Halo, it's time for the newest chapter. Enjoy the reading.
The night was filled with tense silence in the Menagerie headquarters of the White Fang, as they were sure that this would be the night when they could remove the last obstacle from themselves and start a war against humanity without a problem.
The two most powerful members of the order walked along the dark, candle-lit corridors.
- What do you think, - Ilia worried in advance. – why are Corsec and Fennec calling us?
- I don't know, - Luna also felt that something sinister was brewing. – but I'm afraid that after that there will be no way back for us.
- It's the only way people won't push us, - Ilia clenched her fists angrily, her skin turning red and her hair yellow with anger. – we attack back!
- If they think we're beasts, - Luna grumbled. – then we attack them like beasts.
As soon as they reached the door of the two brothers' room, they stopped a little, Ilia changed back and Luna knocked on the door.
- Come in! - It was heard on the other side of the door, then the two young people entered the door and found the two fox faunus brothers there.
- Sister Ilia and Sister Luna, - One of them with fox ears greets, although Luna didn't say which one Corsec and Fennec. – that you were willing to come here so late.
- As if we had a choice. - Luna just shrugged rudely but Ilia knelt respectfully.
- How can we be of service to you?
- Please, - The other brother, the one with the fox's tail, signed to Ilia. - stand up. We have wonderful news.
- But I have bad news. - Luna added.
- What would it be? – Ilia asked Luna and the brothers at the same time.
- You should start. - Luna shrugged.
- We received a message from the Mistral Brotherhood. - The fox eared started. – The mission was successful and Adam Taurus obtained the title of Supreme Leader and became the actual leader of the White Fang.
- Good. - Ilia sighed in relief. - And... - But she was clearly worried. - Sienna?
- She was buried with dignity. – The fox tailed answered. – We told the other half of the organization that she resigned voluntarily.
- That wasn't the plan. - Luna reminded them but to no avail, neither the brothers nor Ilia could be influenced.
- It was a necessary sacrifice. – Ilia tried to convince herself that Sienna's death was really necessary. - We won't forget everything she did for us.
- It's not good. - Luna lowered her head.
- Indeed. - One of the brothers bowed.
- Your maturity and understanding on this matter is appreciated. That's exactly why you have been called here tonight. - The other continued.
- The White Fang is in a… - The fox-eared one tilted his head to the side. – in a transformational phase.
- Growth requires change.
- And change can be painful.
- Don't talk in riddles, - Luna just crossed her arms and demanded a straight answer. - tell me what you want?
- Anything, - Ilia was more respectful. – for the faunus' sake. Until then, the pain is worth it. What is our next mission?
- Restraint. – Began the fox tail. – The fact that the CCT-tower is still not working means we have the luxury of being able to control the flow of information.
- News of Adam's ascension hasn't yet reached Menagerie and as soon as it does, the people of Kuokuana will no doubt react badly, especially since their leader has spoken against us.
- I heard that speech. - Luna replied. - We should have finished with him that night.
- It was our fault! - She reminded Ilia of the night they had to spy on the Belladonna mansion and clashed with their daughter and Luna's sister. - We let the Belladonna girl…
- Don't torment yourselves for the mistakes of the past, Luna, Ilia! - Said the fox-tailed one. - Let's focus on the future, because we have a chance to redeem ourselves.
- What should we do? - Ilia was determined and Luna couldn't turn back either.
- The Belladonna family is the final threat to Adam's plan to attack Haven. - The fox-ear continued.
- And therefore, they must be silenced. - At this instruction, Ilia's heartbeat skipped a beat and she started walking backwards, panting.
- To silence... - She barely understood what she heard from the shock.
- Wait! - Luna did stand up for one thing. - My sister and my brother are also in their mansion and they are determined to help them.
- If they get in our way, they have to be eliminated too. - The foxtail didn't tolerate resistance.
- Just like Sienna. - The fox-ear tried to be more diplomatic. - They only hinder the development of our people. However, - He made an offer. – if you can convince them to join us or just stand aside we will pardon them. - He looked over the two girls. - We would never ask you to do such a terrible thing without reason and of course, you both get help from our brothers and sisters. - He turned to Ilia. - For you with the daughter of the Belladonna family, - Then back to Luna. – and you and your sister can be a possible stumbling block to the mission.
- Blake? - Ilia knew she had to kill her friend for the sake of her people.
- Lynda... Monty... - Luna didn't want to hurt her siblings but it was too late to turn back.
- We know how much they mean to you, - The fox-tailed looked at Ilia. – but I'll reassure you, because Supreme Leader Taurus said he wants her alive but we can't allow her to get in the way to protect her family.
- But if we kill their leader... - Luna wasn't sure if this was a good idea at all.
- Menagerie people... - Ilia thought the same thing.
- They will understand what happens to those who are enemies of the White Fang! - The fox tailed interrupted them.
- Will be left without a leader, - the fox-ear continued. - until our victory is complete.
The fox-tailed one stood between the two girls and put one hand on both of their shoulders.
- It's a necessary sacrifice for the greater good.
Luna and Ilia looked at each other, then nodded firmly and left the room.
- Good luck, - Luna hoped Ilia wouldn't have to kill her friend. – I hope Blake won't get hurt.
- And I hope your siblings will listen to you.
Raven's tent was spacious and comfortable enough to accommodate several people, several rugs were spread on the floor and quite a few valuable antiques decorated the place. Raven, Yang, Weiss, and Mike sat down at a small table while the short-haired, tattooed girl poured tea for them.
- … and that's how I pulled Qrow's pants down in front of the whole class. - Raven shared an embarrassing childhood story with them at Mike's request.
- I don't really understand, - Weiss just rolled her eyes. - what does this have to do with the current situation?
- He asked, - Raven held the cup to her mouth. - I answered. - She turned to the girl who was pouring the tea. - Go outside and wait there. Thanks.
- Anyway, - Mike looked at the antiques. - I see that you collect antiques.
- I like them. – Raven answered quite in unison.
- Did you rob these too? - Mike asked worriedly.
- Some. There are some that are paid so that we don't attack them.
- Did they pay you not to attack them? - Weiss was interested.
- Yes, when the leader of a village learns that a bandit clan wants to attack them, they have two options, fight or pay.
- And who can't pay? - Yang crossed her arms in disdain but Raven remained silent for a while.
- Sooner or later they would either be destroyed by Grimms or another bandit clan. The weak fall, the strong survive.
- Let's talk about something else. - Mike suggested.
- Then, - Yang returned to the original topic that Raven had wanted to talk about so badly. – what's the truth? - Raven took another sip of her tea before she could answer.
- You know, it's really good when it's still hot. – It was clear that she was just trying to bide the time, which is why she also answered Mike's questions.
- You know, - Weiss replied dismissively. - you are quite harmful. – Raven was silent for a while but left the intervention at that and realized that there was no need to delay.
- The truth is that the truth is quite difficult to accept. You know, one person's victory is another person's defeat. - She put the cup down and shook her head dryly. - Though I'm sure Qrow told Ruby and her friends plenty of stories.
- Maybe, - Yang still didn't enjoy her mother's company. – but he has given me no reason to doubt him.
- Maybe, - Raven just held out one arm. – but this doesn't mean that those reasons don't exist. - Yang narrowed her eyes angrily at that. - You know, - She looked at Yang. – you and your teammates are the perfect examples of the best students of the Hunter academies. Your motivations are noble but old and outdated. You are trying to make the world a better place. – Smiling sarcastically, she leaned back and supported herself with one hand. - Cute.
- This is the duty of Hunters and Huntresses! - Yang said as if it was so obvious.
- Not for everyone. - Raven just shook her head. - Some people do it only for money and fame but there is more to the world than becoming strong. Me and your uncle, Qrow didn't go to Beacon academy to become Hunters but to learn how to kill Hunters. – The two girls and Mike were completely shocked by this and looked at each other. Didn't Dad and the cool old Uncle Qrow mention this? - She poured herself another cup of tea. – Apart from the Grimms, only the Hunters are capable of causing serious damage to our clan and ruining our raiding campaigns. The clan needed something to fight them with. - She drank her tea. - Qrow and I were their candidates they sent. The entrance exams were childishly easy compared to what we had experienced by then. - She stood up and started walking up and down. - We were good. So good that we've even caught the attention of Beacon's headmaster. Professor Ozpin. Even after teaming up, he kept an eye on us and at first, I thought it was because he realized why we were there but he was actually interested in the whole STRQ team.
- What do you mean by that? - Yang didn't understand.
- More attention, extra practice missions and turning a blind eye to us breaking the rules, which got us into more trouble than we should have. – Raven rolled her eyes and Yang, Weiss and Mike remembered that Ozpin treated RWBY and LLMM in the same way. - Sounds familiarly?
- What do you mean?! - Yang demanded.
- How much do you know about Professor Ozpin? - Raven asked. - About his past?
- Well… - Weiss began. - he was a student. The youngest director ever appointed.
- Because he planned it that way. - Raven knew that wasn't true. - Because the man known as 'Ozpin' founded those schools and all the students and teachers obey him and no one else.
- This doesn't make sense! - Yang snapped. - How... - Yang had already formulated a better question. - No! Why would anyone even do such a thing.
- Because old Ozpin has a big and terrible secret. - Raven replied. - A secret that would create fear and chaos throughout Remnant. - She looked at the map of Remnant that was hanging out. - He shared this secret with us one day and as soon as I found out, there was no going back. I needed to know more but with each new discovery I made, the world we live in seemed more terrifying.
- Okay, - Yang shrugged. – then tell us! What's the big secret? - She spread her arms. - What's the big secret that the rest of us don't know? - Raven just closed her eyes, then opened them after a sigh.
- The Grimms have a master called Salem. You can't stop her, you can't reason with her and she won't rest until she wipes out humanity. - As soon as Raven said this, there was a horrified silence.
- What? – Weiss was the first to speak before Raven turned back to them and looked at their already cooled tea.
- The three of you haven't even touched your tea. - Raven had already finished her second cup before Yang stood up to look her mother in the eye.
- Why should we believe you at all?
- Good, - Raven said proudly and walked towards Yang but still put the empty cup on the table. - you're starting to understand! So far you have done nothing but accept what they tell you! - He stood directly in front of her daughter, who was just as tall as she was. - But you have to question everything! - Yang didn't answer, she just looked angrily into her mother's red eyes, who turned back and walked in front of the map. - Or you'll be as blind as Qrow. - Yang clenched her fists angrily and started snarling. - And that stupid father of yours. – BANG! Yang, with red eyes and Ember Celica's shot the table apart in anger.
- DON'T YOU DARE TALK ABOUT MY FAMILY LIKE THAT! - She yelled but hearing the click of a gun's safety pin behind her, she looked back and saw the same girl who had poured tea for them earlier. He pointed a gun on her.
- You need to calm down. - Raven meant it as an instruction rather than advice.
- I would listen to her! - Mike spoke up.
- Yang, - Weiss took her hand to comfort her. - please!
- Listen to your friends, Yang. - Raven suggested. - Your teammates and friends haven't let you down yet.
- YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT MY FRIENDS! - Yang yelled, her eyes still red and she stepped closer to Raven. - OR ABOUT ME! YOU'VE NEVER BEEN THERE! YOU LEFT US THE MOMENT YOU STEPPED OUT THE DOOR! - Her eyes watered and turned back to purple, she closed them and bowed her head. - Why? - Raven was silent for a moment before speaking.
- I know more than you think. Not only about you and not only what I said but also the things I saw! - She was completely sure of herself. - With my own eyes! I know the Grimms have a leader, I know a man who keeps coming back from the dead, I know magic exists and I can prove it! – Both Weiss and Mike stood up and curiously stood behind Yang.
- By "magic" you mean... - Mike got a little stuck on the last statement.
- You said Tai talked about my Semblance? – Raven didn't even respond to Mike's intervention and started towards the exit, before she lowered her weapon. - But I doubt he told what Oz did to me and my brother? - No one answered but Raven left the tent
Yang, Weiss and Mike looked at each other "Now what?".
- Should we follow her. - Mike suggested.
- Just look at it. - Even the girl advised that.
The team left the tent but there was no sign of Raven.
- Mom?! Are you here?! - No answer.
- Yang, - Weiss said worriedly. - are you okay?
- I'll be fine as soon as she sends us to Ruby! - Yang just spied on her mother, expecting her to appear from anywhere.
- I understand, - Weiss tried to talk to her. – if you aren't well.
- You don't believe what she said, do you?! - Yang turned to Weiss and Mike.
- There were some steep parts, but… - Mike didn't know what to believe.
- Of course, not... - Weiss didn't say too convincingly either. - Maybe not everything! But it was pretty crazy, there is Dust, Semblance but magic doesn't exist.
- Some things made sense. – Mike didn't know if he should believe in Raven but suddenly, a bird could be heard croaking.
In the air they saw a black raven with red eyes circling above them.
- A raven? - Weiss stated.
- I... - A horrified realization hit Yang. - I saw this bird!
- Maybe your mother's? - Weiss guessed.
- Aw, - Mike thought that was cute. - she has a pet?
The raven took off in a plummeting flight, straight towards them but in one moment it changed and Raven appeared in its place and landed easily. When she stood up, she found herself facing the astonished, terrified and shocked gazes of the three young one, as if they had seen a ghost.
- How... - Yang was the first to find words. - did you do this?
- Cool, have you thought about, - Mike said the first thing that came to mind. - to perform in a circus?
- Well, - Raven just smiled. - I can answer your questions. – She took out her red katana, cut into the air and a dark red portal appeared. - Or you could ask Qrow. - The three of them exchanged their gazes between Raven and the gate in amazement.
- Are you letting us go now? - Yang asked.
- I give you a choice! – Raven turned back and put away her sword. - Stay here with me and I'll answer all your questions. - He looked at Yang a little sadly and hopefully, hoping that she would accept her offer. - We can start with a clean slate. - Yang just glared angrily at her mother, who was pointing towards the portal. - Or, you can join Qrow and Ozpin's unwinnable war against Salem, - They could hear the anger in her voice, as if she had a personal hatred for Ozpin for losing someone she loved dearly. – and you can share the fate of those who followed him. Well, are you going back to the one who kept so much from you?
Weiss and Mike looked at each other nervously and then at Yang but didn't say anything.
- I just want to make sure, - Yang answered. – that my sister is safe!
Raven lowered her head in frustration, she knew her daughter didn't want to stay with her. She maintained the portal until they got back into Mike's trailer and the fat boy steered the vehicle towards the portal.
- Yang! – Raven spoke to her daughter, who was sitting on the first seat. Mike stopped the car so she could look back at her. - If you side with your uncle, I might not be so nice the next time we meet.
- You weren't very nice either. - Those were the last words he said to her.
Mike started the car and went through the portal.
- I know. - Raven closed the gate sadly.
She knew her daughter was mad at her but she was wrong when she said he didn't know her. In raven form, she watched her grow up, grow strong and learn to be a Huntress. It was stupidity and weakness but she didn't care, she loved her daughter and as long as she was alive and well, she didn't care if she hated her.
There was a lot of hustle and bustle in the kitchen of the hotel room, as Qrow told the RRNJL and Oscar that he was on his way to collect Mistral's freelance Hunters, so understandably, they would be happy to have a hot meal waiting for them.
Jaune set the table, Nora cut vegetables, Ren stirred the soup, Ruby fried eggs and Lance formed meatballs.
- It's fine, - Ren was confident after tasting the soup. - the first course will be ready soon.
- Nice! - Ruby was happy. - We just have to wait for Qrow and we'll be all set!
- Do you think, - Nora asked with her mouth full, as she nibbled some of the vegetables she had cut up. – will he bring so many people? Quite a lot of food.
- Mistral is a big city, - Lance put the meatballs in the oven. - there must be many Hunters living here.
- Yes, - Ruby confidently moved the egg in the pan. – besides, we need all the help we can get. He must have acquaintances.
- I came! - The aforementioned bird, Qrow, was back.
- We're coming soon! - Ruby shouted back.
- It will burn. - Ren warned.
- No way! - Ruby shot back. - Shut up!
- Ruby! - Qrow called his niece.
- Coming! – Ruby's egg started to turn black and she turned to Ren in desperation. - Fine, take it! - She took a tray with a teapot and cups and then started towards the exit to her uncle. - We didn't know how many Hunters you were going to bring, so we thought... - When she saw who her uncle came back with, her heart skipped a beat and she dropped the tray in shock, the pot broke and the hot tea spilled on the wooden floor, followed by the cups but Ruby didn't care, just looking at the three newcomers.
Yang, Weiss, and Mike's hearts were filled with joy at the sight of their old friends but Ruby, as soon as she saw Yang's painted mechanical arm, was wracked with guilt for abandoning her sister.
- Yang… - Ruby's voice trailed off and her tears fell. - I'm so sorry! I... don't... shouldn't have... - She tried to speak so fast that she couldn't do more than meaningless stuttering and mumbling. - I should have stayed and… I could have talked and… - She became more and more desperate. - I wasn't sure if you'd like to… - She stopped immediately as her sister walked up to her and hugged her. The left, human hand on her back, while the right, robotic hand hugged the back of her neck and pulled her close, then started stroking the back of her head.
- I love you. - Yang said just that before her tears began to flow.
- I love you too. - Ruby cried but returned the hug.
- Who came? - Lance and the JNR were also curious about the newcomers but they were all surprised when old friends came to them instead of unknown and new faces. They smiled at their friends and they smiled back at them.
- Mike? - Lance was glad that at least one of his old team members was back.
- Lance. – The two boys shook hands and hugged each other as friends.
- Hey. - That was all Lance said after the hug was over but in that little word they could feel how much the Red Knight missed his old friend and how happy he was to see at least one of the three people he was originally with again.
- Hey. – The fat boy was just as tight-lipped as his friend and his voice also contained the joy of seeing each other again.
- Weiss. – Ruby, after looking up from her sister's hug a bit, looked towards her white-haired friend and the sisters just motioned for her to join the hug.
Weiss's heart leaped for joy when her friends not only hadn't forgotten her but were just as happy to see her again as she was. Her tears started to flow and she happily joined the team's hug.
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