Disclaimer: I do not own either RWBY or Star Wars
Yang was… annoyed. She had spent a good part of the previous day trying to figure out who the mystery number belonged to. Unfortunately, she hadn't been able to find it, the number itself had been connected to an obvious fake, and there was nothing to connect it to a real person that made sense.
After having spent so much time futilely chasing what seemed to be a ghost, she had become impatient and just sent a message… and gotten nothing but vague crap in return. The only really concrete thing she got was that this person claimed to have been a foe, but now wasn't.
Unfortunately for Yang, that could mean a number of people, as she had made a few enemies during her… youthful escapades. So yeah, she was really confused about that.
"Yang? Are you okay?" Her baby sister asked from beside her.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Go back to your pancakes before Nora steals them." She waved her away.
"You know, this feels awfully familiar." Blake said half-jokingly from across the table.
"I have to agree. This does seem quite familiar… Which brings up the query, what ails you Yang? There is obviously something on your mind." Wayle spoke up from his place next to Blake.
"I told you, it's nothing. Look, I'm eating and sleeping, right? So there's no problem." Yang said sharply.
"Even so Yang, we worry it's so obvious something troubles you. We want to help you." Weiss said with a huff.
"Yeah. So tell us instead of holding it in. It's bad for you." Ruby said as she snuggled up against Weiss.
Apparently, somehow, since that… incident, Ruby had taken a liking to Weiss… and whenever the white princess tried to protest, Ruby would… threaten to bring the incident up… So Weiss made a show of tolerating it, when it was obvious to all of them that she actually liked it just as much.
This byplay was the more… endearing aspect of their new relationship. The other one Yang just chose to miss entirely, if only for the sake of her own sanity.
She sighed. "It's just, somehow a number I don't recognize was added to my contacts, and I've been trying to figure out who it belongs to. I haven't had any luck." She scratched the back of her head sheepishly.
"That sounds… really weird. What would that be all about do you think?" Blake asked, a slight sliver of apprehension visible on her face.
"I can't really think of all that many people able to add new things remotely, so chances are it was added manually… But that doesn't really make all that much sense either…" Weiss mused uncertainly.
"Then chances are that it is someone capable of performing this action, without anyone noticing." Wayle looked thoughtful, and Yang got the feeling he had an idea, but was unwilling to voice it.
Well, one candidate did flash through her mind, although she was unwilling to consider it. Yes, a certain petite witch who's eyes changed colour and who had hair reminiscent of a brand of ice-cream.
But that didn't quite match up with what she knew, so for now she ignored it… although… if that person was doing it to mess with her or something… then it almost made sense…
"Maybe… that person that works with Roman? Neo, I believe he called her?" She hesitantly voiced that thought.
She felt the eyes of her friends on her. "Yeah… That was kind of-"She started.
"No, that is most certainly not something we can just ignore… Without knowing the full extent of her abilities, we cannot be certain she is incapable of achieving it…" Wayle interrupted her, seemingly finding that possibility to have some merit.
"I agree. It is most certainly a possibility." Blake nodded.
"Seems you have a mystery on hand." Wayle spoke up, a small smile on his face. "Unfortunately, as much as I would like to assist, there are matters I need to attend to, and as such, I will be away for a short period of time." He then continued with a more serious expression, earning him a concerned look from Blake and curious gazes from the rest.
"Is that really okay with the teachers?" Weiss asked.
"I have already arranged the matter with Professor Goodwitch. It will not be a problem." Wayle smiled softly. "Do not worry, I will return soon enough, and hopefully the White Fang will have been subdued."
'Before it is too late…' Yang could only barely pick that last part up, but Blake had heard just fine judging by her facial expression.
And so Wayle rose, making to leave, Latune following from wherever she had been before that. The last she saw of Wayle that day he had an expression of determination, as if he was about to undertake a difficult task.
-Break—
"Master, do you really think…?" She trailed off.
"That Neo is messing with Yang? The possibility is undeniable." The Sith answered. "Latune, I want you to investigate matters here in Vale. Remain at Beacon and use the skills I have taught you. While I doubt that the White Fang will make a move here, this is an important place for our plans." He then continued in an authoritative tone.
"Yes Master. If I may ask, what do you plan to do?" She bowed slightly in acknowledgement, asking her question without raising her head.
"I do not mind." He waved his hand dismissively. "I plan to build onto the foundations, and to start making the first few moves."
He stopped moving and turned slightly towards her. "I will leave your task in your hands. Act as you see fit, but take care not to rouse too much suspicion."
"Yes Master." She made one last gesture of deference before she left.
As she walked through the halls of Beacon she saw something peculiar. That was, the sight of Cardin Winchester completely ignoring a Faunus. He didn't even make a snide comment or sneer.
Part of it might simply have been his weakened condition, but to her it seemed like it was something more.
Yes, fear. Fear of her Master. Fear so strong it actually made the bully stop bullying.
She was also certain that there was something else that her Master had done to the boy, but as far as she could tell, it didn't affect that aspect of his personality. No, that seemed to be something else.
Latune still marvelled at what her Master could achieve with his Sorcery.
She had no real aptitude for those arts though, and according to her Master, it would be too dangerous for her to learn it.
He had seemed almost relived when he came to that conclusion.
From what she had managed to glean about the almost arcane art, either from her Masters words directly or from his usage of it, it was heavily steeped in the Dark Side. And if that was the case, she would happily lose any chance to learn any of it.
After all, while she wasn't afraid to tap into the Dark Side a bit every now and then, especially when she needed something a bit more… destructive, it was nothing she wanted to truly submerge herself in.
So instead she focused on disciplining herself, learning to control both herself, her enemies and the battlefield.
Her Master had said something about something called 'Battle Meditation', but he had also said that that was not quite it. He never did tell her what it actually was, something that still bothered her a bit.
She was broken out of her digressing by the sudden need to evade a barrelling golden blur that she faintly recognised as Yang. But before she could question her she had already turned the corner and disappeared.
Shaking her head slightly to clear away some of the confusion she started moving again.
'How to best perform this task my Master has entrusted me?' She wondered as she wandered…
-Break—
It was a surprising bustle in the small town as people ran about performing various tasks. What might have surprised some was the large quantity of Faunus interspersed with the Humans. As a matter of fact, they seemed almost on cordial terms, something that was unusual.
Of course, the lesser known fact would be that many of these people belonged to the newly formed Army of Union, which contained several former members of the White Fang as well as a number of other people from all manners of backgrounds.
Known at most only to the citizens of the town itself, the entire town was already more or less run by them, the newly elected mayor, a Human by the name of Iulius Aureus, was a member of it, and wasn't really keeping it a secret.
Furthermore, the position of Chief of Police had fallen upon the shoulders of a man of righteousness that seemed to call to mind a knight more than anything else, who could also with little real effort be connected to the Army of Union or AoU as some had taken to abbreviating the name.
And with him most of the local Police had been replaced, many found wanting or unfit, either corrupt or just far too discriminatory for someone meant to uphold the law.
While many were sceptical or suspicious of this group, they had proven to be staunch people who helped in many ways, either with the running of the town, or repelling Grimm attacks, sometimes even going out to hunt Grimm near the town, making it safer.
And through this method they gained some manner of popularity amongst the common people, developing a reputation of fairness and good will. They also made a point not to discriminate, favouring neither Human nor Faunus.
To compound their growing influence in the area, a part of the town that was mostly unused was being repurposed into a base of operations for them.
And to this base of operations Wayle Tyran arrived. Not with great fanfare or ceremony, instead, he just showed up in what had become the centre of the base, startling many of those present.
"My Lord. I did not know that you were coming, if I had known I-"The burly Faunus known as 'The Captain' said as he kneeled.
"Captain, there really is no need." Wayle made a gesture for the man to rise. "Where is Ouka? I would like to speak with her."
"She is currently overseeing the work on the barracks being built to accommodate our members." The mountain of a man said.
"Send someone to tell her I need to see her."
"Yes my Lord." The Captain made a gesture to one of the people present who immediately ran off.
"Good. Now, what is the status of the White Fang hideouts and bases that you know off?"
"Many of them are empty and abandoned. I assume they are reconsolidating completely, leaving only little of their old holdings. My Lord, if I may suggest, our spies have found that the White Fang is planning to move one of the larger stashes of weaponry and supplies, and I feel that it would be an excellent opportunity to bolster ourselves."
"A sound proposal, have a team of your most trusted secure the stash. We need to weaken the White Fang and strengthen ourselves." Wayle said approvingly.
As they were talking a young woman rushed in, and after looking about hurriedly, ran up to them.
"What is it?" The Captain said worriedly.
"The White Fang… they have just brazenly attacked Atlas. For now there have been little more than a few small skirmishes, but judging by their movements they are aiming for one of the Atlesian foundries." She said, panting from exertion.
"Seriously? What is she thinking?" Wayle sighed and shook his head in perplexity. "This changes little for now Captain, but it is even more imperative that your plan is carried out."
"Of course my Lord, I will endeavour to finish your task." The Captain bowed and marched off.
As the messenger collapsed into a chair Ouka entered, her pink hair trailing behind her slightly as she hurried towards him.
"My Lord! I didn't know you were-"She began, a slight hint of grievance in her voice.
"Yes, I am here, and I need to speak to you. In private." Wayle cut her off.
She looked slightly shocked, but quickly recovered. "Of course my Lord. Follow me."
And so the altered gears of destiny turned, some changed, some removed and some completely new ones.
Author's notes: So... yeah... Sorry to those who felt that the end of last chapter was confusing. But, really, it was kind of meant to be... I will on the other hand say that the poor guys Latune fought were students present at Beacon, the fight taking place at Beacon. I should have made that clear, but I didn't. Because sometimes I do really stupid mistakes. Well, do please tell what you thought of the chapter and the direction of the story. And don't be afraid to point out mistakes, I am after all trying to improve.
I hope you enjoyed and that you have a nice day.