(A/N)- Before We even discuss the story, there are more important things to say. Monty Oum has unfortunately passed away on the day of February 1st, 2015. He was 33 years old. He was one of the most driven men I have ever known, and it is a tragedy to lose such a great and creative mind. He is the reason I decided to pursue animation, and stories such as this would never have existed without him. I know the last thing he would want is for Roosterteeth to cancel RWBY, so I hope they keep at it.
In other news, this is a new story that I have decided to try out. My editor and I looked around on the internet, and found stories similar to these in the fact that all but one of the team dies. But I came up with an idea. What if we created four stories, all tied around one horrible event, but each time a different member lived. They would then try to live their lives without their other team members. Sounds like a great idea to me! So we searched around again, and we couldn't find a name for this situation. So we are calling it the All-But-One AU. Tell your friends!
Ok, so story description time. team RWBY as of this story is in their 4th year at beacon. So Ruby would be 19. Roman Torchwick has been broken out of jail, and has repartnered with the Vale terrorists (AKA Cinder and crew.) Relationships with the WhiteFang have reached an all time high between the criminals and the gang. Power armor exists! New tech exists! Ozpin and Ironwood have resolved their differences, and are working together again. That's about it. If you have any other question, just leave it in the reviews! I will get back to you almost instantly! Enjoy the very first chapter of the All-But-One AU, Red Warden.
Team RWBY sat in Headmaster Ozpin's office waiting room. The tick tock tick of Beacon's clock vibrated throughout the room. Ruby began tapping her feet to the rhythm, and it began to make her feel sleepy. To be fair, most things that didn't involve her scythe made her feel sleepy. Team RWBY had been waiting outside of Ozpin's office for close to an hour now, not once even seeing another person enter or leave the office. Yang had pressed her ear to the door multiple times, but she couldn't hear a sound. the door opened suddenly, causing Yang, who currently was trying to eavesdrop, to fall flat on her back.
"Excuse you, Miss Xiao Long." Glynda dusted herself off, even though nothing had touched her. "Professor Ozpin is ready for you now." Glynda gave a flick of her riding crop, and the door opened again. She waited patiently for the four girls to shuffle into the room, Yang rubbing her backside in pain.
Ruby was surprised when she entered the room. Inside was not only Ozpin, but also General Ironwood, accompanied by a score of Atlas Commanders. They all stood around a new holodesk that resided in the middle of Ozpin's office. They seemed to be discussing battle plans, as Ironwood was moving small blue and red pieces around on a floor layout. Everytime General Ironwood would shift a piece, the other commanders would nod, and a few would offer a solid "I see." Nobody seemed able to find a flaw in Ironwood's battle strategy. Except for Weiss.
"You have too many soldiers guarding this hallway, here." She circled the area of mention with her finger. "It would be more beneficial to move three men from that position to… here." She circled another location, where three other blue flags were stationed. "The hallway is a choke point, you do not need so many men to defend it. The extra men would be of exceptional help to the men breaching those two rooms. And also…" Ozpin cleared his throat, silencing Weiss instantly.
"Miss Schnee. I'm sure General Ironwood appreciates your sound military advice, but we have more important matters to attend to." He stood up from behind his glass desk, cane in hand, but without his signature coffee mug. He walked over to the holodesk, and made a few motions with his hands. The flat layout of the floor plan turned into a full 3d model of a large warehouse, the small red and blue flags staying in the same position. "We are about to engage in one of the most important military operations since the Faunus Revolution." He pointed his cane at the four girls. "And we need your help."
"Why? What's happening? Why do you need our help?" Ruby had since stepped forward to the table, and had practically pressed her nose against the building hologram, trying to take in all the positions and tactics.
Ironwood launched into his explanation. "We are planning an assault against the terrorists that have been assaulting Vale. Our informant in the White Fang swears to us that this is their meeting location. He says they will be inside for roughly an hour. An envoy of the White Fang known as Adam Taurus is with them. Along with Roman Torchwick, and multiple others. We need-" Glynda interrupted him.
"We are providing military forces for you to command while inside the building. Each of you will command your own squad of Atlas soldiers. And each of you will go about accomplishing your separate tasks. You will eventually meet back up on the second floor, and assault the conference room directly."
"Conference room? What type of building is this exactly?" Blake stepped forward next to Ruby, raising an eyebrow.
"This is an abandoned school building in the West Expansion of Mt. Glen. It is three stories tall, with the second floor containing a majority of the offices, as well as the nurses station and meeting areas. The first floor is primarily class rooms, as well as the third floor." Spoke a man with a dark green cloak, over shiny silver plate armor. None of team RWBY had noticed him until now, which was surprising, as he was the biggest person in the room. 'He might even be taller than Yatsuhashi' thought the team of Huntresses.
Ozpin spoke up. "I am sorry for not introducing you earlier. Paladin Arnic Bardach. He is head of the Wardens in the Vale area. He and a small unit of his men will assist in the attack on the school building." Paladin Bardach stepped forward and offered his hand to Ruby, who took it gingerly. His hand was large enough to completely cover Ruby's head, so Ruby had to grab his three smallest fingers instead.
"You will be with me, Ms. Rose." Said the Paladin. "You and I, and four of my boys, will make our way to the second floor, and head directly to the conference room."
"Quite right, Paladin Bardach." Ironwood spoke, sliding small holographic figurines across the map projection, moving three men from the first floor to the third. "Ms. Xiao Long will take fifteen soldiers to clear out the groundfloor. Meanwhile, Ms. Schnee will take another dozen to clear out the third floor classrooms. We do not expect that there will be much resistance on the third floor, but we need a full sweep. Ms. Belladonna will take a half-dozen soldiers, scale the walls, and take out any forces on the roof. There will be Bullheads docked up there, and we need them secured before you rejoin your team.
"It's just gonna be six of us on the second floor? Isn't that, like, the most important floor?" Ruby asked, her voice uncertain. She was clearly uncomfortable to be away from her team.
"That is why the Wardens are taking on the second floor, Ms. Rose. You can be well assured that we will not fail." Paladin Bardach finished, walking from the room.
"The Wardens are the best, Ruby. If we had a dozen to use, we wouldn't need near as many Atlas soldiers. But they are few and far between these days. Paladin Bardach is sparing all he can." Said Ozpin, who had since closed the projection of the school house. "General Ironwood, I wish you luck." Ironwood gave a firm salute, which Ozpin mimicked.
"And I to you, old friend." Ironwood said solemnly. He made a motion with his hand, and the Atlas soldiers followed him out.
"Let's hope this is enough…" Ruby said, exiting the room with her team behind her.
Ruby was in a Bullhead with the Paladin Bardach, along with four other Atlas soldiers. They were making their way from Beacon to the outskirts of Mount Glen. The four other Wardens that Bardach spoke of were already on the scene, and had been scouting the area for landing zones and other such information. Ruby and Bardach were to meet up with them as soon as they landed, and begin preparing for the assault. The Paladin assured the Bullhead's occupants of an easy victory, but none seemed encouraged by his words other than Ruby. It was hard not to feel more confident knowing that you would be fighting along side a man the size of Bardach.
Ruby and Bardach had to rappel out of the Bullhead above a small clearing the Wardens had marked. It would be about five miles until they reached the school building. The meeting was not for another day, and the Wardens had already set up a small forward camp. Four tents, that was it. A ring of small machines that Ruby vaguely recognized as Grimm Sonic Emitters were placed around the camp, pulsing a wave of ENTs that no lesser grimm such as Beowolves could feel and deter themselves from the camp.
The Bullhead landed in a large makeshift helipad just outside the camp. When the two were greeted by the group of Wardens, Ruby realised why it only took five of them to equal a full two dozen Atlas soldiers. They were of larger than average size, but not Bardach-big. They wore different armor than the Paladin. The Warden's seemed more high-tech, while Bardach's seemed more flashy.
"Power armor, if you were wondering. They move faster, jump higher, can lift more weight. And get this; two Aura fields." Bardach said to Ruby, whose eyes shot open in amazement at the last fact. "Thought you'd like that. It recharges as well. As long as you don't get hit of course."
Ruby paused, her eyes wide. "...Can I have one?" Ruby begged with desperation in her eyes. Paladin Bardach just shook his head.
"Only way to get one is to join the Wardens. And I don't suppose you would want that. Leaving your team behind to fight as a peacekeeper- not an easy choice." Bardach motioned to his men to form on him. "Ms. Rose, these are the Wardens that will accompany us on the morrow. On the far left is Footpad Conair Daemon, the third in command after me, then you. Next is Prime Aidan Easson. Then Prime Donal Easson, those two are brothers, twins actually. And lastly Prime Reilly. Just Reilly, no last name. Prime Donal, please escort Ms. Rose to her tent."
The third man from the left stepped forward and removed his helmet. He had short cropped blonde hair, and a large scar along his cheek. He gave her a salute, which she returned. "The name's Donal, but I guess you already heard that. Aidan's my brother, but I guess you heard that too." He gave a small chuckle. "Well this is your tent, Ms. Rose." They had stopped beside the smallest tent, still large enough for two.
"Please, call me Ruby." Ruby replied, giving a small smile.
"Whatever the boss says, Ruby." He gave another salute, to which she returned again. He gave her a small nod, turned on his heel, and walked back to Bardach.
The inside of the tent was… nice. All that was in it was a sleeping bag on top of a foam pad. It was a very soft looking sleeping bag, though. Ruby put her sack down in the corner, and her scythe beside the bed.
"Excuse me, Ms. Rose. Food is ready if you are hungry." Ruby turned around to find Prime Donal, peeking into her tent.
"Thank you, Donal. I'm on my way."
"Oh, I'm Aidan." He turned his head and pointed to his cheek. "No scar, see? That's about the only way to tell us apart. Except I have the number 2 on my power armor, and Donal has the number 1."
"Oh, I'm sorry Aidan. You two look exactly the same. Well, you are twins, so I should have guessed you would… But anyways, please call me Ruby. " Ruby repeated, picking back up her scythe. She felt out of place without it on her belt, as both Donal and Aidan carried both rifle and sword.
"Alright then, Ruby. I would hurry if you want your pick of the MREs." He gave her a salute, to which she returned again, before walking off. She had done more saluting in the last five minutes then she had ever done in her life. It made her feel strange. But nevertheless, food awaited. Albeit MREs. Maybe she would be able to try on some of their power armor.