Hey guys, I know it's been awhile since my last update. It's been hard to get the drive to finish this chapter, and for whatever reason I just wasn't happy with it no matter how many times I edited it. So I decided to just scrap it and rewrite the whole thing again. Hope you guys like it.
Disclaimer: I own nothing!
"Speech"
Thoughts
Chapter Thirty-Three: Chimera
"Slade Stroud" the woman scoffed as he entered the interrogation room "Putting me here not enough for you?"
Slade silently sat into the chair across the table from her, Professor Watts stood off to his left and several Atlas Security officers surrounded them "Councilwoman... apologies. Former Councilwoman McLaren" he smirked at the grimace on her face "We have some questions for you"
"Questions, questions. Do none of you have anything better to do than ask questions? I've been answering questions ever since you put me in this hole" she drawled in annoyance.
"Then a few more won't bother you too much" Watts claimed in a bored tone.
She ignored him, focusing only on Slade "You look good, better than I remember you. Been working out?"
"Something like that"
"Well you should probably add some more sun to your daily life. Working from the shadows is hard work... believe me, I should know" she grinned "You sure you want to trust someone with a reputation like his? I don't think he's worked for anyone he hasn't turned on" she added to Watts.
"Living two lives is hard work" Slade cut in "I know you're more familiar with that than anyone. Living one life as Amaranth McLaren, a respectable business tycoon and member of the Atlas Council. You paid your taxes, donated to charity, employed the poor and unfortunate in Mantle who could find no work elsewhere"
"Ah... the good old days" she smiled fondly.
"But under that benevolent mask, was a far more sinister deception. Crime lord by the alias: The Dragon. Where you committed nearly every violent crime there is a law for"
"How unfortunate you brought my two lives together then, isn't it?" she smirked "You want something"
"I wouldn't be here if I didn't. Believe me, I was delighted by the notion of never seeing your face again"
"Then what do you want?"
Watts stepped forward and placed a photo onto the table, the masked man who attacked Ruby clear on it. There was a look of recognition in her eyes as she inspected it "This man is associated with Chimera, a criminal organization believed to be a myth until recently. What do you know about it?"
"I know they have horrible taste. Who goes out looking like that? I can't imagine he's any fun at parties"
"We know you've been contacted by them in the past, and we know you refused to work with them. Why?" Slade pressed.
"Yes, your little friend, the information broker" she smiled "That's right, I may be in here, but I still have connections. I hear things" she chuckled.
"Then maybe you've heard something we're interested in. I recommend you cooperate and tell us what we want to know"
"Oh, Stroud. You are so much less fun than I remember... still, I suppose that's what happens when you keep getting your friends killed. How's Roman doing these days... oh, that's right" she grinned "Too bad, really. I was terribly found of him at card games, he always knew exactly what to play. How is that assistant of his, Neo? I hear she's speechless-"
Slade lifted her up and slammed her onto the table, his hand pressing into her throat "Stroud" Watts warned.
"I would recommend you focus, McLaren. We wouldn't want you to have an accident"
She struggled for breath, but her smile never dropped "You gonna do me in this time, Slade? Or are you just going to put me back in another hospital bed for a few weeks?"
"Neither, so long as you talk" he stuck her back in the chair roughly before returning to his own.
She coughed as she struggled to catch her breath "So disappointing. You never could pull off the ruthless thug, how you fooled anyone with your little act, I'll never know"
"We're not here to rehash the history between you two" Watts told her.
"No, you're here to make a deal. I love deals" she smiled.
"We're not here to make any deals today, no negotiations, no clean slate. You answer the questions you're asked, and I don't start making holes in you" Slade placed Defiance onto the table "Are we clear?"
"Sounds like a really good deal" she snorted "I was never contacted by Chimera"
"We know that's not true. There is no point in lying" Watts snarled.
"You asked a question, I have given you the answer. Even if it is not the one you seek"
"You-" he stopped when Slade motioned for him to be silent.
"Then who contacted you"
She pointed to the picture on the table "Called himself Wolf. I don't know if that's his name or an alias, all I know is he wanted me to give him access to my weapons and information network. I don't know why, but he offered me a lot of money to do it"
"Then why'd you turn him down?" Slade quirked his eyebrow in question.
"Couldn't afford to accept his deal. I couldn't meet the demands at the time, seeing as you were breathing down my neck at that point" she answered bitterly.
"Then you weren't unwilling to work with him, merely unable to" Watts rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"That's right. And if you're here talking to me, you must really be desperate. Tell me, who could make you like this, Stroud?"
"Chimera is a serious threat-" Watts started.
"Do not insult my intelligence, Professor. Slade never even balked at the opportunity to take me down on his own. Chimera is nothing to him with Ironwood's backing, with Huntsmen at his side" she grinned "Which makes this all the juicier"
"You think there's something more than Chimera?" Slade asked.
"I think you're a man who sticks to his principles, and as much as you might deny it, money is not one of those principles. You left being a Huntsman behind and started hunting criminals like me for money. Something like Chimera would be Christmas for you, and yet here you are... a Huntsman after all"
"What makes you think I wasn't a Huntsman when we met?"
She laughed "Don't insult me, Stroud. I know more than you think, and I know whatever it is that has you this desperate. It's the very same thing that's got James so terrified"
"I think we're done here" Slade stood to his feet "See her back to her cell"
"Of course" Watts motioned for the guards to do as he instructed.
She grinned "Be sure to give that blonde my regards. It'd be a shame if anything happened to her" Slade stopped in his tracks.
"Slade" Watts approached him from behind "Don't let her get to you, she's powerless in here. No one could-"
"Listen to your handler, Stroud" she laughed as the guards removed her from the room and into the hall "What could I possibly do in here?" she asked with a coy smile.
"She's just trying to get a reaction from you, Slade. Don't let her"
Slade took a deep breath, releasing it after a moment of silence "I know, Professor. Still, it wouldn't hurt to increase security around her-"
Slade stopped as an alarm blared through the halls, the red emergency lights activated and littered the halls with their crimson glare "What's happening?"
"Security breach?" Watts wondered as he pulled out his Scroll, shifting through security systems at blinding speed on the screen "Nothing's responding, the whole system is compromised"
"Then we need to secure the perimeter and contact General Ironwood. Whatever is going on here can't be good. I'll make sure McLaren doesn't get any funny ideas-" he was cut off by the sound of glass shattering and gunshots.
Slade and Watts rushed to the end of the hall where McLaren had been to find her out of her cuffs and the masked man from the photo standing opposite her, several guards dead on the ground with men in matching black armor surrounding her.
"It seems my ride has arrived early" she smiled "Slade Stroud, Professor Watts, meet Chimera" she gestured around her "I'd love to stay and chat, but I have an appointment I simply must keep. Your friends and I need to have a talk"
"You're not going anywhere" a metallic voice echoed from behind her.
"It's him!" one of the men shouted just before being launched away by a powerful strike to his chest, the next man closest to him found himself impaled on the end of his arm before he could strike him.
"Oh no..." McLaren paled at the sight of him "Take him down! Now!"
"You" Slade glared as he advanced upon them.
He grabbed the next man by his head as he fired into his chest, slamming him face first into the wall and dragging him across it. He never bothered to dodge any of the rounds fired at him as he used his free hand to strike with deadly precision. Releasing the man in his grip with a sickening snap, his hand twisted unnaturally and impaled the next man in front of him as his opposite hand moved to the holster on his shoulder.
He removed the pistol strapped there and fired three rounds, each of them making a hole in the visors of the helmets of his attackers, the glass spiderwebbing around the hole. He was struck over the back of the head by the end of a rifle only for his attacker to be thrown through the wall with a powerful kick to his abdomen.
"Protect me, and I'll give you anything" McLaren said desperately as she forced herself behind the two Huntsmen.
"Give me one good reason" Slade glared.
"I know I just threatened your friends, but I give you my word I will not harm them if you save me"
"Yeah, your word is worth a lot to me" he spat.
"Please! I'll do anything, just don't let him near me!" she pleaded.
The man caught his next attacker by the hand as he aimed his pistol at him, twisting it behind him painfully as his bones could be heard snapping from the force, he slammed his elbow into the next man, shattering his helmet and throwing him to the floor as he launched the man in his grip over his shoulder. The final attacker rushed him with a blade only to find it shattered against his arm as he blocked, then slammed his heel into his chest, throwing him backward with a violent crack.
He stopped a few steps away from Slade, who stood in his path with Defiance ready to fire "You are not my objective, Stroud. Do not stand in my way" he warned.
"Thanks for the advice, but I think I'll pass"
"Then you leave me no choice"
He knocked Defiance from his hands with the back of his fist and swung for his head at blinding speed, Slade barely managed to avoid the strike and stop the next by using his forearm to block his arm by his shoulder as he attempted to swing back with the same fist. Slade ducked beneath his opposite hand striking for his head and countered with a strike to his abdomen only to find his fist caught in the opposite hand of his opponent.
He's still too fast, even with my Semblance slowing him down, I can't keep up with him like this
Slade was launched by his arm down the hall, rolling to a stop as Watts moved to engage instead. Watts fired his revolver at the man but found it wrenched from his grip with a spinning kick to his hand. His opponent caught him by the waist and slammed him down onto his back painfully, his Aura sparking from the damage. Slade rushed back into the fight as he moved to strike Watts, being stopped by his knee crashing into his chest and knocking him back a few steps.
Slade struck for his abdomen and found his arm caught in the grip of his opponent's, he attempted to flip over him and twist his arm out of his grasp, but his iron grip remained as his upper body twisted unnaturally to follow him, then slammed him onto his chest. He slammed his fist down as Slade rolled out of the way, kicking him in the head and stumbling him back slightly, releasing his grip on him. Slade grabbed the restraints from the ground and latched them onto his left arm and his opponent's own as well.
"Smart..." he mused blocking each of the following kicks to his chest with his open hand. He twisted his restrained arm around Slade's own "But not smart enough, kid"
"What the hell?!"
He started slamming his fist into his face, Slade was unable to block from his position and took each strike. He used his opposite hand to grab his elbow, limiting his movement. His opponent smashed his knee into his side, causing him to cry out in pain as his cracking ribs echoed. His assault continued, knocking Slade onto his chest as the restraints broke.
Watts fired several shots from his crouched position into the man, who shrugged them off as a mild annoyance. He swung his fist for him, forcing Watts to block with his forearm and move for another shot with his opposite hand only to have his wrist caught in the grip of the man. Twisting the gun from his grip, the man slammed his fist into his chest, knocking him into the wall.
McLaren's Semblance flared, her body emblazoned as he approached. She slammed her fist into his shoulder, only for him to move through the strike without difficulty and impale his right hand through her abdomen. His arm ignited from the heat of her body, his free hand snuffing the flame as it clasped down on it. Once the cloth had fallen away, his arm was revealed to be completely made of metal, a bright orange glare radiating from it as the heat strained his composure.
"Playtime is over" his opposite hand caught her by the throat and snapped it without a second thought, removing his hand from her chest.
Slade got to his feet, aiming his gauntlets at his opponent only to find him standing with Watts in his grasp, Defiance aimed into his back "I wouldn't if I were you"
"Let him go"
"Stroud, please..." Watts eyes begged him to be cautious.
"Yes, please remain where you are. We wouldn't want any accidents to happen"
"Drop the gun, and let him go. You're not getting out of this any other way"
"Funny, I'm not the one who needs to get out of this" the gun in his hand shifted slightly, Slade's Semblance removing rounds from the chamber silently.
"What are you talking about?" he fired the remaining rounds into his back, dropping him to the ground, his Aura breaking "No!" the casings clattered to the ground as he released his Semblance's hold on them.
Slade rushed forward and slammed his heel into the side of his abdomen, spinning on his hands he delivered two more and then a rising uppercut to his jaw. The man stumbled slightly and slammed his fist into Slade's face, knocking him back, rolling to his knees as Defiance dropped to the ground. He delivered a kick to his head, launching Slade over Watts' unconscious form.
"You are weak, undisciplined" a corridor of darkness opened behind him "You need to be stronger if you ever have a chance at stopping me"
"You son of a-" Slade was thrown by another strike to his head.
"I am not gloating, Stroud... I am teaching you what is necessary for you to win" he turned and made his way to the corridor as the loud footsteps of guards could be heard "We'll meet again soon" he called over his shoulder as he exited.
Slade rushed to Watts side and pressed his hands over his chest, desperately trying to stop the bleeding of the unconscious Huntsman. He looked down at his hands and then to his gun, blood covering the barrel and his arms "No... no, no, no" he pressed his hands back down onto the bleeding as the guards arrived.
How many times do you need to fail before you understand the truth? Salem's voice echoed.
Klein poured a single cup of tea and placed it on the desk gingerly, the setting sun reflecting through the glass into the study around them. Willow Schnee sat in the chair behind the desk, bringing the cup to her lips silently as the well dressed man paced angrily in front of her.
"The embargo draining our income, inflation out of control, a Huntsman brutally murdered by one of Ironwood's own!" the man before her ranted.
"And yet the Council does nothing" Willow scowled.
"The blindly follow along behind Ironwood's song and dance. Your husband-"
"My husband, is not your concern, Mr. Faust. I am the one you need to be concerned with pleasing now" she said pointedly.
"I was not aware I had given the reigns back to you" Jacques called from the entrance, the door silently swinging closed behind him.
"I took them back when you took your position on the Council, your time cannot be so easily divided between the Company and the Council" she motioned dismissively to Faust "See yourself out, Mr. Faust"
"Of course" he turned and left quickly, in hopes of evading her wrath.
Jacques strode to the desk with a pointed look "You're sitting in my chair"
Willow gave a light roll of her eyes as she stood, taking her cup with her "You understand why I've retaken control of the Company, I trust"
"I do, that doesn't mean you can simply do as you wish without consulting me"
"As you've consulted me over your recent change of heart, dear?" her tone was sharp.
"I have supplied a substantial raise to all of our staff members to counter inflation" he replied "I don't believe I need your approval to keep our people working and fed"
"So we're to lose money while we make less in return? You're a better businessman than that"
"I would supply all of Atlas if it would end this crisis"
"You'd put us out on the streets" she snarled "Your newfound selfishness doesn't fool me, darling. I know who you are, and I know you couldn't care less about our workers"
"Do not presume to know my reasons, Willow. I am a greedy man, I'll admit, but I have never been a fool"
"Then why do you act as one now?" she inquired.
"The workers mine the Dust, they take the Dust, refine it, package it, ship it, and deliver it to arm the very soldiers that protect us. If I do not keep our people working, then our soldiers are unsupplied, if they're unprepared to defend us, then all the money in the world won't help us when the Grimm come knocking at our door"
"Now you sound like James" she scowled.
"If you'd seen what I'd seen, you'd understand"
"Cowering behind the General is so like you, Jacques. I shouldn't have expected any different"
Jacques turned on her with a snarl "I'm not afraid for myself, I am afraid for our children!"
Willow did not share in Klein's surprise at his outburst "Our children chose James, they're the ones who wanted the danger"
"And we're the ones who are left behind when they don't come back" his gaze became distant "You didn't see Winter... the blood, her face... she was so pale... I don't ever want to see her or Weiss like that ever again"
"And you believe rolling over for James will help them? Please"
"I believe that as their parents we should do what we can to help them, even if it's just the small things"
"So we should take from our plates and give it to the riffraff? This place doesn't pay for itself!" she gestured grandly around her "We need to think of ourselves, as much as our children. What of Whitley? Would you take from him to give to complete strangers, in the name of protecting our daughters?"
Jacques shook his head "No, Willow. But what we've been doing, the way we've been living... perhaps I was wrong to do so. They believe there is a better way"
"This is the way" she insisted "It is the only way we know"
"Not for me" he sat in his chair "If they are willing to believe in James, then I will to. For our sake, as much as theirs"
"Bah!" Willow scoffed "Tell yourself whatever lies you wish, but do not lie to me, Jacques. Do not forget, I know the real you. The man always grasping for more, never satisfied with what he has. You would be nothing if not for me, and yet you think now you can claim the highroad? You delude yourself, and I will not be party to it"
She turned to leave, storming out "Willow" he called but she refused to look back. He let out a disappointed sigh "Do you think I am doing the right thing?"
"For your daughters?" Klein asked.
"Yes"
His eyes shifted yellow "I think you are doing the best you can. Trying to better yourself, to be the father they want you to be... that's not easy"
"Do you think I can truly earn their love?" he asked hopeful.
"The first step to solving a problem is acknowledging the problem exists... but I think the effort you are putting in, will be enough for them"
He wore a small smile "Thank you, Klein. Why don't you take the rest of the day for yourself"
"You are too kind, Master Jacques" he gave a light bow and exited the room, leaving the Schnee patriarch with his thoughts.
"Slade..." the familiar voice called, but he didn't look up. His hands were bound to the table by the same restraints that once held only the criminals he'd brought it, his bloodstained clothes carrying the stench of copper.
"Slade, I just need to ask you some questions. We need to understand what happened" Winter said in a soothing tone.
Despite her sincerity, he remained transfixed on the gun on the table. Empty as it may have been, the blood on the barrel remained. His silence began to anger Winter, who'd already been at this for several minutes with no reaction. So she chose to try a more direct method.
"You don't seem to understand the situation. You killed a Huntsman, Slade. You'll be stuck here forever if you don't say something. Anything"
"He's dead... what does it matter? You've already made your decision" he answered.
"Security was sabotaged. No one knows what happened here because no one who saw what happened is alive... except you"
"I already told you it wasn't me. I was trying to stop him"
"Who?"
"The man who tried to take Ruby"
"None of the security camera's saw him enter or leave, and they were only down for a few minutes. You need to give me more than that, Slade. Ironwood can't help you if you don't give us something"
"I failed, again. He got in, and he killed them all... used my gun to kill Watts... it was a mistake, and a stupid one"
Winter sighed "Slade, we can't prove he was even here. You don't have anything else? The Council will want your head for what happened. I believe you, Ironwood believes you... but our hands are tied if we can't prove your innocence.
Slade scoffed "Funny... just a few hours ago I was the one sitting in your place. Questioning another scumbag... now I'm the one in cuffs... how easily things can change"
"They can change again. But I need something, anything that could help you"
"I'm sorry, Winter... but I don't have anything else. I don't want to be trapped in here... but I..."
"Then talk to me" she pleaded.
"There's nothing to say"
Winter slammed her fist onto the table "Nothing to say?! Arthur Watts is dead! The murder weapon belongs to you!" she shouted as she stood.
"I tried to stop him..."
"He was bleeding, dying. But you didn't listen did you? You shot him, you killed him"
"I didn't kill him"
"We know you killed him, Slade. Why is it so hard for you to admit it?"
"I didn't kill him"
"There was no one else around, only dead criminals, none of which could've killed him if you killed them first, right? There was no where anyone could've run to get away, and yet here you are! Just admit what you did, is it so hard to do?!"
"I didn't kill him" he repeated.
Winter grabbed him roughly and forced him to look at her "Admit it! Say what you did! Tell me what you did to him! Say it!"
"I. Didn't. Kill. Arthur. Watts" he replied.
Winter dropped him roughly back in the chair "If you won't talk to me, then maybe you'll talk to the Council when they confine you to a cell in this place. For the rest of your life" she stormed out.
Ironwood stood on the opposite side of the glass with Qrow "You don't think that was a bit much?"
"Slade can handle it" Ironwood answered "If we took it too easy on him, the Council would think I was playing favorites. They need to know we're working with them, not against them"
Winter entered "He won't give me anything, just like you expected"
"Good, then we just need to find a way to prove what he said is true"
"You believe him then?"
"You don't?"
Winter frowned "I want to... he saved my life before. Despite my reservations, he's proven himself time and again. But now..."
"I know" Ironwood nodded "Now we have to prove to the Council he is more than the criminal others believe him to be"
Qrow sighed "I don't like this"
"Neither do we" Ironwood agreed "But right now, we need to prove his innocence, which we can't do without proof Salem's followers can teleport... and we still don't know who compromised our security systems"
"Whoever it was, they work with this... Wolf" Winter gestured to his picture on the screen to their right "McLaren was our best lead, and now Slade is the only one who knows anything. Arthur is dead, and we have nothing"
"He's not dead" Ironwood corrected.
"What?"
"Slade staunched the bleeding enough for an emergency transfusion to save his life. He's currently recovering in the Academy infirmary"
"Then I just lied to Slade?"
"No, you were unaware of his current condition during the interrogation"
Winter fixed Qrow with a look, which he shrugged back, her gaze drifting back to Ironwood "You're after something else"
"Salem wants Slade for something, we don't know what, not even he knows why. If she thinks we're going to let him rot in prison-"
"General" Penny's voice came through his earpiece.
"Go ahead, Penny"
"The Council is getting impatient, they're requesting your presence immediately"
"I suppose I shouldn't be surprised they've heard already" he sighed "We shouldn't keep them waiting"
"We'll never convince them of his innocence, General"
"He saved your father's life, Winter. Perhaps we can use that to buy more time, and Arthur isn't actually dead. That should help at least"
Slade sat in the silence of the interrogation room, the sound of the door opening and closing echoing through the wall, telling him someone must've been coming to see him. But the door to his room never opened, leaving him to wonder if he was to be left there on his own. It was several moments more before the silence was finally broken.
"I thought they'd never leave"
Slade moved to stand but the restraints kept him trapped to the table, a strong hand pushing him back down into the seat "Now, now, no need for that. I thought we could chat, you and I"
Slade just looked at the metal hand on his shoulder, his eyes trailing it to the blackened helmet staring back at him, the cracked visor glistening in the light as he moved around the table and took the open seat "Gave you a real shiner there"
His synthesized voice snorted "You've got some power behind those kicks of yours" he replied.
"Is this another one of Salem's tricks? You can't possibly be here... I saw you leave, never heard you enter"
He looked around "Yet here we are"
"Why are you here?"
He could almost hear the condescending smile in his voice "You know, when your parents died, Salem wondered if you'd require further attention... but she got the impression you'd already done all the damage you could to her plans, and that further action against you directly was unnecessary. You were nobody, a very small fish, in a much, much bigger ocean"
"Suppose she changed her mind"
He shrugged "I'm still not certain as to what exactly drew her interest to you, but she decided you were worth observing... and when you killed Hunter Thombs and Cole Larson, two of her operatives, well... Cinder was supposed to take care of you, make you go away"
"Why didn't she?" he wondered aloud.
"Salem decided against it, instructed Cinder very clearly not to harm you. After you left Ozpin and chose to work freelance, you were supposed to go away. Yet you made a choice in Mistral, and that choice has brought you here, to me"
"What can I say? The brochure said you had great benefits"
The man chuckled darkly "Sometimes I wonder if this was always meant to be, if we're all fated or destined to arrive at the same point regardless of what we want simply because it was meant to be that way... following a path none of us can see, guiding us toward the inevitable"
"I'm sure that's a great comfort to all the people you've killed, that they were meant to be killed"
"Your humor is a poor mask for your fear"
"You think I am afraid of you?" he scoffed.
"Not of me, no" he removed his sidearm and placed it in the center of the table, the handle facing Slade, easily within reach "Do I have your attention now?"
"I'd say that's not the best icebreaker I've ever heard"
He nodded "I'll take that as a yes" he leaned back in the chair "Tell me, what do you think of Atlas?"
"What?"
"It's a simple question, what do you think of the city of Atlas?"
"What does it matter?"
"It matters, because I want to know why you do it? I want to understand why someone like you, who's lost everything would choose so freely to do so again. You clearly care for your friends rather dearly, in fact. Yang Xiao Long, Ruby Rose, Qrow Branwen, Jaune Arc, Oscar Pine, Nora-"
"I get the damn picture"
"Then answer my question. Why do you do this? Why do you fight Salem so adamantly?"
"Because I know what happens to them if I don't"
"Death isn't as bad as they say, Slade" he mused "How do you know you're not the reason they'll fail? How do you know it's not your fault when those around you die"
Slade's glare darkened, his gaze shifting to the gun and then back to the man "You wouldn't be the first to blame me... have I done something to someone you cared about? Your interest in me seems..."
"Out of character?" he finished "Perhaps it is... but no, you have done nothing to me. And I don't blame you for what happened to your friends, to your family. I know what it's like to lose the ones you hold dear, to be betrayed by those you placed your trust in, and to lose yourself... all in the name of the greater good"
"That why you work for Salem?"
He snorted "Not all of us have a choice, Slade. You would do well to remember that, especially with Salem's attention so freely on you"
"Why exactly is she interested in me?" he asked.
"Honestly I can't say, I don't know what drew her initial interest to you... but whatever it was, it's not what it's become. You see, she doesn't focus on a single person, not unless it's another of Ozpin's hosts... but you. You left... an impression on her. My employer-" he laughed "Sorry, force of habit. Salem has made it clear to me that killing you is not an option for me, she would be... displeased with me if anything were to happen to you, particularly at my hand"
"She doesn't know you're here"
The faint red glow behind the crack in his visor conveyed the seriousness of his gaze well enough "She's occupied with important matters. Directing a war from the shadows is not easy, particularly when your friends are involved... but I am not here because she sent me, I am here of my own volition"
"Why? What is it you want from me? If you're going to kill me, just do it already. I'm tired of hearing your voice"
He let out a guttural laugh "I'm not here to kill you, Slade. I am here to offer you a chance to join us"
Slade smirked "Your really going down that line again?" he asked amused "After everything that's happened, you want me to what? Be your attack dog?"
"The position I have in mind is a little more... involved than that"
"Is that so?"
"You've proven yourself to be resourceful, tenacious, perceptive, with a particular talent to inspire trust from those around you"
"Doesn't really matter now, not in these" he gestured to his restraints.
"Those won't be a problem, Salem doesn't require you to infiltrate or deceive. She needs your mind, the information you know is vital to her efforts, and your combat skills make you uniquely suited to the tasks she has in mind for you"
"I would die before serving her"
"And you will die if you resist her, but you won't be the first to go. No, no, no. She will make sure Ms. Xiao Long has that particular honor, then the rest of her team, Ozpin's newfound host, your mentor, Qrow Branwen, James Ironwood, Winter Schnee, Penny Polendina, Neopolitan, everyone you still care about, and when there is no one left to tear away at your heart, then, and only then... she will come for you-"
Slade's restraints suddenly snapped off with a flick of his wrists, reattaching to the man across from him, trapping him to the table as he took the gun from the center and stood straight, backing up a step to keep out of reach. His metallic voice echoed as he laughed, clapping his hands together slowly.
"Bravo. I didn't think you'd be fast enough without your Semblance. But tell me, do you really think I'd leave a loaded gun right in arms reach? Do you really think I'm the one with the disadvantage here?"
"I don't know, do you think I can't tell the difference between a loaded gun and an empty one"
"Can you?" he asked coyly.
Slade used his Semblance to locate the bullets in the weapon, satisfying him. While he was distracted, the man stood, breaking from his bonds and removing the pistol from Slade's hands faster than he could react. He stood with the gun pointed away from him, wagging his finger at him.
"Never give up the advantage by underestimating your opponent, even if victory seems easy. Wasn't that one of your lessons?" he chuckled.
"You got me there" he replied, his voice thin.
He pressed the pistol into his own chest, right where over his heart and fired until the gun was empty, no blood, and no reaction, just a stone cold glare. The wall behind him was splattered with a black substance, but not the same thing that poured from the wounds of Hunter or Cole during his fight with his resurrected enemies.
"I am much more than merely human, Stroud"
"What the hell are you?" he asked in disgust.
"A victim" he answered opening a portal to his left "I did not come here to recruit you because we fear you, you are powerless... and I know that feeling all too well. I am hoping I can stop you from becoming like me"
"Why?"
He remained silent gesturing to the portal "I will leave it open for thirty seconds after I depart. If you do not accompany me, I know my answer... but for their sake, I hope you reconsider your position... or you may regret what comes next"
Finished with their latest training session, Nora and Ren made their way through the halls of the Academy toward their dorms. Their friends walking a steady pace ahead of them, quietly chatting amongst themselves. It was dark now, the night's getting longer and the days shorter this time of year, the light of the moon shining through the windows. They could hear the music playing from the streets below, a festival seemed to be in full swing, even during such a chaotic time, the world still found ways to celebrate life.
They were near enough from their room to hear it faintly, but far enough so that they were alone. Nora looked over the railing of their balcony, the door letting a mixture of cold and warm air circulate on them. The city truly was beautiful and peaceful, a sight she was becoming accustomed to as of late. Ren stepped quietly beside her, enjoying the view along with her company.
After a moment of silence, she turned toward him "Doyouwanttodance?" she asked faster than he could hear.
"What?" he asked quirking an eyebrow.
"Do you want to dance... with me?" she asked nervously.
"Oh... I, uh..." she was regretting asking as his eyes averted to the floor "I don't know really know how to dance"
"Me neither" she confessed hastily "I just figured we'd sway and... nevermind, it was a dumb idea-"
"No" he caught her by her wrist as she turned to leave "It wasn't dumb, I'd love to dance with you... I just don't know what to do"
Nora hesitantly stepped forward, unsure herself where exactly to start. Looking deep into his eyes, she wound her arms around his waist "We can learn together"
"O-okay" he stuttered.
Nora buried her nose into his neck, taking a deep breath to calm herself and relax completely against him. He slowly wrapped one arm around her waist and the other rested on the back of her neck. They both swayed slightly, barely moving at all, just gentle movements of their bodies. They remained like that for a long time, neither making a sound, neither wanting the moment to end between them.
Ren's breath hitched and Nora raised her head with concern written in her features "What's wrong?"
"Oh, nothing... I just, uh..."
"Is it too much?" she asked ready to take take a step back from him.
"No, it's not like that... I was just... worried about overstepping. I don't want to make things... different between us"
Nora smiled "Different doesn't always mean worse, Ren. You can talk to me, I'm not going anywhere"
He took a deep breath and said "I have... developed feelings for... you" he answered, his hands giving a light shake from nervousness.
Her lips curled up into a bright smile "I like you too, Ren... is it weird I want to kiss you right now?"
"Really?" he asked in disbelief.
She bit her lip and gave a small nod, she was so close to him she could see her own reflection in his coral colored eyes, his lips so close to hers. He looked at her with mild confusion when a small laugh escaped her lips "Sorry, I... I just remembered I've never done this before... the kissing" she confessed.
Ren joined in her laughter, he leaned in boldly, and she felt all her feelings of nervousness leave as their lips met. It was unlike anything she'd ever experienced before, the jolt of excitement, the spark of joy shared between them, the subtle taste of sunshine. She knew it sounded childish, but she really couldn't have explained it any differently if she wanted to. They pulled away after what felt like an eternity, both catching their breath after such a long and deep kiss.
"Was that... good?" he asked, brushing his hair behind his ear as if trying to busy his hands to hide the embarrassment of the question.
"It was perfect" she answered, leaning forward to seal their lips again in another series of deep kisses.
Despite their desire, they both needed to pull apart, neither of them fully recovering their breath before the second round of kisses began "I didn't know it would be so... intense. I've never felt anything that good before"
"Yeah" she giggled "Thank you for sharing it with me"
"Can I assume there will be more?" he asked playfully.
Nora smiled and poked his nose with her finger "Boop"
He laughed "I'll take that as a yes"
"So when are you making it official?"
Qrow's voice broke them from their moment "Qrow!" they both yelled in surprise.
"Much as I'd like to watch this all day, lovebirds. Ironwood wants to talk to us"
Nora and Ren quickly separated as they focused their attention onto him "Qrow, uh... how long have you... been there?" she asked as they both fiddled with their hair in embarrassment, their cheeks flushed.
"Long enough" he answered with a warm smile "I'd have left you alone if it wasn't important"
Ren focused, his expression turning serious "What's wrong?"
"I, uh... I'll let the General tell you what happened" his eyes were downcast, a deep sadness apparent in them.
"Why didn't he just call us?" Nora asked.
"He didn't want to make it more public than necessary, yet" he answered "We shouldn't keep him waiting"
Slade stumbled out of the portal, the sense of vertigo he'd experienced took him by surprise. He was suddenly bombarded by a sense of dread more powerful than anything he'd ever felt before, and a frigidness seeped into his very being, the cold of an Atlesian blizzard couldn't compare to the sensation he now felt. He could feel his body pulling in all directions at once, tearing, swelling, and melting painfully... yet he remained whole, nothing changed. The feeling became more intense by the second, his Aura withering with every passing moment, his soul desperately attempting to flee from his very being.
"How interesting..." came her sickly sweet voice.
It was the first time he'd seen the place in person, the crystal table in the center had cracks in it from her prior outburst, but it remained intact. There were six wooden chairs surrounding it, with a crystal throne at it's head, the Grimm witch smiling at him with a curious look in her eye from her place on her throne. At his back was a pair of simple wooden double doors serving as the only entrance to the room, a number of crystal formations surrounded the room with white candles atop them. Behind Salem's throne sat a crystal table adorned with the same candles and a similar looking throne behind it. The floor was made of square, reflective tiles, and above him sat a chandelier made of dead branches and crystals.
"I see you've made repairs" he forced out as he stood, looking to the windows around the room.
Salem hummed with amusement, his discomfort clearly apparent to her. With a wave of her hand, Slade was suddenly surrounded by Grimm hands as the sprung out of the ground around him, restraining him as he tried to get away, his back arching uncomfortably as he attempted to twist away. His wrist blades emerged, cutting through them hastily, but he remained unable to keep up with them. His arms were forced to a standstill away from his body, each bent at the elbow as another arm constricted around it. He was forced to his knees as Salem rose to her feet.
"Comfortable?" she asked.
"N-not particularly"
She smiled and stood from her place, stepping around the table as she slowly made her way over to him. Slade's desperation to get away from her only increased as she approached "Humor, always humor with you"
"What can I say, I'm a one-trick-pony"
She bent down to his level, her face mere inches from his "It's so good to finally meet you in person"
"I can't say the feeling is mutual. In fact, I've never felt worse-" she covered his mouth with her hand.
"Wondering why you feel like you're dying? You can feel your flesh rending from your bones, yet nothing seems to be truly wrong?" she smiled at the slight nod of his head "You get used to it. Your Aura is reacting to the power of Darkness... my power. It twists you, taints you, purges all that is good from your heart"
Her hand moved to his cheek, caressing it gently "Ma'am" she turned toward the man beside her, one of her Shadow Hands covering Slade's mouth now.
She rose to meet his gaze, looking up at him "The blood on his hands doesn't belong to him... or you"
"No"
"He is here willingly?" she inquired.
"Yes, Ma'am"
She looked back at him, the back of her hand grazing his cheek "Fascinating..."
Slade fell on his hands as the Shadow Hands released their grip on him, gasping for breath, his body still screaming at him to run, to get as far away from her as he could. But he forced himself to remain in his place. The metal hand of his enemy extended out toward him, he reluctantly accepted, getting to his feet.
"Tell me, Slade. Why exactly are you here?" she asked.
Slade looked to the man to his left, his gaze studying him for a moment before answering "It has come to my attention, that making a deal with you would be more beneficial than opposing you"
Salem's smile widened "Now you want to make a deal" she laughed "What exactly are you offering?
"I can give you detailed instructions on how to use the Relic of Knowledge, schematics for the Academy, including the location of the vault, and the identity of the Winter Maiden"
"An interesting proposal... and what do you desire in return?" she inquired.
"Assurance. I want my friends to be safe, I want your word they will not be harmed and I want your word that Atlas will remain untouched. I don't want another Beacon"
Her arms crossed in front of her "I assume that includes Ms. Rose and my former husband's newly acquired host"
"All of them. I want their safety assured and if even one of them is killed or injured irreparably... the deal is off"
She hummed with amusement "Provide me with what you've promised and recover the Relics for me, and I give you my word not a soul will be harmed in Atlas"
"You'll understand if I keep my information to myself until you keep up your end of the deal"
"I'd expect nothing less, Stroud. I'd be remiss to not address the fact you have left your own safety out of our negotiations"
"I don't care what happens to me, I just want them to be safe"
"Hmm... I agree to your terms. Serve me and secure the Relics for my possession, and you'll have nothing to fear from me or mine"
Slade grunted with approval "Then I'd better get washed up" he gestured to himself "I'd hate to walk around looking like this"
"There will be time enough for that later, I require one thing from you before you go"
With a wave of her hand, a corridor of Darkness opened for the briefest of moments, summoning forth three bound civilians. Two humans, a female and a male, and a Goat Faunus with horns on the top of her head.
"What is this?" he asked.
"Your first test. These three unfortunate souls were captured during my Grimm's latest raid on a small village of the eastern coast of Atlas. I had plans for them, but those plans have no changed" she answered "I want you to tell me the real reason you're here"
"And you need hostages to-augh!" he was knocked to his knees when a powerful strike to his abdomen forced the air from his lungs.
"No, Mr. Wolf. We will receive no satisfactory answer through brute force, he is more than accustomed to pain... besides, pain twists the truth. I prefer a more... delicate approach"
"Of course, Ma'am. Apologies"
"Leave us. You have your orders, see to your repairs and then ensure my will is done"
"Yes, Ma'am" he turned on his heel and quickly exited through another corridor forming around him.
She waited for him to leave before speaking again "I continue to await your answer"
"And my answer remains the same. Nothing you do to me or anyone else will change that"
"Please let us go, we've done nothing to deserve-" he suddenly found it hard to breath.
"Silence. Can't you see we're having a conversation?"
"Let them go, Salem. I told you why I am here, to ensure the safety of those I care for-"
"Oops" a sickening crack resounded through the room as the man slumped to the ground.
Slade's hand moved to draw Defiance, but his hand hovered, his rage threatening to overtake him, he struggled to rein it in. He remembered the weapon was empty and lowered it, a deep scowl set into his features. The two women shook with terror, but neither said a word, for fear of invoking the wrath of the witch before them. Salem's hand shifted toward the second woman, lifting her into the air.
"I. Want. The. Truth"
"And you have it. The truth does not change simply because we will it, it remains unchanged, as does my answer"
Salem studied his features for any sign of deceit, for the smallest crack in his conviction. The sound of a second crack resounded as her victim sprawled on the ground beside her "Why!?" the Faunus cried.
"I didn't like his answer" she lifted the Faunus without wasting a moment "Last chance to change your answer, Stroud"
"Please... don't... kill... me..." she rasped out.
"Do not beg me for mercy, you shall receive none from me. If you're to beg anyone, beg the man with the power to save you"
She looked to him desperately "Please... I beg... you"
"I'm still waiting" Slade fixed her with a glare, shooting daggers at her "No? Well, I tried-"
"Was killing your daughters not enough"
Slade suddenly found himself unable to move, his body fixed in place as he tried to struggle against her. The Faunus fell to the floor, gasping desperately for breath. Salem's hand extended toward Slade, forcing him into a more painful position on his knees.
"Choose your next words very carefully, boy" she seethed.
"Sore... subject?" he smirked "I'd... have... thought... a few... thousand... years... would... be... enough... time... to get... over it"
Salem roared with anger, she was upon him so suddenly, her blinding movements shocking him as she lifted him up and slammed his head to the crystal table "Say it again, boy! Go on! Test me one more time!"
Slade attempted to escape her grasp, elbowing her in the face with a loud crack. She grabbed him by the back of his head with both hands and slammed it down onto the table brutally several times, leaving bloody marks on it's surface as he cried out in pain.
"Yes, a true Huntsman's son. Always fighting, even when the odds are woefully stacked against you" she spat as she held him by his throat with both hands.
"You're a monster" he rasped out.
"Yes, yes, a monster with eyes and ears everywhere. With hands that can reach from even the smallest shadows. Find them and they'll deny everything, question my soldiers all you like, they'd cut out their own tongues before uttering a word!"
She threw him across the table, he stopped when he struck against her throne, cracking it slightly "I have a deal for you, Mr. Stroud. If you ever speak of my daughters again, I will spend every moment of the rest of your short life dismembering everyone you ever cared about, everyone you've ever met, starting with that girl you've become so fond of, Yang Xiao Long"
"No, please..." he gasped as she lifted him once more by the throat with a single hand.
"I have lived a long, long, long time. I have had more time than you could imagine to reflect on my mistakes, on everything I took for granted, and the only thing that comforts me in this hell of a world, is the knowledge that with enough time, and enough patience, I can finally make it to where they wait for me, and I will destroy anyone who dares speak of them or gets in my way"
She backhanded him, throwing him onto the desk behind her throne. She summoned Shadow Hands around the Faunus, constricting them slowly around her neck "I'd have ended her suffering quickly, but you have chosen to make it last!"
Slade got to his feet and lifted her into the air by her robes with both hands "Let her go!"
"No, you've made your decision. Did you think focusing my anger on you would change her fate?" she laughed as the girl's body paled, the last of her breath leaving her body.
Slade cried out in anger, launching Salem over the table, breaking through one of the wooden chairs as she rolled to a stop "You cruel witch!"
Salem laughed as she got to her feet "So much anger, so much rage, so much hatred" she grinned as he approached "You must know there is only one way for you to stop me, there is no prison that can hold me, no words that can convince me to change my path! I am what this world has made me. But I have such high hopes for you"
She held her arms out as if inviting him to attack her once again "Come on then! Don't stop now! What are you waiting for!?
Slade struck her, again and again, his unrelenting assault unhindered by the woman before him. She merely laughed with every swing of his fists. Ten, thirteen, twenty, thirty-six, fifty-two, he lost count of how many times he hit her, her body breaking, her skin cracking open, spewing forth the Grimm liquid that remained inside her, the sound of her bones cracking with every strike echoed throughout the room, her Grimm blood splattering his body and the floor with every renewed assault.
Salem was thrown onto the table with a powerful kick to her chest and then grabbed her her robe from above, slamming her down onto the hardened floor, cracking it beneath her as she crashed down upon it. She wheezed out a laugh as her shattered bones poked through her skin, her face a crumpled mess, her skull visible through her broken jaw.
You don't understand do you? Beat me until your knuckles bleed, strike me until your muscles tear themselves apart, kick me until your bones crumble to dust! None of it matters! Nothing you do against me will ever matter!
Slade continued his assault as her voice echoed in his mind, laughing all the while. The voice only stopped when he'd beaten her into a crumpled puddle of muck on the ground, broken bones and knocked out teeth littering the floor. He stopped when his fist met the floor beneath him, his breath hitching as he stood from his place, watching the puddle in it's place remain.
Hahahahaha! Is that all?
Salem's body formed into a mist, her skeleton reforming from the remains of her bones littering the ground, her teeth plugging themselves back into her jaw as her skin reformed around her, her organs surrounded by the Grimm substance before her body was fully reformed right before his eyes, as if he'd done nothing. His eyes averted to the bodies littering the ground with a scowl as he returned his attention to her.
Salem's feet touched the ground as she cracked her neck "Who needs a massage when you've got a body like mine" she laughed "You can kill me as many times as you wish, and I will always return. Again, and again, and again. Beg for mercy, and you will receive none"
"You're horrid"
"And yet, no matter how much you hate me, no matter how much you fear me, still you remain. You know fighting against me is pointless... and now I've shown you why"
"I already knew you couldn't be killed"
"Yes, but knowing it and believing it are very different. I trust we understand each other now"
He looked at her in anger "This was a test?!"
"A test you passed. You may not have liked what I did to them" she motioned to the bodies "But you'd have faced much worse if you failed, and yet... I still feel as if you're holding something back"
"I've told you everything-"
"You've tricked me before, Stroud. Even now you keep your mind closed to me, preventing me access"
"Just because I know working with you is the only chance my friends have at survival, doesn't mean I want you rummaging around in there"
"Then you force my hand, Slade. If you do not open yourself to me, I will be forced to open you up myself"
"No more hostages, please" he begged.
"Oh, don't worry. I have no more hostages to use, even if I desired to. I have something far more... stimulating in mind" she grinned.
The sun shone brightly down onto the city of Atlas, a pure white sheet of snow on the mountains beyond, delicately glistening in the rays. Icy crystals laced the buildings, the streets framed by the frozen air twinkling on the ground, clogging the curb. Near the center of the city, sat a park, trees covered in a silky layer, disturbed only by the footprints of those around and small animals keeping clear of the men and woman playing with their children or making their way through.
On the edge of the park, sat a lonely old man, his face etched each year in a new line formed upon it. In front of him on the table sat a chess board, one he played by himself, moving both colors in tandem, as if playing with an invisible opponent. In the empty seat beside him, he was silently joined by a woman covered in black, a hood over her head and a veil covering her features. The old man looked to her in mild annoyance as she looked off into the distance of the park.
"Can't you see I'm playing a game here? Do you mind?" he asked. But the woman gave no response only turning her head toward him "There are plenty of other places to sit where I'm not. What-"
"Thirty thousand" she answered.
"Excuse me?"
"You owe thirty thousand" she clarified.
He scoffed "Yeah, well you can tell Mr. Hanson I'm good for it. He'll get his money-" he got to his feet only to be stopped when a wrist-mounted rig emerged from her sleeve with a pistol now in her hand.
"Mr. Hanson has been... retired. However his records have been acquired by me"
He gulped and returned to his seat "What... what do you want? The money? I can get it to you-"
"What I want, is to show you something" she removed her Scroll from her pocket as the gun vanished into her sleeve once more and brought up a video on the screen, handing the device off to him.
"That's..." he looked at the video, it was a young girl, barely past her teens in Huntsman armor talking and laughing with the man next to her.
"What is it about the young that causes them to waste their time on fashion over function?" she asked rhetorically "I would hope those trying to protect us would be better served to be given equipment rather than allow them to make their own for a bit of spontaneity"
"W-what do you want?" he asked, his voice trembling.
He could see her toothy smile beneath her veil "Call her" she answered.
He brought out his own Scroll and dialed waiting as her face appeared on the screen. Moments later he watched her on the video reach into her pocket, excusing herself and walking a few steps away before answering the call.
"Hey, Grandpa!" she said excitedly "How are you?"
"Hey, honey... I'm, uh... well wouldn't you know it. I forgot why I was calling" he forced a laugh, earning one from her.
"I suppose that comes with age, huh? What are you up to? Maybe that'll help you remember"
"You know me, just playing our favorite game"
She laughed "Still playing for Grandma?"
"Yeah, and she still wins everytime"
Her smile was clear on the screen, the sorrow in her eyes visible even from her place on it "Yeah... well, maybe you'll win next time" she said almost out of habit.
"Yeah, maybe. Listen, I, uh... I love you. You know that, right?"
"Of course I do" her smile widened "I love you too, Grandpa... is something wrong?" she asked with mild concern on her face.
"No, no... just... couldn't remember the last time I told you"
She giggled "The last time you called" she looked over her shoulder, as if listening to someone else "I'm gonna have to let you go, Grandpa. I'm being called in"
"Okay, be safe. Alright?"
"I always am" she smiled "Talk to you when I get back"
"Looking forward to it" he ended the call.
He could feel the smugness radiating off the woman beside him "That was sweet. It's good to have a close relationship with family... now, if we're being honest with each other, I find my associate's methods rather... morbid. But such are the times we live in. Mr. Callows?"
The screen watching the girl had a silver scorpion's tale slither onscreen, giving a light wave and a stifled laugh. The man turned to her desperately "I'll get you the money, I promise-"
"I am unconcerned with such a pittance, my dear" she told him sweetly "Your old contacts however, those are something I can work with"
The fear was still clear in his voice "W-what... do you want from me?"
"You once belonged to a group that calls itself the Chimera..." she switched off the call on her Scroll "I want everything you know about them"
"High priority... cause for concern..." Ironwood's face flickered with the light from his Scroll as he sifted through the reports he'd recieved. None of it registered in his mind, all the words blurred together, his mind elsewhere.
He was stopped when a azure glove covered his Scroll, gently forcing it down onto his desk. He looked up to see Winter's sympathetic eyes looking down at him, though her face remained a mask of composure, he could feel her concern through her eyes.
"I called for the others, Qrow and Penny are bringing them"
"Thank you, Winter" he murmured almost out of habit, rubbing his eyes.
"I can tell them, Sir... you should rest-"
"Now isn't the time for resting, Winter. They should hear it from me" he cut in.
"But, Sir-" his hand on her shoulder cut her off as he stood.
"Winter, I promise I will get some sleep after this... but right now, we have a duty to fulfill"
She nodded dutifully "Yes, General"
He nodded back, a simple affirmation "Send them in" he said suddenly.
A moment later, Penny opened the door and stepped inside, followed by Ruby and Jaune's teams, Qrow and Oscar taking up the rear "General" she greeted.
"Thank you, Penny. Proximity scan" he ordered.
"Sir" her eyes glazed over with a grid of light, scanning the room both literally and figuratively. After a moment her eyes returned to normal "There are twelve devices capable of recording in this room"
His lips upturned slightly in amusement "Not including our Scrolls"
She recalculated before speaking "There is only one device capable of recording in this room"
"Is it you?" he asked with a knowing look.
Penny looked sheepish "There are no devices capable of recording in this room, General"
He chuckled lightly "All the same, play white noise on all channels until we've finished here"
"Yes, Sir" she turned and exited the room.
"What's this about?" Blake asked looking around the room "Where's Slade?"
"He... is why we are here" he sighed.
"What?" Yang asked.
Winter used her Scroll to bring up holographic images from the security cameras, several of them sat on the bodies of the Chimera soldiers that broke into the prison as well as the security guards killed in the fighting and one picture each of McLaren and Watts. The room was disgusted and horrified by what they saw, with only Qrow and Winter showing no reaction, even Ironwood grimaced at the sight.
"What happened?" Ren asked urgently.
"Earlier today, Chimera attacked our prison complex known as Tartarus. Security forces on site believed it to be an attempt at a prison break and secured the holding cells and supermax immediately. However, it seems they only had one target" she explained.
The image of McLaren took to the front of the set of images as she continued "Chimera sought to break out former Councilwoman Amaranth McLaren, also known as the Dragon. This attempt was thwarted by Arthur Watts and Slade Stroud, as they had been interrogating her at the time of the attack"
Ironwood stepped forward as an image of his bloodied Defiance appeared "Arthur Watts was gravely injured in the fighting... using this weapon"
"What?!" the others were in shock.
"Slade did that?" Yang asked.
"It can't be, Salem must've done something to him-" Ruby started but was cut off by Ironwood.
"Evidence suggests the guard defending McLaren were killed by Chimera forces attacking the prison, and while we can confirm the identities of those responsible and their numbers, Slade reported the man responsible for attempting to kidnap Ms. Rose murdered McLaren and used his own weapon to injure Arthur"
"And you believe him right?" Nora asked like it was obvious.
"We did..." Winter answered solemnly.
"Did?" Yang asked.
"Security forces on sight believed he was responsible when they could find no evidence of a second attacker and arrested him, the cameras were knocked out for a short duration, just long enough for the perpetrator to escape. As we have no evidence of their capability to teleport, we were looking for ways to prove Slade's innocence, including Winter's interrogation, which we would've submitted as evidence in his favor... until he was contacted"
"Contacted?" Weiss asked.
Winter brought up video surveillance of the interrogation room where Slade and the masked man stood opposite each other with a corridor of Darkness beside them.
"That's the guy who attacked me" Ruby pointed out.
"That's more than enough evidence to prove his innocence!" Jaune said with a grateful smile.
Yang just looked saddened at his condition, blood covering his hands, his armor coated in thick splatters of it, and his gun sat on the table, blood coating the barrel "Slade..."
The video continued as the man stepped through the portal he'd made. Moments later, Slade picked up and holstered Defiance before stepping through behind him. The corridor vanished moments later. Everyone just stared in shock, Qrow's eyes averted to the ground when Yang turned to look at him.
"As of today, Slade is being declared absent without leave"
"Can't you track his Scroll?" Ruby asked.
"His scroll was confiscated when he was arrested. His weapon was only in the room because it was empty and being used as a point. He was to be charged with the murder of Arthur Watts, but he thankfully survived his injuries and is now recovering in the infirmary. Should he speak in Slade's defense, it would go a long way in proving what a threat these people represent... but as for Slade himself..." Winter's eyes lowered.
"Once he stepped through the portal, he was declared a traitor by the Atlas Council. Evidence or not, he willingly went with him, possibly straight to Salem" Ironwood declared.
"But he wouldn't-" Yang started.
"He has intimate knowledge of our operations, how to use the Relic of Knowledge, the location of the vault, detailed knowledge of the Academy and each of your skillsets. If Salem was to learn about even one of these things, she will have a significant advantage over us" he continued.
"But that doesn't make sense-"
"The video showed he may have been coerced into following him through the portal, but even with that being the case, he is in no condition to deny Salem anything-"
"STOP IT!" Yang shouted stopping him, her Aura flaring in her anger "Are you even listening to yourself? Slade would never work with Salem! Not willingly! And he would never betray us, he wouldn't!"
"You're out of line, Xiao Long" he replied.
"And you aren't?! Slade is our friend, one of us, a Huntsman! He hates Salem more than maybe any one of us ever could. Why would he go to her now? Do you really think she'd be able to convince him to give her anything? And to what end? Why is Slade the problem? Because he refused to sit there and wait for someone else to decide his guilt-?"
"Yang" Qrow called stopping her.
"What?!"
"Let him finish" he said sternly.
Ironwood waited for her to calm herself down, her eyes returning from red to lilac. He took a deep breath "I certainly do not wish to believe Slade would turn against us so easily, but I am concerned by what Salem could force from him... she doesn't have the same moral restraint we do"
"Torture..." Blake grimaced.
"Then what do we do?" Ruby asked.
"For now, we need to be patient. Learn what we can about Salem's operations and try to locate Chimera's main base of operations. To that end, I have a mission that requires attention"
"What kind of mission?" Oscar asked.
Ironwood brought up a holographic map of Atlas, the southern region completely covered in red and the western and eastern region around the city was only just behind the southern amount. The northern area on the map was almost completely covered, save for a single blue spot cropping out between the red.
"The Grimm attacks across the kingdom have increased since Embermane was destroyed and the regions in red are now completely controlled by Grimm. Survivors from the attacks have been pouring into Mantle by the day... but the village of Corinth has reported successfully repelling each Grimm attack that came their way, even without reinforcements"
"Grimm herds have moved past Corinth in recent days, almost like they're ignoring it" Winter added.
"I want to know why. If there is something going on there, I want to know exactly what could be causing them to lose interest" Ironwood replied.
"Grimm may be mindless, but they're not stupid. They wouldn't keep attacking the same place if they were failing without being forced to by someone like Salem... and we know Cinder can control them to some degree" Qrow thought aloud.
"That's why I want you headed out there first thing tomorrow. I'll have you and your team flown out to Corinth and you can begin your investigation there. Leave no stone unturned, if it's not something in town, then I want you to search the region until you find something"
"Who am I taking with me?" Qrow asked.
"Team RWBY is uniquely qualified for this mission. This is not an undercover mission, but I want your investigation kept secret until you can properly determine if something is being hidden from us. If it is a device keeping the Grimm away, or something more sinister... I want it found"
"What does this have to do with finding Slade?" Yang asked.
"As of right now, possibly nothing. But if Chimera is somehow involved, if they're using the area as a forward outpost or a means to smuggle themselves into town... then you might be able to learn something about Slade's whereabouts, or at the very least something actionable on Chimera" he explained.
"You can count on us" Weiss assured.
Ironwood nodded "As for the rest of you, I want you to continue your training as normal, but be ready to assist them should it be necessary"
"Yes, Sir" Winter replied.
"That will be all" Ironwood turned and got back behind his desk as the others turned to leave, chatting amongst themselves as they made their way out.
Yang's mind seemed to be elsewhere as she silently followed behind her team with Winter not far behind her. After a few moments of silence, Ironwood sighed and looked up from his desk to see a pair of nervous silver irises looking back at him from right in front of his desk. He took a minute to drink in her stature, fiddling with her hands, a light tremble to her fingers.
"Ms. Rose" he called gently "Is something wrong?"
"Y-you believe Slade is innocent, r-right?" she asked hopefully.
He had to force himself to remain silent, staring at her with a softness he rarely expressed "I believe the truth of the matter will come out in due time..."
"Oh..."
He frowned "You seem nervous, Ms. Rose... is there something you'd like to tell me?"
She took a deep breath "Slade thinks you're going to kill him" she blurted out.
"He... what?" Ironwood asked in disbelief.
"Whew! It's so much easier now that I've said it out loud... there's more, obviously"
Ironwood folded his hands over his desk "I certainly should hope so"
Ruby composed herself before explaining "Slade and I talked about a vision he had recently, one he never told anyone about"
"A vision? A vision of what?"
"He... he said he saw you attacking him. Saw Yang about to die to Salem... saw himself in a fight with me... Winter and Qrow fighting in the Academy... you strung up like a trophy... dead..."
Ironwood took in her words, processing them slowly, his face shifting from a stern expression to one of concern "Did he see anything else?"
"He saw a massive Grimm in the sky, something that made the Wyvern that attacked Beacon look like a Beowolf... Atlas and Mantle in ruins... he said Elise's voice told him to 'find the forest', whatever that means"
Ironwood rubbed his chin thoughtfully "He kept this to himself for fear of how the others might react, fear of making it come true..."
Ruby nodded "Hearing how my sister is going to die isn't exactly something I can say helps me sleep at night"
He gave her a sympathetic look "No, I imagine not, Ruby" he addressed her by her first name for the first time that day "I can understand why he kept this to himself... and why he's been so on edge lately"
"We've all been on edge" she corrected.
"All the more reason to trust he is doing what he can to help, even if it may not seem like it... would you like me to send someone else on the mission in your place?" he offered.
"No, thank you. I can handle it... I just wanted you to know, in case you were..."
"Thinking about killing Slade" he finished bluntly "Thank you, Ruby. This has given me much to consider, and much to prepare for"
She nodded "Just don't overdo it, alright? We're all worried about you"
He gave a warm smile "It does me good to have so many like you to look out for me. I promise I will not overextend myself"
She smiled back "Good... welp! I better get ready for my mission" she said excitedly, returning to her usual childlike demeanor as she made for the exit.
"Ruby" he called, stopping her at the door with his words "Thank you, for trusting me"
Her smile spread "You've earned it"
Ruby opened the door to find Penny standing dutifully to the right, offering her a polite wave "Hey, Penny" she waved back. Without another word, Penny turned to leave making her way briskly down the hall "That's funny... I don't think I've ever seen Penny so... un-Penny-like..."
Ruby tapped her foot in thought "Ah, well" she shrugged "Must just have a lot on her mind" she surmised as she turned to walk the opposite way she went.
Penny on the other hand remained around the corner, just out of sight. Her green eyes changed to pink and brown as she blinked, a smile on her face. She pulled out her Scroll and quickly typed out a message, sending it to an unmarked number labeled 'CF' her message was only two words.
"Found her"