"Strength comes from who you surround yourself with. Friends empower you and allow you to accomplish your dreams. The heart guides and gives us our power. Without it we would be nothing, no better then the Grimm that infest our world."
Keeper of the Heart, deceased 12 years prior to present.
Blake crashed into a wall, her breath rasping painfully. She had very little strength left to run, as they had been dodging Grimm for the last half hour trying to get out of Beacon.
"Just go on! I'm only slowing you down." She panted, holding herself up weakly.
"NO! You are coming whether you like it or not." Yang shouted at her, shifting Ruby on her shoulders angrily.
"Come on! We are almost there, I can see the airships from here." Nora encouraged, pointing across a courtyard.
Ren nodded weakly in agreement. He was only able to stand because Nora was supporting his weight
"Start across, I'll run after you." Blake gasped past her strained breathing.
"Blake Belladonna, you are going to run across the courtyard with us." Yang scolded, eyes lined with red.
Blake looked up at her partner, trying to find strength to continue. She straightened, taking a deep breath. Her lungs were on fire, the agony of exertion taking its toll. She leaned back against the wall, letting her head fall limply back. Her mouth twitched, hinting a smile,
"What's so funny?" Yang asked, confused.
"I'll tell you later." Blake responded, looking at the sky.
Stars twinkled brightly above. Dark black clouds drifted by, unaffected by the world around them. The moon was shattered, its pieces trailing off into nothingness. It had entered its final period of waxing, in days it would be full. Moonlight cast shadows around them, making them seem like ghosts in the darkness. Smoke from the academy drifted through the air, swirling around open fires.
"Looks like the coast is clear." Nora piped up, peering through the dark towards the front gate.
Blake pushed off the wall, glancing around to make sure. Seeing nothing in the darkness around them, she agreed.
"She's right."
A howl ripped through the silence around them, reminding them of the imminent danger hunting them.
Nora took off, half carrying Ren, his protests falling on deaf ears. Yang and Blake were not far behind, the sound of their panting echoing around them.
"There it is!" Yang cried out, catching sight of their goal.
A single airship still hovered in front of the school. Its giant metal wings flapped slowly, keeping it aloft. No light shone through its many windows, its outline blocking out a vast silhouette against the stars.
Yang struggled with Ruby's weight on her back, barely able to keep up with the group. Blake was beside her, her long strides broken by a painful limp.
Howls cut through the air from behind them. They had been located by the Beowolves. Their glowing black eyes shone with delight at the easy prey before them.
The ground shook as the pack gave chase, closing the distance rapidly. Blake could hear the panting behind her, looming ever closer. She fought down the fear numbing her limbs, desperately trying to ignore the pain shooting through her every step.
Nora skidded to a halt just inside the open door. Propping Ren up against a wall she drew Magnhild, firing grenades into the approaching hoard. Pink explosions ripped through the stampede, sending pieces flying. She looked over the battered courtyard swarming with Grimm, more appearing from the ruins every moment, attracted to the chase. Her gaze fell on Blake and Yang, barely keeping ahead of their drooling maws, Ruby tossing like a rag doll across Yang's shoulders.
Nora shivered, knowing it was going to be close.
"You're almost here! Run!" She shouted over grenades going off.
Blake was on her last legs, every time she came down on her right ankle it exploded in pain. It hadn't completely healed when her aura had flared up. She saw Nora firing over her head into the crowd behind them, trying to buy them time.
Blake heard a snarl behind her, claws raked across her back, ripping through her skin with ease. She staggered, barely keeping her balance. Blood flowed down her back as she neared the door, fear numbing her to the pain.
Nora rushed past her as she cleared the door, swinging her hammer viciously at her pursuer. An explosion ripped through the night, sending dirt and fragments of the concrete flying. She swung her hammer in wide arks, keeping the area clear.
Ren threw the switch to close the door,
"Nora!"
She blasted the rest of her clip into the mob, sending broken corpses flying. Turning to the door she sprinted, rolling through the door just before it closed.
Blake collapsed onto the floor next to Yang, exhaustion overcoming her. Her muscles burned in agony as she panted furiously, trying to catch her breath.
Yang threw her a small smile before turning to her sister. Ruby was propped up against the wall, chest rising and falling slowly.
The door shook as Beowolves threw themselves against the door, their snarls echoing through the empty airship.
"No time to rest, we need to get this thing moving." Ren groaned as the door began to buckle.
Yang staggered to her feet, throwing Ruby across her shoulders. Blake stood up, clutching the wall for support. Her vision swam as she almost toppled over. A pool of blood marked the floor where she lay.
Nora's eyes widened,
"Blake, you're hurt."
She put her arm around Blake, steadying her. Blake's back was sticky from blood oozing from her wound.
Blake smiled weakly,
"Thanks." She rasped.
"We need to go!" Ren reminded them, worried at the intensity with which the Beowolves were beating at the door.
"Um, anyone know where the cockpit is?" Yang asked, as they began down the hall.
"It's at the front, silly." Nora answered, her tone saying, "Where else could it be?"
"Perhaps we could just follow the signs?" Blake pointed out, gesturing at a plaque on the wall, arrows pointing to various areas of the craft.
Yang smirked at Blake,
"Way to go."
Blake shook her head, too lazy to come up with a retort. Her eyes widened when Yang stumbled, succumbing to exhaustion.
With a crash Yang fell to the floor, her legs finally giving out under Ruby's weight. Yang groaned from beneath her sister, gasping air back into her lungs.
Nora pulled Ruby off Yang, pulling her into a sitting position. Yang sat back against a wall, trying to stretch out her aching muscles.
"We need to wake her, none of us have the strength to carry her." Ren said, leaning on the wall, his face pale.
Blake nodded faintly, agreeing.
"Ruby, wake up." Nora said into her ear, shaking her face gently.
Nora shook her roughly,
"Wake up!" Nora shouted, afraid that Ruby may not wake up.
"Nora, let me try." Yang whispered, slumped carelessly against the bulkhead. Her eyes were dim, her eyelids fluttering.
Nora pulled Ruby over to Yang, laying her across Yang's lap.
Yang embraced her sister, whispering softly into her ear.
"Ruby, wake up." Her lilac eyes teared up, fogging over with grief. She stroked Ruby's hair softly, holding her gently.
"You're safe. I'm here. Blake is here. Ren, Nora, we're all here for you Ruby." Yang gently spoke into her ear, comforting her.
"You need to wake up. I need you Ruby." Yang's tears dropped onto her sister's face, leaving streaks in the grime.
Yang clutched her sister in a tight embrace, her heart tying itself into knots.
Ruby stirred, barely moving. Her eyelids fluttered, dull grey eyes blearily taking in the world.
"Yang." Ruby breathed.
"Ruby!" Yang crushed her sister in her arms, her exhaustion all but forgotten.
"You're hurting me." She groaned, her ribs crunching painfully.
"Sorry." Yang loosened her grip, letting Ruby fall back onto her lap. Her hands stroked her face gently, wiping away Ruby's tears.
Ruby smiled weakly at her sister, tears running from the corners of her eyes. Yang smiled back,
"Love you sis."
"Hate to break up your guys' reunion, but we're short on time." Ren interrupted, holding his chest painfully.
Ruby nodded, taking her sister's hands, they climbed to their feet, holding each other up. She caught sight of Blake leaning against the bulkhead, alarm ran through her at the severity of her wounds.
Blood soaked Blake's cloths, fresh blood marking Nora's arm where she was supporting her. The gash on her cheek oozed slightly, blood dripping off her chin whenever she moved.
"Blake, you're hurt." Ruby whispered, concern weighing down her voice.
Blake waved her arm in dismissal,
"I'm fine."
Ruby recoiled at the sight of Blake's hand, feeling bile rise to the back of her throat.
"Your hand!"
Blake slid her hand in her vest pocket, trying to hide the stumps of two fingers.
"It's nothing Ruby," Blake kept her voice calm, "The bridge should be up there." She pointed with her left arm, gesturing up a flight of stairs farther down the corridor.
Ruby felt sick. She was horrified at the sight of Blake's disfigured hand, blaming herself for her teammate's injuries. Her mind echoed with thoughts of guilt, everything screaming at her, saying everything was her fault. She shook her head trying to clear her head.
Yang glanced at her, concerned she was taking it too hard.
"You okay?"
Ruby shook her head, pulling her towards the stairs.
Blake followed, supported by Nora. Ren took the back, glancing briefly at the smear of blood he left on the wall.
The cockpit was basic, with two instrument stations, each having a joystick and a set of gauges indicating the status of various systems. Each station had a set of switches controlling the dust engines and control system, lights flicking on and off randomly.
They stood staring at the flashing lights and various controls in silence,
"Um, ah." Yang started awkwardly, "Anyone know how to fly one of these?"
Yang shifted uncomfortably on her feet as silence filled the cabin.
"We could, um" She continued, rambling on, "Wait!" An idea crossed her mind,
"You think there is an instruction manual somewhere? With circles and arrows on the back of each page explaining what everything is?"
They looked at her skeptically. Sighing she continued,
"Well, at least they could have left—" She broke off, interrupted by Blake.
"Help me into the chair."
Blake sighed, cursing silently. Now there would be questions. Why did she have to be the only one that knew how to pilot the blasted airship?
They looked at her, startled.
"You can fly?" Ruby asked, stunned.
Blake glared at her,
"Just help me okay?"
Nora guided her gently onto the cushioned seat, wiping her arm on her skirt.
"You know how to fly one of these?"
Blake ignored her question, checking the status of the engines. She pushed some levers up, feeling the deck vibrate beneath her feet.
"Blake?" Yang asked softly, "Have you flown one of these before?" Her eyes stared into the back of Blake's head, drilling holes into her skull.
Blake nodded curtly, flipping some switches with precise, efficient movements. Yang furrowed her brow, frustration seeping into her mind. Ruby stepped away from her, going to sit in the copilot chair. She looked at Blake, disturbed at her frosty demeanor. Blake's face was blank, her amber eyes showing nothing as they scanned the control panel. The craft pulled away from the mooring slowly, gaining altitude in the night sky.
"Blake, are you okay?" Ruby asked slowly.
Blake glanced at her, narrowing her eyes. She shoved away the fear rising inside her, composing herself before putting an end to the questions.
Her fists clenched the joystick, breathing deeply she continued. "Yes I can fly. "
She sent daggers at Ruby, glaring her into submission.
"Whoa," Yang frowned, "Somebody got slashed by the wrong Beowulf."
Blake felt her aura thrashing inside her, trying to seep into the air around her. She breathed deeply, fighting as panic started to emerge. The barriers in her mind started to crack, weakened from the black torrent of memories bubbling back into her mind.
The air around her shimmered, dark violet blurring her outline as her aura leaked out.
Ruby sat back, amazed by Blake's reaction. She sent a worried glance at her sister, getting a shrug in response. Looking back at Blake, her brow furrowed. Biting her lip, she opened her mouth to speak.
"What do you want?" Blake shot at Ruby, making her jump at the sharpness of the words.
"I want to know what is going on!" Ruby shot back, annoyed.
"Nothing." Blake hissed, "Just leave me be!"
Ruby frowned, glaring at the side of Blake's face.
"Obviously, something is wrong. This is not like you." She watched a bead of sweat drip off her brow,
"Your aura, your reaction to simple questions. I'm worried about you, Blake."
Blake was hyperventilating. She stared out the windscreen trying to crush the terror tearing her apart piece by piece. Her mind was overloaded, fuses blown to bits. She fought for her sanity, trying to stem the dark tide of memories threatening to wash her away into oblivion.
"Blake—" Yang began, standing behind Blake. Trying to comfort her, she rested her hands on Blake's shoulders.
"Get. Off." Blake snarled, shaking Yang's hands off her shoulders. With each word her aura pulsed, getting brighter. Dark violet energy erupted around her, shoving Yang backwards.
"What the hell, Blake!" Yang shouted, her eyes flashing crimson.
Ruby stood up, shocked and worried for her teammate.
"Blake! Snap out of it!" Ruby shouted, "Get a gr—"
She stopped, frozen by the absolute terror gripping Blake. Her skin was sickly white. Violent tremors ripped through her as dark aura licked the air viciously around her. The joystick in her hands cracked and popped in her hands, threatening to rip off the control panel. Her black hair blazed with energy as everything melted around her. Gauges exploded as aura stabbed through the air, decimating anything it sliced through.
Ruby dove to the floor as dark spears of energy lanced around the cabin. Sparks flew through the air as electronics overloaded, sending shrapnel flying through the air.
Blake collapsed on the control panel, unconscious from the violent outburst. Sirens screamed around them. Smoke filled the air, lit up by flashing warning lights on control panels. The deck of the ship pitched violently, tossing them around wildly.
Yang crawled to her feet. She frowned, the tilt of the deck started to get unsettling. Her eyes flew to the windscreen, her stomach doing flips.
"Well," Yang whispered softly, "That's the ground."
Ruby stood next to her sister, holding her tattered arm gingerly. Her eyes shot open,
"Yang, that's not just the ground. That's Vale!"
The airship picked up speed as it fell from the sky, on a collision course with the outskirts of Vale. The city was dark, the only light coming from buildings engulfed in fire. Pillars of smoke rose from the city, blocking out the shattered moon.
Ren and Nora joined them.
"Shouldn't we be doing something?" Nora asked, uneasy at the pending collision with the ground.
"Nora, the controls are all fried." Ren responded quietly, gesturing at the blackened remains of the cockpit around them.
"Oh." She responded, downcast by his lack of hope.
Ren embraced Nora, holding her softly. She closed her eyes, a tear dripping onto his shoulder. Ren smiled sadly, stroking her hair slowly. He whispered into her ear, comforting her.
"We'll be fine."
"Blake…" Ruby murmured, remembering her teammate. She watched as Yang cautiously approached Blake, worry weighing her down. Outside, the ground screamed up at them, getting closer and closer.
Yang pulled Blake off the console, leaning her back in the chair. She gasped when she saw her partner's face. Her cheeks were gaunt, as if she had aged years in just minutes. The gash down the side of her face was healed, leaving a jagged scar across her face.
"Blake!" Yang cried, grief overcoming her. She fell to her knees next to her friend, clutching her limp hand desperately.
"Yang!" Ruby shouted, alarm shooting through her.
"Ruby." Yang whimpered, glancing up at her sister. Anguish filled her, leaving her empty.
The ground embraced them in a mess of twisted metal and fire as the airship completed its journey. They were hurled into the windscreen, sending the world spiraling into oblivion.
(A/N) Thank you for reading. Any comments/questions/concerns are welcome.
Beta Reader: MadCinder
Next time: Running through the streets of Vale. What refuge do they seek? Only what can be found in the middle of the night… During a terrorist takeover.
