Grimm Ascension
An: I. HATE. THIS. CHAPTER! Ugh! Sorry that it's taken almost a full year to update this story, but this chapter just. Wouldn't. WRITE! I never anticipated this chapter to give me trouble, but that's how it goes, I guess. Anyways! If this chapter isn't any good, I apologize. I tried my hardest to get it right, and out before Vol. 6. So, nearing a year, and two months of staring at my screen have FINALLY payed off! So, read, review, and enjoy!
Chapter 2-Embracement
Jaune
"Raaaagggghhh!"
A makeshift scarecrow exploded upon contact with a well forged sword.
"Aaaaagggh!"
Another scarecrow erupted into kindling.
Exhausted panting erupted from the swordsman before he issued another battle cry and swung his sword in a wide arc, destroying an entire small army of scarecrows. The remnants of the wooden structures holding the dummies shattered under the force of the impact, and dirt was upheaved by the attack. The swordsman fell to his knees as exhaustion took over, revealing himself to be Jaune Arc, holding a hand to his chest.
A year and a half had elapsed since he and what remained of his team had reached Haven. And Jaune was furious. A full year had passed, and he still had no leads on where that damn Tyrian guy had taken Ruby! In fact, the whole situation with Ruby was forced to take a backseat to the more pressing matters he had been forced to deal with.
First and foremost was that damn Vernal woman, Qrow's bitch sister, who was somehow the Spring Maiden, The White Fang, Adam Taurus, and then that man…
Flashback**
Jaune gasped in pain as he slammed back into the ground. Ren, Nora, and Weiss soon followed after him. They didn't stay down long as Jaune roared and charged their opponent once more. The large, burly man slammed his fist into Jaune's chest, but the blond blocked it with his shield. Ren, back up as well, vaulted over Jaune and slashed the man with Storm flower, but the man raised his arms and blocked the attacks easily. Nora took this time to jump up and raise Maghild above her, poised to strike as Jaune prepared his sword for a stab.
The man reached out and grabbed Maghild before it reached him, while also grabbing Crocea Mors with his other hand. Twisting, he threw the two into each other, but Weiss used a Glyph to appear next to Nora and stab the man's arm. It was enough to make the man release Nora's hammer, and Weiss used the opportunity to drag Nora away from the man as Jaune and Ren attack him from two sides. The man blocked all their strikes effortlessly, as Weiss and Nora attacked from behind, but the man easily turned and evaded their strikes. As the four team up, they try fervently try to defeat the large man, but he evaded their attacks with professional ease. Ren tried to sever the man's Achilles' heels, but the man kicked him away and grabbed Nora's hammer again, and threw her at Ren, sending the two further away. He then proceeded to dodge every slash and strike from Weiss and Jaune before he maneuvered them so they'd run into each other. They grunt at their impact, as the man punched them away. They cried out and landed away from Ren and Nora.
The man grunted. "The four of you are remarkably skilled," he commented. Jaune scrambled back up and ran at the man. He attacked him, but the man blocked each strike and slammed his fist into the blonde's stomach. Jaune gasped and was thrown away.
"But you're impulsive," the man droned.
Nora snarled and pushed herself up again. The sounds of battle behind her demanded her attention, but she focused solely on the man before her. "Why?!" she had to ask. "Why are you supporting this chaos?!" She swept her arms out. "What do you gain from all this?!"
"It's not what I want," the man droned. "It's what Salem wants."
Weiss stood shakily. "But what do you gain from it?" she asked rationally. The man regarded her.
"I think the only statement I could make in my defense that you all would believe would be 'it's better to be the right hand of the Devil, than in his path,'" he answered, making Ren scowl as he stood.
"So you forsake humanity?" Ren asked calmly, though the steel in his voice was irrefutable.
"I don't expect you children to understand," the man grunted. "I am not here to make you understand my motivations for what I do."
Jaune growled and slammed his fist into the ground. "Alright then!" he snarled. "That's fine! I don't care about your damn motives! But answer me this: What does Salem want with Ruby?! Why did she want her brought to her alive?!" The man tilted his head and regarded Jaune for a moment.
"What does it matter anymore?" he questioned. Jaune snarled loudly.
"TELL ME!" he shouted. The man observed the teen for a moment before he saw something in Jaune's eyes. Grunting, he gave a short explanation:
"At first, it was only to satisfy Cinder's fragile ego." The man shook his head and continued, "But now…she is being subjected to an even worse fate."
That shocked the four Huntsmen in training. "Y-You mean…" Weiss whispered. "…She's…s-still alive?" The man nodded.
"Most likely wishing for death as we speak," he confirmed as the sound of multiple airbuses filled the skies. The group looked up and saw several airbuses arriving at the school. The four former students felt dread settle in the pits of their stomachs. The man frowned in distaste.
"That stupid fool," he muttered. "I told him to wait…"
Jaune, however, stared at the approaching air vehicles in trepidation. 'It's happening again,' he thought. 'The White Fang's using airbuses to bring Grimm here.' His fists clenched. 'Dammit! I can't let this happen again! They're going to kill innocent lives again! I've got to do something!'
That was easier said than done, though. His Aura reserves were close to empty. He gritted his teeth as he scrambled to think of a plan to stop the White Fang. Nothing full-proof was coming to mind, and as the airbuses came closer, he felt desperation cling to his form like a wet blanket.
Suddenly, he felt it. The power from Kuroyuri. He felt it churning within him. His eyes widened a fraction of a second before his face set into a stern look of concentration. Folding his shield back into its sheath mode, he sheathed Crocea Mors and allowed the shield to fold out into a sword. Gritting his teeth, he channeled the energy into his family's blade and ran at the airships. The others called out to him, but he didn't heed their cries. The airships stopped and prepared to open their hatches, which was all the incentive Jaune needed to issue a loud war cry and swing his blade as hard as he could.
Instantaneously, the sky turned white. Eyes turned to the skies as the airships exploded, and the sky parted for the surge of energy. The man's eyes widened to impossible proportions before sensing danger. He looked down just in time to watch Jaune, sword ready and vibrating with power, poised to stab him.
Flashback end***
The man (whose name Jaune later learned was Hazel) had survived, sadly.
Though, that might have been for Jaune's aim being thrown off from releasing so much energy against the airships and was barely standing at that point. Jaune had learned (the hard way) the power he inherited from the Vale King was, unsurprisingly, very physically taxing.
"You're improving," a voice came from Jaune's side. The blond turned to see a dark skin young man wearing a modest white shirt and brown pants. Black locks framed a youthful face and green eyes. Orange gloved hands gripped a black cane with an intricate handle. This was Oscar Pine.
However, given the more mature and sophisticated stance, the deeper tone to his voice, and the general calm attitude about him, Jaune knew that Oscar wasn't talking to him. Instead, it was Professor Ozpin, who had, through some convoluted curse, was reincarnated into Oscar.
Jaune exhaled exhaustion and slight annoyance. "Thanks," he said tonelessly. "Now you want to surprise me with the real reason you came out here?"
"Jaune," Ozpin sighed. "I know that I'm not the person you wish to talk to nowadays…especially after all that's happened…" Ozpin looked towards the destroyed scarecrows. "However, we find ourselves in a precarious situation…"
"Oh, yes. The situation that could have been resolved by you ages ago if you had killed Salem like you were supposed too!" Jaune interrupted bitterly, causing Ozpin to tense up. Jaune sighed. "S-Sorry," he mumbled grudgingly. "I shouldn't have went there."
"No. It's ok," Ozpin waved off. "I've accepted that burden a long time ago. I cannot change the past, but I can help to shape the future."
Jaune grunted to that. "So what's up?" he asked, getting straight to the point.
Ozpin appreciated the change of subject. "Our informants have returned and bring word that Salem might be getting ready to move again," he said. "I have talked to Ghira and we're meeting at his place to discuss our next move in one hour." Jaune nodded in appreciation.
"Alright, I'll get the others," he said, and began picking his things up. Ozpin scowled.
"Jaune, I…"
"No offense, Oz, I don't wanna hear it," Jaune interjected, sheathing Crocea Mors in a simple leather sheath. His shield/sheath had been destroyed during the fight for Haven.
"Jaune, you're letting your emotions rule you," Ozpin continued.
"So what if I am? Are you saying I shouldn't?"
"Not at all. But you should temper your resolve with caution," Ozpin continued. "Salem will not allow you to just take her if she is, indeed, alive. There's also the issue of-"
"Look, Oz, I'm in this because I believe it's right, but more so now…Ruby's still out there. And I won't rest until she's back with us…safe, and sound." With his piece said, Jaune walked on past him, making the professor sigh in exhaustion.
"You know, you really need to work on how you interact with Jaune," came the voice of Oscar Pine within Ozpin's mind.
'I know,' Ozpin thought to him. 'But I can't sit here and coddle him either. We're running out of time.'
"I get that," Oscar said. "I've seen your memories, and I know what's coming. But you I can also see that your current approach is going no-where."
'Yes, but I don't have much choice. Salem knows of Jaune's power now. She will stop at nothing until he is dead' Ozpin told him. Oscar was silent. 'Or…' Ozpin thought lowly. 'at her side.' The professor could sense Oscar's doubt on that.
"Do you really think he'd join her?" he asked.
'If what Hazel said about Ruby is true? Most definitely.' Oscar contemplated what he just heard. Having known Jaune for only a year and a half now, he knew he couldn't say with any certainty what Jaune would do in such a situation. However, he had a hard time seeing Jaune turning to Salem's side. Even for this Ruby Rose girl. Act it out just to try and save her? Maybe. But full on joining Salem's quest for genocide?
He couldn't help but doubt that highly.
With Jaune
Jaune made his way through the crowded streets of Menagerie. Searching through the crowds of people looking for the others, his mind wandered. Again, he couldn't help but think of Ruby and what she was happening to her at the moment. He attempted to shake his mind of those particular thoughts, knowing it would eat him up and make him panic and worry about nothing else.
He didn't need that at the moment.
His ears caught the tail end of a conversation, and he turned to see Blake at a street-side vender, buying fruit. She hadn't changed much in a year, save her attire changing to a long white coat and jeans tucked into her boots. Her weapon, Gambol Shroud, was strapped securely to her back. Jaune shifted his course to meet up with her.
"-Yes. Thank you," she told the merchant as she handed over the Lien for her purchases. She turned to see Jaune walking up to her. "Oh! Jaune! Done with training early, aren't you?" she asked, smiling at him.
"Oz showed up and said Queen's on the move," he spoke. "Said I'd inform the rest of you." Blake's mood turned somber.
"Anything on…?" she asked. Jaune shook his head, making Blake sigh sadly. "This is getting us nowhere," she said dejectedly.
"I know," the blond swordsman said. "But we'll find her. Whatever it takes." Blake nodded to that.
"So, we need to meet at my place?" Blake asked. Jaune nodded.
"Yeah. Meeting's in an hour, and we need the others," the blonde said. "You know where the others are?" The cat Faunus nodded.
"Ren and Nora are at my place already," she told him. "Sun and his team were making their way to your training spot, but if they meet Oscar along the way, I'm sure he'll send them back. Weiss is helping the medics down by the pier, and Yang…" She sighed. "She's at the usual place." Jaune sighed as well.
"Alright," he said. "I'll get Yang." Blake nodded.
"Then I'll grab Weiss," the cat Faunus said. She raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure you want to get Yang? I can do it if need be."
Jaune shook his head. "No. I'm good. Yang and I…" He paused in his speech. "This is good for us. All things considered." With that, he turned and walked off, leaving Blake alone. She sighed again, and made her way to the pier to retrieve Weiss.
The walk was lengthy, but it didn't bother Blake in the slightest. She weaved through the throng of Faunus stealthily, effortlessly paving her way to the waterfront. She looked around and saw Weiss tending to a few injured Faunus from a Grimm raid the other day. It was a sight to see: a Schnee on the isle of Menagerie, helping the Faunus race. It had taken Weiss several months to even walk around Menagerie without one of their friends as a bodyguard, but eventually, the citizens saw how she wasn't like her father, and slowly began to warm up to her.
Right now, she was tending a warrior's wounded leg, bandaging it securely. "There you go," Weiss said. "All finished."
"Thank you, Miss Schnee," the Faunus said gratefully, as Weiss nodded and stood deftly and started towards another patient. Blake moved towards the white-haired teen.
"Weiss," Blake called out, making the former heiress turn to her. She smiled at the sight of her friend, but the subdued look on the Faunus's face made her frown.
"What's up, Blake?" she asked.
"We're needed at my place," she said. "Apparently, the Queen is on the move." Weiss's frown deepened. She nodded and turned to the other medics.
"I need to go. Can you finish up here?" she asked. The medic nodded, making Weiss nod back to her. She motioned for Blake, and the two made their way to Blake's house. For a while, the two were silent.
"Anything on Ruby?" Weiss asked in a low tone. Blake shook her head, making Weiss sigh. "That's going to go over well with Yang," she muttered.
"I know, but it's only a matter of time now," Blake reasoned. "Now that she's returning, there's the chance we can find Ruby." Weiss nodded to that.
"Where is Jaune, by the way?" she asked, looking around. "I thought he'd be the first to know about this?"
"He was. He informed me, and went to get Yang," Blake explained, getting a grimace out of Weiss.
"Are we sure that's still ok?" she asked hesitantly. "I mean, yeah, the two of them have been better since…then, but Yang is still…" she struggled to think of the right word. "…wound up."
"They both have the same goal," Blake reasoned. "What they feel about each other is mute compared to that."
"Maybe, but I know that there's still some animosity that lingers in Yang's heart," Weiss said. "We all have some, if only a little." Blake winced as if struck, while Weiss chewed on her lip. While she had no choice in leaving, the guilt she felt in leaving her team and partner haunted her. Learning how Ruby had been captured only increased it, and brought forth a sense of bitterness in how Jaune, Ren, and Nora couldn't protect her. Sadly, Ren made it perfectly clear what he had thought about that…
***Flashback…
Jaune landed on the ground hard, his nose broken and blood flowing from it. Ren immediately stepped in front of him.
"Yang! That's enough!" he shouted. His response was an angered roar and a fist to his face. Nora grabbed the fist before it could contact Ren.
"Cut it out, Yang!" she shouted.
"NO!" the enraged blonde screamed, throwing another punch, which Nora caught. "YOU THREE LET MY SISTER GET CAPTURED BY A PSYCHOPATH!"
"We tried to save her!" Nora protested, pushing Yang back.
"BUT YOU DIDN'T!" she screeched. She jumped up again and leapt at Nora, but Weiss and Blake grabbed the Huntress and tried to hold her back.
"Yang! Calm down!" Weiss ordered as she struggled to hold back the brawler.
"This is getting us no-where!" Blake attempted. Blake's attempt to calm Yang down, however, only made the blonde growl louder.
"YOU LEFT HER TOO!" she shouted, turning on her partner. She threw a punch, but Blake dodged. "YOU JUST PICKED UP AND LEFT US ALL! AND YOU DARE TO TRY AND DEFEND THEM?!"
She attempted to throw another punch, but surprising all, REN jumped forward and punched Yang right in the face. She slammed into the ground with a thud as Ren stood above her. Everyone stared at him in shock. Yang groaned and rubbed her sore cheek.
"You are a good hypocrite, Yang," he said with a tone. Yang looked at him and glared. "Blake may have left first, but you left Ruby as well." This enraged Yang.
"THAT'S NOT-" Yang began to shout, but again, Ren shocked everyone.
"YOU DID!" he roared at her, making the girl reel back in shock. "You were there before Ruby left, and according to her, you would never respond to her when she asked you to come with her! You were so caught up in your own problems, that you completely ignored your own sister! When she was in danger, you weren't there to save her! You were too concerned about yourself and your own pity!"
"S-Shut up…" Yang growled, shoulders shaking.
"Yes! We failed to save her! But at least, we were there TRYING to save her!" Ren shouted at her.
"Shut up! Shut up!" Yang shouted again, covering her ears with her hands.
"Even your uncle was injured trying to save her! Yet I don't see you unloading on him! You just blame Jaune because he's our…"
"Shut up! Shut up! Shut…UPPPPPP!" Yang exploded, sending flames everywhere and punching Ren in the face. He grunted and stumbled away from the blonde brawler, who had fallen to the floor and was curling up into a ball, crying pitifully at her failure to save her precious little sister.
…Flashback End****
"Yang?" the firm call of Jaune broke the blonde out of her thoughts. She had been overlooking the ocean for about an hour, trying to drown out the oppressive sounds of her negative thoughts. It only worked partially well on the best of days, but it kept her from panicking. Those thoughts, however, had taken the form of Ruby, who was blaming her for her suffering, asking her why she left her alone, demanding Yang quit acting like she cared for her; which only furthered Yang's ongoing misery and pain.
Not turning around from her sitting spot, she asked, "What do you want, Jaune?"
"Ozpin says Salem's on the move," Jaune answered. "He wants us at Blake's house to discuss our next course of action." This caused Yang to look at him.
"Seriously?" she asked hardly. He nodded. She sighed and stood. "Good." She turned and began walking back to the village. Jaune followed soon after.
The walk back was silent. Neither had any reason to talk. As they neared Blake's home, Yang finally broke the silence: "You still owe me a fight."
Jaune sighed. "I know."
Sometime after Yang's outburst about Ruby's fate, the brawler demanded a spar to settle their differences on the matter. Jaune didn't protest, but only asked for a chance to train first, so he'd be a better fight for her. Yang had reluctantly agreed, and waited patiently.
"We'll have that fight before we leave Menagerie," Jaune promised. Yang nodded as they reached the stairs leading to Blake's home.
"Good."
"Now that we're all here," Ghira Belladonna, Blake's mountain of a dad, announced as everyone took a seat in a large conference room, "it's time to discuss our next course of action."
"Salem is on the move again," Ozpin said with Oscar's voice. "It's most likely she'll attack Atlas next."
"Why not Shade?" Kali, Blake's mom, asked. "I mean, wouldn't Shade have less defenses than Atlas?"
"The relic under Atlas is far more important to Salem at this moment than the one under Shade," Ozpin commented. "If the Relic of Creations falls into Salem's hands, there's no telling what she may do with it."
"But wouldn't the Relic of Destruction be better suited for her?" Weiss couldn't help but ask. "I mean, if what you say is true, Professor, then the Relic of Destruction would be best for her to cause untold amounts of panic."
"That may be true, but consider this," Ozpin rebutted. "With the Relic of Creation, she could use it to create new kinds of Grimm. Grimm that are stronger, faster, smarter, and far more vicious."
Ozpin let that sink in. Nora and Ren turned green at that, remembering the Nukevalee, and just how dangerous it had been. Even Ghira and Kali grimaced at the imagery that brought on. Yang just growled in annoyance.
"But Atlas is still locked down," Weiss reminded. "Since what happened in Haven, Atlas has closed its borders and is letting no one in or out. General Ironwood even said he didn't think having the Relic we have now in Atlas was a good idea with how things have been this past year."
"And if it was up to me, I wouldn't let the Relic stay in Atlas in arm's reach of Jamie even if the world was ending," Qrow Branwen commented, taking a swig of his flask.
"Well no one's asking you, you drunk degenerate!" Weiss shouted hotly, glaring at the shabbily dressed man.
"Chill out, Ice Princess," Qrow grumbled. "You're making my head hurt."
Weiss was about to snap at him again, but Blake placed a hand on her shoulder, shaking her head no. The ex-heiress scoffed, but quieted down.
"Despite any grievances any of us have with James, or Atlas, we cannot focus on any of them at the moment," Ozpin said, regaining everyone's attention. "Right now, all that matters is protecting the Relic of Creation. If it falls into Salem's hands, nothing will stop her from sending, and possibly, creating a new Grimm army in an assault to acquire the Relic of Destruction from Shade."
"So, Atlas is our next destination, huh?" Jaune asked lowly, eyes narrowed.
"Yes," Ozpin nodded.
"What about Ruby?" Yang asked suddenly. Of course, this had everyone turning to her. Ozpin sighed loudly.
"As of right now, we don't know where she is," he answered. "And until we know more, we can only assume she's next to Salem…and out of our reach," he added at the last minute.
"That's not good enough, Ozpin!" the now red eyed Yang growled as she slammed her fist down on a table, shattering it.
"Yang!" Weiss reprimanded, but Yang ignored her.
"My sister is out there! Being tortured by…the fucking queen of Grimm! And we're just sitting here doing nothing, while she's suffering!" Yang shouted.
Jaune stood and grabbed Yang's shoulders reassuringly. "Yang," he said, gaining her attention. "Ozpin could have said it better, but he's right. Even if we knew where Salem was, we wouldn't be able to get to Ruby to save her. He may not be doing as much as we'd like to help Ruby, but at least he's doing something."
"Jaune," Ren cautioned, but Jaune waved him off.
"Ozpin is right, though," Jaune continued. "Atlas is our top priority right now. If Salem's cronies get her that relic, we're all going to be in trouble. And if we're lucky, while we're protecting the relic, we might can capture one of those cronies and then we squeeze all the information we possibly can out of 'em to find and save Ruby." That placated Yang slightly. She huffed and went back to her seat.
"Jaune, you can't make a promise like that-" Ozpin warned, worried about the swordsman's state of mind, but Nora spoke up at that moment.
"And why can't he?" she asked. "We all want Ruby back with us! And one of this mad woman's pawns has gotta know where Ruby is!"
"And what would be the cost?" Ozpin reasoned. "There's no doubt that even if, and that's still a very big 'if,' we capture one of Salem's group that they'll know anything about Ruby. And if they did, it's very doubtful that we would get much information out of them."
"As much as I hate to agree, Oz has a point," Qrow commented hesitantly, wincing when Yang turned a furious, red eyed glare of disbelief and betrayal his way. "Hear me out. There's just no way of knowing if they have any knowledge of Ruby, and if they did, what are you willing to do to get that info?"
"Whatever it takes," Jaune answered instantly.
"Jaune are you even listening to yourself now?" Ozpin asked in a stern tone. "Are you willing to become like them just to satisfy your guilty conscience?"
"Who said anything about becoming like them?!" Jaune demanded hotly.
"Jaune, are you willing to resort to torture just to get that information?" Ozpin tried again, making Jaune pull up short for a moment. Seeing an opening, Ozpin continued, "I understand your predicament, and I respect your resolve, but can't let your emotions rage out of control like-"
"'Like what?' Ozpin?" Blake asked in a hard tone.
"Blake!" Kali admonished her daughter, but Blake ignored her.
"Were you about to say something like, 'can't let your emotions rage out of control like a child?'" she asked with a growl.
"Ms. Belladonna, that's not what I meant-"
"Except that's exactly what it's sounding like," Blake interrupted. Ghira attempted to grab his daughter's shoulders, but Ozpin waved him off. Though reluctant, Ghira backed off as Ozpin looked to Blake.
"Ms. Belladonna, I know that the issue with Ruby has hit all of you close to home, but losing ourselves will get us no-where. Especially since…"
"There it is again!" Blake growled. "That condensation! That's what I'm trying to say! You talk as if we're still kids!"
"Now, Blake, I don't think that's what-" Ghira tried to reason with his daughter, but she interrupted him.
"Beacon," she growled, making everyone flinch. "The White Fang, Ruby gone, the siege of Haven?!" She moved closer to Ozpin and ground out, "We stopped being kids a long time ago, so quit treating us like that!" She looked Ozpin straight in the eye and said, "You said the day we got back to Menagerie that now things would get serious. Yet, for a whole year, the only thing we've done is train, and been given the bare minimum information about Salem, and her goals. That stops now."
Ozpin sighed audibly as Oscar said to him; 'You realize that she won't give this up, right?'
'Even still, she is right. I've been holding back saying anything about Salem for a long time; I suppose I can't hold back anything anymore…'
Ruby
Ruby stared blankly at the pale skinned woman before her. Her mind kept trying to rationalize what she was hearing. Salem continued to smile at Ruby.
"M…M-Mother…?" Ruby breathed in confusion. Salem simply chuckled softly.
"Yes, Ruby," Salem said with a nod. "You were made Grimm by the Virial, a viral Grimm Watts and I created." Ruby flinched and growled at the name 'Watts,' but otherwise didn't move from her spot. Salem chuckled at her. "The Virial transformed your physicality, making it Grimm, yet with my intervention, it allowed you to retain your human side, allowing you to keep your Aura and sanity. Making you, Ruby, a Knightmare, my newest and most powerful Grimm."
Ruby had trouble comprehending what was happening. Her heart fluttered in elation, fear, and excitement. She tried to think of something to say, but before she could, a loud, indignant voice yelled out, "M-Mistress! You can't be serious!"
Ruby turned around to see a group behind her and Salem. The speaker was an amber eyed woman in a red dress and an eyepatch over her left eye. Near her was a mint haired girl and a grey-haired boy staring at her in fear, horror, and shock. Ruby narrowed her eyes at them. They looked familiar…
"Cinder," Salem said calmly, "what seems to be the matter now?"
"She was supposed to suffer!" Cinder hissed angrily. Ruby frowned as the familiarity in the voice. "That was whole point of putting her through that process! Not to make her your…your…'daughter'!"
"She's paid her debt to you in dividends, Cinder," Salem told the woman. Ruby hissed quietly as she attempted to remember why this woman was so familiar. "Is it not better for her to be on our side now, especially with her being as powerful as she is now?"
"She has not suffered enough!" Cinder protested. "She took my eye! My arm!"
"And we've taken far more from her. What else is there to take?" Salem asked.
Ruby, however, was only half listening to this. She hissed again as the pain intensified. 'Stupid pain!' she hissed mentally. 'I wanna remember!' Suddenly, her mind miraculously cleared, showing her a memory of this woman atop a tower, some girl her age. Who was that? P-Pyrrha? Yes, that was right. Pyrrha. The memory played out to show the woman (Cinder) shoot an arrow into Pyrrha's chest. The memory sparked anger, betrayal, and pain. Rage built in her mind, pressing her to act. To rip Cinder to shreds. To utterly destroy her. To BATHE in her blood!
To exact her VENGENCE!
Ruby groaned and grabbed her head as she tried to make sense of the conflicting emotions. Why was she so angry at this woman? The Rage pressured her into just giving in, but Ruby didn't want to. She might disappoint Salem. She didn't want that. Suddenly, the answer came to her, in the form of other memories involving Pyrrha. Memories of the redhead laughing with her. Visions of the two teasing some dark-haired guy and orange haired girl. The two training together. Pyrrha smiling and saying…
'Pyrrha was…my friend…?'
"Ruby?" Salem asked in concerned. She had been attempting to sate Cinder, when Ruby groaned. She turned to her and noticed she looked in pain. She called out in concern, but her newest Grimm's head snapped up suddenly, and locked eyes with Cinder.
"You," Ruby breathed. Cinder looked at her in angered confusion. Ruby's eyes narrowed dangerously as a low growl resounded in her throat. Cinder's confusion rose a bit.
"YOU!" Ruby snarled viciously and pounced on the Fall Maiden. Cinder was so shocked that she could not properly stop Ruby's enraged charge and was immediately slammed into at full speed, causing her to cry out in surprise and pain when she suddenly was stopped against a stone wall, making large slabs break off and fall around them.
"Cinder!" Emerald shouted, and tried to help her, but Salem stopped her. Emerald was ready to protest, but Salem's stare held her in her place. Cinder, meanwhile, finally got the chance to retaliate and quickly placed both feet on Ruby's chest and kicked her away.
Ruby landed on her feet and tried to race back to Cinder, when she noticed a large fireball right near her face. Instinct took over, and Ruby's entire body suddenly flashed red, and she vanished in a flurry of red rose petals. A gust of wind and scattered rose petals were the only warning Cinder got before she was dropped kicked through a wall. Cinder cried out as the pain registered, and grunted as Ruby raked her new claws across her ruined face. Ruby viciously swiped at Cinder's face like a mad Grimm, snarling and screaming incoherently as she attempted to slice through Cinder's Aura. Cinder pushed Ruby off of her and quickly formed glass-like swords and began swiping at Ruby. Ruby couldn't react in time and took the brunt of the strikes, with small snarls of rage. Cinder raised her arms to slam her weapons down on Ruby's shoulders, but the newly dubbed "Knightmare" snarled and punched the Maiden hard in the gut. The Wind flew out of Cinder's mouth alongside spittle and blood as Ruby slammed her fists into Cinder's chest two more times.
Cinder cried out as her Aura flashed, but Ruby was relentless and alternated between punches and swipes with her claws. Cinder tried her best to get another swing in, but Ruby didn't give her any chance to. She punched at her chest and slashing her claws across the one-eyed woman's face. Only her Aura kept her face from being turned into mincemeat. Cinder tried to send a fireball at Ruby, which forced her to dodge. Cinder tried to send another her way, but Ruby swept Cinder off her feet. The woman gasped as she landed hard on her back.
Cinder tried to retaliate, but Ruby suddenly jumped up and landed feet first on Cinder's arms. The now red-eyed girl bent down and began to slam her fists into Cinder's face. Again.
And again.
And again.
And again.
Soon, Cinder's Aura finally gave out, flickering like dying embers. Ruby snarled in victory and began beating in the woman's face with renewed vigor. She was able to slam her fist into Cinder's good eye and bloody up the woman's lip before she was pulled off the Maiden, much to Ruby's fury. She snarled and attempted to break her capture's hold, but he held her tight and, in a way, where she couldn't punch, kick, or head butt them.
"ENOUGH!" a short, clipped voice rang out, breaking Ruby out of her bloodlust. She turned to her side and saw Salem giving her a blank stare. Dread soon take hold of Ruby's heart. Salem looked disappointed in her! This was the EXACT thing she was trying to avoid! Her face reflected her despondent mood.
Salem and Watts checked up on Cinder while Hazel held onto Ruby, preventing her from moving. Other than a busted lip, a black eye, and several bruises, the Fall Maiden looked like she'd be ok.
"So, Ruby," Salem asked in a blank tone, making Ruby wince. "Why did you attack one of my associates?" Ruby frowned a bit as the anger returned in earnest.
"She killed Pyrrha!" she hissed quietly. "She killed my friend!" Salem tilted her head to the side.
"I am aware of this, but I thought you were having trouble with your memory, Ruby?" Salem wondered. Ruby blinked at that, showing her confusion as well. "What changed, Ruby? Did you lie to me?"
"NO!" the red- and black-haired girl shouted desperately, waving her hands around frantically. "It's just…" She tried to think of what to say. "T-That woman seemed so familiar…and…I was trying to remember why, and…I just couldn't…b-but…then I remembered her killing Pyrrha. And all I felt was rage! Fury! A desire to cut that bitch's head clean off!" Ruby growled at the last sentence. "B-But I wasn't sure why! And I didn't want to disappoint you! But…" Her face darkened. "I suddenly remembered Pyrrha was my friend, and…and…I…" She bowed her head in despair. "I lost control. I'm…I'm sorry…!"
Ruby's shoulders shook slightly as she attempted to control her warring emotions. Salem, however, chuckled and placed a hand on Ruby's cheek. The young Grimm was shocked, but she quickly began rubbing against the hand, seeking comfort.
"Oh, Ruby," Salem said soothingly. "I'm not disappointed in you." Ruby's heart soared in elation. "In fact, I'm actually impressed you held back your new instincts, for even a brief instant." Ruby looked to her in confusion, making the dark woman chuckle. "You are, essentially, a New-born Grimm, Ruby. They are not known for their control or planning. To be able to think rationally, if only for a moment, shows me that the procedure was a success, meaning your new Grimm side has melded together with your human side. Though, that does raise the question of how you remembered that so quickly…"
"I may have a theory on that, Miss Salem," Watts commented, coming up next to the woman. The sight of him made Ruby flinch back, whilst snarling balefully. Watts chuckled at her. "However, I'd need to assess her more thoroughly before I can be truly certain."
"Very well, but not today, Watts," she answered, making Ruby turn to her. "She is still weak from the procedure, so I'll be taking her to her room and allowing her to rest for a few days. She deserves some rest after what has happened." Ruby looked confused and wondered what she meant by that. She attempted to remember again, hissing at the pain and black blob that clouded her mind. She gritted her teeth and attempted to remember when Salem called out to her.
"Ruby? What are you remembering?" she asked. Ruby looked up at her in confusion.
"You," she whispered, confusing the woman. "You…let him hurt me." Her voice was confused, unsure whether to express anger or betrayal. Salem sighed.
"I was Ruby," she admitted, making her new creation narrow her eyes at her.
"Why?" she asked, half way between normal and a growl.
"Because before you agreed to the procedure that made you a Knightmare, you had been my enemy, my dear," Salem told her gently. Ruby blinked, not comprehending what she said.
"Huh?" Ruby asked.
"You were following one of my enemies, your old headmaster, Ozpin," Salem explained. Ruby frowned at the familiar name, but she hissed at the pain again. "He was attempting to indoctrinate you with his own ideals and force you to be something you were not."
Ruby frowned at that. That particular tidbit of information made the rage cloud her mind again, but this time, she pushed it away with a growl. "That doesn't explain me," she told Salem. The dark woman nodded.
"True. But it brings me to my other point," Salem said. "You see Cinder's eye?" Ruby looked to the dark-haired woman and saw an eyepatch. "That was part of your handiwork. Took her eye and left arm, and damaged her voice box for a time. That, Ruby, is why you were under Watts' care until you agreed to the procedure." Ruby half whimpered-half snarled at Watts' name, but didn't interrupt Salem.
"You were my enemy for a time, and as such, I was forced to treat you like one," the Grimm woman continued. "But now, you're not my enemy, and I don't have to treat you like it." Ruby looked to the woman and frowned.
"I…was your enemy?" she whispered. "But why…?"
"You were taught only one truth, Ruby," Salem placated her. "But now, I can teach you another, more correct version." The Knightmare looked to her creator.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"I mean, if you are truly willing, you can join me, and like I promised you before, I will never abandon you," Salem told her, making Ruby's heart flutter. "By agreeing to help me, I can help you become all that you were denied working for Ozpin."
Ruby looked confused. "What was I denied before?" she wondered aloud. Salem smiled darkly.
"Identity, power," she answered. "You were a potentially powerful piece to Ozpin before the procedure, Ruby, yet he continued to deny you that. As of now, you have the potential to be one of the most powerful people in this room, baring myself, Ruby. And all you need to do…is embrace that."
Ruby looked down to her clawed hands and mulled over what Salem was telling her. Her mind hurt from the information overload, but she got the general gist of what was told to her. This Ozpin, whoever he was, had tried to force her into submission? Blotches of black, memories of pain, and a haze of red compounded in her head when she tried to think of it, making her wince at the suddenness of it, as she forced down her rage. She looked back up to Salem and saw her looking at her, waiting patiently for Ruby's answer.
"What do I have to do? When can I start?" Ruby asked, making Salem smile.
"Soon, Ruby," she answered. "But for now, you need rest." She placed a hand on Ruby's shoulder. "The procedure took a lot out of you. It would be best for you to rest for a few days." Ruby looked ready to protest, but Salem cut her off. "I must insist, Ruby," the dark woman said. "The procedure has severely weakened you, my dear. You are already shaking as it is."
Ruby looked down and saw Salem was right. Indeed, her legs quivered in strain in an effort to stay standing. She looked back to Salem, who simply looked at her with…compassion? "Please, Ruby, don't strain yourself," she asked softly. Ruby looked at her and sighed in exhaustion.
"F…Fine," she muttered, making Salem smile and nod.
"Come with me, Ruby," Salem said, motioning to the side. "I will show you to your room. I have had it prepared for you for some time now." Salem held out a hand for the teen. Ruby, hesitantly, reached for it and grasped it.
Salem began to guide Ruby out of the room, until she stopped just at the doorway. "And Watts," Salem called back, turning to look at the scientist. "Make sure Cinder is patched up for me, please."
"It shall be done, ma'am," Watts said with a nod. Salem nodded back and turned back. The group was silent until Salem and Ruby were out of sight. Watts then took that moment to mock the Fall Maiden.
"I must say, that was a spectacular showing by Miss Rose!" Watts proclaimed, looking down at Cinder. "Um, Cinder darling, how are you doing after that humiliating beatdown? Eye hurt? Any ribs broken?"
"Shut…Up…!" the amber-eyed woman growled.
Ruby began to feel the fatigue now that her adrenaline had finally ran its course. Her body shook as she walked alongside Salem down dim, frigid hallways. Salem stayed silent as she led her newest creation along, and Ruby struggled to stay upright. Soon, however, Salem came to a stop in front of a random door and opened it. "Here we are," she announced, moving aside and ushering the Grimm girl in.
Ruby obliged and walked in, narrowing her eyes as she scrutinized the room. It was a modest, if Spartan, sized space with a dresser, workstation, and a bed. The Knightmare looked around and saw a window off to the side showcasing a broken moon flying in a red sky.
"This will be your own personal room to use as you wish," Salem said, regaining Ruby's attention.
"Why are you doing all this?" Ruby could help but question.
"Because you are my ally now, Ruby," Salem answered. "More than that, you are effectively my daughter. As such, you deserve the appropriate treatment. A room to call your own is but a small gift I can give you." Ruby looked out the window at that as her heart beat sped up. "Should you need anything else, please let me know, okay?" Ruby looked back to her and nodded.
"Sure thing, M-Mother," she said softly, making Salem's face light up in dark glee.
"Very good," Salem said smiling. "I will let you rest, my dear. I have a few matters I must attend to, so I must take my leave." Ruby looked disheartened at that, making Salem chuckle. "Goodnight, Ruby," she said as she walked out of the room. "Pleasant dreams."
"Goodnight…M-Mother," Ruby called back as the door closed behind Salem.
"I have so many questions…"
"You will have to learn how to fight, if you want to help your 'Mother,' and I can help you with that."
"I'm going to kill you! I'll kill you for what you did to me, you little freak!"
"I never expected her to be as strong as she turned out to be…"
Chapter 3-Training
"…Hmhmhm…Ozpin, you truly were a fool!"