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Chapter 19: Taking a Stand
(Y/N) nimbly weaved through the attacks of the newly recruited Menagerie guards before sending one flying with a tail whip. The guards stared at him in amazement and slight free as he smirked.
"Come on! That all you got?"
Saber, who was standing nearby with Lou, laughed loudly.
"Well? The dragon's challenging you lot! Don't let him down!"
The 3 remaining guards let out a cry before charging simultaneously. (Y/N) bounced into the air at the last second before slamming his tail down on all of them. They all groaned in pain as he got off them. Lou clicked his tongue and shook his head.
"And that, recruits, is why we don't charge aerial effective enemies without some means of keeping them grounded or having some form of ranged attack,"
"Got it..." they moaned as Saber gave (Y/N) a slap to the back.
"As for you, excellent form and good use of your mobility. Could do without the taunts though," the little dragon smirked.
"I know a certain monkey who'd disagree with you," Lou gave another hardy laugh.
"He's not wrong. Gotta admit runt, you're coming along quite nicely,"
"Of course he is," Sienna interjected as she walked to them. "He's my student. He'd either come a good fighter or broken,"
"What?"
"She's joking," Lou quickly assured him.
The Haven Defense Force was currently training for the attack on Haven. They were slated to leave at dawn the next day in order to make the attack. Blake's had rallied many of the residence of Menagerie to their side, and like Sienna had predicted, a few members of the White Fang had defected to their side. The force was divided into several groups, each training under a certain leader. Since they were elected leaders, (Y/N) only really saw Blake, Sun, and Ghira back at the manor after nightfall or when he was into rotation to train with them. Today, he was under the guidance of captain Saber and Lou, alongside the new recruits of the Menagerie Guard. They wouldn't be heading for the battle, but they were still needed to guard the home front.
"So Khan, are you here to remove your student so he doesn't break the new recruits?" Saber asked. The tigress nodded.
"I do need him. (Y/N), follow me,"
"Coming!" He called as he heard the guards behind him cry in relief. Sienna nodded to her lieutenant.
"You too Lou," The blonde male nodded.
"Yes ma'am. Saber, you'll be alright?" the Captain rolled his eyes.
"I'm a captain for a reason, dog,"
"You know, that's way less insulting coming from a gerbil,"
The males followed the high leader, passing several groups training for the fight ahead. They were turning into a real fighting force. Sienna led them through the bustling streets of Kou Kuana until eventually they stopped at a blacksmith.
"(Y/N), wait out here," Sienna ordered as she and Lou entered.
(Y/N) leaned against the wall, waiting patiently for them to return.
"(Y/N)?" A familiar voice asked. The dragon turned back to the entrance to see Culain.
"Oh, hi Culain! What are you doing here?" The dog groaned.
"Ugh, my mom says I have help the blacksmith since I've been sneaking into people's gardens too much!"
"That doesn't sound too bad,"
"I've been stealing their fruits and veggies too,"
"That makes more sense," he then nudged (Y/N)'s shoulder.
"And what about you? What are you doing here?" The dragon cast a glance inside.
"I don't know. I was just following Sienna and Lou and she told me to stay out here,"
"Woah, you're with my dad and the White Fang high leader!?" He smirked
"Yeah! Sienna's been training me to fight, and I thought Lou was your dad?" Culain gave him a smug smile.
"What gave it away? The handsome resemblance?"
"Mostly the ears," (Y/N) gave a light tug to prove his point.
"Hey!" Culain playfully batted him away with a smile. "So, you're really going with everyone to Haven?"
"Yup,"
"That's so cool! I wish I could help, but mom says we're too young. You're going though!" (Y/N) wrapped his tail around his ankle.
"I have enough training I guess,"
"Maybe you could teach us a thing or two. Kou Kuana needs someone protecting it!" They laughed as (Y/N) brushed it off.
"I'm already kicking the guard's new recruits around. I might accidentally knock your teeth out,"
"Hey, I'll take that risk if it means I get to learn how to fight!"
They laughed.
"Doesn't Lou teach you?" Culain took a seat.
"He teaches me a couple of things, but mom doesn't me fighting. She says I'll tear up the house," (Y/N) took a seat next to him.
"Considering what you did with that ball, I don't entirely disagree with her," the blonde sheepishly scratched his head.
"Yeah...yeah. So what about you?"
"What about me?"
"Did your dad teach you to fight?" (Y/N) sighed and put his chin on his knees.
"No. My dad and mom died a long time ago. Blake and my other sisters took me in at Beacon, they're the ones who taught me," Culain flinched.
"Oh, sorry. Guess Atlanta's right, I gotta watch my big mouth," (Y/N) nudged his side with his elbow.
"It's alright. To be honest, I don't remember them all that well," he gave a small, sad smile. "Kinda lame, huh, not remembering your parents,"
"Well, you've got your sisters, that's something!" (Y/N) gave him a small smile.
"Yeah, I wouldn't trade them for anything," Culain then leaned back with his arms behind his head.
"And dad says you're pretty cool, and he doesn't say that about anybody! By the way, mom says she's sorry about the other day," the dragon waved it off.
"It's fine. I know I'm pretty weird, even for a Faunus,"
"Dude, you can fly and breath fire. That's not weird, that's awesome,"
"(Y/N)?" Both boys looked up and say Lou standing in the door. Culain cracked a big smiled and got up to hug his father. The older hound smiled and nuggied the boy.
"Hey kiddo! You keeping (Y/N) company for us?"
"Yeah! He's cool!" (Y/N) smiled at this. Lou gave his son a sly look.
"Yeah. Hey, shouldn't you be working? Wouldn't want mom to know you're slouching," Culain had a look of fear on his face before running to the other side of the building.
"Gotta go! Bye (Y/N)!"
Lou laughed before motioning to the dragon.
"Come on in kid. We've got something here for you,"
(Y/N) followed the older male inside. The building smelled smokey and was very warm, which was very comforting to the boy. Sienna was standing beside the blacksmith, a beaver judging by the tail. She was smiling and the blacksmith was holding something wrapped in cloth.
"What's going on?" (Y/N) asked.
"I think you're ready for these,"
Sienna removed the cloth to reveal a pair of gauntlets with blades on them (like the other route). (Y/N)'s eyes widened as he gently touched the weapons.
"These...these are for me?"
"For you and you only, young man," the smith assured. "Go on, try them on,"
The older male handed off the gauntlets to the boy who continued to stare at them in astonishment. Eventually, he slid them on and tested the weight. It felt perfect, but it also made his a bit sad. They reminded him of Yang so much. How was she doing? How we're all of them doing.
"(Y/N)?" Lou voice snapped him from his stupor. The blonde looked at him expectantly. "Well?"
The boy looked down at his new weapons before punching the air with speedy jabs. He smiled.
"They're perfect,"
Sienna ruffled his hair.
"Good to know. We could send you off to battle without some sort of weapon. Those suit a huntsman,"
(Timeskip)
That night, everyone gathered once more at the Belladonna manor. Sun was eager to test out (Y/N)'s new weapons. As it turns out, everyone had pitched in for them.
"Man! That blacksmith did amazing with those gauntlets!" Sun complimented as (Y/N) blocked his staff with the blade features.
"Yeah! They're super light so they don't slow me down!"
"Boys! No sparing in the house!" Kali scolded as she brought in some tea.
"Sorry Kali," they apologize with guiltily innocent looks. She was completely sold by (Y/N), who got a nice hug after she set down the tea tray. Ghira, who was sitting at the table with Sienna, Blake, and Illia, passed around the cups before looking down at the map.
"Tomorrow is the day. We set out for Haven Academy at dawn,"
"It isn't going to be easy," Sienna pointed out. "We don't know if the Mistral police will even believe us,"
"Leave that to me," Kali assured. "Let's just say, I have a friend who can help,"
"Then we have our assignments," Ghira confirmed as he set up several pieces. "Sienna, Lou, and I will lead our troops. Ilia, you handle their explosives," the chameleon nodded.
"With pleasure,"
"Kali, you stay with the Mistral police,"
"And I'll keep Adam in place," Blake stated.
"Me too!" (Y/N) said as he ran up to get some tea. "That stupid bull won't know what hit him!" Sienna smiled.
"Indeed. We should all rest. It will be a long day tomorrow,"
"Agreed," Ghira said as he got up. Ilia followed.
"I'll make sure the troops are ready," with that, she was gone. Sun slammed a fist to his palm.
"Yeah! We're gonna show those guys why you don't give the Faunus a bad name!"
"I'll also be happy to show them the price of betrayal," Sienna said rather sinisterly as (Y/N) walked out to the balcony. He heard could almost hear Sun double taking.
"You know, you are really scary,"
The boy laughed before closing the door behind him and putting his arms and head on the railing. This was probably gonna be his last look of Kou Kuana for a while. After Haven was protected, the plan was he and Blake would head to Patch to meet up with Yang and Ruby, hopefully to make amends. He felt excited to see his sisters again, but he'd missed Menagerie. He felt like he had learned a lot and grown here. He turned his head when he heard the door slide open. It was Blake. She walked up and stood next to him, looking out on to the village.
"It's a nice night," she said.
"Yeah, thought I'd get one last look at it,"
"Me too. Those gauntlets look great by the way,"
"Yeah, I'll have to thank Ghira and Sienna for coming up with the design....they kinda remind me of Yang," they both frowned at the thought before Blake put on another smile.
"Well, you did model your fighting style after her's,"
"Yeah, I guess," She gave him a side hug.
"I promise. After Haven, we go find the others. Then we'll set it right,"
(Y/N) smiled back and nodded.
"Right,"
The two didn't talk and just took in the view until eventually the little dragon fell asleep on his feet and his sister brought him in.
(Timeskip)
The next morning, everyone loaded up on to the ship. The captain was more than happy to see the trio again and gladly welcomed everyone aboard, as (Y/N) was about to follow Sun and Blake on, he heard Lou call out for him.
"(Y/N)!" He turned around and saw the man standing there with Culain, Finn, and Atlanta.
The dragon ran over and was greeted by the three Faunus children.
"We just wanted to wish you luck!" Culain said eagerly. Finn nodded.
"It's really brave of you to go off to battle,"
"Yeah! Show those traitors what it means to be a Faunus!" Atlanta said while pounding her fist. (Y/N) rubbed his head bashfully.
"Thanks guys," Culain then pulled out a container.
"Oh! My mom made you some juice for the trip, you know, to say sorry," (Y/N) nodded gratefully as he received the gift, only for Finn to add some herbs on top of that.
"And my aunts wanted you to have these in case you get seasick,"
"Thanks guys,"
"(Y/N), we better get going," Lou said before giving his son a hug and a hair ruffle before walking towards the boat.
"Coming! I'll see you guys then," Finn grinned widely before extending his hand in a fist bump.
"Hey, don't be a stranger! Look us up next time you're in Kou Kuana!" (Y/N) happily excepted it.
"I will, promise!" With that, he ran back to the ship and was greeted by Sun and Blake, who were smiling.
"Saying some last goodbyes?" Sun asked.
"Yeah, to my friends,"