Author's Notes:
-Hello my readers. Once again, I'd like to apologize for the lack of content here for a while.
-Burnout, inflammations, ear infections… possible other sicknesses that came and went. Other problems… In short, July has kicked my ass… And August so far? A little better, but I'm trying to take better care of myself and also want to enjoy the last days of summer.
(And I probably need to go on a diet… Or at least a strict sugar detox…)
But, if I can write and update the fanfic, then I will.
Now, with that being said, we have a story to continue. Let's try to keep the ball rolling…
Cold mist was shown on the ground before some of it cleared, showing a cracked cobblestone road. Gray skies lurked overhead, appearing that it could rain at any minute. A man's groan was heard as they came into view; Jaune found himself in Kuroyuri, standing nearby the dead tree in the center square.
No… not this place again…
He heard footsteps. Steady yet clunky steps were heard, indicating that whoever was approaching was likely wearing combat boots.
Why am I stuck here?!
From this mist emerged Charles Mustard, still wearing the same attire he beat three-fifths of team AVNRR (Avenger) with. But that was long ago. Long before the idea of team AVNRR was even thought of.
Jaune knew what this meant. Another fucking nightmare.
"Leave me alone." Jaune pleaded.
But he wouldn't. Why would he? "You think that you're a hero." Professor Mustard taunted. "You think that you're worthy of being a huntsman. But you're still wrong."
The knight pointed at the madman. "You're wrong! You killed or nearly killed so many trying to track down a heroine that never did anything wrong in her life! You're a monster!"
"Am I the monster? Or are we all monsters?"
Jaune didn't answer.
"You're a monster from my past! You don't belong here!"
"Well, if you won't face your past, then why not face your future?"
He stepped to the side as the sound of clinking heels was heard. Soon another figure emerged from the mist… the one Pyrrha had sworn to defeat.
"No…"
In her red dress and the wind at her back, Cinder Fall stood confident, appearing as she did during the Fall of Beacon.
Jaune wanted to speak, but suddenly his voice was gone, and his feet nailed to the floor. The raven haired villainess smirked, perhaps wondering how to kill him. Eventually, she settled on her bow and arrow- Midnight- and drew back the string.
"You were never a hero." Mustard taunted him. "But you will die like one."
Cinder fired an arrow and shot it right through his heart.
Jaune gasped for breath, his vision blurring as his life came to an end.
Then he gasped as he woke up for real.
Awake once more, he soon remembered where he was. At least he wasn't alone; Pyrrha was by his side. But was Pyrrha sleeping any better? Or was she in the midst of her own nightmare?
Are we truly monsters? He thought as he continued to lie awake.
[June 15th, 80 AGW, 9:30am]
The morning after the wedding, the Chrysanthe family, as well as Yang and Qrow, were shown at the table eating breakfast. The pink flowers that Drizella had given Anastasia were resting on the island in a long red glass vase filled with water. Anastasia's pink suitcase, standing on two wheels, stood within the living room.
The eight of them sat in their original places during the hearty gumbo dinner they all shared a few nights ago, only now the course was quite different. They all had french toast, complete with powdered sugar, heaps of fresh fruit such as sliced strawberries, blueberries and blackberries, and the choice of a few accompaniments on the side like strawberry jam, strawberry yogurt, maple syrup and even peanut butter. And, surprisingly enough, there was honey glazed ham and brown sugar bacon.
Some of them were drinking orange or apple juice, while others, like Qrow, Eric, Drizella and Anastasia had mimosas. Anastasia's drink was only half drunk though, it helped soothe her nerves, but it was not enough to make her forget what she had agreed to. She took another sip, trying to quell the bubbling anxiety underneath.
Oh, why did I agree to this?!
As she set her two thirds empty glass back down, she tuned back into the conversation.
"I'm a little surprised that you haven't taken off for your honeymoon." Qrow spoke to the newlyweds.
"We had thought about it, but ultimately we figured it would be better if we left in a few days." Eric chuckled. "Not to mention we haven't even packed our bags yet!"
"Not to mention I wanted to spend more time with Ana before she left for her mission." Drizella admitted.
"Planning a wedding does take a lot of work." Francis remarked. "I'm a bit surprised Drizella was able to pull off the two maids of honor stunt so well."
Drizella smiled. "I had Belle get some extra flowers at the last minute."
Yang and Qrow both blinked in realization, the former snapping out of a state of tiredness.
"So that's why the wedding was a little behind schedule." Qrow concluded.
"Speaking of Belle, where is she?" Avril asked. "I thought she was going to join us for breakfast."
At that moment, a small ding was heard. Drizella pulled out her Scroll. "She says she just woke up. She might have partied a little too hard last night."
"I can feel that," Yang echoed, holding her hand to her forehead. "I've been having a slight headache and a dry mouth all morning." She turned away, murmuring to herself, "Not to mention I didn't sleep as well as I normally do…"
"Welcome to the world of hangovers, Yang." Qrow informed her. "Looks like you got off pretty easy though."
"I'm going to get some water," Yang declared, excusing herself from the table.
As Yang got up from the table and got a new glass, Anastasia looked at the pink roses in the vase, kept fresh with cold water.
Hmm… how am I going to carry the flowers to Haven without damaging them?
"Anastasia?"
"Hmm?"
"Is something wrong?" Avril asked her daughter.
"I was just thinking about the flowers I was given." the flower huntress answered.
"Those flowers are really pretty." Daisy said.
"So what are you going to do with them?" Avril asked.
"Normally I'd make a sugar scrub before they wilt and wither away, but these are special. I want to preserve these flowers forever. I want to dry press them and turn them into flower scrapbooking art once I arrive at Haven Academy."
Yang raised an eyebrow in concern as she returned with a filled water glass. "Aren't you worried that they'll wilt during your journey to Mistral?"
"As long as I keep them hydrated, they should be fine for at least a few days. I have a spray bottle with water in my duffel bag as well as a flower carrying basket for the journey ahead."
She took a bite of her french toast with a few berries, smiling.
Not too long after that, Belle entered the cottage. "Hey, sorry I'm late."
"It's no problem. Are you hungry? Do you want me to get you another chair?"
"Not really. I usually don't get hungry until later. I would like some of that brown sugar bacon to go if you still have some left."
"Go right ahead! I made plenty!"
She looked at the table, seeing the extra two guests. "Although… it looks like you're at full capacity."
Qrow told up from the table, allowing Belle to take his seat. "Go right ahead. I just got done anyway."
Belle smiled in surprise. "Oh, um, thank you."
The huntsman stepped to the side, taking the reminder of his drink with him. Belle took a seat beside Yang, who looked at her in curiosity.
"I'm guessing you're a long time friend of the family?"
Belle smiled with a light nod. "I've been friends with Anastasia and her family for years. Strike that, decades."
Yang looked away in shame.
Is it really right… for Qrow (and by extension me) to ask this of her? Of someone who's been away from her family and friends for so long?
The question was unasked and unanswered.
Sometime later, the meal had been finished. With breakfast concluded, it was time for the heroes to depart. Yang, Qrow and Anastasia had their bags prepared with whatever they had carried with them or would carry throughout the journey.
"Are you ready?" Avril asked her daughter.
"As ready as I'll ever be," Anastasia admitted.
"Bye Anastasia. We love you!" Avril and Francis exclaimed in unison.
The huntress first hugged her parents, holding them tightly.
"Thank you," Anastasia told them.
"Good luck, and be careful!" Francis advised.
Then the flower huntress turned to her little sister. "I love you so much, little flower."
"Please be careful," Daisy told her. "I love you, big sis!"
Anastasia tried to smile as she hugged her little sister. "Love you too, Daisy. And don't worry, I'll be back before you know it."
I hope… she silently thought.
At last, she turned to her older sister and her best friend.
"Drizella… Thank you. For everything." She hugged Drizella closely. "And you too, Belle. Come here."
Belle joined in, turning a hug between two sisters into a group hug. Following the hug, she grabbed her suitcase and her flower basket.
Francis looked at Yang and Qrow as Anastasia went to the door. "Take care of her, okay? She's been through a lot."
"Don't worry. We'll try our best to make her stay at Haven as comfortable as possible." Qrow told them.
"Love you all. Goodbye…" Anastasia told her loved ones.
A chorus of final farewells rang throughout the room.
"Goodbye!"
"Godspeed!"
"Safe travels!"
"Good luck out there!"
With this, Anastasia, Qrow and Yang left the log cabin behind, all taking their bags and whatever else they could carry. Yang took her motorcycle, which had previously been chained to a nearby tree, and unlatched the chain, guiding it along as the three of them left the Chrysanthe home.
"The train station is not too far from here." Anastasia told them. "Hopefully tickets for three shouldn't be too bad, especially if we all pay for our own passage. Not to mention that travel rates might be down with the CCT system gone."
"I have my motorcycle, so that's how I was planning on getting to Mistral." Yang informed her. "What about you uncle Qrow?"
"Hmm… I'd get on the train but I'm worried about my bad luck ruining things." He soon realized he didn't mention his semblance previously. "Oh man, I forgot to tell you that. Oops…"
Anastasia gave a knowing sigh. "I am aware of your semblance Mr. Branwen, but I appreciate your honesty."
"I don't want my bad luck to affect you, so I'll travel on my own. You can take the train station and meet us in Mistral."
"But how will you get there?" Anastasia gestured to the motorcycle. "Will you even be able to fit on there?"
"Maybe. If that fails, I'll probably just take a wagon or something."
Yang looked at her uncle, knowing full well what he was going to do.
"We'll meet up at Ye Olde Barr, over on the south side of Mistral. Once we meet there, we'll go there to our safehold at Haven Academy." Qrow instructed. "Does that sound good?"
Yang and Anastasia nodded, giving their responses.
"Works for me."
"Sure I guess."
"Then it's settled. I'll see you in Mistral." He turned to Anastasia and then to Yang. "Good luck."
"Godspeed." Yang told her.
"Thank you. I'll see you there," Anastasia told them.
With the flowers in the basket, and rolling her suitcase in one hand, Anastasia made her way to the train station all by herself.
As the scene transitioned to a large interior waiting area, Anastasia thought to herself, I could turn away from this…
She looked at a painting of Haven Academy upon the wall.
But… I agreed to help them, so I will.
She fought down her nerves and a flashback of Noah berating her for smelling the aroma of a lit candle. Then he blew out the candle before throwing it against the wall, cracking and breaking it apart into a waxy, glassy mess.
If it gets to be too much, I can leave.
"Last call for Mistral City!" an overhead voice announced.
The scene cut away as she got on the train, sitting down alone in the back of the train car.
"All aboard!"
For better or worse, she had agreed to this mission.
But as the train took off, she was already regretting her decision.
[Edith Memorial Hotel, 10:30am]
All the while, Ilia stood within the halls of the hotel fortress.
The warehouses have been burned down. Hopefully that'll stop their recruitment efforts. Some of the weapons have been sabotaged, but I need to figure out how to jam the guns. Who is H. Rainart and why are they working with the White Fang? And what of this Keyholder, Rosa Vernal? And how am I going to avoid being caught all while…?
She heard footsteps.
Someone's coming! But who is it?
Camouflaging into the wall, she hid herself as Adam Taurus appeared sideways into her view. Not long thereafter, Wungeng arrived at the scene.
"You rang, High Leader?"
"Yes. I came here to speak with you about your efforts towards the invasion of Haven Academy."
At this, the pig-tailed leader frowned. "You're saying that I'm lazy."
Adam frowned. "I didn't say that. But on that topic, you could be doing more."
"One student/future specialist is already difficult enough. You want me to train half a dozen?"
Adam cocked his head to the side. "What do you even plan to do once you have Lady Athena's favor?"
Suddenly the two were interrupted by the arrival of Athena and Ares, who rushed onto the scene.
"High Leader Taurus, we have a problem!" Athena began. "All of our warehouses have burned down!"
Adam was enraged at this revelation. "What?!"
"I flew around just this morning before the sun rose, and they're all gone. Burned to the ground." She groaned. "There weren't any storms last night, and I examined what I could of the ruins. It had to have been sabotaged."
"But who could have known the location of all three of our recruitment centers and then destroyed them?" Adam asked, arms nearly trembling in anger.
"None of them were scheduled for demolition. And demolition by construction workers would have taken much longer..." Ares added.
"There's a traitor in our midst." Ilia bit her tongue hard to keep herself from gasping. Her eyes turned deep purple and she soon closed them. "And we need to find them and make them pay."
A shiver crawled down Ilia's spine as Adam realized, "No one else could have known the location of all three factories and then destroyed them… Still, to hear that we likely have a traitor in our midst is disconcerting." He sighed, biting back a loud groan. "And more importantly, where are we going to host the recruitment tonight?"
This is only a nightmare… Ilia thought.
Athena sighed heavily, "We have no choice but to pick a random outdoor site, mark it and hope that like-minded faunus get the message."
"Hopefully Brother Graham will be ready." Ares prayed.
"He just finished his speech this morning." Adam confirmed.
Wungeng blinked. "Wow, he's quick."
"Quite so." Athena informed. "Oh Graham isn't going to be happy to hear this…"
"The sooner we tell him, the better." Ares reminded his consort.
"Right," Athena nodded. "We better be on our way. We'll reconvene in a few hours to discuss how to find the traitor."
"See that you do." Adam informed them. "If there truly is a traitor here, we need to find them and put an end to their treachery at once!"
"Yes, High Leader Taurus." The other three leaders spoke in uneven unison.
With that the leaders took their leave, and once she was sure they were gone, Ilia let her disguise fall. She breathed in and out rapidly, almost hyperventilating until she calmed her breathing. But her heart beat loud and fast, her hair turning purple.
Oh crap… This is bad. They're onto me. But they don't know it's me…
More shivers crawled around her, feeling like spiders on her skin.
I hope they didn't notice me…
She let out a long sigh, her hair turning back to its brilliant brown.
If they find out I'm the one behind the sabotage, I'm as good as dead! But how do I make them less suspicious? They don't seem to think it's me…
Believing she wasn't getting anywhere by standing around, she left the scene and made her way down the hall.
It's risky to continue… And that's an understatement.
Ilia went to the elevator, pressing a button to go down. She entered, pressed the button for the first floor, folding her arms as the elevator door closed and began to go down.
This is risky beyond belief… Everything I've done and will continue to do.
A chime rang as the elevator reached its destination. From there, she swung right and made her way to the mess hall and its coffee shop stand. She looked at the coffee menu, which appeared to be same as ever, with a new section in small print; Ask about our specialty drinks
"One Southern Limerick please," Ilia requested.
Brenda gave a smirk as she raised an eyebrow. "Isn't it a bit early for a nightcap?"
"This job gets really stressful, Miss Baristia."
She shrugged it off. "Fair enough."
And so Ilia stood by as Brenda began to prepare the drink. Ilia put a few coins in the jar as the barista got out a small cocktail glass and some ingredients Ilia had never seen, starting with a bottle of rye whiskey.
I've sabotaged the warehouses but it isn't enough…
Followed by Meletti, rich demerara syrup, and some bitters. Brenda started brewing some coffee as Ilia continued to lose herself in her thoughts.
Adam is still making Graham go through with the speech. What if my efforts… are all for nothing?
Before the traitor realized it, Brenda had finished her work, handing a glass topped with a layer of cream and small bitters to garnish the drink to the chameleon. "Here you go. One Southern Limerick. Let me know what you think."
"Thank you."
The traitorous chameleon took the drink, grabbed a cup of water from the dispenser and sat down at the coffee lounge she was at a little over a week ago.
She set her water down, holding the warm drink glass in both hands.
Ilia took a long sip, consuming a third of the drink in one gulp.
Mhm… Very interesting flavor. Surprisingly not very bitter.
She silently groaned.
Would drinking alcohol make them think that I'm not the one responsible? Would they think that I'm lazy and "not doing enough for the Fang"?
Shrugging, she took another sip anyway.
I already have the drink so there's no sense in not drinking it. Still, I don't want to rely on alcohol as a crutch for dealing with unwanted feelings.
She took a sip of water to pace herself.
Well, I feel a little better…
Then a small sip of her coffee cocktail.
Damn, it's easy to see how humans (and sometimes faunus) can get addicted to this stuff.
She set the glass down; about a third of her drink was left.
But how am I doing to stop Graham from delivering that speech? I have no idea where he's gonna set up, and following him is arguably too risky. Trying to find that outdoor site could take forever... And I still need to find out more on H. Rainart, Rosa Vernal, and finish my battle strategy for Athena, among other things...
She let out a long, mostly suppressed sigh.
The only way to stop the recruitment is to ensure no one is inspired by his words. But how am I going to do that?
Later that day, in the late afternoon, Ruby was shown in one of the lower levels of Mistral.
I know that I shouldn't be straying too far from the upper city, but if that woman is right, that means I could get some really good cookies for myself!
Taking a left turn, she continued walking down the path. Should be just a few more feet… she thought to herself, looking on the left side of the street.
Ruby smiled as she went along, but she soon stopped, her smile fading. The sign on the big glass window of the building read in big purple text;
Night Owl Cookies; Open 11am-3am
Wait, wait?
But the lights were shut off, and there was no one inside. Underneath the text, there was a paper flier in the window. The silver eyed warrior looked over the sign;
Temporarily Closed Due to Mechanical Problems
They're closed?! Well crud… Now what?!
She was about to reach into her pocket, thinking about the directions she wrote down earlier, when a lightning bolt of terror flashed across the screen, an angry scream was let out.
"Get away from me!" a strange voice in the distance ordered.
Ruby looked around, but there was no one there. Then she heard the sounds of a man groaning and someone falling to the ground.
She went forth to investigate the sound, soon finding an old woman with technical, goggle-like eyes fending off bandits.
There were three of them standing, two on the ground, and one that may have been unconscious. One of them came towards the woman, but she stepped to the side, as though she knew where he would step.
I know I shouldn't be getting into trouble, but I can't just stand here and do nothing.
Converting her weapon into rifle mode, Ruby fired a few shots with Crescent Rose, hoping to scare them off.
"What the Hell?!" one of the thieves asked.
Upon seeing they weren't immediately running away, she unfurled to her scythe form. Two of them charged towards her, only to be knocked down as she swung her scythe. The thieves groaned as the two stood up, holding their heads with their hands.
Ruby glared vengefully at them.
"Maybe we should scram?" another one of the bandits asked, turning to the tallest.
The tallest (and apparently, their boss) groaned in tense exasperation. "It's not worth it! If this girl is her granddaughter, we shouldn't mess with her!"
At this, the bandits all ran away. The unconscious one woke up, and, upon realizing his gang members weren't there, promptly fled as well.
Ruby was bewildered. "They think… I'm your granddaughter?"
The woman chuckled at that thought. "I probably would have been able to take them on."
"I just wanted to help."
"Well, your assistance is still appreciated, Miss…"
"Rose. Ruby Rose." She looked at the woman in curiosity. "And you are?"
"Calvera. Maria Calvera," the woman introduced herself. "Would you like to join me and my friend for dinner?"
Ruby's stomach flipped. "I would, but my friends are waiting for me."
"Your friends, eh?"
"Yeah." Ruby smiled, thinking of her friends and teammates and how they welcomed her in. "They're my friends, and new teammates. Well, new-ish."
Maria's smile became brighter. "Your friends sound delightful."
At that moment, a message popped up on Maria's scroll.
It was from Wendy, reading;
Dinner plans canceled. Work is holding me up
"Well, since my friend here is delayed at work… Think that I could meet your friends instead?"