Cinder looked at her friend. "I don't understand, Penny."

"While most girls are born, I was built. I'm the first synthetic person in the world who can generate an aura." Penny explained then looked down in sadness. "Like I said, I'm not real."

Cinder took another look at Penny's hands before closing them. "Yes, you are. Regardless of whether you have nuts and bolts instead of the typical insides of a person."

"...You're taking this very well."

Cinder smiled softly. "Penny, I'm friends with a wolf Faunus who deserted the White Fang. Nothing surprises me anymore. Besides, you're not like those Atlesian Knights we saw back there. You have a heart and a soul. I know it. "

Penny smiled and hugged Cinder tightly. "You're the best friend I could've asked for!"

"I can see your father's need to protect so delicate a flower." Cinder said in a strained voice.

Penny pulled back and smiled still. "He's very sweet. As you can probably tell, my father's the one who built me. I think you'd love him."

"Built you all by himself, did he?"

"Mostly, but he had some help from Mr. Ironwood."

Cinder had a look of realization. "That's why those soldiers were after you."

Penny nodded. "Like Mr. Ironwood and my father, they want to protect me too."

"Don't think you're capable of that on your own?"

"They're not sure if I'm ready yet. One day, I'll have to save the world, but I still have much to learn, which is why my father let me come to the Vytal Festival and why I'm participating in the Tournament. To know what it's like outside of Atlas and test myself."

Cinder looked confused. "What do you mean 'save the world', Penny? The world's at peace."

"Not according to Mr. Ironwood."

The two heard the voice of one of the soldiers so Penny hid Cinder in the dumpster nearby to make sure she wouldn't get caught. "Promise me you won't say anything to anyone about my secret, Cinder."

"Our friends at least deserve to know, but I promise, Penny."

Penny smiled and nodded then closed the lid on the dumpster.

After a brief scolding, the soldiers and Penny left.

Meanwhile, in a different part of town, Simin, Vella, and Ragora arrived outside of Junior's club.

"He's just inside. Come on." Simin said then the three headed inside.

Melanie stood by the door as Simin, Vella, and Ragora walked in.

"Hey, Junior!" Simin called and all eyes turned to the students as Junior walked to them.

"Simin! Why are you here?" The club owner asked.

"We need to talk." Simin said as Vella looked at Melanie.

"Miltia? What are you doing here?" She asked.

"I'm Miltia's twin sister, Melanie."

"Ohhh! That makes sense." She said then walked to the bar with Junior, Simin, and Ragora.

Outside another building, three small claws marks could be seen before a hand gently pressed against them. Lapis peeked around a corner before looking at Neo and Sun. "This is the place." She said as she took her helmet off.

"I don't understand something. Why hide who you are if you believe what you're doing is right?"

"The masks are just a symbol the White Fang uses. Humanity wanted to make us into monsters, so we donned the faces of monsters."

Neo pulled out her Scroll and typed something on it. "But Grimm masks? That's a little dark."

"So is Adam, the guy who started the tradition." Lapis said.

"Sunshine and rainbows with you every time." Sun said as the three put on the masks they had with them then walked inside. The second they did, Lapis saw none other than Blake on the stage.

"Great..." Lapis hissed.

"Everything okay?" Sun asked quietly.

"I don't know why I didn't expect it, but there's my big sister on the stage."

Sun and Neo spotted Blake and looked at Lapis. "We can turn back of you want." He offered but she shook her head.

"Too late to do that." She said as they stood among the new recruits.

"I would like to thank you all for coming. Before we begin, I present to our new recruits a woman who needs no introduction. Our fearless High Leader, Blake Belladonna!" A man on the stage said as Blake walked to him.

"Thank you, Lieutenant." Blake said then looked at the new recruits. "I welcome all of you with open arms. We are the superior species of this planet. The humans have always been jealous of us because of the special things our Faunus traits give us. Many of us can see in the dark, others can fly high in the air without the aid of oxygen or swim deep underwater without holding our breath, and some can even blend in with their surroundings or poison our enemies. No matter what humanity has said or done to you, you are welcome among our brothers and sisters. We are the voice of our people. We are the face of a new Faunus revolution. We are the White Fang!" She said and many of her soldiers cheered.

Neo nudged Lapis, who turned to the shorter girl. "I can see why she has a reputation." She signed.

"This is just her reputation as a leader. Like I said, her reputation as a warrior is another matter entirely." Lapis whispered.

"Now, I would like to welcome a very special guest of mine." Blake said as Ruby Rose herself walked up and stood beside Blake. "I assure you all that this woman is the key to obtaining what we fight for."

"Thank you, High Leader Belladonna." Ruby said.

"Not good..." Lapis whispered.

"Why do you say that?" Sun asked.

Neo looked at him and signed. "That's the Red Reaper herself." Lapis translated.

"As in Ruby Rose, the leader of the Black Rose gang?" He asked and the two girls nodded.

"Why is a human here?" A deer Faunus recruit asked.

"How nice of you to ask." Ruby said with a small smirk. "I'll admit first and foremost that humans are the worst. My stooge Roman being a prime example. So I understand why many of you wish us arrested or dead. But before anyone grows claws, I'd like to point out the fact that we all have a common enemy in the people with the most power and control. Government and military officials are the ones who deserve your hatred the most because they're pests who need to be dealt with. Fortunately, I'm one of the best exterminators in the world. No offense to any Faunus with mouse or rat traits." She said then clapped her hands once to reveal an Atlesian Paladin with the symbol of the White Fang on it.

"That's an Atlesian Paladin prototype." Lapis said. "But those things aren't fully tested yet."

"Then how did she get it?" Neo asked.

"As I'm sure many of you have heard, this is the newest line of defense provided by Atlas. And thanks to the CEO of the Schnee Dust Company, Weiss Schnee, we've snatched some of them before they hit the market. Many of your brothers and sisters have joined the operation my men are collaborating with in the southeast. If you wish to stay in the city, then you have your High Leader's blessing. But if you're ready to truly make a difference, I can provide you all with this and so much more. Questions?"

Lapis looked at Neo and Sun as the test of Faunus cheered.

That's chapter twelve

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