Hi everyone! Hope you didn't wait too long! Sorry I can't force myself to write regularly… Anyway, here's a new chapter, and it'll come with a bonus! It will be an alternative version of this chapter I wrote even before chapter 1 was published. Enjoy!
It felt really strange, planning everything for their final leave in their rooms. As Blake had thought, once informed Ruby was more than happy to help them, even more when she heard that they'll free the Faunus by the way. They were actually in Ruby's room, discussing the most important details.
"We will need weapons. I doubt that your family will leave us all alone for long, and since there's Faunus with us, they won't hesitate to open fire" Blake was thinking out loud.
"I've got Myrtenaster, I suppose you brought Gambol Shroud and Ruby never leave Crescent Rose, that should do the trick?" Weiss tone was hoping but still oblivious that it wasn't that simple.
"Weiss, everyone will need to be armed." Ruby said without looking up from the map she was trying to understand.
"Well… They all had weapons, which my father confiscated. They're stored in a vault, about one or two level underground, near the passage to the Schnee Dust Research section. My scroll can bring us here… but they'll know I passed here."
"That's no problem, since you won't see them again, unless you want to. Now that's settled, does everyone have a proper outfit?" Once again, Blake was trying to stay as reasonable as possible.
"What do you mean?" This time, Ruby was staring at her so Blake stopped checking the guards' possible strategy.
"I mean something dark and easy to run with."
Ruby smiled, and then flipped her cape, revealing a black side. That was indeed dark and easy to run with. Weiss instead, seemed awkward.
"I… only have white dresses. And heels."
"That's no problem Weiss, I'll lend you something. I have plenty of black outfits, I'm pretty sure one will fit. And for the rest of us?"
"Their butler outfit should do, if they don't wear the red bow."
Everyone acquiesced and returned to their initial task. Ruby was trying to find the best way out of Atlas, their destination being Blake's hometown, Blake was trying to figure out a strategy to put in front of the soldiers that will surely try to stop them and Weiss was checking Dust and ammunition stock, to see where she could steal some without being suspected.
"I can't make a proper strategy." Blake's was again thinking out loud. "I need to know everyone's weapon, semblance and skills. Ruby, could you show me Crescent Rose? And what's your semblance by the way?"
Blake had never seen a smile that wide on Ruby's face. Crazy weapon lady huh? The said crazy girl got out of her back what seemed to be a full block of red metal. Blake examined it, mentally noting the power and the attack range of the weapon, when she spotted a button that didn't have a use as it seemed to her. She extended her arm, ready to press it, and then mentally slammed herself. It could be an explosion button. She asked the permission of the owner, who gladly demonstrated Crescent Rose scythe transformation under Blake's amazed gaze.
"And my semblance is speed by the way."
"Thanks Ruby!" Blake answered, each detail dully noted on a corner of her mind, already thinking about what place would be best for her. "Weiss… I'll need to check those weapons too. And… I'll need to see everyone's semblance in use."
She knew that it would be difficult, but Weiss surprised her by answering calmly.
"That's no big deal. We can officially see the weapons, as if I was showing you our property, and there's an arena specially designed to test your fighting skills. Since my sister is always fighting and my brother can't, there should be no one."
"Yeah but… The collar block their semblance." Ruby stated.
"My key should unlock them… but I'm afraid they'll try to kill me."
"In this case let me do it." Every piece was assembling in Blake's mind, she was planning every detail of the week that was just beginning, knowing far well that she won't rest long.
The next day, they went to the weapon vault, playing their part perfectly. Weiss was the proud and haughty heiress, and Blake and Ruby were the amazed friend. The heiress opened the door, and they entered what seemed like a long corridor, until they noticed the pedestal supporting every weapon. The nearest was a simple metallic cylinder, labelled "Flacari Brand". They were under Winter's strict gaze, and they did exactly what they had planned: they amazed in front of the weapon before asking Weiss if they could see it in use. Weiss, knowing full well that everything was at stake now, turned to a fierce and undeniably proud Winter, which answered by the positive.
"There's a special room for that. Unfortunately, I have to end some trouble in my guard, but feel free to try them. Just make sure that they are securely locked here before night."
And with that, the older Schnee left while the three of them were retaining their joy outburst. Weiss unlocked the glass protection around the weapon, and Blake asked her to who belonged those weapons.
Flacari Brand was Triss', so Blake decided she will try it last. Next to it was a rifle with a dagger, seemingly a ballonet, named Dagger Fang: Matt's weapon. Quartz's weapon was next: two katanas with Dust infusers, labelled Night Rise and Sunset, then came Zaïa's Aruncat Messens, a dozen of throwing blades accompanied by two rings and two metal circle with symbols engraved. And last but not least, Yang's Amber Celica. Blake breathed deeply, and then decided that she'll try the weapon starting by Yang's and ending by Triss', so she borrowed Amber Celica and got out laughing with Ruby and Weiss, as if they weren't planning anything special. As if it was perfectly normal. She then put the yellow weapon in Ruby's hand, knowing full well that she knew how they worked, and turned to Weiss to start the second phase of their plan.
Without saying a word, Weiss gave her the small iron key, and Blake took off to search for Yang. She had to ask Zaïa, and finally she found the lion in a small garden, at the very edge of the mansion. She entered quietly, watching the blondie carefully water a flower and put it back on its shelves, dumbfounded by the patience and precaution of the normally over-powering Faunus. She coughed politely, not wanting her intrusion to be misinterpreted, and Yang turned to her, waving.
"They're Vale plants. They remind me my home, that's why I asked to be the one watering them."
"That's…" kinda cute, she thought. "Very thoughtful," she said instead. "Sorry for prying, but I need to talk to you about something."
"No problem, what's it about?"
Blake checked quickly the surroundings, and once she was sure no one was around, she spoke.
"I need to know how you fight, and what your semblance is to plan an escape."
Yang's eyes widened in disbelief, before she gave out in a laugh.
"Good one! I didn't know you had jokes. Now what's the real matter?"
"Yang, I'm serious!"
"Yeah, and I suppose you've got magic powers to get rid of this?" Her thumb was passed under her collar, and she was slightly pulling on it, highlighting its security.
"Not magic powers. I've got the key." She was indeed holding it visibly.
"What the? Are you crazy? You stole it? That's too dangerous!"
"Calm down, I didn't steal it." Now came the hardest part of the discussion. "Weiss gave it to me."
"You're telling me that Ice Queen just gave you the key, knowing that you don't like slaving?"
"Actually…" Blake breathed deeply. "She will flee with us."
"Okay now stop joking around please, or I'll have a heart attack."
"I'm dead serious! Weiss is slaved too! I know it doesn't seem like because she live in a golden cage, but golden or not a cage is a cage!"
Yang made a step back, visibly stunned by Blake's sudden outburst, before putting both of her hand on her neck while looking to the sky.
"I still think that's not a great idea… But I won't refuse a chance to escape."
"I hoped you'd say that," Blake sighed in relief. "Because I'll need your help to convince every other Faunus."
"Now I'm certain that you're crazy. You do realize that you're about to steal a dozen of slaves and the heiress from one of the most powerful empires in Remnant?"
"You're right, I must be crazy. But it still worth the try right?"
"I'm not silly enough to tell you otherwise!"
They both chuckled, not knowing when they would be able to laugh again but still hoping. They had an escape to plan.
They made their way to the arena, where they joined Ruby, and Yang gladly took back her weapon. Amber Celica came against her wrist, clicking armed when she prepared a punch, and the blondie's tail was waving in an uncontrollable joy. The iron key clicked once, and the awful collar fell flat on the ground, not so threatening now that it was only a ribbon on the ground. All of the sudden, Yang's hair started to burn and her eyes turned red.
"Gosh I missed this! I finally feel whole again!"
[Feel like I'm finally unbroken… Feel like I'm back from the dead!]
The fierce lion darted out on the sand, infinitely pleased to literally explode every holographic Grimm that presented in front of her, while Ruby explained the details of her sister's semblance to a mid-attentive Blake. The black haired girl was far too occupied in detailing Yang's explosive fighting style to focus entirely on Ruby's hesitant explanations. After about an hour of fighting and explaining, the blondie came back to them, exhausted but grinning proudly.
"Ninety-eight! I crushed ninety-eight of them to the ground." The lion was breathing deeply, tired but still happy.
Ruby and Blake looked at each other awkwardly, when finally Ruby spoke.
"Eh… sis? I'm really sorry but… We need to put back the collar." Ruby's sad tone was reinforced by her tip-toeing
"Don't worry sis' I knew that. I can't just walk in the mansion without it."
Saying so, Yang had picked up the black ribbon, and with a grimace she locked it on her neck. She suddenly seemed way more tired. They separated, Blake went to put back Ember Celica in the vault, and then the day passed perfectly normally.
During the rest of the week, they did the same with each of the Faunus, Blake gradually establishing a strategy. Zaïa's blindness was apparently not a problem, as she showed in the arena by throwing each of her blade perfectly, and Blake finally learned the use of the four metallic rings. Two of them were going on the shark's fist, one on her right foot and the last one on her left elbow, each of them used to reinforce her physical assaults. Not to mention that she was also using her teeth as a weapon. Quartz wasn't half bad, mastering his blades like he was born with it, switching easily and smartly between the four elements he had and making great use of his shockwave semblance while Matt was fighting simply but efficiently with his rifle, dagger and semblance, but the most impressive was Triss.
She had been hard to convince, but once in the arena she had blown every concern about her talent for fighting. She unfolded her weapon in a few mastered movement, revealing a flamethrower combined to a Molotov launcher, and it quickly became evident that she was a pyromaniac when she activated her semblance. Just before accepting the deal, she had asked for her original dress, swearing that it was absolutely necessary, just as she had said for her ribbons. Now that she was literally burning, like a human torch, Blake understood why. It wasn't some innocent flames that wouldn't last long like Yang's semblance, it was a real fire that could burn someone alive. And for the ribbons… well Triss was using them as fire whips, deadlier than a blade. Now that she knew everyone's particularity, Blake had a strategy ready for the D-day. Ruby had found a way to escape Atlas, Weiss had gradually stolen and stocked everything they'd need, from Dust to food. They were ready to go.
So... You're ready for the real adventure? 'cause here it comes!
Okay, enough. I'll try to upload weekly, but I can't promise anything... Also, as it's an alternative universe, I won't be able to keep the OC as secondary as I'd like to... But don't worry, this story will stay focused on Bumblebee. Oh and I know I said I would write Yang's POV in another fanfiction... but finally I'll write it here, and I'll alternate if needed.