Chapter 14: The Next Step

A quick, shorter-than-usual chapter for everyone. Quick question: Do you like shorter chapters that quickly progress the plot, or longer chapters that are more descriptive? Anyway, thanks for reading, I need to get back to studying. Feedback is appreciated.

Being evil wasn't as difficult-or as fun-as it seemed.

Simon checked his, map of the building breathing a sigh of disappointment. For a vault meant to store some of the most important assets in all of Remnant, it seemed like all that talk about the intense security of the CCT was just a bluff to scare petty thieves out of attempting to steal from it. And it worked for the most part.

But to Simon Carabas, the young mercenary thief who had stolen precious documents from the Kingdom's parliament and instigated multiple political scandals for his clients? No security system on the continent could scare him.

Before long, he'd reached the door to the Vault. It looked the same as all the other rooms, a green door on which a keypad and microphone were mounted, and two red lights on the wall next to it. If the intelligence R had provided was correct, there was a myriad of traps lying within to trap any aspiring thieves. And that was assuming they got past the lock.

Determining that there was no one nearby, Simon knelt down and began hacking into the lock. He'd taken the time to hide the body of the guard in an empty Vault, it wouldn't be long before someone discovered they were missing.

"Two…four….one…one…zero…" he muttered, punching in the numbers on the keypad.

One of the red lights turned to green, signifying that the lock was half open.

"Remember the schematics for the traps," Simon muttered to himself, retrieving a small mouthpiece from his pocket. He put it to his mouth. "Testing…testing."

The voice that came out was not his. Rather, it was indistinguishable from that of Professor Ozpin. He put his mouth to the microphone and muttered one word: "Olympius."

There was a pause, and then a computerized voice rang out: Voice and passcode verified. Client: Professor Ozpin. The door swung open.

If anyone else had walked in, they would have died in the first few seconds. Simon slowly walked across the room, stepping only on the "safe" tiles. One wrong move and he'd be pumped full of bullets from one of several hidden turrets. He reached the other end of the vault where his target lay.

The Promethian Ore. The orange crystal emanated a strange, ominous beauty that was almost otherworldly. Simon couldn't help but marvel at it for a second. Only a second, though. Making sure to disable the explosive trap underneath, he grabbed the Ore and thrust it in his pocket. Job's done then.

Simon, sneaking out back the way he came, locked the Vault with the stolen key and promptly strolled out of the CCT Tower, with no one any the wiser.

He had left one last surprise, though, on the roof of the tower. He smiled to himself as he imagined their reactions…

The aircraft rumbled and shook from the pressure of the surrounding wind as it flew towards its destination at full capacity. Within the craft, the tension was thick enough to be cut with a knife.

"The Promethian Ore is at Beacon?" Summer asked, dumbfounded. It was hard to believe that such a dangerous weapon would be located so close to home.

"So it was all a distraction," Raven murmured. "Damn. We all fell for their little trap."

"Ghhh…." Qrow was slumped over pathetically in his seat, trying not to throw up. "Why won't you just kill me 'lready…" he moaned.

"Specifically, it's stored in a high-security vault at the CCT Tower," Glynda said through gritted teeth. "Its location was supposed to be one of Remnant's most well-kept secrets, and yet…"

"W-well, if it's high security, then that means no one can get in, right?" Tai replied, trying to sound hopeful. "There's probably, like, a hundred death cannons and lazer machine guns ready to blast any intruders, right?"

"Normally, I wouldn't be concerned," Glynda admitted. "Unfortunately, this may well be a special case, considering…" the professor fell silent. It looked like whatever was on her mind, she had no intention of sharing it with the four rookies.

Summer inspected her equipment. This has all been a lot to take in. "Do…do you think we'll have to fight them?" she asked.

There was a pause, then Glynda sighed. "No…it looks like there won't be a point. We're too late."

"Huh?" Summer looked up. A hologram was showing the scene just outside the aircraft. They had reached Vale. The CCT Tower was right in front of them. And a large, red symbol was being projected into the air from its apex.

A pig's head with a sword running through it-the mark of the Revenants. "Oh, no…" she murmured.

No one spoke a word. It was quite clear what had happened in the tower.

The Promethian Ore, one of the most destructive artifacts in all of Remnant, had been stolen.

It was evening. Team STRQ sat silently in their dorm room. Somehow or other, Team HTHR had found their way in there with them.

Taiyang was the first to speak. "So, uh…that didn't go well."

"I mean, yeah, if you wanna put it lightly," Qrow grumbled.

"Well, we had a great time!" Regal was lounging on Tai's bed, grinning. "The Grimm were actually pretty tough, and Harriet got lost for a couple hours, but overall it was way better than I thought!"

Qrow sighed. "Good for you, pal."

"There's always next time, you know," Heather chimed in. "Maybe all eight of us can go together!"

"I don't think that's allowed for first-years…" Harriet pointed out, scratching her tail. "I'd like it, though."

"Actually, we were talking about, y'know, the city getting ROBBED by a crime syndicate while we were away,"Qrow snapped.

"Oh." Harriet looked downward. "That's, um…that's bad, too."

Raven, Summer and Torrence simply sat on the floor without a word. Raven in particular had plenty on her mind.

Outwardly, she looked calm as ever. Inside, though, she was seething.

Raven Branwen was not used to losing. Or failing in general. Because when she did, it shattered the "cool, wise, graceful badass" act she'd spent her whole life perfecting. She was supposed to be the best. It was what she had been taught to do-no, what she'd been born to do. But how could she be the best when she'd been beaten by a lowlife criminal wearing an idiotic-looking mask?

Calm yourself, she thought. You are better than this. Think about where you go from here. Plan your next move with cunning and logic, just like you were taught.

Even with her physical loss, not everything had gone wrong for Raven today.

All this time, she'd been putting together all the clues in her head-about the syndicate, their goals, and the mysterious R.

The erratic and violent crimes.

The lack of knowledge on their members beside what little they had on their leaders.

The mysterious rat Grimm that could take control of people.

The syndicate's apparent hatred for Faunus.

The Faunus War ten years ago.

There was something else behind it all-an enormous secret that someone was determined to keep hidden from the world. Raven understood the sentiment. She had plenty of her own secrets.

The pieces were slowly falling into place, as it were. However, it still wasn't enough. This is maddening, Raven thought angrily. I feel like I'm so close to the answer…as if it's right in front of me…but I'm missing something. One final link.

Suddenly a thought popped into her head. Should I ask…? If anyone knows the answer, it would be-

She shook her head. No. I simply can't. If I did, everything I've done over the past seven years will be put at risk. I promised myself I would never…

But at this point, she realized she had few other options. The enemy's plan was approaching its climax. Raven had experience with foreseeing these types of things. Whatever the risk, she had to act. Now.

She took a deep breath. Brother…I'm sorry.

She took out her scroll and, obscuring it from everyone's view, wrote three words.

I need something.

After a moment's hesitation, she pressed the "Send" button…and her message was transmitted to the last person she'd ever ask for help.

Midnight had arrived. Three people were having a small, evil meeting in an abandoned warehouse near the docks.

"And so phase two of the plan is complete," R announced. Clasped in their hand was the Promethian Ore. "Well done, both of you. You performed admirably. That taunt with the symbol was certainly a nice touch, Simon."

The cat Faunus grinned. "Well, I wanted to have some fun with the job. Breaking into a high-security vault is a lot more boring than you'd think."

"Ah, now this was my type of operation!" Buck growled, stretching his arms out. "A shame humans break so easily. Was plenty more I coulda done with 'em."

"I'd prefer if you didn't go into detail." R said flatly. "Either way, I've upheld my end of the bargain-I helped you obtain what you required. I presume you will now commence the final stage of the plan?"

"That's right." Buck stood up. "And since I'm the one in charge now, I'll take over the mission briefing."

R shrugged. "I have no objection."

"Good." He activated a projector in front of him. The image of a high-tech floating stadium was displayed in front of all of them. "You all know what this is, eh?"

"The Vytal Stadium, where the Vytal Tournament is held," R answered. "It was constructed after the Great War to serve as a symbol of peace and unity."

"Aye, that's what we're told! Too bad the real story is a little less pleasant than that fairy-tale gibberish." Buck laughed. "See, maintaining something like THAT needs, well, a lot of energy. Making it as fancy and garish as it is needs even more."

"It's powered with Gravity Dust," Simon added. "A rare form of Dust energy that can twist the laws of physics themselves. That's how it manages to levitate. The stuff's quite valuable in the black market."

"Ah," R nodded. "I believe I understand the situation. Something like that should have enough raw power to cut open the Promethian Ore. And if the Ore were to detonate at the centre of the Vytal Stadium…"

"Kaboom!" Simon made an exaggerated motion with his hands.

"We'll show 'em how much their 'symbol of peace' is REALLY worth," Buck snarled. "And if we're lucky, we'll take out half the damn Kingdom down with it. When the dust has cleared…we can finally reveal ourselves to the world!"

"Mmm." R seemed completely nonchalant. "An…ambitious goal, if nothing else."

"Isn't it?" Buck laughed. "Now you understand why supporting our cause was the best option, eh?"

"Though at least ask yourself this," R continued, standing up. "When did I ever say I was 'supporting' you?"

"What…?" Buck stared.

"Just a suggestion," R laughed. "Well then, you two, goodnight. I look forward to seeing the conclusion of our little game." With that, they teleported away.

"…Tch. He sure loves getting the last word in, hmm?" Buck growled. "Well, fine. You, too, shall see my full grandeur in time." He walked over to the drawer on the side of the warehouse.

R was likely just messing with him. But still, the masked man had always made him feel uneasy. And if they were to turn on him once they had gotten what they wanted-whatever the hell it was…

Perhaps the situation called for a little insurance policy.

Buck retrieved a small ornate bracelet from the drawer, with a beautiful, immaculately round black jewel in its centre. He inserted it onto his left arm.

I'll carve out a new age for this world with my own hands…and nothing will stand in my way.

It was time to play his trump card.