Dark Ruins
Red like roses fills my head with dreams and finds me,
Always closer to the emptiness and sadness,
That has come to take the place of you.
"Hey Pyrrhaaa! Look at that, it's free pancakes!" Nora brightened. She vaulted over the cafeteria counter and into the kitchen. Breaking into the pantry, she proceeded to snatch a giant bowl from a nearby cabinet and started piling dozens of pancakes inside.
"We don't have time for snacks, Nora!" Pyrrha said sternly.
"That's ridiculous! There's always time for pancakes." Nora countered. She shoved two whole pancakes into her mouth and squealed in delight. Half the contents of a maple syrup bottle followed afterwards, and soon enough her face was overflowing with sugar in diabetic quantities. "Vhish ish ghreat!"
"Nora, we have to go to the auditorium now!" Pyrrha said. "Didn't we hear the student council over the loudspeakers? We should be assembling in the auditorium, not messing around in the cafeteria!"
"Vhy shfould vhe?" Nora refused stubbornly, her voice distorted by the presence of sweetness incarnate in her mouth. She swallowed before speaking again, a habit team JNPR has Ren to thank for. ""They're just as confused as we are. Besides, I haven't had my breakfast and I'm famished, and I'm betting you are, too. When's the last time you ate - yesterday afternoon?"
"How..?" Pyrrha was surprised that her teammate actually took notice of that. Nevermind that, there's more pressing matters to attend to. "But-" Pyrrha started.
"Do you really think going there RIGHT NOW is going to change anything?" Nora asked, raising an eyebrow skeptically.
"I guess you're right." Pyrrha said, astonished by Nora's perceptiveness. With all her antics and ridiculous speeches, it's difficult to keep in mind that Nora is one of the top students in Beacon, especially in combat.
"You're not wrong, either." Nora said, paddling her legs over the cafeteria counter. She finished a few more pancakes before talking again. "You know," Nora jumped to the floor and tilted her head to the side. "You're top of the class, popular and smart to boot. You can get together together with like, any guy you want!" Nora said brightly. "Including Jaune!"
"W-Wait! Where is this coming from!?" Pyrrha asked, flustered. "And no! I.. don't like.. I mean.."
"Why not?" Nora shrugged. "Come on, Pyrr, everyone knows about it!"
"Everyone?!" Pyrrha flushed dark red.
"Yep!"
Pyrrha looked as if she was about to deny the accusation again, but finally slumped in defeat.
"Yeah, I like him. So what?" Pyrrha said.
"With all this stuff going on, shouldn't you tell him that?" Nora said. Pyrrha noticed the faraway look in her eyes. "You might not get the chance to do it later."
She looked a little sad.
"You don't seem like yourself, Nora." Pyrrha said carefully.
"Yeah, I guess." Nora admitted. "I get this way when Ren's not around."
"Then are you keeping up your bubbly side just for his sake?" Pyrrha asked. "That's not good, you know. I'm sure Ren would accept all of you, even when you're not super happy like usual."
"No, not that." Nora said. "I AM the queen of the castle, never forget that." The running gag earned her a chuckle for her red haired teammate. "But recently I've been thinking…" Pyrrha saw her eyes grew distant with a yearning look.
"Of what?" Pyrrha asked softly.
It stunned Nora out of her train of thoughts and she shook her head.
"Nevermind! Let's go!" she said, stretching on the tips of her toes.
"But I didn't even get the pancakes!" Pyrrha complained, finally admitting to her hunger.
"Here!" Nora said, swiping some pancakes over spilled maple syrup and slapping in her teammate's face. "Food on the go!"
"NORAAAA!" Pyrrha shouted, both in exasperation and relief. It was good to know that some things hasn't changed.
Nora laughed and escaped to the hallways, a furious redhead hot on her heels. She was glad she got Pyrrha to relax. She was extremely tense the whole day, especially when Jaune panicked in the morning over aura loss. She was the same way as well, with Ren's absence, but she wouldn't let it show.
Few things bother Nora in this world, but one of them is to be separated from Ren.
"With all this stuff going on, shouldn't you tell him that?"
She really can't say it, can she?
Never knew a time, when you weren't by my side.
The one thing I could always count on.
Always there for me, you've been my family.
Even when all other hope was gone.
He really can't say it, can he?
Ren pondered his relationship with a certain Nora Valkyrie as he followed his distressed leader through the chaotic common grounds of Beacon Academy. She was his childhood friend - his first friend, actually. She was someone who wasn't afraid of to be frank; a funky tomboy with a knack for pancakes and smashing things. They grew up together. Nora helped build Ren's first treehouse. Ren hid Nora after she raided the neighbor's fridge. Nora forced him to play dress-up with her. She would paint his hair pink, something he allowed only after she promised it would wash out afterwards. His pink hair was something he used to hate, then tolerate, then cherish as the days passed by. He taught her how to escape in case she was being pursued. He was the shoulder she cried on when she was banned from eating pancakes for painting Mrs. Rosary's plants bright pink. She comforted him in his loneliness, a steadfast friend when everybody else left.
A memory rose from the tumultuous storm of his mind.
They were sitting by the window sill, enjoying the clear night sky of their cabin. It was the vacation before they were about to enter combat school for the first time. Their families had agreed to spend their holiday in a mountain range as a gift to their children from graduating. Separating Nora and Ren had always resulted in an out of control Nora and a shut-down Ren, so both sides knew that there is no separating them.
Praetor Combat school.. the thought both scared and excited him. Six more years, five if they were good enough, until they can apply for Beacon - the academy of their dreams. Nora had been so excited at the notion of forging her own weapon that Ren had to chuck his month's share of pancake to calm her down, something eleven year old Ren was a little miffed about. Pancakes aren't his favorite food, but they were sweet and he liked them.
"Hey Ren." Nora asked, breaking the silence. He knew that she would - it was her nature. Silence was not in the dictionary of Nora Valkyrie.
"Yes?" He replied.
"Do you think the stars are lonely?" Nora asked. "I mean, they look so close together from here. But in reality, they're further apart than anything in the universe.."
She trailed off.
He took her hand and smiled. She looked up, a little confused, and squealed when Ren pulled her into a tight hug.
"Don't worry, Nora." Ren said, pulling away but remaining close enough that he could see her lips, which had a cut from their adventures earlier that day. He could see her hair, messy and unkempt, but soft and alluring nonetheless. He could see her eyes, clear and true, trust reflecting from their sky blue hue. "We'll always be together."
"Forever?" Nora said in wonder.
"Forever." Ren confirmed, smiling.
"Pinky promise me!" Nora insisted, raising her hand.
"Alright." Ren shrugged.
Ren raised his own and their little fingers intertwined. A falling star streaked across the sky and Nora stared out the window, mouth agape.
They separated shortly after, content is simply enjoing the moment.
"But not together, together... y'know.." Nora quickly added afterwards, blushing.
"Of course.' Ren said, expressionless.
They got off the window and went to their respective beds. Their parents knew they were best friends, but they were still members of the opposite gender, so they arranged for them to have their own beds.
He was awoke earlier than he expected. A storm was raging outside, pitter pattering against their window. Lightning flash and thunder roared, but they weren't the reason of his awakening. Nora stood by his bed, clutching his sheets in fear.
"Ren.." she whispered. "T-The storm.."
"Come here," he said, raising his sheets. "You won't be able to sleep otherwise, right?"
Nora nodded and crawled into his bed.
"'Night, Ren."
"Good night, Nora."
Silence.
"Oh, and Ren?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks."
"Sure."
Their proximity comforted each other, and they soon fell asleep.
The memory was bittersweet.
He wasn't able to say it then, either.
"-en. Ren! ... you okay?" Jaune asked, waving a hand in front of the aura expert's face.
"U-Uh, yeah." he said, shaking his worries away. He closed his eyes, calming his troubled mind, and opened it with renewed resolve. First and foremost, he had to confirm whether or not Fox and Yatsuhashi had successfully established communication with the other cities, and whether or not they have new data on what is going on. Then they'll reassemble at the auditorium, inform the student council of what they've found and-
The creaking of a gate broke his focus. He glanced at an adjacent building
What?
He saw four Hunter teams leave the General Armory, carrying explosives and armed to the teeth. They were all clothed in heavy armor, something Hunters wear only when they expect a prolonged engagement with the Grimm. The black body armor mirrored the Grimm's skin. Two slits that passes for eye holes glew soft blue, marking the only difference between the Hunters and the Grimm.
Those uniforms can only mean one thing.
The Beacon Four. Teams STRK, NIYX, ALPA and DRED. The top ranked Hunter teams in Remnant. They were the ones who leave the Barriers to exterminate Grimm population and keep them from going out of control - and even then, they could just barely suppress the black beasts' tide.
The fact that they're out here means that there are Grimm to fight.. Ren mused. Grimm too strong for first and second years.. a migration, perhaps?
He tapped Jaune in the shoulder and pointed out the Hunter teams. Jaune paused, narrowed his eyes at the armed group and nodded. They jogged together to the Hunter party. Jaune waved and one of them approached him.
"Where are you guys going?" Jaune asked.
The helmet lowered momentarily, revealing sharp red eyes.
"Go to the auditorium with everyone else." a coarse, husky voice said. Ren recognized their owners as Crimson, a fourth year Hunter with a spotless record. He had taught team JNPR on group and individual battle tactics and styles in preparation of the upcoming Vytal Festival. He appreciated the cool, level-headed teen, but the fact he was out in the open with weapons means that there's trouble. Big trouble.
"We're heading to the communications patrol room, but the question here is what are you doing?" Jaune asked bluntly.
"We're.. going on patrol." the Hunter looked away.
"You're not fooling anyone, Crimson." Ren said. "Grimm, isn't it? Enough of them that you'd need to equip yourself with Sentinel armors."
"I suppose nothing get pasts you, Ren." Crimson sighed. He raised his head and gazed at Jaune and Ren. " The Barriers are down, both here and in the city. They're coming in droves. We're going to defend the western perimeter. As for our armor, it's bulky, but with our aura gone there really is no other option. None of us can go against the Grimm anymore. Not if we want to live, that is."
"The Barriers..?" Jaune trailed off in disbelief. "That's impossible! There's power generators and back ups-"
"Which are powered by the city." Crimson said. "And Vale's is emptier than a Grimm's soul right now. The power's out. We're running on emergency generators, here. To be honest, the lights will probably go out by the end of the night."
"Unbelievable." Ren breathed.
"We still don't know what's happening, but we're not going to let a single Grimm step inside this academy." Crimson said, raising the malicious looking Elemental Axe in his hands. His expression grew sober once more. "Jaune, listen. I'm telling you this because I want you to ask help from the other cities. Vale police is gone and so are most of Valian Hunters. Frankly, if they don't send help soon, we'll lose Beacon. Now go!"
Jaune nodded.
"Good luck."
"Thanks, we'll need it."
The visor closed, tranquil blue hiding intense red. Crimson moved like a wraith and joined the rest of his team.
"What the hell is that?" Yang swore, staring dumbfounded at the black sphere. Unconsciously, she extended a hand towards the enigmatic sphere. Blake took her hand and pulled her back once more.
"I don't think we want to touch that." Blake said.
"R-Right." Yang said. "Let's get going-"
SHKRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAK!
The red emergency lights faltered, shrouding the room with shadows. More spheres materialized here and there - buried in the walls, floating on the ceiling, standing still in the middle of the dance floor.. Fissures appeared in the pillars and walls of the night club, accompanied by furious thunderclaps of cracking steel and concrete. An overhang snapped and fell, crushing the DJ booth. Bottles of alcoholic beverages and empty glasses fell off the bar shelves, shattering on the floor.
"The building.." Yang breathed. "It's falling apart."
Junior's club shook, its foundations and supports compromised. The disco ball fell. Both Huntresses separated into opposite corners of the room, avoiding the rain of glass shards that ensued, but without their aura, some were unavoidable. They grunted in pain as shards sliced and embedded themselves into their skin, but the shards weren't their only problem.
"Yang, watch out!" Blake shouted. Yang flashed a look to the left and saw an entire section of the wall coming down on top of her. She leaped away as far as she can, but realized it wasn't far enough. The wall fell. Her eyes dilated. Is this..?
She closed her eyes.
Shwang!
Yang opened her eyes to see the sharpened tip of Gambol Shroud bury itself on the piece of rubble. Blake pulled at the rope with all her might and the wall crashed to Yang's side with mere inches to spare.
"Thanks!" Yang said, getting up to her feet.
"Don't mention it!" Blake replied, running to her partner's side.
"This way!" Yang said, grabbing the cat faunus's hand and running for the back exit. They dodged falling pillars, bricks and debris - those too big to evade Yang destroyed with Ember Celica; the smaller ones being taken care of by Blake's Gambol Shroud. But even then the glass shards and razor sharp dust were impossible to stop - both Huntresses grunted as their cuts and bruises multiplied. They reached the door. Yang pulled down on the handle, but soon realized that it was locked.
"Damn you, Junior!" Yang cursed. She punched the door, but the solid steel held. She continued to rain furious blows upon the only barrier between them and freedom. She struck and punched until blood poured from her torn knuckles, her soft, luminescent skin shredded in the attempt.
Exhausted, Yang stepped back, wheezing.
"Yang." Blake mouthed.
"WE ARE NOT! DYING! HERE!" Yang shouted, emphasizing each word with brutal kicks. She heard the hinges buckle I CAN DO THIS! I MUST!
"HYAAAAAAAAAH!" She delivered a final, brutal kick that broke both the door and her foot. The steel door fell backwards, revealing the corridor leading to the alleyway.. and their freedom.
"AAAAOUUUUCH!" she limped to a stunned Blake, smiling. "Let's not give up too fast, mkay?"
"Yang.." Blake said. "Your hands and foot.."
"Huh? This?" Yang said nonchalantly, biting back her pain with pure will. She stared at her fingers, two of them twisted in unnatural directions, and her broken foot. Despite her bravado, the pain was nothing to scoff at - Yang made a mental note to appreciate her aura if she ever got it back.
Yang walked up towards her partner.
"It's nothing compared to losing you." Yang said softly, caressing Blake's face. The cat faunus moved in for a passionate kiss. Amidst the crumbling building and the ominous spheres of pulsating darkness, they lost themselves in each other.
Because in that moment, for all they know, the apocalypse can fuck off and go to hell.
But all too soon, reality sets in. The shaking intensified and they broke away breathlessly.
"NOW LET'S GO!" Yang said triumphantly, rushing to the corridor to the outside world-
-something was wrong.
"YANG, WAIT!" Blake shouted. Yang looked up and saw a huge piece of debris falling towards her. She raised Ember Celica and pulled the trigger. A hollow click was the weapon's reply.
No..Yang thought. Not here. Not like this!
A familiar shadow tackled her and she blacked out.
They were halfway across the academy grounds when Ren collapsed.
"Ren? Ren!" Jaune said, hurrying to his green-clothed teammate's aid. "What's wrong?"
Ren wheezed, holding his throat in his hands as if something was choking him. He opened his mouth, but when he did, nothing came out. Jaune smacked him in the back, thinking that he swallowed something, but Ren shook his head weakly.
Jaune frowned. "What's the problem, then?"
Ren continued to retch. He didn't respond.
"Crap, crap, crap." Jaune hoisted Ren on his shoulders. "Gotta find help, but where?"
The nurse's office.
"Hang on, buddy!" Jaune said, supporting a coughing Ren as he checked his surroundings, trying to find out where they are and figure out the fastest route to the infirmary.
As they walked, Jaune glanced back at his ailing teammate. He seems to be physically fine, but there he can't tell what is happening. It was as if some sort of switch flicked inside of him, rendering him weak and immobile. Jaune winced as he saw Ren cough blood on his uniform.
Something stopped him.
Frankly, if they don't send help soon, we'll lose Beacon.
It was an order, wasn't it? But Ren..
The gunblade wielder slumped on his shoulders and Jaune made up his mind.
He doubled the pace, heading towards the infirmary.
Screw it, Jaune thought.
He will not lose his friend.
Yang awoke to a silent darkness.
Am I.. dead?
She breathed in, deep. The air was foul and smells like shit, which can only mean one thing.
Still alive, huh..
Shit.
She tried to move, but failed. Instead, she felt incredible pain flare throughout her body. Broken bones, torn muscles, shredded skin, bleeding wounds.
She screamed.
Her convulsions exacerbated her pain, reducing her to silent, tearful gasps. She never felt so much pain in her life,
"Y-Yang?" a horrified, familiar voice snuck through her curtain of pain. "Is.. that you?"
Her gasps grew shorter and she calmed down.
"Blake?" she said hoarsely. "What happened?"
"We were.. too late." Blake said, sarcasm apparent in her tone.
"Shit." Yang said simply, closing her eyes as she tried to tune away the pain.
"Shit is right." Blake replied. "Can you see anything?"
"No semblance, no fire." Yang said sadly.
"Same here."
"Can you dig your way out?"
"I can't.. I.." there was a pause. "I'm not going out this one. My legs are..."
"Me too." Yang said bitterly. Her arms were pinned under a fallen pillar. Her legs were twisted at all angles. Her beautiful golden mane was stained black with grit and rubble, partially shorn off by fallen debris. Yang stared at the pitch black ceiling that was pinning her down. She tried to spit on it, but her throat was too parched.
To be buried alive..
It would've haunted her in the past, but for some reason she couldn't bring herself to give a shit right now. The fact is, they did their best.
And that's all there is to it.
At least I've got my girlfriend here. Yang thought.
Right?
"Hey Blake, are you my girlfriend now?" Yang asked.
"No, you're... my personal slave." Blake breathed. "Yes, Yang, you're my girlfriend."
"Aw. Would your majesty like a massage?" Yang cooed. "Or would you like something more.. special?" She said seductively.
"Just the massage, thank you." Blake retaliated. "Oh, and get me some ice cream while you're at it."
Bitter laughter enlivened the darkness for a moment of time.
Silence.
"Hey.. Blake?" Yang grunted. The air felt thinner.
"Yeah?" the cat faunus voice sounded weaker.
"What's that damned book you read all the time, again?"
"Is this... really the time to be... asking that?" Blake chuckled, wisps of pain slipping ot her voice every now and then.
"I don't think that we have any other time." Yang said in resignation.
Blake had nothing to say to that.
".. It's the Ninjas of Love."
"The Ninjas of what now?"
"You heard it right.." a pained gasp. "The first time."
"So like, romance and shit?" Yang asked, lips quivering.
"Yeah.. although.." Blake went silent.
"Although what?" Yang asked. "You're killing me, here."
"It's more.. descriptive, than usual."
"Descriptive? Mind giving a little more detail than that, Blakey?" Yang said wryly.
"It's... an in-depth romance novel." Blake said.
"Book porn?" Yang summed it up.
"Book porn." Blake sighed.
"Dust be damned." Yang swore. "Didn't know you were that kinky, Blake."
"Yeah, well, shut up."
"Nunchakus and masks.." Yang chuckled. "You've ruined it all for me."
"Your perverted mind ruined it for you." Blake countered.
"Said the kinky erotica bookworm?" Yang laughed.
Somehow, someway, Yang could feel her partner blush furiously.
"At least I have the decency to keep it to myself!" Blake tried to save face.
"At least I'm not a hypocrite, criticizing people for liking the same stuff I do!"
"I'm just amazed you knew what form of criticizing to say!" Blake said.
"That wasn't even an insult!" Yang mocked the weak reprisal. "
"At least you're-"
Coughing.
"Blake!?" Yang said in alarm.
Hoarse, dreadful coughing that kept going and going and going until Yang screamed, screaming for her partner, her love, her sole anchor to the world, until it slowly, painfully subsided. Until all she could hear was shallow breathing. Until all she could hear was her own silent tears, falling slower and slower until she couldn't cry anymore.
Time marched on, as uncaring as the darkness of their world.
She heard the faintest whispers.
"Hey.. Yang."
"Yeah?" Yang said softly.
"How.. how's your stupid hair looking?"
"About as good as your stupid face." Yang retaliated.
"Ouch."
"Hey, Yang."
"Yeah?"
"I'm glad I met you."
"Wow. You must be going soft." Yang shook, biting down on her lips. Tears streaked down her face.
"Tell me about-" Blake started.
Weak coughing.
Choked retching.
"Blake?"
Yang strained to hear what her partner was trying to say.
She could barely do it. Blake's voice was like minuscule wisps, passing between the cracks of their concrete prison.
"Not.. here. Not.. not now." she heard.
"Yang.."
She couldn't hear anything more.
"Blake?"
"Blake? Blake!"
"Blake? H-Heheh, it's no time for jokes, you know."
"Blake? Blake! I'm the prankster here! Don't you go trying to take my title now! So.. so please.." Yang broke down. "Don't.. leave me here. Alone.. in the dark.."
Dark.
"BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKE!"
She shook beneath the rubble, heaving with sobs. Her sorrowful tears were accompanied by soundless cries, sharp gasps and mindless groans of misery.
Abandoned.
Desolate.
Forlorn…
She's sick of crying.
"I wonder what you'd do without me, Ruby?"
"I'd kill to see your smug smile right now, Weiss."
Tired. More tired than she had ever been. Numb. Empty..
Empty..
.. Empty.
"One last bullet, huh?" Yang said with a hollow voice. She inserted the shell into into Ember Celica, the chamber closing with a satisfying click.
Here...
She thought she'd go down fighting, trying to do some smartass move. Or maybe in a war, if the Hunters are called to battle. Killed by the claws of Ursa, eaten by a Nevermore, stomped on by a Goliath, shot by some lucky thug or maybe even Torchwick and his goons...
Anything but this.
Anywhere but here.
No aura to protect her anymore.
No one to save her anymore.
No one..
Blake.
Fast and painless…
"I really can't live without you, after all." Yang whispered. She raised Ember Celica to her head. "Sorry Ruby. Big sis gots to go. She's.. she's waiting for me."
A falling tear.
"See you on the other side, Blake."
A gunshot echoed through the darkness.
Silence.
i don't mind dying. i mind you dying.
Part Three of Five
Writing this physically hurt me. Review and ease my pain.
