A/N: Hey! Sorry for super long delay again! School was out, but work was also keeping me occupied. And also because it is summer vacation, spending a lot of times outdoors. I won't be super fast with the updates. Truthfully, work has been keeping me busy, despite having a repeating work schedule, and also life. Those two, plus also starting up fall semester on September 1st. Gotta work hard if I plan to be a comic illustrator in the future. ^^ Anyway...FINALLY...here is the next chapter to Ruby Shield. Thank you to those for your patience, and thank you to those that have favorited and followed this story in between the wait. Hope you enjoy this one!

Erik, Charles and Moira were on their way back to the base. Emma Frost was on her way to a holding cell at headquarters. Erik couldn't sit still. He kept shifting in his seat, worried about Ruby. He couldn't believe he didn't see it sooner. If he had known, he would have taken Ruby with them to Russia. Instead, Shaw was able to get to her. And he let him.

When they arrived, the entire base was in rubble. Erik took in the sight before his eyes. Once the car came to a stop, he bolted out fast.

"Raven!"

Charles called out to her, and was relieved to see her there and unharmed. Erik looked behind her and saw Ruby laying on the bench, unconscious. He rushed over to her, and knelt down.

"Ruby..."

"He was here, Charles," Raven explained. "He tried to have us join him. Angel did, and he killed Darwin. And Ruby...Ruby did something I have never seen her do before."

"What do you mean?" asked Erik.

"Well, it seems Ruby may have unlocked a new power," Raven continued. "It was like she sent a shield at Shaw. That she projected it and sent it at him like an attack. It triggered when she saw him, and I think a lot of it was pain and anger."

Raven took a deep breath as the death of a friend and fellow mutant was still fresh in her mind. She looked over to Ruby, then back to Charles.

"She also protected us when Havok tried to stop Shaw. Ruby kept the shield up for a while. I think that, plus her new unlocked power, took a toll on her. That is why she is unconscious. She's been like that since last night. Hank helped carry her out here while we waited for you and Erik to return."

"Ruby...I'm so sorry," Erik whispered, rubbing her head. "I never should have left your side. I should have let you come with me to Russia."

"We had no idea Shaw would have come here, Erik," Charles said, trying to reassure him. "What matters now is that she is safe, and not with Shaw."

Erik held Ruby's hand tightly in his. Charles was right. What mattered is that Ruby is safe and here in front of him, and not with Shaw. But, he couldn't help but feel guilty for leaving her when Shaw was a few feet away from her. He wouldn't forgive himself if Shaw took her.

"We've made arragements for you to be taken home immediately," said Charles.

"We're not going home," Sean said. "And Alex is not going back to prison."

"They killed Darwin," said Alex.

"All the more reason for you to leave," Charles argued. "This is over."

"Darwin's dead, Charles," said Raven. "And we can't even bury him."

"We can avenge him," said Erik as he stood up.

Charles motioned for Erik, and they stepped away from them.

"They're just kids," Charles argued. "What about Ruby?"

"They were kids. Shaw has his army, and we need ours," Erik argued back. "And it was a mistake for me to leave Ruby behind. But she also deserves this. I'm not stopping her, but I'm not gonna leave her side again."

Charles thought about it, but he knew Erik was right. The humans stood no chance against Shaw. They are the only ones that can stop him, and stand a chance against Shaw and his mutants.

"We'll have to train," Charles said, looking at the others. "All of us. Yes?"

"Yeah."

"We can't stay here," said Hank. "Even if they re-opened the department, it's not safe. We've got nowhere to go."

"Yes, we do. Gather your things. We'll leave within the hour."

"I'll gather Ruby's things," said Moira as she looked at Erik. "I can gather your stuff if you want."

"Thank you, Moira."

"I'll help you," said Charles.

Erik stayed with Ruby outside while everyone else went back in to gather their things. He knelt beside her, and softly kissed her hand. He rubbed her head, thinking about what happened while he and Charles were in Russia. He was even more curious about Ruby's new power. He only knew of her shield, but this new power intrigued him. Perhaps with training, she'll be able to master it, along with her shield, and also increase her stamina. He remembered how much just creating a shield drained her.

His thoughts were interrupted when he felt her hand move. He looked up, and saw her waking up. He smiled softly when her eyes fell upon him, and she smiled back. He helped her sit up, and took a seat next to her.

"You're back," Ruby said.

"I said I would," Erik replied. "Ruby...I'm so sorry I didn't bring you. I should have, and Shaw wouldn't know where you are."

"Erik...neither one of us had any idea that Shaw would show up here," Ruby argued. "I'm just glad he didn't get you."

"And I'm glad he didn't take you either. Raven told us what happened. Ruby, you've unlocked a new power."

Ruby didn't say anything. She nodded her head, and let out a small sigh.

"Yeah. It happened so fast, and it took me by surprise. I was surprised when it happened."

"I'm surprised as well. To think that you had a power still locked inside you. And it was triggered when you saw Shaw?"

"Yeah. It was. Probably a lot of anger and hate for the man. You understand...what he did to us all those years ago."

"I do, Ruby. I know very well," Erik said, softly kissing her forehead. "In time, you'll have control and mastery over this new power of yours. And I'll be there to help you."

"I know, Erik. I know."

Ruby smiled softly, and placed a soft kiss on his cheek. She knew Erik is willing to help her train, and she is thankful to have him at her side again. With a new power, she also had to increase her stamina if she were to last in a fight, let alone a war. A war against mutants. That alone she had to increase her stamina. She had to if she also wants to protect Erik.

Moira walked out with Ruby's suitcase in hand. When she saw Ruby awake, she dropped the suitcase and hugged her. Ruby smiled and hugged Moira back.

"I'm so glad you're okay," Moira said. "I'm so sorry, Ruby."

"It's okay, Moira. I'm glad you're okay too. What happened in Russia?"

"Aside from Erik causing chaos with Russian soldiers and barbed wires...One of Shaw's mutants is in custody, and according to Charles, this war is worse than we imagined.

"What do you mean?"

"Shaw wants to start World War III with nuclear warfare," Erik explained. "He wants mutants to rule the world, with him as the leader."

"What? Then what are we doing?" Ruby asked.

"We are going to a place where we can train together."

Ruby turned around and saw Charles come out with everyone else. All of them had their stuff in hand, ready to leave.

"Then what are we waiting for?" Ruby said, standing up. "Let's get going."

The trip to Charles's home was a long one. But, to see their new home was a big shock for everyone. They weren't expecting a mansion. Charles and Raven lived here, and now they were going to train here.

"This is yours?" asked Banshee.

"No...It's ours."

"Honestly, Charles. I don't know how you survived," Erik said sarcastically. "Living in such hardship."

"Well, it was a hardship softened by me," said Raven as Charles softly kissed the side of her head. "Come on. Time for the tour."

The house was big indeed. There were so many bedrooms, and just the landscape was breathtaking. Ruby was overwhelmed once the entire grounds was covered. The place was huge. They had more than enough rooms to spare, and Raven helped pick out a room for Ruby and Erik to share. Charles didn't say anything. He just simply smiled.

"All right. Rest up everyone. We start training tomorrow," Charles said.

"If we're starting training tomorrow, let's do something fun tonight," said Banshee.

"It would help relax our minds for a while until then," said Hank.

"That sounds like a good idea," said Charles. "Moira, would you like to join us?"

"Sure. I'd be delighted."

"Sweet! I'll pick a movie then!" Banshee said excitedly.

"Alright. Dinner is at six, and then movie time," said Raven.

Everyone agreed, and went on to their rooms to get settled in. When Ruby and Erik entered their room, Ruby placed her bag on the bed, and Erik shut the door. He then spun Ruby around, and kissed her once more. Ruby was taken by surprised, but she kissed him back, wrapping her arms around him. When they pulled apart, they were both out of breath.

"Sorry...but I've been wanting to do that since I got back from Russia," Erik said. "I was so relieved to see you there and not taken from me again."

"Same to you, Erik. I'm glad you're okay."

Erik kissed her once more before hugging her tightly against him. His feelings for her grew stronger by the moment, and he would be traning to get stronger so he can protect her. And Ruby was thinking the same thing. For many years, she spent her life wondering what she was going to do. She had no reason to use her powers during that time apart from Erik. And now, she has her reason: To protect the man she loves.