Chapter One: Ruby Rose
Metal clanked and rumbled, around the occupants of an airship owned by the Schnee Dust Company. Inside the ship sat four young individuals, all recent graduates of Beacon Academy.
"Are you guys ready?" A blonde haired boy questioned his teammates, over the sound of the engines.
"Jaune, I think if anyone is nervous it's you." His red haired companion replied to him.
"Oh come on, look at Nora, she's practically shaking." Jaune pleaded with her.
"With excitement! I'm going to squish so many Grimm!" The energetic girl chimed in.
Pyrrha chuckled. "Well, it doesn't seem anywhere near as bad as the reports made it seem. There is no way that is even ten thousand, let alone tens of thousands."
"Well, the source of the info probably isn't the most respectable group." Ren interrupted.
"Speaking of which where are they? They weren't wiped out, were they?" Jaune questioned.
"Woah!" Nora's boisterous voice boomed through the air ship.
Everyone turned to look out the window, to see a massive fireball engulf part of the horde. Looking down, they could see a single grey and red garbed person, pushing themselves off the ground in front of the horde.
"There's only one left?" Jaune questioned. "He has to move, they're closing on him." Jaune stated panicked.
"He must have froze." Pyrrha commented. "Wait just a minute." She said getting up and walking to the cockpit.
"Can you get us between the Grimm, and that person down there?" She questioned the pilot.
"Shit! Hold on!" He screamed, turning the stuck in his hand and causing the ship to lurch to the side. At the same moment, another airship zoomed past them plummeting towards the person.
"Is everyone alright?" Jaune questioned, each member of his team answering that they were alright.
They looked back at the battlefield, to see that the airship had crash landed into the Grimm approaching the lone figure.
"Man I wish WBY could have been here! I bet they would have loved a piece of this action." Nora exclaimed.
"Yes, however they had other responsibilities. We should just be grateful that Weiss managed to get all these airships for us." Pyrrha replied.
Ruby stared up at the airships passing over her. The ships dropped low to the ground, while numerous individuals jumped to the ground and began engaging the Grimm.
Ruby's mind was awash with countless emotions. Ruby stood there in her dazed state, and let the sight sink in.
Suddenly a team of four dropped to the ground in front of her. Ruby was too tired to make out many details, however she knew that they were unfamiliar with her. Looking at them closer, she now realized they were speaking to her.
"Are you okay! Where is the rest of the corps?" He interrogated her.
Ruby pulled herself together, long enough to answer his questions. "In the train tunnel, I had them retreat." She muttered, as she felt felt her consciousness wavering.
"Of course they retreated, the lot of cowards." The man spat out.
Ruby's confusion was instantly washed away. Anger, that was what she should feel now.
Who the hell were these people, to swoop in at the final second and act like they were heroes? To act like they were doing her people a favor, when her people had sacrificed so much. The worst part of it was the sheer audacity.
Ruby clenched her fist as tight as she could, drawing blood. Ruby pushed herself to maintain consciousness for even a moment longer. "How dare you, call my men cowards." Ruby said between shaky breaths.
She looked up to make sure she didn't forget the man. He had dark hair, and matching dark eyes, his clothes were fairly simply in design. Ruby's vision was to blurry to make out fine details, however she could tell he had a brown coat on, and blue pants. In his hand seemed to be a sword.
"I'll make you pay later." Ruby spat out, just before collapsing.
The next thing Ruby was aware of, was the pain running through her entire body. Realizing she was laying down, Ruby began looking around to regain her bearings. She quickly realized that she was laying on a cot, inside of a large tent. She could see that there were many others lying on cots, all with varying degrees of injury. Ruby moved to sit up, only to receive a sharp pain through her gut.
"Miss, please don't get up!" Ruby heard a voice scold her. She turned to see a young female, she assumed slightly older that her,approaching her cot. Ruby could tell that the girl was a huntress, likely specializing in healing.
Frustrated by the girl giving her commands, Ruby continued to push herself to a sitting position. "What's the situation? How long have I been out?" Ruby demanded of the girl.
"Look I don't know who you think you are miss, but the Atlas Hunter's Association is in charge here. You people, aren't needed anymore." The girl spat out.
Fueled by rage and indignation, Ruby moved to the girl in a single motion. Ruby quickly grabbed the girl's collar and yanked her forward. "I, am a Captain Ruby Rose! Frontline Commander of a damned corps of damned men, and second in charge to Colonel Faught! Now, how about you answer my questions, before you piss me off more?" Ruby spat the words at her in fury.
"Fine, nutjob. You've been out for like 12 hours, and if you wanna know what's going on ask Waller. I think he's with the Colonel." The girl replied, the anxiety obvious in her voice.
Ruby turned to walk out, only to realize she had no top on. Noticing that instead, her top half was concealed almost entirely in bandages. She almost started looking for her top, when She realized there was likely nothing left of it.
Disregarding her current condition, Ruby continued to march out of the tent. Stepping out of the tent, Ruby looked around to see that she was in a camp, set up on a cliff ledge next to the opening of the train tunnel. Many hunters moved about the camp, carrying various supplies and and some giving out orders.
Ruby was relieved to see none of her people, were working. Though at the same time, the thought of seeing what was left of her men made Ruby's stomach churn.
Many of the passing soldiers were now staring at Ruby in her current state of injury and undress. Ruby grabbed the nearest hunter, yanking him over to her. "Where can I find the guy in charge?" Ruby questioned him.
The man glared at Ruby, and pointed to a nearby tent. Releasing him, Ruby began making her way to the tent. Taking in her surroundings, Ruby realized that the sun was now sitting on the horizon.
As she approached the tent she saw the flap pull back, as the Colonel and another man walk out talking. The man trailing the Colonel was tall, with dark hair and eyes, and wearing a brown coat with blue pants. Ruby immediately recognized the man from earlier. Feeling fury wash over her, Ruby quickly made her way to the two men.
"Captain Rose, what in the world are…" The Colonel said, shock in his voice at the sight of Ruby. Pausing as Ruby pushed him out of the way, continuing towards the man behind him.
Before the Colonel could even finish his sentence, Ruby had activated her aura and grabbed the man by his throat. Ruby yanked him into the air, only to slam him back got the ground, fracturing the frozen rock and ice beneath him. Hearing and feeling him grunt as the air was forced out of his lungs, Ruby crouched down and put her knee against his chest.
Disoriented and unable to breathe, the man stared up at Ruby, eyes wide with fear. His dark eyes looked up to meet sharp silver orbs staring through his very being.
"How dare you." Ruby said in a cold voice, finally letting up on his chest and hearing him gasp for air.
"Captain Rose, what the hell is going on!" The Colonel barked at her, as his and everyone else's initial shock wore off.
Still pinning the man to the ground with his throat, Ruby spoke again. "Say it again." She stared at him, only to be met with with confusion and silence.
"I said, say it again goddamnit!" Ruby screamed in his face.
The commotion at this point drawing dozens of onlookers. The hunters began making their way to help the man, when Ruby's men looked out from the tents too investigated the noise. Immediately taking the captain's side, the corps men put themselves between Ruby and the hunters.
"What are you doing? Move out of the way." One of the hunters demanded, attempting to shove one of Ruby's men out of the way.
The man's efforts, only getting him tossed on his ass when the corps man flared his aura. "Now I know you ladies are upset, but as you can see, our captain's busy over there. If you're looking for a fight though, we'll be happy to indulge."
"Let them hear! The few that remain of the hundreds I took to battle two months ago! Let them hear exactly what you think of them!" Ruby continued to shout at the man, his eyes finally going wide when he realized what Ruby was talking about.
More commotion could be heard amongst the crowd now. The Colonel himself looked on, now curious as to what had Ruby so upset.
"That's quite enough from all of you!" A deep voice cut through the tension.
Ruby immediately recognized the voice from the single interaction she had with the man, when she had received her commision.
"Ironwood, so kind of you to grace us with your presence, now that the Grimm are gone." Ruby said sinisterly, not moving an inch from her previous position.
"That's, General Ironwood to you, Captain. Now I'm ordering you, to release that man." Ironwood commanded.
Contrary to his order, Ruby squeezed The man's neck harder. "And why would your order mean anything to me, James? My commission expired three months ago." Ruby spat out in defiance.
"Regardless of my order, if not for him and his men, you and yours wouldn't be alive. I won't pretend to understand how you feel right now, but you're only making the situation worse." He said calmly despite Ruby's provocation.
Ruby was silent for a moment, before releasing the man and standing. "So why have you finally decided to show your face, James?" Ruby questioned.
"There is a lot to discuss Miss Rose. If you and the Colonel wouldn't mind joining me, you as well Mr Waller." Ironwood said to the three of them.
Ruby suddenly recalled that she did in fact, have something to discuss with Ironwood. "You couldn't be more right James." Ruby said.
Ruby suddenly felt a jacket laid over her shoulders. Turning around knowing it had been the Colonel, she was confused to see him not salute the general as he approached. Looking down, she realized that he was unable to do so.
"Sir, I wish I could greet you under better circumstances." The colonel told his superior.
"It's fine, you people certainly haven't had it easy. Are you two alright to be moving around with your injuries?" The general replied.
"Mine is nothing too severe, however Miss Rose is still in fairly rough shape." He informed Ironwood.
"I'm fine." Ruby spat out, as they all went to enter the tent. Once Ironwood and Waller had entered the tent Ruby stopped the Colonel. "Sir... your arm." Ruby croaked out quietly.
The Colonel smiled and replied. "I assure you, that compared to what you and others have lost, I'm quite lucky." The Colonel said softly, before turning and walking into the tent.
Ruby felt her chest tighten at his words, burying the feelings, she entered behind him. "I'd demand you beg for forgiveness for abandoning us, however I know you're ego prevents that, Ironwood" Ruby sneered at the general as she walked in.
"I won't apologize for prioritizing the lives of the many, over the few out here." Ironwood replied uncaringly.
"For once I think you're right Ironwood. If I had prioritized the life of my men, it would have been easy for us to escape unharmed." Ruby replied coldly.
Ironwood's face stared in shock for a moment, surprised at how cynical Ruby was being. "Though I won't apologize, I would like to thank you and your men. If not for the redemption corps, it is likely countless lives would have been lost. You have my condolences, I know how much your men mean to you." Ironwood said gently.
"You don't know a damn thing! I don't want your fucking condolences! I want you to keep your end of the deal!" Ruby shouted angrily.
The Colonel loudly cleared his throat, interrupting the two. "I assure you Miss Rose we will get to that matter, however there are other things that must be dealt with first."
Ruby sighed and rolled her eyes, suddenly realizing how childish the action must look. "Well go ahead, I'm not going anywhere." Ruby sighed out.
"Well then, we'll forget the small talk. On the topic of the Grimm that escaped, I believe Mr Waller can enlighten us." The Colonel said.
The man Ruby had assaulted earlier, speaking for the first time. "Yes sir, I've sent out many of the less experienced teams to track them through the mountains. I sent, them, as well. The man spoke, staring straight at Ironwood as be did so.
"I also have the military holding their perimeter around Atlas, until we can be sure there is no more serious threat. Can you give us an estimate of the remaining grimm?" Ironwood replied, glancing over Waller's cryptic statement.
"Yes sir, we estimate.." Waller began, before Ruby quickly interrupted.
"Hold on, who the fuck is, "them", and why the secrecy? Me and my men just fought for months without rest, hundreds of them dying in the process. I'd appreciate some fucking trust." Ruby said insulted.
Waller looked like he was about to interject, when Ironwood spoke. "You're right Miss Rose, I don't have any reason to keep the matter a secret. Team JNPR came with the hunters as part of the assault force. Before they departed I had asked Waller to make sure to keep them away from the members of the corps." Ironwood explained.
"I fail to understand the reasoning behind that. Not that I really give a shit about seeing them, but why?" Ruby questioned Ironwod.
"I assure you, that we will get to that Miss Rose. Once other matters have been settled, I'll do everything I can to accommodate any request you may have." Ironwood said calmly.
Ruby stared at him for a moment, trying to decide if she could believe him. "Fine, continue with what you were saying shitstain." Ruby said, looking at Waller.
Waller glared at Ruby for a moment, before continuing. "We estimate at most a few hundred Grimm. Luckily, there were very few elder Grimm in the horde, so we were able to ensure none of them escaped."
"That's good to hear. Then, on the matter of the refugees, I would like the airships prepped and ready to move them. I will get the coordinates of the refugee center, that has been set up for them, to you later." Ironwood told Waller, changing the subject.
"That's fine, we have enough provisions to hold out here for a few days, as we oversee all the movement." Waller said in response.
"Though I do appreciate the thought, I have forces on their way here that will take care of that. You hunters have greater responsibilities. I won't the tie you down, with such simple work." Ironwood told him.
"I appreciate it. Then, as for the remainder of the Redemption Corps, what will happen to them?" Waller questioned, eliciting a glare from Ruby.
"Yes, the Redemption Corps. Might I ask, that you two leave me and Miss Rose alone?" Ironwood asked Waller and the Colonel.
"I believe I have every right to be here for this discussion, as I am the commanding authority of the Corps, sir." The Colonel interjected.
"I understand your frustration Colonel, however there are certain things that I must discuss privately with Miss Rose. I will also need to talk privately with you as well, so I will brief you then." Ironwood reasoned with him.
"It's fine Colonel, I'll handle it." Ruby said frustrated.
The Colonel turned and whispered in Ruby's war. "Don't you dare, take "no" for an answer." A moment later he stepped out of the tent, Waller trailing behind him.
Ruby glared furiously at Ironwood. " We had a deal Ironwood! We held up our end, now it's your turn." Ruby yelled at him.
"You're right, we had a deal Miss Rose. However things have become…. complicated." Ironwood spoke cautiously.
Ruby's eyes flashed over in rage at his response, straining to control herself. "It doesn't seem very fucking complicated from where I stand, Ironwood. So you're gonna have to explain, what exactly happened in the last couple months to complicate things so much!" Ruby said viciously.
"You and your men survived, that's what happened Miss Rose." Ruby's heart sank, instantly being overcome with nausea, when she realized what he meant. "The only reason the council agreed to such an audacious request, was because they knew it was impossible for any of you people to survive." The general spoke quietly.
"Well, the council was fucking wrong! Do you really think those men will just go along, with being thrown back out there? After they were promised their freedom? I'm not going to let you back out of this now Ironwood!" Ruby said seething
"Please calm down Miss Rose. I'm not saying that I'm going back on our deal. They can have their freedom, however the council wasn't willing to let it happen without getting something in return." Ironwood explained to her.
"You people disgust me." Ruby spat out, after a moment of silence continued. "What do they want?"
"They want you, Miss Rose." Ruby's eyes went wide, and she clenched her fists at the statement. "Miss Rose, you are an exceptional talent. At best, one would come back from the corps every decade. However, you made it a regular event. Twelve men since you were given your commision Miss Rose. More than that, for once the Corps was actually making a difference. Through the corps' expansion of the northern wastes, and the resulting expansion in dust mining, billions of lien were put into the economy." Ironwood explained.
"Just get to the point Ironwood." Ruby stopped his ramblings.
He sighed and spoke on. "The council has already decided to pull back the line of habitation in the north. In addition, regular forces will now take up the job of defending the area. With that, it isn't too much of a problem to give up the corps. However Miss Rose Atlas still has use of you. The council has asked that you renew your commision in the Atlas Military, and in return your men will be granted their freedom."
Ruby stood there and listened to everything, feeling the weight of his words. She could hardly even recall the reason she joined the corps at this point.
To become a huntress?
Ruby no longer cared about the meaningless formalities, behind becoming an official huntress. She questioned why she had wanted to become such a thing in the first place.
To protect people?
At what cost?
After all the blood she and her men shed, the same people would look down on them. They would dangle their freedom in front of them, and bargain over it like a commodity.
To get answers?
To understand this absurd world?
Ruby remembered feeling driven and determined, when she joined the corps. Now it was as if nothing made sense any longer. Ruby's only priority was getting her men's freedom.
What comes after this?
Ruby made up her mind, deciding if the only purpose she still had was fulfilling her promise, the answer was obvious. "You already know I can't object. You guarantee my men will have everything they were promised?"
"I have no intention of misleading you. Your men will get every privilege that comes with surviving the corps. However Miss Rose, you must keep this matter a secret. You're men can not know about this. No one can know about this." The general explained to her.
Ruby smiled slightly. "You think those idiots would ever let it go, if they knew about this? I have no intention of telling them." Ruby turned to walk out, and paused looking back at Ironwood. "I need an airship, there's something I have to do before this will be over."
"Just tell my men, they'll comply with your request. Oh, and send Faught in." He answered.
With that Ruby left the man, and exited the tent.
"So? How'd it go?" The Colonel immediately questioned her.
"He's keeping his end of the deal. He said to send you in." Ruby replied, walking off.
She quickly headed towards the train tunnel, housing the refugees. Walking in, she saw that the hunters had begun giving aid to those that needed it. There were tents scattered about through the tunnel. Ruby began marching through the tunnel, searching for her target. Ruby had walked possibly a hundred metres, when she spotted him.
Sitting against the wall of the tunnel, were a number of vaguely familiar faces. One in particular was an ugly man, with a gut protruding out from his stained suit.
"Pate!" Ruby screamed through the tunnel, drawing stares from countless people. The man in question stood up and looked at her.
"Who the hell are? You're that little girl from a couple years ago." He sneered, as Ruby began making her way towards him. "Apparently two years in the redemption corps still cant teach trash like you any resp..."
His mocking words interrupted by a loud, 'pop', as Ruby's fist met with his mouth. Without breaking stride, and not bothering using her aura, Ruby had punched the man in his mouth. Pate spit out blood, as he fell on his ass.
"My name is Captain Ruby Rose, of the Atlas Military. You will refer to me as Captain, or ma'am. Is that understood?" Ruby said looking down on the man.
Pate's eyes went wide in fear, as he stared up at the ragged woman. Only now, he noticed that the only thing she was wearing was pants and an open field jacket exposing her bloody, bandaged torso.
"I asked you a question." Ruby continued to stare down at the man.
"Yes ma'am." Came his curt reply.
"Good. Now, get your fat ass up. You're coming on a trip with me." Ruby had grabbed the man by his collar, and pulled him to his feet.
"Where? Where, ma'am." He corrected himself, as he followed Ruby out of the tunnel.
As they exited the tunnel, Ruby stopped and pointed at an airship. "Go over there and tell the the pilot to get ready to fly. We're heading north." With that Ruby shoved the man towards the airship, and made off towards the tents.
Ruby walked to a tent she had seen her men in earlier. Arriving, Ruby looked in to see some of her men. They sat eating, or tending to wounds, no longer concerned with preparing for battle. Ruby quickly found Sgt Evans sitting near the entrance, him noticing her as well.
"Captain Rose!" He cried out, causing everyone in the tent to jump to their feet.
"Relax. Evans, where's my weapon?" She said gently, feeling guilty for interrupting everyone that was resting.
Evans reached over to a nearby cot, and picked up Crescent Rose. "Some of them hunter pricks, had been fucking with it. Damn near had to fight em for it."
"Thank you. Have everyone assembled outside in two hours. I'm going to go on a short trip." Ruby turned to leave.
"Captain, you aren't going out there are you?" He asked concerned.
"Only briefly, I have something that I'll need to retrieve." With that, Ruby left the man
Ruby headed back to the airship, to find it fired up and running with Pate waiting inside. Ruby stepped into the airship, and grabbed a handle on the ceiling. "Let's go." She ordered the pilot.
"Where to ma'am?" He inquired.
Ruby looked down at the disheveled man, sitting across from where she stood."Pate, I need directions to the in-processing facility."
Pate began giving directions to the pilot, a moment later, the ship lifted into the air. Ruby left the door open, as the airship soared through the sky. Standing next to the door, Ruby stared out at the rising sun and breathed in the cold air. "Pate what happens to someone's belongings after two years?" Ruby broke the silence with her question.
"Nothing ma'am. If you're wondering if they'd be disposed of, we aren't authorized to do so until we get confirmation of their death." Pate answered, anxiety in his voice. "Ma'am is that why we are going there?"
"No." Ruby replied in a heavy voice.
What felt like almost an hour later, they finally arrived at the facility. Landing in the courtyard Ruby had been picked up in, it was obvious the Grimm had came through, though there were no signs of Grimm left in the area.
Ruby looked over to Pate. "The brand, go get it."
"Th...that's what you came here for?" He questioned her.
"Go." Was Ruby's reply.
"Yes Ma'am." The man replied before scurrying over to the main building.
"Pate!" Ruby yelled after the man, stopping him. "Where do you keep people's shit?"
"The back of the warehouse ma'am. Where you got your clothes issued." He replied.
Ruby turned and walked towards the building. Trying the door, she found it locked. Activating her aura, Ruby kicked the door off it's hinges, shoving it out of her way. Ruby entered and hopped over the front counter, heading towards the back of the building. Walking through rows of familiar clothes, and assorted supplies, Ruby found a door to a back room.
Finding it unlocked, Ruby entered the room to find shelves full of cardboard boxes. It seemed that every shelf had a lettered sign corresponding to it. Finding the letter 'S', Ruby made her way down the row, looking through the alphabetized names. Ruby stopped when she reached a box with the name 'Stevens', written across the side.
Ruby instantly felt teard jerking at her eyes. "Captain, I got what you asked for." Ruby jumped a bit, startled by his sudden entrance.
"Is that what you came here for, ma'am? He questioned.
"How do you dispose of the belongings?" Ruby asked him, pulling the hood of her jacket up.
"We have an incinerator Ma'am. However with the power off we can't start it." He informed her.
"Then, go get me something to start a fire with. Now!" Ruby commanded the man. She made her way back out of the building, setting the box on the ground, she stood there and waited for Pate to return.
Reemerging from the main building, Pate walked out with a book of matches, and a tube of red dust. "Will this work, Ma'am?"
Ruby grabbed the items from him. Opening the tube of dust, Ruby poured it out onto the box. She struck up a match and lit the rest of the book on fire, dropping it into the box. A large plume of flame danced to life around the box, quickly consuming it.
"Let's go" Ruby commanded, turning to get back on the waiting airship.
Ruby watched the box burn as the airship left, the box disappearing as flame and ash took it's place.
Arriving back at the camp, Ruby found what was left of the corps had assembled in the center of the camp. "Ma'am do you still require my assistance." She heard the man on the airship mumble out.
"Give it here, and get lost." She commanded.
Pate quickly handed the object over to Ruby. Inspecting it, Ruby found that the brand itself was in the shape of an arrow. "Captain, it points up. The arrow represents your struggle, and the wings on the end of it represent your…"
"Shut up. I told you to get lost." Ruby interrupted the man, causing him to gawk at her uncaring attitude. Without saying another word, he made his way back to the tunnel.
Ruby went to the waiting corps, finding them circled around the center of camp. "Start a fire! Make sure it's hot." Ruby commanded.
"Ma'am, what are we doing?" Evans questioned her. Ruby answered by placing the brand in his hands. "You really are a glutton for punishment, aren't you?" Evans smirked.
"Where's that First Sergeant at?" Ruby asked preparing herself for bad news.
Evans' response was a simple shake of his head. "You want the numbers ma'am? He questioned, grief painting his face.
Ruby's answer came as a simple nod of her head.
"Ma'am no one blames y.." Evans started.
"The numbers Evans! I've put it off long enough." Ruby looked up into his eyes. He watched The silver orbs in front of him quiver, while Ruby's face remained steeled.
"Eighty two men, ma'am." Evans uttered quietly. "You haven't changed at all since that day."
Ruby smirked " I'd say you haven't changed either, but your legs aren't broken now." Ruby could now see a fire jumping to life behind Evans. " It doesn't matter if you all blame me or not. If not for my own self righteous nonsense none of you would have died."
Ruby felt a hard impact across her face, leaving a dull ache in jaw. The pain a result of Evans' fist, also causing Ruby to stumble and lose her balance."That's for Stevens, and for every other bastard who gave their life for you. If you want to mope around and think that, then fine. But don't let me ever hear you belittle their sacrifice again. They didn't just die for you, they fought for everything you gave them."
Ruby righted herself, standing silently, contemplating what Evans said. "Thanks for that." Ruby said, snatching the iron brand out of Evans' hand.
Ruby walked over to the fire, now realizing everyone's eyes were on her. She knew they had all silently watched the exchange. Ruby knelt down and placed the end of the brand in the fire. She quickly took off, and folded the jacket she was wearing, handing it to a nearby corps man.
"I'd apologize, but I think that would just piss you guys off." Ruby said aloud. "Instead I'd like to say, thank you. Thank you not just for fighting, but for trusting me. " She said with a shaky voice.
Ruby paused for a moment, looking over what little remained of her men. "Over the last two years, I've gotten to know all of you. I know every one of your names. I know who plans to become a teacher, I know who has families to go back to. I know the names and faces of every man that isn't here. That's a lot of damn names." Ruby spoke with a shaky voice.
"I've come to learn just how heavy that weight is. It was on the weight of this trust, that I swore that every man who followed me into battle would go home a free man." Ruby willed her eyes to stay dry, forcing herself to remain strong for them, and for herself.
"It's been a long night, and you men probably can't remember the last time I gave you good news." There was a brief silence as the anxiety built amongst the gathered men. Many hunters looked on in curiosity. Looking through the faces, Ruby noticed the Colonel standing nearby, watching the scene.
"Well the night is over, and you men can greet the new day as free men!" Ruby announced, to the raucous cheers of the surrounding men.
Ruby bent down, and pulled the red hot brand from the fire. "Now, who wants the honor of permanently marring my flesh?" Ruby questioned, holding the brand into the air.
"I believe, that honor will be mine, Captain." All eyes turned, to see the Colonel begin making his way through the crowd. Taking the brand from Ruby, he looked at it closely. "It has been a long time since I have seen this."
Ruby reached down and ripped the bandages off of her torso, exposing her torn, bloody flesh. Various scars marked her flesh, fresh wounds and stitches accompanying the old wounds. Highlighting these, was a burn scar on the top of her left breast, in the shape of two chain links.
"Are you ready?" The Colonel questioned her.
"If you're too nervous, I can do it for you honey." Ruby teased, eliciting laughter from the surrounding crowd. The laughter being interrupted by the sound of searing flesh. The Colonel jamming the brand on top of the old scar, the arrow breaking through Ruby's chains.
Ruby didn't break face, as the hot iron hit her flesh. Keeping her aura suppressed, Ruby did not flinch or make a sound. Feeling the burning iron melt through her flesh, Ruby stayed resolute. The burning item ,pulled away a moment later, leaving it's mark on her flesh.
Another man came up and took the brand from the Colonel. "I believe, we have some things to discuss Captain" He said.
"Of course we do." She mumbled. "Well, I assume these things need to discussed privately?"
"You tell me, Captain." He replied.
Ruby sighed looking for Evans. "Evans!" Ruby shouted, getting his attention.
"Yea, what's up kid?" He said, pressing the fact that she was no longer his superior.
"Clever. The airships will start transporting people back to Atlas in an hour. I'll meet you there." She informed him.
"See you then, hot cheeks." He teased.
"Don't press it, smartass." Ruby shouted back, grabbing her jacket from the man she had handed it to earlier.
Ruby and the Colonel made their way back to the same tent, from earlier in the day. Once inside the tent, the Colonel looked intensely into Ruby's eyes.
"Are you sure about this?" He questioned her.
"He told you?" Ruby asked quietly.
"I didn't give him an option." He stated.
"It seems me and Ironwood seem to have the lack of options incommon." She joked, attempting to break the mood.
"You know this is wrong. It's not impossible to appeal to the council. You still have options." He scolded her.
"And then what? Where do I go after this! I can't just go back to being a part of that world!" Ruby cried in frustration.
"Wasn't it your goal to become a huntress?" The colonel pressed on.
"Just what the hell is that even supposed to mean? Why should it matter to me?" Ruby questioned.
"You once told me that you wanted to protect people. Isn't that what you've been doing here?" He raised his voice pushing Ruby further.
"At what cost! Why do I have to be the one, to ask people to give their lives? When does the sacrifice, outweigh the gain!" Ruby felt her rage bubbling to the surface.
There was a long moment of silence between the two. The Colonel himself looked shocked at her statement, before his expression softened. "My apologies Captain. To be honest, sometimes you seem so brilliant, that I forget that even you are human. I can't begin to fathom what you are repressing right now."
"Please just stop. I've made my decision. If it means that those men will get their freedom, I don't care what I have to give. At this point, this is all I really have left." Ruby said softly, calming down.
"I understand, if you wish to follow that path, then I won't stop you. Just don't forget that no matter how strong you become, you are still human. And at the rate you're pushing yourself, you will eventually break again. There might not be anyone there, to pick you up next time." The Colonel spoke the words solemnly.
"Then I'll break." Ruby said the words uncaringly. Ruby took a deep breath before continuing. "Enough talk about me, what's going to happen to you after this?"
"The general offered me a new command, and a promotion to go with it." He informed her.
"That's great news." Ruby was genuinely happy to hear it.
"I turned it down." Surprise painting Ruby's face. "I'm too going to stick with my original plan and retire. I have had enough excitement for one lifetime." He expressed jovially.
Ruby smiled up at the man. "Take care of yourself, sir."
"This isn't goodbye just yet. I'll be hanging back for a few days, to oversee the movement of the refugees. I'll come see you off later today." He explained.
"Then I'll see you later. I have a pack of reformed delinquents to see off." Ruby joked.
"Give them my regards" He ordered, ending the conversation.
Ruby stepped out of the tent, making her way toward the waiting airship.
"Captain Rose!" Hearing the voice call her name, Ruby looked to see the man she had nearly killed earlier.
"Oh, ahh, Wallace, right? The hell do you want?" Ruby rudely questioned, intentionally getting his name wrong.
He sighed, though he wasn't exactly shocked at the way she was treating him. "It's Waller. Ma'am. I wanted to speak with you."
"Oh, no shit. Here, I thought you just enjoyed yelling my name at random." Ruby mocked.
Ignoring Ruby's comments, he continued. "I would like to apologize, for what I said when we met. I was wrong."
Ruby stood there stunned, and now frustrated at herself for acting so childish. "Oh, aahh, my bad?" Ruby said nervously.
"That's quite alright. I deserved it." He said pausing for a moment. "You and your men are heroes."
"Not a big fan of the title myself." Ruby joked.
"Ma'am I didn't fully understand things, until speaking with the Colonel as well as some of your men." He informed her. "We had originally assumed the estimate was exaggerated. Only to find out you and your men likely eliminated somewhere around eighty five percent of the Grimm. Not only that, but you did it in a blizzard in the pitch black. I wouldn't expect even a similar sized element of experienced hunters to survive such a fight."
"Okay, okay. I'm not big on the whole, praise, thingy. Besides the real heroes aren't here to thank any longer." Ruby said embarrassed.
"Captain, I grew up in Atlas. Your men's sacrifice means a great deal to me. If there's anything I can do to repay you, just let me know." Waller rambled on.
"It's fine there really isn't…" Ruby paused for a moment, before a thought crossed her mind. "Mr Waller, there are eighty two redeemed men, who are about to be thrown back out into the world as free men. The world isn't going to be too happy about having them back in society. There will be a lot of people who try to belittle their sacrifice."
"Ma'am you really think.." Waller started, before Ruby cut him off.
"I guarantee you, that I understand better than anyone, just how doubtful people will be. Mr Waller, if you want to honor their sacrifice, then tell the world what you just told me. Don't let anyone deny these men's sacrifice!" Ruby demanded of him.
"Yes Ma'am. You have my word as a Hunter." He swore.
"Thank you." Ruby said, leaving and heading for the airship.
At the airship, Ruby found her men loading onto the ship, all of them proudly displaying their newly scarred flesh.
"You ready to get out of this shithole?" She heard, immediately knowing who it was.
"Yeah, can't wait. Is this everyone?" Ruby responded.
"Yup, the injured are already onboard. You're the only one we're waitin on kid." He said happily.
"I won't be coming. This is where our journey together ends." Ruby said kindly.
Evans face suddenly filled with confusion, accompanying protests from men on the ship filled the air. "Bullshit! How can you not come with us? Shit, your time in the corps ended before this shit even started."
"Calm down. Ironwood asked me to hang back for a few days and oversee the movement of refugees." Ruby answered him plainly. "Don't worry, I'm still going to check up to make sure that you all receive everything that you're entitled."
"We don't give a shit about that. We've come this far together, we're not leaving till you do. Free men or not, you're our leader." He protested, getting loud affirmations from everyone else.
"That's enough!" Ruby shouted silencing them. "I vowed that I would get you men your freedom, now you have it. I can't be your leader any longer. I know you men can stand on your own, because you're the ones who made me strong enough to do so."
"So this is really the end?" He questioned emotion breaking through his voice.
"It's been an incredible honor fighting by your sides. Goodbye." Ruby said with reverence in her voice.
"Yea, goodbye kid." Evans said stepping into the airship. The engines kicked to life, as he walked in. The hydraulic whine of the ramp could be heard. "Are you bastards going to see the captain off, on your asses!" Evans screamed, making everyone stand to look out the rear of the airship, as the ramp made it's way up.
For the first time Ruby could ever remember, Evans brought his hand up to his temple, rendering his first and last salute to Ruby. The rest of the men followed his example. For the first time since the battle had ended, Ruby was unable to stop her tears. Ruby returned his salute, holding it until the ramp closed, and the ship took off.
Ruby stood there for a moment, taking deep breaths and regaining her composure. Watching them leave, left what felt like a gaping hole in her heart. In that moment, Ruby just wanted to be anywhere but there.
"Captain, the General sent me to fetch you. He wanted to know if you're ready to leave." A lone Atlas soldier said, breaking the silence.
"Yea, I don't have anything left." Ruby muttered, making her way towards Ironwood's airship.
It wasn't too difficult for Ruby to figure out which airship belonged to him. It was clearly of a more militaristic design, and was the only one with the words, Atlas Military, painted on the side.
When Ruby arrived at the ship, she found General Ironwood standing at the base of the ramp. "You've kept me waiting, Captain. You're finally ready to go, I take it." He spoke with authority.
Ruby was about to speak, before being interrupted. "Unfortunately, I'll need to borrow a bit more of her time, sir." The statement coming from the Colonel.
"Make it brief." Ironwood said, turning to reenter the ship.
"You weren't gonna leave without saying goodbye, were you?" The Colonel questioned her.
"I almost forgot you existed actually." Ruby said emotionless.
The Colonel laughed. "As brutal as ever. Captain, do you know how I got sent here?"
"I just assumed you were a masochist." Ruby joked.
He smiled back at Ruby, this time not laughing. "Perhaps you could say that. I failed. I failed miserably, and as a result many of my men died." The mood changed drastically, becoming far more serious.
"However, it was decided that my failure was not my fault. As a result I kept my rank, and there was no punishment. I was unable to accept that. So, I volunteered to take over the Redemption Corps, hoping I could atone for my mistake. I honestly believed that coming out here and dying was the only way to do so."
He explained with regret in his voice.
"Well you're still alive. Perhaps not in one piece, but you're here." Ruby commented.
"You're correct. I was convinced that this event was it. It must be the atonement I was searching for. However, I came to a realization out on that battlefield. Even though I was out there fighting for myself, you and those men fought for something greater." He paused.
"Were we really?" Ruby questioned, uncertainty filling her voice.
"Whether you realize it or not Captain, I believe one day you will understand the gravity of your actions." He explained.
"I really do hope you're right." She mumbled.
"If I had been half as brave as you and your men, instead of sitting around waiting for death to come, I may have been able to make a real difference. Instead I spent all my time hating myself, and wallowing in my own despair."
He said regretfully.
"What are you getting at?" Ruby said heavily.
The Colonel reached into a small carrier bag he wore on his side, pulling out a bundle of red cloth. "Ruby Rose, I believe you are destined for far greater things, but you can't spend the rest of your life clinging to your regrets." Now, handing the bundle of red cloth to Ruby.
Ruby unfolded the bundle of cloth, to find a patched up red cloak.
"I did the best I could to patch it up, with a blanket one of the refugees gave us." The Colonel said softly. "Thank you for giving this old man another lot at life. Serving with you, will always be the greatest honor I've had."
Ruby smiled, tossing the cloak around her shoulders and pulling the hood up. "Goodbye, Colonel."
"Goodbye, Ruby Rose." He spoke the words solemnly.
Ruby turned and made her way up the ramp, feeling her cloak billow in the wind. Once aboard the airship, Ruby felt the ramp begin to close. Turning around, Ruby looked back down at the Colonel, the wind blowing her hood back. Ruby raised her left arm, saluting the man at the bottom of the ramp. Grinning, the Colonel raised his remaining left arm, returning her salute, holding it until the ramp had closed.
A minute later, snow was blown about as the massive military grade engines, pushed the airship into the sky.
"Aaaagghh, I'm so, hungry!" Came the scream from a shot girl with orange hair.
Currently making their way through the pass back to the camp, was the same four hunters from Beacon.
"Yes, we know Nora. We're all hungry, but we'll be back at camp soon enough." Jaune responded, trying to ease her temper.
"It's about time to. I was little annoyed, at being give the furthest sector to clear." Pyrrha commented.
"Yea, but I suppose it is understandable. Not only are we newer, at the same time our team is debatably overpowered." Jaune reasoned.
"And we did totally get to kill tons of Grimm!" Nora piped in.
"Even so, it'll be nice to finally get some rest." Ren added.
"I'm pretty eager to get back. I want to meet that dude that was squaring off, with all those Grimm, alone." Jaune said eagerly.
"I wouldn't mind meeting him as well, even for a Hunter, doing such a thing would be rather unbelievable." Pyrrha commented.
"Blowing themselves up to take out a few more was rather impressive, as well." Ren recalled.
"Ren, weren't you the one totally bad mouthing those guys one the way here?" Nora said accusingly.
"Well, based off of what we heard from the other teams, I'm willing to admit I was wrong." He replied calmly.
The group now approaching the camp, they could see tents set up in an orderly fashion, and airships lined up adjacent to the camp. Just past all of that was the tunnel housing the refugees.
"See finally...isn't that Ironwood's airship?" Jaune said curiously.
"I'm pretty sure you're right, it's not the first time I've seen it." Pyrrha confirmed. "That's not him standing at the end is it?"
"No, and hold on is that the guy from before? He's pretty small. I can't really see him with the other guy in the way though." Jaune said staring at the two figures ahead of them.
"Guy? That's totally a smokin babe!" Exclaimed Nora.
It was then, that the four of them watched the small figure toss a red cloak around her shoulders. Turning she began making her way up the ramp, cloak billowing behind. All four of them staring in shock
"That can't be." Jaune whispered.
"You don't really think?" Pyrrha replied in a shaky voice.
"We have to find out. Let's go." With that Jaune started sprinting towards the airship, his teammates trailing behind him.
As they closed the distance, they could see the figure turn around, only for the wind to blow her hood down. Now clearly revealed was a soft feminine face, long black and red hair, and piercing silver eyes. Though clearly older, and wearing an expression of steel, the figure was undoubtedly Ruby Rose.
JNPR watched the ramp shut as they neared, before they could do anything the ship took to the air.
"Hey, old man. That girl just now, was she…"Jaune began to question the man standing at the bottom of the ramp.
The man interrupted, giving them a menacing glare."That kids, was the greatest huntress I've ever met."
AN: Fuck yea. I got another chapter done. I should reward myself with a few months off. Not really. Seriously though, I've got a ton of shit going on soon so I'm not sure when this next chapter is gonna happen. Although I'm really excited to write it, as their will be some big stuff in it.
As far as this chapter goes though, did you guys enjoy it? I'm sure some of you feel like I pulled a total bait and switch on you. However you'll have to continue waiting for that "event" to happen. Also some of you may have noticed that there was an unanswered question in this chapter. I assure you it was intentional.
Let me know what you guys think. I really enjoy reading your reviews and talking with y'all.