How to Train Your Grimm

Chapter XIII

Ruby stood in the locker room, getting Crescent Rose ready. She'd never been more scared in her life. She had to kill a Nevermore. She knew she wouldn't kill it, she just hoped it wasn't too stubborn.

She could hear Ozpin announcing what was about to happen to the audience. With every step she took closer to the arena, the more terrified she became.

"RUBY!"

Ruby turned around to see Weiss running up to her.

"Do you have a plan?" Weiss asked.

"Sort of," she said. "I'm going to try and calm down the Nevermore, and befriend it the same way I did Toothless."

"Are you sure?" Weiss asked. "What if something happens?"

"Then I need you to make sure nobody finds Toothless," Ruby said.

"I will," Weiss said.

"Ruby!" Ruby turned around to see Yang waving to her. "It's time!"

Ruby took a deep breath, and walked over to her.

"Slit its throat!" Yang said to her.

Ruby gave an ingenuine smile, before walking into the arena.

Weiss stood by the closed gate, watching her as the crowd applauded.

"Hey, Weiss," Yang said. "Are you coming?"

"No," Weiss said. "You go on over with Blake."

Ruby looked around at the other Huntsmen and Huntresses, and saw Ozpin, Ironwood, and Qrow watching her.

She smiled and waved at Qrow. He gave her a thumbs up, and her smile disappeared.

She closed her eyes for a moment, preparing for what she was about to do. She then opened her eyes, and loaded Crescent Rose, to show everyone she was ready.

The gate started to open, and Ruby stood with Crescent Rose, ready for the coming attack.

The Nevermore charged out of its prison and straight to Ruby. She swung Crescent Rose at it, breaking its skull helmet. It backed off for a second, before looking at Ruby, confused and scared.

Ruby took a deep breath, and pulled her ammunition out of Crescent Rose.

The audience gasped, and Qrow's eyes widened in terror.

"No..." he whispered, flashbacks of Summer flashing in his head.

The Nevermore started approaching Ruby.

"It's okay," Ruby said. Then, she folded Crescent Rose. "I'm not one of them." She tossed her weapon aside.

Qrow's eyes widened. "Stop the fight!" he said to Ozpin.

"Wait," he said. "I've never seen a Grimm behave this way."

"Everyone!" Ruby said, reaching for the Nevermore's beak. "I need you all to see this! Grimm have souls! We... we don't have to kill them..."

"I SAID STOP THE FIGHT!!!" Qrow screamed. He pulled out Harbinger, and slammed it against the bars of the cage.

The sound startled the Nevermore, and it snapped its beak at Ruby, before chasing her down. She screamed as she ran, and her scream traveled all the way to the cove, and to Toothless' ears.

"Ruby!" Weiss yelled. She pulled out Myrtenaster and froze the gate into solid ice. She kicked the ice gate, shattering it, and ran into the arena.

Meanwhile, Toothless was trying desperately to climb out of the cove to reach Ruby. Then, he managed to grab the top of the cliff, and sink his claws into the dirt.

"Ruby!" Weiss yelled. She created a ball of ice with her weapon. It was enough to catch the Nevermore's attention, but not enough to kill it. She shot it at the Grimm's head, and it chased after her.

Toothless dashed through the Emerald Forest at top speed, praying he could reach Ruby before she was hurt.

Qrow ran to the gate with Ironwood and a couple other teachers.

"THIS WAY!" he yelled.

Weiss ran to them, and managed to make it, but the Nevermore blocked Ruby's path with its feathers. She attempted to run to her weapon, but the Nevermore knocked her over and pinned her to the ground with its claws.

Then, they could hear a loud screeching noise, and there was an explosion on the roof of the arena. The entire arena was covered in smoke, and the only thing that could be made out were two creatures battling each other.

Soon, the smoke cleared, and the audience could see Toothless fighting the Nevermore.

"Night Fury!" Ironwood said.

The Nevermore knocked Toothless to the ground, and attempted to bite him, but he kicked it back and stood up. Toothless stood in front of Ruby, roaring at the Nevermore. Every time it attempted to get passed to attack Ruby, Toothless swatted at it.

Finally, the Nevermore gave up, and ran back to its cage.

Toothless looked at Ruby, and started purring. Ruby looked around as Huntsmen and Huntresses charged into the arena to attack Toothless.

She ran to him and began pushing his head. "Okay, Toothless, go! Get out of here!"

But he didn't budge. Qrow held Harbinger in scythe form, and charged at Toothless.

"Qrow, don't!" Weiss yelled.

"No! Uncle Qrow! He won't hurt you!" Ruby yelled.

But Toothless saw Qrow as a threat. He swatted two Huntsmen aside, and pounced on Qrow.

"Toothless, stop!" Ruby yelled.

She could see him preparing to blast fire at Qrow. Left with no other choice, Ruby grabbed Crescent Rose.

Toothless was about to shoot Qrow with his fire breath, when he saw a bullet whiz by his face. He turned, and saw Ruby aiming Crescent Rose at him in sniper form.

Toothless was shocked at what he was seeing, and he whimpered in fear and confusion at the realization that his friend shot at him.

Ruby immediately regretted what she did. She looked at her weapon, and back at Toothless.

"Toothless, I..."

But she was cut off when Ironwood punched Toothless in the face, and another Huntsman grabbed him by the head and slammed it against the ground. More Huntsmen and Huntresses ran to Toothless and pinned him to the ground.

"No, please! Just don't hurt him!" Ruby yelled, trying to get to Toothless. But Weiss held her back. There was no point in trying. It was too late. "Please don't hurt him..."

A Huntsman walked up to him with a weapon to kill him, but Ironwood stepped in the way.

"No," he said. "We've never seen a Night Fury before. We need to study it."

Toothless looked at Ruby, and she could see the heartbreak in his eyes as he whimpered.

"Toothless..." she whispered, tears rolling down her cheeks. "I'm sorry..."

Then, she felt Ironwood grab her arm. "Ozpin would like to see you."