(Rouge POV)

Sun: Woah...

Blake, Sun, and I had finally made it off that dusty old boat and onto the docks of an island.

Rouge: So this is Menagerie. It seems much different than I imagined.

Blake: It's the one place everyone can feel safe, no matter who or what they are.

As we walked into the town, I flew above as move people seemed to be crowded together. Sun was moving out of the way of a bunch of Faunus in their path.

Sun: Is it always so... cramped?

Blake: Well, when you try and take an entire species and put them on an island that's two-thirds desert, yeah, it tends to be cramped.

Sun: What?! You guys have that much more space? Why waste it? A little desert never hurt anyone!

Blake: It's not like the desert in Vacuo, Sun. The wildlife here is more dangerous than most other regions.

Sun: So, they give us a terrible island, in the corner of Remnant, to try and shut us up.

Blake: That's a pretty good summary, yeah.

Sun: Huh. Jerks.

Blake: We try to make the best of things.

We walked up a hill and got a better view of the town.

Blake: This, is Kuo Kuana.

Rouge: Oh my...

I landed between them, a bit amazed at its beauty. It seems I wasn't the only one either.

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

Blake: That's not the point, Sun! We asked to be equal, to be treated just like everyone else! Instead, we were given an island 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 island, this town, will always be a reminder that we're still not equal.

Blake lowered her head.

Blake: That we're still second-class citizens.

Rouge: I see. Well, the least you can do is not get too depressed over it. Not yet anyway. Now then, which one of these babies is your home?

Sun: Oh yeah! Can you see it from here?

Blake: Kind of...

Sun: Is it that one? What about that tiny one down there? I like the paint job.

Sun was just pointing at random houses before Blake took his hand and pointed it at the biggest building right in the middle. Sun's eyes widened as she pointed back at her and she nodded. His jaw dropped a bit in surprise. 

Just as I expected... our little cat girl is a princess... sort of.

Anyway, the three of us headed to the front door o the building. Blake walked towards it but seemed hesitant.

Rouge: Is something the matter?

Blake: I um... it's just been a long time since I've seen my parents.

Rouge: Well, you came all this way. I'm sure it will be just fine.

She took a deep breath to build up some confidence before banging on the door's knocker. It made a loud noise as if the door lead to some kind of dungeon.

Sun: Okay, that was intimidating.

Right as he said that, the doors began to open. Another cat girl comes out to see who it is.

Kali: Blake?

Blake: Hi, mom...

She stepped forward in disbelief before hugging her daughter.

Kali: My baby girl...

Blake hesitated at first but then smiled and hugged her back. Once her mom let go, we heard another voice inside.

Ghira: Kali? Who is it?

We looked inside to see the man who must have been Blake's father. He looked shocked to see her before giving her a warm smile. Blake looked up at him and smiled back. Sun and I  then looked at each other and smiled as well.

After that warm reunion, we were invited into their home for tea. Once we got to the kitchen, however, we saw a yellow, red, and black robot sitting at the back o the room. I knew this one the moment I saw him.

Rouge: Omega?

Sun: Another one of Eggman's mechs?!

Sun and Blake looked like they were ready to attack but I quickly stopped them.

Rouge: No, he's an ally. He was made by Eggman, but he doesn't exactly like the guy.

Ghira: So you know of him? He showed up five months ago. But instead of attacking us, he sat down and powered off. It didn't seem he was looking for a fight, so we simply let him be.

Rouge: I see...

I got behind Omega and opened him up, trying to see if there was a way for me to turn him on. As I thought... that was only something Shadow and Tails know about. I closed him back up and let out a brief sigh as everyone else sat down for some tea.

Rouge: You must have found a Chaos Emerald and were looking for a safe place to hide. Well, at least now I know you're doing alright big guy. Hey, is it okay to stay until I can get this guy moving again?

Ghira: Stay as long as you'd like. You are our guest.

I sat down and had some tea with the others. We all introduced ourselves and started talking.

Kali: 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.

Ghira: Please, I knew she'd be fine!

Kali:  That isn't the slightest bit true. You should have seen him pacing.

Sun: You guys have nothing to worry about. I've seen your daughter in action before! And trust me, she's got some moves!

And just as quickly as I sipped the tea, I tried not to pit it out from Sun's comment as we all looked at Sun. Especially Ghira... who was right beside Sun... glaring at him...

Ghira: And what exactly do you mean by that, Mr. Wukong?

The idiot froze and turned toward the protective father.

Sun: I... uh, well, you see sir, it's just that, you know, that she's such a good fighter and all, uh, and as a fellow fighter, I have a lot of respect for her...

Kali leaned towards us and whispered.

Kali: Why is he here again?

Sun: ...And her fighting. But also for her...

Blake: He just kind of followed me home.

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

Kali: I see.

Sun: ...slightly, I mean she's definitely above average. I mean, uh...

As he struggled for words, we all just watched... waiting for him to either get out of the hole he just talked himself into or just keep digging.

After an awkward silence, Sun used his tail to pick up the tea kettle and pour some more tea into his cup.

Sun: This tea is really good. Heh- uh...

Kali: I like him.

Blake: Mom!

I giggled a little before a knock on the front doors got everyone's attention.

Ghira: Darn it, I completely forgot about the meeting!

Ghira hit the table with his fist and Kali covered his fist with her hand.

Kali: Ghira...

Ghira: ... Give me a moment.

Ghira stood up and walked out.

Blake: Is everything okay?

Kali: Yes, dear, just poor timing. He can reschedule. It's just been hard dealing with them lately.

Rouge: Dealing with who?

Kali: Hmm? The White Fang.

Sun, Blake, and I stood to our feet.

Blake/ Sun/ Rouge: WHAT?!

We all rushed to the door where Ghira was speaking with two fox Faunus and an old goat Faunus.

Blake: Dad!

Ghira: Blake, what's wrong?

Blake: What are you doing talking to these people?!

Goat Faunus: Ah, Miss Belladonna. It's nice to see that you've returned. And I see you've brought friends. My name's Gooto. You've grown quite a bit since the last time we met. These are my assistances, Corsac and Fennec Albain. As you can see, I represent the White Fang here in Menagerie.

Sun: Those psychos are here, too?!

Fennec: Young man, I'm not 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.

Blake: What we've heard? We've seen firsthand. Your fanatics slaughtered people!

Ghira: What is she talking about?

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

Kali: Is everything alright?

Rouge: Hm? Oh... you don't know?

Ghira had a dangerous look on his face.

Ghira: Know what?

Blake: The White Fang was at the Fall of Beacon. They attacked innocent civilians and they released Grimm into the school.

There was a brief moment of silence as both Fennec and Corsac looked at each other as if they were innocent. Ghira turned to face them.

Fennec: Sadly, Your Grace, it is.

Blake: Don't act like you're s—

Ghira: That's enough!

Everyone got silent but then Gooto raised his hand up a bit.

Gooto: Now now, there's no need to yell. Your daughter was there after all. What she saw must have been truly dreadful. The issue is that the White Fang in Vale doesn't wanna obey  Sienna Khan anymore. Instead, they wanna listen to that brat, Adam Taurus. You and I both know how extreme that boy can get.

Sun: You know, Beacon wasn't the first time the Fang started shooting up Vale!

Fennec: The High Council had their suspicions of a splinter group, but they could prove nothing until this latest incident.

Blake: "Incident"? People are dead!

Gooto: Agreed. I'm afraid classifying that event as a simple incident is an understatement. It was a tragedy. A battle of needless bloodshed... and I take full responsibility. Just like you, your father, and many more before him, I have taken Adam under my wings. Little did I expect he would go as far as he did. And because of that, I have lost control of my former pupil. I've come to inform you that I take full responsibility for his actions. And don't worry, Adam and his little friends don't represent the White Fang.

Ghira: And how can I be sure of that? 

Gooto: True. Ever since you stepped down as the leader of what used to be a small and peaceful pack, the White Fang's tactics have gotten much more aggressive over the years. Hell, I've been around for thousands of years and only joined for the fun of it. But it's fine. I'll be attending a meeting to see what to do with Adam Taurus, and there are a bunch of strategies to catch and punish the strays if you wanna review them.

Ghira: I will, but another day. I'd like some time to reconnect with my daughter.

Corsac: But of course, Your Grace.

Fennec: We completely understand. It was a pleasure to see you again, young Blake.

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

Fennec: It is a wearying fight, after all.

Blake: Who says I'm done fighting?

Gooto: Hehehe, I see you still have that fire in your eyes. It may have shimmered down a bit, but it's still there. I'm sure Illia will be delighted that you have returned. If you ever want to join the White Fang again, you know where to find me. But from what I've seen, you have another team that needs you more than we do. Now then, goodbye gentleman! Hope to see you around!

With a smile on his face as Ghira closed the door on the other two.

Sun: So... those guys were creepy.

Ghira: I really don't like you.

As they went back to the kitchen, I rubbed my chin a little.

Rouge: Hmm...

I walked towards the window to listen in on what our guests were talking about outside.

Gooto: Honestly, I can't go anywhere with you two. Can you keep your mouths shut for a second?

Corsac: Our appolagies my lord.

Fennec: However... this was an interesting development.

Corsac: Corsac: Interesting indeed.

Fennec: So, shall we inform Brother Adam?

Gooto: Hehehe... let's fill the poor boy in.

I stepped away from the window for a bit.

Rouge: Interesting...

Kali: Rouge? Is something wrong?

Rouge: No... it's nothing.

It seems I'll be doing a little bit of investigating of my own.

To Be Continued