Enjoyed myself the new Helluva Boss episode. Blitz x Stolas coming in hot after the last episode and I am all for it. Still kind of into the idea that a RWBY x Helluva Boss crossover could work well. Probably a story where a character (Jaune or Ruby strike me as best options due to both being innocent enough to make it work) is somehow saved or collateral damage of a job of I.M.P hired by Salem to kill one of Ozma's prior incarnations (or a maiden).

They adopt the baby after in a moment of mercy or as a way to prove someone wrong, raise it in hell but are then hired by Ozma (or even the Brother Gods) to kill Salem 10+ years later, a task which they realise can only be accomplished by the child, who now goes to attend Beacon with some very messed up morality thanks to literally growing up in hell.

Cue shenanigans in Beacon up to and including Jaune/Ruby being bullied by Cardin and deciding the perfectly reasonable way to solve this issue is to make him a virgin sacrifice, in before being wrestled off by Glynda.

"But he's a virgin! He's practically made to be sacrificed!"

Cover Art: Z-ComiX

Chapter 100

"You want me to work with the White Arcana?"

The question was accompanied by a raised eyebrow and the constant tolling of city bells. Outside the quaint townhouse, windows and doors were being shuttered and soldiers raced to their positions. The pitter-patter of feet above told Ruby the local children had already taken to the rooftops to get the best view of the action.

"I want you to work with me." Ruby dodged the loaded question and gave Blake the biggest, most cheerful smile she could. "And Qrow. You remember him. He met you already and didn't try and hand you in. He's trustworthy."

"And when the White come piling out to take on these Rogue Arcanists controlling the Grimm?" Blake prompted. "You don't think for a second that they won't see another Rogue from Menagerie and try their best to kill her?"

Ruby winced. They probably would do that, wouldn't they? Blake didn't have an Arcanum anymore, having severed the bond to hers. That marked her a Rogue more than anything else, and the Collegium wouldn't hear anyone telling them otherwise. Ruby buried her reaction in the pewter cup of water. It was crisp and clean, so unlike the mucky water they used to have in the slums.

Yang and Blake were doing so much better for themselves now. They wore clean, if still cheap, clothing, were bathed and Yang was beginning to fill out around her hips and bust. Her sister had always been well endowed, but she'd also been lean and muscular, not quite scrawny but not healthy either. The good and regular food made her look so alive that Ruby wasn't sure how they'd survived before it. Her sister was listening intently, one hand clutching her own drink and the other squeezing the wooden armrest of her chair so hard her fingers turned white.

"You can leave once we find them," Ruby said, turning back to regard Blake. The long delay hadn't gone unnoticed. "That way you'll be safe."

"As safe as one can be hunting down the Grimm."

"You said you wanted to get back at those who made Menagerie fall. This is your chance."

Blake looked away from her.

"These people are the ones who led the Grimm to Menagerie. They killed your parents, tore your city to shreds and slaughtered everyone inside. They're going to do the same to Vale if someone doesn't stop them."

"And that someone is us? Why? For a task so important, I'd have thought they would send their best."

"Qrow is strong."

"And you?"

"Expendable…" Ruby said it quietly, but Yang's head shot up. The snarl was on her lips before Ruby interrupted. "But I'm strong as well. You know that. I have more raw power than even Qrow does, and I can use it out there without fear of being caught. I have the power, Qrow has the experience but we're at risk of being caught by the Rogues. We wouldn't be if you used your magic to hide us."

"The Grimm can detect me even when I'm invisible."

Ugh. Was Blake being dumb on purpose? It felt like she was, as if she were trying to find every fault she could, every reason to say no. Ruby had to remind herself that Blake had seen her whole world torn apart by the Grimm. It wasn't that she was a coward, just that she was cautious.

"We don't need you making us invisible all the way. It's just when we get close to the Arcanists. The Grimm will be busy attacking the city. There will barely be any of them at all."

"In theory."

"There'll be less of them." Ruby argued. "And I can kill them if I have to."

"And the Arcanists? Wildmages are powerful, yes, but your experience in fighting other Arcanists is lacking. They will have teamwork."

"That's what you, Qrow and Weiss will be for. And we'll also have Calavera."

Blake frowned. "Who?"

Oh right. Blake didn't know. "It's a Rogue Arcanist who lives in the forests. She's called the Life and Death Arcanist, and she practises healing and necromancy."

"Necromancy." Blake's lips puckered. "Lovely…"

"Don't judge. You're a Rogue Arcanist as well."

"Only because I gave my Arcanum to you and chose not to enter the Collegium. There's a difference between that and literally raising the dead." She wiped a hand down her face, sighing through her fingers. "Is she strong?"

Ruby jumped on the weakness she sensed. "So strong that the White Arcana decided it's better to wait for her to die of old age than send in the Huntsmen."

"Really? Then she must be… or her magic is a perfect counter. Direct magic cannot effect a huntsman, but her raised bodies could still swing a weapon and impart disease." Blake's fingers drummed on the armrest of her chair for the longest time. Eventually, she closed her eyes. Nodded. "Fine. I'll come with you."

"Yes!"

"But!" Blake stressed. "The moment you send the signal for the White Arcana, I am leaving. Staying will only get me thrown in the Sanctum if I am lucky. Killed if I'm not."

Ruby bobbed her head in agreement. As long as Blake helped them find the people, that was fine. The Rogues were from Menagerie as well, so they could just as easily have access to the Shadow Arcana. Blake would be a perfect way to deal with that.

"No! I won't let you go!"

Of all the things Ruby expected, having Yang bar the door wasn't one of them. She wasn't sure why she hadn't thought of it; maybe she had been too stressed about the mission itself. Yang was breathing heavily, skin pale and eyes wide and afraid.

Afraid for her, not of her.

I'm such an idiot, Ruby thought. How did I think she'd sit here and listen to me plan to go after the source of the Grimm without issue? It was downright cruel in hindsight, and Ruby couldn't help but think she was about to become a lot crueller.

"Yang. I have to go."

"Like fuck you have to! They could send any Arcanist they wanted. The only reason they're sending you is because they think there's no one left to mourn you when you die!" Her voice hitched. "Well, there is! There's me!"

"Yang…"

"Don't Yang me, Ruby!" she yelled. If it weren't for the battle beginning outside, it might have had the neighbours banging on the walls. "I promised dad I'd look after you! I promised mom I'd be a good big sister! T-They're gone, and I'll be damned before I let you leave me as well. You're not going and that's final!"

"I have to go."

"You don't!"

"I want to go." Ruby watched the fear explode in Yang's eyes. "Not to die, Yang, but because I can fix this. I can save you. What's going to happen if we don't do anything? The Grimm will get through eventually, and the Collegium will sacrifice the Merchant's Quarter just like it did the slums. You say you can't lose me, but I can't lose you either."

"T-Then…" Yang bit her lip. "Then I'll come with you."

"You'd be useless." Blake said. "Worse than useless, an actual burden once the fighting starts."

"Shut up!"

"She's right." Ruby hated herself for saying it, she really did. Just seeing Yang's eyes widen and then tear up tore her in two. When her big sister, so normally unflappable, began to shake, Ruby wanted to cry as well. "I love you, Yang, but this is going to be an Arcanist fight. You don't have magic. They'd hurt you and I wouldn't be able to do anything."

Tears ran down Yang's face. "So what?" she croaked. "I have to stay here while you both go risk your lives? There's nothing I can do…?" Her voice cracked and turned to a whisper. "That's not fair."

It wasn't fair. Nothing in their lives had been fair since the day they were born. Ruby smiled sadly, stood and approached her sister. Yang didn't resist and Ruby stepped into her, placing her head on her chest and squeezing her tight. Yang's arms sealed around her like steel bars, squeezing the life out of her. Ruby felt her scalp become damp as Yang pushed her face into her hair.

"It's not fair," she agreed. "And it was never fair when I was young and weak and had to watch you hurt people for Junior to buy me medicine. It wasn't fair when you would take the rotten bits of food and feed me the good parts. It wasn't fair when you had to do everything to look after me and I couldn't do anything for you." She took a deep breath. "Now I can. Now it's my turn to look after you."

Yang shook. "I'm scared. What if you don't come back?"

"I was scared whenever you used to go out." Ruby squeezed her again. "You always came back. I will, too."

The chair behind them creaked. Blake stepped up, paused a respectable distance away and said, "I'll make sure she comes back, Yang. I promise you I'll protect her."

I can protect myself just fine. Ruby thought.

"P-Protect her." Yang ordered shakily. "Swear it."

"I promise I will die before I let Ruby come to harm."

/-/

Ruby met her and Qrow at the gate. Blake was hooded in brown, her face cloaked and shrouded in shadow. The Shadow Arcanist had her sword under the thick cloak, the hilt pointing out and her left hand resting atop it.

"Who is this?" Weiss asked imperiously.

"It's best you don't know." Blake replied.

"Excuse me? Do I know you?"

"Enough." Qrow cut her off quickly. "She's like Maria." That made Weiss' eyes widen, and her lips seal shut. Surprisingly, Weiss didn't have any complaints to make, nor did she look afraid. "I take it Ruby has filled you in on the particulars."

"She has."

"Good." Qrow looked to the gate with a frown. "The Grimm are mostly pushing through the farmlands and attacking the walls from the front. We should be able to circle around and into the forests on the eastern side, then sweep back to the north. If all goes well, we won't have to deal with any, but there's no way to be sure they won't see us leaving."

"Do we fight if that happens?" Weiss asked.

"Depends on our distance from the walls. If we're close enough, we'll run back in and try again once they leave us alone. If not, we'll have to fight. Listen to my call. The guards have agreed to give us some covering fire if needs be."

Agreed, or had been told to? The Collegium did not technically have any authority over them, but all it would take was a whispered word to the commander that the Arcanists had a plan to stop the Grimm once and for all, and the army would be at their beck and call. The Collegium's power was subtle like that; they would phrase it more as a favour, as the two forces working together, but Ruby knew Glynda and the White Arcana didn't see it that way. They saw it as them taking command over the ignorant garrison and leading the city to victory.

"Who among you are confident riders?"

Ruby gulped. "We're going on horseback?"

"I am an accomplished rider." Weiss said.

"I can ride." Blake echoed.

Ruby couldn't. Oh, she could jump on a horse and hope for the best, but she had a feeling this would be a whole lot more complicated than that. The problem was that nobles were expected to learn to ride. It was a pastime for them according to Cinder's stories.

"We only have the three horses, so Ruby will ride with me." Qrow said, saving her the effort. "She's the lightest after all. You two follow behind. We'll be riding them to the forest's edge and no further. It's just to get us away from the battle before the Grimm notice. Are you all ready?"

As ready as they'd ever be.

/-/

"Halt!"

Qrow pulled on the reins sharply and caused his mount to veer to the left and slow down. The beast reared up slightly, kicking its forelegs before setting them down and letting out a mighty heave of air from its nostrils. No sooner had it settled than was he swinging a leg over and sliding down its flank. He extended his hands and Ruby took them, letting him lift her back to the floor. Horse riding was both less complicated and more painful than she'd imagined. Her crotch felt sore from how the saddle kept slamming up into her.

"Down quickly!" Qrow said, more to Blake and Weiss than to her. The two dismounted, Blake jumping off and Weiss taking a moment to steady her steed before sliding off far more gracefully. "Untack and let them loose," he ordered. "The Grimm won't harm them and they'll either graze or find their way home. We can't take them any further."

The Grimm had somehow failed to notice their small group leaving the city and galloping past the battle lines. It could have been because they were only four people, but Ruby suspected it was more due to the artifact the Arcanists were using. If it could only give basic orders as the White thought, then they had probably been ordered to attack the city. Going after three horses leaving the city would have gone against that command.

"We need to find Maria's cottage and convince her to come with us." Qrow ordered. "Schnee. You know where that is?"

"Lady Calavera gave me the means to find it." She had? That was news to Ruby, and apparently Weiss knew it because she wouldn't meet her eyes. "It was given in confidence that I wouldn't lead the White to her."

"You know full well I'm not trying to capture her." Qrow barked.

"I know! I didn't say I wouldn't lead us." Weiss muttered something under her breath and touched a finger to the air. A small, glowing ball of light appeared and then stretched, almost pointing. Weiss moved into the outskirts, climbing a small rise as the horses nickered and began too graze on the tall grass behind them. "This way."

The deeper they went into the forest, the quieter the battle at the city became. It was still audible, but the trees had a way of distorting it and making it feel a hundred miles away. Soon, they lost sight of it as well. The tall trees surrounded them on every side and the still air was haunting. The animals had long since fled, though carrion birds would no doubt be roosting on the city rooftops tonight.

Weiss picked her way following the spell at her fingertip, turning left and right when the pointed angle veered sharply. It was slow going, slower than Ruby would have liked. Then again, how much or little time did they have? The Arcanists would need time to summon more Grimm and would be most active during an attack as they watched to see if it worked. Maybe it was better if they had an hour or two to lose interest and calm down.

Eventually, the trees began to give way to a clearing. Ruby would have recognised it even if she hadn't found a clearing on its own, without anything to cause it, suspicious in the first place.

"There's shadow magic here." Blake warned them.

"That'll be Maria." Qrow said. He raised his voice. "Oi! Crone! We've come to pay a visit. Show some manners for once."

Blake's ears twitched. "Did you say Maria…?"

The air before them shimmered and changed, folding in on itself as a cottage came into view. For Ruby, it was disorientating and dizzying, but Blake didn't seem to react at all. This kind of magic was her bread and butter, though from the way she was muttering angrily to herself, something else was bothering her.

"Crone, you call me?" an old and croaky voice shouted from the rapidly appearing home. "A bit rich of a dusty old crow to call me a crone. I'll have you know I was the belle of the ball at your age. How many women do you have on your arm?"

"Currently? Three."

"Ha. And each of them looking as reluctant as can be." Maria Calavera came stomping out the entrance of her home leaning on a cane almost as large as she was. "Well? You didn't come to gawp at an old lady, did you? Come in. Come in. Then you can tell me what it is you want."

Qrow motioned for them to go ahead. Weiss didn't hesitate at all, bending down to enter the doorway. That said a lot about her courage, because Ruby couldn't help but eye the literal human skull to the left of the door and think twice. Only when Blake and Qrow entered did Ruby reluctantly follow.

"-that was Reginald. You saw him before. Skin and muscle finally gave way. Useless lump. He's a lawn ornament now."

"I told you he was on his last legs." Weiss said.

"Ha! Last legs! I like it!"

"I didn't mean… oh, forget it. Mind your head Lord Bran-"

"Argh!"

"Never mind."

Qrow reeled back and clapped a hand to his forehead. He was the tallest of them by a good foot. Blake also had to stoop a little, but Weiss and Ruby were able to walk just fine without hitting the beams. Ruby would freely admit the place was a little short of ceiling, however.

"Next time," Qrow muttered, "A little less `Lord Branwen` and a little more warning!"

"Or," Maria countered, "You could use your eyes."

"This damn place. I swear you built it like this so tall people kill themselves and you have dead bodies to play with."

"A wild accusation!" the little necromancer yelled.

"Is it an inaccurate one?"

"Wild!" she repeated, but pointedly did not answer. "Wild and rude. After I invite you into my home, too. Pah. What is it you want, you old crow? I know you wouldn't come just to visit."

"Oh?"

"Men never do." Maria dragged a tall stool out and scrambled up onto it. The rest of them were left to lean on the walls as Weiss took the only other seat available. The room they'd been brought to had been cramped before, what with the misshapen furniture and numerous scrolls along one wall, but now it was downright tight. "Men only want one thing from women like me."

Qrow shivered. "I dread to imagine what that is. What we want is your help locating the Rogues that have overtaken the forest."

"Oh? Is that so…?"

He went through the story of the captured Arcanist and what the White had discovered. It was classified information, but he didn't seem to care. Maria listened intently, nodding her head here and there, sighing and at times shaking it as well.

By the time he was done, she was visibly annoyed.

"Foolish children playing at things they don't understand. Controlling the Grimm, really. And they had the Grimm attack me neighbours out here. Disgusting. What is it they're after?"

"We're not sure." Qrow said. "There haven't been any demands."

"There were none in Menagerie either." Blake echoed.

"Ho. I thought I recognised you. Pull that hood down, girl. Don't you know it's rude to hide your face indoors?" Maria's lips pulled into a grin. "And we're hardly strangers, are we Bake?"

Fingers came up and tugged the hood down. Blake's ears stood up as she glared at the woman. "It's Blake. And you didn't tell me you were a necromancer."

"Gods, girl." Maria burst out laughing. "I didn't hide it either. You never asked! I mean, really, what do you expect? Hello, my name is Maria and I like playing with dead bodies. Can I have yours when you die? It's not exactly how I introduce myself."

Weiss piped up. "Wait, you know each other?"

"Sure do." Maria said. "Girl showed up lost, exhausted and starving on my doorstep. Now I, being a good old sort, brought her in to rest and eat. Even set her off with a pack full of food and directions to the city. In turn, she taught me a little of her shadow magic. Enough to hide the cottage. A fair deal as far as I'm concerned."

"And now I'm thinking I should have been afraid for my body." Blake mumbled.

"Relax, girl. I don't swing that way."

"What? Living?"

Maria wriggled her eyebrows. "Yes."

Ruby giggled despite herself.

"Maria, please." Weiss interrupted. "We've been tasked to find the Arcanists and alert the Collegium so they can come deal with them. It's a suicide mission. There's next to no way Ruby and I can pull this off and survive without help from someone as experienced, powerful and wise as you-"

"Girl, when you get to my age no amount of butter gets you wet. You can cut that out."

Weiss grimaced. "That was not my-"

"Do I look like I'm young enough to watch you dance around the bush? I'll die of old age before you get to the bloody point. Really. If you want help, ask for help."

"Help us." Weiss said, glowering. "Please."

"And what will I get in return?"

"What do you-?" Qrow's question was interrupted by Weiss.

"The body of every dead Arcanist who gets in our way."

"Ooooh!" Maria clapped her wrinkly hands together like a child offered a pastry. "Now, you're learning how to talk to a woman, lassie. Does she speak for you, you old crow? I can have the dead?"

Qrow sighed. "As if we want them…"

"Then you have yourselves a deal! Let me just get myself ready." Maria slid off the stool. "Lass, come help me. I need your help. Not as spry as I used to be."

Ruby was about to ask who she was talking to when Weiss sighed, slid off her stool and followed Maria into another room. It was strange to see her getting on so easily with someone, especially someone so… unique. No. Scary would be the right answer. Maria Calavera hadn't seemed quite so creepy on their first meeting, but that was probably what Blake thought as well.

"You never told me you knew Rogues around here," Ruby whispered.

"It's not something our kind advertise. The less we know, the better. Rogues… those of us who aren't trying to destroy the Kingdoms, have rules. We try not to get in each other's way, we help if the White come for us, and we don't spread information around if we can help it. It's what keeps us safe."

"You don't seem happy to see her."

"I didn't realise she was a necromancer." Blake hissed. "I know I'm a Rogue as well, but like I said, I wasn't cast out for research into forbidden and frankly disgusting things."

"Calm." It was Qrow who spoke. "I'm not a fan of what Maria does anymore than you are, but she's reliable and powerful. We don't need her raising the dead, either. What we need is an Emerald Arcanist capable of keeping us alive. Maria is one of the best. There's a reason she's called the Life and Death Arcanist. If she wishes it, we won't die."

"And does she wish it? I can't help but think us dying is convenient for her."

"Is that how you see it?" Maria stalked back into the room in a fresh and clean cloak that was dark green in colour, dappled with grey splotches and sewn-on patches. It looked rugged and well-worn, and Ruby could see the leather lining the underneath.

Boots peeked out below and she'd swapped the loose clothing out for tight-fitting armour of a sort. On her chest was a leather belt, and upon that were numerous pouches of what Ruby imagined were healing herbs. Another pouch on her hip tinkled with sounds of glass with every movement she made. She kept hold of her tall staff, now clasping it with pale grey gloves.

"Lady Maria." Qrow said diplomatically. "Forgive her, she's not from around here."

"Pah. Take your honeyed tongue away from my ear, Qrow. I know how the world sees us. Necromancers always have a bad reputation, even among the more questionable Arcana." Maria clicked her tongue and shook her head. "It's cruel and unfair. All I ever asked for was a chance to raise a family in peace and this is how I am judged."

"That's not-" Qrow paused, sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Did you really just say that? That joke is in poor taste, Maria, even for you."

"Just trying to raise everyone's spirits, boyo." The old woman cackled happily. "It's kind of what I do."

Ruby was not the only one to groan.

Necromancer puns. Gotta love them.

"I am on a quest to avenge my dead brother." The human warrior shouts. "Who is with me?"

"You have my bow!" says the elf.

"And my axe!" says the dwarf.

"And your brother!" says the necromancer.

"Braaaiiinnnnss…."

Next Chapter: 29th August

P a treon . com (slash) Coeur