Author's Notes: I would give you a good excuse for my lateness, but I'll just say screw it, have Lelouch Geass you and order to read the first half of what will be the conclusion of RWBY: Black Rebellion Volume 1. Also, I've been planning for what would be the events of Volume 4, so there's that...huh. I do have an excuse, if a flimsy one.
Before we start, you'll notice right away that the chapter begins on the episode "The Stray," rather than "Jaundice." This is deliberate, as sometime in the near future, I'll be writing another story which focuses on Rouge's relationships with various students at Beacon. Basically, a story dedicated to mini-arcs between characters. Keep an eye out for that, yeah?
On another note...god, I can't believe I'm actually writing this!
Deadpool: Oh, what are you whining about?
THE F-! HOW THE HELL DID YOU GET HERE?!
Deadpool: Oh, you know~ The ever occasional front door into virtual reality~
...note to self, wash head of Deadpool Death Battle vids.
Deadpool: Yeah, whatever. SO! What's this I hear about Lulu heading to Blood Gulch?
...you know what? I'm just gonna start the fucking chapter. Oh, but before that...
*cocks gun*
Deadpool: Oh please, like that's gonna kill me-
Titanium composite hollow point bullets with a C4 kicker, converted into shotgun shells, courtesy of one Red Hood AKA Jason Tood. And yes, I'm fully away it ain't gonna kill you. But...I imagine it must hurt like a bitch.
Deadpool: Ooooh~ Haven't been shot by that before! FIRE AW-
"It is an undeniable and may I say fundamental quality of man that when faced with extinction...every alternative is preferable." -Dr. Leonard Church, Red vs Blue
RWBY: Black Rebellion
Cinder Fall had never felt so irritated in all of her life. This group calling themselves the Black Fang as been nothing but an absolutely annoying thorn in her side! With each passing day, they are dwindling the numbers of the White Fang, her forces.
When she approached Adam Taurus, she was assured that they had the motivation to fight under her, willingly or not. After all, the idea of taking over Vale, and soon other kingdoms, was quite tempting...yet somehow, these soldiers, willing to kill, were being defeated by a group she knew nothing about. She used every available resource and network at her disposal to learn whatever she could about the Black Fang, and so far, she learned so little. All Cinder could gleam from what little info she gathered was that it was made up of both Faunus and Humans, and like the White Fang, they were willing to kill to succeed in their goals. However, the White Fang wasn't their only enemy...it was every shady group in Remnant. Drug dealers, underground crime rings, syndicates, slave traders...everyone that was even associated with something horrible was a valid target. Corrupt companies were no exception.
Not even the Schnee Dust Company was spared from their assaults. They lost many shipments of Dust as well as many Faunus employees due to their actions.
That was one matter that earned a bit of intrigue on her part. Why would a group who's goal was seemingly to route out the corruption and filth in Vale's underground targeting the Schnee Dust Corporation? She was hardly a fool. She did her own research and while Jacques Schnee's business was...questionable, there was nothing shady about it. Was there something she was missing? Or was the Black Fang like the White Fang and targeted them out of anger for Faunus suppression? Unlikely. Guard casualties were nowhere and many Faunus workers were unaccounted for.
Either way, that group was a headache and a thorn in her side. Even worse...she knew absolutely NOTHING about their leader.
The only information she has on the group were their targets, and only a few prominent members. But their Leader was shrouded in mystery. His name was never officially stated in any record, and unofficially, he was always called the Leader. Other than that - nothing. It frustrated her to no end! As a manipulator, Cinder absolutely HATED unknowns. If only she knew at least something...SOMETHING...about this illusive group, then she would at least have an idea as to how to deal with them.
"What's the matter, deary?" a mocking voice called out. Her annoyance went further when she saw a certain bowler hat-wearing criminal approaching with a smug grin. "Got your panties in a twist?"
"Do not test me, Roman," Cinder warned calmly. Last thing she needed was to give this man a reason to gloat. Roman had his uses, hence why he was still alive, so she couldn't kill him...yet. "And what are you doing here? Shouldn't you and the Fang be ready to capture the latest shipment?"
"We're already on it. Unlike Adam...I tend to prepare myself for upcoming heists with multiple contingency plans..."
The red-clad woman narrowed her eyes. For a moment, amber began to burn like flames. "Good," she remarked icily. "But...do not to try and disappoint me, Roman."
"Believe me...I'll try NOT to..." The mobster shrugged as he turned away from her. "I happen to enjoy living, thank you very much..."
With that, he left. Cinder gave a huff, and returned her gaze to the shattered moon of Remnant. She swore at that moment that she will learn who lead the Black Fang...no matter what the cost. And when she does...she would END them.
"...sis," Rouge glared at his twin with the most vile, loathing stare he could possibly muster from his many many years of brooding. "Why, in the name of all things holy, would you pull me away from my reading...just so we could look at party decorations?!"
"They're not party decorations!" Weiss answered instead of Ruby with a scolding tone. "These are preparations for the Vytal Festival!"
"...The Vytal Festival is a celebration of all four Kingdoms ushering in an era of peace after the Great War...hence, party decorations..." Rouge deadpanned.
"Gonna have to agree with my darling little bro here on this one," Yang quipped. "Looks like party decorations to me."
"How can you two be so casual about this?" Weiss huffed in frustration. "Think of all the planning it took to organize these events every two years!"
"Only you would find joy in planning stuff..." Blake muttered, earning a mock glare from the heiress. Rouge couldn't help but agree.
Team RWBY, plus Rouge, were traversing the streets of Vale, which, true to their comments, was decorated in a variety of attractions. It was hardly surprising, given the occasion for this point in time. The Vytal Festival only happens once very two years, after all. To Rouge, he found it relatively pointless. It was more or less one giant parade and anniversary meant to celebrate what he considered to be a useless endeavor. Peace was like an empire - it crumbles and fades away over time. He was willing to bet that the peace wouldn't last very long, given that several different factions were moving at once. Roman Torchwick, the White Fang, the Black Fang, the woman working with Torchwick...in the shadows, everything was moving under the guise of that so-called peace.
...that, and Rouge would have rather spent more time in his room reading while looking up information on Jaune Arc. During the whole fiasco with Cardin and the blonde knight's transcripts, he had earned a slight margin of interest. He had potential, something which Pyrrha Nikos noticed and was quick to hone. If he were to make a comparison, Jaune was like a diamond in the rough. With a bit of refining, he could easily become something fierce. Right now, he was still a bit inexperienced. Given time...he could be something worth while. Rouge was also curious about the Arc family as well. He vaguely recalled that his grandfather had apparently used that sword and shield in the Great War, meaning he must have had some form of significance.
Speaking of Team JNPR, he really needed to thank Ren for that book he lent him. The history on Mistral could be useful, though he still needed to ask the magenta-eyed gunslinger why there were syrup stains on a few of the pages. That said, he probably already knew the answer. And it involved a hyper-active girl with a grenade launcher/hammer.
'I swear, she has the same stomach as Ruby when it comes to cookies,' Rouge thought in amazement. 'One giant bottomless pit.'
"Ah, the Vytal Festival!" Weiss grinned widely, a sight which put off Ruby quite a bit. "Oh, this is absolutely wonderful!"
"I don't think I've ever seen you smile this much, Weiss," Ruby noted with a frown. "It's kinda weirding me out."
"How could you not smile? A festival dedicated to the cultures of the world! There will be dances! Parades! A tournament! Oh, the amount of planning and organization that goes into this event is simply breathtaking!"
Yang stared at the heiress before she sighed, hanging her head low and giving it a disappointing shake. "You really know how to make a good thing sound boring."
"It IS boring," Rouge quipped. "Really, all the Vytal Festival is is parties, followed by a fighting tournament, and more parties. Really, its about as exciting as Dad's wedding anniversary parties."
As much as it would've rubbed salt on an old wound to Taiyang, Rouge was right. There wasn't really much TO celebrate given his father's past love lives. Both of them were pretty solemn endeavors...given how Raven left after Yang was born, and Summer dying years ago...
That, and Taiyang was a HORRIBLE cook.
"Quiet, you!" Weiss snapped at the two.
The siblings shrugged, and resumed walking through the city. They passed by the pier, where foghorns blew. Quite a few ships, some of them foreign, entered in, dropping off cargo and passengers. "Remind me again," Yang asked. "Why are we spending our Friday afternoon visiting the docks?"
"Ugh," Ruby pinched her nose, waving her hand in disgust. "It smells like fish!"
"We ARE by the ocean after all..."
"I've heard that students visiting from Vacuo will be arriving by ship today." Weiss answered, ignoring the previous two remarks. And as a representative of Beacon I feel as though it is my solemn duty to welcome them to this fine kingdom."
Not believing this little explanation of hers, Rouge turned to Blake to ascertain Weiss' true motives. "She wants to spy on them so she'll have the upper hand in the tournament." The raven haired girl explained. Rouge nodded and accepted the answer, knowing that it would be something a Schnee would do.
"Ah! You can't prove that!" The heiress said in indignation.
Ruby shook her head in amusement. She actually found Weiss' more embarrassed sides to be cute. When they passed a street corner, she immediately noticed something that caught her eye. "Whoa," she muttered, stopping. This caught the attention of her team, who paused and looked at what she saw. At the end of the street was a trashed store; the window was completely destroyed, the shelves were demolished, the door was ripped off the hinges and left in several pieces, and the area around the front of the store was barred off by yellow "CAUTION!" tape. Curious, Team RWBY plus Rouge went over. A detective was behind the tape, jotting something down on his notepad when he noticed the girls and boy approaching. "What happened here?"
"Robbery," he answered. "Second Dust shop hit this week." The detective sighed, putting away his notepad and scratching his neck. "Damn place is turning into a jungle."
Rouge's eyes narrowed, curious as he watched the detective walk away while another, presumably his partner, exited the damaged shop. "They left all the money again," he reported. "All lien is inside the safe in back, and in the cashier. They just took all Dust."
"Yeah," the first detective nodded, equally as confused while Rouge listened in. "Doesn't make a lick of sense. Why do you need this much Dust?"
"What, like an army?"
"You thinking White Fang?"
"I'm thinking we don't get paid enough for this crap."
At the mention of the White Fang, Weiss' face darkened as she scowled. "The White Fang," she spat the name out venomously, as if the word itself was just enough to taste bitter in her mouth. "What an awful bunch of degenerates!"
"What's YOUR problem?" Blake asked as her eyes narrowed.
"MY problem? I simply don't care for the criminally insane." She huffed.
"The White Fang is hardly a bunch of psychopaths," Blake argued as she crossed her arms. "They're a collection of misguided Faunus."
"Misguided? They want to wipe humanity off the face of the planet!"
"And who's fault do you think THAT is?" Rouge's voice cut through her words like a knife.
Ruby and Yang looked at their brother, surprised by his words while Blake looked at him, startled. Meanwhile, Weiss glared at him angrily. "And what is that supposed to mean, Rose?" she growled. "Go on, enlighten me."
"I'm just stating a fact," he shrugged. "Then again, I doubt a Schnee would understand that, given how biased you are."
"Excuse me?" She snapped at him.
"You heard me." Rouge bit back. "You lived all your life in a household that uses Faunus as slaves to work in your company's mines. I bet you saw them as nothing more than that growing up."
Weiss' eyes went wide, livid. "Why you-!"
"HEY! STOP THAT FAUNUS!"
The two ceased their argument as the group of five turned to the docks where the voice came from. In their field of vision, they saw a young male clad in a pair of jeans, a pair of fingerless red and black gauntlets, and an open white shirt race down the docks. He had a tanned complexion, blue eyes, blonde hair, and a yellow monkey tail...a monkey tail that he used to hang upside down from a lamppost after climbing it.
One of the crew members came to a stop, scowling. "You no good stowaway!"
"Hey!" the blonde monkey jeered back, tossing a banana peel at the man's face. "A no good stowaway would have been caught! I am a great stowaway!"
He used his tail to swing him away from a rock that was aimed at his face. He swung himself over the lamp so he could land on the metal bar.
"Hey! Get down from there this instant!" One of the cops ordered as they approached the lamppost.
The monkey Faunus merely laughed mischievously as he jumped off the lamppost, and through a series of acrobatic movements, leaped away from the policemen, landing in a roll before springing back up from his feet. He then broke out into a run as the two gave chase. However, as he did, he gave Blake a wink, catching her off guard. He then dashed around the corner, the police and ship members chasing after him. "Well Weiss," Yang grinned, momentarily forgetting the cold atmosphere that Rouge had created earlier. "You wanted to see the competition, and there it goes."
"Quick!" she called, giving chase. "We have to observe him!" In a panic, the other three girls of Team RWBY followed the heiress.
Rouge, however, stayed behind. He was a bit in a sour mood given Weiss' comment earlier, and thus did not want to associate himself with her any longer than he had to today. He gave an aggravated sigh as he scratched his scalp, walking away from the crime scene. "Pathetic...truly pathetic..." He said under his breath. What the subject of his words was undiscernable, yet there was no mistaking the tone of contempt in his voice.
Perhaps he was being hypocritical about his words to Ruby on the day before Initiation about Jaune Arc, but he already knew what Weiss Schnee would be like. He had done extensive research on the Schnee Family, and so far, the only real respectable person, in some capacity or form was the eldest daughter, Winter Schnee. The youngest child, Whitley Schnee, was hardly of any concern. If at all anything, he was like his father; contemptible and ignorant, unwilling to embrace a future not yet laid in stone. Weiss Schnee, on the other hand, from what info he could gleam, had apparently taken the harsh living environments around her to heart and thus hated the Faunus with so much vigor that she was unwilling to see past the fact that the little brat's family, along with other major corporations and human brutality, was the primary reason why the White Fang went from the peaceful protest group that Ghira Belladonna made them to be into the terrorist group that Sienna Khan molded them into.
He could barely stand to be around her. It was best if he was given some time alone.
'If memory serves, there's a good cafe around her that Edan recommended...'
From what he recalled of his friend telling him, it was called Blanc Noir, or something along those lines. Supposedly, they served pretty good coffee and tea. After that headache that Weiss caused him, he could use some caffeine.
"Hey, Edan!" The infamous Blue Devil turned around, finding one of the BF members running up to him. "We got word from PIECE again! Torchwick and the Fang are making a move in a few days! Big Schnee crate!"
"Oh, NOW we're talking!" The blue haired teen clapped his hands together in glee.
It had been a while since their last update from PIECE, which resulted in them getting supplies and a few new members. Speaking of which, Edan made a mental note to try and woo that Hyena girl from earlier. Really, that laugh would sound so much more if she was embarrassed. It made her look really cute. At any rate, he and the informant moved closer to the railing, overseeing a few other members work on their tasks. On one of the warehouse, they were working on plans for the next attack on a crime syndicate. On another side, they were working on a batch of new weapons they stole - courtesy of another shipment from Atlas. Others were scattered about, doing their own thing.
"So, what's the word?"
"They are sending four airships full of White Fang soldiers wth Roman heading the operation. One will lead while the other three will follow as backup. All of the, are weaponized to the teeth."
Edan whistled. "A lot of firepower," he noted. "And this is...where, exactly?"
"Vale, sir!"
"Vale, huh? Right where the boss is right now..." The boy's lips curled into a mischievous grin. "This is DEFINITELY going to be one hell of a greeting to him." He then thanked his comrade before gathering the attention of everyone else. He turned on his heel, choosing to head back to the entrance while he called Rouge. He, of all people, needed to know this before the Black Fang decided to screw with Torchwick and Adam Taurus' little posse.
When Rouge returned to Beacon at last, he initially went to go to his room and catch up on his reading or see if he had any new messages from Edan or PIECE.
"I don't understand why this is causing such a problem!"
Unfortunately, that chance was blown out the window and groaned. "Still?" he muttered before he entered Team RWBY's room, and to no surprise, Blake and Weiss were still at each other's throats. Ruby and Yang looked on while they bickered, still clearly as unsure how to deal with them or get them to stop. Noticing him enter, they turned. "How long have they been at it?"
"Ever since Weiss still bashed on the monkey guy we ran into," Yang told him. "What's up with you?"
"Well, I wanted to get some peace and quiet reading," he paused a moment and gave a slight glare at the two, mostly Weiss. "But obviously not. Actually, I remembered I loaned Blake a book. Has she finished it yet?"
Ruby nodded. "Its on the desk," she informed him. "She said she was going to give it back to you today." Rouge thanked her and moved to the desk to grab the book.
"That IS the problem!"
As he picked up the novel, Rouge's eyes darted over to Blake who snapped harshly at Weiss.
"You realize you're defending an organization that hates humanity, don't you?" The heiress stood up from her bed, her eyes narrowed in a glare as she crossed her arms. "The Faunus of the White Fang are pure evil."
"There's no such thing as "pure evil"!" Blake stood up in anger. "Why do you think they hate humanity so much?! It's because of people like Cardin, people like YOU-" she spat with venom and animosity, enough so that it caused everyone in the room to flinch. "-that force them to take such drastic measures!"
Weiss gawked at the girl. "P-people like me?!"
"You're discriminatory!
"I am a VICTIM!" She snapped back, standing up from her own bed. The two girls glared at each other heatedly. For a moment, Ruby and Yang were worried that a fight was about to break out between them. "You want to know why I despise the White Fang?" she questioned. Eventually, she moved to the windowsill. "Why I don't particularly trust the Faunus? It's because they've been at war with my family for years. War, as in actual bloodshed... My grandfather's company has had a target painted across its back for as long as I can remember. And ever since I was a child, I've watched family friends disappear; board members executed; an entire train car full of Dust, stolen. And every day, my father would come home, furious. And that made for a very difficult childhood."
To pronounce how difficult it seemed to her, she lammed a fist down on the bookshelf.
The girls' eyes softened. Blake, for her part, didn't know how to react. She had been more than aware of how much grief her brothers and sisters had put on the Schnee family, but she didn't realize it was so bad that it would be as frightening as that. Ruby went over to Weiss to try and comfort her. "Weiss, I…"
"No!" She turned away from Ruby, and walked back over to Blake. "You want to know why I despise the White Fang?" she shouted angrily. "It's because they're a bunch of liars, thieves, and murderers!"
A growl escaped from Blake. For the first time in her life, she finally snapped. She had ENOUGH.
"WELL MAYBE WE-!"
The words were ceased when the sound of a book slamming harshly on wood silenced them. The action even caused Ruby to jump in fright and turned to the source. It was Rouge. His eyes were overshadowed by his bangs, and he was eerily quiet throughout the whole argument, unlike before when he openly berated Weiss earlier.
"...I've had enough to hear with you." A shiver ran down Ruby's spine as Rouge turned and slowly walked toward Weiss. Unconsciously, she and Yang stepped back. "I've been putting up with you because I was willing to give you a benefit of a doubt, despite my misgivings...but you've seen the end of my patience, SCHNEE."
He spat out the words so coldly that the girls could practically feel the air drop by several degrees. His words so spiteful that it almost seemed like a slap to the face for Weiss, who stared back in slight fear as she took a shaky step back.
"Blake wasn't wrong. It's people like you, like Cardin, and your father why the Faunus are subjected to so much hate. Why they are oppressed. Who could blame them? After all, arrogant, bigoted idiots like you continue to oppress the Faunus and treat them less than human, when in reality they are more human that you could ever be."
Another step forward, and another step back.
"You grew up in a household where your own family treats Faunus as nothing more than slaves for your Dust mines, subjecting them to poor work conditions, minimal pay, and complete disregard as to whether or not they could DIE down there. Treatment like that is EXACTLY why the White Fang became like this. They tried to make you all understand through peaceful protests and rallies. And what do you do?"
Weiss squeaked in fear when she took another step back, her back touching the shelf. Rouge was barely a foot away from her, his glare still yet hidden by the bangs of his eyes.
"You ignored them. You ignore them and inflict police brutality under the guise that they were rioting. A complete lie! How many Faunus have been injured over disregard of their very existence? How many of them died at the hands of negligent humans?! It's exactly because of fools like you and the general public that the White Fang became what it is today. There is a limit of how much abuse a person can take before snapping. Well, congratulations...you made them break and this is the result."
Finally, he got in her face, and raised his head, revealing eyes that just burned with absolute, cold unbridled rage and hate that was enough to terrify her. If she were speaking honestly...the baneful glare reminded her of her father on his worst days, only the hate was magnified to an unheard of level. She felt her legs tremble, and her eyes start to water.
"Also, how many families has the Schnee Dust Corporation ruined in the past years that Jacques has been running the SDC? How many people lost their lives to a man who's so blinded by his own prejudice that he refuses to look at them as people? How many LIVES has he trampled over for the sake of his own profit? How many people lost their jobs because of his ego and his 'unsatisfaction' with their work? Blake's made her feelings clear, now let me make my feelings clear."
Another step forward. Their faces were practically touching by this point.
"In my opinion...you and every person like you is responsible for the White Fang becoming what should have been a peaceful protest group into a group of murders." The words were like a dagger, punching straight into Weiss' heart and even further increasing her fear over the man in front of her. "People like you, WEISS SCHNEE...are little more than murderers yourselves for what happened."
With that said, he finally stepped back. When he did, Weiss' legs finally gave out and crumpled to the floor. He didn't even deign to look at her as he walked out. "W-wait!" Ruby cried in a stutter, clearly shaken by the hostility and rage that her twin brother showed her teammate. True, Weiss was hard to work with, but...what Rouge did was too far! "Where are you going?!"
"Out," he said without turning around. "If I have to stay here any longer with that tepid, overprivileged parasite, I'm going to lose my mind."
"Rouge, wait!" Yang grabbed him by the shoulder to stop him, but he immediately shrugged it off and ignored her. He crossed the threshold outside the room, grabbed the doorknob, and slammed it shut so hard that the room shook and Weiss' painting fell on the ground.
No one said a word after that...
To say that Rouge was pissed would be an understatement. Every step he took was like a stomp, quick and harsh as he entered the courtyard where the statue that greeted the students upon arrival sat.
He stopped his march at the base of the statue and looked up to the Huntsman immortalized in stone. It nauseated him. Huntsmen and Huntresses are supposed to protect the innocent from the guilty and the creatures of Grimm. Instead, what does everyone do They fight amongst each other. Landmass against Landmass, Kingdom against Kingdom, Race against Race, Huntsmen against Huntsmen. It never changes. These so called protectors of humanity have betrayed the very duty they swore to upheld. No wonder Grimm attacks have been escalating all this time. It was only a matter of time before everyone with a soul will true be overrun by the soulless creatures. And when the time comes...he is going to laugh. Laugh at the irony, laugh at their idiocy, and laugh as they all wallow in despair and regret...Because by then...it will already be too late.
Unfortunately, though...he refused to let that happen. If no one else is going to save this twisted world...then let it fall. He will simply destroy it and usher in a new one in its place. After all, isn't that the history of things? For the old to be swept aside into history, and a new one is to be built in its place? A manic grin etched itself onto his face. Razing this distorted world to the ground and constructing a new one...the very thought filled him with glee.
If the fools wanted to cling to their so-called order, then fine. He'd show them how meaningless it all is in the end. As he reached the statue, he felt his Scroll vibrate. He pulled it from his pants pocket, and looked at the caller. His grin widened and pressed it to his ear. "You have something new?"
"Oh, a lot more than that," Edan said happily. "Our glorious leader is about to take to the field again. I figured you'd want in on the action, Rouge old buddy."
"Hm, quite the bold claim...what should garner my attention enough to come along for the ride?"
"What would you do if I told you that four bulkheads, armed to the teeth with White Fang nuts, led by one Roman Torchwick and Adam Taurus, are on their way to Vale tomorrow to steal the latest shipment of Schnee Dust cargo?"
Rouge paused for a brief second before his lips pulled back into another grin. "...I would say you have officially achieved my interest. Where is the rendezvous point?"
"I'll meet you at Blanc Noir. I've been craving their chai latte lately..."
"Really? I was just there." Rouge replied a bit annoyed he'd have to backtrack to the cafe. But he'd be lying to himself if he didn't want another cup of their coffee.
He gave his regards before he ended the call and slipped his Scroll back into his pocket. He then looked at the statue - at the two heroic figures that were supposed to be the embodiment of what Huntsmen and Huntresses were supposed to be. His eyes drifted to the female - a hood pulled over her head but her face in plain view, sword stabbed into the ground with a stalwart look of determination and victory. His eyes softened as the statue's face overlapped with another.
Giant, warm pools of silver, black and red hair, and a smile that could melt a cold heart in seconds.
His mother...Summer Rose...was the true epitome of what a Huntress should be. Selfless. Kind. Strong. Protector of the weak. She was all of those things and more...above all...she was the greatest mother in the world...
His hands clenched, his once prideful and cold face breaking apart. He couldn't forget the reason why he was doing all of this. The thing that nobody wanted to do.
More importantly...he couldn't forget WHO he was doing this for.
"Ruby..."
"...its quiet out here." Rouge, surprised, turned and found Blake walking up to him, with no other girls from Team RWBY behind her. "It makes a great place to escape from everything, huh?"
"...What are you doing here Blake?" His tone held no animosity, only mere curiosity.
"I could be asking you the same thing..." She shook her head. "Then again, given your outburst towards Weiss...I think I have a pretty good idea."
"Yeah...just taking a second to cool off..."
Rouge sighed as he palmed his forehead. "I didn't intend to blow my anger out on here...but hearing her talk like she knows everything pisses me off."
"Well, at least we have that in common," Blake said, looking at the statue. "You know...I've always wondered something. When we see this statue, we immediately think of what Huntsmen and Huntresses are supposed to be. Strong, kind, meant to protect others...but do you know what I see whenever I look at this?" Rouge shook his head. "I see myself wondering...if I'm supposed to be that, or the Grimm trapped underneath the rock."
The heterochromatic teen frowned heavily at this, looking at Blake in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"Rouge...what do you think of Faunus?"
He then realized what she was getting at. Whether his opinion of the Faunus is a positive one or not. The answer was simple though;
"In all honesty...I believe that Faunus are more humane than humans themselves..." The amber-eyed woman's eyes widened significantly, looking at Rouge in surprise. "They're also survivors, and justified in the actions they take. When you think about it, which are the real monsters? The White Fang, the Faunus who took matters into their own hands? Or the ones who made them by slapping the hand offering peace, time and time again?" The raven haired boy questioned. "The Faunus wanted nothing more than equality, even using nothing but peaceful methods to follow through with their goals. And what do the humans do? They spit on their attempts and beat them to the ground as if they were nothing but animals. Like I said before...there is only so much a person can withstand before they break."
Blake was quiet after that response, instead turning her attention to the statue. "...and the Black Fang?" she asked after a moment. "What do you think of them?"
"Personally," he answered without hesitation. "I think they're what this world needs."
Once more, silence fell upon the two. Whether Blake agreed or disagreed, he was unsure. For a time in the silence, they simply looked at the statue. Rouge was curious as to why she was asking his opinion on Faunus and on the Fangs in general. Was she perhaps a supporter? Actually, now that he looked more closely at her, he noticed a few features he hadn't before. She was fidgeting slightly, eyes glancing at small corners every now and then, as if paranoid about something. Her pupils were slanted somewhat, almost reminiscent to those of a cat. Her bow was also shifting slightly, and it wasn't because of the wind. It was more like there was something being bound in the bow, wiggling.
Finally, it struck him. The argument with Weiss. Her defensive nature towards the White Fang. Faunus in general.
"Blake...you're..."
The third member of Team RWBY smiled solemnly as her hands touched the bow atop her head, pulling at the strings and allowing it to become undone, revealing triangular appendages that twitched for a few times. "Surprising, isn't it?" she said sadly. "People hate us so much that sometimes...we have to hide who we really are."
"...I see...now it makes sense..." Rouge nodded. "...especially the tuna..."
Blake gave him a mock glare. "...really?"
"Had to lighten the mood," he answered wistfully. "Still...at least now I understand a bit. How long have you..."
"Been hiding?" the girl sighed. "I don't know...to be honest, I don't even know where to begin."
Rouge looked at her in concern. A Faunus that hid their true nature did so for a myriad of reasons. Going by her defensive nature towards the White Fang, he had a good idea as to who she really was. However, he wouldn't ask it here. It was pretty much begging for trouble. It would be better if they had this conversation elsewhere. As he opened his mouth, a voice called out from behind them. "You know," The two turned, and to their surprise, found the blonde-haired monkey Faunus from before, smiling as he hung from one of the many street lamps lighting the courtyard. "You look better without the bow."
"Y-you?" Blake gawked. She was nervous that someone, especially another Faunus, had seen her without the bow. At first, she thought about tying her ears back up, but realized that it probably didn't matter. Now that she thought about it...when they met, the way he looked at her...he must have known all along. "How did you...?"
"Find Beacon?" the monkey finished for her as he landed on the ground, dusting off his jeans. "Was pretty easy...though being chased by cops isn't exactly the best way to make friends."
Rouge gave him a deadpan glare. "What did you expect?" he drawled. "You are a stowaway."
"Hey, not my fault! I just got on the wrong ship is all!"
"And just how did that even happen? I'm not sure about your school's curriculum, but I'm sure that they are organized enough to ensure that their students go on their designated ship." He replied.
The blonde whistled. "Figured I was a student?"
"You wouldn't be in Vale, otherwise," Rouge answered logically. "Especially around the time of the Vytal Festival."
"Not bad," the Faunus chuckled, placing his hands behind his head. "Name's Sun. Sun Wukong, leader of Vacuo's own Team SSSN!" He gave Blake another wink, much to her chagrin. "Pleased to meet ya~"
"My name is Rouge Rose. A pleasure." He nodded and returned the greeting.
"...Blake Belladonna."
Sun grinned. Rouge was a bit curious, though. He felt as if he had heard the name 'Wukong' before, which was impossible. He had never heard that name until today, yet he found it oddly fitting that such a name was placed upon a monkey Faunus of all things. "So," Sun began as he looked at Blake. "Why hide the ears? I mean, true, I overheard the Ice Queen in white talking crap about me and all, but why try to hide what you are? Scared someone's going to tug on 'em or something?" He paused for a moment before quickly adding, "W-well, not that you have to tell me. Perfectly cool staying secret and stuff."
Blake gave him a flat stare before she sighed, pinching her nose. This was...now how she wanted this to go. She had intended to talk to Rouge, try and explain her situation to him. After all, given what he had told Weiss, her opinion of him had certainly improved. She once thought of him as just a reclusive boy who cared about his sister and nothing more. The only times she interacted with him was when she and her team were with Ruby at the time, and even then she didn't have a clear picture. His words to Weiss had helped paint a more clearer picture, so she believed she could trust him...though Sun's appearance had screwed things up for her.
Regardless, it was too late to back out now. Besides, even though she knew that the matter was her responsability...she couldn't exactly do this alone.
"...can we talk elsewhere?"
"I think that would be the best idea..." Rouge said in agreement. Sun merely grinned in delight. With that said, the three left Beacon. Unknown to either Faunus, however, the heterochromatic teen was smirking.
Concealed Bishop...END
"You can't change the world without getting your hands dirty." -?
