Lelouch of Zero: Thank you so much for the kind words :D A fresh perspective on the MCs with the inclusion of OCs is one of my goals for this story. Indeed that storm may be sooner than we think...
LunaTheBlackWolf: No reason to not love both :D They are both examples of men truly in love with very different types of strong women.
And with that…onto the show!
"I'm sorry!" Ruby groaned. "I've never been so far from home…I had no idea how far Haven would be!"
Jaune and Ren had been surprised to learn that apparently, the young huntress had assumed a trip to Haven would only take two to three weeks to complete. As it stood, they were thankful for restocking food and supplies before heading out from the last village.
Nora was not far ahead of the group looking around, Olivia was noticeably absent as she had been since their departure from the village. She trailed far behind under the excuse of covering their backs while also using her rifle to scout the surrounding area. Ren had not told anyone of Hildie or her outburst back at the inn and was certain she was keeping distance for their own safety.
To think she'd been hiding something like that, he mused as they walked onward as they had day after day. The member team JNPR had been wracking his brain on how he could help but was coming up short. Nowhere in his studies had he ever heard of a semblance forming a second consciousness from the original beyond simple insanity. He pushed that possibility aside after recalling what he had seen…a mental condition wouldn't do THAT to someone's eyes. And that it would happen now, Nora is already on edge with coming back to…
"Village up ahead," they heard Olivia's voice crackle over their short-ranged scroll channels.
"Strange," Jaune looked over their map again. "We shouldn't be coming across another one for a few days."
"I don't see anyone," their far-off sniper clarified. "It's just…empty."
They were upon the walls of the unknown village soon enough, it was just as Olivia had said. There was no one present, no bodies or signs of damage anywhere. On the contrary, most of the buildings looked to not having been finished yet, scaffolds and other support structures still present though slowly giving way under the passage of time. The wood was rotting while nature had started to reclaim it, vines and other assorted plant life covered the area.
"It looks like the town was abandoned," Ren theorized after the team had gone through the immediate area. Even Olivia had caught up though had a larger personal bubble than before.
"No people, supplies or any sign that this place has been inhabited in a long time," she sighed. "Like a ghost town."
Not afraid of ghosts are you?
"Hey!" Nora called out at length. "I think I found something!"
The rest of RNJRR rushed over as the pink Valkyrie brushed a cluster of bushes from a tall sign with large letters carved into.
"Oniyuri? Never heard of it."
"Me neither, I thought I knew all the villages around here," Jaune scratched his head.
"It's not on the map," Olivia looked it over. She saw numerous villages and town dotted around the area but none in their immediate vicinity.
"I've heard of it," Ren admitted after a moment of silence. Everyone turned to give him their undivided attention at an answer to the mystery of the empty village. "You might think of it as Anima's Mountain Glenn…if it had never completed."
A chill ran through everyone present at the reminder of Mountain Glenn, of the settlement slowly but surely overrun…resulting in nothing but ruins left behind of the ferocity and seemingly unassailable nature of the Grimm.
"Years ago, the richest members of Mistral were unhappy with how the kingdom was being run. Frustrated with the council, they pooled their resources together to build their own city with their own laws hoping it would one day become a kingdom. I know my parents did, they spared no expense, state of the art defenses, barriers. They even hired the valedictorian from Haven that year as a full-time huntsman to protect from the Grimm."
"The Grimm?" Olivia asked at Hildie's prodding. It was the same answer everywhere; she didn't even need to wait for Ren's nod of confirmation.
"And it wasn't just any one…" Ren's fingers tightened into a fist at the memory of his childhood.
"One Grimm?" Ruby sounded shocked. Grimm were known for their ferocity in numbers, other than the Dragon at Beacon she couldn't imagine a single creature taking out a city of this size. Even Goliaths had countermeasures to prevent them from rampaging.
"What…could do that?" Olivia stuttered.
I'd sure love to meet THAT specimen…must put up QUITE the fight. Dibs on the reigns of we find it. Olivia punched her head again unnoticed by the others.
"You don't want to know," Ren answered ominously. "Be glad it is no longer around."
"M-maybe we should get out of here," Jaune asserted. "Best to keep moving if there are no supplies here."
The group was in complete agreement, between Ren's story and the eerie emptiness of unfinished buildings no one wanted to remain even a night. Ruby was the last to leave, almost able to sense the echo of sorrow left behind many years past. They were in such a hurry that none, not even Ren or Nora noticed a terrifyingly familiar giant hoof print around the corner; it was far fresher than the one he saw in Shion…
Atlas…
The hall was packed, every seat filled for the event set to start. As always, her father had made sure to summon every person worth knowing in the Atlas business world. They were all talking amongst themselves as they awaited the concert to begin. The young heiress stood just offstage prepared to head out on her cue.
"On in fifteen Ms. Schnee," A passing stagehand alerted her before moving on to the next task at hand without even awaiting a reply. She nodded her understanding but doubted he saw it.
Weiss smiled as was expected, the perfect daughter to the Schnee family who was the envy of every woman in the world. At least until she was certain no one was watching, in which case the smile quickly vanished to be replaced by a sigh.
It's to help Beacon and Vale, she kept telling herself. Her father could have hired anyone he wanted to sing, he was showing her off again. She enjoyed singing, but not in this setting. If this can raise enough money to help…then it's worth it.
"You have naught to worry about Weiss, your vocal talents are well known."
Weiss turned to see a familiar disarming smile; Penny was half obscured behind a drape glancing as if to ensure she was not spotted.
"What are you doing here?" Weiss whispered as she got closer. "No one is allowed backstage except…"
"Your last practice with me seemed several decibels off from your previous attempts," she explained in her usual way. "That led me to conclude there was upwards of a 90% probability that you needed a friend to talk to."
"Thanks Penny," Weiss' smile returned. "I just," she paused, uncertain of how much she should say, "didn't think I'd be doing this again so soon."
"But you were singing at Beacon," Penny asserted, clearly misunderstanding her words. "I recall everyone loving your performance at the Vytal Festival."
"Not singing Penny," she clarified. "Singing here, in Atlas, it just…doesn't feel right. It hasn't in a long time."
She thought back to after her mother and father had their falling out, never occupying the same balcony after her tenth birthday. It had drained all the enjoyment from it yet at the same time was one of the few activities she had enjoyed, at least, before becoming part of Team RWBY. It took all she had to hold her composure at the idea that she'd likely never see them again.
"Then, why do it?" She asked with her innocent smile never faltering.
Because you don't say no to father? Just thinking that twisted knots into her stomach.
"For the fundraiser," was the excuse she gave the young girl. "To help everyone after that suffered from what happened at Beacon."
Penny looked upwards as if deep in thought before replying. "If you are not fond of this particular method of aid, you could choose another."
"I…can't," Weiss admitted. "Father…"
"I used to think that I too could not do as I wished," Penny interrupted uncharacteristically, her face the slightest more serious than Weiss had ever thought to see. "Unkind words were said that I was to be used as others wanted, that my say in it was unnecessary."
Weiss listened intently to her words, for the first time realizing how eerily similar their circumstances were.
"Father meant well, but wanted me to stay away from others out of worry how they would react. Ruby showed me otherwise, that not everyone thinks that way about someone just because of where they came from. I know we did not speak much before…but I could tell Ruby's choice in friends was not misplaced."
Weiss looked away, hiding the blush forming on her face at her words. Penny was always too kind though she made Weiss feel even guiltier at having left Patch without saying goodbye.
"Ruby…and Cam of course," Penny fidgeted her feet slightly as if actually embarrassed.
"Cam?" Weiss felt bad she had not considered where he'd been since the fall. "How is…"
"He is doing QUITE well; General Ironwood made him his personal pilot as thanks for ensuring my safety in the battle and for his impressive display in the Galinda. Regrettably, he has been chauffeuring the General to his various appointments."
"Are…you two still…?" Weiss could not resist asking.
"Oh we are still going quite steadily. He assured me that my current bodily composition has no bearing on our emotional bond. Though the General still watches him closely, I fear he may have threatened him in my absence on several occasions."
Weiss allowed a chuckle before standing just a little straighter than before. "Thanks Penny, I needed that."
"Also, before you go out there…I believe your hair is off-centered."
Weiss gasped, looking in a nearby stage mirror to see how she could have gotten it wrong only to be met with confusion. Her ponytail was aligned perfectly straight as her father had insisted, she could not find the slightest fault with it.
"Is it not normally off to the side?" Penny asked with a tilt of her head for emphasis. "It doesn't seem like you otherwise."
Weiss just stared at the reflection looking back at her, Penny was right, it looked…off. With a tug of the braid she let her long hair fall down her back, breathing in deep with a determined look that had been sorely missing.
"Will you help me fix that mistake?" Penny's eyes lit up at the offer as she half-teleported behind Weiss, hair already being pulled together at the proper angle.
"Of course, I attempted a ponytail last month but apparently it was not up to military standards. I can have yours completed with 99.3% repeating accuracy to how it was back at Beacon with time to spare before you begin…"
Oniyuri…
Ren held his hand up, commanding the group to stop. Closing his eyes he focused his senses, certain that he had felt something. Confirming his suspicions, he slowly drew his pistols, the rest of Team RNJRR understanding and readying their own weapons.
"Behind…" the huntsman in training started, but his warning was pointless. In an instant someone moving faster than they'd ever seen bounded over the building behind them. He slid and landed several feet in front of them drawing his strange weapons. He was tall with brown hair tied into a single long braid and was armed with large wrist blades attached to bracers on each arm grinning at the team in such a way that a chill ran down their spines.
Without a word he charged towards Ruby, letting out quick sets of cackles as he ran.
Ren was the first to jump in his path, firing his guns. The stranger blocked each shot, easily parrying his attempts to slash him upon reaching melee range. With a single powerful kick he sent Ren flying and continued his pace towards Ruby.
Jaune and Nora flanked him from each side, the blonde knight ensuring he got in front before he reached her. He slashed but the man was faster, in an instant Jaune found him literally clinging to his shield shoving his face uncomfortably close to his own.
"Ooooooo," he squeaked, his face locked in an expression of intense curiosity as he looked into the Jaune's eyes.
Olivia fired a round towards him but despite his fixation on Jaune the attacker had the self-awareness to jump away in time, kicking into his shield so hard Jaune staggered backwards. Nora charged where he was about to land and swung her hammer. Once more he easily evaded, stepping on top of the head in mockery of her skills. Before Nora could think of a next move he leapt off gracefully, landing several yards from the group with a smug look of utter satisfaction on his face.
"Who are you!?" Ren shouted.
"We're not looking for a fight!" Jaune insisted, the group taking up a defensive posture now that they had breathing room.
"Who I am matters not to you," he replied, pointing at Ren. "Or you," this one was directed at Nora. His look fell on Olivia next, winking at her in a way that made her skin crawl. "Oohoo, I LOVE your eyes, how ravishing!"
Olivia felt her face instinctually, utterly certain her eyes were their normal color, however the unsettling foe clearly saw different.
Lastly, he smiled sinisterly at Jaune again. "Well…you DO interest me." The armored young man took a hesitant step backwards. "No," he continued at length. "I only matter…to you."
He pointed straight at Ruby Rose.
"Me?" She asked, a look of complete bewilderment on her face.
The attacker started to laugh which quickly evolved into full blown hysterical cackles. "You…you haven't the slightest clue do you? Oh how EXCITING this must be!"
"What do you want?" Ruby asked, her cute tone gone, a look of sheer hatred for the man burning on her face.
"Oh, the rose has thorns!" He replied, putting his hand on his chest sarcastically, acting as if her behavior was unjustified. "My little flower, I am here to whisk you away with me!" He held out his arms dramatically as if performing theatre.
"You don't look like much of a Prince Charming," Olivia remarked, stepping in front of Ruby.
"And what if she doesn't WANT to go with you?" Nora asked, stepping between Ruby and the assailant.
"Well…I'll take her."
"We're NOT going to let you do that," Jaune reinforced, raising his shield. At this point everyone was now between Ruby and the strange man.
The attacker closed his eyes and inhaled deeply before replying.
"Gooood."
He launched himself at Jaune's shield again. A moment before he would have impacted, he suddenly disappeared, reappearing behind him with his wrist blades raised over his head.
"JAUNE!" Ren called out, firing his pistols. With how close they were he was forced to hit Jaune with several rounds but they bounced off his shield. The rest were deflected expertly by the attacker.
Olivia converted her rifle's barrel into its mace form, igniting the head with fire dust and charged. She opened fire with the remainder of her now mid-range weapon, as he dodged sideways as she suspected she brought the mace down.
The man saw it coming, spinning out of the way so that it smashed into the ground harmlessly. Nora swung her hammer down but he managed to parry it with a single blade, knocking her to the side. Ruby activated her semblance, blasting past him in hopes of drawing his attention but the assailant saw through her. Jumping into the air, he roundhouse kicked just as she passed, sending Ruby tumbling back to the ground.
Nora dug into her belt, retrieving one of the dust injectors she now carried courtesy of Ezzy's box of Atlas goodies. With a huff she jabbed it into her bare leg. A surge of lightning lit up her skeleton, a smile locked on her face, she felt invincible as the power surged through her.
As the strange man parried another of Olivia's swings with a kick and backhanded Ren, Nora appeared behind him, raising the hammer over her head she brought it down with a deafening blow. The team was forced to brace themselves as the shockwave struck them, a quick static of electricity following it. They had never seen Nora pull off such a swing, it put her past strength to shame.
As the dust settled their hearts sunk, the strange man was still standing strong, Nora vying against him but he appeared to be holding. Her hammer had been blocked by an immense stinger attached to a tail protruding from his lower back. Despite her best effort it was not budging.
"Surprise!" He cried, slapping her in the side with his tail and sending her flying. With a graceful backflip he threw off the brown overcoat he had been wearing and stood triumphantly atop the destroyed remains of a nearby fountain.
"He's…a faunus?" Olivia remarked, absolutely confused how he had hidden it the entire fight.
"What is this about?" Ruby asked, absolutely frustrated at the situation. "The White Fang? Roman Torchwick?"
"Plastic soldiers and pawns!" He exclaimed, acting disgusted that he was being mentioned in the same sentence. "My heart and body belong only to our Goddess!" He threw his arms up theatrically as if in thanks.
Ruby angrily muttered what everyone was thinking. "Cinder…"
The faunus laughed again. "Only in her WILDEST dreams, though I suppose she would be HIS Goddess." He pointed behind them, causing all to turn at who he was referring.
A new man emerged from around a nearby building. He looked like a knight from the old tales; armored from head to toe with a winged helmet obscuring his face. A red cloak billowed behind him in the breeze. Everyone noticed the emblem burned into his chest, a heart formed from twin slippers pressed together…Cinder's calling card.
What drew their attention more was the weapon slung diagonally across his back. It looked like a lance but based on the intricate design and mechanical ports scattered across the surface it was obviously more than that. A large metal plate was present at the handle no doubt some sort of miniature shield or a large handguard. He did not have it drawn.
"You should not have run ahead Tyrian," the newcomer chastised, his voice reverberating in his helm. "We were to meet with them together."
"I had things WELL in hand little Ember," Tyrian sneered. "If you wish to prevent their escape you may do so. This will not take long."
"There may be no need," the knight remarked, holding out his equally armored hand to Ruby. "Her Grace and the Autumn Maiden, Lady Cinder Fall, have requested your presence Ms. Rose. You will not find her at Haven. If you agree to see her, I swear on my life that no harm will come to you or your friends."
Tyrian groaned behind them, clearly he did not agree with the arrangement.
"And what does she want with me?" Ruby asked defensively. Team RNJRR split their focus. Jaune, Ren and Olivia targeted the newcomer while Ruby and Nora remained focused on the scorpion-faunus.
"I did not question my lady's wishes," he replied tactfully. "But I believe she requests your presence in regards to your actions atop Beacon tower. If you desire for all to end without conflict, I BEG of you to acquiesce and come with us."
Ruby's eyes widened in anxiety at the memory of that night, her look was noticed by her team who stepped up.
"Not happening," Olivia answered for her, her weapon reconverted to its rifle form as she took aim. "We have no reason to trust anything Cinder has to say, or anyone associated with her!"
"If you could reconsider…"
"N-no," Ruby shirked back, her hesitation to fight still weighing down on her.
"The little flower wilts before the embers," Tyrian giggled poetically. "If you will not fulfill YOUR goddess' command, then I shall fulfill mine!"
"Tyrian…" Ember threatened, but it was too late as the faunus lunged for his prey.
Olivia reacted, firing a round which clanged off Ember's helmet, the chance for a peaceful settlement burned to ash.
"That is…most regrettable," he lamented, drawing the lance from his back. Surprisingly his voice sounded truly sorrowful that they would have to fight.
Olivia was quite confused, the two were clearly working together yet between the maniacal obsessions of the scorpion-Faunus versus the calm polite demeanor of the knight they could not have been more different.
The knight aimed the lance at Jaune who realized too late the barrel opening beneath the tip. A small dust-infused cannonball erupted from it, colliding with his shield; the resulting explosion sent him flying through a nearby wall. Ren and Olivia strafed to each side unloading their arsenal into Cinder's knight. Their rounds impacted his armor with seemingly no effect; he was not even staggering at their shots. Running forward he thrust the lance towards Ren who barely had time to parry it with his pistol-blades, cartwheeling over and kicking him in the winged helmet to equally little effect. The knight spun; catching the mid-air ninja in the chest and sending him crumpling in the distance as his aura failed at the full force of his own attacks which was turned against him.
Simultaneously, Tyrian battled Ruby and Nora, dodging the pink warrior's hammer with ease. Ruby hopped back, her eyes wide at the prospect of facing a humanoid opponent again; she could only hold Crescent Rose up in defense. After an especially skillful dodge of Nora's swings, Tyrian balanced on one hand and spun to parry her scythe, kicking Ruby with all his might in the gut with both feet. Her aura collapsed from the pressure as she was sent flying.
Nora tried to help but he spun around, bouncing over her hammer and slashing her across the chest three times. Her aura sputtered weakly but did not yet collapse.
Across the field, Ember swung his lance, Olivia barely ducking beneath it. He brought it over his head and slammed it down towards her. Before it could impact an immense sword came out of nowhere, knocking it aside as a shape blasted past him. Reflexively Ember pulled back, leaping away to a safe distance.
No longer caring about Nora, Tyrian chased after Ruby who was still airborne from his kick, catching up to her before she finally fell to the ground. Sneering in triumph, he raised his tail, jabbing it towards her as his eyes glowed a sickly purple.
The shape that had spooked Ember dashed between them, an instant before the stinger would have connected with Ruby it stopped, blocked by the new combatant.
"Uncle Qrow," Ruby smiled upon recognizing the newcomer to the fight.
Mistral Farm…
"What were you thinking?" Oscar's aunt chastised as she tended to his admittedly minor injuries from the attack. She had caught Oscar sneaking into the house in search of medical supplies and forced him to tell the whole truth excluding the mention of voices in his head.
"It was just one Grimm auntie…"
"One is all it takes!" She pressed the cotton ball into his injury just a smidge harder than was necessary for emphasis. "That's what huntsmen are for! I want you to SWEAR to me you won't do that again!"
"Then what good am I?" Oscar fired back, his adrenaline still pumping from the near-death experience. "I wake up, tend the crops, eat and go to sleep. If that is all I can do then what…"
His aunt leaned forward, wrapping her arms tight around her nephew squeezing tightly as if he was in danger of getting away from her.
"I promised my sister I would take care of you," she whispered so low he barely made out her words. "If anything would happen to you…"
Oscar froze at her words; he knew of course she loved him ever since she'd take him into her home, but not like this. She'd always been caring but strict, always making sure he did what he was told and finished his chores in time. Sure, she oft threatened no food if he slacked off but had never once followed through with it.
"I-I'd be fine," he stammered out, unsure how to process her tender words. "You don't have to worry about me every second. I'm fourteen after all…"
"You're ONLY fourteen," she corrected. "Please…just promise me you'll be more careful, you can tell me if something like this happens again.
You can't make that promise.
Oscar tried to ignore the voice that wouldn't stop talking to him. He looked into his aunt's begging eyes; she wanted him to say it more than anything.
"I…I promise to be as safe as I can auntie." He could have sworn her heard a heavy sigh in his head as she nodded her head in appreciation.
"See," she sniffed back a little bit. "That wasn't so bad, now…go wash up for dinner. I am sure you are filthy after your little adventure. I want to see clean hands."
Oscar soon found himself in the barn rinsing his hands in a basin of water, leather gloves discarded nearby.
Oscar…
"I've decided you are not real, so you might as well give up."
I understand how you're feeling, the voice that had introduced itself as Professor Ozpin continued regardless. I went through the same panic and confusion the first time this happened…and the second.
Oscar splashed a few extra handfuls of water into his face hoping that would alleviate the voice; perhaps snap him out of whatever he was going through.
"I'm just stressed out from the battle," he told himself and the voice. "That is all, once I calm down…"
I can assure you I am quite real, though you are perfectly sane."
"I'm talking to a voice in my head!" Oscar asserted despite his previous statements.
I didn't say you were normal…I said you were sane, quite a significant difference between…
"SHUT UP!" Oscar called out. It sounded so calm almost like it was acting smug and poking fun at the situation he found himself in. "This isn't funny!"
That was never my intention and I apologize, we are in complete agreement on that statement Mr. Pine. I wish this wasn't the case, that you had to be chosen but…as I tried to tell you on the way back, our aura…our souls are combined.
"I'm done listening," Oscar asserted once more, heading to the door to leave.
Have you ever been to Haven? Ozpin asked, causing Oscar to pause as he mentioned the Huntsman Academy. He had said before they should go there but he'd ignored it. It appeared he hadn't given up.
"I told you I'm not going…"
Do you think you could describe the Headmaster's office? Try.
"No," Oscar tried to resist again. "I've never seen it, I'd have no idea of…the autumn color, the mahogany desk with…a table and tea set for guests that I…I gave him?" He hadn't tried to, but the moment the question of the office was brought up the image had flashed in his mind as if he'd seen it a hundred times. "Wh-why would I say that?"
Because I helped build that school and the tea set was a gift for the man running it now. You can't very well be crazy if the information in your head is accurate that you couldn't possibly have known otherwise…right?
Oscar couldn't believe it was happening, maybe…just maybe the voice was telling the truth. How could he know that otherwise? It was so detailed, so…
If you don't believe me you can look it up, if I recall your aunt has several books on Haven downstairs. I'm sure you could find a picture in one of them.
Oscar relaxed, almost relieved. How ironic Ozpin had just revealed to him the logical explanation. His aunt had always been enamored with the idea of dashing huntsmen and knights riding to the aid of princesses locked in towers since she was little. She'd bored him to sleep with those books and where huntsmen were trained since he was small enough to remember.
"Of course," he sighed. "I must have seen it in a picture once. That is it."
Oscar… he started, he could already tell by its tone what it was going to say.
"STOP TALKING TO ME!" He screamed, jumping to his feet in an instant and silencing this Ozpin if only for a moment.
I would if that were an option, Ozpin finally started sounding truly regretful. But I have a great responsibility on my shoulders…and so do you now. This would be your opportunity.
"Opportunity for what?" Oscar had slumped back against the wall, seemingly no way to escape the voice.
To do something bigger than this, I know for a fact you didn't want to stay a stable hand your whole life.
Oscar didn't like the sound of that, how could he know that? He had never even shared that fleeting dream with his aunt out of fear she'd come down hard on it to dissuade him from leaving. If this thing in his mind wasn't just his imagination or a loosening grip on sanity…then that meant…
"You just read my thoughts?"
Well…they are OUR thoughts now…
Oscar was horrified, this…entity seemed to be able to just know his every thought yet he couldn't tell anything about it. Certainly, he had seen the image of the Haven Academy Headmaster's office, yet only after it seemed to allow him to. Other than that, his incorporeal squatter was a mystery. He gripped his head in frustration at no other way to deal with him.
"GET OUT OF MY HEAD!" He screamed, slamming his skull into the barn door.
Silence, blessed silence as he heard no more of the strange voice that had accompanied him since the attack. With a final sigh, the young farmer dried his hands to prepare for supper. He did not hear the voice; however as he left a single distant thought barely a whisper passed through his mind.
I wish I could…
Atlas…
The concert had gone off beautifully; the young heiress hit every note, enunciated each word and exemplified the meaning behind the song. Mirror, Mirror, Weiss had written it herself and the lyrics spoke to her, not that Whitley or anyone in the room truly understood she imagined. As usual, her father and Whitley were located in the balcony of highest prominence; she didn't know which one her mother had selected to use to keep her distance from him.
The events quickly moved to the after party and exhibition where the true profits of the evening might be had. Artwork was being auctioned off with bidding to start after the many rounds of drinks Jacques would have for his business partners. From the look of it he had called in every single one he had. With so many present, he hadn't even chastised her for the adjusted ponytail.
Weiss found herself where she was always required to be at such stages of the events, at her father's side with Whitley opposite her. "Showing familial unity," he called it without taking into account he hadn't been seen by her mother's side at one since she was ten. His definition of family seemed highly subjective…if it meant anything to him at all. Klein had passed by several times, more than was necessary for his duties as head butler. Each time she saw him it help alleviate her anxiety if only a little.
He was currently in the middle of another discussion on the economic disparity between Mantle and Atlas, humans and faunus that would as usual go nowhere due to the arguments being "invalid." Weiss was barely finding a way to stand the evening as nothing but a glorified doll for Jacques to show off.
And then she saw it, the centerpiece of the exhibition, an impressive portrait done of Beacon Academy before the fall. The towers stood tall and bright just like the first day she'd stepped off the bullhead. She hadn't appreciated them at the time but had grown attached over time, a fact she hadn't realized until she was back in Atlas. Without thinking, she turned to approach the painting only for the familiar hand of Jacques to seize her wrist suddenly without even turning from his business partners.
"Where are you going?" He asked sternly, unwilling for her to be anywhere else except adding to his image.
"I'm…" she hesitated, he'd never let her leave just to admire the painting, he'd consider it a superfluous reason. "Just a little thirsty."
"Sweetheart," his features softened somewhat as if he had thought she'd a more selfish reason. "We have people for that."
"No," Weiss pulled his hand down as he signaled to Klein to bring her something. "I can get it; I'll be right back I promise."
Jacques just eyed her suspiciously as if her desire for space was a nefarious plot to belittle or humiliate him. After several tense seconds, he finally turned away to continue the pointless conversation behind him. Weiss ducked out as soon as his eyes were off her, making for the painting.
She recognized it from when she was little, a portrait of all four academies once hung in one of the side room. Her mother had been a fan of the obscure artist, after Willow and Jacques' falling out he had them all taken down and sold.
He probably didn't even realize it was the same painting, she thought as her eyes fell on the signature at the bottom.
"Mariemaia."
"It's beautiful," she heard a young man remark to her side. "You two match."
Weiss sighed; the source of the compliment was a young man in a red and black suit without the jacket that likely cost a fortune. He had a suave smile and slicked blue hair as he attempted to draw her attention. She had seen the look a hundred times before; he wasn't seeing her…he was seeing her name.
"Yes, it is a lovely painting," she replied flatly, her attention remaining off him.
"So…" he continued after several seconds of awkward silence. "That was my attempt at breaking the ice…how am I doing so far?"
"You are leaving a lot to be desired," Weiss answered bluntly.
"Well, I've always appreciated honesty. The name is Henry, Henry Marigold." He extended a hand in greeting.
Upon realizing he wasn't going away, she extended her hand with a sigh, placing it in his as limply as she could while still maintaining the expected level of politeness. "Weiss Schnee."
"I know! I saw your performance…obviously," he replied struggling for words. "It was wonderful! And I promise I'm not just saying that because you're pretty."
Just keep on digging. Neptune was just as bad but at least he wasn't motivated by my status…and had the wherewithal to know that about himself. She continued to focus on the painting, trying to understand why her mother loved the style so much. She had to admit the details were spot on despite the fact it had to have been painted ten years ago at least.
"So…you thinking about buying it?" Henry asked at noticing her intense stare.
Buy back my own painting? That'd be ironic; if mother still cared about anything outside the bottle I may have considered it.
"No, I don't think so."
"Yea…kind of pricey for a painting."
"It's to raise money," Weiss kept replying to him despite her desire for him to leave. It seemed he just made her more and more frustrated with each word he spoke.
"Oh really, for what?"
"For…what?" He had attended the concert, clearly having at least received the invitations, the publicity, EVERYTHING detailing why it was so important, yet had no idea what it was even for? Weiss showed her first emotion since he had come over…utter revulsion which went unnoticed by him.
"I'll admit," Henry stayed true to his assertion of honesty if nothing else. "I only come to these for the food and free drinks." As if in emphasis, he reached over and took a glass from a passing sever while half downing it in one sip. "That and the extraordinary company," he added as if to cover himself. "So what, is it another Mantle Fundraiser or something?" He was so full of himself he didn't notice Weiss silently boiling at his words. She inhaled deep in anger, no longer able to stand the sight of him.
"Funny, and here I thought everyone coming to this part was supposed to be educated," a deep smooth voice remarked from the side before she could demand his removal from the room. Weiss couldn't believe her ears and soon her eyes followed as she recognized who had just stepped in to keep her from throwing Henry out.
"Flynt?"
Flynt Coal stood before her wearing a fancier version of the suit and tie he donned at the Vytal Festival albeit with the shirt tucked in and the jacket. He looked much more professional than he often liked to dress yet still had his black shades on.
"Excuse me?" Henry Marigold asked, clearly disbelieving of what he'd just heard.
"Well," Flynt stepped closer while motioning towards the painting. "You claimed you have no idea what this event was put together for, the entire purpose behind it, when it is literally written right in front of you."
In front of the painting was a lone sign with the words "SHOW THE WORLD WE CARE: All proceeds go to the Kingdom of Vale" in large, hard to miss letters.
"You might have had one too many," Flynt motioned towards the half-empty glass in his hand. "If I were you I'd want to step off before you make an even bigger fool of yourself in front of your hostess…for goodness sake."
Henry Marigold was fuming but dare not make a scene as it wouldn't be proper. With a final huff he stormed off looking for the food tray and another stronger drink. Weiss turned to the one person she never expected to see.
"Flynt, what are you doing here?"
"Well Schne…Weiss," the trumpet player corrected as he extended his hand in greeting similar to Henry. Weiss took it and squeezed, not minding in the slightest when he leaned forward to kiss the back of it. She knew full well how much the young man hated her name, he was seeing her and nothing else. "My dad was able to get our shop back off the ground, having a son known for fighting at the Fall of Beacon certainly helped."
"But, what if…"
"The best part, with the dust embargo General Ironwood initiated, your father needs all the allies he can get to turn a profit. You didn't hear it from me, but a few deals here and there and the Dust Coalition was back on its feet."
Weiss stared blankly at the name. And here I thought Yang was back at Patch.
"Dust COALition?"
"Hey," Flynt straightened his suit indignantly. "It's clever, sometimes a catchy name is all you need to get things going. Can't say I'm very much a fan of this highbrow crowd though; do you have any idea how much I had to hold back clocking the first three guys I spoke to? Had their heads so far up their own…"
"I-it's…nice to have another friendly face here," she interrupted quickly. "I thought maybe this could help everyone even a little but…"
"Don't let that guy get ya down," he reassured her as best he could. "Despite the oblivious nature of way too many people in this room, we have raised quite a lot of money. Did the rest of your team get to make it by chance?"
Flynt didn't need an answer; the defeated expression on her face told him everything.
"Sorry."
"It's okay, I just feel so useless here…like this painting."
"I dunno, I rather like it," Flynt swirled his untouched glass he had only for show. "I think I can find a nice room for it."
It took Weiss a moment to get his meaning, letting the slightest fringes of a relieved smile to grace her lips turning to him. The painting WAS expensive, but he didn't care, if it helped the people of Vale even a little…
"We all do our part, regardless of how small it is," he reassured her. "If you don't think you can do that here…just know you've got friends watching your back."
"I…"
"But really, does it come as any surprise what happened to Vale?" The shrill voice seemed to cut through the air over the other numerous conversations in the hall. The source of it was a blonde woman speaking louder than she should have; the slurred words gave away the reason why. "It was a long time coming if you ask me."
"Honey," the man she was speaking with tried to placate her words to no avail. He was clearly quite uncomfortable at her proclamations.
"Weiss, she's not worth…" Flynt started as he could almost sense what was going through her mind as he thought the same, though already knew deep down it was a futile effort.
"What?" She laughed, too drunk to get his meaning. "You said the same thing last night. If they're so arrogant to think they can get by without proper kingdom defense, then I say good riddance."
And that's what did it, her completely cold uncaring words at the fate of hundreds swept away what silver lining and acceptance the young heiress had found that evening. Despite the peace having another friend nearby brought her, Weiss' calm exterior snapped like a twig.
"SHUT UP!"
The entire room fell silent at her shout, the eyes of the entire room focusing on Weiss and nowhere else. Her father stared wide-eyed, his face screaming restrained anger and confusion in such a public setting.
"You don't have a clue, none of you do!" She continued her pent up rant of frustration finally having bubbled over.
"Excuse me?" The drunken woman shouted back, almost stumbling as she did so.
"You're all just standing around talking about nothing! Worrying about your hair…your money, your stupid problems that don't mean anything!"
Jacques Schnee stormed over to his daughter, grabbing her wrist securely.
"Let go of me!"
"That is enough, you are embarrassing this family!"
"Mr. Schnee!" Flynt stepped forward. "She said…"
"I SAID LET GO!" Weiss pulled hard enough to break her father's hold on her, tumbling to the hard marble floor below.
Before anyone could move, a glyph appeared beside Weiss glowing white and blue. With a quick flash of light a new form took shape…a Boarbatusk Grimm. Not even the young Schnee girl realized it was identical to the one she had bested in Professor Port's class so long ago. It was different than the ones seen by huntsmen in the wild, rather than the black body and white mask, its entire body was snow-white from head to toe with blue designs wrapping around the giant tusks.
The entire room rushed away from the creature, Flynt moving forward to put himself between the Grimm and Weiss though the creature never once looked her way. Instead it was focused intently on the blonde woman who had voiced such heartless remarks. With a ferocious roar it charged her way full speed.
"No, please stop I'm sorry I was wrong just leave me be!" She screamed too afraid to move. The Grimm was deaf to her pleas and leapt towards her.
A green beam of energy impaled the monster mid-jump, stopping its advance as the corpse slumped to the ground mere inches from the woman's feet before shimmering out of existence. A familiar redheaded girl stood near the doorway, a single blade floating over her head already converted into a laser platform. At the looks of terror at her presence she swiftly withdrew it into her back once more, a look of timid uncertainty on her face with so many looking at her. As always, she was by General Ironwood's side.
"K-keep that away from me and arrest her!" The woman roared in anger now that the danger had passed.
Ironwood looked over to Weiss lying on the ground, Flynt still checking her for injuries, yet made no move to take her into custody.
"What are you waiting for? She's insane and should be locked up!"
"She's the only one making any sense around here," Ironwood replied with a cold stare straight into the woman's eyes which cut off her burst of courage, she quickly glanced away at his look of utter disdain. Once it was obvious no others would make a move against Weiss he finally relaxed, Penny leaning in to offer aid to which Ironwood waved off. "Thanks for the party Jacques," were his last words before walking out, having had enough of the festivities for one night.
Weiss looked up sheepishly, she knew what her father would look like and he did not disappoint. His vision narrowed towards her, the dozens of eyes watching were the only thing forcing him to keep his calm. Just when she thought she could take no more of that stare it was blotted out…by Flynt.
"Are you alright?" He asked, having stepped between Jacques and his daughter, holding out his hand. Taking it hesitantly, Weiss was pulled gently to her feet, noticing the look of concern on his face, at how obviously genuine it was. "What was that thing?"
"That…was me," Weiss admitted silently as she squeezed his hand a little tighter all the while dreading the conversation with her father soon to follow.
I did it again…Winter was right.
Back in the village…
Ember had retreated alongside his partner Tyrian, the two facing down the legendary huntsman before them having arrived from seemingly nowhere to protect the students.
"As I live and breathe," Tyrian announced, throwing up his arms before bowing low in a sign of true respect. "Qrow Branwen, a TRUE Huntsman has entered the fray!" Ember similarly bowed but not quite as low or politely as before.
Qrow looked over the two quizzically before turning to Ruby, silently asking what was going on with a simple glance.
"I don't know," Ruby shrugged. "They're weird."
"Look…fellas," Qrow replied. "I don't know who you two are, but you need to leave my niece alone."
The armored knight placed his hand over his heart and bowed again. "I am Ember, Knight of Cinders in service to the Fall Maiden."
Qrow glanced down at the emblem burned into the breastplate before replying flatly. "Really? Gee I never would have guessed."
"And I friend am Tyrian, though I am afraid this is not possible. Our assignment from her Grace was to retrieve this young girl. So that is what we must do, one does not upset the Queen."
"Queen?" Ruby asked, still confused. If it wasn't Cinder then…
"Salem," Qrow gritted through his teeth.
"Who?"
"I feel we have had enough talk, do you not agree dear Ember?"
"It would seem so," the knight agreed. "You handle the old bird, I'll take the hatchlings."
"If you think I'll just let…" Qrow started.
With a giddy smile Tyrian threw himself at Qrow, Ember simultaneously swinging around and firing his lance at Team RNJRR still waiting in the distance. This time they saw it coming and successfully avoided the blast.
Ruby leapt up the side of a building, taking a sniper position overseeing the village so she could monitor and assist in both battles. She took aim at the armored knight, yet her finger locked up as she tried to pull the trigger. No matter whom she aimed at through the scope of her rifle, all she could see was Horatio's face. The remainder of Team RNJRR charged.
Ember was the antithesis of Tyrian, where the scorpion-Faunus would dance, cartwheel and otherwise find ways of evading their attacks; Ember fought them head on. His lance had an impressive reach being nearly six feet long though was still short for the weapon type normally meant for mounted combat. Even Nora could not easily get close enough to use her hammer; Ember swung his weapon about, parrying it to the side…he all but ignored Ren and Olivia's support fire.
Jaune rushed him, sliding underneath an attack to get in close. Now in range Jaune raised his sword, bringing it down on the knight.
I'm too close for him to use it!
Ember rotated the handle around, bringing the large handguard to bear. With a clash of steel it deflected Jaune's strike. Tilting his weapon downward he buried it in the ground several feet past Jaune and pulled the trigger.
The explosion blasted the stonework apart, picking Jaune up into the air. In a flash Ember spun, kicking him square in the center of his armor and throwing him across the courtyard. Ren had given up on his long-range strategy, spinning over the lance he planted both feet into Ember's chest with his full weight behind them.
Cinder's knight grunted but did not budge.
Grabbing Ren's feet he pulled him off, throwing him full force into Nora who was charging from behind. The two tumbled to the ground together, Ren clearly unmoving after they stopped.
Olivia was on him, bringing down her mace full swing at his head. Ember caught her wrist, stopping the attack before it could reach. He hesitated as his face locked with hers, a pair of dark eyes and a sinister smile greeting him. In that instant she brought her pistol to bear, unloading it point blank into his head. The knight grunted as the bullets impacted the armor, succeeding in denting the helmet at the bridge of the nose. She used his own grip on her as leverage to twist impossibly to deliver a solid kick to the side of his head.
With a heave he threw her across the courtyard, she rolled several times before righting herself, eyes normal again.
Across the battlefield Qrow led Tyrian onto an unsteady rooftop. He had managed to trick the Faunus onto a collapsing beam but he had been too fast, wrapping a tail around the experienced huntsman and dragging him inside.
"Help Qrow, we'll need him to take this guy!" Jaune shouted towards Ruby's perch, standing up again and staring Ember down. "We'll hold him off!"
Ruby looked concerned but nodded in understanding and turned, racing off to help her Uncle, Olivia following close behind. Nora was making sure an unconscious Ren was comfortable.
"You make an admirable knight," Ember complimented. "But you cannot win this battle. Prithee Mr. Arc…stand down."
"Not…happening," Jaune huffed. Despite his strong words to Ruby his body ached all over even through his aura, meanwhile Ember stood there completely unharmed.
"I will not harm her, I gave my word."
"YOU ARE TAKING HER TO CINDER!" Jaune roared, remembering the last sight of Pyrrha limping at Patch.
"She…is not as evil as you may have heard," the knight rationalized. "I would do my best to ensure my lady did not harm Ms. Rose."
"A friend of mine once thought better of her too," Jaune growled. "He died for it!"
The knight said nothing; glancing to the side he spotted a puddle of water, the surface reflecting back his armored helm. Ember lowered his lance to the ground, his desire to continue fighting completely drained. Jaune stared at his opponent in confusion, his face still unreadable beneath the dark Nevermore wings of his helmet.
Across the Field…
Olivia and Ruby rushed to the building they had spotted Qrow and Tyian collapse inside. Dust and debris could be seen kicking up inside as they continued their struggle. The side of the house exploded outward, Ruby's uncle flying out like a projectile. Expertly while in mid-air he threw his sword far ahead, allowing it to imbed itself into the ground. He caught the handle protruding from the ground with his shoes, skidding through the pavement to a halt perched atop his sword.
"Mr. Bran…" Olivia started before noticing the red shimmer of his aura, it had collapsed. In an instant Tyrian emerged from the house rushing Qrow's location, the flash of blue betraying that his aura had fallen as well. They were evenly matched it seemed.
Qrow parried his initial strike, as Tyrian swung back around Ruby was there, knocking his follow-up away with Crescent Rose. Ruby pulled the trigger, causing a bullet to fly past, Tyrian's face taking a few strands of hair with it…a live round.
Olivia crept up from behind, swinging her mace down with all her might. As with Nora's hammer, his scorpion tail deflected it, though his shoulder was singed by the resulting explosion. She fell back and reconverted to a rifle.
Tyrian laughed at Ruby's sudden inclusion to the battle, clearly not seeing her or Olivia as a credible threat. "Do you wish to be taken?"
"No," Ruby replied with conviction though sweat was running down her face and her hands shook. "But I will not stand by as someone gets hurt!" With that last word she rushed forward, Qrow close behind.
Qrow and his niece swung their respective weapons from both sides, forcing Tyrian to use each of his wrist blades to catch them. Olivia kneeled and fired several precision rounds towards the faunus' legs in an attempt to cripple him. To her growing frustration despite his aura having fallen, his tail deflected each shot with little effort. His reaction time was insane.
Tyrian spun, kicking Qrow away as he clashed with Ruby, his first blow easily parrying her scythe to the side, his second brought forward to finish her off. Qrow jumped between them, blocking his follow-up swing and protecting his niece.
"Ruby!" He shouted, his voice full of concern and strain. "I thought you were done fighting! Get back!"
"This is my fight too, I won't just hang back scared!" Ruby glared daggers at Tyrian as she ran around, swinging low to take his legs out from under him. The agile fighter easily jumped over her attack while still clashing with her uncle.
"No, it's not that…it's…" Qrow started but did not get a chance to finish. Tyrian bounded off the veteran Huntsman's sword towards Ruby, catching her in the chest and driving her backwards.
Ruby slammed into the wall of the building behind them, shaking it off she prepared herself for his attack…unaware that her impact had dislodged a beam above her head, bringing it down atop her.
Her uncle was faster; blasting past Tyrian he cleaved the beam in two, both halves narrowly missing Ruby by the smallest of margins. Ruby and Qrow shared a heartfelt smile at his timely rescue.
"Mr. Branwen, look out!" Olivia cried, eyes darkening as her smile lit up. While the two were briefly distracted the crazed faunus' tail had lashed out, headed directly for him. Thinking fast, the girl reconverted her mace and swung, catching his tail before it reached him and deflecting it using the force of the explosion. Tyrian turned and caught a glimpse of her eyes in that instant, not even upset at his failed strike.
"Ravishing," he licked his lips. Unexpectedly, the tail twisted mid-parry, its stinger lashing out at a new target…
Across the Square…
A scream of pain echoed from the other side of the courtyard drawing their attention.
The tip of Tyrian's stinger had lodged itself in Ruby's shoulder, his eyes glowing purple with glee as his poison coursed through her. His giggling laughter of victory quickly turned to pained screams as Ruby raised Crescent Rose and with a single weak pull of the trigger severed his tail just below the stinger.
"YOU BITCH!" Tyrian roared, his appendage thrashing about randomly in extreme pain spraying its purple poisoned liquid in spurts. With a final burst of strength, what was left of his tail caught the poisoned huntress in the chest, sending her soaring back across the village and through a nearby building.
Ember realized the building Ruby had crashed through was close. Ignoring Jaune, he rushed to the hole in the rubble, spotting the unconscious huntress with blood running down her face, her shoulder discoloring purple fast. Tyrian was still scurrying about despite his pain, keeping Qrow and Olivia from rushing to her.
She won't last long. He was so locked on her form, his mind conflicted that he did not notice the movement out of the corner of his eye until it was too late.
Nora slammed Magnhild with all the force she could muster into the side of Ember's head. The knight staggered only a little, the true damage being to his helmet as the left half shattered into a thousand pieces having been weakened by Ren's attack and Olivia's previous barrage. She ceased her assault upon seeing Ruby, her face contorting with fear.
Ember brought an armored glove up immediately to shield the left side of his face. A single line of blood dripped down his cheek from a shard of metal that had slowly cut across it by sheer luck with just insufficient force for him to protect against it. His visage remained covered; Nora could only see a few tufts of unruly dark brown hair and blood flowing around the gauntlet.
"So you aren't invincible," she remarked, panting in frustration that her best swing had failed not once, but twice that day and barely scratched him.
"She won't survive without me now," Ember half-threatened. "Tyrian's poison is quite potent, but I can save her."
Please don't make me push the issue!
"You are going to save her…NOW!" Nora threatened, converting Magnihild into its grenade launcher form.
"I'm sorry," he whispered so softly he didn't know if they heard him.
Aiming his gunlance towards Jaune he fired. The cannonball landed a few feet to his left, the explosion's shockwave impacting his armor, sending him skidding across the battlefield once again. Almost missed by Nora, Ember struck the side of his weapon harshly as if to make sure it was still functioning. That completed, he took aim towards the unconscious Ren in the distance.
"NO!" It was too late as the armored knight pulled the trigger.
Nora thought fast, switching back to her hammer she stood atop the head before he fired. As she had done back at the breach, she fired the grenades within to propel her at great speeds to chase after the projectile heading for her childhood friend. Even as fast as she was, she couldn't overtake it quickly enough; at best she could shield Ren from the blast.
With a final kick, she sprang ahead; Ember had overshot him so the cannonball would explode a bit behind him. She crouched down, ready to take the hit and ensure Ren wouldn't…
The cannonball clanged off the stone streets, surprising Nora as no explosion accompanied it. The defective explosive just kept rolling until it disappeared into the brush in the distance.
A dud? She looked over the area, certain there must be a trick. Yet even after waiting, there was no sign of a delayed detonation and even if it did, it was now sufficiently far to prevent injury. Only then did she realize what had happened. He had drawn her away, Ren was down, Jaune was down and Qrow with Olivia were chasing off the creepy scorpion across the square who had started a hasty retreat. She had been the only thing protecting…
"Ruby!" Nora rushed back to the building but could see before arriving she was too late.
The crater of beams and debris within the broken structure was empty. Ruby was gone with only Crescent Rose having been left behind. There was no sign of the knight or hyperactive huntress anywhere. Despite the short amount of time that had passed since she looked away, they were nowhere to be found.
As Nora looked about for any sign of where they might have gone, Qrow approached from behind, panting from the intense battle while Olivia rushed to look over Jaune and Ren.
"Wh-where is she?" He asked, eyes widening at what the terrified expression on Nora's face meant. "WHERE IS RUBY?"
The heiress to the Schnee Dust Corporation sees the uncaring and cold world she was born into brought forth as RNJRR loses one of their own. Will they be able to track down the Knight of Cinders before he absconds with their friend to the realm of the mysterious master in black? As always, Read and Review…but most of all Enjoy! :D