Halo, it's time for the next chapter. Enjoy the reading.
A loud horn sound signaled that the ship had successfully docked and its ramp had opened for the passengers to disembark at Menagerie.
Menagerie was a tropical island in the east with a single small town inhabited primarily by faunus. The buildings in the harbor were modest but intimate. The weather was pleasant and sunny, and the bell in the town signaled that it was noon.
- Wow. – Sun could hardly believe his eyes when he saw so many faunus crammed into one place. There was a small market in the harbor where several faunus were queuing to buy various goods, some just standing and talking and some just staring at the sea.
- Back home. - Lynda stretched her limbs as she stepped off the ramp and looked around her hometown.
- I have never seen so many faunus in one place! - Sun was still in awe.
- I've known this one place since I was little. – Lynda felt a pleasant nostalgia, since she's only been gone half a year but it's like she hasn't been here in forever.
- This is the one place where our kind can feel safe. - Blake replied. - It doesn't matter who or what you are.
- Well, – A group of other faunus just passed by Sun and everywhere he looked, he saw crowds. - it's pretty…crowded.
- Hehe, - Lynda thought. – the only thing that wasn't missing was the crowd.
- Yes, I see. - Blake's voice contained a hint of pent-up anger.
- Where do you go? - Lynda spread her arms and turned left while Blake and Sun turned right. - This is where I live.
- Well... - Blake staggered a little and was overcome with nervousness. - maybe... can we accompany you?
- Don't you want to visit your family? - Sun asked.
- But first... - Clearly, she wanted to postpone the matter. – maybe we could accompany Lynda home.
- Alright, - Sun just shrugged and headed towards the dog faunus girl, followed by Blake. – but you can't put it off forever.
As they began to follow Lynda, the crowd didn't let up and they had to constantly avoid the other faunus.
- Is this place always this crowded? - Sun asked after having to dodge more and more of his kind.
- Are you kidding? - Lynda clasped her hands on the back of her head. – It's still quite relaxed now. You should see how the crowd on holidays. It's like a goddamn holiday apocalypse, the singers, customers and those people in stupid costumes... what are they called?
- Kaballs. - Blake helped her out.
- Those! - Lynda remembered with a click. - It's completely calmed now.
- Wow, that's pretty bad. - Sun liked the atmosphere of the city but he was very unhappy with this crowding.
- Well, - Blake could still feel the suppressed anger. – this is what happens when you take an entire species and cram them onto an island that's two-thirds desert. Yes, it gets a little crowded.
- What?! - Sun was surprised. - Do you have that much unused space? Why didn't you settle in the desert? The desert hasn't killed anyone yet.
- Sun, - Blake just shook her head. - I would disagree with your last statement but regarding the one before that, it's not a desert like in Vacuo. The wildlife here is more dangerous than anywhere else on Remnant.
- Blake's right, - Lynda also knew well, the desert in Menagerie is not child's play. - many people have already died in this desert. If you want to go out, you need a hunting license and they aren't responsible for you.
- Even this part was a dangerous jungle before we moved here. - Blake added. - A lot of people died so we'd be able to settle here at all. Several expeditions were launched to settle the rest of the island but none succeeded because there wasn't enough money and manpower.
- So, - Sun slowly understood. – the government gave us a dangerous island to keep our mouths shut?
- Basically. - Blake said.
- Huh, - Sun felt for the first time how badly people treated his kind. - *ssholes.
- Hell yeah! - Lynda agreed.
Lynda's home wasn't far away, on the outskirts of town, a smaller house that looked quite worn, even compared to the other, more modest houses. The wood was cracked in several places, the windows were broken and a small stream of sewage flowed in front of the door.
- We're here. - Lynda stopped in front of it. - I know our rooms in Beacon were bigger than my house but you know the saying, - She stepped over the sewage stream. - it's not where you live but who you live with.
- Home Sweet Home. - Sun tried to support her.
- Come on, it's... - Blake also crossed the sewage stream but she couldn't say anything. - nice...
Lynda, instead of waiting for Blake to try to say something reassuring, knocked on the door, which miraculously didn't fall off.
- Hey, I paid off all of our debt last week! - A woman's voice could be heard on the other side of the door. It didn't take long for them to open it, she was a faunus girl with short, dark purple hair but the ears of the brown wolf could be seen, which led me to conclude that purple wasn't her original hair color, she had just dyed it. She had blue eyes, but below the left was a black crescent moon tattoo. She was wearing a white blouse that left her stomach exposed, short mid-thigh pants and over that a dark purple mini skirt and black sandals.
- Is this how you greet your best friend? – Lynda just smiled with crossed arms before she noticed the girl's shocked face.
- Lynda?! – The girl could hardly believe her eyes before she hugged her without a word and Lynda hugged her back.
- Hey, Luna. - Lynda was also happy to see her friend again.
- Do you know we were worried about you? - Luna was out herself by joy.
- How's Monty? - Lynda just wanted to see her little brother at all costs.
- He's fine, come inside. - Luna invited Lynda and the others in but looked curiously at Blake and Sun. - Are they your friends?
- Yes, - Lynda looked back at them. - Sun and Blake. We're classmates at Beacon.
- Huh, - Sun immediately shook her hand and looked at her crescent moon tattoo under her left eye. – cool tattoo.
- Thanks. – Luna liked Sun but she was a little more distant with Blake. - Blake, right?
- Hi. I see you and Lynda are good friends.
- We have been inseparable since childhood. - Lynda boasted as she hugged Luna with one arm.
- My parents died when I was little, - Luna explained. - Lynda and I were very good friends and her parents adopted and raised me too.
- That's nice. – Blake was happy to see such a close and old friendship between them, it reminded her of team RWBY. - That's a rare thing.
- Monty will be out of himself when he finds out you're here. - Luna excitedly invited them, especially Lynda to the house.
The inside of the building was musty and cobwebs were growing in several places but Lynda moved forward determinedly, through the hall, straight into the living room, where there was a torn, dusty sofa on which a boy of barely 12 was playing a video game. The boy had the same white hair as Lynda, only short, the same white dog ears and the same yellow eyes, he wore a white t-shirt and gray shorts and white socks. Although the video game was new to Lynda, she was happy to see her little brother again, who was so engrossed in the video game that he didn't even notice that he had visitors.
Lynda just motioned for everyone to be quiet, then she snuck behind her little brother and covered her eyes with her hands.
- Hey! – The little boy started to yank and gyrate angrily to get out of his sister's grip and was only able to do so after he lost the game he was playing. – Sh*t, Luna, thanks to you... - He angrily threw the console on the sofa and turned to confront Luna, only to find himself face to face with Lynda and completely shocked. - Lynda?
- Did I miss you, kid? - She playfully pinched one of his dog's ears, who, laughing a little, pushed her hand away but immediately jumped up to hug his sister.
- I missed you so much! – He snuggled up to her and simply couldn't hold back his tears of joy.
- Oh, aren't you crying? - Her sister teased as she ruffled his hair.
- No! - Monty snapped.
- If you had seen him when he found out about Beacon. - Luna teased the little boy too.
- That's not true! - Monty insisted after wiping away his tears and escaping from Lynda's embrace.
- At that moment he wanted to travel to Beacon, on the first ship, to save you. - Luna laughed, which only made Monty blush.
- Were you so worried about your sister? – Lynda just pinched his pouty face, which he just pushed away. - It's cute.
- Just drop it! - Monty desperately tried to change the subject as he looked at Sun and Blake. - Did your team come to visit?
- My team? - Lynda was a little confused.
- Let me guess, - He turned to Blake. – she is Mandy and – Later on Sun. - this is Mike. I thought he was fatter.
- Um... - Lynda couldn't say anything, and Sun and Blake just laughed.
- Your little brother is cute. - Blake just laughed at the boy's misunderstanding.
- I think he's a cool kid. – Sun just extended his fist towards him, which Monty reciprocated.
- No, - Lynda finally corrected her brother. – he's Sun and she's Blake.
- Oh, - Monty also understood that he had misunderstood the situation a bit. - Oops.
- Anyway, - Lynda was now looking at the big screen TV in the living room and the video game Monty was playing. – where is that expensive gadget from?
- Oh, - Luna realized and nervously wriggled her fingers. – I recently accepted a new job that pays well.
- Yes, - Monty was proud of his adopted sister. – started working at the… - Luna quickly put her hand on the boy's shoulder to silence him.
- At the docks! - She laughed nervously. - It pays well! - Lynda, Blake, and Sun saw through Luna's fake smile.
- Luna, - Lynda looked at her seriously. - you're not going to the desert, are you?
- What? - Luna shook her head in confusion.
- Do you remember the last time we went out there? - Lynda put her hands on her hips sternly. - We almost died.
- Calm down, I didn't have to go out into the desert.
- Would that desert be that harsh? - Having come from a desert country, Sun still couldn't fathom if this desert was really that dangerous in Menagerie.
- The rich ones on Remnant, they pay a lot for the exotic animals from here, - Lynda explained. - but it's very dangerous to catch even one. Before I came to Beacon, we tried to catch one together but we almost died.
- I swear, - Luna put one hand on her chest and put the other on. – that I haven't been in the desert since you left.
- Okay, - Lynda just raised her hands to reassure her. - I believe you.
- Are you staying at home now? - Monty asked his sister enthusiastically.
- Of course, - Lynda answered, still looking at Blake. – I'll just accompany Blake home. – Blake got a little nervous and tense that she had to visit her family too. - Right?
- Yes. - Blake knew she couldn't put it off any longer.
- Let's do this! - Sun was much more excited.
- Can we come too?! – Monty joined in, pulling Luna along.
- Of course. - Blake replied with a modest smile.
- As a matter of fact, - Luna pulled her arm out of Monty's and scratched the back of her head. – I still have some things to do in the city.
- What needs to be done? - Lynda inquired carelessly. - Can we help?
- It's really nothing, I'll handle it. - Luna didn't take rejection. - See you later. - She left the house with that and turned left.
- Then, - Sun and Lynda pulled Blake in so she wouldn't run away. - Casa de Belladonna!
- Fine. - Blake just bowed as they left.
- Tell me, what kind of house do you live in? - Lynda asked as she put Monty on her shoulders.
- I'll give you a hint, - Blake just gave a funny answer. – in a bigger than you.
- Wow, - Lynda just rolled her eyes. – that's a great help.
- You'll see. - Blake didn't want to reveal much.
Slowly but surely, they reached the richer part, where a long flight of stairs led, at the top of which an amazing view opened before their eyes. A huge mountain range that separated the desert from the inhabited part, which used to be jungle. A lot of trees remained from the forest but several houses were built around them, creating a feeling as if civilization and the jungle had merged. In the middle of the settlement was a large mansion, which was significantly larger than the other houses and was surrounded by a smaller wall but its style didn't differ from the other houses and it didn't intend to dominate the skyline, rather it became one with it.
- This is Kuokuana. - Blake introduced her.
- I wish we could live here too. – Monty dreamed.
- Beautiful place. - Sun was completely stunned. - I take everything back! This place is so cool! Why would anyone want to leave?
- That's not the point, Sun! - Blake snapped, some anger coming out of her. - We wanted to be treated equally! Instead, we were given an island and told to solve it ourselves. - She was a little sad. – So, we did what we could. We gathered and built a community where all faunus are welcome. – She looked away at the beautiful view. - But this island, this city... - She clenched her fists. – will be an eternal reminder that we aren't equal. - She lowered her head. - We will always be treated as second-class citizens.
- Hey, - Sun and Lynda put one hand on her shoulder. – this dude feels right at home.
- It will come together one day. - Lynda encouraged.
- Okay, - Blake said, a little relieved and more confident. - it's really time to go home.
- Well, - Sun curiously pulled her close and started scanning the houses. - which one is yours?! Can we see it from here?!
- Yes. - She answered.
- Is that one? - He pointed to one, then another. - What about that little one? It's all beautiful.
- It's there. - She took Sun's hand and pointed to the large mansion in the middle of the city.
- That one?! - Lynda snapped.
- That one?! – Monty was also surprised.
- That one?! – Sun also barely put things together that Blake comes from a rich family.
- That one. - Blake repeated and walked forward until the others couldn't help but open their mouths in awe.
The way down was straight, they reached the entrance of the mansion without any problems, to which another set of stairs led. Blake led the way and was about to knock on the hanging metal knocker but stopped and turned back.
- What's that? - Sun couldn't understand why.
- Well... just... - Blake was nervous and started to nest. - it's been a long time since I saw my parents.
- Well, - Sun just encouraged him. – we've come this far.
- No way back. - Lynda didn't give in either as she put her little brother down.
Blake took a deep breath and tapped the big metal knocker which rang amazingly loudly, Sun, Lynda and Monty were startled and took a step back.
- Honestly, - Sun remarked quickly. – it's a little scary.
The door opened to reveal an older faunus woman with cat ears similar to Blake's, shorter black hair, and yellow eyes.
- Blake? – The woman was completely shocked.
- Hi mom. - Blake nervously greeted her mother. The woman just gave her daughter a worried hug, which only scared Blake, as if she expected something completely different.
- My little girl. – She started gently stroking her long, black hair. Blake, after her shock wore off, smiled and returned her mother's hug.
- Khali, - A powerful male voice could be heard from the mansion. - who is it?!
He was a large and burly faunus male, wearing a pair of black boots, light brown pants, a large plate of armor on his belly and a dark purple armored robe, he had black hair and a large but well-groomed black beard and the same yellow eyes. As soon as he saw Blake he was completely shocked, he was clearly her father.
The parents invited their daughter and their friends over for tea at a shared small table where Blake introduced Sun, Lynda and Monty. Blake's parents were still reeling from the news that their daughter had returned.
- We were very scared when we heard the news. - Blake's mother was still very worried. - The kingdom of Vale may not have been perfect, but it clearly didn't deserve what happened. We were very worried about you.
- Please, - His father tried to look more confident and tough. - I knew everything would be fine with her.
- Well, that wasn't the case. - Her mother just rolled her eyes. - You should have seen how panicked he was. – Lynda laughed a little, as her younger brother might have reacted similarly.
- Men always try to hide how sensitive they are. - She said while pinching her little brother's ear again and Blake's mother just giggled.
- Come on, - Sun tried to reassure the parents. – you don't have to worry about their daughter. I've seen her in action and I have to say, she's got some good moves. - Sun didn't even realize that he explained to the parents a little ambiguously to which Blake almost spit out her tea and Lynda just started laughing but Monty, being only a child, couldn't understand what Blake's father was upset about.
- And what do you mean by that, Mr. Wukong? – And that was the moment when it dawned in Sun's head that it was possible that he had said it a little bit wrong and turned his head to Blake's father in horror.
- Well... - Sun didn't know what to say but Monty saved him then.
- Does my sister have good moves too?! – He asked enthusiastically and completely innocently, before Lynda wanted to hit her head on the table. - Who has better moves, Blake or Lynda? Have you seen both of them?! I mean, you can definitely say it, because you know what to do and how to do it! After all, you certainly have experience! - Poor Monty, he didn't even realize the weight of his words.
- Honey, - Blake's mother took her father's hand and whispered to him, completely unnecessary, since everyone could hear. – he's just a child. He has no idea what he's talking about.
BANG
Lynda slammed Monty's head into the table and elbowed Sun in the ribs.
- WHY THIS NOW?! – The two boys asked at the same time.
- So that next time you think before you speak. - Lynda replied.
- Why are they here? - Blake's father asked.
- Lynda also lives in Menagerie with her younger brother and Sun just followed me.
- I see, - Blake's father looked at Lynda. - you're the brains of Blake's friends. - He clearly didn't like Sun.
- I like him though. - Blake's mother whispered as she looked at Sun.
- Mom! - Blake filtered through gritted teeth.
Suddenly, there was a loud knock that nearly gave Sun, Lynda, and Monty a heart attack but the Belladonna family was already aware that a visitor had arrived.
- Damn, - Blake's father slammed the table. – I completely forgot about the meeting!
- Ghira... - Blake's mother just held her husband's hand, asking him to stay with them.
- One minute, please. - He got up to open the door.
- Everything is alright? - Blake asked her mother worriedly.
- Sure baby, just bad timing. He will give them a new date. It's only now that they have to be negotiated with more and more often.
- Who should be negotiated with? - Blake inquired.
- Hm? With the White Fang.
- WHAT?! -Blake, Sun, and Lynda stood up at the same time but Monty and Blake's mother didn't understand their shock.
- Dad! – The team immediately rushed to the front door, where Blake's father was negotiating with two strangers.
- Blake, - Her father stared at his daughter curiously. - what's wrong?
- Ms. Belladonna. - One of the two strangers addressed Blake but both bowed. There were two fox faunus, clearly siblings, one had a fox tails while the other had a pair of fox ears and brown skin. They were dressed alike, wearing red hoods, black jackets, white shirts, white pants, and black slippers. The hood of one of them had been cut out so that the fox's ears could comfortably fit through it.
- We didn't even know he was back. - Said the other.
- Why are you talking to these people?! - Blake demanded the answer.
- They're, - Blake's father pointed to the two newcomers. - Corsec and Fennec Albeit. White Fang representatives here in Menagerie.
- Did those crazy people follow us here?! - Sun freaked out.
- Then we'll take care of this problems! - Lynda was ready to clash with the two brothers.
- Please, - The fox-eared raised both hands, indicating that he didn't intend to engage in combat. - calm down. I don't know what you have heard about our organization but I can assure you that we are nowhere near as bloodthirsty as the media has made us out to be.
- What we heard?! - Blake snapped. - We saw your work first hand! Crazy fanatics and terrorists who massacred innocents!
- And it was because of them that our friend was turned against us! - Lynda added.
- What are they talking about? - Blake's father stared sternly at the two brothers.
- This is exactly what we came to talk to you about, good sir. - The fox-tailed answered.
- Everything is alright? - Blake's mother didn't join them until later, along with Monty. Blake just stared angrily at the two brothers, Lynda started to growl and Sun confusedly switched between who to look at, Blake's parents or the White Fang emissaries.
- Wait! You really don't know?!
- What don't we know? - Blake's father now turned to Sun.
- The White Fang was responsible for Beacon's downfall. - Blake gave the answer. - They killed innocent civilians and incited Grimms to attack the town and the school. - The two brothers looked at each other for a moment, then back at Blake. Her father looked at his daughter for a while, then looked sternly at the two brothers again.
- Is this true?
- Unfortunately, - The fox-eared lowered his head. - yes sir.
- Don't act... - Blake was about to hand them out but her father stopped her.
- Enough! Explain. – The two brothers looked at each other again and the fox-tailed started.
- I regret to inform you, no matter how much pain it caused us but the faction that was active in Vale acted without the knowledge and permission of Supreme Leader Khan. Adam Taurus was responsible for their actions. I guess you are familiar with young Adam's... extreme philosophy.
- You know, Beacon wasn't the first time when the Fang "failed"! - Sun snapped.
- The main council suspected that there was a renegade faction in the organization but they couldn't prove anything until this incident.
- Incident?! - Blake was outraged. - People died!
- And this is a terrible tragedy.
- We have come to assure you and your family that Brother Taurus wasn't at all following the White Fang's path in Beacon.
- And how could you be sure of this? - Blake's father wanted insurance.
- We understand if you have some skepticism in our direction. The White Fang has clearly taken a more aggressive path since you resigned as Supreme Leader and became Mayor of Menagerie but this isn't the way to get our message across.
- We have a lot of documents about the council meeting, more strategies, how to properly punish these renegades, if you are interested.
- Of course. - Blake's father answered. - But another day. - He turned back to Blake. – I would like to spend some time with my daughter, as she has only just arrived home.
- Of course, sir.
- We completely understand. It was a pleasure to see you again, young Blake.
- We were saddened to learn that you left the White Fang but I understand if you are no longer able to support or trust our cause.
- After all, it's a long fight.
- And who said I won't fight anymore?! - Blake snapped.
- If you want to return, we welcome you with open arms.
- Sister Ilia will be out of herself.
- Goodbye, gentlemen. - Blake's father closed the door but then Blake stormed off.
- So, - Sun broke the silence. - those dudes are pretty creepy. - Blake's father just stared at him tiredly.
- I seriously don't like you. - He left the young ones and his wife with that.
- I agree with you. - Lynda replied to Sun. - They are like a two-headed snake.
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