MonsterKing- Thank you!
The-Soul-in-The-Void- No one thinks Ruby is harmless...least of all her father(s)
Seriously- lol Bird-dude
Kootranova1- I have so enjoyed your comments, you have certainly made an impact on this story everywhere from building the sass from Ruby, increasing the siblings goals, to encouraging a warmer relationship between Roman/Ozpin.
Announcement- This is the last chapter I am posting. I was drafting what will happen in Atlas...its not going to be happening though. I'm leaving it a bit open ended, so maybe I will come back, but likely not. May you all be well, thank you for reading.
Ruby set a small letter on fire as Roman and Qrow drank coffee and nursed their aching skulls. She gave them an annoyed glance, "Will you two be in fighting shape tonight?"
Qrow groaned, "Naturally I can, don't know about feather fingers here."
Roman snapped, "Not my fault the Branwens can't pickpocket."
Qrow flipped a scroll high in the air...Torchwick lunged for it and muttered, "Bandits." He saw that familiar little smirk in the old bird and then glanced at Ruby….
Roman, So I now agree with you that Qrow is her dad.
Ozpin, right?!
Roman continued, "That letter from Triston?"
She shook her head, "Nandi. The White Fang are staging their attack, likely tonight. I got a curious phone call this morning from Headmaster Leonardo. He made headway with the council and we will have a small squad of hunters. He wants me and Jaune to come by tonight.
Roman crossed his arms, "Just the team leaders" oh that didn't sound suspicious at all.
She opened the kitchen window, "I need to get word to the Corcovans. That the battle will likely go down tonight."
Qrow grumbled, "It's always 'Qrow stab that Grimm', 'Qrow send this message', it's never 'Hey Qrow here's a drink and kick up your feet."
Ruby gave the old man a kiss on the cheek, "Please Dad?"
The tough no shit taking huntsmen melted and ruffled her hair. "No problem, pipsqueak." And he was gone in a rush of black feathers.
"You really know how to wrap us, poor blokes, around your little finger." He grinned and honestly he loved it about her.
She heckled, "You weren't complaining last night."
"I don't remember that."
Ruby bit her lip, "oh, um did I take advantage of you?"
Roman shrugged, "I don't think so? I mean we've been pretty... active with each other. So what's one night of black-out drunk sex."
Ruby wrung her hands and worriedly bit her lip "I don't know the rules here."
Ozpin grimaced, if I may interject you, clueless teens. In an established relationship, it's not considered a betrayal unless the sober partner did something the drunk one has stated not wanting to do.
Roman, You don't remember, do you?
Ozpin, Most certainly not.
Ruby pushed him, "So you know I have to fight beside the Corcovans."
Roman frowned, "I must see Leo with my own eyes." He pulled her to his lap, "I don't like fighting apart."
"We are still working together." She kissed the tip of his nose.
"MY EYES" Yang theatrically screamed when she entered the kitchen.
Blake looked at her and then to Adam, "Are you sure we love her?"
Adam poured himself a cup of coffee, "Was there ever any doubt?"
XXX
Yang could see the White fang approaching the edge of the city. She looked at Blake, Adam, and Ruby. "I have to help mom."
Ruby nodded, "I know, we don't know what mess she is in. I'll have Blake and Adam's back."
Triston rested his elbow on Rose's shoulder "don't forget me."
Good brothers, the sisters want to break that kid's nose again. Yang huffed before running after the rest of their friends and towards the academy
A man whispered in Triston's ear the boy tilted his head, "Seems like we have some Branwens heading this way."
Ruby stepped away seeing her tribe approached...in numbers. Nandi frowned at her, "Our head woman was in trouble and you chose to…" His face lined with disgust gestured at Triston.
The man rubbed his bent nose and smiled crudely, "Well you Branwens are so flighty. She needed someone more reliable."
Ruby flicked him in the nose, "I was trying to improve relationships with the Corcovans." She forced a flush, "I miscalculated." Her voice squeaked, "I'm sorry!"
Her tribe softened, assuming she made a youthful mistake with good intentions. Save Nandi, his mouth's thin line indicating he didn't buy her sweet girl act.
Blake called out, "Positions!"
Adam drew his sword, "The white fang is here."
XXX
Leonardo, "Welcome! Qrow I had not expected to see you."
Qrow, "I finished my business elsewhere. So what's going on with the council?"
Leo nervously, "I had only expected the team leaders and you're all armed."
Roman, "More the merrier and Leo" he gestured to his folded weapon, "we're huntsmen."
Neo squared her shoulders and proudly raised her chin.
Ozpin's internally swelled with pride, Mr. Torchwick I had no idea I could make an honest man out of you.
Roman in exasperated affection, Fuck off
Qrow saw the raven and before he could stop his niece she spoke surprised, "Mom?"
Raven transformed back into her human form. Haughty, "Seems like my family has been scheming."
Qrow confused, "Leo, what have you done?"
Ozpin, Roman, they are acting, right?
Roman, Should be, it is hard to tell. He telescoped out Long Memory.
Raven leaned against the railing, "For all your years of spying, dear brother, have you not figured it out that there is no beating Salem."
Yang shook her head, "You're wrong, we can do the impossible."
Ren spoke up to Leonardo, "We have done so because we had people to teach us. Our headmaster trusted you to guide us to protect this city."
Roman in his best melodic voice, "Work with us, together we can fight this peril."
Raven gritted her teeth at the fierce sight of her daughter and with a slice, a red portal opened for Vernal, Mercury, Emerald, and Cinder to walk through.
Cinder blinked a few times at the sight of the Torchwicks. Then the entrance door closed, loudly.
Cinder's eyes flicked to the movement and she smirked, "hello Hazel."
Hazel latched the large doors, "Perry and the White Fang have finished setting up the demolitions. No one is getting in or out."
Qrow shook his head, "Leo what is going on"
Cinder, "Leonardo has been sending information to Salem for a long time."
Roman, "You've been sending information about hunters to her...so she could have them killed."
Ozpin, NO! Rage simmered through them.
Cinder cooed, "Don't be too hard on the lion. Tyrian and Hazel would have found them eventually."
Jaune quietly, "How can you brag about killing and destruction. Like it is something to be proud of."
Neo lightly dragged her fingertips across his hand.
Jaune flinched from his trusted friend, tears pricked his eyes, "I'm going to make you pay!" he charged at Hazel and the big man easily blocked.
Hazel sent his heavy fist flying at the boy and Neo slid in front to deflect the blow. Hazel blinked and took a step backward, "Neo." His eyes shot to Roman, "Torchwick."
Fighting had broken out all around them, leisurely the ginger leaned on his cane and smiled, "I believe you owe me a favor."
Ozpin What?
Roman, Neo killed a man for free. The one that faked Hazel's sister's documents, ages ago
Ozpin, Her skill matched her transcripts.
Roman, She was 12. The fake document was her ID. He had fumbled enough jobs anyways so when this big guy came to me without money. I figured a favor owed from a man like Hazel was more valuable than a wasteful lackey.
"I won't start a fight with you or Neo today." Hazel frowned at the tiny fighter.
Roman raised his little finger "Promise?"
Hazel gave him a concerned glance and then nodded.
"I'm Ozpin." Roman held up his cane to prove a point.
Perhaps it delighted Roman too much to watch Hazel work through that information. The big man blinked, then his face pinched tight, and finally, there was rage. Roman took the whole time to whistle and walked so Hazel wouldn't be facing his sister and Jaune.
Hazel stabbed Dust into his arms, "OZPIN!" he slammed his fist at Roman, the cane was sent skittering away.
Ozpin, Your fighting style is worthless against Hazel's strength. Allow me!
Roman gritted his teeth, Oz, end this quickly. The hunter handed the reins to the wizard. It wasn't the first time Ozpin was grateful for the teenager's hard-earned athleticism, which only improved with the cessation of smoking. If you had the lungs for it one could move around the big man with relative ease. Long Memory struck off a chunk of Dust and blood wept freely from the open gash. Oz slowly tired out Hazel while preserving his own Aura. Still, his blood went cold when he heard Jaune scream.
"NEO" Jaune ran to the small girl on her knees blinking numbly at the flaming spear puncturing her stomach.
Roman in his moment of distraction opened him to the large man throwing him against the pillar and the wizard could feel the stone crack from the force. Hazel slammed his fist down, Qrow intercepted with a slice. The smaller veteran grunted at the weight of it.
The old bird hissed, "Kid...Boss...get up."
Roman tried, heck Ozpin tried, yet the forces within them swirled disorientedly
Cinder calling flames up with her maiden powers blocked her from everyone else, "They are distracted. Lion! Open the vault."
Ozpin leaned heavily on his cane only able to trust Qrow to protect him. Roman spared a glance to see Jaune's palms glow over his sister and Nora yelling at Yang to go after Raven.
Everything was happening in a blur...nothing felt right… explosions happened somewhere outside.
XXX
Raven couldn't spare a second to hold her dear friend close and weep over the body. Raven made Vernal the decoy, putting her at risk...was she no better than Ozpin with his own pawns?
Raven's moment of self-pity snapped to an end as flames licked her Aura. Fresh Spring leaves erupted from her; they withered and smothered the flames. Raven couldn't help but wonder how Cinder, the Fall maiden, could be so compatible with a Grimm appendage. She slipped through a tiny portal she made appearing behind the Fall maiden but fire protected the rear. Spring then sprung upwards her magic had sharp fresh thorns launched down only to be burnt up.
Raven screeched, "You only have one trick?"
"Stop throwing plant matter and maybe I'll need more than one."
The maidens wove around each other, giving and taking ground, something deeper in their bones burned with knowing they've had this dance before. The women lost in their pattern intent on making the kill.
"Mom!" shots fired at Cinder, who lazily cut the bullets in half.
"Yang! Back aw-" The head woman's eyes widened shocked as she glanced down at a Grimm's hand clutched about her heart. She couldn't change like this…even now her maiden powers fled her. Cinder would even take Oz's magic from her.
The pair were close to the edge of the path and they could fall for miles. Raven knew she didn't have the time to make a plan with a more palatable price. She dropped her sword...Rose would need it. There was more she wanted to leave for the girls. She choked on the words unsaid for the man who helped her see she deserved both her beautiful family & tribe. She flicked her gaze up and enjoyed Cinder's face as she was being pushed to the edge.
Chanting her daughter's name Raven took a leap of faith.
XXX
Ruby was burnt, her clothes scorched, and her tribe slowly subdued the White Fang. The Corcovans kept citizens and businesses safe. After the first bomb, she fluttered to disarm the others. Roman gave her a crash course on the wirings of demolitions and that coupled with her gratuitous experience of making things explode [on purpose?] she was able to disarm most of them. Now on a rooftop catching her breath and eyeing to see if she could find more explosives. She caught the sight of Perry frantically holding off Adam, Blake, and Tristan. Rose had to wonder if Tristan had held back during their fight and if so...why?
"Miss Rose!" Nandi ran up to her and most of his hair burnt off.
"Can't find anymore?"
He shook his head. She prepared to rejoin the fray, but he gripped her arm.
"Your Aura."
"Is gone. Still, this isn't done...and thank you. I've no reason to have your help and still-"
"Raven ordered me. While I wish you were less of a snake, something you learned from Torchwick I'm sure...you can do this and you can keep the Branwens strong." His eyes shot to the academy. "The doors."
"They're opening."
Jaune was carrying Neo, and Ruby felt her throat go tight. Yang was holding a sword and Ruby swore her sister's purple eyes were aflame. Ren and Nora leaned heavily on each other. Qrow had Roman thrown over his shoulder, nothing seemed more important to her.
"Roman!" She tried to use her semblance but her Aura spluttered out. She rolled off the ground into a sprint. Roman stood leaning heavily on Qrow.
Her gait faltered...she didn't recognize him. She shook her head to clear the crazy thought. Her hands reached up to cup his face, she felt the love in his eyes. She saw the bruises as well and itched to check the extension of them to confirm he was still here. She heard a sudden stop of metal clashing.
Perry panicked, did he trigger a horrible relationship between the pair? The shame tore him up and his weapon slipped through his grip. Ruby might be a pain, certainly, she didn't deserve to be Stockholm or whatever this was with Torchwick. Adam punched him in the face and Perry fell to his knees frozen and unfeeling as he was arrested.
XXX
As exhausted as he was he still had a part to play. In a respectable safe house on the edge of town, he sat across from Mr. Corcovan. He was prepared to take charge as Yang and Ruby lean against Qrow. Looking very sad at Omen, Raven's sword.
Mr. Corcovan frowned, "I am sorry for your loss...perhaps we should discuss this after a period of mourning."
Qrow began, "That probably for-"
Rose cut in, "No. Death is inevitable, we Branwen do not stop for a fact of life."
While a clone of Summer, the resemblance to the late head woman seemed stronger.
The old man looked squarely at Ruby, "I assume you are in charge."
"Of my tribe, yes." She looked at her family, "Qrow...Yang...check on our men. I'm not sure if we have enough supplies for camp." That was a lie.
Yang opened her mouth to protest, but Roman moved to rest a hand on her shoulder. His chin gestured to the door. She left Omen with Rose and walked out with Qrow behind her.
The old man poured himself another cup of tea, "It is a pity, you worked so hard to avoid this fate."
Rose, "My tribe is my fate," No waver in her voice nor tremble in her core.
Taking a sip, "Well then shall we determine territory then."
The ginger stifled a yawn, "Oh I have a few thoughts there."
"Of course you do, boy."
XXX
Finally alone in their room Ruby was quick to unbutton his shirt. He covered her hands with his to still them.
Her silver eyes loomed up at him "Roman, I know we had a chance to clean up. I just want to see you for myself."
He couldn't find his voice for the truth, "I'll go by Roman if I must."
"Ropin?"
His lip twitched before a deep laugh rolled from his throat. "Oh Red, of course, you would remember that."
"I thought we'd have more time." She shook her head and smiled coyly at him. He felt her grip on his shirt and she pulled him closer.
Resisting, "I have centuries of life, this is wrong."
"Ozpin and you have been bleeding into each other for months. Both had experiences that the other could not have. Don't take the moral high ground now because the merge is official."
He didn't realize he was being pushed back until he was against the wall. Brothers she was beautiful when she was determined.
"I have shamed and fought myself for wanting this and we were both miserable for it."
His fingers dug in her hips, "I am yours and you are mine."
She pushed him into a kiss.
XXX
Their limbs were entangled, his head rested on top of her chest as she brushed away strands of his brightly colored hair. He moved to rest on his side and take her in his arms, she made a heartfelt whine as he kissed his woman.
"I have to stay in Mistral."
He knew that, he knew that Roman stayed with her. Ozpin wouldn't have had the heart to deny the boy. The Brother's curse laid upon Ozma was much crueler than that. United as a single soul, duty thrummed through him above all.
"The relic without the Spring Maiden is safe in the vault."
"Yang has to go with you then."
"To Atlas, and I will protect her. Neo….doesn't want to go to Atlas."
"She is afraid of your parents. She has a home with me."
They laid there in silence memorizing the warmth of each other's skin.
"I always knew I'd fall for the hero."
"I figured I'd end up with a criminal."
"I just didn't think…"
"I know."
xxx FIN xxx
I will be opening myself to messages again, if I start getting threats again I'll shut it down pretty quick.