Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“What do I see when I think about the future? An excellent question Sarah. Can I call you Sarah? Anyway, with Merlot unfortunately nowhere to be found, it is my responsibility to guide Remnant to the future. And oh, the future is bright, my dear, with the reveal of my life's work so close at hand.”

“We are getting a lot of complaints from the sound team, they say your instructions are too specific.
Any reason you want a-”

“I don't remember asking about people's personal opinions. Tell them to get it done exactly as I wrote it down. As I was saying, soon these dark days will be behind us. Tragedies like Atlas, destruction caused by the likes of WorldEnder, and even Salem's shadow that has been hanging over all of us will soon be banished by the light of a new era! No more broken families, no more broken dreams, no more needless, senseless sacrifices! All of my efforts- our efforts, will converge to this single moment.”

“Boss, the people from Vytal and Arcadia's international channels have arrived.”

“Already?! They had clear instructions to be here no earlier than- No matter, just… get them to the roof, have them start setting up. Where was I- Oh yes, my efforts will finally bear fruit, after everything I've given. I can scarcely believe the day is really here where I can show it to the world. Every news channel, every tabloid, every single person will look at me tonight. And once I'm up there, all these games will finally be over. I will do what he never could, and I know he will be proud of what I did.”

“Miss Ashley, the scouting teams have reported back.
There is still no sign of Dr. Merlot but they found one of his camps near the remains of the Grimm Storm-”

“How unfortunate. But we all know how the Doctor gets once he finds something he considers interesting. It doesn't matter, Merlot has always supported my efforts since the day he hired me, and I find it poetic that tonight of all nights I would take the reins of Merlot Industries to reveal the single most important invention anyone has ever seen. History will not only be written tonight, but changed beyond your wildest dreams. Just a bit more patience, and all will be made clear. And now if you excuse me, there is still much to take care of.”

---

---

Mount Glen - Merlot Building
09:00, October 8

15 hours remaining until the main event

The elevator door closed slowly, the frazzled face of the reporter that had been running after Ashley for the past hour vanishing, hand half raised in question. The good doctor did not notice, pressing her finger against a small display, letting it scan her fingerprint before the elevator started descending down. Past the ground floor, the basement, underground labs, and lower still. “Brothers, I never knew how much incompetence you have to deal with when you're the boss. I owe you an apology when you get back, Merlot.” She slowly rubbed her fingers in circular motions across her temples, groaning with exhaustion. Since the moment she stepped off the Bullhead after returning from Patch it had been one thing after another, the most menial things demanding her full attention. Why was it so difficult setting up a stage on the rooftop? It was the place she had always dreamed of revealing Remnants salvation yet people did not grasp how important this was. And that didn't even factor in the issues with setting up the gala afterwards.

It was truly exhausting.

But for her Warrior, nothing was too much. She would work day and night if needed to make this perfect.

“Just a bit more, brother, and I finally did it. After tonight, there will be no more victims like you.” She whispered softly, looking up as her body hit the wall of the elevator before sliding down. Ashley did not move from her position until a low ding signaled that she had reached the lowest level, the door opening to reveal a heavy metal door. It took a moment before she got up, going through the motions to unlock her personal laboratory. What would people say about this night, far into the future? She never did any of this for fame or recognition but was it selfish to hope for just a bit more than being a footnote in her Warriors crusade?

Maybe it was better this way. After all, as long as the world remembered her brother for more than saving Summer, she could be content.

“Oh Summer…” What was she thinking right now? Of course, she would still be mourning for the child that she had to give up for the salvation of Remnant. But Summer was different, she still remembered Beacon, still felt the crushing weight of that night as WorldEnder came to bring terror and destruction. And just like herself, she had spent every moment afterwards fighting for a better tomorrow, without pause, without faltering. A true hero, keeping the spirit of her brother alive with everything she had. “I cannot wait to see you once I reveal my Warrior. When you can sit back and relax, knowing that you will be able to enjoy a long, happy life watching Yang grow up instead of worrying that she will share the same fate as so many others.”

She would need to find a moment to tell her all this. But when would be best? Tonight was just the start of her most arduous undertaking, the cups of something even greater, something she only ever dared to dream about. When she would lead her Warrior from one battle to the next, saving people until all of her was spent. And then she would return with the next one, repeating the cycle until every shadow was eradicated in silver light.

“A hero's work is never done, I guess.” She chuckled, the long process of verifying her identity finally complete as the heavy doors opened. It had taken surprisingly little effort to convince Merlot to build her a private place far under the building, way back when she had still worked for White Rabbit Inc. A dark time in her life, yet also the place where she found hope as her Halo gene took its first steps. Still, Merlot had been a blessing in disguise, if for no other reason that she could live in her laboratory. Renting a place with her real name had been out of the question.

No, that name and life had ended with her brother.

“Good morning Team BRIR!” She yelled cheerfully, a spring in her step despite the exhaustion weighing her down. Two of the less disciplined members of the mercenary group were lunging on her couch, which had doubled as a bed for many long nights, while Bianca stood guard next to the door leading into the operating room. The same room Raven had been in 16 years ago, where it had all truly began. It was poetic that her Warrior would now lie on that same table, waiting for the big moment. She had to check the drug dosage again, even with twice the lethal amount her Warrior had still been conscious. As is to be expected.

“How did my Warrior spend the night? Still overeager?” She said playfully, putting a head against the window showing the operating room. Her Warriors head snapped in her direction, much slower than before, sluggish and disoriented, but beyond a few twitches, she didn't move nor tried to break free. Good, it seems her new mix was working. “Do you see any problems with tonight's presentation? It is her big night, after all.”

Ruda and Roane exchanged worried looks behind Ashley's back as Ivy stepped past them, two steaming mugs of hot coffee in her hand. She handed one to Bianca but when Ashley tried to grab the other she stepped back, blowing a raspberry at her. “Ivy, behave.” Bianca spoke soft but firm, making Ivy roll her eyes before joining the rest of her team on the couch. “My apologies. To answer your question, how ready she will be depends solely on you. She is subdued right now, but unless you use enough drugs to kill her, she won't stop struggling. So you will need to control the armor remotely.”

“Oh, don't worry. I made sure that the little incident on the Bullhead can't happen again.” Ashley waved the warning away, digging through her oversized coat to pull out what looked like an old, oversized arcade controller. “Without Merlot here, no one dares question me. So I had the IT guys prepare this little beauty for me. With this and the fully reactivated combat AI, controlling the armor will be child's play. And with the internal energy system now properly connected to my Warriors aura, I can even use special attacks-”

“With all due respect, this is not a game. Your little Warrior almost took out three fourths of my team. Do not underestimate her.”

“Underestimate her? Bianca my dear, I am the only one who truly understands the full capabilities of my Warrior.” She turned back to look through the window, a few clicks making the arm of the armor rise effortlessly. “See? Everything is under control. The hard part is over, this is a victory lap, one last celebration before the real work begins. No need to complicate things.”

Bianca kept a stone face expression even as she silently ran through the steadily growing list of flaws with Ashley's logic. She had seen the girl fight. Even while drugged up and disoriented, she was a threat. The armor wouldn't contain this monster forever, but she was well aware that any warning would fall on deaf ears. “Well, who am I to argue with the creator of such a wondrous specimen?” Ashley smiled, that same empty, deranged smile that sent a shiver down her spine, before she pulled out her scroll. “Do you want us to stay on guard tonight? I can have my team placed in the crowd or around the arena just in case.”

Ashley shook her head, tapping on the holographic screen of her scroll, causing all four of Team BRIR scrolls to ring in unison. “That will not be necessary. You had your job and you all handled it beyond expectations. I will have enough security at the gala and I do not wish to raise any suspicion this close to the finish line. Of course, you are all invited to attend the presentation and gala as my personal guests.” She said, nodding at the others still on the couch. “But, for such a commendable job, I felt it appropriate to give a little extra.”

Bianca checked her scroll, keeping her face neutral as she checked the payment. “This is… multiple times the agreed upon amount. Are you sure about this?” Most mercenaries would question her sanity, but she hadn't gotten where she was today by being conventional. And really, asking was just good manners.

“Of course.” Ashley nodded, putting her scroll back into one of her countless pockets. “Bianca, your team has safeguarded the future of Remnant by securing my Warrior before she could run off unprepared. My dream, my brother's dream, is alive thanks to your exceptional work. And while you may not see yourself as heroes, you are. Ones the world will never know about. Remnant won't be the same after tonight, and just like I wish people like Summer to be happy, I want the same for you. I already prepared lodging for you and your team, unless you wish to be on your way.”

There was a short beat of silence as Bianca mulled over Ashley's offer. The smart thing would be to take the money and get out of here before all of this blew up in their employees' face. But then again, where was the fun in that? She looked over her shoulder at her team, a silent conversation between them before turning back. “We would be delighted to attend your presentation.” Ashley's face lid up, her wolfnose twitching with excitement. “But please, this generosity goes both ways. If there is even the slightest issue tonight, you have our full support. After all, it is thanks to you that we have proven Patches mystical protection as… insufficient. This will open up countless opportunities for us.”

Bianca extended her hand, squeezing tightly as Ashley grabbed it and shook it far too enthusiastically. “Of course, of course. But as I said, nothing will go wrong tonight. With my Warrior now properly prepared, I never again need guards, symbols, or heroes. She already is all of these things and more. Team BRIR, it has been an absolute pleasure."

“The pleasure has been ours, Miss Rainhart.” Bianca leaned down with a smile, never breaking eye contact as Ashley tensed up. Ruda and Roane had gotten up, waving and expressing their thanks for the generous payment before heading towards the elevator, Ivy close behind them. Bianca lingered behind, looking at the sedated Ruby one last time before turning to leave. “I wish you the best tonight, truly.”

“...Thank you. And I hope that you will find happiness in the world my Warrior will create.” She did not watch Bianca leave, already having turned towards her Warrior, eyes fixated on the still form sprawled out on the operating table. “Almost there, Hazel. Only a few more hours.” The heavy doors closed, leaving Ashley alone in the dimly lit laboratory.

Patch City - STRQ’s home, Ruby and Yang’s Room
10:00 am., October 8

14 hours remaining until the gala

“She’s late.”

“Yang, the sun has barely risen. It can't be that easy slipping past all those Prometheus guards, give her some time. You know nothing is gonna stop Weiss from-”

“Blake, I do not care, okay? Ruby is in danger right now, who knows what Ashley is doing to her and Weiss is wasting time running around trying to shake some meadheads instead of-”

The familiar sound of a glyph made the two look at the window, watching it swing open just before a large suitcase came flying through, right into Blake's open arms. Weiss jumped through a moment later, breathing heavily as she sat down on the floor. “We underestimated these Prometheus guys, they chased me halfway across the city before I could get away. And we may have been too quick to dismiss Jimmy, he left in a hurry this morning after checking on me.” She got up, straightening her skirt. “Apparently he had “urgent matters” to attend to. Whatever it was, it's important enough that he somehow got permission to leave despite all flights being shut down.”

“Of course he fucking left. Fuck!” Yang punched the wall in frustration, leaving a fist sized hole in it. “Alright, alright, so he's probably involved too. Maybe he's working for Ashley, or the other way around. Why did we thought he couldn't-"

Blake grabbed her by the shoulder, forcing her to sit down on Ruby's bed. “How about we focus on our plan? If Jimmy is involved or this is just a strange coincidence doesn't matter. Did you get everything Weiss?” She turned to Weiss, who took the suitcase from her hands to slam it down on the workbench in the room, two clicks echoing as she opened it.

“Of course I did. But we may need to talk to your father once we get Ruby back, I wasn't exactly asking when I took it.” She stepped to the site, showing Crescent Rose in pieces, the Unity Dust crystal still lodged in its chamber.

“It's… still broken…” Blake muttered, Yang looking away from her sister's weapon as she tried to hold back tears.

Weiss let the suitcase snap shut again before putting it on the floor. “What did you expect? You really think anyone is gonna mess with it right now? Besides, from what I heard while lying my way through Sanctuary Tower my father made it clear that the Dust crystal is property of Schnee Industries and not to be disturbed until he has time to deal with it.” Saying she was sent by her father had gotten her close, but the last guard had been less understanding. She would need to apologise once they were back. “Now, did you guys get Myrtenaster or-”

Yang scoffed, reaching under the bet to reveal the sword, rolling it over the floor with a soft kick. Weiss stopped it with her own foot in a practiced motion, flipping it up to catch it in a hug, like being reunited with an old friend. “There you go, princess. Now, we got good news and bad news-”

“Oh my baby, did the dumb brute kick you? Don't worry, once we get our leader back, you're gonna get the best treatment imaginable.” Yang and Blake rolled their eyes. “What's the bad news?”

Blake sighed, plopping down on a chair. “The bad news is that only Myrtenaster and Gambol are in good condition.” She rolled towards the workbench, picking up Gambol, its ribbon torn and without Shroud. “We tried to get Yang's gauntlets on but-”

“We did get Ember on but I can't open my right hand wide enough to use the trigger.” Yang explained, holding up her arm, Ember being haphazardly secured around the silicon cast. “So we came up with this.”

Weiss stepped closer, looking at Yang's arm with worry. “Yang, are you sure you can fight like this?”

“Weiss, I tell you the same thing I told Blake. It doesn't matter if I can. My baby sister is in trouble, I will fight, even if my arm is gonna fall off after.”

“Sigh, for a chance I can't even fault you for being so reckless. Still, you cannot use Burn in your state, for all we know it's gonna fry your entire nervous system and leave you paralysed.”

“That’s why I came up with an idea!” Yang jumped up to open up the suitcase, rummaging through it on her knees. “Did you bring what I asked- Aha! Weissicle, you are the best, did I tell you that?” She didn't see Weiss flip her ponytail as if to ask why she only noticed that now, too busy checking the suppressing collar Promehteus had handed them for emergencies. Without hesitation she slapped it around the upper part of her right arm.

“See? Now, if Burn starts acting up without me noticing, I can just activate this sucker and cut it off. Pretty ingenious if I do say so myself, Ruby's clearly not the only genius in this family, hehe-”

“That's actually sma-” Blake slapped a hand over Weiss' mouth.

“Dont get her started again.” Blake hissed under her breath before turning to Yang, acting as if nothing happened. “Now, to review. We have one working weapon, half of a set of weapons, and maybe 3/4th of another weapon. Plus the Dust reservers your brother apparently had Ruby hide away for him.” Blake explained, counting down with her fingers. When Whitley had contacted them they had expected mostly refined Dust, maybe a magazine or two. Instead they found a backpack with enough Dust in it to level the entire house. “We have collars to block WorldEnder and Burn, and enough repressed rage to carve a bloody path from here to Merlot HQ. Am I missing anything?”

“A way to get there.” Weiss chimed in.

“Not a problem.” Yang said, slinging the backpack over her shoulder. “My parents can get us all there without issue. Now, all that's left is showing them what we found.” The three shared worried looks, Blake pulling out her scroll, the recording still on it.

They had argued all night, trying to find the best way to present their theory. They knew, deep down, that this was Ruby. But no matter how you look at it, the recording was bad… very bad. The distortion, the cuts, the metallic echo, it all left their leader's voice barely recognisable. They knew this could easily be dismissed as wishful thinking, like they simply couldn't handle the fact that Ruby was gone.

In the end, all they had was their own belief, that Ruby was out there, waiting for them to save her. Now they had to convince not the legendary Team STRQ, but four broken adults that blamed themselves.

---

“Boring.”

“Like they actually have anything new. Next—”

“Qrow, can you stop? Roman, don't switch to—”

“Dont listen to her, Roman Who knows, maybe these trashy gossip channels have something actually interesting to tell.”

“Nevermind, I must be more drunk than I thought if I think this is worth watching. Or not drunk enough, hand me the bottle Roman.”

“Here you go—”

Summer caught the bottle midair without looking up from her lap. Having Roman and Neo here while Kali and Ghira were busy dealing with… stuff they should really deal with themselves was a relief. But as much as Neo mellowed out since her time as a teacher, Roman was probably the single worst person to have in the same room as Qrow right now. “You’ve had enough, Qrow.” She mumbled, her voice lacking any of the commanding tone she usually ordered her team around with. “And didn't I tell you not to give him alcohol, Roman?”

Torchwick just shrugged, leaning back with his bowler head covering his eyes. “You did, sweetheart. And while I normally agree with your disdain for excessive consumption of alcohol, there are certain times where you need to do what you can to keep going.”

“Ruby always complained if I drank too much. Said it hurts her nose… the first time she refused to get near me until I was sober again.” Qrow's voice was slightly slurred, heavy with unshed tears. “And now I… fuck… Roman, did you find anything-”

Neo appeared out of thin air between them, setting a tray with coffee down on the table with a sharp tap. Roman sighted, sitting up to grab a cup. “I asked everyone. Any informant I know, called in favors, kept an ear on the street all the way to Vacuo, even went to the White Fang. But no one has even heard so much as a whisper of this guy until a few days ago.”

“Of course not. Just my luck, as always…” He kicked the table, the cups clanking together. Summer muttered another warning before grabbing a drink herself, giving Neo a small smile as thanks before handing it to Qrow. “Sum, not now, I don't feel like-”

“Its not a suggestion. Drink, you smell like a distillery.” 

Qrow scoffed but took the cup, downing it in a single gulp. “Youre ridiculous."

“That’s enough, both of you.” Raven came out of the kitchen, Tai trailing behind her, smacking both of them over the head. “Is this really the time? Act like adults, not like two school children.” Instead of answering, Summer and Qrow demonstrated their maturity by sticking their tongues out at each other then shifting as far away on the couch as they could. It was stupid, immature, but better than crying all day.

…At least that's what Raven told herself. These silly little fights made them talk instead of wandering around like ghosts. She looked back at her husband, frowning. Tai had barely spoken since the funeral. Kali had said he needed space but she felt like a failure just watching while he looked so… broken. Even more than the rest of them. During their early days in Beacon she had insulted him, making fun of how much he cared. But now…

“We should go and get Crescent Rose. I… I don't like thinking about it gathering dust in some empty room.“ Summer broke the silence, Neo next to her, one arm sling around the taller woman in a hug.

“I can make a few calls and have it brought here.” Torchwick offered, receiving a scalding look from Summer. “What?! I got enough dirt on our boys and girls in Sanctuary Tower that no one will ask questions.”

“I… Thank you, Roman. But I just… I don't feel good having someone else…” Summer trailed off, lips trembling, one leg bouncing up and down. “I don't think Ruby would want anyone else to touch Crescent Rose, at least not right away.” She looked over her shoulder at Tai and Raven for support, only the latter acknowledging her with a small smile and nod.

“[We should get the girls and ask them if they want to come.]” Neo signed, having set her coffee down. “[I can get Weiss too, I wanna watch these guards try to stop me.]” Her form shimmered and disappeared, reappearing on the stairs moments later.

“You sure you want to mess with your fathers organisation? It may lead him to try and visit you.” Raven asked but all Neo gave her was a withering look and a violent motion across her throat. “You take care of it if needed, got it. Just tell me if we need to portal into the desert to bury a body.”

Neo smiled, giving Raven a nod and thumbs up before heading up the stairs, only for the door to Yang and Ruby's room to slam open. Yang appeared first, stopping briefly when she saw Neo before walking past her. Blake and Weiss hurried after her, stopping at the top of the stairs, both smiling at Neo before focusing on their teammate. 

“Yang, hey sweety… Weiss? How did you get here?” Summer had tried to greet her daughter with a smile but seeing Blake and Weiss here combined with the serious looks they all made her pause. “... Did something happen?”

“Ruby is alive.” Yang said, staring straight at her mother.

“…What—”

“Yang!” Raven yelled, completely taken off guard, turning back to check her husband and brother. But Qrow and Tai said nothing, Tai lifting his head from his hands while Qrow raised his chin, bringing a hand up to his eyes.

Yang didn't so much as look at her, taking out Blake's scroll before walking into the open kitchen, slamming it on the counter. “I spent the whole night trying to come up with a way to ease into it, how to best explain myself before telling you all what's going on. But Ruby doesn't have time for all this. She's in danger, and if we don't act soon, who knows what's going to happen to her.” 

It was a gamble, but they already wasted so much time trying to come up with a plan, she couldn't waste more trying to protect her parents feelings, even if it made her sound delusional. 

A small part of her was worried that her parents wouldn't believe her. She hadn't dared to tell Blake or Weiss about it, but if she was still struggling with doubts, that she just wanted to believe it to be real, how could she expect others to just take her word for it? But no matter what, if there was even a chance that her sister needed her, she would push forward without pause, just like Ruby would. 

Her parents may be heroes, but it had always been Ruby she looked at when thinking how she wanted to be herself.

She waited a few moments in silence, looking at everyone in the room. Raven was the first to snap out of it, walking towards her eldest, just as Neo appeared next to her, leaning over her shoulder to look at the scroll she had slammed on the counter. “Yang, I… what are you talking about? This better not be some joke because-”

“It 's not.” Instead of explaining herself, she hit the play button on the strange message they had gotten, the now familiar words playing as everyone listened closely. 

Summer leander against the counter, face ashen white. “Yang, what… what is this?” Qrow had jumped to his feet shortly after the message started, leaning past Summer to hit play again, face taunt with concentration as he repeated it again and again. She couldn't be sure, but Yang thought she saw doubt creep into his expression but he remained silent. Raven had gripped his arm, halfway between trying to stop him and taking the scroll to listen closer herself. Torchwick looked unconvinced, staying in the background. Neo meanwhile had started gripping Yang's arm tighter, though if it was because she believed her or because she was worried, it was impossible to tell.

But what took her notice were Summer and Tai. Her mother had stepped back, hiding her face behind her hands, small sniffles coming from her as she shook her head. It hurt, more than she had expected. Her father meanwhile had sunk into himself, bending over to press his forehead to his knees.

It didn't matter. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she pressed on. “This is the proof that Ruby is alive.”

Roman sighed, taking off his hat. Ghira had warned him that it was possible that someone in the family couldn't deal with everything and break, but hadn't expected it to be Yang of all people. “Yang, with all due respect, this is-”

“It's shit, I know.” Yang cut him off. “But that's all we have. And I won't sit here wallowing in my own misery when there is even a chance that Ruby needs me. And I hope neither will any of you.”

It didn’t matter—she had to keep going. “Yang, what exactly are you trying to say, that this is…?” Qrow started, never looking away from the scroll, the message still repeating as he kept pressing play. “Where did you get this? When?” He didn’t seem convinced that it was Ruby, at least not directly. Just as she had unfortunately expected. 

She closed her eyes, a faint spark of hope in her chest. “Last night, Blake came to the mass late, as you noticed. It was because she got this text message, recognising Ruby's voice. It wasn't enough to convince her by itself, but she got another message, one that cut off but then kept going after being done, giving her a cryptic message about this being a test of faith. Then her scroll glowed blue and it vanished without a trace. Blake's not as good with computers as you or Ruby, but it's clear that this wasn't normal. It reeks of magic, like what Ambrosius did in Atlas.”

“Ambrosius—that name rings a bell… Jinn mentioned it before…” Qrow muttered to himself. “But even she wouldn’t be that cruel, not after everything she did for Amber. Yang, I’m sorry, but—” As soon as it ended, Qrow pressed the button again, over and over. Maybe a part of him recognized Ruby, but the differences and the audio quality were too much to believe outright. 

To her surprise, Raven joined him, stepping closer to the Scroll to listen more carefully. “Yang, it could be anyone,” The same nervous and guilty tone she used when she lied to them as kids. “I know you’ve been exposed to far too much at such a young age, in far too little time, but I doubt the Relics would go to the trouble of doing something like this—”

“Wait, wait—are you… are you serious? Do you really think this is some kind of cruel game by the spirits? Please, tell me you’re not serious…” Summer asked, voice hollow as she refused to look at her. But Yang could tell she didn't believe her, didn't think this was her daughter calling for help. Maybe she couldn't hear it, or maybe she couldn't bring herself to hope. It didn't matter, nor did it matter how much it hurt to hear her mother be so dismissive.

“Mom, I don't know who sent it, but I know it's Ruby.” 

“Yang, sweetheart, I don’t doubt that Blake received that message, but… but you have to hear it. It doesn’t sound like Ruby, it could be anyone using a voice filter—”

“But it’s not someone else! It’s Ruby, I’d swear my life on it. And after thinking about it long and hard, we believe we know… how this happened,” Summer shook her head, holding back tears more painful than Yang had expected. She looked behind her, seeing Weiss and Blake still on the stairs, silently pushing her to keep going.  “And where Ruby might be-”

“Mount Glenn, right?”

Tai had gotten up, appearing between them. He ignored everyone else, only looking at Yang before sitting down at the counter, back turned to the rest of the family. Yang hesitated for a moment before getting closer, nodding. “You think Merlot has something to do with this.”

“…Yes.”

“I figured as much. Firecracker, I can’t say I hear Ruby as clearly as I’d like, but I think I know where you’re going with this. And honestly, there’s no point denying it—it’s been in my head ever since this whole nightmare began.”

“What?! You can't be-” Yang flinched, unable to help herself as she closed her eyes, expecting her mother to grab her. But Summer ignored her, pushing past  to grab Tai, shaking him. “You can't be serious Taiyang! There is no way!”

“Summer, you know something wasn't right about all this. We have dealt with kidnappings for years, and you know things don't add up! I keep thinking about that day, going over every detail in my head.” He grabbed Summers hand, the other slamming on the counter hard enough to crack the stone. “I didn't say anything because I thought I was just looking for something, an excuse to not face that I may never see my little pup again. But this… this is Ruby we’re talking about. Even if it sounds off, even if the quality is bad, even if I can’t recognise that voice… I know she’s there. Because if someone in this whole world can beat the odds, it is her.”

“Don’t you dare, Taiyang. This isn’t coping, this isn’t beating the odds… this isn’t getting over an illness! Ruby is dead, she was… murdered by that monster! And… and if you keep this up, I swear I’ll divorce you.”

Tai turned away, face up filled with fire in his eyes. “Rae… be honest. You may not recognize that voice, but you know who it is.” 

Raven hesitated, playing the message again. “I… I cant… It's… Wouldn't that mean-”

“Mean what!?” Summer finally had enough, shouting at her wife. “Raven, don't you start too! We are talking about Ashley here! She loved Ruby almost as much as we did! Do you really… do you really think she, of all people, could do something like this…”

“Mom…” Yang stood behind her mother, arm half raised but hesitant to get closer. “I… no one even mentioned Ashley.”

Summer stopped, breathing heavily as she turned towards her daughter, eyes wide in shock. She looked around the room, swaying dangerously when Neo appeared, holding her up. Yang feared her mother would have fainted right there without the help. Instead she held on to Neo tightly, muttering under her breath. “I… but she… Ruby is…”

“Ashley, huh?” Qrow spat out, one hand grabbing his hair in frustration. He took the bottle of wine Summer had left in the living room, looking at it before throwing it against the wall with a scream. “FUCK! Are we really considering this? We’re really going to take some shitty message and use it to accuse family, of all people? The only reason we ever had Ruby was because of her.”

“[This isn’t about family.]” Neo gestured, Summer recoiling as she appeared next to her. “[This is about Ruby. And if her team believes she’s alive, then we’re going to believe it too. I refuse to think my student will go down without a fight.]” Neo’s hands moved at lightning speed, Torchwick not even bothering to translate; the rest understood it perfectly well, that sickening determination Yang had brought with her and that Tai had reinforced. Enough that Qrow got up to face the pinkhaired woman, looming over her with drunken rage.

“Tch, I hate that you make me look like a good guy. So instead, Qrow, Raven, Summer… let me say this.” Roman started, trying to break them apart before Qrow took a problem on how unimpressed Neo was of the challenge. “You four are far too nice for this evil world, I told you as much when we first met. Yet, somehow, you managed to prove even this hardened criminal wrong and got him to turn over a new leaf. But it's that need to always do right by everyone that draws in the scum. People like Ozma, praying on that weakness… and if your little firecracker and her team are right, Ashley too.” The mention of Ozma made Qrow back off as if Roman had slapped him.

“ENOUGH!” Raven shouted, trying to regain some control over the situation. “Are you all forgetting that I saw the Knight almost kill Ashley? Do you really think she would let that happen if she really did kidnap Ruby?”

“Yes.” Yang said without hesitation, her father and Neo nodding in agreement, Blake and Weiss joining in for the first time.

“There you have it, dear Raven. I don’t even need to point out that Ozma in Vale used Ozpin and Qrow here to pretend he was innocent after activating the cane’s bomb. Or the many times in our youth we used the same old trick to escape from you. It’s fine if you don’t want to believe your daughter, but we both know she’s right.” Torchwick put a hand on her shoulder, shuckling. Raven brushed Torchwick's hand off, scowling. But Yang saw it, her mother was starting to doubt, same as her uncle. 

Torchwick simply shook his head with a sigh, turning toward Yang as he spun his cane in his hand, tapping his hat and catching it midair. “Let’s skip the preliminaries, shall we? Mount Glenn. Neo and I can take you there. I doubt we’ll be able to get close enough with all those insignificant charges hanging over us, but we can drop you close enough—”

“No.” Qrow growled, gripping the couch. “If anyone’s going to do this… it’ll be me. I don’t have the same… the same faith as you, Yang… but I don’t want there to be more people like Ozma out there—”

Neo gave him a light tap on the shoulder, just enough to throw him off balance and send him to the floor, Raven rushing over to help him up. “Damit, Qrow! You are in no condition to walk, let alone fly.”

“And whose fault is that—”

Torchwick shrugged, pressing his hat to his chest. “Tai, I can’t let you ruin your careers, your lives, and the faith Remnant has in you if this goes wrong. Let us bring Ruby back.”

“I… thank you, Roman.” Tai got up, a visible weight lifted from his shoulders. He was sure now, his girl was still alive. He turned to Summer who was standing in the middle of the room, pale as a ghost. “Summer, didn't you find it strange how focused Ashley was on the presentation tonight? Something so important, yet she never even mentioned it to you. I don't want to believe that she has anything to do with this, but the timing is too perfect. Along with everything else that doesn't make sense about this attack.”

“Tai, please.” Raven said, voice trembling as she grabbed her husband's hands. “You can't think that Ashley would do this not only to Ruby but to us. She's practically family and as Qrow said, without her Ruby would never even have been born.”

“Are you ready to take that chance, Rae? Would you rather trust Ashley, even though we all saw how strange she has been acting ever since we came back from Atlas then believe our girl is still alive?”

“No! No, but… I can't feel her… how can I…”

“Shes wearing a collar.” Yang cut in.

“What?”

“A collar, like what they put on Weiss to control her semblance. You said it yourself, you can't feel Weiss at all with it. And Jimmy left this morning in a real hurry after checking on Weiss so he is probably in on this. So Ashley would have no problem getting something similar to block Kindred Link. And she knows exactly how it works too.” 

Yang could see it, the last puzzle piece falling into place for her mother. Now they could finally-

“EnoughenoughenoughENOUGH!” Summer had been watching in silence but seeing Raven caving in had been the last straw. With a scream of poor rage, her semblance roared to live, pushing Neo and Roman away as winds gathered inside, paintings and plates flying across the room.

“HOW MUCH MORE DO I NEED TO LOSE? I SUFFERED MY WHOLE LIFE, NO MATTER HOW MUCH GOOD I DID, HOW MANY PEOPLE I SAVED! MY FAMILY WAS RIPPED AWAY FROM ME WHEN I WAS JUST A BABY! THEN THE ONLY OTHER PERSON THAT COULD TRULY UNDERSTAND ME SACRIFICED THEMSELVES RIGHT BEFORE MY EYES! AND THEN MY BABY IS KILLED BY SOME MANIAC AND ALL YOU CAN DO IS MAKE UP STORIES!” Summer screamed, her voice filled with terror, fear, and anger. “AND NOW YOU WANT TO CONVINCE ME THAT THE WOMAN THAT CAME TO ME WHEN I THOUGHT I COULD NEVER HAVE A CHILD OF MY OWN, TO HONOR NOT ONLY MY FAMILY BUT HAZELS SACRIFICE BY CONTINUING THE ROSE LINE AND OUR SILVER EYES, USED ME FOR SIXSTEEN YEARS JUST TO TAKE HER AWAY FROM ME? DO YOU EVEN HEAR YOURSELVES?!”

Her eyes darted from one side of the room to the other, searching for something, for someone who could offer an explanation, a reason why—even after everything she had given to Remnant—the universe still found ways to drag her back down.

It was unfair, unbearably so. She had faced the worst this world had to offer, pushed past things that would break anyone else, things that didn't make sense, but this... this was beyond even her. Beyond anything she could accept.

Her eyes felt heavy, her mind lost in so many thoughts she couldn’t begin to sort them out. What was right, what was wrong. Why keep fighting, if the woman who had saved her wasn’t really there for her after all, tearing away the one thing she had wanted so desperately from the moment she understood she was the only lonely rose left standing.

It was simply unfair, her grip on reality slipping through her fingers as she lifted her head, letting out a raw scream of rage and helplessness, tears spilling freely and burning down her cheeks. Her family froze in place—only her beloved daughter—no, her daughters, Weiss and Blake running alongside Yang, drawing close, sharing the same tears, apologizing, perhaps for still being able to believe. That innocence, that faith… if Ruby was truly alive, if Yang was right, if their hope and belief were placed in the right hands… Ashley… if she truly could do it…

The silver in her eyes burned, even as her world was slowly swallowed by the black void. Constantly pushing her to act even as her legs gave out and she collapsed to the ground, a cruel reminder, or perhaps a wish to keep going, for her daughters to keep going. But not in her footsteps—not along paths that had brought nothing but pain and hatred.

The future they deserved was one free from this damned world, from every monster Remnant—Beacon—had dragged back into existence.

Yes—if she no longer had faith left for herself, then she would place her faith in that new world waiting for them.

Mount Glen - Merlot Building
12:00, October 8

12 hours remaining until the main event

“Lets see… batteries charged, check. Aura connection established, check. Drain limit set to- Oh no no, that wont do. My Warrior can take it, lets deactivate this… Alright, let's see how you move.” Ashley muttered to herself, fiddling with the game controller in her hands. Her Warrior did not answer her, lying still on the operating table, still clad in the armor used to kidnap her. “There should be no interference, I pumped enough anesthetic and muscle relaxing into you to kill ten people. Now, if I press this you should… rise!”

But nothing happened at first, the armor glowing a faint red as aura was drained from its wearer. Did she make a mistake? The combat AI should have been fully reactivated. She didn't have time for mistakes, not so close to the finish line! “I'm gonna make these idiots from IT wish they- Oh!” The visor of her Warrior started to flash silver, its right arm moving up. “Wonderful! Perfect! All systems green. Now, for one quick test.” A few more buttons and her Warrior rose from the table, standing expectating. Maybe not as smooth as she hoped, but good enough.

“Oh how I love it when my plans come together. No more running off on your own now, my Warrior.” She smiled with glee, patting her Warrior's arm with affection. “Just one more thing I need to check before I let you rest for your big evening.” She rushed to the other end of the room, a gleaming blade hanging on the wall. No one had asked her what it was for when she sent the idea to R&D over a year ago, but that didn't matter.

She unsheathed it with something akin to reference, her face reflecting in the silver metal. A small inscription she had specifically requested was etched into the grip. With a satisfying nod she returned to her Warrior. “Behold, the weapon we will use to smite all those that threaten Remnant. A sword worthy of a hero, capable of ending these neverending nightmares. Beacon, WorldEnder, even Salem herself. Take it, my Warrior, and cut a path to a world where I don't have to lay awake at night anymore in fear of who I have to lose next.” The combat AI recognised her voice, holding its arm out expectantly. 

With a small bow, she placed the sword into his hands, stepping back to watch her Warrior put it on its back, locking into place magnetically. With a sharp click, her Warrior drew it again, swinging it through a couple of test slashes before sliding it back into its sheath with a twist of its wrist. Enough to make her squeal with excitement.

*Beep*
‘System notification: access codes to the main LAB via elevator accepted.’

The lights in the room flickered on with the notification, illuminating the chaos in the living area of her lab. Shelves and cupboards filled to the brim with essentials, clothes haphazardly stuffed in between from when Ashley had searched for something elegant to wear for her- their big evening. She ignored all of it as she rushed to the entrance. “Finally, they are here!” She had waited years for this, to show her brilliance to one of the few people that could truly understand what she had accomplished. She stopped in the doorway separating the operating room and the rest of her lab, looking back at her Warrior. “Right, I shouldn't let you just stand there. What to do…”

She looked around the room. “Oh, of course!” Carefully she guided her Warrior back to the operating table, waiting for the AI to understand her intention. It only took a moment before it moved back on the table, sitting down. “That’s it, you stay right here.” Satisfied that her Warrior was secure she finally left the room, trying and failing to make her ratty oversized lab coat look presentable.

The security door to her lab opened at the same time as the door to the operating room closed, showing her old partner, the same man that had once entrusted her with his own vision for the future. A vision she had long since outgrown.
“Jimmy! I am so glad you could make it.” She fished a small remote from her pockets, killing the lights behind her.

Jimmy just sighed with annoyance, one hand combing his messy hair back neatly before clasping both behind his back. The mask of a benevolent and kind scientist had vanished a long time ago between them, just like the cane he used to fake his limp. No, this was the real Jimmy, a sharp and calculating man who didn't hide behind false pretense like Merlot.

That's why she still respected him as her former mentor, someone that gave her the push she needed to create her saviour.
But he didn't matter, not anymore. No, what mattered was the young girl that had accompanied him. She was the one Ashley truly had invited:

She had expected her to look more similar to her Warrior. She had the same small statue, looking no older than eleven or twelve years old; and she had the same striking silver eyes, but beyond that they couldn't be more different. Much darker skin, a mop of long and dark, curly hair, with only a few strains of pink like her father, partially covered by a headset and secured with a fancy little crown. And a permanent scowl so unlike the smile her Warrior always showed. Combat boots, shorts, a shirt with the prometheus logo on the front, and far too big dark blue jacket adorned with orange feathers on the edges of the hood and sleeves.

There was something about her, Ashley had to admit.

That same aura of confidence and power her Warrior presented, not diminished by her small statue. She was a bit disappointed that Jimmy had never figured out how to deactivate the growth inhibitors she spliced into the Halo gene.

But it gave her the perfect leverage.

“I understand that this whole situation must be difficult. First Ruby, and then Merlot went missing leaving you to organise all this by yourself-” Jimmy skipped the pleasantries, completely missing as his daughter started to wander off, exploring the chaos in the living area with a mild look of disgust.

“Difficult? Oh don't be silly, Jimmy!” Ashley laughed, waving him off as she looked past him to get a better look at Alyx.

“Silly? Ashley please, there is no need to pretend. I think after everything we can-” Jimmy stepped in front of her, blocking her view and trying to put a hand on her shoulder but Ashley pushed it away, eyes glued to the young girl. Something that did not go unnoticed by her colleague. “Ashley, what is this about-?”

Getting tired of waiting, Ashley pushed past Jimmy. “So, you're Alyx. I heard quite a bit about you.” She held out her hand to the young girl. “Its a pleasure to meet you, my dear Halo… well you're not a Faunus, a clear failure on your fathers part.”

Alyx just raised an eyebrow before turning away, picking up an old, dirty shirt before throwing it away and continuing her exploration. “Could you… take off your headset?” Ashley tried to keep her tone polite but the sheer disrespect made it hard to keep her cool. What had Jimmy taught this girl? She didn't react, slowly wandering away from Ashley. “You are clearly lacking in manners and stature. I see where I did way better with my Warrior.”

Alyx sighed, finally taking her headset off before looking over her shoulder. “So what, you expect me to fall to my knees in thanks because you helped dad write some formulas?"

Ashley scoffed. “I did far more than that, young lady. Someone of my genius deserves respect, especially considering you wouldn't exist without me.”

Alyx stared at her for a few moments. “Noted.” Before putting her headset back on and taking out her scroll, the music getting loud enough to be audible.

“I'm sorry for Alyx… tactless decorum. But you know how teenagers are, one day they are absolute angels, the next they decide it's time to be rebellious.” Jimmy chuckled, dismissing his daughter's behaviour. Ashley wasn't happy about it, finally turning away from the girl to scowl at Jimmy. He ignored it, adjusting his cuffs before looking around the lab. “Now, how about we skip all this and get to the reason you invited us here. And don't try to pretend, you act nothing like someone that just lost someone that was basically a daughter to them. And I know Merlot Industries had no plans that would justify so much ruckus, saying nothing about your sudden interest in Alyx.”

“Of course, I would never think to be able to get something past the great Jimmy Vanille. Though I would have thought that industrial espionage is more the style of that criminal wife of yours.” Ashley sneered, grabbing Alyx and showing her towards the mostly clean sofa, pointing a finger at the girl as a warning to not wander towards the operating room before putting herself between Jimmy and the back of the lab. “But you forgot something, Jimmy. I'm no longer the broken girl you found and offered a job to fulfill your petty power fantasies. Things have changed, I now stand here as the head of Merlot Industries, ready to show Remnant the answer they have so desperately been waiting for.

Jimmy took a careful step towards his daughter, eyes never leaving Ashley. “And what question are you answering?”

“What question? What question?! Why, the only one that truly matters of course! How to finally end the nightmares that terrorize us all! Salem, the Grimm, monsters like WorldEnder, all of it! And I found it with my Halo gene, whose true potential you clearly haven't realised.” She looked at Alyx, sneering. “Look at her, still so small and fragile. To think that after all these years you still didn't realize that this is by design. MY design!”

Jimmy tensed up, looking between Ashley and his daughter. “Are you telling me,” His tone was calm, but it was clear that he struggled to keep his anger in check. “That this… flaw in the Halo gene, the thing all of them are suffering from right now, was intentionally done by you?”

Ashley grinned, reveling in finally being able to show the true extent of her genius. “Do you truly think that I of all people would not be able to fix something so fundamentally broken with my work? How is the pain? I saw your attempts to counter it but even just a quick peek was enough to tell me it loses its effectiveness rather quickly.” 

Jimmy had gotten pale as he listed. “Ashley, you can't possibly mean—”

“A full stop of all growth just before puberty, constant, chronic pain, limited life expectancy? Yes, all of that works exactly as planned. You may have gotten the best people you could find to work on the prototype I graciously left you when I went to work for Merlot, but you are forgetting one, simple, thing.” Ashley clasped her hands behind her back, taking large, exaggerated steps towards Jimmy, leaning forward to look at him from below. “There is no one in this world who is better when it comes to genetics. So of course all these idiots you got didn't notice. But don't feel bad, there is no shame in falling short compared to me. And it's not like I'm not understanding of your plight, so I have a… proposition for you.”

She watched Jimmy's jaw clench as the full extent of her plan came to light. The great visionary of Prometheus, the lead researcher of White Rabbit, played like an idiot. It ate away at him, she could tell. Someone else may have gotten worried when they noticed the rage in his eyes, or how his fist shook with anger, but she knew better. All of his power came from his connections, from his ability to charm someone with words. But she held all the cards now, leaving him with nothing. “Are you telling me that all this pain my daughter has suffered, that Ruby has suffered, was something you could have stopped at any moment?”

She tilted her head innocently. “Yes.”

“I… how dare you stand here and-”

“It was necessary, Jimmy. As always you let your bleeding heart blind you to the bigger picture. Or did you really think that you can solve the world's problems by being kind? You can't! Because this world isn't kind, it's cruel and ugly, and only someone who has suffered like my brother has, like I have, could hope to end it! So I took those silly fantasies of yours and made them into something REAL! Something that can actually change the world!”

Jimmy finally had enough, shouting at Ashley as he rammed a finger into her chest. “Do you hear yourself!? The Halo gene was a way to awaken aura before birth, to strengthen the person and make way for more powerful semblances-”

She slapped his hand away, putting both hands on her hip, head held high. “You don't have to remind me of your shortsighted goals again, Jimmy. All that potential, all those years of studies, and this is the best you could come up with.” She could see that her words got to him, even if he refused to acknowledge them. “Let me make it clear to you; You. Are. Wrong. You will not find a magic semblance that will solve your problems. The best you can hope for is something versatile, like Hyperactive Imagination. But even that you squandered when you let your wife throw your first daughter out because she was mute. No, the answer is far more simple. To add more semblances to an already strong Warrior.”

“Are you crazy?! You cannot simply add semblances. We may have discovered a genetic connection but it's still a power born from one’s soul-.”

“Oh, don't give me that nonsense! There is no mystical power in a person, no inherent spark or whatever you want to call it. It's part of our biology, no different than the color of our eyes or hair. And I can prove it.” She motioned him to follow her, walking to the large screen behind her desk, powering it on. “As you said, thanks to the efforts of the… great minds of Arcadia and Prometheus, we figured out how semblances are connected to each individual on a genetic level. And with the added endurance in a fetus that already has an active aura, I saw potential to go beyond the normal human limits.”

Jimmy watched on in horror as Ashley started showing slide after slide on the screen. “Wait, I recognise these samples. They are Hazel's-”

“Exactly. My brother was the best. A true hero. And nothing showed that more than his semblance. The ability to ignore all pain, to keep going and keep smiling, until the very end. The last gift he left me, the perfect basis for my project.” Jimmy's eyes were glued to the screen. He may pretend to be horrified, but deep down he was a man of science, just like her. “Extracting the genetic sequence for Pain Threshold wasn't easy, but you gave me everything I needed to make it happen. And once I held it in my hands I knew I had what I needed to make my brother live on, beyond his sacrifice for Summer. Everything after was just the logical conclusion."

“Ashley, as… incredible as all of this is,” Jimmy pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. “You cannot tell me that all this pain was really needed. We could have-”

“You would have never let me get this far. You would have stopped me at every turn, letting your conscience stop Remnant's salvation before it could even be born. So I went to someone that would let me do what needed to be done. And Merlot was more than happy to turn a blind eye to my experiments as long as I brought results. And the more I found, the more resources he gave me, without the need for justifications.” She raised her hands, as if to show Jimmy everything she accomplished here. “Still, despite all this, you  were the first person who believed in me. I may have surpassed you and your dream beyond your wildest imagination, but none of it would have been possible without you. If you hadn't found me that day, I doubt I would have survived. So let me, on the eve of a new world, offer you a renewal of our contract. Only this time, we work together as equals.”

Jimmy didn't answer, eyes fixated on the screen. “Just think about it. If we combine our resources the Halo project would accelerate tenfold! Even with everything Merlot gave me, I only managed to create the necessary component thirteen times. Plus the prototype I left with you, but all these pharmaceutical companies your wife owns would make it so easy to make more.”

“…Ashley,”

Jimmy tried to speak but Ashley didn't let him continue. This was her moment, she was done answering to people that lacked the vision and dedication she had. “Of course, in exchange I will prepare a dose of my special formula. Just imagine it, in just a few hours your daughter could be free of pain and fully grown, all thanks to my genius. You talked so much about aura and semblances you didn't even consider the potential of silver eyes. But I figured out how to harness their power.” Ashley clapped her hands together, giddy with excitement. “There is no downside. And the biggest winner will be Remnant-”

“Where is Ruby?”

Ashley looked confused before catching on, her large grin returning in full force. “Ah, you finally caught on!”

“She is close by, isn't she? I doubt you would let her out of your sight for long, not after you managed to create one of the most hated terrorists Remnant has ever seen. Do you have any idea how much pain you caused? You saw Summer, the woman you adore so much. You killed her, Ashley, in the most cruel way possible.”

“Oh don't be so dramatic. Summer will get over it, and I made sure to keep an eye on Raven's health over the years, I can just have her carry another baby-”

“Another-! Do you hear yourself?! You cannot replace someone's child!”

“Of course I can. I kept enough samples when I made my Warrior, it's a simple matter of replicating the process. I can even make sure its a girl with similar features, just without the Halo gene of course-”

“This is madness. I always knew you were troubled and I understood why, but this goes far beyond grief. Tell me where Ruby is and maybe we can still salvage this catastrophe."

“Salvage? There is nothing to salvage, Jimmy. This is why I left you behind, even now you try to strain my ideas!”

“Ashley, you are indirectly responsible for one of the worst attacks on a kingdom since the Great War! You kidnapped one of the children of STRQ! Every single huntsman on the planet is out for blood! Do you really think that you can just walk out there and everyone will leave you be?! The moment this goes public you will be arrested and locked away in the darkest hole they can find!”

“That is where you are wrong. Once the world sees my Warrior, they will understand. Summer will vouch for me personally and for what my Warrior can do for the world! Because that's what silver eyed warriors do! They give everything for others with no regards for themselves or those they leave behind. But I found a way to bypass that flaw by creating an improved version no one will miss and that I can recreate as many times as needed-”

“THE GIRL HAS A NAME, ASHLEY! HOW CAN YOU SAY NO ONE WILL MISS HER?”

“Who's the one talking nonsense now?”

“I… this is going nowhere. I don't know what happened to you in the years since we worked together but it's clear that any sense of sanity has left you. I will call STRQ and try to explain the situation before they come for your head.”

“Don’t you dare, Jimmy!”

“Im doing this for you Ashley. So you don't end up dead after tonight.”

“I didn't ask you to save me! I am sick and tired of being the victim, if being chained to Beacon! It will end today, one way or the other! And if I have to give my life to save the world, then so be it. And if you dare get in my way, I take you, your daughter, and everything you build down with me!”

Jimmy paused, his scroll half way up to his ear as he met her eyes with a cold glare, “Careful Ashley, do not think you can intimidate me-”

“Shut up shut up SHUT UP! This is MY moment, my night! My Warrior will change everything, just like we both dreamed of! I only invited you here as a courtesy! To offer an olive branch by saving your daughter which you created without understanding the consequences!”

“Ashley, stop this! There is still time-”

“No Jimmy, there is no more time. I have won. Against you, against Salem, against the Grimm, even against that monster WorldEnder! Now, give me your scroll.”

“What?! No—”

“Do not argue with me! I cannot let you ruin everything I have built. I will have you escorted until the gala tonight and once my Warrior is revealed you can have it back along with everything you need to let your little spawn survive my Halo gene.”

There was a second of silence between the two, Jimmy’s scroll still slowly lowering. “…You’re serious, aren’t you?”

“I have never been more serious in my life, Jimmy. Now do as I say and everyone wins. I get to save Remnant and watch my Warrior bathe it in silver light, and you get to stay in the shadows, playing your pathetic games while your daughter can grow up properly. I even do you one better and give you the full formula. You can round up all the other Halo Faunus I made and cure them too, I don't need them anymore. My Warrior is already better than I could have ever hoped for!””

“That’s enough! Alyx, restrain her and we can-”

“Dont you dare sick your little pest on me! The moment I get attacked this entire building will go into lockdown.”

“I don't care. ALYX, NOW!”

“I said to stay back you-!”

Both adults turned only to find Alyx nowhere to be found. Instead the lights in the operating room were on. “FUCK!” Ashley shouted, running past a stunned Jimmy.

---

“You wouldn’t exist without me. Tchh, What's her problem?”

She already had a low opinion of this Ashley woman after the few stories her dad told her on the way, but the way she talked shit about his amazing work made her want to bash her face in, preferably with her bat. 

That would wipe that smug look right off.

This whole thing reeked something fierce. And it wasn't just the dumpster she called a lab, no. There was the distinct smell of Grimm in the air. It clung to Ashley, to the building, the entire kingdom. She may not be a faunus, but her senses were just as sharp. It made her wonder if Ozymandias would be ashamed of what has become of his kingdom. Probably, but then again, the guy gave grand speeches then fucked off to let other people actually fix what he broke.

A sad excuse for a king and not what Remnant needed.

Not that it mattered now. According to Choice, there was only one last patch before they could start bringing Remnant towards the future. It was the only reason she even came here. “Now, where are you hiding little wolf?” It was a rhetorical question, there was only one place she could be. Ashley made it obvious when she pulled her away from the back of the lab with something she probably believed to be a commanding look.

Funny.

Her father was busy arguing with the crazy lady so she simply got up and walked towards the closed door in the back. Taking her headphones off she started twirling them around her finger, trying to spy into the darkness behind the viewing glass. There was an electronic lock keeping her out, but that's child's play for her. With a bit of aura her finger ignited, a soft orange red flame enveloping it before she drove it into the panel. Sparks erupting from the flame, traveling across the console and forcing the door open. 

“The security as tight as the place is clean,” She smirked, holding up her finger to illuminate the dark room, “Now, what do we have here?” It was cleaner than the rest of the lab, if only marginally. A table full with instruments, oxygen tanks and other equipment stood to the site, with a large operating table taking up most of the center of the room. A figure sat on it, unnaturally motionless.

Alyx recognised it immediately, the very same ‘Knight’ that had been on every TV for the past few days.

“Knew there was something rotten about that woman.” She muttered angrily, sniffing the air as she got closer. There was someone inside the armor, she could smell the sweet scent of drugs mixed with sweat in the air, accompanied by the sound of shallow breaths. She may not be faunus, but she saw just as well in the dark and she had no doubt she found who she was looking for. 

“I admit, I did not expect our first meeting to go quite like this, sister. What a terrible fate you got dealt.” Alyx didn't expect an answer, looking over her shoulder for a moment as the doors closed behind her. The crazy woman was still arguing so she had time. “Choice told me I would find you here but I thought we would meet to test each other, not that I would get here as a rescuer.”

The shallow breaths stopped suddenly, the air growing tense. Alyx couldn't help but smile, seeing the wolf barring its fang even in this state. Choice had not been wrong about her, that much was clear. “Name’s Alyx Vanille. Make sure to remember it well, for it will be the name of the woman that shall rule over Remnant one day, once you and I change it for the better.” She could hear her shift inside but there was no answer. “If you want to say something, spit it out. No need to be fancy, unlike most idiots I can read between the lines. And I got excellent hearing.”

“I- *cough*...” The voice of the wolf was rough, cutting off as soon as it came out. Not surprising, she doubted her captor fed or watered her these past few days. “Can you… help me…?”

“Help you? And here I thought you were a hero, saving everyone else.” She joked, jumping up on the table to sit next to the armor, her head barely reaching its shoulders. “I heard that you were a fierce wolf, someone that could challenge me. Push me to be the best I can be. Instead you sit here and beg the first person that shows up to pull you out of trouble.”

“You really think I…” Her voice was deeper than what Alyx had heard in recordings. Not surprising if she really grew to adulthood. But how had that maniac managed to do it in just a few days? “That I'm in a position to be picky… of who I ask for… help?”

“Of course you are.” She could hear the wolf clench her teeth. There was a warrior in there, but that crazy woman had managed to lock her up. Well, if she was good at one thing, it was getting a rise out of people. “Say, did that fraud of a doctor really make you grow up in just a few days?”

There was a short pause before she heard a low sigh. “I… think so, yes. It's hard to tell with all the drugs and while inside this… thing… but I feel bigger, and my voice sounds off.” Alyx scoffed in anger. Of course the crazy lady told the truth, how infuriating. Something the wolf picked up on. “You called me… sister… And you smell familiar…”

Alyx head snapped up in surprise. To think this girl was this sharp in her state, it made the hairs on her neck stand up. “It seems like your reputation is well earned. You're right, I also carry the Halo gene, just like you, and with all its… issues. That crazy lady invited us here, I think its to force my fathers hand by dangling a cure for me in front of him. You met him already, he’s-”

“Mister Vanille… yes. That's why you smell familiar… chocolate and caramel… a bit like Miss Neo…—”

“You know my sister? Well, that's… interesting.” Alyx smiled. She had questioned Choice's tall tales of this girl, but even after this short talk she could already tell that this was going to be exactly what she hoped for.

Popping a pill into her mouth she jumped off the table to get a closer look at the armor. It was well made, that was clear even with her limited experience, but it didn't look any more sturdy than the training robots she usually sparred against. “Hm, shouldn't be too hard to get you out of this. You think you can fight? That fraud of a woman won't be a problem but we probably have to fight our way out of the building and dad told me there are rumours about odd experiments Merlot did. I can smell it even down here, and it feels dangerous-”

“I can… attest to that…” The wolf whispered, a painful undertone in her voice.

“I thought as much. No matter, a bit of exercise after the long flight here will do me good. Now hold still, we don't have time to get this off gently but I got some experience with cracking shells like this.”

“I… no… don't get me out, not yet…”

“What?! Don't tell me you are giving up! I didn't come all this way just for you to turn out to be a coward-”

“You said you are a… Halo Faunus… How old are you?”

“…sixteen in a few weeks.”

“And I’m… going to guess you suffer like… like I did… So… You think your father can replicate Aunt… whatever Ashley did to make me grow?”

Alyx stopped checking the armor, already seeing where this was going. “Oh no, don't  even start with that. I ain't letting you sacrifice yourself for something like this. My dad is one of the greatest scientists in the world. Give him one blood sample and he can recreate whatever that bitch did without problem.”

“It's okay, Ashley… she needs me alive, at least for… for now. If you really can get me out… do it after you have the cure.” Alyx stared at the blank face of the armor's helmet, wondering if the wolf really was this hellbend on helping her or if the drugs were making her delirious enough to think this was a good idea. Still, despite her boasts, she wasn't as certain that her dad could do this as she would have liked. “You can contact my sister, she will *cough* she will believe you. Her number is-”

“Oh don't worry, I got my own team, it won't take long for them to get here from Vytal. So just to make sure, you want me to leave you here with the woman that is so delusional she thinks showing you in the armor that the entire world is looking for will somehow go well, just so I can get my hands on the cure before rescuing you? You know the heroic sacrifices never go that well for the hero.” She pulled one leg up on the table, the feathers on her jacket flaring bright. There was silence for a few moments before the wolf hummed in agreement. “But, alright then, I'll respect your wishes. Even if its a fucking stupid plan.” Alyx pushed herself back with her foot, turning towards the door, feeling her semblance roar in her chest.

“Now listen here and listen well, your king shall get you out of here in no more than 24-hours. Dad's not gonna need more than two to figure out the cure.”

She hadn't felt like this before in her life. Was it excitement? The sound of metal being drawn behind her rang through the room. Maybe, but no matter what it was, she knew she wanted more. This feeling when you stand on the precipice of the abyss, one wrong step making you tumble down. The door slammed open, but she didn't react, trying to make this moment last just a bit longer.

If only she could find a way to show all of Remnant why she loved it so much.

“DON’T YOU DARE TOUCH MY WARRIOR, YOU FAILURE!”

The armor sprang to life, unsheathing the sword from its back, ready to cut her in half with one, flued motion. “Finally-!” The magnetic claps of her weapon released with a sharp snap. “Some real fun!”

---

Who did that little brat think she was?! Ashley felt her blood boil as she ran, almost tripping over a pile of discarded clothes on her way to the back of the room. She searched her pockets for the magnetic card, brushing over the controller for the armor instead. A twisted thought sprang to mind. She had wanted to test her Warrior before tonight, and who better than that failure Jimmy had created? Yes, it was perfect, she would not only show the superiority of her work, but she would teach that rude, hopeless brat a lesson!

This was all Jimmy's fault.

No matter, she would just… rough her up a bit. Show that she stood no chance, that she was inferior. She hesitated for a split second, card hovering over the panel as she felt her heart hammer in her chest. With a snarl, she pressed the button to make her Warrior attack before opening the door, Jimmy right behind her as she burst through the door.

“DON’T YOU DARE TOUCH MY WARRIOR, YOU FAILURE!”

Alyx looked up at her, ignoring her Warrior jumping from the table, sword held high to cut her down, visor shining with silver light, just as she always imagined. 

“Finally-” The brat whispers, smiling. What was she smiling about? It must have been what little of her brilliance was left, smiling even when the end was near. Yes, that was it. She locked eyes with the failure and Alyx… winked at her? How… How dare that stupid brat-

Time seemed to slow down as her Warrior brought the sword down. At the same time, a small black cylinder fell out of Alyx's jacket… a handle? Why would she-

“Some real fun!”

She grasped the handle out of the air, pivoting at the same time, lines of Hardlight Dust flaring to life to form- 

“A fucking bat?!” Ashley sputtered.

Was this a joke? But no, it was right there, the familiar light blue of the HardLight Dust extending from the handle before flashing into fierce red and orange, sparks jumping around as she parried the sword, even forcing it back.

Ashley ripped the controller out of her coat, fingers hammering buttons, but no matter what AI did, the brat matched it blow for blow. How?! She was a head shorter than her Warrior, crippled by the incomplete Halo Gene, how was she doing this!?

With a growl she activated the aura connection, red lines appearing across the armor. The change was instant, the sword now forcing the brat back.

Only for Alyx to plant her foot into her Warrior's stomach, not to push her back, but to flip over her, landing on the other side of the operating table, still looking insufferably smug.

“Now we’re talking!” Alyx landed on one knee, bat planted against the floor to push herself back up. Without lifting it, she raised her other hand and snapped her fingers. “I was starting to get bored already. Hey, crazy lady, can you make this thing hit a bit harder? I don't wanna finish this too fast.”

Whirling her bat, a single wing of pure firey aura erupted from her back, burning feathers floating around her before fading away moments later. “Hey dad, make sure to record this! I can't wait to show it to the girls-”

“Alyx, we talked about this.” Jimmy muttered, shaking his head.

Were they mocking her? It didn't matter… it didn't, it didn't IT DIDN'T! Fine, she wanted to die so badly, Ashley would gladly accommodate her! Just one less problem to take care of later, that's all. Her Warrior charged forward, slashing wide, but Alyx vanished in a cloud of burning feathers, moving blinding fast across the room, her form a blur of sparks and fire. She reappeared every time she parried one of her Warriors attacks, looking like she was having the time of her life. She would show her, show all of them! With a few button presses the glow of the armor intensified, the lack of precision and speed compensated with pure strength. Each swing tore the lab apart, splitting equipment, tanks, even the operating table.

None of it mattered, she could replace everything in here a thousand times! It would be all worth it if it meant she could wipe that smug smile off that brats face and teach her some respect! “Enough with this, stop playing around, my Warrior!” She cranked the aura drain to maximum, a startled cry of pain coming from inside the armor, almost drowned out by the fighting as the sword started to be coated in silver light, the next slash sending a wave of aura across the room. The little bitch managed to block it with her wing, but she finally stopped mocking her with that stupid grin.

“Tsk, no regards for anyone but yourself, is that how it is? No matter, your little wannabe robot doesn't stand a chance against a TRUE king! I'm gonna crack this thing open and after that, you're next you maniac." Alyx pushed herself off the wall, flying straight at her Warrior, wing flaring with aura as it pushed the armor off its feet, sending it straight through the glass separating the operating room from the rest of the lab. “Now, to finish this farce. One training ball should be enough.”

She tapped the tip of her bat on her hand twice, a small ball of hardlight Dust separating from it. She tossed it in the air a few times, as if to test its weight before nodding, taking a batting pose and throwing the ball higher, grinning wide. “Here it comes!”

Ashley didn't know what she was doing, but she wouldn't let her get away with trying to ruin everything. “Oh no you don't you genetic mistake!” Her Warrior raised its sword, having gotten up moments after being thrown, red and silver light gathering at the tip of its sword. “I will end you-!”

“Enough, both of you.”

Jimmy stepped in, grabbing Ashley controller out of her hand before easily catching the hardlight ball out of the air. “Jimmy! Give that back you imbecile!"  

“Hey, no fair dad!”

Jimmy ignored them both, shutting down the controller, the glow of the armor and sword fading as it powered down before dropping the ball from his hand, the Dust shattering harmlessly into tiny fragments that vanished moments later. “Have you completely lost your mind, Alyx? Did you forget where we are?”

Alyx kicked the floor with a scowl as Ashley tried to snatch the controller back, only for Jimmy to simply hold it up in the air and out of reach. “I can't believe this. I told you that this was a delicate situation and to be on your best behav- Ashley, stop this nonsense!”

"You don't get to tell me what to do anymore! Now give me back the controller so I can teach your failure who the real hero is here!”

“I expected to find you in a sorry state, but this is beyond anything I could have anticipated. Do you even see yourse- URGH!”

Jimmy didn't get to finish his sentence as Ashley drove her fist into his groin, snatching the remote from his hand as he doubled over in pain. Her warrior sprang back to life, holding its sword protectively in front of her. Alyx moved next to her father, not even looking at him, simply patting him on the back while she watched Ashley carefully. “I see myself, Jimmy. And I see you and all the others failing at what we set out to do! But I am done playing nice so if you two try to stop me I will… I will kill you, both of you-”

“Nah, no need, I'm done.” Alyx chimed in, her wing vanishing in a flash of fire as she pointed her bat straight at Ashley. “You know, I'm already feeling the pain creep back in after such a short fight, so that got me thinking. I wanna make a deal.”

Ashley raised an eyebrow. “A deal? Now?”

Alyx nodded, catching her father's eye. Father and daughter had a silent conversation before Alyx looked back up. “You can fix me, right?” 

Ashley scoffed. “Of course I can. But after meeting you it's clear that the power of the Halo gene is wasted on you.”

“Come on, I'm not that bad. Cut a kid some slack.” Alyx huffed, hands crossed behind her head. “Look, you clearly are the only one on Remnant that's smart and skilled enough to help me. Dad hired dozens of so-called geniuses but they couldn't even tell these problems were intentional. I bet you could whip up a cure in minutes, am I right?”

“... You aren't wrong, though it would take a bit more time than a few minutes.” Ashley hesitated, dropping the hand holding the controller to her side.

“Sure, whatever, so here's the deal. You fix me up, and in exchange I help you learn how to control that monster you got there.” Alyx smirked, nodding her head towards the knight. “I have to give it to you, that thing packs some serious fire power. But without any experience every halfway decent fighter is gonna run circles around it just like I did. And trust me, I was not trying that hard.”

Ashley snorted. “My Warrior is far more powerful than what you just saw, able to wipe out anything dark in this world. You think far too highly of yourself.”

“Hey, I'm not questioning its power. Beat for beat, that thing would pound me into the dirt, but again, all that power means nothing if you can't hit anything.” Alyx smirked at her, swallowing her pride the best she could. “You need practice, someone that can keep up with your Warrior. And if I can force it to get out the big guns while this small, imagine how far I could push it after you fix me up.”

“Hm, you mean to give your services as a durable practice dummy…” Ashley nodded along, missing the quick flash of a scowl on Alyx's face before the cocky grin returned. “I suppose there is some merit in it, this short little spout was… educational.”

“So do we have a deal?” Alyx swung the back over her shoulder. “It's best for both of us. You get your Warrior into shape, and I get to see the Remnant you talked so much about.”

“I… Yes, yes, you are right.” Ashley put the controller back into her coat, chuckling softly. It was perfect, her Warrior beat that dumb brat into submission without issue. She could laugh at the irony of it all. “It seems I was too quick to judge you, Alyx. There clearly is more of my work in you then I thought."

“I am afraid my daughter is rather fond of making bad first impressions.” Jimmy finally managed to stand back up, voice still strained. “This is not the first time a situation escalated because of her… excentrics. But let's put this behind us, is your proposal still on the table?”

“Oh, absolutely.” Her grin widened. “Though I am afraid I will need both of your scrolls. The procedure will leave you a bit dazed but better save then sorry. Plus it would be a sign of good will after this little incident, don't you agree?” 

Jimmy looked down at his daughter who already had her scroll out, tossing it at Ashley's feet. She picked it up without complaint, putting it into one of the countless pockets of her coat. “Excellent, Jimmy if you please?” He hesitated for a moment before handing his own scroll to her. “Perfect. I will contact security to make sure someone is with you for the rest of the day and escort you to the big event when it's time.”

“That seems agreeable. Though I ask to be present while you work on my daughter.”

Ashley waved him off. “Yes, yes, you can make sure I don't do anything to your little brat. Let's head to the elevator, I have everything I need upstairs. And Alyx? Thank you, your help will make my Warrior even greater than it already is.”

She pointed toward the elevator they’d come from and started walking beside Jimmy, a smile stretching ear to ear. Once again, everything was falling perfectly into place. Remnant really was rewarding her for everything she’d done.

Alyx trailed behind them, casting one last glance at the Warrior as the laboratory lights began shutting off one by one, row by row. Its towering silhouette remained standing in the growing dark.

“I'll be back for you… stupid hero.”