Gotham City || Gotham Academy September 7, 07:30 EDT ||
Ruby is fidgeting of her first day of school whereas Dinah Lance is taking her to Gotham School. The scarlet-haired girl couldn't believe she's going to attend school and even worse, Aaliyah and Zara are attending a different school.
Ruby animated cry and wanted to get out of this car. She hates being the center of attraction especially a new girl like her. "I'm doomed." She whispered and leaning on the car window.
"Oh, Ruby." Dinah smiles lightly and stopping the car. "You have a life from the outside too."
"Can't I just have a private teacher, Dinah?" Ruby pleads and getting out of the car as Dinah followed as well. "I only know Arthur but he's a Junior student in that school."
"Ruby, Caleb wanted you to socialize people close to your age." Dinah reminded her and caressing her soft cheek. "It's hard being the youngest 11-year-old here whereas Arthur is busy and not being with you all the time. You must remember that it's nice for a change of scenery."
"I wanted..." She paused and sighs sadly. "Erza-nee to see me off the school."
"Oh, sweetheart." Dinah hugs the girl and she returned the gesture. "Your sister is proud of you, someday... you're going to see her again, including the others."
Dinah knows their secret they aren't actually from this world. Surprising how she managed to gain trust in them so easily. Not to mention, Batman keeps on pinning on them especially Aaliyah how she holds back her strength to everyone. She finally understands why, because Aaliyah is a S-class Wizard and one of the youngest female Ten Wizards Saint.
Aaliyah is the first female mage history that could achieve at a very young age. She is more than qualified enough to join the League.
"Do you think... there's a reason why we were sent here?" Ruby question and breaking her thoughts.
"Maybe, Ruby..." Dinah fixes her usual hairstyle. "Listen to me, you're strong an independent girl. You have spirits by your side, always."
"Thank you, Dinah." Ruby hugging the blonde woman. "For cheering me up and becoming my Guardian Angel." She smiled happily.
"Oh, sweetie." She chuckled. "You're always welcome. Now, go, and, enjoy your first day of school."
"Yeah!" She smiled happily and waving at Dinah. "See you later!"
"See you." She waved back until Ruby is out of her sight. "She's a great girl, I hope you won't change."
Ruby sighs quietly and slaps her cheek lightly. "You have face Oracion Seis, Edolas and Grimoire Heart. How hard would it be?" Muttering herself and pushing her glasses up.
"WHERE IS HE!?"
"WE HAVE TO FIND HIM!"
"WHERE ARE YOU DICK GRAYSON!?"
Ruby sweatdropped of the rampaging school girls are looking for someone. "Whoever this guy is, I feel sorry for him." She laughs sheepishly and looking up in the sky. "Let's us see if I could-"
BAM!
Ruby crashed into someone and dropping all her books. "I'm so, so, sorry, are you alright?" The person who crashed her asks worriedly.
Ruby squinted her eyes and trying to find her glasses. She's completely helpless without it and the person noticed her eyesight is terrible. "Here, I'll help you." The person puts her glasses on.
"Thank you." Ruby thanked the boy with a shy smile.
"You're welcome." He smiled back. His hair is slick black as the eyes are blue like an ocean. "Sorry about that..."
"Ru-Ru-Rubina Hart." She stuttered and blushed shyly. "Call me, Ruby."
"Ah," The boy snapped his fingers. "A foreign exchange student from Japan."
"Ye-yeah." Smiling nervously despite she's still shy towards this boy.
"I'm Richard Grayson, you can call me Dick." He introduces himself to the scarlet-haired girl.
"Nice to meet you, Dick." She bowed her head and gripping her books nervously. "Um... do-do-do yo-yo-you know whe-where Arthur Nelson is?" Asking shyly and feels like going to pass out because of her shyness.
"Why? Is he your-"
"Dick! Leave the poor girl alone." A red-haired girl approached them with a stern look on her face. "I'm sorry about him, he can be quite annoying."
"Hey!" He exclaimed and pouts. "I'm not!" Ruby reminds him of someone she knows.
"Whatever, loser." Rolling her eyes and smiling towards the scarlet-haired girl. "Barbara Gordon."
"Ru-Ruby Hart." She stuttered shyly.
"New student. You don't have to be shy around us." Barbara assured her and could tell she's really shy towards other people.
"I-I'll try." She nodded her head. "Um... where can I find Arthur Nelson?"
"You know him?" Barbara looked surprised and she's also one of the girls who has a huge crush on him.
"Yeah, he's my brother." She smiled politely. "We're not actually related but they adopted me and my other sister, Aaliyah."
"Oh." She nodded her head in understanding whereas Dick smirked widely.
"You know, Babs has a huge crush-" He was cut off by a loud smack on his head. "Ow!"
"Shut up!" Ignoring Ruby's questioning look. "Sure, I'll take you to him. A word of advice, he happened to be one of the popular male students in this school."
"Eh? What makes him so popular?" Ruby asks innocently and Dick snickered at her naiveness.
"You don't know about him, at all?" Barbara asks with a shocked look on his face.
"Ahahaha..." Ruby laughs nervously and hugging her books. "I do know him. It's just that... I don't even know what makes him more popular when he's just a regular boy."
"You're in for it now." Dick whispered at her ear.
"Arthur is a kind and talented person. We called him Sweet Prince due to his caring personality towards us..." Barbara rambled.
Ruby feels like her soul is coming out of her body. She regrets asking it while Dick feels sorry for Ruby.
Mount Justice || September 7, 13:30 EDT ||
Aaliyah sighs heavily and dropping the 3 boxes filled with love or hate letters and gifts to her. She didn't expect to become a popular girl in the college especially Aaliyah did it on purpose to become a loner. Instead, people are being intrigued by her beauty and mystery persona.
"This is too much." Aaliyah sighs heavily and wasn't surprised by how she became a popular girl.
"Aaliyah?" She turned around to see Kaldur approaching her. "Aren't you supposed to be in College?"
"Miaka took the role to become me." She answered and sees his disapproving look. "I didn't ask Ru-chan! In fact, Miaka uses her own magic to help me escape from someone who tries to ask me out!" She exclaimed and sighs heavily.
"You have a lot of admirers?" He was surprised to see 3 boxes.
"Yeah." She sighs heavily and couldn't remember how much did it. "I didn't ask for it."
"I see..." Kaldur knows Aaliyah that she hates the center of attraction. "What are you going to do with these?"
"Chocolates for Wally, stuff toys for M'gann... as for the letters? I'll burn them." She spoke up bluntly. "I'm a big eater but not as much as Wally."
"I'm sure Wally is going to appreciate it." He noticed her smirked. "Why do I have a feeling you're plotting something."
"Payback for eating my melon bread." She chuckled and staring at the box. "Some of the chocolates are handmade however, they taste... how should I say it, edible?" Tilting her head and Kaldur shakes his head.
"Please don't kill Wally for we need him." He joked and Aaliyah smiled.
"More like suffer than kill." She corrected him and glancing down at her watch. "I better switch up with Miaka, I'm pretty sure she's getting tired of being chased by boys."
"Aaliyah." Kaldur called her and staring at his grey eyes. "How's your study?" He mentally groaned himself for asking stupid questions.
Aaliyah blinks her eyes. "The lesson isn't hard. They said that I could graduate early than them due to my advance knowledge." She explained.
He wasn't surprised by her intelligence especially how she execute the plan. Kaldur wondered why she preferred to be second-in-command than leading the team? "Can I ask you something, Aaliyah."
"Depending on the question... what is it?" She asks him curiously while staring at his grey eyes.
"You haven't explained your reason for not leading the team. You're great at strategizing the plan."
"Oh, that..." She hums before saying it to him. "I always worked alone before I team up with Ru-chan and Zara. I wanted to let people experience leading them and I'll always be there to support."
"You had experienced it before." She nodded her head. "Aaliyah, I've been thinking a lot lately."
"What is it?" Staring at his grey eyes that clashes her cerulean eyes.
"What is yours, Zara and Ruby's surname?" Kaldur asks her curiously.
"Mine and Zara happened to be Dreyar. Aaliyah Dreyar and Zara Dreyar." Aaliyah answered. "Whereas Ruby is Hart. Ruby Hart."
"I see." He nodded his head in understanding. "I shouldn't keep you long, Aaliyah."
"See you soon, Kaldur." Aaliyah waves at the Atlantean and went to the zeta tube.
"It's unusual for someone who carried Dreyar's surname..." Kaldur muttered through his breath.
Gotham City || Gotham Elementary School September 12:00 EDT ||
Zara feels like she's been surrounded by idiots. Ever since they found out her actual age, Caleb, being the most lovable brother, decided to send her Gotham Academy, close to her age. It is unfair for her for putting this stupid class whereas Aaliyah been put to College, Ruby is a Freshman class and she's stuck 3rd Grade.
"I should've taken the test seriously than pretend to be dumb." Zara grumbling and munching her food angrily.
"Um..." The halfling turned around to see a brown-haired girl approached her timidly. "Ca-ca-can I eat my lunch with you?" She asks her curiously.
"Su-sure." Completely startled at her request. Zara is eating her lunch under the tree and now this girl saw her alone, decided to have lunch with her.
"Tha-thank you." Thanking the strawberry blonde-haired girl. "Um... I don't think you noticed... I happened to be in your class, Zara Dreyar."
"I didn't know about that." She smiled sheepishly. "Who are you? It's unfair that you know my name."
"Ly-Lydia Mendes." She stuttered and Zara smiled politely.
"It's nice to meet you." Zara frowned at her lunch. "Don't you think your food is too small? You're going to get starving later."
Lydia only has a banana for her lunch whereas Zara has 8 chicken strips with 4 rice balls and 2 watermelons. Compared to them, Zara has more food than Lydia.
"Here." Zara handed half of her food to Lydia and the brunette looked surprised at the gesture. "I don't want you to get pass out due to lack of food." She spoke up bluntly.
"I don't want to impose, Zara." Lydia refused to accept the food. She just met Zara today and didn't expect to offer food for her.
"I insist or I'll shove the food right inside of your mouth." Threatening the girl by her glare and Lydia flinch in surprise. Zara never talked to anyone the same age as her.
"Yo-yo-you can be scary sometimes, Zara." Lydia laughs nervously and accepting the food. "No one ever did that to me before."
"Why? What about your family? Are they strict about your food diet?" Zara questioned her curiously.
"My dad is dead and mom... never cares about me." She spoke up sadly. "She always drinks beer."
"That explains the scar." She whispered and Lydia stared at her with a fearful look on her face. "You should-"
"Please don't!" Lydia pleads. "They're going to beat me up." She whimpered and scared of being beaten up by her mom and her stepdad.
"That's child abuse, Lydia!" Zara stands up and wanting to help her new friend. "I have adopted brother who's going to save you from them. Trust me, he's going to help you." She assured her.
Lydia's heart filled with the hope of someone is going to save her from the darkness. She just met her today and she's willing to help her out. Zara may be anti-social but she's willing to help other people.
Ruby's sighs in relief after the whole Arthur being the Prince Charming of Gotham Academy. She decided to relax under the tree. The scarlet-haired girl did miss Aaliyah and Zara's company however, she needs to become independent and not relying on them, all the time.
"Finally peace and qui-"
"Boo!"
"AAHH!" Ruby jumps in surprised to see Dick is laughing while holding his stomach. "I can't believe you!" She exclaimed angrily and looks away from him.
"Come on, Ruby." He pokes her left shoulder but didn't budge. "The expression is quite priceless."
"He reminds me of a certain boy wonder." Ruby muttered in Japanese.
"What was that, Ru?" Dick asks her curiously.
"Ru?" She blinks her eyes behind her glasses. "I just met you today and you're giving me a nickname." Usually, it is Aaliyah who called her Ru or gem by her sister, Erza.
"Should I call you my precious gem?" He teased her and Ruby blushed furiously. "Haha! Aren't you adorable!"
"You're going to kill me someday." She sighs heavily and trying to calm her heart down. It is the same heart beating whenever Robin teased her all the time.
"Nah, you couldn't resist my charm." He winked at her and Ruby blushed more that matches her hair.
"I-I-I-I-I sho-sh-sh-sh-should go-go-go-go see Arthur." Ruby stuttered and could feel her ears are steaming as her face is red like a tomato.
She walked away from him and Dick smiled at the distance. He's is happy to be with Ruby. There's something special about her that captures his heart.
"Things are going to get interesting." He smiled and watching his phone screen of Ruby without her glasses.
Turning his phone off to chase Ruby and protect her from Arthur's fangirl. He knows Ruby is an innocent girl both inside and outside whether being a hero or just a normal girl. The whole school knows Ruby is the stepsister of Arthur and trying to take advantage of it just to get close to Arthur. Dick is one of the popular guys too and at least he can be sneaky as he could be whereas Arthur, being a gentleman, is being too kind towards every girl.
"Aren't you heading the wrong way?" Dick asks Ruby curiously and she shakes her head. "We're heading towards Elementary School."
"I just need to see my friend, Zara." Ruby answered and stopped walking. "We?" She stared at him with a skeptical look on her face.
"Yeah." He shrugged and smiled. "I don't want a young maiden like you, to get swarmed by Arthur's fangirls."
"They also chase you as well, did they?" Ruby asks him curiously since it's no surprise for him being a popular guy. Dick Grayson is the adopted son of Bruce Wayne and she couldn't understand why these girls are into her. Is it because they are rich people wanted to be famous in front of everyone?
"I can be sneaky as I could." He scoffs and feels offended for lacking any trust in him.
"You don't have to be defensive..." She sweatdropped and seeing a familiar figure. "Zara!" Ruby waved her arms to get the halfling attention.
Zara's ear twitches and turning around to see Ruby is with a boy. She sniffs slightly and narrowing her gaze at the boy far behind. "Why is his scent... is exactly the same as our friend?" Asking herself in a hushed tone.
"Who is that, Zara?" Lydia asks Zara curiously.
"My friend, come on." Zara holds Lydia's hand to approach them. "Ruby!"
"Hello." Ruby bow her head politely at Zara's new company. "I'm Ruby Hart."
"Ly-Ly-Lydia Mendes." Lydia stuttered and cowering behind Zara's back.
"Don't worry about Ruby, Lydia!" Zara assured her. "Ruby is one of my closest friends despite our age difference. Who is he?"
"Ruby's personal knight in shining armor." Dick introduced himself in front of two girls while Ruby blushed furiously. "Dick Grayson, at your service."
"Ruby can protect herself and didn't need you." Zara spoke up bluntly and wanting to change school to protect Ruby. "She's-"
"Um... Zara-" Ruby was intervened by Dick.
"Why? Afraid that I might take her away from you?" Dick teased the strawberry-blonde haired girl and smirked seeing her angry expression. "Sorry to break it to you kid, she's off-limits."
"You're a kid too!" Zara retorted back. "Just because you're a pretty boy doesn't mean I-"
"You'll what? Throw tantrums on me?"
"Why you..." Zara growled angrily as they fight back and forth.
Ruby sweatdropped and laughs nervously while Lydia feels like she's watching a tennis match. "Why did I feel like it looks similar to their bickering?" Ruby asks out loud.
"Similar?" Lydia asks the scarlet-haired girl curiously.
"Yeah." Ruby nodded her head. "My friends are overprotective towards me."
"I see..." She murmured sadly and feels jealous of not having any friends.
"I'm also glad that Zara made a friend." Ruby smiled towards Lydia and completely clueless about her jealousy. "Can you watch Zara for me? She always goes to her friends or family before herself."
"Sure." Lydia said happily.
"Ruby!" Dick called her. "We gotta go! Our class is going to start in a few minutes." He informed her.
"Sure, see you two later." Ruby waves at them as they headed towards their classes.
Arthur stretches his arm and laying down on the roof while watching the clouds in deep thoughts. He couldn't stop thinking about his future after he graduates High School. One of the famous University, Oxford, sees his potential and offering a scholarship for him to get in their University, depending on his course. Arthur wanted to become a doctor to save people's lives. If he's going to accept their offer, is he going to retire as Saber to pursue his dreams or not?
"Dick, come out." Arthur said it out loud. "No need to hide."
Dick showed up behind the shadows and sighs heavily. "No matter how much I sneak, you always know whether I am here or not."
"You could thank Aaliyah for her sharp senses especially of sensing someone." Arthur spoke up without sparing any glances at him. "How's Ruby? I didn't have time to greet her considering I've been chased by the girls." He sighs heavily and feels bad for not looking after her.
"She is shy at first and finally warms up to me." Dick told Arthur. "She easily gets flustered my tease." He chuckled while Arthur shakes his head.
"Leave the poor girl alone, Dick." Arthur scolded him lightly knowing this boy means no harm on Ruby. "You're lucky enough Zara didn't go on adult mode to kill you."
"She's actually restraining herself not to reveal her identity." Dick chuckled nervously and feels intimidated by her despite she's younger than him. "I hate to say it but... Zara is really scary."
"That's Zara for you..." He smiled nervously. "What brings you here exactly, Dick?"
"I wanted to know who they are." Dick asks Arthur in a serious tone. "I tried to know who they are... I gather none of their past and found no information about them. I find them suspicious."
"Does that include Ruby as well?"
"Well..." Dick looks hesitant that question it caught him off guard. "Ye-yeah."
"Do me a favor, Richard." Arthur stands up and ignoring his whine of calling his real name. "Those four girls can be trusted in my life. Don't you think we have a right to keep our own secrets?" He sees him flinched at that word. "I need you to stop gather information about them until they're ready to spill their life."