The day began with Sam, Kali, Blake, and Sun arriving to confront Corsac and Fennec about Illia's surprise visit to their house and seriously injuring Sun Wukong. The four walk into a room that is candlelit, and there are White Fang banners hanging along the walls. Corsac and Fennec Albain stand in front of a painting. The tension hung heavy in the room as Blake, Sun, Kali, and Sam faced off against Corsac and Fennec. Blake's eyes blazed with a mix of anger and betrayal, her fists clenched at her sides. Sun stood beside her, his injured arm bandaged, his expression determined.
Blake took a step forward, her voice firm.
Blake: Corsac, Fennec, we know what Illia has been doing. Spying on me, attacking Sun... We saw her with our own eyes.
Corsac: Sister Illia acts on her own accord. We have no control over her actions.
Blake's eyes narrowed, her voice laced with disbelief.
Blake: You expect us to believe that? Illia wouldn't go to such lengths without your knowledge. You're using her as a pawn in your twisted game.
Fennec maintained a calm façade.
Fennec: You're mistaken, Blake. We have always been true to the cause, fighting for a better future for the Faunus.
Sam Belladonna stepped forward, his voice steady but filled with concern.
Sam: Then explain this.
He held up Illia's Scroll, its screen displaying detailed plans, maps, and messages.
Sam: Why does Illia have all this information about Adam Taurus planning to overthrow Sienna Khan, take control of the White Fang, and lead an attack on Haven Academy?
Corsac and Fennec exchanged glances, their confident demeanor faltering.
Corsac: We swear to you Chieftain Sam, we had no idea Illia had these plans.
Blake's eyes widened in realization, her voice shaking with a mix of anger and hurt. She knew that Corsac and Fennec are using Illia to cover their tracks. They were the only White Fang members that knew she had returned to Menagerie.
Sam: Let me make this perfectly clear gentlemen, if I find out that you are lying to me and you send another one of your spies to my home, (eyes glow blue) I won't go after them, I'll be coming for you.
Later That Night
In the front room of the Belladonna Family Home, Sam and Sun burst in through the front door, angry. Kali watches from the front porch.
Sam: Unbelievable!
Sun: Total garbage!
Sam lets out a growl, and he and Sun turn to each other.
Sam and Sun: We can't let them get away with this!
Kali: (smiling) Well, at least you two can finally agree on something.
They look at her, then back at each other. Sun gives an awkward chuckle while rubbing his head, and Sam glares slightly and growls, fists clenched. The three soon have their attention called to Blake, who speaks up from the porch.
Blake: Guys. Everything's going to be okay.
A little while later, Blake exits her father's study, stepping out onto the balcony where an armored guard is standing. The guard turns and addresses her.
Menagerie Guard: Good evening, miss. Can I get you anything?
Blake: Just a little time to myself, if that's alright.
Menagerie Guard: Sure thing. Just call, if you need me.
The guard walks into Ghira's study, shutting the door behind her. Blake takes a deep sigh and is soon alerted by a familiar voice.
Ilia: You need better security.
Alarmed, Blake turns to see Ilia drop down onto the railing. The young Belladonna reaches for the door, but Ilia holds her hand up.
Ilia: Please! I-I just need to talk.
Blake slowly takes her hand away from the door.
Blake: How could you take the fall for them, Ilia?
Ilia: (standing up) Blake...
Blake: Corsac and Fennec blamed you. We confronted them tonight, and they deny knowing anything and everything found on your Scroll. They talked about how disappointed they were to hear that you'd sided with Adam. But you and I both know they're guilty.
Ilia: You can't prove anything.
Blake: That Scroll might not have been enough to lock them up, but it's enough to sway the Faunus here. When we go public tomorrow, they're not going to stand for any of it. And neither should you.
Ilia removes her mask, a solemn expression on her face.
Ilia: Your plan isn't gonna work, Blake. (looking at her) Please... just leave Menagerie before it's too late.
Blake stares at her in silence for a few moments.
Blake: You're going to have to make me.
Ilia remains silent for a few moments before responding.
Ilia: (sadly) I know.
The chameleon Faunus dons her mask once again and steps backward off the balcony. Blake turns away and gains an angry expression, her cat ears folding. After a moment, the anger fades, and she sighs, taking on a saddened expression.
White Fang Headquarters
Inside the White Fang headquarters, Adam Taurus kneels before Sienna Khan, who is sitting on a throne flanked by two guards on either side of her.
Sienna: Allow me to be very clear, we are not going to attack Mistral! Let alone Haven Academy!
Adam: High Leader Khan, please-
Sienna: No! I mean, what were you thinking? Attacking Vale. Attacking the school. The students. Destroying the transmit tower. Do you even comprehend what you have done?
Adam: Yes High Leader Khan, I do.
Sienna: Apparently not. Because what you have done has left the White Fang open to an attack. With global communications crippled, we are all vulnerable. And you have just justified what the humans claim we are, and have given them reason to have us wiped out!
Adam: No one outside of Vale even thinks that we had anything to do with the attack. They all believe that Atlas is responsible.
Sienna: For now. But it will not be long before the truth of your part played is revealed.
Adam: And by then, it will be too late. High Leader Khan, do not believe that I haven't thought this through.
Sienna: Clearly you-
Adam: Because I have. For too long, they have lived in determined ignorance of what our people have suffered through. The only one exceptional to this is Sam, and so that they can live the comfortable dream that all is right between our species. As if they haven't wronged us.
Sienna: (sighs) Adam, my heart still pains for what they did to you, and I know you hate them for it, but I remember there was a time when you had regret from taking a human life.
Adam: I can and have burdened my own pain, High Leader Khan. But what I cannot and will not live with is the pain of countless others who are still used and abused by these animals. Sam made you the leader of the White Fang to put an end to that.
Sienna: Because he believed that he wasn't good enough to do what needed to be done. I want the humans to fear us, respect us, to know that we would tear down mountains for our place in this world. Not to destroy them. Not to strike at those that have done us no harm, and not to start a war that we cannot possibly win.
Adam: That is where you are wrong. They did wrong us, and we can win this war because they are fragmented and we are united. They are alone, and we are not.
Hazel Rainart opens the doors to the large room.
Sienna: What is the meaning of this!?
Adam: High Leader Khan, it is alright. This a representative of our allies.
Sienna: The ones that tricked you?
Adam: They are the ones that have offered their support to our cause. They will help us create our own place in this world once and for all.
Hazel: Your Highness, thank you for having me. If I may-
Sienna: I have permitted you to be in my presence, human. Pray that I don't change my mind.
Adam: High Leader Khan, please listen to what-
Sienna: Adam, I have heard enough.
Adam: Well I have more to say. We have seen and felt what they've done to our people, and we know that they will not change easily. They already fear us and for good reason. We are better than them. We can live on land as well as the sea. Our eyes, our hearing, our smell, and our senses are better than theirs. We are stronger, and faster, we are closer to nature. We are them, and far much more. And that is why they fear us. And I pity them, as well as a man pities a jealous and frightened child.
Sienna: And your attacks?
Adam: Are our first move in ending this conflict. Just because I pity them doesn't mean they should go unpunished. We will decimate their ivory kingdoms as they have laid waste to our families. And as they scramble to regain their power, the Faunus would have already risen to claim it.
Sienna: And if you think that I'm just going to stand by as you damn us all, you are wrong. (Sienna stands up) Guards, take Adam and his friend, and throw them in a cell.
The room goes silent as Sienna's guards don't move and remain stationary.
Sienna: Did you not hear me, I said take them away!
Adam: I am sorry Sienna. But as much as we are thankful for what you have done and sacrificed for your people, the White Fang can no longer have a leader who simply reacts. They need a leader who will take action.
Sienna: And you believe that leader to be you?
Adam: No, they do. And so did Miss Belladonna.
Sienna: And she left you, didn't she?
Adam: Blake was not strong enough to do what needed to be done.
Sienna: Well, I am!
Suddenly Sienna's guards pointed their spears at her making her eyes go wide.
Adam: You have served the White Fang well. Please, don't throw it all away.
Sienna looked around her to see a way to fight but she then remembered something that Sam told her once.
Sam: If things go south for you at any point, and if you have the choice whether to fight or run, you need to run. Live to fight another day.
Sienna relents.
Adam: Wise choice. (to the guards) Please remove Sienna Khan from here. (to Sienna) I will spare your life, for what you have done for your people. But for an attempt of treason, I hereby banish you.
As Sienna is escorted out, she mutters something to Adam.
Sienna: You won't get away with this.
Adam: I have nothing to get away with, Sienna. Sam gave you your thrown, and they have given me mine.
Hazel walks up to Adam as Sienna leaves the room.
Hazel: So, now what?
Adam: Now, we plan for Haven.
Menagerie
The scene shows the interior of the Belladonna Family Home. Sam Belladonna, wearing glasses, paces back and forth looking at a piece of paper in his hands, while his wife Kali, his daughter Blake, and Sun all wait for him to be ready. Sam then stops pacing and takes one last look at the speech he has written down, before sighing as his wife places a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
Kali: Are you ready?
Sam: As I'll ever be. It won't be easy for the people to hear, but the truth often isn't. I know they'll do the right thing.
Blake then comes up and places a hand on her father's arm, giving an affectionate snuggle. Suddenly, the three are taken by surprise when another hand pats on Sam's back. He looks behind to see Sun.
Sun: You got this.
The three give a brief look at Sun as he stands back and smiles. Sam then opens the doors as his family and Sun step out of the home to greet the crowd gathering outside. Some people in the crowd are wearing press badges and holding scrolls up to record the event. Others in attendance include Corsac and Fennec Albain, who are bowing their heads, as well as Saber Rodentia and other Menagerie Guards. Sam steps up to the podium and raises his hand to quiet the crowd down.
Sam: 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... (he glares at the Albains) ... 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 starts murmuring among themselves. Sam raises his hand again to quiet the crowd down.
Sam: Recently, a spy from the same splinter group set their sights on this very home. My own daughter, Blake, and her friend 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. (Sam takes out the Scroll from inside his coat) 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 starts to loudly murmur in concern.
Sam: 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 Faunus and Humans could find a way to coexist. 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.
Sam: 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 stops cheering, showing some hesitance. Sam sees this and clears his throat.
Sam: 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 steps up to the podium and faces her father.
Sam: (reassuring) You can do this.
Suddenly, a familiar voice yells out from the crowd.
Ilia: TRAITORS!
Ilia uncloaks herself, wearing her Grimm mask and clenching her teeth angrily. Blake gives a surprised look before glaring back at her. Sun glares at her intensely.
Sun: Ilia...
Ilia: Cowards... After everything the humans have done to us, everything they've put us through, you're asking us to help them?!
Sam: I know we haven't been treated fairly...
Ilia: Where was their help when the Dust companies treated our people like slaves?! Where was their help when Kingdoms hunted Faunus just for being who they are?! Where was my help when my parents were killed in a Dust mine?! WHERE?!
Sam: Young lady, progress takes patience and cooperation!
Ilia: The Belladonnas are the worse kind of Faunus! They want us to work with the same people that are trying to hold us down! If you truly, truly want to help your people... (as she speaks, Sun sneaks through the crowd behind her) ... now is the time to support Adam, not the Belladonnas! He will bring about the future that you deserve. And if you are unwilling to fight, know that the White Fang will do it for you!
Sun: SHUT UP!
Sun leaps out of the crowd toward Ilia, but she uses her weapon to get out of the way and flee. When Sun lands, he looks around to see where she has gone, but no sign of her is found.
Saber Rodentia: After her!
Saber and the rest of the Menagerie guards move to chase down Ilia, while Corsac and Fennec exchange evil smiles. Blake and Sam angrily glare from the stage, while Kali has a worried look on her face.
Later That Night
Blake sat on the porch of her childhood home in Menagerie, the gentle breeze carrying the comforting scent of the sea. She looked out at the peaceful surroundings, finding a small measure of solace in the familiarity of her father's presence. Sam emerged from inside the house, his warm smile reaching his eyes.
Sam: Hey, Blake.
Sam greeted, extending a hand toward his daughter.
Sam: Care to join me?
Blake nodded, her expression grateful, and joined him on the porch. The wooden boards creaked slightly under their weight as they settled into the chairs, the sound a soothing accompaniment to the conversation they were about to have.
Sam's eyes scanned his daughter's face, concern etching his features.
Sam: Is everything alright, Blake? You seem troubled.
Blake let out a sigh, her shoulders slumping.
Blake: I can't help but feel conflicted, Dad. Illia is taking the blame for Corsac and Fennec's actions, and I can't wrap my head around it. It feels unfair. I just don't know if I can convince her to change her mind.
Sam's voice was gentle yet firm.
Sam: Blake, you've always been the smartest person I know. Your ability to see things from different perspectives and find solutions is remarkable. Trust in yourself.
Blake's eyes met her father's, searching for reassurance.
Blake: But what if I can't find a way to help her? What if I fail her?
Sam placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, his voice filled with unwavering belief.
Sam: You won't fail her, Blake. Sometimes, the best thing we can do is show someone that they're not alone, that there's another path they can choose. You have the power to inspire change, to help Illia see the truth. I have faith in you.
Blake's tense expression softened, a glimmer of hope shining in her eyes. She took a deep breath, feeling her father's support bolstering her resolve.
Blake: Thank you, Dad. Your words mean everything to me.
Sam smiled, his love for his daughter evident in his eyes.
Sam: Remember, Blake, you've always had the strength to face difficult challenges. You've faced adversity head-on and come out stronger every time. I have no doubt you'll find a way to help Illia when the time comes.
Blake nodded, a newfound determination filling her heart. She leaned against her father, finding comfort in his presence. Together, they sat on the porch, the embrace of family and the belief in a brighter future weaving a tapestry of hope.
The Next Morning
As the sun rises over Menagerie, Blake and Sun are on the steps of the Belladonna Family Home, both of them each holding a Scroll.
Blake: Okay. Are you ready?
Sun: I beat up on giant monsters and robots more than once, I think I can handle getting a few signatures.
Blake gives a small smile at Sun.
Blake stands on a platform in front of a crowd of Faunus, holding her scroll up in front of her.
Blake: Your chieftain needs you! Your people need you! Please, join the fight and help us save Haven Academy!
The Faunus just stare back at Blake.
Elsewhere, Sun tries to recruit a Faunus with ram horns.
Sun: Are you kidding me? We'd love to have someone with your skills on our side!
The Faunus nervously rubs the back of his head, before his mother calls out to him.
Worried Mother: Mata! Get back inside.
Mata: Mom!
Worried Mother: You're not going anywhere!
Sun sighs in disappointment.
Back to Blake, she holds out her scroll to two Faunus girls asking them to sign up, but the two leave.
Elsewhere, Sun hangs upside down by his tail from a tree, getting the attention of a couple of Faunus cutting logs and gathering wood. He gestures to his scroll, but the Faunus simply exchange confused looks with each other. Sun sighs until another Faunus tries to cut down the tree that Sun is hanging on.
At the docks, Blake converses with an aquatic Faunus as two more swim up to her. The Faunus Blake is conversing with leaves, and she turns to the two female aquatic Faunus that have just swam up, before they too swim away. Blake, unsatisfied with the lack of progress, walks up to a nearby fruit stand where Sun happens to be present at also. The two of them share disappointed glances.
After that, the two of them are sitting at a nearby table drinking from coconut cups.
Sun: (slamming his cup down) I don't get it! How can they just sit around and do nothing with the White Fang getting ready to attack?!
Blake: Because not everyone is like you and me. The Faunus here in Menagerie - the ones that weren't born on the island - moved here because they were tired of fighting, of having to struggle constantly. Menagerie is filled with people that just want to be left alone, (scoffs) and here we are, asking them to put the rest of the world before themselves.
Sun: I guess I never really thought about it like that.
Blake: The problem is, whatever happens at Haven is going to affect them whether they like it or not. If Adam gets his way and Haven falls, it's only going to make things worse for the Faunus. Everywhere.
Sun: Adam... He's the guy you used to... work with?
Blake: (sighs) Yes.
Sun: (seeing Blake's discomfort) Sorry, forget I brought it up.
Blake: No, it's okay. (silent for a moment) Have you ever met someone and thought to yourself, "They are the personification of this word."
Sun: (rubbing his head) Uh...
Blake: Okay, well, I remember getting to know Ruby and thinking, "This girl is the embodiment of "purity"." After a while, I saw Weiss was "defiance". And Yang was "strength".
Sun: What am I?
Blake: (smiling) Jury's still out on that one, but I'm leaning towards "earnest".
At this, Sun wraps his tail around his cup and takes a sip from it, before leaning on his hand affectionately. Blake giggles and smiles for bit, before frowning as she continues.
Blake: At first I thought Adam was "justice", then I thought he was "passion". But over time, I realized I was wrong. He wasn't any of those things. He was "spite". Not "hatred", not "rage", "spite". He won't accept equality, only suffering for what he feels the world did to him, and his way of thinking is dangerously contagious. That's what worries me about Ilia. She's not like Adam, not yet at least, but I don't know how long that will last.
Sun: She was your friend, huh?
Blake: She was. Her chameleon traits meant she could pass as human. She could've lived a normal life if she wanted, but she didn't. I always admired that. She lost her family in a mining accident when she was young, then she joined the White Fang. Like me, she was more or less trained on the road alongside other Faunus. She learned to survive, to defend herself, but as people like Sienna and Adam started to gain a following, she became more dangerous. I guess I did too. My parents tried to get me to leave with them, but I refused. I had Adam and Ilia, after all.
Sun: You know we're gonna have to face her eventually.
Blake: I know.
Sun: So, what are you gonna do?
Blake: I'm going to listen to my dad and try to help her the way you helped me.
Sun is surprised at her response.
Blake: You showed me that sometimes you need to be there for a friend even when they don't want you to be. I was drowning in guilt and fear, I tried to push you away, but you didn't give up on me. And I can't give up on Ilia. It's about time I saved my friends for once.
Sun smiles at her response.
In an ominous-looking room, a small device projecting a blue hologram with the text "MESSAGE END" deactivates. The room is candlelit, and there are White Fang banners hanging along the walls. Corsac and Fennec Albain stand in front of a painting.
Fennec: Your thoughts?
Corsac: Are of no significance. If this is how High Leader Taurus wishes to proceed, then we shall make it so.
Fennec: Of course, brother. Still...
A knock on the door is heard behind them.
Corsac: Come in.
Ilia Amitola enters the room.
Fennec: Sister Ilia, thank you for meeting with us.
Ilia: (kneeling) How may I be of assistance?
Corsac: Please, stand.
Ilia does so.
Corsac: We have wonderful news.
Ilia: What is it?
Fennec: We finally received a message from the Mistral brotherhood: the operation was a success. Adam Taurus has claimed his place as the High Leader of the White Fang.
Ilia: Good. And... Sienna?
Corsac: Banished. The other branches of the Fang have been given the story that was agreed upon. She stepped down for Adam to take the throne.
Ilia: (sighs) We won't forget everything she did for us.
Fennec: Indeed.
The Albains bow at Ilia.
Corsac: Your maturity and understanding in regards to this matter is appreciated, and it is why we've summoned you here this evening.
Fennec: The White Fang is experiencing... a transitional period.
Corsac: Growth requires change.
Fennec: And change can be painful.
Ilia: If it's for the betterment of the Faunus, then... it's a pain we can endure. What's our next mission?
Corsac: Containment. With the CCT towers still inoperable, we have the luxury of control over the flow of information.
Fennec: News of Adam's ascension has yet to reach Menagerie, but when it does, the citizens of Kuo Kuana will undoubtedly react poorly now that the chieftain has spoken out against us.
Ilia: (sighs) It's my fault the Belladonnas had any ground to stand on.
Corsac: Do not concern yourself with past failures, Ilia. Focus on the future. We have an opportunity for redemption.
Ilia: What do you need me to do?
Fennec: The Belladonnas are the only remaining threat to Adam's assault on Haven Academy.
Corsac: And so, they must be silenced...
Ilia: (visibly taken aback) S-silenced?
Corsac: Like Sienna. They stand in the way of true progress for our people.
Fennec: We would never put such a burden on you alone, of course. Your brothers and sisters will be at your side, but your relationship with their daughter makes you an intrical part of this operation.
Ilia: Blake?
Corsac: We know how close you are with young Blake. Rest assured, High Leader Taurus has requested she be taken alive, but we cannot risk having her present to defend her family.
Ilia: But, the people of Menagerie-
Corsac: Will come to understand what happens to those who speak out against the White Fang.
Fennec: And will be left without a leader until our victory is complete.
Corsac puts a hand on Ilia's shoulder.
Corsac: A necessary sacrifice, Sister Ilia.
Ilia briefly thinks on this, before leaving the room.
Fennec: She's right to worry about the citizens. It's possible they may come to see Sam as a martyr.
Corsac: It is a risk we must take for our High Leader.
Corsac reactivates the device from earlier, showing a blue life-sized hologram of Adam and his message.
Adam: I will not allow them to ruin this! The Belladonna name has brought me nothing but grief! (visibly upset, Adam brings his hand to face to compose himself) You've done well in finding the deserter. Bring her to me, alive. But not before you've slaughtered her family. I have a promise to keep.
The hologram deactivates.
Fennec: He seems... unwell.
Corsac: He carries with him a tremendous burden.
Fennec: Are we sure he is the one to lead us?
Corsac: For now. We must do what is best for the Faunus.
Fennec: (sighs)
A knock at the door is heard again.
Corsac: Yes?
A Faunus with bat wings enters the room.
Corsac: Brother Yuma. Did you see to Sam's messenger?
Yuma: He rests beneath the waves... along with his warning.
Corsac: Then all is well.