New Divide
Do you believe we are the masters of ourselves?
Or merely dance like puppets on strings having the illusion of independence?
-Winston Graham
In Menagerie-
"Well, we were looking for a way to grab peoples' attention." Neptune comments sadly as they stood outside the damaged building. It had been a nice and fairly productive evening working together with Kali and Ghira to draft a more effective speech to unite the faunus of Menagerie to rise up against the White Fang. They had considered it a success and was drafting a way to get the islander's attention when they were suddenly attacked.
A harsh battle had raged with a few causalities on the side of the White Fang. Behind them, a large crowd of Faunus gathers outside, noticing the smoke coming from the building. The Menagerie guards were rushing in to look for any stragglers that hadn't yet escaped.
"Not like this though." Sun said sadly as he looked down at Ilia. He had the pleasure of doing battle with the chameleon faunus, especially since she had been one of the main antagonists since they had arrived on the island. However, hearing her plight and how she had come about to joining the White Fang, he felt sympathy. Her story being much similar to that of Blake's when he had first met the cat faunus.
Sun, looking at the kneeling Corsac, felt no such sympathy, "Was it worth it?" Saber, leader of the Menagerie guard, snarks at the former White Fang brother. Fennec did not make it.
Corsac looks down, defeated. As the commotion continues, Neptune, Sage, and Scarlet go over to him, "What happens now?" Neptune asks placing a hand on Sun's shoulder. He looks to Ghira and Kali, seeing them looking at their burning house sadly.
"Do we leave?" Scarlet asks unsure.
"Perhaps it is best." Sage comments.
Sun looks around at the horrified looks of the crowd and then back at his team and the couple that offered them their house, "No. We can't. It's as you said Nep. We wanted an attention grabber." He motioned to the house, "Now we have one."
He looked back at the crowd and took a step forward. Sun was never one for public speaking, he had left most of the speeches to Ghira, but seeing the man looking at him with puzzlement, he knew this was his chance, "Everyone please! Allow me to have your attention!" Chatter and mummers died down and all eyes were on Sun. He takes a deep breath and points to the house behind them as he took another step forward, "Humans didn't do this." He started to say.
Looking at Ilia and Corsac. One he had sympathy for and the other none. One fact did remain, "We did this: Faunus. We did this to ourselves." His gaze had momentarily turned away returned to the stunned crowd as they came to the same realization he did, "Do you guys get it? We are just as capable of hate and violence. I have been fortunate enough to meet other humans who do not share that view; who had become my family." He looked back at his team with a smile and they nod and smile back.
Ghira and Kali also share a small and grateful look as well before Sun readdresses a crowd, "From our time here, none of you wished us harm. None of you showed any ounce of violence or malicious intent against us, have you?"
The crowd muttered a 'no' as they all looked towards one another, Sun took the negative and said, "Which begs the question my friends: How can you stand by and allow one sadist dictate how you all feel?! How can you allow yourselves let Adam and the White Fang destroy the home of your Chief?! From where I stand, by doing nothing and staying silent, we let others speak and act in our place. And if we're not proud of the choices they make, then we have no one to blame but ourselves."
Ghira steps forward now and places a hand on Sun's shoulder, Kali joins his other side and he feels his friends at his back as Ghira's voice echoes in the now mummering crowd, "We cannot allow this to stand any further. I too have been idle in my belief of the new White Fang. In the beginnings, it was never my intention to draw violence or spread hate. However now, that is the message that Adam Taurus will bring to the world if no one stops him. I beg of you to please think. Think about what will happen if we continue to stand by and do nothing. The tragedy of Beacon will befall all of Remnant if we allow this spread of hate to move forward."
He sighs deeply as the mummers once more draw to a close, a new atmosphere that was filled with shock and fear, changed to one of building determination, "These young men have been working hard to try and change things. This young man and I had a similar discussion that I am having with you now;" he squeezes Sun's shoulders, "it is one that is complicated in nature which I tell you now: there are no simple answers that you seek. We do have a very complicated problem, a problem that stems from many years of hurt, hate, and ignorance. I cannot give you those answers. But I can reiterate that this kind of violence is not the solution. I understand that to ask you to leave your homes and protect Haven Academy is asking you to put your lives at risk. But that's what's at stake. Who will stand with me and stop this evil that has been allowed to fester for too long?"
Ilia stands up and calls out, "I'll stand with you!"
She meets surprised looks from them and soon the crowd is in an uproar. Accusations started to arise and shouting. Soon she is backing down in fear. Seeing this panic, Sun rushes to her and offers her his hand and the crowd starts to die down as he calls, "The path to hatred stops here." He calls out, "The path to peace begins in this moment."
"She isn't going anywhere." Saber states firmly, hand on her shoulder to attempt to restrain her.
"Let her come." Kali says lightly approaching the young woman with kindness in her eyes.
"Ma'am? You're just going to forgive her? After everything she did?" Saber asks in disbelief and does as he is ordered.
Kali smiles and places a gentle hand on Ilia's shoulder. Looking to her husband, she sees that he is in agreement and simply says, "I am. Sun is right. The path to peace begins here. Hatred has a weakness and that is forgiveness."
The crowd looks at each other and soon there is revelation and cheers as majority ruled to volunteer for the fight, "Nice job man." Scarlet said clapping Sun on the back, "Who knew you were a good motivational speaker?"
Sun rubbed the back of his head, "I didn't say anything. I just warmed them up that's call Chief Ghira did all the work."
Kali looked at the young man and then to her husband, "You both did an incredible job."
Ghira swallowed and coughed, "Yeah well the kid did alright I suppose."
"Well we got some work to do." Neptune said crossing his arms, but smiling all the same thanking the Brothers he wouldn't be ridiculed or have any more doors slammed in his face. It was disheartening that none of the women fell for his charms.
Sage smiles, "For now though let's take the win. We deserve it."
"Oh wait! One more thing." Sun said looking at Ilia, "You stabbed me."
Ilia looks down sorrowfully. It had been part of the second week the team was here that she cornered him and his partner at night, trying to pass out fliers. True she had instigated the fight, and really it had not been part of her main mission. It was merely trying to persuade them to give up and leave, "About that…I am-" She feels a hard pinch on her arm that had now been recently injured in the fight, "Ow! What the hell was that?"
He shrugs playfully and smiles at her, "There. Let's just call it even."
She rubs her arm and states, "Seriously? I am confused how is that calling a stab wound even?"
Sage, Scarlet, and Neptune sigh, "Want to explain it to her?" Scarlet asks Neptune.
He shrugs and moves over to the girl, "Here is the thing. Do not question it."
"But-"
"No." Scarlet comments.
"Just no." Sage says seeing that Ilia was going to open her mouth again.
Ilia looks at them and sighs, "Fine. Even it is."
Ghira and Kali approach them when they were finishing up with the remaining White Fang members who attacked them. Those that did not repent for their crimes were brought away in by the guard, "Last I read of Ms. Rose's note, we have about two weeks before Adam's attack on Haven. We're going to need shields, training, whatever we can do to protect as many people as possible." He says breaking up the group of young hunters to bring them back to reality.
"We'll need transportation too. For everyone." Kali states as she nodded to the crowd who started forming a line to sign up for the upcoming battle. Sun and his team looked towards each other as they recalled Neptune's words. They did have a lot of work to do. As for Sun specifically, he could only hope that Ruby and her team would be ready by the time they arrived.
-SNOOPYKID-
"Tick tock Ms. Rose." Ms. Malachite said in a sing-song tone, as she slowly pulled out her scroll and placed it delicately on the desk in full view of the girls.
"Ruby." Weiss hissed not taking her eyes off the woman in front of them.
Ruby remained strangely silent. Her arms were crossed, one leg crossed over the other as she sat back, eyes full of defiance as she stares at the crime boss in front of her.
Malachite looks at Weiss, "Ms. Schnee; it really makes no matter to me. See I get money either way; I'm sure your family will give me a pretty penny for you." She leans forward and looks at the former heiress, as Weiss subconsciously moves her seat further back from the woman, "So can you imagine the bonus I can get. Especially for you, my dear." She looks at Blake now.
"What exactly do you want with Blake?" Yang demands to know, stepping close to her partner.
"A little birdie in charge of the White Fang may have been looking for information on her. Imagine the…joyful…reunion I can help create between two-" She takes her gaze off of Yang and turns her eyes back to Blake's own wide amber ones, "lovers?"
"Adam." Blake breathed out, taking a hesitant step back as Yang gripped her hand in comfort.
"We will not let him get to you." She promises and then says to Weiss, "Neither of you. We are done here."
Ruby sighs and looks at Malachite, "What do you want?"
"Ruby." Yang growled out in warning as she looks at her sister, who doesn't seem to be aware of the discomfort that Blake and Weiss were displaying.
"What? Malachite is wrong." Ruby says confidently, or at least that is what she was showing as she gets up and stretches.
"Excuse me dear?"
Ruby turns her back to them to admire the art and paraphernalia on the shelves in the dimly lit office, "I'm sorry, did I stutter or mumble? I know Weiss was always telling me to be a bit more articulate. Damn, you'd think I learn right?" She asks in a sarcastic drawl. Taking a deep breath, she looks at the dark blonde-haired woman, "I said: You. Are. Wrong." She enunciates this time around.
Before anyone could retort, she walks past Yang and over to Blake first, "First off, just to point out; you are a disgrace to the female half of the entire race; both human and faunus. I do not know which is sicker, threatening to hand an innocent woman over to a sick sadist, or even the notation of considering to follow through with such a thing." Ruby said with a wave of her hand and a glare in her eye, "By the way if you cannot catch my distained tone, I will not allow that to happen. Further to drive the point, as you can see by the way my sister is protecting her, if you even dared to try anything you will have a fight on your property."
Blake, out of the corner of her eye, sees a dark gleam flicker in Ruby's gaze. Her ears are near flattened, but once more feels Yang's hand squeeze to which she responded back. In all honesty she was grateful that she had friends she could count on that would not let anything happen to her, just as much as it terrified her. She recalled the conversation with Yang after Ruby's first reveal of the future and resolved to not let that come to pass. She takes a deep breath and narrows her own gaze at Malachite, daring the woman to try anything, because she wasn't going without a fight.
They watched as Malachite's eyes narrowed dangerously, but her silence was strong. Ruby, satisfied with the reaction, moved over to Weiss's side and placed a hand on her shoulder, "Now on to the second matter you mentioned; you think you'd get a 'handsome and generous' award for returning the 'Runaway Heiress' to a multi-million Lien company to her family? Specially her father? Guess again. That bastard couldn't give any more of a damn to what happens with Weiss." She squeezes Weiss's shoulders, hoping her partner gets the message that the words that she is spewing, she doesn't necessarily mean.
Weiss for her part, gets the message loud and clear, but it still hurts to hear it…even if there is a bit of truth to them. They heard Malachite scoff and watches as she leans back in her chair, looking unimpressed, "You forget deary. I have a wide wealth of knowledge. There is one person in the almighty Schnee family who would seemingly do anything to get her back. I believe her name is Specialist Winter Schnee of the Atlas Military." Seeing that these words brought more weight to the team, Malachite knew she hit her mark, "So again Ms. Rose. What is it you can offer me?"
"And what is it that you want?" Ruby counters back as if she is the one holding all the cards in her hand, and in all honesty, she is holding all the cards. Just having Malachite admit to the fact that someone already came in asking about them, revealed the possible candidates. She just needs one name, "And do not pull the fact that Winter Schnee has the backing of the almighty might of the Atlas Military at her disposal. That remains with General James Ironwood, and let me tell you something, you and I both know he is not about to abandon that kingdom." She backs away from Weiss now and places both hands on the desk to lean forward, "He'd rather see Mantel burn to the ground first before allowing that to happen."
Malachite meets her stare as the rest of the girls hold their breath. The last grain of sand falls from the jar on her desk, "Your time is up." She simply states.
They look at the ornament on her desk, sure enough all the sand was sitting at the bottom of it. Ruby looks at the crime boss, "So it seems."
Malachite looks at the young reaper with a brow raised and an unreadable expression on her face. The aura sounding the young woman was…imposing. Her eyes especially being a give-away; despite the contact lenses she used to keep the rare trait under warps, there was still an eerie faint glow coming from them, "You've got some nerve." Malachite states eventually, "I admire that. Ever think about switching careers?"
"If I ever do, I take it you'll have an opening for me?"
"Any of you really. I could always use strong women in my group."
"No thanks." Yang states crossing her arms, recalling how Raven wanted her to join her group of bandits.
Malachite looks at Yang's deadpanned expression, "Of course. You were already claimed by Branwen. I wouldn't dare cross her."
Before Yang could comment on anyone having to 'claim' her, Blake spoke up first-sensing that the threat had passed, "I'm afraid I would have to decline as well. I'm trying out the…straight and narrow." She says hesitantly at the end, since the woman already knew of her stint in the White Fang.
"Very admirable trait. I can respect that." She then turns her gaze on Weiss, "And you my dear? I think I could think of a few things that would be suitable to someone of your…upbringing."
Weiss met the lavender gaze and the predatory like smirk head on and said, "I appreciate the offer, but I too must respectively decline."
Malachite smirked and sat back, "Again I respect that. As I said I admire strong women."
"So why would you try and help Adam?" Blake asks.
Malachite got up now and went over to her shelves, feeling the gaze on her back, "While true that I did receive word to look out for someone that fits your character description-I never truly stated I would turn you in. Yes, I may have said it to get a rise out of y'all; but unlike Ms. Rose's train of thought, I would never venture so low as to turn a woman over to such a sadist." Then turning slightly to face them, seeing their surprise expression, she adds, "Just a little free intel, rumor has it he is slipping-mentally. The ones that are following him, are doing it out of fear, not for revenge on the humans."
Blake's eyes are widened and her ears fall nearly flat, but then she relaxed a bit with a sense of relief that she was never truly in any danger of going back to him. Not to say that their paths wouldn't eventually cross, but at least for now she was safe…well as safe as she could be while they are in the presence of the crime boss, "And that whole business with Weiss?" Yang trailed off, curious about Blake's expression.
"My dear that was the truth. There could have been a reward earned for the missing heiress. Well former. A Schnee is a Schnee after all. Money is power, and I am a business owner after all. I could have had a lot to gain."
"Could have?" Weiss asked.
"Well clearly I am not going to go through with it now. Ms. Rose again made a fair point. Your sister, while I hear cherishes you very dearly, would never turn against Ironwood; and of course, Ironwood would let Mantel burn before leaving Atlas defenseless. On that I agree with you Ms. Rose."
Ruby stares at the woman, "So we are at a stalemate?"
Malachite moved back to her desk, but made no move to reach for the scroll that laid on the mahogany surface, "As I said, and as you well know, I'm a business woman. I have to go with the highest bidder."
Ruby contemplated this for a moment and sighed, "I do not have a lot of lien to offer the price I'm sure you want."
"I guessed that. However, I think I could be…persuaded with other means of payment dear." Idly she starts to play with the scroll on the desk now with a delicate finger side-eyeing the reaper.
"We just went into a circle, because I now ask one more time. What do you want?"
"Depends on what you can offer."
Ruby looks at her teammates now and they are all giving her a look; silently communicating the same thing 'Let's leave now'. Ruby sighed. Malachite confirmed that someone had already come to her, looking for information on them. She wanted confirmation on who it was but there was something else she wanted to know, "A favor." She says confidently, "I'll owe you a favor."
Interest flickered across Malachite's face. Seeing this, Weiss held up a hand, both to signal Yang and Blake to remain silent and to stop Malachite's response, "Hold on, may we speak to our leader? Thank you." She says without waiting for a response.
They pull Ruby to the side and started whispering, "What the hell are you doing?" Yang demands, whacking her sister on the back of her head.
"Seriously? Making a deal like that with her? Are you insane?" Blake adds, also adding her own whack to the shoulder.
Weiss for her part landed a hard punch to her other shoulder, "How much more irresponsible can you be?!"
"Ok first. Ow. Secondly we need this." Ruby says unable to decide which to soothe first: head, right shoulder, or left shoulder.
"We do not need to make a deal with the she-devil." Blake growled out, unable to believe that after all of that, Ruby would even dare consider such a deal.
"Excuse me?" Malachite interrupted before Ruby could respond, "First of all, I can still hear you despite your…'whispering'." She did make the air quotes, "Secondly, I am not a devil. I am simply a humble business woman." At their raised eyebrow, "With moral grey areas, but please do continue as if I am not here."
They looked at her before sighing and re-starting their conversation, "Seriously Ruby. Nothing good can come of this." Weiss said sternly not even bothering to whisper now, but then she did lean forward as she pulled Ruby close to whisper in her ear, "You already know what you want to know. Why do this?"
Ruby pushed passed them and looked at Malachite as she responded, "Because there is something else I want to know; and I also have to be certain."
Malachite once again raised an eyebrow, "So what is the verdict?"
"As if you weren't listening."
"I need to hear you repeat the offer."
"My offer. I'll owe you a favor. Anything you want." Ruby held out her hand, "Do we have a deal?"
Malachite looked at the offered hand and smirked, "Junior was right. You are the civil one of the two of you." She nodded to Yang, whose eyes turned red at the comment. Yang was about to pull Ruby away from the woman, when she grabbed her hand, the smirk never leaving her face, "The deal is struck dear." It felt like a large weight was placed on Ruby the moment the woman's hand touched hers; but it vanished as soon as Malachite released her hand, "Now then tell me everything you wish to know."
-AUTHOR NOTE-
I apologize again for the sporadic update. I have not lost interest in this story, rather my emotions have allowed me to feel writing is more of a chore than a pleasure lately (and a little case in writer's block from trying to fit in the Menagerie incident).
Speaking of-as you noticed I have not chosen to write out the whole Menagerie saga. I do not think much would have changed given it was just to get the faunus on board to fight the battle of Haven. Really it was the turning point of the fight at Blake's house that brought them to the realization that they are more than capable of actions involving hate. Sun stepping up into a more leader role I believe helps his character grow and gives him slightly more (a pinch really) respect from Ghira.
Moving on-the little tidbit from Lil Ms Malachite- the thing at the end…we do not know of her semblance in the show (or if she even has one), so I figured (and based on her interactions with Cinder) she wouldn't sell information like that to anyone. It would go to the highest bidder-and making sure that offer sticks. So, I based that little thing on a similar character from another show (any ONCE fans out there?). A deal was struck-Ruby made her an offer that outweighed the offer she had gotten previously.
So what I have planned next- JNPR, Oscar, and Qrow finding out RWBY's little late night mission. The group finally meeting with Lionheart. The battle of Haven…and a little extra thrown into the mix.
