Chapter 1: Nightly Visit

It was around midnight. Finally, all the others were asleep. Yang carefully climbed out of her bed. No time for getting changed. She just put on her boots and left as quietly as possible. How many nights had it been now since that day, when they failed to stop the train, when she was defeated by that pink-haired shitface, but saved by that woman? The Vytal Festival was in full swing, they had just emerged victorious against Neon Katt and Flynt Coal in the doubles round. And every Sunday night, as a new week emerged, she had been meeting her. Raven Branwen. The mother she had searched far and wide for, for so many years. Today, too, they would meet, in the gardens, behind the bushes. Because the words that fell there could very well mean her death, if "they" ever found out.

Despite the complete darkness, Yang once again found her way to their usual meeting place. Her mother was already tapping her feet; She didn't have much time, she never had. But given the circumstances, Yang was happy with what little time they could spend together.

Raven: "Good evening."

Yang: "Yeah. Sorry I'm late."

Raven: "Better late than never."

Yang: "Listen," Yang looked her mother in the eyes. "We have a problem. Uncle

Qrow..."

Raven: "I already know brother is here. We'll have to keep an eye on him, but

for now we won't have to change the plan."

Yang: "You really have your spies everywhere, don't you?"

Raven: "Of course. We need to. With all that's at stake, we can't afford to

make mistakes. We need to know about every move, every step the enemy

makes, or else we'll be crushed like the worms they take us for."

Yang looked down at her feet.

Yang: "You know... I still feel kinda bad about doing this. The sacrifices

we have to make, the lies, the secrecy... I don't wanna have to

lie to my teammates anymore."

Raven: "I understand the feeling. Hell, seventeen years on the run, unable to

meet my own child..."

Raven pulled Yang in for a big bear hug.

Raven: "I know what I did back then was selfish. I attacked one of our affiliates,

I helped the enemy and revealed myself to an outsider."

She let go of Yang, who had slight difficulties breathing now.

Raven: "But I absolutely can't allow you to tell them. The faunus girl

has reasons to hate our allies in the White Fang and the Schnee heiress

is too closely linked to the ones pulling the strings. And about your

sister..."

Sadness filled her eyes.

Raven: "It really pains me to think about it. In this world, innocence truly

has no chance of survival. At least let her keep that smile

for a little longer. We don't have to tell her yet. Besides, I think

Summer would like to be the one to do it."

Yang: "...Sorry, I know that we can't... But still, I'm certain they would

understand. Heck, if I can understand who the ones in the right are,

then they..."

Raven looked at her angrily, her red eyes glowing slightly.

Raven: "What part of 'I absolutely can't allow you to tell them' didn't

you understand!? All life on Remnant depends on us succeeding!

If you misjudged one of your friends even the tiniest bit, all would be

lost!"

She walked left to right, trying to calm herself.

Yang: "Don't worry, mom, if you say I can't, I'll keep my mouth shut a little longer."

After taking a deep breath, Raven answered simply with: "Good."

They continued to talk for a while, continuing their little catching-up with all the things they had done these past seventeen years. But at last, it was time to say goodbye again.

Yang: "Say hi to Summer from me."

Raven Smiled.

Raven: "That reminds me... She wants to meet you tomorrow before the battle. She said

she found a way you could help out."

Yang: "Oh, really? I guess I finally get to meet her in person again, after twelve years..."

Raven: "She'll pick you up around 9 AM at the fountain and take you to her dorm room.

Well, I gotta get going now. Stay safe, Yang."

Yang: "Bye, mom."

Yang watched as her mother disappeared into the shadows once again. Only now did the cold start to bother her. "Fuuuuuck, it's cold!" She quickly hurried back inside to get some sleep. After all, she had a big day ahead of her.

Cinder sat by the window, waiting. 11 PM, 0 AM, nothing. Around 1:15 AM, The one she was waiting for finally appeared outside.

Cinder: "Ah, Raven. How did the talk with our little brawler go?"

Raven: "I think the stress might be getting to her. Really, it reminds

me of when you left the comfy cage of 'their' control. She

will get used to it eventually."

Cinder: "That is, if we still have more than a few days left. The great

annual lunar eclipse will occur at the day of the finale."

Raven: "Do you think they'll find a suitable vessel?"

Cinder: "I fear they may. And I also fear who it might be..."

Raven: "Don't keep lying to yourself. I'm sure she'll..."

Cinder: "How could she? No, my baby is innocent, but my hands... My hands

are stained with the blood of many... No, I can't face her... but if things

continue as is..."

Raven: "Should I have told Yang?"

Cinder: "No, no... You would've just made her worry. Besides, she doesn't need

to know. If she doesn't fuck up tomorrow, it's unlikely they'll even

consider her once the time comes."

Raven: "Summer... You're saying this, but isn't that just wishful thinking?"

Cinder: "Maybe so, maybe so... You know what to do, right?"

Raven: "Don't worry, the smoke bombs have been prepared and synchronized with your

scroll. We only have to place them now."

Cinder: "Good. But hurry. Worst-case scenario, we'll need them in two days."

Raven: "Alright. Good luck tomorrow."

Raven drew her blade and slashed at the air. A black portal appeared, as if she had torn asunder space itself.

Raven: "And be careful, especially if Qrow is involved."

With these last words, Raven entered the portal and disappeared to who-knows-where. Summer Rose looked up at the shattered moon.

Cinder: "Just you wait. I have defied you once, and I'll sure as hell not

let you take my daughter! No, we won't-"

Emerald came in through the door, carrying Mercury on her back.

Cinder: "Oh, back I see. How did your little trip to the club go?"

Mercury was babbling like a madman.

Mercury: "Ah! No, Militia, I really can't drink anymore. I already had, like,

twenty glasses."

Emerald: "You can see the results."

Cinder grew impatient.

Cinder: "Did you get the intel we need?"

Emerald: "Right. Apparently, our old friend Ironwood let his tounge slip after

a long night of drinking. The code to disable the firewall that robot girl

has is 'Atlus', spelled with an u."

Cinder: "Excellent. Now to bed with you. A woman needs her beauty sleep, after all."

Emerald let Mercury down, after which he stumbled towards his bed, almost falling over. She and Cinder both changed into their pajamas and went to bed. Before they turned off the light, Emerald asked Cinder one last thing.

Emerald: "Madam... I know I shouldn't ask, but you seem troubled lately."

A moment of awkward silence followed, until Cinder answered:

Cinder: "You know, I sometimes wish things went more smoothly. ESPECIALLY with

Mercury."

Emerald laughed.

Emerald: "Phew! What was I thinking? Nothing can faze you. You're always cold and

calculating. There's literally nothing I can think of that could hurt you.

And that's why you inspire people, you know? You are the leadership they seek.

Charismatic. Unbudging. No-bullshit-like."

They turned of the lights. Though before slipping away into the realm of dreams, Emerald would have sworn she could hear quiet sobbing.