Chapter 12: I'm the Evil in Your Heart

It was time for class, but something was off and Pyrrha couldn't tell what.

Something in the air, maybe? The day was a bit cloudy, and that was a bit off for the season. Pyrrha could say she almost hated cloudy days, they sapped all color away from… well, everything, but 'hate' was a strong word. It would've been better to say she liked her days lively and full of life, it made even places like the Emerald Forest more bearable.

Or maybe she felt that way because it was the effect walking through the halls holding Cinder's hand seemed to have of people around her, like something was wrong. There was the odd look here and there when she wasn't looking, the type she already expected, but "odd" wasn't the correct way to describe them. Surprised, perhaps? The average person likely didn't think she was capable of dating at all, much less dating someone as controversial as Cinder.

They caught the attention of every Atlesian guard they walked past, she knew this because the least experienced ones followed them with their visors. She didn't doubt the upper ranks found better ways to spy, all because of what would become old news pretty soon.

Such is the life of a Huntress, I guess. She could do without it, no doubt. At least without the feeling, the one that made her think there was a piece of information she was supposed to know, but didn't, and that something would happen to her because of it. Like people were looking when she wasn't staring them down.

At least Cinder didn't seem bothered by it, if she was then she hadn't said anything in the past minutes, but she kept walking the same way she usually did. Chin up, Back straight

She still struggled inside, wondering if she should tell Cinder about the day she spied on her. Keeping the truth to herself wasn't good, but she couldn't risk it, not when she barely had any friends other than her team. Team Ruby tried but… even they kept themselves at something of a distance.

I'm going there again, she thought. It wasn't exactly Team Ruby's fault they barely ever hung out after the initiation, not when they were so caught up fighting Torchwick and the White Fang, but she still had to remind herself. Either way, it was another reason not to give up what she had with Cinder for something as small as a one-time lapse in judgement. She could've misunderstood what was going on between Cinder and her mom after all, and if Pyrrha wanted to be sure then the least she could do was stay by her side.

She smiled at Cinder. Not really a conscious choice, just meant to cheer her up, but it was a little hard to do it when something kept telling her to just leave Beacon, abandon the place and retire to the recesses of Vacuo.

They got to the Lecture Hall a bit too soon, and the view inside was strange enough to raise an eyebrow and give them both pause. Behind his desk sat Professor Port, sharpening his axe as he watched the students walk by to their spots with a neutral look on his face.

He'd never done that before.

Glynda stood near a wall, with her arms folded and a stern look on her face.

She did that all the time.

Unnerving, to say the least, and from the way Cinder looked surprised she probably agreed, but put on the same smirk they'd broth grown used to, "Meet you after class? It'd probably be better if you sat with your team."

"You can come sit with us you know? It's not like Team Ruby will be using the seats. "

"As much as I appreciate it, I don't want to take their spots. Who knows, maybe they'll come back from their mission just in time for today's class?"

"Yeah, yeah," Pyrrha sighed, then leaned closer so she could whisper to Cinder "Plus, I don't think Miss Goodwitch would like to see us bending the rules anytime soon, right?"

Cinder answered with a chuckle, kissed the tip of her index and middle fingers, then pressed them on Pyrra's lips, a gesture they became accustomed to, more subtle than the casual peck on the lips. To say it ruined her hopes of avoiding boredom during Port's class didn't really do it any justice.

She heard Nora's amusement before the girl even entered her view, "Good to see you two are getting along so well."

Pyrrha turned to face her, "Yeah, yeah..."

"Oh no, I know what that face means. Come on, spit out the drama."

Pyrrha sighed. She could just keep it to herself, but that would only make Nora dig twice as hard, "Everything's good between me and her swear! It's just… all the looks people give when I'm with her..."'

The amusement drained from Nora's face as soon as the words left her mouth, "Don't worry about that. They're just a bunch of jerks."

"I'd rather not think about it," Pyrrha continued, "Plus, changing the subject, we're overdue for some upgrades aren't we? Anything in mind for Magnhild?"

"Oh yeah, I couldn't find the space for it before, but I drew up a lightning dust ejector that I think could work. Still trying to make it look good though."

Nora took out her scroll, showing Pyrrha the diagram. It was surprisingly well thought out, connecting to the handle of the hammer, and triggering via a pull trigger so it wouldn't misfire. The amount discharged was regulated by the sectioned chamber, so that in case the trigger was pulled for too long-such as when one found themselves electrocuted and unable to move-it would release only a portion of the dust reserve. It was simple and effective, and wouldn't use too many extra parts.

She quickly realized the reason for the upgrade, "Oh, so you can charge up your Semblance?"

"Yeah, pretty much the only reason it's a glorified built-in taser for now. Gods, I hate how it's looking."

"Did you try the new modular plans? I hear they work with pretty much anything, as long as you don't mind loading basic, store-bought shells in your weapon."

Nora groaned, "Trust me, I don't mind. The Schnee stuff is too expensive when you really need to smash things, and forging ammo takes too long. It's not like the blacksmiths aren't trying, it's just too much work I'd be foisting upon their poor souls."

Pyrrha laughed, "Well, you could always reduce the ordnance."

"What? And run out of ammo halfway through a fight?"

"Or you could conserve your ammo a little more…"

"What? Then what am I going to do in-between uses? Half the reason Magny-Girl there even works is because I can just use grenades after attacking to reposition, it's a valuable tactic!"

Pyrra's eyebrows shot up, she was surprised, to say the least, "You're right. I have to say, I haven't seen you this excited about the technical stuff since forever fall, what gives?"

"Well, I'm going out with Ren this weekend. We're going downtown to A Simple Wok, and I've been thinking about surprising him with matching upgrades. But I don't have his yet so keep this between us ok?"

"Don't worry, your secret's safe with me. Hey, good to see you two are finally together-together."

"Eeeh, kinda. Ren moves at his own pace, gotta give him time to process some things."

"Speak of the devil," as more students moved into the hall, Pyrrha noticed Ren and Jaune among the crowd, waving them closer. They moved to their seats, waiting for that day's class.

It didn't take long for the professors to turn off the lights, and light up the giant screen above them that usually displayed a variety of subjects, most of them being uninteresting logistical matters, city maps, team formations, nothing Pyrrha hadn't been taught by private tutors before she barely hit the age of thirteen, before even the Mistral Regional Championship.

Jaune whispered from besides them, "What do you guys think is the occasion? We never have classes like this."

Ren was the first to answer, uncharacteristically, "It seems like it's a mixed class. Glynda educates us on Combat Tactics, and Port teaches Grimm Studies and Military Strategy. Those seem like subjects that would go hand-in-hand."

Oh, that makes sense, I guess.

Glynda turned on the speakers, something Pyrrha only noticed because of the high-pitched noise it caused briefly. The rest of Team Juniper promptly stopped talking, aware that if being watched by Glynda was bad, being reprimanded in front of class was a thousand times worse.

"Students," Glynda announced, "Your attention please. Today we'll be discussing patrols. As I'm positive you're aware that at this point in time many students are going on their missions accompanied by Beacon Staff. Gathered here today are all the first, second and third year students who have completed at least one mission.

She paused for a moment, looking over the class. Although Glynda spoke in the same way she always did, her presence didn't feel as cold or distant as she used to be during Pyrrha's first semester. Ms Goodwitch pressed a button on her Scroll tablet, and a map of the City of Vale appeared, prompting some murmurs among the class.

"You are taught to work as a team in Academies, but the job of patrolling a city requires a degree of expertise in both combat tactics and military strategy. Although you'll still work with them, often a team will be separated, and it will require teamwork on a large scale. Coordination, trust, foresight are all the bare minimum. Often, a single Huntsman is expected to Patrol and resolve any altercation within a given area, before moving on to the next."

Were things often that tough for the Teachers outside? She'd been so used to the way things were, Pyrrha rarely ever questioned it, but now that the thought crossed the confines of her mind, it intrigued her:

Were there even any non-teacher Huntsman patrolling the city of Vale?

She couldn't think of one. Maybe it said something about the kind of job it was, or maybe it said something about most Huntsmen that would graduate in a short time. Cinder had mentioned that the Huntsmen in the city were stretched thin, but how long had it been since she'd seen an unfamiliar face there?

The longer Glynda spoke, the more her words echoed across the hall and into Pyrrha's mind, the less it felt like a simple matter. The way she described the job, everything it encompassed… It was exactly what they were supposed to do. It was what she was taught to do, to protect as many as she could, with her life if need be.

"Given our lack of manpower, today we'll be opening slots for students. Keep in mind that this is entirely voluntary, but those of you who wish to sign up will be guided by myself and Professor Port. Raise your hand if you'd like to enlist."

Without missing a beat, Pyrrha's hand cut through the air, the first to volunteer among the crowd of students.

And seemingly the only one.

She looked back, only to see a nonchalant Cinder. She wasn't volunteering, but it was a lot like her, thankfully she had the skill to back up the attitude. Pyrrha could let her get away with it. Once. Mostly because the genuine competition brought a smile to her face, but also because she knew her a lot better now. If Cinder didn't care about saving people she wouldn't be a Huntress.

Or rather, a Huntress in training.

Nora raised her hand, "Yeesh, somebody is a little excited huh?"

"You're not?" Pyrrha answered, "This is our time to shine isn't it?"

They both looked to Jaune, their leader, for confirmation. The boy was overwhelmed, but not surprised, "We did a good job on the tower didn't we? It's not really a team mission, but what kind of Leader would I be if I didn't go myself?"

Jaune lifted his hand. Looking around her, Team Coffee had raised theirs in an apparently unanimous decision, but other than them, most sat quietly.

Ren sighed, "I swear, if this ends up with reporters surrounding us again you'll all owe me one."

Moments passed, and it as the room settled, they kept their hands up. Out of the couple hundred students present, Pyrrha could only count ten: Team Juniper, Team Coffee, Cinder, and what she thought was a third year student. It was hard to tell in such a dark, monumental place.

Seems like I have my answer then.

Glynda counted them, before dismissing class. Their footsteps echoed across the dark hall, distant within moments.

"For the students left here, we have: Team Juniper, Team Coffee, and Olivia Ashe. Miss fall, will you be volunteering?"

"I will not, Miss Goodwitch. I was simply interested in how the process is continued. I could excuse myself if I would be a bother."

"You may stay. As for the rest of you, use your scrolls to choose a sector of the city to patrol. Keep in mind that it's divided by districts, not area, some are bigger than others, some are more densely populated. Assign yourself to something you know you can handle, keep in mind the threat assessment you learned from Professor Port's Strategy classes."

Oof, not that again. Threat assessment was the most boring subject Port ever coughed up. It amounted to assigning those with high mobility semblances to wide open areas, the ones with close or touch-based Semblances within enclosed spaces, while people like Pyrrha or Professor Goodwitch who could cover a wide area covered both due to versatility, while those who fight at range tend to support either one, depending on the situation. It made for good theory, but even Port warned them of it, lecturing them on how rarely any plan ever survives contact with the enemy.

Discussion was unnecessary either way. Pyrrha knew where she'd be most valuable, and that'd be in the Vale City square. Most of the city's roads lead to that section, it was the most densely populated, situated precisely in the middle of the city and Vale's circulation plan was made so that people and vehicles would flow through and around the square. It was perfect for someone that could cover a wide area like herself

It was usually Glynda's spot too, although she didn't patrol every day. Maybe the Teacher responsible for it was out of commission now.

She asked Jaune what he thought about it, for good measure, he'd already planned more or less the same. They'd discussed strategy as a part of his study plans, so there wasn't any dissent there. One press on the map, and on the screen above them appeared an icon with Pyrrha's shield and spear emblem, to let others know the sector was taken. She was the first too, as always.

Glynda took notice of the icon, "Oh good, I see we already have some plans being made- Yes, Miss Fall?"

Miss Fall? Pyrrha was pretty sure she wasn't interested in volunteering, only to look back and see a shocked, wide-eyed Cinder holding her hand up.

"I would like to volunteer, Miss Goodwitch, if it's possible."

Goodwitch raised an eyebrow, the look from behind her reading glasses expressed the clear suspicion, "Might I ask why the sudden change of mind?"

"I… I would like to help, that's all."

"I'm sorry Miss Fall, but given your current circumstances, I believe it would be better if you refrained from participating in this mission." Goodwitch said, no doubt reference Cinder's troubles with the media.

For a few tense moments, Cinder was silent, "I understand," she uttered, almost inaudibly in such a large room. Pyrrha wanted to move seats and talk to her but… they were expedited to be professionals from this point forward.

I'm Sorry, she could all but think, Cinder wasn't looking anymore.

No.

Unacceptable.

They couldn't do this to her. It had to be a plot, something Ozpin planned. It was the only way this could happen. How could they know? Everything about her plan was flawless, it couldn't have been anything but, and with one simple move, they pulled the rug underneath her.

Did Ozpin and his goons hack into her scroll?

And more importantly, were they really this willing to sacrifice a student?

The only girl she cared about in that god-forsaken academy, and there she was, planning to simply throw herself at what would soon come to be ground zero of the first invasion of Vale in at least a century.

Pyrrha was good, but she wasn't good enough to resist kilotons of dust detonating, and even if she could, she wouldn't beat back a horde of Grimm and White Fang.

Taking out her scroll, Cinder hid it under the desk as she opened the messaging application made by Watts.

[07:12 AM] Dark, Tall, and too hot for you

Answer me now.

[07:12 AM] Clockwork Clamjam

Oh geez, what did I do this time?

[07:12 AM] Dark, Tall, and too hot for you

Nothing. You will delay the plan.

[07:13 AM] Clockwork Clamjam

WHAT? I'm sorry, is this some sort of macabre test?

[07:13 AM] Dark, Tall, and too hot for you

This is not a test. You will delay the plan indefinitely until further notice.

He didn't answer immediately, and so the visceral sensation within Cinder's guts threatened to spread to the rest of her, she could already feel her hands shaking. She was angry, frustrated in a way that felt completely alien, and still familiar at the same time.

[07:21 AM] Clockwork Clamjam

Look, your kids are telling me this is way out of character for you, and I'm thinking either Beacon got you, or someone else found a way to mess you up, so I'm going to need a little more to go on. Either that or you'll have to meet me at the spot, so we can discuss this in person. You know I can't just stop operating on a whim like that.

She cursed internally, mostly because this time, Roman was right. He couldn't know why Cinder made the choice, and it was better that way. She couldn't have foreseen a need to tell him about Pyrrha, and even if she could, she'd rather not to.

[07:22 AM] Dark, Tall, and too hot for you

Fine. We will meet this weekend then.

[07:23 AM] Clockwork Clamjam

Deal.

It wasn't enough time. It wasn't nearly enough time. Cinder herself knew Roman would at least honor their initial agreement, because it was the one they'd made face-to-face, their contract, so to speak. If something happened to either her or Adam, but the White fang finished loading the cargo, then he'd follow through on his end as expected of a professional. It applied in this scenario too.

She should've been happy. It meant Roman had his head on straight, and knew the consequences well. The plan would follow, Atlas and their android would fail at defending Vale. The Huntsmen and Huntresses would fail as well once the White Fang made their way in.

But she was far from glad.

"You guys go on ahead, I just need to talk to Miss Goodwitch."

Nora shrugged, "Alright, your loss really, today's pancake day at the cafeteria"

Jaune stopped in his tracks, "Meet you at the dorm then?"

"Yeah, see you," she said, waving goodbye at the rest of her team.

Cinder moved by her, holding some of the next class' books. She tried to stop her, but the girl refused, mentioning some late homework she needed to catch up on.

Maybe that's what has her so stressed all of a sudden. Pyrrha did know what being buried under homework was like after all.

Once the last student left, she moved over to Miss Goodwitch, she couldn't help but feel smaller as she approached the teacher. It wasn't easy, what she was about to bring up.

Goodwitch noticed her approach, adjusting her glasses, "Miss Nikos. Is there something you need?"

"Yes. I… there's something I need to ask."

"Well then ask away. I'm your teacher after all."

"I just didn't know who to ask about this, but it's been bugging me, and you're the Combat Instructor so I thought it was the right choice because it's starting to make me lose my mind-"

"Miss Nikos?" Glynda cut in, interrupting her rambling.

"I'm sorry," she apologized on instinct

"What is it you need to ask me?"

"Well… you know about aura reflexes?"

"Of course, It's expected for a Huntress to be in touch with her aura, it can be a matter of life and death. What do you need to know about aura reflexes?"

Pyrrha couldn't bear to look at her teacher, "Have you ever heard of any case about anyone who can't turn it off?"

"I don't think I follow, aura reflexes aren't something one can activate at all in the first place."

"It's just that I have a friend-"

"-A Friend?"

Oh no, why had she gone with the friend excuse? That only made things worse for her.

"Yeah, a friend. And she's been through a mission lately. Since then her aura hasn't really been the same, it keeps telling her to dodge, move out of the way and run when there's no danger nearby."

Glynda observed her for a moment, from behind the reading glasses, "And this friend of yours is absolutely sure there's no danger at all?"

"Yes. She even looked it up online for what that's worth."

"Well, to answer your friend's question then, I have studied it, there are more than a few documented cases of post-quest aura interference."

"Really?" Pyrrha asked, relief washing the fear away.

"Yes, really. Sometimes a mission can take too much out of someone, shift some danger senses. It's part of the way we're re-wired once we become Huntresses and Huntsmen, if I recall correctly. We're supposed to adapt easily, and the mind is as much of a part of the body as any, so aura affects that too."

"And you think she'll be fine?"

"Well, I can't tell that. Most recover, but If your friend needs a visit to an aura expert, then I could write up a reference."

"I think she'd like that."

"Good. Meet me after recess then. I'll write a blank one, so you can deliver it to your friend then."

"Thank you," Pyrrha said.

As she moved to leave the classroom, Goodwitch stopped her, "Oh, and Miss Nikos?'

"Yes?"

"Tell your friend to avoid the atlesian guards in Beacon, just in case. There are more guards stationed here than ever before."

"O-kay, I guess…" It was an odd thing to bring up, but Pyrrha was thankful nonetheless. Now that she thought about it…

The guards did look strangely cautious around me.