Breaking Remnant: Bound by Shadows

Rating: T/M

Series: RWBY

Pairing:

Volume 3: Fall

Summary: Aganju came to Beacon wanting to be treated as equal. Pyrrha wanted to be viewed as a normal girl. Neither of them expected to be that fate would have them meet. Now, they navigate the academy grounds and beyond, with secrets and danger awaiting them at every corner. The alternate timeline takes place just before the start of RWBY volume 1 and AU in the Breaking Remnant series.

(Rewrite of RWBY: Shadows of Destiny)

Author's Note:

Just noting that this is a relatively short chapter by comparison but, I kept the main parts necessary to keep the story moving. Hope you all enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to RWBY... that honor belongs to Rooster Teeth. I do own the rights to my OCs.


Chapter 13


It'd been nearly a month since the pair departed from Patch and in only a few short days upon docking, Yang and Roxanne found themselves being 'escorted' through the Branwen Tribe's domain, many with black eyes and bruises from trying to ambush the girls earlier in the day. Lavender and orange eyes remained focused as they wandered through the compound, ignoring the murmurs of those around them.

This wasn't the first time they'd encounter unwanted visitors but, seeing their fellow tribesmen in such a state made for an interesting observation, one that required further investigation. With each step closer, more and more of the clan followed behind the young women until they stopped just short of their destination. By now, the pair were surrounded by various members of the tribe, each wondering just what their purpose for being there was.

As if on cue, Raven Branwen made her appearance.

Wearing her mask, she looked to preserve her threatening form; a form that wouldn't last long upon seeing who her 'guests' were. While she didn't recognize the girl with auburn hair, she knew exactly who the blond was. The same could be said of her 'visitors'. She was known to many, a tough leader by her clan, a menace to villages and cities all around, and a capable fighter to rivals.

But, to Yang, there was only one name that she knew this woman by.

"Mom..."

You have got to be kidding me... she rolled her eyes under her covering before nodding to her lieutenant who rushed inside shortly thereafter. There was no need to hide her face, so the older woman simply removed her Grimm-like face in favor of a more human approach.

"Yang..." she replied, setting her mask down. She wasn't happy in the slightest that her offspring had found her but, "So, after all of this time, you finally decide to visit me?"

If there was any signal of the girl's anger, it came in the form of her left arm shivering. Instinctively, she held the convulsing limb with her prosthesis while Roxanne side-eyed her in concern.

"You know that I searched for you. I spent years looking for you..."

"...and you found me! You were patient, determined, and strong enough to make your dream a reality!" the gusto behind her tone came off as more mocking that sincere, but a glance to her comrade helped Yang to remain silent; surely this farce couldn't last too much longer. "Well done, Yang. But, did you have to be so rough with my men?"

"They started it!" Now it was Roxanne's turn to respond, not enjoying the innuendo made.

Thankfully, Yang returned the favor in calming her partner down.

Raven's grin turned to a straight line as she finally regarded the fall-locked girl.

"Well, you both certainly finished it." Seeing neither were amused, the tribe leader sought to move things along. "Right... I'm sure this is all overwhelming, but I must admit that you've proven yourself. So, any questions that you may have, I'll be happy to answer. You two can stay with us tonight. I'll even have the chef up something for you both."

Much to Raven's surprise, Yang simply shook her head.

"That's not why we're here...!"

Whatever pleasantries were there instantly were carried away by the whistling gale, replaced by heavy tension. Roxanne took notice of the bewildered stares and hushed whisperings around them. Grabbing her scarred arm, the ram kept her focus on the area around them while Yang continued to concentrate on the now visibly upset woman across from her.

"What was that?!"

"We didn't come here for you. Ruby is somewhere in Mistral. She's with Qrow and she's going to need my help. I just need you to take us to her."

The sheer audacity of such a statement was noteworthy, even Raven.

Despite her bruised ego, she had to admit that the machinations of her daughter coming here for such a reason was rather impressive, if not completely foolhardy. Still, she had a reputation to uphold, showcased by her casually scoffing.

"And why would I do that?"

"Because we're family..." Yang responded in an overdramatic fashion.

"Family... Only coming around when they need something." From faux impression to pure annoyance now, Raven hissed her twin brother's name before returning her attention to her candid daughter. If this was how her ungrateful offspring was going to be, she'd rather not stay to see where things would end up. "I have to say, I'm disappointed. After all, you found me, didn't you? Why not take that drive and use it to find your little sister if she really means that much to you?"

"Because you're going to save us time. Ruby is headed to Mistral, but there's no guarantee that she's made it there. Looking for her in Anima could take ages, but dad told me how your semblance works."

The cocky smirk now rested on Yang Xiao Long's face as the others began whispering among themselves.

Not even a small handful of the tribe knew their leaders' semblance fully. Once more, Raven cursed, only this time, it was the name of her former lover and ex-husband. After Yang's revelation of how she could bond with certain people, thus creating portals to them, Raven finally spoke up, her rage held back only by a thinly veiled guise of disinterest.

"You've got one for dad, one for me, and one for Qrow. So, make a portal to my uncle and we'll be on our way."

"If your sister is with Qrow, then I fear that she's already a lost cause."

"What's that supposed to mean?!" Roxanne growled, not liking this game that the older woman was playing at.

"You two don't want to get mixed up in all of that. Ozpin is not the man you think he is, and Qrow is a fool for trusting him."

Fiery eyes, wide in shock, were no match for the fury course through Yang. Helpless, Roxanne could only watch as her friend began breathing harder out of sheer rage for that last comment. It wasn't until the last minute that Yang finally spoke again, appearing to have recovered her poise.

"I don't care what you think. Nothing is going to keep us from finding my little sister!"

"Well, aren't you stubborn?" Raven cooed mockingly.

"I get it from my mom..." Yang fired back coldly.

"Well, if that's how you feel, then it sounds like we're done here," The elder woman then waved her hand dismissively. "Take them away."

The men and women surrounding them began to close in on the two, much to the girl's chagrin. Roxanne took a fighting stance while Yang just watched as her own mother gave the order without hesitation. How could she? When her father described Raven Branwen as difficult, she didn't think he'd meant downright unbearable.

"Did you not hear me?" she yelled out, halting the woman's exit. "I said send us to Qrow dammit!"

Crimson orbs now glared at the pale woman nonchalantly staring back. Gone were the delightful purple gems, replaced by the bloody optics of a tumultuous young woman.

"That's enough! You watch your mouth in front of our leader!"

Yang merely stared at the guy, trying fervently to figure if he was trying to be brave or just plain stupid. After settling on both options, she narrowed her eyes, ready to blow off some steam.

"Make me..."

The male rushed forward with his bone marrow sword held high in the air. Yang merely ducked, sending the guy flying over her. To make matter's worse, Roxanne rushed over to greet the poor sap with a devious grin before cracking his head with her own skull. This dazed him enough for the faunus to land a spinning heel kick that sent him flying past the massive tent, resulting in a girlish squeal, faint as it was.

"Wait..."

Yang didn't hear this as she was now focused on a second tribesman whom she kneed in the gut before punching him in the jaw. The force of the impact sent him careening into a large brown blanket, revealing a certain white-haired heiress.

"Yang?"

"Weiss?!" the two looked on incredulously at the heiress. The three girls looked at one another, trying to make sense of things.

"Hello?" a mysterious yet familiar voice rang in the ears of the faunus.

"Pyrrha?"

"PYRRHA?!" Weiss and Yang yelled out in unison.

After a few more moments of shock as well as fear-induced stillness from the rest of the tribe, Weiss huffed to herself.

"Well, guess subtlety's out..."

Used her glyphs, Weiss instructed the icy knight to grow to gigantic proportions, thus destroying the cage that kept her prisoner.

She then ran off over to her friends who were still trying to make sense of what was going on. If there ever was a good place to start, one could guess that the obvious was the best option.

"What is that?" Yang supplicated, motioning toward the colossal construct.

"Don't worry about it," Weiss dismissed, ready to strike even without her weapon. "What are you two doing here?"

"Well, that's my mom and she can take us to Ruby."

"Wait, your mom kidnapped me?!"

"You kidnapped her?!" Yang yelled.

Raven observed the chaos unfolding before her with growing irritation.

What started as an unwanted visit from her 'prodigal daughter' and her friend had now escalated to something that would spell doom for everyone around. Even worse, the trio of girls was preparing to take on the entire encampment who were all too happy to sate their need to salvage the pride of their leader.

This needed to end before things became irreparably damaged.

Still, she wouldn't sully her hands as a bolt of lightning crashed down between the girls and the now angry tribe.

"ENOUGH!"

Everyone turned to see Vernal holding Weiss's sword in one hand, and a restrained and blindfolded Pyrrha Nikos in the other. Silence once again took over the camp as Raven could finally hear herself think.

"Thank you, Vernal," she acknowledged before turning to her subordinates. "If you people don't keep it together, this place will be crawling with Grimm. Give the girl and the weapon back, Vernal."

"But..."

"Do as I ask."

Against her wishes, Vernal growled but returned the rapier to Weiss Schnee before shoving the secured Pyrrha into the arms of her friends. While they worked to undo the knots, Raven wasted little time in getting their attention.

"You two... in my tent, now." She pointed to Weiss and Yang specifically.

"Why?"

Raven ignored the act of defiance and entered her home without so much as a passing glance. Soon, the crowd disbursed, leaving only the foursome to try and collect themselves. There were so many questions and yet, so little time as Weiss hugged her teammate while her construct soon faded away. After the cloth was removed from Pyrrha's eyes, she was relieved to see the face of a worried Roxanne Octane.

Breaking down into tears, she latched herself onto the ram faunus, sobbing quietly.

"I missed you so much..." Weiss eked out.

"Thank you..." Pyrrha choked out.

There were so many questions... and so few answers.

Perhaps, they would be found within the tent of Raven Branwen.


"Mistral..."

Aganju looked around, taking in all that the city had to offer while he and Sienna crossed up one of the many pathways leading to Haven. He'd always wondered what the city was like and it was safe to say that he was not disappointed. Remembering the lowest levels of the kingdom where illegal sales were conducted to the much more elegant settings of families enjoying their time together. The latter, while enjoyable to witness brought with it a pang of sadness in the faunus' heart.

"You're not that helpless little boy anymore," Sienna commented, noting his solemn demeanor. "You're not alone Aganju. You have a wonderful young woman who's waiting for you, and I promise that you'll be reunited together soon once we stop Adam's plan."

The fox's mind then flashed back to the task at hand. They'd just arrived in the city only a short time ago but, he and Sienna Khan knew that there was little time for them to settle into the scenes around them.

He apologized and kept climbing.

"You're right. I can't lose afford to lose focus now," he chanted softly.

"Precisely. We're almost there anyway and we need a good vantage point for scouting and I doubt you'd want to fight the entire White Fang AND Adam without proper planning."

Aganju felt embarrassed but a brief grin from the tigress informed him that her reprimand wasn't with ill-intent. A renewed sense of confidence rushed through the young man as they neared the very top of the mountain-based kingdom as the sun began its descent. The canine faunus eventually found themselves near the quad where they hid amongst the many trees as they prepared for the battle that was to come.

As dusk took over the skies, Sienna noticed the younger fox trying his best to stay awake.

It appears that he's pushed himself a bit too hard... she mused. "Hey..."

"Yeah?"

"Why don't you get some rest?"

Aganju simply stared back questionably. "But, what about-?"

"I'll wake you up when it's time," she replied in a motherly tone. "For now, you should regain as much of your stamina as you can before things happen."

Seeing the need to object written all over his face, Sienna gave him a look of her own that silenced it.

Grumbling, he huffed but caved to the stern glare, leaning against a rather large branch and closing his eyes while the former high leader stayed on watch duty.

"You'll need it for what's coming?"


Qrow Branwen looked out at the city of Mistral even more depressed than usual. After making it to the city, he sought out a few Huntsmen and women to aid in a plan he concocted to retrieve the spring maiden. However, all he received were excuses from the headmaster, Leonardo Lionheart, and no trace of any of the freelance huntsmen and huntresses. The more he searched, the more demoralized he'd become until he exhausted every single name on the list.

"This just doesn't make any sense..." he muttered to nobody. "I get one or two, but, all of them?"

Every. Single. Name.

He couldn't wrap his mind around this. No matter where in Mistral he traveled to, Qrow would receive the same story. They were either deemed missing in action or confirmed dead. The sudden realization forced him to even pay off one of the Huntsman's debt to a bartender; Shiro was his name. He leaned against the banister of the home he and the kids were staying at, just trying to figure out what he could do now.

Suddenly, a sound so familiar caught his attention. Turning around, Qrow Branwen saw the calling card of his twin sister, preparing himself for either a verbal or physical battle.

"Raven?" he narrowed his eyes awaiting the emergence of the dark-haired woman. Instead, he was greeted by another sight, one that made him loosen up. "Oh!"

Meanwhile, within the house, Team RNJR (or JNRR) was cooking up a storm with Lie Ren at the helm. He was busy stirring a large pot of delicious ramen. Jaune Arc worked on setting the table while Nora was chopping vegetables (in addition to eating some as well). This left Ruby Rose who was searing the meat to add to the pot.

"Alright, the first batch is just about done!" Ren announced, much to Ruby's delight.

"Awesome! All we need now is Qrow and we'll be all set."

"Do you really think he's going to bring that many people?" Nora wondered out loud, missing Ren's disapproving gaze as she popped another carrot slice in her mouth. "This is a lot of food."

"I don't know, but it sounds like we could use all the help we could get."

Their answer would come when the front door opened and Qrow called out from the living room.

"I'm back!"

The group scrambled to finish setting the table, with Ruby going on to greet her uncle and the back-up he aimed to acquire. Imagine her surprise when she was greeted by not one but four well-known faces, one bringing her to tears almost instantaneously.

Guilt.

Shame.

Worry.

Fear.

All of these words could perfectly encompass Ruby Rose's reaction to seeing the taller blond girl approach her. But, none of it mattered as she tried her best to stammer out any form of explanation.

"Yang? I'm... I'm so sorry! I-I should've stayed! I... I should've talked to you more but,"

She was cut off when the elder sibling wrapped her arms around her, pulling her into the tightest of embraces. Whatever Ruby thought would or should happen to her was quickly washed away as she gave in to the warmth and affection from her sibling.

"I love you."

Silver eyes shimmered until the dam broke. Ruby couldn't help but bury her face into Yang's bosom, sobbing out the only words she felt were appropriate for such an occasion.

"I love you too."

What followed was a massive slew of emotions that filled the house with more than enough feelings for one's lifetime.

It began with Weiss's inclusion in the hug, the Atlesian being more than happy to be reunited with her team. Roxanne could only smile at the sight while helping a weak Pyrrha to one of the couches. Team JNPR would join in on the emotional fun when they spotted their own teammate, ready to bombard her with questions and hugs as well. Thankfully, despite how she felt, Pyrrha had more than enough strength to reciprocate the love to each one of them.

"Hello again..." she smiled weakly.

Hearing her raspy voice, everyone soon noticed her condition. Though she was fully clothed, most of her battle outfit was severely damaged and torn. Her hair was disheveled and she was covered in dirt and grime from the elements. Even her eyes, normally bright green and full of life, were now a faded shade of their former brilliance. What brought on the million lien question was the absence of a particular item, one thought to be bound to her.

"Pyrrha, where's your sash?" Jaune asked in a hushed tone.

"More importantly," Nora side-eyed the blond boy. "Where's Aganju?"

What little bit of positivity in the girl suddenly vanished as the image of the faunus' shocked visage flashed in her mind again. She couldn't stop seeing the pain in his eyes after he was run through by the woman who kept her captive all of this time. She clutched her head, trying her absolute best to shake off the scene that replayed in her mind over and over again.

The dull shades of green and red orbs growing dimmer by the second.

The look on his face that begged her forgiveness for failing to protect her.

His last gasp as he fell down the dark chasm.

Pyrrha couldn't take the agony that came with these memories and with a pained shriek she fell over. Being the closest to her, Roxanne caught Pyrrha who shivered in her arms, trying her best to erase those morbid and horrific images from her head. When she finally did look up, everyone could see the desperation behind those pools of emerald.

"Miss Nikos?" The group soon turned to see a young tan boy with freckles with an all too familiar cane in his hands. "Is that really you?"

She stared at the boy in confusion but, seeing the cane, she couldn't shake the feeling that she knew him.

"How do you... know me?"

"I'd think I would remember the girl who almost became a maiden." the male chuckled nervously.

"Pro-Professor Ozpin?"

"Welcome back, Pyrrha..." he smiled warmly. "But, you can call me Oscar Pine."