AN: Hey Everyone, I have the next chapter here. This one focus on Weiss' group as they reach one of the White Fang camps, making an interesting discovery. Again, thank you for all the support you have shown this story and its Tv Tropes page. Hope you enjoy this chapter, leave a review with your comments and questions, and have a nice day.

Chapter 17 – Stains of Time

Adam.

In a huge all-terrain tank, the members of the Atlas mission road through the plains of Apocrypha. At the driver seat was Winter, with Sigurd directing with a digital map. Brynhildr stood between the two as she looked to the road ahead, seeing a destroyed city in the distance, "That's our destination." She said with her husband nodding, then looked over to the Atlas Military Specialist, "Is this really the only way for us to travel to this base?"

"The airship would have been spotted by scouts. It was either this or a paladin carrying the others." Winter responded, "This is just to get us close, so that we are not walking for miles."

"Correct," Sigurd continued, "From the report last year and like the Mountain Glenn incident, this destroyed city had a failed underground haven for people from Grimm." He said with his wife nodding, then walking towards the back compartment.

In the back compartment, Reines relaxed in her chair as Trimmau stood at her side, unaffected by the bumpy road. Adam sat with his head down with arms crossed, while Musashi tied to eat noodles despite the bumpy road. Weiss and Nobu checked their weapons as Adam looked over, "Assuming a resistance?" He asked.

"I'm not assuming, but I don't think we will be greeted with open arms," Nobu responded.

"Excluding you, the rest of our team is human." Weiss added on, "Not to mention my sister and I being from the company that has mistreated faunus for years."

"Yes, it doesn't make our prospect of equality seem fair." Reines said with a smirk before glancing at the White Fang Swordsman, "Tell me, are you prepared to fight your own kind if the situation were to arise?" A silence fell over the back compartment as Adam ignored the question, "What? Humans have already shown the capacity to kill other humans. I'm just curious of your…culture." She said with Adam still ignoring her, "I am your superior, you would be best to answer my questions." The Princess of El-Melloi sad with her smirk fading into a look of anger, but Adam still ignored her, "…You're no fun." Reines said before crossing her arms, Musashi having a slight giggle as her cheeks were filled with noodles.

Brynhildr then entered the back compartment, "We're here." She said as the group of five nodded. A few seconds later, the tank stopped. As everyone else got out of their seats, Musashi quickly finishing her bowl before catching up.

They exited the tank as Sigurd took out his scroll in his left hand. In his right, he spawned a sword made of a teal metal. He stabbed the ground as a wave teal energy passed through the land. In looking at his scroll, a type of sonar matched the pulsating waves of energy. After a few seconds of pinpointing, he removed his blade from the ground, "Underground base has been located." He said will despawning his weapon, "Move out." The King of Warriors said before leading the way.

After a few minutes of walking, Nobu had a look of confusion as she sniffed the air, "Do you smell seawater?" She asked Weiss.

"I studied the map of this area, this town was not too far from an ocean," Weiss responded.

"It's a bit of a walk, but that's how they used to do overseas trade." Reines commented to the two. The group continued traversed the destroyed city until Sigurd stopped. They reached what used to be a destroyed jewelry store. The group entered, but the Princess of El-Melloi had a look of confusion. She examined the road leading into the store, noticing many resent footsteps with odd indentations. It was as if a group five times their own had passed through here, "Hmm." She said before catching up to the group.

The group gathered to the back vault with Sigurd turning the three-spoke handle. The rust chipped as the bars unlocked. The King of Warriors opened the vault as the group discovered what was inside. At the floor of value was a massive hole with a few sets of ladders surrounding. However, Adam, Winter, and Brynhildr all gasped, "What?" Weiss asked in confusion.

"The scent of blood." Adam responded first.

"Yes, it's coming from that hole," Brynhildr added on as Winter turned to her subordinates.

"Ready your weapons, but do not attack until I give the order" Winter ordered with Nobu and Weiss nodding. The Atlas Military Specialist then created a black platform glyph, allowing all of them to descend at the same time. As went deeper under, the lack of light became an issue. Weiss spawned a blue luminescent cube of ice overhead. In doing so, she noticed Adam's right hand tightly clenched. Upon reaching the bottom, the glyph despawned as the group followed an underground tunnel.

After a few minutes of walking, they reached a door with the White Fang symbol on it. However, this symbol seemed to have been Xed-out in blood. Adam then took the lead as he opened the door, looking on the other side, but remained silent. Musashi looked at him, seeing his teeth grit as the knob was about to break. Adam tried to lessen his anger as he turned to inform the group, "We're too late." He said before entering the White Fang Underground Base.

The other followed with Weiss at the end of the group. As her eyes laid on the base, they trembled in horror. Littering the ground were nearly fifteen White Fang member's corpses. At least, the number of body parts would have suggested that death toll. The scent of blood now filled her nostrils like a red mist. The white heiress fell to her knees as she coughed. "Weiss!" Nobu said as she turned to her friend, "You okay!?"

"I'm fine-" Weiss responded as she breathed, but the scent now entered her mouth. The white heiress' eyes widened, vomiting on the ground. Nobu knelt to aid her, prevents the white hair from getting in the way of the vile.

In the distance, Winter looked over to her little sister. Reines then walked over to the Atlas Military Specialist, "Is this her first time seeing this type of aftermath?" The Princess of El-Melloi asked.

"…" Winter did not respond at first, "I hope it's her last time." She said before walking away to examine the area. Reines looked back at Weiss, whose blue eyes were still trembling after vomiting.

As Reines walked way, she noticed Trimmau glancing down at a small divot in the soil. She then saw her maid golem place her hand over the hold, the malleable metal forming a mold. The Princess of El-Melloi walked over to see the impression, discovering it as an oddly shaped cross, "Hmm."

Nearby, Adam and Musashi examined the area, "This was a massacre," Musashi said in shock, clenched her right fist, "If only we had gotten here sooner."

Adam knelt as he examined a blood pool, his right pointer and index finger dipping in a small pour of the red liquid, "Still wet, it couldn't have started more than half a day ago." He said as he rubbed the blood between his fingers and thumb, "A nighttime raid, they were caught off -" He said as he looked at the bodies. However, The White Fang swordsman's stop at one corpse.

"Hm, Adam?" Musashi said before looking over to him. As she walked over, she noticed the body Adam was focusing on. It was faunus of a larger build wearing a black uniform. However, the Grimm mask covered his entire face. Next to his mangled body were chunks of metal stained with presumably his blood. If the pieced were put together, the weapon would resemble a massive chainsaw, "Oh no," Musashi said as she now recognized the man, as did Adam.

"He was my Lieutenant," Adam spoke, then noticed the black uniform, "Heh, I guess he was promoted to my rank after I went to jail." He said with a slight laugh and forced smile, "Because he got the other Faunus out safely that day, these faunus trusted him with their lives." He said with another few laughs. However, Musashi looked down at Adam. Despite his mask covering his eye, tears still ran down his face. Musashi did not say a word but did place her right hand on his back as they mourned.

Sigurd and Brynhildr made their way to a tent, blood smeared on the entrance. The King of Warriors pulled the flap open as the beloved woman walked in. After he entered, they saw many destroyed and pried-open crates. The two made their way to a table with a map of the region and a radio broadcasting rig. Sigurd picked up the map, noticing three markings, "These are the locations from the report." He said before seeing Brynhildr rewind the broadcasting rig.

"It's old and out of date, but these rigs usually have a record system for past transmissions." She said before a voice began to play. In the background, screaming and gunfire were heard.

Emergency! This is Alpha Base, we're under attack! Repeat, we're under att-!

The voice ended with a close gunshot. A few seconds later, another voice called in a panic.

This is Gamma Base; we are also under attack! Please, send help! There's too many for us to handle on our own.

Sigurd and Brynhildr listened as the White Fang members voice become more terrified.

If you can't help, save yourself! My sisters are at your base, get her out to safety. Please, I-AAAAHHH!

The two heard the White Fang member scream as they heard a blade cut through flesh. In the second swing, the screams were silent. The two remained silent as they lowered their heads, "Sigurd, what base is this one call?" Brynhildr spoke up.

"According to the map, Beta." He responded, "It looks like it was I simultaneous raid on all three." He said before placing the map back on the table, "Our White Fang Killer seems to be operating with more allies than we anticipated." He said with her nodding once.

The two were about to exit the room, but Brynhildr heard something move. She looked to one of the destroyed crates, seeing what looked like a wing for half a second. Sigurd looked at her in confusion before she signaled him to be silent. The beloved woman then walked over to the source of the noise.

With terror in her eyes, a young faunus girl of the age of eleven was curled up in the fetal position corner. Her hair was a short pink, her ears pocking out at the sides a few inches. Her wings were like that of a falcon, hugging her body like a blanket.

"Hello," Brynhildr softly said, gaining the falcon faunus girl's attention, "It's okay, I'm not here to hurt you." She said as she walked closer, but the girl's eyes widened in dread as she looked up. Suddenly, her wings spread open. In the falcon faunus girl's hands was a pistol. Brynhildr and Sigurd gasped as the girl pulled the trigger.

The shot echoed through the entire base, altering all the other members of the group. Everyone rushed into the tent to discover Brynhildr on the ground, Sigurd holding his wife, "What happened!?" Winter exclaimed before looking at Brynhildr's hands on her stomach.

"It's okay," Brynhildr responded lifting her hands, "The bullet did not go through my armor and aura." She said with the bits of lead in her palm.

The Atlas Military Specialist let out a sigh of relief before she saw the falcon faunus girl, who now aimed her weapon at the elder Schnee. The falcon faunus girl's eyes filling with hate and tears.

Winter gritted her teeth before she heard Weiss draw her weapon. A look of anger in the White Heiress' eyes as the falcon faunus girl threaten her elder sister, "Weiss no!" Winter ordered, but in that distraction, the gun was fired again.

After the bang, Winter heard the bullet breaking against metal. She turned back to see the shot was aimed at her head, but a red sword had blocked it. Weiss' eyes widened as she saw Adam as the owner of the sword. He then walked toward the falcon faunus girl, who now aimed her gun on him. However, her hands trembled as she looked at this target. Adam knelt as he was a couple of feet away from the girl, "It's okay, we're not here to hurt you." He said while setting down his sword and sheath. The falcon faunus girl gritted her teeth harder as she aimed at him, "I'm just like you, see." He said as pointed to his faunus horns, but the girls still looked terrified as the others watched. Adam then sighed before moving his right hand to his mask, causing Weiss to have a look of confusion. Suddenly, her eyes widened as she saw his branding, knowing that as the company abbreviation. However, as Adam looked at the falcon faunus girl, his working eye showed sincerity as he had a small smile, "We're not monsters." He said with the girl going silent. Adam then reached out his open arms, the falcon faunus girl looking at them as tears started to roll down her face. She dropped the gun before running into his arms, hugging him, as she cried in his right shoulder. Adam hugged her back as he closed his eye.

An hour later.

Atlas soldiers had commenced cleanup of the base. After all, photos were taken of the scene, the corpses were being placed in body bags. After transporting then outside the base, the bodies were placed in a smaller airship. Nearby were Winter, Sigurd, and Brynhildr as they watched, "This is horrible," Brynhildr commented, "Our units have already confirmed it. The two other bases left no survivors."

"All we can do for them is send the bodies to Menagerie." Winter responded, "I spoke with their Chieftain, he can help identify the bodies." She then clenched her right hand, "Still, I can't tell him the full scope of the situation yet."

"The amount of bodies doesn't line up even close with other outpost in the past; we should have found more of the White Fang here." Sigurd said as his eyes focused with anger, "These were not just raids. They were pillaged with faunus taken as from the scene."

"Yes, I realized it too." Brynhildr commented, "That radio mentioned sisters at this base. However, that girl was the only female we found." She then turned to her husband, "We need to find the White Fang Killer now," the beloved woman spoke, "But, we have no leads."

Suddenly, Reines walked over, "Not exactly," She said gaining the group's attention, "We do know a little more about this killer than we did before." The Princess of El-Melloi said before smirking, "While that girl is still too afraid to tell us any of use, I believe I have a suspect in mind to who attacked these bases." Reines then looked to Sigurd, "As a former winner of Grand Order, you know of the Wish granting rule." She asked with him nodding, "However, do you recall the one time the winner had his wish denied?"

"I do, the event was almost two decade ago." Sigurd responded, "He was a Rider class who wished for all faunus to be expelled from Chaldea and kicked out of the Kingdom. Saying they were not part of the land he lived in." The King of Warriors said before crossing his arms, "The headmaster was not going to allow it, stating it was a wish that violated the peace of the people in Apocrypha. So, the Rider left the school himself, with the report stating he was going to discover his own land in the process."

"Well, the Rider obviously hates faunus." Winter comment, "That's one thing in common to the White Fang Killer."

"From that report, he practically disappeared off the planet. They had him listed as presumed dead." Brynhildr commented, "It also mentions he did get to keep his title after leaving."

"And that title itself is another ironic point about him. It's still just a hunch, but," Reines said as she closed her eyes. She pictured the back of man wearing a navy black long coat. The design incorporated a gold lining with a red eye at the center of a cross on his back, the shape reminiscent of the imprint the maid golem found. His shoulders were puffed with more crosses. He wore a black captain's hat. White hair was seen at the height of this person. Reines then opened her eyes with a smirk, "I believe the White Fang Killer is the Rider of Resistance," She said as the sound of someone laughing through their toothy smile echoed in her mind, "Christopher Columbus."

Meanwhile, aboard a small Atlas airship, Adam knelt to the falcon faunus girl. To her right was Nobu, who looked at the White Fang swordsman smiling at the girl, "She will take you Menagerie safely." Adam spoke to the girl, who then looked up at Nobu, who responded with a smile, "This one is…tolerable." Adam commented, causing Nobu to glare at him, "Just ignore her dumb questions." He said before standing up, the falcon faunus girl nodding. She waved goodbye before Nobu escorted her further into the airship. Adam waved back until to two turned the corner. He then lowered his arm before sighing, closing his eye.

A short distance away, Weiss spied on him from behind a corner. However, Musashi snuck up behind her, "So, not what you expected?" The swordswoman said to the white heiress, who then turned to look at her.

"Why?" Weiss asked, "Why does he have that branded on his face?"

"Don't know, was saving that question for the hundredth bowl," Musashi said with Weiss having a look of confusion. However, the swordswoman looked at Adam's back, "But then I thought, some questions are better off not being asked."

"That's still something you can't ignore," Weiss responded then looking back to Adam as well, "If that's why he hates human and my father's company," She said before her eyes filled with pity, "I don't blame him now, but…" The white heiress said as she looked down in sadness, "He saved Winter when she was distracted by me. Why would he-"

"Don't forget, your sister spared him from rotting in the cell. Adam may not accept her as much as he does me, but he's slowly warming up." Musashi said before remembering the sound of that gunshot, "If that faunus girl did kill a Schnee, her whole life would been much harder than anything he went through." The swordswoman then smiled before she patted Weiss on back, "If you're worried about if you should say thank you to him. I think Adam would rather see a gesture than the words." She said with a smirk, "Trust me, it will make it less awkward."

"I…I'll think about it," Weiss responded before walking away, "I have to go talk with Winter, she is still unhappy with how I acted."

"Don't stress too much about it, you were only trying to protect your sister." Musashi responded, causing the white heiress to stop, "I know that, and Winter does as well." She said before Weiss gave a single nod, then walked away. Musashi then turned to the White Fang swordsman, who turned around as he heard someone walk up behind him, "So, how come you sent Nobu to go to Menagerie with that girl?" the swordswoman asked, "Shouldn't you go instead?"

"I'm not going anywhere," Adam responded while he reached into his back pocket, taking out the Grimm masking, and placing it over his eyes, "Until the White Fang Killer is dead."

AN: There you go, a lot of tension to as we learn that the White Fang Killer strikes again. This time, the one of the victims was Adam's old lieutenant with a chainsaw. Reines gets her Case Files moment when she figures it out. The White Fang Killer is Christopher Columbus. Now, I know that you're thinking this contradicts other facts we learned about the White Fang Killer. That is by design and is meant to make you reevaluate the situation. Without spoiling, this is a story moment where you, the reader, know more about the situation than certain characters do because of their limited scope. All I will say is that this will become clearer after a few more chapters. Also, while the faunus girl last chapter did not refer to anyone, this one does. However, a much younger version of the one you may know from the FGO. Next chapter, we return to Clockwork Academy to check in on a couple of hooded girls. That is all for now, thanks for reading, and hope to see you in the next chapter.