The Rose, The Nutcracker, & The Thief King
By HonestFFWriter
Summary: AU. Ruby receives a nutcracker from her godfather Ozpin on Christmas Eve. Of course, she didn't think she and Yang would get wrapped up in something she'd expect to happen in her fairy tale books.
Pairings: Announcing soon
AUTHOR'S NOTES: This story will be based on The Nutcracker tale, but with a few twists added. This was greatly inspired by the many versions of the tale, and also from a certain fanfic written by DisneyFanatic2364 (if some of you guys are bronies, you might recognize who she is). I'm fine with MLP, but her stories are amazing. Big kudos goes to her for the inspiration I need to write this story.
Say it with me, guys. This story is AU: ALTERNATE UNIVERSE. This has no ties to the original storyline in RWBY, nor do I own the rights to the series.
There will be different pairings throughout the course of the story. You'll have to wait and see as the story progresses. Without further ado, I hope you enjoy!
Chapter One
The moon was hidden on the night of Christmas Eve. It was instead covered by the many blankets of clouds. The same could be said for the stars, although a different set of stars had taken their place this night. These stars were in the form of such beautiful snowflakes falling softly into the earth.
Said snow had blanketed the empty streets of Vale. The street lights were dimly lit with light pouring from the occupied homes of friends and family. Perhaps they were enjoying a nice dinner, telling stories, watching Christmas specials, or simply relaxing by a warm open fire.
Of course, that's not to say that streets were entirely empty.
Two people, a man and a woman, dressed warmly for the cold weather, were walking down the streets through the snow, accompanied by the crunchy sounds from every step they took. They didn't bother looking at each other, nor engaging in conversation. They both were quiet, as if their entire focus was just to get to their destination.
It was after they walked around the corner of a street did the blonde-haired woman spoke.
"Ozpin, are you sure?"
Ozpin turn to the woman and simply said, "There's not a doubt in my mind, Glynda."
"How can we be so sure that tonight is the night?" Glynda had to ask. "Even if it does occur tonight, why involve her into this?"
"Why not involve her?" Ozpin asked with a smile.
Glynda couldn't help but to feel concerned, and yet confused, at Ozpin's answer. Glynda reached for her scarf and pulled it a bit tighter as she asked, "I still stay we should handle this ourselves. It could be dangerous for someone as young as her."
"I appreciate your concern for the girl, Glynda," Ozpin said. "But isn't this also the perfect opportunity for her to grow? To be a strong person?"
"Ozpin, this is serious!" Glynda snapped. "Why put so much responsibility on someone like her!? How do we know if she will succeed!? What will happen if she doesn't!?"
Ozpin stopped his pacing, and turned to face his friend. "Well, look on the bright side, Glynda: she gets to live out a fairytale like she always wanted."
"But Ozpin…" Glynda spoke.
"She won't do it alone." Ozpin said, before turning away. "She'll do fine."
"But what if…"
"Glynda."
Glynda sees the back of her old friend, still feeling a bit concerned. They both stood still in complete silence for a few moments before Ozpin broke the silence with his voice.
"Please. Have faith in her. She has a simple, honest soul. That is what will help bring to them the victory."
With that said, he continues to walk through the snow, with Glynda following behind. Glynda's eyes wandered over towards the bag that Ozpin has draped over his shoulder with many thoughts and concerns going through her mind.
Then again, she's known Ozpin for many years, and not once had he let her, or anyone else down before. He seems so determined, as if he really does believe about the events that would conspire this very night. That thought had helped relieve her…to some extent.
After a few moments of silence, Glynda asked, "But their home…are you sure that it's where…?"
"It is exactly. I should know: I was the one who convinced them to move there years ago."
Glynda stopped in her tracks and asked, "You planned this from the very beginning, didn't you?"
Ozpin couldn't help but to chuckle. "It's always important to plan ahead, you know."
"Ozpin…!"
This had led to many more questions, but before Glynda could ask any of them, Ozpin stopped and turn his attention at a certain home right in front of them. It was a two-story house with the porch decorated for the holidays as well as Christmas lights hanging from the roof.
"We're here."
Glynda turned to look at the house, and couldn't help but to hear innocent laughter from within. Glynda then turned to Ozpin and asked, "Again, are you sure tonight's the night?"
Ozpin nodded. "It is. I'm sure."
Glynda once again looked at Ozpin's bag, and that worrisome feeling was beginning to take over her heart again. She took a deep breath and let out a heavy sigh.
"I can't help but to worry, Ozpin." She spoke. "But…if you believe things will turn out like they should be…then I trust you."
"Don't you always?" Ozpin asked with a smile.
Inside the home in the living room, where two half-sisters putting decorations on their Christmas tree. One of them had long blonde hair resembling golden flames, has lilac eyes, and worn what resembles a biker outfit. The younger of the two had short black hair with red tips, silver eyes, and wore a black Lolita-like outfit with red trimming complete with a red-hooded cape.
"Remind me again why we're finally putting up tree decorations on Christmas Eve?" the younger one asked.
"You know how lazy Uncle Qrow is, sis." The older of the two said with a shrug. "Any more ornaments to hang?"
"Just this one," the other said, holding up a beautiful blow ornament with drawings of small white snowflakes all over it, and then hung it up on a small tree branch.
"And we're done." She said with a smile. "The Christmas lights are really great, Yang."
"Same with the ornaments, Ruby."
Both sisters smiled at each other as their father and uncle, Taiyang and Qrow, walked into the living to see both the girls finished putting the tree together.
"Great job on the tree, girls," Taiyang said with a proud smile on his face.
"Thanks, Dad," Yang said back. She scratches the back of her head as her eyes scanned the tree up and down. "Though I can't help but feel like something's missing."
Qrow chuckled. "Gee, I wonder what goes on top of a Christmas tree?"
A snap of realization had hit Ruby as she blurted out, "The star! We totally forgot to put the star up!"
"Of course!" Yang said while snapping her fingers. She looked through one of the boxes, and Ruby joined to help her, but both were disappointed when they couldn't find the object in mind.
"Where is it?" Ruby asked.
"Dad, do you know where the star is?" Yang called out.
Taiyang and Qrow joined the girls in their search for the star, as Taiyang said, "Depends. Have you girls seen it with the other ornaments before putting them up?"
"How hard is it to find just one ornament?" Qrow asked.
"You just had to ask," Yang muttered under her breath.
Ruby was going through a box filled with plastic wrapping when heard a muffled noise next to her. She looked to her left, and brightened up a bit when she saw her dog Zwei hopping up and down next to her, and fully smiled when she saw him holding something in his mouth.
"Oh! Zwei has the star!" Ruby exclaimed. She held her hand out and Zwei happily dropped the star into her hand. Ruby gave her thanks by giving him a pat on the head, which Zwei appreciated.
Surprisingly, it didn't have bite marks or drool, but then again, Zwei knew better. Ruby turns to Yang and asked, "So who's turn is it to put the star up?"
Yang smiled as she walked over, saying, "I think I know who."
She walked behind her little sister, and Ruby would ask her what she was doing, she felt herself being lifted up from the ground, being lifted up by Yang on her shoulders with her hands on Ruby's legs.
"It's yours, silly! Remember, I put the star up last year!" Yang said with a smile.
She carried her sister over to the tree for Ruby to reach. Ruby leans over as much as she could while maintaining her balance on Yang as she reaches the star over to the top of the tree. It took some stretching, but at long last, the tree was finally up.
"Got it!" Ruby cheered in victory, before both sisters had the unfortunate accident of falling over, thankfully not on the tree.
They both started to laugh hysterically as their father took hold of the plug. As their laughing calms down, their father exclaimed, "Alright! Here goes something!"
He plugs in the Christmas lights, and immediately after, the whole living room was filled with such wonderful bright lights that shined in many different colors. The lights shined off the reflections of the ornaments, and it shined the star much beautifully, making it seem like the star was glowing on its own.
Both sisters got up on their feet as they saw in amazement the Christmas tree that they worked so hard to put together. Qrow walked up behind his nieces and wrapped both arms around them.
"You two did great on the tree this year!" He said cheerfully.
Yang started to laugh and playfully pushed him off. "Gross! I can smell the liquor coming off of ya!"
"You know you like it!"
"If I was twenty-one!" Yang countered.
"Ha! Touché!" Qrow cheerfully said, rubbing Yang's head messing with her gold locks.
Taiyang was still on his knees while Zwei walked up to his owner. Taiyang happily rubbed Zwei's head as he looked at his two beautiful daughters having the time of their lives. In a way, he knew that Ruby and Yang's mothers would be so proud of them. Despite taking on his hair and eyes, Yang has her mother's face, while Ruby was the spitting image of her mother Summer Rose.
How they grow so fast.
"It is a beautiful tree." A different voice spoke up. "In fact, it must be the most beautiful one I've seen this year."
Everyone turned towards the front door and saw Ozpin and Glynda happily walking in and taking off their coats and scarves. Ruby and Yang gasped in excitement as they saw that their godfather had come.
"Ozpin!" They both shouted in unison, before running over and giving their godfather a big hug, with Ozpin happily returning it.
"Ruby! Yang! It's so wonderful to see you two!" He said happily.
Yang pulled away and notices Glynda, whom she waved to. "Hey, Professor Goodwitch. How are you?"
Glynda gave a rare smile to Yang as she reminded her, "Oh Yang, you know you don't have to be so formal outside of school."
"Of course." Yang said with a chuckle. "What was I thinking?"
Ruby pulled away from Ozpin and asked, "How was your walk here, Ozpin?"
"It was cold. Thank you for asking, Ruby." Ozpin said with a smile.
Qrow and Taiyang walked over to greet their good old friends. Qrow places a hand on Ozpin's shoulder and said, "Nice to see ya, Oz." He eyed over at Glynda. "Didn't know you were bringing a guest over."
"Well, it is Christmas, after all. The time to be together with family and friends." Ozpin said with a smile and a shrug.
"We're not in an assembly here, Ozpin. You can cut that out." Taiyang said jokingly.
"Sorry. Old habits die hard, I'm afraid."
"Dinner will be ready in a few." Taiyang spoke. "The turkey's not done yet."
"That's alright." Ozpin said, taking off the bag from around his shoulder that he had been carrying. "While we wait, I do believe I have something special for all of you."
"Really!?" Ruby shrieked excitedly.
Ozpin sat down on the couch going through his bag. He took out a wrapped gift and gave each one to Yang, Ruby, Qrow, Taiyang, and even Glynda, and to a cuter extent, he gave Zwei a new doggy bone with a red bow tied to it, which Zwei happily barked his thanks.
"Thank you, Ozpin!" Yang exclaimed happily. "Can't wait to open these in the morning!"
"Why not open them now?" Ozpin asked.
"Really!?" Ruby shrieked again, looking up at her father with her adorable pleading eyes. "Can we, Dad!? Can we!? Please!?"
"Ruby, you know we must wait until Christmas morning." Taiyang reminded her.
"But Dad…!"
Ozpin couldn't help but to chuckle. He then spoke, "It is alright, Taiyang. I do believe that it's also a tradition to open at least one gift on Christmas Eve. How about we each take turns?"
"Aww, that's no fun!" Qrow complained rather sarcastically.
"I suppose it's alright," Glynda agreed with a smile.
Taiyang rolled his eyes to the ceiling thoughtfully. "Well…why not?"
"Yes!" Yang and Ruby whispered cheerfully in success.
"Dibs!" Yang shouted, before going ahead and opening her gift. Her eyes brightened when she saw what it was. "Sweet! Another doll!?" She looked down at the doll in awe. The doll looked to be a young woman with white hair tied in a bun with her bangs hanging on one side, wearing what looked to be a white military uniform.
"I knew you would love her, Yang," Ozpin said with a smile. "Another soldier to add to your collection, I believe?"
Yang nodded happily. "Thank you, Ozpin! I just love her!"
Taiyang and Qrow looked at each other with obvious smirks. Despite in their mid-teens, Yang and Ruby still has a fondness for dolls. True they don't play with them, but they do like to collect them.
"She has a name, you know." Glynda said with a smile. "Winter. Take good care of her, Yang."
Yang said with a nod, "Sure thing, Glynda. I'll be more than happy to." She turned to her uncle and asked, "Uncle Qrow, wanna go next?"
"Alright," Qrow said with a nod. He opened his gift, and saw that it was a brand new flask. "Sweet! How did you know I needed a new one, Oz?"
"Oh, I have my ways," Ozpin said rolling his eyes as if it was obvious.
"I guess it's my turn, then," Taiyang said as he opened his gift. "Nice!" He saw that it was a new tool kit, complete with new screwdrivers, saws, hammers, the usual. "Thank you, Ozpin. I needed some new tools."
"Anytime."
Glynda was next, and so she opened her gift, and saw that it was a gold-chained necklace. "Ozpin, you shouldn't have. It must've been so expensive."
"Price is nothing when it comes to friends." Ozpin assured her. Alas, Ruby was the last one to open her gift. Ozpin turned his attention to her and said, "Well Ruby, looks like you're last."
Ruby sarcastically scoffed as she slowly opened her gift.
"What did you get, Ruby?" Yang asked.
Ruby's eyes widened when she pulled the gift out of the wrappings. It looked to be a wooden toy of a young man wearing old-military armor, with blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes.
"Wow…"
"Sweet, another toy?" Yang asked.
"It's not just any toy, Yang." Ozpin explained. "It's a nutcracker. See the mouth and handle?"
Ruby turned the toy and saw the wooden handle in the back. "It can break chestnuts?"
"Yep. I hope you like it, Ruby."
"I don't like it, Ozpin! I love it! Thank you!" Ruby said gleefully, hugging the nutcracker close to her. "He looks so cool! He almost looks like a knight!"
"Close enough." Ozpin chuckled.
"Can I try it out?" Ruby asked.
"Help yourself."
Ruby saw the bowl of chestnuts resting on the center of the coffee table and reached for a nut. She inserted the nut in the jaw and pulled the handle down. It successfully broke the nut. Ruby retrieved the nut from its shell and happily popped it into her mouth.
"Cool! I wanna try, too!" Yang said.
The adults watched as the two sisters played with the nutcracker, and couldn't help but to smile.
"Shall we leave the girls with their new dollies while we go set up for dinner?" Qrow asked.
"Let's." Ozpin said, as they all put their gifts down on the coffee table aside the girls and took off for the dining room and kitchen.
Before he could, Taiyang turned to his girls and said, "Don't spoil your dinner, girls."
"We won't, Dad." Yang reassured him.
Taiyang shook his head with a smile while he left the living room. The two sisters were enjoying themselves with the nutcracker and the Winter doll, and after a little while, Yang reached for another chestnut, but saw that there were no more in the bowl. She groaned in disappointment.
Ruby couldn't help but to giggle at her older sister. "Don't worry, Yang. I'm sure we'll get some more later."
"Just so long as I still get to use your nutcracker."
Ruby nodded in agreement. "Of course."
Both girls stopped in their tracks when they hear their uncle call out, "Alright, kiddos! Dinner's on!"
Yang left her doll lying on the coffee table while Ruby gave her nutcracker one last hug before leaving it standing next to it. They both got up, but while they're doing so, Ruby's layered skirt and cloak accidentally hit against the nutcracker, sending it flying to the ground.
SNAP!
Both girls turned towards where the sound was, and Ruby looked in shock when she saw that her nutcracker had fallen on the ground, where the mouth piece had broken off.
"Oh no! My nutcracker!" She said worriedly. Ruby knelt down and grabbed the Nutcracker and the mouth piece.
"Girls! Did you hear me!?" Qrow called out.
"We're coming!" Yang hollered back. She turned to her sister and said, "Don't worry, Ruby. We'll fix it after dinner." She then made her way to the dining room as Ruby looked between the nutcracker and the mouth piece.
Ruby then saw the ribbon out of the corner of her silver eyes that was used around her gift earlier, so she grabbed the red ribbon, place the mouth piece back into place, and tied the ribbon around it.
"There. You'll be better in no time." Ruby said with a reassuring smile.
"RUBY!" Qrow calls out.
Ruby laid her nutcracker down on the coffee table and got back up. "COMING!" She called back as she joined with her family and friends in the dining room.
Ruby and Yang happily ate their dinners with Taiyang, Qrow, Ozpin, and Glynda while Zwei was happily eating his dog food from his bowl.
"The food here is delicious, Taiyang." Glynda commented.
"Thank you. I cooked everything myself." Taiyang replied.
"You always did know how to cook the best food in town." Qrow said. "Makes me wanna come by for dinner every night."
"Qrow, you always join us for dinner every night." Taiyang said with a chuckle.
"Wait, I do?"
Everyone around the table couldn't help but to laugh. Ruby took a drink of her milk before resuming to her dinner. She was sitting next to Ozpin, who leans over to her and said, "I'm glad you love your nutcracker, Ruby. I'm sure you'll take very good care of him."
Ruby nodded in agreement. "Of course. Nothing but the best for my dolls." She said with a smile.
"Glad to hear it." Ozpin leaned back over and took a bite of his turkey before continuing with the conversation. "You know, there is a story behind that nutcracker of yours."
"Really?" Ruby's face brightened up. "Can you tell me?"
"You want to hear it now?" Ozpin asked with a smile. "It's not even your bedtime yet."
"Please!" Ruby said pleadingly, putting her hands together as if she was almost begging.
Her godfather Ozpin had always told Ruby such marvelous fairy tales and stories ever since she was a little girl, and no matter how many times he tells them, whether a new or old one, it would still fascinate Ruby to no end.
Ozpin rolled his eyes in thought, and then gave his answer, "I suppose."
"Yay!" Ruby cheered. She took a drink of her milk before gesturing her godfather to tell her the story. "Go on! Go on! On with the story!"
Ozpin chuckled. He took a drink of his water and cleared his throat, before beginning the tale, as everyone else around the dinner table also waited anxiously for Ozpin to tell the story.
"The nutcracker wasn't always a nutcracker. He was once a young soldier who went by the name Jaune Arc. He hailed from the Land of Sweets, a land filled with various desserts and sweets unimaginable, ruled by a king. Jaune was second-in-command of the Royal Guard, and was also the chaperon and bodyguard of the king's daughter, the princess, who was next in line for the throne. He always had such a fascination for the princess, whom he believes is beautiful. Of course, she was always beautiful.
The Land of Sweets was such a happy land one would ever see, but not everyone was happy. It wasn't long until darkness had swept over the kingdom. The king passed away due to illness, and the princess did not know the first thing about ruling her kingdom, so she hired an old friend of her father as her royal vizier to help her rule it.
What she did not know was that the man was an infamous thief everyone has heard about, but never left behind clues or evidence, nor was his face shown at any given time, so of course no one knew he was the thief until it was much too late. He stole dangerous items of value to the royal family from their secret vault, and with them, he was able to summon creatures of darkness. Creatures known as the Grimm, that takes the form of wolves, bears, birds, any kind of animal.
It gained him new abilities, as well. With those dark powers he possessed, he gained himself some followers and allies and overtook the kingdom and the throne. The princess's guards and knights fought valiantly as much as they could, but they were outmatched by the thief's newly-found powers. With them, he turned the princess's top guards into dolls, especially young Jaune, who himself had been turned into a nutcracker.
The thief, now known as the Thief King, ruled the kingdom with an iron fist. The first thing he did was locked the princess away and banished the guards-now lifeless dolls-out of the Land of Sweets in case they would try to take back the kingdom.
Five years has passed, and the land has drastically changed, still under the rule of that awful Thief King. However, even the smallest spark of hope is enough to ignite change. To this day, the princess's subjects, those evading capture, in prison and enslaved, or forced to live under the Thief King's rule, still held a strong sense of hope that one day, the princess's guards will return, and when that day comes, they will regain their land and the peace that they had lost for so long will finally return to their once beautiful land.
Or so the story is told."
While he was telling the story, everyone else had finished their dinner, with the exception of Ruby, who was so awestruck with the story that she barely touched her plate.
"Wow…" was all Ruby could say.
"It's sad, I know." Ozpin admitted. "Not every story can have a happy ending, Ruby."
"But so long as they still have hope, there'll still be one in the very end, right?" Ruby asked thoughtfully. "A story doesn't end for good. It's just the ending of a chapter."
Ozpin couldn't help but to smile at his goddaughter's statement. He reached his hand over to Ruby and rubs her head, where strands of her dark-red hair stick out all over. Ruby laughed at this innocent touch.
She is the one, after all. I know she is.
After dinner, everyone decided to spend the rest of the time watching a Christmas special on TV, and so after cleaning up the table and kitchen, as well as getting the popcorn and drinks, everyone sat happily on the couch, with Yang on the floor with Zwei resting on her lap, as everyone took in a nice Christmas movie.
It was almost near the end of the movie where Ruby had slumped over on the arm rest of the couch and had fallen asleep. No one had realized it until after the movie was over when they noticed that Ruby wasn't moving or talking.
"Should we take her to bed?" Glynda suggested.
"Nah." Qrow said while shaking his head. "Just leave her. Girl needs her beauty sleep, after all."
"I suppose." Taiyang agreed.
"Ooh! Ooh! Can I sleep out here tonight too, Dad!?" Yang asked cheerfully. "Please!?"
Taiyang places a hand on his chin while the other on his hip as he thinks it over. "Hmm. Do you promise not to secretly open the presents under the tree until morning?"
"Of course! Dad! I promise!"
"When-the-sun-comes-up-morning, and not after-midnight-morning."
"Sure, Dad! I can wait till morning! Can I please sleep down here with Ruby tonight!? Please!?"
Finally, her dad came to a decision as he shrugged his shoulders. "Eh. Why not?"
"Yes!" Yang clenched her fist. "I'll go get my sleeping bag!"
Yang ran up the stairs to her bedroom while the adults look on.
"Ozpin, Glynda, you both should stay here for the night." Taiyang offered. "I won't mind at all."
"We appreciate your hospitality Taiyang," Glynda spoke. "But it's best that we get going."
"I'm not so sure about that." Qrow said. "I hear a snowstorm is gonna be blowing in soon, so the weather might get a little hectic."
Ozpin turned to Glynda with an assuring smile. "I'm sure it'll be alright to stay at least one night. Besides, we were planning on coming back tomorrow. Why not save some time by staying over?"
Glynda finally agreed. "Okay, then."
"Wonderful." Taiyang said. "I'll go and get the guest room ready for you, Ozpin. Glynda, you can have Ruby and Yang's room since they're sleeping down here tonight."
"Thank you, Taiyang." Glynda said.
Yang finally came back down stairs with a sleeping bag, a pillow, one of Ruby's blankets, and a small bag in her hands. The adults walked past her as Taiyang said, "We'll be turning in for tonight, sweetie."
"Have a pleasant dream, Yang." Ozpin stated.
"Sure thing. Goodnight, guys." Yang said with a smile. "See you in the morning."
And so the adults walk themselves up the stairs, with Zwei following Taiyang from behind, as Yang joins her sleeping sister in the living room. First things first, she positioned Ruby on the couch by lifting her legs up and scooting her back, placing one of the couch pillows below Ruby's head. She then took the blanket and draped it over Ruby's body.
Yang smiled happily at her baby sister, and then leaned down to plant a kiss on her forehead. She then set up her sleeping bag and pillow right next to the couch. After that, Yang reached over the coffee table and grabbed her Winter doll and positioned herself back on her sleeping bag.
She reached into the little bag she also brought down and took out a few more dolls: a few hers and a couple of them Ruby's.
One looked to be an older man with dark hair wearing a uniform similar to that of Winter's, another was a doll that looked to be dressed in gladiator-like armor with amazing red hair and beautiful emerald eyes, another looked to be a girl with orange curly hair with a bow attached with green eyes and wore an overall-dress with a long-sleeved shirt underneath with black legwarmers with green lines on complete with matching shoes, another looked to be a guy in his late-teens with messy blonde hair, dressed casually with an open white shirt revealing his abs with jeans, and for some reason has a monkey tail with fur matching his hair, and the last one was another guy who looked to be the same age as the doll before him, with blue hair and matching eyes, and was dressed rather casually as if trying to be cool-looking.
Their names in order are James Ironwood, Pyrrha Nikos, Penny Polendina, Sun Wukong, and Neptune Vasilias.
"Alright, gang! I'd like to welcome you our newest member to our gang!" Yang playfully said, bringing Winter along. "This is Winter, and I want you to make her feel right at home, you hear?"
An idea popped into Yang's mind, and turned her attention towards the coffee table. She grabbed the nutcracker, and brought him over to the other dolls.
"And here we have a nutcracker. I think his name is…Jaune, I supposed. Sure he's a doll made of wood, but you make sure to treat him with proper respect. Do I make myself clear? My eyes are on you, General Ironwood." She made a gesture with her fingers that she's keeping her eyes on one of her dolls.
Once in a while, Yang would still go back and play around with her dolls. The only person who knows her secret is Ruby, which is quite ironic considering that Ruby's the youngest of the two by two years. If anyone dare bring this up, they will completely deny it.
"After Christmas, we're gonna put these two through some training right away. Understood?"
And so after a while of playing around, Yang had fallen asleep on her stomach, with her dolls in scattered in different places, with small saliva drooling from her mouth. Footsteps were heard from the stairs, and in the living room walked in Ozpin.
He saw the scene before him, and couldn't help but to chuckle under his breath. He walked over and put the dolls in an orderly fashion next to Yang and tucked her into her sleeping bag. He patted her head a bit before turning his attention towards the nutcracker.
Ozpin took the nutcracker into his hand and leaned over to Ruby, still sleeping peacefully on the couch, and places the nutcracker in her arms, where she sleepily hugs it closer to her. This made Ozpin chuckle softly again. He also gave Ruby a good pat on the head, before leaning down closer to the nutcracker.
"Promise me you'll protect her. Keep her safe for me."
He leans back and looks at the grandfather clock. It was 10:13 pm. Ozpin knows that it will not happen until the stroke of midnight. Ozpin walks out of the living room and back up the stairs, but not before glancing at his goddaughters one last night before walking upstairs towards the guestroom.
11:59 PM
Qrow had snuck back downstairs to sneak the rest of the gifts and presents under the tree for tomorrow morning. He looked over at his two nieces and spotted the dolls near Yang. He snickered. For growing girls, they still sure have a strange love for dolls.
He got back up on his feet and made his way towards the stairs, where he stopped in his tracks when he discovered Ozpin and Glynda standing near the grandfather clock.
Qrow didn't need to ask.
"I take it tonight's the night."
"Ozpin seems to believe so." Glynda spoke.
"Are you sure we're doing the right thing here?" Qrow asked.
Ozpin nodded his head as he replied, "Absolutely. If this cannot be done, who knows when another opportunity would emerge?" He turns towards Glynda and said, "As soon as the bell tolls midnight Glynda, that is when you make your move."
DING! DING! DING!
The three looked towards the grandfather clock, and saw that it was finally midnight. Qrow looked worriedly at his nieces, and then turned to the two and nodded his head as if in approval.
"Alright, Glynda. It's time." Ozpin said.
Glynda nodded in understanding. She reaches into one of her boots and took out what looked to be a wand. She closes her eyes in focus as she lifted the wand towards her. The tip begins to glow, and when she opened her eyes, they began to glow from behind her glasses.
Ozpin and Qrow watches Glynda raise her wand into the air, the glowing light beginning to glow brighter and brighter, until a sudden flash of light fills up the entire living room. When the light had vanished, all the lights were off, before the Christmas tree lit up once again on its own, the candles and fireplace looked as if their flames had been taken.
"It's been done." Glynda spoke through the silence.
"Let us go. It's in their hands now." Ozpin said. Both he and Glynda made their way towards the stairs. Qrow took a good look at his nieces one last time, then proceeding in joining Ozpin and Glynda upstairs, turning in for the night.
Behind and underneath the couch near the wall was a small, unnoticeable mouse hole. The living room was so quiet, one could hear growls of animals within the hole. Emerging from the hole were small, black wolves, almost the size as mice, though with armored bones protruding their bodies with red markings.
There were about fifteen of them, and as soon as they emerged from the hole, they turned their attention towards it, and leaned down towards the floor, as if bowing. Emerging from the hole wasn't just another black creature, but a human.
He had orange hair that covers one side of his face with emerald eyes with markings over them, and wore a bowler hat with a feather attached, with a white overcoat with a gray scarf, black pants, and matching shoes, with black gloves. He also wore a scarlet-red cloak that reaches down to his ankles which is a bit shredded, with shoulder pads on his shoulders. He also held a cane in one of his hands and a cigar hanging from his mouth.
He looked around, and notices the tight space they were in. The man walked passed the wolves and kept walking until he emerged from under the couch. The wolves followed him to take a look around. There was no doubt about it. They were indeed in the Land of Giants.
"Now, where are you?" He muttered under his breath, taking a look around.
He notices a giant Yang turning towards him, almost hitting him and his wolves with her arm, snoring away. The man plugged his ears as the wolves howled in pain by the loud volume of her snoring.
"Yeesh! Are these giants always this loud!?" He exclaimed. An ominous smirk formed on his lips. "Let's fix that, shall we?"
He raises his cane and raises his other hand over it, while his hand and cane were enveloped in a red glow. The man then raised his cane up, which is shown to have a reticle, opening it up revealing a hole. Alas, he fired his cane/weapon, and a bright flash of red shot out and straight for Yang.
There was a bright flash of red light in the room. Ruby, still sleeping on the couch, twitched her eyes before letting out a small yawn and turning on her back. Her hands moved a bit, as if Ruby was reaching for something.
Yang slowly opened her eyes at the bright red light. She rubs her eyes and lets out a small yawn. She mumbled, "Is it morning yet?" Yang sat up and fully opened her eyes, but the light had ceased and saw that it was still night time. "Dang." Her shoulders slump down in disappointment.
Yang tiredly closes her eyes as she reaches for her cover as she lays back down, but she stumbled when she fell flat on her back. Wait, where's her pillow? Where's the cover of her sleeping bag?
Yang immediately sat up and looked around, using the lights on the Christmas tree as her only light source. Her eyes widened at a sudden realization. She rubbed her eyes to make sure she wasn't dreaming, and saw that everything looked the same.
She turns to her sister Ruby on the couch, and couldn't help but to shriek. Yang immediately got up on her feet, almost stumbling, and looked up at her little sister…well, big sister now.
Either everything grew or she had shrunken, as Yang looks around the living room. Her pillow and sleeping bag were too big for her to sleep in, the Christmas tree was as big as a metropolis building, and the same could be same for the fireplace, the TV, the coffee table, the grandfather clock, and even the couch and Ruby.
"Am I dreaming? Someone wake me up!" Yang shrieked again.
A chuckle got her attention, as she turned towards the source of the voice. There before her stood a man making his way over, with a bunch of dark wolves following him like he's their master.
"Oh, this ain't a dream, sweetheart," he said. "This is very much real as you and me."
Yang had a bad feeling about all of this. She raises her fists up and stood in a defensive stance. "Who the heck are you? What's going on here?"
The man chuckled again before he answered, "The name's Roman Torchwick, and I'm looking for the nutcracker. Perhaps you can be of some assistance?"
Yang raised a brow. "The nutcracker?" She turned her direction towards where she had last saw it along with her dolls, but was surprised that it was gone, the same with her dolls, giving Yang a worried look. "Where did they go?" she asked in a whisper.
"So you do know the nutcracker." Roman said in an obvious tone. "Can you tell me where he is so that I may visit him? It has been a long time since we've last spoken to each other."
That bad feeling was still there, as Yang still stood her ground, raising her fists a bit higher. "What do you want with a toy?"
"Heh. Glad to hear he's still a wooden chip off the old block," Roman spoke. "Just tell me where he is and I'll be on my sweet merrily little way."
Yang glared daggers at him, and kept her mouth shut.
"Giving me the silent treatment, eh? Very well. I was gonna go easy on you, but then again, life's never fair." Roman raised a hand and snapped his fingers.
The wolves behind him snarled and growled and ran passed their master and surrounded poor Yang. She still stood her ground as she looked around at the wolves surrounding her.
"You have one last chance to tell me where the nutcracker is or else these big bads will make a living chew toy out of you."
Yang still kept silent, and darted her eyes towards her sister, who had turned on her side and snuggled happily in her pillow. She darted her eyes back at Roman, still not saying a word. Roman sighed.
"Okay. It's your funeral. Boys!"
The wolves growled, and they were all about to pounce on the defenseless Yang. However…
SMACK! SMACK!
Yang fought back, and punched and kicked a couple of the black wolves down and dodged a few of their attacks. She back flipped a couple of times, and gave them all a good punching or two, colliding the fallen wolves to their fellow ones.
"Mutts." Roman muttered under his breath, pinching the bridge of his nose. He held up his cane and aimed a couple of firework-like attacks at Yang, who dodged the first one, but the second one made a direct impact on her, sending her flying off of her pillow and onto the carpeted floor.
Yang stumbled to get back up on her feet, but she was forced down to the ground, where a couple of wolves pinned her down, the others surrounding her. Roman slid off the giant pillow and made his way towards her.
"I gave you a chance, Blondie." He said, leaning against his cane. "Too bad you won't look the same once my dogs here are through with you."
Yang darted her eyes back up to her giant sister, and took a deep breath.
"RUBY! RUBY, WAKE UP! RUBY!" She called out, hoping that her sister would hear her, wake up, and help her out.
"Ruby?" Roman raised a brow, and turned where Yang was looking at.
He looked up towards the couch, and Roman felt his breath getting caught in his throat. On the couch there was another giant girl sleeping on the couch, covered with a blanket and snuggling her head against a pillow, with her lips curved in a small smile. She was looking like she was having a very blissful sleep.
"SIS! WAKE UP! I NEED SOME HELP DOWN HERE!" Yang cried out some here. "RUBY!"
Roman snapped out of his trance when Yang had shouted calling out for her sister once again.
"Sister, huh? Alright Blondie, I'm going to give you one last chance here." He points the end of his cane right at Yang's face. "You tell me where the nutcracker is, and I'll change you back to your original size. Don't, well…"
The end of his cane began to glow red, as if preparing to fire his weapon at her.
"Let's just say your sister won't look at you the same ever again."
Yang struggled against the hold on her, but the wolves pinned her down some more. She glared her lilac eyes up at Roman. If looks could kill, he'd be dead right now.
"Oh well."
Roman retracted his weapon and stepped back to the let the wolves surround poor Yang once again. "Alright boys. Help yourselves."
They all growled and howled as the dark wolves started closing in on Yang, who kept struggling to break free. Roman smirked, about to take in the sight of the poor girl who was about to get mauled.
"Hold it right there, Torchwick!"
Roman turned his head and there, standing before him, was a young man in his late teens with blonde hair and blue eyes, wearing a red military uniform with a red bow tied on one of his arms with a blue top-hat, holding up a shield and pointing a sword at Roman's direction.
"Let her go or else!"
Yang turned her attention towards her hero, and couldn't help but to judge his appearance. Who the heck wears that kind of stuff anymore? But then her eyes widened when she had a strange feeling that she had seen this person before.
"Wait…" She squints her eyes, trying to put the pieces together in her mind.
"Well, well, well, Jaune Arc," Roman said tauntingly, resting the cane on his shoulder. "How long has it's been? Five years? How've you been?"
"You mean having to endure being a piece of wood because of you!?" Jaune shouted, aiming his sword threateningly at Roman. "You'll pay for what've you done to me and my friends!"
"Oh Jaune, it was nothing personal," Roman said raising his hands up in a gesture. "It was just a necessity to take over the Sugar Plum Kingdom, which you so happened to fail miserably to protect!"
"That's it! You're dead!" Jaune shouted again, running towards Roman raising his sword up.
"Boys! Go fetch!" Roman ordered.
Five of the wolves ran passed their master towards their target. In Jaune's eyes, he was indeed a bit scared, but he wasn't going to fail again. Not anymore. Jaune sliced the head off of one of the wolves before lifting his shield up to block an attack from another.
Yang's eyes widened as the pieces fallen into place.
"Jaune…the nutcracker…" She slaps herself on her head. "Duh! Why didn't I realize sooner!?" Yang glared up at Roman and shouted, "That's my sister's nutcracker! Jaune! He was second in command of the Royal Guard and worked for a princess! But how is he...?"
Roman turned to Yang and asked before she could finish her own question, "So then you happen to know who I am then?"
"Should I?" Yang raised a brow.
Roman smirked ominously and glared back down at Yang.
"I'm the Thief King, the current ruler of the Land of Sweets."
Yang's eyes widened. "No way! So that story my godfather told to Ruby, it really happened? He was telling the truth!?"
"Why so shocked?" Roman asked mockingly. "Not every fairy tale is make-believe, you know."
Jaune had successfully taken down the five black wolves and stared venomously at Roman. "I said to let the girl go, Torchwick! Now!" He ran over and aimed his sword at Roman. He swung it at Roman, who successfully blocked his attack with his cane.
Both Jaune and Roman exchanged blow-to-blow between sword and cane. Roman jumped back and fired from his cane, which Jaune successfully blocked with his shield, where he threw his shield right at Roman. Roman blocked it with his cane which causes it to recoil and thrown to the ground.
"When did you get this good? Last time we fought, you were a total amateur!" Roman mocked.
Jaune ran over to grab his shield, but a few wolves blocked his path, one of which stood over the shield. Jaune gritted his teeth and raised his sword in a fighting stance.
"Just…have to…stall them…" he whispered under his breath.
Yang looked worried at the nutcracker, and turned her attention towards her sister still sleeping away on the couch, unaware of what was happening. She took a deep breath and began to scream as loud as she could.
"RUBY!" She shouted. "RUBY, WAKE UP! WE NEED YOUR HELP! RUBY!"
Roman walked over and hit Yang on the side of her head with his cane as hard as he could.
"Quiet, you!"
The sounds of Yang's cries for help, as well as Jaune's struggles against the black wolves, caused Ruby to twitch her eyes a bit, as if threatening to open up. Sure enough, they did. Ruby opened her tired eyes and let out a small yawn, trying to suppress it with her hand. She sat up a bit at the sounds of clanging and high-pitched noises.
"Wha…?" Ruby scratches her head. "Did Uncle Qrow turn on the stereo again?"
"RUBY!" a high-pitched scream was heard.
Ruby turned to the floor near the couch, and saw near a sleeping bag on the floor that there looked to be her nutcracker battling against black wolves, with a man with a cane taking amusement to his struggle, as well as her older sister being held down by other wolves, all of them the size of toys and dolls.
Ruby's eyes widened. She rubs her eyes before looking again.
"Is this a dream?"
"RUBY! A LITTLE HELP HERE!"
Ruby was confused, to say the least. What's going on here? Why and how did her sister got shrunk? She sees her nutcracker fight against the wolves, and knew that she had to do something to protect both him and Yang. She pulled the blanket back and went to the rescue.
Ruby jumped off the couch and swung her hand towards the wolves, sending them flying, surprising Jaune, Roman, and Yang.
"Ruby!" Yang cheered.
"Ruby?" Jaune muttered, still surprised that the girl he was asked to protect was protecting him instead.
"You…!" Roman shouted, but before he could say anymore, Ruby slapped him with her large hand, sending him crashing into the other wolves, releasing their hold on Yang. Yang got up on her feet and began to stretch her tired limbs.
Ruby knelt down and picked up Yang and Jaune with her hands.
"Are you guys okay?" She asked.
As they spoke, Ruby tries her best not to laugh because of how high-pitched Jaune and Yang's voices were.
"We are now that you're here, Ruby!" Jaune said with a smile.
"How do you know my name?" Ruby asked.
"Is now a good time for that!?" Yang shouted to get their attention. "Ruby, you gotta do something! I got shrunk and I don't know how to change back!"
"Don't worry, sis. I'll think of something!" Ruby reassured her.
"The Thief King used a spell!" Jaune explained to Yang. "Defeat him, and we might get you back to your normal size! We just have to stall him until the others get back!"
"Others?" Ruby asked raising a brow. "I should probably go get Dad or Uncle Qrow! Maybe they can help!"
Yang turned her head, and then snapped back towards Ruby. "Ruby! Watch out!"
"Wha…?"
All Ruby could see was a bright red glow enveloping her vision. During that time, she felt as if she couldn't move her body or close her eyes at all.
What's happening? Why can't I move?
The light faded, and Ruby could finally move again. She shook her head trying to get her head straighten out. She places a hand over her head when she felt a headache coming on.
"Oh, my head…" she mumbled.
"Oh no, Ruby! Not you, too!"
Funny. It sounded like it came from Yang, but her voice doesn't sound high-pitched anymore. Ruby blinked her eyes a few times to look down at Yang…or rather up at Yang. Ruby got up on her feet and looked around to see what happened.
"What happened?" She asked.
"You got shrunk, too!" Jaune exclaimed.
"What!?"
Ruby looked around and saw that she was now the same size as Yang and Jaune, and as she looks around, she saw that the couch, TV, coffee table, the Christmas tree, the fireplace, the grandfather clock, everything had become much bigger than her.
"This can't be happening…" Ruby said.
"Eh-heh-heh. Oh, but it is, little Ruby."
The three turn to face Roman, holding up his cane, with his remaining wolves growling behind him. Jaune and Yang stood on the defensive while Ruby stood back behind them, due to lack of prior knowledge to fight.
"Who are you?" Ruby asked.
"You may call me Roman Torchwick, the Thief King!" Roman introduced himself.
"The Thief King?" Ruby repeated.
"Ruby, Ozpin's story of the nutcracker is true!" Yang tried to explain. "Torchwick came here to finish Jaune off for good!"
"Really?" Ruby blurted out. This just has to be a dream, isn't it? Ruby always thought that fairy tales were just make-believe, but she didn't really expect it to be real.
"You took the words right out of my mouth, sweetheart." Roman said with a smirk. "But it would be a waste for you two to join him where he's going now, is it?"
"What do you mean?" Yang asked.
"If you two lovely ladies surrender yourselves to me, I'll be more than happy to put you both to work as maids at my castle." Roman offered.
"Like we'd ever submit to you!" Ruby shouted, raising a fist up. "Now change us back to our normal size or else!"
"Eh, your loss." Roman snapped his fingers, and his wolves answered his call.
All nine of them began to run their way towards their prey. Jaune held up his sword and shield, the latter of which he retrieved earlier, and Yang raised her fists, raring to go. All Ruby could do is stay close behind them.
Jaune turned his head and looked at Ruby at the corner of his eye. "Ruby, you have to get to safety! Now!"
"What? What do you mean?" Ruby asked.
"Just trust me! You have to go! Now!" Jaune shouted, as the wolves finally collided with them.
Jaune and Yang pushed them all back as much as they could, and pushed them back to the ground. A couple quickly got back up and fought against Yang and Jaune.
"We got you covered Ruby! Do what he says!" Yang shouted.
"But what about you guys!?" Ruby had to ask.
Yang kicked a wolf square in the jaw as Jaune pushed another back with his shield. "We got your back! You have to find someplace safe!"
"What? But let me help you!" Ruby countered.
Yang grabbed a wolf by the neck with both her arms and locked it in a grip. "Ruby! You can't! You don't know how to fight, remember!? Do what Jaune says!" With all her might, Yang threw the wolf back against the others, sending them down to the ground again.
"But…!"
"Ruby! Get your butt out of here! Now!" Jaune shouted, as he and Yang made a run towards the wolves.
Alas, Ruby gave a scoff in defeat. "Fine! You don't have to snap!"
And so she turns her back on Yang and Jaune and makes a run for it for the couch. Roman, however, watches her escape, and so he turns his cane towards her, and fires a ball of fire at her. It went right passed Jaune and Yang and headed straight for Ruby.
Ruby caught it out of the corner of her eye just in time and jumped out of the way, the fire ball hitting the floor instead of her, but the impact was enough to throw her off her balance, making her land face-down on the floor.
Yang turned around and saw what had happened. "Ruby!" She called out, but then she turned back around and dodged just in time as a wolf tried to slice her up.
Ruby finally regained her senses and tried to make another run for it under the couch, where Roman kept firing at her. Ruby watched her step and kept dodging his attacks, until she made it towards under the Christmas tree.
"Great." Roman mumbled. He turned towards the wolves. Three out of nine of them were done, and since the other six are busy trying to make chew toys out of the nutcracker and the blondie, he might as well take care of Red by himself. He turned his back and made a dash for under the tree where he knew Ruby would be, but not before snapping his fingers.
Jaune saw him running for the tree, and tried to follow him, but more dark wolves had gotten in the way, as more began to emerge from nowhere.
"What the? Get outta the way!" He shouted, fighting back against them. "Torchwick, you coward! Get back here and fight me!"
A wolf slammed against his shield, making it collide with his head, causing him to lose his hat and stumble on his balance.
"But mommy, I don't wanna go to school…" The wolf slammed against him again, sending him flying to the ground.
Yang rolled her eyes. "Great…" She saw that she was being surrounded by more black wolves. She looked around and asked out loud, "Where did these things came from!?"
Yang and Jaune were so occupied by their predicament that they paid no mind to the sound of feet marching towards their direction...
Ruby stuck her head out between two wrapped gifts, and making sure that the coast is clear. If she weren't in any real danger right now, she would totally bask in of how beautiful it looked under the brightly-lit Christmas tree with many large presents surrounding her, the strong scent of pine filling the air.
Ruby tried to stay quiet and be wary of her surroundings. She had to hide in case Roman was to go after her. Why can't she just stay and fight back? Oh wait, that's right. She doesn't know how to fight. Well she can try too, but her sister's much more experienced at hand-to-hand combat than she is, and Jaune seemed to be good at it, too. It would be cool to have a weapon that could come in handy right now.
Maybe she can hide up in the Christmas tree? Maybe she can climb up the presents to get up there. But first, Ruby hid behind another gift and tried to be quiet to see if she can hear anything. She could still hear Yang and Jaune giving it their all fighting against those wolves. She also listened for footsteps in case Roman comes snooping by, but can't make out anything.
Ruby kept her eyes peeled while making her way around the large gifts and presents. She spotted a smaller gift next to a bigger one. Perfect. She could use that to climb up to the tree. Ruby made a run for it, and got on top of the small one with success. She then jumped over to the larger one. It was a bit difficult, but she succeeded in getting on top.
There was one more present there with a tree branch above. Ruby jumped across with ease and jumped with her arms up hoping to catch the branch.
But she was jerked back as she felt a large tug on her cloak, sending her back down on the present. Ruby turned her head to look, and saw another black wolf with its jaws sunk into her cloak, which gave her a growl.
Ruby shrieked as she got up and tried to run for it, but the wolf tugged at her harder, sending her back and over the edge of the gift. Ruby fell over back to the floor as the wolf lets go of her cloak, and made a heavy landing on the floor.
"Owie…" she muttered under her breath.
Ruby heard growling, and so she sat up to look, and saw that she was surrounded by more dark wolves, the one that had grabbed her prior joined with the others. Ruby crawled backwards on the floor until her back hit against a wall. She turned around to eye the wall of her gift, and then back at the wolves, who were slowly closing in on her.
Maybe if she had just taken those fighting classes like Yang than those writing classes, then she would've gotten herself out of this situation by now.
Still, where did these wolves came from? Weren't there those Yang and Jaune were fighting?
Ruby heard chuckling, and looked up and spotted the wolves moving aside for Roman Torchwick to walk through. Ruby looked around some more, hoping for a way out, but it was no use.
"So, what's Little Red going to do now?" Roman teasingly asked, resting his cane over his shoulder. "What's the matter? Can't fight back? Your sister and nutcracker are making quite the scene out there." He gestured towards a distance.
Ruby scooted her legs and pressed her back more against the wall, her eyes moving about hoping that a chance for escape would come up any minute now, feeling a wave of worry and fear washing over her. She'd never thought she would get wrapped up in a situation like this, no matter how crazy it looks.
Roman chuckled while making his way over towards Ruby, saying teasingly, "I know what you're thinking about, Red. As I see it, there are only two ways out of this awful predicament."
Ruby notices Roman making his way towards her, and she was becoming a bit more fearful and ecstatic looking for a way out of here, whimpering under her breath, "No, no, no, no, no…"
"One would be to dispose of you right here and now…" Roman spoke in a dark tone, and was now towering over Ruby, looking down at her frightened form, forcing her to turn away and lean against the wall as much as she could with her eyes closed.
Roman knelt down in front of her, and placed the end of his cane on her chin, forcing her to look at him, prompting her to open her eyes.
"Another would be to surrender yourself to me…"
Roman slowed down on his sentence when he stared into Ruby's eyes. They were silver…so very silver. From all his time growing up, never had he met someone with eyes just like hers. They look so silver, it looked like her eyes were made of pure metal. They go so well with her pretty face and her hair.
Roman removed the cane and simply replaced it with his hand on Ruby's chin, prompting her to move even closer to him so he could get a better look at her.
"Completely." He completed his sentence in a whisper.
Ruby couldn't help but to look back at Roman in the eye. For some reason, she suddenly had this strange urge to brush his hair away so she could see his other eye hidden behind it. Ruby slowly reaches her hand up, as if that was going to be her intention, but then she remembered her current situation.
Without thinking, Ruby slapped Roman in the face with her raised hand as hard as she could. Roman staggered back, placing a hand over his face where he got slapped, and glared back at Ruby with venom in his eyes. He got back up, and aimed his cane at Ruby, preparing to fire at her.
"Oh well. You chose this."
Ruby looked fearfully at him, and then at his weapon, and then closed her eyes tightly, bracing herself for the worst.
"Don't you dare hurt my friend!" A voice spoke up.
Roman turned, and watched some of his wolves getting pushed aside. The others ran over to attack whatever had attacked their own, only to be hit right back. Roman and Ruby watches, and saw a young girl, who looked to be around Ruby's age, with needle-like swords with strings attached to her.
Ruby immediately recognized who the girl was.
"Penny!?" She shrieked. There was no doubt about it. It was one of Ruby's dolls, Penny, and her favorite, too. Her doll was moving and talking like a real person.
"Get away from her, Torchwick!" Another voice shouted.
Roman turned away, and blocked an attack with his cane from Jaune who had struck him from behind. He kicked in the stomach, sending Jaune tumbling back. He fired his cane at him, only for Penny to jump in his way and block the attack with her swords.
"Penny! Take care of the wolves and get Ruby out of here! I got Torchwick!" Jaune ordered.
Penny saluted. "Yes sir!" She saw the wolves getting back up, and so she unleashed her swords right at them, blocking their attacks and slicing them all up with ease until they were all pieces spread out all over.
Ruby watches in amazement how Penny dealt with the wolves while Jaune fought against Roman. It was just so cool the way they fight like that.
Penny ran over and grabbed Ruby by the arm, pulling her up to her feet. "Let's go, Ruby!" Penny ordered.
Ruby had so many questions, but Penny simply dragged her with ease as they make a run for it. Roman saw out of the corner of his eye that they were running off. He fired his cane multiple times at Jaune to create a diversion. There was smoke and debris surrounding Jaune that he couldn't see.
Roman places his index fingers in his mouth and let out a loud whistle.
As soon as Penny and Ruby were almost out of under the tree, they both stopped in their tracks when many more black wolves blocked their path. Ruby turned to look and saw more coming up behind them, making Ruby and Penny lean their backs against each other as they watched themselves being surrounded.
"What do we do?" Ruby asked.
"Don't worry, Ruby." Penny tries to reassure her. "I won't let these guys hurt you."
"But what about you?" Ruby asked in a worried tone.
"Not to worry. I'm combat ready!"
Penny released her swords again, and Ruby watches in amazement as the wolves from all around them were going to pounce on them.
"Get down!" Penny shouted.
Ruby didn't need to ask, so she got down on her knees and covered her head with her hands as Penny swung her swords around in the circular motion, pushing all of the wolves back. She blocked a couple of attacks and swung her swords taking out a few wolves, in which fascinated Ruby at the way Penny can fight.
"Penny! Duck!" A voice spoke up.
Penny looked towards the direction of the voice, and complied. She got down next to Ruby as a bunch of white-colored birds appeared out of nowhere, beginning to attack and peck the remaining wolves. They tried to fight back and took down a few of them, but more kept coming and attacking them.
"Neptune! Now!"
Ruby blinked. "Neptune?"
Blue electric shockwaves appeared on the ground, and before Ruby knew what was going on, the shockwaves stun the Grimm, making them growl and howl in pain, as the white birds retreated before they could be stung.
They all collapsed on the ground and stopped moving. Penny helped Ruby up as she turned her attention to someone else.
"Thank you very much, you guys." Penny said. "We don't know what we would've done without you."
"Gladly."
Ruby looked and couldn't believe what she was seeing. Standing across from her and Penny were none other than two of Yang's dolls, Winter and Neptune. Ruby's eyes widened in surprise and shock at seeing these dolls alive and moving.
Neptune hastily walked over to them and asked, "You girls okay? Where's the nutcracker?"
"He's back there fighting against the king!" Penny said, pointing her thumb behind them.
"He summoned more of the Grimm." Winter explained. "General Ironwood's reinforcements are doing everything they can to fight them off."
Ruby shook her head to escape from her daze and couldn't help but to ask, "Reinforcements?"
"Your sister's army collection. Don't you remember?" Neptune reminded her.
Which brings another question to mind which Ruby can't help but to ask in concern, "What about Yang? Is she alright?"
"Fret not, Ruby Rose." Winter spoke calmly. "She is being assisted by Pyrrha Nikos and Sun Wukong. Your sister is in good hands."
"Pyrrha? Sun?" Ruby asked. "They're alive, too!?"
"Well we are walking and talking, aren't we?" Neptune said jokingly with a smile.
It was a lot to process all at once what was going on. Ruby places both hands on her head in hopes to steady herself and to try to process one thing at a time slowly without losing her insanity.
"We don't have much time." Winter spoke up. "We have to assist the Nutcracker at once. Time is of the essence."
"The Nutcracker says to keep Ruby safe." Penny explained. "She can't fight back against his forces."
"No worries. We'll back her up." Neptune reassured, before turning to Ruby. "You cool with that, Ruby? Uh, Ruby?"
Ruby was stumbling backwards, unintentionally ignoring the dolls as she could feel so many things rushing through her at once. It was like she was going to faint. Wait…she was. She was falling on her back when she felt like someone had broken her fall, feeling her back against someone else's front with two hands being placed on her shoulders.
She could hear the three dolls gasp in fright.
"RUBY!" Penny screamed.
"Take your hands off of her at once!" Winter shouted, pulling out her sword.
Ruby shook a head a little to regain her senses, when she felt an arm wrapped around her shoulders and chest pulling her closer to whoever had broken her fall. She immediately snapped back into reality when she heard an all too familiar chuckle.
"But she makes for a great bargaining chip, doesn't she?" Ruby turned her head and saw that she was in the clutches of the Thief King yet again. "How about we make a deal, then? Drop your weapons and stand down or…"
Roman points the end of his cane towards Ruby's head, causing her to let out a small shriek in fright. "I blow her pretty little head off."
Neptune aimed his weapon at Roman and shouted, "What have you done to Jaune!?"
"The Nutcracker?" Roman scoffed. "Who cares about him? Why not care about Red instead?" Ruby felt the cold end of the cane on her face, and couldn't help but to whimper a bit.
"You are just as twisted as you were all those years ago!" Winter exclaimed. "Release her at once!"
"Oh, I will once you drop your weapons."
"And if we don't?" Neptune asked.
Roman was silent for a moment. "What kind of stupid question is that? Drop your weapons or I'll blow our little fire Ruby here to kingdom come!"
Penny reaches her hand out and pleaded, "Please! Don't hurt her!"
"Then drop. Your. Weapons!" Roman threatened.
Ruby tried to struggle out of his grasp while clutching his arm, but Roman was stronger than he looks. He's barely budging, and instead clutches her tighter against him.
She turned to the trio across from them and shouted, "Guys! Don't worry about me! Stop him!"
"But Ruby…!" Penny exclaimed.
"Do what you can! Fight back!" Ruby retaliated.
"Ooh. Does that mean you have a death wish, Red?" Roman asked mockingly, tightening his hold on the poor girl.
That was when Ruby raised her eyebrows when she had realized something.
She couldn't help but to notice how warm Roman felt against her. It was weird, to say the least, but this warmth was unlike anything she felt before. Ruby could feel her hands feel warm over Roman's arm, feeling it all the way to her fingertips.
Secretly, Roman felt that strange warmth, as well, but not from himself. He felt a strange warmth coming from Ruby. With her back leaning against him, he could feel that warmth seeping from her and onto him. Even her hands felt warm against his arm, and the way she was leaning against him like this...he liked it. Of course, he would never flat out admit it.
Roman also couldn't help but to take in Ruby's scent. She smelled like a mix of roses and strawberries. Didn't he hear Winter say her full name? Ruby Rose? Rose…in his mind, that word sounded like the perfect description for his young hostage: a still-blooming rose still full of life and innocence. She looks like a rose, too.
The three dolls were unaware of Roman and Ruby's inner thoughts. Of course they want to fight back, but they can't take any chances of getting one of their caring owners in harm's way. Penny, Winter, and Neptune looked at each other before looking back at the situation before them, and looked like they had no choice. But just when they were about to throw down their weapons…
"Gotchya!"
Roman was too preoccupied with his thoughts that he didn't hear Jaune come up behind him. He clutched a hand on Roman's arm holding Ruby and his other hand over Roman's shoulder with his blade over his neck.
Roman rolled his eyes. "Oh for f…"
"Jaune!" Penny exclaimed happily.
"Perfect timing, man!" Neptune spoke up.
"Alright, Torchwick. You have two options here. A) Let Ruby go and I'll let you go. B) Kill her and I'll kill you."
"You're bluffing." Roman scoffed.
"You wanna take that chance?" Jaune asked.
Roman thought it over for a few moments, and then let out a sigh.
"How about neither?"
He aimed his cane down near their feet and fired, causing an explosion and sending Jaune back, the impact making him let go of his sword and landing on his back against the ground.
"Jaune!" Neptune called out.
Jaune sat up and reached for his sword, but it got blown away by another shot caused by Roman. He turned round and saw Roman aiming his cane right at him. Ruby looked at Jaune worriedly and then back up to Roman, and then turned to the others and shook her head in a gesture for them to do something already.
Winter positioned herself and summoned a glyph with a snowflake symbol in the center, letting it whirl around like a spinning wheel. Many feathers emerged, and out from the glyph came several white birds like before, charging for Roman Torchwick.
They all began to attack and peck Roman, as he waves his cane around to try to fight back. During his struggle, he absentmindedly unwrap his arm around Ruby. Ruby hit him in the gut as hard as she could and ran passed the flock of birds towards Jaune. She grabbed his sword for him and grabbed his arm, helping him back on his feet.
"Are you alright?" Ruby asked, handing Jaune back his sword.
Jaune nodded. "Don't worry about me, Ruby. I'll be fine."
"ENOUGH!"
Roman's body erupted in a red aura, sending out a shock-wave sending everyone back, disposing of the white birds. Winter and Penny kept their balance as Jaune, Neptune, and Ruby were knocked off their feet.
The red aura disappeared, and Roman turned to Jaune and Ruby, his green eyes screaming bloody-murder. Jaune immediately got back up his feet and stood in a battle stance in front of Ruby.
"Don't worry, Ruby! I'll protect you!" Jaune said with determination.
Ruby raised an eyebrow out of confusion. What's with the dolls' need to protect her? Granted she can't fight back very well, but that doesn't mean she wants to be a damsel in distress needing to be saved all the time. She wanted nothing more than to fight back, to help these people fight against the Thief King's forces.
Roman raised his cane up, preparing to shoot at the Nutcracker. Jaune raises his shield and sword, ready for round three of their fight.
"That is enough, Roman Torchwick!" A new voice spoke up.
Everyone turned, and saw James Ironwood, Pyrrha, Sun, Yang, and many of Yang's army collection, as she calls them the Atlesian soldiers, surrounding the area, many of which are pointing their guns and weapons right at Roman.
"General!" Penny calls out.
"Sun! Pyrrha!" Neptune called out as well, getting back up on his feet.
Ruby was beyond thrill to see her sister among the other dolls and toys, thankful that she's alright.
"Yang!" She called out.
Yang immediately ran over to Ruby's side, and knelt down to wrap her arms around Ruby.
"Ruby! Oh thank goodness!" She pulls away a bit to inspect her little sister. "Are you alright? He didn't hurt you, did he?"
Ruby shook her head. "No, Yang. I'm okay. Are you hurt?"
"Who cares!?" Yang hugged her sister close again, exclaiming happily. "I'm just happy you're safe!"
Roman stood his ground as he was being surrounded by the soldiers, as well as Jaune, Penny, Winter, Neptune, Sun, and Pyrrha, who held up their weapons, as well. Ironwood walked up with his hands behind his back and looked at Roman before him with a stern look.
"We've heard of your crimes, Torchwick, but that doesn't mean we won't show leniency. Surrender now and we'll go easy on you. Fight back and we'll show no mercy."
Roman looked around, appeared to look defeated. He started to chuckle a little, which turned into an eruption full of ominous laughter. Yang pulled Ruby closer in her arms protectively as everyone else stood their ground, pondering about what this laughing fit is all about. Why is he laughing? Can't he see that he lost this battle?
Roman wiped away a tear as he started to calm down. "Me? Surrender? You should know by now that I never surrender. As much as I love to stay and play army, I do believe I have a kingdom to run…" He glared specifically towards Jaune. "And a princess to see."
Jaune gritted his teeth, and Winter did the same.
"You heartless monster!" She shouted, pulling out another blade from her sword and made her way towards Roman at high speed.
Neptune tried to grab her, but he didn't catch her in time. He reached his hand out to her and called out, "Winter! Hold it!"
Winter looked like she was just about to slice Roman with her swords, but before she could land her blades on him, Roman's hand began to glow, and he threw it down to the ground, causing a red mist to disperse and cover the surrounding area.
Everyone looked around, wondering what was happening.
"No one fire! Hold your ground!" Ironwood commanded, in case there would be backfiring.
Winter didn't waste a second. She summons up one of her glyphs and uses it to create a whirlwind, causing gushes of wind to blow all over. It did blow away all the red mist until there was nothing left…
But Roman Torchwick was nowhere to be seen.
"What the…" Jaune muttered.
Everyone started to look around, wondering where Roman Torchwick had gone off too. They all flinched when they heard his laughter ringing in their ears once again.
"Just you wait! I'll be back! Don't think you've seen the last of me, Nutcracker! You and those other worthless guards will think twice before taking away what I worked so hard to gain! I will get you, Nutcracker! All of you!
…And that goes for you and your sister too, Rose!"
Ruby looked a bit frightened at the threat, knowing very well that Roman was referring to her. Yang knew as well, but she wasn't scared at the slightest, still clinging onto her little sister as if to protect her with all her might. Everyone stayed silent when they heard Roman's laughter echoing through the air, before it slowly faded away, and there was nothing but silence between them.
"Alright, everyone. Put away your weapons. He's long gone." Ironwood sorrowfully announced.
The soldiers put away their weapons, as did the other dolls. Jaune walked over to Yang and Ruby and offered his hand.
"I'm sorry that this happened, girls." He apologized. "It's my fault you two got involved in this."
Yang took his hand and had him help her up, all the while helping Ruby up as well.
"Don't beat yourself up over it." Yang spoke reassuringly. "You didn't do this to us. If anything, that Thief King was the one who caused this trouble in the first place." She crossed her arms while finishing her sentence.
Ruby looked all around, and still couldn't believe that the dolls they had collected and kept for so many years would all be alive, walking and talking, like they were actually living beings the whole time.
"Wow…" was all she could say.
Pyrrha walked up and simply laughed a little at Ruby's reaction. "I think it's safe to say that we're all as surprised as you are, Ruby."
"How do you guys know my name?" Ruby had to ask.
Penny stepped up. "Duh! You and your sister have always taken good care of us! How could we not know your names?"
"That's right." Sun spoke up. "Any other person would've thrown their dolls away when they get tired of playtime, but you and Yang, you girls are unlike any of them. You two have been so cool to us, I don't think words can describe how grateful we are of you."
"I may not have been around for long," Winter spoke coolly. "But if these other toys respect you completely, then let me be the first to say that we owe our debts to you both."
Ruby couldn't help but to smile her brightest. "So cool…" she whispered under her breath.
Penny then walked up and gave Ruby a big hug. "Plus, it's so great to finally hug you back!" She said. "You have no idea how long I've waited to do this!"
Ruby laughed, and happily returned the hug to Penny, despite the very tight hold Penny has on her.
"Unfortunately, some of us here are not from this world." Pyrrha spoke.
"What do you mean?" Yang asked.
"I think we have a lot to talk about." Jaune spoke. "But first, something I wanted to do since I got here…"
He walked in the center and called each person out one at a time. "Sun, Neptune, Winter, Pyrrha."
The four walked closer to him when he called their names. "I just want to say that I'm sorry. I didn't mean for any of this to happen. It was because I screwed up that Torchwick took over the Land of Sweets. If only I had acted sooner, if only I was more experienced like Winter, then maybe I could've made a difference."
A small blush came on his face. "Then maybe I could've protected Weiss better."
Ruby and Yang looked at each other in confusion. How did Jaune know Sun, Neptune, Winter, and Pyrrha? And it seems as though the four have been acquainted with the nutcracker already. And who is this Weiss?
Silence once again filled up the whole room. The other four had their attention on Jaune, and then they looked at one another, hoping that maybe someone among them might have an answer. Finally, Pyrrha decided to step up to the plate and walked over to Jaune, and surprised him with a hug.
"Jaune, you did your best." She said reassuringly. "We would never hold that against you." Pyrrha pulls away to get a good look at Jaune, placing a hand under his chin so he could focus on her.
"We all gave it our best. If anything, we were all unprepared for what happened. But we mustn't blame ourselves for what the Thief King has done. What's more important right now is that we're all together again, we're all still here…" She raises a fist in determination. "And that means we still have another shot at taking Torchwick down!
We have another window of opportunity here! I swear on my life that we will put an end to Roman Torchwick, save Princess Weiss, take back the Sugar Plum Kingdom, and make things right in the Land of Sweets! We'll do it together!"
Sun and Neptune cheered out loud, raising their fists in determination and giving each other high-fives, with Winter nodding her head in approval.
"So…what's going on here again?" Yang asked.
Everyone around let out a huge sigh in disbelief. Then again, this might be more complicated than they thought it would be…
End of Chapter One
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I can't guarantee that this story will be finished by Christmas, but I'll do my best.
So as you can tell, you can pretty much guess what certain pairings will take place in the story. This chapter was originally meant to be just two chapters, but I decided to screw it and merge it into one super chapter. Hope you guys still enjoy! And don't worry: it ain't over yet!