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RWBY belongs to Rooster Teeth

Chapter 1: The Pyre

"Are you sure this is where he said to meet him? 'Cause, there's no one here." Mercury complained.

"These are the exact coordinates that he gave me." Cinder replied, exasperated.

"And who are we meeting again?" Mercury asked.

"If you ever paid attention during the briefings, you'd know that we were meeting with the leader of The Sanguine Pyre." Emerald answered.

"I don't know who that is." Mercury replied.

"Not many people do." Cinder said. "The only people who know him are the people who've met him personally. A list that is rather lacking, might I add."

"It's not just lacking, any who wish to meet him quickly come to realize that even if he is revealed, it would only help the Pyre." A monotone voice said.

Looking toward the source of the voice, Cinder, Mercury and Emerald readied into a combat stance. The much older gentleman who stepped into the clearing showed no sign of noticing. The men and women who followed him did; they aimed their weapons at the trio. Cinder saw that each of the men and women wore no set uniform. The only distinguishing mark that showed they were part of the Sanguine Pyre was the rings. A black band designed to look like flames with a single blood diamond set in the metal. The design made the blood diamond look like a drop of blood wreathed in black fire.

The leader of the group didn't wear his ring on a finger like the rest did. His ring was worn as a pin on the lapel of his suit. A very fine suit it was too. Black slacks, with a black blazer, a crimson undershirt and a golden yellow tie. The man carried a long white cane. Looking at his eyes revealed a startling milky white with his hair being much the same. That explained why he didn't pay mind to the hostility demonstrated by Cinder, Emerald and Mercury.

"And who exactly are you?" Cinder asked.

"I am Jeremiah Briarheart, envoy of The Sanguine Pyre." Jeremiah introduced himself.

"Are you the leader of the Sanguine Pyre?" Mercury asked.

"No." came the curt reply.

"I was told we were meeting with the leader of the organization. So, why are you here?" Cinder responded, still on guard.

"You will, my older brother decided that it would be more beneficial if you and he met in a more… secure location." Jeremiah said.

"Look, Jerry, I don't think you realize who you're dealing with here." Mercury began. "We-"

"Don't care. We know who you are. You wished to meet with us, we decide the location. This is just a rendezvous." Jeremiah said. "And for the record. You will refer to me as Jeremiah, or Briarheart. Drug them."

The trio didn't have time to react as a needle was stuck into each of their necks. A sack was placed over each person's head, and the members of the Sanguine Pyre walked off, back into the moonlit forest.

-One hour later-

"You can take those sacks of gents, there's no need for the secrecy anymore." A calm, suave voice said.

The sacks were removed from the heads of the trio and they were greeted by the grinning of a young man. He wore a pair of black slacks, black dress shoes, a red polo and a black jacket with too many pockets. Hanging off a key ring, connected to the zipper of his left breast pocket on the jacket was the man's own Sanguine Pyre ring, and another gold ring with a small sapphire gem in the middle of it. On his right hand was a simple gold band. Both hands were adorned in what looked like burn marks. The most striking parts about him though were his deep crimson eyes, his short black hair and the stark white bone that was pierced through his right ear.

The room they were in was very richly decorated. A red carpet covered the floor. The man in front of them sat behind a rich mahogany desk with several books on one end, a very ornate chalice, a computer and a very large caliber bullet stood on the other end. Behind the desk was a large window that stretched from the floor to the ceiling fifteen feet above. Red drapes covered the window. The walls around the room were painted a similar red to the floor, with a border of painted fire spreading around the room. Halfway up the wall and going around the room were seven torch sconces. Three along each side wall with one right over the door. Four suits of armor lined both side walls. Looking up, they saw that the ceiling was painted with the symbol of the Sanguine Pyre, a blood diamond burning in the black fire. In the corners of the ceiling were figures painted to look like angels. On each was expression of fear.

"Cinder Fall, I would say it's a pleasure to meet you, but then I'd be lying." The man said with a smirk.

"And who are you supposed to be?" Cinder asked, still slightly groggy.

"Me and my poor manners. I am the elder brother, Agreus Blackflame." The man introduced himself.

"Whose brother are you?" Mercury asked.

"Jeremiah's. Did Briarheart not tell you about me? He usually does." Agreus answered bewildered.

"That's an impressive illusion then." Emerald said.

"Illusion? What illusion?" Blackflame asked slightly confused.

"That young age look you have, or the old age look your 'younger brother' has." Emerald answered.

"Oh." Agreus said in realization. "I hate to burst your bubble, Emerald, but it is no illusion. My brother is 183 years old and completely blind."

"That's not possible. How old are you?" Cinder asked.

"Well, that's a bit of a rude question, but I'm 196 years old. As for possibility, well, that's the fountain of youth for you." Agreus answered.

"Fountain of Youth?" Cinder asked, intrigued.

"Yes, Jeremiah's semblance. We call it the fountain of youth. With it, he can reverse the aging of anyone or anything at the cost of his own years… well he used to be able to do it anyway. I was 83 and on my death bed when he first tried to use it on me. He doesn't use it now for fear of leaving this world behind. Otherwise, he's stuck in the body of a 94-year-old man." The suave man expounded. "But that's neither here nor there. Now tell me, what business do you have with the Sanguine Pyre."

"We came to acquire the services of your mercenaries." Cinder responded.

Agreus raised an eyebrow. "Doing… what, exactly? If my men were to be hired out, I would like to know what it is they would be hired for."

"A few things. Small jobs here, little things there." Cinder responded.

"That tells me nothing. If you want the help of the Sanguine Pyre, then the Sanguine Pyre needs to know exactly what the end goal is and if you have any stipulations we must follow to get there." Agreus snapped. "My patience is short, and my time is limited, if you don't wish to explain why you need us, then don't. Just get out."

"Fine." Cinder scowled. "We need the help of your men to acquire a significant quantity of dust, organize the removal of a powerful man and set up a meeting with a woman of significant power."

Agreus sighed in exasperation and pinched the bridge of his nose. "When I said details, Cinder, I meant exacts. Jeremiah, drug her."

"What?!" Cinder exclaimed.

The older gentleman forced Cinder to tilt her head and stuck a small hypodermic needle into her neck. Mercury and Emerald were unable to react before the plunger was pressed and a clear liquid was injected into her veins.

"What was that?" Cinder asked, a bit shaken from the rough handling.

"A truth serum I had our resident chemist cook up. It forces you to answer any questions I ask, honestly. Now you will answer my questions. Who is the man you wish to depose?" Agreus asked with a sinister smile.

"Ozpin." Cinder answered.

Agreus just smiled wider. "And the dust?"

Cinder seemed to be struggling against herself. "It's for use against Vale."

"Ah, and who is the woman you wish to meet?" Agreus asked, his smile now predatory.

"The fall maiden." Cinder ground out.

Agreus' smile dropped. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. When he opened them, the trio grew nervous. He still had his calm smile, but his eyes showed his age. Behind them was a wisdom and an anger far beyond the years his body would suggest. Cinder noted that his eyes looked ready to ignite.

"Do you take me for a fool?" Blackflame accused all to calmly. "You want to cripple Vale, destroy Beacon and meet the fall maiden, presumably to replace her. Did I get that right?"

The trio slowly nodded their heads. The tension in the room was palpable. Agreus sighed and raised his right hand. A loud snap rang through the room. Jeremiah and the eight suits of armor walked out, the lights dimmed, and the seven torches lit up, illuminating the room in a dull grey light. Upon second inspection, each torch burned with a grey fire tinged with black.

"Do you know who I am?" Agreus asked. "Do you know who we are?"

Mercury gathered the courage to speak. "You're the leader of a group of relentless mercenaries called the Sanguine Pyre."

"So, you don't know who we are. Let me educate you. The Sanguine Pyre is not a mercenary group. We are a well-organized, highly trained, strictly regulated military. We don't just hire out to the highest bidder. We actually have our own vested interests. Interests that belong to me and my own." Agreus explained. "As for me, well, tell me if you have any titles."

"Titles?" Emerald asked.

"Yes, titles. Things that people say in fear because you earned the name. I have quite a few but three stand above the rest." Agreus said as he walked toward the window.

"What are those titles?" Emerald asked.

Agreus smiled. "One of them is Ozpin's regret. That changes every so often though. Another is Remnant's Nightmare."

"That title is already taken." Cinder interrupted.

"Oh, I know. I have it, Cinder, no matter what your boss lady may claim." Agreus replied as Cinder's eyes widened ever so slightly. "My last title is Vale."

Agreus snapped his fingers again, and the drapes slowly raised. The view out the window showed that they were in a manor. A manor that sat on one of the cliffs overlooking all of Vale. The only thing they couldn't see was Beacon. They realized that they were located on one of the cliffs near Beacon.

"So, if you can't tell, I've got problems with your little plan. I can't have you destroy Beacon, my best warriors come from there. I own Vale, so turning on it would be equivalent to committing suicide. And the fall maiden, well there's a whole score of issues there that would take ages to explain. The least of which is that she is my… in… to a group who claim to guard the planet." Agreus explained.

"Now, Mister Blackflame, I'm sure you can spare some of your mercenaries-" Cinder began in a sultry voice.

"And that's another thing!" Agreus exclaimed as he turned back to the trio. "We are not a group of mercenaries. We are a control organization. Vale is under my control, even if the kingdom doesn't know it yet."

Cinder smirked. "Well, we could always just leak your existence to the press, or the police if that's the case."

"You still don't get it, do you? You could broadcast the existence of the Sanguine Pyre to the universe for all I care." Agreus responded as he sat back down.

"I don't think you understand. I know some high-ranking members of the councils from all four kingdoms." Cinder cautiously replied.

"Of course, you still don't understand. Let me spell it out for you." Agreus paused. "And take this message to the witch you call a boss, as well."

"How dare you-" Emerald began.

"How dare I? Oh, I dare, because you and yours have threatened my city, my people, my livelihood and most of all YOU LITERALLY JUST THREATENED MY FAMILY! Listen good and listen well. VALE IS MINE! THIS CITY BELONGS TO THE SANGUINE PYRE! I OWN THE POLICE! I OWN BEACON! I AM THE BACKBONE OF THE CRIMINAL UNDERWORLD AND THE GOVERNMENT! I OWN THIS BLASTED CITY! HELL, I OWN THE ENTIRE BLOODY KINGDOM! HOW DARE YOU THINK THAT YOU COULD TURN IT AGAINST ME! AND ABOUT THAT COUNCIL. NEWS FLASH! I DON'T JUST OWN THE COUNCIL; I AM THE COUNCIL! I AM THE JUDGE, THE JURY AND THE EXECUTIONER! I AM VALE!" Agreus roared slamming his fist into his desk.

The doors opened and Jeremiah entered the room, followed by a blonde-haired man with a tattoo on his right arm. Cinder however was focused on the fist Agreus had slammed into his desk. Black wisps of flame were curling off of it, but the burn scars were gone. Looking around the room, she realized that it was the same flame that burned on the seven torch sconces around the room, except the fire that burned Agreus's hand was blacker than the Grimm themselves. Agreus took several deep breaths to calm himself down before clapping his hands together and extinguishing the fire in his hands, thus returning the scars.

"I think we're done here." Agreus growled with heavy breaths. "One last thing before you leave, I just want you to know, that I was never going to make a deal with you."

"Then why see us?" Mercury spat.

"You amused me." Agreus said, propping an arm on his desk and leaning into his hand. "You three went through such an effort to meet me. I had you figured out the moment I heard you wished to meet with me but, I decided to see who Salem has recently hooked her claws into. I can't say I was expected anything more. It's disappointing."

"Before we go, could you explain one last thing." Cinder asked.

"Depends, but for your effort, sure." Agreus answered.

"The black fire." Cinder stated.

"Heh heh heh." Agreus chuckled, the smirk returning to his face. "Let's just say my name is more literal than most. Take them away."

The trio was blinded and drugged once again. The trio were picked up by Jeremiah and his companion.

"Your daughter and her guardian are here to see you, brother." Jeremiah said as he turned to leave.

"Thank you, Briarheart." Agreus acknowledged. "Oh, Taiyang. When Summer returns, I would like to talk to you, and would you please send in my daughter.

Taiyang nodded but didn't say a word as they left. Jeremiah stayed behind for minute. Agreus turned back toward the window and straightened out his jacket and shirt. With a snap of his fingers, the torches extinguished.

"Do we actually have a truth serum, brother?" Jeremiah asked.

"Of course, not Jeremiah. Truth serums only exist in fiction." Agreus answered.

"Then how did you know they answered truthfully? And if they did, why?" Briarheart asked.

"Oh, they answered truthfully, Jeremiah. One simple reason, Psychosomatics. I made her believe it was a truth serum; her brain did the rest." Blackflame responded.

"How did you make her believe?" Briarheart inquired.

"It's amazing the conclusions a mind will jump when they hear something from a powerful figure originates at a reliable source. Is it not so hard to believe that a chemist would be able to conjure up a serum of such potential?" Agreus answered with a smile.

"I suppose not." Jeremiah replied. "I never was the best at manipulation and control."

"Indeed. Though you know what I once heard?" Agreus asked.

"What?" Jeremiah asked in response.

A knock came from the door. The door opened and one of the nights that left peaked back in.

"Sir, your daughter is here to see you." The knight said.

"Oh, well send her in." Agreus commanded with a smile.

The door opened wider and in walked a young teenage girl with warm brown eyes and shoulder length brown hair. A green cape flowed behind her and a rather odd black crow was on her shoulder. Agreus smiled warmly at the two.

"Daddy!" She exclaimed as she ran at Agreus.

Agreus knelt down and caught his daughter in a hug. He kissed her forehead and ruffled her hair as he stood up.

"It's good to see you to Amber." Jeremiah said.

"Hi Uncle Rema!" Amber said.

Jeremiah clenched his fists and inhaled sharply through his nose. At the sight of the innocent yet devious smile on Amber's face, he released his breath and stalked out of the room.

"Jeremiah?" Agreus questioned, trying to hold in laughter.

"Not going to say anything!" He called over his shoulder as the door shut behind him.

Agreus looked at his daughter before letting his laughter loose.

"Oh, you're the only one who can get away with that." Agreus said between chuckles.

"Yeah." Amber giggled.

"Now, how's my little maiden doing?" Agreus asked.

"I'm not little." Amber protested with a glare.

"Maybe not physically, but you'll always be my little girl." Agreus responded with a caring smile. "That doesn't answer my question, though."

"I'm doing great!" Amber responded with a carefree smile. "You wanted to see me though?"

"I need to speak with you and your carrier pigeon." Agreus said with a smile still on his face.

The crow on Amber's shoulder leapt off her shoulder and shifted into the form of a grey-haired man with piercing red eyes. It might seem odd to mention at first, but the man was totally sober.

"I am not a pigeon." He cried out in indignation.

"Didn't say you were, Qrow." Agreus replied. "But you're right. You're not a pigeon, that would be too dignified. You're much more of a sparrow."

Qrow raised his hands and cried out in exasperation. Amber couldn't contain her giggles at the childish exchange. It was always amusing to see Qrow so annoyed. The only person she knew that could annoy him better than her father was her unofficial aunt, Summer Rose.

"Seriously though, I did need to talk to you." Agreus said, bringing the conversation back to Remnant.

"So why did you call us in here, sir." Qrow asked.

"Two reasons. First, I wanted to warn you. Those three people I was just in a meeting with are after the fall maiden." Agreus stated as Amber gasped. "Their names are Emerald Sustrai, Mercury Black and Cinder Fall."

"Do they work for her?" Qrow asked.

"Yes." Agreus answered. "I assume Salem recruited them recently. They wanted my help in destabilizing Remnant."

"You didn't agree with them, right dad?" Amber asked.

"Of course not. They took me for a fool, I just had to show them the folly of their ways." Agreus replied with a warm smile at Amber. "Now, I also wanted to know how my daughter was doing with her training."

"Well, her dad should know that my training is coming along quite well. I was able to put Qrow on his butt for the first time with my Dust staff this week." Amber replied in a falsely haughty tone.

"Is that so?" Agreus replied resting his chin on his now steepled hands. "Care to explain, guardian Qrow?"

"Yeah, the kid's not doing too bad. I didn't go easy on her this time. Though, she did cheat." Qrow responded with a glare.

"Cheat?" Agreus asked enthralled.

"I didn't cheat." Amber cried in indignation. "Dad says it's called using your resources."

"And what resources did you use, my dear?" Agreus asked.

"She used her rather explosive capabilities." Qrow answered.

"Fire?" Agreus inquired, to which he got a nod from the Branwen. "Amber, did you use your maiden powers?"

Amber looked down at the ground. "Yes." She mumbled.

"I thought as much. I've told you before, that you aren't to use them. You aren't trained in their usage yet and last time was your last warning." Agreus said. "Qrow, report into the headmaster, then you can have your time off. I will call when… I will call."

Qrow nodded, turned back into a crow and flew out of the room. Agreus lowered his gaze to Amber. Amber gazed at the floor.

"And now to deal with you." Agreus said.

"I'm sorry." The girl mumbled, her eyes starting to water. "I disappointed you, but… it's just…"

"Just?" Agreus prodded.

"I can't control it!" Amber cried, tears now rolling down her face. "It needs to be let out, and when I do… I just can't stop."

Agreus got up from his seat and walked around the desk. Amber flinched a bit when he knelt before her. Instead of punishment like she was expecting, Agreus pulled her into a tight hug. Amber just melted and cried a little harder.

"I understand, sweetheart." Agreus whispered. "I understand perfectly."

"You do?" Amber asked through her tears.

"Yes." Agreus pulled back, but still held her shoulders. "I know exactly what you're going through."

"How?" Amber hiccupped.

Agreus moved his right hand between. With a quick snap of his fingers, the scars on his hand morphed into black flames that consumed the extremity. Amber wiped some tears away as she looked at the fire.

"I went through the same issues when I discovered my semblance. Mine is a lot more dangerous than your maiden powers though; your power will seriously hurt someone before it kills them. Mine would just kill them." Agreus answered with a chuckle. "Here's the deal. I want you to go to bed, ok? You've had a long day and tomorrow I'll start teaching you how guide your flames."

"Guide them?" Amber asked, her eyes still a bit watery.

"Yes. Fire isn't something that can ever be totally controlled. I don't even have total control over my own black flames." Agreus said. "That being said, I am in the unique position to teach you how to guide the fire."

"Will I ever have black fire?" Amber asked as she wiped her eyes one last time.

"I don't know. The maiden powers aren't a semblance, so maybe." Agreus said as he stood up. "Now run along and get some rest. You'll need it if you wish to get a handle on your power."

"Ok." Amber sniffled. "Thanks dad."

She hugged him before running out of the room. Jeremiah walked back in as she left. Agreus leaned against his desk, a sad smile on his face as he watched her go.

"Something wrong, brother?" Jeremiah asked as he stood next to Agreus.

"I miss her mother." Agreus said, gesturing to Amber who was talking and gesturing animatedly in front of the armored guards just outside the room. "She reminds so much of her."

"I know, brother." Jeremiah answered. "My sister was such wonderful woman."

"She was your sister-in-law. Not blood related." Agreus said.

"When she married you, she might as well have been blood related." Jeremiah answered.

"Yeah." Agreus answered, forlorn.

"She's not dead, you know." Jeremiah said. "No body was found; no remains or DNA have ever matched her."

"It's been five years, Jeremiah." Agreus replied.

"And we still haven't found a body. I firmly believe that my dear sister, my brother's dear wife isn't dead." Jeremiah answered with such conviction.

"Thanks, Briarheart." Agreus said with a small smirk.

"Of course, dear brother." Jeremiah answered with smile. "Now, what was it you heard that you were going to tell me before we were so rudely interrupted?"

"It was a quote…" Agreus said as he walked toward the window to gaze upon his kingdom. "Right. I once heard someone say, 'that fools rush in where angels fear to tread.'"

"Isn't that the Pyre's motto?" Jeremiah deadpanned.

"Yep." Agreus answered. "Was thinking of it as you and Tai… escorted those three out."

"Were those three were the fools, in this case?" Jeremiah asked.

"Yes." Agreus confirmed. "If there's one thing I can say about Vale, this is no place for fools, or angels. I am most certainly not an angel, Jeremiah."

"Why did you choose that quote for a motto, brother?" Jeremiah asked.

"Because, Briarheart, I wish to make Remnant a place where angels fear to tread. I do not suffer fools lightly, and if fools rush in where angels fear to tread, then it'll be like shooting fish in a barrel." Agreus explained. "Now, come Jeremiah. I heard that the White Fang have changed leadership, recently. I must meet this new leader. Ensure he is no fool."

Jeremiah nodded in agreement with his brother. Agreus opened a drawer in his desk and donned a gold watch with a silver band. Jeremiah noticed it was the last gift from his wife, Vermillion Blackflame. The inscription on the underside of the watch was the perfect description of Agreus. Vermillion always knew what to say. It said, 'to the blackest of flames, burn the world for me.'

"Of course. For fools rush in where angels fear to tread." Jeremiah murmured with a chuckles.

"And angels fear to tread where the black flames burn."

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Data Log AFT001

Information – This is just the beginning of an idea that I've had bouncing around in my mind for a while now. It will not take the place of the weekly updates that Unforeseen Variables gets, but I will update every now and again. After Unforeseen Variables is finished, I think this will become my main story. For the time being however, please leave comments, reviews, ideas, and constructive criticism. Updates to the archives take it into account, and it is greatly appreciated.

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