A/N I DO NOT OWN RWBY
Hi,
I don't proofread my writing so please ignore all my mistakes and errors throughout the story.
I know Ruby's character is confusing, but as you read further chapters, you'll get the general idea of Ruby's personality. Her backstory and past might not line up with the original plot, but I tried to implement as much of the original storyline as possible without having it go out of board.
A small summary of Ruby's past:
As a very young child, she was abandoned by her mother in the middle of a random street. Not remembering Taiyang, Yang or Qrow, Ruby grew up in the streets where bandits and thieves lived. She learned how to fight by herself and live by herself, which made her independent yet very lonely. She doesn't trust anyone and have a hard time socialising with others so she never had any friends. Ruby lived like this for 11 years before she was discovered by Glynda and Ozpin.
-Chapter 1: Ruby Rose-
Ruby Rose stared outside the window, watching the clouds float above a massive city. It would've been a beautiful sight if it weren't for the reason she was up here right now.
She didn't want to be here. She didn't want to attend Beacon.
Ruby was honestly so tired...
Achoo! Sniff...
A small young girl, so young and fragile, hugged her knees as she tried to keep herself warm under her red cloak from the rain. Crying and sobs that were washed away from the rain can be heard.
This red cloak was the only thing that was given to her when she woke up in the middle of some street.
Far too big and heavy for her to use, but she still wore the cloak. It made her feel safe, warm, protected from the world she lived in.
Being so young and not having develop a proper understanding of why she was left there, Ruby Rose waited. Waited for the person who left her there, her mother.
Though she vaguely remembers having a father and sister, Ruby was not close to them then. So she could only count on her mother who abandoned her, waiting for her to return.
But she never did...
And Ruby only noticed this years later when she grew older. When she grew far older and mature than she should be living in the streets. Streets that are constantly filled with thieves and bandits trying to steal from her or tried to kidnap her. Ruby remembered overhearing a group that wanted to make her a slave and sell her off for money.
Ruby lived her whole life running away from them and learning from them. Learning to steal like them and learning to fight like them.
She soon discovered something she would never forget.
A weapon storage, a place where weapon parts are stored and fixed. Items and materials can range from simple common metals to rare ones. Even dust are stored inside this storage room.
She discovered her talent and hobby of creating weapons. Improving them the more she worked with it.
But collecting these materials weren't easy. Not at all.
Being guarded for 24 hours, Ruby had to collect materials one at a time. Each time, she would try to carry as much as she can, but it proved to be too risky when one of the guards noticed materials missing so she opted to only steal one each visit.
Needless to say, it took a lot of time for Ruby to make something useable, but she was glad she did so. Because she made her one and only favourite weapon, a High-Caliber Sniper-Scythe, Cresent Rose.
Despite all the hardships into collecting those materials and building the weapon, Ruby could now defend herself properly from enemies and Grimms.
She was looked up to and made herself known to the streets of Vale. A cloaked thief weilding a scythe, they feared her. But they also wanted her because with power comes money. She'll get sold off at a higher price.
After all that, Ruby still does want to relax and read some of the latest magazines whilst listening to music, like a normal teen. That's why she never expected to be caught up in something bigger when she was visiting a dust store.
The beats of the music blasting against her ears and echoing back against her head made her deaf to the world. But by no means does this meant that her other sense weren't working.
The moment a bunch of henchmen barged into the store, she pretended not to notice anything. Them stealing this shopkeeper's valuable was not her porblem nor did she wanted to get involved.
Roman Torchwick walked right up to the shopkeeper and frowned. He removed his cigar from his mouth and flicked the ashes onto the floor, folding his arms afterwards as if he owned the place.
Such attitude and arrogance wasn't suprising when it came to criminals.
"Do you have any idea how annoying it is to find a dust shop open this late?" Roman questioned the shopkeeper. He was stated his agitation in the form of a threat to an innocent old man.
One of his henchmen pointed the gun at the shopkeeper. The whirling noise of the gun only further scared the old man, scrabbling to put up his hands in the air.
"Please, just take my lien and leave." The shopkeeper begged, offering all his money but Roman shushed his quickly.
"Calm down. We're not here for your money." Roman feigned kindness. "Grab the dust."
His henchman immediately brought up a container and unlocked it, grabbing some sort of capsule. Walking over to the back of the shop, they connected the capsules to a bigger one and satrted connecting dusts.
Another henchman presented the box to the shopkeeper and ordered for him to placed it inside. "Crystals. Burn. Uncut."
The old man couldn't do anything, but do as he say.
One unlucky henchman was about to collect some more dust before he noticed Ruby at the magazine section. Her back turned and oblivious to their robbery.
He grinded his teeth and unsheathed his weapon, pointing at her. The volume of her music didn't come into his mind.
"Alright kid, put your hands where I can see 'em." The henchman ordered her, but got no response.
Ruby continued to ignore him and read her magazine. A new weapon was currently being developed by Atlas.
She never liked that place even though she had never been there before.
"Hey! I said hands in the air." He shouted louder and slightly confused. Roughly grabbing her shoulder, Ruby was forced to turn and look at him. Her cloak fell off her head and presented her headphones to the man.
Ruby faked her surprise and stared at him with wide eyes yet continued to listen with her headphones on. "Hm?"
The henchman growled at her and pointed to his ear, signaling to take off her headphones.
Ruby did, though reluctantly. "Yes? How can I help you?"
"I said put your hands in the air now!" He tried to scare Ruby, but she has seen too much of that act already.
"Are you...robbing me?" Ruby asked slowly. She was hoping for him not to be this dumb and idiotic if he was trying to steal from her.
"Yes!" He shouted as if he wasn't clear enough before.
Ruby's eyes suddenly turned cold and she wasn't playing around anymore. It was fun at first and all, but the hype just dies down when the other recipient doesn't get it. "Is that so.."
Within a blink of an eye, that henchman was thrown back in front of the store, knocking into some furniture.
Roman was staring at some crystal dust before his henchman flew across the store. He thought nothing of it and motioned another henchman to check on it.
Bad idea...as another one of his henchman was thrown outside the store this time, shattering the glass and causing a havoc. A blur of red followed right after the man.
Ruby stood outside the store and stretched her muscles, not having fought for quite some time. She grabbed her headphones and hid it behind her cloak after taking her cresent rose out. Roman and his henchmen got to see the scythe come to life and unsheathed itself.
A beautiful sight to see in the dark and the moonlight shone at the edges of the metal. Shiny and deadly, far bigger and heavier than the girl, Roman frowned at her weapon choice.
Ruby twirled her weapon around her hands and shoulders before smashing it against the ground. The ground cracked beneath the sharp tip of the scythe and smiled at Roman, silently taunting him to attack.
But Roman was a crime boss and the taunt didn't affect him at all. "Okayy..." He drawled out, looking at his henchmen. "Get her!"
They immediately ran up to her, but Ruby was already a step ahead. She used the scythe to spin around and gain momentum to kick one of the henchman in the face, effectively knocking him out. Pulling scythe up and out from the ground, she held it backwards and then pressed a button on her scythe.
It shot out a heavy bullet which made her spin around with her scythe, slicing another henchman in the process, before gaining force to bring her weapon up in the air and smashing it down on another victim. Then, gunshots.
The last henchman took out his gun and fired at her.
Ruby fired another heavy bullet and used her semblance to dodge. Dashing out of way at unnatural levels of speed, it made her seem as if she teleported to that spot. She dashed towards the henchman, knocking him off his feet and into the air, leaving a trail of rose petals in her wake.
Stopping her from dashing any further, she hooked her scythe into the ground again and spun around using her semblance. Spinning around midair, she picked up her scythe and swung it into the henchman's stomach.
Ruby landed softly on the ground as Roman's last worker was thrown at his feet. He stared down at his useless worker that was defeated in less than 10 seconds.
"You were worth every cent. Truly, you were." He scowled and looked up at Ruby. "Well, Red, I must say I'm impressed with your skills and how you dealt with these useless workers."
"Thank you." Ruby accepted the compliment nonchalantly.
"How much will it cost to hire you?" Roman asked while grabbing his cigar and throwing it to the floor.
"Sorry to say, but I don't work for people." Ruby replied back. "Just not my thing."
"That's a shame. It was worth a shot." Roman sighed and grabbed his hat in defeat.
The last thing Ruby wanted was to be involved with a crime boss and possibly getting into more danger with the police. "Nice try."
Roman frowned at Ruby's lack of danger and fear. She seemed more used to this kind of stuff. "You're strange, Red. What are you trying to accomplish?"
Ruby was slightly caught off guard by his question. "What do you mean?"
"What is your goal? What is it that you aim for in the future?" Roman asked while walking from left to right, like a interrogation of Ruby. "A young lady like you surely have something in your mind, no?"
Ruby stopped smiling, looking at Roman with cold, lifeless eyes. She slowly brought her weapon down and ran her fingers down the edges, nearly cutting her fingertips in the process.
Recalling all the cruelly hours of sleeping in the cold, dark streets and constantly stealing food to survive. Being chased by humans and faunus alike, she could only run as fast her tiny legs could go. She remembered when they did caught her before she discovered her semsemblance.
It was an unforgettable and traumatic experience for a young child. It scarred her mind till this day if she ever got caught again.
Or betrayed...
"You know, not everyone wants something." Ruby uttered. "I have no desire for any fame, any valuables except for one thing...survival."
Roman raised an eyebrow at her to clarify further, but he wasn't unfamiliar to what she was talking about. He, himself, had to lie, steal and betray others to live.
"This world runs on someone's wealth and authority." Ruby started playing with her hair, seemingly having already been through conversation this before.
"For those who has none of those, what way do we have for survival?" Ruby brought up her hand and questioning this way of living. Her eyes were wide, filled with confusion and silent anger. "We're nothing in this world, left alone to rot away in the streets or get eaten by a group of Grimms."
"I was just lucky enough to have the semblance I have and my talent for weapons." Ruby laughed, it sounding more pitiful than grateful.
Roman, even just a little, did relate to Ruby. He wasn't given anything when he got in this world, but he did had something, someone, to protect.
But now's not the time to feel pity for someone.
"This has been an eventful evening, hasn't it red?" Roman stepped over his cigar with his cane and pointed the end at Ruby. "Though I'll love to stick around and talk about our lives more, I'm afraid this is where we must part ways."
"Bummer." Ruby smirked. "I'm actually kind of tired fighting so much."
A large cannon was fired at Ruby and she merely jumped up to avoid getting hit. Flames bursted underneath her and she can feel the heat warm up her skin.
Ruby looked around and saw Roman escaping from a ladder connected to a building. She contemplated whether she should continue to chase him or not.
She was actually tired of fighting anymore for no reason.
What would she accomplish chasing him?
A sense of justice?
But what is justice considered in this world?
Ruby Rose didn't know what path she was going to take or the future she wanted. Those questions Roman asked did hit her a lot. That's why, she decided to chase after him.
He was the first stepping stone for her to realise her flaws.
Catching up behind him, she called out to him.
"Persistent..." He muttered under his breathe. A giant helicopter appeared out of nowhere and opened it's door for Roman to jump in.
Ruby frowned at the amount of air and dust hitting against her eyes. The light of the helicopter then turned on and furrher flashed against her eyes.
"End of the line, Red."
Roman using this to his advantage, threw a explosive dust at Ruby, which landed by her feet and shot at the crystal. A cannon flew to the crystal and Ruby was about to use her semblance to move back, but someone interfered.
A figure landed in between Ruby and the crystal, creating a protective energy shield to protect the both of them. Ruby was marvelled at the sight of what seems like a magic circle.
But then noticed who saved her and cursed her luck. Glynda Goodwitch, a staff member at Beacon academy, someone who is generally associated with Beacon Academy's Headmaster, Ozpin.
"Woah-ho-ho!" Roman cheered, thinking he had hit Ruby. But the closer he looked down, he saw that he was wring.
Glynda hummed in thought and swung her weapon. Small purple bullets of dust manipulation flew across the sky and at the helicopter. It aimed at multiple areas, effectively knocking the helicopter off balance.
Roman grunted as he tried to keep his footing, dropping his cane. He staggered to the pilot seat despite all the ruckus and informed his companion.
"We got a Huntress!" Roman shouted through the alarm of the helicopter signaling damage.
His companion immediately lets go of the handle and passed it on to Roman to pilot the helicopter. The helicopter ascended, hoping to escape but Glynda formed another magic circle.
This time 10x the size of the energy shield and creating a massive storm above the helicopter.
Roman looked up at the sky through the windows and frowned the storm. "The hell?"
Glynda waved her weapon down and in sync, million shards of ice started hailing down onto the helicopter. It rained and tore through the metal shell. One broke through the pilot's window and stabbed the seat next to Roman's head, narrowly dodging away from the shard.
A figure walked to the opening of the helicopter. Her high heels clicked against the floor and Ruby squinted to get a good look on this person's face, but couldn't see anything. Glynda couldn't see her face either.
But Ruby felt like she saw this woman before. High heels, red fiery dress, it fitted the description of someone she met before.
But now was not the time to call the past, she needed to escaped before this Huntress captures her for interrogation. Or worse, to turn her in the police.
She has been on the news these days.
Roman's companion was quick to attack back. Her left hand lit up in flames and she brought it back with her other hand, only to shoot the flame at Glynda and Ruby, which was blocked by another protection barrier.
But due to the collision of the flames and barrier, it left sparks of flame on the ground which then exploded under the command of the user. The building's rooftop exploded in flames and debris flew everywhere.
Glynda used her semblance to bring back all the debris, making the fire disappear and bringing all the debris together to form a sort of spear.
"What a handy ability." Ruby thought. It was a clean ability and doesn't leave any trails unlike her.
It would make escaping so much easier.
Glynda aimed the spear of debris at Roman's campanion and they retaliated by firing more fiery projectiles at Glynda's creation.
The debris scattered once again before Glynda brought it back together and aimed at Roman this time. Roman managed to tilt the helicopter which deflected the spear and making it scatter again.
Ruby thought the helicopter must be coated or protected by some dust or something for it to be able to deflect a bunch of flying debris.
She was honestly so amazed by the fight, she forgot to escape when she had the chance. Though she had no future goals, a good display of different weapons and powers wasn't something she would want to miss.
Glynda then created threw separate spears of debris and attacked the helicopter from all opposite angles.
The fire user hastily looked around before creating multiple orange and black magic circles around her.
This was when Ruby finally remembered where she met this person, rather, Lady. She nearly shivered at the thought but there was no mistaking it.
This was her. This is her.
The magic circles expanded and burned off all the debris around the helicopter. Pieces of falling ashes fell from the sky and one touch Ruby's skin. It burned her skin and left a mark.
Familiar pain and burns from that one tiny spot.
Ruby immediately changed her scythe into it's sniper form and launched bullets at them. The fire user easily blocked the bullets and formed magic circles behind the two of them.
Ruby twirled her sniper until it faced the opposite way and launched another bullet. The forced hurled herself to the helicopter and with her semblance, appeared at her enemy.
Ruby still couldn't see the person's face, even this close, and she changed her weapon form to a scythe quickly. Cutting down at the helicopter, Roman moved out of the way before it could deal heavy damage to his ride.
As Ruby was falling, the door of the helicopter closed shut, but the gash she made allowed her to see the burning, golden eye of her enemy. The same enemy she met years ago by accident.
They didn't break eye contact until the helicopter managed to fly away and Ruby landing safely on the rooftop.
Glynda watched the helicopter fly off before turning to look at Ruby...who stared at her silently.
"You're a Huntress..." Ruby whispered and paused. Glynda frowned at her before she noticed Ruby gone from her spot in an instant.
Her head shot from left to right to see Ruby escaping to another building with her semblance. A simple flick of her wrist and she used her telekinesis to capture the escaping rose.
Bringing her back to where she was, Ruby nervously laughed and waved her hand.
"Uhh...hi?"
Ruby sat in her seat, patience running low as she was lectured by Glynda. She never let down her guard sitting in this room.
Never.
"I hope you realise your actions won't be take lightly, young lady." Glynda nagged at her while striding around Ruby. "You put yourself and other in great danger."
"I'm careful." Ruby stated. "Fighting isn't my thing."
She went to the opposite of the table and frowned at Ruby. "Isn't your thing? Quite a bold statement after defeating all those henchmen."
"Hey, they started it." Ruby looked at Glynda, daring her to blame Ruby. "It's only proper to defend youself, isn't it?"
"If it were up to me, you'll be sent home with a pat on the back..." Glynda looked up from the CCTV's footage of Ruby fighting.
Ruby frowned at her words, before quickly shifting back off her seat when a riding crop smacked against the table.
"And a slap on the wrist." Glynda scowled.
Ruby sighed, clearly tired from this day. "Look, how about you just send me home and we pretend like nothing has happened together, and get on with our normal life?"
"I'm afraid that can not happen." Glynda denied her request and Ruby's eyes darkened. "There's someone here who would like to meet you."
Glynda walked out of the way and in came Beacon's Headmaster, Ozpin, holding a plate of chocolate chip cookies and a cup of coffee. He walked in calmly, yet there was something in his eyes that lit up in recognition.
"Ruby Rose..." Ozpin called her name and then bent forward until he was down to Ruby's level. "You...have silver eyes."
"And you...have silver hair." Ruby copied Ozpin.
"So!" Ozpin ignored her comment and stood up straight. "Where did you learn to do this?"
He asked while motioning with his head at the security footage of Ruby using her scythe Glynda was holding in her hands.
Ruby hummed in thought. "Signal Academy."
"Hmm?" Ozpin caught on with her bluff. "I must say, there is no records of Ruby Rose ever attending Signal Academy or any academy."
Ruby frowned, questioning how Ozpin knew that or knew her. She was certain she managed to escape those CCTV cameras everytime she steals or at least, hide her face under her cloak. Today was an exception though.
"So tell me, who taught you how to wield one of the most dangerous weapons ever desgined?" Ozpin asked again. He was a patient person, but Glynda wasn't.
"Would you believe me if I was self-taught?" Ruby asked in return.
Glynda slammed her hand at the table and demanded answers. "Enough with your lies! How could a mere child like you wield a scythe?"
Ruby put her hands up, acting defensive. "Hey, I'm telling the truth here. I live alone and have no one willing to teach me."
Ozpin frowned when he heard that, he knew who Ruby was, heck she had a uncanny resemblance to her mother. It was quite scary to see there was hardly any difference between how they look, if any.
But meeting her again by a simple coincidence, seeing her alive and hearing how she lived alone. It pained to hear what she had to go through, especially when Ruby was the daughter of his former students and niece of his loyal companion.
Ozpin placed the plate of cookies softly on the table and stared silently at her.
Ruby stared at him suspiciously, but she wasn't saying no to free food. She knew Ozpin wasn't going to poison her food or anything, what would he gain from doing that anyways?
She ate slowly one by one.
"I'm surprised." Ozpin admitted truthfully. "It's just that I've only seen one other scythe-wielder of that skill before. A dusty, old crow."
Ruby left a cookie in her mouth as she stared Ozpin and he stared back. She quickly finished that piece and coughed. "Can't say I know them."
"I see..." Ozpin sighed and sat down on the seat opposite of Ruby. "We should arrange a meeting between you two."
Ruby shook her head and laughed nervously. "Haha...I suggest not. I'm not the type to hang out with strangers."
"Oh, he's not a stranger. Trust me." Ozpin took a sip of his coffee and thought about what he should say next.
"Trust, right..."
Ruby lost her smile for a split second, but Ozpin still saw that cold face.
"And what is an adorable young girl like you doing wielding a dangerous weapon?" Ozpin asked kindly.
This time, Ruby lost completely her mask. No more smiles, no more jokes. She was tired of this interrogation.
Her face was so cold. "Do I need a reason to carry a weapon for protection?"
Ozpin's and Glynda's eyes widened at her sudden change of attitude and frowned.
"It's for survival." Ruby stated like it's face. No, it is a fact.
Ozpin didn't say ask anything else for a few moments. He thought about the lifestyle Ruby must've been through and her fighting abilities. "...Do you know who I am?"
Ruby raised an eyebrow at the obvious question, but answered anyways. "Professor Ozpin, Headmaster of Beacon Academy."
"Hi." He greeted her with a smile.
Ruby smiled back, putting up her mask again like it's nothing. "Nice to meet you."
Ozpin and Glynda both noted how quickly and easy Ruby puts and takes off her mask. It was scary how it wasn't even noticeable unless Ruby physical shows it.
"Do you want to come to my school?" Ozpin asked and Ruby's eyes widened.
"No." She quickly declined his offer. "Besides, I don't even like Huntsmen and Huntresses. We're never on good terms in the first place."
"I was expecting you to say something like that." Ozpin sighed and drank his coffee again. "We can send you to the authorities if you want."
Ruby glared at him and Glynda was slightly shock by his threat. This...wasn't what they had planned.
"All the thievery and robbery, we have all captured footage of a red, cloaked figure. If we send those in and then hand you over, no doubt will they send you to jail."
"Ozpin!" Glynda shouted at him. She was really shock he would do that to a young girl, even if he was right about her criminal activities.
"What do you want?" Ruby growled. Silver eyes practically glowing in anger.
"I want you to attend Beacon Academy." Ozpin told simply.
Ruby looked at him with dead, tired eyes. Silently cursing and questioning him why, but those questions will never be answered. She knew.
"...Do I even have a choice?" Ruby asked again, having no energy left to argue.
"I must apologise, but no." Ozpin was firm with his decision. He knew he was going to get a lecture from Glynda later.
Ruby sighed, hoping her school years would not turn out bad as she thinks it will.
She only wish for it to be peaceful.
"I'm so sick and tired of this..."
"Ozpin, just what were you thinking?!" Glynda shouted at the headmaster. She did trust him, she really do, but sometimes his methods are just unreasonable.
"Glynda, I know." Ozpin sighed and took a sip of his coffee. "But we need to force her to do this."
"Surely there are other ways to do this, not threaten her by the stuff she does." Glynda scolded and rubbed her forehead. "I'm positive she had no choice but live the way she did."
"And that is the sad part." Ozpin looked seemingly at no one and nowhere. "She had to live like that. All alone with no one she could trust. No one to help her."
Ozpin then turned to face Glynda. "But we need to change her mind as much as we can. Even if it might be too late."
Glynda frowned sadly. He mostly likely did have good intentions, but his methods and decisions made it seem like he was making the wrong choice.
That's why trusting Ozpin is difficult.
"But the way we are doing that is wrong. It might make her even more isolated." Glynda proclaimed. "She might view us as a threat instead."
"I believe in her. I believe in my students." Ozpin announced what he thought. "When the times comes, I'm sure she will make the right choices."
Glynda couldn't fully believe his words. All the doubts and problems this situation can caused all rushed through her head.
"Ruby will find people she can trust." Ozpin drclared. "She'll not have to live and walk alone on an empty path anymore."
"She'll have someone to protect and live live for."