A/N: ITS BACK IN BLACK!
[Hopefully] the thing that has been stopping this series from continuing is gone. Either way, production for all my fics will be slow due to finals. Still, I plan to pump this out during the summer, so get hyped! Thanks to Leivve for joining me in thinking up this fic, and Challos for editing. I am rewriting chapter 1 at this moment, so eventually you may want to check back on that. It will be the same, just not with terrible grammar.
"Uh."'
...
I glanced at the yellow stained mirror, looking at my amber reflection. My clothes were colored yellow in the filter, a confused face looking at me.
Turning to my left, I noticed my white-gray reflection. She furrowed her brow, just as I did, tilting her head.
I turned back to see my black reflection, the girl lifting up her hand in confusion. I did much the same, mirroring her actions subconsciously.
"That's weird."
I turned around violently, sure that I had heard more than just my voice. A sigh escaped my throat as I wrote it off as my echo.
"This is so... cool!" We all said, glancing at each other.
"Though I think I still look best in [red][black][white][yellow]"
All the voices split on the mentioning of our favorite color, adrenaline hitting my system.
"Did... did you guys say something?"
"Oh what the heck! The red one's talking!" Yellow shouted.
"Ah!" Black yelped. "Why are you two alive! You're my reflection!"
"You lot are weird." Gray said with a sigh. "Did I drink too much milk again?"
"Why are there so many Rubys?" I asked, tilting my head. "I'm pretty sure I was the only one before today."
"What are you talking about?" Black said, scrunching up her nose as if she were royalty.. "I am Ruby. You lot are some clones or something."
"Hey, princess!" Yellow said, pulling down her lower eyelid and sticking out her tongue. "I got news for you, I'm the original Ruby. My sister is Yang Xiao Long. I mean for Monty's sake, we're even the same color! Of course we'd be related."
"H-How do you know about Yang?" I said, worry filling my voice.
"She's my sister, duh."
"I believe you are mistaken." Gray sighed. "Yang is my sibling. She uses a weapon by the name of-"
"Ember celica!" Black declared, placing her hands on her hips. "I know that because I'm the real Ruby!"
"No!" I shouted, frowning. "What are you all going on about?! I'm the real Ruby! I have Cresent Rose, which is red!"
"We do too!" They all said, pulling out their scythes of different colors.
You have got to be kidding me.
"Oh yeah?" I said, sticking out my chest. "How did we get here?"
"I rolled down a hole and had to fight Nemeans and a Perillos. It was so... tiring." Gray sighed.
"Thats!...correct..." I said with a frown. A blush rose to my face as the one question only I knew the answer to rose to my mind.
"Who do we...like. Like, like like."
"Blake."
"Penny."
"Weiss."
I sighed. We at least differed on that account.
"Okay, good. For a sec I thought you all really were clones! That scared me. Anyways, I'm leaving you lot, you all creep me out." I said, turning.
"Hey, you dolt! Get back here!" Black shouted. Gray narrowed her eyes, walking over and getting in Black's face.
"Only Weiss calls us a dolt."
"Seconded!"
"Thirded? Thirdeded?"
"Whatever! I'm finding Yang, and she's tell you I'm the real thing!" Black said sticking her nose up into the air and walking past me. I turned and shrugged, the other three following in pursuit.
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"...Okay then. You're scaring me, Rubes." Yang said, furrowing her brow.
"But I'm the real one, right?" I said, pointing at my red hood.
"Yeah... Don't know who these girls are."
"I'm Ruby!" Yellow shouted. "Your sister!"
"No, I am!" Black said angrily.
"I identify as Ruby Rose." Gray shrugged.
"What exactly happened?" Yang asked.
"Oh! I can prove it!" I said, grabbing the stone from my pocket. "I was locked in this dungeon thing! There were some Grimm, but I totally kicked their butts. Then I got this blue stone... huh?" I said, glancing down at the now crimson crystal.
"I have one of those too! I can prove it!" Yellow said, taking out her golden crystal. Grey shrugged, taking out her white stone.
"I had it first!" Black said, taking out her own.
"Okay... Rubes, should we just uh... I mean... what are they?" Yang said, scratching at the back of her head.
"The four personas of the Lens." Came a voice. We all turned to see Glynda walk slowly towards us, her hand on her crop.
"So goes the legend of the ancients. There once was a glass made from melted down dust, who was so perfect that it could diffract someone's soul. Such a relic was only known to modern scholars as 'The Lens', and was lost for ages."
"So... what?" Gray asked, tilting her head.
"You all are Ruby, just some are more than others." Glynda said, glancing at me. "Each of you is a fraction of her soul, an emotion."
"That's preposterous." Black said, crossing her arms.
"You are love, despite your attempts to hide it."
"Hey!"
"While Yellow Ruby is confidence."
"That's a little much, doncha think?" She said, leaning against her scythe.
"While Gray here is rather lax, almost sad. Or so goes the legend."
"That may be true..."
"We will be studying you over a timeframe that will yet to be determined. You are to keep your Lenses on you at all time. Until then, we need proper names."
"Ms. Black, you will be known as Onyx Adore."
"D-Don't get confused. Just because I like the name doesn't mean I'm not the original..."
"Ms. Yellow, you will be Amber Pride."
"Err, okay, I guess. Still confused on the whole lens thingy-"
"Ms. Gray, you will be known as Ashley Melancholy. Shortened to 'Ash'."
"Or you could just ignore me, that works too." Amber said, throwing her hands up into the air.
"I... approve." Ash sighed
"Ruby Rose, you will be moved from team RWBY at this moment."
"What?! No, you can't take my sis!" Yang whined. "She's my little baby!"
"I am not a baby! I am an adult, I drink milk!" I said, crossing my arms.
"I have a new student coming in anyways, don't worry. Amber, Onyx, Ruby, and Ash. Together you will be Team AORA, pronounced 'Aura'. Amber will be the leader for the moment. We need her confidence."
"B-But..." I said with a frown. "I was enjoying being team leader."
"You still are, technically." Glynda said with a shrug. "Now run along to your rooms, I have... uh... paperwork to file with Ozpin."
A slight blush rose to her cheeks.
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"So... This is awkward." I said, glancing around the room with Zwei in my lap.
"Only because you're holding my dog." Onyx said grumpily from her bed.
"Okay, that's where I draw the line." I said, glaring at her. "Zwei is my baby. I mean, Crescent Rose is too, but you all already have your own. I guess I don't have to worry about that."
"Speaking of which," Amber sighed, lifting up the scythe. "Not really my thing. Scythes, that is. I don't know why I made it."
"Its because I did." I said with a sigh. "If you feel it's awkward, its because you're different than I am."
"Good. Let's stop by the forge tomorrow and craft me a new weapon. Anyone else want to join?"
"I would, but that sounds exhausting." Ash said, yawning and curling up with a pillow.
"I'll make it for you~" Amber said, giving a slight musical tone to her voice.
"Promise? Like, pinky promise?" Ash said, looking up from her grave of various stuffed animals. Amber rolled her eyes, standing up and adjusting her sports bra. Ash slid down her long pajama sleeve, locking her pinky with her twin.
"Are you really going to sleep in that thing? They're so uncomfortable." Ash said, glancing at Amber's wear. She shrugged, climbing back into bed.
"Maybe we can get me some new clothes tomorrow, too."
"We have classes, remember?" Onyx said, tapping her head. "We can do the shopping and stuff later."
"Pff, classes." Amber said, rolling her eyes.
"I dislike spending the energy involved with school just as much as the next Ruby, but you're not going to skip, are you?"
"Probably not. I'm confident, not stupid."
"I'd beg to differ." Onyx spat.
"What's your problem? Don't you know that you're just insulting yourself?"
"Let's calm down guys..." I said, holding up my hands. "I have cookies!"
They all turned their heads, giving a sigh.
"Alright, I'll drop it." Amber said, holding up her hands. I smiled, grabbing the bag from underneath my pillow and handing out the treats. Amber and Onyx both silently munched, avoiding each other's gaze.
I sighed. This wasn't going to be fun.
"So, are we like, completely separate?" Ash asked. "I mean, we obviously can't be the same person, despite what Glynda says. Would we not all like... share a mind or something? Hivemind Ruby?"
"That's creepy, stop." Onyx said, laying down. "I'm going to sleep. You all should too."
I shrugged, placing away my rag that I was using to clean Crescent Rose. Amber nodded, laying down and turning off the lamp, sending the room into darkness.
...
"Wake up!" Onyx shouted, kicking at the lump of stuffed animals Ash rested beneath. "We're going to be late! Amber didn't set the alarms!"
"Well, sorry I didn't do it for you! I thought I could wake up on time!"
"Guys..." I said, glancing at my alarm clock. "Isn't it daylight savings today? Don't we have an hour or whatever?"
They all froze.
"Why didn't you tell me!" Onyx shouted.
"I didn't know!"
"Stop yelling, I'm trying to sleep..." Ash snored, throwing the blanket over her head. Onyx sighed, walking over to the counter and turning on the coffee maker. The loud grinding of the machine stirred the blanket, earning an angry mumble from the half asleep Ash.
"So..." Amber said, twiddling her thumbs. "Lovely weather we're having."
"Listen, I know we're all awkward here." Onyx said, grabbing the bridge of her nose. "But please just stop. Really, its embarrassing."
Amber rolled her eyes. "Airline food, am I right?"
"Did you just really?" Onyx sighed.
"That I did." Amber said boastfully.
"I swear, I will seize you in battle and flay you if you make another joke!"
I opened my eyes at her bold threat.
"Well, I did not seize that coming."
...
"I'm done." She said, turning to the coffee maker. "It's 4 in the morning, I've had no coffee, and I'm a clone. There is no time for puns!"
"There's always time for puns, especially when you are the master of them."
"You're so full of yourself."
"Hello kettle, my names pot," Amber said with a shrug. "But you know what they say when you egocentric people meet. Its an I for an I."
...
"Dammit." She said, glancing away. "Can't you just do something productive at least?"
"Like what?" She asked, crossing her legs.
"I don't know! Maybe make your bed or something. Clean the dishes, wash Zwei. Anything really."
"You're right, look at this place. Dishes are a real mess."
...
"I'm seriously going to kill you."
"You're making this too easy!"
"Let's just go to breakfast. Get Ash up."
"You're right. An omelette sounds eggscelent-"
"Okay, Ash, you're getting up now!" Onyx shouted, grabbing onto the covers and tearing them off.
"I don't waaaanaaaaa."
"I don't want to hear any more of Amber's puns! Please, lets go!"
"I lost the belt for my skirt." Ash sighed, hiding a grin and glancing at Amber. "So I guess I can't go."
"Don't you dare!" Onyx shouted.
"You lost a perfectly good belt? What a waist!" She said, giggling.
"If I kill one of you, is it murder or suicide?" She said angrily, glaring at us. "Get ready or find out."
...
"What in the world?" Pyrrha said, tilting her head to glance at us. "Jaune, can you believe this?"
"Uh... no, not really. I'm confused, intimidated, and just a little bit scared." He said, glancing at Ren and Nora.
"So, you just found a stone?" Nora asked, furrowing her brow. "And then, 'poof', four Rubys?"
"That would be correct." Ash said, brushing aside her black hair. "Two of them wouldn't let me sleep..."
"Hey, its not my fault she was making so many puns." Onyx said, crossing her arms.
"You seem familiar, but I can't place where." Jaune said, grabbing at his chin. Pyrrha sighed, placing her hand on his shoulder sympathetically.
"Its okay, Jaune. At least you're handsome."
"I do have some hands!" He said with a smile, holding up his gloves. Pyrrha sighed.
"What am I going to do with you?" She sighed, placing her head in her hands. Jaune tilted his head, confused at her reaction.
"Speaking of which." Amber said, leaning in. "If four people is a foursome, and three a threesome, what would handsome be?"
"A lonely Jaune." Onyx said, narrowing her eyes.
"What's up, buttercup...s?" Yang said, placing her arm around my neck and pressing her cheek against mine.
"Just... learning of the new team." Pyrrha said. "Sorry, was that rude? I know you had to be moved, Ruby."
"It's fine. Any word on the new guy?" I said, turning around to see the rest of my old team. Blake shrugged, Weiss crossing her arms.
"It's a girl, probably. They've narrowed it down to two candidates."
"Get this, we know the girls name starts with a P." Yang said with a smile "We'd be team PWBY! I'm totally rooting for the pronunciation 'poopy'. Or better yet, 'pube-y'"
"Disgusting." Weiss said, glancing away from me awkwardly. "Anyways. It's... quiet without you Ruby."
"Aww, thanks Weiss. I miss you too."
"I-I didn't say I missed you. Don't go p-putting words in my mouth."
"She totally said your name in her sleep last night." Yang said with a wink.
"I-I did nothing of the sort!"
"I can confirm that she did." Blake said, giving a small and suppressed smile. "It wasn't quiet, either. When I looked up from my midnight reading, she was cuddling with a pillow."
"B-Blake!"
"I just say it how I saw it." She said with a shrug, glancing at the other Rubys. "So what are all your names, then?"
"I'm Ash, nice to meet you. Did you say something about books?" Ash said, glancing up interested.
"Yes, actually."
"Whats your favorite one about?"
"Its about a man with two souls."
"Oh, I love that book!" She said, giving a smile. "Though I prefer one called 'Aura Thief', by Challos."
"I read that just last week, incredibly interesting. I really thought people were crazy after that."
"Anyways, I'm Onyx." Black Ruby said, smiling. "Probably the only sane one."
"Tell me about it." Weiss said, rolling her eyes.
"I didn't escape from the puns, Ambers just as bad as Yang is." Onyx said with a sigh.
"I hope not. One punist is enough for Beacon." Weiss said, glancing down.
"Speaking of the devil, I'm Amber. Short, sweet, rolls off the tongue. Men love it." she said, holding her hand out to Jaune. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat as Jaune gave a smile, shaking her hand.
"Nice to meet you." Jaune said, giving a smile.
"So what is Glynda plotting, exactly?" Ren asked, glancing at us. "Moving Ruby seems like an odd move."
"I don't know, but I don't think she was filing papers with Ozpin." Amber said, giving a smirk.
"Please don't talk about our teacher that way, it's gross." Onyx sighed.
"What, you don't ship Glynpin?" Ash asked
"I personally support the ship to the port. That is to say, Mr. Port with Mr. Port,"
"The manliest of ships." Nora said, her eyes glassy and deep in thought of all the muscle.
"Nora," Ren sighed "You're drooling again."
"Anyway, I think we're an experiment." Amber said.
"Got it, it's a conspiracy." Ash mocked.
"No, I'm serious! The piston purposefully fired, sending us exactly where the ruin was. Beacon wanted us to find the stone and split apart. It was destiny!"
"I don't... think" I said, deciding to stop.
"So do you have different Semblances?" Pyrrha asked.
"That's... actually a good question." Onyx said with a nod. "We each seem to want a new weapon, so it's possible we each have our own semblance."
"I want mine to be flying!" Amber said, thrusting her arms into the air. "Super Ruby, to the rescue!"
"I would want to sleep all day." Ash said with a smile. "And Onyx couldn't wake me up no matter how hard she tried."
"Thank goodness that's not a semblance. I wonder, Ruby, do you still have your speed semblance?"
"I mean, I don't know. I think so, but I haven't exactly tried."
"Well, Glynda's class is next. We're probably going to spar against each other, so it should work out." Blake noted.
"I call beating the crap out of Onyx!" Amber said with a smile.
"Gladly. I'll wipe that smirk off your face with ease."
"Oh really, hot shot?"
"You know it."
"I call sleeping!" Ash said, her eyes drooping. "Fighting seems like too much energy."
"We're huntresses! That's not exactly a low energy job." Onyx noted.
"You're right. I should be a mattress saleswoman." She said. "Oh, I can sell stuffed animals there too!"
"I'm not sure if I can handle four Rubys" Weiss sighed, grabbing her nose.
"Exactly! One was cute enough!" Yang giggled.
"You know that's not what I meant."
"That's not what your diary says~" Yang teased. Weiss' face instantly burned a bright red, her head shooting away to hide herself.
"That's private!"
"I also saw the doodles you did. I have to say, that's almost as bad as that one book Blake hides under the bed!"
Blake flinched in shock, blushing. The various Rubys all giggled at their old team, letting out a synchronized sigh.
"This will take some getting used to." Jaune said, glancing at all the Rubys with a confused look on his face. "Still don't remember the names."
Pyrrha sighed, shaking her head.
"What? I mean, that's like 3 more Rubys." He said, seeming proud of himself.
"I'm still interested in this new student." Pyrrha said, glancing at Yang. "Or multiple. Do you really only know the first letter of the girl?"
"We know the guy's too, its a G. Whether he gets in or the girl remains to be seen. Ozpin kept teasing us with his mysteriousness. I'm starting to think that man does it on purpose." Yang said, waving a finger. "I mean really. White hair? What kind of middle aged man bleaches his hair? He's hiding something."
"Exactlyl!" Amber said, slamming her hands on the table. "Glynda, Port, they all are! Especially that Oobleck guy. I think he's a robot with a nuclear reactor core. No way someone can have that much energy. Not only that, but his coffee was used as fuel?! No way! I think its either alcohol, or oil. If its oil, that supports my robot hypothesis."
"Oh my god." Yang said, her eyes shooting open. "Yellow Rubes, you're a genius!"
Amber placed her hands on her hips with pride, giving a smirk.
"I try."
The bell rang, causing me to sigh in relief.
"I guess it's time to head to class."
