AN: What's this? Another chapter so soon? Well, I had a lot of ideas already for this chapter, so I just had to put it all on paper. So, I hope everyone enjoys the chapter.
Chapter 81 - Taking Flight
When Ruby Rose had asked to speak with her father and sister in the family room one night after Professor Ozpin had come to visit their home, Taiyang immediately knew that his daughter had come to a decision regarding her future as a Huntress. Yang did not seem to realize anything of the sort just yet, due to just being happy to see her little sister out of her room. Ruby sat across from the two members of her family while Zwei curled up in her lap, seeking to be close to his owner. Ruby took a deep breath before gazing apologetically at her father and sister.
"First…I'm sorry for worrying you all the past few days." Ruby said meekly. Taiyang and Yang immediately shook their heads.
"Sweetie, you have nothing to apologize for." Taiyang assured her.
"Yeah, I mean, it was never your fault to begin with. After what you went through I'd be more worried if you weren't bothered." Yang added. "I'm just glad to see you trying to recover and all, you know? It may not have been your fault, but you still had me worried lil' sis."
Taiyang folded his arms. He gave Ruby a hard gaze. He immediately knew where this was going. It was no coincidence that Ruby had seemed to start recovering and was far more focused after Ozpin had visited her yesterday. He was not upset about that, of course. Ruby was better. That was what was important in the end. That being said…he knew that there was something else coming. There was no way she left that conversation without some extra 'homework' from Beacon's Headmaster. The question now was, would Ruby admit to it, or would he have to force it out of her?
"I talked with Professor Ozpin yesterday…and I think I have a chance to really put things in perspective." Ruby explained. Taiyang raised an eyebrow, pleasantly surprised with the fact Ruby was choosing to take the 'full-disclosure' route. "The only caveat is…well, I have to travel."
"Travel?" Yang frowned in confusion. Ruby awkwardly rubbed the back of her head.
"Yeah, see…there's this…uncharted island called Avalon. Apparently it was some sort of…training ground where people with my eyes can go to undergo some kind of trial. At least, that's what Professor Ozpin told me." She explained. Taiyang's eyes widened slightly. Something about that name sounded familiar, and not in a good way.
"If it was anyone else telling you this, I'd say they were scamming you." Yang admitted. "But if it's Professor Ozpin telling you this…well, that's a completely different story. And…he wants you to go to this island to undertake the trial or whatever?"
"Exactly," Ruby nodded.
"Did he like…give you any kind of hint as to what kind of mystic stuff you'd be doing in this trial?" Yang asked curiously.
"Apparently it's a secret not even he's aware of." Ruby replied.
"...Do you think it'll give you the answers you seek?" Taiyang asked sternly. Ruby was a bit surprised by how stern her dad sounded. Then again, she did understand. His daughter was basically asking him if she could fly off to some uncharted island to undertake some sort of mystery trial that could involve anything.
"...I do." Ruby said firmly. "Mom undertook the same trial, according to Professor Ozpin…and more importantly, I want the chance to try and understand these eyes I have and the power they bestow on me. If going to Avalon is the key…then I wanna go to Avalon."
"Is that your way of asking me for permission to travel to this mystery island?" Taiyang asked in resignation. Ruby nodded.
"Yes, Dad, yes it is." She said, softly but firmly. Taiyang sighed. Yang spoke up before he could say anything.
"Well, at least exploring new places will be fun. And hopefully this time it won't get ruined by monstrous bad guys." She said, under the impression she was accompanying Ruby. Taiyang sighed, knowing he was about to burst his eldest daughter's bubble, big time.
"Yang…we're not going with Ruby this time." Taiyang told her. That caught Yang off guard. She never expected her dad of all people to say such a thing.
"Huh? Dad, you can't be serious! You're just gonna let Ruby go to some weird, uncharted island alone?" Yang was indignant at the thought.
"I doubt she's gonna be completely alone." Taiyang shook his head. "Not even Ozpin would be reckless enough to send her away like that. He'll probably send her with someone he trusts, like a faculty member."
"Yeah, but still-" Yang began.
"More importantly, if I know Ozpin, this is something that Ruby has to do on her own." Taiyang continued, interrupting Yang. "If we go with her and coddle her, it'll just distract her."
"Distract her? Dad, come on! I've been trying to go to clubs without having to sneak out of the house for years and you just let Ruby go to a freaking uncharted island alone, just like that?" Yang indignantly demanded.
"This is different, Yang." Taiyang sighed. "Unlike you galavanting around nightclubs, this is for Ruby's training. She's taking this seriously, and she can't afford to have anything distracting her. I don't like it anymore than you do, but I can't be selfish. Neither can you. This is for her benefit. You have to remember that."
"Yeah but still…" Yang trailed off, still clearly not liking this at all.
"Yang, it's alright," Ruby promised with a small smile. "It…makes me happy you're worried, I promise. But it's like Dad said…I'm taking this seriously. You're not distractions, neither of you are. But I need to focus on this completely so that I can get everything I need to out of this…whatever this is."
"Damn it," Yang groaned, knowing she was totally outvoted here, "I don't like this. I still don't like this."
"I know, but this isn't about us…this is about Ruby." Taiyang gestured to his youngest. He then turned his attention to Ruby. "That being said…if I'm going to allow this, you need to be extra careful. No, more than extra careful. Do I make myself clear, young lady?"
"Crystal, Dad." Ruby promised. Taiyang sighed and nodded.
"I'll put in the call and tell Professor Ozpin to get everything ready then." He said in resignation before standing up and leaving the family room. Yang looked at Ruby, still looking visibly concerned. She shook her head at how this was turning out.
"Is there any way I can convince you to let me come along for this?" Yang asked, clearly pleading for a way at this point. Ruby shook her head, responding in a gentle voice.
"I'm sorry Yang, but no. It's like Dad said…I just somehow feel like this is something I've gotta do on my own." She explained. "But I will be careful, I promise."
"I know you will, Sis…it's just lately trouble's been finding us…you especially." Yang sighed. "But…if I can't convince you or stop you…then I don't have much of a choice, do I?"
"With how free-spirited you are, you'd honestly look kind of hypocritical if you did try to stop me." Ruby noted with a wry smile, trying to lighten the mood with some humor. Yang shook her head, unamused.
"Dad was right about one thing…this is different from what I try to do independently. Ruby…seriously, be careful. I don't know what this trial is…but nothing good comes out of uncharted islands…I've seen way too many scary movies to think otherwise."
"You're really using scary movies as a reference?" Ruby raised a bewildered eyebrow at Yang's words.
"I'm serious, Rubes." Yang sighed. "I get that this is important to you both as a Huntress and as a person…but everything about this is giving me bad vibes."
"Yang…you have no idea how much I appreciate you for looking out for me." Ruby softly told her. "But I have to do this. I need to get answers about my eyes…as well as understand what my path truly is if these powers really make me special. And besides, how bad could it be? Mom came back from the trial."
"That's…ugh…there's no arguing with you." Yang sighed in resignation. She took a deep breath before continuing. "Look, what Dad said, okay? You've gotta be more than extra careful on this one. Promise me, Ruby."
"I promise." Ruby responded without hesitation. Yang took another deep breath and nodded.
"Okay, yeah, that's all I need to hear." She concluded. "You do what you've gotta do, pass this trial, and get your mind right, okay Sis?"
"That's precisely what I'm hoping is gonna happen, Yang." Ruby assured her. Taiyang hung up his scroll, having heard the entirety of his daughters' conversation in spite of being more focused on setting up Ruby's trip to Avalon with Professor Ozpin. According to Ozpin, the matter had already been taken care of. A small airshift would be chartered tomorrow to fly Ruby to Avalon for her to undergo whatever trial this was.
Avalon. Avalon. Why did that name sound so familiar to Taiyang? According to Ruby, Ozpin had told her Summer had undertaken whatever this trial as well while she was alive. Avalon. Avalon. Where did he hear the name Avalon?
Summer. When times were tough, he always made it a point to talk to her grave. It looked like his night was already planned out. Taiyang walked back into the family room briefly and addressed the girls.
"Listen, I'm going out for a bit. Are you two good while I'm gone?"
"Seriously, Dad?" Yang forgot her concerns and gave him a somewhat irritated look. "You're still asking us that at our age?"
"You'll understand when you have kids of your own, Yang." Taiyang instinctively tried to lighten the mood with jokes of his own before leaving the house. He calmly made his way towards Summer's grave. His face fell upon seeing it. Even after a decade and a half, seeing the grave of his second significant other never got easier for him.
There was a damn good reason Taiyang shut down after Summer Rose was killed in action. She had put him back together after Yang's mom Raven walked out on him and the infant Yang. She had not even meant for the two of them to fall for one another. She had just meant to act as the 'mom who stepped up' for Yang's sake. Instead, she became the center of the whole family. Then Ruby was born. Then Summer died and there went the center.
Taiyang was admittedly ashamed in hindsight of how badly he had shut down. He still had two young daughters who needed him, and if it had not been for Qrow of all people stepping in to try and pick up the pieces while he recovered, he would have either lost Ruby and Yang to Grimm, or to concerned government officials. But while he was ashamed of it, he will never admit he was wrong to have gotten so low in the first place (only that in the process he neglected Ruby and Yang). Anyone who knew Summer would have totally understood why he reacted the way he did to her death. Especially with how close the two got in the few years they spent together before that fateful mission.
It was at that moment, Taiyang remembered where he heard the name Avalon before. Summer had gone to that island to undertake the trial…whatever it was. However, the very next mission she had gone on was the one she never returned from. That realization made his heart sink. Taiyang did not consider himself a superstitious man. However, if such a thing were to happen to Ruby…he did not want to think about it.
"Oh, Summer," Tai sighed after a long moment of silence, he could hear the sound of a crow cawing, "I haven't got enough words to say how badly I wish you were here to be Ruby's guide through this. I know you'd never want me to wish it had been me to never come back from that mission instead of you…but right now I can't help it. I really wish you were here instead of me to help Ruby understand these strange powers of hers."
"If you know she wouldn't want you to talk like that, then don't say it at all, dumbass." Taiyang rolled his eyes at that familiar voice. He turned his head to see Qrow Branwen, having seemingly appeared out of nowhere.
"Good evening to you too, Qrow." Taiyang sighed. "Ozpin works fast. Did he send you to collect Ruby already? He just told me Ruby would be leaving tomorrow. I was under the impression I had at least one last night with my daughter before she goes to some mystery island."
"Easy Tai," Qrow shook his head, "I'm here for me, not for Oz. This is my family too, so of course I'm worried."
"...Sorry." Tai sighed. "I'm just now realizing where he's actually sending Ruby to and it's got me very worried."
"I know," Qrow sighed, "I knew where Oz was sending Ruby the minute he told me the name of the place and what he hoped for her to accomplish there. Yeah, Summer was on that island to take the same trial."
"She never told me what went down." Taiyang remembered.
"Me neither," Qrow nodded, "all she did say was that she had a better understanding of her purpose and her destiny."
"Considering the very next mission she went on, she never came back, that doesn't give me a lot of confidence." Taiyang sighed.
"Come on, Tai, Ruby isn't Summer…even if they do share a lot of similar qualities." Qrow told him. "And this isn't just so Oz can have his secret weapon. Ruby just went through hell."
"And putting her through some trial is the answer?" Taiyang frowned at him. "I may have okayed it, but that doesn't mean I'm okay with it."
"Tai, she's lost and struggling with her powers, the responsibility, and what her purpose and path is." Qrow sternly reminded him. "Right now, your daughter is pressuring herself with the belief she needs to be able to save everyone to make having those powers worth it."
"...Just like Summer." Taiyang conceded. Qrow nodded.
"Yeah, just like Summer." Qrow nodded. "But if there's a chance this…trial–whatever it is–can get Ruby's mind right once again and help her understand what her purpose truly is as a Silver-Eyed Warrior and Huntress…then yeah, she should absolutely do it."
"...I hate when you're right." Taiyang shook his head. "Seriously, why is it that the only times you're right, they're during our most intense conversations?"
"...Rude." Qrow gave Taiyang a quirked eyebrow before taking a swig of his flask. "In all seriousness though…it's because I'm doing my best to honor Summer my way. You honor her by raising the two girls she loved so much. I'm honoring her by continuing the fight she was so passionate about."
"...And you do a great job at it." Taiyang said sincerely. Qrow was actually taken aback by Taiyang's words.
"Am I drunk or are you?" Qrow asked.
"I'm serious, Qrow." Taiyang promised. "Look, I'm never going to be a hundred percent okay with this fight, even if I know how necessary it is. At the end of the day, that fight cost me both the women I loved in two different ways and it could very well cost me my daughters. So…the fact you're constantly throwing yourself into missions trying to clear a path for Ruby and Yang…it means a lot to me."
"...Like I said, they're my family too, Tai." Qrow reminded him.
"I know…and you're a good uncle, Qrow."
"...Could you repeat that? I don't think I had my Scroll recording that."
"Don't push it, asshole." That got a good laugh out of Qrow. Taiyang could not resist joining in as well. "Just like old times, huh? The two of us, ribbing each other and arguing in front of Summer…the only difference is this time she's not able to play peacemaker."
"I'm sure she's kicking herself in the afterlife for not being able to play that role for us like old times." Qrow smiled fondly.
"...So, do you happen to at least know who Ozpin is sending Ruby with on this little trip? I mean, how's he going to pull this off? A private airship flying to an uncharted island?"
"Amazing what connections will getcha, right?" Qrow laughed. "As for who he's sending her with…well, you're looking at 'em."
That surprised Taiyang. He looked at Qrow to make sure his old friend was not messing with him. When he saw Qrow's serious expression his eyes widened.
"You?"
"Yeah, I've got my pilot's license. Of course, it's gonna be on autopilot for most of the trip once I punch in the coordinates." Qrow replied.
"You have your pilot's license?" Taiyang frowned.
"Hey, I know that look. Don't worry, I'm gonna be completely sober…at least until I get to the island." Qrow promised.
"Qrow, I'd frankly rather you stay sober through this whole ordeal." Taiyang admitted. "Please, I need you at your best. I still don't fully trust this."
When Qrow saw Taiyang's pleading expression, he sighed. He knew this was the time to be the adult he apparently was.
"Okay, I will. I won't enjoy it, but I will. You're right, after all." Qrow promised.
"Good…and Qrow, thanks…I know you tend to keep your distance because of your Semblance. So the fact it's you who's flying Ruby to this island…it means a lot to me." Taiyang said sincerely once more. Qrow nodded.
"She's my niece, Tai. I normally avoid flying because of it…but there's no way in hell I'm gonna entrust Ruby to anyone else for this." Qrow told him.
"I wouldn't expect you to, man." Taiyang nodded. "You be careful tomorrow, okay? I do think you're sometimes a bit too careful with your Semblance…but if I'm gonna tell Ruby to be more than extra careful, then you bet your ass I'm gonna tell you the same."
"Aww, you do care." Qrow smiled before his expression turned serious. "She's gonna come back better than ever, Tai. I promise. Hell, I'll make sure of it myself if I have to. Ruby ain't Ruby if she's not a ball of sunshine."
"That's what I like to hear." Taiyang glanced at the flask. "Got a little extra you can share?"
Qrow pulled another flask from behind his back and tossed it to Taiyang. Taiyang chuckled and caught the flask.
"Qrow Branwen, you are something else." He told him.
"Thank you for the compliment."
"That wasn't a compliment…not entirely." With that, the two longtime friends stood side by side over the grave of Summer Rose, reminiscing; doing their best to think of anything other than what was to come tomorrow.
Meanwhile, as the evening wound down for Ruby and Yang, the older blonde got a moment to herself. She sighed, knowing that just yesterday she had managed to call up Weiss and Blake asking if they could possibly fly to Patch to try and cheer Ruby up. If she was really leaving tomorrow, that kinda threw a wrench in things. That left Yang to think over how best to handle this. Did she tell them Ruby might not even be around if they chose to come all this way? Or did she keep things as is because frankly she could use some company with all the stress that has been weighing on her as a result of all the awful things that have been happening to her sister. Yang sighed as she laid in bed.
"All my efforts to cheer Ruby up…and she just gets her own solution out of nowhere. I should be happy…but dammit, why does this also make me feel so…useless?" She wondered to herself.
Morning came quickly in the Xiao Long-Rose household. Ruby quickly packed her things while Yang watched in silence, her mind still trying to understand the myriad of emotions she felt from not being needed as much by her little sister. It was the afternoon by the time Ruby finished packing, Ruby and Taiyang were at the door, ready to drop her off at the airfield. Ruby was in the middle of saying her goodbyes to Zwei, who was both happy to receive the affection, but also whining, knowing that one of his 'family' was going to be gone for an extended period of time. Yang watched the display, still trying to deal with her own emotions.
After saying her goodbyes to Zwei, Ruby turned her attention to Yang. It was at that moment, Ruby finally understood that she was leaving her sister with a variety of complex emotions. Perhaps she did not understand all of these feelings. But she knew she could not leave things as they were. So, Ruby did the first thing that came to mind. She pulled her sister into a tight hug. Yang was taken aback by the sudden display of affection. She was even less prepared for what Ruby said next.
"I love you." She said simply. Yang's eyes widened.
What am I doing, stressing over all this other stuff? She wondered. My sister's doing some soul searching and I'm…making this all about me. Damn it, Yang. You almost lost sight of what was important. You can work out all this other stuff later.
Yang smiled and hugged Ruby back. For a moment, she forgot all the complex emotions she was undergoing and just focused on the important thing: her family.
"I love you too." She whispered. The two broke apart after a long moment. Yang smiled proudly at her sister. "You do what you've gotta do, okay? You're gonna be fine…whatever it is."
"I know," Ruby said softly. Her tone told Yang two things. The first was that she was still emotionally drained by everything she had gone through. The second, however, gave Yang hope. The second was that Ruby was committing herself to healing.
"You've got this." Yang encouraged once more. Ruby nodded. Taiyang quickly said his goodbyes to Yang and Zwei before father and daughter left the household, leaving Yang alone with Zwei. Yang smiled at the sad corgi and patted him on the head.
"It's you and me for a bit, boy." She said softly. "Now…we've got some calls to make and some updates to give."
For Ruby and Taiyang, the drive to the airfield was mostly done in silence. As they neared the airfield, however, Taiyang broke the silence.
"Ruby, listen…I can't say for sure that I believe you're doing the right thing. It's one thing to heal from the trauma you've endured…but it's quite another to do it in a way like this." Taiyang was still more bothered than he cared to admit, realizing that after Summer's visit to Avalon, her next mission was her last.
"I know," Ruby admitted, "but…I know in my heart the only way I can heal like that is if I get answers about these powers. And if going to this island, undergoing this trial and using it for everything it has to offer is the way to do it…then I don't have a choice, right?"
"We always have a choice, Ruby." Taiyang sighed. "Right and wrong, good and evil, moving forward or remaining stagnant. There's always a choice."
"...I can't remain stagnant, Dad." Ruby admitted.
"I know, pumpkin. Neither could Summer. Just…no sane person would hold it against you if you wanted to stop after what you went through. You don't owe the world anything, Ruby. No Huntsman or Huntress does." Taiyang promised.
"...If we don't owe the world anything, why do it at all?" Ruby asked. Taiyang sighed, not having an answer beyond 'it's our job'. Ruby continued, "That's why…I have to go. If I'm not really meant to save anyone…if I don't owe the world anything…then I need to understand what all of this is really about; what it's all really for."
That made Taiyang fall silent. He could not argue with such logic, even if he did not entirely agree with it. He took a deep breath as the airfield came into view.
"Well, you know your promise to me." He conceded. Ruby nodded.
"Be more than extra careful." Ruby repeated. Taiyang managed a small smile.
"That's my girl…" He said softly, pulling up to the gates to the airfield. Taiyang quickly flashed his ID for the gate guard, who opened the automatic gates, allowing the family patriarch to drive on through. The two soon came upon a small, but bulky looking airship with Qrow and Ozpin both standing in front of it. An engineer seemed to be doing final checks on the ship itself. Taiyang parked the car, allowing both Ruby and himself to disembark.
"Qrow, Professor Ozpin, good afternoon." Taiyang said curtly. Qrow nodded at Taiyang while Ozpin gave Ruby's father an unreadable expression.
"Good afternoon yourself, Taiyang." Ozpin said. "Thank you for allowing Ruby to undertake this."
"Trust me, it's against my better judgment." Taiyang gave Ozpin a somewhat bitter expression. Ozpin winced. He probably deserved that one. Ozpin then turned to Ruby.
"Ruby…I just want you to know I think you're very brave and mature for choosing this path. I may not fully understand what you're about to go through once you reach the island…but I sincerely believe it'll help you find the answers you're looking for." Ozpin promised. Ruby nodded.
"I…am choosing to believe that as well, Professor Ozpin." Ruby admitted. "And…whatever happens, I want you to know that I am grateful to know you are looking out for me. I know you only suggested all this because you care."
Ozpin nodded and turned to Qrow. His expression was completely serious.
"Qrow, the rest is up to you. I'm leaving your niece in your hands."
"Don't worry, Oz I've got this." Qrow nodded. He turned to Ruby. "This ain't a pleasure cruise, kiddo. We fly to this mystery island, get acclimated, get you through the trial, then go home."
"You say it like it's so simple, but I'm guessing there's no timetable." Ruby noted. Ozpin nodded, chiming in once more.
"You're correct, Ruby." He acknowledged. "As you can see, though this is a private airship, it's bulky enough to contain plenty of storage. By my estimation you've two weeks of food stored as well as enough fuel to get you back home once you complete the trial."
"Right, Dad did say to pack that much clothing." Ruby nodded. "How long is this trip anyway?"
"If we leave now, we'll be in Avalon by lunchtime tomorrow." Qrow replied.
"Why are you guys flying out in the late afternoon?" Taiyang raised an eyebrow.
"The island is meant to be a well-kept secret. Less suspicion and less chances of being seen if Ruby and Qrow fly at night." Ozpin explained. "I had to pay off a few trusted individuals in this business to keep quiet about this excursion."
"That…makes sense, I suppose." Taiyang acknowledged. "So…if you leave now…"
"Now that Ruby's here, I'm heading to the cockpit to do final checks." Qrow revealed before turning to Ruby. "I'll see you on board, kiddo."
Qrow left for the cockpit. Taiyang turned to Ruby and sighed. He smiled warmly at her.
"I'll miss you while you're gone." Ruby immediately responded with a big hug, just like with Yang. Unlike Yang, Taiyang did not hesitate to hug her back.
"I love you, Dad." She said softly.
"I love you too, Pumpkin." Taiyang said to her. After a moment, the two broke apart. Ruby said her thanks to Ozpin once more and stepped onto the airship after Qrow. Now alone, Taiyang gave Ozpin a hard gaze. Ozpin sighed.
"You don't have to say it…I will take full responsibility if anything happens to her."
"...How much more does my family have to give in this fight, Ozpin?" Taiyang sternly asked him. Summer's dead, Raven ran away, Yang's in the fight too…and Ruby's been pushed to the brink. How much more do we have to give?"
"Tai, if I could break the stalemate without having to rely on your daughter, I would do it in a heartbeat." Ozpin said sincerely. "But even at my best the chances for victory against Salem are still only 50/50. We need an ace in the hole. I had hoped Summer would be that and her children would live in peace but…"
"But that didn't happen," Taiyang sighed, "don't think I didn't notice Summer died on her very next mission after traveling to Avalon."
"Tai, that's…"
"A coincidence? Maybe. But still…she was different in the days leading up to that final mission. I still haven't figured out what was going through her head." Taiyang admitted. "But you said it yourself. I'm holding you completely responsible if something happens to my little girl on that island. I don't give a damn if you are the strongest man in the whole wide world."
Without another word, Taiyang got back in his car and drove off from the airfield. Ozpin sighed.
"Responsibility is a pain sometimes," he mused to himself, feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders, "but…it's fine…I'll gladly bear the hatred of every man, woman and child who I wished to befriend in more peaceful times if it means I can save them all from Salem."
Ozpin kept his gaze entirely on the airship as the door was eventually closed and the engines were turned on. He took a deep breath.
"Good luck to you, Ruby. I don't want to admit this because you deserve better than such pressure at your age…but you are our last hope." He muttered as the airship began to lift from the ground. As it began to fly into the air, Ozpin sighed, sensing a familiar presence approaching him. "You truly do surprise me, old friend, I'd have thought you'd make an appearance and meet the girl personally."
Ozpin turned to see a familiar well-dressed old man in grey with silver eyes approaching him. His expression was stern and focused.
"But instead you stayed hidden until she was gone." Ozpin noted. "Why is that, Ichabod?"
Ichabod Crane's stern look never wavered. He gazed up at the rapidly shrinking airship as it flew away from the airfield. He sighed at the sight.
"What would be the point of introducing myself to someone who could very well give up after experiencing that island?" Ichabod asked. "I could say hello, tell her who I am and show her she's not alone in the world. But if undergoing the trial fails to realign her and help her recover from her trauma…any help I could offer would be pointless. I speak from personal experience in that regard."
"...Yes, I suppose you do." Ozpin nodded in agreement. "And I don't suppose you'll finally tell me just what awaits Silver Eyed Warriors on that mysterious island?"
"I cannot," Ichabod shook his head, "that trial is sacred to our kind, Ozpin. But I can tell you this…while you were right to recommend it to her…the night will become darkest before dawn."
"You mean…" Ozpin trailed off, his eyes widening.
"That trial tests our people…pushes them to their breaking point. But if they don't break, I assure you, she will come out of it stronger, or at the very least, with a better understanding of her responsibility as a warrior with Silver Eyes and as a Huntress in general. Her mother certainly did."
"And then she proceeded to die on her very next mission." Ozpin said sadly. Ichabod sighed as well, his expression turned somber at the reminder of Summer's fate.
"Those are…the moments I wish I hadn't discovered my full potential until I was well past my prime as a man." He admitted. "It should've been my duty to die on that mission, not Summer's."
"You have your role to play, old friend. We all do. You are the trainer of Silver Eyes. Do not devalue yourself and seek death."
"Mmm, some teacher. All my students failed. Summer…Ashley as well." Ozpin sighed, knowing that Ichabod was referring to Ashley Hollow. Ichabod continued, "Is that why you asked my grandson to train Ruby instead of me? Or is it simply you because you are getting far too sentimental and worried about the boy's mental state?"
"...You're far too hard on your grandson, Ichabod." Ozpin said sternly.
"Hmph, he brings it on himself." Ichabod shook his head. "If he realized that…he could actually grow into the man that girl and those other students need him to be."
Ozpin knew Ichabod's relationship with Hansel was strained. He had long accepted that. He hated hearing both men talk about each other because it was never pleasant. So, he simply steered the conversation elsewhere.
"Regardless, it's good to have you back in town for a while, old friend. I'm glad you finally got some time away from your own duties." Ozpin smiled. "What do you say? A drink like old times?"
"Hmph, you don't get to shirk your duties, Ozpin." Ichabod turned away. "Don't forget, you still have matters to look into regarding THAT recent incident that occrured while everything in Thimble was happening."
"...Don't remind me," Ozpin sighed, "a rain check then. Do call me if you change your mind though."
"Don't hold your breath. Just focus on being what Remnant and your students need you to be." Without another word, Ichabod walked away, leaving Ozpin to his thoughts.
A few hours later, in the air, night had long fallen. Ruby had tried to relax in her seat on the small private airship, but she quickly found it to be a tall order, especially knowing she had a long flight ahead of her. So, she did the first thing that came to mind: she went to the cockpit to bug her Uncle Qrow. When she arrived in the cockpit, however, she was surprised to see Qrow in a surprisingly casual sitting position, even though the airship was flying without issue. She frowned at the sight.
"Do you…really have a pilot's license?" She asked.
"Autopilot, kid." Qrow replied. "Oz typed in the latitude and longitude of this island before we took off so the autopilot is doing most of the work."
"...Cool." Ruby looked at all the fancy gizmos that made up the control panel of the cockpit.
"No, you can't push any buttons." Qrow said to her. Ruby stuck her tongue out.
"I wasn't thinking that at all." She pouted. "Honestly…there's too much going through my head to even consider acting…well, I guess Weiss would call it 'childish.'"
"Sorry, I'm reminding you of all the bad stuff." Qrow sighed.
"I don't have to be reminded, trust me. It's…probably gonna stick with me for a long time." Ruby admitted.
"Fair enough…" Qrow sighed.
"It…doesn't get easier, doesn't it, Uncle Qrow?" Ruby asked softly.
"No, kid, no it doesn't…nor should it. The minute you become cold and unfeeling is the minute this screwed up world we live in wins. It gets better…not easier. There's a difference between the two. I'm just hoping whatever this trial is helps you to understand that."
"So you don't know either, huh?" Ruby asked.
"Nah, it's like Oz probably told ya, this island is one of the best kept secrets. I only heard the name after your mom visited." Qrow explained. "And I wasn't the one who flew her back then."
"And who flew her?" Ruby asked.
"Some old geezer named Ichabod that Oz has some acquaintanceship with." Qrow replied.
"Ichabod?" Ruby raised an eyebrow. "What a name…"
"A lot of people his age have names like that. They're pre-Great War names." Qrow explained. A part of Ruby wondered why someone like Ichabod got to fly her mom to this mystery island besides being acquainted with Professor Ozpin. Before she could think on the matter further, however, the young girl yawned.
"Tired, kid?" Qrow asked. "You should get back to your seat then."
"No, I've never been able to sleep in a chair." Ruby admitted with a sigh. "I did pack a sleeping bag though. Do you think the cargo bay is comfy?"
"Comfy enough." Qrow shrugged. "It's no five star hotel, but if you're looking to get horizontal, that's probably your best bet. Go rest up kiddo, I'll be fine. Entry to the cargo room is in the back."
"Thanks Uncle Qrow," Ruby nodded before returning to her seat to grab her sleeping bag and pajamas out of her luggage. She then made her way to the back of the airship and entered the cargo. It was cramped. As to be expected of a cargo hold for a small, private airship. However, Ruby soon saw an open space to put down her sleeping bag. "There we go…"
Ruby placed her sleeping bag on the floor and then laid her pajamas out on top of a crate. Probably filled with the food Ozpin had mentioned. Taking a deep breath, Ruby dropped her cape and laid it on the crate next to her pjs. Then, she reached for her shirt and began to pull it up and over her body. Instinctively, her eyes began to dart around. Instinct to make sure that no Peeping Toms were spying on her. However, it was when her shirt allowed the slightest peak at her bra that Ruby saw him.
Hansel Kobalt sat with his back against a crate in the corner, frozen mid-bite on a sandwich, staring at Ruby with a look that was a mixture of shock, disbelief, horror and embarrassment. Ruby's eyes widened at the sight of her teacher. Her brain fried for a brief moment. Then it rebooted and she realized that a BOY was in the same room as her while she was trying to change clothes. So, Ruby Rose did the only thing appropriate in that situation.
"KYAH!"
AN: What can I say, after all the heavy chapters lately, I had to have a little bit of levity for a change. But, for now, this arc's main focus is Ruby, Qrow and Hansel. With a special emphasis on Ruby.
Meanwhile, Ichabod continues to make his presence known in the story.
Hope everyone enjoyed this chapter. Read, review, favorite and follow. I'll see you all next time.