It was early in the morning in Mistral. Ruby is seen lying on the ground on the patio outside of the training room just a few distance from her, we see Eijiro, Brook and Carol sitting on a log watching the view as they have a conversation. Ruby watches a group of four birds flying together, before one of them flies away from the group.
As she watches it fly, Ruby sees Yang peeks over her head, "You're up early." she pointed out.
Ruby smiled, "Hey sis." she greeted.
Yang lets her hair down, "Boop.'' she chirped as she uses her hair to tickle her little sister's nose as Ruby giggles affectionately at her older sister's action.
Ruby then sits up as Yang sits down next to her as she let's out a sigh, "What are you doing up?" she asked.
"Can't fall back to sleep." Yang replied.
"Ah, me neither." Ruby replied, "And so are they.'' she added jabbing a thumb at Brook whom is playing his violin as Eijiro and Carol listens,
Weiss approaches them, "Well, fortunately, coffee exists." she said as she carries a tray with three cups of coffee and walks over to join her teammates. She lowers the tray down so Yang can grab a cup.
"No, please!" Ruby said.
"Don't worry, I put in blasphemous amounts of cream and sugar, just for you." she reassured as she holds the cup out in front for Ruby.
"Oh yeah! Nice, Weiss strikes again!" Ruby jabbed.
Suddenly, Weiss pulls the cup away just as Ruby was about to grab it, "I will pour this on you and it will burn." she said as she hands the cup to Ruby, who nervously giggles.
Weiss sits down next her teammates and grabs her cup of coffee after placing the tray down next to her. Meanwhile, Mina came out and handed Brook, Eijiro and Carol, cups of coffees.
"Can't believe we're actually in Mistral." Yang claimed.
"That's what you can't believe?" Ruby pointed out.
"Well, yeah!" Yang replied, "And all the other magic, other worlds, you being a Blessed and stuff." she counted, "But... Okay, you know what I mean!" she stated.
"I honestly wasn't sure if I'd ever see you two again." Weiss admitted.
"Well, here's to defying expectations." Yang said.
Yang and Weiss clink cups together, while Ruby gulps her cup down in one go, opening one eye to glance at the others' cups.
"I just wish Blake could be here with us." Ruby said.
"Yeah, well, she made her choice." Yang replied bitterly.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Weiss asked.
"I mean she could've been here if she just stuck around." Yang pointed out, "It's no big deal though. We'll be fine." she stated.
Ruby and Weiss have concerned expressions on their faces, "Don't you want her here?" Ruby asked.
"Why would I want her here?" Yang asked back.
"Are you still mad at her for leaving?" Ruby asked a different question.
Yang scoffed, "Oh, whatever gave you that idea, Ruby? No, I'm totally fine. I'm great." she exclaimed.
"Okay, calm down." Weiss said.
Yang's eyes eyes turn red, "Don't tell me to calm down!" she yelled.
Ruby and Weiss gain startled expressions, "Whoa, Yang." Ruby called out.
Yang realizes what she did, and her eyes turn back to normal. Her hand shakes while holding her cup, "Whatever." she replied as she gets up and leaves.
Ruby and Weiss watch her go before exchanging concerned looks with each other. Eijiro then called, "Is there a problem?'' he asked.
Ruby turns to the others and shook her head, "Nope! Nothing." she denied.
Eijiro shrugs his shoulders as he continues his conversations with Brook, Carol and Mina.
bzzzttt...
Back in Menagerie, Blake Belladonna leans against the railing on the balcony of the Belladonna Family Home, she can faintly hear Tukson having a conversation with Alisa, Ciel and Nana from inside.
She looks up into the night sky as a voice calls out for her from inside her home, "Hey Blake! You ready to go?" Sun called from inside.
"Be right there!" Blake replied when she feels a note taped to the wooden railing of the balcony. She grabs it and reads the message written down:
"B
Things going too far.
Not sure what to do.
Find a quiet spot,
I'll find you.
Come alone. Please.
-I"
Blake looks around a bit before hearing the sliding door open. She quickly places the note in her coat.
Sun then peeks through the door, "We going recruiting or what? We've got the entire nocturnal section to hit up!" he pointed out. Blake doesn't say anything, still having a concerned expression on her face. Sun notices this, "You okay?" he asked.
"Yeah, I'll meet you there. I need to take care of something first." Blake replied as she walks away, there is a quiet sound of rustling in the trees behind her.
bzzzttt...
Back in Mistral, Yang sits alone on a bed looking at the "New Friends!" photo of Team RWBY.
She hears a knock on the door and quickly puts the photo away, "Yeah?" she answered as the door opens but Yang doesn't look up to see who entered, "Look Ruby, I really don't want to talk about it, okay? Can you just leave me alone for a bit?" she requested before looking up, and is surprised that it was not Ruby, but Weiss who is at the doorway, "Oh. Hey Weiss. Did you need something?" she asked. Weiss says nothing as she closes the door behind her and sits on the bed opposite to Yang, the older sister of Ruby sighed, "I know she's our teammate, but I'm not just going to change my mind. I'm sorry, I just... I don't think you know what it's like to be left. You have a giant family, recitals to perform at, dinners to attend. I didn't have any of that. My mom left me. Ruby's mom left too. Tai was always busy with school and Ruby couldn't even talk yet. I had to pick up the pieces. I had to keep things together. Alone." she explained with a pause, "Weiss, if you have something to say, then say it." she stated.
Weiss remains silent for a moment, before responding, "When I was ten, my dad finally admitted to my mom that the only reason he married her was for the family name." she revealed with a sigh, "It was actually on my birthday. He missed the big dinner, she got mad, he finally snapped. I think she already knew. Looking back, I think I knew too. But hearing him say it finally pushed her over the edge." she stated as she gets up and sits down next to Yang on the other bed, "First it was separate lunches and dinners, opposite balconies at my recitals, a glass of wine here, a glass of wine there. Then, it was no dinners, no recitals, a bottle of wine here and... well, you get the idea." she explained.
"I'm really sorry." Yang apologized, "I shouldn't have assumed." she admitted.
"You're right though." Weiss admitted, "I don't know loneliness like you do. I have my own version. And, I'll bet Blake has her own version too." she pointed out.
"She doesn't have to be alone though." Yang said, "I was here for her. We all were! She chose to leave us." she exclaimed.
"Why do you think she did that?" Weiss asked.
"Hm?" Yang hummed in question.
"The entire time Blake was at Beacon, she was afraid to open up to people." Weiss pointed out, "She tried to keep her past separated from us. She tried to protect us. Eventually, those walls she put up came down. And the moment they did, the one thing she was afraid of actually happened. The universe proved her right." she stated.
"No one blamed her for anything! If she had just talked to us, she would've known that!" Yang exclaimed, "How could I be there for her if she doesn't let me? What if I needed her here for me?" she asked as she buries her face in her hands and starts sobbing quietly.
Weiss puts reassuring hand on her shoulder, "I know it's not easy." she said, "I wish she hadn't left too. The only thing we can do now is be there for her when she's ready. When she comes back." she stated.
Yang lowers her hands from her face, "If she comes back." she pointed out.
"She will." Weiss replied, "Yang... You, Ruby, and even Blake are more like family to me than my brother or even my own father." she confessed, "I would do anything for you three, and I'm willing to bet Blake feels the same way." she said, "So, when she's ready, I'll be there for her. And I know we're not as close, but... I'm here for you too." she advised.
Weiss smiles and Yang calms down. They hear a knock at the door, which opens up and reveals Ruby, "Is, uh... everything okay?" the little redhead asked.
Yang smiled, "Yeah, it is." she replied as Ruby sighs in relief.
The moment of silence, however, was interrupted by a loud shout, "Oh my God! We're out of fucking syrup!" Jaune's voice shouted, "Who the fuck used all the fucking syrup? I just fucking bought that yesterday!" he demanded.
"I think it was Patty and Nora whom used the entire bottle of syrup on their pancakes." the voice of Shadow replied.
"PATTY/NORA!" Liz and Ren shouted at the same time.
Ruby facefaulted as she turns to Weiss and Yang, "Sorry about." she apologized.
Yang chuckles as Weiss spoke, "I presume that is normal occurrence in Neo-City." she stated.
Ruby rolls her eyes, "You have no idea." she replied with a smile.
bzzzttt...
Back in Menagerie, Blake approaches a darkened alleyway.
"Ilia?" Blake called.
"I'm here." the voice of Ilia replied as Blake draws Gambol Shroud when Ilia walks out from the shadows with her hands up and drops her black camouflage.
"Ilia, I know you're scared, but you don't have to be. My family and I, we can keep you safe." Blake claimed.
"I'm sorry." Ilia replied.
"You can make it up to me by helping us stop Corsac and Fennec." Blake pointed out.
"No." Ilia replied as her tone turns hostile, "I'm sorry." she said
Ilia's right hand curls up into a fist. Footsteps can be heard running on the rooftop next to them. Blake looks up and sees Yuma fly down and land on her back, forcing her to the ground. Blake drops Gambol Shroud which lands at Ilia's feet. Blake gasps, regaining her breath, and struggles to get up as Yuma presses his foot against her back. He gets off her as three more Faunus join him.
Blake gets back up on her feet, "Wait-" Blake tried to say something.
Suddenly, Blake gets wrapped in spiderweb silk as a female Faunus grabs the silk strand holding Blake from her hand. The female faunus has a short light-bluish hair and has light-gray eyes. She wears a black & gray sleeveless bodysuit with a collar and a belt, black elbow pads and black boots. This is Trifa.
White Fang Member
Trifa
"I've got her." Trifa said.
"Well done, Sister Trifa - and to you, Ilia." Yuma praised as he tosses Ilia her weapon.
"Ilia! What are you doing?!" Blake demanded.
"I tried to warn you, Blake. I'm sorry." Ilia replied.
"Don't tell me you're sorry!" Blake exclaimed.
"But I am." Ilia admitted, "I am sorry it has to be this way, but you and your family are holding the Faunus back!" she exclaimed.
"Because we're trying to protect people?! In what world do you live in where attacking the innocent is the right thing to do?!" Blake demanded.
"The same one as you! There's no such thing as innocent! There's no right thing to do! Only what's best for us! There's the humans that still hate the Faunus, and there's the others who stand by and let the hate happen! But you know what snuffs out hate? Fear. I don't like hurting people. But I'll tell you this..." Ilia stated as she points her weapon at Blake, "...it's gotten us results." she claimed.
"Yeah, look where it's gotten you." Blake replied.
Ilia's eyes widen and she briefly ponders Blake's retort, but she just shrugs it off, "We all have to make sacrifices for the greater good, no matter how much it hurts." she admitted.
"And you think killing me is really for the greater good?" Blake asked indecorously.
"No, but getting rid of your family is." Ilia replied.
Blake's expression turns shocked and fearful, "You wouldn't! You can't! I won't let you!" she shouted.
"That's why you're being sent to Mistral. To Adam." Ilia said.
Blake's expression grows more afraid, almost on the verge of tears as she struggling to get the webs off her, "Ilia, please! You don't have to do this. This isn't you!" she shouted.
"Yes. It. Is!" Ilia shouted, "But I guess back then you were just too busy falling for Adam to notice!" she stated as Blake's expression turns into confusion, "I was always jealous of the way you looked at him." she confessed as her spots turn pink, "I wanted you to look at me that way." she said closing her eyes, and when she opens them, they are suddenly pink, "But we can't always get what we want!" she said as her eyes then turn back to normal, "Yuma, with me." she started, "You three, get her to the docks." she ordered.
As Ilia and Yuma leave while the other three Faunus prepare to bring Blake with them, "Let's go, traitor." Trifa said as she tugs on the silk holding Blake, but Blake remains stationary.
"Now!" Blake shouted.
"Huh?" Trifa exclaimed in shock.
Suddenly, Sun and Nana jumps out of nowhere and knocks down the Faunus next to Trifa. Nana brought put her version of the Piko-Piko Hammer and whacks another faunus to sweet unconsciousness.
"What?" Trifa exclaimed as draws her knife and engages in a brief duel with Sun. He blocks her attacks with the staff form of Ruyi Bang and Jingu Bang before disarming her, Nana then kicks Trifa on the mid-section, pushing her backwards. Blake, now free from her bonds, then grabs Trifa's shoulder and punches her square in the face, knocking her out.
"Thanks for the backup." Blake said in gratitude.
"Thanks for the invitation." Sun replied.
"You okay?" Nana asked.
Blake picks up Gambol Shroud and places it on her back, "No." she replied, "You heard Ilia, my family is in danger. Call the police and let's go!" she ordered.
"Right!" Sun replied.
"Let's go!" Nana exclaimed.
The three exits the alleyway and begin running toward the Belladonna's home. All three both take their Scrolls out to call their respective contacts.
"Come on, mom, pick up!" Blake called in worry.
bzzzttt...
Back at the Belladonna's home, a scroll is seen vibrating on the table with Blake's portrait and the text "BLAKE CALLING" on the screen. Gunfire can be heard. Suddenly, the table is knocked to its side as Kali, Alisa, Ciel and a Menagerie Guard take cover.
"Get down!" the Guard shouted as he, Alisa and Ciel gets up to fire back at two White Fang soldiers, both Alisa and Ciel are both using Assault Rifles. He manages to shoot one of them down, but he gets shot down by the other.
"Oh no!" Ciel shouted as she checks on the guard, "Stay with us!" she pleaded.
With the guard being treated by Ciel, Kali takes his pistol and starts firing back, "Get out of my house!" she demanded, "Ghira!" she calls out to her husband, she and Alisa then are forced to take cover again from the gunfire.
Meanwhile, down at the halls, we see Tukson charging towards a trio of White Fang members. Tukson takes down one with a painful spear, he then uppercuts another which sends him flying through the ceiling before grabbing the last White Fang and tosses the rufian out to the window. The White Fang landed badly on the ground as more White Fang members arrives, they tried to enter the main door but was blocked by Rhodey.
"YOU SHALL NOT PASS!" Rhodey shouted ala Gandalf, raising his bagel up high like a staff.
Meanwhile, Ghira and a couple of other Menagerie guards fend off some White Fang troops in the entry hall. One of them tries to kick Ghira, but he grabs his foot and slams him into the wall. Ghira dodges a sword slash from another White Fang trooper. A guard manages to knock out another trooper after a brief scuffle, and Ghira knocks out the troop that attacked him by punching him in the diaphragm and slamming his head into the ground.
"Go find my wife!" Ghira ordered.
Another White Fang troop approaches Ghira with his fist drawn back, but Ghira grabs his wrist and knife hands him in the neck, and then tosses him aside. Another guard gets shot while protecting Ghira and goes limp. Ghira catches the guard's body and drops it to the ground, with Ghira wincing at his fallen comrade. He then growls as he turns his attention to the Albains, who have their weapons out.
"I believe it's time our dear chieftain stepped down, brother." Corsac said.
"Yes brother, I'm afraid, I'm inclined to agree." Fennec replied.
Ghira lets his claws out and rips his coat off. He bares his fangs and makes a feral growl at the two brothers, before letting out a mighty roar as the screen cuts to black.
A/N: Inspired from someonestupED, damnlastwords, Hope the Victor and Ace Neptune. All OCs and concepts not created by moi were given permission for me to use by it's respected creators.