F3: Hello readers and welcome back to Peppers story. We last left off where Weiss and Adam had another chat with Weiss promising to come back and visit again. RWBY is property of Rooster Teeth and Monty Oum. Melyna Mahin is owned by MountainKing312. Opelia Sorrel and Audra Blanche are owned by me. Now with that said Let's Rev It Up!
Volume 4-6 Grey: Choices.
The morning once again came to Sumire as the rest of the gang was up and about after a hearty breakfast that was made by Melyna as they had plans for the day. Audra had opted to stay at the house to help clean while the rest of them headed into town. The first place they decided to stop was by the clinic to check up on Peppers arm to make sure it healed properly and Ophelia wanted to speak with Whitely as well.
Luckily it was a short walk to the clinic but when they got their they weren't the only ones that had arrived their as Lumina was their as well in front of the clinic as she noticed them coming toward her.
"Oh good morning everyone." Lumina greeted.
"You as well Lumina. I take it you came here to visit Patrick." Melyna replied.
Lumina nodded "Yes. I wanted to see how he was doing and if he's improved." She added.
"Bet he'll be glad to see a friendly face after what happened yesterday. Though how did he get injured?" Weiss questioned.
"Well... Patrick has been looking into the missing people case and he thought he had a lead of where they could be and wanted me to come along to help him." Lumina replied.
Pepper looked at her strangely "Um... no offense but you don't look like a fighter." Pepper said.
"That may be true but my semblance says otherwise. I can generate soundwaves from my mouth that depending on the pitch of the sound I make can give anyone around me a boost." Lumina added.
"So it can help a perosn in a pinch. That is useful." Ophelia said as they headed inside the clinic. Luckily they were met with Willow who was looking over some of the supplies they had left before noticing them come in.
"Good morning everyone. I take it that you all slept well." Willow replied.
"Yes mother." Weiss replied which immediately got Lumina to look at Weiss before whispering to Pepper.
"She's her mother." She whispered.
"Long story." Pepper whispered back.
"If your looking for Whitely he's currently checking on the patient in the back. Shouldn't be too long." Willow replied.
That was when Ophelia spoke up "Um... Miss. Schnee their is something I want to talk to him about something." Ophelia said.
"Very well." Willow replied before heading over to Pepper.
"Now why don't we see that arm. I'm sure you're getting tired of the sling by now." Willow said as she gestured her to take a seat. Willow removed the sling around Peppers shoulder before take a pair of scissors as she carefully cutting the wrapping around Peppers arm. Willow examined the arm carefully before speaking.
"Well it looks like it has healed properly but I want to make sure their isn't any pain." Willow replied as she began applying pressure to where the inury was.
"Do you feel anything? Any pain?" Willow asked as Pepper shook her head.
"No not really." She answered as Willow then moved a little bit up Peppers arm reaching just below her elbow and did as last time.
"How about now?" She asked and she got the same answer like last time. Willow decided to go near Peppers wrist as she repeated the same thing the last two times and like the last two times Pepper has shook her head.
"Well from looking at it and you saying your not feeling any pain I think I've concluded that your arm has made quite the recovery. Your aura did most of the work getting it healed but as a precaution I don't want you to be fighting with that arm. If anything I want you to train your arm to build back its strength. Your aura may have healed it but your muscles in that arm aren't going to be as strong as before it was broken." Willow instructed.
"Understood ma'am." Pepper replied.
Just then Whitely had returned from the back seeing all of them their.
"Good morning everyone." Whitely said as he noticed Lumina in the room as well.
"Miss Goldenrod. I figured that you'd be stopping by today. If you wish to see him then you can go visit him but make sure not to be so loud." Whitely said which brought an instant smile to Luminas face.
"Um... you wouldn't mind if we came along would you?" Weiss asked.
"As long as your quiet then yes." Whitely said as Weiss and Pepper quickly joined Lumina toward the back room but he noticed that Melyna and Ophelia stayed behind.
"You're not going to join them?" Whitely questioned as Melyna shook her head.
"Actually... Ophelia has something that she wants to talk to the both you about." Melyna said as Ophelia shuffled in her wheelchair nervously.
"And what is that Ophelia?" Willow asked.
Ophelia took in a breath held it for a few seconds before letting it out as she then spoke.
"After much... consideration I've decided to... have my legs amputated." Ophelia said which completely took the two doctors by surprise.
"A-Are you sure Ophelia? This is quite a big step you know." Willow replied.
"Yeah I'm sure. I've been putting it off for too long and by now my legs haven't moved for quite some time. So please... this is the choice that I have made." Ophelia said confidences running through her.
Whitely looked at her for a moment before letting out a sigh as he then smiled "Alright... when would you like to have the operation?" Whitely asked.
Ophelia thought a moment before gave them an answer "After... they leave. If that's possible." She said.
"Very well. After everyone leaves then we'll get started." Willow replied even though she can tell that Opehlia was rather nervous about it. Whitely however pulled out his scroll and dialed a number to a certain metalmaker.
"Yeah Hawk. You still got those prosthetics. Yes those ones. Bring them by the clinic. She's made her choice." Whitely said calmly as he hung up his scroll before letting a breath of air well knowing what he was going to get into.
=RWBY=
Meanwhile Lumina, Pepper, and Weiss were heading toward the back toward the patients room where Patrick is currently. When they entered he was laying on the first bed as he was awake but he still look weak as he has a body wrap around his torso and waist only leaving his arms exposed. He also has an IV drip next to his bed the went into his left arm. Though he turned his head and noticed Lumina standing their as he gave her a small smile.
The gang went over to him as Lumina sat on a chair next to the bed while the others sat acrossed from him.
"Well... this day got a little better." Patrick replied softly.
"I know this is probably a dumb question but how are you feeling?" Lumina asked.
"Feel like been hit with a three ton anvil but I'm alive." Patrick said before looking over to his left seeing the other two their.
"And are they friends of yours?" He asked looking at the two of them.
"Um... more like... aquiantances. The lynx their is Weiss Schnee and the other is Pepper Orion." Lumina introduced. However Patrick eyes widen a little as he looked at Pepper for a moment as if he recognized the name.
"Orion?" He said carefully examining Pepper as trying recognize her. Then a thought came to his mind as he spoke out.
"Your mom wouldn't be Rieka Orion right." Patrick said.
This surprised Pepper as she stood up quickly "Wait you know my mom? How?" Pepper asked as Patrick nodded remembering her mother.
"It was about twelve years ago I think. Your family lived here a long time ago but then you all just you didn't know that you lived here in Sumire?" Patrick replied. To Pepper she didn't know what to even say or even think at this moment as she had to process what was just told to her.
"How didn't I figure out that I was from Sumire. I'm not sure how I didn't remember that." Pepper said.
"I'm sure their is a good reason for you to not remember it." Weiss said before looking back at Patrick.
"When we saw you being brought in you had quite the gash on your chest. Do you know who caused it?" Weiss asked.
Patrick began to think a moment as he recalled the events before he was injured.
"Well... me and Lumina were heading into the forest. I heard from a local that they had a lead into finding the people that are missing. So I grabbed my weapon and gear and headed toward the forest. Of course Lumina wouldn't let me go alone so she came along. We got about a third into the forest when something attacked us. It aimed for Lumina so I stepped in and then... nothing. I guess I blacked out after that." Patrick explained.
"The gash on your chest must've been done by some kind of sword type weapon. Especially to leave a gash that big." Weiss added.
"I'm just glad to be alive that's all." He said as he placed a hand on Luminas which made her blush slightly.
"So you didn't see who attacked you." Weiss said but Patrick only shook his head.
"Afraid not. Before I had time to react I had already blacked out." Patrick said.
"Though why would they be aiming for Lumina? She's just a singer." Weiss added.
"Actually theirs a little more to that. She might be a singer but she does play a major part in the town. She keeps the grimm at bay." Patrick replied.
After hearing that the two of them looked at Lumina rather strangely as she then explained to them.
"Remember when we held that concert. Well my songs and with help of my bandmates we help keep the grimm from coming anywhere near the town. Grimm only react to negative emotions but with our songs they never come near here. Though we still have the guardians to help on the out peremeter of the town." Lumina said.
"Who are they anyway?" Pepper asked.
"Well... theirs Camilla Krux. She's one of them." Lumina replied as the two of them wide eyed after hearing that name.
"Did you say Camilla Krux? I think we ran into her when we got released from the clinic. She acts so lady like." Weiss added.
"Yep that's her. Then theirs two others. Their is Tock as she is tough and believe me when I say durable as she can take a hit. Finally their is Asher, he maybe a quiet type but his skills are second to none. These three make up the guardians of Sumire." Lumina explained.
"They must be a tight net group." Weiss replied.
Patrick only scoffed at this "If they are supposed to help us then why haven't they found the people that are missing. Plus why are they missing and for what purpose?" Patrick said.
"I'm sure they will find them. For now how about you get some rest. I'll come back and visit you again soon okay." Lumina replied as Patrick layed his head down on the pillow before closing his eyes to get some rest.
"We should let him rest." Lumina said as the three of them left the backroom and headed back to the front.
When they got to the front of the clinic they saw Melyna and Ophelia talking with Whitely and Willow but they also saw Hawk their as well.
"I take it you enjoyed your visit." Willow said with a smile.
"Yes. Thank you very much Miss. Schnee." Lumina said as she bowed her head.
"It was nothing." Willow said.
"So should head out." Pepper replied but Melyna shook her head.
"Sorry girls but... I'm staying here for the moment." Melyna which made Weiss raise an eyebrow in response.
"Why's that? Are you sick?" Weiss asked.
"No it's not that. Ophelia here has decided... to get prosthetics for her legs and she wanted me here for moral support." Melyna replied.
Weiss looked toward Ophelia who was still rather nervous about the whole thing but still wanted to be confident. Weiss smiled at Ophelia.
"I hope that the operation goes well for you." Weiss said.
"Thanks." Ophelia said as calmly as she could but she was still rather nervous.
As they went to leave Whitely actually stopped Weiss for a moment "Weiss can I speak with you for a moment. Mother prepare Ophelia for the surgery." Whitely said as Willow wheeled Ophelia into another room as Weiss went to talk with Whitely.
"I'll be outside if you need me." Pepper replied as she and Lumina walked outside of the clinic.
"Okay Whitely is their something you want to talk to me about." Weiss asked.
Whitely put his hands in his pockets "Hawk informed me that you're wanting a prosthetic as well. He said that he would give you one tonight. Though in order to attach it you're going to need a base at your shoulder more preferably a metal plate to connect to the nerves in your shoulder." Whitely added.
"Okay... and let me guess of how you're going to do it. Something like what Opehlia is going to go through." Weiss replied.
"Essentially yes. Though he doesn't have it ready for you yet. This surgery is only to place the metal plate in your shoulder so that the prosthetic can connect. What I'm asking is that I need you to stay here so that we can do this for you." Whitely said.
Weiss thought for a moment and she knew enough about prosthetics that a metal plate would be needed if the nerves were going to connect so without it her new arm wouldn't move.
"I suppose if that's what it will take. Then I'll stay. Plus I think Ophelia could use the moral support." Weiss replied.
Whitely smiled a little "Thank you. If you like you can inform Pepper that your staying here for a surgery procedure and moral support." He said.
"Yeah I think I'll do that." Weiss said as she whipped out her scroll and began sending Pepper a message and hoped that she understood.
=RWBY=
After leaving the clinic Pepper and Lumina waited outside for Weiss to join them though Pepper still have many things going through her head.
"So you and Weiss seem pretty close. How did you two even meet?" Lumina asked curiously.
"Well... let's just say it was a rather odd meeting. Though I rather not talk about that but maybe talk about how I didn't remember me being born here in Sumire. It's like their's a piece of my memory missing. I know it's their but I just can't bring it out." Pepper replied almost frustrated by this.
"I know it's frustrating but somethings take time to come to the surface. Give it time." Lumina replied.
"I... guess your right. It doesn't make things any easier though." Pepper added however that was when Lumina got an idea in which she proposed it to Pepper.
"You know if your that curious about your family why not visit the archives." Lumina replied.
Pepper tilted her head a little in wonder "The archives?" She asked.
"Yeah. Their is place here that holds records of everyone that has lived here. If you like I can take you their." Lumina offered.
Pepper hummed a little crossing her arms "I don't know. I was going to wait for Weiss after she was done talking to her brother." Pepper said but suddenly her scroll buzzed as she recieved a message.
It was from Weiss telling her that she was going to stay at the clinic to give Ophelia some moral support for the surgery she was going to take.
"Well... looks like we're going to the archives. Lead on." Pepper said as the two walked off with Lumina leading Pepper to the archives. What the two didn't was that they were being followed by someone from the shadows as Tock peeked her head out slightly. She gazed upon the faunus girl almost with a sense of familularity.
"She looks just like her mother." Tock thought as she slightly smiled before going back into the alley as if to follow them.
=RWBY=
After passing the middle of town which took a solid ten minutes they arrived at a two story building with brick exterior that was a mix of brown and dark red bricks along with a dark green tent like roof covering it. It has several windows surrounding the upper and lower levels of the building. Their is a sign on the left side of the entrance that said 'Sumire Archives'.
"Whoa... this is the archives." Pepper said.
"Uh huh. This is actually the oldest building here in Sumire. Sure their have been some renavations done to it over the years but it still stands as the oldest building. You can find anything about anyone that has lived here in Sumire. If anything your family is more than likely somewhere in these archives." Lumina replied.
"I think I can take it from here." Pepper said.
"Alright. I hope you find what you're looking for." Lumina added before she left leaving Pepper by herself. She took in a quick breath before letting it out as she then headed inside the building. When she opened the door she was greeted by the sound of someone typing on a computer at a desk up front. Inside the archives were two floors of shelves that contains books upon books of people from the past and other historical events. Their was a small reading area where a few people were currently reading.
Not sure where to start she headed toward the desk where she saw an older gentleman was at the reception desk. He appeared to be in his late fifties as he black hair was showing some grey hairs along with a beard and blue eyes. He wore wire framed glasses along with a worn down blue suit from that she could see.
"Um... excuse me sir." Pepper said getting the mans attention.
The man looked at her with almost a disinteresting look "Can I help you miss?" He asked.
"Uh actually their is something that I'm looking for and maybe you can help me." Pepper said.
"And what is it you're looking for?" He asked again.
"It's family related. Something I want to know more about." Pepper replied.
"So you want to know more about your family like your lineage or something." He said.
"Yeah... something like that." Pepper said.
The old man sighed as he went back to his computer as he brought up a screen to begin a search.
"What's your name?" He asked almost sounding bored like he asked that question a hundred times.
"Pepper Orion sir." She introduced herself. The old man seemed to have stop in his tracks as he barely moved. A moment passed as he turned his head toward the girl in question looking at her strangely.
"What did you say?" He asked almost like trying to reassure something.
"Um... Pepper Orion. That's me." She said nervously as she brought out her scroll to show her ID. He looked at the ID which showed her name and her current occupation which was huntress in training.
He then looked back at the girl a moment before he gave her a smile "Well... I can certainly see the resemblance. You have your mothers eyes." The older man said which kinda surprised Pepper for the moment.
"Okay you're the second person that knows my mom." Pepper replied.
"Well your family was quite revered here in Sumire." The older man replied as he came out from behind his desk.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Tristan Blackwood. I keep the records here at the archives." He introduced himself.
"Pleasure to meet you sir. Though what do you mean that my family was revered here in Sumire?" Pepper questioned.
He chuckled slightly mostly at her curiousity "Well you certainly have your fathers curiousity." He said before he turned facing away from her before over his left shoulder.
"Come with me if you will." He said as he began walking toward part of the archive. Pepper decided to follow as she wanted to know more.
"So what exactly made my family so revered? How did that happened?" Pepper asked.
"Hm... from what my grandfather told me when I was little he was apart of a group of settlers that migrated from what would be called Animaand they were looking for a land to call their own. This of course was before The Great War started. It was rough at first to try and break land with only so little tools they had at the time and then their was the constant attacks from the grimm." Tristan replied.
"Must've been rough back then. Didn't they have Dust to protect themselves." Pepper added.
"Of course but from what grandfather told me they only had a limited amount. Anyway what they didn't know was their was another group that traveled from the desert of Vacuo to where my grandfather was. That group was lead by your grandfather along with his family. When our groups met we thought for sure that we were going to kill each other over the land since we both traveled from great distances. However your grandfather became the voice of reason to calm both parties as we each had something the other did not." Tristan replied.
"And what was that?" Pepper asked as they continued to walk toward where he was going.
"My grandfathers group had supplies while yours had trained soldiers so we decided to compromise and help each other as your grandfather suggested. My grandfather thought of it as a faunus trick but turns out he need us just as much as we needed him. We would break ground into creating Sumire while his group provided protection from the grimm. Months went by and their friendship grew into a brotherhood. Though when the town was finished a year later it was time to elect a leader to lead the town and we all elected your grandfather to lead. However when the Great War happened he lost his life at the hands of the Atlas soldiers." He said before he sighed.
"That was nearly eighteen years ago. Your mother would be pregnant with you by that time." Tristan replied.
"So because my grandfather died in battle he became respected throughout the town." Pepper replied.
He shook his head "No child. He did small things that really didn't mean much to him but those small things send ripples throughout the people of his time. Even still some people that are alive today remember him. He always said that it was no matter how small the task was can have a big change in someonw." Tristan replied.
"I get that part but something is still bugging me though. How come I don't remember this place? It's like their's a lock on part of my memory or something and no matter how hard I push it just won't come to me." Pepper replied.
He hummed at this "Hm... that is rather strange. Though maybe we can help jumble that memory of yours." He replied as they came to the destination at a certain bookshelf but when he went to go grab it for some reason it wasn't their as his eyes went wide.
"What the? I thought for sure it was here." Tristan said confused.
"What's supposed to be their?" Pepper asked.
"A book that contains your families heritage. But now the book is missing." He said pointing out the empty space in the bookshelf.
"Now that is weird. Did someone steal it?" Pepper asked.
"Someone must have. I guess that is my fault for not upgrading the security here." He said with a downcast look.
"Hey thanks anyway. You telling me that was more than enough. I better get back to the house. That book is bound to show up sometime." Pepper said as she went to leave though with a thought in her head.
"Now who would want to take something like that?" She asked herself as she left the archives not before accidently bumping into someone.
"Oh sorry about that." Pepper said before she continued walking not even knowing she bumped into Tock as she watched Pepper walk on.
"No problem." Tock muttered as she had something in her bag which was the book that Tristan was missing as the gator faunus debated with herself to simply say she lost it and drop it off at the house she was staying at but she knew that Camilla and Julia would know about it so she decided to keep it to herself as she walked on.
=RWBY=
Two hours past as Weiss and Melyna remained their at the clinic as Weiss sat in one of the chairs trying to read a book with one hand so far she has gotten accustomed to turning the pages with just one hand while Melyna was sitting across from her as her right leg kept on twitching as she was worried about what was going on in surgery with Ophelia right now.
"This is so nerve wracking. Are they going to be done in their?" Melyna said rather irritated.
"Surgery is delicate work so they have to cautious. Plus they are performing an amputation and giving her prosthetics all in the same day so of course it's going to take a while. Then... it'll be my turn I guess." Weiss replied though nervously at the end.
"Yeah but you're only getting a metal plate in your shoulder cause your arm ain't ready till later. I just hope that the legs he gives her work." Melyna replied.
"If you say he's the best one here in Sumire then I have no doubt that they'll work." Weiss said confidently
A moment later the door opened from the operation room as Willow came out with a tired but bright smile on her face as they stood up from their chairs looking at Willow as she removed the surgical gloves from her hands and tossing them in the trash.
"So... how'd it go?" Melyna asked.
"It was a little difficult amputating her legs but we managed. She wasn't kidding when she said the nerves were shot. The nerves weren't recieving anything from her brain to move but we did manage to repair the damage that was done. Though we had to cut above the knee. After that we installed the metal plates to where we amputated. Then... we had Hawk place the prosthetics on himself. So far from what we can tell the operation was a success but we don't know if her nerves took to the prosthetics as she is still under the anesthesia. Whitely has moved her to one of the rooms for her to rest." Willow explained.
"Can we see her?" Melyna asked.
"Of course. I believe Whitely took her to room three." Willow replied.
Melyna almost ran directly toward the room if she didn't remember that she was in a clinic as she walked toward the room.
Whitely came into view but he had a worried look on his face.
"Whitely is something wrong?" Willow asked.
"That last surgery we did with Ophelia... we're about out of anesthesia." Whitely said worryingly.
"That is a problem. Without the anesthesia we can't perform anymore surgeries. And we won't get another supply of it for another two days. That will be troubling." Willow replied.
Weiss stood their and heard what Whitely said which didn't sit well with. She looked at where her right arm should be at but becaue she wasn't going to let something like this stop her so Weiss took in a breath before she spoke.
"How much do you have left?" Weiss asked which stunned the two doctors.
"W-What did you say?" Whitely stuttered slightly.
"How much anesthesia you have left to knock me out?" Weiss asked again.
"Um... we might have enough to keep you under for twenty to twenty five minutes." Willow replied.
"Alright let's do that." Weiss replied which completely shocked the two of them.
"Hold it Weiss. Installing a metal plate isn't as easy as you think. We would have to be careful not to hit any of your nerves within your shoulder and that takes ten minutes at minimum most is fifteen. Not to mention another fifteen to install the metal plate. Your looking at a maximum time of thirty minutes to install the plate in your shoulder." Willow explained.
"Okay but can it be done before I wake up from the anesthesia?" Weiss asked.
Willow thought a moment as she did the math in her head as she slightly shook it but she spoke anyway.
"Theoretically yes it can be done but it would mean we would have to do it right just as you get knocked out from the anesthesia. If we are off by even a second would mean we could lose time for the surgery to install the metal plate." Willow replied.
"Alright... let's do it then." Weiss said confidently.
Willow and Whitely looked at each other a moment before looking back to Weiss.
"Weiss... are you sure you want to do this? If the effect wears off you're body will get feeling back and you'll be in pain." Whitely replied.
"I'm sure. Besides... I have two of the best doctors in front of me and I know you two can do it." Weiss said smiling at them confidently.
Whitely only sighed before turning to Willow "What do you say mother? Your the head nurse here." He replied. Willow looked at her daughter as she studied her to see if their was any hesitation from her as their eyes looked back at each other. Willow gave her a small smile before she spoke up.
"You remind me of my own father. He never showed fear regardless of what challenges face him. You certainly got that from him." Willow replied before looking back at Whitely.
"Whitely... prepare the room for surgery. Tell Hawk that we're going to need that metal plate of his." Willow ordered.
"Yes ma'am." Whitely said as he gestured Weiss to follow him to get her prepped though he knew this was more than likely going to be a great challlange for the both of them as he internally prayed to the brothers that his surgery goes well.
F3: Well looks like Whitely and Willow will have their hands full as their diving into another surgery and this time it's Weiss. Pepper finding more about her family but now a missing book containing more about her family and what is Tock up to. Let me know in the comments of how this story is going. Also don't forget to follow this story for future updates. With that said this is Fireuser3 and I'm out.