Chapter 5: Ghost of the Past
Disclaimer: RWBY belongs to Rooster Teeth and Monty Oum, I only own my OCs.
Team RXDY
Rena leads her team through an open dirt road, encountering a few Grimm along the way.
Their next assignment was an investigation. According to the client, a group of humans were actively hunting and killing faunus, whether for sport or because of the prejudice the faunus endure. Whatever the reason, the client wants her team to look into the matter and stop anymore faunus from being killed. Team RXDY were disgusted after hearing this.
Draco seethed with anger that he kept under control but still came in the form of a growl. Xavier shook his head in disapproval, Yumi covered her mouth with her hands and Rena swore to bring the killers to justice. To further motivate them, the client said the human perpetrators had a one-hundred thousand bounty each on their heads.
Reaching a town the faunus team wander around, asking the locals about the report of faunus being hunted and killed. The locals said they know every little of the killings saying it's being kept under wraps by the government.
Xavier asked, "Why?"
The local said, "Perhaps not to cause panic or suspicion. Wish I could be of more help to you. Sorry."
The ox faunus shook his head, "It's okay. Thanks for your help."
Rena said, "Let's continue asking around. Someone is bound to know something about these murders." Arriving at a cafe the team decides to take a break, ordering sandwiches.
As they eat, they watch the news when an interruption occurs.
The anchorwoman said, "We interrupt the normal broadcasting for a special report. A faunus couple were murdered by the same group of humans local authorities are still searching for. Apparently they call themselves the Justice Corp led by Kin Kosanowa, a wanted man. There is a fifty thousand lien reward for his capture. Sources say about twenty faunus have been killed so far by this group."
A sneer escaped Draco, "Justice Corp? Yeah right. They need to have a taste of their own medicine."
Rena said, "Calm down, Draco. These heartless humans will get what's coming to them. For now, we'll continue our investigation into these murders."
The anchorwoman brought a hand to her ear, "What's that? Are you sure? Okay." She looked at the camera, "The police have found another body outside the town of Akita. What we're about to show you is pretty graphic. Viewer discretion is advised." The camera cuts to the crime scene where the eviscerated corpse of a deer faunus lies.
If any form of disgust appeared on Rena's face she doesn't visually show it although her team mates can see it in her eye.
After eating and paying the bill, the team continues their investigation. Whatever clues they find are scarce and the townspeople know very little of the grisly murders. The police or the mayor don't help either as they informed RXDY the Justice Corp rarely ventures into towns save for re-supplying. They don't talk with the people. Just go in, gather supplies then get out.
As they talk one person approaches them saying he spotted a small group of faunus passing him as he ventured into town. He next informs RXDY the faunus group set up camp 10 miles north of the town. Skeptical Rena asks if he's telling the truth. The man assures the one-eyed faunus he is
She warned, "If this proves false, you better be prepared for the consequences."
The man shrugged, "You ain't the first person to deliver me death threats."
Draco asked, "Did they have a symbol on their clothing at all?"
The man nodded, "Yes. It was the shape of a Beowolf's head with three claws marks running down it."
Rena said, "The White Fang. Only they have that symbol. Thank you for this potential information, sir."
He smirked, "Watch yourselves, the Justice Corp may have a trap ready for you." He turned, "Zaijian." He walks away, Rena gives him a suspicious glare.
She told her team, "Come on, we're heading north." They venture toward the location the White Fang set up camp.
By the time the camp appears, the sun is setting and the smell of food being cooked fills the air.
The sound of footsteps reach the team's ears and hide in the bushes nearby. Parting the bush to see what's going on, Rena whispers to Yumi to use her hearing to listen in. Nodding the wolf faunus crawls toward her and concentrates, ears twitching occasionally.
One White Fang member said, "I don't like this. Setting up camp here is risky, especially with that Justice Corp lurking around. From what our sources told us, the Justice Corp is composed of seasoned ex-hunters."
His friend assured, "Don't worry, with our High Leader with us, those humans don't stand a chance."
'High leader?' Yumi mentally asked.
Rena hears rustling in the leafs behind them, turning around in time for a spider faunus to tie them up in webbing. After that he points his assault rifle at them ordering to get moving.
The White Fang member asked, "Found someone, Johnny?"
The spider faunus nodded, shoving RXDY ahead, "I found these four spying on us in the bush, Howard."
Howard nodded, "Good work, Johnny. Bring them to our High Leader, she'll decide what to do with them." Following the jaguar faunus' order, Johnny escorts Team RXDY toward the leader's main tent.
Johnny ordered, "You four stay put." He walked toward the tent, "High Leader, I found some unwanted guests." The leader of the White Fang steps out of her tent, Rena's eye widens at the person
The woman was a female, Bengal tiger based faunus with orange eyes, tiger ears, around her early 30s, athletic build, stood around 5'8, medium B cup breasts, dark complexion, wild black, chin-length hair with an asymmetrical bob style, numerous tattoos in the shape of tiger stripes adorned her body. She wore four golden earrings on three of her ears, one on each of her human ears and two on her left faunus ear as well as a small jewel on her forehead.
Her outfit was comprised of a form fitting black dress with light green accents on the rims of the outfit, the dress left most of her back open, had two long splits on the side which revealed a pair of black shorts, a shorter split on the front and a small squared keyhole. Over the dress, she wore a back-revealing red cape with gold accents as well as a green waist cincher with red rims that had a belt over it, which fastened a green pouch on her right hip. Aside from that, she wore black stockings in conjunction with green sandals that had red laces which were tied to her calves, as well as a black elbow-length fingerless glove on her right hand.
The look of surprise disappeared from Rena's face as she greeted, "Sienna Khan." The now named faunus looks at her, studying her until Khan discovers the person's identity.
Her orange eyes widened, "Rena? Is that you?" A confident smirk formed, "Hey. How long has it been since we last spoke to each other? Five years?"
Rena said, "Seven actually. I see you're still up to your mission of demanding respect out of humans."
Khan placed a hand on her hip, "And you've been doing well for yourself since then. Earning the nickname the One-Eyed Devil."
Draco asked, "You know this woman, Rena?"
Rena answered, "Yes, Draco. Khan and I are old acquaintances."
Khan tilted her head, "Old acquaintances? Rena, I'm hurt. Whatever happened to the times we fought side by side?"
Rena's eye narrowed slightly, "Put behind me. You really think your mission to demand respect from humans will work? Respect isn't given or demanded, it is earned."
Johnny aimed his gun at her, "Watch your tone in front of our High Leader!"
Khan waved it off, "Calm down, Johnny. She meant no disrespect. Come to my tent, Rena. We can catch up. Johnny, release them."
Johnny blinked in confusion, "I'm sorry, Khan? You want me to cut them loose?"
Khan looked at him, her voice growing stern, "Yes, that's right. Cut them loose, that's an order."
Johnny nodded, "Yes, ma'am." Pulling a knife out, he cuts the webbing.
Rena ordered her team mates, "You three stay out of trouble." She follows Khan into her tent.
The White Fang leader said, "I'm impressed on the accolades you manage to form. Taking out wanted criminals, killing Grimm and have your own team. I would have thought you'd enroll in one of the academies but you're too smart to do that, considering your past."
Rena crossed her arms, "The same can be said for you, Khan. Organizing attacks on Dust shops, stealing Dust from cargo trains for who knows what. Whatever happened to wanting peace and equality?"
Khan said nonchalantly, "Peace made us complacent, Rena. What our previous leader sought after was impossible. Humans mock us for our traits, thinking of us as beneath them. They want us locked up in cages or in the Dust mines. I refused to see our kind being treated like animals."
Rena fired back, "You were the advocate for violence. You twisted the White Fang, Khan. It was meant as a symbol of hope for our kind not violence. What you're doing is blasphemous. It will never work. You force mankind to respect us through fear? All you're doing is fueling the fire. This only widens the gap between humans and faunus."
Khan flashed a smug grin, "Oh? You think you're innocent, Rena? You have blood on your hands and you know it." The one-eyed faunus freed her arms as the White Fang leader continued, "You justify your actions, saying it's the right thing to do. You may live as the hero long enough to be the villain. Deny it all you want but there's still more of your old self deep inside you. Our actions shape us."
Rena said, "Is that right? Tell me. Is Adam Taurus still a loose cannon or did you finally put a leash on him?"
The White Fang leader queried, "Oh? Why are you curious about him?"
Rena warned, "Because he is a loose cannon, Khan. He wants to declare war on humanity. Something that will bring calamity on the two races." She read about the Battle at Fort Castle, a battle the faunus won because the human general was unaware of the faunus' near-perfect night vision. His forces were surrounded and defeated.
Khan nodded, "That we can agree on. I warned him that declaring open war on humans won't do us any good." Rena decides a change in subject is needed. Every moment spent talking to Khan is dredging up old memories from the dark recesses of her mind.
She asked, "What are you doing out here? It's not like you to be outside of your base in Mistral."
Khan replied, "Oh, that? Last month I sent a reconnaissance group out to search for new recruits but didn't return. I sent another group to check on them but they too didn't come back. I decided to see for myself what was going on. After hearing those wretched humans that call themselves the Justice Corp were slaughtering faunus including my own men I took it upon myself to rid the world of these bastards. Me and a few others traveled the lands, stopping for resupply and eating. Since the killings were taking place outside of Akita I chose to set up camp here for the night."
Rena said, "Funny. Because our client wanted my team to stop the Justice Corp. There's a fifty thousand lien bounty on each of them."
The tiger faunus offered, "Perhaps we can help each out. Help us get rid of those filthy humans and you collect the bounty. It's a win-win situation for us. With your power mixed with my ferocity, the Justice Corp stand no chance against us. What do you say?"
Rena moved closer, face stoic but advised, "Don't get the wrong idea, Khan. This is a one-time only thing. After this mission, we are done. Don't even think about recruiting my team mates into the White Fang. If you do bodies will hit the floor. Literally." She turns around to exit the tent leaving a smirking Sienna behind.
The tiger faunus informed, "We're departing early in the morning, just us two. Inform your team mates. Don't worry, I'll tell my men not to harm way your team mates since you're protective of them." Rena exits Khan's tent.
She asked Johnny, "Which tent is my team in?"
The spider faunus said, "In the tent third to mine." He next looked at her top to bottom, "I must say your beauty doesn't do it justice."
Rena glared at him, "Keep whatever perverted thoughts you have to yourself. Broken bones will be the least of your worries." She enters her team's tent.
Yumi asked, "What was that about, Rena? Are you and Sienna Khan friends?"
Rena said, "No. We're not friends. Drop the subject, Yumi."
Yumi began, "Rena..." She gulped at the look her team leader gave her, "Okay." That night everyone is asleep but Rena's mind won't shut down. She hopes to end this mission quickly, being around Sienna Khan is stirring up memories she buried. Or so she thought.
Early the next morning, Rena waits for Khan to emerge from her tent. She already left a message for her team. The faunus hears the sound of rustling fabric and Khan joins her.
She asked, "Shall we?" The two depart and walk down the trail, stopping to hunt for breakfast halfway through. Their senses are in full gear, knowing an ambush can happen at any moment.
Suddenly Rena held out her arm, "Hold up."
Khan queried, "What is it?"
Rena pointed ahead, "See that rock up there? It's too glossy to be natural." She picks up a smaller rock and throws it at the fake one, the moment it hits the fake rock detonates in a big explosion. A powerful gust of wind is generated forcing the duo to shield their eyes. Once it dies down and the smoke clears, a small crater is visible to them.
Rena and Khan focus their senses, particularly their sense of hearing. Moving their heads slowly. The one-eyed faunus picks up movement and kicks her foot out, tripping someone and drives Scarlet into the person's belt. Electrical arcing ensues then one of the Justice Corp members appears, the uncloaked ex-hunter finds himself looking into Rena's eye.
He looked confused at first then realized who he was staring at, snarling, "You!"
Sienna waved mockingly, "Hello, human. Care to explain why you're killing my kind for sport?"
The ex-hunter said, "There can be no peace with faunus. Humanity will never accept your kind."
Rena pressed her blade against the man's throat, "And killing us for sport is okay?"
The man shrugged, "Hey, we all gotta make a living somehow. Besides, the faunus are nothing but freaks that need to be put down." A cold look appears in Rena's eye, this human dares to mock her kind?
Pulling her claymore back she wraps her hand around the man's throat, lifting him off the ground estimating his height around 5'8.
She demanded, "Where are your friends? Where is your base?" The ex-hunter struggles against Rena's grip.
He gave the faunus duo a toothy grin, "You'll have to find out for yourself." Rena tightens her grip until she crushes his throat with a loud crack. Dropping the lifeless corpse, the two venture on. A few minutes later they hear screaming and run towards it.
Skidding to a halt, they see a female crocodile faunus eating Kin Kosanowa, leader of the Justice Corp. Lying about was a gory scene of blood and entrails indicating a violent and brutal fight with half-eaten corpses. They watch the crocodile faunus clamp her powerful jaws on Kin's weapon arm, snapping the bones like they're twigs. Kin screams in sheer agony before his opponent lunges at him, pinning him to the ground with her surprising strength. Her cold yellow eyes look into his hazel ones.
She cupped his face saying coldly yet seductively, "Now for the main course, you Justice Corp provide me nourishment. Now's the time to say your prayers not that it'll save you." She waited for a minute then smiled wickedly, "Time's up." Flashing him a predatory grin, the crocodile faunus licks the blood off her sharp teeth. Opening her jaws she digs in, driving them through Kin's chest. Daggers of white-hot pain hit Kin's nerves as the faunus' teeth rip through flesh, muscle and bone tearing out chunks of flesh, chewing and swallowing. Khan and Rena keep themselves together, the latter having seen more gruesome sights.
After eating her fill, the crocodile faunus sighs in content with a blood stained mouth then burps loudly. She covers her mouth for a second.
She said, "Oops, excuse me." Reaching into Kin's chest, she snaps off a rib bone using it as a toothpick to remove pieces of flesh between her teeth.
'This wasn't expected.' Rena thought.
The crocodile faunus said, "You do know I can smell you, right?" Tossing the rib bone aside the faunus turned to face them, "Oh, what's this? The White Fang? If you're looking to recruit me in your little gang, forget it."
Rena said, "Those men you killed were my team's objective. There's a bounty reward out for them."
The crocodile faunus shrugged, "So what? I could care less about the reward. I was starving and those humans were my chosen prey."
Sienna surveyed the carnage, "Judging by the mess, you're a sloppy butcher. You lack finesse."
The crocodile faunus snorted, "I don't need you to judge how I fight." Reaching for her belt she grabs a pair of gauntlets, sliding them onto her arms and clenches her fists, twin blades emerge.
She enters her battle stance, arms spread to her sides and legs bent slightly as if preparing to run.
The crocodile faunus said, "My real name is too crazy for you to announce so you may call me Hannah." The now named faunus grinned at them, "Your heads will look good mounted on my wall!"
Rena drew Scarlet, "Wrong. The only thing you'll be doing is sitting behind bars of a maximum security prison."
Sienna Khan grinned, "Been a while since I last fought. Hope I'm not too rusty." She grabs her chain whip outfitted with different Dust crystals, wrapping it around her right hand as a makeshift brass knuckle.
Hannah runs toward them swinging her right gauntlet, Rena blocks it with Scarlet then directs it to her leg parrying a second attack. A fiendish smile appears on Hannah's face bringing her right gauntlet up aiming for Rena's eye. The human-like faunus raises an arm to block, the wrist blade grinds against the metal. Sienna Khan bolts around Rena and loosens the length of chain swinging it, wrapping around Hannah's left arm. Rena grabs hold of the chain and with Khan's help, spins Hannah around. The crocodile faunus drives her free wrist blade into the ground, stopping herself. Pulling the chain forward she watches Rena and Khan flying at her. Rena forms an X with her arms shielding herself from the counterattack. Khan's aura absorbed the brunt of the hit, staggering on her feet. Steadying herself Khan charges. Wrapping the chain around her hand again she thrusts her fist at Hannah, the crocodile faunus blocks. It's a feint. A bright red aura surrounds her left arm and drives it into Hannah's stomach. A loud explosion echoes through the air and the crocodile faunus' legs twitch. She coughs up blood. Although her aura protected her, some of the attack got through. Khan jumps back as Hannah falls to one knee clutching her stomach, pain etched on her face.
She got up despite the agony hitting her, "You two are good. I'll kill you slowly but how?" Rena and Khan stood ready as Hannah looked at the one-eyed faunus, "I think I'll start with you. It's clear I can't beat you physically so I'll beat you mentally. Perhaps I'll torture your team mates. Yes, they mean a lot to you. They serve as pillars to your sanity? What would happen if I took out those pillars?" Khan notices a subtle change in Rena's body language.
Hannah grinned, "Ah, did I strike a nerve?"
Khan taunted, "You just made a big mistake." Rena runs past Khan, sprinting toward Hannah and becomes more aggressive trading precision for overwhelming power attacks. Flames appear on her blade as she gives Hannah a cold glare despite the stoic expression. She lands a rapid series of strikes from multiple directions, each one taking a chunk of Hannah's aura.
Raising Scarlet over head her head, Rena brings it down. Hannah forms an X with her wrist blades to protect herself. Putting all of her weight behind the attack, Rena enters a blade lock with her opponent. Hannah finds herself slowly being overpowered by Rena. Winning the lock, the one-eyed faunus wraps her hand around Hannah's throat Rena tosses her into a rock. Spider web-shaped cracks form as Hannah gasps from the pain.
Rena activates her semblance, stabbing Scarlet into the ground. The earth fractures as flames slither toward Hannah, the crocodile faunus gasps before she is enveloped in nine thousand degree heat. She screams feeling her flesh burn, her aura too weak to protect her.
The one-eyed faunus said, "Threaten my team and you pay the price." Hannah is slow to get up, pain wrecking her entire body.
She next feels objects penetrate her chest, looking down to see an ice and fire dust crystal lodged in her chest where her heart is. Coughing up blood she falls onto her back looking at the sky.
Hannah said, "This is how it ends for me. To die here." Her yellow eyes glaze over after her heart stops beating.
Rena turned to face Khan, "You didn't have to kill her."
Khan replied, "She was too dangerous to be kept alive. Even if she was behind bars, she'd find a way to escape." Putting her chain whip away she continued, "We make a good team, Rena."
Rena said, "As if. I did most of the work, Khan. You just waited for the opportunity to land the killing blow. Your fighting style has gotten sloppy since you became High Leader of the White Fang."
Khan informed her, "My strength and independence has kept me alive this far. I have no intention of dying any time soon."
Walking up to the tiger faunus Rena pointed her finger, "Don't get ahead of yourself, Khan. You wouldn't last a minute against Adam. You continue to underestimate his rage and spite against humans. He won't stop until they're either dead or enslaved. I tolerate them, providing they don't harm me or those close to me. Do you really believe Adam will serve under you forever? I don't think so. Be careful not to choke on your arrogance, Khan it will get you killed one day." The two venture back to camp where Rena tells her team they're leaving.
Khan waved at them, "Take care of yourselves!"
Stopping in her tracks, Rena looked over at her shoulder, "You should be more worried about yourself. Pray we do not meet again." She leads RXDY to a city a few miles from Akita.
After informing the client of their mission, he paid them the bounty plus the five million lien reward for Hannah. Turns out she was a wanted criminal of the four kingdoms and police have spent years looking for her but she always managed to slip away.
As Rena leads her team to the next mission, they wonder how their leader knows Sienna Khan and why she refuses to talk about it. They know very little about Rena's past and wanted to know but Rena was very quiet about it.
A/N: Chapter 5 done.
I suffered a bad case of writer's block for this chapter.
Here Team RXDY had a run-in with the White Fang led by Sienna Khan while on a mission to stop the Justice Corp from killing faunus. Later Rena and Khan fought a wanted crocodile faunus and triumphed.
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Stay tuned for chapter 6.
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