A Cosmic Journey

A/N: Happy late 2020 to all the readers, and thanks for all the well wishes. Apologies for the late update and the paltry chapter length, just needed a little more time to get into the writing groove. Hopefully getting back into a normal schedule will help whip me back into creative shape, as counterintuitive as that sounds. Now for reviews.

AlexFalTon: Yup, some of what I wrote was definitely a long time coming in the canon show, so perhaps this fic is my way of explaining an earlier payoff. As for teams, the current intention is not to rock the boat too much in terms of pairings, but you are correct that there will be other new entrants besides Miltia and Melanie present. As for the goddess, it was my little twist on the whole self-insert genre, since the lack of an explanation for how Kouzai ended up on Remnant was eating at me a little. As for the goddess being an OC, I figured that it'd be best to avoid the Brother Gods since they're who knows where in canon, and I didn't want to upset anyone by using an established deity.

Gizmo Gear: Indeed, much plot twist, though I'd like to think that things are just getting started now that the fic has reached the canon timeline.

NeedingOfLifeGoalDude: That's a good question. In all likelihood, Kouzai will not be on any of the canon-established teams like RWBY, JNPR or CRDL. As for who's on his team though?

Raidentensho: As always, you've got some creative weapon ideas, but I've got something a little different in store for Kouzai. You're on the right track though.

Seiko: Thanks for hopping aboard the hype train. Hopefully the short break in between chapters wasn't too big a dampener on the hype.

Pyromaniac Rabbit: Great question. The short of it is that things aren't necessarily picture-perfect in the Rose-Xiao Long-Branwen household. Even with Raven's changed actions from canon, there were and still are issues in her personality and actions that need to be smoothed out in terms of her relationship with the rest of the family. Some of the hints have been acknowledged in previous chapters if you're curious. As for teams, while remaking teams and pairings would be great for all the creative interactions and plot, it's a bit of a narrative nightmare with far too many combinations to choose from. At least at the moment.

R26: Well, color me surprised to see you in the review section. Thanks for the read. In terms of the story structure and pace, the different options are something that I left in there just to give a glimpse of what might've been, which pops up in terms of the omakes I put in occasionally. The pacing was more of a tricky element, as I wanted to properly flesh out the pre-canon storyline without making readers (and myself) wait too long to get to canon events. Now that we're finally at Beacon, we can expect things to slow down a bit to get some more development, interaction, and yes, fluff, in.

Chapter 18: It's Better Safe

Chapter Date: 01/13/2020

'This has got to be the most idiotic idea I've had yet, and coming from me, that's saying something.'

I was seated on a rooftop overlooking part of Vale's downtown commercial area. There for the last few hours, I'd been there to watch tens of thousands of people stream by, and eventually for the sun to set and Remnant's shattered moon to rise.

'I'm gonna have hell to pay once I get back to Ren and Nora, or at least Nora. She's been badgering me to show her the sights of Vale, somehow oblivious to the fact that I've gone without my eyesight for nearly all of the past year. At least they brought the idea of me heading to visual acuity therapy.' Setting aside the potential pitfalls of having to weave that lie into the mound of others, I focused on the streets below, specifically on the one shop in particular.

From Dust Till Dawn.

This was the second day of me coming out to this spot, something that I'd begun to do after waking up from that mind-boggling dream I had. 'Ignoring whether Primordia is real or not for now, at least one of her points still stands.' After waking, I'd put a number of hours that early morning into looking over my journals, trying to figure out what changes I might've made, before getting bodily removed from my apartment by an insistent Nora, Melanie and Miltia for an impromptu shopping trip. However, I had enough time to figure out that one event had yet to be completed, one event that could determine the entire course of canon.

And that one event relied on two parties, one of whom had entered the shop but a few minutes beforehand. A black dress, stockings and combat boots, lined with red trim and lace. Iconic accessories like the silver rose emblem on her belt, or the fluttering red cloak fastened to her shoulders. Red-tipped dark hair obscured from my view potentially the only other pair of silver irises on Remnant, and likely the only pair that really mattered.

'Alright, that's Ruby accounted for. Thank the gods for the small blessings.' Ruby Rose showing up to the shop was the easy part, though still uncertain. After Yang's lack of trashing Junior's club, or more importantly, Team STRQ's defense of Amber from the League of Evil, it was no longer a certainty that Ruby would have free rein to do as she pleased. But for pretty much the entire course of canon events to kick off, she needed to get into Beacon, despite being two years younger than the average applicant.

Though her appearance only accounted for the easier side of the equation. As canon went, Roman and some of Junior's men would show up, try to rob the dust shop, get stomped by Ruby, and end up with Roman escaping and Ruby getting admission to Beacon by Ozpin. Now though? Thanks to Roman among others popping up alongside Cinder to fight Amber, I wasn't sure if the crime boss was willing to show his face in Vale proper with Ozpin and others likely searching for him.

'And if Roman isn't there to rob the shop, Ruby won't fight him and Ozpin won't have the pretense to offer her early admission to Beacon. So if Ruby needs to fight a criminal to get into Beacon…' I tightened my hands over Protector and Conqueror, gazing down through my volto mask. Garbed in my 'work' clothes, I'd opted to leave Mirror's Edge at home, bringing along a hastily-painted Corona, Luna and Protector and Conqueror instead.

'If someone evil doesn't show up to rob this place before Ruby leaves, I'll have to do it myself…meaning I'll have to fight Ruby…oh gods, what if Glynda shows up?' My face paled at the idea, but as I shuddered off the imaginary agony I'd experience at their hands, movement on the street caught my eye as a familiar white coat appeared in view. 'Oh, thank you…'

With Junior's men still accompanying Torchwick, I watched them enter the stop quietly before noticing the scared civilians still outside. Namely, the ones with their scrolls out. 'Ok, looks like the cops have been called. Meaning that there's probably less than five minutes before all of this goes down and the police arrive. Time to not look like the Specter.'

Pulling off the robe, mask and switching my shoes for good measure, I stuffed them all into a bag before dropping the thing a few stories into the dumpster below. Now dressed down to my combat outfit, I grabbed Luna to re-sheathe it just as the sound of shattering glass rang out in the night.

'That was fast…' I looked out over the roof, and sure enough, Ruby was standing over one of Junior's men with Crescent Rose in all its complex and lethal glory. In roughly half a minute, the rest of Junior's men quickly approached and were subdued with bone-breaking force. 'I really hope those were the men that have Aura…'

I watched as Roman and Ruby had their momentary standoff, then quickly searched the area for the Bullhead that Cinder piloted in canon. However, both the ground and the skies appeared mercifully clear of aircraft in general.

'What the…without a Bullhead nearby, how was Roman and his crew supposed to make a getaway? Did Cinder chicken out? Or wait, is she even capable of piloting a Bullhead right now? But if she's not here then…ohhhhhh boy…' The telltale sound of Melodic Cudgel firing drew my attention, as Roman was already making his way up the ladder with Ruby fast recovering. 'Ahh Grimmshit…looks like I'm getting involved after all…'

… … …

Ruby fired Crescent Rose to clear her landing on the roof, before glaring at Roman Torchwick's back. "Hey!"

"Tch…" The crime boss turned slowly, a glare to match her own. "Persistent…End of the line, Red!"

Ruby prepared herself for his attacks, but before she could react, her Aura flared as something stabbed deep into her Aura shield and pushed her forward. Whirling around with Crescent Rose to ward off the attacker, Ruby came face-to-face with a short girl whose theme had to intentionally be Neapolitan ice cream. However, the girl's malicious smirk, not to mention her bladed parasol, were the opposite of sweet.

With two attackers on opposite sides, Ruby chose to face the bigger threat for the moment and turned to face Torchwick, only to see his face light up in glee.

"Big mistake, Red!" Ruby turned, but the short fighter had already closed in, her parasol poised to stab into her Aura again.

CLANG

Ruby blinked, as a figure dressed in dark clothing appeared from out of nowhere, with two metal nightsticks that had diverted the blade's path to the side. Silver, emerald, and pink and brown eyes fell upon the newcomer.

"Two-on-one seems a little uneven, don't you think?" the boy questioned, before grimacing and muttering something about 'introductions' under his breath. Strangely wearing sunglasses at night, his head turned momentarily towards Ruby before jerking in her direction, or rather, behind her. Getting the boy's intent, Ruby turned back to face Torchwick, who was no longer smiling.

"This isn't a playground, boys and girls! Run along back to your moms and dads before someone gets hurt, namely, you." Torchwick raised his cane again.

BANG

A Dust projectile like a firework streaked forward, and Ruby fired Crescent Rose to become airborne again. Passing below her, the shot continued straight on for her temporary ally. "LOOK OUT!"

Without so much as a nod, the boy grabbed his opponent's blade with a gloved hand, and swung both weapon and girl around into the path of Torchwick's shot. Letting go, both objects collided with an explosion of Fire Dust, as Ruby strangely heard the sound of shattering glass. Landing beside the boy, she turned to look at him but saw that his gaze was focused on Torchwick, as well as the girl who had somehow emerged unharmed at his side.

"Good show kids! OW! Wasn't talking about you…better luck next time." Torchwick, after rubbing his arm, tipped his hat, and the boy sighed and unceremoniously fired a shot with a pistol, streaking right for Torchwick's head. Glass shattered as both combatants vanished into a pile of collapsing glass, and the boy holstered his weapons with a shake of his head before stiffening in the silence.

"Um, thank you for the help. What's your-hey!" Ruby watched incredulously as the boy leapt right off the rooftop without a word, hitting the street below and dashing into the night. "Well that was…rude…"

Realizing that the sound of sirens had cut off, Ruby trailed off as a woman with a purple cape dropped from the sky onto the rooftop, wreathed in purple Aura. Looking around, the woman's bright green eyes focused on Ruby with laser intensity, something that was lost in the process of gazing in awe back.

"You're a huntress…can I have your autograph?!"

… … …

'Holy…that was far too close for comfort…' I leaned against the alley wall, head against the brick as I firmly clutched the bag containing my Specter gear. 'Meeting this many bigshots and main characters is bad for my health…'

After realizing that Neo's very existence, not to mention her appearance alongside Roman during the fight with Amber, meant that she could freely accompany him in his heists, I just barely managed to make it in time to prevent a disastrous fight between Roman and Neo against Ruby. 'Volume 3 showed how well that went.'

Capturing them would've been ideal to stopping whatever Cinder's next plan was in its tracks, but the chances of a Pre-Beacon Ruby and I stopping Roman and Neo were nonexistent, so I'd settle for a no contest. As soon as I felt Glynda's Aura fast approaching though, I beelined in whatever direction I could manage to stay out of the Huntress' sight. Although not in my Specter guise, I didn't know what changes my appearance alone beside Ruby could make. Ozpin wouldn't miss this opportunity to get Ruby into Beacon, but better not to take chances.

Then the thought occurred to me. 'If I'm already this nervous at one encounter with some of the main characters, what's gonna happen once I start Beacon?' I laid a hand on the pouch containing my journals and sighed. 'Guess it's back to late nights hitting the books…this is way more reading than I did in college…'

… … …

… … …

"-it was no trouble at all, Taiyang. Rest assured that Ruby's admission into Beacon will not be jeopardized by trivial hurdles such as deadlines and ages. I will personally deal with any questions from disgruntled applicants and the Council if need be. You need merely celebrate with your family. I'll be in touch."

Ozpin ended the scroll call, before turning to a concerned Glynda. "What trouble's you, Glynda? Surely, it is not the matter of Ms. Rose's early admission, given the changed circumstances requiring her necessary protection."

"No, Sir, the circumstances do require action be taken. It's just…having met the girl, do you believe that her temperament, skills and knowledge are sufficient to be a student here at Beacon? Protecting her is all well and good, but if Ms. Rose were to suffer undue hardship from being advanced beyond her capabilities, would that not still be harmful?"

Ozpin took a sip from his mug. "You are undoubtedly right. Ms. Rose's beliefs are rather simple, and her acquired knowledge is quite likely less than that of the average accepted student. However, in my time, I have come to accept that trivial things such as knowledge and skill can be acquired with perseverance. The true ideals of a Huntsman or Huntress, however…those are hard-pressed to induce. Though her beliefs are simple, a simple is indeed powerful in its own right."

Glynda nodded. "If such is your decision, I will respect and adhere to it. On the matter of Ms. Rose's statements, however, the ones concerning her ally against Torchwick and this Neo. From the statements described, it appears that one of our other potential students, Mr. Higure, was also in the vicinity during this period of time."

"And that is perhaps fortunate, even if he sought to exit the scene before your arrival. After all, should harm have come to Ms. Rose before your appearance, I fear that we would have a very angry and very combat-capable family to deal with." Ozpin rose from his seat to turn to the window. "Kouzai Higure and Ruby Rose…both with silver eyes, but one without the gift that normally comes with them…curious…"

… … …

"Hah…Hah…we need to get one of Cinder's punks to bring a Bullhead next time, or at least get Junior to lend us better men…nearly got my suit dirty, and all for a few canisters of powdered Dust…Bully Boy better appreciate that I'm such a consummate professional, otherwise I'd be pushing low-quality Dust his way in a heartbeat…not to mention I saved his ass from those three monsters and that Monster…" Roman trailed off, turning to the side as Neo had a finger on her cheek in thought. "What's eating you? You've been remarkably quiet…well, more so than usual."

Neo mimicked two circles over her eyes, and Roman nodded. "The kid with the shades, right? Certainly was a surprise, though the two definitely didn't know each other. You think he might be a problem?"

Neo made a few motions, one involving her hand grabbing Hush as Roman whistled. "He actually managed to read your attack pattern? Kid's definitely got some skills, enough to get one over…you…"

Roman glanced sideways, to see Neo's eyes glinting with her mouth in a sadistic smirk. "Oh Dust…first that blond Huntsman, and now this kid…seems like you've got your hands full of fun for a while…just remember, we've still gotta work with Matchstick and the others…for now…"

A/N: Again, apologies for the short length, but I'm not quite up to snuff yet. The other thing is that I'm trying out a slower pacing to allow for better development and such. I will aim to bring the chapter length back to a more respectable amount starting next week though.

As for the chapter contents, it wouldn't be a stretch to say that much of the plot hangs upon Ruby getting into Beacon. For such a coincidental meeting between Ruby and Torchwick in that pilot, it really turned out to be for the best. But if such a meeting had to be artificially manufactured? Meanwhile, I figured that Neo's appearance instead of Cinder would be a given, considering that Neo wasn't conceived before Season 2, and from which point appeared alongside Roman in every possible episode. Not to mention, Cinder wouldn't put herself on the front line if she could help it, but Mercury and Emerald hadn't been created yet either. And of course there's the fact that in this fic at least, Cinder's dealing with the teensy issue of loss of a limb.

Will Ruby find out who Kouzai is? Will Ozpin find out who Kouzai is? Will Neo stab Kouzai? Find out next time on Dra-wait, that's copyrighted. But in actuality, see everyone next week.

-SE

Next Chapter Date: 1/20/2020