Chapter 4 – Pre-Game lobby.


Beacon.

One of the four principal academies in all Remnant. The place where the future generation of Hunters and Huntresses would grow into the defenders of humanity. Every single new student, no matter where they came from, shared the same thought.

´I am going to be a huntsman´

Except for one, that is.

Yang Xiao-Long… didn't know what to think. Oh, she was excited about being in beacon, alright. But her priorities had kind of changed in a short time.

Namely, she wants to know what happened to her sister?!

It was just a few nights back that she received the call from the headmaster of beacon asking if she could go to a police station. He wasn't very specific about what the problem was, but mentioned it had something to do with her sister.

That did make her worry a little, but not much, honestly. Come one, her sister has a scythe that transformed into a sniper rifle, and was trained by her uncle to use it like no other! She was absolutely sure that whatever happened, it would be nothing she couldn't handle.

And then she got there and found out that yes, maybe this is something she couldn´t handle.

Her sister. Her cute, dorky, Little sister now was a fully grown woman, apparently. For a moment she thought she was just being pranked (Wow, the old man actually has a sense of humor! She thought at the time) But the more they explained, the more she couldn't believe what was happening. Her sister, suddenly grown up, and wearing blood-stained clothing. She seriously believed it was a prank.

Or, more clearly, she desperately wanted it to be a prank.

But the look she was giving me…

It was the look of someone that was seeing a ghost. There was fear, recognition, sadness. She even said her name in fear.

After that, Yang asked her things, looking for something that told her if this person truly was her sister. Where were you? What did you do there? She even asked a few things of their childhood, to see if she actually remembered.

And she did, even if she got a few things wrong, almost every single question was met with the truth. And it wasn't just the questions, the way she acted, that shyness, that interest, that innocence

At that point, she couldn't deny it anymore. This is Ruby.

Even if one big part of her said otherwise.

Of course, she still looked very scared of her, so, she did what every self-respecting big sister would do.

She grabbed her and hugged her, telling her that everything was going to be fine.

Ruby went very still at that, but after a few moments, returned the hug, and after that, started sobbing. I missed you, she said. They stayed like that for a few minutes, and eventually, she calmed down.

Of course, the headmaster had to remind them that they needed to tell their father about the whole situation. And wasn't that a fun call… She thought with as much sarcasm as she could muster. But, she had to admit, seeing her father make his best headless-chicken impression was kind of funny.

And now, two weeks later, looking through the windows of the bullhead, that worry, while it has not gone away totally, was manageable.

I really hope this goes right…

Yang looked back to her sister, who was watching Beacon getting closer with an expression of outstanding awe, not that different from a child getting a puppy. Huh, some things don't want to change, Yang thought. Ruby received a change of clothing, obviously. A simple black and gray bodysuit with an extra gray skirt, with the folded weapon and that weird lamp hanging in the back, and gray jacket.

In all honesty, Yang was still debating if she really was Ruby. While she was mostly sure she actually was, she was having too much doubts about it to be a clear answer. If she wasnt, then where was the real Ruby? If she was, then what happened to make her like this? A semblance? What kind of semblance could cause such change?

The headmaster said that the only thing they could do now, was keeping her close and help in whatever problems arised. Which is why Ruby was coming to Beacon with her, as an student.

But one thing she was sure in her mind, was that, no matter what, she WILL protect her sister.

And maybe, just maybe, all this will work out in the en-

"EXCUSE ME, I NEED TO- URGH!"

A blonde guy runned past her, directly to the bathroom. The throwing up noises came a few moments later.

. At least things won't be boring in here… She thought with a Little smirk.


Saying that Ruby was in awe was a very big understatement.

She does remember seeing impressive sights (She has walked a lot) But a completely blue sky, Green hills, and a beautiful castle was… new. The only thing that took away her concentration was-

"There is more magic in here." Jing said.

Yeah, that.

"How much?" She asked back.

"… Not a lot. In fact, it is so weak I almost didn't catch it."

Sighing, Ruby reminded herself that she did make a deal with the headmaster –"Ozpin, the name is Ozpin"- With Ozpin. So for now, the only thing she could do was follow her si- YANG. Follow Yang to the au-di-torium.

"… Did I say it right?"

"Close."

And with that final bit of disappointment, she followed her- Yang. Into the building.


After a while, both Ruby and Yang reached the auditorium, and after another while, the headmaster walked into the stage.

He then proceeded to, in yang words, trash talk all the students present.

At the end, he retired, leaving behind a lovely silence, filled by offended students.

Of course, for yang, that wasn't him insulting them, it was challenging them.

And I will gladly show him that I can be here. And for what she could see, a good majority of students thought the same.

Then came another Professor, Glynda goodwitch, and showed them the way to the ballroom, where (she said) they were to sleep.

While everything was going smoothly so far, she was worried this was making Ruby nervous, which she could see on her face.

"Hey, are you alright?" She asked.

"H-huh? O-oh! Yeah, yes, everything's fine." Ruby answered, in the most ´I'm lying, but I don't want to admit it´ voice.

"Ruby…" Yang started, looking directly at her.

"Y-yang…" Ruby answered back, trying to meet her gaze with the most determination she could bring. She almost looked defiant.

"Ruby." At this, she rests her hands on her hips, giving her the most ´disappointed in you´ look she remembers her father make.

"…" Now Ruby is just looking at the ground.

Sighing, Yang puts her hands on Ruby's shoulders, making her look up. "Ruby, if something is wrong, you can tell me, I know this whole situation is not… ideal, but remember, I am here for you. If you need help, you just have to ask"

"…okay" Ruby finally answered, "This place is…is just… amazing, but…. This much people? I don't know if I… should be here…"

"Hey, don't think that." Yang shook her sister a little, "I know you're nervous, but no matter what happens, you definitely deserve to be here. After all, you did stop a robbery and almost caught a wanted criminal, you proved that you are ready, so cheer up, and show them what you got" She ended with a smile.

After a few moments, Ruby did smile a Little, "Yeah, you're probably right".

"Hey, I'm always right, that's just shows how awesome your big sister is… well, bigger sister. I'm still taller than you."

Ruby looked thoughtful for a moment at that, but then gave her a small smirk of her own "Oh, don't worry Yang, You're still my sister, just don't forget to tell me how's everything down there once in a while".

Yang did her best mock-offense face she could do, and put her hand over her chest. "OH! Woe is me, here cheering you up, and you respond with mockery! What did I do to deserve this offense?"

After a few moments, they both started laughing.

"Yes… this can work…"


The next day, the students started to walk outside, towards the cliffs, except for Ruby, who was called to follow Professor Goodwitch. After a quick goodbye, the two sisters parted ways.

Walking through the hallway, Ruby couldn't stop her curiosity "U-um, excuse me, Miss Glynda? Why am I not going with everyone else?"

"Well"-Glynda started- "Normally the students participate in the process of initiation, where they are tested to show if they have the capabilities to be hunters." At this point, they reached a big room, which has a lateral door close to the entrance, from which stairs going up could be seen. Further, in the room one could see big Windows higher up, and at the center of the room, was a Brown haired woman. "But, even if you aren't ´officially´ a huntress, you have shown to us real combat experience, against both Grimm and people. So the original test would be redundant to you, so we decided that you should take a… different type of test."

At this, the other woman walked (or better said, skipped) up to them with a very big smile. She was wearing a White and dark blue strapless shirt with gold linings, with a short, dark blue tailcoat. A blue cloak (that reached above her waist) with light blue inner lining, white tights, and a pair of brown knee-high boots with gold patterns. She was also wearing a pair of black gauntlets.

And she had Horse ears. That's important, too.

"Why, Hello there! I'm Bradamante. Bradamante Arany. A pleasure to meet you." The woman said, all the while taking Ruby's hand and shaking it vigorously, the big smile not leaving her face for a second.

"… Um… H-hello?" Ruby tried saying.

Glynda coughed a Little, bringing back the attention of the woman.

"Oh! Yes, I forgot. Well, miss, as my friend here told you, you are apparently too good for the normal test, sooooo we decided to give you a more… personalized one. So please, walk to the center of the room"

Not seeing any problem in it, Ruby did as she was told, reaching the very center of the room. When she turned back, she managed to see the two professors going inside the lateral door they passed earlier. She kept standing in place for a few moments, until she could see in the window their faces.

"Very well, Miss. This is how everything will go down" –Bradamante started- "This room is used for advanced training for third and fourth year students. It can generate a small artificial environment, and an assortment of different enemies. From up here, we can make as many changes as we want, so we will create enemies for you to fight. They will come in waves, and with every new wave will get harder and harder, even up to changing the environment mid-fight. All you have to do is eliminate all the enemies that appear, until we decide is a good stopping point, got it?"

Ruby nodded, "Yes, got it".

A few seconds latter, the lights dimmed, and a few quadrupedal forms appeared from the corners of the slightly darker room, (they weren't more than fifteen) all surrounding her. Black bodies, White bone-like plates adorning their bodies and faces, and red eyes.

Grimm. More specifically, Ursa.

… Nothing too complicated then. Ruby thought.

Getting in a combat position (the more comfortable pose she knows) she prepared for the combat.

"Are you ready?" She Heard Miss Glynda ask."

"Ready!"

Well, this is how it goes. I wonder what my si- Yang. Needs to do for her test.

Considering that this was special combat against mock-Grimm, she thought that it could be something harder, but not to complicated for students.

I mean, what were they going to make them do? Launch them from the Cliff?

"Very Well. Begin!"

The Ursas darted forward.

So did she.


Autor Notes:

Oh look! Another new character! In chapter four! If I keep this up, I may as well start preparing an Excel chart just to keep track of all of them.

Nah, I dont think so. Is not like there will be too many characters in this story, right?

Right?

Oh, by the way, if you want a look at Ruby new design, just think Dishwasher future ruby design, put the bodysuit, skirt, take away the scarf and put a grey jacket on top.

...I´m truly a genius of originality.