Chp. 26: Tensions Rising

May 21, 2020

It was morning and Yang, Sun, Allen, Steel, Rebecca, Allen, and the Belladonna family were in the house preparing to address the citizens of Kuo Kuana. Ghira takes one last look at the speech he has written down.

"Are you ready, Mr. Belladonna?" Steel asked.

"Yes. It won't be easy for the people to hear, but the truth often isn't," Ghira said.

"A lot of people don't like to hear the truth, but it must be told," Allen said.

Ghira opens the door as he, his family, Yang, Sun, Rebecca, Allen, and Steel all step out of the home to greet the crowd gathering outside. Some people in the crowd are wearing press badges and holding scrolls up to record the event. Others in attendance include Corsac and Fennec Albain, who are bowing their heads and some Menagerie Guards. Ghira steps up to the podium and raises his hand to quiet the crowd down. He then began to speak.

"Thank you all for assembling here. I wanted to take time to address some of the rumors that have been circulating around our island. I believe that it is important for the people of this territory to understand the truth. No matter how you feel about the human race, I think we can all agree that the event now known as the Attack on Beacon was a tragedy. A tragedy that will set both man and Faunus-kind back. While Cinder Fall is the main aggressor of the attack, we do have official confirmation that Adam Taurus, the leader of a powerful splinter group working inside the White Fang, was partially responsible for these attacks. His actions not only tarnished the reputation of an organization originally created to bring peace and equality to all, but to our entire race. With each day that this man remains unpunished, it becomes increasingly difficult to condemn those that look down upon us."

The crowd starts murmuring among themselves. Ghira raises his hand again to quiet the crowd down.

"Recently, a spy from the same splinter group set their sights on this very home. My own daughter, Blake, and her friends did their very best to apprehend this individual. While they were unsuccessful, they were successful in obtaining the assailant's Scroll. With this, we have been able to ascertain that Adam Taurus has plans to overthrow the current leader of the White Fang, Sienna Khan, and take over the reins himself."

At this, the crowd starts to loudly murmur in concern.

"His radical plans do not stop there, the documents on this scroll proclaim his next target to be Haven Academy and its attached CCT Tower. My relationship with the White Fang has been... an interesting one. Years ago, I led the organization to help try and create a world where I, and every Faunus who wished, could walk alongside the human race. And while I believe we made great strides toward this goal, it was made clear to me that the people both in and out of the White Fang wanted faster results. So I stepped down, and Sienna Khan was appointed as my successor. It's true that I do not fully condone many of her methods. What I do condone is what Sienna fights for: the idea that the Faunus and humans are, and should be, equal. Adam Taurus does not seem to have that goal in mind. What he has done benefits no one but himself. I think it's time that the Faunus showed the world that we are equals! Time that we snuff out this splinter group, and restore the White Fang to what it once was!"

The crowd begins to cheer at this remark.

"Before we proceed any further, my daughter has brought some of her friends, including two of the Beacon students who helped fend off the White Fang at Beacon and Vale. She has also brought someone who is a soldier of one of the five unknown militaries, who states that they wish to help the Faunus. I'd like to invite the soldier, Private Henry Simon to come up and explain what their plans are. And I believe that together we can achieve great things for equality."

The crowd murmured in concern and confusion. Steel steps up at the podium as Ghira steps down. Steel then began to speak.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I know that some of you may be concerned about this revolation, but I can assure you that we mean you no harm. We come to not seek any conflict, but come to seek peaceful agendas. Dark times approach upon this world and we seek to prevent this. Our plans here for Menagerie here is to help expand and modernize your way of living on this island so that you may have a better tomorrow."

As the First Class Private continued speaking, the crowd murmured in interest as they continued to listen.

"Some of you are probably thinking that we are just here to just take this land, but I can assure you all that our goals are to help. Within a week, the British Armed Forces stationed in the deserts of Menagerie, will come here to provide protection and help build a better society here for all. And I will not lie to you all, we are also here for another reason. The once peaceful organization known as the White Fang is now a corrupt radical terrorist organization which is led by Adam Taurus. A man who twists, manipulates, and poisons the minds of his followers for his own cruel, cold, and selfish desires. And he has fully controlled the entirety of the White Fang, including the branch here in Menagerie. And he will kill anyone who stands in his way, both humans and Faunus alike."

"LIERS!" a voice cried from the crowd.

Within the crowd, Ilia uncloaks herself, wearing her Grimm mask and clenching her teeth angrily.

"The militaries have done nothing but kill the Faunus! And now here you are claiming that you all wish to 'expand and modernize' to satisfy your own benefits, when in actuality you wish to grind the Faunus under your heels!" she seathed.

Ilia then looks towards the Belladonna family.

"And you. Cowards... After everything the humans have done to us, everything they've put us through, you're asking us to help them?!" she yelled.

"I know we haven't been treated fairly..." Ghira tries to speak, but Ilia interrupts him.

"Where was their help when the Dust companies treated our people like slaves?! Where was their help when Kingdoms hunted Faunus just for being who they are?! Where was my help when my parents were killed in a Dust mine?! WHERE?!"

"Young lady, progress takes patience and cooperation! And the unknown militaries had so far shown no signs of discrimination towards the Faunus!" Ghira said.

As the argument continues, Sun, Allen, and Rebecca sneak through the crowd behind Ilia.

"The Belladonnas are the worst kind of Faunus! They want us to work with the same people that are trying to hold us down! If you truly, truly want to help your people, now is the time to support Adam, not the Belladonnas! He will bring about the future that you deserve. And if you are unwilling to fight, know that the White Fang will do it for you!" Ilia shouted to the crowd.

Sun, Allen, and Rebecca leaps out of the crowd toward Ilia and tackles her to the ground. Rebecca is mounted on Ilia's chest and arms, while Sun and Allen grab her legs. Ilia takes out Lightning Lash and swings it at Allen and Sun who both jump away. She then swings her whip at Rebecca's back as she cries out in pain and collapses on her side. Ilia quickly gets up and runs away past the crowd.

"After her!" a Menagerie guard shouted.

The Menagerie guards move to chase down Ilia, while Corsac and Fennec exchange evil smiles. Blake, Yang, Steel, and Ghira angrily glare from the stage, while Kali has a worried look on her face. Sun and Allen rushed towards Rebecca as she was getting up.

"Rebecca, are you okay?" Allen asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Rebecca said.

"Why do I suddenly feel weird after I get whipped?" she thought.


Shade Academy, Vacuo

Landing Docks

Meanwhile back at Shade Academy, Kendra, Kelly, and Team CFVY are waiting at the landing docks for Weiss, Ricky, and Neo to arrive.

"I hope Weiss was doing okay after her father practically forced her to come home for that banquet he hosted," Kelly said.

"Relax, I'm sure with Ricky around she'll be okay," Kendra said.

"When are they supposed to show up?" Velvet asked.

"Anytime now," Fox answered.

"So how are you guys holding out?" Kendra asked.

"Other than the negative treatment from the students here, we're still holding out," Yatsuhashi replied.

"What about you guys?" Coco asked.

"Same here. Holding out, despite treatment from the Vacuan students. Especially from Team NDGO (Indigo)," Kendra said.

"I know what you mean. Those stuck-up, self-entitled 'critics' have been nothing but a pain since we got here," Coco said.

"I've heard that they didn't even help defend Vale when the White Fang and the Grimm attacked and stated that Vale and Beacon was a quote on quote 'lost cause,'" Fox said.

"And came back just so they wouldn't be seen in a negative light," Yatsuhashi added.

"The only people I like here is Team ABRN (Auburn). At least they aren't assholes," Kelly said.

"Yeah, they're nice," Velvet said.

"Look! They're here!" Kendra said, pointing at the cargo airship.

The airship lands on the dock as the hatch door opens and out came Weiss, Ricky, and Neo. The three came up to Team CFVY, Kelly, and Kendra.

"Guys!" Kelly exclaimed, hugging Weiss and Ricky.

"Hey there, Kelly," Ricky said, hugging Kelly back.

"Glad we can join you guys," Weiss said.

"So how did things go with you father, Weiss?" Yatsuhashi asked.

"It was a repeat of Volume 4, but with a twist," Weiss answered as Neo gave a mischievous smile while she nodded.

"Twist?" Fox asked.

"After her jackass of a father revoked Weiss' heiress title, she stood up to him and was like 'fuck you dad' and I showed up to defend her and slammed him to the floor," Ricky explained.

"That sounds like something the world should witness," Coco said as she and the others laughed.

"Wait, you do what to Jacques?! I wanted to do something like that to him! I'm so jealous, you lucky son of a bitch!" Kelly laughed.

"Anyway, we should get you guys to Professor Theodore and let him know you're here," Kendra said.

"Right," Weiss responded.

The group of students then proceeded to walk into the academy.


Wastelands

A couple hours later, Ricky, Kelly, Kendra, and Weiss all went to the wastelands near Vacuo. Weiss, Ricky, Kelly, and Kendra were temporally reorganized as Team WRKK (Windrock) by Professor Theodore, much to their protest stating that he's somewhat repeating his actions like in the books. Their mission is to kill a Death Stalker and a few other Grimm that were getting too close to Vacuo and Team NDGO will be joining them.

The leader of the team is a young woman who has lightly tanned skin, indigo hair brushed over to her left side and olive eyes. She wears a high-necked, tight-fitting gray shirt with dark gray accents, along with a long, lilac coat with one long sleeve with the other rolled up. She also wears a leather bandolier with a steel gray pauldron on the right shoulder, which also appears to hold her weapon. She wears a slanted dark gray belt on the second notch alongside a breastplate that matches her pauldron. She wears gray pants with dark gray boots with light gray laces alongside dark gray forearm length gloves with the left glove being fingerless and having a cuff. She also has a dark gray band around her right elbow with a smaller band on her upper left arm. This is the leader of Team NDGO, Nebula Violette.

The second is a young woman with lightly tanned/fair skin, dark blonde hair swept to the left, and violet eyes. She wears a sleeveless green dress with an asymmetrical hem, what appears to be a golden scale one-sleeved high neck top underneath her dress, a lighter green sarong tied around her hips, and a golden spaulder. Two thin chain loops run from the front of her pauldron and around her torso to the back. She also wears a pair of over-the-knee scale stockings, armoured calf-high boots that match her pauldron though the rear of her calves is exposed and a simple chain bracelet with a ring connected to it on her right hand as well as a brown band around her left wrist with two beaded bracelets. This is the skilled member of the team, Dew Gayl.

The third is a young female with lightly tanned skin, curly black hair pulled back from her face into ringlets, and brown eyes with purple eyeshadow. She wears a black corset dress with a dark gray front, purple hem and purple laces on the back. She wears a light gray top with short sleeves and black cuffs. Her top also has a high gray collar that appears to be armored. Her belt is a long purple ribbon edged in gray, with a bow in the back and tied in the front, and connected to the belt are a pair of armor tassets that also act as storage for her weapon. Her shoes are flats and ribbons. She also wears light gray stockings and pale gray ballet flats, with ribbons around her lower legs. This is the graceful teammate, Gwen Darcy.

The final member is a young woman with fair/lightly tanned skin, brick red hair left loose with swept fringe to the right and olive green eyes. She wears a teal blue waistcoat with two long tails and dark brown strapless top. A cropped sleeveless vest of the same color is worn over the top and waistcoat. Her skirt is pale green which graduates to a cream with a zigzagged pointed hem accompanied with an open front layer that graduates from brown to light brown. She wears a pair of navy belts crossed in the front and back and a pair of sky blue layered spaulders, held in place by a dark brown leather strap across her chest. Her shoes are a pair of simple, navy blue ankle boots with folded over top and brick red lining. She also has a navy blue choker. This is the stoic and cold member of NDGO, Octavia Ember.

"We better get this mission over with," Kelly said.

"Look, just because you guys you got so much attention from the world, doesn't mean you can order us around," Nebula said.

"We're not ordering you around. We're supposed to be working together," Weiss said.

"That's surprising, coming from a Schnee," Gwen said.

"What's that supposed to mean? You girls didn't even help protect the city of Vale or Beacon. You just ran away and then came back when Vale and Beacon were successfully defended and claimed that you all helped out," Weiss said.

"They should have gotten better defenses," Dew said.

"Well they got better defenses now bitch," Ricky said.

"Enough. We're here to clear out some Grimm, not sooner we get this done, the sooner we all can get back," Kendra said.

"Fine. Let's just get this over with," Octavia said.

"Grimm up ahead," Ricky pointed.

The two teams turned and saw several Grimm in a stance about ready to attack. Five of the Grimm were huge rabbit-like Grimm with black fur, branching red and white antlers and powerful hind legs. They were known as Jackalopes.

Three of the creatures of Grimm known as Dromedons were camel-like Grimm that can spit acidic venom.

A three-headed Grimm that resembles a giraffe. Their bodies are covered in red spots that bear resemblances to a leopard and each head has two horns. It was as tall as a five story building and has razor-like plates on their four legs as well as long tongues. This Grimm is known as a Ziraph.

"Let's do this," Kelly said, as everyone draws their weapons.

The Grimm charge at the teams as they did the same. A Dromedon spat acid at Ricky and Gwen as they jumped away from the oncoming liquid. Gwen threw a knife at the the Grimm's hump, causing acid to spew out onto a Jackalope. Ricky slices off its front legs then its head off, killing it.

Kendra and Dew charge at the Ziraph as it lunges its tongues at the two huntresses in training, which they dodged the attacks. The Grimm tries to stomp on the two girls as they run away from the attacks. An arrow suddenly struck the Ziraph on its side. The turns one of its heads to see Nebula shooting at it with her crossbow as she ran towards it with Kelly following behind her. Kelly runs up over a boulder and jumps onto the Grimm's back as it then tries to shake her off. Dew waves her spear over the sand to create three small twisters that began to circle around the Grimm. Kelly jumps off and runs away as the twisters coalesce into one big tornado that picks the Ziraph up off the ground. The wind of the tornado blows it several feet away as it lands on its side. Kelly, Kendra, and Nebula rush at the Grimm as they each cut off a head off the Ziraph, killing it instantly.

Octavia with her semblance, Sandskating, slides across the sand towards two Jackalopes. She gave a series of slashes at the first Grimm with her kris then swung her weapon at the second Grimm, creating a fiery shockwave slicing and burning the Grimm in half.

Weiss sees three Jackalopes hopping towards her. She creates a glyph beneath her and as she plants her rapier into the ground and large chunks of ice protrude around her and impale all three Jackalopes.

"As all the Grimm around Teams WRKK and NDGO were killed, the ground beneath Ricky and Gwen began to break apart. The two jumped away bursting out of the ground with a roar was the Death Stalker.

"Well, there's our target," Kelly said.

The Death Stalker lunges its claw at Weiss and Octavia which they were quick to avoid. It hurls its stinger at Kendra as she steps aside and swings her poleaxe at its tail nearly cutting the stinger off. Kelly shoots at the Grimm's face as Gwen throws her knives at its face too, irritating it. Dew waves her spear into the sand, creating four twisters. Each twister moved at all four of the Grimm's left legs. The force of the twist lifted the Death Stalker's left side, causing it to fall on its back. It squirms helplessly as Teams WRKK and NDGO close in on it. Weiss creates three black glyphs, two under its claws and one under its tail, holding it down. Kelly jumps at its tail and chops off its stinger. Dew Kendra, Ricky, and Octavia all jumped and implanted their weapons into the Death Stalker's head. The Grimm squirmed a second more until it died.

"Well, mission accomplished," Weiss said.

"Come on, let's get back," Nebula said.

Teams WKRR and NDGO were starting to head back to Vacuo, they were being watched by two people hiding behind some rocks. One of them is Carmine.

The second is a fair-skinned woman with black hair braided into two loops on either side. She wears a long dress with many sheer layers of blue, white, green, and purple that resembles running water, and a silver chain was wrapped around her waist matching the slim silver diadem that gleams on her head. She has a crown-shaped brand mark on her wrist. This is the Crown's second in command, Gillian Asturias.

"Are you sure that's them," Gillian asked, pointing at Kelly and Kendra.

"Yes, and it looks like one of their friends and a Schnee has shown up as well," Carmine said.

"Ugh. Why is a Schnee here? They are nothing but a stain to Vacuo that needs to be removed," Gillian said. "No matter, I'm sure my brother will know what to do."