Howdy! I'm so glad I've finally slowed down on the updates lol it gives me time to actually sleep

anyway; in this chapter, there's some stuff going on in Orion's head and within the Kingdom of Vale. So, if you can recall, I've forgotten what I wanted to do with this fanfic, given the total lack of updates for almost two years. After constant brainstorming and remembering certain plots that now can't happen because of what changes I've made - I found where I wanted to go. Soon, my friends, we will be getting to the endgame of this fanfic, since I believe I was planning to end it at chapter 80 or somewhere around there. We're a little past halfway my dudes. Get lit

Anyway!

Disclaimer: I don't own RWBY

Chapter 45: Choke Your Fear

He didn't know what had led to this moment. Strapped beside this mustached man, zooming through the clouds across Solitas – it wasn't exactly what he thought he'd be doing. Eyes pressed forward; he tried his best not to steal glances at the man. Never once getting an answer for his former inquiry, the Argent knew there was something else afoot. He looked familiar; there was something about that face that really stuck out to Orion's memory, but he just couldn't put his finger on it. That was until the man scoffed at his thoughts, as if he'd heard them. The man popped his knuckles, reaching for the console, flicking on the autopilot.

"Have you figured it out yet?"

Orion blinked as realization dawned on him, "Aren't you supposed to be dead?"

Watts chuckled, "I always believed the idea of twintuition was more a myth, than scientific fact. You and your sister are more alike than you like to admit."

"That didn't tell me anything," Orion glared.

"Your sister asked me the same thing when I first approached her," Watts hummed, "don't give me that look – I originally wanted to contact you, but you had disappeared during the protests against James, before the Tournament. Call me curious; what were you doing?"

"I was with my team touring the city away from all the madness. We didn't want to be involved," Orion answered, "is that satisfactory enough for you?"

"Hmm, not the answer I was expecting, but intriguing nonetheless," Watts said, "say, what would be your opinion about your team?"

"Is this an interview or something?" the boy glared, "whatever it is you two are planning with Doctor Merlot, I don't want any part of it. Two dead doctors working with my sister spells a mess I don't intend to clean up. I just need to get to Vale to do some things to ensure me and my team can get out of dodge."

"Where do you intend to flee to?" Watts asked.

"Wouldn't you like to know."

"I did ask," Watts said, "a ride from Atlas to Vale is a two-day flight – I would rather not travel in complete silence the entire time."

"Just who are you and what do you want from my sister?" Orion glared once more.

"I have people who find great interest in not just her, but you as well, Orion," Watts turned to him, "I've heard about your semblances, and my, you two have quite the tenacity. I watched you expand those men without even thinking. Truly, a great performance. As for your sister, to disappear into her forcefields, shrinking herself to molecular levels, I just want to say, your mastery over your Semblances is quite intriguing. It almost makes me rethink my position on Semblances."

"You know all of this about us, but you won't say what you want?" Orion glared, "what do you want?"

"You're not a part of my plans at the moment, so you have no reason to know," Watts said, "your sister beyond her semblance control, she is smart. After all, with her thorough experimentation, she created one beautiful weapon. What do you bring to the table?"

"Nothing. Like I said, I want no part of this fight," Orion said, "I have my own and that's it. You can do your own bullshit for all I care, as long as my team is unharmed then I'll do what needs to be done to ensure that happens. This, however, is not something I'm willing to give even an afterthought for. We're trying to get out of the fight – not join another. There is a war coming…and I refuse to let my team fight in it. We're going to get as far away from all of this as possible."

"Your love for your team is…unfounded for an Argent," Watts said.

"What would you know about me?"

Watts raised a brow, "a hint of damaged pride? Truly, the more you speak, the more I hear your sister. I was not talking about you per se, but Argents in general. Your father was a man who cared very little about the people under his command. Even less if those people were those, he deemed lesser. He was fortunate to view me an equal, but there are those who were not so lucky. Professor Ozpin of Beacon is one of those men. He always had a curious notion that the Headmaster was up to no good."

"I mean, he was right, after all; he thought he killed me many years ago," Watts smirked, "but as you can see, death didn't stick. Your mother, while not an Argent at birth, she was always a…how do I say – cunty bitch. Excuse my inability to find a better term, but it would seem to be the only way to describe your mother, would be through uncultured vernacular. She was…one of the worst people I've ever known. I would feel bad for my experiments before I would sit in a room and listen to your mother speak. How is it, that you and your sister spawned from such undesirable people?"

"I don't know? Procreation," Orion rolled his eyes, "how would I know? My parents are people who were forged by their own hatred and indoctrinated ideals. They were children of people who fought in the Faunus War – descendants of people who fought in the Great War. They have a lot of pride in their bloodlines and it shows. The Brotherhood has long since lost what it was supposed to be."

"What might that be?" Watts hummed, "I never did understand these racial ideologies."

"It wasn't always that," Orion said, "when it started in the wake of the Last King of Vale's death – the Brotherhood was a cabal of like-minded House; Argent, Alivia, Arc, Winchester, Bronzewing, Lark and Thrush…and so many others, like Carbo, Casia, Alium, Calda, Ovis, Merino…we were brought together because with the King of Vale gone, we needed a leader – they were the first Council of any of the Four Kingdoms. New houses came to replace those that died, and so on and so forth. But over time, like all things, people started to disagree. Arcs and their Orléans found new ventures outside of warriors, getting into a new industry, forcing Argent, Carbo and Merino out of agriculture. Winchesters, ousted Alium, Casia and Alivia from lumber."

"What made it worse, was their friendship with Faunus businesses and enclaves who were discriminated against by the other Houses," Orion continued, "families from other continents, like the Luna in Mistral, despised Faunus and wanted a Council to rule Mistral as well – with the help of the Brotherhood, they formed their council, placing members of the Organization in places of power. That's why Faunus discrimination is so strong in Mistral and Anima. Even to this day, the council was weak for a reason."

"The Arcs and the Winchesters, along with the Bronzewing, Lark and Thrush, soon started to side more with Faunus upstarts, as the records say, than established humans. Little by little, the power of the Arcs and the Winchesters, started to overpower that of the Argents and Alivia," Orion said, "It didn't help that there was a rumor that spread, that the Arcs and the Winchesters were the rightful lines of the King of Vale. The Argents at the time, couldn't stand the idea of a Faunus possibly sitting as King in any of the Four Kingdoms."

"All of this hatred boiled over when my grandfather, Karpos Argent, and five hundred soldiers, were killed by an enraged Faunus Enclave in Anima. No one knows why he was there, but it was the final tipping point to spark the Faunus War," Orion said, "decades since the Great War, the Four Kingdoms and their own Houses and governments, tried to kick the Faunus out of the known world and put them into the place they affectionately called Menagerie. Some didn't have a problem with it, others thought it was an insult. And if I'm going to be honest, until the King healed Menagerie, they were right; it was a slap in the face."

"As the war kicked off, the Argents used the first year as an excuse to go to war with the Arcs and the Winchesters. For some time, they were locked in a bloody stalemate, with several Argents dying and several Arcs dying. Whole generations of the families were obliterated in the fires of war, leading to the families we have now. Before they turned to defend their allies from one another, to avoid any real bloodshed. General Lagune was a Brotherhood general who served the House of Argent, at least until his untimely death at Fort Castle, at the hands of the one named Corsac Albain. They say that Faunus was only twelve years old at the time."

"After that, we all know how the Faunus War continued," Orion frowned, "the houses of Casia, Calda and Ovis were destroyed. Their cities wrought to ruins and ash, while the Merino and Alium were able to keep Dene and Magnus, respectively. Those two Houses however, have fallen out of favor with the Brotherhood recently, calling upon the King of Vale, Jaune Arc, instead, for help. In the end of the final battle the Argents were weakened to the point of collapsing under its weight, the Arcs were bloodied to a pulp, the Alivia lost all of their semblance using members and the Winchesters dwindled to a single man, his wife and unborn son. We were in no position to keep fighting and that only served to make the Brotherhood hate the Faunus more."

"In the wake of Ghira Belladonna's creation of the White Fang," Orion sighed, "the Brotherhood made it their mission to stand in the way of the pacifist. That is, until the Arcs and the Winchesters, once again, stepped in to defend the White Fang. But while the Argents and the Brotherhood rearmed and prepared for the war to come; the Arcs and Winchesters, spread themselves too thin, burning more money than they should to help the White Fang, that they lost prestige and much of their favor in the Council of Vale. It worsened further, when the lady Arc, Adrienne Arc, was replaced with a wolf Faunus, named Marie Groseille, a former White Fang operative, who worked with the Belladonnas personally."

"It was the final slap in the face," Orion said, "the Brotherhood couldn't take it anymore. Their hatred for the Arcs, spawned from their love of the Faunus. Their hatred for the Faunus, lied in the ignorance of forefathers they would never meet. And it finally boiled over into the point of no return, when Ainsley Winchester, the former lady of House Winchester was killed by the new White Fang and Faunus unaligned. The Brotherhood believed they could convince Tanager to their side, to finally take from the Arcs, their only ally left – but Tanager ended up marrying a Faunus himself, named Dahlia Wisteria."

"The insults only continued when my parents and the High Councils learned that these two ancient and noble, bloodlines were tainted by Faunus blood. Claude Arc and Tanager Winchester had more children. I believe two daughters for the Arc and a single daughter for the Winchester," Orion said, "but if you knew all about me, my sister, my parents…you probably already knew all of that."

"Of course I did," Watts hummed, "looks like you've exhausted yourself. How does it feel to be the one to stand out like a knight in shining armor?"

"That's what the Brotherhood calls me," Orion glared at the windshield, "a knight protects people. All I've ever done was hurt them."

"Having doubts now? Where were these doubts when you murdered those two men?"

"I hardly feel remorse for those who are beneath–"

Orion blinked in silence as he realized what he was about to say. Sinking into his seat, he wished the seatbelt would choke him to death, "I…"

"See what I mean?" Watts raised a brow, "you are more like the people you hate, than you realize. Unlike you, Orion, I know my worth. The people I experimented on, were well beneath me or you. They were homeless, jobless, leeches to society. Once, I was a patriotic and believed strongly in the systems I grew up with. Can you believe that? Once, I wanted to be a huntsman, I wanted to help the Atlesian Military project its might across the world, but after the Great War, after the Faunus War, and the many proxy wars that happened in between – I saw that dream slip further and further away."

"I saw men and women die in the battlefields of Atlas's wars," Watts said, "I carried them from battlefields to field hospitals, only to find they had died on the journey. I had run back and forth, under fire from all sides in Vacuo, in Anima, in Sanus. The wars made me see life for what it is – fickle. Weak. Mortal. So, after I was discharged, and the wars came to an end, there was no need for infantry. Thankfully, I still had my mind and I was immediately conscripted by the newly promoted General Ironwood, a man who nearly lost his entire body to war. If it weren't for a certain Doctor and my own genius at work – the fool would have died."

"However, there are many in Atlas who didn't seem to agree with my genius," Watts said, "if your Brotherhood really is implanted in the Four Kingdoms, I haven't had the honor of knowing them. I was cast out and humiliated by my colleagues. I went into hiding to continue my research. Cronos and Gaia were once great cities in Solitas, but after the Faunus War, after the Great War, they were left as nothing more ruins drowned in snow. I worked and studied to make super soldiers; I did everything I could, to find a power that could contend with semblances. I never got to find it, because that Headmaster Ozpin, found me and put an end to my work."

"Now, we are here," Watts said, "working with your sister. She seems to have a vision that could change the world and the Brotherhood. It is a shame, really, that you won't be there to see that dream come to fruition."

"H-How did you even find her?" Orion asked.

"I have my ways," Watts chuckled, "after all, who do you think invented scrolls? Who do you think was one of the most important minds behind the CCTN and the CCT Towers? As I said before, I was once a different man with different world views."

"What are your views now?"

"I believe I've shared enough; it's your turn."

Orion scoffed, "so, we're playing a game?"

"If it helps make this journey any less boring, then I suppose we are," Watts said, "we share something in return for something knew to learn. You and I have something in common, Orion; we crave knowledge. While not at the extent of your sister; you seek understanding, rather than academia. Knowledge is knowledge, and I can respect that."

"Fine," Orion sighed, crossing his arms, "what do you want to know?"

"Your team, surely you have something to say about them," Watts said.

"Why do you care?"

"In my line of work, it's always best to know who you're working with and why."

Orion thought for a moment, "it's…it's not as simple as how I feel about my team. It's more how I feel about Faunus."

"Oh, continue," Watts said with a raised brow, "after what your sister has told me and what I know of the Brotherhood…I would think this kind of discussion doesn't need to be had."

"I'm not like them. I never truly held hatred for the Faunus," Orion frowned, "I did what I had to do to survive."

"Survive?"

"Not just me, but other Faunus that served my family. T-There was a Faunus…her name is Ciane," Orion said. The boy sighed, closing his eyes, unable to catch Watts' sudden expression. As if the man had come to a conclusion, he kept his mouth shut letting the boy continue, "six years ago, when I returned from cadet training, I found out that she was being bullied by my sister. I came to defend her and for a while…I…we became close. Years later, right when I was about to start military basic training, she confessed her feelings for me. I felt the same way, so I intended to get through military service and then we could escape from all of the nightmares."

"But my sister found out. My mother found out. I thought my father would be enraged, but these days, his disdain for Faunus went only so far as political," Orion sighed, "it was my mother who held true hatred. She punished Ciane. Severely. She punished me and made me watch. I couldn't take it anymore and I intervened, even in view of the Brotherhood High Council. My father wasn't in attendance because he was busy arguing with the Arcs in Vale's Silver Tower."

"They beat me for standing in the way," Orion frowned, "they whipped my back, and denied me my Aura. There was a man, Aelius Fulvius, who had a semblance that could negate Aura. A rare semblance, but one that served the Brotherhood well when it came to doling punishment. They could have killed me that day if it weren't for Ciane jumping in to take the punishment instead. That only served to anger the Brotherhood further."

"Making me watch once more, Larissa was ordered to teach Ciane a lesson she would never forget," Orion clenched his teeth, "she held Ciane down and slowly cut one of her rabbit ears off. She made sure to make it as painful as possible, to not only hurt her, but to hurt me. After that, I left…I joined the Atlesian Military and never went back to the Argent Manor until recently. But even in Atlas Academy, even when I was training to be free of the Brotherhood's influence, the High Council still had their claws in my life. My team, made completely of Faunus, and women, they thought it would be the perfect insult. 'Since you love the Faunus so much, here. Have more so you can let them down, like Ciane.' I'm pretty sure that was their thought process."

"Well, what of your team?" Watts asked.

"Are you some kind of couples therapist or something?" Orion snapped, "why do you care so much?!"

"As I said before, I want to know what people think, I want to know why people do the things they have done," Watts answered, "It's never just enough to know what you've done; it's never just enough to know who you are. It's one thing to have power, it's another to be worthy. It's one thing to be smart; it's another to understand. Do you follow?"

"I don't believe in the common conception that the soul, or spirit, is intrinsic among living beings," Watts began, "while other believe in gods, others, more advanced people, believe there is a scientific answer for everything. As such, aura, is not the projection of one's soul, but it is a natural defense formed from one's own body. The idea that one soul can transcend into something greater, is ignorance speaking. It's a shame that so many believe in that lie. But of course, the uneducated are usually awed by science."

"I do the things I do, because I just want to understand the world," Watts said, "I want to understand why we do the things we do. I don't think Grimm are inherently evil, I don't think people are inherently good. There is something in life that causes people to act the way they do. Don't you agree? You, raised to hate another species just because of how they look, yet you rose above all of that and learned to love one of them. Your mother, could have learned this, but her ignorance, her hatred, her small brain, led her to stick to her vices and refuse to see the bigger picture. We are all but dust on a floating rock in the vast undiscovered space that spans the universe. We are nothing."

"Some people want to make life worth living."

"What do you define living, then?"

"Overcoming your obstacles, forging a name that will last for ages to come; becoming something more than a speck of dust on a floating rock," Orion said, "fighting for something you believe in, fighting against the forces that wish to end your life. Denying fate, denying destiny, denying your enemies even a sliver of joy from seeing your defeat. Life is worth fighting for, but if there was no challenge, if there was no obstacle, then what is living? If I was handed everything I wanted on a silver platter – I'd be existing. There'd be no point to anything. Living…living is pouring your soul into something that will last."

"I see," Watts said with a thoughtful look.

"I look out into Mantle, every night, and find nothing but squalor, yet, the people still find a way to thrive beneath Atlas," Orion said, "from my balcony, I look down into Atlas, and find people with everything they could possibly want and yet, they're still complaining, they're still conniving for more. Life is interesting that way; some are content with their lot in life, knowing that they have achieved their greatest potential; others, nothing can satiate their greed and obsession for possession. Some are happy to serve, others want nothing more than to dominate. The definitions are infinite and unbound, but in the end, living, is more than existing. Everyone, everything, comes with consequence…"

"Despite how I felt for Ciane, I believed that she wanted nothing to do with me," Orion said, "my goal was to always leave the Brotherhood. I didn't really care how, but I knew I would. Things only got worse, when my sister brutalized a Faunus in Viridian Hollow. She looked to be about our age…she had the most beautiful antlers I've ever seen. Healthy hair, and the most incredible blue eyes. But that wasn't to last – a former member threw a stone after being pushed and goaded into doing it by Larissa and several other Brotherhood Acolytes."

"Before I knew it," Orion stopped, "I…enough of this…I don't want to talk about this anymore."

"I see…" Watts narrowed his eyes.

Not a single word. Leaving the rooftop in the center of warehouse wasteland, Orion gave Watts a simple wave. As he stepped from the door, Watts made a cough, "Orion…for what it's worth, you have a good head on your shoulders. It would be a shame if you lost it. Watch yourself and be careful, will you?"

Giving him a nod, the boy jumped down from the rooftop, using his semblance to extend streetlamps and extensions hanging from brick walls. He moved swiftly, as he had done plenty times in his escape from Atlas Academy. Landing on the empty, desolate street, he rolled about, stopping at the edge of an alleyway, throwing his back against a wall. He took slow breaths, as the airship took off from the rooftop. He watched the streets, looking for any sign of life. There was nothing but the stray raccoons and the trash blowing in the warm mid-summer breeze.

Heading into the street, he continued through the district, heading toward the Redwood Bridge. As he left the district, he had entered a new one, filled with lights and life beyond trash can animals scurrying about. He hid his face from the passing people, eyes kept forward. Thankfully, with all the chaos in the city, he had to remind himself what was happening. Banners of the Arc family waved in the winds; symbols of the King; what terrified him, the effigies. Unlike what the news reports showed, there were more. One for each of the members of that Team RRAYNNBW. They stood in the alleyways, with floats pulled in the streets as people cried out, raising signs and waving banners, beating their chests as they moved lock-step and file.

He fell back into an alleyway as the procession continued. In the middle of the day, beneath the clouded skies, he waited. It started as a trickle, a pinch against his skin. He flinched, his emotions and senses overloaded. It was raining. Looking back to the street, the people didn't care, still marching, still praying; still crying out to their King and their Queens. Sighing in defeat, he fell to the floor, holding his head in his hands. Names were called out, pictures in glass frames were displayed at the base of these effigies and floats. He could hear them, every person; he could see them, every life.

"Son, you're going to catch a cold staying in the rain like this," a man said from the side.

Snapping up, he looked down the alleyway as several elderly men and women showed themselves from the shadows. Faunus, humans, all of them, were disheveled, wrinkled remnants of age. The one in the front, was a deeply wrinkled man, unable to even keep his eyes open. In his hands, a thick rain poncho, "take this…you look like you've just come from a long journey."

"W-What?" Orion turned to him, "I-I can't! What about you?"

The old man smiled, holding his hands out, "do not worry about me, son. The King has done all that he can to fix this Kingdom, but there is still only so much one man can do. Take it, son."

"Sir, I appreciate it," Orion lowered his head, "but you could get sick. I have my aura unlocked. I'll be fine."

"Son, I've lived my life," the man chuckled, "if I die to this cold, there are worse ways to go. I'm just glad that I got to see a real King."

Throwing the poncho over his shoulders, he threw the hood over his head, "t-thank you. Be safe."

Entering the streets once more, he marched past the growing crowd. A moment of silence was called for and the entire procession stopped. This place, this district was filled with people who lived in squalor. In rundown apartments and broken-down tenement buildings. As every district in the city, it was no better than a shanty town. Somehow, they still remained happy, they had hope. As the rain only seemed to strengthen, the people remained resolute, standing against nature itself. So, he did as well.

Eyes on the pictures of men and women, who looked like kids, staring at the effigies slated in rainfall. Hundreds of people gathered in the crowd, umbrellas for the prepared, simply taking the tears of the heavens above for others not so fortunate. Hands trembled as his knuckles cracked. Each picture, each face, burned into his eyes as he stared. Young men and women, who looked no older than himself, than Rei, Xue and Yuki; than Ciane. Clenching his teeth, the moment was ended and the people continued to pray, continued to shout with the booming thunder. He continued, marching through potholes overfilling with rainfall, splashing as his boots made contact.

He looked about, eyeing the Arc symbols on flags and banners, left out on balconies and window sills. In alleyways, old men and women like those he had just encountered, were hiding beneath hovels of cardboard boxes, while others were flocked to shelters built within the abandoned warehouses propped between tenements. It was like Mantle, he thought to himself. But not a tear for their position, but a tear for those they lost; the city was mourning. He kept walking, trying to mind his own business.

A LAHAT zoomed overhead, earning hundreds of prideful cries from people within their homes, within their businesses and the streets below. They cheered, screaming out for the King's Fist. Heroes. Head lowered further, as his hands rushed to his forehead, feeling like his brain was expanding. The smells of poverty; the smells of overpopulation; the cold emptiness of torrential rain. He couldn't keep walking, collapsing on the curb. Hands covering his eyes, he felt tears spilling from the corners, down his cheeks to his clenched jaw.

I joined the military to help people! I was raised into the Brotherhood on lies! I thought we'd be saving people, that we'd be sharing our prosperity with the world, but what is being done?! He cursed in his head. Look at them – look at what's happened because of my family?! I don't care if they didn't do this – look at the results. These people are hurting and I've been complacent.

I need to tell the King about Larissa. He admitted, sinking deeper between his raised knees. I need to tell them about that Watts guy. I need to. But…but…she's my sister. She's my family. Despite how cold we are to one another; we were still all we had. When my parents first started to train us, she would stand up for me. When I decided to go to the military, she wanted to make sure I wouldn't get myself killed. Despite everything, every competition, every petty rivalry, I know she's still in there. I know the sister I once loved is deep down.

A loud honk snapped him from his thoughts, "hey kid, you good?! The rain's getting worse! Need a ride?"

"Y-Yeah," Orion weakly replied. Wiping his face, he jumped into the taxi, "t-thank you. I wasn't too sure if I was going in the right direction anyway."

"No problem kid, where do you need to go?" the man asked.

"Tarsier Pavilion," Orion said, not once removing the hood from his head.

The driver snapped, turning to face the boy, "y-you're going to meet with the King?"

"Something of that sort, why?"

"Oh man," his smile could light up an empty room. A flash of pain was in the man's brown eyes and there was a sliver of hope lining his dilating pupils, "if you see him, tell him, I saw what he could do on the news. I haven't been able to get an audience with him because of all the dangers that could pose. Look, my name is Aalam; I live on fifth and Marble Avenue, in the Peach District, three districts south of Tarsier. Tell him my sister is sick with cancer and it's progressed too far. The people think praying will get his attention but so far, that hasn't worked very well."

"But the people still have hope," Orion said.

"Exactly," the man smiled as he began his journey through the winding streets of Vale, "the city has been through a lot…I was lucky that I have a job that keeps me moving, but my sister wasn't. With all the Dust robberies that happened last year and the trouble with the White Fang, her job couldn't pay her anymore. Then, cancer started and with no money, she couldn't afford procedures…I just…I know the King can help her and so many people like her. Do you have someone like that?"

Ciane's face flashed in the back of his mind's eye. Her once jeweled smile that could make even the most expensive tiaras pale in comparison, mucked by the pain and fear she now carried. Holding his head, the Argent couldn't stop the fears from growing. Of all the questions, of all the people, he clenched his teeth trying to stop the tears from forming. Flashes of Rei, Xue and Yuki, terrified him the most. What his parents could do to them; what they would do to them.

"Y-Yes," he said, "but so far, the King hasn't had time to meet with her because of everything that has been happening in the Kingdom."

"Yeah," the man's tone soured, "those fucking Argents."

He didn't to speak, "look at them at the Silver Tower, trying to undermine our King. What have they done for the Kingdom, other than be the cause of our suffering?! They are the ones who keep churning out these laws that hurt the people, rather than help them! They don't send aid; they don't do anything but try to keep us under their thumbs and ensuring that their rich and powerful friends remain so. It makes me sick. The King has done so much for us, same as his Queens. I mean – I mean, look at the Fourth Queen, Weiss Schnee – she managed to bring the SDC here to Vale!"

"Do you know what that means for us?" the man said to him, "it means I can finally have a real paying job. It means that so many others like me can find something that can turn our lives around. With her as Queen, the terrible practices of the SDC would be ended – she would protect us. The Faunus who were treated terribly, are already treated with respect, because of our First Queen – Queen Blake Belladonna. Everything that's happening…all the hope we have…it's because of them. They showed us that life was worth living. They showed us that even if we give it our all, we might not succeed; but that doesn't mean we give up. It just means that sometimes…sometimes we just need a helping hand."

"Right," Orion said, his emotions getting worse. Digging his palms into his burning forehead, he held in his sigh. He didn't need this man worrying or asking too many personal questions.

"Oh, the rain cleared in this district. No need for that poncho," the man called, "good timing too – we're here!"

"T-Thank you, Aalam," Orion said, "I'll make sure to tell the King when I get the chance to."

"If you can't then it's not a problem," the man nodded, "I know he's busy. Now be careful, alright?"

Orion took a deep breath as the taxi stopped in Tarsier Pavilion. Giving the man a blue card of Lien, he stepped out and entered the street. People were walking about, markets were in action, soldiers were posted in greater numbers than the last time he had seen it. LAVs were posted at all three roads that converged into the pavilion, with two at each intersection. A platoon of infantry was stationed as well, creating one hell of a perimeter. Heading into the center of the area, a bronze statue rose up, with fifty-two men and women, each one unique, of both Human and Faunus.

At the bottom of the statue, a plaque was displayed, with all of their names, ranks and birthdates. He stood alone in the warmth of midsummer, unable to look away from the plaque. Many were just teenagers, others were just young adults, barely past twenty-one. Fists clenched, he looked at the burning candles and the flowers already wilting. Taking a deep breath, he sighed in defeat, wiping the tears from his face. These people were murdered. There was no other way around it.

He knelt before the base of the memorial, frustration in his chest. Sighing, he looked up to the late afternoon sky. Orange clouds and red-orange sky, airships and aircraft dashing across the sky, like the stars twinkling in the night skies trickling close to overtake the canvas above. He reached out to the plaque, reading their names, eyes scanning over every letter, every syllable. However, he stopped himself, holding his hand from touching it. Cursing himself, he knew he had to right. He sighed in defeat, lowering his head in its shadow.

I can't let whoever did this, get away with this. Orion scowled. If I can find out what happened before anyone else does…I can find a way to appease all sides. I can prove the Argents' innocence; I can give the Arcs and the King what they want. Their assassin and they won't be pointing their guns at my family. That won't be avoided, but I need to find a way to calm everyone down.

But how?! Holding his head in his hands, his head felt like it was expanding. He shivered, moving a hand to wipe the blood trickling from his nostril. I…I need to find a way. The only way I can make that happen is if I find some answers for myself. I can't be a fool and act out of line in a foreign Kingdom. I need to work with them. I need to.

"Is that…what? O-Orion?"

He whipped around, quickly wiping his tears. Amethyst eyes locked with silver. Looking down at the girl, she was wearing combat armor he did not recognize, "Rose?"

"W-What are you doing in Vale?" she asked with wide eyes, "h-how did you get to Vale? If you'd told us we'd have sent someone to pick you up from the docks! Did General Ironwood send you?"

"N-No," he shook his head, "I'm here of my own volition. I just needed to get out of Atlas. There are things that are happening that could throw everything we fought for in jeopardy. I won't stand by and let this continue."

"Gods," Ruby whispered, "come on, I'll take you to Jaune. We're preparing for another mission into Mountain Glenn."

"We?"

"Yeah, Fireteam RRAYNNBW," she smiled, "we are planning to start the official expansion into Mountain Glenn using all of next year to clean up the city. I mean look around you – it's getting pretty crowded here. Good thing you're here, now we can get some ideas of where to start."

"Yeah," he said, giving the memorial a final glance, "c-can I say something, Rose?"

"Just call me Ruby," she smiled.

"I…I don't know how you're going to take this, but I don't believe my family was behind this," Orion started as the doors opened for them, "I…something about the whole situation doesn't feel right. It's almost too coincidental that the blame would be placed on them. What idiot would leave his rifle at the scene, even bullet casings. That doesn't make sense. My father has money – he wouldn't bother hiring some amateur for something as serious as this. Whoever's doing this wants to be seen, and that's what I'm afraid of."

"I see…"

"Hey, Prince!" a call came from across the lobby.

Blowing smoke from his nostrils, the man stood up with his squad. Orion blinked, "Delwyn, right?"

"It's been some time, where's the missus?" the man smirked.

"He's here because the King needed him for something," Ruby nodded, "still on break?"

"Yes ma'am," the man saluted, "you be safe out there, Argent. Sorry if we were too rough with you. Jobs a job, I hope you get that."

He blushed, raising his hands, "n-no hard feelings. I-I get t-that."

"Hmph," the man's smirk deepened, soldiers giggled and chuckled, "have fun, don't be a stranger."

They returned to their break, eating and burning hookah. Turning to Ruby, the two walked to the elevators. He took a deep breath, lowering his head, "I…I feel…last time I was here…"

"The people know who you are…after all, Cardin and Blake are very important members and Blake's a Queen," Ruby said, "they're kinda…patriotic. For what it's worth, I'm sorry for what happened last time. We didn't want you to be hurt, but they wanted to know if you were being honest. I don't think that's even a question anymore."

Orion blinked, looking away. His head felt heavy, his breath hitching. His heart pulsed as the elevator door made its ominous ding. He flinched, as his chest only tightened. Following after Ruby, the girl was none the wiser, swinging up and down between her toes and the ball of her heels. Blinking once more, he kept his eyes forward, staring at the door as lights and floors zoomed past them. The ascent only grew faster as the spiraling of his head. Hands rising to his head, he took a deep breath, trying to stop the pain growing in his head; in his heart.

The elevator door dinged once more, hissing open. An empty hall with only three doors at the end. Lights were bright, blinking and shimmering iridescence. Ruby said something, but he couldn't hear over his beating head. Noises, screeches, hisses, reverberating in his ears. He followed, only guessing what she wanted. Her heavy boots echoing across the wooden floorboards, echoing in his body, from his feet to his head. Back and forth, back and forth; he shivered, his skin and bones like ice.

The door to the left opened, revealing Ren and Nora, dressed in similar armor as Ruby's. The other door opened, revealing the Four Queens of Vale, each one wearing the armors he saw before. But the last door opened, showing the King himself.

"Orion," Jaune said, "what's up?"

"I…"

Ren stepped forward, his pink eyes focusing on him, "are you alright? You're in conflict with yourself."

Orion backed away, raising his hands, "I-I'm…"

"He's here to tell us something," Ruby said, "I was getting a smoothie in the lobby and saw him at the memorial…"

Blake and Weiss's expressions immediately shifted to a flash of rage. Before they could react, Jaune stepped forward, "what do you need?"

"I…there are some things that happened in Atlas that I need to tell you," Orion said, "and I couldn't wait there anymore. We've been waiting in the city, doing missions in between…I've seen what's been happening here and I just it just didn't feel right staying put. The news won't stop talking about it."

"Well, we can get you a room," Jaune said, "but we're about to leave on a mission. How long will you be here in Vale? The General didn't–"

"He doesn't know I'm here," Orion said, flinching closer into himself. Yang and Pyrrha raised eyebrows, while Weiss and Blake seemed to be sated, "The General is locking down the Kingdom. We can't even travel down to Mantle. It's been getting more and more difficult to investigate things in Atlas, or find Doctor Merlot."

"Then how did you get to the Kingdom?" Weiss asked, "it's not an easy task to just escape the Kingdom–"

"Orion," Jaune said, taking his helmet from Pyrrha's hands, "like I said, we can talk about this when we return from Mountain Glenn. If that'll be all?"

"I…" the boy took a deep breath, "let me come with you!"

The eight of them looked at him like he grew a second head, "what?"

"L-Let me come with you," Orion said, "while I couldn't find Doctor Merlot, I've been doing some readings whenever I got the chance to sneak past my father and mother, but I wasn't able to relay all of this before I left. It was quick and I was in a hurry to escape. I know of some of his laboratories in the ruins. I can help!"

"Y-You just got here though," Jaune turned to him, "I can't just ask you to come along–"

"Good thing you didn't. I mean, after all, I was never here to begin with."

He prepared himself as the LAHAT began its descent. The eight members of Team RRAYNNBW were doing nothing but standing around, staring through the thin window slits of the bay doors. With a fist against a button, the doors burst open, revealing the winds rushing at them from down the Albus Mountains. He could see it for miles, the desolation of Mountain Glenn. Spreading toward the horizon and the former fields of once sowed wheat, now wild and unkempt. All of them dressed in this new power armor, they looked like super soldiers, more than huntsmen and huntresses.

"Don't tell me you're having doubts," Blake said over comms, "we're about to go into one of the most Grimm infested areas of Sanus. You think you're up to the task, Argent?"

"Don't worry, I think I'll be able to handle myself," he responded.

He swore he felt her smirk, "good. Don't die on us out here."

With that, he watched as she and Yang jumped from the gunship. After her, Weiss and Ruby followed, their helmet visors glowing with their respective colors. Red, White, Black and Yellow. Jaune gave him a quick salute as he jumped from the gunship, his team in tow. Taking a deep breath, he knew about Beacon and the infamous landing strategy. Gathering his wits, he charged, throwing himself from the gunship bay, spinning through the air as he began his janky descent.

Whipping around, all eight members were diving through the air, dipping through and around clouds. Some were laughing, others were scolding, but they looked like they were having fun, of all things. The group prepared themselves, slamming their feet into the rubble streets without a care in the world. Orion whipped around, throwing his hand out. Air itself began to shift as a dust speck, just like in Atlas, suddenly expanded several hundred thousand times, breaking his speed. Jumping from the dust, it shrunk back. Throwing his hand out once more, a light post suddenly exploded in size, springing out of the earth like bamboo, coming to meet him.

He wrapped his arms around the pipe, spiraling down until he reached the road, rolling until he came to a stop behind them, "t-that was the easy part done."

"Nah," Nora said within her helmet. One by one, they drew their weapons, taking stances as several Grimm appeared in all shapes, forms and sizes. Gulping, the Argent cracked his knuckles, mecha-shifting his battle rifle into his trusty sword, "this is the easy part. In fact, it's the fun part too."

"That, we can agree on," Weiss said, raising Myrtenaster as an orange glyph came to life, "I want to see that weapon break today, Orion. As great as the forges on the Charité are, it doesn't compare to your real weapon."

"Seriously, who goes to an entirely different continent without their weapon," Yang huffed, cocking Ember Celica. Earning a few giggles and chuckles from the group.

"This will do," the boy said, taking a stance beside them.

"Alright, everyone, you see your targets – you know what to do," Jaune said, raising his shield, "Go!"

Orion could only watch as they burst into action. Pyrrha was the first to collide with her opponent – an Ursa. She jammed her spear into its chest, slicing up before cleaving its body in two. Whipping back, sliding on her knee, the spear had transformed into a rifle. Resting the barrel on the curves of her shield, she prepared before taking a shot. He nearly threw his hands to his ears to stop the ringing. As the bullet cleaved through the Ursa's remains, it popped three Creeps moving from behind, killing all four in an instant.

Blake was the second to reach her targets, throwing Gambol Shroud in every direction, using its elastic ribbon to her advantage. The blade spun about, embedding in several Grimm skulls, before finding its forever home in the forehead of Beowolf. Pulling her weapon free, she turned it into its katana form, clashing with the claws of a pair of Beowolves, while simultaneously dodging an incoming Boarbatusk. As if she saw it coming, she jumped up, using her momentum to carry her above the rolling hog's warpath. Boom, like bowling pins, the Beowolves were obliterated by the blindly spinning Grimm.

He blinked in awe, as it came to a stop when it crashed head first into Weiss's black gravity glyph. A flick of her sword, the boar was thrown back, crashing through a pack of hogs, turning almost twenty into dust with a single flick of her wrists. Dipping down, she slid around the next target – a massive Grimm he'd never seen before. Its arms were blades and its legs were topped with spikes. Preparing to move, his legs refused to follow his command. Weiss however, didn't seem to care. Twirling her sword with a hand outstretched with fingers extending, almost in slow-motion, a series of white glyphs danced around the Grimm. She disappeared in a wisp of smoke and dust as she pummeled the beast with rapid strikes that he couldn't even follow.

With the final strike, the beast was turned to dust. In its wake, several other beasts, were created from its dripping remains. The Schnee turned her attention away from the fight to focus on a new one as a bolt of yellow and fire appeared, plowing through the spawning Grimm. Fists flying in rapid succession, almost faster than Weiss, Yang barreled through the Grimm with lightning-fast reflexes that even with a numbers advantage, it meant little if she was fast enough to counter. And counter she did. Kicks, punches, overwhelming use of force; she destroyed an entire section of Grimm within seconds.

In the rear, toward the flanks, Ruby was seen, swinging her scythe with deadly precision. What even surprised him further, light burst from her visor, freezing Grimm to stone. He saw many semblances before, but he'd never seen a semblance like that before! Swinging her scythe, he gulped as it turned into a glaive. Skilled in every weapon set her Crescent Rose could become, the girl obliterated her opponents with ease, turning hordes, into clouds of dust. The thing that really caught his attention; she was never close to danger, always keeping her targets at distance. Either with the tip of her glaive, or the curved blade of her scythe, the Grimm could not touch her.

Blinking once more, he finally mustered the courage to move. Sword in hand, he flipped over a Grimm Spitter posting up in the rear of their formation. Swinging down, the blade sliced through the creature, separating its body in two. With another slash for good measure, he had quartered the beast. Snapping at attention, feeling big feet bump and shudder the ruins around him, he twirled his sword, digging the pommel blade into the Ursa's knee, bringing it to scream and roar in pain. Hand pressed to its chest, he smirked, channeling his semblance.

The Grimm expanded several times larger until it exploded into a million pieces leaving nothing in its wake. Rolling forward, he swung down on a Beowolf's head; he blocked an Ursa's massive claw; he expanded a rolling Boarbatusk. Sword clenched, semblance burning in his veins, he did his best to keep up with RRAYNNBW. Hands out, doorways were expanded, then shrunken until they either collapsed under their weight, or simply ceased to exist. Grimm were turned into mincemeat. Every opponent, every obstacle was turned to dusty paste before it ever had a chance to respond.

Through it all, his heart was racing. Helmets removed, the team let their faces and hair flow free, as if there wasn't a care in the world. He watched them smile, he listened to them laugh. Swings of weapons and fists; the crackle of semblances and Dust; it meant nothing compared to the sound of their literal joy. Rolling through the street, sword broken and left in two, he threw his hands out, expanding a pair of Beowolves rushing toward him. Their bodies almost completely round before exploding like so many before them. Not a sound of Grimm was heard. One by one, they lowered their weapons and paced around the street. They have arrived.

"D-Damn…I'm a team leader," he panted, "but y-you guys know how to fucking fight."

"Language, Orion," Weiss glared.

"L-Language?"

"She means watch your language," Yang laughed, "you'll get used to it. C'mon, on your feet, dude."

"How much further until we reach the first lab?" Ruby asked, handing him a water bottle.

"We're here – it's in this building," he said. Wiping the sweat on his brow, he was surprised to see that none of them showed any signs of tiring, "I won't be much use because of my semblance and broken weapon. I don't want to accidentally collapse a building on any of you."

"Alright," Jaune said, "Ruby, Nora, Orion, you three will stay here; everyone else, let's go."

"Keep a good eye on him, sis," Yang laughed, "make sure he doesn't shit his pants too."

"Yang! Language!"

"Yeah, yeah, Weiss-scream."

Sheathing what remained of his sword, the Argent fell to the dirt. Back against the wall of the building, he panted, hands to his chest, "h-how are you guys not tired yet?"

"We trained a lot," Ruby smirked.

"T-That didn't tell me anything," Orion panted.

"She means, we've been fighting Grimm almost as much as we've been doing homework," Nora said, "I mean, after the Battle of Vale and what Jaune told us of the Battle of Kuo Kuana; we needed to step up our game if we were going to efficiently take out the Grimm. What, Atlas doesn't train you like this?"

"N-No," he said, "for the longest time, Atlas was the only Kingdom with a military…and that military was made to fight conventional warfare, not just Grimm," Orion said, "yeah, they taught us how to fight them, but they mostly taught us how to fight other people."

"Right," Nora trailed off, "so, what does Orion Argent like to do for fun? Y'know, aside from brooding all the time?"

Ruby giggled. Orion however, blushed as he stammered for a response, "I-I do not brood! I just…I have a lot on my mind. Besides…anything fun? I uh, I like museums. I like to learn things so I'd go to the library to read. I watch movies and eat out. Maybe even go and party at a nightclub somewhere in Mantle, at least before the Kingdom's lockdowns. Rei and I…we loved to do those things together."

"Why isn't she here with you?" Ruby asked.

"It would be too many people leaving Atlas," he said, "it's bad enough that my sister left – if my whole team left, I'd cause more harm than good. I'm trying to mend relations between our Kingdoms, not worsen them. Besides, with Rei in Atlas, she can keep me updated on the things happening in the Kingdom."

"Be honest, Orion," Nora said, sitting next to him, "why are you here?"

"There…" he sighed, "like I said before; I don't believe that my parents were the cause of your pain here in Vale. While they may have made the weapons; they didn't pull the trigger. Someone else did…and that someone got what they wanted. The Trial is progressing further, skipping over too many proper channels to be legal, and yet, the Council is allowing it because of desperation."

"What are you planning to do?" Ruby asked, "if we can, we'll help you. You know this. If you haven't noticed – we don't want a war either. The last thing we need to be doing is fighting against one another when a greater threat is already looming over us."

"Y-Yeah," he said dejectedly, "Salem, right?"

"Has anyone else told you?" Nora asked.

"N-No," he frowned, "I kept it to myself while I was in Atlas. No one needed the extra stress after the lockdown and all the issues propping up in both cities. It has been something that has been bothering me since I first heard that name. Are you going to tell me?"

"When we're all together and not in the middle of a Grimm infestation," Ruby said, putting a hand on his shoulder, "for what it's worth, Orion, you're not that bad."

"T-Thank you."

Combat. Death. Destruction. Orion rolled through a hailstorm of bullets, moving with King and Queen Yang. A grenade erupted a few feet from him turning an Ursa Major into dust. Swinging back, he slammed a pebble into the mouth of a Beowolf. A snap of his fingers, the pebble expanded in the beast's throat, popping its head immediately. A bullet dashed in front of his eyes, embedding between the eyes of a creature's bone plate. Jaune moved in, swinging with precision, untouched by the creatures that neared him. Yang came in, fists and kicks meeting the bone plates and defenses of these beasts.

She fired a shot, but he was able to catch the pellets flying across the field toward a creep. It dodged at the last second and she didn't have time to recollect herself. Throwing his hand out, he focused. A series of pellets suddenly appeared larger than boulders, crashing through the horde of creeps coming close, obliterating almost thirty in one swipe. He fell back, dodging a paw swing from a Beowolf, sliding around under its claws. Drawing his broken sword, he jammed the flat head through its flesh, drawing a confused growl. He smirked, expanding the sword's blade, slicing the Grimm in two.

Over and over, they moved. The King's semblance refilling his aura as his aura broke. Another beast expanded; another lab cleared. Sweat building, exhaustion threatening to overtake him. He fell face first into the dirt as a different team moved into the next building. The sun was dropping fast and they were no closer to finishing. He fell over onto his back, starfish. Arms and legs spread out, he panted heavily as his silver-white hair stuck to his skin.

"You're doing a lot better than I thought you would," Weiss said, standing behind several spiraling glyphs, "call me impressed."

"T-Thank you," he said in between heavy breaths, "t-that means a lot…"

"I gotta admit though, he's struggling more than I thought he would," Yang said, "I thought you'd be able to last longer."

Weiss coughed, "despite how that may sound, I agree."

"Jeez, Weiss," Yang snapped to her, "don't tell me you're a closet pervert."

"Why you…" she glared.

"Like I told Ruby and Nora, I never really had training to fight Grimm in continuous combat," he said, "I mean this is how most Huntsmen and Huntresses get killed in the field. They overextend themselves and get overrun."

"Well, we aren't like most Huntsmen and Huntresses," Yang smirked, "Jaune…he knew what our weaknesses were and he went out of his way to ensure that we hashed out our weaknesses. I mean our armor is also incredible. It really takes most of the grunt work out of fighting."

"Huh," he whispered, "what I'd give to get something like that."

"Well, if you're serious about joining us, Orion," Weiss said, "you and your team have a place with the King's Fist. I mean Fireteam ONYX has a nice ring to it."

"I hope I don't let you down," Orion panted.

"If you keep it up, you won't," Yang blinked, "oh, nope. You're right, Weiss. That does sound pretty messed up."

"Ugh," Weiss facepalmed, "the women I love…"

Orion and Yang shared a chuckle, "so, what do you guys like to do? Nora asked me earlier."

"Depends," Yang said, "if I'm choosing where to go, a nightclub, the shadier the better. If Weiss is going; somewhere high classed with the smallest portions of food you can imagine. I mean a starving kid in Vacuo wouldn't even be content with the portions."

"It's gourmet, Yang," Weiss glared, "besides it's usually a multi-course meal, so it's small for a reason."

"I mean, a nice steak is all I really need," Orion piped, "speaking of steak, you know what else sounds really nice right now? A triple patty burger with all the fixin's."

"See," Yang gave him a smirk, "the Argent knows a good meal. The messier the better!"

"Oh man, there's this one burger joint in Mantle that Rei loves," Orion smiled wistfully, "the juiciest patties I've ever had in my life. She didn't get her figure by just eating healthy y'know."

Weiss didn't like that apparently, "I will have you know; I don't need the monstrosities that hang from Yang's chest to be considered beautiful; nor do I need the obnoxious rear of Blake."

"I never said anything," Orion raised his hands in defense, "My teammate Yuki is somewhat in the same boat. N-Not saying that I've even looked at you or anything. I mean…she always thought she didn't have much worth because she didn't the thighs of Rei, or the butt of Xue. It didn't help that she was madly in love with Xue. "

"Team ONYX Orgies?" Yang wiggled her brows.

Both Weiss and Orion snapped to her, "N-No/Yang!"

"Hehe," she raised her hands in defense, "oh it's so much fun fucking with you two. Weiss-queen, don't you dare scold me."

"Watch. Your. Language."

"You little – you are so insufferable!"

Orion watched with wide eyes as an ice spike shot from a glyph, trapping Yang completely. Even as the ice stopped at the base of her neck, Yang was still smiling. She was laughing. It did nothing to stop Weiss from scolding her further. Taking a deep breath, the boy sprang to his feet as Jaune and the rest left the ruins of the building. One by one, they stopped to stare at the Yang-cicle.

"D-Did something happen while we were gone?" Jaune asked between Ruby and Nora's giggles.

"Do you need to ask? This woman here, kept pushing my buttons!" Weiss cried and pointed accusingly.

"Oh, you know you love me," Yang blew her a kiss.

With a flick of her wrist, the ice melted, "it's because I do, that I'm even thawing you out."

"You alright, Orion?" Ruby walked up to him with her hand outstretched.

Quickly grabbing it, he forced himself to his feet, "I-I'm good. Thanks."

Handing him a water bottle, he nodded, gulping the ice cold within seconds, "we have a few more left before the district is done."

"You know, Orion," Jaune said, "we can rest if you need to. I mean I can keep boosting your aura, but you look like you need sleep and something to eat. We've been at this for a few hours already."

"I'm good," he said, "I can handle whatever waits for me."

"Hehe," Yang laughs, "with that mindset, you really might just fit in with us after all, Orion!"

The group laughed as he huffed, crossing his arms. He couldn't deny the feeling bubbling in his chest. It was different than in Atlas and among his peers he always knew. They were more than comrades and teammates – they were friends and beyond that, significant others and family. They were close, closer than any group of friends he'd ever seen. He blinked; he couldn't believe it. Maybe this was what he knew he missed out on when he left for Atlas? Maybe this is why he was so against leaving Vale in the first place? Shaking his head, he followed after them as they began their next advance.

"You know you don't have to push yourself, to prove that you're on our side," Ruby said, "you've done more than enough already."

"T-Thanks, Ruby," he lowered his head, "I appreciate it, but with all respect, I disagree. I'm not done yet."

"Just don't do anything stupid," Ruby said, "be careful okay?"

"Of course."

Another street, another building cleared. Sweat poured down his face as the sun was clearly beginning to set beyond the walls of Mountain Glenn. The sky, painted twilight bronze, he collapsed to the dirt, his aura flickering as he cringed into himself. He didn't know what to do – for over six hours, they fought constantly with only ten minutes of break, at the most in between. He couldn't take it with his broken weapon and now, depleting aura. Wiping his face dry, it just moistened again, dripping to the ground below.

Looking back at RRAYNNBW, they looked unaffected. Not a sweat drop glistening their skin, not a sound of a tired pant. It was frustrating, but eye-opening at the same time. He wasn't as good as he thought – none of the Brotherhood was. If they wanted a war, they would lose – hard. He blinked, a random pair from the group could obliterate the Brotherhood in a matter of hours if they so wished. Clenching his fists, he fought to stand up, finding an inkling of strength to continue. However, the smirk on Jaune's face stopped him.

"Hey, no need to push yourself too hard, Orion," he said, "it's nighttime; we're going to make camp. You wanna help with getting a fire started?"

"Yeah," he said, following after Ren and Pyrrha.

"I was iffy about you," Ren said, suddenly as they entered a building. Heading up the ruined stairs, the rest of the group began to scour the lower levels for resources, "there was something you were hiding. I could see it in your emotions. But, after everything I've been told by the others and from what I've seen and overheard myself…you're afraid like the rest of us and I can't fault you for that. For what it's worth, Orion, I'm glad you're here, making good on your words."

"One of the reasons we trust and follow Jaune and Ruby, is because they back their words with actions," Pyrrha said, "I mean, we all do, but they are the team leaders; they are the ones who were the rocks we needed when we didn't have anyone to turn to. You doing all of this…while I don't condone what you've done to get here – you have my respect."

"I meant it when I said I wanted my team's safety," Orion said, "I had a feeling that words alone won't do much in this day and age. I needed to prove myself to you in the only way I know how."

"Consider us convinced then," Ren smiled, "though, you could do with letting go of some of the baggage you're carrying on your shoulders. Trust me…it only makes things worse. Jaune is strong, stronger than most people I know, but he carried way too much on his shoulders. He's slipping further and further away and some times we don't even know who he is. It's worrying but with the seven of us barreling down on him, making sure that we be the anchors he needs…I guess what I'm saying is that you have your team. They are your Anchors…don't forget them"

"I could never," he looked away.

"Then why'd you leave them behind?" Ren asked, "Nora and Ruby already told me what you told them; I want you to tell me why."

"What difference does it make?"

"It means I can tell if you're lying," Ren said, locking his eyes with the Argent.

"I…I saw the news report of the processions," Orion said, "it sucks. Don't get me wrong; I'll help you find the culprit, but I don't believe for a second that it was my parents doing this. I mean, they've already got the Arcs in custody, they're already doing what they can to undermine the Arc family in Orléans, they have no reason to hire an assassin. Worse yet; an amateur assassin who leaves their weapon at the scene. That's pathetic."

"I see," Ren nodded, "I had my suspicions but for different reasons."

"If my parents wanted the Arcs dead – they'd have foregone the entire legal process and just killed them outright," Orion said, "laws be damned, with the King continuing to grow his powerbase, the High Council of Vale and the Brotherhood was growing impatient. I don't know if you noticed, but the trial wasn't really to indict anyone – I don't think at least. It was to sow dissent and distrust between the factions and most of all – discredit Lord Claude Arc. Anything else that happens is just tinder for the fire to come."

"Do you think there will be a war between the houses?" Pyrrha gasped.

"That's the worst-case scenario," he frowned, "I'm praying there won't be…but you can never be too sure. Someone is pulling the strings and I want to know who's trying to frame my family."

"Hmm," Ren hummed as he grabbed a broken chair, "interesting."

"What?"

"Nothing," the ninja said, shaking his head, "come on, they're probably waiting for us right now."

So, Orion basically works with the King's Fist and directly under RRAYNNBW!

Originally, I had planned that Orion and Larissa would be worthless pieces of garbage who deserved nothing but death, but since I'm older, wiser and with a lot of more writing skill under my belt, I wanted to give them a little more nuance. I don't know if I've executed that well enough, but oh well, I guess I'm just gonna have to deal with the consequences if I didn't. As I started rereading and writing out the last few chapters, I had to do a lot of rewriting and a lot of brainstorming to figure out how I wanted to tackle this part of the arc, since y'know, the Brotherhood has been built up since Chapter 21. Their introduction may have left many with much to be desired, but I never really intended for the Brotherhood to be a rehashing of White Fang content, since y'know, the White Fang are already gone in this story by this point.

As such, I really wanted to delve deep into how people of Remnant, deal with all the things Jaune and Ren and RRAYNNBW are changing things up. Yeah, in Canon, they're just a bunch of kids going against governments and higher powers without many to really care. But in this story, they're literally kings and queens and leaders that have the lives of millions in their hands. All of that power trickles down to someone, somewhere, somehow and I just think it's unfair to not portray that. Especially in a time-travel fic where the whole point is to change the future. Though, as we've seen, Jaune's tried it fifty times, his current time, still being tried. I don't believe in happy endings in the traditional sort - not even for something like RWBY. I'm in the camp of Salem succeeding in getting the Relics, but losing the war because even when the Brothers destroy Remnant, she won't die. Which is poetic justice at its finest, but also leaves an empty hole in your heart.

I have an ending in mind that I hope will make everyone happy lol I mean, I think it's a good ending with enough bittersweet and feel good introduced.

Anyway - tell me what you thought!

Ja ne!

gottahavekyuubi