Cinder Fall was scouting out her enemy. There he was doing his duty as a security guard for a measly dust shop in Vale. Twice now had her plans been foiled and she had lost valuable pieces to the same man. Wherever the shop keep had found him, he had made a good investment. Cinder would admit that. It was only a shame that the guard whom they had known under the name Sasaki Kojirou.

Because of this Sasaki, Roman Torchwick had been arrested and serving time while Adam Taurus was out there doing some kind of community service. Mercury had been sent to observe the latter and reported that Adam had volunteered to do so as he spouted something about training under a new mentor. Adam had been made to wash cars while repeatedly saying, "wax on, wax off, wax on, wax off." Roman, on the other hand, was nowhere to be found. Emerald could only report that the thief was arrested and serving time in a maximum security prison, one that they could not get in to get him out.

So that left Cinder without much pawns to use. She could do their jobs herself, however in doing so, she would put herself at risk of being discovered. That is something that she could not afford, not now when that which should have been hers is so close that she could almost taste it. The fork in her hand twisted as the slice of cake spun on the plate. She would have to put him in his place. It would be easy as well for Cinder possessed a power that most others could only dream of. While hers may only be half, she was confident that it would be enough to deal with that man. She also doesn't intend to face him head-on like the previous opponents. No. She will ambush him when his guard his down and for that she would need to wait until it was night, after his shift was done. Then, it was simply a matter of breaking into the dust shop and get the dust they need; they still need more and it was starting to become scarce even for her.

Her eyes focused on the security guard. Despite his relaxed posture, he was always alert. Like a predator that appeared to be lazing about, he was always ready to pounce at any moment. Customers coming in and out with a few horrible ones that plagues any establishment. The immature ones looking for online fame or those who wish to speak to the manager. Sasaki Kojirou was able to dispel any unruly customers without violence. Often the presence of the sword on his back alone was more than enough. Those who weren't intelligent enough and tried were easily dispelled by his superior physical strength. No one would think that as those who overestimate themselves are often larger and more obviously built while Kojirou wasn't as that assuming. His actual prowess was hidden underneath those clothes of his.

Having finished her plate, Cinder then left the café and waited until nightfall. She would use this time to rest and keep her up to peak condition, while this Kojirou would be physically exhausted from his work day. Surely, with the number of hours he had spent during the day he must have been aching for rest and relaxation at wherever his home would be. They already know what route he normally takes as Cinder, Mercury and Emerald had taken turns as to alleviate suspicion. As such, they have already prepared ahead of time as to how they would conduct this ambush. With the Vytal tournament coming soon, not many people would care about some random individual who got killed somewhere in the alleyways.

When the time came, Cinder, along with Mercury and Emerald set out to ready themselves. They have already memorized the path that Sasaki Kojirou would take. Emerald went ahead in order to set up a believable scenario: a simple child playing out when they should be back at home, they even went through the extra effort in having the parent call out their name. Even if this one didn't work, they had multiple chances to try again with a different scenario. The plan here was that the child would run into the alley and the security guard, after being requested by a mother that did not exist, would follow the child until he would be led down towards their trap: away from everyone and among a multitude of garbage bags for disposal. All they needed to do was take him out there and all will be well. They could also take the time and rob some Dust; they still need more of it for their operations despite the lack of leadership in the White Fang and it just so happens that a certain Dust shop would have lost their security.

The plan went off without much problems. That security followed the non-existent little child as it ran down the alleyways while the non-existent mother cried for her child to return home. As an added measure, Emerald was in front of the security to keep the illusion going. Further in did she draw the security guard who strangely never tried to increase his pace. Instead, he walked leisurely while keeping his eyes firmly on the illusionary child that was now going up the dumpsters and made his way over the fence. At this point, Emerald should break the illusion with a surprise attack. He wouldn't even have the time to react as both Cinder and Mercury would descend upon him and beat him there. They were away from the people that no one would even notice the crime that was happening. Even if they did, they would never be able to trace it back to her. Kojirou would just need to get closer and everything would soon get into motion.

All of that was the reason why it came as genuine shock when Emerald's preemptive strike was countered as her arm was grabbed and she was thrown to the ground from overhead. With the illusion broken, Cinder and Mercury's presence was now made clear. How? How did he know that they were there? Had he been suspicious this whole time? Was he resistant to Emerald's Semblance somehow? Did he have a plan of his own? No matter. The space was still too small for him to draw his sword. He couldn't swing it as wildly as it would bounce off the walls and hit the surrounding trash bags and bins. He would have to use it as a piercing weapon which she doubts that he could be as effective as before.

With a singular glow of her eye, Cinder began to use the powers that were rightfully hers as she ascended from the ground. Kojirou looked at her and placed his hand on the sword. Drawing it out, the tip was pointed at her as the blade ran parallel to his eyesight. The only way he would be able to swing was from the overhead. Predictable. Cinder had the greater power, attached firmly to her soul. She wasn't about to go down so easily if she were to go down at all. She will remind this ruffian of his place.

A high pitched sound of a swinging sword disturbed the air. Suddenly, Sasaki Kojirou was now gone from her vision and appeared behind her, his sword now closer to the ground like he had finished his swing. Cinder checked herself. She was not hit and neither were Emerald nor Mercury whose only expression was that of shock and stunned silence.

Cinder could not help but laugh. "You missed," she mocked. "For all those rumors about your purported swordsmanship, you could not even hit a target a mere few feet in front of you." She raised her hand to create a ball of flame.

"The powers you possessed," he said. "Are now back to its rightful owner."

"What?" Cinder asked.

Suddenly, a sudden pain engulfed her entire being. It wasn't the pain that she was accustomed to. No. It was the kind of pain that hurts one's soul. The half of the Fall Maiden's powers visibly left her as she fell to the ground gasping for air.

"Despite your illusions," he said as Mercury and Emerald went to her side. "It was only visual. You did not deceive my hearing. Even if you had, I had felt your intents since this morning."

"Impossible," she said. That must have been some nonsense that he was spouting. There was simply no way that he could have known that. Not even the most exceptional of huntsmen would be able to tell. Such a feat could only have been accomplished in myths and legends. Those who have slain dragons and saved entire kingdoms could have attained such level.

"So," he replied as he sheathed his sword. He crossed his hands and tapped his foot impatiently. "What will you do now?"

Cinder looked at him, then at Emerald and Mercury. Even without the powers, there were three of them and only one of him. However, their cover was already blown and their identities would be revealed. However, to do so would mean sacrificing the pieces that Cinder prepared. She wouldn't care what would happen to Emerald and Mercury but they are useful at the moment. She could not afford to lose them now.

"This isn't over!" she declared. The three of them then ran away, tails between their legs. She would have another chance to do this. There was more than one Maiden, all she needed to do was plan another one's capture. If not, they could always try again. Defeat here tasted bitter.

Behind them, Sasaki Kojirou resumed his route as he returned to his residence in Vale. If he was lucky, he might have some time to continue refining his swordsmanship. He has reached the stage where he could cut finely without actually cutting through flesh but he knew he still had much more to reach. If a certain swordsman reached absolute zero, he will reach absolute one and go beyond that as well.

/-/

Amber needed a few days before she could fully walk without assistance. Being in a comatose state does that to one's body. What was once a life-threatening moment with no hope for survival turned into a miraculous moment of life that again turned to panic when she realized she was trapped in a pod. No one was around at that time so she blasted her pod open, triggering an alarm. When she tried to leave whatever place that she was in, she was met with the stunned expressions of the headmaster of Beacon Academy, Ozpin and his deputy, Glynda Goodwitch. Both had immediately responded to the sudden alarm and rushed their way downwards as fast as they were able. Amber nearly fought them herself thinking of them as one of the enemies before realizing who they were and after a moment to calm down her panic.

As far as Beacon is concerned, she was just a visiting huntress who was staying in the visitor's dorm in the meantime. Nothing too suspicious as there were other visitors as well though they mostly hailed from the other Academies. The Vytal Tournament was coming soon and it shows among the student body. Those participating had a blazing motivation to win while those who did not had similar levels of support for their friends and favorite teams.

She had the privilege of watching the fights while she recovered. She needed that rest as far she was concerned. "So," she asked. "Who are the expected winners this year?"

"Well," answered Glynda Goodwitch who was checking her vitals. It was best that they be safe than sorry. "Miss Nikos' team most certainly has the biggest number of fans who expect her to win. Though team RWBY is following behind thanks to their team leader rising in popularity."

"Team RWBY's leader is that popular?"

Glynda Goodwitch. "He is the son of a shepherd, so they say. Rolf is rapidly rising as a fan favorite among the masses. Everybody knows him by now."

Amber nodded in understanding. She was only interested in catching up with what she had missed. Right now, she was enjoying her life when it was so close to having been taken away. She gave a silent thanks to whatever or whoever was out there that gave her back the Fall Maiden's powers.

Somewhere in Vale, a certain security guard sneezed. Somebody must have been thinking about him.

AN: First of all Cinder, it's "regend"