He told the rest of ONRR that he had forgotten something. Roman, now standing alone in Ruby's room. His white jacket slipped from his shoulders, fingers running along the pristine stitching. Matron gave it to him the day his mother died. Hanging it up in Red's closet, "I'm not that Don she can be proud of anymore." Leaving his bowler hat on the dresser, a pit formed in his chest. He was leaving behind his legacy. He knew Matron would probably hate him for being so weak.

"Sorry, I didn't realize you were having a moment." Ruby clasped her hands behind her back at the entrance of her own bedroom.

Holding out his arms, smiling at how quickly she filled into his embrace, "Forget something, little Red?" plucking off a petal from her shoulders.

Ruby pushed a small box into her bag, "not a big deal but a few extra bullets." Then, blushing a little that he'd been only wearing that black tank top under that coat, "aren't you going to be cold?"

Tying his old neck scarf around his wrist, "The trenchcoat…I am always afraid I'd ruin it. I'll be more comfortable without it." Even with the support, it was too heavy for him, and now without it? Pursing his lips, reminding himself that his priorities changed. Even if he rebuilt Vale and what his family had, it wouldn't matter if the world ended.

Ruby nodded, running her hands up his arms. "I think Matron wanted you to be safe, and the best way to make sure you were..."

"Was to teach me strength." Matron said it herself that his and Neo's happiness came first. He scolded himself for thinking Matron cared more about what he inherited over his wellbeing.

His girlfriend laced her fingers through his and walked him out of her childhood home. Smiling at the photos of her family throughout the years.

Following his eyes, "I'm sure we'll have something like this."

Roman gave a mischievous grin, "Are you trying to become Mrs. Torchwick?"

Huffing, "Maybe you'll be Mr. Rose!"

"What a pair we'll make. You, a Huntress, and myself, a weapon's dealer."

Side-eyeing him, "Did you phrase that right?"

Pushing his bangs back only for them to fall back down, "I don't know, maybe I'll make weapons? I'll have a shop, though."

Ruby pushed them out of the front door, "You certainly know how to give a sales pitch."

Roman practically rolled into the front yard, looking into Taiyangs sad eyes. The man nearly gripped in fear at seeing his daughter running headlong into danger. Torchwick offered, "You could join us." Tai was an excellent fighter and instructor. Most of them could learn a great deal from him on the road. Then he glanced at Oscar, a more than capable combat instructor...and magic instructor.

Taiyang crossed his arms, "I need to make sure there is a home for all of you to come back to." The old man frowned through Oscar and into Ozpin.

Oscar's back straightened, "I shall do my best, keeping them safe."

Taiyang, "It's not like Ozpin has a good track record. Neither do you, if I'm to believe this whole time travel business."

Oscar ignored the barb, "I never...but um, thank you for altering my wedding suit."

Taiyang frowned and shrugged, "Sounds like something I do." Then, bitterly, "Let me guess, everyone else died who was a competent tailor in that last fight with Salem."

Oscar bit back a sob. Ruby threw her arms around him, squeezing as tightly as she could, "You're doing the best you can, and inevitably, it won't be perfect."

Neo, dispelling the negative energy, jumped on the old man's back. Pushing a hat onto the blonde head.

Tai stumbling, "Hey! Mini Poppins!"

Roman, "that's my hat!"

Neo flipped gracefully onto the air letting her parasol float her down toward the ground.

Roman swept his bangs back, "I was leaving it behind." his orange hair drooped in front of his silver eye.

Ruby unfurling her scythe, "I can cut your hair!"

Oscar, "Ruby is pretty good at it...although Jaune did end up with a scar."

Roman, "Keep that oversized gardening tool away from this glorious hair."

Tai pressed his lips into a fine line, "You should take advantage of daylight since you won't be able to get a ship to Mistral."

Ruby gave her father a last hug, practically walking backward as they left the security of Patch. After some time, the sun was getting low. Ruby, "I thought Dad would have tried to stop me."

Neo elbowed her and flashed her scroll, [He was probably relieved that at least one of his daughters gave a proper goodbye.]

Roman flicked his twin's ear, "Ass."

Ruby's nails biting her palms, "It feels wrong abandoning Blake."

Oscar draped his arm over her shoulder, "Guilt doesn't mean you're doing something wrong."

Ruby offered a sad smile, "Sounds like something I would say."

Oscar, "I did learn from you." Turning back to the field before them. "There are three Grimm there."

Neo saluted, indicating that she'd protect them. Flames fanned out of her eyes, making them look dark and glittering.

Roman nudged Ruby forward. Her hand wandered to her weapon before pausing. "What do I want to protect?" She looked at each of her compatriots, her eyes lighting. Silver radiated around her, and her head turned back to the Grimm. A stream stuttered out of her, and the beowolves froze. Eyes roving widely, but their bodies are perfect statues.

Neo clapped.

Oscar slapped her back, "An excellent first attempt when you aren't under duress."

Roman grumbled, holding his bangs back, and silver surrounded the whole field and the Grimm, confused and unfrozen the grass beneath them damp.

Neo unfurls her parasol burning through the monsters in a moment, leaving only able to fall apart and float into the air.

Oscar, "Ruby, can you unlock your eyes again?"

Pressing her palms to temples, she nodded. Her eyes flickered, sending strobes of silver a few feet forward.

The ash continued to dance in the wind. Finally, Oscar turned back to Roman, cradling a passed-out Ruby in his arms.

Oscar, "We don't have much daylight left anyways." Oscar and Neo moved to set up camp…or mostly Oscar set up camp, and Neo gathered and set some [too much] wood on fire.

The next day Ruby woke up nestled warmly into a sleeping bag with Roman. Then, realizing they were in the same field she passed out in. Grinning at his sleepy whine as she got up. Moving to where she froze the Grimm, staring at the ground, "The grass is dead here."

Neo tossed her a notebook.

"Well yeah, I'll add it to the ever-growing list of weird stuff." Ruby jotted a few notes and began to pack up camp.

As they were setting out, flames danced over Neo's knuckles.

Oscar, "yeah today let's focus on your maiden powers."

Ruby smiled, "let's just hope, when we get to Mistral, we can find Maria. Then, maybe Ro and I can learn more about our history."

Rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, Roman, "but we should keep our practice to the end of the day cause you have the tendency to pass out once you go off."

Neo shoved Ruby, waving her scroll in the taller girl's face, (you probably just like my bro carrying you.)

Ruby puffing out her cheeks, "Neo! I mean it's nice. But I would never feign-"

Roman throwing Ruby over his shoulder, "Probably could use her as a weapon."

Ruby sagging, "why is everyone so mean."

Xxx

Blake was tied to a pillar in her home. Her body screeched as she strained towards her parents. Mom, unconscious on the floor. If only she would wake up, Kali could run away. While servants were bleeding out all around her. Her father was absolutely helpless, one leg bleeding profusely and the other bent impossibly.

Blake sobbed, "A-adam, please. He had nothing to do with this."

In a blink, Adam was towering over her. Her chest tensed, wishing she could move. His hand caressed her cheek, "Blake, I'm doing this for us. You'll see." That manic gleam in Adam's eye. He was about to turn around! No, if he kept the focus on her, he wouldn't keep killing. Her skin went fuzzy, and she knew she summoned a clone, but she couldn't see it. Until it materialized and shoved Adam towards her flesh. She winced and snatched the opportunity. Pushing her mouth to his, pressing her tongue past his teeth. Sucking and hoping he didn't realize she was whimpering in disgust.

He could have her if it meant her father could live.

Adam pulled back surprise on his face, "A cleverly placed clone, dearest."

Blake looked away. It couldn't have moved. She must have just made form unbalanced so it'd fall on him. "I'm not great with words, Adam."

He chuckled, and his hand ran down her side, "my woman of action." She swallowed, trying to suppress her innards revolting at the contact.

Ghira pressed hard at this bleeding leg, "she isn't yours. She is only trying to spare me."

Adam's face turned cruel, the reprieve gone.

"Dad- No! Please, no you don't understand. I- I I-" when did her tongue become so uncooperative?"

"She can't even say she loves you. I raised an honest girl." Why were all the men she cherished so brutal with their words?

Then there was a flash of red, and there was just another corpse.

Her eyes roved to her mother, bruised and battered but blissfully unaware of what was happening.

"Adam, please, you don't have to do this; I'm yours, I'm not going anywhere."

His back still to her, "I love you, Blake. So much it hurts. Why must you make me do this?" That anguish in Adam was plain to see in his every muscle. A pain Blake didn't mean to but she was confident she was responsible for.

Tears ran down her face, "Adam, I'm so sorry, please come here. Please untie me, and I can show you how badly I- want you." She bit her tongue from expressing I want you to stop.

He snarled, "I can hear you recoiling. The only reason you even offer is that you think your mom is still alive."

Blake stared hard at Kali and shuddered. No breathing. She couldn't find a way to love a man she broke. She brought this upon all of them. Oh how she wished she could join the breathless.

"Everyone would be safer if you could just learn to love the unloved."

Adam pivoted to the clone, hearing Blake's voice come as it faded away.

Blake's sagged against Adam as he untied her. "Adam, I swear I'll find a way to love you." Everything was broken. Adam's request seemed simple in comparison.