Disclaimer: I do not own either RWBY or Star Wars
"How are you Ruby?" A slightly worried Yang asked her little sister.
"I'm fine. I'll just need some rest and then I'll be back in tip top condition…" Said red-haired girl answered in an attempt to placate her elder sibling.
Ruby's reckless move had put great strain on her body and Aura, and while the external damage was inconsequential… the internal damage was not. The doctor had diagnosed her with damage to several of her muscles, as well as slight damage to a number of her internal organs. Nothing life-threatening, but most certainly nothing to just dismiss.
As such she had been hospitalised, with a number of reprimands and warnings from the doctor.
"I'm sorry-"Weiss started apologising.
"Don't be. It was my idea, and I had to do some convincing… So it was my fault, not yours…" The young Huntress interrupted.
"But if I had been more adamant in my refusal this wouldn't-"The heiress continued.
"If not for that move, the fight might have gone on for much longer. Someone else might have gotten even more serious injuries if it went on like that." Ruby smiled. "I think it paid off. So let's stop talking about 'what if's, shall we?"
Weiss pouted, not really able to refute that statement. "Just know that I won't do it again."
The small team-leader giggled, although the action caused a slight wince, nothing big, but definitively enough to be noticed by the worried members of her team, who furrowed their brows, but choose not to press the issue.
"Yeah, got it. I won't ask, so don't worry."
"You stay there and get some rest, okay Ruby?" The snowy heiress said as she softly embraced the younger girl.
The young Huntress returned the gesture, albeit slowly and deliberately, as if her body wouldn't move like she wanted.
"Oh! Is this a bad time?" A voice coming from the doorway broke the tender moment.
Peering in through the frame stood Pyrrha, a slightly wistful yet curious expression in her eyes.
"Eh?!" The surprised Weiss jolted, released Ruby and turned around, the beginnings of a luminous blush creeping onto her face. "Oh! Pyrrha! Hello." The snowy heiress forced herself to return to a calm demeanour, even as she showed relief that it was only Pyrrha.
"Here to check up on Ruby?" Yang asked, an amused smile on her face.
"Yes. I came here to visit Jaune, and decided to stop by Ruby while I'm here." The warrior lady's face turned sombre, even if the smile remained, it was slightly forced.
"Oh yeah…" The boisterous blonde grimaced slightly as she was reminded of their friend, who was also hospitalised. "How is he?"
"The doctors said his shoulder will recover, although it'll take several weeks before he can use it again, and maybe even several months before he's completely recovered." The red-head became melancholy as she told her friends about her team-leader's condition.
"Ouch." Even the normally bright Yang was unable to hide the pang of pity she felt. "That long?"
"Well… at first it looked like he wouldn't be able to regain use of his shoulder at all. You should have seen how it looked when we brought him in…" Pyrrha lowered her gaze. "It was… it was, ruined… It's a miracle that it'll heal at all." There was a barely audible hitch in the normally unflappable girl's voice.
"That's…" Weiss, having recovered from her surprise looked uncomfortable. "Well… Tell him we send our regards next time you see him. We would go see him ourselves but…"
"We need to make a report. Some people really want to know what happened." Blake finally chipped in, assisting the heiress. "We barely even had time to visit Ruby, and they would probably have forced her to report as well if the doctor hadn't said no."
"I see. Yeah, I'll tell him." A hint of a genuine smile appeared on the amazon's lips. "Get better soon Ruby!" She then said as she moved on.
-Break—
"Eight dead and twenty-four wounded… Such is the reality of battle…" Wayle pondered loudly to himself as he plopped down on a sofa.
"On the other hand, my Lord, we have successfully broken the White Fang… We are steadily hunting down the last remnants of the group, and many of them are willing to join us…" Felis informed from a position somewhere to his right.
She was probably kneeling as well, and he wouldn't have been able to see her from his position even if he was properly seated, that was the feeling he got.
"But we have to be careful with taking in more of the White Fang. While they do intersect with those of the White Fang to an extent, our goals differ heavily in method of achievement, something that might not sit well with them in the long run." Objected Ouka from her seat to his left.
Ouka on the other hand, was seated in such a manner that he could see her easily, even without sitting properly.
"Hmm… But the vast majority of those who disagree with us refused to join in the first place." The Captain added from his seat opposite the young Lord.
"Yes, but we cannot disregard the fact that most, if not all, members of the White Fang harbours a deep dislike for Humans, and our Army of Union contains quite a number of Humans as well. It is possible that those who joined in the heat of the moment finds themselves troubled, or even aggravated, by the presence of Humans." Roland opined from his seat next to the Captain.
"As long as the integrity of the Army of Union remains strong, we should be able to deal with it… besides, didn't you say so yourself Ouka? That we needed to take greater risks in order to increase our numbers?" Latune said from her seat to Wayle's right.
"Now now, miss Latune. If all proceeds well, we won't need to such drastic increases in our number, is that not the case my Lord?" Aureus interjected from his seat next to Ouka.
They were currently seated in a large room deep within the administrative area meant for more private and relaxed meetings, with good, comfortable furniture arranged around a large table, and easy access to refreshments of different kinds.
Of course, they didn't quite have the money to throw around to actually keep alcoholic beverages stocked in there, but other things, such as tea or coffee were available.
But despite the more relaxed purpose of the room the only one other than Wayle that was actually relaxed at the moment was the Captain who was lounging in his chair. The rest still adopted rather stiff and proper postures, and Felis had not taken a seat at all.
"Certainly, I hope that we will be able to keep a civil approach as we discuss with the Councils… but from what I have seen, they have yet to give me any good hope for a peaceful resolution." Wayle raised his head from where he had rested it on the back of the sofa. "Therefore…" He let the word hang.
"If the worst comes to pass, the Army of Union will be revolutionaries." The hidden assassin finished.
"Revolution, eh?" The Captain rubbed his chin with a wicked smile. "But didn't the While Fang try something similar?" He then asked, genuine curiosity in his voice.
"A revolution replaces the old order with a new one. What the White Fang did was no more than petty terrorism." The secretary responded.
"So we replace the Councils?" The 'Paladin' queried further.
"If that's what it takes." The petite apprentice answered.
"In truth, it might even be prudent to institute our Lord even above that…" The administrator responded, a certain sparkle in her eyes.
"I'd rather not have to go that far… but truly…" The Lord said, righting himself. "It might truly be needed."
"But still… an authority above the councils…" The secretary pondered.
"Above the kingdoms…" The 'Paladin' added.
"There's a word for that… isn't there?" The Captain wondered.
"A title worthy to bestow upon our Lord?" The administrator fell into thought.
"If the kingdoms used to have kings…" The assassin considered.
"A king of kings… That would be…" The apprentice realised.
"An emperor." The Sith said in a dark tone.
-Break—
"Oz, do you have any clue as to what Wayle Tyran's next move will be?" James Ironwood asked gravely.
"No." The grey-haired man answered indifferently.
"Are you even taking this seriously?! That person has gathered an army, Oz! At this rate there is no telling what he can do!" The general said, clearly unhappy. "He's still your student! Do you intend to tell me that you don't know something so important about one of them!?"
"While I have my inklings, I will not kick out a student on pure speculation. Nor will I stop him from pursuing his own purpose."
"He's dangerous Oz. Both of us have reports saying so much."
"He is powerful, I will grant you that much, but he has yet to use that power wrongly. Certainly he has his… faults, but he is still growing. Still learning." The ageing Huntsman took a sip of coffee. "Unless he truly poses a threat to us all, I will not take action against him."
"Then what constitutes a threat to us all? When will you act? Damn it Ozpin, why do you have to be so reckless!"
No reply was given to this outburst.
"Damn it Ozpin. If you won't see reason-"
"Then you will have to bypass me? If you want to needlessly antagonize that youth then go ahead, but my duty is to defend the peoples of Remnant against that which would threaten it. I won't help you against that which the military and the councils brought upon yourselves."
This response left the general reeling, and instead of retorting he stormed out of the office.
"Was that wise?" Glynda Goodwitch asked, having remained silent throughout the 'discussion'.
"Perhaps not, but the even the council would find it difficult to replace me. We are, after all, afforded some autonomy." Ozpin answered, voice level. "Still, I fear for the results of angering Wayle… I doubt even I could subdue him, if it came to it…"
-Break—
"It seems like the Atlesian military has finally started to recover."
The voice originated from a person obscured by shadows.
"Yes, the security protocols of the Knights have been strengthened and the casualties compensated for." Another shadowy figure responded. "It seems they are back in order now."
"Finally. Using Hunters as soldiers was an unpopular choice." A third figure added. "I was getting worried about our ability to remain in power."
"Truly? And in what manner do you suggest our power would be in danger?" A fourth voice chipped in.
"Do keep in mind that the people can still demand our replacement." A fifth voice reprimanded.
"Oh? And who, pray tell, would the people chose for our replacement?" The second voice queried.
"Perhaps the person who leads an organization that holds an entire town in its grasp?" The third voice once again added.
"Ah, yes. Wayle Tyran. To think that his Army of Union would be so… capable." The first voice said.
"Yes, they have not only shattered the White Fang, but they are also neutralizing or absorbing the fragments. At this rate we might have to take… precautions… towards him." The fifth voice provided.
Agreement resounded throughout the chamber.
"Well then. What about Cinder Fall?" The fourth voice asked after a short silence.
"She remains… uncooperative." The second voice answered.
"Unfortunate. And she who used to be so useful…" The first voice said regretfully.
Author's notes: Ugh. Delayed and on the short side... I hate this. It seems that I can't make any promises of quick updates right now, so please bear with me.
I also don't feel like this chapter is of the best quality I can give, so sorry if that's the case. Anyway, leave a review and tell me of your opinion, it would be most appreciated.
I hope you enjoyed and that you have a nice day.