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Chapter 33 Criminal

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With the end of the speech, the faunus crowd cheered and continued their protest. They stood waving their signs and asking for people to sign their petition.

“Wow. That was an inspiring speech.” Robin remarked.

The group nodded in agreement.

“Amy, do you think they will let kids like us join the White Fang?” Blake asked.

“I don't know. I never really thought about it.” Amy scratched her head.

“You want to join them?”

“Definitely.” Adam said.

“We should take a stand instead of doing nothing.”

“I don't know about that.”

Conner and Ophelia looked at each other with doubtful expressions.

“We're just kids. What good will it do?” Ophelia questioned.

“But we're still faunuses.” Blake retorted. “Why shouldn't we try to help change the treatment we get?”

“What do you think, Robin? Should we join them?”

The group turned to him with questioning eyes. Meanwhile, Robin began to think. Bullying and racism was something he had grown to hate with a passion. It sometimes made him step a bit too far like during the entrance exam. Had the Student Council President not stepped in, he would not even be here. Acting as a voice of their people was very tempting of an offer, but they also had other duties as students.

“I'm fine with joining the White Fang if they let us. However, we should prioritize school over the protests. We should not let it interfere with our education and training. We can decide to stay or leave the White Fang depending on what we do. Lets first ask them.”

The group walked over to the stage where the speech was made. They eventually found the wolf faunus talking with another man who had black hair that was shaved all the way to his head. The men turned to greet them.

“Hello. Do you need something?”

“Yes. I was wondering if you guys were willing to let us join the White Fang?”

The man smiled at them.

“Of course. We welcome all faunuses that wish to support our cause. Do you have your status plates? Lets record your contact info. This way, we can send general messages about the location of our protests and any meetings we have.”

After giving their contact info, the group continued their wandering around the city. It eventually was getting late, so they decided to head over to a Dust shop to replenish their supplies. Enter a shop called “Dust Till Dawn”, they found a rather elderly man running the store.

“Welcome! How may I help you?”

“We looking to stock up on some supplies. Do you mind if we look around?”

“Of course! Go right ahead.”

When each of them finished gathering what items they needed, the man started to check them out.

“It's good to see so many young kids like you being so active about protecting the kingdoms. These days it's popular for children to try to become hunters and huntresses, but the majority of people still work rather normal lives.”

“Really?” Robin asked. “I thought it was normal to train to become stronger.”

“Oh you must have been raised outside the kingdom. The military takes care of any threats Vale has to deal with. With the boost in technology, they've been putting more and more robots in the army so all of the fights now are being done by A.I.'s. Any big threats are taken care of by those robots.

Hunters help lessen their burden by taking care of the smaller groups. Since they don't have to repair every fight or find materials to replace missing parts, Hunters are more versatile in deployment. Didn't you notice how everyone inside the kingdom have extremely low levels?”

They nodded. Compared to them, many kids were much weaker than them.

“The public are living in the safety of the walls. Thanks to this time of peace, everyone has been relaxing. The only really high levels are Hunters, military men, and trainees like you kids.”

The man took their credit cards and swiped it while looking a little depressed in the process.

“Sigh..although in return for being in times of peace, those same people seem to be directing their emotions towards faunuses. It's so stupid really. The war ended so long ago. There's no reason for all this nonsense.

I even heard the brother of the head of the Schnee family was assassinated a while ago. Apparently, the assassin was a faunus. Gosh, can't they tell it's doing nothing but making things worse?”

The man handed them their supplies. The kids placed it in their inventory and thanked the man.

“Sorry for making you listen to this old man rant. You kids take care alright? Don't let them get to you.”

“No, thank you for being so understanding and not kicking us out. It really feels good to understand there are people who have a viewpoint like yours.” Robin said while smiling at the man.

The owner smiled and waved them goodbye. The kids stepped outside to find that time was getting late. In order to get back in time for dinner, the group got on a bus and sat down. As the train took off, they stretched their bodies and got comfortable. When the bus got to the next stop, however, trouble arrived.

Some adults walked up to Robin in the front row next to Blake.

“Hey, move kid.”

“What? I got here first. There are plenty of seats in the back.”

“Shut up and move you dog.” the other man said. “Animals should just sit in the back like always.”

“I refuse.”

It had been a long day, and the speech he heard by the White Fang had riled him up. Combined with him being comfortable already, he just didn't feel like submitting to this nonsense.

“Stop causing trouble.” The bus driver lean over in his seat to look at Robin.

“Move squirt and let the man sit.”

“I already said no. First come, first served. I pay the same amount as any of you, so I should get to choose where I sit.” he retorted.

“Get out of the seat, or I call the cops.”

“And arrest me for what? Sitting in a seat that was already mine? You can't do that.”

The man picked up the phone and dialed the emergency number. Blake was also a bit angry with the man who didn't even hesitate to take the bully's side, but tapped Robin's shoulder in concern.

“Maybe we should just move. Didn't you say to not let it interfere with our training?”

Robin flinched at his words being thrown back at him, but sat tall and firm.

“It's too late anyway. Besides, they can't pin anything on me. I just sat in my seat. I did nothing wrong.”

Blake had a worried look on her face, but showed a look of reverence towards him. The sirens sounded as the police car arrived. The man stepped out and got onto the bus.

“What's the problem here?”

“This punk won't get out of my seat.” the man said.

“This is my seat that I paid and sat in ages before this guy came. There is no reason for me to move.”

“Look kid,” the officer had an annoyed look. “You could have easily avoided this situation by just getting up and moving a couple of rows back. Don't make this bigger than it is.”

“Bigger than it is? Hey, why can't it be him that moves to the back seat? Why is it without question that it has to be me?”

“Hey! I don't need to hear it kid. It's been a long day. We had to clear out that disturbance from the White Fang and now you're trying to give me more work by simply not getting up? If you don't start moving, you'll regret it.”

“Regret my ass. I read the law, and I know you have no probable cause for doing anything of the sort. I'm in the right and you know it.”

Robin was not lying. He had plenty of time to study up these past few years. This police officer had nothing on him, but having nothing and doing nothing was two different things. Both people in question became cranky from fatigue, and Robin's attitude wasn't helping to improve his mood.

“That's it.” the officer took out his handcuffs and snapped them on Robin's wrists. He sat there in disbelief as he was yanked out of the bus and into the car.

“You're under arrest for public disturbance. Maybe a night behind bars might improve your attitude.”

The group stared at him in worry as he was driven away. Robin suddenly felt remorse as he realized his mistake.

= Fuck, did I just mess up? =

He was wearing special handcuffs that suppressed aura in those who wore it. This made it impossible for Robin to use any kind of skill to break free and run away. He was also slightly hesitant with suddenly becoming a criminal.

His weapons and status plate were taken and he was lead to a cell where he was pushed inside. The bars closed and he heard a click as the guard turned the key.

“Enjoy, you brat.”

The guard exiting while Robin found himself being watched by a man in a white coat. He was in similar cuffs and sat on the bench. He was rather tall and had a slender build. His orange hair formed a bang over his right eye similar to Robin's hair. However, unlike Robin's hair which was ruffled, the man's was combed and straighter.

“So what's a faunus brat like you do to get in here?” he asked.

“I sat in a seat and pissed someone off.”

“That's it? Boring.”

“I also said the word “ass” to the officer.”

“Well there's your problem. You didn't get on their good side.”

“And what about you? How did you get here?”

“Meh. They say I stole some stuff, this and that.”

“What? Like purses?”

“More like entire fortunes, but hey? The rich are rich for a reason. What's a million gonna do to them?”

= Wow. I just got put in a cell with a big shot. =

Robin sat on the bench as well. He sighed as he sat down.

“I can't believe I actually got thrown into jail. I thought humans couldn't possibly be that bad, but man was I wrong. I thought I could push them a bit, but in the end, the guy just blew his lid. Police officer huh? What a joke.”

“Looks like you get it kid. Humans are the worst. We kill, steal, and treat anything that's not the way we like it like trash. They will stop at nothing to get what they want.”

“So is that why you steal? To punish those who do that kind of thing?”

“Are you kidding me? Yeah right, I'm no Robin Hood. I do that because it's fun. Just watch. Soon, I'll be known as the greatest thief in the world.”

“Hello, Mr. Greatest Thief? You're sitting in a jail cell.”

“Touche.”

At that moment, the door opened and three police officers walked into the room. One of them was a man that had a huge build and a beard to match his size. The other that Robin didn't know was a young woman whose face couldn't be seen by her cap covering her face. The last one was the officer that had brought Robin in.

“This is the kid you talked about?” the huge man asked.

“Yep, he was causing a disturbance on a bus. He refused to give up his seat to another passenger. In order to help move things along, I brought him here to let him reflect on his actions.”

“Reflect on my ass!”

The man punched the officer and sent him ramming into the bars of their cell. Roman's cell mate who was closest to the wall stood up and caught the guy between the bars and held him up.

“Yo, show some spirit. You're getting your ass beat.” He patted the officer and turned him around. The officer found himself receiving another fist to the gut this time.

“We were sent to merely prevent the protest from hindering traffic, not arrest them for no reason. They were doing nothing that broke the law and that's the same for this kid! First come, first served. That's the rule. Don't make shit up to satisfy your disgusting virtues!

Not only that, you actually put him in the same cell as THAT man. I thought I made it perfectly clear that the only one that enters and leaves his cell is me! Are you telling me you actually made a window of opportunity for him to escape?!”

“Hey now officer. I'm hurt.” A look of fake despair was plastered on the criminal's face.

“I would never do something like breaking out of prison. That's breaking the law you know?”

Robin swallowed a retort in order to enjoy the officer's lecture.

“You get this kid out of here and to his home, and you better make sure you let his parents understand he is in no trouble, you hear?!”

“Sir, yes sir!”

The man unlocked the cell and escorted Robin out, but not before the head officer looked at Robin and said one last thing.

“If he does anything to cause you distress, you come back here and talk to me alright?”

Robin nodded. He walked with renewed energy out of the room. The three people watched in silence. When they had left, the woman locked the door and the man sat down in the cell.

“Now lets get to business.”

I had a lot of fun writing this and I hope you do as well reading it! Next time, more conspiracy! Rate, comment, enjoy! Thanks for reading!

Ps. I'm totally recycling civil rights movement. I hope you don't mind. But unlike ours, Robin's gonna go froM peaceful to violent hehehe.

Edit: I just looked at the poll results. So many of you like harem o.O jeez