Hey everyone! Hope you're all doing well!
As always, thanks for all the support. This chapter's another long one, and I hope you enjoy!
Without any other words, here you go!
Venom turned his scroll off with a sigh and closed his eyes. He leaned back on his chair and went deep into his thoughts.
So they were set up, and Summer was now on Salem's side. Salem must've known she lost control of him, so they set Summer up to replace him. They just took advantage of Tai's connection to Summer to drive the point further.
Regarding Summer, the next thing they had to do was to track her down. Find her and bring her back. But of course that was easier said than done. If one knew the right spots, the right people to talk to, staying under the radar in Remnant was laughably easy.
They just had to standby for any clues. There was no other way Venom could figure of getting this done.
But still, he remembered that Salem had an agent here. Or at least, an agent that she was going to put here. Venom crossed Salem's options. Putting Summer here would be too obvious. Putting Quiet here was a possibility, but somehow he doubted it.
That left him with the name the villagers blurted out. 'Voyaveda'. The name itched the back of his mind, like an old dream whose details seemed just out of reach. He knew that name, he was sure of it. He just couldn't place where he knew it from!
Venom put a hand to his head. That damn headache came back. He was probably about to remember something, the name was at the tip of his tounge, he just couldn't reach it yet.
He sighed. Maybe he needed to take a walk…
Venom got off his chair. He was about to leave when he heard the sound of the doors opening. He turned his head to the entrance and saw Ruby and Yang staring back at him.
Yang narrowed her eyes, seeing Venom so obviously close to Raven's side of the hospital. "What're you doing here?"
Venom sighed. He motioned towards other seats. "Take a seat, you two. It's time I briefed you on what's happened with your dad."
"You were there?" Ruby asked meekly.
Venom nodded. "Not for what happened with Raven, but enough to know everything else."
"Alright then." Yang dragged a seat for her and Ruby and the two sat down. She kept a cautious approach towards this shrapnel-pierced man. Venom Snake, she remembered. And judging from Jaune's rough display of Team JNPR yesterday, it was best that they kept a careful distance. "Tell us what you know."
Venom coughed into his fist. "Your father, as the new Headmaster, has been making moves to fortify Haven against the threat. Tell me, what do you know of her?"
"So it's a her?" Yang said. "All Pyrrha knew was that someone wanted to take down the Maiden. Amber. And that same someone wants to take every Kingdom down."
"That's barely scratching the surface." Venom scratched his chin with his gloved hand. "The person who wants to take down the Kingdoms… her name's Salem. But she never, never goes down to the field. She has eyes and ears everywhere, plenty of efficient underlings to carry out her commands. And the person who is working to take Beacon down is one of hers."
"What about- what about what happened at Haven?' Ruby asked.
"That too." Venom said. "Leonardo was a part of Ozpin's inner circle. But somewhere along the way he became a turncoat and acted for Salem instead. He was a paranoid man. Ruled by his own fears. When he slipped up and failed to eliminate Jaune, Raiden, and Tai..."
Yang urged Venom on. "And then what happened?"
Venom shot a glance to Raven.
Yang and Ruby realised it immediately.
Venom looked back at the two sisters and stated what was already in their minds. "Leo approached Raven's tribe and Mistral's White Fang cells for help. He thought he needed to eliminate any witnesses that remained. Because Tai managed to expose Leo to his own students, so that meant they needed to go too. Leo's allies agreed. Everyone fought. We won. Tai became Headmaster, as elected by the students. Here we are now."
"...Wow." Yang said, eyes wide. Though what her father did to Raven was abysmal, Ruby and her couldn't help but be at least a bit astonished. To be elected by the students was no easy thing to accomplish.
Ruby got over her shock first and spoke next. "So this Salem person.… why does she want to take down Vale? And everyone else?"
"That's not something I know." Venom said regretfully. "This war has been going on for more than our entire lifetimes. And the only people who know the truth are Ozpin and Salem."
"I could care less about Salem." Yang, for the first time, grew tired of the conflicts. If it was all fun and games sure, beating the Fang around and saving the day, but her Dad was on the line now. And seeing how much Haven changed him made her doubt the reason she was still here in the first place.
Ruby shot a look to her sister. This wasn't like her. Usually she'd be pumped for any challenge. She always loved greeting any challenge head-on. Ruby's eyes glanced to Raven again for a split second.
Even so, maybe her sister had a point. Yang was always touchy about family. She remembered her going berserk when someone questioned their bond.
For Ruby, she only ever had the three of them. She wasn't old enough to remember Summer, but Yang sure did. Losing two mother figures, she was lucky in that way to have only ever had Yang.
And so she asked, "What's Dad doing now?"
Venom stilled. He found himself grasping for words. "What would you do if I told you?"
"That's our business old man." Yang said sternly. "Dad's family. We deserve to know."
"And he told me to keep you all safe." Venom said back. "You think I could live with myself if you and your team patrolled around Vale and got killed by Salem's people? Let alone face Tai."
"We can help!" Ruby almost shouted. "We're not third-rate fighters, Mr. Snake. We can fend for ourselves!"
"This is bigger than you. Bigger than any Academy Student should face." Venom said. "Tai doesn't want any of his students to get involved, but he has no choice there. With both of you, hasn't he already told you to let it go?"
"We're not losing another member of our family." Yang bit back. "No way. Doesn't matter what he thinks is best. We'll help him anyway, Vale or Atlas or Mistral or Vacuo. "
"Yang's right." Ruby said. "You're not going to stop us, Mr. Venom. He's our Dad after all!"
They simply can't. Not when their father was on the line.
Hearing that, Venom decided to size them up discreetly. There was a fire in their eyes, the fire of fighters and warriors. They wouldn't give up even if he withheld the information. They were willing to go to any depths to find the truth and save their family. Depths even more dangerous than talking to him, beating The White Fang, Roman Torchwick, and anything they've encountered before.
Ruby and Yang would dragged their team with them too, and Weiss and Blake would be all too willing to follow.
He can't stop them like this. None of them ever managed to fight a fighters spirit after all. If they wanted to make their battlefields a second home, then so be it.
Those who took up weapons must be prepared to always fight at a moment's notice.
But even so, they were still naive. Barely scratched the surface of the horrors they were about to face.
He won't diminish their accomplishments, not that. What they've done was remarkable as is. But Salem was an entirely different beast. Tai judged that no student should face her, no matter how exemplary they were. He was right.
It was up to him to prevent Tai's daughters and their team from charging in, but seeing them now, he knew his words would never reach them. Whatever they've learned from Tai before, whatever they've learned since they decided to become Huntresses, what they've learned from Signal and Beacon, won't be erased by a simple warning from him. Nor would a good beating work either.
They'd just keep getting back up and find another way.
They're far too much like their father in that regard. Too stubborn. Would never give up, like a true Hunter would.
Venom resolved to one solution.
He looked into both their eyes. "Do you really want to know?"
Yang and Ruby gave firm nods.
Venom saw their resolution and took a deep breath. He lifted his gloved hand and went for his eye-patch, peeling it back slowly. He kept his gaze locked squarely on Ruby the entire time,carefully noting her facial expressions.
He saw it change as his eye-patch was slowly pulled back. From resolute, to wavering, to disturbed familiarity, then to shock.
Ruby felt the breath knocked out of her as Venom looked at her with both his eyes. One green and one silver.
W-what was this? How could- how'd he get something like that?!
Because that's- that's her eyes! But she had them both on, right?! So how did- how did-!
Silver Eye gazed back to Silver Eyes, and Venom stared Ruby down.
Ruby felt her resolve begin to crumble. She couldn't pull her gaze away from Venom's piercing eyes try as she might. She took in every detail with growing horror. The shade of the pupils, its shape…
Exactly the same. So that must mean-!
"Your father is trying to get your mother back." Venom said.
Without another word, Venom got off his seat and exited the Medical Wing. He didn't care for their reactions. Let his actions speak louder than words. That was a rule of the battlefield, because no matter what your ideals are, if the actions you do consume you then ideals became nothing more than excuses.
Let that be his lesson for the day.
All the while, the word still haunted Venom's head, even as the current 41st Vytal Festival continued to be the main priority.
Voyaveda…
Who was that? Would The Medic know, or would Big Boss?
Two and a Half Years Ago, On The Other Side of Remnant…
"A beautiful ring, for a beautiful woman."
"I'm sorry?"
"What?! Impossible! How did it-?! Hey! Stop!"
"Thief!"
"Someone, call the police!"
"...How did she do that?"
Emerald's back was against the wall. Literally. She had ran all across town from that jewellery store, but still…!
The red-clad woman in front of her didn't relent one bit. She chased her down even as she went through alleys and backdoors. Eventually Emerald made a wrong turn she found herself facing a dead end.
And in the end, Emerald had her back against the wall. Cornered with nothing but a ring that wasn't worth it and Thief's Respite on her hips.
The woman in front of her spoke first. "How did you do that?" She asked with a smirk.
Emerald growled. Like hell he was going to tell her her secrets! And even then, she had a bad feeling about this woman. She followed her for so long, there must have been something she wanted. Either the ring she just stole, or having her dead in the gutter.
Emerald's hands went to her weapons. If she had to fight to get out of here-.
"Don't." The red-clad woman warned. Emerald saw the woman take a step forwards, knees slightly bent. It seemed she wasn't a defenceless beauty, despite Emerald's initial assessment. Emerald then took note of the woman's gear.
The woman had a curved sword connected to her back, paired with a silenced pistol at her hip. Emerald scrutinised the pistol. A P226? Nothing Thief's Respite couldn't outgun. And besides, with her weapons' chain-sickles, she'd have the ranged melee advantage.
The woman seemed to note her actions. She chuckled, amused. "Unless, of course, you want to try? Raise everyone to alert?"
Emerald growled. Condescending bitch! She drew Thief's Respite from its holsters and aimed at the dual revolvers at the woman. The woman chuckled again and took another step forwards. This time, she entered a stance Emerald couldn't decipher.
The woman didn't draw any of her weapons. Instead, she bent her knees and kept her body low, arms slightly open aimed forwards.
What kind of stance was that? Some weird kind of judo?
Emerald scoffed. Whatever, It didn't matter.
Emerald unfurled her sickles and launched them at the mystery woman. The woman deftly dodged each one, tilting her head ad moving her body to the side.
Faster than Emerald could react, the woman grabbed each chain and pulled them to her. Of course, this meant Emerald was pulled closer too. She yelped as the woman became closer. Before she had any time to let go of Thief's Respite, the mystery woman was already upon her.
"Hah!" The woman kneed Emerald in her stomach. Emerald groaned, the hit knocking the wind out of her. The mystery woman grabbed her under her arms, linked her feet with her own, and flipped Emerald over her and down to the ground.
Emerald felt her back hit hard cement, feeling cracks creep from the impact. She tried to get up, but instantly felt another knee press down on her throat.
Emerald choked for air. She looked up at the mystery woman, golden eyes peering down on her from the iron sights of her P226.
"You took the ring right from the jeweller eyes, didn't you?" The woman hummed. "He smiled when doing it too. Impressive, if only you had the same talent in combat."
Emerald tried to reach for her weapons. Before her arms could move, she felt another knee force them down.
"A talent in illusion, perhaps?" The woman continued to talk as if she wasn't straight-up choking her. "Or perhaps some kind of charm…"
Emerald gasped, her vision beginning to fade. She was losing conciousness, she didn't stand a chance! She had to give up if she were to survive!
Emerald relented and tapped the mystery woman's knee. A universal fighter's signal that he or she had given up.
The woman smirked. "That's better. Wasn't so hard, was it~?" She finally lifted her grip on Emerald and stood back up, sheathing her weapon and crossing her arms. Meanwhile, Emerald could only get the energy to crouch as she grabbed her sore throat, gasping for breath.
Emerald looked up at the mystery woman from where she was, the seeds of fear planted in her eyes. "Who… are you? What do you want?"
Cinder chuckled, raising a finger from her crossed arms as if to think. "…What I want? That's quite the loaded question, isn't it?"
The Next Week…
"Haven't you heard? Black isn't accepting new customers right now."
"Is that so?" Cinder hummed, her arms crossed and her head tilted. The bartender in front of her watched her with caution as Cinder seemed to think something over. There was a dangerous aura around this woman, so far under the surface that he almost missed it, not helped by the relatively lower sense of danger he got from the green thief rat behind her.
And that fact wasn't a mere coincidence.
"Very well." Cinder uncrossed her arms. Her eyes seemed to sharpen, the temperature of the room dropping to sub zero levels.
Everyone in the vicinity felt it. This pressure, causing worry, uncertainty, and fear….
Cinder's aura of danger burst from beneath the surface. She leaned in close to the bartender. "But would you at least tell us where we could find him? I'm willing to… negotiate with him on this job. I'm sure an assassin like Black would understand."
A bead of sweat almost ran down the bartender's brow. His hands fidgeted ever so slightly, his eye twitching as golden orbs stared him down. At this rate, with the sheer pressure this woman was putting on him… He couldn't see a way out of this.
The bartender quickly relented and took a step back in fear."He-he lives on the mountains. With his son. That-that's all I know."
Cinder smirked, giving a short condescending nod. All at once, the room seemed to warm drastically. "Thank you, sir." She turned around and walked past her… apprentice? He couldn't decipher what exactly.
Anyway, he was just glad he got out of that woman's grasp alive.
Emerald barely saw Cinder move past her, still in shock . That aura of danger, intimidation, she never saw anything like that in the week they were together.
First she dominated her in their first encounter, demonstrating her proficiency in combat. Then she saw how Cinder knew the streets in and out, showing her high skills in information gathering.
And now, Emerald saw Cinder showing her drive to the world. That she was willing to do anything to get what she wanted.
Emerald felt almost hopeless. What kind of woman had she messed with?
Cinder motioned to Emerald, stepping away and expecting Emerald to follow with. "Come along now, Emerald. We've got work to do."
Even so, Emerald mustered up the courage to ask one more question. "...Why should I follow you?"
Cinder stopped in her tracks. She almost turned around. Almost. "Pardon?"
"We've been going around the four kingdoms for a week now. I get it, I shouldn't have messed with you. But you still haven't told me what you want. How am I supposed to help you if I don't know?"
Cinder tilted her head around and chuckled. "That's a pointless question, Emerald. If you can't figure it out on your own then you certainly won't get it out of me."
Cinder turned around and walked away.
Emerald almost sighed. She knew she was a master of illusions. For that, she knew that Cinder wanted her to uncover the 'truth' beneath all her acts herself . Conjuring an illusion required layers of deceit, looking underneath the underneath to make something believable.
But after a week, Emerald concluded that there was simply nothing there! She just-just couldn't figure someone like Cinder out! Nothing she did matched up with a profile, nothing made sene!
But then, be that as it may…
Sly as Cinder may be, Emerald knew that she didn't even try in this latest one.
The illusion of choice.
Emerald quickened her pace and followed in Cinder's footsteps.
"What are you looking at?" Mercury bit out. He stared down the two figures in front of him. One clad in green, and the other in red.
Mercury growled when the two didn't answer. He could just barely see them from the corner of his vision, illuminated by the light of his burning home from behind.
Both had Hunter-grade weaponry.
If it came down to it, he couldn't really fight back. He had just finished off his bastard of a father, his body dead next to his feet, but the fight had cost him both his legs. He could barely stand as is.
Where they, perhaps, friends of his father? Or worse yet… new customers?
The woman clad in red spoke first. "We're looking for your father."
Mercury spat to the his father's corpse. He looked at it with distaste. "Well, there you go."
"That's the assassin?" Emerald spoke out. Was this perhaps another one of Cinder's 'lessons' too? Did she knew this was going to happen?
Cinder's eyes shifted from Mercury to his legs. Bandaged and bleeding badly… a desperate attack from the elder Black to defeat his own son. But that failed, and now his son was the one still standing. Relatively, at least.
Cinder looked back to Mercury's eyes. "We saw your fight from the tree line. Impressive." Cinder crossed her arms. "How long has he been training you?"
"Long enough."
"That's certainly true." Cinder said. "What's your name?"
"Mercury."
"Mercury." Cinder rolled the words in her mouth. "If I may ask, do you have any plans after this?"
Emerald's gaze shot to Cinder. What's this? She didn't get a choice! And now this-this useless cripple got one?
"W-well, I was going to get something for my legs at least." Mercury said first, taken back by the sudden generosity, if it could be called that. "Why are you asking?"
"And after that?" Cinder pressed on. She ignored Mercury's request.
Mercury found himself struggling to answer. "I'll.. try to get by." He'll cross the bridge when he got there.
"By living a normal life?" Cinder taunted.
Looked like all pretence of friendliness was going to drop soon. Mercury narrowed his eyes. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Cinder smirked. "I've seen your moves. Those kicks came out fast and your stance was impeccable. Some improvements could be mad,e sure, but your father has done well."
"Don't talk about him like he had anything good."
Cinder chuckled. "He's trained you all your life, hasn't he?"
Mercury growled. Sharp bastard.
"I'll take that as a yes." Cinder nodded. "So do you really think you can walk away from all that training? Leave it all behind?"
"Is that a challenge?"
"I've seen your kind before, Mercury." Cinder said. "People who have trained their whole lives to fight. It doesn't matter if it was voluntary or not, what matters is that it's what they know. Face it, you'll forever be tied to your training. Your kicks, your stance, your moves, they will always tie back to you. The burning fire of a fighter will always call you back no matter how hard you try."
"What are you saying?" Mercury didn't like this one bit.
"I'm saying that I can give you a place where you can answer that desire. Free of charge." Cinder said. "We'll get you the highest-end leg prosthetics we could find. More than that, objectives to follow. All you need to do is agree to be under my command."
Mercury found himself at a crossroads. Loathe as he was to admit it, he knew that she was right. Sooner or later he'd find himself wanting to fight once more. Wanting to kick, to dodge, to face opponents one-on-one. The thrill of fighting, of moving his body and attacking, was something he couldn't afford to miss.
Years of training under his father, an assassin, had instilled that into his very being. Damn him.
Ah, what the hell. She made good points. Besides, he'd come back to this sooner than later, so why not take advantage of this ease right now?
"Fine." Mercury's lips twitched upwards. He met Cinder's eyes with his easy-going own. "Where to, boss? What do you want?"
"Glad to see you're on board." Cinder smiled. "First, like I promised, we'll be taking care of your legs. Then, we have one last associate to convince."
"As for what I want, well…" Cinder let her sentence trail off. They'd just have to figure that out themselves, if she even slipped up that was.
"Cinder, it's good to see you again. How far have you progressed?"
"I've managed to recruit two more members for the infiltration, ma'am."
"Good. That makes the four of you with Neo, right?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Any idea on who else to recruit? We still lack grunt manpower after all."
"I've had someone in mind for a while. I'll approach him once we get a fixed location on his faction's position."
"Very well. Take care, Cinder."
"...You too, ma'am. Until we meet again."
One Month Later…
"So let me get this straight." Adam growled, pacing in front of Cinder.
Cinder nodded at Adam, Emerald and Mercury sitting behind her. They were all surrounded by White Fang guards, the three of them deep inside a Whie Fang camp in the middle of the wilds.
Specifically, they were inside Adam's tent.
"You could have gone to anyone for help. You could've made a deal with a Hunter, who's strayed from their righteous path, but instead…" Adam stared down Cinder. "You choose to seek an audience with me."
"You're the one we need." Cinder said calmly. She didn't flinch, didn't show any sign of fear. She understood this type of man as well…
Understood, mind you, not sympathising just yet.
Cinder continued on. "Your skill, to lead those beneath you. You're an exceptionally valuable man, Adam. And we've put a lot of thought into-."
"Then you're clearly not thinking straight!" Adam denied. "If you truly understood, then you'd know that coming here was a mistake. The White Fang is not an organisation for hire. We are a force of revolution!"
Emerald and Mercury looked at each other and rolled their eyes. What a waste of their time, pursuing deluded extremists. Adam was right. They should've just hired another professional!
Cinder didn't miss Emerald and Mercury's doubts, but she didn't mind them either. She'll deal with them later, for now she continued on. She spoke again to Adam. "I believe that our plan would be beneficial for all involved."
Adam stayed silent, giving Cinder a chance to go on.
"I have an objective in Vale. And I truly mean that we all stand something to gain from it." Cinder smiled at Adam. "Care to guess what it might be?"
"I'm guessing that you're not smart enough to know when you're no longer welcome." Adam brought his sword up, showing it to Cinder and prepared to unsheathe it. Adam bared his teeth at Cinder. "You're asking my men to die for your cause. A human cause. That is not an idea I am willing to entertain."
"Your men…" Cinder smiled. "They're important to you, aren't they?"
Adam's patience was running thin. Slowly, he unsheathed his sword, its blood red blade starting to reveal itself.
"What I'm offering is a chance for your men to win."
Adam stopped.
"Your actions against the Arc family have caused you a great deal of trouble in Vale, haven't they? Not to mention I've heard that your partner has deserted the White Fang…"
Adam growled. "One more word and I'll slice your throat."
Cinder didn't falter. She stood firm with that unshakable, mocking smile. "You've lost so much. Your men have lost so much. So why not take this chance? With my help we'll take victory in our hands and make sure our soldiers live the best life they can. In victory."
Adam found himself starting to doubt his own convictions. It was true, his men may have avoided casualties in their efforts a month since the attack on the Arc family, but who knows how long they could hold on? And it was his call to attack the Arc family first, losing that assault was his responsibility no matter how respectful his men remained.
But one fact remained clear to Adam.
"Why should we trust what a human has to say?" Adam challenged. "Your kind enslaved us before the Faunus Revolution. Even now we're still discriminated, stomped down and given empty promises. With our larger numbers, what's say you won't manipulate us and that you actually deliver on your words?"
"I think it's best if you take a look inside your own views." Cinder said. "You wanted equality, right? That means standing on par with the humans. Not above, but the same. It would be impossible for you to exterminate every single human from the face of Remnant, nor would it be beneficial. In the end, at the very least, you'll have to coexist. Do so with the very same you once called an enemy."
Adam couldn't answer, but his hateful gaze beneath his Grimm-inspired mask said it all. Still, Cinder was determined to make Adam see the flaw. Convince him to join her, and maybe, just maybe make him see what she saw from her own leader.
She had a small soft spot for his kind. Just a little, though. Nothing her mentor didn't teach her.
Cinder continued. "So then what is an enemy? Is it the humans? Is it the backstabbers, even if they were Faunus themselves? In the end, once your vision is realised, you have to put down your weapons because there's nothing else to fight. No more enemies. Or maybe your enemies would be the ones you once called your allies. Who knows what's to come? Because the one thing I know about enemies, especially to the fighters of Remnant…"
"...Is that there are only enemies in relativeterms, Adam."
Cinder let her words sink in. She watched as Adam's resolved seemed to crumble. Slowly but surely…
Adam put his sword back and turned around. He gave his back to Cinder, now focusing on a board that held a map which showed him the route to Vale.
"Leave." Adam said. "Now."
The guards around him tensed. It was clear that Cinder's group weren't welcome anymore.
Cinder gave a respectful nod and turned around. Motioning to Emerald and Mercury, the two got up and then they all left the camp with guards escorting until their very last steps outside.
Once they were clear of the White Fang and deep again in the woods, Emerald spoke up first. "What a waste of time. Why do we even need scum like him?"
"Patience, Emerald." Cinder said. "He'll see reason soon enough. Besides, we've got a lot of time until our plan has to bear fruit."
"So we're in it for the long haul, huh?" Mercury put his hands behind his head, and Cinder could hear the thumps of new metal boots against dirt. "How long are you planning for him exactly?"
"A year, a little more, it shouldn't be too much of a problem. The White Fang grow more desperate with each passing day." Cinder said. "With the increased guard on Vale, our plan must take a slower and more cautious route. But on a good side, we've still got Roman to cover Vale. Compared to them, the heat on him should be much less intense."
"So then, what's our next objective ma'am?" Emerald asked.
"We hunt down our target." Cinder said confidently. "With or without Adam."
"Ma'am. We've found the Fall Maiden."
"That's good news. And you're planning to take her out?"
"That's the thought at least."
"Got everything with you?"
"Yes ma'am. I've already hatched a strategy with Emerald and Mercury. Hopefully they'll follow orders to a tee. Ammo and weapons are stocked. The parasite on my arm is also ready. We've tracked down her possible routes and are prepared to ambush her once the we get the opportunity."
"That's good to hear. The sooner we have those powers under control, the better."
"Yes ma'am. I understand. I'll try my best, you don't need to worry."
Pause. At her final words, her mentor seemed to go into a trance. Her eyes were hazy, gazing at nothing in particular, let alone Cinder herself.
"...Ma'am? Are you alright?"
"Cinder…" Her mentor's tone turned tender. Cinder stiffened. What was this? Though she knew they both cared for each other deep down, her mentor was never one to be overly expressive regarding these things.
Cinder opened her mouth, but her mentor beat her to it.
"Forgive me, Cinder." She looked at her dead-on, Silver Eyes meeting golden ones. For the first time, Cinder saw remorse within those eyes. Not strength, or conviction, or anything she'd associate with her mentor. "Forgive me… I haven't been entirely honest with you."
"Ma'am…" Cinder trailed off.
They've been together for so long. Travelling Remnant together. This was the first time they had so much time apart. Ever since she was a small girl, ever since she rescued her, they've been stuck together like glue. She knew almost all of her mentor's personality and quirks.
But there was one thing she could admit she knew relatively little about. Her mentor's past. And what little she told her, it seemed to centre around one person in her past.
What she was doing now was way out of character for her , and she only acted out of character when that one person came to her mind. Because whatever this person did, it affected her so much so that she never forgot about him. Was this, perhaps, about that person again?
About her previous student?
"Ma'am, is this… is this about 'Snake'?"
"Snake…" Her mentor whispered. "Yes, to some degree. But Snake is his own man, and you're you, Cinder. I could never say that the two of you are the same. But sometimes…"
Cinder stayed silent. She never talked this much about herself before. Her interest was piqued, but at the same time, so was her concern. Did something change? Was her mentor okay?
Her mentor continued on. "Cinder, sometimes I think about my mistakes. I'm not a faultless woman. Some things I wish I did a bit differently. But- but I know I can't go back and change the past. So I'll work for the future."
"Cinder, let me give you something Snake never got." Her mentor said. "It's my responsibility to you as your mentor. And- and as…" 'your mother' went unsaid.
Her mentor shook her head. "Cinder, I want you to know. I gave you this mission because I trust you. You- you're an amazing woman. There's no one else on Salem's circle I care about more than you, and whatever happens, that will never change. Never. But I want you to know… the moment you become a Maiden, you inherit a title that carries with it immense pressure."
"The one who inherits the title of Maiden will face a life of endless battle. So knowing that, would you still take the mission? Carry on the title and choose to live as such?"
Cinder stayed silent. This was such a change from her mentor's usual behaviour...
She was touched. She never felt this cared for before.
But at the same time, she also felt unsettled. For her, it seemed the stakes were finally setting in.
It took a second, but that was all it took. Cinder opened her mouth and gave her final decision.
Three Days Later…
A horse and its rider marched down a lonely road. The two were aimless wanderers, seeking nothing in particular. All its rider wanted was to see the sights of Remnant and used her powers to help those she found.
She was gifted with incredible powers. The ability to use any element, manipulate them more than Dust ever could. Unfortunately, this also made her a target for the shadow war that brewed behind Beacon and the Grimm. But she refused to be chained down by old man Ozpin. If he had his way then he'd be watched 24/7. She won't live like that and she told as such right to Ozpin's face.
In the end he relented. Amber's life now. Wandering around the routes, helping anyone she saw, bound by nothing but the clothes on her back and the weapons on her hip.
It felt freeing and satisfying.
But it did get a tad bit lonely.
Amber looked around the lonely dirt road as she rode on slowly with her horse. No one there, not even a bunch of animals. No wind, no shuffling of dirt, everything was quiet.
Too quiet.
Amber maintained a calm exterior while inwardly scanning everything around. Her instincts were telling her something was off. Amber stayed patient and listened to her thoughts. A Huntress' instict of danger, and her experience as a Maiden all her life both screamed the same thing. Someone was out to get her. Right here, right now.
She heard the rustling of bushes behind her. She jumped off her horse immediately and faced the bush with her staff drawn, a piece of Dust wrapped with ropes on its end.
No one in sight, no one burst forth.
She lowered her staff ever so slightly. Nothing there…?
Footsteps, almost faster than she could register, sounded from behind her. Damn, it was a trick! Amber quickly turned around and brought her staff in a block. She managed to stop a kick from the side, pausing both her and her attacker.
Amber took a look at the attacker. Clad in red with golden eyes.
Cinder smirked and pushed her attack through. Amber's eyes widened as she was forced to step back and give up her block.
"Damn it…" Amber stumbled back and sloppily entered a stance, all the while Cinder smirked and slowly lowered her attacking leg.
Such power from an unarmed attack. She never felt anything so staggering before.
Seeing Amber go into a stance, Cinder entered her own and brought her hands up with open palms. A foot in front of the other, knees bent, and body slightly slouched.
Cinder turned her right hand and beckoned Amber forth with a smile. Surely Amber must know exactly what this was about. Who was truly after her. Why she wanted Amber down.
Amber grit her teeth. From the back of her mind, she heard two more sets of footsteps come out behind her. One metallic, the other soft leather shoes. She tilted her head behind her slightly but didn't break eye contact with Cinder.
Two on her back, both spread out to prevent her from escaping.
These must be people who want the Fall Maiden's power. Or, they could be from Salem's group. Or both.
A knot formed in her stomach, and she gripped her staff tighter. This wasn't good. She had to escape. Make an opening somehow then fly away. And making an opening meant rising to the challenge.
Amber dashed forwards and engaged Cinder. She brought her staff high and slammed it down. Cinder stepped to the side and brought her a leg up to kick Amber in the head. Amber ducked and used the other end of the staff to stab Cinder in the gut. Cinder parried the attack with the back of her hand, twisted her hand and gripped the staff, then pulled Amber in.
"Whoa!" Amber felt herself lurching forwards. Before she could move, Cinder slammed an elbow to her nose.
"Ack!" Her face seared with pain, even with Aura. But even so, she didn't let go of her staff. She turned on its Wind Dust component and used it to blow Cinder away.
Cinder went with the flow and let herself fly back. She flipped gracefully in the air and landed in a crouch. She looked up and noted that Amber was still holding her head in pain and confusion.
Cinder motioned to Emerald and Mercury behind Amber. Without saying a word, the two dashed at Amber and attacked her as one.
Emerald ran to her right, firing bullets from Thief's Respite. She saw Amber lift her hand at her, and then she saw the bullets bounce away from her harmlessly. Some kind of force field?
Mercury ran in from the left. Emerald's shots distracted Amber enough so she didn't recognise him until he was already close enough. Amber just barely realised her mistake and urgently shifted her focus. She twirled her staff and fired a torrent of flames at Mercury.
Mercury jumped in Amber's direction, going to a double kick with his legs leading the way. He met the flames head on.
Amber kept her fire going as Mercury did his manoeuvre. What was he doing? If he wanted to be burned alive, then so be it-!
Amber's eyes widened in shock.
Mercury burst through the flames, metal heels going right for Amber's face.
"HAAAAH!" Mercury yelled.
Smash!
Mercury's heels hit Amber square in the face. He then pushed Amber with extra force and went into a backflip away.
"Aah!" Amber staggered back. Dammit-!
Amber felt her legs being swept under her. She felt wind blow against her back. She was falling-!
"HYAH!" Cinder finished her leg sweep and smashed her fist into Amber's back. The attack sunk in to Amber's back first, her fist going in hard. Then, suddenly, a loud boom of wind and Amber flew from Cinder's fist to the ground far away.
"Ah! Grk! Ngh…!" Amber landed hard on the dirt and rolled to a stop a far distance away. She slowly forced herself up with shaky arms. She looked up and memorised her assailants, the three of them now in front of her a good distance away.
No doubt about it. This skill, coordination, certainty, they were absolutely members of Salem's group.
She had to get out of here.
Amber let light leak out of her eyes. They burned fiercely with magic, the power of the Fall Maiden coursing through her. She rose and levitated in the air, looking down at Cinder and her allies.
Cinder tensed, as did Emerald and Mercury beside her. So this was the power of a Fall Maiden. The power that would be hers, the power that she could use to make herself great. The power that she could use to prove herself.
Cinder motioned to her two allies with her hand. Emerald and Mercury spread out to left and right respectively, Cinder herself dashing forwards towards Amber.
Amber looked down on her opponent. She raised a silent hand and electricity crackled dangerously around it. With a wave, she let a thousand volts surge towards Cinder.
Cinder nimbly twisted around the surge. She continued her path and drew her sword, facing Amber once again right in front of her face.
Cinder smirked.
Amber waved another hand, and Cinder was immediately blown away once more. Cinder let the momentum carry her and flew back.
Amber lowered her hand. That was a close one-
Scratch!
"AHH!" Amber felt her Aura tank another hit on her back. This time, it felt more like a sickle. Amber wildly turned around. Where was she?!
"HYAAAAHH!"
No, the other one-!
Mercury rushed in from the side. He ran and then jumped, firing his shotgun boots for extra propulsion. He moved his legs in the air and soared high above Amber. He looked down and brought his feet high up. He descended with another shotgun blast and went for his blinding kick. Ahp-chagi.
"HAAAA!" Mercury's heel hit Amber square in the face.
"AHHH!" Amber lost her focus and with the sheer strength of Mercury's attack, slammed again into the ground flat on her back. The ground cracked beneath her, and she did her best to get up.
Amber let out short breaths as she forced herself on her feet. She had to keep fighting-
Slam!
Mercury did a roundhouse kick, Dollyo-chagi, right as Amber collected herself. Amber lost what little grip she had and flew back once more, landing on dirt far away and eventually rolling to a stop.
"Grk… Agh…" Amber felt her Aura flash, then dissipate. She forced herself again to her feet. She had to get out of here, had to escape. But how?!
She heard the sound of footsteps to her left. She turned her head and saw the red-clad woman, the leader of the pack, looking down on her. Amber stumbled to her feet and staggered back, the red-clad woman not moving to attack her. Cautiously, she brought her hands up in an unarmed stance.
If she could just blow this one away, she'd be home free. It was a mistake to challenge them. Salem's gotten more powerful.
Cinder, meanwhile, smirked as she saw the worry form on Amber's face. She opened her arms, one holding her sword and the other drawing her P226. A pitch-black sword and a silenced gun. Midnight and The Disciple.
Cinder took a step forwards and crossed her weapon-gripped hands. One above the other, The Disciple aimed at Amber and Midnight held ready to strike beneath it.
'Cinder, try to remember the basics of CQC…'
Cinder smirked as she saw confusion too leaked to Amber's features. Such a skilled opponent refusing mechashift weaponry was practically unheard of. But she wasn't any normal opponent. She would like to think she'd be better than any of the sort.
She was something special.
Amber growled. She let more of her Maiden powers leak out, Magic burning fiercely around her eyes. "I've had enough of you!" She used fire in her left hand and ice in her right. She aimed both of them at Cinder. "Take this!"
She fired both elements at Cinder. Cinder jumped, just barely avoiding the blast. A colourful explosion rocked the dirt that was once beneath her feet.
Mercury and Emerald rushed in from behind Amber. Both of their steps were in sync. Get her while her Aura's out-!
Amber quickly turned behind her and fired ice and fire to her opponent's feet. Mercury and Emerald yelled as the ground exploded beneath them. They were blown from the ground and cast away, burns and ice flakes setting in on their skin.
Amber turned to her right. Cinder was coming at her mid-dash. She created an Ice sword and parried Midnight where she stood.
Clang!
Amber saw her sword crack. Cinder tried to push further, to strike down Amber once and for all. Amber roared and used more of her Maiden powers. Wind picked up beneath her feet, and a gust of sudden wind blew Cinder away.
"Ah!" Cinder felt herself forced off her feet instantly and her back hit the trunk of a tree. "Ngh…" She slumped to the ground, dazed. She stumbled on to her feet, slowly making her way to Amber once more. That attack knocked her balance out a little…
Amber growled. The other two were about to attack again, Amber felt it in her bones. She instantly turned back again and scanned her surroundings. They had disappeared.
No, this time there was no other possible explanation. It was an illusion!
Amber balled her fists crossed over her chest and roared to the sky. Wind grew and grew and grew, turning to a tornado around her and covering every single combatant in the area. Wisps of fire surrounded her body, electricity crackling beneath her feet. With a furious yell, she lowered her fists next to her hip and let it all out.
"HRAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGHHHHHHH!"
A gigantic dome of fire, ice, wind, and electricity enveloped them all. Cinder and her associates first felt the wind cut them from all sides. Then, a thousand volts coursed through their bodies. As they felt their muscles freeze from the jolt, a final blow of searing-hot fire burned them from head to toe.
"AHHHH!" Cinder screamed as she felt her Aura instantly deplete. Attack after attack, unreleting and continuous. And then Amber finished her attack, and Cinder could barely think straight. She felt steam rise from her body, her gaze hazy and stamina depleted. Cinder struggled to stay on her feet, and she saw that Mercury and Emerald were worse off than her. Both were kneeling on the ground, breaths short and eyes hazy. It seemed their Auras had run out as well.
Cinder regained her focus as much as she can. She looked at Amber, right in front of her. The Maiden's stamina had been depleted too. Cinder saw Amber on her knees facing away from her, shaky arms barely supporting her and sweat dropping down from her brow to the dirt.
Amber groaned and forcefully got up with her back to Cinder. Her Maiden powers weren't limited true, but she was just too tired. She had to get out of here. Had to escape…
Cinder took a step forwards.
Amber paused when she heard Cinder's feet hit the ground. With shaky steps, she turned around and took a step back.
"Not yet." Cinder said, growling and determined eyes gazing back into her own.
Cinder lifted her weapons again, grips firm even through all pain and exhaustion. She entered her CQC stance. Never give up. Always fight for what you believe in. Cinder yelled. "It's not over yet!"
Amber let out a shaky breath. She was tired, so tired, her mind couldn't think straight anymore, Just how was she going to get out of here…
Cinder used all her stamina for a final dash at Amber. She swung her sword neck level at the Maiden. Amber ducked and slammed her palm to Cinder's gut. Cinder groaned but didn't relent. She kicked low, hitting Amber on the side of her leg.
"Grk!" Amber stumbled back, almost losing her footing. Cinder pressed on and thrust Midnight forwards. Amber stepped to the side, dodging the thrust clearly. But then she felt pain flare up on the leg that was hit. Amber yelled and fell to the ground on her side.
Amber looked up.
She saw the barrel of The Disciple right between her eyes, Cinder's golden eyes burning to her own.
Amber quickly scrambled to the side.
POP!
The shot missed her by an inch. She threw a hasty punch at Cinder. Cinder pushed it away with the back of her sword hand, then twisted and moved it to thrust again. Amber twisted her body to the side and kneed Cinder on her side.
"Gah!" Cinder stumbled back from the blow. Her liver ached from Amber's strike. Shit, that was bad!
"Haaaah!" Amber yelled and jumped at Cinder, a punch drawn back. Amber descended and brought her fist down. Cinder stepped forwards, then spun behind Amber's fist.
Amber's eyes widened. She had missed.
Amber couldn't change trajectory so suddenly, not anymore. By the time she landed, Cinder had already stood behind Amber. Cinder linked her feet with Amber's own and struck her in the back of her neck with The Disciple's bottom.
"Agh!" Amber stumbled forwards, starting to lose conciousness. But she couldn't move forwards! Her feet were already linked with Cinder's. She felt herself lose footing then go off-balance. Then, as she fell forwards, she felt cold steel touch her neck mid-way.
Her eyes widened in shock and she snapped awake. Her breath caught in her throat as the cold steel met her neck. She was going to die-!
Amber felt herself stop falling mid-way without her own volition.
Cinder had stopped her fall by the back of her collar.
With Midnight still grazing Amber's throat, Cinder yelled and pulled Amber towards her. Amber went over her, then was slammed down to the ground in front of Cinder.
Cinder quickly kneeled in front of The Fall Maiden. She let out a tired breath as she stared Amber down, Midnight still at Amber's throat and The Disciple aimed squarely between her eyes. Amber went into a panic and scrambled for her arms and legs. She had to get free-!
Cinder moved and forced her knees to Amber's elbows and knees. "AHHHH!" Amber howled in pain as she felt her bones crack.
Cinder watched on. Slowly, Amber gave up her struggle. She had no other choice, after all. She had been soundly defeated.
Cinder let out another tired breath. It had taken her all she had, but in the end she had done so. With no small help from Emerald and Mercury, they had beaten The Fall Maiden.
And now she could take her power for her own.
Cinder let a Grimm parasite come out in her right arm. The skin thee turned chalk-white, and the parasite eagerly reached its tentacles for Amber's face.
Amber blearily realised what was going to happen. "No…" She moaned in horror. "Please, don't…!"
Cinder almost paused. Instead, she moved the parasite closer to Amber's face.
"No…!"
In the back of her mind, Cinder recognised what she was about to do. Take a power that would make her both an asset and a target. But wasn't that what she had always been? She would always fight anyway. It was in her bones by now.
Her mentor's words rang in her head. The conversation she had three days ago.
And the answer was yes. As if there was ever any doubt of what she'd do for "her."
Cinder laid the parasite on Amber's face and let wrap around every inch. Amber screamed, and the power of the Fall Maiden began to transfer to Cinder.
Emerald and Mercury watched from behind Cinder as the life was slowly sucked out of Amber. So this was the woman they chose to deal with….
Cinder felt the powers come to her, and emotions run rampant. There was elation for such abilities. There was hunger for more. There was intoxication, there was fury, there was so much she felt.
But she remembered basic training. All of those things made their kind mad. Soldiers. They must always keep a rational mind above all, keep calm and respectful. Enemies in relative terms.
So the emotion she let rule above all was acceptance. This was simply the conclusion of the fight, and Amber had lost. She had won.
This was the way it was.
And of course, right at that moment, the Hunter stepped in.
He severed the bond before it could finish its transfer.
Cinder signalled to Emerald. With a taste of her new Maiden powers, aided by Emerald's illusions, she and her allies made their escape.
Qrow narrowed his eyes, Amber unconscious in his arms. He hadn't managed to get a good look, and now the assailants had managed to get away.
Judging from Amber's condition, they got her good. But how much of the Maiden's powers the attackers got, he couldn't say.
One thing was for sure. He had to get back to safety immediately. Contact Ozpin and the others.
The Queen had pawns for sure.
Four Months Later, just before the time of The 40thVytal Festival…
Roman found himself checking Dust crate after Dust crate. He was in a personal warehouse he bought under a false name to hide in, and of course to store some personal items. But the sheer amount of Dust Cinder wanted forced him to relinquish the small amount of freedom he had.
Roman almost sighed. What a slave driver. Not to mention the little Beacon kids becoming more active since one of them 'died'. And no help from the White Fang either.
Honestly, he could care less about delusional teenagers. One's gone, then that's better for him.
But he digressed. He had to get back to work cataloguing all these Dust. Not that Neo, named for her hair, would help either. He just knew that she was sitting on a high crate somewhere either ice cream while he did all the work that deadlined tonight.
Now if he could just get a move on-.
"Pleasant night, Roman?"
Roman groaned. He turned around and saw Cinder closing the entrance door behind her, arms crossed and with a smirk on her face.
"Fire bitch." Roman bit out. "Been doing what you asked all night. It's getting hard without any help, you know?"
"That's what I'm here to inform you. Adam's finally come around." Cinder said. "He agreed to source some of his men to you, so the authorities and Beacon shouldn't bee too much of a problem anymore."
"Finally!" Roman opened his arms. He could faintly hear the sound of Neo landing next to him. "After all this time, I finally get some help!"
"Your tasks will also be much heavier, I trust you expect."
"Aw come on!" Roman groaned. "What now?!"
"Some more Dust." Cinder said calmly. "The usual. We still need more."
"Um, hello?" Roman motioned to their surroundings. Crate after crate filled with Dust. "Hello?!" He motioned to the ones that marked 'highest refined'. "Is all of this not enough for you?"
Cinder smirked. "Not nearly. Not if you wish for what's best for you, that is."
Roman growled. He could feel Neo's anger from beside him as well. "What about the kids? Aren't they doing anything?"
"They're cleaning up some mess we all had around Vale." Cinder's tone turned cautionary. Dangerous. "Do you remember the original deadline I gave you, Roman? One year, correct?"
Roman stayed silent. Cinder's tone was growing heated. Fire started to leak from edges of her fingers. Shit, this was dangerous. "Y-yeah."
Cinder growled. "Then you realise I've given you much, much more leeway that I initially planned. We've got our own things to deal with, but rest assured that Mercury and Emerald are busy as well. The important thing, Roman, is that you do your part. I will not have my plans delayed. It's taking longer because of the extra precautions we're taking as is, all because we're doing out best to make sure everyone gets out alive. I will not take any more backtalk from a two-bit thief turned three-bit the likes of you."
Cinder's eye burned ever so slightly. "Is that clear, Roman?"
After a tense few seconds, Cinder still very much intent on harming him right then and there, Roman bit out a response. "Y-Yes."
Cinder raised an eyebrow.
"Y-yes ma'am."
"Good. I'll be expecting another report in a week's time." Cinder let her rage dissipate and calmed herself down. Sometimes intimidation was necessary, even if it wasn't the route she was taught by her mentor. But cut her some slack, it felt good to let loose once in a while. She spoke to Roman again. "The clock is ticking, Roman, slow as it may be. Use the time you have wisely."
Cinder turned around with grace and started to leave. Before he could do so, Roman spoke up first.
"Wait."
Cinder paused, mid-way opening the door.
"All this Dust…" And that was the scary part that nabbed at the back of Roman's skull. So much destructive power… "What do you even need it for anyway?"
Cinder chuckled, looking at Roman with a smirk. "The Dust isn't the point, dear Roman. It's what their valued for."
"Money?" Roman asked.
"Stability." Cinder said. "Instability will lead to fear. And fear… will lead to our end objective. Negativity." Cinder gave one last smirk and exited the warehouse. The door closed softly behind her, leaving Roman and Neo alone.
Neo stayed silent, her thoughts running rampant with worry. Would they even get out of this one?
Roman felt a sweat go down his brow. Just what have they gotten themselves into? How could the both of them continue to survive?
Some Time Before The 40th Vytal Festival…
Ruby rushed through the hallways, going as fast as her legs could carry her to catch up on a class. She slept in! She was late, and her team gave up on waking her up!
She continued to run as fast she could. The hallways were empty, everyone already in their respective classes. Dammit, this was bad bad bad!
"Excuse me."
"Oh!" Ruby skid to a stop. She quickly turned around, looking for the speaker behind her. There stood a Huntress-in-Training wearing Haven's uniform, alone with piercing golden eyes. She had a soft smile on her face.
Ruby gasped. Oh, this must be one of the transfer students! She waved with a smile. "Hi there! How can I help you?"
The woman returned Ruby's chipper attitude with a smile. "I was wondering, do you know where Professor Peach's class is? I've been looking for quite a while, but I can't seem to find it."
"Oh! I'm heading there right now!" Ruby smiled. "We can go there together!"
"Are you sure? She wouldn't be mad that we're late, would she?"
"Professor Peach? Nahhhh, she'll probably go easy on you. You're new, after all!" Ruby dismissed with a wave of her hand. Then, she deflated when she remembered her situation. "Oh, but I don't know about me, though…"
"You can just say you've been showing me around." The woman said calmly.
Ruby's head shot up. "You'd do that?"
"Sure. What are friends for, no?"
"Thank you!" Ruby jumped and shook the woman's hand vigourously. "Thank you so much! Ruby Rose, at your service!"
The woman went with Ruby's handshake and gave her a chuckle. "Cinder Fall. A pleasure to meet you, Ruby."
Current Day. Two and a Half Years of Planning and Discrete Action…
It was the dead of the night, and with tomorrow being a resting day, it meant that the teachers didn't care much for where their students went. As long as they were present for the festival the day after tomorrow, it was fine by them. The perfect cover for them to slip unnoticed.
Cinder took a deep breath. All of her hard work for two and a half years, and now she was about to present it all to her mentor. Granted this wasn't the first time she met her, oh no, but this time she was here to stay. Last time, she was only here for a few hours, and she only ever met Cinder anyways. Then she went away for another mission, but she always made sure to keep in contact.
But now she would finally stand alongide them. To make sure the final touches were in order and that their plan would go off without a hitch.
Cinder wanted to ensure The Boss would be proud.
Cinder, Emerald, Mercury, and Neo all stood at the docks waiting for a Bullhead to arrive. While both Mercury and Neo were predictably lazing about behind her, and Emerald was standing unsure, Cinder stood with her back straight and her hands behind her back. She held her head high as she waited over the horizon for her mentor to arrive. She had to be the best she could. Nothing less would be enough for The Boss.
Any minute now, she would land on one of the landing pads and meet her face to face. Cinder felt her heart race, and the smallest of genuine smiles come to her face. She'd see all the work they've been doing, see her following her guiding steps as a fighter, as a woman. She just couldn't wait to find joy in her life again.
"You seem pretty happy, ma'am." Mercury spoke from behind her. "Who're we meeting with here anyway?"
Ah, Mercury's casual speech. She hadn't managed to knock it out of him even after so long. She didn't mind it too much, but it was slightly disrespectful.
Still, at least he knew his place.
"Watch your tone." Cinder said calmly. "We're meeting with my superior. She'll be joining us for the final steps of this operation. I want you all to treat her with most respect. More than you have for me."
"Your superior?" Emerald asked with surprise. She wasn't aware that Cinder followed orders from someone else! All this time, she barely guessed that Cinder cooperated with people no one else knew. On equal standing, not below!
And then that begged the question, what could make Cinder of all people stomp her pride for? How strong were they? What did they have in store? Emerald didn't like the thoughts forming in her head, and if she had to guess, neither did Neo and Mercury. But those two idiots rarely thought things through seriously.
"Correct." Cinder nodded. Her smile was slowly getting bigger even against all her efforts. It creeped Emerald out, though she didn't let it show. Cinder forced herself to calm down. "Like I said before. Respect."
Emerald took a sharp breath and mimicked Cinder's posture the best she could. "Of course, ma'am."
"Yeah, yeah." Mercury dismissed while Neo rolled her eyes. The two continued to laze about, the former walking around aimlessly while the latter sat on used crates with their legs dangling.
Cinder fought back a growl. Proper posture, calm head, and rational actions. The Boss was about to come any second now and she refused to let Mercury and Neo's antics put her in a bad headspace. She was going to savour every moment of meeting her mentor to the last second.
It was then that Neo pointed to a pair of lights approaching the docks from the sky. No doubt the lights were tied to a Bullhead. She signed with her hands, "Is that the guy?"
Cinder looked to the direction Neo pointed. Cinder smiled and nodded. "Yes, that's her."
All eyes turned to the Bullhead. It burst through the fog, coming into full view. Emerald, Mercury, and Neo couldn't make out anything unique about the Bullhead. No designating symbols, no bright colours, it was painfully ordinary. Perhaps that was the strategy, to be so unremarkable that others would brush past it.
The Bullhead reached them and sowed down. It started to descend, blowing wind to those beneath it. Wind blew past the faces of Emerald, Mercury, and Neo, and they put their hands over their eyes. They tried their best to see past the obstruction.
It didn't affect Cinder. She kept her posture straight, her eyes wide open against the wind and her stance unflinching.
The same thoughts ran through Cinder's associates' heads. So this was Cinder's superior?
Eventually the Bullhead finished its descent and landed with its doors towards them. Emerald stood behind Cinder, Merucry, and Neo begrudgingly doing the same.
They saw the Bullhead's doors lowering to steps.
Cinder stood firm and straight.
They saw a woman exiting the Bullhead. She stepped down the steps with grace, a modified assault rifle strapped to her hip.
Cinder's associates couldn't make sense of the weapon. The rifle was extremely short, no stock and no holographic sight. Add to that the insanely high-count and heavy magazine. What kind of madwoman would use such a gun?
Cinder, however, knew the weapon all too well. She once watched The Boss do repairs on the weapon by herself, at that time practically disassembling then reassembling the gun. She knew its capabilities all to well, and more than that the capabilities of its owner. A prototype XM16E1 chambered in 5.56x45mm FMJ no-Dust ammunition, also known as The Patriot.
The Boss got off the last step and stood in front of Cinder. She smiled at her protégé. "Hello, Cinder."
Cinder smiled. True and honest, no deceit and hostility. "Hello, Boss. Welcome to Vale."
"Have you kept up with your training?"
Cinder's associates paused. Training? They weren't aware of such a thing. Did Cinder even need something like that?
"Every day, Boss." Cinder reassured her. "I still remember the basics."
"As you should." The Boss nodded. She turned and looked at Cinder's associates. "And these are…"
Cinder turned around and motioned her hand to each of her allies. "Emerald, Mercury, and Neo."
"A pleasure to meet your acquaintance." The Boss smiled. "Cinder's told me a lot about all of you."
"She has?" Emerald perked up. Anything positive, perhaps? Maybe she could get in her good graces early, if she's anything like Cinder.
"She has indeed." The Boss said honestly. She turned to then look at Mercury and Neo, and then addressed them all as one,"I look forward to working with all of you."
"So you're Cinder's boss, huh?" Mercury said. He looked at her, subconsciously sizing her up. An assault rifle and a green cloak… the woman didn't seem to pack nearly as much as say a top-tier Huntress did. Overall, Mercury didn't see the threat this woman imposed. She just seemed too nice in comparison to Cinder. She didn't project an aura of danger and fear, unlike her own protégé. "How did you get someone like Cinder to work for you?"
Cinder shot a glare to Mercury. No, this time the boy was out of line. Why couldn't he just shut up for once and show some respect-!
"Cinder." The Boss held out a hand to her protégé. Immediately, Cinder calmed down. Like water to a flame, immediately doused. The Boss smiled at her surrogate daughter. "It's alright."
Cinder closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. She opened her eyes back again, now the textbook picture of calm. "Yes, Boss."
Beat.
What just happened?
Emerald, Mercury, and Neo have been working under Cinder for a long time. They all knew that she could easily manipulate and convince like it was breathing, and if that failed her temper was legendary. Soft persuasion, and a legendary explosion of fiery intimidation. To see someone calm her down so quickly was simply jarring.
And a tad bit unnerving, if Mercury was to be honest. There had to be something more at play here, not your average protégé relationship. Maybe more like mother-daughter? If so, he didn't know what he had to expect.
"To answer your question." The Boss said, interrupting Mercury's thoughts. "I met Cinder a long time ago. I've trained her since then, travelled and done missions together. I've watched her back, and her mine."
Cinder looked to The Boss. Wasn't this a bit too much?
The Boss soldiered on. "I've entrusted her with this mission because I knew she could do it. I'd have trusted no one else, even to those I knew who are older. She is the best option for this misison. Keep that it mind, please." The Boss' eyes sharpened. Mercury almost took a step back. Was that- what were those black highlights around her silver eyes?
The Boss stared Mercury down. "Does that answer your question, Mercury?"
"Y-yeah. Clear as day."
"Very well." The Boss let her abilities recede. It looked like she had to be stern to some of them. That's nothing she couldn't handle. No one got along splendidly at first sight after all.
On the other side, Mercury gained a little bit of respect for this woman. She wasn't all kindness, but she wasn't as manipulative as Cinder was. She was honest with them. That's something he could appreciate.
The Boss then spoke to all of them. "This will be a group effort, and so we must all pull our part. That also means helping each other. No one gets left behind, and each one of us will be treated equally and with respect."
Emerald, Mercury, and Neo were pulled by those words. They sounded pleasant, as if they weren't all working to destroy Beacon Academy.
"We are fighters, and more than that, we must think like a soldier. The mission is the priority. Plant that in your heads right now." The Boss said. "However, the mission hasn't gone into combat just yet. As such we must think of our teammates as well. Do our very best to make sure no one gets left behind. We are all in this together."
"Cinder has scouted you out because she thought you were capable. That you were, or could be, of the highest calibre. I will be judging that with our time working together." The Boss continued. By this time, she already gained everyone's attention. "But I will be fair. This mission will not be easy. So if you are not prepared to risk your life doing this, then feel free to walk away."
Silence fell. Mercury, Emerald, and Neo couldn't believe it. Was this true?
"I'm being honest." The Boss said. "The Kingdoms haven't found you out just yet. If you walked away right now, then no one would bat an eye. I would rather have lower numbers that dishonest ones, and you can rest assured that we will not hunt you down. So if you want to leave, then leave now. Before the mission truly starts. Because there's no backing out of that no matter how hard you try."
Everyone closed their mouths. No words escaped them.
"No one?"
Silence.
"Very well." The Boss said with sincerity. "Welcome to the team, Emerald, Mercury, and Neo. Let us work together to complete the mission."
The atmosphere changed. Everyone stood firm, their beliefs strong. Willing to follow The Boss for this assignment.
They spoke as one. "Yes, ma'am!"
Cinder smiled.
See? This was good, wasn't it?
Because to be honest, she wanted a lot of things. To be great, was there ever a question? To be powerful, there was never a doubt. To be respected, of course. To be feared, oh absolutely. And for all of these, she was prepared to do what she had to do.
But most of all, she just wanted to be like her mother. Was that too much to ask?
End scene. Really hope you guys like my take on Cinder, at least on this side of the story. I wanted her to be manipulative, but with techniques, combat, and the respectful way of doing things from The Boss. She is her daughter, after all. She took her under her wing, just as she did with Snake here.
Being a red belt martial artist, I put in some of my own experience with Mercury's side. Wanted to showcase some more Takewondo moves, but couldn't find the proper slot. Ah well, there are always more chapters. Really hoping I could put it my experience here though, so interesting!
As usual, thanks a ton for reading. Leave your thoughts in the reviews!
See you next time!
Review Responses:
To Dhestrya, thanks!
To Just a reader now a writer, yeah, of course they'll try to save her. And the wounds of the past continue to pile up.
To SolSparda369, yeah at least they got some intel now, however small they are. He'll have to train to get back to his prime. Thanks for reading!
To Spyash2, I'm glad you liked it so far! As for her ending, I've got some rough ideas. Relax though, it ain't gonna be sad!
To KnightSpark, yeah! As seen before, Salem manipulated her thoughts first, then in the end it all around convinced her that Ozpin was the bad guy.
To Gwynx, glad you liked it! Oh and of course, FIDDLES!
To CriticaofRandomness, yeah I'll still be looking into V3 for reference on Ozpin's part. And yeah, with Quiet, Summer, and Boss all on Salem's side, it's starting to get a little heated! Hope you liked it!
To Rak0s, oh yeah, don't worry, there will be a Miller mention later. Next chapter, I think.
To Guest (1), thanks for the compliment!
To Big E, "SHUT UP V I NEED THIS I'M DEPRESSED OKAY!" :)
To Galeon82, Yeah, his circle of trust is certainly diminishing. He'll have questions and have to face his daughters. Most importantly, just what did Ozpin send Summer to do all those years ago? And why wasn't he told about Salem? Thankd for reading!
To Guest (2), Plan B in the story was not go through this at all and basically make Summer just Kaz 2.0, but then everyone would be way too bitter (because of course Summer would be), so I just decided to make her an antagonist altogether.
To Guest (3), lesson learned for Tai I supppose. He's gonna do a more proper sortie for the next one, if he could balance out his emotions and think clearly that is. He's still got Haven to manage as their Headmaster after all. Thanks for the input reading!
To SuperSaiyajin4Vegeta, agreed. No happy time just yet.
To Skeletalrepublic, yeah I'm probably gonna change it to drama sometime soon. Noti tragedy yet though. As always, thanks for sticking with me all this time.