Two weeks later, Cinder sat across from Adam Taurus in a secluded clearing within the Forever Fall forest. The vibrant red leaves of the trees cast a strange, almost surreal light over their meeting spot. Despite the gravity of their discussion, Adam couldn't help but raise an amused eyebrow at Cinder's noticeably shorter and somewhat uneven haircut.

"So," Adam began, a smirk playing on his lips, "what's with the new look? Decided to try something different?"

Cinder's eyes flashed with irritation, but she kept her composure. "It's nothing worth discussing," she replied coolly. "A minor inconvenience."

From behind her, Emerald and Mercury shared a brief, knowing glance. Emerald couldn't resist chiming in. "Gum and paint, remember? We had to cut it out."

Adam chuckled, leaning back against a tree. "Sounds like you had quite an encounter. Maybe next time you'll think twice before underestimating the UNE and their friends."

Cinder's jaw tightened, but she maintained her composure. "Let's focus on why we're here, Adam. We need to discuss our next move."

Adam nodded, the amusement fading from his expression. "Right. The UNE presence is growing stronger, and their collaboration with the Huntsmen and Huntresses at Beacon is becoming a real threat. We need to be strategic about our next steps."

Cinder's eyes narrowed as she considered their options. "Agreed. We need to disrupt their operations and sow discord among their ranks. We can't allow them to gain a foothold in Vale or anywhere else in Remnant."

Mercury, leaning casually against a tree, added, "We also need to deal with those teams from Beacon. They've become a real thorn in our side, especially with their new training and support."

Adam's expression hardened. "I have some ideas on how to handle that. But first, we need to gather more intel. Emerald, I want you to keep a close eye on their movements. Find out their weaknesses and any potential vulnerabilities."

Emerald nodded, determination in her eyes. "Consider it done."

Cinder leaned forward, her voice low and menacing. "And when the time comes, we will strike. We will remind the people of Remnant why they fear the shadows."

Adam's smirk returned. "Looking forward to it."

As the meeting continued, the dark alliance solidified their plans, unaware that their enemies were growing stronger and more prepared with each passing day. The clash between their forces and the UNE-backed Huntsmen and Huntresses was inevitable, and the outcome would shape the future of Remnant.

Chaos erupted in the forest clearing as the distant cry of "NOW!" echoed through the trees, followed by a series of explosive charges detonating around the group. Adam stumbled, disoriented by the sudden attack, but a couple of White Fang grunts quickly picked him up, helping him to his feet and guiding him toward an escape route. The others, however, stayed back, ready to fight.

"IT'S THE UNE! USE THE WEAPONS!" one of the White Fang members shouted, prompting the group to switch to their stolen UNE firearms—SMGs, pistols, and assault rifles.

Emerald and Mercury quickly grabbed UNE M9A5 pistols, their expressions steely with determination. Cinder, despite the chaos, grinned in glee. "Fire at those soldiers!" she commanded.

The second the triggers were pulled, the UNE guns exploded in the hands of their attackers. A cacophony of small detonations filled the air, followed by screams of pain and confusion as the weapons malfunctioned catastrophically.

Emerald and Mercury were thrown back by the blasts, their hands and faces scorched by the sudden explosions. Several White Fang members were incapacitated instantly, clutching at their injured limbs and faces.

Cinder's smile vanished, replaced by a look of shock and fury. "What—?"

Before she could finish her thought, UNE marines emerged from the shadows, their movements swift and coordinated. Led by Lieutenant Colonel Johann Bauer, they advanced with precision, their weapons trained on the disoriented and now poorly armed White Fang members.

"Secure the area!" Bauer commanded, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Make sure none of them escape!"

Anthony, David, Mari, Igor, Shino, Jie, Kang, Felix, Dae, and Michael moved with practiced efficiency, their training evident in their seamless coordination. They quickly surrounded the remaining White Fang members, disarming and restraining them.

Cinder, still reeling from the unexpected turn of events, tried to regain her composure. "Fall back! We need to retreat!" she shouted, but it was too late. The UNE forces had them completely surrounded.

Adam, now partially recovered, looked back at the scene with a mix of anger and frustration. "This isn't over," he muttered to himself as he and the few remaining grunts managed to slip away into the forest.

Emerald and Mercury, both injured but still conscious, glared at the marines, their defeat stinging bitterly. Cinder, her eyes burning with rage, took one last look at the scene before being forced to follow Adam's retreat.

As the marines secured the remaining hostiles and assessed the situation, Lieutenant Colonel Bauer approached the wounded Emerald and Mercury, his expression stern.

"Next time, think twice before underestimating us," he said coldly. "And tell your leader this: The UNE will not fall to your schemes. Not while we stand."

With the battle won and the enemy routed, the marines began to clean up the aftermath, their presence in the kingdoms now more critical than ever in the fight against the forces of darkness.

"IT'S NOT FAIR, IT'S NOT FAIR!!!" Yelled Cinder, "I'm supposed be the strongest and most powerful person in the world!" She then points at the UNE Marines, "And you UNE bastards had to ruin my plans!! It took me months! MONTHS!! And to think I stayed in this stupid damn school, with you stupid people!"

"Ooh, a little sour in that sweetness." Shino mocked.

"And a little loco!" Michael said.

"Shut up!!! This was supposed to be MY GIANT MOMENT AND ALL SHOULD PAY FOR IT!!!!!"

"Whoa, whoa! Who said anything about pay, Heather?" Anthony said to Cinder adding fuel to her fury.

"MY NAME IS CINDER!!!!!!!" Cinder shrieking at the top of her lungs at Anthony with bloodshot eyes.

"Really?"

"YES!!!!!!!!"

Anthony just smirks, "Because you look like a Heather to me."

Cinder's...

...Last nerve finally shot itself.

"CINDER, CINDER, CINDER, CINDER, CINDER, CINDER, CINDER, CINDER, AAAAAAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Cinder begins having a tantrum, foaming from the mouth, and twitches and shakes.

"Oh wow, she finally popped." Mercury said.

Cinder in a fit of blind uncontrollable rage launches a fireball at the nearest person.

That person was Jie.

The fireball hits her chest sending her flying back.

"Ling!/Jie!/SSGT!" The Marines called out to her. Mari ran to her removing her Kevlar ballistic vest. Thankfully, she only suffered a light burn due to her vest and uniform taking the blast.

Anthony turned to look at Cinder and he was pissed off. "That does it! I'll floss my goddamn teeth, with you're spine!"

Cinder, already at the edge of her sanity, could barely react before Anthony's fist connected with her face, the force of the punch shattering her nose and knocking several teeth loose. She staggered back, the world spinning around her, as Anthony's fury fueled his relentless advance.

"YOU DONE FUCKED UP NOW!!! RAAAH!!!" Anthony roared, his rage propelling him forward with unstoppable momentum. Cinder, disoriented and in pain, tried to summon another fireball, but her concentration was shattered by the ferocity of Anthony's assault.

Anthony's rage was a tempest, and Cinder had unwittingly become the center of its fury. His first punch sent her reeling, and before she could regain her balance, he was upon her again. With a primal yell, Anthony grabbed her by the collar, lifting her off the ground and slamming her into the nearest tree.

"You think you can hurt my team and walk away?!" he growled, his voice a thunderous roar. "Think again!"

Cinder, dazed and gasping for breath, could barely comprehend the raw power and anger radiating from Anthony. Her attempts to conjure another fireball fizzled out as her concentration wavered. The pain was overwhelming, and the fear was even more crippling. For the first time in a long time, Cinder felt truly powerless.

As Anthony prepared for another strike, a firm hand grabbed his shoulder. It was Lieutenant Colonel Bauer.

"Stand down, Staff Sergeant," Bauer commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument. "We need her alive. She's more valuable as a prisoner."

Anthony, his chest heaving with anger, held Cinder's terrified gaze for a moment longer before releasing her roughly. She crumpled to the ground, clutching her broken nose, blood streaming through her fingers.

"You're lucky," Anthony spat. "Next time, you won't be."

Jie, supported by Mari, gave a thumbs-up to Anthony. She was bruised and in pain, but she'd live. Her resilience drew a nod of respect from Anthony.

UNE medics quickly moved in, securing Cinder with restraints while tending to her injuries. Emerald and Mercury, already subdued, watched with a mixture of fear and resentment as their leader was taken away.

"Get them out of here," Bauer ordered. "And make sure they don't cause any more trouble."

As the UNE forces began to withdraw, Anthony took a moment to survey the aftermath. The forest clearing was littered with unconscious or restrained White Fang members. The rest of his team, while shaken, were still standing strong.

Shino walked over, giving Anthony a pat on the back. "Nice work, Towson. Maybe next time, she'll think twice before messing with us."

Anthony smirked, though his eyes were still hard with lingering anger. "Damn right."

Cinder, her spirit broken and her body battered, was loaded onto a transport vehicle. Her once-unshakeable confidence had been replaced by a deep, seething hatred. She would remember this defeat, and the humiliation that came with it.

As the UNE forces regrouped and prepared to move out, the victory was bittersweet. They had won the battle, but the war against the forces of darkness in Remnant was far from over.

For now, though, they had sent a clear message: Vale had allies willing to fight, and fight hard, for the safety and future of its people.

Author's Note: Sorry for the short chapter. But also, who's your favorite character so far?