A/N: I really apologise for my long absence. Lots of things caught up to me, and I wasn't able to update for a while. That, and being too absorbed into Ck2 really absorbs time. But I'm back and making up for my absence with this update. I hope everyone enjoys, and I hope you all stay safe during Covid-19.

Shadows in the Dark, Part I

Adam Taurus, leader of the Valean White Fang, sat broodily in his own office with a deep frown as he investigated the recent reports shown on his scroll, tapping his finger strongly on his desk.

The recent attacks on SDC assets were becoming increasingly difficult to carry out due to stiffening resistance from SDC and Atlesian soldiers, and the plan to sabotage the SDC fell through with an unexpected attack by some students from Beacon - students with an uncanny talent for merciless killing, costing Roman an arm and several dozen or more of his men.

"And what's more, Blake was there," Said Adam with vitriol, "As if it wasn't enough she betrayed the cause, now she chooses to fight her former brothers..."

Scrolling down, Adam then found a message from Roman. Its contents brought some momentary relief to him.

"Hey, buddy. Just thought I'd tell you that I managed to ship the promised merchandise to somewhere safe and discreet in Vale. I'm telling you, this wasn't an easy snatch, so if I were you, I'd make sure absolutely no one else but our most trusted goons knows of the exchange, okay? Especially not when some Edonese tribesmen are involved."

Edonese tribesmen... Thought Adam, So they're the more ancient-dressed men Roman encountered, from what captured surveillance footage shows. At least I know who to look out for. And that man... that pineapple-headed bastard called Nobunaga, he dares steal Blake's heart.

The thought made him clench his fist in anger. How dare he, how dare this upstart steal his woman. His!

Adam took a few deep breaths to still himself, his anger abating slightly with the action.

"Not all is lost," Said Adam, "These people - Salem's people - still have the resources and means to support our attacks, and we already have inside help in Atlas thanks to them. To take the city of Vale is one thing, but as long as the SDC's still going strong with Jacques at the helm, we won't truly be able to establish ourselves in the northern Kingdom - the only one with the military resources to take us head-on."

Adam then hummed thoughtfully, a dark sinister thought crossing his mind.

"What if... we strike him directly?" Adam said aloud, "Yes, that would be a good plan. But how to infiltrate the SDC headquarters and sabotage them without being noticed?"

Adam then scrolled through his contacts, finding a very familiar one in his contact list.

"Well then, time to see if my benefactors can help me with this one."

IIOII

Jacques Schnee, President of the Schnee Dust Corporation, hummed in delight at the recent reports he was reading on his scroll; the use of cheap Faunus labour allowed for the massive cutting of production costs, ensuring nothing but higher profits being reaped from the SDC's business operations. Better still, with his marriage to Willow, his legitimacy as owner and runner of the SDC was all but cemented.

"All the better that such wealth is in my hands, rather than some unworthy Faunus," Jacques muttered.

Putting down the Scroll, he then beckoned a nearby butler, saying, "A cup of tea for me, please."

"Of course, Sir," Said the butler.

His preferred brew was fine Earl Brown Tea, with its distinctively sweet aroma and taste and deep brown body. Served in a fine porcelain cup, he dismissed the butler and took his cup of tea in hand as he walked towards a nearby window, sipping it slowly as he took in the scenery of the city of Atlas.

"I was a child when I first learned why the Faunus must never be allowed their 'deserved' rights and dues," Jacques muttered to himself, "My family was one amongst many in poverty, my father struggling to get a job whilst our mother struggled to care and feed me and my three siblings."

Jacques took another sip, eyes darkening as dark memories resurfaced.

"Pa would often spend his days drinking himself into a stupor, venting his frustrations on poor Ma and us," He said, "Not a day went by we didn't live in fear of him. It wasn't long until we heard the news that he died in a car accident. We struggled to provide for ourselves, much less attend school or educate ourselves with whatever academic material we could get. Eventually, Ma died from overwork, and we eventually went our own separate ways. I managed to attend university and pass with flying colours, and when the SDC was looking for fresh blood, I leapt at the chance to finally advance myself, to ensure I'd never life a poor man's life again."

Another long sip was taken, the tea now tasting bitter on the man's tongue.

"Then I heard the news that I was passed over for a Faunus," Said Jacques, "All my years' work, ruined because they decided that a Faunus's right to employment took priority over mine. That damned Nicholas... to think he dares slight less fortunate Humans this way."

Jacques' hand began to shake in anger, and only his rational thoughts prevailing ensured he gently put down the fragile china cup onto the nearby table.

"He must be rolling over in his grave now, since I'm running his legacy into the ground," He said with a dark smile, "My son and daughters must also learn that to truly endure in this dog-eat-dog world of ours, we must learn to be ruthless; no need to care for Faunus rights, for what matters in the face of hunger and poverty? I will not - and never will - go back to that life ever again."

He walked towards a hanging portrait of the deceased Nicholas Schnee on the wall, the founder of the SDC having passed away from heart failure.

"You know, Nicholas, I don't find it all that surprising that you became so weary from work - easy enough to convince you to hand the reigns to me," Jacques said to the portrait, "Neither is it surprising that you eventually died from all the accumulated stress. After all, heroes die of overwork, especially heroes to Faunus."

Jacques then heard his scroll ringing to life, and he answered the caller.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Wills," Said Jacques, "Is there something you need from me?"

"Actually, yes, Mr. Schnee," Said Wills, "It's regarding a gravely important matter."

Louis Wills, an Atlesian businessman and a fellow anti-Faunus racist, was a portly man with an arrogant disposition to many he deems of lower rank, though he easily defers to those clearly his superiors. Narrow eyes, balding brown hair and a flabby body from one too many glasses of whiskey and cigars, he was the epitome of a pig fattened on the years of financial success he enjoyed.

"Alright, what is it?" Asked Jacques.

"It's regarding the latest intel my contacts gave me," Said Louis, "You know the upcoming business meeting between the SDC, my company and three others, yes? Apparently, the White Fang plan to attack during that meeting and kill us all, probably hoping to decapitate our leadership and hamper our efforts against them."

Jacques merely rolled his eyes at this.

"Once free-loading savages, always free-loading savages," He said, "But I thank you nonetheless for bringing this to my attention. I will be sure to tighten security measures accordingly."

"Then let us toast to our continued prosperity, and that of Human superiority, Mr. Schnee," Said Louis, lifting a glass of wine.

"Cheers, Mr. Wills," Said Jacques, lifting his own teacup.

A/N: I'll probably be sticking to 1k word-long chapters for now, with how busy I am on both Questionable Questing and Alternatehistory. Also, since I'm getting back to the story, I figured I'd tell you guys that I'm planning to edit the beginning chapters until our heroes' inaguration into Beacon. That's because having re-read them, I figured that I'd take a different introduction into the story.

Furthermore, I'll be editing the dialogue between the characters in some chapters to fit more with their actual personalities in SW. That's it for now, and until then, stay safe.