The next day, Blake, her parents and Sun stood in the room they were renting for the occasion. The ballroom was decorated with dozens of fold-up chairs, a wooden stage with a podium and a blank book leaned against it. There was a small microphone attached to the stand. A clock on the back of the room said 4:05.
On the stage stood a nervous Blake with her boyfriend Sun, trying to think of what to say to her to calm her nerves.
In the back, Kali and Ghira were unfolding the chairs, creating rows of seats. Ghira was now shown to be wearing a suit and brown tie to appear as a human. Kali had remained the same as she ever was.
On both the left and right side of the room, there were six rows of ten chairs, making a total of 120 seats. The two got some more chairs from the racks, unfolded them, and got to work on the seventh row on each side. Kali finished setting up chairs on the right side, and Ghira finished unfolding chairs about a minute later.
"That's every chair we could get our hands on!" Kali exclaimed. "136 chairs total!"
"You guys think it'll be enough?" Blake asked.
"It'll probably be more than enough. Unfortunately, I doubt we'll get many people here." Ghira told them as he approached the stage.
Sun raised an eyebrow. "And why not?"
"I'm not sure everyone has the same love of literature that Blake does. Not to mention book clubs are usually small. The average size for a book club is about ten to fifteen people. If we're lucky, we'll have twenty or thirty show up. Nowhere near enough to counter the entire White Fang Army."
"Well, maybe we'll get more recruits later down the road." Sun said. "This is just a starting point. I don't know much about war or armies, but if they are anything like Vacuan tribes, they aren't created overnight. They take time to build."
"That may be, but time is not a luxury we have." Ghira reminded him. "We haven't even figured out when Haven is going to be invaded."
Sun looked dismayed as he was reminded of the stakes.
"What we really need is a double agent on the inside." Blake said. "But even when we do get recruits, there's no guarantee we'll find a faunus who's willing to act as one."
Kali looked dismayed. "We have a long road ahead of us."
Ghira nodded. "Indeed we do. Can I see the template flier again?"
Blake handed her father a piece of white paper with a lot of words on it.
In black font, they read;
Blake's Book Club
Meeting tonight; March 9th at 5:30pm
Wind's End Hotel and Inn (Ballroom)
1551 Cloud Courtyard, Wind Path
Below was a picture of the book Violet's Garden and Blake's phone number.
Humans and faunus welcome
Tell your friends
"Hmm..."
Kali looked at her husband with concern. "Is something wrong, dear?"
"I'm wondering if this half-blood story we agreed to tell the audience is going to help our cause." he responded.
"I think it will. Besides, if you think about it, who are people more likely to listen to? A faunus or a human? Not to mention we need to bring humans and faunus together to stop Adam and his armies. If I act as the bridge between them, I believe it will convince more people to join us down the road." Blake reasoned.
Ghira sighed. "I hate lying, but if it's for a good cause, I will do my best to maintain the image. Still, here's hoping that this lie doesn't backfire."
Over an hour later, the clock was shown turning to 5:30. And no one showed up.
"Maybe they're running late?" Blake asked.
"There's one." Kali pointed out.
A tall, tanned, muscular young man with short dark hair and peach eyes entered the room. Upon closer examination, he was shown to have sheep horns. He wore a plain white shirt, peach cargo pants and black sneakers.
"Wow. This place is huge." the young man spoke.
The purple-bowed girl blinked as he came to the front left row. "Mata?"
He nervously waved. "Oh, hello there Blake. Long time no see."
Sun turned in Blake's direction. "Who's he?"
"Long time friend from Menagerie."
"I'm surprised he's here though." Ghira turned to him. "I thought your overly-protective mom wouldn't let you go anywhere."
"My mom was getting unbearable, so I left Menagerie and decided to travel around with the help of my extended family. Visited them in Aslolis for the winter holidays, then traveled around from one group of tourists to another, and somehow I ended up here." He chuckled. "I almost didn't recognize you with that bow however."
"Look, Mata, would you mind keeping my faunus heritage and basically all of our White Fang history under the hood?" Blake asked.
"Oh um, sure. No problem." Mata answered.
"Thanks."
Hmm... I wonder if Mata would be willing to be a double-agent for us... Blake pondered.
Within time, a number of people arrived. There were about twenty people total. The clock was now reading 5:55pm.
Blake breathed in, gave a smile and made her way to the podium. "Greetings everyone. Thank you all for coming. Now before we get to discussing Violet's Garden, I have a little surprise for you. I have actually written my own book, but I have yet to publish the story. Mainly because I never found a title for it. I was hoping that I could read it to you and you'd submit your ideas to me."
Some audience members looked on in interest, while others were confused.
A montage began as Blake told her story, with various images of her speaking sharing space with a black background.
"Our story begins with a girl who was enrolled in Beacon. This girl was not like everyone else, for she hid a secret from her teammates; she was a half-blood. She never told her friends the truth, because she feared they would tease and ridicule her, especially the white-haired heiress."
"...But upon finding out the truth, they didn't care. She found friends, family, and a community that supported her."
"...And within a matter of hours, Beacon crumbled. In her sorrow and negativity, she went after the man responsible; a bull-horned faunus named Adam Taurus. Originally the Valeian White Fang leader, he would eventually rise to power after ruthlessly slaying his commander, High Leader Sienna Khan. The girl and her monkey-tailed friend attempted to stop him, but alas, they failed.
The montage ended as Blake came near to the end of her story. "And in the end, the four were forced to flee. They survived that battle, but alas, the war was far from truly over. It is a sad story is it not? Now what if I told you that it was true?"
The audience stared at her in disbelief.
"Well, it is true. Because that girl... the girl who ran from the world, was me. I am the half-blood huntress trainee Blake Belladonna, my teammates were the members of what was once team RWBY, the monkey-tailed friend is right here, and my parents aided me in my escape from his lair. Now the reason I'm telling you this, is because we have discovered bad news; Haven Academy is going to be invaded. We don't know when, but we do know it is Taurus's next major goal. The truth is that me, my friend and my parents... we don't stand a chance. This is the real reason I called you here; to ask you to join us and stop him. I know that you don't have experience, but we can train you. All we ask is for your commitment and dedication to stopping the looming threat. We, as a society of humans and faunus, must unite to stop him and restore honor to what was once a group of nobility and honesty."
For what seemed like a long time (but in reality was only a few seconds), silence permeated the room.
"I'll join!" Mata volunteered. "If you'll have me, that is."
This started some discussions amongst the small group.
"They are getting more dangerous..." a human woman spoke.
"And they are giving faunus a bad name." a dog-eared man added.
A few more discussions occurred and everyone nodded in agreement.
"We're in!" one bunny eared faunus spoke for them all.
Blake smiled. "I can't thank you enough. First things first, we'll need to access your skills and for the uninitiated, start combat and aura experience."
Meanwhile, Uriel sat down at a bar. It was not the same bar in Shion that he met his superiors in previously. This time, he was in a tavern at Higanbana. From the upper floor, he looked at the many patrons down below. Fortunately, there was no one upstairs but him. He sighed in relief.
Perfect. This will make my scheduled meeting with Mr. B and Ms. P much easier.
The scarred huntsman had a mug of beer in his hand, which he lifted to his mouth and drank from it. He breathed out and looked at the mug. On the table was another mug, but that one was completely empty. He looked back at the mug in his hand.
Half-empty or half-full?
Before he could answer, he heard footsteps and looked up to see two cloaked figures going up the steps. One wore a large white cloak, the other a normal sized one in black.
"Well hello there, stranger." a familiar feminine voice spoke.
Uriel smiled. "Mr. B and Ms. P, I presume?"
"You are correct." Kiaran answered.
"Right on time." The two took their seats as he showed his horse emblem badge. "I was beginning to fear you wouldn't show up."
"We were acquiring additional weaponry and the shopkeeper... wasn't agreeing with us." Alva explained as she and her partner let down their hoods. "How is the operation of stopping the presses and securing Aslolis going?"
The huntsman sighed. "Not as well as I had hoped. The only places I have managed to stop the presses in completely are Kuchinashi and Zephyros. Unfortunately, all of Mistral City and certain parts of Argus already know the truth of Pyrrha's continued existence. Some areas of Wind Path also know she's alive. Thankfully the Lower Highlands, which could arguably be a city within a city, hasn't received word yet. In terms of cities and villages outside Mistral, all of them are kept in the dark. As for the other kingdoms and areas of significance, Vacuo, Menagerie and Atlas are still in the dark. Unfortunately, for Atlas it won't be long. According to Misty, an agent in Argus, Emerald Arc, one of the most notable second-class messengers, has encountered Pyrrha sometime before and/or during her journey. She told at least a few people that Pyrrha is alive, causing the news to spread faster than the newspapers are circulating, which are also heading towards Atlas kingdom. And while some doubt those claims, they are swaying a significant amount of people, much to my dismay. Alas, trying to destroy the newspapers heading to Atlas and/or kill Emerald herself would be a waste of my valuable time.
"On the matter of the mission you assigned me, preparations for Aslolis have been put in place. The city's only huntsmen not allied with the Trojan Alliance, Harkin Lunsford and Stark Silver, have already been taken out. Wyatt Forest and/or C.A. will be able to take it from here. And assuming they get past that, Onyx Thurmon and other opposition towards them will be waiting in the wings."
"Well done." Kiaran congratulated. "Onyx has already recruited the village of Shion to our ranks. With Shion, Aslolis, and Griamore Port under control, and our efforts to set up and/or repair villages, we have a good number of villages to aid us and expand our empire."
"Unfortunately, Higanbana hasn't seen the light yet." Alva added pessimistically. "And neither has Shion's closest neighbor, Cornwater."
"Tis a shame, really. All of us united for a good cause." Uriel took another swig of beer.
"Is there something on your mind, Uriel?"
He set his mug down. "There is. I can't help but think about what Scarlatti said to me. She views what was once the Scarlatti Trojan Alliance as dangerous loose ends that will affect the Trojan Alliance in eastern Sanus. They do need to be dealt with, albeit I fear it may be a herculean task. Not to mention the matter of continuing to halt the presses and continuing to aid you and keep all the branches of the Alliance going as best as we can.
Alva sat in silence for a moment before giving her analysis. "From what you have given us, the Trojan Alliance is primarily active in Vale/eastern Sanus and parts of Mistral and its outskirts in Anima. The Vacuan branch was unfortunately destroyed by other opposition. The Menagerien branch never really took hold due to the faunus not wanting to get involved, but even then, they were never that important to begin with. As for Atlas, we only have one base there, all the way in the city of Aramoor, which is several miles from Mantle and Atlas city. Not to mention Pyrrha and her friends will likely never make it to Atlas, or Vacuo, and there's no way they'd ever go to Menagerie. If we focus our efforts towards Anima, it'll increase the chances of success in our goals. After all, counting yourself, we have at least four huntsmen and huntresses in our ranks."
"True." Uriel took another swig of beer. "We also have the element of surprise on our side. If our villains in the guise of heroes think that things will be any easier after their troubles in Vale's outskirts, then they are terribly mistaken."
Perfect. Alva and Kiaran both thought.
"Very well." Alva folded her arms with a smirk. "So, what will you do now?"
"Honestly I'm not sure." the huntsman began. "There are numerous objectives we must achieve. As far as I can tell, we have the following goals; continuing to keep Remnant in the dark about Pyrrha's continued survival, getting Higanbana and Cornwater to accept our philosophy and policy on how to deal with the malicious Pyrrha Nikos, and dealing with the Scarlatti Alliance gone rogue, among other goals you might have for me. The first is a long, ongoing goal that I fear may be futile thanks to that newspaper spreading like a virus. On the matter of Higanbana, this village is governed by Mayor Poppy. However, the mayor's office has tight security and is stocked with at least two huntsmen at all times. As for Cornwater, there is minimal security there, but they're not accepting offers due to a large array of problems that are plaguing the settlement. As the Scarlatti alliance... Well, they are dangerous, but would it be worth my time tying up loose ends?"
She gave him a quizzical look. "Have you stepped inside the mayor's office here before?"
Uriel sighed. "No, I haven't. Even with my semblance, I wouldn't be able to sneak past security."
"It seems you have a lot to handle." She silently pouted, darting her eyes away from the huntsman. "We were going to ask you to take care of something else, but it seems you don't have the time."
He gave out a sigh of irritation. "What else do you guys need?"
"We have a secondary target for you to dispatch, if you can find him." Kiaran told him.
Uriel took another swig, finishing off the glass. "Alright, I'll bite; who is it?"
"His name is Ash Nikos."
The huntsman raised an eyebrow. "Ash Nikos? Younger brother of Pyrrha Nikos, our most wanted target?"
"That's not a problem, is it?" Alva spoke.
"I'll do it. But first, I am going back to tie up those loose ends before the Trojan Alliance in Vale and its outskirts crumbles completely."
I'm going to need more beer... he thought.
Uriel put some money on the table to pay for his drinks, groaned standing up, and left the bar.
"He didn't even question our request." Kiaran noted.
"He's too good for us. He really is." Alva spoke.
"Do you think we should mention our goal to eliminate Ash Nikos to our other agents?"
Ms. P paused and thought to herself. "We could. But what reason would they have for killing him? After all, his older sister is the one who's 'guilty.'"
"What about the guilty-by-association clause?" Mr. B asked. "After all, we used that to try and hurt Pyrrha's friends. Why not use it to hurt her brother, the only family she has left?"
"That's... actually a very good point." A smirk formed upon her face. "I love it." The smirk turned malicious. "Now then, get out the papers and pens." Kiaran started digging for supplies in his bag offscreen. "We have letters to write to every agent in our alliance." She was handed a pen and sheets of paper by her partner. "The hunt for Ash Nikos will soon begin."
The following evening, Ilia found herself wearing civilian clothes. She was wearing a short black cropped jacket with two tails, a gold zipper and buckle, button straps to keep the sleeves rolled up in place revealing the underlying white lining. On her chest was a gray short-sleeved cropped top that exposed her midriff while sporting brown pants, black over ankle boots with white slight wedge heels and three straps with golden buckles and a black matching wristband. Her weapon, Lightning Lash, sat inactive on her right hip.
I have to admit, these clothes are pretty nice. They're more comfortable than my usual specialist uniform. Oddly enough it also feels nice blending in with humans again. Takes me back to the days at Primrose Prep School back in Atlas... Before everything hit the ceiling fan. Or, mine wall that is...
She shook her head.
Focus, Ilia! You need to find Blake! But even then... What will happen thereafter?
The chameleon faunus tried not to think about it. In the night, she saw all the lights, sights and sounds of the city district. She saw shopping centers, various stores, restaurants and street vendors as far as the eye could see. In front of her she saw a burger and hot dog stand.
Dang it. I've already eaten, but why does that sound so good right now?
Breathing in through her mouth and trying to get away before the smell of food distracted her further, she went to a street lamp and leaned against it, pulling out a list. Nearly every name was crossed out, save for two of them.
Alright, there's a total of thirty-two hotels in this district. Why are there so many hotels here? I've already searched nearly everyone on this list. The only ones left are Wind's Beginning Motel and Wind's End Hotel and Inn, each on opposite sides of the Lower Highlands. I've been tackling them in alphabetical order, and I probably should go to Wind's Beginning, but Wind's End is technically closer, so I suppose I'll go to that one first.
About twenty minutes later, Ilia found herself standing about a hundred feet before the hotel. She hid herself in an alleyway, hiding herself from the guards. She knew she could just take them out, but she was supposed to remain hidden and avoid conflict.
There should be a back entrance here somewhere...
All the while, Blake stood upon a metal porch and looked over the city.
Well, we've started to wage war. But will our efforts be enough? the catwoman thought.
"You guys need better security."
Blake turned around to find Ilia using a grappling hook to hang her down before landing on the porch. The ex-terrorist glared at her ex-best friend. "Why are you here?"
Ilia quipped, "I could be asking you the same."
Blake faltered, but tried not to let it show. "I came here to stop Adam." she began honestly. "He attacked Beacon Academy, my home, where all my friends were. He hurt Yang. My partner, my best friend, the sister I never had." Ilia clinched her fist and appeared annoyed. "Adam knew she was someone I cared about. He provoked her into attacking him by stabbing me! He sliced her right arm right off her and attempted to kill us! But I'm guessing he never told you that, did he?"
Ilia looked away painfully, before giving her ex-best friend a scornful gaze. "Why would it matter? She's just another human."
"She was innocent!" Blake was on the verge of tears, but forced herself not to cry. "I never wanted to drag her, or any of my loved ones into this war!"
"Then what about your monkey tailed fool and your parents?" the chameleon retorted.
"I never meant to drag any of them into this war. They just popped up."
"Ya right." she sarcastically scoffed. "They were likely with you all along!"
"No they weren't. Why don't you believe me?!
"You lied about how Sienna died!" Ilia harshly retaliated. "You refuse to accept the sad severity of her death, by claiming that Adam Taurus, a faunus and one of her few remaining allies, killed her instead a human supremacist huntsman!"
"I wasn't lying about that either!"
"Hey, keep it down!" a male voice below complained. "Some of us are trying to sleep!"
"No!" they both shouted back.
The man below them groaned and went back inside his room.
Ilia sighed. "You don't get it, so let me make this clear; The Revolutionists were our enemies before Sienna's unfortunate death. To suggest that Adam killed her with Athena's aid would be to ignore the fact that they were enemies until her fall in battle. Even if Adam did kill her, which he didn't, you have no proof that he ever did such things."
"Go to the library in Athena's fortress." Blake instructed. "You'll find the proof you need there."
"The library?"
"You know? The library on the top floor?"
Ilia folded her arms. "I know where it is."
But it's been closed for a while now. Ilia thought. Not that I've ever tried to go there for any reason.
"Your plan isn't gonna work, Blake." the chameleon spoke, looking at her. "Please... just leave Mistral before it's too late."
"You know I can't do that."
"I know."
She pressed a button and went upward as the grappling hook took her upward. And that's what truly hurts. She's so stubborn. I wish we could go back in time. Even she never returned my feelings, I would still like to have her as my best friend.
Ilia landed on the rooftop and started to descend down the backside of the hotel. Then again, does she truly care? She claims that Yang was her best friend, but yet, she too was left behind in the dust after Beacon was destroyed. She once said that I was like the sister she never had, but it seems she's forgotten all about me! But why should it matter? She went astray, and I'm doing what's right! But then why would she tell me to go to the library on the top floor to find answers? Can I really even trust her?
The Lizard Girl landed on the ground and ran away from the hotel before anyone could see her.
She's a liar, a deceiver, and a traitor... But why do I still love her?
A ringtone went off, and she checked her scroll, showing a message from Hector.
Hey Ilia. You've been gone all day. Are you okay?
She frowned, knowing that she would have to tell the truth to her friends and superiors. Carefully planning her response, she texted him the following; I am. I still have one more place to search. I'll probably be back within an hour or two.
The gecko girl knew it was a lie, but it would buy her time to end the conflict between her heart and her mind. Blake's image crossed her mind, when their masked eyes meet at Adam's lair. But why was she there? Why was she wearing the clothes of a White Fang soldier if she had no intention of returning to them? And why didn't she ask those questions when she had found Blake?
With a sigh, she slowly walked the heavily lit streets. She won't leave this city... or this kingdom... but why am I not surprised? She always fought for what she believed in... And that's one of the many reasons I fell for her in the first place. She gave another sigh. I'm a fool. I'm in love... with a double-crossing liar.