The New Generations

Chapter 13

Mei sliced a training bot with her sword. She summoned a glyph and leaped off of it bringing her blade down on the bot slicing it in half.
She panted heavily and wiped her face off. Suddenly she heard clapping from behind her. She turned around to see her mom Ruby. "Oh, hey mom," Mei greeted.
Ruby smiled pushing herself off the wall she was leaning against. "What are you up to kiddo?" The taller woman asked.
"Training," Her daughter replied simply.
Ruby smiled "you really are my daughter huh?" Ruby teased.
"As far as I'm aware," Mei joked back. This was the most playful she had been in days, weeks maybe.
"Want me to give ya some pointers?" Ruby asked with a smile.
Mei nodded enthusiastically.

● ● ●

Mei sat on the roof starring at the setting sun.
The fresh, cool breeze blew through the air blowing her snow-white hair with one red streak back. The roof to the roof opened suddenly which startled the silver-eyed girl. There stood TJ and Axel. "There you are," Axel breathed out they looked like they had been running.
"Hey, what's up?" Mei asked standing up. "Our moms are here," TJ grinned. A smile spread across Mei's lips at this news. "That's great! C'mon!" Mei cheered excitedly and used her glyphs to quickly ice skate back to the recreation room.
There stood her aunts. "Aunt Blake! Aunty yang!" Mei cheered and was almost immediately picked up by yang in a big ol bear hug.
Mei choked for air and coughed.
"Aunty...yang....can't...breath," Mei choked out trying to breathe.
Yang chuckled and put her down "sorry kiddo," the blonde-haired woman apologized. After Mei regained the air she needed to live she smiled a little. "I'm so glad you both are here," said Mei. She wished they were here for happier circumstances not because she needed their help to fight an old enemy of theirs.
"Yeah of course kid, we wouldn't miss this," yang's voice was enthusiastic as usual but Mei picked up a hint of worry in her voice. Blake spoke up "so cinder is back..." the atmosphere in the room turned stiff. "It seems so..." Weiss muttered her expression of worry and concern softening slightly once Ruby wrapped her arm around the shorter woman's shoulder. "Well! We beat her once before we can do it again!" Yang forced herself to sound confident. Mei knew the last time they had fought cinder they all barely made it out.
A chill ran through the young silver-eyed girls' spine. If that was when cinder was still younger and less experienced...how would she be now?
Her thoughts were interrupted by the door opening. Sara entered with her team. "Sorry for barging in," she apologized. "It's fine," Mei reassured.
"So little miss charcoal is back?" Ann asked crossing her arms. Everyone slowly nodded. Ann made a tsk sound as Lee placed his hand on her shoulder to keep his sister calm. Tyler remained silent for a moment before speaking. "She's the woman who almost killed or mom?" He asked glancing at Sara who just frowned.
Weiss could feel Rudy's body tense. "Yeah..." Ruby muttered, her expression told everyone that the memory made her uncomfortable.
The room was silent for what felt like ages. "It's me she wants," Mei said suddenly. Everyone's eyes fell upon her, their eyes wide and full of surprise.
"Mei-" Weiss was cut off by her daughter. "Mom, she wants revenge. Hurting me would make you both weaker so it would be easier to take you down..." Mei muttered, looking down at the floor. Mei closed her eyes clenching her fists tight.
Suddenly, a hand was on her shoulder. She looked up her silver eyes locking with her dark-haired mothers. "Mei, if we're doing this, we're going it together promise?" Ruby pleased slightly.
Mei remained silent for a few seconds. "Of course," Mei smiled but...she didn't know if...she could keep that promise.

That night Mei laid in the dark restless. She tossed and turned endlessly trying to relax and fall into a peaceful sleep. Unfortunately, no matter what she tried sleep never took pity upon her.
Roughly around two fifteen am she slowly creeped out of her dorm.
She slowly tiptoed down the corridor trying not to alert anyone. Her parents and aunts were sleeping in their old dormitory. Luckily for them, it was still vacant. Mei walked to the front doors of the school and pushed them open.
She sat on the steps. She was cold but that didn't matter to her.
Her mind was racing faster than her mind could keep up with.
She looked up to the shimmering stars yearning for an answer. She prayed they'd tell her what to do, what choices to make.
She didn't want to admit it to anyone not even herself but...she was scared. Scared someone she loved would get hurt. Sacred she'd fail and cinder would achieve her goals.
Mei clenched her shirt anxiety creeping back into her heart, wrapping around her like a blanket.
She inhaled slowly and looked down.
"You're up late aren't you?" A familiar voice called from behind her. She jumped slightly but relaxed once she realized it was Oscar. His hazel, calm eyes stared down at her. She stood up and stuttered nervously. "I-I'm sorry s-sir I just needed some air I'll go back-" Oscar stopped her by raising his hand.
"Now now, it's alright no need to worry,"
Mei's body relaxed slightly. "What are you doing up so late uncle Oscar?" Mei asked curiously.
He looked up to the stars the shine reflecting in his glasses. "The familiar feeling of...war...is in the air," his voice was calm but had a hint of concern in his voice. "Can't you feel it?" He asked locking eyes with her.
Mei hesitated but sighed "always," she admitted. He gave her a hum of acknowledgment.
"I get that you are scared Mei," he began. Mei glanced up at him but remained silent letting him finish.
"But, you have people with you who love you and are strong they will stick by you," he encouraged.
Before Mei could stop herself she blurted "Jasmine left...she was strong and...stuck by me..." Mei fought back the tears stinging her eyes.
Oscar frowned "I am aware...but you are strong," the brunette-haired man continued.
"Do not let the enemy make you doubt yourself because then they will tear you apart and failure will be inevitable." His tone was serious, too serious for him. Mei was used to the goofy and fun Oscar. However, his now serious tone caused her to gulp.
She nodded and he smiled again. "Be strong, and win this battle we all believe in you, you have the heart of a true hero," He encouraged placing a firm yet reassuring hand on her shoulder.
His words touched her and the tears she had been keeping locked inside broke free as she hugged him tightly. "Thank you uncle..." She choked out through sobs. He patted her back and smiled "anytime kiddo, now how about you head back to your dorm and rest," He smiled down at her.
She smiled back "of course goodnight uncle," she waved goodbye and walked back to her dorm. She laid in her bed staring at the ceiling. A sigh escaped her lips.

Evil was bubbling to the surface but...were they ready for it?