A/N: Sorry it's been a long while since I last updated this story. College just started up again, and I'm doing my very best to finish this AU up. I have two more chapters planned after this and an epilogue. After this story, I'll work on the Adopt AU (AKA Plush and Ribbon) which i'm very excited about. I have a lot planned for that AU and I can't wait to start that back up.

I would have finished this a lot sooner, but the recent news of Monty's passing hit me really hard. Hard enough for me to cry all day on Monday. I wasn't in the exact mood to work on this story, but I did my best to finish it for you guys, and to do something creative for Monty. I'm feeling a lot better now and decided to work and attempt to finish this AU as soon as I can.

So here you go. I hope you like it. R&R, if you wish.


Chapter 9

Ruby awoke at around five in the morning to the sound of Bumblebee revving. She went downstairs and out the front door to find Blake turning the motorcycle off. Probably maintaining it as Blake always did before she and Ruby would have to travel far away again. Blake wiped her hands with a dirty, oil-stained cloth she kept around. Her face was dirty and the clothes she wore were twice as much. Ruby, smiling, went back into the house to get the hat Weiss had given her on the first night they arrived. She went back out to meet Blake.

"Mornin' Blake." Ruby greeted her. Blake turned to the younger girl behind her.

"Good morning." Blake noticed Ruby's hat. "I saw that hat a couple days ago and wondered who's it was. So it was yours?"

"Yeah. I met an old friend of mine and she gave it to me to hide from the Schnees." Said an embarrassed Ruby, holding onto the hat.

Blake laughed under her breath "If I didn't know any better, I'd think you went to see Weiss. Only she can make you act like this."

Ruby chuckled along with Blake "Yeah, right…"

Blake went silent and leaned herself against the motorcycle's seat. She looked at Ruby "Ruby, you know what I'm about to say right? You woke up because of it, didn't you?"

Ruby's expression became somber. She sighed, lowering her hands to her sides "King Schnee is back in town. You want us to get going, huh?"

Blake remained silent and looked at her home "You know the routine so well."

Ruby stood by Blake, looking at the house that gave her shelter the last two days "We don't have to go, you know."

"That's not an option Ruby" Blake looked at the girl next to her.

"Why not? The Schnees have us wherever we go. You know that as well as I do. You're saying all we can do is run. Run and never come back." Ruby looked at Blake. "Blake, you're a great markswoman now. A beautiful guardian. But I don't need you looking out for me anymore. It's time we fought back and protect this city. I'm not about to abandon my people again."

Silence. Blake took a moment to look at the girl questioning her. Ruby had a stern look. "Damn, I can't change your mind about this, huh?" Blake sighed. Ruby shook her head and Blake looked at her home one more time. She started to recall memories of the happier times: The time when she first met the Rose princesses, the time when she fell in love with one of them, and even the fun times with Weiss and how the four of them did practically everything together.

This city –Rose City– was her home as much as it was Ruby's and she was always running from it. Rose Manor was the happiest place for her. Yang was there. King and Queen Rose were there. Even Ruby and Weiss were there. Although she had Adam and the house before her, Rose Manor was her second home. Although she always ran, deep down, she wanted to return and protect it. When she thought about them, she chuckled a bit.

"Blake, you alright?" Ruby heard her laughing.

Blake rubbed Ruby's head "Sorry I was always making you run Ruby." Blake looked to Rose Manor with an angered look on her face. "This is my home, and my parents died protecting it. Protecting Adam and me. I've been running away from it and taking you with me. I'm so sorry." Blake looked at the rose princess before her. "The best I could do now is avenge your parents by taking King Schnees' head."

Ruby smiled and rallied Blake up "That a girl."

Blake walked to the door of her house. She seemed angered "And while I'm at it, I'll avenge Yang too."

Ruby was taken back a bit. Blake still didn't know that Yang was still alive. And that the night before, Blake had given up her search for her. Ruby followed Blake inside the house. Blake was in the kitchen, making a cup of tea. Ruby took a breath before approaching her, Alright, let's get her talking.

Ruby sat at the small, round table as Blake gave her a cup of her favorite tea "Blake?"

"Hm?"

"Say that Yang were still alive." Blake was taken back by Ruby's statement "What would you do if you found her?" Blake remained silent. Ruby, before, never had the courage to bring up Yang because it caused Blake to react a certain way. A way Ruby didn't like. "What if I were to tell you, Yang is out there. Fighting to protect Rose City?"

Blake shook her head and looked at Ruby "If she were alive still, I'd be really mad."

"Why would you be mad? She's your girlfriend."

"She's always trying to protect me. Ever since we met it's been 'Blake, watch out." Or "Blake, are you okay?" ... If she were alive, and haven't shown herself to me at this point, I know it's to protect me and have me safe from danger. She's always been that way. But for once, if she were alive, I'd show her I can watch over myself. I'm an adult now. She needs to see that. Yang treats me like a kid, and I'm tired of it. If she were alive, I'd be mad at her because she's been fighting without me. She's fighting so I don't have to." Blake looked out the window with the small view of Bumblebee she could see "I'd be mad at her, because she made me a runner. A coward fleeing from her home and loved ones."

Ruby looked at Blake in awe. She took a moment to think about Blake's words and how much Blake must have wanted to be by Yang's side. Ruby's always known about it. Blake never once hid that fact. But in this moment, Ruby never knew just how strong that want of Blake's was. At this point, it took everything Ruby had to keep her promise to Yang. To keep Blake in the shadows.

.

..

...

Some hours later at ReBEElion HQ's main lobby room, Queen and Weiss stood on stage with Weiss bound by rope being dragged along by Sun. A lot of the members were dressed in Schnee patrol outfits: almost the equivalent to modern day police. Queen had replaced her lion's mask with the mask that patrol used: a plain, half mask that revealed the lower face. Like with the lion's mask, Queen's mask was equipped with a voice modulator. They also wore hoods, though it was only Queen. Everyone else had their hoods down.

"Alright worker bees, today is the day we will rid ourselves of the tyrant that has plagued us for the last two years. This Schnee princess is our key to that. She has offered herself as bait in exchange for her freedom. She promises to help us take down her father."

A lot of the members were skeptical about the last statement, while Weiss and Sun looked at Queen from the corner of their eye.

Queen continued "And if she lies, we'll simply take her back into custody. Now, back to the matter at hand. Sun and I are going in to turn the Schnee Princess in. Pyrrha, your team along with Jaune's will come in with us as back up. Sun's team, with Nora's and Ren's teams, you are to remain outside in the shadows. You only come in when there is trouble or if something goes wrong. Velvet, you are to remain here with your team. Watch over those who are here. If need be, you and your team will be backup's backup. So standby until ordered to come. Does everyone understand me?"

The members saluted Queen "Ma'am!"

Queen nodded and stretched out her arm forward "Alright. We're heading out worker bees! Time to dethrone the king!"

There was a cheer amongst the crowd. She looked out to the crowd and not one person was saddened.

Weiss's head lowered as she closed her eyes. Sun looked at Weiss from the corner of his eyes. The group began their march to Rose Manor.

Weiss sighed, Who would protect a Schnee? She suddenly remembered Ruby and the times she had with her, both currently and when they were kids. She remembered how happy she was by being next to Ruby. She remembered being her guardian, being happy whenever Ruby would smile because she saw Weiss. Even now, after Ruby had learned that Weiss was searching for her, Ruby never gave up on Weiss. The real her. The real Weiss Schnee. Not as the daughter of a tyrant, but as a loyal and trusted friend of the Rose Family.

Weiss chuckled to her memories, What a predicament I'm in? Not that it matters. This is all for her. If I can't do it, I'll keep trying. I won't back down till I've drawn my last breath. This is my resolve. Weiss looked out to the group before her. Being dragged along by Sun to the Manor Gates, Weiss kept her upset, defeated facial expression. Sun began explaining to a Schnee Guard about how he 'found' the fugitive Weiss Schnee. The frontline group (Queen, Sun, Pyrrha's team of herself and two others, and Jaune's team of the equal amount were in full disguise. A stone wall with a metal gate that lead inside surrounded the manor's outer perimeter. During Summer's reign, the gates would always be open. Now, under King Schnee's rule, the gates only permitted those of Schnee Blood and their workers and guards.

"So can we come in to turn in her highness. I'm sure her father would want to see her." Sun requested, with his friendliest voice and tone. Queen couldn't do it because of her voice modulator.

"Alright. I'll lift up the gates. His majesty should be in the main meeting hall. Go right in." The guard signaled the gatekeeper to raise the gate, allowing the disguised group to go in. After saluting, the group marched in with Weiss.

Weiss looked forward to her destination, Ruby, thank you. Thank you for everything. You're the only one who's ever believed in me, the real me, these last two years and longer. For all you've done for me, I'll get you on that throne, Ruby. I'll take down my father. I'll take down every Schnee I have to.

The frontline group arrived at the doorway to the main meeting hall, where beyond them was where King Schnee awaited for the return of Weiss. "You may enter" Said King Schnee from the other side of the doorway.

Weiss' facial expression turned to that of anger. She was fully prepared of what would happen when she would enter the hall, I'll protect you Ruby.

Even if I-

"Welcome home, Weiss."

"...Father."