Starlight's Poet: This is to DruidFWY. At this point in time, canon is slowly, but surely, being thrown out the window. You may be right concerning OCs...but do you know something? Sometimes, OCs are kind of necessary to get the plot forward. Sure, you give them the spotlight, but they're also needed to advance the plot and move it forward. They're as essential as the narrative used to help build the story and the world the story is in. I'm sorry if this comes off as hostile, but I get touchy whenever people question me or anyone using OCs.

With that in mind, enjoy the chapter~

Final Fantasy XV x RWBY Crossover:
"Of Crystal Shards and Dust"

[-in other news, the ongoing events surrounding a group of young huntresses from Beacon Academy continues. Two days ago, a group of students from Beacon Academy were reported to be battling what appeared to be a giant mech, supposedly piloted by renowned criminal Roman Torchwick. The fight escalated and eventually reached the highway, where several pedestrians, both off and on the road, were caught in the crossfire. Four people were killed in the incident, and twenty-six others were seriously injured. Property damage is estimated to be close to a quarter million, with Headmaster Ozpin and Atlas High Councilman Izunia offering to pay for the damages. The identities of the students is unknown at present. While some have deemed their actions as heroic, there can be no denying the damages and deaths that were caused on that night. Many have voiced their opinions that the girls should be expelled from Beacon Academy and undergo trial, but oddly enough, Councilman Izunia, who was visiting Vale at the time of the incident, had offered a pardon to these young women. This has caused both confusion and outrage. A few people have even begun to point fingers of accusation towards Beacon Academy for freely allowing these girls with their weapons out in public. So far, no one from Beacon's faculty has offered their own comments, but supposedly the four girls will be facing harsh punishments. This is Lisa Lavender, of Vale Venue News.]

Ardyn smiled to himself as he shut off the TV, chuckling while spinning his Scroll atop a single finger. "Ah, the adoring masses. So quick to sing praises to the Huntsmen and Huntresses, who selflessly risk their lives to defend them, yet equally as quick to damn them the moment they perceive a wrong." His chuckling turned dark as he tossed the Scroll into the air and caught it before it could hit the ground. "No different from Eos. It seems that Salem was right about humans. They're hearts are so easily swayed."

"Your Majesty..." Ardyn looked to his side, finding Wraith leaning up against the wall with his arms folded, looking at the High Councilman curiously. "If you don't mind me asking, why did you allow those girls go? I understand if its to sow discord for when it's time to enact what we have planned for the Vytal Festival, but isn't it risky to allow Ruby Rose to live?"

"Ah, Wraith. Your so bright, but you only think about the short-term." the man clicked his tongue. "I'm playing the long game, you see. Ruby Rose is just as important as the Chosen King's entourage. A viable means to push him forward to the brink. As a bonus, think about it this way. The little girl wants nothing more than to live up to the legends and ideals of the Huntsmen and Huntresses of old. After tonight, however, she'll receive quite the wake-up call. The cold, harsh truth of the real world."

Wraith hummed. "I see... Regarding the Chosen King, may I ask another question?"

"If it's about Team GLAE and why I didn't allow our horned friend to kill Gawain, it's because they too serve a purpose. For now, at the moment." Ardyn waved a hand. "For the time being, however, let's move on. How goes Merlot's pet project? Any news, my good man?"

"Yes. So far, we've managed to create sixteen or so Stage 1 Daemons, though Devil was required to tame them. Merlot managed to successfully create three Stage 2's, though there were a few complications. They were rather unruly, so myself and Plague subdued them. It seems there are still a few kinks to work out. Unfortunately, Stage 3 has received little progress, but at the rate things are going, Merlot may be able to accomplish what we need for Project Glauca."

"Wonderful!" Ardyn cried jubilantly. "A man after my own heart! I truly am fortunate to have discovered that man. While men of morals tiptoe around advancements that require sacrifice, our dear Doctor Merlot was willing to take risks for the sake of humankind. Even if it costed him his career."

Merlot was truly an outstanding man, much like a certain other prominent researcher Ardyn had met years ago while he was still in Eos. If it wasn't for that man, he'd also be stuck inside that rock, still hanging on chains and spikes and wallowing away in shadows. Oh, how he missed those days. It was rather unfortunate that he could only bring with him a mere handful of his own assets with him, but Regis' surprise decision to transfer Lucis to another world had completely caught him off guard. Of all the things that king could have done, this had truly taken him by surprise.

Truly, Ardyn must tip his hat to Regis. Oh, how he couldn't wait for their reunion!

"If that's all, Your Majesty, I must be taking my leave." Wraith informed Ardyn, who nodded. The hooded man created a black-and-green portal that reeked of daemons and darkness and stepped inside, vanishing along with it. Now left alone to his thoughts, Ardyn sat leisurely in his chair as he opened his Scroll.

It was yet another news report, this time about his decision to let Team RWBY off the hook. Of course, none of the general public knew it was them specifically. It wouldn't do well for his plans if the people had a scapegoat. No, they needed something else. Something to truly focus those negative thoughts on. And who better than the man responsible for keeping his students in line? Admittedly, it took quite a few favors to hide Team RWBY's names from the news, but he knew it would all work out splendidly.

For now, though, Ardyn wanted to see what kinds of things people were talking about him. Looking at the report, his general fanbase seemed surprised by his decision but ultimately still supported him. On the other hand, though, his detractors grew by a large margin. To these people, Ardyn Izunia was an unknown that suddenly appeared in Atlas one day, taking the political world by storm and eventually making his way up the ladder before finally gaining a substantial foothold in the Atlas Council. Those fools were bigoted and idiotic, blindly listening to the thoughts and words of a General, too focused on his endeavor to protect the world that he couldn't see what was underneath him.

The poor general had no idea that Ardyn had the Council under his thumb. If he wanted to, he could have easily given Ironwood the boot, but no, like everyone else, James Ironwood had a part to play.

And Ardyn was going to make everyone in this little drama dance to his tune.

Since returning to Beacon Academy, Team RWBY had not left their rooms at all. No one was even aware the girls had returned yet, preoccupied with their own businesses. Team JNPR was busy training for the Vytal Festival while LAPI was undergoing their usual study sessions, though both sides were quickly becoming worried. Their worries would have intensified if they had seen the state the girls were in.

Ruby was curled in her bed, knees pulled up against her chest and hiding her face from everyone. Weiss was at the desk, looking at a book in her hands but not actually reading it as she had been staring at the same page for the last ten minutes. Blake stared down at the floor, unable to look at her teammates in the eyes due to the overwhelming guilt in her chest. Yang was lying on the floor, staring at the ceiling with a frown marring her otherwise beautiful features.

"...we really screwed up...didn't we...?" Ruby murmured sadly.

"Understatement of the century..." Weiss muttered under her breath at Ruby's pitiful whine.

Blake bit her lower lip. "This is all my fault." she said, ashamed. "If I wasn't so focused on going after the White Fang..."

"It wasn't your fault, Blake." Yang said, pulling herself up from the floor. "It was all our faults. We..." She scowled and shook her head. "We were just... Fuck!"

"We weren't thinking, if that's what you mean..." Weiss added. "Really, Why didn't we realize we were leading Torchwick through a heavily populated area?! We're we THAT caught up in the adrenaline?!"

"I'm sorry...!" Blake apologized again. "I...I wasn't thinking!"

"Blake, seriously, stop." Yang repeated sternly. Her words sounded hollow, even to her. She grimaced and let her head fall, letting out a deep sight and slumped further into the floor. "This...really blows. Tch. I'm surprised none of the teachers have expelled us yet. Hell, all we got was detention for the rest of the school year."

"No one's happy about this, though..." Ruby said sadly. "Have you guys checked out the news...?"

"Of Course we did. To be honest, it's quite terrifying how quick people are to condemn us. Then again, given what happened, you can't really blame them." Weiss answered.

"And it's all our fault..." their leader cried sadly. "Because of us, all those people...!"

Yang swiftly hopped into Ruby's bed, wrapping her arms around her little sister and pulling her into a tight hug. Ruby sobbed as she pressed her face into Yang's chest, shaking and holding onto her big sister for dear life like she was drowning.

Weiss let her face fall into her hands. Her mind was still reeling from what happened two nights ago. How could she have been so stupid? Was she turning into an idiot? Was she blind? She should have known what would happen up on that highway. They could have coordinated their attacks and lead Torchwick away from the highway to minimize the damages, but instead, they just threw themselves right into the fire. They were so desperate to end things with the so called mob boss that they didn't care about what they had to do.

Getting innocent people hurt because of their stupidity had been the last thing on their minds.

"We really fucked up." Blake choked. "We really, really fucked up."

"Tell me about it..." Weiss said, voice muffled through her hands. "I'm surprised that no one has come knocking on Beacon's doors and tried to lynch us. Instead, everyone's just pointing fingers at Ozpin." A few seconds after saying that, Weiss suddenly looked up, a puzzled expression on her face. "Actually..." She turned to the rest of Team RWBY and asked them a question. "How come no one HAS tried to lynch us? I mean, we weren't exactly being inconspicuous!"

Ruby rubbed her eyes, wiping away the tears. "What..." she sniffled. "What do you mean?"

"Our faces and names should have been plastered all over the media, and yet not one person either from the public, the news or even from the school have called us out on it. And I know for a damned fact that my father would have made a public announcement that my actions would have cost me my position as heiress of the company."

Yang frowned. "Now that you mention it... Have our names been mentioned at all?"

"No...no they haven't." Blake answered as she checked her scroll. She pulled up the news story that's been circulating like mad. She scanned through, but found nothing, not even a mention of any of them or Team RWBY. "There's nothing about us on here."

"But how can that be? With something as big as this, it'd be impossible to hide our role in it."

"Well based on what it says, I think Councilman Izunia had a hand in it..."

"What? Why?" Yang questioned. "Why would a big wig from Atlas want to cover up something like that?"

"I don't know." Weiss shrugged. "But...there must be a reason. And I hardly doubt it's because Team GLAE put in a good word for us." Ruby winced, recalling the disappointed and sad look on Argent's face when he arrested them. She didn't even want to imagine how Gawain must have taken the news. "There has to be a reason why he's keeping our names out of the news."

There had been a reason all right. But none of the girls would have ever suspected what sort of roles they would play in the upcoming months, dancing to the tunes of a madman.

Chapter XIV: In Line

After several more hours of self-pity and wallowing, as well as discussing curiosities behind why Ozpin let them off with years of detention instead of expelling them, or even barring them from participating in the Vytal Festival and Ardyn's reasons for saving them, Team RWBY finally left their room.

To their surprise, all of their friends were waiting for them out in the hallway. "Guys?" Yang asked in shock. "W-what are you all doin' here?"

"We were worried about you, so we wanted to come see you." Prompto told his fellow blonde. His face turned somber. "Sun and Neptune told us what happened out on the freeway. Are...you guys okay?"

Blake gave him a harrowing look. "Do we look okay?" she asked sarcastically. "People are out for our blood, the headmaster is taking the heat for us, and we're trying to process the fact that we got people killed. I'd say we're doing juuust fine."

"There's no need for sarcasm, Ms. Belladonna." Ignis scolded her lightly. "We're quite aware."

Blake flinched and immediately felt bad for snapping at her friends. "Sorry. It's just...it's been a crazy past couple days."

"I can only imagine." Gladio nodded in understanding. "Are you girls holding up okay?"

"Well, aside from the soul-crushing guilt, confusion, and anxiety...I think we'll live." Yang replied. "I mean, hey, this ain't nearly as bad as that fight at the docks... I think."

Jaune folded his arms. "Well, if you guys need anything, let us know, okay?" he said to them. "Don't forget, you can rely on us. What're friends for?"

"Thanks Jaune..." Ruby donned a weak smile. She was touched by their kindness. But...she honestly wasn't in the mood.

After what they did...it could honestly be said that her spirit was broken. How was she going to face her mother?

"Still, I can't believe how bad it's gotten." Noctis frowned. "Everyone who knows anything about social media is just throwing fire left and right, both at you girls and at Ozpin."

"No kidding. I can't believe what some people post." Prompto glared. "I honestly can't tell who has it worse."

"I hear even the Council's all pissy." Gladio grunted. "I overheard Goodwitch talking yesterday. Seems like Oz's decision to not expel you girls is making them question his position."

Weiss gasped. "Hold on, t-they can't be thinking of firing him, can they?"

"Way I heard Goodwitch cursing up a storm, it sounds like they're considering the idea." Noctis grimaced. "They might do it after the Vytal Festival is said and done."

"But they can't!" Ruby protested. "He's done so much for Beacon!"

"Perhaps, but the Council doesn't see it that way." Ignis sighed. "At any rate, let's move on to another topic. What exactly happened out on that freeway? Wukong and his partner told us the basic, but he and his friend got clocked out midway through the fight hadn't he?"

Weiss wasn't in any mood to discuss this topic, but when she thought back to what happened, her face turned pensive. "...this may be worth discussing in private." she said, earning confused looks. "Trust me. No one besides us needs to hear about this."

"Oookaaay?" Prompto quirked an eyebrow at Weiss' cryptic statement. Teams LAPI and JNPR followed the girls into their dorm room, with Weiss locking the door behind them. "So, what's got you all so secretive? Wait, don't tell me. Torchwick's actually got plans for world domination."

"I wish." Weiss groaned. "After everything that happened, it completely slipped my mind, but when Torchwick escaped, we ran into someone calling themselves Wraith."

Yang's eyes widened in tandem with Blake and Ruby's. "Oh shit, we forgot about him!" she cried. "That guy brought out a demon! Big sucker made of iron with a sword bigger than what Yatsuhashi's packing'!"

"What?!" Ignis demanded. "You mean he summoned an Iron Giant?! In the middle of Vale?!"

"How the hell didn't anybody see that?!" Noctis shook his head, shocked beyond belief by what he was hearing. First that odd daemon that appeared at the docks, and now this? What was happening in this city? "And how come the news hasn't said anything?! They were quick to point out that thing back at the docks when the White Fang showed up!"

"Argent clearly saw it, but he was probably put on a gag order or something." Blake frowned. "But His Highness has a point. This makes twice daemons have appeared. And both times, they were being controlled by someone."

Ruby rubbed her palms together nervously, looking down at the floor. "I-I'm more concerned about what Wraith said. He said to give Gawain and his team his regards... How does he know them?"

"I doubt it would be hard not to know them, considering they're tasked with protecting the most important individual in Atlas." Gladio furiously ran a hand through his hair, pacing around the room. "Dammit, what the hell's going on in this city?"

"It is troubling to be sure." Ignis murmured in agreement. "Especially since it's happening now of all times."

"What do you mean?" Pyrrha asked.

"Given how the Vytal Festival is scheduled to take place this year, as well as the starting year for the Exchange Program, it's concerning how all of these events seem to line up." The chef of LAPI frowned. "Especially since it concerns Daemons. If this continues, I'm afraid the rest of the world may not view Lucis in a favorable light anymore."

"Wait, are you saying that people would start blaming Lucis because of the Daemons and whatever Torchwick, or Wraith are doing? That's crazy!"

"Not so crazy when you start to think about it." Noctis couldn't help but agree with Ignis' logic. Ever since they came to Vale, odd events, one after another, had started to become more common. The appearance of this Wraith and Devil, people who could control Daemons. He just couldn't see it as mere coincidence. "What do you think, Iggy? The Feds?"

"If we're operating under the assumption that Devil and this Wraith character are working together, then I would say it is unlikely given that the Anti-Lucian Federation is allied with the White Hoods. At least, that's what I want to say." Ignis pursed his lips. "It feels like we're missing something here...but what?"

Ren sighed. "Perhaps we're reading too much into this. Even if there are people who can apparently control and summon daemons, it isn't like we're up against some kind of conspiracy." he reasoned. "For now, why don't we focus on Torchwick and the White Fang?"

"No." Blake immediately put her foot down. After what happened on that highway, she was not going to let anyone else get mixed up in this. What happened to her team was her fault, and she was putting a stop to this. She was not going to let anyone else get involved in this matter. At their stares, Blake felt shame run through her again and looked away. "I-I mean... We don't have any leads."

"Blakey's got a point." Yang admitted. "We got nothing to go on. Besides, after what happened, I don't think Team RWBY's gonna go on any kickass adventures anytime soon. Goodwitch made it clear that we aren't allowed to go on any missions for the forseeable future. We should be lucky she's even letting us go to the Ball and the Vytal Festival!"

Ruby nodded slowly. It was true. In her eyes, they were getting off rather lightly. She didn't understand why that was, but she couldn't help but feel even more uncomfortable.

Why were they getting special treatment? It just didn't make any sense at all.

"Well, hey!" Nora, ever the optimist, smiled widely as she dashed up to Ruby and Yang and threw her arms over their shoulders. "That just means you get to hang with us for a while! Come on, take a load off and take your mind off things!"

"Easy for you to say." Weiss said bitterly. "You aren't the ones who got people killed." The temperature in the room seemed to drop as soon as Weiss spoke those words. The others winced as they inadvertently reminded them of their mistakes.

"That's wasn't entirely your fault though. You guys just made a mistake...!" Jaune tried to reassure them, but none of them were having it.

"A mistake that cost lives, Jaune." Blake reiterated. "All because of me! We led a giant mech piloted by a mobster who had no qualms about killing into a heavily populated area and got people killed or serious injured! How is that not our fault?!"

"Enough!"

Everyone fell silent. They looked at Noctis in surprise, because he was the one who shouted. Ignis looked at his old friend and saw not a prince, but a king standing in his place. His features were rock solid, eyes steely. He looked like a much younger version of Regis at this moment. "That is enough." Noctis' gaze scanned over all of them. "You guys have been beating yourself up over this long enough. What's done is done."

"But-!"

"But nothing!" Noctis interrupted Ruby. "Yes, your actions cost lives. But moping around isn't going to change anything."

"Then what are we supposed to do?" Weiss questioned. "In case you forgot, even if our identities weren't revealed, we're still the ones responsible for the deaths and injuries of civilians on top of property damage during an unauthorized pursuit of a criminal! How can we just forget about that?!"

"I'm not telling you to forget it. I'm telling you to use this as a learning experience of what NOT to do in the future." Noctis told them. "We're still teenagers. We all make mistakes, some bigger than others. But you girls? You still have a chance to make a future for yourselves! Don't waste it by wallowing in your own self-pity. Learn from your mistakes and be better."

His words left them stunned. The girls were speechless by his proclamation. Team JNPR was just as surprised. His own Team couldn't believe their leader saying something so wise and profound.

Ignis couldn't help but feel proud of Noctis. If he hadn't known any better, he would have thought that Noctis had just assumed a Regis disposition. Despite his misgivings and typical avoidance, he was taking his first few steps as a prince. And more importantly, a king. Prompto felt much the same way, disappointed that he couldn't have snagged such a picture of his best friend's defining moment. Gladio smiled slightly, though he didn't voice any compliments. He didn't want Noctis getting a swelled head, unlikely that may have been.

Weiss stared at Noctis, starry-eyed for a moment before she sighed and shook her head ruefully. "...I suppose you do have a point." she conceded. "Though this doesn't really change the facts."

"But we can do better next time." Yang said, wanting to be optimistic. "Course, first things first. We gotta handle years worth of detention." The blonde brawler then groaned and let her head fall dramatically. "That said, I think we're not gonna get the chance to handle the Ball decorations this time."

"You mentioned that earlier." Noctis noted. "What exactly are we talking about? Some kind of prom shindig?"

"Pretty much." Yang answered. "It's supposed to be another event tied into the Vytal Festival. Officially, it's called the Beacon Dance, but others just call it a Ball. It's a formal event, so we gotta dress all fancy."

"And we were supposed to be one of the teams to handle its decorations since the original handlers, Team CFVY, are still out in the field. We don't know if they'll get back in time." Blake added.

"Well, I guess that issue's cleared up then. Because they just got back here." Prompto told them. "Like, yesterday. Though I did hear Fox has a bad limp, so I'm guessing he won't be partying anytime soon."

"Didn't really strike me as the partying type, though." Jaune pointed out. "If anything, that will be Coco."

"And Nora, once you give her punch." Ren chimed. "Speaking of punch, who's on guard duty?"

Gladio tilted his head. "Guard duty?"

"To protect the punch from being spiked." Weiss rolled her eyes, stating it like it was the most obvious thing. "From what I heard from the other second years, last year someone spiked it. When the janitors had to clean up, they found several used condoms in the students rooms, bathrooms and hallways while everyone was attending class the next morning."

Jaune blushed. "S-seriously?" he questioned. Pyrrha felt her own cheeks burn as she recalled something along those lines in one of the books Blake had loaned to her following that one time she decided to take an interest in her collection. Since then, she had indulged in her own little fantasies every now and then. "Who'd do something like that?!"

While Weiss an Jaune discussed the whole morality and sanity of people who'd willingly drug someone's drink, Pyrrha's mind reenacted the scene from the book, imagining herself in a dress that was sure to turn heads and Jaune in a suit, her back against the wall and her leg hiked around his waist while his face explored her neck.

A slight shiver ran down her spine, just imagining how it would feel to-

"Pyrrha!" Nora bellowed, causing the girl to yelp. "Quit yer daydreamin' and come on!" To the Mistral Champion's slight confusion, the group had dispersed without her realizing it. Her own team was already in the midst of leaving. "We're heading to the arena to train some! Daydream about our fearless leader pinning you against the wall later!"

"NORA!" Ren shouted. Pyrrha spluttered as her cheeks burned. Nora cackled as she skipped along, evading a furious and blushing red-head. All the while, the aforementioned leader of Team JNPR was clueless, wondering what the girls were talking about.

"So, what's this I hear about you and the bunny girl becoming an item?"

Leonidas rolled her eyes. "Before you or any of the other guys say 'took you long enough,' I wanted to take it slow. In case you forgot, two of Velvet's teammates are a big guy with a huge sword so buff he could probably snap my neck in two and the other is known for busting the balls of any males who bullies Velvet with her purse. A purse that weights several tons and turns into a Gatling Gun, mind you."

"Just saying, I'm happy for you." Gawain laughed as he fiddled with his Scroll. "You two have known each other since Velvet got into Combat School, and ever since you guys met each other for the first time during that whole convention thing back in Mistral, she was all you ever talked about besides your magic tricks."

Leonidas' cheeks turned pink, turning his head away from his friend while scratching the back of his neck. "Not like I could help it. Velvet just...she just clicks with me. Like how Sable clicks with Edan. Speaking of which, where is our favorite blue horny pyro anyway?"

"First, you do realize he'll kill you if he hears you calling him that, right?" Leonidas' response was a shit-eating grin, making him shake his head. "And second, he's visiting Sable in the hospital. She had another seizure."

"Again?" The self-proclaimed magician frowned. "That's the fourth one this month. Is she getting worse?"

"I don't know, but according to dad, the treatments aren't going to do her much good. At this rate, she'll have to be transferred to the Intensive Care over at Atlas."

"Well, we all know Edan would NEVER let that happen." It was the truth. While Atlas was renowned for its technological advancements, which includes that of the medical field, Edan was adamant of keeping Sable's treatment away from the Kingdom. It wasn't that he didn't think they would work. Far from it, considering many of said advancements were a result of Leonidas' company. The only thing that made him hate the prospect of sending Sable to Atlas Intensive Care was the doctors. They all knew how corrupted the leadership at Atlas had become. Not just in the government, but in corporations and positions of authority as well. He was worried that the same had translated over to the medical field. That the doctors would not provide Sable the medical attention she desperately needed. Furthermore, due to Atlas' low opinion on Faunus, he had even more of a reason to keep her away. "He would rather die than to send her to a place like that."

"He won't have much of a choice." Gawain frowned. "It's either hoping that Sable gets the proper medical attention she deserves there with Councilman Izunia's influence preventing discrimination, or Edan may just risk losing her."

"Isn't there another way, though? My company has made leaps and bounds in the medical field. Maybe there's something..." Leonidas stopped as his friend rested a hand on his shoulder.

"As much as the Rhosyn-Glas company has provided medical advancements since you took over, I'm afraid this is beyond its capabilities..."

"But it's not fair." Leonidas retorted. "Sable's a good person! Why does she have to suffer like this?!"

"Unfortunately...it's simply how this world works, Leonidas. Life is never fair. Sometimes, good people suffer while the vile ones flourish." The team leader's eyes darkened. "...It's sad...yet true..."

A boy with white hair and icy blue eyes flashed by in his mind, making his hand tremble slightly. He immediately shook it off. "...all we can do for her right now is to hope for a Miracle. Maybe some higher being out there will take pity and help her."

"Never took you for the religious type, Gawain."

"There are a few things I believe in this world, Leonidas. And I have faith that they have the power to do something at the very least."

As the red-haired leader took the moment to look at Beacon Academy's halls, comparing it to the Atlesian Academy (which, in his own opinion, felt too much like a military base) when he noticed an unusual sight. A sulking Ruby Rose walking by, head low and expression dull. "Something up, boss man?" Leonidas asked. Following his stare, he saw Ruby. "Who's she?"

"Ruby Rose. The leader of Team RWBY."

"Really? ...wait, is she the one who...?" Gawain nodded. "Ah, I see. Well, I'll leave you to it." Gawain blinked and looked at Leonidas questionably. "What? Dude, you and I both know you'll go over there and see what's wrong with her. She probably needs a quick pick-me-up is all."

"And you think I'll do it? Why aren't you?"

"Because unlike you, I don't know anything about her. So, this one's all you." the young man grinned. "Besides, something tells me she'll be happy seeing you." With that, Leonidas clapped his friend's shoulder and took off, making Gawain sigh.

Still, he did have a point. Maybe Ruby would react better if he was the one helping her. In truth, he was concerned about her ever since Argent told them what happened. She was the wide-eyed idealist who believed optimistically in the best of people, so what happened two nights ago was a horrible experience for her.

Besides, if he was still around, his friend would have done the same thing.

"Ruby!"

Said girl froze, hearing that familiar voice. Hoping to the Brother Gods that she was wrong, Ruby looked up and immediately wished a hole in the ground opened up and swallowed her whole. Gawain was approaching, a concerned look on his face.

"G-Gawain...hi..." she greeted lamely, trying to put on a fake smile that was not at all convincing.

"Are you alright? You seem a bit...unlike your usual self." The red head tried to put it lightly to no avail.

Ruby on the other hand really wondered if some sort of deity was out to get her. Gawain was the last person she wanted to see right now. Especially since his team mate was the one who arrested her and her team for what they did. Just remembering it made her depressed even more.

Something that Gawain took notice of. Keeping his voice soft, he chose his next words calmly. "Is this about what happened on the freeway?" Ruby winced. It seems he hit the mark on the head. "I'm sure you've heard this a lot by now, but listen. What happened out on that freeway wasn't your fault."

"Noct told me the same thing..." Ruby sighed. "But I feel like I could have done better. Maybe that the whole thing could have been avoided!" Ruby lowered her head in shame. "Maybe...maybe Cardin's right after all. Maybe Ozpin made a mistake letting me in."

Gawain looked at Ruby before he closed his eyes. 'I didn't think she'd be this bad.' he thought. 'If she can't get over this, I don't think she'll get back up anytime soon.'

"...hey, Ruby." Gawain called out to her, making her lift her head. "Have you heard about the story called Little Scarlet Riding Hood?"

Ruby tilted her head. Little Scarlet Riding Hood was a popular children's book that her dad used to read to her all the time when she was little. It was also one of the popular story books too. "I know it." she nodded with some confusion. Why was Gawain asking her about some children's book. "It's about a girl who goes to visit her grandmother, but she doesn't know that her grandmother was eaten up by a Beowolf."

"That's right. When she does realize that the wolf ate her grandmother, she's swallowed up by the Beowolf, but a woodsman happens to come across the Beowolf and cut its stomach open, saving both the girl and her grandmother." Gawain summarized the story. "But, did you know the story actually has different authors?" Ruby blinked. It was written by multiple people? She hadn't known that. "The version people are most familiar with is the one written by the Darkly Brothers, who write some particularly gruesome tales. Little Scarlet Riding Hood is just one of the few that has a good ending. However, the first version of the tale had a darker ending. In it, the woodsman never came. The little girl and her grandmother didn't survive."

The silver-eyed girl paled. "R-really?"

Gawain nodded. "Most people tend to choose the Darkly Brothers version over the original, though for different reasons. But I suppose you're wondering why I'm giving you a history lesson about some kid's book. I'm trying to make a point."

"A point?"

"Yes. Ruby, I am not going to sugarcoat this, because I feel like you need to learn this sooner rather than later..." The leader of GLAE took a deep breath before he looked her in the eye. "...Ruby Rose...you are optimistically naive."

"...Wh-what?!" The leader of RWBY asked in shock. She felt like his words just punched her in the gut.

"You are optimistically naive." He repeated. "Yes, you and your team screwed up on the highway. Looking back on it, you probably realized that the situation could've been avoided. I agree with you. If you had taken a different approach, you probably could've spared innocents from danger. But that was not how things turned out.

"Nothing you plan will actually go the way you think it will. You seem to always hope for the best, but that sort of wishful thinking is just that: wishful thinking. From what I can discern from you, and what I've heard from your friends, you believe that Huntsmen and Huntresses are infallible and invincible heroes. That they can make the world a better place. To have everything end happily like some fairy tale. Unfortunately, reality is not so kind." Ruby could only stare silently as each and every word sunk into her mind.

"This is why I brought up the different versions of Little Scarlet Riding Hood." Gawain continued. "You see, the original version is reality and the more appealing version is the wishful thinking. No matter how much we hope and shy away from the truth, reality will always exist and remind us of our limitations. We may be future Huntsmen, Ruby, but by no means will we be infallible or invincible. And as a Huntress, you must be aware. For every person you save, you have to kill someone else."

Ruby recoiled, as if struck. Those words cut her deeper than any Beowolf's claw or sword ever could. "B-but that's-!"

"That's the reality of the situation." Gawain told her, his tone carrying finality and leaving no further room for argument. Ruby's face fell apart, turning crestfallen and staring pitifully at the ground. The red-haired teen sighed and put his hands on her shoulders. "Listen, I understand it's difficult to hear, but it is the truth. I learned this lesson the hard way when I lost someone very dear to me." Ruby looked up, finding his face full of sorrow. "A long time ago, I had a dear friend by the name of Blanc. He was the most important person to me in the whole world. And a long time ago, I failed him when it mattered the most. I kept thinking to myself that, maybe, there could have been a way to save him. But no matter how hard I thought, the only solution was to kill someone else to save his life. But I couldn't make that decision. Not until I had already lost him."

"...I'm sorry." What else could she say? Ruby was shocked. She couldn't even begin to imagine what Gawain must have been going through.

Gawain shook his head. "Don't be sorry." he told her. "You can't just hope things turn out for the best. Sometimes, Ruby, you need to accept that whatever happens, happens." He released her and pulled away. "And like the prince said, learn from your mistake and keep moving forward."

"Keep...moving forward." Ruby repeated.

"That's right." He nodded. A beeping sound then came from his wrist. He checked his watch and his eyes widened upon seeing the time. "Uh-oh."

"What's wrong?" Ruby asked.

"I apologize, but I'm running late for an appointment. I'm sorry that it's abrupt, but I hope I was of service."

"No no, it's okay. Just go where you need to be. I'll...I'll be fine."

"Alright then. I'll make it up to you later. Take care, Ruby." The red haired teen nodded as he rushed down the hall.

Ruby stared at his retreating form. She then turned and walked back to her own dorm. She didn't necessarily feel better but...Gawain definitely gave her some food for thought. To save someone means to kill someone? She couldn't believe something like that to be truth. People can save others without needing to kill others. But Gawain's story said otherwise.

She groaned. She just didn't know anymore...

She suddenly stopped mid-step. Now that she thought about it, how did he know about what Noct told her and her friends? Her eyes then widened upon recalling the rest of what he said. He said he knew a boy named Blanc.

'Could it be...?'

While Gawain certainly gave her some insight and advice, his words only added more questions.

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Chapter: END

Next Time: Midnight's Respite