Chapter 9: It's Treason Then?

Cane sat in the seat of a small hovercraft grinding his teeth on a piece of jerky. The taste of salt mingling with the metallic taste of blood as it stung his ruined lower lip. The previous five hours had been some of the dumbest of his life.

As it had turned out, Ozpin's mission had been to send himself and one other person into the middle of disputed land between Vale and Vacuo against the express orders of the counsel, so that they may hopefully surprise and neutralize the suspected white fang encampment within.

The first obstacle had come in the way of a group of hunters guarding the airships. Unable to reason with them (there was no paper trail linking the orders to Ozpin) they were forced to use force. To the credit of both Ironwood and Ozpin the authorities and the newly entrenched military were not involved. But good as Cane was it was a hard fight. Especially considering he had to stop his comrade from going lethal.

There Alister sat across from him. His lithe crimson clad form reclining almost artfully on the hard metal bench. How the psychopath managed to look so relaxed he couldn't fathom. Alister hadn't been his first choice for this mission. Hell the guy wasn't his choice at all. Janus refused to involve himself in fang business, and Decker wasn't even told. Before Cane could even plead the case to solo the mission he was informed of his blond… ally's inclusion.

The fight was just the first problem. Alister was never one to pull punches and he saw the resistance of the Vallian hunters as a personal affront. In fact, the blow that split Cane's lip and loosened two of his teeth (now firmly set thanks to aura) had come from Alister's pommel when he had tried to stop him from decapitating a fleeing man. Now the smug bastard was sitting back humming along to some song on his scroll as if nothing had happened. In a team full of loose cannons, Alister was a loaded one with a lit fuse. When he went off it wasn't safe to be in front of him, or behind him.

He hadn't been so bad at first. As a cadet he was a bit egocentric and bratty, but he could function normally at least. But over their time he became more and more unhinged. His image became more important than functionality, his fighting became more and more animalistic. The drugs, the fighting, the gleam in his eye when in a mission he had taken his first human life… a demon lived in the guy. Cane didn't know what kind or when it took up it's residency, but it was there. And whatever it's mission was, it wouldn't let Alister stop until it was done, or the world had burned to ash.

Dramatic and over exaggerated? Maybe. But really, wasn't Alister anyway? As the bullhead continued it's journey Cane gazed at his scroll, questioning whether it was advisable to call Ozpin. He was sure the other counselors knew he was the ringleader, but knowing and having evidence were two separate things. Resigning himself to his solitude Cane finished his snack and leaned back to sleep.

Once again the incident at Craghold flashed before his eyes. The gunshots, the blood. Grimm, man, and faunus. Soldiers, bandits, monsters. All clashing together in a hopeless tangle. Then the scorching light that had burned his eyes. The roar that had deafened his ears. And finally, the fire sweeping across the ice…

With a strangled cry Cane jerked awake grasping his weapons.

"Aww, that's adorable. You whimper in your sleep." Alister smirked above him.

"Yeah." Cane frowned sitting "The post traumatic stress will do that…"

"Oh don't be a baby. We all have horrible experiences under our belts."

"The difference is that most of us have them happen to us, and you cause them to happen."

"The sentiment remains the same."

"Whatever. How far out are we?"

"About 15 minutes to the landing zone. Another 3 hours hike to the target."

"And you just conditioned your hair too. Shame."

"I KNOW! But I suppose some sacrifices are essential to the greater good."

"I'll remember that when I need a meat shield."

The craft began its vertical decent onto a wide clearing in the lush forest. They jumped down to the grass below as their bags were dropped behind them. Without any words of encouragement the pilot took off again, the small craft making a much quicker escape than it had approach. With a slight sigh Cane shouldered his own bag and began walking south. Alister whistling, followed.

The forest around them was bright and alive betraying no presence of man or grimm. There were no paths to follow, so the two young men picked their way over roots and rocks as they ducked leafy branches. Despite their fitness and the cool air, they were soon lathered with sweat. However Cane at the very least kept constant vigilance. It was possible for the fang to have lookouts in the trees. In fact, it would be quite foolish of them not to. Which meant they'd likely get within a quarter mile before they found any. He wasn't willing to risk his mission on the unorganized simplicity of terrorists though, so as they trekked he scanned the area around him.

After what Cane judged to be about an hour they started up a steep hill so as to hopefully gain some vantage at its peak. The twisting roots provided adequate if improperly spaced footholds for their steep climb. It was here however that Cane's vigilance payed off. About one hundred yards away at the hill's peak stood two figures in the red marked white and black tunics of fang agents. Cane halted, motioning for his comrade to do the same. He gestured with his hand to indicate the fang above them. It was amazing they hadn't heard them already. He and Alister began communicating in the sign language that had been drilled into them during basic

C: Hold. Enemies. Eleven.

A: Copy. Attack?

C: Affirmative. Caution. Together.

Cane began to ready his weapon but Alister was faster. The blond man held his sword in a sort of fencing position despite its contradictory design and flared his aura. Stabbing twice outward as two shots of pressurized wind whipped silently towards their targets. Both fell to the ground unconscious.

"Show off." Cane whispered "what if they'd had stronger aura?"

"I'd have used more energy" he answered matter of factlly.

"You're going to get us killed"

"You maybe. I always make it out alive"

And so they crested the hill Alister attending the fang while Cane gazed outward to the area before them. The forest spread for miles upon miles around them. The only visible borders being the crags west that marked the start of proper Vacuoan territory and the mountains that marked Vale. Before them were few clearings and nothing that looked remotely like a compound used by terrorists. So why were the guards here?

"Alister. Wake one of them up so we can ask some questions."

"That's not what my semblance does. Be pretty cool though."

Cane turned confused to see Alister standing over the downed fang wiping his blade

"You KILLED THEM?"

"That's what we were going to do anyway!" he protested

"Before you knocked them out and we had captives. Now how're we going to find them?"

"The way we planned to. Follow the coordinates. I thought you were military?"

"The coordinates only got us within a couple miles. I had planned to search and hope we got lucky. Turns out we aren't and their base is hidden"

"Can't get lucky Cane? Story of your life huh? I sympathize. I really do." He wiped an imaginary tear from his eye

"Don't start." Cane sighed. This day was getting to be really shitty. "maybe you can see something?"

"Eh, I'll take a look"

The blond man sauntered over to the edge of the cliff testing all of Cane's reserve in not pushing him. He'd just float anyway. The red eyed huntsman gazed over the featureless expanse for a solid thirty seconds before shrugging

"Nothing. Sure we're in the right place?"

"They weren't here for a romantic hike" cane said motioning at the currently expired fang

"Oh I don't know. This spot has a certain quality to it. I'd bring a date here." He looked Cane over critically "not you though"

"Feeling's mutual" Cane muttered glaring back over the forest. "I'm not sure I wanna risk catching-… wait I think I found something."

"A desire to be a catcher? That's good, I only pitch."

"No, you useless heathen! Look at the eight o' clock clearing."

Alister looked where he was dictated

"I don't- wait… that tree is pretty damn big. IT HAS A FUCKING DOOR HOW DID WE MISS THAT? What are they faries? Do they make cookies? Why do they live in a tree?"

"Keep your voice down!" Cane hissed "but yeah, pretty obvious now that I think on it. That's probably the above ground entrance. Id suppose there are some rabbit holes somewhere."

"Racist" Alister muttered "you don't know if they're bunny faunus."

"Shut up Alister. Let's go" he began down the hill.

"You're mean to me!" Alister declared following

It took nearly another two hours to pick their way forward. The entire time spent looking out for guards that didn't seem to exist.

What reason could they have for leaving only two people on watch Cane wondered. The placement makes sense, gave them a full view of the valley before them. But there was no one to watch their backs. And why no mid-point guards? It's like they don't expect anyone to come. But how could they not? Do they not think their location is known? That can't be it! All reports of Adam Taurus corroborate that he's as paranoid as they come. No way he wouldn't expect company. Unless…

Cane halted in his tracks catching Alister's attention with a hand wave and whistle as he began to sign.

C: Trap. Stay Sharp.

A: Copy. Forward?

C: Affirmative

They crept forward with weapons at ready. Coiled like snakes and just as ready to strike should threat emerge. In due time and with even more conspicuous safety, they entered the clearing. The tree was about eighty feet tall and thirty in diameter. Upon closer inspection it was obviously fake. Wood and stone painted and textured to pass for wood at a distance. The door in the center however was metal. Iron darkened black with age and exposure. It bore a thin slot with a drawn back visor revealing an inky darkness behind. The tree house appeared deserted. But then why was it guarded? Why was it here? An old eccentric's hide away? No. they were too far out.

This just isn't right. Death is behind that door… but we have a mission. And if it's death it damn sure won't be ours!

C: Breach!

With a grin Alister complied slamming the door open with a well-placed aura enhanced kick. Cane just had time to throw up a barrier before the gunfire fell on the blond huntsman. As the metal rained from within the door more gunfire roared to life behind them. Cane felt his Aura deflect dozens before he threw up another shield.

HELLFIRE! They got us! How did we not see them? How did we not sense them?

In answer the trees parted as a team of seven robotic soldiers emerged from the forest. Their frames painted dappled green and brown to break up outlines. The glowing eyes that were usually blue, now red.

Atlesian knights? Old model by the looks of them. Where did the fang get them?

Glancing back to his teammate firing into the doorway he saw more red eyes in the darkness. They needed to end this fast before they wasted too much energy.

"Alister!" Cane called "Glass Cannon!"

Alister grunted and with a fierce cry directed a burst of piercing wind into the barrier shielding him. Cane then reduced its supply allowing the barrier to crack and be launched in a hundred deadly shards towards the defenders. The crunch of metal and zapping of wires severed was the result as the machines within were pierced. A few more cries as well… people. A spurt of cover fire punctuating the retreat of no doubt wounded fang who had been observing the Knights. Thus freed from one front Alister whipped around and severed the heads of four knights with another sheet of wind. Cane dropped the other three with gunfire. Without further deliberation they entered the complex, weapons at ready.

Reaching into his jacket cane withdrew a dust flare and activated it. The pinkish glow illuminated the remains of five shredded mechs, the weapon of their destruction having faded to nothing moments after it did its work. As well as the body of one faunus man likewise rent. The room around them was simple. Tile floors and bare cement walls. The fluorescent light fixtures above them were dark but whole, as if they had simply been cut out. Neither of the two boys was keen on finding a light switch though. They simply started forward with long smooth steps and readied weapons.

Moving deeper into the compound they began to notice signs of life. Doors open to bunks with messy beds, cups of coffee abandoned but still steaming. Cane wasn't sure what had changed, but he sensed it. Alister, likewise alerted, drew a crystal of red dust with a simple detonation pin from his coat pocket.

A: Explosive out

He clicked the device and tossed it around the next corner. Shuffling bodies and sounds of alarm resulted before a deafening retort sounded blasting heat and flame. Cries of agony and angry screaming preceded the rush of bodies that circled out and rushed them. As the battle went hand to hand Cane thanked the designers for the wide space. It may have allowed more attackers to circle them, but it also gave he and Alister more than adequate room to fight. Cursing Decker mentally for removing his twin swords configuration Cane shifted into dual blade form and began whirling through the enemies even as Alister beside him swiped and stabbed. The poor bastards didn't stand a chance. As soon as it had begun the wave ended. The hall now filled only with dead bodies and the sap of their flesh.

They rounded the corner to where the dust had detonated to find more dead and dying. While Alister finished off the downed faunus, Cane took the opportunity to interrogate one who's eyes seemed a bit clearer than the others.

"What are you all doing here?"

"Fuck you.." he sneered, bloody spittle flecking his lips.

"This could all go much easier for you."

"Dead either way… may as" he coughed up more blood "may as well die with dignity"

"Dignity" Cane parroted. Nodding he drew a small knife from his belt, pressing it to a shrapnel wound on the man's shoulder making him howl in pain "Dignity has no place here. I asked you a question and you're going to answer me. This is what the remainder of your life is now."

Obviously frightened by the coldness in Cane's eyes the man tried to clamp his jaw shut on his own tongue. Only to be halted by the hilt of the knife.

"No no. none of that now. I asked you a question." To emphasize the point he pressed his finger into the still oozing wound.

"o ta hell!" the man screamed past his makeshift gag

"I don't enjoy this. Tell me what I want to know and I'll make it quick…" he pressed his finger further in, feeling his nail slip past cords of muscle as it forged a path to the bone beneath.

"OTHAY OTHAY!" he sobbed "thtop!"

Cane removed the gag and raised an eybrow

"we…" he sobbed "were here because Adam was ord-" a gunshot rang out as the side of the man's head exploded splashing blood onto cane's face.

"ALISTER!" Cane bellowed with fury "What the hell?"

"It wasn't me!"

"Bullshit! It's always you! You can't be bothered to wait five minuets before you try to up your kill count can you? You useless psychopath!

Alister's face drew itself into a mask of resigned anger.

"Do you know what I can't stand about you Cane? You're half-assed. Consistently inconsistent. You switch from a sarcastic nice guy, to a grizzled veteran, to an anxious wreck, to a man who can torture for information. Everything about you seems practiced and fake. Like you can't decide who you are and constantly forget what you want to be. Yes, I'm unhinged. But I own it. Decker is a slut. He owns it. Janus slaughters helpless targets for money. He OWNS it. You however? You change depending on who you want to impress. So don't you dare talk down to me like you're some higher authority. School is over, and you are not the leader anymore. I may work with you, but I don't work FOR you."

He wiped his sword and looked at the hallway before them which split into two.

"The shooter was camouflaged. A chameleon or octopus faunus I'd guess. They fired and ran. I'm going to take this hallway." He motioned to the left "you decide what you want to do specialist"

And with that he marched away. Leaving Cane dumbstruck by his argument. Was cane like that? Did he truly change? He had always seen it as natural. Of course he was different depending on his company, but not disconnected. He was always the same person, just a different aspect. The more he thought the more self-conscious he became. And the more self-conscious he became the angrier he felt at Alister. So what he wasn't as severe as his teammates? That was the reason he was leader. He was able to think and plan instead of mindlessly react like they did. That was nothing to be ashamed of. But hearing it laid bare by one of the few people he thought unable to judge him stuck in his craw.

He stood looking toward the right hallway and picked up his dual-staff. Knuckles turning white from the strength of his grip. Cold anger filled his gut. And once again battle lust presented itself. Just another inconsistency he supposed. But one he would gladly oblige. With quick measured steps he took the route into the darkness. Almost relishing the thought of enemies around every corner.

Adam paced around his office as the silent red alarms flickered and the cameras showed footage of the two intruders. An unassuming spectacled man who fought like a demon, and a tall blond man who seemed to float as he walked. Not the strike team of soldiers they had been preparing for. It was much, much, worse. The video quality was poor, but both of the hunters (and who else would be able to cause so much destruction alone) seemed to ring a bell. Like a half-forgotten memory. They were probably well known. That was fine however. The preparations were nearly completed anyway. The projects and the vital staff members had been moved out the day before. Only himself and a few dozen grunts were left. And Ilia… but where that girl had gone to he wasn't sure.

They had to buy time however. There was no other option. Maybe individually Adam could take one of the huntsmen. But not both, and not without paying for the effort. He winced internally, remembering the feel of steel against flesh. No matter how many times you get wounded you never get used to it. The pain, maybe. But not the cold slithering. It's enough to drive you insane. Either way however, confrontation was inevitable.

As he watched the cameras he thought he noticed the faint wavering that was produced when Ilia passed camouflaged. Followed by the execution of an older man Adam hadn't personally known. An necessary precaution, they were primarily made of fed up working class. Nobody besides himself and maybe Ilia could withstand torture without talking. The shimmering then turned its way down the opposite hall as the two hunters busied themselves with what appeared to be an argument. Eventually the blond broke off towards him, and the brown haired one went down the path Ilia had taken. Cursing the girl's refusal to use a communicator (as she claimed they were a liability for her skill), Adam sent out a common message through the mic at his collar.

"Squads eight and three, rally to Ilia in the eastern corridors. Two, to me."

His reply was the movement of his troops as they ran to carry out his orders. He allowed himself a faint grin. He appreciated loyalty. Even more so when it contradicted a creature's fight or flight instinct. That meant he was either respected more than life itself, or he was feared more than death. Either way, it was a superb feeling to have. Orders issued, he retreated to the main hangar bay. The wide area had been cleared of all but two craft. Adam allowed himself another self-satisfied smile. The preparations had been completed. These damned hunters were too late. He turned on his heel to the entrance. Waiting for his reinforcements with his back straight and head slightly turned to profile. One hand resting on the hilt of his sword. After so long of manufacturing the look so as to show an air of power, it had become natural.

Minutes passed without any sign of others.

"Squad two!" he barked into his Communicator "Report!"

Silence

"Squad two! Do you copy?!"

"They won't be coming" an airy voice said from the darkened doorway.

Striding into the room was the blond hunter. In person he was a couple inches taller than Adam with eyes the same color as the blood staining the blade that hung casually by his side. He stepped forward and gave Adam a surprisingly warm smile.

"Hello. My name is Alister Ignus. You look like fun. Prepare to die."

Cane strode down the hallway with his features set into a scowl. Who the hell does that blond bitch think he is? Two Fang stepped in front of him only to be cut down by a twirling strike. I mean come on! He looks like an androgynous cherry lemon ice-pop! Another agent began shooting at him prompting him to swipe the bullets out of the air. Slow things weren't even dust propelled. Unprepared the man fell to a glancing swipe that severed his tracheal artery. Okay, maybe that was a weak burn. But hey, they can't all be gems. So what I change myself a lot? That's called being mature. Not fake! I can't act like they do. One of us needs to at least pretend to be a good soldier or we'll lose our classification! But if I know all this why am I bothered? Two more fang fell to his indifferent blade. Maybe it's because I secretly wish I was able to communicate and act how they do, but due to my anxiety and sense of duty I feel unable to do so… whoa. Too meta. But maybe I can try to be a bit more true to myself. Try to pry open my own shell. His blade pried open a man's skull. Starting now. Its time I actually vent my anger. And these guys are pretty much still targets. Probably don't know anything anyway.

"Fuck you, assholes!" he declared and doubled his pace.

Four fell to his blade before they could so much as aim at him. One larger faunus charged him bare handed, and in a fit of sadistic spite, Cane stabbed him so hard with his dual blade that he pinned the guy to the wall with it. Before he could recover the weapon two more faunus charged. With a battle cry Cane kicked the lead one in the throat, throwing him backwards and likely crushing his windpipe. The next swiped at him with a standard sword. Cane dipped out of the way and caught her by the forearm using his greater strength and the woman's own momentum to slam her on her back and snap her arm. Then stomping her head and claiming her weapon for his own use. He may have been pretty good at unarmed, but not good enough to risk going weaponless.

He closed ground with another knot of combatants and gutted two before they could even react. The next three fell without landing their own blows. A hail of bullets burst forth forcing Cane to raise a barrier. Through the clear green wall he saw six gunmen kneeling as they fired. Smirking Cane adjusted his barrier so that it curved into a steep V. the bullets began ricocheting back at the gunmen where they fell two of their own. Surprised and suddenly convinced of the difference in power between them, the fang broke and began to retreat. Dropping the barrier Cane bolted forward and cut one down before they got more than a meter away. Two others turned to him and began trying to circle him. The first converted his gun into sword mode and tried to swipe at him while Cane dodged deftly. The other circled behind and took aim. Cane smiled closing his eyes. He felt the man start to squeeze the trigger and twirled away as the bullets ripped through the air where he had been half a second ago and tore into his comrade. As the swordsman died cane grabbed the gunman by his arm and slammed him to the ground, driving the sword through the now prone man's back and into the stone ground bellow, snapping the blade.

Cane looked up as the other faunus retreated head long down the hall. Now unarmed he cracked his knuckles and trotted forward. Upon reaching the end of the hall cane found himself in a large room full of work tables that appeared to be some sort of lab or machine shop. The combatant that had been fleeing now lay at the feet of another fang. A tall woman with rook's wings sprouting from her shoulder blades. The blood under the man and the crescent scythe in the woman's hands spoke testament to what had occurred. Behind the crow faunus stood another girl with patchy spotted skin an outfit with way too many zippers and buckles.

"Kind of harsh, killing your own like that. That's what I'm supposed to do."

"You will fall human!" the scythe wielder proclaimed, striking the hilt of her weapon on the ground producing a dull thud. "The cause of the white fang is just! Death will take you!"

"So I suppose that you, my charming chunibyo, think that's who you are. Explains the scythe, but I'm more interested in what you were doing here."

"The dead need not know! Sister Ilia! Flee and I will slaughter this desecrator in the name of the- wah!"

She screamed as Cane bolted forward and grabbed her right wing snapping it and driving her to the ground. He then twisted the scythe out of her hand and set it under her chin as he placed a foot on her back. There "death" sat kneeling crying in pain and shock as Cane held her hostage.

"You keep your gardening tools sharp I see" he noted while looking at the blade "Sucks trying to cut weeds with a dull blade. Now" he gazed into the other girl's eyes "Are you going to tell me what I want to know?"

She blanched and stepped backwards causing Cane to slightly raise the scythe drawing a trickle of blood from his hostage

"I don't want to die" the crow woman sobbed almost quietly

"You hear that?" he said raising an eyebrow "your friend lost her bravado. Still got yours, or do I have to repaint the floor?"

The girl stepped back again, her face contorted in multiple expressions. Fear, hate, disgust, and pity. She turned and disappeared. Echoing steps running to the opposite side.

"Damn." Cane sighed as the crow woman redoubled her sobbing. "Oh come on Death I've met half dead farmers with more dignity"

With a grunt he slammed his foot down pulling the scythe upward. Blood gushed over the floor as the head rolled a few feet away from the now limp body.

"What do you know." Cane smirked "Not a bad weed cutter."

With a slight chuckle he dropped the weapon and went to retrieve his own from the corridor behind him. No sense going further without good weapons. He was pretty sure the disappearing girl was long gone. Therefore he didn't notice that some of the blood seemed raised from the floor. Nor was he there to see the stricken face reappear smudged with gore, or the readied weapon now hanging from a nerveless hand. And when Ilia turned once more, this time to escape rather than retrieve her weapon, he didn't hear her wretch.

Alister circled the black clothed man with a flickering smile. The faunus was a few inches shorter than himself and built lithe and lean. Black bull's horns rose above his flame colored hair and a white visor covered his eyes. He looked tough. Alister could tell by looking at someone. There was a presence that was unmistakable. He couldn't gage how tough this way though, so there was a lot of grey as to whether or not he'd be a challenge.

"I've introduced myself, so who are you? Come on now, use your manners!"

"I am Adam Taurus" the man sneered. His knuckles no doubt going white from the grip on his sword. He was either angry or scared. Maybe both. "Why are you and your partner here?"

"Why, why, why?!" Alister mocked. "You sound like Cane. Always worried about the particular cause and reason for everything. It's sooo annoying!" he pointed is weapon at the faunus who drew his own in response. "There you go! Violence! That's why I'm here! You want to know when, where, and why. And because of that you overlook obvious answers. I am an enemy, and I am before you. Isn't that reason enough?"

With a laugh Alister leapt forward crossing blades with his opponent. The first exchange was swift as they both thrusted and slashed. Sparks flying from their weapons as edge ground edge dull. They twirled apart and glared at each other. Adam sheathing his sword again, but holding it ready in a quickdraw style.

"I know that form!" Alister cried snapping his fingers "Vigil from Devil May Care! You must be a fan of the game. I am too! but man, the numbering system is weird. And is it just me or does the story get harder and harder to follow? It's like the developers-"

"ENOUGH!" Adam rushed in slicing with his sword and forcing Alister to defend

Slash, stab, guard, twirl, parry. As the battle wore from seconds into minuets Alister began to notice something; he was outmatched. His enemy was a trained swordsman with a solid style and precise discipline. Alister's sheer strength and speed coupled with his instinct had been keeping them pared, but now his energy was waning and the fight was becoming technical. Panic gripped him for a moment. His aura had become too weak to allow him to employ his semblance to an effective enough degree to disable this enemy. Besides the man had to have aura as well, if he used his last on an ineffective attack, he'd leave himself wide open.

Alister began to step left out of a swing before a harsh female voice sounded in his head.

"into the strike you fool! Not out of it!"

with a start Alister complied, sliding inward and catching the man's blade on his guard.

"now, retreat to non-dominate side! Not backwards, never backwards! You'll give them opportunity to counter!"

Alister slid to his left flicking the blade to the opposite side and thrusting. He was rewarded with the feel of blade scratching a weakened aura. Okay, okay, I've got it you old harpy! He smiled as the lessons he spent with his tutor washed into his mind

Adam turned and sliced at him but now Alister was ready

Stand firm at the feet, bend at the knee and waist, allow your shoulders the shift with the motion and keep your forearms stable.

The brief route evened again as Alister closed his eyes and allowed himself to feel his motions. The currents of air made by his enemy telling him all he needed to know. He'd become very good at feeling the wind. Their blades danced as the two men harassed each other. Dancers locked in a deadly routine. Separated by mere inches of air, and a few feet of steel. However he was still outmatched, he could couple the man for a while maybe, but he would falter first. He knew this. He harkened back to his lessons and remembered a technique she had taught him. It was reckless, foolhardy, and potentially fatal… perfect.

With a cry of aggression he mustered the last of his aura into a blast of air knocking him and Adam apart. The man staggered to his feet and began to circle to his left. This time Alister relaxed his shoulders and allowed his sword arm to go limp. Feigning tired wasn't very hard, he was more exhausted than he'd been in months. He wasn't quite sure he'd have the strength to do what he needed to when the time came…

He felt it. The shift in the faunus's stance. Alister clenched his entire body and spun slicing upward. He winced as he felt burning steel carve a groove across his chest, and his own blade make contact with something strangely hard and brittle. Followed by an audible crack and a deafening cry of pain. With wonder he looked on at his work. Adam Taurus knelt a few feet away clutching a hand to the side of his head. Already blood sheeted from behind his gloved fingers. The man stumbled away slipping in his own blood as he tried to reclaim his weapon and footing. But Alister had no fight left in him to respond. The wound on his chest was darkening his coat to burgundy and blurring his vision. If he so much as stepped forward, spoke, maybe even sighed he was sure he would faint. But he had won. He remained standing. And he was thrilled. His beating heart simply refused to slow as it expelled its own sap down his sternum, and a smile of utter joy radiated on his face. Testing his theory he began to chuckle. Slowly at first but rising into a glorious chortle. His vision swam but that only seemed to make the situation all the funnier.

"ADAM!" a female voice cried.

Through his haze he saw a girl approach with weapon drawn and kept laughing as she raised it to fire. Time slowed to an annoying crawl as the deadly point inched its way to Alister's heart.

"ALISTER!"

Suddenly a sheet of green energy sprang before him sending the weapon careening away. Cane rushed into the scene firing bullets at the two faunus as they limped towards the bullheads. Girl supporting man in a desperate attempt to escape. An urge to stop them filled the still laughing Alister. He stepped forward and met the floor and darkness.

Alister woke once more still sitting in the bay propped against the side of a bullhead, the other being missing. Cane stood a few yards to his left talking heatedly into his scroll, though he could not make out what was being said. Instead he turned his attention to his torn coat and chest. He could feel itching where the wound was healing itself but the coat seemed irreparable. He grimaced, Alister liked his coat. Maybe he could have his sister send him the information for the shop she received it from.

"You've been out for two hours. Can you stand?" asked cane walking towards him looking no worse for the wear despite his tired eyes.

"I suppose" he sighed taking the outstretched hand, using his other to dust off the back of his coat. The room swam, but soon his balance returned. "What happened?"

"You slipped and fell on an ice cube."

"Funny"

"You should see the video… you messed Taurus up pretty bad. He ranks top ten in every kingdom's bingo book. Good job man."

"Was that a compliment?" Alister gasped with mock surprise.

"Shut up and fly the air ship" Cane sighed. "I don't know how to pilot and we need to clear out and allow Vacuoan officials to investigate. General's orders."

So that's what had gotten him so worked up.

Hesitantly Alister patted his shoulder. "There, there,… Sport?"

"Are you… trying to comfort me?"

"If it's not working I could try something else?" he purred

"Not on your life."

"Try to throw the ugly ones a bone and this is the thanks I get? …though I suppose you get away with it this time. We'll call it even."

"For?"

"Providing an adequate shield."

Cane stared at him in amazement "You just thanked me!"

"Wishy washy and deaf. Nice combination. Anyway, let's get on the ship. I'm hungry and tired and you don't seem to be able to help that out."

"Just a second." Cane held out a piece of tor fabric wrapped around something. "I figured you'd want this"

Alister opened it to see a glossy black horn about five inches long with dried blood smudged at irregular intervals. Suddenly the circumstances of the battle made sense. He'd cleaved the horn from Taurus's head and maybe even sliced his ear. Alister grinned as he wrapped the horn up and put it in his coat.

"They may have gotten away, but we won. Figured you'd want a memento. Not big enough to drink out of, but maybe a fancy shot glass?"

"Thank you Specialist" Alister said sincerely. "now get in the ship leader and let's get back to civilization."

With nothing further to say, the exhausted huntsmen boarded the vessel and were off. Maybe they weren't quite friends. But even the most reluctant of allies can share a smile sometimes.