Chapter 32: Stoke the embers

Scarlet and Neo made it to the Monstra, along with Cinder. Neo landed the airship as they went inside to meet up with Salem.

"Do you still have the relic?" Scarlet asked glancing at the mute while she held Cinder over her shoulder.

Neo nodded holding it up, she grins a little as she placed it down by her waist.

Salem approached them from the throne room as she looks at Scarlet, and noticed Cinder was also there. She glanced over to Neo and then back to Scarlet for a brief moment. "Tell me, did you manage to get it?"

Scarlet nods. "Neo has the relic." She glanced at the mute as she gestures her to give the relic to Salem. "As for Cinder, I took her Maiden powers."

Neo handed Salem the relic of knowledge as she glanced at the pale woman. Salem took the relic as she looked at the mute and glanced at Scarlet. "Very good, as for your friend here. She is welcomed to join us...however, as for Cinder's situation. Put her down, I think it's time we put her in cuffs, she's disobeyed and failed me."

Emerald came into the room along with Hazel and Mercury, Scarlet dropped Cinder as she looked at Hazel. "Take her away, Cinder's no longer of use to us anymore."

"Understood." Hazel said walking over, he picked Cinder up and flung her over his shoulder and walked out of the room.

"Tyrian, and Watts were captured." Scarlet said. "Do you wish for me to free them?"

Salem shakes her head. "That won't be necessary, they will find their way back here." She held the relic as she looked at Scarlet. "I want you to kill everyone, your job isn't done yet. Ruby's eyes will belong to us."

Scarlet bows on one knee. "It will be done mother, also. I thought I should let you know, Ironwood plans on launching Amity Arena into the sky as a communications tower."

Salem rubs her chin as she snaps her fingers. "Rise up, scratch the original plan...if the Summer Maiden is still around. I want you to kill her instead, is that understood?"

Scarlet nods her head. "Of course mother, it will be done."

"Oh and." Salem said looking at her. "Before you do, there's a new set of clothing waiting for you."

Scarlet cocks an eyebrow up as she walks off, Neo followed behind her as she was wondering what it could be.

~~~

Scarlet walked out of the room in a black dress, her hair was no longer in a side ponytail as she now had long hair. She glanced around a little as she grins, she didn't mind the new outfit her mother had for her, it made her look more like a queen rather than a princess.

Neo tugged on Scarlet's sleeve as she was getting her attention, she was left hanging without a reward.

"Oh yes, the reward." Scarlet said. "I didn't forget about your reward." She leaned in looking at Neo as she cups her chin with her hand.

Neo looked into Scarlet's eyes as she closed hers bracing herself for what was to come, Scarlet slid her other hand down Neo's face as she kissed the mute on the lips deeply and passionately. Emerald had walked by as she stopped dumbstruck at what she was seeing, her face went beet red.

"Mm." Scarlet moaned a little as she pulled away from Neo's lips, she turned her head to look at Emerald as she snickered. "Do you want to join in?"

"N-No...No thanks." Emerald said as she backs up seeing Neo's love-struck face. "I-i Just remembered, I uh...I have to go, yeah I have to go do that thing..." She dashed off, speeding down the hall.

Salem clears her throat as she was standing behind Scarlet and Neo. "Ah yes, young love....if you're done making out now, you have a job to do."

Scarlet nods. "Of course, I didn't forget. This would give me the chance to test my Maiden powers. Oh by the way mother...Cinder was going to go after the Winter Maiden powers."

"I see." Salem said. "Do not worry about the Winter Maiden, I have a feeling Arthur Watts will be pulling some strings on that."

"Clever." Scarlet said as she turns to walk down the hall. "Mother, what was the Grimm you were working on, the last time we talked?"

Salem grins. "So you remember, The Hound is my latest creation in Grimm kind...well aside from you my child. It is intelligent, and is able to adapt itself to its surroundings."

"Fascinating." Scarlet said as she looks at Neo. "Come Neo, I think it's time we payed the heroes one last visit."

Neo nodded with glee and excitement as she skipped down the hall following Scarlet, Salem watched the two as she had already sent the Hound out to find Oscar. However, she wasn't to thrilled knowing what Cinder was going to do without any given orders.

~~~

Neo followed behind Scarlet closely as she wanted to make sure she knew where they were going at, she noticed Mercury in his wheelchair as she was confused on that part. But shrugged it off.

"Oh look at that, you got a follower." Mercury mocked. "Think you're so smart don't you?"

Scarlet stops as her eyes glowed. "Do you want to run that by me again cripple? Or maybe you didn't get the memo...I'm the new Maiden now, I can burn you..would you like to help me test my powers?"

Neo stuck her tongue out at him, as she turned away. She looked at Scarlet as she tugs on her sleeve again, letting her know not to forget the mission at had.

"Right, lets go. There's a Summer Maiden waiting for us...I'm sure Vest is dying to fight me again." Scarlet said as she walks off, as Neo followed her. "Maybe we should get Emerald's help, wouldn't you agree? Her semblance would come in handy with our plan, in case there's more goodie goodies aside from Vest."

Neo nods as she wraps her arm happily around Scarlet's arm, she wasn't sure why she felt butterflies in her stomach. But maybe she saw Scarlet as another Roman Torchwick, one who wouldn't die or leave her broken.

Scarlet sniffed the air as she could smell Emerald near by. "Oh Emerald, come here."

Emerald stopped in her tracks as she turned around, she heard Scarlet calling her as she slow. "H-Hey there, Scarlet...I was uh, you know."

Scarlet looked at her as she shakes her head. "No one is allowed to see Cinder, but you Emerald. You're coming with me and Neo, we're going back to Atlas."

"What for? Didn't you already bring back what Salem needed?" Emerald asked.

"Yes and No." Scarlet said as she wrapped her arm around Neo a little. "This little cutie here got the relic of Knowledge from Ruby's friends, but the main relic for Atlas is locked away. Our job however, is to make sure The Summer Maiden doesn't stop us."

Emerald cocks an eyebrow up. "Meaning?"

"Meaning, Amity Arena is going to be launched as a communications tower, to let a signal out to everyone warning them about Salem." Scarlet said. "We need to bring that down, and kill the Maiden."

Neo nods in agreement as she looks at Emerald. She blushed feeling Scarlet wrapping her arm around her, her heart was racing like before.

"Oh." Emerald. "Well then, lets go."

Neo went ahead and got the airship ready, Scarlet got on as Emerald followed. Once things were ready, Scarlet sat down as she had a small smirk on her face. She licked her lips as her eyes glowed. "Next stop...Atlas, let us make them prepare for Salem's arrival."

A/N:[I can't take credit for Vest, credit goes to my friend on Discord. I know I didn't use her in this chapter, but mentioned her name.]