RWBY: Light Extinguished

Chapter 12

oxoxoxo

Maria Gaia sat in Fantine's darkened office waiting for the professor to arrive. She'd never understood why the professor insisted on being so dramatic. His office was lit entirely by candles with all four walls painted black with a mirror in the exact center of each wall to reflect the light around the room. The only window was massive, taking up much of the back wall and looking out over Beacon's courtyard, but today it was closed, with the red curtains pulled over it, turning it into the only wall without a mirror. The ceiling of the office was much higher than she thought possible, the top stretching up into the shadows. It was the kind of room that looked majestic when lit up by the sunlight, but in the dim candlelight, it always felt like someone was watching her, making Maria look over her shoulder every thirty seconds to make sure that she was indeed alone.

After what felt like hours, the opening of the door brought Maria out of her thoughts as Fantine entered, removing his cape with a flourish and placing it gingerly on a nearby hanger. "Was that really necessary?" Maria asked as he did.

Fantine let out a sigh of exasperation. "It's an old habit I like to indulge in." He muttered darkly. Clearly, he was in no mood for jokes, as his face which was normally free of emotion bore a scowl of frustration and she could see bags of exhaustion under his unmasked eye. "Now, if you don't mind Miss Gaia, I'd like to ask you a few questions about what happened last night with the intruder in the library."

Maria was suddenly completely serious at his words, sitting up straight in her chair and nodding.

Fantine returned her nod and began pacing back and forth before her. "As was expected, the guards were unable to apprehend either one of the intruders last night. One they managed to track down to the dance hall before they lost her, and the other disappeared over Beacon's cliff, says one of the guards. He says he heard an engine of some kind, but nothing after that. Miss Gaia, I need you to remember, what was the girl in the library looking for?"

Maria racked her brain for the answer. She hadn't had long to look at the screen before the girl forced her to look away, and after that she had obliterated the computer, so there would be no looking at that screen again. "I remember there was something in Old Mistrali, but I can't remember exactly what it was. And then there was something about some abyss. What does one have to do with the other?"

Fantine stopped pacing once she had finished talking and faced away from her, placing a hand on his chin as he entered a deep thought. As he did, so did Maria. She knew for a fact that the intruder from that night was working with the White Fang. After all, she perfectly matched the description Francois gave of the girl from the docks last semester. She knew that if she could get the authorities some clue as to what Torchwick and company were up to, it would put a lot more pressure on them. Then again, she knew in her mind that not everyone in power would be so eager to go after Torchwick. Some might even be in his pocket.

Then again, this was the man who was personally employed by Ozpin, and who the headmaster trusted, somehow. If there was anyone who would do something good with this information, it was him. "Sir, she did say something before she knew I was there." Fantine, didn't move, but she could feel eyes on her somehow, despite the fact that he still faced away from her. "She said something about some island in the northeast and operations there. I don't know what she meant, but-"

"You may go, Miss Gaia." Fantine said, cutting her off.

"Go." He stated firmly and loudly. As if to accentuate his point, the door to his office flew open, hitting the outside wall with a loud slam. Knowing she was no longer welcome, Maria quickly fled the room, not wanting to be on a professor's bad side. The door immediately slammed shut behind Maria and Fantine let out a heavy sigh. "So, it seems some people just can't leave things alone."

"It seems not, Erik." Said another voice, this one a woman. Fantine turned to one of the corners of his room. Maria was right, she was being watched as she spoke. Elain Ravencroft emerged from the shadows in the corner and looked to her Team leader. "What should we do?"

Erik sighed and pulled off his mask, revealing the three lacerations from forehead to cheek beneath. He let out a sigh, his scars an ugly reminder of what the stronger monsters in this world could do. In the dim light, one could barely make them out, but to Ravencroft, they were as clear as day. She stepped closer and gently ran a slender hand over his scars. "They still haven't healed?"

Erik took her hand and stopped her. "No." He stated, grabbing her arm and pulling back the long black sleeve of her dress, revealing the mass of scars criss-crossing her arm. "But then again, neither have yours."

"That's not important, Erik and you know it."

"I hope you haven't started again."

"You know I haven't, and that's not important. No matter how much you try and avoid it, this will all go back to the Abyss." Ravencroft said, grabbing her sleeve and rolling it back up. "You need to tell Ozpin."

"I will." Erik insisted. "I promise. For now, we need to assemble the rest of the team. Do you know where Samantha and Theodora are?"

Elaine nodded. "Samantha went back to Atlas. She's probably in her old haunts, and while I might not be sure where Theodora is, she always answers her scroll."

"Good, then we'll be headed back there. If someone's interested in it, I have no doubt he is somehow involved." Erik hissed.

"What about the last people to go there?" Elaine asked. "Six months ago we sent Frundsberg and Paler down to the Abyss with a thousand of the best men in Vale and none of them made it out alive."

The phantom let out a sigh. "When we get there we'll worry about Frundsberg and Paler. For now, we need to focus on convincing Ozpin and Ironwood to allow the mission."

oxoxoxo

When Maria entered her team's room, all three of her teammates were busy. Francois was loading a magazine of ammo for Mademoiselle, and Thatch and Alison were sitting on the former's bed, with his arm around her. The second she opened the door, however, all eyes were on her, as all three asked the same question: "What happened?"

Maria sighed and gestured for them to sit down. This was going to be a long one. When her team was seated, Maria took her seat across from them and began her story. She had already told them about the run in at the library (Francois had expressed dismay that his "sparring buddy" had neglected to pay him a visit), and they knew that she would have to go in to speak to Fantine today, and now it was time to tell them just what had happened. Once she had explained all of it, however, it still didn't make very much sense. "And after I told him they were working in the North East, he threw me out." Maria concluded.

"Why would he do that?" Francois mused.

"I don't know." Maria muttered. "It's weird, he honestly seemed more rattled about something going on up there than about the intruder."

The room was silent after Maria spoke, no one knowing quite what to say.

The one to break the silence was eventually Francois as the nobleman chuckled slightly. "Well, at least you gave mon amie la serpente a good show."

Maria couldn't help but to chuckle a little. "I don't know what you see in her, Francois. I mean, come on, I took her on easily."

"Easy to say when you have a minigun in your shield!" Francois said back, a wide smile on his face.

"I don't know Noble Boy, our fearless leader seemed to have a much easier time with her, even in heels." Thatch chuckled. Alison giggled slightly at the renegade's comment.

Francois snorted and muttered something under his breath. He looked up to see his partner smirking as he always did. "I must ask you something, Thatch, why is it you call me 'Noble Boy?' Isn't the usual line, how you say, 'Pretty Boy?'"

Thatch's smirk just got wider as he chuckled. "The way you dress, you left the average pretty boy behind a long time ago."

Francois glared at his partner for some time, Alison looking at the two with worry, while Maria just rolled her eyes. The boys could be so juvenile sometimes. The centurion cracked a slight grin. "I could always call you pretty boy."

The nobleman turned to his team leader. "That truly isn't necessary, fearless leader-"

"Oh, but I insist," Maria stated. "Pretty Boy."

That got a rise of laughter from the members of her team, even Francois letting out a grudging chuckle. Even so, her mind was barely there, as she was still completely focused on the break-in during the dance and what she still didn't know about it. It was a lot, and no matter how much she thought about it, it still didn't make sense. What was on that island in the North East? She had a feeling it had something to do with what the snake girl was looking for, but she had no idea what.

For now, it seemed there was little she could do but wait and hope for the best.

oxoxoxo

Erik Fantine arrived outside Ozpin's office and knocked on the door. He could hear the voices inside, and definitely recognized each one as Ozpin, Goodwitch and Ironwood as they discussed their next move. The conversation seemed to pause after he knocked, however, Ozpin saying "Come in."

Fantine pushed the door open and gave Ozpin a slight bow. "Good morning Ozpin. Ironwood. Glynda."

"Erik, what did you find out?" Ozpin asked.

Fantine's expression turned grim as he looked Ozpin in the eye. "Nothing good sir. It seems my fears were correct, someone is disturbing The Abyss."

"We swore we would never mention that again." Ironwood cut in. "Especially after what happened to Frundsberg's forces. There wasn't a single survivor from the Night Attack. We sent in an entire army led by two of the most accomplished generals from the last war, and not a single man made it out alive."

"And that's why I propose we don't send an army for this mission, merely a team." Fantine said evenly, cutting off the general. "I will pick from the students a team to go with me to the island and scout it out. We'll find out what's going on, and do a little... population control while we're there."

Ironwood went white in the face. "You want to bring CHILDREN into that hell hole? I've always respected you, Fantine, but the moment we agree to send children into the Abyss and break the vow of silence-"

"The vow should never have been made." Fantine interrupted, his declaration echoing throughout the office, making a silence cascade over the room. No one spoke. The power behind the statement was just too real. Everyone knew why the oath of silence was taken on the subject of the Abyss, as it was likely the most dangerous place in the kingdoms. "It was a foolish belief to think that just because we didn't talk about it, that no trouble would ever come of it. It's time to test just how useful the vow is. If we find no enemy presence on the island, then immediately upon my return, I will submit to an Atlesian military arrest. You yourself may try me if this is the case." The phantom said, gesturing to Ironwood. "However," He continued. "Should I discover reasonable evidence of our enemy meddling in matters they should never have known about, then these students, these hunters, will be just the first to know about this, and we will begin operations in the Abyss anew. No more secrets, no more hiding the threat away hoping it will never bother us. We will solve it." The masked professor held out a hand to the general. "Do we have a deal?"

Ironwood barely moved when Fantine spoke. To his credit, he didn't look the least bit intimidated by the black robed professor even as he made the proposal to bring students to the most dangerous place in Vale and to tell the public about it if there was found to be enemy activity there. The Abyss had been kept secret ever since its discovery in the last Grimm Incursion, and it was supposed to stay that way. But if Fantine was right and there really was someone there who was possibly plotting against the kingdoms... The general looked to Ozpin who gave him a subtle nod. He then looked to Goodwitch who looked down and put a hand on her chin in thought.

"I'd love to take my own team," Fantine said "But there's only one member here, and the others will take a few days to arrive."

"Very well, Fantine. I'll accept." Ironwood said, holding out a hand for the masked professor to take. When Fantine took his hand, however, Ironwood seized it and pulled him in to look him dead in the eye. "But if you want to avoid being tried as a traitor, you had better bring me some damned good evidence. Understood?"

To his credit, Fantine didn't look at all intimidated by the powerful general threatening his freedom. "Deal."

oxoxoxo

Aedan stood behind the bar at the Last Stop, as he entertained his only customer at the time. She was a woman a few years younger than him, spunky with long black hair and brown eyes, a slightly rough voice and accent. "Well Mary," The bartender said. "Not that I don't enjoy your company, but don't you have a bar of your own to run?"

Mary Ebonwood gave a dismissive wave of her hand. "Eh, it doesn't open until later today, thought I'd come visit an old friend."

"Old friend? Last I checked, I was your old boss."

Mary shrugged. "Who says you couldn't have been both?"

Aedan gave a hearty laugh. "You make a good point, lass!" He declared. He was about to speak again when his scroll began to ring. "Just a moment, Mary. Hello?"

"Aedan, it's me. Listen, remember the tracer we put on that White Fang girl? It's active again. She'd headed back to the north east."

Aedan's face was set in a grim line. He immediately recognized the voice as his partner in crime, the Axman, and he had a sneaking suspicion he knew where the girl was headed. "Just a second, lad." He said, turning to Mary. "Sorry, my dear, but I need you to leave for now. Your next round here is on the house."

"No need for that kind of service, Aedan." Mary insisted as she got up. "I have to get back to the inn anyway." In a few seconds, she was out the door.

As the door shut, Aedan moved to close the bar. "Do you think she's headed back to-"

"That spot in the middle of the ocean?" The Axman asked. "Maybe. Maybe they have an offshore base there or something?"

Aedan let out a sigh. He knew what was up there, but maybe it would be best for his colleague to find out on his own. "Lad, get back here. I might have a way to get you up there."

There was a slight pause on the other end before the Axman spoke again. "I'm on my way."

oxoxoxo

The call was soon given for all first year students to assemble in the amphitheatre, a call that Teams RWBY, JNPR and EMAD happily answered as they met up before the stage as Professor Ozpin took it to stand before the amassed students. From on the stage, Professor Fantine watched the students assemble. All four kingdoms had sent their best and brightest students here of all places, and now all of them were to embark on their first real missions. As Ozpin gave his speech, he couldn't help bug allow a small smile to grace his lips for just a moment. Ozpin was right. The potential these students possessed was... impressive. If for no other reason than that, he smiled. The smile soon vanished however, as he knew that a group of these students was about to accompany him into hell itself. He looked down to his shoes for a moment as he composed himself, Ozpin's speech having faded to background noise as he was forced to remember the last time he was there, facing the strongest enemy he'd ever encountered, the beast's claws slashing across his face and scaring him for life, his screams of pain as his flesh split and his blood was spilled. Unconsciously, he reached up to feel the scars, only to find his mask in the way, thankfully. He shook his head and returned to reality after feeling the cool ceramic against his fingers. Just in time, as Ozpin had just finished his speech and the students were beginning to disperse as they selected their missions.

Let the rest of them decide, but one team was already spoken for, even if they didn't know it.

oxoxoxo

Maria looked at the digital list of missions, the rest of her team standing behind her, the newly recruited Ben Aparte included, the colossal soldier standing stoically behind the rest of the team as they all looked over the list. "What about this one up near the Ognoc forest? It's near the north east so maybe we can do a bit of investigation while we're there?" Maria proposed.

The team all nodded, until one fact made itself clear. "Investigate what, exactly?" Ben asked, folding his arms and frowning at them. As one they all realized that they forgot to tell the soldier about their investigation with Team RWBY.

The awkward silence that followed was deafening, but only lasted so long before Maria spoke again. "Suffice it to say, we've been investigating certain criminal activities that lead back to an island in the north east. We'll explain more on the ride up."

Ben frowned as he thought to himself. She couldn't know about that place, could she?

His thoughts didn't go far before he noticed Maria typing their team name into the space required, only for the words Access Denied to flash across the screen. "What the?" Maria wondered as she tried again. The same result. "What is this?" She said, growing frustrated.

"Having problems?" A new voice asked.

Team EMAD all jumped in surprise and turned to face the speaker. Unsurprisingly, it was professor Fantine. "Professor," Maria began "We were just trying to sign up for this mission and-"

"That won't be necessary." Fantine assured her.

The students all shared a look of confusion. "What?" Thatch asked.

"You heard me mister Edwards."

The hunters shared another look, identical to the last one. "If I may ask, professor," Francois piped up. "Pourquoi?"

"It's simple, really. The five of you have been personally selected to accompany me personally on a mission." Fantine explained. "I even have the approval of Ozpin, imagine that." The mouths of Team EMAD hung open at the professor's words. "You're likely wondering why, well I can assure you that all will be explained on the trip to the north east. Meet me at five sharp at this airship." The phantom explained, handing Maria a slip of paper with a number written on it. "Don't be late." He said, turning to walk away.

The hunters watched with confusion as the enigmatic professor left, his long black cape billowing behind him. Maria looked on after him. "This can't be a coincidence." She muttered.

"What do you mean?" Thatch asked.

"This morning Professor Fantine asks me about the intruder and I let it slip that she might be operating with others in the north east," Maria answered. "Now, he's recruiting my team for a mission in the very location I told him they were likely working."

"Why do you think he picked us?" Alison asked. "Why us and not some older, more experienced team?"

As the team discussed the possible reasons why, Ben largely kept to himself. Secretly he suspected he knew why they were picked, and it was likely partly because of him. After all, his mentor vanished along with his entire army in the north east on... that island... The desire to tell Maria and her team about just what he knew was strong, but he knew he could be punished severely for it. After all, the punishment for breaking the oath of silence he took was death. Deciding it would be safer to keep his mouth shut, the soldier didn't say a word.

oxoxoxo

Closing the Last Stop, Aedan stepped into the storeroom in the back, where he had agreed to meet his partner in crime. It wasn't long before he arrived, the lights going out for only a moment before the Axman appeared, nary a footstep heard as he entered. "I was wondering how you'd make your entrance, lad." Aedan commented.

"You know me," the vigilante said "I like to keep it simple or make it fancy, I figured simple would be a good choice this time."

Aedan shook his head. "You never cease to amaze."

"It's my charm." The Axman responded. "Now, you wanted to talk about something?"

The bartender nodded. "Aye lad, I did. I might have a way for you to get up to the north east to investigate. There's a shuttle full of hunter initiates leaving from Beacon Academy later today headed up there."

The Axman looked at his quizzically. "How did you figure that out?" He mused.

"I might have mentioned what I did before I was a bartender, didn't I?" Aedan said. Upon the confused look from his companion he let out a sigh. "Before I moved to Vale, I was a member of the Atlesian Military Intelligence Division. My old contacts there have told me there's a mission, funded by Atlas leaving from Beacon tonight."

"And they just so happen to be heading in the same direction as our favourite snake girl?" The Axman asked.

Aedan nodded. "Aye, they're investigating possible White Fang activity in the area. I thought you might want to head up with them, give those bastards some hell of your own."

The Axman put his head in his hand. "You think they'd appreciate me joining them?"

The bartender let out a short snort of laughter. "In all likelihood, if they found out you were there, they'd probably call the authorities."

"What, are you trying to get me arrested?"

"What, you think they'd notice you if you were really trying? You of all people should know there are other ways into somewhere besides the obvious one."

The vigilante seemed to muse on this for a moment before that familiar grin came to the unmasked portion of his face. "You might just have a point, and I might just have a plan to get in. Any other bits of last minute advice?"

Aedan's face suddenly took on a slightly darker look. "There is something you should know. How much do you know about your past?"

The Axman looked to his partner with a quizzical grimace. "You of all people should know I don't remember very much. You were the one who found me and trained me to fight. Hell, I don't even know my full name, you were the one who told me my first name-"

"Rick." Aedan finished. "There are some parts of your past that link back to the north east of Vale. Part of your past that made you into what you are today, a part of you locked deep in your mind."

Rick, the Axman, narrowed his eyes behind his black mask. "What are you saying?"

Aedan sighed. "Just try and remember who you are, and that some things should be kept locked away for good reasons." He said, walking over to the vigilante and handing him a slip of paper. "According to my sources, this shuttle leaves in two hours for the north east. If you can find a way onboard, it's simple from there."

Rick smiled as he took the paper from Aedan. He looked at the number scrawled on the paper and then back to his companion. "Thank you Aedan. For everything."

The bartender put a hand on the Axman's shoulder and looked him dead in the eye. "We'll see if you still want to thank me after you see what's up there. Now go, you have to be up at Beacon before the ship leaves."