Cardin Winchester was not having a great year. Sure, contrary to popular belief in Beacon, CRDL was one of the top first year teams in Vale, built from sweat and blood just like anyone else there. Unfortunately, the gulf between his squad and the teams of champions and prodigies known as RWAY and JNPR was practically infinite. No one cared about third place, especially when that third place was getting embarrassed and humiliated by the top teams left and right! Getting sap and bees thrown at him by that cheating hack Jaune, getting laid out by that faunus-lover Adam and his blonde bimbo buddy Yang, and then the administration just refusing to listen when he told them Jaune was a fraud!
It freakin' sucked! It wasn't his fault that he didn't get the most privileged people in Beacon on his team! Cardin groaned to himself as he got some last-minute homework done in his dorm. How weird was that, anyway? A rare accelerated student, a company heiress, one of the top Signal kids and whatever Adam was all in one team? And then some admin-protected punk, a champion and these two nobodies without a lick of formal schooling all from Mistral? What were even the chances of that?
Cardin wasn't sure if this year could get any stranger with people like them running around.
"No, no, no, wrong!" He could hear Jaune shouting from the open window. Oh, yeah, another annoying thing about those teams! Jaune and Pyrrha up on his team's roof training or making out or whatever they were doing in the middle of the night! And these people wondered why he hated their guts!
That was kind of weird, though: usually Jaune was way too passive around that Pyrrha chick to shout. Cardin leaned towards the window to hear better, even while his eyes were on his work.
"Kick, step, kick, step, body roll is not rocket science!" Jaune cried out in frustration.
"What kind of 'crash course' has moves this complex?!" The second voice was hushed and harsh, but there was no mistaking who it was: Adam Belladonna. Cardin paused.
"My crash course! You said you wanted to learn how to dance, didn't you?!"
What.
"Right now, I want is to throw you off of this rooftop! Just... just start it again!" Okay, now he had to see what this was all about. Using the same trick he did to catch Jaune lying about his transcripts in the first place, Cardin climbed up onto the ledge and, with an aura-boosted jump, hopped onto the top of the windowpane. From there, just a quick climb and he could get up to the roof and...
See one of the dorkiest, weakest students in Beacon dancing alongside one of the most feared and stoic to some kind of techno pop. Whereas Jaune's steps and spins were sharp and smooth, Adam's were... decidedly less so, even if he was keeping up. He suddenly stumbled on a twirl, and Jaune turned to chastise him, right up until he realized why he had tripped.
Hanging onto the edge of the roof mid-climb, Cardin stared blankly at the two. Adam and Jaune stared back. Seconds passed.
Finally, Adam broke the silence.
"No one will ever believe you."
Back By Midnight
The dance was here. With CFVY's mission going on for far longer than expected, running the dance was given up to Weiss and Yang, though, the latter respectfully stepped down—on the day before, no less—claiming she wanted to try and enjoy herself. Of course, this was all just a lie: they needed Yang to have more freedom for their plan to work.
"Timing is crucial here, so let's go over the plan again," Adam spoke from beside the window in his new outfit. He'd looked upon the suits of most of the men getting ready to attend the dance and found them... wanting. So, he'd made his own: he stood in a sharply-fitted morning coat with the fanciful red swirls of his normal attire instead trailing down the 'tail' of the suit. His insignia was absent, but from his black vest and slacks to his crimson dress shirt, he'd kept his color scheme in-tact. Adam fully intended to turn heads at the dance if he were to all: the more memorable he was, the better for their scheme.
And Blake said his sewing skills were pointless, he thought with a mental scoff.
"Since you would stick out like a sore thumb, we're gonna head down to the rally and see what's up!" Yang spoke first. Knowing she wouldn't be at the dance immediately, she'd just stuck with her clubbing outfit she wore while going out on the town.
Adam grimaced. "Have you found anything to actually sneak in with? Even if Ruby acts like a puppy"—the aforementioned 'puppy' snickered to herself—"you aren't faunus, and faunus with characteristics that leave them looking human are rare. It still draws attention."
"Well, worry not, because we have these!" Ruby reached behind her back and pulled out a pair of fake, black wolf ears that faded to red. As Yang plopped on a pair of little blonde bear ears, Adam and Weiss were left staring at both of them in disbelief.
"You're joking," Adam stated flatly.
"Nope! Look, mine can even wiggle a little!" One of Ruby's ears wobbled and flopped down, controlled loosely by her aura.
"... Ruby, just keep your hood on. Yang, hide yours in your hair better." Weiss ordered them. Unlike Adam, she'd decided simplicity was best: a nice, white knee-length dress with a black mesh, sleeveless top beneath it was her choice of attire.
Adam let out a deep sigh and just pushed on. "Considering how Cinder is bound to be keeping an eye on us, Weiss and I will remain at the dance. However, after an hour, we'll be using our cover stories to have an excuse to escape: I asked Yang to the dance, but you seemingly didn't show up." He was still faintly disgruntled that he had to play the part of someone being ditched.
"And I," Weiss continued, "have to go and drag Ruby to the dance whether she wants to or not. By the way, you are going in a dress."
Ruby groaned.
"If you face any trouble at all or think there is more information to be found, ping one of us from your Scrolls. That being said, do not engage them: all it'll take is one message to Cinder and we could be in jeopardy. This not only should be quick, but must be: if we aren't all together by midnight, that woman will no doubt grow suspicious. Once we return, we'll keep them busy just in case they have any other plans. Any further questions?" Adam looked between the three. "Good. We have three more hours before the dance—and the rally—begins. We have a few minutes to relax, but not much more."
"Speak for yourself, I have to leave now," Weiss huffed.
"Oh, yeah! Ruby managed to weasel out of getting a date, but who're you taking?" Yang asked with a smirk.
"Oh, uh, someone you don't know but-I'm-really-busy-bye!" The heiress shot out of the door, leaving the three staring curiously after her.
Yang turned to the other two. "Fifty lien on Jaune."
"Mmm, twenty on a Vacuan exchange student!" Ruby added in.
Adam smirked. "Thirty on Penny."
Ruby gasped. "Penny's going?"
Weiss jogged her way back to the dance hall and took a quick look around. No sign of Penny. She let out a quiet sigh and withdrew a Scroll from her dress: simple and white, yet with a mint-green outline around its edge. She hoped that the robotic girl hadn't gotten herself in trouble just as much as she hoped she hadn't managed to scare such a good friend off. She opened the Scroll, its last page opened being the contacts list. Weiss didn't exactly know who Penny really knew, but she'd at least gone through the effort of including her and Ruby's contact information.
If she could give Penny the Scroll, they wouldn't need to spend so much time apart like this. Her friend wouldn't need to be alone. All she needed to do was find her.
"Ah, you're here! Right on time." Headmaster Ozpin stepped up from behind Weiss and handed a clipboard to her. Even if school was over, habit made it very hard for Weiss to feel comfortable having a Scroll—even if it technically wasn't going to be hers—out in front of faculty. When she began to put it away, however, she noticed Ozpin's eyes immediately dip towards it. He smiled knowingly.
"Find a lost Scroll, Miss Schnee?"
Weiss jolted and sputtered, "I-I, yes, I just... didn't know who it belonged to, is all!"
"Hm... luckily for you, I believe I do."
Trying her hardest not to let her fear show, Weiss forced a smile and responded, "Is that so, sir?" She hadn't expected someone else to lose a Scroll identical to this one!
"Indeed it is, I believe I saw the student drop it somewhere near the library..." When Weiss' eyes widened, the headmaster chuckled. "I know you and your team may be quite fond of handling situations on your own, but, do remember that we faculty members can assist you."
"Do you... think you could get this to her?" she asked.
"Safe and sound, Miss Schnee. How ironic would it be, this close to the CCT itself, for someone to find themselves without means of communication with the outside world?" Ozpin held his hand out, and Weiss gratefully placed Penny's new Scroll in it. With a flick of the headmaster's wrist, it seemingly vanished. Smiling at Weiss' surprise, he calmly walked past her.
"No one deserves to have their voice unheard," he said.
When Weiss turned to thank him, Ozpin, too, had vanished. Blinking away her confusion, Weiss looked down at her clipboard, taking in the many things that still needed to be set up for the dance to go off without a hitch. Though there was still work to do, and though there was still the mission ahead of her, Weiss found it within herself to smile.
This night was going to be just wonderful.
There was still just one last thing that Adam had to address before he prepared himself for the fight ahead. He knocked upon the door of Team CEMB("Symbol"), his other hand tightened around Wilt, just in case they had the nerve to try something while no one else was around. Seconds passed before the door opened, revealing the lithe figure of Cinder behind it. In contrast to her usual short, red dress, she'd chosen a sleeveless, long black one that gleamed in the light of the hall. Even so, it was dim compared to the dark, glowing stare of her eyes.
"Oh, Adam?" she purred to him. "It's a little late to be asking a lady to the dance, wouldn't you say?"
Adam pointedly ignored her advance and looked beyond her into the room. No one appeared to be there. Appeared was the key word.
"Where is Blake?" He had no time for her charm when she was kneeling to him in his camp, and he had no time for her charm now. Had he not already known what a snake she was, he might have believed in Cinder when she looked hurt and brought a black-gloved hand to her chest.
"You wound me, Adam. We may have gotten off on the wrong foot, but there's no need to be so angry." She was unfazed by Adam's glare. "But, if you must know, Blake left after class, and we haven't seen her since."
Adam had just turned to leave without another word when Cinder's arm reached out for him. His hand snapped to Wilt's handle, but, her movements were much too slow to be hostile. Curiously, she brought a hand down his sleeve.
"Do tell, did you make this yourself?" Her question, sounding so genuine, managed to catch Adam off-guard. Just as quickly as he found himself surprised, however, he steeled himself for any trickery.
"Yes." Adam shrugged Cinder off both physically and verbally, and tried once more to leave. He couldn't let himself be drawn in by pleasantries, either.
Cinder sighed melodramatically behind him as he strode away. "It was an attempt at conversation, Adam. Just remember, it might be a bit late, but the offer will always be open for you..."
Adam threw a last glance back over his shoulder. "I'm afraid I already have a date, tonight." He made sure to get every detail of that confident expression Cinder always wore etched into his mind. It would be so wonderful when he finally crushed it. This would be the beginning of the end for her.
Yes, this night was going to be just wonderful.
Their fake faunus ears proudly attached to their heads, Ruby and Yang slipped off to Beacon's personal garages. Pausing at the gate, Ruby took a last look around the campus. The summer equinox had long passed: it wasn't particularly late, but the shattered moon stood proud in the sky, casting its beams down to illuminate the bright night. The first few lights had just begun turning on in the small town that made up Beacon Academy.
Yang laid a hand on her shoulder and leaned over, grinning wide. "Don't tell me you're getting second thoughts, now!"
Ruby crossed her arms and huffed. "No! It's just..." She sighed softly and, for the briefest moment, Yang was actually worried the reality of being a Huntress was getting to her. Instead, Ruby let out a bubbly laugh, drunk on anticipation. "We're really doing it, sis! We're gonna go save the world and be heroes!"
"So much for 'normal knees', huh?" Yang teased with a little nudge to her shoulder before softening up. "I don't think I expected anything different of my little sis!" She pulled Ruby into a tight hug. In truth, perhaps the only one who was having second thoughts about this was Yang herself. It wasn't open, nor was it something that she could even admit to herself—it was a niggling at the back of her mind. The tiny angel on her shoulder telling her to be careful, the brief flash of the memory of snarling Grimm and weeping children, the paradoxical fear of death that drove her adrenaline and desire to press on both.
But, looking down into her sister's innocent eyes, even they were quashed without a fight. Ruby's eternal optimism was contagious.
Yang smiled and squeezed her shoulders. "Mom would be so proud of you, Rubes..."
"She'd be proud of us," Ruby corrected her with a kind smile of her own. Giggling openly, Yang gave her dear sister a last hug and waved her over to Bumblebee. Though the sidecar—now even painted in the same fiery oranges and yellows as the rest of the motorcycle—was still attached from when Yang dragged Adam and Weiss off to the nightclub, Ruby hopped on just behind Yang. The blonde fixed her helmet, smiled happily and threw a knowing glance back at Ruby.
"Ruby..."
With a look far too innocent to be genuine, Ruby poked her head up from behind Yang's shoulder. She brushed her hand through her hair, even having the nerve to have her aura flick one of her ears forward like a tiny little puppy that wasn't doing anything wrong and definitely didn't purposefully forget to wear her—
"Helmet."
Grumbling to herself about a myriad of things from it being unfair to 'Huntresses don't wear helmets,' Ruby snatched her personal helmet from where it sat in the sidecar and put it on.
"Hey, knock it off, I can't have my little sis getting hurt before our big mission!"
"Yeah, yeah, I know..." Ruby mumbled in defeat before bouncing right back into unbridled excitement just as Bumblebee started up. There wasn't a single ounce of worry or tribulation in her body. "Oooh, this is gonna be great! 'Operation: Douse the Torch' begins... now!"
And with the laughing of two sisters and the roar of their motorcycle, they were off into the night.
With a heaviness in her heart, Blake Belladonna admitted to herself that those two had something that she was too cowardly to find again: family. So trapped was she in thoughts and memories, crouched down behind one of the many nondescript vehicles in the garage, that she never noticed the stranger approaching her until a pair of gleaming keys were dangled noisily just in front of her face.
"So, you're following 'em, too, huh?"
With a hiss, she reached back to Gambol Shroud and spun around on who was sneaking up on her.
"Woah, there!" The teen stepped back with the jangling of metal and held his hands up. His empty hands. The keys were held tight in his golden-haired, slim monkey tail. Blake's eyes widened: a faunus? She looked the stranger over: he was... messy, to say the least. Choppy, blonde hair, an open, white shirt and ratty jeans.
"... Uh, you there?" Behind him, the lights of an immaculate, white, hatchback rally car flickered on and off. Blake's eyes flicked between him, the keys and the car.
"I don't need your help," she responded immediately.
The man shrugged. "Hey, your loss. I was just wondering if you planned on following them on foot all the way to Vale." He turned around and strolled back to his car with a blase smile. Blake stood there, face paling as she realized she had missed a key part of her plan: a way to follow them, in the first place.
By the time he'd gotten in, Blake was in the passenger's seat beside him.
He introduced himself with a wink. "Name's Sun, by the way."
Blake rolled her eyes.
On a stone wall beside an alleyway on the border of Vale's industrial district, there were three white scratches, the middle longest of them all. They should've been all but invisible to anyone who wasn't looking for it. It certainly didn't help that there were decoys left all about the area, each just slightly different enough so that those who should know what they're looking for could pass it by with ease. Had Adam not told them just what to look for, even Ruby might've walked by without a glance in its direction. Instead, looking as confident as possible, Ruby strolled right into the alley with a bright smile on her face and her hood up, Yang trailing right behind.
"Hello~o!" Yang called in a sing-song tone to the lone man standing at the door to the warehouse itself. Regal with gray hair and a well-trimmed beard, two things would quickly stick out to anyone who looked upon him: that he wore the threads of at least someone in the middle class and that, more importantly, he had no discernible faunus traits.
The doorman turned and looked at the two with a curious eye before smiling. "Ah, good evening! Can I help you?"
"Oh, yes!" Ruby chirped. "I-I mean, um, we were wondering, actually, if you've ever read The Third Crusade?" The code was spoken: they were new, and they were allowed to be here.
At Ruby's young, cheery voice, the doorman arched an eyebrow. He looked over the two, smile slowly but surely slipping from his face. The two girls fidgeted in place. Ruby let one of her fake ears flop down just barely into view beneath her cloak.
The doorman narrowed his eyes and shook his head.
"You need not hide your true self here, young one. You are among friends, now and always. Welcome, ladies." He stepped aside and opened the door. They made it. Trying their hardest not to come off as spooked, the two swiftly stepped inside, waited until the door closed, and let out deep sighs of relief. Ruby tugged her hood down just to avoid drawing anymore attention as they walked through the halls. The rally must have already been packed: even through the stone and brick they could hear the rumbling cheers and shouts of the people within. By the time they'd reached the man who handed them their masks, it felt like they were standing inside a sports arena.
"You know, Adam got all... weird when I asked for a matching mask to be a vigilante with him. I wonder why he was so against me wearing one: I think I look neat!" Ruby wondered out loud as she affixed her mask and made her way down the final hall beside her sister.
Yang stifled a chuckle. "Would you say that he was... adamant about it?" The two were left in snorts and giggles until they reached the warehouse proper.
Because the sight within wiped the smiles off their faces.
Over two hundred White Fang members stood in the center of the room, packed so tightly that they barely had the ability to turn around. Guards stood above on walkways, assault rifles at the ready. This rally held a small army of fanatics and criminals within it, all unified by the singular desire to lift themselves from shadows. And yet, that was not the most frightening thing to the pair: that belonged to the recruits. They were a splash of color beside a sea of black and white, formed of people from all walks of life.
Ruby and Yang were lucky to be closer to the back of the group, for up front, while the soldiers could barely turn, the recruits could barely even move their arms. There was already over one hundred of them here, and more were coming in from behind without end. The noise was almost deafening now, swelling up as a single man with tan skin stepped onto the stage in front of a large, black curtain adorned with the bloody White Fang insignia.
He towered above the average man, built like a brick house with plates of white, chitin-like armor across his arms and abdomen. He, too, showed no faunus traits. His mask, however, stretched beyond just his face to cover half of his entire head in white bone and red, menacing designs. The curves and ripples of his armor gave a strangely aquatic look to him. Ruby forced down a gulp. She'd seen this man only once: an unlucky encounter while she was with Adam. The 'Acting Commander of the Vale Branch'. Captain Almond.
"Do they hate us this much?" Ruby whimpered under her breath. It was one thing to hear about a terrorist group's strength and goals. It was another to see so many people lining up for the chance to kill humans, gladly cheering for death, whether they be from the street or from a cozy office in the upper-class. Even if it wasn't directed entirely at her, just a grazing blow from the intensity of the hatred was enough to hurt the innocent girl.
Her breath caught in her throat as someone looked back at her. It was quiet enough for Yang not to hear... but she was among true faunus, now. Even with so much noise, she had to be careful.
"Of course they do," commented a young woman around Yang's age, her spotted cheetah ears sticking out clear as day. "We wouldn't need to gather like this if those wretched humans would dare let us stand on equal ground!"
Ruby forced a shaky grin and hid her relief. Thank god that she had taken her words to mean that the humans hated the faunus and not the other way around.
"Y-yeah, down with those humans!" Ruby tried to cheer with even half the power as the other recruits. She could see the cheetah girl's shoulders shake a little with laughter as she turned back to the stage. The faunus girl, however, suddenly did a double-take back at the two just as the leader raised his hand for attention. The constant roar of the crowd became little more than a dull murmur, and even that sound came only from the new recruits.
"Thank you for joining us!" he called, his gruff, powerful voice rumbling even when echoing off the walls. "For those of you just joining us today, allow me to introduce myself: I am Captain Edward James Almond, leader of the Vale branch. Allow me to also introduce you to a new comrade of ours. He may seem unorthodox, but you can trust my word, he is the key to obtaining everything that we have fought for, for so long!"
Even the recruits fell silent now in disbelief. The light, casual footsteps of the man stepping out from behind the curtain rang out all the better of it.
"Tonight, the war between the Torches and the White Fang is over. Tonight, all those in the shadows are united under a single banner!"
"Thank you, thank you! Please, hold your applause!" Like a switch had been flipped, shouts of rage and dismay were thrown at the speaker. The human speaker. "Since my new pal here was so kind to introduce himself, why don't I do the same? To all you people not paying attention to the news, I am Roman Torchwick, leader of the Torches!"
"And I'm about to be your new best friend."
A/N: I am beginning to feel just a tad bit reliant on the character reveal cliffhanger. Does it really count when the cliffhanger isn't a twist at all because of the original series? No matter.
Fun fact: Sun's car is a Renault F5 Turbo.
