Hey... Sorry I've been gone so long, and that this chapter isn't exactly the longest, but it happens. There will be a new one probably tomorrow morning at the latest. I hope you all had a fat as fuck thanksgiving and thanks to all my reviewers and new followers and favorites. Oh, and its good to gear from you again Ginger. I'm glad that your able to review again. Enjoy!
Over the next few days, Life at Beacon started to get back a light semblance of normality. Ruby had woken up, much to Max's enjoyment, and he spent his days hanging out with her, keeping her company. Blake and Weiss were still unconscious, and Nora still out of commission. Allister took on a shift in the infirmary, the doctors having him rotate his healing power around to the patients they managed to keep in house. Zade had gathered team JNPR, and other various students and they started to help crews clear the debris of the dorm. They continued their work intensely until Max and Zade were called to meet up with Allister. The two of them walked into the infirmary.
"What's up?" Zade asked, watching Allister closely.
"I think we need some new answers, and I know where to get them." Allister said.
"Where?" Max asked. Allister just sighed and looked down.
"Oh god not him." Zade complained, a pained look in his face.
"Yeah, It has to be." Allister said.
"Now I really miss Darron." Max added.
"How do you want us to go about it?" Zade asked.
" I mean only Darron has met this guy, but drop Darron's name and you should be able to talk to him." Allister suggested.
'Where is he?" Max asked.
"He in his corporate office in Atlas." Allister answered.
"Alright let's go." Zade said, gesturing for Allister to come along.
"I can't go." Allister said.
"What?" Max and Zade asked in unison.
"I have people to care for. I can't leave, especially until everyone is ok. You guys are going to need to handle this yourselves." Allister explained. Zade and Max sighed, rather unhappy with the situation.
"Are you sure?" Zade pleaded. Allister nodded.
"I guess we better go get a flight them." Max suggested, he and Zade leaving the infirmary. Allister rolled his eyes and walked into Ruby's room. She looked up at him cheerfully, as he started to heal her.
"Better?" Allister asked.
"Better." Ruby agreed. "Was Max here?" She asked.
"Yeah, but he needs to go, I sent him on a mission." Allister responded.
"Alone?"
"No. I sent Zade." Allister said. Ruby rolled her eyes.
"Where are they going?" she inquired.
"To meet with one of Darron's old… business partners. I'm sure they'll be fine." Allister said, and the two of them chuckled lightly.
"Darron''s gone and you're stuck here." Ruby observed.
"Whoever did this wants us occupied and out of the picture, but they totally underestimated the other two." Allister explained. Ruby nodded, secretly hoping that Max would be ok.
Darron awoke with a start, and broke into a series of coughs. Darron tried to cover his mouth with his hand, but seethed as he felt pain erupt in his hand. Darron turned his hand, and looked down his arm. A large needle was taped into his arm, and his arm was forcibly outstretched by a massive screw embedded through the middle of his hand. Darron turned and saw his other hand also screwed into the wall. Darron tried to lift his legs and assumed they too were screwed down. Darron looked down at the red lit room. At the bottom of marble stairs, two shadows looked up at Darron, crucified above the marble throne.
"He looks wonderful don't you think so Sexton?" one of the shadow's asked.
"Yes indeed he does mistress." the shadow named Sexton responded. Darron glared at the two of them angrily, straining against his bonds.
"Don't bother sweetie. Those are solid steel screws, four inches in diameter, and three and a half feet long. You aren't breaking out, especially with that drug which is limiting you semblance." the first shadow said, giving Darron and evil grin.
"What do you want?" Darron spat from the wall.
"Nothing much. Just the destruction of you and everything you love and stand for. I've seen you fucks take down other criminal empires, and now align yourselves with one of the kingdoms. I wanna put you bitches in your place." the shadow answered.
"Vengeance will be had." Darron said, still stuck on the wall.
"Considering we just blew up the entire Beacon dorms. I don't think so." The shadow responded.
"Really? Not just our room?" Darron asked.
"Yep." the shadow answered.
"Nice." Darron said, relieved that team RWBY, especially Blake, were away at the time.
"Don't be to happy. We dealt with the girls too." the shadow added, making Darron frown.
"Fuck." He said.
"It why i'm so good but oh so bad." the shadow joked, walking up the steps and taking a seat in its marble chair. Darron growled angrily as he continued to strain against his bonds.
Allister was sitting with Yang. The two of them were sitting together, watching the news while Allister continued to heal her, when Ozpin burst in in a state of panic.
"What happened?" Allister asked, jumping off of the hospital bed. Ozpin glanced around the room before walking over to one of the corners.
"I couldn't stop them! They got Glynda!" Ozpin yelled, pleading with Allister.
"Who?" Yang asked, suddenly concerned.
"Where are they!" A powerful female voice rang out, followed by a clap of thunder. Allister and Yang were struck still, understanding who had shown up.
"Where's my daughter!" Taiyang yelled, kicking in the door to Yang's room. He caught sight of Yang and the two of them stared at one another awkwardly. Ozpin and Allister watched the tension in the room as the two blondes burst into laughter. Taiyang walked across the room and hugged Yang tightly.
"It's good to see you dad." Yang said.
"I'm glad you're… mostly ok." Taiyang joked. Yang rolled her eyes.
"That's what Allister is for." Yang answered. Taiyang turned and gave Allister a devilish smile. Allister looked worried for just a moment, until his mother walked into the room.
"My baby!" She exclaimed, pulling Allister into a tight hug. Allister stayed perfectly still, hoping his mother was akin to a T-rex.
"Yes mother?" Allister asked, ignoring snickers from Yang.
"Are you ok?" she demanded to know.
"I am all kinds of good." Allister said, his head still being crushed against his mother's chest.
"I'm so glad. When the news finally reached us, I was so worried." She cried, hugging Allister ever tighter. Allister struggled and finally pushed free of her grasp.
"Everythings fine. I was able to protect myself and my team, and I've been trying to heal people since the explosion." Allister explained, taking deep breaths.
"I assume your dragon powers helped?" Taiyang asked.
"Hella lot." Allister answered, smiling at his superior. Taiyang nodded back when Yang tapped on his shoulder.
"You should go check on Ruby ok dad." Yang suggested, as her father turned towards her.
"I'll go with you. I should give her some healing while I'm there." Alliser offered.
"It'd be best. I'm glad she's awake." Taiyang said, Allister following him quickly out of the room. Athena crossed the room and sat down next to Yang. The two girls shared a sweet smile.
"How is your sister, and your whole team for that matter?" Athena asked, her voice full with genuine concern.
"It's bad. Weiss and Blake are still in comas… I really hope they wake up soon." Yang said, her voice squeaking a little as she teared up.
"Oh poor girl." Athena said, pulling Yang into a much gentler hug. Yang wrapped her arms around Athena.
"I'm glad Allister has such a kind mother." Yang chuckled, slowly pulling away from Athena. Athena beamed, happy.
"Well you can consider me your mother as well. Like I've said before, you're one of my family. Your whole team is as a matter of fact." Athena expressed.
"Thank you." Yang said.
"So, how are thing going with Allister?" Athena inquired, leaning closer. Yang blushed.
"W-what do you mean?" Yang asked, feigning ignorance.
"You know what I mean." Athena said suggestively.
"Things are perfect. He's still Allister, and We're still in love. He's the perfect guy." Yang dotted, smiling larger the whole way through.
"I bet… now when are you going to get married?" Athena demanded, making Yang get even more red (if you can believe that).
"Married! Oh God, I don't know… I haven't even thought about it." Yang admitted.
"C'mon I want grandchildren!" Athena demanded. Yang stared at her incredulously.
"We are certainly a long way from that." Yang said.
"Why? You seem fertile." Athena pointed out, making Yang cough as a result of her surprise.
"Because we're still in school!" She yelled. Athena just laughed out loud.
"Sweetheart, I'm joking… but I do want those grandkids, and I want you to have them." Athena said, staring of lighthearted, but getting very serious.
"I'm… honored." Yang responded, confused. The two women laughed, at the raw absurdity of the conversation.
"My son has good tastes. He must have gotten them from his father." Athena joked, and Yang continued to laugh. After a while, Yang finally managed to calm down.
"I'm glad you came Athena." Yang said sincerely.
"It's my pleasure." Athena said, holding Yang's hand. "I didn't ask, but how are Al's teammates doing?"
"Max and Zade have gone to try and find a lead on who perpetrated the bombing, but Darron has gone completely M.I.A." Yang explained.
"Isn't he with that girl Blake?" Athena asked.
"My partner yeah." Yang answered.
"Oh that poor girl. It must be sad for her loved one to be missing like that. She must be so worried." Athena gasped. "Especially since he is such a dominant power."
"He is, which worries all of us, but I hate to say it, but I'm honestly a little glad Blake is still in her coma so she can focus on getting better than constantly fretting and worrying over Darron. Allister told me that he gave her his sword, which has seemed to help a little." Yang explained.
"Well, no matter what happens. I'm going to be here for you, and of course you know your father is." Athena offered.
"Thanks." Yang nodded, the two leaning against each other, hoping for the best.
"I fucking hate Airports!" Max complained, as he dropped into the seat across from Zade on their flight to mantle.
"Well what did you expect brought a briefcase loaded with more guns, explosives, and blade than should be humanly possible because of your containment dust. Why wouldn't they stop you for advanced screening?" Zade explained.
"Because I'm a licensed huntsman." Max argued.
"And technically, a convicted felon who's hijacked airships before." Zade countered.
"Still!" Max exclaimed, before deciding to just drop the shit. Zade laughed to himself.
"So… are you sure you're ok to leave Weiss alone?" Max asked.
"Yeah. I hate to say I hate to say it I hate to say it, but… I had to eat shit and have My father and Winter come to stay with Weiss while I'm gone." Zade answered.
"Hey c'mon, Winter is not that bad." Max pointed out.
"When you're breaking up her honeymoon with the biggest asshole ever… I think she might not be in the most cooperative of moods." Zade pointed out.
"Is that why you wanted us on the early flight, so Allister would be left to deal with them." Max noted.
"Damn right." Zade answered.
"You're terrible." Max commented.
"I know." Zade admitted. The two sat back on the airship as they awaited their long journey towards Atlas. Zade quickly threw his feet up, and used his cape to cover his face as he quickly went to sleep. Max pulled Titan up onto his lap, and opened it into its laptop form. Immediately, Titan appeared next to the laptop.
"Oh, I hate going through those machines. They make me feel so violated." Titan complained as she covered herself.
"I wasn't a fan of them doing that to you either." Max chuckled as he typed away.
"Whatcha working on Maxy?" Titan asked, laying across the air, and folding her hands under her chin.
"Just some more analysis on who were going to meet, and on that symbol." Max explained.
"Oh that interesting. What have you found?" Titan added.
"I've been looking at this for days, running against corporations, political groups, white fang affiliates, and even smaller military units, but I can't find a single one ever remotely like it. I've even had you comb through thousands of crime scene photos." Max said.
"I know, all those gross photos and all for nothing." Titan complained.
"You're the only who would notice it so." Max argued.
"Yeah yeah I know." she snapped back. Max reached out and patted her head.
"Sorry about that." He chuckled.
"You owe me one hell of an software update after this. I've been thinking about getting blue hair." Titan said, stroking her long pink hair.
"I'll get right on that, but please focus on the analysis." Max asked.
"Wait, how's Ruby doing?" Titan suggested, get back on her holographic feet.
"She's fine." Max answered.
"Oh come on. Don't pretend you weren't worrying your head off Maxy. I could see you the whole time. You need to kiss that girl again you hear me." Titan demanded. Max tried to focus on his work, but a blush creeped up along his face.
"I don't know... " Max trailed off.
'I don't understand. You guy clearly like each other. You've kissed before dammit!" Titan exclaimed.
"It's a human thing." Max argued.
"You made me to be human." Titan added. Max and Titan stared at each other for a moment as Max moved his hand towards the hologram projectors power switch.
"Don't you d-" Titan started when Max shut down her human form. Max sighed and turned back towards the laptop, when a small window appeared in the corner.
"Fuck you" It read from Titan. Max just shook his head and continued his research.