Chapter 6: Gaston
Damn Felix. With reports of Lotus in Atlas, he was sure that Felix was there too. There was bad blood between them.
And damn his old age.
He was shoved into a somewhat large metal cage, blood splattered the floors and the bars.
Damn the Strangerhood.
He scanned the area outside the cage. No guards… around. That may change at any time, though. He had to work quickly before they returned because he had a feeling he wasn't going to live much longer. He looked around the cramped cage and found a kid, probably a teenager, hiding out in the corner. Nothing but a torn t-shirt and shorts, colored a dark red yet there was no visible blood on him. It was someone else's blood.
The Strangerhood was seriously messed up. If he wasn't caught, he would have exposed this… maybe even saved this kid in the process. He touched the titanium bracelet on his wrist. It damped his aura by constantly giving out a small pulse of energy, preventing his aura from regenerating. He went to the boy who had his head buried into his knees.
"Kid, you alright?" He looked up, angry crying eyes met his hardened old eyes.
"I'm the only one left. I can still hear their screams. And their eyes… oh god, their eyes." His voice was barely audible.
He wasn't going to ask the kid if he was alright.
"Kid, what's your name?"
"Adam," he croaked out.
"Listen Adam, my name is Lopez." He paused and Adam looked at him, wondering what Lopez wanted. "Tell me something, do you feel hate?" Better to feel hate than despair.
The wolf Faunus had been in many wars. He even had a crew with him. They all died throughout the years, leaving him bitter and old. He kept on trudging like a cog in a never-ending machine.
"I do… but I feel… so… is it all hopeless?" This kid was probably shell-shocked from what he has seen. He might be liable to break down on him.
Adam was vital for them to escape.
"Listen... deep down, do you feel that rage pounding in your heart?"
Slow tears slid down his blood-caked face, lightly clearing away the filth as he nodded.
"Focus on that. Think about the people who did this to you. Focus on the hate, the burning desire to let loose that destructive force onto them. Fill that hole in your heart with hate. Block everything else out, the sadness, the tragedy of the situation. Now exhale."
Adam didn't exhale for a whole minute.
"Exhale." Adam finally let out a deep breath.
"Now, I have a plan for us to get out of here. Do you follow?"
A nod. "Alright, what I am about to do might be extremely painful for you, do you understand the risk?"
"Whatever it takes. I need to avenge them. This… shit like this… those bastards… they need to suffer." He wiped a small tear off his face, remembrance of those no longer with him.
"Alright, now… after what I do to you… you're going to feel strong, with your wounds healed. Don't focus on the pain, I need you to focus on ripping the bars open."
"Is… is it aura?" he asked.
Lopez nodded.
"Do it."
"Lay down." Adam shifted slightly before laying down uncomfortably on the blood-stained metal floor.
Lopez placed his hands on Adam's chest and head. As per tradition, a saying must be spoken. A vow, a promise. The choice that would decide this young man's destiny, his course forever altered.
"Through rage and sorrow, our souls continue onward, our lives no longer bound and released in a fury. Rising above glory and virtue, we shall find our paths, our own liberation. Forever eternal, constrained by nothing, and no debts owed, I release your soul for you to shoulder your own burdens."
Lopez's aura flared a brown hue before it was overtaken by a world gone red and black.
Blake liked mediation.
It was relaxing. Finally, she could have a nice moment of peace, out of time and out of mind. The best part was, it actually had a purpose this time, besides retaining her sanity. It helped grow her aura to be stronger.
The world wasn't going to change if she couldn't keep up. She opened her eyes. Amber eyes bore into the run-down world. The motel room was dirty and unkempt, a rancid odor permeated the room, refusing to leave. However, all of this was leagues better than living on the street or the vacant orphanage.
Tukson was out.
For the first day, he kept a strict eye on her, not allowing her to escape his sight. Then after another day and some evaluation, realized that Blake wouldn't hop off to fight. While Blake was disappointed, she knew she wasn't ready, her wounds evident of that. Tukson was kind enough to take her in for the time being, even more so to give her some training for protection. The atrocities of this life required her to be stronger.
If the world were to change, she needed help. Tukson had his heart in the right place even if he didn't completely understand her.
They had to punish the wicked, not let them fester like a disease but he did understand that humanity had some problems. Still, Tukson was a good Faunus, like the rest. He was out on 'business'. Although, being alone was eerily similar to… the lonely days during the riot, Tukson could handle himself and he wouldn't be taken.
She had begged Tukson to help with finding them and getting rid of Winchester. That vile man, despicable filth, destroying everything and taking her friends. She wondered how a man like that could be so evil?
She swore that she'd get Adam and the rest back. She never knew what she truly had before she lost it all. The orphanage was her home, maybe she shouldn't have been so isolated.
Adam… she missed him. She knew what he was trying to do, to help her actually interact with someone, to see what was wrong with the world… but also what she had. She missed all those little talks, she'd give anything to have it the way it was before. She clung onto the belief that she'd find Adam and make the bastard who killed Ms. Silva pay.
There had to be justice, an eye for an eye. Tukson was trying to convince her to try an 'alternative solution', and she started to consider it. As much as she wanted to rush out, Tukson had a point in waiting, however she had been waiting for too long. At the very least, he understood her. He wanted the man to get beaten for his crimes. Certain times, she was certain that they would go hunting, but something always stopped him.
It was better than nothing. As long as Adam was found and justice was delivered, how they got there didn't matter. Or did it? It was a small, niggling doubt.
She got up and stretched. She could feel her aura improving bit by bit. Tukson was true to his word about training her. Aura was a part of her, it didn't define her but she defined it. According to Tukson, so many let their auras languish, they could do a great many things with it.
They could change the world for the better, but they either didn't bother or were part of the problem. Then there was people like huntsmen. They had the right intentions, but… they halted revolution, how could do they be so blind? Tukson was a bit like them.
She got up from the floor and grabbed a book from the nightstand. Tukson was reading it, so it must be good. Tukson surprisingly had a good amount of books in his collection, he should open a bookstore. It was refreshing to read something new, but she knew this peace wouldn't last.
Tukson couldn't raise her forever. He informed her that it wasn't likely that she would be staying with him. He was in-between jobs at the moment and… according to him, 'not the best person to raise a child.'
However, he was open to helping her for now, giving her a crash-course on education and aura training. He wanted her prepared for the world, both physically and mentally while she was staying with him, so she was ready.
He wanted her to know when to 'stay her hand' even when he looked unsure. He was… ignorant in that regard. No matter the injustice, there had to be something done even if he doesn't believe it.
She flipped open the book, 'The Third Crusade'. Before she could start reading, Tukson entered the room. He saw what book she was reading and snatched it out of her hands.
"Sorry, kiddo. You're not old enough for that."
"But-"
"No buts. Anyway, I've got good news and bad news, Blake."
"Finally, you've got the time to meet me," Tukson complained as he sat down in front of him. The booth housed two Faunus. One was already sitting down, with a cold cup of coffee in front of him.
"Considering your current standing, be lucky that I even bothered to come," he replied.
"I know I'm not the… best person in the White Fang-"
"An understatement," he interjected.
"But, you do know the situation, yes? Blair Silva..." he started.
"An… unfortunate loss. And the kids..." he paused. The two had the most contact. Whenever Blair had something to say to the Fang, it'd be to him. "Yeah, about that. I've managed to find one of them about several days ago."
"You did?" he asked, surprised. The dog Faunus brightened considerably. He would know that if he bothered to answer his calls. Tukson didn't blame the guy, he was working with the displaced, innocent Faunus affected by the riots.
"Yeah, she managed to get a name."
"Splendid news. We could get a huntsman on them, and find the other kids." That seemed like a good solution.
Although, he did feel that perhaps, it was too easy. Only the most suicidal would dare attack an experienced huntsmen. He wouldn't be properly punished. There are some lines one should never cross, and this 'Winchester' crossed it. He could forgive a lot of things, but doing that shit to kids? Still, was it his place?
"Yeah," Tukson muttered.
"What about the kid?"
"What about her, Iteru?"
"Are you adopting her? Or giving her up to social services?" Iteru inquired.
Tukson put his head back and bore into the ceiling of the cafe.
"I don't know. It isn't my decision to make. If Blake wants to stay, then she gets to stay and I fill out the paperwork. If not, then I hope she gets a nice family." He was giving a lot of freedom to this little girl. Hell, this 'Winchester' was probably living it easy because of his decision. Then there was the issue of the missing kids. No humans would be cruel enough to mercilessly kill them all… he hoped. They were probably caged up somewhere.
What kept him from going out and serving his own brand of justice was Blake.
Blake probably had so little choice with the lot in her life. This was important to her. He had no right to take that away.
"Then why hasn't she made the decision yet?" Iteru asked.
"She is… very insistent that the man responsible gets… what he deserves. And she is very attached to one of her friends that was taken."
"While I'm sure someone within the White Fang could offer her a place in their family-" He was almost offended at that question, was he not White Fang in their eyes?
"Heeello."
Someone familiar slid next to Iteru. The contrast between the two was night and day. Iteru was dressed formally in a pitch-black business suit with his dog ears hidden in the slicked-back hair, an almost hypocritical approach to the White Fang ideal, loud and proud.
Whereas, the new arrival was a complete contrast. She was wearing a white, small women's biker jacket zipped open, revealing a grey tank top. Her hair was a loud peach and contained several streaks of purple.
"So sad that you didn't formally invite me to this little meeting. Don't fret over it, I came anyway." She flung her hair over her right shoulder and her tiny jaguar ears popped out of the side of the head.
"You should leave, Miss Eden," Iteru said with a strained straight face.
She responded with a toothy grin. Her grin composed of sharpened teeth, ready to tear someone up. The two Faunus had a tense standoff. She was one of the few Faunus with a primary trait and secondary trait like Blake. Although, it did take some prodding for secondary traits to manifest, and in rare cases like himself with only a secondary trait, he could would have never been identified as a Faunus otherwise. Despite that, it didn't stop the discrimination.
Iteru couldn't hold up against her gaze.
"I hope you don't intend to stay in the company of a hooligan like this for long. We'll discuss this later, Tukson. And I do mean soon. Do not keep me waiting."
Great, he was hoping that Blake would have more time to make her decision. She might be forced to make a decision soon.
"I didn't know you cared, 'Mister Monsoon'," she said with a condescending tone.
Iteru gave her a dirty look before he left.
"So, what do you want, Violet?" The toothy grin vanished and was replaced with a serious look.
"I want to know. The rumors aren't doing it justice. Tell us."
Violet Eden, violent radical and unofficially White Fang, endorsing the ideals, but not the methods. The riots were their doing. Arguably, they were doing better than the White Fang.
Nobody would hurt Faunus anymore, but at what cost? For every human hurt, they would think twice before hurting the Faunus. For every racist business burned to the ground, Faunus could prosper. They could finally claim their livelihoods back.
Did the ends justify the means, though? Tukson remained silent.
"Do you really believe that they can help you?" she asked again.
Tukson sighed, she was more trustworthy than the rest.
"I'll… tell you a little."
"That's all I ask."
"So, there's this kid. She was one of Blair's orphans." Violet's eyes bore into him. It was no secret that Blair died and those kids were taken. The mainstream media may have kept quiet on that, but the Faunus community was pretty tight-knit. That didn't even account for the underground media app on the scroll, where news traveled fast and uncensored.
"Is she alright? Did you win her over with your charm?" Violet fired rapid questions at him.
"She's alright. And I have no idea," Tukson replied.
"With all those damn books you read, I'm sure she'll learn something. Is she White Fang material? Or something else?" Violet asked.
"Recruiting them young?"
"You know how it is."
"Unfortunately, She'd probably take a liking to you."
"Well, how old is she?"
"About ten," Tukson replied.
"Damn. A bit young. Then again… there were rare cases with kids with aura during… the war," she trailed off. "Back on track, did she see or hear anything?"
"Only a name."
"Then why haven't you told anyone…" She paused and went into deep thought while muttering, "Conspiracy? Reason?"
Tukson was worried. Violet was smarter than she looked. Violet leaned forward and whispered, "Does… does she have aura? Is that why you haven't done anything? Because she wants to be the one?"
Tukson was never a good liar, it was better to admit the truth than to be caught in a lie.
"Yes."
"She wants justice?" The tone was quiet as if it was testing the waters with him.
"Yes."
"Then why hasn't it happened?" Violet pushed.
"It isn't my place to choose for her."
"You're trying to dissuade her from seeking the man out, all under the guise of training."
"She's ten," he rebutted.
"You should still do something! Hell, I'll do something! Just tell me the name."
"It isn't my place," Tukson retorted.
"You've grown soft. You always wanted us striking back as a last resort. Now? I guess they have to jail and kill us by the hundreds like before the riots. This peace won't last if people like Iteru have their way. We have gained so much through fear. None of us want to lose that again."
"As much as I want to, it's up to Blake."
"A sad, pitiful excuse. You're denying the kid a chance at closure- for revenge. If you're not going to do something, I'll do it myself." Violet got up in a huff and left the cafe.
That was bad.
"So, that's a problem," Blake muttered.
"I know I… recommended that you train and take some time to decompress for the time being..."
"I can't afford to wait any longer! I did what you said! I learned to meditate, I learned how to put the claws back! I just want this one thing. Every minute that degenerate walks free is a minute that I can't afford to wait."
Tukson sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. He closed his eyes. "You're dedicated, I'll give you that."
Tukson still didn't understand how she went from a quiet, obedient young girl, to outspoken the next.
Knock knock!
"I'll get it!" Blake shouted and ran towards the door.
"Blake, wait!" She opened the door to find a grinning lady with a black, leather jacket.
"Aren't you a cute little thing." Blake was initially wary until she noticed the animal ears.
"Who are you?" Blake asked curiously.
"I'm Violet. A friend of Tukson. Is he in?"
"Yes. I am." Tukson moved in front of Blake.
"What are you doing here?" he demanded.
"Not here for your charmy ass that's for sure," she muttered. "I'm here for Blake. Mind if I borrow her for a moment?"
"No-" Tukson started.
"Why?" Blake interrupted.
"Yeah, let the girl choose."
Tukson threw his hands into the air almost like he knew when he lost but he didn't want to stop.
"But-" He looked at Blake and gave a small look at her.
"Five minutes," he told Violet.
Blake got the vaguest notion that was meant as a warning. She didn't bother to read more into that.
Tukson faced Violet, they stared at each other for a couple of seconds. It reminded Blake of that one book Tukson had.
"Do you mind?" Violet finally asked.
"I'll be outside," he told Blake, totally ignoring Violet. Definitely like that book.
"So, Blake. I heard what happened." She gave a sympathetic look to Blake.
Blake looked down before staring right back at Violet. Blake could see Violet's face give a small half-smile, one born in understanding and empathy. She understood the need to seek out and have retribution.
"So why are here?" Blake asked.
"Because of this." She took out a small orange mask and handed it to Blake.
When she was handed the mask, Blake felt a connection to it. It wasn't a connection that drove her to find Adam- it was one out of malice. The implications of the masks swirled in her head.
"This is the mask of the attackers," Violet explained. "It is the mask of the CCC. They hide their faces, unlike us." She paused as to ponder that train of thought. "Now, I only have this mask and not a name to go with it."
Blake opened her mouth before pausing. Tukson wanted her to keep quiet about 'Winchester'. She was beginning to suspect that maybe he didn't want her to choose what she wanted. She needed this. She needed to find Adam. He was the only one that she had left. Life had kept taking and taking, she needed to have one simple victory- so she could prove to herself that life wasn't all bad.
The rest of the orphans needed saving too. She hadn't socialized with them a whole lot, but they deserved to live a life like the rest of them. She was grateful that Violet gave her time to think this through.
"It's… Winchester," Blake finally gave in and told her.
"Thank you-"
"Can I ask you one thing?"
"Oh? What is it?" She seemed calm but with a tiniest hint of glee.
"If you find him, can I come along?"
Violet's small smile turned into a proud grin. "We'll see. Now, I gotta get going."
She ruffled Blake's hair before leaving the small hotel room.
Blake smiled back as Violet left.
Blake was reading a book, 'Demon Deals'. It was quite interesting. A warrior wanted immense power to protect the ones he loved but it became his penance. He had lost his loved ones' souls and his power turned into a curse. Yet, he came out more humble, vowing to use his power to help the innocent and eventually save the souls wandering the underworld.
It was a brilliantly written book, in Blake's opinion, except she was curious on the witch who gave the warrior his powers. In all those fairy tales, it's always a witch or wizard or a benevolent giant or dragon granting power. It was never expanded upon like in that other story, 'The Reflections in the Mirror'. She wondered if there was more to that, or was it a mere fairy tale? Was there more than meets the eye?
Adam never liked fairy tales, but it would always have a special place in her heart. Those types of stories were always so carefully crafted- there was care and love in these tales even if it was a bit exaggerated. Real life wasn't like those stories, but she would try her damnedest to make sure that she and her friends would get a happy ending.
The sun was setting and Blake found herself slightly disappointed. Violet hadn't found anything, she had hoped that she would find him quickly. Yet, four days had passed and still nothing.
She should have expected this, yet she was still let down.
Even if Violet found something, would Tukson let her?
She was beginning to think that he wouldn't let her. She would not stand around and let travesties against common decency continue. Why shouldn't she hold her ground?
She could see his point before, when she was weaker but now- she was trained. When she was untrained, she couldn't even put her claws back in. She used to be so jealous at the other orphans with their own special traits.
It was a symbol of their Faunus heritage. She couldn't believe that she used to think those dark thoughts wishing she wasn't a Faunus. Now, having these claws, she wouldn't have it any other way. It was a focal point of her pride.
Popping those claws back in took immense focus. Tukson was one of those rare Faunus with only secondary traits, and she was even more lucky that she had the same trait as him. It was painful too, the first time forcing them back in.
It was like nails being shoved into her fingers- which was almost exactly what was happening. She had to find her 'center' which was easier than expected. She just needed to calm down.
Aura was slightly harder. Peace of mind only got her so far with aura. Meditation helped strengthen her aura, but to efficiently use aura, one needed a strong and able body. Tukson gave her basic training, a simple regimen to strengthen herself. She could feel it pulsating more freely than it did before.
Yet, she could not help but feel Tukson was holding back.
Iteru sighed and shuffled the papers he was overseeing. It was demoralizing to say the least.
Managing the Vale branch of the White Fang was... difficult, to say the least. With their leader based in Mistral, he was effectively on his own.
The White Fang was fluctuating heavily with its membership. The riots had taken a huge toll. Many were jumping ship- becoming turncoats in the sense. Most of them condemned the riots when they first started, but the discrimination didn't take notice of their efforts. They were beaten like the rest of the radicals.
It was utterly disconcerting watching so many of his comrades throw away their oaths. Then, some of the other rapscallions thought the White Fang was accepting the more violent-ilk.
The White Fang was changing, perhaps he should just resign while he can.
No.
He had a duty.
He could help them.
He should help them. He was supposed to be a leader, but he was failing in that regard. He needed to be better. They may see this peace after the riots as a victory, but it was merely the calm before the storm.
For too long, he thought things could be better- that everything would work out. How could he expect that dream to be achieved by doing nothing? These were people's lives, he had to help them himself. He could no longer expect someone else to pick up the slack.
He would have to work for this. Through sweat and tears, he was going to improve this quality of life.
Starting with Blake, the girl needed a home. Tukson, for his ever-changing self, was not suitable. The man interchanged pacifism and violence as easily as flipping a coin. He was not properly suited for teaching a young, susceptible girl.
Violence shouldn't be the answer, even as a last resort. It was an easy way out- with long term damages. Besides that, living out of a motel was not the right place for the girl.
He got up from his desk and glanced over to the picture stationed at his desk.
It was when they first formed the Vale branch of the White Fang. Everyone was there. Tukson was there- it was funny to think that Tukson was the only one who was almost exactly the same. There were some others, that he recognized. Hell, even Violet was there. It was before… he shuddered thinking about it. It was one of the few things that shook his faith.
In the photo, he had his arm around Blair. It was before she decided to open up the orphanage. It took up all her time and he didn't see her anymore after that. He did keep in touch with her, whether out of a sense of obligation or because of that one night with Blair; he did not know.
The riots had severed that connection and when the dust settled, she was dead and her kids gone.
He wasn't honoring her memory by being a coward. He had waited four days on Tukson. He made his way out the door. He wasn't going to take this- not anymore.
Violet finally found the son of a bitch. Four whole days of snooping had finally produced results. She stalked afar and saw the bastard entering his house.
It would be a snap to break in and kill him. Yet, with all of Tukson's blabbering, was it really her place? She knew what is was like wanting- no, needing to get revenge. It was like a deep, unrelenting hunger that needed to be satiated. She gingerly placed a hand on her stomach in remembrance. A slight chill passed over her.
Tukson did have a point. It was not her place.
She tried to fathom the idea that Blake- that sweet, naive girl- would be capable of such an act. Despite the things she had witnessed, it was never easy picturing little kids becoming weapons. Aura transformed them into something more than a child. At least, Blake had someone. She couldn't fathom what would happen if Blake was living on the streets.
Blake deserved a chance to be a little kid, even for the faintest of moments.
She was unsuited for that, despite previous aspirations, but she made up her mind. She would oblige Blake's one request and let Tukson handle the aftermath. He could be trusted to make sure that would be Blake's one and only time. Having aura was a life-changer, for better or for worse. After this, perhaps Blake could live a life like a normal kid.
Blake didn't deserve a life of violence. She could turn out to be a monster. Worst case scenario, she could turn out to be a sociopath. Best case, she would turn out to be someone with no qualms with killing. Neither option was ideal for a child.
Yet, if she didn't give Blake the closure she needed, then something worse might happen. It would consume her.
Besides, it wasn't like she was going to be putting Blake in any danger. It's not like the guy had an aura or anything. She would be with her every step of the way. However, she needed to find out what happened to the other kids.
She was going to go get Blake, have her beat down on the guy, and then find out what he did with the kids. There was still a nagging thought in the back of her mind. What was Blake going to do once everything was said and done? Does a little kid like her need blood on her hands? The bastard deserved punishment, but would that warrant Blake killing the guy?
She could see why Tukson hadn't done anything yet because of this girl's wishes. She wanted to kill the guy and be done with it, but… it was not her place.
She arrived at the motel. She went up to Blake's room and held her ear to the door. It sounded like there was the only person in there. She knocked twice. The door creaked open a nudge before those amber eyes spied who it was.
"Hey, uh, Violet."
"Is Tukson in?" Violet asked.
Blake shook your head.
"Did you find something?" she asked eagerly.
"I found him."
"Can I come? He needs to pay for what he's done! And I've got to find Adam."
Violet tilted her head. Was Adam her friend? Brother? Something else? Whatever the case, absence made the heart grow fonder. Or a dangerous obsession. Besides, she could tell this Adam was important to Blake.
"Alright. But you have to listen to me."
Blake nodded her head with a smirk. Eagerness to find Adam or for revenge? She grabbed her scarf and left the motel room with Violet.
Blake walked ahead of Violet.
The roads had been closed down for the time being. She didn't bother to understand the specifics, but the city needed money to revamp the worn-down streets.
She just wanted this fear- this uncertainty- to be over. These last few days of normalcy had been under the dark cloud of uncertainty. When she was surviving on the street, all those fears had to be pushed back.
Now, those fears returned two-fold. She needed this. Once she found everyone, things were bound to get better.
"Violet! Blake!" Two voices broke her train of thought. One was familiar and the other was not. The other guy's hair was disheveled with dog ears poking out.
Violet and Blake turned around. They spied two figures catching up to them. Tukson and another guy stopped them.
"What were you thinking?" Both of the guys shouted. They went up to Violet and began yelling at her.
"What were you thinking?" they shouted again.
"She's just a kid!" No. She wasn't. Her aura gave her a greater purpose. She couldn't do nothing. She had to do what was right.
"She needs a home! She's just a kid! She needs a childhood. Not… not whatever you were planning!" the other person shouted. She had a home, before those bastards took it away.
"Were you planning on having this kid, Blake…" the other person continued.
"No…. I don't know! Maybe. It's not like Tukson is better," Violet protested.
She could see where this was going and began to edge away from the adults.
She managed to slip away unnoticed.
Violet told her the address ahead of time. It was her chance to do some good. She sprinted all the way to the house.
She found herself staring at the house in envy. That bastard didn't deserve a happy life. Yet, she pondered about the ethics of what she was about to do. Tukson always made it seem like they were just going to beat the guy as a lesson, but Violet hinted at something darker.
Was she ready to take a life?
Something in her wanted to satisfy that urge. It was true that justice needed to be served, but how far would she go? Actually being confronted by this notion was territory that Blake didn't want to tread. Violence was a tool, but… she could already hear Silva's teachings.
It was a slippery slope. It was akin to playing with fire, yet she needed the flames to drive back the darkness.
Demon Deals had a similar dilemma in the later chapters. The warrior slaughtered a coven of witches in his quest. A lone, surviving witch came back with a vengeance. Art tended to imitate life. However, this wasn't a story. One mistake could end in disaster. If there was one thing right with fairy tales, it was that actions have consequences.
When she was on the street, a single mistake meant starving for the whole day. She had to be careful. She swore that she would find Adam and punish the man responsible. Years of White Fang teachings flooded back to her.
It was easy to push them back when she was homeless. She had a comprise. Pacifism wouldn't work, so she turned to other methods. Did these methods change her goals?
She had a feeling that the world might be better without this man.
Silva, however, would not approve. In fact, she might even despise Blake. Besides, the man couldn't tell her where the other kids were if he was dead. This didn't change the fact that the man needed to suffer.
Blake made up her mind.
Peace through fear. If she wanted all humans dead, then she was no better than them because that would mean wiping out the good with the bad. No, she had to be better. Since humans wanted all Faunus dead or enslaved, then she wouldn't abide by that disgusting principle. She was better than them.
She would make him see the consequences of his actions.
She went up to a window and put up her scarf then channeled her aura and smashed the window open. No sooner than five seconds, a man came to her position quickly.
This filth thought it would be a good idea to hurt children. Well, this was karma! How about fighting someone that could fight back?!
She unleashed her claws and went into a basic fighting stance that Tukson taught her.
The man cracked his knuckles. Cocky bastard! She would show him!
They both charged at each other. He threw a wide swing but Blake ducked under and delivered a slashing strike at the man's face.
To her surprise, it was like metal… it was... aura. This man had aura… she realized she made a big mistake. The man had a smug grin as Blake scrambled to get away. She turned around and made a mad dash back to the window.
Winchester grabbed her by the shoulder and flung her to a wall. There was a sizable dent in the wall from the wall. As she struggled to get up, Winchester picked her up and tossed her across the room. Her aura shattered as she tumbled on the floor.
"Stay down," he threatened her.
No! She couldn't stay down!
She got up. She couldn't run! Then she charged at him again.
He punched her right in the face and she crumpled onto the floor.
"Don't make me do this."
This was humiliating- degrading!
She had to run! She had to escape!
This man had robbed her of her chance for retribution. She feebly tried crawling away.
"Just stop!" He kicked her in the ribs.
Crack!
She got a painful feeling that her ribs were broken.
Had to run! She failed. She grasped her side as pain pulsated.
She crawled again and time seemed to slow down as his foot got closer and closer. A shadow briefly enveloped her before a force pushed her a foot away.
The shadow dissipated as Winchester kicked it. Blake got up slowly, hand clutching her side. The man gave a surprised look before quickly charging, probably in an attempt to catch her off guard.
She felt a cold feeling swirl around her body, starting from her foot before accelerating up her body. There was a brief shadowy outline around her before it gave a light shove, pushing her out of harm's way. She glanced at her shadow. A darkened mirror, taking the place of her, giving her a chance to run.
No!
This might be her only chance to strike back!
With renewed vigor, she began her assault again despite the searing pain.
She used these shadows to her advantage. Every dodge, every punch she threw, she left a shadowy imprint. It was a flurry of shadows, with Blake hidden and protected within and left Winchester blindly punching at her afterimages.
After several strikes, his aura shattered and the man managed to strike Blake down to the ground, dispelling her shadows away.
"Why are you here?" he questioned her as he grabbed her by the throat. The previous strike had disorientated Blake but she managed to respond.
"You took them… where are they?" It came out both with hostility and genuine hurt.
The man looked unsure before her gained a face of resolution. Blake feared what it meant but still continued to push.
"Tell me!" she shouted.
He brought her close to his face. "This secret will die with you. They're with the Strangerhood."
Who? What?
She assumed that the man thought that gesture to be a form of kindness. That was the final straw! It was an insult to everything she tried to accomplish! She didn't need this monster's pity. All she could do was leave an imprint, she couldn't run, not here!
The man brought his hands to Blake's throat and squeezed.
She barely managed to channel that same swirling darkness into something tangible. The shadow shot out of her, instead of leaving an imprint. The shadow was weak and even more formless than those other shadows. It was a pure darkness, yet unfocused.
The shadow charged, claws drawn. It was a moment of rage and spite. Blake didn't realize it until it was too late. The shadow's brief existence solely comprised of slashing the man's throat, dropping Blake.
Blood spurted onto Blake's face. Her eyes widened and she was immediately regretful of that action. She almost took off her scarf to hurl but it wasn't like the books. She didn't feel sick, she felt numb and horrible.
"Oh god!" Both her and another voice shouted. She turned to see a women and two kids standing in the doorway of the room.
She was a monster! Just like him! She stooped to their level!
The kid's eyes widened before turning to her and the corpse, and yelled in worry and hate, "Dad! I'll make you pay!"
A brief flash of brown enveloped the boy while he sprinted toward Blake.
She had to run, from the boy, from her shame, from her disgust!
He swung a powerful hit at her side. A nearly explosive, concussive force imploded her ribs even more. Another swing toward her head. Instinctively, another shadow took her place but that didn't deter the boy's attack. She kept summoning those shadows, bringing forth another swarm of shadows. Every movement brought a dark cloud to hide in.
She had to run!
The girl charged at Blake too. Blake's shadow pushed herself back and she began sprinting back to the window.
She managed to whimper away as the children stopped pursing and went back to the house, to… the body of the man she killed. The happy life that she stole away from those two kids.
She didn't even remember collapsing but she remembered that she never did stop running.
Adam ripped the metal wrist-band off Lopez. His aura had rejuvenated him to a certain extent. His hunger staved off for now.
"Good." The man spoke in an accent that he couldn't identify. "I need you to stay behind me."
"I can help!" After being trapped for so long, he needed payback. Lopez ignored him and gripped the bars of the cage. He closed his eyes and he started breathing heavily.
For everyone that was butchered- torn apart, he had to deliver vengeance twice-fold. They all deserved to burn in fucking hell. They were all horrible and deserved to die.
Watching kids- good kids who did nothing wrong- slowly tortured for no good reason, had shown Adam the truth. All of them were horrible human beings.
He had heard something from Blake's book babblings before, 'an eye for an eye.'
Blake never seemed properly convinced of the line-but for him- it was the only thing that made sense. Those humans had it so damn easy and yet, they were abominations who pulled shit like this! So damn this old man! He wasn't going to do nothing!
"Are you listening?!" he almost shouted before realizing that they might come back.
He didn't want to be dragged out, kicking and screaming with them slowly cutting him from head to toe. Nor did he wanted his body beaten black and blue, whimpering and begging for them to stop.
"Do you really want to fight?" Lopez asked quietly.
"More than anything," Adam replied.
"Even if it means killing another person?" Lopez asked again.
"You really think that I care about them?" All of them deserved to burn. They perpetrated suffering like this.
"Fine, but don't do anything stupid. Your aura is not that strong. Besides, despite it being recently unlocked, your exhaustion has weakened it."
Lopez ripped the bars off the cage and handed one of the bars to Adam.
As he handed the metal bar to Adam, he could feel some of his energy channel into it. The energy seemed unstable, impersonal.
"Alright, keep your head down." They left the cage and crept out of the abandoned building they were in.
"What is this place?"
"Mountain Glenn." A distant roar echoed in the distance. "Wherever the Strangerhood goes, the Grimm are never that far behind. Or, they go to where the Grimm are at and attract even more."
"Bastards." It was understood on a fundamental level that the Grimm were the enemies of everyone and they had the nerve to work with them. And they called Faunus monsters?
"Indeed," Lopez replied.
He began to walk around the corner of a building before Lopez pulled him back. He put his finger to his lips and pointed to a pair of people near a broken streetlamp.
They were wearing some masks that were ugly. Ugly in a sense that it had a disgusting amount of effort to them. It covered the whole of their face, with orange eyes and teeth. Orange eyes of hatred and ravenous teeth, a mask of Grimm. The true face of man.
They would wear those masks when they… killed them. They were also draped in ceremonial robes, giving off a sense of elegance that they did not deserve.
Lopez whispered, "Stay here."
He moved so quickly that Adam could barely see him.
Lopez smashed both of their heads in with one quick blow. One, two, and they crumbled. He gestured for Adam to come to him. Adam ran over and Lopez gave him a short sword. There was still blood on it, giving off a red tint. He dropped the metal in favor for this weapon. His aura flowed through this weapon a little better than that metal bar.
They continued to stalk through the empty streets. Adam eventually saw a parked airship. He looked to Lopez who merely nodded. It looked abandoned.
They could escape! But, Adam wanted to raze this place to the ground with everyone in it.
Then he realized that Blake was still in Vale, all alone.
The last remnant of a 'normal' life before they desecrated it. He felt responsible for the girl, she was his. He only hoped that Blake was all right.
After he burned this place to the ground. Then, he would never let Blake out of his sight.
Seeing the horrors that was wrought upon them, he never wanted Blake to see that. She was younger than he was. The endless days had him worrying about the other kids. Now, Blake was all he could think about. And how she wasn't there. She was all he had now.
Some part of him worried that Blake wasn't alright- that she was in trouble.
He wasn't going to let the world or the humans hurt Blake.
They managed to reach the airship before someone shouted, "Lopez, you son of a bitch!"
They turned around and saw a large group of those robed cultists. There was about eleven of them with a large one in the middle.
The large one had some sort of ceremonial curved sword with a shining gold hilt. While the others had ceremonial daggers with plain hilts.
"Tavern," Lopez called out.
Tavern merely gestured for his men to attack. Lopez charged with Adam lagging behind.
Tavern led the charge with everyone attacking Lopez from all sides. It was amazing seeing Lopez in action, he was faster than any mere man, he was a machine.
Adam stabbed those on the outskirts, easing up the assault on Lopez.
He managed to get three of them. He stabbed and stabbed. He pierced two through the ribs, and another through the face. He was having a significantly easier time killing them because of his aura.
Until the next three had aura. They slashed his face, but his aura managed to hold.
He fought dirty with them, punching and biting alongside his wild sword swings.
Through this, he slashed their throats but at the cost of his aura shielding broke. It was pure luck that he managed to kill them, clearly they had underestimated him. He turned to see Lopez being tackled by the rest of the men.
"They don't call me Lopez the Heavy for nothing!" He managed to throw off the rest of the men, while Tavern leapt into the air. Adam watched in amazement before realizing his opportunity. He stabbed the men sprawled onto ground.
Lopez and Tavern were engaged in aerial combat before crashing down with a massive thud.
Lopez stomped the ground, releasing a massive shockwave that knocked Tavern off balance. Lopez, faster than the blink of an eye, was already locking swords with Tavern again.
Adam felt completely helpless watching the two blurs fight. Two shattering sounds accompanied the clanging of the swords. Tavern leapt back and shot out his free hand, firing red lines of energy at Lopez which forced Lopez to keep his distance.
Tavern kept his stance, completely ignoring Adam.
He took this as his chance.
He jumped onto Tavern's back and jammed his sword into the man's shoulder.
"Arrgh!" Tavern yelled while Adam fell off his back.
Lopez sped up to Tavern and rammed his sword straight into the man's chest.
Tavern crumbled onto the floor, coughing up blood. He took out a picture and seemed transfixed by it. Adam faced the man and slapped the photo out of his hand before Tavern fell face first onto the floor, dead.
Adam was exhausted, but Lopez just seemed to be getting started.
"Let's go, Adam."
They made their way to the airship. Adam hopped into the passenger seat and took deep breaths.
This was exhilarating!
Vengeance brought a sense of calm. Yet, vengeance was lurking around the edges of that peace. That wasn't a bad thing. This world had to change.
They sat in silence before Lopez spoke up. "You have a home, kid?"
"Not really."
"You have no one?"
Adam thought. He had to hope that Blake was alright.
"Perhaps," he said wistfully.
"Oh hm. A girl?" Lopez asked with a smile.
"Not really," Blake like that? He was older than her. Heh. Blake was a bit clingy sometimes.
"Eh. Things might change but as long as have you someone… it's better than nothing."
Perhaps he had a point. He didn't want to be alone.
He shut off his scroll in frustration
This was all his fault.
That damn Violet!
And Tukson!
Blake ran off and killed a man!
He didn't blame the kid, but he could certainly blame those two!
They told him that Blake had aura. They forced him to keep it a secret… after he made them swear that they helped find Blake. Of course, they agreed in a heartbeat.
After they find her, they were going to send her to Mistral for Blake's sake.
The White Fang would take her in and teach her the right path. He didn't blame Blake for her actions, she was just a kid with a bad lot in life.
From what Tukson told her, it was probably an accident. Blake seemed convicted but not consumed with vengeance.
Now he had to work the PR angle from this.
The CCC was already spinning this to be a horrible tragedy despite Winchester's crimes. They were portraying a shadowy, murderous Faunus killer. And thus, portraying all of them as horrible beings. Then again, if he came out with the identity of the killer, Blake would be arrested. No child shouldn't be sent to a juvenile aura-correctional facility.
It was a futile battle in the war of PR.
Death threats had already been sent to him since he was the one spearheading this movement. Funny thing, his more 'conservative' friends were discouraging him while the more radical members were encouraging him.
Knock!
Knock!
"I'm busy!" he shouted. He thought he told them to leave him in his office.
Bang!
The door slammed open. A pale woman with grey hair that had lost it's luster a long time ago, came in with three men.
He dreaded what was going to happen but for once… he had to stand his ground. He swallowed his fears down his throat.
"What do I owe the pleasure, Alba Purity?"
"Can it. I think you know why we're here," she retorted.
Iteru got up from his seat. "To scare me off?"
"To send a message. The White Fang, while being an utterly pathetic organization, does have some pull. What better way to show you animals your place, then to kill you. Get him, boys!"
He could have run, could have fought back but what was the point? He was outmatched.
He was no fighter. The only thing he possibly had was his conviction. Despite the fear, he was going to go down with dignity. He would face death with dignity.
The first man punched him in the face, knocking him back to the wall. The other two men grabbed him and shoved him to the floor.
His face grew swollen as they kicked him in the face before grabbing him by the arms and dragged outside.
Before he knew it, he was being strung up to a lamp-post by his throat.
His last view of this world was Alba grinning as he gasped for air.
She watched the Faunus choke to death. It was a late night, his mangled corpse hidden by dusk. Come sunrise, the animals would be greeted with the sight of this.
It would signify a start of many things.
One of her men opened the door to the car for her.
The car ride to the CCC hideout was uneventful. She looked out the window and saw the damage to the city. It was like a festering disease that needed to be cut out and they were doing just that. They were going to force these degenerates out of Vale. They were making it very unbearable for them to live in this kingdom.
It started with the beatings. That didn't deter most of them, and then the CCC escalated. It was like their own twisted version of the riots. In the shadows of the night, kidnappings and arson were the more common tactics they used. Slowly, they were disappearing back into the dark where they belonged.
She saw a wolf Faunus with a red-headed horn boy. It was disgusting, an abnormality. They shouldn't have those rights.
"Fucking animals," she muttered.
Perhaps that little raid on the orphanage needed to be out-done.
The car stopped in front of an isolated warehouse.
She made her way to the office.
"Dawn," she greeted her boss. A stubborn man with short, messy orange hair with a tint of crimson and a five o'clock shadow.
"How did it go?" he asked.
"I think they got the message." Breaking the White Fang was a vital tactic. Despite its ineffectiveness, it was a symbol for the Faunus.
Alba stood in the dirty office room. Warehouses were coming up cheap and it provided a good meeting place for the CCC. Although, one of the better warehouses was bought by some lady but she was human. No concern there.
"What about Winchester's family?" he asked.
The CCC took care of there own. Obviously the Faunus were not content with the riots, they had to keep pushing. Hell, the 'ceasefire' after the riots was somewhat respected except when some animals needed to learn their place
"Besides the financial compensation, we're providing protection," she informed her superior.
"And progress on the operation?"
Dawn ran a tight-ship, given that he was a vet from the Faunus war, it was to be expected.
"Smoking them out as we speak."
Burning down shitty apartments was a good way to drive them out of Vale and outside the kingdom. They deserved to live like animals. Of course, they couldn't wholesale slaughter them, not even in the riots. So lynch a few, scare the rest. While there were some casualties, it wasn't a massacre. Although, there was significant damage, but there was talks of the SDC hosting something to aid relief.
"And the animal who killed Winchester?" Dawn ran a tight ship. She did serve with him during the war. He hadn't changed, still big on honor.
She was too, it would be an atrocity not to get revenge for the murder of one of their members.
"When we find whoever did this, they will be made an example out of, sir."
"No, not that. Any leads?" he asked.
"Nothing, sir," she replied.
"Alright. You're needed elsewhere."
"And where would that be, sir?" Where else was she needed? They had it sufficiently locked down in Vale. The White Fang was in it's death throes and most of the Faunus were scrambling to get out.
"Atlas, my dear."
Four days running in shame. She was living in the damaged slums. She never really saw the true damage of the riots. Even before living on the streets, she stayed in the relatively safe areas. Now, she couldn't. Her side was still tender, the bones might have healed… but the pain was still there- even if it was muted. It was a gut-wrenching feeling that everyone was after her.
What would Silva say?
What would Tukson say?
She had slept in ruined buildings and had been nearly starving to death. She spied some fancy, elegant lady walking down in the street. She had some food in her hand, causing Blake to salivate at the prospect of food.
Running away from the police, from Tukson, from everyone… it was draining.
She put up her scarf and planned to grab the food and run.
That failed.
She was lifted up by the wrist and the one thing she could see was the woman's eyes.
Those fiery amber eyes radiated hate. The same drive that compelled her to seek out Winchester. She pushed back that urge, she couldn't be a monster again.
"Now… I assume you want this?" She held up the bag of food mockingly. She got the feeling that this woman was cruel for the sake of cruelty.
She wanted to lash out… but did this woman have a family? A husband, a kid?
"Well?" the woman asked with a sneer.
Blake nodded feebly.
"Tell me," the woman paused as if to soak in the fear, "Now, why should I let you go?"
Blake was scared, she got the impression that she was going to die. Fear overrode her other fear of taking another life. She didn't want to die! That fear manifested into a shaky shadow leaping out and headbutting the woman.
"Fuck!" the woman in the red dress yelled out.
Blake thought maybe she could end this, right now. Then she turned around and ran.
Yet… what would that accomplish?
Nothing.
She still dreamed… wanted a better world.
She had this power… but she didn't know how to apply it. The last time she did, it was disgusting… perverted.
A hero wouldn't do that but life isn't a fairy tale.
Things weren't going to work out like those stories.
Why did this make her feel so bad?! They attacked the orphanage and killed Silva and she was feeling sorry for them? They were suppose to be evil! They were evil! Right? And she was no closer to finding them.
What in the world was the Strangerhood?
She felt so powerless as she sprinted through the decaying streets. She didn't look both ways before crossing the street and got struck by a car.
As darkness overtook her, she called out for someone, Tukson, Violet… anyone.
Before she knew it, she was in a bed.
She looked over and saw Tukson and Violet sitting nearby. Violet was passed out in the chair.
"Wha..." she started to say.
"Blake… are you alright?" Tukson started.
"What happened?" she asked. Her aura should have protected her from the car.
Tukson leaned in close. "Your aura was down and a car hit you. Luckily, this clinic was nearby. They didn't notice… your aura. You called for us and luckily a Fang member here notified us."
"Are you mad at me… for… I didn't mean it. It was an accident!" she exclaimed in a hushed whisper. "It was an accident." Her voice cracked.
"What's done is done. You shouldn't blame yourself," Violet said. Blake was startled by Violet, who had suddenly woken up.
"We're not blaming you. Neither of us are. But… I don't think that was the best course of action. Did you at least get what you wanted?"
"He said… he gave them to the… Strangerhood," she whispered. It seemed so trivial that piece of information. Was that man's life worth it?
"Are you absolutely sure?" Tukson asked.
Blake nodded.
"Then he deserved it," Violet butted in.
Tukson looked away but didn't protest it.
"What… what is the Strangerhood?" Blake asked.
They told her the horrors of the Strangerhood. She felt sick to her stomach. How could she feel sympathy for that man?
"Oh god… Adam..." It had just occurred to her. That all of that… was happening to the kids. She put her hand to her mouth as tears slid down her face.
He was evil, a bastard! He had disguised himself as one of the decent humans.
Tukson gave her a small hug. "It's all right. It's all right."
She broke off the hug. "What now?"
"It's not safe in Vale. The White Fang is going underground," Violet told her.
"Why?"
"The CCC have been ramping up the violence. And the leader of the White Fang branch, our friend, was killed by them," Violet explained.
"What about me?"
"You and me are off to Mistral while we still can," Tukson said.
"What about your friend?" Blake asked.
Violet let out a chuckle. It was an attempt to lighten the mood. "Someone's got to keep the White Fang together."
"You'll be out of here within the hour," he said.
"I'll be back," Violet said as she left the room.
Tukson took out a small book. "Here."
Blake gave a small smile. She took the book. "This book is out already?"
It was a guilty pleasure book. 'Romance Ninjas II'. It was marketed toward girls that liked sappy romance novels. Where the book last left off, the Lady had finally reunited with her long-lost lover while she was already in a relationship with her new lover.
It was ingenious!
And it helped distract her from the horrifying reality that she was living in.
"Thank you! Thank you!" She thanked Tukson several times.
"Thought you might like it."
She almost jumped right into it before Tukson said, "Hey, if you don't mind me asking..."
Blake put down the book. "Yeah?"
"During that night… several hours in, there was a report in the 'underground' news app. Something about a shadow. The official media hasn't covered it…" he paused, to let Blake fill in the gap.
"It's… my semblance," she whispered.
Tukson barely touched upon the subject of semblances, but she was smart enough to figure it out.
"Oh. That changes things."
There was an awkward silence.
"We definitely got to get you to Mistral."
"What's in Mistral?"
"That's where most of the White Fang is. They can help. Besides, the laws regarding aura there are a bit more… lenient so to speak."
"When are we leaving?"
"As soon as you leave this clinic. I got tickets to the first airship to Mistral."
"Hm." Blake turned her focus to her book.
There was nothing left for her in Vale. Adam was gone. She had desperately clung onto the hope that he was alive. Doubt had plagued her mind, she had put on a face of confidence that she could find him. Yet Adam was right.
She set down the book for now… maybe later.
"I don't think there's anything here," Lopez commented.
"She has to be here!" Adam said while rummaging through the library.
It was empty and devoid of all life. He flung the bookcase open and Blake wasn't there… but then again why would she be?
Eventually, she would have to leave for food and water. He had to believe that maybe she was out there in Vale.
His eyesight adjusted to the darkness and he scoured through the darkness.
He only found a book.
The Faunus Supremacist Manifesto.
He smiled a little bit.
Maybe Blake wasn't completely hopeless. Then perhaps, all of this wouldn't be hopeless.
"Adam… she isn't here. Come on out."
He emerged from the hole and saw Lopez waiting.
"What do I do?" he asked.
"You have to face the facts. Logically, she wouldn't be here. Maybe she was taken to another location."
"No! That's a lie! She has to be alright! I can't lose her too. I lost everyone else."
"I'm sorry. But we have to get out of Vale," Lopez said.
Adam looked down, defeated. Those days in the cage had worsen his outlook. It was a fool's dream, but one can dream, right?
"Alright… alright. Where are we going?"
"Any other kingdom than here. Haven't decided yet. C'mon."
They left the dead orphanage, for the final time. A tomb for a former life lost.
"So… why do we have to leave Vale?"
"Unfortunately, things are getting a bit too hot for my taste," Lopez stated.
"What do you mean?" Adam asked.
"Besides the riots? Everything changed after the murder of a prominent CCC member. You'd probably think it was justified. Maybe it was, but the CCC has enacted a campaign of terror against the Faunus. It's being kept out of the main media for fear of panic but it is happening. The White Fang have been silent as of late."
Adam, while not the biggest fan of the White Fang, knew what it stood for. It was a symbol of hope- naive hope, but it was hope nevertheless. For all of Blake's doubts and fears, that hope continued to push her forward.
And if they were getting rid of that hope, then they were trying to break the Faunus. Those filthy humans…
"Then can't we do something?" Adam protested.
"Listen, Adam. When I unlocked your aura, it has destined your life for conflict. It's a responsibility- a path to fight. While it is noble of you wanting to fight the good fight, you're not ready. And even me, I couldn't hope to take on the CCC alone. Between you and me, we can't hope to take on a group as large as the CCC," Lopez explained.
"Then… then… what can we do?"
"I already promised to train you. I can't just unlock your aura and leave you alone. It's my responsibility, but if I'm going to train you… then we need to do it on my terms. Vale isn't safe for Faunus."
"Where do we go then?" Adam asked.
"Atlas isn't the best place for Faunus. Besides… an old enemy of mine is in Atlas. Vacuo wouldn't be the best place for you. Mistral would be the best place for us. The White Fang is based in Mistral and business would be plentiful for me. And it would provide a good learning opportunity for you."
"I suppose…"
"Don't worry. When the time comes, you'll be ready."
Adam craved that. Everything that he knew was bastardized by humans. His first home taken away, his second home destroyed, his friends killed in front of him. He had to watch his entire life shatter, given a glimpse of hope, and destroyed again.
He didn't want to feel powerless anymore. He wanted everything to be alright. He wanted the strength to keep what was his safe.
"Alright," Adam finally agreed.
"Let's go then. The next airship to Mistral leaves within the hour."
"Okay, but can I do something first?" Adam asked.
Adam looked back to the orphanage. A pained sight. It strained his eyes to look at that painful memory. "I will make sure they pay, each and every one of them."
Lopez took out a pair of airship tickets and gave one to Adam.
"It's time to leave this place behind,"
Blake held Tukson's hand on the bus.
"You sure you don't want to read that book?" Tukson asked.
"I can read it on the airship," Blake replied.
She was leaving Vale behind. As the bus got closer to the airship stations, she started to feel the anxiety. Everything was gone. Adam was dead. Silva was dead. And she was leaving the place of suffering. Running was more accurate to describe it. It was a shameful word.
She wanted to cry- to protest that it wasn't fair. Yet… she had to leave. Everything was changing so fast, and she had to change to keep up with it. Looking around, judgmental eyes peered into her. It was shameful and disgraceful. She hid her cat ears within the burrows of her hair. Times like this made her doubt that humans and Faunus could co-exist.
That single thought was more shameful than those eyes. Maybe she was a disgrace.
Her eyes began tearing up but she started to wipe it away. She rested her head on Tukson. It was nice. Silva was a good caretaker for her, but being a mother to many was not the same as being a mother of one.
Tukson was different. He was the same as Silva in most ways, but there was only her. She liked it. She never had a chance to meet her real parents.
There was a hint of resentment toward them. They had ran off without her. She could feel her claws within her, aching to get out.
That anger soon dissipated.
She needed something to distract her wandering mind.
She took out her book, Romance Ninjas II.
The Lady could not believe her eyes. Her long-lost lover, back from the dead. 'Oh Nightingale!' she cried out as she went out to embrace her formerly dead partner. Their embrace was long and their lips tenderly reached out, connecting two souls as one.
'Wait!' the Lady cried out, breaking that perfect embrace. 'There is another!'
The once gentle Nightingale turned violent. The war had changed the calm man into a shadow of his former self.
'Lady!' her second lover yelled out. 'Who… who is this?'
Her second lover, Sunny, was heartbroken. She had given the Lady her everything. Countless years spent on loving the Lady. She was there for the Lady when no one else was. Her voice was full of hurt and heartache.
'How dare you betray our love!' Nightingale yelled out. His fury was seething. It was all consuming. For Nightingale, there was only the war and his love. Now that his love was seemly gone, there was only the war.
The war was horrid, people became monsters. And as Nightingale charged her second lover, the Lady didn't see the man she loved but a monster.
Sunny, who was equally broken by the revelation, charged back. Sunny, a guard at the royal palace, had many years of training.
Truly her two lovers were equal in skill.
Tukson tapped Blake, breaking out of her trance. Reading books had always calmed her. It made it seemed that there was nothing but that book.
It created whole worlds for her to explore. She hoped that maybe she could create a world that Faunus and humans could co-exist, but for now… this would suffice.
"Hey, Blake. It's time to go."
She closed her book, and let Tukson guide her out of the bus. The airships would be leaving soon. The flight to Mistral would be long.
Flights were slightly more safer than traveling by sea at the cost of it being longer. Seafaring Grimm were more dangerous than the flying Grimm.
She sat down in the bench in front of the airship station while Tukson got the tickets.
"C'mon Adam." Her Faunus ears perked up.
Could it be? Should she dare hope? Life couldn't be like those books.
She sat still, internally debating if she should investigate. She came to a decision. It wouldn't hurt to check.
Getting up from the bench, she glanced over in the general direction of the source. An older wolf Faunus was with a red-headed boy. He had horns… could it really be?
She rushed toward the pair and in a quivering, unsure voice, "Adam?"
The boy turned around, surprised. "Blake?"
He was alive!
She didn't fight back the tears nor the urge to hug Adam.
The hug was tight, neither of them wanting to let go.
"Adam! You're alright! I was so worried!"
Adam merely hugged harder. "I'm so sorry, Blake. It was all my fault, but… I'm here now."
Their hug was broken by an unfamiliar voice.
"So, I assume this is the girl, Blake was it?"
Blake nodded before turning to Adam, "Who is this?"
"This is Lopez. He helped me save me from-"
"The Strangerhood?" Blake interrupted.
"How did you know that?" Adam asked.
"I've been looking all over you!" But before Blake could continue, Tukson came over.
"Blake, who is this?"
"This is Adam! And… Lopez?"
"Oh!" he exclaimed before turning over to Lopez. "Oh."
"It's nice to see that you two are back again. Where are you two going?" Lopez asked.
"Mistral."
"That's where we going!" Blake chirped happily.
"Alright, I guess we could travel together… Lopez and I have to talk soon." Tukson's tone was concerning but that didn't matter. Adam was back, safe and sound. Her only friend was back. She didn't ever want to leave him. Those days and nights on the streets made her crave those days at the orphanage back with Adam. The group of four went into the large airship. They sat down onto the bench, with Adam and Blake sitting together. Lopez and Tukson seemed tense together.
The airship lifted up into the air.
"Hey Adam, you wanna see my new boo-"
Blake was interrupted by the emerging holo-screen.
"This just in! The leader of the White Fang has just been murdered!"
Beta'd by: Spartacus400
Next chapter: Goldilocks