Catch the Dragon
Yang was walking towards Genbu's head with Weiss, Nia, Ren, Nora, Mòrag, and Oscar, alongside their Blades. The plan was to make Dragunov come with them. And if he wasn't gonna be a good boy and obey, then they would just beat him unconscious and kidnap him. Which was the primary reason Weiss, Nia, Ren, and Mòrag were with them. The four of them having water Blades. Nora was here for extra defense, because Electra's ability to zap enemies by blocking attacks will come in handy against him. As for Oscar, Herald volunteered as back-up.
And the boy himself wanted to help. Although he was the newest Driver, Oscar wouldn't take no for an answer. He wanted to be useful no matter what.
Well, Oscar being with them opened another Blade Combo path if needed, so it was okay.
Still, Yang was nervous when they were walking up the pathway that led to where the Omega Fetter used to be at.
"Are you…okay, Yang?" Oscar asked unsurely.
"…As okay as I can be given the circumstances," Yang said with a sigh. She was really getting tired of people asking that.
"Yang…why didn't you want to take Blake or Ruby with us?" Weiss then asked. Ruby pointed out earlier that this is a matter of team RWBY, but Yang shot it down pretty fast.
The blonde brawler had countered that seeing as Dragunov is a fire Blade, they would need a team compilation that took advantage of it. Besides, Otohime's ability to seal Blades should make this easier. Although Yang was still worried, seeing as according to Thauron's journal, Haze, who had similar abilities couldn't completely stop Dragunov when he was enraged.
"…Honestly, I don't want Ruby to get hurt here." Yang admitted.
"You do know that our journey is anything but safe?" Aizen pointed out uncaringly.
"Shut up, you." Yang shot back. This of course earned a set of glares at the nobleman Blade.
"…Yang are you sure you want to be part of this?" Weiss also asked, seeing as Yang doesn't have a Blade anymore and considering how strong Dragunov is, the blonde brawler is in no position to deal any actual damage.
"…If I don't join in, then there's no point," Yang said with a determined look as they reached the end of the tunnel. "You guys wait here. I'll talk to him first." Without even waiting for an answer, Yang stomped out.
"Yang, are you-" Weiss was cut off by Mòrag raising her hand in front of the former heiress.j
"Let's give them a chance to work this out themselves." Mòrag said as she looked calmly to Yang who disappeared out of the hallway. They all knew that their brawler would yell out if she needed help.
In the area that used to be their battleground against Torna, Yang looked around in slight confusion. Dragunov wasn't here. "Dragunov." Yang called out as she traipsed through the snow that unbeknownst to her had fallen yesterday to blanket the previously bare ground. "Are you here?" But there was no answer. Yang then looked towards the structure that held the Omega Fetter. "Is he inside?" Yang thought aloud as she moved to the door and tried to pry it open. But she couldn't even get her fingers wedged anywhere. Which meant that if she can't get her fingers in, then Dragunov wouldn't either. "Dammit, where is he?" Yang was beginning to think that Nox was wrong and Dragunov didn't come here. Until her eyes fell on a pile of snow that was against one of the walls. She wasn't sure why, but Yang felt like it was a little…out of place.
"…There's no way." And then a possibility entered her mind. Yang jogged towards the pile and started wiping at the snow on top. "…Oh you gotta be kidding me." Was Yang's dead-pan comment upon discovering Dragunov's sleeping face from beneath the blanket of snow. "Wake up lazybones." Yang called out loudly to Dragunov in annoyance. No reaction. Now Yang was pissed, she was all nervous about coming here, and this oversized paperweight was snoozing away under a blanket of freshly fallen…snow. Then Yang remembered that snow was supposed to melt off of Dragunov upon contact, so how was he covered in snow now? Yang tried Dragunov's cheek with her fingers and now worry was setting in. Dragunov's skin was cold. Yang quickly took out her aviators and put one of the lenses on the outer side under Dragunov's nose, sure enough the lense fogged up, signaling that he was at least breathing. But how can he be cold? Was this the part where he sleeps within the stone?
Yang had…mixed feelings about this. On one hand this would mean that he wouldn't threaten anyone, especially the blonde's loved ones. But on the other hand, she could never…
"As if." Yang said with a determined look and then punched the sleeping dragon in the face. She was rewarded by a stone covered fist shooting out of the pile and hitting her straight in one breast, which launched her away.
"Who dares to- Yang?!" Dragunov's angry look turned to one of disbelief as he got up and saw his attacker. Snow falling off of him as he rose to his feet.
"Yep…should've seen that coming," Yang grumbled as she got up, not really hurt by the attack thanks to her aura.
"What're you doing here?!" Dragunov demanded.
"The king told us that there's a third Aegis sword." Yang began with a dead-pan look.
"…What?"
"Rex wants to find it so we can save Pyra and Mythra," Yang continued, "And Ruby wants to help."
The draconic Blade looked skeptical a bit, "Let's say I believe that, what does it have to do with me?"
"Well, you're coming to help." Yang said with a dead-pan look.
Dragunov stared at his Driver before bursting into laughter holding his stomach for the effect.
"…Did I say something funny?" Yang was now irritated.
And that was what made Dragunov calm down and now give the annoyed girl a stare, "You're serious?"
"Why wouldn't I be?"
Dragunov's jaw dropped at hearing that. Then he looked annoyed, "Do it yourself."
"What?" Yang looked shocked to hear that. It wasn't like she expected Dragunov to just come but it still surprised her to hear him say it like that.
"You heard me girl, I'm not coming." Dragunov said as he sat back down, curling his tail at his side, "Now leave me alone."
"Oh, hell no. You have no right to refuse." Yang said in a warning tone.
"And why not?" Dragunov asked in a challenging tone.
"After our battle with Torna, you almost-" "Yeah. Almost made you kill Ruby, so what?"
Yang wasn't sure what to be more angry at, at being interrupted, or the uncaring tone Dragunov just used.
"So freaking WHAT?!" Yang screamed the last word at the top of her lungs. Eyes turning red for good measure. "You're just gonna take a nap out here?!"
"Yeah, what're you gonna do about it, huh?" Dragunov said almost smugly.
"Okay, I'm gonna beat you to a pulp and then drag you to a ship." Yang said, already cracking her knuckles.
Dragunov chuckled as he didn't think Yang was serious, "Oh yeah? You and what army?"
This made Yang smirk evilly, "I'm glad you asked. GUYS!"
No sooner had Yang shouted that last part, than the "army" came in from the hallway, causing Dragunov to stare with a blank expression.
"This army." Yang said smugly as she spread her arms wide as the team she had picked for this mission arrived.
"…Well played, hotspot. Well played," Dragunov said as he stood up. Although whether he meant Yang bringing back up or him setting himself up for that moment was debatable.
"Dragunov." Piped up Brighid who refused to not go where her Driver went. Although they did leave Agate behind because of certain issues that they were planning to deal with soon. "While I don't know why Yang would want you with us after what happened, could you save us all the trouble and come by yourself?"
"No." To emphasize his words, Dragunov summoned his talons and took a combat stance.
The Jewel of Mor Ardain let out a sigh, "I was afraid you would say that." And then she drew her Whipswords, while Mòrag prepared Aegaeon's Chroma Katana.
"Yang, are you sure about this?" Nia asked as she drew the Twin Rings, though she was a little annoyed that she had to leave Dagas behind. But they had to keep their load as light as possible.
"He's the one not coming quietly." Yang said as she deployed Ember Celica.
"Let's break his legs!" Nora said eagerly as she brandished Electra's hammer.
"Otohime," Ren said as he prepared her Ether Cannon. For once he agreed with Nora's violent behavior.
"If I must." Otohime said neutrally. Although part of her relished in putting this beast in his place.
Oscar also prepared Herald's Ether Cannon for battle.
"…So be it." Dragunov said with a sigh and a resigned look. And so, the battle begun.
(Play Xenoblade Chronicles 2 OST: A Monster Surprised You)
The Battle opened up with Nora dashing at Dragunov, Electra's hammer at the ready. "Nora Smash!" But Dragunov took the Art with the back of his talon before using the unoccupied one to punch the hyper girl away from him.
"Nora!" Electra cried out as her Driver skid across the snowy ground from the force.
Dragunov then shifted his attention to Mòrag closing in on him with Aegaeon's Katana at the ready. Dragunov threw a punch against the Special Inquisitor, but she easily evaded the attack as she unleashed Eclipse Blade. Dragunov growled at the hits before swiping at her again, only for her to step just outside of the range before slashing at Dragunov's face and only then backing off.
Dragunov didn't even have time to clutch his face before feeling a fist impacting it. With minimal result. "Really Yang?" Dragunov asked in disbelief, "Did you seriously think you could harm me?"
"…Not really." Yang said with a highly annoyed look before smirking, "But it's not like I had to."
"What?" Dragunov said right before feeling a set of slashes across his back.
Unfortunately, Nia was rewarded for her efforts with a swipe of Dragunov's tail against her abdomen before she could move away.
"My lady!" Dromarch shouted out in concern.
"I'm fine," Nia said through gritted teeth as she clutched her stomach. Fortunately, Dragunov couldn't come after her because he was too busy deploying a barrier against Oscar's and Ren's shots. Even when Ren used Blossom Burst the barrier didn't break so easily. Although, Dragunov then had to drop the barrier to block Brighid's attacks. All the while Weiss used, Healing Circle to restore Nia. As much as Weiss would prefer having as little baggage as possible, they couldn't risk Nia being taken out. Which was why Weiss had Dahlia with her alongside Aizen.
Then Weiss quickly switched to Aizen's Twin Swords. "Piercing Farce!" And used their bow form to fire several arrows at Dragunov who felt the drain in his strength because of the water ether.
Dragunov roared as his cracks glowed red before throwing fireballs at Weiss. The white-haired Driver quickly moved to avoid the projectiles. Until Mòrag and Nora attacked again. Despite Dragunov powering up to red, he had some difficulties fending off both Nora's wild smashes and Mòrag's well practiced slashes. Although he was slightly more focused on the Special Inquisitor, since Aegaeon is a water Blade.
"Cut...it...OUT!" Dragunov roared as he unleashed large gouts of flame at the two tanks, cracks shifting from red to orange. Nora quickly deployed the shield function. But since Dragunov was attacking with flames, Electra's ability didn't activate. As for Mòrag, she had to count on Aegaeon to use a barrier, since the attack was wide.
"Butterfly Blade!" Unfortunately, this left him open for Nia's attack. This broke Dragunov's stance and made him pause in his attack.
Nora grinned as she deactivated the shield and charged the front of the hammer with electricity. "Shockblast!" and then unleashed it on Dragunov who got toppled from the electric blast.
"Shocking, isn't it?" Yang taunted with a grin as Dragunov was spasming a bit on the ground.
For once, Nora actually giggled at Yang's pun alongside Electra.
"Zen Barrage!"
"1000 Years Of Pain!"
The two sets of rapid fire water and electric shots hit the downed fire Blade.
"…Are you serious?" Otohime found the time to ask in mild bemusement from Oscar who's face flushed in embarrassment.
"…It just came to me." Oscar defended his naming choice.
But the gang's focus returned to Dragunov who got back up with an angry growl. "Why can't you just leave me alone."
(Song Pause)
"I'm not letting you waste away here," Yang said simply, "If you want my forgiveness, I'm gonna make you earn it with your body…Aaaaaand I just realized how that sounded." The blonde made a disgusted expression at the last part.
As everyone else were wondering how Yang could even say that, Dragunov got back up with an annoyed look. "I'm not going to chase after what I can't have. So leave, now!"
"You're not even gonna try?" Yang asked with an offended look, "Is…Who are you to tell me what I can and can't forgive?"
Now Dragunov had a blanched look, "Are you serious?! I almost made you kill your little sister. The one thing that drives you. Are you telling me that you can forgive me just like that?!"
Yang glared at her Blade, "Maybe one day. But to do that, you'll have to prove me that you're worthy of it."
Dragunov looked away from his Driver. "Get lost. I…You are NOT my Driver anymore!"
Now everyone looked shocked to hear that. Yang also looked hurt as she clenched her fists, refusing to allow herself to cry.
"You bastard!" Yang screamed as she ran in and tried to punch Dragunov's turned face.
With a resigned look, the draconic Blade moved his arm in an attempt to smack Yang away. Only to be surprised when the blonde brawler ducked under it and jumped with both fists aiming for his chin. The aim was true and Dragunov was actually knocked off his feet.
Then Yang straddled Dragunov's chest before punching him in the face repeatedly. "After everything we went through! After all the times you…DIDN'T IT MEAN ANYTHING, YOU F****NG LIAR!" Halfway through her rant Yang lost control of her tears and at the last part, she raised both fists high and smashed them against his forehead. Right on top of his Core Crystal. Yang panted after letting out that last hit, her red eyes bleeding back to lilac as her rage was used up.
"…Are you done?" Dragunov asked, his Core Crystal being no worse for wear from something as simple as that. "Now be a good little glass doll and get lost." Dragunov said, not facing Yang again.
The blonde's ire returned and she raised her fist for another strike, only to feel it stopping. Turning to the culprit, Yang saw that it was Brighid who had dismissed a Whipsword and grabbed the blonde's arm. "Brighid…let go." Yang said threateningly.
"No." Brighid said simply, before directing an almost hateful look to Dragunov, "Do you actually mean anything you're saying?"
"What's it to you?" Dragunov said with a glare at the Jewel of Mor Ardain.
"The least you could do is say it to her face." Brighid said with a highly annoyed look. Even as Mòrag was walking closer, Aegaeon's Chroma Katana at the ready.
Yang looked confused for a moment. Why would Brighid want Dragunov to say them to her-. Yang's heart constricted as she remembered something. Whenever Dragunov had something to say to her, he always said it to her face, consequences be damned. Now…he wasn't even looking at her.
"Fine, get lost you blonde bimbo!" Dragunov roared at Yang. But when the blonde turned to see, Dragunov's face was towards her, but his eyes were looking away from her.
"Dragunov…Look me in the eyes and say it again." Yang said, part of her fearing that he actually will.
Dragunov did look her in the eyes. But his jaw then clenched and his lips parted to reveal the teeth that were gritting against each other.
At that moment, Mòrag piped up, "You can't, can you?" Dragunov glared at the Special Inquisitor.
"Shut up." Dragunov growled out.
"No." Weiss cut in sternly, "Yang could've easily just left you here, but here she is wanting you back and you just spit in her face like this? I don't know why she wastes her time, but as her team mate and friend, I will help her get through that thick skull of yours."
"Shut it, you plank!" Dragunov roared out. This caused Weiss to look confused, while Nia looked at the white-haired girl like she might explode any second. Dahlia also winced at hearing that, hoping that Weiss never figures out what that meant.
In any other situation, Yang might be laughing at the joke made on Weiss. But now was not that kind of situation, so instead, Yang did her friend a favor and ripped her arm out of Brighid's grip and punched Dragunov's nose.
"Grah! Why, you!" Dragunov roared as he got back up, despite Yang's weight on top of him. Which caused the blonde to tumble to the ground a bit before she got back on her feet. "You got some nerve." Dragunov growled out as he forced his nose back into proper position. Even as Brighid backed off a little and resummoned her second Whipsword in preparation for battle.
"You're lucky I didn't feel like doing worse." Yang shot back with an angry look, "For once in your life, why can't you just stop being stubborn."
"...Pot meet kettle," Dromarch muttered under his breath from some ways away with Nia right next to him.
"Dromarch, I agree but shush." Nia added in discreetly, still ready for a fight.
Dragunov let out a weary sigh, "If I told you the truth, will you leave?"
"…I'll consider it," Yang said as she crossed her arms.
"No, not good enough, I want you to promise it on your hair and your loved ones' lives." Dragunov demanded.
"Nope, that's the best you're getting. Take it or leave it." Yang said with a heated glare.
The dragon growled as he clenched his fists, but decided that this would be the easy way. However, "Not in front of them."
"They're staying." Yang refused to budge.
"Then I'm not talking." Dragunov crossed his own arms.
"Too bad," Yang said in annoyance, "Then we'll just kidnap you."
(Song Continue)
That was Ren's and Oscar's cue to fire upon Dragunov again.
"Really?" Dragunov let out as he made a barrier with one hand while launching fireballs at Weiss' water arrows. The water and fire clashed, creating bursts of steam.
Then Brighid and Mòrag engaged Dragunov again, the Jewel of Mor Ardain unleashed a gout of blue flame against Dragunov who countered with a gout of golden flames, for his cracks were now glowing gold.
"Everyone, prepare to capture him," Otohime announced.
"Otohime?" Ren mouthed out.
"If he chooses to act like a child then I shall treat him like a child." The Imperial Mother said with a stony expression.
"And how are you planning to do that?" Dragunov asked as he blocked Nora's attack with one hand while using the other to block a slash from Brighid. Then Dragunov was hit by a surprisingly weak shot from Ren. "Are you seriou-What?!" Dragunov's taunt was interrupted when purple chains appeared to bind his arms against his body.
"Capture complete." Nora said with a grin.
"Did you forget Otohime's power?" Ren also asked with a small smile.
"Honestly yes…But…don't think I'll make it easy." Dragunov growled as his cracks were glowing orange and he began to struggle against the chains.
"Are you f***ng kidding me?!" Yang couldn't believe her eyes when Dragunov began breaking free from the chains.
Otohime frowned at this before clapping her hands together and her tendrils rose into a wider arc. As a result, the chains began tightening around Dragunov's body and the glow of his cracks regressed to red.
"Impossible." Dragunov couldn't believe that Otohime was able to stop him when even Haze couldn't. "I will not be CONTAINED!" the draconic Blade roared as his cracks returned to orange. Actually, they seemed to be closer to gold.
Otohime scowled and focused harder, making the lotus shaped Core Crystal on her forehead shine with power. "What are you all waiting for?" Otohime then asked as she strained a bit to contain the fire Blade.
Mòrag was the first to understand, but that didn't mean she liked it. So she moved in to strike Dragunov with water enhanced attacks. Each strike making his cracks flicker between orange and red. The Special Inquisitor was rewarded with a headbutt into her chest. Even with the restraints, Dragunov managed to power up enough to send Mòrag skidding away as she grunted in pain.
"Kneel!" Otohime commanded and more chains appeared, this time binding Dragunov's legs together. Which caused the Firestorm to topple down.
"I will not go down." Dragunov growled as he kept struggling despite Nia now using her Arts on him to her heart's content. Although she did have to get away from the stone scaled dragon's tail.
Nora joined in on beating the downed dragon. Even Weiss was now stabbing with Aizen's swords. Although with the way she was doing it, it seemed like Weiss had a personal grudge. Something that worried Dahlia, who was also hitting with her bitball.
As this was happening, Otohime was slowly approaching while maintaining her hold on their prey.
"Otohime, what are you doing?" Ren asked, "If you get close, Dragunov might attack you."
But the black haired, yukata clad woman refused to stop even as Dragunov's struggles were becoming more frantic. Then Dragunov caught sight of the hem of Otohime's dark blue yukata.
"I swear," Dragunov growled as he managed to get on his knees and lift his body even as he was being beaten. "When I get my hands on you, I will-" Then Otohime placed a single finger upon Dragunov's hexagonal Core Crystal.
"Disrupt!" Otohime then commanded and in response, Dragunov's Core Crystal flickered while the dragon himself gained a blank expression. Then he finally collapsed, and with it the cracks stopped glowing.
"What did you do?" Yang almost demanded as Dragunov's eyes seemed to be trying to roll to the back of his head before they closed.
"Similar to Titans, there is a flow of ether within us Blades," Otohime explained, "By imbuing my power upon a shot from my Ether Cannon, I can seal a Blade's movements and restrain their power temporarily. But by touching Dragunov's Core Crystal directly, I can completely disrupt the ether coursing through his body."
"Ahaa!" Dromarch exclaimed, "By cutting off Dragunov's ether flow to his core for an instant, you were able to render him unconscious."
"Exactly." Otohime said with a small smile, "It will take him a few hours to regain consciousness, due to the small damage it does to his mind."
"Wait, damage? Like…brain damage?" Yang asked in worry. She wanted to knock him out, not turn him into a vegetable.
Otohime looked thoughtful for a moment, "Not quite. And as I said, he will recover."
"Phew." Yang let out. She wanted to put Dragunov to work, not render him useless. But then she turned towards Herald, "Hey, Herald. You think you can carry him now?"
"Yes I can," Herald replied. Because when they asked about Herald's abilities, turned out that one of them is Superstrength. Which meant that she could easily carry Dragunov now that he was out.
"Great!" Yang grinned before turning to Weiss, "Weiss can you-" "Yes. Now let's move, before something else happens." The former heiress was not looking forward to the next part of the operation. Or rather, the return trip.
On the upper level, around the spot where the way to Genbu's head was directly beneath them. Ruby was pacing around.
"Ruby... you're going to make yourself dizzy at this rate," Roze piped up in worry. With how fast Ruby was pacing, it was a miracle she wasn't making a cyclone.
"I should be with her." Ruby said with a worried look as she finally stopped, "What if…what if Dragunov actually kills Yang. What if they get hurt…what if-" Ruby was interrupted by Blake placing a hand on Ruby's shoulder.
"Ruby…I'm worried too, but the team composition they have focuses on the use of water element. Something that Dragunov is weak against." Blake said reassuredly.
"That true," Tora piped up, "But water Blades also weak to fire."
This comment earned a glare from Blake and Ruby.
"Meh-meh? What Tora do?" The inventor said in fear.
"You made them worry," Qrow pointed out with a sigh. Honestly, the veteran huntsman of the gang was still wondering how he allowed Yang to talk him into staying behind.
Roc suddenly perked up, "Do you all hear that?"
"Hear what?" Zeke questioned as everyone was now trying to listen. It was a loud buzz. Which was soon followed by Weiss' summoned Queen Lancer rising above them, with the dragon hunting team riding it. The summoned insect Grimm landed and everyone got off. With Herald carrying an unconscious Dragunov.
"Yang! Are you okay?" Ruby asked after zipping to her sister and wrapped her into a hug.
Yang chuckled at her sister, "Yes, Ruby. I'm fine, but he's in so much trouble when he wakes up." At the last part, Yang directed a playful glare at the sleeping dragon that was flung over the shoulder of Herald's dragon mech.
At this, Ruby stepped away from her sister with a serious look. "What did he do?"
"Relax, Ruby. He didn't do anything too bad." Yang said, which made the rest of the capture team give her a blanched look.
"Yang! You heard what he called you!" Weiss just couldn't keep her mouth shut on this, even as she felt some exhaustion for using the Queen Lancer as a transport again. Then again, yesterday they had already fought long into the night, so she wasn't about to collapse this time.
"Weiss!" Yang growled out, "You're one to talk, he called you a plank!"
"What's that supposed to mean?" Weiss asked seriously.
"…You're serious," Nia commented with a stare at the white-haired girl.
With that, Weiss turned to Dahlia, "Dahlia what did Dragunov mean by that?"
"It's better that you don't know." Dahlia said as she refused to meet her Driver's eyes. All the while stroking her Driver's head.
Weiss shifted her look to Aizen. "I agree with Miss Dahlia." Was Aizen's reply.
"Yang, what did he say to you?" Qrow asked, sounding stern. Ruby was also giving an inquisitive look.
"Guys, please. I'll deal with him on the ship." Yang almost pleaded.
"He will not stay unconscious forever." Otohime added in as a sign of support.
"That's right." Rex said, remembering the plan, "We need to get him on the ship and set sail quickly."
That was essentially the plan. Get Dragunov to come peacefully or knock him out and kidnap him into the ship that Eulogimenos provided, because of course the one provided by Indol had left shortly after their defeat. Or perhaps it left the moment Genbu submerged. Either way, Indol didn't seem to want to help them anymore. But given the recent findings, they weren't sure if they wanted anything from them anymore.
"We should move." Penny then said, "Before Dragunov wakes up and gets angry."
No one wanted that, so they started hurrying to the port.
It has now been some time since the ship set sail to Leftheria. And Yang was in a cabin that Dragunov was laid into. She was waiting for her stubborn Blade to wake up. Although she was sure that Dragunov wouldn't try to bust his way out once he finds out he's on a ship. She still feared that he might go off with just her here, but…she had to do this part on her own.
Finally, Dragunov begun to stir. This was followed by groaning as he rose to sitting position on the floor. "Urgh…my head." the grumpy Dragon said as he placed his hand over his Core Crystal.
"Rise and shine, Draggie," Yang said, which caused the dragon to stiffen at his Driver's voice.
"Yang? What are you- Where am I?!" Dragunov demanded as he looked around the small cabin with a single bed, closet right across it and a nightstand. Not that Dragunov would be using the bed here.
"On a ship, on our way to Fonsett." Yang said simply.
"You will let me off this instant or-" "Or what?" Yang interrupted smugly, "You'll swim? The ship has already departed and we're not stopping before our destination. You're not getting away from me."
Dragunov was about to protest, before he moved past Yang to get outside. The blonde brawler didn't even try to stop him. As soon as Dragunov opened the door, the first thing he saw was the ship's deck. Then he saw the Cloud Sea. And finally, after moving to the railing and look to the distance, he could see Genbu far in the distance. So the only way out was to jump into the Cloud Sea. But instead he turned towards Yang who was now leaning against the doorframe with an emotionless look.
"Why couldn't you just leave me." Dragunov said with a tone that Yang didn't recognize.
"…Because I want to control the Sun Dragon." Yang said with a dead-pan look, earning a look of anger from her Blade.
"So that's it? You just want my power?!" Dragunov all but demanded.
"No." That response surprised the draconic Blade. "I just want to control it."
Now Dragunov was skeptical. "Well, you already failed. So, we know you can't."
"…Don't tell me what I can't do." Yang said with a small glare, suppressing an urge to punch.
"The results speak for themselves, you failed to control it once, and you will fail again." Dragunov said while looking away from the very pissed off blonde.
"That's not what the eye witness accounts say." Yang said, clenching her hands into fists, as she stopped leaning against the doorframe. "According to everyone, I stopped attacking even after you kept yelling at me to destroy my sister." The blonde said even as she was trying to suppress the nightmarish image.
This gave Dragunov a pause before he remembered that his thoughts became clearer after Yang yelled at him for an instant before being knocked out. "…What if next time you won't snap out of it?"
"Then we'll have Otohime and all the water Blades to stop us." Yang said simply, "And I won't stop trying until I've made it."
"Why do you want the power of the Sun Dragon so badly?" Dragunov asked again.
"I told you, I don't want the power." Yang said again.
"Then why do you want to control it?" Dragunov demanded.
At that, Yang exited the cabin fully before moving along the deck.
"Hey! Don't ignore me, blondie!" Dragunov roared.
At that, Yang stopped, her eyes flashing red at the tone her bastardly Blade used. But she willed herself not to react. And instead glanced over her shoulder. "If I can pull it off…I'll tell you." With that said, Yang moved on no longer paying attention to the stubborn Blade.
Dragunov was surprised that Yang didn't get angry at him for letting that slip. More so her answer. "So…She doesn't want to tell me," Dragunov sighed out before returning to the cabin that he assumed was his own, seeing as it only had one bed and it was where he woke up in.
Dragunov didn't get to spend his time in isolation for long before a knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. "Get lost." Dragunov called loudly, not wanting to see anyone right now.
But the door opened instead and in came a hard looking Ruby.
"Oh. What do you want pipsqueak?" Dragunov asked with a sigh.
"What did you and Yang talk about?" Ruby asked, ignoring being called pipsqueak.
"Ask her."
"I did. She didn't want to talk about it." Ruby crossed her arms.
"Then I won't either." Dragunov said, "Now get lost."
"Do you even care how much Yang is hurting?" Ruby asked, now looking angry.
"I can make a guess, so what?" Dragunov said nonchalantly.
"Is that really all you have to say after what you-" "If you're here to whine about Yang then save your breath and leave me alone. She talks when she talks, you should know that better than me."
"How…how can you act like everything's fine?" Ruby asked, trembling with anger, "Yang tried to kill herself!"
"Wait, what?!" Dragunov got up from his sitting position and now stomped to Ruby. "What do you mean?"
This surprised Ruby. "…She didn't tell you?"
"No. Now what do you mean she tried to kill herself?" Dragunov actually sounded concerned.
"Just what I said, she tried to down the Dust in one of her shotgun shells." Ruby said, once again giving Dragunov a hard look.
"…Why?" Ruby's jaw dropped at the question. "Why would she do that?"
"She thought that she would be protecting us by being dead." Ruby said in annoyance.
At that point Dragunov's eyes widened a little. Then his palm impacted his face, "Of course she did. Of course she did."
"What're you talking about?" Ruby wasn't entirely sure what the fire Blade was thinking.
"I guess my plan was doomed from the start." Dragunov said with a resigned look, before training his yellow eyes on Ruby.
"What plan?" Ruby all but demanded.
"…You can't tell Yang about this." Dragunov said with a meaningful look.
Ruby contemplated on the terms. On one hand she wasn't sure if Dragunov could be trusted after what happened to Yang. On the other hand, she knew that Dragunov can be just as stubborn as Yang. With those options, Ruby made her choice, "Fine."
"Nuh-uh! Not good enough. I want you to swear it by the lives of Yang, Weiss and Blake." Dragunov said sternly.
"What? Why would I do that?" Ruby demanded again, trying to get into Dragunov's face. But even at her tiptoes, she could barely reach his chest.
"Because you love Yang and don't want to risk her hating you." Dragunov said while crossing his arms and looking down on Ruby. The dragon and the pipsqueak had a small staring contest.
"…Fine, I swear on the lives of my team mates that I will not tell Yang what you're about to say." Ruby said, placing a hand on her heart while raising the other.
Dragunov nodded in approval. "I planned to leave Yang so that she would never risk killing her loved ones. With me gone, I thought she would be much better off."
"Well it didn't work." Ruby said, before realizing how Yang screamed that she would kill her if she got near, "Instead she thought that if she died, I would be safe."
"Sounds that way." Dragunov let out with a sigh, "I…wanted to…protect her and instead almost made her kill herself."
Ruby quirked an eyebrow at Dragunov making a disgusted face at the word "protect". "We need to tell Yang. If you say that, she might-" "We can't!" Dragunov said angrily, his cracks glowing red for an instant, "Yang doesn't want to be protected! If I had said that to her, she would've been more offended than being called a blonde bimbo."
"But…everyone needs help sometimes," Ruby said in confusion, "Why would Yang take offense to it?"
Dragunov shook his head at Ruby, "Ruby…getting help, and being helpless. Are they the same thing to you?"
"Huh?" Now Ruby was really confused, "But…But that's not what being protected means."
"It does. To Yang." Dragunov said with a tone of finality before glancing at his own palm, "Yang wants to be the protector, not the protected. And it was what made me ultimately accept her. But…now that I know what my true power actually is…I can't be a power to protect. I can only destroy everything in my path." At the last sentence, Dragunov clenched his hand into a fist.
Ruby let out a sigh. "I think you should let Yang be the judge of that." This earned a surprised look from the draconic Blade. "Yang already stopped your rampage once. I'm sure she can do it again. But mark my words." Ruby then gave a threatening look. Or as threatening as one as adorable as her could give, "If you hurt my sister to the point of her wanting to die again, I will take you down."
Dragunov was staring at Ruby's attempt to look threatening. But from his perspective, he was staring at a pipsqueak who was trying to give him a threatening glare from below. Also, contrary to what Ruby was going for, she only looked like a stubborn child. Finally, the pipsqueak that was threatening him was probably only a third of his size and possessed probably less than half of Yang's strength. With all these factors, Dragunov burst into laughter at the adorable girl trying to look intimidating.
"Hey! Stop laughing!" Ruby cried out, face trying to imitate her hood's color as she felt very embarrassed. Dragunov didn't answer, just collapsed backwards from laughing so hard. "It's not that funny!" Ruby's indignant yelling only seemed to fuel the stone covered Blade's laughter as he then turned on his stomach and pounded the wooden floor while his tail was swishing every which way. Honestly it was a miracle Dragunov didn't punch through the floor or knock anything over with his tail.
Ruby pulled her hood over her head to cover her embarrassed face and then stormed out. Slamming the door behind her for good measure. Leaving Dragunov to laugh at the absurdity of Ruby threatening to take him down.
On another part of the ship, Yang felt some relief. As she was now moving towards the mess hall, she came across Brighid who seemed to be waiting. "How did it go?" was the first thing Brighid asked the blonde brawler.
"Better than I thought it would," Yang replied with a small sigh.
"I suppose Blake was right, he left to protect you." Brighid said with a chuckle. Of course the feline faunus had imparted Dragunov's final words about Yang. But everyone felt skeptical about it to varying degrees.
Yang felt a slight surge of anger, but was able to not snap. "And that's funny because?" Yang said in a warning tone.
"I just never thought he would actually be protective of…anything." Brighid said with a small smile. Then she reached for a small bag at her side. "I should have given you this back in Mor Ardain, but after everything that happened, it slipped my mind." Then she pulled a large blue diamond from it.
"The Water Dragunite." Yang guessed before looking to Brighid with a questioning look, "But…the fight was cancelled."
"If you hadn't stopped Dragunov, Lady Mòrag and I would have lost." Brighid said with a frown, "Just…don't tell him I said that." and then she offered the gem to Yang.
"…Thanks," Yang said as she accepted the blue diamond. The color of it really did make her think of a peaceful lagoon. "…Just out of curiosity, do you know where the rest of the Dragunites are?"
Brighid quirked an eyebrow at the question. "No. Given that five centuries have passed since the last time the gems were together, at least according to my diary, who knows where they are by now. I still cannot even fathom how something as idiotic as Tirkin got their hands on this one."
Yang chuckled at that, "Yeah. Maybe…if we got some time after saving Pyra and visiting the Architect, I might wanna find the Dragunites. I would be sooo rich." At the last part, Yang had a dreamy look.
"You know how Dragunov would feel about it." Brighid's smile betrayed her words.
"Well he'll just have to suck it up." Yang said with a snicker at the mental image of herself swimming in a pool of gold while Dragunov looks on in outrage at hearing how she got that money. Actually, he might melt all that gold out of spite. "Thanks, Brighid." Yang said with a small smile, ridding herself of the mental image.
"You are welcome, but I do want a rematch one day, just him and me." Brighid said with a small smile.
"Maybe once he and I are on better terms again," Yang said before moving to the mess hall, with Brighid following suit. Although, what Yang couldn't help thinking in her head was, "If we ever get on good terms." All the while she grasped tighter on the Water Dragunite.
But for now, she was hungry, so she entered the mess hall. But there was an interesting sight.
Weiss was sitting by herself and everyone else seemed to be on edge. "…What's going on here?" Yang asked from the people.
Nia glanced to very frosty looking Weiss warily before getting up from her seat and moved close enough to speak without Weiss hearing them. "Weiss figured it out."
Yang looked confused. "Figured out what?"
Nia felt a shiver down her spine as she felt Weiss' glare on her. This made Nia not to answer with words and instead put both hands in front palms facing each other and motioned them straight down. Up and down, up and down, up and...
"Oh." Yang mouthed out as she realized the problem. Guess the princess isn't completely cured of her complex. "Hasn't…Dahlia tried to calm her down?" Yang asked carefully.
In response, Nia pointed to the furthest table in the mess hall. Yang's gaze followed the finger to see the table in question being occupied by Dahlia and Aizen. The former of the two looking a little down for some reason.
"…Wow." Was the most intelligent thing Yang could say.
"You're telling us." Nia said while motioning to Rex who seemed to be trying keep himself hidden from Weiss' view with Wulfric whose large body was the only thing that would keep him away from Weiss' gaze. Zeke who seemed to be a little tense. Mòrag who looked more exasperated than anything. Then there was Tora who was eating away. With Poppi standing up and facing Weiss with her fists together and eyes locked on the highly irritated girl. The Artificial Blade was in "Masterpon Protection" mode.
As for the Remnans, Nox was standing guard over Blake who acted like nothing was wrong. Electra was sitting on Nora's lap, hugging the orange headed Driver. Otohime was stroking Ren's back reassuringly, although the black-haired boy didn't look like he needed it. Joana followed Nox's example with her lord Driver who kept on eating his food awkwardly. As for Penny, while she didn't eat, she was here because friends were here.
Of course, Ruby wasn't there since she told Yang that she had already eaten. She was probably back in the cabin she shared with Yang. Dispelling those thoughts, Yang helped herself to what the mess hall had to offer and sat down on the seat opposite of Blake.
"How did it go?" the Faunus Driver asked.
Yang shrugged, "Pretty good, all things considered."
"So…he's not going to try and escape when we land?" Blake asked carefully.
"I doubt it." Yang said before shoving a good helping of food into her mouth.
Blake had her doubts that Dragunov would be a good boy and just follow them even after they port, but she decided to leave it at that. Yang was his Driver after all, so she would probably know better. No one noticed Penny getting up from her seat before speaking to Roze about something. After the reaper Blade replied something, Penny was out the mess hall with Kos-Mos in tow.
AN: Finally got this chapter done. I've been busy for the last couple weeks despite the epidemy(I say epidemy, because I don't take into account what's going on outside). Speaking of which, the general atmosphere here is that no one is panicking. Although the theatre day with grandma had to be cancelled, among other things when many major events and cultural buildings were shut down. Even Eurovision will be skipped this year. A shame, but not very surprising.
Fortunately, my quest for a job hasn't been stopped by this, because the job I'm going for is considered critical.
As for the chapter... Yeah Dragunov's capture was easier than it might sound first. But this also raises a question, how much difference could Otohime have made if she was also in the fight? But poor Ruby wasn't taken seriously. Though let's be honest how many people find Ruby threatening by herself? Not many XD.
