RWBY: Bonds Between Hearts
Chapter 35: Menagerie Ablazed
WARNING: I own none of these characters sides from my OC(s). All rights go to their respective owners and properties.
This is nothing more than, well a fanfic, a story made up by a fan for entertainment and knowledge.
Everything in this fic is not canon and is only meant to give the audience a new idea of the works of each of the franchises in this story.
So please support me, my work and have some fun. Now enjoy the story. ^w^
As the day continued on, Blake alongside Lily and Sun were still trying to get the Faunus of Menagerie to look into their appeal to fight against Adam and the White Fang. Yet once more they all returned empty-handed.
Blake seemed more distraught over not a single one of them wanting to help out. It felt truly soul crushing to know that nobody was willing to lend a hand. She couldn't fully blame them though. Most of the Faunus here moved to Menagerie like they did… to escape and leave behind such a harsh life. Yet she began to realize how misguided that was for her. She shouldn't have run, she shouldn't have fled and left her friends behind. She truly messed up and has now regretted it.
"How did it go?" Ghira asked his daughter as their looks says it all. "Still nobody, huh?"
"I don't get it! They should be aware of what the White Fang is doing! So why do they just keep ignoring what could get so many others hurt?" Sun questioned with frustration.
"Maybe you're going at it all wrong?" Kali said as she walked over with some treats for the group, "Maybe instead of going to them to ask for help… why not bring them over and have them listen to you instead?" The Faunus mother offered the idea to them.
A speech…. A speech instead would maybe be better for this instead of going up to them like a protestor wanting their signature for something they may not want to sign up for.
"A speech may be useful." They looked at Lily who spoke. "Evol tends to make speeches to earn the attention of the masses so using a speech may help."
"Then who should it be? I mean, I maybe a charmer, but I'm not good with speeches." Sun spoke up, as they did wonder who it should be to talk to Menagerie.
"Leave that to me." Ghira spoke up, "I believe its time for them to know my thoughts on this whole matter."
"Should I get your good bowtie?" Kali questioned with a giggle.
"Please don't. They wring my neck."
"FINALLY! Someone has the same agreement as me!" Sun raised his arms.
XXX
As the next day came about, Menagerie gathered around the Belladonna Household as Ghira was pacing back and forth looking over the notes he made alongside Blake and Lily to discuss the matters at hand.
"It truly has been a long time since I last did this…" Ghira sighed out with anxiety filling his mind.
"Hey… You got this." Sun said, patting Ghira's back for support.
"Hm." The man nodded. Ghira opened the doors as we followed behind him to greet the crowd gathering outside. Some people in the crowd were wearing press badges and holding scrolls up to record the event. Others in attendance included Corsac and Fennec Albain, who bowed their heads, as well as the Menagerie Guards. Ghira stepped up to the podium and raised his hand to quiet the crowd.
"Thank you all for assembling here. I wanted to take time to address some of the rumors that have been circulating around our island. I believe that it is important for the people of this territory to understand the truth. No matter how you feel about the human race, I think we can all agree that the event now known as the Fall of Beacon was a tragedy. A tragedy that will set both man and Faunus-kind back. While the main aggressor is still unknown, we do have official confirmation that Adam Taurus…" The chieftain shot a quick glare at the Faunus brothers in the crowd. "... the leader of a powerful splinter group working inside the White Fang, was partially responsible for these attacks. His actions not only tarnished the reputation of an organization originally created to bring peace and equality to all, but to our entire race. With each day that this man remains unpunished, it becomes increasingly difficult to condemn those that look down upon us."
The crowd murmured among themselves. Ghira raised his hand again to quiet the crowd down. Seems the speech was beginning to raise attention now. This was good progress.
"Recently, a spy from the same splinter group set their sights on this very home. My own daughter, Blake, and her friends did their very best to apprehend this individual. While they were unsuccessful after being physically assaulted and seriously injured, they were successful in obtaining the assailant's Scroll." We watched Ghira take out the Scroll from inside his coat to present to the crowd. "With this, we have been able to ascertain that Adam Taurus has plans to overthrow the current leader of the White Fang, Sienna Khan, and take over the reins himself."
At this, the crowd started to loudly murmur in concern. This was starting to get their attention.
"His radical plans do not stop there, the documents on this scroll proclaim his next target to be Haven Academy and its attached CCT Tower. Their plan is to strike on the last full moon before the beginning of the Fall semester, roughly two months from today. I have sent my swiftest messenger to the government of Mistral, but I believe we have a greater responsibility. My relationship with the White Fang has been... an interesting one. Years ago, I led the organization to help try and create a world where I, and every Faunus who wished, could walk alongside the human race. And while I believe we made great strides toward this goal, it was made clear to me that the people both in and out of the White Fang wanted faster results. So I stepped down, and Sienna Khan was appointed as my successor. It's true that I do not fully condone many of her methods. What I do condone is what Sienna fights for: the idea that the Faunus and humans are, and should be, equal. Adam Taurus does not seem to have that goal in mind. What he has done benefits no one but himself. I think it's time that the Faunus showed the world that we are equals! Time that we snuff out this splinter group, and restore the White Fang to what it once was!" The crowd begins to cheer at this remark. "To do this, I think the answer is clear, we must go to Haven and protect it at all costs!"
At this, the crowd suddenly stopped cheering, displaying some hesitation. Blake's dad took notice of this and cleared his throat.
"Before we proceed any further, I'd like to invite my daughter to come and share her story. Not only as a former member of the White Fang but also as a survivor of the Fall of Beacon."
Blake stepped up to the podium and faced her father.
"You can do this." Ghira encouraged his daughter.
Suddenly, they all heard a familiar voice yelled out from the crowd before Blake had the chance to speak.
"TRAITORS!"
It was Ilia.
"Cowards… after everything the humans have done to us, everything they've put us through, you're asking us to help people like her?"
Ilia's finger was pointed at Lily. "She was a member of Faust! She experimented and killed many of our kind! Turning them into monsters simply to be killed by another experiment!"
"… Faust never accepted Faunus except one." Lily murmured to herself.
It was an honest word. Not once did any of the experiments on Faunus except the Faunus way back who became the Fire Smash.
"And why should we trust your word now for killing so many of our brothers and sisters? You're just a monster! One who wants US to go to a fight that will get many more killed!
"Momma is not a monster!" Kali quickly moved the twins back. The two young twins who had spoken out towards the Faunus.
"If you just accept them? Then you're no different from the humans who abuse us! Adam will change things for the better for us Faunus!" Ilia said, before dodging a sneak attack from Sun as she then fled into the forest.
"After her!" The village guard commanded as the guardsmen went after her.
"…." Lily lowered her head but felt a hand gently rest a hand on her shoulder.
"Please don't think any ill of them… As you've proven to me and my husband? You've changed for the better… and we trust you just as much as we trust our daughter." Kali said, giving support to the bluenette. "… You want to go after her don't you?"
"A part of me wants to… so bad…" lily gritted. The only reason she hasn't was because of Vernage having control of her nerves to halt her.
"Yet I know how this goes… They most likely are trying to lead you all into a trap. Even if you can get out, they could weave it into more of a reason for Menagerie to turn against you… For once, trust in us okay?"
"… Okay." Lily proceeded but Kali saw the dim look in her eyes. Either she was talking to Vernage or was depressed.
"Say, how about you join me for some tea? I'd like to talk to you more, deary." Kali offered to the bluenette with a caring smile.
"I'm not in the mood." And left from sight.
XXX
Lily stared at the holoscreen, tapping the digital screen, manipulating the internal image into various shapes. Her mind imagined the length, width, height, diameter, functions, design, purpose…
Purpose…
Her eyes dimmed slightly.
"My little flower I know it isn't easy given that misguided girl is forcing people to relent on joining." Vernage soothed.
"They have the right but the only thing I hate is her actions are…"
"Are…?"
"The same as I was… misguided because Cody left me to the wolves years ago." She had looked into Ilia's records. Former student but lost her parents in the mines. Those deaths led her to join the White Fang, following the cause of violence.
Lily had undergone a similar path. "She will only get herself killed." She resumed the manipulation, arranging and rearranging pieces in the hologram before she shoved it slightly and bashed her fists against the table, shattering it. "To be a martyr is not the way to go!" She finally yelled.
"Then… maybe you should reach out? Given how her life parallels yours… maybe such insight can make the young girl realize that she is on the wrong side. If Cody was able to save you, then maybe that girl can be saved too."
Glimmer of white shrouded her hands, her Aura mending the injuries of the wood splinters in her hands.
"Plus… you have friends who'll support you too. So don't think of doing this alone again, my dear little flower."
The hologram slowly hovered back to her, no doubt it was due to Vernage. Staring at the machine, Lily was reminded of her companions. Slowly she began to resume her work, twisting and turning pieces. Expanding their size for closer inspection and shrinking them for better measure. Her mind replaced memories of the people who became her friends.
Metal claws appeared around her, projecting screens that repeated her motion but on different devices.
Soon the memories of Cody's smile and praise filled her mind alongside then Blake.
She created cyclops because she wanted to feel safe.
But now? She had her wings of freedom.
She clasped her hands together and spread them out, revealing her three screens. Her memories of her new friends and Cody allowed her mind to move with such motion and feelings, it allowed her to make what is a gift for it.
While her beloved Cyclops still requires improvement, the other three did not.
A hound that serves as a guide to help any soul find freedom.
A sharp entity that serves as the sword and lance to pierce through the wall of restraint that blocked it.
A winged machine… that represents the wings of freedom.
Each one represented the bonds and freedom.
"Atta girl."
A smile formed on her face, feeling proud of these items only for a knock on her door to snap her out of her concentration. As Lily opened the door, standing there was a worried Blake, as it seemed something had happened.
"Blake?"
"Ilia… came by just a moment ago… she gave me this letter…" Blake handed the letter to her, "And… I can already tell what she may be planning… She's most likely going to force me away from Menagerie so Adam's plans for here can continue…. And I don't know what to do…"
Lily stared, looking back for a moment before her eyes gleamed. "I have an idea, Blake. But…"
"But…?" Blake saw Lily's face shift and held full focus at her. Her lilac eyes full of determination she never thought to see in her best friend.
"With what I will tell you, do you trust me in the decision I will suggest?"
"I do…" Blake nodded, a bit stunned with surprise by her look yet felt… so safe as well. Though Blake didn't realize how long she was staring at Lily, as the bluenette caught on.
"Blake?"
"S-Sorry… so what do you have in mind?"
"Get Sun and your parents."
Without a sliver of hesitation, the Cat Faunus did as requested. It took a moment but once she did they all gathered in the dining room.
"Blake said you want to tell us something. What do you wish to tell us?"
Lily took a deep breath. Her mind wavered at first but steered herself. "I know I haven't been… social or helpful but… I want to use this opportunity to do the right thing. That is why I hope to provide a plan in case the White Fang do anything extreme." She rubbed her arm for a second. "I was reminded that I am not the only person here. Vernage is with me… as is all of you. I have my trust in all of you… though for Sun he better not screw up."
"Hey! I have you know I am a team player. I was chosen as the leader of my team for a reason!" Sun said with a huff but smiled, "So what's the plan then, chief?"
"Blake will go meet with Ilia but I will have someone go with her. And no, not you Sun. And it won't be me either." The agent stated. "Kali please watch over 1931 and 1932 in the meantime. You and Ghira will be protected as well but they will only act when the time is right."
"They?"
Lily moved her hands, data creeping across her fingers before she swung them to reveal who she mentioned.
Everyone slowly gasped while the twins beamed.
"Okay… that definitely will make things work."
XXX
Blake leaned against the railing on the balcony of the house. She looked up into the night sky, recalling the conversation she had earlier. She never thought the Rider would make such a statement. Guess he had much thinking to have been that determined.
"Hey, Blake! Are you ready to go?" She suddenly heard Sun call out.
"Be right there!" The cat Faunus replied.
Her fingers felt a note taped to the wooden railing of the balcony. She grabbed it and read the message written down.
'B. Things are going too far. Not sure what to do. Find a quiet spot, I'll find you. Come alone. Please. -I'
Blake looked around a bit before hearing the sliding door open and noticed Sun. The Cat Faunus quickly hid the note in her coat.
This would hopefully give her an attempt to talk some sense into Illia before things indeed got worse, so she made her way to a spot she knew would be secluded from sight.
"Are we recruiting or what? We've got the entire nocturnal section to hit up!" Blake merely stared which Sun caught. "You alright?"
She sighed. "I'm fine. I just need to take care of something first." She made her way out and went in search of a secluded spot. The village was quiet with the occasional guards but when she made it to the darkened alleyway, she called out to the fellow Faunus.
"Ilia?"
"I'm here." The voice of the chameleon Faunus reached her ears.
Immediately the cat Faunus drew her Gambol Shroud, finding Ilia with her hands raised while dismissing the camouflage.
"Ilia, I know you're scared but you don't have to be. My family and I, we can keep you safe."
Ilia closed her eyes. "I'm sorry."
"You can make it up to me by helping us stop Corsac and Fennec." She tried to assure her former friend. However Ilia's apology wasn't one as her tone turned hostile. "No. I'm sorry."
With the curl of her right hand, the chameleon Faunus gave the signal. Blake's ears picked up more sound to more footsteps which made her look up and saw another Faunus. She couldn't attack as it was sudden and took her by surprise. The Bat Faunus landed on her back, forcing her to the ground.
The dark weapon slid to Ilia's feet as Blake struggled to get up. From the top of her vision, she saw two more Faunus joining.
"Wait-!" She was wrapped in webbing made by Spider Faunus, restraining Blake. Satisfied with the results, Yuma handed Ilia her weapon. "Ilia, what are you doing?!"
"I tried to warn you Blake. I'm sorry."
Blake gritted her teeth and yelled back, "Don't tell me you're sorry!"
"But I am. I am sorry it has to be this way, but you and your family are holding the Faunus back!"
"If you were truly sorry, you'd realize how wrong, Adam is! And how twisted his ideals are now!" The Belladonna Huntress argued. "In what world do you live in where attacking innocent people is the right thing to do?!"
Ilia scowled at her former friend. "The same one as you! There's no such thing as innocent! There's no right thing to do! Only what's best for us! There's the humans that still hate the Faunus and there's the others who stand by and let the hate happen! But you know what snuffs out hate? Fear. I don't like hurting people. But I'll tell you this…" She pointed her weapon at Blake. "It's gotten us results."
"Yeah, look where it's gotten you."
The brunette's eyes widened slightly before she clenched her jaw and shook her head. "We all have to make sacrifices for the greater good. No matter how much it hurts."
"That makes you no better than what Faust did with their murders!"
"And what of the murders everyone out there has caused us?! What of the lives taken because of how the world views us? Like my parents…" Ilia closed her eyes tightly with some tears somewhat building up from the memories of how her classmates laughed at the news of the Faunus dying in the mines. "Sacrifices are to be made for the greater good."
"And you think killing me will give you everything?!"
"No. But getting rid of your family is."
This alarmed Blake, sending a wave of fear down her core. "You wouldn't! My family has nothing to do with this!" Blake shouted out. "I won't let you do this!"
"I know. That's why you're being sent to Mistral. To Adam."
Blake dreaded at the thought of returning to Adam. It frightened her immensely. She can't go back to him. She can't!
"I was always jealous of the way you looked at Adam." Ilia's spots turned pink. "I wanted you to look at me that way." She closed her eyes, and when she opened them, they were suddenly pink. "But we can't always get what we want! To know that when you abandoned him, abandoned us!"
"You can't do this, Ilia!"
Ilia ignored Blake's words and looked at her fellow kin. "Yuma, with me. You two, get her to the docks." With the orders given, she and Yuma left as the Spider Faunus and the companion tugged Blake. However the Cat Faunus remained stationary after Ilia and Yuma left.
"Let's go traitor."
Blake gritted her teeth and was yanked again. She can't go back. She- Her cat ears twitched. She knew that buzzing sound.
"I'm not going…"
"And just who's going to save you?"
A howl reached their ears, causing them to wince. They had assumed a beowolf but its voice was too metallic. Three chainsaws suddenly pierced through the wall, forcing a triangle to form before retreating back.
"What in the-?!"
The wall was shoved onto one of the two Faunus, before the assailant pounced onto the other. Gleaming emerald light acted as its eye, its head being circular yet boxed shaped. Its form was canine but its tail… or rather tails were metal and elongated but it looked capable of extending with its three chainsaws.
"M-M-Monster!" The other Faunus cried out, pointing the gun at it and about to shoot at the mechanical canine that appeared. Its head jerked as the bullets fell.
Its third tail extended and cut Blake free before retreating back to its appendage. It turned around, its emerald green light glimmering upon growling.
"Drop your weapon, you don't want to do this." Blake warned.
"We do want this…" The Spider Faunus hissed as she and the other Faunus charged ahead to Blake, ready to fight her.
"Cerberus."
The canine's three saws extended and sliced across the walls. The buzz blades were trapped into the bricks and yanked, bringing down the rest of the walls of the buildings they were between. Blake, knowing the plan jumped out of the way along with Cerberus, while the walls crumbled down on top of the two Faunus, only seeing them lay there as their Aura's flickered before breaking. Luckily the mechanical canine nodded, showing that they were alive just knocked out for now.
Blake sighed a breath of relief, "Thanks for the help Cerberus…" She said, praising the canine as she patted its head, "We need to get back quickly. Mom and Dad are in more danger than we thought."
It stared.
Its calculations predicted zero probability.
Reason? Its master made two more.
Alas there were various probabilities due to possible hostage use.
Hostages…
Ah.
XXX
Kali held the twins close, the duo covering their ears as the guardsman was firing back at the White Fang who invaded the household.
"Heads up!" A banana peel landed on one head of a Faunus, allowing Sun to use his staff to vault to kick another.
"SunDumb!" The twins said with delight upon seeing him, even giving him a poor nickname to boot.
"Aw come on! I'm cooler than that!" Sun pouted but shrugged it off to deal with the assailants. "Woah!" He ducked before using his Semblance to take down several others.
1931 and 1932 cheered and cheered. The cloth covered child paused, his nose twitching. His only eye felt the sensation as it happened before. Much like that man on the boat. On the market. Same tickle he would feel.
Slowly the 5 year old turned his head to the window, staring. It felt scary. Like it was… heading to the window.
"Scary…"
"What's wrong?" Kali hushed.
"S-Something bad… coming here."
"Bad what do you-" Kali saw a faint glimpse before the grew. That alone made her realize what the boy meant.
A Faunus crashed through the window, scaring the twins which forced Kali to protect them. Yuma skidded as he disarmed the guardsman.
"Ms. Belladonna! Twinnies!" Sun called out, avoiding a shortsword..
"Hmph, three bodies for the price of one…" Yuma said, approaching Kali and the twins.
Kali held the twins who whimpered in fear. The ominous feeling that made him remember so much of the bad things in Faust, even remembering the one who used Night Rogue before Lily did.
"MAMAAAAA!" The two screamed for her.
"Calling for mommy? Well, don't worry. She'll be reunited with you two soon… In hell!" Yuma said, raising a sword at them.
A claw suddenly gripped Yuma by the neck and yanked him away. Yuma coughed but gagged when he felt a blow to his stomach and landed against the wall. His eyes cleared but saw a metal humanoid, its arms lean yet held four metal talons. Its body shaped as a human but was not due to its spikes running across its back. Its metal wings were folded but it looked to be capable of unfolded into a wider capacity. Its head was the most ominous. It was designed as a bat with its 'jaw' biting onto an orb that is an optical sensor that gleamed green. It tilted its head, briefly waving to the twins before returning its focus on Yuma.
[Leave my kids alone you bastard.] it relayed Lily's voice.
"Ho~? So the monster of Faust is here in a suit? How cowardly…" Yuma spat out.
The machine never spoke another word and its green light became red. Blood red. It spread its wide wings and zoomed right for Yuma. The Bat Faunus quickly rolled but saw the claw leave serious marks on the wall he was against. If the claws had touched him, it would cut through his Aura and his flesh. Its red optic turned green.
[Cowards flee. And you just fled from an attack.]
Yuma hissed in anger, his eyes darting around before looking to the twins Kali held. His wings flapped as he raced to them… only for Kali to surprise him with a metal pan and slam it on his head hard, dropping him to the ground.
The Faunus groaned.
"That is for trying to harm my grandchildren!" Kali huffed.
"Hey a little help here!"
[Keep your shorts in a bunch. Gremlin is here.]
"Hey my shorts are-!" A blur suddenly went by him and all Faunus (minus the twins as Kali covered their eyes) slowly looked at a dead White Fang held by a slouched metal figure. Blades protruded from its back. It had a long blade on its left arm and right arm respectively while one large blade that was its tail swayed. Slowly, it turned its head, revealing its green optic that was shielded by a tinted cover. Spikes erupted across its body before folding back down. As if its back was entirely with spikes if it rolled up again.
It elicited a soft noise. It counted 8 hostiles, four friendlies, and one idiot in the room.
Eight hostiles.
Eight White Fang to eliminate.
Its green light turned red and its soft innocent sound became a high pitched screech, causing the Faunus to cover their sensitive ears. It dropped the body and rolled up, spinning like a car readying itself to go fast.
[Kali, you get the kids out of here. Sun get the injured guardsman out too. You won't like what will happen here.]
"Roger that, robo-boss!" Sun saluted.
[Say it again and Gargoyle will drop you into the ocean]
"R-Right! A-Anyways! Getting the injured out!" Sun flinched from the threat as he went forward to do so, both guards and White Fang who were injured or unconscious from the fighting as Kali and the twins followed after him to the safety of the outside.
The second the good hearted and unconscious were gone, Gremlin bolted into another hostile, turning the Faunus into a smear of red across the floor.
"Shoot it! Shoot it!"
It swerved left and right like a race, evading them before it bounced, unrolling to reveal its head again but impaled another with its arm blade. It tugged away before rolling up to shield itself. It was being fired from all direction.
The fellow creation used its left wing to throw the Fang soldiers to the wall, rendering them out of commission whereas Gremlin did not give mercy to the other half. When it ended it shook its body to rid the red ichor that painted it.
With their task complete they vanished as ordered by their creator.
XXX
Blake faced Ilia as she stood on the balcony in her father's study.
"Did you come in here to hide?" Blake said to her old friend.
"I told you," Ilia shook her head, "I didn't want this."
"But you're still here."
The Chameleon Faunus scowled. "I don't have a choice!"
"Of course you do!" Blake shouted back. Ilia gripped her weapon tightly and turned her head. "Just stay out of my way." She glared at Ilia and started walking away.
Ilia descended from the balcony, and slashed at Blake, destroying Blake's shadow clone instead. Seeing the real Blake, she cracked her whip, forcing the cat Faunus to dive behind a desk for cover, before running on top of another desk, dodging Ilia's next two attacks. Once the Cat Faunus landed on the ground, her opponent cracked her whip again, but Blake used Gambol Shroud to deflect the attacks, before using her ribbon to drag Ilia by the arm towards her and then pushed the chameleon Faunus away with a jump kick.
With the brief opening, Blake ran towards her and the two locked blades.
"Why do you feel like we have to hurt people to get our way!" Blake shouted.
"Because it works!" Ilia argued.
"It doesn't make it right!"
Ilia pulled the trigger on her whip, sending an electric current through her weapon and electrocuting Blake causing her to drop Gamble Shroud.
As Blake rushed to grab it, she used the sheath to block Ilia's attack, as Ilia used the side of the desk to springboard her roundhouse kick, sending Blake flying towards another desk. However the ravenette used a clone to evade another strike, before sliding behind another desk, where she saw Ilia's mask on the floor.
"Stop lecturing me!" Ilia shouted before dimming the lights.
Blake quietly retrieved Gambol Shroud while Ilia snuck around camouflaged in the dark. After Blake pointed her gun after hearing a creaking sound, Ilia kicked her before she had to pull the trigger, sending her tumbling on the floor. After Blake got back up on her feet, she fired several shots towards Ilia, with the muzzle flash illuminating the room as Ilia ran and dodged the bullets.
"Why couldn't you just leave?!" Ilia angrily demanded.
"Because I ran away too much." Blake confessed after activating Gamble Shroud's blade mode.
Ilia struck her whip twice from above, forcing Blake behind cover again. Blake pulled out two magazines full of Dust rounds, one with Fire Dust, the other with Ice Dust.
"Sorry Dad." She apologizes as she fired a round at the upper balcony, igniting the room and illuminating the area, revealing Ilia's position.
After realizing her position was compromised, Ilia used a desk as momentum and somersaults over Blake, landing behind her, knocking Gambol Shroud away only for Blake to grab it mid-air and parried Ilia's attacks in a reverse grip, before grabbing Ilia by the hand and spinning her around. After Ilia recovered, Blake dodged a low sweep attack from Ilia's whip. Blake blocked another blow before grabbing Ilia's wrists and forcing her weapon down on the floor.
Blake tried to slash Ilia with her sword but the fellow Faunus dodged out of the way and sent two more attacks towards Blake. The incoming assault forced her to dodge as Ilia spun her whip around for a wide attack, but Blake sidestepped out of the way and then fired several gunshots.
"Quit taking pot shots and FIGHT ME LIKE YOU MEAN IT!" Ilia barked angrily and deflected the shots as Blake retreated all the way up on the balcony with a low attack.
"You used to see things the way I did, the wat ADAM did!" Ilia said, "If no one's going to do anything to stop the humans that attack us, then the only choice we have left is to attack back!"
Blake used this opportunity to reload, and fired several shots at Ilia, who deflected all of the shots, and prepared another attack, but there was one problem. Her weapon had been frozen from the Ice Dust bullets.
Blake then used her ribbon to disarm Ilia before pinning her to the ground.
"You're wrong," Blake retorted, keeping Ilia pinned down as the chameleon Faunus struggled in the cat Faunus' grip "there's always another choice."
Ilia ignored her and struggled more. "Ilia, please." Blake pleaded, "You're a good person but you're making all the wrong decisions."
"SHUT UP!"
"Is this really what your parents would've wanted!" Blake shouted.
"I don't know what else to do!" Ilia shouted before she started breaking down sobbing. Her eyes filled with tears. "I don't know what else to do."
"You can… just as Lily did."
"I… I've done too much to be forgiven…"
"She said the same thing too." Blake admitted. "The blood on her hands. The guilt of watching every child subjected to experimentation. The deaths of each one. The blame and loss." She remembered everything Lily had once said to her. To Cody. "Her very emotions led to her being manipulated and thrust into such a path. If you can just listen, Ilia. Listen and see there is a chance just as there was for someone like Lily who would have continued that same path Adam is on."
"What if nothing changes?"
"You can't predict it to be certain. The path is long but you must ask yourself how far you want that path to be. Where one ends and another begins anew."
Ilia began to break down into tears and cries, letting go of her weapon and all of the pain that she was holding onto in this fight.
She was finally free.
XXX
Lily ducked as she evaded the weapon Corsac held all the while deflecting Fennec's with Virtuous Steel.
"It seems we can finally be rid of this filth, brother." Fennec huffed feeling eager to drive his weapon into her body.
"That is seems so.. But we still have our first mission." Corsac turned to Ghira who was fending off a few extra White Fang soldiers that keep entering the room to attack him.
"To attack the Belladonnas is a bold yet the most stupid act to ever do." Lily hissed. "If the people learn what you did to the Belladonnas they won't support you."
"Once we finish our mission alongside killing you? We can easily put the blame on you and your brats." Corsac noted, "As long as they believe what we say? That'll be easy as any other pawns."
"Vernage."
"I'll sleep during this so… you have my permission."
"Thank you."
"Who are you blabbering to-" Fennec felt a powerful blow to his face, his Aura shimmering and his nose broken. Alas the impact made him crash through a wall, removing the rest of his Aura.
"Brother!" Corsac called out.
"Lest you forget…" Lily's lilac eyes gleamed. "I was experimented on to be a super soldier and have learned from the masters of Faust and my mother. I was commander with this. You two are just emissaries."
"We are the ones who will become the true rulers of Remnant! You're just another pest in the way!" Corsac hissed, lunging at Lily with his dagger in hand. Lily was unfazed by his words before her hand was shrouded in metal and caught it.
"A pest? You want a pest…?" A click was heard making Corsac look down to see a belt strap around her waist. "Well you got one."
KOMORI!
HATSUDOKI!
EVOL MATCH!
ARE YOU READY?
"Henshin…" Lily said coldly as the pipes collapsed and shattered for her armor to attach to the girl.
BATENGINE!
FUHAHAHAHA!
"You shown your true colors, monster!" Corasc howled out as he attempted to plunge the dagger into her.
"No." She stopped the dagger. "I am a Kamen Rider." She crushed the weapon and yanked it away from the Faunus Emissary. She punched Corsac but not before repeating it a second time. "That is for the insults."
"Y-You… filthy human-" he was punched again.
"That was for sending a misguided girl to act on your behalf."
Fennec soon howled out, rushing at her as the two brothers attempted to fight Lily on their own to kill her.
"You two just don't get it…" Her violet lenses glowed, fire and lightning dancing across her arms as is the magic, hovering off her feet. "Let me enlighten you for what you two did by attacking the only people who ever gave a damn about me!"
The brothers were treated with a blast of the gifted magic, their Aura shattering by the attack.
"And this… is for dare to harm not just my children… but the ones who I now love with all of my heart!" Lily shouted with determination and honesty. "PHASE 1!"
Red energy coursed across her body, her lenses flaring with blue and white energy as she disappeared, only to reappear with afterimages alongside her. She punched and kicked the Emissaries as she raced around them as the afterimages also began to attack them as well, making it a disoriented assault.
"How did she-!?" Fennec gawked from the odd chain of attacks.
Lily felt every fiber of her body briefly strain but this was enough for her. Unlike Evol, her armor's phases are output of energy injected into her body. Alas if she went beyond the first it would damage her internal workings due to her life still on the bridge of death regardless of Vernage keeping her alive by remaining within her.
"Ho? Seems like you cannot use that device without it destroying your body…" Corsac noted with a grin, "Stand tall, brother. We can win this and complete our mission."
"You already lost."
"And what makes you assume that, human?"
"Have you ever wondered what I did aside from the impacts I gave in Phase 1? The sense as if there was a pause?"
The brothers narrowed their eyes before their instincts had warned them of something wrong. Very wrong… and to look up. Slowly they raised their heads and noticed various blades pointed at them. A lot of technoblades.
"Welcome to my killzone for you are already dead."
Fennec growled with anger as he howled out and rushed towards Lily, unwilling to stop until his blade pierced her heart. Yet for him that was what was needed as the blades then began to force forward, soon stabbing Fennec over and over until he was completely impaled by most of the blades as he dropped dead.
"Brother!" Corsac cried out.
"Adam will receive the same punishment when we see each other." The remaining brother tensed. Given what Lily was capable of, she had the strength and power to defeat Taurus.
"This… isn't over… There will always be us who will continue this!" Corsac said to her.
"No… there won't be." Blake's voice called out as she walked into the room with Ilia, the young girl wiping tears away. "There may be evil in the world…. But we will not give up to gain true freedom and peace. But this is not the way."
"Ilia…. You traitor!"
"It's over Corsac. Lay down your weapon or you will meet the same fate your brother met."
"You truly have ruined everything… EVERYTHING!" Corsac bellowed as he was about to charge to attack, yet Ilia acted as she wrapped her whip around him, shocking the Emissary before he dropped to the ground unconscious.
"No more…." Ilia said softly, looking away with shame.
XXX
The group safely left the burning manor, Lily dragging Corsac by the collar as the man looked defeated by the outcome. Drawing close to the steps they saw the rest of the family and the guards.
"Was it worth it brother?" Saber questioned Corsac, as it seemed he was the older brother to the two Emissaries. The Faunus said no word, only his head dipped in shame.
Blake peered at her friends and family, her golden eyes meeting lilac. The former co-leader of Faust nodded softly. The cat faunus turned to the crowd before her mind was set on what she needed to speak. She approached the steps which earned Ghira's attention.
"Blake?"
Blake stopped at the last halfway of the steps, her eyes staring at the crowd. She closed her eyes for a moment before opening them. "Humans didn't do this." The ravenette pointed at the smoke coming from the house.
"We did this: Faunus. We did this to ourselves. We are just as capable of hate and violence as the humans, but I don't think any of us would jump at the chance to point that out. So why are we letting Adam do it for us?! By doing nothing and staying silent, we let others speak and act in our place. And if we're not proud of the choices they make, then we have no one to blame but ourselves. This is the message that Adam Taurus will bring to the world if no one stops him. But we can stop him! You have to understand that all of you are looking for simple answers to a very complicated problem. And I can't give that to you. I don't know how to make hate go away, I don't. But I know that this kind of violence is not the solution. I understand that to ask you to leave your homes and protect Haven Academy is asking you to put your lives at risk. But that's what's at stake. So I'm going, and I'll stand by myself if I have to."
"I'll stand with you!" Some of us turned around with a surprised look as Ilia stood up. She was the one who spoke. Her pained expression then looked down. "If... if you'd have me."
"Isn't that the White Fang girl?" One Faunus noticed.
"I thought she hated the Belladonnas?"
Despite some of the crowd's murmuring amongst themselves, Blake smiled at her old friend. As Ilia proceeded forward, Saber stopped her. "You're not going anywhere!"
"Let her come." Blake allowed.
"Huh? You're just going to forgive her? After everything she did?!" Saber questioned.
"I am."
Saber looked to Ghira, who nodded to let Ilia go. The Chameleon Faunus continued to walk down the steps to stand next to her friend. "What does she think she's doing?"
Ghira smiled and said to Saber, "She's learned a lesson that evaded me until I was much older: That there is strength in forgiveness."
Blake placed a hand on Ilia's shoulder, the two sharing a smile together.
"I'll go!" They heard a Faunus shout, noticing him step forward and raise his hand. Then, the group begins to witness more hands and shouts from each Faunus willing to help in stopping the White Fang.
"I'll join as well." One more voice sounded out that made everyone quiet. All eyes went to Ly who stepped forward.
"Just because I am human and once with Faust… my newfound path is to protect the people be it humans or Faunus." She rested a hand to herself. "Because someone told me that even in the midst of the darkness we drown ourselves in from the pain and torment, there is always a light that we can reach out and better ourselves. That is what makes us all human."
"Then welcome aboard, Lily." Blake smiled, patting her shoulder for support. The human smiled thinly before she felt the tug of her blazer. Looking at the two children, she hoisted them up as they hugged her.
"I'm proud of you, my little flower."
Lily's smile grew. "I'm not done just yet…" her lilac eyes peered at the two in her arms. "I think… its time to name you two." she said to the twins. "You have forgotten them because of your age and held the numbers… but no more. No more will you two be 1931 and 1932…." Her eyes laid on the girl. "Rose." Then at the boy. "Jared. Both of you are my little buds in the garden of family."
The twins smile happily as they hug Lily with all of their heart and love.
"We love you, mama!" They said in unison.
Ghira and Kali walked down the steps to join the group in the conversation. Ghira said, "We have about two weeks before Adam's attack on Haven. We're going to need shields, training, whatever we can do to protect as many people as possible within the timeframe."
"We'll need transportation too. For everyone." Kali added.
The teens glanced at each other before smiling. "I think we know a ship captain who owes us a favor." Blake stated.
Soon, everyone was getting ready to learn at least the basics of fighting for those who have never fought before, while the experienced fighters went over the plan of attack.
This time, the Faunus will make sure nobody dies again.
XXX
Meanwhile….
Within Anima, an off the road station sat there. Either letting passing by customers pick things up or help out those who could need it. It was a nice place, yet nothing too much trouble other than the occasional small Grimm or bandit. But it was still nice to have.
A sound of a bike was heard as the engine was cut, only for then to walk in was Yang as she marched over to the owner as she waited for the owner to respond, hoping to pick up what she was going to ask.
"Sorry, I don't serve alcohol here…" He said, apologizing to the blonde for whatever the reason was.
"Water, actually. It's hot out there." She reiterated as she took off her shades.
"Oh! Of course, give me a second to grab one from the back, freshly cold." The owner offered, feeling some relief that he wasn't going to get hit again for not having booze on hand.
"Are you telling me you're too young to drink? You look like a regular Hunters." A shady looking man nearby called out, his eyes drift to Yang. "And a beauty at that."
"I'm good. Thanks, pal." Yang denied him. She was already taken.
To add more to her irritation, the drunk approached closer much to her chagrin. "Seriously. Not too bulky. Not too lean. You're..."
"Just right. Yup. Like I said, I'm good. And I'm taken…"
The mook puts his hand on the countertop next to Yang with a soft groan before reaching out with his other.
"And your hair..."
Alright that's it.
Yang frowned and grabbed the man by the wrist before the drunk could even dare touch her. "You keep your hands off me," Yang hissed and before the drunk knew it, she punched him in the face.
Falling backward, a tooth knocked out of his mouth, the man hits the floor and continues to bounce floor-to-ceiling toward the exit like a pinball before disappearing through the doors. As the doors close behind him, the "Open" sign flips around to "Closed". The blonde-haired teen shook her hand with satisfaction.
"Tch." She turned her attention back to the counter and saw the bartender hand her water.
"This one is on the house for what you did."
Yang smiled as she took the water and opened it up, swiftly drinking the whole thing down as she sighed with relief. "Thanks for that…" she thanked the bartender as she was ready to head out back onto the road.
"Erm… I-If I were you, maybe it would be best to head back? There's been lots of bandits lately…" He warned her.
"I'm good with what I am doing." Bandits were less intimidating given Faust was an international terrorist organization bent on worldwide terror due to Evol. Monsters, super soldiers, xenotechnology. All that jazz she had seen.
"Just be careful out there!"
Yang gave a wave as she exited the shop, feeling refreshed from the water and ready to continue onward.
"H-Hey… Wait…" The bruised up bandit called out to Yang, struggling to get to his feet.
"Not listening to what you have to say."
"I heard… you're looking for a specific bandit tribe…."
Yang paused her movement, her hand stopping at the ignition handle of Bumblebee. She narrowed her eyes at the bandit. "If I were to trust you, how do you know which tribe I'm looking for? There's countless as far as I know."
"Fair enough, but I mean… I think we both know the tribe we're talking about. The Branwen Tribe."
Now that had her full attention. Looking at the road then at the bandit, she was going to partially hate herself for this but had a counterpoint in case he has any groupies prepared for a surprise attack midway. Bandits were never alone.
If it meant to get to Ruby and potentially see Lily to ask for Vernage's help to draw the bastard snake out of Cody… then she will take the bait and play along.
"Show me."
XXX