Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY; it's owned by Rooster Teeth.
Trees sway, an owl whoos and flies away to search for its next meal. Birds of prey, well keen in the art of hunting in the darkest of nights, but remains elusive in the brightest of days and stray away from their hunters. The chair creaks as I lean back, my eyes scan the dark forest surrounding the cottage. It creeps me. I know for sure that there are creatures who would love to dig their claws into my amputated body, tearing metal and whatever organs I have left remaining.
But still, the saying goes; keep your friends close and your enemies closer. That adage used to confuse me because if your enemies are closer, wouldn't it be easier for them to find an opening? Then again, the knowledge of where they're at is somewhat reassuring.
Wood creaks as the chair bear more weight when I begin to relax, shifting it off from my feet and putting them up on the patio fence. The wind brings a cold breeze, signaling that fall is slowly turning to winter. Great trees of oak and pine lose needles and leaves, and those remaining have switched to a darkening shade of brown and red.
A door opens, prompting me to turn my head and gaze at a Summer dressed in a new wardrobe: a black long-sleeve shirt covered by a black jean jacket, a pair of infiltrator pants fitted with two sniper magazines, her pocket gives the hint of a scroll. Her sword tucked away in her scabbard strapped behind her back. To finish it off, Summer's signature white cloak pinned to her jacket. I raise an eyebrow at this irony; "her cloak will give us away in an instant." I thought. "Won't your cloak give us away? It sticks out like a sore thumb.", I complain after she interrupted my solitude and got up from the comfortable chair. Stretching my arms, popping a fluid bubble in the process, she dismisses me, saying, "I've done this before."
"That's not reassuring.", "Just follow me.", she quickly responds, motioning me to follow her. I did.
Minutes pass as the glow from the cottage dims as the forest swallows us in its embrace. I could feel that a dozen red, beady eyes watching us; however, my scanners indicate that only me and Summer are here. She seems to notice the deadly silence, "My contact says he'll be here shortly."
"Who is it?" she seems to hesitate before continuing, "Sorry, I can't tell you, but I can tell you he's a faunus."
"Okay. Although I am not exactly thrilled to walk through this forest.", I can tell she was thinking similarly to me as her eyes subtly survey the area around us. I expected to be immediately attacked by the Grimm lurking in the woods. Instead, I find no red eyes or snarling beasts hiding in the darkness. Now that I think about it, the Grimm appears to be a kind of pack, some type of alpha must be leading them...but if that was the case, where is it? Maybe they operate as a hive; a swarm intelligence must pervade them, explaining the ferocity of their attacks. But it brings me back to my previous question; where's the leader? These hypothesizes fill my cyber brain, but I put them aside, for now, to focus on a more curious question.
"What is a faunus by the way?" I ask, "I mean, I saw the man and his faunus friend after the attack, but I still have a couple of questions."
She signs, "Alright, what do you want to know?"
Perking up at this opportunity to learn about this new race, I continue, "Starting with their history would be nice." I start recording as Summer starts.
"The faunus are a race that looks like us but are...different. Some have tails, others have ears, heck I've seen some with regenerative abilities. I'll swear that on my huntress license any day. Besides this faunus have other traits such as smell, hearing, claws or preferred food, like tuna or banana's.", she pauses to move some foliage covering a trail.
"What about their history, where did the faunus come from?" I ask, intrigued.
She shakes her head, "No one knows. The legend goes that faunus were around for as long as humans... but like most things humanity doesn't understand, we hunted them and kept them out. Our ancestors saw them nothing more than animals."
"But why is Atlas hunting them now?"
"Ever since General Ironwood usurped the council and declared the 'Atlas Imperium', she says with air quotations with obvious sarcasm, "he's been putting them in camps. Mistral helped him, at gunpoint, and shipped entire faunus communities to ghettos.". "Same as the jews." I thought as Summer continued, "So far, the underground railroad has helped thousands escape, but now...now the routes are constantly patrolled as you saw earlier today."
"I've seen bigger.", a chuckle comes out of her, "So if its that risky- and since you both have a kid- why did you decide to help?"
Summer stops, stamping on her heel to look at me with a look, "No one, and I mean no one, has to go through that. I've seen them shot like animals, beaten in the streets of Vale with police not giving a damn. As to why I do this, nobody else is lifting a finger."
Raising my hands up, "Hey hey I get it.", I say with complete honesty. I agree with her; no one should have to suffer like this. If I were in their shoes, I'd take the bullet to the head- bet the faunus don't even get that luxury.
"You know, you're pretty knowledgeable about this stuff.", she changes her look and shows me a hint of pride, "Someone had to help Qrow and Tai in history.", then turns around continuing on the dense trail.
"The asshole?" I think as she mentions his name.
"Qrow...I don't think he likes me very much."
"He's just overprotective. Do you think this was the first time Atlas attacked us? We always find either an Atlesian official knocking on our door or a patrol every week, more or less." she says before stopping. She glances at her scroll with the time set at 10:18 A.N. The moon is set high in the sky, its shattered side pointing west, shining white light obstructed by the treetops, giving off a dim glow.
However, it is too dark to see much, and I bet Summer is thinking the same thing. I call out, "H.U.D.A.C.C activate night vision."
"Activating night vision in tier 4 light level environment.", the forest becomes brighter than before as H.U.D.A.C increases the rhodopsin in both eyes. Summer looks at me, confused, baffled by the fact that I called out to someone that she can't see. Her eyes squint as she notices my eyes, "Your eyes.", she asks as her head fills with curiosity.
"H.U.D.A.C.C is my computer system, its an acronym for Heads Up Display and Advance Cognitive Computer.", I smirk, "A big word for a very advanced computer, he pretty much controls most functions in my body, including combat abilities such as night vision."
I look at her gleeful, almost childish face as she bombards me with question after question. "What else do you have? Can you run fast? What about climbing huge mountains? Teleportation? Superstrength?". I stare at her, blankly, "How does she know all these things? Unnatural speed I understand, but teleportation?". A question dawns on me, one that I start to realize only now.
"How does she know English? If this is truly an alien planet, wouldn't she be speaking in a different language? Now that I think about it, there should be nothing similar between them and us?!", before my thoughts could continue, Summer's rambling comes back to my ears.
"Coffee holder? How about an awesome laser cannon? Oh oh wait: what about-"
"Oh for Ohm sake, if the Grimm weren't attracted to your little skirmish today, I say your buddy's annoyance would.", H.U.D.A.C chirps in as well, "Warning, two unknown entities approaching, maintain vigilance."
The brunette immediately stops and looks at the trees as she catches a red-haired man with a white skull mask covering his face. The moon's light and night vision further show his saber attached to his belt, his right hand resting on it, along with a scroll reading, 10:20 A.N. in his left hand. To his left on a nearby branch is a girl who is crouching behind a thick branch, I would have missed her if my radar wasn't up and if my night vision didn't activate transparent background mode. Her tail whipped behind her and cat ears covered by a large bow.
The man then does a Marvel-style jump to the ground, however, I was unimpressed at his showiness merely turning to Summer asking, "Is this the guy?" I say in an annoyed tone after listening to her rambling. She then laughs, "Yep, it's him. He tries to impress people to the Fang, and I guess he used that landing to try to get your attention."
"Of course; more bark than bite."
A little bit after this... unexpected... meeting with Summer's contacts, all four of us were surrounded by more Resistance and White Fang grunts. A few took to the trees as lookouts, while others established a perimeter around us. A fire was made in a short time after a faunus struck a red crystal with a flint giving us some light. The faunus man began first, "Sorry for the attack today, my people weren't aware that Atlas discovered the route."
"Don't worry about it, especially after Alex showed up.", Summer says, gesturing to me. Mentally I curse at her because even if he was a friend to her, I don't know one thing about him except that he's a faunus.
He turns his attention from the huntress to me, "So, you're the guy that saved Summer and Qrow, including little Red.", he extends his hand, "My name is Adam Taurus, leader of the Vale Branch of the White Fang, glad to find someone of your talent."
"It was the least I could do after Summer rescued me from a pack of Grimm; besides, they're civilians." I respond and shake his outstretched hand. Its course and callous, at least professional.
Summer behind me exclaims, "Civilians! We were fighting! How could you call us-".
"Sorry," I interrupt as I turn to face her, "Its a force of habit." Before looking back at Adam, I caught a glimpse of Summer doing a caricature of me, a grunt chuckled at the display.
"Anyways, as I said, it's nice to meet you Adam, Summer was being too vague when I asked."
"You know," he exhales, "You're the first Atlesian I've met that gives a damn about her, let alone the faunus."
Astonished with what he said, I try to ask, "Do I look like an Atlesian?", but he cut me off, "Your right arm is cybernetic, and Atlas is the only nation that can produce such tech. So what are you? A traitor or...a spy? Was that attack on Summer orchestrated by you, or did the higher-ups sent you here on purpose?" his hand rests on the sword hilt.
"You assume am from Atlas because of my cybernetic body!? I was lost in those woods over there!", pointing to the genocide spot," I barely got out of there, the Grimm came out of nowhere and nearly killed me, then when Summer and Qrow hoisted my ass to their cottage, I saw a faunus deer man and his buddy being shot at by those drones. I fought tooth and nail to push them back, risking my life for these strangers and this is what I receive as gratitude!", my anger reaches a fever pitch. Still, I manage to stop myself as some of the guards point their guns at me, probably when Adam mentioned me being an Atlesian spy.
Collecting myself, I continue, "I am not an Atlesian, never even stepped foot on that continent. So believe when I say am on your side."
"If you're not an Atlesian, then why do you bear their technology?"
"Really?", I cross my arms, "You know, it's pretty hypocritical of you to judge someone without knowing their character."
He snickers at my accusation, but probably know's it true, "Usually, I wouldn't let any human join the White Fang. Maybe even make you a prisoner of ours." Adam pauses, briefly glancing at Summer behind me. I can sense she's becoming a bit apprehensive about this topic. "But...I guess I, and the Fang, can trust you. You saved Summer's and Qrow's life. I believe that is proof enough."
"Look. I know many won't believe my story of how I got here- hell Summer doesn't believe me. Unless you have a way to defeat Atlas without me, you need my help."
"And why do you wish to help us?" He questions. If the White Fang members weren't judging before, they sure as hell are now. Since I have no way out of this world, I have to make the best of the time I have. After all, my supply of nanoblood and plasmid won't last long. Sighing, I say, "Because, for the greater part of my life, I was without purpose. My family was taken away from me in a battle. I was the only one found alive. But, instead of helping me, the very people who saved me changed me into this." Pointing out my body as proof.
"I don't have much time left to be honest. I want to die completing something. Not for someone's political gain, not for some greater scheme which I'll never see. I want to be part of something good. I have seen people suffer in ways that make your suffering seem like paradise to them. I know that I'll die in this war, but if I can save one child, one man or woman...then my death was worth it. Otherwise," I shrug, "I guess your sword can make quick work of me. Maybe even hide the body where no one could find me. Either way, I still die."
He seems impressed, possibly relieved. H.U.D.D.A.C shows me that Adam is relaxing his muscles, his adrenaline levels going down and brain levels returning to normal. So much so, he gestures to the few guards who have raised their guns to lower them. "Welcome to the Fang." He simply says and a young faunus girl jumps down from the rock next to us.
Smirking and relieved at this sudden arrangement, "I thank you for accepting me, now I like to ask who is this?", returning my gaze at the quiet cat faunus.
"Aren't you a little young to be part of this group?" I ask her. I initially assumed she was older than she appeared, but now that I see she is younger, possibly just ten or something. She appears introverted, possibly shy, but replies slyly, "Blake."
Deciding she's not going to continue talking, I look back to Adam.
Returning to Adam, I then reply, "Alright then, I have an idea where to start."
He looks at me with all ears, allowing me to continue, "Like to know how to destroy a CCT tower without collapsing the world in the process?"
The White Fang leader smiles.
Earth, 11/21/2396
"Riots over the Caleigh Food Pantry has sparked numerous anti-U.N movements and further empowers the MRG. Martian vessels have begun to broadcast pro-succession propaganda to various media networks catching the United Nations Security Agency utterly off-guard. The terrorist attack has caused an economic collapse in various sectors including significant unemployment in the already poverty-stricken slums in Brazil, America, and Greenland zones. Federalists have begun to cover over the failure of-"
"All members of the Science Expedition team have been declared M.I.A in the unclassified 'Teleportation' fort after locals witness weird spheres of energy and the sudden evaporation of snow along the Yakutsk river, causing large floods and destroying many slums outside river levees. Additionally, only one Ranger- Sergeant Ghir Willit- and one surveillance drone have come back. The sergeant, suffering from blood loss, shock, and grievous wounds, rants incoherently about 'Black Beasts who killed his men' and 'Demons'. He is currently undergoing mental therapy at a nearby mental asylum, however, the doctors report noticeable PTSD and near-insanity."
A/N: Still not dead motherf***kers, school just been a pain in my behind. Of course, I'll be writing something for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year, although- and I hate to say it- those chapters will have to be a little rushed to fulfill those dates. By the way, these stories are happening in real-time- kind of.
See ya'll later.