Author's Headnote: Ya... just started watching Volume 8... got to change the intro to the story now... since I think it was contradictory to canon. I know I said I take liberties with canon, but I'd like it to be at the very least somewhat consistent. In fact, I did that as I was writing this headnote. This is the last chapter before the intermission, and than the Vytal tournament chapters. But without further ado, less headnotes... more actual chapter.
RWBY: Festival of Blood: Title Drop
Ruby Rose:
Aura Status: 100%
Thirst: Slightly Stated
Semblance: Wilted Petal Burst
Grades:
- Grimm Studies: B +
- History: B -
- Dust Studies: B
- Combat Practice: A -
- Mathematics: C -
- Weapon's Smithing: A -
- Tactics: B -
- Training Missions: C -
Team Activity: Done.
Team Relations:
-Weiss Schnee: Glad to see her being less uppity and snooty.
-Blake Belladonna: They're dating. Hopefully her teeth won't be pestering.
-Yang Xiao Long: Hopefully her liver heals before the physical exams.
End of main character status report.
Beacon Academy, 11:00 AM (Daylight Warning), Monday, RWBY Dormitory
"SURPRISE!"
Ruby gasped for breath and fell out of the bed out of surprise. And landed on the floor head first. She groaned in pain...
"I thought vampires didn't have any restraints in their muscles." Yang said in confusion.
"That doesn't mean we can't feel pain." Ruby complained.
"Happy Birthday?" Weiss said, trying to break the ice.
"Hold on... let me get up... from the floor." Ruby said... finally getting up, and than wiping her knees. She sees her team... fully dressed. And ready to head out. Albeit they're not in costumes. Although Weiss and Blake look a bit more casual than normal.
"We going out somewhere?" Ruby asked.
"We won't spoil the surprise." Yang stated.
"So... why aren't you in costume?" Ruby asked.
"They're for later." Weiss answered.
"But for now... I think you should sit down from the kitchen." Blake suggested.
"Okay?" Ruby said... walking to the kitchen/dining room. She's not really one who'd like cake anymore, but she'd eat one just to make them feel better... even if Weiss baked it. And Ruby knows that cooking is not her specialty, so Ruby doesn't want to picture her atrocious baking skills.
As Ruby sat down, she sees... nothing. Guess they're really going for a surprise theme for Ruby's sixteenth birthday.
And that's when Blake presented to what appears to be a milkshake. The cup is solid and not transparent. Covered by a lid and a straw. Well, at least it's not a cake. Given that Ruby now prefers to drink than to eat given her condition. She decides to drink it, after all her made this drink just for her. No need to sound or look spoiled. Ruby grabs the drink and starts to suck the straw with one of her fangs.
Well... it's cold... and blood... it feels like Blake's for sure... but the flavor... the taste... it's familiar... it's... Ruby's eyes opened wide in realization. And than she started sucking on it very, very fast... aaaaaannnd...
GAH! BRAIN FREEZE!
Ruby let go of the straw and slaps her hand on her head to recover from the brain freeze. Besides the brain freeze. Ruby enjoyed the bloodshake.
"Looks like someone is enjoying their birthday shake." Yang retorted positively.
"Thank you. Funny thing is... I've forgotten the taste of strawberries from all this time as a vampire." Ruby commented.
"Well, you're welcome for making you remember."
"Wait, you made this?"
"Well... we all had a part of it." Blake stated.
"Blake donated the blood. Yang got the rest of the ingredients and materials... I did the mixing and actually creating the shake." Weiss stated.
Ruby looked at Weiss at surprise.
"And yes, Blake and Yang specifically told me to not use dust in the shake. We even had a test run shake that used milk instead of Blake's blood." Weiss stated.
"It's a good shake. Thank you for this." Ruby praised Weiss in a cheerful tone.
"You're welcome." Weiss, Blake, and Yang said in order.
Ruby went to continue drinking the bloodshake. She enjoyed the long-lost taste and flavor of strawberries with the texture of blood. She could enjoy her favorite flavor whilst sating her vampiric thirst, this truly was a good gift. Her birthday starting off at a good start.
"Hey, after you're done with your first gift. Feel free to check out the rest in the next room." Blake suggested.
"I wouldn't mind if you brought it with you, but given that if you accidentally slip and make a mess... also given that blood is hard to clean up. It'd be awkward to explain why there would be blood in the living room." Weiss said in an awkward tone.
"Oh. Ya. I know. Keep the bloodshakes in the kitchen." Ruby reminded herself. As she continued to drink her bloodshake, the rest of her team went to the living room. As Ruby went on to gulp down on the tasty drink that is her strawberry bloodshake. After two minutes, she finished her bloodshake and put the cup on her counter. Ruby than went into the living room to see what else her team has in store for her.
She walked into the living room and saw... a rainshade. The rainshade itself is not a weapon. But it has a decorative red rose pattern... and a comfortable grip. From what the description says, it's a lot durable than a civilian one, but it's not possible for the rainshade to be an effective weapon.
"You got me a rainshade?" Ruby asked.
"I didn't like the idea of my sister going outside in a box, so I personally ordered this. So, you can be outside during the day since the shade will shield you from the sun. And don't worry about windy days... it's been enhanced so it can't be blown by wind. In addition, your vampiric strength won't let it budge anyway." Yang summarized.
"Wow... thanks. Now I just have to worry about what if someone attacks me outside during the day." Ruby said, trying to be grateful, but chances are it came out wrong.
Blake and Weiss looked disturbed, whilst Yang was smiling. "I'm glad you like it." Yang spoke.
"So... what about Weiss and Blake? What did they get me?" Ruby asked.
"Don't worry, I told them that they need to give you material possessions... especially Blake." Yang stated.
Ruby chuckled at that. Although she wouldn't mind a make out session with Blake.
Meanwhile Weiss had gave Ruby a wardrobe of new outfits. It looks similar to the ones she has, except they're red-violet instead of red.
"I saw you wore a red-violet dress at the dance, and I thought you pull that off very well. So, I figured I'd give you more opportunities to wear it." Weiss stated.
"That's enough to double my wardrobe!" Ruby exclaimed.
"You're welcome. I would have gotten you a car, but you can't exactly drive yet." Weiss stated.
"I still need to get my license." Ruby said, whilst awkwardly laughing.
"Well, good luck getting your license than." Weiss stated.
"It's kind of hard given that there's a ban on night classes across the kingdom." Ruby stated. "Maybe one of you three could teach me and I'd take the test?"
"Well... given the only people on the team who knows how to drive are me and Yang." Weiss stated.
"What? I've took parkour classes instead." Blake defended herself.
"Also, Weiss... you obviously went way over the budget for gifts..." Yang commented.
"What? I can't give her candy!" Weiss countered the comment.
"Well, I think it's my turn to give Ruby her present." Blake said, handing Ruby a box.
Ruby opened the box; it had a locket on it. The locket had a picture of Blake in it. Ruby had smiled when receiving this.
"Thank you." Ruby simply said.
"You're welcome." Blake said.
"I will always have it with me, Blake." Ruby said.
Blake smiled at that. She looks happy that Ruby enjoyed her gift.
"So... what do you think?" Yang asked.
"The gifts, the shake, all of it has been good." Ruby said excitingly.
"Well, get dressed. We're going to go out." Blake said.
"Now, during the day?" Ruby asked.
"Yes. During the day. I understand you're a vampire, but still... you have two ways of going outside during the day without burning yourself. Either through the box or with your new rainshade Yang got you." Weiss summarized.
"Oh, I see..." Ruby said. "I'll get dressed." She added.
Ruby went back to the bedroom to change somewhere discreetly, modesty is important after all, especially on events such as her birthday. She decides to wear one of the Red-violet outfits Weiss gave her. And wore Blake's locket under it... need to keep it with her after all. Afterwards, she grabs the new rainshade Yang gets to her and walks to the front door of the complex. Ruby opened the door and opened her rainshade. And conveniently, the shade from the rainshade has blocked out the sun, creating a place of darkness to reside whilst traversing the daylight.
Ruby walked to the bullhead with the rainshade over her head... sure it raised some eyebrows, but Ruby's glad she can feel somewhat normal right now.
City of Vale, 12:03 PM (Daylight Warning), Monday, Laser tag arena.
The laser tag arena. Ruby and Yang went here a lot when they were younger. It's honestly how Ruby unlocked her semblance, she says she unlocked it during training... but in reality, she just unlocked it on accident dodging a laser. It actually worked. She dodged a laser that was pointed 3 feet in front of her. The set up is like other laser tag arenas. Pseudo bullet vests, toy laser rifles and pistols, the people can pick. And a series of cover and terrain. With the introduction of Atlassian technology in Vale, the laser tag arena has a diverse layout... so no two laser tag games are alike. The rules are simple, no semblances, no aura-enhanced movement, and no physical violence.
Ruby was in a helmet and a vest. Along with arm and leg padding. All with targets on the front side. They don't have back targets since it would be unfair. In addition, each of the lasers have a 'recharge' timer of five seconds, quite similar to Ruby's bolt-action rifle, except it's slower. So, pulling the trigger will fire a brief harmless laser. Of course, she has seen Penny use energy blasts in combat, but Ruby feels ballistic weapons are more practical, after all lasers can't apply dust to their shot.
She was in cover waiting for one of her friends to get sloppy. Weiss rented out the entire arena for the time they're here with her business card. So, no children for the unpredictable factor, it's just four trainee huntresses in a large area waiting for one to slip up. Or moving to take one on surprise. The rules were modified for this session given that normally, there would be like forty kids, 1 shot and it's out, but given that it's just the four... the moderator upped the number to three. So, after three laser-tags, the player is out.
The entire room was lightened up... given that so no faunas players would take advantage of their night vision, so everyone is on an even playing ground. This game revolves around sharp maneuvering, stealth and agility. Ruby is good at two of those things.
While she was waiting, she sees Weiss decided to take the first move... she gets her aim ready aaand...
PEW!
PEW!
PEW!
It seems the rest of the team has gotten the same Idea... as they all targeted shot Weiss while she was in the open. Although she looked frustrated at first, she laughed it off. It is just a game after all... yet again, she is quite used to losing by now. This also revealed the location to where everyone else was. Including herself.
She decided to rush to Yang first. She knew that Yang would be the least stealthy and the easier one to take on... at least in this game.
She rushed and jumped between the cover spots so Blake doesn't snipe her... or Yang. Albeit she doesn't use her semblance, because it's against the rules and she doesn't want to get kicked out.
She quickly than spotted Yang behind her. Because of the rules she needs to wait for her front to be shown. Because all the valid target spots are at the front because children kept complaining. Which is pretty petty, but Ruby could make it work. Yang was moving away, likely going after Blake.
And that's when Blake shot her laser pistol at Yang, and than Ruby took the opportunity to shoot Yang with her rifle. Yang retaliated by firing her laser pistol at Ruby.
Yang than jumped down to the one area without any cover Ruby than followed to get an easy take down.
After the rifle cooldown was finished, Yang fired at Ruby, whilst Ruby fired the laser rifle at Yang, eliminating her from the match. Which than she received a blast from Blake. Which means the game is over... Blake wins again, for the fifth time. It's fun though.
"Well, guess Blake wins again." Ruby said enthusiastically.
"And I went easy on you because it was your birthday." Blake joked.
"If you called that easy, I don't want to picture hard." Weiss shuttered.
"It's okay, we're having fun so far... what about you, birthday girl?" Yang asked Ruby.
"It's exciting, and fills my adrenaline rush... or my equivalent." Ruby said.
"You don't mind losing?" Yang asked jokingly.
"It's just a game, Yang. Besides, I don't see you winning." Ruby retorted jokingly.
"Weren't you laughing when you said SSSN was playing with toy guns?" Blake asked.
"They were playing with toy dart guns, Blake. The aftermath of those tend to result in clean-up. Laser-tag is the same without all the mess. If you don't count the children." Yang stated.
"Children are adorable, but they leave a big mess." Ruby said.
"Now you know why I rented the venue for our session?" Weiss asked.
"Precisely!" Ruby stated.
"So... how about one more session before we hit another venue for the Birthday girl?" Yang asked.
"You keep saying that." Blake said.
"Each of our sessions are like 5-10 minutes." Yang stated.
"How about this, one more session, and than we go to the next venue, no matter what Yang says afterwards." Ruby offered.
"Good Idea." Weiss stated.
The team contacted the moderator to start another session. Which lasted twenty minutes, afterwards they went to another venue.
City of Vale, 3:00PM (Daylight Warning), Monday, Vale Arcade
Team RWBY had so far have been to indoor venues. Sure, the rainshade would mean that Ruby would be able to go outside during the day without being cargo, but she can't do much with only one hand free. So, thankfully all the venues have been indoor. First, they spent time in the laser-tag arena. Second, they spent time at an indoor ping-pong table area. Now, they're at an indoor arcade. It doesn't sell food or anything. And even than, the rest of the team had some fast food, regardless of what Ruby feels about it.
Ruby was playing some Skee-Ball. Given that her skills in bowling, even when she was trying to use some of her vampiric strength... ended up failing... she lucky no one noticed that she made a small crater on the bowling alley floor when she accidentally dropped the bowling ball on the third frame. But that was than, and this is now. She picked up one the small skee-balls and threw the ball... aaand...
She accidentally created a crater in the Skee-Ball machine. Trapping the ball and keeping it from moving anywhere... the noise was heard across the arcade. The manager had come and saw Ruby in throwing position and the Skee-Ball in the newly created crater. He didn't look mad, but he did facepalm himself.
"Stupid thing, I thought I replaced the darn thing with a more durable machine. Guess I picked the same model on accident." The manager said to himself.
Ruby's not sure what she was expecting, but at least she's not in trouble. No doubt the rest of the team would ask Ruby about the noise... She just has to remember her own strength next time when she does something like this. Ruby decided to go and play some of the video-game machines instead... since those would end up not being broken.
The rest of her team could see that Ruby was embarrassed, which means they would know that Ruby caused the noise... but they'd let it slide since it's just her birthday. May as well enjoy the time she can before they decide to move to the next venue the rest of her team had planned.
City of Vale, 6:00 PM, Monday, Hotel Room
Weiss must have really maxed out her card for Ruby's birthday... since she rented four hotel rooms and the entire ballroom for her birthday party. And Weiss had gotten the costume Ruby had wanted. It was a simple costume. It's a plastic replica of a suit of armor from a science-fiction third-person shooter RPG. It's mostly black with a single red stripe. Helmet not included, but the costume makeup will compensate for the lack of face covering. She got Crescent Rose folded up on her hip as a prop. Yet again, that's where the character normally puts their shotgun.
The hotel was a simple 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom room. Nothing complex about it.
As soon as Ruby got dressed. She went downstairs to the ballroom to attend her birthday party.
Character Change: Ruby Rose - Cinder
Vale Catacombs, 6:00 PM, Monday, Outer Tombs
Given the intense power that might be within the catacombs, Cinder is attending the raid, along with Mercury and Emerald. Roman and Neo will be attacking the festival. Although attacking a den of vampires is unwise with just three people. So, she drafted every single White Fang grunt with aura to attend the catacomb raid.
"The only thing that needs to be preserved is the way back... everything else can be destroyed." Cinder ordered in an angry tone.
"Aye." The White Fang elite mook complied.
As soon as they came in... they started blasting the area and destroying anything that isn't supporting the outer tombs, blasting a way inside the inner tombs. Entire ancient corpses desecrated in the process. Besides, when Salem has created her new world order... these dead bodies won't be needed anyway. And to do that, she needs to get herself back at full power. Although Salem didn't prioritize the vampires, she would be grateful that they're out of the way.
Cinder's half-maiden powers did manage to blow a hole onto what seems is an entrance deeper into the catacombs. Yet again, given that it's 6 PM, the vampires on guard duty might have just woken up. Well, it's time to fight the vampires and deal with the Duke... permanently...
Vale Catacombs, 6:10 PM, Monday, Catacomb Dungeons
As soon as Cinder's raiding squad entered the catacomb dungeons... they started firing at and killing any vampires that go after them. Vampires are tough targets, given that they can't grow exhausted and are incredibly durable. Some of the older vampires can even tank shots in the head. Which is why Cinder had brought the elite mooks.
The mooks were ganking the vampires two on one... whilst Emerald and Mercury did their thing on a larger group. Vampires can still be affected by Emerald's semblance, which would make it easier for Mercury to take them out by surprise. Although he does say that the leg the silver-eyed girl made is a bit clunky for combat. That, and the lighting dust tends to not work well with his fighting style. Instead of shooting a bolt of lightning, it just electrocutes his leg briefly, and damages his own aura. And the silver-eyed girl is a prodigy... how?
But no matter, the mooks and the children are dealing with the lesser vampires, she came here for the big one. She let the small fries deal with each other. She was making a path of destruction as she was looking for a way to the inner sanctum, using her semi-maiden powers to have her blast quickly through the catacombs.
And that is when she was caught by surprise. A single grimm hand that spawned out from the ground had caught Cinder... which means she found exactly who she was looking for. The hand had let go of her... she stopped moving. And heard foot steps... and saw a man... wearing formal, aristocratic clothing... black hair, pink eyes. If the duke was anyone, that would be him.
"Don't you know it's rude to enter a noble man's home uninvited?" The Duke said, with a mockingly sarcastic tone.
"So, you're the one who has Salem's power." Cinder stated in a serious and investigative tone.
"Salem... guess she's getting desperate if you're the one she's sending."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Cinder asked. She's getting hesitant.
"In most cases, Salem would try to send a fully fledged maiden to go after me. This one incident is the only exception. And it's been a long while since she had found me. So, tell me girl, how did you find me?" The Duke interrogated.
"For the record, I came here on my own accord. Killing you early would please Salem greatly." Cinder countered, dodging the question.
"Dodging the question, and I'd figured of course. Salem isn't dumb enough to send someone half as powerful as me to retrieve her powers. Now tell me... who told you I was here?"
"It doesn't matter, you're going to die tonight anyway." Cinder taunted.
"If that's the case, attack me." The Duke counter-taunted.
Cinder wasn't sure why she didn't attack at first sight... maybe the Duke himself didn't do anything aggressive. She wouldn't have hesitated if it weren't for the interruption. But now... the fact that she's the one at a disadvantage in this fight... she wasn't sure if she'd risk her life in vain. She's hesitating to pull the first strike.
"Hesitation. You know most maiden-assassins would have attacked me by now... and have all of her powers. You hesitate why? Because you're scared of defeat, failure? Death? I can grant you permission to leave unscathed if you tell me who revealed the location of my lair..." The Duke offered.
Not sure why Cinder is hesitating. She can take on the vampire. She uses some of the fire dust to conjure up two swords. And started to charge at the vampire. Only for the vampire to precisely block the attack with a grimm blade and than kicked Cinder back with one foot.
"So... guess you're not all bark after all... you will die like the rest of the fall maidens Salem has sent after me." The Duke stated out of boredom.
Cinder vs The Duke of Bloodshire
Cinder went to attack at a range, firing small fire-balls with her limited maiden powers... all deflected by a grimm-bone shield formed in the place of the blade. Cinder than went and swapped back to conjuring swords and throwing them at him, only for him to parry each sword... except one. In which he than used the fire dust from the sword to make a fire-ball of his own... much larger than what Cinder was throwing at. She barely dodged the fire-ball, which scathed her... thankfully her aura was protecting her body from any serious burns.
The Duke now makes another attack, the shield turns into a set of grimm claws... albeit they look extremely more humanoid than whatever the lesser vampires were using. Given that the claws were smaller and more human shaped. He thrusts the grimm claw forward, which than the claws now look more bestial and elongated, said claws thrust forward at a fast speed, cinder barely dodged it. And before he can make another attack, Cinder took a pot shot and hit the duke with a small firebolt.
The claws retracted back towards the rest of his body. The other arm had formed into a claw, similar to the other one. The Duke started charging at Cinder who was down at the time. Although he was later shot with a wind dust bolt, which knocked him back...
The Duke got up and was staring at someone... Cinder turned around and saw Emerald and Mercury who just showed up... Cinder had gotten up. To confront them.
"You two? What are you doing here?" Cinder asked.
"The entire catacombs were cleared. No vampires other than the Duke are present, so I figured I'd give you a hand." Emerald stated.
"I got bored and didn't want to wait guarding the door." Mercury stated.
"Well, don't just wait around, actually help me take him down." Cinder ordered.
"Yes Ma'am." Emerald complied.
Mercury just sighed and complied
"Oh, since you struggle to take me on one on one... you require your henchmen to help you?" The Duke taunted. "How interesting."
Mercury started by launching a kick towards the Duke in which he caught Mercury and swung him back.
"You only killed the fledglings and incompetent underlings. The more competent ones and the field agents are never at the catacombs during daytime." The Duke stated.
"I've noticed that only humans are in the cages, what's up with that?" Mercury asked.
"The Faunas thralls have been repurposed." The Duke revealed.
"Why are you telling us this?" Emerald asked.
"Only to make you fight harder, after all. I don't fare well to trespassers, ones who attack me in my own home no less. You are right to be afraid, after all." the Duke stated.
Cinder than started using her half-maiden powers to shoot more fireballs, given that her maiden powers are very limited, it's the only offensive ability she could do. The Duke deflected the shields in which Mercury attacked the Duke from behind. Catching him off guard... it seems the Duke's fighting style has a fatal flaw, he's only suited fighting one-on-one.
The Duke started focusing on Mercury parrying his kicks and re-directing his wind-bolts back at him and than attacking him with his claws. Emerald than attacked from behind with her chain-blades, pulling him toward her, in which Cinder than sliced his right arm off. Said arm disintegrated into ash. Emerald than kicked the Duke back and kept shooting at him followed by a somersault kick from Mercury. The Duke than looks like he's angry now... it seems like he was holding back.
"I'm impressed. You've done more damage to me than your predecessors." The Duke said, before being stabbed in the chest by one of Cinder's dust swords.
"And Salem will be impressed." Cinder retorted, stabbing the Duke.
"The grimm inside is thirsty. Like my inferiors, I have to comply." The Duke said somberly...
Cinder doesn't know what he meant, but she proceeded to attempt to slice the duke in half horizontally. Only for grimm to rebuild his body... and than covered his body head to toe... bone plating started form around his chest and limbs... a grimm right arm started to grow, with plating. The bone plating resembles somewhat like armor. The head forms a grimm mask at the upper half of the face... but the lower half only has the black grimm... the Duke than smiled. The only non-grimm part of the body that can be seen is the mouth. It seems the Duke has gone feral.
The feral Duke than pushed Cinder and her two accomplices across the catacombs, landing into the Inner sanctum.
Character Change: Cinder - Ruby Rose
City of Vale, 6:08 PM, Monday, Hotel Ballroom
The Hotel Ballroom often reserved for special events and parties... or birthday parties that are paid for using a rich girl's allowance. The ballroom looks like any other ballroom, except it's filled with tables outside the dance floor. The room itself is mostly yellow with chandelier lights. It's big enough to house 500 guests.
But it is a big party, considering her friends from Signal and friends she made in Beacon all showed up. How they manage to get her friends from Signal remains unknown. Until she asks one of her teammates. Which she went to do. She went to ask Weiss, who was wearing a lab coat with a singular green strip going across the sleeves... guess she's dressed up as a scientist?
"Hey Weiss, how did you find so much guests?" Ruby asked.
"Yang said she looked at the contacts on your scroll and wrote down the numbers in your 'friends' category." Weiss answered. "It was weird since I accidentally called myself."
"Yep, that sounds about right."
She than sees Blake, who was wearing a super heroine costume, specifically one for the super-heroine known for her martial arts and covert skills. It's all black too. It's really fitting, guess Yang has a good taste in picking out costumes.
"I like your costume." Blake complemented.
"Thanks, same here." Ruby stated.
"I originally planned on wearing something else, but Weiss and Yang said it would be inappropriate given your age... and your guests." Blake said.
"It's okay, I wouldn't mind."
"You wouldn't, but I'm pretty sure your sister would."
"Ya, she would."
Speaking of... it's her sister. Wearing a wearing costumed armor, what appears to be a mix of studded leather and iron... guess she's going for a fantasy character this time.
"Hey Rubes, enjoying the party?" Yang asked
"Yep, the party's great so far." Ruby stated.
"Oh... and some of your friends from Signal showed up... they're excited to see you." Yang said in a worried tone.
Then it's three of Ruby's best friends cosplaying as her teammates. Kara, Tanya, and Barbara.
"Ruby! It's sooo good to see you, friend. OMG I am so jealous." Kara said in excitement.
"Hey, Kara. How's your relation with your dad?" Ruby asked.
"Oh? We've mended our tense relationship. It's all good now."
"Great to see things gotten better for you. What about you Tanya?"
"Great, I guess. Not sure why Kara insisted I'd dress up as one of your teammates."
"Maybe it's a way to show you guys still care about me, and we're still friends."
"You barely write to us anymore!"
"You know, school and all of that."
"Guess you ROSE up to the challenge of being a huntress, didn't ya?" Barbara said, making a bad pun.
Yang had groaned and gave herself a facepalm upon hearing that. And Ruby doesn't blame her. That was a bad pun.
"Really, Barbara?" Ruby retorted.
"What? Just be glad I'm not being THORNY!" Barbara punned.
Yang honestly looked annoyed upon hearing that pun.
"Well, it's great to see you all. Why don't meet some of my new friends, like the people you're dressing up as?" Ruby offered, while she looks around for more guests.
"Great Idea. Hopefully your friends and sister are not overhyped as you claim them to be." Tanya stated. She's definitely the emo-chick.
Ruby went to check out any of the other party guests there's JN_R. For some reason Pyrrha's absent from the party. But Jaune here looks like he's going medieval too. Dressing up like a knight with brownish light-plate armor with a shield prop that has a fictional religious symbol on it. The sword is absent. Ren is dressed up in a mostly red outfit, wearing a red trench-coat. In fact, a lot of the stuff he's wearing is red. Nora is wearing what appears to be a Black skirt with a White button up shirt, with black boots. They're talking to Sun, who didn't wear a costume. Along with Neptune, who was wearing a science-fiction soldier outfit, one that's not the same as Ruby's, but it's white and black mostly.
Sage and Scarlet are here somewhere, Ruby just can't find them right now... team CVFE is also here, albeit only velvet and Yatsu was wearing a costume. Velvet cosplaying a sidekick wearing red, yellow, and green. With Yatsu just dressed up as a typical protagonist with an oversized sword, Ruby thinks this one is from a video-game. and than she sees Penny... and Penny sees her...
"SALUTATIONS FRIEND!" Penny said, charging at Ruby. Tackling her with a hug, having Ruby and Penny crashing on the floor.
Penny was wearing a costume from a series she didn't recognize. Ruby on the other-hand was being crushed on the floor by Penny's robotic body. It's not killing her, but it's still painful.
"Penny! You're... hurting me!" Ruby said in a complaining tone.
"Oh, sorry Friend Ruby. I was a bit excited to greet you all of this time." Penny stated, getting up from the floor and getting Ruby up.
"Didn't you say you need to stay away from people?" Ruby asked.
"I had to beg really hard to the general." Penny stated.
"How long?" Ruby asked.
"Since I got invited. I was only allowed to attend today."
"Oh. Wow."
"He said he'd let me go to your party so as long as my combat functions are di- I mean I came completely unarmed." Penny said, correcting herself.
"Well, it's great to see you here... everyone being fully alive in everyway."
"Agreed."
"So... why is the general of Atlas forbidding you from hanging out with people?" Ruby asked.
"Given that I was... raised by a small group of people I never really developed people skills..." Penny said.
"What about your team?"
"My team was handpicked by general Ironwood. They are not social, but they keep me from trying to do anything unexpected..."
"Like what?" Ruby asked.
"Well... I can't really say." Penny said.
"Oh."
"So... what about you? I was looking for you during the day, but I never see you." Penny asked.
"I've just found out I'm more of a night person. So, it's quite better to try and meet me up at night." Ruby stated.
"That's going to make things harder, since I am not allowed outside past 10:00 PM."
"Guess your headmaster must be overprotective of you."
"He says I have a goal to fulfil."
"What is it?"
"I have no idea."
"Well. Good luck than.."
While they were talking... a large explosion could be heard...
BOOOM!
It sounds like someone is attacking the festival. Most likely the White Fang, or the vampires.
"Did anyone else hear a loud boom?" Ruby asked.
"Yes." Weiss said.
"Defiantly." Blake stated.
"Yep." Yang said.
"I think people are in danger. As much as I'd like to party, we could do that after everyone else is fine." Ruby stated.
"Yep. The party could wait, anyone who's attending a huntsman academy or is a huntsman or huntress, grab your weapon and go help them." Weiss announced, sending her locker outside the hotel. Same with any other trainee huntsmen and huntresses.
"What about you, Penny? Aren't you going to help?" Yang asked.
"I'd love to, but I'm not combat-ready." Penny said reluctantly.
"Well, stay put with the Signal students." Blake ordered.
"Can-do!" Penny complied.
Penny had gathered with Ruby's friends back from Signal, going somewhere safe whilst the rest of the party guests went to investigate the noise. With their weapons, of course.
City of Vale, 6:34 PM, Monday, Pyre Festival Grounds
The pyre festival grounds. The main wooden statue is a synthetic wooden statue of Duke Edward XIV of Bloodshire, which is to be burned. There are games and activities in the festival grounds, along with more hedonistic ones behind the closed tents. Ruby's not old enough to go to the main festival just yet. To compensate, the younger children could ask for candy by going door-to-door. The festival grounds are at the central park, and the roads around it.
And Ruby could not believe what she's seeing. It's a giant hot air balloon, with a pumpkin design. And Roman Torchwick on it. The White Fang are attacking alongside the hot air balloon, and Roman's friend on top of the statue.
The fifteen trainee huntsmen and huntresses went to confront the mess. It appears the White Fang are simply incapacitating the civilians, not killing them... which is incredibly strange, but no less. Got to protect them. Ruby drew Crescent Rose and started fighting the White Fang mooks.
Given that it seems the White Fang are going all out on their mooks, they sent like a mass majority of their forces raiding. She's going to need a find a way to deal with them fast. Then she remembers the attack combos she's been thinking of.
"Bumblebee." Ruby ordered.
Yang and Blake knew immediately what to do. Blake drew out gambrol shroud's ribbon, and Yang had caught on it Yang immediately than started running, and than using Ember Celicia to launcher herself off the ground... Blake uses the ribbon to keep Yang at the correct range off the ground. Yangs' shotgun blasts keep her fast and in mid air... afterwards, she started to stick her leg out, Blake than lowered her back to near-ground level, which turns Yang into a living wrecking ball, kicking out every White Fang mook that enters her foot range.
After kicking out every mook in the range. Yang waited for the right moment to let go and strike down a larger target with one hit. In which she does... although she got too much momentum and ended up crashing at one of the stands.
"Oh, what's this? Is little red trying to stop me? All dressed up too! And you brought more friends than last time! But you won't stop me!" Roman taunted, using the speakers to announce what he just said.
Ruby swears this looks like she just walked into an animated web-series. Or a comedy spin-off of said series.
But that's besides the point, she needs to get up there and stop him. "Guys, do you think you could help me get up there?" Ruby asked.
"Well, we need to get you to the top of the statue. We can't get you directly, into the balloon." Jaune stated.
"Right, get to the statue." Ruby stated.
"I can help with that." Weiss stated.
"What about the civilians?" Velvet asked.
"And the White Fang?" Blake objected.
"Wait? What are you animals doing? You are supposed to attack the humans that are not above the ground, not each other! Captain Banesaw, get your troops to deal with little red and her troop of kids. The rest of you STOP SHOOTING EACH OTHER AND START SHOOTING THE CIVILLIANS!" Roman yelled over the speakers.
"Well, it seems like the White Fang are going to be less of a problem." Coco said excitingly.
"How about we focus getting the civilians out before dealing with the mini-White Fang civil war?" Velvet countered.
"Fine. Team SSSN, you're coming with us." Coco ordered.
"What? Why?" Sage asked.
"Evacuating civvies are easier with more people; besides I feel like tophat over there has a grudge on petals and her team." Coco stated.
"Let me know when you're done!" Yang said.
"On it, Yang." Sun responded, going with his team and CVFE to evacuate the civilians.
As SSSN and CVFE left RWBY and JN_R to get toward the statue before the named captain arrives... the said captain arrives.
Captain Banesaw, he's larger than most White Fang captains... sure wearing the colors, but his armor is heavier, and is seen wielding a chainsaw, like the White Fang heavies typically wield. Except this one is a bit higher quality, and enhanced with Lightning dust... making the saw move faster. He is accompanied with five heavies, and twenty-five mooks.
"Well, well. Lucky day, first a promotion, and now I get to kill a Schnee." The captain said, revving his chainsaw.
RWBY + JNR vs Captain Banesaw
"Well, why are you standing around? Kill them. But leave the silver-eyed one alive... and leave the Schnee for me." The captain ordered his troops.
The troops went and opened fire at the seven trainees, whilst the heavies went to attack at close range.
"Wait, why am I counting only seven? Shouldn't there be eight of them? Ah well. That means less work for you Banesaw." Roman said over the speaker.
Jaune is blocking the chainsaws of one of the heavies. With Ren shooting them down from above.
Ruby also has noticed Yang hasn't fully recovered from the Bumblebee stunt. Which means she has to come up with something.
"Checkmate." Ruby stated. From this Weiss and Blake knew what to do.
A series of glyphs have popped up with Blake starting jumping through them, using her semblance to reach the glyphs, taking out each of the lesser mooks one by one. Nora and Yang are busy with the Captain himself.
"Do something Banesaw, you didn't get that promotion just for being popular." Roman yelled over the speaker.
Ruby, was discreetly drinking from a K'Oed mook before helping out with Jaune and Ren. She can't really be a good leader when blood-starved. Sure, Jaune's a leader too... but Ruby feels like she should take charge here. She got Crescent Rose in rifle form and started firing at the heavies.
"This is Captain Banesaw, I request re-enforcements." The captain said, calling for backup.
Soon after, a group of mooks had shown up, surrounding the seven students across the entire battlefield.
"Banesaw, I love your tactical prowess, just overwhelm them until they're tired." Roman said across the speakers.
Guess that's where Ruby would be needed. Sure, the White Fang knows about Ruby... but not all of Vale. So, she can't really display more than her conventional skills and semblance.
Ruby was busy dealing with any re-enforcements so they don't overwhelm everyone else. Her team, and JN_R aren't vampires, so they could grow tired, Ruby cannot. So, she's doing the hard work of swooping out re-enforcements while everyone else is dealing with the initial wave.
Ruby managed to deal with the re-enforcements on the flanking front. As for Weiss and Blake, Weiss is fine since all she was doing is glyphing, which consumed extremely little aura. As for Blake, she had gotten tired and passed out. But the lesser mooks are dealt with.
The first thing Ruby saw is that Ren was thrown down to the ground dealing with the last heavy, knocking him out. Thankfully Jaune dealt with the last heavy on his own.
The large captain with the chainsaw picked up and threw Yang, knocking her out. And tried to finish Nora off with her chainsaw... which only supercharged her semblance, re-energizing Nora and gave her enough strength to throw the captain across the festival grounds.
"Really? That's a cheap semblance. Anyways, three down, four to go. Come on you animals, they'll grow tired eventually." Roman yelled across the speakers.
"Come on, let's get to the statue before more show up!" Ruby stated.
Ruby, Weiss, Jaune, and Nora hurry to the statue, Weiss using her glyphs to elevate the four of them at the top.
Character Change: Ruby Rose - Cinder
Vale Catacombs, 6:36 PM, Monday, Inner Sanctum
Cinder and her lackeys were pushed back to the inner sanctum, with the feral master vampire jumping towards them. Cinder has encountered feral vampires before... but this one is different... it seems smarter than most. So, she has to be careful...
"Well, it seems like killing him would be harder than we'd thought." Mercury retorted.
"It doesn't matter, he needs to die. But it should be easier, given that he's acting out instinct now, albeit his current state enhances his magic." Cinder stated.
"Whatever you say, boss." Mercury responded.
The feral master vampire had walked in on two legs... it is now roaring.
Cinder vs The Duke of Bloodshire (Feral)
The feral vampire lord has started by elongating it's arms to tendrils, tendrils with blades on the end of them. And started to swing them around. Guess this variation of the Duke is more suited to fight more than one person at a time.
Cinder and Mercury manages to dodge the tendrils well, Emerald is not having much luck. Soon after they begin the counter-attack the blades on the tendril vanish and start to latch onto Cinder and Mercury, pinning them against the wall. Emerald, in a term of desperation attempts to cut off the tendrils using her chain-blades. However, the tendrils quickly hardened into white bones, knocking the blades off, the bones quickly turned back into black goop and started to have waves of force exerted into them, damaging both Cinder and Mercury.
Cinder than used her semblance to start burning the grimm off of her. Which worked. Guess fire is more useful here after-all. After she broke free, she casted a firebolt on the other tendril, compressing it... cutting Mercury free.
The feral vampire than formed grimm claws, in which they are sunk into the ground, spikes are formed across the floor, heading towards the three of them. Meanwhile the three of them started trying to go toward the vampire, only for the other hand to form a blade. Which went to parry the attacks... and sliced Mercury's prosthetic legs (yes both of them) in half.
The claw than was removed from the ground, and slapped the three of them to the ground, only two being able to get up.
Then Cinder remembers the vampire is not very fond of fire. And started to use the fire dust she has to re-create a bow, in which she started to fire arrows out of. The arrow landed straight through the head... in which it resulted in the arrow being absorbed into the body, and the claws and blade are now flaming. Well, it seems she made the problem worse. Now the vampire has fire-enhanced weaponized grimm. Guess it really is smarter than it looks.
Cinder now being forced on the defensive takes on the feral vampire, with every block and parry, she has no time actually lay an offensive strike. Even with Emerald interfering, it's like the vampire has gotten faster. She was growing tired... until Emerald appears to try and use her semblance on the Duke... in which the feral vampire flees the scene.
Cinder catches her breath. As does Emerald.
"Well... Salem will not... be happy..." Cinder said, gasping for breath as she was speaking.
"Atleast... you're alive..." Emerald said, also gasping for breath.
"True... I'm still... needed."
The two of them stopped talking... until their breathing got back to a normal pace. And picked up Mercury off the ground.
After they got out of the catacombs, they ordered the White Fang elites to kill the human cattle and document it, before blowing it up. Cinder believes it'd be useful for phase 3 of the plan.
Character Change: Cinder - Ruby Rose
City of Vale, 6:54 PM, Monday, Pyre festival grounds
"Jaune, stay on the ground and get any casualties to safety." Ruby ordered.
"On it." Jaune said, starting with getting Ren.
"Weiss, glyph the statue so I can get up there. Nora, take my hand." Ruby stated.
"What? Why?" Nora asked.
"You're coming up there with me." Ruby stated.
"Okay, whatever you say." Nora said.
Weiss glyphed the pathway to the top of the statue. In which Ruby grabbed Nora and used her semblance to accelerate herself up to the top of the statue. Doing so with the record time of 27 seconds. Weiss used her glyphs to get up. And up top there is the Ice-cream colored girl who accompanies Roman Torchwick.
"Neo, I trust you can deal with these three with no problem. She's been honing her skills for the past week since our last encounter. Let's just say she's excited to fight you again, little red." Roman said over the speaker.
Ruby Rose vs Neopolitan
Nora makes the first move. Only for Neopolitan to reveal her new weapon. It resembles her old one, except the grip looks different. As Nora went to smash Neo with a sledgehammer, she jumped behind Nora and threw her off, only for Weiss to push her back on the statue.
"Ice Queen helping someone other than herself? that's unexpected!" Roman taunted over the speakers.
Weiss than uses her glyphs to keep Neo in place. In which than she launches herself, only for Neo to use her new weapon, which than blocks Weiss. And than uses the new rainshade to close and uppercut Weiss, in attempt to ring her out, only for Weiss to use her semblance to bounce back at Neo, grazing her.
"Lucky hit, Ice Queen! Won't happen again!" Roman taunted.
Ruby than tries to concentrate... she's waiting for Neo to make the first strike on her. Only for Nora and Weiss to charge at her at once. With Nora at the hammer striking from above, and Weiss stunning her from below along with summoning fire-balls. Neo-than deflected the fire-balls and swung Nora at Weiss, Weiss was caught off-guard and knocked off the statue, thankfully Jaune caught her.
"Ow, that has got to hurt, thank goodness for that guy... I think it's one with the monkey tail. Wait, he isn't? Darn, I have trouble telling the two apart." Roman said over the speaker.
Ruby helped Nora get up. And started to whisper in her ear.
"Her fighting style focuses solely on defensive tactic, if we wait for her to make the first move, she'll be at the disadvantage." Ruby whispered.
Nora nodded.
The two of them waited for Neo to make the strike... Neo waited for the same...
Waiting...
Waiting...
Waiting...
Waiting...
Waiting...
"I honesty didn't know I was expecting. But I do know I was not expecting this." Roman said over the speaker.
The two of them continued to wait for either side to make the first move. And Neo is tapping her foot. So is Nora.
They're waiting...
Waiting...
Waiting...
Waiting...
Waiting...
"Can you please do something? I'm dying of boredom here in this Hot-air balloon." Roman said over the speakers.
"Okay. Nora, get on my Scythe." Ruby said.
"Okie-Dokie!" Nora said. Hopping onto Crescent Rose.
Ruby swung the the Scythe around, and she saw that Neo is preparing to defend from Nora. Ruby continued to swing to prepare for momentum.
"Now!" Ruby said.
Nora jumped up from the Scythe... although she was not facing Neo... she was facing the Hot air balloon. Neo's and Roman's face looked completely surprised as Nora punched a hole into the balloon with her face, and another one.
In hindsight, Ruby is now concerned about Nora's health and safety.
Meanwhile the hot air balloon started deflating with Roman in it. Until it finally crashed into the lake. Neo than vanished.
Well... it seems the night has been saved.
Beacon Academy, 9:04 PM, Monday, Beacon Courtyard
The rest of the birthday party went off well, too bad Pyrrha didn't show up. Which is weird, since Jaune said she convinced him to come. Apparently, Nora had landed on Ren... somehow. Thankfully his aura managed to prevent any broken bones. Although his voiced ended up permanently changed. It's now a bit lower than it was originally. Roman was arrested and custody was handed to the Atlassian Headmaster and General.
Ruby was wearing some lazy clothes, same with Blake, Yang, and Weiss... all of which were chilling at the night with Ruby.
"So... besides the incident with Torchwick, how was your birthday?" Yang asked.
"It was awesome." Ruby stated.
"Glad you love your sixteenth birthday." Blake stated.
"I know my father's going to cut me off tomorrow, since I went over my allowance for this month and the next just for this." Weiss said.
"Was it worth it?" Ruby asked.
"Totally."
"Well, we had a party, went around and spent time as a team for the entire day and night. It's just like the good ol' times back in the first semester and the mid-semester period." Ruby stated.
"Don't forget we got Torchwick arrested." Yang commented.
"That just made the day even better. Best. Birthday. Ever." Ruby said.
Author's Footnote: LOOOONG Chapter. See what I did there? I started out simple, and than boom, the action. And I told you the chainsaw guy would be more special, and don't worry, this won't be his only appearance, he's a captain now. The name of Neopolitan's weapon is Silence, I mentioned it here because I felt like it wouldn't make sense that everyone suddenly knew the name of her new weapon. And as a bonus, could you name all the costumes people are dressed as? I hope you really enjoyed this chapter, because I enjoyed writing it. I was honestly waiting to get here for a LOOOONG time. If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, criticisms, etc. Leave them in the reviews and see ya at the Intermission.