A/N Hello everyone. I've been playing around with possible ideas for a serious plotline. It's been difficult but I decided to take a rather creative approach. This is basically darker AU to canon but I will try to keep everyone in character. Be aware, however, that I will tweak the characters a bit to fit the setting and to insert a little influence from my own perspective. I'll save the rest for the end note. Please enjoy.


"The wind of life and air from above smells of death
Angels sing of the end
There's nothing you say and nothing you try can change time
Human race prepares to die..."


The shattered moon watched silently from above as though judging the people below. Forever Fall looked particularly glorious in the day, yet retained its beauty even at night. The ceremonial fires flickered from the tiki torches placed around the area. I was nervous, but I kept my breathing steady, albeit bated slightly.

I was leaning against a tree with my arms crossed tenderly. Besides me was my closest friend, who was a little less composed than me, fidgeting with her fingers. Today was an important day. Soon enough our test would begin.

A dark figure emerged from the shadows. He had broad shoulders, a black attire, and spiky brown hair with red streaks. Most people knew him as Adam. Adam Taurus. He was three years older. I knew him as my mentor, and by extension, my friend. One of the few friends I had.

He always wore a mask to cover his eyes, so it was left to my imagination to guess at the color of them. I liked to think that it contrasted to his outfit to give him more vividness. But of course, that was wishful thinking.

Growing up, it was difficult being a Faunus. What frustrated me the most besides the inequitable judgment were the people who encouraged me to ignore it. How? That was an impossible request, and it would do nothing to change things. The saddest moment in my life was when my parents died. They fought for equal rights, but ended up dead from an incident. The pain never really left, it just numbed over time. But I still felt it. I almost gave up on everything, including the White Fang.

Except one day, I found my support. Someone who tethered me to the bright side of life and gave me hope. It was a hot summer day and I had only wanted to purchase an ice cream cone. The vendor refused to serve me and proceeded to humiliate me in public. I was crying after several children approached and bullied me excessively. They called me adopted, a freak, a thing. But as they were laughing-

Splat. A large scoop of ice cream hit one of the boys' faces. Then another. And one more after that.

Suddenly the group was chased away by an eccentric girl with a huge umbrella. Well, it looked larger at the time since I was only seven or so. She stepped over to me and offered a hand. The hand that wasn't dripping with ice cream anyway.

I gladly took her offer of assistance and then noticed something else. She was human. Strange pink and brown mix-matched hair but still human. Why did she help me?

I was very wary after I had gotten a good look at her and stood staring at my feet awkwardly. I tried to mutter thank you and then prepared to run away but then-

She extended the hand holding the remaining ice cream. I looked into her eyes but she didn't blink. Those eyes were pretty, and the intention behind them was genuine.

'Would you like my ice cream? I saw that you couldn't get one,' was what she was basically trying to convey. I hesitated at first, but her expression was so endearing I couldn't resist. I gratefully accepted her generosity and savored every lick. She grabbed my hand gently and led me away from the ice cream parlor.

After I finished my (well, technically hers) ice cream, we sat down on a bench near a local park. I mustered up the nerve to start a conversation. After all, I still needed to thank her.

"Umm... thank you for back there. I wish you didn't have to waste most of your ice cream, though. May I... get to know your name? I'd like to pay you back if I can," I managed to enunciate clearly enough. My new acquaintance blinked and I could've sworn her eye color changed. Maybe it was just the light however.

"Neo," she whispered so that I could barely hear her, but her voice was melodic. It was so innocent and gentle.

"Well, Neo, I'm Blake. Do you live somewhere near? Maybe I can stop by sometime to pay you back," I offered politely. Neo looked slightly saddened.

"Alone..." she replied and I wondered what she meant by that. But I was quite precocious for my age and quickly figured it out.

"Are you... do you not have parents?" I tried to intone tactfully. She nodded and I felt sorry for her since I had similar circumstances.

"Are you living in an orphanage? With other family?..." I inquired but her dispirited visage said everything. I stopped abruptly. She must've been supporting herself but only barely. Now that I examined her closer, her pure white T-shirt was clear but wrinkled and her hair was roughly combed and there were many split-ends and stray hairs protruding. This girl seemed to be in a worse position than me. At least I had the White Fang behind to help me through tough times, she, on the other hand, had no one.

But one thing still bothered me. Why did she help me? Didn't all humans hate Faunus?

"Why... why did you help me?" I queried as evenly as I could. She had no qualms on answering.

"Same," she replied simply. I was perplexed. Same? What was the same?

She cautiously reached a hand over and patted my exposed cat ears. I gasped in shock, which caused her to flinch and back away, afraid that she had offended me. But the compassionate way she stroked my ears and lack of discriminatory eyes earned my trust. I understood instantly. She considered us to be the same, disregarding the race disparity of human and Faunus. And that was how I met my first true friend.

I brought her along to be indoctrinated into the White Fang. At first it was difficult to convince the higher-ups of letting a human join the group, but seeing as she was a child whose opinion on the world wasn't yet set in stone, Neo was accepted and I was assigned to teach her of our customs and purpose. I never felt so happy before. Not in a long time.

I later found out that her parents were killed for actually supporting the White Fang. Very few humans had during the Revolution. Those that did were viewed as heretics and traitors. This only consolidated my drive to help Neo get through all this mess so that one day, we might see a better world where humans and Faunus could walk hand in hand without any more suffering.

"Blake, it's time," Adam addressed me, breaking my reverie.

"Okay," I responded taciturnly and walked to the other side of the circle inscribed on the floor. I turned around.

Neo faced me on the other side with a hesitant expression. But there was a look of resolve amongst her anxiety. She was ready as I was.

"Begin," Adam said and he retreated a few steps back into the shadows alongside another figure. I drew the sword from my back. Neo mirrored my actions. We briefly assessed one another before I made the first move and strode forth swiftly to initialize the fight.

Neo deftly deflected the swing and responded in kind with an uppercut. I sidestepped this maneuver and swept at her feet, forcing a somersault. We instantly met with our swords again, as though they were magnetized. Just as quickly, however, we broke apart and continued keeping pace with slashes and parries. Neither of us was going to give up easily, but we both knew Adam would not be satisfied by this. We had to step it up.

"Is this truly necessary?" The girl beside Adam whispered to him. He didn't give any sign of acknowledgement until he spoke up.

"I have to see who's stronger. The victor will be suitable to lead the White Fang's new covert division," he answered dryly. Covert division? What was that?

"Then you intend to... I see. That's why you brought him along..."

"Exactly."

The clash of metal resonated through the air. The match had lasted for three minutes so far. But we both knew the end was near. I willed all my focus into my sword and placed my faith in this final sequence of moves that would hopefully outplay Neo. She readied to do the same.

We ran towards each other with calculated steps. Even the slightest inch would change the outcome of the duel. We neared within each other's proximity with less than three meters. I feinted with an overhead swing while Neo attempted a diagonal swipe to her upper left. Then we both played our trump card simultaneously.

I shattered her illusion and switched places with my shadow. Neo had expected this made to counter me. I produced a second copy of myself to gain an advantageous position over her. As I sliced at her, she broke into pieces. A second illusion to counteract my counter.

Only through reflexes did I manage to aim my sword at her abdomen. I could not celebrate my triumph however, seeing as Neo had reversed her sword grip and had a blade pressed lightly to my throat. A stalemate.

"Enough," Adam said tersely and we relinquished our tense stances. A small cut traced my neck and a slight wound adorned Neo's stomach. She smiled at me however and I returned it. We hugged each other, silently praising the other for our well-played tactics.

"Well. That was interesting. But you don't have a victor now... so what will you do?" The girl in the shadows said. Adam didn't respond to her this time.

"Bring out the traitor," he commanded regally and two White Fang members escorted a man in his mid-twenties. He had sideburns on his face and wore a grey shirt. Tukson, wasn't it?

Adam retrieved something from behind a tree. He kept it hidden behind him and then spoke to us.

"The guilty, known as Tukson Ellis, has been reported with the intention to leave the White Fang and escape into Vacuo. Seeing as this poses a compromise to our organization, and an act of utter selfishness, we hereby sentence him to death," he stated officially without remorse in his voice. Tukson appeared to be alarmed and tried to plead with Adam but the latter's face showed no chance of negotiation. Adam turned back towards Neo and I.

"The worthy one will step forth," he said cryptically and tossed the package that was previously obstructed behind his back. It was a sword within a sleek red sheath.

I made to catch the incoming object but for some reason my instincts told me not to. Instead, Neo caught it. She looked back at Adam confused and awaited his explanation. He mimicked her trademark tendency to use charades and glanced back between Tukson and Neo and then he used his fingers to gesture slitting his throat. The message was all too obvious.

"Wait, Neo, you don't have to do this, there's- there's gotta be another way-" I intervened frantically.

"Silence," Adam quelled my interruption harshly. I fell silent out of fear. Neo unsheathed the sword.

The hilt was wrapped in red fabric and had thin white diamonds cut out. The guard was oval-shaped with a spiral design. The blade itself was rugged near the fuller but besides that, it was stainless. Neo walked towards Tukson to deliver his fate.

"Please," he begged pitifully. "Have mercy," he cried. Neo appeared to be in pain. She recognized the face of agony so well, having experienced it before.

She tried to calm herself with steady breathing but seconds became a minute and Adam grew tired of her hesitancy. He decided to dispel her qualms once and for all.

"Neo," he lectured. "If you hesitate like this in the real world, you or someone important to you will die because of it. I've seen it happen, and unless you wish to join the deceased I suggest you steel your resolve and do it. Now."

I couldn't believe that Adam would say something like that. But before I could protest-

Something hit the floor. Instinctively, I had shut my eyes right before the flash of steel. But it did not erase the heavy feeling in my chest. I turned to Neo shocked to say the least. She looked back at me with pain in her eyes. She stepped towards me but I looked away. When I looked back, her expression was so hurt, I felt as though I had just stabbed her.

We didn't talk later that night. Shoving aside my conflicted feelings, I decided to investigate. After breaking into a secure compound, I found the information I was looking for and I didn't like it. I had to leave.

The next day, Adam, Neo and I were assigned to raid a Schnee Dust Company train. It was slightly a hassle to clear out the security but we succeeded. However, on this day, I made a decision I still question even now.

I wanted to bring her with me. I wanted her to run away with me. But I guess that was the difference between me and Neo. She didn't run from her problems or when she was afraid. But I did. When people found out that I was a Faunus, I ran. When I realized my partner had become a monster, I ran. Even my semblance... I was born with the ability to leave behind a shadow of myself; an empty copy that takes the hit while I run away... In this case, that was Neo.

I stood on a separate train car facing them. Neo gave me a horrified look but I uncoupled the train anyway. I'll never forget her betrayed expression.

"Goodbye..."

I felt horrible. But if I had stayed any longer, Adam would've caught up and stopped me. And I already saw what happened to Tukson. There was one path left to me.

Yes. I had done terrible things before. I did have a small record for arson, theft, even indirect participation in murder. But I wanted to atone for all that. As a child, I loved to read books. I found that Neo shared a similar interest in them so one day, we happened upon a heroic tale about hunters and huntresses. Curious, I looked into this subject further at Tukson's library when I could and I found out that they were the noblest warriors a person could become. Always helping people and doing what was right. Justice.

No amount of justice I served however, would enough to erase my past, but I had to try. There were two thoughts that remained though... even after I do all this, can it really undo years of hatred? And will Neo...

...will she ever forgive me? I knew I wouldn't...


"Blake..." I wept with an aching heart. Adam had to carry me back since I refused to move on my own. I was much too distraught to feel anger. And even if I was, I was more frustrated than furious. Why? Why did she just leave? Was it because I... but I was only thinking of her personally, I didn't want to hesitate if it put her in danger one day...

That night Adam spoke to me about my future.

"I realize that you've been through a lot, Neo. I'm sorry you lost your..." He didn't know quite how to phrase it.

"Sister," I filled in, earnestly pushing in emotion into the two syllables.

"...right. It's a regrettable loss of talent and leaves a void in the White Fang. However," he added. "We can fix that because I believe you, Neo, have great potential. Do you wish to lead the White Fang into glory and bring about the equality we have sought for centuries?"

There was one thing Adam had taught both Blake and I that I remembered most clearly out of all his lessons.

The mission came first. Emotions came second. I nodded briefly.

"Then you understand. Good. I'm proud of you," he supplied additionally with the faintest trace of kindness before continuing.

"Hold out your wrist."

I did as he asked. Adam unsheathed the sword I had used the other day to... you know the rest.

"Taste the blood, drink the soul, and recognize your new master. Feed upon those who are meant to be sacrificed. Awaken," Adam orated ominously whispering the name of the blade so low I couldn't hear it. He cut my wrist suddenly and I gasped in pain but withstood the sting. The blade glowed red and some sort of black essence was reaved from my laceration. Then the glowing dimmed as it absorbed the mysterious substance and coated itself with a frothing appearance like dry ice giving off smoke.

After treating my slight injury, Adam addressed me one last time before leaving.

"There's still much for you to learn. I'll come around to check on you from time to time when I can. You will be following a new teacher in my absence. Don't fail," he said and he gave me a roughly reassuring grip on my shoulder before departing. An older girl who looked about Adam's age (sixteen) entered the vicinity.

"Hello, Neo. My name is Cinder Fall. If you come along with me, I'll take care of you. Don't worry about being lonely; I have new friends for you to meet."


"I see. Well, I can't deny that your skills aren't impressive."

"I was raised outside of the kingdom. If you can't fight, you can't survive."

"Well, you have most certainly survived, Blake. I admire your drive. And I am proud to run a school that accepts individuals from all walks of life. Rich, poor, human... Faunus," he added as afterthought, sipping his coffee, carefully judging my temper. I did not snap at him. Just barely.

"Why do you wear that bow, Blake? Why hide who you are?" I hesitated in answering him.

"I want people to see me for who I am, not what I am. And... this was given to me by someone dear..." I trailed off. He did not pry further.

Ozpin was one of the most renowned hunters of all time and still was given his age. I sought for refuge and tutelage immediately after deserting the White Fang. Fortunately, I had a good memory and intuition and was able to find Beacon, a very prestigious school that trained hunters and huntresses. In the modern day, most people conformed to having dual-purpose weaponry. Due to vast progress of technology and innovation, so many possibilities were open and the only restriction was limited to one's imagination. I myself, had designed Gambol Shroud, a variant ballistic chain scythe (I know, it's a mouthful), which had served me well since its construction. Before I left the White Fang however, I took along (filched) a souvenir, which was wrapped in black cloth and swung around my back. A more traditional weapon that I chose not to unveil just yet.

"Well, since you are determined, who am I to deny you? You may train here until admittance age. Then we shall see how far you can blossom under... different circumstances," he finished enigmatically.


"Everyone, this is Neo. She's quite adorable, isn't she?" Cinder said ruffling my hair affectionately. I stood beside her, bashfully avoiding eye contact.

"Sure..." A rather tall boy said. He had silver hair and clothes that matched his hair color accented with black. A girl with green hair and dark skin stood next to him.

"Hey there, I'm Emerald. This is Mercury," she said, trying to make a friendly introduction. I smiled shyly but didn't say anything. Cinder sighed casually.

"She may be... a bit reserved right now, but she's actually quite talented. She's almost as strong as Adam in terms of combat, actually," My senior complimented extravagantly and I turned slightly pink.

"Really? I didn't expect someone so skilled to be so shor-"

I held the umbrella point to his throat with lightning speed.

"-never mind," Mercury finished, raising his hands in a sign of surrender. Emerald smirked and winked knowingly at me.

"Finally. Someone who can shut him up..." she muttered none too quietly causing Cinder and I to chuckle. The next few years would be fun. But it wouldn't erase the fact that Blake was gone.


The next few years would be invaluable to my training and maturation. But it wouldn't erase the fact that Neo was gone. After I had finished my four year course at Beacon at the age of eighteen, Ozpin offered me a unique deal that caught my interest.

"Blake, you're one of my most accomplished students, which is why I'm only asking people of your caliber for this proposition. Unfortunately, as time has passed on, things have not gotten better. It is not hopeless, but I feel as though I am forced to move to more... immediate measures. After arranging it with my colleague, Ironwood, we feel that the only way to counteract both the White Fang and the rising number of Grimm is to form special teams of hunters to deal with more... delicate and dire matters that require special attention. Would you be willing to stand as leader for the first team formed?"

Leader? Me?

At first I wanted to decline immediately, thinking to myself that I was not fit to lead anyone, but then I remembered...

I sighed. I've been running away for so long already. And the last time I did, I failed someone very important to me. I gritted my teeth and answered Ozpin.


Gradually, the constant pain of Blake's absence lessened. But I still felt it everyday. However, I knew where my place was, and that was with the White Fang.

"Are you ready, Neo?" Cinder asked me. I pondered momentarily but nodded. She smiled approvingly.

"Good girl. If you would then, continue honing your skills and I'll find you some targets soon enough..."


"You understand what might happen, then? If the worst does become reality..."

I mulled this over, but nodded my head resolutely.

"The mission comes first. Emotions come second," I said dutifully and Ozpin acknowledged my resolve.

"Your teammates will come in at sporadic times as soon as I can find matching candidates. I hope you don't mind waiting," he said, raising an eyebrow.

"It's fine, professor. I can wait," I responded politely.

"Undoubtedly... you've been waiting for a long time," he added in an undertone.

There was something I was afraid of still, even after all this time. I knew she felt it too. If I saw her again...


There was something I didn't want to admit, even after all this time. I knew she felt it too. If I saw her again...

Blake.


Neo.


Sis.


Sister.


If I have to...


...I have no choice but to fight you.

A/N I hope you enjoyed this opening chapter. Basically, this AU will focus upon Blake's team, (RWBY and JNPR) against Neo's team (don't really know about a cool acronym for them xD). There will obviously be some major changes to canon (as you just saw, Blake and Neo knowing each other from the past). I hope to remain consistent throughout the story, so feel free to point out any discrepancies that might occur (though not likely, I'm meticulous like that). As I've said before, this story will be dark and you'll see that soon enough. I will have some romance between Blake and Jaune (I actually really like this pairing seeing that it could work, especially when a talented writer does it well e.g. Coeur, Cyndaquil, AfroThunda). Anyways, I'll be happy to explain more if you want to ask me in a PM (not spoiling too much though, so be discrete about questions). Feel free to leave a review as well on what you liked, thought, etc (in an appropriate manner). Rating may change later. See ya.