Flickering Hope
Amalthus was scared. When he tried resonating with one of the strange Core Crystals he had taken from the World Tree, he was pushed back as a swirling darkness spewed out and was covering a large area of his room. Only the light of the Core Crystal was shining through it as he looked on what might come out of it.
Soon the darkness faded away, revealing the black-haired Blade inside that had his eyes closed. Then, as the Amethyst Core Crystal shined with power, the Blade opened his gray eyes and looked down on his Driver.
"Praetor Amalthus." Was the voice that snapped Amalthus out of the memory of awakening Malos. The Praetor was in his office in the early morning.
It didn't take long for Amalthus to compose himself. "What is it?"
"I have a report regarding the situation with the Aegis in Tantal." was the reply from behind the door to the Praetor's office.
"…Please come inside." Amalthus said, hoping it was good news.
"Yes your eminence."
Unfortunately, what Amalthus heard was far from good news. "So…Jin finally has his hands on the Aegis. It seems the boy wasn't good for much after all." Not to mention those so called Remnans apparently weren't much help either. "Unless…he can find what is lost." Amalthus then turned to look out the balcony.
"Your Eminence?" A man in heavy black robes and a mask questioned.
Amalthus disregarded the question as he turned back to his subordinate, "Hector, prepare the ceremony."
"At once Praetor." Hector replied before leaving to make the necessary preparations.
Meanwhile Yang was staring at the face of teary eyed Ruby.
"Yang…please…" Ruby pleaded as she was being strangled by the white claws that were attached to Yang's own arm.
"DESTROY IT!" Dragunov's enraged voice echoed loudly.
"No!" Yang cried out as she sat up on her bed in cold sweat. Looking at her surroundings, Yang realized that she was in some kind of room with multiple beds. There was also a window from where she could see that it was day outside, probably past midday.
Then the blonde was startled by the door to the room being slammed open.
"Yang! Are you okay?!" Ruby cried out in concern.
"We heard you shouting." Added in Weiss who came in just when Ruby turned into a flurry of rose petals to move in and hug Yang like she was afraid that her big sister would disappear any second.
"Yeah…I think I am." Yang said as she wrapped her arms lightly around Ruby who was doing her best to crush her sister's ribs. "Hey, what's wrong, Ruby?"
"It's you this time," Ruby half sobbed, "I was so scared, I thought you might…" Ruby was unable to finish that as she tried to bury her face into the side of Yang's neck.
"…What happened while I was out?" Yang was getting worried about Ruby's state. Not to mention Weiss and Blake looked surprised.
"Yang…what's the last thing you remember?" Blake asked carefully.
"Huh?"
"Just answer us." Weiss almost demanded.
"Sheesh, what crawled up your a-" "Yang! This is serious!" Weiss almost screeched.
Now Yang was worried, Weiss is easily pissed, but this felt…different.
"Weiss, calm down," Blake said carefully, but sternly.
It seemed to have worked as the white-haired girl grasped her off-sided braid like some kind of comfort toy and took a deep breath. "You're right…I'm sorry."
With that, Blake turned back towards Yang, "So, Yang what's the last thing you remember before waking up here?"
The blonde brawler looked confused before she started thinking. "Well... We faced that Jin guy and he totally kicked our asses and then Pyra-!" Yang gasped as she realized something, "Pyra! What happened to her?!"
Blake and Weiss shared a look before Weiss broke the news. "They took her."
"Those bastards." Yang muttered before remembering something else, "Wait… Emerald was gonna take Ruby… what happened to stop that?"
At this point, Ruby separated from Yang. "…Yang… you really don't remember?"
"Remember what?" Now Yang was getting a little scared, "Guys… what happened?"
Weiss and Blake shared another look, before turning to Ruby for guidance on this. Ruby in turn looked to the Blades that entered the room with them. Nox was staring at Yang like she was a rabid animal that could attack any second. Roze and Dahlia shared a look before Dahlia nodded.
"She needs to know," Roze said while looking away. With that, Ruby gave Weiss and Blake a slow nod.
"Guys… you're starting to scare me," Yang said before realizing something missing. "Where's Dragunov?"
"We don't know," Blake admitted, "He woke up this morning and moved out of this inn and hasn't come back since."
"Well haven't you tried looking for-" Yang." Weiss interrupted, "Dragunov changed during the fight."
"He…what?" Yang looked puzzled.
"We heard that Malos called it his true power as the 'Sun Dragon'." Weiss explained.
"Sun…Dragon?" Yang mouthed in slight confusion.
"The stone that covers his body had shattered, revealing golden scales," Blake took over with a faint smile, "So…pretty on the nose. Anyway, when he transformed, you and him broke free and started attacking them. Jin attacked Dragunov, but apparently using physical attacks against him burned the attacker in the same spot he was attacked. Meaning that Jin was momentarily taken out."
"Awesome!" Yang cheered before remembering something that was said earlier, "Wait, then how did they get away?" Then the worry set in again, "And why don't I remember this?"
RWB had all worried looks as they knew Yang wouldn't like this next part. "Yang…" Blake said softly, "I'm not sure why but your semblance was constantly active after Dragunov transformed. I was worried you might tire yourself out too much so…I tried to stop you." Blake then looked away, unable to continue.
However, Nox stepped forward and opened his scroll. "You then attacked my lady."
Yang could barely see the writing from the slight distance, but when she read it, she had an uncomprehending look. "Come on, stop joking." Yang said with a laugh. But when no one was laughing with her, her small laugh died down, "…This is a joke, right?"
"I wish," Blake said in a small voice.
"And then Dragunov started attacking Weiss and I," Dahlia continued.
"Guys…I wouldn't…I couldn't…" Yang stammered before remembering what woke her up. "…Ruby… Did I… attack you?"
Ruby's heart was breaking at Yang looking like she was about to break. But she couldn't say it, partly because she was afraid of how Yang might react, partly because she herself didn't want to believe it happened.
Nox made a new text appear, "You grabbed Ruby by her throat and planned to skewer her with Dragunov's weapons."
"…He's lying… right?" Yang said that despite tears already flowing down her cheeks.
"…I wish he was," Blake said with a sad look. Ruby looking away also didn't help.
Weiss bit her lip, not wanting to say that she was ready to kill Yang to save Ruby.
"But you stopped!" Ruby quickly butted in, "You let me go and refused to hurt us even when Dragunov told you to."
"He did WHAT?!" Yang screamed with her eyes turning red, causing Ruby to bounce off the bed with a scared look.
This immediately calmed Yang down as she now took in her sister's scared look. Then she slowly turned to look to her team mates. Weiss had her hand on Dahlia's bitball.
"Nox, no!" Blake also ordered the dark Blade who had drawn Dual Scythes.
In Yang's eyes, they were all scared of her. "How… how could I have…?"
At that moment Qrow came from behind the door with a frown, "According to Malos' own words, you became 'extension of the Sun Dragon's rage'."
And that reminded Yang of what caused her to go like that. And that thought made her eyes go red again, "…Where is Dragunov now?"
"We don't know," Roze piped up, "No one has seen him since he left."
"…Well good riddance." Yang said before laying back down and covering herself with the blanket.
"…Yang?" Ruby said carefully.
"Just… leave me alone." Yang said from beneath her blanket.
"Yang, you can-" "Ruby. Please." Yang practically pleaded.
"But-" "Ruby," Qrow interrupted with a sigh, "Let's give her a moment."
"But, Uncle Qrow-" "It's for the best." Qrow said as he moved to give Ruby a one-armed hug. Then he slowly herded Ruby out of the room. Ruby offered no resistance, only looking at Yang's shape under the blanket before the door closed behind her, Weiss, and Blake.
Which left Yang to cry alone as it fully sank in that she tried to kill her friends. Especially her baby sister. But it wasn't just that.
"For whatever it's worth, I'm still here."
"…Liar." Yang sobbed as she hugged her pillow.
As Ruby, Weiss, Blake, and Qrow left Yang to join their friends at the inn's bar, they heard Jaune losing his patience with Talos.
"Talos, that doesn't make any sense!"
"Too bad, I'm not saying anything else. Accept it and move on." Was Talos' very angry reply.
"But Master Talos-" "Joana... Please…None of you need to know. Because I'm sure as hell Salem can't figure it out." Talos then said before storming up the stone stairs that led outside.
"Hey! We're not done here!" Jaune called after the metallic Flesh Eater, but as soon as he got outside, Talos leaped atop a building and effectively ran away.
"Get back here!" Jaune shouted after Talos, but of course the jumping tin can wouldn't heed him. "Dammit!"
Meanwhile Blake turned to Nora and Ren who had been sitting down across several tables in the bar with a worried look, along with Alrestians. "I take it Talos wasn't very talkative?"
"What gave you that idea?" Nora snarked with unusually sour look.
"He did tell us something." Ren then added in.
"Well, what is it?" Qrow also asked, eager to hear it.
"He said, and I quote, 'Fall Maiden is in a place where Salem and her minions won't look'." Ren then said, earning confused looks.
"What kind of place is that?" Qrow asked with a frown.
"That is what he was adamant not to speak about." Otohime chimed in.
"And why was he so sure that Emerald was lying?" Electra added in. Of course, when the gang heard Emerald saying that they knew where the Fall Maiden was, they started immediately interrogating Talos on who she was and where. But Talos told them very certainly that Emerald was lying. Apparently reminding him of what Tyrian followed it up with wasn't convincing enough for him.
"Ozpin, do you know what Talos might have talked about?" Oscar asked aloud. It wasn't long before Ozpin was in control.
"I'm sorry, but I have no idea what Talos could be talking about. The only place I can think of is inside the Vault itself, but that's…highly unlikely," Ozpin explained.
"Well it would certainly fit the criteria of 'a place you won't look'. It would be like hiding the key inside the treasure chest it was meant to open." Nia said with a grumble before turning to RWB. "How's Yang by the way?"
"Not good," Weiss said first with a downcast look. It wasn't exactly hard to figure out that Yang was not okay after hearing about attacking her friends.
"So, you told her?" Dromarch asked.
"…We had to," Blake said simply.
"It's for the best," Mòrag said from her seat, "It's not like hiding this would help her."
At that moment Roc flew down to the entrance of the inn and then walked down. "I found Dragunov."
"Great! So where is he?" Zeke asked, getting up from his own seat.
"He's hitching a ride on the mining lift back here." Roc replied.
"So he was outside the city?" Brighid let out with a curious look, "I wonder what he was doing out there."
"How far was the lift?" Blake then asked with a firm look.
"Dragunov was helping in the operating so I'd say he's very soon at the back gate…If he isn't already."
"What're you up to Blake?" Ruby asked, still downcast from her sister's state.
"Getting that walking statue to talk things out with Yang." Blake said with a determined look.
"Blake, I think Dragunov is the last person she wants to see right now," Weiss pointed out.
"Well then I'll get him to talk to her after a while," Blake corrected herself, "But I'm still going." With that, Blake moved outside. Naturally, Nox followed suit.
Oscar looked briefly towards downcast Ruby and then after Blake. "I believe we should let Miss Belladonna handle this." Ozpin said in Oscar's head. "Sorry, but I want to help," Oscar replied as he moved to follow Blake.
Dragunov was slowly moving up the steps of Theospiti Ruins and he had a lot on his mind. The first thing he realized this morning was that he woke up in the room that Blades share. So naturally he started to think back on what happened before. He barely remembered fighting a horde of enemies but for some reason he couldn't remember exactly what he and Yang were attacking. Then he faintly remembered Yang not attacking one of the enemies for some reason. He tried to tell her to destroy it before it got a chance to fight. But Yang refused and that was the last thing he remembers. Although he was sure there was something red near Yang's feet. It wasn't until after revisiting the site of battle did he have a clearer picture of the enemy at Yang's feet. It was Ruby.
When the formerly Tornan Blade reached the top of the stairs he had one question going through his mind, "Why did I come back?" With that, Dragunov moved to a corner and sat down.
"Dragunov."
The fire Blade in question turned his head to see Blake, Nox and Oscar approaching him.
"…Blake." Dragunov barely acknowledged.
"Look you might not believe this, but-" "Let me guess. Me and Yang attacked everyone." Dragunov interrupted.
Blake looked shocked to hear this, "You… you remember?"
"Only that I was fighting enemies with Yang, until she suddenly let one of them go," Dragunov explained, "Then…after visiting the place, I remembered that it was Ruby."
"You figured it out." Blake looked a little surprised to find out that the hotheaded brute had figured it out. But she quickly shook it off, "Anyway, if you know, then you need to come and talk to Yang."
"No."
Now Blake was more shocked, as was Oscar. "No? What do you mean no?"
"No, as in, I'm not going to." Dragunov turned his head away from the three.
"Look, we're worried about you and Yang-" "Cut the crap, Blake. You're worried about Yang alone." Dragunov interrupted in a more heated tone.
"Okay, so I'm more worried about Yang, but this needs to be addressed. If you could just-" "I'll make this simple." Blake was really getting irritated at being cut off. "I'll stay here and you guys do whatever you want. She'll be better off without me anyway."
Now Blake's jaw dropped. She was expecting something a little more egotistical like, "Yang doesn't need coddling." or "She can just walk it off.". Not this… "What're you saying?"
"Do I really need to spell it out? I. Am. Not. Seeing. Yang. Ever again." Now Dragunov was irritated for having to spell it out.
"You're…abandoning her?" Blake then asked with an accusing look.
At this Dragunov glared at Blake with his cracks glowing red. "You're the last person that has any right to say that."
Nox's pupil shifted to a cross as Blake looked like she was slapped in the face. "Maybe I am, but I'm not standing by and watching someone making the same mistake I did."
"Look." Oscar then piped up unsurely, "I don't know the details, but… you weren't in your right mind so… just apologize to her."
Now Dragunov's cracks turned to orange, "Oh suuuure. It's not like I almost made Yang KILL the one person she cares about most!" That last shout made the human and faunus flinch.
"Look, I'm sure if Yang can-" "ENOUGH!" Blake had to duck to avoid a large fireball aimed for her head. Her reaction was wasted though, because Nox made a barrier.
Dragunov stood up after launching the fiery projectile. "Get lost… now. Before I actually finish what I started back in Genbu's head."
Nox immediately took a combat stance in response to the threat.
"Stand down." Blake commanded her Blade again. Nox obeyed, but he didn't drop his guard. "You don't mean that. If you did, you would have used something less obvious for Nox to block. Look, I know how it feels, but-"
"You know NOTHING!" Dragunov slammed his fist against a wall which cracked from the sheer force. "You simply abandoned her, I almost made her kill her loved ones! Don't even try to compare which one of us has caused her more pain! There is nothing that I or anyone can do to make her forgive me. Nothing!" Dragunov slammed his fist on the same spot again, creating more cracks. And then he stormed down the stairs.
Blake looked after the fire Blade. Feeling a mixture of anger and pity towards Dragunov. Anger for daring to dismiss her so easily. Pity for Dragunov being convinced that Yang was better off without him. It's not like Blake can't understand him, but she had a feeling that this might ultimately not be a good thing.
On one hand, Dragunov's true power made him and by extension Yang go into mad berserker rage. On the other hand, Dragunov and Yang were the only ones who actually hurt Jin. Also, Yang ultimately stopped on her own, so…maybe there was hope for her to master this. Although even without Dragunov, they also have Talos who was able to completely immobilize the silver haired Blade. But the metallic champion seemed uncooperative when it came to Fall Maiden.
"What do we do now?" Oscar asked unsurely.
"…I don't know." Blake admitted to being completely clueless on what to do. Then the wall that Dragunov damaged crumbled completely and shattered to the ground.
"…I hope no one gets angry about this," Oscar said in worry.
But Blake noticed something strange about the way the wall crumbled. She quickly moved in to check. "What's this?" Blake let out as she went inside the opening to find a white and gold chest inside. Blake moved to try and open the lid. Of course, it was locked.
"My lady?" Nox showed on his scroll.
"…Open it." Blake said simply, she was curious about what was inside this chest that was apparently hidden inside of a wall.
Nox got to work. measuring the keyhole with his fingers before settling for his forefinger and started picking the lock.
Blake meanwhile waited patiently while Oscar stood aside and watched the dark Blade at work. "Shouldn't we… go after Dragunov?" Oscar asked unsurely.
"No, we should let him cool down a little," Blake said before chuckling sadly at the accidental pun.
"What?"
"It's just…saying that makes me worry that Yang might close herself from us," Blake said before letting out a sigh.
Then they all heard a bang, which turned out to be Nox hitting the top of the chest. Then the dark Blade turned back to Blake and revealed a new text on his scroll. "My lady, the lock is… very complex. I cannot open it."
Now Blake looked surprised. A lock that her ninja Blade, that somehow snuck into their room on multiple occasions even with doors and windows closed, couldn't open? This meant that whatever was in this chest could be valuable. "…Wait. Roc also knows how to pick locks, maybe we should ask him for help." Blake remembered.
"That may not be enough. The lock is… of strange design." Nox showed again on his scroll.
"Strange design…" Blake muttered, "For now, let's go and get at least Roc to help." Blake said before turning to Oscar, "Oscar, can you watch the chest while we're gone?"
"Whuh…I mean sure." Oscar said.
"Great, I'll be back soon." Blake then said before running off to get help.
Although, seeing as Oscar knew how bloodthirsty Nox is thanks to Nora trying to steal his food, he wasn't exactly okay with it. "So how did…" Oscar trailed off when he realized that Nox wasn't where he was a moment ago. "…How does do that?" Oscar just couldn't understand how Nox got out of such a small space with only one exit without him noticing.
"That may forever remain a mystery." Ozpin said in amusement.
It didn't take long for Blake to enlist the help of Roc. But it wasn't just the avian Blade, they had also gotten Kos-Mos and Poppi in her QT mode to help. Otohime and Dromarch also accompanied, believing that they may offer insight on the lock.
Although six Blades in a small space meant that they had to move the chest outside of its resting place.
"No. No. Turn it to the right." Roc said, directing Nox who had his claw in the lock again.
"Poppi, try turning the inner dial again," Kos-Mos then said.
"Roger roger." Poppi said while rummaging with several instruments that came out of her fingertips.
"Wait." Otohime interrupted. "If the interior of the lock is from the era I suspect, then you should try the third dial from the front."
"And then the furthest dial in the back." Dromarch added in.
The dark and artificial Blade working on the lock did as told.
Blake was surprised that they were working like a well-oiled machine on their quest to pick the lock. Soon enough, a satisfying click was heard and the lock was opened, and with it, the chest itself opened. With that, Blake and Oscar practically shoved in to see what it was.
"Is that a gem?" Oscar asked in excitement as he attempted to pick it up. But everyone else looked surprised at what it was.
"Oscar, don't touch it!" Blake was the first to shout.
"Huh?" Oscar asked just when he wrapped his fingers around the "gem". Not even Ozpin had time to stop the farmboy from grasping the single Core Crystal inside the chest as it started resonating with him.
Back in the Inn, the rest of the gang were still trying to figure out what Talos meant with a place where Salem won't look.
"Guys! Oscar is hurt!" Blake shouted as she ran in.
"What?!" Was the universal reaction to the people in the room. Or some variation.
Regardless, everyone's attention was on wounded Oscar in Roc's arms.
"Great…another one," Nia groaned, but got up from her seat, "Weiss, Jaune, I'm not gonna do this on my own, so you're helping."
"Yeah." Jaune said as he turned to Joana who already tossed him her Catalyst Scimitar.
"Of course." And Weiss was preparing Dahlia's bitball.
"But first we'll get Oscar to you guys' room." Nia then said as she began walking to the room in question, "Come on, then." With that, Jaune, Weiss, Nia, Joana, Dahlia, Dromarch and Roc moved into the room that JNPR occupied.
"What happened to Oscar?" Ruby was the first to ask in concern from Blake.
"That chest we found had a Core Crystal and Oscar grabbed it," Blake went straight to the point.
"So… Oscar rejected?" Tora let out with a worried look.
"Well…" Blake shuffled awkwardly, "That's the weird part." And then she pointed to the entrance. What they saw surprised them. It was a black dragon-like mech. The mech had sharp wings, pointed feet and twin tails. But more shockingly, right beneath the stationary dragon head was a pale skinned woman in a black bodysuit that revealed her arms and legs. Or rather her arms and legs disappeared into mechanical arms and legs past the forearms and thighs. There was also a second larger pair of mechanical arms on the mech itself. The woman in the mech had long pastel purple hair, matching eyes and a black metallic headpiece that covered her forehead. She also had a Core Crystal on her chest in the shape of an asymmetrical pentagon.
"Wait… Did Oscar get rejected or accepted?" Penny then asked with an uncomprehending look.
"…Based on the results, both." Kos-Mos confirmed.
"That doesn't make sense," Mòrag let out, "There is only rejection or success. No inbetween should exist."
"But apparently, there is," Brighid said, despite staring at the Blade that seemed to have been awakened by Oscar.
"…Will my Driver be alright?" The woman in the mech asked with a look of concern.
That's when they realized that they hadn't actually talked to her yet.
"Yes, Oscar is in great hands. He should be fine," Nora was the first to say.
"Oscar? Is that his name?" The Blade tilted her human head as she landed on the floor, wings folding back and tails laying across the floor. The legs had also moved into a sitting position.
"Y-yes, his name is Oscar." Ruby said as she marveled the Blade, "What's your name?"
The Blade looked towards Ruby with a curious look before answering, "Herald."
Then Ruby extended her own hand, "Hello, Herald, I'm Ruby."
The mech piloting Blade stared at Ruby's outstretched hand before using one of her smaller arms to shake it.
"Waah!" A little too hard as Ruby's body was being flailed around like a rag. Until the mech piloting Blade let go.
"Ruby!" Roze was instantly at his Driver's side.
"I'm sorry…I have problems controlling my power." Herald said with an apologetic look.
"It's…okay." Ruby said as the world was spinning. All the while Roze was helping to keep her steady.
"Great, another possible liability," Aizen said with a sigh, "As if Dragunov wasn't enough. Speaking of which, do you have any idea where he might have gone?" Of course, Blake had informed them of her encounter with Dragunov prior to their discovery.
"Sorry, no." Blake said with her ears folding.
Aizen shook his head before turning to Nox. "And you?"
Nox turned his head away from the nobleman Blade.
This made Blake a little suspicious, if Nox didn't know he would have said it. "Nox, if you know something, tell us."
With that, the dark Blade raised his scroll once more, "He may have gone back to Genbu's head."
"Why Dragunov go there?" Tora asked with a head tilt.
"He might believe that it is where he belongs now. The damage he did to the area constantly reminding him of what he could do."
"That's…awfully specific?" Blake said with a curious look.
"This theory is based on what he said not too long ago."
"I guess it makes sense." Blake then looked towards the hallway that led to the rooms. One of which had Yang, "Has anyone checked on Yang?"
"Not yet." Qrow said with a frown, "I guess I should check." With that, the veteran walked to the room they left Yang in.
As soon as Qrow left, Ruby found herself a seat and sat down, looking depressed right after the world stopped spinning.
"Ruby, I'm sure Yang will be alright," Roze said, putting his hand on his Driver's shoulder.
"Will she?" Ruby asked, looking like she wanted to cry, "I always saw Yang as this invincible big sis that could never stay down. But then…the Battle for Beacon happened and now this…What if…What if Yang won't come back from this?" the red reaper sniffled. Which prompted Roze to hug his Driver.
Mòrag looked away from Ruby. This was probably how Niall felt when she disappeared. How much had he hidden his worry and fear from anyone? Mature and capable ruler Niall is for his age, so much that it's easy to forget that he's practically a child.
Blake also looked away. If only she hadn't let her fear conquer her back then…maybe just maybe. If only Perceval hadn't…No. There was no use thinking that now. The samurai Blade was gone along with Adam. Blake had unconsciously placed a hand over the pouch that had Perceval's Core Crystal. "If only things were simple, just once."
"Yang, put that down!" Everyone heard shouting coming from the room they left Yang in. Which was soon followed by sounds of struggling.
"Let go!" That was definitely Yang.
"Like hell I am! Kasandra, get those away from her!" Qrow shouted.
"What is going on in there?" Ruby let out in concern before turning into a flurry of rose petals and swirling into the hallway, soon followed by everyone else.
What Ruby saw was not what she was expecting, Yang was still in bed, while fighting Qrow who was trying to take something out of Yang's hand. Meanwhile Kasandra was looking on while holding the cartridge belts for Ember Celica.
Finally, Qrow was able to take what looked like a single shotgun shell from Yang's hand. The shell was open, spilling its Dust contents around. "What the hell were you thinking?!" Qrow all but demanded.
"What's best for everyone, you asshole!" Yang shot back with red eyes.
"How is killing yourself best for everyone!" Qrow shot back while holding the open shell for emphasis.
"WHAT?!" Ruby's cry earned the attention of the two. "Yang…What is Uncle Qrow talking about?"
Yang looked away from Ruby, not wanting to answer.
"Yang, answer me now!" The amount of anger in Ruby's voice honestly shocked both Qrow and Yang. As it did for Blake and Roze who were first to arrive.
But Yang remained tightlipped.
So instead, Ruby turned to Qrow, "What was Yang trying to do?"
"Ruby, I'm not sure-" "Please. I have to know." Ruby interrupted her uncle.
Qrow let out a sigh, "Yang tried to down the Dust in one of the shotgun shells."
"What? But that would mean…" Blake was unable to finish that sentence as she turned a horrified look to Yang.
"Yang!" Ruby let out as she rushed towards the blonde.
"Stay away!" Yang cried out in fear, causing Ruby to pause, "I don't want to hurt you anymore."
Ruby, however, began to grow angrier and then stomped to Yang.
"Ruby, I'm warning you." But Ruby wouldn't stop. "I'll kill you if you don't stay away!" No one in the room could take that seriously when Yang looked to be on the verge of a breakdown. "Ruby, plea-"
*Slap*
Everyone looked surprised to see Ruby slapping Yang across the face. Which was soon followed by the red caped girl's best attempt at crushing Yang's ribs. "Yang…I don't want you gone. You saying stuff like that hurts me more than you trying to strangle me with Dragunov's claws."
"Ruby-"
"NO!" Ruby tightened her grip, "I want my big sister. If I had to choose between never wielding Crescent Rose or Roze's scythe again, or your life, I'd choose you any day."
Yang couldn't help tears coming out of her eyes. From Ruby's mouth, that was the equivalent of trading her soul for Yang's life. Yang then wrapped her arms around Ruby as much as she could, "I'm so sorry, Ruby. I'm so sorry."
Blake let out a sigh of relief. But then anger washed over her, "Dragunov…If Yang doesn't kick your stony ass the next time we see you, then I will." She doubted she could deal much damage against him, but that thought still brought some calm.
Then, a loud growling was heard.
"Yang? Was that you?" Ruby asked with a calm look that also had a hint of annoyance. She was terrified just a second ago, and yet the tension was broken by something that simple.
The blonde's cheeks turned red, "…There is a slight chance I haven't eaten today."
"I can order something from the Inn if you want." Blake offered with a small smile.
"…Yeah…that sounds nice." Yang said with smallest of smiles. With that, Yang managed to get out of bed with some effort and get out of the room. Although Ruby still had her sister in a vice grip. "Is this how Ruby feels sometimes?" Yang couldn't help wondering as her baby sister seemed to have made it her mission to limit the expansion capability of her lungs.
A sight that made Qrow chuckle as he remembered how little Ruby and Yang sometimes got in trouble and gave some extra work for Tai and Summer when she was still around. Mostly because of Yang. But then Qrow frowned as he took the broken Harbinger from his back to give it a look. The veteran sighed before looking to Kasandra who looked happy to have the situation resolved.
"Umm…Qrow, what should I do with these?" Kasandra showed the cartridge belts.
"I'll confiscate them until I'm absolutely sure Yang won't try anything stupid again." Qrow said as he took the ammo and pocketed them away. "Well, I guess there are worse emotions that could be forced on me." Qrow thought on the affinity link with his happy-go-lucky Blade. He might have to get used to that, seeing as Harbinger wasn't exactly usable anymore.
With that, the day was spent in relative peace. Yang had to endure the embarrassment of a clingy Ruby who seemed to be convinced that Yang might try to end herself again if let go. Not that it was advertised among the group.
The attention was thankfully diverted, when Talos eventually returned. But he still refused to tell who the Fall Maiden is or her exact location.
Oscar was fine once again and he was… surprised, to say the least, of becoming a Driver. But they got concerned when the farmboy said that he couldn't hear Ozpin. Still seeing Oscar getting to know his new Blade was a pretty amusing sight, what with the farmhand being all shy.
The atmosphere had turned slightly more hopeful overall, but there was just one more thing weighing on everyone. And that was Rex who hadn't come out of the room he shared with the Alrestians. The young salvager didn't feel like talking to anyone. Not his friends or his remaining Blades. At least he still ate when he was brought food, though he didn't seem to have much of an appetite. Everyone decided to give Rex some space since he seemed to be in better place than Yang was.
Once it got close to a late evening a Tantalese woman entered the Inn and saw the heroes lounging. "Umm…Excuse me. Is a woman named Dahlia here?"
"Huh?" Nia was the first to let out.
Then Dahlia got up and moved to the woman, "That would be me."
"It's my daughter, Kastina. She hasn't come home yet, and I'm starting to worry. She mentioned that she'd been talking to someone named Dahlia, so I was thinking, you might know where she went." The woman then said.
At this point, Weiss got up. "Kastina?"
"Weiss, what's going on?" Blake was now curious.
It was Nia who answered instead, "When we toured the town yesterday, we met a little girl who asked about Dahlia. She was very curious about how she was so pretty." For some reason, Nia looked a little bitter at the last part.
"Come on, Nia it's okay to be fun-sized?" Yang joked weakly.
"Huh?" Nia looked confused for a second before she figured out the joke, "Shut it!"
Dahlia ignored this and started thinking. "Well… it's just a guess, but she might be looking for Moondrops."
"Moondrops?" Nora tilted her head, "Does the Alrestian moon rain down here or something?"
"No, Nora. It's a flower." Weiss corrected, "One that according to Dahlia blooms only at night. Hence the name."
Unfortunately, the woman that was Kastina's mother gasped at the possibility that brought up, "You mean, she might be wandering outside of Theosoir right now?!"
And that made everyone realize that outside was no safe place for a little kid.
Dahlia looked worried about it too. " Well, I can't say for sure, but this is probably my fault. You just stay right here and I'll go look for your daughter."
"Not alone you're not." Weiss said as she moved to her Blade's side, "I'm helping too." Dahlia smiled at her Driver.
"If there's a kid in trouble, then we need to help her." Nora said with a determined look.
"Nora-" "For once I agree with her," Otohime cut Ren off, "We cannot leave a defenseless girl outside."
That seemed to get a small reaction out of Ren, "…You're right."
Aizen let out a weary sigh discreetly, "I shall assist as well." but decided to keep his real thoughts bottled up.
Ruby however looked conflicted for some reason, still clinging to Yang's side. Something that Blake and Weiss noticed.
"Ruby, you should probably stay with Yang," Weiss was the first to stay.
"But…I should help." Ruby said with a sad look.
"Don't worry, friend Ruby." Penny piped up with a reassuring smile," I won't rest until we find the missing girl."
"Guys, I can help too," Yang said as she tried to get up from her seat. Only to be dragged back down when Ruby tightened her grip, "Ruby, please. I'm not gonna try anything stupid again." Judging by Ruby's non-reaction, it wasn't very effective.
Mòrag shook her head before standing up, "I will come too. After all, someone has to watch you kids."
"Tora and Poppi help too." Tora said enthusiastically, while Poppi nodded rapidly in agreement.
"Actually," Zeke piped up, "I think you two should stay here now."
"What? Why?" Tora and Poppi said as one.
"Because someone has to watch over Rex. Besides, this is my home, so I know these parts better than you." Zeke replied easily.
"It would be helpful to have Zeke guide us to where ever we are going," Brighid agreed.
"Thank you, so much." The woman thanked profusely.
"Don't thank us yet," Dahlia said, "We still don't know where she might be yet."
"Well…I was going to ask Kastina's friends where she might be if I didn't have luck here." Kastina's mother said, "Perhaps they know more."
"That's great." Weiss said with a smile, "Can you tell us their names and where to find them?"
"No, I will come with you, they might be more inclined to tell me," Kastina's mother said instead.
"She is not wrong," Joana commented the obvious.
"Should we take Oscar with us?" Jaune then piped up, earning various looks.
"M-me?" Oscar looked a little nervous.
"It would be great practice for him." Talos agreed, "And for the record, I'm coming too."
"A little bit trial by fire, but okay." Nia said with a shrug.
"I…" Oscar muttered with an awkward look before glancing to Herald who had been looking on passively.
Brighid let out a chuckle, "Could it be that you're embarrassed about being the Driver of a female Blade?"
Judging by how Oscar's cheeks changed color, the blue haired Blade hit the nail on the head.
Zeke laughed at the whole thing, "Oh, you poor innocent kid. But it's okay, let uncle Zeke help you with your troubles." At that, he moved to Oscar and started herding him out. "Let's go people."
With those words, the rescue team moved out, with Nia also staying behind with Tora. Blake too stayed, not wanting to leave Yang now. Naturally Qrow stayed too, since this was his niece they were talking about.
Although Kastina's mother was a little unsure about whether Oscar should be coming. But everyone reassured her that the farmboy knew how to fight, he was just new as a Driver.
Regardless, when the rescue team moved out, Yang turned towards Blake.
"Blake, you don't have to stay here if you don't want to." Yang then said to the faunus Driver.
"I'm sure Weiss and the others can find the girl. Besides, I don't think I can focus on the mission anyway right now." Blake admitted as she took a seat next to Yang's other side.
"Blake, I'm fine." Yang said, sounding mildly annoyed now.
"Your suicide attempt says otherwise." Nox showed on his scroll.
"It was just a momentary impulse." Yang said defensively, while Blake gave her Blade a disapproving look.
"Nox…" Blake had a warning tone on that.
"It is true is it not, my lady?" Nox showed with a headtilt. But when Blake crossed her arms, Nox's eye widened as he took to a knee. "My apologies, my lady. I spoke out of line."
"It's not me you should apologize to." Was what Blake wanted to say, but knew that it was a waste of time. Since Nox would never mean it to anyone that wasn't his Driver. So instead she turned back to Yang, "Look, Yang. I know you're strong, but that doesn't mean you should endure it all alone. I tried that, and… well it didn't work." At the last part, Blake looked down with a guilty look.
Yang let out a weary sigh, "Look…I appreciate the thought. But seriously, that impulse isn't coming back. So long as Dragunov doesn't come near me again I should be fine." At the last part, Yang clenched a hand into a fist.
At that, Ruby and Blake perked up.
"What?"
"I mean this is all his fault." Yang said bitterly.
"His fault?" Nia let out, "How do you figure that?" the Gormotti didn't even sound accusing, just genuinely curious.
"He's the one that tried to make me kill everyone." Was Yang's hate filled response.
"Miss Yang, you must remember that he wasn't in control any more than you were." Dromarch.
"And that's supposed to make it better?" Yang said through gritted teeth which made Ruby finally extract herself from her sister.
"Yang…" the youngest girl in the room let out in worry.
"Look Ruby. I just…hearing that I hurt you made me think that if I disappeared then you would be safe. But…if Dragunov stays away then there should be no problem." For some reason, both Ruby and Blake got the impression that Yang was trying to convince herself, more than them.
However, Qrow looked worried, for he recognized Yang's reasoning for what it was. She was trying to justify her living. Something Qrow had plenty of experience at. How many times had he thought that everything would be better without him being alive? Qrow lost count, but during his time with team STRQ he was…alright for the most part. But the thing that still helps him to this day is the memory of when he saved Yang and Ruby when they were little. "If I wasn't alive, then Yang and Ruby would have died that night." That thought was a huge help for him for the longest time. Although that still didn't stop Tai from grounding the older girl for a week. It was only thanks to Qrow that Tai didn't make it a year and actually lock both of them in their room for that period.
Still, Yang looked like she had a good support network going on when Ruby hugged her sister again. And Blake placed a supportive hand on the blonde's shoulder.
With the rescue team, they had gone through Kastina's friends with the help of the girl's mother. One of them mentioned that Kastina was trying to find Moondrops from the forest behind Old Gelgemos Gate.
Kastina's mother did not like the sound of that, fortunately a quick promise to go there and retrieve the girl calmed the woman down. So out they went, using the mining lift that was fortunately about to go back down. For Zeke knew where the place is. And it was a relatively short trek. However, when they got there, they realized why Zeke seemed to be in such a hurry to get here. This place was crawling with Arachnos. Big and small. Also…
"Tantalese have a strange definition of a forest," Weiss commented on the area that had surprisingly few trees. Not like one or two trees, but there were few and far between.
"Zeke, is this the place?" Dahlia asked the Tantalese.
"Well, it's behind Gelgemos Gate, which is behind us now." Zeke said while pointing his thumb behind them where a large pillar was.
"Well, I don't see Kastina anywhere," Dahlia said as she looked around through the snow that was now falling. It had begun to snow almost immediately after they left.
"Umm..." Agate piped up nervously as she stared at the Arachnos moving in the distance with fear, "I don't want to scare anyone, but could Kastina have collapsed and be covered in snow?"
"…We gotta dig this whole place up!" Nora exclaimed with fiery determination.
"You took the words right out of my mouth," Dahlia said just as Nora began digging around random spots, spraying snow everywhere.
"Nora. Nora!" Ren called out to his girlfriend.
"What?!" Nora let out in slight anger.
"If Kastina was covered under the snow, I would think there's some kind of mound forming around her." The black-haired boy pointed out.
"Oh, that's right!"
"We still need to find her quickly." Jaune pointed out as Joana deployed her helmet.
"…Milord, I detect life signs different from the Arachnos in that direction." Joana pointed towards a seemingly random direction.
"Really?" Jaune said with a hopeful look, "Your Medical Scan is awesome!"
"Thank you, milord." Joana said, sounding like she was granted an extremely rare commodity.
Let's go, friends!" Penny said, already marching to the direction Joana just pointed.
"…Is it just me or is she starting to sound like a Nopon?" Pandoria questioned.
"What do you mean?" Ren asked with a curious look.
"Well she is using the word friend the way a Nopon is." Pandoria pointed out.
"Now that you mentioned it, it does sound like that." Zeke said in thought.
"Indeed," Mòrag muttered in thought, "Could Poppi and Tora have influenced her?"
"Well they have spent time together lately." Brighid added her two gold into the mix.
"Is this really the time to talk about such things?" Weiss asked with a mildly annoyed look. The gang hadn't stopped moving quickly to where Joana had pointed out. Of course, the self-proclaimed combat medic was leading them.
Before anyone could answer that, Joana had stopped. "The readings are coming from this pile of snow." Sure enough, there was a small pile of snow that seemed slightly out of place.
"Kastina!" Nora cried out as she started digging through the pile, with Electra and Dahlia joining in.
Between the three of them, Dahlia was the fastest due to her large beastial hands.
"Meh-meh-meh-meh-meeehh!" Said a small yellow Nopon who emerged from the pile.
"What the-?!" Zeke was the first to let out as Nora and Electra fell backwards with surprised yelps.
"Me thought me would die." The Nopon said, gasping for precious air. "Thanks friends much for saving."
"Well that sure ain't Kastina," Dahlia commented with a strange look.
"What was your first clue?" Aizen asked, sounding tired of this. Earning a disapproving look from Weiss.
"Who are you?" Electra was the first to ask.
"And what were you doing under that pile?" Nora followed up.
"Friends should call me Sage. Just Sage." The Nopon said, "Was training to become a great Nopon Sage. But was such deep meditation, did not notice snow pile up on top of me. Almost become Nopon Icicle."
"…Seriously?" Jaune commented on the explanation while turning to the two Alrestians for support.
"But me feel like has reached new enlightenment from experience." The Nopon Sage continued.
Both Otohime and Ren quirked an eyebrow at this.
"Okay, even for a Nopon, this guy's weird," Zeke commented.
However, Dahlia had other ideas, "Did you happen to see a Tantalese girl around here? We heard she was coming this way."
Weiss let out a sigh, "Dahlia, this guy's been covered by snow for who knows how long, there's no way he could have-"
"Meh-meh? Tantalese girl? Feel like may have seen… or maybe not…" The Nopon Sage replied, earning surprised looks.
"We would appreciate if you gave us a straight answer," Mòrag then chimed in.
"Yeah, her life could be in danger." Penny added in.
"Meh meh…If friends give food offering, might remember." The Nopon sage said.
"…Excuse me?" Weiss mouthed first with a highly annoyed look.
"Me so hungry, can barely remember. If friends bring food, may-Meh-meh!" The so-called Sage let out a cry when Weiss grabbed the round creature from the front furs and made it stare down the tip of Myrtenaster's blade.
"Now listen here you furry little meatball." Weiss said threateningly, "That little girl has been out here for who knows how long in this increasingly piling snow. She may be dying from hypothermia for all we know. So, if you know something, you better spill it or I will be having fried Nopon for late night dinner." At the last part, Weiss had a very frosty smile. Licking her lips for good measure.
Everyone gave Weiss a concerned look when the Nopon was trembling in fear.
"Meh-meh! M-memories coming back. The girl friends looking for did come here. Ran off towards Pillar City Ruins. Me not know why the girl go there, but it quite dangerous on her own. So friends should go help quick-quick." The Sage whimpered out.
"Thank you." Weiss said as she let go and put Myrtenaster away, "That wasn't so hard, now was it. Zeke, do you know where this place is?"
"Uhh…Yeah, I do. And the little bugger's right, we better hurry." Zeke said while looking apprehensive of Weiss.
As did everyone else who now had a mental image of Weiss eating a Nopon like a savage. Even Dahlia looked highly concerned of her Driver's mental state. Only Aizen looked pleased at Weiss' approach.
"Good, let's go." Weiss said while giving the Tantalese prince an expectant look.
"…Right." With that, everyone left. Although, Brighid had moved a little closer to team JNPR.
"Has Weiss always been this…" Brighid struggled to find the right word. Never having thought that the well-mannered girl would do something like that.
"Savage?" Nora supplied helpfully, "No. We didn't expect this out of her."
"Weiss…" Dahlia called out as they were now running, seeing as apparently Zeke felt that the girl was in great danger in where ever the place she ran off to was.
"Look, Dahlia, I'm sorry, but we're in a hurry. We can't do food delivery when a girl's life is in danger." Weiss quickly said.
"…Were you serious?" Dahlia then let out.
"…Excuse me?" Weiss gave her Blade a disbelieving look.
"Were you serious about eating him?"
"NO! Of course not! I'm not some uncivilized barbarian that eats everything in sight!" Weiss
"To be fair, Miss Schnee, your bluff was very convincing." Aizen chimed in with a highly amused look.
"So…you weren't serious?" Nora asked carefully.
"Of course not! What kind of person do you think I am?" Weiss just couldn't believe that her friends who she had spent many months at Beacon and now many days here in Alrest thought so low of her so easily.
"A money-grubbing lowlife who believes herself to be royalty." Joana answered without hesitation.
"Weiss…please ignore her." Jaune said, having a strong urge to crawl under a rock and dying.
To Weiss' credit, her eye only twitched, while Aizen shook his head in amusement.
Meanwhile, back at the Inn. Yang had gotten back to her room. Fortunately, Ruby wasn't attached to her. Still, the blonde was mildly annoyed that they put Blake to watch her. It's not like she had anymore will to commit suicide, much less any tools for it.
"Yang…are you sure you're gonna be alright," Blake asked from her bed where she was reading Beauty and the Beast to pass the time. Or at least that's what she was trying to do.
"Blake…I'm not made of glass." Yang complained as she turned to her side on her bed.
"I didn't say anything like that," Blake said, putting the book down for the moment. "It's just…I can't imagine how you're feeling. And that scares me."
"…I feel like all that's wrong with the world is my fault." Yang muttered, barely audible even for Blake's ears."
But still audible enough, "Yang…it wasn't your fault."
"…Cut the crap, Blake. I nearly killed my sister because of… him." Yang muttered not even sure if there's an expletive that properly describes Dragunov.
"None of us knew what could happen with him," Blake replied back, "I don't think even Dragunov knew."
"I'm not so sure anymore." That surprised Blake, "What if…what if Dragunov knew exactly what would happen and just kept it from me. All so I would unlock his stupid power without knowing the consequences!"
"You can't mean that." Blake said now looking worried.
"Yes I can. Because it's the only explanation that makes sense." Yang argued putting the pillow over her head. "This conversation is over."
Blake frowned at this before getting out of her bed and taking the pillow off of Yang's head. "No. We're not done here."
"Leave me alone!" Yang shouted, glaring at the feline faunus with red eyes, causing Blake to back away.
Blake knew she shouldn't have reacted like that, but the memory of being the target of Yang's blind rage was still fresh.
The rage was instantly replaced by a hurt look. "See? You act like you want to help, but you're just trying to lie to me too." With that, Yang curled under her blanket.
Blake looked down in shame as she realized that Yang wouldn't listen to her now. Although she did wonder why Yang said she was trying to lie to her. Still for now, Blake put Yang's pillow near the blonde before going to her own bed. She looked to another bed and saw Roze laying down on Ruby's bed. One arm around the blanket that covered the sleeping girl. It was still surprising that Yang allowed this. Although she made him swear to keep himself and especially his hands outside the blanket and not "explore" anything. Though it was more surprising that Ruby didn't wake up at the commotion just now.
If Blake had kept her gaze on the blanket that covered Ruby, she would've seen how it moved closer Roze before Ruby's arm came out of it and wrapped around the empty eyed reaper Blade. Roze responded by stroking the area of the cocoon he was pretty sure Ruby's head was at.
With the rescue team, they had made it to the top of the Lumos pillar after fighting through some monsters that got in their way. Although the ice bridge that led to them was broken, pretty recently according to Kos-Mos. But luckily Dahlia was able to fix it. With that, they were able to make it to the Pillar City ruins. And now everyone knew why Zeke wanted to get here fast. This place was territory of local Garlu. Large muscular humanoids with white fur and antlers. And they would not be happy about the intruders. Fortunately, it was already so late that the things were asleep. So all the gang had to do was sneak past them. Although for the few guards that were still awake, Aizen decided to make himself useful and use his illusions to mask their movements. All he had to do was to make them see his sword glowing and they came to investigate. However, seeing his swords was what Aizen needed to use his illusions. Which meant that the moment they came to investigate, they wouldn't find anything. Despite one of them standing directly in front of the gang. So when they retreated, Aizen kept up the illusion so they could sneak past the guards. This action was repeated a few times until they reached a small cavern. The gang moved inside.
"Kastina!" Dahlia was the first to exclaim at the sight of the little girl sprawled on the floor. This place looked like some kind of storage room with dirt floor and crude boxes filled with supplies.
"How did she get this far on her own," Jaune said in disbelief. For all intents and purposes a little girl shouldn't have been able to make half the trek they did.
"She's cold." Dahlia said in worry as she cradled the girl in her arms.
"Dangerously so." Joana added, having performed medical scan.
"We need to warm her up somehow." Ren said as he looked to the tired looking girl who probably had collapsed from exhaustion and cold.
"Allow me," Brighid offered as she kneeled down, "I can warm her up."
Dahlia smiled as she passed the girl to the blue haired fire Blade. "Thank you Brighid."
"Don't worry about it." Brighid said as she held the girl who instinctively snuggled against the warm body of the fire Blade.
"We can't stay here." Mòrag said, "There's no telling when one of the Garlu's will come and check up on things."
"My illusion should hold for another hour or so, unless they're hit." Aizen commented, "By then we should be long gone."
"Yeah, let's get out of here." Zeke said too.
"Umm…Pretty lady Dahlia?" Kastina said, having warmed enough to wake up.
"Kastina?" Dahlia turned towards the girl who Brighid was still holding. The little red-haired girl in heavy clothing had her little red eyes open and on Dahlia. "Thank the Architect. Are you alright, dear?" For some reason, Weiss felt just a little annoyed at her Blade doting on the girl who Brighid was still warming up.
"Y-yeah, I'm okay." The girl said, now smiling at Dahlia.
"Well that's a relief," Dahlia said, "I was really worried."
Kastina looked a little sad before looking behind Dahlia and the others. "Look out!"
With that, everyone turned around to see a group of six Garlus. Each of them brandishing their hammers.
"So much for escaping," Aizen complained as he and everyone else took a combat stance.
Then one of the Garlu's attempted to charge straight at Brighid who was still holding Kastina. The little girl screamed as she held onto the Jewel of Mor Ardain. The beastman didn't get far before getting Dahlia's bitball in the face, causing it to stumble back.
"It's alright," Brighid said soothingly, "Dahlia stopped the monster."
"Huh?" Kastina dared to look and see Dahlia right in front of them. "Dahlia!"
"Don't worry, dear. You just stay right there. I'm not just some pretty lady, you know. I can kick some monster butt too." Dahlia said with a smile as she prepared her bitball for another go.
"Dahlia, if you don't mind." Weiss said as she extended her hand.
"Of course not, Weiss." And then Dahlia passed her bitball to her Driver.
"Watch and learn." Weiss said with a smirk. Aizen shook his head at Weiss' behavior.
"Brighid, could I ask you to watch the girl?" Mòrag asked as she had Aegaeon give his Chroma Katana.
"If you are certain, lady Mòrag." Brighid answered simply as she took a step back.
"Well then, guys…Guess it's fight time again," Zeke said, brandishing Big Bang Edge.
"Oh, yeah." Nora said with a grin.
Oscar raised Herald's weapon. A black Ether Cannon with its barrel looking like an open maw of a dragon. with glowing blue stripes along it. He still wasn't sure about wielding a weapon like this, but it has proved effective. Also, Herald is an electric Blade, so there was a chance of synergy with Zeke and Nora.
Weiss started by launching Dahlia's bitball at one of the Garlus but when the ball returned with its spikes gone, Weiss formed another launching glyph and kicked it right through it. Striking the Garlu again.
Dahlia looked proud of her Driver improving at the use of bitball. Previously Weiss just made a glyph and threw the ball through it. But during the course of this trip alone, Weiss had learned how to kick the ball through her glyphs instead.
"Eclipse Blade!" Mòrag meanwhile engaged another Garlu that actually blocked the attack with its crude warhammer. Or at least it tried, but Mòrag just cut through the handle and wounded the beast. Enraged, the Garlu tried attacking the Special Inquisitor who dodged all attacks with almost laughable ease. Then it was blindsided by Agate.
With Nora, she decided to be greedy and engage two at once. Of course, this meant that Zeke and Ren were allowed to get their attacks in with the baddies focused on her.
As for Oscar, he was helping Jaune and Talos with two more. It was clear through this whole trip that Jaune wasn't willing to work with Talos. The metallic champion still refused to talk about the Fall Maiden. Or…
"Can't you do that thing you did against that Jin guy?" Jaune asked as he used Heroic slash to make his Garlu back off.
"That's not something I should use lightly." Talos said as he blocked a strike from his Garlu with his shield, "Adenine warned me that using whatever abilities I gained as a Flesh Eater excessively might cause me to…deteriorate."
"Well isn't that convenient." Jaune snarked as he braced his shield, with Crocea Mors' sword sheathed into it, to block his Garlu's attack. Then the beast was pushed back when Oscar blasted it with Herald's Ether Cannon. It was clear that the farmboy didn't have a single Art yet.
Still he felt like he was doing good, all things considered.
"Tech Blaster!" Penny gave artillery support for Weiss who was practically dancing around her opponent with Dahlia's bitball. The Garlu wasn't happy about the damage it took and shifted it's attention to Penny. The Artificial Driver grinned before blasting the thing with Mach Breaker, next.
Which also allowed Weiss to use her third bitball Art. The frosty Driver made four launching glyphs appear in front of her before throwing the bitball through. "Icicle Gun." And then the bitball was launched through the four sets with greatly increased force. Right at the temporarily stopped Garlu's back. Breaking its stance for good. The beast cried out in pain very loudly.
"Oh, crap!" Zeke exclaimed.
Nora also saw the attack. And she had a very devious idea. "Shockblast!" Nora quickly charged a ball of electricity into the hammer and shot it straight at the Garlu that Weiss attacked. The force of the attack toppled the beast.
"Everyone, we need to finish this quickly." Zeke let out frantically.
"What? Why?" Nora asked as she quickly returned to block attacks from her own Garlu's which of course were electrocuted when they were blocked.
"Do as he says." Mòrag followed it up, switching to Agate's Greataxe as she did before using Rock Cleaver, a powerful thrust against her already weakened Garlu.
"Nora, out of the way!" Zeke called out as he charged ULFS Max. Nora pouted but moved away just when Zeke landed and his Art hit the two Garlus.
"Blossom Burst!" Followed up by Ren for good measure.
"Pyrrhic Rush Victory!" And Talos was riddling his opponent with holes. Just as Jaune managed to inflict a grievous wound on his opponent.
"Arclight!" which the knight followed up with his only ranged attack at point blank range.
Meanwhile Weiss took advantage of the opening Nora gave her and used Snowfall on the downed Garlu. The former heiress couldn't help cringing when she heard a sickening crack coming from the beast's back.
"Not bad," Aizen commented on Weiss' performance with a small smile. Weiss would never admit how happy that made her for an instant.
"We need to leave." Mòrag said having finished her opponents.
"Agreed." Zeke agreed as he turned to face the exit.
"Why? What's the hurry?" Electra asked innocently.
"Don't ask questions, just move." Zeke said frantically, but then Agate had moved to the entrance.
And she had a slightly scared look, "Uhh…Too late."
"What?" Weiss let out.
But Aizen looked like he understood, "Don't tell me. Our fight alerted the rest?"
Judging by the sound of multiple footsteps, the answer was yes.
"Guys, there's another path here!" Nora called out, pointing to a different path.
"Then let's go." Weiss said quickly. With that, everyone ran the other cavern just when more Garlu's began showing up. None of them felt like fighting the entire tribe of them. They just hoped that the second path would lead them away.
No such luck. It led them to a ledge with the only exit being right where they came from.
"Dammit! We gotta fight them." Nora said as she glared to the pathway.
"That many? Are you dumb?!" Zeke let out.
"Aizen, could you use your illusions to take make them think we're not here?" Jaune quickly asked.
"If the entire attack force was within my field of vision, yes." Aizen explained, "But with a narrow passage like that, I cannot." Meanwhile Weiss was looking out towards Theosoir in the distance.
"…Zeke, does Theosoir have anti-air weapons?" Weiss asked with a frown.
"What? What does that-" "Just answer me." Weiss said urgently.
"Well, yeah, there are some for large aerial monsters," Zeke then explained.
"Great… but we don't have other options." Weiss said as she drew Myrtenaster before focusing on a single glyph.
Back in the Inn, Qrow had decided to move outside. Kastina's mother was still in the inn, unable to sleep with worry. As for Qrow, he was contemplating on going out and search the rescue team. They had been out there for hours. And everyone else was already sleeping. Letting out a weary sigh, Qrow looked towards the skies before seeing a glowing white dot in the sky.
Qrow squinted his eyes at what was approaching. And when he saw it clearer, he wasn't sure if he could believe it. It was a white Queen Lancer approaching. But if it was white, then that meant it was a summon of a Schnee. And as far as he knew, the only Schnee in Alrest was Weiss.
"What is that?" A night shift guard asked at the sight.
"Is that a monster?" Another one questioned in alarm.
"Crap." Qrow let out as he quickly ran to the guards to not make them do something stupid. "Hey! That thing is harmless, it's a summoned creature of a kid I know."
The two guards stared at Qrow, "Sure, and I'm the queen of Uraya." Then one of them ran off, Most likely to sound an alarm or something.
"Hey, stop!" Qrow shouted but then he noticed lasers firing from somewhere in the palace at the summoned Grimm. Fortunately, it was taking evasive maneuvers. And at least once a barrier came around it.
Still, Qrow was worried. It wouldn't be long until the military here would be scrambled up and ready to fight fully.
But then the firing stopped when the summoned Grimm finally reached the city itself. Buzzing loudly as it did. And that was when Qrow saw properly. The entire rescue team was riding the thing. Once the summon landed, it disintegrated, causing everyone to fall down.
"Is everyone alright?" Pandoria asked as she got back up.
A chorus of "Yes." Or some other variation came out.
"Weiss." Dahlia said in concern as she moved to the unconscious looking girl.
Aizen also moved in and checked their Driver's pulse, "She's only sleeping."
"Should we wake her up?" Electra asked in worry before yawning herself.
"No, let her sleep." Aizen said simply, "I believe Miss Schnee has more than earned her rest." The nobleman had faintest of smiles on his face.
Dahlia smiled at Aizen's words, "You're right."
"What's going on out here?" Questioned Kastina's mother who had come out of the inn to see everyone having returned. "Where is Kastina?" The woman looked worried when she didn't notice her daughter immediately among the group.
"Mom!" Came Kastina's voice who got away from everyone and ran to her mother. But the little girl stopped with a scared look as she saw her mother looking very angry.
"What were you thinking?!" Kastina's mother shouted, "Wandering outside Theosoir on your own? You could've been killed!"
Tears were forming in Kastina's eyes as she looked down. At the sight of her daughter's tears, the woman took a deep breath to calm down. Then she kneeled down and hugged her daughter. "I'm sorry, mom." Kastina choked out.
"It's alright now." the girl's mother said with a sigh, "Just…don't ever scare me like that again."
"You should really listen to your mother." Dahlia added in, having passed the now sleeping Weiss to Aizen. "I thought you wanted to grow up to be pretty like me. You can't do that, if you get yourself killed."
"…I'm sorry." Kastina said again before separating from her mother. "I just really wanted to find one of these." The little girl then reached for a small bag she had around her and took two pretty white flowers.
Dahlia looked surprised as she recognized the flowers, "Those are Moondrops."
"Yes. I only managed to find two of them. But I really wanted to give them to you since you said they were your favorite." Kastina explained.
"You did all that… for me?" Dahlia questioned, looking very moved.
"Yep." Kastina said with a smile, "You taught me lots of things to remember, so I wanted to do something lovely to you too."
"You braved such a scary place all for me?" Dahlia just couldn't believe it. The trek alone should've been an impossible journey for someone so small. "You really are a silly girl. But you did show me a beautiful sight."
"You like them?"
"Yes. I've never seen something so beautiful." Dahlia commented as she lowered herself to the little girl's level, "Not even the Moondrops are as beautiful as what I'm looking at right now."
This confused Kastina,"Prettier than Moondrops?"
"Yes, I'm talking about that tender little heart of yours." Dahlia smiled tenderly, "Tell you what. Since you've shown me something beautiful, I need to do something in return." Then the ice bunny extended one hand and Kastina gave the Moondrops. Then Dahlia stood up, "Now… feast your eyes on this." Then Dahlia raised the two flowers and blew a cold breath upon the flowers.
"Wow." Kastina let out in wonder as the two flowers turned into beautiful ice-sculptures. Then Dahlia placed one of the flowers into Kastina's hair.
"Do you like it, sweetie?" Dahlia asked, still holding the other one.
"I love it." Kastina said happily. Then the little girl had a determined look. "You know what, Dahlia? I'm gonna be the prettiest, coolest Driver ever when I grow up! And then…I'm gonna find you and make you my very own Blade." At the last part, everyone looked surprised at the declaration.
Especially Dahlia, "You? Want me to become your Blade?" And then the busty Blade let out a melodious laugh, "That sounds wonderful. But I have to tell you, my current Driver right here is tough. You'll be waiting quite a while." Dahlia said as she patted sleeping Weiss' head.
As this was happening, Tantalese Knights were pouring out of the palace to see reports of a monster that flew inside the city.
Zeke let out a sigh, "You guys get to bed. I'll deal with this quickly."
With that, Zeke was off to convince the knights that this was a false alarm. Which also reminded everyone that it was probably way past midnight and therefore way past bedtime. So with that, everyone got to their rooms to sleep, while Zeke dealt with the knights. Kastina was also walking home with her mother with a big smile on her face.
Meanwhile, Dahlia looked at the other flower in her hand with a soft smile before looking to Weiss who Aizen had carried to their room. And that was when she decided to put the other frozen flower into sleeping white haired girl's braid, right at the bottom.
"...It's beautiful," Aizen commented as both of them took in their sleeping Driver's appearance.
AN: Whelp. Here we go. It wasn't supposed to be over 10000 words this time. But I really wanted Weiss to do Dahlia's Blade quest. Poor Weiss might not like having competition over Dahlia. Not that there is any. Rex is still depressed, but still better off than Yang who feels that Dragunov betrayed her.
And yeah, I planned for Oscar to become the Driver of Herald at some point. But the question is... what happened to Ozpin?