AN: Hey everyone, I have the next chapter here. Thank you for all the support this series has gotten here and on Tv Tropes. This chapter has the return of a few characters who were absent from the story for a while. Still, the sorrowful moments continue with a few more revelations. Hope you enjoy this chapter, leave a review with your comments and questions, and have a nice day.
Chapter 32 – Separate Ways
Blake.
At Beacon Academy, Blake opened the door to her room with the Malachite twins following close behind. The black cat faunus was now in her normal attire, her head no longer bandaged. Melanie's eyes focused on the makeshift bunkbeds, shaking her head is dissatisfaction, "I can see they don't have a carpentry class at this school." The white twin commented as Blake frantically went through her nightstand drawer, "You were just released from the hospital, take it easy."
"We lost a lot of time; I need to make sure I have enough dust and ammo on hand." Blake responded, before finding a black clip with rainbow-colored rounds, "Weiss gave me this in case of emergency." She said before pocketing the clip.
Miltia sat in Blake's bed, looking at the pillars of books, "You seem to read a lot." She said with the black cat faunus continuing to look through her nightstand. The red twin continued to look around before finding a black book next to the pillow, "Hm?" She said before opening it and reading, "Oh!" She said before smirking at Blake, "Were you reading this alone?"
"Hey, don't read that!" Blake said before looking over at taking back the black book, her face slightly red, "I'm almost done here, then we can move unto finding the White Fang Killer." She said before putting the book in her nightstand, "I thought I had a spare scroll in here, but I can't"
"Oh yeah, here." Melanie said before reaching into her pocket and pulling out a scroll, "I took it from after we got to the hospital." She said with Blake taking the scroll, a scowl on her face, "Hey, your battery was dead, and I charged it. Just slipped my mind until now. You're welcome." The white twin said while crossing her arms.
Blake turned on her scroll and sighed, "Twenty-six missed calls from my mom. Forty-four from my dad." She said to herself, but noticed something, "Achilles hasn't called me in a while. Come to think of it, his flight should have landed yesterday."
"Who's Achilles?" Miltia asked.
"My boyfriend," Blake responded before having a look of confusion, "Where is he?"
"You think he dumped you?" Melanie responded, "I mean, it doesn't seem like neither of you wants to talk with each other."
"That's not true, I-" Blake said before remembering all the times she sent his calls to voicemail, "I just didn't want him to get involved in my problems." She said before closing her scroll, "Maybe this is for the best."
"Was he hot?" Miltia asked with Blake and Melanie glaring back, "What?"
Blake sighed before taking another look through her nightstand drawer, "Let's just get going, I think I have all I need now." She said before she was about to close the drawer. However, the back cat faunus stopped upon seeing a photo of her team. Yang held one of the beds over her head as Blake carried a stack of books. Ruby and Weiss sat in the corner with rope in their hands and a confused look on their face. Blake smiled as she turned the photo around, seeing the message on the back from her leader. Team RWBY: Day One! The black cat faunus decided to pocket the photo, knowing this would be how she would keep her friend with her now. "Okay, let's go," Blake said with Malachite twins nodding, leading to the three exiting the room.
Achilles.
At the hidden White Fang Base, Achilles remained in shackles. He looked over to Sheba, who was on her shift of watching the swift hero. She wore a set of reading glasses as she wrote in an account book, but a look of concern was on her face, "At this rate, we won't have the budget to last until the end of the month." Sheba said before scratching her head.
Achilles did not say a word, rather looking through a hole in the curtain. In the distance, he saw Atalante. She sat on a flat rock, reading a book to a group of faunus children. Despite knowing her origin of hate, Achilles saw a smile on the faunus alter's face. After the story had ended, she closed the book and walked over to the tent, "Time for us to switch," Atalante said with Sheba taking off the glasses.
"Okay, I need to talk with Sienna." The jackalope faunus responded before sighing, "She is not going to be happy." Atalante focused on Achilles with a cold glare, taking the seat as Sheba left.
A few seconds of silence fell between then before Achilles spoke up, "Why are there so many kids here now?"
"Our members know that their children are not safe with the Killer still at large." Atalante responded, "Most parents send their children here since this is the most protected base." She said while looking out towards a group of over a dozen faunus kids playing, "And I will protect them, no matter what."
"I guess that is another trait you inherited from Sis," Achilles responded, "Still, you and I both know about someone else who needs protection from this Killer."
"Blake can take care of herself or get herself killed. Either way does not matter to me." Atalante coldly responded, "Do not forget, I am her alter that was formed from a hatred unlike anything you can understand." She crossed her arms as Achilles scowled, "I held back my anger once, but if I see her again, I will kill her." A silence fell between them again, but this time, Atalante spoke up, "…The reason you came here was to make sure Blake was safe. It was Atalanta who advised you to do that?"
"Yeah, how did you know?" Achilles responded.
"…I gave that same advice to someone else." Atalante said as she broke eye contact, "Her name was Ilia Amitola. We got off on the wrong foot, but after some missions together, she knew I was loyal to the White Fang. She confided to me about her love for Blake." She said with Achilles slight gasping, "I told her to go after Blake, confess her feelings, and protect each other in a new life."
Achilles looked down before speaking up, "You said you have Blake's memories," He asked with remorse in his voice, "What would she have said to Ilia's offer?"
"Blake does not feel the same way about Ilia as Ilia did for Blake. She looked at her as a friend, while Ilia wanted to be more than that." Atalante responded, "Despite this knowledge, I still gave her that advice. At worst, she would have to start the new life alone, but would be safe from the White Fang Killer." Achilles looked up to see remorse in the Faunus Alter's eyes, "But I was naïve to think that was the worst possible outcome."
"She's dead, isn't she?" Achilles asked, despite knowing the answer.
"Yes, the base that she went to was raided. After I found out and informed Sienna, she decided to head to the nearest base to Ilia's last location. We hope to find the White Fang Killer and avenge everyone this monster has killed." Atalante spoke before leaning back in her chair, "And now, I don't wish to talk anymore." She said as Achilles also went silent.
Sienna.
In a different tent, Sienna was standing while examining a map of Remnant, one that was littered with red X's. At a nearby table, Sheba sat while taking off her glasses. Across from her was Caenis, who was reading a recently faxed document, "I can't believe the Belladonna's sent us this message." She said before turning to her leader, "What do you think, is it legitimate?"
"It's Ghira's handwriting, and it went through the only channel I allowed him to use to get in contact with me." Sienna said before sitting the table, "Still, this is a request I never thought I would get from him."
"Converting the White Fang into an army for Apocrypha, it is pretty wild." Sheba responded, "I can speak from experiences, that kingdom does need more than a few heroic spirits close villages if they want safety for the citizens. Especially when they cannot arrive on time for an invasion."
"Yeah, it is a hard place to live if you are not part of the overpowered crowd." Caenis added on, then turning back to Sienna, handing her the document, "Khan, it's not like the other kingdoms. Faunus are not treated poorly for the way they were born."
"Were running out of funds and medical supplies, all we have are soldiers to scared to fight the White Fang Killer." Sheba said as Sienna reread the message, "This opportunity is pretty sudden, but it might be our only chance to keep the spirit of the White Fang alive."
"He mentioned this group killed Columbus, who was masquerading as one of the White Fang Killers." Sienna spoke up as she read, "As well, they saved White Fang members from being sold off into slavery." She then put down the paper, "The positives are all there, but what is the worst-case scenario?" The Leader of the White Fang said with a scowl, "We tell them our locations, and they come into massacre us all. A part of me still thinks this White Fang Killer is an act from the Atlas Military to wipe us off the face of the planet. And this message is their last play before achieving this goal."
"That thought crossed my mind too," Caenis responded, "They do seem oddly forgiving of all our past actions if we agree to help them now."
"Based on the information we have, this is really a coin flip if it will end good or bad for us." Sheba added, but her faunus ears started to drupe, "Still, these kids cannot stay here like this. They're asking about their parents, and I don't know how to tell them that…" She said before a tear started to form in her right eye.
"Right now, we need just a bit more information." Sienna responded before looking to Caenis, "After you switch shifts with Atalante, tell her to gather information on the military officials listed in this hypotactic army." The Leader of the White Fang ordered with her Champion nodding, "I have a feeling some members were omitted from this list."
"Understood," Caenis said as she took the document.
"Now, the two of you get some rest," Sienna responded, "I need to contact our other bases about the situation." She said before Caenis and Sheba left. However, the White Fang Champion hid outside the exit, glancing back at her leader. Sienna held her head in her hands, looking down at the table, "We have lost so many brothers and sisters. I cannot let their sacrifices be in vain." She said, but tears started to fall onto the table, "I cannot make any more mistakes." She said with Caenis remaining silent, then walking away with a sight.
"Khan, you shoulder a heavy burden," The White Fang Champion said before tightening her fists, "No matter what, I will make your wish come true." She said with a look of focus in her eyes.
Yang.
The vehicle had pulled up to the destroyed plains. Kintoki ran out the passenger seat, a look of panic on his face. He made his way to the scorched house, "Mom! Mom!" He yelled, but was met with only silence, "Come on, stop hiding! Mom, come out!" The golden rider continued to yell as Yang and the others approached him, "You said you were the strongest, there's no way you could lose. MOM!" Kintoki yelled again but was met with no response. He then fell to his knees, his arms went limp, and his head bent forward, "I…I didn't even say I love you at the end of our call." He said as tears dripped past his sunglasses.
As they looked at the battlefield, Yang's eyes filled with rage, "Damnit! If only that bastard didn't slow us down." She said with the King of Savagery coming to her mind. She then looked over to Gilgamesh, who placed his hand on Kintoki's back. The blond outlaw's eyes then turned back to normal, "I'm sorry, Sakata." She said to the golden rider. Yang then noticed Sisigou on his scroll, "Isn't that a bit rude." She said with a scowl towards the necromancer.
"I just got a slew of messages from Asclepius." Sisigou responded, "Raven is back at his clinic, having taken a lot of damage in a fight."
"What!?" Yang shouted back, "Are you kidding me with this! We just left there; it will take us days to get back."
"I know, which is why Asclepius got Raven to use her portals to take them to one of his other clinics. This one is only a day's ride at most, in the last town we passed on our way here." Sisigou said as he looked over the message, "What's confusing me is that he says Raven is not the Spring Maiden."
"What!?" Kintoki overheard as he looked up, "Are you saying my Mom is still alive."
"I just said Raven didn't get her powers, I don't know what Raikou's fate was." The necromancer responded, looking over the area, "We fought Raven before. Even if she was holding back, I don't think she could have taken on a Maiden alone. This battlefield looks like there were multiple people after the Spring Maiden."
"But," Kintoki said, "There is a chance she is alive?" He said as Sisigou got another message, but this one caused him to grit his teeth, "What did Asclepius say now?"
"It's not from him, it's from Kiritsugu." Sisigou responded, "He needs me back in Vale right now."
"This mission was part of your wish from winning Grand Order," Gilgamesh said.
"I know, I'm sorry Yang." Sisigou said as he looked to the blond outlaw, "If what he sent me is true, I cannot help you now. I need to get back before it's too late."
"It's okay, I get it. You wouldn't bring it up unless it was really important." Yang responded, "And you already did a lot more than I could have done on my own." She then had a small smile, "When you get back to Vale, tell Junior I said hi."
"Yang," Kintoki walked up to the blond outlaw, "I am sorry, but I need to look for my Mom. If there is a chance-"
"Don't worry, I know how you feel." Yang responded, "Just…be careful." She said with him smiling back with a nod. The blond outlaw then turned back to Gilgamesh, "Looks like it is just you and me now."
"Yes, but it's all we need," Gilgamesh said with a smile for snapping his right fingers, creating to portals of his Gate of Babylon. Suddenly, the motorcycles emerged with Bumblebee and Gilgilmachine MkII in front. As he walked over to the bikes, Yang turned back to the Sisigou and Kintoki.
"Call us if you need anything," Yang said with both nodding, "Take care." She then returned to her motorcycle with the King of Heroes tossing her the helmet, "If I see Raven again, I don't know what I'll do this time." She said as she looked at her reflection in the visor, seeing her eyes red again with rage.
"Oh, leave that to me." Gilgamesh responded as Yang took off her hat for the helmet, "I have a plan that should make you cry with tears of joy." The King of Heroes said with Yang having a look of confusion, causing him to start his ride. He took the lead as the blond outlaw followed.
Sisigou watched them leave before turning to Kintoki, "I'll take the car back, Vale's going to be a long drive." He said with the golden rider nodding, "If she's out there, you'll find her."
"Thanks," Kintoki said with a weak smile forming. Sisigou responded in kind before returning to the car. He started the vehicle and drove off, leaving the golden rider alone. The smile faded from Kintoki's face as he looked back to the destroyed home, "If she is out there," He said before walking towards the house, "She must have left a clue." Kintoki pushed aside a burnt support beam in front of the door. Upon making his way to the kitchen, he noticed a scorched dish on the floor. After kneeling and picking it up, the smell of burnt apples reached his nostrils. As tears reformed in his eyes, he heard a faint crackling. To him, this was the sound of something sparking, like static electricity.
Kintoki stood up and made his way to the origin of the sound. He entered what was once his mother's bedroom. Everything had been burnt to a crisp, except one item. The golden rider found a letter that was sealed with a kiss. However, the lipstick radiated a small aura, emitting a flash of pink lightning around the paper. With slight hesitation, Kintoki opened the letter. Upon reading its contents, he fell back in shock.
Meanwhile.
Sisigou drove in silence across the land. However, he sighed as sweat gathered on his forehead, "Why is it suddenly so hot in here?" The necromancer said before turning up the air conditioning. However, hidden under the back seat, Chole tried her best to stay quiet. But with each bump in the road, the Fall Maiden's pain grew more unbearable.
AN: There you go, Blake now has her V2 upgrade locked and loaded. Achilles is still held captive and you also get a bit more context as to why Ilia went after Blake the way she did. Sienna now knows about Weiss' groups actions but is still hesitant on the whole idea. To also clarify, she does not know Adam was let out of jail for this mission. Yang's group splits up. She and Gilgamesh go to confront Raven. Sisigou and certain stowaway head back to Vale. And Kintoki learns of the true fate of his Mama, but we will not see his side of the story for a while. Next chapter, Weiss' group makes a little shopping trip. While Raven has a conversation with a certain King. As well, the end of that chapter will have a new player to the mix. I don't want to spoil it, but if you thought Mama was strong… this character is insane. That is all for now, thanks for reading, and hope to see you in the next chapter.
