Locked Out

Chapter 9: Shatter Point

A/N: Hello all! Thanks again for all of the support! Over 200 follows! It means so much! Thanks to catsan for his help, as well!

Sorry for the very... delayed posting. I'll try to update my other works soon. Right after college I had to work a ton, and then immediately after Christmas I got very sick and now I am not fairing much better... so that's fun. Hopefully I'll be healthy soon and back to writing. Take care all!

Now, for reviews!

RWBYGuy2015: Build up is always good! Especially when lives are at stake!

WhiteRose1517: No promises! Ha ha! Thanks!

Grossly Incandescent: Make out you say? How spicy! We shall see!

bdefili13: Even the fans want Weiss hurt besides Salem and Cinder! Poor girl! Ha ha! But who knows, maybe she will be hurt! Thank you so much!

opalthehappypanda: Yes they are! No drugs, especially for little Ruby! Thanks!

GrnDrgnzrd: Glad you liked it!

MrFox7189: Thanks! Glad you are enjoying it.

Guest: Thanks for at least trying the story out!

Vanitas Lunar: That they are! Hopefully Ren can finish his work soon! Things are finally looking up for Weiss and the gang!Thanks for the review and support!

True Support: Thank you! Glad you are enjoying it. And yes, Myrtenaster is really hard to spell.

EternalPPK: Thank you so much!

Someone: I appreciate your kind words!

Enjoy!

Weiss yawned as she woke from her bed, grumbling under her breath as she sat up against her headrest. She had to admit, waking up with Ruby's bed now beside her own was much better than the previous set up. While she loved bunk beds she certainly did not enjoy periodically clacking her head against the frame most mornings.

Icy blue eyes glanced around the dorm room, noticing the lack of light entering the chamber in which she rested. The window was open, and she could have sworn it was quite late in the morning. This was backed up as she tilted her head and spotted her Scroll, the clock conveying to her that it was ten in the morning. Weiss frowned at this, wondering if she had the settings for the device wrong. Then it hit her.

It was snowing.

Powder fell across Beacon and into much of central Vale. Snow was piling up on their balcony, thankfully little wind lead to none actually entering the dorm itself. Weiss move and quickly shut the windows, wondering who could have opening them up with such weather about. She figured Blake or Yang must have left it open the night before, the duo missing at this point. Weiss turned back to her bed before freezing on the spot, watching Ruby rest in her bed.

She was shivering.

Weiss thought for a moment as she gathered a few blankets from her bed, gently placing them atop Ruby's fragile form. Weiss anticipated that this would be enough, and luckily it was. Ruby began to settle down back into her peaceful slumber, dreaming happily about something. Weiss smiled. It warmed her heart to see Ruby so relaxed.

The Schnee glanced down at the ring sat upon Ruby's slender finger, cursing herself as she looked away. She couldn't escape her deeds. They haunted her like a poltergeist. Shame and guilt wracked Weiss's mind as she tried to force away the thoughts. Weiss stared upon Ruby's peaceful face, watching her every small movement with glee. She was so beautiful, Weiss thought to herself, and she would only continue to become more beautiful with time. The heiress crept down to the level of the sleeping girl, sitting just beside her resting form. Weiss could feel Ruby's breathing as she mumbled something in her sleep. Weiss tilted her head with a smile as she inched closer, uncontrollably moving in, gently pressing her lips against Ruby's forehead. Not enough to be noticed, Weiss was careful in her approach as her pillowy lips connected with the Rose before retracting just as gently as she had done.

"Sleep tight. I'm going to fix all of this, don't you worry." Weiss whispered under her breath as she made sure Ruby's blankets were snug, backing away and exiting the room with her Scroll. Her nightgown would provide enough warmth to proceed to the cafeteria, she figured. She was starving.

"Hello!" Pyrrha smiled down the hall as Weiss turned a corner, spotting the amazon warrior of Mistral standing several feet away. Weiss's waved over to the proud warrior as the pair met half way, both then proceeding down the hall to their combined destination.

"Good morning, Pyrrha." Weiss smiled up at the much taller girl. Even with her heels Pyrrha dwarfed the Schnee in height, and as she walked in a pair of slippers now, the difference was incredibly noticeable. "How are you?"

"I'm fine." Pyrrha happily responded. "I am just heading to get an energizing breakfast. I don't want to be running on an empty stomach during the sparring matches today."

Weiss sighed as she remembered. Yes, the practices for the Vytal tournament had begun at Beacon, and she knew she would have to attend. Normally Weiss would be ecstatic to partake in the sparring matches, but given her lack of a weapon and her worry for Ruby, she had little focus towards such trivial matters.

"Indeed. I hope you are prepared. I am amazed that you volunteered!" Weiss commented as the famed student offered a smile in return for the compliment. "I heard rumor that you challenged the entirety of team CRDL?"

"Word travels fast here, I see." Pyrrha nodded her head. "Yes, I want to hone my skill. I've never fought in a tournament like this before, and I want to be as prepared as possible." She explained as she cleared her throat. "How is Ruby?"

"I doubt she will compete in the practices, let alone the real thing. Her spine... Let's just say she won't be using Crescent Rose ever again." Weiss sighed in defeat. The amazon placed a hand upon her shoulder, looking down with a warm gaze.

"She will recover, I have seen people earn far worse of injuries and bounce back!" Pyrrha happily spoke. "I may have caused a fair few of those back at Mistral, unintentionally, but everyone comes back! All it takes is a little time and a positive outlook!"

"I wish I could have your type of outlook." Weiss grumbled. "I feel so useless." Weiss repressed adding a comment about Jaune in that sentence, knowing full well how much Pyrrha felt towards the boy.

"Don't. Weiss, you are a wonderful person. You have changed so much in the time you have spent with your friends here, and with your partner. Honestly, this is probably a blessing in disguise." Pyrrha explained her view on things. "Don't let this hold you back. Keep at it, and I am sure Ruby will as well."

"Thank you, Pyrrha. That... That means a lot." The heiress returned a now full smile, feeling a strong warmth in her heart.

The pair turned their separate ways as they entered the cafeteria. Weiss headed left towards the self-serving lane, not really wanting to converse with the staff at the other stations. Plucking up a square plate, Weiss poked around the long lane of food. Eggs, bacon, even biscuits. She thought for a moment and plucked two biscuits up, setting them down with a small bowl to the side filled with white gravy. The heiress moved away and found a table, sitting down carefully as she poked her meal with a fork.

"Hey, mind if I sit here?" A female voice spoke up, Weiss looking up.

A girl with very green hair smiled back down, holding a tray of assorted fruit. Weiss just nodded her head as the girl sat before her, plucking up a strawberry with a knife.

"My name is Emerald. It's nice to meet you." Emerald smiled as Weiss returned the gesture.

"I'm Weiss." Weiss poked her biscuits, losing her appetite.

"I heard there's a sparring tournament set up today for all students, even the visiting classes. Are you going to compete?" Emerald asked as she tilted her head.

"It's mandatory unless you have an injury, so I would imagine." Weiss nodded her head.

"Oh, you're on that Ruby girl's team, right? The one who got hurt?" Emerald spoke as she noticed Weiss tense up, smiling. "Is she feeling any better?"

"Somewhat, thanks for asking." Weiss cleared her throat, pouring the gravy atop her food.

"So... What's your fighting style? I've been trying to meet some students here to get a read on everyone, you know how it is." Emerald asked.

"I don't really like to broadcast my style, sorry." Weiss ate a little piece of food.

Emerald waved her off. "No worries!" The girl set one of her revolvers on the table, spinning it by the muzzle. "I just have a gun. Well, two. Nothing too special. Everyone else here has crazy weapons."

"Indeed, that is true." Weiss laughed a little. Emerald stood up, her red eyes flashing momentarily.

"You have a good day, Weiss. Maybe I'll see you around." She happily spoke, Weiss waving her off as she exited the chamber.

Weiss chewed a piece of her food, setting her fork down for a moment. She thought for a moment on what her day would be like, hoping things wouldn't get too out of hand. The near future already held quite the worrisome content, and she didn't need anything piling atop such a mound.

The heiress got up and moved away from her seat, setting her plate on a conveyor belt as she left the hall. Her mind ran over the thoughts for the day, unsure as to why something kept nagging at her. The heiress continued on her way, unaware of the forms of both Blake and Yang sitting at a far off table consuming their own meal.

"So, she broke her own weapon?" Yang asked with a raised brow, a laugh following after. "Sure she did." Sarcasm flooded her voice.

"You wanted to hear everything. Believe what you want, but that's the truth." Blake ate a small piece of a grape. "She used the material on Crescent Rose. In theory, it should let Ruby hold it once more." Blake gulped down her food. "In theory."

"She really does care, I guess." Yang thought. "Penny for a thought?"

"What is it?" Blake raised a brow.

Yang thought for a moment before deciding on her choice of wording. "Do you think we are making the wrong choice?"

"How so?"

Yang pulled apart a biscuit. "I mean, Weiss messed up, right? Big time." The brawler hummed as she looked at her best friend. "What if she does it again?"

"In what regard?" Blake asked another question, wanting to hear all Yang had to say.

"She... I mean, just think about it. She was so ready to do this to Ruby, to give her that ring. I just have this little feeling in the back of my mind that if she was able to mess up like that so easily, what if it happens again? Fool me once, shame on her. But if she fools me twice..." Yang trailed off, unsure as to how to feel. "I want to trust her with my sister. Ruby has never been on to fall for anyone, and if she likes Weiss then so be it, I'll support her. But... But I'm just worried she might be making the wrong choice... That we are making the wrong choice."

Blake sipped her tea, setting down her cup on the small plate accompanying it.

"The way I see it, she felt trapped. She did so much for Ruby to try and get through to her, and nothing was working. Honestly, if I were in her shoes with her mind set, maybe I would have done the same thing. I'm not sure." Blake paused for a moment. "But she is our team mate, and we have to keep faith with her no matter what. She's a faulty person, sure she is, but we can't just condemn her. She's going to do what is best for Ruby, I think she had learned her lesson." The Faunus wiggled her ears. "I trust her for now, I can sense she means well. You should trust her too. She loves Ruby so much, and she will do anything to keep her safe. If anything, these events rather support that."

Yang nodded her head with a small smile. "Alright, Blakey. Alright." She cleared her throat. "So, anyone ask you to the dance yet?"

"I think we both know the answer to that." Blake nodded her head. "And you?"

"I think we both know the answer to that." Yang chuckled as she echoed her friends words. "I got a crazy idea."

"Oh?" Blake raised a brow.

"Let's break some hearts. Wanna go to the dance together? Could be fun." Yang flashed a sly grin. Blake felt a tad bit of red form on her cheeks in response before considering the request.

"You have a very warped perception of fun, Yang." Blake slowly rolled her golden orbs. "Okay. It would give us a better chance to keep an eye on your sister."

"Then it's a date!" Yang laughed loudly, standing up as she grabbed her tray. "I got to head to meet with professor Peach before the sparring matches. I'll catch you later, kitty cat."

Yang moved off to the exit of the grand hall, leaving Blake to her own devices of entertainment. She quickly reached into her uniform pocket and grabbed her Scroll, looking at the list of words she had compiled. She checked off the spot next to the words Crescent Rose, knowing full well the device was ready for use. Weiss had insisted they keep it hidden for now, the heiress having some sort of plan prepared she assumed. Everything else was simply part of her to-do list, save for another portion marked simply as Ren.

Blake grimaced. She could only hope he would be finished sooner rather than later. The dance was coming up rapidly, not much time before the start of their plan needed to commence. She had to have faith in him. If she could have faith in Weiss, of all people, she could to him as well.

The Faunus got up and put her tray away, thinking as she exited the cafeteria. Moving towards the locker rooms, she sought to retrieve Gambol Shroud. The odds that she or Yang would be placed into one of the matches as rather high given the condition of Ruby and Weiss's lack of weapon, they stood out like a sore thumb. She just hoped she wouldn't be paired against a friend. She was so tired of hurting those she loved.

Ruby was wide awake when Weiss arrived back in the room, her mop of hair covered in dripping water as she had most likely just gotten back from a shower. She was wearing simple leggings with a sweater atop, knowing full well that dressing up in her combat uniform today would be useless.

"Today is the day of sparring matches." Weiss spoke aloud as Ruby took a few of her pain relievers, Weiss not really paying attention to the amount. Ruby was a big girl, she knew how to read a label. "Do you want to come along? I know it's mandatory but if we go to Ozpin I am sure he could make an exception if you think it will make you upset."

Ruby shook her head. "I'm the leader. I have to go."

Weiss nodded. While the role of leader was still technically assigned to the Schnee heiress, she still held Ruby in regard to the position. Ruby was their leader, and she always would be. No matter what.

"Fair enough." Weiss smiled a little, Ruby returning it before looking away slowly. Her mind still yearned for an answer from both Blake and Weiss. Did Weiss really hold feelings towards her? She just wanted an answer at this point. Yes or no, she didn't care which! Or... did she? Ruby shut her eyes for a moment as Weiss moved off to gather her things for her own trip to the showers. Did Weiss like her? Ruby pondered on the question. All she had to go off of was a drunken kiss, a drunken confession, and the treatment she had received recently from the usually icy heiress. She was really working her nonexistent tail off to make things for Ruby better, and to be a better friend to the Rose. But what did all of that sum up to? Ruby needed to know.

"Weiss? Can we finish talking about... about that one thing?" Ruby asked as Weiss turned her way, a basket in hand and a towel wrapped around her neck.

"What... thing?" Weiss asked.

"When you... um... that night we had alcohol? Remember?" Ruby asked.

Weiss nodded her head. "Yes, but not much after we talked. Why?"

Weiss looked to the clock to her side, blinking as she realized the time.

Ruby gulped. "Well... when you were drunk, you... you... you ki-"

"Oh my gods, it's almost time to leave!" Weiss panicked, nearly dropping her things. "Ruby, I'm sorry but I need to have my shower before the sparring match starts, but I promise we can talk after. Okay?"

Ruby blinked, pulling her hood around her body. "O-Oh. Okay."

"I'll be back really quick. Then we can head over to the gymnasium." Weiss dashed out of the room, forcing others to make way for the heiress.

Ruby sat back on her bed, thinking.

Maybe she wasn't meant to know, after all.

Ren hissed as he connected the final piece of the jewel, dabbing a pink washcloth set to the side against his forehead. The temperature of the Burn Dust certainly wasn't something to laugh at. Luckily, he was finally finished with his device. The boy lifted up a small black threaded necklace, feeding a piece of metal through before tying a knot at the twin ends. Attaching his creation to the metal base, the jewel of multiple Dust types shined like a lighthouse before dying down. Ren had to shield his eyes from the blinding rays, lowering his hand to inspect his craft.

"This should be enough..." Ren spoke to himself regarding Ruby and her current state, looking upwards toward the ceiling of his room. "Mother? Father? Please tell me I did this right."

Nora snored in response on her nearby bed.

Ren sighed. "That's close enough."

Placing the necklace within a small dark jewelry box, the ninja of team JNPR pocketed his creation for safe keeping. This wasn't something he wanted to lose on accident. This was a very dangerous situation, and he had to be as careful as possible with the volatile device.

"Let's just hope she reacts well with it..." Ren whispered to himself, moving off to locate Blake.

The gymnasium was full of the sounds of weapons colliding and ammunition spent.

As for now, the heiress sat in the gymnasium, watching as Pyrrha Nikos tore through the members of team CRDL. They were clearly no match for the refined Huntress-in-training, as she did hold quite the record under her belt. Weiss dared not to get on her bad side, as the girl could potentially be scarier than Yang. Jaune cheered from the stand as the rest of his team, Nora and Ren, were missing for the time being. Nora had come down with a bad headache and was sleeping it off, and given recent developments with Ruby, Ren thought it best to keep an eye on her for now. Weiss couldn't blame him, and neither could Blake.

"And that's the match." Professor Goodwitch commented as Cardin landed next to her left hand side, marking something down on her Scroll with a stylus.

"Lucky shot..." Cardin groaned as he passed out on the floor. His struggling team mates moved to his side and dragged him off to a safe area to recover, all winded from the battle.

"Alright, we do appear to have time for perhaps one or two more matches." Glynda spoke as she looked at her Scroll, checking the attendance roster. "Let's see..." The professor whispered to herself as she clicked a name at random.

"Weiss Schnee." She called out, the heiress blinking as she sat up.

"Me?" Weiss asked as Blake looked to her with a hint of concern. She was lacking a weapon, after all.

"Yes. I am well aware that your weapon is... missing, was it? However, that doesn't excuse you from participating in class. A Huntress must be able to enter into combat disarmed, as well. Think of it as an extra lesson, hm?" Glynda decided as she looked around the room. "Would anyone like to volunteer?"

"I'll do it." A grey gloved hand rose up, belonging to one Mercury Black.

"Mercury, is it?" Glynda asked as she entered in the two combatant's names, their respective images and Aura levels appearing on the grand holographic monitor hovering above the arena. "Very well. You two, please come down to the field and prepare for your sparring session."

Mercury casually moved down to the marble battlefield while Weiss looked to her team for support. Yang gave her a pat on the back while Blake offered only a small nod. Ruby blinked slowly as she watched Weiss, who gave a smile sent back her way.

"I'll be right back, then." The heiress spoke as she stood up.

Ruby felt something travel down her spine, a strange feeling she could not identify.

Weiss froze as Ruby had her hand locked on to her wrist, refusing to let go. Weiss blinked in confusion as she looked down at the smaller girl, who wore a look of both fear and concern.

"What's wrong?" Weiss asked as Yang placed a hand on Ruby's shoulder.

"Something... Something doesn't feel right..." Ruby whispered low. "I don't know... Please... b-be careful?"

Weiss nodded. "I always am, aren't I?" The heiress smiled down at her friend, pulling her arm away as Ruby's grip slackened. "I'll be just a little while. No need to worry."

Ruby watched as Weiss moved down the stairs, unsure as to why she felt this way. She wanted to think it was just nerves, but this felt... foreign, as if someone were trying to tell her something she could not understand, but she knew it was urgent. Failing to figure it out, Ruby kept her eyes on Weiss as she made her way to the arena below.

"Miss Schnee." Mercury bowed sarcastically. "I'll try not to hit you too hard, princess. I don't want to fracture your ego."

Weiss didn't respond, instead waving her hand. Twin Glyphs spawned on command, attaching themselves to her wrists like gauntlets. Without her weapon, she had to be careful and make do with what she had.

"Begin." Goodwitch stated as she stepped away from the inner circle of the arena, the entire array of students went quiet.

Weiss took a standard combat stance, her hands formed into fists as her Glyphs churned with a hypnotic sound. Mercury didn't move at all, just standing there. The smug look that marked his face shifted to one of concentration as the boy jetted forward, kicking sideways towards the Schnee. In return, the heiress raised both of her arms and caught the attack, using her Semblance to protect herself and propel Mercury across the hall. The boy landed on his back before flipping back to standing level, narrowing his eyes upon Weiss.

This would be interesting, the boy noted.

Very interesting.

Weiss clicked her heel down and a Glyph appeared below her, allowing her to dash across the floor like an ice skater, elegantly slipping past the boy as he twirled and slammed his heel into the marble below. Missing her by a second or two, Mercury was caught unprepared as Weiss weaved between kicks as he tried to gain some distance, blocking any that came close with her Glyphs. The Schnee flipped back as Mercury leapt at her, twirling in the air as she landed on a diagonal Glyph, rocketing her towards the martial artist. Weiss lead with her hands and landed behind the boy, who gave out a cry of pain in response.

One of her Glyphs had cut through his Aura as she went, slashing a sharp slice of flesh from his cheek. Crimson ran down his face as he flashed his teeth in frustration.

"Oh, you did it now." Mercury commented as he ran at the heiress, holding nothing back.

Goodwitch watched with concern as the battle heated up. Something felt strange, she noted, as if someone were whispering in the back of her mind. Something tugged her attention to the stands, looking around at the students. Nothing seemed off, save for one girl who was very much focusing on Weiss rather than the fight as a whole.

One of green hair.

Mercury leapt towards the stumbling Schnee, flipping in the air and executing an axe kick. The boy went to slam the heel of his greave into Weiss's head, ready to finish this battle once and for all. Weiss reacted quickly and raised her two Glyphs together, trying to deflect the assault as he fell from the air above.

The image of Mercury faded as a sharp hiss flew throughout the room. Weiss couldn't tell if it was his speed or something else entirely, but he had moved. Mercury was racing towards her a few yards away, the heiress caught completely off guard. The student audience gasped aloud as Mercury jumped forward and executed a flying-side kick, connected to Weiss's chest. The sound of a projectile being launched from the bottom of his boot sounded throughout the hall, sending Weiss rocketing towards a pillar on the other side of the room. Weiss's body fell to the floor, breathing harshly as her lungs felt like they had been punctured or bruised in some way, struggling to breathe. On both of her hands and knees, Weiss felt her Aura deplete, evident by the white energy flashing over her body before fading into nothing.

Blake and Yang stood up in their seats, gasping themselves as the battle was all but lost for Weiss, and she looked hurt. Very hurt. Ruby felt her grip on the bar before her tighten enough that when she released her hand later on, it would be bent. No one noticed Emerald exit the chamber at that point, the illusionist slipping away undetected.

She was defenseless.

"That's the match." Goodwitch called as she looked down at her Scroll.

Mercury ran forward and flipped in the air, his greave at the ready as he went to perform an axe kick. The heel of his boot would connect against Weiss's skull at the back of her head, and given the lack of Aura, it would split like a coconut. Blood and matter would splatter everywhere as Weiss laid dead on the training room floor, all but an accident by the visiting Haven student.

Had Goodwitch not intervened.

Mercury found his leg suspended in a sort of telepathic gravity lock, unable to move with his foot but a few inches from Weiss's head. The boy struggled with confusion as he looked around, spotting Glynda raising her riding crop his way. Her void colored Aura flared up as she waved her whip to the side, sending Mercury flying on to his bottom a few feet away.

"Did you not hear me call the match, mister Black?" Glynda asked. "I'm not sure what fighting methods they teach over at Haven nowadays, but here at Beacon when a fighter's Aura is depleted, the battle is lost."

"My mistake." Mercury shrugged as he got up, his metallic right leg aching as he limped away from the battle. Blood still dripped from the cut mark across his cheek, hissing as he felt the wound. Looking to the stands, he could no longer see Emerald. The son of an assassin cursed her name under his breath for having not influenced Glynda as planned, struggling off back to his room to scold her later in front of Cinder. That would teach the little pest.

Yang and Blake ran down past the safety rail and entered the arena, moving to their team mate's side. Weiss held up a hand as she coughed violently, wheezing as she needed a moment to collect herself.

"Class is dismissed." Goodwitch announced as she looked over to the Schnee, offering a look of pity before moving off to alert Ozpin of an injured student.

Bruises would be across her torso for the next week, give or take a few days depending on how well her Aura would handle repairs to her cells. The sheer force of the impact, between being rocketed by Mercury's boot and colliding with the stone pillar, her lungs had taken a beating. Breathing was hard for the Schnee, gasping for air every few seconds as it felt like a foreign concept that she had no idea of procedure. Ruby watched from her seat as Yang and Blake guided the Schnee over to a seat, resting her down as comfortably as possible.

"Are you all right?" Yang asked as Weiss felt her torso, wincing as she scathed the developing injured skin, her nervous system slightly out of wack for a moment. Mercury's kick had surly taken its toll on her being. The heiress accepted a bottle of water offered by Blake, taking a deep sip and coughing it out across the floor before her.

"Ugh..." Weiss groaned as she slumped back in her seat. "There's a reason why I don't have an A in Unarmed Combat class..." She trailed off from her joke, groaning.

Blake looked her over. "Your Aura was shattered. We were worried." Blake stated the obvious."

"That guy could have killed you. If I see him again I'm breaking his leg." Yang clenched her fist.

"It was just an accident..." Weiss coughed violently once more, looking between the girls surrounding her. "I'll be... I'll be fine."

Ruby climbed down the stairs, holding on to the railings as other students cleared the area. Nearly tripping over a few other students, Ruby managed to make her way to the area just above the group of girls. Yang looked up to her sister as Weiss followed her line of sight, spotting Ruby above with concern and fear in her eyes.

"W-Weiss?" Ruby asked, genuinely scared she was hurt.

Weiss offered a forced smile.

"I'm all right, don't you worry." Weiss broke into a coughing fit, standing up with support from Blake. Ruby remained unconvinced, but just nodded her head along in agreement.

Those words echoed in Ruby's head.

And her heart hurt from it.

Coming Soon: Chapter 10: Ballroom Blitz