The Next Step
I'm tired of being the prey. Being light and innocent can lead to weakness. When the rabbit runs, it can't outrun the wolf. For the wolf itself will sink it's fangs through the skin of the rabbit. I was the rabbit, having lost myself in the void. But I was reborn as a wolf. For here and then, it is I who is now hunt down my prey. And that prey is the evils that were spreading. They don't call me Merciful. I am now the Merciless Storm.
-J.V.
A dark-haired girl entered the Palace of Salem in the dark lands. She wore a kunoichi mask over her lip. She has lilac eyes. Just as a Beuwulf launched at her with its claws lifted. She uses her katana to slice it's body in half. Emerald and Mercury eyed on her as they were not familiar with her. Tyrian stumbled back as she shot a glare at him. Fearing the newcomer.
By the time she reaches the throne room, she knelt down to a pale woman in a black dress. Her eyes are bloody red as the blood. Streaks of black across the face and hair. "My liege. Harold Wager is crossed off lastly on my list."
The woman smiled at the girl's success. As she turned to her. "Good. Yin, are you aware of something your mother hasn't told you, yet?"
"Not that I'm aware of, your grace. However there is this feeling I never felt before after my mother got rid of me. But I as a member of the Branwen bloodline, will take whatever task you are giving me next. I can share something interesting, an aura similar to mine. Something that is so identical, but also inferior."
"I think you are onto something. Perhaps all this time I thought I trained a child. But today you have proven a worthy subordinate. More than that, but a worthy maiden. If you can find that connection, destroy it. For I have feared something will come. Haven is next for bloodshed. In return, Raven Branwen and Qrow Branwen are yours for the killing. And the Branwen Tribe will be under your command."
"As you wish, my liege. Give me the word and I'll proceed." Yin said standing up. Then Mercury leaned against the wall as soon as Yin exited the throne. Seeing Yin for the first time. Something in Mercury's mind as he seen her somewhere before.
"Wow, to think I known you from somewhere. I believed we haven't met yet." Mercury said, while smirking at the young woman his age. Yin turned around. Intrigued. "So, heard your mom ditched you for dead. I feel you. Dad wanted me dead so badly. Nobody but you gets how it feels."
Yin took an immediate interest as she walked over towards him and pulled him closed to her face to observe his eyes. But seeing Yin's eyes, something about her felt different to Mercury, like he recognized her. But at the same time she isn't who he thinks she was.
"Well, you're a dark one. I like it. Cause you spoke my kind of language. It's ashamed though. You could've been a better partner for me." Yin then pushed Mercury away to proceed with her mission. Just as he sees her hips swaying as she heads to the exit. "I hope we meet again later." Yin remarked. Mercury felt charmed by the deadly woman before him.
"What I would do to get a partner like her?" Mercury breathed a bit before Emerald went to lower the mood. Not liking the woman before her too. Emerald felt something isn't right about Yin. "I don't trust her one bit, Merc." Emerald rebuked. Mercury, however was in denial.
"Too bad. she seemed to speak my kind of language."
-12 years ago-
7-year-old Scarlet is hiding inside a ruined building with his older sister in Vacuo. Who raised him all by himself. Scarlet remained hidden while his sister, Rouge, was on a lookout. The 13-year-old girl sighed in relief as the White Fang continues their own scuffle against huntsmen that stood in the way. "The fighting has stopped. It's safe to come out, Scarlet." Rouge told her brother.
"How long do we have to run and hide? They will always come back to take what they want." Scarlet laments. "We have no military or police force to protect us."
"We should smuggle our way to Solitas. I know it's wrong but it's the best we can do to provide for ourselves." Rouge suggested. The idea of getting to Mantle was to ship their way to Solitas. But it won't be easy seeing security and access for immigration is only allowed to huntsmen. Scarlet did not like the idea. Seeing the military and the city, Atlas as selfish and wealthy evils. "The Atlas Military did not do a thing to stop this. And getting to Mantle is the last thing we wanted to do if they left us to freeze to death." Scarlet protested.
Determined to try. Rouge had to came up with an idea to gain access. "There is one way. Applying to Atlas Academy."
"Rouge, if you do this, chances are you won't be getting out of this." Rouge then has to say the opposite to convince him. Bring relevant to let his sister go to Atlas Academy. Cause once she graduates, there is no going back. "Look, Scarlet. Do you want to spend the rest of our lives in scarce?! I'm sick and tired of hiding in the rubble while our parents abandoned us and almost sold us to pirates! Do you want that?!" She said, sternly.
When he was a baby, Rouge had to raise Scarlet on her own while hiding from their parents who almost sold them to pirates for money. Scarlet became aware of this and did not care who their parents are. But the only person who is a mother to him is his big sister. "I'm sorry. I know you don't like this. But once I get enough money, I'll enroll you to Haven so that you won't have to go to Atlas. Know this, nothing matters to me than you, little brotha." She poked his nose affectionately. This brightens the young boy's day.
Neptune is visiting his brother, Pluto's grave, kneeling and praying. He tried to call Weiss, the heiress to the Schnee Dust Company to hear how she was doing. But for some reason, she isn't responding.
"Hello, you have reached Weiss Schnee, heiress to the Schnee Dust Company. I am unavailable today. But if you can leave a voice message, I'll be sure to call back if needed."
Neptune decides to leave a voice message to see if she can respond. "Hey, Weiss. I know it's been a year. I don't know if you are able to get this message. I just want to know how you are doing. I haven't seen you since you went back to Atlas. Haven has been closed and it's a bit boring. Everyone's been terrified since the Fall of Beacon, and for some reason. I have been thinking about you. I was hoping we can talk for a minute. I get you are busy, being an heiress and all. But it won't hurt if you take a break. Sun has been missing since Vale. Call me if you're able to." Neptune then sends the voicemail. And puts away the scroll.
The he switches his scroll call to Sun, who too, did not respond. "Hey, man. You just reached Sun Wukong. If I'm not here right now, please leave a like. I'm joking. Just leave a message." Neptune sighs that his best friend is not responding either. "Dude, where are you? You left without saying a word. Call me when you get this." Then he looks back on Pluto's grave, who was killed at the hands of an assassin.
"I'm sorry that you lost time because of this, Pluto. If you were alive today. Maybe Jupiter would not have to end up in...you know what. I hope wherever you are. Watch over Jupiter for us." Neptune continues to mourn at his elder brother's grave and gives himself a moment of silence.
Then he hears his scroll vibrating again. This time it was a text from an unknown number. "Unknown number?" Neptune questioned himself. It could've been a hacker or a scammer. But he read through the text and it shocked him.
Later at the military base, Caroline Cordovin, a short but dedicated woman in the Atlas Military working in the Argus Military Base meant to be between the lines of Anima and Solitas. Neptune manages to steal one of the uniforms unused as of now and puts them on. "Keep moving, we don't have less than ten days for Ironwood to close Atlas."
Cordovin ordered for the broken stolen parts of the remaining Paladin back to Atlas. Then she noticed Neptune. "Young man, what do you think you're doing here?! I never seen you before." Cordovin interrogated. Before Neptune can respond, he sweats a bit down from his neck and his body shakes. "Uh...Ma'am, I'm just new here and direct orders from the General himself. You see, I just applied as an engineer to the military and I was to report to Atlas immediately." He lied. And saluted to avoid suspicion. General Ironwood may be a descent kind of leader. But he is not one to let smuggling go unpunished either.
Cordovin inspects him, not believing him at first. But then brushed it off gesturing him to get into the ship one of her pilots are piloting and let's him go. Neptune, without hesitation, gets in and journeys to Atlas. "Whew, and I thought it wouldn't work. Weiss, don't worry, I'll get you out of there." He whispered to himself. Neptune figured who texted him from an unknown number.
-1 year ago-
I made that mistake once. Because I am a coward. I let your father take you away. I will not make that mistake again.
Neptune recounts the time he saw Weiss getting taken away by her father after the Battle of Beacon. When her father, Jacques Schnee, appeared in front of them. He saw Weiss jolted at his presence. "Time to head home, Weiss." He ordered. Weiss is a bit hesitant at first. Seeing the fear in her eyes. Neptune immediately figured what was wrong.
"I...c-can't..." She stammered. Stumbling back. "Weiss, what's wrong?" Neptune asked. He then eyes on her father, who was the source of her fear. Jacques then walks towards her and grabs her wrist, causing her to wince. Neptune jolted at the sight of what kind of a man Jacques was to his own daughter. "I won't ask you twice, this incident has cost us a lot. And we're going back to Atlas. And also, you're not coming back to Vale." Weiss' eyes snapped opened at his words. She froze at the sight of her father.
"No way, I won't go! Especially not with you!" Weiss protested. But Jacques persistently yanks her with him to the ship. "I am your father, and it is my obligation to take you back!" Retorted Jacques.
"No!" Weiss screamed. Trying to fight off his grasp. As well as banging his wrist. But nothing works. Neptune, without thinking, grabs Jacques' wrist and in turn, he looked back at the blue-haired man. "Unhand me! Do you know what I am?!"
"Listen up, old man! If she doesn't want to go, she doesn't want to go!" Neptune tries his best to protect Weiss from her cruel father. But Jacques raised his hand and swung his fist at Neptune. Causing him to have a cut on his cheek. "Filthy Vasilias." Jacques spat. Weiss' eyes triggered with tears as hope was lost. "Neptune!" She cried, wanting to help him up. But once again, her father grabbed her and pulled her away. Sun saw what was happening and helped Neptune up.
"Coward! You'll pay for that!" Sun shouted at Jacques.
Then on the trees, a man, also with blue hair, then looks through the binoculars at the ship Neptune is boarded on to sneak hi way to Solitas. He then smirked to see such an act that Neptune did not even wanted to do but do by any means. That man wore a black short-sleeved jacket, his right eye was buried beneath the hair bang. While his other eye is still unveiled. "Naughty, little bro. First time of sneaking out of Argus. You just made your big bro proud for the first time." Said the man.
Sage and Scarlet met up with Ruby Rose, the leader of the now reformed Team RNJRSS (pronounced: rangers) seeking answers behind the destruction of Beacon Academy. Ruby had been among her friends to search for their enemies to stop them from causing any more chaos. Along her is Jaune, the leader of what's left of Team JNPR, until the death of their teammate, Pyrrha Nikos. Hailing from a bloodline of warriors. Nora Valkyrie, an energetic girl with a fierce personality, don't let her appearance fool you, hurt her friends and the beast inside her might awaken her. But regardless, she is also a sweet young woman who brings the joy into her friends. Lie Ren, also a member of the remaining Team JNPR, quiet, but also kind. A man of literature.
"Too many huntsmen, killed. What was going on?" Ruby said somberly. Being two years younger than the others, she is still capable of being a leader. Sage and Scarlet caught up with Ruby and the others for when Haven was closed. She then noticed a scroll on the floor, she then picks it up and saw a huntsman license of the man dead in front of her. Yvorro Buliege. According to the photos, he is a father of three children and widowed. Many families would've been devastated.
"Poor guy, she won't have a chance to see his kids again." Jaune said, remorseful to witness the horrors.
"It has been a year since Cinder has helped with the destruction of Beacon." Ren said.
Nora, horrified by this is comforted by Shoji who nuzzled her back hand and Nora, in response, strokes him on the head. Then suddenly, Shoji's ears perked up at the sound of footsteps. "What is it?" Asked Ruby. He then spun and growled, saliva spat out every chance for a sense of danger. "A threat." Replied Sage. Ruby then signals the group to hide and it was then that Sage has come up with another plan. He gestured at the others to stand in front of a small house wrecked during the slaughtering of huntsmen. Then Sages focused his mind and he along with his friends, then they seemingly vanished.
"I thought I heard something." One thug two of the would-be attackers wore black jackets with an emblem of a viper snake. Ren recognized the symbol anywhere. But remained quiet until the coast is clear.
"Probably a pack of wolves." The other said.
"How long til the boss gives the word? I'm sick of waltzing around the woods like crazy."
"Oh, quit complaining already. It was a simple errand the boss sent us."
"Yeah, an errand that was 3 days ago!"
"Come on, dumbass. Let's get out of here before any more huntsmen shows up."
"Aren't we huntsmen too?"
"Not anymore we're not. The sooner we finish up here, better we rid the faction of the Atlas Military." They left. The group emerged from the camouflage semblance on themselves. Ruby is curious about the emblems placed on the black jackets the thugs wore while they were hiding.
"Any idea who those guys might be?" Nora asked. Ren then noticed the symbol on the jackets he remembered seeing them. His father went hunting a long time ago, and caught thugs wearing the same symbol from their tattoos, to their clothing. "I think I saw this symbol before. This is the emblem of the Black Vipers." Ren explained. "We should take rest for tonight. I'll explain from here." And so the others went for some wood to set a campfire.
Team RNJRSS have settled in for the campfire for the night. Scarlet is taking charge on a lookout for any suspicion. Or the worst case, Cinder. Here and then they were roasting hot dogs to eat up. Since Sage was the one who packed them.
"Hot dogs, again?! Why can't we have marshmallows?" Nora complained.
"No way, last time you went hyper." Ren explained. The first day of their hunt, Nora ate all the marshmallows in Sage's bag and went hyperactive in this state. Giving Nora pancakes is one thing. But the marshmallows is twice the sugar. "Aww!" Nora pouted, with her legs crossed on the ground and took a stick with a hot dog attached to it, passed down by Scarlet. Then chewed on the roasted hot dog and swallowed it.
"So, Ren, you know about these people in jackets? Also, where did you hear that from?" Ruby asked while biting on the hot dog. Ren began to breathe a bit, then took a bite of the hot dog before facing directly at the others for an explanation. Jaune passed a hot dog to Scarlet in case he gets hungry on watch duty for any enemies. While begrudgingly, Scarlet snatches it and chewed on it, while Jaune recoiled a bit to see that reaction. Never thinking the red head can be so serious. Ren then swallowed and then explains what he knows about the people in the edgy jackets.
"I'll tell you about something. But you're not going to like it. I don't know too much of the details. But the people we saw earlier are called the Black Vipers." Ren replied. "They are an organization. In particular, like the White Fang, they were formed based on the beliefs of anti-political ideals. However, the White Fang and the Black Vipers were known to be sworn enemies. According to the articles, the people who formed the Vipers were said to be elders from a tribe in Atlas who opposed the injustices and corruptions, including the technology established by Atlas. But because both humans and faunus were in that organization, the White Fang targeted them for intervening on their methods of their civil disobedience turned terrorism. Some of its members were former soldiers of the Atlas Military, or the wrongly convicted. For all I know, they only punish criminals who're released from prison as they feared they would re-offend. Even if the leader was dead, there will always be new ones. The current one must be on the rise." Ren explains some of the details.
Jaune and Ruby then looked at one another. Jaune turned to Nora, then to Sage. Scarlet was paying attention to the details while still on watch. In the cave, it was raining outside where the group was resting in. But he was still lost in thought. Ruby thought for a moment if any of the Black Vipers had something to do with the Fall of Beacon. Most of the White Fang members were present.
Sage then gives Shoji the hot dogs since he is also hungry. The wolf panted with his tongue out and happily bites of the hot dogs. "There you go, boy. You've done enough for today. Chow down." He said to him while petting his head.
"Where did you hear that story, Ren? You never mentioned this before." Jaune asked while turning around gesturing how Scarlet is doing. No answer from him, so things are fine put there. It's a good sign. Once they get some rest, Ruby will take a turn to watch over.
"From my father. Cause before we all thought they were a myth. But seeing them now, it doesn't mean any good. Cause even if the White Fang were the Black Vipers' enemies, they did nothing but spreading blood in Remnant. So it's safe to say that they are an anti-militia."
At a camp site where the Black Vipers are preparing for battle. One of the Black Vipers is standing in front of a diagram, where it shows pinpoints of where the faction of the Atlas Military we're hidden. Three more are behind the table alongside a man with Watts. One of the three males is a muscular man with green eyes. And a battle axe on his back.
The second male is a wolf Faunus with wolf ears. And a pair of tomahawks on his hips, attached to a belt. The third male has blue hair and an eye patch attached to his right eye. And a Trident on his back.
A Black Viper ran towards the group and knelt to the superior Viper. With arrows shot on his shoulder. Even if they are former huntsmen, they are no match for something big. "High Leader." He began.
Zerena's eyes turned to the Viper kneeling before her. And spun to her fellow Viper for him to speak up. "What is it?" She questioned. But the tone of her voice frightens him. And he hesitates for a moment before Zerena asked again. In an aggressive manner. "Spit it out." She ordered.
"We have taken the beta unit on the ships. But we lost our men on the way." He replied. Zerena took this calmly as she focuses on the plan in the diagrams Team ZRVT came up with. "We'll mourn our dead later." She turns back to the group.
"Jupiter, Tyler, head to the west and take care of the Beta unit. Roth, you and I take the others to the north for the omega unit. Leave no Atlesian behind." Zerena ordered with her eyes narrowed down in a deadly tone. Suddenly, they were called by one of their own men. "High Leader, we have an intruder who surrendered just now." One of the Vipers said.
"Stay in your positions. Keep the prisoner at hold. We'll be right there." The Viper clutched his fist to his chest as a form of salute to Zerena. The main four Vipers then walked outside the tent to find that the prisoner had Raven hair and red eyes. And unruly hair. That turned out to be Qrow Branwen, the legendary huntsman.
"Well, well. What a surprise. Qrow Branwen. Who would've thought that the legendary Phantom Huntsman would end up captured by the Black Vipers." Jupiter taunted. Qrow is bounded with hands behind his back. Saying nothing. But he chuckled, to the shock of the Black Vipers.
"Well, this is interesting. Haven't seen kids these days have gone mad." Qrow teased. Tyler, the wolf Faunus, grew a tick on his head as his eyes narrowed in response to the insult. "Did that guy just called us kids?! Zerena, he is insulting us!" Tyler shouted, wanting to urge to kill Qrow.
"What are your terms?" asked Zerena while gesturing at Tyler to halt. Not wanting to cause any more messes. Every Viper looked at Qrow. Those who know who he is, feared him as they heard stories about him. Known for his massive hunts and deadly skills. "Zerena, this is a bad idea. Don't you see, it's Qrow Branwen." Roth protested, hearing of him as well.
"Oh, so you heard of me? I'm impressed you kids have this far to go bashing around with a bang. That's some god-damned outfits you got there. Anyway, you kids might want to put back before things get worse."
"Ha ha ha ha! The old man wishes for us to surrender?! Zerena, you tell him no, so that we may finish him!" Roth laughed while clutching his knuckles to crack with a sound.
"I have a counter proposal. Pledge your allegiance to High Leader, Zerena. And the Atlas Military will be finished. Admit it, you hate them as much as we do." Jupiter offers.
Author's note: Sorry it took so long. Long week. Anyway Sage's semblance is camouflage, meaning he can blend to anything in an environment. I thanked darksaiyanggoku for this idea. Merry Christmas Eve everyone. I'll be sure to come up with more chapters on the way.