I do not own RWBY. All rights go towards Rooster teeth
Daughter of the Gods
Chapter Four: Tell Me Truly
Waking up for the day ahead was bittersweet. I would be going to Beacon, an academy I hadn't really been in since it was constructed, but also truly entering the world outside of war and disaster for the first time in centuries. I was honestly a little scared. Tai made Yang and I pancakes for breakfast, which I always joked around and said was mankind's greatest achievement, before he took us to the airfield.
"Well girls this is it. Yang, I am so proud of you. I know you're going to do great things as a huntress, just try not to light any classrooms on fire." He jabbed good naturedly. Yang rolled her eyes.
"That was ONE TIME." She grumbled, crossing her arms across her chest and scrunching up her face.
"Well the instructor did deserve it…" I came to her defense. Tai glared at me before pulling me into a Xiao-long hug.
"Honestly, you going to Beacon after you built it kind of feels like a step down." He laughed. I pouted but he ignored it as he whispered into my ear.
"I know you will but promise me you'll look after Yang. Even if you're on different teams."
"I swear it to you, I'll protect her with everything I have." I told him. Yang has been the only person to get as close as she has than any other person in seventy years.
"Thank you." He said quietly. I broke the hug and turned to Yang.
"I think it's time we got on the air ship since it'll be leaving soon." I put my hand on Yang's shoulder. She looked at me and smiled widely.
"Love you dad!"
"Later Tai." Yang and I said at the same time.
On the airship I reminisced of old times, back before all these amazing creations. Leaning over I whispered to Yang. "You know human development never ceases to amaze me. I remember having to walk everywhere, hearing about news from another village would take days, even in an emergency. If you were lucky you could afford a horse." Yang looked at me with a glint in her eye, snickering before she spoke.
"Damn Rubes, you're ancient!" She laughed hard at me bringing up old times. I laughed with her because it was honestly. Years ago, I would've hated it but coming from Yang it doesn't bother me.
"Yeah yeah laugh it up blondie, I may be old, but you have to admit I look fantastic!" I shot back, a small chuckle escaping as I spoke.
"In all seriousness though, are you okay, you haven't been back here in a long time…" Yang's concern for me was always heartwarming. Even though I was far older, she always had a certain wisdom and character to her that I could never match.
"I'll be alright. The work needs to be done, so I'll do it." Determination was all that came through in my answer, though Yang knew it would still be difficult. Thankfully she didn't say anything else.
"What about you? This is your dream. How are you feeling about it right now though?" genuine concern was the only thing I felt when I asked Yang. Despite our lack of related blood, I still consider her a sister, just like she does with me.
"I'm nervous, but I know I can do it. I've wanted this ever since I knew what hunters were and I'm ready." The conviction in her voice was strong. I was just about to ask her another question when the holovid that had been playing in the background mentioned that the criminal mastermind Roman Torchwick attacked a dust shop. I'm assuming it didn't mention me at all because Ozpin pulled some strings, not that I minded. The broadcast was interrupted when the holoimage of Glynda Goodwitch played. All it was was some introductory thing. I didn't really pay attention.
Yang and I were talking about home when a blonde boy, who seemed somewhat familiar, ran by but not before getting a little throw up on Yang's shoes.
"Ew Gross!"
Getting off the air ship quickly, and into fresh air, Yang shook her shoe free of vomit as the boy familiar boy ran out of the air ship and hurled into a can.
"Well I guess someone had a serious case of motion sickness." I said with a chuckle.
"He's going to be a hunter and he has motion sickness." The deadpan look in Yang's eyes told me she wasn't impressed.
Putting my hands behind my back I began evaluating the other future students.
"God I wish I had this tech a hundred years ago. Honestly you have no idea how easy you have it!" I looked sharply at my sister. I was just about to tell her not to make an old joke when she beat me to it.
"Like I've been saying, it's not my fault you're old."
"Oh shut up." I grumbled.
"Hey Rubes, my friends are here so I'm going to go say hi. You gonna be okay by yourself for a bit?" the concern was heartwarming but unnecessary.
"Yang I've come too terms centuries ago. I'll be fine. Go have fun with your friends but don't forget to be on time for the orientation." I reminded her. She nodded, waving towards her friends as she walked away. I put my hood up and walked around the main court, seeing the design choices of my friends everywhere I looked, especially the statues.
Sighing, I began to reminisce of old times. I wasn't wallowing, but memories flooded my mind as I remembered the hard work that went into making this school. So lost was I that I almost didn't see a case of dust following a white haired girl. Using my reaction time that had been honed for centuries I used my speed and dodged out of the way in the blink of an eye.
Unfortunately, the wind kicked up by my speed knocked one of the cases to the ground. The white-haired girl turned around in a huff of frustration.
"Hey, watch where you're going!" She huffed out. Instantly I recognized her as Weiss Schnee, the heiress to the Schnee dust company, but I decided to have a little fun.
"Do you have any idea of the damage you could've caused!" I stayed silent
"This is dust! Energy!" Again, I stayed silent as she picked up a small vial of burn dust.
"Are you even listening to me!" She shouted as she shook the dust in my face. This was getting out of hand, so I used my semblance, and snatched the vial out of her hand and resealed it before placing it in the case and loading it onto the cart. My cloak fluttering and the organization of the cases was the only indication that that I had moved.
The girls eyes widened as she my cloak settled down, the hood still over my eyes casting a shadow on my face. I was a little irked at her irresponsibility.
"Listen here princess," I spat out "I nor anyone in this school care who you are. Of course everyone knows, but your shit stinks just like everyone else's here in Vale. The Atlesian's might worship the ground you walk on, but I don't." By the time I was done I was looking her in the eye, putting just the tiniest amount of power into my eyes, making them glow ever so slightly.
"She's an heiress actually." A voice came from behind. I recognized it instantly and turned to look at one of the reasons for my attendance in the first place.
"You should take heed when talking to her like that, you might end up having your life ruined and forced to work in the mines just to feed your family, like the faunus." She said. A pang went through my heart because she sounded so much Preto, looked a bit like her too.
"Why the nerve- I ought to- ugh!" She stomped off, her servants following her. I had expected Blake to walk away after that, but she stuck around.
"I've never heard someone stand up to a schnee like that before." She said quietly.
"She needs to be brought to reality if she's going to survive here. The world outside of the mansion is unforgiving, and while her home life wasn't the best, she was still sheltered." I said.
"What would you know of her home life." Blake was on the defensive instantly, thinking I was justifying Weiss' attitude.
"Her father is a very angry man and her mother is an alcoholic who never talks with her children. The only role model's she has are her sister and butler." I gave Blake the facts. I noticed her bow twitched every now and again. Interesting. I'll have to talk to Khali
"How do you know all this?" The question contained a hint of suspicion.
"Because I do research and make it my job to know things about everyone around me." Blake paled a little bit at the implication that I might know she was a faunus. I did, but that was beside the point.
"I don't believe we've properly introduced ourselves. My name I Ruby Rose." I hoped this would break the ice. Eventually she would need to know my secret, but now wasn't the time.
"I'm Blake. Blake Belladonna." She held out her hand hesitantly. I shook it quickly.
"Well Blake it's nice to meet you. Would you like to join me for orientation, it should be starting in a few minutes, but we still have time to get to it." I offered. Knowing Blake as well as I did I knew she most likely had studied as much as she could about the layout of Beacon.
"I wouldn't mind. I know a pretty quick way there so we should be able to get decent seats." Yup. She studied. I smirked as I walked behind her.
Arriving in the auditorium quickly, Blake and I walked around before Yang spotted me.
"Hey Ruby! Over here! I saved you a seat!" She called out.
"My sister saved me a seat and it looks like there's another seat open, wanna join?" I asked. Blake nodded her head and we both went to where Yang was waving enthusiastically.
"She's eccentric." Blake commented.
"Oh, you have no idea." I said
Walking up to Yang she finally noticed who I was with, looking me in the eyes to confirm I gave a very slight nod of my head, and she smiled brightly.
"Hey there! Names Yang, who are you?" Gods she's such a social creature.
"Blake." And then there's Blake.
"Well Blake nice to meetcha." Yang said, the cheer in her voice along with its pitch made Blakes bow twitch slightly.
"How's your day been so far Rube's?" Yang asked.
"Coulda gone better. Ran into a Schnee who decided to wave burn dust in my face. But I told her off with some help from Blake." I said smugly. It was always fun knocking down arrogant people a peg or two. I was about to continue when I felt the area around us get a little colder.
Here we go again.
"YOU!" I whirled around and got in her face.
"What about me!" I shouted.
"You're lucky your irresponsibility with your semblance didn't get us killed!" oh hell no.
"I would watch your tone with me. I don't take kindly to others shoveling the blame on me." I growled through my teeth. She back off for a second before her attitude came back.
"Do you really want to make this up to me?"
"Not really because I don't care and I didn't do anything wrong." I grit my teeth on the words.
She seemed surprised for a second, again, before she collected herself.
"Never talk to me again and I'll consider it fair." She said snobbishly. Hell, for a person with zero real friends, it's a wonder even her fake ones manage to stick around.
"If I ever see you it'll be too soon." I said, though I knew that wasn't going to be likely, especially with events set in motion already beyond my control and impossible to determine.
Ozpin cleared his throat on the stage, gathering everyone's attention.
"I'll…keep this brief. You have traveled here today in search of knowledge. To hone your craft and acquire new skills. And when you've finished, you plan to dedicate your life to the protection of the people. But I look amongst you…and all I see is wasted energy. In need of purpose, direction. You assume knowledge will free you of this, but your time at this school will only prove that knowledge can only carry you so far. It is up to you to take the first step." Looking around, everyone wasn't feeling very inspired.
"Fucking hell, Oz." I mumbled under my breath. Only Yang seemed to hear it. Glynda spoke into the microphone about staying in the ball room tonight before initiation.
"He seemed kinda…off." Yang said. the hesitation in her voice was only matched by everyone else in the room. Coming from someone who had met the headmaster before and knowing his secret, she wasn't wrong.
"Yeah no shit." I grumbled. Him and I needed to have chat. "I'm gonna go talk to him." unfortunately Weiss heard me.
"And what does someone like you think you're going to talk to the headmaster about." She sneered.
"What him and I discuss is none of your concern nor will it ever be." I began waking away. "Not if I have anything to say about it."
I smirked when the blonde boy began horribly attempting to flirt. Didn't he know about the red headed beauty staring at him?
Walking the halls to Ozpins office from memory, since I had taken great care to design this place after all, it didn't take long before I was face to face with Glynda.
"You should be with the other students Ms. Rose." She peered over her glasses, the emeralds she had for eyes trying to peer into my soul.
"You and I both know I'm not an ordinary student for you to order around. I didn't come here to argue though, so will you let Ozpin know I'm coming up." I sighed. I didn't have the energy needed to get into a screaming match with her. She nodded slowly and pushed a button, allowing a door to open to the elevator.
Getting out on the top floor I had to take in the changes that had been made. I remember when Flint, Indigo's son, took over and made changes of his own, the ceiling was a bit low so that was heightened and he had added a few more windows to see the campus grounds, though they were nowhere near the sizes Ozpins are.
Speaking of Ozpin, the man was sitting at his desk and drinking his coffee.
"You've made some changes over the years." I said simply. "Exactly how many incarnations have of yours have been headmaster?" I asked. "I'm curious because this one is the youngest by far."
If he was surprised by the question he didn't show it. Taking in a deep breath and thinking for several seconds he answered.
"I've only ever used the most recent three to become headmaster." I sighed.
"Interesting. But this isn't why I'm here. I'm here because I want to know if you're just gonna tell the students that something is wrong straight up or if you're going to continue being cryptic." He knew I was talking about the speech.
"I let things about the current situation get to me and it showed in my speech. I apologize for that." He said evenly.
"Ozpin please don't lie to me like you've lied to so many other people. I may not be as old as you but I know most of history just as well as you do. I even know your name." It was an in your face move, letting him know just how much I knew, but he needed to know just how serious I was about not being lied too. He seemed to get the message.
"While I won't ask how long you've known my first name, I will ask you to keep it a secret." He said. I nodded. I knew the importance of names, I've had many over the years.
"You can't lie to me Ozpin. We're partners in this, chosen and created by the gods to fix humanity. We must work together. I've been honest with you; can you return the favor with me?" I asked quietly. He nodded though I knew it wouldn't be easy with him. Ozpin was a man of secrets.
"since you're here, would you like to visit terra?" He asked. Though he knew the answer because he started standing up and walking to the elevator.
I beat him there.
Waiting for the door to open and close felt like eternity. Waiting for Ozpin to enter the password and descend into the heart of Beacon felt infinite. Finally we reached the bottom and the door open. The first thing I noticed was Terra. Zipping over to her just under the speed of sound, the materials around her shifted slightly, but thankfully everything was heavy.
Terra was in a chamber, meant to keep her alive. She had a nasty scar on her face and as I looked at it the angrier I got.
"Has there been anything on the woman that did this." A deep growl ripped from my throat that someone would do this.
"We haven't learned anything but we are tryin-"
Try harder!" I shouted. My voice echoed throughout the cavern.
"Calm yourself. We'll find whoever did this." He assured me.
"Promise me that when you find her, I get to kill the bitch." I didn't even look him in the eyes but I knew he understood. He didn't answer and I just hung my hand, putting my palm on the glass.
"Is there anything that can be done to save her. She's just a kid." Came my broken whisper.
"I'm afraid we've tried everything. Conventional medicine cant help her and what remains of my magic can't heal her. Yours cant either." I figured he would say something like that, but it still hurt to hear it.
"So what's your plan. There's two chambers here so I'm assuming you're trying to find some poor sucker to host the weakened maiden powers?" I knew there was no saving her, so I had to move on and bury the feelings, at least for now. As I had done for centuries. Terra would want it this way.
"So far we have only come to the logical conclusion that Miss Nikos is the best candidate to host the spring maiden powers."
"Nikos? Aurora and Bay's child?" Ozpin nodded.
"Yes. She is an incredibly kind, generous, loyal, and selfless person. All great traits for a maiden. She is also a proficient fighter."
"Yes I know that. But what will happen to her if you forcibly take the spring powers out of Terra and forcibly cram it into Pyhhra?" I suspected the answer already but needed to hear it.
"We're not sure what will happen. But the risk is necessary." He seemed relucatant but determined in his answer.
"Do better. Give me the best assurances that Pyhhra will live. Best to do it sooner rather than later." I finished. I didn't want to see the mistrali champion hurt or killed, but I wanted assurances that she would survive the process. Offering no further room for argument I swept my cloak aside with my arm and walked back towards the elevator, leaving Ozpin staring at Terra's unconscious form in contemplation.
"You have two weeks to fix this, and if it's not done in two months you'll find another way." I gave him the ultimatum before the elevator doors closed.
Walking back to the ball room, I found the bed roll Yang had set up for me. I talked with Yang for a bit about nothing important really. I waved at Blake before she blew out her reading candle for the night and she gave me a small wave. The look in her eyes told me she didn't really trust me nut didn't want to be terribly rude to someone who had put Weiss in her place.
Speaking of Weiss, she was in the far corner snoozing peacefully in her all white pajamas and bed roll. Rolling my eyes I pulled my covers up and went to sleep.
I
So it's been brought to my attention by reviewers that I've done it again. And by 'it', I mean that I forgot to explain some things. The first of which being that Ruby didn't make Vaults like we know from the show, these were just simple rooms with magical barriers, of course she didn't account for Ozpin looking for the vaults and using his own magic, the magic that created the maidens in the first place, to move the relics to their current resting places. I'm deeply sorry for the confusion this may have caused and I will try to do better in the future.