The warehouse sat packed with months maybe even years' worth of dust stolen by the white fang for a big strike. Cinder eyed the progress made her concerned. Over the past two weeks Roman Torchwick was behind on his quotas. She was getting annoyed and slightly concerned, Yeah, he occasionally only did his job on a perfunctory level but he still provides the largest yield per week. His last shipment was three weeks ago, before he called her. "Hey," Cinder shouted down to other white fang members "Some of you track down Torchwick." She was about to continue the orders until a large convoy two large convoy trucks pulled in. "Check out the trucks." She ordered cautiously observing from the distance.
Two brave White Fang members approached the derelict vehicle. He opened the driver side and jumped back when the driver fell over bleeding. "Help me…" he forced from his mouth before falling limp.
"The man died Ma'am" the guard yelled confused as to what killed him. He took another glance at it noticing a gaping hole but blood was barely coming out. It's like he lost all of his blood".
The other car had a driver in the same situation. They went to open the back of both the vehicles, in its back were crates chalked full of dust. By estimates there was enough dust here to supply a small army. "Hey is this Torchwick's work?" he turned asking Cinder who came down to check personally.
Cinder observed all of it. She shook her head. "No way it was him this was to messy to be him. he rarely kills." She looked into the back of the truck to see two other guards in the same condition. She was not sure what the meaning of this was. The other members of the white fang confirmed that the other truck was in the same situation. "Find out who or what caused this." She demanded heading back to the small cabin on the second floor.
She entered it and dialed Roman's number only to get a leave a message yet again. She then heard laughing coming behind her. She turned around to see a woman dressed in black and gold lining. "Men can't be reliable in our time of need can't they." she spoke in a peculiar way to Cinder almost seductive if she were to put a word to it. "But I wouldn't blame dear Roman for it after all he is such a busy little thief." She continued.
Cinder glared angrily at this unknown woman. "Eliza I presume." The mysterious woman let out a very ominous hum as she spoke confirming who she was. "What have you done to him?" she demanded an answer fire generating from her hands.
Eliza rolled her eyes as she stopped leaning on the desk. "Oh, come now. You and I both know that rouge is more useful alive then dead." She spoke rather calm despite being in room with the head of this operation. Cinder stood her ground before the woman in unknown clothing spoke again. "He is indisposed of at the moment taking care of a task I asked him to do."
Cinder was getting angered who ever she was she kept a calm reflection that made it impossible to read. Eliza on the other hand was reading her like a book. "Where is he" Cinder demanded looking at her watching every move she made. "If you say he's alive then there must be proof." To her shock the woman laughed out loud.
"Last I checked I left him in an alley Dying from boredom." She let out another sinister laugh at her own humor. Cinder finally had enough of her she was teetering on the edge of attacking her. "For what it's worth you clearly don't view him as anything but an asset so oh well if he dies" Eliza burst out laughing as Cinder formed a short sword and through it at her. She was surprised to see the blade bounced back by the pole she was holding flip upward deflecting the weapon. Eliza grinned as she lifted one of her fingers to wag it at her. "My how naughty." She said to compliment her taunt.
Cinder charged at Eliza bashing her against the side of the enclosed space. She then punched her several times in the Abdomen before she was pushed off. Whoever she was she was stronger than she looked. she didn't have a lot of time before had to on defensive as Eliza dashed at her tackling her out of the room over the guard rail onto one of the stationary trucks. multiple members of the White Fang froze in place watch as Eliza fell off the truck and Cinder stumbled off after her.
Eliza kept calm watching Cinder who formed some form of bow and arrow to take several shots at her. again, she deflected with the scepter in her hands. this time however Cinder came in with a round house kick throwing her into an unopened crate of dust. White Fang members began to run as the grounded dust began to fall onto the floor. Eliza fell over from the impact she watched as Cinder approached a new sword in her hand she looked down at the yellow sand in front of her. She grabbed a handful and blew it into her face paralyzing her with an electric shock. She took the opportunity to get a few steps away from her.
Cinder finally shook off the electric attack she eyed Eliza angrily as she grabbed a small vile of blue dust crystals. She threw it at her feet watching as it froze both her legs and staff in the ice. She grinned as she pulled her sword from the embers she formed. she approached slowly hoping to see Eliza panic. however, she all she got was disappointment she threw what seemed to be more of the electric dust sand she grabbed earlier. Cinder dodged with ease as she grabbed her and through her into the back of a still loaded convoy truck. She then grabbed a lighter and threw it into the trunk and slammed it shut.
BBBBBBBBBOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!
the truck was heavily armored but even that barely held up to a chamber barely could hold up to a blast of that caliber. she was disappointed that she lost a heavy truck's worth of dust but if it meant getting rid of Eliza then so be it. she looked at two White Fang members who stood there scared. "Clean it up." she ordered as she walked away.
thud
Cinder's eyes widened hearing the metal door of the truck bang like that. she turned around as the two White Fang members began to approach cautiously.
THUD
The door began to give way. A huge dent formed on the door. someone or something was wanting to get out.
CCCRRRRAAASSSHHHHH.
The door went flying off the back of the truck. the two white fang members stared at the smoke coming from the door. out came a severely burned Eliza glaring at Cinder. "Perhaps I miss judged you. No matter, I will just have to rely on Skehmet's protection more so. She jabbed her arm into the White Fang member on her right causing him to bleed.
Cinder watched in horror as his blood quickly left his body and repair any damage done to herself. her clothes also began to repair itself as well. The other White Fang member began to flee to see a red liquid snake wrap itself around his neck and then bite hard into his chest slowly draining him as well. "(What the hell is this woman)" was the only question Cinder asked herself as she got ready for round two.
This time, Eliza charged at Cinder she tried to shoot her but she missed her shots. as the arrows made it to her she morphed into a red glob then form back. she got ready for defensive measures. Eliza stooped inches in front of her forming into a red Sarcophagus that swung wide open. A skeleton leapt out tackling Cinder to the ground. it continued to slash out violently at her until She managed to kick it back into the Coffin. she watched mortified as it reformed into the woman of interest. She began to run from Eliza climbing nearby crates to the second floor.
Eliza watched amused as she ran for extended range. She formed into a red pool and dissipated in hot pursuit.
The cat walks were usually the better place to hide when attacked. but now it was a massive maze navigating between boxes of dust needed for her newest scheme. Cinder walked bow drawn slowly walking across the catwalks. Jumping at every single creak in the decrepit warehouse. Suddenly she heard laughing that was taunting her. as she shot in the direction of the laugh. a red tentacle slashed into her back. her aura protected her from the strike but she now found out why Roman feared this woman. Whatever she was, she was a legitimate threat.
Cinder continued her walk across the cat walks looking left and right for signs of the mysterious monster. things were to quiet even for her liking. every drip in a pipe put her on edge as she crossed the through the crate city that towered around her. waiting for her strike. "Where are you" She shouted as every inch of her being already knew the answer. She slowly tilted her head up to see Eliza hanging from the rafters drop in on her. Cinder dodged quickly not focusing on grace or elegance as she returned to stare at the monster. She was grinning at how she knelt on the ground before her feet. Cinder glared as she grabbed into the smoke and pulled out a freshly forged lance and tossed it at her. she missed and made a tower of boxes go tumbling down blocking off Eliza's only exit. The monster turned around half amused before looking back at her. "My weren't we getting desperate."
Eliza slowly approached Cinder as she was scrambling to get to her feet. each step her figure blacked out the light behind her. Cinder got up and slashed out violently at her she dodged and made her skin peel off for her skeleton to attack. the skeleton landed three viscous strikes before Cinder caught its arm and slammed to the floor she ran for cover as she fired another arrow. she took several deep breaths looking back to see that she was missing.
A sharp pain made itself noticed on her side she turned down to see part of a hand inside her now bleeding body. She looked terrified to see Eliza smiling at her like a person who began to love a dog. "I could kill you right here. Use whatever life span your blood gives me to live well into the next three years." Her voice was calm but it left a disturbing tone. "However, I am not smart enough to understand how technology works. That is why I have a dire proposition for you."
Cinder eyed her cautiously listening to her next words carefully. Eliza could tell that she was listening and smirked. "You want me gone, no? Well for you to have me out of your plans is to help me." She spoke confidently "Sure I can direct you toward what's needed in fact I have. All I need from you is to get me men to build what our dearest thief is getting for me."
Cinder looked at her "What is he stealing?" questioning her sincerity
"Roman is in the middle robbing a lab for a set of blue prints for a device capable of inter dimensional travel." She continued to speak. "I plan to build it here. in exchange I am giving you access to a weapon that makes the Grimm look like child's play." Cinder looked at her in shock. the thought of something powerful enough to make the fear creating Grimm is truly a terrifying weapon. "Do we have a deal?" Eliza asked believing negotiations were done.
Cinder looked at her before nodding in agreement. Eliza grinned as she looked out the window toward Beacon academy. "Samson." she spoke "You'll be mine one way or another."
Team Rwby's dorm
"And that is why the four academies where formed." Wiess spoke calmly with her back turned to the rest of her team. "Any questions?" She asked turning around to see if any of them did. All she got was disappointment. Only Blake and Filia were really showing any signs of paying attention. Yang and Ruby were off to the side trying to hook up some game system that they brought with them from their childhood. "Any question Blake?" Wiess asked already knowing the answer.
"Sorry Wiess this is more but a simple refresher to most of us." Blake said standing up and heading back toward Ruby and Yang to watch them closely.
Wiess twitched a little annoyed that it felt her lesson was for not. She looked at Filia who was writing down what seemed to be basic notes on the subject matter. "any questions Filia?" She asked not expecting any.
"Why did the Grimm first came to be?" She asked. as she turned to check the back of her hair for knots.
"Good question actually." Wiess responded rather surprised that she had a question. "It depends honestly though most history believes that the Grimm were a byproduct of fear and Hatred." She explained to the best she can recall.
"So, long story short it's because you all fear each other." Samson spoke which caught most the room off guard. Jaune and Nora tended to forget Samson was alive not just a hair style she had. Most days he's quiet and lets Filia do what is needed until combat practice. Guess it was just a normal thing for him to lay low during the day though Filia has claimed he can be very verbal about things when he wants to.
"In lay met terms Samson, yes." Wiess confirmed "Hopefully these tutoring lessons you been taking will help with the next semester." Filia nodded in agreement looking back at the other three to see them crowding around what seemed to be another TV program. Wiess walked over to see what they were doing "Oh you got that thing hooked up." She was rather unamused toward their actions.
Filia tailed over there brush in hand combing Samson and watching the four stare at the TV monitor. She was not fully sure what she was looking at. "What TV show is this?" she questioned looking at the bright flashing colors from the opening sequence.
"It's not a TV show" Yang spoke up excited "It's a game."
Filia looked at the them when she heard game. "So, is it like three card ante?" The entire room looked at her and the fact she brought up a very basic game "Five card stud?" She tried to save herself from embarrassment only to have Samson give of a look of disappointment.
"Excuse the kid" Samson spoke up. "She's never seen tech like this before, hell most TVs where we are from are black and white."
Yang stood up after hearing that and grabbed Filia by the arm "Come here world jumper." She said very excitedly forcing her onto the bean bag chair that had set up. "Try at least one match okay." She spoke with very high amount of enthusiasm.
Filia looked at the TV. on it said HUNTERS: Remnant Rivals in big flashing letters. She looked down at the controller and pushed the button that said start on it. She looked at all the options the first screen displayed. Both Samson stared at the many options available.
"Even the options have options" Samson spoke slightly intimidated by the screen. Filia ignored him as she selected the one it started on, single player. pushing on it a large array of characters showed up. "More options?" Samson mumbled confused.
Yang watched half amused as Filia selected a character. She selected a fighter and the match started. She lost within five minutes. "Well in your defense." She spoke toward Filia "You are new to this."
Filia nodded and got up to head to back to her brush. Samson relaxed himself as she continued stroking their hair. Ruby watched confuse as to why she did it given the fact she never really enjoyed long hair like her step sister. "Is there a reason you tend to do that." Filia opened her eyes looking at Ruby. "The brushing. I never really got long hair so watching the others made me curious about why." She tried to explain herself.
Filia closed her eyes again thinking on it. I honestly can't remember what my old hair looked like." She answered thinking on it. "I know I do it know to keep Samson in a better fighting condition. As for others, some just like straight hair I guess." She continued brushing as she twitched a little accidently pulling on some of the hair causing the two pain.
Ruby watched her continue her hair care before hearing a knock at the door. Blake went and answered it. she opened the door to see Goodwitch on the other side holding a circular box. "Professor Goodwitch" Blake greeted alerting everyone in the room. "What brings you here?"
"Filia I'm afraid." her Response was dull and straight as usual. Filia and Samson's eyes looked in her direction. "Due to General Ironwood's paranoia, he has come unexpectedly to investigate an unusual phenomenon." the entire room looked at her confused. she sighed with annoyance what she was relaying was classified information but considering Filia's situation and likely involvement she needed to be warned. "We have reason to believe you are somehow involved."
"WHOA" Samson's tone dropped from mildly threatening to what came off as a cornered beast. "Are you calling us a threat you are damn wrong." Filia yanked the brush through her hair making both wince in heavy pain. Samson grumbled realizing she did it to warn him.
Goodwitch looked at the two "Samson we do not believe you are directly involved." She began to look around the room. "Ozpin believes that at best, there is a correlation." everyone still looked at her confused even though she was trying to be cryptic it was no help. "We think whatever brought you here is leaving energy traces behind since it never shut off fully."
Filia stood up placing the brush on the bed "We understand is Ironwood the reason you are here?" She asked curiously Goodwitch nodded as she handed her the box she was caring it. Filia opened it to see a white baller cap that she would often use to hide Samson back in New Meridian.
"Until Ironwood leaves the Vale Kingdom you are to wear the hat to hide Samson from the Atlas guardians." Her orders were that of commanders made sense considering she was the second of command of Beacon and an accomplished huntress. Filia nodded to signal she understood her orders as she turned around and left.
"Well that stinks." Yang stated breaking the rooms silence.
"Kid, you know what this means?" Samson's voice held an air of excitement. Filia tilted her eyes up and toward his voice. "They are bout to come and get us. It's about time too." Filia nodded in agreement.
"Wait" Ruby's voice came off rather startled "Your leaving?"
Filia turned her head to see the other members of her new friends looking at her. She wasn't sure what to say she went to her small room and locked the door. She found her radio placed it in a fabric sack and approached her window and climbed up to the roof. She sat down and tuned her device to her favorite station. she sat there looking at the sunset lost in thought as she stared at the view of the Vale harbor town that laid in Beacon's shadow.
Samson could tell what was going through her head. "You're stuck between two worlds aren't you kid." his voice came off as caring for once in a long while. "Not that I blame you even in my time several of my host suffered hard thought choices." Filia sunk her head into her arms.
"What do I do Samson?" she was muffled by her arms but he knew what she was asking about. "I have lived three different lives now." She was clearly in distress.
"Two. you have lived two different lives technically you never lived one being an amnesiac" he corrected her. "Look, I know some of my host hard choices you by far have the toughest one ever. Find who you were in Meridian or live the life of a vagabond in this crazy ass world." Ache wasn't taking his answer very well. "and for all we know it was just a fluke, or even the wrong kind of energy that the machine runs on. The point is you're the captain of this ship I'm just the artillery don't worry about me I'll be fine."
Filia nodded listening to her radio. until she looked up surprised to see Jaune and Pyrrha up there. "Jaune, Pyrrha what are you two doing up here?" She asked staring at the two.
"Training seems like you beat us up here today." Pyrrha stated looking at her "we heard the news from Ruby. You okay?" Filia nodded as she looked back at the town to see the atlas ship floating high above the town.
"How bad can them picking up readings be?" Filia asked the two of them before the jazz from her radio stopped.
"THIS IS A VALE SPECIAL REPORT!" the radio blared loudly. "A WOMAN WITH FOUR BLADES ATTACHED TO HER BACK-VIA CABLE IS ON A RAMPAGE! ATLAS OFFICALS HAVE STATED TO STAY OUT OF HER WAY AND LET THEM HANDLE IT."
Filia's eyes widened as she ran to the side of the roof "Samson latch on" she ordered him as she jumped Samson grabbed on to the ledge as the fell in crashing into her dorm room and barging in to see the four members of RWBY playing some co-op game. "turn to the news now." she said terrified Blake did as she requested. sure, enough there was a special report.
"three hours ago, Atlas soldiers encountered an armed woman. the blades in this footage suggest she is very dangerous authorities advise to stay behind and not confront her unless you are a trained huntress." the news feed stated as it swapped to footage of the person in question. she was shorter than most people. moving slowly from her limp but she often was on all fours as her blades flailed wildly blocking bullets or slicing Atlas drones. the crazed woman roared as she proceeded to take a wide array of bullets from all angles. she fell limp for several seconds before getting back up angrier.
"Hey!" a female voice could be heard as the camera focused on the woman. "We don't need no stinkin cameras here a scram!" the camera changed to the person yelling. she looked to be a kid in a brown dress her arms replaced by what could be described as robotic noodle arms with white gloves topping them. Her top hat bobbed up and down as she walked. she grabbed the camera looked into it before tipping the top hat upward a little. "That's all folks." she said as a shotgun appeared from under the hat blasting it to bits.
Filia and Samson froze in shock. realizing who that was. "Well that looks like fun lets go." Yang said as she turned around to see the two frozen with shock. "What?"
"That was Peacock." Filia spoke still looking at the static TV screen. "She's here in Vale."