In the grand probability of endless potential and opportunity, there exists a timeline where everything goes right, rather than wrong. A timeline where events play out as close to the current one, yet key subtle differences alter and change the fates of those touched. Within the endless reaches of time, space and opportunity, we find ourselves overlooking Remnant, knowing that in Menagerie Blake is trying to gather support in hopes of stopping the Red Fang, the foxes acknowledge the new orders of High Red Leader Adam Taurus: containment. If the Belladonnas and Khan were to unite against the Red Fang, they'd potentially sway and rally just enough to unbalance him. So while Sienna was being…taken care of at this time by Mistral Branch, the Belladonnas were their responsibility, claiming the Belladonna Name has only ever brought him more headache. Bind them all, making sure to 'take care' of them as their hostages. Ultimately Adam only gave these orders as a distraction. While Sienna's forces might be able to pose a risk, ultimately yet untold to anyone but himself and Vic Migel, the only Faunus that would attack Mistral was Adam alone. Which wouldn't be easy, given his growing followers all willing to fight and die for him. More and more of the White Fang turned over to this shade of Red. Another Red in turn explains to Oscar that although she's trying not to break under the threat of being hunted and killed, that when Beacon fell she lost two friends, adding that while Pyrrha wasn't dead, she will probably never walk again, it's hard. Yet she'll keep going because she's afraid of actually losing those she calls her friends. That the idea of them being wounded was painful and a strong motivator, but the thought of loss, is a burning venom that makes her keep moving forward. While her uncle has issues walking straight, drowning his lack of 'huntsmen' going awol stumbling through darker parts of Mistral.
"Brother Albains,your proven loyalty is appreciated, in light of Sienna's refusal to accept the splinter faction. As for finding the deserter, the Belladonna name has caused me no end of grief and sorrow. Ghira, like Sienna, can pose a threat for the Mistral plan. I do not want them harmed if it can be avoided, yet if Khan is anything to go by...
Contain them. See to it personally that they can't unite against me but take care of them. I don't want them interfering any longer. It is time for a new order. Humanity will understand the meaning of suffering. Change will come. And they will scream for help as the 'beasts' they fear bite the hands that abuse them"
…
"So…what's the truth?", Yang asked, her cold voice returning after the heartwarming moment she had with Weiss. Weiss similarly, while trying to be proper, sat neatly at the small table while Vernal finished pouring the tea and sat next to her. Schnee and Xiao Long at one side of the table, Vernal sitting at the left of Weiss and Raven linea recta opposite them. Taking her cup and sighing; "ya know it's better when it's hot"
"You know, you're really obnoxious", Weiss retorts with a face showing her displeasure, leaving her tea but earning a glare from Vernal, whom sipped the tea along with Raven. "You're not much better!"
"The truth…", Raven said with insisting voice to shut this matter up before it escalates into another brawl, "..is that truth is subjective, like the reality between one person and the next. The truth of a battle is written in the blood of the loser by the victor. In the eyes of many, the White Fang is a terrorist organization, in the eyes of others, it's an organization of revolution. Likewise, what these tribesmen are to me as family, is different from Kidnappers to the Heiress…No former Heiress, was it? Don't glare at me missy. By now my brother will have filled the head of that naive sister of yours with his truths and viewpoint on the matter"
"He's never given me a reason to doubt him", Yang said coyly, making Raven smirk.
"Is that the reason you refuse to name him Uncle and merely refer to him as Qrow? Because you trust him? Let me ask you this, daughter, who helped you with Ember Celica? Tai wouldn't have since he's never used a weapon. Even back for STRQ he was the weakest member. Preferring to 'fight naturally'. And don't say Signal Academy. I know Harbinger inspired that gardening tool of your youngest sister. But you had to work from scratch. Likewise, he's been distant towards you because you look just like me", Raven said, earning a clenched fist as Yang's anger began burning in her veins.
"You weren't exactly helping either, were you?", Weiss stepped in, raising her head in superiority before being barked at by Vernal, "Right cause miss 'heirloom' would know how hard it is to make a weapon"
"THE POINT", Raven raised her voice that silenced another argument, for the time being, "is that you don't really trust Qrow. And why should you? After, unlike your team of bleeding hearts trying to better Remnant, him and I actually went to Beacon for the tribe. To get stronger and learn how to kill huntsmen"
As she mentioned this, there was a shocked expression on both of their faces. Raven smiled as she lay on her sides at the table and lazily kicked off her heavy boots, putting her feet under the table with a grin: "Daddy and druncle left out that part, didn't they? Aside from Grimm, the Tribe only had one other counter force for our raids. Huntsmen could track and defeat us in combat"
"So even back then your band was a bunch of lowlifes", Weiss said as she pulled up her nose and scoffed. Not even a glare from Raven could turn that confidence over. She had guts, just like Yang. For a pampered princess, perhaps Vernal had been right that she'd make a fine bandit. Raven continued however: "Qrow and I were the perfect age. The entrance exam was pathetically easy, like that feline teammate of yours who also aced it."
Ignoring the confused 'how did you know' Raven explained further: "We were good. So good that within days him and I caught the attention of the headmaster. At first I thought it was because he knew, always keeping an eye on us. But he didn't care about us per say. No Ozpin wanted team STRQ"
"What's that supposed to mean?", Yang snapped, earning a growl from Vernal: "if you let her talk and don't interrupt maybe we'd get to the point? Again, it's better when it's warm ya know? Kinda rude not to drink"
"Constant attention, extra training missions, turning a blind eye when we got in trouble and sweeping it under the rug. Giving a variation of the 'instead of you breaking the rules why don't we just bend them'...sound familiar?", she grinned as she watched the two girls exchange a look before continuing; "Again, how much do you know about the old geezer? And don't give me that text book "youngest headmaster" stick you hear people say every time. Because that is what he designed it for. He built the schools, has followers loyal to him in every corner of Remnant that obey his every word without question", Raven said, standing up as she grabbed another cup of tea, deciding not to waste it by letting it grow cold. As she stood Yang found her voice. "That doesn't make any sense…why…how…he'd have to be…"
"Old man Oz has been around the block, longer than you think. Holding on to a terrible secret that if it was common knowledge, would spread so much panic across Remnant it would just be that: a remnant memory of us as a species. A secret he eventually entrusted to our team. And once I did know, there was no going back. It became an endless rabbit hole that took me deeper and deeper. With no lookingglass to filter my descend, every new discovery in this new truth, the world became more and more horrifying", Raven said, staring at a canvas strung up that had the world of Remnant upon it.
"Ok. Spill it. What's the big secret? What's this supposed crazy thing that none of us know about?", Yang said, with the air of a child that doesn't believe you at all. However Vernal smiled as she sipped extra loudly. "Heh, this is the best part"
"The creatures of Grimm…have a master named Salem. She can't be stopped, reasoned with or bargained with. She's relentless, ruthless and won't stop at nothing before humanity grovels at her feet", Raven said sipping her cup empty while Vernal added with glee: "there it is…your faces are so funny"
"What!?", Weiss asked with pure flabbergasted shock. Earning another snicker from Vernal who poured herself another cup: "ya know, it's rude not to drink when it's offered"
"Why should we believe any of this?!", Yang said, also raising up earning a glare from Vernal. "Now you're getting it"
"Exactly. All you've done until now is obediently accept what others tell you without question, like sheep herded by a good dog. But you need to question everything!", standing face to face, Raven and Yang were equal in length. The frustrated lilac eyes gazed into a river of blood red coldness. Having not received an answer, Raven turned back and continued: "Else you'll end up just as blind as Qrow…just as dead as Summer and just as useless as that deadbeat you call a father"
A gunshot echoed as it broke the table and the crockery, shattering and making a mess which only made Raven snicker as she turned to face the red raging eyes of her daughter. "Don't you DARE TALK ABOUT MY FATHER LIKE THAT"
"You need to calm down", in a flash, Vernal had risen to a stand, her weapon extended and pointed at Yang, who's anger only rose up more! Yet a soft cold hand grabbed hers and drew her attention. While Yang hadn't noticed, her anger outburst had made Weiss recoil, because that was the same kind of outburst that had landed her a scar on the left eye. "Yang…please"
"Listen to your teammate Yang. Your friends have NEVER let you down before…unless off course that one wi-", Raven stepped back as she saw a hand reach for her. "You don't know anything about my teammates! You don't even know the first thing about me! You were never there! You left us! No shows for birthdays. No shows for graduating from Signal. Never so much as a word!"
"Like that time you had your first haircut? When you unlocked your Burn by stubbing your toe? The time you almost killed your sister looking for me and that stupid drunk had to save your lives? Or that other time you almost killed her by throwing her in the lake as a swimming lesson? When 'little ruby' was blue and you told her lies about Summer killing a 'bijillion' Grimm and then made a feast? The moment you enrolled with Ruby at Beacon? Or that time that drunk brother of mine picking a fight with that one's big sister? Or maybe when that Faunus tried to save you, costing you an arm and then ran like a scaredy cat?", Raven said, her smirk growing bigger and bigger as her daughter took hit after hit and her resolve and hatred shattered like glass; "You see I know more than you think. Not just from what I've been told, but what I've seen! I know that the Grimm have a mistress. I know people that came back from the dead. And I know magic is real, which I can prove to you"
"Mom…", Vernal said, lifting her shoulders. "I suppose I should explain this as well. Vernal. This is Yang, my daughter and your older sister. Oh don't give those eyes Yang. I'm sure Tai filled your head with all sorts of reasons for why I left. But I'll tell you. I did plan to take you with me. Tai was the one who refused to leave. Said this was no place to raise a family. Hmph. They raised Qrow and I just fine. As for Vernal...well, After I left. I had to take my place as leader. We were sent to learn how to kill huntsmen as I said and I aimed to make good on that. I had to prove to the Branwen Tribe they made the right call. That we could make a mark without fear of Mistral sending someone after us..and they did. He was ballsy and confident. But he had an edge to him. Not the smartest of men but talented enough to give me the best fight I ever had since graduating Beacon. We had a mutual respect I suppose. He was hardly the most morally driven man I met. He had simply taken the job to prove something. Add in some fine red wine we liberated from the snobby little town we happened by and well. He left and Vernal didn't. Naturally I was furious. The prick lied to me. Oh yeah I have protection, how was I to know Aura doesn't protect you that way? That ass. So yeah I was pregnant again and didn't have a husband whining about where my child should be. So the tribe raised her as they raised me. As for where that man went? Probably bit off more than he could chew and got himself killed for all I know."
As she finished that little side story she put her boots back on and walked towards the back exit of the tent. Leaving with a final snicker: "you said Tai told you about my semblance. But he didn't mention what Oz did to my brother and me"
"A sister…and you don't want to stay here and be one of us?! What is wrong with you", Vernal said in shock as she gestured towards the destroyed mess of a table. "Oh and you haven't even said sorry for the temper tantrum. Honestly and they say we bandits have no class or reason"
"Weren't you the same misfits that didn't bother to bury a man, stole my items and locked me up hoping to score a ransom? You don't really have a foot to stand on", Weiss jumped in, stepping between Vernal and Yang because honestly either of the two would kill the other. "Oh don't push it princess. I can still beat you in a fight"
"record shows I'm up one", Weiss smirked with a stiff upper lip before Vernal just groaned. "You both should go see. But remember that this isn't over, sister"
With that Vernal left to go fix up her own tent. Or rather, boss around the people that were supposed to have done that for her. Leaving them alone Weiss gently reached for Yang's hand only for the latter to storm out after her mother. Yelling her name as Weiss followed behind. Worried. Yang must either be furious or seething.
"Are…you ok?", Weiss asked, hoping to help her friend and ally. "I'll be fine once we get her to shut up and take us to ruby"
"You know..it's ok to not be ok", Weiss said once more to try and help. This all would have to be so confusing. After all, how would that woman even know Winter and that drunk had fought at Beacon square?!
"You didn't believe a word she said right?", Yang said, her arm visibly shaking in anger. She didn't wanna admit, but Raven had pushed her buttons rather well. She had almost forgotten that day when she 'lied' to Ruby to cheer her up, telling her stories about Summer. How does 'mom' even know this stuff?!
"Off course not…well..not all of it", Weiss said nervously shifting her weight on her heels and fiddled with her hands, "It was crazy. We have Dust, Semblances. But there's no such thing as magic"
A raven caws above head. Causing both Huntresses to look up and notice it. As it swoops around, almost taunting them or performing a demonstration of it's aerial maneuverability, Yang's mouth slowly opens. She knows that bird. It was there when she was recovering. She recalled hearing or seeing it fly around the house every now and then. She recalled how Ruby had been made to cry by a talking Raven once. But she had said it was a Grimm. Even Qrow seemed to dismiss it at the time. As she had these memories, connecting the dots, the raven cawed once more before going into a nosedive. Accelerating and descending at a breakneck speed until right before smashing into the floor, there was a sudden blur until Raven Branwen knelt at the floor wearing a confident smile. Shocked both Weiss and Yang had barely the mental fortitude to reply, so deep was the shock. Until Weiss stuttered an "how..did you do that"
"Well, I could explain it to you…or you could ask Qrow", Raven said, drawing Omen and attempting to open a portal. Yet before she could, it seemed that at the mention of Qrow, Yang's anger once again flared up. "That was you all along! You spied on us. You told Ruby those lies when she was down!"
"Oh for crying out loud Yang, what do you want me to say?", Raven said, not resheathing her sword but keeping it low yet ready as the anger in Yang's heart was reaching it's limit. "That I'm sorry for leaving? That's your deadbeat father's problem. That I'm sorry I saved your life and fought my junior at Beacon? I'm starting to feel sorry I did that, even if he almost died that day"
"Your JUNIOR?! YOU know the beast that almost took my life!", Yang's fist clenched as she took a step forwards, causing Raven to raise her sword and Weiss to reach out and put a hand on Yang's shoulder, preventing her from engaging Raven, for now. "Ugh. I saved you. And I've yet to hear a thanks. But yeah he's my junior, we both learned under the same master. You two are also my juniors, since I studied at Beacon"
"You really are mother of the year material, you know that?", Weiss shot out of left field as she tried to calm Yang down. "What do you care princess"
"Back off! Leave her alone", Yang hissed. Raven sighed, opening the portal: "I'd offer you to stay here Yang, a fresh start, where I answer every question you have and more. But I can tell from the look in your eyes that's not gonna fly. So go on, take the portal. Flock to that traitor brother of mine and follow him and your sister…Ruby..in the endless and pointless crusade of Ozpin against Salem. To the same fate of so many other bleeding hearts. Like Summer. But can you really trust someone who kept so much from you?"
"Because you're so much more trustworthy? Spare me Raven, all I want is to make sure my ACTUAL sister is safe", Weiss held a hand to her mouth at Yang's furious words. Before shooting a look back at the scoffing Raven. A mere seconds later that idiot who first tried to hit on Yang two days ago brought the bike over and growled, still missing a few teeth. Mounting it with Weiss hugging her from behind, Yang started it and gently sauntered over towards the portal.
"Yang…know that I won't be so kind next time we meet", Raven said, was that a hint of regret?
"Cause you were so much more kind now?", Yang said with a scorned look as she drove through the portal.
…
"We made a choice. We wanted this. Raven always makes it seem like Oz forced us. But when he gave us the choice, stating he needed information, we both agreed and became the gatherers of Thoughts about the Maidens and Memories of Salem. His eyes. There was always the threat of Thought to never come back, which happened, yet each time Memories are found, the news is worse still. So as truthful as Raven was, she did omit a crucial detail: Ozpin gave us the choice, and while I was quicker to accept than she, my sister took that offer out of her free will, no strings attached", with the conversation afterwards playing out very much the same as in the canon timeline after this small alteration. With the next small one being the next morning, when the heartfelt discussion turns towards Blake, with Yang hesitant and distant at Blake's running away, snipping at Ruby and Weiss. "Ok, calm down"
'Don't tell me to calm down!", Yang hissed, her arm shaking from the anger and stress.
"You sure you're not at all like your mother?", Weiss remarked as she looked at Ruby's shock. Earning a scowl from Yang who walks off: "whatever"
Realizing she might have crossed a line, dealing with a snarky person like Raven who assumes and pretends was not something Weiss enjoyed and her lightning fast wit was hard to turn off. So as she had a small chat assuring Ruby she'd talk with Yang, the Schnee girl got up and went for the room where Yang was brooding. As she knocked, before entering, Weiss gulped. How do I do this? Jacques would have yelled and forced the matter. There once was a time when Mother cared and took good care of me, but I scarcely recall how she would go about it, given that Winter picked up the slack and became her 'shield' against an abusive father. It was then that she recalled a memory of Nicolas, at the fountain of the family courtyard. Something had bothered Weiss and she didn't want to talk to no one, but Grandfather just sat there, waiting. Allowing Weiss to open up to him at the time. She cracked a small smile at that as she entered, her approach picked. In silence she sat at the bed, waiting for Yang. Her choice when and how to open up about the matters heavy on her heart. And when Yang finally spoke, Weiss internally smiled. True the assumptions about a big family, recitals and whatnots was a small slap in the face, given that it wasn't at all like that. Yet she refrained from sass and remarks. Yang put her vulnerability on show for her and she was gonna respect her friend. After a while, Yang looked up: "Weiss if you have something to say…than say it"
"Do you ever wonder where I got my scar?", Weiss opened up, earning a 'what?' from Yang before continuing: "When I was ten, my…'father'...finally admitted to my mom the only reason he married her, was for the family name. It was actually on my birthday. He missed the big dinner, securing some Dust deal and celebrating his own ego, mom got angry. He finally snapped. I think she always knew and deep down, so did I. Words were traded and when I came to check on mother through the shouting…he said something I refuse to repeat, my mom lost her temper, things got physical. Her glass of wine broke and a hand shot out and hit me in the face"
As she spoke, Yang's eyes went agasp. Touching her left eye, Weiss neatly formed her hands on her lap again and continued, "After I was treated by Klein, my butler, things turned even more dire. I had a scar and seeing that scar, pushed mom over the edge. First it was separate lunches and dinners, opposite balconies at my recitals, a glass of wine here and there. Then…no dinners or lunches. No shows for recitals. A bottle here..a bo-...you get the idea"
"I…I'm so sorry…", Yang said failing to resist the urge to hug her friend as Weiss gently returned that hug. A mirrored reflection at the window caught Weiss' gaze as she once more saw the permanent reminder of how bad her home situation got, drawing blood in the process, "I..shouldn't have assumed"
"You're right…", Weiss said, breaking the hug and gently having a warm hand on Yang's shoulder, before she gasped as she realized that her words could be interpreted in a bad way, "...not about the assumption. I mean about loneliness. I don't know what you went through, I have my own burdens and tests, royal pains to carry. And I bet my former bank account that Blake has her own struggles and tests. Her own version of loneliness too"
While neither of the two knew this, that wasn't entirely true. Yes Blake had indeed her own struggles and growth to go through. But between the four of them, she had the best home situation. Her mother was alive, a kind woman with a warm heart and a drive to protect her kitten, unlike the raven who flew the nest in favor of a 'family' of barely functioning psychopathic losers; the snapped woman in an abusive relationship who flees her problems in the bottles of wine and has secret cameras installed to protect herself or the literal dead mother who left like a shadow in the night and never returned afterwards. Blake's struggles wasn't loneliness that came from her warm house. But she had her own version, in a twisted way. Yang wasn't convinced however: "She doesn't have to be alone though. We all were there for her, yet she chose to run away after Beacon Fell, to leave us and be alone"
"Why do you think she did that?", Weiss asked. It was clear that Yang was hurting, yet she also still cared for a friend. As much as she might pretend that she wasn't. A 'hmm?' was all Yang could reply. Weiss smiled, continuing: "The entire time she was at Beacon, she was afraid to open up to people. Had I not pushed her that much we might never have known she was a Faunus. She tried to keep her past away from us to protect us and herself. Afraid something bad would happen. Eventually she lowered her walls and we became friends. And when that happened, the one thing she was terrified of happening, to hurt her friends, it actually happened. The universe proved her right."
"No one blamed her for anything. If she'd just talked to us, she would have known that! How can I be there for her if she doesn't let me…", Yang trailed off as Weiss could see the tears form in her eyes; "what If I needed her for me"
"I know I said something earlier that wasn't nice. It's not easy. When we're sad or in emotional stress, we often say and do things that hurt the ones we care for the most", Weiss admitted, "I wish she hadn't left too, but then again I also left. Not by my own will but I was away from my friends"
"Yeah but you came back, you didn't have a choice as your Father took you. Blake won't, she said so herself, all she ever does is leave a Shadow in her place as she runs", Yang says, sobbing in her hands. To which Weiss merely cracks a soft smile: "and so will she. Besides, you think a stuck up greedy bureaucrat can keep me from seeing my friends when I want? Of course not, I could take his head off if I wanted. But I fell back on something I knew in that intense dark moment. I fell back in my reserved 'heiress' nature as I tried to cope with what happened. But once I cleared up from that, I came and found you. If by a little detour", Yang cracked a small smile as she looked at Weiss: "when did you get so good at comforting others?"
"Plane crash", Weiss giggled, "but Blake will come back! Yang…you, Ruby and Blake…have been more like family to me than my brother or even my…father..ever were. I'd do anything for you three. And I'm willing to bet Blake feels the same way! So when she's ready, I'll be there for her…a castle to protect her", earning a smirk from Yang at the corny line but it was a thing her grandfather taught Weiss. Rolling her eyes she looked Yang dead in the eyes, to emphasis how serious she was: "and while you and I aren't as close, I'm here for you too. And Ruby. You can all depend on me. For you three are family. And I will do anything to protect that"
There was a small knock on the door as a tearful Ruby opened the door, asking if everything was ok. Weiss could tell that the way Yang had left had hurt Ruby. Even back in Beacon when Weiss had caused Blake to run, she recalled that Rose was overjoyed when they came back together in the end. Yang simply looked from her sister to Weiss and nodded. "Yeah…it is"
…
"You know what snuffs out hate? FEAR! I don't like hurting people…but it has gotten us results", Blake coughed from having the wind knocked out of her, she felt the sticky spider silk bind her arms on her back, as she was surrounded in a dark alleyway. Ilia had set her up, off course she had, it would have been too easy if things were different. She recalled how she and Weiss had been with one another, fear having pushed the Schnee Heiress to hatred and scorn. Meanwhile Blake had hated Weiss for being so neglectful. And what had stopped that flow of hate hadn't been fear. It was acceptance and dialogue. Understanding one another. Putting into perspective, Blake had realized how hatred had caused Faunus to hurt those who hadn't actually done anything wrong, because how could they have known right from wrong? And Weiss had realized that because of the 'small group of bad apples' the entire fruit wasn't as wretched. Acceptance and understanding, working together to stop the injustice. "Yeah…look where it's gotten you"
"We all have to make sacrifices for the greater good, no matter how much it hurts", A single moment there was falter in Ilia's eyes. But that was pushed down with steely determination.
"And you think killing me is really for the greater good?!", Blake asked
"No, but taking care of all of the Belladonnas will", Blake's eyes widened at the realization of what's being told to her, with feline ferocity she fought against her bonds "NO I won't let you!"
"Ya know there was another who claimed that, and she is being prepared by the Albains for a public statement. Ironic, that Ghira Belladonna will be taken care off alongside Sienna Khan", stating that fact Ilia gazed at the others of her band. It was true, after Sienna kept causing issues, the Albains in association with other Red Fang extremists, banded together, caught her, hogtied and gagged and sent her over to Menagerie. She was here now, ready for the fox twins to be killed. "And you'll be restrained until after. Once it's done, you'll be set free"
"No..ILIA PLEASE! You don't have to do this, this isn't you!", Blake begged, not for her life, but for the lives of her family. She just recently rekindled the bonds which she thought were burned bridges. She had her mother and father back, they graciously accepted her back after she had said such evil things. She had been so mean.
"Yes it is…but I guess you were too busy fawning over 'sensei' to realize or notice", Blake's eyes were puzzled, until she put it together and saw the blush on Ilia's face, "I was always jealous. I wanted you to look at me the way you looked at him..but we can't always get what we want"
Blake's heart was struck. She never expected Ilia to be in love with her. Before she could speak however, the chameleon girl stood tall and ordered Yuma to follow her, while the others were instructed to put Blake near the center, so she could see what the Albains wanted to do. As Ilia left, Sun and Blake sprang the trap and she was broken free. Thankful for his aid, she tried to desperately make it back to her family, in the middle of an assassination attempt. Kali isolated with her guards pinned behind the table, while the captain of the Chieftain Guard Fenrir takes a lethal shot to the back as he attempts to protect Ghira from the shot fired by the Twins. While Raven and Cinder's talk happens, wanting the life of her brother and agreeing to the terms of Cinder in regards to Summer's spawn being terminated. While Vernal shows concern at the fact that Raven throws her familial ties to the wind for personal gain, she's obedient to her mother's will and goes through with it. Yet there's a glimmer of doubt in her heart.
Elsewhere…
"Sir..are you sure of this?", a worried hushed voice said. Angelic but worried. Quickly the shape of the person is pulled into a dark shadow at the Mistral base of operations.
"Keep your voice down. Ears are everywhere and I'm already taking a risk telling you this", Adam Taurus, now clad in a long red coat, black pants and heavy combat boots, mirroring the look of Sensei (ironically having the same color palette as the brother of his teacher, may his spirit rest in peace), Blush clenched in his hand as he throws a look over his shoulder. Sure Hazel was a 'only death when it's required' person but this sort of silenced whispers reeks of treachery. And sure this would be treachery, but the different kind. "And don't call me sir, Vic"
"Why…? Why go this far?!", the worried look of the man almost changed Adam's plan, but his motivation was stronger!
"Why? Because no Faunus has to die for this moronic plan of theirs. I have reason to believe that Hazel's master has other pawns in motion", distrust? No clever thinking. Adam had learned as a young boy that the word of a human couldn't be trusted. Born without a life, in slavery, the stamp on his eye proof of that. Cinder had taken hostages before, who's to say that serpent wasn't gonna pull some stunt? And Hazel might have honorable ideas, but he was still a human. He wasn't a solution, but a handy problem to be thrown at others. A problem he could deal with himself, at great risk of the Faunus.
"Is that why you gave the order to take care of the Belladonnas? Keeping your hands clean of blood by having others do it?", Vic challenged. Enraged Adam slammed his fist into a wall and threw a murderous glare at the winged Faunus.
"I told the Menagerie Brothers and Sisters to take care of the Belladonnas and Sienna. Take CARE, not kill! Surely they won't be stupid enough to think I'd want them dead…", there was a pause. Would those two? It was known among all the Fang that Adam hated the spilling of Faunus blood. So they should know that it was meant as a 'contain and then take care they don't break out and cause trouble' kind of way, right? But… they weren't the brightest knives in the drawer. Oh I have made a terrible mistake. Adam sank against the wall and dropped to the ground. Vic followed him down, worried. "Oh no…what…what have I done…"
"Sir..don't worry, if we…"
"Don't call me sir, vic…I'm not a leader. I'm an angry beast unleashed. Besides, you need to keep her safe", glaring through the mask, Adam gestured to a young shark girl, her blue tail swishing in joy as she was having fun with friends. Her white hair and pigtails bouncing with energy of youth. His worried expression drew out the question that Vic had since that day in Vale.
"Why…? What is the importance of her specifically?"
"She…she reminds me of a person I once met. I want to bring her before my sensei to test a theory I have about it. But with how I've used Vergil's teachings to kill humans I am terrified of the greetings he would extend", a visible shiver passed down Adam's spine, one that even Vic could see, but he didn't press the issue. After a moment, Adam continued: "Vergil saved my life as I killed my way through the slavers of Atlas' Dust mines. The Schnee and their choking boot on my neck. I begged him to teach me power. To fight. To kill. Like he did when the Elite of Atlas descended upon his home. He wasn't alone, off course, Sensei took me in. Taught me the way of Iajutsu, showed the secrets of the Aura Forging art. I owe everything I am to him. But my rage and anger burned. Like my eye. So I broke away. Slaughtered humans where I went. Until the Fang picked me up. I had a purpose. But even then, I'm terrified of the storm that is approaching when I finally see him. Ultimately, it was that girl that broke my bloodlust. I no longer saw red. All because of the purity of a single innocent soul"
GAWR! The girl roared as she chased another aquatic girl with tentacle-like hair, a bird faunus with golden wings was looking at them and cawing in laughter. Adam cracked a small smile. "She's so unhinged yet so pure and child-like. Yet if the theory I have is true, there's pain that awaits her. To save her from that, I have to get her to my Sensei"
"Why not do that now!? Your plan is suicide. If Haven falls…"
"It will fall. But not like this. It won't be by Red Fang hands. It will be by mine. Remember the plan and keep her safe"