415Chapter 29: Innocentes Dies
Yang's going to have quite a bad day.
He could see her panic, the fear in her eyes as they walked, half-ran over to the air docks. A student got in Yang's path and they were pushed aside, a snapped 'Get out of the way!' and someone slamming against a wall as he followed after her, the sight of her growing more and more irate. She would be in a state when she arrived in Vale, as he checked the clock.
'Ten more minutes… Just enough to get us two into an airship down to Vale.'
"Yang, calm down! I may not like you very much, but please, think about it!"
The words were for her benefit, because he knew that she would dismiss them the moment her little sister was in danger. Ruby did not have the benefit of being a strong woman like Yang was, the pain inside the older sister like a fine wine, pulsating below the surface.
They passed by Professor Goodwitch, whose disapproving look at the two of them was palpable, Yang's motions not stopping as she hurried. He knew that they'd have to 'search' for Junior's location. The man's location was entered on his Scroll, but that didn't mean that it'd be something that he'd unveil just now. Yang would need to be tested.
They got to the airship docks, Yang purchasing a ticket and hurrying along, his own ticket only a few moments later. An empty airship, the day still relatively unhurried yet, as she sat down, her eyes worried and fearful, her fist balling and clenching a few times, her head turning to him, the lilac eyes looking afraid, terrified for her little sister.
"We'll rescue her, Yang."
He grabbed her hand, a warmth coming from her body as she seemed to tremble. She looked lost, hopeless and afraid for her sister, the anger and pain and fear in her eyes.
"We will. If that motherfucker ever touched her… Mommy said that I should keep my little sister safe, that- that I was to be her guardian."
The emotion in those words, as the Scroll rang once more and Yang answered it, her face twisting in anger as Junior appeared.
"Your actions have consequences, girl."
The bearded man's face was covered by his shades as he smiled in that criminal way, his eyes leering at Yang behind the shades. The camera was turned and Yang just whimpered, anger in her eyes. A red-cloaked girl was on her knees, her head moved roughly by a man's hands as his fellows crowded around the petite girl.
"Pity that your little sister is the one paying for them, blondie… Get ready to see more of your sister than you'd ever wanted to."
Yang's angry shout bounced in the airship, as she started to curse him out, the fury lighting her hair up. The heat entered him as she flared her Aura, his hand still holding hers.
"You sick asshole! I'll fucking kill you for this, you bastard!"
The man's mocking laughter was cut off, the call shut off.
'Good…'
He could see Yang tremble and quiver, the body of the young woman trembling as the tears came.
"No, no… Not again, not again. I was stupid, I was so stupid to think that it'd be left as it was, just because- Just because I was strong."
His hand caressed over her own, trying to offer comfort. Mama had to make the right moves at the right time, and he pulled her close in a half-hug, the terrified older sister giving a whimper.
"We'll make him pay, Yang. When we rescue Ruby, we'll make it so that he'll be behind bars… I hate criminals."
He really did. They were the target of heroes and Huntsmen, evil people who wouldn't even think twice before hurting the people he cared for. Yang's head brushed against his side as she whimpered.
"I'm sorry, you… I'm sorry, I- I just… You're right. Ruby has to be safe, Ruby has to be- she has to be. Mommy, I'm sorry, I couldn't be there to protect her, and now she's gone…"
A few more pushes, as the young woman's remorse and regret rose, would be all that was needed.
"We've had our disagreements, Yang. Ruby is important to me too, she's Weiss' partner and her best friend, even if Weiss won't ever admit to it."
Yang looked at him with her lip trembling, her eyes flicking back and forth, her anger and her fear warring inside her. She leaned against him, her arm wrapping tightly around him, hurting him a little with the power that she put in it.
"She's… She's so bold. Weiss is so bold, and she likes you so much."
Weiss was a good friend. Weiss was a good friend, and that's how she'd be known to Mama. Weiss was a lover, even if she was not of the right status. Yang's head turned up, a blip from her Scroll showing that a file had been sent. He could see Ruby on her knees, her face mashed against someone's groin, the crimson tips of her dark hair matted, the silver eyes wide, moving. A strangled sound came from Yang's lips, as he noticed the title – 'First hole claimed… better hurry up, blondie.' – of the file, Yang's whimper enough.
"He's a criminal, Yang. This is what criminals do. They hurt the people that you care for. You did a bad thing, but he's doing something worse to your little sister. He'll get what's coming to him."
The anger inside her and the fear were warring, as the tears came, Yang's finger replaying the small clip of Ruby's face being slammed against some big man's pubes, the girl obviously not enjoying herself, her hands small and tiny as the camera was passed around, Yang's whimper.
"She is still a virgin, I… I swore that I'd never let a boy around her. They all wanted to know me, I was always the pretty one, the strong one, the one who made people feel my fists if they came too close, I'm-"
Yang was fragile, as the airship took them lower, his hand pulling his Scroll out.
"Do you want me to call a friend? He's a bounty hunter of sorts, he might be able to help-"
Yang's hand grabbed his shirt and she jerked him close.
"What if he kills her because we involved others? Those two bitches are going to be there too, and there's no telling what they'll do to my little sister!"
The fear was amusing to see, but he kept his face carefully blank. Mama always did that when she was being shouted at, to show no weakness.
"Okay, okay… I'm just trying to help. She's my friend too, Yang."
The blonde nodded. She was already feeling the pain, the ache and the burn of the consequences. Ruby Rose was being raped, and there was nothing that Yang could do about it. She didn't even know where Junior was at, the warehouse where the man was in holding the place where Ruby Rose was being violated.
'Worth every Lien.'
Yang was frightened and afraid, her body shuddering as she moved with jittery steps, towards one of the large storage units.
"C-come, I've got a motorcycle, I'm… I'll drive us to the club, we can- Mommy, I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry for doing that. I just wanted to know what she was like, just because she left daddy and you…"
Personal problems were none of his issues, as she wheeled out a motorcycle from storage, the yellow tones that it had making her colour scheme explained even further, her hands pulling a helmet from the side and holding it out to him.
"No getting grabby, Jaune."
She at least was calling him by his first name, as she mounted the motorcycle. His Scroll was in his hands and he pressed the send button to send the message to Tyrian. The man's role would be soon to be played out. Yang Xiao Long would be driven to the deepest depth.
"Want me to hold your Scroll, Yang?"
She shook her head, putting it in her pocket and then getting on, as he tied the helmet steadily onto his head. With Tyrian on the case, it would be something magnificent to see.
"I'll do what I can. No criminal will escape justice today."
The people they were going to would be hardened criminals, Doctor Watts had said. They worked together with Roman Torchwick, a known villain. A hero would not need to have these criminal elements around.
Yang would need to see that there would be consequences to her actions…
And she would be grateful to him for accompanying her.
"Thanks, Jaune… I'm- Blake's not been around much and I know that Weiss just- Shit… Come on, start, you stupid thing!"
The motorcycle's tank had been drained beforehand. It had been a simple search for the public database and a quick visit from Tyrian to drain the tank. It was not that far to the closest gas station… But that was all the time that Yang needed to fuel her fears and paranoia into a frenzy.
"There's a gas station, close to the air docks. Don't worry, we'll make it in time, Yang. They're not going to kill Ruby, they'll-"
The fear in her increased, as soon as he mentioned that they might kill her. Criminals would do that sort of thing, and he knew that it would be perfect for amping her paranoia and fear up.
"N-no, they won't. They won't kill her, she'll… she'll be safe, just a bit… just a bit bad, okay? She has to be safe, I promised mommy that… that I'd keep her safe."
He helped her with the motorcycle, aware of how vulnerable Yang was right now. With the right push…
'You'll never be able to forget this day, Yang.'
Mama might have been right… Sometimes, even the strongest person could be brought down low with the right tool.
Salem let her fingers brush through her hair, aware that she would be heading home once more. The darkness outside was like a pale shadow of what it had once been, her eyes glancing at the Scroll, the notification already blinking once, her finger tapping it once to open it up.
'It should be nearly done…'
The riot would be coming and it would all be the fault of the White Fang. Such a wonderful little conclusion to an unfortunate event. A tragedy, really. She could never have expected that the Faunus would turn on themselves…
If she hadn't been aware of their underlying issues, of course. Mantle would be in an uproar, the Faunus who had been members of the White Fang protesting for their rights soon to meet with those legitimately employed… Just enough time for her to be able to be on her way back towards her castle.
"Ma'am?"
Hazel spoke and her head turned calmly, her face showing no other emotion, the anger inside her dimming as the servant spoke to her without being granted permission to speak. It was sadly the way of the commoners, as a queen deserved only worship.
"Are we prepared, Mister Rainart?"
The man nodded, his bearded face set with a solemn gaze. Salem let her eyes peer at the Scroll for a moment, the happy face of Adelheid Blau standing out, the woman's publicational material already visible, a picture of her son and Miss Blau looking delightfully interested in each other.
"We are ready to leave when you wish it. We shall be at our destination in two days."
It was a lengthy trip, she knew. One that would make it hard to even survive, if one did not control the Grimm as she did. There were so many little people around these days, thinking themselves important.
Saphron at least had been positive about Willow. Her dear little Saphron was so busy trying to smoothen over the excesses of Adelheid that it was almost endearing to see. A little allowance was given to Miss Blau.
"And what of my son's little game? Has Tyrian set up his pawn as well?"
Absinthe had been most upset at her new little apprentice being used for something so simple… But it would be an assassination in two parts. One never let one's treasures be guarded by those who were too weak to defend even a single individual.
"He has. He has reported that Beryl Arc is ready to take the life of the target, and Absinthe Moor has spoken of her own apprentice being ready to ensure that the target is to be assassinated as well. Do you think they will succeed? It is regrettable to see children being taught how to murder."
The man's own convictions were his own. Salem knew that it would be a test for the little darling sisters to see whether they had the drive to be worthy of a blessing from her.
'A tender girl, Violet Arc. A very kind, determined girl… Oh, you never did have empathy for people, Absinthe… You may be able to dampen several memories as well as view them, but you never quite knew the essentials for manipulation…'
The woman was dying, yet her standards for her apprentices were still strict. Too many had died before they had even set the first step on the road towards training. Violet Arc's body had been well-trained and her features could be called beautiful…
She had thrived, as her son had thrived under her own blessing. Jaune would be stronger, with just a bit of help. Saphron had already accepted her as a daughter should accept her mother… It was only time for the two sisters who held the strongest and the weakest motivation to become proper daughters.
'A bloodthirsty glory-seeker, someone who would be a criminal under another name… Trained into an efficient and ruthless killer, fighting to keep her sister safe from the big bad scorpion Faunus… Oh, sweet girl, it was so easy… I didn't even have to plant the seed within Malachite's mind, you were doing it all by yourself. A few plants, a little bug placed within the Scroll from Junior and the sisters, and your fate was sealed when the mother spoke about eliminating you.'
Beryl Arc burned with anger and rage, the bloodlust within her not insignificant. Just like dear Tyrian, she could be a frighteningly effective assassin or bodyguard, if the reports were accurate and the psychological assessment was done properly. With enough guidance, the girl would be able to indulge her urges for excitement…
All just as planned.
That Violet Arc had once peddled her flesh for the pleasure of others was of no importance now, because she would serve her new mother's will well. Absinthe Moor's time was fading from this place, the woman's excesses with her rage against the Faunus starting to become more cumbersome with the woman's lack of mobility…
'All things must die, Absinthe… But I will remain.'
Her Scroll rang, the caller ID being Willow Schnee, her next little project. She answered with the illusion back in place, as a precaution.
"Willow, my dear… is everything okay?"
The blue eyes looked pained, as she seemed to search for trust.
"I just… I just wanted to know if you'd like to be seen off at the air docks. You've been a great help, so…"
It was so easy to take the woman's tender emotions and to warp them, so easy to create that connection based on their earlier interaction. Willow Schnee loved her children unquestioningly and the fear of one of them being harmed by the General's will…
'So easy to fall for my smooth honeyed words… Oh, you silly woman…'
Her son was charming and undoubtedly someone who could move the woman's heart some more. Dear Willow would grow to love his loving honesty, and she would steer Adelheid and Saphron to something resembling respectability…
"Of course, my dear. Thank you for your kindness."
The smile on her lips was warm, understanding, like she could understand the woman's desire, the hesitant, almost girlish smile on the woman's face, the single ponytail pushed aside, as the woman's hands smoothened her outfit out a little.
"It's… Saphron seems nice. She reminds me a little of my eldest daughter, Winter."
That might not be an apt comparison, but Salem did not know the eldest Schnee daughter well. The youngest… was a bit of a handful. Jaune had vouched for her, so she would at least be spared the worst, but Salem still did not think that there would be a mere merchant's daughter fit for her son's lusts to be slaked. He could have aimed higher! At least it was not one of the animal mongrels… She was starting to reconsider that, because the mongrels were starting to become even rowdier.
"She is a delightful woman. She has been married, but her wife betrayed her… A sad, tragic moment."
Terra Cotta would get what she deserved. Willow's eyes were questioning, and Salem gave a sad smile, as if she felt terribly about it. She did, of course. Saphron should have been an easily mouldable girl, but now… things were a little harder.
"Oh, she's… she's like that?"
Salem nodded, a soft motion with her head, chin barely dipping as she did, her blue eyes, the image projected by the illusion flickering in place.
"She was fed drunk and the woman's ex impregnated her. She was fed a pill to abort the child, but the abuse had been going on for quite a while."
The tears were a nice touch, as Willow's horrified face showed clearly the woman's care for someone. The first snare to pluck on the instrument of someone's personality was that of emotion, and she was crafting the image of a tragic girl who was already bothered by much. Perfect for the other woman to take a maternal interest in.
"She… She needs a motherly figure in her life. Her own mother and father-"
The bitter look, as her fingers pressed the button to magnify her own image, for the delivery.
"Her father is a fiend. A man who rapes when he is drunk. Her mother… The poor dear has no idea that her mother cares very little for her because she is the 'gay' one."
She had already gotten a good profile of the woman on her hard drive, remembered immediately. Carmella Arc was not a woman who was in any way suitable for the daughters that she had. Her son would have wilted… and that was not saying anything about the personal habits…
"Has… has he raped his daughters?"
Salem looked sadly at the woman, pausing a moment for effect. Willow would be convinced of the tragedy of Saphron and her family. A maid that cared for the girls under her governance was always the best, even if her economic status would bring even greater rewards.
"Do you think that they could stop a brute like that? To stop the man from ravishing their young bodies like a wild beast? I had even thought that he had laid hands on my dearest Jaune… Something that he denied, of course, but the poor boy always wanted to spare his Mama the grief of worrying for his health."
The woman's face darkened, as she glanced to the side, before she snapped her fingers.
"Klein, could you drive the car, I will need to see a friend off from the air docks. She will be leaving for Vale ahead of me and I wish to see her off."
Willow was an easily led creature… Which led to the right conclusion, all the time.
"I look forward to seeing you there, my dear. Enjoy your time in Vale, and assist my dear little Saphron with her womanly tasks. I would appreciate it if you also kept an eye on my son's publisher… A woman so easily led astray by drinks."
She had been feeling a little more charitable lately, perhaps out of some odd influence that her daughter and son had brought to her. The world seemed brighter, more positive than before. It was a slow and steady feeling of living life, seeing her son's smile…
'I think there'll need to be some more rioting… Perhaps I should have a few rumours spread about Faunus being unhireable… That would send Mantle ablaze…'
She'd have to create just a little bit of mischief… General Ironwood needed a little bit of stress to make him ripe for the Vytal Festival…
'Oh Ozma… I am going to destroy your cozy little world…'
This world only required one queen to rule it.
Violet Arc finished the last few touches on her makeup, her face made to look a little older than she really was, applying the makeup in a few deft touches to the eyebrows, her hair darkened a little with dye, easily washed off with just a few blasts of water. It was proper to prepare for every eventuality, as she did not wear a mask or anything to hide her facial features. The makeup and the small bit of extra distinguishing marks that she'd put on her face to make her look plainer and more generic, unassuming in her style, as the gear laid before her on the table.
"You must strike without mercy. Fail this test and I will hunt you down, Cyanide."
Grandmother was talking to her, but Violet Arc dismissed the thoughts, her eyes looking in the mirror. A brush brushed some blush on her cheeks, the bare body that she had still pale in the mirror. She was ready to fight, ready to strike like the poison asp, the poison that had given her the name of Cyanide.
'This is all for the family.'
She would do what she had to do. Money was a little tighter, there having been more expenses than before. She was unsure who was taking the money, but Beryl had been going out and doing what Beryl did more often, trying to help. She could feel the weight on her back press down, as she stepped into the clothes, the attire tight to her skin, a muted colour that did not show too much outside of the ordinary, matching the fashion of the time.
To perform the art, you had to be matching the set. She was an actress, she wielded the blades and venoms of death. For her role, she had to be perfect, to match up with what the world expected to see. The target had been selected, the opponent might interfere as well, and she would not stop until the mission was completed.
"I will not fail."
Grandmother cackled softly at the words, before she pulled on her clothing again, the jacket switched out for something a little more modest. Work clothing and personal clothing had to be separate, just in case of splatters. It was a bloody business, so she would be responsible for making it back with the bounty.
"Return as swiftly as you are able. If you are waylaid by the authorities, ensure that the package is delivered when you can, but before the next day. The Mistress does not want to see you fail. Be swift, be sure, kill your target and deliver the package, and you will be allowed more responsibility. The Mistress will contact you after success has been achieved."
One more death for the safety of her family was worth it. She pulled the jacket on tighter, sliding the weapons in, the Kukri fitting in smoothly, as the dagger sat there within easy reach. She would not fail.
"I will bring back the head."
The other apprentice would be there as well. Let it not be known that Cyanide Arc was a coward who shied from dangerous happenings.
All was a play on the grand stage of life.
The Scroll went off a moment after they'd finally gotten going, Yang's body twisting, and the Scroll pulled from her pocket by him.
"Yang! It's the criminal again. Pull over for a moment."
She did as he asked, and her body angled over, and he handed her the Scroll, accepting the movie. A body that was pressed against a grungy mattress, stockings ripped and a skirt pushed up, no sound, Yang's voice pitiful as she whined something, as a man pushed himself into the small girl. A gurgling, frightened, angry sound came from Yang's lips, her eyes closed for a moment, as the body struggled a little, pinned down, the camera going over stocking-clad legs that kicked, red heels dropped to the ground, the man obviously doing his best to put her through pains.
"I'm sorry, Yang."
He was aware of her hair catching fire, her eyes blazing a bright red, anger in them, as angry tears leaked from her eyes, the blonde's breathing heavier.
"I said I'd keep her safe, that she'd be safe, oh gods… I'm so sorry, Ruby, I'm so sorry mommy, I couldn't…"
He grabbed her, shaking her a little, as the video clip continued to play, the body getting fucked shaking a little, the camera going up to show that another man was forcing himself into the petite girl's mouth.
"We'll make him feel pain, when we bring him in, Yang. Just trust me… I'll start recording, and you can be the heroine who'll bring your little sister back to Beacon."
She looked younger, frightened eyes, hopeful and with that desperation, the tears still flowing.
"They won't get away with this, Jaune. They won't get away with this. Gods, I thought you were just a dick who was using Weiss, but… but you're…"
He could see that the remorse and regret were working on her, her position changing a little. It was all going according to plan, the psychological profile from Signal Academy already memorized.
'She has problems controlling her emotions when on the defensive, is easily riled up due to perceived inferiority and anger issues… Very attached to her younger sister, a recommendation for anger management classes.'
Her father had taught at Signal and he had vetoed the anger management classes. That Ruby was here was just the whim of the headmaster, so there was nothing that Yang could have done to prevent her from coming.
'Such a shame… but this will teach you a lesson…'
It wasn't in his nature to be cruel, but sometimes criminals had to learn that there was no denying royalty.
"I'm here to keep you guys safe. Nora, Pyrrha and Ren are on my team and I don't want them to feel the pain of having to lose me, so I will need to fight harder for them. We'll… We'll make the criminal pay for what he did, Yang."
The girl was suggestible in her despair. A small nod, as the tears came again, the video replaying once more. A man taking her little sister's virginity… Yang Xiao Long was a virgin herself and she had the protective instincts of a sister.
"That fat bearded bastard will pay, I'll… I'll- Ruby…"
Undoubtedly, it would be rough in that position. The men weren't gentle with their treatment, just as they'd been instructed. It was all worth it for the grand goal of showing Yang what the world was really like for criminals.
"She'll be safe, Yang. She has to be. If it was my sister… I'd kill the rapists who did this to her. My older sister was raped. She… She was in a bad relationship and they put a baby in her, her wife throwing her out after an accident."
The seeds were being planted, as Yang's eyes were looking at him with more respect than before. A kind, supportive word in a time of need. A whisper… And the dominoes kept on falling down, as she took a deep breath. Another replay of the video, and Yang shut it down and tucked it back.
"Let's save my little sister."
Yang was ripe. He could see her fraying already, the fear inside her like a fine wine. Her sister had been raped, had been violated… and the criminal was doing worse things to her, undoubtedly. There was another video coming in five minutes… But that would show Yang that things had consequences.
"We'll bring her home safe… And the guilty will be punished."
Yang gave more gas, the motorcycle speeding away.
Beryl's fingers tugged the material a little tighter, the full-face motorcycle helmet slid down with the visor, ready to go and get to the target. There was a sadistic pleasure in her as she knew the target would be there. The bastard Faunus man had said that there would be an apprentice, so that would be another person to bleed out.
The familiar sight of the club, now shut because of the daytime stood before her. Her motorcycle was parked and locked a moment later, the big bag that she'd brought with her enough to carry the head of one of the bitches, Red. Miltiades Malachite was going to be bleeding out, and if anyone else got in her way…
'Time to give them all a show they'll never forget.'
She was ready, as she busted through the front door, her body moving with the grace that she'd always had, one of the guys that she knew by the name of Anton bouncing onto the dancefloor, her steps confident and ready.
'Alright, time to dance…'
"Can we get a bit of music here? I've got a message for the Malachite bitches!"
She knew that they would get it, because bitches always came out when the boots were knocking. That's just how the pussies had got a hold of her, but now she was better, thanks to Callows' training.
Against Tyrian Callows, none of these lame-ass pansy bitches would stand up to Beryl Arc.
"Looks like we've got a little spider that crawled in, Mil… Guys… Make some music happen. Time to show this little bandit who's going to be coming home in a body bag!"
The music started, as Beryl raised her hands, the typical stance, as the red tide rushed at her, the claws flashing, her head whipping out of the past, her leg coming up in a kick. She was aware of the other twin coming for her, but that didn't matter.
"Is this a private party, or do you three not think that a foursome might be better?"
A voice that sounded familiar, as the white bitch found herself ducking under a hacking-blade, a woman with dark red hair standing there, the green eyes piercing.
"Bitch… She wasn't alone, Mil. Careful…"
The cool laughter, as the other woman took a stance that definitely was one of a weapon user, the look in those green eyes looking like they'd never quite stop the murders that she was going to commit.
"Oh, we're not friends or anything, gorgeous… Why, we're actually sent here to kill you, sweetheart. Say, bug babe, fancy a bit of a tag team battle?"
The beat was swept up, a hard electro beat that just made things a little more exciting, the lights flashing, but the dampening effect of the helmet not making it impact her too much.
"Sure, just let Red remain with me… These two bitches are the reason I was nearly offed…"
The assassin laughed softly.
"Well… That sounds like you might be a bit like my mentor said… She's a cold woman, you know…"
There was more than a little amusement in the other woman's voice, but Beryl could guess that she probably was just a little older than her, perhaps twenty-eight or something, maybe Saphron's age.
"Yeah, fancy talking here… So, you want to get your head and I'm gonna get my head? You seem like a decent lady…"
She wasn't going to brawl with someone who had been trained by the Blackout. Tyrian the asshole had been very detailed in the Blackout's skillset, mostly around poisons and venoms and everything else. The fact that the woman wore a set of leather gloves with the fingernails exposed could only mean that every nail was poisoned, which meant not getting into melee range.
"Sure thing, sweetheart. And if you want to get a drink afterwards, let's go get a damn drink together when we bag bitch one and two."
Beryl had been blocking the strikes from the twins, the apprentice of the Blackout doing the same with the curved blade that she had, the white cunt looking like she was struggling. Several of the mooks were also gathering, as they pulled themselves out of their opponent's grip and Beryl went for the white one.
'They're twins, so who cares what head it is.'
She could always claim that it'd been a mix-up, if they'd not stuck to their outfits or something. Ambushing someone in the shower was something that Tyrian had done once, and she'd only had a very short moment of actually pulling off a hold on the man's arm before one of those sharp blades would've nicked her.
"Time to go and fuck these bitches up! Mess with the bear and you get the claws!"
The other assassin gave a soft snicker, as if she found something funny in that.
"Try adding more oomph to it, Bear. The name's Cyanide, good enough to kill these two bitches and leave you breathing."
The way that the other woman spoke her nickname was too familiar to really register, but she had to fight, the punch striking the white-haired bitch in the face, and she went dancing.
"Hey, don't sell me short for a date, babe! I'm a puncher and a kicker, so I'll treat you to a coffee or something after we deliver these girls."
A punch sent a man's head cracking back, one of the mooks having entered her striking zone. There'd been no need to pull the blades out of the gloves yet, as the twins switched opponents again. The apprentice of the blackout hadn't really pulled out some sort of venom or poison yet, undoubtedly to make the sadistic urge last a little longer…
'Time to make em bleed.'
She was going for the kill.
Quick, easy and she might've made a friend. There was honour between assassins, right? Probably not, but the assistance had made this a one on one fight, with an occasional switch of dancing partners. Just like those dance classes Jaune had went to, heh.
Cyanide stabbed the blade into the side of one of the mooks, frustrated by the lack of ability to land an actual hit on one of the twins. With how things had went, she'd decided to join the melee rather than to wait until the foolish challenger had been dealt with, something inside her telling her that she had to join in, or she'd regret it.
'Unbalanced, moving back… strike.'
The dagger cut into the enemy's side and the venom was injected, before she pushed the man away, the convulsions starting. Another push of the finger against the dagger's tip and the venom leaked over the blade's tip, to strike another time. Vacuan Spider Venom was so useful for something like this that it was almost a crime to not use, but she'd have to land a hit first on her opponent, who was more agile and more aggressive than she'd expected. The kicks had been a distracting factor, the motions getting slower with the time it took for her to acclimatize to them. She was not someone who would be deterred easily.
'Fuck… It's Beryl.'
There was no denying that challenging statement, or being called Bear. The nickname that they'd had for her older sister was enough to clue her in as to who was behind the helmet, and it was going to be a task to keep her older sister amongst the breathing people in this place. Already, Cyanide was sweating, and the poisonous vapours started to collect around her. A side-effect of being injected with the venoms that she was, leaving the people who breathed it in short of breath, the more they inhaled. A nerve venom that tensed the lungs up, that made them sicken.
Introducing herself, the Kukri blade hacking through one of the mooks' hands and then the dagger finishing them off, she let her attention slide back to her opponent. She was still barely winded, but the warmth of her muscles was enough to get the sweat going, the heat of combat being not where she thrived.
Her older sister wasn't getting out of that heat of combat, whirling and kicking, punching and generally being more active. The Cyanide inside Violet could see six weak spots already, easily targeted with a subtle move, a throwing dart tipped with a quick-acting paralytic venom already in easy reach.
"Shall we make them bleed a little first, Bear?"
The older sister that she'd looked up to when she'd been younger gave a grunt, driving the Malachite sister away, and Cyanide Arc struck, rather than to leave her current opponent on the defensive. Her Aura would shield her, and it did. She had a lot of it, luckily.
"Sure thing, Ginger. These two bitches are due for a beating… So let's give them what they want, alright?"
She could go along with that. Her hand reached in her jacket and a dart was plucked out, before it was thrown, hitting the woman in the thigh, piercing through the skin without any sort of hindrance, post-kick. The white one was hers, after all. The red one could go to her older sister.
"Take the other one, whilst I take the white one. Whitey's mine."
Already, the paralytic was taking effect, the slower motions due to the high heartbeat making themselves known in an unsteady way of standing, as Beryl went after the red-dress wearing one, who shouted something.
"Such a pity, little target… A viper's nest you were born in, and your death is assured…"
Her fingers grabbed a hold of the arm before the leg could rise, pulling the younger woman close, smelling the perfume and that little tang of sweat, of blood already starting to bubble up.
"It'll be over soon, sweetheart."
Her dagger punctured the ribcage and the full dose of poison was injected. The body stiffened immediately as the heartbeat picked up for a few beats, the poison working its way. The paralytic was enough to work with, the body already starting to show signs of the prelude to death, a soft sigh coming from the lips, as the body's muscles relaxed.
'Now, sleep… forever.'
She laid the body down and then raised her Kukri, chopping down on the neck with the intent to sever it, a few hacking chops pulling through the bone and muscle, the blood dripping onto the ground, her body carefully angled to make fewer splatters be left on her body, the head pulled off with a little jerk, the last band of flesh and muscle snapping.
"Hey, red! Your sister's lost her head!"
The shout was loud and the red-dress wearing twin sister looked away from her opponent to search for her twin, Cyanide's hand on the hair of the twin as she pulled the plastic bag out and then wrapped the head in it, glancing at Beryl as the wail of pain seemed to disturb the girl. It was just business, there were no feelings involved except satisfaction.
Beryl laid her hands on the girl then, batting the claws away and the punch sent claws shooting out from the back in a puncturing style, something that'd lacerate the skin as it exited, deep into the bowels of the woman, the blood shooting out like a geyser, Beryl's body getting covered with the spay, as the twin staggered.
Beryl's body glowed as the blood hit it, the helmet covering her expression, as she continued to stab, the style of the Scorpion definitely something that had been taught well. Assault until the target lies bleeding, evading the strikes with swift dodges and acrobatics, requiring an agile person to master the style with the upper body stamina that could easily defend against stronger opponents.
"Want me to hack her head off for you whilst you deal with the other guys? I've barred the doors from the outside, so they'll be like rats in a barrel… Good hunting, Bear."
The amusement in her voice was definitely something that she couldn't tone down, Violet leaping back into the driver's seat as Beryl gave chase. She'd humour her older sister a little first before she'd pull the mask off and have a good talk about trying to responsibly off someone.
'Well… I'll have to give her some points for making it into a spectacle… the girl isn't even dead yet.'
The red started to pool around the body as Cyanide slipped back into the driver's seat of control over her body, grabbing the head by the hair, the pulse making more blood well up. It was the annoying thing about people who were sloppy, they just didn't stop to ensure that their target was properly dead. Her poison killed quickly.
"You had the bad luck of running into a good fighter, girl. May you take that down into hell where you belong."
The Kukri cut through the neck easily, the hair held on and the head detached, before she laid it on the scalp. With her gloves, it was hard to get identifying marks. Grandmother had been dedicated to the craft and she'd taught her well, in order to ensure that there would be only death in the future for those who dared to mingle with the Cyanide.
"So… That's my head, that's your head. The bozos are dead, so… Coffee?"
Cyanide slipped back as the sociable Violet would be giving enough of an appearance to push the offer away. She didn't trust her sister very much, the instincts still blaring in her mind, as she knew who her sister was below the helmet, but the other side not knowing it at all.
"Nah… I've got to deliver the head back to grandmother. She'll be upset that I didn't kill you, undoubtedly, but hey… You probably got the same orders from that mad bastard."
A short nod, as Beryl grabbed the head and pushed it into a large bag that she'd brought. Inelegant, utterly unstylish and most certainly not the proper style. She should be reminded that a head needed to be wrapped elegantly, but Beryl had always been the tomboy of the crowd.
'One thing to teach…'
"So, eh- got a key to the door? You locked em all, the guys tried to kick it in, but you did something."
They hadn't tried the upper windows, she guessed by that. It was a simple business, as she motioned for the exit, where Beryl undoubtedly had come from, the blood covering her older sister undoubtedly making herself look like she'd just stepped out of a slaughterhouse.
"Follow along, and… by all means, do wash yourself before you go home. A murderous psychopath doesn't announce her presence."
Beryl took offence, as the bag was slung over a shoulder.
She guessed that she should have to take some extra measures to make certain that she wasn't found. A bit of caution would do well for Beryl, who never had been very well with social stuff.
"Stay out for a bit, go to the docks and then see whether you can blow a few hours, jumping into the water. It's summertime, so taking a dip after a long trip on the bike isn't unusual. People are often willing to ignore what they don't want to see, Bear."
Her older sister gave a soft chuckle, as she shook her head.
"Sounds like something that my little brother might say, heh. Got any family?"
Cyanide would answer no, and Violet would answer yes.
"No. You've got sisters, haven't you?"
A nod, as Violet indicated the window that she'd entered through, the body of one of the mooks left behind in the chair where she'd ambushed him in with a thrown dagger, right to the throat.
"Yeah, six. Little brother's a nuisance, and… Hey, you're not going to be hunting me down, are you?"
She shook her head. The makeup would make her virtually indistinguishable, the facial scrub and the loose towel that she'd gotten stashed away for personal use afterwards restoring her features to prettiness once more. The coarse skin was starting to itch.
"No. I only have instructions for one head."
They departed, leaving butchered bodies behind, Beryl's bloody tracks remaining, the smell of blood clinging to her older sister, whose mood seemed to be better, the rush making her feel vicious and cruel, Cyanide's own dispassionate whisper telling Violet how to kill the other woman, who seemed to trust easily…
'We'll need to have words when we get home, Beryl.'
Grandmother had said to lay low for a little while, after all.
She could let grandmother wait until tomorrow.
Yang was on the verge of breaking, the third video already sent. The next video after the taking of Ruby had involved more men, and the whimpering of Yang had been delightful to see. The girl was crying now, helpless to stop them, Junior's voice not added, but the implications left there, of course in order to fully fuel the despair within Yang's mind. The sound was muted, grunts loud in the air as the men took her.
"Dad's going to kill me… I'm… I failed mommy, I'm… so sorry, Ruby, I'm so sorry- I'm so sorry mommy, I couldn't do a good thing and I was bad, I'm so sorry Summer."
They had to stop because Yang had started to break down, the blubbering and tears coming mixed with anger and rage, frustration as they didn't know what was going to happen.
"It'll be okay, perhaps… perhaps it isn't Ruby? There's a lot of things you can do with video stuff, and-"
Yang's hand grabbed his shirt and she pulled him close.
"That was my little sister! My sister was just fucked in the ass by two guys and she'll never be the same again! I said I'd keep her safe! Those assholes, that bastard! I'll-"
Just a little push, a little final push.
"We'll bring them to justice, Yang. I'll make sure that Ruby gets to see her big sister save her. I'll show her how her big sister comes to rescue her, as a real huntress should."
Yang's eyes looked at him with despairing hope, as she gave a very tiny smile, her hand rubbing her eyes.
"I guess… I guess I was wrong, you're- You're not a bad guy. I'm- Ruby… Fuck, she's paying for my mistakes…"
The despair was thick, but there wasn't a sorry from her yet, nor a full apology. There was more trust than there was before, but it would need to be catalyzed…
Salem stepped out of the rental car that she had taken to the airport, the Scroll carefully tucked in her pocket, Willow standing there to greet her. Her stomach rumbled somewhat, as the peckish feeling hit her, the brief flash of wanting something nice to have for the flight towards her castle rising, before she suppressed it. It was a flight of fancy, undoubtedly brought on by the delightful division that she'd caused between the people of Mantle and Atlas. It would be a short while before the people would ignite in riots... something that couldn't be helped, sadly.
"Willow, my dear."
She hugged the woman, feeling the other woman's touch be as gentle as snow on her, the hug lasting a little longer than before. She knew that she had attracted the attention of people, but Selene Umbra was a warm woman to her friends, the smile on her lips not showing anything but the warmth of an older woman who simply enjoyed being close to a personal friend.
"Enjoy the trip to Vale, Selene. I hope to meet you there when I leave tomorrow."
It would be a short while first, because she needed to return to the castle, but she would meet with the woman again, her smile light and teasing.
"Don't go and sleep with my godson immediately upon spotting him, Willow. You know what teenagers are like at that age, given that your daughter has shown an interest..."
The woman looked faintly affronted, which was both good and bad at the same time, she supposed. She made a mental note for Tyrian to be instructed to keep a close watch on the Schnee woman. The woman would instruct Saphron in the proper conduct of a young lady of high standing.
"I have restraint, Selene, plus I am married... for however long that lasts. I'm going to teach his sister some of the etiquette rules and keep an eye on things for you, it'll... it'll be better than being cooped up in the house."
The woman could be a little silly. Of course, a prince would have full access to the maids that his mother the queen hired. It was the same with her husband-to-be... and those two were hardly mutually exclusive. Jaune would need to have experience, even if Adelheid had put her lips on his manhood like... like some disgusting harlot.
She could not imagine what it would even taste like. Men urinated from there! Disgusting!
"I have seen things that made men into beasts and women into animals... Saphron, the dear girl, has been violated, and her brother might have been the same. Care for them, Willow. The world needs women like you."
The benefit of looking a little like her, she supposed, as Willow smiled. With a set of contacts and some makeup, Willow could pass for a body double, though her body was slighter... Perhaps something worth investigating, if she had the time to think about that.
"Have a nice flight, Selene. I look forward to seeing you again."
Salem smiled and delivered a kiss to the other woman's cheek, as was the custom. One kiss to the cheek, then to the other cheek and then a third to finish off a meeting between close friends. Selene Umbra was a close friend to Willow Schnee, publically, the aged features of a woman of fine standing smiling warmly, the people unaware of the true goddess that lurked behind them.
"So do I. Let's cooperate on making sure that the Vale business goes smoothly, Selene."
It had been so terribly easy to make the grief-stricken woman come to her side that it was almost like cheating. Saphron needed to be wearing dresses that befit her status as the daughter of the queen of the world... and with Willow Schnee taking an active hand in her life, the status would be even greater. After all, the daughters that Willow had were rather disobedient. Dearest Winter had only called once...
Of course, the poor dear would be focusing on her career, with Jacques Schnee still controlling the company. There was an opportunity, with Willow's executive decree. The man had been hiring more humans, whilst the Faunus had been laid off. The embers were smouldering... Such a delight.
She entered the private aircraft and Hazel went to the front in order to pilot it. It was a task for those who served their queen, aware of the tragedies that Ozpin had brought to this world. It was a necessity, of course.
The pale features looked at her as she opened up her Scroll once more and slid open the folder with the information for dear Adelheid, the young woman who had been terribly intimate with her dearest Jaune.
A message from Miss Manilla, post-Banquet, thanking her for the suggestion. It was a test that Adelheid had failed... the poor dear just couldn't stop herself from drinking, and she had laid her hands on the young man she was determined to publish...
'It seems that it is time for phase two. You held out longer than expected, Miss Blau.'
She had originally put it down to two weeks, maybe three. Her dear little Saphron considered her like a sister... which was a point that she would not deny. Charity and kindness may be needed, so a lessening of the punishment. Adelheid would know that there would be consequences attached to straying off the path to pluck the flowers... Wolves lurked in the woods.
She had typed the message to Tyrian already. The man was so easily pushed to do his utmost best for her.
The send button never had sent a message with such an amused glee, as Salem wondered about other things than one publisher's woes.
They drove up to the warehouse which had been mentioned in the last video, Yang's already frayed sanity making her quiet. The red-cloaked girl had been given a rough treatment, Yang's demeanour having grown darker and quieter, as she saw her sister being violated in ways that drew sympathy from him for the way that they'd all set this up. It would take Yang past the edge of sanity and show her the consequences of her actions.
"I'll start filming. We'll use it for evidence later."
Mama had always said that you should keep at least a recording to yourself, knowing that the games of the people were varied and wild, as Yang breathed in deeply, walking to the door and punching it in, the metal door slamming to the ground, as she stepped in, his own steps only a few behind hers, Yang's eyes looking around. He himself looked around as well. The large space that'd been the site of the violation, a mattress half-laid against the wall, stains visible. The smell of sex in the air and one criminal sitting on a chair. He sent the message to Weiss.
'Call me in five minutes. Thank you for looking after Ruby earlier.'
'Now... Do you recognize me as Mister Prince, or will you be keeping to the script.'
"Actions have consequences, blondie. Your sister's through there, just as intact as she should be after this unfortunate little affair. You're messing with bad people, blondie."
Yang's face was tense, as her desire to save her sister overrode her anger response, just as the psychological profile said. He could feel the tension in the air, as she passed the man by, the man's disdainful look at him not being enough, as Yang walked through the door to the other room.
He entered, nearly walking into Yang. A small petite body laid there in a heap, stained with blood, a puddle of it dried up on the ground. A red cloak laid on the ground, as Yang's strangled sound came from her lips, the wall reading words written in blood.
YOUR ACTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES, YANG XIAO LONG!
The red-cloaked body's silver eyes looked emptily at the ceiling, the life long-since faded from their depths, the well-fucked holes still exposed, as the wounds on the body showed clearly a bloody end. Yang's hair caught fire, as her eyes released their teary flood.
"Mommy... No, no... Not Ruby, not... not my little sister."
It was really heart-wrenching to see, as her eyes saw the features through a haze of tears and Yang Xiao Long burned with the flame of hate and anger, Junior's act played out.
Crime doesn't pay, after all.
It would be another three and a half minutes until Weiss would call.
'Now... Let's see whether you are worthy of being a friend, Yang Xiao Long.'
It had been worth every Lien to set this up as Yang's voice spoke up.
"I'm going to kill them, Ruby. You'll... you'll-"
The murderous instincts came out, as Yang tore out of the room, the body laid there still, his hand turning the camera to witness Yang's little vengeance. He gave the body another look, before he commended Tyrian for getting it there in time. It was a facsimile, something that had been made to look just like Ruby Rose.
'Let's hope...'
"YOU MURDERER!"
Yang was in full anger mode, her body already shooting towards the criminal, who was taken aback.
"Hey! You needed to learn the conseque-"
The man's mouth was silenced, as Yang decked him to the ground and then leapt on top of the man, driving her fist down with as much force as she could muster. He spoke up.
"Yang, we need to bring him in!"
She wasn't listening. She wouldn't be listening. Every move that he'd made had been to make her paranoia and frustration mount, with the final cherry on top the death of her sister. A whisper of guilt made its way through his mind, but Weiss had agreed. Yang needed to learn a lesson.
Yang wasn't kind. He could see the big burly man's body quiver as the enraged teenager struck him, overpowered within a moment's notice due to Yang's fury. The man was on his back, pleading, but Yang was not reasonable anymore. He continued to record, as Yang continued to vent her rage on the criminal. The man was responsible for bad things, including an attack on his sister Beryl, if Tyrian could be trusted.
Yang was pounding away, the face bloodied and not really moving that much since she had started to really hammer at it, her incoherent screams of 'You murderer!' 'You motherfucker!' and more such terms as the blood covered her face and clothes, the cement cracking as she finally slammed her fist through the man's face, the body having died already. Tears were mixing with the blood, his presence noticed by her, her eyes a bloody red, smears on her cheeks from where the blood had splattered, her teeth grit within a near-feral snarl.
"You... You killed him, Yang."
She looked at him, her body rising, fists covered in blood, his hand pressing the button to stop recording. She was still crying, her eyes leaking tears. He waited for a few seconds, and the Scroll rang, the faint dinging sound, as she stepped away from the body. Blood covered her front, her eyes looking at him with anger, something more than that, but also the trembling fearful rage that she'd slowly started to gain, as she realized that he'd been recording her murder of the man.
"I'm... It's for Ruby! HE KILLED RUBY!"
He answered the call, hearing Weiss on the background, Ruby's chipper voice coming from the phone.
"Jaune! Is Yang with you? I made a new friend and she's amazing~! She said that Weiss paid her to teach Yang something about consequences, but I can't reach Yang... Is she okay? Is she with you?"
Ruby Rose's chipper voice came from the speaker and Yang paled even further, Jaune's eyes watching her carefully for any aggressive moves. The tears were more intense as Yang sobbed, aware that her sister was okay.
"She's here with me, and-"
He looked at Yang for a moment before he glanced at the body behind her. Yang flinched.
She was a murderer now.
She was someone who had lost herself to her rage, who had lost her reasoning and who had killed a criminal in wanton bloodlust after thinking her little sister had been raped and killed.
"and she's doing fine, we are just out in Vale, trying to see whether there are any evildoers that need smiting, heh."
Ruby's chipper laugh was there, as the somewhat deeper laughter from the 'caretaker' came to join it. Hiring a professional prostitute that resembled Ruby more than superficially had been the real difficulty.
"Come and join us! Sasha's amazing, she's been telling me about her work. Tell Yang I'm sorry, but I don't like her hurting you. Weiss told me that you nearly died... That's not good."
Yang flinched, her eyes looking down and the tears dripping onto the concrete. The girl was about to break down, and he gave a soft laugh.
"We'll be with you in an hour or so. Yang needs a change of clothing, she spilled something over herself."
The cheerful sound came from his Scroll and Ruby shut the call down. He looked at Yang with a pleading look on his face, trying to make himself look like it hadn't been as expected.
"I... I killed someone, I-"
Yang was breaking down, and he knew that it was important that she knew that he was with her.
"You put a criminal to justice, Yang. The evidence... If it's just you, me and this little video, it's a secret. Our little secret."
She wanted to hold on to her normalcy, and she looked at him, her eyes flashing dangerously.
"Ruby expects us, Yang... I don't blame you for this. It's just between the two of us..."
He put an arm around her shoulder, the smell of blood hanging around her, as Yang shivered a little.
"He hurt my family as well. You did a good thing for Vale, Yang. Criminals should not make people feel like this... It was a lesson, something to tell you to be aware of the consequences. I didn't expect that Weiss would go... that she'd go to this length. She's my friend, and- And I'd like you to be my friend too."
A girl who had the ground burn away underneath her feet and who was in an emotional state could scarcely be counted on to make the right decisions, he knew from his Mama's memory. Often had it been those who had lost everything, who had been witness to the cruelty that was the human condition, who she had beguiled. Yang's eyes cried tears of regret, as she exhaled haltingly.
"Promise me, promise me that you won't tell anyone?"
A drowning girl, reaching for a single strand of hope, a buoy on which she could hold to the foundations that made her who she was. It was all set-up. Weiss her small denial of Ruby's presence, the caretaker, the criminal and the sex acts, all paid for generously. Criminals were a lot that would do the things for free, especially with some payment.
"Of course not, Yang. Weiss is my friend, Ruby is my friend and you are my friend too. I may make love to Weiss, but I would never dare to hurt Ruby."
The hopeful smile on her lips was the damning need within her, as she made a simile of something of a smile, her head bowing a little.
"I guess... I guess I was wrong- I'm... I'm sorry, Jaune. You may be weak, but... but you're a good guy. If... if I'd gone further, I might've killed someone who was actually someone respectable."
Yang Xiao Long was his friend now. He smiled softly and gave her a hand, shaking hers for a moment, watching her.
"I trust you won't go that far, Yang. We're friends now, and all is forgiven."
She was a stubborn girl. She would remember this, and she'd do her best to be a good friend. A strong woman, one who wasn't afraid to kill... and a beauty too.
'No, I don't think this murder case will be solved quickly.'
Tyrian would take care of the clean-up, he knew. The man had done as he'd asked, of course.
It would be time to go meet with Ruby after Yang was cleaned up.
Jaune isn't like Salem in the way that he wants to actually harm his friends. More on that in the next chapter. You can see why Salem approved, because she's that kind of vicious. Leave a review if you'd like to!
KNOWLEDGE WARS SPECIAL SPEED DATING REPORT!
"The name's Alexandrite Stones, and this is reporting live from this whole Vale Speed Dating Event, yeah! What's your name, cute and dastardly?"
The young man sitting across from the blonde woman looked a little nerdy, a set of glasses on his nose, a small whimper as Alexandrite's finger pointed at him.
"Christian Oregano, eh... Hi? I like history and eh... My favourite food is Mac&Cheezy, eh..-"
The woman's arm wrapped around him, and the young man was forced against the woman's impressive bust.
"You like steak, Christian? Because I feel like eating some steak. The darn globalists just locked me in their prison on 'disturbing the peace', all hosh-posh nonsense! Let's get some steak! You look like a man's man!"
The camera followed the two as they left, the younger man dragged by Alexandrite Stones to the Steak Shack. The dutiful Knowledge Wars cameraman followed them, ever-silently recording Alexandrite putting the moves on the somewhat quiet young man.
"Alright, ladies and gentlemen! Stones is going to get herself a Jones! Know that even if you've been suppressed by the scum from Atlas, you'll still be able to land a good man! Christian here, lovely name, I'm sure, will be showing me some real Valean spirit!"
The quiet 'I'm from Vacuo, Alex' went ignored by the woman, as she marched off with her new young prize. The young man struggled very little as the woman led him away.
Alexandrite Stones was arrested for 'disturbing the peace' in her own apartment later that night, after what apparently had been described by the neighbours as 'really loud love-making'. She was bailed out of jail a day later by her brother.
BUY A HILL FOR PRISON SHIRT NOW! FIGHT AGAINST THE SAPPHIC SEDUCTRESSES WITH YOUR LIEN! KNOWLEDGE WARS NEEDS YOUR FIGHTING FORCE, YEAH!
