Chapter 7: New Leadership
A/N: I'm having issue with my laptop and have to post this from my phone. Sorry if this seem a bit rough.
"I made my decision," The answer has been obvious even from the start," I'll choose to go to Juvenile Detention."
Ironwood leaned back in his chair.
He stayed silent for a few moments before he finally spoke.
"What about the other offers?"
"Family visits? A chance to turn my life around? Doesn't Juvenile Detention offer the same thing or are you purposely leaving out information to sway me?" I pointed out.
"There are plenty of pros to joining Atlas Ms. Branwen," Ironwood explained," We're the most powerful kingdom with the best technology and the most finance. You will receive the very best of everything. You will even have our protection."
"I don't want to be a soldier," I reasoned. I have already finished my service with the Empire and the rebellion," Going to Juvie is just prison without forced military service."
"Military service isn't mandatory for Atlas students," He lies.
"You have pressured Huntsmen-in-Training to join the Specialist Corp. You can't lie to me about that. The entirety of Remnant knows about that. I'm going to have to respectfully decline your offer, General," I kept my eyes on him," I could take care of my own problems. I don't need your protection."
The last part was my own lie. I need to find people I could work with on my own terms. Even with my semblance active, I doubt I could fight the world itself. I need to play this carefully.
"My offer still stands even if you refuse right now," The General tries to hide his dismay.
"My heart told me it was the right thing to do," I declare," I simply decided to follow the path in which I believe."
"I accept your decision," the General stared at me with respect, mixed with disappointment," For a child, You act more mature than ever full-grown adults."
He isn't going to give up that easily. Ironwood is planning something. They always have backup plans.
"I'm thankful for your compliment," I nodded," But can I contact my family? Please."
I saw a corner of his lips twitch.
"You're by far the easiest Branwen to deal with."
I felt chills run down my spine as if I have fallen into a trap.
"Elaborate," I studied his features to understand what he was thinking.
"Qrow would put his feet on the table, boot off sometimes, and drink. Your mother would have to be restrained and both of them have horrible etiquette," He listed out," Neither of them would address me as General or say please."
My feelings for Qrow are complicated. I didn't want to rush my judgment about his romance with Martha. Purely off the fact that Raven hated their secret relationship. She isn't a reliable source of information on my uncle.
I want to hear his own word on the matter. If his love for her was genuine, I'll forgive him.
A pager next to his desk beeped.
"General Ironwood," A woman called in," Government officials are requesting a landing zone. One of them Identifies herself as a Councilwoman, Milly Malachite."
"Ms. Malachite? Why is she here?" He stood up and pressed a button on the pager," Allow her to land."
"Yes, General."
Malachite knows I'm here. This isn't surprising given how intricate her information network is. I'm surprised how quickly she got here given how I was captured 2 days ago and the distance from Mistral to South Anima is an entire day trip.
She's coming to bail me out, isn't she?
"Ms. Branwen, Your request for a call will go through by the end of today. I don't have your father's personal scroll number but I will ask a close friend of mine," He promised me," For now, You will be escorted back to your cell until further notice."
I stood up and bowed respectfully.
"Thank you," I walk to the door with the Ace Ops behind me.
"Wait," he lifted a hand," I almost forgot to tell you. You have saved the lives of dozens of Atlesian and huntsmen. I would like to formally thank you for risking your life against impossible odds."
He saluted me and the Aces Ops did the same.
"If only you join us," he undid the salute, "Once you serve your time, I recommend going to an Academy and becoming a Huntress."
"Preferably yours?"
"That avenue is always open," He offers, "You're dismissed."
My cell was at first a concrete room with a latrine and an air mattress. I only stayed an hour before they moved me. Now it's a comfy all-white living quarter. There is a dedicated kitchen, a living room doubling as the bedroom, and a private bathroom.
This is a clear attempt from General Ironwood to convince me to join the military. If this is what they call a cell, I want to see what their houses look like.
I know their cameras in the room; both hidden and noticeable. I'm just glad female soldiers are behind the cameras watching my every move.
I look at the counter to find the remote and turn on the TV. I sunk into the couch with a sigh.
Between all the factions either wanting me dead or joining them, She prefers if I continue to train her daughters and stay out of the way. I doubt it's out of altruism. Someone like Ms. Malachite expects a proper trade-off for kindness and it isn't because it's the right thing to do.
I can't even get a call out to contact my father in her castle. I know it because law enforcement has wiretapped the castle scroll service. It still annoys me that I don't know the specific string of numbers that could contact my father.
Ironwood should keep his end of the bargain.
I've been completely cooperative with them by revealing everything I know about the tribe. The interrogation didn't even feel like an interrogation. Nor did they employ any form of torture or verbal abuse. They were nice to me and even treated me like a child by offering me candies.
Either Ironwood is buffing or they are trying to account for the four years hiatus. I have only been about to hear second-hand knowledge of Raven's operation.
A knock on the door captured my attention. The man with a clover pin enters the room with a scroll and a piece of paper. I lower the volume on the TV and turn to face him.
"Here you are Ms. Branwen," He handed me the scroll and paper with a smile," If he doesn't pick up the first time, Just keep calling."
Finally, The moment I've been waiting for.
It's not the face to face reunion I wanted but this is better than never seeing him again.
I kept staring at the piece of paper with its long series of numbers. I waited for so long.
10 years.
I memorize and recite the string of numbers in my head as if the piece of paper will burst into flames.
My throat felt dry. I should get a drink of water first before I call him. I don't want to sound like I'm suffering from dehydration.
I set the paper aside and pinned it down with the scroll as I walked to the kitchen for some water.
"Your nerves are a little jumpy?" The huntsmen cross his arms.
"No," I responded back," I need some water. Also, Why are you still here? This is a private call?"
"Because I'm your assigned guard. My name is Clover Ebi by the way," He introduced with a hand extended," I'm not allowed to leave until you make the call. I've seen this kind of hesitation before."
"Hesitation?"
"You were staring at the piece of paper for the last five minutes," He pointed out," It is also courtesy to shake my hand."
"I don't even know who you are," I turn my back to him, "I was memorizing the numbers."
He lowered his hand with a dejected expression.
"I already introduced myself," he frowned.
"And you're a stranger. I'm not even interested in being your acquaintance," I answer bluntly.
"Kid, You deserve to call him," He looked at me with empathy," Your eyes lack any childlike youth. I know you are raised in one of the worst conditions for kids."
He's right. The last time I acted my physical age was when Martha was still alive. What I would give to experience a proper childhood with her. I caught a glimpse of it in both lifetimes.
"What time is it?"
He looks at a clock on the wall.
"It's 12 PM," He answers me.
"Now what time will it be in Patch?" I asked him.
"Akame, I beg you," He spoke softly," Call your father. He wants to see his little girl."
"Answer the question, Specialist," I repeated as I decided to make myself something to eat," What time is it in Patch?"
"My name is Clover."
"Specialist Ebi," I repeated," What is the time?"
"It would be seven in the morning," the Specialist sighed.
Seven in the morning? That's the time most people wake up. I should give him a few more hours. He needs those extra hours of rest.
"Good, I should eat first before I-"
"Maybe I should call him myself," Clover reached over the couch to grab the scroll.
"No!" I sprinted toward him and reached the scroll and paper first. I somersault over the couch and landed next to him.
The audacity of this man!
Clover was surprised by my speed and quickly composed himself.
"You know my teammate Harriet would love to have a foot race with you," he offered.
"He should still be asleep. I shouldn't bother him," I tucked the paper closer to my body.
"At 7 in the morning? That's the time people start to wake up," he voiced," You're too scared to call your dad?"
Scared? Scared of what?
"Why would I be scared? Why would I hesitate? I'm just picking the right time to call him," I countered.
I hunted and ate Danger Beasts that could overpower trained soldiers. I have fought against true monsters capable of untold horror. I survived a horde of Grimm capable of overrunning a small city. I defeated opponents with superior swordsmanship. I killed Esdeath.
Hesitated and scared shouldn't be the vocabulary that describes me.
"There was a man in Atlas," Clover walked around the couch and sat down," He was a hardened huntsman turned businessman. He once told me he could handle a King Taiju like a snake charmer and a corporate backstabbing is just another Tuesday. But what he couldn't handle was seeing his parents after he left home on bad terms."
"How does this relate to me?" I narrowed my eyes.
"Because no matter how strong someone is," he summarized," They will be at their weakest to a loved one. But also at their strongest. That's what my Dad told me about his life."
"Would my father still remember me?" I tightened the grip on the paper.
What if he moved on?
The memories of my old father invaded my subconscious. He sold Kurome and me for money. I would be lying if I didn't hold a grudge against him. But if he didn't, the war would have reached our doorstep regardless and we would be completely unprepared.
"I'm sure he'll remember you," Clover smiles.
"Then why hasn't he come looking for me?!" I shouted and instantly regretted it. The entire sentence was completely illogical.
I know why he can't look for me. He has another daughter to look after and my mother could teleport away. The countryside of Remnant is filled with Grimm and criminals. If he bought Yang along, He would be putting her at risk. Even if he is a huntsman himself, All it takes is for him to be unlucky once.
How did I become a frightened little girl when I got a chance to hear my Dad's voice? Could I even recognize his voice after 10 years? What if the man on the other line isn't my father but a man pretending to be him?
"You have a lot of baggage for a child," he looked down," Probably multiple lifetime worth. A girl your age should be on the playground with her friends playing Huntress and Grimm. You need to call him this instant. I'm not asking as your assigned prison guard, I'm asking as a concerned human being."
I have seared the numbers into my memories.
I looked at the number pad on the scroll and slowly raised my other hand to dial.
I couldn't even hold the scroll correctly. I almost dropped it because of how slippery it has gotten.
Why am I acting like this? Did I get weaker? I could slice the wings off flies but I can't hold a damn scroll properly. What's the matter with me?
"Careful," he spoke up," That's my personal scroll."
"Sorry," I readjusted my hands and quickly deleted the first attempt. I tried it again.
0...2...0...0...4...0...7...6...3...9
My heart was in my stomach. A green button was the final step.
"Press it," Clover gives me the thumbs up.
I bought out the paper to check my consistency. It all matched and my finger was ready to press the call button.
Clover scroll.
It seems a little too clean. As if it has recently been taken off an assembly line.
"How long have you had this scroll for?"
"A year, why?" he shrugged but didn't bother to look me in the eyes.
I used other people's scrolls before. They often have apps and background pictures customized by the user. It could be a picture of themselves, friends and family, their occupation, or anything they like.
This scroll seems far too mundane. It lacks any personalization or apps. The background is standard and the scroll shows no sign of aging or damaged.
I didn't want to raise their suspicions and decided to run a quick test.
I changed one number in the sequence and called.
It ringed for around 10 seconds before it connected.
"Hello! This is Taiyang Xiao Long speaking."
The back of my mind was in a frenzy. I haven't seen my father in 10 years but I could still recognize his voice.
I felt my face heat up.
"Excuse me," I spoke as respectfully as I could," But is this really the Xiao Long residences?"
"Yes, of course," The man on the other line paused," Who's speaking."
I crushed the scroll in my hand.
"Akame! Why would you do that!" He stood up.
"I'm not sure you're aware but I'm not holding it against you," I sighed," The person on the other line isn't my father."
"How would you know that? You haven't been in contact with him since you were born," he reasoned.
"Because I purposely dialed the wrong number," I ripped the paper into tiny pieces upon realizing the truth," Why is your general doing this? I told you everything I know about the tribe and I have saved your comrades."
"Kid, I'm not lying about wanting you to see your dad again," he spoke with regret," You will see him again eventually. Akame, I'm a soldier of Atlas first and foremost. I'm just following orders. Sorry, You have to come with us."
I watch as the members of Aces Ops enter the room with weapons at their side.
I know the Aces Ops are the elite Huntsmens of the Atlesian Military. The chances of victory are uncertain even with my semblance active. Even if I win without much difficulty, I would need to escape an entire army and flee into unfamiliar territory. On top of the fact I don't have a weapon, I can't kill any of them, and I need to remove the ankle bracelet.
"Come with us Akame."
I have no choice but to comply.
"Oh, I don't think so," A woman's voice pieces through the tense atmosphere.
A dozen Huntsman and Huntress wearing formal purple suits forcefully push their way past the Aces Ops. The Atlesian was far too surprised to stop the sudden intrusion.
They formed a wall in front of me.
"What's going on?" A stocky Aces Ops with a Warhammer gritted her teeth," What are you Mistranese doing here?"
I look through a gap in between the human wall.
"Oh, I'm just enforcing the rights of a Mistral Civilian," Ms. Malachite spoke nonchalantly with a pair of bodyguards.
"She's a criminal," Another woman pointed out and started to approach the wall of Huntsmen.
"Harriet stop!" Clover commanded.
Harriet pauses and slowly walks back with an annoyed look.
"You power-hungry Atlesians," Malachite shook her head," The previous administration may allow you to run rampant but so long as my fellow Council members and I are in charge, I won't allow you to do as you wish."
The Crime boss looked back and smiled at me.
"We are allies, correct?" She continued," Akame Branwen is as much our responsibility as it is yours."
The Aces Ops are outnumbered four to fourteen. Luckily, none of them wants to get into a fight.
Malachite turned to face the Atlesians.
"We're under a direct order by General Ironwood to get the prisoner to transport," Clover spoke up," She surrendered herself to us and is under our jurisdiction."
"By gods," Malachite massaged her temple," What part of we're allies don't you get! Clover Ebi, correct? Well, I just had a chat with your General and we came to an agreement that she stays in Mistral territory until all three kingdoms come together to figure out what to do with her."
"Prove it," He stared intensely. His facial expression changes to surprise when he reaches for his ears," General? Yes...Akame is still in her room, General...Oh...Understood. I'll notify them."
Malachite stood with both hands out. I could feel the smug energy radiating from her.
"Am I a liar?" She taunted.
"No, You're not Councilwoman," Clover spoke stone-faced.
"Good," She turned her back to the Aces Ops," Besides, You have nothing to worry about Lady Branwen."
I wasn't ready for the next bombshell.
"I have to break the bad news to you but You might be the very last Branwen," She spoke formally.
"Last Branwen?" I remember Raven mentioning the Branwen family was once a large tribal clan. If my mother dies then good riddance.
"Your uncle and mother have gone missing. The only pieces of evidence found are hysterical survivors and a town overrun by strange Grimm."
A/N: I really enjoy reading the reviews and I do take them seriously. It's my main method of improving my writing.
Looking back, This story was inspired by The Huntress of Hope. Hope is pretty nonexistent for Akame at the moment.
Nowadays my inspiration are the three Gacha games I'm playing. Houkai Impact, FGO, and Arknights. How do that relate? With how the current stories in all three games are like, Akame's current situation looks grim. Even the part where I wrote Martha death is inspired by Houkai Impact.
About the downside of going to Juvenile Detention. Akame has committed crimes on Mistral territory and if I hinted already, Mistral is run by the Underworld. An interconnected web of Mistranese criminal elements that is equivalent to the High Table in the John Wick movies or the US mafia in the '30s for real-life references.
Meaning no matter what choice she makes, Akame will eventually have to fight her way out or join. And the type of people she fights will never stop coming after her and would do anything to kill/capture her. And killing them would make her situation even worse.
I'm even factoring in Akame's own intellect. Akame is intelligent but she isn't going to outsmart or outwit people like Ironwood, Ozpin, Raven, Salem, and Lil Ms. Malachite simply because scheming and manipulation are their thing and they have the resources to back it up. Akame could avoid a few pitfalls but she is on her own at the moment. But if she stays alone, one of them will eventually come up with an ultimatum that would force her to join their side.
I set the story in a way that could spawn multiple different routes. One of these routes is written below. The passage is what I would call the Tribal Uprising route.
This is a pre-Alpha idea for a different timeline.
This was supposed to be a part of chapter 4 as the start and end of the next story Arc.
This is basically what if Akame ended up deeper in the Branwen rabbit hole.
Original Title: Domino Effect
Event beforehand: The Atlesian Airship was taken down but the tribe appeared inside the ship using Vernal, Akame, and Umber.
An execution was taking place in the carcass of an Altesian airship. Its mighty frame once prowled the skies of Anima has fallen from the skies. Her crew is at the mercy of a small army of bandits.
One of the last survivors is the captain of the ship as he waits for his death. He got on his knees and bare his neck. The man could only hope the executioner's hands are swift. In all his years of service, He would have never expected a 10-year-old girl to be the one to kill her. But this little girl had killed before.
"This war is over," Raven walked behind her daughter," You Atlesian think that just because you have the bigger toys, Victory is an easy matter."
"The might of Atlas will come back stronger," He vowed.
"Doubtful with the fall of the public support," Raven signaled to her daughter," You started the war, Akame. I want you to end it."
The assassin raised a sword that was longer than her body.
Akame kept her facial expression blank. She knows what she is doing is wrong but she didn't have a choice.
It's just the life of one person she doesn't know. If she doesn't kill him; Vernal or Umber will. Vernal is already an emotional wreck and Umber, who is an inexperienced child, would make the execution long and painful. She knows that Umber would never say no to Raven.
"I'm sorry," She mumbles under her breath. Akame's eyes showed a moment of pity before it snapped back into a cold stare.
She'll make sure his death was painless.
A scroll snapped a picture the moment Akame blade bit into the flesh.
In a clearing, A girl with the power of nature set watching Branwen tribe members strip dead Altersian robots and personnel of their weapons and armor.
"Thank you, Vernal," Raven placed a hand on the Spring Maiden shoulder," Victory couldn't be achieved without you."
The Spring Maiden held back tears at her action. The news will sum it up as freak weather conditions and bandits attack but she knows better. A tornado doesn't spawn inside the dust reactor of the ship. Neither does previously clear skies turning into a massive lightning storm that only targets Atlas aircraft.
She looked at the bodies mangled from the crash.
"I allow you to cry Vernal," Raven comforts her," You have ensured our continued survival in this world."
The Spring Maiden broke down at what she caused. She keeps reminding herself that she needs to do it.
If she betrayed or left the tribe, There would be no one left to protect her. If she helps them, then she will have people she could trust to keep her safe.
A/N: Just a tiny glimpse into an alternate timeline. Because if I'm being honest, Akame wouldn't save any of them unless there is an end result that is worth the risk. Akame isn't heroic but she is trying her best to change her life.
Read and Review.
