the ground. "He can't stand the thought of not being in control of the people around him. I have should have known he had something up his sleeve. This is all my fault. If I'd just kept my cool at the party, he wouldn't have set his sights on you, and now we're both stuck here."

"I'm a grown woman, Weiss, I'm perfectly capable of getting into trouble on my own," Aqua said. "Besides, I was planning on throwing the fight anyway." Weiss looked at Aqua, stunned.

"You were going to let me win?"

"After I made it look convincing," Aqua finished.

"But the deal—"

"The deal doesn't matter," Aqua stated. "Right now, your father thinks I'm just an honorable Huntress who's too afraid of the legal ramifications if I go against him. I was going to let you win but since he decided that no one won I have to change things."

"Change? How?" Weiss asked.

"I don't plan on spending the rest of my life as his maid, and I don't keep my word to people who go back on theirs," Aqua explained with a determined face. "First off, we work on a plan to get out of Atlas."

"I think I know someone who can help," Weiss said.

Sun slowly opened his eyes, grunting when pain shot up his arm. He lifted his head up, and spotted a certain black-haired young woman sitting in a chair across from the couch he was laying on.

"Blake?" he questioned.

"This… is why, Sun," she said. "This is I left them all behind."

"What are you…" Sun said, sitting up. "Wait, where am I?" Blake didn't answer, instead walking over to the couch.

"I am done seeing my friends hurt because of me," she said.

"Blake…"

"Shut up!" she snapped. "Do you think I like being alone? Every day… Every day I think about them! Ruby, Yang, Weiss… they were my friends! I loved them like I never thought I could love anybody. And I hope they hate me for leaving."

"You don't mean that," Sun said.

"Yes I do!" she yelled, making him recoil. "Everyone thinks they can help me, but they can't." She slumped down onto the couch. "You saw Ilia last night and she's not even the worst! No. No more. They're better off without me. I made my choices and I'll seal with the consequences because they belong to me."

"You think you're being selfless, but you're not," Sun said. "Yeah, that chameleon friend of yours got me pretty good. But I'd do it all again if it meant protecting you." She looked up at him in surprise. "And I can promise you the others would say the same." She looked away, and he sat up fully. "You can make your own choices, sure. But you don't get to make ours. When your friends fight for you, it's because we want to. So stop pushing us out! It hurts more than anything the bad guys could ever do to us. But, if it makes you feel any better, the next time I go up against Lizard Gril, it won't be for you—It'll be to get even." He tried to flex, only to wince in pain, causing Blake to giggle.

"My hero," she said. The door to the office suddenly collapsed, prompting the teens to look and see Blake's mom was the one who had been eavesdropping. Blake's dad looked down disapprovingly at his wife, while Tifa stood next to him, looking amused.

"Oh!" Kali said. "Oh dear, would you look at that, he's awake! Thank goodness!"

"Kali, please," Ghira said, covering his face with his hand.

"Mom!" Blake said in embarrassment.

"Hey, Mrs. B!" Sun greeted.

"What are you doing?!" Blake asked.

"Well, sweetheart, your father needed to speak with the two of you."

"Huh?" Blake asked, prompting her father to place Ilia's stolen scroll on the coffee table, displaying a series of files.

"I'm afraid you were right to be suspicious," he said.

"What do you mean?"

"Adam Taurus is planning to overthrow the leader of the White Fang, and stage a full-scale attack on Haven Academy. It would be the Fall of Beacon all over again."

"Not if we destroy the White Fang once and for all," Sun said.

"No," Blake said. "We're not going to destroy the White Fang. We're going to take it back."

"Count me in," Tifa said. "The Albains said that the White Fang were a force for good, but it's obvious that was a lie. If a school is destroyed, a lot of innocent people are going to die. I can't just sit back and let that happen."

Blake smiled at her fellow cat.

"Welcome to the team."

"Ah, there you are, and much better looking."

Aqua said nothing, preferring to glare at Jacques with an intensity that she only saved for people that truly disgusted her. After being dragged back the Schnee manor she had been forced to wear a dark blue maid's outfit with puffy sleeves, a white apron tied around her waist, and white stockings with black high-heeled shoes. Around her neck was a collar with a yellow jewel of some kind. In addition to that she wore a white maid's hairband adorning the top of her head.

"Quite beautiful I must admit. Especially with how docile you are now," Jacques said with a grin as he looked over her figure. He made a gesture. "Please turn around so I can have a full view."

"No," Aqua said.

"Excuse me?" Jacques, asked, narrowing his eyes.

"Don't think you own me just because you dragged me here and had me dressed up like a little doll—GAH!" Aqua was cut off as Jacques held up a remote and pressed a switch.

The collar around her neck released a shock through her body and she staggered before Jacques took his finger off the switch.

"That will not do," Jacques said as he stood up and approached Aqua. "I don't think, I know that I own you. You're my personal servant. I make the rules and I decide how you live as head of this family.

Aqua straightened herself up and glared at him with even greater anger.

"You would do well to remember that and behave yourself. Consider this and insurance policy. Do so and you will find it a much easier experience," Jacques said, bringing a hand to her chin. "This is the price for insolence. No matter what you try you should now understand that I always come out on top."

His hand trailed down her neck.

"No matter what anyone thinks."

As his hand travelled down her neck and started to head towards her chest, Aqua swatted his hand away.

"You bastard!"

Jacques pressed the switch again, grinning as the collar electrocuted her, but to his surprise, Aqua, while gritting her teeth, grabbed his wrist, which caused him to feel the very shock therapy he was giving her.

"Thunder," Aqua whispered through gritted teeth.

This increased the charge and sent Jacques crashing down to the ground. He was panting slightly as he struggled through the pain and looked up at her with an angered gaze.

"You…"

"Go ahead. Press that switch again," Aqua dared. "See if you have any better luck than before." Jacques grunted as he stood up.

"You can pull the tough girl routine all you want, but sooner or later you'll fall in line."

"I'm sure you said the same thing to Weiss and her sister. Maybe even their mother," Aqua retorted. Jacques chuckled.

"Well, I may not have used those exact words… Funny you should mention my dear wife. She was so much like you, which I suppose shouldn't surprise me. She had initially wanted to be a Huntress as well, even trained under her father for it. It took me quite a while to break through her rough exterior so I could see the gentle woman underneath and what I needed to say and do to charm her."

"Hmph, must have been quite the effort on your part. Pretending to be so loving and caring." Aqua rolled her eyes with a sarcastic smile, but let out a grunt as Jacques pressed the switch, giving her another shock.

"Yes, it was." Jacques lowered the remote as Aqua threw him another nasty look. "Fortunately I endured and secured myself as the new head of the Schnee family, and she produced three children for me to secure my legacy. If not for the fact that she was the actual Schnee I would have long since left her out on the streets."

"That likely would have been a blessing," Aqua scoffed.

"Perhaps, but I need her where I can keep an eye on her, and where I can keep an eye on you," Jacques stated, folding his arms behind his back. "As you are now my personal maid you will carry out my wishes with no complaints. Do so and life will be so much easier… for both of us."

Aqua continued glaring at him, but knew she had to endure this for now until she and Weiss had an opportunity to escape.

Once they left the grounds, Aqua would be in breach of contract, which would officially make her a criminal. They had a very brief window to get out of Atlas once they left the manor before Jacques realized they were gone, so she couldn't act until they had their escape route secured. Otherwise, they'd likely have to fight their way past the Atlas military to escape, and that was a scenario she wanted to avoid at all costs.

For now, she would just have to grin and bear it.

"…Fine," she said.

"Fine, what?" Jacques asked. Aqua growled.

"Fine, sir."

"That's better. Now, go and see if Whitely needs anything. You're dismissed."

As soon as Aqua had left his office, she leaned against the door and clutched her neck in pain.

Man, that hurt!

"Heal," Aqua said, casting a Cure spell to help reduce the pain of the electric shocks.

This wasn't going to be as easy as she thought it would be.

"Not again, not again…" Ren mumbled to himself as he and Nora ran through the ruins of Kuroyuri.

That monster was out there, and he would be damned if he let it kill anyone else he cared about!

They reached the center of town, and saw Ruby, Jaune, and Qrow, with Cloud struggling to get up. The duo quickly approached them.

"What are you guys doing here?" Ruby asked.

"Did you hear that noise?" Jaune asked. "What was that?!" Ren fell to his knees, recognizing that roar.

"No…"

"Ren!" Ruby said. "What is it?!"

"Hold on, I know that roar," Qrow said. "Ah, shit."

"No…" Ren said again, his voice practically a whisper.

"Ren?" Nora asked. Ren looked up and saw it. The horse with a ride growing out of its back. Embedded in its flesh was an assortment of weapons.

It was the Nuckelavee.

It let out another roar.

"Damn it," Cloud said. "Not good."

The roar was abruptly cut off, leaving the group to look at it in confusion. After a few seconds, it fell in two separate pieces, having been sliced in half in a single attack.

As the monster faded away, they saw a man standing behind it.

He had long silver hair, and wore a long black trench coat worn open, with no shirt underneath it, along with silver pauldrons on both shoulders, black pants, and black boots. In his left hand was a truly massive katana, the blade easily six feet long.

Sticking out of his back, behind his right shoulder, was a single, black wing.

"Who…?" Nora asked.

"Good to see you…" the man said. "Cloud." The mercenary struggled to stand, leaning on his sword for support.

"Sephiroth."

AN: And now we have the One-Winged Angel himself to deal with!

I really hope it was explained well enough exactly how this whole thing worked with Jacques forcing Aqua to become a servant. I'd be happy to explain anything that isn't clear.

But now, Weiss and Aqua are both trapped in the Schnee Manor!

And yes, there's a reason why I had Sephiroth kill the Nuckelavee before they had a chance to fight it.

As always, thank you very much for reading, and I'll see you all next time!