.
The Bigger Threat
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Clouds form higher.
Air feels thinner.
A breeze blows from the wrong direction.
And the tide recedes.
Calamity, if anything, is polite about announcing its arrival.
.
.
At the Dust refinery on the northern rim of Atlas, Ilia led two heavily cloaked figures to the workers residence.
Compared to a couple weeks ago, the living conditions had improved immensely. The airship crashed into the mountain remained, but in its vicinity, state-of-the-art cafeterias and medical centers were erected. Apparently, a recent mandate forced companies to provide better quality living for their workers. This was accompanied by an almost complete overhaul of high-ranking employees, foremen, even promoting some Faunus into managerial positions.
Ilia could see it in the way they moved. The miners were healthier, livelier. The ominous cloud hanging over their heads no longer existed. Some of them, she could barely believe, were even happy.
"—Y'know. I heard a ton of horror stories about factory conditions in Atlas, ever since I was a young'un. But this don't look half bad," Inna Kao spoke beneath her hood.
"Yeah," Ilia replied. "The Kingdom's under new management. I don't really like them personally, but… you can't argue with results."
"Hey, is it true Halftone Rime is run by Team ENMY?"
"Yeah, you know them?"
"Met 'em once or twice," Inna played it cool.
"Don't tell me you're a fangirl."
"Hell no! But I always wanted to throw down with 'em on at least one occasion."
"Heh, you might get that chance." Ilia didn't know how serious the cowgirl was, as she glanced from her to her obviously shorter partner. "Your friend doesn't talk much."
"He's the strong quiet type."
"And that's why he needs you to protect him?"
"Other way around, missy. I provide the tactical utility, the little man's the muscle."
"—Actually, my capabilities fulfill both combat roles," Bean answered flatly.
"Have I also mentioned he usually has a steel rod propped up his behind? Gets stiff over the smallest things, this fella."
"Uh huh," Ilia traded uncertain glances between the two. "I'm not gonna ask too many questions. In my line of work, that's pretty much breaking tradecraft law. I got paid top lien to bring you two here. What you guys do after is none of my business."
"Good practice."
Ilia stopped just short of entering the crashed airship.
"And my job's done. Probably for good this time."
"What's that mean?"
"Kingdom's new Board of Directors has left me out of a job. Anyone who wants to leave Atlas has an all-expense paid trip off continent, no questions asked. The only use left for smugglers like me is to get people in. And that's just not my cause."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. You two were my last job. I'm a smuggler no more. So, I'm breaking code just this once," Ilia waved her finger at them. "Don't make me regret bringing you here."
"…"
"Things are finally looking up for our kind. Mistral, now Atlas. You're Faunus, so that's gotta sink on some level. Remember that before you start screwing over our people here, yeah?"
"…Yeah, I read ya," Inna nodded her hat.
"Good, they're this way."
As Ilia brought them into the airship, they entered its former cargo hold—now turned into a meeting place of sorts.
There, a group of White Fang leaders, Adam Taurus, Blake Belladonna, and Raven Branwen gathered. Upon sight of the three, Blake went up to greet them.
"Inna, Bean! I'm so glad you made it safely."
"Aren't you a sight fer sore eyes?"
"Gladdened reunion. Blake Belladonna."
As the three basked in their meeting, Raven approached as well.
"Finally, some news that isn't bad."
"The state of affairs, Commander?" Bean inquired.
"Affairs could be better, Bean. A large bulk of our forces here—mostly the White Fang—have been pacified. That, or they're leaving the Kingdom altogether."
"We heard briefly. The new Board authorizes free travel out of country."
"Small stroke of genius, really. A lot of those who went off continent were our inside people. They don't want to deal with this Kingdom anymore. They'd rather skip it to Vacuo or Mistral. Which means, less manpower for us and a smaller web of intel."
"I understand. Resource drop, inevitable."
"It gets worse. Atlas is really starting to make strides with Faunus rights. Basically ripped the equality reforms from our own playbook," Raven smiled bitterly to herself, half- impressed and half-annoyed. "Which means the grievances our people had aren't burning so hot anymore. And there's less and less willing to fight the government undergoing a crisis of conscience."
"…The enemy predicted and orchestrated this result?"
"I know the one responsible. She's extremely capable and she didn't enact these policies out of the goodness of her heart."
"I see. Calculating. A formidable adversary."
"Of the most devious kind." Raven leaned low to him, so no one else could hear. "We'll need to rely on your ability to make up the difference."
"Concurred conclusion."
"What's the status of the Armada?"
"Mistral and Vale units occupy southern airspace," Bean reported. "Standing by until our signal."
"Good. Now, we can concentrate on setting the playfield."
"Concurred conclusion."
…
"—Well! I'm retired!" Ilia announced to them all. Her stare shifted to each of those gathered. "And, seeing as you'll probably never hire me again, I'm just gonna say this. I don't know what you guys are planning, and I don't wanna know. Mostly cause, I think you guys wouldn't think twice about ghosting me to keep my mouth shut."
She took a deep breath to settle her nerves and stifle her trembling.
"But, screw it. I'll say it anyway. Sounds hypocritical coming from a smuggler—I know—but I think these free trips out of Atlas are a good thing. Something all of you should consider taking advantage of. I think you really need to stop what you're doing, before it's too late."
"Ilia," Blake stepped forward, but her friend looked past her.
"This Kingdom is shaping up. Now at first, I thought Weiss Schnee or you guys were going to make the change. And now that it's actually happening, all you can think about is how to undo it."
The whole room stared at her intensely.
"Look, I've got no love for Atlas, but destroying it while it's trying to redeem itself doesn't sit right. Maybe, I'm the only one who feels this way. But—"
Just then, Raven stood in front of her.
"Stop talking."
"…Or what?"
"For your own good, stop talking. You've done your job. Time to head back to Vacuo and the old lady."
"You think you can scare—"
"Ilia!" Blake grabbed the girl by her shoulders, and turned to Raven. "I'll walk her out."
"Good. Do that," Raven nodded.
With an annoyed frustration, Ilia shoved Blake's hands off her, and stomped outside the airship. The gust and snow did nothing to abate the girl's anger as she made her trudge.
Once they were out of earshot of the camp, Blake called out to her again.
"Ilia!"
"What, Blake? You gonna silence me on Raven's orders?"
"Raven was just trying to protect you. We all knew you were trying to convince more people to abandon the mission. If you kept going the way you were, they really would have tried to kill you!"
"I can handle myself! And, god! I can't believe you're going through with this! A few months ago, I would've been all for it. Seriously, I might've even joined you. But this? You're trying to ruin the good other people have done, just so you can be the ones to do it?! That's insane!"
"I know how it might look, but you don't know Cinder Fall like we do. She's a monster and a psychopath, who's willing to exploit others for her own personal gain. I can't let someone like that rule Atlas, Ilia. I won't."
"…You're wrong, you know," Ilia muttered softly.
"Maybe. I might be. But I can only—"
"Geez, you're such an airhead! I'm not always talking about the bigger picture, Blake! Sometimes, I'm just talking to you!"
"…?"
As Blake pondered Ilia's words, the girl in question rubbed her arm restlessly. It was then, she caught on to the straighter meaning of what the other meant. Blake's breath shortened with a growing tightness in her chest.
"You weren't trying to convince the others not to do this… You were trying to convince me."
"…Yeah. Pretty much!" Ilia gave a strained chuckle. The color of her blemishes pulsated with different hues. "Blame a girl for trying to stop her best friend from potentially getting herself killed. Stupid me!"
"It's not stupid. I'm glad you care so much. Really."
"Then, come with me! Frick, this sounds like some stupid soap opera. Just… come with me, Blake? Please?"
"I can't…"
"You owe me! You owe me so much!"
"I know."
"You didn't listen to me when you ran off with Adam! After what happened, why can't you listen to me now?!"
"I'm sorry."
…
"…Why can't you just listen, for once?" Ilia's tear drops landed wistfully into the snow. "Just for once, you big idiot."
"I'm really sorry," Blake embraced her. "I promise, after this I'll listen to every single thing you say. But you'll have to forgive me one more time."
"Don't start with that…!" the girl pounded her chest. "Just come back alive, and I'll forgive you, okay? Just make it back..."
"I'll try."
The two stood there in the soft snowfall for a while. White patches of frost collected on their heads and shoulders. Blake brushed some of the flakes from Ilia's hair.
"I don't deserve someone like you."
"No," Ilia shook her head. "You don't. Which is why you better make good on listening to me the next time we meet."
"I will."
"Promise me."
"I promise."
"Not good enough."
Blake lightly laughed.
"What do you want me to do? I swear on my life and everything I believe in, when this is over—I'll go see you in Vacuo."
"Not good enough…"
Ilia lifted her chin to meet Blake's lips, and held them there.
…
She parted with a breath and took a few steps back. Her fingertips traced the bottom line of her lip.
Wow… Ilia sighed to herself. That felt way better than I thought it would.
"Illy," Blake breathed.
"Haha! You should see the look on your face, Belladonna! Don't overthink it. It was a promise kiss, just something to seal the deal! No need to get all—"
Blake roped Ilia's hips, pulling her in for another kiss. After the initial shock, Ilia leaned into it. The two nuzzled closer to each other. Their thoughts fevered as their hands wrapped tighter across each other's bodies.
When they parted again, still locked in each other's arms, Blake frowned.
"If you tell me this is just something friends do, I will seriously get mad."
"Heh, then get mad!" Ilia chuckled. "I'm not calling this anything official until you're home."
"…"
"Another reason to keep that promise, right?"
…
As Ilia and Blake continued to be intimate, a rifle held them in the crosshairs. Inna watched the romantic display from the window of the downed airship. Her finger tapping the trigger.
"Should I take the shot?"
"You're joking, of course?" Raven asked beside her.
"Yeah, yeah…" the marksman groaned.
"You disapprove?"
"I always thought Blake and Yang made better peas in a pod."
"Of course, you do," the swordsman rolled her eyes.
"Honestly, the number of kids I look after keep growing by the second."
.
X
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"Honestly, the number of kids I look after keep growing by the…"
"I'm sorry, ma'am?"
"Nothing," Emerald waved off the thought. "Kudos for not slowing me down."
Before her, seven individuals wearing all black, drenched in water, nodded to her compliment.
"Little more time, little more effort, and I'll turn you into a proper crusading band of mischiefs yet. For now, take this over to Masa in R&D," she tapped the crate in front of them with her foot.
After the group hoisted the parcel together and left, Emerald rolled her shoulders a couple times to clear the kinks.
"How'd the big heist go?" Yang approached, with Mercury and Neo in tow.
"Like smooth jazz. I gotta say, these Silbern guys know their stuff. Snowflake and the gun nut trained 'em up pretty well before we poached them. I almost feel bad."
Yang only shrugged.
"The less people Weiss has, the better."
"Sounding a little timid there, punchy."
"I learned never to underestimate Weiss, that's all. By the way, how come you didn't ask us for help?"
"Needed skillsets equal parts crow and equal parts bar. With you guys, it's almost all bar."
"You never complained about our smash and grab before."
"I was sparing your feelings."
"Doubt that. So much."
Team ENMY strode the massive building their company recently acquired. So recent in fact, there was still construction being finished outside to remove its previous occupant's name.
Among the titans that loomed over Atlas' business district, the S.D.C. headquarters and now, Halftone Rime were the tallest giants among the flock. If someone were to view the city from afar, it wasn't hard to imagine the two juggernaut corporations in the middle of a staredown.
"I don't even know why you're getting bent up about it," Emerald continued, while they walked. "You guys get serious ADD during heists. No patience or focus for the game."
"You're lumping me with them?" Yang asked, pointing to Neo and Mercury. "I'm waaayy better."
"That's not the gold medal you think it is."
The four entered the conference room, and sat with their partner-sets across from each other. Mercury and Emerald on one side. Yang and Neo in the opposite.
As soon as they took their seats, Neo flicked out her umbrella and began playing five finger fillet with Yang's hand. Mercury also started laughing obnoxiously at a video playing on his scroll.
"See?" Emerald scoffed. "It's like bragging you have a better attention span than goldfish."
"…I stand by the fact that I make a pretty good crowbar."
"About as much as in a street fight. And even if you keep complaining, you guys still had fun on your thing, right?"
"Escort missions suuuck~"
"Ah, shucks, southpaw. Dust shipments don't protect themselves. Especially ones bought under the table."
"Reminded me of our first train ride together."
"Oh, the good old days, when you were still figuring out if you hated us or not."
"Yeah, now I know you guys are the worst."
"But ya love us anyway. You'd slit your wrists if our band ever broke up."
"You, too."
"Eh, I got Cinder now, so maybe not."
"But who would put up with your sarcastic sass? You know, cause you get all love-struck schoolgirl when she's around."
"Could probably find a stray dog somewhere. They can do what you guys do, right?"
"Have to find one without legs, a front paw, and mute."
"So, a dog AND a butcher."
"Sicko."
"But I guess I'd miss you laughing at all my jokes."
"Yuh huh."
At that moment, Cinder entered the room and drew their attentions.
"Good, you're all here."
.
X
.
"Good, you're all here…"
Weiss narrowed her eyes at the individuals sitting on the other end of the table.
Cinder took the head position. Emerald and Mercury to her right, Yang and Neo to the left. The pink-haired girl and young man seemed to follow their guests with a keen eye. In contrast, Yang and Emerald had their arms crossed, like sentinels on each side of a gate.
"Weiss Schnee, heiress to the Schnee Dust Company," Cinder expressed cordial greetings. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit? Please, sit. Make yourselves comfortable."
With a friendly wave of her hand, the President of the Board extended her hand to the opposite.
Weiss was still reading the situation.
It was a tightly held secret that Halftone Rime took over the Board of Directors. Only recently, had Jacques revealed the truth of what Cinder and Team ENMY did. Whereupon Weiss and her group arrived without warning, but to their surprise, found their opponents completely expectant of their arrival.
Inevitably, Weiss decided to err on the side of prudence and take Cinder's offer. Following her lead, the reappointed General Ironwood and Hades took the chairs on the right. Ruby and Coco, the ones to her left.
"Is there anything I can get for you?" Cinder asked. "Tea? Water?"
"You can transfer your authority as President of the Board for starters."
"I'm not quite sure what you're referring to."
"Do you really want to play dumb with me?"
The question was only met with Cinder faking an oblivious smile.
Seeing as she would get only silence, Weiss understood she needed to approach the situation with a different brand of tact. Their arrival was partly impulsive, but also with the purpose of gauging their enemy. The decisive battle they would inevitably have would occur elsewhere, she decided.
Weiss folded her hands and sunk into a state of detachment from personal emotion. At least, as much she could possibly achieve.
"Alright, let's start with what it is you exactly want, Cinder Fall. You want to rule this Kingdom? To what end? And are you planning to reinstate the Mantle Monarchy?"
"Hm," Cinder chuckled. "I am simply acting as I see fit. This Kingdom is in need of true leadership. A renewed faith and strength in its governing body it hasn't seen in decades. If the forces will it to be myself, who am I to refuse?"
"Do you actually believe that? Your family almost destroyed this nation on more than one occasion."
"To answer your question from before, I have no intention of reinstating the Mantle Monarchy. I also have no intention of repeating the cruelties of my predecessors. In fact," Cinder put on a mournful expression. "When I remember how my family once ruled this Kingdom through fear and an iron hand, it breaks my heart."
"Does it?"
Do you even have one of those?
"But you can also imagine how it felt to see it replaced by a more nefarious group of tyrants. A leadership who exploited people's fortunes out of greed," Cinder implored sadly. "The previous Board ruled this Kingdom, not with fear, but by monopolizing its citizens' livelihoods. Surely, you can understand why I could not allow such a thing to continue."
"Of course…"
"I know some of the more dubious activities my company has been involved with may not be looked upon with favorable light. But I assure you, I merely acted in the purest interest of this Kingdom. I want to repent for the wrongdoings of my family, and I believe the first steps have already been taken. And it is with your blessing that I wish to finish what I started."
She's a good actor, Weiss thought. I'll give her that.
"You can understand why I find your words immediately suspect. Especially considering the company you keep and your past history." She glared at each member of Team ENMY.
"I am aware of the reputation they've garnered, but these four act as my closest advisors. I cannot help but notice you've employed something of the same."
Hades shifted slightly in his seat.
"As for my past history," Cinder continued, "I have already explained that my family—"
"I'm not talking only about your family," Weiss interrupted. "I am speaking about how you were the culprit behind the Fall of Beacon."
"Do you have proof of this?"
"…There was the radio broadcast during the event."
"Easily doctored."
"There are eyewitness accounts."
"Your partner I assume, and who else?"
Weiss and Ruby met eyes briefly, before she turned back.
"…I will bring justice against you, Cinder Fall, and your accomplices. This, I promise. Your transgressions will not go unanswered."
"I will have to respectfully disagree," the Fall Maiden grinned, letting her façade fall to the wayside. "Shall we speak plainly, then?"
"I'd rather that from the start."
"Despite your animosity towards me, I only hold you in the highest respect. The Silbern Mafia, your sabotage of this Kingdom's aristocrats and wealthiest? You laid the framework for what our side built upon. We never could have accomplished any of this with such speed and efficiency—without your help."
Hearing that made Weiss grind her teeth, which only made Cinder shake her head.
"I can only lament we did not have further chance to speak in the past."
"While you were busy orchestrating the destruction of my school, you mean."
"Yes, that. But the past is the past. And in the present, I think we stand to gain much from working together than against."
It took a split second for Weiss to recover being caught off-guard.
"…You must be joking."
"Not at all." Cinder stood from her seat, and began strutting over to the other end of the table. "As I mentioned previously, you've done exceptional work. You've also raised an astounding reputation, in spite of your surname. A similarity you and I both share, I think."
"I uphold my family's purest beliefs. We are not the same."
"We both desire what's best for this Kingdom."
"And how am I supposed to believe that, when you virtually tried to destroy another and currently possess the means to destroy this one?"
Cinder paused in thought for a second.
"Ah, you're referring to my ability to crash our Kingdom's stock market and leave its economy in shambles. While what you say is true, do you truly believe I would resort to such base means?"
"Are you seriously asking me if you're capable of that?"
Cinder laid her hand on the backrest of Weiss' chair.
"This is my home as much as it is yours. I would never entertain such a thing."
"You'll have to forgive me if I can't take your word for it."
"You're forgiven," Cinder replied with a snide. "Acknowledge it or not, our fates are intertwined, Weiss Schnee. We both stand as heroes of this proud nation. Imagine the prosperity we can bring if we joined forces. To go back to your previous demand, I would be willing to step down as President of the Board, if you and I can come to terms."
"Don't think I don't know what it is you're really after."
"Oh? And what would that be?"
"You still need the Atlesian Military."
The edges of Cinder's lips curled mischievously to show Weiss guessed correctly.
"As you are aware, the Board possessed control of the Kingdom's Military until recently," the young woman leaned over Weiss' shoulder. "But only after taking over, did I find who really held authority over our armies—the Schnee Dust Company. Your father wasn't nearly as incompetent as I once thought."
"…"
"Our people need to be ruled. No, perhaps that word possesses too many negative connotations. Guided."
Hearing that made Weiss twitch.
"Our citizens need to be guided," Cinder resumed. "They are so lost and vulnerable, and too easily taken advantage of. You know this. It's why you chose to change it. To take their well-beings into your very own capable hands."
Something hot boiled at the bottom of Weiss' stomach. It irked her to hear Kori's words breathed from Cinder's mouth. Anger and a cruel touch of sadness.
"I endeavor to do the same, barring different methods," she went on. "The unfortunate outcome of that, is exactly what happens when two forces pull on the same object—it can be torn apart. Even if they both act with the same well-meaning in mind."
"…"
"Our enemies are coming, Weiss Schnee, and this is no time to wage civil war. But imagine if the two hands that threatened to tear their Kingdom apart, instead chose to uphold it, united? Weiss Schnee, I believe we can accomplish much together." She grasped Weiss' shoulder. "Or I can accomplish it alone. The choice is yours."
…
Weiss coldly lifted Cinder's hand, like removing a bothersome spider.
"We're leaving."
"…I see. That is unfortunate."
As Weiss stood from the table, Cinder handed her a sealed envelope.
"The Board is holding a ball, where we will formally announce my succession as President, among other matters. I humbly invite you to join the celebrations."
"…And the true purpose of this is?"
"You'll just have to attend and find out. I'm sure you've had your fill of formal events. But I can promise this will not be one you want to miss."
"…"
As Weiss resumed leaving the room, Cinder said after her,
"My offer still stands."
Then, in a quieter voice,
"For as long as you live, that is."
.
X
.
As Weiss and her group entered the company limo, Ruby and Coco were the first to make an outburst.
"What was that?!" "You're just gonna let her walk all over you?!"
"Quiet, both of you!" Weiss was holding her head in anguish. "I misjudged them. I thought I had more time when it came to dealing with them…!"
"Weiss?" Ruby asked with a worry.
The heiress stared at the invitation she was accidentally crumpling in her hand.
"Hey!" Coco tried to intervene. "You're not really thinking of going, are you? I mean, it's obviously a trap!"
"You think I don't know that?! What choice do I have? The last time I ignored them, they became majority stockholder of every major conglomerate! Who knows what they're planning next—or what they already have set in motion…"
"—Speak to us, my liege," Hades attempted to bring cooler heads.
Weiss sighed wearily, while massaging her brow.
"I was too occupied with the armies from Vale and Mistral."
"Uh, yeah? You should be," Coco replied.
"But that was when I thought Cinder's side was still working on whatever they were doing. That was a mistake. They plan on taking serious action… soon." She shook her head with a bitter grimace. "They shouldn't have been able to do this so quickly. They must've preyed on the uneasiness I created in the upper class."
"—The reason is sound," Ironwood joined. "It would have made converting them to her cause easier. But Weiss, you must understand there is no way of changing that now. What's done is done."
Weiss nodded shortly.
"I have to make a decision…"
She stared at the invitation in her hands.
"I have to decide where the bigger threat lies. Who I should fight first—the enemy at our doorstep, or the enemy in our home?"
…
"I think you just decided," Ruby snatched the letter, and opened it. "Jaune'll want to come for sure. So will Ren and Nora."
"I know."
"—Don't forget my team," Coco added. "We're coming with."
"Thank you. Although, I'm not sure Cinder will be fine with me bringing so many guests," Weiss grinned slyly.
"Uh… Weiss?" Ruby handed her the letter.
As Weiss read the formal invitation, she could no longer feel surprised by the foresight the other side possessed.
The start of the invitation read in rich printing:
We hereby cordially invite Weiss Schnee, Team RNJR, and Team CFVY to attend
The Ashen Heir's Ball.