Chapter 33

Recruitment Drive

"Speech"

'Thoughts'

Flashback

"Scroll Communications / Tv"

Location / Date / Time Change

White Fang Headquarters

Adam Taurus was on his knees bowing to the White Fang leader, Sienna Khan. "I will not repeat myself again, Adam." She said from her throne. "Listen to me when i tell you that the White Fang will not be attacking Haven Academy."

"High Leader Khan, I am begging you." He spoke up.

"You should beg for forgiveness and nothing more!" The Tiger Faunus interrupted, making him lower his head. "The assault you lead on Beacon was not the victory you seem to think it was, and you should be grateful your punishment wasn't worse than it was. You are a symbol for many in our cause, but that does not make you infallible."

"I merely followed your example, High Leader." Adam replied.

"And what example is that?" She asked, leaning in.

"Strength." He replied, looking up. "Strength and an unwavering conviction. The humans have seen our strength now."

Sienna could only sigh in disappointment at his response. "I was one of the very first to suggest violence when violence was necessary. Peace only breed complacency and acceptance of our place in the world. Humanity will not push us down without finding us pushing them back. But destroying a Huntsman Academy and a CCT crosses the line!

"Global communications have been brought to a crawl, and the White Fang is more of a target than ever! All you have done is justify the humans campaign against us, and for what? Empty promises from humans we know nothing about? Who come and go as they please? This is not strength, Adam. This is your strength being diminished by shortsightedness!"

"If you wish to know more about these humans, then why not talk to them?" Adam said, standing up. "Hazel."

The door in the back of the room opened and Hazel walked into the room. "Took you long enough."

"What is this!?" The High Leader demanded an answer as she stood up and her guards aimed their spears at the human.

Hazel ignored the weapons and walked forward. "Apologies. I don't aim to cause trouble."

"You dare bring a human to this location!?" The leader growled out.

"You should listen to him." Adam said.

"This is grounds for execution!" Sienna shouted.

"Ma'am, please. Nobody needs to die today." Hazel said before dropping to a knee. "I'm asking for a moment of your time, that's all."

Sienna was honestly surprised that a human would show such respect to her. "The longer you stay here, the smaller your chances are of leaving alive."

"I'll gladly take those chances." Hazel said. Impressed by the bravery, Sienna sat down and raised her hand signaling her guards to stand down. "You don't like me, and you have no reason to like me. But you don't have to like me to get what you want."

"I'm beginning to question whether either of you fully comprehend what it IS I want." She said. "I want humanity to fear the Faunus, to know that we demand respect! What I do not want is to start a war with the humans that we cannot win!"

"That is where you're wrong." Adam said, catching both Hazel and Sienna off guard. "We can win a war against the humans. Not only because we have the support of Hazel's master, but because the Faunus are the superior race. We are better than humans, because we have everything they have and more. Humans shouldn't fear the Faunus, they should serve the Faunus."

Sienna stared at the soldier in horror. What he was speaking wasn't equality or complacency; it was pure madness. "I grow tired of this conversation." She said. "Guards, take them away." Her soldiers made no effort to move, confusing her. "I said, take them away."

"I'll admit this much, Sienna, you were right about my popularity." Adam said. "My followers in Vale already see me as the true high leader. And many in Mistral feel the same." The doors opened and armed guards ran in, weapons pointed at Sienna. Her spearmen turned and pointed their weapons at her.

"What are you doing?" Hazel asked.

"What is right for the Faunus." Adam replied. "From this day forward, I will be the one to lead the Faunus."

Sienna gritted her teeth and looked around, judging her current situation. "If you think I'll just step aside and let you take command, then you are sorel-"

She gasped in pain before looking down. Adam's sword was buried into her stomach, his hand on the handle. "I know you won't." He said before pulling out the blade and stabbing her in the heart. "Thank you, Sienna. For all you have done for the Faunus. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten."

With the last of her strength she tried to grab him, only for him to pull his sword out. She tumbled down the stairs and laid on the ground in front of Hazel, blood leaking out of her wounds. "Give her a proper burial." Adam told his men. "All here will report that Sienna was murdered by a human huntsman. Sienna Khan fought with honor, and will become a martyr for our cause. Her final act as High Leader."

Two soldiers grabbed the corpse and left the room, leaving Hazel and Adam alone. "When were you planning on telling me about that?" The human asked.

"This was my business." Adam said, wiping the blood off his sword. "Not yours, not Cinders, mine."

"It's our business now." Hazel replied. "And I don't appreciate you withholding plans from me."

"Your master was worried about Sienna's willingness to cooperate." Adam replied. "Now, she doesn't have to be."

Hazel could only sigh at the shortsightedness of the Faunus male. "No one had to die to day." He said before walking away.

Adam chuckled as he sat down on his new throne. "I disagree, Hazel."

3 Days Later

Menagerie, Belladonna Household

Blake and Sun walked out of the construction site that was her home. Her fathers speech had failed to rally the people the way they hoped and now it was up to them to try and salvage the plan. "You sure you don't want Sage helping us?" The monkey Faunus asked.

"The people here are less likely to follow a human into battle." Blake said turning around. "Remember, they came here to escape all of that." She raised an eyebrow at his question. "Don't tell me you can't handle this?"

"Please. After fighting giant monsters and robots, getting a few signatures is a nice change of pace." He chuckled, opening his scroll. The two split up and went around the two trying to gather signatures but ultimately failing.

"What's wrong with these people?!" Sun complained as the two sat at a waterside caffe. "I know you said they came get away from this stuff, but how can no one do anything with the White Fang planning another attack?!"

"It's just that simple." Blake replied. "As long as they're here, the fighting, the constant struggling, it doesn't exist anymore. Menagerie is filled with people that just want to be left alone. And then we come along, asking them to put the world before themselves. But the problem is what happens at Haven is going to affect them regardless of them.

"If Adam get his way and Haven falls, the line between White Fang and innocent Faunus will disappear. Everyone will get blamed, whether or not they were involved."

Sun could only sigh in agreement and understanding as he stared at his drink. "Adam... He's the guy who... taught you everything?" Blake let out her own sigh and Sun panicked. "Sorry, forget about it."

"No, it's okay." Blake replied. "Have you ever met someone and thought 'this person is the personification of blank'. I remember meeting Ruby and thinking 'this girl is the embodiment of purity'. At some point, I saw Weiss as 'defiance' and Yang was 'strength'. Natsu was 'innocence', Vergil was 'stoic', Aerith was 'compassion', and Ryuko was 'temperament'."

"What am I?" Sun asked.

Blake perked up at the question and played with her coconut drink. "Jury's still out on that, but at the moment I'm leaning towards 'earnest'." Her smile faded as she looked down from the monkey Faunus. "When I first meet Adam I thought he was 'justice', then he was 'passion', but then I realized that I was wrong. He wasn't anything noble, he was 'spite'.

"He won't accept equality, only suffering for what he feels the world did to him. And his way of thinking is dangerously contagious. That's what scares me about Ilia. She's not like Adam, but she's getting to be like him."

"She's your friend, isn't she?" Sun asked.

"She was." The girl replied. "Her chameleon traits meant she could pass for a human. She could have lived a normal life, but she didn't. I always admired that about her. She lost her family in a mining accident, and then she joined the White Fang. Like me, she was trained on the road with other Faunus. She learned everything she needed to survive.

"But as people like Adam and Sienna gained a following, she started getting more dangerous. I guess I did too. My parents tried to get me to leave with them, but I was too stubborn to listen. I thought Adam and were all I needed."

"You know we're going to have to fight her at some point." Sun reminded her.

"Yeah, I know." She replied. "And when that time comes, I'm going to help her the same way you helped me. By being there for a friend when they really need it, even when they don't want you. I was drowning in guilt and fear. I tried to push you, but you didn't give up on me. And I can't give up on Ilia. It's time I saved one of my friends for once."

Albain House

"Your thoughts?" Fennec asked his brother.

"They are of no significance." Corsac replied. "If this is what our High Leader wishes, then it must be done."

"Of course, brother. But still..." The younger brother was interrupted by a knock on the door. The two turned around as Ilia entered the room. "Sister Ilia, thank you for meeting with us."

The chameleon Faunus dropped to her knees. "How may I assist you?"

"Stand." Corsac said, making her raise. "We have wonderful news."

"What is it?" She asked.

"We've received word from the Mistral brotherhood; the operation was a success." The younger bother replied. "Adam Taurus had claimed the throne of the White Fang. And Sienna was buried with honors. The other branches of the Fang have been given the story that was agreed upon."

Ilia could only hang her head before looking up. "It was a necessary sacrifice. We won't forget everything she's done for us."

"Indeed." Corsac nodded. "Your maturity and understanding in regards to this matter is appreciated and also why we summoned you here this evening. The White Fang is experiencing a... transitional period. Growth requires change, and change can be painful."

"But if it's for the betterment of Faunus, then it's pain we can endure." Ilia replied. "What's our next mission?"

"Containment." Fennec replied. "With the CCT towers still inoperable, we have the luxury of control over the flow of information. News of Adam's ascension has yet to reach Menagerie, but when it does the citizens of Kuo Kuana will undoubtedly react poorly now that the chieftain has spoken out against us."

Ilia growled in anger. "It's my fault the Belladonnas have any ground to stand on."

"Do not let past failures concern you, Ilia." Corsac said. "Focus only on the future. We have an operation redemption. The Belladonnas are the only remaining threat to Adam's plan for Haven. And so they must be silence..."

Ilia went wide eyed as she backed away in horror. "Assassinate them?"

"They stand in the way of the of progress for our people." Fennec replied. "Of course, we'd never put such a burden on you alone. Your brothers and sisters will aid you. And your relationship with their daughter makes you a very important part of the plan. We know how close you were with young Blake. Be assured High Leader Taurus wants her taken alive, but we cannot have her family or friends present to defend her."

"But, the people of Menagerie-"

"-will learn what happens to those who speak out against White Fang." Corsac interrupted. "And will be left without a leader until our victory is complete." He placed his hand on her shoulder and looked her in the eye. "A necessary sacrifice, sister Ilia. Just like you did with that boy."

Ilia slowly nodded and left the room. "She's right to be worried about the citizens, though." Fennec mumbled. "They may come to see Ghira as a martyr."

"It is a risk we must take for our High Leader." Corsac replied before replaying the message.

"Once again, the Belladonna's are holding the Faunus back." Adam said. "This is our chance to show the humans their place, and they dare try to poison our brothers with these... lies!? Equality, cohabitation!? Those are fantasies!" He sighed before calming down a bit. "You did well in finding the deserter. Bring her to me, alive. But only AFTER you slaughter her friends. After all, I have a promise to keep."

The message ended and the two stared at the wall. "He seems... unwell." Fennec mumbled.

"Heavy is the head that wears the crown." Corsac quoted.

"Are we sure he is the one to lead us?" His brother asked.

"For now." The elder replied. "We must what is best for the Faunus." A knock caught their attention and they turned around as the door opened. "Brother Yuma. Did you see to Ghira's messenger?"

"He rests beneath the waves... along with his warning." The bat Faunus replied, making the brothers smile.

3 Days Later

Blake walked down a small alley, looking for Ilia. After finding a strange looking note on her house, she was determined to save her friend from the dark path she was on. "I'm here..." Ilia said, scaring Blake enough to draw her weapon. She walked out of the shadows and returned her skin to normal.

"Ilia, I know you're scared but you don't have to be." The cat faunus said. "My family and I, we'll keep you safe. And you can help us stop Corsac and Fennec."

"...I'm sorry." Was all she said before clenching her fist shut. Before Blake could react, Yuma dive bombed her and knocked her weapon away. Gasping for breath, Blake stood up as two more White Fang members walked out from behind. Spider webs shot out and wrapped around her.

"Good work, sister Trifa. And you too, Ilia." Yuma said before tossing the chameleon faunus her weapon.

"Ilia! Why are you doing this!?" Blake asked.

"I warned you, Blake." She said. "I'm sorry."

"Don't tell me you're sorry!" The cat Faunus shouted back.

"But I am." The agent replied. "I am sorry it has to be like this. But you, your family, you're holding the Faunus back."

"Because we're trying to protect people!?" Blake asked. "Because we don't want to kill innocents!? In what world do you live in is that the right thing to do?"

"The same world you live in." Her former friend replied. "Innocent people don't exist in this world. There's only those who do what's best for themselves, and those who do nothing. Humans who still hate Faunus still exist, and then there's others who just stand by and let it happen! But you know what's stronger than hate?"

She pointed her sword at Blake's neck and dragged it along her Aura. "Fear. I don't like hurting people, but you know it's gotten us results."

"And look where it's gotten you." Blake replied.

Ilia went wide eyed but she gritted her teeth and turned away. "All of us have to make sacrifices for the greater good. No matter how much it hurts us."

"And killing me is for the greater good?" The former Fang member asked.

"...No." Ilia replied. "But getting rid of your family is."

Blake's eyes snapped open in fear. "You wouldn't... You can't! I won't let you!" She struggled against the webs only for Tarifa to push her down.

"I know... which is why we're sending to Mistral. To Adam." Ilia replied, shocking Blake even more.

"Please, Ilia! This isn't you!" The cat eared girl begged from under Tarifa.

"Yes, it is." Her friend replied. "If you weren't so busy trying to impress Adam, you might have noticed. I always wished you were trying to impress me. To look at me that way." Her scales turned a hot pink before she let out a breath of air. "But life isn't fair. Yuma, with me. You two, bring her to the docks."

She walked away as Yuma carried her into the air. "Get up, traitor." Tarifa ordered, pulling herself up before yanking Blake up.

"Now!" Blake's shout confused the two before Sun jumped down and stomped the male to the ground. Tarifa pulled out a knife only for Sun to knock it out of her hand with his staff before knocking her out. "Thanks for the back up."

"Thanks for the invitation." Sun said, putting his staff away. He picked up the knife and cut Blake free as she stretched her arms. "You okay?"

"No." Blake said, picking up her weapon. "You heard what Ilia said; my family is in danger. Call the police and let's go." The monkey Faunus nodded and the two raced towards the Belladonna house.

Belladonna House

Gun fire filled the house as Kali and Lucy hid behind a flipped coffee table, Sage standing and blocking shots with his sword as a guard fired back at the White Fang members. One was taken out before the guard was hit in the shoulder, unable to move his arm. Without a second of delay, Kali picked it popped her head up. "Get out of my house!" She shouted before firing back.

Sage and Lucy shared a glance before more shots forced him down.

A floor below, Ghira caught a flying kick before slamming the Fang member into the wall before slamming another to the ground. "Find my wife!" He ordered before a guard took a pair of shots for him, dying in his arms.

The chieftain turned in anger to see the Albian pointing their daggers at him. "I believe it's time our chieftain stepped down. Don't you agree brother?" Corsac asked.

"Yes, brother. I'm inclined to agree." Fennac replied.

Ghira clenched his fists before unsheathing his claws and ripping his coat off with a roar. One masked member charged him only to get thrown in one of the brothers. Fennec fired a bolt of Fire Dust and Ghira rolled out of the way. Corsac stood up and fired off a tornado that forced him back.

Sun burst through the lowest window and took out a White Fang member. Fennec joined his brother and created a fire tornado aimed at Ghira. Sun spun his staff around and blocked it as a cocking sound caught the brothers attention. Blake jumped down and landed between the brothers before triggering her Semblance and the Dust.

As they stabbed her, she rolled out of the way and an Ice copy trapped their weapons. She jumped over to her father and friend as they grouped up. "Dad! Where's Mom?"

"She was with Sage and Lucy when we were attacked." Ghira replied.

"Once we finish these two-"

"No, go now!" Her father interrupted. "You and Sage keep telling me that your friend here isn't a total waste of space. What better chance to prove it?"

"We can handle these guys." Sun added. "In fact, I've wanted to sock these creeps since we've first meet." The three glanced at the brothers who were melting the ice.

"Only after I've had enough." Ghira said. Blake nodded and ran through the door as her ice copy shattered, letting the brothers pull their daggers free.

"I won't let you down, sir." Sun said.

"Shut up and start fighting." The older Faunus replied before they charged the brothers.

Blake ran through the house in a frantic panic for her mother. She burst open a room and found Ilia perched on the railing above her. The two shared a glance before both reached for their weapons.

Upstairs, Kali shot back at the Fang member before her gun clicked empty. In anger she threw it to the ground and looked around for something to use. Behind a pillar, Sage and Lucy watched her pick up a tea tray to block a shot. "You have a better idea?"

Yuma dived through the window and tackled a Menagerie guard to the ground before starting to choke him. Sage looked around before finding something useful. "Lucy, can you bring me that plant?" Quickly running back with the pot, Sage touched the leaves before sliding it along the floor.

Yuma raised an eyebrow at the plant before it began growing and shot out towards the Bat Faunus.

The two former friends stared at each other each waiting for the other to make the first move. "Did you come in here to hide?" Blake asked.

"I told you, I didn't want this." Ilia replied "But I don't have a choice."

"Of course you do!" Blake shouted back. Ilia gripped her weapon and turned her head in shame. "Stay out of my way. " She sheathed her weapon and started walking away. In anger, Ilia jumped at her only to hit a clone of her. Blake stood behind her with her sword at the ready.

Ilia flicked her whip and Blake rolled to the side. The whip snapped again and again as Blake jumped around the room. She blocked two hits before jumping and threw her sheath, making it wrap around the Chameleon Faunus' wrist. Blake dived at her and delivered a double fist kick that sent Ilia back. She stood up quickly and the two pushed their blades against each others.

"Why do you think hurting people is the only way to get things done!?" Blake asked pushing her blade.

"Because it is!" Ilia shouted back. "Humans will only respond to fear, so that is what were giving them!" She pressed the lever on her sword and zapped Blake's, making her drop the black blade. Ilia jumped off a desk and kicked Blake in the face, sending her tumbling over another.

She slid out of the way of stabs before looking out. Ilia's mask was on the ground before the lights suddenly zapped and shut off. Her eyes quickly adjusted to the dark and Blake ran out and grabbed her weapon. Ilia snuck around the room as Blake shifted her sword into pistol form. Ilia swung her blade and hit Blake, making the Cat Faunus fire back in the dark room.

"Why couldn't you just leave?!" Ilia shouted, having been missed by the shots.

Undeterred, Blake flicked her weapon back to sword form. "Because I'm tired of running away." By sheer luck she dodged a swing before hiding behind a desk. The roof repaired the moon light couldn't shine down and help out, Blake was left with one option. "Sorry dad." She fired her gun and hit an old plant, starting a fire.

The flames spread and shined a light, ruining Ilia's camouflage. She jumped out and swung her sword before the two started trading swings. Blake jumped over the whip and turned her sword into its pistol form before shooting at her. "Stop taking potshots and fight me for real!"

Blake jumped over another swing before firing another shot. The Dust in the round froze the whip before Blake pulled it out of her hand. She then jumped onto her friend snd forced her to the ground. "Is this really what you want!? To fight your people!? To kill them because just they don't agree with you!?"

Ilia squirmed and tried to break free before Blake pushed her down harder. "Ilia, please. You're a good person but you're making all the wrong decisions! Is this what your parents would've wanted for you!?"

"Don't you dare talk about them!" Ilia shouted back. "I don't know what else to do!"

Tears started forming in her eyes before the wall broke down. One of the Albian brothers was tossed through it before Ghira jumped through. Fennec jumped up from behind and stabbed the chieftain in the back before getting thrown into his brother. Ilia head butted Blake back as Corsac charged and started trading punches with Ghira.

Ilia looked at the struggle before Fennec yelled at her to do something. He charged Ghira and swung his dagger before getting slammed to the ground. He got back up and tried to stab the chieftain only to get caught and have his dagger fire at his brother. Sun kicked Fennec back before turning to Ilia. "Help Blake!" Her father ordered.

Sun wasted no time and ran over to Ilia before the two started swinging their weapons. Sun soon forced Ilia against a pillar before pushing harder. "Stop!" Blake begged. Ilia moved to the side before Sun hit the pillar. The higher floor started collapsing before it fell on Ilia. Just before impact, Ghira caught the banister and held it up.

"...Go!" He strained out before Ilia ran out. Ghira dropped to a knee before Sun clasped his hands and summoned his clones to help support Ghira. Blake cocked her gun before a roar caused her to turn. Fennec charged before Blake threw her weapon around her father and pulled. Ghira was yanked out as Fennec jumped under the walkway.

Sun collapsed and his clones faded, making the wood drop. With no escape point, the Dust exploded and killed Fennec. The dust settled from the blast as another door opened. Kali and Sage walked out as Lucy proudly carried the tied up Yuma via the pot. The family reunited as Corsac stood up.

"What have you done?" He mumbled standing up. "You've ruined everything! Everything!" In blind anger he charged the group only to get hit by Ilia's whip. He dropped to the ground and Ilia collapsed to the ground, crying.

Outside the Broken Household

All of Menagerie stood outside the burning house before the family walked out, carrying White Fang members. The guards took the prisoners as Blake walked down the stairs of the house. She stared out at the mob and took a deep breath before speaking. "Humans didn't do this. We did this, the Faunus." She said, pointing to the fire.

"We did this to ourselves. We are just as capable as hatred and violence as human, but I don't think any of us would point that out. So why are we letting the White Fang do it for us!? By staying silent, we let others speak for us and act for us. And if we aren't happy with their choices, then we can only blame ourselves.

"This is what the world will look like if Adam and the White Fang are not stopped. But we can stop him! You have to understand that complicated problems don't have simple solutions. And no one can give you that. I don't have a way to make hatred go away, I just don't! But I know that this kind of violence is NEVER the answer. I understand that asking you to leave your homes and fight to protect Haven is putting your lives at risk, but that is what's at stake! So I'm going, with or without any of you."

"I'll stand with you!" Ilia shouted from behind, catching everyone off guard. "If you'll have me." Her actions shocked everyone before Ghira pushed her forward.

"She's with the White Fang! Why are you letting her go?" The captain of the guard asked.

"Because Blake learned a lesson that took me far too long to." Ghira replied. "That true strength comes from forgiveness."

Blake placed her hand on Ilia as the crowd started volunteering to fight. Sage and Sun walked down the stairs before reaching Blake. "Looks like we have some work to do." The Faunus chuckled before turning to Ilia. "You stabbed my friend." Sun said, making her nervous.

"I..." She muttered before Sage rubbed her head.

"I'm sure I'll think of something to even us out." He chuckled.

Kali and Ghira walked down and and reached the teens. "We still have work to do. There's two weeks before Adam's attack on Haven. We need shields, training, and whatever we can to protect as many people as possible." Ghira said.

"We also need enough transport for everyone." Kali added.

Sun and Blake shared a look before she spoke up. "I think I know a ship captain who owes us a favor."

I'll be a hundred percent honest; I was so focused on trying to fix the Spring Maiden issue, I never even considered how to change this chapter. But then again, with Blake so far away from the others maybe thats for the best. I did try to push the Fang into a more extremist view. Hope I succeeded.