The Tale Of X-49: A RWBY Story

Chapter Fifty - Haven's Fate

After the Battle Of Haven, Blake's forces were able to help secure Haven Academy and save it from destruction. However, what most didn't know was the the Battle Of Haven was merely a stepping stone into a war that no one knew existed.

As the White Fang were rounded up, Kali and Ghira met up with Ruby's group.

Kali: The police rounded up the remaining White Fang members. Haven is safe.

Ghira: Unfortunately, it appears that Adam escaped.

Ilia: It's okay. They were the only ones to escape tonight. Those in the White Fang that followed him. Won't support a leader that abandons his people. He won't have their help after this. He'll have no one at all. And the White Fang will be left divided.

Ghira: We've been fighting amongst ourselves for too long. Perhaps it's time for a new brotherhood. A new family for Faunus truly working towards a better world.

Kali: And they'll need a new leader. 

In that moment, Ghira became hopeful for the future of the Faunus. For the longest time, Ghira had been plagued by guilt for his perceived failure to prevent the White Fang from becoming militant. Now Ghira felt as if he redeemed the cause. Ghira nods in acknowledgement. Sun peeks behind Ghira and notices his old friends from Beacon, waving to them. He then wraps his tail around Blake to turn her around and have her see her old friends too. She slowly walks towards them nervously while Sun and her parents smile. Yang walks down the stairs and hands the Relic to her uncle.

Qrow: What happened?

Yang: I don't know exactly. When I got down there, Cinder was gone, and Vernal was dead.

Qrow: And Raven?

Yang: Gone.

Qrow: Well, we're all glad you're still here, firecracker.

X-49: Things got a little hairy in there, but Yang handled herself well. I say we taught her well, Qrow.

Suddenly, Ruby groans and falls to her knees. Weiss catches her.

Weiss: Are you okay?

Ruby: I feel like I should be asking you guys.

X-49: You've had quite the busy day, Kiddo. You just saved Haven. You and the others did a good thing. 

They both look up to see Blake approaching them. Yang walks over and drops to her sister's side.

Ruby: So Blake, what're you doing here?

Blake: I... I was gonna ask you three the same thing.

Ruby, Weiss, and Yang, share glances with each other.

Ruby: That's... a looooong story.

Blake: Well... I'm not going anywhere.

Ruby: That's all that matters. That we're all here together. Right?

Ruby looks to Yang as she says that. Blake briefly looks away with a sorrowful expression on her face. Yang looks up at her and smiles.

Yang: Yeah.

Blake looks back over to them and smiles. Weiss offers a hand out to her, and the cat Faunus eagerly joins in to first group hug after a long time of being apart. The four girls embrace each other while their friends look on smiling. Pip smiles as Blake had been reunited with her team. Qrow, still holding the Relic, then approaches a panting Oscar, who is kneeling on the ground.

Qrow: I don't know how, but we did it, Oz. You okay?

Oscar: I'm alright.

Qrow: Kid?

Oscar: He's resting. Too much energy fighting.

Qrow: Hey, don't strain yourself!

Oscar: No! He had... a message... We must... get the Lamp to...Atlas.....

Oscar groans and falls, but Qrow catches him. He lays the exhausted farm boy on the ground and looks over as Team RWBY finishes their embrace. Qrow then stands back up, and looks to the Relic he holds in his hand. The lamp is seen glowing brightly as the indistinct whispers are heard again. X-49 looked upon the Lamp with confusion. 

Qrow: Kid's exhausted from all the excitement.

X-49: Now where's Lionheart? I'm sure he has a lot to answer for. 

Qrow: I'm afraid someone beat you to the punch, X-9. Salem must've had Leo killed while we were fighting her flunkies.

As X-49 looks to the tired group, the Combat Droid could see that they were tired. With a smile on his face, X-49 pulls out his trumpet and begins playing a soulful song. As the music echoed in the halls of the spirits of Ruby's group seemed to be lifted. When the song ended, X-49 tips his hat to the group.

Ruby: You always know how to cheer us up.

X-49: It's my job as a big brother to cheer you up when you're down. 

Lulu barks excitedly as X-49 turns to the dog. X-49 gives a warm smile to his loyal companion. 

X-49: Lulu....Sweet Thing.....

X-49 then picks Lulu up and pets her. Lulu responds by licking X-49's metal face. 

X-49: Ruby, Yang. You remember that first night when I was brought into the family? 

Yang: How could we forget that? 

Ruby: We were so excited to have an older brother. Why do you ask?

X-49: I've been thinking about that promise I made to your folks. And with all this....I feel like I'm more obligated to keep that promise now more than ever. 

Ruby: You don't have to come with us if you don't want to, X-9. 

Yang: Yeah. We can take care of ourselves. Plus we got friends watching our backs. 

X-49: Oh I know. But it's my job as your big brother to keep you safe. I don't know what lies ahead of us, but know that I'm with you every step of the way.

With that, X-49 reaffirmed his commitment to helping Ruby's group in their fight against Salem. Little did they know that they would soon discover a dark secret.