(Volume 4) Mythical Rose (Scattered) (OLD)

(Volume 4 Finale) Chapter 11: Mistralian Arrival

(NOTE: I will shorten the Nuckelavee fight)

(3rd Person POV)

Neo: YOU DID WHAT!?   

Along the path to Kuroyuri, Jaune had just finished telling Ruby, Celeste and Neo what happened between him and Dairoku the previous night and boy, they definitely weren't happy...

Ruby: Why... Why would you ever say something like that!?

Celeste, obviously not being able to speak, can't express her anger in words but in actions and facial expressions as she just glared at Jaune, her eyes glowing a magenta pink that threatened to consume him.

Jaune: I... I was angry okay!? I was just starting to accept Pyrrha's death but then we get all this new information! And then when he asked me if I'd rather have Tyrian take you and kill us instead of having him and Qrow save us, I just snapped and thought that if that was the case, he would have saved Pyrrha. But... I didn't mean what I said!

Neo: Dumbass that still doesn't make it right! Blaming Dairoku for your friend's death!? Don't you realize how hurt he was when he came back!? He seemed happy, yes, but I could see it... in the way he spoke... the way he looked... the way he fought... he's hurting BAD Jaune and he's trying to heal but you saying what you said, didn't help his healing process!

Ruby: Jaune, you're not the only one who's hurting from Pyrrha's death, we all are, especially Dairoku. It was obvious on how much Dairoku and Pyrrha cared for each other, they were very close best friends. They've known each other longer than the rest of us. Last night, Athena told me when Dairoku woke up in his mind and was reminded of Pyrrha's death, he literally had a mental break down and cried for hours, without rest. His uncle welded Pyrrha's shield onto Dairoku's gauntlet because he knew how much he cared for her and he knew that he'd want to keep a piece of Pyrrha with him, just like you. Athena also told me that if it wasn't for Dairoku's strong will, he would have been just like Yang right now, dead inside, emotionless... He would be blaming himself constantly for Pyrrha's death... he would fall into another state of depression and who knows, maybe it would have been worse than the time his dad died...

Celeste and Neo looked down, from the mention of their father... Tears began to fall from Ruby's eyes as she recalled on the moment she reached the top of Beacon Tower...

Ruby: Dairoku... was hopeless on the tower... His weapons were destroyed, he lost his arm and he was heavily exhausted... Cinder... was about to kill him but Pyrrha... even though she was injured, jumped in to save his life... She took a blow that was meant for him... because... because she wanted to... not because she had to but because she WANTED to... she had full control of that situation and she chose to act... she chose to sacrifice her life for his own, without a second thought... I saw it in her face... when she said her final words, she was smiling... it was a sad smile but... her face showed no regret for what she did... Pyrrha wouldn't want anyone to blame her loveable best friend for her own death... including you Jaune... And I can guarantee that if you were in Dairoku's position on that night, she would have done the same thing, without a second thought... I know I would have done the same if I was her...

Neo: I would too.

Celeste nodded with a determined expression. Silence was the response to Ruby's speech... Jaune looked down in shame and sadness... He knew how much Pyrrha meant to Dairoku yet he couldn't stop himself from saying what he said... He deeply sighed before finally speaking...

Jaune: I want to apologize... but I don't know if he even wants anything to do with me.

Neo: You really are a dunce you know that right? He specifically told you before we split off to protect us. That shows he still trusts you. Dairoku can't hate one of his friends for long. He was willing enough to give me a second chance so there's no doubt that he'll do the same for you.