[RWBY] The Great Temporal Step-Sibling War!

[AndrewJTalon]

It had been foolish of Arslan. She had lost control. Seeing Jaune hurt so badly... She had seen nothing but red. Nothing but raw rage had filled her.

In that moment she had forgotten that her Semblance didn't work if she lost emotional control. Her incredible Aura control and power? Useless if she didn't keep herself calm.

Cinder had struck her down and everything had gone black. She wondered for a moment if she was dead. If she was about to reach the Table Breaker's Country at last.

Instead, she awoke in a cell in Aura suppressing cuffs. A cage in some run down warehouse in Mantle, below the flying city of Atlas.

It was filthy, dark, and deserted. She was still in pain.

Still... She would manage.

She got up onto her knees, and bowed her head. Her hands were bound in front of her, so that made things easier.

Oh Emperor above, please, hear my prayer...

"You're awake."

Arslan opened her eyes and turned her head calmly. Cinder stood there, a sneer upon her ruined face. Arslan studied her for a moment, before turning her head back and closing her eyes again.

She could feel Cinder's derision from here.

"You know, I could have killed you then and there," the terrorist went on, "But I chose not to. You know why?"

"Because you wish to use me as bait for my friends," Arslan said quietly. Cinder was quiet, then snorted.

"You can do nothing about it."

"I can. And I am," Arslan replied.

She heard Cinder stalk in front of the cage and crouch down. No doubt to glare at her right in her face.

"What are you doing, hm?"

"Praying," Arslan said simply. Cinder laughed mockingly.

"To your made up god? What good will that do? You hoping he'll save you?"

"My hope is that He will save both of us," Arslan said quietly. She could feel Cinder gape at her in disbelief.

"Save both of us?!" She demanded. She slammed the bars of the cage, making them rattle. "What kind of shit is that?! I'm your enemy! I'm your nemesis-!"

Arslan opened her eyes and stared into Cinder's.

"And why do you not seem happy about that?" Arslan asked. Cinder sneered at her.

"Your god's a fake. A fraud. What power has he given you? What reward? What reason to believe?"

"I do not always recognize His will, for no one can discern it fully," Arslan said, "But He has given me many things. A loving family. Friends. A man I wish to spend the rest of my life with. And opportunities to help and save people. The power He has given me is to do good. The reward is that good is done. The belief is that my actions matter and will make a difference."

"Your life has made no difference!" Cinder sneered.

"Your defeats and the lives you have failed to take speak otherwise," Arslan countered. Cinder seethed.

"You're up against the power of an immortal witch! She is the true god here-!"

"And you seek to usurp her power," Arslan surmised. Cinder glared, then smirked.

"So what if I do?"

"It will not change what happened to you," Arslan said softly, her eyes filled with compassion. Cinder's eyes narrowed.

"You don't know anything about me-!"

"The orphanage," Arslan said coldly, "The Glass Unicorn. Rhodes. Your stepmother and stepsisters."

Cinder reared back as though Arslan had struck her. She shook her head rapidly.

"Y-You can't know-How could you-?!"

"I know. It is enough," Arslan murmured. She shook her head.

"You have been through Hell, Cinder Fall. I do not dispute that. I do not deny you have suffered much. Was killing your abusive stepmother and siblings justice? I cannot say. Only He can judge you. I do know that the actions you have taken in Salem's service will not bring you peace."

"I don't want peace!" Cinder spat, "I want power! I want revenge!"

Arslan slowly shook her head.

"You want to feel safe," she stated, "You wanted love. So badly. But you decided it was not worth the risk. How could you? After how badly you were hurt when you trusted? It is the hardest thing in the world to trust, to open yourself up-"

"SHUT UP!"

Cinder flared her flames in her hands. Arslan remained stoic, staring back at Cinder. Cinder meanwhile was panting angrily.

"You can't pity me... You don't get to pity me! We're enemies and I'm going to kill you, your fucking boyfriend, and the rest so I can rule! Your prayers won't change that!"

Arslan closed her eyes and bowed her head.

"Perhaps not," she said, "But I will still try."

Cinder was silent for a moment.

"Even if there was a God, He wouldn't..." Cinder hesitated, "He wouldn't forgive me for what I have done."

"He would," Arslan said softly, "Even if I cannot... He would. If you sought redemption."

"So you can't forgive me," Cinder smirked. "You're not perfect, huh?"

"I am not, nor did I claim to be," Arslan said, sounding tired, "But I still try to do the right thing. No matter how hard it is. That includes praying for my enemies in the hope that they will turn away from evil. It is a faint hope... But it is what must be done."

Cinder glared at Arslan in silence for a bit. Arslan continued to pray.

"You're a fool," Cinder spat. She stood up. "I'm going to kill you in front of your boyfriend. The one I crippled! How does that make you feel?"

"Sad," Arslan said quietly, "For you."

Cinder seethed. She turned and stalked away.

- - -

A bit random but while this story is very Jaune-centric, no reason we can't show glimpses that showcase the other characters in more detail.

 

[ThunderBasilisk]

Always hate how thick Cinders plot armor is.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Always hate how thick Cinders plot armor is.

Click to shrink...

Don't worry, she died in ten out of eleven of the future timelines.

 

[TheFabulousCustodes]

Don't worry, she died in ten out of eleven of the future timelines.

Click to shrink...

Sounds like an idea for a short, most of Jaune's future kids revealing how Cinder goes down in their timeline.

Also, thanks for more warrior nun Arslan!

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Dvipa, near Mistral

- - -

Dvipa was a small collection of about seven islands about halfway between Pandu's southernmost shore and Menagerie's northernmost point. It was one of thousands of small island chains that dotted the sea between Animus, Vale and Menagerie. Law and order could only be brought to so many of them, even with the reach of Atlas' military. So among the petty almost-kingdoms and islands where people toiled unaware of the larger world outside, there sat Dvipa.

Once it had been an outpost of the great Pandavan Empire at its height, and so the cities that dotted the archipelago featured Pandavan architecture: White and tan walls with graceful arches and turban-like tops. Wide fountains and boulevards going through dense jungles. Yet its allegiance was neutral, and it had no extradition laws.

This suited Colonel Sebastian Zaroff, late of Her Majesty's Vytalian Army, just fine. He rode on his horse through the jungle, tall, broad and strong despite his long years. His hair was a fading orange, with black and silver stripes running through it. With his bushy mustache, fearsome scowl and golden eyes, one covered by a monocle, he resembled a fearsome tiger on the prowl. His khaki uniform was still filled out well by his muscular body. He held his double rifle in one hand, keen eyes and senses scanning the underbrush.

He tugged on the reins and his horse obediently slowed to a stop. Nothing but the wind waving in the leaves and the sounds of birds and monkeys could be heard.

The colonel sniffed the air carefully. He looked to his south. He held up his rifle, eyes narrowing through the scope. He took aim, his heartbeat slowing as he went still as a statue.

He licked his lips free of sweat, revealing his Faunus fangs just for a moment-One replaced with a golden replica.

His Aura surged... And he fired!

The first round from the double rifle flew straight and true, the sonic boom ringing through the forest. There was a cry of pain-Human.

Colonel Zaroff turned his steed towards the sound and galloped after it. He crashed through the undergrowth, disturbing several beasts who hadn't scurried away with the sound of the shot.

At last, the colonel and his horse broke onto a wide shallow stream. A single figure lay in the water, dragging himself onto the rock. The figure looked back in terror, a White Fang mask upon his face. He gasped loudly, desperately, as the Colonel dismounted and slowly approached him.

"N-No... I-I'm... I'm a Faunus... Like you!" The terrorist begged. He coughed, holding his side-A hole had been shot clean through, and blood poured out of the wound into the river.

The Colonel snorted.

"Such a trivial bond we share," he huffed. "I fought the Mantlians and the Mistralians, a loyal soldier of Queen Arturia herself! Well before you were a glint in your no good father's eye. I slew Grimm, man, and Faunus. There was no challenge I could not overcome!"

He shook his head sadly, and cocked his double rifle. His sorrow was so deep it made the big man sag almost completely.

"Then the Empire ended... And I was left without a purpose," he sighed. "Without war, what use is a warrior?"

He brightened at a happy memory, which made the Faunus cower even more.

"Then... Oh, then... Ol' Duryodhana, he had a plan! Overthrow the Sarkaras! Put the Kauravas back on top! Beat drinking myself to death in a bar, telling stories of my old glories to unappreciative youths. Aye lad, was that a great battle! And so many others besides! Now those were heady days! I was fighting again! Killing again! The most dangerous prey you can imagine!"

He sighed and slowly shook his head, regret coming over his face.

"Then... Bah. Arjun retook the throne. I lost it all. Even that little shite Karna betrayed us. I had to flee to this spit o' land, retired and bored again."

He gave the White Fang terrorist a scowl.

"I had hoped hunting you down would have given me some excitement! But you... You didn't even take an hour."

He held the rifle up with a shrug.

"Still! Better than nothing. I'll put you down clean and put your head somewhere nice on me wall, I promise-"

"Colonel!"

Zaroff growled and looked away from his injured prey. A Pandavan man in white clothing with a red turban dashed through the trees, his youthful face filled with anxiety.

"Yes Asok?" Zaroff asked impatiently. "I'm in the middle of something-"

"Lionheart is calling!" Asok said quickly, skidding to a halt in the middle of the stream. He held up the holocommunicator. Zaroff's annoyance changed flavor-No longer with his aide but with the caller.

He took his time, quite deliberately rubbing his chin. He then shrugged.

"Very well."

Asok activated the projector. The tiger Faunus glared at the lion Faunus outlined in blue.

"This had better be important, Lionheart. I was in the middle of-"

"Ozpin knows I'm a traitor," Lionheart stated flatly, the rotund Faunus's voice level but the sweat on his brow betrayed his fear.

Zaroff huffed.

"And?"

"And you owe me," Lionheart growled.

"Feh," Zeroff scoffed, "For what? Sending me to retire in exile?"

"Would you have preferred I left you to Arjun's tender mercies?" Lionheart sneered. Zaroff shrugged and thought about it.

"Hmm... A glorious end might be preferred, I'll be honest."

Lionheart growled, then sucked in a deep breath. He regain his composure.

"I helped you escape and got you prey to hunt from time to time. Now... I need something more of you. I need you to go to Vale."

Zaroff raised a bushy eyebrow. He was too old a hand at this to betray his full interest though.

"Oh really? In handcuffs? Trying to save your skin?"

"Offering you would not be enough," Lionheart stated flatly. Zaroff chuckled.

"That's true. I believe you had a hand in murdering the entire Sarkaran family. My life wouldn't buy yours. So why should I go?"

"Because there's something much more valuable to be had," Lionheart stated, "A shot at Team AARN."

Zaroff paused.

"They're back together again, are they?" He asked softly, a glint returning to his eyes.

Lionheart nodded.

"Family issues... You would have a shot at them and what's left of team STRQ. All you need to do is take them down... And retrieve these two people, alive and unharmed."

An image of a blond young man, around 17, with blue eyes and white and black armor appeared alongside a boy of the same age whose features shifted almost constantly. Zaroff scowled.

"The hell is wrong with that one?"

"Long story," Lionheart said, "I'll be sending you in along with a team. They'll be hard to manage... But I have every confidence you can do it."

Zaroff hummed. Granted... He was tempted. Severely, in fact. Yet...

"And what else will I get if I go along with this little hunting expedition of yours, Lionheart? My services were never cheap."

"If you achieve this," Lionheart said, "You'll get to name your price."

Zaroff stared at him. Lionheart didn't so much as blink.

"You're serious?"

"Deadly serious," Lionheart stated.

Zaroff laughed. He shook his head and rested a hand against his hip.

"Well... I suppose I may as well hear you out," he decided. "We'll talk more back at my manor."

"Agreed," Lionheart said, before the hologram winked out. Zaroff chuckled again, nearly jumping for joy.

"Hahaha! A good old fashioned hunt! Ahh... Against the greatest of prey! Suddenly, everything is looking up!"

The White Fang member coughed up blood. Zaroff looked down at him, all smiles.

"Ah, yes... Almost forgot about you. Seems I've got a change of plans, son! I've actually got some real entertainment at last!"

"So... Are you going to let me go?" He asked hopefully.

Zaroff held out his hand. Asok pulled out a shotgun. Zaroff, still smiling, took the the shotgun then held it up to the face of the White Fang terrorist.

"You should have been a comedian, son," Zaroff chuckled, before he pulled the trigger.

- - -

Colonel Sebastian Zaroff is based upon Colonel Sebastian Moran, an associate of Moriarty's in "Sherlock Holmes" who was a British Army Officer and tiger hunter, and General Zaroff from "The Most Dangerous Game", a Russian aristocrat and big game hunter who hunts people on his private island.

Asok is named for the Indian intern from "Dilbert".

Zaroff will be the first of the Four Emperors: Four mercenaries Salem's agents will gather to counter the adults and assist her Maiden Candidates as part of her larger plans in Vale.

 

[ThunderBasilisk]

Zaroff is gonna die screaming

 

[Thamerlin]

Zaroff is gonna die screaming

Click to shrink...

For a man like him? A better curse: "may he die an invalid."

 

[Electrotechman]

For a man like him? A better curse: "may he die an invalid."

Click to shrink...

Make him an imprisoned vegetable.

With all four limbs chopped off and the wounds seared closed.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Just wait until you meet the other Four Emperors.

 

[Gur40]

Just wait until you meet the other Four Emperors.

Click to shrink...

oh~ i remeber you talking about a 'hunter of the dangerous game' kraven style character before and he does not disappoint
will the Crown of Vacuo be one of the emperors? Adam a false/deluded king? Tyrian a devoted priest ? Arrowfell guy[literally can't remeber his name] Merlot the destroyer of Glenn? so many epithets and titles and so much fun!

 

[AndrewJTalon]

oh~ i remeber you talking about a 'hunter of the dangerous game' kraven style character before and he does not disappoint
will the Crown of Vacuo be one of the emperors? Adam a false/deluded king? Tyrian a devoted priest ? Arrowfell guy[literally can't remeber his name] Merlot the destroyer of Glenn? so many epithets and titles and so much fun!

Click to shrink...

No, you have only seen one of the Four Emperors before. His theme is Dragon, in keeping with the four Cardinal creatures of Chinese mythology: Tiger, Dragon, Tortoise, and Phoenix/Crane.