Hello my ever lovely peeps!
So while this is technically an interlude, rather then a chapter, it'll be labeled as such. With a first person point of view from ILIA! She didn't get much screen time, but it was certainly longer then Sienna's time and now, we're going to be doing some character building for her this story as well. Along with some others, so as always i don't own anything.
So please read, review and "What the fuc-BOOM"
Interlude: The Years Between Planets
Report Submitted By: Ilia Amitola/Mazoku
Rank: Commander of Vale's Militia Division
Log Entry Number: 66
Time Stamp: 8:37 PM
It is unclear where Supreme leader of the White Fang Xero Mazoku came from. His early life, family name, even his home town/village and which kingdom he came from is still an unknown to all, save for High leader Sienna Khan and a select few. Maybe that is the way he prefers it, as those kinds of things can be used by Atlas the enemy of Faunus everywhere, the vile Jacques Schnee and quite possible, the terrorist splinter group:
The Black Fang.
Tsk...talk about real original.
Cue the eye rolling.
The earliest time record of supreme leader's history, is when he became a ward of Beacon Academy and apart of team STRQ, which became team STRQ + X.
Teammates consist of their deceased leader, the famous White Grimm Reaper Summer Rose, Vale's Executor Qrow Branwen, the Soulless White Nevermore Raven Branwen, and the Golden Brawler Tiayang Xiao Long.
While the final mission Miss Rose went on is highly classified of the highest order, what we do known is that someway, somehow, headmaster of Beacon Academy Ozpin(No last name) was the one to assign the mission to miss Rose. It is a shame, supreme leader Mazoku wasn't able to reach miss Rose in time. As we are told, he was able to find her but was too late to save her.
Even with the new advancements in medical technology, her wounds were too great.
All details were blacklisted but one nugget of information that was granted to us, was that in her final act as a leader miss Rose gave our leader her right eye to replace his damaged one. Even in her finale moments, that woman wanted to help others and was willing to give an arm and leg to do it.
Or in this case, an eye.
The reasons aside, that is when our leader cut all ties with the mysterious headmaster and the White Fang truly began to rise in Remnant and the fall from grace of Atlas and the SDC.
Back to the earliest recordings, for six months the supreme leader stayed silent and quite within Beacon's walls. It was during the time of the Vytal Festival began to roll around, did things start to change. It was held in Atlas and team STRQ + X, was one of the teams sent to Atlas, fighting for Beacon and Vale itself. While our leader couldn't fight with his team, he spent his time wandering Atlas and there, he met High Leader Khan and deceased founder of the White Fang, Ghira Belladonna.
As you may or may not known already, Atlas was one of the worst place for Faunus, which has only gotten worse over the years. The Black Fang certainly doesn't help but at least Mistral and Vacuo understand, we of the White Fang DO NOT support their actions. Atlas and more to the point, the SDC blame us as much as they blame the Black Fang for their actions.
Bunch of assholes.
Anyway, back then the White Fang was lead by Ghira and while we tried to do things peacefully, Atlas also responded with over the top violence if we tried to protect ourselves against discrimination. A riot was about to break out, when some richy riches threw shit at us but our supreme leader stepped in and stopped it.
Or tried too.
Anyone who fights back against Atlas is usually deemed an enemy of the kingdom and our supreme leader, along with High Leader Khan and founder Belladonna were thrown in prison but Sup-no, XERO'S, actions created a ripple.
A ripple of change.
Perhaps the Schnee's saw it, as it wasn't long before tried to have all three executed for "Crimes against humanity".
However it was only because of the timely arrival of headmaster Ozpin, the now general of Atlas James Ironwood and a little viral video that revealed what "really" happened, rather then the bullshit Atlas' media tried to sport. Despite heavy and i do mean, HEAVY protest, the Atlas's council was forced to let all three of them go. It was a black eye to their reputation and would be the start of their fall from grace.
The fact Xero, a human who had nothing to gain and A LOT to lose, stepped in to help the leader of a Faunus group had been a great boon to our organization. Up until that point, no human wanted to openly help us, for fear of being outcast by those in power. Namely those who basically allow people to get normal jobs, buy homes/food and basic needs or they would make those who do openly help us, have their lives harder as legally as possible.
Even if it was illegal, many wouldn't help for the same exact reasons.
But supreme leader Mazoku's actions opened the floodgates. People everywhere, human and Faunus alike, began to throw their support behind the White Fang. During this time, Ghira learned that Xero was trying to start up his own company but was being blocked by those who disliked his actions in helping us. In a show of good faith and future cooperation, helped to fund the start up money.
But it would not last long, as soon everyone started to throw their support behind, not just the White Fang, but the supreme leader as well.
Outside of Vale, which would one day become the mother base of not only the White Fang but the supreme leader's own personal guard, The Jeagers. Which, in the old tongue means "Hunters".
Our mother base was stationed within Mt. Glenn.
Originally no one knew what happened, Mt. Glenn's naturally defense's and her mighty walls should have held back any attack. At least long enough for someone to realize the Grimm were here and attacking our city. But there were none, no warning, no sign of attacking before they we're upon us. My mom and dad came to Mt. Glenn after leaving Atlas.
We were suppose to start over, after my dad decline the dust mining job. He told us, we'd be safe and Vale would be a new start to a new life.
He was wrong.
My parents died, trying to save me and while i don't believe in fate or any of that higher power shit, i cannot deny what happened next, could only be describe as destiny at work.
When i was about to be killed by a pack of Beowolves, supreme leader Xero came to my rescue. He wasn't a huntsman, he didn't have his aura unlocked but what he did have was a very high IQ with the will to build the future. He came in wearing, what he has told me, was his "Mark 1 Jeager" suit. To this day, i can still see, crystal clear a suit of sleek and durable armor flying in and slaughtering the Grimm by the dozens.
While it was painted black as night, it had a pitch of red here and there.
Or perhaps that was simply the blood of the Grimm on it.
Meh.
Either way, supreme leader Xero saved not only me that day but ensured what would have been a great tragedy would never come to pass.
Fight!
We hold them here!
Don't give in!
We are the light that will burn away the darkness!
Fight for you're families!
Fight for you're lives!
Fight for humanity!
IF WE FALL HERE, COUNTLESS LIVES WILL BE LOST! IS THAT WHAT YOU ALL WANT?! NO?! THEN STAND AND FIGHT WITH ME!
I was basically high on adrenaline, my blood pumping and my heart torn at the death of my parents, so i only heard a few words but heard enough. When all hope was lost, when everyone was ready to give up and give in, he reignite the flames of hope.
He inspired all those who had lost hope, gave them all a second wind and did what many believed to be impossible:
He fought back the Grimm and won, what many said would say, should have been an unwinnable battle. He saved Mt. Glenn and over thousands of lives that day, showing everyone, both humanity AND Faunus kind, that the Grimm aren't as endless or invincible as they seem. Hell, that day was the first and last i or anyone else for that matter, saw a Grimm DRAGON.
Yes, a bloody, fucking dragon of all things and i honestly though we we're done for. But we weren't, thanks to supreme leader and team STRQ + X with headmaster Ozpin's help, killed the dragon. After seeing the beast fall, everyone else rallied and pressed the Grimm, well into the night.
By dawn, with the smoke settling and the sun's rays cracking over the mountains tallest peaks, the last of the Grimm had been cut down and Mt. Glenn was saved. This, his victory proved something, SHOWED all of Remnant something that i believe in, even to this day:
It showed everyone, that this is a fight worth fighting for.
It showed everyone, that humanity and Faunus kind CAN beat back the creatures of darkness.
It showed everyone, that the world beyond the walls of the kingdom's protection can be safe guarded and thrive.
It showed everyone, the Grimm COULD be defeated.
That's why, even after learning that we had been betrayed by a man named Dr. Merlot, it didn't crush everyone as it should have. If nothing else, it made their victory over the Grimm all the more sweeter and well earned.
The fact that one man, a teen actually with no hunter training or aura, armed with only a suit of advanced armor lead them all to victory had made supreme leader into a symbol. One that would bring about change to Remnant, whether they liked it or not.
One of those changes came real damn quick, when we learned the members of the Vale council tried to KILL us all, by denoting the underground train station, effectively cutting off from Vale, trapping us with the Grimm. Once this fact came to light, many weren't...pleased to say the least.
People from all over Vale demanded their heads, those from Mt. Glenn most of all and myself of course. Hell, even headmaster Ozpin and his hunters were all for it as well, which only made our case all the more stronger, no matter how hard they tried to justify it.
They all but hanged themselves, when they tried to shift the blame on XERO! Of all people.
Saying he was the one that caused Merlot to turn against humanity and that he SHOULD have known, he was going to betray them by letting the Grimm in. But try as they might, no one was listening and all but kicked them out of Vale for good.
Last i heard, those bastards were somewhere in Atlas.
Go figure.
Atlas has become more and more of a problem over the last couple of years. While relations with the kingdom has gotten a little better thanks to General Ironwood coming into power, the SDC and just general the rest of Atlas haven't made it easy for us.
Yes, when i say "Us" i mean my adopted family.
After the death of my parents, i was orphaned. I had no relatives to speak of and no one wanted to adopted a "wired" Faunus child that could change her body color at will. So, without a second thought the supreme leader adopted me.
If you're wondering why i don't call Xero "Dad" throughout this report, it's because i respect him too much. He had earned his title as "Supreme leader" through years of hard work and while i do love him very much and vice verse, he wasn't always my father. He was my leader first and foremost. It would be disrespectful of me to do so otherwise, no matter what anyone tells me.
He saved me, from not only the Grimm but a life alone with no family, no friends, no future.
He's done so much for me and asked for nothing in return, other then he wanted to do right by me, for not saving my parents. I'm not going to lie, at one point or another, i hated supreme leader, despised him for not saving my parents. It's stupid i know that now but back then, when i was a kid, i wanted to hate someone. To blame someone and like any other stupid kid, i blamed Xero for it.
But he took it in strive.
I don't known why but he seemed use to being blamed for things and when i asked him about it, he just said:
"After a while, being blamed for every bad thing just simply becomes noise. I don't even hear what they say anymore, to me, it's nothing but noise."
It was kinda disturbing to hear it, if i'm being honest. Iv'e seen what being hated does to people, how it changes them and how it can wrap them but Xero? He...i don't know, i feel like there IS something there, gods know there is if you have seen him fight, but never once have i ever seen it in action.
Only the aftermath of it.
That alone should be enough said.
Ya known, after the original council members were replaced with people that actually want to help the common folk, Mazoku Industries was official opened not a week later. After that, i believed things would get better as supreme leader not only helped human/Faunus relations but he personal created alternative means of energy that could replace Dust.
That fact alone, made him a swore enemy of the SDC.
Then they actively tried to tear down Xero's company, when the new Vale council cut all ties with Atlas, after Xero successful proved his alternative energy is not only sustainable but helped Menagerie, home of the Faunus, expanded. The island was not only overpopulated, but like everything else it relied on Dust and with new energy means, they too cut themselves off from Atlas.
The alternative energy is as the following:
Arc reactor, Steam power, Biofuels, solar panels, hydroelectric and Wind power.
The last three are the big three used in menagerie, as they have the prefect environment for all three. The first one, the Arc Reactor is supreme leader personal pet project and one that basically runs all of Vale right now. With many Arc reactors placed throughout the kingdom, Vale will be powered for more then eighty years.
EACH.
It truly is amazing.
Xero even found a way to convert the energy into weapons to use against the Grimm, while creating other weapons that don't use Dust but are just as effective against the Grimm.
Maybe even more so.
If that wasn't enough, he also improved the CCT(Cross Continental Transmit System), placing boosters underground, improving the signal range and removing a HUGE problem with the towers. Namely, if one goes down they all go down.
Real stupid system if you ask me.
With the success of Mt. Glenn, Vale began to expanded even more and as such, needed a stronger signal range and supreme leader gave them just that. He personally improved the security system, ID, everything improved. No matter what Atlas said and it's smear campaign, his actions spoke for him. Little wonder why The Happy Huntress, lead by his human wife, Robyn Hill helped the people of Mantle escape Atlas.
"The Mass Exodus Of Mantle"
That what the event was called, as Mantle became a ghost town and everyone migrated to Vale. Pining another black eye to Atlas and it's destroyed reputation, along with proof that Faunus aren't just animals, as one of supreme leader's wives, Trifa, a spider Faunus had created a new type of marital that could work for both medical and combative uses:
Spider silk/webs.
As it turns out, spider silk, webbing, whatever you want to call it can be used to create light, strong and very flexible armor. The reason no one ever tried this before, was because from a normal spider, you just couldn't get enough to make any use of it. But thanks to the R&D of Mazoku Industries, they were able to not only test it enough to see what else it could be used for but they can now easily duplicate.
Not only could it be used to make armor, it's ideal for both, webbing up criminals with no chance of them escaping and even use it to BIND WOUNDS! Because of this fact alone, hundreds of lives have been saved, binding wounds that would should have been fatal, had it not been for the spider silk.
The silk has also been approved to be used by construction companies as well. While it may dissolve after a while, it's prefect for holding things in place, while they get the proper martials to bolt(Or wield) it down. In short, one little thing has proven it has many uses and the fact it was a spider FAUNUS that helped discover this amazing martial, only showed the world a Faunus's gift being used for the betterment of all.
WITHOUT said Faunus being treated like a lab rat.
The SDC, for all it's blustering about how Faunus are animals and are sub-human scum, just got ANOTHER black eye thanks to the webbing.
Things were going good for the past few years, supreme leader's company was making a difference, the White Fang was gaining ground in spreading equality among Remnant and best of all, Atlas was getting it's just desserts.
But nothing good lasts forever.
During the next Vytal Festival, held in Vale, despite the rising tensions between Atlas and Vale everyone from every kingdom came as expected. With Menagerie joining the four kingdoms and being legally recognized as the FIFTH kingdom. A fact many racist's didn't like but by that point, supreme leader's word in Vale was law.
Thanks to efforts made by both Ozpin and Xero, they helped fully expanded Menagerie's island into the desert and even created it's own small Huntsman academy! The school didn't have a name, till after the Vytal Festival and was named Belladonna Academy, in honor of Ghira.
You see, Ghira didn't die a natural death. He, we, fuck everyone was betrayed.
However, it wasn't Atlas that caused his death. Rather, it was one of our own, a splinter group formed within the White Fang. One that is being lead by that filthy traitor's, Adam Taurus and the Albain Brothers, Corsac and Fennec. They're target was not onlu Ghira but his wife, Kali, Sienna and the supreme leader himself.
But that one of Adam's own troop's, Trifa, betrayed him and warned supreme leader before they could put their plan into action. However, Adam didn't go down and before he escaped, he tried to kill Xero but Ghira took a bullet meant for him instead. He and the brother escaped, along with a good number of rogue members within our group. A few of our own got killed and the rest were wounded.
Despite this, it didn't deterrent our support.
It in fact, made support for the White Fang go through the roof. Supreme leader used Ghira's death as a lighting rod and in doing so, establish the Ghira Belladonna Laws. Laws that would ensure people couldn't abuse one another, be they human or Faunus, without paying a high price for discrimination on both sides. Founder Belladonna's death might have been a tragedy, but supreme leader used that tragedy to ensure none like that would happen ever again.
With Ghira dead, Kali took over Menagerie as chieftain and after two years, remarried Xero, in what is basically a political marriage. Creating strong ties between Vale and Menagerie.
One of the many reasons why i hate politics but at least supreme leader will treat Chief Belladonna right. Sigh...Ghira, you would have been proud and happy on what the Faunus have accomplished. I only wish you're death, didn't have to be the latch key into causing change. At least he will rest in peace, knowing his wife and daughter are not only being well taken care of, but are thriving.
Speaking of thriving.
I don't known what happened between the two, but after a mission that cost Summer Rose's life, Xero and the White Fang as a whole cut all ties with Beacon. Personally i believe Xero meant to cut all ties with Ozpin himself, as the two got into a very heated argument from what i heard.
There's just something about Ozpin that rubs me the wrong way and i was happy Da-Xero, cut ties with him. Though miss Rose's last contribution to the cause, towards our family was to give one of her own eyes, to supreme leader's dead one. After the death of his friend and cutting ties with Beacon, supreme leader threw himself into his work.
Creating and mass producing weapons, the standard armor of the Jeagers, the Spartan Armor and even a new tool that will replace scrolls in the future known as the Omni-tool.
I known Xero is just trying to ensure humanities(And Faunus kinds) survival by giving them advanced weapons and armor that outshines anything Atlas could create, i can't help but feel like i'm missing something. But i do known this for certain, as i have noticed the Black Fang have been getting stronger and better, with Grimm growing stronger something is coming.
Something big.
But honestly, let them come, we're ready for them.
Done.
And does anyone notice anything? Notice certain items and equipment? It's there and without a doubt, Ilia is the best girl! Wanted to give her and some other characters some spotlight time. Many more things to come my peeps!
Devil out!