The Sunset
Blake and Sun were on their way to Menagerie on a boat. While it brings a lot of calm within the sight of the sea, Blake was still lingering to the guilt she felt after leaving her team, her friends, and the news of Pyrrha's death. It was the pain that can never be healed.
And she decided to see her parents to sort out the conflicts. Sun never knew that she was the chieftain's daughter of Menagerie.
"So what got you worked up to come with me to Menagerie?" Asked Blake as her hands rested on the handles on the edge of the boat. "Have you been stalking me this entire time?" She asked. All she just wanted was to be alone. But behold, wherever she goes, he follows.
"It wasn't about that. I thought you could use a friend. After everything that's happened." Sun replied standing next to Blake viewing the seaside. The rising sun was still filled with stars as morning had yet to come.
Even Sun thought something was off with the moon being torn to pieces. It was said to be whole once, but no ones knows how this happened. "Don't know. Not sure if anyone would believe me or not, but I think I heard some sort of calling."
Blake then jerked to head to Sun, confused for what he meant for a calling. "I mean, funny story. But I think there were two voices calling my name. I wasn't even sure what kind of existence am I." Sun said, head throbbing with confusing thoughts.
"So by any means, you just snuck away from your team, all because of a vision?" Asked Blake. A little skeptical over the fact that he left his team without them knowing.
"I know, I know. It was stupid of me. But I left a note this time before we left that I will meet with them later." Sun said. Of course, he does feel guilty for leaving his team behind. As a leader, he isn't sure of he was meant to leave. He then tries to call his best friend, Neptune. Who hasn't answered his calls like he always does.
"Neptune still wasn't picking up. Something must've happened." Sun said, putting away his scroll. "He's probably thinking about the Ice Queen."
"That reminds me, you remember Atlas was closing its borders. Right?" Asked Blake. Sun nodded. "Now that you mentioned it, wonder how she was doing?" They both pondered, but they didn't want to think something terrible might be happening.
"I just hope Weiss wasn't too worried. But on the other hand, her dad isn't the nicest person we would want to meet." Blake said. Sun scoffed for the mention of Jacques Schnee after he punched Neptune back in Vale.
"I told Neptune that he should find someone else, but seeing him how sad of never seeing Weiss again, it just hurts man." Sun said.
"Worse, Weiss' dad might've kept guard on her for awhile, and not in a good way. Ruby seems to be keeping things up, but Yang..." Blake paused at the mention of Yang. She wished she could visit her and apologize for leaving her when she needed her. But in the end, Blake let her down. And might be still angry at her.
"He's a class-A jerk who deserves the Worst Dad of the Year Award." He said folding his arms. "Actually, scratch that. Maybe get thrown in the dumpster and see how he likes it." He laughs. Blake wasn't.
"Can you be anymore annoying?" Blake sighed.
"Hey, I was trying to lighten you up!" Sun interjects. Blake didn't want to admit, but he did made her laugh. His jokes can't be any more funnier than a joke book.
"So what's the deal with the Black Vipers?" Sun asked.
"For starters. While I was a member of the White Fang at the time, we've been having a rivalry with the Black Vipers. Fighting over the supplies, stealing weapons. Taken over their heists they tried to pull off, but we turned the tables to have it firsthand. But it was kinda nice seeing the organization of humans and faunus working together, at least at first. But one thing they have in common with the White Fang is that they are dangerous as well."
"Wow, I guess the White Fang weren't the only ones at war." Sun adds. Blake brushed her hair back.
"One thing they both have in common was that they were at war in Atlas, and they still are. Awaiting for a moment to emerge. But I never thought that they would work together. But I am getting the feeling it will be 10 times worse." Blake mentioned.
"That bad?" Sun asked. Blake nodded. Then Blake took a few steps away from him. Looking down at the rushing water as her eyes focused on the reflection of her bow. The black bow that hides her cat ears for very long. It felt too old for her to wear now. She cannot hide it any longer. Reaching her hands to her hair as she unties the bow and held it out.
This is the side of her she didn't have to hide anymore. Being a faunus is what she always will be. She only wore it to blend in human society, out of fear to be called a monster compared to Grimm. To hide her emotions. To hide her true self.
"I won't be needing this anymore." Blake said as she released the bow from her hand. The ribbon now danced within the wind. Sun sees what Blame truly is without the bow, but he liked it that way because she is her own self. Not what she is, but for who she truly is. A girl of mystery, who reads books, never talks much, but always listens ans cares for others regardless of specimen.
"I still like it when you don't have the bow." Sun said to her with a smile. Blake's cheeks flushed with tinted pink. So does Sun's. She wonder how come someone bright as Sun be very interested in her even with such a background.
"I just can't hide it anymore, Sun." Blake replied. Still feeling the scarce from the events related to the White Fang, and then the Black Vipers. "With Adam after me, what else can I do?"
-Island of Patch-
Yin was rushing through the woods in search for the inferior twin she deems responsible for her life to be ruined. Leaping from one tree after the other. She can feel the aura within her.
All she can do was sneak in Vale during the night. The moon shone over her as she views the island. It wasn't so bad for her to view the island. She cannot help but feel the beauty and serenity of the seas.
But the sun rises, it was too bright for her to even look at.
It was pretty much an open outing for the Grimm to scatter in the forest. The beach was still washed with waves. She breaths softly, she had never been relieved to be out of Salem's domain after years of training.
"Never thought I would smell fresh air." Yin said to herself. Before continuing her search and hunt.
-Anima-
After being drifted to shore, Winter was recovered before she can be hunted again. She is now an enemy to the Black Vipers as a Schnee like her is mostly targeted.
"So it is true. Jupiter Vasilias is alive and with the Black Vipers." Said the man in Winter's age. He is a soldier of Atlas, but unlike the rest of the Atlesians, he is of Mistralian descent. Long silver hair ties up, and samurai armor. And a katana on his back. Wearing a blindfold for unknown reasons. He is Deshiro Kaze, a member of Team WNND, that would be Winter's team where she is leader.
"To make matters worse, she is not only targeting my family, but also the rest of the aristocracies and the military of the entire kingdom. Now.I understand why would they even allied with the White Fang for satisfaction. Most of all, they were in contact with you know who." Winter hints. Deshiro knows who she was talking about. And that would be the Great Witch herself, Salem.
"Vasilias was mostly out to get revenge on me, because he thinks I took a life of one of his loved ones. Mainly his elder brother." Winter explains. Sitting in front of the fire drinking some tea to warm up.
"But we know that's not true. He may have a grudge against you, but you would never do such a thing." Deshiro points out. He trusts Winter as his leader above all else.
"No, I never met his brother. Nor do I know him. But I guess with grief comes with vengeance. Salem must've used this to get him to hunt me down." Winter adds. "At this rate, he might try to trigger the 2nd Rebellion on Atlas. Something that his grandfather, Uranus failed from the start." Winter said.
Hearing the story from her grandfather, Uranus Vasilias was an old friend of Nicholas Schnee from their younger days in Atlas. As young men, they shared an interest of making the world a better place. Through Nicholas, he believed that using the dust and tech to keep people safe would create the positivity for future generations. But through Uranus, he believed that fighting was the way to change the world for the better and was against technology. So he made a deal with Salem to rebel against not only Nicolas, but also Atlas. After seeing the conditions in Mantle were not going well.
Even if Nicholas tried to reason with Uranus, he would never listen. And that was when the first rebellion against Atlas had started. After Atlas Academy was established. Uranus was meant to kill Nicolas and his family, fortunately, Uranus was defeated by his son, Saturn Vasilias as a young man at the time. Uranus was never heard of again.
Winter was the only relative of Nicholas to retain this knowledge in order to prepare herself in the future, which is now. She then turned to Deshiro.
"I need you to do me a favor." Winter asked. "I know it's too much, but this is important."
"Miss Schnee..."
"Just Winter. I prefer that over my surname." Winter reminded him. "My apologies. Continue."
"Jupiter can kill me of this will satisfy his agenda. But you need to look after my mother, my brother and sister. Get them away from Atlas as far as you can." Winter requested.
"Your younger sister is old enough to defend herself. You taught her that." Deshiro points out.
"Even so. I feared the worst. It was not only me he was after. Knowing Vasilias, he always thought of me as a nightmare and he is now trying to make me suffer." Winter clarify. Deshiro understands that fact that Jupiter will be hunting her down, Deshiro knows he cannot disobey her orders. He was even impressed for how she puts her family first. And planning ahead should anything happen to her.
"But what of your father ?"
"My father was another one of those reasons my family was targeted without a second thought of their well-being. To me, he was an obstacle. I vowed the day on my grandfather's grave that I will not let Father have his way with my family. We may be related by blood, but Jacques Gelé isn't the father I asked to be born to. I had my suspicion on him for a while. He was up to something, I could feel it." Winter made it clear that she no longer sees her father as family after every mistakes he made and never owned up to them after years of making her family suffer.
She would prefer her father by his original surname, Gelé, instead of Schnee. Cause he only married into the family to take that name. Which disgusted Winter since childhood during her time as the first heiress of the SDC. To Winter, Jacques doesn't deserve his daughters, his son, nor his wife.
Though she felt pity for her mother after she fell into alcoholism, Winter wishes that she would have grown a spine to protect her siblings.
Deshiro nodded in response. "You have my word. That is the rule of the samurai in my lineage."
"Good." Winter nodded as they continue to rest. As they both reminisce of their past memories as students of Atlas Academy. Winter and Deshiro watched the sun rising. As morning rose.
Meanwhile, Team RNJRSS were continuing their journey all their way to Oniyuri. Scarlet and Jaune said nothing, feeling too upset after the other night. Sage noticed how quiet the two, including Ruby had been.
Ren and Nora then looked at each other. "Boy, this gets boring every time there was no Grimm around to slash." Said Nora.
"Unless we wanted to be slowed down. It was better this way before another sunset."
"What? Come on, it was more fun. I mean, think about it. All the goods we have been awarded after the work we have done. Best of all...Free pancakes!" Nora squealed of joy at the thought of pancakes.
"Didn't we have those this morning?" Ren asked. Too busy to notice their teammates staring at them while walking ahead. They seem to enjoy the conversation. Ruby notices the two very closer than before. Their hands near one another and they have yet to hold them.
"Does anyone noticed Ren and Nora closer to each other than before?" Ruby asked, smiling talking to Sage. He also noticed how they became much more than a friendly conversation. Seeing how Nora giggles, and Ren smiling. He never smiles much, but it seemed better this way.
"About time." Sage said, finally realizing that Ren or Nora might have to confess eventually. Who knows if there will be the end of the world. But thought it will never happen. Ruby then looks behind to see Scarlet and Jaune frowning.
"Jaune was taking things slow a bit after last night. But Scarlet was still upset, but it must be more than about Cinder."
"What did you figure?" Sage asked.
"Back in Shinegure. Scarlet said about his sister being tested in the lab. A cloning project. You have no idea how sad it made him reading her name on screen. I think there was more to the story related to the Fall of Beacon, like long ago." Ruby hinted.
"I think I know what you're talking about." Sage said. Ruby jerked her head to him in response.
"Really?"
"Not sure if this is related to the Fall of Beacon. But from what I heard, Scarlet has an older sister named Rouge. Rouge was once a soldier in Atlas Academy. It is said that she raised him alone after running away from their parents, they used to live in Vacuo before moving into Solitas in Mantle. For some reason, Rouge disappeared in a mission for a search for a missing huntress. But she never came back. Scarlet was devastated after this and he blames Atlas and its military for her disappearance. Since then, Scarlet was recruited by pirates in order to train to become a huntsmen. But don't worry, those weren't bad pirates, those pirates are good to him. Teaching him everything to survive the world. They were like family to him before enrolling to Haven."
Ruby was shocked. She felt sorry for him for losing a sister. It was similar to her losing her mother in a mission she never came back from.
"That's sad." Ruby replied. "If that were my sister, I would have felt the same. No wonder why he was so vengeful and a bit self-absorbed." She said.
"I don't blame them for everything happening in the past." Sage replied.
Ruby thought Scarlet could use a friend at least. And that's what she will be for him, even if they hadn't known each other much. She still considered Scarlet a friend through Sun.
She then stepped back to approach Scarlet. His expression was intimidating than before. Ruby blinked after seeing the look in his eyes. "Hey, Scarlet. If you want to talk about something. You could tell me. Just think about it, okay? Believe me, we don't want each other to feel hurt all the time." Ruby suggested to him.
Scarlet said nothing and just nodded. Ruby took it as a yes. Knowing he wasn't ready to talk about it. Though he wasn't sure if he can trust Ruby because she is only two years younger than the rest of them. To him, she is only old enough to be anyone's little sister. Seeing how comfortable Ruby was around Sage when talking to him. And how Jaune was comfortable talking to either Ruby or Pyrrha.
-Pine Farmhouse-
On the open fields of the Pine Farmhouse. Sun rises when the light rose above the ground. Shining over the farm where the animals woke up to settle for the morning routines of eating and being cared for by the Pine family.
A young boy inside the house living with his aunt was napping in his bed before a voice speaks to him.
"Wake up."
The boy squirmed. Thinking it was just a dream hearing it.
"There is no time. Wake up."
There it is again. He tries to resist while sleeping. But then it echoed once more.
"You have to wake up."
The boy gasped. Lifting himself up from bed as he breathes rapidly. As he turned to the window to see the sun, he rubbed his eyes. Knowing he needn't a clock to know what time it is. He knows it was time for work.
While trying to get the unknown voice out of his head, he spend most of the morning sweeping the dest inside the farmhouse. Lifting the hay and placed them in the stack. Also feeding the chickens.
To him, it was just a regular day in the farm. Wiping the sweat from his forehead. Watching the sun rising from the horizon. Waiting for the sky to turn blue.
-Anima-
After being unconscious for the entire week, Jupiter was aided by Tyler. Then his injuries were treated with bandages since they ran out of rubbing alcohol for the moment.
"I told you, this was a bad idea. But you never listened." Tyler scolded him. But Jupiter didn't deny it. He wasn't backing down either.
"I was this close, Tyler. Close!" He tries to stand up, but because of the pain stinging on him, Jupiter sat back down in front of the campfire. "Argh!"
"Easy, man. At this rate, we will never get our revenge plan complete if you were too focused on getting rid of Winter Schnee. Adam would have probably sent a unit after her right about now." Tyler assured him, knowing of the plan to gain the trust of the White Fang.
"He better be." Jupiter grumbled. "And the heiress?" Tyler asked.
"I got word from Zeos that Mercury will be on his way to meet with the witch in Atlas. Since this was taking too long to obtain her."
"The witch? You mean that hot sorceress that's been hanging around our queen?" Tyler asked. Mentioning how beautiful the mysterious woman was, and noted that she is a dark sorceress. She may be older than them, but she looks a bit young for her age.
"Oh, her. I don't like her, but she has to make use of the mission." Said Jupiter, despising the witch for unknown reasons. "She also uses glyphs. But something about her disgust me."
"She does have the hots for you." Tyler noted again, remembering the time the sorceress was flirting with Jupiter, but she is the only individual that made him uncomfortable to be around. And hearing this made him shiver. "Can you not bring that up?" He groaned. Tyler snickered a bit.
Then Jupiter received a text from Zeos. Curious, he then opened the notification and gasped. "What?!" He saw a picture of his younger brother kissing the younger sister of his sworn enemy. It was taken after the concert for the Beacon Charity. His teeth grinding in anger. His grip on his scroll tightened with the sight of his brother for falling in love with Schnee.
"Neptune...that idiot!" Jupiter shouted before throwing his scroll. But Tyler stopped him. "Hold on!" Jupiter was about to shout, but Tyler has another idea for him. "But my brother-!"
"Dude, I know you hate that family. But perhaps this can work in our favor." Tyler suggested. Jupiter took another look at the photo. Jupiter had no idea that Neptune only went to Atlas just for the girl he knew as Winter's sister. He can use this, not only to use the heiress to close the deal with the White Fang. He can also use her against Neptune in order to provoke him into falling into the darkness. So that he can no longer be weak. Seeing how much she means to him.
He had nearly forgotten to know an opportunity when he sees it. And that photograph Zeos took of the two younger siblings of the most top fighters is what was giving him the idea.
"What do you know. This is something I haven't thought of yet. It will be a matter of time before Winter Schnee can fall to her knees and wallow in despair."
Blake was awake after a day passed. And they have yet to arrive in Menagerie. She cannot help but want to let her feelings out a little more as the anxiety shakes in her blood. But she cannot show it yet. Sun is still asleep on the other bed.
Blake cannot help but questions her purpose in life. What was the purpose of Remnant? And why it came to existence? And why was Sun questioning about himself?
Blake then came across her bag and took out her pen and journal that records every detail and photographs of her time in Beacon. The same journal that contained the sketch of Adam. The face she became afraid of till this day.
She sat down outside the cockpit of the boat. Then gets into writing in the current details.
After Beacon fell, I knew the White Fang won't stop without Adam hunting me down. Just as he promised, he will hurt everyone I cared for. Everywhere I went, his eyes will be all over me. I stayed at Shinegure to hide out for a few days. Until the Black Vipers came to scout the area. When I attempted to sneak away from them, I saw Ruby again.
I cannot imagine seeing any of my teammates again. I expected her to be angry after Yang got injured. But I was shocked to see her glad to see me. But I know I can't get anywhere near anyone I knew. But you'd be surprised how persistent she is when she tried to plead to me to go with her.
I refused. She could be as fast as Adam. But I knew Adam will come after her next if I went with her for wherever she is going. As I kept running, the Black Vipers spotted me. Maybe attempted to have me to join them. But they are no different than the White Fang. My mind was set. I will have to go home. Spend the last years with my parents before I meet death itself.
My parents might still be upset with me after I ran away after joining the White Fang. I wanted to go with my friends, but the problem is, I can't go back. Not after everything. Unless I stop the White Fang for good. No one is safe with me. I can't be safe with anyone.
But if anyone, Sun is even more persistent than Ruby is. That was just stubborn coming from him. I don't know why, but all my worries washed away when I was with him since the first day we met. Even if I refused to let him in on my situation. I didn't ask him to come with me, but he went along anyone.
I still think he should be with his team. I can't imagine what Neptune, Sage and Scarlet must be feeling after he left without notice. But I hope he can reunite with them to work things out. I don't know why Ruby, Jaune, Ren, Nora and Scarlet were in Anima. But I think this must be related to the Grimm invasion in Vale.
Weiss on the other hand, she had to go back to Atlas. I wonder how she is doing considering her dad being stone-hearted and controlling he is. I hope she doesn't have to stay in her mansion too long.
And Yang, I am sure she is still mad at me for leaving without a word. But it is for the best that I'd be alone for a long time. Everywhere I went, people get either hurt or killed. I wish I could visit her, and tell her and Ruby that I am sorry.
Blake finished writing her journal and closed it. Putting it back inside her bag before turning to Sun, who was yawning and stretching. Then came up with even more funny stretches. Blake watches as she laughs a bit. Even if she tries to hide it, but Sun notices and just smiled and wave.
Then Sun notices someone behind Blake. A much more ghostly figure staring at him. The figure said nothing and just kept watching. Sun was sure he was hallucinating from the traumatic experience.
Blake noticed his alarming expression. "Sun, what is it?" Sun rubbed his eyes, and the ghost disappeared. He was gone. Sun was sure he was being haunted. But he didn't say a word. Knowing no one will believe him.
"Oh, nothing. I thought I saw someone." Replied Sun, scratching the back of his head. Sun definitely think it was a ghost following him. Thinking he might be trying to tell him something.
"You sure you wanted to go there?" Sun asked.
"Just something I will have to do." Suddenly, they heard the water gurgling from below. Blake and Sun stepped forward to see what was happening. And it was far from good.
A dragon-like Grimm emerged from the sea as it roars with rage at the sight of Sun and Blake after seeing their auras. One of the crew members saw it and shouted out to his captain to warn him. "Grimm! We got a Grimm!"
Then the alarms were set. The captain tried to steer it away. But it was futile given their speed as it kept diving creating waves, preventing them from escaping. "What do we do?!" Sun asked after seeing this.
Blake takes out her sword and Sun pulls out his bō staff. "Fire the cannons!" Ordered the captain. The cannons were emerged from the cockpit of the edge of the ship as they fire at the Sea Feilong.
Blake was the first to clash with the monster head up to swipe at its face. But the Grimm knock her back onto the boat.
Blake was about to get up, but was held back by the sting on her shoulder. But she wasn't going to stop yet. After the Captain ordered another cannon fire on the board, the Sea Feilong began to grow its wings on his back and screeches in response.
Flapping it's wings to create a wind wave and pushes Blake back. "I got this, Blake!" Sun shouted as Blake gets up and gave him a boost to fly towards the Grimm and he summons his Via Sun for his clones to pull back its antennas as the Grimm fires its beam of golden ray.
Sun grips onto the antennas after his clones were dissipated. "Whoa, oh!" He shouted. The Sea Feilong then waves its head and got Sun off it.
Sun falls as he knew the height was too great for him to get killed, until Blake catches him. Sun smiles at her. "My hero." He said. Blake rolled her eyes.
"Thanks, Sun. But I'll handle those." Blake said as she rushed towards the Sea Feilong using her Shadow Clones to keep up with it's Speed. While also dodging its laser beams. Sun cannot help but admire her courage.
"Sometimes I just love how she can be feisty in this." Sun then decides to leap in as another beam was hearing towards her. But Sun uses his staff to block the attack that could've killed her.
"Keep at it!" Blake said. Sun nodded as he uses his semblance to create three clones as Blake gets into midair with the help of a boost from the clones.
"Over here!" Sun shouted as he grabs onto Blake's hands and threw her at the Grimm. The Sea Feilong got her in its sights and fires the beams. Only Blake dodges them by spinning in the air and clenches on her katana. And ran it onto his wing, causing the Sea Feilong to screech in pain.
Now it was Blake who was about to pummel to the ground as she falls. But it was also Sun's turn to catch her. It was awkward between the two. "You can put me down now." Blake said as Sun blushed. But also did what she asked him to. "Okay. This is awkward." He said.
Now that the Sea Feilong was setting its sights on the two. Blake and Sun were led with no other choice but to lure it away. Leaping one rock after another as it chases them, knocking away the rocks.
The Captain ordered his men to activate the turbines of the boat and catch up to speed. As the two huntsmen-in-training were leading the Grimm away. It was about to eat Sun once he was caught up to its jaw. But Blake swipes Sun away swinging with the ribbon on her gun.
Just as the two were about to be blasted by the Sea Feilong. The boat knocked the Grimm forward as the cannon fires and makes the blow on it's head. Leading the Sea Feilong to be turned into dust.