Power In Knowledge

Chapter 8: The Cat, the Princess, and the Warlock

3rd Pov

The next morning, Ruby woke up from a good night's sleep, yawned, and looked around. She first looked down at Blake's empty Bunk, then the spot where (Y/N) usually slept in the corner. She heard a sound from her scroll and picked it up to show a message. She opened it to see it was from (Y/N).

(Y/N): *Text* I'm with Blake. We're fine. Just give us some time.

She frowned at it but accepted it and started to get ready for the day.

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Later that day, She, Yang, and Weiss were walking the empty streets of Vale in the early morning.

Ruby: They've been gone all weekend...

Weiss: Blake's a big girl. Besides, you said you got a message from (Y/N) this morning. I'm just upset that Blake didn't tell us before!

Yang: Weiss, c'mon. Blake's our teammate.

Weiss: Was she really? We all heard what she said. And what's worse, (Y/N) agrees with her!

Yang: I think he's more angry at you than he is agreeing with her. But we still need to find them!

Weiss: A member of the White Fang! Right under our noses!

Ruby: *sigh* I just hope they're ok...

__________

Somewhere else in Vale, Blake was sitting at a table with a cup of tea. (Y/N) sat next to her with a cup of coffee instead. Across from them, sat the Monkey Faunus from the previous day who they'd run into.

Blake: So, you both want to know more about me...

Sun: Finally, one of them speaks! Two days and all you've given me is cold shoulders and small talk!

Blake glares at Sun.

Sun: Yeah, like that!

Blake: *sigh* Sun, are you familiar with the White Fang?

Sun: Of course! There isn't a Faunus on the planet who hasn't heard of them! Stupid, holier-than-thou creeps who use force to get whatever they want. If you ask me, they're just a bunch of freaks!

Blake: I was once a member of the White Fang.

Sun, who was taking a drink, goes cross-eyed and chokes on his drink. (Y/N), who also had a drink snorted into his cup from Sun's expression. He calms down again and stares at Blake.

Sun: Wait a minute, you were a member of the White Fang?!

Blake: Yes. I was a member for most of my life. You could almost say I was born into it. Back then, things were different. The White Fang emerged from the ashes of the war as a symbol of peace and unity between humans and Faunus. Despite being promised equality, the Faunus were still subjected to discrimination and hate. Humans still thought we were lesser beings. So, the White Fang formed to be the voice of the Faunus. I was at the front of every rally, I took part in every boycott, and I really thought we were making a difference. But it was just youthful optimism. Then, five years ago, our leader stepped down, and a new one stepped up. A new leader, with a new way of thinking. Our peaceful protests were being replaced with organized attacks. We were setting fire to shops that refused to serve us. We hijacked cargo from companies who use Faunus labor. And the worst part? It was working. We were being treated as equals, not out of respect, but out of fear. So, I left. I decided to use my skills to dedicate my skills to becoming a huntswoman. A criminal hiding in plain view, all with the help of a little, black bow.

She wiggled her cat ears under her bow to emphasize her point.

Sun: Damn, have you told your friends this?