Crimson Immoderation Part 24: What We Want You to See

This is a dumb plan.

“Are you sure this will work?” Emerald asks me.

“Absolutely,” I nod, lying through my teeth. “We practiced extensively, didn’t we? Have some confidence in your skills!”

She blushes. Thank you perks, you’re saving my ass again. She nods firmly, “Okay, I can do this. I can do this!”

“Atta girl,” I pat her on the back.

Honestly? Her part of this is the most likely to go just fine. Her and Neo working together is almost cheating. The hard part is getting to her part of the plan.

Here we go.

-(-)-

It’s night by the time LT returns to the warehouse, alongside Auburn and Ilia. I have to admit the grossness I feel on seeing her for the first time. That the only real regret I feel for what I’m about to do is down to her being attractive. I’m not sure why that feels wrong. Surely that means I find her utterly irredeemable otherwise. I’ll have plenty of time to work through how I feel about this in the decades of life I’ll have once this is all dealt with.

“Cinder,” Auburn speaks as she stomps into the warehouse. “I see we’re all here for my return.” Her voice is low, croaking. Like she’s deliberately going for a lower register to sound more menacing. What’s good for the gander is good for the goose, I suppose.

I fight off the urge to shake my head. Animal-based turns of phrase. Still don’t know whether that’s poor form and it would probably be super racist to even ask.

“Well, naturally,” Cinder replies smoothly. “It wouldn’t do to disregard our valuable allies now would it?”

Auburn only grunts lowly in response. “My infiltration expert, as promised,” she gestures to her side at the smaller woman. Ilia appears to have no intention of revealing her true appearance. Much like Auburn, she wears a Grimm mask, her skin colour blackened entirely.

“A pleasure to meet you,” Cinder offers a greeting, “With how the situation has changed, your skills will be more essential than ever.”

“Ugol has informed me of the situation,” the cow faunus speaks, Ilia showing no intention of doing so. I have to assume Ugol is the Lieutenant. I guess it’s fair I learn his name before it’s too late. “We will be breaking my men out of prison. Tonight.”

The dark-haired femme-fatale elects to not agree or disagree with that plan of action. Instead she waves a hand at Emerald. “Emerald dear, be a gem and show our new associate to her quarters so she may get settled in would you?”

“Yes, ma’am,” the former thief acknowledges immediately. “This way,” she gestures towards a staircase. Ilia takes a moment to look to Auburn before following the mint-haired woman upstairs.

“Have you done any reconnaissance on the police station yet?” the redhead asks impatiently.

“Oh, plenty,” Cinder answers airily. “One of my associates explored it top to bottom. From the security room, the bullpen, right the way down to the jail. She was very thorough.”

A scream rings out. I grimace, noticing Auburn immediately putting a hand on her sword. “What was that?” she growls.

“As I said, she’s very thorough, though she has a bad habit of playing with her food.”

The shutters slam down behind her.

Another scream, quickly cut off. “Betrayal,” Auburn snarls, the... Ugol having realised before she said it, putting his own hand on his weapon but not drawing it. “Why?”

Normally monologuing is a bad idea but in this case? It just gives us time for Neo to finish up and get down here. So why not? “Well I’m sure you know how it is. Situations change. Allegiances change. You would know, what with the White Fang coming under new management a few years ago. You were one of Sienna’s earliest converts after all. You’re largely mad and your cell is full of sycophants who would make you a martyr. The only thing you were good for was bringing in Ilia.”

“How do you know her name?!”

I smile, playing the villain to the hilt. “I know plenty of things. I know about your obsession, about your hatred. I even know why.” I gesture at my own left eye, the place she was branded. “I won’t patronise you. I can’t relate. But I do know you’re the worst thing for your own cause. When you’re gone there’ll be plenty of people to fight for the faunus. I’ll even be one of them! Isn’t that grand?” She’s barely listening to me. Her eyes flick to the stairs– Oh! Oh, that’s almost funny! She’s doing the same thing I am, stalling for time! “I’m sorry, were you waiting for your associate to come running at the sounds of commotion? Darling, there was a reason we sent Emerald with her. As far as my newest acquisition is concerned, everything is perfectly calm and peaceful in this building.”

“Hm,” she grunts out an almost-laugh, her finger flicks on her sheath- BANG, her blade fires at me hilt first! My arm comes up, the hilt cracking against the shaft of my spear, even that blocked hit doing some not insignificant damage to my aura. She chases up her sword as it bounces off, grabbing hold of it in mid-air and bringing it around for a quick slash. But by this point I’m ready, my spear sliding out and snapping together in one fluid motion. A quick spin to deflect her slash but she doesn’t follow up, instead rushing the stairs.

Meanwhile Cinder is handling Ugol without any difficulty whatsoever. He’s already burning fast but he’s an obstinate bugger, still fighting despite the agony he must be in. It’s like he’s letting the pain fuel him as he chases down his more slippery opponent. I can imagine he thinks if he keeps Cinder occupied then Auburn and Ilia can escape. Commendable.

Futile.

Auburn is already at the base of the stairs. Her legs brace to leap up in one bound, only to hold that brace as she draws Wilt to catch a shot from above.

“Sorry,” Roma speaks from the top of the stairs looking smug. “Restricted area past this point. Employees only. And you two are in the middle of getting fired.”

Gah, I don’t even want to do it to that but, ergh! The head of my spear fires at Auburn’s unprotected back. With a whipping motion the cable snakes around to encircle her. Snapping the cable tight around her body I yank her back to the centre of the warehouse floor, my hand reaching out to grab at her. However, as she sails through the air that damnable sword comes out again, not to attack me but to slice the cable! The main function of my weapon, the grapple spearhead and cable, clatters to the ground leaving me with only a staff and a bit of chain. Better than nothing but fuck!

At least she can’t do it again. Expended the charge so now she’s just a regular old incredibly skilled swordswoman who really wants me dead. So when she uses her momentum coming at me to strike again it clangs heavily on my metal staff. Though even that digs a small gouge in the metal, what the fuck are you made of, woman?!

Time to stop playing nice. Her sword against my staff I let go of one end, moving out of the way as my block gives and palming her head.

Both aspects of my semblance activate at once. Her aura and strength to fight back gradually start to drain. All while my fire slowly works to immolate her draining her aura even faster. Her surprise is expected, her final attempt to fight back even more so. I ready to leap away from her retaliatory sword strike, only for a dainty foot to appear out of nowhere and pin Auburn’s wrist to the ground. The faunus struggles, kicking at me. But without any real leverage it’s enough for my aura to tank as her defenses wear away. The pain of the assault ramps up as her aura flickers, flickers, shatters.

Her scream is short. Only long enough for me to hear it before my hand covers her mouth. Her anguish, her agony, her fear, all silenced as her brain cooks inside her skull.

It’s over. I can’t escape the smell as it invades my nose. I throw myself off of the faunus’ corpse and step back to survey the scene. Ugol is ashes. Cinder walks over, fire in her hands ready to ensure the same of Auburn. She looks at me. Her gleeful expression... Softens. “Vlad, perhaps you would prefer to check in on Emerald and our new friend?”

I glance at the blackened, burned flesh for an instant and even that is too long. “Yes, I’ll be upstairs.” I move that way, stowing what’s left of my weapon as I trudge upstairs.

Roma moves aside as I reach the top, falling into step behind me. “Not a fan of wetwork, huh?”

“Not when it goes like that,” I answer tiredly.

“Yeah, gotta admit I’m not a fan either. Not exactly what I can call ‘clean’. And the smell–”

“I’ll warn you now, if you make a crack about steak I’m liable to give you similar treatment no matter how unpleasant I’d find it.”

“Wouldn’t have been a joke, kid. I’m going vegetarian for at least a week after this.”

I hate agreeing with her about things.

Emerald is rubbing at her temples, looking a little worn out. “Did you have to take so long?” she gripes.

“One of the best fighters of the White Fang in a three-on-one with magic bullshit. Be glad it was as quick as it was,” I retort. “Is she ready?”

“Out like a light. We’re good to go.”

Knockout gas. Aura a problem? Not at all. Just cheat. “Good.” Okay. Part one was a success. One problem resolved out of like, fifty. Time to handle another.

-(-)-

Ilia followed Auburn dutifully as they approached the run-down warehouse. She was concerned about wearing full Fang regalia out in public like this but Auburn said it was fine. Ilia was in no position to disagree with her a second time. It had been months since the chameleon faunus had seen the other woman. She had been surprised to be called upon like this. She had been more surprised to see the change in temperament in the cow faunus. Auburn was a hero to the White Fang. One of their fiercest and most capable members. She was an inspiration. Now? She... She had changed. It was subtle. She still acted and spoke with the same raw power and conviction, but it was harsher now. Ilia only understood why when she made the mistake of saying she’d be happy to see Blake again.

A mistake she wouldn’t repeat.

Ugol was sympathetic enough to explain the situation of what happened with Blake. How she abandoned the White Fang. With that, Auburn’s harsh reaction made a little more sense. That her friend had abandoned the cause hurt. But Ilia knew they had to keep going. Blake would thank them in the end.

It had been agreed she would be quiet during the meeting. The people they were working with were merely allies of convenience, Auburn told her. No need to even pretend to be friendly with humans. It was good advice. No need to follow that road again.

The slutty-looking one in the red mini-dress told her to go with the dark-skinned girl to get herself situated. She looked to Auburn first. She might have been there at this woman’s request but she followed Auburn’s orders alone. Getting a nod she followed the other girl. For a human, this Emerald was kind of attractive. Had a familiar vibe that Ilia found alluring but she resolved to keep her brain in her head and out of her loins.

“So ever been to Vale before?” Emerald asked, trying to strike up conversation. Ilia didn’t answer, shaking off a slight bit of disorientation. Maybe it was best she get some rest before the operation. “I’m not exactly a local either but I found some pretty nice places. You know, to eat or do some shopping. Well, ‘shopping’.”

“Stop talking,” she spoke finally, if only to put an end to the other girl’s attempts to be ‘friendly’. She had enough of humans putting on that act. And putting on that act for humans. She just wanted to stow her things and go back to Auburn.

The greenette shrugged. “Suit yourself.” Having done her job, she wandered off, leaving Ilia to her task.

She rushed, dropping her bag, withdrawing what little equipment she needed. Then–

BOOM!

“Death to the humans!” she heard a shout. Then the clanging of steel, the ring of gunshots.

“What the shit!” the green-haired girl exclaimed, suddenly in a fighting retreat out of nowhere as a squad of Fang flashed through the hallway after her! Ilia’s eyes widened. Did Auburn decide to attack?! She needed to know these things were happening in advance! She grabbed her weapon and made to get out and join her brothers and sisters.

Only to stop dead in the doorway. Auburn was right there looming over her. An aura of menace that Ilia didn’t understand. “Auburn! Are we fighting them? The humans?”

“The humans ran, scurried away like rats,” Auburn answered lowly. “All of my men. The ones that were captured. They were executed trying to escape.” She seemed... Listless. This was wrong. This wasn’t the passionate woman Ilia knew. She would be apoplectic at that news! “Everything. I lost it. I was going to destroy it all. Raze their precious kingdom to the ground, this, then Mistral, Atlas, show the humans the suffering they visited upon us! But now those plans are ashes.”

That was... That was a lot more than Ilia expected from Auburn’s intentions. Even so, “We can rebuild! We can recruit, show the faunus of this kingdom the injustice they suffer under!”

“I can,” Auburn acknowledged. “I will. This isn’t the end for me.” The redhead took a heavy step forward. Grabbed her hand and wrenched the weapon from it, then wrapped another hand around her neck! “But it’s the end for you.”

“Wha–!?” Ilia choked, hands trying to pry herself free from the strong grip of the redhead’s fingers as she was lifted in the air. Her feet kicked helplessly, consciousness slowly starting to fail her.

Why? Why was Auburn doing this?! She didn’t... under... stand...

-(-)-

She awoke. She didn’t know when. She didn’t know where. All she knew were four walls and a chair. Cla-clunk! A chair that she was chained to she found when she tried to move. She didn’t know how long she was stuck in this featureless room trying to figure a way out before the door latch clicked.

“Auburn, what the hell is this?!” she demanded the instant she realised who was entering the room.

“Oh, you’re awake. Good. It’s only fair you know your part in my plan.”

“What plan?!” she demanded again. “What are you even, why am I chained up?! I’m on your side, remember?! Have you gone completely nuts?!”

“I had a realisation, Ilia. An epiphany.” Auburn’s voice was calm. Peaceful even. That... That didn’t bode well. “I finally understand what I’ve been doing wrong. Ever since Blake left I’ve been... Distracted. I’ve not been at my best. If I want to realise my vision for the world, a world where the faunus are the superior race, I need to free myself from distractions. From attachments.”

“Auburn, you’re scaring me,” she admitted in a pleading tone, “Just... Just tell me what you want me to do and I’ll help you! You know I will!”

Auburn laughed. A deep, reverberating laugh. “You will. You’ll help me. You’re a vital part of my plan, you see. I need to purge myself of distractions. I need to expunge this hatred and resentment I feel. And to do that, I need to make her suffer. I need to let her feel the pain she caused me.”

“Make who–?” Ilia began to ask, only for the answer to come to her. “No, no no no, you can’t be serious.”

“Blake will suffer, just as I suffered. And we can begin with the loss of someone she cares for.”

“She–” Ilia suddenly realised the gravity of her situation. Auburn wasn’t just feeling vengeful, she had completely snapped. Much as they say you can’t argue with crazy it wasn’t like she had much of a choice in her current circumstances. “She doesn’t care about me that way! It was you! It was always you!”

“THEN WHY DID SHE LEAVE?!” Auburn roared back. Ilia reared back in fear. “If she cared so much she would never have left me! Left us! Well, I’m finally going to show her the wrath she brought upon herself for betraying me!” Wilt flicked out of its sheath and Ilia’s fear ratcheted up another ten notches. No! This couldn’t be how it ended! Killed by another faunus for some bullshit grudge?! “We’ll start with delivering your head to her in Beacon.”

“No, no, wait, wait!”

The door swung wide, a breathless Fang member who almost got his head cleaved by Auburn’s sword. “Ma’am, they followed us! Ugol’s trying to–”

“Dammit!” the crazy faunus cursed, giving Ilia one last glance before going to deal with the situation. Suddenly the chameleon girl found herself in the discomforting position of hoping her fellow White Fang members lost if it meant she could survive and Blake could be safe. If she had known even half of what Auburn was really like...

The sounds of fighting. They got closer, then further away. A blast that sounded kind of like Auburn’s Blush.

Footsteps. And then a vaguely familiar face.

“Oh, thank whoever’s bloody listening,” the gangly man with the flowing blond hair breathed as he knee-slid over to her and fished out what sounded like keys. “Was worried you’d be dead already.”

Ilia wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth. She said nothing as she let him work, unlocking the chain binding her to the chair.

“My weapon,” she demanded immediately. Her saviour or not, he was still human. She wouldn’t feel safe unarmed.

“I didn’t see anything like it coming in. Did you have it on you when they brought you here?”

She vaguely remembered dropping it when Auburn... “Damn. Fine, give me yours.”

He pulled out a staff with a broken bit of cable hanging from it. “I suppose you can have what’s left of it for now. Getting here to get you out wasn’t what I’d call easy.”

Gods above, what an idiot. She still took it and... Well, it was an odd feeling. She would look back on that moment and realise why she felt such surprising gratitude and appreciation. She had demanded he give her his means of defending himself and he did so without hesitation, no matter how questionable its use would be. She felt a touch warm. He might have been the first human to genuinely do something selfless for her, at least while knowing she was a faunus beforehand.

“Which way out?” she demanded.

“The way I came, follow me.”

She did just that as he led the way through the building. She had to be careful once or twice to avoid the forms of her fallen brothers and sisters. Had he... Cleared this path himself? No, the more important question. Were they all accepting of Auburn’s plan? The plan to murder her solely as a means to get back at her former lover?

She felt sick. And cold. This kind of betrayal was... It was unthinkable.

“Are you alright?” the stranger asked, worry in his eyes.

She put on a strong front, her chin jutting out. “I’m fine.” Mercifully, he didn’t question her again. “What is this place?”

“We used it to store excess dust, particularly the volatile stuff,” the blond explained. “I suppose Auburn wanted to abscond with it after turning on us.”

‘Abscond’? Ugh, he was one of those upper crust types.

“Low and quiet,” he warned her as they made it out of a side door of the building into what looked like a rural area on the outskirts of Vale. Carefully they moved away from the small building, out towards a low wall and over it. She felt another dizzy spell hit her as she came down the other side. Vlad took a moment to support her as it passed. Another moment of feeling a warm appreciation for the unusually considerate human.

“Vlad!” the green-haired girl, Emerald exclaimed on seeing him. “Are you both alright? Where’s Cinder?”

“Last I saw she was still fighting–”

BOOM!

The night sky lit up with a blazing bonfire, an explosion that shook the earth beneath them. “Cinder!” Emerald cried.

“Yes?” the woman in red answered, sounding worse for wear as she was unceremoniously tossed over the wall by a tiny woman in pink and brown. This Cinder coughed, her skin covered in patches of soot.

“You’re alright!” Emerald cheered.

“Let’s not be hasty,” the woman answered, leaning heavily against the wall as she propped herself up. “But yes, I’ll be fine with a little rest.” She looked to Ilia frowning, but gave her a nod of acknowledgement. “I’m sorry I didn’t catch your name when we first met.”

The faunus woman hesitated. Giving her name to these people. Auburn had told her not to. But given the circumstances, “Ilia. Ilia Amitola.” Fuck Auburn.

“Well. Ilia,” Cinder offered her a weak smile, “Welcome to the team.”