AN: Here we go! Out boys are in the town so we get to see what the girls got up to over ther time alone! Here we get to see a rare moment of a Ruby Mink debate. And for the first time in this story, Mika has the moral high ground above Ruby?! I know! We also get a brand new OC who is going to be a main part of the story so I hope you like them! All this and more int his new chapter of Bastion!

"Do you think they will be home soon? I miss Jaune and Kage."
Ruby asked sitting on her impossibly soft Bastion bed. The mattress eating her body as she sank into her silken velvety satin sheets.

"Jaune will be here any second Ruby! He and Kage are only gone for two days, and it's been one already! They will be back in no time! You have the official Mika Smith guarantee of that!"
Ruby's friend said happily kicking her long pale legs up in the air. Mika said on her bed face first reading a book that Ruby didn't know she had. She was guessing it was Kage's but she didn't know for sure. It had been over a day since they left and Ruby was getting worried about what was going to happen to Jaune and Kage on thier solo quest.

"Irrelevant. Kage would not object to her invasion of privacy."
"I know, I just am reminded of my old friends Ren and Nora. They kind of had a Mika Kage relationship you know?"
"No, I do not. I don't know these two what are they like?"
Her, eye asked zooming in on the lightly humming girl who was reading a rather interesting book. About a man in the future who was a leader of men. A supposed hero but was actually very scared and did his best to avoid combat while trying to be a hero.
It seemed like a good book.
"They were best friends, they were always together but not together, together."
"Not together-together? What does that mean?"
"I don't think they know."
"That does not sound efficient. They are in love yes?"
"Absolutely."
"Then why not share said love? The longer the wait the more chances they have of there love not coming to fruition."
"That's one way of looking at it."

The girl admitted giving her eye a point as at whirred in a smug manner.

"Also they are mortal. They will die someday, why not make the most of now?"
"Becuase humans don't make sense."
"I can see."
Her eyes said as Ruby sighed as a grumbling appeared in her stomach.

"I'm going to go eat. You want something?"
Ruby asked her friend who scratched her ear and shook her head.
"Nah I'm good Rubes! I'm busy ready Kage's books!"

Mika said as she flipped through the same book about the cowardly hero from earlier.
"Don't you think you should ask Kage about reading his books before you do?"

Ruby asked in a playful tone as Mika wave her off with a thin fur-covered hand.

"Nah! Even if I did and he said no I'd read them anyway!"
"I see... Well, I'm off! I'll be back later on!"
"Alright, Ruby! Have fun!"
The girl in furs said as her eye zoomed in on her.

"Ruby she is not a regular human."
"I know but that's not a problem right?"

"I don't know. We should press for information."
"I don't think we should this is her privacy."
"She is our teammate. We need to know as much as we can about her."

"I don't know about this Eyey."
"Ruby we need to survive. Jaune is counting on us. If we do not know the most about our allies as well as our enemies. Ask her."
"Hey, Mika!"
"Yes, friend Ruby? I thought you were going to eat? Are you not hungry? OH! Do you want to talk about boys and paint our nails? I'd love to do that! Although we'd only talk about two boys though. But it could still be fun!"

The young woman said her emerald eyes lighting up with interest as she put down Kage's book and fixed Ruby with an interested gaze.
"Um... maybe later I was just wondering..."
"Yes, friend Ruby? Go on! You can ask me anything!"

"Since we are friends! Would you like to talk?"
"About?"
"I don't know! Is there anything that you haven't told me yet? Something that would deepen our relationship?"
Ruby asked as her eye flashed a large script in front of her face, as it gave her her words.
"You want to know more about me?"

"Yeah! We are best friends, right? We should know more about each other!"
Ruby said giggling as Mika cocked her face at her. Resting her head on her shoulder and smiling in an off-kilter manner that made Ruby sweat. "What do you want to know?"
"Huh?"
"You asked about me, what do you want to know friend?"
Mika asked her eyes screwed shut and her face smiling widely.
"Um! Where did you come from?"
"I came from Vacuo."
"Where were you born?"
"Vacuo."
"How old are you?"
"Eighteen years."
"How did you meet Kage?"
"We met in Vacuo he swept me off my feet and made love to me under the starry summer sky!"

Mika said as Ruby blushed widely coughing and stuttering as she nearly lost her balance.
"Um! How did you get into Bastion?"
"~Secret!~"

Mika said humming her response to her friend as Ruby's eye zoomed in on her.
"You are a punishment rehabilitation student. So that means in addition to your crim you also have a mental issue?"

"That's a personal question now isn't it?"
Mika asked a hand falling to her teal green flame throw, Chamberlain.

"We are friends, best friends. We don't need secrets now do we?"
"Well then let me ask you a question."
Ruby blinked her eye whirring as she nodded.

"Ok go on."
"Why are you here?"
"Excuse me?"
"Why are you here in Bastion? You killed a prince why did you do that?"
"He was dying he was bleeding out on the ground. I needed to save him."
"Save him? Why was he bleeding out?"
"He... he was attacked by Grimm..."
"Grimm? In the palace?! How did that happen?"

"No... not in the palace he was in the dunes."
"A prince in the dunes? How did that happen? What was he even out of the castle in the first place?"
Mika asked her voice silken and smooth. Her face turned up in a perfect smile that sent shivers down Ruby's spine as she let her mouth flap out as she gulped.
"I... I took him out of the palace."
" I? You said I, that means Jaune didn't do it."
"He didn't! He was innocent!"
Ruby shouted making Mika's grin grow.

"But he was punished too, why is that?"
"He... he would not say anything against me."
"Wait! So Jaune is innocent and you are the guilty one! You are the one who should be in Bastion and not Jaune! You got him put in here then! Is that right friend Ruby? Did you get Jaune tossed in Bastion?"

Mika asked as Rubys breathing grew haggard as she balled up her fists.
"That's not true!"
"Then what happened?"
"The prince wanted to see the outside! I was just going to take him out to see the dessert!"
"So you took him away from the palace?"
"Yes!"
"And Jaune agreed?"
"N- no... He didn't want to go he argued that we should stay."
"And you dragged him? You forced him?"
"NO! He came because he believed in me!"
"And that got him jailed with you. He is in bastion suffering not because he did anything wrong but because his so-called best friend was selfish. You didn't listen to Jaune and now he's here."
"That's not true!"
"Then what happened? Without you, Jaune would not be in here correct?"
"I..."
"Correct?"
"He could have still ended up here!"

"Oh, Ruby... relativity is a wonderful thing is it not?"
"Hey!"
"You are selfish Jaune suffered and everything that happens to him from now until he gets back to Beacon and maybe even a bit beyond is your fault. Every scar every cut every bruise he receives is because of you. And hell! It doesn't even stop at the physical! Just think about the emotional trauma you put him under!"

"The emotional trauma?"
"Duh! The psychological stress of being at Bastion! Being under constant threat of death. Having everyone you know thinking you are dead. For all intents of purposes being dead! His family thinks he is dead! His friends think he is dead! Can you imagine how that's affecting him? The killing, the murder the pain! That's going to leave a mark on Jaune's life far after he leaves Bastion."
"But he's not suffering! He's strong!"

"Is he? Or is he just pushing? He could be forcing it, making himself be strong for you. You know he does everything for you, Ruby. He takes every hit, every risk he will die before he allows something to happen to you. You are going to kill you lover Ruby."
"I won't!"
"Hey even if he does live past Bastion what's to say the stress won't be too much? I won't be surprised if after he lives assuming he lives and is not eaten shot to death or stabbed repeatedly in the back. I would not be surprised if Jaune takes his gun once he knows you are safe puts it to his head and kill himself. I think he'll commit suicide all because of you."

"I!"
"You hurt your crush, Ruby. You cause him pain. You are not a good lover."
"Shut up!"
"Why? You asked me questions why can't I ask a few back.'
Mika eys nappe dope glaring at Ruby like glaring gaggers. Ruby eeped as she ground her teeth.
"I didn't have a choice!"
"To not drag a price from a tower? How were your forced to do that?"

Mika asked flicking her head as an infuriating grin split her face.
"He wanted to escape! He was kept in the damn palace like a prisoner in his own home!"
"He was a prince, what did you expect?"

"He should be allowed to pick his own life!"
"Really? Even when his own choices got him killed?"
"I..."
"Even when his choice almost got Jaune killed? How do you think his team is doing?"
"What?"
"His team Juniper correct? How is Nora and Ren handling this? Are they taking the news of his death well? Are they crying themselves to sleep at night?"
"I..."
"What about his partner? Pyrrha? How is she taking the loss of her boyfriend." Mika said emphasis the words her, as Ruby face twisted into an ugly snarl as she balled her fists.

"Who cares about her?! Why would I care about the damn treacherous so call friend!?"
"Oh? You don't like Pyrrha Ruby? Why is that?"
"Becuase she's not Jaune's friend!"
"She didn't get him killed."
Mika said as Ruby's mouth dropped ber face gapping as-

"Ruby. Are you sure that your eye is not talking to you? If it is you should really get it taken out."
Mika said sneering as her eye the zoomed in on her glaring balefully before Ruby sniffeled before blurring away in red roses as she left the Bastion dorm with a slam of the door.

"Why!?"
Ruby thought biting into her Bastion chocolate chip cookies, tears falling from her face. Her usual sugary treat was now dipped in her salty tears and now her crisp milk. The young reaper sat along in the Bastion cafeteria not caring about the strange glares that found her crying form

Ruby was furious how could Mika say that!? She didn't mean to hurt Jaune! She didn't want him to get shot, stabbed and bruised! She just wanted to help! The prince was like a prisoner! He couldn't even leave his own room!

He deserved to be let out, he was a human, not a dog! Why didn't people understand that?! He just wanted to be free. He only wanted to be free, he was scared along and desperate. Ruby couldn't let him suffer. She was training to be a huntress and she would never ignore someone in danger. And he-
"Was he in danger?"
Ruby thought as a frown appeared on her face as she began to quiver. "I... I didn't mean to... I didn't want this to happen to him!"
Ruby thought her tears falling freely from her silver eye. Her mechanical one whirred in support as he bit into her cookies, the tasted like dirt and raisins. Her mouth was slow to chew, and she felt like she was eating putty and dust powered. Jaune was in Bastion because of her. He got hurt because of her. He suffers because of her.

"How..."

Ruby said weakly as she let her head fall.
"Ruby I do not believe this is your sole problem. Jaune knew the risks of saving your life. he did not have to vouch for you. I am sure that he would not want you to suffer as you are."
Her eye said as Ruby sniffeled.
"But he got hurt for me."
"He wanted to get hurt."
"He almost died for me!"
"He does that of his own volition. You are in mo more control of Jaune's actions than the moon's path in the sky."
"But everything that happened to him is my fault!"
"You say that but listen. You did not make him withhold his testimony. He gave you a chance at life and he accepted the consequences for doing so..."

"He was being a good friend!"
"Yes, and as a good friend, he was put through a difficult life. He is not dead, not yet. But he is with you and you him. You always wanted to be with him and now you are, what is the problem?"
"The problem is I don't want him to die!"
"The you need to make sure he does not die. Simple as that."

Her eye said as matter of fact as it ever was.
"But what if he does? What if he dies and I'm left alone? I... I don't want to be alone..."
"You are not alone. Should Jaune die an event in which we will do everything in our power to stop it. We will have Kage and Mika as friends. They might not be the most friendly humans but they are our friends. They will keep us safe until we return to Beacon in the unlikely case of Jaune's death."

"I don't want him to die!"
"Then don't let him."
"You already said that!"
"I mean it try to get stronger, find ways to protect him. If we can better ourselves then Jaune may not feel forced to save us. If we become strong today he will not have to be strong for us later on."

" I need to train."
"Did you say train?"
A calm smooth voice that put Ruby's heart at ease said as the smell of fresh pork filled her nose.
"Hino!?"

"Hello Ruby, I see you are thinking of training again? Shall we go to the weight room?"

Hino asked the taller girl who was as Ruby would affectionately think of her as her anti-Yang in the best way possible. The tall teen sat down with a steaming tray of pork chops and vegetables, along with a tall glass of milk.
"How are you doing today Ruby? Your partner and teammates are no longer here, do you miss them?"
Hino asked in her usual calm soothing tone that made Ruby heart go still with ease.
"Yeah I miss Jaune and Kage but I know they will be back! Or I hope they are."

Ruby said looking down nervously while Hino gave a low chuckle her short dirty blonde hair shaking as she laughed.

"Fear not Ruby. Kage is strong and Jaune is capable. They will make it back in one piece after all you heard the statistics of there missions. There are no Grimm in the area and the town is Bastion friendly. There weren't even reports of a struggle at the site. There is little danger that they will be in danger." Hino said in her melodic tone that never failed to calm Ruby's nerves.

Ruby sighed letting out a tense breath that she had not realized that she had been holding. "Thanks, Hino, I didn't know what I would do without you."
Ruby said smiling warmly at Hino her robotic eye extended out of her skull and winked.
"It is no problem. Now, what is bothering you?"
Hino asked with a look that Ruby knew from years with Yang as the I know you are hiding something now fess up.

"I... nothing is wrong Hino. I'm just tired! Yeah! I'm just tired you know?"
"Does tiredness make you cry into your lunch? Or should I say your snack?"
Hino smirked at the girl who didn't fight and sighed looking down at her cookies.
"Ruby."
"I don't want to talk about it."
"Ruby..."
"I don't want to talk about it!"
Ruby pouted defiantly as Hino smirked.

"Ruby you can tell me or you can continue to pout. But you won't get another person to listen to you so steadily after I finish my lunch, now what is wrong? Why are you crying into your platter?"
"I... Mika..."
Ruby finally admitted the brown-skinned girl sighed heavily taking out a piece of her pork chop and putting it into her mouth chewing on is quietly on her white meat as she fixed Ruby with an inquisitive glance.
"What did she do this time?"
Hino asked swallowing her meat with a glass of ice milk.

"She... she told me off."
"Really? For what? I can hardly see what moral high ground she could have on you. What did she do?"

"She told me that everything was my fault."
"What was your fault?"
"Everything. Basion. The missions, the pain the injuries. Everything that ever happened to Jaune or me was my fault. And I was selfish in my actions."

"Were you selfish?"
Hino asked in a natural tone fixing Ruby with a soft but firm glare that made the girl sigh.

"Yes. I was."

Ruby said finally admitting her own fault.
"Then you deserved the comments."
"I did..."

Ruby said wincing at the sharp words from her friend whose brown eyes had never once left her silver. Fixing her with a hard stare that refused to let her squirm away.

"Do you regret being selfish?"
"More than anything."
"Do you wish to make up for them?"
"Yes."

Ruby said finally lifting her neck to her friend who grinned.
"Then I will help."
"Help? What will you do?"

"Simple I will make you atone for your sins."
"Attone for my sins?"
"Yes, you have wronged Jaune no? You have at multiple occasions acted against his best interests and caused him harm unnecessarily, you not only realize this but you want to make it up to him?"

"Yes. I want to make it better."
"Are you willing to do the work to make it better?"
"I am."
"Good, do not feel bad for your decisions. All of us will fail sooner or later Ruby. Failure does not make you weak only human. The fault in life lies not in the failing of our tasks but in the inability to realize our own failures and improve on them to the best of our abilities."

"What do you mean?"
"I mean you do not need to feel bad for hurting Jaune even if you do not know how you hurt him. You hurt Jaune but you are not beyond the power to make it up to him.'
Hino said smiling warmly as she put a comforting hand on Ruby's shoulder. Gripping her shoulder gently the massive drill on her wrists pointing benignly to her face. The drill that had claimed unknown amount of lives was now still and no longer caked in blood and innards. The drills tip was now reassuringly polished to a bight bronze color to match the gauntlets.
"You think I can make it up?"

"I do not know, that is not up to me. Your actions are not fully known to me more is Jaune's opinion on them. I do not know how Jaune feels about this action. If he does not see a need to make it up then you might not even need to."

"I have to! He's gone through so much his team has gone through so much. I can't look them in the eyes if he dies. Not even Pyrrha!"
Ruby almost snarled the name of her least favorite human on Remnant.

"Pyrrha? Jaune's partner who you do not fancy?"
"Yes her, I don't like her. She's a drag on him."
"You have told me that but that is neither here nor there. I am asking you are you willing to make things up?"
"I am."

"Are you willing to come with me? To go to a place that we can begin to make it up to him?"

"Where are we going?"
Ruby asked standing up wiping her tears onto her cloak as Hino finished her steaming plate. Wiping her mouth with a napkin and putting all her trash on her now empty dining tray. "We are going to the one place in all of Bastion where one can make up thier past transgressions without graduation. We are going to mass."

"Go now my children! Go and spread your words to the world and spread the light to the dark!"
The pastor said in a low booming voice as Ruby lifted her head. Her robotic eye zooming on the man paint him and the word red as she felt her knees flex on her wooden pew.
"My the light walk with you all!"
"And you as well."
"May it guide your path!"
"May you illumination forever shine."
The mass recited on cue while Ruby smiled. She was feeling much better now. Hino had taken her to the church of the light. The official church of Bastion as the mainly faunus mass began to file out Hino smiled standing up and yawning loudly her massive chest that made Ruby blush sticking out of her tight chest armor, Dyed crimson in the same style of Kage's old armor. Felica said that she would have fresh armor for Kage as soon as he got home. Ruby was happy about that.

Kage needed his armor like Jaune needed a blade. She needed her team to have there weapons and armor. Ruby was grateful that she was gifted armor by Felica. Her new clothes were now able to withstand multiple bullet impacts without taking any real damage. It had a complex kinetic dispersion field woven into its folds that made it much easier for Ruby to take hits without being harmed. And even if her aura failed her again her now outfit would provide a whole new level of protection.

That along with her affectionately named Shoozi. Rested comfortably in her lap. The large blocky pistol that could take down a deathstalker in close range. The gun was a great comfort in Ruby's life in her new school. With the horrid reality revealed that Crescent Rose was not, in fact, a perfect weapon like Ruby had like to think. It coudl not do well in close quarters, and it had forced her to adapt.

Now Ruby had her Shoozi along with a blade in her right arm. The weapon had not been used by Ruby and she hoped that it would not be.
The blade had to break out of her skin so to speak. The skin on her right arm was no longer her own. It was a synthetic polymer hybrid that made for a convincing rouse but was an ultimate imposter for real human skin.

The good news about that was that not only did it give her an increased damage threshold on the arm in question she also did not feel pain when the blade popped out her bone that was now also metal. Most of her body was metal really. Ruby had lost too much flesh and now she was more machine that person.
"Am I a human?"
Ruby thought a trickle of fear running down her spine as she gripped her hands tightly. Her worries came back as one, they crashed upon her skull like a tidal wave. Am I human? The worlds hit her mind over and over beating at her skull like a drum. Am I human? Ruby thought as she looked into her arms. When she left Beacon she was human through and through. Human eyes heart organs and skin but now? The majority of her biological parts were missing and replaced with cold metal, tubes, and gears.

She was not the same Ruby Rose she was when she left Beacon. Personality aside she was physically different. She was not Ruby... Ruby was a human... She... she was something else... She was a mix match of metal and flesh, blood, and lubricants.

"What am I?"

The girl whispered in a low tone, am I still Yang's sister? Can I be? I've changed so much will she even want me? Will, she think I'm a freak and kick me out!? NO! I don't want that! I want her to love me! What about Weiss!? She's always been about appearances if she sees me like... like this will she even want me as a partner? Will Blake want to be on a team with me after I've killed so many fang? Will she hate me for butchering her people?

"Will mom even love me? I'm not her baby girl, her rosebed... I... I'm different..."

Ruby thought her shoulders falling as tears began to form in her eye.

"Come Ruby we must talk to the word bearer."
Hino said smoothly as Ruby felt her doubts melt away in a soothing flame Hino reached down to the girl dragging Ruby to the front of the church where the mouse faunus Erebus was waiting for them.
"Hino! Ruby! It has been too long since I have seen you both! My children what can I do for you?"
Erebus asked his white mouse ears flickering in anticipation as he looked at his children.

"Father Ruby is here to ask for forgiveness, she has wronged her partner and she wished to make up for that."
Hino explained as Erebus nodded. The tall mouse faunus nodding his head the long white robe that he always wore draped over his body along with his custom staff that Ruby had never seen him without.

"My child is this true? Have you wronged our prophet?"
Erebus asked his grey eyes flashing with power as rub gulped as the familiar burning sensation entered her body as he mouth went dry.
"Yes, father I have. I have put my partner at risk when I should not have." Ruby said falling to her knees her body heating up as a thick layer of sweat covered her body.
"I see. Do you seek forgiveness?"
"Yes, father."
"Do you know how to seek forgiveness child?"
"No, I do not."
"Do you know fo the scriptures of the light my child?"
"No father."
"I see, that is of no fault of your own my child. Hino?"

The man asked as Ruby's face leaked water. The girl panting like a dog as his scepter glowed yellow.

"Yes, father."
"Take young Ruby away, make her know the scriptures and make sure she knows how to properly react in the world Do this and she will learn how to atone. "
"I shall father, I will teach her all that I know."
"Good. Now, Ruby, you have wronged not only our prophet but your partner. This does not mean that you are beyond help. Learn from Hino's teaching do not let them fall by the wayside. You can still save yourself do not fall into the darkness like so many others have my child."
Erebus said in a warning tone knocking his sta to the cold cement floor the Bastion churches stage making Ruby snap to attention.

"Yes, sir! I will listen to whatever Hino tells me, sir!"
"Good child. Hino tell her all you know, make sure Ruby knows that hard work is always related."
"Yes, or say I will do this right away."
"Good now both of you go you have served the light well with your presence and me wight nothing but the best for you. May the light guide your partner."
"And also yours."
"May you illuminated him."
"And may your path be forever bright."
The two girls said before walking away leaving Erebus to his own devices and leaving the altar as one.

"Here. The first rule of the light is as such. We are all creatures of the light. We come from it we are born from it and we will return to it. It is our savior and as such all lifeforms are also children of the light and we should do our best to avoid harming them."
Hino said with Ruby near her lap the two girls looking over a book of the light. Hino was careful with a pained precision going the principle and the scriptures of the light to Ruby who absorbed the information like she was a living sponge.

"You should not seek to harm you fellow followers for they are also children of the light and when we butcher ourselves he has lost."
Hino finished the first of the seven commandments of the light. Number one do no harm to you fellow children. They were just a lost and she was and they needed to be treated with sympathy.

"But what about when my fellows betray me? Or are my enemy? What about if the followers try to kill me?"
Ruby asked Hino her silver eye wide with curiosity as the elder girl gave a short laugh.

"For that let us look to the second commandment, power. The path of the righteous man is beset on all side by the lies of the wicked. The heretic, the near do well. The false Shepard. You must guard yourselves against such voices. and stamp them out when possible."

"So I should not want to kill but I must be able to do so without hesitating?"
"You are learning! Now, this rule is for you. Number three true mortal. You are not perfect. You are not the light merely a vessel for its divinity."
"You will fail, you will triumph. You will be rocked up and down on the sea of live enduring hardship after hardship some natural some self-made."

"When faced with self-made hardships one must do three things to save themselves. One. They must acknowledge the role they played into the failure. You are not a perfect creature Ruby and the light knows this."
Hino said rubbing the smaller girls head with her hand making her flush.
"I'm not perfect."

Ruby stated as if coming to a world-altering conclusion as Hino smirked.
"And you should not be. Once you have acknowledged your role in the problem you must now commit to not doing said problem again. For you, that was being selfish. You own selfish desires and wants came first and as a result, not only Jaune but your friends and families have suffered greatly. Do you want your friends and family to suffer?"
"NO! I just wanted to help."

"Good. Do you vow to not let them suffer anymore? Will you no longer act in such a selfish manner to your friends?"
"I will not. I'm done acting selfishly."

Ruby said with grim finality her silver eye narrowing and her fake one whirring.
"Good! Now, will you take steps to correct the problem? Apologize to Jaune and make sure that he is alive when you come back to Beacon?"
"Yes. I vow to not let a single scratch fall to his head."

"Ruby the light values honesty above all else. Do not make a commitment to it that you can not keep."
Hino warned her brown eyes flickering in firmness as Ruby gulped.

"I will no longer do actions that will put Jaune in unnecessary danger, and to the best of my ability. I will also do everything in my power to defend him, Kage and Mika, while I am here."
"Much better Ruby. You are a human do not act like you are some type of diety. You will make mistakes and that's ok! As long as you are willing to acknowledge them and fix them there is always hope for you. Not just as a Huntress or a member of the flock but as a friend, as my friend, I believe in you. I know you will make this better."
Hino said smiling so brightly that Ruby felt her heart melt.
"Thank you, Hino. I don't know what to say.'
"Pray with me, my friend. Pray with me an accepted the light into your heart."
Hino replied bowing her head as Ruby nodded dipping her head as the two began to chant...

"Is this your room?"
Ruby asked stepping into Hino's team dorm for the first time.
"Yes, it is me Zach and our leader sleep here. The other two are not here so we are alone. Please let me get my scroll then we can be off.'
Hino said as Ruby smiled. Hino's dorm was the only other Bastion dorm she had ever been in and to her slight disappointment, it was just like her own. Bland grey walls carved out to the mountain, a dim fail with light at the top, a bathroom at the far side and-
"That's new."
Ruby thought as a bed was missing. It was gone...

Like the entire area where a bed should be was gone. A dark shadowy mass of something stood in its place. Completely obfuscating the area from Ruby's line of sight. It was like a large part of the room was simply not like it had been ripped out of reality and removed from the word. It was almost as-
"OI! The hell are you doing here Red!?"

A familiar voice said as a door opened and Ruby spun around where a pair of shaky black eyes locked on to her.

"Zach?"
Rub asked as Zach came in ther room panting covered in blood, has black armor covered in gore and viscera hair a mess and looking pissed as all hell.
"Why are you back so soon?"

Ruby asked the boy who groaned in exhaustion as he shut his door and walked inside.
"Becuase our mission went to hell! We all made it out ok but fuck towns! Hino! Why the hell is she in here?! What if he comes back?!"
Zach demanded as Hino came from her bed that Ruby could barely tell was hers by a small amount of weapons oil and a drill kit strewn over her covers and a number of small furry objects that seemed to be slightly hidden behind the sheets.

"Zach he is not here it is fine."
"The hell it is! You want Red to get killed!?"
"No, but he is not here."
"That's not the point-
"Hello there.'

A voice yelled making Ruby jump. At once Hino and Zach went ramrod straight there bodies becoming stiff as boards and there hands slamming to there sides as Ruby turned around. A pair of burning red eyes looked down on her as a boy stood in front of her. He was tall with snow-white hair, paper white skin, and bleeding red eyes.
"He's an albino."
Ruby thought as the boy looked down on her. He was tall easily over six feet a bit taller than Jaune but shorter than Kage. He wore no armor instead he had a pair of dress khaki pants, a loose fitting white button up shirt that had its top buttons undone, revealing a pale chest. He had a single striped blue tie loosely fitted on his neck and a warm smiled on his face that made Ruby want to trust him.

"My, who do we have here? Hino did you bright a guest over?"

The boy asked in an even tone a pale chalk-white hand coming up to his face as his bleeding red eyes locked onto Ruby.
"Sir yes, sir!"
Hino said snapping to attention her feet slamming together as a wave of sweat ran down her face.
"Heartbeat increased. She is terrified."
Her eyes said as she looked at the boy.

"And you didn't tell me? How can I fully invite our guest into our dorm if I do not know they are coming? That was not very thoughtful of you was it?"
"Sir no, sir! I apologize for this."

"Good. Now Zach?"
"Sir yes, sir!"

"What were you saying about Ruby? Why shouldn't she be in here if I am? Is there a problem with me being in here with her?"
The boy asked his tone calm and neutral as even as a summer breeze. His voice somehow carried no inflection of any other emotion but mild amusement.
His posture was laid back and slack. He hand both of his hands dug firmly into his pants pockets and had an easy going nature about himself that put Ruby at ease.

"It's like he's totally cool with the world."
"Why are they so scared of him?"
Ruby thoguht as Zach and Hino trembled.
"Be on your guard Ruby he-

"Zach? I asked you a question."
The boy said with a hint of steel in his tone as his bleeding red eyes narrowed only the slight of degrees as Ruby felt a shiver of pure dread run up her spine "Sir! I meant nothing by it, sir! I was just thinking that Ruby should be back in her own dorm sir!"

"Good! Now that you mention it is getting late. Ruby let us get you going! You must be tired I will personally walk you back to your dorm. You can't have a young woman walking alone now can you?"

The boy asked his face bright and warm as he held out a pale hand to her.

"Where is his collar?"

Ruby thought nothing that this boy despite being a Bastion student he had no collar on his neck. It was barren and exposed, chalk white skin exposed to the air.

"No, you can not."
Ruby replied instantly a please tone in her voice as-
"Oh excuse me! My name is Merrick! The leader of this group of ruffians! Please excuse my late introductions I was quite distracted by earlier matters today. You will forgive my lack of etiquette."
"I will forgive you."

Ruby replied without miss a beat at Merrick smiled.

"Good now let us be off."
The boy said as he began to walk out Ruby took one last look at Hino and Zach who looked like they had seen the devil himself as Ruby shrugged her shoulders and followed Zach outside.

"Ruby tell me about yourself."
Merrick asked as he began walking Ruby down the long barren halls of Bastion.
"What do you want to know?"
"Everything.'

"My name is Ruby Rose. I am seventeen years old. I was born on Patch to Summer Rose and Tai Yang Xiao-Long. My older half-sister is called Yang. I was a student at Beacon but after killing the fifth crown prince of Vacuo I am now a Bastion student."
"Did you say you killed the fifth crown prince of Vacuo?"
"Yes."
Ruby said as Merrick took out a notepad, a physical one, not a scroll alogn with a pen and began to jot words down.
"Fascinating. Go on, what weapon do you use?"

"A high impact sniper rifle scythe hybrid it is called Crescent Rose. I also have a combination of shotgun and uzi. I call it a Shoozi."
"Good, and who is your partner?"
"Jaune Arc. He is my best friend and lover hopefully. I want to confess my feelings for him."
"What weapons does he use?"

Merric asked jotting down notes in his pad while Ruby spoke about her love.
"He uses a plasma pistol, force sword, and a power fist."
"What are his weaknesses?"
"He is prone to be emotional at times. His weapons lack spread damage. He is excellent at killing targets individually but if he is surrounded or attacked at long range he lacks an appropriate countermeasure."
"I see very interesting. Now you other teammates? Names, weapons weaknesses."

"Venke Kage. He uses twin massive bolt pistols. They are devastating single shot weapons capable of killing most with one hit. But they are not good for swarms. If he was ever faced with a mass of fewer enemies he will be overwhelmed and dragged down."
"Sounds like a big weakness."
"He makes up for it with his partner Mika Smith. Her weapon is a flamethrower capable of massive are of denial suppressions. If they work in tandem they cover the other's weaknesses and are almost unstoppable."

"Relying on other's is not a weakness but it is an important thing to be aware of. Now you, what is your weakness?"
"My main gun is no good in close quarters. My sidearm is brutal up close but after ten yards has no accuracy."
"Good. That's all I needed to hear. You may stop."
Merrick said as Ruby shook her head. Where was she? Why did she just tell him those things?!
"Ruby, do you know who I am?

"No..."

Ruby said her pulse rising, her heart began to beat. She just sold out her team!? Valuable secrets to who!? This Merrick guy-
"I did not introduce myself properly but let me say this."
The boy said reaching into his pocket and pulling out a slim black object flipping it open to reveal a golden shield and a Bastion symbol embroidered on it.

"My mane is Merrick, Castellian, Gerhard. Bastion internal affairs and you Ruby Rose, you are under arrest."

AN: Who! Five-oh! Uh oh! Ruby finally got the attention of someone she should not have! We met Hino and Zach's leader and he is part of the Bastion police! They have cops!? Well, they got to keep order somehow right? Well, what's Ruby going to do now that she is under arrest? What will happen with Ruby and Mika's relationship? You'll just have to see! The story is gearing up for the pillar one finale!

Well, this chapter is done! Next on the radar is Game on! That should be up Thursday Friday so thanks for reading and as always omake.

Omake. Hero of Remnant part 20. The breach

"It is a pleasure to see you, commissar. I didn't think we would be reunited so soon and I must say I am quite surprised and enticed to see you again."
The rich accented voice of Sieena Khan said the tiger faunus was nearly completely covered in her tan combat armor her pulse rifle in hand as she gave Jaune a predatory glare that made shiver.

"It is good to see you as well. Let's hope that we do not have to deal with a hoard of genestealers this time, wouldn't want to be trapped alone together now would we?"
"I wouldn't mind being alone in a dark tunnel with you."
Sieena said taking her armored hand allower her claws to spring fort and gently scratch his arm making Jaune shudder.

"That is more than enough Sieena. The commissar is not here to be your scratching post.'
Pyrrha said her inquisitorial I embroidered boldly on her chest. The inquisitor was not happy that some faunus woman was touching Jaune.

"Pyrrha, you don't need to glare."
"Oh, I think I do Sieena. You are being very aggressive to an imperial citizen and it is my duty to keep Jaune free from corruption."

"Commissar, you don't mind a bit of personal touch do you?"
Sieena asked wrapping her arm around Jaune and smirking at Pyrrha making Jaune's breath hitched as he felt like he was close to death.

"Remove your arms from the commissar or I shall remove them for you."
"You can try."

"Why-

"OK! We have Grimm to kill! Let's not start with each other! Sieena you will need both of your arms to fight, so I must ask for mine back."
"You are no fun. I guess I can always wet my fangs on you later on.'

"I'll have to take a raincheck on that Sieena. The Grimm might make me a bit out of reach."
Jaune said walking to the open sewer gate as five figures followed him.

"Commissar are we going in first?"
Ren asked looking as calm as ever his typical phlegmatic tone that he always had front and center as he checked his hell pistols.

"Yes Ren, we have a reputation to uphold and I need to do my part as a commissar!"
"Unfortunately."

Jaune thought to himself as his other figures came in.

"I don't see why we have to go first. I mean I'm a sniper I should be in the back."
"Black you are with me. You want to avoid the gallows right?"
Jaune asked as Mercury shrugged like he didn't care either way. And to be fair he probably didn't. Even on deaths row, Mercury didn't seem to care in the slightest about life or anything besides shooting things in the head.

"As you say, boss. I'll just enjoy the view.'
He said staring at the inquisitor's aide that harumphed loudly at him.

"Commissar! I must ask what we expect to encounter down here. What do you think we will run into?"
Penny asked the young woman medic that was up for murder asked her medical kit strapped to her side and her las rifle clutched tightly in her hands.

"Gene stealers Penny. Expect lots of slashing wounds and if they have hybrids las and solid round wounds."

"I understand. I will prepare myself for that."

Penny said nodding her head and looking to her medkit that would most likely save one if not all of there lives before the day was over.

"Commissar sir, what do you think the Grimma re doing so far under the city?"
Oscar asked the young man still green in his hears, gripping his Las rifle for dear life as he eyed the sewer gate with naked trepidation.

"They probably snuck in somehow. A guard was too lax or a situation was beyond control. Right now they are waiting to kill every living thing in the city and we are going to stop that."

Jaune said in his typical commissarial manner as Oscar frowned his olive green eyes falling down as he gulped.

"Calm down kid, don't worry about the Grimm. Even if they are down there in the numbers the commissar says I'll watch out for you."
The massive woman Arslan said hefting her bulky auto cannon on one arm. The weapon usually required two men to operate at full efficiency but she held it in one arm as if it was a child's toy. The massive rotary canon held up high as a necklace of bullets hung around her neck pressing into her brown reddish skin as she yawned.

"We are going to go in there and kill everything that moves ok? I'll put down anything with more than two legs before they get close."
"I want to break there legs!"
The... enthusiastic soldier Falka Valkyrie said punching the air as she grinned at the tunnel entrance. the red-haired teal eyes woman who for some unexplainable reason fallen in love with his second said walking by Ren making him look at her with equal parts confusion and uncertainty.

While Ren's rather... pungent aroma kept most people a good five feet away even now that where not Jaune, who had built up an immunity to it. Falka's lack of sense of smell immunized her to Ren's aroma and she clung to him much to the young man distress and Jaune's amusement.

"Ok men, the Imperium is counting on us! We will not let Oum down!"
Jaune said smiling in his best we are all going to get killed smile as he drew Crocea Moras the chain sword whirring as he led his men into the tunnel and what was more than likely their certain deaths...

Death as it so happened came fast.

VRT!
The sound of tearing flesh and cracking bones filled the air as Jaune sliced through the abdomen of a six-foot abomination. The gene stealer Grimm growled in anger its yellow eyes unique to its species burning with raw hate as its sis long arms reached out to grip Jaune in an attempt to eviscerate him before blood loss and the lack of a functional spine gave way and the monster thankfully fell dead with a reassuring thud to the dirty cavern floor.

Jaune wasted no time as even more leering yellow eyes came at him. Jaune spun firing twice, twin las shots hitting the Grimm in the head, killing them both in amount as-

"Down!"
Mercury shouted Jaune hit the floor on instinct as a loud crack filled the air. Something wet popped and Jaunes' back was covered in something hot and red as a large object thumped to the floor behind him.

"Thanks!"
"I'm just doing my job sir."
Mercury said dutifully a small smirk on his face, the boys grey eyes narrowed one in his scope the other shut as he took aim on the battlefield before firing again.
All around Jaune was war, the investigation team had found the genes stealer nest deep underground and had engaged.

"On your left!"
"Got it!"
Oscar yelled turning his Las rifle to the left mowing down three Grimm with a full auto burst of red aimed wildly cutting monsters down in half, with a flurry of red lights, half of them going wild and hitting nothing but dirt and air.

"Watch your fire! We don't have infinite ammo!"
Jaune chided as Oscar flushed. He was kneeling my Mercy along with Penny. The woman he thought Oscar had a crush on were providing covering fire for Mercy in the large cavernous area where the Grimm had made their nest.

Thud! Thud! Thud!
The heavy staccato of automatic gunfire filled the air as Astral fired into the Grimm. Her auto cannon creating bowling ball sized holes in there chest as she laughed.

"Hah! Come on six-eyed you shits! Coma and get a taste of a real woman!"
Arslan yelled firing single-handedly into the Grimm.

"HAH! I did it! I broke its legs!"
"Technically you cut them. That is more of a slice."

Ren said as Nora took her bayonet cutting off the leg of a Grimm as Ren vaporized its face. He and Falka made a good pair in the field Jaune would make sure to keep them together from now on. So would the rest of his now official unofficial command squad.
Jaune was never a fan of the command squad. It seemed to create favorites among the soldiers and that was not a good thing. Jaune needed to see and be seen as looking at all soldiers as equals. He needed to be able to kill anyone of them at a moments notice and being friends makes that decision harder.

'Jaune! We have the patriarch!'

Pyrrha yelled her blue energy pistol flashed vaporizing a Grimm in half as it stumbled down the dirt twitching violently in a steaming pile of flesh and limbs. Falling dead on its limbs. Pyrrha had found the location of the Grimm leader and-

"There!"

A voice shouted in his come bead as Sieena came in. Her and her own faunus forces had been charged with harrying the Grimm monster. Allowing them to finally kill it and the infestation once and or all. Hoepull with none or as few of them dying as humanly possible.

A pleasured reality that would-

Jaune saw it, the monstrous black form of the patriarch was chased into the area by a flurry of blue bolts from Sieena's pathfinders. The massive two-legged multi-armed familiar-

"Govenor?"
Jaune asked mouth agape as the snarling bestial but definitely human face of the former governor Port looked up at his as Juane paused swallowed took aim and fired.