Dead By Roselight
Chapter 2: Broken Message
Two Bullheads had left Vale and were heading towards Atlas. One of the Bullheads was carrying Glynda Goodwitch with team JNPR, while the other one had Ozpin and team RWBY. The aircraft with the headmaster and the three girls was completely silent on the inside, as the four passengers were each deep in thought over what they had recently heard. Ruby Rose, who had been missing for three years, could possibly be found.
The three girls of team RWBY were sitting in nervous silence, wondering if they could finally see their precious team leader again. Would she be alive? Could she be injured or ill? How much had she changed over the last three years?
However, there was one big question that was on the three girls' minds. Would she ever forgive them for what had happened?
The silence was suddenly broken by Ozpin clearing his throat and getting the attention of at least two of the three girls. Yang was too lost in thought to really notice him.
''I have to say, I was expecting you three to be a bit more noisy during this trip,'' the headmaster said with a small smile. ''I was certain that you three would be asking questions from me non-stop.''
''We do have questions, Professor,'' Weiss said. ''But this is just so... overwhelming. For three years we couldn't find a single clue on Ruby's disappearance, and now we suddenly hear about someone that could possibly know where she is.''
''We shouldn't get too optimistic, Weiss,'' Blake suddenly told her teammate. ''Remember that we looked everywhere for her and used everything we had to find her. Now someone just suddenly appears and claims to know Ruby. Whoever this person is, this just seems to good to be true.''
''How can you say that!?'' the heiress yelled angrily at her teammate. ''After three years of nothing, we finally have a clue on possibly finding Ruby! How can you such an attitude when we could possibly fix the biggest mistake of our lives!?''
''Because things don't often go like that,'' the cat faunus answered in a sad tone. ''No matter how much we wish that things would turn out well, there is always a good chance that they end up badly. In the end, all we can do is hope for the best, while being prepared for the worst. You should know that, Weiss.''
The white-haired girl went silent over her teammate's answer. Despite her wanting to say that Blake was wrong, she knew that the faunus girl was correct. There was no guarantee that they would actually find Ruby, especially when you considered how conveniently their possible clue had just appeared. After not finding anything, someone just suddenly appears and claims to know Ruby. It didn't take a genius to see that as suspicious or at least too good to be true. There was a high possibility that they would just end up wasting their time.
''While I do see your point, Ms. Belladonna, I think you need to be a bit more positive about this. This is still a chance for us to find Ms. Rose and we should not forget it,'' Ozpin said before turning his attention to Yang. ''What do you think, Ms. Xiao Long?''
Yang just remained silent, like she didn't eve hear the headmaster. The blonde girl was just staring down at her feet, completely lost in thought.
''Ms. Xiao Long?'' Ozpin called out to his student again. ''Is everything alright?''
''Oh! I'm sorry, Professor Ozpin. I was a bit lost in thought,'' Yang replied, having been broken out of her thoughts. ''I do understand what you guys are talking about. That we need to be hopeful about this. And that we have to also be prepared for the possibility that nothing comes out of this. But despite all of that, there is one thing on my mind more than anything.''
''What's that?'' Weiss asked.
''What will I say to her, once I see her? Or do?'' the blonde answered.
The three girls went silent, as they started to think about what Yang just said. Even if they were to find Ruby, what would they do? They were obviously going to take the girl back with them and make sure she was alright. However, that still left a big problem. The way they had treated the redhead must have left some scars on her. How were they going to make things right between them again?
''I wouldn't worry too much about that,'' Ozpin said with a smile. ''I'm sure you three will figure out what to do, once you finally meet her.''
Before anyone could say anything else, Ozpin's Scroll let out a sudden beep, telling him that he had just received a message. The headmaster took the device out from his pocket and started to read the message. As he read it, his brow furrowed out of confusion. Apparently, there was something strange going on.
''Is something wrong, Professor Ozpin?'' Weiss asked out of curiosity.
''Not really, but I just received some odd news,'' the headmaster answered. ''The people at the staff were tasked with contacting me upon finding out new things regarding this case. They just sent me a message about something the boy has told them. Apparently, he has just told them his name.''
''What's so strange about that?'' Blake asked.
''The fact that no one should have this name anymore,'' Ozpin explained. ''You and Ms. Xiao Long probably don't know this, but your teammate might. Tell me, Ms. Schnee, is the name Copperhawk familiar to you?''
''Only a little. I think it was mentioned when I was being taught our family history. If I remember correctly, the Copperhawks were a noble family in Atlas that were close friends with us Schnees,'' Weiss answered. ''But I don't think they exist anymore, as their family died out almost a hundred years ago.''
''That is correct. However, the boy said that his name is Jonathan Copperhawk and that he's the heir to the Copperhawk family,'' the white-haired man explained, causing his students to go wide-eyed. ''It's hard to believe that such a thing would be possible, though.''
''Who cares if it's true or not?'' Yang suddenly asked. ''That kid might know where Ruby is and that's all that should matter. Whether he's a noble or not doesn't mean a damn thing to me.''
A few hours later, the group had finally arrived at their destination. The Bullheads landed on the roof of a large hospital in Atlas, where the mysterious boy was being held. Almost as soon as they had landed, the group exited the aircrafts and started heading towards where their only clue to finding Ruby was being held.
After entering the hospital, the group was guided to a secluded room. Before they could enter, a doctor walked up to them and stopped them.
''I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to ask that only a few of you enter this room,'' the doctor said. ''The patient there has been a rather difficult case. He's been very unresponsive to any of our questions and has displayed signs of depression. We fear that his mental state is not in good condition and that he may be harboring suicidal thoughts. I would prefer if only three of you were to enter.''
''What!? But we all have a right to see him!'' Nora yelled angrily.
''I agree! That person may hold a clue to finding our-!'' Jaune began, but his and the rest of JNPR's complaints were cut off by a glare from Glynda.
''When you're in a hospital, you will follow the staff's instructions with NO objections,'' the blonde teacher scolded her students. ''Otherwise, we might get thrown out.''
With silence and peace having returned to the group, Ozpin turned to look at team RWBY.
''Well, since it's three people that are allowed in, I suppose you three should be the ones to go,'' the headmaster said with a smile. ''Please tell us everything you learn from him, alright?''
The three girls of RWBY gave a nod and walked up to the door. They opened it slowly to reveal a completely white room. There was a bed for the patient to sleep on and a small nightstand next to it. There was also a chair meant for a visitor, but it was being used by the room's occupant. The young boy had placed the chair next to the only window in the room and was sitting on it while staring out of the room.
Yang and her teammates started to slowly walk up to the boy, like they were walking up to scared animal. This person held their only possible clue to finding Ruby, so they were extremely nervous.
''I know that you've entered, so no need for sneaking,'' the boy suddenly said, surprising the three girls. However, other than being noticed, what really surprised them was his voice. He sounded lifeless, almost like a machine without a soul.
''Ummm... Jonathan Copperhawk, right?'' Yang called out to the boy. ''That's your name, isn't it?''
''Just call me John. No point in mentioning a family name that's long gone,'' the supposed noble replied and turned to look at his visitors. The three girls were shocked by the look on John's face. There was no joy or happiness in his eyes, only sadness and exhaustion. It was the face that should have been on a soldier, who had been fighting for his life for years. Not the face of a young child like himself.
Jonathan looked at the three girls, almost like he was inspecting them. Then suddenly, his lips curled up in a small, sad smile.
''You three are Ruby's teammates, aren't you?'' the boy said, causing the girls to go wide-eyed. ''She told me a lot about you.''
''L-Like what?'' Yang asked with a trembling voice. While she knew that she should be asking about where her little sister was, she needed to hear this. The blonde girl needed to know what Ruby had been saying about them, ever since the day they had their fateful fight.
''She told me a lot about all of you,'' Jonathan explained before looking at Weiss. ''She said how Weiss was a very strict person, who always strives for perfection and was even a bit mean sometimes. But that you were also very supportive and helpful, and a genius that helped her get through schoolwork numerous times,'' the noble boy said and then looked at Blake. ''She also told me about Blake and how indifferent and cold you sometimes were, but how you held a strong sense of justice that was admirable, and how you could be a lot of fun as well,'' the boy said before finally looking at Yang. ''And lastly, she told me a lot about her big sister, Yang. She told me how you could be a very reckless person, with a bad sense of humor. However, she told me that you were always there to protect her and stand by her side. How you were the one person she trusted the most, and how you were the best sister in the world.''
The three girls of RWBY had tears falling from their eyes. The fact that Ruby still though like that about them, even after what they had done, was making them cry.
''And above everything else, she always told me how you guys were the best team she could ever ask for and that she admired you guys,'' Jonathan added.
Weiss fell to her knees and started sobbing. Blake wasn't doing much better than her white-haired teammate and had to lean on a wall for support, while trying to hold back her tears. Yang was also crying, but unlike her teammates, she managed to keep herself up. She walked up to Jonathan and knelt in front of him.
''Please... Tell me where she is,'' the brawler pleaded. ''I have to find her. I have to bring her back home, back to her family. Can you please tell me where she is?''
The smile that had been on Jonathan's face disappeared and was replaced with a look of sadness.
''I'm sorry, but I can't,'' the boy answered.
''Why!? Why can't you tell me!?'' Yang yelled in a desperate voice. ''Do you have any idea what we have been through!? These last three years have been nothing but hell to us! We have to find Ruby and get her back! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO LOSE SOMEONE IMPORTANT TO YOU!?''
''I do. And that is why I refuse to tell you anything,'' Jonathan said. ''What Ruby and I went through was something that no one should ever have to face. It was a neverending nightmare with noting but misery and horror everywhere. We witnessed many of our comrades either dying or facing a fate worse than death. And in the end, even after I managed to survive and escape that nightmare, I found out that everything I cared about was gone. I wouldn't want anyone I cared about to go through it. And I'm certain Ruby would feel the same way.''
''Why you worthless, little-!'' the blonde started to say as her eyes turned red. Before she could go and hurt the boy, her teammates grabbed her and held her back.
''Yang, don't do it! That won't help anything, and I'm sure Ruby wouldn't want that!'' Blake yelled at her partner, managing to keep her in check. She then turned to look at Jonathan with pleading eyes. ''Can't you tell us anything at all? Please, we need to find Ruby.''
Jonathan let out a sigh, before pulling a CD from underneath his gown and giving it to the raven-haired girl.
''Ruby entrusted me with giving this to you three,'' the boy explained. ''I don't know what's in it, but I'm guessing that it's some sort of a message to you three. Whatever you want to do after seeing it is up to you. This is all I'm willing to do.''
''Thank you. This can possibly help us a lot,'' Blake said and gave a respectful bow to Jonathan. She and her teammates then started to make their way to the door, but before they left, the cat-faunus turned to look at the boy one more time. ''By the way, what are you going to do now?''
''All of my family and friends are gone. There is nothing out there for me. What would you do?'' Jonathan asked in return.
None of the girls could give an answer and instead just walked out of the room in silence.
A bit later, team RWBY was in an office with team JNPR, Glynda and Ozpin. They had asked the hospital to lend them a room, so that they could see what the CD they had gotten held within it.
Ozpin put the disc in a computer and soon a large, holographic screen appeared. The computer was trying to play what had been recorded on the CD, but was having some trouble. The disc had apparently been damaged, so there was only static showing. However, soon the picture cleared out, showing everyone in the room a very familiar face.
Ruby was sitting on a chair, facing the camera. The redhead looked almost exactly the way she did when she had been seen for the last time. The only exception was that now Ruby looked like she had been through hell. Her body was covered in scratches and bruises, and she just looked exhausted. The girl's face was paler than normal and she had bags under her eyes. But even when she had been through so much, Ruby somehow managed to put a small smile on her face.
''If you're seeing this, then I suspect that John managed to make it out alive from here,'' Ruby began speaking. ''However, I'm most likely not going to be there with him. I've spent all of my strength just trying to survive here, and I fear that I won't be able to keep it up any longer.''
Everyone watching the video was completely silent, waiting in anticipation as to what the missing redhead would say next.
''Being here has been... tough, to say the least. I have been running all the time, trying my best to survive, like my family and friends would expect me to,'' Ruby explained. ''The only thing that has kept me alive and pushing forward was the thought of seeing everyone again. It's the only thing that gave me hope here. I just wish I could see everyone again...''
The missing team leader took a small pause, before she continued speaking.
''Weiss, Blake, Yang... I wish I could at least see you guys one more time. There are so many things I want to say to you, but I can't. At least... I at least hope that you don't hate me for what happened... For acting like such a brat...''
Yang bit her lip and clenched her fists as tears fell from her eyes. It just wasn't right. Her sister shouldn't be the one apologizing to them. They should be begging for the younger girl's forgiveness, not the other way around. It took all of the blonde's willpower not to break into a sobbing mess.
Suddenly, the quality of the video started to go bad, as static started to appear on the screen. Ruby also seemed to start panicking, like something terrifying was coming towards her.
''Listen! You *BZZZZZT!* save me! I *BZZZZZT!* help *BZZZZZT!* You *BZZZZT!* come here for *BZZZZT!* Promise me that *BZZZZZT!* Just *BZZZZZT*! It's for the best. Promise me *BZZZZZT!* save me. ...I love you all.''
The screen then showed Ruby leaning over the camera, most likely in order to turn it off and take out the CD. Then the video ended and the screen went dark.
Silence fell over the room as everyone thought about what they had just learned. Yang herself was staring down at the floor in deep thought. Her sister, who had been missing for three years, was still alive. Alive and trapped somewhere all alone and scared. And now she had just gotten a message from her sister, asking to be saved. Only one thought was going through the blonde's mind.
Whoever was harming Ruby would pay.
''What now, Professor Ozpin?'' Yang asked the headmaster, getting everyone's attention. ''Ruby needs our help, so where do we go from here?''
''That's a bit difficult to say, unfortunately,'' Ozpin replied. ''While the boy was found in a nearby forest, we are not sure if Ms. Rose is there as well. I believe we need to get more information from him first.''
The blonde gave a nod and said, ''I'll go talk to him again! And this time I'll make sure he tells me everything I want to know!''
Yang and the other students almost ran out of the room, intent on hearing more from Jonathan. They were going to find out everything he knew about Ruby.
Just as soon as the students had left and the teachers were left alone, Glynda's Scroll began ringing. She took it out of her pocket and answered it. The blonde teacher herself didn't say much and was listening more to what was said one the other end. However, whatever the caller said surprised her, as Glynda's eyes went wide.
''Is something the matter, Professor Goodwitch?'' Ozpin asked.
''Not exactly, but I did hear something unbelievable,'' Glynda answered. ''I asked some of our associates here in Atlas to look into some old records to see if the boy was possibly telling the truth about his heritage. Turns out that the Copperhawk family did have a heir by the name of Jonathan. Not only that, but he also disappeared, leaving the family without anyone to inherit the name and ultimately end the family line. And to top it all off, the records show that he was 15 years old when he disappeared, like the boy that was found.''
Now it was Ozpin's turn to look surprised.
''This is quite the development indeed,'' the white-haired man muttered to himself.
Back with Yang and the others, the group was heading towards Jonathan's room. However, they stopped upon seeing some of the hospital's staff running around in panic.
''Hey, what's going on? Did something happen?'' Yang asked a nurse that was nearby.
''Yes! Something terrible just happened!'' the nurse answered while trying to keep herself calm. ''The boy that was brought here just recently tried to kill himself! He broke his window and cut his throat open with one of the shards! They're trying to save his life right now, but he has lost so much blood that it's very likely he'll die!''
Yang felt her heart sink as she could only stand still. Her only clue to finding Ruby was possibly gone.
Author's notes: Second chapter here! Hope you guys enjoyed it!
If anybody is wondering when we'll get to the actual Dead by Daylight stuff, I'd have to say that it will take at least one more chapter. The first three chapters (not counting the prologue at the beginning) are here to essentially set things up, such as give some background and such. The stuff that I'm sure some of you are waiting for is coming, but it will take some time. Hope you can wait.
Until next time.
RWBY is owned by Rooster Teeth and Dead by Daylight belongs to Behaviour Interactive.