The scene starts off in a laboratory, where Penny's remains are being restored. "And you're positive this will work, Lance?" General Ironwood asked my older twin.
"Yes. She was sliced rather cleanly, so the injuries and circuity was relatively easy to repair. And I've coated her internal devices and skeleton with Bladenium, so there's no way she'll wind up in pieces again." He explained.
"I cannot thank you enough, but what of her memories?" An old man in the corner of the room asks, we only see that he has white hair and is balding, as there is no hair on the top of his head.
"Her memory storage systems were undamaged during the battle, so no problem there. She'll remember everything and everyone she's met just as well as before. I DID take the liberty of deleting the memory of her death, though, so she doesn't have PTSD of getting ripped to pieces. Other than that, it's like nothing bad ever happened to her EVER." Lance explained again.
"Excellent. One of Atlas' most valuable assets will be back in action. I can't think of anything better." Ironwood said, leaving the two scientists to finish there work.
"Now, Penny... Rise..." The old man said, Penny's eyes opening as she smiled once again.
"Sal-u-tations!" She said happily.
An air horn sounded loudly. The black screen cut to an off-ramp being lowered on the ship bearing Blake, Nicolas and Sun to allow passengers to disembark. The town had many small buildings and homes set among dunes and palm trees. The town bell that had been ringing was shown in its belfry.
Nico, Sun and Blake make their way from the deck to the off-ramp. She proceeded without pause while Sun stops to look at the town.
"Huh." Sun said.
"Nice place." Nico said, jumping off the boat and looking around.
Several Faunus in summer-wear meandered casually at the dock, some waiting for friends or family among the new arrivals. The dock was also a commercial area, with mobile kiosks selling food and other wares. It was a relaxed atmosphere on a sunny day. Sun was looking around while he and Blake disembarked and walked through the market area together with Nico. "I've never seen so many Faunus in one place!" Sun said.
"Well, yeah, isn't this like where the Faunus came from or something? Or at least where the kingdoms tried to keep them during the way." Nico said.
"This is the one place everyone can feel safe, no matter who or what they are." Blake explained.
"Wow, sure is, uh, crowded, huh?" Sun asked.
"Yeah, now that you mentioned it." Nick confirmed.
"Yes. Yes, it is." Blake agreed.
Sun dodged a Faunus carrying a box. "Is it always so… cramped?" He asked.
"Well, when you try and take an entire species and put them on an island that's two-thirds desert, yeah, it tends to be cramped." She explained.
"What! You guys have that much more space? Why waste it? A little desert never hurt anyone!" Sun said.
"Yeah, try telling that to people who have gotten lost in the desert and died." Nico countered.
"It's not like the desert in Vacuo, Sun. The wildlife here is more dangerous than most other regions." Blake explained.
"So, they give us a terrible island, in the corner of Remnant, to try and shut us up?" Sun asked.
"That's a pretty good summary, yeah." Blake confirmed.
"Huh. Jerks." Sun said.
"The man always trying to keep us down!" Nico snapped.
"We try to make the best of things." Blake said as the trio paused in their walk to look at the view of the town the road affords. The road they were on goes downhill and to the side, bordered by palm trees and homes that have either canvas or wood roofs. The vista of palm trees spreads out to the edge of mountainous dunes in the distance. Right in the middle of all this is a large house with an open courtyard that the road appears to lead directly to. The house is at least three stories and is the only building in the whole area with a sophisticated roof.
"Whoa…" Sun and Nico said in awe.
"This, is Kuo Kuana." Blake announced.
"It's… beautiful." Nico said.
"I take it all back. This place looks great! Why would anyone ever want to leave?" Sun asked.
"That's not the point, Sun! We asked to be equal, to be treated just like everyone else! Instead, we were given an island and told to make do. So we did the best we could. We came together and we made a home where any Faunus could feel welcome. But this island, this town, will always be a reminder that we're still not equal." Blake said sadly, lowering her face. "That we're still second-class citizens." She said.
Nico put his hand on her shoulder to comfort her. "It may have been forced on you, but its still your home. And a beautiful one at that." He said.
"Wow. I never knew you could be so caring and sweet instead of crazy and random." Blake said with a small giggle.
"Well, hey, this guy's feeling pretty at home." Sun said, pointing both thumbs at himself.
"No one cares!" Nicolas snapped.
"Alright, time to go home." Blake said.
"Oh yeah?" Sun asked, moving his hand to her other shoulder and pulling her in, much to Nico's annoyance. "Which one's yours? Can you see it from here?" He asked, using his free hand like a visor to help him peer at the houses.
"Kind of." Blake said.
"Is it that one?" He asked, pointing away from Blake. "What about that tiny one down there?" He asked, pointing across Blake. "I like the paint job." He said.
Blake took Sun's intruding arm by the wrist and directed it toward the large house. "It's… that one." She said.
Sun stared for a second before pointing his finger at her with a questioning expression, to which she nodded. Sun looked at her for a beat before taking his arm off her and stepping back. He covered the sides of his head and crouched a bit, staring wide-eyed at the house and making a comical, amazed noise.
"Oh, my god, your an island princess!? Your majesty!" Nicolas said, dropping to the ground and bowing before her.
Nico, Blake and Sun walked up the stone steps to the front door of the house. Blake hesitated when she moved to use the knocker.
"What is it?" Nico asked.
"I um… it's just been a long time since I've seen my parents." She explained.
"They're your family. They'll be happy to see you more than anything." Nico said.
"Besides, you came all this way." Sun said.
Blake took a quick breath for courage and banged the door knocker. It made a loud, heavy, resonating sound on the large door. Sun stared up, stepping back while Blake politely backed away from the door a few paces. Nico noticed both of them backing up and followed suit.
Sun pointed up at the door. "Okay, if we're being honest, that's kind of intimidating." He said.
"For once, I agree with you..." Nico agreed.
Nico, Sun and Blake gave a start at the sound of the door being opened. Kali Belladonna, a short, female cat Faunus was behind it, looking around at the visitors. Her ears perked and she moved the door out of the way so she could step forward when she recognized her daughter.
"Blake?" Kali asked, almost in disbelief.
Blake awkwardly lifted her arm in greeting. "Hi, mom." She said.
Kali stepped forward and hugged her daughter. "My baby girl." Kali said in tearful happiness. (Damn, that's poetic as fuck! I'll stop...)
Blake hesitated, uncertain for a moment, before her face gentled into a smile and she hugged her mother back. Nico sniffed at this, wiping away a tear. "So beautiful..." He said.
They stood in front of open doorway. From inside the house, footsteps came closer and a shadow fell onto the carpeted entryway. Kali let go of Blake and turned behind her at the sound of Ghira Belladonna's voice. "Kali? Who is it?" He asked from the distance. Ghira stood with his hands on his hips, waiting to greet the visitor. His quizzical expression changed to wide-eyed surprise, before his hands, shoulders, and face all fell in a clear, emotional reaction to the sight of his daughter come home.
"Holy mountain of a man, he's tall!" Nicolas said in shock. Luckily, everyone seemed to ignore this.
Sun saw this and grinned, pleased at Blake's welcome as he turned to look at how she's taking it. Blake had her hands clasped in front of her, awaiting her father's reaction. Kali had not let go, with her hands supportively on Blake's shoulder and arm.
Ghira said nothing, but smiled, clearly happy. Blake smiled back, relieved. She and Nicolas exchanged sideways glances.
Kali set down her cup on the table. She, Ghira, Nico, Sun and Blake all sat on the floor at a square table.
"We were horrified when we heard the news. The Kingdom of Vale isn't perfect, but it certainly didn't deserve what happened. Oh, we were both so worried." Kali explained.
"Please, I knew she'd be fine!" Ghira said, confidently.
Kali scoffed at this. "That isn't the slightest bit true. You should have seen him pacing." She said.
Nicolas smiled at this. "You have nothing to worry about. Your daughter's an incredible fighter. There's not much she can't handle and I would do anything I could to protect her. Not to brag, but I WAS part of Beacon's strongest team, Team BDSS." He said.
"Oh, really? Were you the one that destroyed the dragon?" Ghira asked.
Nicolas lowered his head a bit at this. "N-no, that was our leader, Sai." He said.
"Or were you the one who beat Adam Taurus after what he did to Blake?" Kali asked.
Nico completely hung his head down at this. "No, that was Damion, may he rest in peace..." He said.
"Or the one who stopped all the Atlas robots?" Ghira asked.
At this Nico fell to the floor in shame with the "dread" anime effect above his head. "Draco..." He answered.
Sun and Blake were a little surprised at this, but Blake got over it and went back to her tea while Sun went back to talking. "He's right, though! You guys have nothing to worry about. I've seen your daughter in action before! And trust me, she's got some moves!" He said, catching everyone's attention.
Blake, who was sipping from her cup while Sun spoke, abruptly lifted her head and swallowed at his last choice of words. Nico and Ghira glared at the monkey faunus at the table with them.
"And what exactly do you mean by that, Mr. Wukong?" Ghira asked threateningly.
Sun froze and slowly turns toward his host. "It was at this moment, Sun knew... He fucked up..." Nicolas said.
"I… uh, well, you see sir, it's just that, you know, that she's such a good fighter and all, uh, and as a fellow fighter, I have a lot of respect for her..." Sun tried to dig himself from his hole, but was probably only digging it deeper.
Kali leaned in towards Blake. "Why is he here again?" She asked quietly.
"...And her fighting. But also for her..." Sun kept trying.
"He just kind of followed me home." Blake answered.
"...because of her fighting. Not her looks. I mean, not to say she's not good-looking. She is! Very! Or..." Sun kept going.
"I see." Kali accepted.
"… slightly, I mean she's definitely above average. I mean, uh…" Sun stumbled.
He struggled for words as all three Belladonnas and Nico watched him and waited for him to either get out of the hole he just talked himself into or keep digging. "I can stomp his jaw to keep him from talking if you want." Nico offered Ghira.
"Not a bad idea..." Ghira said, looking back at Sun.
In the awkward silence, Sun used his tail to pick up the tea kettle and poured some more tea into his cup. "This tea is really good." He said, taking a sip. "Heh-uh."
"I like him." Kali said, not quite quietly enough for an aside, pointing to Nico.
"Mom!" Blake said, embarrassed.
The loud sound of the front door knocker resonated, catching everyone's attention. "Darn it, I completely forgot about the meeting!" Ghira said hitting his fist onto the table and Kali quickly covered it with her hand.
"Ghira…" She said calmly.
"Give me a moment." He said, getting up and walking out.
"Not to be rude or accuse anyone, but I can't be the only one who thinks this is shady, right?" Nico asked.
"Is everything okay?" Blake asked.
"Yes, dear, just poor timing. He can reschedule. It's just been hard dealing with them lately." Kali explained.
"Dealing with who?" Blake asked.
Kali was taking a sip from her tea. "Hmm? The White Fang." She answered.
"WHAT?!" Nico, Sun and Blake all asked at once, jumping to their feet.
The three to the door, where Ghira was speaking with two fox Faunus, Corsac Albain and Fennec Albain. The two visitors maintained respectful, formal postures, keeping their hands clasped before them.
"Dad!" Blake called.
"Blake, what's wrong?" Ghira asked.
"Them." Nicolas said, stepping between the family and the two newcomers.
"Miss Belladonna." Corsac greeted.
"We had no idea you'd returned." Fennec said.
Every time either one of the two Albain brothers spoke, they gestured with their hands and ended with clasping their hands before their chests again. Anyone who looked at these two would easily reach a simple conclusion. "You're evil, aren't you?" Nico said.
"They are SO fucking onto us!" Corsac shouted, to which Fennec shook his head.
"What are you doing talking to these people?" Blake asked.
"This is Corsac and Fennec Albain. They represent the White Fang here in Menagerie now." Ghira explained.
"Those psychos are here, too?!" Sun demanded.
"Young men, I'm not sure what you've heard of our organization, but I can assure you, we're not nearly as ferocious as the media would have you believe." Fennec reasoned.
"What we've heard? We've seen firsthand. Your fanatics slaughtered people!" Blake snapped.
"What is she talking about?" Ghira asked.
"Precisely what we came to discuss with you, Your Grace." Corsac began to explain.
"Is everything alright?" Kali asked as she approached.
"Wait, you guys seriously don't know?" Sun asked in disbelief.
"Know what?" Ghira asked dangerously.
"The White Fang was at the Fall of Beacon. They attacked innocent civilians and they released Grimm into the school." Blake explained.
"They're responsible for the death of at least 3 students and who knows how many civilians." Nicolas added.
There was a brief silence. Fennec makes an innocent, sideways glance at his brother. Ghira slowly turned to face the two White Fang representatives. "Is this true?" He demanded.
"Sadly, Your Grace, it is." Fennec confirmed.
"And you think you can show your faces here!?" Nico snapped.
"Don't act like you're s—" Blake started as well.
"That's enough!" Ghira snapped, turning to the Albains. "Explain yourselves." He demanded.
"Though it pains us to admit, it has become apparent that the Vale branch of the White Fang is no longer operating under orders of High Leader Khan. Rather, they've elected to follow the rule of one Adam Taurus. I believe you're all familiar with the young adept and his… extreme philosophies." Corsac explained.
"You know, Beacon wasn't the first time the Fang started shooting up Vale!" Sun threw in.
"The High Council had their suspicions of a splinter group, but they could prove nothing until this latest incident." Fennec explained.
"'Incident'? People are dead!" Blake snapped.
"And it is a tragedy." Corsac said.
"Your Grace, we came to assure you that Brother Taurus and his followers do not represent the will of the White Fang." Fennec explained.
"And how can I be sure of that?" Nico and Ghira asked, looking at each other in surprise, but then approval for asking the same question.
"We understand if you bear any skepticism towards these claims. The White Fang's tactics are admittedly, more aggressive since you stepped down as High Leader and became Chieftain of Menagerie. But this, this is no way to make our message heard." Corsac explained.
"We have ample documentation from the council meeting, as well as several strategies to apprehend and punish these strays if you care to review them." Fennec added.
"I will, but another day. I'd like some time to reconnect with my daughter." Ghira said.
"But of course, Your Grace." Corsac complied.
"We completely understand. It was a pleasure to see you again, young Blake." Fennec said in farewell.
"We were saddened when we heard of your departure from the White Fang, but understand if you can no longer support our cause." Corsac said.
"Not hard to see why, human genocide is pretty hard to get behind." Nico said.
They glared at him, but said nothing. "It is a wearying fight, after all." Fennec agreed.
"Who says I'm done fighting?" Blake asked.
"Hmm... If you ever do wish to return, you need merely come find us." Corsac said.
"Sister Ilia would be elated." Fennec added.
"Who now?" Nico asked.
"Goodbye, gentlemen." Ghira said in farewell.
He firmly closed the door on them. Kali moved to stand closer and faced her husband while Blake walked off. "So... those guys were creepy." Sun said.
"I really don't like you." Ghira said.
"No one does." Nico said.
Outside, the two brothers descended the steps, perfectly in sync and their formally clasped hands. Corsac, however, was now using the prayer posture that Fennec had been using all along. "An interesting development, wouldn't you say?" Fennec asked.
"Interesting indeed." Corsac agreed.
"So, shall we inform Brother Adam?" Fennec asked.
"Oh, we shall." Corsac confirmed as they exchanged unsettling grins.
Back at the tavern in Higanbana, the waitress was scrubbing the floor. The sound of approaching footsteps ceased when a voice addressed her, making the waitress look up.
"Excuse me." Tyrian asked, licking his lips. "I was hoping you could… help me find someone." He said, laughing maniacally as the camera faded to black, showing only his eyes, before they faded to black as well.