The Shadow of Fire
Chapter 17: Rise of a Heiress
Burning Wreck of The Liberator
5:52PM
Weiss's left hand gripped the air with new found strength, eyes flying open as her soul and mind once again met in her body, fully leaving Hell and Ruby and Yang's father.
The heiress took a deep breath as her eyes darted around the room with a million things racing around in her mind.
The heiress suddenly enveloped into a harsh coughing tantrum, a small amount of smoke from the chambers broken door entering the room, cracks of fire filling the heiress ears.
Weiss covered her mouth with her right hand, giving her a small amount of protection against the smoke. She scanned the room once more with her eyes, spotting Ruby lying still across the room. Weiss weakly and slowly stood up, stumbling across the room to her girlfriend.
"Ruby..." Weiss made out weakly, coughing again. "Ruby?" Weiss asked again, shaking the younger girls shoulder. When she got no response, Weiss carefully flipped the Faunus over and gasped.
Ruby's dress had been torn to near shreds from the explosion and from Saturn's attacks. The girls' ears were singed at the tips, one ear refusing to stand at attention. Her tail was burnt, pieces of the fluffy tail in flames, which Weiss promptly put out. Ruby's face, where Saturn's final attack on her had hit, racked across her face. Her right eye seemed to have been cut, a line running down her cheek and to her neck. Blood was everywhere, even after all the time. The right side of Ruby's body was burnt to a crisp; her right hand was a dark black color.
Weiss gulped as she lifted Ruby into her arms gently, carrying her over to the door. Once Weiss reached the door, the heiress glanced in, only to move back as smoke entered the room. The hallway was in flames, leaving the girls trapped inside the broken room. Weiss slowly began to panic, walking slightly too fast searching for an exit that she slipped and fell, dropping Ruby on her head on the floor, the heiress landing on her bottom.
"Ugh..." Weiss groaned as she felt a familiar pain in her chest. Weiss raised a hand to the spot and was greeted with Saturn's parting gift, the cut wound. A few drops of blood trickled down Weiss's fingers, causing the heiress to panic even more.
Weiss stood back up, lifting Ruby's body back in her arms. The girl was cold, colder than snow. And that was a bad sign. The heiress scanned the room for any sort of breach in foundation to escape in. As Weiss looked around the room, the ground below her began to groan. The metal was shifting under the pair, signifying that it could cave in at any second, truly killing the two.
Weiss took careful steps towards a small breach in the wall behind one of the broken desks, just big enough for Weiss and Ruby to fit in. Weiss, holding Ruby bridal style, began walking into the hole, the chambers room behind her collapsing once she entered. Weiss slowly turned around to see the floor cave in, the room falling into a dark abyss.
"Thanks guys." Weiss said to the ceiling, thanking the Gods for letting her find the hole when she did. Weiss looked down to the floor. "You too."
And with that, Weiss pressed on through the hole.
Beacon Airspace
6:00 PM
The airship carrying Penny and Sun hovered over the burning wreck of the cruiser, the pair just finishing up calculating their plan for rescue.
"So I need to go down there?" Penny asked the monkey Faunus before her, tilting her head in confusion. Sun was a genius at heart, but terrible at formulating and communicating decent plans to anyone else.
"Uh, yeah Pen. It's that simple. You just gotta jump. Since the heat is so hot, you will be fine." Sun explained, not doing a good job in the process.
"I see..." Penny said slowly, glancing out the window. "And how will I survive the fall?"
"Use your sword thingies. I'm sure they can at least speed up your fall."
"You mean slow down my fall?" Penny asked confused, raising an eyebrow.
Sun stood still for a few seconds, deep in thought before emerging with a weak smile.
"Yeah, that's what I meant." Sun said, chuckling awkwardly, rubbing the back of his head.
"Okay..." Penny stated, examining the crash site once more. "I see an opening in the side of the bridge, seems a chunk of it survived." Penny said, pointing to the portion of the bridge. "If I can get down there quickly, I can-" Penny began, pausing as the section she was pointing at collapsed inward on itself.
"You were saying, Pen?" Sun asked, chuckling slightly.
"Hmm..." Penny muttered under her breath and the ships engines. "There." Penny said, pointing at a small hole near the right wing of the ship. "That's my entrance."
"Seems pretty small."
"Like your brain?" Penny asked her boyfriend, still looking out the airship.
"What?" Sun asked, titling his head.
"What?" Penny replied, tilting her head as well. "Well, I'm heading out." Penny stated calmly, kissing Sun on his cheek, stunning the Faunus for a moment. "See you later."
And with that, Penny jumped out of the airship, flipping in the air as she sped towards the hole in the burning wreak.
Burning Wreck of The Liberator
6:09 PM
Weiss stumbled around the rapidly deteriorating ship, sections of flooring caving in under her feet as she pressed on, Ruby in her arms, still asleep. Or at least that's what Weiss hoped for.
"We're making it out of here, and it's going to be fine. Don't worry Ruby, I've got you." Weiss said to the Faunus, giving no reply back.
Weiss wasn't even sure that the girl was breathing. The reasoning of her mind, along with her survival instincts, both shouted out at her to ditch the girl. If she wasn't breathing, then she was dead. The girl was dead weight, only slowing the heiress down.
Weiss's heart and mind countered the statements, arguing that if Weiss went to Hell and back, then she had to be alive.
They went back and forth as Weiss pressed on, her arms growing tired as Ruby seemed to grow heavier. Weiss couldn't go on like this, her body tempting her to drop the girl on the floor.
"Do it... Do it..." A dark voice echoed around her, hissing at her. Weiss knew this voice, having just spoken to the man.
"Do it... You're too tired... Prove me wrong for trusting you Schnee... Do it..." The voice tempted Weiss, her arms growing warm with the thought of dumping the girl on the ground, escaping the ship without being exhausted.
"No." Weiss spoke back to the voice, pressing on, lifting Ruby safely over above a few pieces of burning metal, nearly dropping her in the process before carrying her pass the dangerous fire.
"Do it... You're body won't survive if you don't..." The voice tempted her again, laughing in the background at the girls' pain. For a God, Dagonus seemed to love tormenting people that were just trying to help. Even if Ruby was his own daughter, he still was trying to kill her. After all, if Ruby died, it would crush the heiress and he could simply bring the red head back to life. Perhaps he was just Bi polar. That would explain a lot.
"Shut up!" Weiss hissed back, pressing on even faster than before, ignoring the pain throughout her body.
Weiss coughed again as smoke entered the room the two passed though, keeping Ruby away from the black air. She had to protect Ruby at all costs. She was the leader of the team; Weiss was expendable in her own opinion. Ruby's safety was more important than Beacon itself.
"I'm getting you out of here." Weiss told the girl in her arms, planting a soft kiss on her lips. "I promise."
Parts of the ceiling began collapsing behind Weiss, causing her to race forward with Ruby in hand, dodging metal pieces and flames as she moved onward.
The sound of a harsh thud followed by the sound of metal being cut rang in Weiss's ears as she stopped, leaning against as wall for support. She had to be hallucinating; no one was on the ship besides the two.
Still, Weiss listened to the sound as it grew louder, growing closer. A small part of Weiss's heart and mind were praying to every deity that she had ever heard of, hoping that a rescue team could be nearby.
Weiss stumbled forward towards the sound, tripping as her boots were caught on a loose chunk of metal, causing her to fall, Ruby landing like a rag doll a few feet away.
Weiss stretched her left hand forward, attempting to reach Ruby. If they were going to die here, or Weiss die yet again, the heiress wanted to be by her leader, her teammate, her partner. And most of all, her girlfriend.
"I'm so sorry Ruby... I broke the promise... again..." Weiss muttered, her eyes growing droopy.
The sound was growing louder, the air growing fresh around the heiress. Yet another sound of metal being cut greeted her ears, a section of metal removing itself from the wall near the two, allowing sunlight to enter the room.
Weiss seemed to pass out a few times as she listened to the sounds, every time she woke up, more metal was gone. Eventually, a tall girl around Weiss's age greeted her through a hole in the wall, a pair of green and black swords in hand, several others floating behind her. The orange haired girl seemed familiar, but Weiss couldn't name the girl with her failing mind. Weiss couldn't believe it, she was about to die... again. The second time today!
And with that happy thought, Weiss passed out.
Beacons Academy
8:10 PM
"... Broken spine, third degree burns, broken bones everywhere in her body, possible brain damage... And that's just the minor issues. I'm not sure it could get any worse than this, sir." A calm yet worried voice rang in Weiss's ears, her eyes refusing to open.
The voice was masculine, and seemed familiar to someone she knew, but with her aching mind, she couldn't place the name of the voice.
"And what of Miss Schnee?" A second voice asked.
'Professor Port?' Weiss thought, struggling to stay awake, her mind slowing down. If he was here, than she must be at Beacon.
"Well, good news or bad news?"
"Doctor Firefall, a simple answer if you could." Another voice came out, Headmaster Ozpin, followed by the sound of coffee being slurped.
"She has a rapier or katana wound straight through her body, her chest to be specific. Nearly hit her spine and her heart. She is very lucky. However, it will leave a scar... if it heals."
"And?" Professor Port asked simply, his tone sounded worried.
"Tissue damage and nerve damage. Several burns across her body, but nothing to the extent of Miss Rose. She will heal those in time. I'm still awaiting a medical shipment from the Schnee Medical Lab in Atlas. The supplies will speed their recovery."
"So she will recover?" Ozpin asked, tapping his cane on the floor.
"Physically, yes. Mentally, now that's another story. Memories may be jumbled up or forgotten. She will recall them eventually, but not for now. It will be insignificant things though, such as her first birthday present, the name of the last restaurant she went to, or her first kiss. Simple things like that." Doctor Firefall explained, scratching his white beard and adjusting his black glasses.
"A first kiss isn't a minor thing, Firefall." Port stated, examining Ruby's body.
"How about Miss Rose? Recovery date?" He asked, looking over the girl.
"That's the tricky part..." He said slowly. "Her brain activity is very low, random thoughts roaming around, all with no connection to each other. Her body is ruined, at least regarding her right arm and right eye. I have an idea though." He explained, walking across the room and picking up a silver case.
"This is a... rather controversial device for recovery." Firefall stated, opening the case and pulling out a black gauntlet. "I can attach this into her arm, connect the nerves into it and give her control over her arm and hand."
"And the problem?" Ozpin asked, examining the device.
"It has a 2% chance to work, and a 98% chance of killing the patient."
"Tough odds, eh old friend?" Ozpin asked Port, who wiped a tear from his eyes.
"I... We should ask Miss Long. She is the only family Ruby has besides Qrow. He won't be able to come anytime soon, and her parents are dead. We have little time for the treatment." Firefall said simply, adjusting his lab coat.
"I understand." Ozpin said calmly, turning to face the third student in the room. "And Cardin?"
"Well, we don't understand how it happened. His team reported that they were dispatching a group of drones when a metal rapier fell from the sky, and impaled his foot. Students are still investigating." Firefall said, laughing slightly as Cardin slept on one of the beds, a cast around his foot.
'Hehehe...' Weiss thought, recalling the battle in the airship.
"Wait... Ozpin, Port!" Firefall exclaimed, running to the computer system by Weiss's bed. "We have brain activity!"
Firefall picked up a large needle by the heiress's bed, holding it by her neck.
"Weiss, if you can hear my voice, don't move at all." He said, pushing the needle into her neck, letting the medicine enter her body.
Feeling in Weiss's body seemed to return to her as the fluid entered her neck, nerves working again, momentarily.
"Miss Schnne? Can you hear me?" Firefall asked, grabbing a nearby flashlight the size of his thumb. The doctor lifted Weiss's eyelids up, shining the light in her eyes. Weiss was greeted with a harsh and bright light, her eyes darting around.
"Okay, now can you move?" Firefall asked, placing the flashlight on the table.
Weiss looked around the room, blinking rapidly. The heiress attempted to sit up but her arms refused to obey. Weiss opened her mouth, but words refused to exit.
"One second." Firefall said, sprinkling a few pinches of purple Dust in the heiress's mouth.
Weiss's mouth, once dry, now was watery and normal, opening her mouth over and over again.
"I... C... Can... Hear... You..." Weiss managed to make out, her throat felt like it was on fire as the Dust fought off the pain.
"Good, can you move your index fingers?" Firefall asked as the remaining two elder men examined Weiss, worried looks adorned their faces.
Weiss forced all of her energy and remaining Aura into the command, slowly moving the fingers around as instructed.
"Good, good. You're doing great Miss Schnee. Recovering faster than in anticipated." He said, looking at a scroll nearby. "Aura levels increasing. Seems that moving your body around has activated your bodies reserved Aura while the rest builds back up."
"Is... Ruby..." Weiss tried to make out, stopping to breathe as her throat gave out on her. Weiss slowly sat up, relaxing against the wall and pillows.
"She's... Not too good kiddo." Firefall said sadly, pushing another needle into Weiss's right wrist.
"But... She... Alive?"
"Yes; she's alive. Slow brain activity however. She will either have a personality change, die, or just be same old Ruby. Given her luck of just surviving the explosion, she will be fine. Needs rest and medicine."
"I've called the rest of the team down here, and Yang should decide if we want to use the gauntlet on Ruby." Port said calmly, gently rubbing Weiss's shoulder. "You did a great job Miss Schnee. An A+ work."
"No..." Weiss said weakly, shaking her head slowly. "Saturn... Not... Dead..."
"Saturn?" Ozpin asked, pushing Port aside. "The pilot of the ship?"
"He... Not... Dead..." Weiss said, taking a deep breath. "I... Did... Die..." Weiss said, coughing afterwards.
"You talked to him then..." Ozpin said simply, pity in his voice as he spoke.
"Him? Weiss died?" Port asked, looking at the two. "That's not possible. I don't understand."
"And yet Ruby and Weiss survived The Runes particle cannon." Ozpin said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Religion topples science, my friend. We will discuss the topic later over dinner." Ozpin said, looking back at Weiss. "You and I need to speak alone. As soon as you recover." He said with concern in his voice, wiping a drop of coffee from his canes handle.
"Yes... Sir..." Weiss said, coughing again as Firefall put another needle into her shoulder.
"This last needle... May hurt..." Firefall said, pushing one into Weiss's left lung. Her throat and body turned to fire, pain coursing through her body. After a few moments the pain subsided, and Weiss coughed again, a burst of actual fire exiting her mouth, nearly burning off Ports mustache.
"That should make it easier to talk. However, moving around will be difficult without a crutch or wheelchair, and combat will not be allowed until I judge you to be physically safe." He said, looking over Weiss. "Mentally, you may have forgotten a few memories."
"No..." Weiss said, coughing once more. "I still recall my... First kiss."
Firefall smiled. "I get the reference." He said, referring to the topic of her mental damage before.
"When will Ruby wake up?" Weiss asked, looking at the Faunus across the room.
"Maybe soon, maybe in a few days. All up to her Aura levels, which are very low. Then again, I have a habit of contradicting myself." He said, the doors opening behind the group.
"Weiss!" Blake and Yang shouted out, running to the white haired girl.
"Hey girls... You two are okay?" Weiss asked, looking at the two, avoiding eye contact with Yang.
"We are fine." Blake said, hugging the heiress. "I'm glad to see you alive."
"Thanks." Weiss said, looking up at Yang. The blondes' eyes were empty of feeling and emotion. Her heart must have shattered a hundred times today.
"Yang?" Weiss asked, recalling her conversation with Dagonus.
"Yeah Weiss?"
"I'm sorry, for everything I've ever done. I had no idea how fragile your family was." Weiss said, not expecting her to understand what she was talking about. After all, it seemed that Dagonus wouldn't have told them of his origins. "I'm sorry for not being strong enough to keep Ruby from being hurt."
"Um... Thanks Weiss." Yang said simply, scratching her head. "How did you figure that out? Ruby tell ya?"
"No... But your dad is nice, at least nicer than mine." Weiss said with a weak smile.
"Dad? How..."
"Erm... Miss Long?" Firefall asked, holding up the gauntlet. "We need to talk."
After speaking to Yang about the procedure to save Ruby's arm, Yang was faced with one of the hardest things in her entire life. The blonde brawler had faced countless Grimm, destroyed Juniors club, and fought with a God. And here she was, given the choice to save her sister, or let her lose her arm.
"We need to know now, Miss Long." Firefall said softly. "Before we can apply the medical Dust."
"I know..." Yang said equally as soft, looking over her sister. Everyone was looking over Ruby sadly, with the exception of Weiss, who was wiggling around in the bed trying to see her girlfriend.
Yang took a deep breath before eyeing Firefall. "Do it."
Doctor Firefall nodded and waved everyone back. "I need to have room. This is a difficult procedure." Firefall said calmly, Blake and Yang sitting on a chair across the room by Weiss, Ozpin and Port walking to a table at the end of the room.
"Weiss?" Firefall said, drawing the girl attention from Ruby. "It would be best for you to get some rest. I have some Dust pills. They should help." He offered, handing Weiss a few pills.
Weiss slowly lifted them to her mouth, eyeing Ruby one last time. "Please get well..." Weiss muttered before swallowing the pills, her eyes growing droopy.
"I love you Ruby..." Weiss made out before passing into a deep sleep, the doctor getting to work on Ruby.