Author's Note/Warning: So, due to my new part-time job, my writing schedule's a little out of whack at the moment. But don't worry. I WILL see the last chapter through.

Also, please be advised, the following chapter contains quite hateful language coming from one of the most unlikable characters on the show. I may have to bump up the rating.

This was it.

Or to phrase it more accurately: That was it.

Before this point in time, Ruby Rose was juuust on this side of willing to play "live and let live" with Beacon's resident antagonizer Cardin Winchester. Sure, he teased that rabbit Faunus girl a lot, but she had her teammates backing her up, and nobody with both lobes intact ever messed with Team CFVY. Sure, he pushed Jaune around a lot in the past, but that had stopped since Jaune saved his life.

But this… this was the straw that broke the Ursa's back.

The straw fell on a fine Saturday afternoon, when Ruby had been walking back to her dorm from doing a bit of training with her sister. As she meandered throughout the courtyard, she could see many others enjoying the crisp fall air, including…

'Ugh, not these guys,' she thought as she saw Team CRDL stalking her way. 'Just keep walking, Ruby.'

But it seemed she was already surrounded. On the path before her, Dove Bronzewing and Sky Lark were standing there, arms crossed.

"Why, hello, Rose," Cardin said, barely even trying to sound friendly. "And where might you be going on this fine day?"

"Just heading on back to my dorm," she replied, a nervous quiver in her voice.

"Are you now?" he said. "Well, me and my teammates here were just about to brush up on some… combat training." Russel Thrush cracked his knuckles for emphasis.

"Well, you guys have fun with that." Ruby tried to continue on, but Dove and Sky remained in her way.

"Sure you don't want to join us? Seems to me you may have a bit of… catching up to do, what with you getting those extra two years."

"Hey, I earned that boost, Cardin!"

"Likely story, Little Red." Ruby flinched upon hearing those words. "Nobody gets into a combat school like this two goddamn years early. Come on, Ruby. Who'd you bribe?"

"Look, I-I…"

"And why'd you do it, anyway?" Cardin sneered, stepping closer to her. "What's makes anyone want to fight the creatures of Grimm two whole years before they're ready?

"Could it have been… love?"

"What are you implying?"

"Oh, don't get me wrong, Red. I just want to know who it was you gamed the system to get to."

"Gotta be one of her teammates," Sky snarled, squinting his eyes.

"But which one?" Russel said, pulling out his daggers.

"Question of the hour, isn't it?" Cardin sneered. "So who could it be, eh, you little dyke? The rich bitch? Tall, pale, and useless? Oh my God…" he said, amateurishly feigning shock, "could it be your own sister?"

"Shut up," she whispered, her hands clenching into fists.

He raised his mace high. "Answer the question, you sick little-"

Not five minutes later, Team CRDL were being loaded onto stretchers by some men in medical uniforms. Students who were in the courtyard were gazing at the scene that just unfolded, among them Nora Valkyrie, a look that read "It should have been me" on her face. Ruby was standing a bit nearer to the scene, Professor Ozpin speaking to one of the paramedics.

When he was finished, he turned to Ruby, a stern look behind his glasses.

"Am… Am I in trouble, Professor Ozpin?"

"Well… That will be determined when we have enough eyewitness evidence to determine whether this constitutes self-defense. For now, Ruby… is there anything you wish to say to Mr. Winchester?"

"Yes, Professor."

She walked over to Cardin, who was just being loaded onto the medical airship. She guessed he was trying to pull off "pleading" with his look, but it was hard to tell through the wincing due to broken femurs.

"For the record, Cardin, I'm straight. But don't get any ideas, or history will repeat itself. Violently."

She gave him a condescending kiss on the forehead, and continued on her path to her dorm.

Ozpin took a long, slow sip from his mug. Not what he had in mind, but he'd let it slide.

Author's Note: Alright! RWBY fanfiction cliche #15: Break Cardin's Legs! Check!

Let's see, who's next, who is next… Russel, huh? Very well. Please, continue to review.

Seriously, leave reviews. Go ahead. Even if it's gibberish, I'll take 'em.