Chapter 3 Aftermath/Departure
A/N: This chapter deals with the events after the battle. Most of the chapter deals with team RWBY. It's also entitled Departure because of the events that occurred in the series with team RWBY.
Disclaimer: RWBY is owned by Rooster Teeth.
The Docks
Weiss was outside the last remaining airship. All other airships had left Beacon. Inside the airship were Ren, Nora, Blake (who was wounded), Yang (who lost her right arm and was unconscious), and team SSSN. The ship had remained behind after both Ruby and Weiss had left to get both Jaune and Pyrrha. The ones inside the ship were surprised when Weiss arrived alone but told them that Qrow went to get both Ruby and Pyrrha.
From a distance, Weiss saw Qrow carrying both Ruby and… Jaune? She couldn't believe that Jaune was there but wondered in her mind about Pyrrha. Before she could say anything, she saw a horde of Grimm chasing them. Normally, Qrow would have dealt with them easily, however, he was not in any position since his arms were carrying two people.
"Sun. Neptune. Help me out with these Grimm." The two appeared from the airship and along with Weiss fired their weapons towards the Grimm chasing Qrow. It was effective and Qrow made it to the ship.
"That's everyone. Pilot get us out of here." Qrow said as he got on. Weiss, Sun, and Neptune got on as the doors of the ship closed. The ship departed as the Grimm arrived at the docks. The Grimm howled at the fleeing ship.
With that being the last airship, Beacon was officially abandoned of all human and Faunus life. Only the Grimm remained at the school.
Inside the ship
A few paramedics were examining both Ruby and Jaune. The others look over to see what had happened to them. One of the paramedics told everyone that Ruby had suffered a few bruises, most likely from her fight against Roman and Neo, but did not have any serious injuries. However, they could not determine as to why she was unconscious since she didn't get any head injuries and only told them that they needed more test on her.
When it came to Jaune, on the other hand, the news was not good. Jaune had suffered serious damage to his body as a result of his battle. His left arm and his right leg received the most damage and would take longer for them to recover. He was lucky that they were not broken. For Jaune, the recovery process would be lengthy than the others. Everyone aboard was worried about their friends' conditions.
Weiss, looking over at her friends, went towards Qrow. She knew that there was a person missing and she wanted to know where she was.
"Qrow. Where's Pyrrha?" She asked. "She was up there with Jaune. In fact, we didn't even know Jaune was up there. He told us that she was up there fighting against this woman. She was up there, right?"
Qrow looked down knowing that his response was not a good one.
"Qrow. Where is she?" Weiss said in a worried tone. Everyone else stared at Qrow waiting for a response. He reached for his back pocket to reveal the object that he picked up.
When he showed the object, everyone's eyes widened. It was Pyrrha's crown. "I'm sorry," he said. "I got there too late. Ruby did too. That flash of light you saw was from Ruby. She must have witnessed everything for it to activate. However, I'm sorry to tell you all that Pyrrha is gone."
"NOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Nora yelled at the top of her lungs before falling to her knees. "PYRRHA!" She began to cry. Ren comfort her and hugged her but couldn't hold back his tears. Weiss looked down and cried as well. Blake, who was next to Yang, clenched her hand with hers and cried. To them, Pyrrha was more than just a comrade, she was a friend. All of them grew close with her. They would not see her beautiful face again, or her smile which brought joy to others. Her inspirational words were no longer going to be heard. Her laughter which also brought everyone mood up would no longer be heard. Her dreams of being a hunter would never be fulfilled. The fact that they wouldn't see her again broke everyone's heart. The rest of the ride back to Vale was silent with everyone mourning for the dearly beloved friend.
At the safe zone in Vale
The ship landed safely in Vale. The paramedics carried Ruby, Yang, and Jaune to the medical tent. The hospitals were either heavily damaged or located in the parts of Vale that had yet to be cleared of Grimm. Following them were Weiss, Ren, and Nora all still dealing with the death of Pyrrha. Everyone else got off the ship except for Qrow who asked to be taken back to Beacon to find Ozpin. As the ship departed, Sun noticed Blake heading towards the opposite direction.
"Blake. Where are you going?"
"I'm sorry Sun. I have to do this" Blake yelled
"Blake come back!"
"Goodbye Sun." She ran off with tears falling from her eyes.
"Blake!" Sun voiced echo but it had no effect. Blake was gone, off to the parts of the city that were not yet safe. Sun stood there for a minute before kneeling.
"Dammit!" He said as he punched the ground. His teammates showed up and asked what happened. They all got what he said and were told to keep an eye out for Blake.
Back in the medical tent, the others waited patiently outside the medical tent. The doctors were busy examining Ruby while getting both Yang and Jaune into surgery. For them, the night was one that they would never forget. They were all worried about their friends but were told to get some sleep at a nearby tent by the Atlesian soldiers. The night for them had finally come to an end.
The Next Day
The skies of Vale were filled with gray clouds and dark smoke from the fires that had yet to be put out. There was no sunlight in the city. Inside the medical tent were Ruby, Yang, and Jaune lying in their beds. Weiss was sitting in between Ruby and Yang while Ren and Nora were sitting next towards Jaune's bed. All of them wanted to be there when they wake up. Sun and Neptune arrived at the tent. Both of them along with Sage and Scarlet spent the morning around the city searching for Blake but had no luck. Both of them stood there watching over their friends hoping they wake up.
"Uhuh," Yang slowly open her eyes.
"Yang!" Weiss was surprised. "You're awake." Everyone looked over towards her.
"What happened?" Yang said still trying to figure everything out.
"Take it easy. You're alright. We're in Vale."
Yang looked at her right arm and said, "Oh yeah I remember." She looked around to see who else was there. "What happened to Ruby? To Jaune? Where's Pyrrha and Blake?"
"It's a long story. But first, do you remember what happened?" Weiss asked her. Yang told everyone there everything that transpired.
"I went to look for Blake. I heard her scream. I turn and saw him. That guy she mentioned. He'd hurt her. I charged in and… and … he used his sword… I blacked out after that." She looked down after she finished her story.
"Yang. I'm sorry."
Weiss then explained what happened. "Pyrrha and Jaune fought against this woman at the top of the tower. Ruby and I went towards the tower to get them but the Grimm prevented us from getting there. I used my Glyphs to send Ruby up there. The last thing I saw was a light from the top of the tower. Your uncle Qrow went up there, but only found both Ruby and Jaune." She began to cry a little before continuing. "He said that Ruby got there too late. When she got there, Pyrrha was already… already… gone." Weiss found it difficult to finish the last sentence. "Jaune was heavily injured. Ruby didn't get too hurt but was unconscious."
Yang only had a blank stare. She didn't know how to respond to what she was told. She then asked softly "And Blake?"
Before Weiss responded, Sun stepped forward. "She's gone. When we got to the city, she ran away. I tried to stop her but she was already too far gone. She's out there somewhere and my team has spent all morning searching for her. So far no luck."
After hearing Blake's departure, Yang began to cry. The news about her broke her. She could not believe that her comrade, her friend, her best friend (and maybe more than best friend) had run away after everything that happened. Yang tried to save her but lost her right arm. She didn't say a word to her as to why she left. She didn't even stay to make sure that Yang had recovered. This is what broke Yang on the inside. Weiss tried her best to comfort her but to no avail.
"Ruby. Please by alright." Weiss thought as she comforts Yang.
A few hours had passed since Yang had woken up. Everyone in the tent was standing by both Ruby and Jaune side hoping that they wake up. Yang stood up from her bed, no longer crying. She only stared down in front of her.
"Yang," said Weiss "We're here for you if you need us."
A few minutes later, an Atlesian soldier came to the tent.
"Ms. Weiss Schnee. Your father is here." The soldier said.
Weiss was shocked when he said that. She went outside the tent and saw her father standing in front of her with two other Atlesian soldiers. Mr. Schnee was a tall man with white hair, a white mustache, and wearing a white suit with blue shirt and a gray tie.
"Father. What brings you here?"
"Weiss. I saw what happened." Her father said. His words became angry when he mentioned what he saw. "The Grimm and the Atlesian robots that we built attacking the city and the school. It was made worse when the transmission was cut off. In fact, with that blasted tower gone, all communications to and from Vale are cut off. I could not sit by and let you stay here under such condition. You are coming home with me."
"But father."
"Weiss. You are my daughter. I want you safe. Looked around you. Here is the last place to be safe. It's time to go. Don't keep me waiting."
"Father." Weiss try to find the words but knew that there was nothing that she could say that would change his mind. He was correct. Vale was damaged and parts of it are still unsafe. The school is overrun by Grimm. Two of her best friends are recovering in the hospital tent. Her other best friend had run off to the unknown, probably long gone by now. Weiss comply with her father. Before she got on the ship, she went back inside the medical tent. She looked at everyone who was there.
"I'm sorry. I have to go with my father back to Atlas." She began to sob as she continued her speech. "All of you were the greatest friends I could have. Once I leave, I'll have no way of contacting you. Communication is down and I don't know if I'll ever reach any of you." She went up to Yang to hug her. "Yang, you are one great person. Don't let this get to you. And tell Ruby when she wakes up that she was one of the greatest friends I am glad to have. I am grateful to have met her and to be her best friend." She went over towards Ren and Nora. "Tell Jaune that I cared for him and he is one great individual with a good heart. Tell him that I am grateful to have met him." She walked up getting to head outside the tent. She turned around. "Stay safe everyone. We'll see each other again someday."
Weiss cried as she left the tent. When she arrived at the airship, she looked back and said "Goodbye everyone." With that, the hanger closed and Weiss left the city. She was on her way to Atlas. She was gone.
The mood was silent once again. With two members of team RWBY gone, no one had any words to say. Sun and Neptune arrived at the tent to say their goodbyes as well. They were told that their team would be heading back to Mistral. They had no choice but to go. With that, only Yang, Ren, Nora, an unconscious Ruby and an unconscious Jaune remained. Ren and Nora were still sitting by Jaune's side.
"It seems everyone we know leaving," Ren said softly to Nora.
"I notice," Nora replied. "How long before we leave?"
"To where? We have no place to go. All we can do is be by our leader's side. It all we have left."
As soon as Ren finished speaking, another individual came through the tent.
"Yang! Ruby!" The man was Taiyang, Ruby, and Yang's father. Taiyang was a tall man with blonde hair and blonde facial hair. He arrived with Qrow and it seemed clear that he would be taking his daughters home. Both Ren and Nora greeted the man and looked over at Yang. Yang did not react with any emotion and hugged her father. He knew how her she felt and thought best that it was time to go.
"Goodbye guys." Yang said to Ren and Nora. "Look after Jaune will ya. He's going to need you."
"We will." Said Nora. "Just get better. And tell Ruby when she wakes up that were thankful for what she did."
"I will," Yang replied to them. Yang walked out while Taiyang carried Ruby on his back.
With that, all of the members of team RWBY had left Vale. With all of them gone, Ren and Nora had nowhere else to go and nowhere else to be. All they could do is stay by their leader's side.
"It's just us then," Ren said softly.
"I know," Nora replied to him. "It's quiet around here. All of our friends are gone."
"All of them gone. I remember those days where we would sit around and just talk about whatever comes to mind. Like your dream about the Beowolves."
"I know. That felt like yesterday. Do you remember that food fight? I was the Queen of the Castle until they dethrone me."
"If I recalled you did knock Weiss out, and send Yang flying into the sky."
"That was awesome. I wish I could have gone flying, and swooped them down from above."
"Yeah you would of." Ren chuckled a bit before sighing. "But those were simpler times. With everything that happened, I doubt that we get to do that again. Those days are gone. All we could do is move forward and hope for a better tomorrow." Nora nodded to Ren before resting her head on his shoulders.
A few minutes later, two individuals appeared. One was a middle-aged woman wearing a short blue dress and boots. The other was a tall, muscular man wearing a red jacket with a white plain shirt. They were Jaune's parent.
"Jaune," said Mrs. Arc. "Jaune we are here." Ren and Nora stood up and greeted the Arcs.
"I'm Ren and this is Nora. We are friends and comrades of Jaune."
"You two comrades of my Jaune." Mr. Arc said. "And what is your team name?"
"We are team JNPR. And Jaune is our fearless leader." Nora said ecstatically to his parents.
"Really. I'm so proud of my son. But what happened to him? And where is your other comrade." Ren and Nora looked down at them. They hesitated to tell them everything.
Before one of them opened their mouths, Mrs. Arc said "Oh you poor souls. I don't need words to tell me that something bad happened." She went over towards them and held each of their hands. "Your comrade must have been special to all of you. They must have been more than that. They must have been your friends. I know it must be hard to deal with their death. It's never easy. Nothing is. Can you tell me their name?"
"Her name was Pyrrha Nikos," Ren told with a sad tone. "She and Jaune fought against a powerful enemy. Most likely the one responsible for everything. Jaune fought his hardest, however, he suffered serious damage to his body. The doctors say he'll fully recover in a few weeks. However…" Ren found it difficult to continue with his words. "Pyrrha didn't make it. Something tells me Jaune saw what happened. All they found was her crown."
The Arcs couldn't find the words to respond what Ren told them. Mrs. Arc went up towards her son.
"He fought bravely. We're glad that he is alive. However, he has suffered a lot."
"I guess it's our time to take him home." Mr. Arc went over to Jaune and lift him up. "No point in staying here were the Grimm are still lurking. Come on we are going home Jaune."
"I thank you for looking after him." Ms. Arc said to both Ren and Nora. "Do you two have anywhere to go?"
Ren replied "We have nowhere to go. We have no home."
"I see. You two can come stay with us if you like."
"Yes, we will," Nora said. "Come on Ren, we have to be there for our leader." Ren agreed and packed their stuff to head out.
The Arcs along with Nora and Ren went forward up a hill that overlooked the city and parts of Beacon. Mr. Arc who was carrying Jaune, led the way with Ms. Arc and Nora behind him conversing along the way. Ren stopped and looked back at the scene.
He remembered the day when both team RWBY and team JNPR took down the Death Stalker and the Nevermore on the day of their initiation. He then remembered all the moments the two teams shared during their time there. He knew that they would never happen again and they would not return to Beacon for a long time.
"So long Beacon. It has been fun. Stay safe everyone."
And so team RWBY and team JN(P)R have left Vale and Beacon as they prepare for an uncertain future ahead of them.
A/N: I felt that it was necessary to include team RWBY departure since both teams were close to one another. Naturally, all of them leaving the city and their friends would be emotional, along with the news of Pyrrha's death. Since Yang knew about Weiss leaving towards Atlas, I assume that she was awake when she left. The next chapter we'll met Jaune's seven sisters who I assume are all younger than him, and him waking up since his battle. See you all next time.