Lethal Protector: RWBY × Yang × OC (COMPLETE)

(RWBY V4) Taking Control

An arcing slash of fire moves across the black screen, quickly followed by another. There is a brief beat before two more fiery arcs slash across the screen. An irregular circle of flame bursts outward from the center, revealing behind the black a panting Cinder Fall.

She is in a large, empty room. Behind her is a darkened arched hallway. On either side of the arch, the walls of the room have a low ledge the bear several burning white candles. Four Beowolves approach Cinder, moving in a semicircle formation. Cinder swings her left arm at them, sending another slash of fire. It cuts through the middle of all four Grimm and they disintegrate away.

Cinder pants again, still upright yet taking a breather. She does not get long, as heavy footsteps approach from her left. She gasps and looks in their direction. A Beringel leaps into the air, ready to deliver a blow to her with its fist. Cinder, however, pulls back her right arm and pushes a ball of flame right at it. It, too, disintegrates.

As its body disappears, Cinder falls to her knees, breathing heavily.

Salem: Enough.

Salem walks forward while Cinder continues to struggle for normal breathing.

Salem: I thought you were the girl who wanted power. Did you lie to me?

Cinder winces on the force of Salem's question before looking upward. Turning to face Salem, Cinder clearly shakes her head negatively.

Salem: Then stop holding back. If you wish to master your new powers, you must–

Salem is cut off by the sound of heavy doors opening. On the opposite end of the stone hall, a sobbing Tyrian Callows enters. He falls to his knees once in the room, both hands flat on the floor and his head bowed. Meanwhile, Xana remains standing and looks at his mother with a straight face knowing that he failed.

Tyrian: (softly) I'm sorry. (raising his hand to his chin) She'll forgive me. Pleeeease.

Tyrian bows again on the last word.

Tyrian: Forgive me...

Salem: Tyrian!

She stands before him. He raises his body but remains sitting on his legs while Cinder rises from the stone floor behind Salem.

Salem: (holding out her arm imperially) Your task - were you successful?

Tyrian: (bowing his head) N-no.

Cinder's eye widens. Salem also looks surprised for a moment before narrowing her eyes and walking away. Cinder watches their leader for her further reaction without looking at Tyrian.

Tyrian: (begging and turning his body to remain facing Salem) But-but hope is not lost! My tail, my stinger... I-I poisoned them, Qrow and Silver! They will not be a nuisance to you any longer, no... no longer! I've done that... have I done well? Have I pleased you?

Salem: The last eye is blinded... you disappoint me.

Salem leaves and Xana follows her. Tyrian falls forward, wailing. A Beowolf approaches, all focused on Tyrian's negative emotions. It ignores Cinder and leaps upon him. Tyrian sends it away with a single blow and it lands on its back. Still wailing, Tyrian opens his weapons and leaps atop the Beowolf. He slashes at it repeatedly, tears streaming down his face. His wails gradually turn into laughter as he vents his grief into the butchering of the Grimm. Cinder watches, horrified.

Salem: Xana.

Xana: Yes Mother?

Salem: Did anything different happen between you and your Brother?

Xana: Yes. Besides an incredible power up from him. I sensed a new power inside. Something darker. Something evil. I haven't felt something like it since--

Salem: Since that day.

Xana and Salem look at each other in silence.

Xana: Yes.

Salem: I see. Then perhaps it is time we increased your power and get you to the next level. Are you ready?

Xana: I am.

Salem: Good. Oh, I also sent your newest ally to fight Damian.

Xana: I see.

Xana makes a fist on both of his hands and shows a bit of frustration, Salem sees that look in his eyes and gives a smile knowing that Xana is unhappy.

Lie Ren and Nora Valkyrie run through the abandoned Kuroyuri.

Ren: Not again, not again...

They come to a stop after passing under an arch leading to the center of town. Ren is panting, but Nora is hardly winded. Ren lifts his head and his worried eyes change to ones smiling in relief.

In front of them, Jaune Arc, Terry, Pyrrha Nikos, Damian Locke and Ruby Rose face the other way, but abruptly turn, Jaune putting his hand on his weapon. Qrow and Silver are propped up against the tree.

Ruby: What are you guys doing here?

Jaune: Did you hear that noise? What was that?!

Ren's eyes grow wide and he falls to his knees, clearly alarmed.

Ren: No...

Ruby: Ren! What is it?!

The sound of plodding footsteps can be heard coming closer.

Jaune: Wait, you guys hear that?

Ren: (in weak protest) No...

Nora: Ren?

The footsteps come to a stop. A bone horse head breathes loudly, exhaling black smoke. Within the bones are glowing red lights and around it is the black flesh of a Grimm.

Ren lifts his head.

Weapons can be seen, stuck into an offscreen body that has bones sticking out perpendicular to its spine. Slowly, a torso raises, revealing a horned, humanoid Grimm. The horns and front part of the face are bone while the mouth is merely thin strips of Grimm flesh stretching across an opening. The mouth, the bones, and the eyes all glow red. The Nuckelavee twitches its head and roars.