A/N: Hey guys! I am back again for I am here with a new chapter! Well, more like having to endure torture from work because it has been a pain and I was extremely irritated from the stuff going on ever since my promotion. I was given a lot more on my playe but hey, it's part of life. Anyways, as you all know the first episode of RWBY Volume 7 was aired several days ago which had me excited. Now, enough chitchat, let's begin the chapter!

NOTE: IF YOU HAVE NOT READ REMNANT OF DESIRES, READ IT BEFORE YOU START READING THIS STORY.

NOTE 2: RATING MAY CHANGE TO 'M' IN THE FUTURE

Henshin!

Third Person View

'Thought'

Greeed/Yummies


The boy broke into a run as he crossed the obstacle course. The first obstacle had him dodge heavy pendulums as he ran in a straight line, avoiding them without flinching. Next, he had to swing across a pool of water, which he did successfully. After that, he had to climb the salmon ladders before he crossed a bridge and climbed down a ladder. Finally, he had to climb a rock wall with grips that shifted around.

Once he reached the top, he rang the bell.

Winter looked at the stopwatch once she finished timing him.

She was impressed. For a boy so young, he had the skills of a Huntsman-in-training.

The first time she saw him cross the obstacle course was during a meeting with General Ironwood. She had left a couple of soldiers to look after Rouge while she spoke with the general. The boy proved to be sneakier than she gave him credit for as he managed to sneak away from his guards to go and play. He was so invested in learning everything around him, even the ways of combat.

Although, he often asked where is himself. Winter made sure to keep him occupied without that thought in his head. Oddly enough, she often found a few odd red feathers whenever he isn't in his room.

She had also given him a name. She christened him Rouge Schnee. Her adopted son.

Sadly, she had to depart soon due to orders. It felt wrong to leave her adopted son here.

"I just hope he will be okay…" Winter muttered with a soft frown. She noticed her son already in front of her, his mismatched eyes giving a puzzled look.

"Is… everything okay?" He asked.

"Ah. Yes, Rouge. Just thinking of some things is all," she reassured. The young boy tilted his head. "Rouge, I will be going away for a little while."

"You're leaving?"

"Just some business to do for work is all. Don't worry. I'll be back as soon as I can."

Hearing she gave orders for her next task, his mind calculated the theories about his other half — the possibility of getting back what was missing.

"Okay…" he nodded in understanding.

Winter smiled as she patted his head, "Remember to be a good boy while I'm gone, okay?"

He nodded once more as Winter led him to her room before departing. Once she was gone, he looked at the window before walking to it. Lost Ankh stared at the outside, seeing the city of Atlas. In time, he would be ready to regain his full self from the other half. Only one could be the true self.


Remnants of Desires: After the Fall


Chapter 6: Family, The Spy, Resolve

It had been officially a month with the stay in Menagerie for my team and I. To be honest, being in the village was a nice change of pace. Asides from the Yummy attack a few weeks back as well as the psycho Faunus, it was good to be here. It allowed me to fully let go of my late family, even finding a desire for peace.

I walked around the local market, collecting today's ingredients for dinner that I planned to make for everyone. I was astonished that Kali agreed to this. I guessed now I had the chance to test my culinary skills with them.

Looking at the list on my hand, I crossed out the last item I got from the list. I knew some food didn't exist here in Remnant, but this world had ingredients to make it so it would be an excellent opportunity to introduce a delicacy from my old home to them.

Once done, I made my way back to the household, greeted by a few Faunus and even some of the guards of the area. They also helped me with bringing in the groceries inside, along with setting it up. They were very kind people, and I knew I could put my trust with them for protection should it come to that.

Once groceries were already out, I began to cook the amount needed since there were eight of us plus the guards. It took some time, but I chose to cook at a careful pace to prevent any mistakes with the ingredients I had. Soon as I started cooking, I slapped an oncoming hand that was attempting to taste the food.

"Don't even dare, Sun," I scolded. "Everything will be ready later for everyone."

"Oh, come on! It smells delicious!" Sun whined, rubbing his hand. He attempted again, but I grabbed his hand and slammed it onto the counter, using my Semblance to trap the limb in ice that prevented him from touching the food.

"No," I repeated.

"Seriously?!" The blonde complained, struggling to break free but unable to.

"Not until the food's done." I continued to cut the ingredients on the cutting board before placing them in the pot. I heard the slight sound of metal, my guess a spoon, behind my back much to my annoyance. Planting my left foot on the ground, I used my Semblance once more without a need to look. I turned around to see Sun with his tail trying to grab a spoon. His appendage stuck from the ice that erupted from the floor, trapping it.

"Uh… surprise?" He chuckled softly, knowing he got caught.

"Do it again, and next time the ice is going to be covering you completely," I warned him.

He swallowed at the warning. "G-Got it…"

"Good."

After a while, I began to set up the table for everyone. I even made some extras for the guards and helped around the household as I handed them a bowl of it for them to eat should they be hungry. Suffice it to say, they ate it happily and enjoyed it, which gave me some relief.

Now, I was eating with my team and with the Belladonnas, each one enjoying the meal that I made.

"So good~!" Kali cried out with glee, her face showing the enjoyment of the food and taste.

"I must admit… This meal is delicious." Ghira admitted. "You're quite the chef, Enrique."

"W-Well, it's nothing really," I waved my hands. "I had to do some stuff on my own, including cooking." It was an honest answer. Ever since that day, aside from being taken care of by a family friend, he worked most of the time, so I had to do some stuff on my own. Cooking was one of them. At first, it was challenging since I often cut my fingers but eventually learned from correction and error through those five years growing up.

"Well, you have great potential once all of this fighting is over with," Ghira smiled.

"Mmmhm! Seconds?" Sun asked, finishing his food quickly and held out his bowl.

I sighed and handed Sun another bowl of food. The Monkey Faunus then ravished on the dish, delighted to eating the meal.

"This… is very good…" Blake smiled softly at me.

The corner of my lips curled into a smile. "Glad you like it, Blake."

"Can I have seconds?"

I nodded and was about to reach for it but noticed the pot was gone. "Huh?"

We suddenly hear loud belch, and we all look at Gamel, who finished chugging down the hot pot of food. Even if he couldn't taste or feel the food due to being a Greeed, he ate it like a simple drink.

"Food, good!" Gamel sighed with content.

"Gamel, what did we say about eating everything?" Pyrrha admonished softly.

The Beast Greeed slumped in shame and answered, "To leave some for others…"

"Correct. Now apologize," Pyrrha gestured to the others.

"Sorry."

"Idiot…" Ankh huffed, taking time with his food while eating his usual treat.

"Now, Ankh… What did I say about eating such treats during this time?" Kali scolded.

"I ain't no child mind you," the Bird Greeed retorted.

"No, but within our house, you must follow our rules after all," Blake's mother reminded. "Unless you want me to get rid of those treats and put them in the trash?"

"You wouldn't."

"Oh, I would."

Ankh felt his eye twitch before he grumbled irritably and placed it in an ice pack. "I hate this…"

"Oh, don't be such a baby," Pyrrha rolled her eyes. "Be glad we're not under trees or in a cave for once."

The red Greeed frowned, "I get it."

"Well, since we don't have any more food, how about we have some family time?" Kali suggested, "I would truly like to play some games with your future husband to be, Blake." She smiled innocently.

"Mom!" Blake blushed while I felt my cheeks heat up.

"What? It's true. After all, I'm not getting younger, and I want to spoil some grandchildren," Kali giggled, enjoying her teasing. This caused the redness on our faces to intensify.

"Kali, stop teasing them," Ghira sighed.

"But it's so fun, and they look so cute when flustered!"

He shook his head with the bridge of his nose held by his hand. "Still, they deserve some privacy."


After dinner, Pyrrha and I began to wash the dishes, both of us cleaning them thoroughly before setting them aside.

"Say Pyrrha, has everything been alright since the stay?" I asked my teammate.

"Sometimes…" She said softly. As she continued to wash the dishes, her head lowered, in a trance.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, it's nice…." She responded.

Seeing her expression, I stopped her from cleaning more dishes, the redhead seeing my concern towards her. "Pyrrha."

"Huh? What's wrong?" She asked, snapped out of her trance.

"Tell me what is bothering you. Blake and I promised to help you ever since you are back, don't you remember?"

The redhead was silent before she slowly released her hold on the dishes, setting them into the sink. "I'm ... worried…" She admitted, "Worried that the others will hate me as I'm nothing but a homunculus now…" She turned her head, "I know they won't accept me…"

My brows furrowed with understanding, seeing her concern, even her fear. While she had adjusted to her status, she was still in fear of what her team and the rest of Team RWBY would think if we ever see them again.

"Pyrrha, I know you are worried about what they will think. But look at me." She looked at me in the eyes. "You have every right to be nervous about it, but you know what I do know? I know we can help you be human again. I do know that they will be happy to see you even if you are now a homunculus. What I know is that they will accept you no matter what. Just like they did for Blake. Just like they did for me when you guys learned where I was from."

It was true that I was afraid of what my friends would think about my origin from Earth. I was also scared when I was undergoing the Greedification a year back. But it was thanks to my friends to help me overcome that fear, and telling them the truth of where I was from.

"Enrique…."

"You are our friend, Pyrrha. We are always here to help you, remember that, okay?" She nodded in understanding. I knew it was a long path, but, in time, there was always a chance to fix the bonds that were broken. Then, the two of us finished the last of the dishes to allow them to dry on the dish rack.

Drying our hands, Pyrrha went to check on the Beast Greeed while I decided to walk around the manor. It was subtle, and the atmosphere is peaceful. It was starting to feel like another home.

Home.

"..."

I sure miss the days we had at Beacon Academy. The good times of fun, a few mishaps here and there, but all of those were good times. Looking at my hand, I could remember the anger and hatred I released for what Cinder did. The battle and chaos around me a year ago. Those were painful memories.

My attention was suddenly drawn by the Monkey Faunus, who was leaning against the porch door with his ear pressed against it.

"Sun…what in the world are you doing?" I asked the Monkey Faunus. He was startled, quickly turning around, seeing me with my arms crossed

"Um… no reason?" He replied sheepishly.

That was a lame excuse.

"That is the worst answer to give when you lie. You plan to interrupt their conversation." I frowned. "You are going to get yourself in trouble if you are gonna disturb them."

"Don't worry! It will be fine!"

I shook my head in disbelief. "Don't say I warned ya."

Knowing him, this was going to turn into trouble for the monkey Faunus. I knew him–whenever he eavesdrops, problems followed him.


A few minutes earlier...

Blake stood on the second story deck outside her father's office. The broken moon shone over the house. Blake stared at her father's door, beside which hung an empty birdcage, until a voice startled her.

"You know, you can always go in and say hi."

The Faunus kunoichi turned around, seeing her mother carrying a tray with a tea set on it.

"I don't wanna bother him," Blake said.

Kali smiled, "A father's never too busy for his daughter."

"Not all of my friends would agree with you on that."

Kali kissed her daughter on the cheek and handed her the tray. Blake accepted it but was a bit taken aback by being given it.

"Here."

"What? Where are you going?"

"You've never been very talkative, but your friends don't seem to mind. I wanna hear more about the adventures of the team you were with." Kali walked away, but her footsteps seemed to have caught attention.

"Kali? Is that you, dear?"

Blake gave a nervous startle of surprise when she heard her dad's voice. The tray shook in her hands and let out a quiet whine.


With Ghira, he straightened some paperwork on his desk. The porch door slid open, and Blake stepped inside.

"Uh..." Blake nervously began as she closed the door. "Hey, dad."

"Blake! Well, this is a pleasant surprise," Ghira welcomed.

"I..."

"Please, come sit."

Her father stood up as he gestured to somewhere. Both he and his daughter moved to the oversized coffee table and lounge furniture. Blake set the tea set at the end of the table where her father sat.

"Don't worry. I've got it. Sit down, sit down." He sat down on his chair and then began moving it up a bit before going for the tea set as Blake started talking.

"I don't wanna keep you if you' re-"

"Nonsense, I've been cooped up in here all day," Ghira assured her as he poured his tea into his held teacup before pouring more tea into the other teacup. He put down the tea kettle down on the tray. He picked up a cube of sugar from the tea set's bowl before putting it in the cup nearest to Blake as he asked, "You still take sugar, right?"

Blake paused, "Oh, actually, uh-"

Realizing the mistake, Ghira pulled away from his free hand and apologized, "Oh! Sorry!"

"No, no no no, it's fine," Blake assured.

"Oh, here, take this one." Ghira offered up his teacup.

"No. It's–it's no big deal," Blake declined as she picked up her cup.

"You sure?"

"Positive."

There was a moment of awkwardness for the father and daughter.

"Old habits, I suppose," Ghira stifled a small chuckle. The cat Faunus took a sip of her tea and winced with a tiny exclamation of pain. The tea was burning hot to her tongue. He cautioned, "Might wanna let it cool."

"Right," She winced before she set the cup down on the table.

"So... is it... warm... in Vale?" The fellow Faunus asked.

The Faunus kunoichi blinked, "Huh?"

"It just... seems like your outfit doesn't cover very much," The father pointed out, referring to the outfit his daughter was wearing. Blake looked down at herself.

"It covers plenty," She answered defensively as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"I mean, a little more armor might help. Don't you think?" He suggested.

"I'm fine. I don't need armor. I can look after myself," Blake insisted.

Ghira started, "I..." He then exhaled with his eyes, and he opened up his eyes. "I... I know you can. I'm sorry." He set down his cup. Blake's expression saddened and looked away, bowing her head in guilt.

"Why?" Blake murmured.

"Hmm?"

"Why would you say that?"

The tall Faunus moved to be beside his daughter, going down on one knee and putting a hand on her head.

"Sweetheart, what's wrong? What did I say?"

"How can you still love me after what I did?"

Ghira's eyes softened. "Blake..." He got up, still keeping his hand on his daughter's head as he moved towards the couch before letting go and then finally sitting down on the couch with him beside her. He put his arm around her. "Your mother and I will always love you."

Blake's corner of her eyes burned with the onset of tears. "You were right." She was on the verge of tears. "I shouted at you and yelled at you." She looked up at him. "But you were right. I called you cowards!" Remorsefully, she lowered her head closer to her father.

"It's okay." As he assured his daughter, he put his free hand on her daughter's head, closed his eyes, and had his face touch her daughter's head. The younger Faunus pulled away as, the older Faunus removed his hand from her head. "I should have left the White Fang with you and Mom. I should've listened to you, and I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry.

"Blake, it's fine. We never held anything against you, and I never feared you would fail. The only thing I ever feared was that you would fall down the wrong path, and I am so proud to see you haven't."

"But I did!" She sniffled. "I was-"

"You pulled yourself out before that could happen. You came back. There aren't many who possess that kind of strength and even fewer that have the courage to face their demons again. Vale, Mountain Glenn, Beacon. You confronted the White Fang time after time.".

"I didn't do it alone..."

"No, you didn't. Which is why I wanted to ask you... Why did you leave Vale? Why did you leave your friends behind?" Blake sniffled.

"I..."

CRASH!

"Wahh!"

Suddenly, the porch door fell inward with Sun on top of it. Blake stood up from her seat, affronted to seeing the Monkey Faunus. "Sun?!"

Ghira also stood up from his seat while Sun got himself upright and tried to recover from the situation that occurred to him.

"D'yuh! Whoa! This isn't the bathroom! Uh, I'll just be going! Sorry to interrupt this tender family moment!" Sun said nervously.

Blake and Ghira both glared at Sun, Blake's right ear twitching. Ghira took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a second.

"I really don't like you," Ghira said with a frown.


I winced when I saw Sun getting two slaps from my girlfriend. Yeesh, I'm glad I wasn't in his place, but I didn't blame her since Sun was practically eavesdropping on the conversation between her and her father. I knew it was somewhat wrong to tell them that he was eavesdropping, but it was supposed to be a private conversation between Blake and her dad.

"I'm sorry, okay?!" Sun repeated to her.

"Ugh!" Angrily, she turned her back on him and marched a few steps away before she walked up to me. "Sorry you had to see that…"

"Yeah, no problem," I replied. I understood why Blake was upset with Sun, so I wasn't going to argue. "Sun, what was up with that? I told you they were having a conversation."

"I was waiting for Blake," Sun answered. "I wanted to talk to her about, you know, the White Fang and stuff."

"Sun, for the last time, Blake is not here to fight the White Fang," I frowned, knowing full well that my girlfriend doesn't want any mention of the group. After what happened a year ago, she didn't want old memories to be brought up. "She needs time to rest, to figure things out, especially being with her family."

"Thank you, Enrique," said Blake, satisfied at my words to Sun.

"Look, Mrs. Belladonna said White Fang members don't wear masks in Menagerie," The monkey Faunus explained, ignoring the fact that I told him not to continue to mention the White Fang. "But I saw one at the market yesterday! I even have a picture, see?" He pulled his Scroll out of his back pocket and showed us the said picture. "I am trying to help both of you."

"And I told you-!" Blake started angrily.

"Hold on, Blake," I gently cut her off. "Sun, could I take a look at that?"

"Sure," Sun said as he lent me his Scroll. I looked at the picture.

"Sun, you said you took this at the market, right?" I asked.

"Yeah, I managed to take a picture before I was noticed," Sun answered.

"Blake, maybe this is something worth looking into," I suggested.

"Enrique, please," Blake sighed. "I'm just tired right now."

"I know you don't want to, but what if this problem escalates for everyone?"

"It is already escalating."

We blinked and noticed Ankh leaning against the doorframe.

"What are you talking about, Ankh?" Sun asked.

"If you kids cared to notice, someone is watching us," Ankh pointed with his talon.

We stopped at his words before we turned our heads to the direction his talon was aiming. We narrowed our eyes to allow ourselves to see what he saw.

It took a bit for our eyes to get a clear focus, but when it did, we finally took notice of someone in the trees. A dark humanoid shape with a white mask could just be made out, perched atop a palm tree. Blake gasped as the figure leaped into the air, giving a better view of her.

It was a female Faunus with thin, curved, dark gray horns and black, spotty skin. She was wearing a black, sleeveless stealth suit with a gold zipper and slightly lighter-black straps with gold buckles on it. On her face was a large, white Grimm mask with elegant, curvy red markings. The legs of her stealth outfit were short, and she wore high-top boots. Her black hair was pulled back in a ponytail that curled up at the end. The Faunus soon disappeared. On the porch, Blake stepped forward with a determined look in her eyes.

"A freakin' ninja?!" Sun gawked.

"A spy!" Blake growled.

Before I knew it, Blake leaped off the balcony in pursuit.

"Blake!" I called. I immediately slammed the O-Driver onto my waist as I inserted the King Combo Medals. "Henshin!"

TAKA! TORA! BATTA! TA-TO-BA! TATOBA! TA-TO-BA!

"I'm coming with you!" I called as I jump after her.

"What's going on?" Khali asked.

"The White Fang is evil! And I'm going to get the two back!" Sun yelled before he followed. "Wait up, you guys!"

Ankh sighed irritably before looked at Khali.

"Don't get so worried," Ankh scoffed. "They'll be fine…" He then thought, 'Hopefully…'


Blake, Sun, and I continued our chase as we saw the spy running from us. Using the Taka Head's eyes, I could see in the dark like a faunus. With the Batta Legs, I could leap from tree-to-tree with ease.

The spy gasped when she was taken by surprise by the Monkey Faunus, who was in the air, ready to put her to a stop.

"Gotcha!"

With quick agility, she evaded Sun's surprise attack. Using her whip, she threw it at Sun, with the weapon coated with bright blue Dust. The attack hit Sun, but when he hit the tree, he wasn't able to move and noticed why.

"Oh, come on! Not this again!" Sun complained, finding himself stuck from the spy's Ice Dust.

"Sun!" I called out.

"Go, I'll catch up!" He advised, trying to pry himself free from the ice he was in.

I nodded before I followed Blake, continuing our chase after the masked woman.

The spy emerged from the trees and onto a roof. She continued to run across the buildings, Blake and I right on her heels. Sliding under some arching pipes, the Faunus finally turned and stopped. Using her weapon in whip form, she sliced the pipe that resulted in it releasing steam to block us. It didn't work, for we moved over the pipes and through the steam to intervene.

Both of us landed on our feet, finally having her where we wanted.

"Why are you watching us?" Blake demanded sternly. The girl smiled and lowered her weapon.

Surrounding her, we cautiously approached her. "Whoever you are, you have to answer her. Why were you-" The mysterious spy cut me off when she lashed her whip at me, forcing me to duck.

With Blake's ribbon, she pulled the assailant towards us, allowing me to kick her arm. The hit forced the spy to release the Scroll from her grip, the said object flying in the air.

The Scroll landed in my hand before I quickly tossed it to Blake in time as the masked Faunus threw the whip at me.

I cut away the attack with the Tora Claws before I saw her rushing towards me. I parried her kick with my forearm before I used the left Tora Claw to strike upward. However, she was proven more agile as she narrowly avoided the yellow blades. With the incoming attacked blocked, I stopped her from hitting me.

The masked woman reeled her head back and delivered a headbutt to my helmet, causing me to stumble a bit. But a part of her mask (the fragment covering her left eye) fell off, revealing her eye was a gray color.

I immediately noticed her skin color changing as if it was reacting to her emotions. Almost like a chameleon. A Chameleon Faunus, maybe?

The Faunus used the whip once again, causing me to duck before bringing up the claws once more, cutting through the weapon. Despite the firearm infused with Dust, I felt the pain when I cut through it. I had to be careful next time.

While I had my armor, it couldn't protect me from every attack. Already I could feel my Aura dwindle from the attacks she was delivering. I may have been lucky against Adam, but this Faunus fought differently. I slowly took a stance, moving in a circle, our assailant looking left and right between Blake and me.

She was planning on who to attack first, knowing the Scroll we took from her. Her visible eye held a sense of irritation towards the both of us.

If she was going to use a whip, I might as well even the odds.

TAKA! UNAGI! BATTA!

The Tora claws switched with the Unagi whips, the pale white tendrils sparking to life. Dragging them across the ground, the whips ignited with electricity and allowed me to lash one towards her. She dodged it, but that moment allowed Blake to hop off my shoulder, delivering a kick to the spy's stomach. While the Aura protected her, it pushed her back while the Cat Faunus landed on her feet.

Blake and I were on the offensive as we were preventing the spy from getting back her Scroll. That being said, we also had to get answers to what she was doing once we incapacitate her.

Evading my whip, the spy had her weapon set on me, but Blake beat her to it with her Gambol Shroud. The ribbon wrapped around my arm and spun me around. Releasing her hold, I launched myself towards the mystery Faunus with my Batta Legs aimed at her.

"HA!" I kicked her in the gut, sending her rolling across the rooftop. The young woman groaned as the remains of the mask, finally fell off, revealing her full identity.

"Ilia…" Blake gasped, recognizing the Faunus.

Seeing the spy taken care of, I tilted the buckle back to its original position as the armor dispelled to save the energy. However, hearing the name and tone, it sounded like Blake knew her.

"So, you know her?" I asked. "Why would she-" I stopped when I saw the now named Faunus immediately regained consciousness. The spy stood back up before grabbing her weapon that was aiming towards Blake.

"Blake, look out!" I shoved her aside the moment Ilia was about to deliver an electric hit with her whip. But instead of Blake, I took the blow as I screamed in agony. I could feel the sharp and burning pain on the right side of my body, feeling it go numb.

"ENRIQUE!"

I fell onto the ground, feeling the blood escaping from the new wound.

As I remained on the ground, Ilia looked at Blake.

"Give it to me," Illia demanded.

"No," Blake said. Illia's skin, hair, and eyes changed color once again upon her emotion.

"You shouldn't have come back," Ilia warned before she used her weapon to create a rush of Dust and soon vanished from our sights.

Blake briefly acknowledged that Illia had disappeared. But seeing her gone, my girlfriend rushed over to me in panic and fear.

"No, no, no, not again, please!" Blake frantically covered my wound, trying to stop the bleeding. "Help! Somebody! Hold on, Enrique, hold on!"

I slowly looked at Blake and grimaced, "Guess I was… reckless, huh?"

"No, you're not! Just hang in there, please!" I witnessed her look around, continuing to call for help. "Someone, please help! Damn it, Sun! Where are you!?"

My eyes felt heavy, as my vision was becoming distorted. My body was getting exhausted from my Aura, trying to heal the wound.

Trying to stay awake, I couldn't prevent it any longer as my vision soon went dark and blacked out.


I slowly opened my eyes once again; only my vision now greeted with the familiar wooden ceiling. Slowly sitting up, I winced and held the spot that the Illia woman hit. However, I noticed the upper right torso of my body wrapped in bandages. Man, it hurt like hell, even with my Aura healing it.

My thoughts were put to a stop when I turned my head to see Blake. Her eyes widened upon seeing me awake.

"Hey, Blake," I greeted.

Her response was her rushing up to me, hugging me tightly. I could hear the faint sound of her crying.

"Ow! Ow!" I yelped. "Blake, my injury."

My girlfriend quickly moved away, realizing I was still injured.

"I-I'm sorry…" she said in tears. "This is my fault… I should have seen it coming, but-"

"Blake, it's not your fault," I refused.

"But it is! This is why I left the others behind…" she argued. "I am done seeing my friends hurt because of me."

"Blake…" My eyes softened.

"Every day … every day I think about them! Ruby, Weiss, Yang. They were my friends! I loved them like I never thought I could love anybody. And I hope they hate me for leaving."

"You seriously can't mean that, Blake," I frowned slightly.

"Yes, I do! Everyone else thinks they can help me, but they can't. You saw Illia last night, and she's not even the worst! No. No more. They're better off without me. You're better off without me. I made my choices, and I'll deal with the consequences because they belong to me."

"Blake, you think you are selfless, but you're not," I frowned. "I chose to protect you, so the burden is on me. If it means to repeat it, then I will be damn sure that I will do it again if it meant protecting you. I won't let you repeat the same mistakes." She looked at me with wide eyes. "Yang would have said the same thing, too, you know."

"But… you could have died. I… I..." She hugged me softly and cried. "I don't want to lose you again after what Gara tried to do to you. I don't know how I can go on if you died. You are the reason why I feel happy after everything that happened to me. I don't want to lose that..."

I slowly cupped her cheek, gently stroking her cheek with my thumb.

"I won't die, Blake," I vowed before kissing the top of her head. "As long as you are here, I won't let that happen to either of us. Stop pushing the others out. It hurts more than anything the bad guys could do to us. Let me, no, let us be there to reach out to help you. Okay...?" I made her look at me. "We're your family, Blake. There's nothing we wouldn't do for each other." She gently placed her hand on my own, giving me a warm yet small smile before nodding softly.

"My hero…" she said softly.

I returned the smile with my own. Just as we were inches from each other's lips...

Our moment was put to a halt when the door crashed down to the floor once again, revealing Khali, who seemed to be eavesdropping this time, on the floor. Behind her was Ghira, who was looking down at his wife.

Kali quickly stood up as she saw us looking at her. "Oh! Oh dear, would you look at that, he's awake! Thank goodness!"

"Kali, please," said Ghira as he covered his face with his hand.

"Mom!" Blake exclaimed with a flush of embarrassment before walking over to her mother. "What are you doing?!"

"Well, sweetheart, your father needed to speak with you and your friends," Khali explained.

"Before I do, I need to speak with Enrique alone," Blake's father stated in a stern tone.

She slowly nodded before she left the room with her mom. Once gone, Ghira lifted the door and set it against the doorframe to close it again before he looked at me.

"How are you feeling?" He asked.

"Well, this is a first for myself, getting an injury that felt like getting shot… then electrocuted," I winced. "Now, I know how my dad felt during his days in the Marines."

"My daughter told me what happened." He sat on the chair, giving me a stern look. "You could have gotten yourself killed. Do you know how reckless you were to take that kind of hit and gotten Blake worried for the entire night?"

I flinched, causing me to lower my head in shame. "Mr. Belladonna, look, I had to do what was right and-"

"Allow me to finish." His firm statement stopped me from speaking further, not wanting to upset him. "While you risked your life to protect my daughter and seen how she is with you, it made me open my eyes to see the truth about you." I slowly raised my head to look at him. "You have shown a brave trait to protect my daughter. And not just that, you made promises that you fulfill, a human that my daughter cares about more than anything that I have seen. At first, I wasn't sure if I would allow you to continue to be with Blake, but now…" I noticed a small yet noticeable smile on his face. "Now, I know that Blake has someone in her life to be by her side."

"Wait, you mean…"

"You have earned my trust, Enrique," he confirmed.

I was astonished upon the announcement. Ghira had his full trust in me. Getting out of my stupor, I bowed slightly but not much due to the injury near my torso.

"Thank you, Mr. Belladonna," I nodded slightly. "This means a lot to me to know I have your complete trust."

"At least you're not loud like that blond one," he said before his expression changed into a cold glare that almost felt like it was right into my soul. "But I swear, if you do anything to hurt my daughter, I will hunt you down to the ends of Remnant."

I squeaked at his words as a shiver ran down my spine. "Y-You h-have my word M-Mr. B-Belladonna."

Note to self: never piss him off. From his tone, he wasn't the type anybody should anger. I shuddered at the image of him being angry.

Ghira smiled before he stood up. "Come on. I think you should hear what I have to say to you and your friends."

"A-Alright," I nodded before I stood up from the couch and put on my shirt and jacket before following Ghira to see what he had to say.


My team, Sun, and Gamel were gathered at the coffee table as I sat with Blake while Ghira and Kali faced us. For Blake's dad, he set down the Scroll that displayed a master folder labeled W. F. with six subfolders inside. The subfolders were also marked: Assignment, E.L., P.R., E.W., S. F., Untitled.

"I'm afraid you were right to be suspicious," Ghira informed us with a grim look.

"What do you mean?" Blake inquired.

"Adam Taurus is planning to overthrow the leader of the White Fang, and stage a full-scale attack on Haven Academy." He frowned. "It would be the Fall of Beacon all over again."

Hearing this caused me to clench my hands — a repeat of what happened at Beacon. There was no doubt that with Kazari assisting, they would have the advantage but not if I could help it.

"Not if we destroy the White Fang once and for all," Sun declared.

"No," Blake denied as she stood up, her eyes full of decision. "We're not going to destroy the White Fang. We're going to take it back."

Hearing Blake's new resolve, it made me smile at her determination. Like myself, she finally found her resolve.

"Then count me in," I said.

"Same here," Pyrrha nodded.

"Me too," Sun agreed.

"Aye!" Gamel saluted before we looked at Ankh.

Upon seeing us stare at him, the Bird Greeed irritably sighed before he said with a huff, "Tch, fine. I'm in if it means to get back my real body. However, you should know that Kazari will probably be in on this attack."

"Who is Kazari?" Ghira asked.

"One of the five Greeed, a good for nothing bastard at that," Ankh frowned. "If you wonder why him? He is also leading that splinter group."

"What?"

"Enrique isn't the only one capable of beating him. Kazari would have killed that Faunus with one strike. Speed is his game. Manipulation and planning are what he lives by."

"Then we better be careful once we face him again," I said with determination. I noticed Pyrrha had her head lowered for a moment. "Pyrrha, what's wrong?"

"We will be heading to Mistral..." she answered with her voice low.

I was confused at first until I realized why. "Oh… Mistral is your home kingdom."

Since Beacon fell, the news would have spread about the casualties, with Pyrrha listed as one of them. If they learn she was alive, who knows how they would react. Either completely shocked or in disbelief.

"We will think of something as we head there, okay?" Blake assured her.

"Alright," Pyrrha nodded.


Weiss was sitting by the window, looking up at the blue sky. She missed the days with Team RWBY. Over the past few days, Weiss had been training herself with the use of her Semblance. With the glyphs, she was doing her best for the summon. Just as she was about to try again, she heard ringing.

She paused before looking over to the desk, seeing the can moving a bit with each ring. She picked up the green can and pulled the tab. It unfolded into a mechanical grasshopper.

"Weiss? Weiss, are you there?" Enrique's voice came out from the Batta Can.

"Enrique?" She recognized. "Why are you calling me?"

"What else? I never had the chance to contact you for nearly a year," He replied.

Weiss rolled her eyes but smiled. It had been a long time since he last contacted her.

"What are you doing?" She asked him.

"I'll explain later, but I just want to tell you to be careful."

The heiress looked at the mechanical grasshopper before nodding, "I will."

"Take care, Weiss," Enrique gave his parting words before the call ended.

Looking out the window again, her hands gripped tightly into fists, remembering the recording he left for her in the past. It was time she made her own choices now. Looking at her weapon and taking a deep breath for one last attempt to conjure a summon.


Yang found the can rolling on the ground when she grabbed her shades. Picking it up, she reminisced how she got this. Barely any calls came from it. However, the sound of it ringing on her palm earned her attention.

She saw who was trying to contact her. It was Enrique. A thin frown curled her lips, her eyes slowly gaining its red hue. After a whole year, he was still around and never explained to her why he left the others. Nor explain Blake's whereabouts. For a moment, her fingers curled in frustration, but they relaxed, and she chose to pocket it, not willing to answer.


It had been a few hours since she arrived in Mistral as her uncle was treated from the poison due to that psychotic Faunus. But now, she was waiting.

She sighed, placing her pencil down. It was tough.

Suddenly, a ringing noise echoed in her ears. Ruby took notice as she held the Batta Can. It was ringing. It had never rung before. The only reason would be if someone with a Candroid were calling her.

Slowly reaching the tab, she pulled it, and the Batta Can convert into the grasshopper form and projected a video screen. The holographic screen flickered before it revealed Enrique. She saw his hair grown a bit, and she shortly noticed his new outfit.

"Hey, Ruby."


"Hey, Ruby," I greeted her with a small smile.

On the other side of the screen, I could see Ruby and to say she had undoubtedly grown over the past year. I took a glance at her new outfit and red hooded cloak.

"E-Enrique…?"Ruby gasped. "I-Is that you…?"

"Of course, it is," I brushed my hand across my hair. "I kinda changed myself a bit."

She looked to be on the verge of tears.

"It is you!"She cried.

I never thought I would bring that much worry.

"Hey, don't cry, Ruby," I said.

I watched the young girl sniffle, wiping away the tears in her eyes. I couldn't forget how she looked up to me as a family member. "It's just that, ever since your last message… I thought…"

Figures. She must have assumed I died.

Taking a deep breath, I looked at her. "I know… I was going through challenges with myself, Ruby." I confessed. "Things were not easy for me. A lot has happened over the past year."

She slowly nodded in understanding.

"How is Blake and Ankh doing?"

"Blake is alright along with Ankh." I rubbed my upper right torso. "I kinda got her worried when I took a hit that would have killed me."

"WHAT!? You got hurt!?"

"Ruby, relax. I am okay," I assured her. "My Aura managed to stop any permanent damage, but it still feels sore for me…"

"Still, you could have suffered a lot worse!"The young Huntress argued.

I sighed. It could have been worse, but, thankfully, I survived it. "I know. I kinda got Blake worried."

"Duh! It's obvious!"

I chuckled dryly before bringing up my next statement. "Ruby, there's someone who'd like to talk to you."

"Who?" I moved aside and allowed Ruby to see Pyrrha.

"Hello again!" Pyrrha awkwardly waved.

"P-Pyrrha!? You're alive! How are you there? I watched you die!"

"It's a long story, Ruby," Pyrrha replied nervously. "But… you cannot tell Jaune about what I will tell you. Please, I have to tell him myself."

"But-"

"Ruby, what Pyrrha and I will explain is very important, and you can't tell him about this," I added. "You see after Beacon Fell… Gara collected Pyrrha's remains."

"What?"

"It is something I don't want to remember," Pyrrha uncomfortably stated as she snaked her arms around herself. "But the reason why you can't tell Jaune… I… would be worried if he would leave you guys to see me. I am not fully human."

"What do you mean, not fully human?"

Pyrrha was hesitant at first before she lifted her hand and focused on the Core Energy within her. Ruby gasped when she witnessed the Mistral Champion's hand shift from flesh to clusters of Cell Medals. It was something she learned from Ankh.

"Y-You're a homunculus now?"

"She became the core for a Greed made by Gara," I replied. "I managed to get her out of the Greed before I destroyed it."

"What about Gara? Is he still alive?"

"I managed to destroy him eight months ago," I assured. "Bastard won't be around to bother us anymore."

After everything he had done to us, he deserved it; and I was glad he was gone.

"I are you going to do now?"

"We plan to stay in Menagerie for a little longer. We have some plans to help Blake."

"Alrightplease be careful."

"We'll be okay," I assured. "Take care of yourself, okay? And say hi to the others for me."

"Will do! You take care as well, Enrique, "Ruby spoke before ending the call.


The next day arrived for us as we were preparing for our needed tasks to retake the White Fang. Looking at the O-Calibur, I placed the blade to my hip, locked and ready. With the sword set, I planted the Medajalibur on the magnetic clasp on the back of my coat.

I saw Blake carrying a small chest and headed in Ghira's office. Placing the object on the desk, she opened it. Inside were various objects, including a flag with what seemed to be a White Fang emblem, a spiral notebook, and a book.

"So, we are finally going on a mission, huh?" I said.

"Yeah… after being here for the past month and a half…"

"Are you gonna get support from the people of Menagerie?"

"I… I hope we will," Blake murmured hesitantly. With how things were, she was nervous about it. Given what the White Fang had done, it brought the concern to the chance of convincing the locals to help.

"Hey, I know you can do it," I encouraged her. "If I learned anything from you, you can make a difference for everyone. To help them open their eyes to the reality of the situation."

"I know, but what if we can't? The people here prefer staying, and they don't want to fight."

I held my tongue at her rebuttal. The locals of Menagerie preferred staying than fight or even go against the White Fang. They were dubious to it, and I didn't blame them.

But if we didn't do something, they could lose a lot more. We had to be ready for them. With the discovery of what the White Fang planned to do, we know this was just the start.

The start of a big battle.


Adam struck another drone, finally able to regain his complete fighting skills back. While he finally felt relieved to see himself fight again at his fullest, he would have a chance to get his revenge on OOO.

"You are gonna regret what you did to me, OOO," He said with a feral grin.

He would cut off OOO's arms, then his legs, and let him suffer before finishing him off.


"Attain revenge… become a god…"The entity raised its head as the hood was lowered, revealing the helmet of none other than Poseidon. His lenses became red before going back to its original yellow color."This is never the end…. OOO. He will get his wish, and no one will get in my way to kill you and become complete once I become the new god of Remnant."


CURRENT MEDALS:

Blazing: Taka (x2), Kujaku (x1), Condor (x1)

Scorching: Lion (x1), Tora (x2), Cheetah (x1)

Strongest: Kuwagata (x1), Kamakiri (x1), Batta (x1)

Legendary: Kobura (x1), Kame (x1), Wani (x1)

Water: Shachi (x1), Tako (x1), Unagi (x1)

Gravity: Sai (x3), Gorilla (x1), Zou (x2)

Invincible: Ptera (x1), Tricera (x1), Tyranno (x1)

Ultimate King: Super Taka (x1), Super Tora (x1), Super Batta (x1)


(NEXT TIME)

"So, we have to find this Faunus to find out what is going on?"

There, we saw the two Emissaries Ghira wanted to talk to.

"You should leave Menagerie before it's too late," Ilia warned.

Next Time: New Task, Emissaries, The Warning


A/N: And that is it for the Volume 4 arc folks! I know you expected it to be longer but that will be during the Volume 5 arc so look forward to that. I know some of you are wondering when ai will update my other stories please be patient. It takes time especially when I have my jobs to worry about. Don't forget to leave a review and look forward to the next chapter. Stay in the Shadows everyone!