Chapter Text
"Our final act involves one young woman, one roaring motorbike and five whole rings of fire; ladies and gentlemen, start your engines and get ready for the star of tonight's show, the blazing, the amazing and the tantalising Firecracker!"
The voice boomed through the stadium; it was the same generic spiel that got announced before every show. The daredevil had mounted her motorbike - a custom made, aerodynamic monster of a vehicle with the sleekest engine imported straight from the tech-paradise, Atlas.
With a flick of the gauntlet-clad wrist, the bike revved to life with a sound like a rabid canine's snarl. It soon burst forwards towards the opening, leaving only a thin trail of smoke behind. The crowd erupted into ear-splitting cheers.
"You didn't get hurt, did you, sis? Did everything go okay? We would've watched the show, but our scrolls lost connection up the mountains! We've set up camp now, but I still don't think the connection's that good." came the panicked voice of Ruby through the scroll.
"I'm fine, Rubes. The stunt was pretty much perfect. What about you two? How's the mission?"
"We've gotten rid of the main group of Beowolves, and we're planning to go down to the local village tomorrow to see if they need any help."
"That's good to hear. Think you'll be back before I leave for mine?"
"I hope so, Weiss says the earliest airship to Vale leaves tomorrow night. What's the mission, anyways?"
"Don't know yet. I'm waiting for Old man Oz to give me the task. He mentioned searching for someone." she stretched, sitting backwards on the cold chair of the Vale Headquarter's lobby. "Sounds fairly easy."
"A search mission? They rarely give those out!"
"Well, it's better than being knee-deep in a swamp in the middle of nowhere, searching for some gross Grimm that no one's heard of." replied Yang, grimacing at the memory. The swampwater was a nightmare to wash out.
She heard a weak chuckle from the scroll, followed by a distant muffle of Weiss' voice, probably complaining about something.
"I've got to get going, sis. Weiss has no idea how to set up a tent."
Yang gave a laugh. "I'm not surprised. Tell her that I send my good luck to both of you."
"Thanks, Yang! Good luck with the mission!"
"Oh, and one final thing,"
"Hm?"
"Have you confessed to Weiss yet?"
A string of spluttering sounds were emitted. The blonde huntress gave a smirk.
"Yang!"
"You promised."
"That's only because you bribed me with a jar of cookies."
"But you still promised."
"Fine, I'll try."
"That's my sis, go win Ice Queen's heart! Don't worry, I'll personally kick her ass if she rejects you."
"Please don't."
More muffled complaints, along with what sounded like something snapping.
"Weiss just broke the tent poles, so on second thoughts..."
The huntress gave another hearty laugh. "Well, I won't distract you for any longer. See ya, sis. Love you."
"Love you too, Yang! Bye!"
A clicking sound signalled the end of the call. With a content sigh at knowing of her sister's wellbeing, Yang pocketed her scroll and looked around the lobby, seeing the usual hustle of hunters and huntresses milling about.
Anyone knew that this was a dangerous profession; some sported cyberkinetic limbs, some had large scars across their faces and some had bandages wrapped across their afflictions. Nevertheless, most were donned in their elaborate armour and with their complicated weapons sheathed, were ready for their next mission.
A large display board stood a distance away from Yang's seat, flashing the classes and ranks of each hunter and huntress in the organisation. These such boards were placed all over the place, constantly reminding them of their status. Small screens at the sides showed recent missions, prompting Yang to look for a specific one.
MISSION: BEOWOLF CONTROL
LOCATION: VACUO
MEMBERS:
RUBY ROSE
CLASS B
RANK 36
WEISS SCHNEE
CLASS B
RANK 37
STATUS: ONGOING
There was also another screen with some familiar names.
MISSION: SEARCH AND RESCUE
LOCATION: MISTRAL
MEMBERS:
JAUNE ARC
CLASS D
RANK 15
NORA VALKRYIE
CLASS B
RANK 42
PYRRHA NIKOS
CLASS A
RANK 30
LIE REN
CLASS B
RANK 41
STATUS: ONGOING
"Yang Xiao Long." came a curt voice, jerking Yang out of her thoughts. She saw Ozpin's secretary, Glynda, glaring at her with her piercing eyes. "Please report to Professor Ozpin's office for your mission."
The young woman gave a casual nod, standing up and following the elder across the lobby and down a winding corridor towards a large elevator. The pair stepped in and, after a moment of awkward silence, soon arrived at Ozpin's grand office.
Ozpin was sat behind a wide, intricately decorated desk with his clean-shaven chin resting upon folded hands. A thin envelope was placed by his elbow, which he reached for when the young huntress approached the table.
"Miss Xiao Long, please take a seat." he said calmly. When she was seated, he continued. "I must congratulate you on your successful performance last night."
She grinned in response. "Just doing my job."
"Well then, I hope you will do as equally well with this job's new solo mission." he pushed the envelope forwards to Yang, who opened it and reached for the document inside. "You must find a former huntress and bring her back to the headquarter."
Yang peered at the paper; it was a typed-out profile of the ex-huntress, along with a grainy photo of her attached to the top with a paperclip. She was slender, with shining black hair running down her back and a weapon attached to her arms with what looked like ribbon.
"Blake Belladonna." Yang read out. "Interesting name."
"She was part of our organisation around two years ago, and mainly helped in sabotaging any malicious plans the White Fang conjured up. Miss Belladonna was previously a member of the White Fang, you see."
"I'm guessing she left because of them, right?"
"Correct. Not long before her resignation, Miss Belladonna was promoted to a Class A huntress. She was one of the youngest to do so, at twenty years old. She became involved in more and more missions to disrupt the White Fang's plans, so they began their retaliation. Not against her as such, but against her family. She eventually resigned to protect them from more harm."
Yang thought for a moment. "Belladonna... isn't that the family name of the White Fang leader before Sienna Khan took over?"
Ozpin gave a nod. "Ghira Belladonna. A talented leader and Blake's father. That's why the White Fang tried to take their revenge on the family, especially one of the White Fang's high-ranking officials, Adam Taurus."
"Why him?"
"Miss Belladonna never informed us why Taurus seemed so adamant in his actions, so I can only assume that they knew of each other in the past. She tended to keep to herself, even when she was part of the organisation. She insisted on taking every mission solo."
"But, why do you need her? If she's resigned, then that means she's cut all ties with the organisation."
"There are still some inevitable issues concerning the White Fang." he delicately stopped without elaborating.
"... Right." Yang looked at the profile again. "Living in a small village on the outskirts of Vale?"
"That's from the last known report of her. We also know that she often makes visits to Menagerie - her father is now the chieftain there." Ozpin sat back on his chair. "Do you think you'll finish the mission by the end of the month?"
"Of course." Yang replied, slipping the paper back into the envelope. "Find her and take her back here. Simple."
"Should we start this mission tomorrow, then?"
The huntress gave another confident grin, crossing her arms. "I think I'll start tonight."