Chapter 27
Author's Note: I know this chapter is quite short, but I was in the process of moving this week and I didn't have time to do much writing between that, school, and work. I should be back on schedule next week, though. Thank you all for bearing with me!
"The Grimm…are not creatures natural to this world. Rather, they are invaders. We are told that we just barely managed to survive the initial onslaught of the Grimm. But what about before that?" Lionel asked rhetorically. "Before the Grimm, we all lived in peace, without the need for war or money or power. We were a peaceful, ignorant species. That all changed when the Grimm first started to appear." He stated.
"How is it that you can say that with certainty?" Ironwood asked.
"I'll get to that." Lionel said. "Like all good things, however, it could not last forever. Eventually, one person came along who did envy things. Who wanted more than what he already had. This greed eventually turned into a passionate desire, so much so, that he was willing to do anything to obtain more. This anger eventually led him to do unspeakable acts. And that, in turn, created the first Grimm." Lionel stated.
"How did all of the rest of the Grimm come to be?" Ruby asked.
"Corruption." Lionel stated. "This monster's only job is to corrupt everything good in this world. The only real question I have is…how was this monster able to retain his intelligence when the others could not. I've worked for a very long time to try and figure that one out to no avail." He stated.
"So this monster's only purpose is to corrupt?" Ozpin asked.
"Basically." Lionel answered. "After many years, of war, the beast had finally been outmatched by the power of dust. As we pushed the Grimm away from our safe havens, he figured that it was not the time to fight to the last breath. He had most of his Grimm retreat for many centuries. When we became complacent, he attacked again and this was known as the Grimm War." Lionel explained.
"And the rest is history." Ironwood stated.
"Not quite." Lionel stated. "While it is true that the Knights rose up to defeat the Grimm, there was another important fact that was purposely left out of the history books…though it does exist in legend." He said.
"What do you mean?" Ironwood asked.
"The Saviors." Lionel stated.
"They're real?" Ironwood asked.
"Most definitely. The women were right there alongside the Knights, fighting just as hard. The Knights were the ones who drove the Grimm back, but the Saviors are the ones who defeated this beast the first time." Lionel said as he pointed to the hologram in front of everyone.
"Unfortunately, we don't have time to be concerning ourselves with the memories of the deceased." The Haven Academy Headmaster said.
"I told you already, they exist in legend. And legend says they will never die." Lionel explained.
"How do you figure that?" The Haven Academy Headmaster asked.
"You've got to learn to open your mind to more possibilities. The Saviors will be back, and they'll defeat this beast again." Lionel said.
"But until then, we have to prepare for the worst." Ozpin said.
"We should have our militaries ready for an attack at any moment." Ironwood said.
"Agreed. I will see you all at our our next scheduled meeting." Ozpin said as each of the holograms nodded their heads in agreement before disappearing.
"You girls know you have a part to play in this too, right?" Lionel asked.
"Duh. I'ma kick some Grimm ass." Yang stated.
"Of course you will." Lionel said. "I'm going to head back to my house and catch up on come much needed rest, if you need anything…let me know." He stated.
"We will." Ruby said as she waved goodbye.
"The nurse came in earlier and told us that we would have to move to separate rooms later." Weiss said.
"Aww, but we all just got back together." Ruby pouted.
"It's not like they are going to be keeping us away from each other. Besides, most of your wounds have already vanished." Weiss said.
"Is that why they are letting you out early?" Blake asked.
"Yep!" Ruby said.
"Lucky you…you get to sleep in your own bed tonight." Yang mocked jokingly.
"Actually, I wanted to stay here with you guys, but if we're splitting up then I don't know who to hang out with." Ruby said.
"I'm gonna go back to sleep once they take me back to my room, so…I love ya, sis…but a girl needs here beauty sleep." Yang said with a smile.
"Yes, and I am going to go and speak with Ozpin, so I won't be available for a while." Blake said.
"I guess that settles it, you and Weiss can spend all night together." Yang stated.
"Ugh." Weiss scoffed. "Now I'll never get to sleep." She said with a smile.
"She's happy." Yang said before the door opened.
"Ladies, it's time that we moved you now. We've got other patients waiting for entrance to the Intensive Care Unit." The nurse said.
"Perfect timing." Yang said as she stood up with a slight wobble.
"Be careful…" Blake sighed as she was ready to catch Yang if she fell.
"I told you she cares about me." Yang said to Ruby as if Blake wasn't there.
Weiss slowly stood up to prevent as much pain as possible seeing as how she was the most damaged. Ruby was immediately at her side helping her up and helping her bear some of the weight. "Are you okay?" Ruby asked as Blake and Yang began to walk to the door.
"I'll be fine; I just have to take it slow." Weiss said.
"How about we get you a wheelchair so you don't have to be in so much pain." The nurse said and she walked outside only to return moments later with said wheelchair.
"Thank you." Weiss said as she sat down in the chair. She looked around and saw that both Yang and Blake were already gone from the room.
"Ready?" Ruby asked from behind Weiss.
"Yes." Weiss said as Ruby began to push Weiss in the direction of the elevator.
"What is the room number?" Ruby asked the nurse.
"6601. Just take the elevator up three floors and take a right when you exit. It should be at the end of that hall on your left side." The nurse said.
"Thank you!" Ruby said as the elevator doors opened.
"You just love to make all kinds of friends, don't' you?" Weiss asked.
"I guess. I just like being nice to people." Ruby stated as she pushed Weiss into the elevator.
"So I've noticed." Weiss said as the elevator began to move. "I can't even begin to tell you how much I appreciate you being nice to me. I feel like I've changed a lot." She said.
"You have. Yang still calls you an ice queen to annoy you, but we all know you're not anymore." Ruby said.
"Still. Some of the changes I've gone through…I still don't know what they mean." Weiss said as the elevator came to a stop and the elevator doors opened.
"What do you mean?" Ruby said as she pushed Weiss into the hallway and began heading for her new room.
"You know…I'm not sure. And that's what scares me the most…I've never acted like this before and I don't know if it's right to keep doing it." Weiss said.
"Does it feel right?" Ruby asked.
"Excuse me?" Weiss asked in response.
"Does it feel right? Are you happy when you act in this new way?" Ruby said as they made it to Weiss' room and entered.
"I suppose so…You just seem to do it so naturally." Weiss said.
"Do what?" Ruby asked as she closed the door.
"Be so nice. And helpful. And loving. You put everything on the line to save Blake and Yang…then you ended up seriously endangering yourself to save me…which I'm still angry about, by the way." Weiss said.
"Sorry." Ruby said with a chuckle. "What can I do to make it up to you?" she asked.
Weiss stood up from the wheelchair and turned to face Ruby. "You can help me find out if this new me feels right or not." She said.
Ruby raised an eyebrow, "How can I do–"
Her voice was cut off by Weiss in an instant. Usually, the heiress would scold or complain when she interrupted people. But this time she didn't…she was expressing herself in the only way she knew how…the only way to find out if she was okay with who she has become was to take the leap of faith. Weiss had her lips pressed firmly to Ruby's lips. When she pulled away, Ruby was at a loss for words.
"Yes." Weiss said confidently.
"Y-y-yes…?" Ruby muttered.
"I am definitely happy with who I am." Weiss stated.
