Hello! Thanks to whoever read my first chapter!
Black's POV
Almost been a week since after Beacon Fall.
Blake was leaned against the safety rails of the large transportation boat, sighing. "What are you doing here, Sun?" She asked, looking emotionless stressed.
"Isn't it obvious? I came to be in assist you on your one woman army against the White Fang!" He said, speaking in a cheerful tone.
Blake glance at him, not expecting that answer. She didn't think of going after the White Fang, being too afraid after her recent encounter with Adam. She was easily defeated by him but it wasn't surprise to her. Adam intense motivation had made him into a powerful fighter, even as a kid, he'll be able to be fight against adults, hench why he was her mentor, despite being the same age (with Adam being older.) Not only that but her ex boyfriend Keith could still be hunting after her. She was definitely afraid of him, he wasn't on Adam level but he had cause her trauma.
The fear difference between Adam and Keith is that Adam was her best friend before and was the reason how she got into the White Fang. They promised each other that they'll make succeed in their cause and suddenly, but her change of mind had them cause them to have verbal exchanges, which was half of the reason why she left. Keith on the other hand, was very abusive and obsessive. Hitting her, tugging her hair, trying to make her do weird things, trying to isolate her away from Adam and Iila and other people she would consider friends. And despite his obsessive behavior, he did acted
She never told anyone but Iila was picking on. When Adam was getting suspicious, Blake tried to talk and convince him that everything was okay, knowing how violent and protective Adam could get.
"Well? Are you?" Sun asked. "If so, we should get your team in on this."
Blake shook her head, getting out of her train of thought of old memories. "No. You and them don't need to get in on nothing! " She shouted, startling Sun. She realized her sudden outburst and sighed. "Sorry Sun...but, we can't beat the White Fang. Adam would absolutely destroy us."
"Not with that attitude," Sun said, giving a small chuckle. He then noticed that he wasn't making Blake any happier so he decided to drop the subject, at least for now "Where are we going?"
"M-menagerie." She said nervously. It's been 3 years since she's been in Menagerie and seen her family. Her stomach tied tightly, afraid that her parents would reject her.
"I HATE YOU BOTH! YOU'RE NOTHING BUT COWARDS!"
Was her last words to her parents before running away from them. She wiped away the tears, hating that the memories were being brought up. Being concern, Sun comforted his friend. "Hey, you okay?"
"I'm fine, okay? Just going through things." Blake replied.
She manage to stop the tears as they soon made it to Menagerie. They talked a bit as they slowly paced through the large village with Sun being very memorized at the place. "This place looks awesome! Perfect place to have a vacation."
Blake gave a small smile, feeling somewhat happy that the place where Faunus could go to is being appreciated. "This place is an escape where Faunus's come to where they can live without being discriminated. Its the only thing we have but we made the most of it."
"I see. That's pretty neat." Sun replied. "So, where do you live?"
Blake pointed at the large house that was far from away they were at. Shock, Sun look at Blake, and then back at the house, then back at Blake. "There's no way you live there! That's like, a lot bigger than any house I've seen!"
Blake giggled. She was tad feeling better, the positive atmosphere and vibe felt refreshing. But now, that feeling was being challenge. Blake and Sun stood right in front of the house with Blake being reluctant to knock so Sun did! Which caused Blake to panicking a bit when she heard, "I'm coming!"
It was her mother, Kali. She tried to keep herself together. Once the door opened, Blake stood firmly, trying to force a smile. Widened eyed, Kali glazed at Blake, completely speechless. Blushing a little, Blake greeted, "h-hello mom..."
Sun smiled at Blake's bashfulness but then he and Blake noticed that Kali was hyperventilating and was losing footing. "M-mom?"
Both she and Sun both grab a hold of Kali before she drop down, unconscious. Obviously in a panicked, the two carried Ms.Belladona to the living-room where they laid her on the couch. "M-mom?!" She gave her a small tap on the cheek.
Ghira came into the living-room to see what was all the commotion was about until he saw his daughter and some monkey boy standing over her. "Blake?! Kali?"
Blake glance over to Ghira, still in panicked. "D-dad?"
A little minute later, Ghira had calm everything down. For some reason, he acted casually that his wife was fainted since it wasn't the first time. Blake had noticed her mother's appearance. Her body was thin and by thin, it was unhealthy skinny. Her eyes were stressed and her hair was messy shorter. "Blake..." Ghira spoken up, giving a small smile. "Its very nice to see you daughter...its been so long."
She tilted her head, trying her best to not burst in tears in crying. She was tearing up but she wasn't hysterically crying. "It's nice to see you too dad...M-mom...she looks sick."
Ghira looked at Kali, sighing. "She's been...very stress ever since you left. She barely been eating and sleeping."
Blake eyes widened. She left four years ago...and her mother had been living in misery? Ghira noticed by Blake's expression that she felt very terrible so he tried to keep it down. "But she has been eating a lot lately and has been getting sleep."
It didn't make anything better, she was visibly broken. Crying, she couldn't stand here anymore. She was about to leave until she heard her mother, groaning. Kali was waking up. Sun, trying to Blake from running, both look at Kali.
Kali had awoken up, holding her head in pain. She looked at Blake, still in shock that her daughter was here in flesh. Unlike last time, she got herself off the couch, staggering over to her daughter with a smile. "Blake...its been so long." She said, being so teary-eyed.
Blake couldn't move and with that, Kali embraced her so tightly. Blake, speechless, hugged her mother back as tears rained her face. Ghira joined in the hug, embracing them both. Sun couldn't help to smile. Everything begin to finally calm down. Everyone was sitting at the dinner table with Kali sitting right next to Blake, stroking her hand through the Cat faunus hair. "You've grown up so much. How's your life been?" Kali asked.
"Its been...a very long roller coaster but I guess okay." She replied calmly.
"How's...the White Fang?" Ghira asked, curious to know since that's where she's said she was going.
"I've left once I've turnt 17. It wasn't really what I've expected." She admitted.
Kali gave a small glare at Ghira. She didn't want to hear anything about the White Fang currently and wanted to just enjoy this moment. She then glance at Sun, not familiar who he was? "Who's your friend?"
"Oh, this is Sun Wukong. You never met him but we were friends before we've moved to Menagerie."
Sun, being the polite dork he is, greeted. "Heya! Pleasure to meet ya both! You can call me Sun or Wukong! Some people call me Goku for some reason!" He said, a little confused on why they did.
Blake nudged his side for his enthusiastic behavior during at time like this but Kali didn't mind it, actually she liked the hyper. It felt bright. The four, mainly the Belladonna's caught up for very long lost times. "So you're a huntress now? And Adam and the White Fang attacked Beacon?" Ghira questioned.
Blake tilted her head, Ghira wasn't surprised that Adam name was brought up. He didn't think anything bad about Adam besides how they way he acted towards Humans or at least he used to before..."he" died. But anyways, he thought to keep the conversation cheerful. "So a huntress? That's great! I'm glad that my daughter is putting her effort into something good! Wish you did have a better combat suit." He said.
Blake look down at her outfit. "What's wrong with this one?"
"Ehh...I don't know, it could use more battle armor? I don't want you getting hurt." Ghira stated, showing his fatherly protective personality.
Sun, again comically joining in the conversation. "Ah, you got nothing to be afraid of. Your daughter is a real butt-kicker. Trust me! She got moves." He said, praising her.
The phasing of that almost made Blake cough up her tea while Ghira glared at him suspiciously. "And what's that suppose to mean, Mr.Wukong?"
Sun then noticed the phasing of it too and quickly tried to explain himself to the angry-looking father. Changing the subject, he poured himself some tea and took a sip. "This tea is very good Ms.Belladona!"
Kali smiled. "I like em..." she whispered to her daughter.
That response made Blake slightly blush. "M-mom...!"
Soon the door knocked with Ghira eyes perking up. It was the White Fang but the ones that were representing Menagerie. "I have important business to to attend to."
Ghira got uo and headed to the door, Kali had sighed when watching him go. Still very concern of her mother's health, she asked, "what's wrong?"
"Your father...he's still operating with the White Fang."
Both Sun and Blake raised up, simultaneously saying, "WHAT?!"
Blake and Sun walked up on Ghira, arguing with both Corsac and Fennec Albain. "Please understand, sir. Assisting us will prove beneficial." Corsac says.
"I need to speak to her. All this seems very strange." He said.
"With all due respect, you aren't in no position of that. While she respects you, she no longer wants anything to do with your motives. You can either stand aside or help us with the Fall of Haven." Fennec joined in.
"Fall of Haven?" Blake asked.
Ghira sighed. "The White Fang is planning to attack Mistral, like Vale. All of this is confusing. I would've assume that Adam would've did this but now Sienna herself?"
Blake knew it, the White Fang became corrupted. But even then, what was the point of going against them? Now that Sienna was assisting Adam's with his goals, what could she do. "Leave!" She shouted which caught them off surprised.
"Excuse us?" Corsac said.
"I said leave! And don't come back!" Blake again shouted, this time taking out her sword, to show she wasn't messing around. They soon listened, seeing that her father wasn't intervening and that Sun was backing her up.
"That was...unfortunate," Ghira says.
Blake sighed and begin leaving the house herself. Ghira confused, tried to stop his daughter. "Wait, Blake-"
"Leave me alone!" Blake yelled, walking right past him before fleeing off.
"Don't worry, I'll bring her back." Sun says, following the cat Faunus.
It took a while to find her but Blake was in a empty field, training by herself. "Oh, your training?"
"I'm training alone..." Blake muttered.
"Blake-"
"No, stop! I just want to be alone, I don't want anyone fighting for me nor fighting with me!" Blake yelled. "So go away."
Sun sighed. Maybe alone time what Blake really needed? He thought. So he left Blake to herself, letting her to think things through. At night, Blake was still outside by herself. Her anger had seem to calm down but the thought of the White Fang was still in her mind. She doesn't know what to do.
Suddenly she heard ruffling in the trees. It actually quite startled her. First, she thought it was Sun but she didn't get why he'll do that so no. Then a surprise, Keith flung out at Blake.
Alerted, Blake picked up her Gambol Shroud before using her shadow to push her out of the way of Keith. "K-keith..."
"Hello my love." Keith says sinisterly, pulling his axe out from the sand.
"What are you doing here?!" She exclaimed with her body whimpering in fear.
Keith laughed as he slowly approached her. "Isn't it obvious? I came for you, my little kitty cat."
"Go away! Me and you aren't together anymore!"
Frowning and growling in anger, Keith began to charge toward Blake. Building up courage, Blake went on the defensive and protected herself from Keith's axe swings. "You bitch! Who do you think you are!?" he says, launching a kick to her ribcage before pounding his fist against her nose, knocking Blake on her back.
Blood begin dripping from her nose as she slowly got up on her feet, body already being sore from the training she was doing by herself. Keith grinned, seeing how easy this was. But it wasn't any time to gloat, he wanted payback. "You thought I would've forgot? How you just left? hehehe. Lucky for you though, I am forgiving. Now I don't have to worry about that Bull headed motherfucker intervening into our relrelationshi-"
Before he could finish, Sun comes in with the safe, rattling Keith's jaw with a heavy punch, causing him to stumble and fall heavy into the dirt. "Blake, you okay?" He said, checking up on his best friend.
"What are you doing here?" Blake said, panting.
"I came to check up on you- gah!" Sun grunted, falling face first after getting hit by an electrical whip. Eyes widened, Blake hurried over to her best friend, crying in tears that he gotten hurt because of her.
"Sun! Sun! Please! Not again..." Blake mumbled, wiping away the tears. She glance up to find Ilia standing above her, along with Keith. Keith, watching Blake crying over some boy, made him furious.
So swiftly, he knocked her clean out with a kick to the head. Iila, eyes widened tried to get Keith away from Blake. But Keith wasn't going to listen as he climbed over Blake, gasping his hands over her neck, strangling her. Iila pulled him off but he kept trying his best to end her. That until he heard Ghira, the tribal chef.
They needed to go.
Sun found himself back at the Belladonna's resident with his bruised patch up. "ugh, what happen?"
"The White Fang. They attacked our village." Ghira stated as he paced back and forth.
"Blake...what happen to..." His words trailed off when noticing that Blake was laid on the couch with her head, resting upon her mother's lap, still unconscious.
"She's fine..." Kali reassured. "She just need rest. You both do."
Sun glance down at Blake. She was peaceful, sleeping gleefully. "I wonder what she's doing?"
Sun then took the moment to get some more rest since his body still injured. Napping, Sun tailed twitched with him hearing foot steps. Sitting up, he noticed that Blake was gone off from the couch.
He stood up, thinking that the cat girl might've just went to a bedroom to sleep in. Suddenly, he heard a person gasping and struggling for air. Sun walk to the noise, only to find Blake, using the ribbon part of her weapon to hang herself. Sun quickly ran over to her, stopping the choking by lifting her up. He then used his semblance to create a clone, so he could unwrap the ribbon off from her neck.
Blake dropped, gasping for air. Sun, in panic mode, shouted. "Blake! What the heck is wrong with you?!"
Blake didn't know how to respond, suddenly Ghira came into the room after hearing on the ruckus. "What's going on here?!"
"I..." Blake was about to say until Sun got up.
"She tried...to kill herself." Sun stated.
Ghira eyes widened as he went over to hold his daughter. Sun had seemingly calm down, deeply concerned for his friend's mental health.
It wasn't later that morning arrived. It felt very awkward. Ghira took it upon himself to cook, despite Kali wishes to do so. Sun and Blake sat across from each other, silently with Sun looking visibly annoyed. She spoken up. "Sun listen..."
"Why do you do this to yourself, Blake?" Sun asked, cutting her off.
Blake was hesitant to respond but she did. "Because...I'm tired of this guilty feeling. I've feel everything I do is a big mistake. After my brother was killed, I thought I could avenge him by joining the White Fang and take all my pain on Humans. But all I've gotten was abuse. And now that I've left the White Fang, all I've been seeing that my friends been suffering from my consequences. Yang, and now you." She said as her eyes welled up again. "I wouldn't be surprised if they hate me, because I deserve it..."
"You don't mean that..."
"I do!"
Sun sighed. "Well, I didn't want to believe it but you're just being selfish..." He replied. Blake didn't know how to reply so she just bowed her head down in shame and disappointment. "Do you think you dragged me into this? No, I came because I thought you needed help. Me and Yang can make our own choices, so stop taking the blame for everything."
Blake stayed silent, the same for her parents. They agreed with Sun's words. After Blake finished her food, she got up and headed to the door. "Dad, can you come with me?"
"S-sure sweetie, whatever you need!" Ghira said.
Ghira, Blake and also Sun were back at the training field. "I need you to teach me how to amplify my aura."
Sun was a bit confused. "Amplify your aura? You got another semblance or something?"
Blake glanced at Sun, "certain Faunus's can amplify their aura to increase their beast-like attributes. My brother shown me that ability when I was little. So I want to learn it now." She said, seriously. "I'm done being weak. I'm taking down the White Fang."
Ghira knew that it wasn't no way of talking her out of this. But surprisingly, he felt proud that his daughter wanted to amp her power so she could defend herself. "Very well then." He said. He then glared at Sun. "Make yourself useful and scout out for those scoundrels! We need to put them behind bars."
Sun grinned a bit, happy that Blake wasn't taking any crap anymore. "Aye, aye Captain! I mean chief! Good luck Blake!" He said, bolting away.
Ghira sighed. "I really don't like him..."
Blake giggled a bit as she was now ready to train herself. It's been hours, Blake was getting the hang of this technique. The only downside that it drains aura. When transforming, her teeth and nails sharpen and her eyes became similar to a feline. As she reverted back to her normal state, she wiped her forehead, tired at the usage of the transformation. "Very exhausting, but very useful!"
"Help! The White Fang is attacking your house!" A Faunus said.
Ghira and Blake eyes widened before becoming eyes of fury with Blake being the first to storm. Sun was already there, in a standstill with both Ilia and Keith. He couldn't do anything as Keith had Kali hostage. As Blake noticed from a distance, she loaded her gun and shot energy bullet straight at Keith's shoulder, causing him to groan. "What the," Sun spat.
Now that he was distracted, Kali took the moment to flip Keith over her shoulder. Both Ilia and Sun were a bit shocked, not expecting Blake's mother to attack. But Sun quickly resorted. "Run!" He shouted, engaging with Ilia with his Bo Staff.
Kali did and started to run out the house. Growling, Keith slowly gotten back up and tried to chase after her but Blake interfered with her, hitting Keith with a surprise kick. Causing him to stumble back. "Ahh, Blake!~ You came back to me!" Keith said.
Blake glared at him while taking her sword out, charging at Keith. Keith used his semblance which is called "Roar." He yells so loud that it creates a sound blast.
Blake, fortunately dodged, having her shadow clone to take her place. Coming from the left, she lunge her sword right at Keith's neck. He barely reacted, holding back Blake's blade with his axe. He was a bit frustrated that Blake's was no longer scared of him. All in her eyes was killer intent, "Tch. You aren't scared anymore? Stupid bitch, why do you do this me?!"
He thrust his foot at Blake's abdomen, causing her to stumble back against the wall before charging at her. Blake gritted her teeth, pushing herself off the wall as she and Keith again clashed with each other. But instead of a standstill, Blake immediately went for a spin kick at Keith's jaw, causing him to grunt. She followed up with another swinging another kick, this time, aiming at the Keith's hand to disarm him for his weapon. Keith annoyed, responded back with a heavy hook that landed against Blake's jaw, sending her flying. "You were suppose to love me! But you always look others while I'm your boyfriend!" Keith shouted, sending Blake crashing out of the house with a sound blast.
"Guah...!" Blake groaned in pain but she endured it, shooting her ribbon off away.
"Blake!" Sun said while pinning Ilia against the wall with his staff.
"Keith, help!" Ilia called out.
Keith glared at Sun, remembering how Blake cried over him. So for payback, he wanted to see how deeply broken with her monkey "boyfriend" is dead. Sun noticed that Keith was charging at him. "Crap!" Sun exclaimed, shooting away from Ilia so he can make two energy clones of himself. Keith easily disposed them, using his Roaring sound blast. Sun however dodged it, transforming his bo staff into gun nunchucks, before unloading them both.
Keith twirled his axe, blocking the bullets while Ilia was dodging them. Ilia lashed her whip that Sun was able to deflect with one of his gunchucks but Keith was closing in the distance. Blake to the recused, zipped through the window and launched herself at Keith, knocking him forward and toward Sun. Where Sun would transform his gunchucks back into a bo staff before slamming the steel down into his head.
"Nice one!" Sun said.
But Ilia was still here, diving down at Sun with her foot hitting against his cheek. Landing, she whipped her weapon, repeatedly at him which soon Blake had to interfere, knocking Ilia away from Sun with a shoulder charge. Unlike Keith, she wanted to reason with Ilia since she knew that Ilia wasn't a dirtbag like Keith. "Ilia, stop this!"
"And why should I?! You all abandoned the White Fang despite knowing what the Humans do to Faunus kind!" She shouted, now transforming her weapon into a blade which forced Blake to defend herself.
"And you think committing crimes is going make us look better?" Blake replied, she then glanced at Sun, giving him a small nod to signal "I got this," gesture.
Ilia tried to swing at Blake again but Blake only skipped back, dodging it.
"Why should we care on what makes us look better when we can forcibly make us better! Why can't you see that this is the right path anymore, Blake!"
She was about to lash out her whip but like in the actual series, Blake fired at it with ice dust, causing it to freeze. Shocked, Ilia was caught off guard by a tackle from Blake. "This isn't the right path! All we're doing is proving the Humans right. Monsters? Animals? Is that what you want to be? What about your parents, Ilia? Do they want to see their little girl become a killer?"
Ilia eyes welled up when Blake brought up her parents, she shouted back. "What else I'm suppose to do? If I let it happen, I'm just a pathetic slave to Humans. But if I fight back, I'm just a monster...? Why does it have to be that way Blake...?"
It was hard for Blake to respond to that, that's what she always felt when Aarave died. "I'm not telling you to stop fighting...but I don't want you to go down this spiral Ilia. You'll only become like Adam..." The cat Faunus said, while also tearing up. Saying that really hurts because how she really cared for Adam and now that Ilia, another friend of hers was just going down the same path. She didn't want it to happen.
But the fight continued with Corsac and Fennec being brought into the fray. Blake noticed that her dad was fighting them both, she also noticed that Keith wasn't here. It went as the same as the actual series, except the house wasn't on fire. Sun blew a large sigh, "that was intense."
Blake, still taking up this serious persona. "It's only the beginning. We have to keep training."
Current Time, with Adam.
Instead of taking 2 days, using his Super Speed, it only took him an hour. Tired, he was now in Mistral. "Finally. I'm here in Mistral." Adam said brightly. As he walk through the amazing, bright looking city that was within Mistral. His inner self was told that he should go to Lionheart to get some info. Suddenly, he saw the hovercraft but it didn't think anything about it and since he's in his alter-ego, he didn't remember anything about it. "I'm a Faunus here, so what now?" He says, staying clear of his surroundings. He thought it was best not to cause drama between him and the Humans. First he needed answers from Leonardo.
Casually, roamed around the large city, amazed at how it looked but compared to Atlas, it wasn't that beautiful. He managed to find the Headmaster residence which was awfully beautiful. Adam inner self then took control, as he entered Lionheart office. "Oh hell-"
He immediately pointed a gun right at Leonardo's face, catching the headmaster off guard. "Calm yourself, Mr.Lionheart." He said, shutting the door behind himself.
"W-who are you?" Lionheart said cowardly.
"A Faunus who needs answers. I've heard about your heist with the Anti-Faunus Operation." Adam stated.
Lionheart eyes widened a bit. "Whatever gave you that clue?"
"I tortured the info out of what of the members." Adam said so bluntly while loading his Blush Rifle with fire dust. "Now look, I don't want to kill another Faunus but I will have to if it helps me in my cause. So make it easier for me and tell me where the enemies reside at."
Lionheart didn't see a problem with this. Being a working pawn for the A.F.O, he hated them but he couldn't do anything about it due to lack of combat training and the numbers disadvantage was an all time low. He no longer had any professional hunters/huntress due to him sending them to their deaths against a massive amount of powerful Grimm. "They...have meetings on the South side of Mistral at 7:00 at night every Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monda-"
Before Lionheart could finish, Adam rammed his Blush Rifle across Lionheart's head. Shocked and startled, he backed up in his rolling chair. "That's for being a spineless weakling and allowing your people to die." He said.
Lionheart glared at this disrespectful Faunus, now hoping the A.F.O kill him. Now about to take his leave, Adam look back at lion Faunus. "Oh and don't tell anyone this. Or I'll tell everybody you work for Salem."
Lionheart eyes widened, wondering how he figured out. Adam sensed the Seer Grimm inside the closet as a giggle could be heard. Opening the door, Adam would be met with team RNJR and Qrow. "Argus?!"
"Hello." He greeted normally. Adam then allowed his other half to take over.
Ruby being the first, hugged the bull Faunus tightly. "Yay, I thought you ditched us homie!"
"Actually, he did." Ren threw his two cents.
Ruby then pushed away from him, since it was the actuality. "Yeah, what's up with that? I thought you were traveling to Haven with us."
"I've...had a change of heart." Adam replied, leaving the office.
Just to purposely be a jerk, Ruby pulled out Adam's bucket hat just to show it off while sticking out her tongue. "Hey, Argus! I got your stupid hat!"
"Oh, thanks for reminding me."
Suddenly the hat disappeared from Ruby's hat, causing the others eyes jump in shock. Well except for Qrow since he saw, but he did find that Speed Semblance very impressive. He needed his hat to keep his Faunus side secretive again.
It was a while later, Adam was searching for those scouts that had leads on the Anti-Faunus Operation as well. He texted Sienna, telling her that he's in Mistral and asking where those scouts were at and how is Ilia and Keith mission go. It took her some time to respond but she replied with, "they're with a small branch of White Fang members in Mistral, they're safe. Keith, Corsac and Fennec returned time ago, saying that their mission failed but Ilia is there in Menagerie. I'm guessing she's on there side."
Adam found that interesting. Putting his scroll away, he decided to stick with team Ruby and the others for now until Blake does her part. Adam found Ruby, leaving away from the mail delivery box. "Hey there."
Ruby glanced at Adam, waving gleefully before approaching the male. "Hey, jerk! Whatcha doin?"
"Jerk?" Adam said, a bit confused.
"Yup," She playfully punched his shoulder. "That's your new nickname, because you're a jerk."
Adam shrugged his shoulders and start to walk away, Ruby followed. "So, where ya goin?"
"To the store. I'm craving for junk food." He said.
Ruby followed Adam to a nearby corner store. "Hey, can you buy me something?" She asked.
"After calling me a jerk? I don't think so." Adam replied.
Ruby groaned. "Well fine."
A small bit later, Adam sat a large bag of chips on the counter while Ruby got a large bunch of things. The shop clerk eyed Adam, noticing his hat. "Take your hat off."
"What?" Adam squinted.
"I said take your hat off, boy," he said again.
Adam sighed and slowly taken his hat off to reveal his horns which made the shop clerk groan in anger. The shop clerk pointed at the sign that was attached to the window.
Humans pay normal prices while Faunus's had to pay double. Ruby was quite shock at those rules and found it understandably unfair. "Don't you think that's unfair?"
The shop clerk glanced at Ruby. "Listen, little lady. That's how it works around here."
Adam sighed and dug through his pockets to find some money but instead, Ruby already paid for it. "Thanks Ruby but no thanks to you, asshole." He cursed, glaring at the shop clerk while snatching his bag of chips off the counter.
After Adam left the store. Ruby was bagging herself up, the shop clerk spoken to her. "Listen girl. You need to stay away from them Faunus's. They're nothing but but dirty animals. Since you're a beautiful young lady such as yourself th-"
"Please, stop talking to me." Ruby said, cutting him off.
She soon left, catching up with Adam which who was storming away again in a fit of anger. Even though it wasn't her fault, she felt deeply bad about what just happen. "You okay?" She asked.
Adam stopped but this time, in a more calm tone. "No Ruby, I'm not. I always have to face terrible people like them on a daily basis, only because what I've was born as. And I'm really sick of it."
"Oh..." She muttered, not knowing how to respond since she wasn't a Faunus. But thinking positively, she said. "It'll get better! I pro-"
"No it won't." He said, interrupting Ruby mid-sentence. Adam sighed silently, knowing that Ruby meant well. "Maybe you and your friends treat Faunus equally but there's a lot more people that don't. And unfortunately, its a reality."
Adam walked away and started to muttered, "a reality that I won't live in."
The two headed to the Haven's dorm which everyone else was at. A new person was there though. A boy named Oscar Pine that Nora was currently meming over him. "Who's the new guy?" Ruby asked.
"He's Oscar. Isn't he adorable?"
Ruby giggled and nodded. "Very."
"He says he has some relation with Ozpin." Jaune joined in.
Oscar snickered nervously, even confused himself. "Me and him share the same body..."
"Eh?!" Everybody went, except for Adam who simply didn't care and Qrow who already knew.
Ozpin decided to reveal himself, now taking control of Oscar. "Hello everyone," Ozpin spoken, surprising them even further.
He then explained the situation to everybody which had Team RNJR a bit startled, mainly Ruby since she's being hunted down for because of her silver eyes. "Wait, Ozpin. Can you tell me about my Silver...Cursed Eyes and why do Salem want them?"
"The Silver Eyes huh...?" Ozpin words trailed off when bringing that up, he wanted to talk about this before his previous body was killed but due to Qrow intervention, he didn't. Qrow sighed, tilting his head. "The Silver Eyes is a weakness to Grimm, a simple glare could turn the strongest Grimm into stone."
Ruby already knew that but she wanted to know more. Ozpin continued to explain, "Salem's philology is now made of Grimm so fighting a Silver Eyed Warrior could be a pain."
"So you're saying if Ruby glares at Salem, she could turn into stone?" Nora asked.
Ozpin shook his head. "Salem was once Human, her having aura shield her from the effects. Which is another thing I want to talk about. I'm sure none of you fought one but have you ever heard of a Talking Grimm?"
All of them shook their heads so again, Ozpin explained. "A Talking Grimm is a Grimm possessing a person. They are more deadly than a regular Grimm since they have a brain and aura. Salem is the only Talking Grimm in its purest form."
Adam coughed in the background.
Ruby sighed. "This is a lot to take in."
Ozpin stood up. "Be vigilant Ruby, your eyes could help or even save humanity greatly."
That's where Jaune had to step in, getting in front of Ozpin, this reminded him of the situation with Pyrhha. "You're not doing this again. You aren't putting Ruby out in danger."
"I agree." Qrow joined in. "While I'm glad that my niece is special and all, I don't want her being the spearhead of this war."
Ruby looked at both Qrow and Jaune, feeling very appreciative that they were sticking up for her. But she had huge mix feelings about this. She loved being the hero, she loved fighting to protect but after witnessing two of her friends dying and now being hunted down for simply having something she was born with, she felt afraid. Ozpin, Jaune and Qrow were now bickering about Ruby Silver Eyes. "Look at the bigger picture, her eyes can actually save humanity."
"Listen, we both know that this is bullshit." Qrow risen his voice. "Many Silver Eyed Warriors face Salem and her goons, and like the story goes, none of them comes out alive. If you think I'm risking a losing bet of my niece fighting Salem, then you're wrong."
"You weren't so vocal when we put our faith into Pyrhha saving humanity." Ozpin replied.
"You son of..." Qrow clutched his fist, about to sock Ozpin. He glance at Jaune who had been very defensive over Pyrhha when finding out she was a vessel for the Maiden powers. So it felt embarrassing and hypocrital for him to be vocal about this now.
Jaune was glaring back but he wasn't going to get mad since this was already talked about. Nora noticed how visibly disturb Ruby is, actually it looked like she was about to cry but while also, her eyes sparkled with a white light. Adam startled a bit, backed away from the crowd. Now Nora defensive, Nora spoken. "Can you all stop arguing!? And leave Ruby alone!" She shouted. Nora was on the side of Jaune and Qrow obviously but she knew that the back and forth wasn't making anything better.
Ozpin sighed. "My apologies...I'm just trying to do what's best for humanity."
Qrow then calm down, do understanding the situation they're in but he didn't want it to be his niece to be facing Salem out of everyone. Ruby, wiped the tears, they kept coming but wiped them. "I'll do it. I'll get stronger to fight...Salem, Cinder, whoever."
"Ruby..." Qrow tried to talk to her but was silenced by a emotionless yet deadly glare from her.
It was the first time Ruby looked so angry. "I don't care what you say Uncle Qrow! And if you want me to, then maybe you should stop keeping secrets from me." Ruby said, referring to her mother, Summer Rose. The girl soon stomped outside, incredibly angry.
It was awhile later, almost everyone was out, simply training. Adam, who had finished eating, walking up on Ruby and Oscar was sparring in hand to hand combat. Despite Ruby sloppy and inexperienced movements, she was dominating the sparring match against Oscar, showing she had some gasp of martial arts.
Oscar fell heavily after taking a punch straight in the face. Ruby, not really a fan of hand to hand felt proud of herself. Room of improvement was large but at least she had some experience. "My turn!"
"Huh?" Ruby glance over to see Nora coming in with her fist cocked back.
Ruby barely dodged the punch as she backed away. Nora kept launching as Ruby tried her best to avoid them, eventually some of them landed. Ruby then tried to send one back but Nora weaved right under it before gasping her arm around Ruby's under arm and her neck and slamming her right down. Ruby painfully grunted.
"Geez, Nora! Take it easy!" Jaune said.
"If you want a say, gotta beat the Gauntlet Queen!" Nora said, looking down at Ruby, asking, "you okay?"
"I'm fine..." She mumbled.
Nora titled her head before glaring at Jaune. "Well Jaune, still want a say?"
"Um..." Jaune put down his weapons before engaging with Nora but 10 seconds later, Jaune found himself flatten into the dirt. "Dammit."
Nora then saw Ren slowly lurking behind her. She grinned and immediately charged straightforward at her now boyfriend, launching a jab. Ren, side stepped and retaliated with a roundhouse kick. Nora caught it but Ren countered by swinging his other leg, kicking her right in the chest. Nora stumbled and rolled back on her feet, grinning. She and Ren always had sparring matches and unfortunately, she wasn't the winner throughout most of them.
Meanwhile, with Adam. He was standing against the fence with Ruby, Jaune and Oscar. "You two okay?" He asked.
Jaune nodded but Ruby didn't say anything. She was still visibly upset, she kept wondering. "Did my mom die...? Did she? Did she? Did she? Did she? DID SHE?!" She grunted, getting a headache. It upset her deadly, she always felt...jealous when looking at other kids having fun with both their parents and while she was either with her father or her uncle.
To be continued
Hello, if you read through this long chapter, I applaud you and really appreciate it. If anyone curious and confused about why Blake Faunus Transformation was added, well to me, her semblance alone feels...pretty weak? Like it's useful but compared to Weiss and Yang's, it feels bland. And while Ruby is a Speed Semblance, she at least have Silver Eyes.
And, I know that Ruby Rose already knows her mother is dead in the canon but I feel like Ruby needs more...internal conflict?
Anyways, look after the next chapter.