Through We Endure. (RWBY x OC)

Ebony And Ivory, Blood and Steel.

''--///"Once, There was a Boy of Stone Skin. . ."///--'

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((Opening))

Am I lost in a somber dream's embrace, Or simply numbed by stone's cold trace? A sliver of sense clings to my right hand, This throbbing power, my life's lone strand. In dreams, you linger, ever so near, Will my hiraeth bring forth your tear? Embrace me close, dispel my fright,

Erase the future once foretold, End this sorrow that I hold. Dreams of youth, now chains that bind, Drag me down, leave marks behind. In shadows cast, my form is etched, By your presence, forever sketched.

My blood's hue, a mystery untold—Red, white, Black or Yellow, it's bold. Prepared I stand, foes yet unseen, Should chaos reign, will you intervene?

In my right hand, Deep rooted anger grows. if I closed my eyes and tried to think again, Would i be stained with blood?

In my grasp, Deep rooted anger grows. . .

((Opening close))

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The balcony cafe in the heart of Vale was a bustling hive of activity, a symphony of sound and scent. The air was thick with the chatter of patrons, the clinking of silverware, and the distant rhythm of street musicians. The aroma of freshly brewed tea and pastries mingled with the sweet perfume of blooming flowers from the nearby gardens, creating an intoxicating atmosphere that was both comforting and invigorating. The café was filled with natural light, streaming in through the large, arched windows and casting warm, golden hues on the walls and tables that were occupied by patrons.

Sun Wukong, Hadryn Yorgh, and Blake Belladonna sat at a small, round table on the second floor near a balcony, their conversation interrupted only by the occasional clinking of teacups. The table was adorned with a white linen tablecloth and a centerpiece of vibrant wildflowers, adding a touch of elegance to the casual setting. The wildflowers, a colorful bouquet of Roses, Lilies, Black Dahlia and Daffodils. were arranged in a delicate porcelain vase.

Blake took a sip of her tea, her eyes scanning the bustling street below. The sun cast long shadows across the cobblestone street, illuminating the colorful storefronts and the faces of the passersby. A gentle breeze carried the sounds of the city, a symphony of human activity that was both soothing and invigorating. The city was a vibrant tapestry of colors, with buildings painted in a variety of hues, from the pastel shades of pink and blue to the bold tones of red and yellow.

Blake: "So,"
she began, her voice barely a whisper, her eyes fixed on the distant horizon.

Blake: "That's the sum of it."
Sun leaned forward, his eyes wide with surprise.

Sun: "Finally, she speaks! Nearly two days and you've given me nothing but small talk and weird looks!"
Blake shot him a firm glare, and he quickly added,

Sun: "Yeah, like that."
Hadryn, his heavy plate armor glinting in the dappled sunlight, remained silent. His arms were crossed, and his helm cast a shadow over his face, obscuring his expression. His armor was a patchwork of dark metal and soft leather, adorned with intricate engravings and symbols, a testament to his warrior heritage. The engravings on his armor depicted scenes of battles, hunts, and mythical creatures, telling the story of his adventures and accomplishments, whether untrue or founded.

Hadryn: "You're really senseless,"
he muttered, his voice muffled by the thick metal. Blake rolled her eyes but then turned to Hadryn with a sad smile.

Blake: "Are you two... Are you familiar with the White Fang?"
Sun shrugged.

Sun: "Of course! I don't think there's a Faunus on the planet who hasn't heard of them. Stupid, holier-than-thou creeps that use force to get whatever they want. Bunch of freaks, if you ask me!"
Blake took another sip of her tea.

Blake: "I was once a member of the White Fang."
Hadryn chuckled softly.

Hadryn: "Way to go, monkey."
The sun tea in Sun's hand sloshed over the rim, splashing onto his trousers as his eyes widened in disbelief. He choked, the tea caught in his throat, turning his face an alarming shade of scarlet. His hands flew to his neck, his coughs wracking his body. When he finally managed to regain his composure, his gaze was fixed on Blake, a mixture of shock and disbelief etched on his features.

Sun: "Wait a minute, you were a member of the White Fang?"
Hadryn shrugged nonchalantly, his voice muffled by his helm.


Hadryn: "Figured."
Blake nodded, her expression somber.


Blake: "That's right. I was a member for most of my life, actually. You could almost say I was born into it..."
The scene shifted to a flashback, a stark contrast to the bustling café. The once-peaceful city was now a war-torn wasteland. Shattered buildings, piles of rubble, and the charred remnants of once-grand structures dominated the landscape. The air was thick with the acrid scent of smoke and the lingering stench of decay. The distant rumble of gunfire and the screech of metal on metal punctuated the eerie silence.


Blake: "Back then, things were different,"
Blake narrated, her voice filled with a mix of nostalgia and regret.

"In the ashes of war, the White Fang was meant to be a symbol of hope, a beacon of unity between Humans and the Faunus. It was a time of great promise, when people believed that a better future was possible."
The screen filled with a haunting image: two groups, animal-eared and tailed Faunus on one side, regular Humans on the other. They stood side by side, their hands clasped in a gesture of peace, their faces hopeful and determined. The scene was bathed in a soft, golden light, creating a stark contrast to the bleak, war-torn surroundings.

The scene shifted to a more intimate setting: a dimly lit alleyway, the only source of light coming from a flickering street lamp. A young white Faunus woman, her eyes wide with terror, huddled against a wall, her body trembling. A group of human thugs, their faces contorted in cruelty, advanced towards her. Armed with crude weapons, they taunted and threatened her, their voices dripping with venom. The woman tried to shield herself, but their relentless aggression forced her to cower in fear.

The screen then cut to a more chaotic scene: a massive street brawl between Faunus and humans. The once-peaceful city streets were now a battleground, littered with broken glass and discarded weapons. Faunus, their faces etched with anger and frustration, fought back against the human aggressors. They were armed with makeshift weapons, their determination fueling their resistance. The clash was brutal and bloody, with both sides suffering heavy casualties. Blake's voice, now filled with a mix of anger and sadness, continued.

"Of course, despite being promised equality, the Faunus were subjected to discrimination and hate. Humanity still thought of us as lesser beings. Even selling us off as slaves. And so, the White Fang rose up as a voice of our people. And I was there."

The screen filled with a chaotic tableau: a sea of Faunus protesters, their silhouettes stark against the fire-lit sky. Their faces were obscured by shadows, their eyes narrowed in anger and determination. A young Blake, her dark hair whipping in the wind, emerged from the crowd, her cat ears twitching nervously. Her eyes darted around, taking in the raw emotion and simmering rage of her comrades. Blake's narration, a mix of regret and longing, echoed through the scene.

"I was at the forefront of every protest,"

"I participated in every boycott. I genuinely believed we were making a difference. But I was just a naive idealist."

The camera zoomed in on Blake's face, her expression haunted by the memories of the past. As she spoke, the scene shifted to reveal the iconic symbol of the White Fang: a blue flag with a white wolf, its eyes filled with sorrow and hope. The flag stood proudly against a backdrop of burning buildings, a testament to the organization's initial peaceful ideals. However, the scene darkened as the flag was lowered, replaced by a new banner: a crimson emblem emblazoned with a monstrous creature, its teeth bared and its eyes filled with rage. The change was stark, reflecting the transformation of the White Fang from a peaceful organization to a violent force.

"Five years ago,"

"Our leader Catlon stepped down, and a new one took his place. A new leader with a new vision."

A series of images flashed across the screen, capturing the rapid descent into chaos. Peaceful protests were replaced by violent riots, Faunus wielding weapons instead of picket signs. Windows were smashed, trains were hijacked, and innocent lives were lost. The once-hopeful organization had become a force of destruction, driven by a thirst for revenge and power.
The screen filled with a chaotic montage of violence. Faunus, their faces contorted in anger and desperation, stormed through city streets, setting fire to shops that refused to serve them. Cargo trains were hijacked, their contents plundered. The once-peaceful White Fang had become a force of chaos and destruction. Blake's voice, filled with a mix of horror and regret, narrated the scene.

"Suddenly, our peaceful protests were being replaced with organized attacks,"

"We were setting fire to shops, hijacking cargo, slaughtering entire brigades of Atlas officials, sabotaging infrastructure. And the worst part was, it was working."

A series of images flashed across the screen, capturing the chilling efficiency of the White Fang's tactics. The once-fearful Faunus were now feared in turn, respected not for their peaceful ideals but for their violent power. The city streets, once filled with the sounds of laughter and commerce, were now dominated by the roar of engines, the crash of glass, and the screams of the terrified.

The scene concluded with a haunting shot of Blake, her eyes filled with a mixture of guilt and despair. The once-hopeful young woman was now caught in a whirlwind of violence and destruction, a victim of the very movement she had once believed in.

The scene cut to a grimy warehouse, its walls adorned with graffiti and the floor littered with debris. The air was thick with the stench of decay and the acrid scent of smoke, and the only light came from a few flickering candles that cast eerie shadows on the grimy walls.
Blake's voice, filled with a sense of nostalgia and regret, echoed through the scene as its narrator.

"We were being treated like equals,"

"But not out of respect... out of fear."

As the flashback continued, the camera revealed a chilling scene: three Faunus individuals, their faces contorted in malicious grins, stood triumphantly over a fallen opponent. The fallen figure, a human soldier, lay motionless on the ground, his uniform torn and bloodied. His eyes were closed, and his face was pale and lifeless.

The three Faunus, their weapons dripping with blood, exchanged satisfied glances. The once-peaceful organization had become a force of violence and destruction, their ideals twisted into a thirst for power and revenge. The scene was a stark reminder of the consequences of their actions, a haunting testament to the darkness that had consumed them. Their eyes were cold and calculating, devoid of any compassion or remorse. They had become monsters, fueled by a thirst for power and a hatred of the human race. . . And soon. . . They would be treated like monsters.

Blake, her voice filled with a mixture of determination and regret, continued her narration, her eyes fixed on the distant horizon. A single tear escaped from her left eye, tracing a path down her cheek. The setting sun cast a warm glow on her face, highlighting the lines of worry and exhaustion etched into her features.

Blake: "So. . . I left,"
she said, her voice barely a whisper.

Blake: "I decided I no longer wanted to use my skills to aid in their violence. Instead, I would dedicate my life to becoming a Huntress. So here I am: a criminal hiding in plain view, all with the help of a. . . Little. Black bow."
She wiggled her cat ears beneath her fashionable disguise, a playful gesture that belied the gravity of her words. Hadryn, his voice dripping with disdain, responded from behind his faceplate.

Hadryn: "Hmm,"
he hummed, his tone suggesting a deep-seated contempt for the White Fang.

Hadryn: "At least you bear humanity amongst those. . . beasts."
Blake's expression darkened, her eyes flashing with a mixture of anger and sadness. The comment, while intended to be comforting, had struck a nerve. It felt insulting, but deep in her bones she knew that there were not many who saw the horror of the White Fang. She had once been part of the White Fang, a member of their inner circle. The memory of her time with them was a painful one, a constant reminder of the atrocities she had witnessed and the part she had played in them.

The setting sun cast long shadows across the room, creating a sense of foreboding and unease. A chill ran down Blake's spine as she recalled the day she had finally decided to leave the White Fang. It had been a difficult decision, one that had filled her with both fear and hope. She had known that leaving would mean betraying her friends and comrades, but she had also known that it was the only way to escape the darkness that had consumed her.

Hadryn remained silent, his expression unreadable. It was clear that he was struggling to reconcile his feelings for Blake with his contempt for the White Fang. He knew that Blake was a good person, but he also knew that she had been deeply involved in the organization's violent activities. After a long, dreadful silence, Hadryn sighed and slumped his shoulders. His voice, heavy with regret, broke the tense atmosphere.

Hadryn: "Wasn't meant to insult you,"
he said, his words barely audible over the din of the Cafe.

Hadryn: "You of all people saw the atrocities your comrades have done. . . You at least are strong enough to try and move on. Not many have that... Strength of character to see their wrongs."
Sun, sensing Blake's emotional turmoil, gently prodded her.

Sun: "So... have you told your friends any of this?"
Blake's gaze dropped, her expression filled with shame and guilt. She remained silent, unable to face the painful truth. The memory of her past, the atrocities she had witnessed, and the part she had played in them, weighed heavily on her.

She knew that telling her friends the truth would be like ripping off a scab, exposing a wound that had barely begun to heal. But she also knew that it was the only way for her to truly move on. She hesitated for a moment, her fingers nervously tracing the rim of her teacup. Finally, she shook her head, her voice barely a whisper.

Blake: "No. I haven't told anyone. It's too embarrassing, too shameful. I don't want to be seen as a traitor, a criminal. I just want to forget about the past and move on with my life."
Sun nodded, understanding her reluctance.

Sun: "I can see why you wouldn't want to tell anyone. It's a lot to take in. But you know, I think it's important to talk about these things. Sometimes, talking about it can help you to heal and move on. And besides, you're not alone. There are other people who have made mistakes in their past. They've done things they regret. But they've also learned from their mistakes and become better people. You can too, Blake."
Hadryn sighed, his breath filtered through the vents of his visor faceplate. The intricate metalwork of his armor rattled with a muted groan as his head leaned back against the chair. His eyes were fixed on the distant horizon, his expression contemplative.

Hadryn watched Blake with a mixture of pity and respect. He knew that she was struggling, and he wanted to help her. But he also knew that she needed to find her own way forward.

Hadryn: "You're a good person, Blake," he said, his voice filled with sincerity. "You want an honest opinion? Don't let your past define you. But its up to you whether or not you have the capability, of seeing what does define you."



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Ruby's heart pounded with anxiety as she searched for Hadryn. She knew he was strong, absurdly strong even for her, but his absence left a gaping hole in her world. She couldn't handle it anymore, and she knew that she couldn't face the upcoming huntsman exam without him by her side.

The following day, the last day of the preparation festival, Ruby decided to take matters into her own hands. She left Beacon with Weiss and Yang, her determination to find her missing teammate burning like a fire within her.

Ruby: "Hadryn! Blake!"
she called out, her voice echoing through the bustling streets of Vale's commercial area. 

Yang: "Blake!"
Yang joined her in the search, her voice booming through the crowd.

Ruby: "Hadryn!"
The three girls walked through the streets, their voices muffled by the festive atmosphere. People were dressed in their finest attire, enjoying the music, the food, and the company of friends and family. But Ruby and Yang were oblivious to the festivities around them, their eyes fixed on the crowds, searching for any sign of Blake.

Ruby: "Blake!"
Ruby shouted again, her voice growing louder with each passing moment.