Yo Peeps, GMG here with chapter 10 of SSO! I know that Cinder was a complete bitch last chapter, but it was necessary. Trust me, I detest messing up fluffy couples or potential ones. And now, the moment you've all been waiting for! The chapter!

Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY Sam I am, I do not own Suess' Green Eggs and Ham.

Despite Ruby wanting to run to wherever Cinder was hiding, Emerald held her back, reminding her that they didn't want to waste energy that they might need in a fight. "We don't have a car or any way of getting there and an airship is a bit much to try to obtain for this."

Ruby frowned. "I want to get this over with though. She hurt Yang."

"Emerald has a point, Ruby." Said Blake. "Wasting our energy running will leave us tired, something that could decide the fight before it begins."

Ruby nodded reluctantly. "Alrighty. If you and Emmy agree, then I won't argue." She placed a hand on Crescent Rose and smiled a bit. "Me and Crescent are ready for this."

Emerald chuckled. "I bet you two are."

XXXGMGXXX

They reached the warehouse a while later and weren't surprised at the number of White Fang crawling about the building. Ruby frowned as she wasn't too happy with it. "This throws a wrench in our plans."

Blake quirked a brow. "Did you expect to just waltz right inside there? That's foolhardy at best."

"I was being optimistic?" Ruby said, not sounding certain by any means.

Emerald snickered before her expression turned more serious. "We need to take them out or get around them. Each has a benefit and cost."

Blake nodded. "If we take them out, we expend some of our energy, but if we sneak by, we still might have to face them later."

"I think we should take them out." Ruby said. "Taking them out stealthily would work better than facing large numbers without the element of surprise. Best be done with the issue now."

The thief nodded, red eyes glinting mischievously. "Split up?"

"Divide and conquer." Agreed the faunus.

"Team Black Gem, go!" Whisper yelled the caped cookie crusader.

XXXGMGXXX

The plan went off without a hitch for the trio. Ruby's speed helped down any guard before they could react, Blake was naturally stealthy, and Emerald knew the place like the back of her hand. Thankfully it wasn't too taxing and they were confident they could fight if needed. Entering the largest room, they saw a familiar form bent over a map with her head buried in her hands, crying.

Emerald's eyes widened, concerned. "Cinder..."

The sorceress took no note of the three and sobbed. "I thought she liked me back. I didn't even expect to like her, but she pulled me in." Looking forward, her golden eyes stared into the dark. "I want to believe what she said, but it seems that she used me. Even with that, I can't stop liking her."

What shocked the trio was when Roman showed up, his collar adjusted to hide the burns on his neck. "Did you ever think that she wasn't using you?" He gestured vaguely. "I mean, come on, I didn't say she betrayed you or used you."

Cinder's gold eyes narrowed. "I told you not to come back." She glared. "Why are you here?"

"The same reason I even joined you." He snarked. "The fun. What you did jeopardized one of the people I enjoy fighting." He frowned. "You have her a concussion and some damage to the head, Cinder."

The woman slumped and tears beset her eyes again. "Is she okay?"

Emerald stepped out of the shadows, glaring. "She will be! Lucky for her, she doesn't remember you!"

"She what?" Cinder asked, sure she heard wrong."

"She has mild memory loss!" The thief spat. "She doesn't remember you!"

Ruby watched as the sorceress froze before she crumbled. Cinder collapsed on to the ground, head between her knees, cradling herself. "I'm sorry." She said. "So sorry."

Just at that moment, Mercury walked into the room with a chalupa. "Hey guys! Has anyone seen the microwa-" he trailed off at the sight of Cinder. "What happened?"

"She's all worked up about Blondie." Snarked Roman. "Now go find the microwave yourself."

Mercury cocked his head to the side. "That bitch with the gauntlets? Why?"

Emerald crossed her arms and glowered. "Piss off, Mercury."

The teen shook his head and chuckled. "It's just a question." He smirked at her. "When are you gonna stop pretending to love the red chick? I know you want me."

Emerald shuddered. "Spare me the thought of being with you, you repulsive perv." She put a hand on we hip. "Besides, at least I love her."

"Silence, you two." Said Cinder, regaining her composure. "We have a new mission."

Roman quirked a brow. "And what pray tell is that?"

Cinder clenched her fist as golden eyes flared with determination. "Destroy Team RWBY."

Red eyes widened. "Why?!"

The sorceress had a mad glint in her eyes. "If they're gone I can forget about her."

Roman's eyes narrowed. "Killing blondie won't make you feel better." He shifted his grip on his cane. "I won't kill any of them."

Emerald stood beside Roman. "Nor will I."

"You would betray me?" The woman asked. She motioned Mercury over. "I guess there are two more pests to deal with."

Mercury smiled apologetically, though his eyes held no sorrow. "You chose the wrong side, Emmy. Too bad."

The thief tensed. "Only Ruby can call me that." She pulled out her weapons. "Let's settle this personally." Waving him along, they broke off from the other two, choosing to fight elsewhere.

Tipping his hat lightly, Roman bowed. "Let's get the show on the road!" He swung his cane like a bat in a childish manner. "Don't want to keep the kids waiting."

An arrow was knocked on a conjured bow. "You will die this time, Torchwick." She fired the arrow.

Simultaneously, Roman fired his own weapon, the round exploding against the arrow. He rushed through the smoke and began swing his cane, Cinder conjuring her daggers to counter. She ducked a swipe at her head before slicing at his stomach, causing him to jump back. As he did, he fired another round, Cinder likewise retreating and releasing another arrow. The master criminal knocked the shot aside and slowly advanced as she shot more at him.

With a steady stream of parries and sidesteps, he bypassed her ranged assault and got close again. He knew he lacked the up close advantage with his weapon, but her long range was deadlier than his own and had a greater endurance. Forgoing the gun style fighting he used, he did the second best thing: try to use the handle to trip his opponent. As she switched weapons, he swapped his hold on his cane, wielding it from the barrel end.

Cinder brought a dagger about, aiming for his chest. He batted the arm away, following it and turning the handle to hook around her wrist. With a pull, he brought the arm down as his leg rose to meet it, the contradicting directions of weapon and limb striking the joint, breaking it and causing the sorceress to cry out in pain. She stumbled back in pain as he struck out with a spartan kick to her ribs, cracking a couple. She managed to roll into a standing position as she was knocked back, firing a blast of energy at him.

He rolled under it and ran towards her, not wanting her to use her range against him. It was still deadly with one arm. His left arm fronted a strike at her face, causing her to turn to avoid it. Unknown to her, his goal was in line. His cane yanked her free wrist aside, causing her to stumble. He swatted it up before turning and hooking it again and bringing it down for a repeat performance of the other wrist. A sickening crunch issued forth as she screamed again.

Blake an Ruby watched in shock as he fought. The man was never like this in their fights. This was just brutal. Emerald's words echoed through their minds, reminding them that he enjoyed their bouts and took to them with childish glee as opposed to the decisive and harsh actions he used her. Speaking of which...

Roman swept the woman's legs from under her in a low kick before bringing his cane up from under, striking her side and sending her flying again. A grin broke through and he pretended to watch her fly. "Fore!" Watching as the woman collapsed, her turned to look at the girls in the shadows. "It's time to check on Emerald, girls."

The two stepped out, surprised. "You knew?" Asked Ruby. At his nod she relented. "Let's go then."

They left the room and made their way to where the signs of a fight were heard. They stepped outside in time to see Emerald land a punishing cross on Mercury's jaw, knocking him out cold. Her red eyes glowed dangerously as she raised her weapon to end him.

Blake's eyes widened. "Stop, Emerald! You don't need to kill him."

The thief stopped abruptly and lowered her weapon before sheathing it and facing them. "You won, I take it."

Roman nodded. "Put her out of commission, permanently." He chuckled. "Damaged we wrists enough that they won't go beyond light labor for the rest of her life."

The green-haired girl eyes him. "You sure."

"I'm a professional, kiddo." He laughed. "I know the sound of crippling wounds."

"So it's finished?" Ruby asked.

Blake nodded. "Seems so."

End...

Sorry for the late release. To explain Cinder's decision: In her demented mind, she thought that if she killed them, they'd be forgotten easier and she wouldn't be grief stricken by what she did to Yang. Also, sad as it is, this fic is almost at a close! Meaning that BCB 2 is almost ready to be taken from hiatus. Don't worry though, if you were hoping for more from this! I will write a sequel that'll take place after BCB 2. If you're wondering why I keep mentioning Bloodstained Chess Board, this story get's twined into the sequel's storyline. Thus, this tale will continue there in a way. Adieu for now!