RWBY: Ebbing Darkness - Blake x MaleReader x Yang

Part 1

The Great War, the latest conflict mankind took part in. But not many knew of what took place after it.
After the world went to war, the Faunus Rights Revolution took place.
It was yet another bloody time in man's history. But in exchange for so much blood and destruction, the faunus people were allowed to live among the four Kingdoms, build a home or family on the island of Menagerie, and have the same rights as every other human.
For three years of conflict they were rewarded with equality, or the closest thing to it.
To this day, shops will turn faunus away, refusing service. And not a day went by where a set of extra ears would have you unjustly arrested, or in worse cases, killed.
The island of Menagerie is considered a safe haven, a land faunus can go to get away from such treatment. Some saw it as cruel while others viewed it as home, as the land their forefathers fought for.
After the dust had settled, the White Fang was founded under the idea that there could be peace among the two races.
Shops began to serve the faunus people and humans bit their tongues in return. Some saw it as a victory while others saw it for what it was truly worth.
The ideology and beliefs of the group had changed. Now humans were scared to do what their grandparents did, and their children would soon view them the same as the Grimm.
Humanity as a whole was being tested. Their greed, pride, and reluctance to put aside their differences left them alone in the encroaching darkness.
For over a millennia, the world of Remnant knew only survival, conflict, and war. And to this day it hasn't changed.

The majority of Menagerie is an inhospitable desert. Although, most think it to be barren or void of life. This wasn't true.
They told Y/N a lot of things growing up. They told him his father was a god, a man standing over ten feet tall and adorned in impenetrable armor. Or that he was a faunus underneath all that metal, and that his name was The Lion.
They also said the forest beyond Kuo Kuana was full of monsters, and even further was a place so hot you would burn alive. In short, people said a lot of things to their children to keep them in line.
Y/N was different. Not just physically but mentally as well. At the ripe age of ten, he stood a head over his peers with the body of a young man. And his mind, a machine in its own right, was far too mature to believe in such things.
"My mom said there's a great big monster in those woods!"
"Lies! My dad said it was a machine!"
"Huh-uh! It stands on its back feet like a man! And it's fat and furry!"
Y/N's peers gossiped and lied, as kids their age do. But unknown to them, there was a fraction of truth to it all.
A great beast had been terrorizing Kuo Kuana for some time now. Trading was becoming dangerous to associated villages and scarce to nearby settlements. There had also been talks of starvation and a general shortage of supplies.
Lone Hunters went into the forest but never returned. Full teams entered seeking glory or honor only to return missing one or more of their respectable comrades.
At this point in time the acting Chieftain, Ghira Belladonna, is piecing together a plan to rid the island of the monster for good.
Y/N stood with something stirring in his chest. He looked to the woods in the distance, his eyes angled into a determined leer.
"I'll go fight it myself!" He announced. The others looked at him with frowns and doubt.
"Yeah right!" One of his many friends exclaimed.
"That thing'll have you for lunch!" A girl cried out in worry. On her head were tall rabbit ears that hung low, expressing what everyone felt.
"I'd like to see it try!" Y/N barked a laugh and marched off, ignoring the many insults or worried shouts thrown his way.

His father may not have acted like it, but he was a hero. Grimm were rodents to him, and The Lion hated pests.
The story changed every so often, but Y/N remembered seeing it for himself. His black, white, gold, red, and green armor adorned with emblems. Molded metal so beautiful it was said to be a painting displayed on a hulking machine of war.
Besides his war plate, The Lion had his sword, a weapon that towered over other men and is said to weigh as much as five combined.
Y/N laid his eyes upon a sword just like his. There was wonder in his eyes, a glimmer so dim it was overshadowed by the need to never settle for average.
The boy was a warrior and every meaning of the word savage. All he desired was the glory of victory and honor as its reward. He refused to settle for anything less.
"Y/N??" A rather porky man emerged from his forge. His cat tail swayed side to side for a moment, indicating surprise. "What're you doing here? Hoping to find a weapon?"
He meant it as a joke, and that's something that always enraged Y/N. They compared Y/N to his father but never truly gave him the push for aspiration. It was a friendly joke that only served as a reminder.
"This one." Y/N crossed his shop in four long strides to take the greatsword in his hand. He handled the hunk of steel as if it was as light as a feather. "I'll take it."
"Okay." The blacksmith nodded. The father in him showed itself. "With what money?"
"With the business it would bring you when I slay the monster in the woods." Y/N flipped the weapon to rest on his shoulder. His emerald green aura sparked when making contact with its razor-sharp edge.
"And if you die??" The smithy countered.
"If." Y/N's snarky tone matched his smile. "I'll let you know how it goes."
"H-hey!" The man gave chase but never went beyond his door. He was considerate of his well-being but somehow felt inferior.
Was it the boy's confidence? Or was it perhaps his father? Whatever it may be, the smithy watched his fading form with worry but also hope.