Chapter 5: Necessary Sacrifice
It is morning in Menagerie. Blake Belladonna, Serena Khan, Bloo Grijalee, and Sun Wukong are on the steps of the Belladonna Family Home, the four of them each holding a Scroll.
Blake: Okay. Are you ready guys?
Sun: I beat up on giant monsters and robots more than once, I think I can handle getting a few signatures.
Bloo: And I'm pretty sure I can get as least two from Mom and Dad.
Blake gives a small smile at Sun and Bloo. However she smile was than gone seeing Serene was low spirited, as she just looking at her scroll.
Blake: You guys go on ahead then, we'll catch up soon.
Sun and Bloo, also looked to Serene and both agreed with a nod, going down the steps, and leaving just Blake and Serene still at the steps. Blake walked up to her, and sat down on a step, she than pats on a open spot for Serene to sit next to her, which slowly accepts.
Blake: Serene... (trying to comfort her with a warm smile) It's okay if you don't want leave home yet, you come with us another time later. I know it's been hard for you, fearing the worst for... Sienna.
Serene: (silent for a moment, looking away from Blake, hearing that name) No... I want to help you Blake, I should, It's what my... (she choked with tears in her eyes, unable to say that word) she would have wanted me to do.
Blake sensed Serene's harboring sadness, as she than hugged her tightly, as Serene suddenly broke into tears, as she still grieves for her deceased sister Sienna Khan.
Blake: (she too broke in tears) I 'am so sorry, Serene, I promise... We will get the White Fang back for her, if... she couldn't, and Mom, Dad, and I, we'll always be here for you.
Serene: (she sobs) Thank you, Blake.
After finishing their hug, Serene than takes a deep breath, trying to calm herself.
Blake: You're just as much as a little sister to me, my family, as much as I considered Cinnabar as a little brother.
Serene: (she than wipe her tears away, now reminiscing of Cin and Rico) Yeah, Cinnabar, Ricochet... I really missed them, I hope there doing okay out there, and not just them, your team too, do you think we'll ever see them again, Blake?
Blake gave this a thought for moment, a bit unsure of how Ruby Weiss, and Yang would feel seeing someone who left them behind. She than turned to see Serene, who still waiting for her answer.
Blake: (she gave her a small grin this time) Of course we will, Serene, for now though, I should get ready to go soon, are you okay to come with me or maybe just rest some more?
Serene stands up, feeling better than before thanks to Blake.
Serene: I think can stick around with you for a bit, Blake. I should get some fresh air anyway, and I'll be there for you, Blake, you're just as strong as Sienna was, you have her spirit, and I still have her strength. (she than clenches her fists, as felt her spirit raise a bit)
Blake: (she stands up too, and puts her hand on Serene's shoulder with a smile) Thank you. (Serene smiles back at her)
Blake stands on a platform in front of a crowd of Faunus, holding her scroll up in front of her. Serene stood by the side.
Blake: Your chieftain needs you! Your people need you! Please, join the fight and help us save Haven Academy!
The Faunus just stare back at Blake and Serene.
Elsewhere, Sun tries to recruit a Faunus with ram horns.
Sun: Are you kidding me? We'd love to have someone with your skills on our side!
The Faunus nervously rubs the back of his head, before his mother calls out to him.
Worried Mother: Mata! Get back inside.
Mata: Mom!
Worried Mother: You're not going anywhere!
Sun sighs in disappointment.
Back to Blake, she holds out her scroll to two Faunus girls asking them to sign up, but the two leave. Blake lowered her head a bit, Serene puts her hand on her shoulder, trying to comfort her back, like Blake did for her.
Elsewhere, Sun hangs upside down by his tail from a tree, getting the attention of a couple of Faunus cutting logs and gathering wood. He gestures to his scroll, but the Faunus simply exchange confused looks with each other. Sun sighs until another Faunus tries to cut down the tree that Sun is hanging on.
At the docks, Blake and Serene converses with an aquatic Faunus as two more swim up to Them. The Faunus Blake and Serene is conversing with leaves, and Blake turns to the two female aquatic Faunus that have just swam up, before they too swim away. Blake, unsatisfied with the lack of progress, walks up to a nearby fruit stand where Sun happens to be present at also. Bloo than arrives to them, and showing them while he was fortunate enough to get signatures from his parents, Duke and Celeste Grijalee... the only two signatures were clearly not enough to save Haven. The Four of them share disappointed glances.
After that, the four of them are sitting at a nearby table drinking from coconut cups.
Sun: (slamming his cup down) I don't get it! How can they just sit around and do nothing with the White Fang getting ready to attack?!
Blake: Because not everyone is like you, Bloo, Serene, and me.
Serene: She's right, Sun.
Blake: The Faunus here in Menagerie - the ones that weren't born on the island - moved here because they were tired of fighting, of having to struggle constantly. Menagerie is filled with people that just want to be left alone, (scoffs) and here we are, asking them to put the rest of the world before themselves.
Sun: I guess I never really thought about it like that.
Blake: The problem is, whatever happens at Haven is going to affect them whether they like it or not. If Adam and Mamba gets their way and Haven falls, it's only going to make things worse for the Faunus. Everywhere.
Bloo shivers that the thought of that.
Sun: Adam... He's the guy you used to... work with?
Bloo: And that Mamba... was like... his mentor?
Blake: (sighs) Yes.
Serene: Unfortunately.
Sun: (seeing Blake and Serene's discomfort) Sorry, forget I brought it up.
Blake: No, it's okay. (silent for a moment) Have you ever met someone and thought to yourself, "They are the personification of this word."
Sun: (rubbing his head) Uh...
Bloo: (confused) Uh...
Serene: (unsure) Uh...
Blake: Okay, well, I remember getting to know Ruby and thinking, "This girl is the embodiment of "purity"." After a while, I saw Weiss was "defiance". And Yang was "strength".
Sun: What am I?
Blake: (smiling) Jury's still out on that one, but I'm leaning towards "earnest".
At this, Sun wraps his tail around his cup and takes a sip from it, before leaning on his hand affectionately. Blake giggles and smiles for bit.
Bloo: (waving his hand, like a student to a teacher, only excited) Oh!, Oh! what about Me, Serene, Rico, and Cin? What are we?
Blake: Well... for you Bloo, you would be "wonder", for you wanting to see what the rest of Remnant is like, instead of staying here.
Bloo: (he nods proudfully, happily accepting that) I really like that, Blake.
Blake: I'm happy to hear that, as for Rico, she would be "courage" and Cinnabar would be "emotion" and you Serene, I think of you as "guidance".
Serene: Guidance huh? I think I'm okay with that, Blake, but... What about yourself, Blake? What word do you think you're the embodiment of?
Blake: (made a surprised expression, being caught off guard) I've... never actually thought about that...
Serene: Well... (gives her a snarky grin) I'm sure we got some time to figure that out a word for you soon.
Blake smiles for bit, before frowning as she continues.
Blake: At first I thought Adam was "justice", then I thought he was "passion". But over time, I realized I was wrong. He wasn't any of those things. He was "spite". Not "hatred", not "rage", "spite". He won't accept equality, only suffering for what he feels the world did to him, and his way of thinking is dangerously contagious.
Serene: Especially, if she's also with Mamba, who I personally think he was "poison" just... "poison". Adam may be the new leader of the White Fang, if Mamba is still with him... (she lowered her head) It... may be too late for him.
Blake: That's what worries me about Ilia. She's not like Adam, not yet at least, but I don't know how long that will last.
Sun: She was your friend, huh?
Blake: She was. Her chameleon traits meant she could pass as human. She could've lived a normal life if she wanted, but she didn't. I always admired that. She lost her family in a mining accident when she was young, then she joined the White Fang. Like me, she was more or less trained on the road alongside other Faunus. She learned to survive, to defend herself, but as people like Sienna and Adam started to gain a following, she became more dangerous. I guess I did too. My parents tried to get me to leave with them, but I refused. I had Adam and Ilia, after all.
Sun: You know we're gonna have to face her eventually.
Blake: I know.
Sun: So, what are you gonna do?
Blake: I'm going to try and help her the way you helped me.
Sun, Serene, and Bloo is surprised at her response.
Blake: You showed me that sometimes you need to be there for a friend even when they don't want you to be. I was drowning in guilt and fear, I tried to push you away, but you didn't give up on me. And I can't give up on Ilia. It's about time I saved my friends for once.
Sun smiles at her response. Same and Bloo and Serene.
In an ominous looking room, a small device projecting a blue hologram with the text "MESSAGE END" deactivates. The room is candlelit, and there are White Fang banners hanging along the walls. Corsac and Fennec Albain stand in front of a painting.
Fennec: Your thoughts?
Corsac: Are of no significance. If this is how High Leader Taurus and Elder Mamba wishes to proceed, then we shall make it so.
Fennec: Of course, brother. Still...
A knock on the door is heard behind them.
Corsac: Come in.
Ilia Amitola enters the room.
Fennec: Sister Ilia, thank you for meeting with us.
Ilia: (kneeling) How may I be of assistance?
Corsac: Please, stand.
Ilia does so.
Corsac: We have wonderful news.
Ilia: What is it?
Fennec: We finally received a message from the Mistral brotherhood: the operation was a success. Adam Taurus has claimed his place as the High Leader of the White Fang.
Ilia: Good. And... Sienna?
Corsac: Buried... with honor. The other branches of the Fang have been given the story that was agreed upon.
Ilia: (sighs) A necessary sacrifice. We won't forget everything she did for us.
Fennec: Indeed.
The Albains bow at Ilia.
Corsac: Your maturity and understanding in regards to this matter is appreciated, and it is why we've summoned you here this evening.
Fennec: The White Fang is experiencing... a transitional period.
Corsac: Growth requires change.
Fennec: And change can be painful.
Ilia: If it's for the betterment of the Faunus, then... it's a pain we can endure. What's our next mission?
Corsac: Containment. With the CCT towers still inoperable, we have the luxury of control over the flow of information.
Fennec: News of Adam's ascension has yet to reach Menagerie, but when it does, the citizens of Kuo Kuana will undoubtedly react poorly now that the chieftain has spoken out against us.
Ilia: (sighs) It's my fault the Belladonnas had any ground to stand on.
Corsac: Do not concern yourself with past failures, Ilia. Focus on the future. We have an opportunity for redemption.
Ilia: What do you need me to do?
Fennec: The Belladonnas and Sienna's younger sister Serene are the only remaining threats to Adam's assault on Haven Academy.
Corsac: And so, they must be silenced...
Ilia: (visibly taken aback) S-silenced?
Corsac: Like Sienna. They stand in the way of true progress for our people.
Fennec: We would never put such a burden on you alone, of course. Your brothers and sisters will be at your side, but your relationship with their daughter makes you an intrical part of this operation.
Ilia: Blake?
Corsac: We know how close you are with young Blake. Rest assured, High Leader Taurus has requested she be taken alive, but we cannot risk having her present to defend her family and Serene.
Ilia: But, the people of Menagerie-
Corsac: Will come to understand what happens to those who speak out against the White Fang.
Fennec: And will be left without a leader until our victory is complete.
Corsac puts a hand on Ilia's shoulder.
Corsac: A necessary sacrifice, Sister Ilia.
Ilia briefly thinks on this, before leaving the room.
Fennec: She's right to worry about the citizens. It's possible they may come to see Ghira as a martyr.
Corsac: It is a risk we must take for our High Leader.
Corsac reactivates the device from earlier, showing a blue life-sized hologram of Adam and his message.
Adam: I will not allow them to ruin this! The Belladonna name has brought me nothing but grief! (visibly upset, Adam brings his hand to face to compose himself) You've done well in finding the deserter. Bring her to me, alive. But not before you've slaughtered her family and dispose of Serene Khan, under Mamba Naga's orders. I have a promise to keep.
The hologram deactivates.
Fennec: He seems... unwell.
Corsac: He carries with him a tremendous burden.
Fennec: Are we sure he is the one to lead us?
Corsac: For now. We must do what is best for the Faunus.
Fennec: (sighs)
A knock at the door is heard again.
Corsac: Yes?
Ivory "Banesaw" Tusk and a Faunus with bat wings enters the room.
Corsac: Elder Ivory. Brother Yuma. Did you both see to Ghira's messenger?
Yuma: He rests beneath the waves... along with his warning.
Ivory: And so will Sienna's Sister.
Corsac: Then all is well.
The Albains give ominous smiles.
End of Chapter 5
Author Notes
RWBY, its owned by Rooster Teeth.
Major thanks to the Transcripts and Battle Pages written on RWBY Wiki
Thank you for the review, and for liking my pacing, I try my best to fit some of pieces of scenes together.
Thank you for leaving a review from Fanfiction: Diamidica
