A/N: Well, It's not a monday or tuesday release. But it's a release on Ruby's birthday, so there's something.
Quick Boast: GR has broken 500 followers!
How the hell did that happen? I started writing for fun. Welp, I won't complain cuz I love you guys!
This is a pretty big chapter as it marks the end of volume 1. I put quite a bit into this chapter to set up for volume 2's set off events.
Also, Q&A is at the end. I didn't get as many questions as I thought I would, but I got some important ones. So Yay!
Welp, ending A/N is big so I'll let you get to the chapter. Though, I will say I feel like this is one of my best chapters despite it being only around 2.6k before A/N.
Enjoy!
I don't own RT or RWBY.
Guilty Rose Chapter 24
Cinder and Weiss sat next to each other at the table, though they made sure there was room for Rose when she came back, just in case she did want.
Weiss looked down at the seat where they had also placed the box with the necklace. The necklace that now had two charms, both courtesy of Cinder.
"I can't believe I actually agreed with this."
Cinder looked at Weiss and then at the box.
"You're not the only one that finds what we're trying to do odd. I know I suggested it, but even I will have to adjust."
"Then why did you suggest it in the first place?"
"It's about there being more for Rose, not less Rose for us."
Weiss sucked in her lips, she felt like there was a flaw in that logic, but not one that she was willing to dispute. Mostly because she couldn't help but agree. If these last few weeks had taught her anything, it was that Rose could more of just about everything positive in her life.
And Weiss couldn't resist obliging the faunus that she hadn't fallen helplessly in love with.
Weiss sighed and turned back to her food.
The atmosphere of the entire table was that of everyone holding their breathes. They knew that whatever was happening in dorm RWBY would probably go well all things considered, but there was always that doubt that followed things involving Rose.
"Should we message them?"
It was Blake that broke the silence.
Weiss looked at her teammate with an agreement on the tip of her tongue, but stopped short of delivering it.
"Let them take as long as they need. I should know how long some family talks can take."
"That reminds me that I may have to have a friendly chat with your family, too. If I ever meet them."
Everyone at the table jumped at the sound of Miss Rose's voice.
"Would you please not do that!"
Weiss called out as she pressed a hand to her chest in order to calm her heart.
"And miss the priceless look on your faces when I do? Never."
The older Rose posed haughtily and with Yang and her mother standing behind the woman facepalming.
"I'd like to say I found a way to make her stop in all the years I've met her, but I haven't."
"Yeah, you just learn to sense her after a while."
Summer turned to her oldest daughter and girlfriend with a pout. Raven immediately averted her eyes and crossed her arms.
"Not gonna get me this time, Sum."
Summer started walking towards the taller woman and added more to her pout. Raven kept looking away and even turned around to avoid eye contact. This want on for a minute before Raven spun around and kissed the quivering lip of her lover, who took a moment to consider what just happened and then shrugged.
Several members of the table took note of this in regards to Rose.
The table knew where this might be headed, so they looked for the other wolf faunus.
It didn't take them long to spot her, but when they did, it took them a moment to recover.
They all had expected a number of things, but Rose coming in with her long luscious hair in a simple ponytail had somehow not been one of them.
Weiss glanced incredulously at Cinder who returned the look. Both returned their eyes to the object of their affections.
"Rose…your hair is down?"
Weiss bit her lip in realization of how bad her question sounded and what Rose's response would likely be.
And the response was delivered with full effect.
Rose pulled her hair over her shoulder, stroking it protectively, and looked at Weiss with two massive silver eyes. The whole pose was completed with Rose's tail wrapped around her own leg.
"Is there something wrong with it?"
Weiss lost her ability to breathe and speak under those eyes for the first few moments. Unfortunately, higher order thinking processes in the heiress did not return before her voice did.
"Only if I can't run my fingers through it."
Weiss immediately slapped a hand over her mouth and everyone looked at the snow themed girl who was now turning an impressive shade of red.
"I didn't mean it like that. I meant it's fine and I want to run my fingers through it!"
Weiss blushed harder and slapped another hand over her mouth.
"I didn't mean-"
Cinder placed a hand over Weiss' mouth to save her.
"She's trying to say you look lovely."
Weiss vigorously nodded to confirm Cinder's statement.
"Oh, okay."
Rose spotted the open seat between the two girls and glanced at her parents. Her parents noticed her stare and must have understood her plight because her mother smiled and motioned for her to go on.
"Is that seat between you taken?"
Cinder chuckled nervously.
"We did reserve it for you, if you didn't want to sit with your family."
Rose nodded and began to walk around the table. While she did, Weiss nodded to box between Cinder and her. Cinder picked up on the hint and released the heiress so they could both pick up the box.
"Rose, um, we have something for you."
Rose looked questioningly at the box now being presented to her. Eventually she took it and weighed it in her hand.
"Go on Rose, open it."
Rose complied to Cinders prompting by slowly open the box.
Her eyes couldn't open any wider when they fell upon the two charms.
She looked up at the two girls that had given the box to her and then back down at the box.
"Do you like it?"
Rose's eyes darted back to Cinder.
"I-I love it."
Her voice was barely more than a whisper, but everyone caught it. Cinder and Weiss smiled.
"Let me help you put it on."
Weiss got up and Rose just stared at her as she pulled the sterling silver chain necklace out of the box. With the greatest of care, Weiss moved Rose hair to the side, making sure to savor the contact with the silky strands. She pulled the necklace around her neck and attached the ends.
Rose slowly brought a hand to the charms and held them.
"You don't deserve anything good."
Hannya's voice rang clearly in her head, so she held the charms tighter, feeling both charms against her palm.
"I don't care if I deserve it or not. I have it, no, them now."
A small smile played on her lips.
"Thank you two."
….
"If I was going to be a glorified secretary, I would have kept my title as heiress."
"Oh, come on friend Winter, father had to go on that mission. He said so himself."
Winter looked at the person next to her and sighed.
"I know what he said. I am simply upset that he chose to do this without obtaining the services of a proper secretary. Also, remember it is Specialist Schnee while we are in uniform."
"Yes, Fri-Specialist Schnee."
A notification popped up on the screen gaining the Specialist's attention. There was an ominous air about the message. She checked the sender and subject.
A. Watts
An urgent development in Beacon.
Winter couldn't help but open the message out of concern for her sister. As she continued to read, she felt a pit grow in her stomach.
It was evidence.
Evidence insinuating that there was a team of criminals at Beacon planning to compromise Vale's CCT network. If that wasn't bad enough, there were implication of worse plans.
She was getting nauseated as she continued to read.
Winter knew that the general would be out of contact for the next few weeks while he completed whatever mission he was on. She would have to deal with this on her own, but she couldn't just leave Atlas. Arrangements had to be made for that.
Winter decided to do the most sensible thing and forwarded the files to Ozpin and made plans to go to Vale should the evidence not be heeded.
Winter pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Weiss you had to go to Beacon Academy, I know. I just wish I could be there now."
"Is something wrong Specialist Schnee?"
"Not if I have anything to say about it."
Winter sent the message and prayed Ozpin was not in his cryptic old headmaster mood.
….
Ozpin sat at his desk sipping coffee from his favorite mug.
It was such a wonderful day already. He had a message from Ironwood to ignore for a few hours, a few video feeds of situations he engineered to look forward to, and at least two coincidental run-ins with students who desperately needed his cryptic advice.
A smile grew on his face at all he had to look forward to.
Suddenly, a chill went up his spine. And to make matters more ominous, his intercom lit up.
"Ozpin, you have some visitors."
"I wasn't expecting anyone this morning, who are they?"
"It's an urgent matter, we'll be up in a moment."
"Glynda is coming up with them, this must be urgent indeed."
The elevator chimed to indicate that the it was on it's way up. And as itthe elevator car rose, so did the feel.
The immortal realized what this feeling was.
It was the dread of an approaching parent teacher conference.
"Oh my, who could have called home this time?"
DING
"The Winchester boy has been dealt with."
DING
"I haven't had any students die in combat class or on missions this semester."
DING
"What else could it be?"
DING
"No, it couldn't be."
DING
His fears came true when the doors opened to reveal the last mother he ever wished to see without him calling them in.
And she looked livid.
"Missus Xiao-Long."
"Miss Rose, actually."
"I see. So what do I owe this pleasure to?"
Ozpin couldn't help but notice Raven Branwen and Glynda behind the faunus woman who was glaring daggers at him. The amused looks on their faces somehow conveyed that he would not enjoy this meeting.
"Oh, I don't know, Raven got a strange call from her oldest daughter last night. She asked us to portal to her dorm. Would you like to know why?"
Ozpin discreetly swallowed thickly.
"I'm not sure you what you mean."
"Oh Ozpin, I'm sure you know who I'm talking about. She's a teenage girl, showed up on your doorstep, oh, eight months ago. Maybe this detail will jog your memory, she was ripped from arms twelve years ago and I have been searching Remnant for her ever since."
The venom was so thick in the woman's voice that Ozpin's hand quivered ever so slightly.
"I assure you I wished to contact you."
Summer slammed her hands on his desk, cutting him off. She then leaned forward with a sickly sweet.
"I'm aware that she made everyone around her promise not to tell the rest of her family. But I must question one small thing, oh great and wise headmaster of Beacon Academy. Why, in Oum's name, did you not call me as soon as you laid eyes on her?"
"I wished to confirm her identity before contacting you."
"Bull. Shit. There are only two living silver eyed wolf faunus on Remnant. So please, try again."
Ozpin glanced at Glynda for help, but her and Raven had decided this spectacle deserved to be watched while sipping on tea.
"Nuh uh. Eyes here Oz. Tell me right now, why I wasn't called the second you saw her."
"I was unsure you would want to hear the truth-"
BAM!
"Don't fuck with me! All I have wanted is to hold my baby girl again for the last twelve years! And I could held her months ago!"
"Miss Rose, your daughter was in a very delicate state and I felt that having going against her wishes would be more of a detriment than a help."
"Against her wishes? Are you kidding me? Glynda told me how for months that Ruby has been letting on how she wanted nothing more than for me to find her! You knew almost this entire time that is what she truly wanted!"
"Miss Rose, please calm down."
"No Ozpin, I won't. Why, because I even heard from Glynda about a plan to reunite us that would have even let you not break your promise to Rose. But no, you had to turn the idea down."
Summer snatched his mug from his hand and crushed it in her grip, her aura flared in response to the scalding liquid and broken porcelain in her hand. He knew where this was going
He went for his cane, but it was ripped from him by a purple light. His eyes shot to Glynda who was smirking at him and holding his cane.
He didn't have much time to contemplate the betrayal when Summer grabbed his collar.
Raven leaned over to Glynda while watching the scene unfold.
"I know he deserves this, but will he be okay?"
"His Aura will allow him to pass one broken with little permanent damage, besides, do you want to try and stop Summer?"
Raven glanced back at Summer, who was forcing Ozpin to chew said broken mug.
"Nope."
….
Roman slammed the case of dust on the table in front of Adam.
"What is the meaning of this?"
"I just wanted to commemorate the end of our contract."
"We're not done with you, the White Fang still needs more dust to complete our plans."
"Oh, I'm well aware you need more, I do supply you after all."
"Then why are you acting like you're going to leave?"
"That is because I am."
Adam seethed, he was on the brink of drawing his weapon.
"Why?"
"Because I'm a survivor, and working for you has already had me run into the Guilty Rose twice already. I will not chance meeting the actual face of death on a third encounter because of you."
"If you turn on us, the White Fang-"
"Will do nothing."
Adam was taken back by being interrupted like that.
"WHAT?"
"You heard me, you won't do anything."
"And how do you figure that?"
"I'm a survivor, so I made sure I survive. If I don't leave here in ten minutes, everything I have on the White Fang goes public, with special copies finding their way to the council of every kingdom. So please, delay me for nine more minutes."
"RRRAAAGGGHHH!"
Adam drew his blade, but Roman was more than ready. He easily step out of reach and held up his scroll after hitting send.
"That nine minutes just became three. How about you listen to reason and let me walk."
"You will regret this."
"This? No, I don't think so. Pleasure doing business with you. Ta."
Roman walked out of Adam's office to find Marron standing there waiting for him. He stopped for a moment.
"When you decide to castrate the bull, give me a call. I'd like to at least watch."
"Just be ready."
Roman tipped his hat to her and continued walking.
Revolution might just become his new past time.
A/N: And Volume 1 is officially over!
WOOO!
Any way, quick recap time before Q&A.
Fallen White Petals!
I know a few of you disagree with this Pairing but I feel it's making this story so much more enjoyable. Also, poor Weiss, she can't help but lose her self control around Rose. But who doesn't?
Poor Winter, Iron wood overworking her and Watts ratting out Cinder to top it off. This won't end well, we all know it. So stay tuned. Also who is this mystery girl with her? Guess I'm going to be mean and make you wait for confirmation.
Now for the scene most of us have be waiting for.
OZPIN EATS HIS DAMN MUG!
Yes, I did it.
Why?
Because Momma Rose is not to be fucked with when it comes to her daughters. There's a few of you siding with Ozpin on his decision, and while I personally disagree and stood with Glynda and Raven with a bag of popcorn, I do understand his decision. However, that does not mean Momma Rose will, or accept it in any capacity. Thus he was force fed his own mug.
Last scene, Roman left the employ of the White Fang. But what's this? Him and Marron are now accomplices? Oh poor Adam will never see it coming...or will he?
Alright, that's enough of me showboating.
Now for Q&A.
I picked the top five reviews to answer publicly.
So if you don't see yours here, I'm sorry.
Alias001 chapter 25
I'm really enjoying this story! Interesting development. Just wondering though, will Rose/Ruby get any "less lethal" replacements for Guilty Rose? (Just to clearify, I'm referring to the weapons.)
Yours truly
Alias001
Seeing as it's going to happen next chapter, I'll spill the beans a bit. Yes, Rose is going to be getting new weapons, along with a new look. This goes with the main theme of the story, which is recovery. As for what the new weapon will be, it will be Summer's weapon from her time in Beacon. Yes, that's cryptic but I am revealing it next chapter.
The Masked Mummer chapter 21
For some reason I have a really hard time imagining Ironwood having a relationship history of ANY sort, dunno why. Even his heavily implied history with Glenda just never felt... authentic to me, I guess? I've never actually thought about it before but I guess I headcanoned him as ace/aro/whatever without even realizing it. Regardless, this is an interesting development. Have we been introduced to his daughter(if it's someone other than Penny) or is she essentially a hypothetical character like his wife was?
Yes, it's hard to imagine him having a wife and daughter, but I feel like this story could help explain him in canon. He always goes overboard on protection because he let his wife go out without bodygaurds and they got captured and killed by the White Fang. Now as for his daughter, I believe this chapter should hint at who she is. And Yes, she will be showing up.
Lucian Naruto chapter 21
You know... I do not know what you're up to, but I was interested in how it could be a meeting between Ruby and Ironwood now that he knows the truth. Thanks to Ozpin he has an idea of the kind of life and circumstances that made Ruby. But still this is not something complete. I imagine a meeting, this would not be a hostile confrontation, I wonder Ironwood's reaction if he looked into Ruby's eyes and realized all the sadness, pain, guilt and suffering that the girl hides in those eyes
Ruby is the biggest victim of this story.
Ps - That's just a comment, I wonder if Tyrian really goes after Cinder? That's just a guess, I'm not suggesting for you to do this, especially with Ruby having made the vow not to kill again.
But I wonder if Ruby would kill Tyrian to save Cinder. But that's just a thought.
Ironwood and Rose meeting is something I'm very much looking forward to. I have so many ideas on when it should happen and how I want it to play out. So I can't say much more than it being a major development for both characters.
Tyrian going after Cinder will happen at some point, but not anytime soon. As for how Rose will be reacting, I think the docks scene should be telling enough. Don't mess with people Rose cares about.
therandompers chapter 21
A fan club filled with adorable pictures of Rose? Sounds nice, and adorable, as well as fluffy.
The fan club has been brought up so much and I could only pick one review to answer. So I'll try to answer everything I can here.
As you can see already, the Rose Fan Club will be in the background every now and then. Rose can't find out about it because that is one of the rules of Fan Club. You do not talk about Fan Club, especially around Rose. The confirmed members are Cinder, Neo, Weiss, Velvet, and Blake. I will not confirm any other members here, but there are others. I think that's it for now.
RWBYGuy2015 chapter 24
I know that with Raven, Summer, Yang, Weiss, and Blake. Ruby can go back to who she was. The past will be there but it won't affect her like does now. I know deep down she can still be the little bubbly girl Yang and Summer remember.
So this is something rather important. Rose will not go all the way back to being the Ruby from volumes 1-3, she will become more like the Ruby from volume 4. Remember, she is broken and missing pieces, so even when they make her whole again, she won't be exactly the same. However, there will be times when she will be happy-go-lucky Ruby, though that is only under specific circumstances which will soon be shown.
Okie dokie! That's it, I will repeat that there will be NO HIATUS before volume 2.
So expect an update next week.
I hope you enjoyed the chapter!
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