Belladonna Residence...
Menagerie...

A deep sigh came from Maya as she was in the room she was provided by the Belladonnas. She laid on her bed, kicking her feet up repeatedly as she stared at the tuning schematics of the 00 Gundam that was on her scroll. She'd been trying everything she could think of to fix the Twin-Drive Gundam's syncing problem, but so far, nothing had worked. It made her wonder if there was something else that she was missing, or maybe she just was incompetent? Whatever the reason was, she needed to figure it out fast and get the 00 ready for when the attack on Haven happens.

Maya: "Maybe I'm going at this the wrong way..." She mumbled as she slowly looked up from her scroll, spotting the dormant 00 Gundam standing there next to her Wing Zero. "Why won't you wake up, 00...? We need you..."

>Chapter 47: Alone Together<

Selena's House...
Mistral...

Coming off of the high of the previous night from reuniting with their friends, the next morning's atmosphere felt like it was in high spirits. Ruby woke up with a smile and decided to watch the sunrise from the backyard. She comfortably was laying on the ground, staring into the sky before a mess of blonde hair followed by a pair of lilac colored eyes..

Yang: "You're up early." The argent-eyed girl just smiled and turned her head, to see that her sister had also woken up.

Ruby: "Hey, sis."

Yang: "Boop~!" She said playfully as she touched Ruby's nose with her hair, causing her to giggle and sit up before the blonde sat next to her.

Ruby: "What are you doing up? And where's Ace?"

Yang: "Bro wasn't there when I woke up. Best guess, is he's out and about. As for me, well, I can't fall back asleep."

Weiss: "Well fortunately—" they both turned around, to see Weiss and Setsuna approaching them, both holding two cups of Coffee each. "Coffee exists."

They both walked over to the sisters, with Setsuna handing Yang one cup of coffee before sitting next to her. Weiss began to hand Ruby a cup as well, only for her leader to suddenly flinch away while holding up her hands.

Ruby: "No please!"

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

Ruby: "Aw yeah! Nice Weiss strikes again!" She was about to take it when Weiss suddenly pulled it back with a deadpan.

Weiss: "I will pour this on you and it will burn." She said before handing it to Ruby who took it with an innocent smile and giggle. Weiss soon after sat next to her.

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

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."

Setsuna: "Really? You seem to be doing just fine with Akira by your side."

Weiss: "Hey! What did you and that idiot brother of yours tell her??" She glared, accusingly at Yang who merely laughed and shrugged innocently.

Yang: "I said nothing! Don't know what you're talking about~" Weiss just glared at her before letting out a *hmph* and pouting. While the blonde just laughed a bit, she held up her cup. "But, here's to defying expectations." While Yang, Weiss and Setsuna all bumped their cups together in a toast, Ruby was already downing her coffee with ease.

Ruby: "I just wish Blake and Akito were here..." her expression deflated to a sad frown as Weiss and Setsuna both mirrored her expression. Yang however, just seemed to be indifferent.

Yang: "Yeah well, they made their choice." The others looked at each other, raising eyebrows before looking back at the blonde

Weiss: "What's that supposed to mean?"

Yang: "I mean, they could've been here if they just stuck around. It's no big deal though, we'll be fine."

Weiss: "You... don't want them here?"

Yang: "Why would I want them here?"

Ruby: "Are you... still mad at them for leaving?"

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

Setsuna: "Okay, you're pissed at them for leaving. But Setsuna doesn't see you being angry at Ace for doing the same." The blonde instantly turned and glared at the Arctic-Wolf Faunus.

Yang: "Who said I'm know pissed off at Ace? He disappeared without a trace and left me, Rubes and Dad all worried and now I learn he was just shacking up with Roman's crazy henchman? Of course I'm pissed at him!"

Ruby: "Yang—"

Yang: "Why aren't you pissed off Setsuna!? How could you be okay with Akito leaving you? He just left to chase after his girlfriend, who may I remind you, didn't even bother to tell us, let alone him about anything about her leaving!"

Weiss: "Okay, calm down—" However, the fist-fighter immediately turned towards her, her eyes glowing blood red.

Yang: "Don't tell me to calm down!" Setsuna immediately flinched at her outburst, the hairs on her tail standing upright. Her ears flattened, her body trembling lightly. It would have been around this time that she hides behind Akito, but he wasn't here this time. Of course, he was wherever Blake was. All Setsuna did here was just lower her head, her ears flattening as Ruby and Weiss both looked surprised.

Ruby: "Woah... Yang..."

Noticing her friends' reactions, Yang must have realized that her eyes had changed colors and looked away, with them reverting back to their lilac color. She looked down at her now trembling left hand, which held her coffee before she got up.

Yang: "Whatever." Without any further words, she turned around and walked back into the house, with the three girls watching with looks of concern. As the blonde reentered the house, she failed to realize that she had passed a certain blue-haired Sparda. Ace watched his sister leave while crossing his arms and leaning against the wall before he shook his head and peaked back outside.

Menagerie...

Meanwhile in Menagerie, night had fallen over the isolated island. Akito was on a balcony of the Belladonna residence, staring up into the star-filled sky with silence as he would slowly open and close the hand of his left prosthetic arm while his regular right hand gripped the railing. Over the past month he had gotten more and more used to the feeling of having both arms again, a feeling he most definitely missed—he only wished those four would have been able to see it.

Spring's eyes sparkling in astonishment as Autumn practically hopped around, wanting to see the capabilities of his new appendage. Summer would have tried to contain her excitement and act professional, all the while complimenting the tech any way she could, while Winter would have had the most composed and matured response, smiling and nodding at her brother as she congratulated him.

He at first had a small somber smile at the thought of his sisters, but that immediately faded away as his mind once again reminded him of the person that took them from him. That... False Maiden.

Sun: "Akito! Blake's ready to go! You ready?" the monkey Faunus' voice called out, taking him out of his thoughts. He replied almost instantly.

Akito: "Give me a minute!" he stared up at the shattered moon in the sky, narrowing his eyes as he clenched his mechanical fist tightly. He could worry about getting back at Cinder another time. He didn't even know where she was after all. So he was going to focus on what was right in front of him. Just as he was about to head back inside, his right hand felt something stuck to the other side of the railing. "Hmm?"

Peering over the railing, he spotted what looked like a small piece of paper tapped to it. With a raised eyebrow, he took it and unfolded it to see that there were words written on it; it was a letter from Ilia.

A or B

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

-I

Akito: "Well ain't that a coincidence." he mumbled with a less than amused expression before suddenly, Sun made his presence on the balcony, causing the Wolf Faunus to turn and look at him.

Sun: "We going recruiting or what? We've got the entire nocturnal section to hit up." The black-haired Faunus didn't reply, with a slightly suspicious and conflicted expression as he peered at the letter on his hand, then back out in the distance. Sun looked confused as Blake had peered her head out from the room, noticing this particular look on his face. She recognized that look of his all too well. It was a look he always had when something wasn't right.

Blake: "Wolfie? What's wrong?" He didn't respond at first. Before Sun could question him as well, Blake stopped him with her grabbing his shoulder. The blonde Faunus was confused for a second before looking back at Akito and noticing his expression, or rather, only exposed eye. His left eyes kept peering towards the trees behind him, then back to them. While Sun didn't get what he was doing, Blake did. It was clear to her what he was trying to tell them.

"She's watching."

Blake's thoughts: "Ilia..."

Akito: "Nothing. You two head on without me. I have something to take care of."

Sun: "Huh? What do you—"

Blake: "Got it. Let's go Sun." Without giving him a chance to say anything, Blake pulled Sun back into the house as Akito watched. He glanced back behind him, spotting the faintest outlines of a blackened silhouette hidden amongst the trees before he silently scoffed and walked inside. As he shut the door behind him, Ilia left her vantage point.

Selena's House...
Mistral...

After her earlier outburst, Yang retreated into her room and was sitting silently on her bed, staring at the photo in her hand which had both Teams RWBY and WOLF all together at Beacon. Her lilac eyes kept peering towards the two black-haired Faunus not there, her originally frustrated expression becoming a saddened one. However, a gentle knock on the door caused her to quickly look up before putting the picture away.

Yang: "Yes?" The door began to open. "Look, Ruby, I don't want to talk about it, okay?" She however became surprised to see that instead of Ruby, Weiss was the one to have knocked. 

Yang: "Oh. Hey, Weiss, did you need something?" The Ex-Heiress said nothing and closed the door behind her, before walking over to the other bed and sitting down. "I know they're our teammates, 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 don't have any of that. My mom left me. Ruby's mom left too. And my... Step-Father left as well. 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. It only got just a tiny bit easier when Ace showed up at our door one morning, injured and exhausted."

Once again, Weiss didn't respond as she was just listening to the blonde's words.

Yang: "Weiss, if you have something to say, then say it." There was a moment of silence. After a bit, she began to speak.

Weiss: "When I was 10 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." She said with a sigh. "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 stood up and walked over to Yang's bed before sitting down next to her. "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? 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. The only ones she truly felt the most comfortable around were people like her, people that she knew for a long time."

Yang: "... Akito, Setsuna and the four sisters..."

Weiss: "Yeah. 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 or Setsuna needed her here for us?" She lowered her head, hiding her face in her palms as tears threatened to fall from her eyes. Weiss placed a comforting hand on her back.

Weiss: "I know it's not easy. I wish she hadn't left, too. And knowing Akito, I know he wished she didn't leave as well, which I have a feeling is why he went after her. Akito knows Blake the best out of everyone, and knows all the right methods to break through her shell. And I bet he's going through a lot of hard stuff as well, being without his sisters. But he's choosing to put his personal feelings aside to help Blake out. Setsuna trusts Akito so much that she wasn't mad at him for leaving to go after Blake, and even though she isn't the brightest, she has a very powerful intuition. So, the only thing we can do now is trust in Akito's abilities and be ready for when both he and Blake come back."

Yang: "...IF they come back."

Weiss: "They will. Yang, you, Ruby, Setsuna and even Blake and Akito are more like family to me than my brother or even my own father. I would do anything for you guys and I'm willing to bet Blake and Akito feel the same way. So, when they're ready, I'll be there for them. And I know we're not as close, but I'm here for you, too."

Weiss gave her a gentle smile as those words left her mouth. Yang seemed a bit stunned for a moment before she couldn't help but return the smile. A knock on the door caught their attention. As they looked towards the opening door, they saw Ruby, Setsuna and Ace, the two girls with worried expressions.

Ruby: "Hey. Is, uh, everything okay?" Weiss and Yang shared a look for a brief moment before they turned back to them.

Yang: "Yeah, it is." All Ruby did was sigh in relief and smile as Setsuna's expression seemed to brighten up a bit, but soon after, Ace slipped past them into the room with a serious expression.

Weiss: "Ace?"

Ace: "Hit me Yang." That caught everyone off guard as they stared in shock at the blue-haired male. "You're pissed off at me for leaving, right? Well, get it out. Hit me as hard as you can."

Setsuna: "W-Wait, a second—"

Ace: "Whenever I did something to make her mad, I let her hit me as much as she wants until she's satisfied. It's something the two of us share in common—when we're angry, we hit shit to get it out. I guess that's one thing we inherited from our mom." Yang seemed to narrow her eyes slightly and clench her fists. "Well, Yang, don't hold back."

He stood there, unmoving and unwavering. The blonde girl stood up, her fists tightly clenched as she began to walk towards him. Weiss slightly gasped in shock as Setsuna was going to step in, only for Ruby to surprisingly hold her back. The two half-sibings stared at each other, retaining eye contact with their eyes narrowing. As Yang stared at her brother, all the memories of her being alone in her home at Patch, missing one arm and in terrible shape, all the while her brother was somewhere in Vale, shacked up with Neopolitan of all people, flooded her mind. It genuinely did anger her. At least she knew Ruby was heading to Mistral and that Setsuna, Qrow and Dante were with her, but Ace, not only did he completely go dark on her, but was with the same girl that knocked her out on that train, the same girl that worked with Roman Torchwick. As Yang began to grit her teeth, her eyes turned bright red as she raised her fist, all the while Ace just stood there, with no plans on dodging or blocking. As she gritted her teeth, Yang threw her left fist forwards... only to slow it down at the last moment and gently bump her brother's chest.

Weiss and Setsuna: "W-Wha...?"

Ace: "Mm...?"

Yang: "... You're a dumbass, bro." The moment she said that, she instead pushed her head into his chest and embraced him, surprising everyone aside from Ruby, who just seemed to smile. "Yeah, it pissed me off to learn what you were up to... but... you're here again, with me and Ruby. That's all I care about." There was a muffled sniffle from her. "I love you bro..."

Ace remained silent, a bit surprised by this, but that surprised was washed over by a slight bit of relief and happiness. A soft laugh left him as he returned the embrace to his sister, one hand on her back and the other on the back of her head, his fingers trailing through her blonde locks of hair.

Ace: "Yah... Love ya too, sis."

A sigh of relief left Setsuna as she watched with a beaming smile, her tail wagging back and forth while Weiss just gave a gentle smile. She however, seemed to notice a certain black-haired male peering into the room, just barely out of view before he silently left. Seeing that only made Weiss smile brighter.

Weiss' thoughts: "You really care huh, you big softie~"

Menagerie...

After getting Ilia's message, Akito walked through the night streets of Kuo Kuana alone, with Alpha strapped to his right arm, all the while still flexing the mechanical muscles of his prosthetic left arm by opening and closing his fingers. He came to a dark alleyway, the fur on his ears standing up straight as he was fully alert. He looked around, narrowing his eye.

Akito: "Ilia?"

Ilia: "I'm here."

Upon hearing her voice, he aimed Alpha's muzzle forwards, watching as the dark figure walked out from the shadows. Changing her skin color back to its normal color, Ilia stood before him with her hands up in a surrendering manner. The Wolf Faunus just kept his aim on her fully.

Akito: "Listen to me, Ilia, I know you're scared but you don't have to be anymore. The Belladonna's can protect you. I can protect you. We're old friends after all."

Ilia: "I'm sorry..." She looked away, clenching her eyes.That caught Akito's interest as he raised an eyebrow but slowly began to lower his weapon.

Akito: "You should be. But you can make it up to me and Blake by helping us stop Corsac and Fennec."

Ilia: "No..." She slowly shook her head and looked at him, her eyes narrowing. "I'm sorry."

In an instant, she clenched her gloved hand, causing Akito to gasp as from above, a Bat Faunus male named Yuna dropped down onto him, pinning him to the ground and knocking Alpha out of his hand. Akito gasped for air, feeling the wind get knocked out of him from the sudden attack as Yuma got off of him. As he began to get back up, he grunted as spider webs suddenly wrapped around his entire torso and arms, from a Spider Faunus female named Trifa. A third Faunus joined them, as the four surrounded the Wolf.

Trifa: "I've got him."

Yuma: "Well done, Sister Trifa, and to you, Ilia." he said as he tossed Ilia her Lightning Lash. Akito glanced up at the Chameleon Faunus, with an angered expression.

Akito: "You... What the hell are you doing?!"

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

Akito: "Don't you fucking tell me that your 'sorry'."

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

Akito: "Oh really? Because we won't let you wage war against the Humans? Because we want to actually protect lives? In what delusional world 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!" She began to walk towards him. "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?" She questioned as she pointed her weapon at him. "Fear. I don't like hurting people. But I'll tell you this: it's gotten us results." Akito just stared at her, a scoff leaving his lips.

Akito: "You fucking bet it did. Just look at where it got you, thinking and acting like Adam. Becoming his personal lap dog." Ilia's eyes widened for a brief moment as she lowered her weapon, then looked away, as if contemplating her decisions, but she clenched her eyes shut and shook her head.

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

Akito: "And you think killing me is really for the 'greater good'?"

Ilia: "No, but getting rid of Blake's family is." Out of all the things Akito expected to happen tonight, that one caught him by genuine surprise, and he wasn't the only one as a certain black-haired feline Faunus listening nearby covered her mouth in horror.

Akito: "Wha... What the fuck's wrong with you!? Killing Blake's Family, are you fucking mad!? I won't let you do that and I know for a fact Blake won't either!"

Ilia: "I know. That's why you and her are both being sent to Mistral. To Adam." The Wolf's Faunus displayed shock before he gritted his teeth.

Akito: "So that's it, Ilia? You're going to throw away everything for this? This isn't you!"

Ilia: "Yes. It. Is!" She slowly leaned down towards him while staring in his eye. "But I guess you were too busy falling for Blake to even notice." He went silent from surprise, watching as the chameleon Faunus looked off, her spots on her cheeks and all over her body turning pink. 

Ilia: "We always fought and bickered with each other, but in truth I really admired you, Akito. The powerful and legendary Wolf of the White Fang, Adam's right hand. You were strong, tough, a hardass... but you were also very compassionate, loyal and kind too. I still remember that night, you found me crying my eyes out over remembering my parents... and you stayed with me, and embraced me tightly, all the while telling me that I had you guys..."

She briefly closed her eyes, remembering that specific memory. She remembered being completely emotionally distraught, her skin turning a deep somber blue as she wept, yet she felt warm and safe as Akitot held her closely. It always was a bit strange to her, considering how much they fought with each other... but it was at that moment, she felt like she knew the true Akito.

Ilia: "I was always a bit jealous of how you looked at Blake. I... didn't believe it at first, but I always wanted you to look at me the same way." Then her eyes turned a reddish color. "But we can't always get what we want." She backed away, leaving Akito to his own thoughts about what the Chameleon Faunus just revealed to him.

Ilia: "Yuma, with me. You two, get him to the docks and come back for Blake."

Akito just gritted his teeth as Ilia and Yuma both left, leaving both Trifa and the other reptilian Faunus alone with him. The Spider Faunus pulled on her webs a bit.

Trifa: "Let's go, traitor." However...

Akito: "We're going somewhere alright..." The two Faunus were confused for a moment before... "Now!"

In an instant, Sun Wukong dropped from the rooftops, tackling the male reptilian Faunus to the ground and knocking him out. Just as Trifa readied her knife to attack, Blake dropped in, with an angered yell as she connected her fist to Trifa's face, punching her as hard as she could, knocking her out. Immediately after, she ran to her boyfriend and sliced off the webs binding him with Gambol Shroud.

Akito: "Thanks for the backup." The feline Faunus replied with a small hum and a nod as she clenched her fists tightly

Sun: "Thanks for the invitation. You okay?"

Akito: "No..." He answered while picking up Alpha. "You both heard what Ilia said. Blake, your family..."

Blake: "You don't have to tell me! Let's hurry! Sun, call the police!"

Akito: "I'll call Maya."

With a collective nod, the three began to make a mad dash towards the Belladonna Residence, all the while pulling out their scrolls and dialing numbers.

Blake: "C'mon mom, pick up..."

Belladonna Residence...

A battle raged throughout the large house as the sounds of gunfire could be heard. Kali's scroll left idly ringing on the table from Blake calling, only for it to be knocked off as the table was flipped over to act as a barrier.

Guard: "Get down!"

The guard, along with Kali Belladonna hid behind the table as two White Fang soldiers fired at them with their weapons. The Guard poked his head out and began to return fire, taking out one of them. However, he was immediately shot in the shoulder and fell next to Kali. The feline Faunus looked horrified for a moment before she took up the gun and aimed at the intruders.

Kali: "Get out of my house!" She yelled as she began to return fire. "Ghira!"

In another part of the house, Maya Arc kept her Wing shield raised up as she was in her room, constantly, poking her head out of her door as multiple members of the White Fang were shooting at her. She noticed her scroll ringing in her pocket and quickly took it out to answer, all the while keeping her shield up.

Maya: "Akito!"

Akito: "Maya! You okay!?"

Maya: "I am! But I've been blindsided by a bunch of members from the White Fang! According to Zero's sensors, they're all over the house! What's happening!?"

Akito: "Long story! That doesn't matter right now! ITell me, is the 00 in your room!?"

Maya: "Yeah it is but I haven't figured out–"

Akito: "That's fine. I'll figure it out along the way. I'm heading over there to take her out for a spin. In the meanwhile, find Blake's parents! Make sure nothing happens to them!" The Blonde female was surprised for a moment and looked back at the dormant 00 Gundam. She still hadn't figured out the reason behind the drive syncing problem but in a situation like now, there was no other choice. She steeled herself and hummed.

Maya: "Alright. I"ll make sure no harm comes to them. As Team MYLC's leader, you have my word! I'll leave my room unlocked for you."

Akito: "Mhm. Stay safe." With that, he hung up. Maya took in a deep breath and put her scroll away as she narrowed her eyes. 

Maya: "Let's get to work, Wing Zero."

As if responding to her, the winged Gundam's eyes shined as it made a sudden dash forwards, busting through the door and knocking multiple members of the White Fang down on the ground. As they were recovering, Maya smirked and rushed towards her Gundam suit, the panels on its back opening up as she entered it. Its search eye glowed as Wing Zero stared down at the White Fang members, its Twin Buster Rifle in one hand while its shield mounted its left arm.

In the entrance hall of the house, Ghira battled, catching a leg from a member of the White Fang and slamming him into the door behind him. He then dodged an attempted blade strike while the guard with him thrusts his spear as another WF. While gritting his teeth, Ghira uppercutted the White Fang member with the sword in his stomach before slamming him into the ground.

Ghira: "Go find my wife and Ms. Maya!" he commanded as he karate chopped another White Fang member, knocking him out instantly. As the guard began to move, he was suddenly shot in the back and fell into Ghira's arms before being let down onto the ground. A deep, saddened sigh left the man of the house before he gritted his teeth in anger as he came face to face with the two Fox Faunus, Corsac and Fennec, both wielding Dust-Powered daggers.

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

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

With his primal anger boiling over, Ghira deployed his claws from his nails and threw off his coat. He began to growl before letting out an intense, Lion-like Roar.

_____________________________________________

Next Chapter: Awaken 00