A Leaf Turned
Adam Taurus and Blake Belladonna have left the White Fang, assumed dead by their former allies and now "free" of the past but not their conscious they part ways. Blake to embark on a quest to track and monitor the White Fang operations across Mistral.
Adam has to learn to survive the stupidity that is Beacon Academy.
Dust help him.
Prologue
Damn you, Blake.
Adam had been thinking this a surprising amount since their separation on their varied quests to ensure they could use their considerable skills to actually help the world around them rather than destroy it. Sure enough, Adam would have been more than content to lead his revolution… But Blake had helped him see that his "revolution" had become nothing more than hatred fuelled violence. He had buried his noble cause in anger and had she not made him see it then only Blake would have left on that train a week ago.
Though now as he found himself not only without his mask, feeling ridiculously exposed without it, he was cramped in what would have been roomy airship cabin had it not been for the dozens of other occupants, The airship was on its way towards the prestigious Beacon Academy where he would spend the next little while apparently learning to live with the seed of hatred nestled in his heart.
Blake's idea, purely.
He would have simply been content to help as best he could without having to waste his time learning to tolerate every human. But Blake had claimed he needed to walk among Humans and Faunus together, to see that despite all the racism towards their kind there were Humans willing to overlook it all in favor of working together for the greater good.
"Tch," He scoffed and reached up to adjust a mask that was no longer there. He checked the motion and frowned. Reminded again of how exposed he was, Adam lowered his hand, clutched Wilt and Blush all the more tightly in his left hand. His gaze swept the occupants of the airship again.
Most of them seemed to have formed their little cliques already. Some lingered alone, looking just as lonely, others looked more than relieved. Humans and Faunus were mixed together, but it wasn't the "harmony" that Blake had spoke of. It was more a mutual disinterest in the other parties.
Perhaps that was just another step in the right direction? Or was it just one more way Humans tried to shun Faunus? By pretending they weren't even there?
Adam couldn't answer that. Not yet, he doubted he'd ever have a clear answer to such questions so soon while he was still cradled in his own bias. Blake had warned him time and time again not to cause a scene while they were parted. Even now he had to resist the urge to glare at any Human who dared to so much as glance his direction. he'd already done so more than he'd liked to admit to his partner, who was probably sweating her ears off in some Mistralian forest, tracking their former brethren.
He only hoped she was as miserable as he was at the moment.
"Ew! Yang! It's all over your shoe!" came the shrill cry of a severely grossed out little girl in a red hood and cloak, who was gesturing to the boots of a taller blonde, Yang, Adam assumed from her shout.
He raised a brow. And like he, many others had taken note of the display as the blonde girl chased the little red hooded girl down in some playful attempt at… What, exactly? Adam didn't know. But the little show was enough to remind him that Humans enjoyed such carefree lives.
The bull Faunus sighed and closed his weary, red eyes. There's that bias again, he thought. Blake was right, he definitely had to work on it.
Still, he had to admit seeing the blonde boy rush past him towards the bathroom in some desperate dash to likely find a more appropriate place to empty his upset stomach, was at the very least funny.
It wasn't long after that little incident the passengers were greeted by the holographic figure of another woman. Blonde, fair of skin and figure. Strict in stance. Definitely an authority of Beacon, Adam thought when she began to address them about their upcoming stay at the academy and what she expected of them.
He only paid half the attention he should have, really. But honestly, it wasn't anything new and he already had a plan in how to "survive" what amounted to Huntsman High School. Blake had given him very strict warnings, be good, but not too good that the teachers suspect he might have more experience than he showcased. Be cordial and finally, no big scenes.
"Just play the part of a student looking to make the world a better place. Who knows?" She had said with a smile. "You might not even need to act after a while."
He snorted then and he snorted now. "Don't hold your breath, Blake," he muttered to himself as the airship began its descent.
"Beacon is our home now."
Adam didn't jump when he noticed the hooded girl and her blonde friend had somehow found themselves next to him, staring through window at the impressive sight that was Beacon Academy. He turned away. He wasn't going to be around these two. They were too happy, too noisy. Too Human.
He then saw the blonde male from earlier, looking green as ever and ready to once again empty the contents of his stomach.
On second thought. Adam kept his place by the window and the two noisy Humans rather than risk his own attire. I best try and get used to being around Humans. And at least these two are ignoring me. The Bull would be pleased for this slight mercy at the least.
The ship finally set down and the call to disembark was made. A reminder was made that all their luggage would be delivered to the great hall and that all first year students were to head there to get settled in for the coming night.
The blonde and hooded girl were lost in the throng of people, and knowing the blonde dubbed "Vomit Boy" was behind him, Adam quickly stepped into the crowds and got himself lost. He didn't even bother to "read" the holographic map that was being displayed on the screens he passed by on his quest to put as much space between the crowds and Vomit Boy and himself.
Five minutes and more than a few grumblings later, Adam was beginning to realize he really should have paid more attention to his surroundings rather than on the fact he didn't want to be around Humans. I realize I'm going to have to omit a lot on my report to Blake tonight, he thought lightly. She must never know of his unease. Ever.
She never would.
It wasn't until the sound of an explosion that Adam was pulled from solo wanderings and his instincts had him rushing towards the sounds of could-be combat. His right hand grasped Wilt in preparation, the inkling of excitement forming in his heart.
He stepped into the middle of a clearing and discovered quite the scene.
The redheaded girl from before was on the ground, covered in a mixture of soot and dust, both literal and powdered crystal type, while looking extraordinarily sorry and surprised that whatever had caused the scorch mark around her had happened at all.
But that was second in Adam's mind because he was more focused on the other woman, who was also covered in soot and rather than sorry she just had a frosty glare and scowl on her lips that told him she would soon break into a tirade. White hair, ghostly pale skin and dressed in icy blues and pale white fabrics. The Snowflake crest upon her jacket was only further designation of her identity.
She was a Schnee. But not just any Schnee, it was the Schnee Heiress.
Arguably the biggest threat to Faunus equality was the Schnee Dust Company and their borderline slave treatment of Faunus labour, along with questionable business partners and backroom dealing in weapons research and funding for Atlas. Adam could think of no more bigger threats than her father himself. And she was right there.
So undefended, bar her two bodyguards, who looked ready to fight but Adam was sure he could dispatch them easily and then he would need only rend her head from her shoulders and- Adam, no! Adam stopped at the sound of Blake's harsh chastisement echoing in his mind. The same scolding she had given him when he suggested, and then argued, blowing the train with the crew still aboard to make their deaths all the more believable.
He hadn't even realized he'd had Wilt half drawn until Blake's words shook him from his thoughts and with a click. He sheathed his weapon again. Hearing its cry for blood dull to nothing when the blade was fully hidden again..
He couldn't cause a scene. He would not.
"You idiot! Do you even know what sort of damage you could've caused?!" Weiss continued to snap.
Adam absolutely would not start a scene. Not even with that total ice bitch currently picking on a cowering Human who only looked like she wanted to apologize and be on her way.
"I said I was sorry!"
"You're lucky we weren't blown off the cliffside!"
The Bull clenched his teeth and marched forward. He wasn't here to play the hero but there would be few times he'd actually have reason to tear into a Schnee like this that wasn't actually tearing into her with his blade.
"Who do you think you are?" the little girl in red demanded, apparently tired of the Schnee's attitude, Adam could honestly relate. He just had to look at her and he wanted her gone and dead.
"I'm-"
"Weiss Schnee, Heiress to the Schnee Dust Company and all its shady reputations."
Adam would freely admit he'd waited for the insufferable woman to open her mouth so that he could interrupt her. Afterall, Schnee had big egos and were extremely proud. He also loved the way she had jumped, apparently not expecting someone to be within five feet of her blind side without a sound.
When Weiss turned to look at him, her icy-blue eyes narrowed into slits as she saw the pair of black horns crowning the top of his head. Her frown only deepened and fire lit in her eyes. "Hmph, Shady reputations?" she scoffed. "It figures a Faunus would buy into that tabloid babble."
"A Schnee picking on someone of lesser standing." Adam countered, trying to resist the urge to outright growl or kill her. "I'd say I'm surprised but that would be a lie."
He loved the way her cheeks flushed with rage. And he enjoyed the fact that he could get under her skin.
The Schnee grit her teeth. "You-"
Adam interrupted her. Again,By stepping past her, going as far as to brush his bicep to her shoulder. She was so short and fragile she was easily knocked aside and staggered. He continued onwards, ignoring her shouts of "ruffian" and other derogatory names.
He couldn't stop the grin that tugged at his lips. That had been very satisfying.
Vomit boy then stepped into the clearing ahead of him and Adam twisted on his heel and altered his path away from the blonde. Nope. Not going near that.
Adam thankfully found the great hall not another five minutes later, and with all the students around setting up their "places" on the floor for the first night at Beacon. He quickly found a nice corner that was out of the way and lowly lit. he sat down against the wall and pulled his Scroll from his coat. A flick of his thumb and it opened fully. He selected Blake's contact icon.
He began to type out his message to her. It was simple, really, to the point. Adam began to recount the events that had transpired since his arrival in Vale and handing his "transcripts" to Beacon administration, and their acceptance. Officially, he was listed as seventeen as opposed to his real age of twenty-one.
He also wasn't Adam Taurus, he was Adam Belladonna. A switch of their last names to ensure they wouldn't be found so easily as someone just looking for their names in registry accounts. He doubted the White Fang had the expertise to look inside Beacon's computers. Better safe than sorry, Blake had reasoned.
He had to wonder who was leading who in their new life.
He also wisely chose to omit much of his encounter with the Schnee Heiress and instead simply informed Blake he had met a Schnee and did not like it. He ended the message on a Goodnight to her and sent it.
The reply came not a minute later and it was as simple as he'd come to expect.
Goodnight, Adam.
The Bull closed his Scroll, glanced around and then, still fully dressed, readied for his first night at Beacon Academy. And did he ever feel like it would be a really troublesome night.
End of chapter 1
There it is, another RWBY Fanfic, this time a multi-chapter one about Adam essentially in Blake's place, why? Because my friend dared me to try this and by the magic of Dare I am trying it! See how long it lasts, eh? Anyways, if ya like it. Read, review, etc, etc.
Have a nice day!