Vacuo station PA: Will all passengers to Vale please begin the boarding procedure, and thank you for choosing the Vacuan transit service.
As the people of Vacuo start boarding the airship to Vale, a wolf Faunus is stopped at the gate for a basic checkup, and the guard holds up a scanner.
Guard: Please hold your arms to your sides so we can check you for contraband.
The wolf Faunus removes his hat to reveal his face. The guard instantly recognized him as Fang Sanguise.
Guard: Oh, hey, Fang.
Fang smiles as he puts his hat back on.
Fang: Hey, Sam. So they promoted you to airship security now?
Sam: Oh no. I chose this over a position at Atlas.
Fang: Why's that? You'd get better pay with Atlas instead of being stuck out here in the dunes.
Sam starts waving the scanner around Fang's body as they continue to talk.
Sam: Yeah, but let's be honest. Us Vacuans have had to survive the harsh environment out here. And from what I've heard, Atlas just has cold weather and an artificial heating grid. No offense to Atlas, but I would rather stay used to hot air and sandstorms.
Fang: Well said, partner.
The scanner suddenly beeps, and Sam moves away from Fang and smiles.
Sam: Alright, whatcha got with ya?
Fang opens his jacket to reveal his two revolvers, Justice and Equality. They are identical, but each revolver is a different color from the other. Justice is sandy-brown, and Equality is red with black tiger stripes.
Fang: Just my two girls.
Sam: You got Huntsman duty in Vale at this time of year? I thought you were retired.
Fang: It's more of a personal visit.
Sam: Hey, just don't cause trouble while you're there. It is the Vytal Festival there.
Fang: Well, then it's a good thing that I'll be running my portable forge attraction there. I'll be providing new weapons and taking on new clients for the Huntsman and students of Beacon Academy.
Sam: Oh, sounds exciting. Well, have a great trip, bud.
Fang: Stay healthy, Sam. And give Jenara my love.
Sam: You bet.
Fang chuckles as he heads to the cargo hold and meets up with Kayla.
Fang: Kayla.
Kayla turns to see Fang approach her.
Kayla: Hey, Fang. We're almost done loading up the equipment.
Baggage Handler: Actually, ma'am, you and your friend can go ahead and board the airship. We've got this.
Kayla: Are you sure?
Baggage Handler: Yeah, don't worry. We've got this. Enjoy your flight.
Fang: Thank you, pal. Come on, Kayla.
Fang and Kayla find their cabin, and Fang lays on the bed while Kayla stands by the door.
Kayla: I was gonna go the bar. Do you want anything?
Fang: No, I'm good. I'm just gonna rest for a while. But you go ahead and be safe. Just because we are on a public airship doesn't mean you lower your guard, okay?
Kayla: Yes, sir.
Fang: Good.
Kayla opens the door, but she utters something before shutting it.
Kayla: I love you.
Fang: Love you too, kiddo.
Kayla closes the door, and Fang drifted off to sleep.
Fang's Dream
Fang opens his eyes to see a wooden ceiling as he starts to hear someone breathing right next to him, and he turns to see Sienna Khan, sleeping with her hair all messy. Fang smiles and gently kisses her forehead before getting up and throwing on his jacket. Fang opens the door to see all the White Fang members moving boxes of Dust that they recently gained from a Schnee Dust convoy. Fang looked around to see his brother Klaw entering the planning tent. Fang soon enters the tent to find Klaw, Adam, Blake, Ilia, and the Albain brothers. Adam turns to see Fang enter and smiles.
Adam: Ah, Fang. Good morning.
Fang: Adam.
Adam: Please come. We have a new mission.
Fang walks over to the planning table and sees details of the mission that the group was discussing.
Fang: Already moving on to another Dust robbery? Saw the haul you guys just got.
Klaw: Yeah, with Adam's intel, we managed to get out without any casualties.
Blake: Except for the added security we had to deal with.
Ilia: At least they were just robots.
Fang: Well, at least you came back with the Dust. I guess it was worth the risk.
Klaw: Alright, what's the mission? Are we all in on this?
Adam: Our primary objective is to set free the workers in the mines, and then we will set the mine to blow so the Schnee's won't get to use it against us.
Fang: And what about the guards stationed there?
Blake: The plan is to disarm them only. No killing.
Klaw: Speak for yourself, girl.
Ilia: You better watch it, pal.
Klaw growls at Ilia as he places his claw gloves on the table and starts tapping his fingers.
Ilia: And maybe get yourself a pedicure.
Fang sees this.
Fang: Klaw, easy.
Corsac: When do we leave?
Adam: We head out as soon as High Leader Khan is notified.
Sienna: No need, Adam.
Everyone turns to see Sienna in her gray, white-trimmed sleeveless top with the same cutouts on the back and front. A pair of white pants that are partially visible under her gray low-heeled thigh boots with a large cutout on the thighs, and large light gray diamond detailing around the knees, the boots seemingly reach the top of her pants, but it is hidden under her top. As well as a gray waist cincher with red trim that had a black golden buckled belt over it, which fastened a gray pouch on her right hip alongside a smaller rope slanted across it. Lastly, she wears a pair of orange-trimmed, gray vambraces on her forearms with a small orange rope tied around her right upper arm.
Sienna: I heard everything. We'll go in the cover of night. That way, we will have the element of surprise.
Hours later
The sounds of mining machines screech throughout the Dust mine as the white fang soldiers move in place above the ledges. Fang, Klaw, and Sienna gather down below and take cover behind a Dust crate. Klaw looks into the crate to see newly cut fire Dust crystals and lowers back down with a concerned look.
Klaw: Not the best cover, brother.
Fang: Well, then we better stay stealthy if you don't want them to start shooting and blow us sky-high.
Klaw: Are you implying I'm not stealthy?
Fang: Dude, you literally set off the alarm to our own camp because you got drunk and stabbed it with your hand. And everyone thought you were on watch duty.
Sienna: Focus, boys. Blake is taking care of the tower guards.
The trio looks to see Blake on top of the watchtower as she gives a thumbs up.
Fang: Okay, let's go.
The trio carefully moves through the mines, and they find some of the workers in cages. Fang and Sienna move to the cages and start picking the locks.
Sienna: I thought that the workers were given living quarters, but this is just cruel.
Fang: That's why we're here, Sienna.
They soon pick the locks and open the cages as the workers start walking out of the mines. Klaw stood by the mine entrance to give the signal for the next phase. As White Fang members escorted the now-free workers, Adam, Ilia, Blake, Corsac, and Fennec arrive.
Adam: Corsac and Fennec, head down the chamber on the left. Fang, Klaw, and Sienna head down the center, and Blake and I will hit the one on the right. Set the charges and get out. If you see more prisoners, notify us on your Scrolls.
As everyone heads in the direction they were given, an Atlas soldier in the background is seen holding his walkie-talkie as a faint voice can be heard from the other end. Fang and Sienna suddenly see another split pathway that wasn't in the mapping schematics.
Fang: Well, crap.
Sienna: This is new, but not a problem. (turns to Klaw) Can you check the other path? Fang and I will finish up the center, and we'll meet you back with the others.
Klaw: I got no problem with that. I just hope I get to kill something.
Fang: No killing people, Klaw.
Klaw: (distant echo) Yeah, yeah.
Sienna laughs as Fang just looks at her and smiles. The two continue down into the mine.
Sienna: Now if only we could get this kind of alone time more often.
Fang: We literally just spent the night together, Sienna.
Sienna: I know, but I want to live in a world where we finally have equality and we no longer have to fight.
Fang grabs onto Sienna's hands and holds them to his chest.
Fang: And that is what we are fighting for.
As Fang and Sienna reach the end of the chamber, they each set their charges and quickly start to head back to the surface. Once they reach Adam and the others, they start to head back to camp until Fang notices an Atlas soldier aiming his weapon at an unexpecting Sienna. Fang pulls out Equality and uses a round of gravity Dust to propel himself toward Sienna.
Fang: Sienna!
Sienna looks to Fang as he reaches her and pushes her away from the soldier, and quickly turns to face him until Fang is blinded by a bright light and is knocked back. Fang hits the ground hard and passes out while Sienna rushes to him, screaming his name.
Sienna: ang- Fang! Fang!
Sienna waves the smoke away from Fang and starts hitting the small flames on his jacket to put them out as Adam and Blake rush to her aid.
Sienna: Fang, please wake up. Wake up!
Blake: Atlas ships are approaching. We need to leave.
Sienna: Please, Blake, help me carry him.
Blake bends down to Sienna and helps her lift Fang off the ground as they head back to camp, with Adam following behind them.
Next Morning
Fang slowly opens his eyes and is blinded by a bright light that was shining above his head. As he tries to move, he winces in pain and sees bandages around his torso. He then turns his head to see Sienna sleeping right next to him with her hand on his shoulder. Fang tries to lift his left arm but grunts in pain and manages to pat her head.
Fang: Sienna? Sienna?
Sienna opens her eyes as Fang notices she had bags under them and her eyes were red from crying. She starts to tear up and hugs Fang, causing him to wince in pain, and she backs away.
Sienna: You're okay. Thanks the Gods.
Fang: There there, no need to cry. Nothing but a little sleep won't fix.
Fang laughs for a moment but then winces again.
Fang: What happened anyway?
Sienna: The soldier that you saved me from, he... Adam saw him when you yelled out to me, and he used his Semblance to send a wave of energy at him. But he said he didn't know that the crate the soldier was using for cover was the crate full of fire Dust Crystals. The wave triggered them to explode right in front of you. When I got back to you, you weren't moving, and your chest was bleeding. I thought I was gonna lose you.
Sienna starts to cry but stops when Fang places his hand on her cheek.
Fang: Sienna, it wasn't your fault. Even if I knew there was a Dust crate or not, I still would've jumped in to save you. I would have no regrets. And I promise you, I will never leave you. Okay?
Sienna: And I promise to do the same. I love you.
Fang: I love you too, Tiger.
Fang kisses Sienna as she lies in the medical bed with him.
End Of Dream
Fang opens his eyes and sits up on his bed.He then opens up his jacket to examine the scar that he got from the Dust explosion. For years, he ran the scenario in his head over and over again, and he came to the same conclusion. Adam knew about the crate and still chose to kill the human. Even if he didn't mean to hurt Fang, he still did it out of hatred for the humans. Fang then begins to remember the promise that he broke to the woman he once loved, and still had feelings for her.
Kayla: Did you sleep ok?
Fang looks up to see Kayla sitting on her bed.
Fang: Mostly. How long was I out?
Kayla: Only a couple of hours. We'll be landing soon.
Kayla yawns, and Fang chuckles when he sees this.
Fang: Why don't you get some shut-eye for a bit? I'll take the next watch.
Kayla: I'll be fine.
Fang: Kayla, please rest.
Kayla sighs as she lays down on her bed.
Kayla: Yes, sir.
As Kayla drifts off to sleep, Fang steps outside the cabin to view the Emerald Forest and looks off to the distance to see Beacon Tower as it scrapes the sky.
Fang: Not long now.
Moments later, the airship landed in the city of Vale as Fang and Kayla exited onto the ramp. They collect their things and head to the closest inn. As Fang picks up his anvil, he nearly drops it, but someone catches it for him. It was a lizard Faunus, judging by the scaly tail.
Fang: Oh jeez, thanks, pal.
Ivan: Don't mention it. Where do you want this?
Fang: Just set it down by the room over there.
Fang watches as the lizard Faunus sets the anvil down by his room.
Fang: Hey, thanks. Names Fang, by the way. Fang Sanguise.
Ivan: Pleasure to meet you. Ivan Saxe is the name. So are you here for the festival?
Fang: Yes and no. I'm here on some business, and then I'll be setting up my forge for the festival.
Ivan: You're a blacksmith?
Fang: And a Huntsman. I run a forge back in Vacuo, and I tend to go to the Vytal Festival each time it comes up so I can make more profit.
Ivan: A Huntsman with an alternative business? Clever.
Fang: Thanks. What about you? You a Huntsman?
Ivan: Indeed, I am. My team and I have been dealing with most of the Grimm and Bandit problems here, but since those are taken care of, one of my friends wants to investigate the White Fang.
Fang: The White Fang?
Ivan: Yeah, apparently they have been robbing Dust shops recently. And they attacked a shipment from the SDC at the docs earlier this week.
Fang: Is that all you know?
Ivan: That's what we heard from the news, but my friend thinks there is something bigger going on.
Fang: How's that?
Ivan: Apparently, they are being led by a crime lord by the name of Roman Torchwick. A human.
Fang: That doesn't make sense. The White Fang hate humans more than anything else, even more than the Grimm.
Ivan raises an eyebrow as Fang comes up with a cover.
Fang: What I mean is, I've heard that from news articles. They never had to resort to human crime lords or syndicates.
Ivan: Well, so far, that's all the info I know.
An awkward silence fills the room until both Ivan and Fang were startled by a loud thud and saw Kayla sitting down with her suitcase on the floor.
Kayla: Sorry.
Ivan: Well, I'll let you be, and I hope we see each other around.
Fang: Likewise. Take care. And Ivan...
Ivan: Yeah?
Fang: Be careful when investigating the White Fang. They are not the peaceful protesters they used to be.
Ivan: I'll keep that in mind. Thanks.
Ivan returned to his room as Fang helped Kayla with the rest of the luggage. Later on in the day, Fang and Kayla arrive at the cemetery to bury Tukson. As they lower the coffin to the ground, Kayla begins to cry and hugs Fang. Moments after everyone left, Fang kneels down, grabs a handful of dirt, and throws it into the hole atop the coffin.
Fang: I promise you, Tukson, I'll find the bastard that took you away from Kayla and me.
As the broken moon shines in the night sky, the Vale police set up a crime scene where Roman Torchwick was last seen inside a stolen Atlesian Paladin, fighting a group of Beacon Students. Fang arrives to see only the wreckage but listens in on what the officers are saying.
Officer 1: How the hell did they get their hands on something like this?
Officer 2: There was a train robbery a few weeks back. Maybe they were carrying the prototype models.
Officer 1: Even so, these were made to take down Grimm. So what or who could have done this much damage to it?
Officer 2: I don't know, but judging by the random rose petals and ice bits everywhere, I'd say it was a huntsman that did this, or there was more than just one.
Fang left the scene as he examined his notes.
-Atlesian Paladin
-Roman Torchwick
-Train Robbery
-Rose petals?
-Scattered Ice?
-Is the White Fang involved?
Fang returns to the inn and finds Kayla sleeping and decides to lie down himself so he can continue his search tomorrow.