Chapter XII: Echoes of the Past; Fractured Reflections
Beacon Academy - Team RWBY Dormitory - Late Evening
Ruby Rose paced the length of their shared dormitory room, her red cloak swirling behind her as she processed the information Weiss had gathered from the Schnee Company records. Blake sat cross-legged on her bed, analyzing the patterns in the Dust thefts, while Yang lounged against the windowsill, her violet eyes tracking Ruby's anxious movement.
"So let me get this straight," Yang said, breaking the tense silence. "Someone's been systematically stealing specific types of Dust from multiple companies across Vale, and now the supposed Haven Academy students are asking pointed questions about our investigation?"
"It's not just questions," Weiss interjected from her position at the desk, where she had spread out printed documents and her Scroll's display. "Cinder Fall's approach at the CCT tower was a clear warning. She knew exactly what I was researching."
Blake looked up from her own analysis. "The theft patterns don't match typical criminal behavior. This isn't about profit - someone is stockpiling specific Dust types for a larger operation."
Ruby stopped pacing, her silver eyes reflecting the gravity of their situation. "Which means whatever they're planning, it's big. And probably bad. Really, really bad."
"The question is: do we report this to Professor Ozpin, or do we investigate further on our own?" Weiss asked, though her tone suggested she already knew Ruby's likely answer.
"We need more proof," Ruby said, confirming her teammate's suspicion. "Right now we have patterns and suspicions, but nothing concrete enough to—"
A soft knock at their door interrupted the discussion. The four girls exchanged glances, each reaching for their weapons before Yang called out, "Who is it?"
"Mist Dragonblade. I'm sorry to disturb you so late, but... I believe we need to talk."
The dragon faunus's voice carried an urgency that made Ruby immediately move to open the door. Mist stood in the hallway, her fuchsia hair slightly disheveled and her golden eyes holding a weight that seemed far older than her apparent years.
"Please, come in," Ruby said, stepping aside.
Mist entered, her gaze quickly taking in the scattered research materials before focusing on the four teammates. "You're investigating the Dust thefts, aren't you?"
Weiss stiffened. "What makes you think that?"
"Because I know Cinder Fall approached you today, and I know why she's really here at Beacon." Mist's voice carried a certainty that made the room feel suddenly colder. "She's not a Haven Academy student. She's something much more dangerous."
Blake closed her book with a soft thud. "What do you know about her?"
Mist moved to the center of the room, her presence seeming to command attention despite her quiet demeanor. "Cinder Fall is my cousin, though we come from very different branches of the family tree. She's also someone who has made a career of stealing power that doesn't belong to her."
"Stealing power?" Yang asked, her hair flickering with brief flames of curiosity.
"There are abilities in this world that go beyond normal Semblances," Mist explained carefully. "Ancient powers tied to bloodlines, to sacred oaths, to forces that most people have forgotten exist. Cinder has found ways to... appropriate some of these powers for herself."
Ruby felt a chill run down her spine. "What kind of powers?"
Mist hesitated, clearly weighing how much to reveal. "The kind that could turn the Vytal Festival into a massacre if she's not stopped."
The blunt statement hit the room like a physical blow. Weiss stood up so quickly her chair scraped against the floor. "You're talking about an attack on the Festival?"
"I'm talking about a coordinated assault designed to destabilize the kingdoms and plunge Remnant into chaos," Mist replied grimly. "The Dust thefts are just preparation. The real target is Vale itself, and everyone who will be gathered here for the Festival."
Blake's mind was already racing through the implications. "How do you know all this?"
"Because my family has been tracking Cinder's activities for years, trying to stop her before she could implement whatever plan she's been building toward." Mist's golden eyes flickered with inner fire. "And because one of her current associates is someone I believe was taken from us a long time ago."
Yang raised an eyebrow. "Taken?"
"Mercury Black," Mist said quietly. "I think he's one of several children who were stolen from a sanctuary and had their memories altered to make them loyal to Cinder."
Ruby felt her heart skip a beat. The idea of someone having their memories stolen, their very identity reshaped, struck her as one of the most horrific things she could imagine.
"That's... that's impossible," Weiss said, though her voice lacked conviction.
"Is it?" Mist challenged gently. "Look at what we can do with Aura manipulation, with Dust applications, with the various bloodline abilities that exist in this world. Memory alteration isn't beyond the realm of possibility - it's just a technique most people would consider too morally reprehensible to attempt."
Blake's expression darkened. "Someone capable of stealing memories would be capable of anything."
"Exactly," Mist confirmed. "Which is why we can't face Cinder through normal channels. She's not just a criminal - she's someone who has turned other people into unwilling weapons through psychological manipulation."
Ruby moved to stand directly in front of Mist, her silver eyes blazing with determination. "Then we stop her. All of us, working together."
"Ruby..." Weiss began, clearly about to voice concerns about the dangers involved.
"No," Ruby said firmly. "If what Mist is telling us is true, then people are going to die if we don't act. And if Mercury and maybe others are being controlled against their will, then we have to find a way to save them too."
Yang grinned, her hair flaring briefly with approval. "I'm in. Anyone who messes with people's memories has it coming."
Blake nodded slowly. "Count me in as well. But we'll need a plan. Something more sophisticated than charging in with weapons blazing."
Weiss sighed, but her expression held resigned determination. "Someone has to keep you all from getting killed through sheer recklessness. I suppose that someone is me."
Mist felt a wave of relief wash over her. She had been prepared to face this threat alone if necessary, but having allies - especially ones as capable as Team RWBY - changed everything.
"Thank you," she said simply. "But I need you to understand: this won't just be about stopping a criminal conspiracy. We're going to be fighting against people who might not even realize they're victims."
Haven Academy Dormitory - Same Time
Mercury lay on his back, staring at the ceiling as fragmented images continued to surface in his mind. Stone corridors. The sound of children's laughter. A voice promising that they would always watch each other's backs. And always, always, those golden eyes that seemed to hold the key to everything he had lost.
Across the room, Emerald tossed restlessly in her sleep, occasionally murmuring words in a language Mercury didn't recognize but somehow understood. Her dreams seemed as fractured as his own, and he wondered if she too was beginning to remember things that had been taken from her.
Cinder's bed remained empty. Their leader had become increasingly secretive about her nighttime activities, and Mercury suspected she was meeting with contacts who were helping to coordinate whatever massive operation they were building toward.
The thought of that operation made his artificial legs feel heavier than usual. When he had first joined Cinder, the promise of power and purpose had seemed like salvation from a life of meaningless violence. But now, with his memories beginning to stir, he was starting to question whether anything about his life had ever been his own choice.
A soft sound from the hallway made Mercury freeze - footsteps, too careful to be casual but too light to be a threat. Someone was moving through the dormitory with the kind of stealth that spoke to professional training.
Mercury slipped out of bed with practiced silence, his enhanced hearing tracking the movement as it passed their door and continued toward the stairwell. Without fully understanding why, he found himself following.
The figure ahead of him moved like a shadow through Beacon's corridors, clearly familiar with the academy's layout despite supposedly being a visiting student. Mercury maintained his distance, his own stealth training allowing him to track his quarry without being detected.
The path led to one of Beacon's communication towers - not the main CCT facility, but a smaller relay station used for internal academy communications. Mercury watched from the shadows as the figure produced what looked like a complex piece of electronic equipment and began interfacing it with the tower's systems.
When the figure turned slightly, Mercury caught a glimpse of amber eyes that glowed with inner fire. Cinder.
She was installing some kind of virus or monitoring system into Beacon's internal communications network. The implications hit Mercury like a physical blow - this wasn't just about stealing Dust or even attacking the Vytal Festival. Cinder was preparing to take control of Beacon Academy's entire security and communication infrastructure.
Mercury retreated carefully, his mind racing through the tactical implications. With control over the academy's systems, Cinder could disable defenses, trap students and faculty, or coordinate a simultaneous attack on multiple targets. The scope of destruction would be...
He forced himself to stop thinking about the casualties. That was exactly the kind of consideration that Cinder had trained out of him over the years. Collateral damage was just a necessary cost of achieving larger objectives.
But as Mercury made his way back to the dormitory, he couldn't shake the image of golden eyes looking at him with trust and friendship. The idea of Mist being caught in whatever catastrophe Cinder was orchestrating made his chest tighten with something that might have been panic.
Dragon Faunus Dormitory - Dawn
Mist woke to find Skye sitting beside her bed, the Storm Balrog Empress's golden eyes reflecting the pre-dawn light filtering through their window. Lightning sparked softly around Skye's fingertips, a sign of agitation that made Mist immediately alert.
"What's wrong?" Mist asked quietly, not wanting to wake her other siblings.
"I had another conversation with our dear cousin last night," Skye replied, her voice carrying the rumble of distant thunder. "She's accelerating her timeline."
Mist sat up fully, her mind immediately going to Mercury and the growing certainty that he was being manipulated into participating in something that would destroy him. "How long do we have?"
"Days, maybe weeks. But Mist..." Skye's expression grew troubled. "She knows about Max. About what he represents."
The significance hit Mist like a physical blow. If Cinder understood the true nature of Max's bloodline, then she would either try to eliminate him before he could interfere, or find a way to corrupt him for her own purposes.
"We need to warn him," Mist said, but Skye shook her head.
"Max is already aware. I contacted him after my encounter with Cinder. He's... not pleased."
Mist felt a chill that had nothing to do with the early morning air. When Max was truly angry, when his protective instincts were fully aroused, the results tended to be spectacular and permanent.
"Tell me he's not planning to simply incinerate the Haven Academy students," Mist said.
"He's planning to do whatever is necessary to protect innocent people," Skye replied carefully. "But he's also aware that at least one of Cinder's associates might be a victim rather than a willing participant."
Mist felt a wave of relief. Max's sense of justice was absolute, but it was tempered by wisdom and compassion. If anyone could find a way to save Mercury while still stopping Cinder, it would be her older brother.
"What do you need me to do?" Mist asked.
Skye's expression grew serious. "Keep doing exactly what you've been doing. Mercury is starting to remember - I can see it in his aura, the way his spiritual energy is fluctuating between different patterns. If you can help him recover enough of his true self, he might become our greatest asset in stopping Cinder."
"And if I can't?"
Skye's lightning flared brighter, casting dancing shadows across her face. "Then Max will do what he must to protect you and everyone else. Even if it means destroying someone you care about."
The weight of that responsibility settled on Mist's shoulders like a mantle of lead. The next few days would determine not just the fate of the Vytal Festival, but whether Mercury Black would rediscover his true identity or be consumed by the darkness that had been forced upon him.
As dawn light began to fill their dormitory, Mist made a silent promise to herself: she would find a way to save Mercury, even if it meant facing Cinder Fall directly. Some promises were worth any risk, and the oath she had made to a silver-haired boy in stone corridors lit by crystal formations was one she intended to keep.
The war was coming, and the battle for Mercury's soul would be the key to everything else that followed.
Beacon Academy Training Grounds - Morning
Mercury found himself drawn to the same training ground where he had encountered Mist the day before, though he told himself it was just coincidence. The morning air was crisp with the promise of autumn, and the early light cast long shadows across the practice areas.
He wasn't surprised to find Mist already there, moving through a series of forms that seemed to blend martial arts with something more elemental. Fire danced around her movements without burning, responding to her will as naturally as breathing.
"You're up early again," Mercury observed, settling onto the same bench where they had talked before.
"Old habits," Mist replied, completing her sequence before turning to face him. "Besides, I was hoping you might come back."
The admission caught Mercury off guard. "Why?"
Mist moved to sit beside him, her golden eyes studying his face with that same unsettling intensity. "Because I think you're starting to remember, and I want to help."
Mercury felt his artificial legs lock into place, a defensive mechanism that had become second nature over the years. "Remember what?"
"Us. The sanctuary. The promises we made." Mist's voice was gentle but insistent. "Mercury, I know this is frightening. I know it challenges everything you think you know about yourself. But the boy I remember wouldn't want to be part of something that hurts innocent people."
"You don't know what I want," Mercury replied, but the words felt hollow.
"Don't I?" Mist turned to face him fully. "Then tell me: when you think about the upcoming mission, whatever Cinder has planned, what do you feel? Excitement? Anticipation? Or something else?"
Mercury opened his mouth to give her the standard response about looking forward to proving himself, but the words wouldn't come. Instead, he found himself thinking about golden eyes filled with pain, about the knowledge that his actions would contribute to suffering he couldn't prevent.
"It doesn't matter what I feel," he said finally. "I have my orders."
"Do you? Or do you have someone else's programming, so deeply ingrained that you've forgotten it isn't really you?"
The question hit Mercury like a physical blow. He stood abruptly, his body coiled for fight or flight. "You need to stop. Whatever game you're playing—"
"This isn't a game," Mist interrupted, rising to face him. "Mercury, look at me. Really look at me. Do you feel nothing? No sense of recognition, of connection? No echo of a time when we trusted each other completely?"
Despite every instinct telling him to leave, Mercury found himself meeting her gaze. And in those golden depths, he saw something that made his breath catch: absolute certainty. Not the manipulative confidence that Cinder wielded like a weapon, but genuine, unshakeable conviction.
She knew him. Somehow, impossibly, she knew who he had been before Marcus Black's training had carved away everything soft and vulnerable and replaced it with weapons-grade efficiency.
"I..." Mercury began, then stopped as another wave of fragmented memory washed over him.
A younger version of himself, laughing as he raced through stone corridors beside a fuchsia-haired girl. The sound of their footsteps echoing off ancient walls carved with protective symbols. A sense of belonging, of purpose that had nothing to do with being useful to someone else...
"The sanctuary," Mercury whispered, the word slipping out before he could stop it.
Mist's eyes blazed with hope. "You remember."
"Fragments. Images without context." Mercury's voice was strained. "But if what you're saying is true, if my memories were deliberately altered..."
"Then everything Cinder has told you about loyalty and obligation is built on lies," Mist finished. "Mercury, whoever you were before she took you, that person made choices based on his own values. He chose to protect people, to stand against darkness, to keep promises even when it was difficult."
Mercury felt something cracking inside his chest, like ice breaking apart under spring sunlight. "How do I know you're telling the truth? How do I know this isn't just another manipulation?"
Mist smiled, and the expression was so familiar it made Mercury's artificial legs nearly buckle. "Because I'm not asking you to trust me. I'm asking you to trust yourself. The part of you that reacts with horror when you think about innocent people being hurt. The part that feels sick when you imagine those golden eyes looking at you with disappointment instead of friendship."
She reached out slowly, giving him every opportunity to pull away, and gently touched his hand. "The part of you that knows, somewhere deeper than conscious thought, that hurting me would be like tearing out a piece of your own soul."
Mercury stared down at their joined hands, and for a moment, the sensation was so familiar it made his eyes burn. How many times had they stood like this in that half-remembered sanctuary, making promises to protect each other no matter what came?
"If I remember," Mercury said quietly, "if I accept that you're telling the truth about who I used to be... what then? I can't just abandon everything. Cinder would—"
"Cinder would try to stop you," Mist agreed. "But you wouldn't be facing her alone. My family, my friends, the people who care about protecting innocents - we would all stand with you."
Mercury looked up to meet her gaze again. "And if I can't break free? If the programming is too deep, or if remembering everything tears me apart?"
Mist's expression grew fierce with protective determination. "Then I'll keep trying to reach you until either I succeed or you tell me to stop. That's what friends do, Mercury. That's what the promises we made really mean."
For a moment, Mercury allowed himself to imagine it: choosing his own path, fighting alongside people who valued him for more than just his utility as a weapon, having relationships based on genuine connection rather than mutual benefit.
It was terrifying. And wonderful. And completely impossible.
"I need time," Mercury said finally. "To think, to... process all of this."
"Of course," Mist replied immediately. "But Mercury? Whatever you decide, whatever happens next - you're not alone. You were never alone, even when they tried to make you forget that."
As Mercury walked away from the training grounds, his mind churned with possibilities and fears in equal measure. Behind him, Mist watched until he disappeared from view, her golden eyes holding both hope and determination.
The battle for Mercury's soul had truly begun, and the outcome would determine not just his fate, but the fate of everyone he might be used to harm in the coming days.
But for the first time in years, Mercury Black was asking himself who he really wanted to be - and that question alone was enough to begin breaking the chains that bound him.
Beacon Academy Cafeteria - Afternoon
Mist sat across from Cardin Winchester at a corner table in Beacon's bustling cafeteria, her golden eyes distant as she picked at her lunch. The transformation in their relationship over the past few weeks still amazed her - what had started as confrontation over his bullying behavior had gradually evolved into something that felt surprisingly natural.
"You're not eating," Cardin observed, his own meal forgotten as he studied her troubled expression. "What's going on, Mist? You've been distracted ever since this morning."
Mist looked up to meet his concerned gaze, surprised once again by how much he had changed from the arrogant bully she had first encountered. The boy who now sat across from her showed genuine care in his brown eyes, and his posture had lost the aggressive swagger that had once defined him.
"It's complicated," she said softly.
"Try me," Cardin replied, leaning forward slightly. "After everything we've been through, after the way you helped me see what I was becoming... I think I can handle complicated."
Mist felt a small smile tug at her lips despite her worries. Cardin's willingness to change, to genuinely examine his own behavior and work to become better, had been one of the most pleasant surprises of her time at Beacon.
"There's someone I used to know," she began carefully. "A childhood friend from before I came to Beacon. Someone who... who I think is in trouble."
Cardin's expression grew more serious. "What kind of trouble?"
"The kind where someone has taken away their memories and replaced them with lies." Mist's voice carried a weight that made Cardin straighten in his chair. "The kind where they've been turned into a weapon against their will."
"That's..." Cardin paused, processing the implications. "That's horrific. You're talking about mind control?"
"Memory alteration, psychological manipulation, conditioning," Mist confirmed. "This person I care about has been shaped into something they were never meant to be, and they don't even remember who they really are."
Cardin was quiet for a moment, his mind working through what she was telling him. When he spoke again, his voice was gentler than she had ever heard it.
"This friend... they mean a lot to you, don't they?"
Mist nodded, her golden eyes reflecting old pain. "We grew up together in a place called the Sanctuary. It was hidden, protected, where children with special abilities could train and learn without fear. Mercury and I..." She paused, the name slipping out before she could stop it.
"Mercury," Cardin repeated, and Mist could see him making connections. "The silver-haired guy from Haven Academy. The one you've been watching."
"You noticed that?"
Cardin's expression held a mixture of understanding and something that might have been jealousy, though he was clearly trying to suppress it. "Kind of hard not to. You get this look on your face when you see him - like you're seeing a ghost."
Mist felt her heart clench. "In a way, I am. The boy I knew, the one who used to race me through stone corridors and promise we'd always watch each other's backs... he's gone. What's left is someone who's been programmed to follow orders without question, to use his abilities to hurt people."
"And you want to save him," Cardin said quietly.
"I have to try," Mist replied, her voice gaining strength. "We made promises to each other, Cardin. Sacred oaths that I've never forgotten, even if he has. I can't just abandon him to whatever darkness they've trapped him in."
Cardin leaned back in his chair, and Mist could see him struggling with conflicting emotions. Finally, he spoke with careful honesty.
"I'll be straight with you, Mist. The idea of you putting yourself in danger for another guy, especially one who's apparently working with people who want to hurt innocent students... it makes me want to lock you in a tower somewhere until this all blows over."
Mist raised an eyebrow at that, and Cardin held up a hand.
"But," he continued, "I also know that your sense of loyalty and protection is one of the things I... one of the things I admire most about you. If you abandon someone you made promises to just because it's safer, you wouldn't be the same person who saw something worth saving in a bully like me."
Mist felt warmth spread through her chest at his words. "Cardin..."
"So the question isn't whether you should try to help him," Cardin said, his voice growing more determined. "The question is how to do it without getting yourself killed in the process."
"You really think I should try?" Mist asked, though she had already made her decision.
"I think you're going to try no matter what I say," Cardin replied with a wry smile. "But yeah, I think if there's even a chance this Mercury guy is a victim instead of a villain, then someone needs to reach out to him. And if anyone can break through whatever mental barriers they've put up, it's probably the person who knew him before they were erected."
Mist reached across the table to take his hand, grateful for his understanding. "Thank you."
Cardin squeezed her hand gently. "Just promise me you'll be careful. And that you won't try to handle this completely on your own."
"I won't," Mist assured him. "Team RWBY is already involved, and my family knows what's happening. If something goes wrong..."
"If something goes wrong, you call for backup immediately," Cardin finished firmly. "No heroic sacrifices, no trying to handle everything yourself. You've got people who care about you now - use that support system."
Mist nodded, feeling a surge of affection for the young man across from her. "How did you get so wise about relationships and emotional support?"
Cardin's cheeks reddened slightly. "Had a good teacher. Someone who showed me that real strength comes from lifting people up instead of tearing them down."
They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, hands still linked across the table. Finally, Cardin spoke again.
"So what's the plan? How do you reach someone whose memories have been altered?"
"Carefully," Mist replied. "I've been having brief conversations with him, trying to trigger recognition without pushing too hard. Memory alteration usually isn't perfect - there are usually fragments left behind, emotional connections that can't be completely erased."
"And if the people controlling him figure out what you're doing?"
Mist's golden eyes hardened with determination. "Then they'll learn why it's a bad idea to threaten someone under the protection of the ancient dragon bloodlines."
Cardin felt a chill at the steel in her voice, reminded once again that despite her gentle nature, Mist Dragonblade was far from helpless.
"Is there anything I can do to help?" he asked.
Mist considered the question seriously. "Actually, yes. If things go badly, if Mercury's conditioning proves too strong or if his handlers decide he's a liability... I might need someone to help create a distraction or provide cover for an escape."
"You've got it," Cardin said without hesitation. "Whatever you need."
"Even if it means going up against people who could probably kill us both without breaking a sweat?"
Cardin's smile was grim but determined. "Mist, you helped me see that I was becoming someone I didn't want to be. You gave me a chance to change, to become better than I thought I could be. If this Mercury guy was important to you once, if he's a victim of something as horrible as what you're describing... then yeah, I'll stand with you."
He paused, his expression growing more serious. "Besides, someone needs to watch your back while you're trying to save his. Might as well be someone who..." He trailed off, suddenly looking uncertain.
"Someone who what?" Mist prompted gently.
Cardin took a deep breath, clearly gathering his courage. "Someone who's falling in love with you."
The admission hung between them like a bridge neither had expected to build. Mist felt her breath catch, surprised by both his honesty and her own reaction to it.
"Cardin," she began, but he shook his head.
"I know the timing is terrible," he said quickly. "I know you've got bigger things to worry about right now, and I know this Mercury guy probably means more to you than you're admitting. But I needed to say it, especially if we're about to walk into something dangerous."
Mist studied his face, seeing the vulnerability beneath his determination. "You're right that the timing is complicated," she said softly. "And you're right that Mercury... there are feelings there that I haven't fully examined. But Cardin, what you've become, who you're choosing to be... that matters to me more than you know."
She squeezed his hand gently. "Whatever happens in the next few days, whatever I have to do to help Mercury, it doesn't change the fact that you've become someone I care about deeply."
"But you can't give me more than that right now," Cardin said, understanding in his voice.
"Not right now," Mist confirmed. "Not until I know Mercury is safe, one way or another."
Cardin nodded, though she could see the disappointment he was trying to hide. "Then we focus on keeping both of you alive through whatever's coming. The rest... we can figure out the rest later."
As they finished their lunch, Mist felt a complex mixture of gratitude, affection, and guilt settling in her chest. Cardin's support meant everything to her, but she couldn't shake the feeling that she was asking him to help her save someone who might ultimately take his place in her heart.
The bonds of childhood, the promises made in stone corridors lit by crystal formations, had a power that even she didn't fully understand. And as much as she cared for Cardin, as much as she admired the man he was becoming, the pull toward Mercury felt like something carved into her very soul.
But that was a problem for after they had all survived what was coming. Right now, she needed to focus on breaking through years of conditioning and manipulation to reach the boy who had once promised to always watch her back.
Even if doing so might break the heart of the young man who was willing to help her save him.
As they finished their meal and prepared to leave, Cardin suddenly straightened in his chair, his expression brightening with inspiration.
"Wait," he said, catching Mist's hand as she started to stand. "I just had an idea."
Mist settled back into her seat, curious about the sudden shift in his demeanor. "What kind of idea?"
"You said Mercury needs something to anchor him, right? Someone to help him remember who he really is and give him a reason to fight against the conditioning?"
"That's the theory," Mist confirmed, though she could see where his thoughts were heading and felt a mixture of hope and uncertainty.
Cardin leaned forward, his voice gaining excitement as the plan took shape in his mind. "What if that someone doesn't have to be you? What if we brought in Yukikaze?"
Mist blinked in surprise. "Yuki? But she didn't know Mercury at the Sanctuary..."
"No, but think about it," Cardin pressed on. "She's a Thunder Dragon Faunus, right? Powerful, compassionate, and from what I've observed, she has this natural ability to calm people down and help them find their center. Plus, she doesn't have the complicated history with Mercury that you do."
Mist felt her breath catch as the brilliance of the suggestion hit her. "You mean she could become his new anchor. Help him build new, healthy connections while his old memories are still fragmented."
"Exactly!" Cardin's enthusiasm was infectious. "Look, I've watched how Yukikaze interacts with people. She has this gift for seeing past surface behavior to the person underneath. And she's strong enough to handle herself if things go sideways."
Mist's golden eyes began to shine with hope. "It could work. If Mercury has someone new to connect with, someone who isn't tied to whatever trauma or manipulation he's experienced..."
"It takes the pressure off you too," Cardin added gently. "You could still help with his memories, but you wouldn't be carrying the entire emotional burden of his recovery."
The consideration in his voice made Mist's heart clench with affection. Even while suggesting a plan that might ultimately benefit him by reducing the emotional pull between her and Mercury, Cardin was clearly thinking about what would be best for everyone involved.
"You really think Yuki would be willing to help?" Mist asked, though she was already fairly certain of the answer.
"Are you kidding? From what I've seen of your sister, she'd probably volunteer before you finished explaining the situation." Cardin's smile was warm. "She cares about people, Mist. And she cares about you. If Mercury is important to you, then helping him will be important to her."
Mist felt tears prick at her eyes - not from sadness, but from gratitude for both Cardin's insight and Yukikaze's anticipated willingness to help. "It's brilliant," she admitted. "Yuki has this natural warmth, this ability to make people feel safe and valued. If anyone could help Mercury remember what it feels like to have genuine connections..."
"Plus," Cardin added with a slightly mischievous grin, "she's stunning, powerful, and has that whole mysterious dragon faunus thing going for her. If we're being completely honest, she might be exactly the kind of person who could capture his attention in a positive way."
Mist laughed despite her worries. "Are you trying to play matchmaker now?"
"Maybe a little," Cardin admitted without shame. "Look, I care about you, Mist. I want you to be happy. If helping Mercury means you can let go of the guilt and obligation you're carrying, then I'm all for it. And if he ends up finding something real with Yukikaze in the process... well, that sounds like a win for everyone."
The selflessness in his words made Mist reach across the table to cup his face gently. "How did you become so wise about complicated emotional situations?"
Cardin leaned into her touch, his eyes closing briefly. "I had a good teacher. Someone who showed me that real love means wanting what's best for the people you care about, even when it's not what you want for yourself."
"Cardin..."
"I know," he said softly, opening his eyes to meet her gaze. "I know you can't make any promises right now. But I also know that if this plan works, if Mercury finds peace and healing with someone new, then maybe you'll be able to figure out what you really want without the weight of the past pulling at you."
Mist felt her heart overflow with affection for this young man who had transformed from a bully into someone capable of such emotional maturity. "Whatever happens, whatever I decide about... about us... I need you to know that what you're offering to do, the way you're willing to help save someone who might be your rival... it means everything to me."
"Good," Cardin replied, his smile soft but determined. "Because we're going to need all the positive feelings we can get if we're about to go up against people who specialize in psychological warfare."
Mist stood from the table, her mind already racing with plans. "I need to talk to Yuki right away. If she's willing to help, we'll need to coordinate with Team RWBY and figure out the best approach."
"And if she's not willing?" Cardin asked, though they both knew it was unlikely.
"Then we proceed with the original plan," Mist replied firmly. "But somehow, I think Yukikaze is going to surprise us all with just how ready she is to help save someone in need."
As they left the cafeteria together, both of them felt a cautious optimism beginning to bloom. The plan was risky, dependent on too many variables, and would require perfect timing to execute safely.
But for the first time since this crisis began, they had a strategy that didn't require Mist to choose between her past and her future. Instead, it offered the possibility of healing for everyone involved.
Now they just had to convince a Thunder Dragon Faunus to risk her safety for a silver-haired stranger whose soul was worth saving.
Beacon Academy - Private Conference Room - Evening
The gathering that assembled in one of Beacon's more secluded meeting rooms was unlike anything the academy had ever hosted. Mist had called together what could only be described as a coalition of the most powerful and influential students from multiple bloodlines and kingdoms, each bringing their own unique abilities and perspectives to the crisis at hand.
Max Dragonblade sat at the head of the table, his presence commanding even in relative stillness. The Holy Dragon King Faunus's golden eyes held the weight of ancient authority as he surveyed the assembled group. To his right sat his teammates from MKKH: Kazuma, whose strategic mind was already working through tactical possibilities; Koga, alert and ready for action; and Hon'oh, her scholarly demeanor masking considerable power.
Mist's own team filled one side of the table - Toshiro maintaining his weapons even during the meeting, his sister Kagura beside him with her own quiet intensity. Gweynne and Shoryu flanked Yukikaze, who sat with the serene composure that had made Cardin think of her as the perfect anchor for Mercury's fractured psyche.
The rest of the group represented a stunning array of power and influence. Skye's lightning sparked more visibly than usual, her agitation about her cousin's plans evident to everyone present. Tadashi, the Frost Balrog Lord Faunus, radiated cold authority that balanced Skye's electrical energy. And at the far end of the table, Emeryll commanded attention through sheer presence - the Azure Empire's Priestess and Empress, trained by vessels of goddesses themselves, brought a level of mystical knowledge that might prove crucial.
Cardin, the only non-faunus and arguably least powerful person in the room, sat beside Mist with quiet determination. If he was intimidated by the gathering, he hid it well.
"Thank you all for coming," Max began, his voice carrying the resonance of deep authority. "What we're discussing tonight will determine not just the fate of one individual, but potentially the outcome of whatever catastrophe Cinder Fall is planning."
Skye leaned forward, electricity dancing along her fingertips. "I've confirmed that my cousin is accelerating her timeline. Whatever she's building toward, it's happening soon."
"Which is why we need to act quickly to secure Mercury Black's cooperation," Mist added, her golden eyes moving around the table. "I believe he's a victim of memory alteration, not a willing participant in Cinder's plans."
Emeryll's voice carried the weight of mystical authority when she spoke. "Memory manipulation of that depth requires either divine intervention or access to very dark arts. Given what I know of Cinder Fall's associations, I suspect the latter."
"Can such alterations be reversed?" Hon'oh asked, her scholarly interest evident.
"With the right techniques and sufficient power, yes," Emeryll confirmed. "But the process is dangerous for the victim. Their mind could shatter if pushed too hard or too fast."
Yukikaze, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke. "Mist explained Cardin's suggestion about me serving as an anchor. I want to understand exactly what that would entail."
Cardin cleared his throat, clearly feeling the weight of so many powerful gazes focusing on him. "The idea is that Mercury needs something - someone - to ground him as his memories resurface. Someone without the complicated history that might trigger his conditioning."
"A clean slate," Kazuma added thoughtfully. "Someone he can form new, healthy attachments with while processing his recovered memories."
Yukikaze nodded slowly. "And you believe I would be suitable for this role because...?"
"Because you have natural empathic abilities," Mist said gently. "You can sense emotional disturbance and help calm it. Plus, you're strong enough to defend yourself if his conditioning kicks in violently."
Toshiro's expression was troubled. "You're asking my teammate to put herself in considerable danger for someone who might try to kill her."
"I'm asking her to help save someone who's been turned into a weapon against his will," Mist corrected firmly. "Mercury isn't evil, Toshiro. He's been broken and reshaped by people who saw him as a tool."
Max's voice cut through the tension. "The question isn't whether Mercury deserves saving - anyone subjected to such violation does. The question is whether we can accomplish it without losing people we care about in the process."
Skye's lightning flared brighter. "Cinder won't let him go easily. If she realizes what we're attempting, she'll either eliminate him as a liability or use him as bait to trap us."
"Then we don't give her the chance," Tadashi said, his voice carrying the chill of winter storms. "We move fast, extract Mercury, and deal with Cinder separately."
"It's not that simple," Emeryll interjected. "If Mercury's conditioning is as deep as Mist suspects, he might resist rescue attempts. His programmed loyalty could make him see us as enemies."
Kagura, who had been silent until now, spoke with quiet intensity. "What if we're approaching this backwards? Instead of trying to break his conditioning directly, what if we gave him a reason to question it?"
All eyes turned to her. "Explain," Max commanded.
"Memory alteration relies on emotional disconnection," Kagura continued. "If Mercury begins forming new emotional bonds, especially romantic ones, it could create cognitive dissonance with his programming. The conflict might be enough to crack the mental barriers."
Yukikaze's eyes widened as the implication hit her. "You're suggesting I try to make him fall in love with me."
"Not necessarily love," Cardin said quickly, though his cheeks reddened slightly. "But connection. Genuine emotional connection that his handlers never accounted for."
Shoryu leaned back in his chair. "It's manipulative."
"So is mind control," Gweynne pointed out. "Sometimes you have to fight fire with fire."
"But the emotional risk to Yukikaze would be enormous," Hon'oh observed. "If she develops real feelings for him during this process..."
"Then I deal with that when it happens," Yukikaze said firmly, surprising everyone with her decisiveness. "Mist, you said Mercury was your childhood friend. That you made promises to protect each other."
Mist nodded, unsure where her teammate was going.
"Then he's family," Yukikaze continued simply. "Maybe not by blood, but by bond. And we protect family." She looked around the table, meeting each person's gaze. "I'll do it. I'll become his anchor, help him remember who he really is, and if that means risking my heart in the process... well, some things are worth the risk."
Max smiled for the first time during the meeting, genuine warmth breaking through his authoritative demeanor. "Spoken like a true dragon."
"But we need contingencies," Kazuma added, his tactical mind already working. "What if Mercury's conditioning includes triggers to harm anyone who gets too close? What if Cinder decides to eliminate him rather than lose control?"
"Then we make sure she doesn't get the chance," Skye said, her voice carrying deadly promise. "I'll handle my cousin. The rest of you focus on saving Mercury."
"Absolutely not," Max said immediately. "Cinder Fall is too dangerous to face alone, even for you."
"Max is right," Emeryll agreed. "Cinder has stolen power from sources we don't fully understand. She'll require a coordinated response."
"Which brings us to the larger question," Tadashi observed. "Are we just trying to save one person, or are we preparing to stop whatever catastrophe Cinder is planning?"
The room fell silent as everyone processed the implications. They weren't just talking about a rescue mission anymore - they were discussing the possibility of open warfare against forces that threatened the stability of the kingdoms themselves.
"Both," Mist said finally, her voice carrying absolute conviction. "We save Mercury, and we stop Cinder. Whatever it takes."
Max nodded approvingly. "Then we need a plan that accounts for both objectives. Yukikaze, how long do you think you'd need to establish a connection with Mercury?"
"That depends on how receptive he is," Yukikaze replied thoughtfully. "If his conditioning allows for normal social interaction, maybe a few days. If he's completely closed off..."
"Then we make opportunities," Cardin said. "Chance encounters, shared activities, situations where his natural protective instincts might surface."
"I can help with that," Mist added. "I've already established some rapport with him. I can create situations where he and Yukikaze interact naturally."
Emeryll leaned forward, her mystical training evident in her intense focus. "I'll need to examine Mercury from a distance, assess the nature of his mental bindings. That information will be crucial for any attempt to break his conditioning safely."
"And I'll coordinate with Team RWBY," Mist continued. "They're already investigating Cinder's larger plans. We need to make sure our rescue attempt doesn't interfere with stopping whatever attack she's preparing."
"Time frame?" Max asked.
"Days," Skye said grimly. "Maybe a week at most. Cinder's moving toward something big, and when it happens, Mercury will either be saved or lost forever."
The weight of that deadline settled over the group like a shroud. They were talking about infiltrating the inner circle of one of the most dangerous individuals any of them had ever encountered, breaking years of psychological conditioning, and preventing a catastrophic attack on the kingdom - all within a matter of days.
"Are we all agreed then?" Max asked, looking around the table. "We attempt to save Mercury Black and stop Cinder Fall, knowing that failure could cost us everything?"
One by one, each person nodded their agreement. Even Cardin, who had the most to lose personally if Yukikaze's mission succeeded in ways he hadn't anticipated, gave his firm consent.
"Then we begin tomorrow," Max declared. "Yukikaze, Mist, you'll initiate contact with Mercury. Emeryll, start your mystical assessment. Skye, monitor Cinder's activities but don't engage directly yet. Everyone else, prepare for the possibility that this ends in open conflict."
As the meeting broke up and people began filing out, Yukikaze approached Mist with a gentle smile.
"Are you sure about this?" Mist asked quietly. "I know I have no right to ask you to risk so much for someone you've never met."
Yukikaze's golden eyes held the same warmth that had convinced Cardin she was perfect for this role. "Mist, you're my teammate and my friend. If Mercury was important enough to you once that you made sacred promises to protect each other, then he's important to me too."
She paused, her expression growing more serious. "Besides, from what you've described, this boy has been alone and manipulated for years. If I can help him remember what genuine connection feels like... well, that seems like something worth doing regardless of the outcome."
Mist felt tears prick at her eyes. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet," Yukikaze replied with a slight smile. "Wait until we see if I can actually reach him through whatever walls they've built in his mind."
As Yukikaze left, Cardin approached Mist with a complex expression.
"Having second thoughts about your brilliant plan?" Mist asked gently.
"No," Cardin said firmly. "But I'd be lying if I said watching another guy fall for you was going to be easy."
Mist took his hand. "We don't know that will happen."
"We both know it will," Cardin replied with rueful honesty. "Yukikaze is incredible - powerful, beautiful, kind. If Mercury has even a fraction of the good sense you remember from your childhood, he'll be drawn to her."
"And if he is?"
Cardin was quiet for a long moment. "Then I'll be happy that he found something real to anchor him. And I'll try very hard not to be jealous of a guy who's been through hell."
The maturity in his response made Mist's heart ache with affection. "Whatever happens, Cardin, what you're doing - the way you're supporting this even though it might hurt you - it shows exactly the kind of man you've become."
"Good," Cardin replied, squeezing her hand gently. "Because win or lose, I want you to be proud of who I choose to be."
As they prepared to face the challenges ahead, both of them knew that the next few days would test not just their courage, but the very foundations of their relationships with each other and everyone they cared about.
The battle for Mercury's soul was about to begin in earnest, and the outcome would determine far more than just one person's fate.
Beacon Academy - Communications Center - Same Evening
Before any plans to save Mercury could be implemented, an urgent message crackled through the communications array that would change everything. Ruby's voice, breathless with excitement and exhaustion, came through on the emergency channel.
"This is Team RWBY to all available units. We've just engaged Roman Torchwick and neutralized an Atlesian Paladin-290. Repeat, Torchwick had access to Atlas military hardware and was coordinating with White Fang forces."
Max's expression immediately shifted from concerned brother to battlefield commander as he activated the communication system. "This is Max Dragonblade. Team RWBY, report your status and location."
"We're all fine," Ruby replied, though her voice carried the strain of recent combat. "But Max, this is bigger than we thought. Torchwick had multiple Paladins, and he was recruiting White Fang members for some kind of southeastern operation."
Skye's lightning flared as the implications hit her. "Southeastern operation... That's where my cousin has been making her moves."
"The connection between Torchwick, the White Fang, and Cinder is now confirmed," Emeryll said, her mystical training allowing her to see the larger pattern. "This isn't just about stolen Dust anymore - they're building an army."
Max stood, his presence commanding immediate attention from everyone in the room. "Change of priorities. Mercury's rescue will have to wait."
"What?" Mist protested, standing as well. "Max, we can't just—"
"We can't save one person if we let thousands die," Max replied firmly, though his golden eyes held sympathy for his sister's distress. "If Torchwick is operating with Atlas hardware and White Fang support, the threat to Vale has escalated beyond anything we initially calculated."
Kazuma nodded grimly. "A coordinated attack using military-grade mechs and Grimm masks... They could overwhelm the kingdom's defenses before anyone could organize a proper response."
"But what about Mercury?" Yukikaze asked quietly. "If we delay too long, Cinder might eliminate him as a security risk."
Cardin, surprising everyone, stood and addressed Max directly. "What if we could do both? Handle the immediate threat while still moving forward with Mercury's rescue?"
Max raised an eyebrow. "Explain."
"Torchwick's operation is in the southeast," Cardin said, his tactical thinking evident. "That's not where Mercury is. He's still here at Beacon with the supposed Haven Academy students. If we split our forces..."
"Too dangerous," Toshiro interjected. "We'd be dividing our strength against multiple powerful enemies."
"Actually," Skye said slowly, electricity dancing around her fingers as her mind worked through the possibilities, "Cardin might be right. If Cinder is coordinating with Torchwick and the White Fang, she'll need to maintain communication with those operations. That might give us opportunities to approach Mercury when she's distracted."
Emeryll leaned forward, her priestess training allowing her to see patterns others might miss. "There's another consideration. If Cinder is planning something catastrophic for the Vytal Festival, she'll want her primary assets - including Mercury - close to the main target. Separating him from her now, before the final phase begins, might be our only chance."
Max was quiet for a long moment, weighing the options. Finally, he spoke with the authority of his bloodline.
"We split into two operations. I'll lead a team to investigate and neutralize Torchwick's southeastern base. The rest will remain here to continue with Mercury's extraction while monitoring Cinder's activities."
"I should go with the Torchwick team," Skye said immediately. "If my cousin is there..."
"She won't be," Max replied. "Cinder is too valuable to risk in field operations. She'll coordinate from here while her subordinates handle the more dangerous work."
Mist felt her heart clench with both gratitude and fear. "You're really going to let us proceed with the Mercury mission?"
Max's expression softened as he looked at his sister. "Mist, that boy was important enough to you that you've carried the weight of his loss for years. If there's a chance to save him, we have to try." His voice grew harder. "But not at the cost of innocent lives. If the situation becomes too dangerous, if saving him means compromising the larger mission..."
"I understand," Mist said, though the words felt like glass in her throat.
"Yukikaze," Max addressed the Thunder Dragon Faunus directly. "Are you still willing to serve as Mercury's anchor, knowing that the timeline has compressed and the danger has increased?"
Yukikaze stood, her golden eyes reflecting the same determination that ran in all the dragon bloodlines. "More willing than ever. If Mercury is being used as a weapon in whatever attack they're planning, then saving him isn't just about keeping a promise - it's about preventing him from being forced to participate in something that will destroy him completely."
Cardin felt a surge of pride at her response, even knowing it might ultimately cost him the woman he was falling in love with.
"Then we move tonight," Max decided. "I'll take Kazuma, Koga, and Hon'oh to investigate the southeastern operation. Skye, Tadashi, and Emeryll will coordinate intelligence gathering here at Beacon. The rest of you will implement the Mercury extraction."
"What about Team RWBY?" Ruby's voice crackled through the communication system, reminding everyone that she was still on the channel.
"Report to Professor Ozpin immediately," Max instructed. "He needs to know about Torchwick's hardware and the scale of the threat we're facing. But Ruby..." His voice softened slightly. "Keep our larger operations confidential for now. Until we know how deep this conspiracy goes, we can't risk information leaks."
"Understood," Ruby replied. "And Max? Be careful. That Paladin we fought... it was just one of several. If Torchwick's southeastern base is where they're storing the rest..."
"We'll be ready," Max assured her, though privately he knew they were walking into a situation that could easily become overwhelming.
As the communication ended, the assembled group began making final preparations for operations that would determine not just Mercury's fate, but the safety of the entire kingdom.
"Mist," Max called as people began to disperse. When his sister approached, he placed a gentle but firm hand on her shoulder. "I know how much this means to you. But promise me - if saving Mercury requires sacrificing innocent lives, you'll make the right choice."
Mist met her brother's gaze steadily. "The Mercury I remember would never want to be saved at such a cost. If it comes to that... I'll make sure he goes down knowing who he really was, not as the weapon they turned him into."
Max nodded, pride and sorrow warring in his expression. "I hope it doesn't come to that."
"So do I," Mist whispered, watching as Yukikaze and Cardin began discussing tactical approaches for the Mercury mission. "But if it does, at least he won't die alone."
The war was escalating beyond anything they had anticipated, but the bonds of family, friendship, and love would see them through - or destroy them all in the attempt.
Either way, by dawn, nothing would ever be the same.
To be continued in Chapter 13: Fractured Reflections part II