Volume CRBN!

by Dancesnapple

Four individuals. Four different people of different walks of life resulting in an adventure. Hopefully, a bond that can last. Team CRBN (carbon). Features: OC Main character, main team has two OCs alongside a lovable crime duo, and some family drama on all sides. Features a 'soundtrack' element for the fic. ENJOY! Story begins on third listed chapter. Very slow start.

82. 80 A Black Snowflake

AUTHOR NOTE: The post chapter notes are extremely long and extensive for a somewhat coherent explanation regarding the possible future of this fic.

Chapter Eighty: A Black Snowflake

"What the heck?" A guard cocks his head, looking down at his scroll. Two guards are posted at a front gate of the Schnee Dust Company Headquarters. The other guy perks and looks up with raised brows. The first guard remains oblivious. "Hey, did the wi-fi go out for you, too?"

"Dude, look up. Shield's down." The second looks to the sky where the hard light barrier previous occupied. The other glances up, flinching and blinking upon seeing the sky above.

"What?" He second takes to his scroll. "Guess we got some power maintenance going on." He pulls out his radio and keys it. "Main entrance to available Uniform. The hard light barrier went down over the property."

No response. The guards share a look.

The first guard keys his radio. "Main entrance to available Uniform?"

No response. They share a look.

The second goes again. "Radio check."

The radio keys to life. "10-2."

They turn again. That's the loud and clear signal. The first guard raises a brow. "That was north compound. Their radios are working." He keys the radio. "Main entrance to Sierra?" No response. "Main entrance to maintenance?!" No response. "Main entrance to anyone from the main complex?!"

The two turn fully to the main buildings a short distance off. They see some guards through the windows of the building. They seem to be waving at them, holding up their devices confused. "What's that about?" The second guard asks.

"Son of a..." The first guard walks from his post with a scrunched face.

"Hey! What are you-"

"Something's gotta be wrong with the signals. I'm gonna ask them in person. Hold the fort for just a second." The first guard walks along the concrete trails to one of the inner buildings. As he gets closer, he keys the radio. "Radio check."

"10-2."

Still good. He keeps going and going until finally hearing just a tough of static from the radio. He raises his brow. "Radio check."

"10-..." The radio crackles in the response, garbling it.

He checks the radio, turning to look back towards the main entrance guard now a long distance off. "10-9?" He cocks his head, looking around. "10-9? Repeat last?"

One of the nearby complex doors opens as another guard steps out. "Hey! Electronics are going haywire in the inner portion of the complex. Can you get maintenance on it?"

"Maintenance to all guards." The transmission finally cuts through.

"Finally." The first guard shakes his head. He responds. "Go ahead, Maintenance."

"All electronic devices at ground level up to five levels at the central hub are going crazy. Someone must have been using electro magnets or something. They screwed the power, too." The guards share a look of concern. "Had to walk up to the sixth floor to get a new radio. We're heading down to get the generator up and running."

The first guard raises a brow. He looks to the other guard. "Did you know of any experiments with power today?" The other shrugs.

Back at the main entrance, Penny and two Atlas soldiers march up to the remaining guard. One of her escorts perks. "Has something happened?"

Penny perks, blinking wide as she looks around. Her gaze narrows at the main compound.

The remaining guard sighs. "Some knucklehead did something in the main complex and knocked out power. Must have been some type of pulse to knock out a bunch of electronics and radios."

Penny stiffens, alert. Knocking out technology? Electromagnetic pulse? "Are electronics that go into the complex damaged? Or just those that were already inside?"

"Miss Penny, please let us handle this." One of her escorts hushes her.

Yet, the first guard who had initially walked away comes back. "Whatever knocked the power out is hanging in the air, but damage?" He looks at his radio. "My radio is acting normally now, so I'd guess anything going in will glitch a bit is all."

"Has anyone notified the military?" One of the escorts asks the guards.

The other escort answers. "Everything is on high alert down town, remember?" He then looks to the guards. "We were to escort Miss Polendina to her father's quarters inside. Can you pick up the detail?"

"Of course! Right this way-..." The guard looks behind the escorts... then his head is whipping around. "Where'd she go?! Penny?!"

Above, Penny's sword pierces into the corner of an outer building roof. The line connected to the hilt reels in, pulling Penny up and over the roof top. The android girl lands and lets her electronic green eyes scan the complex ahead.

Checking... radiation levels...

Scan complete. Results align with theory of an EMP. Damage to her systems would be temporary, but could significantly reduce her capabilities depending on how long she's inside. Instead, she should head to her father's quarters and avoid it for now. Depending on its condition, she should check the vital areas...

. . .

In the scope of the sniper rifle, the orange haired lass can be seen puppeteer controlling a sword on a wire to pull and climb up the side of one of the complex buildings.

Makara frowns. She focuses. "Blair. They've definitely noticed the EMP. No large movements, but there is a girl using wires and swords very similarly to Rowa's semblance. She seems to be Neo's and Carmine's age."

. . .

Inside, Team CRBN is now in dark hallways. The natural light of a window shows every so often, but Blair is raising a cylinder of white dust. Its glow illuminates the halls, as well as the unconscious workers the group has passed at this point.

Blair grimaces. "Interesting." She focuses so that her speech is both to the team and to Makara. "Makara's spotted a curious individual. What's her description?" While waiting, she adds. "Someone able to puppet swords on wires similar to Rowa."

The blonde notices Neo nearly trip and recover. The girl maintains a look on Blair and signs. "Orange hair? Green clothes?"

As if in answer, Makara's reply comes. "She's got orange hair with a green headband. Her colors are white, green, and black to her outfit. She's pale."

Blair looks to Neo. "Exactly spot on. This the girl you fought with in Malum?" At Neo's fierce game face, the blonde deflates. Of course, Neo's going to get competitive at a time like this.

Roman chuckles. "Our mute has made friends."

"She let Neo go in Malum. Maybe an ally?" Carmine optimistically chimes in. "I'd like to have a nice ginger around for once."

"Nice is for weaklings." Roman snorts. "Intersection ahead. Sky bridge to robotics is right. Sky bridge to Bio is straight!"

Carmine and Neo share a look. "Be careful. I feel like Near's lab will somehow have more fun than we'd like to see waiting for you."

Blair shifts in her stride to the boy, focusing her aura into him. "Allow my semblance to pass. I'm willing to stress test my control if it gives us communication."

He allows the haze of violet to wash into him. A brief sigh of focus and he smirks. "Thanks! We don't want the grumpy giant to get too impatient." The intersection is met as the boys cut right, the girls staying straight. "Team CRBN, MOVE OUT!"

. . .

In the City of Mantle...

A limo comes to a halt before a manor. From the vehicle, George steps out, quickly moving around the vehicle to open the door for Garland. The man's feet touch the ground, as does a cane. He attempts to force himself to walk on his own, but Garland quickly braces him, helping him along.

"I am sorry, George. You do not need to assist me any further." The man weakly protests as he marches to his large home.

The lion faunus gives a frown. "Of course I do, sir. Would do no good to leave a friend to fall half dead after nearly dying yesterday." George keeps the tone light despite his displeasure. The two make it into the doors, then they turn right.

Garland grumbles. "A friend doesn't pull you into activities such as this."

A quick grunt as George begins to help the weak man up a set of steps. "Nonsense, Garland. Friends are exactly who you want around in these situations." He grunts up to the top of the steps. "Separates the bad friends who would abandon you from the good ones that stick around."

That gets a chuckle out of the weak man. "Well, that coin can flip. The bad friends drag their friends into the mud, and the good friends can prot-ECT!" He nearly stumbles, both men gripping and steadying before continuing. "Whew... And keep their rubbish from affecting others, I was going to finish."

They arrive to the man's room. George assists him to sit. Garland waves him off though.

"If you are in on this, then I can get myself dressed. Need the..." He grunts with effort, shrugging off his jacket. "the leather jacket and nice protective glasses. He looks at the faunus with a glower. "And I want you to prepare my mobile pod."

George frowns. "... You really intend to... assault the SDC?"

Garland huffs. "I intend to confront dear Dr Stein about some intellectual and ethical standards." He gives a wry grin. "He fell for one of the classic blunders. The most famous of which is never fight a war of attrition in Vacuo, but a very close second is never, ever, mess with a man's daughter." He looks up to his friend. "Those kids are going against the SDC to get that bastard. Least I can do is be near to lend of hand."

The faunus smiles at that. "I understand sir. And... I do expect you to call me when you get brought in by the military."

"Right to a lawyer, well remembered." The rich man gives a toothy smile. "Very important, a high profile Atlas case in the making with the first high caliber faunus defense attorney. Cannot wait."

A sweat drop reaction comes from George as he leaves the room. He quickly bounds down the stairs and into a garage of sorts. Technological gadgets display on all sides. Some for show, others for a variety of functions.

Yeah, Garland Riviera, once an inventor, never truly lost a love of technology. He simply found business and politics to be his calling. Yet, his prize possession remained in the center of the room.

A sleek, metal black and red pod with an open top half showing a seat and control board sits in the room. The bottom of the pod shows dust ports and jets for propulsion. Gold trim showcases on the lining of several of its armor plates. Dust cartridges are loaded into slots just behind the inner seat, and a whole slew of gadgets show in the bountiful control panel.

George sighs before flipping a switch on the mobile pod... the machine roaring to life like a jet engine, its lights coming to life...

. . .

Blair and Neo dash quickly into the surprised group of maintenance workers! In a flash of movement, Neo cracks one with Hush, twisting around to strike the hilt into the next man hard enough to launch him down the hall. He slides to a halt, air out.

A Neo takes the men apart, Blair deftly strikes each to grip each with her semblance. Hazes of aura pain and restrict them until consciousness leaves. Finished, the two continue, full sprint. "We're not far from the records. We just need to pass the next..."

Her senses erupt. A powerful aura...

"STOP!" Blair and Neo halt, weapons up at the ready. The power in the halls were restored, yet the power ahead was out... Only shadows before them. Blair steels herself. "I know you're there! Show yourself!"

Neo narrows her gaze ahead. Then she hears them. Footsteps. The echoing clack of dress shoe heels on the stark white floors rings. Her eye catches and glimpse... a slight gleam of light.

A reflection shifting... glasses. Her gut sinks.

Blair hears the girl's quick breath, taking that as a confirmation... This must be him in the flesh.

Or synthetic flesh, going by Carmine's account.

Gleaming glasses show in the dark, reflecting light from the women's side as slowly, the lanky scientist steps forth. Stein stands before them, looking none too concerned. His head tilts slightly, the gleam off his glasses blotting out his eyes. "I was heading this way regardless. Rude demands of such nature are meaningless in this case." He pulls up an unlit cigarette and lights it.

No weapon? This is a trap. Has to be.

Blair sends another aura pulse... It pings hard off Stein himself, but also hazes her senses throughout the hall. Another ping is locked into the end... Not enough aura to be a human... What?

Stein hums, taking a huff from the cigarette. "Only the two of you? Shame. I had hoped to procure the boy. A mole and failed pet project of Spyyra's are of no interest to me."

The blonde isn't willing to entertain whatever trap this is. She has her own. Quickly measuring out the distance between herself and Stein, she steps back until she's in front of a hall window pane. "Makara, can you see me? Sixth floor."

. . .

Makara hones in on the scope. She'd been inventorying the number of guards and movements. All movements have been to the base of the inner southern tower. Yet, Blair was visible out the next tower over. Good. That means the Cult member is doing his job.

"Sight confirmed."

"Stein is here. Fifteen meters ahead of my front. Can you calculate distance?"

Makara clicks on the scope and adjusts the target point on the flawless white structure wall. She'd begun to adjust the millisecond she heard fifteen meters. "Got it."

She holds until Blair responds. "Take the shot."

. . .

Blair and Neo remain back. Stein raises a brow. So, they're analyzing him. They see he has a trick? It does not matter. So long as they act against him.

He spots Blair's smirk. They're acting now-

BooOOOOM! The dust charged shot punctures through the wall! The scientist raises his right arm in defense, but fails to stop the shot blasting into his bicep from the side! The dust burst on impact crashes him into the wall in a strong strike!

In a split second's time, Stein's artificial eye glowers out the hole into the distance. The lens contracts and zooms in, in, and in more to see the sniper far off! Through her scope, Makara herself can see him as well... Eye contact made on both ends.

"3,672..."

The sniper reads his infernal lips as he mouths the numbers. Tensing and gritting his teeth, she fires again! And again! And again!

Inside the hall, The scientist lifts both arms! Five orb wheels pulse and float out from his sleeves and form a violet energy pentagon shield! The sniper shots strike against the shield as he pushes from the dented wall! He cuts a look left!

Blair speeds forth, rushing to close the distance in a flash! Stein huffs and ducks right, avoiding her slash! Stein adjusts his glasses as he dodges her lightning quick slashes before breaking into a sprint the way he came!

Each stride is accompanied with a sniper shot blasting through the wall into his projected shield! Streaks of light pierce into the darkness from each broken in hole! As the doctor runs, Blair gives chase, Neo striving to catch up.

Stein dodges another sniper shot through the wall! Damn it. 3,672 must have some sort of communication from them directing her shots! He just has to make it one turn away.

Perfect.

He huffs as suddenly, the halls light up!

All the lights turn on, momentarily flashing Blair and Neo and making them stop. Ahead of them, Stein comes to a halt by a wall outlet link. A small device receiver is plugged into the wall, flashing with violet aura... He turns, giving a bored look. "Two against one is hardly fair." The device pulses aura as the walls hum around them.

Blair and Neo look around, seeing the walls lined with sliding projectors along the corners of the hall. The projectors slide past the two without activating while more projectors slide and stop between them and Stein himself.

Blair grits her teeth. "Makara, punch a hole in the wall for my reference. I'll guide your shots."

The projectors activate. White hard light shields form on either side of the girls. Containing them in a wide space. Neo and Blair dart looks around, noticing more projectors are within the space. Blair sucks in a breath. "A hard light man trap."

Makara's shot punches the wall just outside the hard light trap. Stein narrowly avoids the shot, visibly annoyed.

"Up two meters, right half a meter!"

The projectors inside the man trap light up, creating a sparking electric grid! The grid slides at the girls! Blair run slides under the grid before it hits her, Neo leaping over and using Hush as a barrier ram to push through the grid and land on the other side. The grid projectors immediately form two separate grids, walling Blair off from Neo.

That's when Makara's shot hits. The sniper shot barrels through the top right corner of the corridor into one of the projectors on Stein's side. The barrier doesn't collapsed, but the corner fades away, leaving a gap.

Stein hums. He snaps his fingers, letting the device in the wall spark with his aura again. Suddenly, the floors within the man trap begin to quiver...

Neo acts immediately, leaping acrobatically through the corner gap of the hard light barrier. Upon landing, she looks through the haze to see Blair on the other side... Just as the floor collapses.

Blair shouts out. "Stay safe! I'll catch up to you-..." She drops into the trap floor. Down and down below. Separated.

Stein hums and strokes his chin with one hand while the other removes the device attachment from the wall. His sleeve pulls up, revealing an open panel mid way up his forearm as he inserts the attachment into himself. His aura complete again, he turns to Neo, the two quite close.

Neo backs into a ready combat stance... She remembers Carmine's description of this guy...

"Ah, 2,814. It's good of you to return for your annual check-up." The man states in an emotionless, almost bored nature. "You've missed your last few visits, so we'll need to update your medical history." Neo lashes at him, yet he only ducks back as Hush slashes his cigarette in half. He ducks away and sighs, discarding the butt. "Still with the behavioral problems, I see."

He's unarmed. She has to have a chance against him right now. So, she attacks! Lunging at him, he ducks away and begins dodging her attacks down the hallway.

. . .

Below, Blair lands in a dark room, floor tiles from above landing and breaking around her. She feel perhaps two floors. Damn it.

Soon as she lands, soft blue lights come on, illuminating a large testing room. The blonde grimaces as she looks above. The hole she'd left through shifts and closes as panels of swapping metal plates lock into place.

The SDC is a marvel... The very structure itself can shift and change routes. That man trap was made to be set up anywhere in the hallway, and the barrier floors and ceilings between levels can shift to complete the trap at any point. A mechanical titan.

… One of Watts' contributions, she thinks to herself.

The testing room is locked with pressure sealed doors on the far sides. This is a room for testing combustion and explosive chemicals it would seem... Perfect to be used as a containment facility.

Quickly, she relays information. She speaks out loud and projects her thoughts to Makara. "Makara, Stein separated me from Neo. I've dropped two levels in the facility at least, and Neo is likely fighting him right now. Do you have visual?"

She turns and sees a set up ahead. She's not alone and the room is most certainly not vacant. Ahead of her is a single medical bed, upturned so that its inhabitant can lay almost standing up...

A man is strapped to the bed... A guard in fact. Fresh. The man is shivering. "Wha... Why did... Where am I?"

Blair blinks as Makara's response comes back.

"I have visual through scarce window views. Neo is sticking within view, and Stein seems to be retreating up another level. I'm providing support, but he's too aware of me now to land the hit."

Blair grimaces. "Can you tell if the compound has tracked your shots or not? They may be aware of you." She then takes a step towards the strapped man. "Are you okay? Are you an employee here?"

The man blinks wide, breathing erratic. "I-I am... The radios went weird, a-and them Doctor Stein told me he needed me." He scrutinizes her. "You're from the news! The criminals!"

"More of a buzz is closing in on our benefactor at the base of the other tower. I've long since lost visual of the orange haired girl after she entered the facility though. She entered in the upper levels."

Blair nods, keeping the two conversations organized. "Keep supporting Neo. I'll get there when I can." "We'll work this out. I'm trying to help. Please, stay calm. I'll free you from there and explain why we're-"

The man suddenly winces and cries out. "AH!" His head reels back.

It's only then that Blair notices the IV drip in his left arm. No, two IV drips. One in his arm, and the other in his hand. The liquids are blue and green... "Do you know what these substances are?"

The man begins to hyperventilate. "I- hah. I-I don't know- What's going on?!"

Spotting his name tag, Blair sees his name is William. "Stay calm, William." The name spooks him, frantic eyes locking on her. She holds her hands up placating as she approaches. "I'll get you out of there-"

"Hnn!" The man flinches and tenses in pain. His veins up his arm begin to hue into green and blue. A glow comes from the veins.

Realizing the issue, Blair rushes forward. She rips a fabric from the man's shirt and quickly tightens it on his bicep as a tourniquet. The glow in the arms veins pulse, but a slight hue change remains in the shoulder and upper body... The substance is through, though not all of it. It's mixed with his heart now. "Stay with me, William. Talk to me."

The man wheezes a deep intake, almost shrieking and he convulses in the strapped bed. Akin to a drug overdose, his mouth begins to froth. "Gah! Hah! Wha- AHH!"

She's slowed whatever is happening. She needs to figure what the substances are.

She peers to the other side, spotting a vial of blue liquid... Blue liquid with an infinity symbol-

Oh crap... This substance was in Menagerie. Carmine used it to boost his aura back after being dosed with Nomaura. This substance boosted his aura beyond the suppressant's limits.

But if it's just improving this man's aura, that can't be the cause of his pain! So, the acting agent is clearly the green pouch connected to him. She can't ascertain its properties. She goes to remove it when the man's aura shield pulses to life. A violent green pulse of energy that zaps her fingers!

Blair ducks back, moving away.

The man's muscles were bulging... the green glow in his veins has spread over his whole chest and head. He screams in a blood curdling horror as the straps snap! He rips from of the bed and snarls out! His stiff arm grabs the bed as he steps out, ripping it up and throwing it at Blair!

The blonde side steps the discarded bed, bringing Fluorescent to bare. She scowls. "William... I need you to-"

The man snarls! William lashes out in a wild punch. The tourniquet on his arm snaps as his muscles continue to expand! With his fist, a shimmer comes.

BOOM! A blast of cracking metal and splashing liquid sounds! Lapping water sprays from his hand as Blair lands away.

That... was dust casting... Blair's wide eyes look at the green tube hanging off the man.

That substance is laced with water dust... But water dust isn't green... It must be mixed with more than that!

William, the now feral guard, roars and charges the blonde! Blair readies herself for combat.

. . .

Makara eyes the building... Shit. She lost track of Neo on the eighth floor, still chasing Stein. She grimaces. Even using Almighty Circuit's scanners, she can see through SOME objects, but not others. The inner facility walls must be lined with something.

She grimaces, looking elsewhere. "Blair. I've lost sight of Neo and Stein completely on the eighth floor. Can you ask where Carmine is?"

"I'm... held up... at the moment." Staggered words come back. As if Blair is actively fighting. "Carmine is connected to my aura as well. Focus on him, and he should hear you."

Makara nods, switching her scope sights to the next facility tower over. She focuses intently. "Carmine? Can you hear me?"

. . .

BOOM!

Gunfire erupts like a gang war! So much for the boys having a clean mission!

A small platoon's worth of guards fire from around corners, barricades up.

They open fire with pistols, pinning down the two CRBN members hidden at the corner.

All the lights were out, but the natural sun light illuminated the halls enough. Roman whips around the corner and fires back with Velvet Valentine! The explosive fire dust shots quiet the rest of the hallway's attack, toppling many of the men.

"Carmine? Can you hear me?"

Carmine jolts upright, eyes wide and blinking. "WHOA! I thought only Blair could direct this traffic."

"I. Am." Blair's voice cuts in, strained almost, but Makara's comes back.

"I've lost visual of Neo in the tower. Is there anything you and Roman need before I try something else to help her?" The sniper informs.

The boy flinches. "The fu- What happened with Neo?!" He cringes away from return fire as Roman ducks by him. "We're on the fifth floor of the robotics facility! Guards weren't too bad until they pulled out robots out the ass. Roman used one of his EMPs, we've kept them from having usable radios to call more, but now it's the wild west with the guards here."

He returns fire to take out another two guards, but almost ten continue keep heavy fire. Roman groans. "All of this is getting annoying. We're so close to the gold mine, and the red shirts come but the baker's dozen." He looks to Carmine. "You're quiet Silver Streak."

Carmine shushes him. "Mind talking with Blair and Makara. Hush." He turns away and focuses. "We're trying to be nonlethal, but being that accurate is slowing things down. To Roman's annoyance."

Makara responds. "Acknowledged. I've found your gun fight. One moment."

As soon as the response comes, sniper shots sound out blasting through the glass! One guard down. Two guard's down. Three. Four. The men in the hall begin to notice the pattern. "WHAT THE HECK-" The shouting guard is struck next.

The guards are slowly all picked apart as the last two turn tail and sprint away! Carmine then whips around the corner and two takes the two out with quick pot shots. The boys step out through the hall of downed men. They see the holes in the windows all throughout as they move. "Well damn..." Carmine mutters. "Thanks, Makara! Now, help Neo! We'll finish here and try to get over there."

"Aye Sir." Makara chirps happily in her reply. All the guards were struck off from vital areas with lightning charged shots disrupting their nervous systems. Yet, a quick check shows their hearts still beating... Maybe irregularly, but they'll live for after CRBN leaves.

Carmine and Roman rush along and turn down some hallways before coming to a large, armored door. Well, most of the large doors here are braced for a nuclear blast, so not too distinct. However, the markings and labels note the records room.

"Alright... so, will your EMP have messed with this?" Carmine speaks up.

Roman leans on his cane. "With the door? Absolutely. With what's inside..?" He leans and taps the door in a knock. Solid thunks. "Doubtful. Walls of this place are braced for several types of radiations, so EMPs probably only get a fourth as far as they would otherwise. Though, that's a question for Barbie."

They eye the door for a moment. "Well, we need in there, and the door is in the way." Carmine widens his stance, Heulin Noon in hand. "Clear out. Panzer!"

Roman raises a brow as the boy's armor morphs to his gun in the hand cannon. "You think that will blow it down?"

Carmine raises a brow. "This is a record room. Not a testing room for super collider explosions or cosmic level chemical reactions." He shrugs. "If it doesn't work, we try something else." The man waves flippant and steps aside. Carmine aims at the door, grinning. "Hip Hip. KA-!"

BOOM! He fires the Panzer shot into the door!

The strike sounds like a tank cannon, echoing down the entirety of the floor and the next floors up or down. Smoke bellows out from them. The entry is clear, and the two move in. "BOOM! Hell yeah!" Carmine grins back. "There's no kill quite like overkill-" His happy face wipes to a wide eyed pale look.

Roman steps in the room, waving off smoke...

The record room is that of towers and towers of hard drives and connected physical machinations of records...

One tower closest to the door having a large hole in it, sparking and fried as a result of Carmine's attack...

Roman gives the boy a dull look. "Silver Streak... What was that about overkill?"

Carmine blinks. "The records we need couldn't have been on that specific set of drives, right?" He looks between them. "... Right? We didn't just torch this assignment?"

"What is this 'we'?" Roman recoils slightly. "YOU just did that with the idea YOU had." He smirks. "It's unlucky if it was, but unlikely." He ignores the boy frantically checking around it having a silent freak out.

"Of course it's we." Carmine adds and jabs a finger at him. "You're an accomplice here!"

Roman snorts. "Oh, NOW the moral Carmine comes back when he has to bare the brunt of blame for something." He spares a look to the shredded parts and shrugs. "Congratulations on the vandalism, kid." The words cause the boy to twitch more. "Here we are."

There's a panel before them as Roman raises a flash drive. "Alright, let's get these records then." He inserts the drive and lets the process begin. The program within the drive starts as a download starts. Copying files from the records around them into the drive... 0 percent... 1 percent... 1 percent...

"We'll be here a minute." Carmine mutters.

. . .

With Makara.

The sniper scans the buildings again, hoping to find Neo, but no dice. The girl is gone.

Makara shrugs up and straightens her extra dust chamber cartridges at her side. Standing up, she grimaces. Neo is alone, Blair is occupied, and the boys are held up in the next building over from them...

Glancing over the to the commotion in the down town city, she sees that military ships are collected around it. So close, yet so occupied.

Her sniper perch helped for the moment, but... She grimaces, taking aim at the outside of the compound gates of the headquarters. She aims into the main yards of the headquarters perimeter, finding a spot near one of the outer buildings. Only one guard is visible in the area...

Changing the dust type, she attunes the lightning dust chamber. High power stun shots can shut down nerves and knock the targets out if they have insufficient aura to block. She takes aim.

One shot. One guard down. She appraises her work and rocks her shoulders to loosen up.

Neo needs help... and Makara is going to give it. She focuses.

"Blair... I'm entering the compound. I'll get to Neo."

Seconds tick by before a response comes. "Makara, no! You're the farthest from us, and our eyes."

The sniper grimaces. "You heard the boys. Even when they're done with the records, the guards still know their relative location. They're going to have to focus on leaving. Are you able to free yourself?"

. . .

With Blair.

The blonde ducks back as the now monstrous guard, William, smashes the ground. His bulked up form raises its arms with a green cast of aura, blasting out moisture!

Blair jams earth dust into Fluorescent and casts in a slash, forming a large wall into existence to block! The greenish water spout out begins to fume. The woman sucks in a gasp. "Acid?" She looks wide eyed. "The green solution had earth and water dust mixed for dual casting acid." She deduces.

Crack.

She leaps back as the empowered guard smashes through the rock wall, feral and charging. Blair dodges and weaves his wide punches. She strikes his side with her blade, the attack budging him a few inches, but no more.

William grabs the sword, wrenching her aside and slamming her into the remains of the rock wall she'd erected. Blair kicks out, stumbling him before she inserts wind dust into the blade. The guard sends a wild roar out. "WAHHH!" His arms glow green as he blast casts acid forth!

Blair counter casts wind, blasting the acid back on the guard!

"AH!" William recoils away, flailing in pain and pawing at himself as the acid he'd just cast burns at his skin! More and more, the fumes and evaporation from the acid begins to plume up.

The blonde notes the building cloud above.

"The room is sealed as he builds acid inside. Take too long to stop him, and eventually, my aura will give out, allowing the acid to harm me..." Blair grimaces. This is a complicated issue if she doesn't wish to kill the innocent guard here...

She sighs and focuses her response to Blair. "Fine. Help Neo. NOW!"

The woman inserts fire dust into the weapon and charges. "William, this is going. To. Hurt!"

. . .

Makara smiles.

Standing up, she resets her chamber charges, focusing a combination of wind, fire, and earth. Earth set to the lowest degree. The 'projectile' of this earth dust mixture will spark an explosion mixed with the fire dust, and the wind will add oxygen, producing an explosive burst of wind!

Getting set... Makara sprints and leaps from the tall tower!

She aims behind herself and fires, a blast propulsion launching her through the air like a rocket! In the height of her arc through the air, she releases the pressure in her rifle, steaming in her hands as a new shot readies! She aims and fires again! A second massive propulsion sending her over the SDC compound perimeter, over the walls far below, and forward and forward to the top of the outer building!

One final, weaker blast, slows her down as she hits the ground running! The woman looks to the bio building ahead! Determined, jaw set, the woman lets the steam cool down on the weapon occur, moving on.

"Hang on, Neo. We don't have many friends here."

. . .

With Neo. She's now chased Stein up the stairs to the top floors of the bio building.

The girl slashes after Stein! Continuing the attack as the man had taken to using his arm to block her strikes! His cyborg body allowed his forearm to clearly block Hush's blade. Each strike merely left slash cuts along his coat sleeve. Yet, nothing broke the skin, or the metal underneath.

Her last strike hits hard enough to push his skidding along the ground. He halts himself and straightens up. "Well, I dare say your striking power is on par with that anomaly boy's. I am impressed." He then cuts a look at her. "Also, you've not coughed once. Should I assume you've had surgery since your last visit to me?"

This time, the girl grunts in anger as she attacks. He blocks.

SHATTER!

Her image breaks as she's actually attacking from the left-

Stein step and palm strikes forward, hitting Neo out of the air with the strike to her side! She's sent down the hall winded from the powerful blow! Twisting to her feet and halting herself, she stumbles to a knee, breathing out. Her mismatched eyes glare up. How is he so damn strong? Cyborg or not, he's not showing any signs of struggle.

Stein straightens and turns slightly, the light gleaming off his glasses. He removes the attachment from his forearm and inserts it into the wall. Neo's eyes widen as more sliding projectors come down the hall.

Her image Shatters! The girl propelling herself forward to strike. Only, her blade pings back off the forming hard light barrier!

The two are separated by the hexagonal pattern barrier. Stein adjusts his glasses as he looks at Neo.

"The room you are looking for... my records room and testing area? You may find an alternative course to it taking that pathway to the right. Loop around and enter the door number 886. I'll be awaiting you for examination." He even points to his left, her right, from the other side of the barrier.

Neo follows the look then returns an off look. Why the hell would she follow his orders?

"I've purposefully left my records intact for two reasons. First, because I'm loathe to have to reproduce work I've already finished once. Secondly... because the right bait must exist." He manages to sound smug from behind the barrier, angering the girl. "Don't think you can regroup with your partner AND succeed in your venture. If you do not meet me within five minutes, then I will accept the consequences and remove your grand prize at once." He turns and begins to walk down the blocked off hall. "See you for your exam, 2814."

He leaves Neo alone...

The girl grimaces, realizing she can let this whole mission fail or try and confront him on his terms...

Damn it. Psychotic bastard.

Neo turns and begins to rush down the alternative route...

However, a short time into her strides, she slows to a halt in the hall... her gaze falling to the floor. Her off hand comes over her chest, feeling her heart rate. Anxiety. This man took her voice away. He... violated her physical capabilities. Her mouth runs dry as her palms turn sweaty realizing the coming fight.

She needs to fight the only person in AZRL that's on par with Spyyra... Alone...

"..." Silence hangs for the moment, but she knows she has little time to waste. She takes off into a sprint.

Next turn and-

BAM!

Neo runs full speed into something very stiff, very hard, and exactly her size...

The mismatched eyed girl groans and opens a pained eye to find she's fall on top of the person she just ran into... pink and brown eyes meeting shocked green.

"EE!" Neo Shatters! Her form reappears on her feet, eyes wide and wary...

On the floor laying stiff on the floor and looking up at her in an odd angle is Penny Polendina. In one quick shift, Penny is on her feet, eyeing the thieving mute... She blinks and tilts her head at Neo.

Neo blinks, sweat dropping down her chin knowing what this girl is capable of...

Then Penny narrows her gaze and leans forward scrutinizing... Her speech is unnaturally slow and enunciated as last time. "Is this what it is like to have an imaginary friend?"

Neo blinks again, confused and tilting her head. Then realizes she needs to move and lose this girl. One fight with the surprising Polendina was enough. She can't waste time. So, she takes off in a sprint around Neo.

Penny watches her run and calls out. "Halt! I have questions." She quiets as Neo moves further off. She then calls out loudly. "Neopolitan Rhodes?!"

The mute grinds to a halt, wide eyed as she turns to look at Penny over her shoulder. This Atlas girl knows her name? Still, she can't stop now. She continues on.

Disappearing around the corner, Penny frowns. "You are her... which means you are here for AZRL..." She then notes the layout of the floors... Dr Stein's lab is in this direction. "You shall confirm my suspicions! THEN I shall have more questions!"

Her words were lost, declared in the open as she stands like a stiff mannequin.

Then, she unceremoniously moves into a stiff jog after Neo's direction.

. . .

Ahead from Penny, Neo comes to a double slide door.

The panel to open the door is blanked, a soft violet light filling the whole screen. Neo narrows her gaze and touches the display with her off hand. The panel flashes green for a second before a satisfied beep sounds. The doors part and open, allowing Neo into a small man trap hall before opening into a wide area. She comes to a halt, looking far off.

The room is... odd. Multi leveled.

She currently finds herself in the largest of the areas, a massive pit with walls lined with various projectors and devices. This was the bio building... but this was quite clearly a tech marvel area. She can't even begin to guess what the countless openings and devices do.

Of course, if anyone can mouse their way through a trap, it's her. She knew that going in. The next level up shows a five wheeled office chair... with no wheels.

Stein walks out by the chain, the five pulsing device wheels flow from his sleeves to the floor, then roll under the chair legs to lock into place. He turns the chair and plops into it, sitting backwards and leaning over its back.

The level beyond him shows various monitoring devices and computers. Mostly inconsequential. Neo chooses to focus on the man currently on the second level. He's armed now... Well, he's sitting on his weapon, but still.

The files are here... The files would be on his computers above.

She needs to finesse him, get above, determine which computer is his, insert the flash drive in her pocket and initiate a download of all files, hold him off while it downloads, then leave...

That's a pretty tall order.

Alternatively, she can kill him AND get all his files. Though, that may be harder. She couldn't land a decisive blow when he was unarmed. Doing so now is very unlikely. She can alternatively play the long game and hope Blair catches up in time.

Yeah... Waiting for Blair is the right strategy.

"Thank you for coming. Shall we begin the examination?" With a flick of a switch, the room hums to life!

Neo begins to regret her actions as she duck rolls forward. A hard light dust barrier forms above her, separating the lower level she's in from the upper two levels. She turns to see another hard light barrier form within the doorway she'd entered. Just as the upper barrier is forming, Stein rolls from the upper level and drops on the chair down into the pit.

He lands, adjusting his glasses and eyeing her. "This pit is a hazard zone. The devices around, linked to myself, can attune this environment to any and all forms of dust based climate manipulation." His unfeeling eyes rest on her, the girl's image reflecting in his glasses. "I am curious to see if you outlast the others in these conditions."

Punctuating his statement, the devices along the walls begin to release elements into the area. Water dust creates a mist, which fire dust warps into steam and humidity. The room begins to cloud and heat up, almost instantly bringing Neo's skin to sweat as she shields herself.

Okay... war of attrition and holding out is out.

She needs to kill this bastard now!

She grits her teeth, bringing her eyes to her prey and charging. She whirls Hush, its blade sticking out the top, as she goes to impale the sitting man!

He shifts back as his chair, Sound Soul, jerks up. The split five legs pull to raise the chair back to block the stab! The chair, now at chest height to the man, is wheeled aside to parry Neo's follow up slash! He then step kicks forward, nailing Neo's open side and sending her tumbling!

The girl rolls to her feet, gritting her teeth and looking at the doctor.

The man's form is stiff, kicking leg still out. In stiff robotic movement, he brings his leg aside and lowers it. His unblinking eyes remain on her, camera eyes dilating and contracting. His chair lets out a 'thunk' as it shifts. (Bass beats softly start, a measured drum beat starting behind it. Techno horn blares at the end of the measure.)

The chair's five legs line up, the wheels forming joins in the weapon shaft and lighting the shaft in violet hard light dust! The chair seat folds up before splitting outwards in a serrated scythe blade. The back of the chair splits into a spear tip above the scythe curve, the other half becoming the back spike opposite the scythe side. Stein's gleaming glasses give off smug superiority as he grips his weapon haft. (Instrumental repeats, bridging into low energy first verse.)

Neo recovers and charges in a lunge! Stein flourishes his weapon, twirling it to parry the jab! Neo attempts to close distance, but Stein back end butts her weapon up with his weapon's pole end. He continues into a low sweep, but Neo flips out of range! ("You feel the threat cause every step is like a mountain movin'.")

Neo lands and lets out a breath, the humidity and heat burning her in her own sweat. Stein continues his sweep around, the segments of Sound Soul separating with energy connections in an double wide sweep! She backs away, her back hitting the wall. ("We haven't met, did I forget? No I don't need introducin'.")

The wall ejects more heated steam, burning Neo's shoulder as she drops. "AH!" She squeaks out and grits her teeth. Stein simply stands tall, like a monster killer in the steam. His glasses are misted, yet his mechanical eyes remain locked on hers. ("Struck out like a match, astounding that you think that you could beat me.")

Neo side steps to circle around him as he merely cocks his head slightly. Ominously. Neo huffs and lunges! Stein's electronic vision sees the distortion, so he ignores her 'strike' as her image Shatters off him. ("Strike back, what was that just now? As the plane goes down, do I make it look easy?")

Instead of interacting with the breaking illusion, his off hand jabs out, hand snatching a hold of the invisible object. Hush comes into view within his grip, Neo shocked he saw through his illusion! She opens Hush, breaking his hold and freeing her weapon while flourishing back from him. ("Honestly, all you weaklings look the same.")

Stein eyes her. "Hmm. Environment change: Tundra." The spouts of steam and machinery hum to a stop, new spouts shifting and opening. Neo's eyes widen. ("On the ground and your face is contorted in pain.")

Sudden jolts of ice and wind dust mixtures blasts arctic sub zero temperatures into the steaming room! In literal seconds, the searing heat on her skin feels like pin needles as her drenched body turns stark cold! (Bass beat bridges into chorus.)

Neo dodges two more slashes from Stein, her body numbing and hurting at the instant change! Her leg quivers and loses footing as she falls to her back! Stein steps in and slashes down! SHATTER! (Instrumental builds to high energy. "You feel the threat cause every step is like a mountain movin'.")

His electronic vision was fooled that time with the new fog filling the room. He still detects movement, turning and cutting at the girl! Neo twists and blocks as she gets inside his guard to strike! ("We haven't met, did I forget? No I don't need introducin'.")

His energy haft bends at the wheel hinges, allowing his back half of the haft to bash her pommel strike back! Neo pulls back in a cartwheel before tucking and rolling under another slash! The hit clips her back and sends her sitting against the wall. ("You feel the hate 'cause every step I take the earth is shakin'.")

The girl's eyes widen in stinging pain as the sweat covering her freezes in the sheer cold of the room! Stein jabs the scythe forward, using the spear tip to impale the girl! ("Leave devastation in my wake 'cause it's all mine for the takin'.")

Stein's camera eyes dilate at the pupil. He didn't get Neo. Neo's image Shatters, replaced in an ice dust cast sculpture! His weapon is trapped in the ice! A perfect use of the dust given to her by Makara. Neo comes from above, missile kicking the man's off hand guard! (Instrumental builds into repeating measure)

Neo bounces back off the block! Stein hums and disconnects his hard light connection to the scythe head. The remaining segments of the half stiffen into a short staff as he strikes her guard! Neo backs up, deflecting hits frantically! (Instrumental continues to build)

Taking a step back, Stein manipulates the energy of the haft, the segments bending into a pentagonal shape! He them throws the weapon like a chakram at the girl! Neo opens Hush and blocks the weapon! All the seconds split from one another upon impact with her guard. (Instrumental repeats)

All the segments glow violet and hang in the air before rocketing in on Neo from all angles! The girl gets a second to look around surrounded by the projectiles! SHATTER! The girl disappears as all the segments come back and form the haft in Stein's hand. (Instrumental bridges towards second verse. Energy lowers the cuts entirely)

Neo rolls into the center of the wide area, cringing and shivering in on herself. The ice and fog is starting to frost over her body as she wraps herself up, terrified.

Stein hums.

"Doctor Stein?!" An attentive voice calls, partially muffled by the barriers and mock weather! Penny is on the other side of the hard light barrier at the door! "What is going on here?"

Stein stands straight up, looking side long at the girl through the barrier. "Ah... Miss Penny." He looks to Neo currently freezing in the center of the room. "I am apprehending the thief here. It would seem that they are after our private records." He looks back at Penny. "Please, go alert some guards to come and take her away. I have things well under control here."

Neo looks up in the frosted room to see Penny. Her breathes come out in icy puffs, and Penny's wide, blank stare holds on the girl...

Penny frowns... Dr Stein is her primary suspect, but... She has no proof. If her theory is correct, then she should help Neopolitan before her... But in all other possibilities, she MUST apprehend Neopolitan for attempted theft.

Well, technically even the best case scenario is prosecutable via vigilantism. Still...

She needs to buy time. She looks to Stein. "You must lower this barrier. You are just as much at risk as her." She gives a sympathetic look to the doctor. "If she is properly detained, I could watch her while you tend to your wounds."

Stein pays no heed to the cold. "I have no wounds. I know the limits of my technology. Now, leave and get your guards."

He really wants her gone from this... If he's that much in control, then urgency is not needed...

Penny resists the command... with a lie of omission. "I apologize, Dr Stein, but I was given express orders by Agent Schnee not to interfere with criminal apprehension. I can watch her after she is apprehended, but no more." A split second after finishing, her shoulders twitch. "-Hic-" She barely contains a hiccup coming from her, shocked.

She applauds herself for containing it, recalling her father's latest update to her extra programs... She hiccups when lying. She mentally curses, but pays no heed.

Stein appears unaware of the affliction, or simply doesn't call her on it. "Then leave if you've been instructed not to help."

Neo raises behind him, aiming Hush up at the man's back.

"Environment Change: Ash Cloud." Stein calls out.

Ice dust cuts out, no more water. Suddenly, fire for heat, earth which would typically result in magma is dispersed and made gaseous with the wind dust! A spark of lightning dust for heat lightning as suddenly, the ice frozen room bellows with a volcano inspired ash cloud!

The immediate change to searing burns and poisonous fumes hits Neo all at once. The girl barely managed to hold her breath as intense pain bombards her!

Within the fumes, Stein stands still, his body protected both by his augmentations and his own powerful aura. The ice holding his scythe head melts easily as he reconnects his haft to the scythe head and whirls the weapon again!

This is wrong. Penny stares horrified. This is wrong! He's torturing and murdering the girl! She's beaten!

The android twitches, almost involuntarily about to interfere-

BOOM!

A blast destroys one of the hard light projectors for the second level! The hard light barrier separating the pit from the equipment levels above slowly shatters as multiple projectors are shot. One after another! The ash cloud bellows upward, getting sucked into an emergency ventilation. Warnings on the computers read out 'containment breech!'

"Deactivate climate!" Stein calls out, the devices shutting down, as he turns and looks up.

On the second level, entering from the other entrance to the lab, is the sniper. Out of breath, huffing for air, with destroyed barriers behind her. Evidence that she found his initial barrier in the halls and demolished the projectors with her rifle.

Makara glares at Stein and grits her teeth. "Dr Near!" She then looks to see a singed and injured Neo on the floor near him. "NEO!" She grits her teeth and aims Almighty Circuit and fires!

Stein whirls Sound Soul up and blocks the shot, though it skids his feet back along the metal. He grimaces. This is troublesome."

Neo wheezes and sucks in a breath, rushing away from Stein to the far wall. Makara drops down into the pit between Neo and Stein, maintaining a fair distance. Neo leans against the wall, catching her breath and letting aura healing do its job. She keeps her pink eye open pained as she smiles appreciative at her teammate.

Penny is still behind her door's hard light barrier, her eyes wide...

. . .

Back at the penthouse, Winter and Penny were with the fake Neopolitan... The surgically altered girl spoke softly. "He goes by the name Dr Near in AZRL. It isn't his real name, so I don't know anything about him in the public world."

. . .

Dr Near... Penny's eyes widen and look on Stein.

It IS him!

Inside the lab, Makara re-calibrates her dust chambers. Focus on lightning dust and hope to disrupt Stein's cybernetic body. Set wind to a secondary shot for maneuverability. Save fire for extreme close quarters. Earth dust is still needed for primary fire. She eyes Stein, a bubble of fear and anger mix within her. "All you've done to me, and yet it still feels like the first time I'm seeing your face."

Stein straightens his glasses with his off hand. He's acutely aware that Penny is still within the area. He decides to play dumb. "I am sorry. Clearly, you have me confused for someone else."

Makara opens fire! The man's weapon haft coils into a projected pentagonal shield again, blocking the shots. The electric pulses now radiate arcs of energy! Still, not nearly enough power to stop the cyborg from charging head on!

Makara aims down and secondary fires, the wind dust blowing her up into the air! She then primary fires three times below as she lands elsewhere. Stein blocks the first shot and dodges the next two. Makara lands on the edge of the second level, aiming down.

Stein reforms his weapon haft and grips the bottom end one handed. He lashes the shifting haft as the hard light connections extend the weapon like a giant kusarigama! Makara shoots the oncoming scythe head, blowing its trajectory off course. She then aims at the open scientist-

"Fool." Stein wrenches as his weapon changes direction with his subconscious technological command. It whips past Makara as she aims at him, scythe blade hooking around her back! Makara fires, but is raked and dragged back into the pit by the scythe!

The shot she fires strikes Stein, knocking him back, but he steadies himself and continues to reel Makara in with his weapon! The woman is drug along the floor to him as he catches her with his free arm by the throat!

His robotic vice grip constricts her throat! Quickly, she swipes Almighty Circuit's panel set to full fire and wind! She fires down, a spout of flame erupts out the rifle at the man's feet! Stein releases her and jumps back! The woman stumbles back before sweeping wide with the makeshift flamethrower setting! Like a dragon's breath attack, she blasts his entire side of the room with the scorching attack!

Her hardened eyes widen. "Wha-"

Stein bursts through the flames at her, his aura failing to stop his doctor coat catching on fire! His quick attacks force her to use Almighty Circuit as a shield! She deflects and blocks lightning fast slashes before managing to twirl the rifle and fire a wind blast!

The shot blows her out of Stein's attack range... for only a moment.

The doctor quirks his lip into a smirk... His scythe haft segments out, connected by the violet hard light to extend forth! Using the spear tip, it missiles into Makara's shocked block! The girl is forced back until she's smashed into the first level wall!

"AH!" She cries out as her back is dented into the metal from the force! Gritting her teeth, she pushes against Almighty Circuit into the scythe head, trying to free herself from the wall. It doesn't budge at all!

The hard light extensions to the haft hold stiff as Stein holds the weapon out one handed. His off hand comes to his shoulder, gripping his doctor coat and ripping the burning clothing off! He flicks it to the side, now left in dark gray pants and deep purple short sleeve shirt. His forearms have indention lines hinting access to his cybernetic internals.

"Keep in mind, if you bother to keep struggling." He starts, bored. He cuts an eye to the still groggy Neo taking an aggressive step forward. "My aura is tied to all the dust and controls for this testing zone. Just because the emergency ventilation kicked on, doesn't mean I'm out that advantage." He hums. "Environment Change: Arid Drought."

Instantly, the spouts lining the walls kick off. Wind dust, bellows with a different mixture of fire! Vision blurs as hot streaks of air blow out! Neo shakes slightly, feeling light headed as she realizes she's dehydrated after her earlier stint in the ash cloud.

The girl charges Stein, approaching from his back to impale!

"Environment Overlap: Sand Storm!"

Earth mixes into the wind, kicking up a produced environment of sand around them in a spiral! Neo halts, eyes clenching closed! She-

"ACK!" She hacks in her throat... The dryness of the air and now sand inhaled spikes like needles in her throat. Her sensitive throat... She grips her neck, light headed, as she forces onward.

Her lunge is too weak and off target. Stein lightly shifts before side kicking out! His strike crushes into her side, sending her tumbling along the floor...

"Foolish." Stein looks back to Makara. "This fight is over."

Makara glares through the sand storm, eyes twitching in building anger. "I... will not... be your test subject AGAIN!" Her aura pulses red... Chaos semblance builds in her as her hazel eyes blur crimson for a single moment. "CONTROL!"

The red pulse blasts out...

And chaos fittingly ignites and ends all in one moment. Two key changes are most relevant.

One: All dust infused infused with the pit's mechanics ignite within the walls... Erupts of ALL dust types explode around them, quaking the room. The sand storm immediately dissipates amid the maelstrom of ignitions. The hard light entrance blocking out Penny erupts as well.

Two: Stein's own weapon, charged with hard light dust infused with his aura, short circuits. The entire hard light connections of the haft spark out of existence as the internal wiring and mechanics of the weapon spark and damage.

Sound Soul falls apart, falling to the floor no longer having a commanding will placed upon it. The only piece not falling is the single rod handle still in Stein's dominant hand. The scientist remains in place, expression blank.

Makara falls from the wall, the scythe head dropping harmlessly beside her. She steadies herself and glares up at Stein as she catches breath.

"Interesting. So the Soul Servo DID restore your capabilities. I thought Spyyra misinterpreted when he recounted his report." His hand comes to his chin. He hums in thought. "... So, even if the entire project fails, use as a treatment for Aurstigma could prolong any of those afflicted for quite a while..." He's thinking out loud. Ignoring her very presence as he thinks to himself.

The light once again reflects off his glasses, obscuring his eyes completely while the man looks aside. "Such treatments could be used to undo the detriments of dementia, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's as well... But how much time?" A terse second passes before he finally acknowledges the woman again. "Requires further testing."

Makara grits her teeth, raising Almighty Circuit to aim!

Stein doesn't shift at all. As if he's still in full control. "I will find a better subject." He then hums. "Aura disconnection is detrimental, but voice command will remain functional."

Makara doesn't wait. She shoots him dead in the chest!

The man is thrown back. Launched back and into the wall by the powerful sniper shot! A scorching lightning shell crackles against his gut!

Even Penny is jolted at the sight... He just took it? Why didn't he react? He acted so in charge. So sure. Penny looks between both sides.

Yet... it isn't over.

The man's mouth moves despite his purely still body. No inflection of pain.

Still in control.

"Environment Change: Black Snowflake."

. . .

Blair dodges back from William again!

She manages to jab him with Fluorescent's sheath, piercing his unstable aura shield with the specialized prongs. Thus, she captures blood from him as well. Useless, she admits. Given the display before, he clearly didn't have a strong built aura prior to being injected with the stimulant. Much less could he have a semblance.

Instead, she manages to implant her own aura into the man, connecting herself to him with her own semblance. Bewitching the man, she attempts to quell his mind to nothing.

A dark purple haze of her aura obscures the pained man as he howls in horror! His hands come to his head as he cries out. His aura battles her semblance, but she's confident the bout is over. She begins to reduce his consciousness. Hands up and deep in focus, she slowly brings the man to kneel. "Okay... William? Are you in there?"

No response. The gurgling hulk twitches lightly, but is clearly involuntary.

Blair grimaces. Part of her believes she should leave him as collateral damage, but Carmine wants as little casualties as possible. She needs to continue to cling to his ideals.

However, a burst of his aura resists her. His form stirs as he froths up and grumbles. That aura stimulant is fighting her! Raw power to compensate for absolutely no training or talent. The feral man begins to build up momentum again.

Sighing, Blair activates gravity dust in her blade. The golden blade shifts starry night black. She holds off casting the dust as she ducks the charging monster's swipe at her! She slashes out, the black and starred blade cracking the man's jaw up!

Pulling back from the staggered brute, she casts the gravity dust, creating a pull! The warp drags the stumbling man back in, further off balance!

Then she full strikes him in the ribs! The attack blows William like a base ball into the wall! He hits the metal and drops in a heap. Unconscious.

Pulling back, Blair grimaces and winces at the acidic air in the room. She needs to neutralize it, but she would need to have her own water and earth dust mixed. She blinks. She has the dust mixed into his blood currently captured inside her sheath.

She sheathes Fluorescent and flicks the secondary trigger, the sheath spreading the blood on the blade inside. The blade comes out red as she channels her aura to cast! Rather than using a semblance, she casts using the dust infused with the blood.

If it can make acid, then hit can make a base.

She channels the spout cast out as hinted blue clear liquid sprays out from the slash over the room. Not nearly enough to quell ALL the acid, but enough to tone down the fumes pungent in the air.

Blair sighs and sheathes the weapon again as she approaches William to check him. She notices his pulse is disturbingly hard and fast. She grimaces, pulling him out to lay flat on the ground.

Then she pauses... The man's body is shutting down. Too much dust. Even white dust can't counter regular dust in the blood stream. Black dust or Grimm venom, and white dust can purify the stream in small doses. But, even white dust can poison the person quite easily.

She would need to perform a blood transfusion to save him now...

However... his aura healing was impressive with the stimulant active... If he had even MORE aura, the healing could buy him time for medics to come properly.

Blair sighs. Carmine would want to save the poor sap. Blair kneels by him, placing both hands over his chest. Using her semblance, she begins to insert her aura into the man! Upon injection, she allows her aura to fade into his, bolstering his aura even more than the stimulant already has.

It takes a chunk of her stamina away, bringing a tired sigh out as she stands up. A quick gaze around for the exit, Blair focuses. "I am on my way. What is the situation?"

No response. Blair's eyes widen.

"Makara, state your situation!" No situation. "Carmine?"

The boy's voice calls back in. "Blair? Roman and I just finished grabbing the data. We're breaking through some guard patrols to get back to Hazel and bounce! Are you and Neo done?"

Worry builds in the woman. "... I've lost connection with Makara, and she went after Neo. I've been separated from them." She glares upward. "I'm on my way to get them!"

"We'll come too!" He immediately forces in, ready to come and help. The moment Neo is in danger, all strategic thought leaves him.

"No." Blair says firmly. "We play smart. Go and get out. I will collect Neo and Makara. Trust me."

She then channels lightning dust into Fluorescent and attacks the door! The attack blows through the metal as she skids to a halt now in the halls... Then looks up to see several slow moving Atlesian Knights...

Unmarked, armed only with shock batons... Security measures within the building.

She scoffs at the pathetic stall tactic...

. . .

"Environment Change: Black Snowflake."

The machines around sputter, pulling Makara and Neo's confused expressions around.

Then, they see it... Small specks of black hanging and softly landing on the ground. Makara hones her gaze upon one falling black speck drifting and falling onto her rifle. The black shimmers through her aura shield and sticks to the weapon.

Makara frowns... It should have drifted off her aura shield.

"Ack!" Neo coughs out again, collapsing. She drops to her knees and looks wide eyed at the drifting black around them. Almost like a very light snow. She wheezes a breath and looks panicked at Makara.

She signs. "Black dust!"

That announcement brings a clutch of horror upon the sniper. She gasps as she wraps her cloak over her mouth!

"That will not assist you." Stein's bored tone chills her. Like a doll being lifted at the chest, Stein lifts to a sitting position. His dangling head and arms hang as he sits up stiffly. "Black dust, once finely ground in a painstaking process, is most difficult to filter out the air."

He eyes look up. His expression remains mostly neutral despite the scorch mark on his chest that'd make any man scream in pain. "However..."

Supernatural is the only word for it. The man bounds up in a split second at the sniper! Blinding speed! Makara fires her rifle! Yet, Stein palms the rifle barrel up, the shot blasting the ceiling harmlessly! Stein steps into a chop strike! Makara blocks, but her form buckles as she's knocked from her feet!

She grits her teeth. How is he even stronger and faster than before?!

Neo lunges in to help. However, her own reflexes have somehow slowed to a crawl! Stein ducks low under her lunge! He kicks her legs out, grabbing her by the foot. He then swings the poor girl around as a projectile and throws her into the rising Makara!

Both girls are launched into the walls, crying out in pain.

Stein stands tall, looming over them. "You see, all forms of dust are poisonous to the mortal body. Small doses, less so, but it is a well known fact." He straightens his glasses, smug. "I am certain you've heard the faunus rights activists complain about the dust mines and the environment. The lungs cannot handle it, much less tainting the oxygen in the bloodstream."

Neo and Makara each stumble to their feet painfully. Fierce glares at the man do little.

He continues. "Black dust is no exception. Doubly so on those trained in aura use. Once one breathes it in, it distributes into the blood to begin shutting down your ability to use aura."

That's the answer! He's not faster! They're slowing down! Their movements have less aura within them.

Makara huffs. "Then how are you unaffected?" She fires her rifle at him, but he ducks the shot in anticipation! He step kicks,but Neo opens Hush to block the kick! He pushes off as Neo and Makara stumble back.

Stein cocks his head. His infuriating glasses reflect the light as he looks... not even human. "Those with artificial organs, specifically lungs, need not worry about what they breath in."

His words chill the girls... but garner a look from the remaining girl.

The android at the door of the room blinks wide at the scene. Criminals or traitors. Who does she help? Stein claims they are mistaken, but he is acting familiar with them regardless. And frankly, cruel... Poisoning the intruders with black dust while blatantly admitting one of the White Fang's chief complaints with the SDC is valid are both incriminating pieces of information.

"Doctor Stein." Penny speaks. "They are clearly beaten. They will require medical attention if you poison them with this dust trap. Allow me to watch over them while you call more guards."

Neo glares over at Penny. Uncertainty fills the android's green eyes while the pink and brown try to work out what they see.

However, the doctor merely begins to pick up the dropped pieces of his weapon. Each segment of the pieces has a locking point. Without hard light, the connection must be manual. With a twist into the piece, he connects the wheel to the rod, then attaches another rod to the wheel, then another wheel at that rod. He slowly reconstructs his weapon, minus the capability of hard light manipulation.

"With other thieves within the complex, we cannot afford the luxury of detaining them. Such a thing is only necessary with the last of the threats." Stein speaks as he attaches another segment. "Penny. Please return to your father's lab. Now."

Penny gulps, blinking at his justification. "You intend to kill them, doctor? That cannot-"

Stein locks the scythe head to the haft, fully reconstructing Sound Soul as he cuts the girl off. "In the immediate defense of company and private property, I will end this threat. Now. Leave, Project Polendina. That is an order."

The cutting tone gets a flinch from the girl... She blinks her eyes wide watching him approach the CRBN girls.

Stein turns his back to Penny, whirling his weapon in a flourish. "You girls deliberately chose failure the moment this became your course of action. You must be aware why this is?" He looms above them. "Shall I give Project Polendina's mercy a chance and persuade you to stand down? I'll give you a hint to your futility." He speaks plainly, as if talking to a moron.

Makara and Neo glare at the man's presented scythe. Makara winces as she speaks. "I see a scythe. A symbol of death wielded by a man afraid of it."

Stein's brow twitches in a furrow. Even Neo smirks at Stein actually being bothered by such a statement. However, the mute remembers Roman's accounts on Ostium Mortis. Sound Soul, his weapon. It's named after the passages Roman had to decode. Still, she can't engage the conversation as the black dust saps their strength.

Grunting, Neo rushes the man. Stein easily strikes her away, only for a Shatter to reward him! Neo appears above, coming down in a thrust! He twirls the scythe into her. Shatter!

Makara raises her rifle, so Stein attacks. However, upon impact, Makara's Almighty Circuit Shatters, opening into Hush. The woman's eyes blink pink and brown as her image breaks as well to reveal Neo.

Behind Stein, Makara appears, aiming at the back of his head! She fires, only for Stein to use Sound Soul's blade to hook around him to block the shot! He slides back to kick the woman, then dodges Neo's follow up slash before bashing her aside.

"Very well. A lecture is not in order. And Neither is mercy." Stein states. "Useless virtue it is." He blitzes forward, striking Makara onto her back. Neo ducks in and blocks the scythe with Hush. The force collapses her onto Makara, both girls threatened as the man's scythe inches down over Neo's guard.

They cannot defeat him alone. He was prepared.

But... wild cards and all that...

Wires pull at both girl's legs, wrenching them under and through the man's legs and dragging them along the floor. The wires release them... Neo blowing hair out of her face and smirking up.

As Penny stands between the two and Stein...

Stein straightens his posture and glances over. "Project Polendina... what are you doing?"

Penny states clearly with a slight determination. "Arresting you, sir."

Both CRBN members perk at that, blinking. They scramble to their feet behind Penny as the android faces down the doctor.

Stein is robot stiff as he eyes her. "... Under what possible malfunction of artificial intelligence have you come to this course of action?"

Penny frowns and points at the man. "Your lab was among those in Malum caught in the fires. Fires that CRBN did not start. Your lab is now their target." Penny's frown deepens. "To date, all CRBN confirmed targets have been affiliated with the criminal organization AZRL, infamous for its trafficking. I am also aware that CRBN rescued a woman of unknown age from their target lab in Malum, evidence of inhumane human experimentation."

Penny's voice softens. "From this woman's earlier accusations towards you, I am to assume she is the individual CRBN liberated." She eyes over her shoulder at Makara. "Affirmative?"

Makara nods, Neo smirking at the android. Neo and Penny lock eyes as the mute gives a cheeky thumbs up. This makes Penny frown at the approval from the thief.

"Thus... combined with material discrepancies audited from your accounts..." Penny returns her pointing finger at Stein. "You are the one I believe to have violated SDC guidelines to a criminal degree. I am sorry, sir. But, you are under arrest."

Stein simply eyes the girl for a moment. His bored tone now is replaced with annoyance. "Do you have any proof?"

Penny blinks. "I believe that is what they are here for. Affirmative?"

Makara nods and speaks. "The same information he lured Neo here with, yes."

Penny gains confidence, but a small chuckle comes from the doctor...

The three girls watch the cyborg man slightly hunch before he looks back at them. "Annoyance and inconvenience can sometimes provide opportunity it seems..." At Penny's frown, he clarifies. "It is a shame the criminals known as Team CRBN broke into the SDC to steal secrets for their unknown operations. Shame that, in their machinations, they destroyed the promising Project Polendina as well... they even absconded with the Project's physical form."

Penny, Neo, and Makara all tense at that.

Stein gives a look, now smirking. "And from the SDC's tragic setback, my projects will advance ten fold when I find out how you tick, Project Polendina!"

He swings his scythe at blinding speed, matched only by wired swords connected to Penny coming out and parrying the weapon up! Stein then steps in and palm strikes at the girl.

Penny blocks the palm hit with a cross block as violet and green auras spark against one another. Both their robotic legs dent and embed in the floor. Technological power backed by aura. Their limbs stress against one another as Penny's swords spread in formation behind her.

Penny looks the man in the eye and shouts her declaration. "I will not allow it... because... I am COMBAT READY!"

(VERY LONG NOTES: WARNING! Might piss some people off.)

Song this time is Diabolical Invincible Me by Brandon Yates. I only used the first verse.

Reviews:

Stalker203X (AO3) – Really appreciate all the comments as you've caught up on this story. It means a lot. Hope you continue to enjoy.

(This is a long, rambling discussion about characterization, and how appealing to how a character should be may affect this fan fiction.)

ALL OF THIS IS MY OPINION! THIS SECTION IS ONLY FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF ME, NOT TO TURN REVIEW SECTIONS INTO DISCUSSIONS ON THIS TOPIC. I WILL CLAMP DOWN

I have been open about the fact that I have not watched RWBY beyond volume 5. I did not stop because the show did any disservice, but because I stopped respecting and partaking in Roosterteeth products entirely. Despite this, I do keep up with knowing many things the show does, for better or worse.

I disagree with some messaging in the show at points, I think the show's plot has basically caused character work to go to shambles, and many, many, many opportunities for fantastic storytelling are squandered or outright stopped. The swapping out of the faunus rights as an allusion to the civil rights movement was one such thing that bothered me just as an example, and you may have noticed I've kept that detail hanging around for the plot of this story because- shocker of shocks- it's incredibly interesting how those types of social issues ACTUALLY get solved.

However, in all of that, I can forgive anything so long as characterization is held up. Are the characters themselves salvageable, capable, likable, and have a coherent through-line?

Something I've tried to do with this story is that, even when changing the character back stories significantly, I wanted their core personalities and core moralities to, at least in some way, match what we see in RWBY itself.

There are three characters where my story most conflicts with RWBY in this regard. At this point in the story, two of those characters are Roman and Neo. Even in my story, they are not good guys out of altruism, but opportunity and goals in mind.

However, and this may count as a spoiler, I do intend for them to lose those qualities. Roman even started off being incredibly selfish, but states in this story that he's putting faith in Carmine as his last line. The last time he's doing so and seeing if this hero crap has anything to it. Outside of that, in my view, the character could still result in what we see in RWBY.

So why bring this up?

Well, because while this is a story with an OC, I want character actions and decisions on canon characters to be at least somewhat reasonably close to what exists. Roman and Neo's backstory didn't exist when I started this, so that's an outlier.

All things aside, I want them to be pretty close in their reasoning and have arcs that the characters COULD have had.

Which... brings me to what the show is currently doing with the character of Ruby... And Volume 9 specifically.

Ruby Rose is my favorite RWBY character bar none. A large reason for that is because of what her character's potential had when first introduced in Volume 1. The character set for us way back when was thus:

Direct Volume 1 quotes:

Blake - "Why is that? Hoping to live happily ever after?"

Ruby - "Well, I'm hoping we all will."

Literally, her character at her inception was one who just wanted to help people. It's little things like that that placed her in my Top 100 favorite fictional characters of all time (That's not hyperbole, my friend loves making our group make lists like this and updating them. Ruby is #13 at the time of writing these notes.)

However, one of my major of Roosterteeth is that they basically sidelined Ruby's character for the better part of half a decade now, all for the sake of focusing on these grandiose conspiratorial plots that end lackluster.

Volume 9 seems to want to FINALLY do something with her... and I am very, VERY deeply concerned regarding their handling of her.

For those unaware, and slight spoilers ahead, Volume 9 of RWBY is almost entirely about paying off character stuff as opposed to furthering the grander story it seems. It's almost as if they realized they need to slow down, but maybe I'm optimistic there.

Ruby Rose finally has to deal with Neo in Volume 9.

… Better late than never.

Ruby Rose finally breaking down from the situations placed on her.

… Better late than never.

The other characters are having to stop and actually talk about these things. Dialogue is good!

… Better late than never.

However... Throughout all of the details I'm getting out of this, and keep in mind I'm not watching this myself but viewing it through spoilerific videos and cut apart scenes online, it would seem that Ruby's view of Neo is... disgustingly antagonistic?

Ruby Rose, the character presented to us at the start of the journey, and the character I planned to lead the sequel of this story, sets out with the belief that she wants to help everyone.

Ruby Rose, the character presented by the later Volumes makes very little, or maybe even NO effort to connect with or understand the people she's fighting. She even directly insults Neo's hatred of her in a way that could be seen as mocking the thought of caring about Roman.

Now, this may be the season where maybe they are trying to set Ruby up to pay off that initial character? MAYBE she's going to try and save Neo. MAYBE she's going to start with Neo, try to save her as a way of starting being that character to save others.

If that's the purpose of Volume 9... should've happened three/four volumes ago but fine. No problems. The character I plan to write for and have loved can still be exactly that. I won't have any issues with it from a character stand point.

However... the entire set for the coming chapters of the show is about how Ruby feels she can't save anyone, has failed everyone, and obviously Neo has nothing left anymore...

So if Ruby does not manage, or even attempt to save Neo... ANY variation of events to come in which Neopolitan dies... even worse if Ruby herself brings that about...

Then the character of Ruby Rose will be irreparably damaged in such a way that anything I have planned for her in MY universe will become something unrecognizable to the canon version. Yeah, Alternate Universe and hey, it's fan fiction, but... the character I would end up writing for and possibly spending years upon years writing for in the future would not be the character I love currently and would then only love in a past tense way.

Now, I've stated that this story itself will have a pho ending. An 'ending' chapter that can act as a jumping off point for people that can simply consider this story a what if prequel to canon RWBY or the like before continuing into a sequel starring Ruby Rose continuing my universe for those who wish to continue reading.

However, I feel bad saying this, but depending on how good or, more likely bad, Volume 9 ends... I may lose a LOT of interest in writing any sequel to this story... and the false ending may simply be the actual ending of this fan fiction.

I feel weird saying it, but Volume 9, depending on how it progresses characters, could VERY HEAVILY dictate how this story ends, and whether it ends within the year... or if I continue into the sequel and be writing for it for the next half a decade as I'm currently progressing.

Because even when I change shit, I want my shit writing to at least try to appeal to the characters as they are, not fickle creations wearing their faces and names. Because those are the types of fan fiction I love reading myself, and that's what I love trying to make unless I direct from the get go that that's not the case.

And with ALL THAT said... I'm sorry for ranting at you guys, but it was needed to explain the head space I'm at regarding the future of the story...

I hope that you guys don't mind and continue to join next time in Chapter Eighty One: The Gift of Years!