Welcome to you.

First the usual disclosure.

RWBY is property of Rooster teeth, and was created by Monthy Oum.

Dungeon the Dragoning 40 000 7th Edition Book 1 and 2 are the creation of Lawful Nice

Dungeon the Dragoning is a parody RPG spoofing the universe of Dungeon and Dragon, Exalted, Warhammer, W40k and the world of Darkness. Each, property of their respective owners.

This story will also present element and character from other games. I once again doesn't own the right of any of them. Including:

-Magicka by Paradox

-Other game that I will had as they come along.

With this out of the way.

Feeling brave tonight ? Or today ?

This story will be entirely told in third person through the sole Point of View of Ruby Rose, exception of the Bonus scene at the end of each chapter, who may present any character.

While the story as a goal mainly comedic in nature. The story may present scene either tragic or disturbing. Viewer discretion advised. Though again, the notation is M, so you shall expect this kind of thing.

There is no particular pairing in view outside of eventual canon one.

Each scene will hold a title.

Finally, I read all and every Reviews. If a question came often or seems fun, I will answer to it in the next chapter. For example.

Question : How close will you follow the Rule of DtD40k 7th ?

Answer : Close enough for people knowledgeable of the game to be able to identify the abilities and element, but not enough that knowledge of it is necessary to enjoy this story. I may also take some liberty for the sake of Coolness, fun or as part of the plot. I will however take care for all power to be foreshadowed, presented in some way or explained. Consistency is the main rule here.

If you want to learn more about this fiction. I invite you to message me about it.

Forget your sanity. You won't need it.

Part 1

-A sense of loss-

"Sorry, but I am pained to tell you that Summer Rose had been declared Killed in action."

How many times did she retold this sentence through her head. She lost count. And yet she still couldn't believe it. She refused to believe it.

Tears threaten to spill again. She tried to sit, and found herself face to face with the mirror in front of her bed.

Her reflection was facing her. A small girl, with black hair turning red at the end. With a cute little face, and had they not been puffed with tears, clear silver eyes.

Here was the reflection of a 5 year old Ruby Rose. And a week ago, she learned that her mother was gone.

She held tighter her red cloak and her wolf plushie. Both were given to her by her mother, before she left on different missions to protect the world.

Her mother was a huntress. Heroes of humanity, wielding their very soul in combat to battle criminals and the Grimms.

The Grimms were monsters without soul, trying to return humanity to oblivion and darkness.

A hunter could defeat hundreds, no thousands of grimms. And her mother was the best huntress she knew. Able to kill a grimm with just a glare. That's why she couldn't have been defeated.

"Don't fear my little Rose. I'll always come back to you."

She slumped back into her bed. "Liar..."

She stayed like this for what felt like hours. The house was silent. It was becoming too much, so she left her bed and sat near a window.

It was snowing outside. Patch, the island she called her home, was covered in a blanket of white. She observed the snowflake, imagining for a time that they were the petals who escaped constantly from her mother's cloak.

Heavy steps were heard behind the door. It stopped for a moment before leaving again. Probably her father.

She looked at the door, hoping it would open and her father would be smiling at her and tell her everything would be alright. But she knew it wouldn't be.

She was struck hard by the news of her mother's departure. But there were times where she was relatively okay. And with the help of Yang, her big sister, she was sure one day she would be fine.

In comparison, her father was broken. He was moving like a zombie. Barely eating or leaving his room. Sometimes, he would glance at either her or her sister. Then silently go back to his bed.

She was so taken in her musing, she didn't hear the door open. And only realise another presence beside her, when a hand was laid on her shoulder.

"Hey sis, you alright?" It was Yang's voice. She turned her head to look at her.

She was just two years older than her, but she had taken thing far better. Or at least, she was better at hiding it. She had warm lilac eyes and long blond hair in twintail. But more strangely, she wore her yellow scarf and her winter cloth.

"Not really...are you leaving?" Her voice contained more fear than she wanted. Her sister was all she had now, she couldn't imagine if she left and never return too.

Yang sat by her side. Staying silent for a while. Only leaning against her. She put her hand into one of her pocket and took an old photo. It was showing a woman dressed in red with long and unruly black hair and red eye. She was standing in front of an old mountain cabin.

"Yang she looks like you. Who is she?" Ruby never saw that woman. Yet the resemblance was obvious.

Yang remained silent. But looked at her with a small smile. "Her name is Raven...I think. Uncle Qrow talks about her from time to time. When he thinks we don't listen." She paused and looked at Ruby with determination. "I know where is this cabin, It's in the forest. If we go there, we will be able to find her. And she will be able to take care of us."

"What about daddy? Wouldn't he feel even more alone? And uncle Qrow said he would take care of us too."

Yang hugged her. "Dad is not himself anymore. And Uncle Qrow can't be always here. I won't leave you alone, so Ruby. Come with me! I'm sure if I ask, she will help us."

She would trust Yang. Her sister never would do something against her. "Okay...when are we leaving?"

"As soon as you are dressed. Take your cloak, it will be cold outside"

"Can I take Ein?" Ruby showed her plushie.

Yang petted the plushie's head. "Ein is a good boy, but it would be best to let him there for now, and get it back once we found mo...Raven."

"Moraven ?"

"Forget it sis, it's not important right now. Prepare yourself, I'll go take some cookies for the travel. Take warm cloth alright?" She stood on her feet and giving her sister a last hugs left the room.

-Into the forest-

Ruby and Yang had snuck out of the house. Not that it was hard considering their father state.

Still, she didn't want him to worry. So she snuck back into her room, after Yang left, and put Ein in front of his door, with a letter saying they were going to search for Raven.

While she made her message, Yang had found a little red wagon. "Go inside Ruby, I'll drag you in."

"I can walk Yang." She even put her "big" boots.

"I know, but I won't let my little sis walk in that snow for so long. With this, you can even rest if you want." She smiled at her. It was the happiest smile Ruby saw in a while.

"Are you sure? You won't be tired?" Ruby wasn't exactly heavy. But her sister was only seven and after a long time it could tire her arm.

"Don't you know already? I'm a dragon. GAO!" She tickled her as she pushed her grand roar. But Ruby understood what she was talking about. And allowed herself to be put into the wagon.

Ever since she remembered, Yang had a far greater endurance that any child. And even some adult. She could always retrieve her breath, no matter the effort, in less than five minutes.

As for the dragon nickname.

Golden translucent flames appeared around Yang. Warming Ruby and melting the snow.

Yang could control and create those flames. Doing so caused small golden scales to form temporarily on her skin.

When she asked her father what they were, he answered that all Xiao-Long were dragons. The name stuck.

"Be ready sis! We're going in. GAO!" She ran, dragging the Wagon with her sister inside.

And the two sisters entered the forest.

-Two kids alone in the snow-

The initial rush of adrenaline passed, Yang had lower her speed. Walking across the long white road covered in snow and ice. Bordered by high tree, most having lost their leaves.

From time to time she would stop to melt the snow with her flame. Whenever one of the wagon's wheels ended up stuck for example.

Ruby was not exactly sleeping, but she was lying on the side. Her mind alternating between consciousness and unconsciousness. There were times where she would close her eyes only to reopen them a few minutes later.

She never suffered from the cold. Her sister's flame assuring there was always a source of warmth.

"Ruby! Look!" She raised her head. Indeed, there was a wooden cabin like in the picture. But something was wrong. The cabin seemed to be abandoned.

"Yang this look scary." But her sister didn't hear her. She was going toward the broken door.

"Raven! Raven! Mom!"

Mom? What was Yang talking about?

Growwlllll.

Ruby felt a cold shiver run her spine. This was not a natural growling.

"Ruby! Get away!" Yang screamed at her, panicked.

Three bipedal wolves, black as the night, with bony white spike and mask, exited the small cabin. Bearing hatred filled red eyes on the two children.

Beowolves, some of the more common if deadly grimm.

Yang let her flame burst stronger. Hoping to force the beast to retreat. But their meal wouldn't be denied so easily. The first beowolf punched her away, and if it wasn't for Yang formidable resistance, the hit could have been fatal.

Seeing the child alive the two other grimm raised their hand, ready to give the killing blow.

Ruby ran, Yang was her sister. She had already lost someone dear to her. She wouldn't lose anyone else. Her eyes started to burn, and faster than she could have even thought, she interposed herself between the two wolves and her Sister.

"Ruby no! Run!"

The two clawed fistc fell on her.

And silver burned the world.

-The Unwilting Rose-

Ruby hurt. It was like her whole body was being consumed in this silvery light.

"YOU ARE BRAVE CHILD!"

The voice shook her to the core, the world around her froze. Like time had stopped.

"TO RUSH INTO DANGER FOR THE SAKE OF OTHERS. THE NATURE OF A TRUE HUNTRESS."

She felt her body scatter in a thousand of red petals. But she refused to disappear, not with Yang still in danger.

"A SMALLER, MORE HONEST SOUL...BEARER OF A NEW HOPE."

She reformed, Petal mending together, reforming her bones, her organs, everything. Something new burst through her vein, pumping through her recreated heart.

"LOOK LIKE OUR WAR ISN'T OVER. TIAMAT."

It was cold and strange, a substance that should not be, substituting itself to her blood. But she could feel its power running through her.

"HERE COME A ROSE THAT WILL NOT WHILT AT YOUR TOUCH!"

When time restarted her body had changed. Her skin became paler if possible. Her silver eyes were now shining with a faint light. Her cloak took a shroud like aspect and was releasing a constant stream of red petals.

"YOU ARE NOT READY TO USE THIS POWER YET CHILD, BUT JUST THIS TIME I WILL HELP YOU."

Power rushed to her eyes. And exploded in two wings of silver, blasting the grimms away. Freezing their body in the crutch of a deathly cold. And turning them to dust.

"CONSIDER THIS A WELCOME GIFT. WE'LL MEET ONCE AGAIN CHILD. I LOOK FORWARD TO OUR NEXT ENCOUNTER."

Nothing remained of the beowolves. She was tired, atrociously tired. But they were safe. Her cloak had reduced in size after this strange attack. Leaving only the higher part of the hood.

"Ru..Ruby?"

Yang! Ruby turned toward her sister.

"Yang...I want to go home." She fell.

"RUBY!" But before her sister could reach her, her body turned to petals.

-Colorful World-

Ruby hit the snow with a "kya". She quickly got back on her feet, not willing to end up frozen in the snow. But it was not necessary it seemed.

While she "felt" the snow. She couldn't feel the cold.

In fact, her whole sensations were weird right now. She looked around.

The first thing she saw was that her cloak was back to its full length.

The second was the dreamy nature of the world around her. She was still on the same road, at the very same point she had fallen. Yet everything seemed different.

The world was far more...colorful. Yet at the very same time, black.

Colorful black?

It was like hundred of shades of blacks were juxtaposed to the brightest shade of color. The snow was a variation of bright white and deep blue. The bark of the tree was a light black. And the few leaves remaining were of the color of the rainbow. The cabin, however was still creepy, colored dark black and a bloody red.

But the most impressive was without doubt the sky. The sky was perpetually shifting. Vast clouds of color, like far away galaxies roaming through an endless night. And in the middle of the sky. Was a gigantic purple and pink hole in creation, like a demented eye. Spewing wave of energy through reality.

As she focused an instant on this hole, she was assaulted with vision. A proud platinum Dragon looking over a castle. A man whose shape and form were as shifting as this sky. A Faunus lady with wolf ears, whose dress was the broken moon itself. And a gigantic city of gate and portal, reaching through the horizon and the sky, crowded with alien entities. Some humanoid, other entirely different.

She was cut in her observation by someone crying.

"Ruby...please...No...Don't leave me." Yang was kneeling in the snow. Holding a pile of rose petals. The petal drawing the shape of a silhouette.

"Yang! I'm here!" But she couldn't hear. Neither could she see or touch her either. It was as if they were separated by a barrier.

"Oh Oum...it's my fault. Ruby..."

"No, it's not your fault Yang! I'm fine. Please don't...Don't cry." She felt like crying herself, but no tears would come.

"YANG! RUBY!" A masculine's voice could be heard approaching. It was their uncle Qrow. With a little luck, he could make thing better.

A man practically fell from the sky. He had a recent stubble on the chin, messy black hair and deep red eye. He wore an open white shirt disregarding the cold and a black pant. The more significative part of his wardrobe was, however, the long red cape billowing behind him. As well as a crooked cross.

Qrow looked at Yang holding the red form while crying.

"No...no no no." It was the first time Ruby saw her uncle panic. He started running to Yang.

"Uncle over there." Ruby waved at him, hoping against hope that, contrary to Yang, he would be able to see her.

And he did. Showing another face she never saw her uncle do: absolute shock.

His head turned in her direction, while his body continue his road. Not nitcing the slippery ice.

And so, Qrow Branwen, legendary Hunter, badass Uncle and Headmaster of Signal Academy was sent crashing down in the snow like some lousy neophyte.

It may not have been the moment, but Ruby couldn't help but snicker. At least he could see her.

"Please Uncle. Tell Yang that I am alright!" It was Ruby's top priority.

"How in the...What happened here? Ruby how are you in the um...You know what? Nevermind! That can wait. Can someone please explain to me what is going on?"

Yang got close to him, still holding the petal. "It's Ruby, she is sniff she is..."

"Alright, Ruby is alright firecracker." Qrow put his hand in her niece's hair. The fact she would not push it back, was a good indicator of how affected she was. "She just needs a little help to come back. Can you tell me what happened?"

Followed a strange explanation. With Yang repeating she was sorry, in tears. And Qrow, interrupting to let Ruby talk. When she told him about the voice and the strange light. Qrow's face grew somber.

Yang seemed relieved to hear that she was alive, even if she was worried that she couldn't see her.

"Ruby. Look there. Do you see something?" Qrow pointed at the place were the beowolves had died. And indeed there was something she missed. Small silver and black flames were burning where the grimm had evaporated.

"Yes, there is some small fire."

"Okay, go and try to take them. Trust me on this Ruby." Qrow walked toward the flame. Taking Yang in his arm.

Ruby reached for the fire with hesitation. When close enough she could hear the howl of wolves coming from the flame. Her hand grew closer when something she didn't expect unravel in front of her.

The fire, literally froze over, when the energy contained inside of it was syphoned into her eyes.

It was a brief yet intense experience. She felt a faint trace of power.

"Good, Ruby, now do as I say. Try to grab the world around you, and pull."

-Blooming again-

If her sensation in the colorful world were strange. It was nothing compared to what she felt now.

First she felt herself appear through countless petals forming around her and mending together again. Then a deep cold coming from her bones, expanding till it reached her whole body, before heating up like a blazing inferno.

All her senses screamed at her. The colorful world slowly shifting in color and intensity till she was once again in the normal world. The noise of the forest and the wind screaming in her ears. The smell of wood and snow, nearly overpowering her nose. The sensation of the cloth on her skin, the cold.

She fell to her knee. Then the fatigue reached her. She had the impression to have run around the whole island multiple time. Yet her heart wasn't pumping any harder. She could feel the movement of the strange fluid who had replaced her blood. Like a stream of power, yet it felt weak, incomplete. And she was feeling the impact of it.

She could not stand up. Too drained to do anything more than maintain herself in that position and not fall into the snow. She looked at her sister and uncle.

They were pale and a little green. She didn't understand why.

"Ruby ?" Asked her sister hesitantly.

"Yang!" Ruby smiled at her as brightly as she could.

"RUBY!" She took a blond missile. "Ruby, thanks Oum you are alright!" They cried in each others arms. Looked over by a smiling Qrow.

"I'm happy to see you both alright. But I'm afraid that what Ruby did will be only temporary at best. We need to go back now."

Yang turned to face her uncle. "What do you mean temporary?!"

"I'll tell you later. Once we are safe. Ruby can you walk?" Ruby made no with her head. Qrow took the both of them in his arm.

"Uncle?" Yang ask as the man started to run. He gave her a quick glance, asking her to go on. "How did you know where we were?"

"You could say a little Wolf told me." He smirked at Ruby.

-Going Home-

Night was falling when they reached home. Ruby was struggling to remain awake. She was draping herself in her cloak. Ever since she came back, her cloak had been shorter, and was constantly becoming shorter as she became herself more and more tired.

A tall man, far thinner than he once was, was waiting by the entrance. Far more awake than he had been in days. He had short blond hair and lilac eyes. Tayang Xiao Long. Father of Yang and Ruby.

When he saw them, he rushed at them. Tackling the whole group.

"My girls, I'm so sorry."

"It's alright Tai. But you're crushing the three of us. Furthermore, we have something urgent to discuss." Qrow was trying to escape from the general bear hugs. With little to no success.

"What could be more important than the safety of my daughters right now?" He reinforced his grip. Ruby felt herself being crushed. She needed to escape if she didn't want to suffocate. It was an instinctive action, but her body scattered in a cloud of petals and reform a second later a few pace away.

Her father's mouth dropped. As he became pale. "Qrow we need to talk."

-Dust eater-

The talk, for Ruby, looked more like a long argument where they tried to see who scream louder. She was too tired to listen. And could barely understand any word. Her cloak was once again barely the size of her hood.

At one point the argument started to include Yang too. Mainly her father trying to have her explained why she put both their live in danger. Her sister answering it was his fault for forgetting about them.

Qrow was trying to play mediator. While keeping an eye on her.

She didn't know how long it had continued like that. But at a moment she saw both Tai and Yang starting to emit fire. That couldn't be good.

Her head was spinning and she felt the same sensation than before. When falling into the colorful world.

She tried to hold herself together, ignoring totally the discussion around her.

That's when she saw it. A huge thunder dust crystal. Calling for her. She didn't know what draw her to it, but she dragged herself in it's direction. And took it in her hand.

Qrow said something, but she ignored it.

Crunch

The whole argument stopped. The three looking at her with wide eyes.

Crunch munch

She felt... Energized. The substance replacing her blood being fully replenished. Her cloak retrieving her normal length and producing petal in large quantity. Her eyes shining with renewed vigor. She felt like being able to run at full speed.

She looked in her hand the remain of the Dust crystal.

And remembered they were cookie in the kitchen.

She ran like a whirlwind, letting a cloud of roses behind her as she dashed. And put herself on the table with a big goofy smile. Inhaling cookie, and putting Dust into milk.

She looked back at the other three. Who had stopped to study what she was doing.

"Vant shome?" She asked mouth full.

A full minute pass.

And for the first time in what felt forever, everybody laugh. Nervous at first, then more and more genuine, as if the ordeal of the night had finally broken the wall each of them had built around them, all pressure escaping through this laugh.

"Ruby, are you feeling okay?" Asked Tai, a strange mix of worry and mirth in his eyes.

"Hmm hmm." She hmm while noding in rhythm.

"Well, that's a problem solved" Told Qrow, taking a small canteen from inside his pocket.

Tai sighed. "I think we all have been pretty stupid, isn't it?"

"We all lost something very dear to us. Old lion." Qrow looked at the broken moon through the window.

"So does that mean?" Asked Yang with hope.

"You're still grounded for a month." Tai let the hammer fall. He may now feel better, but even Ruby knew they did something really stupid. And he wouldn't let it pass. At least, now their father was back.

"Oww." Whined the small blond.

"But after that, what about a trip together to Vale." The two girls looked at him surprised.

"There is still a lot to do. First... we need to find a place for us to put a grave. I was thinking the cliff where I've proposed to her. After that, well. She wouldn't have wanted us to be depressed like that."

Qrow served him a glass of the brown liquid in his flask. "Yes. Nevermore."

"Hey! I'm the one here with the bad joke!" Obfuscate himself her father.

"So you finally admit it!" Her uncle looked victorious.

"Laugh it up. I'll make you appreciate my humor."

There was a pause.

"You'll give me a hand?" Asked her father.

Qrow smiled. "Of course. If I want to find this house in one piece when I come back, I'll need to be here for the girls."

"So they may become drunkards instead?"

Qrow fell back in mock hurt.

"And for Ruby? You said you knew someone who could help." Tai looked hopeful at her. Still munching on Dust flavored milk and cookies.

"I am not sure how much he could help. But at least he'll know more than us. Right now I'm working with second hand knowledge."

"How long till he come here?"

"Ugh, a few years I'm afraid. That bastard is as slippery as me." Qrow sigh.

"That long?" Asked Tai, incredulous.

"This kind of people ain't easy to come by. And I must be careful that Jimmy doesn't suspect a thing. Who know what he could do if he knew."

Ruby didn't know this Jimmy, but her father seems to understand and accept.

"Dad, Do Ruby have a problem?" Yang had put herself as close as she could with her sister.

"No, But please girls, promise me not to show your ability to people we don't know alright?"

"Aye aye." Ruby putting crumble everywhere as she hit a cookie against her forehead in her tentative to salute. Refusing to release the pastry.

Look like the nightmare was over.

Part 2

-Spunky Ghotic-

7 years had passed since Ruby had discovered her strange ability. She was now twelve years old. And was currently...

Munch

Eating junk while writing in her journal. She rearranged her combat skirt and remark how much she had changed since it all begun.

Body wise, she had quite grown, not as much as Yang. But she could no longer be called a kid and would be considered (technicaly) a teenager.

Didn't prevent her uncle from calling her pipsqueak. But she ignored it. One day she would be the tallest of them all.

Her skin remained as pale as that day, and her eyes were still shining silver. But it appeared more cute that eerie. Though some would say she was both.

Ruby was fine with it.

The main change was more of a fashion statement. She was wearing a black and red corset. As well as a black and red combat skirt. Long black tigh and black combat boot with red lace.

Yep, she loves black. And Red too.

Ever since she stepped into the colorful world, she saw black in a new light. Furthermore, it was a color that fit her...she thinks. As for the red.

She put away the petal escaping from her cloak.

It was a color that followed her everywhere.

At least the petal would fade most of the time. It was a pain to clean up. Though faunus liked the smell.

This cloak was now a part of her, literally. It grew alongside her. Was affected by her aura and semblance (Her own soul power, one step closer to becoming a huntress.) and would follow her whenever she would end into the colorful world.

It was not the only thing she felt an attraction too. Two Ankhs were now being used as pin to attach her cloak, and a small cross pendant had joined her rose pendant on her belt. Yes, for some reason, symbol of death and rebirth resonate with her. In the same way, she felt more at ease during the night. (And sneak out from time to time when she couldn't sleep).

Crunsh

Going back to the journal. Ever since that fateful day. Qrow bought her a journal to write all her observations and remark concerning her power. So that when the famous expert Qrow had asked came around. He would be able to help her better.

Said expert was taking his sweet, sweet, time.

Munsh

There were currently ten major points she had observed concerning her powers. All described in her journal.

The first: She had to alternate between the normal world and the colorful world. Or rather she needed to go back to the colorful world from time to time to "recharge".

Two: Two hours in the colorful world gave her enough "charge" for lasting one day. It was cumulative. So she took the habit to pass some night into it. With the permission of Uncle Qrow.

Three: Her maximal number of "charges" grew with time. Right now she could keep enough charge to last three days.

Four: Her appearance change depending on her number of "charges". The less "charges" she got. The paler she became, and the smaller would her cloak be.

Five: Her "charges" are independent from her aura or semblance. One could be full and the other empty. It was great since that means she could use her aura and semblance freely, without fear of consuming her "charges". But at the same time she could be full in aura and still run empty in "charge".

Six: She could willingly enter the colorful world. In fact, entering that way was better. As recharging was easier. And she was less in danger from the monster her uncle said haunt this world.

Seven: She could burn one of her "charge" to become like a ghost and pass through stuff. Even if it only last for a few second. (10 right now). And the reappearance was apparently scarry for the witnesses.

Eight: If she received a strike while her aura was down, she would still receive the injury, but her "charges" will automatically uses themselves to allow her to continue functioning. (Even when the wound shouldn't allow that.). When she runs empty of "charges", her body would collapse in petal and wake up in the colorful world. In which case she would be forced to wait till she fully recharges to come back.

Nine: When they die, Grimm let an echo in the colorful world that she can "eat" to recharge faster. How fast depend of the grimm.

Ten: Eating Dust seemed to allow her to recharge even in the normal world.

Which brought her to the current issue.

"Hey Rubes? Have you seen the remote?"

Crunch!?

She could eat electronics and dust based object.

"... Ruby. What did I say about eating necessary appliance?" Asked her older Sister.

Yang had changed well over the years. Her figures had developed at a point she could rivalize with some adult. Gone were the pigtail, replaced by a long golden mane of beautiful lock. And fire sometime. She also had cloth more fitting the pride she had in her body.

Dragon were prideful after all. Yes, her draconic aspects were also far more distinguishable. Her eyes becoming red and slited when angry (or Yangry as she said), fire appearing on her in greater quantity, and hand turning to golden claw when she so desired.

"Never before diner?" Lame excuse, may that be your name.

Yang smile turned devious. "Well, I can't have this. There is a show I wanna see, and I only see one way to change channel." She start pushing on her belly like she was pushing a button. Then started tickling.

The sisters laughed together like this for a while.

"Hey you two! Lunch is served. Ruby, don't forget you have your training this afternoon. So you better take some strength." Tai called from the kitchen.

Her father had finally bounce back from his depression. He would still not go on mission, preferring his job at signal or to remain at home. And from time to time, he would freeze, but he was back to his cheerful and boisterous self.

"Did you make my favorite?" Ruby lets her question hanging. With a puppy dog stare worthy of the new addition to their house.

A corgi name Zwei. Who greatly helped them deal with their loss.

"Yes, I made Dust chip cookie for dessert." Best father ever!

"Yay!"

-Training with an old crow-

Ruby happily skidded outside, humming some tune she heard on TV. She didn't tell her sister (she wouldn't live it down) but she had some appreciation for flamenco music. The fact her clothe share a color scheme with their dress was a bonus.

"So, ready for your session of ass-kicking, peapsquick?" Asked her uncle, he had a smug smile on his face.

"Bring it on uncle!" Answered Ruby with excitement.

As soon as she turned ten years old, her uncle had taken upon himself to train her. Aura usage, weaponry, ballistic. If she was to follow in her mother's footstep and become a huntress too, her uncle would make everything in his power for her to be ready.

And since she would start at Signal academy next year, he decided to step up their training.

As for her weapon, the young girl caught the training scythe launched at her.

Scythe were quite an unusual choice for a weapon. Unbalanced, relatively unwieldy and not easy to use compared to either a sword or an axe. But it was both the weapon of her uncle, and something that resonate deep within her. Go figure.

She oriented the blade of the training scythe behind her and using her semblance, dashed on her uncle. Decided to win this little spar. For her pain she received a good thrashing.

After all, Qrow was considered one of the strongest hunter of his generation. While she was a talented beginner at best. But she wouldn't stop. Qrow had impressed on her the danger of the grimms and the colorful world (even if she never had trouble inside of it yet.) She would be ready, she would become a huntress worthy of her mother. And well, she wanted to show her uncle he had trained her well.

She stood back. "Another round."

-On the Road Again-

Ruby dusted herself, taking in the lovely and bright aspect of her house in the colorful world.

It was one of the good/bad aspect of being able to "survive" a killing blow with her aura down. Her Uncle could actually fight seriously against her.

Which also means most of her training session would end with her being sent here. And her uncle cleaning up the place after what looked like a bloody murder, with rose petals instead of blood. Thankfully, her "body" turned to petal when out of charges, or "separated" from her. Or they would have to explain a lot to the police.

She wasn't that bothered with it. It allowed her to explore this strange world a little. Usually, her uncle would follow her. Just in case something was roaming there. She ignores how, but Qrow could see and enter this world too. Though he needed to pass by a mirror, and this world was far more hostile to him.

He would generally use the occasion to teach her what he knew about this place.

Which is to say, not much, except that it was normally full with spirit and creature he called deamon. But they generaly avoided Patch.

Thanks to him, he would add, though not a reason to be careless, you never knew what could happen. And since those deamon were smarter than the grimm, some may have been able to evade him and hide, till a pure and innocent silver eyed girl (herself) appear alone.

But this time, Qrow told her it was okay to go by herself as long as she stuck to the road. It reminded her of a story Yang told her when she was younger. About a child wearing the same cloth as her, being eaten by a grimm, for leaving the road and speaking with it. She changed the end with her being saved by an (awesome) hunter (Yang or her uncle) when she saw Ruby ready to cry for the girl.

Right now she was skipping happily on the road to the village, observing the reflection of the normal world in the colorful world. It was a thing she came to realize quickly. Depending if a place was populated with grimm or human. The appearance of the place in the colorful world would change.

That's why her house was looking so beautiful, while the abandon cabin (she passed there from time to time. This place was connected to her now.) was sinister and dark.

She stopped in her musing as she saw "food" on the road. Look like some grimm got roadkilled and the echo was remaining there, ripped for the taking.

Not the cleanest thing to do, but nobody could see her, excepted maybe for the giant purple eyes in the sky. She got nearer and start draining the energy. Feeling a primal beast in her head as she did so. It was simple and angry, yet quite weak. She resisted the sudden desire to bury herself into the ground to catch an unsuspecting prey.

It must have been a creep.

"Guess I can emerge sooner. I'm still close enough from home to grab a few Dust Cookie." She told herself as she started to rematerialise. Only to hear the screeching of tires coming full speed.

-The Ghost of Patch-

"Did I hit something !?" Said a panicked black haired, black bearded individual leaving from the driver seat.

"I saw something too! But there is nothing on the road...except a bed...of...rose." Said a second with sunglasses, increasingly panicked. He looked at his comrade.

"It couldn't have been, it's just a rumours. Right? A baseless urban legend." The first try to deny.

"A ghostly figure appearing on the road. An impact while nothing is there. A bed of roses." The second had become pale. While listing a suit of event Ruby had heard described far too many times already.

And the two said as one. "The ghost of Patch!/ The red lady!"

Before jumping back into their car. Leaving at full speed. And screaming all the way.

Ruby for herself was looking bemused at all this. She had lost count of how many time this had happened in recent years. Uncle Qrow would surely lecture her again, about not reforming herself on the road. While laughing is butt off.

She sighed, giving an ineffectual kick at the rose petals on the ground. Sure, she was for all matter invisible to all but her uncle in this state, but still! Would it kill people to respect the speed limitation and be careful while driving in those woods. What if a poor child had been crossing the road to eat a grimm? Did people ever think of that?

Probably no.

To be honest, her house was the only one so far from the village and people rarely went outside the wall. Rumour of a ghost haunting the road hadn't helped.

She sighed at the last part again. Many times did she heard a friend talking about the "Red Lady of Patch." A "mythical" figure between the urban legend and the horror story. The saying had her roaming the road and dragging the soul of the unfortunate driver to hell. Of course, everybody is woefully unaware that they are discussing it with said Red Lady most of the time.

Though, she remembered one time, an old man told her to change her cloth, and stop imitating a monstrous ghost lest she attract its ire. For her eternal damnation, Qrow and Yang had been there. She would never live it down.

They even put a fake grave for her in front of the abandoned cabin, for dust sake! To calm her angry spirit they said, and filled it with a doll in her appearance.

She had nightmare sometime of being the doll, and waking up in this cold tomb. Being able to move it's unnatural body. Clawing at the wood. But it was just a nightmare right? Not some strange phylactery that would one day become relevant right?

At least nobody saw today's embarrassing event.

"That was unusual." A man's voice said from behind her.

-The fashionably late expert-

Ruby turned around to observe the mysterious stranger who had snuck up on her. And was apparently seeing her through the colored world. She "felt" tensions rise as she wondered if it was one of those daemon her uncle warned her about.

He was tall, at least as much as her father. His skin was even paler than her, as incredible as it could be. He had long black hair. His ears slightly pointed and she swears she saw long pointed fang.

Was he some kind of Faunus?

He had a red shirt covered by what appears to be an old trench coat. And white...puffy thing like the noble in those old movies around his neck.

For now the man (if a man he was), was simply looking at her with a curious glance.

"Hum...Hi?" She said, a little embarrassed.

"Salutation young one." He had a funny accent when she listens to it better. And he could definitely see her. Maybe he was like her uncle.

"Are you..." Started Ruby before being interrupted.

"If your next words are: a vampire? Then no." Said the man who absolutely resembles a vampire now that she thought about it.

"...a hunter?" finished the young girl.

"Oh... Yes, well, I was. Now I see myself as more of a teacher. Though my last students for all their powers were quite stupid. And lethally bad at discussion." Rambled the old man in a haughty and still strangely accented tone.

"But I digress, there is right now a better question. How come a young girl like you ended up in the umbra? You look like no werebeast and emit far too much energy for being a simple ghost? Are you some kind of spirit of the land? It would explain the roses." The man said turning around her, analysing her.

"HEY! I'm no ghost nor spirit...at least I think. My name is Ruby and I am human...Wait the umbra? You mean the colorful world?" Curiosity had triumphed over her small bout of anger at being called a ghost. Technically a part of her admit it may not be entirely false. She had some ghostly attribute, but she wasn't dead. Nor in denial about it.

"The colorful world? Yes, I can guess the umbra could be called that way. Though this isn't quite the description most people would give for it. As for your name...Ruby you say? By any luck, would you full name be Ruby Rose?"

She froze, then took a stance. Ready to run. "You know me?"

"Your uncle called me something like...seven years ago. Sorry for that, I overslept."

Ruby's brain stop... "You overslept for SEVEN YEARS !?" It had to be the most stupid excuse she ever heard. And she was Yang's sister. Who brought bad excuse to an art, if only to justify her nocturnal escapade. "Wait! You are the expert?"

"Yes, as for my sleeping habits. I shall say ever since the last star conjunction, I am not as needed as I used to be. So my sleeping habit has been a bit...disorganized."

He was serious.

He was serious about having slept for seven whole years.

"Where are my manners? You gave me your name and I didn't reciprocate. I present myself, the brilliant, heroic, absolutely not vampiric VL*Zbaff*"

He was interrupted by a dropkick from her Uncle.

"You are Late!" Screamed the furious Qrow.

-Interview with a Not vampire-

The small family was united around the diner table. In company of the Expert.

"So as I was saying before being interrupted by an uncouth individual. I am the Count Vlad. And I'm not a vampire." Qrow rolled his eyes.

Yang was standing near her. Both her and Ruby separated from the Not vampire, by Tai and Qrow. The both sitting around him.

Ruby caught a small dust crystal and start nibbling on it. This brought a curious look from the now presented Vlad.

"Curiouser and curiouser. So I caught she is the one for whom I was called. Can someone now tell me about the situation?"

Followed a lengthy explanation, both by her and her uncle about everything that happened. Ruby showing her journal to the Vamp...not Vampire.

He frowned a little looking at all this. "Hmm, I see. Then I guess I know what is the matter here."

He rised from his seat and walk toward her. Her sister getting closer to her protectively.

"Ruby Rose, You are a wraith."

"A Wraith ?!" Exclaimed the young girl. "What is that?"

"Some powerful kind of undead." Ruby felt her trhoat compress and her world crash. It was a joke right.

"What are you talking about! Ruby is alive! She is here right there! How can she be dead!" Yang screamed at the man. Golden flame and claw forming as her eyes turn red.

"I can assure you, Ruby died seven years ago when the Beowolves struck her." Those words struck Yang harder than any punch and Ruby herself felt her head turn...she had actually died. Yang embrace her as tight as she could, tear forming, her flame instantly cut.

"I'm so sorry Ruby."

"Now drenched your tears, yellow one. If she had simply died. She indeed, wouldn't be there. It so happens, that upon being struck, instead of the common reaction to being open like a ripe fruit. Her soul somehow transcended death and was able to reform a body. Making her an half-ghost."

Vlad talked with far more care than she thought was possible from the man.

"And well, there is no problem in being an undead. A lot of upstanding individuals are undead. Like...Not me since I'm not a Vampire. But If I was, I'll tell you how much of an advantage it could be. For starter, unless someone kills you in the umbra, you shall be pretty much immortal. What about that as good point? And since your sister as some dragon blood in her vein, you don't even have to fear one of you dying from old age."

"What?" Both girls screamed as one.

Tai growl. "We planned to wait a litlle more before revealing her the secret of the Dragonblood."

"Well permit me to accelerate things. We'll speak of this again once I put a gate from my castle to this place." Vlad said matter of factly.

"You are coming back?" Ask an incredulous Tai.

"Of course, I am a teacher and I am the better placed to teach little Ruby there how to use her Wraith abilities and power."

"But I'm already training with uncle Qrow." Said Ruby not so sure about the old man.

"Tell me little one. You want to be a huntress when you grow up? Right?"

Ruby nodded.

"And for that, you wish to go to beacon and signal?" Ruby nodded again.

"In Signal and Beacon, there is multiple professor teaching different subjects. Think of it the same way. Qrow will teach you how to fight as a man. And I'll teach you how to fight as a Wraith. Think about it. Wouldn't that make you like a super huntress?"

A super Huntress...

The offer was tempting. She looked at Yang. Hoping for her acceptance. She looked conflicted about the whole thing. They had learned a lot in a really short time. She could understand her situation.

"You don't have to answer me now. I'll be back in a few days to hear your answer." And just like that, he was gone.

Leaving Ruby to her musing. She felt a hand on her shoulder. Her father was looking at her with a warm smile. "Don't be afraid. I love the both of you no matter what you are or what you choose to be."

Then Family hugged. Family hug were the best hugs.

Tai started to snicker. "If you want to go train with Vlad, Then I'll have to train Yang in the Dragon arts it seems."

Qrow whistled. "You're taking it better than I thought. I imagined you would have been fighting tooth and nail for them to refuse the offer."

"I'm not that stupid, we both know how dangerous this all is. But it's as he said. He is the only one to know how to explain her how this wraith thing work. And if they shall really become huntress, then having them both as ready as possible will assure my two dear girls will be able to go back home in one piece." Tai explained while bear hugging his two daughters. And trying to hold back his growing snickering.

Ruby was as surprised as her uncle by her father. But she was happy. "Then I'll do it. I will be a super huntress."

Yang tickled her. "We will Sis, If this dragon thing is don't count on me to let you play with superpower alone. Wait and see sis, we will be the greatest." Her funk was gone, look like Yang had accepted that she was now a half ghost. And start to snicker too, just like her dad.

Ruby had a bad feeling about this.

-Pun-

Ruby was going to hurl.

"Why the long face Rubes. It's not like someone died here." Yang threw another bad joke.

"Is there a possibility for you to stop joking about my death." It had been unbearable. A constant hurricane of death pun and joke. She sincerely hoped she had some actual haunting abilities. So at least she may be able to fight back.

"Not a GHOST of a chance."

Ruby lets a strangled scream.

Her dad entered the room. "What were those that screams. It looks like someone tried to wake the dead."

This didn't even make sense! Could Vlad come quicker. Like not in seven years.

Sadly for her, while Vlad did come this day. By the time he had arrived, Ruby was downed on the couch. vainquished by the pun storm.

"Here you are young one. Do I come at a bad time?"

Ruby suddenly jumped. "No, I was waiting for you before they...brrr. There are things far worse than grimms out there."

"What is it sis? Did you see a ghost?" There was a laugh from the kitchen.

Vlad sighed, something about Yellow being the color of idiot. Right now Ruby had half a mind to agree.

"So did you gave thought to my proposition?"

"Yes, And I want you to teach me about the Wraith." Said Ruby determined to become the greatest huntress.

"Perfect. I'll just need to see something with Qrow and we will be able to start your training."

-Secret-

It had been a matter of short time. Everybody was once again assemble around the diner table.

Vlad and Qrow had worked out a schedule. Qrow would train her during the afternoon and Vlad would teach her during the evening or the night.

Because it was when her power were at her strongest he said. And not because he was a vampire, which he was not.

It would continue like this three times a week till the beginning of Signal. At which point they'll adapt the schedule in function of her class. As to have her not so tired in class. Yang had a similar schedule with Tai. Though her training was exclusively during the day when the Sun was shining brightly.

After that a "diner" was served. Ruby had claimed some dust infused cookie, much to the astonishment of Vlad, who had asked for a "very blue" steak. The rest had taken whatever was currently in the fridge.

It was not classy, but everyone looked happy (or as happy as Vlad caould be) . And for Ruby it was all that counted.

After the diner Vlad had left. Telling them that he still had a few things to take care of before beginning the training. But he should expect to have finished by next week. Qrow took his leave soon after. But not before telling them a warning.

"This power you have both been granted are a boon. But they shall not be treated lightly. There are many people that would try to use you, or who may try to attack you by fear. You shall not be ashamed of what you are. But it is necessary for you to keep your abilities secret. At least for now, okay? Especially around big official people like Jimmy."

"Jimmy?" Asked Yang.

"Never mind that, I'll tell you more about him another time. You shall promise me to keep silent about your abilities as much a possible. Promise?"

Both sister nodded proudly.

"Good girls, now go to bed. Your old Lion of a father is barely standing himself."

-Together-

The both of them rushed to their respective room. Or rather Ruby did.

However, no matter what she did, sleep wouldn't take her. And she was charged right now, so there was no need to go into the colorful world, or umbra as it was called.

She heard the door opening. "Hey sis. Are you asleep?"

"Nope, can't close my eyes."

She heard a muffled laugh. "Hear you on that one."

Yang sat near her. "Can I ask you a question Rubes?"

"If it is a pun again, I will..." Yang put a hand on her mouth, signaling her to stay silent.

"It's not a pun, I promise. It's just...well..."

Ruby focused. Yang was looking serious.

"Do you blame me? I mean for what happened? I know I joke about it, but every night I see that day and I ask myself. What if you hadn't risen back...What if you were truly gone, by my fault."

Ruby hugged her sister, as hard as she could. It wasn't a patented Xiao long bear hug. But it was as close as she could muster.

"You silly. I would never blame you for this. And it was seven years ago now. It's a little late for worrying about that, don't you think?"

They stayed silent for a while.

"Thanks sis. I promise you this. No matter what comes. I'll be there, I swear." Yang returned the hug. "Together till the end."

Bonus Scene : What Dust taste like ?

"Hey sis." Yang snuck behind her sister, who was munching on some red dust.

Yang inspected the piece of mineral warily.

"I can't understand how you can eat this."

Ruby shrugs. "It's not that bad. And I feel recharged after."

"Hmm. I see...So how does it taste like?" It was something Yang always wonder about this aspect of her sister's life.

"It depends on the kind of dust. Thunder and fire dust taste all spiky. Ice and wind have this minty aftertaste. And white dust just feels so...wow."

"And earth dust?"

Ruby made a disgusted groan. "remember that mud pie we made when I was eight?"

"Yikes."

"Exactly."

? Report : The Wraith

Tape 23.10FS-17: Commencing report on Anomaly qualified as Wraith.

The existence of ghosts and specter is an accepted fact. Aura being a reflection of our soul. It appears logical that someone with a sufficiently strong aura would let an imprint upon reality after his death.

Yet this does not explain the existence of Wraith. Ghost who seemingly conserves their whole being in reality, and are able to affect the material world. Some suspect it may be because of some unaccomplished business. But those people are wrong. Otherwhise with the number of hunters dying out there, before being able to finish their mission, the number of Wraith should be far greater.

Outside of their origins, studying a Wraith remain complicated. Their "body", seem to be filled with spiritual energy named "Plasm". As long as they still have some plasme in them, wraith seems to be able to maintain their body not matter the injuries sustained.

But as soon as they run out, their body disappeared like those of the grimm and they end up in the umbra. Which we shall admit, doesn't help in the slightest for observation.

As for their powers, it is said that the more a Wraith came into acceptance of his death, the more powerful they become. Though this is currently a hardly documented cases.

The exact nature of their power shall be described at a later date.

Recording over, Safegarding for later use.
Data retrieved following the cas of [DATA EXPUNGED]