The slums of Vale were next unnavigable in some areas if you didn't know your way around. Blind alleys, dilapidated roads, abandoned homes and even some unmarked streets made traversing alone dangerous.
Still, Ruby followed her nose, while Thistle, Krystal and Verna trailed close behind. The scents in the crisp autumn air were amplified, and easier to pin than in the forest. Though many scents were still unfamiliar to the wolf, drawing her attention in every direction.
Venom… I know of it, but haven't really dealt directly with it until now. Krystal's brother was in bad shape. I guess Verna was right, the police, the huntsman and huntresses, and the ruling council don't really care what happens to those that live here. Ruby felt anger and pain flood her legs, tensing her muscles while her lips instinctively pulled back.
The makeshift pack had been walking for over an hour, with little hint of where the stash could be. Still, Ruby slowly felt the subtle, bitter aroma of Venom cling more and more to the air as they traversed the abandoned would-be shopping district that had once held promise of economic growth for those living in the neglected slums.
Ruby kept up a frustratingly slow pace, turning her head back to look at the young woman holding her leash. Verna was nervous when they had left the house, but despite the leash tethering Ruby to her, Verna was now calmly walking, just a few paces behind her wolf friend.
Her heartbeat is calmer now, more on edge than anything else. I can smell the anxiety on all of them. I can't say I'm not nervous myself. She took in a long, deep breath through her nostrils, more intent on taking the scents of her new companions than anything else.
"Somethin' up, Ruby?" Verna causally tilted her head, her bright, jovial smile shining from her face.
"Mmmrr." Ruby's throat rumbled, slowing down ever so lightly, so her tail was brushing up against her friend's leg.
"You still never told me why you made friends with the wolf girl after she put you in the hospital. I know you're not the type to hold grudges but-" Thistle began, making sure to keep pace side by side with Ruby.
"Because… she inspired me." Verna cut Thistle off with her succinct response. Verna didn't have her eyes on her explosive friend, but rather on the wolf at the other end of the tether, watching her ears twitch as they spoke.
"Artists are so weird." Thistle shrugged with a half hearted laugh, giving into her friend's explanation.
They're acting like it's nothing… The wolf's pace increased, bringing her back to the front, and pulling away from the others. I'm a wolf who looks like a girl, I've spent my entire life hiding it from everyone. I'm dangerous, I hurt Verna. Even so, here I am, with them… and they're acting like it's nothing.
Another deep inhale, focusing herself her companions; Thistle smelled like sweat and metal, her body gave off pure strength and conviction, every pore on her skin and every motion of her body, she was brimming with subdued, effortless confidence.
Krystal was exhausted, Ruby could smell it. She was trailing behind the pack, hyper alert and quiet, she hadn't let down her guard. Her blood flowed through dilated blood vessels, stuck in a state of fight or flight.
And Verna… The ever present smell of paint mingled with earthy scents. She was alert, but the calmest of the group. Ruby didn't know if Verna could tell, but her body naturally gave off a calming scent.
I never get to smell people up close like this. They give so much detail about themselves I can't really pick up on while I'm human. The best I get is my transformation just after a full moon, but nothing is as strong as-
With a loud huff, Ruby came to a stop, and her impromptu pack all followed. All of them watching the wolf raise her head, sniffing the air, which carried an imperceptible breeze that flowed around her sensitive whiskers. That bitter scent…
"Have you smelled something?" For the first time since they left, Krystal spoke up, stepping right behind Ruby who could smell her tension rising.
"Grrrrmmm." Ruby gave a half growl, half groan, her went nose following the most minute changes in the scent's direction. Even in the shifting winds, she could hone in.
A swift turn of her head to the direction of the distinct smell confirmed it. It's that way.
Without a sound, Ruby pulled at her leash, and her pack fell in line, now with Krystal side by side with Verna, the smell of her determination and fury saturating the air around them.
I wonder if this is what my mom pictured when I said I wanted to help people like she did. Ruby's bare paws scraped against the crumbling concrete beneath her feet as she navigated closer and closer to their target.
The street lights were entirely dead or non-existent in this part of town. Clouds obscured the nearly full moon, just a day away from perigee. Krystal and Ruby had to guide their night-vision impared humans through the pitch darkness.
We're getting close. Ruby's tail lifted ever so slightly and her teeth ached with a familiar longing. It's almost like I'm hunting.
Her tail wagged at the thought, and her excitement bristled her fur. Her steps became more deliberate and silent, but still effortlessly leading her pack.
Their movements became more decisive and the wolf's hunting instincts amped up her incredible senses. She could hear the breathing of those behind her, their own breaths now hushed and their steps falling in sync with each other's, and her own.
"Mmmrrph!" A soft huff took her pack's attention, and a tilt of her head told them all they needed, as Ruby led them silently into a narrow alley.
The smell of the venom is strongest around here, and I smell people nearby, six of them. This has to be it. A quick lash of her tail and subtly pinned back ears signaled to Krystal.
"I think she says we're here." Krystal whispered as softly as she could, reaching out and touching the two humans' shoulders.
Ruby looked up at the cloudy sky, seeing the dim light of the moon filter through the clouds between the buildings. Closing her eyes, she felt the wind, every subtle change in pressure and direction, rolling around her fur and muzzle. One more deep breath, and she imbibed the scents of her pack, just one more time, knowing the emptiness that was about to replace it. I don't want to go back…
"They're up ahead…" A cold, sorrowful voice carried softly on the chilled autumn air. But I have to.
Krystal had witnessed Ruby's swift change back to human. A her form shedding in a cascade of rose petals, until the figure of a pale, naked girl stood in front of her. The wolf, contained inside.
"It's cold." Ruby muttered bitterly, wrapping her arms around her exposed body, the thick fur that had embraced her now gone, giving her over to the elements. I hate this.
"Just turn on your aura." Thistle spoke with an edge of annoyance.
"I- … I can't." A subdued panic drew the team's full attention to her. As hard as Ruby focused, her aura only flickered to life before quickly going out. "This hasn't happened before."
"Did your wolf form use up all your aura?" Verna posited, feeling the leash she held now detached from the wolf in human form.
"Turning never depletes any aura, I don't know what's happening." Her eyes shut tight and she pulled at her aura, gripping it with the blistering cold control she'd spent her lift cultivating.
Sure enough, she felt it flicker again, and pulling harder, holding on as tight as she could… it enveloped her body, surrounding her with a faint warmth. It's so weak…
"Here, your cloak." Verna approached with a bright smile, having wrapped up the leash and collar. "I'm sure you'll figure out your aura thing."
"Hopefully it's nothing, the last thing we need is another problem." The wolf felt her true self clawing at the invisible barrier she built inside herself as her stress waxed and waned. With a firm shake of her head, she took her cloak and forced herself into composure.
"They're extremely close. A high concentration of Venom and six people, mingled with the smell of rotting wood and rust, in that direction." She pointed down the alley and slightly to the left.
"Let me take a look." Krystal carefully peered out from the alley, in the direction Ruby gave them. "There's a cluster of old warehouses, but it looks like one has their windows completely blocked off."
"Makes sense why we couldn't find them, it's a great hiding place, and with only six people guarding it, they can keep a low profile." Verna pulled out one of her paint cans, spraying a line quickly on the ground.
"If they're using just 6 people to guard that much money's worth of venom, they probably have really strong guards protecting it." Thistle pulled her dual karambits from their sheathes, the curved knives connected to chains wrapped around her wrists.
"Our only goal is to destroy their supply. A prolonged fight would be a bad idea." Ruby spoke coldly. "I won't be much help in there, I can provide support, but I don't want to turn into a wolf in front of them."
"Here," Verna took Ruby's ultralight weapon from her own back and retuned it to its owner. "Just back us up when we need it, the three of us can handle whoever's in there, at least long enough to get the job done."
With a firm nod, Ruby took her weapon. Her senses were so dulled, painfully so, she missed the depth of information she could gather from everything around her in wolf form. Even so, she looked back at her team. My team… is this what Beacon could have been like, if I wasn't born the way I was born?
Suppressing that painful thought, Ruby walked forward, slowly and quietly leaving the alley, hearing the footsteps of her team following behind her, towards the decaying warehouse with covered windows.
Ruby silently signaled to Krystal, indicating their plan of attack. Without a need for words, the fox faunus guided Thistle towards the front door, while Ruby struggled through the dark to a more distant covered window. Once close they could see the faintest light streaming through the permitter of the window.
Inside, they could hear muttering of a couple individuals, but nothing clear enough to make out their exact words. They must have insulated this place against sound. Ruby found herself wanting to turn back into her true self, so she could catch every word.
BOOOOM!
An explosion shattered the quiet autumn night, Thistle's semblance blasting through the reinforced metal door like it wasn't even there.
"That's our cue!" With a giddy whisper, Verna shook her can of paint and sprayed quickly over the window. The two stepped back, and her semblance activated in a powerful ball of fire.
Ruby and Verna rush in through the shattered glass and warped frame in a flow of rose petals, coming to an effortless stop inside, where the bright lights rendered them again nearly blind as their vision adjusted.
"Get down!" Krystal's voice shouted before a tackle knocked them off their feet. Over the chaos, Ruby heard the distinct sound of a blade rushing through the air… and her heart beginning to pound.
Blinking rapidly, their eyes slowly acclimatized to the harsh light above the a woman, tall with pitch black hair and pale skin, but her crimson red eyes were her most striking feature, aside from the katana blade that had slashed through the air that took up the space they occupied just a moment before.
"They're just kids…" She muttered, disappointed.
"Don't get complacent, Iris." A disinterred voice spoke up from behind Iris, drawing the team's attention to him.
A man, somewhat average looking, with dark eyes and dark brown hair. He wore causal clothes, comfortable fitting pants and a sleeveless gray shirt.
"I won't." Iris spoke softly, an excited grin on her face as she drew a second katana sheathed at her side.
"They're dangerous." Krystal warned as she, Ruby and Verna got to their feet. "My semblance is screaming at me, especially for him. We need to be careful.
The three girls readied their weapons, while Thistle kept her eyes on the man, confident her teammates could handle-
"W-what happened?" Verna's voice cracked with panic as she desperately blinked and looked around.
"What do you mean?" Krystal's words wavered with concern, but she kept her weapons trained on the combatant in front of them.
"I- I can't see. I can't s-"
Before she could finish another syllable, a powerful blow crashed into Verna's chest, sending her flying into a pile of wooden crates. Iris, in the time it took to blink, had weaved between Krystal and Ruby, to land a powerful kick on the artist.
"Aaaah!" With a cry of pain and rage, Krystal threw herself into battle, swinging her bladed circles effortlessly at Iris. Steel clashed with steel as their blades met, Iris fighting with decisive movements, all perfectly calculated and efficient, while Krystal fought like a dance, smooth movements and a perfect flow.
Ruby took a tepid, shameful step back, before biting her guilt, and turning on her heel to rush towards her downed teammate.
"Verna!" Ruby shook her friend, dividing her mind between her iron grip on her emotions and the situation before her.
"Uuuhg, she hits hard." Verna tried to laugh it off while she coughed, her body struggling to recover the air that had been forced from her lungs. "I still can't see. I'm completely blind."
"It's her Semblance!" Krystal shouted, narrowly avoiding a slash across her throat from the finely honed blade. "Don't make eye contact with her!"
Despite being blinded, Krystal kept up the fight. Her own semblance allowing her to combat her enemy regardless of her other senses. Effortlessly parrying her the dual katanas.
BOOOM!
Another explosion lashed out, Thistle's Karambit hitting Iris from the side like a truck, the explosion forcing the blade into her aura with extreme pressure at its edge, the combination of forces sending Iris rolling across the concrete floor.
"Keep her busy, I'll take her out." Thistle declared, sizing up her opponent instantly.
"Got it!" Without an immediate threat, Iris' semblance wouldn't be precise, only vague senses of where potential threats are and their magnitude.
Iris struggled to her feet, clutching her side. Even with her aura intact, that blow hurt. Drawing in a deep breath, the mercenary steadied herself. With a fluid movement, she brought the hilts of her katana together, and they clicked into place, now a single weapon with the two blades opposite of each other joined by a long handle.
Thistle and Krystal jumped into the fray, throwing themselves at Iris. A chorus of explosions and clashing metal erupted. Iris was a fast learner, prioritizing evasion of Thistle over outright offensive, taking advantage of the gaps that appeared for quick, effective strikes.
"I- I can see again." Verna blinked, making sure her vision was really back.
"Thirty seconds." Ruby lifted her friend gently to her feet. "Her semblance looks like it has a thirty second effectiveness! Krystal, tell me when you can see again!"
Ruby watched the fight progress, counting the seconds and controlling her heartbeat. Right about n-
"I can see!" Krystal sounded off, not missing a beat in her steps as she pushed Iris back.
"Verna, I want you to go back in and make eye contact with her, if she can make you blind again, I'll get you out as soon as you give the signal." Ruby's eyes were hard and fierce, the wolf leaking through and her heart giving ever so slightly to the thrill.
"I'm on it!" Just like that, Verna rushed in, dual wielding her spray paint cans.
Ruby watched, three against one and Iris was still holding her own. She had immediately learned the three girls' skills and styles, though struggled with the less predictable approach Verna took. Despite making eye contact multiple times, Iris didn't make Krystal or Verna go blind again, instead focusing on a moment to make eye contact with Thistle.
"She has a cool down! If she's already made you go blind she can't do it again right away!" Ruby pulled out her scythe, watching, calming her heart and readying for a moment to strike.
"Got you back!" With a teasing, singsong voice, Verna sprayed a line of black paint across Iris' ankle. With just a thought, she activated the gravity dust mixed within it.
Iris suddenly felt what Yang had experienced, and her leg now felt like it was stuck in very thick and very heaven cement. A brief look of panic flashed through her eyes, before Thistle and Krystal both landed their attacks.
With that, Iris' aura shattered, as she toppled onto the cold floor.
"One down," Ruby mumbled softly and dully, before turning her gaze to the man sitting casually atop a crate. One to go. Wait… one? There were six people's scents when I tracked them here… the others must have gone to get help while we were disoriented by the light.
"We need to hurry!" Ruby gave a monotone command to her team, binding her emotions and rising stress down as tightly as she could.
"Iris, I told you not to get complacent." The man shrugged, hopping down from the crate with his hands comfortably tucked in his pockets. His smile was so casual and calm, and his stride an easy, effortless pace.
"S-sorry… they're stronger than I thought. It's my fault for underestimating them." Iris sighed shamefully and brought her knees to her chest, her arms wrapping around them making her a little ball as she watched.
"My name's Ebony Grey. I'm a mercenary, and the cartel hired me for security." His voice was so calm and friendly it was unsettling.
Something doesn't feel right about him. I get the feeling we should run. Ruby felt her instincts gnawing at her stomach, drawing blood away from her intestines and pushing it to her heart, lungs, brain and extremities. We can't run though, we have to take out their stash.
"Were you the one…" Krystal spoke softly, in a low, dangerous tone. "Were you the one who hurt my brother?"
"Oh, so that's why you look familiar. Sorry, just business. I made sure I wouldn't kill him, my employer wouldn't have liked that." He gave a warm, apologetic smile. "Still, they didn't say anything about not killing intruders. You still have time to run, I won't stop you, makes it easier on everyone."
"We're not running!" Krystal roared, readying her weapons despite her semblance screaming at her to flee. By her side, Thistle took a fighting stance, looking more maniacally excited than anything else.
"You have a sensory semblance, something that can tell you the direction of a threat without any of your other senses' inputs," He pointed at Krystal, then to Thistle. "You're the heavy hitter, that's a very impressive semblance, explosions of pure pressure waves. And the girl with the paint, you probably have some connection to your paint through your semblance."
The girls all stood defiant, with Verna stepping up to join Thistle and Krystal, while Ruby stayed back. This is bad, I think we need to get out of here, and reinforcements could be showing up any minute.
"Actually… I've changed my mind, I'd rather you didn't run now." He pulled his hands from his pockets but still stood so casually.
"You hurt Alan, and you don't have any remorse! I'm not running!" Tears blurred her vision but it didn't matter, rage and fury powered through her semblance' warning to flee. With a rush of pure adrenaline, Krystal rushed forward, spinning her bladed hoops at him, while Fire Dust burned around the razor sharp edges.
…
…
…
He caught it.
The fire burned, wrapping around his hand but didn't burn him. The blade pushed against his aura, but didn't penetrate it. He wasn't phased, if anything, he just looked disappointed.
"You're stronger than your big brother, I'll give you that." His voice held equal parts sympathy and frustration. Before a blindingly fast punch, made contact with her ribs.
Even though her semblance warned her it was coming, she was too slow to counter or evade. The punch hit like a train, shattering her aura entirely, and sending her crashing to the floor meters away, immediately unconscious.
"Krystal!" Ruby felt a rising panic overwhelming her lifetime of breaking herself into submission. I won't be able to maintain this form. If I become a wolf here, I might be able to- but I won't be able to turn back any time soon, not if I fight, and I can't control my semblance well as a wolf, what do I-
BOOOOM!
The heavy hitter of the team had exploded into action, her semblance shaking the whole building and ringing painfully in Ruby's ears.
Now, Ebony Grey reacted. He batted Thistle's karambits away, deflecting point blank explosions with his bare hands, but Thistle was gaining ground.
Thistle was overwhelming by lashing out in a furious barrage, using her body, her chains and her knives in unison with her destructive semblance.
Another explosion, but this time, it only met air as he weaved between her blades, smoothly and fluidly weaving around her chains as he closed the gap at an impossible speed.
"Not happening!" Verna lept in, spraying the ground under his feet with a jet of Ice Dust. His foot was coming down on the slick surface, and he couldn't stop in time at the speed he had been going.
They got him! Ruby resigned herself to be a mere spectator, ready to jump in with her undermined semblance, hoping a single, well placed use would be enough to make a difference.
The ground shattered beneath his foot. Concrete and Ice alike both gave effortlessly to a single, powerful stomp, halting his momentum, but otherwise, leaving him in control.
The room fell silent, for just a moment afterwards eyes wide with disbelief.
"Clever." He muttered a single word, before turning to look at the artist.
While his head was turned, Thistle seized the moment and lashed another high speed blade loaded with explosive potential energy. However, the blade didn't land, instead, he leaned back, eyes still locked on the artist who slowly backed away, while he grabbed hold of Thistle's chain.
With a single, powerful tug, he ripped Thistle off her feet, the small girl being catapulted into the air towards him. He turned and reared back his fist, at the speed she was flying at him, she had no time to evade. All she managed was to put her arms in front of her, to cushion the blow.
Another explosion rang out, this time, from Thistle's body. His immensely powerful punch made contact, but the explosion dampened the impact. Still, the small body went hurtling backwards, coming to a skidding halt on the floor.
"Verna get out of there!" Ruby's walls were breaking, and her control was falling apart. I can't win, even if Wolf Form, I can't win. If Yang were here, she and Thistle might be enough, but I can't do anything! We need to retreat, we have to get out of-
"It's too late for that now." He sighed, taking a step forward towards a trembling Verna.
I have to step in, I have to fight. Nothing else matters! Ruby drew her weapon and crouched down, ready to use her semblance to join the fray.
The hiss of a paint can, was all Ruby heard, before she looked up to see Verna lifted off the ground by Ebony, his hand gripped tight around her throat while she struggled to breath.
Ruby was gone, in a burst of rose petals she blitzed towards them. However, she was too late.
When his punch landed, she could hear bone breaking. Verna was sent flying, the pure force of the impact shattering her aura instantly. Her unconscious body was launched towards the concrete wall, without her aura, the impact would be fatal.
He didn't watch her impact, instead, immediately turning his attention to Thistle, who staggered to her feet. Bruised, exhausted and shaking, her light purple eyes burned with a furious intensity.
"Grrr-WOOOF!"
A defiant, powerful bark drew both Thistle and Ebony's attention to where Verna was thrown.
Instead of a bloody splatter on a wall, the artist was unconscious, but breathing, nestled safely against the side of a giant, angry wolf.
Ruby's teeth bared and her ears pinned back, every individual hair on her pelt bristled. She felt her mighty heart pounding free and furiously in her chest, rushing blood through her body. Muscles tensed and strained, ready to fight.
"I can't say I saw that coming…" Ebony muttered with an intrigued smirk.
"Ruby! Get Verna and Krystal out of here!" Thistle didn't so much demand as plead, while the air around her hissed and crackled under her semblance.
"Rrruff!" Ruby carefully laid Verna down and stepped defiantly in front of her friend, growling at their enemy. I won't leave my pack behind! We're all getting out of here!
"You're one stubborn wolf…" Thistle conceded, smiling thankfully, looking past their adversary, into the wolf's dangerous silver eyes.
Ebony looked from the wolf to the explosion girl. His body was relaxed, still, he eyed Ruby more warily, cautious of the unknown.
Ruby, meanwhile, took full advantage of her heightened senses. His heart was pounding, but outwardly he was calm. A scent of excitement oozed from his body, but you couldn't tell by looking at his placid face.
She could also smell Thistle, her body giving off distress pheromones. Her breathing was labored and arduous, and fear permeated through her entire scent profile. Behind her, Ruby could smell blood leaking from Verna's body, tainting the familiar smell of her paint stained clothes. Further away, Krystal too, was bleeding, her breaths short and painful. I let this happen…
"Grrrr…" A warning snarl, a universal sign that whoever it's directed at should back off. We can't win.
Her leg muscles tensed, and she focused what little she could, on her unstable aura, flickering in and out of life. On the other side of Ebony, Thistle gripped her karambits as tight as she could.
One twitch of his finger, that's all it took to shatter the tense stand-off.
Ruby's powerful hind legs propelled her like a missile, front paws barely touching the ground as she rushed forward with her teeth bared.
With a belligerent war cry, Thistle too rushed in.
In a blur, he turned towards Ruby while stepping forward. It was a smooth, effortless motion, but as Ruby jumped up, fangs aimed at his throat, he turned and grabbed the wolf by her pelt on her neck, and her foreleg. As if she weighed nothing, he swung her around and tossed her at Thistle, causing both to topple in a pile.
Dazed and bewildered, the wolf struggled to her paws, having to carefully extricate herself from Thistle's chains, all while Ebony watched patiently.
Now disentangled, Ruby and Thistle stayed side by side. Thistle could feel a low, rumbling growl that reverberated through her body emanating from the wolf's throat.
"Arroof!" Ruby barked, and, without further prompt, Thistle rushed in first. I just need an opening!
With a lash of her karambit, she let out a more powerful explosion, the concussive force staggering him back! Her second swung at his side, and just as he was about to bat it away, she pulled it back, sending it flying towards her before rapidly wrapping her fist in the chain. This is the best I can do, I hope you know what you're doing!
The brief opening between him batting away her blade and her closing the distance gave her the first opportunity that she had crouching down, she launched herself into an uppercut with her chain wrapped fist.
A deafening explosion was loosed, forcing Ruby's ears to pin back reflexively and shattering all the windows in the room.
…
But Ebony was unscathed, having stepped backwards just in time to avoid the blow.
"Woof!" A powerful bark sounded off, and Thistle dropped again, back to her knees… while the wolf springboarded off her back.
Thistle felt Ruby's hind claws digging into the soft skin on her shoulders, then the moment when all four paws rested on her, Thistle could feel the raw power as Ruby's jump nearly made her trembling muscles give out.
There was no time or space to evade for Ebony. All their opponent could do was reflexively raise his arm to protect his throat.
It's warm. Time slowed in that moment, as warmth flowed through her mouth, drenching her tongue. She could feel strong muscles giving to her jaws. Blood flowed around her teeth, she could feel his heartbeat, the frantic flow of his life. Up close, with her teeth in her prey, she never felt more alive.
"Ebony!" Iris' shocked cry forced Ruby back to reality.
It had worked, her fangs went right through his otherwise impenetrable aura. Her fierce eyes locked with his, and he stared back not with the fear of prey, but of a furious beast that she provoked.
"You're a threat." He spoke softly, but the tone in his voice, and the calming of his heart, sent a cold chill through the wolf that even her fur couldn't keep out.
With a swift and powerful kick, he sent Thistle tumbling backwards. Ruby's teeth released, instinctively wanting to rush towards her injured pack member.
"Arrrrooooee!" A pain filled yep erupted as a serious blow to her face left her dazed and stunned.
In the next moment, a painfully tight force had wrapped itself around her.
Two powerful hands fought with her head, avoiding her desperately biting jaws, until Ebony had his hands firmly pressed in pace, where she couldn't get them. She kicked frantically, baying and snarling, but all she could feel was his grip tightening… before he started to twist her head.
He- he's going to break my neck! She struggled harder, but she could feel his raw strength overwhelming her. He's too strong… I can stop him. I'm- I'm going to die here. It all ends, here? Why? What was the point? I finally started feeling like I could really live, and I'm going to die here. It's not fair, it's not. I don't want to leave yet, I have see Yang, and Aries, I promised I'd save him. Thistle, Verna, Krystal… he'll kill them too. I don't want to die yet, not yet. Dream or not, i don't care. Please… somehow, just let me live.
Ruby's eyes shut tight, her frantic fighting only bought her mere seconds, and she could feel her neck at its limit. This is really it…
BOOOOOOOM!
"Aaah!" Agonized shout from Ebony rang out.
Her body dropped to the ground, struggling to get back to her paws. Bleary eyes looked up as she panted for breath.
Thistle had locked herself around his head, her legs clasped tightly around his neck, and her hands over his ears, detonating explosion after explosion, while he fought desperately to throw her off.
Ruby immediately jumped in, her fangs sinking deep into his thigh while she shook her head violently, tearing at his flesh.
An impact like a wrecking ball hit her side. She felt her ribs give and break under the powerful kick, her limp body only coming to a stop when it crashed into a wall.
Ebony reached up and grabbed ahold of Thistle by her hair, ripping her off of him and throwing her hard against the ground, the impact breaking her aura and the concrete.
He stood over her, looking like a colossus. His leg and arm were bleeding, but the blood now slowed to a trickle as his semblance healed him, and his balance was broken by the concussive waves point blank to his ears, but still, he was too strong. An overwhelming and dominating force that couldn't be overcome.
"You're strong. I'm sad to see so much potential die, same goes for your friends." He bent over, pulling the broken Thistle up to her feet by her hair. Despite the pain, exhaustion, and fear she exuded, Thistle never stopped glaring at him with pure defiance.
She never broke eye contact, even as he reared back his first, a fatal blow without an aura to protect her. Tears welled in her eyes, but she didn't look away, as the meteoric impact barreled down to end her life.
"Awooooouuuooooo!" A long and mighty howl erupted, shaking everyone to their core. A primal ferocity that channeled the fury of nature itself.
Ebony's fist made impact, but instead of the earth shattering power he expected, his fist did little but topple the girl, her mouth oozing blood but still alive, and still conscious.
"What… was that?" He turned to face Ruby, bloodied snout and quivering legs, breathing heavily and harshly, but somehow, looked stronger than ever.
Ruby lunged forward, ignoring the burning pain in her side as she rushed towards him, barreling down like a hurricane, teeth bared and eyes fearless in the face of her enemy.
Ebony jumped back… exactly like Ruby had hopped.
"Rooof!" Ruby barked, and Thistle knew exactly what to do, shakily standing, she fell onto Ruby's back as the massive wolf ran past Ebony.
Ruby could feel small, trembling hands gripping tight into her fur. She was light, barely slowing her down, and Ruby could feel Thistle's heartbeat nearly in sync with her own panicked pulse.
"Mind giving us a ride?!" Verna gave a weak, fragile smile, barely able to move, but having made her way right beside the still unconscious Krystal.
Running at full speed, with rose petals sparsely scattered behind her, Ruby circled back around, keeping her senses locked on Ebony Grey. He just watched the wolf rush by the two most injured of her party, barely slowing down as she carefully took the fox faunus' clothes into her jaws and carried her with her powerful neck, while a broken and beaten Thistle grabbed and pulled Verna up.
Ruby's ear twitched, honing in on a sound outside, even as her blood rushed through her ears, the acuity of her senses never waned. Their reinforcements are here!
The wolf bounded towards the window she and Verna entered through, hoping that she wouldn't come out surrounded on the other side.
"Grraooo!" Ruby murmered, just loud enough for Thistle to hear. Her legs burned but her instincts compelled her body to keep moving, pushing aside any and all pain to stay alive. I won't let any of us die here!
Thistle held on tighter, her hands bunching up the wolf's scruff and pulling painfully at her fur. Her small body covered Verna's while Ruby ran with Krystal still in her mouth.
The moment Ruby lept into the air, barreling through the already shattered window, the warehouse flooded with reinforcements, armed to the teeth.
Soft paws met cold pavement, and the light of the warehouse was swallowed up by the cloudy autumn night. Her senses frantically scanning for danger in all directions, survival of her pack her brain's only priority.
"Heh-heh… I did it." Verna coughed out her words with a playful, excited tone.
Fwoooosh!
The sound of an inferno ignited behind them as the cold night was steeped in the growing orange light of a conflagration.
"Raawoooooo!" Ruby howled victoriously, with Krystal still between her teeth, quaking the night with her primal cry.
"Awoooooo!" Verna howled, following Ruby's lead as best she could, giggling maniacally over her pain.
"That's my girl! We won! Haha! Aaaaooooo! Haha!" Thistle threw her arms up in the air, nearly losing her balance atop the still sprinting wolf.
We all got out alive, and we destroyed the Venom. We won today, but this isn't over… Beads of rain began pelting down from above, with the distance sounds of thunder shaking the sky. We're all in danger.
"Oh come on! This is Ruby's favorite, just give it a try!" Yang frustratedly rubbed her sweat slicked forehead.
"Mmmrrrr." Aries whined, sniffing at the plate Yang had made for him, looking less than pleased.
"Come on! It's got all fresh ingredients, balanced nutrition, even organ meat. Just give it a try!" Yang knelt down to his eye level, making sure her body language and eye contact told him she wasn't a threat. I can understand being wary of humans though, after what he's been through.
"Mmpph.." He huffed through his nose, batting the plate softly with his paw.
"Ruby is going to be back soon, she'll be hurt if you haven't eaten." She let out a long sigh, and just sat down across from Aries, relaxing her body. "I don't know if you understand what I'm saying… but Ruby is my sister."
Aries looked up at her, his body still and his dull eyes fixed on hers.
"We grew up together. I know she's a wolf and I'm a human, but she's my sister. I pretty much raised her. From a puppy to the big, strong alpha that she is now." Yang's smile glowed with a warm pride and fondness.
"It's been hard, watching her all these years. At first, when I was young, I thought her turning into a wolf was some kind of defect. I thought there would be some way to fix her. I was selfish, I know." She stretched her arms back behind her, propping herself up as she looked to the cracked, stained ceiling. "It wasn't until I was older, after watching her for so long that I realized the truth. Seeing her so comfortable as a wolf; playing, running, hunting, being herself without shame or hesitation, then it all made sense. Ruby's not a human with a defect. She's a wolf, and she's happiest being true to that."
Aries just sat and listened, not making a sound, but his eyes never wavering.
"I just want what's best for her. I always have." Yang's smile turned wistful and soft. "No matter what."
Aries stood shakily, his atrophied muscles struggling to support his bones. Even so, he took a step forward, Yang watching him approach calmly. She felt his muzzle probe around her face and neck while she stayed still, letting him get a feel for her. Suddenly, a warm sensation washed over her skin, a familiar display of connection, acceptance and affection. Aries licked her jaw next up to her ear, then his cold nose lingered for a few moments longer, before he slowly pulled away, giving her one last understanding look… before he began to eat.
"Thanks, for listening to me. I don't have anyone I get to vent to." Yang's sunshine smile burned back to life as she happily watched him eat.
"You don't have many human friends, do you?" Vitali deadpanned from the couch.
"Oh, I forgot you were here." Yang looked up at him like she was trying to remember who he was.
"This is my house." He narrowed his eyes at her. "I live here."
"Ah, that would explain it." She shrugged with a playful smirk.
"Shouldn't you be more grateful to the person letting you keep a fugitive wolf at his house." He fired back with a smug look.
"Hey, I made you dinner." Yang stated matter-of-factly, folding her arms over her chest.
"I think you mean we made dinner? Cuz I recall you begging for help in the kitchen." Vitali leaned forward, making challenging eye contact.
"I needed your help with one thing! Anyone with thumbs would have worked, you're the one who stuck around." She huffed indignantly.
"That didn't stop you from asking for more help afterwards."
"Well, you're not a complete disaster in the kitchen, so it wasn't so bad cooking with you." Her smirk was a perfect ratio of playful and thankful.
"You aren't the worst cook I've ever seen, maybe with a bit more cooking sessions, you'll be halfway decent." He laughed, leaning back on the couch, but he couldn't stop smiling.
"Mmrrfff." Aries huffed, giving a quick shake of his head, before going back to eating.
"What was that about?" Vitali raised an eyebrow.
"He basically rolled his eyes at us, pfff!" A snort of laughter escaped Yang, followed by giggle from Vitali.
"Rrrrrowrowf!" Aries barked, ears perked up to alertness as he bolted up, walking quickly to the door and rubbing his head against the worn out wood.
"That must be them." Yang reasoned, forcing herself up while Vitali followers suit.
The doorknob shook, and Aries backed away, tail wagging and front paws scratching into the cracked tile floor.
As the door hung open, excited and happy faces turned to shock and disbelief.
Bloody, battered, bruised and exhausted, the four girls filed in. Thistle and Verna supported each other shoulder to shoulder, ambling over the threshold. Ruby carried a now conscious but exhausted Krystal on her back while she limped up the stairs into the house.
"What happened." Vitali's voice was as hard as steel as he rushed over to examine his little sister.
"Can we just… talk about it all tomorrow?" Thistle waved him away with a look of thanks, but also one of pure exhaustion.
Ruby carefully lowered Krystal to the floor and hobbled over to Aries, sniffing his muzzle and sides. The two wolves exchanged brief grooming, smoothing out each other's fur and carefully examining each other. Leading his savior to the large plate Yang had made, Aries ushered her to eat. Even so, with a nudge of her snout, she pushed the plate towards him, and with a strong but tender look, walked over to Verna and Thistle, while Aries continued to eat, never taking his eyes off of Ruby.
Her pack was in bad shape, all injured and completely drained. The brief celebration of their survival and victory had been sapped by the rain, and the realization of what they still have to face.
Ruby stood in front of Verna and Thistle, looking both of them over, her nose prodding softly at their wounds, and the occasional lick to quell any residual bleeding. Her mirrored silver eyes were heavy with pain as she lowered her head and her ears softly folded forward. I thought I could help everyone… but now, we all almost died. Aries, Vitali, Yang, they would be waiting for us, but we would never come home. That's almost the reality that happened.
"Hey," Verna's warm voice and a smile overwhelmed with gratitude and empathy, pulled Ruby up from her despaired thoughts. "You kept your promise."
Ruby's eyes widened and her ears perked up. I… did.
"And you know, we'd all be dead if you weren't there," Thistle shrugged, her hand instinctively reaching under Ruby's chin to pet her. "So thanks."
Under the shaky but gentle touch, and the warmth of Aries who had finished eating, now his side pressed against hers… an overwhelming wave of exhaustion swept over her. The wolf's jaws parted, long, sharp teeth exposed as she gave a long, tired yawn.
"I'm right there with you." Krystal gave a half hearted laugh.
Ruby's movements were slow and her limp hindered her, but still, she found a warm clearing on the floor, with Aries supporting her injured side.
"Yeah, I'm not climbing those stairs." Thistle grumbled, pulling a large cushion off the couch and tossing it by Ruby. "Good night."
"That looks so comfy!" Verna was more energized, grabbing up a smaller pillow from the couch and cozying up with her friends, smiling contently as she buried her face in Ruby's fur.
"Keep an eye on Alan for me, okay?" Krystal yawned, her jaw stinging and her entire body sore, she collapsed against Ruby on the opposite side, nestled between her and Aries, while her big fluffy tail wrapped around her.
Within minutes, they all were lulled to sleep by the alpha's soft, relaxed breaths. Ruby curled up around them as much as she could, while Aries rested his head on her shoulder.
"What just happened?" Vitali, beyond confused and concerned, looked to Yang.
"Packs sleep together." She said simply, with the happiest, proudest smile she'd wore in a long, long time. I'm happy for you, Sis.
"Well, what do we do now?" He raised a dubious eyebrow.
"Wait for them to wake up, then they'll fill us in and we go from there." She shrugged. After all, Ruby is my alpha.
"It's um… it's kinda cold, do you maybe wanna sleep with me?" Vitali blushed, looking shyly away while doing his best to look like he didn't care.
"Sure." Yang responded immediately, a playful grin once again glowing on her face. "Do you mind if we save the sleeping part for a bit later."
"Y-yeah… that's kinda what I was getting at." He gave a quick huff of laughter before he drew a deep breath to steady himself.
The pair made their way up the stairs, leaving the sleeping pack to rest peacefully. They've earned it.