A/N: Hey people reader peoples! Pretty important stuff I wanna say so READ THIS. So this chapter has a lot of exposition and a lot of set up for things I wanna do! Anyway on my profile there is a link to a new picture of Ash (I had to macgyver it on there but it should link almost directly to the picture and my Deviantart account) This picture is actually Ash after a timeskip, a 3 year timeskip (Yes I have planned that far ahead). It is much better drawn than the picture I am using now and it has his symbol on it as well. Also the song I mention in this chapter is the title of the chapter so if you would like to hear it than type in "NIER ost - Ashes Of Dreams (English Vocal Ver.)" So last but never least! I want to say thank you to all followers, reviewers, and anyone who favorited this story! Your support makes me continue to write! (Type(Whatever)) So without further ado la story~
"Thoughts"-Italics
"Speech"-Regular
"Past/Flashback"-Bold
Ashes of Dreams
Ash sat up in his bed, unruly hair sticking out all over the place, "I need to cut my hair..." He thought absentmindedly. Looking at his calender he ran his hand through his hair lazily trying to fix stray strands of hair, "A lot has happened in just a few days..." He thought stretching his synthetic arm, cringing a bit as he did. A few days passed since team RWBY discovered the White Fangs hideout outside of Vale and the train broke through the middle of the city. Team RWBY with the help of team JNPR, CFVY, Sun, Neptune, Professor Oobleck, and Glynda all took care of the grimm that came into the city. Glynda had repaired all the damage, "Perks of having a crazy strong huntress around..." Ash mused as he got off his bed and pulled out his uniform from his closet, "I hate this thing." He thought pulling the dress shirt on, buttoning it it about halfway before tucking the rest into his pants. After he had defeated the monster grimm at the Settlement, which had ironically been renamed after him by Stella's request. Ash still had a blush on his face from the letter she had sent him the day after he woke up, "Seriously who does that..." He thought remembering what she had sent.
"Dear Idiot,
If you are reading this then that means you have woken up and realized that you are an idiot. An idiot that saved all of us. I shouldn't really put it past your type to do something so insane as to fight that monster alone...To be honest I was terrified when I saw those lights come out from the canyon. I thought you were gonna die just like my parents did, protecting me...all of us I mean. Anyways after that crazy thing bit the dust (please ignore the unintentional pun) every other grimm start retreating, like running. It looked like they were terrified. I don't blame them though, after seeing how you looked after that battle I was scared to talk to you honestly, you didn't seem human. Right now you're still unconscious and team CFVY is helping us reclaim all the territory we've lost but its been smooth sailing so far, feels like this place is starting to live again. We decided to rename this island, everyone kept calling it things like *The Isle of Despair* or *The Grey Island*. There's nothing definite right now but I have been throwing around the idea of Ember island, in honor of you. Cheesy I know. But at least I won't have to see that dumb smile of yours if it actually ends up happening. The doctors say you'll be asleep for a few more days, by time we finish you'll already be back to Beacon...I wanna say thank you to your face. I already talked to Coco, Fox, Velvet, and Yatsuhashi but im missing you...Ash thank you for saving us. Thank you for saving this place. Im not really the type to get sentimental but i'll miss you. Oh so will Sabin, he just made me write that in right now actually. Geez he thinks you're some superhuman or something, if he has anything to say about it you're gonna be some sort of legend around here. Okay this letter is long enough now, so I guess until next time *Hero*.
Sincerely, Stella Sparks
P.S. Thank Sabin for the photo idea!
Ash curiously looked over the contents of the letter and blushed when he found a photo of him surrounded by...well everyone unconscious in the hospital, drooling. Stella and Spark both held out peace signs next to him, the photo was title, *Sleeping Beauty*. Shaking his head he placed the photo and letter back down next to his night stand before throwing on his jacket over his shoulder. Casually walking out his door and stopping for one moment to dodge Nora drag Ren through the hall shouting about pancakes, spinning around expertly to avoid Sun running through the hall to catch a ball that was being thrown around, and grabbing Weiss before a door slammed in her face. Weiss gave him a quick thanks but Ash quietly mumbled, "No problem." Tiredly walking towards the lunchroom for breakfast.
In the 3 months Ash had lived at Beacon he had grown accustomed to some of the antics that happened...all day. But he didn't mind. Just not in the morning. Early in the morning. Which contrary to popular belief should be just as quiet as nighttime. Suffice to say Ash wasn't particularly a morning person.
Ash's eyes flickered to the left as he heard laughing, "Of course, when isn't he being an ass?" He thought as Cardin continued his tirade of harassing other students. Rolling his eyes he casually walked over, not looking at the scene directly. As Cardin attempted to pull at the students faunus features he felt his weight flip hard. With a loud slam he fell to the right, causing everyone to turn and stare.
"WHO HAS THE BALLS!?" he yelled quickly getting up.
"Huuuh?" Ash said turning around with a bored face, "Oh you seemed to have fallen, sorry sorry." He said with a mock bow, "I wish for your health~"
Cardin growled while walking up to Ash, he had forgotten his original target. Ash looked at his classmate and winked subtlety before changing back to his dead eyed expression. The faunus gave grateful nod before picking up their things and scurrying away. Cardin grabbed Ash by the collar of his shirt, "Look here you punk if you're looking for a fight i'll give you one."
Ash resisted the urge to laugh, "Has he forgotten im un-defeated in all spars...that don't include Glynda...stupid witch cheating bi-"
"ARE YOU DENSE?!" Cardin shouted his gang surrounding Ash.
"Huh? Careful you'll leave wrinkles on my shirt." Ash dead-panned, before looking around to see if any teachers were around.
"Wrinkles? You lit-I'LL SHOW YOU WRINKLES!" He yelled winding his fist up.
Ash's eyes lit up orange. Cardin stopped dead cold as he felt a pressure around his neck, looking down he saw a blade pressed against his neck. The rest of team CRDL tried to help but the same exact pressure stopped them in their tracks.
Ash gave a cold stare that made their hearts stop for moment, "If you want to fight i'll take you all on." Ash said while twisting his head around as if he was possessed. As Cardin dropped him he quickly dispersed his weapons and walked by with sly smirk, "And it's always so simple~" he thought getting right back on track, ignoring the looks of awe and fear.
Ash patiently stood in line as students got their bacon, eggs, and other various breakfast items. He silently wondered how long he would go without training with Glynda. Ever since the breach she seemed to be extremely busy. Both her and Ozpin were under fire even though no one got hurt during the incident. Ash pursed his lips, he didn't like what he had heard about Atlas troops being sent here for the festival, "Yeah everyone don't worry, we just need to bring the military in to look in on things!" He thought rolling his eyes, "Yeah that's not suspicious at all."
Ash was so caught in his thoughts that by the time he got to the end of the line and gotten his food he lifted it up with his left arm. A crash stopped everyone. Ash looked down at his food, his left arm shook lightly before settling still again, he cursed internally as he crouched down to clean it up, thanking a fellow student that helped. Ever since he had used his arm at Ember Island his arm had been going in and out of numbness. Besides that there was constant pain beating from his shoulder. He couldn't grip anything without fear of his arm losing its tension and dropping to his side. Before Ash could think of way to fix it he felt a tap on his shoulder, two familiar orbs of silver.
"Good morning grumpy." Ruby said handing him a full tray of food.
Ash smiled, "Good morning rosebud." He said with a smile, "God that was corny." He thought internally cringing.
The two walked to their table together, sitting down before looking at everyone from team RWBY and JNPR. Ruby looked like she was going to say something but Ash lead her face towards his with his hand and planted a soft kiss on her lips. There was silence for a moment before Ash looked away with a blush and Ruby fiddled with her skirt.
"So yeah...were a thing now." Ash said trying to play it off. The table had varying degrees of expressions, Ren seemed indifferent although he had a smile on his face, Nora was...Nora was eating...Jaune gave them both a awkward thumbs up whilst Pyrrah cheered in congratulations. Blake gave an impish smile and handed them a sketch of the two of them, Weiss groaned whilst handing Yang some lien who was cheesing furiously whilst shouting, "PAY UP! PAY UP!"
Ash's eye twitched, "You bet on this?"
Yang laughed, "Of course we did! It was a matter of time! Anyway Jaune, Ren, Pyrrah, you guys owe me money don't you try to run from me!" Yang yelled as the group started to make themselves scarce. Chaos ensued from that point as crashes and yelling erupted from lunch room, Ruby had already joined in the fray and Ash continued eating his food dodging the occasional food, condiment, or...Tree? Yup he just dodged a tree.
"Just another day at Beacon Academy." He thought with snort as some food smashed into his tray. Ash looked down with twitch before letting out a sigh and eating a spoonful of...whatever it was. It was just another day alright.
On the outside of the lunchroom Mercury, Emerald, and Cinder all stood looking at the chaotic food fight. Cinder was focused on her little brother with a small smile, "They grow up so fast..." She sighed.
"You're starting to sound like a old woman the way you're talking." Mercury said offhandedly before Emerald sent a elbow to his ribs. Cinder didn't take offense to the accidental jab, she did talk as if she were older than she was. She let out a sultry laugh, "I suppose you could say that..."
The two looked at Cinder oddly, she only ever got this way when she was near Ash. Emerald looked at Ash who continued eating his food, generating swords to block stray food. Claymores, daggers, spears, lances, it seemed he was changing it up for fun at certain points.
"He's gotten a lot better..." Emerald admitted begrudgingly.
"Heh 3 months ago you kept raving that he was a waste of time but no-" Mercury gloated but was interrupted by Emerald cracking his ribs again.
"Shut. Up. I know it's a hard concept for you Mercury." She said angrily.
"Yeah yeah yeah, so is he ready or do you need to see more?" He said looking at the proficiency Ash was potraying with his semblance. Cinders smirk seemed to widen, "You two didn't see his performance that happened not too long ago did you?"
"His mission with team CFVY? No how could we?" Mercury said in confusion.
Cinder pulled out a scroll and handed it to them, "I had a little birdie keep track of him for me."
Mercury looked at Emerald and shrugged before tapping the screen to start the video. Bright lights flashed on faces as they watched the fight on Ember island. Emerald actually looked in awe, "That was-He did that?" She said in disbelief.
Mercury tried to play off his shock by pushing forward the conversation, "So he's ready then. Phase 3 will start at the tournament then?"
Cinder smiled, "Yes. It's all going to plan."
Ash ducked a strike aimed at his neck, narrowly avoiding Russels slash before jamming a quick head-butt into him. Russel staggered back before his head whipped over, Ash's boot connecting with his head. Dove and Sky both charge in together but Ash quickly split them up by forming and slamming a blade in-between them, jumping onto the handle with his right arm and kicking Sky straight in the face. Dove tried to shoot his gunblade but Ash had pulled the blade out of the ground and cork-screwed around to slash him across the chest. Cardin tried to come in and slam him into the ground but before he could the blade morphed into Rens gun and he felt a spray of bullets push him back. Ash landed but Cardin had weaved around the spray and got up close, Cardin came in fast and tried going for his side. Ash reflexively tried to raise his left arm to block it before internally cursing, feeling the numbness kick in. Cardin's mace was only half a foot away before Ash quickly morphed ember cecilia around his hands before firing the left gauntlet to spin him around a whole three-sixty degrees, dodging the swing and slamming his right fist into his chin. Everyone gasped at the punch that snapped Cardin around and to the ground out cold.
"Winner Ash" Glynda said as the lights filled the room, "The tournament will be very interesting this year with you and Ms. Nikos in top form."
Ash grinned although he was internally panicking at the lack of movement in his arm. Ash left the stage to get alone but felt footsteps land side by side with his own. It was a girl in a Haven uniform, she had short black hair with bangs that came down past her chin. Her green eyes caught his interest, the pupil was different than a regular one. Inside her black pupils were small white crosses. She stared evenly at him, as if measuring his body. It sort of made him uncomfortable.
"Can I help you?" Ash said tentatively.
She gave Ash a once over before smirking, "Pretty flashy finish there don't you think?"
Ash bristled, "Well what can I say? Just chose the right moment to strike..."
She gave him a suspicious stare, "Cut it close, a block with the left would've been a quicker fix don't you think?"
Ash fidgeted, "Well...Seemed too easy."
She smiled, "You can cut the act tough guy, somethings wrong with your arm right?"
"Look I don't kno-"
"Wasn't actually a question. Your arm is fake. And it needs to be fixed." She said shaking her head. Ash stared in shock, "How? Who are you?"
"The name is Haden Magister and as for how it takes one to know one." She said pulling down a finger-less black and white arm-sleeve. Green lines that were much more circular and fluid ran up her arm. Ash stared at her silently for moment before grabbing her by said arm, "Fine you got my attention, but not here."
Haden let out a an awe at the giant room Ash taken them too, it was the training that he and Glynda often used but ever since the breach they hadn't used it since. Ash locked the door behind them and hardened his glare at Haden.
"So how do you know about my arm?" Ash demanded.
Haden looked at innocently her big green eyes amused, "I'll show you mine if you show me yours." she joked. Ash's glare didn't waver and she sighed pulled up her sleeve and removed her finger-less arm glove. Green lines that looked like the fluid roots glowed a light green, Ash stared in awe at the similarity before he felt his bandages pulled off his own arm showing his circuit like lines. Haden clicked her tongue, "Wow the designs so different..." She said tracing the lines with her finger, "Ah heres the problem." She said the white cross on her eyes glowing, "What were you doing with this thing? The connections are all disjointed and severed! Not to mention the lack of maintenance! This isn't a weapon you know, it's your limb, you can't just wave it around like it won't come off." She said inspecting it thoroughly.
Ash was slightly confused, "Maintenance?"
Haden looked at him as if he had a third head, "Seriously? You don't do maintenance on it? Where's the person that made it?"
Ash gave her a odd look and pointed to himself, "Here in the flesh."
"Funny but who actually made it." She said seriously.
Ash sighed, "I'm serious! I created it using my semblance, back when I thought I could just create whatever I saw."
Haden didn't seem convinced and continued to exam the arm clicking her tongue before shaking her head, "I can fix this but i'll need to get some things from my room..."
Ash pulled his arm away, "What are you doing? What is with those eyes? Why are you helping me?" He questioned. Haden's happy smile seemed to widen larger.
"My semblance allows me to see through things, I can see the disconnections in your arm right now." She said the white crosses dissipating. Ash disregarded the second part of the phrase, "Wait...so you could see..." His cheeks slowly started changing red. Haden rolled her eyes, "Oh please just because I can didn't mean I did."
Ash seemed slightly relieved, "So you didn't-"
"That being said I did and I don't think you have anything to be embarrassed about big boy." She said cheekily. Ash turned complete red before he felt his arm being pulled upward again, Haden was clicking her tongue in disapproval, "It's like watching someone drive around in a really nice car and they crash it and won't get it fixed. It's torture." She said rubbing at the places she could see separations.
"Are you that annoyed that I'm not properly taking care of my arm?" He said quizzically. Haden didn't look up from his arm, "My mother was a doctor, she taught me that you should always take care of yourself and others."
"She sounds like a good woman..." Ash mumbled as the girl continued the studying his arm.
"Besides her suicide yeah, she was pretty great." Haden said bluntly, the atmosphere changing one eighty. Ash felt the air come out from his lungs, "What do I even say to that?" he thought trying to mumble an apology. Haden snorted, "Don't get like that. It's annoying. You should know mister *I lost an arm so I made a new one* something tragic probably happened to you too. That's life isn't it?"
The both of them got quiet after that and Ash looked up at the ceiling, it was wide and empty, "Yeah it is. But my girlfriend once said that's why were here. To make it better." He said lightly.
Haden didn't say anything a much smaller and genuine smile on her lips that quickly reverted back to bubbly expression as she quietly examined Ash's mess of an arm. He looked at Haden with a frown, "Do you always to pretend to be that bubbly?"
"Easier than the real thing isn't it?"
"That's just running isn't it?"
Haden stopped and gave him an odd stare, "Not everyone can turn around and see what they've left behind."
Ash paused, "That's fair." as she poked small spots on his arm with a needle, a very focused face on her features, different from her bubbly nature. He let out a amused snort, "You would make a great doctor."
She looked up slightly, "You think?" she said finishing whatever it was she was doing.
Ash took his arm back and stretched it properly, his shoulder pain gone although the numbness came back and forth, "Yeah. I didn't know anyone besides me even had one of these arms."
"That's why it's so easy to pick out honestly. My mother was probably the only person that could make one." Haden said putting away her needles.
"Father?" Ash asked offhandedly.
"Let's not." Haden said placing her hand up and putting up her bubbly front. Ash bandaged his arm back up, "Sorry. You said that you could fix the numbness?"
Haden nodded, "Yeah but i'll have to get some things back from my room, well have to do it soon if you want to be full strength for you first match in the tournament."
"That's at least a week away." Ash said confused.
"The connections keeping that arm together don't just fix overnight. It's organic, it's living. It needs to heal just like all your other body parts." She said shaking her head.
"Sorry that im not synthetic arm savvy." Ash grumbled.
"You should be!" She said puffing her cheeks, "Now I guess well meet here tomorrow, early morning if that works."
Ash clenched and released his fist, "Whenever is fine for me. As long as you fix this." Haden smiled and held out her fake arm with a smile. Ash looked at it before taking it with a smile, "Everyone has a story." He said quietly.
"Everyone." Haden said with soft nod.
Arguing. Nothing but arguing. It was almost a week of yelling. After the breach the environment in Ozpin's office was more than toxic. It was like a quarantine zone. Ozpin rubbed his temples in frustration as he listened to James and Glynda go back and forth at one another.
"So is this your trust? Is this how you show you trust people!" She raved.
"Don't do that to me Glynda. The moment the breach happened there had to be action taken!" James shot back.
"And we took care of it without any trouble!" Glynda argued.
"You weren't expecting it!" he roared.
"And you were!?" She said throwing her hands up.
"ENOUGH!" Ozpin said slamming his cane down, the gears in his office stalled for a moment before readjusting and turning once again. There was a pause as everyone tried to settle in the uncomfortable atmosphere. Ozpin stood up and walked over to his window, "What's done is done. James we already went over that you will be handling security detail, so what is it do you need to talk to me about?"
"It comes to my attention that you've let a rogue student withhold information from you." James said trying to not look Glynda in the eye.
Ozpin didn't turn, "You mean Ash? If you would like his notes I can fetch him for you. He's hardly rogue. A former criminal yes. But rogue? I think not."
James frowned, "He has valuable information. It would be beneficial for me to talk with him about everything he knows."
Ozpin sighed, "If you want to interrogate him just say that instead, I grow tired of word games James."
"Ozpin you can't really-" Glynda protested but Ozpin raised his arm, "He'll be fine if it's just questioning, right James?" Ozpin said with a deadly tone.
"Of course. Nothing more, nothing less." James answered.
"Then i'll signal him now." Ozpin said pulling out his scroll. Glynda let out an exasperated breath, nothing good could come of this.
As Ash walked out of his training room he felt a buzz in his pocket, pulling out his scroll he raised a brow, "Come to his office?" He said aloud, "Did Cardin and his goons go and tell on me?" he thought rolling his yes, "Well this should be fun." he thought closing it and jamming his hands into his pockets. The halls were chattering with excitement as students prepared for the festival, students from all over were mingling, conversing, and flirting. Ash let out a small snort as he watched Coco direct all the groups, RWBY being apart of one, "Figures since they helped plan the dance while we were gone." He thought trying to cruise through, they all seemed busy with what they were doing. The Vytal Festival was an international festival among Huntsmen and Huntresses, where academy students from the four kingdoms of Remnant come together. Various cultures of the world are celebrated during the festival with dances and parades. Ash had actually been to one in a technical sense, "Just like at Vacuo although...a bit more put together." He thought with a sweat-drop at the rather chaotic festival. As he thought on the festival he quickly found himself at the Ozpin's office door, with a quick knock Ash entered the room and instantly felt...awkward.
Ozpin, Glynda, and James all stood in the room and turned to face him at the same time, "That isn't creepy at all." Ash thought sarcastically as James walked towards with, his arms held behind his back. As he got next to Ash and examined him he held out his hand, "Hello my name is James Ironwood, I am a general and headmaster from Atlas. I will be in charge of security of the Vytal festival this year, it is a pleasure to meet you."
Ash stared at James in recognition from the picture Glynda showed him, taking his hand and giving a firm shake, "Yeah so i've heard..." he mumbled, "Nice to meet you." Ash quickly added as to not be rude. James looked at Ozpin and Glynda for a moment before placing a hand on Ash's shoulder, "Now do you know why Ozpin called you here?"
Ash raised his brow, "If this about Cardin and his gang I didn't actually touch them I mean there were lots of swords and I may have threatened to use them but they were being assholes so you can't really hold anything against me you know?" Ash explained crossing his arms and puffing his cheeks.
James looked at Ash oddly, "Um...What?"
Ash glanced at Glynda who seemed to be shaking her head and let out an "Oooh." Ash said before crossing his arms into an x, "Just forget I said that, not important!" Ash said sheepishly, "Well why am I here then?"
James seemed to grow larger, his chest raising up, "He has told me you have information of Torchwick and the White Fang. I would like to know everything you do."
Ash stiffened slightly but his outer facade seemed relatively relaxed, "I don't much honestly. I know Torchwick is working with the White Fang and this guy named Adam but both of them are working for someone else."
James seemed interested, "Do you have a name?"
Ash bit the bottom of his lip, "No sorry. He said it but between having my arm impaled and the pain I was in I didn't exactly catch it."
James seemed to insist, "What about the code you were given? You were decoding it before the breach correct?"
Ash snorted, "Yeah I finished it yesterday. It was a bunch of locations. I couldn't make any sense of it."
"Locations? Where?" The general said with a urgent tone.
Ash looked at Glynda and Ozpin who nodded and he pulled out his scroll, "The guy that left me the code did it in a collection of books left to my name. After going over them and I found a pattern, each letter at the beginning of chapter was apart of a word. I went over them in alphabetical order, biggest to smallest, smallest to biggest, but the pattern I found was the title of the books. The titles first letter spelled out locations, then after putting that in order I found each one. Essentially its just a map of Vale." Ash said running a hand through his hair, "It doesn't make sense. I feel like there's something else but if there is I just can't see it." He said shaking his head.
James looked at Ozpin and then at Glynda an amused look in his eyes, "You're right they're just alike."
Ash could still feel a bit of hostility in the room before pressing a few buttons on his scroll, "Here's all my notes and everything i've learnt, is that all?"
James looked over the files sent and hummed, "Yes. But before you leave I hear you have made quite the name for yourself on your last mission."
"I did what anyone would have done." Ash said with a shrug.
"You did what many couldn't do." He corrected.
"I appreciate the compliment." Ash replied.
"You are a very strong young man Ash." James stated.
"If they've told you anything about me it's that I hate the pronoun game." Ash quipped an impatient frown on his face.
James nodded, "I suppose you are right. Ash I want to know why you became a huntsman."
Ash snorted, "You could just say why did a criminal become a huntsman. Or why would someone affiliated with people like Torchwick have a change of heart."
James stared down at Ash with a straight face, "He certainly doesn't beat around bush"
Ash sighed, "I became a huntsman because I have things I want to protect. That's the only reason I need to give."
Jame's face was unreadable but he gave a small smile and nodded, "Very well. I hope you enjoy the festivities and stay out of trouble."
Ash let out a devious grin, "No promises~" he said shooting a toothy grin to Glynda and Ozpin who smiled that even with the recent events he had kept his playful nature. Ash looked at the three before shrugging, "Things in here are awkward so can I leave?"
Ozpin almost let out a laugh before waving him off, "Yes go help set up the festival."
As Ash turned tail to leave the room he summoned ember cecilia to grab a purple projectile that had almost hit him straight in the head, turning around he pouted, "What was that for!?"
Glynda smirked, "Almost 2 weeks without a session, I thought you had lost your edge."
"What if I had missed?" Ash dead-panned.
"It would have hurt." She replied.
Ash wanted to scowl but that would have given her the pleasure of seeing a reaction instead he did what Ozpin did to annoy her, "That's fine." He said imitating Ozpins voice. Glynda raised her riding crop but Ash had already left the room with a cackle. The room was left with slightly less hostile mood. James looked at Ozpin and shook his head, "Quite the successor." He noted.
Ozpin shook his head, "I have no idea what you're talking about."
Glynda resisted the urge to snort, "Of course." she quietly mumbled going through her scroll and going over the festival events.
Ruby stood in the halls of Beacon surrounded by many people all looking upward, the brackets for the Vytal festival had been posted. There were two sections, singles and teams. Ruby herself entered in both and could see her name on the far right corner on the right side of contestants. There were a lot of participants she couldn't even count how many rounds it would take to make it to the final 16. She saw Pyrrah on the opposite end of her bracket, "So if we make it to the semi-finals well have to fight each-other..." She thought as she looked on the left side of the bracket, Ash was juxtaposed to her position on the board but juxtaposed to Pyrrha was Penny. Remembering what happened at the docks and there incident in the street Ruby pursed her lips, "That's going to be tough..." she thought as she felt a her vision turn to black.
"Guess who." A playful voice questioned. Ruby let out a thoughtful hum, "Hmm lemme think..." Ruby said before disappearing in a flurry of rose petals. Ash suddenly felt his vision turn black, Ruby wrapped her scarf around his eyes in similar fashion. Ash slightly dipped back as her shorter frame tried pulling him downward.
"Guess who." She whispered.
"Cheater." Ash said with a pout, ever since Ruby started getting a handle on her semblance she always used it to interrupt his fun.
"Nope!" She said shaking her head. Ash rolled his eyes before twisting around and wrapping his arms around her. Ruby pouted tightening the scarf around the back of his neck, "You didn't guess right."
"Sorry I meant to say pain in the butt." Ash said haughtily.
Ruby tightened the scarf over his mouth, "Wrong."
"Crater face." Ash dead-panned.
"Wrong. Say it." Ruby commanded.
"Ruby there are people around..." Ash said trying not to look her in the eyes. Ruby pulled on him and Ash was forced to look into her bright silver eyes. Grumbling as he did so Ash looked away again, "My beautiful rose..."
Ruby smiled, "There. Was that so hard?"
Ash lightly butted heads with her, "Shut up. What are you doing staring space cadet over here for."
Ruby grumbled butting her head back, "The brackets are up! I wanted to see who I was fighting."
Ash looked over to the boards and saw the contestants, he let out a whistle, "I have to fight Nora at some point, probably Penny in the end if I make it...and you have to face Pyrrah and...oh"
Ruby gave him an odd stare, "Oh?"
Ash blinked to make sure he was seeing right, before looking at Ruby sheepishly, "Stella."
"Stell-huh?" Ruby said in confusion.
"I worked with her on my last mission..." Ash said blinking, "I didn't think she would be here..."
"She's good?" Ruby asked curiously.
"Yeah..." Ash mumbled as he felt a tug at his clothes, a pair of bright yellow eyes stared right into his.
"What did I tell you about running off?!" A voice yelled. Ash felt a body hide itself behind him as a familiar face filled his vision. Stella pushed past the mass of students with scowl on her face, "Sabin!" She yelled as she tried reaching around Ash.
"Stella?" Ash said with shocked before turning around to see a toothy smile, "And Spark?"
Stella looked up from Ash's side before she blushed slightly and straightened up, "A-Ash! What are you doing here?"
"Oi that's my line..." Ash thought with a twitch, "I live here. More importantly why are you here? And why is Sparky here?" Ash said pulling Sabin up by his his collar. Stella gave him a grateful nod before grabbing Sabin and shooting him a glare.
"Well ever since you left things have been going well and..." Stella sent a glare at Sabin, "Little Spark here really wanted to see you at the tournament."
Sabin gave a sheepish smile, "Hi!"
Ash let out a snort, "Guess that means I have to win then huh?"
Stella gave small smile, "Guess so..."
Ruby looked between the two and looked at Ash with a small smile, "You have fans." she stated with a grin. Stella stopped smiling and looked at Ruby, as if she was analyzing her every single characteristic. Stella looked at Ash and then Ruby, their hands intertwined, she looked at Ruby and let out a hum.
"So you're his girlfriend?" Stella asked although her tone felt a bit...off.
Ruby innocently smiled, "Yeah for a little over a week now."
"You're smaller than I thought you would be..." She noted.
Ruby seemed to internally twitch, "Well some people would call it fun-sized."
Stella shrugged, "Some people."
"Some people like Ash." Ruby said with overly sweet smile.
"I always figured Ash for a buttman." Stella remarked casually.
"W-what?" Ruby stammered.
"Oh nothing..." Stella shrugged, "Something he may have mentioned to me."
Ash looked between Ruby and Stella with a foreboding feeling in the pit of his stomach. This was something that Blue told him about when he was younger. Girls do it all the time. Say things without saying things. Insults without insulting. A hidden conversation behind petty words. Something was wrong here. It felt oddly hostile. He felt Ruby grip his hand. Spark looked at Ash with an expression he could only describe as, "Help."
Yes. Help. That's what both of them needed right now. Something distracting. Something loud. Something that would just stop this whole situation. Ash nervously looked between Stella and Ruby who were both smiling at one another, he could feel Ruby rub up against his side more than usual. He could almost feel the static. Actual static. Ash wasn't sure but he could have sworn that Stella had activated her semblance. Spark mouthed to Ash. "Trouble." and Ash could do nothing but nod with his eyes before a few happy shouts interrupted the potentially deadly encounter between the two huntress.
"Big brother!" A few shouts called out. Ash thanked dust. Kids. They always made things less tense. Perfect. Ash embraced his fellow orphans in a way that had never before, swinging a few around and throwing them over his shoulders. He felt a hand on the top of his head and whined as Trick casually ruffled his hair.
"Hey kid~" He said in his regular attire.
Ash was about to respond before he felt his neck tighten and Blue pulled him into a choke hold, " . ." She said with a growl.
"Painnnnnnn" Ash moaned as his neck tightened, "Don't...put...me...hospital..." He managed to breath out. Stella and Ruby both broke out from their staring contest as the area started to fill up with more people, Blue eyes shot up and she smiled brightly at Ruby, "Oh hey red!"
Ruby looked at Blue with sweat-drop as she watched Ash's head drooped a bit, "H-hiiii Blue."
Blue grinned and looked at Stella beside Ruby before shaking Ash's head a bit, "Oi whose the other girl? You breathing?" She said shaking his body around a bit, his loosely jerking about before slumping down, Trick gently removed her grip around his neck and whispered something in his ear. Ash shot open awake red before almost slicing Trick's head off, being blocked by a simple playing card.
Ash grumbled something about perverse older brothers, Blue glared at Trick, Ruby looked between the two oddly, and Stella rubbed her temples. Ash coughed to compose himself as he felt his legs being tugged about the younger children, "Maybe we should find a better place to talk?"
The older members all watched as Spark and the other children played on the park, Stella smiled as she watched her younger brother enjoy himself. Ash stood beside Blue throwing his hands over his head, "So why are you guys out of Sanctuary?"
"They wanted to see you in the tournament duh." Blue said shaking her head, "They look up to you."
"That's in a week." Ash argued.
"And they wanted to be here for the festival too." Blue said with a sigh, "Honestly it's a hassle staying in a hotel."
"Heh you're spoiling them." Ash laughed leaning against a large tree.
"Like you do every time you see them." Blue said rolling her eyes, "So are we being introduced or...?" She said gesturing to Stella.
"Oh yeah sorry, her name is Stella. We met during my last mission and we worked together." Ash explained and Blue nodded placing her hand to her chin.
"Hope he didn't cause you too much trouble!" Blue said laughing uproariously, throwing an arm around her in a similar way she did to Ruby when she first met. Stella snorted, "Trouble? More like scared the hell out of everyone and almost got himself killed."
Ash felt as if two shots went through his chest as Blue and Stella both shot him simultaneous glares. Mock tears fell down his face as he fell backward in a dramatic fashion, only to be caught by Trick who had a sympathetic look on his face.
"It's okay Ash big brother will always be here for you~" He cooed gently. Ruby snickered from his spot before poking at Ash's cheek, "You do have a tendency to cause trouble wherever you go."
Ash looked up from Tricks chest and pouted, "You're one to talk. I come back and you fight a Atlesian Paladin on the highway and then the breach. You cause just as much trouble as I do!" Ash grumbled.
"I don't end up in hospitals." Ruby dead-panned.
"I didn't try to..." Ash mumbled moodily before Ruby rolled her eyes and planted a soft kiss on his forehead making him slightly perk up before freezing. Ash suddenly felt Trick's presence disappear from underneath him and two blue eyes piercing into his skull. A familiar choke hold gripped his neck and he started gagging, "W-w-wait..." he tried to get out but Blue already had him in her grasp.
"NOTHING INTERESTING HAPPENED HUH?" Blue said choking her surrogate little brother.
"I-W-w-as goin- tell- you." Ash coughed out.
"IM NOT DATING ANYONE BLUE SERIOUSLY!" She recited tightening her grip.
"T-hou-t -yo-knew-ki-ding." He said his eyes rolling to the back of his head.
"YOU PROMISED YOU WEREN'T LIEING!" She yelled.
"D-idn-t wa-nt-m-ke-bi-big-deal." He tried to explain but felt her grip tighten.
"HOW LONG YOU LITTLE SHIT!" Blue interrogated.
"O-ffic-aly?" Ash tried to ask.
"HOW LONG?!" She asked.
"B-it m-more th-an a w-we-k." Ash said as he released.
"All the talks we have on the Phone *Ash so what's going on?* I asked *Oh nothing much.* You say. Not Oh im in the hospital, again. Oh I have a girlfriend now! Not worth mentioning! Oh my arm almost exploded! Didn't anyone else know Ash?" She said planting her arms on her hips.
Ash rubbed his throat, "Trick knew..."
Blue shot a glare at him and Trick mouthed a silent "Traitor" at his younger brother before throwing his hands up in defeat, "He did ask me for advice~"
Blue looked back at Ash now, "And you couldn't ask me?"
Ash grumbled, "You're a girl its embarrassing..."
Blue crossed her arms, "I could have helped you more than this playboy." She said gesturing to Trick who smiled at the name. Blue saw his smirk and twitched, "Yeah. I could have helped just as much."
Ash blushed, "Remember when tried to teach about how babies were made?"
Blue turned red, "T-that was one time."
Ash threw his hands in the air, "I CAN NEVER UNSEE THAT!"
"I SAID SORRY!"
"What is this about?" Stella asked Trick as the two continued yelling, Trick shook his head, "That's best left unsaid~"
"I WAS TEN!"
"I DIDN'T THINK THAT WOULD HAPPEN!"
"I DIDN'T THINK MY SISTER WOULD SOLICIT ME FOR SEX!"
"YOU'RE STILL A VIRGIN ARE'NT YOU?!"
"THAT'S ONLY BECAUSE CINDER FOUND ME!"
"AT LEAST SHE WAS PRETTY!"
"MISSING THE POINT!"
"Does this happen every time?" Ruby asked Trick.
"This particular argument or the yelling?"
"...They argue about this often?" Stella asked.
"Not as much as they argue about the sharks~" He said looking through a small book.
"S-sharks?" Ruby asked.
"Another day~" Trick answered looking up as the continued yelling.
"By the way he said Cinder, who is that?" Ruby asked as Ash started yelling about his childhood being destroyed by crazy woman. Trick snapped his book close and sighed, "Cinder was Ash's real older sister. She disappeared about a year after the incident with Ash's arm..."
"What happened?" Stella asked.
"No one is sure~ We try not to talk about it~" Trick said walking over to Blue and Ash with closed eyes, the two were almost about to yell again before two brief chops silenced them. Trick pulled both of them back and handed them to Stella and Ruby as if he carrying luggage around the airport.
"Could you two take care of them~ Im going to get the children~" Trick said putting his hands in his pockets not waiting for any type of answer. Stella and Ruby both sat silently, it was the first time either of them were *alone* not counting the unconscious people in their laps. Ruby couldn't stand the awkward silence and decided to break it first.
"Nice weather huh?" Ruby said, "Smooth Ruby whole semester at Beacon that's how I start a conversation." She thought internally wailing at herself.
Stella looked at Ruby plainly, "I don't dislike you."
Ruby looked slightly stunned, "Um...what?"
Stella sighed, "If I came off as hostile I apologize."
Ruby blinked and nodded, "Uh no problem...same." She said quietly.
"You just have something that I want." Stella said with a shrug.
"Something you want?" Ruby asked unconsciously gripping Ash. Stella noticed her hand tighten and nodded, "Yup exactly that. No hard feelings."
Ruby eyes narrowed, "He's MY boyfriend."
Stella didn't glare back, "I know. But you see why im not exactly trying to be all buddy-buddy with you."
Ruby lessened her glare and nodded, "As long as were clear."
"Crystal." Stella said with a sigh. Ruby rubbed Ash's head before looking at Stella curiously, "Why do you like him?"
Stella looked at Ruby oddly, "You're his girlfriend, why do you like him?"
Ruby replied almost instantly, "Because he makes me feel special, he's strong, trustworthy, funny, and cute. He finds flaws in himself and tries to change them. He likes me for who I am and I love almost everything about him. Sometimes he's distant and he doesn't like talking about his past but he's always trying."
Stella nodded and closed her eyes, leaning her head back, "Well you said it best. Are you surprised someone else would love all those things too?"
Ruby didn't answer, she didn't need to. The answer was in her own words, who wouldn't want someone that had all those qualities. She gripped Ash tightly, this person she had in her arms was hers.
"I won't let go of you." She thought as Trick returned.
Ruby held Ash's hand as they watched Blue, Trick, Stella, Spark, and the other kids leave to their hotels. The sun slowly set on the long day of preparations, the next would be their first Vytal festival. They both waved and said their goodbyes and Ruby gently leaned against Ash's taller form who let go of her hand and wrapped his arm around her waist. As their friends forms faded in the distance the couple relaxed in a gentle moment of peace that they rarely experienced in the everyday lives. Ruby wordlessly laid her head on Ash's shoulder as he started lightly humming, she wanted to ask him what he was humming but it was so relaxing that she closed her eyes and listened. As the sun met the horizon the humming ended leaving Ruby slightly disappointed, wanting to hear more.
"What was that song?" She asked looking up from his shoulder.
"It was a lullaby my older sister hummed to me." Ash said looking at the sunset, "After I lost my arm I had nightmares so she sang me a lullaby called Ashes of Dreams. She told me our mother named us after the song."
"Blue?" Ruby asked although she was pretty sure she already knew who he was talking about.
Ash shook his head, "No...I had an older sister called Cinder. She always took care of me before..." He trailed off.
"Before?" Ruby asked.
"Before she didn't." Ash said looking down, "She just disappeared one day."
Ruby pulled Ash into a hug and looked at him curiously, "What was she like?"
Ash was quiet before he started smiling, "Incredible."
-Several years ago-
"Can you sing it one more time?" Ash asked quietly.
Cinder gently laid his hand down and covered his eyes with her hand before taking a deep breath.
"Once there were trees full of birds,
Meadow-lands vibrant with flowers;
Carefree the songs our children once sang
Gilding our minutes and hours.
Clouds came and covered the sun,
The breath of the baleful unease
Turning to ashes flowers in their fields,
Silenced the birds in their trees.
Hidden so deep in veils of deceit,
Imprisoned in twisting spells -
Are we the plaything of fiends, or merely the dreams
That we're telling ourselves, telling ourselves?
Strive till the phantoms are broken,
Fight till the battle is done;
The squadrons of night can't conquer the day,
Nor shadows extinguish the sun.
Stories of danger, fearless attack,
Spectres of plague and pain.
All of these ghosts of our own delusions come back;
And we'll be haunted again, haunted again.
For though the storms are over and past,
Tho the thunder's rage is quieted at last
Well this nightmare's laid me down in the rags here to mourn,
Here to mourn.
The night has left us crippled with grief
As we strive to keep alive our belief,
But a loss so great, it clouds all our hopes for the dawn.
Hidden so deep in veils of deceit,
Imprisoned in twisting spells -
Are we the plaything of fiends, or merely the dreams
That we're telling ourselves, telling ourselves?
Stories of danger, fearless attack,
Spectres of plague and pain.
All of these ghosts of our own delusions are back;
Have we been fighting in vain? Fighting in vain?"
Cinder finished the song and let out a deep breath, Ash had already fallen asleep. Cinder giggled, he rarely ever made it through the entire song twice. She gently traced her fingers up the side of his body, flinching as she came to his bandaged chest. Hot tears fell down her face as place her hand into empty space his arm should have been. Cinder brought her hand to cover her eyes as she silently weeped, "I should have never let you be a hero." She thought as she gripped his hand, his body slightly shaking again.
"Never again." She trying to placate the nightmares Ash had as his body convulsed every so often.
-Present-
Ash sat in his room alone. He had walked Ruby back to her dorm and after a few spare words and a kiss goodnight he returned to his dorm. He ran his hand through his hair as he listened to the clicking of clock on his wall. A quiet smash broke the quiet the tranquil silence. Ash looked at the clock he had just smashed with blank face before opening his drawer and pulling out a picture. The picture had many people in it. Blue, Trick, himself, other children, and Cinder. All dressed in black. Ash grit his teeth as he remembered the funeral. That was the last day he ever saw her. Staying intently at the picture Ash dropped his head before dropping it on the ground shattering the frame.
"I don't understand." Ash said to the emptiness of his room, "Why?" He whispered, "Tell me why?" he bit out staring down at photo. He received no reply. He didn't expect a reply. Ash scoffed and turned his back onto his bed and closed his eyes, "I'll never understand." He thought bitterly, leaving the picture on the floor.
