Chapter Text
An airhorn sounds as the loud shunt and slam of an off ramp landing onto the boardwalk. The sky shone brightly onto the large Faunus crowd as many people wore floral attire and light clothing in the summer heat of Menagerie. A young raven haired woman with cat ears and a tanned blonde man with accompanying blonde tail stepped onto the land, each gazing at the town before them. The daunting size of the town was breathtaking as they set forth.
Blake Belladonna had finally come home.
Blake, alongside Sun Wukong, walked the stone pathways towards the Belladonna residence. Sun was still in awe of being essentially friends with Royalty, despite Blake pointing out he's friends with Weiss as well. They climbed the steps, finally standing just outside the door. Blake reaches for the iron knocker, but just before her hands touch it she hesitates and draws back.
Sun paused and looked to Blake, holding her hand and unsure of herself. "I'm sure it's not that rusty, if that's what you're worried about.
Blake turned an irritated glare to Sun and his jokes, but then looked down, slightly ashamed. "I... It's... It's just been so long since I've actually talked to them. The last time I... Well I..."
Blake tried to explain but the words caught in her throat each time she tried to speak them. Sun simply nodded. "Well, I don't know what happened, but I can almost guarantee that any good parent would be worried sick about their kid. At least I'd be worried."
Blake smiled and shook her head. "You're such an idiot."
"Careful, you're starting to sound like MY team now. Just... Take as much time as you need. I'll be here."
Blake quickly sucked in some air and lifted the large door knocker, slamming it onto the door with long resounding knocks. The two take a step back after, Blake holding her breath in terrified anticipation. Sun just stared at the door and whistled a low whistle of astonishment to the tone the large door gave from such a pounding.
The two jumped, Sun squeaking, as the door slowly loomed open with a deep creak. Sun and Blake simply watched as another female cat faunus opened the doors with ease. The woman's ears twitched as her robes swished slightly in the wind, her eyes going wide as she takes a cautious step forward. Blake stood statue still as Kali Belladonna hugged her daughter, tears in both of their eyes.
"I was so worried about you, I heard everything and... And I... Oh my kitten I'm just so glad you're here. I..."
Blake's neutral expression quickly shattered into tearful joy as she quickly grabbed her mother and hugged her back. "Mom... Mom I'm so sorry." Was all Blake could whisper. The two stood like that for a while when Sun was once more startled by a loud sound.
A shadow loomed over the three as a man of imposing figure walked towards the door. "Is something wrong, Ka-"
Ghira stopped in the door way of the compound, his eyes wide as tears threatened to form in his eyes. He rushed over to his family and embraced his wife and daughter, sobbing at the return of his precious daughter. "Kitten..."
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Shortly after the loving reunion of the Belladonna family, Everyone went inside. Blake and Sun were both surprised to see Professor Bolas at the table, but smiled when he stood and bowed to them and giving his congratulations on such a joyous family reunion.
Once everyone had Settled, Kali began grabbing refreshments for everyone at the table.
"When we heard the news, We couldn't help but be worried. Especially when we could no longer contact Professor Bolas. Vale may not be perfect, but no one should ever need to bear that horror."
Ghira grumbled, trying to put on a tough act. "Please. She's a Belladonna and a Huntress! Even if anything came close, Nicol would have intervened. As if I'd be worried."
Kali and Nicol both shared tired looks with each other, which Sun and Blake both picked up on.
"You paced so much, I was worried you'd wear down the floor, Ghira. Honestly, We're family. You don't need to put on so much bravado."
"Well if it's any help, I've seen Blake in action and she's totally awesome."
Blake nearly choked on her drink as Ghira's pleasant demeanor suddenly turned cold towards the monkey faunus. "In what regard."
Sun froze, turning to Ghira and looking terrified began explaining, poorly, how Blake was very combat capable.
Kali leaned towards Blake as she, Nicol and Blake watched Sun struggle to explain to Ghira. "Why is he here again?"
"He just kind of ... followed me home?"
"Oh. Well, I suppose there are worse."
"Mom!" Blake quietly exclaimed so as to not interrupt Sun's floundering. Kali simply hid her smile behind her sleeve while Nicol chuckled.
"While I cannot speak for Mr. Wukong, I am glad to see you in good health, Ms. Belladona. Especially after the multitude of messages your father left on my scroll during the signal outage." Nicol said with a tired smile.
Finally, Sun either stopped talking or ran out of words to talk with, no one could really tell. He simply poured himself another cup of tea. "Ah... This tea is really good..."
Kali snorted and Ghira raised an eyebrow at the young man.
"Oh yes, there are certainly worse choices."
"Mom!" Blake exclaimed, only slightly red.
The loud sound of the front door knocker resonates, catching everyone's attention. Ghira turned to the doorway and his eyes widened along with a resigned sigh from Nicol. "We forgot about the meeting."
Ghira sighed out. "Right, the meeting..." He turned to his wife, smiled and stood up to walk towards the door.
Blake followed her father's trail to the door before turning to her mother. "Is everything alright? Dad didn't seem to happy just now."
Kali simply nodded. "Just a matter of poor timing and unexpected surprises. He can reschedule, it's just been hard dealing with them lately, especially with all of the negative attention that extremist splinter group has garnered."
Blake and Sun both look to each other, stunned and quickly rise to rush to the door.
Kali looked towards the two, slightly distraught at their sudden outburst.
"Worry not, Dear Kali. It is natural for the young to make such hasty conclusions, especially with recent trials and tribulations. Were I in their shoes, perhaps I would be doing the same." Nicol said, assuring her.
Kali sighed and looked into her tea. "Have I been apart from my daughter so long that she cannot tell me her troubles?"
Blake and Sun quickly ran to the door, Blake seeing two men in dark robes and Faunus features conversing with Ghira. "Dad!" Blake shouted as she rushed forward.
Ghira turned, confused at his daughter while the two men, Fennec and Corsac both looked at the Belladonna princess. "Blake, what's wrong?"
"Miss Belladonna."
"We had no idea you'd returned."
"We welcome you and congratulate your return home." The Albain brother said in unison. Sun recoiled slightly at that while Blake simply continued to look at her father.
"What are you doing talking to these people?" Blake demanded. Ghira simply chuckled and nodded, understanding what his daughter was asking.
"These are the newest Menagerie representatives of the White Fang. Allow me to introduce Corsac and Fennec Albain."
Upon Ghira's introduction, the two bowed respectfully towards Blake and Sun.
Sun glared at the two men with determined eyes. "So what you're saying is that these nutjobs snuck into menagerie too?"
The twins both looked at each other, wide eyed and incredulous. Fennec was the first to regain his composure and speak.
"A thousand pardons, young man, but perhaps you are confusing us with those radical members of the splinter cell?"
Blake looked to the two and frowned. "Splinter cell? You mean the Current white fang and their ideologies?"
Fennec and Corsac looked to each other worried as Ghira turned to his daughter. "Is there something I should know?"
"The subject of which we requested this meeting, First Fang." Corsac explained, a mix of pleading and shame on his face.
Sun then looked to the two disciples then to Ghira. "Wait... Do you seriously not..."
Blake then looked to Sun and her eyes went wide. "This... This can't really be."
Ghira's face turned serious as he looked to his daughter and her friend. "if there is something I should know, Please inform me. Why are you so cautious around our brothers of the White Fang?"
Blake took a moment to compose herself, then looked to the two brothers. They looked harmless enough, and they had requested an audience like the White Fang of old. The White Fang she knew. "There was a group of White Fang at Beacon. They attacked innocent civilians, caused destruction and released Grimm into the school. I had to fight against them during... During beacons fall."
An air of disbelief enshrouded everyone, the twins, Ghira and Sun as Blake retold her experience. The twins looked to each other, worried then return their gazes to Blake.
"I... I cannot imagine the pain you've gone through, Miss Belladonna. I... I am truly sorry." Corsac said, Fennec nodding in agreement. "It is of little comfort, but we were only recently made aware of ... Of our brothers fall." Fennec said.
Another pause of silence fell over the group as Kali and Bolas walked out to the group.
"We were worried, and came out to check if everything was alright."
A grimm shadow passed over Ghira as he looked at Nicol. "Is it true? That the White Fang attacked Beacon?"
Bolas flinched, but nodded. "I had hoped to spare you the truth, but yes. I saw it with my own eyes as former brothers of the fang turned to ally themselves with the Grimm. I'm still unsure of how they were able to release grimm into the city, such is the reason for my leave of absence from the staff."
Corsac nodded. "We've lost contact with the Vale sect of the White Fang, and thus believe that they are following the ideals and orders of brother Adam Taurus."
Blake flinched at that name, a fact that neither Sun nor Bolas missed.
Sun turned to the two and pointed. "Vale isn't the first time this has happened."
Fennec nodded. "Of course, however every instance of White Fang use of arms has been solely in the use of self defense during rallies and operations. This splinter cell has ignored all requests for meeting and avidly disobeys the laws of the White Fang."
"You mean the laws of the New White Fang."
Fennec and Corsac turned to Blake and gave resigned nods. "It is an unfortunate truth."
"For the White fang to progress as far as it has now."
"That we have needed to result into more drastic deeds."
The two then steeled their gaze and looked to Blake.
"However, we will never"
"Nor have ever"
"Sought such barbaric means of attaining our goals. To do so"
"Would oppose the very core of what it is to be White Fang!" Corsac and Fennec exclaimed in unison.
Blake looked up, shocked at the two men and their conviction. Ghira simply nodded while Sun continued to look skeptically at the two.
Fennec then reached into his robes and produced a folder. "If you wish for more proof, we have also taken the liberty of procuring transcripts from Council meetings, strategic planning's and other such documentations. Our hope is that with your aid we can cleanse ourselves of such extremists and return to our true mission of achieving equality for Faunus Kind."
Blake took a step back, shocked to see such pious and devout members of the White Fang cause. It felt unreal, as if she'd gone back nearly ten years into the past to a time where she could dare hope for the cause her father had lead.
"I will gladly review these documents, but another day. I'd like some time to reconnect with my daughter." Ghira said, the conviction of a leader behind his words.
The twin brothers bowed, Fennec returning the folder to his robes. "Of course, First Fang. Simply inform us of when you wish you meet and we will discuss."
Corsac turned and smiled to Blake. "And of course, it's always good to see you return Blake. If you're ever interested in returning to the Fang, Simply let us know. Sister Ilia would certainly be pleased."
Fennec held his robe to his mouth and coughed, though Blake and Ghira heard a suspicious thing sounding like 'Baby Fang' mixed with a light chuckle.
"Until next we meet, First Fang." The twins said, bowing and leaving. Ghira simply stood there and waved the two goodbye while the rest of the group left.
"I do believe it is best for me to leave as well. It has been ages since I've wandered our home and I wouldn't wish to impose any more than I already have. Enjoy your night, Belladonnas and Guest. And Miss Belladonna?" Nicol Bolas asked.
"Yes, Professor Bolas?"
"If you should need a tutor in swordsmanship, you need only ask me. While your formal education may be on pause, you must always retain your combat edge. Now then, I best be off." He said, waving a farewell and walking away, his tail swishing barely off the ground.
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"A most unwelcome development."
"Indeed it is. But not wholly unexpected."
A pair of Boots sounded in the hall as Nicol Bolas walked up to the twins Fennec and Corsac.
"Such is the way of war. The enemy is always wont to deploy the unexpected. Until such a time as we can lure them into a sense of security, our cover must be retained."
Fennec and Corsac nodded, when Corsac once more posed a question. "And what of the Belladonna Girl?"
Bolas' lips curled into a cruel grin. "Why, I believe a reunion is long overdue, don't you, my brothers?"