(A/N) Ey! This didn't take an entire month to write! Yay!
Just a forewarning, this is a villain-focused chapter; the first one this fic has ever had. So yeah, things might be a bit… different this time around. Anyways, that's all, enjoy!
Volume Two
Chapter Thirteen – The Grand Masquerade
/-\ Valkea Khan /-\
"Hello there!" The librarian greeted. "How may I help you?"
"Umm… I'm actually looking for someone." I said, a pit already forming in my stomach. "Is… is Weiss Schnee here?"
She hummed. "I do believe she is. Check private study room zero-two-one-eight."
I nodded. "Zero-two-one-eight, thanks." She went back to her business and I continued my search. 'Let's see… ground floor, left side, eighteenth room…' I thought, remembering Beacon's room numbering system. Soon enough, I found the correct room and knocked on the closed door.
It opened a moment later, but not by the person I was looking for. "Need something?" Ruby asked, eyebrow raised.
"Yeah is…" I sighed. "Is Weiss here?"
Her eyes narrowed, but she stepped aside. I guess I should've expected that. Given she knows I'm in the White Fang, asking to see a Schnee might have… other connotations. Nevermind that I actually did consider them a few days ago.
"So you're calling me by my name now instead of just The Schnee." She said. "Progress, I suppose, but I imagine that you didn't come here simply to tell me you're now using my actual name."
My fists clenched and my mouth opened to shout at her, but I caught myself in time. I took a deep breath and calmly addressed her. "I… realize that you might not be the person I thought you were." I said. She hummed, nodding in agreement. "I want to… I need to know the real you." I sighed. "So I was wondering if we could go somewhere."
She raised an eyebrow. "Are you… asking me out on a date?" She asked, causing my eyes to widen. "I mean, I'm flattered, but also straight."
Ruby snorted. "Keeeeep tellin' yourself that, Weiss."
She blushed slightly. "Sh- Shut it, Oaf." She turned back to me. "I would take you up on your offer, though it would not be in a… romantic way."
"I didn't mean it like that anyways…" I said, dryly. "I'm still not sure if I can even stand you and I definitely don't want to date you."
She rolled her eyes. "Well gee, thanks for the compliment…"
I groaned. "I'm trying to give you a chance here, are you coming or not?"
She shrugged. "Fair enough; what did you have in mind?"
"Well, it's almost lunchtime, so… that."
She hummed. "Very well, we'll grab something at the cafeteria and then run off somewhere. I know a few places where we should have some privacy."
There was a nagging feeling at the back of my mind that she'd betray me, but I pushed it aside. As long as she didn't retrieve her weapon, I should be able to win a fight. I had my own, after all…
The library wasn't far from the mess hall, and in just a few minutes, we both had our sandwich-in-a-bag and headed out. For once, I was glad the school provided these things; it really saved us some hassle.
It was a very awkward walk to her secluded spot; she seemed on edge and for a moment, I wondered if she knew I'd basically dedicated my entire life to wiping out her entire family line. Even though I'd resolved not to kill her for the time being, I still caught myself subconsciously reaching for my rifle.
I'd imagined that she'd lead me into the forest as Blake had done almost a month ago, but instead I found myself following her through a hedged-off garden; one I didn't even know existed. Said garden wasn't too terribly big, though it was certainly larger than most houses I'd seen in the outlying towns.
Finally, she led me over to a lone tree and sat down. "It's a shame it's too early for apple season; I don't think I've ever had a freshly picked one before…" She said as I sat down across from her. "By the way, I've been meaning to ask… isn't that heavy?" She asked, motioning to the rifle on my back as I started unwrapping the sandwich. "I mean… you're basically carrying two full-sized rifles with all that weight. Doesn't it get tiring?"
"You get used to it." I said. "Though apparently during the war, a lot of Mantle soldiers just ditched the fourteen-mil receiver."
She chuckled. "I wouldn't blame them; the amount of gear Ruby makes us carry is just absurd sometimes."
"You can say that again…" I looked at my unwrapped sandwich, eager to eat it, but not exactly comfortable with showing her my scar.
"You know… you don't have to fully remove it to eat." She said, evidently sensing my hesitance. "It's only on one side, right? Just move your bandana to only cover up that portion of your face." I sighed before doing just that, the movement messing up my hair slightly, but not badly. She smiled. "I can't even see it."
I glanced between my sandwich and her. "…Thanks…" I muttered before taking a bite.
"No problem." She said before pointing to her own scar. "When I got this… my father wanted to throw thousands of Lien at it so his perfect little heiress remained unscarred." She chuckled. "Ironic, considering he's responsible for it."
I blinked. "Wait, what?"
"Ah, I suppose you haven't heard the story, have you?" I shook my head. "Well, when I expressed a desire to attend Beacon instead of Atlas, he wasn't exactly thrilled to say the least. In fact, he gave me an ultimatum; fight and best an Arma Gigas by myself or abandon huntressing all together."
I gave her a questioning look. "I thought Jacques Schnee would at least be half-way decent to his own daughter…"
She laughed. "Oh no. In fact, the only one he's even borderline fatherly to is my younger brother Whitley. I'm sure you've heard a lot of things about my father, and honestly, they probably aren't too far from the truth."
I thought about all I'd heard about the Schnee mines and shivered, quickly banishing the thought from my head. "And what was he like, then?"
She sighed. "Honestly? I'd've probably gotten a better upbringing if I were recruited into a black-ops program at age five." She said, not a hint of humor in her voice. "We had to be absolutely perfect, lest we risk his ire. And even if we didn't anger him, whenever the White Fang hit a shipment of ours, he'd take it out on us. Not physically, mind you, but… he had his ways." She chuckled darkly. "Did you know most of my concerts were performed at metaphorical gunpoint? Most people don't."
As she went on, I actually found myself beginning to feel sorry for her; what kind of parent does that to their own child? I frowned. 'I never pictured him as the best dad in the world, but the way she makes it sound, she'd've been better off in an orphanage…'
"And do you know what he does when I see him for the first time since leaving for Beacon? After allthat time and effort spent appeasing him like an ancient peasant does to their feudal lord?" She asked, rhetorically. "He disinherits me while the entirety of Atlas is fighting for their lives… all because I came home wearing armor of all things." She looked at me, blinking. "Apologies you had to hear that; I just needed to vent."
I stared at her for a moment, completely unsure of what to make of this new information. "Umm… it… certainly sounds like it…"
"Yes, well… I'd rather this outing not consist entirely of me venting to you, so… what about you? Have any family out-" Her eyes widened. "Err… you don't have to answer that if you don't want to."
I sighed. "They… they've been gone for a long time now; long before the invasion."
Her eyes softened. "I'm… sorry to hear that." She said. "For what it's worth, I know what it's like to lose a family member."
"How about a parent? Or both." I shot back. "At the same time."
"My grandfather was more of a parent than Jacques will ever be." She said, sighing. "About the time when he… departed… is around when my mother started drinking. She hasn't stopped since." She looked away. "I guess we both lost our parents… My case was just less literal than yours."
I took a long and hard look at the person in front of me. For the first time… I couldn't see her as the monolithic Schnee I'd made her out to be for most of my life. Instead? I saw a girl; one who I had an uncomfortable amount of things in common with…
/-\ Adam Taurus /-\
"I don't know what your deal is, Adam. The girl seemed just seemed like she was following orders from High Lady Khan."
I frowned. "She was overstepping her bounds by not informing me directly, Banesaw." I said. "And she gave Sienna a reason to visit our primary base of operations. What if she discovered all the dust we stole? The prisoners? I don't think you understand how much that girl has jeopardized our plans."
"But she didn't, and the High Lady remains ignorant."
"It was an unnecessary risk!" I shouted before taking a deep breath and calming myself. "It's a moot point, however. Sienna has gone to tour the only other facility she knows about, and she shall stay there for the duration of her visit to Vale. There are to be no exceptions unless I clear it myself."
He nodded. "It will be done, Brother Adam."
"As it should be." I said, cutting the comms and exiting my quarters. I walked the halls of my new flagship, the Chain Breaker, on my way to the bridge. I smiled as an Ox Faunus carried a crate past me. 'To think that just two months ago, this ship was in the hands of those slaving Atlesians…'
A moment later and I entered the bridge's doors, the sigil of our glorious organization proudly painted over where the mark of Atlas once stood. "Status report." I ordered, walking to the helmsman.
"Target's on our scopes, Brother Adam, we're moving into position now."
"Any chance they detected us?"
He shook his head. "No sir, they're still maintaining their course to Vale."
I nodded. "Good. Sound general quarters; I'll be in the acquisition bay." I turned and left the way I came, heading deep into the bowels of the ship as klaxons blared and the men scurried from place to place. I frowned. 'Even with the Invasion, the Schnees in their hubris still think they profiteer off our brothers' blood.' I thought. 'They won't defeat us without their precious Atlesian backers.'
I strode into the bay just as its big doors opened. With a wave of my hand, all the lights died; the Humans wouldn't be able to see a hand in front of their faces, but we don't have that problem. Suddenly, the claw dropped from the ceiling, its great chain whizzing by as it fell towards our unsuspecting prey.
A loud -CLANG- resounded through the darkness below and a moment later, the chain began to retract. Link by link, we came closer to the liberation of all Faunus. I smiled as the ship's mast began to rise into the bay, most of my men ducking behind cover with their rifles raised towards the freighter's empty deck.
The clamps bolted on to the ship, keeping it in place as the boarding planks descended. A hand drifted to my sword's pommel and, just as I was about to step onto the boat, one of the hatches opened. Immediately, every rifle in the room snapped onto the Atlesian's form.
I eyed him warily; he was obviously one of Ironwood's lackeys in the Specialist Corps, but the dark-skinned man's wolf tail wagging behind his back gave me pause. Warily, I approached. "Why are you protecting the Schnees, brother?" I asked, stopping a mere twenty paces in front of him.
He crossed his arms. "Really? You know I'm not one of your little 'freedom fighters', don't bother calling me your brother." He said. "And I'm not protecting the Schnees; what even gave you the idea that this was their ship?"
I glanced behind him. "Their emblem." I said, flatly. "The White Fang owns this ship and its contents now, but we needn't fight. In fact, we could always use more fighters like yourself."
He huffed. "Save your breath. I'm no terrorist."
"We aren't terrorists!" I shouted. "We merely do what is best for our kind. Tell me, how does helping those that condone the Schnees' actions aid the Faunus?"
His eyes narrowed. "I'm showing the Humans that Faunus can be their protectors. If they can trust us to do that, it isn't too far of a stretch for us to be equals, is it?"
I smirked. "And what if they take the wrong lesson from it?! What if they see what great warriors we've become and merely use us as cannon fodder for the Grimm while they sit back and enjoy life?" I shook my head. "Humans can't be trusted. They've proven this time and time again. There is only one option left." I frowned. "I'll give you one last chance to make the right decision. Join us, and you'll never be discriminated against again."
He gave a single chuckle. "I think you already know my answer." I nodded solemnly, sprinting towards my target and- "STAY!" My body froze around me, any movement feeling like it was made through molasses.
As I was thinking how to get out of this situation, guns from all around us boomed. I watched as he attempted to deflect all of them, rushing to cover. However, his weapon could only deflect shots from one direction at a time, bullets slamming into his aura from every other angle. Even the best elite huntsmen out there would have trouble in this situation, and he was clearly not even at that level.
His semblance released me as he slumped to the ground, causing me to stumble before I regained my footing. I strode over to where he lay and found him to be little more than a slab of meat oozing blood all over his originally pristine white uniform. I shook my head. "What a waste."
I turned back to my men. "I want as many prisoners as possible! If they resist, use deadly force, but otherwise I want them alive!" I shouted. A chorus of 'yes sir's followed as my brothers and sisters rushed past me into the bowls of the ship.
'I hope whatever you're planning is worth it, Cinder…' I thought. 'I'd rather just kill them and be done with it.' With one last look at the specialist, I made a decision. A moment, and a sword swipe, later, and I was carrying his disembodied head.
"You get what you deserve, traitor." I muttered before carrying it off to be displayed.
"Brother Adam, sir." One of the guards addressed.
I spun around. "Report."
"Sir, we've taken fifty-three prisoners; only half of the original crew."
"I'm assuming they fought back?" He nodded. "Very well. See to it that the Faunus prisoners are assessed for their… suitability to our cause."
"And the Humans?" He asked.
"Keep them locked up." I hummed. "And ensure that any spare food or water is not given to them. They can survive the voyage to our camp just fine."
"Aye sir. What about their ship itself?"
"Strip it of anything useful, then punch a few holes in its hull and drop it. I don't care where." I ordered. "Is there anything else to report?" He shook his head. "Very well. Dismissed."
As the door slid shut behind him, I turned back towards my desk and rubbed my chin. "Why do you need prisoners…" I muttered before resuming my work…
/-\ Cinder Fall /-\
I smiled as my underling handed me the black vial. "You've done well." I said, causing her eyes to brighten with joy for a moment. "Now, return to your other tasks."
She hesitated. "Ma'am?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly. "Can I ask… what does it do?"
I opened my mouth to retort but realized I wanted to see it in action for myself. I hummed. "You've pleased me with your performance so far." I lied. "Come. I'll show you." I said before turning to the other occupant of the room. "Mercury, fetch one of the prisoners. A demonstration is in order." I said.
He shrugged. "Sure, whatever." I frowned at his tone, but decided not to make an example out of him just yet…
…even if the vial willed another reaction…
/-\ Sienna Khan /-\
I sat at one of the many tables in our Emerald Compound's mess hall, stoically munching away at a freshly caught fish. By now, the whispers among the base's personnel had died down, the inhabitants finally accepting that their leader was here.
Even if I sat upon a throne for most of my meetings, I still made it a point to appear like them; a soldier is more likely to fight for someone who eats with him than someone who they've never met or even seen before. That said, the table I sat at was quite a bit more subdued than the tables further away.
Just then, my Faunus ears picked up something from the TV. "In other news, the Vale Council has finally released details on Operation Skywalker, as the UNSC has called it." The name alone piqued my interest and I signaled the nearest person to turn it up.
"Yes, Lisa, it was quite surprising to say the least." A male reporter said. "Ten students and a single professor from Beacon Academy were brought into space for training as of two days ago." Hushed whispers broke out among the growing crowd around the TV. "Details are still sparse as to what exactly happened up there, but several short clips can be found on our CCT page. We were also provided two photos to show to the public."
The screen changed to show several people in strange-looking suits; some armored, though most weren't. Interestingly enough, there were two Faunus among the group. Shockingly, I knew both.
Blake Belladonna and my own sister.
My eyes widened at seeing her. Part of me was jealous that she'd gone to space; another wanted to scold her for doing something as rash as that. I caught some whispers among the men; all surprised that Faunus had gone as well.
"While names have been withheld, these brave young men and women made history by being the first Remnans to escape our atmosphere. At this time, it is unclear if Beacon will continue this new training regimen or if this was a one-time operation."
The screen changed again, this time showing a planet. After a few moments, I realized it wasn't just any planet; it was Remnant.
"And this, ladies and gentlemen… is our home." He said. The planet wasn't a soulless topographical map that I'd seen a million times by now, it looked… alive.
Wispy clouds seemed to roll off the mountains in Sanus's interior; a storm obscuring the entire lower half of the continent. The fringes of Anima were just barely visible, the shadow of nighttime kissing its shores. Another storm rolled its way off the southern tip of Vrayye, arcing towards Vacuo in an almost serpentine shape as lightning flashed along the coast.
I looked north and felt my heart drop into my boots. Everywhere else on Remnant was beautiful; it all fit together like some sort of gargantuan-scale puzzle…
Not Solitas.
A large black scar defaced the continent, looking as alien as the faction that caused it. Snow covered most of Solitas. There? Only death. It reminded me of the Grimm; how we fought every day against them for our survival.
I Tried my hardest to keep the unease off my face; I don't know if I succeeded. I sighed. 'If this is what the Covenant are capable of…' I trailed off, a shiver traveling down my spine. I frowned before setting off to my temporary quarters.
I had a call to make.
/-\ Cinder Fall /-\
"Well… I certainly approve." He said, eyes slowly traveling up my form.
I smirked, giving a twirl in my infiltration suit. However, he needed to be reminded of his place. "Emerald."
She smacked him upside the head. "Ow! What was that for?!"
"Being a perv." She said.
"Oh please, you know she likes attention."
She growled. "I will smack you again."
"That's enough." I said, a small inflection in my voice. "Emerald, Mercury, if you're quite done arguing, we've got a job to do." I walked over to the closet, pulling out a very covering trenchcoat. "Now, remind yourselves of the plan." I ordered, donning the item of clothing.
I could practically feel Mercury's eye roll. "Me n' Ems'll show up to the dance and act like we're having such a good time; we'll tell you when everyone's too busy tryin' to get laid to notice you; then you'll do your thing… whatever that is."
I smirked. "That's for me to know… and for you to not ask about." I glanced at my watch. "Shall we?"
Before we exited the room, I heard a nock on one of the walls. Turning, I saw Neo, who I'd completely forgotten about, suddenly activate her semblance and don a dress of her own. She held up her scroll, the words {Can I come?} written on it.
"Pfft, you want to come to this stupid thing?" Mercury asked. Emerald gave him another smack upside the head.
She shrugged, typing on her scroll again. {I've never been to one before. I just want to see what it's like.}
I hummed. "I suppose it couldn't hurt. After all, if someone needs to be tied up… metaphorically," I clarified at her sadistic grin. "then that's one extra hand we have." She made an exaggerated thinking motion before nodding and skipping across the room, exiting the door before we could.
"Well, she has the right idea." Mercury said, dragging Emerald out the door.
I followed them but went the other way down the hallway. "Have fun, kiddies!" I shouted, seamlessly sliding into my chosen persona. Now, to get to a suitable staging area…
"It seems most of the dancers have partners." Mercury said through our comms.
"Most?" I hissed.
"Yeah, looks like that tall one's still on her own."
I ran through the potential candidates in my head. "Red-tipped hair, disgustingly muscular?"
"Pretty much; she's practically bursting out of the suit she's wearing."
I frowned. "She can not be allowed to interfere tonight. Cause a distraction."
"Alright, Neo, you know what to-"
"She never took an earbud." I interrupted.
"…Shit." He let out before sighing. "Fine, I'll get you your opening."
"As expected." I said. "Now, how long do we have?"
"Better be back by midnight, just to be safe." Emerald said.
I looked at my watch. "I'll keep an eye on the clock." I said, climbing the rooftops and getting into position. I glided across the courtyard, my outfit seamlessly blending into the moonless night as I made my way towards my target. Before I could enter the CCT, though, I had to deal with its guard; a single man.
He wore a gleaming metal breastplate over a forest green shirt, his pants brown. A sword rested on his left hip, his arm on the same side holding a buckler loosely. On his opposite hip sat a short carbine, the buckler having an indentation on top to accommodate it. Clearly, he was a VDF regular, and judging by the lack of scars on his armor, a new one.
I smirked; this would be easier than I thought.
I threw a stone over his head and as it landed on the other side of him. Fortunately, he heard it and looked that way, allowing me to sneak up behind him and knock him out. I quickly deposited him behind a bush and moved on, entering the tower without encountering another guard.
The moment I stepped inside, three more VDF regulars turned their gaze away from the card game they were playing on a fold-out table and to me instead. We stared at each other for a moment before, in unison, all three grabbed their carbines and took aim.
I charged them, summoning my swords as I did so, and reached the first person before he got a single shot off. His throat was sliced open a moment later and I pushed the soon-to-be corpse into his comrade behind him.
The last regular finally got off a shot at me, but it missed my head by a country mile. I picked him up by the neck and threw him into the nearby wall, leaving a trail of blood behind as he slid down onto the floor.
I heard a furious battle cry and turned just in time to dodge a swipe from the only surviving VDF regular. I quickly thrust my sword's pommel into the back of his head, knocking him out cold. I smirked, sauntering into the elevator and selecting the correct floor.
"A party guest is leaving." Emerald said into my ear.
My eyes narrowed, the elevator starting to ascend. "Who is it?"
"The redheaded brute!" She whisper-shouted.
My eyes widened. "Delay her. I need more time."
"We'll try…" Mercury said.
"No, you'll do." I ordered. "We've got one shot at this, and it needs to go perfectly. Now keep her occupied for as long as you can."
The elevator dinged open, but instead of sprinting for my objective, I used my [Flames] to quickly destroy the internal controls. Unfortunately, that meant the doors slammed shut before I could actually exit the elevator.
I summoned my swords again and began to pry at the doors. After several of them broke, I finally got enough space in between them to stick my hand in and get some leverage. I threw the doors open a full minute after I'd trapped myself and sprinted for the central desk.
However, Lady Luck still had another curveball to throw my way. I let out a shrill scream as I realized the central computer wasn't even turned on. Just as the screen powered on, something burst through the window behind me and scattered glass everywhere.
I whipped around, bringing my swords to bear as my eyes narrowed at the intruder. The black-dressed Cat Faunus raised her weapons, both swords, at me. "I'm guessing you're responsible for the bodies downstairs." She stated.
I merely smirked. I knew I couldn't speak; that would introduce the unnecessary risk of someone recognizing my voice. Instead, I charged my new opponent; I didn't have time to dally with some random student playing hero.
She barely parried my first strike, my second making her retaliatory thrust miss as she winced in pain. Another blow struck true, but I felt no resistance as the glass blade punched through her chest. Just as her form shimmered into an amorphous black cloud, I felt a sting on my backside's aura. I grit my teeth and swung back at her, only for my weapon to shatter upon a perfect stone statue of my opponent.
Another stab of pain.
I retaliated, my blade slashing through her afterimage. I dodged to the left, stabbing my sword behind me and earning a yelp from my opponent. I threw fire dust at her, igniting it with my magic into molten shards of glass as it flew.
Once again, they only impacted her afterimage. She reformed a few paces to the side of my barrage and loosed half-a-dozen pistol rounds; I blocked them with my hand. She charged with a shout, going for a telegraphed upward swipe.
I frowned and sidestepped the obvious feint, riposting with a strike to her-
"Agh!" I let out as her heeled foot slammed into my stomach. I tried to stab her, but found my sword embedded inside a perfect ice replica of herself. She leaped back, summoning an aura-powered slash at range that shattered the sculpture and knocked me to the ground.
"ENOUGH!" I shouted, calling upon my powers. I charged as her body froze in fear, eyes wide like a doe. I quickly summoned another sword, the tip solidifying the moment it struck her. She bounced off the floor, aura flickering in a purple haze around her body.
Not allowing a single moment of retaliation, I grabbed her by the neck and dragged her to the window as she clawed at my arm. Without hesitation, I threw her from the building. Knowing my time was limited, I ran for the main computer, the girl's screams echoing behind me.
I practically shoved the flash drive into the computer, typing away furiously to get the damn program running already. After what felt like hours, I hit the return key and was greeted by a chess piece; the black queen.
I sighed in relief, retrieving the stick and-
"Oh ho ho! Just what do we have here?" A booming voice asked.
I whipped around and my stomach dropped. Before me stood several of Beacon's fighters; Peter Port, Winter Schnee, Ruby Rose, and most notably of all, Professor Ozpin himself.
It was time to leave.
"I don't appreciate you defenestrating my sister's teammate." Winter said, her voice icy enough to freeze Vacuo.
I smirked, putting up a façade of confidence as my shaking hands shot for my dust pouches. They all reacted instantly, but the distance was too great and a storm of elemental shards assaulted their position.
I sprinted back to the elevator, groaning when I realized I'd firebombed the controls. I glanced around before cutting a hole in the ceiling with my limited [FLAMES], climbing through and barely missing a freakishly muscular hand gripping my foot.
I leaped up to the next floor and blasted the elevator's cables apart, causing them to snap upward and barely miss my outstretched hand. My hopes were dashed when the car only fell a few feet before coming to a complete stop.
I groaned and continued leapfrogging upwards floor by floor as the Ruby climbed up onto the elevator's roof. Without thinking, I ducked into the first ventilation shaft I saw. I knew it wouldn't be a good long-term solution, so after a few feet of frantic crawling, I melted through the ductwork and purposefully collapsed the shaft.
I fell through the ceiling and onto some poor schmuck's desk, crushing his computer. I groaned, my aura taking all the damage but still leaving me with the pain, as I got up and ran for the staircase. I burst through the door and immediately started leapfrogging up the stairs; they'd be watching the exits on the ground floor.
Just as I reached the roof access door, I heard the entrance below me burst open once more. I ran out onto the rooftop at full speed and leaped to the next building, my heart hammering in my chest. I didn't hear anyone behind me as I leaped onto the next rooftop and quickly burst through the door into the building proper.
In my haste, I hadn't even realized I'd landed on the guest dorm's roof and I now stood in an open, yet empty hallway. I quickly scanned for cameras but didn't see any. I ducked into the common area's bathroom and shed my infiltration suit.
I breathed a sigh of relief when I finally had my ballgown on, pocketing any evidence I was ever in another outfit before exiting. To my surprise, no one came after me; I'd expected to have to play dumb and not even know an intruder was on campus.
"Emerald, what's the situation outside?"
"They've got us all locked down." She said. "There's professors here with their weapons and they're doing a headcount. There's no way you'll get in."
I resisted the urge to swear before having an idea. "I'm heading to the dorm. Tell them you played a prank on me and didn't wake me from the nap I was taking." It was a weak alibi, but it'd have to do.
"Yes ma'am." She said, the comm going dead.
I quickly made my way to my dorm room and entered, not turning on the light. Knowing no girl would willingly take a nap in a ballgown, I slipped it off and quickly hung it up as I kicked off my heels and disheveled my hair. Now all that was left to do was to go to bed.
Despite the fight and flight tiring me out, I couldn't actually fall asleep. Instead, I lied awake in the bed even after Emerald, Mercury, and Neo turned in for the night themselves. I just stared at the ceiling, thinking of how powerless I was.
My eyes narrowed. 'Once this is all over… I'll never have to want for power again…' I thought. 'And after all the Maiden powers are mine… I shall rule the world.'
(A/N) Oh Cinder… poor old delusional Cinder.
I understand it might be a bit jarring to see a few of these changes to the timeline suddenly, but I'm planning on explaining them in the next chapter, which will be hero focused. I just felt that we needed a villain chapter for once.
Also, Adam's still crazy, but that's nothing new.
Aaaand I don't have much else to say, so onto the reviews!
Guest 001 said – "Will Spirit of Fire's arrival mark the end of Volume 2 (and the reunion with Yang and Summer)!? Why didn't Ruby mention to Sienna that her mother is a Cat Faunus!? Why has no one pointed out that Jacques married INTO the Schnee Family!? Speaking of which, how badly is Mantled being screwed with Atlas to regulate the Heating Systems, and with someone like Jacques running the show!?"
Yep, the Spirit will arrive in the last chapter or two of the volume. She didn't mention it because it wasn't really relevant at the time, same with the fact that Jacques married into the family; everyone just sees the last name "Schnee" and basically just associates that with him now. Plus, everyone at this point has been judging Weiss for her name and she is his biological daughter, so…
Mantle is doing… well, not well, but they're alive, at least. I was planning to do an arc on that during this volume, but that's gonna have to be next volume.
ExodiaGeass8910 said – "now that you have mentioned a RWBYxXCOM cross has me hooked at the moment. as far as this story, I can hardly wait to see how you have Ruby fix her armor, the only 'gripe' I have is that we didn't get to see how non-RWBY members handled the view of Remmant from orbit. I can imagine Glynda losing her jaw at the sight, same with Ironwood. hope to see how you wrap this Vol. up. And I can imagine Summer geeking out on the orbital view of her home"
Glad you're interested! And yeah, I probably should've shown an orbital view there. I'll probably do something with it next chapter, but in the meantime, you got Sienna's reaction to the picture… even if pictures never do the real thing justice. Also, yeah, I totally see Summer doing that.
Robbie2413 said – "So... WTF was that moment at the end LOL.
So I wonder if the survivor will be mentioned later? Space training yay... you totally hinted at there being a survivor.
Could the Spirit of Fire whenever it arrives fix her MJOLNIR armor I mean in Halo Wars 2 they fixed Douglas's armor after he got the shit beaten out of him by Atriox?
Wonder if Sienna Khan will accept the alliance whith the UNSC? I mean if they don't it paints them in a bad image.
About Valkea doesn't Team RWBY all know she's the WF SPY? She's an Innie and she will always wonder what that means until she finds out."
Maybe, maybe not. Right now, he's pretty much stuck in the hospital for malnutrition, dehydration, hypothermia, and bone decay from spending a month in zero-gee. Yeah, he was pretty close to death, as expected.
Yep, it most certainly could fix her MJOLNIR, and Douglas is what gave me the idea. And yeah, they all know she's a spy. The only one who is even remotely in the dark is Valkea herself, which I think is hilarious.
PoofyOhio said – "*staggers in shock* No Bumblebee? Sweet lord that's a rare thing to see. It's also incredibly welcome to see. Not shitting on your possibly favorite ship, but holy fuck is it everywhere. It's beyond refreshing to see it not be in a fic I enjoy. Didn't always hate it, but it's like eating nothing but chocolate for a week, you WILL get sick of it.
Otherwise really good chapter. Made me chuckle when the killdozer showed up."
Ikr? While it may not be my favorite ship of all time (that honor belongs to Whiterose), I do ship it. And I completely agree; it's probably the most common ship out there and reading about it constantly can get tiring. I do plan to have more ships in this fic, but none more this volume; I still don't want this to become ship-centric, even if they're important to things down the line. Glad the killdozer made ya chuckle, the sheer absurdity of the situation had me giggling like a schoolgirl while writing it.
Red October 700 said – "It sound more like you got a case of cabin feaver.
So story wise not much to say. It was pretty good. Kind of liked how Ruby just crashed the party between Sienna and Valkia. Just one question. How did she get out with out derpface Adam not catching wind?
Valkia was put in a unique situation with Weiss. Hopefully she can get her WF condiond head unstuck out of her reare end. Hopefully. She is starting to see to I just hope if sticks.
Then the ending. Talk about anti-climatic. A skid stear with guns and a hillbilly driving it. cant help but chuckle.
I don't mind at all. It is minor like you said. I just feel like I should return the favor some how. Some for of camio just not sure how. But that is all for me. Later."
That was the same base she infiltrated a few chapters prior; the one Valkea led her to by accident. Pretty much, she just slipped through the door while people were distracted with something else; maybe under the table when they were moving it in?
Aaaand that's all for reviews! The next chapter's title is a little up in the air atm, it's title tentatively being "T-Minus", but that may change by the time it's uploaded.
