Next on his agenda was to use their past against them, just as they had done to him. He decided to start with Jaune.
"You claim I'm not a real Hunter, a terrible friend. But from where I stand, you're the real fraud here, Arc. Always parading around as if you're the embodiment of innocence and purity. At least when I revealed how I ended up here, I was honest. You were all there!" Cole's voice thundered as he gestured, creating a surge of crackling lightning. Jaune and the others felt a pang of guilt creeping in.
"Have you kept all this bottled up inside you? Is this what Velvet warned you not to do? Did you genuinely believe we had it out for you?" Weiss implored, but Cole's grip on his weapons tightened, signaling his readiness for what was to come.
"This will conclude soon enough," Cole whispered, his breath trembling with determination.
Turning his focus to Yang, armed with damning evidence from her past and present, he continued.
"You wrecked a club, multiple city businesses, homes, and half of a highway. You nearly sent everyone in combat class to the infirmary over something as trivial as your hair. Yet, you lecture about Ruby needing protection from me? I get your concern, but she can handle herself."
Next was Pyrrha, and Cole couldn't help but find it ironic, causing a suppressed chuckle within him.
"You once lamented being treated as if you were unattainable, yet you subjected me to the same treatment. I'm now loathed by everyone because of you!" Cole lashed out, hurling a bolt of lightning that sent Pyrrha stumbling back.
Glancing at Blake, he glared, akin to the look Adam had given her when she betrayed him on that train.
"You were once a terrorist in a school full of White Fang loyalists, causing countless casualties, even among your own. And yet, you had the audacity to accuse me of being the one who massacred his entire village and family!"
His tone softened but turned menacing as he addressed Ren and Nora.
"But you two… *sigh*… Frankly, you don't deserve this, but you got in the way. I apologize, but neither of you made an effort to defend me." He pointed at the redhead. "At least Ruby repeatedly tried to clear my name, no matter how many times she failed. She gave her all." He then grabbed Weiss by the front of her shirt, lifting her to eye level.
"And you… You pretended that you were doing your family and the SDC's reputation a favor by becoming a Huntress, but all you've done is whine like a child!" He tossed her aside and continued his tirade.
"Admittedly, you started treating me better eventually. I can't fully resent you for that." His voice shifted as he wiped the sweat from his brow, then advanced on them.
"But, you never had to endure poverty or steal for food, never worried about running out of water or money, never feared for your life while you slept, or had to scavenge for food."
Grabbing her sword, he thrust it into the ground near her, showing physical relaxation and resolve. "You never had to suffer the loss of the people you loved most." He tightened his grip, taking a deep breath to emphasize his point. "You speak of your father's company, but I doubt you ever attended board meetings or organized charity events. You never even raised your voice against your father's crimes towards the Faunus or his actions in closing down other Dust-related businesses." He let go of her sword grip and delivered a roundhouse kick to Blake, who had rushed him in a surprise attack, sending her crashing into a console, breaking it in half and fracturing a few bones.
Weiss looked at him in sheer horror, tears streaming down her face, mouthing 'how could you do this.' Inside, he felt terrible for his actions, but he knew it was necessary. "To make a point," he silently mouthed back, hoping she'd understand.
"All six of you – somewhere along the way – stopped treating me fairly and deliberately excluded me from everything you did!" He roared, tears cascading down his cheeks as his lightning enveloped his body, a raging inferno of light orange and gold that grew in intensity. "At least you're finally working together for once," he added quietly, smiling ironically at the situation.
"But now the tables have turned, and I am the lion among sheep. Thank you for making me stronger than I ever thought possible…" He fell silent before whispering to himself, "thank you all for this."
Unexpectedly, a memory surfaced-him, Weiss, and Ruby sitting together. Cole slept comfortably near the cliff's edge, his head resting on Weiss' lap while she ran her fingers through his hair. Ruby, her head resting on a rolled-up blanket, played a game on her scroll.
Below, a vast human-made lake, a few cabins, and a fire pit near the river.
That day, he had asked Weiss why happiness seemed fleeting. Her response to his question was, "I don't know… but remember, Cole, it's important to savor every moment of happiness when it comes; you deserve just as much happiness as anyone on Remnant." She kissed his forehead.
Cole smiled as he drifted to sleep, finding solace in her embrace, forgetting about the mission for the night. His heart that day had begun to shed its thick armor but it too was a miracle in its own right.
His happiness lay In knowing that Weiss and Ruby were there for him when he broke down a month into Beacon. Seeing them happy felt right in that moment. Cole had developed a soft spot for Weiss, and it was mutual, given their shared experiences of abuse and neglect.
Cole never had a family like everyone else, so he felt comfortable dreaming of one with Ruby and Weiss. Society deemed it wrong, and he knew he would have to choose eventually. Weiss was drifting away, but Ruby was slower in doing so.
"You can't have everything you want all the time," he whispered, grateful for his helmet's top half hiding his tears.
As they all formed up Cole noticed pyrrha limp to the forefront and yelled in a pleading manner, "please Cole, we can talk this out…" her breath hitched and continued "please, we don't want to hurt you"
Cole's eyes flashed with unbridled fury and laughed mirthlessly, "hurt- hurt me?! You will never. Hurt me. Again!" he launched a flurry of blasts and bolts capable of charring the flesh from an ursa.
As the tension hung in the air, the room began to shake, and the lights flickered as a powerful surge of energy surrounded Cole. His anger and frustration had ignited his semblance to an unprecedented level. Arc and his team scrambled to their feet, realizing they were facing a force beyond their comprehension.
Amidst the unfolding battle, Ozpin and his inner circle gathered in his office, their faces a mix of concern and contemplation. Ozpin, the consummate strategist, leaned forward, addressing his trusted allies through a secure communication channel.
"Team RWBY and Team JNPR are in grave danger," Ozpin began, his voice steady as always. "It appears that Cole has harnessed a level of power beyond our expectations. Glynda, your thoughts?"
Glynda's gaze remained locked on the tumultuous scene as she responded, "Cole's emotions and past have ignited this transformation. He's a volatile threat, Ozpin. We must intervene, but we must do so with great care."
Ozpin nodded in agreement. "Indeed, Glynda. But let's not forget the depth of Cole's grievances. Mere containment won't suffice; we must find a way to reach him and seek a peaceful resolution."
As they continued to discuss, their eyes remained glued to the ongoing battle. The fate of Beacon Academy teetered on the precipice, and Ozpin was determined to restore the bonds that had once united these friends.
Suddenly, Ozpin's scroll buzzed with incoming messages. He accepted the conference call, and the holographic images of Qrow Branwen, General James Ironwood, and Amber, the 'fall huntress of Vale,' appeared alongside Ozpin and Glynda, forming a virtual council of key figures.
Qrow, frustration evident in his voice, spoke first. "Ozpin, this is a disaster. How did we let things spiral out of control like this? We entrusted you to maintain order."
Ironwood, usually unflinching, displayed signs of concern. "Qrow's right. We put our faith in your judgment. We can't afford this level of chaos, not with the Grimm threat and other external dangers."
Amber, the youngest but equally resolute, added her voice. "Cole's powers have surged, and it's your responsibility to protect the students. You were aware of his troubled past and anger issues; this should have been addressed long ago."
Ozpin sighed, acknowledging his mistakes. "You're all correct. I underestimated the depth of Cole's anger and power. I should have acted sooner."
Glynda, the voice of reason, interjected, "We need swift action to shield the students. If we can reach Cole and make him understand the consequences of his actions, we might prevent further destruction."
Qrow, leaning forward with a grave expression, declared, "I'll head to the battlefield myself. Maybe I can reason with him. But, Ozpin, we can't let this happen again. We must be vigilant, especially with students who have troubled pasts."
Ironwood nodded in agreement. "I'll coordinate with my forces to secure the Academy. We'll remain on high alert until this is resolved."
Amber, filled with determination, concluded, "Let's focus on ending this confrontation peacefully and ensuring the students' safety. We can deal with the aftermath later, but for now, we must act swiftly."
With a shared understanding of their duties, Ozpin, Glynda, Qrow, Ironwood, and Amber began strategizing to resolve the crisis and safeguard the future of Beacon Academy, their reactions reflecting the urgency of the situation alongside Ozpin's calm demeanor.
Suddenly, the room's atmosphere changed as a holographic projection materialized before them. It depicted a meeting that took place some time ago, where Ozpin had been issued a formal statement of termination as the Headmaster of Beacon Academy. The projection showed the ultimatum given to him: if he didn't fulfill his duties as Headmaster and attend council meetings with the four headmasters of Remnant, he would lose his position.
As the holographic recording played, the chamber was filled not only with the voices of Ozpin's inner circle but also with those of the High Council of the four headmasters of Remnant. Their stern and commanding voices resonated through the room:
To: Ozpin: headmaster of vale academy
High Councilman of Atlas: "Ozpin, your absence from council meetings has been a recurring issue. Your duties as Headmaster extend beyond Beacon Academy, and we can no longer tolerate your neglect."
High Councilwoman of Mistral: "The security and stability of our academies and the entire world of Remnant are at risk. Your leadership is imperative, Ozpin."
High Councilman of Vacuo: "This ultimatum is not a decision we make lightly. You must prioritize your responsibilities to the council, or you will leave us with no choice but to seek a new Headmaster for Beacon."
High Councilwoman of Vale: "We expect immediate compliance, Ozpin. Our world faces many threats, and we need unity and cooperation among the academies now more than ever."
Ozpin's inner circle watched in stunned silence as the holographic recording continued to play, their expressions a mixture of surprise and concern. This unexpected revelation added an extra layer of urgency to the situation at hand.
Qrow, his voice tinged with worry, was the first to break the silence. "Oz, this is serious.your position as Headmaster is hanging by a thread if you don't act quickly."
Glynda, her usual composure shaken, added, "We can't afford any distractions right now. The safety of Beacon and its students must be our top priority."
Ozpin, still maintaining his calm demeanor, nodded solemnly. "You're absolutely right, my friends. We must resolve this crisis immediately and then address my responsibilities as Headmaster."
With renewed determination, the group returned their focus to the unfolding battle, understanding that they needed to act swiftly to protect Beacon Academy and its students, while also acknowledging the pressing need to address Ozpin's obligations as the Headmaster of the school.
After the woman left beacon she made another call to cinder. "red wants us to collect Cole for the cause, fail and he kills you himself and he will find more competent people to do your job. If there's any chaos then capitalize it and go from there." She slipped into the crowd of new first years and continued her explanation "on the off chance you get to him first just get him off Beacon Academy grounds and fly like hell"
She got no reply so she ended the call and went on her way off Beacon and hoped she didn't cause too much trouble for Cole.
As the intense battle continued within Beacon Academy, another group of individuals approached the school from the sky. Cinder Fall, Roman Torchwick, Mercury Black, Emerald Sustrai, and Neo Politan were on a mission of their own. They had witnessed the chaos unfolding at Beacon and knew that it was the perfect opportunity to put their plan into action.
Cinder, her voice filled with determination, addressed her associates as they descended towards the academy. "Listen closely, everyone. I just got orders and our primary objective is to retrieve Cole safely and ensure that he joins our cause. He possesses immense power, and we can't afford to let him slip through our fingers."
Roman, always quick with a witty remark, chimed in, "Ah, the perfect time to recruit a powerhouse, right, boss? We'll make sure he's on our side, one way or another."
Mercury, known for his combat skills, added, "Just leave the fighting to me. I'll clear a path and keep any interference at bay."
Emerald, who had a knack for blending in and manipulating perceptions, nodded in agreement. "I'll make sure we're not seen until the right moment. Stealth is our best asset."
Neo, as silent as ever, simply nodded, her icy gaze fixated on the mission ahead.
Cinder continued, "Once we have Cole, we'll use the chaos here to our advantage. The enemy will be too preoccupied to stop us. But remember, we want Cole unharmed. Any unnecessary harm to him could jeopardize our plans."
As they touched down near Beacon Academy, the group of villains made their way towards the epicenter of the conflict, where Cole's overwhelming power was on full display. They knew that their success depended on a combination of cunning strategy and precise execution, and they were prepared to do whatever it took to bring Cole into their fold.
Neo signed to Roman and he nodded to her and said "good point Neo" he turned to cinder and asked "what do we do if red riding huntress and her pests are interfering with our extraction plan Cindy?" he smiled lightning his cigar and took a long drag from it and blew smoke into a filter.
"As I was instructed Roman, we do what needs to be done, if we need to fight we fight, if we convince him we get out fast and cleanly" she replied scorching his cigar away scaring the man as he tossed away his cigar bud and grumbled about how expensive the cigars were as he pulled out another one and froze as cinder lit it for him.
"This mission will mean our future will be secured in lady salem's gaze and will be free to live as we please in her new world."
Roman, always the inquisitive mind, couldn't help but voice his curiosity as they flew toward Beacon Academy. He turned to Cinder with a quizzical expression. "Boss, I've been wondering. Why does Salem want this Cole guy so badly? What's so special about him that she's willing to go to such lengths?"
Cinder, her gaze fixed on the school below, replied in a measured tone, "Roman, Cole possesses a unique combination of power and resentment. His emotions have ignited his semblance to a level we've never seen before. Salem believes that he could be a valuable asset, one capable of turning the tide in our favor."
Roman raised an eyebrow, still not entirely convinced. "But what's in it for him? Why would he join us?"
Cinder's eyes gleamed with a hint of intrigue as she continued, "That's the part we'll have to figure out, Roman. We'll offer him something he desires, whether it's power, vengeance, or something else entirely. Our mission is to persuade him, and If necessary, manipulate his emotions to align with our cause."
As they approached Beacon Academy, Roman pondered Cinder's response, knowing that their success in recruiting Cole depended on their ability to understand his motivations and exploit them to their advantage.
Mercury and Emerald, who had been listening attentively, exchanged glances before offering their insights.
Mercury spoke first, his confident tone cutting through the wind's rush as they continued their flight. "Well, boss, if Cole's been mistreated or excluded by those students down there, he might be open to a change. We can show him a new way of life, make him feel valued, part of something bigger."
Emerald, ever perceptive, added, "And if his anger and resentment are already running high, we can use that. We'll make him believe that joining us is the only way to truly get back at them, to even the score."
Cinder nodded in agreement, pleased with their contributions. "Exactly, Mercury, Emerald. We'll exploit his emotions and desires to our advantage. Once Cole realizes the potential we offer, he'll have no reason to resist."
As they continued their approach to Beacon Academy, the team's plan seemed even more calculated and persuasive, with each member contributing their unique strengths and perspectives to ensure their success in recruiting Cole.