Chapter Three
Initiation Day.
Ruby was one of the first awake as she headed down to the launch pads. She had learnt to sleep in short bursts when out in the wilds to not attract the Grimm.
It took another two hours for everyone to arrive and for the Ozpin and Glynda to arrive as well. But once Ozpin began talking and explaining how it would go, Ruby tuned him out.
She had heard this before, or at least something like this before from General Ironwood for the initiation at Atlas.
Eventually though students began being launched into the forest, which had Ruby's mind thinking. Before she had used her scythe to slow her decent but that had been a waste of bullets, something that she had learnt not to waste when she couldn't restock.
Deciding on her landing strategy just as she was launched into the air she prepared herself to execute it.
Gaining as much distance as she could once she began to dip towards the ground she flipped herself over so she was going feet first and as she got closer to the ground she activated her speed.
Using her semblance of speed, she managed to hit the ground running with her speed and used it to slow down until she was standing still in the middle of the forest.
Breathing in deeply, she took in the smell of the forest. She had missed the smell because she'd been in the city for too long, at least by her standards.
"Right. Head for the temple, find a partner. Best choice? Blake, worst choice…maybe Weiss, it might not go well…hmm…let's see what happens." Ruby mumbled to herself, making her plan as she began to sprint through the forest.
As she sprinted towards the ruins she heard a pack of Beowolves moving around, clearly heading towards a bigger fight that she could hear.
Smiling she drew her sword that glinted in the sun revealing the engravings on the blade and the haft itself.
Along the blade were her family symbol, an intricate rose engraved into the blade in several places while on the haft it was wrapped carefully in red leather with another silver rose on the end of the haft. It was a family blade, one that she had forged herself to represent her family.
Coming to the edge of the forest on a small clearing, Ruby frowned as she saw what was before her. Weiss was standing in the middle as half a dozen Beowolves were standing around her, prowling as they got ready to attack.
Curious to see how Weiss had come along with her training she stood there and watched how Weiss would fight.
Weiss stood there, drawing her blade up and worrying about her positioning as she waited to attack until she was perfect in her starting position.
Quietly Ruby drew her pistol as she spotted one of the Grimm prowling around behind Weiss and looked ready to pounce on the unaware Weiss.
Ruby was torn between letting the Grimm attack and stepping in, on the one hand if she stepped in she would save Weiss from injury but on the other hand she wouldn't learn as well if she wasn't hurt.
"Oh, fuck it." Ruby mumbled as she saw the Beowolf about to attack but Weiss was about to attack the ones in front of her.
Her pistol barked out several times tearing apart the Grimm behind Weiss, but seeing how this sudden noise distracted Weiss she readjusted her aim.
Emptying the rest of the wheel into the Grimm around Weiss she hung back and allowed Weiss, who quickly recovered her wits and attacked the other Grimm.
"I told you before, I won't always be around to save you. You weren't even aware of the Grimm moving behind you, remember don't think too much just act." Ruby advised as if they were back at the Schnee mansion and she was teaching Weiss.
"I knew they were there!" Weiss defended as she met Ruby's eyes.
"No, you didn't. You can't lie to me, so don't try." Ruby said sounding a little annoyed that Weiss even tried to, "Now come on we need to get to the temple…partner." Ruby said, walking away.
Weiss followed her and they began making progress towards the temple though after twenty minutes of walking Weiss asked, "Are we even heading the right way?" She asked after seemingly making no progress.
"We are, about half a mile possibly a little more and we'll be at the temple." Ruby informed her.
"How do you know?" Weiss asked as she continued following.
"I saw it from the air, and I know the temple is east of where we launched so going by the sun I know we're on the right path." Ruby explained, pointing out the position of the sun as she moved.
It didn't take them much longer to cover the last half mile as they reached the temple. They noticed that baring four other pieces that most of them had gone.
"Seems we're amongst the last ones here." Weiss pointed out, choosing one of the chest pieces.
"The missions to get the relic and get out, that's it. Time doesn't matter." Ruby said just as a loud roar came around them.
Ruby and Weiss both watched as several different Grimm came through the forests edge and crashed to the ground, dead. A man named Ren and a woman called Nora came over to collect their pieces.
"Get ready." Ruby said quietly to Weiss. More students were coming out of the forest now, she saw Blake and Yang rushing out of the forest with a Nevermore chasing them though it seemed to fly off for the moment.
Lastly came Pyrrha and a man named Jaune who were being chased by a Deathstalker that came charging after them.
Dashing forward Ruby went to meet the Deathstalker head on as she called out, "Weiss freeze it!" She asked as she blocked one of its claws from killing Jaune.
Weiss did as she was asked, her rapier spinning and she slammed it into the ground causing ice to shoot up from and along the ground and as it hit the Deathstalker it froze part of its body to the ground.
"Let's get moving!" Ruby shouted out, ordering everyone to grab their relics and get moving further through the temple ruins though they were heading towards a bridge.
The Nevermore came screeching back around as it charged to take out the bridge. They were split up with half facing down the Deathstalker and the other half facing down the Nevermore.
Glancing over briefly Ruby saw that Pyrrha and her team would be alright against the Deathstalker she focused on facing down the Nevermore.
"Weiss, your speed Glyphs, can they launch a person?" Ruby asked as she took the situation quickly.
"They should, I've never done it before though." Weiss said, confused at what Ruby wanted her to do.
She didn't get her answer immediately as the Nevermore swooped around and destroyed the tower they were standing on.
The four of them made their way back up to a higher point as Ruby called out, "Yang! Distract it for a minute! Blake, I need your ribbon." Ruby shouted her orders to be heard, and the woman moved quickly.
"Weiss, we need to lock it in position." Ruby said, watching as Blake went to help Yang and it seemed almost instinctual that the two women lured the creature to the top of a temple.
"Weiss." Ruby called.
"On it." Weiss said as she dashed forward with her rapier at the ready.
"Yang! Blake!" Ruby called out, storing her sword and pistol as she drew her folded up scythe.
"Ready!" The two women called out and Ruby spun around, resting her scythe against the stretched-out ribbon.
Weiss had returned and the Nevermore was locked in place attempting to get out from its frozen prison. A black glyph began to form behind Ruby's scythe.
"Can you, do it?" Ruby asked, worried that it might be too much for Weiss.
"I can." Weiss answered, concentrating on it.
"Three…two…one…" Ruby cocked her scythe, loading the rifle as Weiss launched her.
Firing one bullet after another, Ruby activated her semblance in conjunction with being launched and her bullets which all gave her a boost but as she was halfway through the air she seemed to simmer momentarily and suddenly there were two Ruby's in the air.
One in her infamous red and another who seemed to shine blue and both hit the Nevermore hard as it was slammed back into the cliff behind it.
Grunting with effort, Ruby stood up from her crouched landing and began firing up as she dragged the Nevermore with her, both Ruby's scythes digging into its neck until she reached the top of the cliff and with one final effort she removed its head.
Landing Ruby turned back to look at the other students with her, she saw the Deathstalker was dead and now they were starring wide eyed at her.
Smiling she turned away from the cliff and began heading back.
"Ruby Rose, Weiss Schnee, Blake Belladonna, Yang Xiao Long. You will be team RWBY with Ruby Rose as your leader." Ozpin announced to everyone.
It didn't come as a surprise to them that Ruby would be their leader and once they left the hall and found their new room they settled in rather well.
"I'll book a training room as often as we can but it'll be a fight for places. You'll be responsible for your own studies but I won't let you fall behind. If you have any issues with anything or anyone then come speak to me. Now why don't we get settled in? We have classes starting tomorrow." Ruby said to her team.
At Atlas because they fostered independence amongst their teams she wanted to do the same here. She wouldn't babysit her team but she'd look out for them and if they wanted to do things together as a team she wouldn't stop any of them or joining in.
"Where are you going?" Yang asked as Ruby opened the door to leave.
"I'm going to explore the school and book some time in the training rooms." Ruby said as she left the room. Making sure that no one followed her.
Wrapping her cloak around her body she headed through the school to explore. She wanted to learn where everything was early on to avoid problems later.
"Who are you calling?" Blake asked, hearing the dial tone echoing in the air disturbing her reading.
"My sister, Winter." Weiss answered.
"You have a sister?" Yang asked, sitting up from the bed. Now was as good a time as any to learn about her new teammates.
"I do. I have three siblings." Weiss answered and Winter's face appeared on her scroll before she could say anymore.
"Hello Weiss, judging by your call I'm guessing that initiation went well for you." Winter said once she answered.
"It did, it went very well. We defeated a Nevermore to finish off initiation." Weiss explained briefly.
"We? So, I see that you've got your team. I take it you are the leader then. Who is in your team?" Winter asked without pause.
Deciding not to bring that topic up quite yet Weiss decided to introduce her team, "There's Yang Xiao Long." Weiss said, directing the scroll towards Yang.
"Hello." Yang said, waving at the camera.
"There is also Blake Belladonna." Weiss introduced next.
"Belladonna? Hmm, do I perhaps know you Miss Belladonna?" Winter asked as the camera was focused on Blake.
"I wouldn't think so Miss Schnee, I can't say I've met a member of the Schnee family before now." Blake said though she wasn't sure where exactly Ruby fell with the family.
"I see. Well then, what about your fourth member Weiss? I can't seem to see them in the room." Winter asked as she had been able to see most of the room now but no sign of the fourth member.
"That's uh…that's our leader…Ruby uh…Ruby Rose." Weiss said though she seemed almost reluctant to tell Winter this fact though.
"Ruby Rose…she's going by Rose now…" Winter said softly, she had hints that this was the case with Ruby but she was never able to confirm it because Ironwood and all her other contacts practically refused to tell the older Schnee anything about Ruby.
"She is. She's our team leader, I don't know what deal she's made with Ozpin but well…she's on my…our team." Weiss answered.
"Don't tell Ruby, but I'll be there as soon as I can be." Winter stated as she cut the call without so much as a goodbye.
"What's that all about?" Yang asked, confused at the exchange that looked to have been going well.
"It's complicated, I…please don't tell Ruby what happened or that Winter is coming here." Weiss asked her new team.
"I'm not sure if I can keep a secret from Ruby, it doesn't feel right." Blake admitted openly.
Several days later.
The first few days were boring for Ruby, most of this she'd been taught before or had learnt herself. Her only class that she enjoyed was Glynda's combat class, though so far, she hadn't been picked to fight but that would all change today.
"Miss Rose and Mr Winchester, please step forward." Glynda called out, the first few days she was pitting the students against each other to learn where they were in their fighting skills. "Began when ready." Glynda called.
Ruby smiled as she had felt the urge to fight and do something since initiation but because the training rooms had been booked solid she hadn't had much of a chance.
Her scythe remained on her back as she drew her sword. Holding it just in front of her she put her other hand behind her back as she bowed to her opponent.
Cardin though used this moment to strike at Ruby unprepared, or at least that was his plan but Ruby rolled under the attack and jumped up at Cardin's side.
Ruby didn't say anything but launched her attack at Cardin's unprotected side but he got his mace around in time to block the strike.
Within the first thirty seconds of back and forth Ruby had gotten Cardin's measure, how he attacked and his weaknesses.
Jumping back, Ruby changed her tactics. He favours his right side, swings in heavy. All power but no speed. Breaks your guard by the strength of attack, staggers you enough so his next attack makes contact.
Ruby thought to herself as she charged in against, power attacks were all well and good against a slow or weak opponent but anyone that could match or beat your strength could withstand the attack.
But in Ruby's case pure speed. She could avoid the attacks and swing in with her own before he got a chance to defend himself.
First though Ruby wanted to play, with the measure of her opponent she had a plan to win but she didn't want to win just yet.
Swinging in low she telegraphed her attack to see how Cardin would react, which he blocked and as Ruby came back she left her side wide open for an attack but Cardin went after her sword first.
This continued for several minutes as Ruby would openly show where she was attacking and leave herself open to Cardin but he wouldn't attack her open side.
The match lasted for almost five minutes before Glynda called out, "Stop! This match is over!" Glynda called out to them, stopping the fight.
"Why? Our Aura hasn't even gone down yet!" Cardin called out, angry that the match was called off.
"Because Miss Rose has won, for the last four minutes she has been playing with you." Glynda pointed out to the man. "And Miss Rose, next time do not waste my time." Glynda said.
"Show me the same respect, do not waste mine. If you wish to put me against someone several years my junior in skill and age then I will aim to teach them not defeat them quickly where they learn nothing." Ruby shot back as she was annoyed that she was pitted against the man. Glynda knew the skills of the class and as such she knew what she was doing by having Ruby go against Cardin.
"Miss Rose, where are you going?" Glynda asked, shocked as she watched Ruby walking out of class halfway through.
"Anywhere but here until you show me some respect." Ruby said. She knew the woman didn't like her but regardless she should be shown some respect.
Though Ruby was using this as another excuse to explore the school as she still hadn't found what she was looking for within the school. But for the moment she'd just explore.
At Atlas, she had spent a lot of spare time exploring the school, it was how she found her favourite spot to study and get away from people. But she'd found hidden rooms and hallways that had been forgotten over the years, though the General always seemed to know where she was.
Spending the rest of Glynda's class exploring the school she headed to the courtyard before going to her next class when her scroll alerted her to a message.
Grimm nest threatening village. Located edge of Vale territory. Confirm acceptance for more details.
Looking over the contract she looked at the map and discovered that it wasn't too far only around fifty kilometres away.
'Huntress Rose accepts.' Ruby replied, having chosen to take the contract out.
There was no formal ranking system for Hunters, in essence they could take any contract that are publicly listed or one listed inside the Hunters guilds, building that Hunters and Huntress' can use to rest up, find jobs or to meet fellow Hunters.
But although there was no formal system, the Huntmasters, the ones who handled the contracts as middlemen or women but also made sure everything was running correctly. They knew the harder contracts, the ones where the most skilled were needed.
Everyone had their own networks of people they used and trusted for the harder contracts and as such would keep these contracts out of general listing and ask Hunters and Huntresses privately to take the jobs.
Over the several years Ruby had been a Huntress she had built up these contacts across the four Kingdoms with all manors of Hunters and Huntresses and as she got her name out there she was getting more and more high-risk contracts.
"Time to see Ozpin." Ruby mumbled to herself, walking straight past her next class to see the headmaster.
A/N
My aim now is to start posting this more now, I'm writing the Volume five final battle, which will be where the story will deviate from whatever happens in canon.
I wanted to get a fair amount of this story written out where I can start posting it and not feel forced to keep up with it, also over the next several days I'll be uploading another story I finished at long last.
Also, I'm looking for some prompts, I want to write some Ruby x Winter one shots or short stories but I'd love to get some prompts so I can work on writing different things. So please leave one in a review or PM me.
Anyway, until next time. Thank you for reading.