I feel like I'm eternally apologizing for being late but it really wasn't my fault. University's starting soon so I had an enormous amount of stuff to do this week for it. I got sidetracked, mentally lost, and then got hit with mental block along the way.
Also thanks so much for the kind words on last chapter guys, it means a lot. And KawaiiMomoko-chan thanks for saying this is a great fic, to me it will always be somewhat crappy cuz I can't write as well as I want cuz I do lack some writing experience.
I have a way I want to do Ruby's training and Oscar's arc, but I need time to truly polish it the way I want it to flow, so you'll have to suffer with a short chapter this time so I can really pack the heat next chapter.
Chapter 58: Argus It's going to be an emotional drama
"My name is Maria Calavera, and I once had Silver Eyes too," the old woman said, watching the faces of everyone in the carriage spring in surprise and awe, especially Qrow who looked about ready to have a seizure.
"WHAT?!"
"Is it so hard to believe I was once a huntress like you?" Maria asked looking genuinely offended.
"No, it's not that. Silver Eyes?! Really?" Ruby peered closer looking interested.
"Never mind that! Maria Calavera you… you're the Grim Reaper!" Qrow said with wondrous awe. For the first time since they left Haven, they'd seen the semblance of a smile ghost the lips of the depressed Huntsman. "YOU WERE A LEGEND! My hero! I based my weapon off of yours, I wanted to be just like you!"
The old woman did not smile, "Yes well… looks like I'm nothing more than a washed-up disappointment, just like a lot of the things happening right now…" she said grimly, and the thick veil of worry that had temporarily lifted over the party had returned just like that. Still, Ruby refused to be kept down.
"Wait… Calavera… are you perhaps related to Raisa Calavera?" Ruby asked. Nova had to admire her, the ability to speak above the doom and gloom like it wasn't pressing was astonishing. A trait of a true leader, something that even he still struggles to make work, but Ruby Rose pulled it off like it was nothing.
"You mean that old lady we met back in Mistral?" Nova prompted, remembering their escapades in the bank.
The woman made a humming noise, "You know my older sister? So the broad is still alive and kicking… seems like even old age won't take her…"
Everyone deadpanned, they could tell there was some sibling rivalry going on.
"Yes, she had silver eyes too, and… unfortunately she more versed in using them than I was… well in some aspects. I still beat her ass six ways to Sunday in a fight every time." She said proudly, holding her head high.
Ruby wasted no time, "Can you teach me how to use my eyes?"
The woman sighed, as if knowing the question was coming, "My dear, for everything that you've done to protect me, even if most of it was your own faults, I am grateful."
Ruby perked up looking hopeful.
"BUT!" this caused Ruby to deflate, "I can't teach you how to use the eyes. I can only offer small bits of advice. If you really want to learn more then…" she was about to say 'go to my sister', but the idea of letting her sister one-up her in the aspect of having a protégé irritated her, "You know what? I will teach you, but it won't be easy, and we need time."
"Which is something we don't have a lot of…" Nova said darkly.
"Exactly… still until we get to Atlas, I'll do my best."
"LOOK! I see the city walls!" Yang said as she drove the bike uphill. As the cart behind it crested the top of the mound they could see the gleaming city of Argus, resting comfortably on the shore of the ocean that separated Atlas and Mistral.
"OH I got a signal!" Ruby said holding up her scroll. She scrolled through her list of contacts and found Jaune's phone number.
'Hello? RUBY?!' it was Nora who answered.
"NORA?! HOLY SHIT THANK OUM! We're almost to Argus, meet us outside in five minutes?"
As the team finally dragged their weary hides to the outer gates of Argus, they could see the market stalls and guard posts that lined the cobblestone entryway. It was a large open area just within the walls, a sort of tourist hub that gave people time to marvel at the massive walls that acted as a defence for the city.
"CUTE! BOY! OZ!" They heard the shrill shriek of an unmistakable orange-haired Valkyrie within the crowd of people.
"Oh… god… no…" was all Oscar had time to say before the rocketing body of Nora crashed into him tackling him to the floor. The rest of the team followed with Jaune and Ren running up to meet everyone.
At the back of it all was Elain looking worried and nervous until she saw them.
"Hey, mom… OOF!" Nova choked out as his mother ran into him and glomped him, Luna, Ruby, and Weiss in an uncomfortably large hug.
"Nice… to… see you too… Dr. E…" Weiss choked out her face turning slightly blue.
"Hey, Aunty Ellie!" Ruby chirped hugging back the warm lady.
"Weiss honey, how many times do I have to tell you to call me Auntie or just Ellie? Drop the honorifics," Elain berated the Schnee.
"Sorry Doctor… I mean Aunty…" Weiss said embarrassed.
"Honestly, you kids will be the death of me. Do you have any idea how worried I was?!" Elain said rubbing her thumb over Ruby and Luna's faces wiping off the dirt.
"Sorry mom, it was kind of a rough experience…" Nova said, his eyes falling downward.
She eyed him with curiosity, then worry, and instantly grabbed his hand, "You're cold…"
Nova tried to play it off, "Well it is freezing outside… anyone would be cold."
Elain shot him an irritated look, "Miss me with the bullshit… tell me everything…"
The dragon held a pained expression and a sad smile, before clapping his hands and shaking himself. It seemed to change his solemn demeanour instantly, "Alright! I don't know about the rest of you but I'm starving. You might've eaten the ancient canned beans but I need food!"
"Oh right! You were unconscious for a whole day…" Nitro pointed out realizing his friend hadn't eaten anything since they got stranded in the snow.
"WAH?! Unconscious?!" Nora piped up looking worried.
Nova waved it off, "We'll tell you about it later, for now… you guys know where we can stay for a few days? We're exhausted," he said gesturing to him and his team who looked barely alive.
Jaune blinked rapidly, "AH! Right, we'll take you there. You're gonna love them."
"Them?" simultaneously said ASHNRWBY.
Argus was beautiful in every essence of the word. Unlike Vale with its grey cityscape and overly modernized structure or Mistral with its natural focused aesthetic, Argus was a balance. Its stone streets and lack of cars mixed in with its intricately designed buildings that seemed to come from a time many decades ago, the city was like something out of a movie. The snow that settled on every rooftop, windowsill, and tree seemed to just accentuate the comfy feeling the city radiated, it wasn't chaotic and bustling, but peaceful and calm, as if the people there didn't feel the constant need to busy themselves.
"You know, Argus is the largest city to be built outside of the main kingdoms," Jaune said proudly as if he lived here. They were traveling in a tram across the city as Jaune gave them a tour.
"What? No way," Hex waved her hand, "I hear there's a huge settlement in Vacuo's desert that's supposed to be bigger."
"But, the desert portion is still considered relatively close to the kingdom compared to Argus so…" Ren countered.
"Wait… wouldn't it be hard to settle something this big outside the main city?" Ruby asked curiously.
"Well it was… until Mantle showed up," Jaune explained as if it were obvious what Mantle did.
"Huh?" Nova was confused.
Jaune facepalmed, "Oh right, sorry. Mantle settlers helped them survive the cold in return for goods Solitace couldn't provide."
"And Atlas planted a military presence here to keep the people safe, and keep healthy relationships between the kingdoms." Ren supplied.
"So… where exactly have you guys been staying this whole time?" Oscar asked as they stepped off the tram.
Jaune chuckled nervously, "Uh…"
"OH! There you are! I've been looking all over for you guys," a voice said coming from the other side of the street. They all turned to see a woman with blonde hair and blue eyes holding a baby with black hair and brown eyes.
Instantly recognition fell on everyone's faces as they glanced between Jaune and the woman.
"Jaune… the baby's not yours is it? Because I can't deal with two babies at once…" Luna whispered pointing to Nova discreetly.
Jaune looked flustered, "WAH NO! Guys this is my sister, Saphron."
Jaune's sister's house was neat and large, with a living room large enough to hold everyone. It was surprising but their only assumption was that she was well off.
"Are you sure you're good with letting us stay here?" Ruby asked trying to be polite as they sat on the couches with the baby, named Adrien, playing on the rug with Weiss, Yang, and Nova.
"Perfectly fine, we're happy to house Huntsmen and Huntresses, you guys already risk so much for us," Saphron responded happily as she tried to mess with Jaune's hair, the latter of which was desperately trying to fight her off. "Speaking of which…" she turned to Qrow, "You're having students help you on an official mission… is that even legal?"
Qrow almost choked on his flask, "Uh… well, it was officially allowed and if it's a question of their skill, they're way better than us back when we were their age… well except me of course…"
"Oh please old man, I'd kick your ass any day," Nova said proudly, folding his arms.
"Wanna test that theory?" Qrow said with a glint of his former self.
"Gladly…"
"Kids, please, the city can't handle spontaneous combustion, even if it is winter," Weiss said pinching Nova on the arm, earning a yelp.
"Heh, serves you right-OW!" he cried out as Ruby and Luna smacked him over the head.
"Same goes for you too uncle Qrow," Ruby eyed him.
"Sheesh… fine…" he settled down.
Hex snickered as an idea popped into her head, "Hey Saphron, got any embarrassing stories to tell about Jaune?"
The blonde boy in question began to pale, "Please… no…"
"Of course!" Saphron clapped her hands excitedly, "I'd love to share stories about my baby brother!"
Jaune huffed, "I AM NOT A BABY! THAT IS A BABY!" he angrily pointed toward the general spot on the rug.
Adrien and Nova looked up simultaneously confused, and both proceeded to simultaneously fold their arms in annoyance.
Ruby almost choked at Nova's expense, it was just too funny to see her boyfriend pout like that.
"I'm homeee~" rang a voice as they entered the house. It was a woman with dark skin and brown hair, she looked like Adrien. "Woah, quite the party here," she said noticing the team as she moved to place groceries into the kitchen.
"Everyone this is my wife Tera," Saphron introduced as Tera joined them.
"Nice to meet you all, Oh! Your highnesses, I greet you," Tera said bowing politely before Nova and Luna. Elain tried to shrink away to avoid interaction.
"You know about us?" Luna asked looking confused more than surprised because at this point nothing was surprising about that statement.
"Of course! I heard your little speech during the Vytal Tournament. Quite inspiring," she said lightly with a smile, looking toward Nova.
"Highnesses? Tera why didn't you tell me they were royalty earlier!" Saphron said elbowing her wife, "I would've gotten the good snacks…"
Nova's sweatdropped, "Uhhh, you really don't need to do that… right, mom?" Nova asked turning to Elain who almost smashed her head against a wall in frustration.
"MOM?!" Tera and Saphron exclaimed as they looked to the woman who'd been staying with them for three days.
Elain rubbed the back of her head and her ears flattened, "Eheheheh…"
"Damnit, a queen and the heirs living under our roof…" Saphron face-palmed. "I feel like I need to change now…"
"It's fine Ma'am… really…" Luna said embarrassed.
"So, what are your plans while you're here?" Saphron asked as she got food from the kitchen, Ren and Nora went to help her prepare sandwiches for the team.
"We're hoping to head to Atlas, so we'll start with the military base and try to get some transport…" Nova said chowing down on a sandwich only to bite into bologna, to which he casually picked it out and tossed it to Ruby who caught it and placed it in her own.
"Eheh… about that…" Jaune said nervously, "We already tried… and failed… and things got heated and we kinda sorta maybe let Nora on a rampage…?"
Nova paled, "Please tell me there weren't any casualties…"
"None to anything organic?" Jaune offered.
"Oh boy…"
The base was larger up close than they expected. With ten-foot-tall walls and heavily armed security guarding what seemed to be a central command hub built into the island mountain that extended from the mainland, it was like a small fortress. The team crossed the extremely lengthy walkway to the gates and were immediately met with shut bars and two guards that were practically twins of themselves.
"No one is allowed to enter this base without permission by order of the esteemed General Ironwood!" the guards said simultaneously.
Qrow grimaced, they were like lapdogs. "Yeah James Ironwood. We know the situation but we have Weiss Schnee here with us and we'd like to return her home safely," he gestured to Weiss who looked nervous.
Luna walked up and held her hand for comfort. She smiled weakly as if the semblance of support helped wonders.
The two guards eyed Weiss, "Hmm… we shall alert our commanding officer." They said again.
A few minutes later a short woman with pale white skin and grey hair strut forward in a white Atlas commander's outfit.
"Who is that so desperately desires to enter this compound that they'd bring up the great… OH MISS SCHNEE!" she said in surprise upon seeing Weiss' face.
"Hey, lady, we need to escort Weiss back home, so if you'd be so kind as to let us in and give us a ship…" Qrow said dryly.
Instantly the lady sobered up, "By order of the great, infallible and almightly Atlas Military, I Special Operative Caroline Cordovin, shall not allow anyone through the Atlas borders. Miss Schnee is fine, but in the company of her… questionable associates, this I cannot allow." She said eyeing Blake, Luna, Nova, and Elain.
This made everyone on the team's blood boil, Ruby herself looked ready to pick up Crescent Rose.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Weiss shot out raising her eyebrow, pulling the all-powerful and infamous Schnee bitch-face.
Then the short lady spotted Nora, "I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU NEVER TO COME BACK HERE AGAIN!"
"AND I SAID THAT WE WON'T REST TIL YOU LET US THROUGH! BE IT BLOOD OR BONES I WILL GET IN!" Nora screeched while Ren and Jaune held her back.
"Cordovin… I thought I heard the sound of an animal screeching," Maria said walking up to the front of the group.
The two old ladies stood at the exact same height, in a stare-off. "Maria Calavera… its been decades of peace and quiet and now you turn up to spoil the air…" Cordovin said with disgust.
Everyone facepalmed, this wasn't good.
"Same old Cordovin, still the lapdog of the Atlas Military and still walking around with that stick shoved up your-"
"OKAY!" Nova said pulling the old woman away, "Listen, Madam Cordovin, it is a matter of international importance that you get us to Atlas, it's highly likely that there are known terrorists planning an assault as we speak and we need to warn Ironwood." He said pulling his commander attitude.
Caroline eyed him, "A likely story… but also likely fake… Since CCT is down, I can't radio to Ironwood… I cannot allow you entry since you have no proof. Miss Schnee, you can come with me now…"
"No."
"Excuse me?" she asked looking confused.
"I said no. I will not go anywhere without them." Weiss said sternly.
"Well, Miss Schnee, know that if you change your mind its open for you, and you alone"
Nitro whispered to Nova, "Should we pull the royalty card?"
"Don't bother. Woman's clearly a Faunus hater, pulling that won't mean anything."
The team began to walk off, "Cordovin doesn't hate the Faunus, just the White Fang." Maria explained.
"But they're gone now! Why would she…" Blake prompted.
"Old habits die hard."
"Come on guys! There has to be something we can do! We have the great Ozpin with us, he knows what to do!" Nora said holding up Oscar like a puppy.
Everyone paled, Nova grimaced hard "About that…"
"RAAAAAAH!" Jaune punched the wall in frustration cracking it with the force of the impact.
"Jaune, I know how it feels but calm down…" Ruby said trying to appease him. Nova watched him with a stern gaze, Jaune's emotions about the fall of Beacon were already unstable, and finding out the truth of Ozpin seemed to do more harm than expected. When someone was in that emotional state there is no telling what they could do.
"Calm down? You expect me to calm down after that?!" he held his face in his hands, "All this time… ALL THIS FUCKING TIME HE'S BEEN PLAYING US FOR FOOLS!"
"Every fucking thing has been for nothing…" he continued to stomp around in his anger.
"No… it's not…" Hex tried to say.
"Really? Because it sure sounds like it," Nora said as she screamed into her hands.
"If Salem can't be killed then what's the point of even trying?" Ren said despairingly.
"Look, I know it's rough but there's still hope…" Oscar pleaded, his face a mix of fear and guilt.
Jaune turned to him with a dangerous look in his eyes, "YOU!" he rushed forward and pinned Oscar to the wall, "He's been in your head! HOW LONG HAVE YOU KNOW?!"
Nova and Nitro were on him instantly, pinning Jaune's arms behind him, "Jaune chill the fuck out or I break your arms… multiple times over…" the dragon threatened darkly, glaring at Jaune intently.
Jaune struggled against the restraints with impressive strength, still, the other two were physically superior even without their aura, "HOW DO WE KNOW WE HAVEN'T BEEN TALKING TO THE LIAR THIS WHOLE TIME?!" Jaune roared staring at Oscar.
The amount of anger was surprising for the young boy, so Nova opted for a different approach, and relinquished is hold, instead, draped an arm around Jaune, "Its no him, for sure."
"And how do you know that?!" Jaune replied, tears stinging his eyes.
"Because I can attest to it. It's… something personal and I don't think Oscar would want me to share it so, please trust me when I say, that is Oscar and not Ozpin…" Luna said speaking up for the boy.
Jaune hesitated, before drooping, and letting him go, "I…. just… it means that Pyrrha took that burden and almost died for nothing…"
"Jaune…" Nitro tried to comfort his friend but Jaune brushed him off. "I… need some time alone…" and with that, he stormed off into the city.
The others, too depressed to continue, just dispersed in silence, with Ruby and Nova leaving to the back yard while Luna tried to comfort Oscar.
Ruby tried calling Qrow, but it just went to voicemail. "ARGH FUCKING HELL QROW WHERE ARE YOU?!" Ruby yelled in frustration tossing her scroll in anger, scaring away the blue butterflies that hung around the various plants that adorned the Cotta-Arc household. The older huntsman had disappeared before they returned, most likely out drinking.
Nova caught the scroll, "Woah there. Don't take it out on the technology. Poor thing survived Beacon and Mistral, don't kill it with your rage now," he dusted it off and handed her. Instead of taking it Ruby hugged him and buried her face in his chest.
Nova sighed and pulled her close, stroking her hair and kissing the top of her forehead, "I know it sucks. We have a shitty irresponsible drunkard, an emotionally distressed team and the threat of the apocalypse looming over us, but look on the bright side, at least we have each other?" he said with a half-smile.
She giggled in his shirt and wiped a tear away, "You're full of cheese you know that?"
"I happen to know you love cheese," he said lightly.
"Fuck you for being stupid, and sweet…" she smiled and leaned up.
"Woah there potty mouth, I guess I gotta take responsibility for that…" he was about to close the gap when a loud AHEM was sounded making them freeze.
"You know I came outside to avoid the shouting and here I am getting a show, please if you're going to do your little couple routine, save it for behind closed doors…" Maria said amused.
They jumped back and turned to the old woman.
"We uh…" Nova faltered, "Are sorry?"
Maria chuckled, "No harm kid. I was once young and in love too, though he got eaten by a Grimm before I could tell him so…"
Ruby flinched, "Yikes… sorry…"
"That was more than fifty years ago so don't worry about it. On another note, you two don't give yourselves enough credit," she said reclining on her chair.
"Thank you?" the reaper opted.
"It wasn't exactly a compliment. I think the both of you need to stop thinking that you need to carry everyone's burden on your shoulders and just carry yourselves. Things will work out better that way."
"Wise words, you almost sound like your sister," Nova said with a chuckle.
"Speaking of which… can you teach me how to use my eyes now?" Ruby asked with a gleam.
Maria sighed, "Sure, take a seat."
Ruby sat on the wooden floor of the porch.
"Tell me, child, what do you know about your eyes?"
Ruby thought for a moment, "Well… I know that they're rare, and I once turned a giant Wyvern to stone, and vaporized those Apathy!"
"Oh boy… this is going to be rough…" Maria said dryly.
"Use the force of your emotions, Ruby…" a distant voice echoed in the air.
They all turned around rapidly looking for the source, but none was found.
"Who's there?!" Nova shouted ready to draw Helios.
A pink glowing cherry blossom petal flittered by and Maria groaned very loudly, "OH FOR THE LOVE OF… QUIT MESSING WITH THEM AND SHOW YOURSELF, RAISA!" Maria shouted shaking her stick at the air.
A rush of cherry blossom petals appeared and whirled around a spot before the image of a short, very old woman who looked very similar to Maria appeared, except her eyes were closed.
She wore a pink dress and her hair was tied in a bun, walking with a cane that looked like Maria's but the skull was white instead of dark blue.
"Hello children, long time no see," Raisa Calavera said with a smile.
"Old lady! What're you doing here?" Nova gasped.
"Oh you know, drifting through the world as I always do, when I hear the awful voice of my younger sister grating in my ears. Then I hear the young reaper's voice and well… I come to find Maria's trying to steal my pupil."
"Your pupil? She came to me first!" Maria fought down.
"Oh please, I found her first, finders keepers," Raisa shot back.
"Really? Because I always thought you were a weeping loser instead!" Maria countered.
Ruby and Nova felt their sweatdrop. "Um… how did you… do that?" Nova asked.
"The petals?" Raisa said, "Oh, it's my semblance. I can use any flower petal native to a country of origin and use them to transport myself to places I've been before or people I've already met. It just gets me around."
"It's so annoying honestly…" Maria spat.
Raisa turned to Ruby and folded her arms, "Ruby Rose, are you ready to learn the secrets of the Silver Eyes?"
"More than ready," she responded excitedly.
Nova kissed his girlfriend on the cheek, "I'll see you later love, I think I need to help the team patch themselves up," he said before dipping through the door.
Back inside Oscar sunk the floor at the wall where Jaune had pinned him previously, and Luna sat with him. His knees were pulled up to his chest and his eyes were glassy and distant. This worried the blue dragon as she knew the extent of his mental state and for Jaune, someone they trust, to have turned in on him like that... the boy must be shaken beyond all measure.
"Oscar..." Luna started to say, but the boy cut her off.
"I... don't know anymore, Luna," he said dejectedly. The hurt was evident in his voice. "It seems that, everywhere I go, no matter what I do, or how hard I try to not be Ozpin, his sins keep coming at me and I have to pay the price for his cowardice..."
"Hey, don't think like that. You don't have to face these problems alone..."
"Don't I? It seems to me that despite it all, because that coward chose to run and hide, I'm being forced to take his place and be everyone's punching bag to vent their frustrations... I hate this... I hate him and I hate myself for just outright existing because apparently just wanting to be Oscar Pine is a goddamn crime," he cursed, balling up his fists as tears threatened to take hold of him.
"Then let me help you..." Luna said clutching his shoulder.
"How Luna? How can you help me now?!" He said with a pained expression.
"I..." she wanted to say that she could do something, but what could she do? This was a fight that Oscar had to deal with himself, something he had to come to terms with himself. It wasn't something any matter of council could fix.
When he saw her saddening expression, it stung him deeply to see her face like that, and know that he was the cause. He sighed deeply, "Luna... I'm sorry, I know you mean well, and I appreciate it, I really do... but right now I need to figure this out on my own."
"What are you..."
Oscar got up, wiped the tears from his face, and walked to the door, "I'm going to cool off," he said before slamming the door shut behind him. Not a single person was around to see him leave besides Luna.
Jaune stood staring at a statue of Pyrrha and Nova in the center of Argus, well it was supposed to be Nova but they got his proportions all wrong, his chest was far too wide and his horns were too large, and the face was slightly too sharp, but otherwise it was a decent resemblance. On it read a plaque, 'To the Heroes Who Sacrificed Everything: Pyrrha Nikos and Nova Flareheart'.
At first, Jaune was curious as to why they added Nova but then he remembered that the world assumed Nova had died during the fall of Beacon, and that he'd given his life to protect his friend Pyrrha. The statue was off the two fighting side by side, it was such detailed work that only a master craftsman would have been able to pull it off. The spot was less populated since it was evening, but park where the statue was encircled by benches and hedges, it would've made for a good relaxing spot.
Compared to Nova, Pyrrha's statue looked like the spitting image of her, they got every detail right down to the cracks in her armour.
"What am I supposed to do now Pyrrha? I feel so helpless and lost, especially now that you're not here..." Jaune said aloud, staring up at the stone image as if he were talking to the real one.
"You know she's not dead right?" Nova said emerging from his lurking spot behind a hedge.
Jaune jumped back startled, "WAH! Oh... it's you."
Nova looked offended, "Hey, that sounded hurtful."
Jaune winced, "Sorry... it's just... I miss her so much that..."
Nova held him by the shoulder, "I know what that feels like Jaune, trust me. If I were to be separated from Ruby again, I'm not sure I'd be able to handle myself. For you to go on so long, it must've been hard on your mind."
Jaune sighed, "Listen I'm sorry for exploding back there it's just..."
"Dude, relax. I admit you were rash, but I'm not the one you need to apologize to."
Jaune's eyes widened in horror, "Oh... my... Oscar! He's just a kid and I..."
"He's a kid and he's also suffering enough from his identity crisis as is, so I'd say you owe him a HUGE apology."
Nova's ears twitched at the sound of approaching footsteps. He turned to see a woman with red hair, green eyes, she looked exactly like Pyrrha, but shorter and a bit older.
"Surprised to see people out here when all the rage is at the hospital," the woman said with a light smile. "Are you friends of Pyrrha's? You with the white hair kinda look that statue..." she pointed to the stone Nova.
The dragon realized what the statue was supposed to be and almost choked on his own air, "IS THAT SUPPOSED TO BE ME?! Who the hell gave them these proportions... I mean just look at my ass! I happen to have a great ass!"
"So I was spot on? I thought this person was dead," she said pointing to stone Nova.
"Yeah well, more like just assumed killed in action. The question is... who are you?" Nova asked curiously.
The woman looked flustered, "Oh, sorry. I'm Pyrrha's mother, Crysanthemum Nikos, but you can call me Cris, it's a lot easier than my full name."
Jaune instantly bolted alert, "M-m-mother?!"
Nova elbowed Jaune and winked, "Well, well, well. Miss Cris, I'm Nova Flareheart, and this baffled blonde is Jaune Arc, he's your daughter's -OOF!"
Jaune slapped Nova's mouth shut, "Her friend! I was her team leader back at Beacon!" he said laughing to play it off.
"Mr. Flareheart, if you are really the person in the statue, then... from the bottom of my heart, I thank you for saving my daughter's life... My family and I are forever in your debt..." she said bowing with a red face.
Nova bowed in return, "No thanks necessary, I was just doing what any friend would do..."
"Friend huh? Maybe that might jumpstart her a bit if she saw a familiar face..." Cris said with a downcast gaze.
"What does that mean?" Nova asked, concerned.
"You mean you guys don't know? That explains why you're here..." she said pensively, "Pyrrha woke up and the doctors moved her to the hospital here for special care. Most of her admirers and fans have been hanging around the hospital hoping she's alright. I don't blame them honestly, she's an inspiration to so many... you to Mr. Flareheart.
"She's here?! As in Argus?!" Nova exclaimed with vigour.
"Yes, if you'd like I can take you..."
Jaune was instant, "Please..."
The Argus Hospital was clean and modern, much more advanced than it looked from the outside. There were a number of people in the waiting area, all crowded and chattering though none of them looked sick. At the front of the room stood a desk with a microphone system and a very tired looking clerk who seemed to have been sitting there all day. He then received a message on her scroll that seemed to relieve him deeply.
Jaune and Nova observed as the clerk got up, took the microphone and spoke with a tone that sounded like he was hiding his smile, "Visiting hours are closed for the day, Miss Nikos is not and will not be accepting any visitors, well-wishers or distant cousins to see her. You may all leave!"
The crowd of people all groaned simultaneously before filtering out of the room in a semi-orderly fashion, leaving an empty white waiting area and the trio staring down the tired clerk, "And what do you three want?"
"We're here to see Pyrrha," Nova said walking up to the desk with the others.
The clerk deadpanned, "Are you for real? Did you not just hear me?"
Cris approached him, "I'm Pyrrha's mother, or have you forgotten that I have unlimited access to her? These two are her friends from Beacon, her team leader" she gestured to Jaune, "and the Faunus Prince that saved her life!" she pointed to Nova.
The clerk looked unimpressed, "And I'm supposed to just let you waltz in? I don't care if you're goddamn General Ironwood, I am not compromising the rules..."
Nova sighed, straightened himself, and took up his commanding tone, "Listen Mister..." he looked at the name tag, "Carlson, as her friend and the person who's statue is literally a few blocks away, I think we deserve at least five minutes with her. Please..."
The clerk wanted to argue but the tone of Nova's voice was so commanding that he had to comply, "Fine... right this way your highness..."
He led them through several corridors before they arrived at a room with the label on the door 'Pyrrha Nikos'.
Jaune held his breath as he stared at the closed door. This was it. He was finally going to see the love of his life. For some reason, this made him ten times more nervous.
"Look kid I don't got all day... so just..." the clerk reached past him and opened the door.
Sitting on the bed in the evening light was the clear figure of Pyrrha Nikos, clad in hospital garb, she was staring wistfully out of the window, a tear falling from her eye.
Nova and Cris stood back as they let Jaune in first. The blonde nervously walked up to the bed and gulped. "P-Pyrrha?"
The girl flinched at the sound of her name and Jaune continued, "Pyrrha, Oh my god... It's been so long I don't... I've missed you so much... there's so much I want to say that I..."
Pyrrha turned around slowly and met Jaune's eyes, a single tear leaking down her right eye, "I'm sorry... who are you?"
DUN DUN DUNNNNN!
YEAP I DID THAT. You all hate me now, I know I'm sorry but being the evil author that I am, I HAD TO DO IT.
Again sorry it's so short but I need some time to really perfect how I'm tackling Ruby's training and Oscar's little arc.
