The Burning Nightmare Chapter 2 Sleepless

"Wait, you would never harm anyone of us or any person in Beacon. I know you wouldn't hurt Weiss no matter how many times she calls you an idiot or a dolt" Yang expressed dryly, a lump in her throat forming.

Ruby only looked down at the ground with her hands over her face, sobbing quietly. Thorn walked up to the crying huntress and gave her a reassuring pat on her back before giving her a warm hug along with Yang. Ruby felt warmth from them and returned the hug, feeling slightly better only slightly.

"Thanks, you guys that was just what I needed" Ruby thanked her older sister and Thorn heart.

"Hey don't worry little sister I'm always here for you no matter what" Yang said smiling warmly.

Ruby felt better with each minute that passed. The three girls eventually gathered some food and ate in the courtyard outside, near the forest.

Meanwhile, Starter then choked out another Atlas solider with his fire chain, letting his body drop face first to the ground motionless. All that was left were nothing more than frail Atlas soldiers either strung up, impaled, or just choked out and killed. Cinder's heeled shoes made a clicking noise as she walked through the carnage that was death by fire, seeing all this destruction put a smile on Cinder's face.

"Glad to see you had a good time" Cinder said.

"Yea, those chumps never stood a chance against the likes of me" Starter stated.

"Don't get too cocky Fire, we still have a job to do and the only way we are going to fulfill it is to keep a watchful eye on that crystal we need" Cinder warned him.

Starter nodded, knowing that getting cocky now would not produce results only cause problems. They both walked to a leader camp tent that wasn't too far off from the forest. Cinder entered first then looked around to see a jar glowing a bright green aura emitting from it.

"That must be the crystal?" Starter asked.

Cinder smirked, walking towards the jar and reached inside to pull out a green crystal which again emitted a green glow inside the tent, Starter stared in amazement at the beautiful crystal Cinder had in her hand.

"That is so pretty" Starter said.

"Yes, it is but once we combine this with the dream catcher, our little Ruby won't have such sweet dream anymore" Cinder explained.

"Ruby's dreams will intensify with every passing night until she finally comes to us" Starter assumed.

"Precisely" Cinder said.

"It would perceive as the perfect crime" Starter said.

Cinder would have to agree with him, the people of Beacon Academy all think both Cinder and Firestarter are M.I.A but after tonight they will know that is not going to be just a rumor.

"Ruby if you need to sleep with me or Thorn just shake the rope behind you" Yang instructed.

"Okay" Ruby replied, tugging on the rope as a test run.

Thorn heart smiled at Yang and Ruby seeing that they had each other's back like she did with her sister Susan before she sacrificed herself to save her and their father. So, seeing those two reminded Thorn of Susan.

"Whelp time for this firefly to get some shut eye" Yang said laying down.

Thorn chuckled at that before turning out the lights then falling asleep. Ruby pulled the covers up to her neck before closing her eyes and sleeping.

Sounds of fire and explosions echoed through Ruby's head as she shot up to see she was in the middle of the floor covered in blood. She screamed, backing up into a wall surveying the current area to see her friends laying there dead. Yang, Blake, Weiss, Jaune, Qrow just to name a few and the blood was all over her scythe/gun and hands. Her hands started to quiver as she started to cry after what she did. All of a sudden, a shrill scream could be heard from miles away.

Weiss! Ruby grabbed her scythe and fast traveled to a rooftop to see Weiss standing there next to Ruby, a crazed looking Ruby Rose.

It was like looking into a mirror but crazed Ruby slashed at Weiss, causing her head to come off and roll toward Ruby who started to shake violently and breathe heavily.

"Your next!" Crazed Ruby proclaimed.

She jumped in the air and drove her boot into her face, no matter how she blocked she was sent flying. The crazed Ruby sent her into a pillar, coughing up blood.

"Now you won't stop me ahahahah!" Crazed Ruby laughed.

She woke up in a cold sweat then pulled the rope, signaling Thorn to wake up to check on Ruby. When she looked up, she saw Ruby sweating profusely as if to say she endured a non-lucid nightmare that was nothing more than a terrifying experience.

"Oh god Ruby what happened?" Thorn asked frantic.

"I was in this place where I saw all my friends including Uncle Qrow dead. There was this crazed version of me that chopped Weiss' head off before she killed me" Ruby explained in between shaking.

Thorn embraced Ruby tightly, not letting her go cause right now she needed some comfort from someone.

"It was the scariest thing I have ever seen. I became a monster, something I don't want to be" Ruby said, looking up at Thorn.

"That will never happen Ruby I forbid it" Thorn proclaimed.

Ruby wasn't sure how someone like Thorn who should be a part of a biker gang would begin to help Ruby Rose and her sister Yang. That determination was what brought Thorn to the dance in the first place, coming from a broken war-torn home into a place where students learn to fight and the importance of teamwork. Ruby didn't know how Thorn was going to help her but at this point she'll take it, anything that could lessen these sudden nightmares.

Thank you Thorn Ruby hugged her smiling warmly.

Yang woke up hours later to go use the bathroom that was all the way down the hallway. During her walk, she heard a crash and clinking of chains, Yang pulled out her gauntlets and put them on in defense to whatever that noise was, Starter stood in front of Yang at least a few feet away.

"Firestarter Dazzle? I thought you were dead!" Yang said shocked.

"As you can see Yang I am very much alive" Starter replied.

"I'm sorry to say but your return will be short lived" Yang threated.

Firestarter's chain became a flaming sword, he charged at her where Yang blocked his attack with her gauntlets but got a strong knee to the face causing Yang to flip over. Before she could hit the ground level, Fire punches her hard in the ribs, causing them to crack and pop as blood began to come out of Yang's mouth.

She got to one knee but went again with Dazzle by using quick attacks with her gauntlets that fired incendiary bullets at Dazzle that disoriented him a bit. Yang backed up a bit, ready for that famous one punch and then she charged with a perfect aim at Firestarter's face. When she was about to deliver a jaw breaking punch, Cinder's foot met Yang's face as she went flying until she hit a wall hard.

"Yang when will you ever learn? No matter what you and Thorn do, your little sister will be ours" Cinder said, walking up to Yang.

She shook the cobwebs from her head and attempted to attack Cinder. Unfortunately, Starter's chain wrapped itself around Yang's arm and pulled her away from Cinder.

Cinder watched smirking before putting one hand on her head until she passed out. Starter removed his chain from Yang's arm, as she was no longer a threat.