Save the world? Fuck that, I want to make money! (RWBY SI) ch 59

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Three Decades

She had served her kingdom for most of her life. Through blood, sweat, and tears, her efforts had ensured that Vale would be safe and secure. There was no other honor greater than doing that for Vale was the center of culture and living. Sure, Atlas now Solitas could boast its technology, Mistral with its fighters and mysticism, and Vacuo could look on its history with pride but it was Vale who brought culture and refinement to Remnant. In the sheer chaos that was their existence here, Vale was a shining light of civilization.

If it was not for them, the Solitans would still be a sea raiding people. Vacuo would still be eating baser foods. The world owed Vale as far as Mazarine was concerned.

It was with those thoughts in mind, Mazarine set off at night to do the Cardinal's bidding.

Now, on a roof top and clad in far more discreet clothes, the Musketeer raised binoculars and held it up to spy on the three story apartment across her. Due to Vale's compression, city planners had compressed as much space as they could to accommodate Vale's population. That meant apartments. While the Valean Housing Board kept its building standards high to ensure that their people wouldn't live in squalor, some apartments were built a little bit better than others. The street she was in all but told her that there was little to worry about in terms of crime. Right below were well-maintained streets, greenery, and a host of humanoid bots performing manual labour such as street sweeping and trash gathering.

But Mazarine was not here to scout for a home. She was here to spy on one of Remnant's richest men.

She huffed and turned to a table she had set up. On it lay a synthetic box already opened. Peering inside, she held up a quaint little thing. It was no bigger than a candy bar in her hand with four little rotors that allowed it to fly. Under it, a tube to fire from.

Vale could not match the sheer heavy industry that Solitas possessed. It's industry however was not totally useless.

She took out her scroll and not a second later, connected into the drone. With the guidance of her finger, the wings adjusted to wherever she wanted it to go. Finding it good, she brought it to life with one click. She turned to the drone and its little rotors whirred to life quickly. The noise would be audible but deep inside Vale, a vibrant city with its own mind and noise, it would be camoflauged.

The drone drove forward, whirring itself over the busy street. No one gave it a glance even as it whirred onto the three-floor apartment.

It was not hard trying to find the Solitan. His residence was public and her own agents were on him as soon as he left the Cardinal's office, the perks of being Cardinal Rouge's spymaster. The drone whirred up to the roof of the building and with another click, the drone transformed. It landed on spider-like legs, the camera adapting to its enviroment. With practiced grace, Mazarine urged the spider drone forwards onto an opening, a shaft for it to crawl into.

The spider continued on and whenever Mazarine found an exit vent, the spider would bite down and left a button sized pin. 

A gift from a man Mazarine knew but could not meet. 

Only the Cardinal ever could. 

She continued on and on, biting down until finally, she heard voices. 

The spider skittered immediately, stopping just before a certain vent where the voices came from. 

"...just dropped Emerald over at Beacon," said Alexander Wayland, entering in from a door. He was inside his bedroom, it would seem. He took of his blue coat and set it on a table. Following him, a glowing woman in white. A hologram made of hardlight. She followed him and stood behind him, arms crossed over a bountiful chest. 

"She's decided to dress up like a mini-me. I think it's cute but I don't want her to feel obligated to dress like some Dragoon just to impress me. She can dress however the hell she wants," Alexander continued as he sat on his bed, a brief sigh of relaxation leaving his lips. 

​"Weiss too expressed interest in joining Beacon," the woman revealed. "She spoke to me about wanting to earn something for herself, on her terms, rather than getting something handed to her. She believes that having a Huntsman's education and license will be that." 

"It's not a bad idea, Winter." Alexander continued, crossing one leg over another. "Huntsmen have to win it on their own accolades. But why Beacon though?" 

"Well, she believes that if she would hold it in Solitas, they would make it too easier for her. Mistral is a tad unstable, and Vacuo is too hot. So, Beacon it is." Winter revealed, sitting next to him. The bed sank under her weight. 

"It's going to be fascinating how she will interact with Emerald, then," Alexander nodded, his lips curled in amusement. 

"It will be," Winter smiled slightly then paused. Alexander blinked, seeing the change on her face. Then, she rested her head on his shoulder. Alexander sighed in pleasure, falling into her yearning. 

"It's almost like you're here," Winter whispered, looking up at Alexander. The blacksmith grinned. 

"The powers of technology and imagination!" Alexander grinned, tapping his head. "I am going to be releasing a commercial model soon. I am still going to be calling it OASIS." 

"Right," Winter scoffed as she made airquotes with her fingers. "Ontologically Anthropocentric Sensory Immersive Simulation" 

"My, someone was listening!" Alexander laughed. Mazarine felt her heart a bit. Did she get found out somehow? Winter tilted her head at him. 

"You just get so passionate when you start to ramble. I couldn't resist," Winter tittered. 

​Mazarine breathed out a sigh of relief. It was just a coincidence.

"Oh you just love it when I get passionate don-" 

Mazarine rolled her eyes. People in love, disgusting. With a twist of her fingers, she willed the spider around to leave the vents. 

"Don't...." Winter suddenly said. "General Ironwood is transferring me from Argus to Vale. I need to be presentable before I leave." 

Mazarine stopped. Now this was interesting. The spider turned back, stopping before the vents. 

"Coming to Vale? What, he wants you to help out with security for Vytal?" Alexander asked, clearly disappointed but understanding. Winter shook her head. 

"Yes and no. Officially, it is to help establish security until he arrives. Unofficially, I am to work with Valean Forces in hunting down Red Fang in the city," Winter revealed. 

Mazarine raised an eyebrow at that. She did not know that the Cardinal signed up on this. He was always adamant that they never give anyone else their time but themselves. What other things did the Cardinal not tell her? Her mind went back to his frank confession of him ordering the destruction of the tunnels. She...understood why he had to do that but...

​She shook her head.

No. 

It was for the good of Vale. 

The Kingdom above all must stand. 

Ignoring the pit in her stomach, Mazarine leaned in and focused on the conversation. 

"I shall be seeing you, then," Alexander nodded. "You'll be better company than the people I have to put up with today." 

​Mazarine snorted. As if he himself was good company. 

"Professor Ozpin, a immovable object. Cardinal Rouge, an unstoppable force. And two massive headaches," Alexander groaned, falling back on his bed. Winter joined him, an amused expression on her face. 

"And pray tell, what made them hurt you so?" Winter asked. Alexander looked up at her, volcano-red eyes glinting. 

"Well, they won't allow me the courtesy of taking my Silver Shields to retake Mount Glenn back from the Grimm," Alexander revealed. Winter's expression went wide as she stood up. She turned to him, alarmed.

"You cannot just take your troops onto Mount Glenn!" Winter exclaimed. "Do you have any what might happen if you do?" 

Alexander sat up, his lips clicking. "I already ran the optics for this, Winter. I calculated the logistics, the timeframe, the amount of men needed, everything. My machines are ready, my dolls are ready, my men are ready. All that I need is an assurance from Vale that it will not interfere in my operations and if possible, support me." 

"And General Ironwood? Have you told him?" Winter demanded. She then blinked. "Dolls?"

​Alexander rubbed the back of his head. "Well...I was going to inform him on the eve of the operation. No Solitan will suffer from this, I assure you." He then smiled. "Ah yes, a pet project of mine that's getting expanded. Doctor Polendina graciously lent his expertise on the matter and it's been going on overdrive for awhile." 

"That explains nothing," Winter blinked. "What are they?" 

"You'll see," Alexander winked. "But I need Vale's word that they will not interfere and they will leave me alone, leave my Shields alone. Leave my dolls alone." 

Winter huffed, crossing her arms. "You are playing something dangerous, my love. What happens if the operation fails? the amount of Grimm in Mount Glenn....I can't even begin to imagine the cost." 

"We've had a windful," Alexander revealed. "Cosmos, weapons sales, RnI Entertainment. OASIS will soon drop and Moonfall. It's high time for Remnant to get its act together and by the Gods, I am going to be bringing it to the future, kicking and screaming if I have to." 

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She was alone.

For the first time since she can think of, she was well and truly alone. Sure, she went to school and did things herself some other times but that was in Solitas, with her family and in school, she had friends. But now...she was just by her lonesome, back to the city where she spent her time as a damned urchin. But Emerald was willing to deal with that. Alexander was good to her, he saved her from that life, and what else can she do but pay it back? And besides, it wasn't as if she was coming back clad in rags and stealing scraps from streets.

Her new clothes all but told the world she she was with now, to who she belonged to. She wasn't a poor little girl trying to take leftovers, she was a young woman now belonging to a good family. In the absence of friends and family, she would bring its ideals with her.

Emerald took the opportunity to explore Beacon in its entirety. Arriving early meant that she didn't have to worry about some other people disturbing her peace. It was rather idyllic she had to admit as she stalked the long ancient hallways of Beacon, her boot-steps echoing in the halls. Rather than someone admiring the architecture and what it meant in some abstract fashion, Emerald took it in her more practical way, noting the strength of the columns and the ramparts and how well it could protect someone in a firefight for example. A dust bullet by itself wouldn't really have much an impact due to how thick some columns were. Superficial damage at best. But perhaps with the bullets of the company, it could pierce through an-

"Oh? A student?" A voice spoke out in surprise.

Emerald stopped her train of thought as she looked forward. In front of her stood an old woman well in her years. Her grey hair was tied in a bun, a cook's apron in front of her. Part of the cooking staff, Emerald saw. She shook her head.

"No, madam. Not yet," Emerald admitted.

"A student to be, then. You're here early," the cook laughed.

"I think better when no one else is around," Emerald revealed.

"Well, you're just in time for me to open the cafeteria. Would you like some breakfast? I don't imagine that you've eaten yet," the lady offered. Emerald thought on her offer. True, she didn't really grab a bite at the airship....

"Alright," Emerald nodded, not really someone to say no to free food. If she were any bit lazier, she'd look a little bit more chubby but regular exercise made sure she stayed in fit shape. And so, the cook strode forward and Emerald followed closely behind.

"Where are you from, little Miss? You dress like a Solitan but your accent sounds Valean," the lady commented.

"Born here. Lived in Solitas," Emerald answered simply, feeling guarded at a personal question. The cook seemingly picked up her hesitance.

"Oh, I didn't mean to ask in a prying way. We've just gotten word we'll be recieving students all over and well, you can't help an old cook getting curious," the lady explained with a little laugh. "You see, by knowing where our students come from, my team and I can better prepare meals that will make all feel at home. It's the least Beacon can do knowing most will be way for years. Food doesn't just have to be good, little Miss. It also has to mean something too."

And with that, the cook lead Emerald to an adjacent building. In character with the rest of Beacon, it was a massive hand with aged oak doors with stylized windows on its front and greenery at its bottom. The cook produced an aged key and inserted it into the keyhole. Turning it, the mechanism flicked and she pushed open the doors with some effort, the wood groaned as she did so.

Emerald peered inside and found a grand hallway stacked with tables and chairs. In the distance and hanging from the rafters was a massive banner of Vale's coat of arms. And under that banner was the kitchen service, multiple rows of food served by the staff.

"Enjoy the breakfast," the cook said. "It will always be free for Beacon students."

"Thanks," Emerald nodded simply as the cook walked away. She took in a breath. It was good, she decided.

Looks like Beacon won't be so bad after all

She left the Hall fuller and a whole lot more happier. It was not food she was now used to eating but it was still good. Glancing up, the sun had risen a bit now and the birds were starting their orchestra of song. Emerald enjoyed moments like this, of being in places where there ought to be people but weren't. As she walked, shadows loomed. Her eyes would see them to be statues. That of age old heroes locked in long, storied poses. She skimmed the plaques, noting their names. She did not think much of them until one statue caught her eye.

It was that of a woman, clad head to toe in musketeer's garb. Her eyes were set forward as if eyeing some opponent, her hands reaching for the sword in her hip, and her cloak billowing against the wind. Emerald felt some pull towards the statue and her legs moved automatically. She halted before it, eyeing the plaque.

"Alexandra Athos, Musketeer of the Guard."

​Emerald look up at it.

The statue seemed to look back.

"Curious about history now?" A deep voice spoke up from somewhere. Emerald turned, alarmed, only to relax as the green-clad form of Professor Ozpin walked up from the shadows. An amused twinkle was on his eyes as Emerald calmed. 

"Apologies for scaring you, Miss Wayland," he offered. Emerald shook her head and looked back up the statue.

"I...I was just surprised," Emerald admitted. 

Ozpin hummed. "May I join you?" He asked. Emerald paused to think about it then nodded. With that, Ozpin strode over to her side, his cane clacking against the aged stone path. He glanced up the statue. 

"Was she a student here?" Emerald asked, referring to the woman frozen in time. 

"No, she was a Musketeer that served our Kingdom. She was in charge of the evacuation from Mount Glenn when it fell," Ozpin revealed. "In the last hours, she ran inside to save survivors who were trapped. When the explosives went off, it is believed she died." 

Emerald went quiet, processing that story. Despite herself, her heart felt...pained. Ozpin saw this and said nothing, letting the song of the birds flow freely and the sound of distant fountains fill in the void. 

"She was a hero," Ozpin recounted. One hand lifted off his cane, gesturing to the statues all around. "All in here are heroes." 

Emerald gave the statues a long look then back to that of Athos. She shook her head. "They give themselves off, for what?" Emerald shook her head. "I...I've seen what people are like. They're selfish, stupid...cruel." 

Before Alexander, her was a life of survival, of trying to make it into the next day. Many times, she would go hungry. That was why now, she would eat her fill. 

She would never go hungry again. 

"That is true," Ozpin agreed with her, surprising Emerald. The green-haired girl set her eyes on him, puzzled. 

"But," the Professor continued. "People too are capable of kindness, love, empathy." He raises his hand up, just as a little songbird came, chirping as its little legs clung to his fingers. "I have lived a long fruitful life, Miss Wayland. I have seen the worst of humanity." 

He then lifted his hand high up and the songbird flew off, chirping happily. He returned his attention back to her, his hand wrapped on his cane.

"But I have also seen the best. I've seen the worst men change for the better. I have seen lords offer the last of their scraps for their people, I have seen maidens care for useless old men..." He laughed. "It is true that the world is cruel and that there are cruel people."

He offered her a smile. "But there are also good souls too. Souls that balance out the petty evil of cruel men." 

He turned back to the statues. "And that is why there are heroes, to remind those that even in the worst of times, the best of us can and will rise." 

Emerald went silent at that, processing his words to her heart. She wondered why the Professor would come to her and talk to her about something like this. 

"I don't think I am a hero," Emerald admitted. "I haven't helped people." 

"Oh, not now," Professor chided her gently. "But maybe tomorrow, maybe next week? It is never too late to do the right thing, Miss Wayland." 

"Like my fa-" She bit her lip. "Like my cousin, Alexander." 

​Ozpin let out an amused huff. He shook his head, turning on his back. "Your cousin is certainly something, Miss Wayland. He burns so bright, I admit that my eyes would go blind if I stand around him too long." He began to walk. But he paused.

"I just hope that his flame will warm the world, and not burn it." 

He walked off, his cane clattering against the wind.

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A/N: Thank fuck, an update. 

I am so so sorry for the silence, guys and gals. Pre-Finals is upon me and I have been busting my ass trying to study. Hopefully, this update makes up for it.