So with a bit of Writer's block this chapter took a while to complete, but nevertheless here it is!
Also random self promotion but, if you guys are familiar with the Metro books or games. I'm making a rwby/metro 2033 crossover. It will be slow going. but yeah if you have the time check it out please. Also its technically a Metro Last Light crossover but unfortunately fan fiction doesn't have last light as an option to choose from so yeah. only Metro 2033.
Also also! I'm finally gonna be getting back into classes this next week so that might slow up my writing... or I may ignore school and write all the time... only time will tell XD...
Also Also also! Enjoy!
Both individuals stared each other down. The only sound to interrupt the silence was that of some unknown bird singing away the chilly morning.
"I don't know anything." Ruby finally stated bluntly, in as neutral expression as she could muster. Her slower breathing and stance however betraying her attempts at concealing her emotions.
Vincent still had not made any move to indicate any attack on his end. In fact Vincent had not even gotten into a defensive stance either. He simply stood as straight as he could without a worry in the world. Only showing of the slightest of scowls at Ruby.
"That's a lie!" Vincent stated loudly.
"What makes you think I know anything?" Ruby hissed back.
Vincent did not answer immediately. Keeping his eyes trained on the reaper. Taking note of every breath her body took, the exact distance between them both, the slightest of twitches in Ruby's fingers as they closed in on the trigger of her scythe.
"I was just wondering if perhaps you might have seen any strange Grimm activity… something that perhaps the guards might have missed."
"I don't know anything." Ruby repeated. Her voice now showing hints of irritation and anger.
"After all, you have been out here killing Grimm for these past few weeks, am I correct?" Vincent's tone bordering on sarcasm and legitimacy. Which only aided in confusing the young ex-huntress in training. Does he know or doesn't he?
Vincent took a single step closer to Ruby. Only to have the known murder tense up even further in response. He took a second step further. With another step he'll be in range of Crescent Rose. Ruby thought, further tightening her grip, and loosening her legs.
She would need to strike hard if Vincent's rather calm demeanor was anything to go by. At the same time, Being mobile would be sure to help get her out of a bad situation. She could run. Her semblance should be enough for that in any case. But then that would mean having to abandon the idea of returning to the village, as Vincent would no doubt spend a considerable amount of time trying to hunt her down. This was going to be a tough call.
It took about a minute of them simply reading each others body language. However what happened in the next few seconds baffled Ruby for a solid 2 minutes. Vincent took another step forward. Ruby swung on instinct at the large faunas in front of her with a sideways swing with the intent of cleaving her opponent in half.
Vincent matched her speed as he ducked under the scythe. Moving both his hands in perfect synchronization, he used one to grab onto the scythe handle in between Ruby's hand above his head, and the other to grab at one of Ruby's lower Ribs. His hands not piercing through skin thanks only to Ruby's aura flaring by pure instinct. He pulled the girl's rib towards him. Ruby tried to respond to this pull by raising her knee to meet with Vincent's head. Vincent merely adjusted his head slightly to the left dodging the kick by a few centimeters. He then opened his mouth wide revealing clean white teeth and several pointed fangs.
Biting down on Ruby's thigh, he imbued himself in a yellow colored aura to enhance his bite drew several trickles of blood and then lifted the reaper using all of his three holds on the girl's now weakened combat stance. Vincent then proceeded to slam her down hard. The snow lifting slightly as it somewhat cushioned the fall, but still made the smaller girl lose her breath in a gasp. Not missing a beat, Vincent then pulled on the scythe's handle, kicking Ruby's hands off. As Vincent stood up he placed the scythe's blade to Ruby's neck.
Imbuing aura into her hands, she reached for the blade to push it away from her neck and give her a small amount of moving space. Being somewhat successful, she activated her semblance in order to quickly get up and away. Ruby then used that same momentum to yank back her scythe. Once she stood up and placed both her hands on the handle of her scythe, she thought she was ready to move on, only to find that Crescent Rose was burning! Even the black portions seemed to glow a slight red as a sizzle is heard.
What the… what happened!? Ruby looked down at her hands. They were a charred black as skin flakes began to fall off. She dropped her scythe as the cold embrace of snow managed to cool her weapon down, ultimately saving it. Vapour came off the sides of Crescent Rose. Any other person might have cried out in pain, but not Ruby. Her face only showed anger at her own inability to kill this man. And the fact that if she tried to grab her weapon right now she would only be further hurting herself.
This only further intrigued Vincent. His eyes showing a confused look at the obviously hurt reaper, and her resilience to pain. This look however did not stay plastered on his face for long. As Ruby charged wildly at the Lion faunus intent on tackling the taller man to the ground. Perhaps if Ruby got him on the ground she could have an advantage. Despite her burns, she curled her hands into fists and aimed it to his face. He dodged, then countered with a flurry of jabs at Ruby's midsection. Ruby managed to block several hits before he began adding in light kicks as well. Destabilizing her once more before a jab to her temporal lobe knocked her back down.
"I would prefer if… we did not fight." Vincent stated calmly. "However, if you absolutely cannot control yourself, than I'm afraid I will have to kill you, and I would rather hope to avoid that." He then added. "At least, for now." For now? Better make a note of that, wait!, He said he did want something from me.
"So what do you want?" Ruby asked.
"I want to offer you a job." Vincent paused as he considered how Ruby might react to his next few words. "Within the village."
Ruby's eyes widened. Vincent slowly backed off from the reaper as she lifted herself of the ground.
"This job however won't be… legal." he continued "I'm going to get straight to the point. I need you to work with your friend, Mark, and for the sake of this village. We need… we need Connor taken out. Mark does not know about this and will never know about your intentions. He already has his reasons for coming here and has his own job to do. As such you are not to tell him about Connors hit. You are only to help one another get yourselves in a position to complete your jobs."
"Why Connor?"
"He is the one being pulled around and used like a puppet. Without a puppet, the puppet master can't put on his show." He reasoned. "It will force his influence out of hiding in order to either find another replacement, or work on this himself. Also, based on your history, I figure you might enjoy taking this life. So you can have some fun."
Really! I can go all out? Ruby could almost start to feel her stomach grumble, her mouth water, her throat almost tingling as though she were now feeding. "And, I won't get into trouble for it?"
"We'll… deal with it later when the time comes." He stated half heartedly. As if though he did not even believe it himself. This response did not give Ruby much assurance. As was shown with her still being in a slightly widened stance incase Vincent went on some surprise offensive. However this did not mean the offer was not worth considering.
On the one hand, this entire meeting could have been a setup. And is meant to put Ruby in a position that will hinder her ability to attain any kind of redemption. Or it might just be what Ruby needs in order to attain said redemption. This entire ordeal that she has had to suffer through since the attack on that damn Bunny faunus that simply refused to die. It isn't fair! But… maybe this will be it. A crooked smile now appeared on the psychotic reaper. Her eyes shifted to meet Vincent's.
"Alright, I'll do it." She stated. Lowering her guard stance. wise however keeping her aura active and glowing. A red tint surrounding the young women's body. Standing up straight to face vincent she asked "When would the best time to kill Connor be? And where?" Dropping all pretense of hiding her identity.
"Hmph, follow me. Let's go for a short walk." He then placed his left hand into his ear to press a button on the hidden earpiece. "Everyone, head back to the village, alert the guards on the wall, I'll be walking the perimeter with our human friend." Mentioning "friend" in a rather elevated tone.
As such they began their walk, not taking to long to reach the wall. They began to skim along the wooden defensive architecture.
"I can't exactly tell you to kill him in a certain matter, because honestly, I don't think you'll even listen." he started. Ruby silently agreeing with the statement. After all, who knows what she may be capable of ones she goes into a frenzy. "But I can tell you where he will be in two weeks time."
"And where would that be?"
"The council holds regular meetings every month. The next one is scheduled in two weeks on Friday."
"Can I get him any sooner?" Ruby whined
"No!" Vincent nearly shouted. Catching Ruby off guard from the suddenly elevated voice. "I need some time. After all I did say the council was split didn't I?"
Ruby nodded.
"Well I meant that. But I don't think the others are too far gone.
Ruby looked up to the sky . The scythe still in her hand after having gotten the weapon from the cold ground. It now only had a warm feel to it. Still she did not want to risk putting it away completely only compromising with herself to keep it folded and in her hands, As they walked, a black bird cawed as it passed over the two hikers.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean to say that they are simply… misguided."
"Your giving the others a chance, but not Connor?"
"Yes."
The response did not sit well with Ruby. Could senseless killing really help me get my life back?
"Why?"
"Why what?"
Ruby rethought that same question. No… I don't need to know why, I just need to take control.
"When this is over, will I be allowed to stay in the village?" Ruby asked. "Without having to hide I mean."
Vincent thought about the request, but ultimately consented. After all why say no if it could hinder the cooperation from a murderous psychopathic girl. "You may have to change your name permanently. 'Ruby Rose' is infamous across Vale. And no doubt you've at least been mentioned outside the kingdom as well."
Ruby agreed silently, she'd miss her name, but if the past few months have proven anything, it was that she could adapt to another. She had already established an alias around New Haven, had met a few of the villagers. Perhaps with some patience she could truly start a new life here. Assuming Vincent won't change his mind later that is. And no random person from my past looks for me in search of trouble. Honestly though, the reaper herself couldn't be sure if she wouldn't go around looking for trouble herself.
"Ok… I'll do it. Just keep up your end!" Ruby stated as she stopped walking, turning her head to the bigger man beside her.
"Hmph." He kept on walking before motioning to Ruby to keep following. Many more details still had to be discussed. This might work out for everyone in the end. Thought Vincent.
Several thousands of kilometers away at Beacon.
It has now been a full week since the attack by the White fang. Most people have gotten to calling the attack on military installation Vamen as 'The Start'. This was largely due to the media and press's sudden promotion of the event in terms of referring to it as the first direct attack on a military target since the end of the human faunus war over a century ago, marking an end to the established time of peace since then. Many people worldwide have been holding their breath as they watch events unfold. In addition, Several human supremacists groups have turned their efforts against faunus peace demonstrations in Mistral to much more violent actions. Some of them being bold enough to actively recruit out in the open.
"Turn that off!" hissed a clearly irritated voice.
A hand moved towards the remote. Clicking on the power button the monitor powered down.
"Bad enough situations we have to deal with, without the White Fang getting involved and giving those kind of people fuel for their fire."
"Yeah, I can't stand creeps like that!" Affirmed Yang in support of her feline lover.
"When do you guys think the restriction on air travel will be lifted?" asked Alys, currently sitting on Weiss's bed, beside said owner of the bed.
"I don't know."
"I should have known they would do this." Stated the feline huntress. "I should have been able to stop it."
"Hey! Don't beat yourself up over it. What happened, happened. Focusing on what we could have done differently won't change that. Best to look to the future."
"Future, huh? Have you thought about ours, about our dream?" Blake rebutted, worry evident in her tone.
"Listen, we will get to Ruby, just as soon as we can fly out of here." said a consoling Yang.
"Ruby?" Weiss questioned.
"Oh… right, I guess we forgot to mention it to you." Yang acknowledged.
"To be fair, you're going through what amounts to a war scene is probably a good enough excuse for us to forget about what we learned about Ruby for few days." Blake defended.
"Hmph." Weiss had not forgotten about Ruby. If anything, realizing that Penny had reason to believe that Ruby was a changed person since they had first met only further motivated her to acknowledge the possibility of rehabilitation for the young reaper. "So what did you learn?"
Yang grinned widely. "Not much really, just where she may be?"
"How did you find out?" Asked the kickboxing doe faunas.
"Well Team JNPR told me, and Blake was told by one of the benefactor dudes that are funding the village." Yang then leaned closer to Weiss's ear to whisper. "Just try not to mention it too much. Blake is still a little miffed that JNPR only came to me."
Blake's bow visible twitched. Yang grimaced in disappointment knowing she wasn't quite subtle enough, before resuming her more Yang-like demeanor.
"So, she is at that secret village?" concluded Weiss, willfully ignoring the antics on display by Bumblebee.
Blake nodded in affirmation.
The BY of Team RWBY let Weiss and Alys take in the situation. Until Alys broke the silence. "If it makes you feel any better, I would just like to say that I don't think Ruby's reasons for going there would be to cause any trouble."
Blake simply nodded halfheartedly as Yang stroked her back. Suddenly a knock is heard on the RWBY door.
"I'll get it." Blake went to the door to open it, revealing Nora popping her head in, team JNPR behind her.
"Blake! Just the person we wanted to see!"
"Huh?" was all she managed to get out before Nora thrust her arms to Blake's shoulders. With surprising strength she nearly lifted Blake up before pulling her across the door down the hall. The rest of Team JNPR in tow directly behind.
Yang simply giggled slightly as Weiss and Alys stood in shock at the sudden abduction of their Teammate, friend, or girlfriend.
"What was that?" asked Weiss.
"I asked Team JNPR to run interference."
"For what?"
With that simple two word question Yang took a deep breath before her expression hardened. Putting both of the heiress and faunas at a feeling of unease.
"I'm sneaking out of Beacon to find Ruby, The longer we wait, the more damage that she might do." She stated rather sadly.
"But I thought all flights were still restricted to mostly military operations?"
"The air isn't the only way to travel, Alys."
"But it is the fastest." she rebuked.
"Ok so you're leaving Beacon, but why not tell Blake?" Interrupted Weiss.
"Because I still love Ruby. Family bonds don't just break after a family member makes a few mistakes, you know? Blake doesn't share that kind of sentiment with me. And well I love Blake too. I don't want to put her in danger, in case Ruby… you know, isn't happy to see us." She finished sadly.
"It took all of us to get her last time." Weiss retorted before she noted Alys's distraught face. Still she had to continue despite her displeasure at witnessing her girlfriends discomfort. "If Ruby is not happy, you can't seriously think you can take her on by yourself."
"No, I don't think it would be that easy either. That's why I'm taking Team JNPR with me."
"The entire team?"
"Well ok, I honestly was just going to bring Ren and Pyrrha, but Nora being well… Nora found out and immediately said she wanted a rematch."
"Rematch?" Asked Alys.
"Long story… and I don't know for how long Team JNPR will hold Blake's attention. Anyways, so she found out. They said they would help."
"What about Jaune?"
"Worried for him, Snow Angel?" Yang teased.
"As if! I was just asking." A slight blush appearing over the heiress's pale cheeks. Eliciting a giggle from the Schnee heiress girlfriend.
"Nah Jaune-y is going to stay behind. Once Blake finds out I'm gone, she's gonna follow. That's where our white knight is gonna come in. He is gonna sabotage Blake's attempts at leaving, for as long as he can."
"Why not ask me or Alys!" We are your teammates too you dolt. We promised to have each others backs."
"I know, which is why I'm asking you to help Jaune keep Blake here. Jaune is a lucky guy to say the least, but there is only so much that luck will do for him. He is gonna need your smarts Weiss Queen. And based on what I heard." Yang turned her attention to the faunas sitting next to Weiss "Alys, you are a beast!" She complemented before quickly understanding the double meaning and adding "No Offense."
"None taken." She responded with a smile.
"I hope that one day when this is all over I can get a chance to spar with you that would be sooo epic!"
Now it was Alys's turn to blush slightly as she uttered "Uh… uh yeah, me too."
"You know, in-case Blake gets a bit more… rowdy, I was wondering if perhaps you can give Weiss and Jaune a helping hand. Just try not to go too hard on her. Otherwise I may have to charge you guys for a brand new Blake."
Both the girls took several seconds to now let the request sink in. Both looked at each other before nodding at Yang. Bringing a big genuine smile to her face. "Ooh! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!, you have no idea how much this mea…!" nearly shouting it with glee before being interrupted.
"Yang!"
"Yes?"
"Remember what we said after the incident with that Torchwick ne'er-do-well at the docks, about not having any secrets."
Yang nodded cautiously. Her lilac eyes pointed downward at the floor as her fists tensed.
"Well I don't think it's right for us to not include Blake." Weiss sternly remarked. "But I understand why you don't want her to confront Ruby yet, so I won't tell her. However in keeping with this promise we made for team… RWBY I feel you should know that Alys and I are also looking into figuring out what's wrong with Ruby."
"Really?"
"Yes, we're looking into some piece of evidence that was overlooked when Ruby was sentenced."
"Yeah, and what would that be?"
"Security footage was overlooked and probably not analyzed fully enough, due to the rest of the overwhelming evidence against Ruby. I still believe myself that Ruby did in fact do the actions she did however what was never resolved was motive. And well maybe if we can figure out what tipped her over the edge we can help her still."
"What makes you think you might find something that the investigators for Ruby's case did not find?"
"I just told you Yang, they were looking into 'what' happened not the 'why' it happened."
"How will you get into that security footage. It's probably been stored away in locked up records."
"Penny"
"Pennies? What's that ancient form of money gonna do for us now?"
"Not the currency you bimbo!"
"Hey!"
"I mean, Penny, the girl that helped out Ruby and Blake down at the docks."
"Ohhh, her…"
"Yes, she is a ro- she has a really good eye. If anyone can find something crucial it's probably her. We just need her help." Weiss explained.
"After 'The Start' since Weiss was exhausted, Penny let me know that she was being recalled to Atlas for debriefing. However, she also told me that she was going to find a way to come back to Vale within the next few days, to meet with us here at Beacon." Continued Alys.
Yang looked out to the window then walked to it. She could see several students out in the campus courtyard. Walking, talking, and for a few of them getting into various shenanigans. Briefly reminding her of the many good times team RWBY had when all of them were still together.
"Ok. Damn, I'd really like to stay here with you guys, with what you're doing. It's got my curiosity peaked." Yang stated with a grin. "But I have to find her."
Weiss nodded "Good Luck, we'll keep Blake in line"
"Thanks. I'm leaving in two da-"
Just then Blake bursts in through the door, locking it tight behind her. Her face completely red as her hand slowly came off the door handle, slowly turning to her surprised teammates and friends.
"Don't ask!" She hissed at them all.
"Don't tell!" giggled the rather bodacious blonde.
"Yang! Are you behind this!?"
"I'm not telling!"
"Why!" Blake spouted angrily before jumping Yang. They fell to the ground grappling with each other. As Weiss and Alys simply smiled warmly at the the two energetic girls. the heiress and doe faunas holding hands.
"And that's it?"
"Yes."
"Ok, Mark and I will get it done" Ruby stated with a smirk.
"Come with me, I should at least guide you in to meet with your partner."
Ruby and Vincent had at this point walked from one village entryway to another. As the two approached, they were noticed by the guards on the wall. They motioned for others to operate the gate mechanism. Slowly the gate parted ways with a light rumble. Revealing several village buildings inside and even a few trucks. Probably how the guards moved from the wall to the center of the village in between shifts.
"Put on your hood and stick close to me. Place your arm around my neck and act like you are hurt." Vincent crouched down slightly in order to allow the reaper to hunch over on the taller lion faunus. He as well reached over to Ruby in order to give the appearance of supporting the younger 'injured' girl.
A few of the guards then began to surround the two lifting their rifles and taking aim at the red cloaked reaper. Perhaps suspecting some type of attack or simply being extra cautious. Either way one of them asked the question all the guards had in mind.
"Sir, where is she going?"
"Don't worry son, I'm just escorting our friend here to a doctor. An Ursa took us by surprise just a while ago. She took a hit meant for me, least I can do is get her patched up." The rather grisly appearance of Ruby only further helping corroborate his story.
This did not sit right with the guards however as another then asked "Sir, with all do respect, why not simply have the doctor come out here?"
"It would take too long. I fear her injuries are too severe. We have to get her to a doctor as soon as possible before it's too late. Speaking of which, I will be taking one of your trucks. It will be faster that way." The girl beside him issuing a weak sounding moan to support his tale of her gruesome injury. Ruby already looked the part, with her torn and bloodied cloak.
"Very well, but we can help escort the girl with you."
"No need, in her injured state she is hardly a threat, and as soon as the doc is done with her I'll bring her back outside."
The men around the two individuals stared them down dubiously for several seconds before the faunus that seemed in charge of that entrance, a fox faunus like Rowan, but much more gruff looking stepped up. He lowered his weapon then motioned for the rest to do the same. "If you need any help just call for it sir."
"Thank you for your understanding." Vincent led Ruby to the nearest truck and had her lay down on the bed of the truck. Before he himself climbed on to the driver's seat in the front. Turning on the ignition, he began driving towards the village as Ruby laid down and silently stared at the rather greyish sky above pass her by.
The fox guard at the gate kept his eyes trained on the truck until it made an eventual turn around a building and out of sight. He looked over his fellow guardsmen. Then spared a glance at the woods outside the village. "Alright, close it down, and Simmons, call Connie. Tell her I need a break, Imma cut out for the rest of the day and probably the rest of the weekend."
"Sir?" replied the guard on the top of the wall referred to as Simmons. "Everything alright?"
"I hope so. I just want to go home. I haven't seen my kid all week you know."
"Yeah alright, tell Damo I said hey."
"Will do." The fox faunus then walked to the small makeshift barracks that all village gates had for their guards. A quick nap, then a trip home was in order.
Well that's it for this one. Cya next chapter and don't forget to leave some kind of review XD. comments, questions, suggestions all are welcome. Tanks for the editing SpilledMilk17. It should arrive in the mail by next week. Follows are also appreciated :)
ps. If you guys want to know what team JNPR wanted with Blake just ask and who knows I might try my hand at something a bit more comedic. I have a few ideas at what could have happened.