The Mist Pt. I
-Anima, Mist Hollows-
Ruby, Ren, Nora, Scarlet and Sage were on their trails to find Jaune, whom went off missing after exiting the inn. While Sun was led to the inn to watch over Blake, and snuck in due to the staff not allowing faunus.
"Jaune?!" Nora called. No response. Seeing the mist around them, Sage knew there was a worst to come. "We better find Jaune fast."
"It's just a fog! How bad can it be?!" Nora exclaimed. But Sage shook his head. "No, it's worst. This isn't any kind of fog. We're in the Mist Hollows. We get engulfed and we see illusions of loved ones we never see again. It will pain us even more." Sage warns.
"Great, this is just bloody great! Just what we need, a cursed fog! To see anything that isn't real!" Scarlet scowled. Cursing himself for volunteering in this journey, in the hopes to work with anyone but Sun himself. Only to run into him again. He didn't complain because he was hoping to have either Ruby or Jaune as a leader.
"Look, the more we stick together, the less we can worry about..." Sage paused as he notices Nora looking away, her eyes widened as she saw someone, but neither of the party members could see anything. "Mom?" Nora cried.
"Huh?"
"Nora?" Ren asked. But she didn't reply. Then taken aback when Nora sprints ahead. "Mom!" Nora shouted as she ran off, not paying attention to Ren's calling. "Nora, come back!"
"Where are you going?!" Ruby called, but to no avail. Then Ren saw something. Or rather somebody, it made his eyes staggered in tears. "F-Father."
"Ren, what is it?" Ruby asked. Ren wasn't paying attention, the most came into an effect as they realized he only hears the voices of the illusions, not of their friends. As his friends' voices became muffled and silent.
"Ren!" Ruby called one more time. They watched as Ren walks to follow the voice. "Father!" Ren called, no response. "Ren, Nora! Hold up!" Ruby was about to go after them. Sage was about to run after them before turning to Scarlet. "Scarlet, come on, we need to..." He paused, the red-headed teen was gone too.
"At this rate, we'd be stuck mesmerized. I have to hurry. Jaune! Ruby! Anybody!" Sage called before he closed his eyes to sense anyone around. But it was cut off when a voice called.
"Sage..." It was a loving voice. A woman he never met before. "Sage..."
"No, not now." Sage shook his head, hoping to was just an illusion from the mist. He mustered forward to see what presence he was sensing. Trying to keep a calm mind to not think on what might be ahead of him.
Then he saw a red-eyed raven, looking directly at him. Sage thought while it might be an illusion, for some reason, it was a strange bird for the more it was staring at him. Then it squawked and flew from the branch. Sage ignores it for now. "Come on, Shoji." Sage commanded and his wolf followed.
-Anima, Inn-
Blake was resting on a bed while Sun sat next to her. Blake looked away from him as Sun tried to get her to talk to him. "Blake, come on. Say something. It's not the end of the world. Bad things just happened."
Blake squinch her eyes, as if she was about to blow up. But sighs. The bandages spilt with green remedies Sage had given her. It might've stopped the bleeding, but the pain of what happened in Beacon never goes away.
"I told Ruby to stay away. You should've stayed away. But you didn't." Blake said, angrily. Then they heard the door open. Blake and Sun turned to see Mi Ren. At first, they were alarmed at her presence. But also curious considering that she is wearing the green garb Ren also wears.
"Forgive my presence, Lady Belladonna of Menagerie. I am Mi Ren from the Clan of Ren." Mi bowed to her on respect. "My cousin Lie had spoken highly of you. I am sorry for what you have to go through."
"Don't be, and he shouldn't, Mi. Ugh!" Blake grunted as the pain of her, even Sage's remedies can take a while to heal the wounds. Mi and Sun then checked on her wounds.
"Blake, take it easy." Sun tries to stop her from getting up, before she can face serious consequences. But Blake was being persistant, since she won't stand by and let another life be taken because of her.
"No, I have to get away from here, away from you and everyone." Blake said. But Sun keeps pinning her to the bed to keep her from straining herself to make her injuries worse. "Blake, stop it! You're gonna get hurt more tham those wounds." Sun reprimanded her, he only wanted her to heal first.
"Get out of my way, and never come near me." Blake snarled as her cat fangs began to grow. She wanted no comfort, and decided to let guilt run over her, like it was an uncurable poison. The last straw was when she grabbed Sun's wrist and threw him to the wall. Mi stood in shock to see the sudden turn of events.
Sun wasn't surprised, as he now understands that Blake hasn't get to process through the tragedy in Beacon. Including the cause she used to have in the White Fang. Even at the worst of times, Blake still have the physical capabilities to combat.
Sun stood back up. And just stops there when Blake makes a death glare on him. "Blake, what's gotten into you?"
"You saw what happened to Yang, right?" Blake growled at Sun. Getting him to back off. She expected him to run away from him. Blake then realized what she had been doing and softens up. Recalling the events when Yang came back but without an arm, a memory that haunts him as it did with Blake.
"I'm sorry. But it's better that I'm better off without anyone. It's me they want." Blake clarified, then she gets up from bed and picks up her sword. "Are you really gonna keep running when you just reunite with Ruby and the others?"
Sun notes that Blake was scarred, not her herself, but for everyone. Traces of the Blake from the White Fang will lead to paint a target on her back for as long as she lives. "I need to sort things out. Starting by going to Menagerie." She said, sheathing her Gambol Shroud.
"Let me come with you." Sun offers, Blake was surprised. She spun to face him. She didn't expect him to be willing to come with her. But it will also pin a red target on the back too. If more people get close to her, he could die.
"No, do that and it will be the last thing you'll do. It's not you, it's me. Think of what will happen if the White Fang knows you're against them. They will hunt you down if you fight with me against them. I won't let it happen again." Blake said.
Blake then moves to pack her stuff. Mi then decides to offer her assistance to escort her back to Menagerie for safety measures. "You can't abandon your friends like that, Sun. You have to cherish them while you can. Cause this never lasts." Blake points out.
Sun felt bad for having to put his team on the line. On the one hand, he wants to go to his team and join up with them. On the other hand, he also wanted to join Blake and get her back on her feet and face her fears.
There was one thing he has to choose, that's Blake. Not because he felt farther from his team, but because this is something Blake needs. "Shall I escort you back to Menagerie, Lady Belladonna?" Asked Mi.
"It's alright. I'll be fine on my own. It won't be fair if you and your men take the risk." Blake declined, politely. Sun wasn't gonna let this go just yet and had a plan in mind. He held her hand once more. "Fine, but you need to rest first. I'll keep watch before morning." Sun offers. That kept Blake calm for a bit. But she still feels unease.
"How do you keep smiling after all of this?" Blake asked. Sun sighs and scratched the back of his head, chuckling. "Well, bad things happend to me for some vivid memory. Don't know why. I guess we all have ups and downs."
Mi watched, and thought what was happening between Blake and Sun was rather cute. Reminding her when Ren interacts with, Nora. But she gave them privacy instead of teasing about it.
"I'll check on Papa and see how he's doing. He should run into Mother as of now." She then turbed to her guards. "Accompany me." They bowed to her. "Yes, Milady." They followed her.
-Ramen Shop-
Saturn and Tamaku were waiting for Qrow and Mai, who were meeting with a shop owner of the ramen shop where their friend Shiro Wan, a fellow huntsmen and graduate from Haven was last seen.
"He came to me for 16,000 Lien and promised me to pay me back. And he didn't come back since then." Said the shop owner drying the bowls of soup he washed.
Qrow and Mai stared blankly, now their friend disappeared as well. But the possibility of the bounty on other huntsmen is never out of the question. That answers their question. Wondering if the lien that Shiro borrowed was for an important purpose.
Qrow then takes out his bag of lien containing 30,000 lien, twice the amount of 16,000. "Here, Shiro won't have to pay you back. Thanks for the time." Qrow and Mai left and approached Saturn and Tamaku.
"Someone had got Shiro too." Mai said. "Looks like the killer can't be far behind."
"How many more of our friends are being hunted and killed? I heard gossip from the wandering soldiers from Atlas that an assassin escaped their grasp before being sent to the maximum prison." Saturn concluded having to heard from the Atlesians from the military asking questions from witnesses.
"An escaped criminal? That would make sense." Tamaku folded his arms. "Bet that creep is working with Salem. Though, if I'm wrong, the next one to blame was Raven. No offense, Qrow."
Qrow nodded. "Know what, that's my second guess."
"Kaio is also crossed on our list. Now how are we going to get help with no other huntsmen left?" Mai asked.
"If none goes to plan. We go to Vacuo and Vale as well for anyone available." Saturn said. "I doubt Atlas will be of any assistance any time soon with the borders closing."
"Wasn't your daughter in Atlas working as a medic?" Asked Qrow.
"Yes, at least this way she'll be safe. I am not sure if I can say for the rest of my children. All I can do was pray, but even that didn't help." Saturn said.
"Until we can find the killer, I doubt everyone in Remnant is safe."
-Schnee Manor-
Weiss is in the Grand Theater where her performance takes place. She wore a long dress similar to her blue-grayish dress. Taking the stage and sings as her lungs squeezed a bit. But she has too.
"I'm not your pet! Not another thing you owned! I am not born guilty of your crimes! Your riches and your influence can't fool me anymore! I won't be possessed! Burdened by a royal test! I will not surrender! This Life is Mine!"
As loud and prideful the song is, no one understands the meaning to it, but it led to the applause to Weiss. Though she hated to perform for the status, it's her way of pouring her heart out. Her younger brother also applauded with a simple smile, but not full of grace.
Her father simply stared at her, unimpressed. Her guess was that he knew what his daughter's song meant. She looked around to see if Neptune was around, but he wasn't, nor was he in backstage. Worried, she turned back to the audience and bowed before the curtains were lowered in front of her.
Then a stage hand arrived with a bouquet of lilies passed to her. "Miss Schnee, some guy said he wanted me to give you this." He gave them to her. Weiss curiously noticed a note on top of the bouquet. She picks it up and reads it.
When you sing, your voice reveals the strength in your heart. And your songs make you glow in the moonlight as bright till this night.
P.S.
Look up.
Weiss looks up to see Neptune on the support beam of the stage. Neptune makes the smirk that makes her happy to see as he waved at her. Weiss smiled and blushed to see him. She is happy that he watched her perform. However, there isn't much time as Weiss has to get back to the ballroom for the after party. Weiss waved back and leaves.
Neptune watches as Weiss was about to head outside. He doesn't know how much time he has left before anyone catches him. As the stage hand left, this was his opportunity to climb down and catch up with her. "Weiss, wait!"
Weiss heard him and spun. "Neptune, what is it? You can't stay for long." She looked around and her father isn't around yet, but knew Neptune has to leave before he sees him. "I know, but I-" He paused as he wasn't sure what to say. He looked into her crystal-water blue eyes. It was very mesmerizing that he didn't say a word. Until he takes a deep breath and sighs.
"I meant what I said that I was a an idiot for not realizing this. But I know the minute your dad will catch me, I won't see you again. Who knows what will happen next. But a world without you, is what I feared more than the sea itself. Weiss, you mattered to me. Not your name, nor wealth. Only you. And I lo-"
Neptune was cut off when Weiss gently pulled him close to her and kissed him on the lips. He was shocked, but happy. He wrapped his arms around her, as Weiss did the same around his neck. This time the embrace was very passionate, and warm. It felt like the galaxy is around them with billions of stars. Somewhere in Weiss' heart melts even more in his arms. "Neptune, I do too. Before, I didn't know how to say it. But letting you into my life was the best thing I had. Thank you, for that. Yes, you are an idiot. But you're my idiot." Weiss kissed him again. "Quick, before someone sees you."
But before Neptune goes, he placed a hand on her cheek. Causing her cheeks to feel hot. "If we make it out of here alive. I'll show you around Mistral and all the places. Anywhere you want." Neptune said. Weiss nodded.
As soon as the two parted, they have to make a quick run before anyone catches them. Neptune then goes into hiding as Weiss takes leave to head for the after party. Neptune knew he had to get back as well.
Weiss hops into the limo, thinking about what to plan next. Hoping that the mansion won't be locked for a few day to buy some time. Her thoughts then turned to her father, for having an affair, faunus enslavement, and not to mention, depriving her family of such emotions.
As for you, Father...
Weiss turns to her father sitting in front of her, silently.
This is war.
-Anima, Mist Hollows-
Jaune was limping from the injuries, after tripping from one branch after the other. He has a ripped hole in his jeans. He cannot believe the person he was fighting, it was Pyrrha. Her hair is let loose, donning in armor, similar to the one in Beacon, only it was silver instead of gold, and her armor reflects.
"Pyrrha it's me." Jaune said. "Pyrrha" panted as she took her stance. But then she charges and was about to thrust her spear at him. "Hah!" The lookalike jumps in midair and clashes with Jaune.
Jaune reflects as he push in full force. He makes a stance as well. But only swipes every time Pyrrha attacks.
"Who are you, and what was it that you called me?!" The Pyrrha lookalike yelled.
"I'm Jaune, your teammate! You're my friend!" Pyrrha smacks him forward at full force with a shield. Jaune tumbles back and regain s his balance. "Liar! The only thing I remembered was that you left me to die!"
"That's not true!" Jaune tried to reason with her, but it was pointless. Pyrrha's eyes were of pure anger and hatred.
Ren was combating against who it appears to be his father who shot arrows at him. Ren shoots around as Li (his father), runs around and bounces on the trunk of trees to thrust at Ren. But Ren flips back.
Li swung his sword and Ren dodges under. "Father, what are you doing?!"
"You are nothing but a cowardly little boy, Lie! You are too much of a peacemaker like your mother." Li shook his head in disappointment. Ren acknowledges that it was just an illusion, but part of him only wanted to see him again. But to hear the words was like a scar in his heart.
Ren won't lie, but he cannot bring himself to say how it feels. Li performs lean and spin kicks. Then brought down his bow. Ren then uses his pistols blades to counter back. It was an illusion. Ren runs up on a tree. He springs off and brought forth his feet.
But the illusion of Li grabbed his leg and threw him to another tree. "Father?! No, it's an illusion. It's not real!" Ren, finally fighting back from the illusions, his aura glows and his body disappears. But then reappears from behind "Li" and uses his palm to blow him away.
The illusion was rolling to the ground. And his aura seems to broke into pieces. But to Ren's shock, it wasn't his father. But rather someone he recognized. Someone who helps ruin Beacon. It was a girl with green hair and red eyes.
"Emerald?" Emerald panted as she stood up and glared at Ren in anger. And full of hatred. He doesn't know why, but figured she has some vendetta against him, at least from what he can see. She then uses her pistols and aims her blades at her. "Hah!"