Author's Headnote: Poll is almost closing, however there is no live conclusion yet. So, last chance to actively see how much Arm Yang gets before we start the Jaune chapter. There is currently only 5 take ins, but it's still a tie. The poll is almost closing, so here's your last chance. Anyways, here's the chapter.

RWBY: Festival of Blood: Of Broken Spirits and Old Friends

Illia Amolita:

Aura Status: 100%

Semblance: Locked, Illia makes up for this with her faunas trait

Weapon: Lightning Lash

Licensing: White Fang, Vale Cell, Recon Division

Party Relations:

- Yuma: Bat Faunas who mostly deals with interceptions, rarely seen

- Trifa: Spider Faunas who mostly deals with captures, rarely seen

End of Character Status Report

Village of Menagerie, March 9, Friday, 12:00 PM, The Belladonna Villa (Exterior)

It's been about two months since Blake had returned to Menagerie. Since then, Illia has noticed a couple of things. For one, a couple of faunas from the mainland, wearing dyed white fang uniforms moved in, calling themselves members of the legion of Arris. Ideologues followed under Arris. Illia has heard of Arris. He was the senior member of the White Fang formerly in charge of the Vale Cell, until he had been found dead, stabbed in the chest by an unknown assailant. Ever since then, Adam had took the mantle to lead the Vale cell. But apparently, he had faked his death, why?

That, or someone else is assuming the identity of Arris. But it doesn't matter.

A bunch of individuals were gathered around. As Ghira Belladonna, who is behind the Podium, right behind the stairs. No sight of the other belladonnas. Likely Blake doesn't want to go down all of those stairs, and her mother is likely taking care of her needs. Hence why only Ghira is present.

After a couple of taps from Ghira's microphone, silence had occurred.

"You may wonder why I have gathered you all here." Ghira announced. With the crowd looking in focus. Illia was waiting for a moment for him to criticize the White Fang, so she could defend their actions.

"As you know, every two months, we get a shipment of supplies from the Kingdom of Vale. Well, two months ago, I got a letter that informs me... that no further shipments are coming." He added. The crowd were all speaking looking confused, concern, with some fright in their voices. Many of them are demanding why Vale would abandon them or something similar.

"It is not the fault of the Kingdom of Vale, for Vale... is no more. The entire city was attacked by an alliance of Grimm, hacked Atlassian Robots, and the White Fang. Many lives, both human and faunas have been taken from all three sources." he added. The crowd looks further confused, and some of them have anger, and objection in their voice. With some of them asking to why the White Fang would do such a thing... wait...

"The White Fang would never attack a member of the faunas!" Illia objected, revealing herself from the crowd. "The White Fang seek to help faunas, and yet this letter is claiming that this group is taking lives among their own? Don't you know you're being lied to when you notice it?" She knows about Vale's destruction, but even she would know if the White Fang started to attack the faunas.

"And yet, they have." Another individual from the crowd, wearing Legion of Arris colors. "The White Fang have forgotten their cause. Many of them are Faunas purists or outright terrorists. They do not care if you are human or faunas. Heck, the Vacuo Cell is active contributor in the illegal faunas slave trade across the Kingdom of Vacuo."

"How dare you make false accusations!"

"I can assure you, they're all true. Trust me, I know many first-hand sources who would say that the White Fang are traitors to their kind. Arris, however sees that many humans living in poor conditions have more in common with the faunas than they do with their fellow humans who rule the kingdoms. He seeks to unite them together."

"You accuse us of treachery, and yet you advocate working for humans?"

"Working with. We'd be equal partners. Where as your group butchers faunas with human parents."

"Both of you, ENOUGH!" Ghira yelled. The crowd gasped.

"My apologies. I was just objecting to the purist."

"Purist? What good have humans done for us?"

"This isn't about the humans, and using the White Fang's actions to justify your faction makes you no better! Now let me continue!"

The two of them nodded.

"Anyways, although one may be questioning the absence of my wife and daughter, the answer is that they can't come. My daughter suffered from a crippling injury before the attack and was sent home. And when she did, the news of her new lover's demise has well... taken a toll on Blake's will, she rarely even leaves her own room. She's broken down, from an injury which was later confirmed to be a suspect responsible for the attack on Vale, and the news that her later girlfriend had died defending it."

Blake's girlfriend is dead? On one hand, that means she's single, on the other hand. From the sound of it, Blake is in no condition to have another lover, she would have likely given up on romance after that, knowing her.

"I have sent a letter to the kingdom of Mistral for a request for us to be their dependency, in addition I have decided that we are to terminate any treaties with the White Fang until Sienna Kahn answers for the actions for Vale. She may not be directly responsible for the destruction of the kingdom of Vale. But she has not condemned the actions, from what I've heard. So, until further actions, I'll have security guard the White Fang shrine at all hours."

The crowd then had many questions regarding Ghira's decision to turn back on the White Fang, and about how long they're going to survive. But in hindsight, she would have figured that the plan that Adam orchestrated would have affected Menagerie. And now, the only faunas only settlement is going to have to be disbanded and re-settle back into the mainland if Mistral doesn't help them.

If she can guess right, if Mistral does accept, then Illia's going to have to deal with one of the three crime families from there. If Mistral does not, well the only faunas ran-community is doomed to fail. Either way... she's going to expect an assignment regarding the Belladonnas.

But before then, she feels like she could take a visit to Blake. She wouldn't have it in the right heart to just neglect it. Although her visit would be poorly receipted from her parents. But perhaps visiting an old friend will cheer her up.

So, she had went up the stairs and knocked on the door. How exactly did Blake get up these? They're quite steep. After the knocking, Blake's mother answered the door.

"Ilia... what are you doing?" Mrs. Belladonna asked, holding the door.

"Sorry for disturbing, I just want to visit Blake." Ilia stated.

"She's not really much in the condition for visitors."

"What do you mean?"

"Well... she mostly just lies in her bed all day, only getting up to go to the bathroom, and occasionally eat."

"Oh my."

"As much as I would want my kitten to talk to her friends, she's in no position to even leave the house. Not to mention the stairs."

"Ya, quite steep. How exactly did Blake get up here?"

"I would say she'd be quite persistent to get up here."

"And why did Mr. Belladonna wait a whole month before making the announcement?"

"Eh, his schedule was busy all month, today was one of the few times he had free time."

"Maybe seeing an old friend would improve her... state of well being?"

"Well, so as long as you don't have anything planned. The White Fang is not exactly... well seen in a positive light in this house right now, especially when they've potentially doomed Kuo Kuana and all."

"I just want you to know, I had nothing to do with that."

"Okay... but you're being watched."

The Belladonna Villa, March 9, Friday, 12:36 PM, Blake's Room

Illia had quietly opened Blake's door. She sees the young faunas well... covered neck down, save for her right leg, which is in a caste, under her blanket. She's also giving a dead-inside look. Guess she can't take grief very well. She was also on her bed, staring at the ceiling. She's likely waiting for her to get tired so she could fall asleep again. Well, Illia's guess that is.

"Heeeeey..." Illia said, catching Blake's attention.

Blake didn't respond.

"Ya... I've heard about what happened... ya... sorry for your loss." she added.

Blake didn't respond to that either... she was likely daze-focussed on the ceiling. So Illia decided to just get in front of her field of vision.

"Can you hear me?" Illia asked.

"Leave me alone..." Blake said, wimply slapping Illia.

"Come on, that's no way to talk to an old friend."

Although I wish we were more than that...

"Why did my mom let you in?" Blake asked.

"She thought I could help you... feel better?" Illia answered.

"Don't bother."

"Why not?"

"I'm physically disabled, my heart broken by the death of my girlfriend, not to mention that this entire settlement would have to be abandoned. I'm a liability."

"Blake don't say that..."

"Illia, you're a good friend and all. But I need time alone."

"Oh... well, I see. Well, if you know when you need help..."

"Just leave."

"Alright, I will." Ilia said, with rush in her voice. As she went and closed the door, leaving the villa. Well, she did what she could... but maybe she could still do a bit more to help Blake...

Character Change: Illia Amolita - Dream Blake

Blake's Subconscious, Time does not exist in this realm, Nightmare of Sorrow

Blake is in her adobe in menagerie, although for some reason she's able to walk. Would make taking the trip to the bathroom a lot easier. Not that she needs to go right now, may as well stretch her legs. She had gotten up and decided to walk out...

Only to see... well, her parents... outright brutally murdered, their blood is staining the wooden panels. Blake watches as she's horrified and filled with grief to the action. Looking at the remains of her late parents, she collapsed on the floor, tears began to fall from her eyes. She wasn't there to stop them. She was just lying there like a useless paperweight, and they're dead...

"Useless"

"Pathetic"

"Worthless"

Those three words started to echo in her mind. Her feeling of grief only felt worse... well, she may as well tell the people of menagerie that she's the chieftess of menagerie. She was asleep, with her parents killers still unknown, and for some reason she is spared, but why? Why spare her? Blake was basically harmless...

She walked up and opened the door, only to find that the island is not there. Instead, it's beacon academy's courtyard. Although she doesn't have the picture of it being destroyed, so her subconscious pictured it as it was before she had left. She had walked around. Only seeing the dead bodies of her friends being around the area. Blake was devastated. They were all dead, and she was not there to turn the tide, sure she could have died with them... but she would feel better about that, than just them being dead without Blake being able to do anything about it.

"Oh god..." Blake uttered.

The three words than echoed in her head again... more tears begin to shed. A trail of blood can be seen... out of curioisty, Blake followed. She continued to follow the trail of blood, which leads to the back door of the academy.

And when she opened that... well, it wasn't a pretty sight. There were skeletons and blood everywhere, she doesn't even recognize what room this was supposed to be... and at the center of it, was that Evil Ruby constructed by Emerald's illusions. The woman behind the slaughter in this illusionary world no less. With the deceased body of Yang right on evil Ruby's feet.

"Ruby...?" Blake asked.

"Oh, so you finally decided to come back on your own terms?" the evil Ruby asked, mocking her.

"This... isn't funny. None of this is..."

"Anything can be comedy with the right tone."

"Why... why did you become this?"

"People saw me as a monster, I tried to prove them otherwise... but I figured it would be easier if I stopped caring."

"and kill your own sister?"

"She was annoying. And now, you get to join her." the evil Ruby said, getting up.

"Just get over with it anyway." Blake said, wiping the tears from her eyes. "You're gone, just like her."

"Is that so?" Evil Ruby said, getting her sword and preparing to stab Blake.

Character Change: Dream Blake - Blake Belladonna

The Belladonna Villa, March 10, Saturday, 3:00 AM, Blake's Room

Blake gasped for air as she woke up... She then wiped her face, feeling the sand, tears, and sweat she had developed while she was asleep. Ever since the news, Blake's been crying in her sleep. But that dream... well, she's going to need a mental check-up because that's another level of messed up in the head for her.

For now, she's going to get a glass of water, no doubt she needs it. Her bed has been absorbing her sweat and tears, this however also means Blake's also going to have to drink more water to make up for the time she's lost. Although the dream is a first time, though. She didn't have a dream like that until now. She could see a psychologist, or a physician. Unfortunately, Menagerie has neither of those. Which means self-medication is an important skill if one wants to live here. One that Blake never learned.

But no less, Blake got up and got her crutches, she went to the bathroom for a quick bit, she then got up again, and had a drink of water. In which then she hopped back to her room and fell asleep. Hopefully her next block of sleep would be more peaceful.

She then woke up, to the smell of her mother making breakfast. Guess she slept well, this time. But she's not quite in the mood for eating right now... given the bummer of a mood she's currently going through.

Though one thing is for sure... if something is strong enough to kill Ruby, who's power has gone through a surge since her vampirism, what could it be? No, if it can kill Ruby, it can certainly slice Blake into bits, she shouldn't bother... Blake then sighed again, as she just lied down waiting to fall asleep again.

Character Change: Blake Belladonna - Illia Amolita

Village of Menagerie, March 10, Saturday, 11:00 AM, White Fang Shrine

Poor Blake, after seeing her in that state, well... it's hard to not feel bad for her. She's currently at the shrine, well... given that Corsin and Fennec are currently absent, likely hiding somewhere due to the guards patrolling the shrine since well... the incident, Illia can't really make good contact of them. For sure, it will make recruitment drives in Menagerie impossible, especially after the news that the White Fang is supposedly responsible for dooming the settlement...

So, she's taking matters into her own hands. She wants to help Blake, regardless of where she stands with the White Fang, she really can't stomach having her friend being in such a state. And she knows that Adam will try and find a way to get rid of them sooner or later because of the incident, but she doesn't want to capture or kill Blake in such a pathetic state. It's just... wrong.

So... she went and contacted Adam personally, she waited until he picked up... but he's not... strange, he should be avaliable because the entire of Vale is basically gone. Why would he not answer during the day? No less, Illia needed to find a way to heal Blake's leg, aura boosters wouldn't work, in fact it would hinder the process instead of helping. Amputation? No... She needed to find a doctor, hence why she contacted Adam, so she could have the doctor help Blake's leg, well... in secret of course. Although the security would be suspicious to why a doctor would from the white fang would be needed, it's a necessary sacrifice to do the right thing.

Although it wouldn't be like Illia, whose limbs can slowly be regrown or re-attached due to her chameleon faunas trait. She found that out the hard way. The work back at the mainland was too dangerous for her, so she was repositioned to scout Menagerie.

If only Blake's leg can magically heal it's ailment on it's own. But no less, she'd have to wait for a time Adam is available so she can request a White Fang medic. As for her friends, she doesn't care one way or the other...

Character Change: Illia Amolita - Jaune Arc

Mistral Wilderness, March 10, Saturday, 10:00 AM, Mistrillian Forests

Why is Jaune and the gang in the forest? Well, they're camping there for reason one. For reason two, it's because they havea job that involves taking out a Geist that's been harassing the local village. They've managed to get to the continent with some help, being a large group, they have to acquire more food. Thankfully, Yang can just drive the group with the van, assuming it doesn't break on the way to Mistral. However, Sun says that Yang will have a trouble finding a parking spot in Mistral.

But no matter, he's going to have to be the leader, the hero. The one the group looks up to in troubled times. It's quite a burden, sure he's good with tactics, and knows a couple of basic moves with a weapon, but now they're on a quest to investigate the attack and avenge the kingdom of Vale. And no doubt team SSSN would have to repeat the first year being that they missed out on the rest of the semester staying in Vale. But fighting grimm, vampires, and potentially more enemies... Jaune will be ready for whatever the world throws at him.

"Come on Jaune, Violet said he found the Geist we're looking for!" Nora yelled.

Author's Footnote: I'll put in the disclaimer; Ilia may switch sides a bit earlier in this timeline. The Blake chapters will more so focus on Illia helping Blake, since writing about Blake moping around in bed would be boring. As for how they're in the loop, the letter the courier gave them would do that. I couldn't have Blake tell them, since she wouldn't know that Vale fell, so the courier from the previous Blake chapter would basically sum it up.

Also, The Legion of Arris will have an appearance in the Blake chapters, being that plenty of them are ex-White Fang and all.

The Poll will be closing soon, there's still a tie between two options, but the results will be revealed at the End of the next chapter. So, see ya there!