*Jeit93, Kaiden and Jaune come out from the cinema. Their eyes are watering until they can't hold it anymore and start crying in fetal position on the ground. Ruby and Pyrrha appear after them.*

Pyrrha (concerned): What's wrong with them?

Ruby (shrugging): Meh. Boys.

*The camera zooms out revealing the title of the movie: Avengers Infinity War*

[A/N: it was a dark dark day for me.]


Chapter 56: The present

-o-

Combat class was the usual. People kicking other's butts. Semblances clashing other semblances. Glynda's evaluations and suggestions about several aspects we could improve in our combats styles. Just another day Beacon.

That day was about a fight in pairs. Weiss and Ruby proved being a strong combination when it came to fighting together after they defeated Ren and Nora. Then Mercury and Emerald smashed Neptune and Sage no mercy. Everything was fun and laugh until the next contestants were called.

"Now, for the next match I need… Nebula Violette with Dew Gayl… and Jaune Arc with Kaiden Noir."

"That's our call," Jaune said unenthusiastically standing up.

"It's gonna be fine," I patted his shoulder. "Besides, it's good to stretch the legs."

"If for 'stretch' you mean 'getting totally beaten up', you're right," the blond guy sighed. "At least you'll show off your new toy."

"Oh, yeah," I concurred patthing what was under my new jacket on my right side. "This baby is ready to rock on."

"Mr Arc. Mr Noir. We're waiting," Glynda called us.

Going down the stairs I glanced at Jaune, who looked at Pyrrha while she mouthed 'Do your best'. My friends' faces slightly blushed and Jaune nodded shyly.

[Play "Another One Bites the Dust"- Queen]

"Well, look who is here," Nebula grinned at us when we stepped into the ring.

"This is going to be easy," Dew snarked.

"That's our line," I replied with a smirk while my right hand reste on Requiem's handle.

I heard that Jaune gulped just when the bell rang and the fight started.

In the first second Nebule shot an arrow in my direction while Dew dashed towards me with her spear raised. I stepped away from the projectile and drew my sword on time to parry the attack. Jaune arrived, bashing away the hazel-haired girl with his shield and thrusting his sword in an attempt to stab her. They both aimed at for being a threat. I didn't know if I should feel alarmed or flattered.

"You ok?" Jaune asked.

"I'm fine. They got me off guard."

"Let's split up," he proposed. "I'll deal with Dew while I leave Nebula to you."

"Got it."

I sprinted in direction of my childhood friend, who shot several arrows from her crossbow that I dodged or let them go through me as I shifted into smoke. When we were face to face, her weapon changed into a sword and we clashed.

"Shall we dance?" I asked.

"My pleasure," she replied with a grin.

Our blades sparked each time the metal made contact and none of us were willing to give up. She was good with the sword as I had some close calls that almost hit me.

We struggle briefly when her eyes glanced at something behind me and nodded with a smirk. With a strong push, I stumbled for a second before I noticed that Jaune was standing up and Dew was moving her spear in circles while pointing at me.

Under my feet a whirlwind started raising until it became a tornado that sent flying away while by body spun without control. I felt my body falling back to the ring, so I used my gauntlets aiming the ceiling and recover while I analyzed my situation.

Jaune was assaulting Dew, showing me that his training with Pyrrha paying off. His use of the shield and sword was more coordinated and his stance to deflect attacks was firm. Nebula was loading an arrow that was totally different from the ones she used to shoot, this one having a bright red head pointing at me. I didn't need someone telling me that it was a bomb arrow.

I swung on my cable and detached it from the ceiling to start my fall towards her and Nebula shot the exploding arrow that started its fast fly in my direction. I sheated Requiem and waited for the right moment to make my move with my semblance focusing on my right hand. When the arrow was within reach, I extended my hand and grabbed the arrow by the rod and spun it around before tossing it back to sender.

Nebula jumped away from the explosion caused by her projectile and I used that moment of distraction for my payback. Taking my left hand inside my jacket, I pulled out my new tool.

Feeling the sensation of the metal surface transversed my hand and chills ran all over my arm while it extended pointing the pistol at Nebula [A/N: For reference, check the Sidewinder from Mass Effect Andromeda]. The black painting shone to the light in the place and my eye aligned to the sight until the girl was right in middle of the indicator. With a deep breath, I pulled the trigger and my arm trembled due the slight recoil. The first bullet missed her, but other two impacted to stun her enough to using my right gauntlet and pull myself to the ground in an angle that wouldn't much damage with the fall. Rolling on the floor, I used the impulse to spring back to my feet and dash in direction of Nebula, who was loading a cartridge of arrow in her crossbow.

Nebula shot a burst that barely allowed me to dodge and shift into smoke so I began deflecting them with Requiem and my gun, which changed to a bowie knife with a twirl of my hand. I made my way between all those projectiles flying around until I was face to face against my foe.

Nebula seemed being between a rock and a hard place parrying the attacks of my two blades with only a sword/crossbow to defend herself.

"Dew!" Nebula called her teammate.

"Hang on!" Dew replied not so far away.

"What?" the alarmed tone Jaune caught my attention in time to see him being sent out in a similar tornado like me.

"Jaune!" I got away from Nebula, sheated Requiem, and shot a line that clinged on my friend's chestplate.

With a strong pull from my gauntlet, Jaune was falling in our direction and over Dew. The girl was crushed by his shield he used to cushion the fall. Dew's aura gauge dropped close to the limit while Jaune's lost a small portion.

Nebula pushed me away and shot another explosive arrow to Jaune, who raised his shield in time to protect himself but still the impact was too much for him and was sent away few meters. Nebula used this brief moment to grab her friend and gain some distance from us.

"Are you good?" I asked Jaune while I helped him to stand up.

"Yeah, thanks for the pull."

"It's nothing. You know I'll be there if you need me, bro."

"Do you bromise?" He asked me raising his fist.

"I bromise," I answered pump it mine.

It was a tender moment between swore brothers until Dew interrupted:

"It's nice and everything, but, can we focus on the fight?"

"Your heard the lady," Jaune told me carefree. "Are you thinking the same?"

"Shadow Knight?"

"Yep," he nodded.

Jaune was the first one to move. With his shield lifted, he charged towards the duo while Nebula shot her arrow. He stopped and kneeled firm when Dew summoned another whirlwind, embing his sword in the floor as anchor and avoiding being sent off again. I followed him, taking advantage of his protecting, and used the moment when the little tornado dissipated after crashing against Jaune to step on his back and shoot a quick round to stagger them briefly. I landed and got on my knee so Jaune could roll on my back and swing some slashes before I moved around them to continue. Nebula and Dew were so distracted with Jaune's turn so I used my semblance to grab on their ankles and fall on their backs. We moved quickly and pointed our swords at the girls with my gun as an extra.

"Drop them," Jaune ordered the girls, who complied and released their weapons.

The information that displayed our auras changed to shadow Nebula and Dew's faces and declaring Jaune and me has the winners of the match.

I stretched my hand to Nebula, who accepted, and helped to get up while Jaune did the same with Dew.

[Song ends]

"Now, that was fun," Dew sighed picking up her trident.

"I hadn't seen that gun," Nebula pointed at the weapon on my left hand. "Where did you get it from?"

"Another present I got."

After finding the briefcase and doing our bomb simulation, Ruby, her teammates and me were surprised to find a pistol, several cartridges and a note.

Dear Kaiden:

The people of the Research and Development department wish you a happy birthday and their thanks for your help in the project.
They designed this SAMARITAN 117 and give your a supply of ammunition as a sign of their appreciation, with the hope that it will be very useful in your future battles.

Greetings,
James Ironwood
Headmaster of the Atlas Academy.

Two things crossed my mind: one, that was very kind of them. And two, couldn't he leave the note ON the briefcase to avoid the bomb alarm we almost called?

I practiced with the gun a little bit that weekend after hanging out with mom and my sister before they had to leave, so my aim was still a little off, and I'd have to modify my gauntlets since both hands were full. Still, I was happy for the gift.

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One reason why I forgot my birthday was because I was thinking about Ruby's. During the time of uncertainty wondering if she was having an affair, I was looking for a way to get her interest in me until I found a jewelry store in downtown that had the specialty of custom orders. When I told the jeweler what I looking for, I paid in advance and he gave me the date when my order would be ready and that day was October 31st, her birthday. Also, Beacon was having a Halloween party so it'd be perfect occasion to give it to ger.

So there I was, walking happily to get the present after getting the stuff I needed for my costume and almost at the store when the door suddenly opened and several masked guys came out carrying bags with guns in their hands. They got on a parked car before speeding up with wheels screeching and puffing smoke.

The chubby owner, Donnie Paulio, came out to the street and stared the direction where the men got away with what was left of his brown hair bathed in sweat.

"HELP! I'VE BEEN ROBBED!" he began screaming out loud before he noticed me. "Boy, your order was taken by those rascals!"

"They what?!"

"I was done wrapping when they arrived, pointed their guns at me and took everything!"

"They're soooo dead," I muttered unfolding my scroll and calling my locker.

It landed few feet from me in front of the stunned look of the witnesses and wore my gauntlets before grabbing Requiem and the Samaritan. I was leaving behind my armor because it'd take too long to put on. Once ready, I sent it back to Beacon with my costume inside.

With a flick of wrist using a new mechanism for my gauntlets, Force attached a line to the closest lamppost and started my hunt of the fugitives going the same way they had gone.

It wasn't too hard to find them, I only needed to follow the sound the sirens and gunshots. Two police cars were chasing the black muscle car and evading the traffic.

One of the robber got on top and raised his hands to summon two big fireballs that he threw at officers. The police cars drifted to avoid the the projectiles, but the move only made them crash and the criminals got away.

I followed the vehicle to an abandoned building, hiding on a roof nearby. Four guys descended from the car, carrying the bags, and began preparing another one parked nearby.

"Hello?" a voice was heard from the other side of the line from my scroll.

"Commissioner Perl? I'm Kaiden Noir. I don't know if you remember me from the Clayton Zaule incident."

"Oh, yes. I remember since I was impressed by the bounty you got from him. What can I do for you?"

"There was a robbery in the jewelry store at the corner of Mistral and Mantle streets. I followed them to an old building located at the ubication I'm sending now."

"Understood. I'll inform the units and we'll take it from here," the commissioner informed me.

"Sir, they're passing the stolen goods to another car. Even if give you its data, there's no way to know if they have another car to use."

The man on the other end of the line was silent for a few moments.

"Are you calling to tell me about the robbery or to ask me permission to face the thieves?"

.

.

.

"They're only four," I commented sheepishly.

"I can't let you do that," Perl objected. "You're just a civilian. It's too dangerous."

"I beg you differ but I'm a huntsman of Beacon with semblance and aura unlocked," I protested.

"Actually, you're a student."

"I've faced worse and you know it."

I could hear the commissioner hesitating.

"The units will be arriving shortly," he stated with stren voice. "I don't know if someone will appear meanwhile and deal with the suspects."

I didn't get it at first, but then I understood. He was saying yes.

"I bet that someone will be away when the police be there," I said before hanging up and jumping to another place where I could get a better point of view.

The nearby alley was a good place to ambush them one by one.

I landed next to a trash container and hit the metal surface, which made a noise that echoed on the walls.

"Frank, go see what it is," a deep voice said.

"Got it," a second voice agreed.

Slow steps began approaching and I ascended to the cornice to stalk the incoming victim.

A skinny man wearing a red bandana appeared behind the corner with a crowbar ready to hit someone. He searched around the container and lowered the weapon when finding nothing.

"Nobody's here, Barry. Maybe it was caAT-" his voice squealed when I drop on him and sucker punched him. He passed out easily.

The surprise in his voice must had alarmed his companions. That was good since he'd be sending anyone else to check him out. It was a good way to reduce their numbers. Still, I had to be careful or I'd be facing the fireball guy; whoever it was.

"Roy…" the same guy who previously had addressed to Frank talked. Apparently he was the leader.

"I'm sure he's fine and just messing around," said another man who was kinda fat in comparison to the others.

"Go... Now," the leader growled.

Roy hesitated, but the stern look on his boss' face gave him no choice and walked into the alley holding a club. Fearfully, he turned the corner only to find Frank collapsed against the wall.

"Frank?" he was about shit his pants.

I quietly descended from the cornice behind him. He must had heard me because he turned around swinging his club. I ducked to avoid the strike before punching in the gut, snatch his club and hit his head with it.

Since the two guys didn't have aura protection, it was faster than expected.

Before someone else showed up, I returned to my hiding spot and spied the last two guys. However, when I was about to figure out the next phase of my plan, my scroll played Red Like Roses while someone was calling me.

My eyes darted to duo below. Glaring at my direction and one of them raised his hand to summon a fireball that he threw at me. I jumped off the roof in time to avoid the blast but I was welcomed by a several shot of magnum tha resounded in the walls. One of them hit me on my shoulder and I lost my balance.

And I decided to leave my armor behind. Great idea.

Good thing the trash container was there to cushion my fall.

"Well, well, well. What do we have here?" I only could wail in pain.

"The impact area isn't bleeding or any harm. This kid has his aura unlocked but still young to be in an academy. Interesting."

"And here they are," I heard one of them say. "Korbin, this kiddo knocked Roy and Frank."

"We got a chance to reduce to cut in two, Murphy."

When my vision cleared, I visualized one of the men cocking the magnum and pointing at the passed out guys.

I knew they had robbed my present for Ruby and were criminals, but that didn't mean they had to die betrayed, so I stretched my arm, I called my semblance.

Thanks to the books that Jaune and Pyrrha gave me, I discovered that it was easier to cast the darkness as tentacle and then reshaping it depending of the occasion. That way I hadn't to focus too much and wasted less energy, like in this case when I wrapped it around his waist and threw him to a wall.

Faith shot its line that grabbed the man and tossed him into a open container while he lost the grip of his magnum. After shutting it closed, I used a fire crystal to weld the lid of the garbage container. He wouldn't stand still and began struggling with his stinky prison but with now success until he gave up and kept quiet like a captured pokemon.

A clap of hands caught my attention.

"Good. Now I can have all the loot for myself."

"What?! Klaus, we agreed that we'd get rid of Frank and Roy and have everything for us!" the guy in the container objected.

"Things change, Korbin," Klaus responded. "But I'll deal with the boy before."

I didn't give him the chance to hit the first shot, so I rushed towards him with my hand holding Requiem's grip for a quick draw while dodging the fireball he was tossing. I was right in front of him when I slashed my sword but he jumped away next to the car. Without losing sight of me, Klaus opened a back door and pulled out a hatchet.

I was wondering it was like Port's when it threw it at me before returning to his hand. Who the hell was he? Kratos? Escanor?

"You like it? I made this babe myself."

"Very impressive," I agreed. "It's a shame you're wasting such skills and not being a huntsman."

"Nah. Too many rules and the bounty you get from risking your life against the grimm is bullshit."

"It's not about the money," I opposed. "What matters is to help the people who needs protection from anyone and anything."

"That's nice. An idealist," Klaus mocked at me. "Let's see if you still think the same once I'm done with you."

[Play "Fighting", Final Fantasy VII]

Without previous warning, he threw his hatchet spinning in the air. I dodged by instinct but also lost sight of him until he was close to me before hitting me with a basketball-size fireball. If I hadn't my aura protecting me, I'd be burned alive. However, I was projected backwards while I shot a short round of bullets that were deflected by the ax, which had returned to its owner's hands.

My back made contact with a wall in time to see Klaus sprinting with his hatchet ready to attack, so I casted a shadow in the shape of a fist that punched him with an uppercut and stopped the man enough for me to strikeback.

Our blades clashed, letting out sparks everywhere. I pulled the trigger in an attempt to hit him at close distance, but he managed to avoid the bullets so I spun the pistol on my hand to changed into the bowie knife. Still Klaus grabbed me by the wrist and hit me strong in the gut with the ax handle and fell to the ground wheezing for air.

The weak sound of sirens started coming closer and Klaus gazed in their direction.

"Looks like I'm running out of time," Klaus declared kicking me against the wall and walked away. "I won't kill you. I'll let you live knowing that you failed. You're not fit to be an huntsman."

I was pathetic. I thought I could handle a group of thugs and I was there gasping for air while one of them was getting away. What frustrated me more was the fact that my present for Ruby was in that bag with all the good they had stolen.

I had been so focused on working on the Holosseum, homework and training for the tournament that I hadn't had thought a way to plan something for Ruby's birthday and to thank her all the love and caring she had given to me. It was a miracle I had found that jewelry shop and figure out the perfect present for her.

No. I wasn't giving up that easily.

Before I knew it, I was feeling the same energy like my match against Rhea. I wasn't sure how it was happening, but I didn't think about it.

With the aura burning, I stood up and held my weapons tightly.

Klaus turned around with a cocky grin.

"Still wanting some more?"

I kept quiet, remembering that I had broken that state by finally breathing. I needed to finish him off before passing out due lack of air.

Sheating my weapons, I sprinted towards him evading the ignited balls he was throwing. When I was right in front of him, he swing his ax but it had no effect on me as I as shifted into smoke and traversed his body before materializing behind. I gripped oh his jacket collar and used Faith to attach a line on the closest cornice to catapult him up in the air above the roofs. I grappled another line on him before he was out of my reach.

Because Klaus was heavier than me, he easily dragged me through the air. He weighed his ax ready to throw it at me but quickly drew Samaritan before shooting him in the hand, causing him to lose the grip of his weapon that fell to the ground several meters below us.

I pulled myself towards Klaus, shooting his hands if he tried to cast a fireball, and slashed him with Requiem at close distance before detaching the lines and grappling another one to repeat the process. I did it once and once again without giving him time to rest. We were falling when I grabbed him again and shot another grapple on the closet roof to throw him against the ground. The impact against the cement was so strong that the man ended up buried by debris in middle of a crater while his red aura shattered.

I landed swinging like in a pendulum and used my gauntlet to retrieve Klaus's ax.

"How's... this possible?" the defeated man mumbled.

I raised the hatchet and dropped it, embedding the edge next to its owner head. Klaus stared at me with his brown eyes fixed in surprise before looking at his where his weapon was stuck before passing out.

[Song ends]

The police was at few blocks so I headed where the other suspects were and dropped them next to their leader; even Korbin, who was still in the trash container and asking what the hell was going on.

The red and blue lights were close when I jumped on the closed building and hid.

In that moment, I remembered to breath and the sudden rush of aura vanished while I collapsed next to an air duct, catching my breath after almost two minutes.

It happened again. That aura burst. It only happened when I lacked of air. Was that an aftereffect from the Overdrive? That strength and the way that my aura burned like dark flames were so similar to that time. I needed to find out more about it… another day when I wouldn't struggling to not pass out from the fatigue.

I don't know how long I was there at the sky as the Sun began descending to bath the city with an orange light.

I was wondering what were the guys doing until I remembered something: the call that informed of my hiding place.

As fast as I could, I unfolded my scroll and noted that I have a call with some messages from Ruby. I dialed.

"Where are you?" Ruby first say after the first dialing tone.

"Still in Vale. Sorry I didn't answer. I was dealing with some people who wanted the same stuff I needed for my costume."

"Oh. Everything good?"

"Yeah. I need to check some stuff and I'll go back to Beacon. Need anything?"

"Nope. See you soon."

"See you later" I finished the call.

I laying against the wall, listening all the circus taking place in the crime scene. I peeked out to see what happening only to see that the suspects had been taken away with the stolen goods that were in the car and the officers had cordoned the area to investigate.

I called the commissioner.

"Commissioner, any update of the suspects?"

"Actually, yes," the man replied amused from the other side of the line. "They were found beaten up in an abandoned part of Vale and the goods had been recovered."

"That's good to hear."

"Also, Mr. Paulio is here in the station giving his testimony," Perl commented. "He asked for you. Maybe you could come and see him."

"Got it. I'll be there."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

After a quick stop to get a soda and snack to replenish my energy after the fight, I was in the Vale Police Station in my second visit during my time in the city. Walking in, I met Paulio, who was talking to commissioner Perl.

"Ah, Mr. Noir," Perl addressed me. "Good to see you. I was telling Mr. Paulio that followed the suspects and sant their location for their arrest."

He then winked.

"I just told where they were," I played along. "Nothing else."

"I was thanking the commissioner for their help and also for a little favor he did for me," Paulio said reaching a pocket in his coat and taking out a package. It was a black rectangular box wrapped with a red ribbon. "I asked to have it back from the evidence since I told you I'd have it ready today. And Donnie Paulio is a man of word."

"Wow, thanks," I said grabbing the package.

"It's the least I can do for your help tracking those rascals. That girl must be really special."

"Yes," I said with a smile caressing the ribbon. "She is really special."

Paulio chuckled.

"When you told me your request, I felt the aura of a man in love so I put an extra effort on it." he said proudly. "I hope see you in a future. This time for a pair of rings."

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When the transport landed on the platform, it was late afternoon.

I headed to the lockers and mine was at the usual place like if it wasn't called that day, so I opened it and took the stuff I had bought.

Nobody was in the room when I arrived, but Zwei sleeping on Blake's bed. Ruby and the girls had went ahead to the party, so I didn't have to wait to use the bathroom and dress up.

For my costume I was wearing a tank top cut above the navel, gloves studded at the knuckles, fitting pants with a leather belt, and knee-high leather boots; the same clothes of Joseph Joestar. When I was done, I walked to the ballroom.

Passing by the CCT Tower, I could see that the security had increased. It wasn't to be surprised after that night during the ball. I hoped it was enough to avoid another incident.

"Hey, Kaiden," the Hashibami twins greeted me. Toka as Beast Boy and Taki as Hawkeye.

"Hey. I thought you'd be coming disguised as the Wonder Twins."

"Hahaha screw you," the siblings said in unison.

"Still it was normal considering your semblances: Toka changing into animal forms and Taki being so good at archery like the actual Hawkeye."

"Comic Hawkeye or movie Hawkeye," Taki asked.

.

.

.

"Movie Hawkeye," I answered.

"You fuck yourself," she said pointing an arrow at me with her bow.

"Maybe later," I ignored her threat. "Have you seen Ruby?"

"Yang was over there," Toka said signaling the other side of the place. "Maybe she's with her."

"Got it. Later!" I say my goodbye avoiding the crowd.

It didn't take long before I met up with Yang and Weiss.

"Hey, guys," I said joining them.

"What took you so long?" Weiss scolded me dressed like Elsa.

"Give him a break, He's here," Yang intervened. Then she smirked, "Let it go."

Weiss grumped.

"Thanks, Yang. What's your costume?" I asked noticing the girl wearing sneakers, short jeans, green t-shirt and cap.

"I'm glad you asked..." the blondie said cheerfully.

"Why did you have to ask?" Weiss facepalmed.

"Because I… am… YANG CENA!" then John Cena's theme song started coming out through the small speaker on her waist. I was totally regretting it. Noticing our deadpan, she fumed, "Buzkillers."

I turned to Weiss, who was staring at my costume.

"Next you'll say 'Who are you supposed to be?'" I stated smirking.

"Who are you supposed- What?!" Weiss stopped mid sentence confused.

"Whoever you are, it fits you very well," Yang said as her eyes began going down on me

"Hey, my eyes are up here," I deadpanned.

"Wow," Yang exclaimed. "So that's how it feels being at the other side of that phrase."

"Hello, guys," Pyrrha joined the conversation wearing an angel costume, with a golden hale and wings on her back. [A/N: Too soon? Don't care. It's been almost 2 years]

"Hey, Pyrrha," Weiss greeted the girl. "Nice costume."

"Thanks."

Behind her was Ren disguised as a ninja and Nora, dressed as Thor. However, I was paying attention the blonde guy with them. We gazed each other's eyes and nodded.

It's showtime.

"SHIZAAAAAA!" I screamed.

"JOJOOOOO!" He did the same.

"You didn't expect me!" Sun yelled jumping in wearing a yellow jacket with a black tank-top underneath, as well as chaps with an exposed crotch. On his head is a heart-shaped circlet to match his knee guards.. "But it's me, Dio!"

"No. Just… no," Jaune sharply said.

"What?"

"Wrong saga," I refuted. "Dio had nothing to do during the Pillar Men's arc, Joseph Joestar or Caesar Zeppeli."

"C'mon," Sun begged. "I can't dress like the Pillar man Kars with this weather."

Jaune shrugged.

"Well, it's ok then."

"Cool then," the monkey boy replied happy.

"By the way, have you seen Ruby?" I asked the guys.

"She went to the bathroom with Blake. They should be here any time now," Yang announced.

Shortly after, Blake arrived dressed like Blair from Soul Eater.

"Hey, Blake. Where's Ruby?" Pyrrha asked the newcomer.

"She stayed behind chatting with Penny," she replied before sipping her drink. She turned to me, "She's over there."

"Thanks, Blake," I said heading to the pointed direction.

I moved among the sea of people that were dancing, eating, chatting or goofing around as I focused on finding a girl with silver eyes or certain orange-haired robot girl that accompanied her. It's was tougher than expected, though, since I had no idea what they were wearing.

"Psst!"

I turned around to the sound but I found nothing.

"Psst!" I heard again. "Over here!"

I was surprised to find a dalek next to me.

"Uhm. Hi?" I greeted awkwardly.

The top cover suddenly opened and a head emerged from there.

"Salutations, friend Kaiden!" Penny exclaimed joyful as always.

"Nice dalek."

"Thanks. I heard someone talking about somebody called Doctor Who and searched him to find out what was his specialty. In the end it was a tv series and watched some seasons."

"And you decided to dress like a dalek."

"Yes, I even learned to talk like them." She cleared her throat and yelled in a dalek voice: "EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE!"

The tune was so accurate. For a moment my head was filled with the picture of Vale being invaded by a horde of daleks with Penny's head at the chant of 'Salutation!'. The idea made me shudder.

"That's amazing," I said resisting the urge to make an EMP device. "By the way, have you seen Ruby? Blake told she was with you."

"Oh, right! She's at the balcony waiting for your arrival."

"Really. I thought she'd be calling me."

"Ruby said she didn't want to pressure you and give you space."

Now I felt guilty.

"Got it. Thank you, Penny," I said the girl. I was about leave when something popped out in my mind "Can you do a little favor for me?."

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Leaving the orange haired girl with the dalek costume, I walked to the balcony where a girl wearing a vampire outfit (with certain red cape on her back) sadly gazed at the nocturnal sky.

She had been waiting for me all that time. Without a single call thinking that it'd be bothering me. I had to amend it.

Approaching carefully with the loud music from the party covering my steps, I stood behind my girlfriend.

"Why is a lovely lady here so alone?"

Ruby jolted on her place and turned around quickly.

"K-Kai! You're here," then she looked at me up and down. "Or, should I say… Mr. Joestar?"

"Yeah, sorry for the delay… miss Dracula. Some stuff happened," I explained leaning on the balcony railing.

"Really?" Ruby did the same and stared at me with a raised eyebrow. "What kind of stuff?"

"Well, I was walking happily on the streets of Vale…"

I narrated her the events of that day. From the assault on the shop to how I defeated the criminals, omitting the new iteration of the Overdrive that I experienced and my reason for being at the crime scene.

"...so, once all of them were down, I fled before the police appeared and arrested the suspects."

"Wow, that was cool."

"Yeah," I agreed. "That's one of my reason to be late."

"Oh yeah?" she asked. "What's the other one?"

"Stand up and close your eyes," I commanded walking around the girl and place behind her. "Don't open them."

"Fine," she grumbled.

Reaching the box in my pocket, I opened it and took out its content and put it around Ruby's neck before the clasp of the necklace.

I placed my hands on her shoulders and whispered on her ear:

"You can open them."

Ruby first looked down before letting out an excited squeal and turning around, then she hopped on me, wrapped her arms around and kissed me repeatedly.

Once the need to breath struck us, Ruby released me and gazed at the silver locket that hanged from a silver chain. On the shiny surface was engraved a burning rose in red. Inside there were two photographs: one where she was with her team, and another one I had from a photo booth during our first date.

"I'm glad you like it," I teased.

"Like it? I love it!" Ruby was ecstatic with her hands still clasping on the locket. "Thank you so much."

"It can't be compared to a huge party or making your dad come over from Patch," I said placing my hands on hers over the locket, "but it's one of many way to let you know how much I love you and what I'd do for you."

"You didn't have to," she kindly says, giving me a peck.

"But I wanted to do it," I replied leaning on her for another one.

"MAY THE BIRTHDAY GIRL,RUBY ROSE, COME TO THE DANCE FLOOR?!" Penny's voice came out from the speakers in the ballroom.

"Ehhhh…what?" Ruby was surprised by the call.

"Another thing I'd do for you," I stated offering my arm.

She accepted it and we both walked in with Penny singing happy birthday, dalek version.


Well, that's it for now. Did you enjoy it?

Sorry for the delay. I've dealing with a lot of things lately.

Work.

Family.

God of War.

Infinity War (It's gonna be a looooooong year before the sequel).

But I appreciate my followers so I did my best to finish this chapter.

Let's check the reviews:

dandyrr0403: Let me give you a hint about Ruby's present: it's for Kaiden ;)

Alphazero524: No tienes idea de lo que tengo preparado muajajajaja.

zacharylee53899: I think you got your answer today.

Gizmo Gear: I wouldn't be surprised it it were from the drunkard.

EWR115: You mean some 'Murica!? Nope, I don't think so.

The Mercenary Prime: Like a metallic basilisk? That'd be so badass.

EeveeTheImmortal: Yep. I hope you liked it. Long live the king *kicks him off the cliff*

Remember you can leave your comments and suggestion about the story so far and I'll do my best to answer them.

But… I don't wanna go, readers… I'm sorry… *vanishes in dust*