Loose Ends

"The preparations are ready, and the final match will begin tomorrow."
"Then it's time you trim the fat."
"It will be done."

Neo pushed open the door to Cinder's office. She wasn't called in often, but the frequency had increased since Roman was put away.
She enters slowly and tilts her head at the back of the chair. Just turn around and say what you need already, you fiery-
"Thank you for coming so quickly, Neo. I really appreciate all the help you've been in furthering my goals."
Neo's eyes narrow before the chair spins around.
Cinder's eye glowed as she thrust her hand forward, sending a blast of fire out at the illusionist.
Smoke and dust filled the room, only for an umbrella to fill the half-Maiden's vision.
The canopy collapses and Neo's angry irises flash a series of colors.
Cinder glances around as a team of Neo's charge at her, their hidden blades ready. She raises her other arm and a screech fills the air before the floor erupts from under them.
The Neo's shatter, leaving Cinder alone.
All according to plan.


Roman sighed as he tapped his fingers on the wall of his cell. Just when was she planning on starting the next part of her 'plan' anyways? This cell was so boring, the clothes so drab, the food, ugh. The "food."
He rolled his eyes and went back to his brooding until the sound of the door release brought him back. He didn't even look up before opening his mouth, "Back for another try, James?"
He looked up at the handle of his cane before scanning down the shaft to find his partner holding the other end.
"Finally time to move then?"
Roman grabs his cane and pulls himself up, nearly pulling Neo over in the process. They look at each other, and Roman's eager smile quickly fades. "Oh."
He leaves his cell, only to find both sides of the hall blocked. "Emerald, Mercury. How kind of you to see us off the ship."
The duo grin before charging at the pair of thieves.


Gunfire fills the air. Grunts and yells pierce the noise occasionally as the two forces flood the dance floor.
Junior's gang wasn't very powerful, nor was it very large, so he couldn't understand why the White Fang was kicking in his front door.
That wasn't going to stop him and the boys (and girls) from defending their turf.
The Twins were already leading his resistance, clearing out the faunus in a matter of minutes. They fought as one, heels and claws tearing through the animals and giving Junior's men a chance to regroup and dig in as the noises cease.
A chainsaw revs.
More White Fang pour in, being led by their Lieutenant. He makes short work of the men posted near the entrance as the elite units of the White Fang begin overrunning the tired humans.
Junior jumps down from his office overlooking the bar and strides through the chaos, tapping his bat against his hand.
The two massive men meet in the center of the building and begin exchanging blows.
The Malachites fared well against the more skilled White Fang reinforcements, but their numbers were making their task more difficult.
As they finish a combination attack that knocks a glasses-clad White Fang member out, Junior yells out in pain.
"Mel."
"I know."
Banesaw lifts his chainsaw only to have his arm kicked. A slash of claws quickly follows, and he staggers backwards. As the next attack comes, he grabs the limb it's attached to and throws the girl into her sister.
They weren't quite Schnees, but they'd do for now.


"No deal. Look, we may not be the strongest, or the nicest people in the world, we get that. But we're not evil. We get a kick or two from picking on our friends, but what you want, what you're after.. We won't let that happen."
"What a shame."
The ground below Team CRDL ignites as a screech fills the air.
The guys dive and roll away as the floor erupts behind them.

JNPR kicks open the door to the warehouse to find Cinder standing over a defeated Cardin, his team scattered around the room in various states of pain and consciousness.
"What took you so long, Jauney-boy?"


Ruby watches as Yang pushes in the damaged doors to Junior's bar. Bullet holes line the walls, and many of his men are still laying there as others are being treated by the local paramedics.
Yang spots the twins sitting on at a table near the bar and goes over by them, Ruby in tow. "How is he?"
"They got him pretty bad."
"Lucky he made it at all."
"Do you know who did this?" Ruby asks as she looks around at all the bodies.
"Of course."
"We were here."
"It was the White Fang."
"Still don't know why."
The hunter sisters look at each other before a voice calls out.
"Hey, blondie."
The two pairs of sisters turn to the voice, only to find Junior being led past on a stretcher. He reaches into his pocket and holds a set of keys.
"Lock up will ya? And don't get any scratches on the bar."
She smiles weakly and takes them from him. "I'll try."
The bar collapses behind the sisters as the medics take him outside.


Weiss and Blake run up the ramp to Ironwood's ship.
They weren't sure what was going on, but the alarm supposedly went off and they were sent to check it out.
They walk through the hallways, scanning the cells on the detention level. Until they reach one with an open door.
They look in, finding a mass of pink and brown hair leaning over someone.
Neo turns around and draws the blade from her umbrella, her bleeding arm shaking as she struggles to stand.
A hand reaches out from behind her and grabs her arm. "It's alright. What more can they do?"
Neo drops the blade and slumps against the wall, pouting slightly.
A beaten and bloody Roman looks up at the pair. "What's the matter, huh? Cat got your tongue?"
"Who did this to you?"
"It doesn't matter anymore, kids. None of it does. It'll all be over soon, and you're too late to stop it."
He coughs, blood splattering the front of his already stained prison attire. "If you hurry, you might just catch the fireworks."