Cinder Fall/Synopsis

Background
Most of Cinder Fall's past is still unknown, though at some point she met and became affiliated with Salem and began working with her group to complete her goals. Cinder soon began recruiting people to help assist in her plans. She first recruits Emerald Sustrai, who at the time was a petty thief, after seeing her use her Semblance to steal a ring. Cinder promises Emerald that she'll never have to starve or steal again for the rest of her life.

Cinder later attempted to enlist the skilled assassin Marcus Black, but when she arrived at his home in the mountains, his son Mercury Black is revealed to have killed him in a fight. Seeing he possessed as much skill as his father, Cinder instead recruits him into her faction. At Mercury's suggestion, Cinder approaches and recruits Roman Torchwick, a notorious criminal in Vale.

Cinder, Emerald and Mercury then arrange a meeting with Adam Taurus, leader of the Vale sect of the White Fang, in an attempt to recruit him and his group as well. Despite their mutual goals, Adam turns down their offer, refusing to sacrifice his men for a 'human' cause, and orders them to leave.

Cinder and her team later plan an attack on Amber, the current Fall Maiden, in an attempt to steal her power. After a fierce battle, Amber is defeated, and Cinder uses a mysterious glove to absorb the Fall Maiden's powers. However, Cinder is interrupted by Qrow Branwen, who severs the connection before the process is complete; causing Cinder to only steal half of the power instead. Cinder and her associates then flee the area and report back to Salem. Cinder tells Salem the power has given her a feeling of emptiness and hunger, however she also admits that she finds it enjoyable nonetheless, and promises to retrieve the rest of the Fall Maiden's power.

Cinder, Emerald and Mercury soon return to the White Fang campground and slaughter everyone there except for Adam and his Lieutenant. Cinder then gets Adam and the White Fang's support with the threat of violence, as well as an offering of Dust along with large amounts of money to further fund the group.

Volume 1
In "Ruby Rose", Cinder is seen piloting the Bullhead that serves as a getaway vehicle for Roman Torchwick following the attempted robbery of the Dust shop, From Dust Till Dawn. Shortly after Roman gets onto the ship to escape Ruby Rose, Glynda Goodwitch appears and attacks the ship. Roman tells Cinder that a Huntress has appeared and Cinder quickly jumps out of the pilot's chair to confront Glynda in battle. Despite Glynda's best efforts, Cinder and Roman make a successful escape.

In "Black and White", Cinder appears at Roman's hideout with Emerald and Mercury to reprimand Roman for his recent failure at the docks. Roman complains about having to work with the "mutts" from the White Fang, but Cinder tells him to continue working with them nonetheless; stating she and her associate have "big plans" for him.

Volume 2
In "Best Day Ever", when Mercury and Emerald return to Roman's hideout, Roman comments that Cinder "sent the kids again" and quickly figures out they killed Tukson, a Faunus Cinder had told him to eliminate. This upsets Roman, but just as he is about to threaten the two, Cinder appears, causing Roman to back down.

Cinder then precedes to berate both Roman and her associates; Roman for not completing his mission like she had asked and her associates for going against her orders to keep their hands clean while in Vale. Emerald tried to apologize by saying that she didn't think it was a bad idea, but Cinder coldly informs her it isn't part her job to think just to only to do as she is told, as Emerald responds with an understanding "Yes Ma'am." Cinder then turns her attention to Roman and asks why his mission wasn't completed, but he just motions to all the Dust he has been busy collecting.

Roman then asks for more information on the "grand master plan" so as to make his next string of robberies easier, but Cinder intimidates him into dropping the subject. She does, however, inform Roman that the first phase of the plan is over and he will no longer need to collect any more Dust, as they are now entering the second phase of the plan. Before she leaves, she tells Roman to have the White Fang move all the Dust to a new location that she will inform him of later that night.

In "Welcome to Beacon", Cinder is seen alongside Mercury and Emerald within Beacon Academy, having infiltrated the school posing as students. The latter bumps into Ruby and Cinder informs her that the three are visiting from Haven Academy. Ruby then redirects them to where they are supposed to go, with Cinder thanking her and the trio walk away to set their plans into motion.

In "Extracurricular", Cinder is seen talking to Mercury and Emerald about Pyrrha Nikos to which the two point out Pyrrha generally only uses her Semblance to a small degree to keep it overall hidden from others in combat. Mercury then says that Cinder could easily take her on, but Cinder responds that she doesn't want to simply overpower the enemy, but to take their power away from them. Cinder then orders Emerald to add Pyrrha to an unknown list. When Mercury says that he's tired of waiting, Cinder simply responds that they have a fun weekend ahead of them.

In "Dance Dance Infiltration", Cinder uses the distraction of everyone being in the ballroom to sneak into the Cross Continental Transmit Tower. After quickly overcoming all the Atlas Soldiers guarding the facility and then proceeding to upload a mysterious black queen chess-piece into the Tower's systems, Cinder is interrupted by Ruby causing the two to have a brief fight until General Ironwood arrives. Cinder uses this distraction to escape thus leaving Ruby alone. Cinder then quickly returns to the academy, transforming her fighting gear into a ballgown as she does so and thus evading Ironwood's troops by vanishing into the crowd. Cinder then has a dance with Mercury and tells him that once they have completed their mission at Beacon, the authorities will still be trying to figure out the situation.

In "Breach", Cinder is seen with Mercury and Emerald at the school, shortly before appearing at the battle ground where Cinder signals the two to confront the incoming Grimm. Shortly after this fight, they all are seen overlooking the city as Cinder remarks the day had worked out perfectly. Once Mercury brings up the fact they lost many Faunus' within the caves, he wonders if the White Fang will be willing to still listen to them, however Adam Taurus suddenly appears and reassures the group that the White Fang will listen to him.

Volume 3
In "Round One", Cinder is fighting with Mercury, Emerald and Neopolitan in the tournament as a team. They performed well in their first match and sent Emerald and Mercury to the second round. Cinder then joins Emerald and Mercury in the stands before watching Team JNPR and Team BRNZ fight. Cinder goes as far as saying that even if you know how a fight ends that it'll still be fun to watch.

In "It's Brawl in the Family", she learns that Qrow Branwen is at Beacon but ultimately decides that he is not a large enough threat to warrant changing in her plans in anyway. Cinder then uploads a virus into Ironwood's networks allowing to hack the tournament randomizer to match Mercury and Emerald against Coco Adel and Yatsuhashi Daichi of Team CFVY. As her partner fights Cinder decides to enjoy the show.

In "Never Miss a Beat", after gaining access to Ironwood's information privileges, Cinder looks through his files and finds blueprints revealing Penny's robotic nature. With this Cinder starts to formulate a plan to further cause distrust in the local government so she can destroy the kingdom.

In "Beginning of the End", Cinder leaves before Yang and Mercury even start their match to disguise herself as a paramedic after their plan to frame Yang is initiated. Cinder along with Neopolitan, whisk Mercury and Emerald away in an Air Bus to an unknown location, instructing Mercury to keep himself hidden so as to not jeopardize their plan, as she continues to rig the next series of rounds to further her plans.

In "PvP", after Pyrrha accidentally destroys Penny, Cinder commences her attack on Beacon by hijacking the tournament broadcast and giving a speech that reaches across Remnant about how the governments are keeping the citizens in the dark about what's going on while making it look like they are attacking the kingdom.

In "Battle of Beacon", Cinder is seen standing on the rooftop along with Emerald and Mercury, where she instructs the latter to film the Atlesian Knight-200s. When Emerald expresses remorse at the chaos, Cinder admires the downfall of Beacon. Once Pyrrha follows Ozpin inside the CCT, Cinder's eyes glow as she notices them, intent on following them and obtaining all of the Fall Maidens power.

In "Heroes and Monsters", she takes advantage of Jaune's distraction to send an arrow at Amber, killing the previous Fall Maiden and finally gaining the Maidens full power. Cinder then repels Jaune's charge and Pyrrha's magnetic door, letting them escape as she faces Ozpin. As the two of them prepare for battle, Cinder muses that "she" (Salem) was right about Ozpin's arrogance.

In "End of the Beginning", as Cinder commences her duel with Ozpin, she proceeds to defeat him, despite his impressive efforts in countering her attacks. Cinder then levitates all the way to the top floor in the office, where she goads the Dragon into circling the tower. As she is interrupted by Pyrrha, Cinder proceeds to duel the former Maiden candidate, now stronger than ever, Cinder uses the Dragon's intervention to deplete Pyrrha's Aura, and wound her with an arrow to the heel. Cinder then starts to lecture her opponent about how the Maiden's power never belonged to Pyrrha and proceeds to perform an execution by firing an arrow to her chest, before disintegrating her foe with a tap to the forehead, thus killing Pyrrha. However, once Ruby witnesses the event, Cinder is shocked to discover Ruby's newfound power, as everything turns to white. Cinder survives the unexpected attack, but somehow she loses her left eye and is left scarred across her face.

Volume 4
In "The Next Step", Cinder attends a meeting in Salem's Domain, bringing Mercury and Emerald along with her. There Cinder enters a meeting with Watts, Tyrian and Hazel. Watts mocks on Cinder's condition, saying her attack on Beacon was nothing but a failure. Tyrian suggests she get retribution on Ruby by removing one of her eyes. After Salem enters, she criticizes Watts' "malignance", saying Cinder's efforts in destroying Beacon and the CCT, becoming the Fall Maiden and also killing Ozpin were ultimately successful. Salem proceeds to defend Cinder by revealing that her weakness to Ruby is due to her status as the Fall Maiden. Salem removes Cinder from her previous responsibilities to the group and forces her stay behind with Salem for "treatment".

In "Of Runaways and Stowaways", while being "treated" by Salem, apparently during an effort to regain control of her left arm after it was left paralyzed by Ruby's attack, a Seer comes in to report on their lack of success in finding Ozpin's relic at the ruins of Beacon. This prompts Salem to ask Cinder if she really killed Ozpin. After some hesitation, Cinder signals for Emerald to help her respond only for Salem to demand that Cinder say it with her own words. With some difficulty, Cinder manages to reply with a hoarse "Yes." Though not fully satisfied with this answer, Salem takes this as a sign for her Grimm messenger to keep looking for the relic.

In "Taking Control", Cinder is seen being pitted against Grimm to learn to control her Maiden powers. When she shows difficulty in defeating them, Salem angrily asks her if she lied about wanting to gain more power, to which she fearfully shakes her head in response. When Salem calmly tells Tyrian he's disappointed her for failing his mission to retrieve Ruby, Cinder watches in horror as Tyrian savagely mutilates a Beowolf in his fanatic rage.

In "No Safe Haven", after killing more Grimm while training, Cinder orders Emerald to create a vision of a kneeling and defenseless Ruby Rose seemingly pleading for mercy, Cinder proceeds to mercilessly engulf the vision in flames, while Salem smiles in delight at the sight.

Volume 5
In "Dread in the Air", Cinder is seen by Salem's side and is fully able to speak once again, angrily telling Watts to shut up when he mocked her inability to see from both eyes. Cinder also asks if Ruby was with the Huntsmen currently at Haven, to which Watts responds she was. After the call, Cinder asks Salem why she is insisting on keeping Ruby alive or why they should work with bandits led by Raven Branwen. Salem responds by telling her not to underestimate the usefulness of others, citing Professor Lionheart as an example. Though not fully persuaded, Cinder abides by Salem's orders, but grins when Salem asks her to send Tyrian to see her.

In "Rest and Resolutions", Cinder Fall, Arthur Watts, Emerald Sustrai and Mercury Black arrive at the Branwen Tribe camp. There, Cinder converses with Raven and eventually pressures her into cooperating with Salem in taking down Haven Academy and potentially killing Qrow in exchange for Raven and her tribe being granted freedom from Salem and her watchful eyes. After the deal is made, Cinder and the others leave the Branwen Tribe's camp while they were being followed by Vernal in secret at the orders of Raven due to hidden mistrust in their deal.

In "The More the Merrier", Cinder along with Emerald and Mercrury, arrive at Haven Academy after Raven makes a portal and allows them to enter into the room that the portal was opened in. There, Cinder and her associates mock the huntsmen and huntresses until Jaune lets out and angrily asks how Cinder and the others could be so broken inside and rub their crimes in everyone's faces. He then demands her to say something and when she asks who Jaune was, he runs at her in a fit of rage and engages her in a sword fight. The entire room descends into chaos as fights break out everywhere and Cinder appears to have the upper hand against Jaune until Ruby uses her Silver Eyes. The power stunned Cinder, but it was only for a brief moment as Emerald attacked Ruby mid-usage and prevented it from having the same effect on Cinder as last time. She then pins down Jaune and angrily asks how he thought he could beat her, but then calms down and says that he's only a failure wanting with a death wish. Jaune says how he'll happily die if it means protecting his friends, but this causes Cinder to through a spear at Weiss and incapacitate her in the process, much to the shock and horror of her friends.

In "Vault of the Spring Maiden" After Lionheart reveals that Oscar is really Ozpin reincarnated Cinder decides to take advantage of the upper hand her group has and orders Lionheart to open the path to the vault. Before traveling down to the vault with Raven and Vernal she order Lionheart to make sure to Ruby is not killed, as she wishes to due her in herself. While travailing down to the vault Cinder question Vernal if she is nervous about have the honer of being the first Maiden to open the vault in long, but Vernal states that she only cares about her tribe, who she views as her family, and as such she considers the whole experience as a burden, not an honor. Cinder scoffs at this, stating that Raven clearly conditioned her well. Upon arriving in the vault Cinder note that it is certainly grander then Beacon's and wonders what the extra effort was for. Raven, clearly annoyed at Cinder, asks her not to linger, to which Cinder allows Vernal to walk in front of her with Raven following Cinder. When Vernal stops to catch a falling leaf from the tree in the vault Cinder asks Vernal if she is having, though Raven orders Vernal to stay focused. Cinder then tells Raven to let Vernal to have this as what she is going through is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Upon approaching the door to the relic, Vernal asks Cinder how it works, to which Cinder explained that once Vernal places her hand on the door it will open for her and only her, after which Cinder and Cinder alone would step inside and clam the relic. As Vernal was about ti place her hand on the Cinder, having anticipated Raven was going to double-cross her, uses her Maiden powers to freeze Raven solid, and then stabs Vernal in her stomach with what is revealed to be a Grimm arm, as Cinders original arm was lost when Ruby used the power of her silver eyes at Beacon. Cinder then assures Vernal that it was nothing personal against her, but that she was simply not worthy of the power of the Spring Maiden, but she herself was and was going to take what is her. When trying to absorb the Spring Maiden powers with her Grimm arm, Cinder then gets confused and frighten when she realized that the power was not inside Vernal, to which Raven, who manged to brake free of the ice Cinder encased her in and reveals that she, not Vernal, is the true Spring Maiden, much to Cinder's horror.

In "Downfall" Cinder talks on how the previous Spring Maiden must've trusted Raven a good amount to allow her to use Vernal as a decoy moments before the two started fighting. During the fight, Cinder's grimm arm was harmed and Raven remarked on how a Grimm arm makes it impossible for Aura to protect and how she turned herself into a monster just to become powerful. Cinder continues battling Raven to the point where they unleash their full powers beneath the surface of Haven Academy itself. Cinder eventually pins down Raven and is about to takeaway her Spring Maiden power, when Raven freezes Cinder's feet as rubble falls on her. Despite Cinder surviving, she continues fighting Raven and when Vernal uses her last breath to help Raven, she overpowers Cinder and sends her flying off the floor into the abyss. As Cinder falls, she stares in horror as Raven freezes her, then falls to her presumed death.