Chapter One: Reaper
It was a dark night in Vale, the clouds gathering over the moon. Most people would just see it as a typical night, continuing to go about their business. Most would be absorbed in their cell phones, others in their cars, others still would be working. They would never be looking up. They would never see her. They would never see the shadow that loomed over the city like a dark knight of Vale.
But, tonight, she was going to let herself be seen. Tonight was the night she revealed herself to the world. Long red cloak trailed behind her like a cape, waving softly.
If someone did happen to look up, they'd see the red shadow cast over the city as the lone figure stood in the moonlight. Or, they'd be too late, the shadow gone in a flash, dust and petals fluttering to the ground in its absence.
Elsewhere
The silence of the night was broken up by the sound of the windows shattering. The explosion rang out as out walked the villain of the night, dressed in a white tuxedo to make himself stand out. He loved standing out. It was the same reason he chose to look like a quite dapper gentleman.
"Too bad we couldn't make it bigger," He mused out loud, watching as the multitude of henchmen he'd brought sauntered out with him. "And they said we'd need more guys. I should probably have only brought half of them. Saved on pocket change this time. Oh well. Let's just go. We've got places to be and more goodies to steal."
A draft nearly blew his hat off. He glanced next to him, the men around him looking just as confused as he was. He turned around, not seeing anything of any importance. Not even a cop.
"Well, I suppose we can just go home," He said, sneering as he swung the cane he carried to look dapper, walking toward his car.
A thump followed by a thud drew his attention behind him. One of his men was unconscious; definitely going to have a goose egg later. He glanced around, looking for what could have done it. But, he couldn't see anything. The other men glanced where he was looking to see the unconscious body, gasping in shock.
"You're all hopeless," He said. "You didn't even notice he was knocked out? Good help is not only hard to fine, it's impossible."
He heard a sound by his car, shifting his gaze towards it. He saw that the tires were slashed, the car immobile.
"I just paid that off," He groaned, still not losing his cool at whoever or whatever was screwing up this operation. He was a man of sophistication after all. He wanted it done right. However, something was messing with his operation. This wasn't going to go well… was he warned about this?
"Whoever you are," He spoke out to whoever was listening. "If you're here, you might as well just give up. We've got you outnumbered."
Almost as if an answer, he heard the sound of his men falling. He turned around, his eyes widening as he saw it.
"Well, that's what I get for hiring non powered individuals," He sighed. "Too many crazies out there."
He turned to look at his car, but he felt his breath gasp in his throat.
Standing in front of his vehicle was what he would equate to a shadow of blood, dragging itself along the ground. It looked like some sort of spectre that existed in the underworld to call lost souls back. Despite the fact that it only stood up to his shoulders, there was an aura about it that was definitely not something to take lightly. Despite the bloody red movement along the black outfit the thing wore, he could make out two small glowing pinpricks of silver where the eyes of the person would be. However, the hood shrouding her face was enough to hide it in the shadows she seemed to emanate. It trailed around her like a cloak, bloody red.
"Well, well, well, Red," He said, holding his cane out like some aristocrat. "You seem to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Sure you beat those guys, but those were small fry. You've got to do better if you want to really strike it big, huh?"
The person said nothing, gazing at him with a look that would have seemed almost disinterested. That pissed him off a little. He hated being seen as a minor nuisance. This little brat was going to play vigilante; well, he'd make her see what happens to vigilantes.
The end of his cane popped open, forming a sight with the open portion.
"Sorry to shoot and run, Red," He said, squeezing the hidden trigger. The blast fired out of his cane, destroying the car. However, the red spectre was nowhere to be seen.
"Weaker than I thought," He said, chuckling. He put his cane down, sighing at the car. However, before he could make another motion, a fist collided with his face, knocking him over. He looked up to see the spectre staring down at him, his viewpoint showing a little under the hood. He could see an eyemask covering the area around her eyes, but the silver glows seemed to be her eyes.
"You're going to jail," The spectre said, taking a step towards him. He swung his cane at her, but she dodged it, moving behind him.
He then reached into his pocket and grabbed out the small red vial. He stood up, throwing the vial at the feet of the reaper. The explosion hid her from his view, giving him the chance to run.
The reaper had covered her eyes to shield them from the explosion. When the smoke cleared, she looked to see he was gone. Glancing around, she saw him climbing up over the ladder of a building, making it over the top and disappearing over the top. She grit her teeth, moving after him.
On the roof, Roman walked towards the edge, looking out towards the skyline.
"Should have been here by now," He said as the reaper behind him leapt onto the roof. He aimed his cane, but she held a gun that looked like it was made of something out of a sci-fi novel. He shot his and she shot hers, the two bullets colliding in a small explosion. Through the explosion she shot, now holding what looked like a scythe.
Roman ducked the first swing, shocked that she was actually using such a weapon. The swing, however, did separate him from his cane, leaving him vulnerable.
"I thought we were talking about arresting me," He nervously chuckled, stepping closer to the edge of the roof.
"You'll survive," The reaper said, shrugging as the scythe dematerialized into a silvery grey light, disappearing. "I'm not aiming to kill."
"You're nuts," Roman said.
"I'm justice," The reaper said. "In the name of the shattered moon."
Roman's eyes widened. He'd heard the stories of the one who claimed to fight for the shattered moon. Of course, those rumors went around years ago. Surely, there couldn't be another like that.
"Well," He said, hearing the sound of his new ride. "I suppose we'll have to cut this short."
The reaper narrowed her eyes, taking a step forward only for a rocket to strike near her feet, an explosion throwing her back.
"Seems the reaper isn't so invincible after all," Roman said, the reaper standing up, seemingly unhurt. She looked at the bullhead that had shot it. In the pilot's seat was someone she didn't notice, but couldn't avoid.
The second rocket shot towards them, but the reaper dodged, sending a punch to Roman's jaw that almost knocked him off the building, but the reaper grabbed him and threw him back. She slammed her fist into his jaw, the orange haired robber falling backward.
"This is over," The reaper said, holding out her hand towards the bullhead. "Crescent Rose: Gun Forme."
In her hand materialized the sci-fi gun. She took aim, firing at the wing. It began to break, spitting flames as it was hit by the bullet. It was clearly not an ordinary bullet as it shot straight through the ship to pierce the wing. The reaper watched as the pilot maneuvered the bullhead, trying to take it down in a crash landing. However, Roman took this opportunity to leap onto the bullhead, which righted itself and shot off into the night.
The reaper took a step back, almost as if she was preparing to run after them, but a hand on her shoulder stopped her.
"Where do you think you're going?" The imposing voice asked the vigilante. The reaper looked up to see the blonde hair and green eyes that belonged to one Glynda Goodwitch.
"I'm going after them," The reaper said.
"You're not doing something so crazy," Glynda said. "You're going to let them go."
"But, they're getting away," The reaper said.
"Rose," Glynda said softly. "You need to stop. You can't. There's no way you can stop them at this point. As fast as you are, you shouldn't just run after them. They nearly killed you with that rocket."
"I can survive it," The reaper, Rose, said, clenching her fist. "I'm fast enough to stop them."
"Come with me," Glynda said, teleporting away, holding the reaper. However, before they fully left that location, Rose could have sworn she saw a large cat.
The next morning
Ruby yawned, pushing herself up in her bed. She blinked a couple of times, looking around at her room. She was confused as to how she was here.
"Wasn't I…" She put her hand to her head, feeling the bump she'd gotten from hitting it. Her healing factor couldn't heal everything, especially after she wasn't in her transformed state.
"Wait, what time is…" She glanced at the clock, gasping as she saw the time.
She fell out of bed, scrambling like a hungover college student to get to her closet. She knew that she needed to hurry, needed to speed out of there like lightning. She knew it wasn't going to be long before she was late.
Rummaging through her closet, she pulled out a red hoodie. She looked at it, sniffing the shirt and shrugging as she threw it on. She didn't wash them every time she wore them; that would lead to tearing and she hated that. She ran into the kitchen and grabbed some toast, scarfing it down while she grabbed some books from the table. There was a note from Yang she glanced over. She knew what it said already, as Yang always put the same thing down: love you, Rubes. Make sure that you don't get in trouble or have sex until you're at least a bajillion years old""
Running out the door, Ruby took advantage of her higher than normal speed to make it to the bus stop. She wasn't as fast as she was when she used her transformed state, but she could still outrun a few people.
The bus pulled up, the door opening as she scrambled onto it. She sat down in a seat, letting out an exhausted breath as she sat down. She was still a little sore from last night and still tired as well. The moonlight didn't give her unlimited stamina after all.
"You look like you went on a run for eight hours straight," The voice of the seat occupant next to her said. Ruby turned her head to see a head of black hair and eyes hidden by a pair of red rimmed glasses. The bow on top made it look almost like a Christmas present delivered right to Ruby's eyes, both of which were taking in the view.
"Uh, yeah, I'm kinda tired," Ruby said, snapping back to reality. "Ran all the way here."
"You're quite fast," The woman said. "You should join track."
"Uh, yeah, that isn't my thing," Ruby said, laughing nervously. She then froze slightly. Just how fast had she run? She was quite fast, almost too fast even in her human state.
"I would beg to differ," The bookworm seeming individual said, glancing at Ruby. Ruby gulped softly, sitting in her seat and contemplating whether or not she should move. Unfortunately for her, the bus started moving.
Ruby kept looking at her seatmate out of the corner of her eye, trying to get a read on her. Could she be a Grimm who was onto her? Probably not; she seemed too uncaring and would have detected her terror. She was tense and rigid the entire ride to school. As soon as the bus stopped at the school, she took off, running to get in.
"Odd girl," The noirette muttered. "But, cute. Smells like sweat though."
Ruby made it into the school, making it to her locker. Opening it, she grabbed what she'd need for the day. She began to close the door, jumping as she saw the face of Glynda in the locker's reflective surface.
"What are you doing talking to me here?" She whispered harshly. "You know what will happen if we're found out."
"Behave," Glynda said quickly. "I'm not talking to you through some mystic portal. I'm standing right behind you."
Ruby turned, jumping once again to see the blonde woman.
"Wh-Why are you here?" Ruby asked, gulping.
"To see that you are doing your job properly," Glynda said.
"But, I'm at school now," Ruby said.
"I meant your school job," Glynda said. "You are still a student and I expect you to excel atyour studies."
"Okay, how about you let Yang worry about that?" Ruby said. "Weiss too. I don't mean any offense, but I see Yang more as a parental figure than you."
"Well, I take no offense." Glynda said. "She should be the parental figure in your life, what with… well, you know."
"Yeah," Ruby's voice went quiet. "I know. But, it's fine. It made me who I am today."
"That's very mature of you," Glynda said. "Now, we must be ready to begin class. Don't be late like the last time. You have responsibilities."
"I will, I promise," Ruby pouted as she got her books and headed to class.
With Yang
The tall blonde walked into the police station, sauntering up to the front desk with her hands behind her back.
"Hello, friend Yang!" Penny Polendina waved in her typical robotic fashion. "Here to see Mistress Weiss again, are you? Shall I prepare the handcuff keys again?"
"Uh, this isn't that kind of visit," Yang chuckled nervously. "Unless she's mad at me, in which case I better make sure I know my Miranda Rights. Also, didn't she ask you to call her chief instead of mistress?"
"Perhaps you are correct," Penny stated. "My father and creator did not give me adequate training on addressing superiors!"
"Well, you gotta work on it," Yang laughed. "Can't catch the bad guys if you don't."
"Yes, friend Yang!" Penny saluted as the door to Weiss' office opened.
"Yang, Xiao Long!" The snappy voice of the police chief startled both of them. "Are you trying to teach my detective improper phrases again?!"
"Uh oh," Yang gulped. "Uh, no. Not this time."
"Inside my office." Weiss said. "Now."
Yang gulped as she walked into the office, sitting down at the chair in the office. She looked at Weiss with a nervous expression. The police chief crossed her arms and looked at Yang.
"What brings you here?" She asked.
"Well, someone wanted to say hello." Yang said with a grin, moving from behind her back a small child of about five with hair of white and blonde. She had blue eyes and stared at Weiss with a smile.
"Hello, mommy," Yang held the child up in front of her face, making a deep voice and moving the child's arms as she giggled. "I wanted to tell you that other mommy has wanted to smooch you really good and wants you to hug her even though you're too short to reach."
Weiss' strict demeanor melted and she chuckled as she took the child from Yang.
"Oh, she does, does she?" She asked the child. "Well, tell me, Winter, should I do it?"
"Nope," Winter said as she hugged Weiss. "I want it all for me."
"Consider it done," Weiss hugged the child, looking at Yang. The blonde had a grin on her face and took Weiss' left hand with her own, their rings glinting slightly off of each other. Weiss sighed, kissing Winter's forehead.
"Well, I think I should be fair to your other mom," Weiss said, standing once again. "She did drive here after all."
"Darn right I did," Yang said, pulling Weiss over to her and kissing her on the lips as she embraced the two of them.
"Don't you have to work?" Weiss asked once they'd broken their kiss.
"Not yet," Yang said. "Rubes is still in school so she can't watch our little Winterflake."
"Oh, that's right," Weiss said with a sigh. "Well, how about we get some lunch so that I can relax a bit?"
"Sounds good," Yang said. "Now, I get to pick this time."
"Fine, fine," Weiss said. "So long as it isn't a place where the health rating is less than a C."
"It was one time," Yang said. "Besides, you loved the food."
"Until I had to be the one who made sure the place was shut down," Weiss said. "Now, either pick a good one or we go to the place you hate most."
"Chuck E Cheese's?" Yang asked.
"That's the place you hate most?" Weiss asked in shock.
"I got stuck in the tubes when I was a kid," Yang laughed nervously. "Then my dad got stuck trying to get me out. I got really claustrophobic after that…"
"That explains why you didn't want to go in the playplace at that chicken restaurant," Weiss said.
"Well, yeah," Yang said. "You thought it was cuz I was too tall?"
"Well, yes," Weiss said. "But, let's just go."
"I want chicken fingers," Winter said. "With mustard."
"Sounds like a plan," Yang said. "I know just the place."
"We'll take my car this time," Weiss said.
"And why is that?" Yang asked, feigning hurt. "Is it because I'm a bad driver?"
"I was this close to giving you three separate tickets," Weiss said, crossing her arms. "You drive like a maniac when you're hungry. Now, we are taking my car because I am a safe driver."
"I've seen your road rage," Yang said. "Remember that time when Neon Katt cut you off."
"Yes, by speeding twenty over," Weiss said. "On a suspended license."
"Well, whatever," Yang said. "Well, I made sure Neon wasn't a problem this time."
"I swear to god if that means what I think it means…" Weiss eyebrow twitched.
"What?" Yang asked. "I just called May and told her to keep the kitty cat on a leash."
"I forgot May was her housemate," Weiss said. "All I remembered was her telling me she would apologize in person next time Neon messed up."
"Well, her and Reese aren't exactly the best people to watch the hyperactive cat." Yang said.
"Yes, two straight girls watching another straight girl will totally lead to what you're thinking," Weiss said.
"I never said that," Yang coughed. "Besides, I've known both of them for years. Now, let's take Winter and go have fun."
"Let's," Weiss said. "It's time for my lunch anyway."
"Well, let's go have us some great fun," Yang pulled the shorter woman up to her mouth, giving her a deep kiss, grabbing Weiss' ass while she did so.
"Ewwww," Winter said, stopping the two in their tracks.
"Uh, sorry, kiddo," Yang chuckled. "Forgot you were there."
"I want extra chicken tenders now." Winter said.
"Fine, fine," Weiss sighed. "But, we're going to go and eat healthy as well."
"Let's go," Yang said, pulling Weiss. "Penny, hold all her calls."
"You got it, friend Yang!" Penny called.
Yang took them to Weiss' car, the police chief hopping in the driver's side as Yang buckled Winter up. Yang hopped in the passenger's side, sitting down next to Weiss.
"Ready?" She asked.
"Yes," Weiss said, nodding as she drove them to the restaurant.
Once there, the couple sat down and began to order their meals.
"What are you having?" Yang asked.
"I'll have the—" Weiss began before an explosion rocked the building they were in. The windows shattered as Weiss leapt over, her and Yang covering Winter. Once the shaking stopped, Weiss stood.
"All units, converge on my location now!" Weiss shouted into her radio. "Explosion at Vale Square! I repeat, explosion at Vale Square!"
"Roger!" Several officers responded.
"Yang, take Winter where it will be safe," Weiss said, walking toward the explosion.
"What are you going to do?" Yang asked.
"My job," Weiss said as the air began to grow frigid.
With Ruby
Ruby was bored; very bored. She was barely able to stay awake. Though, that could have been attributed to her not having gotten much sleep the previous night. She felt the desire to sleep creep closer and closer as she struggled to stay awake. She knew that if she were using her powers, she'd be more active, but she'd obviously not use them here.
The professor continued to drone on and on about some subject she had no desire to learn anything about, but she was still there for the class. She never could understand these subjects. She was bored, glancing around and wondering if she could spot that attractive girl. Maybe she could learn some more about her.
Thoughts crossed her mind. She knew there was something off about the girl, but she couldn't pinpoint what it was. She inwardly shrugged; she could find that stuff out later. After all, she wasn't even in the class, so there was no chance to do so anyway.
Ruby considered just nodding off, but she knew Glynda would be on her about it. She continued to fight to stay awake.
Suddenly, she felt the building around her begin to shake. She glanced out the window to see smoke beginning to rise in the distance. Her belt buckle began to glow, catching her attention.
She glanced back at the window, a feeling of dread beginning to wash over her. She knew exactly what the source of the explosion was. She waited for no one to be looking at her before she made her move.
She asked to be excused as she got up, walking through the hall, making her way to the roof. She stepped out onto the roof, taking her buckle off and holding it to the sky.
"By the power of the shattered moon, I invoke the light of justice!" She exclaimed, her buckle shining out a bursting light.
Ruby let her arms and head fall back as she felt her power begin to rise. Her clothes dematerialized as her body glower red, fading away as sparkles of magic. Her body began to rise into the air, becoming more brilliant. Closing her eyes, she felt ribbons of magic begin to cover her as her uniform covered her. Her arms wore long sleeves and she now wore combat boots and a skirt, fashioned from the magic of the moon. They darkened to a black color, becoming like the night. She felt the comforting feel of her mother's cape as it formed, flowing like a great hero's. Her contacts she used to hide her eyes' true color vanished, leaving her powerful silver eyes exposed. Her eyemask covered her face, hiding her identity as did the magic in her power.
Fully transformed, Ruby shot off like a rocket, her powers aiding her to run faster. Rose petals trailed behind her as she just about broke the sound barrier. She ran towards the source of the explosion, hoping she could make it before anyone else got hurt.
Bio: Ruby Rose
Ruby Rose is the daughter of Summer Rose, the previous Rose Reaper, a woman who was blessed by the shattered moon to wield its power and strike fear into the hearts of the Grimm.
I wonder what's going on. We'll find out in the next chapter. Also, I kinda wanted to try something where I give a quick fact about a character at the end of a chapter.
So, this is a story I wanted to try, RWBY with a superheroine Ruby. I really wanted to try the idea, but I couldn't figure out one until I decided to go sort of like Sailor Moon. I hope you enjoy.
