A RWBY fanfic by FactualUnity.
Basically an AU where Rhodes gave Cinder the opportunity to run and Summer later adopted her into the family. As a result while Cinder is still somewhat troubled she avoids becoming a full blown villain.
Currently featured on Archive of Our Own here
and FanFiction.Net here.
Contains examples of:
- Adaptational Heroism: While Cinder is still far from a nice person she does care for a select group of people (Ruby, Yang and Summer) and tries to be a good teacher.
- Adaptational Villainy: Pyrrha replaces Cinder as Salem's agent. That said she's less evil than canon Cinder. Ironwood is also openly willing to use blackmail to get what he wants.
- All-Loving Hero: Summer Rose is shown to be this, being willing to accept Cinder despite what she's done because she realized that Cinder's a frightened child.
- Blackmail: One of the things Ironwood uses to gain control over the festivities is the fact that Cinder murdered her stepfamily.
- Dark and Troubled Past: Cinder's whole life story is almost as bad as canon, except here Rhodes gave her the chance to run and Summer adopted her into the family.
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: Cinder is....abrasive but she does care for Ruby Summer and the rest of the family and does sincerely try to be a good teacher (even giving Jaune private lessons).
- Morality Pet: Yang and Ruby are this for Cinder.
- Nice Guy: Summer took Cinder in knowing what she had done because she realized that she had been acting out of panic and desperation.
- Villain Has a Point: One of the things Pyrrha uses in her speech is the fact that Ozpin gave Cinder a job despite knowing she was a murderer.
- You Have GOT to Be Kidding Me!: Rhodes spits out his drink when he learns that Cinder is not only alive but a professional teacher.
