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Scarlet
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The Color of Passion.
The Color of Blood.
The Color of Sin.
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It was a cloudy overcast over Beacon Academy, when Glynda Goodwitch, Headmaster of Beacon Academy, gazed out pensively from the window of her office.
"I suppose it was only a matter of time before they came," she lamented.
In the distant skies, numerous airships flaunting the Atlas banner approached. Dreadnoughts the size of the school's largest buildings loomed forward, causing the air itself to ripple and tremor.
"Only a matter of time…"
Glynda lowered her glasses, and massaged the bridge of her brow.
She was getting tired. Too tired, too quickly to fight the world that wanted its own destruction with such longing.
Glynda remembered bearing witness to a full Atlesian Air Fleet only one other time. A time far past and far gone. The last Vytal Festival and the Fall of Beacon Academy.
It had been a decade since then. Glynda rebuilt the school from the ground up. It was no easy task, but she had the help.
But it was never the same.
Perhaps, Vale's government knew that. Which was why they were so ready to migrate the capital of the Kingdom further southward.
It hasn't been a month after the move, and Atlas is already at our front door, she thought.
Glynda knew this inevitability, but chose to stay regardless. Beacon had a legacy to uphold and she would be the one to uphold it—even in the face of its imminent destruction.
A second Fall of Beacon.
How disgraceful.
Even so…
"There's nothing left, but to surrender."
The words soured in her mouth.
"If they have any decency, they'll spare the students. But this is Atlas," she sighed. "There's a chance they might turn the students into prisoners of war…"
For a moment, she thought of putting up a fight. If she asked it, the students would eagerly take up arms without hesitation. But that would be irresponsible. The young shouldn't run so hastily to their deaths. Honorable sacrifice is a rite reserved for the older guard.
With an ironed resolve, Glynda placed her glasses back on. Her eyes burned with a fierceness—which smothered immediately in the next second.
Her sudden shock caused by a lone figure striding towards Atlas's invading Fleet. The young woman's cape fluttered violently against the wind, as she crossed the courtyard. A Huntress with a bright, red hood.
Glynda immediately pulled out her scroll to dial the number of the Vice Headmaster. A click sounded after a couple rings.
"What do you think you are doing?!" she exclaimed without waiting for an answer.
"I'll buy you time," Ruby Rose's voice came from the other end. "You need to evacuate the students."
"I can't let you do that. I won't allow you to sacrifice yourself!"
"It's alright, Professor. I don't plan on dying. Besides, I can hold them off better than you can."
"Return here at once! That is a direct order, young lady!"
"Sorry. It was great while it lasted. But you must've been really stressed out not to see my resignation letter on your desk."
Glynda turned, and saw a single white envelop sitting on her table. Ruby must have used her Semblance to leave it without her notice.
"I won't accept it!" Glynda shouted into her scroll. "You can't possibly hold off an entire fleet on your own!"
But before she could finish berating the former Vice Headmaster, the line went dead.
…
Underneath her hood, Ruby scowled as the lead flagship descended to lower elevation.
I don't need to hold off an entire fleet.
From the flagship, a single figure descended like a silver meteor.
I just need to hold off one person.
The woman who landed before her was dressed in a snow-white gown. Her waist and leggings were reinforced in battle-scaled armor. A long estoc the length of a spear, drew through the air with a sharp ring.
In spite of herself, Ruby couldn't help but form a disparaging smile.
"Hey, Weiss. Long time no see."
Her former partner posed Myrtenaster below Ruby's nose, but the latter showed no signs of fear.
"Surrender," Weiss uttered the single-word command.
"What, no 'how have you been?', 'what have you been up to?'"
"Surrender and tell all the professors to surrender at once, too."
"No 'I'm sorry for leaving without a word'. No 'can we please talk about this?'"
"Ruby."
"Oh, so you do remember my name."
"This is no time for games."
At the word, Ruby unfolded two scythes from the holsters of her back. The giant curved blades spread from each arm like wicked wings of omen.
"Who's playing?"
"Don't do this, Ruby," Weiss warned.
"Too late! You already started this! I can't believe what you're doing! Did this school mean nothing to you?!"
"…"
"Did I…Did I mean nothing to you?" For a sliver, Ruby's composure faltered. But realizing this, she reaffirmed her conviction. "I won't let your bring harm to any of the students."
"I intend to do nothing of the sort," Weiss answered.
"I won't let you take them prisoner."
"I plan to make them honorary citizens of Atlas and transfer students to our academy."
"So you can turn them into child soldiers for your war?!"
"Isn't that what you've been doing?"
"We train them to be Huntsmen and Huntresses!"
"And despite you and Professor Goodwitch's discouragements, some still choose to enlist in Vale's military. Trust me when I say this, Ruby. My way is the only way they live without harm."
Just then, Weiss bade a swift backstep in response to the silver glinting of Ruby's eyes.
"Nothing you say will convince me to surrender those who put their faith in me," Ruby snarled. "You knew that once."
Weiss breathed a low, sorrowed sigh, before taking a fencer's ready stance.
"I suppose this was always how it was going to be."
"No. It wasn't. You were my best friend! You were my partner! I…! I cared about you!"
"…!"
Ruby wiped the tears away and readied herself once more.
"Don't hold back, Weiss… Cause I can promise you—I won't."
"…So be it."
…
…
As Glynda and the other Professors shepherded the students out the back exits, Glynda pulled out her scroll. The device immediately produced a hologram of the fight ensuing in the courtyard.
Flashes of red and white darted back and forth across the stonework. The feed couldn't keep up with the dazzling pace the two full-grown Huntresses set. It only caught glimpses of their figures when they paused to clash, and then break apart again.
At that moment, Ruby stopped her motion to dig her boots into the ground. She harnessed her Aura through her cowl, which shed rose petals in the activation of her Semblance. The cloak enlarged to envelop her form like a curtain setting the stage.
Weiss narrowed at the new situation. In response, she pierced her sword into the stone floor, casting an enlarged Glyph. It spun and rose, before the shattering sound of a glacier gave entrance to a colossal knight's summon.
At the same time, Ruby's cloak ripped away to reveal the woman riding atop a monstrous wolf. Like its master's hair, the beast's fur was a rich black coat with red highlights. Its rows of teeth gnashed viciously and hungrily, with a maw that unhinged like a crocodile's.
Weiss charged with her knight at her side. Ruby's wolf let out a piercing howl, before racing forward like the wind.
The moment their attacks collided, Glynda's scroll's projection cut out.
She took the moment to utter a few silent words.
Farewell, Ruby Rose.
And then, resumed evacuating the students.
.
X
.
(One week later…)
The harsh sound of uncoupling metal shook Ruby awake from her slumber.
"Had enough time to cool off, I think?" Weiss stood pompously in the bright lit doorway of her cell.
"Ghhgg!" Ruby cringed, pulling her bedsheets over her head.
She remembered the days Weiss did something similar to wake her up, when they were late for classes. But the nostalgia of the memory instantly turned bitter as reality came reeling back.
Ruby could hear the sharp clacks of Weiss's heels making their way towards her.
"I take it you've read the materials?" Weiss checked, while ripping away her blanket with a violent flick.
Ruby didn't respond. Only looking to the piles of opened folders spread out on the spartan work desk bolted to the corner of her cell.
"Well? Any thoughts?" Weiss asked her.
"…I think…" Ruby rubbed her eyes, while adjusting to the light. "—If those documents aren't forged or faked, Remnant is in real, deep trouble."
"The material is completely legitimate. I've confirmed the accuracy of the findings myself."
"Like that counts for much."
"As such, we must address this problem with the utmost urgency," Weiss pressed on.
"So?"
"So! …I'm assembling together a team. A special operations team to deal with the matter."
"…"
Ruby was immediately hit with an overbearing bout of displeasure. She faced away from Weiss, towards the shadows. Her arms crossed defensively.
"This is serious, Ruby," Weiss scolded. "I wouldn't make this offer otherwise."
"Well, that makes me feel better."
"We are the only ones properly equipped to handle the situation."
"Why? Why haven't you reported these findings, if they're so serious? Why is this the first time I'm hearing about it?"
"Why do you think?" Weiss walked around her, and sat on the bed so they would be sitting face to face. "Remnant is in the middle of its Second Great War. If Atlas made this announcement, who would believe it? The Board of Directors of my own Kingdom don't even believe it."
"You mean they don't want to spend their resources," Ruby pouted to the side, still refusing to meet her.
"Yes, that's exactly right."
"…"
"If I tried to spread these findings on a massive scale, the other Kingdoms would never see past the current war to understand the grave situation we're all in." Weiss paused. "But you do… and so will the rest."
"'The rest'. Why me? I'm sure a brigadier general like yourself should have her own pick of special, elite soldiers."
"They're called 'specialists', Ruby. And no, not any of whom I can trust—and not of the caliber I need."
"Do you really think I'm just going to go along with you?"
"I believe…" Weiss paused. "No… I know you can look past our differences and see the real problem at hand. The fate of Remnant is at stake."
"…"
"I probably shouldn't say this, and you might think I'm lying," Weiss bit her bottom lip, "But I'll be glad to be working with you again."
With that, Weiss produced another folder, and placed it in Ruby's hands.
"What's this?" Ruby asked.
"Your credentials, as well as your new identity. The name 'Ruby Rose', the great Huntress and Vice Headmaster of Beacon Academy, is a bit too famous for the covert nature of our operations."
"Seriously, Weiss?" Ruby uttered, as she began pouring over the details of her new persona.
Weiss was making ready to leave the cell, before stopping at the doorway.
"Oh, yes. One more thing, before I forget." She turned with an authority and a small hint of satisfaction.
"Welcome to Team WISE—"
"Scarlet."