Chapter Four
Saphron sighed, tapping her heel against the table she rested her legs on. The small room she'd been confined too was very familiar to her by now, though it wouldn't have taken long to get acquainted with. With the exception of the table, two chairs and a bed, there really wasn't much else noteworthy. This cozy room had been her home for weeks now, and she was going stir crazy.
The attack on the city had been interesting, especially as the men guarding her room had left. She'd finally gotten to see what the outside of this place looked like. In her opinion, it was much too shiny. Like some kind of future city someone would see in a comic. How'd she even know that? She had no clue.
She sighed, bringing a hand up to her forehead and rubbing. She'd been getting severe headaches since her time here, and nothing seemed to make them go away. That, combined with flashes of memory she couldn't really piece together, was leaving her in a bit of a jumbled mess.
Saphron perked up as the door to her little prison opened up, a man walking through casually. He smirked at her, light gray eyes twinkling with mischief. His short hair matched his eyes. In fact, his whole outfit was a variety of grays, from the under suit he wore to the pieces of armor on his arms and legs. She grinned back, moving her legs off the table. Out of everyone she'd met in this place, Mercury Black was one of the few who didn't treat her like some kind of monster.
"Hey red, how's things?" He asked, setting himself down in the chair opposite her.
"Well, I'm still not allowed to leave, so the usual." She said. "You missed quite the fight by the way, the city got invaded."
"Yeah, I noticed the giant hole in the wall," Mercury commented, shaking her head with a chuckle. "Shame I missed it, been a little while since I've gotten a good fight."
"Don't you go out on missions for that General chick all the time?" Saphron asked, perking a brow.
Mercury shrugged. "They're not nearly as exciting as you'd think. A lot of hiding and avoiding conflict."
"Whatever," Saphron said, leaning an arm on the table, head resting in her hand. "I got to see the outside for once. How does anyone sleep with the amount of shine it has?"
Mercury smirked. "I heard about that as well. Schnee was…less than impressed, even with her injury."
Saphron shook her head. "Did she mention how I saved her pale butt?"
"Actually, she did. Kinda why I'm here." Mercury said quietly.
She had only been paying half attention to the guy before, her mind still going over the same memory's and images she'd been seeing for weeks. But his comment caught her full attention, eyes going slightly wider and without a witty comment. Mercury chuckled, reaching into a small pack he carried.
"I thought that might get your attention." He said, looking for something in the pack. "The General's aware of how you saved her. If you'd really wanted too, you could have just gone with the Taken."
"But I don't even know anything about them," Saphron said, unable to keep the irritation out of her tone. "You people keep asking, and I keep saying the same thing."
"Hey hey, I believe you," Mercury replied. "But not many other people have. At least, until now. By the way, remember anything?"
Saphron frowned, closing her eyes as she tried to focus on one image at a time. Whenever she got close, however, her mind would flare up in pain and she'd lose the thought. She growled in frustration and tapped her head several times.
"Nope, just as jumbled as before." She said quietly.
Mercury offered a more sincere smile this time. "It's not all bad. I brought you something, thought it would cheer you up."
He finished ruffling through his bag and pulled out a metal bottle, placing it on the table with a dull thud. Saphron frowned, tilting her head slightly. The bottle looked hot, condensation trickling down the sides and emitting faint steam. She looked back up at Merc with a perked brow.
"The heck is that?"
"That," Merc said. "Is coffee. You mentioned how you wanted to try some last time we talked. I thought you might appreciate it."
She blinked, eyes looking between Merc and the drink several times. "I…should have something funny here, but I'm coming up blank."
Merc laughed. "How about thank you? Anyway, that's not all. Schnee asked to see you, I actually came her to grab you."
"You know, you could have started with that and not wasted time."
"What can I say? I like to chat." Merc said with a grin, pushing himself out of his seat. "Anyway, if you wanna stay in this tiny room, that's cool. But if you want to get out of here, then let's go."
Saphron couldn't help but grin back, sliding out from her chair with little effort. She made to grab the bottle on her way up, but it was hotter than she expected. A lot hotter. She gasped, dropping it onto the floor with a loud bang. Thankfully, it didn't burst open and splash coffee everywhere. She grumbled to herself, reaching down and picking it back up, carefully this time.
"If you're done being a goofball?" Merc asked, holding the door open with a perked brow.
"You love me." She shot back. Without another word, she strolled out of her tiny prison and out into some long hallway. She looked down both sides, but both looked identical. She sniffed, picking one at random and walking off.
Merc called out from behind her. "It's the other way genius."
Saphron turned without pause, strolling back the other way without a single look. "I knew that."
Merc laughed, walking beside her. "Whatever red."
They came round a corner to find yet more long corridors, with doors that led into small rooms like the one she'd been in. Saphron hadn't been entirely sure, and she hadn't really checked when she'd busted out, but the place really was reminding her of a prison.
"So," Merc began, looking ahead. "Did you crack a few skulls for me while I was away? How many Grimm were there? I heard there was a lot."
"It was like an ocean. Of Grimm." She replied. "Those Taken things you were talking about were there, being annoying."
Merc nodded. "Yeah, that they are…"
She looked up at him, frowning. His usual cheerful demeanor had shifted to something darker, his expression something close to sadness. Or, as sad as Mercury could get. All the same, it wasn't something Saphron was used to seeing on him.
"Hey, there was some new chick out there as well." She said with a laugh, trying to cheer him up again. "At least, that was the gist I got from the rest of them."
Merc raised a brow, a small smile returning. "Oh? New recruit or something?"
"She didn't fight like a recruit," Saphron commented, her smile growing wider. "She lifted a whole pile of Grimm by herself and threw them like they weighed nothing. Long Blonde hair, likes punching. She was really something."
Merc frowned again, though this time he looked more thoughtful or confused than sad. Saphron tapped him with the back of her hand, getting his attention again. "What's wrong?"
"Hmm?" He said, focusing on her again. "It's nothing. Come on, don't wanna keep the General waiting do we?"
He walked faster, moving ahead of her. She sighed, mentally scolding herself for making her one friend here miserable. "Ah well, he'll get over it..."
A heat in her head suddenly stirred her out of her stupor. She'd completely forgotten the metal bottle she'd been holding, which had cooled enough now that she felt she could drink it. Keeping pace with Mercury, she cautiously unscrewed the lid and pulled the bottleneck closer to her face. She took a cautious sniff, though she couldn't tell much about it from the smell. Frowning to herself, she lifted the bottle and took a swig, the warm rich taste of the drink filling her mouth.
"Oh my god."
Merc turned back around, eyes slightly narrowed. "What?"
She looked up at him and grinned. "This stuff is amazing. Where can I get more?"
Yang sighed. She swore she could feel a nerve ticking on her forehead. "Weiss, you're dodging the question. Why can't I go find my sister right now? Why wait?"
Weiss looked just as agitated. She sat behind some grandiose desk, in what looked like a rather comfy leather chair. Yang couldn't help but notice her bandaged shoulder, arm in a makeshift sling. She wore a military type coat over her shoulders, the sleeves dangling by her sides empty. She also looked a lot paler than normal, and that was saying a lot.
"Because, Yang, I don't want you going off on your own," Weiss said as calmly as she could. "I'm gathering up some people to go with you. You know, team mates."
"What, you don't trust me to get the job done?" Yang scoffed.
"No," Weiss said, mouth dangerously close to becoming a sneer. "Because Ruby is in Vale. Vale is completely owned by the Grimm. I don't even have recon on that area, we have no idea what it looks like now. So, the more people on this, the better."
"More people leaves more room for error." Yang shot back, resting her hands on Weiss's desk. "A smaller team is going to be able to slip in easier. And I can do it much faster alone."
"Yang, this is my mission. You're doing this my way."
"She's my sister!"
"She's my partner!"
Yang glared at Weiss, who was glaring right back. She was dimly aware of the few guards standing guard in Weiss's office were shifting uncomfortably, but she didn't really care. Weiss was being beyond stubborn. Yang knew she could do it easier alone, after all, she had been doing just fine all these years. She felt dangerously close to telling Weiss to shove it but knew that wouldn't help anyone. So she held her tongue. For now anyway.
Weiss suddenly broke the eye contact, resting her forehead in her hand. "I'll start looking at people for the mission, but for now, I've got other matters to attend too. If you could…just go."
Yang blinked, shaking her head. "No. I'm not some goon you can just boss around, General."
Some of the guards seemed to stir at her sarcastic words, but to their credit they didn't try to throw her out or anything. Weiss looked taken aback as well, her eyes wide. "What's your problem, Yang? And I mean really, this can't just be about waiting for team mates."
"I'm back for an hour, and you're bossing me around like I'm an underling." Yang scowled. "Should I remind you that it was you who broke into my home?"
"Because I thought you would like to help with finding Ruby!" Weiss shouted, her façade slipping. She shot out her seat, hands slamming down on the desk. Her face crinkled up in fury, icy white eyes promising violence. "You know what your problem is? Ever since your injury, you have to prove that you can do everything."
Yang felt her anger leave her for a second. "I…"
"No, just shut up for once!" Weiss said, civility gone. "You're the one who ran away! You're the one who decided being alone was the right choice! You're the one who left your own sister a crying wreck! How dare you stand there and say I'm the one doing wrong?!"
Yang brought her hands up slowly. "Weiss…"
"If you hate being bossed around so much, maybe I'll just drop you off back at Mistral, where you can stay in her crumbling home and wait for the world to end, while the rest of us do something about it! How about it Yang?!"
"Ok! Just stop yelling for a second!" Yang shouted back, fire in her veins again. "Look…we've got a lot between us, I know that. But I came here to help my sister. And I think we can agree we both care about her a lot…right?"
"I'd argue I care more, but sure," Weiss said quietly.
Yang sighed, just relieved she'd stopped yelling. "Not the point. I'm going to help find Ruby Weiss, no matter how it's done. But you can't just boss me around like the rest of your army. It's just not going to work."
Weiss paused, a small frown marring her features. She looked down at the table for what felt like a minute. Yang couldn't tell if she was thinking or just trying to regain her composure. Regardless, when she looked back up she had the same neutral expression she usually wore, with the exception for a small smile.
"You know, you're right…what if I pick a group of people, and then you pick from the candidates?"
Yang's brows shot up, completely surprised. "You…would do that?"
"Yes, I would," Weiss said softly, sighing. "I can't let you just run off, but I can't treat you like everyone else. That's…never worked in the past. So I think a nice compromise would work out well."
Yang considered it. "That's really big of you Weiss, thanks. I'll wait for your choices. How many do you want on this team?"
"No less than four," Weiss said with a small smile. "Think of it like the good old days."
Yang chuckled breathlessly, giving her a pointed look. "Well, hopefully not. Otherwise, two people on the team are going to hook up."
Weiss's cheeks went a light shade of pink, and for once she didn't have an immediate retort. Yang grinned, laughing a little more. "Oh Relax Weiss, I'm not making fun. My sister's a fun person, though I feel like you must know that better than anyone."
Weiss's mouth opened in a silent 'O'. "That's not-"
She was interrupted by a guard at the entrance to the office. "General, while I hate to interrupt. Agent Black has arrived."
Weiss's expression changed in an instant, from one of embarrassment to one of shock. Her eyes flicked between Yang and the door as if she really didn't want to see whoever was about to walk in. Yang frowned. "I don't understand. What's the issue?"
Weiss struggled for words, before just sighing and seeming to give up. "Oh what the hell, it would have happened sooner or later…send him in."
Yang's confusion only grew as she looked on as the door opened. What she assumed was going to be one person was actually two, walking in one at a time. The first was familiar, the girl she'd seen earlier in the town center. Saphron was looking around the office space like she'd never seen it before. Then again, she probably hadn't. Weiss hadn't mentioned much about her but what she did say made it clear she wasn't free to walk around. Yang didn't know if that was entirely fair on the girl but didn't comment.
The second person, a man, confused her at first. Tall and thin, he wore dark leather clothing underneath polished metal armor pieces. His gray eyes twinkled, matching his dark gray hair. He looked like a capable fighter, but more importantly, Yang recognized him within seconds.
Her fists clenched up.
"What the hell is he doing here?" Yang growled, certain her eyes were going red as her semblance started kicking in.
Mercury blinked, looking just as shocked as she felt. "Blondie? What is this?"
Yang could feel herself trembling. Mercury was one of the bed guys. In her opinion, he was one of the worst bad guys. He'd been key in the destruction of Vale, and one of Cinders main men. Not to mention he humiliated her in the Vytal Tournament, making her look like some blood thirsty monster. It had taken her years to get over that, and she still felt the sting of it from time to time. Yang was honestly amazed she hadn't gone in for a kill yet.
"Both of you, calm down now," Weiss said with authority, though Yang didn't budge. And neither did Mercury.
He chuckled. "Huh, so she finally came crawling out of the woodwork. Did she come to beg forgiveness General?"
"Oh, I'll make you beg," Yang said quietly, mentally straining herself to not charge forward. She was barely controlling herself. All it would take was one small push…
"Like your friend must have begged Adam?" Merc said, smirking.
The room went silent. Even Weiss didn't say a word. Yang just sighed, fingers rolling into fists.
"Yep."
She moved, faster than she thought possible. Her fist slammed into his face with a satisfying crack, explosion rocketing him into one of the office walls. He hit it hard, falling to the floor with a grunt. He chuckled, getting to his feet slowly.
"You know, we never settled our dispute from all those years ago." He said, still smirking. "What's the matter? Planning to run again?"
"I've only got one thing on my mind," Yang growled. "And it involves breaking your legs properly. I didn't finish the job last time."
"Ohhhh, scary." Mercury scoffed.
He suddenly lunged into action, even faster than she had. He spun through the air, leg flying down onto her head in a blur. Her crown exploded with pain as she grunted, dropping to the floor. She shook her head, trying to clear her vision. Her eyes focused just as a booted heel come flying for her face. She quickly shot her hand out, grabbing his leg and twisting. Merc shouted in surprise, flipping and landing on his stomach. Yang pushed herself back up, cracking her knuckles.
"Stop this now!" Weiss shouted from behind Yang.
She ignored her, instead firing several shots at Mercury from her gauntlets. Mercury managed to dodge all of her shots, running in close and lashing out with a low kick. Yang jumped, the leg passing under her, and went for his face. Merc was forced onto the defensive, trying to block her strikes and retreating slowly. Yang pressed her attack, firing off hits relentlessly.
Mercury suddenly shot a knee into her gut. Yang gasped as the wind left her, and she struggled to remains standing. Mercury didn't give a moment of respite, firing off more fierce kicks. Yang rolled to get away, getting to her feet and slamming her shoulder into his leg. Merc grunted as he leg buckled backward and he was pushed to the ground. Yang landed on top of him, pinning him down. She slammed her fists into his face, firing off rapid punches.
Mercury managed to free a leg, sending the tip of his boot into the back of Yang's head. She cried out, vision fading to black momentarily. Mercury took advantage and managed to slip out from under her, back on his feet within the blink of an eye. He went to bring his heel down on her, but she caught his boot again with her arm, pushing him away with a flick of a wrist. Merc tumbled through their air, landing with his back turned.
Merc groaned, looking over his shoulder. His eyes fell on her metal arm, his brow perked. "Huh, don't know how I missed your little upgrade. Guess we're pretty similar now."
"I'm nothing like you. Your trash." Yang said quietly.
Merc laughed, shooting to his feet. "Pretty sure some say that about you too blondie."
Yang yelled a battle cry, charging forward. Merc laughed, his boots shooting him off the ground. She ran right at him, fully intent on smashing him into a million pieces, then a million more. She'd failed to find Adam, and she'd failed to avenge her best friend. But she could still take out the monster that was Mercury Black and avenge the people who died because of him. She yelled again, fist flying forward. Merc flipped and sent a heel flying right for her.
But the two never made contact. Yang frowned as she struggled to move closer, but it was like something was physically stopping her from going forward. And then she realized, something was. A wall of red energy was right in her path, stretching from one wall to another. A similar wall was in front of Mercury, who was frowning just as much. Yang shook her head and punched the wall, but it was as solid as armor and wouldn't break.
"Alright, have you two ever tried to talk your problems out?" Saphron asked aloud.
Yang whirled her head. The girl was standing behind Mercury, arm outstretched. That same red energy she'd been throwing around during the courtyard battle was gathered around her hand, palm pointed toward the two of them. Yang scowled, realizing the girl was the one stopping her from destroying Mercury.
"Don't get involved," Yang told her, eyes still on Mercury. "You don't understand."
"Don't I?" Saphron asked, rolling her eyes. "I might not remember anything, but I can recognize hate when it's there. But isn't the end of the world a little more important?"
"Red, you don't get it" Mercury commented, looking back at her.
"Oh come on, grow up you two," Saphron said with an eye roll.
A cough got all of their attention. Yang turned back as Weiss stepped out from behind her desk, gingerly holding her injured shoulder. She stepped up beside Yang, still a head shorter, and gave Mercury a pointed look.
"While I wouldn't have put it that way, Miss Sable is right. Mr. Black, this is inexcusable behavior."
Mercury's eyes widened, looking shocked. "But she just-"
"Yang isn't a trained military agent, is she?" Weiss said. "Regardless, I expect more from you, Mercury. I won't tolerate this behavior in the future, am I clear?"
"But Ma'am…"
"Am I clear?"
Mercury paused, eyes flicking to Yang one last time before he sighed and relaxed his body. "Crystal, General."
Weiss nodded, seemingly satisfied. And then, she turned to Yang. Yang shook her head straight away.
"No."
"Yang, he's one of my best agents."
"No. No way. It's Mercury!"
"Yes, I know what he's done just as much as you have. Probably more." Weiss said. "That said, he's done a lot to make up for those events, and I trust him."
"He attacked me!" Yang shouted incredulously.
"No, you attacked him first," Weiss commented. "Yang, I need you to calm down, please."
Yang growled, but the look in Weiss's eye wasn't anger or annoyance. It was sadness, and Yang was pretty sure she could guess why. The longer they delayed, the more time preparation took, the more likely it would be they wouldn't find Ruby. And Ruby…was worth anything to Yang. Even swallowing her pride and letting this slide. She didn't like it…in fact she hated it, but her sister was more important.
Yang took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She could feel the fire in her veins cooling off slowly, regaining control of her body. Eventually, she gave Weiss a nod, still not trusting herself to say something civil.
Weiss gave Saphron a look. "Miss Sable, lower your barrier."
"You're not the boss of me," Saphron commented, but she lowered her arm anyway. The energy around her hand, as well as the wall between them evaporated in a flash, leaving no trace of any fighting except for the dent in the wall Mercury's body had made. The uneasy silence that followed was broken by Weiss, who breathed deeply and returned to her desk, wincing slightly as she sat.
"Now, if we can return to business." She said with a little huff. "Thank you for bringing her to me Mercury, that will be all for now. I'll debrief you later."
Mercury hesitated, but gave a mock salute and made for the door. "Of course General, look forward to it."
Yang watched him go, not speaking until the automatic door slid closed behind him. "God I hate that guy."
"Gee, I couldn't tell," Saphron said, rolling her eyes.
Yang turned to the girl, frowning. "Oh gee, aren't you funny?"
"I happen to think so, yeah." She said with a small grin. "I personally enjoy puns, but you know, I get punished whenever I bring it up."
Yang paused. "Well, then I guess you could say you're a pun hit wonder, huh?"
the girl blinked, tilting her head. "How punny. You like them too?"
"There's more than pun way to make a joke," Yang said with a smirk. Saphron chuckled, looking genuinely pleased. To be honest, Yang was too. She hadn't made a pun in…forever, it felt like. Now she suddenly remembered why she loved making them so much, it reminded her of the good times back at Beacon.
A groan caught her attention. The two of them turned to the desk, where Weiss had let her head collapse onto the table. She was shaking it back and forth, groaning like she'd just heard bad news.
"Oh god, there's two of them now…"