*Story Start*
"I'm afraid that there's not much I can do Mr. Xiao-Long, besides the slight damage to the larynx there's nothing wrong with your daughter. " the words seemed to reverberate through the small doctors' office.
On either side of Ruby, her family seemed to be share a confused expression.
"B-but..." The two-toned teen managed to croak out.
"From a medical standpoint, the only thing wrong is that you overexerted your vocal cords. I'd advise you to avoid putting unnecessary stress on it. Your voice should be back to normal by next week." Nodding, Taiyang ushered his two daughters out of the room.
"Rubes," Yang placed her hand on her sister's shoulder and turned to face her "I know what the doctor said, but are ya... you know... good?"
"I'm fine... it's probably just stress. Yeah...I think... I just need to sleep. Okay?" Ruby gave her an uneasy smile before returning to the quiet.
The walk only took a few minutes to get back to their house. Taiyang and his eldest daughter just watched as Ruby poured herself a glass of water before disappearing upstairs.
Before Yang could follow, Taiyang pulled her to the couch and sat her down.
"Yang, I know that it's not just the stress that's getting to Ruby, but there's no way I can keep her here. She'd never forgive me if I stopped her from being a Huntress. So I need you to promise me that you'll look out for her while you're at Beacon. I know that there's only so much you can do, but promise me. I need you to promise me Yang."
"I…promise dad. I'll do everything in my power to makesure that Ruby grows up to be the perfect Huntress."
Ruby tossed and turned in her bed, struggling to get to sleep.
Why? Why was she having so much trouble? Every time she started to drift off, a dull aching appeared. Like two knives were stabbing her. Eventually, she managed to get some rest by coating her head with Aura, numbing the pain enough to sleep. Unaware of the faint crimson arcs of lightning dancing along her body.
Opening her eyes, Ruby found herself suspended in an infinite abyss. Gone was any semblance of light, aside from the silver beams that were emanating from her eyes.
Scanning the void, she could make out the distant appearance of ruined buildings and unearthed sections of forests. The nearest was a ruined ziggurat, half devoured by the dunes with a shattered teapot sitting atop it all.
The next was a lakebed, succumbing to the myriads of coral which threatened to fill it. Just beyond the waterline sat a derelict cabin with a broken staff at the doorway and a lone flower growing up it.
Pushing herself deeper towards the ruins, she came across a dying volcano. Faint streams of liquid rock trickled from the mouth while a sputtering flame seemed to desperately try to keep it alive.
Further away, a floating forest violently blazed on. Two streams of liquid flames leaped from tree to tree, engulfing branches and devoured everything. As she got closer, the flames stopped and turned to face her.
Each morphed into a humanoid shape with void black eyes staring at her. While the world burned, they just stared. Unblinking, unmoving, staring.
Below, a section of their face opened up and they started mutely talking.
Simple at first, "Fire, run, approaching," but it quickly increased. Phrases turned to passages, before devolving into an incomprehensible blur.
It all stopped when they simultaneously mouthed the word "YOU". Pointing to her, the two dissolved in the column of smoke.
The fire quickly spread after that. Devouring the island before moving to the fabric of everything.
All must burn. For in the cinders of the past, the new will begin.
That was how it went. Every night, Ruby would dream of the ruins before everything was reduced to cinders. A storm of ash and smoke devouring everything, leaving her standing in the abyss alone. No Naruto. No Konoha. Just... nothing.
No matter how many nights passed. No matter what and tried to do, it was all the same. And it continued that way, long after her voice had returned, after she boarded the Bulkhead and rode it to Beacon.
Kaguya did something to them back then and it still messed with her dreams. Like clockwork, she'd dream about the ruins, the fire, everything burning.
It didn't matter what she did, it was all the same. Everything would burn, and there was nothing she could do to stop it.
"Yo Rubes, we're landing. Grab your stuff." A few words from Yang broke her from her musing. Grabbing Crescent Rose and her luggage, Ruby stood beside the other hopeful students.
The ship landed and the crowds disembarked towards the towering school.
"Welcome to Beacon sis. I'll go put the bags away, you head to the introduction. Meet you there." Grabbing Ruby's bag, Yang took their luggage and disappeared into the crowd.
Standing there, Ruby affixed Crescent Rose to her side and people-watched for a bit. Nervous teens walked, chatting up some of their friends while others read from their scrolls and watched videos. Taking a deep breath, Ruby centred herself and prepared to enter the school.
The sound of a wheel locking up and the sound of a crate sliding instinctively caused her to spin around and grab the cargo trunk and raven-haired girl accompanying it. The trunk looked fairly worn with a section looking like a part was recently removed.
"Oh, *ahem* thank you for catching me. Now if you'd please, let go of me." Both of them were blushing as Ruby sat the trunk and her down.
"Oh sorry. I was mesmerized by your stunning icy blue eyes. They compliment your face and your scar adds to that beauty. It gives you a refined aura befitting a Huntress."
Running a hand across her scar, she coughed before straightening out her dress. She wore a black jacket that was cut off at the chest and accented her navy strapless dress pinned by a red brooch. Looking closer, the left shoulder seemed like it had a patch removed. The area visibly being a lighter shade than the rest.
"Well it is nice to meet you, Miss uh..."
"Rose, Ruby Rose."
"Schwartz, Weiss Schwartz. And well it has been nice Miss Rose, but I must go. Good day." Weiss gave a brief curtsy before grabbing her trunk and moving away.
"Okay, uh bye."
Watching her leave, Ruby adjusted herself before someone else bumped into her.
Turning towards them, she was greeted by a violet short-haired girl in a purple-hued vest and a lilac button-up shirt, similar shorts, and a dark purple bow on her head. She had a small suitcase in one hand and a book in the other.
"Uhm, hi? I'm Ruby Rose? Nice running into you?"
The girl just closed her book and turned her amber eyes to face her.
"Blake Viola, and a cheesy pun? Nice ice breaker." Tucking her book into a pocket, she held out a hand and gave Ruby a quick handshake.
"Sorry, it was the first thing that came to mind. Nice to meet you, so… you like reading?"
"I do, well it's been nice meeting you Ruby but I need to get to the Initiation and so do you. Goodbye." giving a brief nod, Blake took back out her book and walked away.
Is someone else going to run into me-yah?" Before she could finish, an orange-haired girl in grey and green shoulder blouse.
Rolling over to face her, Ruby was greeted by a freckled ginger in a long sleeve blouse with copper button on the sleeves.
Sal-u-tations fellow student. The floor tiling here is exquisite, don't you say?"
Her emerald green eyes seemed so full of enthusiasm, Ruby just nodded.
"I would… have to agree. Ruby Rose, would you like to get up? While I enjoy looking at you and the sky, I think we should head to the auditorium. I doubt the teachers would be too happy if we were late." Carefully rolling out from underneath the ginger teen, Ruby dropped the aura protecting her torso. For a girl her size, she seemed to be quiet heavy.
"Oh yes, I do believe that they would be most displeased if we were truant to the opening ceremony. Let us go and listen Ruby Rose." In one movement, she pulled both of them to a stand.
"Thanks, and it's just Ruby. No need for formalities. We're both training to be huntresses." Nodding, the freckled teen held out a hand and shook Ruby's.
"Very well 'Just Ruby', we will be spending the next Four years together so it's best if we get to know each other. I'm Penny Polendina, it's nice to meet you."
"It's nice to meet you too Penny. I hope we end up on the same team, it would be nice to have a friend as a teammate." Penny's eyes lit up as Ruby said that. Brushing it off as a trick of the light, Ruby barely had time to reinforce her body with aura to brace herself for Pennys bear hug.
"I am glad that you are my friend. I did not know a great deal of people back home and I'm glad to rectify that." beaming, she walked while still hugging Ruby.
"It's nice…knowing you too. Where's …your family …from? Mine lives … in Patch. Also, could you …let me go? You are … a lot stronger … than you look..."
"Oh sorry, my father told me that my strength needs some fine-tuning. He said that I can attend Beacon instead of Atlas Academy, but I need to make sure to not overdo it. I would share more but I have a few um secrets that I'd prefer to not share." Letting go of Ruby, Penny gave her an awkward shrug.
Straightening herself out, Ruby heard the nearly imperceptible sound of metallic parts with each movement. Giving her a gentle smile, the black/redhead placed a kind hand in her shoulder.
"Penny, if you don't want to talk about it then we can leave it. Okay? Everyone has stuff they don't want to talk about and that's fine. I just hope that one day you'll be comfortable enough with me to tell it. I can wait." Returning her smile, Penny turned away to wipe her eyes.
"Thank you …friend. I await that day too. Now let's hear from their speech." Nodding, the duo entered the auditorium and joined the crowd of students.
Leading Penny through it, they eventually bumped into Yang.
"Hey Rubes. Oh hi there. Names Yang, what's yours Gingerbread?"
"Oh a friendly nickname, my name is Penny. It is nice to meet you Miss, um, Goldilocks." Taking Yangs hand, Penny gave her a firm handshake.
"Oh, strong grip. Nice." Before Penny could comment, the sound of a microphone connecting turned everyone's attention to the stage.
From stage right came Ozpin. The room was silent, with the exception of the sound of his steps and cane. Adjusting the mic, Ozpin coughed before addressing the crowd.
"I'm sure that most of you know me, but to those that do not; I am Ozpin, the Headmaster of this Academy. You all are here because you have proven yourself to be competent, talented and/or exhibit qualities expected of a Huntsman. Next week, you all will take part in a practical test of your skills. It will be difficult and exhausting, with a chance of severe harm or even death. If you feel like that is to difficult then you know where the door is," Ozpin stopped to gauge the reaction before continuing.
"Bear in mind that as Huntsmen and Huntresses, you will be expected to take part in dangerous missions and tasks for the safety of the masses. With that said, areas have been designated for you to sleep in until the test. The Cafeteria will provide food and showers area ready for use in the changing areas. Good Luck and remember, you're training to protect humanity so make sure you're ready."
With that, Ozpin walked off stage and Glynda took the mic.
"Now students, you'll find a copy of the directory sent to your Scroll. Most rooms are currently shut, but the Gymnasium, Cafeteria, library and your assigned quarters are open to you. Know this, we have cameras setup in key areas so remember, we will find you if you destroy or damage the School. Training Rooms are located in designated areas of the Gym, but unnecessary destruction will result in a severe reprimanding. Now, good luck and prepare for the test." With a swift turn, Glynda walked off stage and left the students-to-be to their own devices.
Ruby sat in her Beowolf tank top and rose short PJs on her Sleeping bag. On her right was Yang in her flaming heart top and shorts, on her left was Penny in a long sleeve grey top and green sweatpants. The trio was accompanied by a few other girls that were spread out throughout the classroom.
"This will be very entertaining. I have never experienced a sleepover. Now I get to have one with my good friend Ruby and her sister." Penny radiated cheer as her eyes seemed to glow brightly with joy.
"Me too, but I'm pretty tired right now Penny. So let's talk more in the morning, okay?" The ginger teen nodded and pulled out a sleeping mask.
"Affirmative. See you in the morning 'Friend Ruby'." Following her lead, most of the girls turned off the lamps beside them, with the exception of a few reading with penlights.
Zipping up her sleeping bag, Ruby closed her eyes and allowed herself to drift off to sleep.
Opening her eyes, Ruby found herself floating in the void again. This time, there was nothing around her.
No ruins. No ziggurats. No volcanoes. No burning forests. Nothing. Forcing herself to move through the void, there was still nothing. Ruby was all that existed in the abyss.
Punching the void, Ruby watched as part of it shattered to reveal a moon.
Intact, whole, unmarked.
Pulling herself through the hole, Ruby could see something happening on the surface of the moon.
She saw what looked like a shrine maiden running from someone. Finding a fruit growing on a tree and consuming it. Gaining divine powers and the ending all conflicts.
The maiden became the Rabbit Goddess. Ruby was witness to the beginning of history. Unknown to her, a small trickle of blood began to leak from her nose and vanished into the void.
Then it continued. The birth of her two sons, and their betrayal. The birth of the Hyūga, Senju and the Uchiha clans. The spread of chakra and the start of the Ninja Era.
The Warring Clan Era flew past, showing everything from the birth of clans to their bloody ends. Every triumphant rise and brutal downfall. All the while, blood dripped from her ears.
The subjugation of the Bijuu and the creation of Hidden Villages. The First, Second, Third and the Forth Ninja War. Every event that had ever occurred from when the fruit was first eaten to the moment where time ceased to exist. Ruby knew everything that will ever happen since chakras existence. While watching, blood began to drip from her eyes and mouth.
"Friend Ruby! Friend Ruby please wake up. Please." All the girls were huddled around Ruby's convulsing form as blood leaked from her orifices.
"Penny, do you know where the Doctors Office is?" Yang hoisted up Ruby before kicking down the door.
"I believe I found the location. Follow me, I'll lead you. Hold on 'Friend Ruby' we get you help." The two burst out of the room while Yang clutched her convulsing sister, streaks of bloods coating their clothes and skin. Imperceptible crimson arcs danced across Ruby, with the occasionally leaping to Yang or Penny.
Far above them, a deep crack spread across the moon. In a silent explosion, the fractured moon fractured further and sent the shattered remains into a lunar orbit.
Farewell to 2021, brace yourself for 2022. I hope you enjoyed your respective Holidays, here to a less shitty Year.
I also setup a Ko-fi account so if you want and are able to, feel free to toss some pocket change at me. Ko-fi .com/thatmaker
Remember, only donate if you can. I'm not expecting you to, nor will I stop writing if not. It's just if you want to.
Stay safe this 2022.
Here's to the Auld Lang syne. See you again.
*End*