Disclaimer: I do not own any of the material appearing in this story. The OC's belong to their respective owners.
Several Years Ago, in Atlas…
"Now, you see, Aria… the trick is all in the technique. You dig too light, you'll be at this grave for too long. You dig too deep and you could potentially destroy any valuable the deceased person might be holding, or potentially damage the corpse in question."
"Ooooh, okay! I see what you mean, daddy!" Aria smiled, around at the age of six. Her father smiled while her mother finished digging up a grave as she would look inside.
"Oh my stars!" She whispered as she pulled out a ruby necklace. "It's absolutely gorgeous!" She beamed happily as she put it on her while her father finished digging up the grave.
"Hmph. The fool buried himself with a book?" The father mocked as he pulled it out and looked through it. "One of those people who love erotica…"
"What is erotica, daddy?" Aria asked.
"A genre that you are too young to read, little one."
"Aww… okay!" Aria pouted. "Can I have a turn, daddy?"
The father chuckled. "Of course, sweetheart." He said, ruffling her hair as they went to the next gravestone as Aria took the shovel and would attempt to dig it up. It only took a few piles of dirt until her father decided to help her. "All in the technique, sweetie."
"Oooooh! So that's what you meant…" Aria said in awe with a smile as they would dig it up, where Aria would instantly reel back from the stench of the rotting corpse. "Ewww! It stinks!"
"This one was recently buried… two weeks by the look of it." The father mused and then smiled at his daughter. "You will get used to the smell, sweetie. Not every grave is a bare skeleton."
"If you say so…" Aria gagged as he let her go into the hole and see if she could find anything of value. The stench was enough to make her stomach do several backflips, but it had also intrigued her as she curiously poked the cheek of the deceased in question. She would pull the cheek before some flesh was pulled off. It was enough to make her puke, but the fascination would deter her from doing so… yet.
She would notice the corpse had something buried in her arms as she curiously picked it up. "A tome?" She wondered as she would open the book. "Aww, there's nothing in it. Just empty pages!"
"Perhaps she couldn't think of anything to write in that book. Make it yours and write whatever you want to write in it, my dear."
Aria smiled as she would examine the body more closely before pulling out a few rings off of the fingers before climbing out. Soon after, her face turned green as she quickly ran behind a tree to puke. "Ah, I remember my first time digging up a rotten corpse." Her mother said, putting her hand on her cheek ad sighed in nostalgia. "I lost my sense of smell for a few days… couldn't even bring myself to eat for two days."
"I had nightmares for a week." The father grinned. "But the fascination brings you back for more!"
The mother smiled, flashing jewelry in her fingers. "Mhm~!" She said as Aria groggily approached them.
"Can we go home now… I don't feel so good…"
The father laughed. "Sure, sweetie! We've got plenty of valuables to take home!" He said as they walked home, with her father giving Aria a piggyback ride on the way home, and as they left, a security guard walked into the scene.
"Oh no… damned grave robbers…" He mumbled. "Whoever they are, they hit this cemetery too."
The next day at the SDC, who is conveniently having a party…
"Ah, so good to see you again!" Jacques said.
"Bring it here, Jacques!" Aria's father smiled, happily hugging Jacques and lifting him in the air, while Aria's mother simply just waved at Willow who was having herself a glass of wine.
"Aheheh… so, I imagine our humanitarian aid to the SDC is doing wonders as usual?"
Jacques let out a chuckle. "Hmhmhm! Of course! Oh, would you like some hor d'oeurves?"
"But of course! Lead the way, ol boy!" He said, happily slapping Jacques on the back..
"Mmmph!" Jacques stumbled a bit as he let out a chuckle and guided Aria's parents to the refreshments that was currently being served by a Faunus servant."
"Oh Whitty~!" A voice hummed as a young Whitley turned to see Aria skipping over to him.
"Aria!" Whitley beamed as the two embraced one another, both of them unaware of a young Weiss and Winter spotting them, causing both of them to giggle. "How are you doing?"
"Oh, I'm doing alright!" Aria smiled as she pulled out a book. "I found this recently."
"Really?" Whitley looked into it. "Oh, it's all blank…"
"It's a tome, but daddy said I could write anything I want in it. Maybe we can write in it together~!"
Whitley blushed. "Um, really?"
"Mhm!" Aria smiled, sporting a light blush as well. "Come on, we can brainstorm together!" She said, skipping off while taking Whitley with her.
"Oh!"
"Aww, isn't that cute. He has himself a girlfriend." Winter smiled.
Weiss tilted her head. "I think they're just good friends."
"That's how it starts." Winter said as Weiss looked at her quizzically, making her giggle and then ruffled Weiss's head. "I'll tell you when you're older."
With the adults…
"Mmm! These snacks aren't half bad!" The father said, giving Jacques a smile. "Your servants outdone themselves!"
"Indeed!" He said as he turned his head. "Oh! James, get over here! There's someone who I want you to meet." Jacques said and then spotted someone. "Oh, bring your daughter here with you. She'll love them!" He requested as Ironwood and a younger Esdeath approached them. "I'd like you both to meet Alexander and Alyssa!"
"Ah, so this is the head of the Humanitarian Aid of Atlas? I've heard much about you." Ironwood said.
"Heh! To think I'd come face to face with the Atlas General himself!"
"Sergeant, actually. I'll be promoted to General soon, though."
"Ah, then this party should be a celebration for your soon to be promotion!" He laughed. "And who's this?"
"Esdeath. Nice to meet you."
"Ah! So this is the adopted daughter we've heard so much about! You being the only survivor of your village is truly a heartbreaking scenario." He said. "And now, here you are, quickly rising to the top in the military and fighting for justice! Truly an inspiration."
"I also make sure this doofus stays out of trouble." Esdeath smiled cheekily.
"Hey!" Ironwood blushed, causing them to all laugh.
"The relationship with your father is truly heartwarming!" He smiled. "James Ironwood, Esdeath Ironwood… it's truly breathtaking!" He extended his arm out to Esdeath. "Put 'er there!" He said as Esdeath reached for his hand to shake it, but as soon as she touched his hand, she let out a light gasp… feeling something amiss as she quickly pulled her hand away. "Ah, quick handshakes for you? That's fine with me, everyone is different!" He grinned as he turned to Jacques. "Come Jacques, we must have a meeting!" He said as Jacques nodded as well, then they walked off.
Esdeath stared at her hand and then at Aria's parents, her mind racing and having a troubled look on her face. She was unaware that her father was staring at her in concern.
In Jacques's office…
"So, Jacques… I've heard you're having an issue at one of the mines." He said.
"Mmm, just a Faunus rebellion… I'm sure it'll wear out soon enough."
He smiled sadistically. "What if we were to make it look like an accident?"
Jacques looked interesting, clasping his hands together. "I'm listening…"
"Perhaps if we stick some dynamite in there next to some of those explosive dust crystals… and we can put in a monitor to watch them mine away. Once we see one of them unwittingly hit a stick of dynamite-"
"The little rebellion dissipates." Jacques smirked. "How long do you think it'll take?"
"Leave everything to me, Jacques. Our aid will not let the SDC go up in smoke over a small rebellion."
Jacques let out a chuckle. "How does that humanitarian motto go again: "We aid everyone because we care"? Heh, honestly, the true motto has always been: "Humans first-"
"Faunus last!" Alexander grinned devilishly as both of them laughed while Jacques poured a glass of champagne.
Later into the night, at Ironwood's house…
Ironwood locked the door as he walked in, then turned around to seeing Esdeath having made her way into the kitchen and opened up the fridge. "Care to explain what happened over there?"
"Hmm?" Esdeath turned around with a cheese stick in her mouth.
"The moment we met Jacques' friends, you've been acting a bit odd. Even when we were coming home, despite you being a chatterbox, you were quiet… and it's making me concerned."
Esdeath swallowed a bite before sighing. "There's… something about him I don't like."
"Who, Jacques? Yeah, he could treat the Faunus better but-"
"Not him. Alexander." Esdeath said. "When I touched his hand, there was something… off about his hand. It felt rough and coarse, and I think there was a small blister on his hand."
"You've shook hands with those who don't moisturize their hands that often before."
"I know, but this is different." Esdeath said. "I feel… as if there's something malicious going on with him. Him and his wife. Come to think of it, the daughter makes me uneasy too…"
"I'm sure it's nothing. Maybe you partied a bit too much tonight on the dance floor."
"Maybe… but I don't trust them." She said as she walked close to him before she was by his side. "I wouldn't donate any money to them if I were you. Something's off about them and I don't like it."
Three nights later...
Ironwood walked around in Mantle, he and his troops making the rounds around the perimeter of the city to make sure no Grimm would sneak their way into town.
He would turn his gaze to the city and then spotted Alexander and his family walking into an alleyway, and noticed they had shovels over their shoulders. "Hmm?" Ironwood wondered. What are they doing here in Mantle? He turned away, thinking they were just buying some new shovels in Mantle... but he paused. Surely they could just buy shovels in Atlas, right? If so, why did they come down here? Jacques had told them they are never seen in Mantle as far as he was concerned.
The more he thought about it, the more it bugged him. He would immediately start to follow them, curiosity getting the better of him.
He walked into the alleyway, noticing they were still walking through before taking a right. He swiftly followed after them. He wanted to reason that they were taking a shortcut back to their ship that'll head back to Atlas... but his daughter's words echoed in his head.
She might be right... but I just have to make sure. He thought as he hurried along, then cut through the street, his mind racing on what they could be doing with the shovels.
"Gone hunting?" A voice spoke up, nearly making him jump as he turned to see a young Robyn approach him.
"Miss Hill." Ironwood greeted. "What are you-"
"Going for a stroll, started following three individuals with shovels. Next thing I know, I see you cutting through town as if a Grimm broke through."
"No, a Grimm didn't break through... and for your information, their names are Alexander, Alyssa and-"
"Alexander? As in the "Humanitarian" of Atlas? Ha! Trust me, he ain't up for snuff." Robyn folded her arms with a smirk. "If anything, they're up to something horrific like possible Faunus murder."
"I don't think they're like that."
"Uh-huh, then what's with the blaster?"
"That's not the point. I just have... suspicions."
"Oh really?"
"Yes. A few days ago, Esdeath felt something amiss and then I see them tonight prowling through the streets. I had been informed they don't really visit Mantle all that often, or at all."
"So, seeing them on the streets with shovels tipped you off? Heh, well, give it up for Little Blizzard. Her instinct hit another bullseye."
"You do know you're the same age as her, right?"
Robyn smirked before turning around. "Come on, let's go. We're losing track of 'em." With a nod from Ironwood, the two of them set out and followed after the family.
Soon, their tracks would lead them into a cemetery, and then Ironwood and Robyn went for cover as she would take a peek with some binoculars.
"Well, I'll be damned..." She mumbled. "Looks like our little Humanitarian isn't so benevolent after all." She said as Ironwood couldn't believe his eyes.
"Graverobbing?!" He whispered in shock.
"Looks like Little Blizzard's instinct was right." Robyn chuckled as she noticed Ironwood getting up and ready to arrest them. "Hold it!" She stopped him. "I've a better idea."
"That being?"
"The SDC funds them, correct?" Robyn asked before smirking. "Let's hit them where it hurts." She said, snapping a few pictures. "Let's just hope Mr. Snooty Pants is above grave robbing."
Meanwhile, in Weiss's room...
"Hmmhmmhmm~" Weiss hummed, listening to some classical music before she let out a yawn, climbing into bed and slowly closing her eyes.
"GRAVE ROBBING?!"
Weiss's eyes opened, hearing her father's yelling echoing through the mansion. "Huh?"
In Jacques' office...
"You cannot be serious!" Jacques yelled. "You expect me to believe some vigilante?! This could be anyone graverobbing! Alexander and his family aren't anything like that!"
"You don't believe me?" Robyn asked.
"Of course I don't. This is nothing but slander! And in case if you didn't know, it is nearly midnight! No one wants to hear slander at 11:45 at night!"
"Then you leave me with no choice." Robyn said. "You should know something about my semblance, Snooty Boy."
"Snooty Boy?" Jacques quietly mouthed.
"My semblance is Lie Detection. How it works is that I take someone's hand, ask them a question, and if the aura turns green when they answer, then they are telling the truth." Robyn explained and then took Ironwood's hand. "Were the graverobbers Alexander and his family?"
"Yes."
The aura turned green.
"Bah! That's just poppycock." Jacques mumbled.
"Alright, let's try you." Robyn took his hand. "Are you the rightful heir of the SDC?"
"Don't be ridiculous, of course I am!"
The aura turned red.
Robyn smirked. "I had my suspicions."
"What does red mean...?"
"Take a wild guess." Robyn still smirked. "Now, here's a good one. What is your oldest daughter's name?"
"Winter."
The aura turned green, as Jacques' eyes widened. "Do you believe me now?"
The next day...
"Jacques, I can explain."
"EXPLAIN WHAT?!" Jacques yelled, his face beet red with anger. "YOU WERE BUSY GRAVE ROBBING OUT IN THE OPEN! JUST HOW LONG WERE YOU DOING THIS?!""You have to understand-"
"Understand WHAT?!Have you been doing this for years?!"
"...Yes, we were. It's merely a hobby. We even got our kid doing it because she was curious abou-"
"Oh, that is just PERFECT!" Jacques threw his hands up in the air exasperatedly. "I may be a reasonable man who doesn't like those beasts wandering about without a leash AND got that rebellion to stop in the mines, but this? This is something I cannot allow!"
"You would allow a small "mishap" in the mines and yet, graverobbing is too much? I would assume you wouldn't have minded this."
"If there's one thing I can't stand is people messing with other people's resting places! It's called Rest in Peace for a reason!Graverobbing is something I will not stand for!"
"Do you want it to benefit you then? Because I can make that happ-"
"SILENCE!" Jacques snapped, which was enough to make Alexander shrink back a bit. "Alexander, you are one of my most trusted friends... or at least, you were."
"Were?"
"Because of this damning evidence of you graverobbing, not to mention you confessed you've been doing this for years... well, I cannot condone this behavior for a second longer!"
"Jacques, you don't mean-"
"GET OUT!" He yelled. "Get out of my home, get out of Atlas, and don't step foot in Mantle ever again! Get your family out of here as well! You are finished! Your humanitarian aid is finished and that building will be demolished as soon as you leave. If you step foot in my town again, so help me, I will have you arrested and I will make sure you are fed to the Grimm!"
"Jacques, listen to-"
"GET OUT! Before my guards force you out."
Alexander scowled. "Very well. Farewell, Jacques." He said as he walked out, slamming the door behind him.
Whitley was out in the foyer, chatting with Aria when Alexander and Alyssa walked out. "Come, Aria. We are leaving." Alexander said.
"Okay, daddy!" Aria smiled as she walked out, cheerfully waving goodbye to Whitley before walking out the doors with her parents.
"Take a good long look at your friend, Whitley... because you are never seeing them again." Jacques said as he walked up.
"Huh? Father, what are you talking about?"
"Son, let me tell you a thing or two about grave robbing."
A few nights later, at some village...
"Are we ever going to see Whitley again?" Aria asked, as she was digging a grave.
"I'm afraid not, sweetheart." Alyssa said, digging another grave.
"Why not?"
"Honey, there's a reason why we were forced to leave Atlas." Alexander mumbled. "You see, the reason being-"
"Hey! What are you doing?" A voice called out to them.
"Quick, hide!" Alyssa whispered as Aria nodded and hid behind a tree, where her parents turned to see two guards approaching them, both of them being Faunus. One of them had ears in the shape of a rottweiler and the other had a tail in the shape of a German Shepherd.
"Good evening, gentleman! We were just taking an evening stroll out and about." Alexander smiled.
"...In the graveyard with shovels?" The first one, the Rottweiler Faunus asked.
"They're more akin to walking sticks." Alyssa said with a smile.
"Yeah huh..." The German Shepherd Faunus raised an eyebrow. "Explain the holes."
"Oh those? They were here when we got here."
"...You're not fooling us." The first one said with his arms folded. "You're graverobbing."
"And what if we are?" Alyssa shot back.
"We're going to have to ask you to leave, or we're going to take you in."
"Right, we understand..." Alexander gripped his shovel tightly. "YOU SKIN WALKERS!" He yelled, swinging his shovel and smacking the Rottweiler on the head.
"AGH!" He cried.
"Hey!" The second one snarled as Alyssa would try to swing her shovel at him but he would dodge and then delivered a swift blow to her gut with a heavy punch.
The first one shook his head as Alexander swung again, but the Faunus dodged as he angrily pulled out a blaster and shot him in the head.
Aria gasped, witnessing her father go down in a single shot as she heard her mother scream as the Rottweiler Faunus grab her shovel and impaled her with it, hard enough for it to go through her entire body.
"Whoa, dude!" The German Shepherd Faunus grabbed a hold of his friend. "Dude! Dude, take it easy!"
"Nnngh!" The other snapped out of his rage, the red in his eyes disappearing. "...Oh shit, what have I done... I... I lost-"
"Breathe! Breathe..." His friend whispered. "We'll figure something out."
"What do we do?!"
"We'll just have to take responsibility. Now let's go..." He said, as the two Faunus ran off while Aria walked to the grisly sight, staring at her parents in front of her. Tears swelled in her eyes as she fell on her knees.
"Those... those... THOSE DAMN SKIN WALKERS!" She screamed as she started sobbing uncontrollably."THEY KILLED MY MOMMY AND DADDY IN COLD BLOOD!"
Several years later, at the Land of Darkness…
Aria sat along the edge of a cliff, watching Grimm crawl out of the Grimm pools before looking at the moon. She closed her eyes, flashing back to Whitley. "Whitley… I know you're out there somewhere. When I find you, we're going to be together just like we promised the day before we got kicked out of Atlas."
She smiled wickedly, pulling out her dagger. "And I'll make sure no one can keep us apart… no girl will ever come close to you." She let out a few giggles. "Because if they do… I'll make their deaths look like an accident~!"
Ibuki: Uh oh... Ibuki thinks she may need to warn Whitley-chan...
Yeeeeeah, probably for the best. (Shout outs to DarkRebellion for coming up with this Gaiden!)