Yang released the sigh she had been holding as she watched Ruby sulk away from her room. In her hands were the papers that she had confiscated. The first report that A.8 had sent her from Anima. To think that they had to go back to being enemies... Yang looked at her hand and flexed it.
She looked toward the latest report from A.2 and she had to furrow her brows.
"To our dear fellows... well to those of you who I know I can contact. Not saying anything to our dear A.8 and our dear former A.3. As you all know that we've lost A.3 and A.6 in our most recent "accident" but alas that just means two new members will be joining us.
And on that front, I believe I have found a solution to our little "problem".
There has been talk in the underworld about a new contender. One who pulls off heists in plain sight. Some of my men spoken to those who've been stolen from and they each claim a different person from the person we've seen in the underworld.
I think we found our new A.3. There is high suspect that our old companion the illusion master has moved early and has yet to be under Cinder's employ. Our dear friend Emerald Sustrai is trying to work her way into the upper rings of villainy. We will have a talk. I will report the results when the talk is over.
A.2
Yang looked over the letter and felt her headache grow larger. She had forgotten what it was like to lose a part of herself but now she had to plan to confront him again... At least she didn't have to worry about the public hating her for actions she never did.
There was still A.6 that they had to find. A person with all that knowledge based on the time they warped back.
Yang had tried so many things to change the future... and until she had met with the rest of them... they all failed.
That was until A.1 had reached out to her. Who would have thought it was that person of all people, the first to try to change, the first who always got back up to fight against the grim, even when all was lost.
Alongside the others at the time. A.2 always kept the secrets well. They were always mysterious and the go-to when you expect someone to hold a secret.
Likewise, A.3 was always looking out for everyone, even when their friend kept running head-on into danger.
A.4 was never really a person to talk about personal subjects but they knew when not to tell the truth.
Then there was her A.5. Her motherly tendencies when it came to looking after Ruby led her to be able to spin tales, care for others in a motherly fashion.
A.6, A.7 and A.8 didn't even exist at the time she first started but they came along multiple tries later.
A.6 was running the calculations trying to make sense of everything, A.7 was excited about the prospect of fighting evil over and over again, to save everyone. and A.8 was glad to be the lovers that transcended life-times.
Everything was great for a time.
and then A.4 didn't come back. Next was A.6, A.3, A.8, A.3, A.8. A.7... Each of them replaced by a different person, and in turn they have also been replaced... of the original only she and A.1 were left.
There was still so much more to do. "I'll change the way things are... even if I'm the last of us left standing." Yang promised.
Ruby was sulking at school. She didn't understand why Yang could keep her secrets when she had to reveal her hidden cookie stash, when she had to explain how she found the notes. How she couldn't partake in this game that Yang was playing.
She was old enough to play games that her sister plays. Her sister was only 14. Ruby thought about the specs of the game. It was a game where people as old as her uncle Qrow could join it. It also had two of the people somewhere in the wilderness... why where they at there anyway? Was the game that big? Were they hunting down the other factions?
How many factions are there? There is Yang's faction... and then there is those that the other two were hunting. So there was an enemy faction.
Did each faction have a max of eight people? The letter she had read came from A.8 and she hadn't seen any A.9 as of yet.
Ruby thought about the game, you had to tag the leader so the leader obviously had to be A.1. Of course they won't address A.1 directly since it would give themselves away if their messages were intercepted so they ha to remain an anomaly, or someone you'd doubt be the leader. Did she have what it takes to be a leader?
Ruby looked at her smallish body and the weapon prototype on her belt. One look and people would think she was still just a child... The Perfect Disguise!.
Ruby hardened her resolve and for the first time in two days she had a smile on her face. "Yang won't allow me to join her faction... and she had banned me from video games and cookies for a few weeks. But that doesn't mean I won't sit back and join this game... I need to find her leader and tag them..." Ruby thought about the factions.
Yang's faction was addressing people from all over Remnant, so she needed people to be able to go out as well. Maybe Dad had some people that could join my faction... maybe dad can join my faction!
Ruby cheered as she bounded off, activating her semblance to race over to her father, unaware of a blond observing her as she went.
"You want to meet more huntsmen?" one Taiyang Xiao-long questioned as he peered at his youngest daughter.
"Yes! I want to ask them some things about being a huntress." Ruby asked excitingly. In her mind she kept on thinking. Hehehe now I can get in contact with Huntsmen and make my own faction!.
"I can ask a few old pals of mine. They actually teach so they are pretty knowledgeable on certain aspects. I can call them and see if they're willing to help out.
"Just give me a few days and we can get everything set and in order." Taiyang smiled at his youngest daughter as she hopped around in excitement.
"Alright I have to get ready for the next class, and lunch break is almost over. Head on over to Qrow's lesson and we can see about that meeting."
"Thanks dad you're the best!" Ruby flashed forward and tackled her father and he spun her around. "Off to class Ruby, or I'll ground you from TV."
The only thing left behind was a flash of rose petals and the sound of the door opening and closing.
As the door closes Taiyang sighed and he turned to look at the bird in the window. "Qrow... Is this really necessary? I know she said something about the A.6 plans but she could have just made it up."
Qrow landed on the ground and formed back and he glowered. "Ozpin is just being careful, A.6 is a very important plan and now she wants to talk to Huntsmen? Something has to be wrong here Tai and you know it. If Ruby of all people know about it then how big is this information leak of ours?"
"But to have her interrogated during the meeting... I'm not sure if Ruby can handle something like that..." "Tai!" Qrow growled.
"I hate this as much as you do but we all have to make sacrifices, if the Queen has moved her pieces..." Qrow falls silent and grimaces.
"I just don't want another Summer Qrow, I know Ozpin means well but he often sacrifices those under him to ensure the peace. I did that to Summer... I don't want that to happen to Ruby... or Yang. They are my family and I need them as much as they need me..."
"Its just a talk. If anything we can have Port or Oobleck come down to talk, heck why not both... or she can take a leave from Signal and tour Beacon, think of it as a school trip."
Tai sighs and sits down at his desk.
"They will come here Qrow, be it one or all four of them, I just don't want Ruby out of my sights this early on, she is still a kid after all."
"Got it, I'm taking a sick leave then, find me a substitute will ya." Qrow drinks from his flask and he flies out the window after a quick transformation.
Back at her house in Patch, Ruby looked over the plans she wanted to ask. She knew that they'd wouldn't take her seriously. Was she going to tell that they she wanted to play a game where you had to find and tag the other's leader?
Why would they listen to a child? Should she try to raid her sister's room for evidence?... no she would have hidden the evidence by now. She can't have another mishap like yesterday.
Oh what evidence will I have to dig... there was that notebook that Yang scribbled last year... I can wait for the next package to come on in... I can always say A.3 is gone and to be replaced by a new A.3
Why does convincing grown-ups and adults seem so hard? Then again... convincing an adult to play a game with her isn't that hard. Most people don't say no to a child right... but I'm not a child... I drink milk!
Ruby puffed her chest at that statement and she went to grab a glass of milk.
"Okay where was I? Ooh yes, ask them to join my faction so I can find out what Yang is doing... and then when I tag her leader I can join her faction! Yay!" Ruby cheered and a voice called from below. "Girls! Dinner is ready"
Ruby cheered, she was happy, she was content that her dad is back and normal. Ruby glanced at her sister coming out of her room, a smile on her face, maybe she was relieved that dad was back to normal and that she could play again.
"Heya sis, you ready for dinner?"
"Sure I am Rubes, but are you ready for dinner?"
Ruby raised an eyebrow. "Yang? Whats going on!"
"Nothing ole sister of mine, just will you get there fast enough or will I take all of the food before you get a bite?"
A gasp, Ruby stared in horror at her sister. "You wouldn't dare!"
"Race you" Yang laughed as she bolted down the stairs, Ruby hot on her heels.
The two burst into the kitchen to see Dad and Zwei looking at them in confusion.
"Girls... calm down and set the table, food needs another minute."
"I thought you said it was ready?" Ruby pouted and Tai laughed. "You wouldn't set the table if the food was ready, now you have to do something else you won't eat tonight."
"Dad thats horrible, you can't starve your own child" Ruby complained.
"I'm not starving you, I'm punishing you for not setting the table." Taiyang joked and Yang giggled before grabbing some plates. "Ruby get the silverware okay?"
The family of three worked together to get dinner prepared. Tai cooked and made the plates, Yang set the table with plates and glasses and Ruby got drinks to fill the glasses with and silverware.
"So Rubes, I got good news for you. My good ole buddies from Beacon will be coming to talk to you."
Ruby felt like she could fly. This was happening. This was really happening!
Yang almost spat out her drink but Ruby didn't seem to notice. Tai handed Yang some napkins to wipe herself.
"When?" Ruby asked excitedly and Taiyang made sure Yang was okay before he answered her.
"Tomorrow, a representative from Beacon is suppose to come talk to you all about the life of a huntsmen and Beacon has decided that two teachers will be meeting you guys. Professor Peter Port and Professor Bartholomew Oobleck."
"Yay!" Ruby shrieked and she hopped around the table.
Yang glanced at the two of them. "When was this happening? How come I never heard of it?"
"Ruby talked to me about it a bit ago and I talked to Ozpin to see if he could spare any huntsmen to talk to my students about Huntsmen careers. It was all scheduled last minute to say the least." Tai explained and Yang looked at her scroll.
"I think I'm full dad, I'm going to do some homework now bye!" Yang said quickly and she left.
"But you haven't touched your food yet" Ruby questioned and the two of them shrugged and went back to their meal. Yang being replaced by Zwei who happily gobbled at Yang's plate.
You cannot escape from Crossing Fates! Multiple factions are in play and eventually they will collide. From the show we know of Ozpin's faction, Salem's faction, Raven's faction. Now we have the addition of Yang's faction! Who are the other seven that Yang refers to as A.1-A.8?
Can Ruby form her own faction? Will she understand what is going on? Who knows, I haven't done planning yet.
How are you guys and gals enjoying this fic? Who are the original eight? Who are the new eight? Are there still unknown contenders that also have these "powers?" Is it possible there is a A.9 that we don't know about?
What do you expect to happen? Will anyone listen to a 12 year old kid to play a game?
Remember to read and review! I love Reviews and some say I live for them. Bash me, Constructive Criticism, just say Yes. Do what you want.
Flying high and onto the next day! Falcon!