Lelouch of Zero: Happy New Year to you too! You aren't wrong about HERO's love life, especially poor Horatio. Even in his past, how wonderful it would have been for Horatio to have been friends with Ren and Nora if fate had been kinder...

And with that...ONTO THE SHOW!

The former heiress held out her hand, focusing in front of her while still fuming. Her father had removed her status as heiress in light of her recent outbursts under the excuse that the fall of Beacon had been too much for her. No one would know the truth, after taking Myrtenaster he'd forbidden Weiss from leaving her room…"she was grounded" he had said. Klein did his best to alleviate the isolation, but the rest of the staff was on the side of her father, none would cross him openly.

I…I thought I knew what he would stoop to. To do all of this just to save face!?

She clenched her hands tightly, a small glyph shimmering on the floor. It was the size of her standard ones yet had a symbol of greatswords protruding from it, the same she had called into being under fire in Beacon. She had been practicing when she was certain no one was watching but it had been slow. Winter explained long ago that summoning took great focus and was easier with a medium to ground her thoughts. Up until recently that had been Myrtenaster, even without it Weiss refused to just sit back and play the role of good girl again. Her frustration was not helping; as it stood she could barely summon a normal glyph to say nothing of summoning which had eluded her for years WITH Myrtenaster.

The sound of knocks at her heavy wooden door broke her concentration yet again, scattering her glyph to the winds. She turned with a huff.

"Go AWAY!" She shouted for the tenth time that day. If it wasn't Whitley mocking her imprisonment it was servants ensuring she was still in her room. She'd had enough.

"Okay," a familiar voice whispered through the door. "But if you don't want this mug of steaming hot coffee…"

Weiss rushed over and threw the door open, the stand-in for the Dust Coalition awaiting her with a mug in-hand. Eyes wide, she grabbed the surprised man by the collar and pull him inside, glancing down each hall to ensure no one saw him.

"What are you doing here?" She whispered harshly, unsure if she wanted to hit or hug him. "What if somebody spotted you?"

"It's good to see you too Weiss," he grinned that confident yet smug expression that drove her nuts. "Thought you could use someone to talk to, don't worry I'll be gone before anyone notices."

"I…" She calmed herself, the frustration of the past few days focusing on Flynt without cause. After a deep breath, she plopped down on her bed with a sigh. "I'm sorry, but…"

"You want to leave?" Flynt knew her mind. "Don't worry, we've got a plan."

Weiss looked up at him, eyes wide in surprise. "We?"

"You have at least one good friend here," he winked. "Just don't let them get ya down; we'll spring ya in no time."

"But, if you are caught…"

"Please," Flynt straightened his tie confidently. "As far as father of the year and his miniature clone will know, you disappeared into thin air."

"Flynt…"

"Ah, don't get sentimental yet on me," he looked away, hiding a spike of warmth on his cheeks. "Save it for when you're free."

A renewed knock caused Weiss to jump; it was much too heavy to be Klein.

"Ms. Schnee," the voice of another maid called out. "I thought I heard voices in there. Are you alright?"

Weiss scrambled for an excuse yet Flynt never budged from his spot as if uncaring that he was about to be caught. Without a sign of worry, he raised a hand to his lips for silence. It was only then that Weiss noticed his tie as her attention was drawn to his chest. While normally light-blue, this one was a softer shade of red, she gasped as the answer came to her.

"We got this," he whispered before shimmering out of existence, his semblance finally dissipating to leave the Schnee daughter standing alone just as the door opened. The older maid glanced around confused, clearly noticing that Weiss was alone

"What?" The huntress-in training remarked as she took a sip of the still-hot coffee. "You've never talked to yourself before? Now if you would leave…I have more practice to do."

If I am getting out of here, I'll be at the top of my game by then. Flynt isn't give up so neither can I!

Salem's Domain…

Mercury was ducking, weaving and jabbing. It was his usual routine when Ember was not around to spar against. Emerald was nearby taking aim at a row of wooden dummies, each shot hitting their mark dead center.

Cinder oversaw them, but only passively as she watched their routines. Neither could match her, yet in time perhaps they could become a fearsome force. Compared to the others serving Salem they were pale imitations, but with more time…

She had a book in-hand, eyes drifting over the words which soothed her mind. This one in particular was on the tactics and strategies of the Great War, a fascinating read on how the King of Vale won so many victories. Most of it was surely fictitious as it made no mention of the very items that granted his victory…still, she had to admit many of the downplayed accomplishments were rather ingenious. Cinder stroked back a strand of dark hair that had gotten in her way. Ember had not been paying an empty compliment when he remarked that her hair was growing back. Amazingly, it was progressing much faster than even the good Professor had estimated.

They had limited time before her own training would continue. The recovering Fall Maiden watched over her disciples, ensuring none of their time or movements were wasted. Salem had her elites…and in time she would have hers. The vision was clear in her head, clearer than it had been in many months. Two disciples who could only grow stronger, a knight by her side and one quarter of her desired goal, there was much to do, but it was a start. Her epiphany of utilizing every moment had given her a peace of mind and clarity that eluded her initially since the fall. The frustration seemed to abate every day; it was wasting her time more than anything else.

It's almost nothing like it was not too long ago…

Not Too Long Ago…

Cinder rolled to the side grumbling miserably, it felt like morning. Anyone not accustomed to the realm of darkness could never distinguish the times of day, but she could and it didn't help. She had not slept well; between the pain and inability to speak she was at her frustration's end. On top of that, the image of the latest painting by Horatio, injuries and all, would not leave her mind.

How anyone can be so blindingly naïve despite all he's seen is…

At his thought Cinder only then noticed something was missing, it took her a moment but she soon realized…she was hungry. Every morning since awakening, Horatio had appeared at the ungodly early hours of the morning, breakfast tray in hand. She would grumble, begrudgingly allow him entry and to leave the food before departing. The system had worked until now. There was no smell, no knock and the hour was clearly much later than even his tardiest day. There was no sign of him.

A loud rap at the door startled her, heavier than usual.

What took him so long, I swear I'll…

Instead of the young former huntsman, Salem's hunter Tyrian greeted her, the same smile scarcely holding back the manic nature behind his eyes ever present. It was hard to tell with him, but the sinister scorpion appeared giddier than normal.

"My apologies for waking our Fall Maiden," he announced dramatically as ever, bowing low. "I was sent with a message from our Queen."

Cinder narrowed her eyes in annoyance at him, silently demanding he get to the point.

"She wishes to thank you for allowing the use of your…caretaker for the time being," his smile widened at the restrained but present expression of surprise on Cinder's face. "She wishes to convey that she is hoping to return him in as near to original condition as possible depending on his outlook."

"Where…?" Cinder croaked, her voice low and hoarse. Even that much was absolute agony to her yet she let her face betray none of the pain.

"Oh, where she has gone with him I know not nor asked…and neither should you." His eyes narrowed towards her and his voice lowered. When he was carrying the word of Salem, his conviction was unbreakable.

Where could she have taken him? Surely still within her domain, perhaps the arena, the pools…the gallows?

Cinder cycled through each of the areas of Salem's realm she had visited and was well aware of in her time, yet without more information each one was as likely as the last. Tyrian just stood in front of her as if fully aware of her turmoil, grinning devilishly. It was as if he could read her mind; know of the ache that was ripping through her chest she wanted to stop. She could reduce him to a husk with a thought, though knew what would happen if she did…and so did he.

"Get…out…"

"Of course," Tyrian bowed low once more. "I was but the messenger, it will be up to your little pet to make it through the days." Turning to leave, he suddenly turned as if his next remark totally slipped his mind. "Oh, and her Grace also commanded to head to the Infirmary…something regarding giving you a hand." He glanced to the stump of her left arm.

Cinder clenched her fist, orange flames licking at her sole remaining eye. Despite the terrifying expression she was exhuming, Tyrian's crazed demeanor and uncontrolled laughter never wavered as he closed the door and departed with a practical skip to his step. The Fall Maiden was fuming; generating an orb of fire in her hand she turned inward and aimed at the first thing she saw.

She hesitated, aiming at the shelf filled with every book Horatio had read as she lay there prostrate after regaining consciousness, the one he had discovered on twin gods was missing, he rarely went anywhere without it. She turned, realizing if she fired she'd hit the table, the map on the wall, even the hideous plants he had brought in. No matter where she looked she saw something else he had brought to fill the room with life. Finally she saw the small desk near her bed, the portrait of Team CRMS staring back at her through those eyes that would never be hers.

Cinder squeezed the fireball in her hand in frustration, allowing it to detonate harmlessly without damaging anything. She was shaking, having so much power at her fingertips, yet in that moment it was all utterly worthless. At last she stood up straight, smoothing out her dress and exhaling with relief that no one had seen her near-outburst as she slowly calmed.

He will return, I should control myself better. I will grow stronger, heal and recuperate and when he returns…I will be here.

Present Day…

I believed that then, and he did.

Cinder remembered that sense of triumph, of…elation when he emerged through the council chamber doors in his new armor. That had been the first time she laid eyes on him since the pavilion, falling to a knee and professing his loyalty to protecting her. Despite whatever Salem had put him through, his eyes were the same when he removed his helmet on the terrace, when they…before they were separated again.

"Are you prepared?"

Cinder turned; in the doorway was none other than the Mistress of the Keep, Salem herself in all her dark splendor. As always, she was accompanied by her seer, Mercury and Emerald ceased their training at her entrance.

Cinder stood, bowing in reverence before answering with a single nod.

"Excellent…now leave us," she referred to Mercury and Emerald who both hastily complied though a bit slower as they subtly awaited Cinder's confirmation nod.

Salem watched them closely until both were out of the room and the giant heavy doors slammed shut behind. From the shadows obscuring the edges of the arena, a pair of Alpha Beowolves with glowing green eyes emerged. It seemed she would be continuing the same training regimen she had since Ember's departure.

"Now, I want you to…"

A soft clicking sound interrupted her words; slowly she glanced over to the corner bench where a small glass orb lay. The immature eye was rattling, clearly alerting them to an incoming transmission from its partner in a far-off land. Salem turned back to Cinder with a smug grin, easily realizing who it was. With a wave of her hand, the pair of Grimm backed off and laid down passively.

"Well? Aren't you going to answer that?"

Mistral Train Station…

"This is…different," Oscar thought as he plopped down in his seat on the train car heading to The city of Mistral. He'd gone to fairs and other events in towns near the farm but it would be his first time heading to the "big city" as his aunt put it. Fortunately she had provided more than sufficient funds for a ticket and that was no object. Already the train had started moving; they should be in the city by end of the following day.

This will almost go all the way to Mistral; from there it is a simple walk to the city. Ozpin remarked after a rather lengthy time of silence since the locomotive had started moving.

"Why are we stopping in the city again? Wouldn't it be better to go on straight to Haven?" Oscar asked as he pulled out the book on Haven Academy with the picture of the Headmaster's office he knew so well now. He was getting better at this, trying to help where he could so he was doing a bit more than being a glorified taxi for Ozpin.

Normally yes, but the Headmaster has been...irrational in his recent actions. I want to rendezvous with another colleague of mine before then.

"How will he know to meet us if I'm the only one who knows about your return?"

He is very reliable and has done well over the years. I can't guarantee WHEN he'll come by, but I know a few hang outs of his. If he is in the city following the trail which I am sure he is or will be soon, then we'll find him.

"That's good," the former farmhand sighed as he leaned back. A shadow loomed beside him signifying another passenger wished to enter, likely his neighbor for the trip as the train was packed quite full. "Sorry, is there enough roo…"

The newcomer was an absolute monster of a man, towering so high his hair almost scraped the ceiling. He wore a short sleeved coat in two different shades of green over a black undershirt and matching pants. His expression was flat and unreadable as he slid in beside Oscar, barely fitting into the booth they shared. Why was he just coming by now, the train had been moving nearly an hour by this point and there'd been no sign of him?

Don't…say…a word, Ozpin's words sent a wave of cold through Oscar's body. Afraid to even think the question of why, he pulled the book up closer to his face hope to obscure his eyes. Unfortunately it was noticed as his neighbor glanced over.

"You don't need to fear me kid," the man muttered in a tone MANY decibels lower than his own. "Appearances can be deceiving."

"O-okay," he stuttered despite Ozpin's warnings. If only to placate the intimidating passenger, he lowered the book to a more natural level.

"Going to Haven Academy?" He asked gruffly, taking note of the book in his hands.

"Y-yes, I want t-to be a huntsman," he could practically hear Ozpin inhale nervously in his head.

"…Why?"

"To help people," his courage spiked somewhat at the simple question though he made sure not to mention the voice telling him to. "It seems like after what happened at Beacon, people willing to do the right thing are needed more than ever."

"You can help people in ways other than becoming a huntsman," he replied coldly, no longer looking at the fourteen-year old. Somehow that made Oscar feel better, he looked out the window as well watching the rocky terrain pass by. "Being a huntsman is not as glamorous as I am sure that book makes it out to be."

"It isn't about glamour!" Oscar blurted out, drawing the giant's eyes back to him. "It's about doing what is right! About doing what I can, b-being a hero," the boyhood fantasy of his came to the forefront of his thoughts. It was unrealistic, he knew, yet that was the first word to come to his mind in that moment."

"Not all huntsmen are heroes. You'll learn that in due course kid."

That line ended all dialogue between them; they just sat there as Oscar continued pretending to read his book as the burly stranger stared forward with crossed arms. He was either sleeping with his eyes open or meditation, they could not tell which.

That man is very dangerous, with any luck we can just make it to Mistral in silence. Perhaps if we…

The train lurched suddenly, throwing Oscar from his seat towards the aisle though he was caught by his neighbor who prevented him from being jettisoned with a single hand. The young boy looked up with an awkward grin of thanks.

"What happened?"

"…Grimm." The bulky neighbor cracked his neck and took to the aisle.

On cue, metal shutters lowered over the windows making it difficult to see outside. The clear sound of heavy cannon fire could be heard from atop the train, many were outfitted in similar ways to fend off attack once beyond the limits of defensible towns or cities.

"What kind of Grimm could possibly have stopped a train?" Oscar shouted as he looked through the blinds as he could.

Oscar spotted the explosion of dirt and debris as the creature punched its way through the cliffside not far. The black body and white mask confirmed its status as a creature of Grimm, but the monster was unlike any the young farmhand had ever read about. It resembled a large worm however its girth had to be as large as the train itself. The mask split open from all sides revealing an immense maw disappearing down its length, the end of which couldn't be seen from how long it was. The remainder of it disappeared into the tunnel from whence it had emerged. Dust shells and heave ordinance impacted its carapace; however the thick skin seemed to be taking the shots with little effect.

An Arrakin, Ozpin sighed in his head. Sometimes I question if I was cursed with Mr. Branwen's semblance…

Atlas…

"And you're certain your father can supply the necessary manpower?" Jacques Schnee asked while leaning back in his chair, hand crossed in front of him.

"We have enough loyal workers," Flynt confirmed, similarly leaning back in a similar manner while crossing his legs. The two silently analyzed one another the entire time yet would never admit it. To an uninitiated outside party, the meeting would have appeared the model of perfection and courtesy. "My dad can have the distribution completed within the month."

"Excellent, it's too bad he was not so cooperative or our partnership would have been much more fruitful before the…unpleasantness."

A soft knock followed by the door opening alerted them that Klein had arrived. He was balancing a rather large silver tray filled with a complete tea set, biscuits, utensils and assorted luncheon foods. Even Jacques raised an eyebrow at how over prepared his head butler was. He could barely carry the tray before setting it down on a nearby table with a huff of relief.

"Your afternoon luncheon?" He asked, pouring a cup for both men and handing them off.

"Please," Flynt accepted the tea with a polite head nod. "It's been quite a while since I had such welcoming hospitali…"

His fingers slipped, causing the cup and its contents to fall into his lap. The young solider and entrepreneur jumped up, dropping the cup to the ground with a clatter.

"Ow!" He winced at the burning liquid, Klein was quickly at the ready, already collecting the broken shards and supplying a cloth for Flynt to wipe himself down with. "Sorry about that Mr…"

"Quite alright young man," he stood up. I am sure we can get you a change of clothes and continue with our discussions straight away."

"Why wait?" Flynt hoped his shades would hide the gleam in his eye. "I got some spare suits, if you don't mind a discussion on the go we can keep the momentum up while I get into nicer clothes…no time to waste after all."

The smile on Jacques face told him he had taken the bait.

"PRECISELY my mindset Mr. Coal, Klein you can get this later. Come, I believe I may have a solution to finding ways around this embargo the good general seems intent on continuing."

Klein shuffled out of the office; the head of the Schnee family was pleasantly surprised when Flynt held the door open for him. He followed behind Jacques and closed the door; he quickly locked it and placed the key in his breast pocket. In that moment, Jacques Schnee had no idea the levels of self-control the young man had to maintain to keep the smile on his face when all he wanted to do was scowl at the horrific excuse for a human being and father in front of him.

"Now then, these loyal workers of yours, do you think they could do a bit more heavy lifting?" The conversation echoed throughout the marble halls, the older man so engrossed in their talks that he failed to notice the hint of a shadow move across the bottom of the office door, signaling movement within.

Inside the Office…

The second Flynt left behind ducked back into the room before his shadow could be spotted beneath the door. The transition had been seamless, as militarized musician held the door open he had focused his semblance and created a clone near indistinguishable to himself save the yellow rim of his hat and tie. He had time to work…but not much.

The safe in the back looked secure yet was not as high-tech as much of the other devices in the room. His only theory was that it had been in the family a long time and Jacques Schnee had never bothered to update it. Who could possibly get so deep into his little fortress undetected?

"Two forward, one back," he muttered to himself. "Three to the left, four right, back, another few…aaaannndd…."

As Klein had informed the combination worked, popping the lock open with a resounding click and silencing any potential alarms for even a single failed attempt. As silently as he could, Flynt pulled the door just far enough to peek inside. It was a treasure trove, for any thief, every item inside was worth a small fortune yet Flynt glossed over them all. Documents on Schnee's business dealings, dust crystals of the purest quantity, family heirlooms, none were what he was looking for. Finally, with a gasp of success he spotted it…a long silver suitcase.

"Please please please please," he chanted as he opened it, verifying the contents. Sure of his find, he snapped the case shut and took it with him.

There was no way out, the moment he set foot out of the office he'd be spotted. He was too far up to climb and the window was securely locked as well. Fortunately, he and Klein had already thought of everything. Approaching the small table, he fiddled with a small nob on the side of the large silver tray the old butler had brought in…far more than it seemed.

The side popped out, revealing a hidden compartment, what the head servant in Schnee manor had used it for himself, Flynt was too afraid to ask. Carefully he removed Myrtenaster from the case and slid it within, attaching the accompanying dust cartridges to slots within to prevent them from moving in transit. Once finished, he returned the case to the safe and sealed it. He had succeeded, his mission a success, once they returned and Klein took the tray away it'd be all set to be returned to its rightful owner.

"We'll get you outta here Weiss," Flynt whispered to himself as the clone faded from existence. "I'll get to help you…and stick it to a Schnee at the same time. Everybody wins."

Kuroyuri…

Ruby was frozen in fear as the armored man entered the house, taking a seat across the flame from her. They were in the crumbling remains of a house now open to the elements. The walls were destroyed and discolored, the barest hint of a snowflake and leaves could be seen on one of the less-damaged patches.

"Where…?"

"You are safe, as are your friends," Ember assured her. "My compatriot's zeal to acquire you caused him to go too far and for that I apologize. Other than that, we will set out for my mistress' realm after rest."

"Cinder?" Ruby struggled on her bindings but it was no good. "Why are you doing this? What did I do to…?"

"You hurt her Ms. Rose," the knight interrupted. "As I said, she wishes to see you."

"To…kill me?" Ruby's face paled as she read his words, he quickly shook his head in response.

"Not as long as I stand, I promised your safety did I not?"

"But I didn't hurt her!" Ruby shouted in frustration, clearly trying to hide how scared she was. "My shot missed…I hit…" She stopped at those words, looking away to hide the tears welling in her eyes. Ember tilted his head almost quizzically.

"You…don't remember what you did to her?" The confused and scared expression told him all he needed to know. She had no idea of what occurred after her eyes turned that terrifying expression, one of pure silver.

"She led the attack," Ruby started to justify. "So many people died, Beacon destroyed, Cinder…"

"I am WELL aware of my Lady's sins," Ember interrupted calmly yet stern with a raised gauntlet. "Such accusations will not sway me if that is your intent."

Ruby looked on shocked, exasperated that he knew and still followed. "If that is true, then you can't possibly believe what she's doing is right! You have a choice to walk away!"

"I can't believe, however much I would wish it," he admitted. "But you are wrong; there is no choice for me here. I don't even want to imagine what she would become if I did something so…selfish."

"So you'll just blindly follow her orders?"

"If I did that then you would already be dead Ms. Rose." He admitted, yet there was no hint of threat or malice in his voice. Decisions are not so black and white as the fables make them out to be. I care about her, and the best place to help is by her side."

The red huntress had shuffled up into an uneasy sitting position, her hands bound in front of her. She was still panting heavily, the fever passing but not fully gone. She'd be in an exhausted state for several days at least, more than enough time to reach an airship. From her new angle she got a better look at the house they were in. A thick layer of dust permeated the area; clearly nothing had called it home in many years. Broken beams, decaying wood, unfinished and now-flaking wallpaper all painted a picture of what happened to human creations after their abandonment. The nearby table didn't even seem out of place despite a pristine circular indentation in the dust signifying something had resided there until just after their arrival to be claimed by the knight in black before her awakening.

"She's wasting her time," Ruby replied glumly. "It's not like I'd be a threat very long anyway."

Ruby could not tell, but Cinder's knight raised an eyebrow, uncertain to her meaning.

"I did something terrible, something I never wanted to do and had no idea how close I came to it every day until after it happened. I'm working to stop Cinder and whoever else caused the attack on Beacon. But I am done fighting, I…I don't want to hurt anyone. If your partner hadn't attacked my uncle and friends…"

"I heard you were trying to be a grand huntress, like in the fables," Ember remarked, surprised by her words though his voice was noticeably hesitant as if he carefully chose every word. "I find it hard to believe that you'd give that all up from one attack."

Ember saw the tears again, and the façade around his identity began to crack.

"She's going to use you too!" She finally blurted out. "That's all she does, she manipulated everyone at the school, pretended to be our friend but was working to destroy EVERYTHING the entire time." The young huntress was venting all she had bottled up since waking up in Patch and would not be interrupted. "She twists and uses others, she made one of my friends care so much he...he wouldn't admit what she was."

"And leapt before your bullet?" Ruby didn't even question how he knew.

"I killed him all because of her, for his sake I can't just walk away from this, not yet. I'll stop her, then...I don't know, but I won't be anywhere near fighting."

"He wouldn't want that," the knight muttered, his word choice not quite as refined, the voice lighter. He had been unaware of the blame Ruby cast upon herself and it struck him to the core at the realization and cause of her tears. "He died trying to stop an impossible situation as either outcome would have crushed him."

"Is that what Cinder told you? I don't see how someone who can do the things she did could care about anyone."

"In that you are wrong Ruby, she cared for him and him for her…more than you know. A darkened heart is not completely drained of humanity. He would not want you to lose that spark of life because of him."

Ruby's eyes squinted at those words, slowly rising up towards his. His voice had gotten less deep, more casual…and his use of her first name stood out. The words he used echoed a similar conversation she'd had in front of an easel just before her world had crumbled.

"What did you say?"

"I mean," his voice deepened as he turned and fumbled with something in his pocket. "If all goes as I intend you will survive the encounter, it would be a great shame to know you dropped off the map and abandoned your resolve out of fear. I believe it's time to report in."

Ruby looked on confused as he produced a small glass orb from his pack, placing it on a shelf overlooking both of them. He rubbed it gently, causing lights to form within and forcing her to squint. Within a matter of seconds, the shape of Cinder Fall shimmered into being. The young huntress looked her up and down, taking note of the new appearance. She looked more refined yet terrifying in her new robe; the longer left sleeve was obvious and she could almost make out a black mask behind her bangs obscuring the left eye and the rough tissue of a large scar protruding from beneath.

Did…I do that?

Ember fell to a knee before the orb, head bowed low.

"Lady Fall," he started, Ruby could not help but notice Cinder's silent groan, as if annoyed somewhat by his choice of words. "I would like to report success; I am currently seeking a route back to the Keep with Ruby Rose."

Cinder glanced to the side as if checking permission to reply. Her gaze fell on Ruby in the back whom she could clearly see, looking her up and down. A shiver ran through the young girl's spine at her look which at first seemed absolutely terrifying yet flattened after a moment. She looked almost bored or disappointed as if to say "is this it?" She immediately followed up with hand motions Ruby did not recognize though the knight appeared to, his eyes were glued to them, following each movement.

"That is…wonderful to hear. If I may be so bold, have you come to a decision on my request before parting?" Cinder's knight seemed to tense up as he awaited her answer.

The young Maiden's visage darkened, almost in reflex, her right arm gripped the left covered by a wide sleeve. She squeezed it so tightly Ruby couldn't imagine that it didn't hurt, her eyes scowled towards him. Cinder nodded only once.

"WHO?" Ruby finally shouted towards the armored knight once more, this time with purpose behind her thoughts. "Who are you?"

Cinder raised a hand, about to make the signs required to give her command. Ruby could hear the clenching of his metal gauntlets in anticipation.

A loud crash from above drew his attention as what remained of the roof started to cave in. Ember leapt, shoving Ruby to the ground as he loomed over her. The beam crashed against his back, shielding her from harm and was the last image his Maiden saw before the sphere was crushed into fragments.

"Stay down," he commanded as he shook off the debris, ensuring none fell on her. Looking up, he surveyed the cause of the collapse.

A large creature towered over them as high as the building having just smashed through with its elongated arms at the ends of each was talons sharper than any blade. Its body was that of a fearsome horse while the horrific imitation of a rider was fused with its back. The humanoid form merged atop it bore the mask of Grimm depicting a twisted smile with horns bending outward and back, its limbs twitching unnaturally as it scanned the rubble in search of them. It searched greedily, ravenous and desperately to find the sources of the intense emotions which had drawn it away from the mountain cave it called home.

Ember's visage paled behind his mask as he surveyed the monster's body. It was covered in numerous weapons, swords, axes, arrows and other means by which past huntsman and warriors across the decades had attempted to slay it and all failed. What truly caused his blood to boil was an impressively sized sword lodged through the humanoid rider and even into the equine body. It was so deep in the monstrous Grimm that it had held there for many years despite the constant pain it brought. A blade he fully recognized, eliciting a spark of anger which drew the Grimm's gaze upon his, though in that moment Ruby could not determine which was more terrifying to behold…

A torn young man confronts the creature responsible for his childhood sorrow. As the cold melts from one former heiress' heart, so too does it gather around his, unleashing the rage of frustration and pain against a more than deserving target. As Always, I hope everyone Reads and Reviews…but most of all Enjoys! :D