In the bathroom Cole had decided on Turning on the sink, he looked up at her and smiled at her. "y'know Ruby…if it weren't for you, Velvet and Weiss, I wouldn't have stayed in beacon for all that time" he added before stopping to brush his teeth.

"Well, what about ozpin and Glynda? They took your side and aren't treating you like a criminal"

Cole rinsed his mouth out and said, "Glynda isn't my mother and ozpin's a manipulator and a liar. Those two may have stood by me because the things the students said about me were rumors; they may have acted like they cared, but I know what they really are and now that ironwood has you, me and those secrets he's probably going to try to take control over what he can." Gently pushing her out he said, "now get out, I need to shower and get ready for tomorrow, wouldn't want private

Brown to be late for the competition for who gets me as their pet/slave"

Ruby gasped and asked "wait, that was true? I thought that was a joke?!"

"nope, it's happening" he said through the door and got undressed. "Now get going, tomorrow's going to be hell for those people"

Opening the door, she quickly kissed him on the cheek and smiled at his blush before giggling at him.

While walking toward the door and followed security back to augus and alyx's room so her and the other recruits could get enough rest for tomorrow's 'event' one she intended to win, but first she needed her scythe. Suddenly, the sound of boots stamping the floors sounded behind her.

"FREEZE! ON YOUR KNEES NOW!" a guard screamed and down Ruby went but when she got halfway a guard grabbed her and fired an ice round, but it exploded against a black hand covered with robotic plating "hold your fire, in only giving miss brown something!" Ruby was let go and there stood Cole in his black compression shorts and a frozen left arm and a box in the other, "here, this is for you" he said tossing a box the size of a 40' plasma screen TV to her feet and slowly walked back into his cell/room. Ruby knelt down and opened it up gasping at the beautiful object and quickly closed the box up and took it with her.

'his apologies are so much like dad's it kind of makes me think- no bad Ruby he wouldn't have' she thought before she looked at the guards.

"Oh…uhm, it's okay, it was a gift" Ruby said walking with the guards down the hall hoping nothing would happen.

"Thank you, I'll be going now" she said, pocketing it and walked outside following a guard to augus' and alyx's room with a smile.

ruins of lakna*

Inside a well lit room filled with artwork and two chairs sitting in front of a redwood desk and behind it sat a large man wearing a black 3-piece suit. Signing a few forms, he stopped when he noticed the gentle footsteps approaching from behind.

"did you bring him?" a cold raspy voice asked.

"No sir" a woman in a silver dress said nervously. "Cinder and her two protégés attacked me, so I killed them…and Roman is missing, the white fang's branch let by Adam Taurus are no longer working with us, and my- I mean, Cole, was captured by Ironwood. The worst part is Leo is dead and ozpin -along with Cole's 'adoptive' mother Glynda –" she added venomously "are trying to use their positions against the council to get Cole off remnant's most wanted list with a promise of giving him a punishment of community service and house arrest for two school years unless accompanied by a team of students and two professional hunters."

Turning on his phone, he let out a sigh of discontentment "you left out something" he finally said after a few minutes of silence.

The man calmly stood up and began enjoying the view for a few seconds and said without looking her in the eye "you left out the part where you went against my orders and LET THAT BASTARD LIVE" he said as he turned around close lining his monitor off his desk and looked into her eyes which burned orange and glossed over with a red sheen.

This man was powerful, wealthy, and very influential in and out of the business shark tank and if he warranted he could have someone killed with a snap of his fingers, but this girl was powerful too and worked for half the price which made her valuable to him, so instead he used something worse than a price for her head. Not to mention he was practically more wealthy than the SDC company if not for the Faunas slaves they had used "p-please s-sir, don't d-do this" she begged with a shaky voice. "Anythi-thing but that" her entire being shook and trembled like she'd been thrown out into a blizzard.

"Tell me why you did it, and I'll think it over" he said quietly clenching his fists. "Answer the question!" he barked, making her jolt and shake.

"Because i…." she trailed off unable to look away, her body petrified to the spot, unable to move anywhere. "Speak up!" he ordered as he grabbed her hair on the top of her head, "what. Did. You. Say?"

Taking a few deep breaths, she looked into his eyes and saw the red was gone but not the rage that came with them. "I said I love him sir, I can't kill him even if I wanted to" she replied with pleading fearful eyes.

Letting her go, he growled and kicked her in the gut on her way to the floor. "Then bring him to my office alive" he said grabbing a bottle of scotch and pouring a glass. "Betray my orders again, and I'll have you chained to a tree and fed to Beowolves!"

She coughed a few times before getting up and walking out the doors, holding her stomach. 'I need to find him and get us some place safe' she thought to herself,

Clutching the railing near the elevator. 'Screw getting him back to the village'.

Crimson sat back down and smiled at the irony, his best assassin has enough of a heart to make his target's life easier while subsequently making his life harder by defying her orders, killing his contacts, and blatantly disrespects him by admitting to his face that she loved the man she was told to kill. Albeit as quickly and as cleanly as possible, but didn't. "This guy better be strong cause he is in for one helluva test run" he said, picking up his phone and hit 5 on speed dial. "Get my car ready and have the girl in the room when she gets back" hanging up he walked Into a room and took a spare phone and a small box of cigars.

Crimson sat in his opulent office, contemplating the situation. He knew that dealing with Cole wouldn't be easy. His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. Without waiting for a response, a dark figure entered the room. The room seemed to grow even darker as this figure moved in.

"Have you considered my proposition, Crimson?" the shadowy figure asked in a voice that sent Crimson to smirk.

Crimson leaned back in his chair, adjusting his suit. "I have. You've made it quite clear that Cole is a valuable asset, one that we can't afford to let slip through our fingers."

The shadowy figure nodded, its eyes hidden in the depths of its hood. "Good. Now, tell me your plans for him."

Crimson took a moment to gather his thoughts. "First, we need to retrieve him from Ironwood's clutches. He's too dangerous to be in the hands of the authorities. I have someone in mind for this task, someone who owes me a significant debt."

The figure raised a cloaked hand, gesturing for him to continue.

Crimson continued, "Once we have him, we can use his abilities to further our agenda. He's a skilled fighter, and his semblance is something we can exploit to our advantage. But we need to break his spirit, make him loyal to our cause."

The figure seemed to nod In approval. "And what about the girl, Ruby Rose?"

Crimson's lips curled into a sinister smile. "She's a potential weakness, but she can also be a valuable asset. She cares for Cole, and that can be used against her. We can manipulate her to serve our purposes as well."

The figure's voice grew even colder, if that were possible. "Remember, Crimson, failure is not an option. If you can't control Cole, I will personally ensure his loyalty."

Crimson swallowed hard, understanding the gravity of the figure's words. "I won't fail, I assure you. Cole will serve our interests willingly or not."

The dark figure nodded once more and began to fade back into the shadows. "See that you don't, Crimson. The fate of our organization may very well depend on it."

As the figure disappeared completely, Crimson was left alone in his dimly lit office, the weight of his newfound responsibility heavy on his shoulders. Cole's fate, and the future of their sinister plans, were now inextricably linked.

Certainly, here's the revised version with Roman and Neo included:

Remnant wide Broadcast*

Vale City still trembled in the aftermath of Cole's daring escape from Beacon Academy and his subsequent crash in the heart of the city. Speculation and rumors swept through the anxious populace, who clung to news outlets, scroll feeds, and CCT broadcasts for any morsel of insight.

Amid this pandemonium, a breaking news report abruptly seized everyone's attention, sending shockwaves across the city: "Breaking News: Cinder Fall and Her Group – Missing or Dead?"

The seasoned news anchor delivered the message with a grave countenance. "Ladies and gentlemen, in a startling twist of fate, Cinder Fall, Mercury Black, Emerald Sustrai, Roman Torchwick, and Neo Politan, previously notorious figures linked to the Beacon Academy incident, have mysteriously vanished or met a yet unknown end. Once feared throughout Remnant, they are now shrouded in uncertainty."

Images of Cinder and her group, along with Roman and Neo, flashed on screens, showcasing their past acts of terror. The anchor's voice quivered as they continued, "It remains unclear whether they had a hand in the Beacon Academy incident or if this disappearance is a separate enigma."

Speculation and conjecture inundated social media and online forums as the people of Vale grappled with the unfolding chaos. Some believed Cinder and her group, along with Roman and Neo, had met a grim fate, while others suspected they orchestrated their disappearance for nefarious purposes.

The news in Vale was in perpetual upheaval, with reports about the missing Cole, Ruby Rose's rogue actions, and the mysterious demise of Headmaster Leo Lionheart. The city was on edge, with its inhabitants ravenous for any morsel of information.

In a subsequent breaking news segment, the anchor addressed these latest developments:

"Breaking News: Cole Remains Missing, Ruby Rose Goes Rogue, and a Murder Mystery Unfolds."

Urgency marked the anchor's voice as they continued, "The mystery surrounding Cole, who escaped from Beacon Academy and was last seen in the custody of the Atlas military, deepens. Despite relentless efforts to track him, his trail has gone cold, and his whereabouts remain an enigma."

Images of Cole's escape and the moment of his capture played on screen, leaving viewers uneasy.

The anchor then shifted focus to Ruby Rose's actions, reporting, "In a shocking twist, Ruby Rose, a former Beacon Academy student, has gone rogue. Witnesses have spotted her at various locations throughout Vale City, her intentions and motives shrouded in uncertainty."

Footage of Ruby Rose, once a symbol of hope and heroism, now cast her in a different light, perplexing the citizens.

The most chilling revelation came as the anchor reported on the murder of Headmaster Leo Lionheart. "In a gruesome and bewildering case, Headmaster Leo Lionheart has been found dead in his office. His body bore numerous cuts and stab wounds, pointing to a violent murder. Even more disturbing is that evidence at the scene seems to implicate Cole, the young man who previously escaped from Beacon Academy."

Images of the crime scene and evidence were displayed, filling the city with dread. The anchor continued, "Authorities are now frantically searching for both Cole and Ruby Rose. As the investigation unfolds, the fate of Beacon Academy and Vale City hangs in the balance."

The citizens of Vale were left in a state of shock and confusion, wrestling with the disconcerting reality that two former students, once hailed as heroes, were now entangled in a web of mystery, violence, and betrayal. The city awaited answers, dreading the darkness looming on the horizon, and the enigmatic fate of Cinder, Mercury, Emerald, Roman, and Neo.

Mistralian secret base* (one hour after news broadcast)

General James Ironwood sat at his desk in his office, the weight of his responsibilities and the recent events at Beacon Academy weighing heavily on his shoulders. He was reviewing reports, trying to make sense of the chaos when, without warning, the door to his office burst open, and Winter Schnee stormed in.

Winter's expression was a mix of urgency and concern as she held a Scroll in her hand. She didn't waste any time and went straight to the point. "General, you need to see this. It's about Cole, Ruby Rose, and Headmaster Lionheart."

Ironwood immediately put down the reports and took the Scroll from Winter. As he started to read the breaking news, his face shifted from concern to a deep frown. The news of Cole's escape, Ruby Rose going rogue, and the implication of Cole in Headmaster Lionheart's murder was a significant blow.

He looked up from the Scroll and met Winter's eyes. "This is a disaster, Winter. The chaos at Beacon Academy, Cole's escape, Ruby's actions, and now this… We can't afford any more instability. We need to find them, and we need to do it quickly."

Winter nodded, her unwavering loyalty to Ironwood evident in her eyes. "I've already begun assembling a team to investigate, General. We'll do everything in our power to bring them in."

Ironwood sighed, his metallic hand gripping the Scroll tightly. "We must act swiftly, Winter. The people of Vale are looking for answers and stability, and we must provide it. Cole and Ruby need to be found, and the truth about Headmaster Lionheart's murder uncovered."

As Winter left his office to carry out her orders, Ironwood was left alone with his thoughts. The situation had escalated beyond his expectations, and the future of Beacon Academy and the security of Vale were hanging in the balance. He knew that the decisions he made in the coming days would be critical, and the consequences of failure could be dire.

beacon academy dormitory* (live broadcast)

In the dormitory at Beacon Academy, Team JNPR, along with Blake and Yang, huddled around a Scroll as they watched the breaking news unfold. The expressions on their faces were a mixture of concern, disappointment, and a hint of vindication.

Pyrrha Nikos, ever the voice of reason, spoke first. "This is…disturbing news. But it seems that we were right about Cole's instability and his potential for violence."

Ren, who had always been more reserved, nodded in agreement. "Yes, we had concerns about his actions and how they might escalate. It's unfortunate that it's played out this way."

Nora, with her typically exuberant personality, couldn't hide her sense of disappointment. "I can't believe Ruby went rogue. She was our friend, but we saw this coming, didn't we?"

Blake Belladonna, who had her own share of history with the White Fang and dark secrets, couldn't help but feel that her past experiences were resurfacing. "It's like history repeating itself. The same patterns of radicalization, distrust, and violence we've seen before."

Yang Xiao Long, known for her fiery disposition, clenched her fists. "We've been warning about this, and now it's all coming true. The consequences of not addressing these issues have caught up with us."

The room fell into a heavy silence as the gravity of the situation sank in. It was clear that their concerns about Cole and Ruby had been validated, but the price of that validation was the chaos and uncertainty that now gripped Beacon Academy and Vale.

They knew that they needed to act, to do whatever they could to bring about stability and justice, but the road ahead was uncertain, and the challenges they would face were immense.

In the midst of their somber discussion, the dormitory door swung open with a resounding kick, and Weiss Schnee stood in the doorway, her expression a mixture of shock and anger. Her ice-blue eyes bore into her teammates and friends as she overheard their conversation.

"You're all being ridiculous!" Weiss exclaimed, her voice sharp and filled with denial. "There's no way Cole could be involved in something like the Mistralian headmaster dying, he'd never shed innocent blood!"

Her teammates and friends glared at her with frustration and anger.

Jaune was a loss for words, his face flushed with anger, was the first to speak. "Weiss, you're defending Cole? He's the one who put us in the hospital!"

Ren's voice was filled with frustration as he said, "We trusted him, Weiss, and he betrayed us."

Nora, her voice laced with disappointment, added, "And now you're making excuses for him? After what he did?"

Blake, her disappointment evident, said, "Weiss, we thought you would be on our side. It's us who got hurt.

"Yang, her patience wearing thin, snapped, "Weiss, he sent us to the infirmary. How can you defend him?"

Weiss, her voice filled with conflict, stammered, "I simply just won't believe Cole would do something like this. There must be an explanation."

No one spoke for a moment and she just scoffed at their silence and stepped towards them.

"You're all so quick to judge, to blame Cole for what happened, but you conveniently forget how you betrayed him first. You pushed him to unimaginable anguish, forcing him to abandon his only and last home. How could you do that?" She was at her limit and just let herself give her entire opinion on them.

Her voice was filled with pent-up emotion as she continued, "Cole was one of us. He trusted us, he was family, and you all turned your backs on him when he needed us the most. He was forced to fight all of us to release what he kept inside, all of that he did because of you all deciding he was too much to help and support" taking her leave she looked back and glowered at them "everything he did to us was what we deserved; remember this lesson when you feel like asking the gods why you aren't where you want to be"

Her frustration, her anger, and her feelings of helplessness overwhelmed her. Without saying another word, she turned and quietly left the room, tears welling up in her eyes.

She made her way down the hall and towards Cole's room. When she arrived, the tears that had been building up inside her began to flow freely. She didn't hold back; the sobs echoed through the room as she collapsed onto his bed.

She cried, her emotions a tumultuous storm within her. Her heart ached for Cole, for the confusion and pain that had driven a wedge between them and their friends. She couldn't bear the weight of it any longer, and in her solitude, she let the tears wash away her anger and frustration, leaving only sadness and longing behind.

Weiss cried herself to sleep, her sobs eventually subsiding into quiet sniffles. She lay on Cole's bed, curled up in his blankets, wishing with all her heart that she could turn back time and fix the fractured relationships and the hurt that had been caused.

In the dim light of the room, she clung to his blankets, the scent of his presence and the memories they held, offering some comfort. But the weight of regret and the longing for reconciliation still hung heavy in the air. As she drifted into an uneasy slumber, her dreams were filled with the hope that somehow, in the morning, this was all just one big nightmare she'd awaken from.

Thanks for reading I hope to improve the next chapter.

I'm limiting each chapter to 4000 words or less from here on.

Comment anything you think could be worked on at:

H6pp1n355_in_misery.

Criticism is appreciated