AN: Alright, first chapter of the new year.

Let's do this shit!

Chapter 58: Hansel vs. Hazel

Ozpin was taken aback by the sight of the area transformed into a forest with a solitary road as he left the once grand castle of the Red Queen, now reduced to rubble. He gripped his cane tighter, wondering if Alice was lying about the Jabberwock being the final obstacle for his return to the real world.

However, upon reaching a clearing, Ozpin was shocked to see a single table with a little blonde girl sitting at the head of the table, in a blue dress. Alice smiled pleasantly at the sight of Ozpin arriving. "Hello, Professor, congratulations on being the first person to ever survive all of the dangers Wonderland has to offer."

Ozpin's eyes widened at the sight of the wielder of this amazing Semblance. "When I first heard your voice…I thought you sounded like a little girl. Turns out, you are just a little girl. To think someone your age could fall in with such an awful crowd."

Alice laughed bitterly. Ozpin looked over his shoulder. "That Jabberwock was quite powerful." He acknowledged. "How did you manage to create a monster capable of fighting an S-Class warrior? That kind of ability is rare…and powerful."

"The limit to my Semblance is that of my own imagination, it's how I created Wonderland in its entirety." Alice explained. "However, I cannot imagine something unbeatable or all-powerful because that requires far too much of a suspension of disbelief. After all, imagination is both limitless and limited at the same time, wouldn't you agree, Professor?"

Ozpin nodded. "So while I can certainly imagine a powerful monster that could fight even one of the Ten Legends…I cannot imagine an invincible monster, simply because my imagination cannot comprehend something like that." Alice revealed.

"So in the end, even a Semblance like this is limited by the…limits of humanity." Ozpin mused.

"Indeed," Alice nodded, "even the suspension of disbelief has its limits."

Alice then gestured to the chair next to her "Please, sit down, I've had some tea prepared for you." She told Ozpin.

Ozpin shook his head. "We had a deal, Alice. I've completed all the challenges Wonderland has to offer. My students and my faculty need me. I wish to return to the real world. I wish to leave this nightmare."

Alice's face fell. "Well, that's just it, Professor, there is only one way you are going to leave this place. Which brings me to what I wished to discuss with you over tea."

Ozpin looked at Alice in confusion. Alice's expression turned frantic, as though she were pleading with him. "I have been trapped in my own Semblance for 20 years." She revealed. "I'm begging you. Please, kill me. End my suffering."

Ozpin's eyes widened at such a terrible request, coming out of the mouth of what looked like a ten-year old girl. He then realized something even more terrible. "By the gods…it's not that you look like a child. You never stopped aging past this state, is that it?"

Alice nodded sadly. "What happened?" Ozpin asked.

Alice took a deep breath, preparing to tell her life story as quickly as possible to Ozpin. After all, he won the challenge. He had every right to return home. However, with the way he looked at her, Alice simply could not resist indulging him. And perhaps airing everything could clear her conscience before she died.

Meanwhile, back in the real world, the shockwave of Glynda's attack tore through Ever After Forest. However, in a shocking turn of events, Glynda's attack inadvertently saved two lives, changing the outcome of the battle.

Cinder Fall yelled in surprise as the blast swept her off her feet, sending her flying away from Ruby Rose and Blake Belladonna. Due to their close proximity with the ground, Blake and Ruby were only dragged across the dirt a few feet. "No! NO!" Cinder screamed in anger, her revenge denied.

Blake regained consciousness just in time to see Cinder sent flying away. Her eyes widened at this stroke of luck as she struggled to her feet. "Talk about a lucky break." She muttered weakly.

Blake limped towards the injured Ruby, who had not moved once. "Ruby," she said in concern, "Ruby…"

Gingerly, Blake took Ruby and hoisted her onto her shoulder. "It's going to be fine, Ruby." She promised. "We put some distance between us and Cinder. If we play our cards right now, we'll definitely get out of this alive. We just…we just have to find a place where we can recover."

Blake felt her vision blur from blood loss. She bit her lip to stay awake. Can't pass out yet. Not until I've got Ruby out of here.

With that, Blake began to drag the severely injured Ruby in the opposite direction Cinder was sent flying in. She winced in pain with every single step. "It's gonna be fine, Ruby." She repeated. "Just…just wake up for me, okay? Please. And once you do, don't you dare go back to sleep. If you do…I don't know if you'll wake up again."

Blake gently nudged Ruby, trying to get her to wake up as she continued walking. "You can't die," she told her, "what about everything you told me, huh? Are you really going to die before you've actually made a difference? Come on, Ruby, you can't die."

Tears welled up in Blake's eyes at the thought of her leader and friend dying. "I'm sorry," she choked, "I thought you were a naive child when we first met. I mean, I guess that's still true to a degree…but I was wrong for the most part."

"When Yang told me about your mother, I realized that you did understand pain, you did understand loss. Most importantly, you understood that life wasn't a fairy tale. And I dismissed you because I didn't like how some little girl strutted around without knowing any of that…compared to everything I've experienced."

"But I was wrong, Ruby." Blake acknowledged. "You did already understand all of that, because you experienced the pain that brings us all back to reality, that forces us to outgrow the fairy tales and the happy endings. You just chose to take that pain and try to turn it into something positive."

"You chose to keep going forward. I think deep down, I resented that because I only ever wanted to run away." Blake began to cry freely as she desperately tried to drag Ruby to safety. "The truth is Ruby, I admire you. I admire you because up until Atlas, you had something I lacked, the will to move forward. Even if it hurts, even if you miss your mother, even if you experience disappointment after disappointment, as the world tries to convince you that getting others the happy ending you read about is impossible."

Blake then lost the strength in her legs and she fell forward. She began to sob as she tried to force herself back to her feet. "So you can't die, Ruby!" She cried. "You just can't! I won't let you!"

"You have way too much to live for! Too much to accomplish! And I want to see you reach all of that! So please, open your eyes! Please, don't die!" Blake frantically pleaded.

Blake managed to get a few more feet before she fell to her knees. "Please," she wept, "please…you're my friend…I don't want to lose you."

With that, Blake fell once more, losing all strength in her body as she herself began to lose consciousness. As though fate decided to be cruel, Ruby began to stir at the sound of Blake's pleas just as Blake herself lost consciousness.

"Blake?" Ruby weakly spoke, as though she were trying to call out for her friend but could only whisper.

Ruby found strength in her arms but not her legs. She noticed Blake's motionless form. She nudged at her. "Blake?" Ruby's eyes widened when she received no response, the memories of Cinder's brutal beating returned to her.

"Blake? Blake!" Ruby desperately tried to wake her friend. "Blake, please, no!"

Meanwhile, off in the distance, a lone figure decided it was finally time to make their move before things got out of hand…

Back at the fight between Hansel and Hazel, the Beacon professor quickly regained his focus as Hazel prepared for battle once again. I can't afford to fall apart now. Not when the enemy is right in front of me. Hansel desperately tried to take his mind off the fact that at best his adopted mother was severely injured, and at worst…well, he did not want to think about that.

Hansel took a deep breath, desperately trying to calm herself. Not her…please, not her.

"Do you understand now, boy?" Hazel inquired. "If she's dead. It could have been avoidable. Salem is a force of nature that cannot be stopped. The one at fault here is the fool who convinced Glynda Goodwitch that nature can be halted."

With that statement, any chances of Hansel calming down went out the window as every precious memory of the times he spent with Glynda ran through his mind on fast forward. "I told you…to GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE WITH THAT SHIT!" Hansel screamed as black flames exploded out of his body.

Hazel was briefly taken aback by the burst of power from Hansel's body. He looked down to see the ground actually melting from the intense heat being given off by the flames. He also noted that Hansel's flesh was actually being burnt off by these flames. So he can become even stronger…but it would appear to be at great personal costs.

The Purgatorial Flames are said to respond directly to the emotional state of the wielder. Hazel remembered before scowling. Such a demonic family, to wield a Semblance that is only capable of destruction…nothing else.

Still, a Semblance that could mean the end of its wielder is actually good for me. If I can just last through this berserker phase of his, then victory is mine. I just have to survive until the end of this phase. Hazel concluded.

Hansel was practically seeing red. He was out for blood. He wanted his pound of flesh. If Glynda was gone, then Hazel had to die horribly. Not her, Hansel thought to himself, anyone but her! If she's gone, I'll kill them all!

Then the pain of burning himself with his own Semblance shocked Hansel out of his berserk state. He then recalled a lesson Ozpin once gave him about exactly this. About controlling his rage for his own health and wellbeing.

"Your Semblance is incredibly powerful, Hansel, but as you know by now, using it runs the risk of hurting yourself in the process." Ozpin had reminded him. "Your flames especially become powerful during moments of intense anger, I've noticed."

Hansel remembered being so ashamed of that at the concerned tone of voice Ozpin spoke in. "Now, there is nothing wrong with righteous rage, and I certainly won't ask you to bottle anything up. After all, that mentality was how we got to the Great War." Ozpin had continued to lecture. "All I ask is that you not let your emotions override your common sense. Be the master of your rage, not the other way around."

Hansel took a deep breath. The intense flames died down and seemed to become calmer. Even the ground cooled off. Hazel was actually taken aback by this sudden change in attitude. Impossible…he actually managed to calm himself?

Hansel took another deep breath. "Okay, you got it, Professor. I can be calm." He muttered to himself. He then glared at Hazel. "I'm gonna calmly tear this bastard to pieces."

Hazel glared back. "Not likely, boy." He promised. "I'll commend you for getting your rage under control, but it will mean nothing in the end."

The two leapt at each other once more, ready to resume their battle. Trying to close the distance and force a close quarters combat, eh? Hazel mused. Thankfully, I anticipated that. I have the advantage in stamina, which means all I have to do is not lose!

And while my emission attacks will be weak without preparation, I can still injure him.

With a few feet separating them, Hazel threw his first punch, sending concentrated air encased in Aura at Hansel point blank. However, Hansel's senses were still incredibly sharp and he easily avoided the point-blank attack.

Fire exploded from Hansel's feet and he drove Wolf Fang right at Hazel's heart. Hazel gasped in surprise and moved his body, allowing the blade to pierce through a non-vital area instead. "I've got you!" Hazel moved both arms above his head and brought his hands together, intent on smashing Hansel into the ground.

Hansel, however, had planned for the possibility of missing a fatal attack. He aimed the palm of his free hand at Hazel and blasted him with black flames. The force of the blast wrenched the sword free from Hazel's body, pushing Hansel away from him and out of range.

Hansel landed and immediately resumed his assault. The flames cleared from Hazel's eyes just as Hansel was upon him once again. Hazel instinctively crossed his arms in front of his chest to defend his heart. Instead, Hansel aimed his sword for Hazel's neck. However, much to Hansel's surprise, Hazel leaned forward and bit down on Hansel's sword, catching it in his mouth and stopping it in its tracks.

"Wrong move." Hansel warned as the blade suddenly burst into flames.

However, Hansel was horrified when he realized Hazel's Semblance was still protecting him from pain. I need to find some way to wrench my sword free! Hansel's expression turned concerned when he saw Hazel gearing up for another punch.

Time for a different approach! Hansel then let go of his sword.

Hazel gave a muffled gasp of surprise as he stumbled backwards. It caused him to also lose focus on his attack. I'll use fire on my elbows to increase the momentum and force of the attacks. Hansel decided before flames exploded from his elbows.

Ten blows rained down on Hazel's midsection in under a second. This caused Hazel's mouth to lose its grip on Hansel's sword, a reflexive action from the blows. Hansel grabbed the sword and attempted to move in for a killing blow. However, Hazel still had plenty of tricks up his sleeve. After all, the juggernaut of a man knew that while his Semblance protected him from pain, it did not protect him from death.

So, it was time for a smokescreen. A quick stomp to the ground with tremendous force kicked up a massive cloud of dust that obscured Hansel's vision. Switch your senses to Aura, now!

Hansel tried to pinpoint Hazel's location, only to suddenly see a section of the dust cloud move from above him. He jumped? It probably wasn't a controlled jump due to his lack of balance, but if he leapt out of the dust cloud, he has the advantage!

Hansel then turned his sword upwards. However, if I know that he has gone above me, then I'll turn his blinding strategy on him!

With that declaration, Hansel swung upwards with enough force to actually send a good portion of the dust cloud upwards. Hazel, who was currently in midair, was actually taken aback by this sudden action. Hansel ran from the remains of the cloud and waited for Hazel to land. This battle has reached the point where the first person who lands a decisive blow will win. Hansel noted. If this guy can't feel pain, then I can't simply bleed him to death, I need to hit him with a blow that he won't be able to heal from in time.

It's the same for me, it's taking all I've got just to keep up with the bastard. And if he lands a decisive blow on me, I'm not getting up. That means I need to choose my moments carefully.

Right now, more than ever…this is do or die! It's like being in the bottom of the 9th with two outs and choosing the moment to swing for the win!

Hazel, for his part, was in the perfect position to resume his long-ranged assault. Now, break already! He shouted inwardly, launching air projectiles like before.

Hansel narrowed his eyes. I feel stupid for not figuring it out sooner, but there's a simple trick to avoiding those attacks. I can track their movements based on where the punches end. Much like a bowling ball being thrown, its direction depends on where the hand ends up.

Hansel then ducked underneath one of the punches and gracefully leapt over the other, much to Hazel's surprise. Of course, each projectile flies at the speed of a bullet…and that's a conservative estimate, so dodging is still a roll of the dice, but following that single rule about direction, I can avoid them all!

Hazel scowled. Has he figured out the timing of my emission attacks? Time for another change in strategy!

Hazel moved to punch the ground to kick up another cloud of dust. Not this time! Hansel had anticipated such a move.

Pointing Wolf Fang downwards, the blade burst into flames and Hansel swung it forward, creating a wave of fire that obscured Hazel's vision of Hansel. Hazel's eyes widened. He chose to obscure my vision this time!

That means his next attack is from above! Hazel instinctively looked up, only to be shocked when he discovered that Hansel had indeed not leapt above the wall of fire to attack.

Suddenly, Hansel Kobalt emerged from the black flames. My Aura may be losing its strength, but don't underestimate the effort I've put into protecting the outside of my body from my own flames!

However, at that moment, Hansel underestimated Hazel's reaction time and it cost him dearly. Hazel shocked him with a sudden kick into the air aimed right at Hansel's ribs. Shit. Was all Hansel could think as he threw his right arm in front of him and took the brunt of emitted aura from Hazel's kick. Due to the flames weakening him already, Hansel could not fully protect himself from the blast and his right arm bent and twisted at an extremely grotesque angle. Hansel winced but pressed onwards. The body will mend. Hansel reminded himself.

Spinning, Hansel swung with his left hand and dug Wolf Fang through and across Hazel's chest. Due to the position though, Hansel just missed any vital organs. However, he did manage to bleed the man quite a bit.

Hazel stumbled backwards and the two began to circle each other once more. "So, you're ambidextrous?"

"Nope, definitely a righty. But I found that with a little effort, I can use Wolf Fang with my left hand too." Hansel replied.

The boy isn't dumb muscle. Hazel scowled. He made that choice for a reason. He's planning something.

"Boy," Hazel said to him, "if you're not ambidextrous, then that means your swordplay from now on will be a bit sloppy, regardless of how much effort you've put into training to use your left hand for swordsmanship."

"Are you trying to teach me now?" Hansel scowled.

"If I'm attempting to lecture you on anything it is this, continue on the path you are walking now and you will die." Hazel promised. "Not by my hands, mind you. Her Grace wishes to bring you into her service. Of course, there was nothing said about the condition you had to be brought in."

"However, you're walking a path that will inevitably lead to your grave." Hazel told him. "Leaving my opinions of Ozpin aside for a moment, that is an irrefutable fact."

"You figured all that out from watching me fight?" Hansel demanded, rushing to attack Hazel before the big man could finish.

"It's not difficult, you fight like a man with nothing to lose. Couple that with the fact you are clearly insane…well, those two traits are often found in people who die young." Hazel claimed. "I work with a genuine madman, so I like to believe I know what I'm talking about."

Hansel scowled. "Call me insane? Project much?"

"You think I'm insane?" Hazel raised an eyebrow.

"You're working with the woman who controls the monsters that killed your sister, a former huntress." Hansel pointed out. "If that's not insane, I don't know what is."

Hazel glared at Hansel, who glared right back. "Whoever that 'genuine madman' is, I'm sure he at least has enough sanity to recognize that he's crazy." Hansel noted. "You, on the other hand, pretend to be some noble enforcer for an eldritch lunatic, even though you cause just as much harm as the rest of your allies."

"So who's the real crazy one, eh Hazel?"

Hazel then let out a low growl, like that of a lion and was upon Hansel in a single bound. Hansel blocked a sudden attempt to grapple him, keeping both arms of Hazel's at bay with one hand on his blade. "Maybe if you actually admitted that you're just a selfish bastard out for revenge, I'd respect you a little. At least then you'd be honest." Hansel grunted.

"And what of your dishonesty, boy?" Hazel demanded.

Hansel scowled. What in the world could Hazel possibly be talking about? The answer came swiftly and he was not prepared for it. "The Huntsman who hunts men, the surviving spawn of a cursed family, loved by no one, latching onto the so-called affections of those who saw 'talent' within you." Hazel noted.

"Watch it, Hazel." Hansel sneered.

"So, he hunts down the 'evils' in the world, nonstop, not caring if he destroys himself along the way, because he knows that his life is and always will be empty. Because doing so gives him purpose, gives his existence meaning." Hazel continued. "And maybe, just maybe, he can show that those who have enabled him and his twisted worldview that they were right to take him in, that they did not waste any sort of 'kindness' on him."

That actually struck a chord in Hansel. He wanted to call Hazel a liar, call him out on anything. But he could not bring himself to do it. "I don't know your life, boy, but your worldview, your goals, they're all pathetically predictable." Hazel revealed. "Because this little war we all fight is nothing more than a death march. We all know it, and yet we continue marching for the generals."

"And you are the worst offender of all because you desperately want to give your miserable existence meaning, whether it's for Ozpin, or to work through your own trauma."

Hazel then narrowed his eyes. "Well, allow me to reiterate what I said earlier, boy. You'll die for nothing. The path you walk is nothing more than a death march on a moving platform, while everyone else is just walking at a normal pace."

"And if you think Ozpin will mourn you, then you're wrong. He'll just move onto the next piece on his side of the chessboard. The only thing that might set you apart from the rest of the broken pieces is how long he decides to mourn you before inevitably replacing you."

Hansel's mouth dropped open, eyes wide in shock. He began to falter before Hazel. "And I think deep down you realize this. You're not unintelligent, after all. That's why you're insane. Because you go full force down this path with no regards for what it does to you. You don't care, because you don't value yourself, just like the rest of the world doesn't value you. And you agree with it, deep down in your heart. You don't value yourself, so you desperately try to give yourself some sense of meaning. A reason for you to exist."

"You think I'm crazy? Bah, you're crazier than me. You're crazier than Cinder, crazier than Tyrian even." Hazel concluded. "And let me tell you, Tyrian is the benchmark."

Hazel then surprised the distracted Hansel with a kick to the stomach that lifted him off his feet. Hansel grunted in pain as he felt his ribs break from the force of the kick. Wolf Fang was wrenched from his grip, flying away from him. Hazel watched as Hansel landed flat on his back. "Don't worry," Hazel told him, "I held back just enough to make sure your lungs didn't cave in. You are no good to Salem dead, after all. Just stay down, I've wasted enough time on you. I still have a mission to complete after all."

Hazel briefly turned away, only to hear the sounds of Hansel getting to his feet. He sighed. "You know, when someone tells you to stay down, it's usually a good idea to listen."

Hazel looked at the now upright Hansel, who was glaring hatefully at the big man. "I don't want to kill you, Hansel Kobalt. Or rather, Lady Salem does not want to kill you. As for me, you're proving to me that she is being unreasonable in her request."

"Then give me all you've got and kill me." Hansel spat.

"Do you not intend to dissuade me from my previous assessment of you?" Hazel raised an eyebrow. "You are insane."

"I chose this path." Hansel acknowledged. "Even if you are right and I'm crazy, I'm the only one who gets to call me that!"

With that, Hansel charged towards Hazel. Hazel narrowed his eyes. He's not going for his sword. He's going to try fighting me hand to hand?

"You've got guts, boy, I'll give you that." Hazel acknowledged. "But guts won't save you!"

Hansel's injured right arm moved behind him in the wind as he raised his left arm for a powerful punch. Hazel was soon right in front of him, allowing Hansel to truly appreciate the difference in size between the two. He's going to try and punch me with his non-dominant hand? He has lost it.

The two threw their punches simultaneously. Then, much to Hazel's surprise, Hansel's arm suddenly moved underneath his own, like a snake slithering underground. He sacrificed power for speed and accuracy? A clever trick to get within range, but still too weak. Hazel watched the arm, perceiving it in slow motion thanks to his heightened senses. He then raised his other arm into the air, like a hammer. And now he's open!

Then, Hazel saw it, and sensed it. Behind Hansel's back was his right arm, gathering a massive amount of fire. More importantly, it was no longer mangled from his previous attack. Wait…what?! Hazel was in shock.

At that moment, Hazel's mind ran at a hundred miles an hour, in an attempt to comprehend one very simple fact: Hansel had been playing the long game ever since his right arm broke. Did he knowingly sacrifice his right arm briefly so that he may build up power in secret? The continued fight allowed it to escape my notice! He claimed he was not ambidextrous but still fought left-handed anyway. That might've very well been a reckless bluff. For all I know, he could be, but chose to make it seem otherwise. I knew he might be planning something, and I still fell for it. I fell for it because I let his reckless behavior and personality get in my head!

That damn brat! He sacrificed his arm for a while just for this very moment where my guard was down! Hazel realized. He is insane!

Hazel's expression then turned determined, serious. No, he is still within range. Victory is still within reach for me!

Then, Hansel threw his punch forward. Both blows neared their intended targets. Both fighters seemed to perceive the attacks in slow motion. At that moment, the flames in Hansel's right fist grew larger and larger. The Flames of Purgatory ignite from intense emotion, such as the desire to destroy your enemies.

Everything was for this moment. This singular moment where I could hit you with everything. Hansel revealed inwardly. After all, I'm insane, right Hazel? But you know, a Huntsman's job is to grab victory, no matter the cost.

To do that, a little madness is required!

Many emotions were running through Hansel's mind at the moment. Rage, hate, madness, determination, and even a sense of protectiveness towards those he had arrived to save. And the Flames of Purgatory were responding to them all.

So what if this path will destroy me. Hansel concluded. I'll at least make sure that I drag as many of you as I can to hell with me…and keep others from following!

What? Something's different about him! Hazel realized.

At that moment, Hazel realized he was in trouble. Hansel was putting every emotion and feeling he had into his last attack. One attack arrived before the other, and black flames exploded with the force of a bomb. The flames grew and expanded into a large wall that incinerated part of the forest.

Meanwhile, Yang Xiao Long, who was finally able to at least move her upper body, was almost immediately knocked back into a horizontal position by the force of the explosion, shaking the forest like an earthquake. "What the shit?!" She exclaimed.

She almost immediately knew who was responsible. Teach, what the hell are you doing over there? She wondered.

Meanwhile, at the sight of the Jormungandr's destruction, Glynda Goodwitch began to stir, feeling the power of her adopted son. "Hansel…" she muttered, barely conscious.

And as the world seemed to stand still at what seemed to be the end of Hansel Kobalt and Hazel Rainart's battle, a certain individual suddenly appeared in front of Ruby Rose, who was still motionless, pleading for her friend Blake to wake up.

Ruby was quick to sense that someone new had arrived. It was not Cinder, but the presence still chilled her to the bone. Not just because there was a sinister undertone behind this presence…but also because she was already very familiar with it.

The last time she was around this particular presence, she was in Atlas.

Terrified at the thought of that thing being around her again, Ruby slowly looked up, praying that she was wrong. Then, all the color drained from her face when she saw that she was not, and her instincts were correct.

"What are you doing here?!" She fearfully demanded, gazing up at the Headless Horseman.

The Horseman said nothing in response. Ruby noticed that her body was not suffering any adverse effects of being in the Horseman's presence. Perhaps they were suppressing their power for her sake? That still did not explain why they were here though.

The Horseman then reached out to her. Ruby flinched. Then, much to her surprise, Aura began to flow into her body. She felt her strength return, her wounds heal. She gasped in disbelief as she looked at the Horseman once more. "You're…healing me?" She could not believe it.

Then, the Horseman surprised her once again. They spoke. It was a distorted voice, so she could not tell what gender they were. But they actually spoke.

"You must survive," the Headless Horseman said to her, "there is still a role that I require you to play."

When Ruby felt all her strength return to her, she instinctively shot to her feet. The Horseman turned around like they were about to leave. Without thinking, Ruby spoke to them. "Heal Blake too!"

The Horseman seemed shocked that Ruby would make any sort of demand of them. Even Ruby was shocked she could be so audacious. Without thinking, she doubled down, hoping to give the Horseman a reason to heal her. "The enemy is still way stronger than me. I can't do this without Blake." She claimed.

The Horseman remained silent. Ruby's expression turned pleading. "If you really want me to survive, then you need to heal Blake."

The Horseman said nothing. They simply moved past Ruby. Ruby gasped when she saw Aura move from their extended hand into Blake's body. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Blake's wounds close. Ruby almost instinctively thanked the Horseman, before remembering who she was speaking with.

Ruby remembered what the Horseman did to Rainn Biggs and instinctively glared at them. "Don't expect me to thank you!" She exclaimed. "Not after everything you've done!"

The Horseman spoke again, letting out a low chuckle first. "In time, you will see who is truly in the right, Ruby." Ruby flinched at the Horseman speaking to her with such familiarity.

Before Ruby could ask what they meant by that, the Headless Horseman vanished into the wind. At that moment, Blake began to stir. Her eyes opened and she instinctively got up. "I'm alive? How am I alive?" She wondered. "And this power coursing through me…"

"Long story, Blake." Ruby shook her head. "Now come on, we have to retreat, yeah? Let's find everyone else and get out of here before…"

"Before what?" Ruby and Blake both paled at the angry, familiar voice.

The two turned to see Cinder Fall trudging towards them. She scowled when she saw both had healed. "I don't know how you two made a full recovery, but I'm going to fix that." She promised.

Ruby gasped. She doesn't know the Horseman was here? So they were suppressing their power. That means they didn't want anyone else to know they were here. But why?

Cinder then looked at Ruby. "And you," she said, "you actually had the audacity to tell me I do this for no real reason? That I have no ideals whatsoever?"

Cinder glared at Ruby. "Do you know what I learned from an early age? The weak are victims of the strong. And the only way to stop being a victim is to become strong yourself, no matter what you have to sacrifice."

Ruby felt sick to her stomach at Cinder's words and what they implied. "You think I have no ideals? I have plenty of ideals." Cinder promised, her eye ablaze and ready for another round.

AN: Gear up, folks, next couple of chapters, we've got my honest attempt to improve Cinder's backstory. But, to live in the present for a bit, a lot happened here. But, considering how they were received when they were first introduced, let's focus on the Headless Horseman. They are clearly up to something, yeah? But just who in the world is in that costume? This is a real Scooby-Doo mystery, ain't it?

Also, we've got Hansel out-crazying Tyrian in Hazel's eyes this chapter. While I very much regret the first couple of chapters regarding Hansel's portrayal (I will freely acknowledge I overdid it) and have done my best to redeem the character since then, I will say this: it was a good hint about just how unhealthy Hansel's lifestyle is, mentally speaking. Is he edgy? Probably. But, I've always considered Hansel to be a deconstruction of that, on account of the fact that his mentality has been called out as EXTREMELY unhealthy by basically everyone under the sun.

I acknowledge the critiques in the past and do agree that I could've handled the early-installment weirdness of Hansel better. Now, the personal insults? That's a different story. However, I do think that all things considered, as a character, he has turned out for the better in the long-run, from a storyteller's perspective.

Hope everyone enjoyed this chapter. See you all next time, where we step into the past.