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Falling Stars
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Change does not come easily nor cheaply.
And there is never growth without pain.
No trials without its fires.
.
.
It was early afternoon, when Ruby, Coco, and Penny were hanging around Weiss' office at S.D.C. headquarters. Each of them was immersed in their respective scrolls, tapping away at it vigorously. While Coco opted to recline in Weiss' premium leather chair, Penny and Ruby laid on the floor with their feet kicking the air.
"Coco, are you done yet? The raid event's starting soon~" Ruby complained.
"In a minute. I just know the next mob's gonna drop it," Coco replied stubbornly.
"It's a super rare item! And you've been trying to farm it for hours!"
"I'll get it in time, just watch!"
"The boss isn't even weak to guns!"
"Everything's weak to guns, red."
[The probability of the weapon dropping, accounting for the number of monsters you destroyed so far, is holding at 3%.] Penny cheerfully stated.
"—COCO!"
"In a minute!"
With her tongue sticking out, Coco continued to farm desperately for her item. It left the rest of her party with nothing to do but wait.
Ruby let out another long groan, then turned to Penny.
"Hey, is it really okay for you to be here?"
[Whatever do you mean, Ruby?]
"I mean—I'm always happy to see you, Penny—but aren't we kinda, technically, sorta, enemies?"
[How funny. That's almost exactly what Emerald asked me.]
"Uh huh…"
[I don't think you're my enemy, Ruby. I was very happy to learn you were here. I think I'll always consider you my friend!]
"Me, too!"
[Although Doctor Masa might program me to fight you in the future, any such feature hasn't been installed yet.]
"…Great?"
[It is great.] Penny nodded with an oblivious smile.
"Well, I guess that's good enough for me."
While the two readied for the upcoming game event, Coco suddenly jumped out of her seat and started pumping her fists.
"Boom! Got it! I FREAKIN' got it!"
"Great," Ruby murmured. "Are we ready to raid now?"
"Yeah. No thanks to you two. The only one who helped me was AngelofDeath666."
"'Kay. Inviting you two to the group…now."
"Who is this guy or gal, anyway? If it's someone we know, I wanna treat 'em to a coffee run."
"Don't ask me," Ruby shrugged. "I think Penny was the one who sent them a guild invite."
"…"
"…"
"Is it someone I know?" Coco asked Penny.
[No…no.] *Hic* [No.] *Hic*
"I'm messaging them right now."
"—Don't do it!" Ruby shouted. "You can't ask someone their name IRL, unless they give it! It's the cardinal rule of online gaming!"
"You're right," Coco sighed. "You're right. It's probably better I don't know for sure…Okay, let's meet up with everyone else. Wait, didn't Penny invite the other three, too?"
"…Yeah…" Ruby said slowly. "DrunkMaster1, BakedAlaska85, and OnePunch99…"
"…You sure you don't wanna ask?"
"Nope!"
"Cause I think we know who they are."
"Nope!"
As the atmosphere in the office grew awkward, the crashing sound of the door opening stole their attentions.
"Our people require proper escorts home!" Weiss exclaimed, as she burst in. "We must send reinforcements!"
"And as I have repeatedly reminded you, it would be unwise to reveal you so early," Hades counseled after her. "The best way to utilize your newfound abilities, is to deploy you at a critical stage of an upcoming battle. And must I also mention the predicament you would place our Kingdom's defenses?"
"So, we leave our retreating fleet alone to cross waters teeming with Grimm, and the forces of Vale and Mistral hounding at their heels?"
"We do not do what we wish, but what we must, my liege."
The girl gave the mechanical knight a cold, hard glare. Seeing that her counsel was not willing to budge, even under the intense Aura that was freezing the room below zero—Weiss could only accept the man's advice.
"Very well."
"It pains me to risk our comrades' safety as well, but I do not do so lightly."
"Mhmm. That will be all, Hades."
As the dark armored soldier turned to leave, he caught sight of Penny and paused.
"That. Will. Be. All. Hades," Weiss crossed her arms testily. "I seem to remember you pledging your absolute fealty to me, after your attempt on my life."
"…Yes, that is correct."
"Then, by my absolute order, that will be all."
"…Yes, my liege."
Hades bowed before exiting the door that was almost too small for him. Once he was gone, Weiss turned on the three idling her office.
"Couldn't you at least try to be more inconspicuous?!"
Ruby threw her cape over Penny.
"There~ She's gone~"
"This is no time to joke, Ruby. I am not in the mood," Weiss stomped over to her desk. She stared daggers at Coco, which cued the girl to vacate her seat.
Upon sitting, Weiss knitted her fingers and pressed them against her head.
"You know what I don't get?" Coco started. "How you can not only forgive your murderer, but also hire him to be your Second."
"Attempted murderer, if we're being specific. And I haven't forgiven anything. Hades will pay for his crimes, but I judged it better he repay his misdeeds by working for the Kingdom than sitting uselessly in some prison cell."
"Or under some six feet of dirt."
"Yes. More good he can do now than that."
"So, what's got you so hot and bothered?"
Weiss groaned and let her forehead plant onto the desk.
"As you all know, Mistral and Vale formally announced their alliance a few weeks ago. In response to that, the Board and our military have finally decided to issue an indefinite halt to the Vale campaign and order the retreat of all overseas forces."
"They're only doing that now?!"
"My thoughts exactly… In delaying the order, they gave Mistral and Vale's forces time to organize and bridge their differences. At least enough to march in the same direction without immediately turning on each other. The Board has gravely underestimated our opponents by thinking they couldn't manage such a feat in time."
"From what I've heard, General Saru of Mistral's Armada isn't some dope."
"Neither is Straw," Ruby added. "They'll attack while the Fleet's vulnerable. Atlas isn't sending any escorts?"
"The Board doesn't think they will be attacked!" Weiss shook her head. "Myself and Hades know they will, but without the say-so from the Kingdom's ruling body, our armies cannot mobilize!"
"And that's why you want to go yourself."
"Yes. In my fair assessment, I believe that with my abilities and the efforts of Team RNJR and CFVY, we would be able to escort our forces safely home. Unfortunately, my leaving would leave Atlas vulnerable."
"Right," Ruby said sadly. "The Aegis System needs the Winter Maiden in the city."
[Oh, yes. It's a little late, but congratulations on becoming the Winter Maiden, Weiss!]
At that, all three slowly cranked their necks in Penny's direction. The android girl tilted her head for a second, before deciphering their looks.
[Oh, do not be alarmed. Weiss becoming the Winter Maiden was one of the scenarios our side planned for. Plus, I already cracked and downloaded every file in Cerberus Tower. Anything said just now, is not new information.]
"Oh," Weiss could only utter. A mixture of relief, but mostly disconcertion. "How far has your group planned?"
[Classified Information.]
"Do you plan on informing your group of what we just discussed?"
[Classified Information.]
"Why do I have the distinct feeling you're recording this entire conversation?"
Penny hiccupped.
"So?" Coco posed to Weiss. "We're going, right?"
"Hmph," she scoffed.
"What do you think?"
.
X
.
"What are you thinking right now?"
"I'm thinking, how boringly easy it was to infiltrate the Board of Directors," Emerald scoffed condescendingly. "I mean, aren't these guys in charge of the whole Kingdom?"
"Yes," Cinder agreed with bemusement. "They are a rather unqualified gathering of fools, aren't they? Hardly surprising why Atlas is in the situation it is now."
Leaning against the windows, on the highest floor of Atlas' tallest skyscraper, were Cinder and Emerald.
Currently, they were in the middle of a conference meeting between Board members. Their figures cloaked by Emerald's Semblance to those besides their allies, who inadvertently cast them a glance once in a while.
For the past few weeks, the pair worked tirelessly to gain control of various companies. Many times, under the CEO's very own noses. Their methods ranged from stock manipulation and swindling themselves controlling interest, to outright blackmail and threats of violence.
"Rather poetic that the very rules they exploited to gain their ridiculous fortunes is now being repurposed to take them away."
"Kinda makes me queasy," Emerald revealed her obvious disgust. "I can still remember digging through trashcans for leftover french fries, and these idiots have a higher GDP than everyone else in Remnant combined. What do people even do with more money they can spend in their entire lifetimes? It makes me sick."
Cinder held her hand.
"What would you like me to do with their riches?" she asked.
"What? I thought the plan was to disperse it to the poor and earn credibility."
"It is. And besides transferring funds to more worthwhile ventures, I'm sure there will be plenty left over to spare."
"I don't…I don't have a clue."
"Just answer. Anything. Would you like to toss their lien out the window? Do you want to seize their lands, their homes? We could set it all on fire before their very eyes, if that's what you prefer."
"That's so cruel."
Cinder's sinister smile sent goosebumps through Emerald's body, and if she was being honest—turned her on a good bit.
"Let me give it some thought. In the meantime, I think they're getting to the real topic now."
"As you wish."
The two looked on, as the long table of fifteen members finished their last discussion. After putting the matter to a vote, Jacques Schnee moved on to the next order of business.
"Alright, I believe Venetus has a proposal on what actions to take concerning the new money coming up these days," he squinted with scrutiny.
"Yes," the casino owner stood and straightened his tie. "My ladies and gentlemen, all of us have been here since the days of Mantle—and we will be here if the days of Atlas ever come to an end. Kingdoms rise and fall, but may our fortunes never change. The war will never affect us, but this new company… it presents a real dilemma. They are the forefront of all the up-and-coming businesses."
He paused to let the thought sink in, while briefly glancing to the windows.
"At the rate they are growing, it wouldn't be a surprise if they created a Board of their own. One to replace this very table—these very people who keep this Kingdom prosperous! I, for one, refuse to allow it. Therefore, I move that immediate action be taken to halt their momentum."
"Yes, the solution has been suggested before," Jacques waved his hand unimpressed. "Unfortunately, they have a rather unique stock exchange policy. They are also refusing to be bought, which is what I would do if I were a company growing revenue at their pace."
"What I am suggesting is not that we buy them out—it is that we buy them in."
"…Go on."
"Make them members of the Board. Where we can watch them, where we can control them. This collection of brilliant minds aren't generals or warriors. We do not wage battles with other companies. We make them ours. We turn them into our assets."
"Hm. I see. An intriguing proposition" Jacques played with his moustache. "I must admit, as well as many of our members, that we may have been too quick to act on emotion. While bankrupting them is an option, it would consume our resources…And it would certainly be a waste to pay for their company when we can simply ask them for it."
This drew a ring of haughty laughter around the table.
"Yes…Yes, I see the merit in this. Although granting them a position on this Board is a prestige they don't deserve…Does anyone have anything to add on the matter?"
""…""
"Well, then. Those in favor of inducting the Halftone Rime Corporation onto our Board—and under our employment—raise your hand."
Eleven of the members' hands raised, more than enough for the majority vote.
"The motion passes. At the earliest interval, we will extend an invitation to their company."
"—There will be no need for that. Although, the thought is appreciated."
Emerald released the hallucination, and the two faded into existence.
"As CEO of the Halftone Rime Corporation, I will graciously accept your offer," Cinder grinned mischievously. "And as a member of the Board of Directors, I propose a motion to elect myself President of this committee."
Only just finished reeling from his shock, Jacques began a tirade.
"THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS! YOU CAN'T DO THIS!"
"Those in favor of the motion," Cinder resumed without a care. "Please, raise your hand."
At the ending of her sentence, Venetus, among seven other members raised their hands.
"Ho-What?" Jacques sputtered. "WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?!"
"The motion passes," Cinder finished. "The Halftone Rime Corporation assumes full leadership of this Board. It will be a pleasure working with you all."
"THIS IS AN OUTRAGE!" the man bellowed, completely red in the face. "This is nothing but a circus show! You cannot possibly expect this to hold an ounce of legitimacy!"
"Then, you may take your leave. Or shall I offer you the disgrace of being voted out by the Board?"
"You bit—!"
While midword, Jacques Schnee felt a sudden bout of vertigo. His vision swirled as he found himself in a vault full of riches. The man's joy went completely to his head. A life of being the richest individual to have ever lived flashed before his eyes.
And then…
Nothing.
He died of old age. His fortune, nowhere to be seen. He was left with nothing. He left nothing behind. Nothing real.
Worthless.
It was all for nothing.
When that thought drowned him, causing him immense depression—
He woke up with a jolt.
"I hope you enjoyed your sweet dream. It was what you wanted after all," Emerald smiled devilishly over him. Her weapon's green edge spun playfully in her hand.
Upon further consciousness, Jacques felt a slight cut on his cheek. A faint Aura remained there from what he guessed was the girl's Semblance.
"What did you do to me?!"
"Hey, no need to get mad, face fur. I just gave you the experience of having all your deepest desires fulfilled. You should be thanking me!"
"I died… I died with nothing. The fortune I built... Everything I worked for…"
"You're welcome, sweetie," Emerald gave him a quick peck on the nose, and a swift slap on the face. "Now get out. Your tears are ruining the carpet."
"Ah?"
Only now, Jacques realized he had been crying the whole time. Without another second spared, the grown man ran out of the conference room.
"Well, that was anticlimactic," Emerald frowned disapprovingly. "That's really all it took to own Atlas?"
When she turned around, the rest of the Board Members were looking back at her with shock. Even Cinder appeared surprised.
"…What?"
"Oh, nothing," Cinder approached, leaning her lips close to Emerald's ear. And with a smoky voice, whispered, "Watching you work was rather arousing."
"Um...!"
"Now, then." Cinder turned to address the committee once more. "The rest of the remaining Board Members may choose to leave, if that is your wish. As Venetus so accurately pointed out before, you are not generals and certainly not warriors—but I am." Fire and brimstone conjured in the palm of her hand. "The moment you leave this table, is the moment you forfeit your safety. Do I make myself clear?"
The directors not part of Cinder's coalition swallowed her words hard.
In their state of fear, after watching Emerald's effect on Jacques, and Cinder threatening them with death, they could not realize the young woman was bluffing. The repercussions of killing them outright would have been unfathomable. But they could not understand this. Not in this very crucial moment.
And that was all Cinder needed.
The remaining members nodded frantically. And just like that, Cinder had seized unanimous power of the Board of Directors, and by extension—Atlas.
The Fall Maiden clasped her hands behind her back, staring at them interchangeably. None of whom, were willing to meet her gaze.
Another step closer to Rule.
She grinned at the thought before continuing.
"Now, then. I believe some changes are in order. Also, a significant number of your…my apologies—our assets will be liquidated immediately. You've sat on your fat piles of wealth long enough without ever knowing what to truly apply it towards. No sense in hoarding more money than you can possibly spend. Emerald?"
At Cinder's word, Emerald started passing out forms for each of them to sign.
"I believe it is time to share your immense wealth with the rest of the Kingdom.
Don't you?"
.
X
.
As the day ushered into the late afternoon, the skies stained bright orange, highlighted by yellow clouds.
Over the seas separating Vale and Atlas, the Atlesian Fleet scrambled to place distance between itself and its pursuers. But the Mistral Armada was relentless in their chase. While the airships were out of cannon-shot of each other, that impotence did not hold true for the Grimm.
The flying creatures of malcontent were unrelenting. The damage they caused could be considered light, but accumulated over time, they became terminal. One by one, the soldiers of Atlas watched the ships beside them slowly decrease in altitude before collapsing into the sea.
It was a disheartening to say the least.
The Fleet's traversal over the endless waters had gone on for days now. They had their equipment and flight preparations set by the time they received orders to retreat. But by then, the enemy was already in pursuit. Over the course of their way home, they had lost a large chunk of their Fleet. And their herd was thinning with each small passage of time.
It was then, the scouts spotted a new vessel coming towards them, the direction coming from their homeland. They almost missed it seeing how small it was. But what it lost in mass, it made up for with light-weight speed. On its approach, they could see it was a shimmering silver aircraft with a pointed nose-like needle.
"Calling to the approaching ship! Identify yourself!"
The radio transmission crackled.
"This is Weiss Schnee of the aircraft Swordfish. On my mark, all ships are to set their bearings thirty degrees starboard!"
"Weiss Schn—! Ma'am! I don't understand the situa—"
"I repeat! On my mark, all ships are to set their bearings thirty degrees to starboard side! Do you copy?!"
Weiss' words were immediately relayed to the ranking officer of the Fleet, as well as a patched in communication.
"This is the acting captain, Trafalgar. Miss Schnee, what exactly are you planning?"
"Saving all of you."
"With all due respect, I will not allow you to attempt a suicide mission."
"…Captain, I say this not only as a citizen of Atlas, or the heiress of the S.D.C., but also your former student. You taught me to always act with sound mind. Trust in me. I am not sacrificing my life. Please, there is no time to explain."
Trafalgar stared out at his bridge. His personnel looked back with fearful uncertainty. He wanted to save them from the endless harass they suffered for the last few days.
"…Do not haunt me with your ghost, Miss Schnee," Trafalgar responded.
"I certainly will not, Captain."
"Trafalgar to all ships! Ordering all to bear thirty degrees starboard side on the Swordfish's mark!"
As Weiss' speeding aircraft cut closer and closer to the fleet, the swarm of Grimm finished downing another ship, and were ready to start on the next one.
"—MARK!"
"THIRTY DEGREES STARBOARD SIDE!"
With a smooth movement, the Atlesian Fleet swerved right. The Swordfish zoomed past them and coursed for a head-on collision with the Mistral Armada and its Grimm.
It was then, countless arrays of Glyphs formed and rotated with increasing speed. The sounds of ice breaking was followed by a flock of white Nevermores crashing through their summoning circles. Their beaks reared and their talons bared. They flew straight into their enemies, whose flanks were exposed in their pursuit of prey.
Countless monstrous birds collided across the sea. Weiss calculated the best angle for them to attack. And the ghostly summons ravaged the opposition's Grimm and through to the airships behind.
In the span of a few seconds, the tide had turned.
Trafalgar was struck speechless briefly, before shouting at his also awe-struck crew.
"Reinforce the Swordfish! All airships are to enter combat stations! Make them pay a hundred times over, and a hundred times again!"
The Fleet rallied to engage the Armada.
And as they looked to the lone ship ahead, shimmering like a beacon of hope, they could see the Winter Maiden standing atop it. Her hands resting on the pummel of her royal blade. A dauntless expression. Silver glinting from her silhouette.
The soldiers' morale surged at the sight of the noble figure.
A wordless message communicated from her stance,
To stay strong.
To steel their hearts.
.
X
.
It was evening when Yang stepped out on the mansion's balcony. The cool air breathed a crisp soberness to her senses. And she sat on the stone-sculpted guardrail, peering into the scenery afar.
Her expression grew pensive. Her heart heavy in her chest. And her mind weighed with a thousand thoughts.
"—Enjoying the fireworks, kiddo?" a voice came from behind.
Qrow joined her in gazing into the distance. His elbows rested on the edge. Only an endless pitch black stretched out into the horizon. At least, to those with normal vision.
"Fireworks, huh? Is that how they look to you?" Yang asked back.
"Yeah. Same for your mom. She's probably out there watching too. Why? What do you see?"
"Not fireworks."
"Hm," Qrow's tone dropped. "Something worse?"
"…I wouldn't say worse—but sadder."
"Yeah." The scraggly huntsman unscrewed the cap on his flask and took a long draught. "Guess the old Branwen legacy lives on."
"At least, Ruby doesn't have it."
"Yeah. Thank goodness for that…" Qrow was about to take another sip when he paused, not sure if he heard correctly. "What did you—"
"Dude. Everybody knows. Even my team knows, and they didn't even try to figure it out."
"Uh…"
"And, no. I'm not having this discussion, which you shouldn't be having with me anyway. Hey, tell me about the fireworks."
Qrow gave a long sigh before speaking again.
"Not much to tell." He looked back into the horizon, in the direction where the armies of Atlas and Mistral still clashed. "They look like red explosions going off in the distance. I don't just see it, I feel it. Like the way fireworks rip through the air. Every crack sends a shock."
Qrow grunted to himself, thinking he still wasn't drunk enough to talk about it.
"Every spark… Every passing life…Bang! And then, it's gone. Never to be seen again…Once in a lifetime spectacle. But not for us."
A tired sigh escaped him. One of a weathered soul that had been battered around by the world he lived in. A battle-worn spirit.
"Your turn," Qrow said. "What do you see?"
…
Yang's eyes shone with the orange of the afternoon.
She saw stars falling.
Falling…
Lights dancing across.
Too many to count.
Each with its own grace and beauty.
They held their place in the night sky, before suddenly streaking across the dark blue canvas. Yang could trace them to the place they fell. She wondered if she could find them, and hold them. Give their Life some small comfort before they faded and died.
The faint glow of a halo rounded her head.
All throughout the night, Yang would watch the shooting stars, paying close attention to each one.
No Life passing on beyond her sight.