RWBY: "Gallants and Guardians of Remnant"

[Vol.3] "The Start of The End."

(CrescentRWBY)

The scene opens to black as alien noises and voices are heard, echoing as if through a tunnel.

Cinder: "I want to be strong."

SalesMan: "A beautiful ring... for a beautiful woman."

Woman: "I'm sorry?"

Cinder: "I want to be feared."

Man: "What?!"

Running footsteps are suddenly heard.

SalesMan: "Impossible! What did...!?"

Man: "She went that way!"

Woman: "Someone, call the police!"

SalesMan: "How'd she do that?!"

-----

The scene suddenly changes to a smirking Cinder, seen with shorter hair and a metal version of Midnight with arrows on her back.

Cinder: "How did you do that?"

The person she is talking to in the abandoned alleyway, cornered against a wall, is revealed to be Emerald. Emerald has a ponytail instead of her usual locks and is wearing a different outfit, missing her usual white top and arm accessories. Some of the clothes' colors – gloves, pants, even Thief's Respite – are switched for different hues. She glares at this stranger while glancing around, backing away slowly and not answering. Without warning, she attempts to get her revolvers from their holsters.

Cinder: "Don't. Unless, of course, you want them to hear you."

Emerald: "What do you want?"

Cinder: "I've already told you. And I don't like repeating myself."

Emerald: "I didn't do anything! Just leave me alone!"

Cinder: "I know my fair share of liars and thieves. Stealing is an art of patience, coordination, and in a pinch, sleight of hand. But you didn't steal the ring in your pocket."

Emerald looks shocked and checks the pocket where her prize is as Cinder crosses her arms, continuing.

Cinder: "You took it right before the jeweler's eyes. And he smiled."

Emerald: "Who are you?"

Cinder keeps on smiling as the scene fades to black as Grimm growling is heard.

Cinder: "You will question everything you know."

Emerald: "This is impossible."

There is a sound similar to something vanishing in a puff of smoke, and the growling instantly stops.

Cinder: "I wish to take on an apprentice."

Man: "He lives in the mountains with his son."

Cinder: "Follow me, and you'll never be hungry again."

Emerald: "Thank you..."

-----

The black scene opens up once more on the panting, bruised and bloodied face of Mercury. He is missing his armor and sash, and his knees are bandaged and stained with blood. There is light from a burning house dancing to his back as he stands before a confident Cinder and wary Emerald.

Mercury: "What are you looking at?!"

Cinder: "I'm looking for Marcus Black."

Mercury spits blood on the ground as he gestures back at the burning house and the white-haired man lying face down behind him.