A Wilted Rose Still Has Thorns

by DestinyChangers

Team RWBY has finally graduated and become full fledged hunters only for everything to fall apart. Three years later after their leader's death, a mysterious figure shows up almost killing Weiss Schnee. Who is she? Who does she work for? and What is her connection to the remaining members of Team RWBY.

3. 3

So before I get started there is something I have to address and that is how these chapters seem to line up very closely to Asura Boss's Thorns of a Rose. I never actually read their story until one of you mentioned it and actually laughed at just how closely I wrote to it. This is not meant to be a copy of that story and I can say it will go in a different direction within the next few chapters. There will be a few things that pop up but this is my own stories. Thanks for all the support so far and do make sure to leave a review I love hearing about the ideas you guy have and how to make my work better. Thanks, DestinyChangers!

Pov?

A day earlier…

The compound below me was light up by bright fluorescent light as guards walked upon the surrounding wall, snow fluttered down from the sky at a slow but constant pace. The compound was one of the most secure locations in all of Atlas every five feet there was a Paladin looking over the wall and guards constantly patrolling. This was light compared to the inside. A key card was required to get inside and the hallways were filled with cameras and motion detectors.

I stepped out from my cover holding the hood over my head with one hand trying to keep the stinging wind away from my face. My other hand was holding the rifle in its collapsed form. The snow acted as cover while I snuck along the base's wall heading for a ventilation shaft. I moved swiftly trying to not even leave a footprint in the lightly packed snow.

I stopped as I reached the corner of the wall where the mountain, main building and wall met together. I looked around making sure no one saw me before turning towards the small vent. Clipping the rifle onto my back I popped the vent off revealing the shaft behind it. The shaft was only 12 inches wide and 6 inches tall. No normal person could possibly fit into the shaft but this was why my master had chosen me.

I took about ten steps back from the vent making sure I had everything attached to me, I ran forward using my semblance and dove right inside the shaft. My body collapsed into a mass of dying rose petals as I fell through the shaft. Once the shaft widened enough I deactivated my semblance and felt my body form back together. It was always a strange feeling but one I didn't mind.

I slid down the shaft slowing myself as I came to the end standing on top of a vent. With a single kick, the vent open and I fell through landing on the ground. I looked around the room and smiled as the information Mistress had given me was correct.

I was now standing inside of a small room filled with cleaning supplies. I moved towards the door and cracked it open and stepped into the hallway and began silently moving towards my destination. If the information was right like it had been so far then it would be just at the end of this hall. The sound of footsteps behind me made me stop and I quickly jumped upwards pushing my foot against the wall then grabbed a pipe running along the ceiling. I pulled myself up and hid on the ceiling as the soldiers passed below me.

Once they finished passing by I silently dropped to the ground and continued creeping along the hallway. I peeked around the corner and waited as the three guards stepped into the room. I followed them and stopped at the room they had entered. It was just my luck that they had entered the same room I needed to. I silently sighed and opened the door and stepped inside.

The three guards were facing away from me and I snuck up pulled my Yatagan from its sheath. The sound of my blade caused the Guards to turn as I thrust it into the first guard's chest piercing his spine. I swiftly pulled the blade free and spun swing the blade through the next man's neck cutting off his head. The third had been quick enough to raise his rifle at me but I activated my semblance and landed right in front of him. His eyes light up in fear as I thrust my blade straight into his heart.

I pulled the blade from the dead man's chest and leaned over him wiping the blood off on his uniform. Once it was clean I looked at it and smiled. This was the first gift I had received from my master. I smiled as I poured my aura into the sword and strange writing engraved on the blade began to light up. I had no idea what language it was but master said it said "Nox Atra" and that it translated roughly to Black night.

Sliding the blade back into its sheath I stepped over the guard's bodies and made my way over to the far wall. In the bottom corner of the wall was a vent, it also would be the way into my targets room. Using my semblance I collapsed into rose petals and entered the vent.

Once I was through the vent I reformed inside the dark room and immediately started looking around. I'd spent enough time in dark places to be able to see in them but my night vision was still not as good as a Faunus.

The room was larger than the others but was decorated almost the same. Pristine white walls and floors with no sign of art anywhere. A wooden desk sat on the far side of the room with a large bookcase to the left. To the right of the desk was a door that lead to my targets personnel quarters.

Silently stepping across the floor I edged up to the door and pulled a small dagger from my belt and pushed it into the doors bolt prying it open. Slowly I opened the door and stepped inside the room as silently as I could, making no noise at all. The room I was in was much smaller than the other and only contained a bed and a door with a small bathroom and shower. Sleeping in the bed was none other than General Ironwood himself sound asleep.

Creeping up to the General I pulled Nox Atra from its sheath ready in case the General made a move. The small glint of metal next to the General caught my eye and I reached down grabbing the source. My hand fell onto the barrel of Ironwood's bull revolver. Moving with precise movements I pulled the revolver away and slipped it into the back of my belt.

I quickly walked over the wall and flicked on the light of the room basking it in bright fluorescent lights. The general shot up in his bed and went to grab his revolver but his hands came up empty. I held Nox Altra up at the General and put the tip to his throat but held it back enough so he could talk. "Who are you and what do you want?"

I looked down to the general and flashed him a smile displaying my sharpened teeth. I pushed the blade closer to the General letting the blade cut lightly into his skin drawing blood. "I've been sent to deliver a message to you!"

The general looked at me as I pulled back the blade letting him speak. "And who is the person sending the message?"

I quickly whipped Nox Atra across the General's right side cutting his clothes open revealing his metal arm and leg. "The same person who did that to you!" I said with a hiss. The General's eyes went wide realizing just who my master was. "Her message is no matter how secure your bases are you're not safe. You can try and hide but she will always find you!""

I took a step back from the General and sheathed Nox Atra. "Is that all?" Another smile slid across my face as I pulled Ironwood's revolver from my belt and a detonator room my pocket. "No, she also wanted to set an example!" I lifted the revolver up and pulled the trigger sending the round straight into the General's right forearm blowing the metal arm apart. The General screamed in pain as he grabbed his ruined arm. I pulled back the hammer and sent another round into his kneecap.

I turned around and walked over to the General's door and opened it. "You won't get away with this, there are hundreds of guards between you and the exit." I lifted my hand as I walked out the door and displayed the detonator and hit the bright red button. The entire base shook as the explosives I'd planted along the outside detonated.

I kicked open the General's door and walked it the brightly lit hallway. I pulled Nox Altra from its sheath and walked down the hallway, The sounds of boots echoed towards me as two dozens of guards erupted from their barracks in full combat armor and rifles in hand. One of the guards spotted me and raised his rifle shouting to halt.

I cracked another smile and activated my semblance, all around me rifles erupted as bullets flew from their barrels, the world, however, had slowed to a slowed till I could see each bullet moving an inch at a time. I walked down the hallway towards the soldiers and wove my way between them while sliding my blade across their throats. By the time I reached the end of the hall and deactivated my semblance all the guard's eyes went wide as they fell to the floor choking on their own blood.

I continued down the long hallway and opted to pull out my rifle. Usually, I used it in sniper form but since I was in such close quarters I collapsed the barrel down and loaded in a magazine of shotgun shells. As guards ran down the hallway I wove through their bullets with my semblance and shot a round into each guard's skull. By the time I reached the main entrance the once pristine white hallways were now painted red.

I opened the door and stepped out into the smoky remains of the base. Ruble from the wall was spread all across the landing pad where the remains of Atlesian Paladin's where joined by the bodies of guards and half a dozen bullheads. As the wind picked up around me I allowed myself to collapse into dying rose petals and let the wind float me down the side of the mountain.

I returned to normal as I fell into a clearing where a bullhead was waiting for me. As I landed the side door opened and two figures stepped out. Both were wearing a furred jack one was colored an emerald green and the other a grey. "Hello, Emerald." I gave her a smile as she pulled down her cloak displaying her short mint green hair. "I narrowed my eye at the other and turned my smile into a snarl. "Mercury!"

Mercury pulled his own hood down and gave me a wink that I returned with a scoff. "Huh, I never thought the Master's pet could pull something off this big!" I shot across the snowy clearing and planted a punch into the side of mercury's face sending him flying back inside the bullhead. "Never call me a pet!"

No response came from Mercury as the punch had knocked him out cold causing Emerald to smile. "That's one way to shut him up." Emerald waved for me to get into the bullhead and I did stepping inside I took a seat. Emerald followed and motioned for the pilot to go before she sat across from me. "Master wants to see you for a new mission when you get back." I gave Emerald I quick nod before pulling my hood over my head and tried to drift off to sleep.

A few hours later…

I followed Emerald and Mercury down the cryptic hallway as it opened up into a large chamber. The room was quite large being over fifty feet wide and hundred and fifty feet long. A large table sat in the middle of the room running, large stained glass windows decorated the walls as I stepped past Emerald and Mercury and walked to the end of the room. I walked up the steps leading to the balcony where my master waited.

A woman with white hair up in a bun with little offshoots sat looking out over the dark crystal land. With a single movement, she turned to face me displaying her porcelain white skin with sickly looking red and purple veins. Her black robes fluttered behind her as she took a few steps towards me. "I take it your mission was a success!"

I quickly dropped to my knee and dropped my head down as Salem stood over me. "Yes, my master I did just as you asked." Salem leaned down and placed a finger under my chin and lifted my gaze to her own. "My child you need not bow before me, I may be your queen but this display is unneeded."

I hesitantly stood up and looked at Salem as she reached up to my mask and lifted it away from my face. Without my mask, the large burn marks across my eye were put on display. I opened my left eye revealing the milky white color it had been reduced to causing Salem to let out a soft sigh. "What a shame that someone as beautiful as you had such a terrible accident."

Salem's hand fell away from my face as she took a step back. "I have a new mission for you, One you will like. Go to Beacon and find Weiss Schnee. Her father has not been very cooperative as of late. I wish for you to send a message."

"As you wish my queen." I turned away and began to leave the large room but Salem's voice caused me to stop. "Do not kill her I only want to send a message!"

The metal of the rooftop below me sent a chill up to me as I laid down on it. I laid down my rifle in front of me aiming down the sight straight into the CCT tower. I had chosen to set up here because it was close enough I wouldn't have to worry about the wind but because I also had almost no obstructions to my view of the CCT's atrium.

The information Emerald had given me said that Weiss Schnee was currently in a meeting with Headmaster Ozpin and would be leaving soon. As long as this intel was good then I could do as my master order and leave. Something about Beacon made me feel tense, I couldn't explain it but it felt like Déjà vu. The thing that caused this the most was the statue in the atrium. It was of the CCT tower except the tower was light up like a beacon, the most off-putting part were the seven figures at the base with weapons in hand.

The sight caused a dull ache to form on the side of my face and where my left eye had been. Using my aura I tried to force the pain away, it worked but there was still a small pain. Whatever it was I didn't like it.

As I continued to look into the atrium I watched as a few guards stepped into an elevator and secretaries worked at their desks. A few random people sat in chairs waiting for whatever they were waiting for. None of them seemed dangerous enough to cause me any trouble.

I watched as one of the elevator doors opened and a tall blonde haired women stepped out wearing a pencil skirt a pleated white shirt and a purple cape. A voice in my head told me she was dangerous and to be on alert. I held my finger over the trigger as she walked across the atrium and began talking to one of the secretaries.

The redheaded secretary handed the women something before she turned around. At that moment a group of five people in assorted gear stepped in, again the dull ache began to spread as I held my finger over the trigger. As I passed my sights over the group my heart shattered as it fell onto two people. The first was a tall blonde haired woman with a metal arm. The sight of her caused my blood to boil and my finger to settle onto the trigger ready to fire. The only thing I knew was that she was the reason for all my pain. My rage ceased as the second figure stepped up next to the blonde, her long black hair made a single tear leaked from my eye. Something inside me made me want to go to her.

My comm in my ear beeped as Emerald voice came through to me shaking my head. "Schnee's leaving the meeting now, be ready to make your move!" I clicked the comm button once giving Emerald the ok.

I looked back through my sights as the older blonde stepped away from the group and stepped right into an elevator. At that same time, Weiss Schnee stepped out of the adjacent elevator. Her eyes fell onto the group as she ran across the atrium to meet the group. The same thing inside me screamed to end the Schnee as quickly as I could just like it had for the blonde.

I aimed the sight right at her skull as she talked to the group whatever she was saying made her look excited. The pain continued to spread across my face as a quick memory flashed across my vision. The sight of Weiss and the blonde running down a tunnel as ruble crashed around me.

Suddenly the voice of Salem entered my head reminding me to only hurt the Schnee not kill. I let out a snarl as I adjusted my sight over to her shoulder and pulled the trigger. My rifle jumped back into my shoulder as the bullet flew from my rifle through the atrium's window and into the Schnee's shoulder. The Schnee dropped the ground and four of the group jumped behind cover. The blonde dropped to the ground and held the Schnee in her hand trying to stop the blood gushing from the wound.

The sight of the blonde cradling the Schnee filled me with rage as I settled the sights on the back of her head. Salem had said not to kill the Schnee but said nothing about the blonde. I lined up the shot and squeezed the trigger as a blonde man ran across the atrium and deployed a shield on his wrist. I cursed to myself as the bullet knocked the shield throwing the man off his feet.

The black haired girl ducked around the statue as she began firing towards me with her weapon. Her shots were landing close to me but none hit. Anger welled inside me as I saw two others peaked out and begin firing. I lined up another shot and fired sending the bullet into the statue above the black haired girl casing rumble to rain down on her.

As I did the bright orange haired girl stepped out from behind cover and pulled out a grenade launcher. I watched as she pulled the trigger sending a volley of grenades into the courtyard. The explosions kicked up dust obscuring my vision of the atrium. Bullets continued to fly through the smoke as thunder cracked off in the distance. From my comms Emeralds, voice came through. "Whatever is happening you need to get out of!"

I didn't respond as I picked up my rifle and ran to the edge of the building, as I did a blade slammed into the opposite edge of the roof indicating someone was chasing after me. I quickly pulled off the glove on my left hand revealing my black metal arm. I jumped off the side of the building and shoved the fingers into the side of the building slowing my descent.

The second my feet hit the ground I released my grip on the wall and ran off towards the Emerald Forest where Emerald would be waiting. I could hear someone land hard behind me as I ran as fast as I could without my semblance. Salem had ordered that I not use and right now I wished I could.

As I was running my foot clipped a rock sticking out from the ground causing me to lose my pace. Behind me, my pursuer threw their weapon firing shooting it. I sidestepped as the blade came whizzing past my face. The person behind me pulled on the ribbon firing the weapon back towards me, reflexes took over as I pulled a knife from my belt and blocked the spinning weapon knocking it away.

I knew I couldn't run any farther now that my pursuer had stopped me, I need to face them. I slowly turned as I condensed my rifle and placed it on the magnetic holster on my back, at the same time I placed my hand on Nox Altra ready to draw it. I stopped as I turned and face the black hair from before.

We each took time as we looked at one another, She was about two inches shorter than me with long black hair and two cat ears on top of her head. Her amber eyes met mine for a brief as I continued my gaze to her outfit. Her outfit was quite simple, She was wearing a pair of tight black jeans with a red ribbon hanging out to back left side. She was also wearing a black leather jacket that cut off halfway and a plain grey T-shirt that cut off just a little bit past the jacket displaying her stomach.

My eyes fell to the blade in her hands, whatever it could do I didn't want to find out and drew my own blade while pulling my hood down letting my hair blow in the wind. The woman continued to stare at me as I lunged forward aiming to pierce her. My face continued to burn with pain as I left my chest exposed. The woman swung her sword at my chest and in an instant I grabbed the blade sheathed on my belt and blocked her attack. In my hand was a broken tanto, Master had given it to me when I'd first woken up. She said it was the only thing that I had on me when they'd found me.

As she pulled back I slashed forward with Nox Atra and my tanto blade but Nox was blocked by her katana. The tanto blade slashed through the air as it hit the woman but I felt no resistance as her form disappeared into shadows. A quick flash caught my eye as the woman jumped at me spinning her blade wickedly. As quickly as I could I lifted my leg and planted a kick as hard as I could into her chest.

The force of the kick caused the woman to tumble through the air, I took my chance and turned around sprinting for the edge of the cliff. I was so close if I could just get into the forest then I could lose her. The hairs on the back of my head stood up as I felt the woman draw closer. Instincts took over as I activated my semblance and shot forward away from her with breakneck speed.

As I hit the edge of the cliff I turned to face where the woman had been and saw her sprawled across the ground. As she looked up at me I felt that the ground below me was a hard metal panel something inside telling me it was a launch pad. I locked eyes with the girl as I lifted my foot and slammed it down as hard as I could. I felt the launch pad click below before it sent me soaring over the Emerald Forest.

As I soared through the air I activated my semblance and collapsed it a flurry of wilted rose petals and slowly fell to the ground. Once I was close enough I reformed and crashed to the ground. The pain in my face had become unbearable causing me to collapse to my knees.

I let out a scream as I ripped the mask off my face as tears poured from my eyes.

In my comms I could hear Emerald shouting at me but the pain blocked what she was saying. I continued to scream in pain as the fire on my face spread, at first it spread down my neck but quickly it spread across my entire body. I could feel darkness enter my vision as I slowly succumbed to the pain. With one last scream I let myself fall into the dark.

As consciousness returned to me I could feel myself being carried by large muscular hands. I slowly opened my eye and squinted at the brightness of the light. I slowly inched my open as it adjusted to the light.

Once my eyes had adjusted I looked up to who was carrying and my eye met the familiar sight of Hazel Rainart. I looked around and found that I was being carried down the cryptic hallways of my queen's castle towards the main room. I watched the ceiling as Hazel carried me into the room and stopped once he was halfway.

Using his low yet soft voice Hazel spoke. "My queen I've brought her like you asked." Hazel finally looked down at me and into my open eye. "I take it she is awake!"

Hazel looked back at Salem and nodded a yes. "Then put her down and leave us." Hazel nodded again and slowly lowered me placing my feet on the ground and helping me to stand. I could feel my muscles straining to hold myself as I steadied myself using Hazel large body to do so. It took a second but once I was done I nodded to Hazel who stepped away leaving Salem and me alone.

When I looked up to her I was surprised she still had her usual emotionless expression. "So do you wish to tell what happened and why Emerald was forced to find you lying unconscious in the woods."

I slowly raised my head as my eyes met her own black and red eyes. "During the mission, there was more resistance than anticipated. I managed to do as you said and injured the Schnee."

Salem stepped up to me and placed her hand on my chin raising my chin up and locking her gaze into mine. "That does not explain why Emerald had to retrieve you!"

I let out an audible gulp as Salem's hand held my head up. "When I was on the mission I had a...a memory flash...after that my face began to burn with pain…..I shot the Schnee but the pain continued even when I tried to use my aura to stop it. Someone from the CCT tower chased after me I managed to escape but I had to use my semblance. After that I got to the forest...the pain spread...and"

Salem abruptly let go of my chin as she stepped back away from me. "I see, did any of them recognize you?" I dropped my gaze away from Salem letting it fall to the floor in shame. "I do not believe so….but I had the memory flash after I saw the Schnee and a blonde woman...I was so angry but I saw a woman with black hair that I recognized….I felt ha…."

"I understand there is no need to continue. The reason for the pain was because you saw two people from your past. The two people who caused all your pain. Do not worry they shall be taken care of as for the black haired woman I do not know."

I raised my gaze feeling the same rage I had before when I'd seen the blonde. They caused my pain and they need to pay! "For now you must rest before I send you back out. Your next mission will be more important then you can believe." Salem motioned with her hand for me to leave as she walked away toward her throne. "Wait there's one thing I promised to do!"

I stopped in my tracks and turned to face Salem as she waved her hand in the air. Black shadows swirled around her hand and down around her body before swirling across the ground. "I promised to fix the damage to your face, I may not be able to fix all of it but I can fix some." I kept my eyes glued to the dark shadows and took a step back as it reached out for me. "Do not worry my child this is the same magic I used to heal you before."

The shadows sprung forward towards me and began crawling up my body towards my face. The shadows felt cold as the touched the scarred skin of my face, I felt my aura flare up and the skin repair as the shadows continued to swirl around me. With another flick of her wrist, the shadows receded from my body and flowed back into Salem.

I raised my hand to my face and couldn't help but smile feeling the smooth skin below my fingers. The only thing that remained was the long jagged scar that passed through my left eye. "Thank you!"

Turning quickly I ran down the hall and began weaving my way through the castle. I bolted up a staircase and stopped as I reached a large wooden door. I placed my hand on the door and pushed it open and stepped into the room as a tear dropped from my eye.

Inside was Cinder sitting in playing with a box filled with little connectable blocks. Sitting next to her was two little red-haired girls each with a pair of black cat ears sitting on top of her heads. I looked to Cinder who had her own tears falling from her face as she looked at my own repaired skin. The girls turned from their spots and their faces filled up with glee.

They both jumped up as quickly as they could and ran towards me. I crouched down and held out my arms as being the girls slammed into my body gripping me in a tight hug. "Hello, Kita! Hello, Ari!"

The smaller of the two girls leaned back and held her hand up wiping a tear from my face. "Your face looks so pretty Mommy!"