Chapter 7: Enrollment and Nightmares.

"Was it really wise to enroll them both? I mean sure they handled that dust robbery well, but they're both just kids, and Maple is well…" Glynda trailed off, thinking about the report she read on the shield bearing girl.
"Vengeful? Violent?" Ozpin asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Allow me to explain my reasoning. First off during that whole scenario the two worked really well together to try and bring those criminals in, that teamwork is important. Secondly, Ruby was able to talk Maple down from shooting down her adoptive mother's killer, which is really impressive considering Maple's emotional state at the time. And thirdly, they are both very skilled combatants. Maple needs a safe place to heal from the trauma her past has inflicted upon her, something that Beacon can provide." Ozpin explained, before taking a sip from his bottomless cup of coffee.

Glynda gave Ozpin a dubious look before looking back to the report on Maple that she was holding.

Meanwhile:
Maple and Ruby were currently walking out of the building.
"I can't believe we are going to Beacon together! THIS IS GONNA BE AWESOME!" Ruby exclaimed, hugging Maple.
"Yeah totally! I can't wait to be on a team with you and start kicking grimm butt!" Maple cheered, smiling in excitement.

"Say, Maple, since It's gonna be a couple months before Beacon starts, want to visit my home on Patch for a few days?" Ruby asked letting go of Maple.

"While I'd love to, but I have a Mission I've assigned myself to do tomorrow, a death cult set themselves up in an old tomb and I want to take them out before they Hurt more people." Maple explained.

Ruby thought for a moment, on one hand, Taiyang was probably expecting her to send him a message that she was getting on the bullhead home by now, On the other hand she wanted to spend more time with Maple and get to understand her more.

"Well how about you count me in!" Ruby offered with a cheer, she'd just have to message him later to tell him she was going to spend another day in Vale.

"Are you sure? I will warn you now that depending on how things go down there my approach might not be exactly…merciful." Maple asked seriously, a grave expression forming on her face.

"I'm positive! I want to learn more about you, Maple and I want to help you. If you start taking things too far or start to lose yourself I'll help you calm down, okay?" Ruby offered with a wink and a smile. Maple smiled in return. "Thank you Ruby, you're the best!" Maple hugged ruby.

"Let's go get some food before we go to the hotel, I have a room booked that the two of us can sleep in." Maple said to Ruby. "Sure, sounds good to me! I gotta call dad and tell him I'm staying here a little longer." Ruby replied, grabbing Her scroll and the two headed off into the night.

_

Ruby woke up bleary eyed, it was currently midnight and Ruby heard an odd sound before a realization hit her. "Is that… crying?" Ruby thought, worry growing within her.

"Maple?" Ruby asked getting up. She looked into the next room to find maple on the couch, sleeping and crying into her pillow, mumbling to herself, Ruby couldn't make out what though.

"She's having a nightmare… Poor Maple…" Ruby thought sadly, before an Idea popped into her head. Ruby knelt down and grabbed Maple's arm and put it over her shoulder before lifting Maple off the couch.

"Alright, let's go." Ruby whispered, carrying Maple to the bed and laid her down gently before getting in bed. Ruby hugged maple under the covers, her armor and skin was cold to the touch. After a few seconds in Ruby's arms Maple's crying stopped and her sleep became peaceful again, a small smile now gracing her features. Ruby smiled and fell asleep.

In Maple's nightmare, Maple stood within a black void in front of her, the bloody corpse of Amber Lavel was hung by her wounds by the thread of orange flames. A voice echoed from the void, it sounded like Cinder's but it was somewhat distorted.

"You failed her Maple, aren't good daughters supposed to protect their mothers in their time of need? Pathetic." the voice scoffed. Then A familiar, yet different face walked up to Maple. It looked a lot like Cinder, but its face was bone white, had horns, and its arms were black except for some bone armor that protected its shoulders, fourarms and fingers. Its rib cage was exposed revealing an orange orb.

"I will make you suffer little Sapling, you will die alone and screaming, but not before I torture and kill your friends" The abomination promised, flames flying out of it's mouth as it spoke. Suddenly, more lifeless bodies appeared in the room, all hung from various wounds, by threads of orange flame. Maple broke down into tears, for each corpse was someone she knew, all of them friends and family, broken, burned and battered. Suddenly a light appeared on the far end of the void, a vortex of rosepettles flew by and the abomination tormenting Maple was decapitated. Standing in front of Maple now was a silver eyed girl with dark red hair, and a bright red cloak.

"Ruby!" Maple cheered, hugging her savior. Ruby smiled and hugged her back, gently stroking her hair.

"Everything's okay now Maple, I'm here." Ruby soothed. Now the two sat in a flowery field, the sun dipping on the horizon.