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Stage, Lights, Curtain Call
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What awaits the end of a tragic, but beautiful tale?
Sorrow
Or
Applause?
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The train swayed gently side to side, like a mother caressing her child. Despite the speed it was traveling, the locomotive raced along the tracks with a soothing ease.
In one of the car's compartments, eight students from Haven rested. Team ENMY sat to one side, while Inna's FIRE Team occupied the other. Each bided their time in their own little ways before arriving at their inevitable destination.
Emerald immersed herself in reading the orders from Military HQ. Mercury was rapidly scarfing down energy bar after energy bar, which were provided free of charge. Neo occupied her time penciling something in her sketchpad. Lastly, Yang repeatedly performed a magic trick, making a card disappear and reappear between the fingers of her right hand.
After training her prosthetic to the point it could fold a paper crane, she moved on to more advanced exercises. The effort to regain her old control was over. Now, Yang endeavored to surpass it—to make it better than her original flesh and bone ever was.
It was only recently Emerald gave her some tips in sleight of hand. An exercise that was proving rather fruitful, if not entertaining.
Yang made the playing card reappear again, as if pulling it out of thin air with a satisfying snap.
"—Fancy trick," Inna commented across from her.
A stem of wheat bobbed between the girl's lips. Inna's hat wore low from napping earlier. Something the rest of FIRE Team was doing, as they all had their hats covering their eyes.
"Got somethin' fer ya." Inna pulled a playing card from her breast pocket and flicked it to Yang.
The girl caught it and turned it over curiously.
It was the five-of-hearts. A bit smooth and worn around the edges. The material felt warm to the touch. Other than that, nothing seemed out of the ordinary.
"What's this?" Yang asked.
"My callin' card," Inna grinned. "You find yerself in a bind—ya call."
Yang shrugged, snapped her fingers, and the card was gone.
As soon as word spread of Atlas forces amassing on the ocean line, the whole Kingdom of Mistral rose to action. What few airships they owned, their fastest vehicles, trains rescheduled to suit the emergency priority—all were deployed to bring the Kingdom's full force to bear. And the place they gathered was the northern harbor of Mistral, their acting relay point for the Dracul Isles.
More and more troops arrived at the docks by the hour. Any and all seafaring vessels were prepped and reinforced for battle readiness. Some of them being retrofitted completely on arrival.
A hectic scene for sure, but one that communicated a united front. They knew what lay beyond the horizon for so long now. From the civilian working their earnest, despite not being able to fight in the war directly, to the soldiers rechecking their gear and getting ready to deploy, a harmony existed in these people. A voice, a word, a purpose moving them for hearth and home.
Mistral does not fall.
Mistral was the first.
And it will be the last.
Our Kingdom is Eternal.
A wind moved through them, violently towards the protection of their friends and family. Like ships riding at full sail, or heroes marching with the sun at their backs. The warrior's resolve in them burned, eager and willing.
This was the atmosphere that greeted Team ENMY and FIRE Team, as they stepped off the train. The morning sun shone bright, prompting them to shield their eyes.
Alongside the eight, were countless fellow students from Haven Academy. The military accepted soldiers from the school, but they were by no means forcibly drafted into the war effort. Almost all of the students enrolled in Haven's Strategic Class answered the call. Many children of various noble houses joined in hopes of bringing honor and merit to their family names.
Separating from the rest, Emerald led her team to their designated sortie. Inna's group followed in the same direction.
The two teams then, arrived at a rather disquieting scene. Unlike most of the other docks, the workers here were not Mistral Military. From this section, and for a number of the ones to the left, everyone working wore Grimm masks.
Some spared the newcomers a glance before continuing their tasks. Others held their attention just a moment longer. It seemed Team ENMY and FIRE Team were going to reinforce a regiment composed of the White Fang.
Standing at the center of a group of Faunus, Emerald spotted the military officer they were ordered to report to. A woman clad in wine-red armor.
"Mom," Yang called out.
The soldiers around them blinked curiously at the word. Meanwhile, Raven didn't pay the stares any mind, as she shifted her attention.
"It's Commander, actually," she corrected with mixed reluctance.
Yang took notice of the ones gathered. Seeing more members of the White Fang sent a cold prickle down her back and a tinge at the point of her knuckles. Perhaps sensing the young woman's hostility, the soldiers went on edge. Hands hovered over weapons, ready to draw on notice.
"Everyone, at ease," Raven waved them down.
Watching the Faunus move their hands away at her mother's command, the message drove home to Yang that Raven was indeed "the one in charge".
Both stared at the other with an estranged air. If they were normal mother and daughter, this would likely be a moment to embrace. But, of course, Yang and Raven's relationship was far from normal.
The older woman tilted her head to a corner of the docks, ushering her daughter to join her in private. They then, separated from their groups and walked to the edge of the harbor.
"Commander, huh?" Yang couldn't help but question.
"A position taken out of necessity," Raven partly groaned. "The only reason being I'm the only one Parliament trusts to lead this joint task force with Mistral's army."
"They couldn't trust Adam?"
"For obvious reasons."
"He around?"
Raven paid Yang a measuring look.
"No. Planning something?"
"Not reeeaaally."
"You two can be such a handful. So much animosity. A bit of it, more than justified, sure. And there's the whole thing with Blake—yes, I know about your Faunus ex-partner, who used to be in the White Fang."
Yang's mouth gaped open in shock, before Raven closed it.
"But you need to listen, Yang. I need both you and Adam alive."
"I don't think you do."
"You know, you're a lot alike."
Yang's face scrunched up in obvious disgust at the thought.
"Don't say that."
"Why? Because it's true?"
"I wanted to bring this up for a while now, but you're pretty casual about the guy who cut off your daughter's arm. Even if he was your student."
"You faced Adam with low Aura, tapped out on Dust, and every element of advantage on his side. Don't be spoiled. You're lucky an arm is all you lost. He's never an opponent you want to make light of. Remember that."
The young woman clicked her teeth with annoyance. For a second, Raven thought her lecture might've been disregarded, but on closer observation, she could see that Yang took the truth of her words to heart.
"Yang."
"Yeah?"
Raven took a moment to gather the thoughts she wanted to convey. Her words being chosen carefully to reflect their weight.
"…Today's a day that will test you in ways you never imagined. You'll likely regret everything you've done by the time this day's over."
"Alright. Why are you telling me this?"
"Because this is the last chance you'll get to back out. Before it's too late—before you get in too deep. Because from now on, it's all on you. No one you can blame, no circumstance or excuse to justify the actions you are about to take."
"You're offering me to leave again."
"I'm telling you to leave again." Raven held Yang in a fierce stare, probing for any signs of wavering. "You are becoming a liability. You're getting good, don't get me wrong, but you're breakable. I won't fault you for going back to Tai. No love lost."
Yang soaked it in for a second.
"Liar. You'd totally hate it if I went back now."
"Only because I'd have to admit Tai was right."
"It's okay, mom," Yang looked down for a moment—but only a moment. "I'm not running away from this. If I break, I break. It just means I wasn't enough."
Raven breathed a deep sigh.
"That's easy to say now. I've seen tougher things than you crack under all the weight."
"Yeah, but it's the only way I'll know. Maybe that'll be harder to say when the day is over, but…"
Yang lapsed into silence, and Raven started sorting her thoughts again. A flash image of a young earnest man, brought down by the cruelties of the world. And then, a more recent memory came to mind, causing Raven to give a small huff.
"I didn't know what to think when you first showed up with your…'team'. It made me second guess how much in you was your father and how much in you was me."
"And the verdict?"
"At the time, I wished there was less of me. But in this moment, I hope there's more. A lot more." A hint of sadness lingered in the latter. "On another subject…"
"Hm?"
"I had the same thought the last time I saw you, but…" Raven revealed a strange expression Yang had never seen before. A look of concern oddly enough. "…That midget's grown quite attached to you."
"Uh!" Yang spotted Neo out of the corner of her eye. "Yeah! I guess, we got kinda close being on the same team and all. We are partners!"
"I recall a time where she stood over your unconscious body with an oversized ice pick. If I hadn't stepped in, she would've killed you."
"Ahaha…" Yang chuckled uncomfortably. "Well…It's probably the opposite now. Neo's helped me out a ton. I don't know if I'd be alive without her."
"Hmmm…." Raven leaned in with an air of skepticism.
"What?"
"Nothing. I just wonder what your father would say."
"About…what?"
"Your 'partner'," Raven worded with a snide look.
Yang swallowed her spit and awkwardly laughed again. Her brain panicked as she minded Neo. In contrast, Raven lost herself in thought observing her daughter.
I don't know if it's cowardice or belief that stops me from telling her the truth…
This fight will break her, no matter how she survives it.
Because at the end of this battle, she'll realize…
She'll never be the hero of her story again.
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X
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While Raven and Yang had their mother-daughter conversation, Emerald and Mercury found some space of their own. Together, they faced towards the horizon. The Dracul Isles peeking just within sight.
"Done stuffing your face?" Emerald asked.
"Only 'cause they cut me off," Mercury complained. "Something about emergency rations or whatever."
"For someone who isn't whole, you sure know how to pack it away."
"I burn a lot of calories. And I want to make up for all the food I didn't eat because somebody said we were supposed to be saving cash."
"And we still do. Our accounts aren't nearly as fat as I'd like."
"What do we need the lien for, anyway? We're not 'sponsored' anymore, but it's not like we're broke. What, you planning on running off somewhere with Cinder to an island you bought?"
"The thought crossed my mind." Emerald delighted in the fantasy a little. "Remember how we were before Cinder got us into Haven?"
"You mean the camping? Yeah, I remember."
"We couldn't cook so Cinder cooked for us."
"Yeah. You sucked."
"Shut up. You never learned how to do something as simple as your own damn laundry. Who doesn't learn how to get bloodstains out by now?"
"Cinder was good at that, too. Still wonder if there was anything she wasn't good at."
"She hated it when we said she was good at chores. Never got around to asking why. Maybe I will, when we get her back." Emerald's mood grew somber. "I wonder how she'd lead this team."
"Better…but not much better," Mercury sniffed. The salty air pricked his nostrils.
"—Think you have me all figured out, do you?" a distinct voice came.
Mercury wheeled about. And there, he saw Cinder standing at his elbow. Her dress and the way she carried herself was exactly like he remembered. The same glowing yellow eye followed him, like he could never escape its sight.
"Gah! Don't…don't do that."
"Hahaha!" Emerald laughed as Cinder's image faded from her. She went quiet for a time. "…What do you think she'd say, if she saw me now?"
"That you were the only one for the job."
"That a compliment?"
"No. You were literally the only one. I mean, blondie or me as leader? Or Neo? Could you imagine?"
Emerald let out a small laugh. "Yeah…Guess, I was the obvious pick between you knuckle draggers."
"Like it or not, the leader of Team ENMY is the wise and masterful thief, Emerald!" Mercury announced sarcastically, before performing an extravagant bow. "May she forever steal, and keep our pockets and stomachs full."
Emerald scoffed and crossed her arms.
As her mind wandered back to older times, she knew she had to force herself into the present. Nostalgia could wait. So she would give one final thought, before shutting that part of her away for the coming moments.
"…I miss her," Emerald muttered softly.
"Yeah…" Mercury answered with the same longing. "Me, too."
Emerald tossed him an energy bar before unwrapping her own.
"Alright, Merc. Suck it up. Don't get all sappy on me before a job."
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X
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As the armies finished assembling, Raven explained the battle's layout.
A massive Atlas fleet was making its way to the Dracul Isles. Their objective being, to destroy the Vlad Grimm's nests, which acted as natural barricades for Mistral. Upon doing this, Atlas would be able to establish supply lines and gain a strong foothold in Mistral territory. It was no exaggeration to say the coming battle would prove pivotal to the larger outcome of the war. Which was why Atlas dedicated a significant portion of their warships to taking the Isles.
On their side, Mistral would be launching a three-pronged counter-offensive. The right and middle forces rostered the Kingdom's main military, Huntsman and Huntresses, and soldiers from noble families. The remaining left flank would comprise the White Fang and some choice Haven students.
Upon arriving at the Isles, Mistral forces are to engage Atlas, while preventing the destruction of the Grimm nests. A difficult task to be sure, and one that had its own risks. In addition to fighting the Atlas army, Mistral troops would need to contend with the Grimm as well. The super-sized mosquitos possessed virtually no intelligence, and would attack both Kingdoms' forces indiscriminately.
And if that wasn't enough, the stage of battle was not very large. Mistral would not be able to unload as many of their soldiers as they'd like. Most of the army would act as reserves, standing by on the harbor instead.
With such poor conditions, the operation wouldn't have received the greenlight, had the Prime Minister himself not pushed for it with all his authority. Granted, the situation was unorthodox and Atlas would be concentrated on the Grimm more than the Mistral troops. But one glance at the powers in play, and anyone would agree that Mistral's side of things seemed heavily disadvantaged.
Still, the leader of Parliament held the belief their forces would be enough to win them the day, and the operation proceeded regardless.
Because the Dracul Isles didn't lie far from the coast, only small speed-faring vessels were deployed.
In one such pod-shaped skipper, Team ENMY and FIRE Team sat with a White Fang squadron and Raven. Their ride carved through the waves, bucking up and down. Going airborne for seconds at a time.
After the mission briefing ended, Raven handed a small pouch to Yang the size of her thumb.
"Eat this in case of emergency," she instructed.
"Aw, mom. You packed me lunch?"
"Don't get cute. This is serious. A last resort, if you find yourself in a pinch."
"Alright, alright." Yang stuffed the thing in her pocket, then had a thought. "After this, I want to talk."
"I'll be busy afterwards."
"I don't care. You want me to work for you? I need something in return. I want to know—" Yang paused, but pushed herself to say the rest. "…I want to know why you weren't around—why you left."
"…"
"It's one of the reasons I'm doing this after all. If you ask me, it's a small price to pay."
Raven pondered it a moment, then answered, "…Fair enough."
"—SO!" Emerald's voice cut between them. "I'm guessing you're the one I have to thank for this?" she accused. Her finger pointed at Team ENMY's position on the map, which was at the forefront of the left wing's formation.
"Something you're not satisfied with?" Raven asked.
"I don't like being the tip of the spear—it's usually the first part that gets broken."
"Technically, you're a tip of the trident. Three prongs, remember?" Raven smirked, then answered seriously. "I need a solid team to head the charge. Call it the price of being reliable."
"Unlike your daughter, my price isn't cheap."
Reading the underlying meaning, Raven replied, "…Bring me results, and I'll tell you how to get Cinder back. Full disclosure."
Once their agreement was struck, Yang made a random observation.
"You know, I saw every student in the Strategic Class with us, except Bean. Anyone know where he's at?"
Inna was the only one to answer, "Dunno. I'm expectin' the little man to find his way to the battlefield sooner or later. No question."
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X
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In the lab belonging to Henry Stein, Bean's convulsions stopped abruptly.
His body dropped like a rock into the chair and went limp. The bindings on his limbs were loosened, but not broken. Health monitor signals went steady, indicating the boy was stabilized. Even with the violent spasms, the plugs and wires held firmly secure.
Where the only thing audible were the machines and the boy's labored breathing, a door opening cut the white noise.
The individual who entered the lab was Prime Minister Argent; current leader of Parliament and Head of House Argent Claw.
He was a tall looming man with a height almost seven feet. His hair was long with different brightnesses of white, with a neat beard to match. He wore a black military trench coat, silver emblems and decorations adorned his vestment. The Prime Minister was an older gentleman, but possessing of a boundless energy. All in all, an imposing figure.
"I expect things are going well, Henry?" Argent's voice growled deep by nature.
"B-Bean is functioning at green."
"Good. We cannot afford to have our forces divided. It is on you and Bean to win this battle for us. Make it so our army doesn't have to fight on hopes and dreams alone."
"Bean is establishing connection. Mmmeasuring at 60% synchronization."
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X
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From the bridge of his vessel, a pensive man scanned the skies.
Airships flew in even formations among the clouds. Their numbers were impressive, but excessive by his measure.
The higher-ups wanted to make a show of force, to have the world witness the terrifying might of Atlas.
Last year, General Ironwood would have applauded the idea. Now, however, he was not so sure.
He voiced his disagreements and was shocked to find how easily the Board of Directors shunned him. How little power and influence he actually had when he wasn't nodding along to their words. It was sobering.
And now, he was leading an army to cast the first gauntlet at Mistral's feet. A battle that would claim thousands of lives—thousands of young lives.
But the leaders of Atlas had spoken—or should he say, its richest. And not being able to bear it if someone less qualified headed the operation, Ironwood accepted the orders with a heavy heart.
He wondered what Ozpin would say if he saw him now. Another chastisement, perhaps? A well-earned one by his account.
The only thing that gave him peace of mind, was that he could believe he was fighting for the right reasons.
Their true enemy had their clutches around Mistral. Salem controlled the Kingdom and Ironwood knew that much for sure. The Witch's subordinates hailed from Haven Academy. The ones responsible for the fates that befell Beacon and Ozpin.
In this alone, he took solace…
But only this alone.
"Sir," the young woman at his side saluted. "We are approaching the target destination. Awaiting your command."
His jaw stiffened and his spine stood straighter.
"All Atlas forces, full thrust for entry! Battle stations!" He spoke to his ship's helmsmen. "Take us in."
Ironwood pulled out his pocket watch to check the time. The hands were converging at the top, only a few ticks away.
*Tick*
*Tick*
*Tick*…
…
And at 12 noon, when the sun hung highest in the sky,
The Second Great War began.