Here we are at Chapter 104. Time to see how the gang is doing now that Oscar has gone missing, and to see if Khazhak will indeed wake up with Midgardsormr's help. I do not own RWBY. They belong to Roosterteeth. I only own my OCs. Here's chapter 106. Enjoy.
Chapter 104: Wake Up Call
"Okay, I'll bite, what's the idea that will help me wake up and make me stronger?" Khazhak asks Midgardsormr.
"I must warn you; it will not be easy, and it will be extremely painful," Midgardsormr says.
"Yeah, your son said the same thing the first time we met. I don't care, just do it," Khazhak demands.
Midgardsormr's eyes glow red before suddenly, several chains shoot out from the void, wrapping themselves around Khazhak's limbs and body. He tries to break himself free, but then lightning made up of a rainbow of colors spread from the chains to Khazhak, causing him to scream when they hit him. Normally, all forms of electricity wouldn't harm him, but this lightning is different, mystical almost. The lightning stops a few moments later, and Khazhak falls onto his knees, breathing raggedly as steam flows off of his body.
"Well, it seems you can at least survive that much. But I wonder just how long you can last," Midgardsormr says before the lightning returns, only with greater force. Khazhak screams louder this time, throwing his head back as he shouts into the darkness. "If you cannot handle something as mundane as this, then perhaps you will never master the true power of the Dragon Spirit. Since you first acquired this power, you have only used it as a weapon against your enemies, but the Dragon Spirit is so much more than that. It is the key to understanding life itself, and more importantly, to understanding your own life," Midgardsormr explains. The pain continues as Khazhak's screams without end. Eventually, the lightning stops again, and Khazhak is given a moment of reprieve. "Even after all this time, there is still much conflict within you. That is the source of all this pain. Because you will not allow yourself to be free from it. You act as though you deserve to suffer. Is that the reason for all of this?" Midgardsormr asks.
Khazhak takes a few breaths before glaring at him, "That is none of your business," he retorts spitefully.
"Khazhak, if you wish to become stronger, you must open your soul and let out the darkness that seepw from within it. Or else it will eventually consume you. You must learn to let go of what you have been keeping inside of you for so long," Bahamut says.
"You think it's that easy for me... To know that you have failed the people you care about most time and time again. To know that the one thing you're best at is taking life rather than saving it... HOW COULD YOU POSSIBLY UNDERSTAND WHAT I'VE BEEN THROUGH?!" Khazhak shouts at Bahamut.
Bahamut, however, remains stoic, "I do understand... because I, too, have failed to protect those I care most about. My species is gone. My brother has betrayed me, and now only my sister and I remain as the last true dragons of our race. Believe me Khazhak, I know the pain of loss. The pain of failure. More than you will ever know," he replies.
Khazhak's rage depletes after hearing those words. How could he have forgotten that crucial fact? Bahamut and Tiamat aren't even completely alive. Just their wills, their spirits remain, and even that won't last forever. He looks away in shame at lashing out at his partner, his friend.
"Khazhak Rairyu, there is no shame in admitting to one's failures. Often the best of any species is not the best because they were the strongest. They were the best because they were the most resilient. Because they fell time and time again, but rose back up every time to keep living. To have the resolve to never give up, no matter what," Midgardsormr says.
Those words. Those same words that Khazhak's father once spoke to him. His most important lesson. About resolve. A lesson that he had forgotten regretfully. Khazhak hangs his head in resignation.
"I failed them. My family. I failed to protect Voshkie'ahk when Kamir'ahk harmed her. I let my rage and grief consume me when I found my mother dead and my house burning. It was my fault that my father was killed, but I closed myself off from the truth of it. I wasn't able to help Reaper when he nearly died at Haven. I haven't been able to fulfill my promise to Porphyrius about taking down Jacque Schnee for what he did to his family. I failed to find out the truth about Lloyd's past, about whether or not he even has a family of his own. I failed to help protect Beacon Academy when it fell. I failed to protect Pyrrha when she died. I failed to stop Raven, just like I have so many times in the past. I failed to protect Ruby from almost being killed by Tyrian. And I nearly died when I failed to keep my emotions in check and keep her safe from Kamir'ahk. No matter how hard I try, I can succeed in killing my enemies, but I always fail at protecting those I care about most. In the end, I have always been a failure when it comes to saving life," Khazhak finally admits.
The lightning returns, but this time, instead of harming Khazhak, it feels more like it's rejuvenating him. The energy flow continues for a few more moments before the chains release him and he stands back up.
"And so now, you let go of your own inner turmoil," Bahamut says.
"I don't understand. What is this?" Khazhak asks.
"Your mind, body, and soul were wounded, by your own doing. You refused to allow yourself to heal, and thus, your body was never at its best, which inhibited your control over the Dragon Spirit. The key to mastering the Dragon Spirit is understanding life itself. Life is full of adversity, full of pain and sorrow. But, that's not all it is full of," Midgardsormr explains.
Khazhak thinks back, seeing the images of all the times he's spent with his friends, with his family. There were trying times, but... there were also times of joy as well. With Team KEPL, with Team RWBY, with Voshkie'ahk, and with Ruby most of all.
"It wasn't a completely crappy life," Khazhak mutters with a smile.
"There will always be times where one is knocked down, but if you take a moment to look back at all of your experiences, both the good and bad, you will find that life can be much more fulfilling than you realize. There will be failures, but there will be successes as well. And just because you failed at something once, doesn't mean you'll fail at it again," Midgardsormr says.
"...But what if I do fail again?" Khazhak asks.
"Then you keep failing... until you finally succeed," Midgardsormr replies. Midgardsormr's eyes light up again, blinding Khazhak. "Until we meet again, Khazhak Rairyu."
…
Back in Argus, Oscar returns to the house, finding everyone missing, including Saphron and Terra. Hanging his head a bit, Oscar walks up the staircase and walks into Khazhak's room, finding him still resting. He sits on the chair next to his bed, resting his head in his hands.
"I wish you were here right now, Khazhak. I could really use your advice right now. You always know what to do. You always keep moving forward. I just... I don't know what to do," Oscar laments.
Silence remains for a few long minutes until...
"What is it you want to do?" he hears a voice ask and looks up to see Khazhak waking up and slowly turning his head to face him.
"Khazhak, you're okay! Oh, we were all worried about you," Oscar says, standing up.
"Where are we?" Khazhak asks.
"We're in Argus. We made it, Khazhak. We're staying at Jaune's older sister's place with her family for the time being. We... we tried to get a way to Atlas through the military base here, but they won't let us pass, so we're stuck on what to do right now," Oscar explains to him.
"...There's something else, isn't there," Khazhak says.
Oscar looks away, clenching his fists, "We told Jaune and the others about what we learned about Ozpin and Salem. They didn't take it well. Jaune... kind of took his anger out on me, and so..." Oscar trails off.
Khazhak sighs, "That idiot. Even after all this time, he still has so much to learn. I'll deal with him later. Now then, back to my previous question: what is it you want to do?" Khazhak asks.
Oscar takes a second to remember what he's asking about, and sighs, "I don't... I don't know. I'm scared... of losing myself. Of becoming another one of Ozpin's lives, of becoming like him. I left when no one noticed to think about it, but then I came back, everyone was gone, and I still don't have an answer," he explains.
"There's nothing I can say or do to prevent what will happen to you, or to make it better. However, are you Ozpin right now?" Khazhak asks.
"No," Oscar replies.
"No. You're Oscar Pine right now. You won't be Oscar forever, but that's not the only thing that matters right now. Now tell me, do you wish to leave?" Khazhak asks.
Oscar takes a moment to ponder an answer, "...No, I... I want to help. This is as much my fight as it is yours now," he says.
"Then you have your answer. No one knows how long you'll still be you, but if I were you, I'd make the most out of whatever time I'd have left before losing myself. Make a difference in my own way," Khazhak says.
Khazhak's words strike true with Oscar, removing the layer of fear and doubt that's been hanging over him.
"You're right. There's no use running from this. I need to help in any way I can... while I still can. Thank you, Khazhak. It really is good to have you back," Oscar says.
Kahzhak grunts, "Now then, what are you going to do about the others?" he asks.
"I'll take care of it. I can't keep running. I bet you're hungry. You've been asleep for quite a while," Oscar notes. At the idea of food, Khazhak's stomach grumbles. Oscar chuckles, "Heh-heh-heh, I'll make something to eat. I'm sure the others will be hungry when they get back to," Oscar says.
"If they come back, don't tell them about me just yet. I'd like to rest for just a little while longer without any issues. I'm still recovering the rest of my strength," Khazhak asks.
"Of course. I'll bring the food up when it's ready," Oscar says and leaves the room, closing the door behind him.
Khazhak sighs, "I can never get a break," he mutters.
"What else is new," Bahamut replies.
…
Meanwhile, everyone is still out looking for Oscar, with Team KEPL searching with Terra in one part of the city.
"Oscar! Where are you?!" Porphyrius calls out.
"This won't be easy. Argus is a big city. He could be anywhere," Reaper notes.
"I'm sorry for not understanding, but did something happen?" Terra asks.
"Sort of. We got some new intel about our mission and told Team JNR about it. It didn't exactly go well because now like us, they know this mission will be a lot more difficult than they originally thought," Lloyd explains.
"I see. Well, if it's that important of a mission, then I suppose it wouldn't be easy," Terra notes.
"We're just stuck right now on what to do next. We have an idea, but the finer details are still lost to us," Porphyrius says.
"Well, maybe you could try a different mission. Why not go and get your licenses at Haven in Mistral and then come back here to Argus? There's a lot of people here you could help. Besides, you're still just students and one of you was seriously injured because of this mission. There's a lot of good you could do here. You can make a difference without losing your lives like this," Terra suggests.
The three boys stop, making her stop as well, "That's not an option. Not for us," Lloyd says resolutely.
"But, why not?" Terra asks.
"If we were to just give up now... then I'd never be able to look Brother in the eye again. We have to continue on our mission... because we're the only ones who can. If we gave up, then everything we've been through will have been for nothing. I know you mean well, but we have a mission, and we must see it through to the end, no matter what dangers await us. I know it's what Brother would do," Lloyd says.
Terra sighs, "I see. Well, I suppose there's no changing your minds on this. I need to go pick up Adrian from daycare and meet up with Saphron. We'll be waiting for you guys back at the house. Good luck," Terra says and walks away.
"So, what do we do now?" Porphyrius asks.
"We keep looking for Oscar. We'll meet up back at the house with the others later," Lloyd says and the three continue their search for the missing farm boy.
…
Later that evening, mostly everyone returns to the house, only to find Qrow, drunk as usual, and passed out on the front stairs. Ruby and Yang shake their heads, annoyed by their uncle's bad drinking habit.
"I've never seen him this bad. Sometimes he's pretty drunk, but this is worse," Yang notes dryly.
"This is getting tiresome," Lloyd notes.
"Come on, let's get him up," Ruby says.
She and Yang help Qrow up into a sitting position, which wakes him up at the same time.
Qrow holds his face, "Ugh, why am I on the stairs?" he asks groggily.
"That's because no one is home except for Khazhak, who's still asleep, Uncle Qrow. We've all been out looking for Oscar," Ruby says, hands on her hips.
"Oscar?" Qrow mutters.
"Jauney-boy went a little too far with the kid, and it looks like he ran off. We can't leave without him," Porphyrius says.
Just then, the members of Team JNR, along with Saphron, Terra, and Adrian, walk down the sidewalk to meet them, with Terra looking a little flabbergasted at a drunk Qrow on their stairs.
"I'm sure this looks great to the neighbors," Terra sarcastically notes, earning a nudging elbow from her wife.
"Haven't found him yet, huh?" Reaper asks.
"No, but don't worry. We aren't going to Atlas without him," Jaune says.
This gains their attention, "We?" Ruby asks.
Team JNR look between each other, "We did some thinking, and we decided to keep going on this mission. We can't quit now," Jaune says and looks back to his sister. "Sorry we won't be staying," he apologizes.
Saphron rolls her eyes with a smile, "No, you're not," she notes, and Jaune smiles back.
Everyone smiles, happy that Team JNR have figured things out. Just then, the front door opens up.
"Oh, I was wondering when you guys would get back," they look to see Oscar at the front door.
"OSCAR!" Everyone cheers, and suddenly tackle him back into the house, with Ruby helping him out.
"We were worried sick!" Weiss says, hands clasped against her cheek.
"Are you okay?" Ruby asks, worried.
"Where have you been?" Nora asks.
The rest of the group enter, with Saphron being the first to notice something.
"Is something... cooking?" Saphron asks.
"Oh, yeah, I'd thought you guys might appreciate a hot meal after... spending all day looking for me apparently," Oscar replies.
Jaune steps forth, "It's my fault we were all out there in the first place. Oscar... I am SO sorry about what I said earlier. I was way, WAY out of line and I shouldn't have-," Jaune apologizes.
"No, no, it's okay... These past few days, I've been scared of the same things you were. I don't know how long I'm still going to be 'me', but... I do know that I want to help you in any way I can with whatever time I have left," Oscar says, determined.
"Good. This team isn't the same without you," Jaune says.
Just then, they hear some beeping from the kitchen.
Oscar freaks out, "Ah! The casserole!" he exclaims.
"We're on it, chef," Saphron calms his worries as she and Terra enter the kitchen.
Everyone smiles as things have settled down again, but then Ruby notices her uncle walking up the stairs, and follows him.
"Where are you going now?" Ruby asks.
"I don't want to get in the way of your celebration," Qrow replies, halfway up the stairs.
"You've been gone all day, just sit with us," Ruby tells him.
Qrow sighs, "Ruby, look, I'm glad you kids worked out... whatever it is you worked out, but the fact remains that we're still not one step closer to Atlas," he replies as he finally looks back at her.
"Actually, I think I might have an idea for that," Jaune steps up. Qrow gives him a look to continue. "But, it's sort of a 'no going back' kind of idea," he finishes.
"Well, what's this idea of yours?" Lloyd asks.
"Well, with Cordo on watch, only Atlas military ships are allowed passage to Solitas, so I was thinking that we... steal an Atlas airship," Jaune says, earning surprised looks from everyone, and a laugh from Adrian who Maria is carrying at the moment.
"Okay, so you want us to steal a ship from the Atlas military... I'm liking this plan already," Lloyd casts his vote with a smile.
"But, how would we even get onto the airship?" Yang asks.
"That part... I haven't figured that out yet," Jaune replies.
"Oh, well that's just great," Porphyrius notes, crossing his arms.
"Hold up, just stop right there," Qrow stops them. "Look, if this plan of yours fails, it's not something we can just fight our way out of. This is the Atlas military we're talking about here. Look, for all of your sakes, just drop this idea," Qrow shoots the idea down.
Ruby looks at everyone's downcast eyes, feeling a little down herself before she gets a determined look in her eye.
"I want to hear him out," Ruby says.
"Look, Ruby-," Qrow begins.
"I want to hear him out! I know that you're trying to protect us, that you don't think we can handle it, but right now, I don't CARE what you think!" Ruby retorts, stunning Qrow. "Just because you don't have an idea doesn't mean that we're out of options. Ozpin hasn't been with us for a while, but we made it this far. We've been in bad situations before, and we didn't need an adult to come save us or tell us what we need to do. We just did it our way... So I say, we do it our way. And if you think you can keep up with us kids, then we'd be happy to have you," Ruby says, making everyone smile.
Qrow looks down for a second before Maria's laughing catches his attention, "Looks like you didn't give her enough credit either," she notes.
Qrow looks back to Ruby, who stares at him with a determined look in her eye.
"Well, it's about time you guys got your heads out of your asses," they all hear and look up to see Khazhak at the top of the stairs, standing on his own two feet. "What took you so long?"
Everyone is further shocked to see him not only awake, but standing again, especially after what happened to him before.
"Khazhak..." Ruby mutters.
She suddenly zips up the stairs with her semblance, crashing into Khazhak and taking both of them to the floor. Khazhak sits up with Ruby on his chest.
"Hey, little rose, I'm sorry I-," Khazhak begins, only for Ruby to slap him across the face.
Khazhak's shocked expression freezes for a moment before he looks back at Ruby, seeing the tears falling from her eyes.
"You, you, you big IDIOT! Don't you ever do something that stupid again, you hear me?! Do you have any idea what we were going through? Wondering if you would ever wake up, if you would survive? I know you were just trying to protect me, but don't ever throw your life away like that again, you dummy!" Ruby cries, lightly pounding her fists on his chest before she stops and just cries more.
Khazhak pulls her in with his only arm, "I'm sorry I worried you. But I'm not going anywhere. I made a promise to always be by your side, and I will keep that promise. So, stop crying okay?" he asks, pushing her back to gently rub the tears from her eyes.
"Bahamut, are you alright?" Tiamat asks as Voshkie'ahk steps up to them.
"I'm sorry to have worried you, sister. But, I'm back now, and do I have a tale for you," Bahamut replies.
"Khazhak... I'm sorry. I'm sorry I wasn't able to help you when you needed it. I should've done something, but I-," Voshkie'ahk begins.
"Hey, it's okay Voshkie. I'm just glad you're alright. We've all had to face hardships, but next time, we'll face them together. Okay?" Khazhak replies.
A tear falls from Voshkie'ahk's eye, but she wipes it away, "Okay," she nods her head.
Khazhak and Ruby stand up, with Ruby giving him a quick kiss on the cheek, and then Khazhak approaches his teammates, "I'm sorry for not telling you about Kamir'ahk. You all deserved better than that, especially after what we've been through. Nothing I can do will change the past, so the only thing I can do is say I'm sorry," Khazhak says.
Lloyd is the first to move, only going to hug his sworn brother, "I'm just glad you're back, Brother. That's all that matters to me," Lloyd says, holding back his tears.
Khazhak looks between him and the others, earning smiles and nods from Porphyrius and Reaper. The two brothers then separate.
"I let my anger cloud my judgement, and it nearly costed me all of you. I won't make that mistake again. From now on, if there's anything you want to know of my past, just ask, and I shall tell you," Khazhak says. He then turns to Jaune, "Now then, let's figure out the finer details of this plan of yours," he says.
Jaune smiles and nods, as do the others. Ruby and Khazhak look between each other and nod as well. It's time for them to get moving, and finally get to Atlas.
And that's the chapter. Oscar returns and the gang sort out their issues. What's more, Khazhak and Bahamut are back, much to their friends' relief. Now, they just have to figure out how to get an Atlas ship and use it to get to Atlas. What plan does Juane have in mind? Will it succeed? Until then, please Read and Review.
