Chapter 11
POV: Omniscient
Oscar let out a battle cry, before charging at his foes. He let out attack after attack but soon became tired. The training dummy was barely damaged.
?: You're really getting better, huh?
He turned to the entrance of the training room and saw Ruby standing in the doorway.
Ruby: It's almost dinnertime! You hungry?
He walked over to the weapon's rack and put the cane away.
Oscar: Uh, yeah… I was about to call it a night anyways.
Ruby: Have you ever fought before?
Oscar: Just the occasional small grimm. Nothing like this…
Ruby: Wow, you look like you've been fighting most of your life.
Oscar: Well, I think that's mostly just Ozpin's muscle memory… It's weird. I've only had the cane a week or two, but it feels like I've had it a lifetime. Longer, even.
He thought about what he said for a second.
Oscar: I… sound like a crazy person, don't I?
Ruby: Just a little. But then again, not all of us have a teacher stuck in our heads. Either way, at this rate, you'll be combat ready in no time!
Ruby watched as it seemed like a shadow passed over Oscar's face. His face fell.
Ruby: Well… um, I'll see you upstairs…
Oscar: Wait!
Ruby: Hm?
Oscar: How… how do you handle all of this?
Ruby: What do you mean?
Oscar: I'm… scared. More scared than I've ever been in my life. More scared than I ever thought was possible. I always knew I wanted to be more than a farmhand, but this? This is terrifying.
Ruby: We all went to Beacon to help people. But you're right. None of us asked for this either. We just have to press on.
Oscar: How can you be so confident? People have tried to kill you! The world's about to go to war all over again! How are you ok with any of this?!
There as a moment of silence, as Ruby let him calm down.
Ruby: I… when Beacon fell, I lost two friends. Penny Polendina and Pyrrha Nikos. While I didn't know then for very long, that doesn't change the fact that they were the two kindest people I had ever met. But that didn't save them. Pyrrha always thought that if there was even the smallest chance of helping someone, then the risk was worth it. Because of that, she died fighting a battle she knew she couldn't win. And Penny… She was killed to prove a point.
Oscar: I'm… sorry.
Ruby: I am scared, but not just for me. What happened at Beacon shows that Salem doesn't care whether or not you're standing against her. She'll just kill anyone, and that's what scares me most of all. Penny… Pyrrha… I'd be lying if I said that the loss didn't hurt, that I didn't think about them every day since I lost them, that I didn't wish I had spent more time with them. If it had been me instead of them, I know they would have kept fighting, no matter how dangerous. So I need to follow their example and keep moving forward.
She had walked around quite a bit while talking, they both had, and she was now standing in front of the window. She turned around, and saw that he had his bag packed, and ready.
Ruby: C'mon! If we don't hurry, Nora will just eat everything. It wouldn't be the first time…
Oscar kept looking out the window, as Ruby walked back to the door.
Ruby: Hey, Oscar? Things aren't going to be easy, but the fact that you're even trying says a lot about you. You're braver than you think.
?: Courage isn't a lack of fear, but the action in spite of it.
Ruby: AGH! Rocket, stop doing that! You walk too quietly!
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POV: Rocket
I guess I hadn't even noticed myself try to mask my sound…
Rocket: Sorry, force of habit, I guess.
Ruby: How long have you been here?
Rocket: I just got here about 15 seconds ago. I was told to come fetch you two for dinner. The first thing I heard was the bravery part, and I guessed that this was the end of a very long pep talk, and decided to add in more. Anyways, come on. Nora's about to start.
Ruby: NO!
Ruby dashed away, and I left Oscar to his own devices.
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Oscar watched the door, about to follow, when-
Ozpin: She really is remarkable, isn't she?
Oscar: Yeah, she must have been one of the best huntsmen at Beacon, huh?
Ozpin: In her own way, but also in many ways, no. She has her quirks and faults, just like everyone else. That's why the huntsmen academies have groups of 4. Each member helps fill any of the other's faults. Above that, she also possesses a certain spark, a spark that can inspire others even in the darkest of times.
Oscar: This all must be hard on her, too.
Ozpin: It most assuredly is.
Just then, Oscar heard an earth-shattering roar, coming from the general direction of the dining room. He recognized it as Nora burping.
Oscar: I'm guessing food is completely gone?
Ozpin: Most likely.
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Corsec and Fennec were standing a red, candle-lit room. The candles didn't light up the room fully, but enough.
Fennec: Your thoughts?
Corsec: Of no matter. If this is how High Leader Taurus wants to proceed, then we shall make it so.
Fennec: Of course, brother.
They heard the doors open behind them and turned around to see Ilia, kneeling.
Corsec: Sister Ilia, thank you for meeting with us.
Ilia: How may I be of assistance?
Fennec: Please, stand.
Ilia followed his command and stood up straight.
Corsec: We have wonderful news.
Fennec: We have finally received a message from the Mistral brotherhood.
Corsec: Adam has officially claimed his position as the High Leader of the White Fang.
Ilia: Good. And… Sienna?
Fennec: Buried with honor.
Corsec: Other branches have been given the story that was agreed upon.
Ilia: A necessary sacrifice. We won't soon forget everything she did for us.
Fennec: Of course.
Corsec: Your maturity in understanding the situation is appreciated, and it is why we've summon you here this evening.
Fennec: The white fang is experiencing… a transitional period.
Corsec: Growth requires change…
Fennec: And change can be painful.
Ilia: If it is for the betterment of the Faunas, then it's pain we can endure. What is our next mission.
Corsec: Containment.
Fennec: Without the CCT towers available, we have the luxury of control over information.
Corsec: News of Adam's ascension has yet to reach Menagerie. When it does though, the reaction from the citizens will undoubtedly be poor, now that the chieftain has spoken out against us.
Ilia: It's my fault the Belladonna's had any ground to stand on…
Fennec: Do not concern yourself with past mistakes, Ilia. Focus on the future.
Corsec: We have an opportunity for redemption.
Ilia: What do you need me to do?
They could see her resolve was hardened. That was exactly what they had been hoping for. After all, the task ahead would be… disheartening to say the least.
Fennec: The belladonnas are the only remaining threat to Adam's assault on Haven Academy.
Corsec: And so… they must be silenced.
Ilia was devastated.
Ilia: S- Silenced…?
Fennec: Like Sienna, they only stand in the way of our people. We would never put such a burden on your shoulders alone, of course: Your brothers and sisters will be at your side.
Corsec: Your relationship with their daughter makes you an integral part of this operation.
Fennec: We know how close you were with young Blake.
Corsec: Luckily, High Leader Taurus has requested that she be taken alive, but she can not be present to defend her family.
Ilia: But… the people of Menagerie-
Fennec: Will come to understand what happens to those who resist the White Fang.
Corsec: And will be left without a leader until out plans have passed.
Fennec stepped forward and put his hand on her shoulder.
Fennec: A necessary sacrifice, sister Ilia.
She looked back up at him almost crying. She took a deep breath, before holding the tears back.
Ilia: A necessary sacrifice…
She bowed, before walking back out. Corsec and Fennec turned back to the hologram projector in front of them.
Corsec: She was right to worry about the citizens. It is possible that they may come to see Ghira as a martyr.
Fennec: It is a risk we must take. For our High Leader.
They replayed his message, as they always did when they were alone. They could see his troubled demeanor and mind.
Adam: They will not be allowed to interfere! The Belladonna name has brought me nothing but grief. You have done well to find the deserter. Bring her to me, alive. But not before you've slaughtered her family.
As the message faded, Fennec went back to replay it again, but then Corsec noted-
Corsec: He seems… unwell.
Fennec: He does carry the biggest burden of all.
