(3rd Person POV)

In Menagerie, The Belladonnas and Sun went back into their house, furious from the situation with Fennec and Corsac.

Ghira: Unbelievable!

Sun: Total garbage!

Ghira and Sun: WE CAN'T LET THEM GET AWAY WITH THIS!

Kali: Well, at least you two can finally agree on something.

Blake: Guys. Everything is going to be okay.

Tyros: Easy for you to say...

Without another word, Tyros left for the balcony, leaving everyone concerned. When he arrived, I took a deep breath before leaning against the rail, until...

???: You need better security.

Startled, Tyros un-holstered Grimm Hunter and pointed it's blades to Ilia who was crouched on the balcony's railing. She quickly put up her hands in defense.

Ilia: Please! I-I just want to talk.

Tyros sighed before lowing Grimm Hunter and walking up to Ilia.

Tyros: Why are you taking the fall for them Ilia...?

The answer he got was a sigh from the chameleon Faunus before she jumped down from the railing and onto the balcony, looking up too Tyros.

Ilia: Tyros...

Tyros: Corsac and Fennec blamed you. We confronted them tonight and they deny knowing anything and everything we found on your scroll. Talked about how 'disappointed' they were to hear you'd sided with Adam. But the both of us know they're guilty.

Ilia: You can't prove anything.

Tyros: That scroll might not be 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.

He moved closer to her but she looked away. He put a hand on her cheek and turned her head to look at him and took off her mask, as the two gazed into each other's eyes...

Tyros: And neither should you.

Ilia: Your plan isn't going to work, Tyros.

She them put her hand on Tyros'

Ilia: Please... You and Blake have to leave Menagerie before it's too late...

Tyros: You're going to have to make us.

Ilia removed her hand from Tyros' and put it on his cheek before reaching up to him and planting a kiss on his lips which he returned. When they separated, she looked at him, still sadden and backed away.

Ilia: I know...

She then put back on her mask before jumping off the balcony, leaving Tyros to himself.

Tyros: *sigh* Ilia...

"TRAITORS!"
CHAPTER 4: RECRUITING

(Blake's POV)

Today was the day that we were going to make our speech to the Faunus of Menagerie, so that we can hopefully get people to help us save Haven Academy. Dad was pacing back and forth with his speech in hand.

Mom: Are you ready?

Dad: Yes. It won't be easy for the people to hear, but the truth often isn't... I know they'll do the right thing.

Tyros and I walked up to him to give him hope and comfort. Sun also walked up to him and patted his back.

Sun: You got this.

With that, the five of us made our way outside to where everyone was gathered. When we walked down the steps, Dad walked up to the pedestal and waved his hands to quiet the crowd.

Dad: Thank you all for assembling here. I wanted to take the 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 all can 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, the leader of a powerful splitter 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 this man remains unpunished, it becomes increasingly difficult to condemn those that look down upon us. Recently, a spy from the same splinter group set their sights on this very home. My own son and daughter, Tyros and Blake and their friend did their very best to apprehend this individual. While unsuccessfully, they were successful in obtaining the assailants scroll. 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 the reins himself. His radical plans do not stop there, the documents on this scroll proclaim his next target to be Haven Academy and it's 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 I, and every Faunus who wished, could walk alongside the Human race. And while I believe we made great strides towards this goal, it was made clear to me that 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 Faunus and the 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 snuffed out this splitter group and restore the White Fang to what it once was!

The audience began to cheer.

Dad: To do this, I think the answer is clear, we must go to Haven and protect it at all costs!

Then they all went silent, slightly worrying me...

Dad: Before we proceed any further, I'd like to invite my son and daughter to come and share their story. Not only are they both former members of the White Fang but also survivors of the Fall of Beacon.

Tyros and I exchanged glances before nodding and walking up to the stage, but then...

???: TRAITORS!

Everyone turned to look, only to see Ilia...

Tyros: Ilia...

Ilia: Cowards! After everything the humans have done to us, everything they've put us through, you're asking us to help them!?

Dad: 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!?

Tyros: That's enough Ilia!

Ilia: You know I'm right Tyros! You're friend, Celeste Rein! Where was HER help when her family was also killed in a Dust mine accident!? WHERE!?

This shocked me and Sun while, Tyros just got angry... That happened to Celeste...? Dad saw Tyros' face turn sour and tried to deescalate the situation.

Dad: Young lady, progress takes patience and cooperation!

Ilia: The Belladonnas are the worst 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, NOW is the time to support Adam, not the Belladonnas! He will bring the future you deserve! And if you are unwilling to fight, know that the White Fang will do it for you!

Sun: SHUT UP!!!

Sun lunged at Ilia who dodged and ran off into the forest...

Guard: After her!

I looked at Tyros who was trying to calm down but he just ended up slamming his fist against the pedestal in rage.

........................

In the Branwen tribe camp, Weiss slowly woke up to find herself in a cage of some sort and her wrists bound by rope. Then she remembered Kuraime and began franticly looking around for her. Luckily, she found her asleep next to her, her wound bandaged up and her wrists tied.

Bandit: Well, well, well, look who's awake.

She looked over to see two bandits walking up to her.

Weiss: Wha... What's going on? Where am I?

???: You know, I never thought I'd see a Schnee in this camp.

The two bandits stood to attention as a young tanned skinned woman walked over to the cage, holding Myrtenaster tauntingly in one hand while dragging Poison Ivy in scythe mode in the other, but she seemed as if she was struggling to even move it.

Bandit: Vernal!?

Weiss: What do you want?

Vernal: Straight to the point, I like it. We don't normally deal in trafficking people-not really worth our time. But once we realized we had a Schnee, *points Myrtenaster at her* that changed.

Weiss: You're going to ransom me back to my father, is that it?

Vernal: Heh, it's ashamed you're a Schnee, you'd probably do quite well around here. Your long haired friend on the other hand... she'd do just fine.

Weiss: We would never sink to your level.

Vernal seemed to get annoyed by that.

Vernal: Just keep quiet and cooperate and you'll be back in your mansion before you know it. Don't make this complicated.

She began to walk off but Weiss suddenly got confident.

Weiss: What's going to make this complicated is when my sister finds out I didn't make it to Mistral. You know my sister don't you? Winter Schnee? Special Operative of the Atlas Military? She's in Mistral now and when she hears I'm missing, it won't take her long to find me, and you.

Suddenly the bandits began to laugh as Vernal smirked and laughed as well.

Weiss: What's so funny!?

Vernal: Oh, I don't know if it's more funny or sad, but you're clearly out of the loop. Your sister isn't in Mistral anymore. No Atlas personnel are in Mistral anymore. General Ironwood closed the borders and recalled all his little troops and tin cans. No one is coming to rescue you.

The bandits continued to laugh as Vernal walked away, leaving her discouraged.

..................

After a while when the Bandits guarding Weiss went to sleep, Weiss was still looking down in sadness, without a plan of escape, until she heard the groaning of her purple eyed partner.

Kuraime: W-Where...

Weiss: Kuraime! You're awake!

Weiss quietly shouted that to not wake up the guards. Kuraime in confusion, looked around, only to see her and Weiss in a cage... She sat up and realized that her hands were also tied...

Kuraime: What's happening?

Weiss: When we crashed, we got picked up by bandits and trapped here... Their planning to send me back to my father... and Winter isn't in Mistral anymore...

Kuraime: Well... that sucks...

Kuraime just looked down while Weiss looked at her, in concern...

Weiss: Hey Kuraime, are you okay...?

Kuraime: Hmm? Yeah. Why do you ask?

Weiss: It's just... ever since we left Atlas, you weren't yourself. In fact, ever since we came to Atlas, you weren't yourself... Is something wrong?

Kuraime: *sigh* ...Would you believe me if I told you that I'm scared...?

Weiss: Scared?

Kuraime: Mhm. But not for myself... I'm scared for all of you guys... When I heard what happened to Pyrrha and saw what happened to Dairoku and Penny, I... I was afraid... of what will happen to the rest of you... When I saw Dairoku, all wounded... I was so afraid... that he wouldn't make it... And we're still not sure if he did...

Weiss: He definitely made it... That dolt's too stubborn to die on us.

Kuraime: Maybe your right... But...

Weiss: *scoots over to Kuraime* Kuraime... nothing's going to happen to us... We'll all still be by your side...

Kuraime looked away for a second before looking back at Weiss as a small smile crept on her face.

Kuraime: What did I do to deserve friends like you guys?

Weiss giggled and leaned against Kuraime.

Kuraime: You know... you, Ruby and Tyros are all lucky...

Weiss: What do you mean?

Kuraime: You all have people to share personal things with, burdens... and other stuff... You have Celeste, Ruby has Dairoku and Tyros has someone... It sounds weird but I envy your relationships. I wish I had someone... someone really dear to me... that I could trust to the fullest... share my personal secrets with them... share burdens with them... I just can't help but wonder... will there be someone out there for me?

Weiss: Of course there will be. I think I speak for everyone when I say you're an amazing person Kuraime. You're beautiful, kind, caring, protective, strong willed... I bet any guy would do anything to get with you.

Kuraime: Pfft... trust me, I know... ugh...

Weiss: *giggles* Yes but, I'm sure you'll find the right guy for you... Or girl possibly.

Kuraime: *giggles*... Thanks Weiss...

Weiss: You're welcome... So... do you have a plan for us to get out of here?

Kuraime: Actually, yes...

She opened her palm as she dimly regained that dark aura and a tiny version of Catastros rose from her palms, with its sword. Weiss and Kuraime eyed each other before smiling and nodding; they were going to escape together!

END

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Wow... Three chapters in one DAY! Haven't done that since I finished Volume 3. Welp, not much to say besides I hope you guys enjoyed it!