So my weekend is occupied by some family stuff, nothing serious but it means I don't know if I'll have access to my computer or not. So just to be safe I'm posting this early. Don't worry, it won't effect my schedule for next week... or maybe you don't care I dunno.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy.
...
What… was it?
It was a being. It moved but didn't have a body.
It breathed but didn't have lungs.
It thought but its mind had no physical form
It was… dead. No, more than that. It was past death and onto something else entirely.
It didn't have a consciousness, and yet it was aware of what it needed to do.
It needed a form to survive.
The black ichor rolled across the floor with liquid tendrils. It wasn't sure what it was doing. Not it's task or gaols but it knew it was going the right way.
It needed to survive.
It sensed something. Something physical, unlike the soulless metal or chaotic magic given form like it had.
No… this one was flesh.
Or it had been.
The ichor stopped just shy of the body and though it had no eyes it could see.
Whatever it had been before, in life or in death it had understood language. The oldest vestiges of this new form of communication the living used.
The thing in front of it was female. It was a Faunus.
It was dead. Wait….
That wasn't quite right.
It was dying.
The females left side had been obliterated. It had no arm, no leg, no hip, a part of its abonnement was missing, its face was charred and one of its non-human ears had been blown off. It was missing an eye too. The soft thing had been squashed and leaked out of her head in a pool of juice and blood.
It was dead… but it wasn't.
The ichor's form brushed against the dead skin. It felt within it.
The creature's heart had stopped. It was dead. But the mind was still clinging on.
It would die. There was no doubt of it, but the thing called a brain still had a few moments left before it expired.
Hmm…. That would not do.
The ichor did not know its purpose. It did not know what it was or even if it had a consciousness, a sentience to speak of. Did that question prove it one way or another?
Regardless. It needed to survive.
And in order for that to happen. She needed to survive.
The Ichor rolled over the Faunas' body, melding, mixing, taking form and wrapping around what was missing.
Organs were destroyed. They needed to be replaced.
Limbs were gone. It needed those. It needed new ones.
Its face was damaged. It could fix that, and use it when needs be.
They became one.
And Blake Belladonna breathed new life.
…
…
"Adam?" Blake called as she saw the teens form sitting by the river. "There you are," she huffed. "I've been looking all over for you."
The red-haired teen rolled his eyes. "I told you I'd be downstream, you were too absorbed in those books of yours to listen."
The younger girl flushed but didn't comment. Instead, she walked over and sat down beside him on the grass bank.
Mistral was warm this time of year, the sun was out and flowers were blooming all around.
"You shouldn't be out here on your own," the feline Faunus reprimanded. "You could run into some humans who aren't nice to us."
It was true. They, along with a few hundred other Faunus had set up camp near one of the trading frontier towns for the last week. It was a great place to travel from and purchase supplies for so many people, but it also meant people with all sorts off… opinions came through.
"So the adult's being chastised by the twelve-year-old now. I must be getting soft."
Her ears flattened against her head and she poked his arm.
"You're sixteen, not an adult."
"I am too!" he cried back childishly, proving her point. He seemed to realise that and looked away with a bashful face. Blake giggled.
"No you're not. Dad says so."
Adam didn't answer for a moment. But when he did.
"Right… your dad… him."
She looked at him. "Adam? What is it?"
The teen let out a huff and crossed his legs. "It's nothing… just thinking about tomorrow."
"Oh…"
Tomorrow. It was the coronation of Sienna Khan. The day her father would officially step down as high leader and hand the position over to his second in command.
Blake knew Sienna. Not closely exactly, but the few times she'd visited her home she'd worked closely with her mom and dad, and had been polite to her. She'd even ruffled her hair once.
"Do you not like Sienna?" Blake asked curiously.
The bull Faunus looked at the younger girl in surprise. "What? No that's not it, of course not. I was just thinking how much things are going to change."
She blinked. "Will they?"
"Of course." He nodded. "With a new leader things are going to be changing all over Mistral… maybe even in all four kingdoms. We might finally be able to make some ground."
"But… we're doing that already." Blake countered. "Dad says we've been making strides towards equality."
Adam shook his head sadly. "He's wrong. Things haven't changed in ages. They might have at the start but people stopped caring when the White Fang stopped doing stuff. Sienna's going to change that. She's strong."
"Yeah… I guess." Blake murmured. She wasn't sure what Adam meant though. "But what about the progress we have made? The kingdoms don't hunt us down anymore."
"They still don't accept us as citizens." He scowled. "The only one that considers it is Vale, and that's because they ended slavery in the first place."
"What about Vacuo?"
Adam gave her a raised eyebrow and she blushed.
Right… what was she thinking? It was Vacuo. It wasn't like there were any people to protect them even if they were considered criminals and beasts.
"Humans still treat us like dirt." He went on; tossing a stone into the river and watching it skip. "They hate us. Maybe they'll always hate us and peace isn't doing anything to change that. It makes us look weak. It makes us easier targets when we don't fight back."
He threw another stone, this time harder. "Sienna can change that. She can teach us all strength."
Blake gasped as she noticed the red line on his arm.
"Adam!" she cried, and the older boy flinched as she grasped his arm. She pulled up his sleeve and stared at the long red gash that ran up his forearm.
"When I went into the town next to the peace rally camp… a group of humans say me buying food and dragged me into an alley between two houses."
He didn't need to say any more. It was obvious by this wound that they'd hurt him.
Badly.
Adam hadn't just come to the river to think. He'd come here to wash away the blood.
"Humans are vile creatures. They're cruel and they hate us for no reason. They're worse than the Grimm."
Blake couldn't help but agree.
"Sienna will make the White Fang strong. Tomorrow, things are going to change." he looked down at his hands, and then off to the distance. "I'll get stronger. I'll make the change we need. That out people need."
Blake watched him in awe. He said it with such confidence, such… belief. It made her believe it too.
"I'll get stronger with you." She said.
Adam looked at her in surprise, but that surprise slowly morphed into a smile and he nodded. His red eyes twinkling.
"Alright. We'll change things together. I promise."
Blake woke up with a gasp.
She coughed and wretched as searing pain wracked through her body.
What was going on? Where was she?
It was… it was too much" it felt like her insides were writhing, bleeding and bursting. Sher body curled up into a ball as she gripped her stomach. She was…
Blake gasped, the pain didn't stop but a single moment passed where her mind focused onto the impossibility before her.
She had both arms.
Wait, why was that a surprise in the first place?
And then the pain returned, stronger than before.
A strangled noise left her throat. She didn't know what was going on. It was too dark, even with her eyes she couldn't see.
All that offered her salvation was a tiny pinprick of light in the distance.
What was that? A way out of wherever she was?
The rolling in her stomach stopped, and as the immediate pain dissipated Blake managed to push herself onto her hands and knees.
She couldn't stand. Her body was too weak for that.
Her aura was gone and she felt like she was going to collapse at any moment.
But she could crawl.
So she did.
Blake couldn't keep the grin off her face as she ran around the corner. Adam and a few others were behind her, probably with the same feeling of adrenaline coursing through their veins. Sirens sounded in the distance. They'd be here soon but al they'd find was a burnt down shop.
When it was a safe enough distance away, Blake ducked into an alleyway and leaned against the wall to catch her breath. Most of the others ran on, laughing and cheering as they did but Adam stopped beside her, leaning against the opposite wall as he caught his breath too.
"That was great!" the cat Faunus grinned. "Did you see that? I bet he'll think twice about refusing to serve Faunus now!"
The older boy laughed. "Yeah. That was a close one though. Good thinking on lighting up the back room by the way."
She nodded, smile still on her face. "We did a good job right?" she was asking just so he could say it, but she knew, of course it was a good job. The owner had been a known racist in the town for a while. The police might not like it, but they couldn't really do anything.
Sure, this town wasn't in the frontier, so it had a little more space, enough that vehicles became practical, but its people looking to uphold the 'law' weren't enough to be a worry.
The shop owner had become a target just last week, when he made a scene of kicking a family of Faunus out of his store just looking to buy food.
Sienna hadn't taken notice of it publicly, but one of her men had set out the task. Blake and Adam had volunteered along with a group of others.
"It was a good job," he agreed. "You did great Blake."
She preened as he reached over to ruffle her head proudly. Praise from him always felt good.
There was a flapping of wings as a figure landed from above.
It was a young man with dirty brown hair and bat wings. He panted heavily but the smile on his face was clear.
"They're headed the other way. They won't find us while we leave." He laughed. "That was amazing. Whose idea was the fire?"
"It was Blake's." Adam said, nodding to her.
The bat Faunus blinked as he took in her face, and her age. She was only thirteen now, but she was as active as the other members. She'd even started learning to fight. But… she was still young.
"Wait… the Blake belladonna? I've heard of you." He extended a hand and smiled. "My name is Yuma. It's an honour to meet you."
"L-likewise." She said, blushing slightly at the attention.
He smiled again. "The rest of us are heading back to camp. I'll see you there."
With that he flapped his wings and flew away in the direction of the camp.
"Hmph…" Adam grunted.
Blake looked at him. "What is it?"
"…Nothing. Let's get back okay?"
She nodded. "Okay."
Her fingers clawed at the ground, digging into dirt and rubble as she dragged herself along. Her body was stiff, her lungs burned and her vision was hazy. There was some kind of shadow on her right. What was it?
Oh, it was a Grimm. It was… a giant snakehead. Lots of them. T looked dead but it was still there. Weren't Grimm supposed to dissolve when they died? Or was it? She couldn't see clearly in the darkness, but it looked like there were holes in it, getting bigger and bigger by the second.
It was dead then.
What had killed it? Had… had it been her?
It didn't matter, the light was closer now, she had to keep going.
Adam sat on a crate outside his tent; Blake was at his side, wiping the blood off his cheek quietly. Today had been… not a bad day, but it hadn't been peaceful either.
She didn't like it here, in Atlas. They'd come here a few weeks ago with a big group of several hundred Faunus and in all that time she still wasn't used to the cold. It was biting and irritating and made it hard to sleep.
There'd been a demonstration. It was one of their more peaceful ones admittedly but nothing like they'd been three years ago.
Faunus had marched through the streets of Atlas' capital, demanding the SDC relinquish its practices and shut down the mines. It was supposed to be a power play, to show they meant business.
It… hadn't gone the way they'd thought it would.
They hadn't gotten anyone to close down any mines, but they'd stayed firm and the people had known they demanded respect.
Then, a mob of humans had formed and it had turned violent.
It had been hectic, complete madness that Blake even trained as she was at fifteen had been reduced to wild swinging.
Adam had busted his cheek on someone's knuckle. The worst part was that he couldn't tell her if they had been friend or foe caught up in the melee.
Still, it had gotten them in the news. People were hearing them. Soon after the Atlas military had come to break it up. People on both sides had been arrested, but they wouldn't be kept long. The paperwork would be too messy. At least General Ironwood hadn't ordered his men and machines to start opening fire on them. She didn't know his public image well, only that he'd been in charge of the military for the last eight or so years, and the headmaster of atlas' huntsman academy even longer.
All in all, today had been a victory, even if it meant she was cleaning Adam up again.
The two of them sat there quietly outside his tent, the older boy, breaching his adult years gazed into the fire.
Which was when something curious happened.
A Faunus sat down next to them. Blake didn't recognise him, but the man seemed to know them, and nodded with respect visible in his eyes.
Another one did the same. And then another one, and another one. Yuma, someone they regularly chatted with on their travels, sat down as well.
They kept coming, drawn next to them. They'd seen them. They'd seen Adam at the front of the demonstration standing before the humans proudly, bravely.
He took them all in, head moving from left to right.
"I wonder," he said at least. "If we should celebrate the night with something to drink."
Cheers echoed through the camp as night fell.
It didn't take long for Faunus to get drunk, so laughing, others singing, and many crowded around Adam as he spoke about Sienna and her cause, about what he thought of it, and more. They listened, enraptured by his words.
Blake sat off to the side a little. She wasn't one for big crowds or drinking, but even so, she took small sips from a beer she'd been handed. Or was it a beer at all? It tasted like honey.
"E-excuse me?" a voice murmured at her side.
"Speak up in a louder voice than that kid, she won't hear you otherwise."
The cat Faunus turned to the voices to see two people watching her.
One was an older woman, who looked to be about in their twenties, maybe late twenties. She had blue hair and veins of the same colour along most of her body.
The other was much younger. Actually… she looked about Blake's age, but a bit smaller. She had dark skin and freckles. She looked… like a human. Where were her Faunus traits?
She didn't ask that aloud of course. Hello," she said instead. "Do you need something?"
The older one grinned. "We just wanted to come over and introduce ourselves. My name's Trifa, you probably don't know me well, I work in the White Fang security division. I've heard about you."
Ah, of course they had. She was a Belladonna after all.
"And this is Ilia," the spider went on. "She's one of the new recruits we just picked up from Atlas. She wanted to meet you so I brought her over."
The girl in question looked nervous. Blake wasn't the best with social formalities, so she went with a nod instead. "It's nice to meet you." She said politely.
"A-ah! Yeah, you too." Ilia agreed. "S-so… you're Blake belladonna?"
She suppressed a sigh. Were even new recruits recognising her that easily now?"
"I am."
"That's… that's good."
There was a pause.
"Was there… anything you wanted to ask me?"
The smaller girl flushed in embarrassment."
"Yes… yes there is. You're… father used to lead the White Fang didn't he?"
"He did."
"But he did it a different way."
"He did."
"But you believe this is the right way?"
Of course. What kind of question was that? They were making progress, progress they'd never been able to make before."
"I do."
Ilia's smile was bright.
"That's good," she said. "I always believed the White Fang was good, no matter what everybody else said."
There wasn't much to it after that.
Somehow, the two of them got off to a great start, and talked the rest of the night. Trifa went off to join in on the drinking, listening to Adam, and Blake just enjoyed the company of someone her own age, someone who was fighting for the same cause as her.
There it was, right there. Just a little bit farther. Blake's hands latched onto rocks and rubble in her way, pushing and heaving them aside
It got closer now, she could reach out, crossing the threshold she could feel the wind on her face. There were people shouting, the sound of an engine.
Her eyes, momentarily blinded by the light saw red eyes…
Red eyes, red from being bloodied, by old scars, scars that to this day still looked ragged and awful. Scars that had never fully healed. They were a mark, forever displaying the pain he'd been through. She loved him despite them, and right now, she could feel boring into the back of her.
Blake gasped, on her hands and knees, she could feel the sweat trickled of her body as her lungs burned, her insides rolled as Adam gripped at her back, her thighs. He kneeled behind her, above her.
She gasped again as he rocked his hips and she did in return.
He grunted, she moaned, he pushed, she pulled, she cried out, he roared.
They kept going, noise belting out of dam's tent as a sixteen-year-old Blake spent the night with her lover.
Their bodies interlocking, voices as one.
He leaned into her ear and whispered promises, claims.
"You're mine." He told her.
She was his. She agreed with him wholeheartedly. She was his and he was hers. Right? They were together now, for the years they had known each other they spark had been there, and now it roared to life.
Here he was, claiming her, taking her, thriving in his victory, his rise. He'd been appointed leader of the Vale sector by the high leader and it empowered him. They had celebrated with the others, sang, drank, and when the others had fallen asleep they had gone to bed together.
Blake was high on it all. On all of this. Her parents had hated it, hated her choices, she knew it. They could hate her, she didn't care. She had Adam, Adam had her. They would bring the Faunus new hope together like they had always wished for.
Adam gripped her hair, pulling back with a groan and as he finished, so did she.
She gasped for breath and turned to gaze into his red eyes. They bore into hers with lust.
Red eyes bore into hers with concern. Warm arms gripped her tight as others moved to her. She couldn't make them out. All that mattered where those eyes, those eyes that flickered back and forth between lilac and the colour she was oh so familiar with.
"Blake," the voice gasped. "Oh my god Blake."
She closed her eyes. She felt safe with them
Blake stared at her partner from across the platform. The train separating in two. He stared back, a mixture of anger and disbelief on his face.
"Blake?" Adam called out.
She stepped back, putting as much distance as she could between them without taking her eyes away from him.
His shock became rage.
"Blake!"
She felt horrified as she stared at the monster he had become.
…
…
A few hours later, a bullhead had arrived back at Beacon, with the four members of team RWBY rushed to the infirmary for treatment. They were in the worst shape some of the nurses there had ever seen. They were bruised, bleeding, some had prosthetic limbs and some were… something else. They were drained and not a single one of them managed to stay conscious when they got back.
It was so bad; the head nurse had even barred the headmaster from seeing them until she was sure they were stable.
News travelled fast in Beacon, and soon every student knew of their return. The council was informed of the plot of the White Fang, and eventually, within hours, the city of Vale knew that a team of Huntresses had prevented tragedy.
That night, the four members of team RWBY slept in hospital beds.
And a raven landed on the windowsill.
There was a flutter of wings and a burst of magic, before hands opened the window with a shunt.
Raven Branwen stepped cautiously into the room. Behind a white mask her eyes scanned the surrounding for danger, but she already had her target in mind.
Yang's bed was the closest to the window, while her half-sisters was just opposite. There were the other two girls but… Raven wasn't interested in them, despite some interesting things she could see.
She moved to stand beside her daughters beside and took off her mask she set it on the nightstand and let her wild hair fall past her shoulders.
Her wine coloured eyes roamed over her Yang's form but locked onto her hand lying on the sheets. The one she'd lost.
Raven took her daughter's hand in her own and bowed her head.
"I'm sorry." She whispered.
Her daughter didn't answer but that was fine, she hadn't expected her to. The bandit queen let out a breath and pulled over one of the chairs at the side. She sat down beside Yang's ben and kept a lot of her hand.
How long had it been since she'd seen her daughter up close like this? How long since she'd snuck back to patch and simply enjoyed the sight of her daughter.
It was pathetic, she knew that, having to take pleasure in the minuscule time she got to see her, when her daughter didn't even realise she was there.
It was pathetic, and it was her life.
Raven let out a quiet, bitter laugh. "Woe is the Nevermore queen who cannot return to her nest."
"Hm, that was a good one… pity it came from you."
Raven went ramrod straight as Ozpin's voice came from the other side of the room.
She stood up faster than a blur and her hand shot to her side, hovering over her sword.
The headmaster of Beacon looked unfazed by the threat. She knew better though.
He was without his familiar mug of coffee.
He looked bored, his face blank and his posture relaxed. But…
"I thought our last meeting made it clear you were not to return to Vale ever again." He said.
Raven glared at him hatefully. "I would have gladly decided to never be anywhere near you Ozpin. That changed though when my daughter was accepted into your school."
He raised an eyebrow. "Is it even right to call her your daughter? I was under the impression you had to be a mother for that."
Her hands twitched closer to her sword.
He had moved just a bit closer and her blood boiled at the action. He was out of her draw distance yes, but even worse was that he'd put Yang's bed between them.
"But then again," he went on. "I suppose you never even thought of that. After all, abandoning your child was just one of your sins."
"I didn't abandon her!" Raven snarled, teeth bared in frothing rage. "We had a deal Ozpin. You were meant to protect all of them! That was the point and you went back on it!"
He was it, the reason she'd not been able to stay around and raise her daughter, the one thing she scared about the most she'd had to leave to protect.
She was to be his spearhead, his fighter to go on the most dangerous of missions against the enemy, on the ones that would be considered suicide by anyone else, even a full team of seasoned Huntsman… but to do that, she had to leave her family behind.
"I don't see how that's true." He shrugged. "Neither your husband or brother went on missions such as yours."
Her teeth actually creaked. "But Summer did. And you sent her to her death! She was a part of that deal and you let her die. Then you tried to kill me!"
"And you should have been a loyal soldier and died like you were supposed to." He mused. "It is a wonder… the infection is usually fatal. Only one on seven ever survive their first transformation, I suppose I can congratulate you and your vaunted strength for that… but I can see it even now with those gnashing teeth. What is it like to be a monstrous beast by the way?"
Her hand fell to her hilt.
The wizard's eyes flickered to it for just a second, but he didn't look worried.
"Are you going to fight me?" he asked. "You know you are no match for me, even with that disgusting sickness making you stronger."
She grinned savagely at him. He still didn't know about the spring maiden then… Good.
"I don't know… I'm a lot stronger than the last time we met. I think I could kill you."
"I doubt it, but even then, if you somehow had the strength to beat me, you would make it out of this city alive."
"It would really inconvenience you though wouldn't it?" Raven bit back.
Ozpins lips thinned into a line. "Perhaps." He gaze moved to the side. "I wonder how dear miss rose would deal with my death."
"I doubt she would be too upset."
"Oh? I am one of her biggest protectors. My death would lead to a chance for the enemy to reach her."
"I'd protect her," Raven smirked victoriously. "Besides, if my hearing is right she's not too enthusiastic about you anymore."
The man narrowed his eyes. "Yes… perhaps that needs to be fixed."
Raven eyes widened and she snarled dangerously. "If you touch Summer's girl I'll end you! I'll kill you here and track down every one of your new bodies for as long as I live."
Ozpin watched her carefully, the Bandits entire body was tense as she prepared for a fight.
He hummed and turned away from her.
"I expect you to be gone in five minutes. Any more and I'll hunt you down like the beast you are. Curious though I think, how you're still near your daughter… I was made aware that you had a rule about saving people only once." He didn't wait for her response, as biting as would be. The warning was clear. Do not get involved with his affairs again or there would be consequences.
Her hands balled into fists. Damn his consequences.
But as her anger left her and her body slumped she knew he'd scored a point against her.
She looked down at Yang's form sadly.
She was supposed to have saved her, stopped her not just from dying but losing her arm and leg. She'd been too slow, only seeing it as it was happening.
She'd been late, back in Mistral just minutes before recovering from...
That night had been a full moon.
She'd just returned to her human form.
And it had cost her daughter.
Her hands grasped Yang's again.
It had been her fault, as a mother she had failed.
"I won't let it happen again." She promised. "I'll protect you with everything I have."
Yang didn't answer, not that she expected her too.
Raven sighed and shut her eyes. What had she been expecting?
The Huntress shook her head and stood up. She moved over to Ruby. A small, remorseful smile formed on her face.
For all she regretted leaving Yang… she was glad Summer had been there. Not just for Tai, but for Yang. Her partner had looked after her daughter when she couldn't… and she'd given her a sister.
It was funny now looking at her. She was nearly the spitting image of her best friend. Not quite, but so very, very close.
"Look after her," she begged. "You'll need each other for the things to come that I won't be able to stop. For escaping his reach. And when you do, I'll be there."
Ruby didn't sir as Raven brushed a strand of hair that had fallen, out of her eyes.
There was nothing more she could say. It was time to go before things took a turn for the worse. She moved back to the nightstand and picked up her helmet. She paused just for a moment and steeled herself.
She leaned down and laid a kiss on Yang's forehead and whispered her promise again into her ear.
With that, she opened the window and transformed into the bird she was named for. A portal appeared a second later and then it was gone,
Raven along with it.
…
…
When Yang woke up it was because the sun had poured through the window. It was annoying, forcing her to either shield her eyes, which meant moving, or opening her eyes and again, moving out of the way. The drowsiness lasted for a few moments until she picked option one and covered her face with her arm.
Only to feel the cool touch of obsidian on her face.
Oh! That was right wasn't it! They'd made it back. Somehow they'd all made it back from that hel.
And it was hel. To call it a mission was like calling a bump in the road a mountain. How they had all managed to survive that was nothing short of a miracle.
Or... had they all survived?
…Blake. Her partner had somehow managed to claw her way to them as the people on the bullheads including Qrow had attempted to drag them away. It was a good thing they'd fought for as long as they did or they might have left her behind. Her uncle was probably still nursing that bruise she given on his jaw.
Still… when she'd see Blake, she knew something was different. They'd all seen it.
Where was Blake?
Yang opened her eyes and tried to sit up, she was in the infirmary, so Blake was probably….
She stopped and took in the sight before her.
Ruby sat on a chair next to her bed, head down as she lay on Yang's lap.
How long had she been there? Looking to her side, Weiss and Blake were still in their beds, recovering from their own wounds and exhaustion.
But Ruby? She was here.
The clock on the wall ticked loudly, at least to her. It was barely seven, the sun was still rising. Could she just hold off on her questioning for a while? She knew this was going to be an interrogation, Ruby wasn't going to be forthcoming with answers. No, there was no point in avoiding it. They needed to do this now. She tapped Ruby's shoulder gently. Honestly, she expected that maybe she'd have to give a rough shove to wake her, but her sister startled awake almost instantly.
Her bleary eyes shoot left to right before landing on yang.
The blonde grinned nervously. "Hey Ru-"
She was cut off when a body crashed into her chest and arms wrapped around her desperately.
"Yang!" Her little sister sobbed into her shoulder. "I'm so sorry! I'm so, so sorry!"
"h-hey!" Yang gasped, startled. "Cool it for a sec sis it's fine."
"It's not fine!" she hissed, trying her best to keep her voice low so that the others wouldn't wake. It wouldn't be much of a difference from what she was doing already, head buried in her big sister's shoulder.
"It's my fault all of this happened. If From the very start it was my fault because I'm such a coward. Because I'm a-a crappy sister who screwed everything up!"
"Whoa Ru… you don't need to… I mean it's not that bad."
"But it is." She said, finally lifting herself off Yang and wiping her nose with her sleeve. She was sat on Yang's bed now, eyes teary.
"I should have listened to them. I should have told you the truth at the beginning and to hel what they wanted but I didn't and- and this happened!" she wretched, pointing to her arm.
Yang shook her head. "No hey, this is my doing. I saved you remember? If anything it's the Grimm's fault."
"But it wasn't!" She argued. "If you'd known things might have been different, we might have done things differently and… and all of this wouldn't have happened. I wouldn't have killed-"
She cut herself off, voice catching in her throat. Yang looked away. There was a heavy feeling in her chest. It… wasn't loss. Not in the way she'd felt before. Merlot had been… a friend. Not a loved one or family member but he'd been someone she'd trusted in that short stretch of time but then at the end he'd been so different.
And now he was dead.
Yang's eyes widened. Oh God, Ruby had killed him!
She wrapped her arms around her little sister, trying to comfort her as best she could. It was the last straw. Ruby broke, tears spilling freely as she sobbed into her chest, trying her hardest to keep them quiet. Yang clenched her eyes shut. She shouldn't have to keep her cries quiet. She should be letting it all out, screaming and shouting about what she'd done.
But with whatever was going on she couldn't.
They stayed like that for a few minutes before eventually Ruby stopped. She did her best to dry her tears but her eyes were still puffy.
But it looked like she'd come to a decision.
"I'll tell you the truth." She promised. And Yang froze. "I'll… I'll tell you everything you want to know, everything I can."
Yang stared at her. Was she serious?
"T-that's great!" she smiled. "So where do we start?"
Ruby bit her lip.
"I… I can't say it here."
The blondes face crinkled in confusion.
"What?"
"I can tell you here," she said again. "Not with… not with Ozpin so close." Ruby had an idea.
"Tomorrow. Tomorrow's when summer starts right? While we're away from beacon and back at Patch I'll tell you."
Patch… home.
Yang hadn't realised home much she missed that until she thought about it.
"So…" Yang said after a moment. "Summer vacation starts... heh, guess time flies when you're killing monsters and fighting for your life."
Ruby managed to crack a smile. "You have no idea." She paused as two people groaned.
"Come on," the leader of team RWBY said. "They'll need us when they wake up properly."
…
…
Ozpin's eyes ran over the latest and biggest headline of today's' paper. Qrow sat across from him, drinking as usual, although… it might also be the fact that he was nursing his pride. There was a purple mark on his chin. He could have probably healed it with his aura if he wanted to.
He was keeping it intentionally then.
How curious.
"Beacon Huntresses save Vale." Ozpin read aloud. "It seems the media can snatch up a story quick. I'm not even sure how the news broke."
"It's good for you isn't it?" the grizzled huntsman asked. "Puts you in the good book of the whole city. Even those old bastards on the council are praising you."
Indeed they were, though probably not out of the kindness of their hearts. They were career politicians; they needed to be seen congratulating him for what his students have done in order to look good. Still, it meant plenty of good things for him. He'd even managed to wrestle more control over the Vytal festival from James. Not that the man had been too happy about it.
He'd taken it in stride however and even now the General had let him know that he was on his way to congratulate team RWBY personally.
"It is," he said at last. "Though perhaps it wasn't the best idea to let the media know that they were saved from a massive terrorist attack by four young girls barely halfway through their first year."
Wasn't that something? Oh yes it would look good on the surface, after all if one team of first years could stop a terrorist attack it looked good for all Huntsman.
However it puts the other Huntsman and Huntresses under scrutiny. If they don't measure up and achieve the same success is there something wrong with them?
Annoying.
But not unacceptable. It still put the staff of Beacon in a good light. The only other bother was that the media was looking for the girls for an interview. As they were now that would not be beneficial for anyone.
Which reminded him.
"Lisa lavender approached me personally to request an interview."
"Which one's she?"
"A reporter for VNN," he supplied. "But above that she had a 'reputation' as a sort of rouge. She's a sensationalist and a crisis reporter, involved in nearly every major story that's ever happened in Vale in the last ten years."
"Think she'll spin us in a positive light?"
Ozpin rolled his eyes. "That will depend on the girls. One thing she's known for is her 'reporters' integrity'. The council despise her but she's such a big figure they can't touch her, at least so without causing a scandal."
Qrow grunted. "So what, did you agree to it?"
"I did." He nodded. "Though Miss Lavender suggested postponing the interview for a month or two until they have everything sorted out."
"Wouldn't the story have died down by then?"
"I doubt it. In fact it will be just a week before the Vital Festival begins. If anything it'll be revitalised and the city will want to see the infamous team that saved the city before they compete. Besides, she's worked with Huntsman before, she especially knows the situation with younger ones and how wired they'll be for a long period of time."
"I guess that makes sense." Qrow relented, leaning back in his chair. "So what's next?"
The headmaster hummed. "Next… Miss Rose will be returning home for the summer."
His spy stiffed in his seat.
"Oh."
"Yes, oh. You'll have quite the endeavour on your hands, once you come face-to-face with Tai."
Qrow's head fell into his hands. "I'm dead. I'm so dead, he's going to tear my arms off and beat me with them."
"Mr Xiao-Long is not that violent, though perhaps you should expect a bruise to match the one you have already"
He groaned and stood up. "I guess I should prepare myself for that then, go over the cover story in case he asks me anything." He turned to leave.
"One more thing Qrow."
He stopped. "Yeah?"
Ozpin's face turned grave.
"I… fear that Ruby is experiencing some issues."
"Issues? Well I guess he would after that shit-show of a mission. I mean hel, some licenced Huntsmen don't even deal with that stuff and what did they get? A branch of radical terrorist, a cave-in, an army of robots and mutant Grimm. It's amazing the pipsqueak was able to complete the other mission and take down Merlot."
"That is not what I meant."
Qrow stopped and turned to look at the headmaster fully, far more serious.
Ozpin sighed. "I fear she's showing signs of becoming another Raven."
Instantly the atmosphere became tense, and the hip flash Qrow held contorted under his grip.
It was no secret to the wizard that Qrow hated his sister. For leaving when they needed her most, even if he didn't know the reason. He wouldn't tell him of course, as sad as it may be he needed an eye that was loyal, and he doubted he would be if he'd sent Qrow off to kill her, even as the disgusting creature she'd become.
It went deeper of course. Raven had been absent at the time of Summers death, a time when any team should be together to mourn.
They didn't keep in contact, and news that his sister had returned to the tribe had made things even worse. Ozpin hadn't told him of Raven's visit last night. That would just complicate matters.
"She's not like her." Qrow growled.
"Perhaps not yet," he conceded. "But she is showing signs. Defiance, mistrust and disobeying orders should she feel her way is right. These may not look bad Qrow, but it was how Raven started off."
"…"
The headmaster sighed.
"Watch her, and report back to me what you see yourself."
"…Fine." He grunted. "Is that it?"
"For now… yes. Hopefully there will be some peace in the recent future."
…
…
Ruby, Weiss and Yang sat around Blake's bed, sharing worried looks. The Faunus had woken up just a few minutes ago. There had been gasping until she'd realised where she was, then relief. She'd been confused though and asked to look in a mirror.
They'd been hesitant but didn't have any idea what they could do to make it better.
That had been then. Blake hadn't said anything since. She just stared into her lap, staring at her hands.
On was normal, bandaged and healing but normal.
The other…
Wasn't human.
The head of the infirmary came in a minute or so later. She had pink eyes, light skin and short peach coloured hair. She saw them sitting around the Faunus' bed and sighed.
"Alright," she said. "I suppose this is going to be a very important conversation… first of all, I'll introduce myself. My name is Professor Peach. You may have heard of me, I've recently returned from Vacuo. My staff have told me about you. The four of you seem to visit here regularly."
They didn't answer. She sighed again.
"There isn't much I can do to sugar coat your conditions, so instead I'll go with the clinic option…"
They nodded. Or, three of them did, Blake still looked a little lost, but she at least looked the professor's way to show she was listening.
Peach looked at the clipboard in her hand. "On a surface level the right side of your body is mostly undamaged other than some minor bruising and first degree burns. Your aura will take care of that within the next day or so. In the centre, as in where your body meets… well, you have slightly severer burns ranking in the higher tier of second degree. Again, aura should heal that over time but it might take weeks. Then…"
She licked her lips as she thought of the right words to say.
"We… we're not sure what it is." She admitted honestly.
"What?" Weiss snapped. "What do you mean you don't know?"
"I was getting to that Miss Schnee if you would let me."
The heiress' teeth clicked shut and she looked away. Ruby might have offered sympathy in a different situation, but here that might just make it worse.
The professor closed her eyes for a moment.
"We ran some test while you were asleep, yes ethics and all that but considering the situation it was bypassed. Your entire left side looks like it has developed new bone marrow. We looked further and found that one of your lungs, a kidney, parts of both your large and small intestine and a small part of your stomach have all been… replaced. We found out why moments later when there were traces under the edges of this… thing of third-degree burns. Your entire left side was destroyed."
"My eye."
"Sorry?"
"My eye," Blake mumbled. "It was… it was destroyed too. I remember feeling it burst."
Weiss face went a shade of green, then white. Yang and Ruby looked uncomfortable at the idea as well, but with what they'd gone through, one more recently than the other they were at least able to hold it back.
"I see." Peach said, marking the new information down. "That is surprising then, considering that it looks just like your other one but if that's the case then… well, we have an appearance description if you would like to hear it. it might not be pleasant."
Blake shook her head. "I've looked at myself in the mirror just a few minutes ago… go ahead."
Peach took a breath. "Very well, keep in mind this is from an entirely medical point of view."
"Patient Blake Belladonna has sustained the most extensive and unique injuries in comparison to the three other members of the Huntress team RWBY. From extensive visuals and tests it had been concluded that her left side was destroyed in an explosion that resulted in first, second and third-degree burns. Medically, Blake belladonna was dead for three minutes. However, what we are witnessing is something unprecedented in medical history. From what we can tell, her left side has been completely reformed by a Grimm-like substance as shown by blood tests from both arms. one was positive for Faunus, while the other was Grimm and quickly dissipated once it separated from the body."
"Moreover, the appearance of patient Belladonna has been altered significantly from this specimen. Her arm and leg, running up to a section of her hip, waist, abdomen, outer layer of torso, shoulder, neck, chin, and single Faunus are made up – not covered by – a black substance applicable and comparable to Grimm biomass. Other qualities are noticeable, such as on the face: the patients face looks mostly normal apart from black, branching lines that spread up her cheek. They do not reach her eye and seem to have no negative effect at the current moment. They have been liked to that of veins but do not follow the proper path of said veins."
How the patient's body functions is as of yet unknown, as the Grimm blood, which is poisonous to both Humans and Faunus, seems to either not affect her body, or not interact at all. We have not been able to test it so far. It was reported to actually recede slightly while nurses were finishing their analysis'. Finally there seems to be an atheistic quality that we do not know the nature of yet but again can be likened to the Grimm. A black mist emanates from the surface of her new skin like that of a Grimm, however disappears not even a millimetre away. Things that seem at this point to not be affected physically are her heart, brain and all reproductive organs both internally and externally as well as the aforementioned tight side of her body. At this time, that is all we have been able to gather on the Patient. Other tests may need to be taken if needed."
Peach lowered the clipboard. "Well… that's it."
Blake looked down, her ears, one Faunus one… Grimm, looking slightly more wild but similar in size and shape, flattened against her head.
"So…" she said at least. "I'm… some sort of… Grimm hybrid?"
Yang made to speak. It wasn't true, in fact, she knew what it really was, if she could assure her partner then-
She was stopped by a sharp squeeze from Ruby and when she looked over she saw wide, warning eyes boring back at her.
The message was clear and though she didn't know why, Yang didn't reveal the truth.
That it was a Wraith, not a Grimm.
"We aren't sure honestly. But considering that you have your consciousness and you're not attacking us madly I think it's safe to say you're not Grimm."
Peach frowned. "Unfortunately we can't keep you longer. All of you are scheduled to be dismissed from the ward today. We simply can't keep you longer. I will however make sure that before you leave all four of you are healthy… it's… obvious things are different from when you left on your mission but… I'll do my best to make it more comfortable. Speaking of which, each of you will be subscribed a number of painkillers to last you over the two months. They will be delivered to whatever residence you choose to stay at over the summer. I would suggest taking them."
"Do we really need them?" Weiss asked legitimately. She had a right to be though. Would it really be right to waste them if they didn't need them?
The older woman raised an eyebrow. "You, Miss Schnee suffer from three broken ribs, a sprained wrist and cracked shoulder blade. It's only thanks to your aura that those will gradually heal. You simply don't feel it because your body is working to repair it. That pain will arrive soon though, so yes, you do need to take them."
She rounded on their leader. "And before you say anything you are worse. I don't know what it was you were fighting but it cracked sixteen ribs, not to mention the physical strain that you out on yourself from excessive use of your speed semblance your body may be physiologically adapted to it, but that speed still isn't healthy for long periods of time."
There was a knock on the door.
Peach checked the clock on the wall.
"Well… he is here right on time. Annoying. It seems our time is up for now. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask me. We you return I'll be taken some of your classes, now topics for you to learn and all that.
With her part said professor Peach made her way over to the door, opening it and stepping outside, right as a new figure entered.
General Ironwood.
They straightened up. They looked nervous.
Weiss because of his relations to her family.
And Blake especially. She was a former White Fang terrorist after all.
He stopped at the foot of the bed and straightened up himself, nodding to them quickly. His eyes flickered to Ruby for a moment longer as a way of sending a kind message of recognition.
"Hello," he said. "You probably already know who I am, but for formalities sake I am General James Ironwood. I'd also ask you to drop those formalities and call me James, or just Ironwood if that's too personal for you."
They shared looks but didn't say anything. The man took that as permission to continue.
"First of all I'd like to extend my thanks on behalf of security here in Vale and in turn its people. I know it's your job, but thanks to the effort of you four girls you were able to prevent a tragedy, perhaps the greatest Vale would have ever seen."
"It's as you said sir," Ruby murmured. "We were just doing your job."
"You went beyond what was expected if you. I read the reports; stopping the White Fang was one thing, but uncovering a Grimm research centre and preventing potential widespread damage all over is another. Then there was the far more important note that your team refused to leave without all four of you accounted for, even going back into danger to rescue each other."
Ruby looked surprised, she'd been expected a far different stance on that.
"You're… not upset about it? For endangering the mission?"
"Missions are either successful or not. Losing a Huntress, a member of your own team that you have spent so much time with and will continue to spend time with is so much more. I would question a man's morals that would put the mission before his comrade. I did the same thing years ago." His hand fell to his right arm. "I risked my life and saved my friend it cost me a part of my body, a very large part but I do not regret it even now. You shouldn't either."
Yang managed a smile. "Thanks sir. That… actually means a lot." Her smile became a grin. "So uh, you got prosthetics?"
Instead of saying anything, he pulled up his sleeve, revealing the slick metal underneath.
They even Blake couldn't help but gasp at it, not in horror but appreciation this time. This man felt no shame in, and even if it was slightly uncomfortable to look at his attitude towards it helped put them at ease.
"This is the same for half my body. From my collar bone to my feet." He smiled, and although it was a strange one, they could tell it was sincere. "I know it's not the same, but if it's any consolation for both of you Miss Belladonna and Miss Xiao-Long, I do have a similar experience."
The blonde laughed at that. "Yeah, I guess so."
He hummed before blinked. "Ah yes, there was one more thing. Now this may be a little forward of me but I have something for each of you." He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out for small boxes and handed one to each of them. They shared another look and opened them in unison.
Weiss gasped at what she saw.
Ironwood explained for them
"There would usually be far more ceremony, but I think you would appreciate rest more, so right now I'm presenting each of you with the Atlesian metal of gallantry. A symbol of bravery among the highest rank I can give to a member of my military. Since I am a headmaster and you are Huntresses that means I can also gift it to each of you. I hope you wear it with pride wherever you go."
He looked over them. "However, I can understand if because of this mission in particular or your own history if you choose not to wear it."
His eyes fell to Blake and she noticed.
She swallowed. "You know?"
"I do," he nodded. "Though given your circumstances it is understandable, perhaps even acceptable. If I have been appointed earlier, or had been more firm in my decisions when I was younger I may have prevented the need. I might have been able to help more." He shook his head, "That is in the past now however, as are your action with the White Fang. You are a huntress and a hero of this city; I hope you will be recognised as one. However, as I said I understand if you don't accept it."
The Faunus looked down at the little piece of metal:
It was a small, round, silver circle with the symbol of Atlas imprinted on it and wings behind it. it hung on a white ribbon.
"No," she said with a soft smile. "This is proof of how far I've come since then, proof that I can be even better. I'll wear it with pride sir."
He smiled again. "I'm glad. Now, I know this is sudden but I need to go. the Vytal Festival may be months away but the paperwork starts now."
He took a step back and proudly saluted to them.
Without even thinking, they did the same, his presence so great that Blake even forgot out her condition for a moment.
With that he left, and the four of them were left with the medals. Yang laughed
"I guess it's a pretty expensive gift." she said. Weiss tilted her head.
"Why do you say that?"
The blonde grinned wider. "Because it cost an arm and a leg."
"Oh my god Yang!"
"Too soon."
"What is wrong with you?!"
Despite their horrified cries, they all fell into laughter seconds later.
When they calmed down Yang leaned back and sighed. "That was… a thing."
"So, what happens to you guys over the summer then?"
"What do you mean?" Weiss hummed.
"Well what are you gonna do? Do you have any plans?"
It was actually a serious question. Beacons dorms weren't open to students over the holidays since the staff wouldn't be there.
The heiress frowned. "I suppose I will be returning to Atlas… Father… my father most likely will not be there most of the time, can enjoy a… peaceful time at least." She smiled, though it was feeble. "I'm sure the servants can keep me company."
Blake winced at her own situation.
"I've saved up enough lien, I can probably rent out an apartment in Vale. As long as I can avoid-" she failed to hide the ways her eyes flickered back down to her body. "Showing my face properly to landlords I can manage for the summer."
"That's…." Yang trailed off. She really didn't know what to say to that. She hadn't even thought about the situation they would be in. of course Blake would have nowhere else to go, Beacon had been a desperate escape for her and Weiss never even spoke about her family apart from her sister, it probably wasn't the best for her there either. Yang didn't like the thought of them having to deal with that for two months after what they'd just gone through, all the while her and Ruby would be on Patch having a way better time.
Wait…
"You know," she began. "If… I mean if you don't have anything else I don't know, planned, you could always stay with us."
They turned to look at her in shock but she pushed through. "I mean, home's pretty big, we got plenty of room and Patch is always great around this time of year."
She grinned at the heiress. "Have you ever seen a proper summer Weiss-cream? I bet it's always snowing up in Atlas."
"W-well yes!" she squeaked, still taken aback by the suggestion. "But I don't think… I mean my father-"
"Can't force you to come back. I mean, if you want you can always say you're staying on Patch to study some more. My dad's a teacher at Signal, he could probably verify that if you asked. I could do it if you wanted to, I mean, if you want to stay with us."
Weiss was silent for a good minute and when she spoke it was in a quiet voice. "Would it really be okay?"
"Yeah!" The brawler nodded, and then she turned to Blake. "You too! You can stay and just chill out there. It's like, the most peaceful island you can think of."
Blake didn't look so sure. "But looking like this… I don't think I should-"
"Nuh-uh you're coming." Yang suddenly ordered. "You just said you have nowhere to go right now and I'm your partner, it would be my job to help you even if I didn't have a place to stay myself."
She grinned in a nervous sort of humour. "Besides, you're my girlfriend now, you kinda have to do the whole meeting my dad thing anyway."
She managed to hold a serious face for a moment, but with the excitement and earnestness in Yang's voice Blake couldn't help but laugh at that and shook her head exasperatedly.
Ruby giggled. "Alright then, I guess we've all come to a decision, so as team leader I proclaim our next mission to be 'Team RWBY's summer vacation!" she put her hand out. "Who's with me?!"
Weiss rolled her eyes, but when Yang and Blake put their hands on top she caved and did the same. The four girls smiled at each other. Things had been rough for the last while, but it felt like now they had a little time to make things better.
"Wait," Ruby blinked. "You two are dating?"
...
There we go, the last part of Death under the mountain and the Mountain Glenn arc. This also means it's the end of the volume 2 material. You all know what's coming next.
But before that, it's time to unwind, with a part of RWBY we never actually got to see.
Now, I'll be honest, when I first watched Vol 3 I was really confused. Why were they saying the Vytal festival was taking place in the Fall. Why were they saying autumn was the end of the school year?
I'd forgotten since it took lace in a fantasy world that it was using the american school system. Here in Ireland I school year starts in september and ends in may/june depending on where you are.
So that threw me through a loop for a while. I felt a little silly when I realised what was going on.
Anyway, Summer vacation. seems apt considering a lot of you will probably be experiencing that one way or another now. I always wondered what happened to Weiss and Blake during this time or even Ren and Nora. We see Ruby at the beginning of Vol 3 on patch so I thin it's a safe bet she spent her time at home but the others? Who knows.
Well we're about to find out. Thing of the next part like the transitional chapter with Cardin last time. More team bonding, more relaxation and plenty of build up for new plot threads.
On the side if this chapter now, Blake's not dead. Yay! Most people already figured that out but a few were actually worried. I did give plenty of hints that this would happen, both her 'death' and what happened here. Also Raven finally makes her appearance properly. AS I've stated before I already had her character written out and by the time Vol 5 came around it just made it even easier to write her. it cave me plenty of different kinds of confrontations and developments to surround her with. Raven will be a major player later on, and this is the hint of that.
I wasn't sure how to frame the Adam relationship honestly. First off, the abusive lover stuff we got from RT came afterwards which annoyed me because they added a layer they didn't need. It made him bad in a petty kind of way and made you dismiss his reasons for fighting for his people. Sure it develops into madness later but at least then you might have felt bad about it but no, nobody's going to care for an abusive ex-boyfriend who goes crazy. I liked the possessive bit as a symptom for his madness but the abuse already being there? Nah. So... I altered it. There was obviously something there for Blake to fall for in the first place and hopefully this will be a positive change for both characters.
Might have gotten a bit R+ there, or maybe you just thought it was cringy, who knows.
Other than that, Ironwoods not in control of the festival so no massive robot army. he still has them on standy obviously but expect things to play out a little differently now.
Anyway, that's all I had to say right now. Did you like the chapter? I made it a little longer to finish things up. If you did be sure to follow, favourite and review. Also, let me know what you liked about it. Or hated if that's your thing.
Bye!
P a treon . com (slash) WSpectre