The world is a chessboard.

Roman raised a curious eyebrow as he leaned forward. "Okay, big man..." he said slowly. "Let's say I agree to join up with you. Let's say I actually do believe in what you preach. What's in it for me?"

Rouge smiled thinly beneath his helmet. "I can offer you two things." he said, raising his hand and extending a finger. "The first is a chance for Neopolitan to live an earnest life. Her record erased and a scholarship at any Huntsman Academy of her choosing."

"Whoa, back up a sec." the mobster held up his hands, a heay frown on his face. "You do realize how long that girl's rap sheet is, right? I dunno what kind of connections you have, but there is no way in hell you can just erase all of that." And he wasn't joking. The amount of crimes that beautiful girl had on her belt was quite the list. Didn't measure up to his, though. "Not even Junior's got that kind of sway."

"Let's leave it to having more connections."

"Okay, fine. What's the second thing?"

The young boy's smile turned dark, raising his middle finger. "The man who left you to die."

Pieces are placed on the battlefield, ready to topple at any second.

"What is this stuff?" a lowly thug asked, holding up a small vial that contained the liquid – the fruits of their labor. "Some kind of new drug?"

Verid chuckled as she took the vial away from him, cradling it in her hand with care. "This stuff is going to be what'll separate us from the rest of the cartels." she said simply with a dangerous look on her face. "Tell me, Ao. Do you have any good memories?"

"Uh, yeah, kinda." the thug, Ao, nodded. "Why?"

"Would you believe me if I told this drug could let you relive those memories?"

Two people try and outsmart each other, playing for keeps – one side wanting to protect his pieces and the other wanting to obliterate them.

"Zero has friends in high places." Watts spoke as he sat across from Cinder, legs crossed and hands folded. "Between hacking into the CTT and disabling security systems belonging to some of the most wealthiest of companies, he's quite equipped. Added to his charisma, and he's quite the force to be reckoned with." He took a sip of the tea Emerald had prepared. It was a bit sour to his liking, but he was willing to give the street rat props. "Still, he's a thorn in our side. Him hacking into the CTT for that broadcast message has led to the council choosing to strengthen their firewalls. At best, the virus will only let you into a few patches of their security."

The amber-eyed woman leaned back, arms across her chest. "And will this be before the dance party at Beacon begins, or after?"

"A little bit of both." the man answered. "The party will be your only opportunity to hack into it. Better to have some cards on the table than none at all." He took another sip before his eyes narrowed. "I doubt I have to remind you how important this job is."

Cinder repressed a scowl. "I'm fully aware."

"Remember, dear Cinder, both of our necks are on the line here."

But neither recognize that one of their pieces intends to fight back against them both.

"Who are you, exactly?" Rouge asked with his eyebrow hidden among his bangs. He was confused as to why someone like her, a CEO of a well-known corporation, would want to speak with him. His paranoia told him to be weary, but a small part of him actually felt comfortable in her presence. How strange. This was their first meeting...wasn't it?

Despite him actually knowing the answer, something she picked up on, she gave a low smile. "I suppose I did forget to introduce myself. My name is Cecaniah Lamperouge, but please, call me C.C." Her smile curved, causing a shudder to run across his spine. Electricty danced along his back as her finger trailed along his cheek. In the background, Yang tensed. "It is quite the pleasure, Rouge Rose."

History has it's eyes on you, you know. Every action you make will change everything you know. Such is the nature of your power.

"T-Turn the lights back on! Quickly!"

Feet scrambled to get the lights back on as quickly as possible. The head thugs were tense as they looked around, keeping their firearms primed and ready. The fact that the lights cut out like that worried them without end. Something was happening. The lights eventually came back on, and when it did, they were quick to notice that there were newfound occupants in the warehouse.

A group had collected up on the catwalk, bearing down on them like prey. Men and women dressed in various clothing, some even possessing animalistic features, but they all shared one thing in common: an ebony Grimm mask with dark purple markings and a black jacket with silver trims. Two people in particular stood out among the group: one was a female with long black hair with cat ears atop her head. Her jacket's hem ended at her stomach and the left sleeve was rolled up to the forearm. The upper half of her face was hidden behind a similar mask as the rest. The second was male, though compared to the rest his jacket resembled more of a coat with a hood pulled over his face, strands of electric blue hair poking out while a mask covered his entire face.

Unlike his companion, who was straight and proper with her sword out, the male was leaning on the railing, casually resting one arm on it while the other was raised up, holding a dancing blue flame in his hand.

Of course, what drew their attention the most was the single figure amid the crowd: a cape wrapped around him like the wings of a bat, a cravat at the neck while wearing a purple suit. The most defining feature being the black mask with a purple orb in the center, gazing down upon them with intent.

All those in attendance knew who they were.

"Y-you are-!"

The Power of the King will condemn you to solitude. Are you prepared for that burden, like you were before?

"You have the world's attention right now." Raven said as she leaned against the wall, arms folded. "Now what will you do?"

"My plans haven't changed in the slightest." Rouge answered, eyes narrowed and focused on the screen of his computer. It was flooded with all sorts of information, gathered by Adam and Edan respectively. They were reports of vital pieces of intelligence that he would make good use of. "Of course, it's how I'll handle the problem that will determine whether or not everything succeeds."

The woman smirked. "As arrogant and confident as ever, I see." she remarked with a tinge of curiosity. "Where did you get that from? Qrow? Or perhaps Summer and Tai?"

"Like you don't know." the heterochromatic teen retorted. He clicked on one of the reports – a plan to hijack the CTT and spread fear and negativity when the time was right. "My opponents are a man who's lived for centuries and a woman who can control the Grimm. Arrogance and confidence have nothing to do with my attitude."

"Yet you've face no one of their caliber. How can you be so sure that you'll succeed?"

His fingers paused. Slowly, he turned his head. For a moment, the woman saw it. A small second had left one of his eyes turning into a ruby red color, glittering while an avian sigil danced around the pupil.

"Because I have no choice. From the moment I accepted my fate, there was no going back." Rouge answered. Then a cold sneer formed across his face. "If I'm remembered as the man who destroyed the world, so be it. I will destroy this twisted world." Then he spoke softly, so low she almost couldn't hear him. "For her sake..."

In the past, she would have sneered and laughed at him for being so soft-hearted. However, she could say that she wasn't much better. A small part of her, however insignificant, still cared for Yang. Enough that she would protect her if the time ever came. However, she did not consider it to be kindness. It was simply a Rule. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Still, it was a shame. Rouge would have made an excellent Branwen.

"Of course I am. After all, I made a deal with a Witch."

At this moment, the world knew his name and trembled.

At this moment, the world knew his power and cowered.

At this moment, the world knew his ambition and feared him.

All eyes were on him. In the background, the pompous fool who had played him for a fool was standing idly by, completely under his command as he listened and obeyed. Outside, his forces had already claimed victory. This was but the mere icing atop the cake.

"As of this moment," he spoke with ferver, violet eyes blazing and a smile on par with the Devil himself. "The world belongs to me!"

The Zero Hour is Approaching...


A preview for what is to come, my friends. Sadly, it won't be for a while. We're still flushing and planning out the events of Act II, but in the meantime, I have some good news for you all.

Sometime this month or the next month, I will be posting a new story called "Black Rebellion: Chess Pieces." It is a collection of side-stories that connects to Black Rebellion, filling in on some plot holes and gaps.

Look forward to it's release, as the first side-story will cover the events of "Jaunedice" and "Forever Fall."

Be ready, rebels! And Peace Out!