In the warehouse that the white fang meeting was held, Olmotack investigated, and saw the White Fang cleaned well. He scoured through everything he could, but he couldn't find anything… That is, until he noticed an empty syringe with remnants of the substance Nightmaratack used to turn the Grimm wolf.
"Bingo." He said, observing it. The ground shook, as the Paladin Nightmaratack ordered to hunt Olmotack crashed through the ceiling, and landed before him. Olmotack, pocketing the syringe, would bring out his halberd, activating it, as he was face to face. He charged…
Sun and Neptune were sitting in the middle stools of the "A Simple Wok Noodle House", eating plates of noodles with the Shopkeep behind the counter and their weapons leaning on the other two stools.
"They're probably fine right?" Neptune asks.
"Probably." Sun responds as they get back to their meal.
Later that week...
"And that's the match." Glynda said as Pyrrha's match against Cardin and his whole team ends with the red haired warrior victorious. "... Lucky shot… Ugh..."
"Most impressive Miss Nikos. You should have no problem competing for the tournament."
"Thank you Professor." Pyrrha humbly bows.
"Alright, now I know this is a tough act to follow, but we should have enough time for one more sparring match."
Glynda has eyes on Blake due to her lack of focus lately, until someone else would raise his hand to the challenge. Mercury Black.
Aiden would take notice, and would seem almost intrigued, when Mercury wished to fight Pyrrha... He had been lost in thought for awhile due to the events earlier that week, and he thought to himself that this could be a good way to distract his mind, and to also see what Pyrhha is capable of, as he had his eyes on her for a while since the first day they met.
Pyrrha would get the upper hand at first, Mercury showing to be impressed by her. Little by little, Mercury's skills would put Pyrrha on edge.
Aiden watches their movements, and was also impressed, but was at the edge if his seat watching this all go out. Aiden narrowed his eyes at Mercury, as he did seem to catch on to something… Almost as if she was… And he widened his eyes as Pyrhha goes to charge, but Mercury forfeits.
He smugly said he is no match. Which annoys Pyrrha.
"Perhaps you should learn to choose your fights better." Glynda states. Mercury is still smugly smiling while Emerald is also smug about this.
Aiden narrows his eyes, as he grows suspicious… He'll join up with his newly formed team, ASSN later… For now, he had a hunch. When Glynda released them from class, Aiden approached Mercury and Emerald, and gave them a suspicious look, "You know… The other students here may not see anything… But I was trained very well to be perceptive, and I have a nifty nature to sniff out trouble. I know something is up… You've been acting very strange ever since you came here… And I'll let you know… I have my eye on you." He says ominously as he passes them. As Aiden walked, he'd join up with Sun, Neptune, and Scarlet.
Mercury would turn to him leaving, only to say to Emerald, "Who was that?" Showing no worry about him.
Emerald would elbow his arm. *"Take this seriously!"* She whispers to him. *"This guy is gonna be trouble for us if we aren't careful..."*
Meanwhile, Sun would wave to Aiden. "Hey, what did you say to those guys?" Wondering about what he was doing with Mercury and Emerald.
He shrugs, "Just saying that Pyrhha was a tough fight, and that they put up a great fight in general, no biggie." He said casually. "Man, I still can't believe Ozpin put us together! To be honest, I'm still a bit nervous on this whole leader thing…" He said sheepishly, scratching the back of his head.
Neptune waves his hands to him. "Hey, its not biggy. We're all cool guys aren't we?" The two other members agree with him. "Yep, so the natural thing to do as leader is play it cool. Like me." Sun would interrupt his gloating and get in front of Aiden. "Well as our leader, got any plans we should do?"
He thinks for a moment, "I've not much clue… I was about to go do my daily routine of training and exercise, so maybe I could…" He was interrupted as he saw RWBY pass, with Aiden looking at Blake specifically. He looked at her with love in his eyes, and when she noticed him, she gave a friendly wave, with Aiden, surprised, waved back. She motioned her Scroll, silently telling him that she'll talk to him later, as she walked off with her friends. "Hey guys…" He said to his team, his eyes still fixated on Blake as she was walking off, her attention on her friends, "Hypothetically, if I wanted to ask someone to the dance, what would be the best way to ask someone?" He asked, "H-Hypothetically, I mean"
The boys slides in to his space. Neptune smirks. "Aw yeah man. We got your back."
Aiden looks at them nervously, and he thinks to himself, "Ho boy, what trouble I'm in."
Later on, Blake would be looking up something in the library. She is still thinking about the last battle against Roman and is trying to look for answers. Much to her detriment as her eyes are clearly shown to be tired due to the lack of sleep she was having. Although a red light would get in her eye sight. In her annoyance, she would follow it, wanting to find out who is doing this to her as she had to deal with people taking advantage of her cat tendencies. Until she bumps into the one with the laser. "Hello!"
"Yang?" Blake didn't expect this.
"We need to talk." Yang then drags Blake out.
As they leave, Neptune, Sun, and Aiden would enter the library to look up the internet. "Alright let's show you some cool looks that works for you."
Sun wasn't sure. "Hey, he looks cool right now. Like me with my clothes."
Neptune shakes his head. "Sun, thinking like that doesn't bring progress. Now look at this. Here's a leather jacket with the best leather."
Aiden seems interested, "Now that looks nice…"
Sun was still unsure. "I don't know, kinda try hard isn't it?"
Neptune would reply. "Hardly. Think of it as a way to express your reserved tone. You don't if your jacket is too dark for the school code or if it has that strong smell when you first wear it."
"Do you hear yourself dude? Aiden already wears dark and brooding clothes, He doesn't need your help." Sun states.
"Hey, I wear dark colors morely to blend into the dark. I take offense, harumph!" He says in a mock offensive tone.
Neptune then pointed out. "Maybe I have something for you." He types on again. "How about a suit with a top hat? Something classy and to surprise some people."
"Remove the tophat, and I'm sold" He said, "I'd be like those special agents from the movies."
Neptune grins. "Alright, got something for you then! Alright, let's see…" After some checking, Aiden noticed Blake and Yang walk out of a room where they talked in private.
Aiden raised a brow, then turned to his two teammates, "I'll be right back guys. If Scarlet comes over, just fill him in on things." He says as he walked towards Blake. He was hesitant for a moment, but spoke up, "H-hey Blake, how are you doing?" Aiden said casually, but mentally cursing himself out.
She jolted. "Oh… Aiden… I'm fine. Really." She says with a genuine smile, like a load has been released from her.
Yang grins. "Yeah, we just had a little talk. She might be available if you know what I mean." She whispered to him, but Blake heard it, and was not exactly pleased.
He looks at Blake for a long moment… He knew something was up, but he chose to overlook it for now, scratching the back of his head, "I'm glad! But uh, Blake… Speaking of the dance… I was thinking… I mean, you don't have to and all… I uh… Well… Maybe you'd like to… Go… With me?" Aiden said, his face heating up, and his heart pumping fast.
Blake gasps. "With… You… I.. Um… Yang?"
She would then walk off. "Gotta go, have to help with the party!"
"Yang, wait! Darn..." She would get nervous. "I… Sure… I mean… If it's you then..."
Aiden smiles, "G-great! I'll uh… I'll see you uh… Or, yeah, heheh." They stand there awkward for a moment, before Aiden runs off from, "I'll see you there!" When Aiden is far enough, he yells out, "HELL YEAH!!!" As a teacher shushes him, saying classes are starting, and he apologizes, but still is excited internally.
Blake would hide in her team's room knowing they aren't there so she can have a moment to collect herself. She never thought she'd ever find herself this flustered over a boy. She hasn't felt this way since… "No… I can't think about the past now..." She thought about what Yang said to her.
"Till this day, I still want to know what happened to my Mother, and why she left me. But I won't let this search control me. We're going to find the answers we're looking for Blake. But if we destroy each other in the process, then what good are we?" Blake's fear has been overwhelming her, and it was making her worry herself to near death. She thought she could only rely on herself all this time. For this moment though, her body is telling her she can't keep doing this. What Yang said is right. She can't stop them like this. Then there is Aiden. He is strong, but is he up there with…'Him?' She shakes her head again. She needs rest. As she would lay on her bed, and for the first time in awhile, she was sound asleep.
Later on, her team would quietly peek in, smiling that their friend was getting rest. Ruby would close the door, quietly,
"Well, I'm at least glad she took my advice and got some rest…" Weiss pridefully said.
"YOUR advice?" Yang said with an unamused tone.
"The fact is- she's resting… I think her interaction with Aiden must have eased her mind a bit." Ruby says, as she internally thanked Aiden. Suddenly, Juane would approach them,
"Oh no…" Weiss stated, pinching her nose.
Juane would then go into a musical number, asking Weiss to the dance… With Weiss giving an annoyed glare at him, asking, "Are you done?" She asked, unamused.
"Yes?" He replies, and Weiss' tone was cold,
"No." She says, then going into her room, leaving Juane there to sigh in defeat.
"And that's why they call her the ice queen…" Yang states.
That night, Pyrrha and Jaune are sparring at their spot on the roof. Jaune appears to gain the upper hand until Pyrrha sweeps his legs out from under him.
Purrha jovially laughs, "Well done! Your swordplay's improved immensely." She says as she helps Jaune to his feet.
"I couldn't have done it without you." He said, very grateful.
She dusts herself off, and puts her hands together, "are you ready to move on to Aura?"
"I'm actually thinking maybe we just skip Aura for tonight? Might go on a jog or something…" He says, uncomfortable with the subject.
"Come on, I know you get frustrated, but you must keep trying. I'm sure you'll discover your Semblance any day now."
"That's not it. It's just…" He hesitates a moment, "It's dumb."
"What is it?" She asks in concern, placing a hand on his shoulder, "Jaune, you know you can tell me…" She looks into his eyes.
"It's... Weiss."
This makes Pyrrha's expression falter a bit, "Oh. What about her?"
"I asked her to the dance and she shot me down…" He chuckles half-heartedly, "Big surprise, right?"
"Well, I believe the saying goes: There's... Plenty of fish in the sea." She says, recounting the quote.
"That's easy for you to say. You've probably got guys clamoring over each other just to ask you out."
Pyrrha chuckled to his comment, "You'd be surprised…" Jaune though dismisses the thought.
"Oh please. If you don't get a date to the dance, I'll wear a dress. Heh."
He walks away. Pyrrha drops her smile and looks rather upset.
In Cinder's dorm room, she is busy sewing a black dress on her bed. Emerald looks at her scroll, sitting on the floor, while Mercury reads a comic while laying on the floor.
"And finally, Pyrrha Nikos…" Emerald begins.
Cinder nods, "Ah, the invincible girl."
"She's smart, but I wouldn't say invincible." Mercury adds.
"Do tell." Cinder inquired.
"Her semblance is Polarity. But you'd never know just by watching." Emerald says.
"Once she made contact with my boots, she was able to move them around however she wanted. But she only made slight adjustments." Mercury notes.
Emerald nods, "Just enough to make it look like she's untouchable. She doesn't broadcast her power, so it puts her opponent at a disadvantage."
Cinder is in thought, "Hmm... People assume that she's fated for victory, when she's really taking fate into her own hands. Interesting. Add her to the list"
Mercury grins, "You should be able to take her no problem."
Cinder corrects him, "It's not about overpowering the enemy, it's about taking away what power they have. And we will, in time." She exclaims.
Emerald continues, "We… Also had a run in with another individual named Aiden… Aiden Green. Hm, his father is a wolf faunus..."
"And why should this concern me?" Cinder asked without concern.
"Well… He seemed to have suspicions about Mercury and I… And may get in the way of our plans." Emerald says, and Cinder ponders.
"Just keep playing the game, but be weary… We just must be patient." Cinder explains.
Mercuy sighs, "I hate waiting."
Cinder grins at this, "Don't worry, Mercury. We have a fun weekend ahead of us."
The next day, Ruby is resting her head on her hand and staring into the distance, that is, before she is startled by someone slamming their palms on the table she is at. It was the white heiress, and she putting two pieces of cloth in front of Ruby's face.
"I need you to pick a tablecloth." Weiss said, showing two squares that seemed to be similar in a white color.
Ruby looks puzzled at the two cloths, "Aren't they both the same?"
Weiss sighs in frustration, "I don't even know why I asked!" Weiss walks out of the scene as Yang comes in carrying a massive sound speaker on her shoulder, which bounces her sister and the table she's moping on again to jump in the air when she drops it on the ground.
Yang brushed off her hands as she approaches Ruby, "So, have you picked out a dress yet?"
Ruby looks deep in thought, "Not yet…" She admits.
Yang would grin, "Well, you really should get a move on. As much as Aiden likes Blake, I'd like to think he'd want to see his best friend there." Yang says, before yelling, "Weiss! I thought we agreed: No doilies!"
Weiss walks up to Yang, pointing a finger at her face, "If I don't get doilies, you don't get fog machines!"
The girls are interrupted by the sound of doors opening, as three boys enter. Neptune walks in with Sun, "Your dance is gonna have fog machines?" The blue haired hunter asked.
Weiss would step down to him, becoming sweet, "We were thinking about it…"
Neptune nods, "That's pretty cool."
Sun walks up, acting suave to Weiss' ire, "You ladies all excited for dress-up?"
"Pfft... Yeah, right!" Ruby chuckles.
Yang grins, "Laugh all you want. I'll be turning heads tomorrow night!"
Weiss was curious, "What are you two wearing?"
Sun looks at her, confused, "Uuhhh... This?" He says, indicating his clothing.
Neptune steps up and holds a hand in front of his friend's face, "Ignore him for he knows not what he says." Neptune exclaims.
Sun knocks Neptune's hand away, annoyed, "Hey, I may have moved to Mistral, but I grew up in Vacuo. It's not exactly a shirt-and-tie kind of place."
Sun crosses his arms and nods, "So hows Blake?" He asks, and RWY look at each other,
"Doing fine, actually! She's been taking it easy, and finally getting some shut eye." Yang says, relieved. Ruby would breath a sigh of relief as well,
"Yeah, I'm glad things went the way they did. Aiden seems to be happy too." Ruby adds. They'd all nod, then continue their duties.
Later in the day, Aiden is in his room, and he hears a knock on the door. His teammates were out, so it was just him. He opens the door to see Juane,
"We need to talk." He says.
Juane sits on Sun's bed in the dorm room,
"Aiden... I'm just gonna say it. You are one of my best friends. These past few months, I feel like we've really bonded. You've helped me gain confidence, you've helped me fight battles, and you've had faith in me, even taught me a few skills. At this point, I consider you to be the brother I never had!" At this, Aiden raises a brow.
"Alright, and what of this?" He asks, knowing he wants something.
"Well, I know you've been hitting it off with Blake… Which is why I wanted to get your advice on... Girls.
Aiden strokes his chin, "What of them?"
Jaune struggles to find thenright words, "I just... Don't know... How to... Girls. Um, I-I guess what I'm asking is... Well, how did you and Blake... Y'know...
Aiden sighs, "If this is about Weiss… I would say consider dropping her… But I do understand your feelings for her, despite…" He looks off with a disgusted look, but would continue, "All I can tell you is… If she is the one you want, then you be yourself. No pick-up lines. No nothing. Just be yourself, and be upfront. As long as you are honest, that is what matters." At this, Juane nods,
"Yeah, you're right! Thanks Aiden! You are the best!" He gives him a quick, awkward hug, and he runs off, "Good talk!" He says as he runs off.
Aiden looks on after Juane closed the door, and he sighs, "I can only imagine how you are feeling, Pyrrha…" He silently says.
The white rose in Jaune's hand bounces up and down as its smiling owner walks through Beacon Academy, until he stops at the entrance of a hallway with the sound of a certain voice, causing him to duck behind the columns outside.
"Neptune!" Weiss says, as she walks past Jaune as he peeks around the corner and goes up to Neptune.
"Oh, uh, hey, what's up?"
"I know this is a little unorthodox, but... I wanted to ask you something…" Weiss innocently asks, as she puts her hands behind her back, as Jaune drops his smile and recoils at the oncoming words,
"Would you... Like to accompany me to the dance tomorrow?"
While Neptune rubs the back of his head and smiles with raised eyebrows, Jaune loses all of his confidence and drops the rose on the ground before walking back from where he came from.
Time passes, and the time for the prom starts. Aiden, along with Sun, Neptune, and Scarlet walk together.
Aiden nervously adjusts his tie, "Is my hair good? My tie straight? Do I smell bad?" He asks as he checks himself, really nervous. Usually he always felt calm and did his best to be down to earth, but Blake… She really made his whole world go out of whack. Ruby jumps from behind Aiden and hangs on him, greeting him playfully.
"H-hey Ruby!" Aiden says
"Hey Aiden! You look great!" She would continue to hang around his neck.
Aiden would chuckle, as he maneuvered and grabbed her waist, hoisting her back down, "Why thank you! And you look rather pretty yourself, my rosy little friend! Here, this would match well with your outfit!" He said placing the red rose that was in his tux into Ruby's hair. She chuckled as he placed it on, as he continued, "The guys said to have it to 'make my outfit pop', but all it did was bother me… Besides, it suits you better!"
"Really? You think so?" She nervously chuckles.
He nods, "So who are you with? Just Yang?" Aiden asks
"Yeah. Just us. How about you?"
Before Aiden could reply, Blake appears with her black dress for the dance. Sun was pretty surprised by her look while Neptune was impressed. Ruby was waving in happiness.
"Hey Blake!" Yang smirked at the sight of her friend actually listening to her.
Blake would slowly walk up to Aiden with a smile, looking refreshed. "You look nice."
Aiden looked at Blake in disbelief, as his face went beet red, "I uh... Yeah- I mean, yes, thank you, you look..." He blinks, "You look beautiful." He exclaims, entranced.
She chuckled a little. She would wrap her arms around his. Although she notices Ruby is still hanging onto Aiden. "Uuuuh… Ruby?"
"Please don't make me walk in these stilts!" She begged. Much to Yang and Blake's amusement, they laugh it off.
Aiden also chuckles, as Blake and him walk off together, Aiden and Blake stealing glances at each other, with Aiden looking more shy and vulnerable than Ruby has ever seen him. Ruby smiles, happy for both her friends.
Yang would chuckle, exclaiming she knew Blake would come, as Aiden and Blake danced together, both smiling, enjoying each other's company.
"Told you she'd show up."
Weiss would nod to this. "Mission complete."
"So, what do we do now?" Ruby asks.
Yang would walk forward. "We have fun." Along with Weiss.
"Does this mean I can get off of this stupid stuff and back to my hood?" Ruby would receive no response, then sighs in defeat.
Overtime, everyone would enjoy themselves. Blake continues her dance with Aiden. She notices Ironwood asking Goodwitch out for a dance, which she rolls her eyes and just passively agrees, much to Professor Ozpin's delight. Blake turns her attention back to her dance partner. "I never took you as a dancer."
He blushes, embarrassed, and smiled, "Yeah well, I suppose we all have our little surprises..." Internally he thanked Sun for those dance lessons he made him take... As weird as it was.
Meanwhile with Ozpin, he'd feel a tap on his shoulder, as it was Olmotack, "Mr. Ozpin. I have urgent matters to discuss. I'm sorry for barging in unannounced, sir, but you are the only person I can turn to, as well I found this the perfect opportunity to come to you... Can we please speak within your office?"
He nods to him, not wanting to worry anyone, he would walk over a dancing Glynda and James. "I got business to do, make sure things are fine here."
"Wait, don't you dare leave me-"
"We'll do our best, Professor." James replies, much to Glynda's ire. Regardless, Ozpin takes his quick leave, with Olmotack in tow. Aiden spun Blake around, as she giggles.
Ozpin opened the door to his office, as Olmotack enters and takes a seat. Ozpin sits at his desk, and asks Olmotack to begin. Olmotack starts by placing a file that is full of pictures, multiple breaches all surrounding Schnee Co. and the theft of lots of dust, and multiple other incidents: sightings and attacks of bizarre Grimm, and such as the likes,
"These have been increasing in numbers, but what I found on one of these scenes is this..." He'd then place a plastic bag on the table containing a vial, "It seems to be correlated with this. This substance doesn't seem to be any identifiable one, but I had spied on a warehouse where the individual who was responsible was residing, and it was apparently a meeting for White Fang. Once Aiden, Blake, and Sun were found out and they went after him, I followed the figure, and he seemed to be rushing to leave... Luckily he dropped this, and there is residue left over. This may be the cause of the Grimm becoming more hostile and monstrous than before..." Olmotack says, crossing his arms, "What I witnessed... This individual injected this substance into a wolf Grimm... And... It was horrific… I think... I think he intends to distribute it between the White Fang." He says after a long pause. He'd then place his scroll on the desk, "I recorded the entire encounter on this... If you need proof."
Ozpin would pick it up and see himself. He faced a lot of atrocities over the years, but it's still not pleasant. He would then turn his attention to his agent. "Do you know what he looks like?"
He shakes his head, "Afraid not, sir... All that could be seen is unnatural eyes... And they aren't anything like Salem. More... Demonic... And they seem to glow a purple color."
"Hm..." The Headmaster of Beacon would be in thought for a few seconds. "Do my students know of what is going on too?" Asking about Aiden, Blake, and Sun.
He shakes his head, "They shouldn't, sir... Well... Maybe Aiden suspects something. He was always the most perceptive one when we were young... Broke my heart to leave him like I did when you approached me. He didn't seem too surprised though." He says, remembering. "I believe they shouldn't find out just yet... We're still too much in the dark about this."
He nods. "I see. If they are associated with each other, it would make things more simple." Looking at the silver lining of this perilous situation.
Olmotack nods, "Very true…" Olmotack would then notice something coming from outside the window, before hurling himself at Ozpin, "GET DOWN!" He says as the window behind Ozpin breaks, and a robot jumps in. Olmotack goes into action, getting out his Halberd. He turns it on, and it glows a brilliant white, as it shifts into combat mode. The robot attacks Olmotack, and he blocks. Ozpin noticed the robot's lights were purple, and an infection-like substance was spreading across, and he noticed it was one of the new model robots that were created: the Atlesian Paladin.
He takes notice. "Hm… Interesting." Noticing how this power can corrupt robots; something not even Grimm could do. At least not without any clear mutation going on.
Olmotack slices at the robot repeatedly, using everything he had, but the robot was quite resilient, and countered most of his moves, and was very big in bulk. The robot had flung him all over the place, and he crashed into walls. Ozpin did what he could to assist, but he was hit back. Olmotack, realizing he had to go all out, closed his eyes, focusing all his energy. He'd then race at the robot at blinding speeds, then struck many times while teleporting, hitting vital areas. Soon, the robot was cleanly sliced into two, and the top half fell to the floor, as the bottom collapsed. As Olmotack was recovering, and all was silent for a moment, a light from the robot would flicker, as a purple hologram showed a hooded figure. He spoke slowly,
"Olmotack… If you are seeing this, I can only presume this robot alone has failed… Such a pity… But nonetheless, I always have a backup plan… This isn't the end, Olmotack. I will get what I want, and that is your capture. More shall come for you, and those you care for. So if you want to make this easy, you will give yourself to me… The choice is yours. Until we meet again, Olmotack!" The hologram would then end, as the air is tense and silent, and Olmotack breathes heavily.
He would walk up to him, with concern in his voice, "Are you alright, my boy?"
"I'm…" He seems shaken, "I'm fine… But I need to get away from you all. Far away… I'll only put you in danger."
Ozpin would try to refuse, but Olmotack said it doesn't matter. He'll do his best to stay in contact, but as long as Nightmaratack is after him, no one is safe. He'd demand Ozpin to promise to protect Aiden, and ensure his safety and full training, to which Ozpin agreed. He looked at the mech remains,
"Looks like our little secret will have an issue holding…"
Meanwhile below, Aiden and Blake are slow dancing, holding each other close. "Ya know…" Aiden began, "I sorta wish this night would last forever… As weird as it sounds." Aiden said to Blake, chuckling. Blake would also chuckle, and would reply,
"I feel the same way…" She said with a warm smile, and blush, as she nuzzles her head against his neck as they slow danced. After a moment between them, Aiden grew unsettled, and he wanted to tell her everything… Everything about him, and why he acted so strange.
"Blake… Remember when I acted weird when we… When we confronted Roman the last time?" Aiden would ask. This would perk Blake's interest,
"I do remember…" She replied.
Aiden would sigh, "There's something I should have told you a long time ago… Blake, I'm not fr-" And he would be cut off by Ruby storming up to them
"Guys, something happened! We need to go to Ozpin's office, now!" Ruby exclaimed, as she dragged the duo with them, along with Yang and Weiss.
Blake was nervous. "What happened?!"
Ruby would explain the best she could. "I heard a robot just attacked! Do you think...?" She was unsure if she should finish her sentence, knowing how it could insinuate Ironwoods new robots failed before they could be released.
"Dunno... We will need to investigate." Aiden says, as the other members of ASSN come up, asking what was wrong. "Something happened, it seems there was an attack." Aiden says as some of the students started murmuring, as word seemed to somewhat spread. Ruby would then catch sight of Olmotack running out.
Ruby points to where he was. "Who's..." She would run out to follow him.
Blake was startled by this. "Wait, Ruby!"
"I got her." Aiden says as he went after Ruby. After a bit of chasing, Ruby used her semblance to get closer, and Olmotack and her tumbled.
"Stay out of my way, kid! I don't want them coming after you!" Ruby would demand to know who he was, but Aiden came up to Ruby,
"Ruby! He's a friend!" Aiden assured.
"Huh? Who is he?" She asks in confusion.
"It's a long story-"
"I don't have time! More could be coming. Aiden, become strong. You and your friends. Trust me... I will see you soon, my brother." He says as he runs off again, and Ozpin steps up, stopping Ruby from going after him again. He told her to let him go.
Outside the Cross Continental Transmit System Tower, Cinder, dressed as a cat burglar, stealthily approaches an armed guard. She knife-hands the back of his head, rendering him unconscious with a stunned grin on his face. She drags him behind some bushes. Once she is inside the building, Cinder approaches more guards.
As she works her way through the building, defeating many guards with her manipulation of fire and make shift bow and arrow she can materialize. She finally reaches her destination to download her virus on the computers of the network tower. "We're done here." Letting out a smirk.
She would notice an elevator coming up. She would hide to see who could possibly be entering this place at a time like this.
Ruby steps out of the elevator slowly, brandishing her weapon.
She looks around to see the knocked out guards. "Hello?" Cinder would be done with the download and reveals herself. Ruby doesn't recognize Cinder with her cat burglar get up. "You know, it's not a masquerade party." She quips, feeling her as a threat. "So why don't you take off th-" The criminal then throws fire dust from a jar and shoot glass shards over them to make them blast through, much to Ruby's shock as she barely parries them with her Crescent Rose and shoot back. Cinder back flips and creates a bow and arrow with flaming arrows, as Ruby swipes them away as well.
Suddenly, a figure drops in, as Cinder narrowly dodges a wave attack. Aiden stood straight up, "Coulda invited me to the party, bestie." Aiden says, putting his blade to his shoulder. Cinder went wide eyed at the new combatant. Aiden would inspect Cinder, stroking his chin, "Hm... Well what do we have here..."
Ruby was excited to see him. "Aiden! Thank goodness your here! Had to fight in heels for gosh sake!"
"Then fight barefoot then, genius." Aiden says as he takes a stance, "Now then...It would be best you surrender, ma'am... Otherwise... Well, you'll be in a world of pain in just a moment." Aiden says, staring Cinder down.
She is clearly frowning. She then shoots more arrows all around Ruby, which she winced, only to look below her in confusion. Aiden could see the bows are building up power while Ruby looks on even more confused.
Aiden, after observing Cinder, would attack, trying to give Ruby openings. Cinder, though, wouldn't let up, and fought against the duo. Aiden would then work solo, wondering if she was affiliated with that fiend somehow, and grew more aggressive. And so, blinded by his rage, Aiden sliced the air with his blade after loading it with a fire vial of dust, sending out flaming projectiles at Cinder, as he attempted to get closer as she would be distracted.
She was nervous, until she smirks. "Forget something?" She whispered, trying to hide her real voice. Ruby gets hit by her flaming pillars coming from her arrows on the floor surrounding Ruby. As she screams in pain. Aiden see's that he neglected to save Ruby from Cinder's unorthodox attack. She smirks as Aiden's friend was hurt, and makes a jump for it on the window while he tends to his friend.
Aiden, springing into action after recovering from being blinded by his rage, would come in and save Ruby. He'd cradle her in his arms as he sees she was fine. "Ruby… I'm… I'm so…" He says as he grits his teeth. Inside, his rage was boiling, as vengeance was clouding his mind, "I was blinded by taking her down… If I were…" He says as he curses himself. His eyes also began to glow a purple hue, as his rage began to rise.
Ruby would have her aura taken down, but still winces in pain. "H-Hey… I'm fine… Really I-Ow! Owowowowow!" She tried to reach her hand to his shoulder, but was unable to without hurting herself.
Ironwood soon shows up in a rush, "What happened?"
"Someone came in, and we were attacked…" He says as he still holds Ruby, "She needs medical attention." He says to Ironwood. Ironwood, looking into Aiden's eyes, would see his desperation, "Please." He begs.
He nods. "Of course." He calls on his earpiece. "I need men to get wounded on the infirmary! And track anyone who may have escaped in this building!"
Blake and the others come over, with Blake seeing Aiden starting to cry while hugging Ruby gently, as Aiden internally seethes, and berates himself for his foolishness. He will hunt down the one who hurt his friend… And he'll make them pay. He swore it. Blake only wanted to relax this night, but it seems even that can't happen. All she can do is put her hand over his shoulder to comfort him. Cinder, who had discarded her disguise bracelet, would enter back with the crowds at the prom, with Cinder tapping Emerald's shoulder.
"May I cut in this dance?"
Emerald presents Mercury to her as she takes her leave. "Of course."
The grey haired one begins to ask. "So how was your night?"
Cinder thinks of the words. "It was more… Exciting than usual."
"Should we be worried?"
"Hardly. They will be scratching their heads long after we're finished with what we came for." They continue dancing like everyone else.
Later that night, Aiden sits alone on a roof, looking at the moon. He reflects upon the events that transpired, and he remembered what Olmotack said about getting stronger… And he knew from there that he was right. He let his drive to take down the enemy blind him, and the ones he cared for got hurt… He observed his hand. If he were stronger, he thought…
Blake walks up to him. "I had a feeling you were here."
Aiden looked around quickly at Blake, and he sighs, "I just... Needed to think... Besides, I think I'd get in the way..." He says.
She would sigh. "It occured to me that this week has been quite stressful for us." Saying it comically, hoping it could lighten the mood.
He'd chuckle, and Blake was glad, "You could say that again..." Blake would sit by Aiden, also looking at the moon. "I'm... I'm sorry about Ruby... If... If I was more aware... If I was stronger..." He starts.
She then grabs his hand. Nothing to say, just wanting to get him to calm down as she puts her head over his arm.
He shed a tear, while leaning his head against hers, "Blake... To continue... What I was saying earlier... We've known each other for awhile now... You've shared secrets with me that you trust virtually no one with... And I've... I've listened and supported you the whole way..." He ponders for a moment, "I... I think it's time I shared mine..." He says as he sighs, "I'm... Not of this world... I was born off another world. In a different parallel world... One that was destroyed. You've probably noticed my shift in aura sometimes mid-fight, or when I become angered... And that's what I wish to confess... That hooded figure from the warehouse... The being I called a "demon"... He's linked to me."
She was shocked to hear this. She has no idea what to say to this. "What do you mean "linked"? You had a history with him?"
"You... You could say he's... A part of me..." He says hesitantly. "I am... Supposed to be a vessel of some sorts for him... With me he could reach his full potential... I only have a fraction of his power... The lost fraction... Even that- is hard to control. Sometimes, I can feel myself slipping... And I have nightmares... Nightmares about..." He clutches his head, as he couldn't bear to remember, "That man... He's my issue... And I was thinking... Maybe it's best if I left you all. You'd all be in danger if I kept being around you all, and the attacks would keep coming, and if I'm this reckless, especially in the state I get in at times... I don't want to lose anyone... Not Ruby, not my team, not Yang or Weiss... And I don't want to lose you..." He says in a saddened tone.
She felt a little dread from this. But then composed herself. "Aiden… I know how you feel. But you're one of the strongest people I know. And maybe Ruby and the others finally rubbed off on me, but I'm sure we can get things done if we stick together. I might regret this decision, but for some reason, I can't imagine us getting through this without you with us..." Admitting her feelings.
Aiden was baffled by her remark, looking at her. He looked down for a moment, before sighing, "I'll take your word then... I have my full faith in you..." They look at each other smiling for a moment, as a spark between them started, and Aiden and Blake were moving closer to each other, about to interlock lips, until Sun and Neptune came over, with Sun saying,
"Dude, where have you been?! We were worried!" Making Aiden jump a bit.
Blake would also jump, with her eyes widen.
"Uh… I was uh… Thinking… And Blake came by to cheer me up." Aiden says, as he nervously looked between Blake and Sun, "Yeah… I-I'm fine now. I'll be coming back to you guys in a bit… Is Ruby ok?"
Sun gives a thumbs up. "She's fine. She was hurt, but her aura took most of hit. Nothing fatal at all."
Aiden sighs, "I'll go see her in a bit… Then I'll catch up with you guys." With that, Sun nods, before Aiden turns to Blake again, "See you around, Blake. Had fun being your date." He says, getting close to give her a kiss on the cheek, giving a wink before leaving, heading to the infirmary where Ruby is resting, leaving Blake, Sun, and Neptune there.
She looks on, thinking about everything they said just now. This was completely something she never thought. Her and Aiden. This was something she would expect in one of her books, but she shakes it off and notices Sun and Neptune still there. "What?"
Neptune would speak. "So... What were you two talking about?"
Blake just narrows her eyes at him,
"Stuff" She says, brushing Sun off, as she left as well, with Sun and Neptune following,
"Aw cmon, give us the juicy details!" Sun would beg as they retreated back indoors of their school, with Blake giving an annoyed sigh.
Soon, Aiden would reach the Health Center, and would come in to see Ruby, standing at the edge of her bed,
"Knock knock." Aiden said playfully, looking down at her as she was sat up, "Hows my bestie doin'? The food good?" Aiden jokingly asked.
She laughed. "Bleh, bland. Really want to get out of here." She groans.
Aiden chuckles, sitting on her bedside, "Yeesh, seems like a prison… Really, how are you? Are you hurting?" Aiden asks.
Ruby notices the worry of his tone. "Hey, I'm fine. Really. It just hurt… A lot... But I'm better."
Aiden sighs, "I'm relieved… I did at least find this." He said, pulling out a slightly burned rose from his pocket, giving it to Ruby. "You had… Dropped it during the scuffle."
She looks at it carefully and smiled. She then hugs him. "Thank you."
He hugs back, smiling warmly, "You are very welcome." They hold it for a moment, before Aiden pulls away, "Say... Did you by chance recognize who could have attacked?" Aiden asks.
She would look down in thought. "I don't… But…there is something about her… Powers…" She can't help but find her use of glass and fire familiar.
"I found it familiar as well... Along with that aura..." He ponders as well, but he puts a hand on her shoulder, "Well... We can worry about that later. Right now, you need to heal. Can't lead a team in that condition..." He then has an idea, "How about when you get better, you and I get some ice cream or something together and catch up on old times, eh?" He says with a smirk, "I owe you that."
The young leader nods eagerly, "I would like that a lot..." She can't express how much happiness she has at the moment, being with an old friend like him.
He ruffles her hair, "Alright, you get some good sleep now... I gotta rush, 'for my teammates hunt me down again." He says, as he sighs in annoyance, "They are too good at that..." He says, before giving Ruby a grin and wink, exiting the room, leaving Ruby to her thoughts. She was relieved he was alright. Although thinking about it alone, she can't help but feel bad for being taken down and have her friend worry about her. She clenches her fist in a silent vow to be better and not a burden.
In a warehouse far away, a meeting between Nightmaratack, Cinder, Roman, and Neo took place. Nightmare held Cinder by her throat, choking her with an inhumanly firm grip, "WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?! YOU COULD HAVE RUINED OUR PLANS! WHAT WAS SO IMPORTANT THAT YOU ALMOST WERE TO HAVE BEEN CAUGHT?!" Nightmaratack said, seething. Neo and Roman tried to butt in, but snarls from the dark stopped them in their tracks, as Nightmaratack's beasts watched them.
She grits in anger. "To be extra sure the plan works. And I did it, didn't I?" She then starts burning his hand that is holding her.
He was not afflicted, and only squeezed harder, his claws slightly digging, "I made a deal with Salem, and I'm not about to have the likes of you screw it up." He pulls her face close to his, as she looked deep into his demonic eyes, "I don't take failure too kindly... Especially with you. If you fail me, or if you jeopardize everything once more, I will personally ensure a slow and painful end to you. Salem may be in charge of you, but I have the power to give her what she truly wants, therefore, you listen to me. Am I clear?" He says looking spitefully at Cinder, as she gave up on trying to escape his grasp, knowing her power had no affect, as she slowly felt her breathing start to stop the harder he was squeezing.
She then panics. "Okay I understand..." Letting it out in hopes he would listen to her.
Emerald was scared to see this. "Let go of her!"
He smiled, looking at Cinder, and he sniffed the air, sighing in satisfaction, "The smell of fear... Hm... Very well." He throws her aside, and he looks at the others, "The warning goes for you all as well. I WILL be watching… I'm the ringmaster…" He says ominously, before turning to leave. He cackled to himself, as Cinder was helped up.
Emerald tries to help her out, but Cinder pulls her arm away from Emerald in anger. "Get away!" She storms off.
Emerald was upset to see Cinder like this. Mercury being mostly indifferent. "Well that could have gone better." The greenette glares at her partner in anger, much to Mercury's surprise.