Menagerie...

Blake found herself walking through the markets of Kuokana, her vigilant eyes looking around, as if she was on the lookout for something, or someone, but for a moment a stand with some beautiful flowers caught her eye. She stopped for a moment and smiled gently, just admiring the flowers but she soon looked off, her feline ears slightly folding forwards in slight sadness as Ilia popped up in her mind. Shaking her head, she looked forwards, just as Sun walked up to her, putting a supportive hand on her shoulder.

Blake: "And Akito?" Her scroll beeped as that familiar voice sounded from it.

Akito (Exia): "In position. I can see over the entirety of the market from here." he said.

From a high vantage point on top of a building, Akito stood, clad in the damaged Armor of the Gundam Exia, however it was completely cloaked, thanks to its Optical Camouflage. However, this function could only be used if the Exia was completely still and the GN Drive in its back was powered off.

Akito (Exia): "I don't see our target yet. Keep moving forward."

Blake: "Roger that."

(Flashback)

*play music*

Gunshots sounded through a forest, which had quickly changed into a battle ground. It was from humans, and they had just stopped a truck that was carrying Faunus from the organization known as The White Fang. Taking cover behind the transport were the Faunus, among them were their leader, Ghira Belladonna, his right hand woman, Sienna Kahn, multiple White Fang goons and three distinctive younger people, two of which wearing Grimm Masks; Ilia Amitola, Adam Taurus and finally, Akito Zara who didn't have on his mask.

Akito: "Tch, the longer we stay like this, the better their shit aim will get!"

Ilia: "Then why don't you do something and stop running your mouth, Rabid Dog!?" The Wolf Faunus glared at her.

S.S.A.W: "Here we go again..."

Akito: "Oh I know you're not saying shit, you-"

Sienna: "Enough, you two! Stop arguing and focus!" The two instantly fell quiet but looked off from each other. Ghira then proceeded to try and de-escalate the situation by talking to the attacking humans.

Ghira: "Please, we're just trying to pass through." However, a shot hit the windshield next to him, forcing him to duck back behind cover.

Human: "Oh you animals passed through the wrong town."

Ghira: "There's no need for violence!" He was soon silenced by the Human firing a bullet that collided with him, damaging his Aura.

Ilia gasped slightly, while Akito gritted his teeth. He and Adam looked at each other, then at Sienna, who nodded before helping Ghira back onto his feet. Adam prepared himself, his hand gripping onto Wilt as Akito materialized the GN Shield on his left arm before...

Akito: "SETSUNA!"

The battlefield was silenced instantly by loud, feral yelling. From the trees, Setsuna leaped out, her Ice Wolf Claws sharpened as she landed before the group of humans, one of them aiming their gun at her, a man. Unfortunately for him however, they wouldn't get the chance to shoot as Setsuna swiped at him with her claws, knocking the gun out of his hand.

Akito and Adam: "Go!"

The two brothers leaped over the truck and began to charge forwards towards the group of humans as Setsuna kicked the one she was fighting in the face, sending him flying back towards Akito who proceeded to bash him with the shield, sending him flying off into a tree. Sliding to a stop, Akito proceeded to fire Alpha in GN Rifle mode at the rest of the humans, forcing them to split up, but allowing Adam to close the distance. One of the humans tried to hit him with a knife, only for the Bull Faunus to slash the knife out of his hand and kick him down before leaping onto a tree to dodge the shot of another human. Twirling his blade around, Adam deflected the bullets the Humans fired his way before charging forwards and slamming his sheathed blade against a female's neck, pinning her against a tree and knocking her unconscious.

Akito: "Heads up, bro!"

Adam perked up and looked towards a female human as a flurry of bullets were flying straight towards him, however, they were immediately intercepted by the GN Shield, which was thrown by Akito, causing the female to look at the Wolf Faunus with a frustrated expression. However, she gasped in shock as Akito leaped towards her, Alpha converting into its GN Sword form as he slashed down on her, forcing her to back off and narrowly dodge the strike. She retaliated by pointing her gun straight at the Wolf Faunus, who grunted and bent his back backwards, the bullet flying right over his face, barely missing his nose. With a scoff, Akito completed his movements with a backflip, kicking the gun out of the woman's hand and disarming her. Just then, Setsuna leaped over Akito and tackled the woman before throwing her into a tree.

Just as Akito rebalanced himself, a few bullets flew towards him, but Adam quickly stepped in and swiftly blocked each bullet with Wilt, its crimson blade glowing briefly before he leaped from tree to tree and kicked him in the face, knocking him out. Bullets from another Human, a female, were soon blocked by Adam who swiftly rushed forwards. He smirked as he sheathed his blade before launching it from his scabbard, knocking the female in her stomach with the hilt before Akito suddenly blasted himself forwards, Alpha converted back into GN Rifle mode as he smacked the woman in the back of the head the blunt weapon, knocking her out. Then he tossed Adam's sword, sending it flying back into his hands. Reunited with his weapon, the Bull Faunus redirected each bullet fired from a cowering Human male before he kicked him down and stepped on his chest.

The original Human who took the shot at Ghira however, began making a break towards the trucks where the Faunus were taking cover behind, all the while firing shots.

S.S.A.W: "BIG BRO!"

Akito: "Oh no you don't!" With his eyes changing into a fiery orange, almost red color, he quickly aimed Alpha's muzzle towards the charging human, ready to fire, but a black and red blur sped right past him, catching him by surprise.

The red on Adam's outfit and hair glowed brightly before he unleashed his Semblance, Moon Slice and unsheathed Wilt, sending a red arc of Aura crashing into him, whitening his eyes in the process and crashing him into the truck. The impact was strong enough to shake the truck he slammed into, and to kill him as blood was splattered on it; it seemed like Adam directly had sliced his neck open.

Akito and Setsuna's eyes widened in shock as the former could hear his sisters all gasp in horror, with Summer quickly covering Spring's eyes, to spare her the horror of the sight.

Akito: "... Holy Shit..."

Woman: "You're all freaks!" Akito, Setsuna and Adam glanced at her as she and the others ran away, with the Black Wolf Faunus sighing as Setsuna joined his side, her Ice Wolf Claws disappearing. Ghira then turned to Adam, who had slowly sheathed his blade in uncertainty.

Ghira: "That wasn't necessary." Adam looked back at him in silence. "This is the very reason they think they can treat-" However, cutting him off was Sienna.

Sienna: "Ghira. He saved your life. He's a hero. They all are." She said, gesturing towards the three Faunus who fought in that battle.

After she had said this, the other Faunus began cheering for the display the duo of Adam and Tyros displayed. Adam at first, seemed to have been questioning his actions to kill the Human, though when they started cheering, he was surprised. He then turned to his friend, his brother. Akito glanced at him, but didn't look happy in the slightest, his eyes narrowing with a look that said, 'we'll talk later'.

>>Later<<

Adam: "Akito, I swear it was an accident." He defended himself, holding his hands up as Akito paced back and forth in front of him, with a deep sigh.

Akito: "Adam, brother. We made an oath when we joined the White Fang. We would never kill again, not another Human. Because if we did, how else would we get them to see our point of view?"

Adam: "But he was about to attack the High Leader."

Akito: "I know. But there were ways to handle it that didn't include killing that guy. It was unnecessary bloodshed." Adam fell silent as Akito stopped his pacing and crossed his arms as he looked up with a sigh. "Normally, I'd be fine with it, but... after getting out there, I met some actual good people, who were Human." An image of Pyrrha Nikos appeared in his head.

Akito: "After meeting her, I realized that not all Humans in this world were bad, like the bastards that run the Schnee Dust Company, that took away what made us Human. I understand if you may not believe it brother, that you may think you're doing a good thing, but more bloodshed is not the way, and will never be." He stared at the Bull Faunus, who glanced off before he sighed deeply.

Adam: "Right... I'm... sorry."

Akito: "Don't apologize to me. Blake and Mio will be the ones you have to apologize to."

Adam: "Mm... Right." He said and nodded while glancing off.

(Flashback End)

Blake and Sun continued their way through the crowded market, their eyes wide open for their wanted target, but so far, they haven't spotted anything yet. That was until...

Akito (Exia): "Yo, twelve o'clock, at the weapon stall run by the Donkey Faunus. I think I spotted our guy." His voice rang through Blake's scroll.

The two looked towards the area he pointed out, spotting what looked like some kind of spotted snake Faunus, evident by the dark spots on his skin. Blake turned back to her scroll, searching her picture gallery for the photo of the person they were looking for, and luckily, the picture matched the man they were staring at.

Black: "That's him. We're moving in. Look out for any scouts."

Akito (Exia): "Heard, babe."

Blake and Sun looked at each other, the monkey Faunus nodding as he began to approach the male from the right angle, while Blake took the left angle, their goal to trap him while Akito remained on the building, Exia's sensors scanning the area for any one that could possibly try to get the jump on them.

(Flashback)

Blake: "Can I ask you something?" On a rooftop in the Forever Fall Forest was none other than Blake and the Chameleon Faunus, Ilia, who was sitting with her legs crossed.

Ilia: "Sure."

Blake: "Why... Why'd you join the White Fang?"

Ilia: "Same reason as you." She looked up towards the Feline Faunus.

Blake: "But-"

Ilia: "But, why fight when I pass for human?" Blake frowned slightly and looked back towards the Chameleon Faunus, who merely smiled. "It's okay. You're not the first person to ask. Akito and Mio asked me before as well." She looked out into the night sky. "I know I look just like any other human girl. And for years, that's how I was raised. We lived in Mantle, with the other Faunus working in the mines. Actually, that's how I met Akito, Mio and Adam."

Blake: "That's how you met them?"

Ilia: "Yep. Akito was practically the same, annoying and brash, his actions and words always getting him in trouble with the Humans that ran the mines. Every night, he'd come back with another bruise or worse, but he just brushed it off with a grin, despite how worried Mio got for him every time and how many times Adam argued with him to keep it cool. Fucking idiot..." he shook her head but chucked. "But he was a lovable idiot, and still is. I see why you're so into him"

Blake: "Yeah, he certainly is." She said, looking up as she gently gripped the necklace around her neck Akito gifted her before he left. But upon processing what the Chameleon Faunus said, her face instantly went bright red out of embarrassment. "Wait, what!?" Ilia giggled to herself and shook her head, but slightly rolled her eyes as well.

Ilia: "But that aside, our little friend group didn't last too long as my parents wanted something better for me. They managed to enroll me in an Atlas prep school. Imagine that... Little Faunus girl from Mantle going to the city of dreams. Ah, I felt like a princess. But, I had to follow a set of rules." She began to count on her fingers. "No bringing friends home, no talking about my parents, and absolutely, under no circumstances, was I allowed to change colors. No one could know I was a Faunus."

Blake: "That... sounds terrible."

Ilia: "It wasn't..."

(Flashback Pause)

The spotted Snake Faunus gasped as he spotted Blake and Sun approaching him, the former unsheathing Gambol Shroud as she got ready to apprehend him. But in an instant, he took his newly bought pistol and began to fire at the two, with Blake blocking a bullet while the other missed Sun. He instantly began to rush away, while the two began to chase him. The male Faunus would pause briefly, to fire at the two, scaring the people around him but almost instantly, his pistol ran out of ammo, forcing him to take a left and keep running, with Blake and Sun following him.

(Flashback Resume)

Ilia: "It was confusing at first, but it wasn't hard. Especially if it meant being in Atlas. Sometimes the other girls would say things about the Faunus. That they were animals, that they were dirty, or they lied and..." She paused for a moment as she looked down into her lap. "I'd say those things with them. Because I felt like I was one of them! And then, one day... there was a cave-in at the mines."

(Flashback Pause)

In front of the runaway Faunus was a vehicle with a trailer of crates attached to it. Seeing his chance, he pulled out a small knife before taking an immediate right, leaping over the attachment point and cutting the ropes that held it in place, before dipping into the alleyway. The trailer, now no longer connected, began to roll down and veer towards Blake and Sun, who both gasped, the former gritting her teeth. Sun leaped over her however and activated his Semblance, Via Sun, creating two clones that rushed forwards and began to slow the trailer down. He soon rushed over and joined the clones, fully stopping the entire trailer.

Sun: "Go!" With a nod, Blake rushed forwards as there was a shadow above her. She looked up, only to be surprised to see the damaged Exia flying above her, its hand extended to her.

Akito (Exia): "C'mon!" The Feline Faunus quickly leaped up, her arm outstretched to her armored boyfriend as she grabbed onto his hand, allowing him to take a sharp turn into the alleyway after the spotted Snake Faunus.

(Flashback Resume)

Blake slowly crouched next to Ilia, a look of concern and sympathy on her face as she continued to tell her story.

Ilia: "I was at school when the news broke. Apparently, one of the workers tripped while handling some agitated Dust crystals. The explosion caused a chain reaction. By the time this accident happened, Akito, Adam and Mio had long escaped Atlas with the two Gundams, and with Setsuna. But... my parents... didn't make it. And my... 'friends' snickered." She looked away with a growing expression of hatred on her face. "I lost control. Every inch of me turned blue as I wept. And suddenly... all the girls that I'd laughed and played with were scared of me."

(Flashback Pause)

The Faunus couple flew through the alleyway, chasing after the runaway spotted Snake Faunus. Akito made a sudden stop in midair, Exia's eyes glowing brightly as he swung Blake forwards, allowing her to toss Gambol Shroud forwards, its hook tripping the spotted Snake Faunus' ankle, sending him crashing to the ground. However, before they could continue with the capture, Exia's radar began to beep rapidly, startling Akito who pulled Blake in with his arm and dashed backwards, narrowly dodging a strike from a familiar weapon; Lightning Lash.

Akito (Exia): "Tch... of course." He growled as he and Blake, the Feline Faunus letting out a hiss, stared at their ambusher.

(Flashback Resume)

Blake: "I'm sorry." Ilia's skin turned bright red, with her spots and hair turning yellow as her anger was displayed.

Ilia: "Don't be." She said while standing up, before she looked at her with a slight smile of malice. "I broke their teeth." Her words caused Blake's eyes to widen in shock as for a brief moment, she swore that she saw a bit of Adam in Ilia, a vision that absolutely terrified her.

Blake's thoughts: "They were right... Dad, Akito... You two were right all along..."

(Flashback End)

Ilia stood in front of Akito and Blake, her Lightning Lash pointed towards them as she defended the spotted Snake Faunus behind her. She slowly took off her mask, revealing her steeled expression, but the moment Akito growled and aimed Alpha's blade at her, she recoiled in shock, with Blake narrowing her eyes angrily.

Ilia hesitated before she pointed her weapon up at a hanging weight, shooting it, causing the scale to tip and drop the boxes, separating the two pairs and forcing Blake to recoil from it. The spotted Snake Faunus was already gone as Ilia was seen leaping onto a roof. Akito gritted his teeth underneath the Exia's helmet as he aimed Alpha up towards her, its muzzle accumulating pink dust as it was about to fire... but he hesitated. In the end, Ilia got away.

Akito (Exia): "Damn it, I'm weak!" he cursed himself, as the Exia vanished from him, revealing his frustrated expression. But a gentle touch of support caused him to look at Blake, who gently held his arm. Her expression said, "It's alright", causing the Wolf Faunus to just sigh and calm himself down. Soon enough, Sun caught up to them.

Sun: "What happened?"

Blake: "He got away." She said as Akito turned around and began to walk away, muttering a...

Akito: "I'm sorry..."

Blake: "Wolfie..." She lightly sighed to herself before she followed after him, with Sun looking slightly confused but he looked back into the alleyway, before following after the two Faunus.

None of them knew however that Ilia hadn't really left. She stood on the same roof top she was on, watching the trip leave. Her expression slowly softened for a moment, with her rubbing her left arm before she sighed gently and hooked her mask back on, before hopping away from building to building.

A bit further away from them however, with the Eclipse Gundam's cloaking deactivated was Mio, watching everything go down. She slowly looked down before she got a notification that popped up on the Eclipse's Hud. It was from Adam and it was a message that said,

Adam's message: "We're going to meet to introduce a special guest to Sienna. Meet me there and don't be late."

Mio's thoughts: "Special guest...? But who could he have possibly brought...?" She wondered to herself before she shook her head; there was only one way to find out after all. She leaped off of the roof and transformed the Eclipse into its Sky Sonic Mode before flying off into the distance.

Gundam Shadows Volume 5

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Next Chapter: Haven Academy

(A/N: "Hope ya'll enjoyed that brief prologue to Volume 5, to learn a bit more about Ilia and her strained relationship with Akit, along with the start of Adam and Akito's falling out. Also, the brief cameo of the Maiden Sisters. Next chapter's the actual start of Volume 5 so I hope ya'll are ready!)