I Do Not Own RWBY. All rights for RWBY go to Mr. Monty Oum and the good folks at Rooster Teeth.
Writers whose works are and aren't included in this chapter are Sapphire_Darkhouse, Nighttra, victorblaze0522, and xxQrowBrawnwenxx, me, SnowDrrgun, Cosmickatana, thedragonmaster18, AngelFlower23, Firedragon_Yang, -Viperr-, UzukiB, and Sandersen37. Enjoy.
On Earth(Prime Remnant)*
A Month After The End Of Chapter 13*
Ember Fall's POV*
When my parents were killed when I was just ten years old I devoted myself to training to become a person who could stop the violence from ever happening to anyone else.
I already read the magical books in my library at home and had a clear grasp of it.
I left home unannounced and traveled the world training to become the best.
I was currently in solitary confinement in a Mantle prison for a fight I won earlier.
A man walked through the shadows and asked, "Are you so desperate to fight criminals... that you lock yourself in to take them on one at a time, Ms. Fall?".
I asked, "Well, yeah. But, how do you know my name?".
He said, "The world is too small for someone like Ember Fall to just disappear no matter how deep into it you choose to go.".
I asked, "Who are you?".
He said, "My name is merely Hassan-i-Sabbah, The Old Man of the Mountain, and I am a man greatly feared by the criminal underworld. A man who can offer you a path.".
I asked, "What makes you think I need a path, old man of the mountain?".
Hassan said, "Someone like you is only here by choice. I have been informed that you are exploring the criminal brotherhood but whatever your original intentions were, you've become lost in them.".
I asked, "And path do you offer?".
Hassan said, "The path of a man who shares your hatred of evil and wishes to serve true justice. The path of the Order of Assassins.".
I chuckled a little and said, "You're vigilantes.".
Hassan said, "No. A vigilante can be destroyed or locked up. But if you make yourself more than just a regular woman and if you devote yourself mind and body to an abstract ideal and if no one can stop you then like me you become something else entirely. A legend.".
I looked at him with a sense of purpose and said, "3 days from now, you will be released. If you want to achieve something more there is a rare black flower that grows on the western slopes. Pick one of these flowers. And if you can carry it to the top of my mountain, you may just find what you're looking for.".
I asked, "And what was I looking for?".
He said, "Only you can know that." and he disappeared into the shadows.
3 Days Later*
I was abandoned on the side of the road and I looked over and saw the mountains Hassan spoke of.
I grabbed the bag I was left and started walking.
It took about an hour but I reached the area where the black flowers were.
I picked one and climbed the rest of the mountain and found a temple there.
I knocked on the front door and it was opened.
I walked in and I stood before Hassan-i-Sabbah.
Hassan asked, "What are you seeking?".
I said, "I seek the means to fight injustice. To become the legend that all criminals look to in fear of." and I pulled the black flower out and handed it to his steward.
Hassan said, "Are you ready to begin?".
I nodded and three men came out of the shadows and I was barely able to beat them off.
Hassan stood up and began to show me around.
I told him about my parent's death and Hassan asked, "You have learned to bury your guilt with anger. I will teach you to confront it and to face the truth. You know how to fight twenty men. We can teach you how to fight a country. We can teach you how to become truly hidden to your opponent. The assassin understands that camouflage is a matter of patience and agility. Always mind your surroundings. We employ explosive powders as distractions. Theatricality and deception are powerful agents. You must be more than just a woman in the mind of your opponent." and we began my training.
3 Weeks Later*
Hassan said, "Crime cannot be tolerated, criminals thrive on the indulgence of society's understanding.".
I nodded in understanding*
2 Months Later*
Hassan and I were sword fighting over some breakable ice beneath our feet.
We clashed swords and Hassan said, "Your parent's death was not your fault. It was your mothers.".
I kept a level head as we kept fighting.
Hassan said, "Will is everything!" as he pushed me back.
I looked at Hassan and he said, "The will to act." and I hurried forward clashing swords with him before I just tripped him and held a sword to his throat.
I said, "Yield.".
Hassan smiled and said, "I yield." and I offered him a hand helping him up.
Later At Night*
We were sitting by a fire and Hassan said, "You are stronger than your mother.".
I said, "You didn't know my mother.".
Hassan said, "I did. Cinder Fall was my first student and after all the years of training she had with us, she left to have you with your father in Vale. But I also know the rage that drives you. That impossible anger strangling the grief until the memory of who you are. I wasn't always here in the mountains.".
I looked at him curiously.
Hassan said, "I was born in the city of Sadiz which is part of modern-day Vacuo in the tenth era. My father had left Carias, modern-day Mantle to live in Sadiz. Early in my life, my family and I moved to Malla, which today is a desert outside of Vacuo and in between Vacuo and Vale. It was that I developed a keen interest in mystical matters and adhered to the Sorcerer Supreme for instruction. During the day I studied at home and mastered prophecy, languages, philosophy, astrophysics, magical prowess, and arithmetic computation. In Malla, my teacher, the Sorcerer Supreme introduced me to the mysticism doctrine of the world. Although I was initially unimpressed, my interest gradually grew after I participated in many fields of spell that discussed the merits of eternal youth which I would soon use on myself. I soon abandoned Malla and headed to Givia, modern-day Atlas, and Mantle. It took about five years to reach Givia. Along the way, I toured many other regions that did not fall in the general direction of Givia and when I arrived I was a full missionary. Whilst I was in Givia, studying and preaching, I incurred the displeasure of the chief of the army, Bedeviere. I was briefly imprisoned by Bedeviere. The collapse of a tower of the jail was an omen in favor of me and I was promptly released. My life now was totally devoted to the mission. I turned to the Mountains of Roanin which are these modern-day mountains. These mountains were home to a people who had traditionally resisted attempts of subjugation. The people of the mountain dispatched soldiers with the orders for my capture. I evaded them and went deeper into the mountains. My search for a base from which to guide my mission ended when I found the Castle of the old God, Sa'adah. The castle where we live and train now. It was a fort that stood guard over a valley. My takeover of the fort was conducted without any significant bloodshed. To effect this transition I employed a patient and deliberate strategy, one which took the better part of two years to take effect. After everything was set up I organized my Order of Assassins. After years of training my Assassins, I sent my commander of the time Altair along with a battalion of my Assassins to win over the villages in the valley and their inhabitants. Next, key people amongst this populace were converted and I had my own kingdom. After such time I activated an ancient spell of eternal youth on my body to never age and I devoted myself so faithfully to study, that in the nearly fifty-five years I was there I never left my quarters. Despite, extensive recruiting and organizational involvement in the growing insurrections happening all over. Nonetheless, I was highly educated and was known for simplicity, thinking, explaining, imploring, dieting, and directing the activities. And apart from philosophy, I was well versed in mathematics, astronomy, alchemy, medicine, architecture, and the major scientific disciplines of my time. A traveler of the world designated me as The Old Man of the Mountain. And as history progressed, so too did my Order of Assassins.".
I said, "That's a lot to take in.".
Hassan said, "I know, child. Your anger gives you great power. But if you let it, it will destroy you.".
I nodded.
1 Month Later*
We stood in the main throne room.
Hassan asked, "When you lived among the criminals, did you start to pity them?".
I said, "No, I lost many assumptions about the simple nature of right and wrong. And when I traveled, I learned the fear of committing a crime and the thrill of succeeding. But I never became one of them.".
Hassan said, "You've traveled the world to understand the criminal mind and conquer your fears. But a criminal is not as complicated as one may think. And what you really fear is inside yourself. You fear your own power and the drive to do great and terrible things. Now you must journey inwards. You are ready.".
1 Mind-Boggling Conquering Your Fear Lesson Later*
I succeeded and killed the representation of my own fear within myself.
Hassan pulled me aside and said, "We have purged your fear. You are ready to lead these men and women. You are ready to become a member of the Order of Assassins. But first, you must demonstrate your commitment to the order." and some of the men brought a man who was a known murderer in.
I said, "No. I'm no executioner.".
Hassan said, "Your compassion is your weakness your enemies will not share.
I said, "That's why it's so important to me. It separates us from them. Good from evil. Justice from injustice.".
Hassan said, "You want to fight criminals, right? This man is a known murderer.".
I said, "This man should be tried in a court of law before his peers.".
Hassan said, "Corrupt bureaucrats? The criminals of the present mock your society's laws. You cannot lead these men unless you are prepared to do what is necessary to defeat a greater evil than yourself.".
I asked, "And where would I be leading this army too?".
Hassan said, "Vale. As the city of Vale's favored daughter, you'll be ideally placed to strike at the heart of criminal activity all across the city. Vale's time has come, my friend. The city has become a breeding ground for pain and inequality. It is beyond saving and must be allowed to die for the betterment of the rest of the world. This is the most important function of the Order of Assassins. It is one we've performed for centuries over countless times for the fallen cities of old. Vale must be destroyed at all cost.".
I said, "You can't believe in this.".
Hassan nodded and I said, "I will go back to Vale and I will fight men and women like this but I will not become a killer like them.".
Hassan said, "Ember, please. For your own sake, there is no turning back.".
I snapped my fingers and sent a little fire to the explosives nearby.
Hassan asked, "Ember? What are you doing?".
I said, "What's necessary, my friend." and I knocked him out with my sword.
I pulled him out of the castle and the whole thing exploded just as we got outside.
I sighed and brought Hassan down the mountain and left him at a hospital before I made a call to my butler Richard and I was taken back to Vale via private jet.
On Said Private Jet*
Richard asked, "Are you coming back to Vale for long, ma'am?".
I said, "As long as it takes, Richard. I need to show people their city doesn't belong to the criminals and the corrupt law system. I can't do that as Ember Fall. As a woman, I'm flesh and blood, I can be ignored, and destroyed by my enemies. But as a symbol, I can be incorruptible to the people. I can be everlasting.".
Richard asked, "What symbol, ma'am?".
I said, "Something elemental, something terrifying to my enemies.".
Richard said, "I assume that as you take on the underworld of Vale, this symbol can protect those you care about from retaliation?".
I said, "Yeah, you'll be fine, Richard. Have you told anyone I'm coming back?".
Richard said, "I couldn't figure the constitutional consequences of bringing you back from the dead.".
I asked, "Dead?".
Richard said, "You've been gone for ten years.".
I asked, "You had me declared dead?".
Richard said, "Actually, it was Mr. Torchwick. He's taking the company public. He wanted to liquidate your majority shareholding. I suspect those shares are worth quite a bit of money.".
I said, "Well, it's a good thing I left everything to you, then.".
Richard said, "Quite so, ma'am.".
I smiled as he relaxed on our flight back.
The Next Day*
I walked up to the secretary and said, "Good morning. I'm here to see Mr. Torchwick.".
She asked, "Name?".
I said, "Ember Fall.".
She looked up at me in disbelief.
She said, "Head right on is miss Fall.".
I nodded and turned to the door.
I walked over and opened the door and all the shareholders looked at me in disbelief.
Mr. Torchwick turned to me and said, "Ember? You're supposed to be dead.".
I said, "I'm sorry to disappoint you.".
We spoke alone and Mr. Torchwick handed me a drink and said, "I'm sure you more than realize I can't stop the big machine. We're going public.".
I said, "I understand. And I'll be magnanimously rewarded for my shares. I'm not looking to intervene. I am looking for a job. I just want to get to know the company that my family built.".
Mr. Torchwick asked, "Any ideas where you'd start?".
I said, "Applied Sciences caught my eye.".
Mr. Torchwick said, "Waller's department. I'll let him know you're coming.".
10 Minutes Later*
Arthur Waller said, "Environmental methods, defense projects, weapons, armor, you name it. All prototypes. None in production.".
I asked, "None?".
Arthur asked, "Let me show you some of the fun stuff.".
We walked over to a box and he opened it.
Arthur said, "Kevlar utility harness. Gas-powered, magnetic grapple gun. The 400-pound test monofilament.".
We walked to another box and it was armor.
Arthur said, "Nomex survival suit for advanced infantry. Kevlar bi-weave, reinforced joints. This sucker will stop a knife.".
I asked, "Bulletproof?".
Arthur said, "Anything but a straight shot.".
Arthur closed the box and asked, "So, what's your interest in it, Ms. Fall?".
I said, "I want to borrow it.".
Arthur asked, "You expect to run into gunfire?".
I said, "Look, I'd rather Mr. Torchwick didn't know about me borrowing this stuff.".
Arthur said, "Ms. Fall, the way I see it, all this stuff is yours anyway.".
I nodded and asked, "Do you have any lightweight fabrics?".
Arthur said, "You know, I think I have just the thing.".
He pulled a box and showed me and cloth.
Arthur said, "It's called memory cloth. Notice anything?".
I shook my head and Arthur put a glove on with small electricity coming off of it.
Arthur said, "Ordinarily adjustable but put a current through it particles realign, it becomes stiff.".
I asked, "What kind of shapes can you make?".
Arthur said, "It can be tailored to fit just about any structure based on a determined skeleton.".
I nodded and turned to the tank looking car nearby and I asked, "What's that?".
Arthur said, "You have a good eye.".
Arthur gave me the rundown on how badass this car tank was and I asked, "Does it come in black?".
Later*
Richard and I set up a base of operations in the cave below the mansion and it was taking some time.
I spray pained the armor I was given black and I put all together.
Later At Night*
I was suited up and my cape was on fire and it was blue fire too.
There were people at the docs performing illegal acts and I decided to interfere.
I flew down and beat them all up before I terrorized their boss for a little bit.
I bust through the top of his car and pulled him up.
He asked, "Who are you?".
I said, "I'm The Feiry Phantom." and I head-butted him knocking him out.
I strung him up in some chains and left him for the cops.
The Next Morning*
I got up and started my cover as a Billionaire Play Girl who attends auctions.
I did pick up two beautiful supermodels on my way.
Later At Dusk*
I arrived to have some dinner with my shareholders.
One of them said, "She's done something the police never have.".
Another said, "You can't take the law into your own hands.".
She said, "Well, at least she's getting something done. She's put one of the wealthiest crime bosses in Vale behind bars. Now the cops want her. What does that tell you?".
I said, "They're jealous of her.".
Later Into The Night*
I grabbed a dirty op and was dangling them off the roof.
I asked, "Where are the drugs going?".
He scarcely said, "I don't know. I swear to the Gods.".
I said, "Swear to me!".
He scarcely said, "I don't know. I never knew. Never. They went to some guy for a couple of days before they went to the dealers.".
I asked, "Why?".
He said, "I never went to the drop-off point. It was in the bad part of town. Cops only go there in force.".
I threw him on the roof and flew off.
I found the drugs and where they were hidden but not the boss selling them or any of the dealers.
I tipped off the Vale Police Department and called it a night until I found the scientist making the drug.
I asked, "Who are you working for?".
He said, "Hassan... Hassan-i-Sabbah.".
I said, "Hassan-i-Sabbah, is dead.".
The Next Day*
Hassan came to my manor where I was waiting for him.
I said, "You're gonna release a poison on the entire city. Then watch Gotham tear itself apart through fear. You're gonna destroy millions of lives.".
Hassan said, "Only a pessimistic woman would call these people lives, Ember. This is not how mankind was supposed to live. The Order of Assassins has been a check against humankind's corruption for thousands of years. Every time a civilization reaches the pinnacle of its degeneration we return to restore the balance.".
I said, "Vale isn't beyond saving. Give me more time.".
Hassan said, "You're defending a city that we have infiltrated every level of its infrastructure.".
I was a bit concerned with that information.
Hassan said, "When I found you in that jail, you were lost. But I believed in you. I took away your fear, and I showed you a path. You were my greatest student.".
I said, "I'll be standing between you and the people of Vale.".
Hassan said, "No one can save Vale. When a forest grows too wild, a purging fire is inevitable and natural. The movement back to harmony will be unstoppable. If someone stands in the way of true justice, you simply walk up behind them and stab them in the heart.".
I said, "I am gonna stop you." as he walked into the shadows disappearing.
The Next Night*
I arrived on the train carrying the bomb from Hassan and he was here too.
I beat him into submission and said, "I don't have to save you." and I flew out of there and watched him explode.
The Next Day At Night*
I looked over Vale and mentally said, "I am the hero Vale needs but not the one it deserves." and I flew off to stop more crime.