.
Rough Around The Edges
.
Once again, now where do I start, dear love?
Dumbstruck with pure luck to find you here.
Every morn, I awake from a cavernous night.
Sometimes still pondering the previous plight.
.
.
"It's… been a while," Blake said timidly.
"Hm."
"You look well."
"Hm."
"So… this is unexpected."
"That's one word for it." The other stopped stirring her cup. "Never thought I'd be drinking tea with the traitor again."
"Ilia, please…"
"Ilia, what?!"
In the open-air café of Shade Academy, a gathering of individuals reserved the roof floor for their reunion. While Temujin and Raven spoke at length at their own table, Ilia and Blake took their place at another. And at the far-end corner, Headmaster Minerva with Adam overlooked the veranda.
"—Can we just talk?" Blake asked.
"You want to talk?" Ilia replied, slamming her cup on the table. "Sure, Blake! Talk about what? About how you betrayed Temujin? Or how about when you created a rival faction with Adam?! Is that what you want to talk about? Oh, or how about when you came back to Vacuo, you did everything you could to avoid me! Or did you want to talk about how you joined Salem? And Adam—again! So! Which thing did you want to talk about first?"
The young chameleon Faunus was out of her seat huffing heavily. Only then, did she realize everyone's eyes on her.
"Actually," Blake said nervously. "I wanted to talk about how I've been avoiding you."
Ilia paused.
"Oh." She dropped into her seat. "…That was the last topic I expected you to lean on."
"When I came back to Vacuo, I didn't know how to face you."
"I bet."
"I could take all the stares, all the hate in our people's eyes. Actually, meeting Temujin after so long had me scared too. But I knew, whoever I met, whatever grudges anyone held against me, I could take it."
"Hmph," Ilia turned away dismissively.
"No surprise, I expected you to hold the biggest grudge."
"…"
"And that…that was the only thing that terrified me."
"…?"
"I thought I was stronger, and I was—I am. But I thought, if you looked at me the same way they did… I don't know if I would've been okay."
"…"
"And then, I saw you today," Blake rotated her teacup momentarily with anxiousness. "It made me happy. Really happy. It made me understand, I didn't care. I was just so glad to see you again."
"…Oh."
"I know you hate me—and it's only right. I'm being selfish. But I wanted to say, I'm sorry, Ilia. I'm so sorry it took some random chance for us to meet again. I should've just came to see you."
She looked up at the girl with an apologetic expression.
"I'm ashamed I treated you so poorly. We'd been friends for so long, and you didn't deserve that. I was a coward, even though I swore never to be one again."
With a soft touch, Blake reached for Ilia's hand across the table.
…
"—No." The girl drew back. "No! You can't just do that…!"
"Ilia…?"
"No, Blake! You can't just say all that, like it was nothing!"
"I didn't mean it to come off that way."
"Well, it does! You just casually waltz back here. 'Hey, Ilia. Sorry for everything. I treated you like dirt and ignored you for a couple years, but I'm back'! What am I supposed to say to that?!"
"There's nothing casual about what I'm saying."
"That's EXACTLY how you're saying it!" Tears started running down Ilia's cheeks, but she didn't stop. "I was your best friend, and you chose Adam over me!"
"I was in love with him. More importantly, I believed in what he was fighting for."
"I know that! Yeah! Must be so nice to be you! So cool and calm, like other people's problems aren't as important. Like they don't matter!"
"They do matter!" Blake shouted, then slowed her speech. "I'm just… tired of holding back the things I want to say—What I need to say. I'm not taking any of this lightly. It's important. You're important. That's why I want to be honest and forthright with you."
Blake offered her hand again, but Ilia drew back violently.
"Shut up! You think you can just blurt out all that crap, and hope I'll forgive you…"
"I don't expect your forgiveness."
"Cause, I will…!"
"What?"
"I hate it! I hate that I want to forgive you! All that crap you pulled on me, and all it takes is for you to say you're 'sorry'?! Don't screw with me!" Ilia slammed her fist on the table. "I won't accept that!"
"Ilia."
"No! Forget this!"
The girl stood, and knocked over her chair on the way out.
"Ilia! Wait!"
"No! Don't follow me, Blake! Get the hell away! I don't ever want to see your face again!"
As Ilia left in a storm, Blake followed after.
…
"Hm," Minerva observed Adam closely over her spectacles. "No compulsion to follow?"
"No," the other gave a flat response. "It's not my place."
"Is that so…"
Adam sighed heavily. His shoulders slumped with an old depression he thought he had outgrown.
"Why does she hate me, Minerva?"
"Who do you mean?"
"Temujin. She's always hated me."
The two looked over to the table where Raven and Temujin watched the scene play out. The older, cackling to herself, while the younger shook her head with a snicker.
"It's nothing personal," Minerva replied.
"It's ALL personal."
"Well, yes, in a manner of speaking. You could probably offer that foul woman anything in Remnant, and she'd swiftly refuse it based solely on the recipient."
"Why?"
"Why do you think? You stole her precious granddaughter away."
"You can't be serious."
"I told you it wasn't personal. Could have been anyone, I imagine. Although it appears she holds a certain approval for young Ilia."
"She's willing to jeopardize the state of our people, over some old grudge?"
"Yes, quite so, it seems."
"That's… insane."
"Yes. Quite so. You should see the plan of actions set, if so ever Taiyang Xiao Long finds the suicidal compulsion to visit our fair Kingdom. I've never heard of someone manipulating national policy to carry out such petty vendettas…" Minerva shook her head disapprovingly.
"…And what are your thoughts, Headmaster?" Adam prodded.
"In what capacity?"
"Our people, the Faunus. Temujin isn't willing to act on their behalf, but you are different."
Minerva took a patient sip of her tea.
"Oh, dear boy. I think on that part, and that part alone—Temujin and I are of the same mind."
"Why?!"
"I am no ruler, nor do I have the desire. My head would find a crown ill-suited."
"You could be so much more. Salem could grant you things you could only imagine."
"I am Headmaster of my academy and I love my students. To you, it may not appear as grand or as fulfilling as upholding the sovereignty of our race, but it is more than enough for me. As such, my students are the only ones I pay heed to. They, and no one else. You'll have to find some other way of coercing Vacuo to your cause, or better yet, give up the matter altogether. I doubt you'll find much anyone here willing to take up the Witch's flag, young Adam."
The man groaned out loud his frustrating disbelief.
"I don't understand how you can all be this way. Not when there's so much at stake."
"You've spent too much time away from home, dear boy. You've forgotten who we are."
"…"
A sharp glint reflected in the Headmaster's spectacles.
"We are Vacuo. Our blunt and honest words are our bond. No one and nothing can tame us."
"No Lords, No Kings, Nor Queens."
.
X
.
Within the crack of a large mound, Ilia retreated into the deeper dwellings of the underground cavern. Inside, was a reservoir pool thirty feet in diameter. Beneath its surface, luminescent plant life cast away some of the darkness.
At the edge, Ilia sulked, dipping her bare feet in the water. The cool temperature set her turbulent emotions at ease. The sounds of echoing water droplets quelled any other noise—physical and mental.
After a few minutes of peace and quiet, the girl spoke.
"You can come out now…freakin' ninja."
"Sorry," Blake strode in from the shadows. "I didn't want to rush it."
"It was a mistake telling you about this place."
"It's where you always went when you got in trouble, or wanted to find some solace. And you didn't tell me about it. I followed you here once, remember?"
"Oh, yeah. I distinctly remember having a nice skinny dip, and thought somebody came to peek on me. Little did I know, it was a perverted little cat."
"I didn't…! I wasn't…!" Blake blushed.
"Hehehe! There's the Blake I remember." Ilia's smile appeared as quickly as it faded. "I should've finished drowning you back then."
"So no one would know your secret hideout?"
"So none of this would hurt so much," she kicked up some water with her toes.
Blake sat beside her, dipping her feet into the pool also.
"I thought you hated water," Ilia remarked.
"I do."
"Can I kick you in?"
Blake hesitated.
"…If it'll make you feel better, but I'd rather you not."
"It'd make me feel a little better."
The two relaxed for a while. Light from the water shimmered across their figures. Memories together played out on the pool's reflective surface.
A girl who'd just run away from Atlas and taken in by Temujin. She was introduced to another, who had few playmates because of her "bad luck". In their loneliness, they became close, intimate—and in time—the best of friends.
That is, until differences in opinions and allegiances tore them apart.
…
*Sploosh!*
"Peh! Pah! ILIA!" Blake spat, after being shoved into the water.
"Hahahaha!"
While the chameleon girl laughed joyously, she began stripping.
"Kay. I feel a teensy bit better now."
"What are you doing?!"
"You know, after all the times we came here and hung out, you never swam with me."
"It was never my thing," Blake grumbled, as she started getting out.
"Then, make it up to me HERE!"
Ilia pulled Blake's top off, and kicked her back into the pool.
"ILIA!"
"It's awkward if I'm the only one naked."
"Is this really what you—"
"I'll feel better," she said seriously.
"…Really?"
"I will—if you do this for me. I'll forgive everything. I don't want to, and I don't want to forgive you just because you said you're sorry. That would be really lame."
"…This will be enough?"
"Not really, but at least I get something instead of nothing."
Thoroughly embarrassed and blushing in the face, Blake got out of the pool and furiously took the rest of her clothes off. Every garment she shed, she angrily tossed at Ilia's smirking face. When she was completely naked, she reluctantly dipped into the water again.
While the two swam around, Blake couldn't help but admit how relaxing it was. At least, after her initial reproach.
Compared to the trials she met, and all the craziness occurring in the world—Now there was nothing but floating in some dark cave with her oldest friend. It was almost like she could feel her nerve ends unwind from the accumulated tension. The issues with Adam, Yang, and the war, they were beginning to seem farther away than they had in a while.
As Blake rested her back against the pool's wall with Ilia, she was grateful to know she was with her again. It was such a comforting thought, she didn't know how much she could have appreciated it till now.
Even though the cave was dark and little light was shed, her feline sight allowed Blake to see everything as clear as day. The way Ilia's chest rose and sunk with every breath. The way the water lapped against her skin and dripped down her collar.
"I met your former teammate," Ilia said suddenly, interrupting Blake's thoughts.
"Huh…?! Who?"
"The Schnee heiress."
"Weiss?"
"The one. It was while I was breaking into her hole in the ground. She helped me smuggle some people out of Atlas afterwards. Set me up with border patrol routes and better transports. Some of those rides I almost felt guilty about taking…almost." She glided her hand through the water, like imitating a boat.
"That…sounds exactly like something she'd do."
"Yeah. I liked her. A little too prim for my taste, but smart. Had some backbone and a real way about her I can't really describe."
"Yes, she certainly does have an effect on people."
"Too bad what happened to her. She might've been the only good one in Atlas."
"…Yes."
Blake sank her head to her nose. She didn't know the details of Weiss' condition, but Salem promised her she was alive. It was something that weighed on her mind, but could do little about. Besides, the time to attack Atlas was quickly approaching, and she would be seeing her long-lost teammate—one way or another.
Blake popped out of the water and turned to Ilia.
"Listen, about me joining with Adam again, and about Salem…!"
"Don't. No." Ilia put a finger to Blake's mouth. "I'm sure you have your reasons, but I don't wanna hear them. I'll probably end up forgiving you again anyway. So, what's the point?" she gave an uneasy chuckle. "You don't have to explain yourself to me."
"Why?"
"Why, what?" Ilia asked back, while swimming her way to the center of the pool.
"Why are you so willing to forgive me?" Blake followed after.
The two waded into the middle of the reservoir. Being engulfed in the dull-lighted plants below and the pitch-black shadows above, made for a particularly moving atmosphere.
"Do you really have to ask?" Ilia asked with a slightly annoyed tone.
"Yes."
"…"
"…"
"It's cause I love you. Obviously."
The spots on Ilia's shoulders and cheeks changed color with embarrassment.
"Oh…"
The girl suddenly embraced her, and in spite of the cool waters, feeling Ilia's naked body press against hers made Blake hot till she was pink in the face.
"Promise me, you won't take advantage of that, Blake."
"…I promise. I would never."
"Good. Cause, you know what they say—something about debts and owing money between friends strains relationships or whatever."
"Huh?"
"I don't want you to think just cause you got your best friend back, I'll let things go over and over and over again, okay?"
Blake blinked blankly for a moment.
"…Right…! Yeah. I wouldn't do that."
"Good. Cause the next time you tick me off, I'll do more than kick your ass into the water, Belladonna."
"…I understand."
As they separated, Ilia took a whiff of Blake's scent and committed it to memory.
"Come on," the girl played it off with a smile. "We should head back before Adam gets himself killed trying to assassinate Temujin, or something."
"Um, Ilia?"
"Yeah?"
"I know I said I wouldn't take advantage of you, but there is something I wanted to ask."
"…What."
…
…
"—We need help getting into Atlas," Raven told Temujin.
"Oh. So, now we're getting down to the real reason for your visit. Makes an old lady sad, thinking her children only visit for New Year's money."
"We visited for Shepherd's anniversary, you old prune. So, as I was saying," Raven continued. "Atlas. We need an in. Word is, Ilia's the best smuggler around."
"Mmm. Can't just make your own way there? Open up some evil vibrating vagina you seem to do these days, and dive right in?"
"Not this time. Can't pry Atlas' legs open with that little bed trick."
"Ugh! You are positively foul."
Raven cocked a brow at Temujin, as if to say the elder should be the last one to say that.
"There are safeguards," she explained. "The Kingdom's tech isn't exactly the easiest thing to crack. Not even with Salem's Magic. Combined with some old protection in place by previous Maidens, well…"
"So, you have to resort to older fashioned ways, hm? But why would I help you? I'm not someone you can just butter up to get what you want, you know."
Raven smiled, leaned over, and whispered something lengthy into Temujin's ear. From start to finish, the old woman's expression remained serious.
At the end, she sighed.
"How did I ever raise such a mischievous rascal like you?"
Raven only rested her chin on her hand with a rebellious grin. She then, held her empty cup.
"Not that the tea isn't nice, but how about some real chow? I'm starving."
"Hmph. At least that part of you hasn't changed. Never have to worry if you're eating enough. Minerva! Food!"
The Headmaster groaned, before asking one of the Academy workers to bring in something from the cafeteria.
What arrived later, were rows of skewered barbecue cooking over a wheeled stove.
"I missed Vacuo," Raven licked her lips. With her mouth watering, her eyes glued to the glistening meats still roasting on the fire.
.
X
.
"—It's totally on fire," Mercury commented with mild amusement.
As Team ENMY's ship approached Atlas shores, they saw the Kingdom's capital ablaze in the distance. The panic of its citizens and the roars of Grimm could be heard for miles out.
Many of their fellow travelers gasped at the sight. Which was normal, considering most were Atlas soldiers returning home from the Vale campaign. But Team ENMY was removed from any such connection to the Kingdom—save for one.
"Cinder?" Emerald asked. "What should we do?"
The Fall Maiden grimaced.
"There's no point in Atlas falling this early."
"Wait, so you're actually willing to…" Yang started.
"Yes. In order for me to properly dismantle Atlas, we must first save it. The irony is not lost on me."
Although the atmosphere was tense, there was little anyone could do until the ship landed. Until then, the gears in Cinder's mind turned. She plotted her next moves, devised scenario after scenario. Revising the original script she painstakingly wrote.
"We will turn this to our advantage."
"What did you have in mind?" Emerald asked.
"A stage play of the highest theatrics. The grand return of this Kingdom's rightful ruler."
"…" Emerald caught on. "You want to make a show of it? I thought we were going to play this quiet."
"Plans change. And what better opportunity is there to start my reputation than here?"
"—Hey, yeah. Just like the stunt you pulled at Beacon!" Yang cheered with faked enthusiasm.
"Hm. Indeed, there are some uncanny parallels."
"Like a city on the brink of destruction. Except instead of destroying it, you're trying to save it."
"Very good. I'm glad to know you're keeping up, Yang."
"You…!"
"—Yang. Really? Now?"
"Oh, come on, Em! It's not like I was really going to start a fight! …Not right now, anyway."
"I heard that!" Emerald scolded. "Put your hard-on away for two seconds, alright? We got bigger birds to fry."
The mint-haired girl was running the logistics in her head for what they would need.
"The city's at least thirty miles from the harbor by the looks of it." She turned to Cinder. "What do we do? The roads are probably blocked. Trains too. We could try to find an airship."
"I don't believe transportation will be a problem," the other replied, nodding to the shore.
There, they could see headlights tearing through the snow. Upon closer approach, they appeared to be military-grade cargo trucks. Not just a few but almost a small army.
As the ship began docking procedures, the legion of vehicles pulled up. From the lead transport, a desperate-looking army officer jumped out with a loudspeaker.
"I apologize that this is the state you are coming home to. But as you can see our Kingdom needs you now more than ever. Any soldiers who are willing and able, please board a vehicle. We have no time to lose."
"That was easy," Emerald said readily enough. "Alright, time to get us one of those trucks using our five-finger discount."
"Wait. We're stealing it?" Yang asked quizzically. "They just said they'd take us to the city."
"It'll move faster without the deadweight on it. Yeah, yeah, I'm sure there are plenty of soldiers eager to die noble deaths, but hey. Truth is, we get there even one minute faster, we do the work of like, a hundred of 'em."
"Ouch. Kinda harsh to shit on their military, right while their home is on fire."
"The truth hurts. You synched or not?"
"What do you think?"
"That you never really had a choice," Emerald scoffed. "That one," she pointed to a truck.
Before the ship's ramp was set, Team ENMY and company vaulted off the side.
"—It's a miracle! I can walk again!" Mercury proclaimed, as he jumped from his wheelchair. "And, I can FLY!"
While the group of rogues hijacked an unsuspecting group of drivers, another team saw what happened and dropped their jaws.
"—YANG?!" Ruby gaped.
"—Ruby!"
"Coco?!"
"—NORA!"
Just as Team RNJR was landing on the docks, Team CFVY ran to meet them.
"Thought you kids would be on this ship," Coco greeted. "Got a ride ready for ya. City's kind of in a pinch, so you're gonna have to wait to see princess moneybags."
"Oh, Ruby! It's so great to see you!" Velvet leapt on top of the smaller girl.
"Guh! You, too, Ve—*guh*!"
"Easy, Vee. Let her breathe," Coco grabbed the scruff of her partner's neck. "Reunions later. Shit's on fire. Grimm's attacking. You guys in?"
"""Uh… Well—"""
Team RNJR exchanged glances, not sure what to do. Though they were on vacation, they were technically assigned a mission to proceed incognito. Not to mention, Vale was currently at war with this very Kingdom, let alone possessing any notion to save it.
"Of course, we're in!" Ruby answered. "Right?" she turned to her other teammates.
Jaune shook his head in shame.
"Right!"
The young man remembered they were aspiring Huntsmen and Huntresses first, and soldiers of Vale second. There was no way they were going to ignore innocents in distress. The only war today would be against the Grimm. And truth be told, it was something they sorely missed.
"Cool, great," Coco went behind them and slapped their backs. "Cause that question was rhetorical."
"Get in the fucking truck!"
.
X
.
Neo floored the gas pedal and bound the vehicle towards the city. While maneuvering the stormy roads, she paid attention to the strategy meeting taking place on the cargo bed.
"Penny, have you finished cracking the network yet?" Emerald asked.
In response, the robotic girl assembled herself from Masa's luggage, and snapped to a salute.
[I am successfully connected to all Atlas communications and electronics!]
"Finally! Well? Dish out the info."
[Um… All of it? There's a lot. Also, I'm not sure what dish—]
"Combat sitrep, freckles! Highlights only. Enemy analysis and troop deployment for starters."
[Roger dodger, boss lady!]
From Penny's eyes, a hologram projected on the floor in everyone's view.
[There are three main species of Grimm currently attacking the city.
Jotunn: They are recorded ranging from four-hundred to five-hundred feet in height.]
Before them, a large humanoid Grimm was displayed. With only three disproportionate holes for a "face" and a gangly body with no neck, accompanied by its unnerving moans—the Jotunn made for a haunting kind of monster.
"As if being big wasn't enough, they have to look like things out of a horror movie."
[The second species is the Yule: special traits include camouflage and razor-like hide.]
A sabretooth-looking creature digitally materialized. Unlike many of its kind, this Grimm had its body almost entirely covered in white bone, which helped it blend into the snowy environment. The exoskeleton seemed more flexible for dexterity purposes. And when its fur furrowed, the hairs became as sharp as blades.
"Near invisible porcupine tiger. Awesome."
[The third species is identified as the Panzerborne: special traits include artillery capabilities and reinforced armor.]
At least twice the size of Vale Ursai, a polar bear was projected. Like the Yule, most of its form was armored. It also appeared to be slower than its Vale counterpart, but more sturdy. That, and there was also a peculiar cannon that snapped from its spine.
An animation played out, showing it shoot a sort of military shell, which upon impact, detonated bony shrapnel.
"A bear tank. As if either or wasn't bad enough."
[Among the attacking Grimm, these are the most notable.]
"And the Atlas side?" Emerald questioned.
[Other than the upgraded version Atlesian Knights and Paladins, the Kingdom seems to have introduced a new line model robotics.]
Penny set aside the projections of the Grimm and opened the image of a mech the size of a Jotunn.
[The Atlesian Archon. They were constructed specifically to combat the Jotunn, whose size proved too massive to neutralize by normal means.]
"They made a giant robot," Mercury awed. "Tell me it has a drill!"
[It does.]
"YES!"
[Should I get a drill?]
"It wouldn't hurt."
[I will make note of it.]
*Ahem* "—Freckles," Emerald cleared her throat. "On with the show and tell."
[Right, you are! Unfortunately, the amount of Archons constructed is not enough to match the Jotunn.]
"So, for all the airships and androids at Atlas' disposal, they can't take care of this Grimm wave?"
"—A lot of their forces were deployed overseas," Yang added. "It's no wonder they're getting overrun."
"—And for some reason, the city's Aegis System is down," Cinder observed. "Something must have happened to the Winter Maiden."
"What does the Winter Maiden have to do with anything?"
Penny proceeded to make beeping sounds.
[Accessing Cerberus Archives…
Subject: Kori Schnee
Title: Winter Maiden
Task Assigned: Atlas Aegis System
Status: Incapacitated
Shall I read the reason?]
"For now, the reason is irrelevant. I'll hear the report later," Cinder scowled to herself. "The timing is too suspect. I can sense Salem's hand at work here. Are there any signs of other Kingdom forces?"
[…None found.]
"Hm. Small graces. The military sortie?"
Penny materialized a live model map of Atlas. Within the mini-scaled projection, they could see the fires and arrows indicating unit locations.
[Strange. Most of the army's units are deployed here.]
Penny marked the western district of Atlas in blue, while also highlighting a number of the Kingdom's emblems moving in the vicinity.
[While there are Grimm there, too…]
She highlighted the Grimm in red.
[There aren't very many.]
"I thought Atlas was a military-state," Yang tilted her neck. "How can they be this badly coordinated?"
"That is because it is no mistake," Cinder answered, while circling a portion of the West Sector with her finger. "This is the industrialists' residential area."
"—Of course," Emerald spat. "They made sure to protect their most rich and powerful first. Let me guess, the slums are taking the worst of it?"
Penny zoomed on the North and Eastern Sectors, which indeed showed the most red arrows, indicating Grimm.
"There's hardly any Atlas Military there…!" Yang growled.
In response, Penny rested her hand on the girl's shoulder.
[It's bad, but don't you worry, Yang, my friend! They aren't completely defenseless!]
"What do you mean?"
[Reports and social media show different organizations combatting the Grimm in those sectors. Most notably identified are the White Fang and the Silbern Mafia.]
"Then we take our fight to those sectors," Cinder decided.
"What? But we're coming from the south," Yang protested. "It makes more sense we start from the closest side, loop right, and clear the Grimm to the other end."
"We will deploy where we have the most impact, and that is the North and Eastern Sectors. Besides, our 'fellow reinforcements' from the docks are likely to take the route you suggested. We can leave the South to them. My ambitions require us elsewhere."
"This isn't about your ambitions!" Yang flared. "This is about saving lives—not that I'd expect you to understand that. It'll take us another hour to cross the city! I'm not willing to let more people die in that time. I'll jump off once we pass the walls, if that's how it has to be."
"—Yang!" Emerald intervened. "Cinder's right. We can leave the South Sectors to the Atlas military. Besides, it's better we stay as far away from them as possible. We might be on the same side now, but the second we start fighting, they'll know we aren't Atlas. We'll be found out, and they might even think we're the ones who caused this."
"No. Just taking advantage of it—like old times, right?"
"…"
"…Guess, not much's changed after all."
After taking the stinging barb, Emerald pressed on.
"Think whatever you want, Yang. At least if we hit the other sectors, we can move however we want. They won't care where the help comes from, even if it's from us."
Yang clenched her fist tightly, while shutting her eyes. It was painful to stay her hand, as well as all her self-control not to leap off the truck now. But that would separate her from her team, and that was not something she could afford to do.
"Fine! I get it! We just have to kick ass fast from the north and work our way around, right?"
"That's the plan."
Yang stared bitterly into the snow outside. Her body still restless with anger.
"You still with us?" Emerald asked.
"Yeah," she gritted.
"For now, anyway."
.
X
.
"Mercury, take to the skies." "Run the point, Merc."
The orders of both Cinder and Emerald intertwined with each other.
"Right," the mint-haired girl chuckled. "Sorry, Cinder."
"…Mercury."
"—Yeah, boss."
"Assess the threats, relay, and then execute."
"Got it!" Mercury performed a playful salute, before dropping off the back of the truck, and rocketing away.
Cinder turned to the rest.
"Emerald, Neo, and I will seek and destroy the hordes of Grimm here and here," she highlighted the back alleys on Penny's map. "The rest will hold this line where citizens are evacuating past."
"You're putting me and Penny on rearguard duty?!" Yang questioned. "For Grimm that might not even come our way?"
"In this particular, narrow urban setting, your abilities would cause unwanted destruction to our environment. Not including, possible collateral damage to civilians."
"We don't make those mistakes."
"I've observed both your styles of combat, and I must say, they lack the subtle nature needed for this mission."
"Fine. Then send us in the enemy ranks. No problem causing collateral damage if there's nothing but hostiles around us."
"And you think it is wise to place yourself in a position where you are constantly surrounded? Not to mention, we would lose our backup element in case of an emergency."
The edge of Yang's eye twitch with annoyance. All things considered, Cinder's setup was technically sound. But it was a far cry from the style Team ENMY adopted to this point. While it was a safe and solid plan, it lacked the flare and calculated daring risk their other leader usually favored.
The sound of Emerald clapping, cut Yang's thoughts short.
"We're coming up on the Grimm. Cinder's right."
Yang was so tired of hearing "Cinder's right".
"Following your lead," Emerald nodded.
"Well, then," Cinder grinned. "Disperse."
At that moment, every passenger on the truck broke off in different directions. The truck itself was set on a collision course with a particularly gruesome Panzerborne. Bone crunched and bent metal rung through the streets on impact.
Before they could react, a Yule that was about to snap a little boy in its jaws, had its head lopped off. A Panzerborne that blindly fired its cannon, had its shell deflected away from a frightened crowd. And just when a Jotunn was about to step on a family trapped in a car, a chain of explosions blew off its leg, causing it to fall sideways.
The citizens of Atlas struggled to see who had saved them. When their visions cleared, they saw the broad backs of six stoic figures, standing between themselves and the horde of Grimm.
.
X
.
While the city verged on becoming a smoldering ruin, one lone bird stalked the entrance to Cerberus Tower. He kept a close watch over the security guards' rotations. He timed when the cameras switched viewpoints.
After weeks of scouting the fortress, mapping out each possible entry point, Qrow found himself nowhere closer to infiltrating the underground base than when he first arrived.
He thought an opportunity would present itself with the Grimm's attack. It was something he waited for, as guilty as it made him feel. But while the Kingdom burned, the defenses of the Tower stayed vigilant. Not only that, but the guard shifts entered a completely different pattern, as if predicting there was a possibility of infiltration.
Its systems were particular sensitive towards birds as well. Weiss and Ironwood's handiwork no doubt, considering they were well aware of his shapeshifting abilities.
Qrow needed another way in.
A distant explosion drew his focus there.
The Fall and Spring Maiden. He could sense them.
…
A familiar voice echoed from the back of his mind,
Stranger allegiances have been brokered, Qrow.
.
X
.
From the transparent space, a four-clawed gash scraped the wall, just above a Faunus' head. The only reason it was still attached, was because Emerald pulled the man down beforehand.
Following up, Yang let loose a devastating punch into the seemingly thin air. Impact echoed and contrary to normal senses, a vicious cat emanated into form, and keeled over dead.
"Who are you guys?" the Faunus asked them with an awestruck gaze.
"Team ENMY!" Emerald proclaimed. "Now, tow your ass to the safe zones!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
As the man ran off, he kept looking back several times to his two saviors. He almost tripped because he was so captivated.
"—What are you doing to them, Em?" Yang asked. "I swear, every single person we save look at us like they're in love."
"Near-death experiences are a powerful aphrodisiac. Doesn't take much for my Semblance to nudge it into overdrive."
Ever since the battle with the Spring Maiden, Emerald's handling of her Semblance had grown by leaps and bounds. So much so, there hardly seemed a limit to how many she could affect, as well as the depth of its nature.
As the two moved into action again, new orders came in from their ear radios.
"—Queen's Gambit," Cinder issued.
Maneuvering themselves in front of their leader's position, Emerald and Mercury dove into a horde of Grimm in two-step attacks. Mercury staggered them with violent kicks. Emerald released a torrent of vicious cyclic slashes. And whatever remained, Cinder skewered with her arrows.
Meanwhile, Yang observed the "old team" with conflicted feelings.
They're good.
And it's making some of my old wounds itch…
Yang tore herself away from the scene, catapulting herself at another Yule Grimm lunging for a defenseless citizen. She managed to pin the beast to a nearby wall, and freeing her left hand for a moment, released a short punch that blew off the monster's lower jaw.
"—You're out of position," a voice scolded her on comms.
"Yeah! Well, I saw someone who needed help, so I went. Sorry, you lost the backup you didn't need for a split second."
When Yang turned around, Cinder was aiming her bow right at her.
"The next time you break formation, I will not stop my shot. There is a reason you have your assignment."
Cinder shifted her sights to a distant group of Panzerbornes shelling from afar. After angling her bow high, she released her arrow. An angry cry of black crystals drowned the enemy hostiles in the next second.
Yang realized Cinder actually had the area well-covered. It was infuriating to admit, but the woman was correct. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time could easily result in friendly fire. And Yang would have no one to blame but herself.
Meanwhile, out of the corner of her eye, Emerald caught a group of people running into a building with a horde of Grimm hot on their trail. Going by intuition, the civilians would run up the staircase until they reached the rooftop. There, they would only meet a dead-end.
With a rapid string of words, she reported the situation over the comms.
"Mercury. Meet them at the roof and ferry them to the adjacent building," Cinder sent out the order.
"A little…! Busy…!"
Before Cinder could say another word,
"—Penny! You're on evac duty!" Emerald radioed in.
[It will be my pleasure!]
"Yang! Once those civs are clear, bring the damn house down and all those bastards with it!"
"—You got it!" Yang banged her fists together.
Just as Emerald forecasted, the group of Atlas citizens reappeared on the rooftop. The moment they did, steel wires netted them up like a group of fish and Penny carried them to safety.
[All innocents are safe! You are clear for demolition!]
At the base of the building, Yang used her Semblance to locate the load-bearing columns. Her prosthetic roared with engine fire, as she blasted through several pillars in quick succession.
As the structure collapsed on itself, Neo appeared out in the streets with her partner at her hip.
Getting to do some hands-on action of the daredevil variety brought an eager smile out of Yang. Though, it was quickly erased on Cinder's approach.
"What do you think you're doing?" she asked Emerald.
"I'm sorry. I just thought it was the best course of action."
"I was about to bring the building down myself."
"—And it would've cost you four times the energy and twice the amount of time," Yang defended.
"Discarding the fact that you broke formation again, the command structure must be maintained. Having multiple orders will only lead to confusion."
"Looks like we finally agree on something."
The two Maidens locked threatening glares with each other, on the verge of fighting head to head.
Yang had observed how their group operated closely since the beginning. She admitted her mistakes in Cinder's formation. But even so, one thing was plainly obvious to her, which needed voicing.
"Emerald's a better leader than you," Yang stated plainly. "Me and Penny are powerhouses, but you have us taking the backseat. You don't know how to use us—she does."
Cinder and Yang's staring contest lasted a second more, before shifting their attentions to Emerald.
"—Miss Yang does present a valid point, this one gives her timely input," they heard Masa's voice crackle over the ear piece. "As impeccable as Miss Cinder's coordination is, data suggests Team ENMY is not functioning to previous performance specs."
"…Look. Maybe, we should just divide and conquer," Emerald suggested. "Yang, Penny, and Neo can run their own thing. Me, Cinder, and Merc do our own."
"It's not a bad suggestion, but—" Cinder started.
"It's a terrible suggestion!" Yang loudly refuted. "Our team has a standard! A standard YOU held us to, and whipped our asses for, if we didn't!" She jabbed Emerald's chest to emphasize her point. "And now, you want to settle for less? Stop screwing around!"
"Look," Emerald replied. "It's a new setup, so it'll take time to work out the kinks."
"Em! That's complete garbage, and you know it! And I can't believe I have to be the one to call you out on this, but Team Leader is your job. So, get over your stupid schoolgirl crush brain, and FUCKING DO IT!"
"I am not Team Leader anymore. I…" Emerald said uncertainly, while glancing to Cinder.
The other only met her gaze with an expectant expression. Almost as if she was testing something.
"Neo, stop poking my back!"
"—They're right, Em," Mercury rejoined the team on the ground. "You're our shotcaller. Besides, all these different tacts and screaming over the comms is giving me serious agita."
"Easy for you to say. You're the one that's not on the spot."
"Bzzt. Wrong. I'm saying it cause I'm your partner."
"…"
"Now, can we get the real show on the road?"
"…Is this alright with you, Cinder?"
The woman only shrugged her shoulders.
"This is your decision. Whatever choice you make, see it through to the very end."
"—Sounds like a yes."
"Shut it, Yang," Emerald sighed aloud. "…. Cinder's rearguard overwatch. Support all fronts from a distance and call out enemy patterns."
Cinder nodded.
"Mercury and Penny, provide air support on our flanks. Me and Neo sink the corner pockets. Yang, break the balls down the middle."
The rest nodded in turn.
"Well? What the hell are you waiting for, criminals?! Go get evil!"
As they broke off to their newly distributed assignments, Emerald grabbed Yang's shoulder.
"And you… Don't think I don't know why you wanted off the leash. You really just want to try out your new Celica."
Yang stared back blankly, before breaking into a wide grin.
"I don't know what you're talking about~ "
"Hmph, you wanna work? I'll put you to work, kid. But you better shoot the lights out, or I'll stick your ass back on the bench."
"Hehe! You got it, coach!"
Yang's irises blared crimson from the activation of her Semblance. At the same time, blue and yellow feathers flaked from her silhouette.
She felt Neo's small hand pull her down into a mirror, and found herself giving in to gravity. A single Jotunn was now below her, reaching prime striking distance.
Yang gave the point of her knuckles a kiss, and whispered the code to activated Ember Celica 3.0.
I fall.
I rise again.
She lurched down towards her target with greater acceleration.
What lies in this fist of mine
Is the shape of my Life.
Yang drew her elbow back, channeling Aura through her shoulder.
I Burn.
The gauntlet folded its armor away from the core of the prosthetic, revealing a sleek, life-like arm underneath. The extra material coalesced into rings that rotated around Yang's wrist with increasing velocity.
Scorching heat radiated across the golden alloy embedded in the "muscle". The energy harnessed in Yang's palm was the truest manifest of her Maiden's inheritance. A comet plucked from the sky.
…
Yang couldn't remember throwing a single punch that felt so satisfying.
A continuous thunder crash resounded for the whole Kingdom to hear. When onlookers turned in the direction to see what the noise was, they saw a brilliant constellation birth from a single point in the night.
The shooting stars left blazing feathers in their wake, and struck the Grimm at their weakest. Not only the Jotunn the initial strike fell on, but the many in the nearby vicinity. The creatures of dark ignited from the inside out.
And even when the technique had already finished to its last effect, the glistening trails of divine construct lit the skies for a few seconds longer.
Those who beheld the spectacle—soldiers about to collapse from fatigue, civilians nearing unconsciousness from injury, those whose spirits suffered too much cold, readying themselves for surrender's sweet release—felt a warmth bloom in their hearts and a voice, a willing, encouraging them to fight just a little bit longer.
Just a little more fiercely.