An air horn sounds loudly as the ship docks. The ramp extends down and softly nds on the dock. Bck and Sun calmly walk off, but Byzan. He looks at the town with many small buildings and homes set among dunes and palm trees. His right arm hang limply at his side.

  A town bell rings in the distance. Byzan's remaining ears folds down as he walks down the ramp. He stops at the end and lifts up a foot, hesitating for a few seconds, before pnting it in the sands of Menagerie.

  'Six years... It's been a little over six years since I st stepped foot on these sands...' Byzan takes a deep breath, taking in the air of his home.

  "Hey." Bke softly calls out to him, making him purr slightly in response. She nods ahead and starts moving through a market area, Sun follows after her.

  Byzan takes another deep breath, and straightens up. He jogs for a few moments to catch up, before walking alongside his sister. His ear swivels around, listening to all the people speaking ?le. The nguage of Freedom, and the nguage of the Faunus.

  "I've never seen so many Faunus in one pce!" Sun comments as he looks around in shock.

  Bke gives Sun a side gnce. "This is the one pce everyone can feel safe, no matter who or what they are."

  "Wow, sure is, uh, crowded, huh?"

  "Yeah..." Byzan agrees. "It sure is..."

  The three keep moving, dodging Faunus as they move along a path. Sun side steps a Faunus carrying a box, before speaking.

  "Is it always so... cramped?"

  Bke responds to him. "Well, when you try and take an entire species and put them on an isnd that's two-thirds desert, yeah, it tends to be cramped."

  Sun looks at her in shock. "What! You guys have that much more space? Why waste it? A little desert never hurt anyone!"

  Byzan huffs as he speaks. "The deserts here are far more dangerous then Vacuo, Sun. The kinds of Grimm here make some of the ones near Vale, look like puppies. And if it's not the Grimm, it's the wildlife." He gnces off into the distance. "Though, I'm surprised she's still keeping her end of the deal...'

  "So, they give us a terrible isnd, in the corner of Remnant, to try and shut us up."

  The siblings nod and speak together. "That's a pretty good summary, yeah."

  Sun crosses his arms. "Huh. Jerks."

  "We try to make the best of things." Bke states.

  The three pause in their walk to look at the view of the town the road affords. The road they are on goes downhill and to the side, bordered by palm trees and homes that have either canvas or wood roofs. The vista of palm trees spreads out to the edge of mountainous dunes in the distance. Right in the middle of all this is a rge house with an open courtyard that the road appears to lead directly to. The house is at least three stories and is the only building in the whole area with a sophisticated roof.

  "Whoa..." Sun mutters.

  Bke smiles as she motions to it all. "This, is Kuo Kuana."

  "It's... beautiful. I take it all back. This pce looks great! Why would anyone ever want to leave?"

  Byzan frowns at Sun as Bke speaks up.

  "That's not the point, Sun! We asked to be equal, to be treated just like everyone else! Instead, we were given an isnd and told to make do. So we did the best we could. We came together and we made a home where any Faunus could feel welcome. But this isnd, this town, will always be a reminder that we're still not equal." Bke lowers her gaze. "That we're still second-css citizens."

  Sun puts a hand on her shoulder. "Well, hey, this guy's feeling pretty at home."

  Sun and Bke smile at each other, well until Byzan moves between. He gazes to the big house in the middle.

  "Well, let's head home."

  "Oh yeah?" Sun steps up beside Byzan, looking around. "Which one's yours? Can you see it from here?" He uses his free hand like a visor to help him peer at the houses.

  "Yeah, for the most part." Byzan gnces at Sun.

  "Is it that one?" Sun points at a house to the side. "What about the tiny one down there?" he points at another house. "I like the paintjob."

  Bke takes Sun's intruding arm by the wrist and directing it towards the rge house. "It's... that one."

  Sun stares for a second before pointing his finger at the Beldonna's with a questioning expression; The two nod. sun looks at them for a beat before stepping away. He covers the sides of his head and crouches a bit, staring wide-eyed at the house and making a comical, amazed noise.

  "I thin we broke him..." Byzan mutters.

  "Yeah... I should've saw this..." Bke mutters in return.

  The three head down the hill towards the house. Byzan looks around and notice some people gncing towards him, whispering and pointing. Several Faunus stop what they're doing and gnce over, looking at him in surprise.

  Byzan quickly looks away, his ear folding down. He grabs his right arm and holds it close, he flexes his right hand a few times. He sees a dozen people gncing over at him, they all smile as they whisper amongst themselves. He then straightens his gaze ahead as the three reach the house.

  They walk up the stone steps to the front door of the house. Bke raises her hand, but Byzan grabs her hand, stopping her.

  "Byzan?" Bke questions.

  "Just... give me a moment to prepare." Byzan lets go of her hand as he takes a deep breath.

  "What is it?" Sun asks.

  "It's uh... It's just been a long time since either of us seen our parents." Bke informs.

  "Well, you came all this way."

  Bke takes a quick breath, before gncing at her brother, who nods. She bangs the door knocker, which makes a heavy resonating sound on the rge door. Bke takes a step back. takes a step back.

  The two siblings grab each others hands, as they stare at the door.

  Sun points up at the door. "Okay, if we're being honest, that's kind of intimidating."

  The three give a start at the sound of the door being opened. Kali Beldonna pokes her head out. Her ears perk and she moves the door out of the way so she can step forward when she recognizes her son and daughter.

  "Bke? Byzan?" Kali says in almost disbelief.

  Bke awkwardly lifting her arm in greeting. "Hi, Mom."

  Byzan gives a nervous smile, as he gives a small wave. "Hello, Mère"

  Kali quickly shoots forward and brings the two into a hug, tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. "Oh, my babies."

  Byzan grits his teeth as his eyes grow wet, a feeling of comfort spreads through him. A feeling he hasn't felt in years, he quickly returns the hug and digs his face into her shoulder.

  From inside the house, footsteps come closer and a shadow falls onto the carpeted entryway. Kali lets go of Bke and Byzan, as she turns behind her at the sound of Ghira Beldonna's voice.

  "Kali? Who is it?"

  Ghira stands with his hands on his hips, waiting to greet the visitor. His quizzical expression changes to a wide-eyed surprise, before his hands, shoulders, and face all fall in clear, emotional reaction at the sight of son and daughter come home.

  Sun sees this and grins, pleased at the siblings welcome as he turns to look at how they're taking it. Bke has her hands csped in front of her, awaiting her father's reaction. Byzan is tense as he keeps his gaze on the floor, his hands curl into fists, before gzing up at him in worry.

  Kali has not let go, with her hands supportively on their shoulders. Ghira says nothing, but smiles, clearly happy. Bke smiles back, relieved. Bzyan lets out a breath he didn't know he was holding and smiles softly.

  A few minutes ter everyone's seated on the floor at a square table. Byzan is sitting to the right side of his mother, as she inspects his missing ear, before speaking up.

  "We were horrified when we heard the news. The Kingdom of Vale isn't perfect, but it certainly didn't deserve what happened. Oh, we were both so worried." Kali kisses her son's cheek. "We heard rumors that you might've been in Vale, and it seems they were right."

  Ghira crosses his arms. "Please, I knew they'd be fine!"

  Kali scoffs as she hands Byzan a cup of tea, and he takes it. "That isn't the slightest bit true. You should have seen him pacing."

  Sun then opens his idiot mouth. "You guys have nothing to worry about. Byzan's one of the best fighters there is. And I've seen your daughter in action before! And trust me, she's got some moves!"

  Bke, who was sipping from her cup while Sun spoke, abruptly lifts her head and swallows at his st choice of words. Byzan sighs as he shakes his head, sipping his tea.

  Ghira gres at the young man on his right. "And what exactly do you mean by that, Mr. Wukong?"

  Sun freezes and slowly turns towards his host. "I... uh, well, you see sir, it's just that, you know, she's such a good fighter and all, uh, and as a fellow fighter, I have a lot of respect for her..."

  Byzan grows a Chesiree grin as Sun keeps digging a hole.

  Kali whispers to Byzan and Bke. "Why is he here again?"

  Sun keeps talking. "...And her fighter. But also for her..."

  Bke responds to her mother. "He just kind of followed us home."

  "...because of her fighting. Not her looks. I mean, not to say she's not good-looking. She is! Very! Or..."

  Kali slowly nods. "I see."

  "...slightly, I mean she's definitely above average. I mean, uh..." Sun struggles for words as all four Beldonnas watch him, and wait for him to either get out of the hole he just talked himself into or keep digging.

  In the awkward silence, Sun uses his tail to pick up the tea kettle and pour some more tea into his cup.

  "This tea is really good." Sun takes a sip. "Heh-uh."

  Kali leans towards Bke. "I like him."

  "MOM!" Bke shouts, as Byzan chokes on his tea for a few seconds.

  The loud sound of the front door knocker resonates, catching everyone's attention.

  "Darn it, I completely forgot about the meeting!" Ghira hits his fist onto the table and Kali quickly covers it with her hand.

  "Ghira..."

  "Give me a moment. Ghira gets up and walks out.

  Byzan grows a confused look at he leans back, watching his father walk away.

  "Is everything okay?" Bke asks her mom.

  Kali nods. "Yes, dear, just poor timing. He can reschedule. It's just been hard dealing with them tely."

  "Dealing with who?" Byzan turns to Kali.

  Kali sips her tea. "Hmm? The White Fang."

  The three teens jump to their feet and shout in shock. "WHAT?!"

  Byzan reaches for his hip, where his sword would be, but he left it in another room. He groans in frustration, before running towards where his father is with Bke and Sun. They reach the front door and see Ghira speaking with two fox Faunus, Corsac Albain and Fennec Albain. The two visitors maintain respectful, formal postures, keeping their hands csped before them.

  "Dad!" Bke and Byzan shout.

  Ghira gnces towards them. "What's wrong."

  "Yong Beldonnas." Corsac greets.

  "We had no idea you two returned." Fennec states.

  Every time either one of the two Albain brothers speaks, they gesture with their hands and end with csping their hands before their chest again.

  Byzan growls at them in anger as he curls his hands into fists.

  "What are you doing talking to these people?" Bke asks her father.

  Ghira gestures to the brothers. "This is Corsac and Fennec Albain. They represent the White Fang here in Menagerie now."

  "Those psychos are here, too?!" Sun shouts.

  Fennec speaks up. "Young man, I'm nor sure what you've heard of our organization, but I can assure you, we're not nearly as ferocious as the media would have you believe."

  "Then what about the dozens of Innocents dead, and the destroyed school." Byzan's ear folds down in anger as he growls. "You're fanatics sughter dozens! Innocent, Men, Women and Children!"

  Ghira grows confused as he turns to the brothers. "What is he talking about?"

  "Precisely what we came to discuss with you, Your Grace." Corsac cims.

  Kali approaches from behind. "Is everything alright?"

  "Wait, you guys seriously don't know?" Sun asks.

  "Know what?" Ghira asks in a dangerously low tone.

  Bke speaks up. "The White Fang was at the Fall of Beacon. They attacked innocent civilians and they released Grimm into the school."

  There is a brief silence. Fennec makes an innocent, sideways gnce at his brother. Ghira slowly turns to face the two White Fang representatives.

  "Is this true?"

  Fennec nods. "Sadly, Your Grace, it is."

  Byzan pupils grow small as he bears his teeth. "I had friends die there! Nearly all my team died! I NEARLY DIED!"

  Byzan goes to step forward, but Ghira holds a hand out.

  "That's enough!" Ghira gnces down at the furious Byzan, then turns to the Albains. "Expin yourselves."

  Corsac is the one to expin. "Though it pains us to admit, it has become apparent that the Vale branch of the White Fang is no longer operating under orders of High Leader Khan. Rather, they've elected to follow the rule of one Adam Taurus, and Lisa Leslie. I believe you're all familiar with the young Adam and his... extreme philosophies. And Lisa's, rather... violent nature."

  Sun huffs in anger. "You know, Beacon wasn't the first time the Fang started shooting up Vale!"

  Fennec then speaks. "The High Council had their suspicions of a splinter group, but they could prove nothing until this test incident."

  "'Incident'?" Bke shouts as her brother lets out a loud angry hiss. "People are dead!"

  "And it is a tragedy." Corsac responds, and Fennec continues.

  "Your Grace, we came to assure you that Brother Taurus and Sister Leslie, and their follows do not represent the will of the White Fang."

  "And how can I be sure of that?" Ghira asks.

  Corsac responds. "We understand if you bear any skepticism towards these cims. The White Fang's tactics are admittedly, more aggressive since you stepped down as High Leader and became Chieftain of Menagerie. But this, this is no way to make our message heard."

  Fennec continues. "We have ample documentation from the council meeting, as well as several strategies to apprehend and punish these strays if you care to review them."

  "I will, but another day." Ghira says. "I'd like some time to reconnect with my Son and Daughter."

  Corsac nods. "But of course, Your Grace."

  Fennec nods as wall. "We completely understand. It was a pleasure to see you two again, Young Bke, Young Byzantine."

  "We were saddened when we heard of your departure from the White Fang, but understand if you can no longer support our cause."

  "It is a wearying fight, after all."

  Bke grabs her brother's hand as she steps forward. "Who says we're done fighting?"

  Corsac hums. "If you ever do wish to return, you need merely come find us."

  "Sister Ilia and Brother Mawt, they would be eted." Fennec says.

  "Goodbye, gentlemen." Ghira firmly closes the door on them.

  Kali moves to stand closer and face her husband while Bke drags Byzan off.

  "So... those guys were creepy." Sun crosses his arms.

  Ghira looks down at Sun. "I really don't like you."

  Outside, the two brothers descend the steps, perfectly in sync and their formally csped hands. Corsac, however, is now using the prayer posture that Fennec had been using all along.

  "An interesting development, wouldn't you say?" Fennec asks.

  Corsac nods. "Interesting indeed. Nightshade still lives..."

  "So, shall we inform Brother Adam and Sister Lisa?"

  "Oh, we shall."

  They exchange unsettling grins.

  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  04-23-2025

  2581 words