"You want all of us to unite? That's a hard ask. Us Mistralians are solid with each other. But him?" Melanie gestured to Adam, then to Hatter, Sieg and Reid, "And them? We've been in a cold war with the Valeans for nearly a hundred years and the Faunus is a psycho."
Adam sneered at her and folded his arms.
"A psycho? Because I dared stand up and try to kill that bastard? If I'd succeeded, there wouldn't 'be' a war." Adam retorted contemptuously before looking over to Ryuko.
"And you could have helped. Why didn't you help me kill him when you had the chance? A misguided sense of 'honor among thieves'? Were you afraid? Because I can't think of anything besides those two reasons that would stop you." Adam growled, directing his animosity toward Ryuko.
It wasn't just Adam either, quite a few of the leaders looked at Ryuko. As she was one of the most capable fighters there, as seen from that popular stream.
Ryuko smiled and thought back to when William had casually entered. It was all an elaborate play. Upon seeing him, Ryuko paid close attention to the gauntlets on his hands. To anyone else, it seemed like a Huntsman's weapon, maybe a bit of Atlas tech behind it but nothing to get concerned about. But he had enough high grade Dust in that gauntlet to blow the building and much of the surrounding area to pieces.
That, and her keen eyes picked up on something else as well. How William's eyes lingered on Reid for a few seconds longer.
"Why didn't I intervene? You didn't recognize the deadly weapon he so casually wielded? His gauntlet had enough high grade Dust to kill almost everyone here but me, you and my good pals Roman, Neo and Hatter. That, and he wanted to start this war off on his terms. Push comes to shove, I have no doubt he'd activate all that Dust to get away. And what do you think would happen if 'Lil Miss' baby girls are killed in this explosion he sets off?" Ryuko asked, turning her attention from Adam to the screen where 'Lil Miss Malachite was seen smoking from a pipe.
"I'd use everything in my power to crush him. He'd make it personal." The woman replied, matter-of-factly. Though she was casual in her answer, Ryuko spotted something dark flash in her eyes as she said it.
"There you have it. He wants to take Vale but that doesn't mean becoming an irreconcilable enemy with the powerful gangs with connections outside of Vale is his preferred option~." Ryuko's words made sense. Even Adam had to admit, despite his distaste for humans, killing Melanie and Miltia would plunge him and his supporters into an all-out war with not just the Spiders, but the whole Mistralian Alliance.
And that would be a short war.
"How exactly are you sure he had that much high grade dust though?" Miltia asked skeptically. Though by the looks of the other leaders, the answer was obvious.
"Dear? You didn't read the file I sent you about the Atlesian family, did you? It's an open secret. The Gele family owns the mob. The little brat who strolled in here? He's a Gelle. Now.. think real hard here. Do you know of any famous men with the last name 'Gale'? I'll give you a hint.. he married and took an even more famous last name." 'Lil Miss Malachite asked, shaking her head at her daughter's ignorance.
"Um..." Miltia shrunk in on herself and awkwardly avoided looking at her mother on the screen.
"Jacques Schnee." Sieg answered, saving Miltia from further awkwardness.
Though Neo wasn't content on leaving things there. She was silently laughing and pointing at the twins. The silence occasionally being broken by a slap to her knee as she mocked them.
"This little bitch.." Miltia cursed under her breath as her face flushed pink in embarrassment.
Ryuko simply smirked and pat Neo on the head before clearing her throat.
"So, are we agreed on uniting? Given how he's shown himself willing to destroy us and the fact that he's capable of doing so, I'd say a true alliance is in order. Objections?" Ryuko asked, eyes scanning the room.
As expected, after explaining and experiencing everything for themselves, there wasn't any resistance to formally uniting the crime families. Though there was one issue left.
"Good! Now, random question.. but what is the Executors main business? Call it curiousity." Ryuko asked, looking over at Reid, whose face was as stoic as it had always been.
"Dust trafficking." He replied curtly.
"Some real money to be made there.." Roman cut in, sharing a look with Ryuko and Neo before standing up and stretching out.
"Whoever controls the most Dust would have serious leverage in Vale, right?" Roman asked, looking around at the leaders.
'Lil Miss Malachite and Hatter seemed to catch onto his point. While the others looked at Roman to continue.
"Are you trying to insinuate something, Torchwick?" Reid asked, leaning forward.
"I simply find it interesting. Given what 'Lil Miss Malachite stated? About the Gele having ties to Jacques Schnee? Who could benefit the most from teaming up with them? Me? Well I'd certainly make use of all that Dust. Set up a nice little nest egg and live a life of criminal luxury in Vale. Sounds nice, right?" Roman asked, tipping his hat up and giving Reid a provocative smirk.
"...." Reid simply stared at the thief, prompting Roman to sigh dramatically.
"Are you going to make me say it?"
"No. It's clear I'm not trusted. I'll be taking my leave." Reid stood up, glancing at every leader, then Ryuko, and leaving.
Hatter coughed into his fist and looked at Ryuko, who was happily stroking Neo's head like she were a well behaved cat.
"How sure are you that he was working with William? I get being careful but.."
"I'm over ninety percent sure. I looked into everyone before this meeting. He's had an increase in business. A minor one but still. Dust robberies tend to have serious consequences. If you do it enough? You'll have Huntsmen squads coming for you every chance they can get." At her words, Roman slowly nodded.
"And the recent increase in Dust robberies? They were against the SDC. Adam, tell us. How difficult is it to raid a Dust shipment from the SDC?" Ryuko turned her attention to the silent Bull Faunus.
"You'd need a decent squad that knows what they're doing. Not something that would be easy, even if it was a small shipment with zero Chrollo mercenary squads.
"So, fairly suspicious I'd say! He always stuck to robbing Dust stores intermittently. This new target? The SDC? It'd normally just paint a target on his back. But I've heard nothing concerning trouble from him." Hatter shrugged.
That seemed to pretty much cement their growing suspicions. 'Lil Miss Malachite nodded at Ryuko and turned to look at Beatrix.
"I see you were right about her. She's very capable. Think you can set up some sort of tutorship with my little brats?"
Beatrix hummed in thought. "I can try. But dear Neo isn't on the best terms with the twins. And they've a certain issue with... well..-" 'Lil Miss Malachite sighed and cut to the point, "They're unruly, horny and a bit grating, I know. We can get Junior to help with the first issue. The second and third.. well you can't expect miracles."
Beatrix chuckled and was about to stand up when Ryuko's scroll buzzed.
*BZZT!* *BZZZT!* *CLICK*
"Yes? I told you- *Bang!*" Ryuko held her scroll away from her ear as a somewhat close explosion could be heard.
"Sorry to disturb you! But uh.. we're sorta being attacked? These guys on bikes with weird weapons came storming in and-" "Ah my dear Bunny~ Need I tell you what to do? Kill a few and cripple at least five. Chase if you need to. Just put on a disguise if you do. I'll be over shortly." Ryuko cut Shia off and advised with a calm smile.
"Got it! Ren and Nora are a bit banged up but otherwise safe and Emerald took a bad hit.. they're safe in the back though. I'll hunt them down.." Shia stated before hanging up.
"Huu... Apologies for this but something came up. I have some personal business to take care of. Hatter, Junior and Beatrix has my numbers so talk to them if you have questions or need me. Roman, Neo." Ryuko called as she stood up and started to walk out quickly.
"Adieu!" Roman took a bow as he strutted out, while Neo gestured for Miltia and Melanie to go fuck themselves.
┌∩┐(◣_◢)┌∩┐ 'Get fucked, bimbos!'
"Roman, you drive. We're under attack. Branwen PMC is, anyway." Yin stated, casting off her Ryuko alias as she got in the back of a car.
"Really? You think it's the Atlesians? I thought we covered our tracks pretty well.." Roman replied as he got in the front and started the car, Neo joining Ryuko in the back with a face full of worry.
'Is Emerald okay!?' Her expression seemed to say.
"Shia hadn't said anything truly serious happened." Yin pat Neo on the head as blue flame burned away her red dye.
"But either way, we're going to make whoever is stupid enough to attack us pay." Yin snorted coldly before pulling a bag out from under her seat, containing her normal outfit.
Right then and there, she decided to change. Luckily, Neo opened up Hush and blocked any view of her naked form to Roman or any passerbyes. After a minute, she had donned her kimono top, obi, red pleated skirt, black thigh high boots and a mesh of fishnet stockings and gloves.
"Trust in Shia too. She won't let the attackers get away." Yin confidently stated as she put her Ryuko clothes away.
*SCREEETCH!!*
Neo nodded but before anything else could be said, Roman hit the brakes hard. Yin planted her foot on the front seat and caught Neo before her little body could be sent flying out of the vehicle. Yin furrowed her brow and looked ahead, where the street had suddenly become a warzone.
Four trucks were speeding down the opposite lane, being pursued by Vale police. Now, that enough wasn't enough to warrant surprise. This was Vale, after all.
*BOOOM!!*
The issue being the fact that those fleeing truck's occupants were shooting rockets from the cargo beds. Both at the police and a white masked, hooded girl running across the walls of buildings and rooftops in pursuit of them. It was clear this was going to escalate beyond police involvement. And if Shia wasn't quick enough, any survivors would likely be taken into the Vale Police's custody.
"Well.. I can't have that. Both of you head back to the branch. Let nobody see you. And if Em and the rest are really hurt? Neo, take them to the hospital." Yin ordered, stepping out of the car and summoning Raiden's katana.
"Haaa.. Yup. Just don't go acting like a menace in front of cameras. You're a public figure as Yin." Roman replied as Neo saluted and nodded as they drove off.
Yin smirked and quickly moved, her body becoming a blur as 'Accelerate' activated. Passing by cars and bikes, she was quickly noticed by the men on the trucks and Shia.
"Shit! Huntress! Baldur, fire at the bitch!" One of the men in the back yelled to a skinny, tattooed man holding a rocket launcher.
"That's her... Magni, Modi.. I will avenge you today." Baldur grit his teeth and aimed at Yin before firing over twelve rockets at her.
Yin's eyes narrowed as she saw the ordinance coming at her. Speeding up, she leapt onto one and batted three away from the traffic around them and up into the air. Then, she leapt from rocket to rocket and quickly closed in on the speeding truck.
"Wh-What the fuck!? We're going at least one-fifty!" One of the men screamed in disbelief before his face was met with Yin's boots.
*CRACK!*
"License and registration please! Unless you're resisting arrest..?" Yin threatened, slowly unsheathing her sparking blade with a grin.
[AN: Made a ZZZ/RWBY fic first chap. First 10 chaps will be on my Pay-tree-on until the 11th. When I finish the 11th, I'll upload it here. If that's what people want. MC is Jane Doe]
[Also here's some Yin pics]