Sonatro was absolutely bewildered. What the hell was happening? He didn't attack Taylor unprovoked... Did he? No... Taylor attacked first... What was going on? But how does him attacking Taylor indicate he was he one to burn the town?

"Hold on... So you're saying because I supposedly attacked the Black haired man, that I was the one to burn the town down? What kind of logical leap is that?" Sonatro stood leaning on his sword, confused.

Coco nodded in response. "It's what everyone assumed. You were seen hitting the man with a fire attack, and we saw you use the same exact attack against Scoops here." She picked her weapon back up and switched its form. "You have no way to prove your innocence."

Neo started signing, "I saw the black haired man attack Sonatro first. Maybe I was hallucinating, I'm not sure. I Sonatro well enough that he wouldn't attack for no reason."

"Coco... I think our lion friend is right here. There was no reason for-" Velvet was interrupted by a resounding smack to the face.

"Shut up Velvet! Nobody cares what you think!"

"Really now?!" Velvet retorted.

"Yes really!"

"Maybe if we listened to what I had said Fox would be alive and Yatsuhashi wouldn't be paralyzed! It's your fault we stayed fought a losing battle against that Grimm horde!"

The response was met with dead silence. Coco stood inches from Velvet's face. She dug her nails into the Fanus girl's ear, drawing blood. Velvet didn't flinch. "If you ever mention that again, I will give you something equally as unforgettable."

Coco released her hand, and solemnly walked away as Sonatro faced Velvet.

"Does that happen often?"

She sighed. "Far too often. I hate it. When we were fighting Grimm at Beacon, Coco insisted on staying and fighting. She thought for some reason we could win, but it was hopeless. It led to our teammate Fox getting killed, and another, Yatsuhashi, being paralyzed. It's weighed hard on her for a long time."

Sonatro sighed. "Loss affects everyone differently. Some take it easier than others. Coco took it really hard, it seems. Let's get back into camp, and you can tell me the whereabouts of some people."

Upon returning to camp, a blonde haired boy greeted them. "Hey, Velvet. How's it going? Working on photography again? Who're your friends here?"

Velvet giggled. "Nice to see you, Jaune. This is Sonatro," - he waved in greeting - "and this is Neo." The pink and brown haired girl bowed.

Sonatro decided to cut to the chase. "Alright. So this is what needs to happen. Jaune, I need you and your team to go to Patch." He pulled out a map, and circled the location of Ruby's house. "Ruby lives in a small house around here. She'll tell you what you'll be doing from there. Can you do that?" Jaune nodded.

"I'll make sure it happens."

"Thanks kid." Jaune walked over to his team to tell them what was happening.

"Sonatro, sir, would you mind sleeping in the tent next to mine?" Velvet had made the request with a sheepish look on her face.

"That's not a problem dear." Sonatro looked to the horizon. "The sun's already setting. I'm gonna set my tent up and turn in for the night." Neo nodded, yawning.

o0o0o0o0o0o

There was a slight noise outside of Sonatro's tent, enough to wake him. Rubbing his eyes, he grabbed his sword and exited his tent, wearing a black hoodie and gray sweatpants. Taking a peek inside Velvet's tent, he knew something was wrong. Switching forms so he could see better, he noticed what looked like drag marks in the dirt. He could make out two scents. First was Velvet. Second was a scent he didn't recognize at first. A realization hit him, and he began to follow the two scents.

He came to a small cabin in the woods. The two scents were there, but there was another scent... It reeked of blood. Dashing inside, Sonatro only saw Velvet, slumped in the corner, arms covered in cuts and wounds. Transforming back, he ran up to her and started ripping strips of his hoodie up, wrapping them around her arms.

"Don't worry, it'll be okay, it'll be okay. I just need you to say something to me."

"S-sona? Is that you?" He nodded, continuing to tend to her wounds. Thinking fast, he switched to a vial of fire dust in his sword. "This is gonna hurt like hell."

Velvet screamed in pain as the hot steel of Sonatro's sword touched her wounds, cauterizing the cuts on her right arm. He ran out of dust, and used the scraps of cloth he tore off his hoodie to cover her left arm. "Listen dear, can you walk?" Velvet nodded slightly, and stood up, only to stumble and fall. Sonatro picked her up, and helped her walk. "Lean on me. Who did this to you?"

"C-Coco... She's bitter... Too bitter..." Sonatro nodded. Coco was acting like Taylor. Angry and confused, lashing out at the nearest person. "S-sona? Was is that on your arm?"

Underneath the hoodie, Sonatro wore a short sleeve shirt, his brand visible. "That? It's my brand." He saw no need to lie. Velvet was a kind individual.

"Ah. So the branded has finally shown himself." A boy with gray hair stepped out onto the path.

"Mercury Black. Took you long enough the show up." Sonatro drew his sword. The sound of glass reforming was heard nearby, as Neo rushed to take Velvet to safety. She nodded to Sonatro, who kicked behind him, teleporting Neo once more behind Mercury, this time Velvet in tow.

"No more distractions? Good. Let's rock." Sonatro made the first attack, making a slant wise cut. Mercury blocked it with his hands, but was immediately met with a burst of electricity. Skidding backwards, Mercury immediately began rapidly kicking, Sonatro moving his sword equally as fast. Changing to Lion form, he backed away, thinking of his plan. "So he's fighting at a close range... As long as can keep him away from me, I'll have the advantage." Changing back, Sonatro turned to face his enemy.

Mercury charged forward, but Sonatro was prepared. He sheathed his sword, and drew it at the last possible second, not only interrupting his attacker, but striking with significant power. Mercury tumbled to the ground, but rolled back onto his feet charging yet again. Standing in a clear stance, Sonatro dodged perfectly, transferring himself to an upper stance, sword held above his head.

Mercury attacked with an axe kick, which landed on Sonatro sword. He countered with three advancing slashes, followed with a Flame Grater, which blew Mercury away.

He stood up, smirking. "For a Branded, you got lucky. Neo, maybe not so much." A scream came from camp. "SONA!"

"Might wanna go help them, if I were you." Mercury winked at Sonatro. Some sort of impulse made the green haired Hunter walked up to his opponent, their faces inches away from each other. Sonatro Transformed then and there, tackling Mercury as hard as possible before going to save his friend.

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A/N: I'm so sorry for the wait! Writers block hit me hard all the sudden so yeah. Hope you enjoy!