JB's RWBY Volume 8: The Prince Of Grimm (Male OC Insert)

Chapter 1: What One Has To Do

"There"

Neopolitan glanced sideways at Cinder Fall with uncertainty, before fixing her eyes back on the dark, cloudy sky ahead of them. Steeling herself, she guided the airship forward in the direction Cinder had pointed.

To the gigantic whale in the sky.

Once inside the massive grimm, which apparently doubled as a base of sorts, Neo trailed behind Cinder as they walked on down a gloomy pasageway. The road opened up into a wide clearing, which was mostly empty, save for a single structure in the center that stood out. A throne. Neo's eyes widened as she finally gazed upon the malicious figure who sat on that throne.

Cinder: "My Queen", she went down on one knee, bowing her head low. As if just noticing her presence, the one she was referring to slowly turned her crimson gaze on her, before lifting herself up from the throne at the same pace. Dressed in a form fitting black dress adorned with crimson red lines and a majestic cape, the pale white on her skin which was only outdone by that of her hair. Looking on at her subordinate with blood red pupils resting in a pitch black eye socket. And finally, Salem opened her mouth to speak.

Salem: "Cinder" she began to slowly approach as she spoke, "When I chose you as my vessel for the maidens, I put my trust in you..." She came to a halt before Cinder, whose head was still facing downwards, "...So I trust, that you wouldn't possibly return to me empty handed". In response, Cinder simply raised an object forward, and Salem's eyes widened ever so slightly with surprise.

Cinder: "The Relic of Knowledge. I took it right from under Ironwood's nose" At that statement, Neo frowned at Cinder and folded her hands defiantly. But before she could make any sort of protest, a new voice sounded.

"Outsmarting the General speaks less to your intellect and, more to his". Tyrian Callows entered the room from the shadows as he spoke, his trademark grin ever so present on his face, which only grew wider as he approached, "After all, you were outsmarted by those children first"

Cinder: "And according to radio chatter, that same General and his forces outsmarted you" Cinder curled her lips into a smile of pity, "A shame Watts never made it back"

Tyrian: "I'm afraid the doctor was a necessary sacrifice..." he glanced at Neo, as Cinder finally got back up on her feet, "...I do hope this little one doesn't become another". It was then Salem, with the lamp in hand, looked at Neo for the first time, and then to Cinder inquisitively, "Who is she?"

Cinder: "Neopolitan has some very useful abilities, and has proven to be a valuable asset". Neo's frown at Cinder's words went unnoticed as Salem spoke, "Hmm. Well you certainly do enjoy collecting 'assets'".

Emerald: "Cinder?" Cinder turned to look at the three figures who had just entered; Emerald Sustrai, Mercury Black, and Hazel Rainart. Emerald's expression shifted from one of surprise and confusion to joy and relief as she ran over immediately, "You're here! I knew you'd..."

Cinder: "Quiet". The sharp reply prompted Emerald to slow to a stop, as her expression quickly became one of shock, disappointment and hurt. A mocking tsk tsk sound could be heard from Tyrian.

Tyrian: "So devoted to someone so incompetent. While the good doctor and I were advancing the will of our goddess, dismembering the very body of this kingdom, you were merely attoning for past failures".

Cinder scowled, "Kai Blaze got in my way at Haven, and he also interferred when I tried to take the Winter maiden's power. Now Polendina's creation has it instead. Once I return to Atlas, I can hunt her down and finish what I started. That power will be mine".