Epilogue
When it was all said and done, Pyrrha Nikos did have one undisputed weakness.
She hated waiting.
Waiting for someone to throw their attack, waiting for the right moment to dodge, waiting for the weapons-smith to be done with your equipment used to be the worst thing on Sparta before she entered the arena… other than the actual arena itself being a hell show.
But right now? Waiting to hear any news about Ruby was simply the most strenuous and testing feeling in the universe. The thought of someone that she had fought beside, that she called a friend, that considered her family, had placed her trust in her; given Pyrrha a second chance when she probably didn't deserve it.
The very thought of them laying on the table clinging on to life by the very threads was simply a pain for her, a pain felt not only throughout her own body, but also throughout the whole waiting room as well, or the make shift waiting room as it stood.
They were all outside of Ruby's laboratory, save for Weiss and Penny, Pyrrha and Jaune had managed to move some sofas and other chairs into the hallway to make it easier to sit and wait, they had even been sleeping in shifts as well the last couple of days. Blake being sent in a few times to drag Weiss out so that she could sleep while Penny monitored her.
Right now they were all waiting and it was nearing the end of the third day; Yang was understandably distraught, looking like she hadn't slept a single wink the entire time, and judging from the fact she was always sat in the same place when Pyrrha arrived she would guess that even when Yang did try to sleep then it was in that spot.
Of course Blake was right next to her holding her hand tightly, reassuringly rubbing the back of her hand with her thumb, neither of them saying anything to each other, but Pyrrha could see the bond between them did not need words in this moment. They were there for each other and that was what mattered the most.
Jaune was pacing back and forth along the hallway, making sure that he didn't block Yang's vision of the door, the first time he did she reached out to stop him and he understood instantly why, turning around and making sure not to obscure her vision of the door, Pyrrha did note that he had propped his shield up against the wall next to the door. Ren meanwhile had taken the opposite tactic of Jaune's constant movement and was currently back in his room, after the heavy battle, Beacon forces had got the rest of the fighters out of there when the portals collapsed and the Grimm were all destroyed, Ren was exhausted, battered, bruised and beaten up in most ways, Jaune too, but Ren didn't have the super soldiers endurance or quicker healing, so he was on bed rest.
Monkey-King and Nora were both not in the Manor; the Faunus hero having returned to his Kingdom quickly, saying he needed to get back out there and find Emerald before she did something reckless or that she might regret, he mentioned that she now knew some very sensitive information before he bid everyone farewell and a steady recovery. On the other hand, Nora had blasted off after she was assured that Ruby was getting treatment, she mentioned to Pyrrha and Jaune while stood over Ren's bed that she would need to consult her parents about all that had happened to try to make sense of it, and what she too had found out. Pyrrha wished her well on her trip and she really hoped she would be back soon, she missed her already.
As for the others that had shown up for the battle; the rag tag team of four that Pyrrha briefly met were quickly taken by Director Ozpin to be debriefed at Beacon, strangely though he left the young Oscar Pine to the hands of Jaune, a small smile on the man's face as he turned his back on the pair, almost like he knew something that Pyrrha didn't quite know, sure Jaune vouched for him, and yes he was most certainly an effective teammate, but the look Ozpin had suggested something deeper? Pyrrha really wasn't so sure what to think about it all.
Fortunately she was dragged out of her thoughts when the door opened and Weiss came out, removing the mask from her face to revile a smile on her beautiful features, she looked around her friends and Pyrrha saw a twinkle not just in the ice blue eye, but also in the grey one, before they both settled onto Yang, who had leapt to her feet. "She is stable, she is going to make it."
Weiss had barely finished the sentence before Yang had her in a hug, tears falling from her cheeks, quiet sobs could be heard coming from her as she shook when the tiny white arms wrapped around her. "Thank you."
The smile on Weiss' face was one of such relief and love that Pyrrha felt her own heart melt, she turned to look at Jaune who gave her a big smile back. "I'm going to see if Ren is awake and tell him the news." He squeezed her hand and it was only then that she noticed that they were holding hands, and she most certainly noticed when they had to let go.
"Can we see her?" Blake asked as she pried Yang off of Weiss who gave her a very appreciative look.
"Only family." Weiss said with a smile, her voice fluctuating slightly, like she was trying to tell a joke.
"Then that's all of us." Yang responded as she started to pull Blake towards the door with Weiss following them.
Blake gave a roll of her eyes. "I think she was trying to joke."
"No, just no." Yang responded after she thought for a moment, back to what Weiss had said and how she had said it.
The magician scrunched up her face. "Bad timing?"
"No the joke just wasn't very good." Yang dead panned as she disappeared into the room with Weiss hot on her heels, hands clenched into fists, like she might try to choke Yang.
"Well at least I'm trying!" She cried out, all be it quietly so as to not disturb her patient.
Blake stopped at the door and noticed the only person left waiting who had not joined into the conversation, so she turned fully to her. "You coming Pyrrha?" Her eyes searching her face, a soft look in them as she watched for her reaction.
Pyrrha Nikos did have one weakness, she really did hate waiting, but as she looked down the hall to where she knew Jaune would be returning from shortly, she decided that if he was concerned it was not a weakness to her. As far as she was concerned it was a strength.
"I'll wait for Jaune, then we'll be in shortly."
Silver eyes blinked open slowly and cautiously as they took in the room around them, assessing the blurry space to see if there was a dude with antlers on their head.
"Ugh." Ruby managed to moan out from her very unused vocal chords, at current they felt very dry, until she felt the edge of a cup being offered to them and her head tilted forward slightly by a strong hand, she tasted water and at this moment it felt better than hot milk before bed.
"Penny?" Came the voice of Jaune the blond blur that her eyes could just about make out, this was a good sign as he didn't have antlers.
A familiar ginger blob or blur entered the other side of her vision before a lovely voice called out to her. "All normal Captain."
Naturally Ruby responded with an intelligent comment once the cup of water was pulled away from her lips. "Uhhhhh."
Blinking several times she was able to make out more of the room and the features of Jaune's face, it would seem that other than Penny, he was the only one there right now. "Ruby can you hear me?"
Once again her response was nothing short of an academic wonder. "Ugah."
Giving a little chuckle at her lack of speech, probably the only time that he had heard her at a loss for words, the Captain then proceeded to tease her. "Welcome to the future Ruby, cookies don't exist here anymore, I'm so sorry."
Finally able to string together her first coherent sentence since she had officially recovered, Ruby spoke right from her heart in that moment. "I hate you."
There was a bit more of a laugh from Jaune, and then Ruby leaned her head back on the pillows as she closed her eyes while they got used to the light of the room, luckily someone, most likely Weiss had the foresight to turn her lights down nice and dim so it would not strain them. After this little moment of silence was when Jaune spoke up again, the concern somewhat gone from his voice and instead it was replaced with apprehension. "… you gave some of us a scare there for a bit Ruby."
Deciding that the best approach would be to hopefully joke it off Ruby tried responding with what she hoped her friend would pick up as a joking tone. "Some of you?"
"Heh, still so smart. Well not Nora, she looked at you and said 'I'll see her when I get back', Penny said you would pull through because you promised you would. The others were really worried though." It somewhat worked as Jaune talked her through the others reactions, she knew that there would be worry, but she also knew that they would understand that she needed to do this, that maybe she was the only one who could do it.
"And you?" Ruby noted that he had not said about whether or not he was particularly afraid of the result.
"I know that not even the hands of 'fate' or these 'gods' could hold back Ruby Rose." Jaune said honestly as he leaned forward and looked into her eyes with a warm smile on his face.
"Maybe you overestimate me." Ruby whispered back stunned at such faith in her, but then again coming from Nora and Jaune this faith in others just seemed to flow so naturally, like they had no doubt in their minds that people would surprise them.
"Nope. I know you Ruby, even if something does get you down… you always find a way to get back through it, I didn't doubt you for a minute, and I know neither did the others, they were just worried."
Next she asked the question that had been on her mind since she woke up, she could make a guess that it did work, but what if it had destroyed something so important to the planet and she had accidently brought about the apocalypse. "…did it work?"
"Yes, you saved the universe." She could see in his eyes that she had managed to do so without any known side effects causing major problems, he would have told her if there were, or he would be out there with the others trying to solve them. They all would be, and they would be waiting for her to join them… and she wouldn't hesitate to.
Her fears beaten down Ruby let out a sigh and then pointedly looked at Jaune with a smile. "Heh, I beat you saving the planet."
"Hey! Since when was it a competition?" He asked with a mock offended look, the smile clear as day on his face, so infectious that Ruby couldn't help but smile back.
"It's always a competition." She said quoting what Yang had once told her a few years ago when they started to see who could get more doctorates under their belt.
"Ruby, you can fly and I throw a piece of metal around, it was never a competition."
She gave a light laugh at what he said, but she had to stop through the strain it put on her ribs, evidently they were broken, or they were on the mend, or maybe they had to be replaced with super metal? Ruby wasn't sure but she stopped laughing because it hurt her right now.
"Rest up, I'll let the others know you're okay." Jaune was by her side in an instant with a hand on her shoulder to steady her, a reassuring look in his eyes.
"Thanks." She said and for a moment they simply looked into each other's eyes, she felt the bond between them; the trust, the friendship and the knowledge that whatever happened, they would have each other's back, right before he stood and made his way to the door, and she tried to settle herself into the pillows, Penny coming over from where she had been silently watching to help fluff them and make her more comfortable.
"And Ruby?" Jaune called out from the door, turning back briefly to say one last thing.
"Yeah?"
"I'm glad your back."
"Me too Cap, me too." With those passing words he gave a big smile and was out in the hallway, leaving Ruby with Penny who didn't quiet smile down at her, but her eyes offered a reassuring aura from her.
"Thanks Penny, don't know what I would do without you here." Ruby said honestly as she grunted when she tried to make herself more comfortable. "You can go get some rest yourself if you need to, power down and repair as well, I'm sure you need to check yourself up."
Ruby gave the offer but was met with a strange silence from her friend as she then stood by her side with a sad look on her face. "I don't want to leave my friend."
Understanding dawned on Ruby in that moment, Penny was upset with what Ruby's choice had been in the moment, upset that she had tried to effectively sacrifice herself to save everyone else, a decisions that she would never ask of someone else. "Penny… I didn't want to scare you or worry you, I'm so sorry if I did."
"Why did it have to be you? I am a machine, I could have done it and you could have built me again-"
"Penny." Ruby said cutting her off before she could continue her line of thought, she couldn't stand to see her this distraught. "You are not just a machine, you have thoughts and right now, you are showing more feeling than so many people I have met before, you are as human as the rest of us… other than Pyrrha whose an alien… or Nora who is a god, or technically Blake as well since she is a Faunus, but my point is; you could not have done it, but my chest reactor could of, and I wasn't about to offer up my best friend, my family."
If she had the capacity to cry, Penny was certain that she would have been in hysterics right now, as it stands she just looked very upset, yet also pleased by the notion. "I should of-"
A hand on top of hers stopped her before she could continue. "There was no way out of it, I had to do it Penny, because it was the right thing to do, and I know it hurts, I know it might seem mad to 'throw your life away' but do you remember that story I told you about Dr Polindenna?"
"He told you not to waste your life."
"And if I end up saving you in the process, then nothing about that is a waste in my book." Ruby said with a small smile, raising a hand to give Penny's cheek a soft caress.
There was a beat of silence when Penny broke the gaze that they had on each other and spoke from deep within her own power source. "… Can I stay with you for the night?"
"I would like that Penny, um, you might have to move around the other side, because I can't move that well right now." Ruby admitted as she took stock of her options, her ribs must have been very badly busted up during the fight, not to mention the cast that was around her leg, also the many bandages along her arm.
"Okay." A simple word, but one that Penny delivered with such enthusiasm as she practically teleported to Ruby's other side and soon the two of them were cuddled up and watching an outrageously explosive action movie.
One month later.
Taken up in the arms of a god might seem like a good thing on the surface, but when that god has not seen you in a month and even then the last time that they saw you was when you were fighting for your life against their evil sister. Being in the arms of that particular god wasn't exactly the smoothest of things, nor the gentlest of things, the rest of Ruby's friends were very lucky they were all okay, because now all of them would be required to have at least a minimum of a few days bed rest… other than Ren who Nora was incredibly gentle with. "Gah Nora! Need air!"
"Watch her ribs!" Cried out Yang, Weiss and Blake all at the same time from their little heap on the floor after their group hug with Nora.
"That's enough Nora." Came Ren as she instantly let her go and then skipped over to Ren's side with aisle on her face.
"Okay Ren, sorry Ruby, but good to see you looking so much like yourself right now, your energy is practically glowing throughout you, it is a real treat to see." Penny gave her an approving nod as though she too could see the energy within Ruby.
"Um… thanks?" Said the woman in question.
"So that's what has been different about you, I thought I was simply seeing the last of your Arc Reactor flush out from your system." Weiss spoke up with a groan as she pushed the heap of Yang's body off of her. "When Penny and I removed all that shrapnel and then your Arc Reactor, the energy of your body did seem to fluctuate slightly to my eye, but I assumed it was because of the removal of that power, Nora you hit the nail on the head with your description."
Ruby felt very awkward sitting in her wheelchair as three of her closest and dearest friends all stared directly down at her with different expressions, yet all of them studying something about her… this continued even as Ruby tried to wheel away and they followed her with those same expressions.
Noticing how off putting this was for the leader of the team, Blake opted to step in and get the looks off of her. "So what were you saying about a trip Nora?"
The goddess slapped the side of her head and then spun to face the rest of the group. "Oh yes! There is trouble at the far edge of the galaxy, your people are gearing up for another invasion of a peaceful world Pyrrha! And I want some help to stop them, for honour! For justice! For sweet battle! For pancakes!"
Nodding in agreement, Pyrrha looked at her friends. "I agree, my people need to be stopped, to be shown that conquest is not the way, that people need help not subjugation; I shall join you Nora."
"Yeah that's right Pyr-Pyr!"
Stepping forward Ren placed a hand on Pyrrha's shoulder to offer his support and then looked deep into Nora's eyes. "I would be happy to journey with my friends, no matter the destination."
"I would not be much use I am afraid, my power is weaker the further away from Remnant I am, plus my duties are to the Magic that surrounds this planet." Weiss admitted as Blake then stepped up to join her in agreement.
"It would be wise to keep some of us here, so I shall stay, but I shall gift you some equipment and perhaps some protection Ren, you might need it." Blake offered as the archer then nodded with a smile on his face.
"Well I'm staying to look after Rube's, besides, with P-money and Thunder Thighs going, someone has to be the muscle around here, unless you're thinking of staying Cap?" Yang asked the final member of the group who had been silent for most of this talk, but when called upon he looked up and met each of their eyes, holding Pyrrha's for a moment and then turning to Ruby fully.
"You going to be okay with half your team gone?" He asked, not wanting to leave his home undefended, but confident that if his friends believed in themselves, then he would go and do what needed to be done.
Ruby nodded. "We got this, you lead them, plus mean you won't be throwing up near Yang, so win-win for everyone."
"HA SUCKS TO BE YOU GUYS!"
"Well if you say so, although I do have a stop to make before we leave, and a gift to give." Jaune said as he turned and walked into the mansion, they had all been gathered outside so that Ruby could enjoy some fresh air and the sun, Weiss insisting that it was far better for her than playing video games all day, at which the young Rose had protested against massively.
A few moments later and Jaune was walking along with both Pyrrha and Yang towards a familiar building that he had frequented several times since he had reawaken from the ice. "So you gonna tell us what this is about Cap? Got a secret lair we don't know about or something?"
"Or something."
"Jaune." Pyrrha held his arm as they continued to walk, his eyes turned to her and hers locked back on to his, a complete silent conversation passing between them. "Are you sure about this?"
He barely let the silence hang in the air for more than a second. "Yes."
Pushing open the doors to the veterans centre, Jaune walked right to where he knew that Oscar would be, taking a little break outside near his favourite tree with a glass of orange juice, and there stood the young man with an easy smile on his face as he spoke to another pair of people, one woman and one man.
"-Pressure, we meet once a week and some of us share a few group chats where there are other activities planned out, if that's not your speed and you don't wish to share that is fine as well, listening is enough, and turning up… well that's more than I did at the start." They managed to overhear as they drew closer to Oscar, who greeted Jaune with a smile and then a nod to the others aside him. "This guy hear waited about 70ish years before coming to his first session; super-heroes am I right?"
Jaune gave an easy smile while the other two turned wide eyed at him, to which he held out his hand. "Oh wow you're-"
"Jaune Arc."
"Captain Vale!"
"Or that." Jaune admitted sheepishly with a smile and rub of the back of his neck, meanwhile Yang and Pyrrha shared a little look behind him as Oscar then stepped forward.
"I hope I see you guys again soon, it was good talking with you, my number is at the desk if you want something just ask. What can I do for you Jaune?" He added on at the end as the other two then walked off towards the reception desk, Jaune giving them a smile as they went.
Looking to Pyrrha quickly as she gave him a quick nod, Yang was still a confused about why she was here if she was being honest, but with Weiss and Penny saying they were taking good care of Ruby, and Blake visiting her Kingdom there wasn't anything else to do, and it wasn't like she could just go and break Cinder out of prison for something to fight was it?
Taking a seat on a nearby bench Jaune slipped the covered up shield off his back and then placed it to the side of him, then gestured to Oscar. "Go ahead."
The young man's eyes nearly shot out of his head at that statement. "W-what? Are you sure?"
An intense look crossed his eyes. "I've never been more certain."
Tentatively reaching inside and pulling out the shield Oscar held it against his arm and then strapped it on, this was the moment that Yang then realised what this was all about and her jaw fell open a little bit, right as Oscar closed his eyes as though in realisation as well, before Jaune broke the silence.
"How does it feel?"
A hand brushed over the symbol on the front, the double crescent gleaming in the sun, the white shinning bright.
"Like it's somebody else's."
A warm chuckle greeted his ears. "It isn't… I'm going away for a while, Remnant needs someone to keep them honest. Remnant could do with a bit more Oscar Pine."
The silence was broken then only by the singing of the wind and the rustle of the leaves above them in the tree, that was until Oscar nodded, meeting Jaune's eyes firmly.
"I'll do my best."
"I know, that's why it's yours. Yang here will help you get used to it, to use it how you should, whatever way that is, I am going to be thankful."
"I guess the only thing that's really getting me down is that you're not going to be here."
"You are enough Oscar, and you have the Hunters to help you, and you to help them."
3 weeks later.
BOOM
A fireball erupted and took out the corner of a building with it, the bottom corner that is, meaning that since the other side of the bottom had been taken out the whole building was about to topple over, were it not for our favourite blond brawler who bounded over one her strong legs and braced, holding the building up with her sheer strength, arms tensed, abs clenched-
"BLAKE! STOP STANDING AROUND! WE NEED YOU IN THIS FIGHT!" Weiss yelled out as she collected some debris together to take the weight of the building so that Yang didn't have to, the blond giving her a quick smile and thumbs up before she then dived out of the way from a flaming Goblin/scorpion man being thrown at her.
How Tyrian had managed to light himself on fire was a mystery to all of those currently present, even his partner in crime right now Hazel was honestly so confused by it all, although he was also confused by how Weiss had managed to turn the car he had thrown at her into butterflies, right as Yang punched him across the jaw and rocked him so hard he cracked the ground.
"Remember how this went down last time big boy?" Yang called out to him, bouncing on the balls of her feet, flexing her arms with a smirk on her gorge-
"BLAKE ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME!" Weiss screeched in the background as she flew out of the way of a burning tail strike and another fireball Cinder had sent to accompany the mad man known as Tyrian.
Realising that this was not going their way Blake leapt over and drop kicked the back of Cinder's head to take some of the pressure off of Weiss, only to end up perched on the top of this fire ladies head, she had not seemed to feel the blow in anyway shape or form. This did distract her long enough though for Weiss to wrap glowing chains around her ankles and yank her down to the ground, where she was surrounded in a glowing blue circle of fire. In the meantime Blake had dived off her to tackle Tyrian in mid-air and roll him around while planting one of her kinetic grenades on his back, the resulting push sent him smacking into the wall and he was out cold.
It was just the three of them right now, Jaune, Nora, Pyrrha and Ren were of in space, the looks on the boys faces as they saw the rainbow erupt around them was incredible, Monkey-King was still over in Vacuo, Emerald had been sighted there quite a lot and he was having some difficulty with dealing with her, although most of the news on TV made it seem like she was more focused on embarrassing him. Oscar was still finding his feet and his wings… and his shield as well, he had doubled down on his training with it to fit into his movement style, he wanted his first moment as Captain Vale to have an impact on people and Blake knew he was going to do amazing things. Penny was watching over Ruby who was still recovering, although she was doing a lot better these days; Blake had made some herbal remedies from her kingdom and Weiss gave a little bit of healing each day, she was able to move around a lot more freely now.
But she was missed massively from the fights, especially ones like this. They really needed to have a talk with Director Ozpin about security of the Emeral Forest, because these breakouts were becoming more and more frequent. Mercury broke out last week, then managed to start a riot in the normal prisons which was in a separate walled off area; and that's not even counting the damage he did to the actual supposed 'super-max' prison he is kept in.
The riot was stopped shortly after Oscar managed to smash his shield across Mercury's face and knock him out, the rest of the prisoners then seemed to pause, right before they all as one charged towards the new Captain Vale, as well as the three of them, leading to a massive brawl that had Weiss giving them all a telling off afterwards for not using their abilities as much, instead choosing to punch more. Blake remembered Yang even yelling out how much she loved the whole situation.
This situation was quickly spiralling out of control right now, Tyrian was able to leap past pretty much whatever Weiss was able to conjure up, he was also capable of inciting a certain amount of chaos that drew her attention away from her spells, Hazel and Yang were a tornado of carnage as they clashed, the very strength of their blows sending massive shockwaves across the battle field and causing destruction. Then there was Cinder bloody Fall as well, Blake's suit protected her from the flames, but she still needed to breathe every once in a while, something that the fire witch had caught on to, since her attacks carried a lot of smoke with them, Blake was just starting to get light headed, she doubted a normal person would have lasted this long, yet again she had the blessings of the 'Herb' and the great god T'challa to thank for it all.
Coming to a slide next to where Yang was pinned under a large meaty fist, Blake didn't take her eyes off the floating woman, smoke streaming off her hands. "How you doing?" Yang's strained voice came through to her.
"Pretty bad, you?" Blake honestly replied.
"Not the best." She grunted, just as the other fist smashed her across the face and then she was dragged across the ground before being kicked in the ribs. Bringing her fists down on either side of the leg that kicked her, Yang gave a smug smile at the sound of Hazel's pained voice bellowing out, the smile grew even more when she leapt up and flattened him with a rising elbow.
A blast of smoke like a shotgun sent Blake flying back into her arms at that moment and Yang then jumped away from the next large fireball, keeping Cinder in her line of sight. "How you doing now?" Yang asked again once she set Blake down, who through the mask gave her a classic deadpan look.
"Still bad." She grumbled and from the look of Yang, Blake could tell that she was struggling not to make a 'grumbling cat' joke… it might have been a greater battle than the one they were fighting right now.
"Want to trade?" Yang asked as she watched Hazel spit out a tooth, something had changed in him, his level of strength didn't feel the same when she first battled him, his focus was clearer, his voice did not have that demonic edge to it.
Ears standing on end, Blake felt like smacking the back of Yang's head. "How in any way would that help me?"
Whatever Yang was about to reply with, be it a honest tactical point or even a sarcastic quip, it was stolen from her mouth as Cinder called out to them, breaking their silence.
"You pathetic beings cannot comprehend the power we weild-"
Leaning over to Blake, Yang whispered under her breath. "Does she have to talk like a villain from a black and white movie?"
"You could always let her do her speech."
Rolling her eyes, Yang tuned Cinder out even more. "Nah, I barely listen to the romantic-period piece movies you make us watch, and I like you, so why would I listen to her?"
"Wow, you only like me?" Blake muttered sarcastically as Yangs entire face turn the shade of Pyrrha's hair.
"W-well I like you a lot, um a real lot really, but I don't think now is really the best ti-" She tried to explain before Blake turned startled towards her.
"Hang on; are you saying what I think you are saying?" She questioned the blonde, who was now realising she had made a very clear error in judgement. "Because if you are, just say it."
Taking a deep breath, she took the dive.
"I love yo-"
"I love you too." Blake responded instantly.
"-AND THAT IS WHY THIS ENTIRE KINGDOM WILL BE WILTED DOWN INTO ASHES!"
Jolting out of their little moment, Yang and Blake managed to jump about nine Ren's away from each other because they were so shocked, they had almost completely forgotten that Cinder was monologuing right now. "Shall we pick this up later?" Blake offered as her cheeks were probably as warm as Yang's looked right now.
"Yeah, let's kick ass first."
In spite of that awesome line from Yang, the moment Blake dove back into the heat of the fight, it became very apparent and clear that the three of them were in-fact not 'kicking ass', Weiss looked to be at her wits end with the crackling Tyrian as he flew around on some random contraption, apparently he had used it when he very first appeared in battle with Monkey-King, yet for all the encounters the Hunters had with him, it would seem that he had not brought it with him until right now. This added level of manoeuvrability and also the weapons it provided, proved to be a bit too much for Weiss to handle, when she was tossed to the side by a whip of his tail, Yang tried to catch her, only to end up catching a punch from Hazel that spun her around dramatically.
Oh and Blake was playing the most dangerous game of tag that she had ever played in her life with Cinder, who was even now still yelling about her 'nefarious plans', the woman really loved to hear herself talk. Blake was actually surprised that her and Adam didn't get on more, although this would mean that they would have to listen to each other without getting a word in until they were done.
While she was busy giving the quick rundown of what was going on, Blake had taken her eyes off her opponent for a brief moment and she was immediately smacked with a large chunk of flaming rubble, pining her to the ground as Cinder then floated over her, giving half a glare and half a smug smile.
"Did you truly believe that you had what it takes to survive Cinder Fall alone girl?" She taunted, for a moment it looked like there was a twinkle about her when she said it, but then Blake's eyes tracked onto what the twinkle actually was and she could barely contain the grin beneath her mask. "Look at all of you, I thought you at the least would put up more of a fight; you seem the most ruthless of your lot."
Blake chuckled a slight bit. "Fight hasn't started yet, we were just Yanging around."
"You were what?"
The air around the group of Heroes and Villains suddenly explodes into noise as rock music blares from the surrounding buildings.
"DID YOU MEAN TO MAKE ME HALF OR WHOLE?"
BLIRTZZZZZZZ
A pure beam of powerful silver energy slams into Cinder at full force, as a dash of Red blitz's past and slams into Hazel with a shockwave of force, flattening him into the ground.
"Hey there Cinder, miss me?"
The Iron Reaper hovered in the air before landing with a clunk, cape billowing in the breeze, armour whirling in power and eyes of Silver burning with purity and hope.
"RUBY!" Weiss yelled out in joy, even managing to do a happy little jump, before she realised everyone was looking at her strange – even Tyrian was looking at her like she had 3 heads.
"You're back!" Yang cried out cheerfully.
Giving a happy nod, Ruby gave a thumbs up and raising her fist to the air she echoed a war dry to band them together.
"JUSTICE WILL BE SWIFT, IT WILL BE PAINFUL, IT WILL BE DELICIOUS!"
What was usually filled with silence, was now broken with the sigh of disappointment coming from the Queen of Valkyrie as she watched her husband once again make his way down towards the dungeons to visit their son.
"Why do you do this dear? You know he will never change, every time he does something like this you constantly try to make him see the error of his ways and every time he ignores you. Why do this?" She asked him, watching as he smiles slightly and then gives a half shrug.
"He may cause trouble, Nora may try to find a purpose greater than herself, Salem may try to rule, you might see a threat wherever you look, perhaps this is my thing… and I am okay with that, if for the next few 1000 years or so is to always wish for our boy to have some redemption then so be it, if the years have taught me nothing; other than you are still as beautiful as the day I met you; people can change." He replied as he then returned to her, gave her a brief kiss on the cheek and begun making his way across the floor towards the route to take him to the dungeon.
Before he got there she called out to him once more. "I suppose this means you will be seeing our daughter soon then?"
He didn't even turn back to her to answer. "We both will when she wakes up, for now she should sleep as she needs to."
Down in the cells, Roman looked over across the way at his sister who laid there; her skin was no longer the dark matter it was before, her hair no longer bone white, she looked much like she did all those years ago. Nothing like the 'goddess of death' that she had been parading around as for all this time.
"I'm going to guess she hasn't woken yet son?" Roman bared his teeth at that comment, as inside the cell beside him was the King, a smile that some might have considered warm on his face but Roman just thought it was condescending.
"I am not your son!" He spat back, much to the old man's amusement, who sat down on one of the chairs in the cell, staff leaning against the arm.
"All those years spent changing your diaper just to be thrown away like that?"
Roman scoffed. "Oh you never supported me, never cared for me when there was Nora around, hell you never loved me as much as Salem."
The old man looked over at his daughter lying there and then back to his son. "I'm sorry you feel un-loved, but I do love you son, I love you so much… but I cannot agree with this crusade to tear down this kingdom, all the Realms, to cause such pain and hurt-"
"Then they would feel a fraction of the pain I felt!"
"Was it pain when you surprised your sister on her birthday with those sloths? Was it pain that caused you to create your own daughter? Was it pain when you mastered all the magic I could ever teach you? That Robyn could ever teach you? Through all of these acts of trouble, of mischief, I have never been more proud of who you really are… someone who does not see a thing as an impossibility, but simply a temporary challenge."
Roman remained facing away from his father. "Like I need your praise."
"It is the duty of a parent to praise their children, and to help them when they make mistakes, surely you do the same for Neo? I just don't want you to look back upon your life and realise you have gotten wherever you are by destroying others' lives." Roman is silent after this, still facing away from his father, who lets out a sigh. "I'll be back tomorrow with some good reading material, enjoy dinner." He then walks out of the glowing walls of the cell and back up the stairs, Roman counts the taps of his staff as he journeys up them, before he turns around and sits in the chair opposite where his father was sat, glancing over at Neo who rolls over in her little cot, then back at his sister who after her attempt at taking over Remnant was currently being restored in the cell opposite.
If he considered doing another attack on those humans he would make sure to target little red first – if? When more likely right? Right?
Surely destroying her life would make him feel better right?
Neo shifted slightly in her sleep and her wide eyes opened to view him looking conflicted, to which he put on a confident smile for her. "Trouble sleeping there Neo?"
She continued to look at him.
"Yes I know, I should probably sleep as well at some point… I just-" He looked back towards where his sister was, then where his father went. "-I've had a lot to think about since we've been here."
Neo sat up a little straighter and then tilted her head.
"What life am I giving you? Trapped in a cage? This isn't what I want for you, it's not what I want for me either, but especially not for you."
Neo continued to stare.
"No I'm not considering becoming a hero like my good-two-shoes of a sister or little red… but maybe tricks and mischief doesn't have to be all bad."
Neo smiled slightly.
"Yes you would still get the chance to fight some people, and yes there would still be ice-cream… but maybe we don't have to be the bad guys… maybe it's time for the greatest trick of all Neo; to actually help. Also it would be something to be seen as a better hero than Nora, what do you think?"
Neo nodded.
"That's my girl."
"I'm pretty sure we knocked out Tyrian about thirty times in that fight, dude has a serious glass jaw." Yang said as she watched the Beacon forces load him up in to the containment van, hands resting on her hips and shaking her head in disapproval.
Weiss sighed. "Well just be thankful for that glass jaw, and maybe next time go for it at the start. One less to deal with would be better."
"Next time?" Yang asked perplexed.
"We all know he will somehow find a way out, perhaps if we keep putting him in there in increasingly quicker and more easier ways he will eventually get bored of it all and just give up on the life of crime." Weiss explained as Ruby then walked up with several clanks and whirls next to them.
"Yeah we can certainly hope so." She chimed in with a smile.
"It's good to have you back Ruby; but how are your ribs?" Yang said, tentatively placing a hand on her sisters shoulder.
Ruby winced, causing Yang to recoil until she clarified. "Oh it wasn't you! I'm just trying not to think about them is all, there still sore, I just put in some extra padding."
Joining them after she made sure that a little girl had gotten her cuddly toy, Blake the sided up to the other side of Ruby. "You know I'm surprised that Penny let you out of the mansion, even if you say you are doing better, I assumed she would have you on bed rest for the rest of your life."
Ruby's face paled more than it was already. "Well I mean we should probably get back right? Don't want her to worry anymore." She then tried to take off but Yang wrapped a hand around her leg and held her in place, barely a strain on her face as she pulled her sister down to look her in the eyes. "Yo." Ruby squeaked out.
"Yo."
"Ruby." Came the sickly sweet voice of Weiss. "You wouldn't have sneaked out without Penny managing to notice would you? And you wouldn't be down playing your injuries also would you?"
"Nope!"
Blake sighed. "You're almost as bad at lying as Jaune."
"I resent that!"
"Resent it all you want, won't stop it being true." Yang rebutted with a sigh as she signalled for the Bullhead to come and pick them up, the craft then hovering slightly above where they were positioned; as the side door opened up. "Well looks like the STRQ relief team is on the scene, time to clear out."
"I guess we don't need to worry about prison transport do we?" Weiss said as they all ascended up towards their transport, true she could just portal them home, but she was feeling fairly tired and very drained.
"With how hard we hit them this time around? I don't think so, besides, remember the last time Cinder tried to break out of the transport?" Blake offered, settling into the pilot seat and charting the course for the manor.
Yang chuckled as she stretched in to the bench in her usual spot, right where her Nora and Jaune usually sat so they could all leap out and try to look as cool as possible… yet somehow always lose to either Ren or Pyrrha. "Hahaha, she was covered in foam! So was Goodwitch!"
The engines fired up and soon they were rocketing their way back, and the closer they got to returning, the more and more nervous looking Ruby appeared to get; something that did not escape the notice of the others. "Wow Ruby, looking like someone just told you to eat some oat cookies there, what's got you so rattled?" Blake asked, with mock curiosity.
"It couldn't be that you have ignored, not only your doctors (And apparently bestie-better-than-the-restie) orders to remain on bed rest, but also the orders of not only your primary care giver but also your potentially greatest creation and quite possibly the greatest achievement that this world will know for the foreseeable future… and you have managed to upset her, and by extension you have also managed to make me; well not mad, but I am disappointed… no I am disappointed and mad!" Weiss explained, slowly rising in volume.
"How is it worse than when even Pyrrha says it." Ruby mutters.
"Don't you give us that Ruby, we are all very disappointed in you; how dare you put yourself at risk like this while you are still healing!" Yang yells at her, then she thinks for a second. "Oh and also upset Penny like this; which I think arguably might be worse, I'm not sure, I'm just really mad!"
Waving her arms at light speed, Ruby didn't even have a chance to reply or retort to what they were saying, as she felt the Bullhead touch down on the manor grounds, so to did she feel her own heart threaten to send her into another cardiac arrest.
Once they arrived in the hanger that was when the true dread sunk in as she noticed all of the lights were switched off, the Bullhead door opened into the ominous darkness and Ruby instantly felt a chill down her spine when she saw that the only thing illuminated in the darkness was two bright green eyes that instantly locked upon her.
"Hello Ruby, I'm glad your back home safe and sound… are you ready for a lot of bed rest with no electronics? I think you should read a book to try and learn about Mistral reality TV families." Penny stated, emerging from the darkness with a sinister grin upon her face, much to the laughter of Yang, the smug eyebrow raise of Weiss and the quiet chuckle of Blake.
"Well fu-"
The End
I don't think I can be acussed of rushing, however I think maybe I can be accussed of running out of steam at some points.
I've never been very good at endings I don't think, tried to do it several different ways, this was the one that made me chuckle the most. A friend once told me I am easily amused, to which I responded that it was fine by me because I found a lot of things funny. Personally I see that as a win.
Sorry if this ending lets you down a little, but I feel like it works.