Timrocks99: Well I think the fights ended that way with a combination of the enemy's strategy and a lack of cooperation with Team RWBY. Remember that school just started for these girls so they haven't really fought together much. The ones who have fought together in this story are Yang and Ruby or Blake and Yang. If it was Yang and Blake against Adam they could've pulled it off. Also, Ilia didn't really beat Blake or Ruby; she got the drop on them by setting a trap. Adam played smart and was lucky to go against those two in particular with his semblance being a good counter to Yang's and harsh history with Weiss throwing her off mentally. If I'm being honest that's really why those pairs were chosen: so they could lose.

Lian Garcia: Sorry I only read and speak English, but thank you for the review.

Saramus92: Yeah this chapter is gonna be really angst but I hope you like it. Thank you for the praise and the support. Feedback is always good to hear.

Ithan Yamil: Same problem as above. Sorry.

Her body felt empty; she found herself in a void of darkness so thick that she could not see through it. Then, white light began to illuminate the area allowing her to see. She felt that this place was familiar like she had been her before, or that someone familiar was here; it felt nostalgic somehow. She tried to move but her body would not respond. All she could do was stare into the void as it lit up in a white light.

As she began to remember her surroundings, a lone cloaked figure stood facing away from her. Her voice called out, but there was no sound to echo through the void. Regardless of that the figure did seem to notice her presence as it turned to face her. As the figure looked at her she could not see it's face but could feel an emotion radiating off its presence. She heard it's voice echo in her mind.

"Wake up."

Ruby's eyes shot open as she awoke from her slumber. She quickly shut them back to brace herself against the oncoming headache from the morning light. Ruby groaned as she gripped her head while wincing from the pain.Her mind was blaring so much that she could hardly remember the dream. She began to slowly blink in order to take in her surroundings and what she saw sent up her standing upright; She was locked in a steel cage. Ruby felt around her neck to find the aura blocker collar still on her person.

Ruby looked to her surroundings to find that she was not the only one in captivity. Rows of people were locked away in more cages; some even had aura collars on them as well. Usually, there was only one human in each cage but Ruby could spot a couple of children occupying one at a time. She could see from her position that the formation of steel cages were set in a location that looked like the middle of a settlement. Ruby assumed it was the settlement of Valliant even though it now appeared completely desolated and smoldering.

Ruby coughed as she tried not to inhale black smoke that the wind sent her way. She accessed that her team was too late to stop an assault on Valliant; most of the town's buildings were burnt down with the occupants in cages. What was left standing was a large complex at what appeared to be the center of the place. She got a good view as she and the other prisoners were placed close by. Ruby could see more armed faunas terrorists stationed as patrolling guards throughout the building with some standing close by the cages.

Ruby braced her hands against the bars. "Hello?" Her small voice called out.

No one answered. Ruby looked at her fellow prisoners to see that those who heard her actively turned away. She saw a boy in a cell close by who looked around her age and was covered in burn marks. So she called out to him in a louder voice.

"Is this Valliant? Please tell me what happened here?" She asked.

The boy turned away as he tried to ignore her.

"Please answer me? What is happening?"

"Shut up." He whispered harshly. "You're going to get us killed. See that over there." He pointed to a large plume of black smoke coming from behind the facility. "Whoever got out of line was taken there. That fire is not from burning buildings." He glared at her but spoke like he was pleading.

Ruby's eyes widened at the implication of his statement. The boy took notice of her horrified expression and knew the message was clear so he turned his body away. Ruby looked at the nearest guards and saw that they were eyeing the prisoner; looking like they were waiting for a reason to act. Then, Ruby finally noticed that of the dozens of people in a cell not a single one was faunas.

'This can't be right. This doesn't make sense.' Ruby thought in horror as she turned to all the scared victims in their cages then back at the black Bull terrorists. 'This is just….cruelty. I look around and all I see is hate. What is going to happen to me. No! What is going to happen to my team! Where are they!' Ruby began frantically searching for her team's faces only to not find them among the cells.

Normally she would be happy about this but she saw Blake get taken too and she does not know if Weiss and Yang are even okay. Ruby lowered her form to the bottom of her cell. Her eyes began brimming with tears as she pulled the hood of her cloak over her head. She was actively trying not to cry.

"Not again" Ruby whispered brokenly.

Blake

"Let me out!" Blake yelled as she pounded her fist againsts the metallic door. "At least tell me where my team is. Would someone just answer me?" She continued to cry out.

Eventually, Blake huffed and sat down in the corner of the room. There was a table with chairs in the middle of this office but she chose not to sit there. After her capture last night, she was brought into the command complex and was locked in this room since then. She assumed this was for interrogation but Blake was confused as to why she wasn't brought to a proper cell. She fingered the collar on her neck while contemplating this.

Blake did not have too much time to think by herself as the large metal door opened to Ilia. She was looking at Blake through the dark bull mask as the door sealed itself. She began to make her way across the room. Blake stiffened at this this action and glared at Ilia.

"I don't have anything to say to you." Blake narrowed her eyes.

"Really? No words for an old friend." Ilia said while smirking.

"You already showed me you don't want to listen." Blake replied.

Illia rolled her eyes. "Come on and cut the act out already. This room is soundproof and the cameras are off."

"What? Act?" Blake was very confused.

"Wait? You thought that was real?" Ilia questioned. "Come on Blake I gave all the signals."

"Was that before or after you tried blowing us up?" Blake snarked.

"Oh come on. I knew that wouldn't do anything to you, and to be fair those weren't my mines, they were the settlement's." Ilia clarified.

"Are you going to start making sense soon." Blake was getting tired of the conversation.

Ilia saw this and sat down beside Blake. She did not shy away from Ilia but she was watching her like a hawk. Ilia took off the mask; she held it in her hands as she continued to speak.

"You were right. Adam is crazy." Ilia admitted.

Blake's bow lowered as she looked at the somber expression of her friends face. Her eyes then narrowed.

"What did he do to you?" She inquired.

Ilia continued to talk with a far off look in her eyes. "Nothing at first. He wasn't too happy after you left though. He sent everyone to search all of Menagerie but we obviously didn't find you. For awhile he cut himself off; he wouldn't even talk to me. Until eight months ago when he decided to go ahead with his segregation. Senna was pretty upset at the noise but couldn't do anything to stop us when we moved operations to Vale. At first, it was all business and he kept all his promises.Then, we got word that a cat faunas and some blonde ruined a supply run and he just snapped." Ilia looked down at this.

"It's not what he did?" Blake questioned knowing the answer.

"It's what he made me do. Killing humans for the cause is necessary; I still believe that. He isn't discriminating anymore. I never thought I would have to kill another faunas just because they didn't volunteer." Ilia visibly winced as she told the story.

Blake placed her hand on Ilia's shoulder. "Does this mean that you have just been trying to save face? That I haven't lost you, too?" Blake asked almost pleadingly.

Ilia looked at her. "I saw you back when you ran. You looked at me and you knew I wanted you to get out. For once, I'm glad I listened to you."

"Yeah you should do that more often." Blake smirked.

"Was that snark? You seem to be in high spirits considering you're my prisoner." Iila smirked.

"I've been learning to stay positive." Blake said.

"You read it in a book, right?" Ilia regarded her with a raised brow.

"Of course." Blake admitted.

They both giggled at that. Despite the situation, Blake was so relieved to see that her friend was still with her. Things looked bleak for her until now but here was her friend still willing to help even if it was very unusual. Blake then looked at Ilia to find her staring. Ilia turned pink and looked away from her.

'She must be embarrassed about being caught staring. It wouldn't be the first time.' Blake thought obliviously.

Blake then refocused her attention. "So what's the situation here."

Ilia's color returned to tan as she responded. "Adam made a deal with someone about a shipment of dust. I don't know the details but apparently this particular settlement was mined from a very rare source. The SDC has been using Valliant to mine this dust and ship it into Vale for testing."

"Wait?" Blake began to piece it together. "That convey Adam's group tried to raid a couple of weeks ago; the shipment came from here?"

"Exactly and before you ask I don't know what's so special about the stuff. I haven't even seen it." Ilia explained.

"But haven't you'd been stealing this dust for awhile?"

"Most of the dust we steal is the usual, but whenever we go after the dust that came from Valliant we were not allowed to look inside before selling it. What I do know from going through the unencrypted files at this complex is that it gives off massive amounts of radiation. continued.

"Radiation?!" Blake exclaimed.

"Relax. Apparently it's nonlethal." Ilia corrected.

"How the hell is radiation non lethal?" Blake asked confusingly.

"Magic?" Ilia quipped.

Blake rolled her eyes in response. "That's very odd. Who have you been giving this dust too?" Blake asked.

"I don't know. Adam's been very cloak and dagger about this stuff. The only overt plan he has is about finding you which has been accomplished. Sorry." Ilia said.

"It's okay. Now we have the element of surprise. What's the plan?" Blake questioned.

"Plan?" Ilia looked straight at Blake.

"Of course. How do we stop Adam and save everyone?"

"Are you for real?" Ilia asked almost mockingly.

"Isn't that the point of all this? How do we-"

"Blake, listen. There is no way that is possible." Ilia stood and walked to the table in the middle of the room.

Blake found herself confused again. "I thought that was going to be your suggestion. You just said you were working against Adam."

"Of course I am. That's why I made sure to talk to you before he does. To prepare for what has to happen." Ilia said.

Blake stood up. "Tell me now." Blake did not like the line of thought her friend seemed to be down.

"There might be a way for us to sneak out but only after we're down occupying Valliant." Ilia explained to Blake slowly.

"That's not an option. What about the people here." Blake interrogated as she stepped closer to Ilia.

"They're just human." Iila replies coldly with a fright expression.

Blake felt like cold water was dumped on her head. "You can't be serious? Ilia these are people who need help."

"This is no time to have a savior complex Blake. We need to look out for ourselves. For each other. " Ilia put her on Blake's shoulder to squeeze in reassurance.

Blake threw Illia's hand off her shoulder in indignance. "What about my team? My friends?"

Ilia had the audacity to look surprised by Blake's statement. "Friends? You don't really think that, right? Aren't they a part of your cover?"

"Technically yes, but no they are my friends." Blake answered honestly.

"The little twerp that got you in trouble with Adam in the first place. The crazy blonde that put people we knew in the hospital. A freaking Schnee?!" Ilia was bewildered. "Those "people" aren't your friends. They would probably leave you to rot here if they had the option."

"Don't talk like you know them because you don't." Blake's eyes grew fierce. "They are good people. They don't deserve this and they would never do that."

"Don't talk like you know them." Ilia paraphrased as she walked towards Blake until she was in her face. "You go to school with these people and now you're all pals? You know they'll just end up hurting you. That's all humans end up doing to us."

"You say that after you hurt one of them and possibly throw them in cells like animals for the slaughter to Adam; a faunas who has done nothing but hurt us. You can't think like this Ilia that's Adam talking." Blake proclaimed.

"How dare you!" Ilia became enraged at the comparison. "You don't get to do that. Not after I've been the one going through hell while you run off with new friends. Are you their pet now? Is that it? Do you like being a pet?"

In a moment of anger, Blake shoved Ilia away from her and she fell into the table. One of the chairs were knocked away as Ilia's head hit the side of the table. She shook the blow off as her aura absorbed it. Blake's eyes widened in realization as she moved to help her. Ilia just put her hand up to stop Blake as she stood.

"I can see there's no reasoning with you right now." Ilia glared at Blake. "You're tired. I get it. Just so you know I won't be able to talk to you for a while so just think about what I said."

Ilia turned to walk back to the door. Internally, she was surprised that Blake was not stopping her as she glimpsed that Blake was holding a grimace. She turned back to her friend before before putting back on the mask.

"Adam will be here any minute. Please don't antagonize him." Ilia looks determined for her next words. "But I won't let him have you. Not anymore. When it's time to leave I'll come get you." Ilia opened the door and sealed Blake in as she left.

Yang

"Argh! Let me out of this thing now! I'll burn this hellhole down do you hear me!" Yang yelled which she had been doing for a while to no avail.

Normally Yang's eyes would be red from anger due to her semblance, but the aura collar stopped that feature. Her aura would have been helpful to break out of the restraints that held her limbs down on the medical bed she was laid in. Yang could judge by her surroundings that she was in some medical ward. There were at least a dozen other beds with unplugged IV strips. What was curious to her though is that the various cabinets were empty; most likely ransacked.

Yang's voice started to become sore so she stopped screaming. Instead she focused on fighting her cuffs but she winced as it aggravated her injuries. Her right shoulder and left thigh were roughly bandaged, but she was still in pain. Also, with her aura suppressed the wounds would not heal fast as they normally would for her. After a while, Yang just signed then sunk her head back to her bed that did not even have a pillow.

"Unhand me now!"

That did not last long as Yang raised her head at the noise of the doors slamming open. Two Black Bull guards were dragging in a disheveled Weiss. They were ignoring Weiss's squirming and Yang's cussing as they cuffed her to one of the beds, then walked back out of the room to presumably keep watch. Weiss briefly tugged on her restraint before growling and kicking one of the bed legs. She winced from doing that.

"You doing okay there, Weiss? They give you the royal treatment too? Personally, I'm pretty dissatisfied since I ordered a king sized bed." Yang gestured with her bound hands at the bed.

"Must you really joke now of all times? Is it some compulsion that you can not turn off." Weiss almost growled. Then she developed a look of surprise. "Did you just call me by my name?"

"Weiss is your name right?" Yang sarcastically asked.

"It's just the first time you've called me that. Not some silly nickname or taunt." Weiss explained.

"Oh." Yang did not realize this. "I'm having an off day." She answered as she tried to sit up.

Her bounds would not allow that action and she winced in pain.

"Stop moving you brute! Your injuries are clearly unhealed." Weiss reprimanded.

"Gee, I didn't notice." Yang signed as she slumped down.

"Even when bloody and bruised you still remain insolent. After almost being murdered you still can't take anything seroiusly? Can't you see that we are captured by terrorists?" Weiss exclaimed

"Shut up." Yang retorted.

"Is this denial? Any moment now they can walk in and dispose of us. We could die here, don't you get that?' Weiss asked with a terrified voice.

"I freaking noticed! I also noticed that Ruby and Blake aren't here so I am assuming the worst possible outcome and trying not to freak out about it. So please yell at me some more about how screwed we are!" Yang roared as she pounded the bed.

Weiss looked like she was going to retort but hesitated and instead took a long breath. Then she signed and sat on the bed. Weiss looked almost meek as she looked at her cuffs.

"I'm really not trying to fight, okay?" Weiss voice was uncharacteristically small.

Yang still looked angry but her posture grew more relaxed. "Same. Did those jerks do anything to you. You seem a little off." Yang commented.

"You are literally in a hospital bed, Yang. Don't try to act tough." Weiss lectured mildly.

"So are you." Yang turned to look better at Weiss. "You took some hits back there."

"Again, have you seen yourself?" Weiss countered.

"What did they do to you?" Yang repeated. "I'm not blaming you for anything but you were off back there. So what's the story?"

"I really have no clue what you are talking about." Weiss rebuked as she turned her face from Yang's view.

"Weiss." This made Weiss turn to face Yang again. "I am in a lot of pain. I don't know where my best friend and sister are and I'm useless." She gestured to herself. "I would love a good distraction."

Weiss did not immediately respond to that. She scratched at her wrists where the cuffs were as if to check them. Today was not a good day for Weiss, but she decided it could not get lower after this. So she steeled her nerves for what she was about to admit.

"He killed my father." Weiss said.

"What?" Yang looked lost at that answer.

"You heard me." Weiss faced away from Yang again.

"The cheating douchebag with the fancy sword and stupid sembalance? I mean he made a comment about-oh." Yang remembered Adam's comment about taking a Schnee's head.

"It was when I was very young." Weiss continued as though she did not hear Yang. "I-I was there the night it happened. Honestly, I try not to remember it but it's a very difficult memory to repress. He looks much older now but I still recognized him; what's funny is that he can't be much older than us and yet he's already a monster." Weiss ended.

Yang did not know how to reply to this. She had gone through a similar experience to Weiss so she should share it, right? Then again Yang felt like that would undermine what Weiss was getting off her chest. So she tried to think of another reply.

"I'm not sure what to say." Yang could not think of a reply.

"You really do not have to say anything." Weiss commented.

"Um. It sounds like there's some missing details to that story. You okay to tell the whole thing?" Yang asked.

"No. As awful as this situation is I do not want to trade it so I can relive another nightmare." Weiss was stone-faced.

"Why didn't I know about this. No that came out wrong." She said to herself. "What I mean is your dad was a pretty important guy. How was an assassination covered up?" Yang questioned.

"A closed coffin." Weiss answered stoically.

"Holy crap." Yang commented on the bleak sentiment.

"Also some "family friends". Everyone said he died of a heart attack but those that were invited to the funeral knew the real reason. Although, it looks like word reached the faunas community regardless. The irony is that my father dying did make things better for all that is worth. It definitely did not help me." Weiss monologues.

"Well I-I'm really sorry, Weiss."

"I don't miss him." Weiss stated cold.

"What?" Yang asked as she was surprised by the comment.

"My father died but I don't miss him. I just feel…..empty. It's why I envy people like you and Ruby so much. Whatever spark you two have that makes you passionate about things even people….I don't have that." Weiss put her face in her hands. "It's why I never reached out to Ruby again. Being near me is just a curse. This is all proof of that."

"Don't do that." Yang sat up. "Ruby does the same self guilt crap on herself and I personally have no taste for it. None of this is your fault. Really I should be thanking you. You are the most prideful person I know and yet you through that away when you wanted to save me; That takes resolve. It doesn't sound like much but not a lot of people can do that. I don't think you're a curse Weiss, and Ruby definitely doesn't. Honestly, I think she likes you a little too much." Yang said while staring at Weiss.

Weiss pulled her hands away from her face. She was trying to hold back more tears. She brushed some that slipped out with her sleeve. Weiss looked very shaken as she was talking to Yang.

"Are we going to be okay?" Weiss asked Yang desperately about the situation.

Yang gained a fierce look in her eyes. "We are all going to get out of here. I promise."

Interrogation Room

Blake returned to sitting in the corner of the room after Ilia left. It would be an understatement to say that she was very disappointed in her friend. If they still were friends after this situation. Blake's mind was swarming with all these thoughts as though her mind was playing catch up. This is not the first time she's been a prisoner but it's the first time it was done by her people and those she considered friends.

Blake's ears twitched as the door opened to the room again. She looked up to glare at what she assumed was Ilia again. However, her eyes widened in shock as Adam stepped inside the room. He shut the metallic door before walking towards Blake. She stood up in preparation to defend herself. Adam stopped short when he saw her reaction so he just stood there; he was waiting to see what she had to say.

After several moments of silence, Adam decided to break the awkward silence. "Hello, My darling."

"Adam." Blake replied stoically.

"Why so cold? It's been so long." Adam stepped closer to Blake but stopped again as she backed away. "I know when we last spoke I got a little heated. I was upset but everything is better now. Everything we have ever wanted is happening."

"This is what we wanted?" Blake found her courage then walked toward Adam. He wasn't expecting her to approach him with a glare but he held his ground. She kicked over one of the chairs in frustration.

"This is what you wanted!" Blake almost screamed. "Attacking human settlements for what? A show of force? Because they have something you want? Have you lost your mind?"

"I am not the one who lost my way. I stepped up for the cause. I was the one who gave our people a chance and you abandoned them and me!" Adam yelled.

Blake stepped away again at Adam's shout. The lower portion of his face not hidden away by the mask, briefly held a expression of shock before frowning.

"Are you afraid of me, Blake." Adam questioned.

"Yes, but I am not afraid of you. I fear what you're turning into." Blake answered honestly.

"Why? I am trying to do the best I can. Yet you shame me?" Adam asked.

"You were always the one protecting us. I admired who you were. So much so that I thought I…" Blake stopped talking.

Adam walked close to Blake and uncharastically grabbed her held in a gentle hold. "I love you, Blake."

"Adam. You don't love me. You want to posses me. That's not what love is." Blake said

'You can't tell me these feelings are not genuine; that what we shared never existed." Adam began to lean into Blake.

"Hold on." Blake tried to back away but Adam's hold tightened on her. "Let go of me." She continued to struggle.

"Just accept me." Adam gripped her shoulder harshly with his other hand and leaned forward.

Blake continued to pull away from Adam as his head was leaning towards her's. Before he could get any closer she punched him and broke his grip. Adam's aura flared as he held his jaw. He snarled then slashed out with Wilt. Blake jumped away as Adam viciously slashed out with his weapon.

Turns out he turned his rejection on the table as he broke it down the middle. Adam kicked one part of the table against the wall where it splintered apart. He sheathed his blade as he glared at the nervous Blake. Adam snarled then straightened his posture.

"You reject everything. Your race, Your friends, and even me. No more!" Adam yelled as he pointed at Blake as though to accuse her. "You're a selfish ingrat! You do nothing but pick and choose who and what to follow. You're just a coward! Everything would be fine if you just did as you were told. Now I'm going to teach you about consequences." Adam walked to the door.

"Adam, stop! What are you going to do?" Blake was now scared for other reasons.

Adam turned back to answer her. "Whatever happens from this point on is your fault. You made me do this, Blake." Adam walked outside of the room. "Take her to the courtyard where everyone can watch. Bring the other huntresses for the demonstration." Adam ordered a guard.

"Yes, Sir." Guards walked into the room.

Before Blake could fight them off Adam activated the shock collar to electrocute Blake. She spasmed on the ground a few seconds before the guards carried her out of the room. Blake tried to face Adam as he walked away.

"Stop! Adam don't do this." Blake struggled as Adam was now ignoring her and walking ahead of them. "Adam!"

Courtyard

Ruby did not struggle as they dragged her out of the cage. The black bulls were rough as they shoved her forward with loud declarations for her to move forward. Ruby walked to where they were leading her as they ordered. She knew that being rebellious now would just make trouble so she played her part as captive.

Shortly afterwards, Ruby found herself in a barren courtyard close by the large building complex. She assumed this must be where they placed cargo containers of dust along with other various objects. Currently, it was surrounded by an assembly of the faunas terrorists as they appeared to be waiting for something. When Ruby was shoved through the ground she found herself on her knees next to Blake.

"Blake! Are you okay?" Ruby asked.

"I'm okay. It's good to see you, Ruby.' Blake answered her as she tried to smile with reassurance at Ruby.

"Same." Ruby briefly smiled before she remembered their position. "Do you know what's going on?"

"No, but it can't be anything good. Not with an audience." Blake mused.

Before Ruby could question that more figures were pushed through the crowd. A bandaged, angry Yang along with a silent but glaring Weiss were placed beside their teammates. Ruby was relieved that they were alive but still horrified they were in the same position.

"Yang! Weiss!" Ruby exclaimed

"Good to see ya, sis." Yang smirked while wincing. "Took care of the ice queen for you."

"Well that was nice while it lasted." Weiss muttered to herself about the return of the nicknames.

Yang then turned to Blake. "Please tell me this isn't what I think it is?"

"I don't know if it's an execution, but he definitely wants to make a statement." Blake said.

As if on cue, the crowd parted to make way for Adam. They were all excited with some even clapping at Adam's entrance. He seemingly ignored them as he set a smoldering glare at Blake while walking to them. He stopped just a foot before them.

"And then there's this asshole." Yang said.

Immediately Adam clicked a button on his personal black scroll which sent shocks to Yang's system.

"Yang!" Ruby cried out for her sister.

"Stop it!" Blake yelled at Adam.

Even through the mask, she could feel his stare as he began to shock Ruby and Weiss as well. The three withered on the ground as they were being shocked. With no aura to protect them they felt all of the effects on their body. Some in the crowd began to cheer.

"You're hurting them!" Blake cried out.

"That's the idea." Adam snarled.

Adam continued the torture for a few seconds before shutting it off. The girls gasped as if to catch their breath and moan on the ground. Blake regarded them all with a worried, almost guilty look. Adam began pacing around them when gesturing to Blake.

"My people. This is Blake Belladonna. A close compatriot of mine. At least she was." Adam stopped behind Blake. "I used to believe she was a believer in the cause, but she is nothing but a traitor who hides her true colors." Adam pulled the bow off the expose Blake's cat ears.

Weiss's eyes widened in shock at the revelations. Yang and Ruby grew nervous at the entire situation and the unknown of what Adam was leading to.There was a small noise in the back as Ilia made her way through the crowd to get a view of what was going on. When she saw Adam's demonstration she kept silent but still looked towards Blake in worry.

"She had abandoned us all. For them. Humans." Adam gestured to the girls. The crowd booed as the team made their way from the ground to sit on their knees.

Adam continued his speech. "I know. Her love for these monsters is disgusting. A schnee being among them. That being said, I value our people. I will give her a chance to redeem herself in our eyes." Adam drew Wilt. "By sacrificing the one closet to her."

The team's eyes widened at this declaration over the noise of the crowd. Blake looked lost as she looked up to Adam. Her face was pale as Adam almost knelt to her level.

Adam smirked before addressing her. "You are going to decide who dies while the rest will be labor, and serve as a remainder of your choice. For once Blake you will take responsibility."

Blake looked helpless as she gazed at Adam. "No." She almost begged.

Ignoring the refusal, Adam stood up and brandished his weapon. He began to pace around the group again. Ruby looked afraid, Yang was seething, and Weiss was despondent as she stared at Blake.

"So which one will it be?" Adam briefly stopped behind Weiss before continuing to walk. "Even you wouldn't care for a schnee." He commented.

"Don't do this. Please stop," Blake said.

Adam stopped behind Ruby. "Maybe it's her. She's the one who took you away from me isn't that right."

"Get away from her!" Yang roared.

"This is my fault. Just let them be, they're good people, I swear." Blake tried reasoning.

Adam placed his sword on Ruby's shoulder. She froze and her eyes widened as she felt the cold steel. Both she and Adam were looking at Blake.

"There is nowhere to run now, Blake. You have to suffer because you deserve this. Do you really care about this girl?" Adam taunted.

"I'll rip your head off. Look at me you coward!" Yang provoked.

Adam once again electrocuted Yang. Ruby grew teary eyed as she called out to her sister and Weiss was still unresponsive. Blake's voice raised in alarm.

"Quite hurting my friends you bastard!" Blake screamed at Adam.

This made Adam pause and stop shocking Yang. He looked at the vicious look in Blake's eyes then at the downed Yang who was shaking her head at Blake in some kind of silent conversation. Adam then thought back to the surveillance he had on Blake and that she was not always alone. He now recognized that the blonde was with Blake quite a lot. He pulled out the torn photo of Blake remembering that Yang was the other piece; he dropped it on the ground.

"I see." Adam walked away from Ruby to Yang and hoisted the resisting blonde so he was behind her while she was facing directly at Blake. "I was wrong. I thought the little girl was the one but this is who you really care about. Really beloved? This is the one?"

Ilia looked shocked at Adam's conclusion. She then turned to face the confused but still traumatized Blake. Ruby looked pleadingly at her sister as Weiss seemingly snapped out her daze to realize Yang was at knifepoint.

"You said you wouldn't hurt her." Weiss cried out.

"This isn't about you anymore." He snapped at Weiss before addressing Blake. "Do you care about this girl, Blake?" Adam asked as he put the sword against Yang's shoulder.

"Yang!" Ruby cried out.

"Enough with these games. If you want to hurt me then do it but leave her alone!" Blake argued.

"It's okay, Blake. I am hurting you, but it's all for the best. Now I want you to look at her." Adam demanded.

Blake refused by turning her head. Adam squeezed on Yang's injured shoulder to get her to cry out. This caused the girls including Ilia to look directly at Yang. Blake and Weiss began tearing up while Ruby was openly crying.

"Good. Now I want you to say goodbye." Adam taunted while squeezing the wound tighter.

"Please. I'm sorry I left. I'm sorry I hurt you but don't do this to me. You'll never come back from this, Adam." Blake begged while crying.

"Say goodbye." Adam reiterated.

At this point the crowd had gone silent. Ilia held a look of confliction as she looked on. Blake stared at Yang who stared back. Yang sucked in a deep breath.

"It's okay, Blake." Yang promised.

"No!" Ruby cried.

"I'm sorry, Ruby. It has to be me. Be good okay?" Yang said to the crying Ruby.

Yang faced Blake again. "Goodbye, Blake." Yang began crying as well.

Ruby and Weiss tried to stand up and strike but were quickly held down by several Black bulls. Blake looked at the tearful Yang and thought she was having a nightmare. She wanted this whole day to be a bad dream that she would wake up from. She waited a few seconds to wake up but she didn't. Blake saw that Yang was nodding to her as if to tell her to go on.

Instead Blake lifted her head to glare at Adam. "You can never make me say goodbye."

Adam grit his teeth at the remark. "You're so cruel, Blake." He gripped Wilt then slashed down onto Yang's neck.

"No!" Blake cried out in horror at her friend's death.

………..At least what would've been her friend's death if not for an intervention. In less than an instant, a red portal opened up then a red sword sprung out of it to block Adam's wilt. A leg kicked Adam away from Yang and he went flying until his peers caught his fall. He quickly shoved the followers to stand back up in a rage. A figure emerged from the portal for Adam to gape at in astonishment.

Everyone in the area was surprised to see a woman clad in red armor with black robes and a white Grimm mask. Even the people in the cages that were close enough to see stood up in surprise at the event. Her long jet black, feathery hair waved in the sudden breeze as she resheathed her sword in a large sheath.

Yang looked like she had seen a ghost. "It can't be."

"Who the hell are you?" Adam interrogated as he stepped forward brandishing his weapon.

The woman did not answer as she drew a blue blade from her sheath, then took a fighter's stance.

A/N: Well that was a marathon of emotions. I have learned through this that I really do not like Adam. That being said, I am going to enjoy what happens next.

Next time: A Valliant Effort