Chapter-28

Cinder was alive.

His fingers groaned in relief as he uncurled his fists, hands aching from how hard he had been clenching them. His eyes remained on the small woman leading the way, not taking them off her for a second. The way she skipped ahead was childlike yet he knew she was one of the most dangerous fighters around, having heard all about how she had picked apart Yang like she was an amateur. That had been a long time ago now but he had no illusions about her not having gotten better during that time. He and his friends had – so why wouldn't their enemies?

She wasn't acting very much like an enemy, though.

None of it made sense.

Why had she approached him? Why had she revealed Cinder's continued existence? Apparently, Neo was mute. She couldn't speak. That hadn't stopped her from spilling secrets, though. When she had flashed the screen of her scroll, his heart had frozen at the sight. Cinder Fall, alive and whole. Cinder Fall, against the backdrop of Mantle. She hadn't been looking at the camera. Neo had clearly taken it without her knowledge. It had been snapped in the fashion of a selfie, Neo in the bottom corner with a sly smirk twisting her lips, holding up the peace sign. Another childlike mannerism that only furthered the unsettling feeling he got around the short woman.

She wasn't the type of person to trifle with. But when were any of the people he had come up against ever since he had foolishly cheated his way into Beacon?

He didn't know where she was leading him. All she had done was gesture to follow and he had. Airships flew overhead as they walked down alley after alley, the remnants of dying Grimm turning to ash all around them. He knew he should contact someone, anyone. He could be walking straight into a trap, one that he was wholly unprepared for.

For some reason, he didn't think so.

Neo could have taken him by surprise. He had been completely oblivious to her presence and with what he knew about her semblance, it would have been child's play for her to sneak up on him and put him down. A knife in the back before he could react, slipped between his ribs and straight into his heart. His aura had been shaky since his encounter with the Megoliath and she'd probably seen him fight it. There was no need for any of this. But she had made a noise, alerting him. She wanted him to notice her. She wanted him to follow of his own accord. If this truly was a trap, would she have shown him that picture of Cinder? Even if it would get him to follow? It sounded much too risky. One text was all it would take and his friends would know they were here. Neo hadn't taken his scroll. He was free to message them all he wanted.

Jaune sighed.

None of it made sense.

She heard his sigh and glanced over her shoulder, an amused look in her eyes. Jaune grimaced, trying to ignore the way her lithe, small body moved. He knew a lot of graceful women, Weiss chief among them. Neo was something else entirely. The way she walked, it almost looked like her feet barely touched the ground. There was a lightness to her steps that reminded him of a cat, prowling effortlessly. Even with the coat she wore, he could see the outline of her round butt. When she twirled to wink at him, her exposed midriff flashed across his vision. Flat and toned, her skin looked feather soft. Her face was attractive with a small, cute nose and her exotic eyes that changed color whenever it struck her fancy. Her multicolored hair fell in a tumble across her slender, exposed shoulders, looking silky smooth and begging to be touched.

He'd already had sex tonight and his blood still hummed for more.

Neo gave him a knowing look. Jaune flushed lightly, a little embarrassed that he had been caught checking her out. She may not have been acting like an enemy but that didn't mean they were friends. This still could have been a trap of some kind, one he just couldn't figure out and he was the biggest idiot of all. Yet here he was, raking his eyes over her svelte form with little regard, admiring her fluid movement and sexy body.

She typed something into her scroll and held it up, "Like what you see?"

Jaune pursed his lips. She had even added a little smiley face at the end, the one with the winking eye.

Neo looked him up and down, tongue darting out to wet her soft pink lips. He felt a shiver pass down his spine at the sight.

She typed another line, "You don't look so bad, yourself. How about after...?"

Jaune blinked, startled. Was she really...? But then he read it again. After what?

Just where was she leading him?

They arrived at an abandoned building, though not through neglect or age. They had walked so long that they were in one of the nicer neighborhoods in Mantle, the building new and unfinished. The Grimm hadn't penetrated this deep, leaving the streets pristine yet deserted. The residents had all fled. As they moved inside, Jaune saw signs of recent construction.

They padded up the stairs silently, ascending several floors before she turned to him sharply. It was odd, seeing her stand above him. He had to crane his neck to look at her. She held a single finger to her lips, the meaning clear. Then she tapped her scroll, miming at him to take his out. He understood.

He left his scroll on but placed it on silent. When she was satisfied, Neo nodded and continued on her way. The room they stopped at was large and empty, not a single piece of furniture in sight. Building paper still lined some of the walls, the sink without taps, the ceiling without lights. Lights weren't needed, though. Not with the magnificent view of Atlas on display outside the window, high in the sky like a beacon of light. Smoke curled over Mantle from the destruction but they'd won the night.

Neo pointed to a door and after a second of hesitation, he followed her order. It was a linen closet or would be, when the place was finished. When he turned to look at her, Neo gave him a stern look and held up her scroll.

"Stay still and quiet, or we'll both be dead. Understand?"

Jaune nodded slowly. The stern expression melted from her face as quick as it appeared, replaced by her usual jovial self. She closed the door on him, leaving him in complete darkness.

He wasn't sure how long he waited with nothing but his breath to fill the silence. If Neo was doing anything on the other side, he couldn't hear what it was. So he waited, and waited and just when he was starting to question just what the hell he was doing, the sound of a door opening and closing was heard. Jaune tensed.

"You're already here?" a familiar voice said, low and husky. "Good. I see the Grimm did not delay you."

It took everything he had not to wrench open the door and plunge his sword through her neck. Only the knowledge that he would fail stayed his hand, otherwise the deed would have been done. He would never forget his mistake at Haven. He had let his anger get the best of him, blinded at the thought of vengeance for his partner and Weiss had nearly paid the ultimate price for it. If not for his semblance unlocking when it did, she would have. Weiss would be dead. None of his friends were here so there was no chance of collateral damage but throwing his life away in a fruitless attack was not the answer. When he struck, he wanted to be sure that even if he did die in the attempt, Cinder would also perish.

She wouldn't get away again .

There was a quiet rustle of cloth and the sound of feet padding across the carpeted floor. In the silence, Jaune activated the recording on his scroll and turned the microphone up to maximum input.

"So," she began. "What have you discovered?"

There was a pause.

"What?" Cinder said archly, her displeasure clear. "So they are keeping the lamp hidden. I suppose they aren't as stupid as I thought. Who was at the party?"

Because Neo was mute, it was like Cinder was having a conversation with herself. Not being able to see Neo made the entire thing sound a little surreal.

"I see. The dusty old crow or the young boy – I bet one of them is keeping an eye on it," they hadn't been at the party, so Jaune could see how she would come to that conclusion. She wasn't wrong – Oscar carried the lamp almost everywhere. The only times he left it behind was when he ventured out, like that night at the cinema. "I take it you heard the General's little proclamation? It appears that the tin man has taken leave of his senses. I suppose I should thank Tyrian and Arthur, even if they shouldn't be here . I still can't believe those idiots beat us here. Vacuo was the next target."

Jaune found that part interesting. Not just the part about Vacuo but the genuine anger in her voice when she spoke of those she worked alongside. There was no love lost between those that followed Salem. Fear bound them together and mutual goals, nothing more.

"And now that lunatic has gotten himself caught. As much as that pleases me to see him fail, they will now be on guard. Arthur's little stunt here has created an opportunity, though. One I am loath to squander."

Jaune waited with baited breath.

"Qrow Branwen must have the lamp," she said after a moment. "One of Ozpin's lapdogs. Find him and you find it. Take it. I will leave that up to you."

The sound of Neo's semblance filtered through the door, the tinkle of thousands of shards of glass crawling across her form.

"No," Cinder snapped. "We get what I need first, then we get what we want. Now go."

The air was tense and for a second, Jaune was sure a fight was going to break out. His hand fell to the hilt of his sword, tightening around the smooth leather. If it came to that, he would be ready. Perhaps if Neo had her distracted, he could strike before she knew what hit her.

But cooler heads prevailed.

"Ironwood has been hiding the Winter Maiden for years. The General is as predictable as his androids. Threaten what he has and he'll flock to protect it."

So that was the game. Cinder was after the Winter Maiden. Not that it was any surprise to him. It was almost laughable. She called Ironwood predictable but what was she? Fall, Spring and now Winter. Summer was last, no doubt. She was attempting to collect the set. But Spring had gotten away. Raven Branwen had scattered to the four winds after defeating her. There was little chance anyone would find her now. Not unless she wanted to be found.

"We will infiltrate Atlas alongside the evacuating civilians," Cinder continued, laying out her plan. "You will find the lamp and bring it to me. Meanwhile, I will be playing on James Ironwood's infamous paranoia. It won't take much – and then they'll lead me right to her, scurrying like the scared rats they are."

Jaune listened, recording every word that was spoken. Satisfaction welled up inside him, anticipation for what was to come. With this, they could lead her into a trap. Finally, the shoe would be on the other foot. Cinder Fall wouldn't know what hit her. If they were able to capture both Arthur Watt's and Cinder? That would be three of Salem's people. Surely that was a devastating blow?

When the woman left, Jaune remained perfectly still in the closet until he was sure she wouldn't be returning. Getting caught at this stage would only be an act of pure incompetence. Placing his hand on the handle, he hesitated for a second before turning it and pushing the door open. Pink and brown eyes greeted him, Neo smirking at him in amusement.

He hadn't expected her to still be there.

As she continued to watch him, he contemplated the smaller woman. He didn't know what to make of her and her actions. She was allied with Cinder and yet she had betrayed her, utterly. What was she after? Something that would cause her to team up with the monster that had destroyed Beacon and half of Vale, but not something that would make her loyal to her.

"Why are you doing this?" he asked quietly. "I don't understand."

She walked towards him, her hips swaying. Letting her get this close was dangerous but what could he do? Cinder wasn't far gone. Any scuffle might alert the Fall Maiden to his presence and then he would be screwed. He didn't think Neo wanted to fight, though. Why go to all the trouble to set up this situation and then blow it?

She shoved her scroll in his face.

"She is the reason Roman died," her eyes held none of the playful tint they usually had. "I want her dead. But I can't do it alone."

Roman Torchwick. Ruby had told him about what had happened. He had been eaten by the Grimm when they attacked Vale. He had been helping Cinder, though Ruby admitted that it had been about survival. At least, that is what the flamboyant thief claimed. Neo was his partner-in-crime.

Revenge, then.

Jaune could understand that sentiment. He could understand that very well. He may have let go of most of his anger concerning Pyrrha's death but that didn't mean he didn't want Cinder to suffer for what she did. 

"Is that why you came to me?" he asked. "Because you knew – because you know about Pyrrha?"

A small part of him felt resentment for the woman standing in front of him. While she hadn't killed his partner directly, she had been working with the person that had. She was still working with her, even now. But things had changed. She had lost someone dear to her, as he had.

Neo shrugged.

It didn't matter. Not really.

"Thank you," he said, genuinely. "We will make her pay. I promise you that."

Her smile was full of teeth.

"Do I get a reward?"

Jaune glanced from the screen to her face. "What?"

She rolled her eyes playfully before bringing her hands together. Forming a circle with one hand, she pierced it with the fingers of her other. She pumped them in and out in an unmistakable gesture, Jaune's cock twitching at the thought.

"I saw you at the Manor," she typed, head tilted cutely. "I saw you with the Schnee girl. Well – more like I heard her. She is very loud."

Jaune stared at her with wide eyes.

"Do you like smaller women?" her eyes changed color until they were both a soft pink. It was an attractive look. "Am I your type?"

She was his type. As far as he had a type, at any rate. Neo was even smaller than Weiss and Fiona, if that was possible. Though she had larger breasts than either girl, only made to look bigger on her tiny frame. He couldn't deny that he wanted to touch her, place his hand on her hip and claim those pink, kissable lips. How would that tight, flexible body feel around his cock? He wanted to find out.

She must have read the desire on his face for she giggled silently, stepping away.

"Next time," her scroll promised, face coy. "Fuck me like you fucked that rich bitch."

Then she shattered into a million pieces, scattering upon the floor.

"Fuck," Jaune whispered.

Neopolitan was a bit of a tease.

Now that he was finally alone, he checked his scroll. Stopping the recording, he noticed he had a couple of missed calls. It was a good thing he set it to silent. He was going to get an earful for it, though. Grimacing, he checked who they were before calling them back.

She picked up at once, face appearing on screen.

"Where are you?" Yang demanded at once. "Are you okay?"

"Woah, sorry – I got caught up," he apologized immediately. It was the safest option. "I'm safe, don't worry. I have some good news."

"Good news?" she snapped. Her glare was severe. "Harriet said you went missing. She said when she came back from getting the civilians to safety, you were gone."

Jaune blinked. She was angrier than he thought she would be.

"Yang," he said firmly. "I didn't mean to make you worry but there was something I had to do. I'll fill you in when we meet up. Where are you? Are the others with you?"

She continued to glare at him but answered grudgingly. "Blake is here, so is Uncle Qrow and Harriet. We are heading over to where Robyn Hill is now. They've caught that Watt's guy. We have him."

Jaune grinned. "That's great!"

"Now get your butt over here so I can give it a good thrashing," lilac eyes threatened to turn red. "You better not have done something reckless and stupid again."

Jaune laughed awkwardly. He should have known. Even though things had worked out when he had gone with May to meet Hill, they were still pretty steamed at him about it. She would be none too pleased about who he had followed this time. Especially when she found out whom Neo had taken him to.

It would totally be worth the scolding, though. Cinder Fall was going down.

When he found them, they were just loading Arthur Watt's into a transport ship. He had certainly seen better days. His clothes were singed black, flaking away as the gurney he was strapped to was pushed up the ramp. He had a large gash over his right eye, most likely from the blow that had rendered him unconscious. Whoever had taken him down, they had done so hard.

Harriet arched an eyebrow when she noticed him. "And where have you been?"

She was annoyed but not particularly angry. That would be left to his friends.

"Gathering intel?"

"You don't sound so sure about that."

Before he could defend himself further, Ruby Rose exploded into vision.

"You played chicken with a Megoliath!"

Harriet had spilled the beans. Jaune cringed. The Ace Operative laughed and walked away, meeting up with the rest of her squad. He was on his own.

"I didn't really have much of a choice."

Ruby vibrated on the spot, looking like she was about to burst.

"There were civilians behind me," he assured her. He placed his hand on her shoulder. "If I dodged, they would have been squashed."

"There you are!" Yang called.

"Oh, great," he said as she approached with Blake. "Uh, hi."

"So, where'd you go," she asked immediately, hands on hips. Blake held an expression of curiosity. "This better be good or I swear--"

"Cinder is alive."

The silence was a hole between them, sucking up any and all emotion. Yang stared at him blankly while Blake opened her mouth, no words to be found. Ruby frowned, her face worried.

"What do you mean Cinder is alive?" Yang finally asked. "Raven – she killed her. She couldn't have survived!"

Jaune shook his head. "She did. Somehow, someway – and she is here, in this city. Right this minute."

"How do you know?" Ruby asked. "Did you see her?"

Jaune held out his scroll and pressed play. Their expressions darkened as they heard that familiar mocking voice, one they had thought they were rid of for good. He let it play through, stopping it when Cinder finally left.

"How did you get this?" Blake asked, astonished.

"And who is she talking to?" Yang added. "Emerald? Mercury?"

"Neo."

Yang's expression was complicated, a mix of anger and humiliation. Her pride had taken that particular defeat very hard. "That pipsqueak? What the hell is she doing here?"

Ruby's face was stricken.

"She wants Cinder dead."

Three sets of eyes blinked at him.

"But she is working with her," Blake said slowly. "We just heard them – I mean, Cinder ordering her to steal the lamp."

"I don't know the specifics," Jaune admitted. "But she wants her taken down. The only reason I got this is because Neo set it up. She led me there before they met and got me to hide. Cinder is probably too strong for Neo to beat on her own. She wants our help."

Yang scoffed angrily.

"We could use this to lure her into a trap," Blake considered him. "Neo approached you? And you followed her?" He gave a hesitant nod. She shook her head though didn't look surprised at all. "You've got a really bad habit of that, don't you? And yet somehow, it keeps working out."

"Jaune!"

Fiona came running over, her face covered in bruises. Despite that, she looked happy as could be.

"Jaune Arc," Robyn Hill followed. Weiss was with her, alongside Qrow and Penny.

He was happy for the distraction. Yang's annoyance with him had been tempered by the Cinder reveal but she wasn't happy with him, not at all. Neither was Blake, though she hid her ire much better.

"You got him," he complimented. "Congratulations."

Robyn jerked her thumb at Penny. "All thanks to little miss sunshine here. I didn't know androids could feel anger but I don't think Penny very much enjoyed Arthur Watt's attempt at framing her. She took it out on him."

Penny wilted a little under the attention. "I apologize. I cannot deny, I let my personal feelings control me when I engaged him in battle."

"Ah, don't sweat it," Qrow thumped her on the back and then shook his hand in pain. "You did good, kid. You did real good."

The small, hesitant grin she sported soon turned into a wide smile at their nods.

"You all did," Clover praised, leaving the transport and joining their group. "The Grimm have been neutralized across the city. Only a few strays remain, nothing we can't handle ourselves. The General wants you back in Atlas, ASAP."

"What Ironwood said," Robyn looked around at all of them before resting her eyes on Jaune. "About this creature called Salem – is it true?"

He nodded firmly.

"Come with us," Qrow extended the invitation. "If you doubt it, you can use that handy semblance of yours. Anyway, don't you want to escort your hard earned prisoner to his cell, where he belongs? You can meet with Ironwood then."

"You know, I think I will," Robyn turned to her subordinate. "Fiona, let the others know that I'll be leaving for Atlas. Do what you can down here to keep the people calm."

"Roger," she gave a silly little salute before dashing off. Jaune grinned.

Mantle was safe, for the moment. Now it was time to catch themselves a Fall Maiden.