Early morning in Mistral, Sonic and Ruby were lying on the ground on the patio outside of the training room. They then see Yang peeking over their heads.

Yang: You two are up early.

Ruby: Hey sis.

Sonic Oh hey, Yang.

Yang: Boop.

Yang lets her hair down and uses it to tickle her little sister's nose. Ruby giggles at Yang's action. Sonic and Ruby then sits up as Yang sits down next to them.

Ruby: What are you doing up?

Yang: Can't fall back to sleep.

Ruby: Ah, me neither.

Sonic: Same here. Tails and Knuckles sure are tired.

Yang: Yeah, they were sleeping like crazy.

Weiss: Well, fortunately, coffee exists.

Weiss carries a tray with four cups of coffee and walks over to join with them. She lowers the tray down so Yang can grab a cup.

Ruby: No, please!

Weiss: Don't worry, I put in blasphemous amounts of cream and sugar, just for you.

Sonic: Ooo, me too!

Weiss: Yes, you too, Sonic.

Ruby: Oh yeah! Nice Weiss strikes again!

Suddenly, Weiss pulls the cup away just as Ruby was about to grab it.

Weiss: I will pour this on you and it will burn.

She hands the cup to Ruby, who nervously giggles. She hands it to Sonic as she sits down next to them and grabs her cup of coffee after placing the tray down next to her.

Yang: Can't believe we're actually in Mistral.

Sonic: Really, huh?

Ruby: That's what you can't believe?

Yang: Well, yeah! And all the other magic and stuff. But... Okay, you know what I mean!

Weiss: I honestly wasn't sure if I'd ever see you three again.

Sonic: I wasn't sure if I ever see your personality again.

Weiss: Say that again!

Sonic: Hehe, just kidding. Good to have you back, Weiss.

Weiss blushes.

Yang: Well, here's to defying expectations.

The three clink their cups together, while Ruby gulps her cup down in one go, opening one eye to glance at the others' cups.

Ruby: I just wish Blake could be here with us.

Yang: Yeah, well, she made her choice.

Sonic: Huh?

Weiss: What's that supposed to mean?

Yang: I mean she could've been here if she just stuck around. It's no big deal though. We'll be fine.

Sonic, Ruby, and Weiss have concerned expressions on their faces.

Ruby: Don't you want her here?

Sonic: Exactly.

Yang: Why would I want her here?

Ruby: Are you still mad at her for leaving?

Yang: Oh, whatever gave you that idea, Ruby? No, I'm totally fine. I'm great.

Weiss: Okay, calm down.

Sonic: Yeah, Yang, I think you should-

Yang: *Yang's eyes turn red* Don't tell me to calm down!

The three gain startled expressions.

Ruby: Whoa, Yang.

Sonic stood up and confronts Yang.

Sonic: Yang, what's going on? Isn't she your teammate? I know your mad at her leaving, but that doesn't mean you should just act like you don't care.

Yang: I don't care about her!

Sonic: Yes you do! Don't just say that when you obviously do! I can tell! Did you even consider on how she felt, why she left in the first place?!

Yang: What do you know about me, huh?! Just leave me alone!

Sonic gets startled by Yang's anger as she then realizes what she did as her eyes turn back to normal.

Yang: Whatever.

Tails and Knuckles were hearing it by the door with concerned looks as they walk back. She gets up and leaves. The three watches her go before exchanging concerned looks with each other.

Ruby: S-Sonic? Are you okay?

Sonic: Yeah... Sorry if I got a bit mad at your sister.

Ruby: No, it's not your fault.

Weiss: But I'm worried.

Sonic: Yeah... me too...

In Menagerie:
Blake leans against the railing on the balcony of the Belladonna Family Home. She looks up into the night sky as a voice calls out for her from inside her home.

Sun: Hey Blake! You ready to go?

Shadow: We don't have much time

Blake: Be right there!

She feels a note taped to the wooden railing of the balcony. She grabs it and reads the message written down:

"B

Things going too far.
Not sure what to do.
Find a quiet spot,
I'll find you.
Come alone. Please.

-I"

Blake looks around a bit before hearing the sliding door open. She quickly places the note in her coat.

Sun: We going recruiting or what? We've got the entire nocturnal section to hit up!

Blake doesn't say anything, still having a concerned expression on her face. Sun notices this.

Sun: You okay?

Blake: Yeah, I'll meet you there. I need to take care of something first.

As she walks away, there is a quiet sound of rustling in the trees behind her.

Sun: Hey, is it just me, or is she acting weird?

Shadow: Already noticed.

Sun: Oh, really? Well then...

Shadow: We should go now.

Shadow walks ahead.

Sun: Hey, wait up!

In Mistral:
Yang sits alone on a bed looking at the "New Friends!" photo of Team RWBY with Sonic and Tails. She hears a knock on the door and quickly puts the photo away.

Yang: Yeah?

The door opens but Yang doesn't look up to see who entered.

Yang: Look Ruby, I really don't want to talk about it, okay? Can you just leave me alone for a bit?

Yang looks up, and is surprised that it was not Ruby, but Tails, Knuckles, and Weiss who is at the doorway.

Yang: Oh, you three. Do you three need something?

Tails: That talk you had back there...

Knuckles: We heard what happened?

Weiss closes the door behind her as the others sits on the bed opposite to Yang

Yang: *Sighs* I know she's our teammate, but I'm not just going to change my mind. I'm sorry, I just... I don't think you know what it's like to be left. You have a giant family, recitals to perform at, dinners to attend. I didn't have any of that. My mom left me. Ruby's mom left too. Tai was always busy with school and Ruby couldn't even talk yet. I had to pick up the pieces. I had to keep things together. Alone. If you three have something to say, then say it.

Tails and Knuckles stays silent.

Weiss remains silent for a moment, before responding.

Weiss: When I was ten, my dad finally admitted to my mom that the only reason he married her was for the family name. It was actually on my birthday. He missed the big dinner, she got mad, he finally snapped. I think she already knew. Looking back, I think I knew too. But hearing him say it finally pushed her over the edge.

She gets up and sits down next to Yang on the other bed.

Weiss: First it was separate lunches and dinners, opposite balconies at my recitals, a glass of wine here, a glass of wine there. Then, it was no dinners, no recitals, a bottle of wine here and... well, you get the idea.

Yang: I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have assumed.

Weiss: You're right though. I don't know loneliness like you do. I have my own version. And, I'll bet Blake has her own version too.

Yang: She doesn't have to be alone though. I was here for her. We all were! She chose to leave us.

Weiss: Why do you think she did that?

Yang: Hm?

Weiss: The entire time Blake was at Beacon, she was afraid to open up to people. She tried to keep her past separated from us. She tried to protect us. Eventually, those walls she put up came down. And the moment they did, the one thing she was afraid of actually happened. The universe proved her right.

Yang: No one blamed her for anything! If she had just talked to us, she would've known that! How could I be there for her if she doesn't let me? What if I needed her here for me?

Yang buries her face in her hands and starts sobbing quietly. Weiss puts a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

Weiss: I know it's not easy. I wish she hadn't left too. The only thing we can do now is be there for her when she's ready. When she comes back.

Yang lowers her hands from her face.

Yang: If she comes back.

Weiss: She will. Yang... You, Ruby, Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and even Blake are more like family to me than my brother or even my own father. I would do anything for you three, and I'm willing to bet Blake feels the same way. So, when she's ready, I'll be there for her. And I know we're not as close, but... I'm here for you too.

Tails: Me too.

Knuckles: Same here.

The three smiles and Yang calms down. They hear a knock at the door, which opens up and reveals Sonic and Ruby.

Ruby: Is, uh... everything okay?

Yang: *Smiling* Yeah, it is.

Ruby sighs in relief.

Sonic: Hey, Yang. Uhh, sorry about the whole argument from before.

Yang: No, it's not your fault.

Sonic: That's weird. You and Ruby both said the same thing.

Ruby, Yang: Hmm?

Sonic: Never mind.

In Menagerie:
Blake then approaches a darkened alleyway.

Blake: Ilia?

Ilia: I'm here.

Blake draws her weapon. Ilia walks out from the shadows with her hands up and drops her black camouflage.

Blake: Ilia, I know you're scared, but you don't have to be. My family and I, we can keep you safe.

Ilia: I'm sorry.

Blake: You can make it up to me by helping us stop Corsac and Fennec.

Ilia: No. I'm sorry.

Ilia's right hand curls up into a fist. Footsteps can be heard running on the rooftop next to them. Blake looks up and sees Yuma fly down and land on her back, forcing her to the ground. Blake drops her weapon which lands at Ilia's feet. Blake gasps, regaining her breath and struggles to get up as Yuma presses his foot against her back. He gets off her as two more Faunus join him. Blake gets back up on her feet.

Blake: Wait--

Suddenly, Blake gets wrapped in spiderweb silk. One of the Faunus grabs the silk strand holding Blake from her hand.

Trifa: I've got her.

Yuma: Well done, Sister Trifa - and to you, Ilia.

Yuma tosses Ilia Lightning Lash.

Blake: Ilia! What are you doing?!

Ilia: I tried to warn you, Blake. I'm sorry.

Blake: Don't tell me you're sorry!

Ilia: But I am. I am sorry it has to be this way, but you and your family are holding the Faunus back!

Blake: Because we're trying to protect people?! In what world do you live in where attacking the innocent is the right thing to do?!

Ilia: 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... it's gotten us results.

Blake: Yeah, look where it's gotten you.

Ilia's eyes widen and she briefly ponders Blake's retort, but she just shrugs it off.

Ilia: We all have to make sacrifices for the greater good, no matter how much it hurts.

Blake: And you think killing me is really for the greater good?

Ilia: No, but getting rid of your family is.

Blake's expression turns shocked and fearful.

Blake: You wouldn't! You can't! I won't let you!

Ilia: I know. That's why you're being sent to Mistral. To Adam.

Blake's expression grows more afraid, almost on the verge of tears.

Blake: Ilia, please! You don't have to do this. This isn't you!

Ilia: Yes. It. Is! But I guess back then you were just too busy falling for Adam to notice.

Blake's expression turns confused.

Ilia: I was always jealous of the way you looked at him. I wanted you to look at me that way. But we can't always get what we want! Yuma, with me. You two, get her to the docks.

Ilia and Yuma leave while the other two Faunus prepare to bring Blake with them.

Trifa: Let's go, traitor.

Trifa tugs on the silk holding Blake, but Blake remains stationary.

Blake: Now!!

Trifa: Huh?

Suddenly, Shadow and Sun jumps out of nowhere and knocks down the Faunuses next to Trifa.

Trifa: What?

Trifa draws her knife and engages in a brief duel with Sun. Trifia goes for an attack, but Shadow interrupts her attack as Sun disarms her. Blake, now free from her bonds, then grabs Trifa's shoulder and punches her square in the face, knocking her out.

Blake: Thanks for the backup.

Shadow: Hmph.

Sun: Thanks for the invitation. You okay?

Blake picks up her weapon and places it on her back.

Blake: No. You heard Ilia, my family is in danger. Call the police and let's go!

Sun: Right!

Shadow: I have a better way of getting there faster. Better hold on tight. Chaos Control!

Blake and Sun holds onto Shadow as he teleports. Blake and Sun both take their Scrolls out to call their respective contacts.

Blake: Come on, mom, pick up!

In Belladonna's home, a scroll is seen vibrating on the table with Blake's portrait as gunfire was heard. Suddenly, the table is knocked to its side as Kali and a Menagerie guard take cover.

Guard: Get down!

The guard gets up to fire back at two White Fang soldiers. He shoots one of them down, but he gets shot down by the other. With the guard incapacitated, Kali takes his pistol and starts firing back.

Kali: Get out of my house! Ghira!

As she calls out to her husband, Kali is forced to take cover again from the gunfire. Meanwhile, Ghira and a couple of other Menagerie guards fend off some White Fang troops in the entry hall. One of them tries to kick Ghira, but he grabs his foot and slams him into the wall. Ghira dodges a sword slash from another White Fang trooper. The guard then knocks out another trooper after a brief scuffle, and Ghira knocks out the troop that attacked him by punching him in the diaphragm and slamming his head into the ground.

Ghira: Go find my wife!

Another White Fang troop approaches Ghira with his fist drawn back, but Ghira grabs his wrist and knife hands him in the neck, and then tosses him aside. Another guard gets shot while protecting Ghira and goes limp. Ghira catches the guard's body and drops it to the ground, with Ghira wincing at his fallen comrade. He then growls as he turns his attention to the Albains, who have their weapons out.

Corsac: I believe it's time our dear chieftain stepped down, brother.

Fennec: Yes brother, I'm afraid I'm inclined to agree.

Ghira lets his claws out and rips his coat off. He bares his fangs and makes a feral growl at the two brothers, before letting out a mighty roar as he charges towards them.

TO BE CONTINUED!!!