A/N: Here it is. My first chapter of my RWBY AU. This story is going to be MASSIVE! Myself and Killerklown12 are writing this world together, so please please please read his story as well, since they are both linked closely. I hope you guys enjoy this new world we created and enjoy reading.
Again please read ~Killerklown12's story THEY ARE LINKED.~ Sorry just have to make sure you guys know this to experience the full story!~
There was a time when life was simple. You didn't have to think about things like;
'When's the next time we're gonna eat?' or 'Is the landlord finally going to decide to evict us today?'
All you had to do was wake up, go to school, do your homework, and go to bed. Simple times, yet so wonderful. Not a care in the world. Funny how fast things can change.
Picking up my phone, I flip it open to check the time. Straining my eyes to block out the bright light in the otherwise dark room, I make out the numbers.
4:54 am.
Placing the phone back on the night table, I shift on the bed to lie on my back and stare towards the dark ceiling.
"Six more minutes until my alarm goes off." I mumble to myself.
Six minutes until another shitty day begins and rolls around. Another six minutes until I have to pull another job to barely make any money to support us.
I roll over, softly as to not wake the small sleeping figure next to me on the bed.
Ruby Rose.
She was my sister. Technically half-sister from an affair our father had, but we grew up together and I consider her my full blooded sister. I love her more than anything in this world, and she is the main reason why I put myself through these crappy jobs.
I close my eyes and sigh.
Ruby suffers from a condition called Compartment Syndrome. It basically causes her to be bedridden for most of the day. There is a cure for it, but the surgery is expensive. Between dropping out of school to work a bunch of odd jobs, barely being able to keep up with the rent, and being the sole provider for the two of us, it was hard to save up money for the surgery. Let alone food or anything else we needed. It was really really hard.
I open my eyes and look at Ruby again.
She was facing towards me but her short dark red hair fell over her face covering up her features. I run my hand through her hair before brushing it behind her ear gently, so I can see her sleeping face.
I can feel a smile creeping across my own as I stare at her. Such a peaceful expression present on her face.
"At least when you're sleeping there's not a care in the world for you, huh Rubes?" I whisper.
My sister makes it all worth it. We may be poor but I swear I'll save up enough money and get us out of the ghetto, get her that operation, and make our life better. For her sake. It's my responsibility now. Ever since ... Mom and Dad-
Bzzt. Bzzt. Bzzzzzt.
My alarm.
Quickly rolling over, I snatch my phone up and turn the alarm off as to not wake up Ruby. Getting up off the bed gently, I walk towards the bathroom to get ready for yet another oh so exciting day of work.
Turning the light on in the bathroom and closing the door, I stare at the mirror and look myself over.
My long wild golden blonde hair was messy and looks a little faded, my once vibrant lilac eyes have lost their fire and looked slightly dimmed, and my skin was a seemingly paler than usual.
I haven't been taking care of myself lately.
Being able to just barely bring in enough money, I've been sacrificing meals so that Ruby had more to eat. She needed it more than me anyway. But now it was starting to take a toll on my body it seems.
Pushing those thoughts aside, I jumped in the shower and got ready.
Once out of the shower, I checked my phone again.
5:28 am.
Juane should be outside pretty soon. Maybe about another fifteen minutes or so. That gave me just enough time to make a small breakfast for Ruby to eat once she woke up.
Still dressed in just a towel from when I came out of the shower, I make my way into the kitchen. I walk to the fridge and open it.
I nearly start to cry.
There were only two slices of bread, an almost empty carton of milk, and barely a stick of butter left.
I sigh and take out the remaining items of the fridge and decide to prepare some toast for Ruby. Popping the bread into the toaster, I make my way to our shared room.
It was still dark outside and Rubes was still asleep so I quietly make my way to the closet and decide on an outfit to wear and got dressed. Nothing too flashy. A yellow button up dress shirt which I left the top two buttons open, with a pair of black slacks, complete with a pair of black loafers.
Making my way back into the kitchen, I grab the toast and prepare it with the butter and leave it on the small kitchen table for Ruby. The light toasty aroma filled our small apartment of one bedroom and one bath quickly. Ruby would wake up quick at the smell of toast. She never could resist sleeping through the smell of food.
Making my way to the door, I glance once more around the small apartment. Once positive I didn't leave anything I close and lock the door and made my way into the warm early morning air of downtown Vale.
Once outside, I glance around keeping my eye out for Juane or the Landlord. One more so than the other. I've been late with the rent about three months in a row now, and I know Mr. Tukson was hunting for me.
A silver sedan pulls up next to the sidewalk and I instantly recognized the scraggly blonde who was driving. Smirking I open the passenger side door and hopped in.
"Hey, Juane. Right on time, eh?" I say, flashing him one of my famous goofy smiles.
Juane Arc has been a childhood friend of sorts ever since Ruby and I were in our mid-teens. Being nineteen now, that means we've known each other for about four years now. Now Juane wasn't the most attractive guy I've ever seen, or the bravest, or the smartest… In fact he was a guy most people would probably just brush off. He had no outstanding qualities or anything that made him stand out, but he was a good and loyal friend. His family comes from a minor noble background, so he never had to experience the things Ruby and I currently are, though he did know about it. He almost always asks to help us out by buying food and even went as far as asking his parents to take us in. But I wouldn't allow it. I won't be in debt to anyone. Be it friend or foe.
Not after what our father did…
"Yep. Sure am! How's Rubes?" He asks while still keeping his eyes trained on the road.
I turn my face to look out the window. We were still driving through the ghetto run down streets of downtown Vale. Towards our 'Boss' and his office to get info on what we're doing today.
I sigh and reply back.
"She's doing… as well as she could be I guess. I really need to get a better paying job."
I hear him chuckle slightly and felt a hand on my shoulder, I turn to face him and was met with a sincere smile as he brought the car to a stop at a red light.
"You know my offer still stands. I know you're too prideful to accept my letting you guys move in, but I'll split my pay with you to help out. Please Yang, stop being so thick headed. If not for yourself, for Ruby's sake."
I smile towards him but shake my head. He really is a good friend.
"Thanks but no thanks, Lover boy. Plus aren't you doing these jobs with me to save up for yourself? How close are you to buying that ring for Pyrrha now?"
I see him blush slightly and begin driving the car again once the light turns green.
"Yeah. Uh, still a little ways away. Hopefully I'll have enough by the time she gets back from the warfront. I'm so glad that damn war is finally over."
Oh yeah. The 'Great Second Human-Faunus War' or the War of Resurgence as people around Vale liked to call it. That stupid war claimed my Mother's life. Or so I think, I never really heard the full story as our coward of a father ran off slightly after receiving a call about her. But it was safe to say she was gone. For good. I miss her so much.
Pushing those thoughts aside I giggle before replying;
"Well, that's great. I don't know why you just don't use some of your inheritance to snag up a real nice ring for her?"
I watch his face harden slightly, and I already know what he's going to say. But it's fun to tease him a little bit.
"I told you already Yang. You're too stubborn to accept help from me, and I'm too stubborn to accept help from my family's wealth. I want to get this ring using my own money. That I earned myself. It'll just mean that much more to me. And it will to Pyrrha as well. I know she'll be proud." He explains happily.
I just shake my head slightly and chuckle.
"And this is why I call you Lover boy. Such a romantic, you are."
We both laughed and made small talk the rest of the drive towards our current employer's office.
We pull up next to a red brick building. Seemingly innocent looking, if you were clueless as to who owned it.
"So, ready for another hard day's work for barely any lien?" I ask jokingly as I got out of the car.
I see Juane getting out as well and shake his head with a smirk on his face.
"Come on. Let's go see what old Crow wants."
Crow or Uncle Crow as he was called on the streets was a 'business' man who made his living on providing other smaller businesses … protection, for lack of a better word. Really what he did was recruit some capable kids who were eager to play tough guy or were just too stupid or unfortunate to find a better job and made them act as bodyguards for various stores. Of course these stores had to be under his protection by first paying Uncle Crow a certain fee a month. If they didn't pay a fee though, well that was handled by someone else. Needless to say, not a lot of stores skimp out on payment.
Walking right through the front doors, Juane and I made our way through the bustling shop of what seemed like a pawn shop. Already there were a few dozen people looking to pawn their belongings in hopes of getting some kind of profit for it.
It always makes me sick seeing this, and knowing that they were getting ripped off. Just adding more fuel to the fire. Such is the way of life here in downtown Vale, and I wasn't helping it at all.
Making our way behind the counter, I nod a greeting towards the girl working the front of the store. She was a new girl that recently just started working for Crow. She had bright orange hair and these crazy bright green eyes. Penny I think her name was? She smiles towards me and turned to help another customer.
Once we made our way into the back of the store though, it was a whole different scene. Everything was white and smelled like disinfectant. Uncle Crow was a neat freak when it came to his personal space. The walls looked like they were newly painted, the floor looked like it just got waxed, and the door Juane and I stepped right in front of, looked brand new.
"Well, this is new. What do you think would possess a man to buy a brand new door and have his name engraved in it?" Juane asks condescendingly.
I just continue to stare at the door.
It was indeed new, and pretty impressive. But before I could comment, said door was swung open and a very angry looking Uncle Crow standing in the doorway of his office. Nearly taking out Juane before he could scurry out of the way.
"Goddamned twins! Think they can boss me around?!" He rambled on, before waving his hand for us to come in his office.
Juane and I share a look before stepping into the white office. Closing the door gingerly, I walk over to the chairs right in front of his desk and stand. I never did like being too comfortable around Crow. Juane on the other hand, seemed to melt in his chair.
Crow continued pacing behind his desk mumbling something about 'twins' while rubbing his temples.
"So, what's our heroic deed for the day, Crow?"
He immediately stopped pacing and glared at me.
"Don't get smart with me, girl. Go with Juane to keep an eye on old man Sellic's shop. You know the one, I hope? Now get moving I've got no time to babysit you children." Crow growled out and waved towards the door dismissively.
I watch Juane sigh and stand up to make his way to leave.
I feel myself start to get nervous at what I'm about to ask. Maybe because I already know the answer.
"About our payment, Uncle Crow. Is there any chance both Juane and I could get a slight increase from our small almost nonexistent pay?" I ask, somehow able to keep my voice stern and unwavering.
Lilac met black as Crow glared at me yet again with a thin smile on his lips.
"Miss Xiao Long, you should consider yourself lucky I even decided to take you in and even LET you get paid. Now, don't you and Arc have somewhere to be? Unless you don't want to get paid at all, I suggest you get the hell out of my sight and get a move on."
And with that Juane and I made or way to the exit.
"Smooth. Real smooth Yang." Juane whispered as he closed the door to Crow's office.
I just shrug as we made our way out of the building. There were a lot more people inside the shop trying to pawn things now. I noticed the orange haired girl busily running around helping customers, I wave at her but I don't think she notices as she didn't wave back.
I hop in Juane's car and we make our way towards Sellic's shop. It was only about five minutes from Crow's office.
We pull up across the street and sit there. Juane turns off the ignition and we scout out the store in silence.
It was a normal sized one story building that seemed dwarfed between the two story buildings flanked on either side of it. It had a large window that let you look into the store with "Sellic's" written on it. It was a lot cleaner than most of the other buildings down here in this part of town.
Leaning back into the seat, I exhale loudly.
"Gonna be another one of those hurry up and wait jobs. How boring..." I say while leaning the passenger chair down to get more comfortable.
I hear Juane do the same thing.
"Yeah, but it's easy lien I suppose." He replies.
True, he does have a point. Working for as little as they are though, the job better be easy. But easy was boring, as I always did crave a little excitement. Which is probably why I never did do too well at school before I was forced to drop out? Too many fights and confrontations with other students, but it wasn't my fault. Blame my Mom.
I close my eyes and smile.
Mom or Yin Xiao Long was an amazing fighter. Before her and my father met she was some kind of big time brawler that participated in some street fights. Of course once she found out she was pregnant with me she gave that life up quickly, but not before teaching me some of her moves the older I got. Although in school I bet she regretted it every time she had to pick me up from the Principal's office.
"Hey. Hey Yang, wake up! Look!"
Jolting from my seat, I lean up to look at where Juane's pointing.
"Damn, didn't even know I fell asleep. What's wrong Juane?" I reply groggily while craning my head to get a better view of the store.
There were about two black sedans parked out front, and a few guys in black and red suits getting out. But that wasn't what caused me to be alert. It was the two women who got out after those guys.
They both had long black hair with straight cut bangs. One was wearing a red strapless dress with huge matching red knee length boots, while the other was wearing the exact same outfit although in white. Melanie and Miltia Malachite.
"The Malachite twins? Why the hell are they here?" I ask slightly confused, but my question is soon answered as we watch one of black suited goons pick a brick up and smash the front window of Sellic's storefront.
The sound of breaking glass causes almost everyone on the street to look towards the commotion, but once they spotted who they were, the people start clamoring away and fleeing the scene.
"Well Lover boy, looks like it's gonna be an eventful day after all!" I call out.
Opening the passenger side door, I jump out and jog across the street towards the store. I think I hear Juane call out to me, but I can't be sure. I have a job to do, no matter who it is.
Jogging up to the closest goon, I grab his shoulder.
"Hey, you do know that this store is under Uncle Crow's protection, right moron?"
The thug either didn't hear me or didn't care as he swung his right arm in a wide arc swing towards my head. I smile and duck, dodging the sloppy punch and countering by upper cutting him with my right fist knocking him out easily.
"Wrong answer!" I laugh out.
I quickly scan the scenario now. There were about five of the black suited goons left and they were all looking at me now. The twins stood near the cars to my right and eyed me with mild amusement on their face and their arms crossed.
Wasting no time, I surge forward and grab the next would be thug's right arm and twist it behind his back until I hear a sickening pop. I quickly jam my shoulder into the small of his back and flip him over me still holding onto his broken arm.
The remaining four goons quickly run at me, but not before I spot Juane tackle one of them into the ground.
Holding my smile, I dodge a wide punch from one thug and block the next one's kick. The third goon had a knife and lunged at me. I easily dodge the lunge and grab his wrist from him over-extending himself. Pulling him forward I knee him right in the gut and grab the knife from his grasp. I place the knife in my left hand and take up my combat stance, eyeing the two remaining suits. They both share a look before charging towards me.
Oh how I've missed this feeling.
The first thug threw a flying kick. Dodging the obvious move I jam the knife into his leg as he went flying by me. I hear him cry out in pain and hit the ground. The remaining goon continued to charge forward and grab tackled me into the ground. He then tries to punch me while he sat on top of me but as soon as he cocked his arm up to throw the punch, I maneuvered my body underneath him to flip him around in which I gouged his eyes and proceed to slam his head against the cement ground until a pool of crimson formed underneath his head. That and he stopped screaming out in agony.
Brushing myself off, I run to Juane as he was defending himself from being punched in the face by the last thug. I slam my elbow into the base of the goon's head and watch him slump over onto the ground.
"T-thanks Yang. I'm not the best fighter as you can tell." Juane says while clutching the side of his face.
I begin to reply back, but suddenly feel something solid hit me right in my back. I jump out of the way and face towards the twins.
The white one; Melanie had her leg still in the air from where she had just kicked me with a wicked grin on her face.
"Seems like old Crow has some talent in his little rag tag group of misfits after all." Melanie says in a low voice.
"What the hell are you two doing here? I thought Crow and Junior worked together." I ask angrily still clutching my back. It felt like she kicked me with something metallic. I could feel a bruise welling up already.
The red twin; Miltia moved closer now, she uncrossed her arms and revealed two red brass knuckles around her hands.
"Not that it concerns you, but no. Not anymore. You see, Junior is going to be running the show now, and all businesses still under dusty old Crow's protection will suffer until they submit to their new leadership." Miltia replies back wickedly.
"Oh yeah? I didn't hear anything about that. Too bad this store is under my supervision!" I yell out charging towards Miltia who was now closer to me.
The red twin bared her teeth in a wide smile before throwing a straight jab towards me. I move my face back right before she could land a blow and whip around to throw a kick. But in the corner of my eye I see Melanie parry my kick with one of her own.
Quickly dropping my leg, I feel a strange sensation in my leg. The same pain as my back. Like I just slammed my leg into a metal pole or something. I jump back narrowly dodging one of Miltia's brass knuckled swings.
"Heh. Looks like your leg hurts a little bit, Blondie. You okay?" I hear Melanie call out sarcastically.
Her boots have to be plated with metal or something. There's no way her leg would be that hard otherwise.
Saying nothing I charge forward yet again and spot Melanie attempting to swing a kick towards my chest. I stop it with both my hands and grab her leg causing her to shift backwards off balance. I duck down to avoid a hastily punch from the red twin and quickly swipe Melanie's other leg from under her, causing her to hit the ground with a thud. Letting go of her leg I jump up and nail Miltia with an upper cut square in the jaw. She recoils and trips over her downed sister, also hitting the ground.
"Aw, come on twins. Surely you're better than that!" I call out provocatively.
I watch them untangle themselves and stand up with a much more serious expression on their face.
I bend my legs slightly and ready myself for the double attack.
Then suddenly they rushed to either side of me. A white blur to my left and a red one to my right. I jumped back so I could keep my eyes trained on both, but it was too late. They were too fast. Melanie kicked at my legs but I jumped over her swipe, and was met with a savage blow right in the side of my head by Miltia's punch. Swaying backwards, I try to shake my vision free of the stars now present in my field of view, but the twins continued to charge me, attacking with a flurry of punches and kicks.
Trying my best to block and dodge the blows, I was quickly overwhelmed by the double assault and felt a kick connect with my stomach. Before I could double over from the pain, I felt a hand grab my blonde hair and held my head up, right before crashing a metallic fist into my jaw.
The next thing I knew, I was on the ground clutching my face and stomach.
I could hear the twins talking and laughing, but the pain was causing me to not be able to focus on them. Damn it, where the hell was Juane?!
I hear the clacking off boots on the ground, and can make out Melanie crouching down beside my face holding something. What was that? A card?
"Call us when you want a real job. We could always use someone with your… Skill sets. Until later, Blondie."
I watch her walk away towards the cars, but hear another set of footsteps approach.
"Hey! Hey, Yang! Stay with me! Hold on, I'll get you some help." I hear Juane yell.
Man, did I really just get handled like that by the twins?
I couldn't even think straight though. The pain was unbearable. I could feel myself getting tired as hell. I felt Juane pick me up and slump me over his shoulder, supporting me as we hobbled across the street towards his car.
"I- I'll be alright…" I manage to squeak out.
I finally closed my eyes and succumbed to that sleepy feeling.