The gang is finally starting to come together again. It felt so..... SO good to write the last chapter. Nearly brought a tear to my eye just thinking about it. Between Drake and Leena's reunion to Amber going to Leena first, everything fell into place the way I wanted it to. And with what lies ahead, their strength in numbers will really come in handy. But, of course, before we continue with their story, we've gotta go back over to the one member who's still by themself. What's going to happen in this chapter is something I've pondered on for quite a long time. It's honestly hard for me to do but it's what I've decided on. I want to say my usual catch phrase, "Enjoy!" but with what I have planned, I don't know if you will. 

-PoV: Temair-

A few days passed since the town meeting. Nothing had really changed. The people of the village didn't seemed too encouraged from our words to join us in our plan to defend Haven academy. But even though no one spoke out, that never meant they wouldn't all help out. We would just have to go out and see who was actually willing.

Me, Blake, and Sun created several lists on our scrolls for people to sign up on. This would indicate who would aid us in protecting Haven. And now, all we needed were the peoples signatures. We were currently at the Belladonna manor but we were just getting ready to head out. 

"Okay. Are you ready?" Blake asked us as we walked out the front door. 

"I beat up on giant monsters and robots more than once, I think I can handle getting a few signatures." Sun said as I just gave him a look. 

"Yeah, somehow, I really don't believe that statement. Just.... please don't do anything to drive people away." I jokingly said to Sun as he just laughed. 

"Alright, then. We'll meet at the port in 2 hours. Good luck." Blake said as we all went our separate ways into the village. I went to the area I was more common with, near my home. I went to where I saw a large crowd of people and I prepared to say my speech. 

"People of Menagerie! The time has come to stand up for what is right! Not only for our people, but for all of Remnant! Please, come and join our fight to defend Haven academy from the White Fang. You would not just be doing this for the chieftain, or the people of Haven. You'd be helping everyone. Atlas, Vacuo, Mistral, and Vale! You will have saved all of them by preventing this great catastrophe! So please, help us and journey to Haven!" I spoke to the crowd. 

They did indeed listen but no one stepped forward. My heart pretty much sank as the crowd quickly dispersed. The only person who stayed to listen was Mother Sandra. 

"Did you come to see me make a fool of myself?" I asked her as she walked over to me. 

"No. I came to listen. And, I would like to help you. I'll come to Haven." She said but I shook my head. 

"No, you can't. You have to stay here, protect the children. Please. We could lose, who knows how many, in this fight, and I can't afford to lose you. It would break my heart to see another loved one die." I said as I lowered my head. 

"Oh, Temair. Always thinking of others before himself. Alright, i'll stay, just for you. And cheer up. I'm sure there'll be some people who will be willing to aid the Belladonna's." Sandra said as she gave me a kiss on the cheek before heading back home. I gave her a smile before walking down the street to my next designated location. But, as I left, something caught my eye. I thought I saw someone watching me from an alleyway. It was a fair distance away so I couldn't tell. When I got close enough, I saw no one was there, so I just thought my mind was playing tricks on me. 

-2 Hours Later-

With my time now up, I headed to the port market where I would meet up with Blake and Sun. I just hoped that they had better luck than I did. Absolutely zero people signed up. It was just unbelievable. To think that not one Faunus was concerned with the imminent threat of the White Fang.

It wasn't hard to find Blake and Sun as they must've had the same idea that I did. Get a drink because it was hot and we were exhausted. I met them at a drink stand and none of us said anything to each other. We all just got our drinks and sat down at a table along the port side. 

"I don't get it! How can they just sit around and do nothing while the White Fang get ready to attack!?" Sun questioned. 

"Because not everyone is like us, Sun. 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, and here we are, asking them to put the rest of the world before themselves." Blake explained as Sun let out a sigh. 

"Guess I never really thought about it like that." He said as he took a sip of his drink. 

"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." I explained as Blake agreed with me. 

"Adam.... He's the guy you used to....work with?" Sun asked as Blake let out a heavy sigh. 

"Yes." She said as she slightly turned her head away. 

"Sorry. Forget I brought it up." Sun said. 

"No, it's okay. Have you ever met someone and thought to yourself, "they are the personification of this word?"" Blake asked as I gave her a nod. However, Sun seemed a little confused by the question. 

"Okay, well.... I remember getting to know Ruby and thinking, "This girl is the embodiment of 'purity.' After a while, I saw Weiss as 'defiance.' And Yang was 'strength.'"" Blake explained as Sun grew curious. 

"What am I?" He asked. 

"Jury's still out on that one, but i'm leading towards, 'earnest.'" Blake said as I asked her the same question. 

"You, I had a much easier time. You are the embodiment of 'wise.'" She said as I felt she make the correct choice. Sun then went on to ask me about my teammates. What I believe them to be. 

"Well, it took a while, but for Amber, I would say she's 'growth.' She started from a small and fragile caterpillar and grew into a strong and beautiful butterfly. And for Leena, I've chosen 'engaging' for her. Always enthusiastic, empowering, and encouraging, never not making a positive contribution. And for Drake, I believe that he is the embodiment of 'inspiration.' He leads with intuition and intelligence, always allowing everyone around him room to grow, And putting others needs before his own." I explained to them. 

"You two really came to know your teammates, didn't you?" Sun asked as we both nodded. 

"Yeah.... we did." I said as I put my head down. 

"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,' but 'spite.' He won't accept equality, only suffering for what he believes 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 it will last." Blake said as she now lowered her head. 

"She was your friend, huh?" Sun asked her. 

"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, and 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. And, 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." Blake explained as I let out a sigh. 

"You do know we're going to have to face her eventually, right?" I asked Blake. 

"I know." Blake said, sounding sad. 

"So, what are you gonna do?" Sun asked her. 

"I'm... going to try and help her the way you two helped me. 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." Blake explained as we gave her some smiles. 

"Alright. I think it's time we head back. We'll try tonight over in the nocturnal section of the village." Blake said as we agreed and left the port. I went back home to help out Sandra and play with the children. Blake and Sun went back to the Belladonna manor to discuss what to do next. 

-4 Hours Later-

The sun had set at this point and I was helping Sandra clean up dinner. She had just left the room to go give a bath to one of the children while I stayed in the kitchen to wash and put away the dishes. And as I just finished, I got a message on my scroll. It was from Blake. 

"Meet me down at the port. And bring your weapon." The message said. 

"This doesn't sound good." I thought as I left Sandra a note saying I left the house. I then grabbed my weapon and ran off to the port. 

Blake found me but before she said anything to me, she handed me a small letter. 

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

"From Ilia? You do realize that this is more than likely a trap, right?" I asked Blake as she sighed and nodded. 

"That's why you're here. I know she said for me to come alone, but I know she will drag you into this somehow. And with two of us, there's a smaller chance of her getting the jump on us." Blake said as I agreed. 

"Okay, then where's Sun?" I asked. 

"He went off to get signatures over at the nocturnal section. I figured it would keep him from doing something stupid." Blake said as I definitely agreed. 

"Temair, if, by some small chance this isn't a trap and Ilia is actually coming to us, to open up, then this is our chance to save her." Blake said. 

"Do you really think we can though? What if she doesn't listen to us?" I said. 

"She has to. Because I don't know what to do if she doesn't." Blake said as we started walking around the port. We walked for about ten minutes before someone finally appeared. 

"I'm here." Ilia said as she walked out of the shadows with her hands up. 

"I knew you'd bring him with you." Ilia said, referring to me. 

"Ilia, I know you're scared, but you don't have to be. My family and I, we can keep you safe." Blake said to her but Ilia turned her head away. 

"I'm sorry." She said to us. 

"You can make it up by helping us stop Corsac and Fennec. Please... just.... let us take you in." I said to her. 

"No. I'm sorry." Ilia said as she suddenly closed one of her hands. From above us, a man with wings and curved horns jumped down onto Blake. I reached for my weapon but the man punched me in the face and made me fall over. Two more people then appeared and one of them stepped down onto my neck and held a gun to my head. They grabbed mine and Blake's weapons and took them away from us. 

"Wait..." Blake began to say as she tried to stand up. But the third of the people, a woman with grey hair, shot spider silk from the palm of her hand and used it to restrain Blake's arms. She made her kneel before Ilia. 

"Well done, Ilia. Right into the palm of your hand, they went. Just like you said." The man with the wings said. 

"Ilia! What are you doing!?" Blake asked her. 

"I tried to warn you, Blake. I tried to warn all of you. I'm sorry." Ilia said. 

"Don't tell me you're sorry!" Blake shouted to her. 

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

"Because we're trying to protect people!? In what world do you live in where attacking the innocent is the right thing to do!?" I yelled to Ilia as she came over and stomped on my head. 

"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!" Ilia said as she turned her attention back over to Blake. 

"I don't like hurting people, but i'll tell you this: it's gotten us results." Ilia said as Blake just glared back at her. 

"Yeah. Look where it's gotten you." Blake said to her as Ilia looked shocked for a moment. 

"We all have to make sacrifices for the greater good. No matter how much it hurts. And you think killing us is really for the greater good?" Blake asked her. 

"No. But getting rid of your families is." Ilia said as both myself and Blake became stunned to hear her say such a thing. 

"You wouldn't! You can't! We won't let you!" Blake shouted as I tried to get up. But the man standing on my neck shoved his gun down harder onto my head where Ilia stomped. 

"I know. That's why you're both being sent to Mistral. To Adam. You obviously give Adam great concern. And after telling him about your friend here, he believed that he posed a threat as well. So he ordered us to remove him from the equation." Ilia explained. 

"Ilia, please! You don't have to do this! This isn't you!" Blake pleaded but Ilia crouched down and met Blake at eye level, glaring at her. 

"Yes, it is. But I guess back then, you were just too busy falling for Adam to notice. 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." Ilia said as she began to walk away. 

"I'm heading to the Belladonna's. You three, take them to the ship." Ilia said as she disappeared back into the shadows. The two men restrained my arms and lifted me up, along with Blake as they took us away. 

"And where do you thing you're going with them!?" Someone shouted as a familiar red staff flew out of nowhere. It hit one of the men holding me in the face and it seemed to knock him unconscious. It was enough for me to deliver a strong punch to the other mans face and smash his head into a nearby wall. 

"Mind if I crash this party?" Sun said as he picked up his staff and struck the woman restraining Blake. He knocked her out easily and Blake was able to free herself. We then grabbed our weapons and started to make our way to the Belladonna's manor. 

"Thanks for the backup." Blake said to Sun. 

"You two okay?" He asked us. 

"No. My family's in danger. Call the police." Blake said as we could see smoke coming from the direction of the Belladonna manor. But something else caught my eye. There was more smoke coming from another section of the village. Where my home was. 

"No, they wouldn't! Please, no!" I shouted as I started to run in that direction instead. 

"Temair, where are you going!?" Blake asked me. 

"I have to see for myself! I'll catch up with you two, just go! Don't worry about me!" I shouted to them as I used my semblance to take off and jump from roof to roof. 

"Oh god, please, please, please, please! Tell me nothing's happened! Tell me they're alright!" I thought as I landed on my street. 

My worst fear came to reality. My home was on fire. None of my family was outside. They were trapped inside the burning building. 

"No! Please! They're children! They can't do this!" I shouted as I ran to the building and jumped through a window which had less fire coming out of it. 

"Is anyone here! Please, answer me!" I shouted. 

"Big bro, we're over here!" I heard some of the children yell. 

"Don't worry, i'm coming!" I yelled as a part of the ceiling came collapsing down in a ball of fire. I just barely dodged it as I leaped into the main hallway. 

"Please help us! We're stuck in our rooms! There's more fire in here!" I heard the children shout as I ran through the hallway, stepping on the hot burning wood. 

"Don't be afraid, i'm here!" I said as I made it to their door. I tried to kick it down but their door was stuck. 

"Kids, if you're close to the door, move away from it and don't be in front of it! And cover your ears!" I shouted as I pulled out my weapon and aimed at the door. I began unloading rounds into the door until I ran out of ammo in the clip. I kicked at the door again and thanfully, it opened. I ran inside and all of the kids were huddled into a corner. 

"*cough, cough* Come on! We've gotta get out of here! I said as I crouched down in front of them. The four smallest crawled onto my back while the other three held onto my hand. We slowly and carefully walked through the burning house, trying to watch out for falling debris. 

"Has anyone seen Mother Sandra? Where is she?" I asked.

"A man showed up a while ago and took her to another room. He's the one who started the fire." One of the kids explained to me as we entered my room. I pulled out my weapon again and aimed at my window. 

"Cover your ears again!" I yelled as I started shooting away the glass. 

"Everyone, climb through and go out to the main road! You'll be safe there!" I said as one-by-one, the kids crawled through the window. When the last one went through, I turned around and began searching for Sandra. 

"Sandra! Sandra! Mother, where are you!?" I shouted but I got no response. I looked into the kitchen but no one was there. I checked the living room but again, no one. The only room ;eft was her room. 

"Sandra, if you're by the door, i'm coming in!" I yelled as I kicked down the door. But what met me on the other side was a bullet to my left shoulder. I was shot and it made me collapse to the floor. 

"Not so tough are ya now, traitor?" A person said as I saw a man with a leopard tail and whiskers holding Sandra with a knife to her neck and pointing his gun at me. 

"Aagh! Let her go!" I demanded but the man just laughed at me. 

"No.... no, I don't think so. I saw you earlier today, giving your little speech to the people of this village. And this woman was the only one who listened to you. I know you have connections with her and with the Belladonna's so I was ordered to eliminate you all." The man explained. 

"But there are innocent children you put in danger! How can you people think this is right!?" I roared to the man as I attempted to get up. 

"We of the White Fang believe in High Leader Adam. His word is final. He will lead us into the future! A future without you!" The man yelled as he shot the roof above me. It broke off a large wooden beam that was on fire which proceeded to crush me. The fire was so intense and I could feel it burning through my clothes and onto my skin. 

"Please, just stop all this! Let her go! It's me Adam wants gone! So leave her out of this!" I begged as I tried my hardest to lift the beam off of me. But the fire made it nearly impossible to grip it. 

"No. She sides with you and the Belladonna's. She shares the same fate. .....Death." The man said as he slit Sandra's throat. 

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" I cried as I watched Sandra fall to the floor, blood gushing from her neck. She was reaching out to me but I could do nothing but watch as she took her final breaths. 

"All who side with the Belladonna's will meet this fate. This woman was first. And now, you." The man said as he kicked Sandra in the head. But she did nothing to stop him. She just laid there, lifeless. My mother..... was dead. 

"You..... You..... You will..... You will die for what you have done! I'll... I'll kill you! I'll kill Adam! I'll kill everyone in your whole fucking White Fang tribe! AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" I cried as I rammed my hands onto the wooden beam, embedding my fingers into the burning wood. I then began to lift it and stand up at the same time. 

"But... I shot you? And you're on fire! How the heck can you stand up!?" The man questioned as he shot at me two more times. One bullet struck my right leg and the other on the right side of my chest. I nearly fell over again but I remained standing. 

"Die! You son of a bitch!" I roared as I swung the massive beam and smashed it against the mans head. I hit him into the wall behind him and he dropped his weapons. His head was bleeding like crazy but I was not even close to being done yet. 

"No! Please, stop! Mercy!" The man begged as I tossed the beam up into the air. 

"You hurt my family. You've crossed the line. I have no more mercy." I intimidatingly said as I used my semblance to kick the wooden beam when it came back down. I rammed my foot onto one of the ends of the beam and sent it flying right at the man. The beam impaled the mans chest, going straight through the wall behind him. The man slumped over the beam instantly, indicating that he was dead. 

"The same will be done to Adam." I said as I fell to my knees. But I had to get back up. I had to get out of here before the house collapsed and I burned alive. I limped over to the lifeless Sandra and picked her up. I then made my way out of the burning home, breaking through the front door where I collapsed in the main street. 

The children and some of the neighbors rushed over to help me and put out the fires on my back. 

"Big bro, what happened!?" One of the children asked me. 

"Don't worry.... that man.... isn't going to hurt any of us anymore." I said to them as they started to cry. 

"What happened to mother?" They all asked me. 

"She's.... She's in a better place now. But we'll all have to lookout for ourselves now, you hear me? We have to be brave. It's what she would want, right?" I said as all the children began to cry even more. And as much as I wanted to join them in this sad moment, I had to move on and get back up. My work wasn't done yet. I used every ounce of my strength to stand up, even though everyone begged me to stay put and ease my wounds. 

"Please, look after these children for me. Call the police and have them come here, as well as, the Belladonna's home. Tell them the White Fang is behind all this." I explained to some of the neighbors as I tried to use my semblance to leap my way over to the Belladonna's. But with one of my legs shot, I could only leap off with one of my legs, making it so I couldn't land safely. I had to land on my knees every time and it hurt so, so much. 

But, even with me being shot three times, and my hands, head, chest, and back burnt to hell, I still kept moving forward. I had to help the others, no matter what. It's what Sandra would want me to do. It's what was right. 

"Everyone.... please be safe. ..... I'll be there soon!"