Chapter 4
A Reunion
Team DRGN rushed out of Haven Academy to the outside of the city of Mistral. Behind them were the headmaster Leo Lionheart in his usual orange tunic over a white, long-sleeved shirt with scores of students and a squad of Mistral's military. In front of them were team FRAL with various faunus behind them. A female wolf faunus stepped forward with the old White Fang banner and a piece of white cloth attached to the same staff, clearly a flag of truce. Team FRAL and team DRGN embraced with Lila and Ragnar exchanging a quick kiss. Leo quickly asked, "Frederick, what is the meaning of this?"
"Professor Lionheart, this is a very complicated matter. Rackley, help me out, please?"
"We were on the way back from our mission when we were surprised by the White Fang. We fought for days and were running out of ammunition when these guys saved us. They're a… less extreme branch of the White Fang. They wanted to speak with you to see if they can speak of-"
"A boat to Menagerie. Thank you, Rackley. I'll take it from here." Said the wolf faunus. "Hello, Professor. I am Lozen Azure, leader of these people. We would like to meet with Ghira Belladonna to discuss a response to the spike in White Fang violence and a plan to perhaps eliminate the threat they pose."
Mentally, Leo took a step back and thought for a second. This could be a problem. If the White Fang were destroyed or turned against Salem, that would probably throw a wrench in the plan to take out Haven. Once Salem had learned that he had let them through, she would immediately have him killed and that could mean the end of Haven and Mistral. However, if he did not let them go through, he would lose his reputation and then, everything. He would just have to make sure that no one close to Salem would know of this.
"Permission granted, Lozen. Just take your people to the harbor. I'll send a message to the fastest ship. Students, you are dismissed to your dorms. I hope that next time, you are not going to cut a summer mission this close, team FRAL."
"Understood, sir." Said Frederick Steel
Everyone left except for the two teams. Frederick asked, "Draco, how have things been here?"
"There's been a spike in criminal activity, but we're pretty good otherwise. I was thinking that maybe we should grab a bite especially after your strenuous mission."
"I agree." Said Frederick
"Mind if I suggest going to Jocund's?" Gyoshun asked.
"I could use some coffee. I haven't had any for five days. I hate that and I guess I could use a vegetarian break from all of that meat with the White Fang." Said Rackley
"Well I can hope that you've got an interesting story or two, Lila." Ragnar said
"I'll do my best, love." Lila smiled.
Not a moment was wasted and they walked to Jocund's and were quickly seated. As they sat down, Nindsey asked, "So, what exactly were you guys doing so close to the White Fang?"
"We were checking out an area with abnormally high crime activity. It wasn't long before we found out why. The White Fang was there in great numbers and forcing their rule upon the local towns. I decided to cut off the head of the snake. I got their leader pretty good but we had to fight our way out." Frederick replied.
"We may have more to worry about." Alexandros said. "I'm wondering if Lozen was telling the truth."
"Why do you mistrust them?!" screamed Lila as she hit the table.
"Calm down Lila, you're both on the same team." Soothed Ragnar as he placed a hand on her shoulder.
"All right, I'll resist punching him through that wall for you, Ragnar. I just hate the idea of people mistrusting others just because they are associated with the White Fang."
"Is there something wrong? Please tell us, Lila." Said Rackley.
"Well, here goes. My family may have been wealthy but it wasn't easy growing up on the streets of Mantle, as Ragnar already knows."
"So, you told your boyfriend but you didn't tell us? That's interesting." Said Frederick.
"Guys, let me get back to the story. My parents were leaders of the local White Fang branch. Several of us were angry with the Schnee dust company for using us like machines. It was no wonder that the White Fang held so much power there. When our peaceful rallies failed, we turned violent, robbing shops and banks, assassinating board members, and executing anybody who disrespected us. One day, we were going through a typical bank robbery when we were ambushed by the Atlas military. My parents were among the first to go down but I managed to rally them to victory. After that, they only followed me. We continued doing the usual for months. I even trained a couple of people to be an elite squad. Then, it happened. We w-were going through a typical train robbery when we were spotted by someone. I couldn't tell anything about her except for her tied-up white hair. Then she called the Atlas military down on our heads. Only a few of us escaped. We dispersed to escape capture. I had messed up and I knew it. There was only one way I thought that I could continue. I knew of the huntsmen. During our more peaceful days, they were the only ones that listened to us. So, I decided to train to be one."
"I never knew. But if it means anything you've earned even more respect from me." Said Frederick.
"Same for me as well." Alexandros said.
"Thank you."
"Boy, that was heavy." Continued Gyoshun. "If we need any more relaxing I did manage to snag some tickets for that Spruce Willis movie."
"So, are we all in?" asked Draco.
"I believe we are." Frederick answered.