(SLOW UPDATES) The Best of Atlas (Male Reader x Rwby Harem)

S2 Ch.12: Behind the Eyes

(Y/N)'s pov

Ilia: "Like what they've done with the place?" Her tone was laced with sarcasm but her smile was genuine amusement at her own joke. 

I couldn't help but wonder how long she'd been waiting to use that line?

(Y/N): "I liked it a lot better before, that's why we're here." 

Ilia: "Glad to hear it!" She turned around and gestured for the other White Fang grunts to leave. "Follow me and I'll get you acquainted." She started walking off and after a second of hesitation we followed her. 

Once we had entered the cave, past the sheet metal guard posts at the entrance, I was astonished by what was in front of me. An entire makeshift city covered the large cave system. There must've been thousands... hell tens of thousands of faunus walking around. The intel made this sound like some small refugee camp but this was an entire city with an armies worth of people inside. 

The sound of a bustling city, previously unheard outside, filled my mind with memories of happier times in Vale. The smell was... something. I can't imagine fitting an entire city into a closed area would ever smell good, but it doesn't help that these people don't have running water or sewage. 

Ilia: "Keep up and I'll make the tour quick, you guys look like you've been through the wringer." I sped up and walked alongside her; Cinder stood on my other side while the other girls lagged slightly behind. 

(Y/N): "How long has this place existed?" Ilia chuckled.

Ilia: "Actually it was just created after the capital fell." I looked at her in disbelief that this could be built in a few weeks. "I know it sounds unbelievable, but people with nothing to do and nowhere to go will get to work pretty quickly." She pointed towards a large building with a large fork and spoon spray painted on the side. "That's the canteen right there. Our chefs try their best but they don't exactly have much to work with." 

I took a mental note of it's location since I'd like to get some proper food sometime soon. 

As we walked through the congested streets the city only continued to amaze me. Buildings of sheet metal and cloth clumsily piled onto one another just hoping not to fall, only staying stable through ropes planted into the cave walls. Older civilians stared at me while younger ones tried their best to stay hidden as I got near. 

I imagine none of them have seen someone wearing my style of armor before. 

Ilia: "That's the armory." She pointed over at a building to our right surrounded by many White Fang members of many different ranks. "I heard you brought your own gear so it's best you stay away from there, they're not too fond of anyone trying to get in." 

We turned a corner and I was immediately greeted with a makeshift playground absolutely packed full of kids. Right next to it was a building with little murals and drawing all over the walls and an older woman standing near the door keeping an eye on all the kids. A group of children saw me and started to run over before being spotted and scolded by the woman. 

(Y/N): "What's with all the kids?" 

Ilia: "It's our local school. Enrollments actually pretty high at the moment." As we continued past it I saw even more kids playing in connecting streets and climbing onto roofs. 

(Y/N): "But why are there so many kids? That poor teacher can't even control all of them." 

Ilia: "When Atlas rolls through these smaller villages they would only kidnap those that are old enough to actually work for them, most young kids just got left to fend for themselves until we came and got them." I felt the familiar sting of shame that only a few years ago I would've been helping with that.