Juhani: A RWBY Story

Chapter Seven - Bittersweet Reunion

Juhani rushed to the Belladonna Household as fast as she could. She used the Force to increase her speed. Soon enough, Juhani found the Belladonna Household under attack by the White Fang. She saw White Fang troops attacking Menagerie Guards. Seeing that this battle threatened her family, Juhani ignited her Lightsaber. Soon enough, some of the White Fang troops surrounded Juhani. 

White Fang Trooper: For the White Fang!

As the White Fang attacked her, Juhnai cut them down with her Lightsaber. Juhani utilized her Force abilities as well as her Lightsaber abilities. After dealing with that group, Juhani fought her way to the living room where Kali Belladonna was fending off against a wave of White Fang soldiers. Juhani was quick to aid Kali in the fight. 

Juhani: Mother! Are you okay?!

Kali: I'll be fine, Juhani. Have you seen Blake?

As Juhani reaches out to the Force, she senses a familiar presence nearby. It was at this point that Juhani knew where she needed to go. 

Juhani: I will go find Blake. Be careful, mother. 

Kali: I will. Be safe, Juhani. 

With that, Juhani ran off in search for Blake. Meanwhile in another part of the house, Blake was dueling against Ilia Amitola. Blake desperately tried to reach out to Ilia.

Blake: Ilia! Think about what you're doing! This isn't you!

Ilia: This is the only way for the Faunus to be truly free! 

Blake: What about Juhani?! Do you think she would approve with what you're doing?!

Ilia: You don't know anything! 

As Blake and Ilia fought, Ilia began to feel torn about her true loyalties. On one hand, she cared for Blake, but she was also committed to the White Fang's cause. 

Blake: Why do you feel like we have to hurt people to get our way?!

Ilia: Because it works!

Blake: That doesn't make it right! Stop this, Ilia! I can help you!

Ilia: You only want to help yourself! 

Blake: You know that's not true! Think about Juhani! She wouldn't want this for you! 

Ilia's emotions soon overtook her as she pressed the attack on Blake. As the two locked blades, Juhani stepped in.

Juhani: Ilia!

As Juhani called out her name, Ilia ceased her attack on Blake. Ilia's eyes soon turned to shock as she turned her attention to Juhani.

Ilia: J...Juhani?

Juhani: It breaks my heart to see you like this, Ilia. 

Ilia was in shock to hear those words from Juhani. In their time together, Juhani had told her of how her homeworld of Cathar had endured genocide at the hands of Cassus Fett and the Mandalorians at the height of the Mandalorian Wars as well as her upbringing on Taris. Juhani then turned to Blake. 

Juhani: Blake, go help father and mother. They will need your help in fending off this attack.

Blake: What about you?

Juhani: This is my fight, Blake. I must face this alone. 

While Blake didn't want to leave Juhani alone, she trusted her adopted sister. As Blake ran to aid in the defense of her home, Ilia attempts to attack Blake, but Juhani intervenes and Force Pushes her away. Ilia was quickly able to recover and get back on her feet. 

Juhani: Why are you doing this, Ilia? Why do you attack good people?

Ilia: Good people?! They would have us stand by while we endure constant discrimination! 

Juhani: Violence is not the way. We must be better than that. 

Ilia: How can you say that?! You of all people should understand how I feel! You lost your family same as I did! 

As Ilia said this, Juhani reflected on her own life and how she rose above the tragedies of her past. 

Juhani: Because I've seen what happens to those who seek vengeance. The fate of those who seek revenge is grim. It's tragic, You will end up suffering and hurting yourself even more. Even if you do succeed in getting revenge, the only thing that remains is emptiness.

In that moment, Ilia became even more conflicted about her loyalties. Despite her feelings for Juhani, Ilia felt that she was too far to turn back. 

Ilia: I don't want to do this, Juhani. 

Juhani: Neither do I, Ilia. But in this moment, you threaten my family. Your actions have endangered my family. I cannot allow that to continue. I made an oath to protect my family from all who threaten it. 

In that moment, Juhani and Ilia were at an impasse. Feelings of remorse and regret began flooding through both. While they didn't wish to fight one another, there was no other way. They soon remembered the day they first met.

Juhani(Past): My home brings....painful memories to me. I did not have the most pleasant of childhoods.

Ilia(Past): You're not alone there, Juhani. I....lost my parents when I was young.

Juhani(Past): I am sorry to hear. You have my condolences.

Ilia(Past): You have nothing to be sorry about, Juhani. It's just that this....this world is sick. 

Juhani(Past): There is much of this place I do not understand, but we must never give up hope.

Ilia(Past): Agreed, Juhani. I believe we can change the world. 

In the present, a tense silence fell on the room. Ilia tightly gripped Lightning Lash while Juhani readied her Lightsaber and assumed the opening stance of Ataru. A sense of regret and sadness fell on the two. Left with no other choice, Juhani and Ilia would duel one another in combat. While they had their own reservations about fighting one another, all they could do was fight.