Chapter 11: Let's Dance

A Few Weeks Later, Team JARZ Dorm: Ravena

I look at Azura with disbelief. "Do I have to wear a tux? Aren't I supposed to be in an overly frilly ballgown?"

Azura giggles as she straightens my white tie that came with my lavender tux. "That's so cliche of the prissy rich girl, don't you think? Plus, you look hot."

"Mmm, I'm definitely not the only one, chica." I look her up and down. Her simple, thin, light blue, gauzy dress is gorgeous. It definitely brings out her eyes. "You are simply perfection in that dress, babe."

"Just simply?" Azura quirks her eyebrow at me.

I put my hand on my hip. "You know exactly what I meant, gorgeous. Now, come on. We're going to be late. I don't want Jack glaring at me when we were all supposed to meet up at the entrance together. Plus, I wanna know who Zamin brought as a date. He's been so… secretive lately." I throw open the door, holding it open for Azura, who goes the wrong way again. I facepalm. "Azura." I stand in the threshold, tapping my black wedges on the floor. "Wrong way, love."

She rushes by me with a blush on her face. "Why do I keep doing that?"

I catch up and hold my arm out for her to take. "I have no idea, but it is amusing." I chuckle softly.

Her blush gets deeper. "Shut up."

"As you wish, gorgeous."

We walk in silence for a little bit before Azura breaks it. "How do you do the whole 'rich snob' thing so well?"

I snort at her comment. "Did you forget who I am?"

"Of course not, but… It's just that you don't really show that part of yourself. Not as much as Weiss, anyway." She tightens her grip on my arm and looks away.

I press my hand to the one she has death gripped at my elbow. "I don't embrace my heritage, you mean. Yeah, I know." I look up at the sky. "I learned early on that even the rich don't always get what they want. So, I just thought that if I just acted like a normal teenager," I laugh a bit, "well, as normal as a Huntress-in-training can be, I would be accepted easier. I wouldn't have to prove myself like I would if I were in the posh crowds. Ya get me?"

She looks over at me, and our eyes lock. "Yeah, I really do." She looks ahead of us, and I follow her gaze. We're almost to the ballroom. "So, tonight, you break the mold?"

I smile widely. "Only for you."

She scoffs. "Right. Just don't get ahead of yourself, miss posh."

"Wouldn't think of it."

We arrive at the entrance to see Jack and Cori arguing, again. Jack was really just standing there, listening to Cori rant about something. "And this is just until I'm a teacher! I can't have my professional reputation ruined because of your overachieving instincts!"

Poor Jack is just nodding along to whatever she's saying. I cut in to give the boy some slack. "Don't you just look spiffy, Jackey-boy."

Jack looks down at his simple monochrome tux and shrugs. "Rental."

I roll my eyes. "Of course, Jack. So's mine." I turn to Corinthe. She's in a simple, gold, babydoll style dress that goes to her knees. In the right light, it shines like it's covered in glitter. "And don't you just look amazing, Cori. Jack is such a lucky boy, isn't he Azura?"

Azura covers her mouth to stifle a giggle from my flattery. "A lucky, lucky boy, Rae." She rolls her eyes and looks around. "So, where's Zamin?"

Just then, around the corner, I hear Zamin. "You look fine. Could we just go in now?"

An unidentified, feminine voice is heard next. "Fine? I can't go in there looking just fine! I have to be perfect."

The voices get closer and closer. "But you are perfect! What else could you be?"

Just as they reach the light, all of our jaws drop as the girl says, "True."

The four of us, in unison, are basically astonished by who Zamin, yes, Zamin, is with. "Coco?"

Coco looks at us, startled. "What? Do I have something on my face?" She pulls out a mirror to examine her face.

I close my mouth and shake my head. "No, you don't have anything on your face. We're… Well, we're just all surprised that Zamin is here, at the dance… with you."

She snaps the mirror closed and looks at us over her sunglasses. "Why, what's wrong with me?"

"Nothing is wrong with you… Just, we didn't expect him to get someone so out of his league." I rub the back of my head,

She replaces her sunglasses back high on her nose and takes Zamin's arm. "I didn't either, actually. He asked me about two weeks ago, and how can I say no to such an adorable thing like this?"

I look at Azura and mouth, 'Adorable?' We both shake our heads. "Yeah, adorable. So, how exactly did this…" I gesture between the two of them, "even happen?"

Zamin shrugs. "I liked her, and I went for it."

"Well, then, Casanova, let's go in. I wanna dance or something." I grab Azura's hand and start walking toward the entrance. Yang is standing at a podium, checking everyone in. "Hello, sunflower, where's your nightshade?" I smile smugly at my own descriptions of them.

It takes less than a second for her to get it. "In the shadows, while I'm in the limelight. You know how Blake is about crowds" She writes our names down. "You guys have fun, now." Yang gives us a wink, and we walk in.

The music is deafening and everything is dimly lit with random strobe lights coming from the dance floor and DJ station. 'I guess Yang had more say in this than I thought. Of course, Weiss was probably distracted by Ruby the entire time. And the decorations are mostly white. I look around until I find the food and drinks table. "Do you want something to drink?"

Azura looks, well, down at me because she's wearing taller heels. "Sure." She gives me a dazzling smile that I can see even through the darkness. "I'd love some."

I give her a matching smile and make my way to the table. The selection is pretty thin with only punch, water, and some off brand cokes. I choose the water, because I know that Yang spiked everything else. I grab two cups and start to make my way through the constantly shifting crowd. I see Zamin and Coco mingling with her team, Jack and Cori are just standing there in the shadows, holding hands where they think no one else can see them. I smile to myself and make my way back to Azura. I glimpse her through the crowd. Right in front of her is that Mercury creep trying to cozy up to her. My eyes meet Azura's, and I see the panic in them while she laughs at whatever he just said.

I elbow my way through the crowd, anger bubbling up inside me. I arrive at her side, the water not missing a drop. "Hello again, beautiful. Who's your friend?"

Relief is evident in her eyes. She takes her water from me. "Thnks. This is Mercury. He's been trying his hardest to get me to leave the dance for his bed."

I laugh out loud at this ridiculous notion he has in his head. "That's hilarious. Where'd he learn to be so funny?"

Mercury grunts, his face getting redder and redder in fury by the second. "It wasn't a joke, bitch."

My laughing stops as I narrow my eyes at him. "Now, now. There's no need to get irate."

"You're the one busting into my attempt to get laid."

Azura steps up. "Wait just a minute. Who even said I was gonna give you the time a day?"

His temper calms a bit and is replaced by overbearing ego. "Who could resist this?" He gestures to his body.

I try very hard not to gag at his arrogance. "Right. Because you are the epitome of male perfection. Too bad we're both lesbians." My voice contains just enough disgust and sarcasm that his usually egotistical expression is replaced by shock.

He scoffs and turns away, leaving us to laugh at his stupidity. I wipe a tear from my eye. "That was brilliant. Did you see his face?"

"Yeah." Azura turns to me and wraps her arm around my shoulder. "Thanks. I was essentially panicking. I mean, I would have handled it eventually, but it was nice to have backup."

"No problem, babe. I've always got your back." I give her a confident smile. "So, you know Christmas is coming up and all? Well, I was hoping if you would come to my house, mansion, whatever, for Christmas this year?"

Azura looks at me in confusion. "I can't just not be with my family, Rae."

I wave my hand in dismissal. "Of course not. When I said you, I included your family."

"Oh." Azura's confusion dies down a bit, and a thoughtful expression replaces it. "Well, I don't know. I'll think about it and ask my parents, alright?"

I smile at her. "That's all I can truly expect at the moment." My shoulders sag in defeat.

"I'd love to, and you know this, but I have to ask."

"Yeah, I know." I give her a wan smile to show her that I understand.

A commotion on the dance floor draws our attention away from our current conversation. A crowd of people has formed a circle in the very center of the dance floor. My curiosity gets the better of me, and I make my way toward the disturbance. I push through the people until I'm at the front. What I see stops me in my tracks.

Jack is crouched in a defensive stance in front of Corinthe, growling at that Haven chick that leads Mercury and Emerald's team. Cori is basically whimpering behind Jack, lips shut tight as if she's trying to hold in a scream. The woman just stands there with a malevolent grin on her face and a red dust crystal in her hand. 'I wish I had my weapon right now.'

Then, with a flick of her wrist, the crystal detonates. I throw up as many glyphs as I can, which isn't isn't so many in such a short amount of time. All I could do is cover Jack, Cori, Azura, myself, and a few others that are right beside me. The smoke is thick, and I have a niggling suspicion that this entire night will end in similar flames.

I pull out my scroll and type in the code to send my locker to me while I gesture for Azura and Jack to do the same. Our lockers crash through the ceiling, landing only a few feet from us. I rush to mine and pull out my rapier. I slip my jacket off, pocketing a few extra vials of dust just in case. The smoke has cleared for the most part, revealing a few injured students. Some of the other students have also called their lockers and are equipping their weapons. I prepare myself for the worst, and just when I do, the worst happens. White Fang members stream in from a hole in the wall. I sigh at what's going to happen. The majority of these students will be trying to avoid killing blows, but those who can't help it will most likely be getting their first kills in tonight, poor souls.

I attack as soon as the first wave moves toward us. Three are down in a matter of a heart beat. At my advance, many of the students join in the fray. In my peripheral vision, I catch a glimpse of red, which isn't really all that special, but this red belongs to the man I hate most, Adam. In an instinctive attempt at revenge, I go after him, cutting my way through the fight while simultaneously striking out at the few that were within my range. I make slow progress toward Adam, slashing my way through enemies. I've almost caught up to him when I spot Jack a few feet from me. I know I can't take Adam by myself, so I get Jack's attention. He nods hesitantly, then changes direction.

As I draw closer to Adam, nerves start to get the best of me. 'He's been my enemy since I was nine. I can do this,' I think to myself. I try to calm my raging heart beat, but nothing seems to work. I'm almost to the murderous fiend, but 'Wait, I can't call him that. I have blood on my own hands, too.' I falter for just a second, giving him enough time to strike at me. He hits my side with his sheath. I grit my teeth at the pain and ready myself for another attack. My mind isn't in the fight, but I try to keep focused. Everytime I see the horns sticking out of his head, I remeber Avery and the guilt that I expressed in tht dream weeks ago.

I shake my head in an effort to rid myself of my conflicting thoughts. 'I have to do this. I have to avenge him and my parents. The world will be a better place after he's gone, right?' I frown and parry his oncoming blow. He's fast, almost a blur, as he strikes, making it difficult to follow his progressions. He hasn't even drawn his blade yet. 'That's not a good sign.' Just then, a shadow engulfs the light around me. Jack steps out of one of his vortexes to stand beside me and deflects a blow that could have rendered me unconscious. I nod to him in acknowledgement of his action and put my focus back into the fight. 'This is the right thing to do. And, who know, maybe I won't have to kill him.'

I clear my head and begin to follow his stance. He's a very proficient fighter, never using any motion he deigns unnecessary for him to carry out his grotesque work. His offense, though, is flawed. He tends to make small movements using both hands, which creates a multitude of opening of which I can exploit. I break my focus for just a second to glance over at Jack, who is holding his own with the bull Faunus. Jack's movements are wider, but more planned. His left blade somehow always comes back to his body, defending even while he strikes. I see that Jack has deduced the same thing that I have about Adam's form and is using it to his advantage. The only thing we truly have to do is slow him down so he doesn't have time to pull back in to block.

White Fang members seem to hem us in, trying to come to the aid of one of their leaders. I sigh heavily and leave Adam to Jack's mercy for the moment.

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Continuing: Jack

This enclosed space is doing nothing to help my situation. If I swing too wide, I may accidentally hit an ally. I concentrate my efforts in making Adam retreat. It starts slowly, at first, but now, with each swing of my blade, he seems to step back instead of blocking. His lighening reflexes make it seemingly impossible for me to connect with his person, but my efforts are slowly wearing him down.

My inner wolf is pressing again my mind, urging me to let him loose so he can teach those who have threatened his mate a lesson they won't soon forget, or live through. The beast grins widely at this, at have an outlet for all of the pent up aggression and anger. 'Just a little while longer, you. I have to get somewhere where I won't hurt innocents.'

An evil smirk, or as much of one that a muzzle allows, spreads across his face. 'That never stopped you before.'

Anger wells up inside me, at my past, at my thoughts, and at the usually cohesive being within me that is starting to get annoying. 'This is not the past.'

I block another strike to my side. I frown at the amount of effort I have to use to keep up with his strikes. Just as he goes for another blow, an opening in his minute defenses shows itself. I use this momentary lapse to arc my blades in opposing directions, my right blocks the incoming strike while my left blade sweeps toward his leg. His ever divided attention between my blades gives me the perfect shot. My sword rips into his clothing, catches his outer thigh, and tears into his skin. Blood coats my blade as I finish the swing.

Adam winces in pain and clutches his leg with his right hand. He pulls his hand away in shock, staring at the blood that drips from his hand. "Nobody has drawn my blood since I started this gig. You will pay for this." His body tenses in anger as he wipes the blood onto his trench coat.

I remember that he prefers the laido style of swrodsmanship. He clicks the lock from the hilt of his katana, readying to draw. I brace myself for his attack, but before he could even get into position to pull his sword, a very feminine voice echoes through the room. All of the fighting halts simultaneously, distracted by that powerful and commanding woman.

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Meanwhile, During the Invasion: Cinder

I fled the room as soon as the acolytes flowed in. 'That traitorous bitch! How the hell did she even escape?' I walk down the hallway confidently, with a little anger evident in each of my steps. My destination is the tallest tower of Beacon and Ozpin. I chuckle under my breathe at the sheer cunning I have been able to deftly been able to achieve. 'Step three is in play. Let's end this, shall we?' I laugh louder this time, striking fear into the small guard of White Fang that followed me out of the room. I reach the elevator and step inside. The taste of impending victory is sweet on my tongue. A wicked grin spreads across my face, making me look half mad in the reflection in the metal doors.

A ding precedes the opening of the doors. I dial back my smile to a slight smirk and step into Ozpin's office. Goodwitch stands next to the desk, her riding crop is gripped in her right hand, and the tip smacking into her left hand in a continuous interval. A stern expression is plastered on her face, making me laugh to myself. "You haven't changed, Glynda." I smirk, walking toward the desk slowly.

The chair in front of the desk swivels around, revealing the man I wanted to see. "Ah, Ozpin. How does it feel to have your fortress under siege?"

He tentatively takes a sip of his coffee. In a surprisingly calm voice, he states, "Terrifying, to say the least."

"You seem to be positively quaking in your loafers." I put an inflection on quaking to emphasis my sarcasm. "But, of course, I could never expect any different from you." I reach the desk and run my forefinger down its length.

"And I am forever trying to meet your expectations, Miss Fall." He takes another sip from his mug and stands up in one fluid motion. "I believe that you are here for my school, Miss Fall. What could you possibly gain from taking it?"

I give an maniacal smirk. "Oh, this? This is nothing more than a tiny step toward my impending goal. Now, enough small talk. There was a dance tonight, wasn't there? So, come on Ozzie, let's dance."

I back up and run my hands down my sleeves, pulling tiny shards of red dust crystals that I had imbued into my clothing. I ignite them and send them flying toward Ozpin. He knocks the crystals away with his cane before they have a chance to detonate, sending them flying into the giant glass window behind him. The explosion destabilizes the glass, making it shatter. Huge chunks fall both in and out of the building. I jump out of the way to avoid being cut. Ozpin looks at the mess. "That will be expensive to fix."

Goodwitch lifts the glass shards into the air and arranges them into a large spike glowing with her purple Aura. The spike begins to spin in the air as she points it at me. Her facial expression never changes from that determined set of her mouth as she positions her makeshift weapon to impale me. I know my expression looks a bit frightful, for the small company of acolytes back away fearfully from all of us. Glynda sends the shards careening toward me. I pull more dust shards from my clothing and send them toward her creation, knocking it off course. I have a bit of a déjà vu feeling at this particular situation.

The red dust shards liquify and disintegrate the glass on contact, reducing the it to hardly anything. "Is that all you have, Glynda? Shame, that. I'm just getting warmed up." I flick my fingers over my sleeves and pull dust from my clothing once more. I circle the shards around my body closely, making it gain speed with each revolution. Ozpin stands to the side with his cane lifted toward me, ready to fire at me or deflect anything I send at him. I split the shards into two separate bolts and send one careening toward an unprepared Glynda. She can't react in time, but throws her arms up in an attempt to shield her face. I smile at my success, thinking I have finally gotten rid of that fucking bitch who has been terrorizing me since the beginning of the year. A green blur appears in from of the woman, though, taking the full impact of my attack. The blur falls, revealing Ozpin to be Glynda's savior. His coffee mug lays discarded beside him, its contents spilled on the floor. The once proud man is on the floor, in obvious pain.

I smile wickedly, forcing my voice to stay smooth, even with the delirious surge of joy I feel. "This is even better than I imagined. You, the invulnerable Headmaster of Beacon, is here, dying at my feet. What more could I want for Christmas?"

Glynda bends down and furiously starts to pour her Aura into her old friend, but it's no use. The last remnant of life leaves his eyes, and his last breath escapes his lungs. Goodwitch's efforts to save the Headmaster leaves her completely at my mercy. I instruct the group of White Fang to grab her and drag her behind me to the ballroom. "You put up very little fight, my dear. I thought you'd be more of a challenge." I flick my left hand over my waist and throw dust particles at Ozpin's corpse. The body ignites and is ash in a matter of seconds. I smirk at my handiwork and board the elevator with a smug grin on my face. The acolytes brig Glynda in. Her defeated expression adds to the euphoria now enveloping my mind. 'I never knew that taking Beacon could be so much fun.'

The walk back to the ballroom is uneventful, unfortunately. The fight within the room ahead is still ongoing, making my grin grow. Those poor children, being bombarded by my followers and facing a very young death. I step onto the small stage at the front of the room and make my voice boom through the entire enclosure. "Enough! I have taken this school. Ozpin lies in ashes, and Goodwitch is defeated. You children have a choice, now. You may choose to serve me in the pursuit of power, or you may choose to be put to death. You have until the end of the night, after the cataloguing of your casualties. I suggest you choose wisely." I exit the stage, motioning for the followers carrying Glynda to drop her. "Seal off all exits!"

The White Fang members adhere their orders, blocking all known paths of escape from this room. Triumph is but a step away. With Vytal and Atlas under my control, Vacuo and Mistral is but child's play at this point. Soon, I will rule. Soon, I will be Empress of all of Remnant.

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A/N: Well, guys. This is the last chapter for this installment. Isn't that wonderful. It looks like I'm going to be going double time to get the third installment finished for you guys. Well, I hope I didn't break any of you with that ending. Sorry. Well, favorite, follow, review. :)