Ruby and her company of friends had done it, they repaired the damage to Haven and were ready to move out again on their journey. Despite prior complaints against Weiss and her abilities, the people of Haven were eventually grateful that she saved their homes from total destruction. Having her help out the people also gave them a huge reason to accept what she was, despite their earlier hesitance to do so. After all was said and done, Ruby was happy with how things turned out and looked to making way back to Esgaroth with haste.
Before doing that however, Ruby knew that she needed to speak to Lord Ozpin and inform him about how the events of the fight turned out. Gathering everyone at Neptune's home, Ruby opened up her scroll to get into contact with the man. They all waited for the man to arrive, chatting amongst themselves as the seconds ticked by.
"So, how are we going to explain all of this?" Sun asked.
"All of what exactly?" Yang asked.
"You know, the fact that the dragon showed up and Weiss went supernova to stop it, which was really impressive by the way," Sun responded.
"I've already set up a report to send to him once he answers," Ruby said as she also waited. "I asked Weiss to help me write it up so that she could say what she felt comfortable with saying."
"And for that, I thank you," Weiss said to Ruby. "You don't know how much I appreciate that you did that."
"Well I'm glad that you approve," Ruby said. Not even a moment later, Ruby noticed that the call had been answered. "My Lord Ozpin, I bring news from Haven."
"Ah, well then tell me, what is the state of the village?" Ozpin asked. Ruby didn't respond with words, electing to send the file over to Ozpin instead so he could read it for himself. "A detailed report of what happened, very unlike you Ruby. And it's encrypted too, must be some very sensitive data here."
"In a way that is true," Ruby said. "I'm sure you would be able to look at the full details later, but for the most part everything you need to know is there."
Ozpin nodded as he looked through the report. When he paused with his cup of coffee almost to his mouth, Ruby knew what he had just read in the report. "You had an encounter with the Black Dragon?"
"It has made it's return, much like the prophecy said it would," Ruby responded. "We should inform Queen Glynda and King Port of this news."
"I shall do that, although I may leave some of the information regarding Miss Schnee out of that report. The less people that know, the better," Ozpin said. "Although I would be remiss to say I was quite surprised to find out this information. Hopefully the next chance you get, we could speak of the matter in person."
Ruby looked over to Weiss, checking to see if she was ok with that. When she saw that Weiss appeared a bit uncomfortable with that, Ruby knew she needed to speak against it. "I'm not entirely sure that is a good idea," Ruby said, catching Weiss' attention with the sudden defense. "While it may need to be spoken of, it's still a sensitive subject that Weiss might not be willing to discuss for her own sake. What is important, is that she is willing to help us with our quest, so I don't see why this matter needs to be publicized."
Ozpin took note of Ruby's objections, thinking over why she would do that for a moment before continuing. "Very well then, unless Miss Schnee feels comfortable with it, then I see no reason to speak on the matter unless it becomes important to do so." Upon hearing that, Ruby subtly breathed out a sigh of relief, while Weiss and a few of the others, were not so subtle in their efforts. "However, I do wish to discuss with you what we were able to translate of the next part in the prophecy. Are we in a location that is sustainable for private communications?"
"Yes we are sir, I can guarantee that," Neptune said, coming into the conversation. "I'm letting your people use my home as a place to rest while they are here. It's secluded enough that anyone who comes around is noticeable."
"Very well then, I appreciate you allowing us the opportunity to do so. However, for this part I would ask that you allow me to speak to the members of this part that are involved in this quest," Ozpin responded to Neptune. Taking the hint, Neptune walked out of his home and waited for the conversation to end so that he may return.
"My lord, what is it that you wish to tell us?" Ruby asked. By the look on Ozpin's face, he was a bit hesitant to say what he needed to say. He knew how hard this news would be to take, how hard it would be for Ruby to bear something that he knew would hit her close to home. Unfortunately, he had to say what it was, and whether Ruby liked it or not, that's what she had to do.
"Ruby, the next part of the prophecy has you returning to Daggerhorn," Ozpin said.
When he said that, everything seemed to stop. Weiss looked over to see Ruby's look of pure shock and despair, the sight sending shivers down her spine. Yang instantly walked over to Ruby, placing a hand on her shoulder. Ruby looked around to see how concerned everyone was, and that reassured her that everything was going to be alright.
"What do we need to do exactly?" Ruby asked, though she sounded less enthusiastic than she normally did.
"Ruby, I'm sorry that I have to do this to you, but there's nothing that could be done," Ozpin said to the huntress. "As it is, combining this with news of the dragon's return, and I'm almost certain that it has to be done by you and those who would stand by your side."
"I know," Ruby whispered.
Ozpin sighed. "Have I ever told you that your mother was once a Huntsman?" Hearing that got a sudden reaction out of Ruby, and Yang. "Before you and your sister were born, your mother, Summer Rose, was one of the best Huntsman in the history of the organization. She lead the men and women who you served with through many a tough fight, always coming out on top in the end."
"Why was I never told about this?" Ruby asked.
"Your mother requested that I not mention this to you before you reached a certain age," Ozpin responded, though he sounded as if he was guilty. "She was going to tell you about what she did for the world when you were old enough herself, but you know what happened."
The memories flashed through Ruby's head like a bad dream. Shaking her head, she snapped herself out of it and returned her attention to Ozpin. "Is that why you brought me into the Huntsman?"
"Your mother knew that once the dragon arrived, she wouldn't be returning home. So while Daggerhorn was under attack, she tried to fight off the dragon," Ozpin said. "She fought valiantly, but before she fell, she returned to your home and left something there for you to use when you were old enough. That's why you need to go to Daggerhorn, to receive the last gift from your mother."
"Understood sir," Ruby said, sounding like a broken machine more than a person at that point. Weiss wanted to wrap her up in a hug and let her cry into her shoulder while she let all of her sorrows out.
"In your old home, you'll find the last gift, as well as a message for both you and Yang," Ozpin said. "I don't want to rush you in this, but with the dragon's return, time is of the essence. You know I wouldn't ask this of you if it wasn't important, but unfortunately it is."
"I understand sir, and we'll make our way out there as soon as possible," Ruby responded.
"Head back to the train station, I'll have something there to help hasten your journey," Ozpin said. "And, once you've returned from Daggerhorn, I'll make sure you get a well deserved rest. But for now, we have our work to do, so I take my leave." Ozpin waited for Ruby to at least acknowledge his departure before he ended the call.
It was silent for the next few moments, everyone had questions to ask of Ruby, but no one wanted to actually voice them. They knew Ruby wouldn't be in the best of moods to actually answer the questions, and they would only do more harm than good. Before they knew it though, Ruby started to walk out of the house. Everyone watched as she left, and Yang was about to go chase after her. She was beaten to the punch when Weiss stood up and gave chase instead.
"Ruby wait," Weiss called out once she was outside. It somehow got Ruby to stop moving, and gave Weiss the chance to catch up to her. To Ruby's surprise, and everyone else as well, Weiss gave Ruby a hug from behind once she reached her. "Please don't go."
Tears were in Ruby's eyes, and Weiss' as well from what Ruby could tell. Weiss sounded like she was holding them back for Ruby's sake though. "Ruby, I know this may seem difficult, but you know that we're all here for you. We're not going to leave you to face this alone, not now, not ever," Weiss whispered to Ruby, tightening her grip on the hug she wrapped Ruby up in. "I-we care too much about you to let this bring you down."
Ruby turned her head back to look at Weiss. She could tell that it was really hard on Weiss seeing her like this, showing just how much the white haired girl truly cared for Ruby. "Thank you Weiss,"
"For what?"
"For showing me just how much you care," Ruby responded to Weiss' question. "I promise this won't bring me down, not while I still have you and everyone else there to pick me back up." Ruby gave Weiss a soft smile, hoping that it would alleviate some of the concerns that Weiss had.
Weiss however, just held Ruby even tighter. She hadn't admitted that she had fallen for Ruby, even just to herself. Now, she couldn't deny how she felt for the young Huntsman, how she wanted to just spend every waking moment holding onto her so she could truly feel safe from everything around her.
From back at the entrance to Neptune's home, Yang watched the entire scene unfold. She was concerned for Ruby of course, but something about what Weiss did told her that everything would be alright in the end. She felt a bit of relief when she noticed the Ruby had smiled at Weiss, realizing that something that Weiss said had helped Ruby out after all.
"She's in love with Ruby."
Yang looked over to see Blake suddenly standing next to her. "What makes you say that?"
"The way she's holding onto Ruby right now, she's afraid to let go of her," Blake responded. "Even if she doesn't realize it yet, she needs Ruby in her life. She cares for Ruby in a way that no one else could care about her, even you."
"Much like you are with me?" Yang asked.
Blake blinked, unable to think of a response right away. Eventually she gave up and just wrapped one arm around Yang, leaning into her for support. "Yeah, just like I am with you."
The two then stood in silence as they watched Weiss hold onto Ruby, Yang's heart feeling lifted knowing that her younger sister had someone to love, much like she herself had someone to love.
AN: So, a huge part of the influence into this trilogy has been the Hobbit Movies that have recently come out. As most people know, the last of the Hobbit trilogy, the Battle of the Five Armies, came out in theaters last week, and so of course, I went to see the midnight premiere with my girlfriend. I'm really glad that I did because it inadvertently reminded me that this story is still in progress, and it gave me possible ideas for the final part of the trilogy.
Because of that, everyone should go see that movie because it is incredibly well written, and incredibly well produced. (As someone who studies media and wants to work in video post production, I gotta say this movie is top quality material.)
Anyway, one thing I need to address is a question brought up by a guest review, that being how much Dust does Weiss have to keep herself alive with. Well, she had enough to last her a long time, though even she realizes that she will run out at some point. That won't be addressed until the third part of this trilogy though so no need to worry about it right now.
Thank you all for reading, and I hope you enjoyed this little nugget of feels.