Halo, it's time for the newest chapter. Enjoy the reading.
After successfully driving out the White Fang and the Grimm from Beacon, everybody gathered in the academy courtyard where they were able to create a temporary safe zone. Professor Oobleck and Port led the evacuation.
- Everyone, - Port said. – line up! This is a mandatory evacuation!
- We have successfully created a safer zone in Vale! - Oobleck joined in. - Please stay calm and listen to the Atlasian staff!
Lynda and Mike arrived from the academy but the fat boy was bleeding and leaning on the faunus girl. Lynda wasn't in any better shape either, nearly collapsing under Mike's weight but she held on and tried with all her might to get her friend to safety.
- Hey, - Sun was the first to rush over to help and was joined by Weiss. – we help! – Sun swung Mike's other arm over his shoulder and they took him and Lynda to the evacuation zone, where they laid him down next to Yang and Blake.
- Lynda… - Weiss felt a little guilty that she and her team had testified that Lynda was a White Fang member. - I...
- What happened to her?! - Lynda was shocked as soon as she saw that Yang's right arm was replaced by a bloody, mangled stump.
- One of the people of the White Fang did it. Are you okay?
- Just… - The faunus girl panted. - take him to a doctor.
- It wouldn't hurt you either. - Sun remarked after Lynda headed back. - Hey, where are you going?
- Lance... - Lynda's strength ran out, she could barely stay on her feet. – he's in trouble.
- What happened to Lance?! - Weiss was worried.
- His Semblance… surrounded by the Grimms! - Lynda mustered all her remaining strength to keep going. - We have to save him!
- Weiss! - Ruby's voice could be heard in the distance and the white-haired girl was very happy.
- Ruby! - The two girls, Ruby and Weiss, hugged each other.
- I found you!
- Ruby, where…
- Don't worry, I'm fine. – Ruby looked at the injured Mike and despite the exhaustion of her aura, determined Lynda. - What's going on? – Weiss lowered her head sadly, then looked at the one-armed Yang and Blake, who squeezed Yang's remaining hand and couldn't help apologizing.
Ruby put her hands in front of her in horror at seeing her sister and friend like this.
- Ruby… - Lynda spoke up. – if you don't help, Lance will die.
- What happened to him?! - Ruby asked.
- He activated his Semblance and a horde of Grimm swarmed him!
- We have to save him! - Ruby decided.
- But Jaune and Pyrrha are missing too! – Norah warned everyone.
- Listen, - Sun pointed to the giant Wyvern Grimm flying around Beacon's tower. – that giant Grimm is still here, smaller Grimms keep gathering around it! Even the White Fang have retreated! We must leave! Now!
- No... - Ren tried to stand up but he didn't have the strength left and collapsed.
Seeing that each of his friends had reached the limit of their strength, he couldn't ask any of them to stick with him.
- I'll find them. - Ruby made up her mind. - I'll find them and bring them back.
- No! – Weiss jumped up and stood next to her. - We will bring them back. - She turned back to the others. - You watch Yang and Blake. - We will be back soon
- Then it's decided! - Lynda clapped her hands together but immediately dropped to one knee.
- Drink this. – Weiss gave her a special Dust potion. - This will recharge part of your Aura.
- Thank you. – Lynda drank it, a white flash around her body indicated that her aura had recharged and her strength had returned.
Lynda, Ruby, and Weiss headed for Beacon together.
- What's the plan? - Weiss asked.
- Well… we're bringing back Lance, Pyrrha, and Jaune. - Ruby replied.
- Okay, where are they? - Weiss asked the next question.
- Well… - Ruby just scratched the back of her head. - This is a good question.
- I don't know where Pyrrha and Jaune are but that's where I last saw Lance. - She pointed towards the west side of the academy. - I can still smell him, it won't be hard to find. - Suddenly, Weiss's Scroll rang.
- It's Jaune! - She found it before she pressed the answer button. - Where are you?!
- Weiss! - Jaune's voice was heard but he was in complete despair and slurring his words. - Please, you have to stop her!
- What?
- Pyrrha! She went after that woman… at the top of the tower! She doesn't have a chance! – The three girls looked towards the CCT-tower but they didn't see anything out of the ordinary.
- Jaune, what are you talking about? Where are you?
- DON'T BOTHER WITH ME! - His voice was full of fear and desperation, as if he knew what was going to happen to Pyrrha. - Please…you have to save Pyrrha.
- We will but are you okay? - He didn't answer and the call was suddenly interrupted. - Jaune? Jaune?!
In the next moment, the Wyvern flew above them and clinging to the CCT-tower and glared at the girls with its red and orange flaming eyes, then let out a loud roar and released dozens of smaller Grimm.
- Lynda, - Ruby took out Crescent Rose, Weiss Myrtenaster, and Lynda her tri-blades. – go, get Lance and Jaune.
- Are you sure? - Lynda wouldn't have liked to leave the two girls there. - You may need help.
- Don't worry, - Ruby pointed her scythe confidently in front of her. - I have a plan.
- You always have. - Weiss also her sword.
- Good luck. – Lynda retracted her blades and turned on her Semblance and she was no longer there.
She was grateful for Weiss's potion that gave back her strength because now it was her Semblance that Lance and Jaune's lives depended on. She turned a corner and noticed massive destruction on the west wing of Beacon, everything was destroyed, she saw Grimm traces but not a single monster.
Something incredibly powerful passed through, broke a hole in the wall and headed towards the city through it.
"I have to hurry!", Lynda thought as she smelled Lance everywhere. She didn't need much of her great sense of smell to follow the trail of destruction Lance had left behind.
In the distance, she could already see the ominous dark red light that Lance's berserker form was emitting. Luckily, the Grimms were coming from her right direction, so no more monsters came from that side.
She slowly and cautiously approached her maddened, raging teammate and just watched as he decimated the attacking Grimm.
"Well, now what? It's okay that I'm here and I'm watching him chop up the Grimm but I can't do much."
Suddenly, a familiar smell hit her nose and she saw Jaune in one of the buildings, trying to sneak past them towards Beacon, hiding from the Grimm. Unfortunately, Lance was stopped in front of the house by the Grimm, so Jaune couldn't get out and Lynda couldn't get in without Lance noticing them.
Jaune quickly stormed out of the building, cutting down a few Grimm to rush to Lance's aid but it was a huge mistake because as soon as he got close, Lance slammed him against the wall with a single punch.
- Lance… - Jaune coughed. - what are you doing?! It's me, Jaune! – He tried to crawl back but he hit a wall and the enraged Lance towered in front of him, clearly with murderous intent.
"Oh sh*t, he doesn't know!", Lynda switched on at lightning speed. She immediately activated her Semblance and charged at Lance at full speed, who was caught off guard by the sudden and fast attack and fell to the side.
- Jaune, - She held out her hand. – we can't stay near him! – The boy took the girl's hand and the next moment they were running. - We have to be as far... - Accompanied by a white flash, Lynda's Aura ran out her Semblance turned off, she fell on her face and dragged Jaune with her, who fell on top of her. - Oh… I wasn't paying attention to my Aura level. - She stood up while rubbing her forehead.
- What happened with Lance?! - That was Jaune's first question after seeing the enraged and transformed Lance getting closer and closer to them.
- It's a long story but we have to go as far as possible!
- We can't leave Pyrrha alone! - Jaune tried to argue.
- Don't worry, Ruby and Weiss went for her! The most important thing is to save ourselves! – Lynda continued to drag the boy, who reluctantly agreed to save himself. He couldn't have done anything.
They began to run, although a larger horde of Grimm stood in their way and both drew their weapons. As the Grimm started off, Lynda and Jaune were surprised to find themselves completely ignored and passed by.
- What the… - Jaune didn't understand why the monsters were ignoring them.
- They want Lance. - Lynda said.
- But why?
- It's his Semblance. He becomes super strong and no one can defeat him. Unfortunately, the price is that he loses his sanity and can't tell the difference between friend and foe. Another downside is that it attracts Grimm like a magnet.
- Pretty dangerous.
- But at least we can escape. - Lynda and Jaune easily slipped through the Grimm, who showed absolutely no interest in them.
Gunshots were heard and then a dozen Grimm were cut in half and fell dead.
Not far from Lance, they saw Qrow standing confidently in front of the raging Red Knight.
- Who is he? - Lynda shook her head.
- Ruby's uncle, Qrow. - Jaune stated.
- And what is he you doing here, no one can defeat Lance... - He didn't even finish the sentence before Qrow pressed a button on a remote control, before Lance dropped his sword, he began to squeeze his head painfully, as if it was about to explode, he fell to his knees in pain but still in full rage he tried to lash out at Qrow, only to lose consciousness. The red aura went out, his body began to shrink and he fell unconscious on the ground. – by pressing a button.
- Are you all right, kids? – Qrow turned to them, and Lynda just nodded in confusion. - Good. Has anyone seen my niece?
- She went to the tower to save Pyrrha! - Jaune spoke up. - Help them! Please!
- Don't worry, I'm on it. - He handed the remote to Lynda. - Until then, take him to a safe place and if he starts raging again, press the red button.
With that, Qrow headed towards Beacon while Jaune and Lynda together grabbed Lance and carried him towards the secure zone that had been set up in the Vale.
- Damn it! - Mandy yelled as she squeezed her wound tightly to prevent more blood from leaking out but to no avail, blood poured out of her abdomen. - I'm going to die, damn it! - She was completely desperate and started kicking the car door.
- Hang in there, big girl! - Derrick, while driving the car, looked back to reassure her.
- I'M DYING! - She squealed like a pig on the ground. - I'm sorry!
- Give me your hand! - Derrick reached back to take her hand and she gripped his large hand as if it was her only hope of survival.
- I wish she had killed me instead! – Mandy still remembered May, the only female member of the team BRNZ, who shot her in the stomach. The shot seriously injured her, she was in terrible pain and felt that her life was draining from her body along with her blood. - Turn around, please!
- Calm down! – Derrick shouted but tried to be as empathetic as possible, as he was very worried about her. - I know it hurts like hell but you'll survive!
- I'M GOING TO DIE! - Mandy cried and sobbed. - I'm bleeding seriously, Derrick! I will bleed and die!
- Indeed?! – Derrick also felt that Mandy was probably kicking the last ones and tried to ease the fear with a little joke. - I didn't even know you were a qualified doctor! – Mandy continued to wail and he had to quickly figure out what to say that would calm her down or distract her. - Are you a doctor? - Mandy curled up in the back seat and continued to cry. - Answer me! Are you a doctor?! Please answer! Are?! You?! Doctor?!
- No... - With great difficulty she moaned out. - I'm not.
- See? You don't know what you're talking about! Of course, everyone can have an amateur opinion but only a doctor can say for sure. – Mandy began to calm down, as Derrick explained as if he was sure of his words. - Listen to me, now I'm taking you back to the village, which we used as a hiding place and where the others are probably gathering! Roman will arrange for you to see a doctor, he will fix you and then you will be fine! Say "I'm going to be okay"! - He ordered but Mandy screamed again in pain. - SAY IT NOW, DAMN IT! - Mandy kept kicking the inside of the door in pain. - "I'M GOING TO BE OK"! TELL ME NOW YOU WILL GET BETTER! SAY IT, FOR THE F*CK SAKE!
- Okay… okay… - Mandy calmed down and shakily tried to breathe. - I'll be fine.
- Good! - Derrick felt better too. - Good.
- I'll be fine.
Finally, they reached the village, which was empty as the inhabitants had been warned to hide. Derrick got out, took Mandy out of the backseat, and carried her in his arms to the warehouse he had turned into the White Fang's headquarters. The warehouse was also empty, there was no one there but he didn't care about that now, he immediately took her to the infirmary, where he laid her on a bed.
Unfortunately, there was no equipment to help and Derrick wasn't doctor to do anything.
- Look where we are. - Derrick tried to calm her down after Mandy's grip got weaker and weaker. - We're here at headquarters. We did it.
- Derrick... - Mandy started to feel dizzy and could hardly see what was around her, she was only sure that Derrick was there and watching over her. - You'll save me, will you?
- You will be saved! - Derrick snapped. - Who's the tough girl? So, who's the tough girl?! - He tried to instill courage in her. - Tell me, who's the tough girl?
- I… - Mandy clenched her fists and teeth to endure the pain. - I'm a tough girl!
- That's it! You are a very tough girl! Not many would have survived! Hang in there, kid. - Derrick started to unbutton Mandy's white vest and pulled up her black long sleeve t-shirt to look at the wound. It was very ugly, he could see the bullet in a deep hole in her stomach, from which blood was pouring out. - I can't do anything but Roman will surely come. He could show up at any minute and maybe help. Until then, we'll stay here, rest and keep calm.
- And if he doesn't come? - She asked the question that had been bothering Mandy for some time. - Or if he can't help? - Derrick saw complete doubt and fear in her eyes.
- That's not…
- Derrick, I'm really scared right now! - Mandy squeezed his hand again. - Would you please give me a hug?
- Of course. - She didn't have to ask twice, Derrick hugged the girl he had raised since she was little, he started gently stroking the girl's hair and started scratching the base of the fox's ears, which she liked very much. - You were very brave. You can rest now. You won't die. You'll be fine. Once Roman gets here, it's only a matter of time before you heal.
- Derrick... - Mandy's voice was shaky and you could feel the fear and desperation in it but at the same time she was sure about her truth and didn't let the panic take over her. - I know that my injury is serious.
- Well... - Derrick looked at the bleeding wound again, it would have been pointless to lie to the girl. – It's not a scratch. - Mandy smiled a little at that.
- Derrick, I really panicked at first but now I've calmed down and can see clearly. - Mandy's voice was more composed. - There's a good chance that Roman won't be able to help and it's also true that I'm seriously injured, no matter how much you try to sugar coat it.
- Mandy... - Derrick didn't even know who he was trying to convince, himself or the girl but Mandy continued.
- Derrick, without medical help I'll die for sure. - Derrick began to suspect what she was suggesting.
- Mandy, I can't take you to the hospital, then…
- Damn, you think I don't know?! I know that if you take me, I will be arrested immediately! You don't have to bring me in, just leave me somewhere in the safe zone on the street! I will solve it from there! – Tears began to flow from Mandy's green eyes again as she looked at the man pleadingly. - I thought I'd be braver but I'm not! I'm afraid of death! I don't want to die! I promise I won't tell them anything! They won't use me against you! Derrick… - She began to sob. - I'm begging you... take me. - Derrick's heart would sink when he thought of handing the girl he raised as his own into the hands of the enemy but if he doesn't, he'll be forced to watch her slowly bleed to death in front of his eyes.
- You won't die. - Derrick refused to accept this. - I won't let it. You'll be fine. After the knee, the stomach hurts the most when you got a shot.
- Derrick, did you even hear me?! - Mandy just shook her head angrily.
- But it could take a long time, - Derrick tried to fool himself and Mandy but Mandy saw through him. - until you die, even two days. Sure... it will be very painful and you'd rather die but we still have time.
They heard the front door open and angry footsteps coming towards them.
- What the f*ck was that?! - Miraculously, it was Roman who followed the blood trail and entered the infirmary with Neo by his side. He looked angry and outraged but as soon as he saw Mandy, he was more shocked. – Sh*t, what happened to her?
- She was shot in the stomach. - Derrick replied.
- Where's Adam and the others? - Roman tried to get information.
- Aaron's dead, - Derrick explained. - many others too, I don't know about Adam.
- How did he die?
- What do you think? - He asked the scolding question. - The Hunters killed him and they pushed us back too!
- That's not cool. - Roman rubbed his forehead and then looked at Mandy. - How is she feeling?
- How would you feel?! - Derrick was getting angrier. - Roman, you have to call someone!
- Who the hell should I call anyway?!
- A circus juggler! - Derrick joked angrily. - A doctor, damn it, who could save her!
- Sorry, let me put it another way, what kind of doctor should I call?! – Roman came out in an unusual way. - The whole city of Vale has become a war zone, Grimms are rioting everywhere and the entire population of the city has been herded into a safe zone created in the city! What kind of doctor do you think could come here?! Moreover, to even help one of those who ransacked the whole city?!
- If you don't call anyone here, she will die!
- I'm very sorry but I can't do anything about this! – Derrick would have liked to put a dent in the image of this arrogant person but he restrained himself and stayed with Mandy instead. - The thing is, you're fucking with us!
- What are you talking about, - Derrick stood up from the bed indignantly. - it's all your fault! If the flagship hadn't crashed, the robots wouldn't have shut down and we could have taken Beacon!
- They attacked us and Grimms came too! - Roman defended himself.
- Listen, - Derrick didn't want to fight in front of Mandy. - let's go somewhere else. - He started but Mandy reached for him desperately.
- Derrick, don't leave me here! - She pleaded desperately and helplessly. – I'll die!
- I'll be right back, - He bent down to take her hand once more and run it through her hair. - I'm not going far, just for a few minutes. I'll be back soon. – Roman and Neo were already waiting at the door but Derrick, before leaving Mandy, asked Neo for something. - Would you stay here with her? – Neo just raised her eyebrows, they weren't that good friends with Mandy but Roman put his hand on her shoulder and nodded, before she walked over to the injured girl. - Just hold her hand and tell me if something happens to her. - He put Mandy's bloody hand into his hand, which Neo took with her gloved hand. - Neo will stay here with you, don't worry, I won't leave you here.
- Derrick… - Mandy was glad that she wasn't left alone but Neo wasn't the one she wanted to be alone with in such a state. – f*ck...
Derrick just followed Roman into the hall where the human man was pacing nervously talking to himself.
- What the hell did we even undertake?! – He already completely regretted taking part in this action and already knew what he had to say to Derrick. - From the beginning, I felt that something was wrong! I should have immediately said "thanks, but no" and walk away! But neither I nor Neo listens to my instincts! That's how we always fail great and good heists! My alarm went off but I didn't listen to it, because I wanted to believe in it, that it will come together and there will be a big catch! When my alarm bell rings, it's always that there isn't a big catch or I'm about to get caught! I keep telling Neo and myself that if a figure or a job is suspicious then you have to leave it there but neither she nor I listen to myself because we only think about the fucking money!
- It's too late to sorry. Take it easy. – Roman walked up and down for a while and started hitting the wall with his fist. - Have you calmed down?
- I'm calm! – He sat down on a chair and rubbed his forehead, took out a cigar and didn't care if it bothered Derrick, he lit it. The cigar smoke really relaxed him a bit and he breathed a sigh of relief.
Derrick really hated cigar smoke but aside from what happened today and Roman's nervous state, he didn't think it was a wise decision to tell him.
- Well, - Derrick also sat down on a chair, opposite Roman. - then let's summarize what exactly happened. As soon as Cinder's speech was over, the action began and everything went smoothly.
- Yes, Neo freed me, I took control of the flagship, shot the other two and started to cover you.
- Exactly, the defenders rallied and started pushing us back.
- After that, I installed the virus I got from Cinder and the robots stood by you.
- Yes, we made it all the way to Beacon's gate but a group of Hunter kids stood in our way and got us stopped.
- Then I directed several Paladins towards them to eliminate them.
- Yes, but then they turned off, I saw the flagship crash, you and Cinder didn't answer and then, Adam went crazy and…
- No no no! - Roman shook his head. - When Adam went crazy and Cinder disappeared, the robots were still active and fighting against the kids. It was that the girl who's always following me, Little Red, appeared on the mothership and... - Roman just now realized that maybe he shouldn't reveal that the ship crashed because of a little girl.
- Are you saying a little girl defeated you and Neo? - Derrick could hardly believe it before Roman took a puff of his cigar angrily but he didn't lose his head.
- She's not an ordinary little girl. - It was clear to Roman that there was something about Ruby that made her special. - There's something wrong with her. I couldn't say what but it is certain that there is a large amount of recklessness in her, which makes her forget to be afraid and hesitate. Also, her mind is pretty quick, her reflexes are fast and good, when she grows up, this little brat is going to be someone. But she's still young, naive and easy to handle, especially when she's alone. When I fought her team on the highway, they smashed my Paladin like a junk can. If Neo hadn't shown up, I would have been caught. This girl is dangerous to us.
- I see, you are really admiring her.
- If you don't take the time to get to know your opponents and don't respect them, you can get a nasty surprise, as it happened to me and Neo. We underestimated and paid dearly for it. Because of this, the flagship crashed and the robots shut down. - As Roman explained, Derrick began to think.
- I already understand how she got defeat you, she's not an ordinary child. How did you survive the fall?
- Neo parachuted easily with her parasol but me, it was a f*cking miracle that I could escape. I jumped into a plane at the last moment, the explosion damaged it and I just managed to land it in the city. I made my way from there, hijacked a car, picked up Neo and we were already here. You already know the rest. Neo and I also took out quite a few soldiers. Did you?
- Just soldiers and a bunch of Hunter kids.
- Civilians?
- Only soldiers and Hunters.
- We killed many. You, me, Neo, Mandy, Adam, Cinder and the rest. Neo wiped out everyone on that ship, I shot the other two, I doubt there would be many survivors and not to mention how many people were killed by the robots after I uploaded that virus. I know it's not a good thing but I sure as hell, I won't have nightmares about it.
- Of course, this is war. Many people die on both sides. My hands aren't exactly clean either, especially not after today.
- And what did Adam do? – Upon hearing Adam's name, both Derrick and Roman got angry.
- I have never seen such madness! What the f*ck was he thinking?!
- I've seen his work on some recordings. - Roman also felt contempt for the faunus. - I don't like to kill but if the sh*t hit me and I had to run for my life and you were standing in my way, I don't think I would hesitate much.
- I'd do the same. If I had to choose between killing you or sitting for 10-20 years because I killed some dirty humans it wouldn't take me long to decide either.
- I would call it human nature but whether you are human or faunus, if we panic, the protection of our own life will be the priority. - Roman angrily threw the cigar butt and stood up. - But that won't make me a beast or madman! What the hell was Cinder thinking, getting together with such a psycho beast?! You can't work with such a person!
- As soon as Adam lost his mind, - Derrick also stood up in a rage. - he knew neither God nor law. Without reason, he began to mow down everyone around him! Our own fell victim too, only a tiny little thing needed for me to knock his head off with my saw!
- Maybe he panicked. Like I just said, no matter who you are or how tough you are, this shit lives in your head. When the shit hits you, you try to control yourself and when that doesn't work, it's an understandable reaction to kill those who stand in your way without thinking. - Roman tried in vain to support Adam's actions with arguments but he couldn't come to terms with him. - But it's not if you start slaughtering down everything that moves, it doesn't matter how much you panic, you don't do that!
- I assure you that Adam wasn't scared. - Derrick knew his boss better. - He hates humans and something really pissed him off. I don't know what but he clearly lost his mind and vent his anger in this way.
- Oh, he got mad that you were beaten back?! - Roman wasn't reassured by this. – In such cases, you have to switch to a tough professional, not a psycho beast! A beast can't act like a pro! I don't work with mad wild animals, you never know when their brains will snap and they'll do something really crazy!
- Are you telling me?! He chopped off the arm of a blonde girl, even though she was barely 18 or 19!
- Well, it's already clear that there's something wrong with Adam but what happened to you?
- Mandy's old teammates attacked us, one of them turned into a monster and we had to flee, Aaron was seriously injured and died, our plane crashed, a group of Hunter kids attacked us, we finished them off but Mandy got shot and we just managed to get here.
- And the others?
- I don't know, we didn't have time to look back. All I know is that we got the order to retreat and we clearly lost the battle and from then I only could care with Mandy.
- Everyone saved their own skin. As for Adam, Cinder, and her two kids, I have no idea where they are.
- And what do you think?
- They're either dead or caught.
- Couldn't they survive? You and Neo did it.
- Yes, but we were damn lucky. - Roman wasn't so optimistic. - If they survived, where are they? The plan was to meet here if we were beaten back. I don't think we should stay here. Let's get in the cars and head for Mistral because if we stay in Vale, we're not sane! They are searching us and putting a bounty on our heads!
- The plan was to meet here! - Derrick didn't want to change.
- Then, where are they?! - Roman held out one of his arms. - So much for the plan, because this whole coup was a huge failure! We have no idea what happened to Adam and Cinder! Maybe they're both dead, maybe they've been caught and are being interrogated, which wouldn't be good for us!
They both stopped at this, Adam and Cinder knew that they had to gather here if the plan failed and if the Atlas people caught and interrogated them, they would soon be found.
- Is there a toilet somewhere? - Roman asked. - I have to pee.
- On the other side. - Derrick gave the instructions.
After Roman went to the bathroom, Derrick noticed Neo waving at him from the infirmary and pointing inside to Mandy's room. Derrick immediately ran over to check on the injured girl, who was lying in her own blood with her eyes closed. He immediately took her pulse and checked to see if she was still breathing.
- You know what, - Roman came back from the bathroom. – you can stay if you want but Neo and I will leave today to Mistral where we will lie down and... - As soon as he entered the infirmary, his words stopped after he saw that Mandy didn't move. – Sh*t, is she dead?
- No, she just passed out. - Derrick calmed down.
- I thought she's dead.
- If you really can't call a doctor, she will.
- I really can't and we can't take her to a hospital within Vale.
- It's my fault she got hurt, it might not mean anything to you but I feel damn bad about it.
- We can't stay in Vale! – Roman knew what should be done, leave everything here and go to the nearest kingdom, Mistral.
- Then what?! - Derrick didn't like that idea. - Should we go to Mistral?! With a girl who got shot in the stomach?! She can't walk, she's bleeding and when she regains consciousness, she screams in pain!
- And what is your brilliant plan?! - Derrick didn't answer because he didn't know what to do. Slowly but surely, Roman made him realize that Mandy didn't have much time left. They could find a doctor who'd take care of her in Mistral but the journey there by car, even with plane would take several days or at least a week which Mandy wouldn't survive under any circumstances.
- I don't know. – Disappointed, he sat down next to Mandy and stroked her face. - I love this child and not being able to do anything for her just drives me crazy. - Roman noticed how much Derrick cared about her and looked at Neo. If something like that had happened to her, he would have collapsed too.
- Look, - Roman sympathized with the faunus man. - the only thing we can do is to kill her immediately.
- What?! - Derrick snapped angrily and stood up from the bed.
- Just listen! We can't take her to the hospital, I can't call a doctor and she wouldn't survive the trip to Mistral! I'm sorry what happened to her, I can see you care about her but she would only suffer! The only thing we can do for her is to end her suffering.
Derrick backed down, not wanting to believe that this was the only thing he could do for her. Then he remembered his last conversation with Mandy.
- Roman, before you and Neo got here, Mandy asked me to take her to the safe zone, to a hospital. Not a single part of me wants us to hand her over to the authorities but it's either that or she dies. She begged me. – Roman thought a little, then spoke.
- Fine, then we'll take her, - He already started to help her take Mandy to the car. - if she wanted to and we are out of ideas.
- No! - Derrick stopped him. - I'll take her and make sure she won't get arrested. - He picked up the girl and started towards one of the cars.
- How will you achieve that? - Roman couldn't figure out what the faunus man might want.
- I'll do what I have to. - Derrick explained what he was going to do, which Roman listened to in stunned silence.
- Derrick, - It was clear that this faunus man had earned the respect of Roman and Neo. - you have a blessed good heart.
- They always said, - Derrick got into the car and started it. - it will take me to the grave. It worked.
He drove off with it, back to Vale. Roman watched for a while as the headlights of the car got further and further away but shortly after that, the roar of a plane hit his ears and soon he landed in the empty village. He was expecting Atlas soldiers but a person came down the plane's ramp that pulled him and Neo up far better than any Atlas unit.
Adam Taurus.
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