Breathe Chapter 75: A Night to Remember

Sitting in the lounge of my quarters, I held the mask Maria had given me back when I’d participated in Mistral’s Regional Tournament, ghosting my fingers over the scratches and dings it’d gotten along the way.

“It’s been a while since I saw that thing,” Maria commented, falling into the seat opposite me. “And here I thought you’d lost it ages ago. Strange that you’d bring it out now... Is there anything you want to talk about?”

Shaking my head, I placed it on the coffee table between us. “Not really. I’m just thinking about everything that’s happened since you gave it to me.”

“You sure this has nothing to do with the dance tonight?” Maria asked curiously. “If you want, I could go as well... I could probably still fit into the things I used to wear in my youth. It shouldn’t be too hard to get a date either, I’ll just ask Yang for her dad’s number.”

“NO... No, I think that’s alright,” I coughed lightly. “You don’t need to come. I’ll be fine.”

“You better be.” Maria cackled. “I’d hate to have to ruin tonight.” Grabbing the mask from the table, her gaze softened. “I noticed you’ve been stressed lately. You might be able to hide it from the others, but not me. You’re trying to shoulder everything on your own and while you might be succeeding right now, cracks are beginning to form.”

Sighing, I leaned back in my chair. After joking about Taiyang, I hadn’t expected that from her.

“I can’t not help.”

“No, but you don’t have to do it all on your own either,” Maria hummed. “Trust me, I’ve been there and in the end, all I had was an old cabin out in the middle of nowhere. Now I’m not asking you to stop entirely, but just try and let loose every now and then. The world won’t end if you take a night off and have fun.”

Depending on the night, it might just end, but I could see where she was coming from. With the Vytal Tournament right around the corner, I’d become a little too focused on making sure everything was ready.

Hearing the door creak open, I turned just in time to see Pyrrha step out in a red dress that matched the colour of her hair. “How do I look?”

“Um...” I murmured, not really sure what to say. “I don’t want to say gorgeous because everyone else uses it, but no other word comes to mind.”

Pyrrha smiled brightly. “Thank you. You look handsome in your suit as well... Oh, you should see what Winter picked.”

Returning to the room, she came back a moment later with Winter in tow. In place of a dress, she wore something that more resembled a suit, only without a jacket. It did, however, hug her frame. It wasn’t too far off from what she wore as a specialist, only different... In a good way.

Seeing my stare, Winter shifted slightly. “Since there is a chance I won’t be attending the dance tonight, I favoured functionality over aesthetics. I know it’s not the most flattering of clothing, but it is far more manoeuvrable.”

“It’s charming,” I hummed, getting a smile in return. Standing, I brushed my jacket before holding my arms out to Winter and Pyrrha.

“Just a minute there, lover boy,” Maria said, stepping in front of me. “Since it’s your first school dance, I think some ground rules are in order.”

Oh no. “Maria, is this really–“

Holding her hand out in front of me, she smirked. “Firstly I want him back no later than sometime tomorrow... Any longer than that and you better have an excuse... It doesn’t have to be a good one. Secondly, let’s talk about the bases.”

Pyrrha’s face turned bright red, matching that of her hair and her dress. Winter on the other hand looked like she desperately wanted to take notes and only held back on my and Pyrrha’s account.

...Breathe...

“It’s really pretty here,” Pyrrha hummed, taking in the scenery as we strolled into the ballroom. “I wonder how long it took to set everything up.”

Seeing as the ballroom had been off limits to everyone except for team CFVY and a select few teachers for about a week now... I’d say a week. How much time went into planning everything out... That I didn’t know.

They’d really done a nice job though. Decorations hung on the walls, the room was lit up by a bunch of soft lights that hung from the ceiling, there were places to sit, tables with snacks and drinks, hell, there was even a band providing the music. It’d been set up perfectly.

If CFVY ever decided to not be Huntsmen, party planners seemed like the next best choice.

“I’m glad I got to come here with you.” Pyrrha smiled prettily. “I’ve... Never really had the chance to come to something like this.”

That didn’t sound right.  “You’ve never gone to a dance before?”

“I have,” Pyrrha nodded. “But not one like this... And not with a date. I never really saw the point in going to ones that Sanctum set up. Back there I was always the Invincible Girl... Never Pyrrha. Everyone assumed I was too good for them and ended up avoiding me.”

Judging by the wide berth we were being given by the students, I’d say that it was still happening. “Sorry... That interview the other day probably didn’t help.”

Pyrrha shook her head. “It doesn’t matter anymore. I have everything I could ever want and more. A boyfriend who I care for greatly, Friends who treat me as their equal and I’ve already become a Huntress. Sure, there have been a few scary moments, but I’d do it all again in a heartbeat.”

She really was one of a kind. “Since it’s the first time you’ve gone to a dance with a date... would you like to dance?”

“I would love to,” Pyrrha beamed. “But I think I’ll go second.”

Second?

Feeling something press into my back, a pair of hands covered my eyes.

“Guess who?” Yang hummed in a sing-song tone.

Yeah, I’d pretty much figured it out before she covered my eyes... Not that she was actually trying to hide who she was.

“Yang.”

“Correct.” Removing her hands from my face, I was once again allowed to see. Stepping into view, Yang brushed her hair over her shoulder, wearing a bright yellow dress that fit her form almost perfectly. Blinking, she smirked. “Like what you see?”

Crap, I’d been caught staring.

“You look, uh, beautiful tonight,” I hummed. “You all do,” I said, turning towards the rest of the team, each of them wearing dresses that matched their colour... Ruby in a red and black dress while struggling to stand in her high heels, Weiss in a white one, looking around the ballroom and Blake standing to the side, looking a little bored.

Smiling brightly at the compliment Yang tapped a finger to her chin as her smile turned mischievous. “Only tonight? Way to make a girl feel self-conscious.”

And she was screwing with me... As usual.

“Is Winter here?” Weiss asked suddenly. “I can’t seem to find her.”

“She’s a little busy tonight,” Pyrrha hummed. “But she said she’ll try and make it a little later.”

“Oh... Well, I suppose I’ll see her when she gets here,” Weiss murmured. “Do you know what she’s doing?”

Pyrrha shook her head. “I’m sorry.”

Hearing the song change, Yang perked up. “Pyrrha, would you mind if I–“

“Go ahead,” Pyrrha waved her off.

“Great, thanks.” Grabbing my hand, Yang pulled me towards the dance floor. “C’mon, I’ve been looking forward to this all week.”

Going with the flow, I stopped in the center of the dance floor with Yang. Looking around to see what everyone else was doing, I took her hand and wrapped an arm around her waist while she placed her hand on my chest, leaning in close.

“You really do look great, by the way... Tonight, and well, in general,” I hummed softly. “I know you were just joking earlier, but you really are pretty. You have this warm presence that just lights up a room.”

“What brought that on?” Yang asked, blushing lightly.

“I just thought I’d be a little more honest with myself,” I shrugged, thinking back to the talk I’d had with Maria earlier. “Since you’re always flirting with or teasing me, I thought I’d let you know what I really think of you. I’m glad I got to know you, Yang.”

Blushing even brighter, she shoved her face against my chest, hiding it. “I’m supposed to be the one embarrassing you... Not the other way around.”

Chuckling, I spun her around as the music began to pick up.

...Breathe...

Hours passed as the night wore on and I found myself stepping off the dance floor alongside a bashful Ruby who’d managed to stomp on my feet with her heels a number of times throughout the song.

“Ehehe, sorry again, for, well... Your toes,” Ruby apologized, rubbing the back of her head awkwardly. “I’m still not used to these stupid things yet.” She glared at her high heels. “Not that I plan to ever be used to them... Stupid things... Shoes are made for walking, not this. How the heck does Weiss fight in these things?”

“Practice?” I shrugged. “She’d probably be the same if she tried to wear your boots.”

Blinking, Ruby suddenly found herself grinning. “That’s perfect. I’ll have her wear my boots. We’ll see who’s high and mighty when she keeps tripping over herself. You know, all that dancing made me pretty thirsty. You want any punch?”

“That sounds–“

“Already on it,” She said, taking off towards the punch bowls.

Bemused, I shook my head as she zipped around the crowd, managing to avoid everyone despite wearing high heels. Near the stairs, I found Pyrrha, Yang and Blake chatting with Nora and Ren while Weiss, having split from the group, was talking to the main organizer of the event, Coco, and looked intrigued.

“You seem to be enjoying yourself tonight,” Ozpin commented. “I must admit, with everything that you’ve done, it’s easy to forget that you’re around the same age as the students here tonight. It’s a trap that even I have fallen for. I’m glad to see you relaxing for once.”

“I guess I’ve been a little too concerned with what was and what will be.”

“That’s an interesting way of putting it,” Ozpin noted.

“It’s part of an old saying that I heard in a story once,” I replied. “Yesterday’s history, tomorrow’s a mystery, but today is a gift, that’s why it’s called the present.”

Given that it was Maria who made me realize I was taking on too much, I guess that made her my Oogway... She was already like a snapping turtle, so I guess it fit.

“I don’t think I’ve heard that one before.”

“Yeah, me neither,” Ruby hummed, suddenly appearing next to us with two cups in hand. “Oh, here’s your drink by the way. You never said what you wanted, so I just mixed everything they had.”

Taking the cup cautiously, I stared down at the amalgamation of fluids. “Thanks, Ruby.” This was either going to taste really nice or I was going to need to have my tongue removed. There really were no other possibilities.

“You’re welcome.” She smiled, sipping from her own cup.

“Yes, well,” Ozpin coughed lightly. “I was wondering if I could trouble your date for the evening to escort me outside. I believe that some fresh air would do us both some good.”

...Breathe...

Stepping off the Bullhead, clothed in a black dress, Cinder paused as she finally caught sight of Beacon, the setting sun highlighting the Academy as the light slowly faded from view. Every misstep, every failure, every pain she’d endured had led her to this moment... The moment she claimed what was rightfully hers.

It was finally time!

“I gotta say, I’m a little shocked,” Mercury murmured. Looking around, he let out a low whistle. “No guards, no security checks... There aren't even any teachers here to ask if we’re students. I’m impressed. You really pulled through for us.”

There wouldn’t be any point... Not with all of the visiting students here for the Vytal Tournament. Checking everyone would be a lesson in futility, especially since the students were allowed to come and go from the dance as they pleased.

Lighting his cigar, Roman shot him a dull look. “Please, I’m a professional... Unlike you and the street urchin. You hired the best... What were you expecting?”

“Honestly?” Mercury smirked. “I was expecting that I’d be digging a shallow grave sometime around midnight... The night’s still young.”

“I think that’s enough for now, Mercury,” Cinder chided. “You’re here to do a job, not antagonize the one that’s given us this opportunity.”

Rubbing salt into the wound, Roman blew a puff of smoke Mercury’s way. “Yes, well, if it’s all the same to you, I think I’ll take my leave. I did everything you asked and got you here. I think I’ve done enough.“

“Oh, but you haven’t,” Cinder hummed. “You’ve only brought us halfway.”

She couldn’t have him leave just yet... Not when he knew so much. Knowing Roman, he’d probably decide to go to a bar after this. If he decided to open his mouth, their whole plan could be at risk. That left her with two options, kill him and hide his body or bring him along where she could keep an eye on him.

Both had their own pros and cons, but at least with keeping him close by, she wouldn’t have to worry about some random student coming across his corpse... It helped that he’d proven himself somewhat useful. Perhaps he’d prove himself useful again when they were inside.

“Are you sure about this, Cinder?” Emerald asked worriedly. “Roman’s pretty recognizable, he’ll only drag us down. I think–“

“Don’t think,” Cinder interrupted. “Obey. Roman will be coming with us and that’s final.” Glancing at Roman, she smirked. “Surely a thief of your calibre is capable of gate crashing a glorified school dance.”

Dropping his cigar, Roman crushed it under his cane. “Sure, why not... Since I’m here, I may as well take a look around.”

Smirking, she nodded and turned, heading towards the main building while the rest followed behind her.

“You folded pretty fast for some supposed master criminal,” Mercury taunted.

“Kid,” Roman sighed. “Let me tell you something. In this game we call life, you always need to look out for number one. If I’m still alive by the end of today, I’ll be happy.”

Nodding, Mercury glanced back at the Bullhead. “So where’s that psycho partner of yours? I thought she’d be here by now?”

“Someone has to make sure the White Fang behave themselves,” Roman shrugged.

Blinking, Mercury let out a full on laugh. “You seriously... Adam... And Neo.” Fighting to get himself under control, he wiped a tear from his eye. “You know they hate each other, right? I give them five minutes at best before they try to kill one another... That is if they haven’t started already.”

Picking up the pace, Cinder felt Marcus Black’s Semblance pulse angrily, causing an uncomfortable heat to spread up her arm. Adam, although brash and prone to anger, would have to keep it together for tonight... At least until she’d found her target.

Entering the main hall, Cinder barely paid any attention to the decorations that were set up along the hallway. Despite everything that had happened as of late, the school was in a festive mood.

Catching sight of a few dressed up students a little further down one of the corridors, she walked by confidently while her teammates and Roman followed behind, the latter pulling his hat down to hide his face.

Hearing the sound of music playing down the hallway, Cinder slowed her pace. It didn’t take them long before they arrived at their destination... A large hall packed with students, most of whom were dancing while the rest were either talking with one another or sat along the boundaries of the room.

“Not exactly sure how I’ll be able to sneak in there,” Roman muttered. “I mean, I’m good, but I do have my limits.”

“You’ve done your part,” Cinder hummed. “Why don’t you wait here for now... We’ll handle the rest.” Taking a step forward, she stopped and looked over her shoulder. “Oh, and don’t try to leave. I won’t be very pleased if you do.”

Making her way further into the room, she idly glanced at the reception that was being manned by a rabbit Faunus and offered a few polite words as she passed by.

Spotting her target standing near the back, Cinder’s hand burned. This was it. Nodding to her teammates, Cinder glanced around one last time before making her way around the crowd.

She’d thought about this for a while now, looking at all of the angles, making sure that there weren’t any flaws to her plan and now she was finally here.

Reaching her target, she placed her hand on his shoulder and stepped around, sliding it all the way around until it rested against his chest, smirking as she stared up at him. “Mr. Calavera... I can’t say how long I’ve waited to meet you.”

Feeling Salem’s power pulse through her body, black veins manifested on Cinder’s arm. Reaching up, she grabbed onto his neck and squeezed as her Aura poured into his body, ready to rip his Semblance from his body, only to notice at the last second that something was wrong.

Hearing a crack, the world around Cinder shattered, as if it were made of glass, revealing that they weren’t standing in the ballroom at all, but rather a training hall with a white screen made from Hard=Light Dust, boxing her in. Coal’s form faded, revealing that she’d been holding an android.

Looking around, she found her teammates who were currently being restrained by military personnel. Ironwood stood at the end of the room, watching her like a hawk while his people worked while Ozpin and the real Coal stood on the other end, talking to an exhausted Neo?!

Ripping the head off the android she’d been holding, she smashed it into the Hard=Light Dust wall. Marcus’ Semblance practically screaming in her ears. She’d been betrayed.

...Breathe...

Marching down one of Beacon’s many hallways with a White Fang pack at his back, Adam gripped his Katana tightly, ready to cut down the first person he came across... Regardless of if they were human or Faunus. It was the price they would pay for tonight to be a success.

After tonight, there wouldn’t be a person on Remnant that didn’t hear what they’d done here tonight. The White Fang would be both respected and feared while Adam... He’d get his revenge... Not only on humans in general, but the family that had caused him the most pain. Two of their members were here after all.

Gliding a finger across a window as he walked by, Adam pulled it back, dusting off the cobwebs that clung to him. What did Blake even see in this place?

Spotting a figure standing a little further down the hallway, Adam came to a sudden stop moments before the rest of his pack.

It seemed that one of his targets had come to him. Good. That saved him some time.

“Winter Schnee...”

Standing tall with one hand on her weapon, she seemed completely unbothered by Adam or his troops. “Adam Taurus,” She nodded. “You and your group are intruding. I’m giving you all one chance to lay down your arms. Fail to comply and I can’t guarantee your safety.”

Hearing a cough, he glanced back, passed his troops down the hallway he’d just travelled, to see Glynda Goodwitch, wielding her riding crop, alongside another pair of professors. One, a short man with grey hair holding a battle axe and the other a taller one with messy green holding a flask?!

“You must be joking if you thought I’d come quietly.”

Gripping his sword, he took a low stance as he began charging his Semblance, using the shotgun built into his hilt on the blade inside.

Taking off in a sprint, he left his soldiers to handle the professors while he took care of the Schnee. Once he was done, he’d help them get rid of the nuisances.

Nearing the Schnee, Adam felt on edge. She hadn’t made a single move to defend herself. Instead, she simply stood with her arms crossed behind her back, waiting calmly for him to attack. Growing ever nearer, Adam’s eyes widened as he noticed a glimmering web made from extremely fine threads in front of her.

Unsheathing his blade, his sword glowed red as he hacked his way through. If he’d had a little more time to charge up, he would have made easy work of them but all things considered, he’d just barely managed to cut them.

Closing her eyes, Winter sighed. “I’d hoped to take you down with that... If at all possible, could you make this quick? I have... Prior engagements that I would like to see through.”

“Typical Schnee,” Adam grunted. “Treating others as if they’re nothing but a waste of time. It’ll be your last mistake... Not taking me seriously.”

“I suppose this does count as a unique opportunity to try out a few things,” Winter murmured, not really paying him any attention.

Growling, Adam launched himself towards her, bringing his sword down, only for a large ethereal hand to materialize behind her, swatting him away.

Righting himself in the air, he skidded to a stop, landing a short distance away... Right by the massive spider’s web she’d tried catching him in earlier.

Looking up, he found a large ethereal humanoid figure with large antlers and glowing eyes looming over Winter, long spindly hovering in front of her protectively.

“I haven’t had the chance to test this one just yet,” Winter remarked, glancing up at her Grimm construct. “Unfortunately, those that I train with are simply too powerful and would kill it in an instant. You, however, could prove to be a suitable sparring partner for this one.”

Launching itself forward, Winter’s new summon bounded across the walls, rapidly picking up speed as it approached Adam.

Bringing his blade up, he managed to just barely block the summons first strike. Unfortunately, the weight of the blow was enough to send him skidding into a nearby wall, cracking it.

Not given much time, Adam rolled to the side as it struck, only to find himself hit with a sense of weightlessness as the summon grabbed his leg and took him along with it.

Smacking into the walls, ceiling and floor like a ragdoll, he managed to pull himself together long enough to stab his blade into the limb that was holding onto him, freeing himself.

Hitting the ground, he was immediately on guard, looking for the summoned Grimm, only to find it strangely absent. The Schnee was still there and so were his soldiers, although they were quickly being whittled down by the gathered professors, but no Grimm.

Feeling a hot breath on his neck, a large hand grabbed his head and smashed him into the wall as another one collided with his chest.

Grunting, Adam brought his blade up, blocking the next strike and the one after that, keeping the Summon from immediately shattering his Aura... It didn’t, however, stop him from being pushed further into the wall.

“ENOUGH!”

With his sword glowing brighter than it had ever before, he hacked through the summon, before flickering towards the Schnee, leaving darkened after images of himself in the process.

With his Aura as low as it was, he likely wouldn’t be able to get rid of the other Schnee... Let alone have the energy to confront Blake, but he could at least get rid of one before making his escape.

Bringing his blade down, an arc of energy shot off towards the Schnee who, in her final moments appeared disappointed, only for her appearance to be concealed as his attack hit, releasing enough energy to shake the hallway.

A loud bang sounded throughout the area as Adam skidded to a stop. His Aura was low, but ultimately, he was victorious. However, there was no time for celebration, he still needed to help deal with the professors.

After that... Depending on how much Aura he had left, he’d either continue with the mission or fall back. One dead Schnee was still a great success after all.

“It seems I still need practice with that Summon,” Winter noted calmly. “You have my thanks for showing me that, but I think it’s time we brought this to an end.”

She was still alive?!

Impossible.

Turning around, he barely had time to raise his blade, blocking a strike as she passed by. Grunting, he turned towards her once more, only to feel something wet dripping down his heat. Touching it, he brought his hand back, revealing that it was blood.

Feeling the same sensation spread throughout his clothes, Adam’s Aura crackled before finally shattering. Dropping his sword, he fell to the ground with a grunt. “How?”

Flicking her blade clean of his blood, Winter sheathed it. “There once was a time where I considered you a threat... I’ve grown since then.”

...Breathe...

So this was Cinder? Although I’d known about her for quite a while now, this was the first time I’d ever seen her in person and she seemed pissed. Given the circumstances, that was expected.

Whatever was happening with her hand, however, was unexpected. It still contained the Grimm beetle that could steal a Maiden’s powers, but there was something else there... Something that radiated a sense of wrongness.

Salem had cooked up something new again... And this time, it seemed like she’d tailored it for me, if Cinder’s actions were anything to go by.

“So I can just... Leave, right?” Roman asked, staring at Cinder as she tried to break through her prison in a fit of rage. “I’m not being arrested or detained or anything? I can just go?”

“Although some of us thought you should be locked up regardless of your actions, I believe that sets a bad example,” Ozpin hummed, glancing towards Ironwood. “You may leave, but before that, I would like you to consider all the good you’ve done today. Perhaps you could help us out in the future, we could certainly–“

“Yeah I’m going to have to stop you there,” Roman interrupted. “The only reason I did this was to save my own ass. This was a one time deal. To tell the truth, I find it a little creepy that you’d just let me, a known criminal, leave without even trying to pursue. Makes me wonder just how bad Cinder truly is.”

“Perhaps it’s best that you don’t know,” Ozpin said.

Walking a little closer, I stopped a few feet from the Hard-Light Dust wall that separated Cinder from the rest of the room. From what Ironwood had said, it’d take a substantial amount of force to do any real damage to the container. It was made of the same stuff that kept cities safe from Leviathan class Grimm after all.

“So, what exactly is that hand of yours supposed to do?” I’d been trying to figure it out for a while now and was drawing a blank.

“Open this cage and I’ll show you,” Cinder muttered. “It’ll only take a second.”

As much as I wanted to find out what her hand was capable of, I did still have a dance to attend and that, honestly, felt far more important than this.

“I guess we’ll never know then,” I hummed, turning to leave. “By the way, you do realize that Grimm in your arm is more of a leash than anything else, right? Act out and she’ll probably use it to get you back in line. You’ve already failed her, what, twice now? I can’t imagine she’ll be very happy with you.”

“And what makes you think this is a failure?” Cinder asked. “Maybe I’m right where I want to be. Did you consider that?”

...
 Ping!

Iron Mind had resisted Hallucinations
 ...

Emeralds Semblance?

There was a click, followed by a snapping sound as the Hard-Light Dust was deactivated. Launching herself forward, Cinder fought with a mad, almost animalistic desperation, making her harder to predict.

Stepping around her and ducking under her swings while Ironwood called out orders for his soldiers to stay out of the way. Grabbing my sword from my inventory, I pulled it out of its sheath, blocking her hand.

Gripping my blade, Cinder’s hand began to heat up, turning it a dull red. Pulling herself forward, forward, she lashed out with her hand, reaching for my chest, only to miss when I leaned back.

“So, do you actually need to land a direct hit?” Catching her hand by the wrist, I held it firmly as she tried to pull free. “Because you’re not going to have much luck if that’s the case.”

...
 Ping!

Iron Soul has resisted Semblance theft

...

Blinking, Cinder stared at the notification that appeared in front of me. “What is that?”

She could see it... And she was trying to steal my Semblance? That was her big plan?

...
 Ping!
 Ping!
 Ping!
 Ping!
 Ping!

Warning, system has detected a virus, commencing full reboot in
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