Summary/Disclaimer: Time for another chapter of A Lingering Ember. Enjoy the 900-word chapter. I don't own RWBY, Monty Oum, and Rooster Teeth do.

(Mistral.)

Neo rocked back and forth in her seat as Desmond counted Lien. He needed more if he was going to avenge his family.

"So…" Neo asked Desmond who cracked his neck and spun Melodic Cudgel. Neo left Hush on one of the chairs while their henchmen lazed about the factory.

"What's on your mind, sweet tooth?" Desmond questioned Neo while cracking his weapon on the floor. "We're growing little by little. I'm still worried about those damn spiders." Desmond muttered while rubbing at his temples.

He sighed and rolled his eyes while looking at his minions. Desmond looked at Neo after that.

"We need new clothes," Neo stated as she brushed off her ruined coat. Desmond looked over his damaged clothes. Ruined a few recent scraps as they destroyed the rest of the Grey Ursa. He nodded and patted his damaged hat. Desmond threw it in the air before blasting it with his cane. Desmond sighed as pieces rained down at the ground.

Desmond then leaned forward while leaning on Melodic Cudgel. He banged the weapon on the ground a few times before resting his head on the handle.

"Yeah, I get that," Desmond stated before looking around. "We're getting new clothes tonight… They have a clothing store up north a bit. It's owned by the spiders. I saw we visit it." Desmond said while looking at Neo who smirked at him.

Neo kicked her feet up on the table while Desmond pushed himself to his feet. Desmond twirled his cane and slowly paced to the other end of the factory.

"Hey, get back to work," Desmond ordered his henchmen before looking at Neo. "Any of you who aren't busy? Help Neo, or she'll deal with you… And trust me, you would want to deal with me rather than her." Desmond said as Neo smirked at the rest of the group.

Desmond knew Neo could kick everyone's teeth in if she wanted. The woman was the best fighter in their entire gang. Well, best beside him. Desmond wanted to take out the spiders. He might have been the leader of a 'gang', but he wasn't a warlord who was trying to dismantle Mistral.

Desmond sighed and cracked his back. He looked at Neo who waved her fingers at him before he smirked. He was glad he didn't destroy the hat that Neo wore on his head.

"Ugh, my back is killing me more than a hive of Lancers," Desmond stated while he cracked his back. Desmond leaned on his cane once more before walking towards the roof.

Desmond watched Neo get up to follow him. Since their victory over the leader of the Grey Ursa? More people had signed up with their group. Desmond found out a bit more information about the spiders after finding out more about Grey Ursa.

Grey Ursa was working for the Spiders. Desmond wanted to destroy the spiders entirely.

"Should I point out that we're running a bit more than a gang?" Neo questioned as Desmond hummed and shrugged.

"Yeah, I'm the leader and all that," Desmond stated as he looked at a flying Bullhead. The craft set down on the roof as a group of Desmond's henchmen rushed over to get the craft unloaded.

"There's someone in Mistral I want dead." Neo put in as Desmond hummed and turned to her.

"Well, there's a lot of people who should be dead in Mistral," Desmond said while cursing the fact that his hat was damaged in a fight with Grey Ursa soldiers. "Who exactly is the unlucky guy or gal you want to be axed off, sweet tooth?" Desmond questioned as he raised an eyebrow and dusted off his ruined coat.

Yeah, Neo was right. Both of them needed new clothes. Desmond wished the Grey Ursa had some they could just steal and be done with it.

It wasn't like they hadn't already stolen ammo, dust, and lien. Desmond questioned how the gang was staying in business.

"You know the person who talked about Ozpin and Ironwood back in Vale?" Neo asked while Desmond nodded.

"Ah, her…" Desmond stated while resting his cane on his shoulders. "Then I guess we find here and… Take her down." Desmond added, not sure what to do at the moment.

Neo frowned, looking at the sky. Desmond didn't know who he reminded Neo of. Neo guessed it was time to tell him.

"That woman killed someone close to me," Neo stated as Desmond cocked his head to the side. "I want to kill that for that." Neo put in while Desmond hummed.

"We all lost someone in Vale, Neo," Desmond added while he cracked his neck. "I'll help you destroy them, but we aren't going overboard… I'm not a monster." Desmond put in before turning to the side.

Little did both know they had a closer connection than it seemed.

Author Note

Phew. Another chapter is done! I want to point out that Desmond and Neo are going to fight Cinder in this story. The next chapter will be in a few weeks and will show Desmond and Neo getting their new looks. Until then, Lighting Wolf out!

P.S: Neo is 900 words Sunday. Tock, Saphron, Willow, and Cinder are soon. Raven 900 words Sunday. Ruby 900 words Sunday. Yang 1200 words Saturday. Weiss soon. Penny 900 words Thursday. And Penny 900 words Tuesday.