Disclaimer: I don't own RWBY. Would you fear what I'd do if I did?

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To Protect and Serve

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The next chapter begins where the cliffhanger left off, with Ruby just arriving as Mordred's Royal Police attempt to arrest Melody.

Ruby's arrival- especially the fact that she rushed past the two guards securing the door outside- nearly starts a fight then and there. It doesn't, though, partly because some of the guards recognize Ruby, and partly because of Ruby herself. Though Ruby puts herself between Melody and the weapons, she doesn't pull out Crescent Rose herself because a fight would be worse than bad. Ruby could protect herself, but she has no guarantees of protecting Melody- and the leader's chilly aura makes that lack of guarantee an outright fear.

Instead of trembling, though, Ruby demands to know what is going on, and what the Royal Police think they're doing to Melody. By her stance, it's clear that- little girl or not- she won't let them have Melody unopposed.

The unit's leader, an officer wearing Mordred's black rose, identifies himself as a Captain of the Royal Police. He's the one radiating an intimidating aura, and he says that he's been ordered to arrest Melody and take her into his custody. When challenged for the crimes Melody is accused of, the officer elaborates: treason and trespassing, and violating the terms of exile.

Melody laughs at that, incredulous. That- this- all of this- is absurd. She can't be exiled- she's never done anything to be exiled in the first place! This must be a misunderstanding. Put her on the line with Mordred- she's been trying to get in touch with him anyway, and she's sure this can be sorted out…

But the Captain rejects that with a burst of aura- semblance that makes Melody freeze. Callous but not cruel once she's silent, he explains that his orders to arrest her came from none other than Lord Morded himself. Mordred doesn't need allies of loyal-less families and historic insurrectionists. Instead, he's ordered that she be taken into custody by any means necessary… even force.

The Royal Police soldiers move their weapons menacingly at that, and Melody is shocked even without being hit by what are clearly taser attachments.

Ruby tries to speak in Melody's defense, but to no avail. The fear-semblance officer isn't afraid of bad publicity- Mordred's calculated that cost. The prospect of a stadium of reinforcements don't scare them- not while everyone is distracted by the ceremony. But they are impatient… and each objection she tries to raise makes it more and more clear they won't indulge her much longer.

Ruby can't fight them and protect Melody. She's not even sure she could fight them and win in these conditions- the Captain alone has the feel of a trained aura user, and the Royal Police mooks don't look like pushovers either. They've circled her, yes, but not in a way that they might shoot each other if she dodged. She might not win... and she certainly can't stall them any longer. Not long enough to be sure that someone would notice and stop them and rescue Melody.

In that case, there's only one thing to do.

Ruby demands they arrest her too.

It's startling, but timely. Ruby demands that if they take Melody away, they take her as well. She won't let them take Melody away alone, not without a fight- but she won't resist if they let her stay by Melody's side. She'll be the one to make sure that nothing improper happens to Melody.

The Royal Police seem affronted by the suggestion that they'd do such a thing, but the Captain- clearly pressed for time and not wanting any more delays- agrees to Ruby's terms. Ruby and Melody are soon firmly but politely escorted out of the VIP box and down the halls to where the Royal Police have a bullhead at VIP landing pad. Some tourists observe and take photos, but the police cordon quickly pushes through to an awaiting bullhead.

The move through is tense and tough, with Ruby on alert and ready to resort to violence at the first sign of harm to Melody. Melody herself seems to be in a daze- shocked that this is happening, and that Mordred is doing this to her. Despite the shock, though, Melody is scrupulously unharmed- and not just because the Royal Police don't touch her in any way beyond guiding her by the elbow or pushing her faster. The police cordon itself surrounds them in every respect, all but hiding Melody from line of sight from anybody else along the way.

Ruby, too, remains unmolested. Though Ruby's scroll is confiscated when it goes off- a call from Weiss, no doubt wanting to know where she is and why she's late, that she's not allowed to answer lest she reveal what's happening- the Guard Captain is more interested in getting them out of the arena than anything else. He seems as ready to fight as she is, but that mutual wariness ensures a respectful distance. None of the guards lay a hand on her after she makes clear she can and will keep up on her own without trying to slow them, and in fact Ruby helps move Melody faster and more smoothly, taking a hold of her elbow and guiding the woman towards where the Captain indicates. The more Ruby guides her, the less the Royal Police push her, and Melody grasps onto Ruby for support. Come the climb onto the bullhead, the Royal Police waiting to help them on the bullhead questions Ruby's presence… and is told to deal with it by the Royal Police Captain, who is clearly interested in getting away as soon as possible. Even the question of searching Ruby before she boards is waved off- this is going to look bad enough without accusations of feeling up the skirts of little girls in public.

They should have, though. Searched, that is. If they had, they might have found Crescent Rose, still folded up and hidden inside Ruby's combat miniskirt. As the Bullhead takes off for parts unknown, Ruby keeps her legs closed and her hands on her lap, ready to pull it out at a moment's notice if needed.

Otherwise, nothing else happens to them on the flight, though Ruby can over-hear a spike in radio chatter that likely means that things are being discovered. Bullheads are frantically moving over Vale- with visibly-armed Royal Police bulheads circling a fortress-like facility they're going towards- but it's all too late. The Royal Police bullhead approaches and lands without incident, and Ruby and Melody are escorted into a Royal Prison. Along the walls and at every checkpoint Ruby sees armed guards on standby and on high alert.

But they're all oriented out, not in. Not towards Ruby, or Melody

The Captain leads them into a secure wing, and to a 'cell'- though 'cell' is a misnomer for a prison fit for Queen. It's a secure room, very comfortable, albeit with one bed. The Captain tells them to stay, and- aside from Ruby futilely trying to demand more answers and asking if she gets a free phone call- leaves them be. He promises that someone will be there to deal with them later, and leaves them alone.

Despite being alone, however, Melody doesn't want to talk. Melody is still in shock- still surprised, but also unprepared for the Captain's intimidating aura, which is likely a semblance in and of itself. As Melody gathers her wits, Ruby lets her be, not sure what she could/should say if she tried. Instead Ruby says nothing and simply waits and watches the door, ready in case Mordred changes his mind on how he wants to treat his prisoner.

He doesn't, though- not yet at least- and eventually visitors come in the form of two familiar figures- Garnet, and none other than Uncle Qrow.

Mordred's own knight is escorting Qrow, the first sign that the broader consequences are already unraveling as Melody's arrest quickly escalates into a full-blown crisis between Mordred, Jaune, and the Council. Qrow is here to verify Melody's health and well-being… and Ruby's, though her presence comes as a surprise for one of the visitors. Qrow is shocked but immediately relieved that Ruby is alright, embracing her and remarking that everyone was worried when she didn't show.

Garnet, on the other hand, isn't surprised at all- and remarks that 'she should have expected' that Ruby was the tag-along she was warned about. She doesn't sound displeased either, even as Qrow quickly gets down to business. Per an agreement with/demand by the Council, Mordred is allowing Qrow to talk to the prisoners privately- to verify Melody's well-being beyond Mordred's assurances- with Garnet there to ensure that Qrow isn't the one who does something stupid and blame it on Mordred. Ruby and and Melody are moved to a holding/interrogation room- with another room with a one-way mirror beside- which gives a chance to talk.

Qrow and Ruby talk one-on-one first, as Garnet gets Melody situated. Qrow again checks if Ruby was hurt, but Ruby assures him he wasn't. Qrow explains what's going on outside, and how fear and anger over Melody's arrest- some say abduction- is thrusting Vale into crisis. When Jaune heard his mother was arrested behind his back during the ceremony…well, Qrow says it even eclipsed the worry that Yang had when they realized Ruby was missing as well.

Jaune is understandably extremely upset, and Qrow even drops a chilling phrase in describing it- Jaune is on a war path, and is dangerously close to being a loose canon outside of the Council's control. Jaune has already refused to abide by the Council's guidance to let them handle the situation, and has already gone straight to the media to call on his supporters to mobilize in the streets to protest against Mordred.

What's terrifying is that they have, despite the Council's attempts to declare a curfew.

Jaune is understandably reacting… and right now, the Serious Adults are trying to contain Jaune as much as address Mordred's provocation. Malik in particular is trying to keep the faunus quarter in check, as the faunus of the Arc Army have already responded to Jaune's call with frightening fervor. Hundreds of faunus have already left the faunus quarter, and barricades are being set up around Royal Police installations. Barricades, some manned by the Arc Army itself.

Protests are already forming in Vale, and riots and worse won't be far behind if they move on the Royal Police prison. A march on the prison could spark a massacre if the Royal Police open fire on the crowd. That's part of why Mordred has agreed to a Council demand, negotiated by Ozpin, to send a representative- Qrow- to verify Melody's state. The Council needs the truth to prevent conspiracies, and Jaune needs to know his mother is alright to calm down enough not to blow the situation truly out of control.

Ruby is perturbed, and also out of her depth. She asks Uncle Qrow what the point of this is- why Mordred is doing such a thing now- and Qrow honestly doesn't have a clue. No one does. Politically, this seems suicidal for Mordred- a clear provocation, for no clear goal. If it was to intimidate Jaune, it's backfired. And it's made Mordred even more unpopular, at a time he's struggled to garner support. Right now, Mordred's relying on the (demonstrated) loyalty of his Royal Police, but that alone probably isn't enough.

But Mordred isn't an idiot, and Qrow knows he's up to something... Qrow just doesn't know what. He doesn't understand that boy, or what he's thinking. Qrow looks upset as he say that, even adding that Mordred's pet knight hasn't spilled the beans either, and knowing that Qrow doesn't know doesn't make things better for Ruby.

Soon, Garnet calls over the intercom, having gotten Melody set up in the interrogation room and ready to give Qrow his own time with her. Garnet and Qrow trade places, leaving Garnet with Ruby to watch into the room while Qrow begins to talk with Melody and inspect her. Ruby's initially awkward silence is easily broken by Garnet.

Garnet breaks the ice by saying this isn't actually the first time she's seen Ruby in a police station- just that this is the first time that Ruby was on this side of a one-way mirror with her. Ruby realizes/Garnet reminds her that they (almost) crossed paths once before- back on night that Roman Torchwick was arrested- and that reveal breaks the ice and uncomfortable frost between them.

Garnet asks after Ruby's well-being and treatment, almost as if Ruby hasn't just been arrested/quasi-kidnapped, but seems sincere in her question. She asks if the Royal Police mistreated or improperly touched Melody or Ruby in any way, and Ruby's honest answer- nothing besides being arrested in the first place- gets a satisfied nod. Garnet says that the Captain was chosen for his chivalry as well as his competence… though Garnet accurately guesses that he didn't check Ruby thoroughly for weapons either.

Despite being caught with her weapon, and unconvincingly denying it, Garnet demand Ruby turn it over, or even act as if she should have. She seems to take it as a given that Ruby wouldn't have surrendered her weapon and left Melody unguarded… and is undoubtedly pleased that Ruby remains armed and ready in the presence of her enemies. It's an unusual position- a strange pride that the jailer is glad that the prisoner kept a weapon- and it confuses Ruby all the more.

Ruby asks Garnet what is going on, and while Garnet won't tell her outright she is a little more open to Ruby than she was with Qrow. Garnet too verifies that Mordred personally ordered this arrest, knowing full and well the consequences. But while Garnet doesn't share what those reasons are- or even elaborate what Mordred is really charging Melody with- she does offer a reassurance.

Garnet gives her own word that Mordred intends no foul play tonight. Melody is to be given every possible respect and courtesy as his guest, despite her imprisonment, and that under no circumstance is she to be harmed or harm allowed to befall her. Any person who raises hand against her will have it taken by Mordred himself. Mordred wants Melody detained, but doesn't want her harmed.

Not yet, and not at all. That is why Garnet is glad that Ruby kept Crescent Rose on her person. She wouldn't expect anything less of her, and Ruby's presence by Melody's side gives her someone she can trust in a way she can't trust anyone else.

That word- trust- catches Ruby's attention enough to ask. Who can't be trusted, and why? Garnet clams up, not wanting to say anything more, but does let one more thing go. Garnet says Mordred had reason to act as he did- and that action, in this case, is better than inaction, despite the optics. Garnet warns Ruby not to trust too easily, and that a known enemy is more reliable than an unproven ally.

On the other side of the mirror, Qrow and Melody finish their checkup, and Qrow returns. He's not happy- Melody is still in shock and recovering from the fright- but he can verify that she's not physically harmed, just as Ruby said. It's not good, per see- she's still arrested and this is still a crisis outside the prison walls- but this will give some much-needed reassurances to keep the worst conspiracies and rumors at bay.

What's left is Qrow's departure- and the issue of Ruby. Qrow pretty quickly makes clear that Ruby's detainment is just as much an issue to him as Melody's. Ruby's arrest was even less justified than Melody's. This time, though, it's Qrow's turn to be surprised when Garnet reveals that Ruby was the one who insisted being arrested. Ruby can't really explain well why she did that at the time, but…

Even though Qrow pushes the point- and Garnet is willing to let Ruby go tonight if Ruby wants to- it's Ruby who refuses to leave, and chooses to stay. Ruby explains that she came came with Melody to ensure her safety and make sure she wasn't alone and helpless. That still applies. Even if Qrow leaves with good news, he'll still be leaving Melody, and Jaune wouldn't want that. Ruby volunteers to stay with Melody and ensure she's not alone, and asks Qrow to relay that to Jaune.

Garnet looks pleased, like she expected that. Qrow is no less surprised, even if not as pleased… but not blind to the value of it either. Ruby has a good point. It will at least let Melody to have someone she can rely on, put some minds to rest. After giving Ruby another chance to back out- which she doesn't- Qrow accepts Ruby's choice and promises that they'll do everything they can to get this resolved tomorrow. He and Garnet change a wordless glare at that- still tense- but Garnet ambiguously says it will be.

Instead of adding to the tension, Ruby asks Uncle Qrow to do something for her- not a favor like snacks like he expects, but to take a message back to Jaune for her. Ruby asks Qrow to tell Jaune that she's protecting Melody… and asks Jaune to trust her. She'll protect Melody, so Jaune shouldn't rush into trouble. She'll look after Melody, just as Jaune asked her to. Qrow's a bit uneasy with that last bit, but he agrees to pass on the message. He leaves soon after, escorted by Garnet, who gives Ruby an approving nod as she departs.

The Royal Police Captain from before comes to escort Ruby and Melody to their cell, and leaves them with the assurance that they call if they need any amenities. Despite his offer, Melody quivers at his presence- his aura-semblance presence still affecting those around him- and Ruby coolly sees him off, leaving herself alone with Melody.

Melody has responded poorly to her sudden incarceration- shaken, shocked, and even scared. Part of that is the Royal Police Captain's semblance, and it's affect on a civilian, but most of it is just the sudden turn of events. Melody can't believe any of it- that she could be arbitrarily arrested on such charges, or that Mordred would do such a thing. She thought… she thought Mordred wouldn't touch her in the first place, especially as she was openly opposing Jaune. She was even rooting for Mordred as she could, wearing a black rose like she saw others doing. She thought she and Mordred were on the same page as far as the succession crisis went.

But Mordred doesn't care. Ruby's words come a bit harder than she meant, but they're true. Mordred doesn't care that Melody thought she safe, or that they were on the same side- just like Mordred didn't care that he sent a Captain who's very presence (and semblance) would terrify her. Mordred only cares about his priorities, with everything and anyone else coming a distant second. If he saw a benefit in arresting her, he'd do so- regardless of whether she wanted to be allies or not. Mordred doesn't treat others as equals anyway, not really.

Ruby might not know what Mordred's intent is, but her conviction is enough to disabuse Melody of any hope that Mordred might somehow be her salvation. Instead, all they can put their hope in is Jaune and the Council- the same persons Melody was deliberately antagonizing and publicly denouncing.

Melody draws within herself at the reminder, regretful. Ruby wonders if she was too hard on Melody- her own frustration leaking out- but Melody doesn't protest. Instead, Melody- almost broken- asks something else: why is Ruby here, then?

Melody asks why Ruby is at her side, when she could have left with Qrow. They aren't friends. They aren't on the same side- or at least, Ruby's not on hers. So why? Why did Ruby demand to be arrested with her?

Because she's on Jaune's side, and always has been.

Ruby's answer is an echo of their earlier argument, but has a different effect this time. Melody looks up, surprised, but instead of leading to a fight Ruby's response is reassuring. Ruby will ensure no harm comes to Melody because she's important to Jaune. Because she's Jaune's mother, and even if they're at odds Jaune loves her and would be devastated if anything happened to her. That's reason enough to protect her, because protecting her protects Jaune as well.

And, well, because Mordred is in the wrong and protecting Melody is the right thing to do. But mostly Ruby cares because of Jaune, and she'll keep protecting Melody for Jaune, and she will ensure that Melody is returned to Jaune safe and sound. Until then, Melody can rely on her- and trust in Jaune, who won't rest until Melody is safe.

Whereas Ruby hit Melody with harsh truths before, Ruby's words build Melody back up now. Melody is put at ease, and begins to relax and look at Ruby differently. Even if they disagree on what Jaune's future should be- even if they aren't necessarily friends- it's no longer the deal-breaker for Melody that it was before. Instead, Melody smiles a bit softly… and remarks that Ruby really does love Jaune, doesn't she?

Ruby admits she does softly, but without shame, and Melody takes that in. She's not sure what to expect, or if Melody's approval matters any more… but if it does, she has it. Melody approves of Ruby- on a level she didn't before- and commends her for such great bravery and maturity in such a small frame. Jaune would be lucky to have someone like her by his side.

It's not just wishing her well, though- it's also wondering what kept them from getting together in the first place. Melody dares ask why, if Ruby was always so great, Jaune didn't recognize that. Surely Jaune wasn't that much of an idiot, was he?

Ruby… looks away, uncomfortable. How is she supposed to explain it all? Ruby vaguely says she didn't always really love Jaune- she just thought she did- and admits that the Council came between them before she could truly confess. That gives Melody another reason to dislike the Council, as if she needed another.

After a comfortable silence, Melody fills the silence again, wondering if Team Jaune can win the tournament and free Jaune from the spectre of an arranged marriage. If they could… Melody would hope that Jaune would see Ruby for who she is. Melody asks if Ruby thinks she can win the tournament.

An image of the formidable Garnet comes to mind… but then a flash of Pyrrha's red hair.

Ruby doesn't answer, but bids Melody to get some sleep while she keeps watch. Melody does, and Ruby settled in to wait, meditating so as to wake on a hair trigger if anyone tries to break in.

No one does, but she wouldn't get much sleep anyway.

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To Protect and Serve 1

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Author Note:

So, just because this is an interesting moment and I do want to try and do something with the update schedule, there will be two posts in the next day. This arc will be complete this weekend, so look forward to it.