Raven landed lightly on the windowsill of the house that Lionheart marked down that Ruby was staying in, looking through the window she looked around the room, within was a young man with black hair with a solid magenta streak, sitting at the center of the room his hands folded and eyes closed, after a few moments a light knocking came from the door before it opened revealing a short orange-haired girl
"Ren, Ruby's cooking... can you please come and make sure it's eatable?"
"Give me a few minutes." Ren answered, using this information, Raven leaped from the windowsill and flew down and around the building finding a training area with a blond boy practicing swings within, his attacks are quite sloppy but his footwork was rather good, and given his arms he should have little issues blocking extremely powerful strikes, should he hone that ability he could tank for his whole team swooping down and into the dojo and up the stairs she landed at the top of which and shifted back to normal, and walked towards the kitchen pushing the door open lightly she noted the girl in a red cloak froze then spun around throwing a knife at the door very nearly catching her in the eye, catching the knife she leaped up and hugged the ceiling as a powerful shotgun blast tore through the door snapping it in half and throwing it off it's hinges, pushing off the ceiling Raven raised her hands
"I mean you no harm." she said in her typically cold and calm voice, the girl who strolled out of the kitchen Harbinger in hand caused Raven to frown
"Why are you here?" Ruby asked as the sound of fast and loud movement filled their ears as Jaune, Nora, and Ren came from their respective locations weapons in hand
"To help. I have my own personal vengeance to be taken up with Sephiroth, as do a few others, hence why I've come, and I will be able to teach you much about how to fight with Harbinger, I did help build it, after all, that and Qrow and I made a point to know each others' fighting styles inside and out." Raven explained as she moved away from the group to create distance and leave her in a more favorable position, not that there was much improvement. Walking back a bit farther she raised her hands
"I've nothing more to offer other than that... and a little something else." Raven added noting that they had yet to drop their guards, which she was thankful for, having a bunch of dumb kids to deal with would be a world of pain for her
"Well, what else you got? I'm rather good with Harbinger as is, and I'd rather not put stock in my sisters' mom who decided that a tribe of killers was more important than her daughter."
"So you managed to get into Qrows scroll huh... fine, I'll admit it wasn't the crowning moment of my life, do I regret it? No. Would I do it again, of course, but the time that I have had with my daughter has been good for the both of us." Raven said walking towards the largest part of the room and quickly swung her blade ripping a hole in the air and creating a black and red void after a few moments Yang and Blake came stumbling out Blakes' ears dropped as she ran towards a window and pushed it open letting out a torrent of vomit, Yang, on the other hand, dropped to the ground and held her head with a groan
"YANG!?"
"Uggh... hey Ruby... coulda warned me that your semblance makes it feel like your stomach turns itself inside out." Yang said covering her mouth earning a scoff from Raven
"It only acts like that the farther the distance from the target, and be glad that you're experiencing the jet lag now instead of later, who knows what will be going down, given that Salems crew are on their way here."
"Who's crew?" Ruby questioned lowering her weapon land slinging it over her shoulder and helping Yang stand and guided her to the couch where she laid down with a groan
"Salem... I suppose no one explained that to you, you're just walking the path of vengeance for no reason other than that, but I guess that's better than anyone else who listened to Ozpins' lies." Raven said as she walked over to the couch and sat down pulling Omen from her hip and letting it lean on the side of the chair her hand still gripped tightly around the hilt of the blade her feet resting in a prepared kick off position
"Look all I wanna do is throw Sephiroth into the screaming void, I don't care who's coming for us I'll fight them too if I have to."
"From what I gathered they want to recruit you, Cinder, and her Ilk."
"We would have to wait for Pyrrha to come back before we decide anything, she knows more about the situation with Cinder than all of us." Jaune said earning a nod from Raven as she crossed her legs
"Very well then, I believe some tea is in order." Raven agreed and gestured towards the kitchen, Ruby sat down across from her and folded her hands over her knees a blank look on her face as she watched Raven lean forward and stared into her own eyes, the two remained staring for a short while before Raven spoke
"You eyes... they look like his. Only slightly though. They are still silver." she said earning a nod from Ruby
"Yeah, I had a whole conversation on what they are and what has happened to me now, I've got a good amount of power now, I'm a lot stronger that before because of that but... well... I'm on a time limit now, I should make it to twenty-eight, twenty-nine, probably. But that's all the time I have, Sephiroth needs to die within that time frame, or I will be pissed." Ruby explained her eyes glowing rather unnaturally
"Wait you're what?!" Yang quickly questioned and jumped up from her spot on the sofa earning a look from Ruby and Raven
"My life span has been cut down to grow much stronger, I've got to take out Sephiroth, my life holds no value in face of that goal." Ruby answered her eyes turning back to Raven who nodded
"I understand completely, but if I should mention that you should pick someone to... procreate with, your lineage is one of great warriors, if you are to die early then it would be prudent for your line to continue." Raven advised earning a hum from Ruby as she leaned back and looked at Yang who was now staring at Raven
"How the hell can you be so calm about this!?"
"It's just whats happening Yang, denying it does nothing but causes concern later down the line." Ruby answered causing the girl to quickly spin and stare at her gawking on her face now rounding toward her
"NO! There's no way in hell I'll let you reduce your life to just revenge!" Yang quickly said grabbing Rubys' shoulders who stared at her with a slight frown her sister was being a little too emotional about this whole thing.
"Yang calm down. It doesn't matter I still got like... twelve or thirteen years, that's plenty of time." Ruby waved off brushing the older girl's hands from her shoulders and turned walking towards the kitchen then slowed to a stop before entering and turning back
"Look, I don't know who did what, who this 'Salem' is, but all I want to do is kill Sephiroth, any other problem will be solved after he's dead and gone." she added then entered the kitchen with a sigh
"So did that work out how you wanted it or..." Raven began but was quickly interrupted as Yang stormed towards the front door
"Shut up." the girl growled flinging the door open and storming out slamming the door behind her leaving Raven and Blake in the living room
"You're not great at family talks huh?" Blake commented as she leaned back into the room dropping to the ground and rubbing her throat
"Shut up." Raven replied as she rose from her seat and walked towards the stairs down into the training grounds leaving the faunus laying near the window curled up in the sunlight enjoying the warmth while nursing her unwilling stomach
(o)
Cinder stared down at the city she could feel something... something strange, her body itself seemed to be warming up as if she was anticipating something, she wanted something but she couldn't tell what.
"Cinder, are you ready to go?" Emerald asked as she scrolled through a few messages on her scroll "Schnee and Nikos are both on their way to the house and should be there in about five minutes, so we should-"
"It's fine, we'll arrive when we will and deal with..." she trailed off feeling something towards Emerald something... "Actually no... I'll go alone." Cinder said as she turned and began towards the nearby lift to take her down to the housing levels.
"What!? But they could be-"
"No, they couldn't be a threat, I'm far more powerful then them add my Mako on top of that and they are much closer to fleas than anything else, but the fact that Ruby Rose has acquired Mako as well leads to her being useful for it's innate power, if need be I'll just kill the rest and bring her back, it's a simple matter." she waved of as she walked away from the now conflicted thief, her eyes tracing the many streets below as she paced around on the platform, it's usually used for things like carts and trucks but it is also the only connection between the school and the student housing where Ruby was, she was rather excited at the prospect of meeting some who was like her, it would be nice to see if she was capable of keeping up, if not she can just force the girl to attempt to understand those weird gems that Salem gave her, apparently they're solidified magic, apparently one is fire and the other is wind, and both of them looked exactly the same, green round and the size of the palm of her hand, rolling over and over she let out a hum, apparently it was like dust but more potent, which didn't make much sense to her considering her maiden powers are pretty much the same thing, it was strange to consider, stepping off the lift she felt a sudden surge in her mind, stumbling forward she planted a hand on the side of her head
"What the... hell?" she growled as she took another step the pressure doubling her vision blurring before finally vanishing completely her thoughts following her vision into darkness
(o)
Ruby had found herself feeling more like she used to, before the fall, watching as Weiss Yang and Blake talked and laughed made her feel so much better, a smile quickly spread across her face
"How quaint." a deep voice revered behind her causing her blood to run cold, slowly turning around she watched as Sephiroth looked over each of her friends, quickly drawling harbinger she faced him and moved in front of his view knocking the table over as she did so blocking Yang from his view his smile twitching as he noted her action "Perhaps you don't recall how our last meeting went, perhaps you need reminding, or perhaps you need to see it once again the... lesson, hasn't seemed to have settled in yet." he finished as a hand fell onto Ruby's shoulder causing her to jump and twist around the ringing in her ears vanishing in that same instant as she looked over to find Yang who seemed extremely concerned
"Ruby, you okay?" she asked moving one of her hands onto Ruby's forehead feeling her temperature but was quickly pushed away
"No, I... I'm fine. I just... I..." trailing off she lowered harbinger and made her way out of the room not making eye contact with anyone as she did so, upon leaving the room she was stopped by a hand landed on her shoulder causing her to pause, turning around she locked eyes with Raven
"Come on, we need to talk." she ordered guiding the girl down towards the training grounds, walking out into the evening air Ruby felt the humidity was generally... awful, it got like this on occasion in Vale and that sucked for her especially because of her cape but now... now she was wearing all black leather... not very breathable
"What's up." Ruby finally asked crossing her arms as Raven stood at one end of the arena and drew her blade and began to go through the motions
"Salem, the foe that I was telling you about before. She has motives for seeking out the schools but I never got the chance to elaborate with the Schnee brat showing up... Anyways, within each school lies a vault, and in each vault is a relic of eminence power, I have the ability to unlock one and given the fact that you are the leader of this little troop I figured I would ask you first, do you believe we could benefit from acquiring said relic."
"What kind of power are we talking about, I need a frame of reference."
"A lamp that can provide infinite knowledge."
"Huh... yeah that seems pretty helpful, alright, if you can get it discreetly than I shall leave it to you to go and nab it." Ruby said as she dug a finger into her ear as it began to ring again, with a nod raven vanished into a few feathers as she flew off into the sky, Ruby was hoping she made the right choice, given how little she knew about Salem perhaps leaving the relics hidden... no, Sephiroth came first in this situation, Salem would be an afterthought given her nature in the game they were playing she held little value beyond wasting what time Ruby was willing to give her.
Turning the girl began to make her way up to the top of the stairs, intent on apologizing to her friends for her actions, it was the least she could do... and considering her newly found general lack of trust and constant sidestepping of issues she really needed to keep them happy, the way things are right now she probably would say they'd fall apart pretty quickly if any drama popped up.
Entering the living room she found Blake and Weiss talking in rather hushed voices
"Hey, guys... what's up."
"Hey Ruby, me and Blake were just talking about sleeping arrangements."
"...In hushed whispers?"
"... Okay fine, we were talking about getting Yang to open up more, Blakes been telling me that whenever Yang starts to open up about her issues she quickly does a one-eighty and shuts everyone out and gets all- all-" Weiss began to stutter seemingly trying to think of a word that would work in this context but Blake seemed to have one ready to go given the fact that she hadn't waited more than a few seconds into Weiss' muttering to speak up
"Pissy."
"Not what I would have gone with but-"
"That's just how Yang is, you can't really change it, she was never one for sharing her own feelings, she feels better being the shoulder to lean on, not leaning on others for support. It's just how she operates." Ruby explained sitting down in the chair away from the two and folding her hands in her lap with a frown
"That's not a reason for her to not seek out help, just because she feels the need to be strong in front of us." Blake commented earning a shrug from Ruby as she rested one foot on the table
"Yeah, but that's just how it goes." Ruby waved off as a rapping came at the door earning a look from Ruby
"Are we expecting anyone?" Blake asked rising to her feet and walking over to the door
"Blake, don't." Ruby quickly ordered drawing Harbinger and took a quick look around the room, it was a large room with two couches a chair and a coffee table, above was a chandelier rimmed with plants and glowing lights, two doors on either side of the room, a little farther towards the back of the room was a flight of stairs leading down, turning back to the door she activated Harbinger extending its blade, she then nodded to Blake who opened the door revealing a girl with black hair and yellow Mako-tinted eyes she was garbed in black and red as she looked over each of them her eye twitched as she walked in
"Cinder? Why are-" Ruby cut herself short as the woman in question smiled at her as chaos began, the structure around them was crushed inward just behind Ruby whose eyes widened and she turned to see the whole structure that was once behind her was now open-air, quickly moving the splintered and fragmented ledge she looked down at the city below which was now in burning chaos as a whole section of the city was collapsed onto another section of the city which caused a domino effect down towards the slums of the city down at the very bottom, turning back to Cinder who was still smiling at her, Ruby rushed at her only to stop dead
"Dear oh dear, it seems that you've failed again, hero." Sephiroth gloated from his spot on the edge of the building, quickly turning and rushing him she cleaved straight through his body leaving no damage nor mark, looking up at him he flickered from her vision and she twisted around to find Yang nearly slam into her, ducking down and grabbing the older girls wrist she collapsed to the ground to maintain her hold on her sisters forearm, Yang looked down at the drop into burning wreckage miles below and quickly began to pull herself up, looking back towards the monster they were fighting she watched as Weiss gave a series of thrusts which were easily parried as he stepped back avoiding an overhead slash from Blake as she flew past him and to Weiss' left the two beginning their assault anew Weiss empowering Blakes' already impressive speed but Sephiroth was easily keeping pace, every attack made he was easily blocking or avoiding, once Ruby was able to pull Yang back up they moved to join, rushing into the fray Sephiroth leapt into the air as they four made to attack all at once, Ruby being far more pecistant in her attacks leapt up after him her blade locking with his which he pressured down sending her back to her team as he turned and caught with his bare hand the grip of Magnhild and threw the girl past him
Stepping back he avoided a slash from Jaune and kicked him in the shield throwing the boy through a nearby window as he parried a strike from Pyrrha who swung the sheath of her weapon at his knee but his boot caught her wrist throwing her off balance as he brought the pommel of his blade down on the back of her head throwing her to the ground, just as she collapsed he brought the blade through the motion and threw Ren into the nearby wall as Nora recovered and rushed him again, moving to block her strike he quickly dropped the defense and dodged past the much stronger strike which threw the girl off balance as she expected him to block the strike, he then landed a powerful slash across her back throwing her into a nearby room as he stepped to pursue he jumped to the side avoiding a slash from Ruby who glared at him
Leaping back farther he avoided a stab from Weiss, again he dodged a slash from Blake and finally blocked a punch from Yang whos eyes flared red as she shifted her weight and pushed him back both his and her arms began to tremble
"Oh ho, and where'd you find this strength?" he asked his voice remaining as calm as ever as if he isn't even going eight on one. Yang didn't respond she just pushed even harder throwing him through the same window Jaune was thrown from and gave chase, as she passed the through the window she was hit in the back by a purple wave of energy which threw her to the ground, bouncing once she landed on her feet as he landed lightly before her a grin on his face as she rushed him again but he just raised his left arm and blocked a shield bash from Jaune which threw him away as Ruby stabbed where he was and turned to give chase as Blake, Weiss, Nora, and Ren moved to join them
Ruby dashed at him and locked blades pushing him away she rolled back barely avoiding the blade and rushed in again to which he parried again and again as he moved back, Yang rushing to join her attacks, once she reached him he attack Ruby who blocked the strike but was thrown much farther away and was stunned from the power behind the hit, Yang began to attack as much as she could get out but each and every strike was blocked by the grip of his blade or thrown off course which was frustrating her, wild attacks growing in both strength and fury, which he seemed to be struggling to keep up with after a few moments and threw her away too, just in time to guide a strike from Weiss off course and slash at both Ren and Nora throwing the two away, turning to Weiss he moved to bring his blade down on her but found the ribbon of Gambol Shroud wrapped firmly around his arm earning a smirk from Weiss which he greeted in kind and yanked his arm down slashing the girl across the chest and pulled Blake off her feet and into the pommel of his blade throwing her tumbling through the air as Ruby reached him once more the two clashing several time, taking a few steps back he leapt backward onto the roof of the building, soon followed by Ruby who clashed with him as she planted her feet and growled with effort, soon after he leapt away again onto a higher platform to which she followed chasing after him as the others slowly recovered, Weiss and Yang being the fastest who quickly gave chase, Jaune moved to make sure Ren and Nora were okay before going to find Pyrrha
(o)
Raven walked up to the vault her heart was racing as she began to reach her hand out to touch the door and unlock what they need to take down Sephiroth, with one final gulp she rested her hand on the door causing it to begin to tick, click, and move slowly each fan on the golden door shifted mechanically slowly opening until she could see a desert with a small plinth a few yards away walking towards it she found a lamp of gold and teal walking over she grabbed it and lifted it from the plinth the sky of this artificial landscape darkening as she walked out and placed the lamp on her belt and began towards the lift but froze upon the sight of who was standing before her Sephiroth was standing before her a smile on his face as he strolled towards her, quickly drawing her blade she parried a slash from the man and turned to open a portal but was struck in the back by a wave of fire throwing her to the ground
Rolling to her feet she lifted her blade and was quickly locked into a blade lock the man towering over her, she couldn't get an opening to open a portal and at this rate he would easily overpower her, quickly leaping to the side she avoided the slash that snapped her blade as she quickly drew a new blade and moved to open another portal she was again interrupted and thrown a few yards away from the man who grinned at her as she struggled to her feet
"You will not escape, not with something of so much value." he commented earning a growl from the woman as he relaxed his stance and began to take slow steps towards her "But then again if you want your daughter to survive you should just hand it over." he added causing Ravens' blood to run cold for a few moments as she recomposed herself, how could he have known anything about her and Yang's relationship?
As she prepared to continue fighting she felt a wave of energy quickly coarse through her body, she suddenly felt more... energized, unfortunately, she noted the same effect on Sephiroth as he took a small step back and raised his blade next to his head and smile at her
"One down." was all he said as silence fell across them Raven lowered her stance and prepared to block or parry whatever he was going to throw at her
unbeknownst to the tribe leader the skies above were soon filled with an aurora of green-blue coming in waves from the frozen north.
A/N Okay so plans are now being laid out, and if you're confused on what's going on, the Sephiroth I'm using is a weird amalgamation of both Advent Children and REMAKE, so he has an amount of control over those who are influenced by his cells kinda like Jenova DREAM-WEAVER, BIRTH, LIFE, DEATH, and SYNTHESIS, but without Jenovas' influence on the cells the clones can only appear as Sephiroth, they too can be defeated freeing said indiviual from Sephiroths control for a while but eventually given the resilience of Sephiroths' cells he can assume control over them again.