Chapter 28
Hello guys! Yep, here it is a new chapter! With this free time I just want to write more and more. This time I'll try to don't mess everything up with the editing. By the way the previous chapter is fixed now, so check it out if you haven't read it yet.
Esdeath's group, morning
Yang was leading to group in a forest, helped from the man they picked up. Esdeath knew that this was a trap but the bartender said that Raven was with the bandits, so she decided to play along
"How much further, pal?" Yang asked at the man on the back seat
"This should just about do it" The man replied the group stopped in a clearing among the trees "You all wait here. I'll go up ahead and make sure the coast it's clear" The man said as he got off the motorcycle and ran in the forest
"Is a trap, isn't it?" Yang asked
Liver and Run let out a sigh while Akame nodded and Esdeath grinned. Suddenly Yang raised her bionic arm and blocked a bullet .
After a few seconds the man returned followed from a big group of bandits.
"I can't believe you were dumb enough to let me lead you here " The man said as he smiled and the other bandits pointed their weapons at them
"Are you sure you don't wanna call anyone else?" Esdeath asked with a bored tone
The man chuckled "Yes, miss. I'm sure. Well, unless you count the whole rest of the camp back that way" he pointed behind him with his thumb
'Is this guy really that dumb?' Akame asked to herself as she facepalmed
"That way?" Yang asked, pointing in the same direction as the man
"Yes. That way" He confirmed
"Good to know. Thanks" Yang replied
"Now to pay me back for this tooth, we're going to take your bikes and you all are going to take your lumps" The man said
Yang activated her Ember Celica, Akame unsheathed Kiriichimonji choosing a non lethal approach, Liver activated his gloves and Run took out his scythe and opened his wings.
"You aren't even worth of my blade" Esdeath said, who didn't even took a combat stance
"Alright…" The man said a little intimidated "GET THEM!"
The bandits charged at the group, two of them charged at Esdeath. The general merely step aside, avoiding the machete of the first one, she kicked the poor man in the belly sending him crushing into a tree. The second bandit shot at her with his rifle but Esdeath froze her hand and deflected his bullets, then she grabbed the hopeless man by the throat and crushed him into the ground.
Akame was fighting against three bandits, two armed with machetes and one with a gun. Akame had a blank expression, she blocked a swipe from the first bandit and used the second one as a shield in order to block the bullets that the third bandit have fired. The second bandit fell unconscious, Akame shot with the machine gun of her sword at the third bandit and then with her heated blade cut in half the machete of the first attacker, who ran away in fear
Run was engaged from four bandits all armed with rifles. Run flew in the sky and the bandits tried to shot him down but they found out that he was out of range. Run turned his scythe into his sniper form and aimed at the non vital body parts of the four bandits, who tried to hide behind the trees.
"One…" Run shot the first round in the shoulder of one bandit sending him unconscious
"Two…" He shot another round and another bandit fell down
"Three…" he neutralized another bandit
"And four" Run shot down the last bandit and then he landed
Liver in the other hand was fighting just one girl bandit, who saw her companions getting destroyed and began to shake in fear. Liver lowered his stance and approached the girl, who froze in fear
"Bu" Liver said and the poor girl dropped her weapon and ran to the camp
The man who lead the unlucky band of bandits was now desperate and tried to shoot Yang with his pistol, the brawler dodged to bullet and with an acrobatic move punched the man, sending him on the other side of the clearing.
"Who are you?" The said as he tried to stand up "It doesn't even matter. When Raven finds out what you did, you're dead!" he stated
Yang sighed "Possibly. But I doubt it. I'm her daughter, after all" she said and with the other she began to walk in the direction of the bandit's camp
On the way to Haven Academy, in the village of Kuroyuri
After a long march Najenda decided to stop in one nearby abandoned village called Kuroyuri. She looked at her surroundings and saw and despair and destruction, then Seryu came to her with a smile on her face
"Boss! Chelsea's squad is returned from their mission!" She said with an happy tone
"That's a good news" Najenda said as she sighed "Tell them to come at my quarters after they rested a bit" Seryu nodded and walked away.
Meanwhile
Weiss got off from the bullhead and she was greet from team JNPR
"Pyrrha!" She yelled as she hugged the red haired girl "For a moment I taught you were dead"
"Well, I would be if it wasn't for Esdeath, she saved me" Pyrrha replied and grabbed Jaune's hand and looked at him with tender eyes
"Ehm…Am I missing something?" Weiss asked, eyeing at the two partners
Pyrrha blushed a little and tighten her grab on Jaune's hand "W-Well, now me and Jaune are together together" She said with and embarrassed tone while Jaune scratched the back of his neck
Weiss wasn't surprised "It was about time" She said then she looked at noticed that Ren and Nora were nervous
"guys are you ok?" Weiss asked worried
"Yeah, you been acting strange since we came here" Jaune added
"Just…bad memories" Ren replied as he looked away from them "By the way, where's Ruby?" he said changing the subject
"She fell asleep in the Bullhead, Kurome took her to bed" Weiss replied
"Oh no! I wanted to say hello to her!" A familiar voice said
Weiss turned in the direction of the voice and saw Penny who had a sad look on her face
"Penny? What are you doing here?" Weiss asked shocked
"General Najenda took me under her protective wing" Penny said as she putted her hands on her hips
"Wow, lots of things have changed" Weiss said
Pyrrha was about to reply when a loud roar filled the air
Ren's eyes widened and he felt anger grow inside of him. Nora putted her hands over her ears and began to shake in fear. The soldiers began to run everywhere
"What is going on?" Jaune asked at one soldiers
"We are under attack from a Grim" the soldier replied
"Just one?" Ren asked
"Yes, I never seen one like that" The soldier said as he went in the direction of the roar
"But I do" Ren said as he also ran in that direction
"REN!" Nora called him but he ignored her
"Well, team JNPR we have a mission!" Jaune said and followed Ren
"Wait for me!" Weiss said with her Myrtenaster in her hand
The group arrived in the battlefield where they saw the soldiers firing at the giant beast. The Grimm was a horse-like creature with an equine main body and a skinless humanoid creature that is fused with it. Its forelegs was shaped like claws and it had hooved hindlegs that leave a characteristic hoof print. The humanoid body had long curved horns on its head, a mouth that looked almost sewn shut, and two long elastic arms each with two clawed fingers.
Nora had fear on her eyes while Ren had fury in his
"What hell is that?!" Jaune asked but no one replied
Najenda , who was alerted from the roar, noticed that the soldier's projectiles were ineffective and ordered the retreat to everyone but Ren stood unmoving before the beast. He screamed and attacked it with all of his fury. Jaune and the others also charged at the beast but the Grimm simply use his arms as a a whip, even Pyrrha was sent crushing into a wall. Ren and Nora tried to attack again.
Najenda saw their suicidal move and nodded to someone behind her. Susanoo jumped from behind her and hit the Grimm with Wolf Fang Mace sending it crushing in one of the building. The beast tried to get up but a blinding light stopped it and Sheele cut off his legs, then she retreated and Seryu shot a round with her antitank cannon at the Grimm.
The monster stopped moving but it was still breathing, Najenda slowly made her way to it, with a cigarette in her mouth, she turned to Ren and made gesture to come closer. Ren did as he was told
"Why you blindly charged at it?" Najenda asked with a cold tone
Ren hesitated but then sighed "this monster killed my family and destroyed my village"
"huh, so this was your village?" Najenda asked again and Ren nodded "Then kill it" she said gesturing to the dying creature
Ren took out his father knife and stabbed the creature in the neck, killing it
Najenda putted her hand on his shoulder "this time I'll let it pass, but the next time you put your life and the lives of the others at risk, I'll make you regret it" She whispered at his ear and Ren nodded once again
Ren returned to his friends, who have recovered from the fight, and smiled at Nora. Nora felt at peace knowing that their biggest nightmare was now dead.
Menagerie
Tatsumi and the others were sitting, drinking some tea gently offered by Blake's parents. Mitsu was sitting on Tatsumi's lap while Mine sat next to him. Bulat, Leone were sitting beside Blake and Kali. On the other side of the table was Ghira.
"We were horrified when we heard the news." Kali began to say "The Kingdom of Vale wasn't perfect, but it certainly didn't deserve what happened. We were both so worried" Blake's mother admitted "But thanks to you" she looked at Tatsumi "We are able to see our daughter again"
"who was expecting that this little girl was the daughter of the Dragon Emperor, the savior of Vale. I heard many stories of you" Ghira said as he laughed
Tatsumi felt a little embarrassed and scratched the back of his head
"I was shocked when you said that she was you daughter, you are both so young" Kali added
"Well, let's just say that from where we came from, the people die young" Mine replied
Kali made a shocked expression "Are you from one of those tribes outside the Remnant ?" she asked
"Kinda" Tatsumi replied
Kali looked at her husband and then looked again to Tatsumi "if you need a place to stay, you are always welcome here " she said with a gentle tone
"Thank you" Mine replied
Kali looked at Leone "I didn't thought that you were a strong warrior Leone" she said
Tatsumi raised an eyebrow "You two know each other?"
Leone nodded and smirked "Yes! She have magic hands!" Kali added
"Before coming to Vale, I was a masseuse here" Leone explained "I'm quite famous "
Tatsumi nodded understanding
"By the way ,Kali, you know that your daughter have a lover?" Leone said, making Blake spit out her tea and coughing
Ghira and Kali stared at their daughter in disbelief
"Oh Dust! Why you didn't have said anything?" Kali said excited
"Because" Blake glared at Leone "I was waiting for the right moment"
"How is this boy? I want details" Kali said with a mischievous face
"Me too" Ghira said with a serious tone
"Ooooh but it isn't a boy" Leone added with a smirk and Blake gave her an irritated look
Blake sighed "Her name is Yang Xiao Long, she is the sister of the leader of my team. She have a beautiful long blond hair and lilac eyes. Yang likes to make stupid puns and it's a little to overprotective when it comes to the people she cares about" she said while she lowered her cat ears
Her parents remained silent. Tatsumi and the others felt a chill on their spines. It was like the time has stopped. Tatsumi questioned if Esdeath had just used Mahapadma. Then the silence was broke by Ghira, who started laughing
"But it's wonderful! You have to invite her here!" Ghira said
"We are so happy that you find someone to love" Kali said with a gentle smile
Blake felt tears of joy on her face. She looked at Leone who had an expression that said 'you are welcome'.
Ghira got up and embraced both Kali and Blake. Tatsumi seeing this scene, with one hand grabbed Mine's hand and with the other he patted Mitsu.
Then a loud bang interrupted the moment
"Darn it, I completely forgot about the meeting!" Ghira cursed as he broke the embrace and got up "Give me a moment" He added as he walked to the door
Blake seemed worried by the fact "Is everything okay?" She asked
"Yes, dear, just poor timing. He can reschedule" Kali replied "It's just been hard dealing with them lately"
Everyone had a puzzled look on their faces
"Dealing with who?" Blake asked
Kali took a sip of tea "Mm? The white fang" She said
The eyes of everyone widened at that statement. Blake, Leone, Bulat got up in surprise, Tatsumi gave Mitsu to Mine and ran at the door followed by everyone.
Tatsumi found Ghira talking with hooded men
"Dad!" Blake called out for her father, who turned his gaze to her
"Blake, what's wrong ?" he asked
"Gentleman" one of the men said as they bowed to the group
"Miss Belladonna, we had no idea you'd returned" the other man said
"What are you doing talking to these people?" Blake asked to her father with an angry tone
"This is Corsac and Fennec Albain. They represent the White Fang here in Menagerie now." Ghira explained
"Those murderers are here, too?" Tatsumi hissed
"Young man, I'm not sure of what you've heard of our organization, but I can assure you we're not nearly as ferocious as the media would have you believe" Fennec stated
"What we've heard ?!" Blake said, making an angry gesture with her arms
"We've seen what your fanatics have at Vale! If it wasn't for us, there would be even more victims" Tatsumi said with an angry tone
"What is he talking about" Ghira asked with an angry tone
"Precisely what we came to discuss with you, Your Grace." Corsac said
Then Kali approached the group from behind "Is everything all right?" She asked
"you seriously don't know ?" Tatsumi asked annoyed
"Know what?" Ghira asked to him
Blake took a deep breath and began to speak "The White Fang was at the attack on Beacon. They attacked innocent civilians and they released Grimm into the school. If it wasn't for Tatsumi and his friends, they would have destroyed the school" Blake explained
Ghira nodded and eyed at Corsac and Fennec "Is this true?" he asked
"Sadly, Your Grace, it is" Fennec said as he bowed in apologize
"Don't act like you're s-" Blake snapped but Ghira stopped her
"That's enough" Ghira shouted "Explain yourselves" he ordered
"Though it pains us to admit, it has become apparent that Vale branch of the White Fang is no longer operating under orders of High Leader Khan" Corsac said "Rather, they've elected to follow the rule of one, Adam Taurus"
"Who was killed during the attack" Bulat interrupted
Corsac nodded, but Tatsumi could see anger in his eyes "I believe you were familiar with the young adept and his…extreme philosophies." He explained
"but Beacon wasn't the first time the Fang started shooting up Vale" Bulat again pointed out
"The High Council had their suspicions of a splinter group, but they could prove nothing until this latest incident " Fennec replied
"Incident?" Blake said with a really annoyed tone "People are dead!" she hissed
"and it is a tragedy" Corsac replied
"Your Grace, we came to assure you that the followers of Brother Taurus do not represent the will of the White Fang" Fennec explained
"And how can I be sure of that" Ghira asked with a serious tone
"We understand if you bear any skepticism towards these claims" Corsac began to say "The White Fang's tactics are admittedly more aggressive since you stepped down as High Leader and became Chieftain od Menagerie. But this…this is no way to make our message heard" he concluded
"We have ample documentation from the council meeting as well as several strategies of apprehend and punish these strays if you'd care to review them" Fennec added
"I will" Ghira replied "But another day. I'd like some time to reconnect with my daughter" he added, gesturing Blake
"But of course, Your Grace." Corsec said in understand
"We completely understand" the other added"It was a pleasure to see you again, young Blake"
"We were saddened when we heard of your departure from the White Fang but understand if you can no longer support our cause" Corsec stated
"It is a wearing fight , after all" Fennec added
"Who says I'm done fighting? Now I'm with them" Blake replied
The two men narrowed their eyes "The New Empire…I see" Corsac said and then looked at Tatsumi "You must be the Dragon Emperor, I hope we can get in good terms with you" he added and then looked at Mitsu
Tatsumi noticed a hint of hate and disgust in his voice "we'll see" he replied
Then Ghira stepped forward "Goodbye, gentlemen" he said as he closed the door
Corsac and Fennec began to walk away
"An interesting development, wouldn't you say?" Fennec said
"Interesting, indeed" Corsac replied
"So, shall we inform the High Leader Syura?" Fenned asked
"We shall" And with that answer, both of them grinned Later that day,
White Fang Headquarters
Syura seemed in a good mood
"Champ!" He yelled
"Yes?" The clown replied
"I just talked to our spies in Menagerie and I have discovered something that you are gonna like" Syura said with a smile
"Oh? Now I'm curious" Champ replied
"Our Tatsumi have a beautiful daughter, she's only one years old! Do you want me to order to kidnap her after we kill her parents?" Syura asked
Champ felt excitement all over him "Yes, please Syura-sama! It will be the best gift ever!"
"Perfect" Syura said "I'll tell them what to do" he said as he walked away.
Back to Menagerie, night
Tatsumi was going to Ghira's study, the man said that he needed to talk privately with him: Tatsumi had agreed, he knew what Ghira was going to ask him so he accepted. Tatsumi arrived at his destination and knocked at the door. He heard some movements in the inside and nobody responded, so his instincts kick in and Tatsumi smashed the door open, only to see Ghira and her daughter next to each other.
"O-oh, I'm sorry. I came here as requested and I knocked at the door but nobody responded but I could hear movements in the inside so I thought for the worse" Tatsumi said quickly embarrassed "I'm so sorry to have interrupted this tender moment" he added
"No no, don't worry. The fault his mine. I didn't hear you knocking" Ghira replied as he got up
Blake also got up and smiled at her father "I'll leave you two talking" she said and walked outside
"please take a seat" Ghira said to Tatsumi as he gestured at the sofa. Tatsumi did as he was told
"Now tell me, who are you?" Ghira asked with a serious tone, surprising Tatsumi
"I don't know what ar-" Tatsumi was about to say but Ghira interrupted him
"I mean who is the real you" Ghira explained "I saw how you and the others act, the way you scan everything, how you walk and your eyes. Those eyes are the eyes of a person who saw many terrible things"
Tatsumi sighed "You caught us huh?" he said as he began to look at the window "We don't exactly came from here. Actually we came from another world" Tatsumi began to told Ghira the story of the Empire, of the Night Raids and of the atrocities he witnessed.
"I know it's a lot to take in but that was our reality" Tatsumi concluded Ghira remained silent all the time, he listened in silence and now he was astonished. Tatsumi felt a little nervous, then suddenly he was wrapped in a hug
"Those eyes can't lie. It must have been very hard" Ghira said "You have done well, you fought for the right thing and died for it. You really have done well" he said
Tatsumi felt like a heavy weight just left him. All the pressure, all of his worries exploded. Many tears fell from Tatsumi eyes
"There there, let it all out" Ghira said with a gentle tone "Everyone need to cry sometime"
"I thought that men don't cry" Tatsumi replied with irony in his voice
"They don't when they are in front of others. They cry on the shoulders of their wives. This is an exception, I'll keep it a secret" Ghira said as he broke the hug and winked at Tatsumi
"Thanks" Tatsumi replied as Ghira got up
"The faunus will not follow you" the man said "But if they trust you, they will"
Tatsumi raised an eyebrow
"me and Kali have talked and we came to a conclusion" He took a paper and handed it to Tatsumi
Tatsumi read the paper and remained shocked
Identity Card
Name: Tatsumi
Surname: Belladonna
Age: 20
Sex: Male
Race: Dragon Faunus
Special traits: 1 red eye and 1 green eye
Relatives: Ghira Belladonna (Father), Kali Belladonna (Mother), Blake Belladonna (Sister)
"With this you are part of our Family, the faunus will follow you" Ghira added
"But why? Why did you come this far just for helping us?" Tatsumi asked as he stared at the document
"You saved our daughter, you all take care of her. Before meeting you Blake was a silent person, who prefer to be alone. Then she told me how you and the others changed her. She trust you and so do I" Ghira explained "And after your story, I can't help but stand by your side" he added
"Thank you mister Bellad-"
"Dad will be enough" The man interrupted him
"Thank you…dad " Tatsumi said and his father smiled at him
Meanwhile Kali was looking at both of them with a smile from the balcony
Hi guys! It's always me! Just want to say that I'll try to publish another chapter after this one by tomorrow! I hope you did enjoyed this chapter!r
