The only evidence that Weiss had moved was the difference of the books arraigned around her. As her team entered she regarded each with her cold eyes. Ice seemed ready to crawl over them as their teammate fixed them with the glare. The heiress returned her gaze to the book as she spoke, her voice dull and uninterested. "It's about time."
"Hey it's only," Yang paused to look at wrist and then around the room for a cloak before looking back at the white haired girl. "Late." She finished with a shrug.
"You should have come, Weiss," Ruby said slipping across the room with a whoosh of air. The hooded girl slid to the bed beside her friend. "Turns out he's not that bad after all he's like some kinda superhero from another world, not like an alien, a little like an alien but he's fighting this monster and he needed our help to find it but we didn't find it and…"
"Stop!" Weiss's call echoed bringing Ruby to a sudden silence. "I don't want to hear about whatever it is you three got into today. Your here and that's what matters." The heiress returned to her book with a wave. The three standing shared a silent glance before looking at the focused heiress.
"You're not even a little curious about the weird guy?" Yang asked making a running leap to her bunk. Blake settled into her across from Weiss as the girl closed her book with a sigh and began setting the papers arranged about her aside.
"No I'm not. Unlike you two I don't see a need to go snooping around like some thief. If there is anything we needed to know, Blake would tell us. That's exactly what I told you earlier when you went running after her." The ivory haired girl set the papers on her table, careful not to knock her balanced weapon from where it sat.
"Wow that almost sounded nice. I think. Was it supposed to be nice?" Ruby asked as she removed her hood and Crescent Rose, setting them at the foot of her bunk.
Blake watched Weiss give a long exasperated huff to the younger girl before shaking her head. "Let it go Ruby." Blake added catching the heiress' sharp eyes. "It's her choice if she wants to get involved or not and your choice as team leader what she needs to know." She made it sound as soft as she could. Weiss was trying to be nice in her own way. It just happened to be a rather snotty.
"Hmph." The girl scoffed. "I just don't want to know too much about any of you. We're teammates, not soul mates."
"Ow, Weiss." Ruby poked a dejected face, now clad in her pajamas from the top bunk. Her lower lip pushed out, quivering in either mock sadness or terrible sorrow. "That's mean."
"Defiantly mean." Yang added from above on her bed.
"Hush you." Weiss snapped as she stood beside her bed. With a sudden whip of her ponytail the girl grabbed a bundle from the bed and made for the door. "I'm going to shower and change. Try not to get into trouble for the next five minutes." With that she pulled the door closed and vanished.
"She is so uptight." Yang mumbled from above, her words followed by her clothes falling like confetti onto the floor. Blake blushed in the shadow of her bed. It was understandable that the two sisters were more comfortable changing around each other. Weiss always left the room to change in the bathroom down the hall. Blake preferred to ensure no one was looking or her way and change in her bunk
"I'm sure she means well, you know, in her own way." Ruby attempted to defend her partner, leaning her black topped head over the bunk above and looked to Blake. "What do you think Blake?"
It didn't surprise her they didn't notice but the ebony haired girl still took a little pleasure in pointing out the next fact. "She was about to come and look for us."
Both sisters echoed the confused replay. "Huh?" With a poof Yang's blond mane fell from above followed by her head to face her partner. The violet eyes were wide, her mouth twisted to a ridiculous quizzical pout.
"When does Weiss ever leave Myrtenaster out of its case?" The faunus asked pointing a hand to the weapon propped against the end table. "And it's late. Why wouldn't she have showered and dressed for bed yet?"
"She was studying." Ruby added shrugging a shoulder. Yang simply twisted her face into a deep look of intense thought face, almost making Blake laugh.
"She was waiting. Why else be dressed in her combat uniform?" Blake smiled. It made her happy to know the heiress, for all her icy remarks did care. It wasn't much, but it meant something.
"Huh," yang added, tumbling back up to her bed. "Guess the princess is less bitchy that I thought. I almost feel bad for replacing her shampoo with honey."
"When did you do that?" Ruby yelled from across the room but caught her tone when she realized how loud she had been. Her hands slapped across her face with an smack.
"This morning." Yang added. "I thought it would be funny if…" the room fell silent. "Uh oh." Blake could feel the shocked look on her partners face.
She heard the whip of the blankets as Yang flung herself from the bed to the door in one bound. The blond wrenched the door open and began running down the hall, calling out Weiss' name with vague warnings.
Blake waited until she was well and truly gone before she began to laugh, not the small chuckles she often let slip but a full side busting laughter. Above and across the room, Ruby joined her. After a minute they slowly ceased their laughter. Ruby gave a final snort before turning over in her bed.
"I'm tired. I'll see you in the morning. Goodnight."
"Goodnight ruby." Blake rolled from her bed and stripped, putting on her own night clothes while storing her weapon under the bed. After weighing it, she removed her bow as well. Maybe Yang was still trying to convince Weiss not to use her shampoo, or maybe Weiss was berating her partner for the prank. At least she was willing to try and take it back.
The faunus settled into her bed and wrapped the blankets around her. Her arm was still sore and it took minute to find a position she could lie and not feel the dull ache pulse in her arm. Her muscles felt sore but it was her chest and mind that refused to rest.
Adam was back. Even if she could forget what Gregor had left in her mind, the images, the memories of death and war, Adam was back. That was its own curse. More, he tried to kill her. Was he really that angry? Did he really hate her that much? She clenched at her arms and trembled beneath the blankets as her eyes began to burn.
The door nearly tore off its hinges when Yang made her entrance. The door swung fast but the blonde's voice never followed. Blake was still and Ruby's breath was already slow and steady. Like she always did, Yang respected them when it mattered. It didn't mean that she wouldn't wake them with a bull horn again, but she would at least let them sleep. With a quiet sigh, the girl made another bounding leap to the bunk above making it creak under her weight.
Blake settled down, taking deep breaths and willing herself to sleep. Even as she tried to fade in the dark, Adam's mask drifted to her mind. She couldn't help but wonder where he was, what he was after, and when he would next come for her.
Her hands clenched suddenly at the thought. If he knew where she was now, if he knew where she had gone after leaving the White Fang, then would he attack her here? Would he hurt the others to get at her? Would he hurt them just because they were human, or because they were her friends? Two years ago she would have never thought such a thing of him. Now…
With a slow, silent movement she reached below her bead and retrieved Gambol Shroud. Carefully, she slipped the weapon beneath her pillow and wrapped her fingers around its hilt. The metal presence was assuring and her mind settled, allowing her to drift off to sleep.
She never looked out the window. Neither did yang take to the time to look out at the broken moon. Even when Weiss returned from her shower, the ice princess did not look any farther than the glass panes. None of the girls saw the tiny creature clung to the sill just below the glass. The imp like beast with amber eyes and snow white fangs curled into manic grin.
. . .
Behind the noise of the elevator, the constant melodic tune drew Adam's attention behind him. The tall pale man stood with his lips twisted up in a half smile. When Adam turned he regarded the young man with his dark eyes before grinning with a show of fangs. "You like my humming? It's a wonderful song."
"It's distracting." He snapped and turned back to the door.
"Oh c'mon buddy, loosen up." The man chuckled.
Adam didn't respond but kept his gaze forward. The White Fang had indeed opened their arms to him as he returned, just as the pale man had predicted. But they were different. The guards were jumpy and nervous. The whole place was working differently than before. Now they were going to see Leader, and something else tugged at the back of his mind.
Then there was the monster. Adam could feel the beast behind him, back to humming that obnoxious tune. A repetitive childlike hymn that only served to chill his blood further. He had been right this whole time. He had reminded him what Blake was and what she had done. Now he was the best chance he had to destroy her. For now he would work with him, but it was clear the monster had his own goals to attend to.
When the doors opened, Adam stared at the two guards with their steel masks. He didn't wait to be ushered ahead and stepped beyond them. The lower lair was like many others, spacious but out of the way and equipped with what they needed. Planning tables, weapons stocks and living quarters arranged as best they could manage. Each area sectioned off with makeshift walls or scrap. It was large and functional, not that he cared for how ugly it was.
Across the half lit subterranean lair was a brighter lite area, more tables and some niceties. Around the table was a familiar face, and a new one. He recognized the old man sitting on the far end, comfortable in his plush chair with hands folded carefully before him. Leader. The one who had taken the white fang to its new status. A good man. Direct, fair, and terrifying.
The other was new. The more important fact is what made him linger on her. She was no faunus. As they neared the guards parted at Leader's gesture. The woman turned to them, arms folded across her chest lazily. She looked bored, but behind the narrow line of her lips Adam saw something. A cunning edge, eye calculating him with every step he took.
"Adam Taurus." Leader said, standing from his chair and extending his arms out wide. "I must say I'm pleased you've returned. We can use a man of your caliber in the days to come. While I'm glad you're back, I must ask. Did you find your stray?"
The grip on his weapon tightened. "Yes. She is with Beacon now."
"A shame." Leader turned his hands up to his younger counterpart in a halfhearted shrug. "She was a valuable asset but our new allies have informed me she has become a thorn in our side. She will need to be removed."
"I will deal with her." Adam growled. The leader raised his yellow eyes to regard the masked man. His fangs turned to a sharp grin.
"I would never stand in the way of personal business." His voice dripped sleaze as he spoke.
"It's heartwarming, but we have business to deal with." Adam's eyes were drawn to the red dressed woman as she spoke.
"Business." The word came out like gravel as he looked to the woman. "What business makes the White Fang work with humans?" he didn't hide his contempt or disguise his step towards the woman. She lowered her arms to the side and shifted slightly.
"We have similar interests." Leader spoke again, settling into his chair. "Cinder and her associates have been helpful to the cause and have asked for our aid in some of their own endeavors. Nothing that counters our own goals."
"No need to get angry." The woman called Cinder said. Her voice held a sleek, sultry tone, sensuous and tempting. "We're all together here."
"I love good teamwork." All eyes turned to the pale man as he stepped ahead of Adam, his fanged teeth bared in a manic grin. "Everybody holding hands and singing songs. Makes me all warm and fuzzy inside."
"Ah your new friend." Leader turned his gaze from the young man to the tall figure standing in his lair. "Your message only said he was an asset. Tell me dark stranger, what asset are you to the White Fang?"
The pale man ignored the question "I was hoping for a little more from you all. Some underground lair with a some weapons and plans of anarchy? Sad. I will say I love a sexy lady in charge." He turned his sneer to Cinder, but the woman only narrowed her eyes. With another laugh his eyes fell back on Leader. "To answer your question, I'm the most powerful you'll ever see. I can bring power to you that is beyond what you understand."
"Oh," Leader let his eyes licker and steeped his fingers. "What power is that?"
"So glad you asked." Adam watched the dark man pull his fingers to his lips and gave a piercing whistle through the warehouse. Two notes, one high and low drawn out over several seconds. All the faunus flinched at the pitch, some of those with stronger ears even covering them as the monster whistled. Leader stared at the beast, his ears twitching but showed no other signs of discomfort.
As Adam watched the dark man lower his hand the building fell into silence. It was annoying but he had been expecting more. It only then occurred to him that while this man was clearly dangerous and radiated a vile chill, He had yet to see anything dangerous, powerful, or great. The silence didn't seem to make the monster's smile fade.
"Well?" Leader spread his hands. "I was hoping for more."
"Give it a minute." The monster held a finger to silence the White Fang leader and silence returned. Adam was deathly aware of how many other white fang members were in the room. He had staked his return on the promise of a powerful new ally. He couldn't be sure how Leader would react to a failure. The pale man would be removed for sure. His own life might be cast aside as well. He counted the guards, estimated the time it would take to get out of the elevator and line up his first shot.
Fighting wasn't an option. The guards would be easy to stop, but he couldn't account for Leader and Cinder. He knew Leader could fight but Cinder was unknown. If the woman was as powerful as she seemed, a battle with her was suicide.
The room echoed with grinding steel and he spun on the source. The elevator gave a shudder before the walls fell apart. The men in front were swallowed by the metal box before the beasts landed on top.
The White Fang soldiers turned on the intruders but were quickly swallowed under the sea of black Grimm that swept into the room. Beowolves charged the room with blood filled howls. A pack of Ursi trampled behind, flowed out of the elevator shaft like a black, screaming flood. In seconds the beasts had spread from the door across the floor. Guns rattled and swords rang but were overcome by the ferocity and numbers of their attackers.
The pale man smiled.
Adam looked to Leader but the man was still in his chair, hands settled in his lap observing the chaos around him with amusement. Less than a minute after they had stormed the room, the Grimm stopped, held fast by a second whistle.
They paused in their attack, pinning soldiers down while others sat on the ground, waiting. One black beast strolled next to the pale man. With a gesture of his hand the monster came to rest at his feet and the man ran a clawed hand along the beasts back, stroking its ears.
"I don't think I could have answered your question any better than that." The man chuckled as the Grimm settled around the room. Adam stepped away from the pale man and warily looked around the room. It was unnerving.
He had never been this close to Grimm without them trying to kill him. It was strange to see the white bone, the contrast it made to their black hair and sharp red eyes without bloodlust. Even as he stared at one, its crimson orbs settled on him.
"This is unexpected." Leader's voice cut through the air. "The Grimm have remained a problem. If you can do this, you may be of use after all." Leader turned to Cinder. The woman allowed the ghost of smile to cross her lips, but there was no other hint behind her cold face she felt anything for the display.
"I am impressed." She murmured. She shifted her position turning her smoldering gaze to the pale man. The monster didn't seem to relent under the glare. He dismissed the wolf at his feet and the other Grimm began to shuffle towards the elevator. "Controlling the beasts is good. You may be of use after all."
"That's one trick. I've got others." He started slowing striding towards the leader and Cinder. Adam watched his shadow stay with him. The same black pit beneath his feet no matter how the light shifted. A sudden dark hue turned through his black eyes as he stared at the slim woman. The wolfish smile crept over his face. "But enough about me, it's time to focus on you children."
"Children?" Leader tilted his head as the monster crossed before Cinder. The other two agents shared a long looked, the pale man's eyes lingering.
"Yes," His voice was taking on a sultry tone of its own. Husky and smooth with alluring toxic quality. "I understand you. I can see your ambition, your pride and power. Bursting and flowing through the cracks. You are power incarnate, regal and great. It's not unnatural to want more. To feed the ambition." With a movement more gentle than his bestial features could show, his hand brushed her shoulder, gliding up her neck while Cinder's eyes remind narrowed on his.
"I know what you want, and you deserve it. I can help you take it. Power. After all, does a queen not deserve to stand above her subjects?" Cinder's eye never faltered, if anything they smolder into a burning intensity. It wasn't fury of violence. It emotion could be given a physical stare, Cinder stood as the totem of pride. Her head dipped in a slow nod.
"You are clever." She whispered. Her own hand gently but firmly removed the pale man's. "You are right. I will have that power." As she spoke, Adam could sense the change, a deepening in her tone, more malice and less sugar on her lips. She was different now.
"Of course." The pale Man stepped back and took a long bow, crossing one arm over his waist as he did. Then in a sudden twit he rose and turned on Leader. For the first time ever, Adam saw the other faunus show a fleeting hint of fear. The pale ma glided across the floor in what seemed to be a single motion and then it was before the Leader, his sharp smile bearing over the sitting faunus.
"And of course there is you," A breathless laugh escaped between the pale man's words. "The great leader. I know about you, I know the pain you've seen." The pale man paused less than a foot from the seated leader. "Yours isn't ambition. It's much simpler than that. Humans don't deserve their place in this world. That burning hatred in your heart, you try to cover it with smiles and nice words but you shouldn't. Petty little strikes against them will never amount. Relish that hatred, turn it to you weapon and drive them down. Never deny the strength in hate."
Leader began to change as Adam watched. The focused eyes narrowed into an intense glare. His claws dug into his hands and the edge of his fangs showed in something closer to a snarl than a smile. "What do you know of hate?"
The pale man smiled again, stepping away from the faunus. "I am the incarnation of hate. There is nothing wrong with that. You and me have that in common. If you really want them to suffer, and I know you do, you listen to me. Together, we turn this whole world upside down. We'll show them what real suffering is. We can show them who the animals are."
Leader shuddered once and the grimace he had worn relaxed. "I like that." His voice was almost a whisper as he spoke. His laugh began as a low chuckle but soon erupted to full boisterous laugher. For a moment he seemed to have gone made as he cackled and leapt from his chair with more energy that Adam had ever seen the man use. "I really like that idea!"
"Wonderful." The pale man laughed with him striding past Cinder to stand with Adam again. He gave the man another assuring smile tinged in vile intent. "We can get started immediately. There is another factor to consider, an old friend of mine but we can deal with him in time. For now we can just get down to real business."
"Perhaps," Cinder spoke taking a few measured strides towards him, her impassive mask returned. "But shouldn't we have a name to call our new ally? We should know who you are, since you seem to know us so well." Leader, while silent did incline his head at the pale man as she spoke.
The dark coated man gave a deep chuckle, pulling away from Cinder and stepping back towards Adam. He caught the flash in his eyes, the glint of his teeth as he smiled enough to crack his face. "I love this part." He whispered under his breath. With a deep breath the dark man turned on his audience, throwing his arms out to his side.
"I am the dark and death. All the fear and hate in the shadows. I am your darkest fears and greatest terrors come to life, to steal your souls and bathe the world in darkness." At his words the darkness beneath him swirled, churning like a pool of black snakes. "I am Dark and death, fear and hate and all the evil of the world given face. But if you must give me a name, please," He finished with a large elaborate bow, the shadows curling around him to form and aura of deep, liquid black around him before he lifted his eyes to his audience.
"Call me Darkside."
Authors notes: Another long one, but now I've got Darkside involved and that makes me smile more than it should. I should be able to get some more work done now that I have it all planed out. I have caught up on RWBY and if you haven't than go there now. Like, right now. I should be able to keep to the schedule and may even have better quality work if time permits.
I do have a favor I am going to start here. In time this story will become mature rated. I know for certain, and by mature I mean blood, death, gore and mature ideas. I would like to ask the readers that if you ever read a chapter and you think it should be rated mature to tell me. I am a bit desensitized so I might just shrug it off but if you think I've crossed the line please call me on it. I don't have a conscious anymore so I need to rent one. I know a time where I will be mature without any doubt but if I hit it before then, I would like to know.
So as always if you want better content you have to tell me… you know where this is going. You should leave a review. Yeah, im begging again but it's what I do.
Till next time, salute.