A/N: Hello. Not much to say about current events. Still working even amid a pandemic. Bills have to get paid.
The Plan in the Darkness
-0-
Sherry finally stopped her truck from going way over the speed limit when she slammed her foot on the brake in the middle of the street next to a building that Adam could only assume to be the hospital.
Sherry slowly turned into the parking lot. She was still figiting. Oh she had never been so embarrassed! I mean she had messed up before in front of people sure, but for the guard to say that in front of Adam! And Asti already embarrassed her when she showed up, though at least that was only her when they had that awkward conversation.
But now Adam was involved. He seemed like a brick wall, like it hadn't even phased him, but had it? She was never good at reading men. This is when she needed the powers of her sisters. Not their huntress powers, but their ability to read people.
"So are we going inside?" The question snapped Sherry out of her daze.
"Y-yes that is why we came anyway. Be careful!" Sherry yelled as she realized right as she answered Adam had already swung open the truck door, fully intending to get out and walk by himself.
Sherry hurried over to Adams side. "Carefully". Adam put his good leg down. It seemed fine. Adam put his other leg down, which he could now feel down to his ankle normally, but his foot still felt a little numb. When he put pressure on it, it wasn't ready for it. He felt Sherry grip him and keep him from falling forward. "I said carefully" She said with a smile, "Don't force it. I'm here to support you"
Adam was confused about Sherry now. She has helped him. But she also put this ballcap on him to hide his faunus features, something he always took pride in. She didn't seem biased or racist at all, but she stumbled over every task with the grace of an Atlesian paladin. It brought a light smile to his face. That was a funny thought.
"Umm. Is there something on my face?" Adam came out of his brief inner thoughts. Using the truck to stand up and look at Sherry who was supporting his right side.
"No? Why?" He took off the ballcap that hid his horns, making sure it didn't take off the patch covering his SDC scar. Sherry didn't seem worried about it anymore. She was squirming while holding him up.
"You were staring at me and smiling" She finally said looking away as they walked towards the building. "It... made me a little self-conscious" Some faunus that were talking outside the doors to the clinic looked at him before whispering to each other and going down the street.
It distracted Adam but Sherry pouted thinking he wasn't going to respond to her. This girl. Did everything have to be about her? "I was just having a happy thought, nothing more."
As they went through the doors to the clinic he felt her shift her weight, giving less support to his side, but made it look more like she was walking next to him than supporting him.
There was nobody in the front office when they entered which confused both of them, but for different reasons. Adam wondered why you wouldn't at least post a guard. He knew this was inside a city so there was less likely of a chance, but if there was an attack the warning would save lives.
Sherry pushed him towards the door into the main patient hall. There weren't as many people there as normal, meaning it had been a good week for people. The head nurse was pushing around Doctor Carl Bronze in a wheelchair, much to his protest.
"Really I'm fine. Stop! I can push myself around, and yes I understand I have to let my body heal. I am a doctor you know" The doctor looked up to see Sherry walking through the door with Adam next to her. "Ah, Sherry! I wasn't expecting you. What can I do for you?"
Sherry set Adam down on one of the empty medical beds. "He has been having pain spasms, and he said he couldn't feel his leg after one of them."
Adam was going to speak up about his own body but he was cut off by the doctor.
"Hmm. That is troubling. Nurse!" The head nurse came up beside the doctor.
"Vaut do you need?" She said staring Adam down.
"Bring him into the back rooms. We need to run some tests." He looked over at Sherry. "I'm sorry but you can't come back there with us. I will need you to wait out here until we get back.
Sherry looked concerned, "But he needs help to walk on his bad leg"
"I can do it myself" Adam grunted out, tired of being talked about without being talked to
"No you won't!" Both Sherry and the doctor said at the same time.
"I assure you Nancy can handle it. Right Nancy?"
The large woman grabbed Adam with one hand, picking him up and holding him in the air. "Yes. He vill be fine, but I vill need to call in people to take my place if I am going to help you vith this one"
"Call in however many people you need. I'll worry about schedules and pay later. We have enough from helping those soldiers anyway" the doctor waved off Nancy, wheeling himself towards the back door. "I'll be waiting in room 402"
Nancy told one of the other nurses to call some people in. Adam was still held up by one of her arms above her head by the back of his shirt. Adam for all he had experienced was practically in shock that he could be held off the ground like this. Upon seeing his face of bewilderment Sherry had to stifle a laugh.
Adam disappeared with the nurse into the backroom
-0-
This was the most uncomfortable Ruby had ever felt in her life. She was in the 'side room', basically a broom closet, completely naked waiting for the doctor to finish hooking up the machine. She felt cold. Her feet on the tiled floor and not having her cloak around her.
The door to the closet opened. Immediately Ruby covered herself and hid in the corner. Donnie came inside. "Ruby Rose it is time….Why are you in the corner?"
Ruby was red. Bright red, "Umm I know you don't care but most girls don't like to be seen naked by guys...or girls...or anyone!"
Donnie shifted his head in confusion. "I have already scanned you. I know everything physically about you"
"But its embarrassing!"
Donnie shook his head. "Either way it is time. It is just me and father here. We do not care about your body.
Ruby took her time but was finally able to stand up. She still covered herself, but she was able to walk to Donnie.
Donnie seemed to stare, which did nothing for Ruby's embarrassment. Instead of where Ruby thought most guys would stare Donnie was most curious with her stomach, where the large scar from the incident with Blake was still prominent and red.
"Are you hurt?" Donnie asked catching Ruby off guard.
"Donnie! Where is that girl?! I would like my daughter revived tonight if possible!" Ruby heard the doctor yell from across the room.
It distracted the boy. "She is ready father!"
"Good! Women always taking to long to get dressed! Or undressed! And makeup, don't get me started on makeup!"
Ruby felt uneasy as Donnie waved her out of the closet towards the now beeping machine. Penny had been put inside the right pod meaning that Ruby would pass her as she walked towards the other. Penny had several wires connected to her. Some Ruby understood. Others were unknown to her. "You'll be back soon, I promise"
Ruby looked over to the doctor who was behind a control panel of sorts, smiling and staring at her. Ruby instinctively covered herself again and turned away from the doctor.
"Psssh. Girl if I wanted someone for their body I would have asked your sister, not you. Now time to get into the pod so I can use you for your body and soul."
Ruby thought that was really rude, but complied. He may be crazy, but she had no doubt this would bring Penny back. She wasn't sure how but she could feel it. In her heart, in her bones, in her soul.
The pod closed when she got into it. Several lights started flashing around her. A speaker in the pod rang out with the doctor's voice. "Okay, you ca hear us but we cannot hear you. Nod your head if you understand."
Ruby nodded.
"Good. I am going to start the machine. Please keep your hands and feet inside the pod at all times. Also keep hold of the memories you have of my daughter. Keep her in your thoughts. If not this might really hurt."
Wait what? Did he just say this was going to. Lights flared and pain racked throughout Ruby's body. She couldn't stop herself from screaming.
"Donnie why is she screaming? It shouldn't hurt that much. It is only taking a small amount of her aura."
Donnie looked lazily at his father, "Sir did you know that Ruby Rose came in very hurt. When I scanned her originally she only had twenty percent aura left. Right now she is at thirty-five percent"
The doctor threw up his hands. "Well that doesn't make sense! When I took her from the hospital she seemed okay. You just can't trust people anymore"
Donnie shook his head. "Sir did you know that sometimes you yourself are incredibly unobservant?"
"I know right! I thought I was better than this….oh well too late now." He shrugged his shoulders. "It won't kill her. It'll just put her through unimaginable pain as a piece of her soul is pulled away….might reopen her wound as well"
"Father you are a demon"
The crazed doctor smiled. "but if it is successful this war will be changed forever. With my new modifications to Penny's code, she will be a killing machine. What are the odds of success?"
Donnie sat still for a moment. "With her readings it is leveled out at twenty percent"
"Ha! We got this in the bag!" He pushed a button to start the transfer of the now stored aura in the machine.
A glow filled both pods. Ruby stopped screaming. Doctor Polentina smiled and started laughing as the machine started whirling down. "These readings! They are perfect, no better than perfect!"
Ruby's pod opened. Ruby was passed out, the gash in her stomach was bleeding. "Donnie take care of her. She needs medical and rest. She will wake up...probably. I am going to say hello to my daughter"
"Yes sir" Donnie said sleepily. Truly this day had taken much out of him. He needed to recharge. But first he needed to make sure this girl lived. If not Donnie was sure nothing but trouble would come. That meant more work.
-0-
She cracked open her eyes. At least she swore she did. Everything was dark, too dark to see. She knew she was alone, the only noise coming from a constant drip drop of water out of a leaky pipe.
Blake tried to move. Everything hurt. She felt powerless, but more stable if that makes sense. Before where it felt like she was sluggish to move it now felt like she could, just that she didn't want to. She shut her eyes again. She didn't want to be here. She went back to the days that were her favorite that she didn't even know was her favorite at the time. Back in Beacon. Back to those peaceful days before the craziness started. Back when she was with her team. Her friends. Her family.
A flash of light and a screeching of rusty hinges being used woke her from her daze. She could tell time had passed. She didn't know how long, then again it was hard to tell time when you were in perpetual darkness.
"She's in this one" a male voice said. A light was shown over her blinding Blake for a second before going to her cell door. "Damn they did a number on her"
"What do you expect in this place? She's a faunus in jail in Atlas. We're lucky they didn't just kill her and call it an accident" said a hushed but clearly female voice. "Didn't you ever have it rough?"
"Of course I did Harriet but it was easy early on to hide my tail. Once I got into the military they were paying more respects to the uniform than the person, so it was easier. But come on who doesn't love me and...hey don't roll your eyes!"
Blake heard a smack. "And don't blind me you idiot. I'm used to fighting with my fists, not picking locks!"
Blake heard a chuckle before a series of clicks and more groaning from the Atlesian steel. "Elm would be so proud of that statement"
"Tell her and not even Clover will be able to save you"
Blake was curious about these two, but she needed more information. It didn't help that even from just breathing she felt winces of pain. She tried to stay calm. The two walked into her cell. They stopped in front of her.
"We know your awake" Blake didn't move. They could be bluffing. "Seriously, every time we speak your ears twitch and move. Get up"
Well then. For not the first time in her life, she wished she wasn't born with these ears. Blake opened her eyes again. "What do you want?" Her voice came out raspy and weak. She looked between the two in the darkness. One was a faunus while the other was a human. They wore Atlesian uniforms known for Specialists.
"First things first. We are getting you out of this hell-hole. What do you say to that?" The woman Harriet said while smiling. She pointed to the faunus man. "This is Marrow and I am Harriet. We are two of the Ace ops, one of Atlas's best huntsmen team."
"I can barely move. How am I supposed to get out?" Blake asked more out of curiosity than despair.
Marrow brought out a small device and put it to Blake's neck. "This will only hurt for a second"
Blake squirmed for a second. Pain shot through her body from her movement. Something jolted through her when Marrow put the device to her neck. It hurt. Electricity flowed through her. So they were here to torture her? Give her hope before tearing it away? Why should Blake expect any different.
Harriet smacked Marrow in the back of the head. "What are you thinking!? No warning to her!? We could have done that at any time! Why now?!"
"I thought it would help her trust us!"
Harriot rubbed her forehead. "Yes, putting her through pain after a night of torture when she doesn't trust us. Why wouldn't that work?" She said sarcastically.
Blake was indifferent before she felt something flow through her. She felt good. Her wounds started to hurt less and her mind that was fuzzy became clearer. Her aura was back! It felt like she was finally herself again. Everything still hurt, but it hurt less. Debilitating pains turned into wincing pains, which she could deal with. She smiled at the grateful warmth.
"See, she's fine now" Marrow said with a smile. Marrow went to grab her and Blake scooted back towards the wall when he did. Marrow looked with sympathy and pitty, bringing his hand back down.
"Marrow, go make sure we are still clear" Marrow looked at Harriot like she was crazy, but a strong frown and a flick of her eyes to Blake made Marrow understand.
"I'll be at the front gate waiting for you two" He looked back towards Blake, "We are here to help you. Trust us a little and we will get you back to your partner"
Blake wasn't sure if she wanted that right now. How do you explain to your friend that you stabbed their sister thinking she was Adam coming after you? Expecially since Yang was the one who helped her...dispose of Adam. Seeing he wasn't going to get a response Marrow left.
Blake was alone with Harriot. Harriot moved closer to Blake with the same look of pity. "I know you aren't fond of Atlesians right now, but let me help you." Blake still didn't trust them, but they had given her back her aura somehow. Even if she didn't trust her, Blake was sure they were here to help.
"Can you get up?" Blake nodded her head and tried to stand, using the back wall for support.
Blake understood why she was so woozy and in pain when she leaned back against the wall. Her clothing was tattered and big bruises could be seen on her exposed stomach, dried blood mixing into the black of her pants.
Harriot looked concerned when she realized there was blood on her pants. "I know they hurt you, but did they Hurt you?"
Blake understood instantly what she was asking. She shook her head. "They spared me from that" Blake croaked out, mouth dry. "They just kept kicking…." Blake took one of her hands and put it over her stomach. She could tell there was some bleeding and everything was bruised, so she pushed her aura to focus on fixing her insides first.
Harriot came forward slowly, making sure Blake knew she meant no harm. "Good, it they had done that I would kill them myself. They are human scum, no matter what anyone else says." Harriot wrapped Blake in a light hug. "You're safe now"
Blake wanted to cry. She could feel the tears in her eyes, but this wasn't the place for it. "Just, get me out of here"
Harriot smiled, "Of course" Blake was larger than Harriot, but it didn't stop Harriot from picking Blake up with her gauntlets.
-0-
They had given Blake to a doctor to look her over. The doctor was a huntress specialist that had taken care of the bigger parts of Blake's wounds. They gave her some aura stimulants so that her aura could take care of the rest. Blake thought that they would let her rest. She settled down when Harriot came back into the office. There were a quick few words before Harriot picked Blake up, bringing her somewhere.
They went through some hallways until she stopped next to a corner and put Blake on her feet. "Where is this?"
"We are in Atlas military headquarters. I need you to meet with someone...the person that sent Marrow and I to help you, as well as the rest of our team. I thought you might want to look strong"
Blake stood up straight. It still hurt. It was way better than two hours ago though, back when she was in that cell."Thank you" It was the little things.
"Follow me then" Harriot rounded the corner towards a large door that was surrounded by people in Atlesian uniforms. Each stood out to Blake in different ways. Marrow was there talking to a large girl holding a hammer that reminded Blake of Nora and a pale man that stood next to her.
A man came up to Blake when she got close, the others stopping like they were awaiting orders. "Hello, my name is Clover and I lead the Ace-ops. I hope that Marrow treated you right?"
"Why are you only questioning me and not Harriot!?" Marrow questioned with dramatic flare.
"This is why" Harroit sighed while gesturing towards Marrow who was still posing.
Blake chuckled at the interplay between the team. It reminded her of better times. Blake remembered when her team would get into trouble and mess with each other. Her team… Her chuckle died in her throat. Suspicion came back into her mind. "He was fine. What did you want with me?"
Clover sighed. "Straight to the point". He smiled, "That's just what we need" He went to the door and knocked in a sequence. After a second Blake heard the shuffling of papers behind the door. Another series of knocks from inside the room. Clover opened the door gesturing to head inside.
Blake stepped closer. She knew they helped her so they must want something. She never liked the old adage that curiosity killed the cat. It never helped that she liked to know things. She could feel her ears twitch as she stepped into the dark room.
A couple of small candles on a desk lit up one of the people she wished she could never see again.
"Hello Miss Belladonna" General Ironwood said staring into her soul. "Please come in"
Blake narrowed her eyes but stepped forward. She knew she couldn't take him in a fight, especially without her weapon, but she had learned a couple things from Yang. She clenched her fist while seeing weak points in the room. Windows, a way to escape? A pole with the Atlesian flag, a potential weapon? Millions of scenarios pushed into her mind.
"I wouldn't if I were you. I would hate to kill one of my sister's teammates" Winter Schnee said stepping out of the darkness next to the bookshelf to Blakes right. Winter had her hand on her saber. She was watching Blake carefully.
Ironwood sighed, "Winter stop being so tense. We need her help remember?"
"Yes sir!"
Ironwood sighed again and scratched his ever-increasing beard. "Look, there was a reason you were taken into custody. It wasn't because you are a faunus."
Blake didn't believe him. He might not be Jacuse Schnee, but she knew that Ironwood and him were friends. This was a trap somehow. Blake looked from the stoic Winter that was keeping an ever watchful eye on her before looking back towards Ironwood. "What do you want?"
"Like I said, I need your help….with the White Fang" Ironwood put his hand underneath his desk. Blake tensed waiting for an attack. Ironwood pulled out a weapon and set it down on his desk. "Your weapon was broken when you got here. It has been remade and upgraded a little, for the coming battle"
"Why me? What do I have to do with all this?" Blake said her eyes never leaving the weapon she knew. If it came down to it, she may have to risk it for her weapon. It was better than nothing.
Ironwood growled, "We have no time for games. I know your family. I know you are White Fang. I know that you've fought for them-"
Blake was about to bolt. She didn't know what they did in Atlas to White Fang members but if what she was put through earlier was just for being a faunus, she did NOT want to know what the upgrade in status would give her.
"-But I also know that you have changed since then and have fought back against them ever since. I need that. Someone who knows how the White Fang works inside and out. Someone who I can trust has the best interest of the innocents of the world."
Blake was unsure. It seemed to convenient. "How do I know I can trust you? You put me in jail. I was beaten by my guards. How do I know this isn't some sick jo-"
Ironwood set down Yang's arm on the desk next to her weapon with another bracelet Blake recognized as the second half of Yang's weapon. "This is how. This is a black-ops mission. I may have more power now that I hold three seats, but the people are already in turmoil. There is a council seat that will be up for grabs soon and I have to worry about increasing grimm attacks against Atlas."
Blake was confused "I don't understand. Are the White Fang here in Atlas?"
Ironwood blew out a long breath. "Probably, but we may have a location of a White Fang stronghold near Argus, which is why we sent Yang there. She doesn't know yet, that why we are sending you. Officially you two are banished from Atlas and are being deposited back where you came from. Unofficially, well you already know what I want"
"You want me to help you find them. Root them out"
"Basically yes" Clover said coming in behind her, shutting the door behind him. "We will be accompanying you to...deal with them when you find them."
"What if I don't want to do it?"
Ironwood smiled, "Your ears betray you" Blake pushed her ears down, not realizing until he said something that they were standing straight up and twitched every time he spoke. "I do have more information about who is leading them that will be of particular interest."
Blake couldn't think of any leaders she remembered that would excite her in Mistral in particular.
"Adam Taurus"
Blake's eyes went wide. "That's not possible!" She shouted only to be hushed by Ironwood.
"I assure you we have accurate information on this. Our contacts had confirmed it before they went dark. So...what do you say?"
-0-
The door closed after Blake left the room, leaving Ironwood with Winter and Clover. Blake had taken the mission, along with her weapon and Yang's arm.
"Sir, I have the utmost faith in your plans, but should we trust her?" Clover asked.
"Yes and no. She will root out the White Fang for us but I am not going to let a former member have free reign in a black-ops mission" Ironwood tapped the desk, "Watch her carefully. If she does anything out of line, deal with her"
"Yes sir! When do we leave?"
"In one hour. Good hunting and brothers be with you"
Clover nodded and left. As soon as he left Ironwood slumped back in his seat. He grabbed a bottle of scotch from his lower drawer and forgoing a glass, took a long drink before putting it back.
"Sir" Winter said moving toward the desk.
Ironwood looked up from his laid back position. "Winter. I had forgotten that you were here. What do you need?"
"Sir. What about the guards?"
"We already discussed this. You will take care of them along with team Juniper, your sister and her partner tomorrow in Mantle. There needs to be a show of support for the community. Showing that we still police our own will do that. We must be heavy handed."
"Yes sir, but..."
"Is there something else on your mind Winter? Speak freely"
"Why did you say Adam was reported as the leader of these White Fang? We have no evidence of that."
Ironwood shrugged, "Did you see her reaction when he was mentioned. She obviously has a bond with him, and if our research is correct she was more than just his subordinate. It will motivate her"
"I still feel that we should tell Qrow about this. Are you sure we need to keep him in the dark?"
Ironwood grimaced, "He would go straight to Ozpin. He wouldn't approve and I have no patience for games anymore. There must be action. We must win! Even if it costs us."
"Yes sir. Do we at least know where he is?"
Ironwood full out laughed before pulling the bottle of booze back out of his drawer and setting it on the desk. "Just check out the nearest bars. You are dismissed Winter" Ironwood shut his eyes and leaned back again. Bringing the bottle to his mouth.
"But...sir"
"I said you are dismissed!"
"Yes sir!" With that Winter spun on her feet and walked out of the office.
"Brothers help us all"
-0-
A mouse faunus hurried through the halls of the complex they had constructed out of an old Great War shelter. He crashed through the door into what looked like a throne room except on the other side surrounded by guards was a bed instead of a throne, veils of silk around the bed hiding someone inside.
"Speak!" One of the guards said forcefully. "You said you had pertinent information for our lady"
"Yes!" The mouse faunus said with a voice that sounded excited more than scared. "I saw! I saw! We thought he to be gone but no. No no no!"
"Who did you see! Speak clearly, we have no time for your riddles!" The guard demanded.
The mouse faunus started dancing. "The one man my lady had her eye on the most! Adam Taurus is close. Yes! Hehehe. In Argus!"
The guard was about to tell him off when a shuffling was heard from the bed. A strong voice came out from behind the veil. It was obviously female, but it exuded strength and wisdom. "Are you sure?" The guards all dropped to their knees as the veil parted.
On the bed sat a beautiful woman with long black hair. Two white fox ears stood prominently up on her head. Even though she was in bed she was fully dressed in old boiled leather armor. "Yes my lady, I am! He was with a human woman going into one of the local clinics. I think he is hurt"
The lady stood up in front of the bed. Several bones in her body audibly popped like they hadn't moved in a very long time. "Good. Very good. Find a way to bring him to me. I think he will be a good addition to our cause if his reputation is correct."
"Yes my lady. I will try."
"You will not! You will succeed or you will find yourself as one of the sacrifices to our cause. Understood!" She spoke not with spite or haste but slowly. She drove in the only option he had.
The mouse squeaked when the reality hit him. "Yes, my lady. For you…..anything."
She smiled. It was beautiful. Her body was a mix of deadly and sweet. Lilith curves and murderous intent. "Good. Don't keep me waiting. I have been waiting for too long"
The mouse bowed and scurried out, intent on making his lady's will reality.
Long live the Red Wolves! The true seekers of retribution for faunus.
Long live the Red Queen! Her cunning and beauty inspires us all.
Long live the Butcher!
-0-
A/N: That's a wrap. I need to try to keep things more consistent time wise. It is hard, but I am trying.
I am thinking of doing one more chapter of this then do some Simple Soul. What do you think?
Read and Review. Comments welcome!