Alright! So Poll is down now, and while it was close, one pulled ahead of the other. Results are in.
Blake won with eight votes total. Four from reviews and four from the poll.
Velvet came in close second with six votes, five from the poll and one from review.
Ruby tied for second, four from poll and two from reviews making a total of six votes.
Poor Yang. Only three votes total, two from reviews and one from poll.
So that's that. The story is Shade x Blake. Thanks to all those that voted.
So with that, onto the story.
Disclaimer: I don't own RWBY or Destiny. If I did, RWBY would still be stuck in Vol. 2 and Destiny wouldn't have a second game because I'm lazy and bad at everything.
Shade awoke that Sunday with a knock on his door. Groggily standing up, the Iron Lord doesn't bother pulling on a shirt as he opens the door. He blinks in surprise when he sees Blake standing there.
"Stay on his eyes, stay on his eyes." Blake mentally says to herself, fighting the urge to look over him with her ironclad will.
"What can I do for you, Blake?" Shade asks, opening the door and inviting her inside. Pulling on a discarded hoodie, the Scout lazily pulls it over his head while he stretches, his actions almost mimicking a lazy cat, causing Blake to snicker internally.
"I thought about your message a fewest weeks ago." She says, taking a seat at the desk while Shade plops down into a sitting position on the floor.
"And?" Shade prompts.
"You need to decorate." The female ravenette says suddenly, trying to find something to take her mind off of the coming events. Shade raises an eyebrow.
"I just need the bare necessities." The Scout says. "The only decorations I need is the gun rack and my pictures." Shade grins somewhat at her. "Stop stalling, better to rip off the band-aid fast, ya? So, what do you need?" Blake sighs.
"Just, give me some time to explain before you freak out, okay?" She asks, and Shade nods. The girl shakily reaches up to undo her bow, revealing to the world her black-as night Faunus cat ears. Shade raises an eyebrow, but his grin stays in place. "I didn't- no that's not right. I did want to hide. I wanted to fit in, make friends who see me for who I am, not what I am. I didn't mean to hide this long, but with Weiss and her prejudices against Faunus it didn't really happen."
"Three things." Shade says after a moment. "One, I sorta expected something like this." At Blake's raised eyebrow he continues. "Your bow twitches every now and then, a Faunus's ears aren't meant to be covered up. Two, you shouldn't have to cover them up even if you were scared, they're a part of you and, frankly, are quite cute." Blake blushes slightly at his words, and Shade grins teasingly at her.
"Always the honest one, eh?" Blake chuckles, with sounds more like a huff. Shade shrugs. "And three?"
"Weiss isn't prejudiced against all Faunus, just the White Fang." Shade says sternly. Blake moves to defend her old group but Shade cuts her off. "Just by your actions I can assume you used to be a member?" At her nod he continues. "Wait... Belladonna, your dad used to be the old leader of the Fang, didn't he?" Blake nods again. "Wow, I should have saw that but meh. The White Fang used to be a respectable group, a nonviolent organization. And they were getting progress, albeit however small that progress might have been. Nowadays, however, they're no better than a terrorist cell." Blake gets angry at that.
"What do you mean?!" She says, her voice almost rising to a shout.
"Blake." The room suddenly chills at the sound of his voice. "I know you want to believe in the best for them, but they kill people, ransack shops, terrorize Faunus into joining, pay people to continue to hate and fear, and that only makes the Fang stronger because of it. Violence is never the answer, it's the last resort, and the White Fang were never close to needing it. Weiss has reason to not trust Faunus. Yes, her father's a rat bastard who deserves to be put in an early grave, but Weiss actively tried to get away from him. It's nature verses nurture with her. Part of it is how she was raised, and part of it was just the family she was born into. Since Weiss was young she's seen family members, friends, and board members executed just for working in the SDC, most of them innocent people with no prejudices against Faunus." Blake's ears droop. "You need to be completely honest. Why did you leave the Fang?"
"I didn't want to kill people." She says. "I didn't kill people, and I only stole enough to survive." Shade nods. "I didn't like that they were killing people, and I didn't like that the others liked the killing, harming innocent and just inducing fear on people."
"Then explain that to Wiess." Shade says. "Explain to her that you joined the Fang when it was still a nonviolent organization. Then learn her side of it, make her learn your side, and then come to terms together. It's called communication Blake. You got to make sure that she hears you, even if you have to interrupt her." Blake nods. "If things get too heated stick with it. Don't run away, because that will only support her views." Shade stands, moving to his door. "Now, I gotta go get ready for the day. I'll see you later." Blake nods as she exits the room. Shade prepares for the day before he joins his friends for breakfast.
"So." Ruby starts, swallowing a cookie. "What's the plan today?"
"I hear that the students from Haven Academy are arriving today by ship. I think we should greet them when they arrive." Weiss says.
"Basically, she's saying that she wants to spy on them." Yang says, a smirk on her face. Weiss huffs while Shade chuckles.
"So that's what RWBY is doing then, how about JNPR?" The Scout asks.
"We were thinking about getting some supplies and training." Jaune answers for his team. "What's CVFY planning Coco?"
"We're planning on training a bit, it'll be a lazy day for us." The fashionista says, taking a sip of her coffee. "What about you Shade?"
"I'm not really sure." The Iron Lord shrugs. "I might take a trip to the Dead Wall. I don't really know why, just have a feeling that I've missed something." The three teams nod, Velvet giving her friend a quick hug.
"What brought that feeling on?" Yatsudachi asks.
"I was going through the rosters, since I had to update my semblance. Some of the other's semblances could have helped them survive if they have had access to their aura, doesn't help to try." The ravenette says.
"Unfortunately, we cannot take you to the Dead Wall at this time." Ozpin's voice says from behind. "With the upcoming festival Ironwood has locked down travel to and from it." Shade nods sadly. "I'll speak with him about it, but I'm afraid that you can't travel there today." The Headmaster pats Shade's shoulder before moving on.
"Welp, there goes that plan." Shade sighs. "I'll probably join RWBY for the day then."
"Alright!" Ruby shouts, her fist in the air. "Let's go TEEEAAAMMM RWBYS!" The table collectively raises an eyebrow.
"RWBYS?" Shade asks. Ruby giggles innocently.
"Weeeelllllll, since you're joining us today you're a part of the team!" The reaper says excitedly. Shade shrugs. "So the name has to match!"
"Ruby, I doubt I'll ever be able to understand how your mind works." Jaune mutters, Shade shakes his head.
"Jaune, the second you think you can understand how a woman's mind works is the second you're truly screwed." The Scout says, standing with the rest of RWBY. "So, as my mentor once said, don't even bother to try. You only know as much as the lady allows you when it comes to how their mind works."
"Sound advice." Ren says, Yatsudachi nodding in agreement. "Nora is a perfect example of it."
"Coco is as well." Yatsu agrees. Both girls gain a rather eerie aura around them.
"Well gentlemen, I'll leave you to your punishment." Velvet says, Fox and her standing while Jaune and Pyrrha move further away from their hammer-wielding friend. Shade chuckles as he follows RWBY out, the sounds of Minigun fire and explosions following.
(Since my previous linebreaks seem to have not transferred over in previous chapters,)
(LINEBREAK)
"Why are we at the docks?" Blake asks.
"Oh they smell like fish!" Ruby says, holding her nose.
"As you said earlier, the students from Vacuo will arrive by ship." Weiss says. "I wish to greet them to the fine city of Vale."
"You just want to spy on them." Yang says teasingly. "Right Shade?" The Iron Lord didn't respond. "Shade?" The teen was looking at something behind the girls, and they turn to see him staring at a dust shop. A dust shop with a broken window and a police line outside of it.
"Let's go check it out." He says, making his way over. RWBY follows.
"What happened here?" Weiss asks the two policemen.
"Robbery, seventh dust shop hit this week." Officer 1 says. "Who would need all this dust?"
"You thinking the uhh." Officer 2 starts, "The White Fang?"
"Maybe, doesn't fit their MO though. This shop had Faunus workers in it." Officer 1 replies.
"Hmph, The White Fang, what a bunch of degenerates." Weiss says haughtily. Shade sees Blake's eyes narrow. Quickly placing a hand on the girl's shoulder, he shakes his head.
"They never caught that Torchwick guy I fought a few months back." Ruby says, "Maybe it was him?"
"Perhaps, but no one can argue that the White Fang are nothing but a bunch of criminals." Weiss says snottily.
"Perhaps," Shade cuts in before Blake blows her top. "But I think it would be beneficial for all of us to try to understand their side of things as well, right Weiss?" The Heiress nods.
"Of course, it is important know both sides of an argument." She says, and Blake calms down. "I just don't think that they'd really sit down and talk these days instead of just attacking." Shade nods. "You have to understand that when the White Fang turned hostile they practically started a war against my family, and while I do admit that my father has been using questionable labor forces in the mines, it isn't right for people to be killed just because of where they work." Weiss grits her teeth slightly, "I know that the White Fang want change, but just terrorizing people will only fan the flames of hatred. I don't hate the Faunus, I'm on good terms with Velvet after all, but I dislike the current White Fang." Blake had given a soft smile, and Shade grins slightly.
"Hey! Stop that Faunus!" A shout from the port echoes. The students rush to the docks, watching as a blond-haired monkey Faunus runs from some crewmen.
"Thanks for the lift!" The Faunus shouts.
"You no-good stowaway!" A crewman shouts.
"Hey! A no-good stowaway would have been caught! I'm a great stowaway!" The Faunus retorts, peeling a banana.
"Alright kid, why don't you come on down and we'll talk this out." Officer 1 says. The Faunus throws the banana peel on the officer's face. With a laugh, the Faunus takes off, running right by the five students, winking at Blake as he does so.
"Well Weiss, you wanted to see the competition, there it goes!" Yang says.
"After him!" Weiss gasps, "We must observe!" RWBY sprints after the male Faunus, while Shade just walks lazily behind them. The Iron Lord turns the corner to find a redhead lying on the ground while RWBY stares at her. He sighs as he moves to help the girl up.
"Are you alright?" He asks, holding out his hand. The redhead's green eyes seem to think for a second, before she accepts his hand.
"Indeed! I'm just lovely today!" The redhead says with an unnatural pep in her voice. Shade just raises an eyebrow. "I'm Penny! It's a pleasure to meet you! What are your names?"
"Ruby Rose!" Ruby chirps.
"Weiss Schnee."
"Blake."
"Are you sure you didn't hit your head?" Yang asks, an elbow from Blake and a cuff to the back of the head from Shade knocks some sense into her. "Yang Xiao-Long."
"It's a pleasure to meet you!" Penny says.
"You've already said that." Weiss mutters. Penny thinks for a second.
"So I did!" The redhead says. She then turns to Shade. "I know who you are! Ironwood told me! You're Vanguard Shade Kurogane!" Shade rolls his eyes.
"Ironwood, huh? So I can assume you're from Atlas?" The Scout asks, Penny nods. "How's the general doing? I haven't seen him since I got my official license."
"The General is doing well!" Penny exclaims. Shade checks his watch.
"Well Penny, it's getting late. We need to head back to our dorms and I'm sure you shouldn't be out too late, correct?" The Scout asks, and Penny nods once again. "We'll see you later." The Beacon students make their way back to their dorms. Ruby leaving a quick goodbye that leaves Penny somewhat confused. Shade walks with RWBY through the dorms, before moving towards his own when they stop. Blake's hand stops him.
"Guys…" The girl says, hesitating for a second. "I have something I need to show you." The rest of RWBY looks to their raven-haired companion with confusion while Shade grins slightly. "Is it alright if Shade enters the dorm?" The rest of the team nods while the five enter the dorm.
"Living life on the edge, aren't you?" The Iron Lord says as he glances at the makeshift bunkbeds. Ruby chuckles sheepishly. The girls take a seat on the lower beds while Shade takes a seat on the floor near the door. Blake leans against the windowsill, her eyes darting around the room. The amber eyes meet Shade's green ones, and the Iron Lord nods in encouragement.
"I want to ask that you save any questions until I finish, alright?" Blake asks, and the rest of the team nods. Blake gives a shaky sigh, trembling hands reaching up to her bow. Shade catches a flash of yellow from outside the dorm, and meets the eyes of the monkey-Faunus from before. The Iron Lord shrugs slightly, not really caring about the blond Faunus outside the open window. Blake unties her bow, revealing her ears for all to see. RWBY's dorm is filled with a collective gasp while Shade grins. Blake's eyes were shut tightly.
"I knew you'd look better without the bow!" The Monkey-Faunus says, catching everyone's attention. Shade facepalms as the blond flips through the open window. Instantly he's met with blades and guns aimed at his general direction. "I come in peace!"
"Why were you outside our dorm!?" Weiss shouts. The male shrugs.
"I got lost and saw you five, I just followed you here. I wanted to knock and ask where I could find a teacher so I could find the visiting student's dorm but this is much more interesting!" The blond says. "I'm Sun Wukong! I'm from Mistral!" The introduction isn't really given a warm welcome.
"Leave him be." Shade says. "Yes, his addition is unplanned but Sun basically knew about Blake already, Faunus are good at identifying other Faunus, Velvet has a suspicion as well." Shade turns to Blake, who was almost at the point of a serious freak-out. "Blake, deep breaths, then continue."
"O-okay." The girl says, breathing in and sighing. "I'm sorry about hiding this from you all." The girl's voice was quiet, and timid. "I wanted people to see me for who I am, not what I am." Ruby and Yang shrug.
"With or without those ears you're still Blake. You're still our friend and my partner." Yang says, and Ruby nods. Blake smiles, but that falls just as quickly.
"Yeah, but that's….That's not all." She says, looking to Weiss. The heiress hasn't said a word, opting to watch her teammate with a raised brow. "I used… I used to be a member of the White Fang." The room erupts into chaos, Weiss flying to her feet while Yang and Ruby share a look. Sun just looks apathetic, with the few gears he has in his head turning.
"WHAT!" Weiss shouts, but a crackle of energy draws everyone's attention as Shade's semblance bleeds through.
"Weiss, let Blake finish." The Scout says, his glowing green eyes staring right into the Ice-blue ones of the heiress. Weiss nods. "And make sure you listen. You said earlier that learning the other's side is important for peace, prove it. Learn Blake's side of things." Blake had looked ready to bolt, and was currently trying to fold in on herself.
"M-my dad was the old leader." The girl says, "He was strict and fair, never let us use violence. He stepped down to look after Menagerie, since he's the chieftain there. I basically was born into the White Fang because of him, I took part in every protest and peace rally I can remember. Then dad stepped down and the new leader took his place. One with more….. violent ideas. Before I knew it signs were replaced with blades and we terrorized people, even killed people." Blake's eyes are full of fear when she looks to her team. Yang and Ruby looked conflicted, but encouraging at the same time. Weiss was stoic however, and Blake didn't know what to think about that. "I-I never killed anyone. I only stole what I needed to survive. I left when, when I was supposed to blow up a Schnee Dust train. I didn't, and I've never looked back! I wasn't going to take part of something if it lead to the murder of innocent people!" Shade grins slightly. "But. I just ran, I didn't try to stop it. I ran away from my problems, and I kept on running! Hiding myself and my ears from you when I should have told you all from the start but I was afraid! I didn't know you, and I didn't want to lose the only real friends I had." Weiss sighs, standing up and moving to the window, next to Blake.
"The White Fang have killed friends, and coworkers just for working for my father." The heiress says. "I have no patience for them." Blake looks ready to burst into tears at that. "However, you said that you didn't kill anyone, correct?" Blake nods, her ears twitching. "You said that you joined when the Fang was still peaceful, and your father was the leader in those peaceful times?" Another nod. "You were young and impressionable, like me. We didn't know both sides of the situation. You still held onto your morals, your father's ideas of peace even while in a violent group such as the Fang." Weiss turns to Blake, her icy eyes softening. "Blake Belladonna, you are my teammate, but more importantly, you are my friend. You're not a member anymore? So I don't care about the past. All I ask is that you don't hesitate to tell us stuff like this sooner." Blake bursts into tears while Weiss pulls her into a hug. Ruby and Yang follow soon after and RWBY is in a big group-hug.
"I'll make sure to do that." Blake says, a smile on her face. A quick glance over to Shade shows a wide grin on his face while Sun has a small one of his own. The dorm is silent for a moment before Sun breaks it.
"I hate to break the mood, but I think I know what the Fang might be doing right now." The blond says. "I overheard the crewmen saying something about a shipment of dust coming in on Sunday."
"You sure?" Shade says, his eyes growing sharp.
"Yeah, pretty sure. Huge Schnee shipment." Sun replies. "I thought it would be good to let you all know." Weiss smiles at Sun.
"I may not really know how I feel about you yet, but thank you." The white-haired girl says. "I'll contact the company."
"I'll inform Ozpin." Shade says.
"And then RWBY will go patrol the docks Sunday." Ruby says suddenly. "I have a feeling that there's something going on here, because that Torchwick guy is also after dust." The rest of RWBY nods. "Sun, Shade, you two in?" Both males grin and nod.
"We'll see how the Fang fares against an Iron Lord." The male ravenette says. "Everyone, get some sleep. Sun, I have a spare bed in my dorm. We'll talk with Ozpin in the morning." The six all grin and nod, the two males leaving the dorm as they all make plans for the coming days.
A/N And done!
Sorry for some major changes but I thought it would be appropriate with Shade's note to Blake in chapter 5.
So….. Things are going on and I have one question for you all. I had Shade mention that he'd want to go back to the Dead Zone and see if anyone survived. I have a thought out story that can go in both ways. So I'll ask this.
Should I have the original Vanguard alive? I would explain how Kuroka, Celestia, and Luna survived if this is a favored option, this has pros and cons. A pro would be that Weiss and Yang could have more individual training to be a Support and Guardian respectively. A con would be, well, a few errors in previous chapters as well as some changes in story, canon and otherwise.
The other option is for no Iron Lords to return. A pro would be that the story would focus more on Shade and RWBY's training, but a con would be that Weiss and Yang aren't as individually trained because Shade is a Scout and only really qualified to train Scouts.
Before you ask, I will not bring back other Iron Lords besides the before mentioned three. Partially because even if I don't bring the Vanguard back I'm still going to have them in the story through other means, namely logs and memories. Another reason is because I don't want to bring back Shiro and Vivian because that'll be a conflict of interest as well mess up the whole relationship things I have planned.
Shade HAS to fully come to terms with his friends' deaths, and I'm pretty sure you can all guess how he felt about Vivian. Bringing back Shiro and/or Vivian would just throw everything out of wack.
Well, that's it, I want to know what you all think! Original Vanguard alive or keep them dead?
On another note, Now that I'm almost done with Vol.1, I'm going write a chapter of another fic while I refamiliarize myself with Vol.2 (because I sorta skimmed over Vol.2).
So with that! Emerald Night out!