"As I managed to gather from that recording, a group led by someone by the name of Salem along with the White Fang cause this disaster?" Ozpin says, furrowing his eye brows. The roomed darkened, leaving only a single spotlight on Ruby. This, evidently, gave her a sense of Déjà vu.
"Yes." Ruby's eyes widen as she sees Ozpin take out a plate of cookies and place it on the counter.
"How does this event play out, exactly?" Ozpin says, folding his hands neatly as Ruby begins to eye the cookies lustfully.
"Three people from Salem's faction infiltrate Beacon Academy and pose as students. They do it right under our noses as they take things apart from the inside out." Ruby says, turning towards Ozpin while her gaze flickers occasionally between the plate of cookies and himself.
"Go on."
"The three infiltrators' names are Emerald Sustrai, Mercury Black, and Cinder Fall. Cinder, being a much more prominent piece on the board. She's the one responsible for Amber's condition. Later on, she takes the rest of her powers and kills her." Ruby says, trying to imitate Ozpin by neatly folding her hands together. Her gaze still continues to change between the cookies and Ozpin. He furrows his brow in frustration as he thinks to himself. How could he have possibly let this happen?
"Beforehand, Roman Torchwick stockpiled the many resources needed for the incursion to be possible. In this role, he played as the supplier, making shots at dust shops around town while making deals with the White Fang." Ruby says, thinking back to past details. "The infiltrators make their moves around the same time the Vytal Festival comes around. They hack the system and rig matches, matching up themselves with several students. It escalates as one of them uses their semblance to make a competitor mistake their opponent as attacking and made it look like they attacked out of spite after the match was over."
"Perception Manipulation." Ozpin stated. Ruby nods back in affirmation as she somehow sneaks a cookie into her mouth without Ozpin noticing.
"This fills the audience with negative emotion. The shear mass of it resonating from them causes Grimm from Mount Glenn to flock to the stadium. Meanwhile, Roman steals an Atlesian airship and Ironwood decides to try and take it back. Instead, Roman releases a digital virus which infects Ironwood's Atlesian Knights and Paladins, causing them to turn on us. Chaos ensues." She says, leaving out the names of the students. Ozpin's eyes widen at what he hears. It was ingenious, yet despicable at the same time.
"….But that's what you're here for, correct?" Ozpin says, briefly stopping to see Ruby shove several cookies into her mouth at Mach speed using her semblance. Ruby's gaze drifts from the cookies she shoved into her mouth towards Ozpin awkwardly. Ozpin remains silent with a confused look upon his face as Ruby began to chew loudly and finally gulp after a few minutes, sighing afterwards.
"Yes."
Ozpin sighs as he finally hears the answer he was waiting for.
"Then why not kill them now?" He says, prying away the plate from Ruby's hands, much to her dismay.
"About… that…" Ruby says, just realizing what had been asked. "The infiltrators arrive a few weeks in, so we can't act as of now. Nor can we strike at the enemy's base of operations."
"How so?"
"We did find bits and traces of the enemy's HQ, but not the exact location. However, we managed to find several bases belonging to the White Fang around Vale due to the help of one of their former operatives."
"Who would that be, then?" Ozpin asked.
Ruby whispered unintelligibly. Had Ozpin known that Blake was a faunus and an ex-white fang operative in the past? Would her telling him about it now ruin her chances to get into Beacon? How would he react?
"What was that?" Ozpin said as placed his hand near his ear. An annoyed look loomed over his face.
"The operative's name is… Blake Belladonna." Ruby said, looking away.
"I expected so." Ozpin said as Glynda refilled his coffee mug.
Ruby's eyes widened in shock as she turned to face Ozpin.
"I knew who and what she was much before she applied for Beacon." He said casually, taking sips from his mug.
"That's… surprising." Ruby said, reclining back in her chair.
"I check the backstory of every applicant, and assess their past and current situations. Then, I use said backstory along with their application to see if they are fit to join this academy. That is how I work." Ozpin replied quaintly. He had done the same routine while checking applications through all the years he worked at Beacon and never stopped doing so. Although some may argue that his choices may not be the best, he has always seen them until the end. Suddenly, a thought passed through his mind.
"How many were killed?" He asked.
"…" Ruby's head lowered itself as she tried to remember the precise number. "About… seventy-nine thousand if you include the hunters and hunters in training killed." She said solemnly. Ozpin's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Over seventy-nine thousand? Along with hunters? What about the rest?"
"The rest of the population were under the rule of the White Fang's newly installed government at this point."
"They overrun Vale and take control of the government?"
"Basically."
"What of the other kingdoms, then?"
"The White Fang proposed a major international trade organization between all the nations so every resource the other nations lacked could be accessed via trade no matter what. The other kingdoms agreed because of the benefits gained and turned a blind eye to what was happening. That, however, did not stop Ironwood from sending some of his soldiers to Vale.
Ozpin's forehead scrunched up as he brought his hand up to his face. He wasn't obviously wasn't happy about what he had just heard.
"They managed to essentially bribe the other kingdoms?"
"That's just about it." Ruby says, much to Ozpin's dismay.
"So, how do we combat this, Ms. Rose?" Ozpin says as he waits for Ruby's answer.
"Simple. Kill the important pieces, and the whole attempt goes falling down. Problem is, however, it may not be a permanent solution. Salem is one tricky bastard to deal with." Ruby says, lowering her head in mild annoyance.
"This 'Salem' you are talking about. Who are they?"
"She's the one guiding Cinder and her cronies. Don't ever get near her. Ever." Ruby glared.
Ozpin's eyes narrow down at Ruby's response. After a moment of glaring back at each other, Ozpin's expression finally changes.
"I'll take your word for it." "Now, I believe we should do what we can. We need to make arrangements on dealing with this situation. When does this 'Cinder' arrive, exactly?"
"A few weeks in after the Beacon Initiation. What exactly are you planning?" She eyed Ozpin suspiciously.
"We will deal with her and her friends swiftly, I'll give you that." Ozpin says, standing up from his chair. He'd just figured out a problem he didn't even know he had, all thanks to her. He sighed at realizing that he had just narrowly avoided a miserable future. Not only did he get the info from someone who came from the future itself, but it was the same person he spoke to last week and was going to start enrollment tomorrow, only older. Ozpin examined Ruby a little bit closer, looking at different angles to assess her. The young, more enthusiastic Ruby Rose seemed much different to the one he was looking at right now. Her once wide, silver eyes seemed to no longer exist as he looked closer to see the eyes of someone who's experienced a living hell. After a moment of staring back at Ozpin, Ruby stands up from her chair and begins to walk to the exit.
"Where might you be going?" Ozpin says as he notices Ruby's attempt at departure.
"There's something I'd like to ask you, Professor Ozpin." She says, not turning back.
"Yes?"
"Would it be desirable to keep me close at hand?"
"Considering that you carry information that will in fact help us, yes."
"Is it okay if I set up in the dorms, then?"
"What?" Ozpin raised an eyebrow.
"I just came from a miserable future where everything that could've possibly gone wrong, did. I just gave you the information to stop it. Besides, I can't go back to my home without having some complications appear." Ruby went on as she turned towards Ozpin. Ozpin gestured towards Glynda, making her go into the counter to retrieve something. Placing it in Ozpin's hand, Ozpin then walked towards a rambling Ruby who was more inclined to talk rather than to see what was in front of her.
"So, I'd appreciate it if you give at least give me one damn shred of sympathy and-"
"Done. And done." Ozpin interrupted as he placed something into Ruby's outstretched hand. Ruby gazed down to see a bright blue key card in her hand. Looking up, she gave Ozpin a credulous look.
"Wha..?"
"This key card allows you access to all the facilities within Beacon Academy. Absolutely, do not lose it in any way, shape, or form." Ozpin says, staring into Ruby's eyes. A moment later, he turns back and walk towards his desk once more.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, Ms. Rose, I'll be needing some time to prepare. When I need you, I expect you to be ready to answer me immediately." Ozpin says, stacking and organizing a sheet of papers on his desk. Ruby was dumbstruck as she stared at the key. She thought he'd be averse to her taking up space in his academy. Realizing she was just standing there, she promptly turned to face toward the door once more. She starts walking, only to stop walking once again. Turning her head, she tells Ozpin one last thing.
"Ozpin, I'd appreciate it if you'd not inform anyone of me being here."
"Very well. It would be quite problematic if someone mistakes you as your mother." Ozpin says, while staring at another pile of documents.
"It would be even more problematic if my cover was blown and they figure out who I am."
"That as well."
Ruby sighed as she traveled out of the room and down the corridor. She finally had an ally to help her. Approaching the section of the building where the dorms are, she picked the door closest to her and used the key card. As she opened it, she felt a familiar presence about the room, but decided to pay it no mind. In the room were four lockers all huddled up in the corner, along with plate glass doors and sliding patio doors opposite of the entrance. To the right of her was an entrance where she saw one bed through the opening. Walking into the room to the right, she sees four beds in the four corners. The Sleeping Area. Just a bit past, she saw the white squared floor of the bathroom. Looking at herself through the mirror, she examined herself thoroughly. She still looked the same as she was before she came here; all rugged and worn out. Tossing her cloak onto a nearby bed, she quickly undressed while turning on the showers to the left. Hot water rushed down her body, cleaning away all the dust and grime she accumulated over the past months. Ruby places her hand on the long scar that was stretching across her body. She sighs, cleaning out her hair with nearby shampoo and using conditioner afterwards. After the long needed shower, she grabbed a towel and wore it around her like a robe. Clutching her clothes, she walked out of the bathroom and realized one crucial thing she was needing: another pair of clothes. Placing her hand on her forehead, she sighed once again in disappointment. Opting to wipe away the water left over from the shower with the towel, she picked up her previously worn clothes and wore them once again. Pouncing on the bed she threw her white cloak onto, she promptly fell asleep after a few minutes of just lying there.
The night was long and cold. Ruby and the others were on top of several roofs, scouting the area for White Fang. She looked to the side to see Yang smirking lightly. . Among the others that were with her were Team CVFY along with Neptune and Sun. It had been exactly 3 weeks since Yang opted to get a mechanical replacement for her now severed arm. In the beginning, she was shaky, unable to do the simplest actions. But slowly, over the course of said 3 weeks, she managed to learn to control it. The fire had been lit inside her yet again, much to Ruby's relief. A clutter could be heard nearby as Jaune stumbled and landed into a garbage bin.
"I'm okay!" Jaune said, trying to cover his embarrassment. Ruby giggled a bit as she looked down from the roof to see Jaune sprawled out inside the garbage bin. Though Jaune was clumsy at times, he was improving over a steady rate. Eventually, he stopped doing silly mistakes such as fumbling around to get Crocea Mors out of its sheath or… tripping and falling. Mostly. It was only just recently when he tried to train himself in order to use his semblance. However, most of it ultimately was just him getting knocked back after getting punched by Yang. But the times it happened, he was left unscathed –albeit a bit scared. His semblance had no real term to it. It shielded him from attacks, but also allowed him to do what was virtually impossible. The problem was though, unless he managed to focus hard enough to use it, it would not activate.
"Shhh. Everyone keep quiet. There's something over there." Blake said, her eyes peering into the city streets. A group of 10 or so White Fang soldiers appeared from around the corner, patrolling along the streets.
"White Fang!" Ruby stated in a hush tone, loud enough for Jaune to hear it and jump out of the Garbage bin. He took shelter around it, peeking around the edge to see what the soldiers were doing.
"They're most likely scouting the perimeter for any enemies. It'll be easy to take them out." Blake said, slowly unsheathing her weapon. The others followed suit, taking out their weapons quietly. Ruby's red cloak billowed in the night's cold wind as Blake did the countdown.
"5. 4. 3. 2. 1. Go." The cat faunus counted down. Ruby fired a shot from Crescent Rose and used the momentum to speed towards one of the White Fang soldiers. She collides into him, sending him flying into a nearby pool. The other soldiers turn to face towards Ruby in surprise. They aimed their rifles at her, unflinching as they stood silent along with Ruby, who was glaring back. Their vision blurs as most of them are sent flying by the others' attacks. In an instant, the enemies had already been neutralized. Yang whoops in victory, her arms stretched towards the sky. She hadn't had this much fun in a while. Realizing something, she turned toward Blake.
"So, where's the next set of goons I get to punch?" Yang grinned widely.
"The hideout should be a few blocks from here." Blake replied sharply. They had been doing raids on White Fang hideouts for the past few weeks in hopes of finding more information on the Salem's base of operations. However, these seemed to be unsuccessful as they ended up empty handed most of the time. Blake was sick and tired of her efforts not baring any fruit. Slowly, she lost her composure, lashing out at people as she became more agitated. As they began to walk down the street, a strange droning sound could be heard getting louder and louder.
"Uh. Are you guys hearing that, or is that just me?" Jaune said, his eyes darting around the surrounding area.
The droning sound eventually turned into loud, synchronized marching accompanied with even louder footsteps as they came to a realization. An Atlesian Paladin had somehow tracked them down. Behind it, were a growing mass of White Fang soldiers turning the corner. Everyone's eyes widened as the White Fang take notice and charge. The night quickly turns into a brawl as they began to fight the seemingly infinite crowd of White Fang soldiers were easily dispatched alone by the hunters in training. However, they came to realize that in sheer numbers, victory was much farther than any of them anticipated. As more and more enemies fell, several others rushed to take their place.
Soon, familiar screams could be heard from Jaune as Ruby turns to see an Atlesian Paladin attacking an increasingly desperate Jaune. Ruby tried to rush over, only to be stopped by a wall of White Fang troops. Soon after, a massive blast repels the Paladin, knocking out several members of the White Fang with it. Jaune's eyes widen as he comes to the realization that he had just used his semblance once more. Screaming, he took another swing, causing another wave of white energy to send several enemies flying. Jaune continued to swing over and over again, in the hopes of clearing out more of them.
However, the army of White Fang had still not thinned after what seemed like an eternity. Sweat dripped down from Ruby's face as she slows down from the massive amount of fatigue she built up over the course of battle. As her eyes dart around, she sees Yang clear out more and more of them as her semblance began to kick in. Her eyes dart back to Jaune one last time, widening in fear as she sees him get overwhelmed and disappear into the crowd of white uniforms.
Ruby's eyes snap open as she wakes up on her bed. She breathed heavily as she recovered from her recent nightmare. She didn't want to remember. She didn't want to remember how Jaune died. Placing her hand on her forehead, she sits up, contemplating why everything had to go wrong. She wished it hadn't happened at all. She wished that it was all just some sick dream. But it never was.