Leave a ski bidi review please after reading the chapter unless its a art commission then no
Naruto moved through the Emerald Forest with practiced stealth, his footsteps barely disturbing the undergrowth as he navigated between towering trees. Years of shinobi training had ingrained in him the value of silent movement, even without chakra to enhance his abilities. His senses, though diminished from their godlike heights, remained far sharper than those of an average person.
A distant scream caught his attention—high-pitched and unmistakably terrified. Naruto altered his course, sprinting toward the sound. He leapt over fallen logs and ducked under low-hanging branches, his new combat suit allowing for fluid movement through the dense forest.
The screaming continued, growing louder as Naruto approached a massive oak tree that towered above the surrounding foliage. Looking up, he spotted the source—the lanky blonde boy from the launch platforms, pinned to the trunk by a familiar bronze-and-red spear that had pierced his hoodie.
"Hello?" the boy called out, his legs dangling helplessly fifteen feet above the ground. "Is anyone there? Can somebody get me down?"
Naruto stepped into the clearing beneath the tree. "Need a hand?"
Relief washed over the boy's face. "Oh, thank God! I've been stuck up here for like ten minutes!"
"Hang tight," Naruto replied, unable to suppress a smile at the unintentional pun. He examined the situation, noting how securely the spear had pinned the boy to the tree—a perfect throw that spoke of exceptional skill. In his former state, Naruto could have simply teleported up or used chakra to walk vertically up the trunk. Now, he would need to rely on more conventional methods.
Channeling Aura into his legs, Naruto made a calculated leap, grabbing onto a lower branch and swinging himself upward with gymnastic precision. Two more agile jumps brought him level with the stranded student.
"I'm Naruto," he said, balancing effortlessly on a branch beside the pinned boy.
"Jaune Arc," the blonde replied, attempting a smile that looked more like a grimace. "Short, sweet, rolls off the tongue. Ladies love it." His bravado faltered as he glanced down at the distant ground. "Or at least they would if I wasn't stuck to a tree."
Naruto examined the spear, impressed by its craftsmanship. "Nice weapon. Not yours, I'm guessing?"
"No," Jaune admitted sheepishly. "Some girl named Pyrrha threw it. I was, uh, having some trouble with my landing strategy."
With careful movements, Naruto gripped the shaft of the spear. "This might pinch a bit," he warned before yanking the weapon free with a single smooth motion.
Jaune yelped, suddenly finding himself without support. Naruto's hand shot out, catching Jaune's hoodie before he could fall. "Got you," he said, helping Jaune find his footing on the branch.
Their eyes met for the first time, and Jaune let out a nervous laugh. "So, I guess we're partners now, huh? That's what Professor Goodwitch said, right? First person you make eye contact with?"
Naruto nodded, handing Pyrrha's spear to Jaune. "Looks like it. You should probably return this to its owner when you get the chance."
Jaune took the weapon, examining it with a mixture of awe and nervousness. "Yeah, definitely. Though she's probably already found a partner by now."
Together, they made their way down the tree, Naruto helping guide Jaune to sturdy footholds. When they reached the ground, Jaune brushed leaves from his armor, looking somewhat embarrassed.
"So," Jaune began, clearly trying to recover some dignity, "what's our plan? Find the temple, grab a relic, head back to the cliff?"
Before Naruto could respond, a low growl emanated from the bushes nearby. Both young men turned as a massive Ursa emerged from the foliage, its bone-white mask and red eyes gleaming in the dappled sunlight. The bear-like Grimm stood on its hind legs, easily ten feet tall, its body covered in bone spikes and dark fur.
Jaune fumbled for his sword, a look of panic crossing his face. "That's a big one," he whispered, his voice cracking slightly.
Naruto calmly extended his staff, channeling Aura through the weapon until it glowed with a subtle golden light. "First rule of combat," he said quietly, moving into a defensive stance, "assess your opponent before engaging."
The Ursa dropped to all fours, its massive paws leaving indentations in the soft forest floor as it circled the two students. Red eyes, filled with primal hatred, remained fixed on the potential prey.
"What's the second rule?" Jaune asked, his sword and shield at the ready despite his obvious fear.
A genuine smile spread across Naruto's face—not the confident smirk of his godlike days, but the determined grin of a shinobi facing a challenge. "Work together. I'll take its attention; you go for the legs when it's distracted."
Jaune nodded, his grip on his sword tightening. "Right. Together."
The Ursa roared, charging forward with surprising speed for its size. As Jaune braced himself, Naruto sprang into action, demonstrating that even without his former powers, he was still a formidable warrior. In his heart, he knew this partnership was just the beginning of what promised to be an interesting journey through Beacon Academy.
And somewhere in the forest, watching from the shadows, Stephen King smiled. The story was developing in ways he found much more compelling than the tale of an overpowered, perfect protagonist. This Naruto—vulnerable, adapting, forming genuine bonds—was a character worth following.
"Much better," he whispered to his purple companion. "Now the real story can begin."
The Ursa charged forward, its massive paws tearing up the forest floor as it barreled toward Naruto and Jaune. Jaune raised his shield, his stance uncertain but determined, while Naruto's eyes calculated distance and timing with the precision of a seasoned warrior.
"Remember the plan," Naruto called out, his voice steady as he channeled Aura into his staff. "I'll distract it; you go for the legs."
The beast lunged at Naruto first, perhaps sensing the greater threat. With fluid grace born from millennia of combat experience, Naruto sidestepped the attack, his movements a blur of orange and black. The Ursa's claws swiped through empty air as Naruto vaulted over its back, striking the creature's bone mask with his Aura-enhanced staff.
The hit barely cracked the armored plate, but it did what Naruto intended—it enraged the Grimm, drawing its attention fully to him and away from Jaune.
"Now, Jaune!" Naruto called out, dancing backward as the Ursa turned to pursue him, red eyes burning with hatred.
Jaune hesitated for just a moment, his face a mixture of fear and determination, before charging forward. His ancestral sword slashed across the Ursa's hind leg, cutting deep enough to draw a howl of rage from the monster. The Grimm whirled to face this new threat, momentarily forgetting about Naruto.
That moment was all Naruto needed. In his former godlike state, he could have obliterated the creature with a mere thought. Now, he relied on speed and precision, using his environment to maximum advantage. He leapt onto a low-hanging branch, using it as a springboard to launch himself directly at the Ursa's exposed back.
"Aura Strike!" Naruto shouted, channeling as much energy as he could into his kunai. A golden glow enveloped the blade as it plunged downward, striking between the Ursa's bone plates and into the vulnerable flesh beneath.
The Grimm roared in pain, rearing up on its hind legs. Jaune, seeing an opening, thrust his sword upward into the creature's exposed belly. Dark ichor sprayed from the wound as the Ursa staggered backward, its movements becoming sluggish.
"Together!" Naruto called out, landing beside Jaune. "One more hit!"
Side by side, the two charged forward, weapons held high. Jaune's sword found the Grimm's throat while Naruto's staff smashed into its bone mask, the combined Aura-enhanced strikes shattering the protective plating. The Ursa collapsed with a final groan, its massive form already beginning to dissolve into wisps of black smoke.
Jaune stared at the disintegrating creature, then at his sword, as if surprised by what he'd just accomplished. "We... we did it," he breathed, a hint of wonder in his voice.
Naruto nodded approvingly. "Good job, partner. You've got more potential than you give yourself credit for."
"Thanks," Jaune replied, sheathing his sword. "But I just followed your instructions. You clearly know what you're doing in a fight."
"Come on," Naruto said, collapsing his staff and securing it on his back. "We need to keep moving. The temple can't be too far from here."
As they continued through the forest, Jaune seemed more comfortable, though his eyes still darted nervously at every snapping twig or rustling leaf. "So, uh, where are you from?" he asked, clearly trying to distract himself from their dangerous surroundings. "I don't think I've seen fighting like yours before."
"Far away," Naruto answered vaguely. "A place called Konoha, though it doesn't exist in this world." He paused, realizing how that sounded. "I mean, it's really remote. Different fighting styles, different traditions."
Jaune stopped walking abruptly, his brow furrowed in confusion. "Wait, what? 'Doesn't exist in this world'? You must be messing with me." He let out an awkward laugh, clearly uncertain if Naruto was joking or not. "What does that even mean?"
Naruto realized his slip-up and quickly backtracked. "Sorry, poor choice of words. I meant it's really isolated—almost like another world compared to the kingdoms." He continued walking, hoping Jaune wouldn't press further.
After a skeptical look, Jaune shrugged and followed. "You're a weird guy, you know that?"
They continued through the dense undergrowth until they came to a natural stone formation that opened into a wide clearing.
"I think we're close," Naruto said, pointing ahead where broken columns were visible through the trees. "That looks like ruins."
The ancient circular temple stood in the center of a grassy clearing, weathered by time but still largely intact. Stone pedestals lined the perimeter, each holding a chess piece—the relics Glynda had mentioned.
"Chess pieces?" Jaune observed as they approached the temple. "That's... simpler than I expected."
Naruto surveyed the options, noting that several pieces had already been taken. "Looks like we're not the first ones here. Which one should we take?"
Before Jaune could answer, a blood-curdling screech echoed across the clearing. Both young men whirled to face the source of the sound—a massive Death Stalker bursting from the treeline, its golden stinger gleaming in the sunlight. The scorpion-like Grimm was easily twenty feet long, its armored carapace covered in ancient bone plates and its pincers large enough to snap a person in half.
"That's... a lot bigger than the Ursa," Jaune whispered, his face paling as he raised his shield.
Naruto's mind raced through options. Without his former powers, taking on something this size would be challenging, especially with Jaune still finding his confidence. "We need to grab a relic and go," he said, backing toward the temple. "We're not equipped to fight that thing head-on."
The Death Stalker scuttled forward with alarming speed, its multiple eyes fixed on the potential prey. Naruto reached into his weapon pouch, drawing out one of his modified kunai—heavier than his traditional ones, with channels designed to conduct Aura along the blade.
"Jaune, grab a relic—any one," Naruto instructed, positioning himself between his partner and the approaching Grimm. "I'll buy us some time."
Naruto channeled Aura into the kunai, causing it to glow with the same golden light as his staff had earlier. With practiced precision, he hurled the weapon at the Death Stalker's face, aiming for the junction between armored plates.
The enhanced kunai struck true, penetrating deeper than it should have been able to and drawing an angry screech from the massive creature. It paused its advance, pincers clicking in agitation as it assessed this new threat.
Jaune, meanwhile, had darted to the nearest pedestal, grabbing a white rook piece. "Got it!" he called out, retreating back toward Naruto. "Now what?"
"Now we—" Naruto began, but was cut off by the sound of battle from the far side of the clearing. Another group of students was emerging from the forest, pursued by a flock of Nevermores. Among them, Naruto recognized the distinctive red hair and bronze armor of the girl whose spear had saved Jaune earlier.
"Pyrrha?" Jaune called out in surprise, momentarily forgetting the Death Stalker bearing down on them.
The champion fighter turned at the sound of her name, green eyes widening as she spotted Jaune and the massive Grimm behind him. Without hesitation, she altered her course, sprinting toward them with her shield raised and spear at the ready.
"Jaune! Look out!" she shouted as the Death Stalker, sensing Jaune's distraction, lunged forward with surprising speed, its stinger arcing down toward the blonde boy's unprotected back.
Naruto moved in a blur, shoving Jaune aside and barely avoiding the stinger himself. The golden barb embedded itself in the ground where Jaune had been standing just moments before, spraying dirt and stone in all directions.
As Pyrrha reached them, her spear already drawn back for a throw, Naruto met Jaune's frightened gaze with a reassuring nod. "You can do this," he said firmly. "Trust your instincts—and your partner."
Jaune swallowed hard, his grip on his sword tightening as he turned to face the Death Stalker. For a moment, something shifted in his stance—a flicker of the warrior he could become with proper training and confidence.
"Thanks, Naruto," he said, his voice steadier than before. "Let's show this oversized bug what we're made of."
As Pyrrha joined them, her spear finding a vulnerable spot in the Death Stalker's armor with unerring accuracy, Naruto felt a stirring of something he hadn't experienced since losing his powers—genuine connection, teamwork born not from godlike abilities but from trust and shared purpose.
Stephen King's "revision" to his story might have stripped away his immortality and chakra, but in their place, something equally valuable was emerging. Something the perfect, all-powerful Naruto had rarely needed to rely on—friends.
The temple ruins quickly faded behind them as Naruto, Jaune, and the others fled from the pursuing Death Stalker. The thunderous clicking of its massive pincers drove them forward, through thinning trees and onto a stone path leading to an enormous ravine. Ancient stone structures dotted the misty chasm—crumbling bridges and weathered towers that spoke of civilizations long forgotten.
"There's our way across!" Naruto shouted, pointing to a wide stone bridge that spanned the ravine. Beyond it stood towering cliffs where they could make their final ascent back to Beacon.
Ruby led the charge, her crimson cape billowing behind her as she sprinted across the ancient stonework. Yang, Blake, Weiss, and several others followed close behind. Naruto and Jaune brought up the rear with Pyrrha and another girl—Nora, Naruto had heard her called—whose oversized hammer bounced against her back as she ran.
But midway across the bridge, a deafening screech from above forced them all to a sudden halt.
"Nevermore!" Ruby shouted, pointing skyward.
The massive raven-like Grimm circled overhead, its wingspan easily fifty feet across. Bone plates covered its skull, forming a mask with glowing red eyes that fixed upon the students with malevolent intelligence. The creature banked sharply, tucking its wings and diving straight for the bridge.
"Move!" Naruto yelled, but it was too late.
The Nevermore crashed through the center of the stone structure, shattering ancient masonry and splitting their group in two. Naruto found himself on the far side with Ruby, Weiss, Blake, and Yang, while Jaune, Pyrrha, Nora, and another boy named Ren faced the Death Stalker on the opposite side.
"Jaune!" Naruto called out, watching as his partner barely raised his shield in time to block a strike from the Death Stalker's pincer.
In his former godlike state, Naruto could have simply teleported across the gap, or created a bridge of solid chakra, or even destroyed both Grimm with a single technique. Now, with the chasm stretching nearly forty feet between them, he found himself momentarily helpless to assist his partner.
"We need to help them!" Ruby cried, her silver eyes wide with concern.
"They'll be fine!" Yang shouted back, pointing upward. "We've got our own problems!"
The Nevermore circled back around, its maw opening to release a barrage of massive feathers like razor-sharp spears. The projectiles embedded themselves in stone all around them, one narrowly missing Naruto's shoulder.
"We need to bring it down!" Naruto called out, drawing several of his kunai. He channeled Aura into the blades, causing them to glow with golden energy, but he knew they wouldn't be enough against something this size. At best, he might distract it.
Weiss stepped forward, her rapier glowing with Dust energy. "I have a plan," she said, her ice-blue eyes calculating as she watched the Nevermore's flight pattern. "But I need Ruby to make the final strike."
Ruby looked at her in surprise. "Me?"
"Your scythe is the only weapon that can decapitate that thing," Weiss explained, already creating a series of glyphs that shimmered in the air. "I can give you the path. You just need to run it."
As Weiss outlined her strategy, Naruto glanced back across the ravine where Jaune and the others fought desperately against the Death Stalker. To his surprise, Jaune wasn't cowering behind his shield as expected. Instead, he was calling out positions, directing Pyrrha, Nora, and Ren with surprising tactical awareness.
"They're going to make it," Blake said quietly beside him, her amber eyes following his gaze. "Your partner's smarter than he looks."
Naruto nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah, he is."
The Nevermore screeched again, drawing their attention back to the immediate threat. It perched atop a ruined tower, its wings spreading wide as it prepared for another attack.
"Everyone in position!" Ruby called out, her scythe unfolding to its full length. "Yang, Blake, get the bungee ready!"
Naruto watched in amazement as Blake used her ribbon to create a makeshift slingshot between two pillars, with Yang anchoring one end through sheer strength. Ruby positioned herself to be launched, her small form belying the determination in her silver eyes.
"I'll distract it," Naruto said, stepping forward and channeling as much Aura as he could into his remaining kunai. The blade glowed brighter than before, almost reminiscent of his Rasengan technique from his shinobi days. With perfect timing, he hurled the weapon directly at the Nevermore's eye.
The kunai struck true, causing the massive Grimm to rear back in pain and anger. It took flight again, heading straight for Naruto with murderous intent—exactly as he'd planned.
"Now!" he shouted.
Blake and Yang released their makeshift slingshot, launching Ruby like a bullet toward the approaching Nevermore. Weiss immediately created a series of glyphs—white snowflake patterns that materialized in midair, creating a path up the cliff face.
Ruby's scythe caught the Nevermore by the neck as she flew past, the razor-sharp blade hooking into the creature's throat. With her feet planted against the cliff and her weapon anchoring the Grimm, she began to run upward along Weiss's glyphs, dragging the massive creature with her.
Everyone watched in awe as the small girl in red raced up the vertical cliff face, rose petals trailing behind her as her Semblance activated. The Nevermore screeched and struggled, but Ruby's momentum and the leverage of her scythe kept it pinned.
When she reached the top, with one final burst of speed and strength, Ruby severed the creature's head completely. The massive body plummeted into the ravine below while the head dissolved into black mist.
Ruby stood at the cliff's edge, her cape billowing dramatically in the wind, scythe held triumphantly beside her. Even from this distance, Naruto could see the proud smile on her face.
"Well," Yang said, letting out a low whistle of appreciation, "that was something."
Across the ravine, Naruto spotted Jaune, Pyrrha, Nora, and Ren standing over the dissolving remains of the Death Stalker. Jaune caught his eye and raised his sword in a victorious salute, which Naruto returned with a respectful nod.
In that moment, watching these young warriors celebrate their hard-won victory, Naruto felt something he hadn't experienced since losing his powers—genuine admiration. Without godlike abilities or immortal chakra, these students had faced down monsters using nothing but skill, determination, and teamwork.
Perhaps Stephen King's "revisions" to his story weren't entirely without merit. The journey would certainly be more challenging this way—but maybe, just maybe, it would also be more meaningful.
[Author's Note]
Stephen King appears, lounging in an ornate chair with a typewriter on his lap. He takes a sip from a coffee mug emblazoned with "World's Best Reality Editor" before addressing the audience directly.
"Hello there, dear readers. I see you're still following our little experiment with the formerly perfect Naruto. Frankly, I'm surprised you've stuck around this long. I'd like to apologize for skipping the rest of the Emerald Forest sequence—all that running through trees, fighting monsters, collecting chess pieces... It's been done to death in every RWBY crossover fanfiction ever written, and quite honestly, this author is far too lazy to rehash it all.
"Besides, we have more interesting developments ahead. Our de-powered shinobi is about to find his place at Beacon, and I'm curious to see how he adapts to being part of a team rather than a one-man army who could destroy mountains with a sneeze. Character development through limitation—it's a classic for a reason!
"Now, back to our regularly scheduled narrative manipulation..."
Stephen King vanishes in a swirl of purple and golden energy, the faint sound of typing lingering in the air.
The amphitheater of Beacon Academy buzzed with excited murmurs as newly formed teams of students stood proudly on stage, their photographs and names displayed on massive screens overhead. The day's trials in the Emerald Forest had tested their abilities, formed partnerships, and now would solidify the teams they would train with for the next four years.
Naruto stood at the back of the stage, his new combat suit still bearing scorch marks and tears from the day's battles. After their return from the forest, he'd been separated from Jaune and the others for debriefing, where Glynda had interviewed him at length about his observations during initiation. Her questions had seemed oddly specific, focusing not on the Grimm but on any "unusual phenomena" he might have witnessed—clearly, Ozpin's disappearance remained her primary concern.
Now, watching team after team being called forward and named, Naruto felt strangely nervous. In his former existence, titles and affiliations had meant little to someone with godlike power. Now, the prospect of belonging somewhere mattered in a way he hadn't anticipated.
"Jaune Arc, Lie Ren, Pyrrha Nikos, Nora Valkyrie," Glynda announced, reading from her scroll as the four students stepped forward. "The four of you retrieved the white rook pieces."
Glynda paused, consulting her scroll with a slight frown. For a moment, Naruto thought he saw her glance in his direction before she continued.
"However, we have an unusual situation this year," she stated, her voice echoing through the amphitheater. "Due to an odd number of students and the exceptional circumstances of yesterday's events, we have one additional placement to announce."
The crowd murmured in confusion as Glynda gestured for Naruto to step forward and join the four students already on stage.
"Naruto Uzumaki," she said, her tone formal but with an undercurrent of something Naruto couldn't quite identify. "You demonstrated exceptional combat abilities and teamwork with Mr. Arc during initiation. After consultation with... faculty," she hesitated slightly on the word, "we have decided to place you as a fifth member of this team."
Jaune looked surprised but pleased, offering Naruto a genuine smile as he took his place alongside them. Pyrrha nodded respectfully, while Nora bounced excitedly on her heels. Ren maintained his calm demeanor, though his eyes studied Naruto with quiet curiosity.
"Together, you will form Team JNPRN," Glynda announced, before shaking her head slightly. "However, for administrative simplicity and tradition, you will be known as Team JNPR, with the second 'N' representing Mr. Uzumaki as well."
The screens overhead arranged their portraits in order—Jaune in the center as team leader, followed by Nora, Pyrrha, Ren, and finally Naruto slightly offset from the others, indicating his unusual addition to the standard four-person team structure.
"Led by... Jaune Arc," Glynda concluded, a hint of surprise in her voice that matched Jaune's own expression of shock.
The audience applauded as Pyrrha playfully punched Jaune's shoulder in congratulation. Nora let out an enthusiastic whoop, while Ren offered a small, approving nod to their newly appointed leader.
"I'm the leader?" Jaune whispered, his face a mixture of disbelief and panic.
"You earned it," Naruto replied quietly. "You showed real tactical thinking against that Death Stalker."
Jaune appeared unconvinced but straightened his shoulders as Team JNPR was directed to the side of the stage. From his new position, Naruto watched as Ruby, Weiss, Blake, and Yang were called forward next, forming Team RWBY with Ruby appointed as leader—much to Weiss's visible dismay.
As the ceremony concluded and students began filing out of the amphitheater toward their newly assigned dormitories, Naruto caught Glynda giving him a meaningful look. The message was clear—their conversation about Ozpin wasn't over. Whatever had happened to the headmaster, Glynda suspected it might be connected to Naruto's own mysterious circumstances.
Later, as Team JNPR settled into their dormitory room—hastily modified to accommodate a fifth bed—Naruto found himself experiencing another unfamiliar emotion: contentment. After thousands of years of solitary power, being part of something as simple as a team of student warriors felt surprisingly right.
"So," Nora said, flopping backward onto her bed with arms spread wide, "we've got ourselves a ninja! This is going to be so much fun!"
"I prefer the term 'shinobi,'" Naruto corrected with a smile, unpacking the few belongings he'd been issued—mostly basic necessities and maintenance equipment for his weapons.
"What's the difference?" Jaune asked, struggling to fit his onesie pajamas into a drawer that was clearly too small.
Naruto opened his mouth to explain, then paused, realizing how much of his explanation would involve concepts from a world that didn't exist here. "It's... complicated," he finally said. "Where I'm from, shinobi are warriors who protect their villages and follow a specific code."
"And where exactly is that?" Pyrrha inquired politely, her green eyes reflecting genuine interest. "I don't believe you mentioned which kingdom you're from."
"I didn't," Naruto acknowledged, choosing his words carefully. "It's a place called Konoha, very far from here. Most people in the kingdoms have never heard of it."
Ren, who had been silently arranging his belongings, finally spoke. "Outside the kingdoms," he stated rather than asked. "Beyond the protection of the walls."
Naruto nodded, grateful for the assumption that saved him from more detailed explanations. "Something like that."
"That explains your fighting style," Pyrrha observed. "It's unlike any kingdom technique I've studied. More... adaptable. Less reliant on technology."
"When you live beyond the walls, you learn to use whatever works," Naruto replied, drawing on his most basic ninja training to maintain the deception. It wasn't entirely untrue—he had indeed once lived in a world very different from this one.
As his new teammates continued unpacking and chatting about the day's events, Naruto found himself staring out the window at Remnant's shattered moon. Somewhere out there, Stephen King and his purple companion were watching, treating his life like some story to be edited and revised.
The Remaining Villains
The warehouse was eerily quiet without Cinder's commanding presence. Dust crates were stacked against the walls, their contents glowing faintly in the dim light that filtered through the high windows. The concrete floor was stained with old oil marks and recent boot prints, and the air smelled of metal and gunpowder.
Emerald Sustrai paced nervously, her mint-green hair swinging with each sharp turn. Her red eyes darted constantly to the main entrance as if expecting Cinder to walk through at any moment. Her dark-skinned hands fidgeted with the handles of her dual revolvers, clicking the chambers open and closed in an anxious rhythm.
"It's been three days," she muttered, her voice tight with worry. "She's never gone this long without contact."
Mercury Black lounged on a crate, his metallic legs stretched out before him. His silver hair hung partially over his eyes as he tossed a Dust crystal up and down with casual indifference that failed to mask his unease. His gray and black combat outfit was dusty from a recent altercation.
"Maybe she finally got tired of your constant need for validation," he smirked, though the joke fell flat even to his own ears. "Relax. Cinder can handle herself."
Adam Taurus slammed his fist against the wall, his crimson hair vibrant against his black suit. The Grimm-inspired mask covering his eyes did little to hide his growing frustration. The red markings on his outfit seemed to pulse with each angry breath.
"This is unacceptable," he snarled, his voice carrying across the warehouse. "Cinder promised the White Fang resources, Dust, and respect. Now she disappears without a word?" His hand tightened around the hilt of Wilt, his red blade. "She threatened me—said her associates would be displeased if I backed out. Now where is she?"
Several White Fang members shifted uncomfortably nearby, their animal traits—ears, tails, horns—twitching with nervousness. Junior's remaining thugs clustered in the corner, clearly wanting nothing to do with the angry Faunus revolutionary.
"We've still got the Dust she already delivered," Mercury pointed out, catching the crystal and pocketing it. "And the lien. The plan can still move forward."
Emerald stopped pacing to glare at him. "Without Cinder? Are you insane? She's the only one who understood the full scope. Roman was handling the Dust collection, and now he's gone too." Her voice cracked slightly. "Something's wrong."
Neo stepped out of the shadows in the corner, her dual-colored hair—pink on one side, brown on the other—matching her heterochromatic eyes. Today both eyes were white, reflecting her uncertainty. Her petite frame was tense as she approached the group, her parasol tapping softly against the floor. She made a series of gestures, her face twisted with concern.
"Neo's right," Mercury translated, sitting up straighter. "Roman wouldn't just disappear. She says he was excited about the next phase."
Adam turned to face them, his mask glinting in the low light. "I don't care about your missing humans. I care about what the White Fang was promised." He took a threatening step forward. "The train operation is almost ready, but we need more Dust, more weapons."
"I contacted Lionheart," Mercury said, standing up to meet Adam's glare. "He says the plan is still in motion. Salem's orders haven't changed."
"Who is Salem?" Adam demanded, his hand still resting on his sword hilt. "Cinder mentioned this name, but never explained who she is or what her role is."
Emerald and Mercury exchanged uncomfortable glances. Neo stepped back, her parasol opening slightly as if preparing for trouble.
"Someone you don't want to disappoint," Emerald finally said, her tone leaving no room for argument. "Trust me on this."
"I'm done with trust," Adam hissed. "The White Fang requires results, not mysterious disappearances and vague threats."
Mercury moved between them, his casual demeanor dropping to reveal the trained assassin beneath. "Look, we're all on edge. But falling apart now helps no one. I say we continue as planned. The Dust robberies, the White Fang recruitment, the preparations for Mountain Glenn and the breach."
Neo nodded vigorously, her eyes changing to brown and pink as her resolve strengthened. She made more gestures, pointing at herself and then at the city map pinned to the wall.
"Neo can take over Roman's role coordinating the Dust operations," Mercury translated. "She knows his contacts, his methods."
Adam stared at them for a long moment, the tension thick enough to cut with his blade. Finally, he nodded once, sharply. "Fine. For now, we continue. But if Cinder doesn't return soon, the White Fang will reconsider this alliance."
"Fair enough," Mercury said with a shrug that was too carefully casual. "In the meantime, we've got work to do."
As Adam stalked away to speak with his White Fang lieutenants, Emerald moved closer to Mercury, her voice dropping to a whisper. "What do you think really happened to them?"
Mercury's eyes darkened. "I don't know. But if someone took out Cinder..." He let the implication hang in the air.
Neo approached them, her small face set in determination. She pulled out her scroll and typed quickly, showing them the screen: Roman wouldn't leave me. Something is very wrong.
The three of them looked up at the map of Vale, each lost in their own thoughts. The plan was moving forward, but without Cinder's guidance, they were flying blind—and in their line of work, that was a dangerous proposition.
"Let's just hope whatever happened to them doesn't happen to us," Mercury muttered, his joking tone completely gone.
Neo's parasol snapped shut with a decisive click that echoed through the warehouse like a promise—or a threat.
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