Volume 4 Issue 5: Menagerie
"This is where we will find out if my parents are OK." Said Blake really worried.
Island of Menagerie
With Blake, Sun, and Mordred.
At the sound of an air horn The black screen cuts to an offramp being lowered on the ship bearing Blake, Mordred on her shoulder and Sun to allow passengers to disembark with Blake using magic to shrink Mordred's ship to put it in her pocket.
"Good. The last thing remnant needs is alien technology." Said Azmuth.
The town has many small buildings and homes set among dunes and palm trees. The town bell that has been ringing is shown in its belfry.
Sun and Blake make their way from the deck to the offramp. She proceeds without pause while Sun stops to look at the town.
"Whoa." Sun said.
Several Faunus in summer wear meander casually at the dock, some waiting for friends or family among the new arrivals. The dock is also a commercial area, with mobile kiosks selling food and other wares. It is a relaxed atmosphere on a sunny day as Sun is looking around while he and Blake disembark and walk through the market area together.
"I've never seen so many Faunus in one place!" Sun said.
"Too many humans if you ask me." Mordred added, showing that he hasn't seen Faunus before.
" it's not that I haven't seen Fannus it's just that I don't care." Said Mordred.
"We're Faunus not Humans. Say that to the wrong person and they'll try to kill you."
"Let then try." Said Daphne.
Sun said as thankfully no one heard him or even cared a lot towards him.
"This is the one place everyone can feel safe, no matter who or what they are." Blake explained, ignoring the argument.
"Wow, sure is, uh, crowded, huh?" Sun asked.
"Yes. Yes it is." Blake replied.
"Is it always so... cramped?"
"Unfortunately." Said Ghira.
Sun asked as he dodged a Faunus carrying a box.
"Well, when you try and take an entire species and put them on an island that's two-thirds desert, yeah, it tends to be cramped." Blake answered.
"What! You guys have that much more space? Why waste it? A little desert never hurt anyone!" Sun cried.
"Ya!" Cried Sun.
"I have to agree with the monkey. It seems a little wasteful." Mordred added.
"It's not like the desert in Vacuo. The wildlife here is more dangerous than most other regions." Blake explained.
"So, they give us a terrible island, in the corner of Remnant, to try and shut us up." Sun said.
"That's a pretty good summary, yeah." Blake replied.
" it wasn't meant to be like that." Said Ozma.
"Huh. Jerks." Sun said.
"You should fight back and take what you want." Mordred suggested.
"We try to make the best of things." Blake explained.
The two pause in their walk to look at the view of the town the road affords. The road they are on goes downhill and to the side, bordered by palm trees and homes that have either canvas or wood roofs. The vista of palm trees spreads out to the edge of mountainous dunes in the distance. Right in the middle of all this is the Belladonna house with an open courtyard that the road appears to lead directly to. In front of the house was a recent statue erected in honor of the missing Hero of Remnant.
"Whoa…" Sun said.
"This, is Kuo Kuana." Blake explained.
"wait. Isn't that Hawaiian for Trash?" Asked Samus.
"WHAT?!" Shouted the fannus.
"It's... beautiful. I take it all back. This place looks great! Why would anyone ever want to leave?" Sun asked.
"That's not the point, Sun! We asked to be equal, to be treated just like everyone else! Instead, we were given an island and told to make do. So we did the best we could. We came together and we made a home where any Faunus could feel welcome. But this island, this town, will always be a reminder that we're still not equal. That we're still second-class citizens." Blake explained, looking down sadly at that last part.
"Then you should make them respect and treat you as equals by force. People only respect power."
"like the white fang you mean." Said Blake.
" I never said it was a perfect idea." Said Mordred.
Mordred stated.
"Well, hey, this guy's feeling pretty at home." Sun said, pointing at his chest since he doesn't want to put his limbs near Mordred if he can help it.
"Oh yeah? Which one's yours? Can you see it from here?" Sun asked, using his hand like a visor.
"Kind of." Blake replied, knowing what's coming.
"Is it that one? What about that tiny one down there? I'd like the paint job." Sun asked.
"Too much yellow if you ask me." Mordred commented, showing that his favorite color is Black.
"I never would have guessed." Said Blake sarcastically.
"It's... that one." Blake explained, taking Sun's hand to guide him to the biggest house.
Sun stares for a second before pointing his finger at her with a questioning expression. Blake nods. Sun looks at her for a beat before taking his arm off her and stepping back. He covers the sides of his head and crouches a bit, staring wide-eyed at the house and making a comical, amazed noise.
"the shocked monkey." Said Virvid amused.
"HOLY SON OF BANTHASHOOT SHE'S RICH!" Mordred cried, drawing many different stares this time.
With that said, the two and Mordred walk up the stone steps to the front door of the house. Blake hesitates when she moves to use the knocker.
"What is it?" Sun asked.
"I just haven't seen my parents since the Smash Bros. Tournament and I'm afraid to hear what they may think of me running." Blake explained.
"we will always love you." Said Kali.
"Well, you came all this way." Sun said.
"No need to be even more afraid than you already are." Mordred added.
Knowing they are right, Blake takes a quick breath for courage and bangs the door knocker. It makes a loud, heavy, resonating sound on the large door. Sun stares up, stepping back while Blake politely backs away from the door a few paces.
"Okay, if we're being honest, that's kind of intimidating." Sun said, pointing at the door.
" it's meant to scare of people like you." Answered Ghira.
Both Sun and Blake give a start at the sound of the door being opened. Kali, looking around at the visitors. Her ears perk and she moves the door out of the way so she can step forward when she recognizes her daughter but becomes even more surprised when she saw a Nintendon on Blake's shoulder.
"Blake. Is that what I think it is?" Kali asked.
"It" doesn't like being called that and prefers my name, Human."
"how can you missed the ears?" Asked Velvet.
" I didn't miss them I just didn't care." Said Mordred.
Mordred replied, showing that he mistaken Kali for a Human, not a Faunus due to her Cat Ears.
"This is Mordred. Apparently, he is Kirby's Godbrother." Blake explained.
"He's just as cute as Kirby and he's great color too." Kali commented, showing that she loves the color black ironically her name means Black like her daughter and husband.
"You know what they say: The cuter they are, the deadlier they are."
"no one says that." Said Barbra.
Mordred replied as they heard footsteps approaching.
"Kali? Who is it?" The voice of Ghira asked.
Ghira stand with his hands on his hips, waiting to greet the visitor. His quizzical expression changes to wide-eyed surprise, before his hands, shoulders, and face all fall in a clear, emotional reaction to the sight of his daughter come home.
Sun sees this and grins, pleased at Blake's welcome as he turns to look at how she's taking it. Blake has her hands clasped in front of her, awaiting her father's reaction. Kali has not let go, with her hands supportively on Blake's other shoulder.
Ghira says nothing, but smiles, clearly happy. Blake smiles back, relieved. She and Sun exchange sideways glances.
Belladonna Family Home Dining Room
In the next scene Kali sets down her cup on the table. She, Ghira, Sun and Blake with Mordred in her lap all sit on the floor at a square table.
"We were horrified when we heard the news. The Kingdom of Vale isn't perfect, but it certainly didn't deserve what happened. Oh, we were both so worried."
"oh please I would know she would be fine." Promised Ghira.
"Liar." Said Kali.
Kali said.
"Please, I knew she'd be fine!" Ghira added.
"*Scoff* That isn't the slightest bit true. You should have seen him pacing." Kali said, scoffing.
"You guys have nothing to worry about. I've seen your daughter in action before! And trust me, she's got some moves!" Sun said, unknowingly beginning to dig his own grave.
"oh oum please shut up." Said Blake.
Blake, who was sipping from her cup while Sun spoke, abruptly lifts her head and swallows at his last choice of words. Ghira glares at the young man on his right.
"And what exactly do you mean by that, Mr. Wukong?" Ghira asked.
Sun freezes as he looks towards his host who looks like he wants to skin the monkey alive.
"Shame he didn't. I love the taste of monkey tailS." Said Mordred making sun grab his tail nervously.
"I... uh, well, you see sir, it's just that, you know, that she's such a good fighter and all, uh, and as a fellow fighter, I have a lot of respect for her..." Sun stuttered.
"Why is he here again?" Kali asked, leaning in to quietly ask her daughter.
"And her fighting. But also for her..." Sun tried.
"He just kind of followed me home." Blake explained.
"Just Like Ghira." Said Kali.
"...because of her fighting. Not her looks. I mean, not to say she's not good-looking. She is! Very! Or..." tried Sun.
"I see." Said Kali.
"...slightly, I mean she's definitely above average. I mean, uh..." Sun said.
Sun struggles for words as all three Belladonnas and one puffball watch him and wait for him to either get out of the hole he just talked himself into or keep digging.
In the awkward silence, Sun uses his tail to pick up the tea kettle and pour some more tea into his cup.
"This tea is really good. *sip's* Heh-uh." Sun said nervously.
"I like him." Kali said in approval.
"KALI!" Groaned Ghira.
"Mom!" Blake cried turning towards her in embarrassment.
The loud sound of the front door knocker resonates, catching everyone's attention.
"Darn it, I completely forgot about the meeting!" Ghira cried as he hits his fist onto the table and Kali quickly covers it with her hand.
"Ghira…" Kali said, calming him down.
"Give me a moment." Ghira replied, taking a deep breath.
After a moment he gets up and starts heading for the door.
"Is everything okay?" Blake asked.
"Yes, dear, just poor timing. He can reschedule. It's just been hard dealing with them lately." Kali explained, confusing them a bit.
"Dealing with who?" Mordred asked.
"Hmm? The White Fang."
"Please don't be Adam." Asked Blake.
Kali answered.
"WHAT?!" Sun and Blake cried in unison, standing up and accidentally knocking Mordred over.
Blake and Sun rush to the door, where Ghira and April is speaking with two fox Faunus, Corsac and Fennec.
"Ohhhh that's ironic." Said Ilia.
The two visitors maintain respectful, formal postures, keeping their hands clasped before them.
"Dad!" Blake cried.
"Blake, what's wrong?" Ghira asked.
"Miss Belladonna." Corsac greeted.
"We had no idea you'd returned." Fennec added.
"What are you doing talking to these people?" Blake asked.
"This is Corsac and Fennec Albain. They represent the White Fang here in Menagerie now."
"I hope that's not a bad thing." Said Ben.
April Moon explained.
"Those psychos are here, too?!" Sun cried.
"Young man, I'm not sure what you've heard of our organization, but I can assure you, we're not nearly as ferocious as the media would have you believe." Fennec assured.
"What we've heard? We've seen firsthand. Your fanatics slaughtered people!" Blake cried.
"What is she talking about?" Ghira Asked.
"Precisely what we wanted to talk to you about, Your Grace." Corsac replied.
"Is everything okay?" Kali asked as she approached.
"Wait, you guys seriously don't know?" Sun asked.
"Know what?" Ghira asked, turning towards Blake with a dangerous tone.
"The White Fang was at the Fall of Beacon. They attacked innocent civilians and they released Grimm and Monsters into the school." Blake explained.
"Not a good image if you ask me." Said Kali.
There is a brief silence. Fennec makes an innocent, sideways glance at his brother. Ghira slowly turns to face the two White Fang representatives.
"Is this true?" Ghira asked.
"Sadly, Your Grace, it is true." Fennec replied
"Don't act like you're s—" Blake began before Mordred pointed Death's Grasp at them.
"If they're terrorists just let me end them now." Mordred stated.
"Quick And painless." Said Mordred.
"That's enough! Explain yourselves." the Chieftain ordered the Albain Bros.
"Though it pains us to admit, it has become apparent that the Vale branch of the White Fang is no longer operating under orders of High Leader Khan. Rather, they've elected to follow the rule of one Adam Taurus. I believe you're all familiar with the young adept and his... extreme philosophies." Corsac explained.
"You know, Beacon wasn't the first time the Fang started shooting up Vale!" Sun said.
"The High Council had their suspicions of a splinter group, but they could prove nothing until this latest incident." Fennec explained.
"Incident"? People are dead!" Blake shouted.
"And it is a tragedy." Corsac replied.
"Your Grace, we came to assure you that Brother Taurus and his followers do not represent the will of the White Fang." Fennec promised.
"The last thing we need is him in charge." Said Neptune
"And how can we be sure of that?" Mordred asked, feeling highly suspicious of these two.
"We understand if you bear any skepticism towards these claims. The White Fang's tactics are admittedly, more aggressive since you stepped down as High Leader and became Chieftain of Menagerie. But this, this is no way to make our message heard." Corsac explained.
"We have ample documentation from the council meeting, as well as several strategies to apprehend and punish these strays if you care to review them." Fennec explained.
"I will, but another day. I'd like some time to reconnect with my daughter." Ghira replied.
"But of course, Your Grace." Corsac replied.
"We completely understand. It was a pleasure to see you again, young Blake." Fennec added.
"We were saddened when we heard of your departure from the White Fang, but understand if you can no longer support our cause." Corsac said.
"It is a wearying fight, after all without Tennyson still here it is rather difficult than ever before." Fennec added, almost sad that Ben was still missing.
" I don't trust these guys as far as I can throw them." Said Ruby.
"Who says I'm done fighting? Ben may be missing, but that doesn't mean I'm done." Blake replied.
"Hmm... If you ever do wish to return, you need merely come find us." Corsac said.
"Sister Ilia would be elated." Fennec added.
"Are you working with this Adam Taurus?" Mordred asked, making the two who brought him thank he's just paranoid.
"You really do sound paranoid." Said Kara.
"Of course not, young alien." the two brothers replied in unison, unknowingly digging their own grave due to Mordred.
'They were lying through their teeth. These Humans may just have extra attachments, but I can still tell a lie when I hear one. I need to get proof first though.'
"You better not remove their Traits." Said Velvet.
Mordred thought, once again calling Faunus Humans and not really caring for their Extra Animal Attachments or Traits.
"Then goodbye, gentlemen." Ghira finished, closing the door.
He firmly closes the door on them. Kali moves to stand closer and face her husband while Blake walks off.
"So... those guys were creepy." Sun said, pointing at the door.
"I really don't like you." Ghira replied bluntly.
Outside, the two brothers descend the steps, perfectly in sync and their formally clasped hands. Corsac, however, is now using the prayer posture that Fennec had been using all along.
"An interesting development, wouldn't you say?" Fennec asked his brother.
"Interesting indeed." Corsac replied.
"So, shall we inform Brother Adam?"
"I was afraid of that." Said Blake.
Fennec asked.
"Oh, we shall." Corsac replied, exchanging an uneasy grin with his brother.
Continent of Anima
Village of Higabana.
Back at the tavern in Higanbana, the waitress is scrubbing the floor. The sound of approaching footsteps cease when a voice addresses her, making the waitress look up.
"Excuse me. I was hoping you could... help me find someone." Tyrian said, licking his lips and looking at the Higabana Waitress.
Tyrian laughs maniacally as the camera fades to black, showing only his eyes, before they fade to black as well.
"Ahhh You never forget your first psychopath." Said Ben.
Omake: A Much Needed Talk and A Ride in the Country.
Taking a seat on the couch early in the Morning, Blake started to relax a bit knowing that her parents are safe from Adam at the moment, much to her gratefulness as she didn't know what she would do if he was here or if they weren't all right.
Quickly taking a look around, Blake made sure that there was no one around as she quietly took out her Ninjas of Love book before there was a loud knock on the knocker stopping her before she could even read the first page,
"Bad timing." Said Weiss.
much to her annoyance she had to stop what she was doing and see what the problem was.
Opening the door, Blake to her confusion, saw a lot of people outside all holding various broken objects and items in their hands, much to her confusion.
"Where is the alien!? He broke or destroyed so much of our stuff and someone has to pay!" a Bunny Faunus shouted.
"What else did he destroy?" Blake asked.
"Mostly recruitment stations for the White Fang." A Cat Faunus explained.
"He also released some farm animals and we're missing a pig. We only know it's him because the gate was decayed." A Dog Faunus explained.
"Anything he touches dies. You need to keep him on a tight leash." A Pig Faunus added.
Sighing, Blake closed the door and started to hunt Mordred down finding him in the backyard, slow roasting a pig he somehow managed to steal without anyone noticing.
" Real question is how did you sneak it there?" Asked Kali.
"Mordred, what have you been up to all day? And, how did you get a pig here without anyone noticing?" Blake asked.
"Exploring the island, as for the pig, killed it and drag it here in the middle of the night." Mordred explained, not turning away from the pig before Blake put out the fire with a bucket of water.
"I don't know what life was like on your planet, but you just can't go around taking what you want and doing as you please. Especially when you keep destroying White Fang bases." Blake said.
"And, who's going to stop me? Federation has no jurisdiction and as for the White Fang bases, they're terrorists. The only reason why I haven't killed them is because I doubt you'll take me to Clark if I killed them."
"I'm not wrong." Said Mordred.
Mordred explained.
"The White Fang are bad I agree, but that doesn't mean the same ones who attacked Vale are here." Blake replied.
"You Humans are far too trusting. I found plenty of proof that says otherwise and I decided to reward my efforts by making a feast like the guild always does." Mordred explained.
"Why don't you tell me more about this guild and your society. Princess Daphne refuses to tell us "inferior species" anything, Barbara claims it's on a need to know basis and Kara just won't talk." Blake asked, hoping that if she finds the root of the problem and if she can somehow change him a bit to where he won't be as violent.
"Good luck with that." Said Daphne.
"Hmm... Very well." Mordred replied.
"Nintendon culture is divided into classes. Whatever class you're born and that is the class you are designed to live unless you pass the exam with a perfect score in every way." Explained Mordred.
"What class was Martha in? I know she was a doctor." Blake asked.
"Martha likes to break the rules.
"So she was a rebel." Said Yang.
She was born into the Servant class, but only by Meta Knight's favor she became a doctor. Now please don't interrupt." Mordred explained.
"Nintendons believe in strength above all else, it is said our god, Sakurai, fought in a war with the other gods of the universe until he was the only one. In glory of his victory, Sakurai created us in his own image and with the bodies of his foes they became apart of Pop Star, our world, but not without a cost. With every god that was killed, their angered spirits created our natural disasters. From the god of the earth, he created earthquakes to destroy our homes. From the god of nature, he created our predators to hunt us down, from the god of darkness, he created the Dead King or what do you call the Grim Reaper as well our endless hunger, from the god of fire, he created our Sun as not only a way to show his honor in defeat, but also as a way to demonstrate that fire can be both a gift of life and destruction."
"It's like the brother gods." Said Ozma.
Mordred explained, awing Blake as she thought of the story of the Brother Gods.
"In response to this, our god gifted us with our powers and a select few with the power of magic, granting those with the gift to lead us into glory. With our powers, we went on to conquer the known universe to show our power, but instead of killing everything, we allowed them to live and grant them the choice to become the first Star Warriors to become the guardians of the universe." Mordred explained.
"We have a story like that as well, but I don't have permission to tell it to you." Blake said.
" thank you for not telling that story." Said Ozma.
"Interesting, but what did you want to talk about?" Mordred asked.
"*Sigh* Look. I know it's difficult going from living your Lifestyle to having to change and question everything you know, but please, please try to make a real effort to not cause trouble. You don't have to steal food, I know of your massive hunger, so always come to one of us before you pig out." Blake explained firmly.
Closing his eyes, Mordred started to think about her words before nodding in agreement, finding the deal beneficiary for him in this deal since she is allowing him into her home.
"Very Well. I agree to these terms." Mordred replied.
Smiling, Blake used her magic to dry the wood and then relight the fire, not wanting to let the pig to go to waste, much to his gratefulness as he was like any other Nintendon, he was always hungry.
" on the bright side we now know why they're always hungry." Said Glynda.
Meanwhile on Patch.
Now that Yang regrew her right arm, Kirby being the innocent child he is, believed it was now a good idea to tell Yang about the Wheelies which have taken a liking to Kabu Canyon.
"All right baby, what is it that you want to show me?" Yang asked.
"Look what Miss Death gave me!" Kirby cutely explained.
Looking down in the Canyon, Yang nearly had a heart attack
" and I am far too young to be having heart attacks." Said yang.
when she saw that Kitty was riding on Wheelie Scooter, racing Rouge on Blaze's nearly neck and neck while Kara was riding the Rex Wheelie, showing exactly who is dominant, earning its respect even if she prefers the boards.
"Aren't they cool, Mommy?! Now I can ride a motorcycle just like you!" Kirby asked.
'Oh oum I hate to break his heart like this, but I can't let him or any of them drive on the open road.'
" if you had your way we would never get behind the wheel." Said Kat.
Yang thought.
"Baby, I know that you may like your bikes, but you can't ride on the open road." Yang replied.
"But why? I wanna be just like you and Daddy." Kirby asked, not understanding as he began to cry bit.
"Umm... Well, you see, Kirby. Someone driving may not see that you yourself are driving and may accidentally hurt you or your bike. I'ld be devastated if anything happened to any of you while you were driving."
"That's….. actually a good reason." Said summer.
Yang explained, avoiding his tears as he now understood.
"Can I ride on the sidewalk and other places? They can drive anywhere." Kirby asked.
"Hmm... All right, Baby, just don't let anyone get hurt and always wear a helmet. I'm putting my foot down on that last part."
"Just like me." Said Tai.
Yang replied.
Cheering, Kirby ran down to his bike to tell everyone the good news as they all cheered, not noticing Yang walking away with a worried look on her face.
'I better set up some insurance for them just in case. Better safe than sorry.' Yang thought.
" I don't know what insurance company will ensure a baby and other kids but you did make the right scission." said spring.