[Nujabes – Battlecry (feat. Shing02)]


残り:四の影/ Remnant's Four Shadows

Volume 4, Episode 2: Setting the Stage

(One month later.)

[Atlas]

Kelly would never admit it, but she missed her team. Even Ivory's perverted wisecracks. She was reminded of why she could not exactly stand Atlas. The stuffiness of it. Kelly realized she had grown a bit of tomboy in her riding with her cohorts. At the moment, she had returned to her childhood home. It was…surreal. The place was still a mess and the place looked raided. Puce had a guilty look on her face.

"I may have discovered that former maids were stealing from the old place." Puce said worriedly. "I'm sorry about that."

"It's o…" Kelly said before sensing another. "We're not alone."

Kelly could smell that whoever it is reeked of glitter, makeup, and Skittles among other scents.

"Ok, whoever's sneaking up on me, you're going to do that. Don't wear Skittles-scented bodywash…and who even wears that!" Kelly said befuddled producing one of Yuki's knives.

She always carried it, a rather intimidating combat knife with gravity dust in the hilt to be thrown and recalled. One of the gifts from her leader she treasured as she left in the direction the scent was coming from.

"You nearly clipped my tail!" Neon said pulling the knife out of her skirt. "And you owe me a new skirt."

"Why the hell are not bundled up? It's cold!" Kelly snapped.

"Duh. I can use aura to warm my…"

"You do realize that's a waste of precious aura that you could be training to better use." Kelly said with an eye roll. "Now who are you? And what do you want?"

"Oh right, we never really met. I'm Neon Katt…from Team FNKI…of what's left." Neon said introducing herself. "You're Kelly Usagi. Everyone's been talking about you."

"And what are they saying?" Kelly said with a surprising bout of snark.

"Mostly how your family is fucked up, but hey…at least you're still breathing." Neon said being chipper.

She was just too chipper for Kelly's mood. But it had reminded her of Ivory which got Kelly to soften.

"As for what I want? I want to train under you!" Neon said ecstatic. "You and your team are so cool!"

Kelly was rather flattered with the praise before walking up to her taking back her knife.

"You said you were from Team FNKI, right? Sorry for your losses." Kelly said putting the knife back in the sheath.

Kelly was not exactly wearing her clothes for the hunt, instead wearing clothes for the weather. She still wore her flamed haori. Neon explained that she wanted to Kelly specifically for her expertise on faunus.

"My mom is actually a fan of your book and research." Neon remarked. "She asked me that if I did find you to bring you over to the house for tea."

The magic word was said. Someone acknowledged her. Her research, and Kelly lit up like she was on cloud nine.

"You know what? I haven't had breakfast yet, so why not?" Kelly said with a grin.

"What about the mansion?" Puce remarked.

"Later." Kelly said shutting the door.

Puce sighed making her way to return to her apartment telling Kelly to meet her there once she was done. Despite Atlas' stuffiness, Puce was glad for the apartment was all hers here, a true luxury. Though, Puce would go down to Mantle for a good meal from her favorite old haunts. Kelly walked over to her car. Technically, it was her mother's before she killed her. Remnant's version of the 2011 Nissan GT-R Egotist, it was a beast of a machine. Boasted a strong engine, gadgets, and style in spades with its off-white color. Kelly had insured one she got her mitts on it, she got modified. Yuki's portals made doing so in down time before the Grimm King got out much easier to do. Her emblem was painted on the hood where glowed as the two got in the car.

"Where to?" Kelly asked.

"Government district." Neon said as Kelly started the car. "Mom's at work."

Kelly would have questioned it but did not as she taken off for the inner city. Speeding through the city, the radio came to life.

"Salutations, people of Atlas. This is your radio host, Ava, giving you the updates on this cold month of December."

"Oh shit, Yuki's birthday is coming soon." Kelly thought.

"In recent news, aside from the massive manhunt for various criminals, the return of a socialite to Atlas, Kelly Usagi. The Usagi Weapons Corporation has been seemingly in an odd place being run by the Usagi family until the murder of Kale Usagi by her own daughter's hands and the arrest of Papyrus Usagi for insurance fraud for claiming for both his wife and his much-alive daughter. At the moment, despite having a murder of a notable Atlesian citizen under her belt, Kelly remains a free woman."

"Sorry about your parents…" Neon said.

"Don't. Both of them were total pieces of garbage." Kelly said darkly. "Barely raised me."

"It's been a point of contention on whether Kelly should even be charged. The public has mixed feelings as allegations of abuse have surfaced. Despite this, the company still stands and Jaccques Schnee is still a free man. At the moment, the Atlas Council is split on the matter with Ironwood for a pardon and the other two being undecided. Robyn Hill and her happy huntresses are calling for her arrest citing that it's not ok for some rich bra…"

Kelly changed the station to some random station clearly seething. Neon could only look at her with worry as she gripped the steering wheel tightly. As they pulled up to the Kingdom's National Courthouse, there were protestors. And as if fate decided to spit in the eye of Kelly, Robyn and the Happy Huntresses were there leading it. She pulled her car to a stop and go out simply quiet. She and Neon got out to go in ignoring them.

"Hey, that's the Usagi heiress!"

Kelly kept quiet.

"So, the murderer finally shows her face in Atlas after being in hiding." Robyn snarked.

Before Robyn could speak any further, Kelly whirled around with a look of contempt.

"Robyn Hill. Don't you have better things to do to rag on me of all people. I didn't even want to come back to this kingdom." Kelly said crossing her arms.

"Because of your fear of facing justice?" Robyn asked brushing her hair aside.

"No, because living where I was treated like a laughingstock was not enough to want to leave." Kelly said venomously.

"Privileged much? People in Mantle are struggling and you're complaining about that mommy and daddy were mean to you." May said glaring.

Tempting as would for Kelly to insult her and May had plenty of ammo to be insulted on, Kelly took a breath seeing someone was recording, and she got close to May.

"Ok, so people are struggling. That doesn't invalidate my own struggles. Are you saying I can't complain? It's not like abusive parents is something anyone, poor or rich can have." Kelly said glaring at May. "Considering the path you took, I can call you a hypocrite. Highly doubt your parents approve of your lifestyle choices."

May was silently fuming as Kelly turned on her heel leaving up with Neon into the building. As they walked up to the secretary, Neon asked if her mother was in. The secretary not even looking up at Neon nodded and Neon dragged Kelly to the conference where the Atlas Council sat in. Kelly knew who they were. Sleet Pellet whose family ran the local ice cream factory around Mantle and Atlas and Camilla Camdus…who thanks to Yuki, Kelly knew a lot more on her. Camilla was known as many things, one of them being called the 'Metal Maiden of Atlas'. She was cutthroat having used military service to pay for her college degree in political, working intelligence, and now sat as councilman under the rank of specialist. How did Yuki know her? Though Roman. She had ties to the underground. She flashed back to the day before she left for Atlas.

"Kelly, I need to warn you. Hell, I should have warned you about her sooner. When you go to Atlas, be wary of Camilla Camdus." Yuki said with a dark look on his face. "She's got ties to the underworld in ways Roman wishes. He never did meet her himself, but from those criminals who came from Atlas, she's best described as amoral snake who do whatever it takes to protect Atlas. If you cross her path, be careful."

"Is there anything else I should know about her? Semblance? Skills?" Kelly asked.

"Like me, she's smart enough to keep her semblance a secret. I don't know what it is. Maybe I should look into it, but…I rather not risk things considering my recovery. Just keep your guard up." Yuki warned as Kelly nodded.

Camilla looked fierce, but that look faded once Neon hugged her.

"Hey mom, I got her to come!" Neon said excitedly as Camilla's face soften. "This is my mom, Atlas' own Metal Maiden."

Kelly went white as a sheet. Of all the people Neon had to had ties….it was the freaking Metal Maiden. Although, the fact she had a daughter, adopted or not, was a perfect way to get close.

"Please, call me Camilla, Miss Usagi." Camilla said as Kelly nodded.

Kelly took a seat trying not to sweat to show weakness as Neon skipped to a chair to sit bidding hello to her 'Uncle Sleet'.

"Neon, I know you can use aura to warm your body, but it's kind of a waste when you can just bundle up." Sleet said as staff rolled in with refreshments.

"I know, but I had to catch up to Kel-Kel." Neon said innocently.

"How the fuck does someone like that be raised by someone like her?" Kelly thought before Camilla produced a book.

Namely, one of Kelly's.

"First off, I do want to ask for you to sign this. 'Faunus Biology Decoded' was a fantastic read and quite informative. Wait, are you crying?" Camilla said as tears ran down Kelly's face.

"I'm sorry, it's just no one has never asked me to sign one of my books." Kelly said hurriedly signing the book. "It'd be an honor."

Kelly had to wipe the tears away recomposing herself before asking why she was really here.

"Straight to business? I like that." Camilla said before turning to Neon. "Neon, keep 'Uncle' Sleet company."

Sleet looked like he wanted to jump out of the window. Neon was a good kid, he thought, but she could talk a Grimm's ear off. Kelly found herself in Camilla and the serious tone and intimidation from Ms. Camdus came full force.

[Cues: JPDE OST – The Side of Power]

"Let's cut to the chase, you know that it's a draw for whether you get that pardon or not. Ironwood's support of your pardon is clouded by his guilty conscience. The tin man's heart beats a bit of weakness." Camilla said with her eyes narrowing at her. "Of course, you're looking at me with a mix of emotion. Contempt, unsureness, and the like. I'll make this simple. I want you to retake your company. It's been in a state of limbo running on its own, but I want you to retake it in full. You don't even have to run it yourself, use your maid to do it if you want. Just get it under your control."

"Am I allowed to ask why?" Kelly said sarcastically. "I figured ex-military would have access to their own quiche of weapons."

"Oh ho, so you have done your homework…or maybe you've been well-informed. No, the reason is because your father's dealings. What he did not spill was he was undermining the Schnee Dust Company. Your father may have appeared to want to unite with the Schnee, but he and Kale wanted to take over. Those two took advantage of the White Fang to steal Dust for a cut of the profits, even though they even have their own dust mines to get that good stuff, and a database not only that information, but secret weapon developments. You just need to get the master keycode from your father." Camilla said as Kelly's face soured.

"And hand that to you, abs-" Kelly said as Camilla cut in, "No, I don't want it. I just don't want his board of directors in control. Those skeezy bastards sold out our country, and I want them dealt with."

"Ok, if I accept this, I have a condition. I'm picking the new board members, no questions asked. I know I'm probably to end up working to do your damn dirty work, but I will put my foot down." Kelly said darkly.

"You're learning. That's good because you're right. I do have several jobs for you. Think of it as your way of giving us to your country." Camilla said tossing her a burner phone. "And as a precaution to ensure you don't screw this up, you'll be bunking with Neon. So, I suggest you form yourself a team to lead. Do we have a deal?"

"I accept, but I still think you're an asshole." Kelly snarled.

"The ends justify the means. If Neon can sleep peacefully at night, then I'll be Queen Asshole. And keep this on the down low. No need to let the whole team you'll be formed." Camilla said as Kelly got to leave. "Are we clear?"

"Fine." Kelly said as Camilla looked out the window.

[Music Ends]

As Kelly left the office, she was thinking of the position she was in. She groaned as she went to get Neon dragging her out of the building.

"Neon, I'm going to be forming a bit of a team." Kelly said as they walked down the stairs. "You and Flynt looking for work?"

"I'd be honored." Neon said getting her scroll. "I'll text him to meet us."

"Schnee Manor. Have him meet us there." Kelly said seriously. "I need to pass by the place. We can grab breakfast on the way."

-o-

[Schnee Manor]

Weiss sat at the breakfast table eating with her family expect for Winter, and the whole thing was completely awkward. With Willow cutting back on her drinking, she had her nerves and her spine to stand up to her husband much to said husband's ire. They kept butting heads about the company and now things were unbearably awkward.

"Master Schnee, I'm going to head out to restock on gro-" Klein said before Whitley chimed in that he was going with him. "Whitley?"

He dragged Klein out of the room citing he needed to get out of there while they were still fighting. Weiss's scroll buzzed to which she saw a text from Kelly.

'Need you for a team. We're here, pack your bags.'

Weiss bolted. If she was going to be staying on Atlas, she knew Kelly probably had a base of operations. Weiss scrambled to pack as she was rushing for the door only for Papa Schnee to ask where she was going.

"I'm going on a mission! To save the world! I'll be back…eventually!" Weiss said barreling through the door.

Out here was Flynt, Neon, and Kelly by the car all sporting updates to their outfits. Flynt's changes reflected what his 'canon' self would wear, and Kelly thought it was rather dashing. Unlike Flynt, Neon's outfit was mostly new thanks to Kelly. At least, she was mostly responsible for that while Neon had to 'glamorize' it. A sky blue dress with Pop Tart-like patterns all over it, pink glowstick stud earrings, dark blue trousers with star shaped pockets for various things, white boots with one having a purple cat button and the other having a green one on the side, a white cat bell collar around her neck, a white cat-themed jacket with cat ears on the hood defined by peach coloring, and white cat's paw fingerless gloves. Kelly had insisted Neon restyle her hair to twin odango buns for the sake of not being an easy target to grab.

Kelly still wore her high collared bodysuit and fingerless gloves but replaced the boots with ones of a black color that still had the platinum sole along with added grey cuffs. She also wore a sleeveless black flak jacket. She had retired her usual haori for a white Atlesian military jacket draped off her shoulders with a thin blue rope keeping it on her body. The patches that were the symbol for the military were replaced with her own emblem.

"I feel underdressed." Weiss said sheepishly before getting in the car. "But let's just hurry up and get out of here!"

They all got in speeding away from the manor.

"Please tell me you have a place I can maybe stay so I don't have to live at home. I seriously thought I could go back to living in that house but…I miss living with a team. My team…" Weiss admitted. "And Kelly, you're the closest thing to that right now."

"I feel your pain. I miss my own team too. As for a place to stay, not exactly. We'll get there, but I need you for a few missions. Because I'll be forming my own squad while I'm here. I suppose we're Team….wait. Anyone got a name for us?" Kelly asked as radio just played soft music.

There were debates on the name, but it came down to four choices. Team KKCU (Ketchup), UUNC (Uncharted), KKFS (Kingfisher), or KKSC (Kaleidoscope). Ultimately, KKSC won out. The now finally formed team were off to take on the world…of at least Atlas.


(A/N: Notice that I've only skipped a month. Yes, I am going to do their stories in a sort of timeline. Canonically, V4 takes place 4-6 months (because RT can't be exact to save their skins) after V3. Seeing Kelly was already in Atlas, I'm doing her story with her side team first. So, Kelly's story first for a few chapters, then Lapis for a few, and lastly Yuki's. So, Volume 4 is going to be a long haul.)

Ending Theme – attitude – lost/found