Chapter 14 Gathering and Growing

Koi

Kali

She stepped out of the Sacred Pool of Tranquility glowing. She stepped forward took a deep breath and then she listened.

"Remember young Belladonna, your path is not an easy one. We have awakened your inner beast. This will enhance your senses and as it stands you are a true alpha. It will only ever submit to your dragon."

"Wait what?"

"Trust that this will aid you on your journey. Good Luck."

The Koi stopped glowing in the shade of her aura and returned to their majestic white and were silent once more.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breathe.

She then stopped to listen. Her sense of hearing was always impeccable with being a Faunus to begin with.

This was different. It was much like being given a different level of clarity.

Like she had been watching the world through a blurred view and someone had just removed the film to help see everything in such a clearer picture altogether.

This went for all of her senses.

She opened her eyes and she saw a different view entirely.

The Koi were infinitely more massive than she had first thought. Each leaf and flower that had surrounded her looked like it was living art.

She was in awe.

In her mind she knew she had to gather the Faunus to help protect Haven and in her heart she knew instinctively that she would find her Dragon there as well.

She turned to the Koi.

"Thank you."

She bowed her head in reverence.

She then went upstairs. She and found both of her parents. For a moment she just looked at them.

Both of whom ran forward and enveloped her into a family hug.

"Thank you."

"Blake?"

"You may not have been apart of my life for a lot of things, but thank you for helping me find my way."

"Someone had to give you a kick into the right direction."

Blake gave a small smile.

"You feel different."

"I am different. The Koi have awakened my inner beast."

"That is a rare gift indeed."

"Really?"

"Most unpaired Faunus that have entered The Sacred Pool of Tranquility have turned into Koi or spit out drained of their will to live for being told that our significant other was no longer among the living."

Blake almost blanched as the image of Yang's dead body came to mind.

She shook it off and then looked at her mother.

"I come from a strong line of Faunus."

"That you do.

She looked to her mother.

They shared a look of understanding.

"We love you."

"I love you too. I do want to try and bring Ilia onto our side."

"Are you insane?! She drugged you, kidnapped you, and planned to do who knows what-"

"She could be a viable asset. I just need to talk to her."

"What makes you so sure that this time will make any difference with her!?"

"I now have a different level of persuasion on my side."

"Oh?"

"Yes."

Her eyes flashed a shade of violet that matched her partners.

Kali felt the duality of being timid and in awe of her daughter.

She nodded her head, ears pinned back, in silent acquiescence.

Her father wasn't as submissive, but as she looked at him it was apparent that his clan had found a true alpha.

A leader that would be just and would only ever submit to their partner.

He followed suit and dropped any further arguments he had.

The sheer amount of power his daughter now held was formidable.

"We need to have a meeting with our people and then head to Haven."

"I will go and gather our people."

Blake nodded and then he left.

"Please prepare to leave I have a lizard to deal with."

"Yes, dear."

Blake then left the house and went for a walk.

Testing out her new skillset she walked and waited to strike.

Immediately she knew she had been followed. She walked a ways out and then she paused and looked to the ocean and then she waited.

She left a shadow clone of hers and watch as it was shattered by Ilia's weapon.

It was as if time had slowed down for her.

She could see everything as if it were in slow motion.

To Ilia it was but an instant and she had been disarmed and held at gun point.

"Just do it."

"No."

"Why not!?"

"Because you are on the wrong side in all of this."

"I kidnapped you, I wanted to ruin you, I-"

"-Wanted to make me yours. When you know very well that I will never be."

"I love you!"

Ilia was a shade of pink.

"I know."

Ilia felt as if she'd been slapped. Then she turned a shade of somber blue.

"Why should I-"

"Because you know that what Adam is doing is not doing the Faunus any good and any real reason as to you being on his side was all due to your feelings of abandonment by me."

Ilia bowed her head.

"Why did you leave me behind?!"

"I didn't do it on purpose. I had just pulled back the curtain and saw Adam for the true monster that he was when he had ordered me to set off explosions while peoples lives were at stake. In my mind all I could do was cut and run. I didn't look back."

"Would you have thought to ask if you hadn't panicked?"

"I don't know. All I do know is that leaving you behind was not on my mind in the slightest."

"Bringing me along wasn't either. Why would you even bother when I-."

"As revolting and as toxic as you tried to be I know you are not too far gone."

"If you want my help you have to make me submit. Otherwise I will do everything in my power to sabotage any plans you may have."

"Is that how it has to be?"

"Yes, why would I bother joining a side that doesn't bother giving me any thought let alone making me a priority? Besides if I do submit to you my inner beast will shut down my envy in favor of listening to my alpha."

"It wasn't done out of malice."

"Of that I understand."

In her heart of hearts she did understand that Blake wouldn't have left her out of malice. Her loyalty to Adam was only ever fueled by her feelings of betrayal from Blake.

She knew she would do anything for Blake even though all she had ever wanted was for her to be hers even if for a moment.

Fed up Blake shook her head.

"So be it."

Ilia dodged and rolled from under her.

Then launched herself at Blake.

Anticipating this Blake was no longer there as she side stepped this attack using a shadow clone.

Ilia scrambled and reclaimed her weapon.

It was an encounter unlike any other for Blake because Ilia, much like herself, was nimble.

It was like a dance. Each would attack and dodge in a myriad of flips and lunges.

Their weapons connected and sparks flew as Blake toyed with her prey.

She let it go on for a bit more before she knocked Ilia on her ass and then she stood over her and roared.

As she did her great beast one reminiscent of a giant panther flashed and outlined her silhouette.

Her eyes flashed purple as she stepped on Ilia's chest and stared her down.

Ilia shuddered at what she saw then bared her neck in submission.

Blake nodded and then slowly let her up. Taking note of the tears that were in her eyes.

"I'm sorry. I will get over you eventually. As for Adam, he plans on moving in with his attack in 2 weeks."

"Well then that gives us time to act and an advantage because he won't see it coming. When this is over consider yourself forgiven."

Blake stepped up off of Ilia and helped her up just to realize they had been watched by a small gathering of people.

As Blake stepped forward to head home they had parted a path for her.

Ilia followed her home. As did the crowd but it had grown to a great mass by the time she had reached her destination.

Her parents and Sun had been waiting for her out in front of the house.

Her father had been giving a speech.

"You all must know that a Faunus by name of Adam Taurus has succeeded in infiltrating the White Fang and had thus far acted in a way that tarnishes the

reputation of a organization that originally wanted to grant peace and equality to all Faunus. He is also responsible for aiding the fall of Beacon.

The longer this traitor stays in power the lesser the chance it gives us to bring down our oppressors and unify humans and Faunus as a whole. I now refer your attention to my daughter Blake."

She looked to them and then turned to her audience.

"We are Faunus.

All I have ever wanted was for us to have equality.

We're just as capable of hate and violence as the humans but I don't think any of us would jump at the chance to point that out.

So why are we letting Adam do it for us?

By doing nothing and staying silent, we let others speak and act in our place. And if we're not proud of the choices they make , then we have no on to blame but ourselves.

If no one stops him Adam Taurus will bring nothing but a new level of chaos to the world if no one stops him.

We can stop him!

There are no simple answers when it comes to making hate go away, but I know that needless violence is not the solution.

I understand that asking you to leave your homes and protect Haven Academy is asking you to put your lives at risk, but that is what's at stake.

So I'm going and I will stand by myself if I have to!"

Her inner beast then roared. It was with this roar that was heard by all of the Faunus that woke them up.

They then started to volunteer almost as a whole.

They had now come to the understanding that a true alpha has come forth.

"We leave as soon as we are able. We will host training sessions for those leaving to be ready for what is to come."

She turned and looked to her parents.

Sun chose this moment to make his presence known.

"So you look better."

"Unless you want to come clean I have nothing to say to you."

"Look I-"

"No you look! I know I saw Pyrrha that night and you keep denying that and for that I have no time to listen your excuses!"

"I just didn't want to admit to seeing a dead person."

She heard him, but ignored him.

She gave her attention back to her parents.

"I know a boat captain that owes me a favor. We will travel to Haven and there is where things will get interesting."

From there they made the preparations needed to fight and travel to their destination.

Each day that passed Blake got used to her new found abilities.

Her beast was primal and strong and it strengthened each of her Faunus traits.

She longed for Yang and she missed the rest of her team.

She was helping with the loading of cargo onto the ship when she felt a shift in the air and everything went dark.