[RWBY] The Great Temporal Step-Sibling War!

[AndrewJTalon]

As they entered the hanger, Blake's heart hammered so loudly she was sure the soldiers outside could hear it over the distant rumble of Chimera tanks and the whine of Tigertail engines.

Ghira and Kali stepped out into view, regal and composed. Ghira turned back and offered Blake his hand.

"Stay behind the Tigertail for now," he said gently. "Let us open the conversation. You'll know when it's time."

Blake nodded, throat tight. She slipped behind the sleek, bulky fuselage of the Wayland AV-47 Tigertail airship, pressing her back to the cool metal. The aircraft's shadow felt like the only shelter she had left.

She could hear the shuffle of boots, the low murmur of prisoners, the crisp orders of VDF troopers in green battle dress. Medics moved among the captured White Fang members, checking bandages and offering water. No one was being mistreated. That only made the guilt twist harder in her stomach.

All of this... If only I'd... If I'd just-!

Footsteps-light, familiar-suddenly appeared right behind her.

"Mom?"

Blake jumped, ears shooting straight up, a startled "Mrrp!" escaping before she could stop it. She spun, glaring at the two blond cat Faunus now standing there with identical sheepish grins.

"Leander! Leandra! What are you two doing here? You're supposed to be with the others!"

Leandra rubbed the back of her head. "Sorry… We wanted to be with you for this. We know it wasn't easy the first time around."

Leander nodded solemnly. "We helped get all these people captured. The least we can do is see it through with you."

Blake exhaled shakily, pressing a hand to her chest to slow her racing pulse.

"Where did you two learn that kind of... Of irresponsible responsibility?"

The twins smiled in perfect unison.

"From you and Dad," they said together.

Blake's face flushed hot. She opened her mouth, closed it, then managed a weak laugh that sounded more like a sob.

"…Of course you did."

A moment later, Ghira's voice boomed across the hangar, calm but carrying the full weight of a chieftain.

"Listen to me! All eyes here!"

The captured White Fang members fell into stunned silence as the Belladonna rulers approached. Then the whispers started.

A tall tiger Faunus-Tora Nyan, Blake recalled-pushed to his feet, chains rattling.

"Chieftain Ghira! Why are you here? Have you come to surrender us to these human filth? Have you betrayed your own kind?!"

Angry shouts erupted as more White Fang rose to hurl anger and abuse at Blake's father. Soldiers shifted, rifles ready, but Ghira raised one massive hand.

"QUIET!"

The roar cut through the hangar like thunder. The noise died instantly.

Ghira's golden eyes locked onto Tora.

"You have betrayed Menagerie. You have betrayed Faunuskind. And you have betrayed all of Remnant."

More furious cries. A slender deer Faunus-Tawny Doe, Deery's twin sister-shot up beside Tora.

"Explain yourself, Chieftain! You founded the White Fang! You taught us to fight humanity!"

Ghira's voice remained steady, heavy with sorrow.

"You learned the wrong lessons."

Kali stepped forward, raising a small holoprojector. The device hummed to life. An old black-and-white photograph appeared: the original founders of the White Fang standing proudly in front of a modest schoolhouse in Mistral.

Kali's tone was soft but clear.

"You all know this picture. But look closer."

She flicked to the second image. The same photo... except most of the people standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the Faunus founders were human.

Confused muttering rippled through the prisoners. Tawny's eyes widened in disbelief.

"That's a fake!"

"It is real," Ghira said. "Of the original forty members, twenty-five were human. Humans who risked everything: marched with us, funded us, defended us in court, and protected our people. They were our allies and friends because they believed oppressing Faunus was wrong."

Kali continued, voice steady.

"But the calls for violence grew louder. Even after Ghira was elected leader of Menagerie. Even after we won legal recognition—Vale was the first kingdom to acknowledge us as a sovereign nation. Sienna was charismatic. I had hoped her fire would keep the pressure on peacefully. Instead…"

Ghira's expression darkened.

"She turned it into a war. And humans who once stood with us began to fear and hate us instead of seeing us as equals."

Tawny shouted, "Then why haven't you done anything about it now?!"

"Because," Ghira answered, "you were days away from launching an attack that would have murdered tens of thousands-Faunus and humans alike. And second…" He glanced back toward the Tigertail. "Because Blake was Sienna and Adam's hostage."

Kali played a short recorded call. Adam and Sienna appeared on the holo, both staring intently at the camera.

Adam's voice was smooth, possessive: "Father Ghira… Blake does well. I look forward to becoming your son-in-law and advising her when she assumes the role of Chieftain."

Sienna's smile was cold. "Rest assured, she's in good health… and will stay that way, until we achieve our ends and she rightfully assumes power. So allow us our way."

Several White Fang members cried out that it was fake. Tawny looked physically ill.

Blake stared at the image, chest tight. She had known, of course-her parents had told her-but seeing Adam speak so casually about using her…

Familiar hands slipped into hers from behind. Leander and Leandra pressed close, hugging her tightly. Their warmth, their steady presence, pushed back the old urge to run.

Blake drew in a shaky breath. Then another.

She stepped out from behind the Tigertail.

The twins stayed right beside her, matching her pace.

Gasps and whispers exploded across the hangar as the prisoners recognized her.

Blake stopped beside her parents. Kali gave her a quick, concerned glance. Blake shook her head once, small but determined, and faced the crowd.

Tawny's voice cracked with disbelief.

"Lady Blake! You… you can't be serious! You betrayed us too?!"

Blake's ears flicked. She forced her voice steady.

"It's true. I did run. I couldn't stomach the violence anymore. The lies. The cruelty. We brutalized our own kind. We hurt and killed innocent humans. None of it helped Faunuskind. Not even a little."

Tora snarled, "They oppressed us! Enslaved us-!"

"And we did the same to them in the distant past!" Blake shot back. "And they did it to other humans! And we did it to other Faunus!" She took a deep breath, heart still hammering. "I was young and foolish. All I could see was black and white. But I've learned… we were all lied to. The world isn't perfect. But killing people, committing terrorism, unleashing Grimm on innocents? None of that helps us. Or humanity."

Tora's lips curled in disgust.

"Says the girl who's a whore for a human!"

Ghira and Kali both moved, hands twitching toward concealed weapons. Blake stepped forward before they could, locking eyes with Tora.

"Jaune Arc is my fiancé," she said, voice clear and surprisingly steady. "And… I love him very much. The situation is complicated, but I know he loves me too. This is the real answer: make love, not war!"

A stunned silence fell. A few VDF soldiers cleared their throats awkwardly. Tora, Tawny, and the rest stared at her in open disbelief.

Tora finally found his voice.

"Do… do you mean—?"

Blake's face burned crimson, but she doubled down, ears flat with determination.

"I mean exactly what I said! Hatred and anger only draw the Grimm! Love is what will save us! Love between humans and Faunus! And for that love, I will never run away again. I will fight for a wonderful future! I-I'm already planning on having twenty children with him!"

Dead silence.

Then Tawny-eyes wide, voice cracking with sheer bewilderment-blurted:

"What, does he have a giant penis or something?"

Blake turned scarlet. Ghira and Kali struggled mightily to keep straight faces. Behind her, Leander and Leandra looked openly haunted-they had far too many memories about how… enthusiastic their future parents could be.

Blake swallowed once, then lifted her chin and declared with every scrap of Belladonna dignity she could muster:

"YES! But that's beside the point!"

 

[AndrewJTalon]

The hangar's echoes were still dying down when Blake ducked back behind the Tigertail's sleek fuselage, heart hammering like a war drum. She immediately pressed both hands over her face, mortified heat radiating from her ears all the way down to her toes.

Ghira and Kali had done the heavy lifting in the conversation with the prisoners from then on. Blake had stayed on, as stoic as she could manage... But the moment she had some privacy, she felt like falling apart.

Kali stepped in beside her, bright and unflappable as ever.

"I think it went well!"

Blake's muffled groan was answer enough. Leander and Leandra flanked her without a word, each twin reaching up to pat one of her shoulders in gentle, synchronized comfort.

"That was a total disaster…!" Blake whimpered through her fingers.

Kali clicked her tongue, soft and maternal.
"Now Blake… the fact they listened at all is a win. Enough to give us some hope. They aren't trying to escape, or fighting back against us even while we send them home to be tried."

Blake moaned. Kali reached up and rubbed behind her ears affectionately.

"Sometimes in politics you must take what you can get."

Blake lowered her hands just enough to peek out, cheeks still flaming.

"Ugh… You taught me so much and I just… I forgot it all. All for...!"

"Love?" Kali guessed. Blake blushed brighter.

"I... I don't know if it's that far but... Um... Maybe."

"Not just of your fiance," Kali said gently. Blake flushed and bent her head again, mumbling.

"... It is a big mistake I made-"

"And you're working to correct it," Kali said gently, "As hard as you can."

Blake sighed.

"I just... I wish I had retained more of your lessons... Maybe not been so... Stupid."

Leandra gave her shoulder another reassuring pat.

"Trust me Mom, you become an amazing negotiator in the future!"

Leander nodded sagely on her other side.

"Yes, very good."

Leandra's smile turned impish. "And you teach us!"

Leander's grin widened. "Trust me, it was useful having to deal with eighteen siblings."

Blake let out a long, theatrical groan and slumped back against the aircraft's metal skin.

From the other side of the Tigertail came the sound of approaching footsteps—military boots mixed with the lighter click of restraints. Ghira appeared first, calm and regal, followed by Sun (grinning like an idiot) and two VDF guards in green battle dress. Between them walked Ilia, in some casual clothes, wrists cuffed in front of her and a simple leather collar around her neck. A leash clipped to the collar rested loosely in Sun's hand. Lieutenant Colonel Stuart brought up the rear, one eyebrow arched in bemused curiosity.

Ilia's eyes flicked up and met Blake's. She offered a small, awkward nod.

"…Hello, Blake."

Blake straightened quickly, despite the added awkwardness.

"Ilia…"

Ilia shifted, cuffs clinking. "I… Your parents spoke with me. About everything. And um…"

Blake swallowed hard. "Ilia… I did screw up a lot with you. I know. I've… I've generally screwed up everything. I think I screwed this up too. I'm so sorry you got dragged into all this."

Ilia's colors flickered-brief flashes of regret and embarrassment dancing across her skin.

"Well… I mean… I did a lot of bad things too-"

Ghira's deep voice cut in, gentle but firm.'

"Blame never solves anything. At some point, you have to ask… what are you going to do about it?"

Sun grinned wider, giving the leash a tiny, playful tug that made Ilia's spots turn pink.

"Yeah… That's what I told her."

Ilia huffed, cheeks tinting pink. "Hmph… So… Um… I will give intelligence to Chieftain Belladonna. Now that I understand the situation better. I'll work with them to help stop all this. And ensure everyone gets a fair trial."

Sun beamed like the sun itself. "And I'll be there every day with you!"

Ilia's colors flared brighter. "Y-You don't have to be there all the time!"

Sun leaned in, utterly unbothered. "No, but I want to."

Kali clasped her hands together with an audible "Awww…"

Leander and Leandra exchanged a quick, slightly nauseated glance before shrugging at Blake in unison.

Leander muttered, "They're as lovey-dovey as you two."

Leandra added under her breath, "Please, no one's that lovey-dovey."

Sun perked up. "How many kids do we have in the future?"

Leander answered without thinking. "Like… seven… teen?"

Ilia's eyes went wide. "S-S-SEVENTEEN?!"

Sun punched the air. "WOW! I'd better start getting ready!"

Ilia's colors flashed through every shade of mortified pink before she simply fainted dead away. Sun caught her effortlessly, cradling her against his chest with a soft chuckle.

Lieutenant Colonel Stuart raised an eyebrow, voice dry. "The future?"

Blake's heart stopped. A drop of ice plunged straight into her stomach. They were supposed to keep this secret-!

Ghira and Kali exchanged a single, perfectly synchronized glance. Kali turned to the colonel with the sweetest, most diplomatic smile in the Belladonna arsenal.

"Colonel Stuart… surely you understand the nature of discretion when it comes to delicate diplomatic situations?"

Stuart's expression didn't change, but the corner of his mouth twitched.

"Oh… of course." He looked to the two soldiers beside him. "Did you hear anything, Corporal?"

The corporal stared straight ahead. "No sir."

Stuart turned to the private. "How about you, Private?"

"Not a thing, sir!"

Kali beamed at Blake, warm and proud.

"Politics."
Blake let out a shaky breath, the tension in her chest easing just a fraction. She looked at her mother-really looked-and the words slipped out before she could second-guess them.

"…I… would like to relearn, Mother."

Kali's smile softened into something gentler, almost misty.

"Of course! But first-" She reached out and gently tugged one of Blake's cat ears. "We need to get you ready for your date!"

Blake blinked, the absurdity of the day crashing back in full force. Behind her, Leander and Leandra snickered quietly while Sun adjusted his grip on the still-unconscious Ilia and grinned like he'd just won the lottery.

Blake covered her face with her hands again, but this time a tiny, reluctant smile peeked between her fingers.

"…Yes."

 

[AndrewJTalon]

The safehouse was quiet in that dangerous, too-still way that always set Thanh's instincts on edge. He moved like liquid shadow through the dimly lit corridors, claws extended just enough to taste the air, tongue flicking out to sample the faint metallic tang of oil and ozone. His red eyes gleamed with predatory hunger.

He paused at the threshold of the recharging chamber.

There sat Caliban Testoasa-once the terror of Vacuo's underworld, now a towering eight-foot titan of blackened metal and reinforced plating-motionless in a throne-like support rig. Thick cables snaked from ports along his spine and shoulders, feeding power into his systems. His helmeted head was bowed, crimson optics dark.

He looked… vulnerable.

Thanh's fanged grin widened. He crept forward on silent, clawed feet, tail low and still, every movement a hunter's prowl. Closer. Closer. The komodo dragon Faunus raised one set of razor claws, ready to drive them straight through the exposed joint at Caliban's neck—

A soft shing of metal on metal.

Caliban's sword was suddenly there, tip pressed lightly but unyieldingly against Thanh's throat. The big man hadn't moved. Hadn't even lifted his head.

"Don't even think about it."

Thanh froze, then slowly leaned back, fangs still bared in a mocking smile.

"…So… not so helpless after all, metal man?"

Caliban's optics flared to life with a low crimson glow.

"No. Never helpless."

Thanh chuckled, low and rasping, as he took one deliberate step back.

"You lost everything you were to the Arcs. Why?"

Caliban remained seated, sword still leveled with perfect, mechanical calm.

"I sought to make Isabel Arc my bride. With her power and medical knowledge, my empire would have grown. I could have ascended to the heights of power in Vacuo's government."

Thanh's grin turned vicious.

"And now you've lost your dick!"

The sword blurred.

Caliban rose in one terrifying surge, blade whipping in a horizontal arc that would have taken Thanh's head clean off. The komodo dragon Faunus twisted away at the last instant, the edge slicing a shallow gash across his scaled chest. Blood welled—then the wound knit closed almost instantly, scales rippling back into place.

Thanh laughed, licking a drop of his own blood from his claw.

"Temper, temper, metal man… or should I say woman?"

Caliban took one heavy step forward, sword rising for a downward slash that could split a tank in two—

A theatrical cough echoed from the doorway.

Roman Torchwick stood there, Melodic Cudgel out and pointed vaguely in both their directions. Mercury leaned against the frame beside him, legs crossed, while Zhu bounced on her toes, toxic purple eyes sparkling with glee.

Roman sighed deeply.

"Gents… I think we can put our energies to more productive things, don't you? Let's start mapping out routes around the city and into Beacon. Fire Lady wants us to prepare for the next phase."

Thanh snarled, turning that predatory glare on the smaller man.

"You presume to order me around, little man?"

Roman didn't flinch. He tapped the barrel of his cane against his palm.

"Big, little? I'm the guy with the gun."

Silence stretched. Thanh's tail lashed once.

Then the komodo dragon smirked.

"I've heard of you, Roman Torchwick. You were impressive. The Gentleman Thief, King of Vale's underworld. Now you're Fire Lady's errand boy."

Roman's smile was thin and sharp.

"So are you. Now, you can work for her breathing… or as matched luggage. What's it gonna be?"

Thanh held the stare for a long, venomous second. Then, with a low hiss, he turned and stalked off down the corridor, every line of his body promising future violence.

Mercury shook his head slowly as the heavy footsteps faded.

Roman lowered Melodic Cudgel with a tired exhale.

Caliban's sword finally lowered. The massive armored figure shook his helmeted head.

"You should let me kill him."

Roman gave a dry chuckle.

"If it'll make you behave, I promise—I'll let you kill the bastard when the time comes."

Nobody was under any illusions about him.

Caliban's optics glowed brighter for a moment.

"Yes… Right after Nicholas Arc dies by my hand…"

The titan turned and walked away, heavy footfalls echoing like distant thunder until he disappeared around the corner.

Roman let out a long breath he hadn't realized he was holding.

"Geez… What happened to crime for money? For glory? Hell, for fun? Why do we get all the crazies?"

Zhu skipped over and patted his shoulder with exaggerated sympathy.

"There, there, Roman. You're just as sane as I am!"

Roman gave her a flat look.

"That doesn't help in the slightest."

Zhu giggled, bright and unhinged.

"I KNOW! That's what makes it funny!"

Mercury pushed off the wall, arms folded.

"I mean… you also want revenge, right?"

Zhu spun on her heel, still humming.

"Sure do! But money's better! So if I can't get revenge…" She tapped her chin, then brightened. "Hmmm… I can always try again! Can't do it if I'm dead~!"

She skipped off down the hall, singing a cheerful Fuujin pop song at the top of her lungs.

Roman and Mercury watched her go in silence.

Roman finally muttered, "…Crazy. All of them."

Mercury snorted.

"And what does that make us?"

Roman exhaled through his nose. He went for his cigarettes and lit up, taking a long, calming drag. He breathed out a smoke cloud, the nicotine flowing reassuringly though him.

"Scared shitless," he admitted.

Mercury snorted.

"Tell me about it…"

A beat passed. Roman glanced sideways at the young assassin.

"…Your green friend… She really met her daughter from the future?"

Mercury's expression darkened, but he nodded.

"Could I make up shit like that? Cinder's got kids from the future too. With Arc."

Roman stared down the empty corridor for a long moment, then tapped his cane against the floor.

"Then we have some homework… Finding out what happens to us in the future."

He turned and started walking, Mercury falling into step beside him.

Neither of them looked particularly thrilled about the assignment... But it beat being in the splash zone of however this ended.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

The heavy door to the basement levels of Beacon clicked shut behind them with a solid, final sound. Ozpin led the way into the basement lab, cane tapping softly against the stone. Glynda followed a half-step behind, riding crop already in hand, her posture rigid with the kind of tension that had been building since the previous night.

Raven was sitting cross-legged on the floor of her reinforced cell, fiddling with something small and metallic she'd clearly scavenged from somewhere. She didn't look up as they approached.

Ozpin's voice was calm, almost gentle.

"That won't work, Raven."

Raven snorted without lifting her head.

"Worth a try."

Glynda flicked her riding crop once. A wave of her Semblance rolled through the air, invisible threads of force checking every bar, every seam, every dust-weave reinforcement in the cell. Everything held. She gave a short nod as she snatched the tool from Raven's hands and caught it.

Raven finally looked up, eyes narrowing as she caught Glynda's stare. She leaned back against the wall, arms draped casually over her knees. On the small table beside her cot, the photos of her future grandchildren and the life she'd never had still lay spread out like silent accusations.

Ozpin moved to the main lab area, crouching beside Amber's stasis pod to check the readouts. Glynda remained where she was, staring at Raven through the bars in heavy silence.

Raven's lips curled into a mocking half-smile.

"So… how's your future husband doing?"

Glynda's nose wrinkled.

"He's fine."

Raven nodded slowly, as if tasting the words.

"Fits. I always figured you'd need an act of God to land anyone. Guess the universe finally took pity on you."

Glynda's grip tightened on her riding crop.

"It's no surprise you ran away from Tai. You could never handle anything more complicated than swinging that sword of yours."

Raven's eyes flashed dangerously. She pushed herself to her feet in one fluid motion.

"You're competing against my daughter, old crone. You'll lose."

Glynda's chin lifted.

"In my timeline, my husband and I… we get along fine."

Raven barked a short, sharp laugh.

"Then what's got you so insecure? You're practically vibrating."

Ozpin straightened from Amber's pod and stepped back into the main space, voice cutting smoothly between them.

"You really shouldn't be talking, Raven. You're already feeling the effects of age yourself." He adjusted his glasses. "Besides, Isabel will be down soon to check on you. Thank you for providing more life for Amber though."

Raven's scowl deepened, eyes narrowing to slits.

"What the hell are you talking about, effects of age?"

"Some women handle it better than others," Ozpin said, calm and confident. He turned as Raven stood up.

"What the hell?! What effect?!"

Ozpin ignored her completely, turning toward the lift with the calm certainty of a man who had played this game for centuries. Glynda followed, but not before shooting Raven one last cool look.

As they entered the elevator and the heavy doors sealed behind them, Glynda exhaled slowly.

"I'm sorry, Ozpin. I lost my cool."

Ozpin waved a dismissive hand, though his own shoulders carried a faint weariness.

"No need to apologize. The entire situation-old friends, new complications, Jaune… it has shaken all of us. I'm a bit off my game myself."

They reached the top of the tower and entered his office. Glynda's heels clicked sharply against the floor.

"I just… it's all hit me at once," she admitted quietly. "Jaune. The futures. Children... Everything."

Ozpin nodded.

"I understand. But we will make it through. We have eleven ways to win this war now. It won't be easy… but the chance of victory is real for the first time in a very long while." He smiled gently. "And you do have a happy future."

Glynda's steps slowed slightly. She nodded, but swallowed before she spoke again.

"…It wasn't without great cost in every timeline."

Ozpin was silent for several paces. Then he gave a single, solemn nod.

"Victory is never without cost. But it is a cost I will pay gladly, knowing we can finally save the world."

He stepped around behind his desk and sat down. Glynda stood at attention in front of him, then hesitated, biting her lower lip.

"Ozpin… I've learned something important from Dorothy."

He reached for his ever-present coffee mug and the pitcher from the coffee machine, pouring some into his mug and taking a slow sip as he turned back to her.

"What is it?"

Glynda drew in a steadying breath.

"Jaune… He's the Rusted Knight."

Ozpin paused mid-sip. He slowly lowered the mug, eyes sharpening behind his spectacles.

"I mean… he will be. He is right now… It's complicated."

Ozpin set the mug down with deliberate care. He swallowed once.

Then he tapped his Scroll.

"Weena? I think I might have a breakthrough for you."