Midnight filled the streets of Vale, and so did the cars and citizens who traveled on foot. It was the month of November, the streets were littered with red and orange leaves with lights scattering the city. Normally, people would be settled in their homes, perhaps eating apple pie and with family. Though, tonight was different.
Especially for Him...
Located behind a dimly lit alleyway, a small convenience store lay unoccupied excluding the only employee who was in. The clean blue lights left a welcoming feeling for anyone to pass by, not to mention the sound of the city's night sounds, such as ongoing traffic and people passing by. All seemed normal for the night but was soon to be troublesome...
During these hours of the day, it was sure to be slow for the sixty-something-year-old male running the shop. To disperse his boredom, he casually thumbed through the pages of a magazine. He usually expected for nobody to arrive and purchase anything when they mostly are either asleep or working.
In about thirty-five minutes or so, he would be able to close for the night and get some rest for himself. Killing that amount of time was no problem whatsoever. If anything, it would probably feel like three minutes. Though after being alerted almost instantly from the sound of the door ringing, it seemed as though it was fixing to be longer.
In coming through the front entrance was a pack of four who didn't seem like your typical customers. All male, wearing black hoodies, leaving most of their faces be poorly hidden save for except one who stood a few feet away from everyone else. If the adult had to guess, they must have been on the young side as some were on their phones and by the pitch that one had used to speak to the cashier.
"Evening pops. You wouldn't happen to have some change to spare for us, would you?"
Just with the tone was enough to tell him to be wary. Upon closer inspection, he could see from below a tail resembling a rat tail that belonged to the one approaching.
"Depends, how much would you need?" asked the Shopkeep in his best, 'no-nonsense,' attempt. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted two members of the group getting suspiciously close to the shelves containing snacks, acting as if they were sly when he could tell they were stuffing it in their pockets. Tonight's actions were enough to tell him that they weren't going to pay for them.
Judging from their behavior rather unfriendly smirks, they promised that there was trouble. Though, it was only when noticing the logo on the back of their clothes had he been put on edge. The man already had grey hair as it is, couldn't he be left alone?
Their emblem consisted of a snarling wolf with three claw marks formed behind it, all colored in crimson.
"If you're not here to shop, then I suggest you all leave before I call the poli-"
The sound of a sharp click was enough for his voice to end abruptly, vocals put on hold as his eyes focused on the metallic blade that was pointed towards his throat. With a gulp, his instincts told him to just give them all of the cash in the register and abide by their demands.
"Look, can't you see me and my buddies are trying to be nice? Just in a little need of some dinero. Unless you refusing because we're different..."
With arms raised in the air as if he was held at gunpoint, he did his best to reassure them that he'd cooperate.
"I-I'm sorry, just take the money and go, please," he asked shakily, he wasn't a coward but he wasn't completely used this sort of trouble in all his life.
"Oh, we already planned to but seeing as though you're only doing this out of fear, I get the feeling you must despise faunus until they show you up," declared the head member of the four, his voice going flat and no longer mischievous. Rather, there was a somewhat threating tone now.
The Shopkeep wasn't a racist, he treated everyone with respect. Though explaining it to some misguided young hoodlum was going to be rather difficult.
"You're wrong, I have no dislike for faunus, I even have friends that are-" he was cut off by the sudden bash of the butt of the knife against the right side of his temple, forcing him to lean against the back of the wall.
Fighting the urge to curse, he nearly felt faint as his legs wobbled in order to keep him on his feet.
"I don't like being lied to, Pops. Take his wallet, guys. Then we're gonna beat that skull of yours in good enough so you don't remember our faces."
The moment the teenage faunus had finished his sentence, the sound of the door opening and letting it's significant, 'ding', made everyone aware of a new guest.
Automatically, each faunus male and the cashier faced the front of the store to be greeted with the sight of a well built brownish burnt-haired 6'2 male, matching that of a teen. Clad in a black track jacket, sold white muscle shirt, blue jeans, and solid black trainer shoes, the real aspect of his appearance was the rather narrowed eyes and frown on his face.
A sense of relief swept through the Shopkeep as he hoped that this teenager would possibly make a wild dash out, escaping the group and leaving the cashier to dial the cops.
Feeling as though since he had the knife, the cocky shit waved his blade at the newcomer. If it was his best to try and act intimidating, it wasn't sending shivers down the tall male's spine.
"Better scram the fuck out of here before I cut out your eyes, boy," came the demand of the rather annoying knife wielder.
The lone male stayed silent before taking a few steps forward, ever so slowly. By this point, any other person would have made hasty exits like a coward with no wind, but this one wasn't like any other person.
Feeling his heartbeat pick up due to the possibility to what this would turn into, the troublemaker's nostrils flared angrily while moving towards the brave one.
"Hey, you deaf, big man? I said fuck off now befo-"
"Before you cut my eyes out, I heard. And so will everyone else on the web, possibly even on the news tomorrow morning," spoke the male finally, his voice rough and flat. Held in his right hand revealed his phone playing a video of the entire scene. The group entering as one inside the store, the knife being whipped out and finally, the attack upon the innocent man.
Each one of the four faunus males actually paled at the possibility of being exposed to the public. Everyone knew how quick it was to become recognized soon enough if someone were to capture their identities. Any authority figure would be able to know who they are, their lives would be gripped in a vice.
"Don't you know that robbing a store is bad for your health? Honestly, you wonder why no one takes you four seriously until you got that tiny metal butter knife on the draw."
Sliding the cellular device back into his pockets, the male turned his body sideways, smart enough to know how to put this robbery fiasco to an end.
"My advice is getting lost since you're already being charged with assault and attempt of robbery."
One of the faunus boys from the back snorted, "What are you, a cop?"
If the smart one would have replied, perhaps it would have boosted up the bunch with even more adrenaline, not that he would need help with building them with such.
"Leave. It's all you're getting as an option, and since I think you don't need a broken leg, I feel it's best if you listen."
The faunus pack only trash talked him and limbered up, ready to engage when the supposed leader called.
"Oh ho ho ho," came the nervous chuckle of the one who assaulted the innocent elderly man, "You're dead, no chances now. What's up!"
Stabbing in the direction of his target's upper torso, the only thing that was impaled was the sunglasses display that was the right side of the tall male, who had swiftly shifted his body out of the way. The fool didn't have any time to react to the harsh blow of an elbow impacting the back of his head.
His neck wobbled immensely, the nerves in his brain rattled with the misfortune of shock sweeping over. Being dazed, everyone was halted in place, even the Shopkeep was dumbfounded from such a precise counterattack. Everyone who didn't get involved witnessed the unharmed male deliver a Thai-style roundhouse kick to the back of his skull once more.
Comments that revolved around, "Oh shit," and "Woah, what the fuck," were common in the event. What also didn't help boost their confidence in rushing the lone fighter was seeing one of their own stagger, aimlessly, before dropping to the floor violently on his back... Or especially when seeing his face break out into a bloody mess from the strong stomp upon his teeth, shattering them.
Still forming a fighting stance, he faced the remaining three with cold, unforgiving eyes.
"Your choice."
Everyone else couldn't even tell if the fallen teen was even breathing, were bodies supposed to be that still?
"Get the fucker!"
Unsurprisingly, all three decided to strike as one. Foolish. The sounds of sneakers screeching due to running made the cashier's ears wince.
One of the faunus was an overweight bull, thinking it was a good idea to try and go for a tackle when instead was the spinning form of a tornado kick to his lower jaw. The result ended with him clutching his injury on his knees, ending badly for another attacker who tripped over the slumped form of flesh. Landing face first into the cold floor prompted the skilled fighter to go ahead and sprint forward and block the pitiful punch of the last untouched jackass.
This one had the traits of a mutt and was quicker with his attacks, but not quick enough to land that second punch in the desired spot regarding the Boy's face. With both of his arms stopping the speedy dog faunus', he seized the opportunity by gripping the sides of his noggin before rocking a headbutt to the nose.
An uppercut had followed along, propelling the little dog three feet away, and out cold. Two more remained.
From behind came the chubby one as he threw uncoordinated jabs at his target, only to find one of his hands twisted, causing him to grunt in pain before being swept right under his feet and onto his back. The image of the loner's face looking back down at him made him regret not closing his eye, for then he met the same fate as the leader had. A cracked skull and a broken horn lay next to his form.
Taking the time to inspect his work, all the disciplined fighter could do was pop his neck, releasing a satisfied grunt before walking up to the last faunus. It was rather difficult to even make out any details of the hooded member, and it didn't work in his favor as they squirmed underneath him due to having his foot planted against their throat.
"Don't move," he demanded warily as he slowly lowered his hand to pull back the hood to expose the person's identity. A hint of surprise masked his features.
The last faunus was a girl who held defiant gray eyes, dark spots among her face and dark brown hair that was held into a ponytail with a curl at the end. The hairstyle almost resembled a tail of a chameleon.
In some ways, he hadn't really expected to inconveniently come into contact this certain somebody again. A student from his school, taking part in law-breaking hijinks, was crossing the line.
The elderly man couldn't make out the identity of the female faunus, benefiting the two teens. Taking it upon himself, the blue-eyed male dialed in 9-1-1 while tugging down on the hood to conceal her features, making his way out to the back entrance as he yanked the girl by the neck .
He turned his head to meet the cashier, "You okay?"
All the adult could do was confirm with an eager nod.
"Cops are on their way, this one's mine," he declared, before leaving as the faunus struggled under his control.
There was no curiosity within the unfortunate but rescued cashier to even ask what would happen to the only member he didn't see. He still had to come to terms with what he had just witnessed, and also to give his claim to the police.
"There's been an attack on a small store, called, 'From Dust Till Dawn.' Trace this call and you'll find three unconscious faunus who are responsible for the assault."
Not waiting for a reply from the authorities, he ended the call before asserting his gaze onto the unfortunate chameleon. She struggled from escaping his hold, already in fear and confusion as to why the boy only reported three.
"And just what the FUCK," he yelled out, making her ears wince from the volume, "Were YOU thinking?! Robbing store owners? Seriously?! You false imaged bitch," he snarled fiercely.
"Eat me! I wasn't even going to! I don't even know those guys, I didn't have a choi-"
Angered, the male bored his mitt deep into the chameleon's stomach, causing her to wheeze and release spit onto the same hand choking her.
"Yes, you did, don't even pull that shit. Y'know what happens to those who steal?"
All the girl could respond with were severe coughing and gasps, water trickling from her optics.
"I'll tell you what happens. You're sealed off from the outside, reminding you that you fucked up! That you enjoyed breaking the law, feeling no guilt for acting against innocent people. Turning you into a REAL ANIMAL!"
To add more damage to her, he slammed her to the wet cold alley floor, straddling her waist as he continued to restrain her source of air. In an attempt to injure him, she clawed at his face, only making small and pathetic scratches on his cheeks, to which he stopped her with a well-deserved slap to her own.
"You think your cat friend would agree with this? Huh? Go ahead, answer me."
She didn't reply, only wrestling to survive but only with so much willpower left.
"Answer the question!"
"NO!" she screeched desperately enough for the entire city to hear, outmatching the male's exclaims. Following along her answer was the beginning of soft sniffling until he could confirm that the guilty chameleon was dissolving.
"Funny, you seem to defend your kind to the point you'd probably beat the shit out of anyone who spoke ill of them... But now..." he ended with a fierce snarl, eyes were glaring daggers with even a gleam, tightening his hold which made the girl whimper for air.
"Now you've proved you're helping out future criminals, and even becoming one... And you think I'm the one at fault..."
Bringing their faces closer until they touched noses, a growl emitted from his vocals as he could care less from her tear-stained cheeks being evident.
"If I ever find you committing stunts like tonight, I'll happily toss your ass in a CELL, leave you to rot in that concrete rat cage," he emphasized while adding more pressure to his clenching fist...
"And throw away the key."
Not expecting to gain a response from the female, he finally released her, allowing the dark cherry-colored girl to gasp for air, coughing. Getting her bearings as best as she could, the girl could hear the wet splashes that signaled the male walked away from her. All of a sudden, droplets of H2O began to fall from the skies, making it clear it was fixing to be heavy.
"Go home, and Ilia," he stopped to deliver the last comment for the night, "Stop trying to become something you're not."
And like that, he returned to leave the area, ending with her being by her lonesome. Soon her entire body was being drenched in rain, unable to assist her as she shuddered from all that had transpired. It was only then that the sound of sirens wailing close by did it tell her how much time had passed. Shaking to get on her legs, she followed the male's actions and fled from the scene.
Battered, shaken and crying into the night
The boy walked through the front door of his bungalow residence as he closed the door, not trying to conceal the noise it usually made. Any person his age would worry about the fact that anyone still up at these hours would bust them on the spot, but he could care less about seeing his old man still being awake.
"So, care to explain yourself, Cardin?"
Knowing this was nothing new, Winchester simply shrugged with his eyes closed.
"Bagged three assholes attempting to rob a store. Same ol', same ol'. How about you, James?"
Even the officer of the duo had to crack a smirk. "Bagging assholes, attempting to break the law."
"Heh, I wonder who I learned that from."