Hero: A RWBY AU Story

Chapter 12

BEACON ACADEMY-HALLWAY

As a number of students exit the many classrooms in Beacon Academy, someone stops in front of a locker. Taking out her Scroll, she presses some buttons and the locker door opens. Yang puts a couple notebooks into it and closes the door before walking down the hallway.

"Hello."

Yang turns and sees Pyrrha, who catches up to her, walking with the blonde.

"Sup." Yang said. "So...you ready to help me out?"

"The sooner we find your soul mate, the better." Pyrrha said.

Yang is confused. "Soul mate?"

"What? Did you think we'd be searching for someone who you'd be dumping later in the future? Oh, no. Not a chance."

"...Eh. Alright. No need to argue about it. Where do we start?"

CAFETERIA

Pyrrha and Yang sit down at a table, looking at the numerous students entering the place.

"How about him?" Pyrrha asked, looking at a third-year student with gelled hair.

"Nah." Yang said. "Heard he's in love with his hair." She sees a girl with long blue hair. "What about her?"

"I don't think so." Pyrrha answered. "Rumors are that she's not into any girl with prosthetics."

Yang groans and lets her head hit the table. "We're already doing bad."

"It's just the first day of searching." Pyrrha said. "Don't give up now."

As Yang lifts her head back, she sees Velvet, who is smiling as she enters. "What about her?"

Pyrrha is confused. "Velvet? Do you even know if she's into girls?"

Yang shrugs. "Maybe. But I have no idea."

"Well...if you think you're right, go up and ask her."

Yang watches as Velvet turns to look at her, before quickly turning back to where she's walking.

"...Not yet. But we should probably stop staring before it gets creepy."

"Yeah." Pyrrha said.

"Too late."

Pyrrha and Yang quickly turn to see Coco, who is standing near them, and nodding.

"You guys are losers." She said, before walking towards Velvet's direction.

"That wasn't nice." Pyrrha said.

"Well she is Velvet's teammate." Yang said. "They act like sisters, sometimes."

"Who acts like sisters?"

Yang turns and sees Ruby, who is with Weiss and Blake. Her teammates sits down.

"Velvet and Coco." Yang answered.

"Those two?" Blake asked. "Of course."

"Yeah." Ruby said. "But...aren't they...like..."

"They're not." Weiss asked. "Velvet told me."

"Aw man." Ruby said. "I was kinda betting that they were."

"And you me 10 Lien."

Ruby groans in annoyance as she and the others turn to see Sun, who is carrying his tray of lunch.

"Sun?" Pyrrha asked. "What are you doing here?"

"...uh...eating lunch?" Sun said in confusion. He then hears the giggles from Blake, before realizing something." You didn't tell them. Didn't you?"

"I may have...forgotten about it." Blake smirks before she takes a bite of her sandwich. "My team already knows. But everyone else...I wanted it to be a surprise."

"Team SSSN transferred to Beacon." Weiss explained to the still-confused Pyrrha. "I bet it was a huge surprise to Neptune, Sage and Scarlet."

"Oh, they're mad." Sun said. "They liked Haven Academy. But it'll take some time for them to forgive me...hopefully." He then turns to Ruby. "Pay up, Ruby."

Ruby sighs and takes out 10 Lien, giving it to Sun.

"I knew Rabbit girl and Adel weren't together all along." Sun continues. "But Coco always like to tease about that rumor. Kinda surprised, though. She is hot. And she is just so awesome. And I bet if someone like me were to-"

Sun stops talking upon seeing Yang's eyes go wide and giving a hand signal by waving her hand by her neck. He then slowly turns around to see Coco, who is squinting her eyes at him. He chuckles nervously and slowly starts to back away and sprinting out of the cafeteria.

Ruby covers her mouth as she tries to suppress her laughing, while Blake quickly gets up and stops Coco, who was beginning to chase Sun.

"He was only teasing, Coco." Blake said. "I'll make sure he regrets saying it?"

"Why can't I?" Coco asked. "Why do you get to do-"

"They're a couple now." Weiss answers. "And Blake sure can make Sun behave."

Coco raises her eyebrows and nods in surprise. Smirking, she turns and proceeds to sit back down next to Velvet.

"So." Yang said. "I assume we all have our plans set?"

"Yep." Ruby said. "Blake goes with Sun to Vale for the bookstore. Weiss will be training. Ren and Nora are going to help Goodwitch. You and Pyrrha will be hanging out. And that just leaves Jaune and I. Even though we haven't figured out what we'll do for the day."

"I'm sure we'll think of something fun." Jaune said. "Lots of opportunities at Beacon. So many choices."

"While you do that." Yang said as she and Pyrrha stands up. "Pyrrha and I will be heading out. Our special project will be taking some time to finish. Figure we get it done ASAP."

"We'll see you guys all tonight." Pyrrha said. "Going to be a busy day for the two of us."

As they group watches Yang and Pyrrha leave, Ruby notices Yang trying to grab Pyrrha's hand, only to back her arm away. Ruby then notices Winter near the exit and turns to her friends.

"I'll be back, guys. Got some...important stuff to do."

As the group watch Ruby walk out of the cafeteria, Weiss raises her eyebrow. "Since when does she do any important stuff?"

WINTER'S ROOM

"You do realize, that the mission is tonight, Miss Rose."

Winter is talking to Ruby, who sits down and listens.

"Of course I do." Ruby answers. "Torchwick and Cinder will be at a warehouse in the docks, along with the White Fang. I haven't forgotten."

"And yet, you've made plans." Winter said. "Do you realize the kind of situation that you're in, right now? How are you supposed to be in 2 places at once?"

"Well, I could use...oh." Ruby said as she realizes. "I just realized that I don't have my speed Semblance anymore. Oh, boy."

Winter sighs and mumbles.

"I could make this work, Winter." Ruby said. "Just give me a second to think."

Ruby begins to walk around the room, thinking. Winter takes out a glass and fills it with a clear liquid. And Ruby suddenly stops, as if a light bulb appeared over her. "I got it!"

Winter picks up the glass and turns to Ruby. "Okay. Before you say anything...drink this."

Ruby raises her eyebrow. "Um...why?"

"Just drink it!" Winter exclaims.

"Okay!" Ruby exclaims back before taking the glass and drinking the liquid. After chugging the rest, she begins to gag and cough.

Winter grumbles as she pats Ruby's back.

"What did you just give me?" Ruby yells.

"Relax." Winter answered. "You'll know in due time. But it's harmless. And you wont feel any different."

"Okay." Ruby said. "But if I suddenly turn into a giant bird, I'm blaming you."

Winter smirks. "Weiss told me, that you've always dreamed about turning into a bird."

"Weiss promised me not to tell anyone." Ruby said before leaving the room.

Winter sighs and takes out her Scroll as she sits down.

OZPIN'S OFFICE

"You're kidding me. Right?"

Qrow stands in disbelief in front of Ozpin, who is looking at some papers on his desk.

"I'm afraid so." Ozpin answered. "It seems that Miss Rose and Winter are aware of Miss Fall's location in Vale. They plan to attack her and Torchwick before James' forces arrive there."

"And why haven't you done something about it?" Qrow exclaims. "That's my niece we're talking about here."

"I understand, Qrow." Ozpin said as he stands up. "Miss Rose is just a child, who has much to learn, if she is to grow up later in life. And in order for her to do so, she must make mistakes in her life, that'll help shape her."

Qrow looks at Ozpin in disbelief. "So you're allowing them to go?"

"Not just the two of them." Ozpin answers. "I've arranged a set of events that I guarantee will ensure Miss Rose's safety. In the meantime, I would suggest you keep an eye out for her. From what I'll know, she'll be in Vale along with Mr. Arc."

"Great. Babysitting." Qrow said, before his eyebrows go up. "Wait. The Arc kid? The two of them? By themselves?"

Ozpin chuckles. "Indeed. And I'm guessing that you'll be watching over them, I believe."

"Oh, you better believe that." Qrow answered. "She is my niece after all."

"...Speaking of niece." Ozpin said as his smile fades. "I do wish to speak to you, in regards to Miss Xiao Long."

EVENING - DORM ROOM

Yang is humming as she walks around her room, while Pyrrha sits on Yang's bed. The latter is looking thorugh sheets of paper, with information.

"There's that second-year in history class. The one with the tail and orange hair. I'm told that she has a fondness for blondes."

"Hmm...nah." Yang said. "Heard that she's had many partners."

"Very well." Pyrrha said, before she tears a sheet apart and throw the pieces onto a small pile.

Yang groans before falling to the ground, lying down. "We've been at this for hours. Don't you think we need to take a break or something?"

Pyrrha looks at her Scroll to check the time. He eyebrows raise in surprise. "I think you're right. Yeah. A break, we will have. Tomorrow, we should continue after class."

Yang slowly sits up, looking a bit nervous. "Um...I think...maybe another time."

Pyrrha notices Yang's change. "Yang? Is something wrong?"

Yang realizes what is happening and tries her best to void answering, thinking of excuses. But she would sigh. "You and the others will know, sooner or later." Yang then climbs and sits down next to Pyrrha and staring down at the ground below her. "I...when Ozpin wanted to talk to Ruby and I...he offered me something."

"...And what did her offer?" Pyrrha asked.

"Well...he pretty much offered...to be my therapist. He's allowing me to skip by last class and instead, I'll talking to him. About what happened during the attack on Patch. My arm. And the state I'm in."

Pyrrha is surprised to hear this. "That's...awfully generous of Proffessor Ozpin. It's rare for any student in Beacon to be given an audience with him. He tends to be a private man."

"He sure does."

Pyrrha places her hand on Yang's shoulder, feeling the shaking that the latter is doing. "Are you alright?"

"...I'm...I'm scared." Yang said.

"It's understandable." Pyrrha said. "You haven't told anyone about what happened. It's natural to feel scared. But look on the bright side. It'll be private. And only Ozpin will be speaking to you."

Yang slightly smiles and nods. "Yeah. I suppose you're right. But...still feel a bit scared."

"Well how about this then?" Pyrrha said, before she proceeds to give Yang a hug.

Yang is surprised by the hug and looks chuckles nervously. "Um...thanks." She quickly turns her head away, trying to hide her blush.

"Feel better?"

"...A little warm...but yeah. I do feel better."

The sounds of a Scroll ringing, makes the two of them look at the one on a nearby drawer. Pyrrha releases her hug, allowing Yang to jump off her bed and go to it. When she looks at the message, she reads it and her eyes go wide.

"Pyrrha. Go get your team. Right now."

Pyrrha's Scroll rings and she takes her out. Reading the message, she jumps off the bed and exits her room.

1 HOUR LATER - VALE

Jaune and Ruby are walking along the streets of Vale, each of them holding a bag.

"Yep." Jaune said. "Just two cool kids out...shopping."

"Awww." Ruby said. "You think I'm cool. That's sweet."

Jaune smirks. "I do my best. Now then. We've already stopped by the ice cream store, checked out some weapons and shopped for some new clothes. Thinking you're about tired, now?"

"Hmmmmmm..." Ruby said, thinking. But she knows the answer. "Nah! There's just one more place to go, before we head back."

"Where else could we go?" Jaune asked. "We've already went to that weapons shop that you like so much. Then the bakery. Then the weapon shop again, for some reason. And we just got out of the clothing store. What other place in Vale, do you like?"

"...Ummmmmm...yeaahhhhhh...I've..." Ruby try to say, as she taps her fingers together. "That's what I wanted to talk to you about."

"RUBY ROSE!"

Ruby's eyes go wide as she and Jaune stop. She slowly turns around and sees Weiss, along with the rest of Team RWBY and Team JNPR, standing almost 10 feet away. Weiss is walking towards her with anger on her face.

Ruby chuckles nervously. "Weiss! What brings you to Vale...with the others?"

"We need to talk, Ruby." Blake said.

"Yeah." Yang said. "We do."

Weiss stops close to Ruby before speaking. "We know what you're planning tonight. And all of us here, are pretty much mad at you, right now."

"Guys." Jaune said. "Come on. We're just doing a bit of shopping...mainly for her. But-"

"I wasn't talking about that!" Weiss exclaims, before turning back to Ruby. "The warehouse? By the docks?"

Ruby's eyes go wide. "What? H...how did you-"

Everyone except for Jaune raise their Scrolls, all of them showing the message that they received. Jaune would then proceed to take out his Scroll and is surprised to have the same message.

"Cinder Fall is at the docks?" He said, before looking at Ruby. "Is this why you wanted to hang out with me? So that you could try to catch her?"

"No! No! No!" Ruby exclaims. "It's because I wanted to hang with you. Honest. It's just...Cinder also...happened...to be in Vale."

"And you didn't even bother to tell us." Weiss said. "Your own team. Your friends. Why?"

Ruby stammers as she tries to come up with an lie.

"Don't even try to lie!" Weiss exclaims as she grabs Ruby's arm. "We're going back to Beacon. Right now!"

"But Weiss-"

They're talking is interrupted by the sound from a small distance.

"What was that?" Ren asked.

Ruby, knowing something, quickly proceeds to sprint towards the now-rising smoke.

"Ruby!" Yang exclaims, before she follows. The rest of the group proceed to do the same thing. After a minute of running, the group stop running, surprised to see what blew up. A warehouse. The fire has already spread everywhere inside, spewing out every window.

"Oh, man." Jaune said, before he turns and notices someone exiting the burning building, holding her side as she coughs violently. "She needs help. Ren. Go help her. Pyrrha. Nora. Search for more survivors."

As JNPR disperse, Yang looks at Ruby, who has her eyes wide in shock. "Ruby-"

The sounds of someone yelling, causes RWBY to see other's exiting the building and falling to the ground in pain. Weiss, Blake and Yang sprint towards them, in order to help. Jaune notices that Ruby is still, trying to contain her emotions.

"She lied to us."

Jaune quickly turns to look at the injured woman, who Ren is wrapping bandages around her waist.

"Who lied to you?" Ren asked.

"...Cinder Fall."

Ruby overhears Cinder's name and quickly walks to the woman.

"She held me and my coworkers hostage for the last 2 days. She just wanted the warehouse. She gave her word. She would not harm us. But she lied. She and her partners left a bomb, and then they just headed out."

"Do you have any idea, where they went?" Ruby asked.

"...I...I might've overheard from this guy. Gray hair. Cocky attitude. Had robotic legs."

"...Mercury." Jaune said.

"Yeah." The woman said. "I might've heard him saying something about a train...and Vacuo. And...he also mentioned...3 months."

"They're fleeing." Ruby said. "They're fleeing to Vacuo. They must be planning something. And coming back in 3 months. We have to stop them. The nearest train station is a couple miles away."

Ruby begins to walk towards a direction. But she would be stopped when someone grabs her arm. She quickly turns back to see Jaune, who is the one stopping her.

"What are you doing?" He asked.

Ruby tries to free herself, but Jaune's grip is strong.

"Are you going after her?" He asked. "Are you?"

Ruby stares at Jaune before speaking. "I had a chance to stop Cinder. Back in Patch. I had her in my reach, Jaune. And I let her go. I let her go, and she ended up doing this. It's my fault. It's my fault, this happened."

"Don't you blame yourself, right now." Jaune said, releasing his grup.. "These people are hurt, Ruby. And we have to help them."

Weiss hears Ruby yelling and walks to her. "Ruby. Jaune is right. We need to help them until the ambulances arrive."

""No, no, no, no!" Ruby exclaims. "We need to get to Cinder right now! We have to head to the train station! We need to stop her from leaving to Vacuo!"

"We can't do that." Weiss said, anger in her voice. "Right now, we need to get these people to safety. The fire is spreading beyond the warehouse and we need to do this now."

"As long as Cinder Fall is still out there, no one is safe!" Ruby yells. "I know how we can defeat her. I have to fix this. I need to-"

"YOU NEED TO FIX WHAT?" Weiss screams out, shocking Ruby, and getting everyone's attention. "YOU DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAUSED THIS, RUBY! Not everything is about you!"

Yang, watching this, begins to get angry.

"These people need us here. We can do good now"

Jaune looks in surprise as Weiss continues to speak.

"Besides. How are we going to stop Fall and her accomplices? If you couldn't stop her in Patch, you can't stop her now. We want to help you, Ruby. We do. But truthfully...we're going to need to be better. Stronger, if we're to ever stop Cinder, once and for all. Otherwise...we'll fail. You know we will."

Ruby just stares at Weiss, before lowering her head. Weiss places her hands on her hips, knowing what she just did.

"We're going to help these people." She said. "...And then we're heading back to Beacon."

Ruby slowly nods as she walks past Weiss and towards an injured man. Weiss sees Yang, still mad, and walks to her. She stops as Yang calms down.

"I didn't want to scream at her." Weiss said. "You know that, right?"

"I do." Yang answered. "But it was uncalled for. Don't scream at her again. Okay?"

As Weiss and Yang go to tend to the wounded, Winter is standing at a nearby roof, over-watching them and having listened to their conversation.

"Crap." She said. She would then take out her Scroll and answers and incoming call. "What?" She listens for a few seconds, before her eyebrows raise. She then sighs. "I'm on my way back, right now."

TRAIN

"Very clever, Roman"

Cinder, along with Torchwick, Emerald and Mercury, are aboard a train that is riding past mountains, toward its destination.

"Holding those people hostage AND then blowing up a warehouse." Torchwick said. "Now that was a good idea, on your part. But the blowing up part: took a lot of influence to get some dynamite. But I am one of the best, after all."

"...Maybe not one of the best." Cinder said. "But it was clever. And because of you, we've are now on our way to Vacuo, to speak with the Headmaster at Shade."

As Cinder speaks, Emerald is looking at Mercury, who has fallen asleep with a comic book over his head. Hidden behind her back, Emerald's Scroll is on...and recording.

OZPIN'S OFFICE

"Sooner or later."

Cinder's voice is heard from Ozpin's Scroll, as Qrow, Winter and Goodwitch listen.

"We'll return to Vale. And when we do...they will not expect us."

Ozpin puts his Scroll away and sighs before speaking. "Well, the good news is that we managed to prevent Miss Rose from attacking the warehouse in Vale, which at the time was full of overnight workers on their break. We may have prevented her from going down a dark path. But..."

"Fall got away." Qrow said. "For now. One day, they will return. And we need to be prepared for when they do."

"Indeed." Ozpin said. "And my reports say that James and his army have realized the false reports and are currently heading back to Atlas at the moment."

"Did they even stop to help anyone injured in the explosion at the docks?" Qrow asked.

"No." Winter said. "I didn't see any Atlesian ship or soldier at all."

Qrow scoffs. "Of course."

Ozpin turns to look at Winter."Miss Schnee, I will need to speak to you privately right now. Glynda. Qrow. Take your leave."

Goodwith and Qrow proceed to head for the elevator as Winter watches them. When the elevator door closes, Ozpin proceeds to stand up and look at Winter.

"What exactly were you thinking, Miss Schnee?"

Winter looks confused. "I'm sorry?"

She notices some anger in Ozpin's eyes as he spoke. "I am aware that you relayed the information about the warehouse to Miss Rose, the night before. And that forced me to inform the rest of her team and her friends. And thankfully, they were able to bring her back to Beacon. But this wouldn't have happened, if you never spoke to her. What exactly do you have to say for yourself?"

Winter, surprised by what Ozpin said, is desperate to come up with an excuse.

"Can't find a reason?" Ozpin asked. "Don't, then. Understand this. It is my responsibility for the safety of my students. And you've managed to endangered one of mine. I am disappointed in your decisions, Miss Schnee. And I am in disbelief that you were willing to participate in the attack. What would've happened if you and Miss Rose went ahead with this plan of yours? If that explosion never happened at the warehouse, how many innocent people would've been hurt by the two of you?"

"...Many." Winter answered, looking scared.

"Exactly." Ozpin said, as he sits down. "But they won't be, because of me." He then sighs. "Consider this a warning, Miss Schnee. If I find out that you tell any secrets from this group again, you promptly break my rules...your position in this Inner Circle, as well as a teacher here in Beacon, will both be revoked immediately. And that means no protection from Ironwood or the Atlesian military. You'll be on your own from then. Do you understand?"

Winter is shocked to hear these words. But nevertheless, she nods and proceeds to head to the elevator. Ozpin watches as doors close, before proceeding to go look out his window.

TEAM RWBY DORM ROOM

Ruby sits on in her bed, her arms around her knees, and bearing a sad look. Nearby, outside their dorm room, Yang is speaking to Weiss and Blake.

"She hasn't said a word, since we got back." Blake said.

"I have never seen her this...sad. Ever." Weiss said.

Yang watches Ruby through a crack in the door. "It's better than what would've happened, if she went into that warehouse. She could've been hurt."

Weiss looks at Ruby as Yang and Blake talk. As the two speak, Weiss proceeds to slightly open the door, entering their dorm room. She slowly approaches her and Ruby's bunk bed before placing her hands on the latter's bed. "Ruby?"

Ruby doesn't turn her head towards Weiss. Instead, she stares at the wall next to her.

"Can I come up?" Weiss asked. "I promise not to scream at you. Okay?"

Although Ruby doesn't look at Weiss, she slowly nods her head. Weiss then proceeds to climb Ruby's bed, crossing her legs as she sits.

Outside the room, Yang and Blake watch the two in the room, having noticed.

"Ruby." Weiss said. "First of all. I wanted to say...I'm sorry."

Ruby slowly turns to looks at Weiss.

"I'm sorry for screaming at you, back in the docks. I didn't want to. You know that. But...it was the only way to stop you. From doing something stupid. Like getting yourself hurt or..."

Weiss doesn't finish her sentence. Instead, Ruby speaks.

"I almost went through it." She said, tears falling down her face. "After Patch...after what she did...I wanted to hurt Cinder. Real bad. I wanted to go to the train station...and I wanted her to regret making me angry."

"But you didn't." Weiss said.

"Yeah. Because of you. I was about to down a dark path. I'm 16 years old, and I was close to becoming the thing that I vowed to stop. I almost became the bad guy."

Blake turns and sees Yang has rested her head on the wall next to the door. She also sees the latter shakily gripping her left hand.

"I don't want to be the bad guy." Ruby said. "I want to be a Huntress. I want to be a hero. Someone who stops bad guys and be inspiring to kids who want to become heroes as well."

"And you will." Weiss said. "I know it. Yang knows it. Blake knows it. Everyone does. Because..." She points to a section of Ruby's chest, where her heart is. "Your heart is good. Pure. It always will be."

Ruby slowly smiles. "Uh...that's sweet of you, Weiss. Thank you."

Weiss smiles back. "Winter used to say words like that, whenever I was sad. And to tell you the truth...I was afraid, I was going to fail."

Ruby chuckles. She stares at the ceiling for a few seconds, before proceeding to jump off her bed. Weiss follows and they both land of the floor. Ruby turns to Weiss, still smiling.

"Thank you for your kind words." She said.

The two hear the door close and turn. Blake is helping Yang, who is staring at the ground. Ruby goes to Yang and stops in front of the latter. Yang lifts her head up as she suddenly receives a hug from her sister, surprising the former.

"I'm sorry for scaring you." Ruby said.

Yang is still for a couple seconds before she hugs back. "Promise to not do that again."

Ruby halfway separates the hug in order to look at Yang with a smile. "I promise."

Yang begins to smile and wipes the tears off her face. She then looks at Weiss. "Thank you."

Weiss heads to her teammates and stands next to them. Ruby wraps her right arm around her, with Weiss doing the same to the former. Yang raises her other arm towards Blake, who does the same. Together, Team RWBY embrace each other in one hug.

"Awwwwwwwwwwwwww!"

The team quickly turn to see Nora, who is awestruck at the embrace. Ren and Jaune were behind her, smiling at seeing the 4.

That is just so adorable." Nora said, before quickly proceeding to hug the whole team at once. "Oh it's so good to see you four smiling at once."

"Thanks...Nora." Ruby said, trying to speak. "But...can we...breathe please?"

"Nora." Ren said, crossing his arms. "You're suffocating them."

Nora releases his grip, so that the team could breath.

"We're glad that everything's working out." Jaune said. "You really scared us, Ruby."

"I did." Ruby said. "I hope it doesn't happen again. I'll try."

Yang notices someone missing. "Where's Pyrrha?"

"In bed." Jaune answered. "Guess she was more tired than I thought. Anyways. Tomorrow. 1st day back in classes. Excited?"

"I sure am." Yang said. "Looking forward to combat classes again."

"One -on-one, you versus me, 1st match of the class?" Nora said.

"Oh, you know it." Yang answered.

MIDNIGHT

As the moonlight shines through the window of Team RWBY's dorm room, the team lie asleep in their own bed. Well, all accept Ruby. She stares at the ceiling as the moonlight reflected on it. Sighing, she proceeds to carefully get off her bed, and goes to her drawer.

30 MINUTES LATER

Ruby yells as she slashes as a makeshift target, as having destroyed several. Angrily panting, she just stands stare, looking at what she just destroyed.

"I know, this must be hard on you."

Ruby turns and looks at her Scroll, which is once again, playing Jupiter's message.

"And I am truly sorry, for never telling you, about my condition. I...I was afraid, that if I did tell you...maybe you would've-"

Ruby then suddenly pauses the video, before picking up her Scroll. Tears begin to fall down her face and her hands begin shaking.

"You want me to move on." Ruby said. "You don't want me to grieve you, forever." She holds her Scroll and leans her head down, her forehead touching the screen. "The only for me to move forward...is to leave you behind." Her emotions begin to let go. "I don't want to let you go."

Ruby tightly squeezes her Scroll, but not enough to shatter it, due to her strength. After a minutes, she shakily breathes as she lifts her head and touches the screen. She then presses a couple holographic buttons, and a message.

Delete Message? Yes or No?

Ruby reaches her head towards her answer, but then freezes. She stares at the video of Jupiter as more tears begin to fall down. And after another minute of hesitation, she says "...I'll always love you."

Ruby then proceeds to press Yes. And the video disappears.

Video Deleted.

Ruby begins whimpering upon doing so, and drops her Scroll to the ground. She then falls to her knees and places her hands on her face, as she begins to sob. She she cries, she falls to her side and just lies there, her emotions letting out.

3O Feet away, within eye's view, someone watches as Ruby lies on the ground in a fetal position. Jaune, having heard Ruby leaving, decided to quietly follow. Upon seeing everything, he sadly bows his head and sits down at the nearby wall. With Crocea Mors ready, he prepares in the event of any Grimm coming. Jaune then lifts his head and stares at the night sky, where the many stars light it. As he stares up, he begins to think.

How can I help her be happy again?

END OF CHAPTER 12