I swear, whenever I come back to update this fic, it feels like I've been gone for months. But anywho, what's up. Kanashiiro. Nice to see you again. How'd you all enjoy the summer? For some of you, I know you'll going back to school. So yeah work hard at that. And don't let your dreams be memes, or don't let your memes be dreams. Well I think I've met my quota of how long I should keep this introductions. Enjoy the red.

Twisted Grimm, chapter 5: Reckless actions

(Midst of noon, Emerald Forest)

Situated next to a small river was a half-naked Sora in only a white loincloth. His whole robust figure now on display. There wasn't a single piece of fat on his body. He coated in numerous amounts of scars all around his body that'd make people question on how is he alive to this day.

Sora was currently cleaning his clothes from the blood in the river, as well as the blood that stained his skin. Both the Beowolves and his own. He poured water onto his open wounds to clean them in some way. Regardless of how much it stung. After hand-scrubbing out what he could wash away, he wrung his clothing and vigorously flapped the remaining water out of the cloth. Now he was washing himself with the water.

His partner was patiently seated on a large rock near the stream, just a couple of yards away from each one another. Rujo allowed Sora to rest a bit after the damage he had taken from the Beowolves. It would also have Sora restore some of the aura he had lost during that fight. Though Rujo would check their surroundings every now and then for sneaking Grimm.

Rujo busied himself by washing the blood of the Beowolves off his sword with a piece of cloth he had in his pouch. Those who did not know how to take care of their weapons knew nothing about how to take care of themselves. That is one of the reasons why weapons are seen as an extension, rather than a tool.

"By the looks of your gear, you look like a pretty capable fighter." Rujo spoke with curiosity, though never taking his eyes from off the sword he was tending to.

Sora merely nodded to confirm what Rujo said. He really isn't much of a talker to begin with, so he has a quiet nature to a fault. Fortunately, Rujo is quite sociable. Sora is bound to open up sooner to later. Right?

"Where are you from?" Rujo asked. Deciding to go a more casual question. It was the best way to approach him. Not too pushy and enough to get some idea of what kind of person he is. A lot can be told about a person just by asking them question, and what their answer is.

"Proctor" Sora answered dryly. Although he didn't really expect Rujo to know exactly where his homeland is, it wouldn't hurt to tell him. He silently hoped that Rujo would do the same for him.

Rujo nodded. Though this would be the first time he's heard of such a place by that name, so he decided to just leave it at that. "Well, I was born in Althor. It's a fairly large city in the southern part of Vale. Though I went to Mistral for the years of my combat school. Then I returned to Vale so I can attend Beacon Academy. And I guess that about sums it up until now. And this is where I am now." Rujo gestured to the land around

"So how long have you been training?" Rujo let loose another question, actually curious to know more about his partner's fighting capabilities.

Sora pondered for the exact age he started to train with his father. Though at the time, he was probably too young to remember. So he can say for sure- "Very long" It might be vague, but it was a definite answer he could provide.

To the very least Rujo now knows that Sora is a capable hunter, judging from how long he's been training. "As for me, I've been training since I was seven years old." If that wasn't obvious with that gargantuan sword he holds single-handedly.

"Got any siblings?" Yet another curious questioned from Rujo, though harmfully digging more into Sora's personal life.

"No." Sora said with his usual stoic expression. He's always wanted a sibling, older or younger. It didn't really matter to him, as long as he was able to hold them near and dear. Alas, he is an only child.

Rujo nodded and decided to leave it at that. "Well, I'm the youngest of five other siblings. Got three brothers and two sisters. So I was pretty much the baby of the family. Obviously we'd get into childish quarrels, but that's family y'know. So all in all, we got along great." He finished with a shrug, though couldn't help the sentiment smile on his face.

Guess that's one of the things Rujo was nostalgic about ever since he's applied to Beacon Academy. Although, coming here definitely wasn't a choice he's regretted.

Sora was quick to notice the nostalgic sense from Rujo, and left his sword wielding partner to his memories. In the meantime Sora retrieved his clothing, which having been hanging from a branch and exposed to the sun's rays to efficiently dry..

Rising from the small river up on his two feet, Sora made his way to his clothes that was hung up to dry by a branch. He dressed himself in his equipment while also inspecting the tears and shreds. It would appear that he'd have to get a new set of clothing.

"Everyone has their own reasons to come to Beacon. Usually people say they want to get stronger or protect people. But the way you carry yourself...it's different. Why did you come to Beacon?" Sora literally snapped his head in the direction of Rujo when he heard him ask that question. Sora's expression contorted into an unintentional glare.

That burning question is one that Sora would rather not answer. Nor does he have any intention in sharing his reason. Whenever he remembers his reasons, why he came here in the first place and what he plans on doing after his four years here, he could feel the malice and wrath that plagues his body.

Rujo cast a concerned look to Sora, for him to make a face like that. "Sorry, I must have hit something close to home, huh? Forget I said anything." Rujo said in a reassuring and composed tone,. He was already able to deduce that his partner is hardly one to express himself openly. So for a question to have an impact on him, it'd be best not to reopen any scars.

Snapped out of his stupor, Sora blinked away the redness in his vision. And just like that, he recovered his usual stoic face. Like that whole inner rage thing never happened.

Rujo knew it would only fair to share a part of him with his partner before Sora decides to do the same for him, whenever that will be. "Well, for me, it's because...I want to make things right." Is Rujo all said, and that is how he ended it. In comparison to Sora, Rujo's words were rather solemn for how heavy it sounded.

Over time, people tend to become more secure when they endure hardships. Kind of like building a wall for themselves to keep it out. But the emotions that were once experienced are only buried deep into a pit, still existing, but difficult to surface. That doesn't go to say that someone else's pain is greater than another.

Sora just nodded, letting his partner know he's still listening. Rujo started to acknowledge how much of silent person Sora really is. Unable to resist the opportunity, it was too good to pass up. "So you one of those silent protagonists? Though green wouldn't really be your color." Rujo had cheekiest grin on his face, hoping that his little humor would have some effect on Sora. It was a quick recovery from a rather tense moment, but both of them would rather press on.

Unfortunately the joke went right over Sora's head, as he showed no type of reactions other than blinking at Rujo, trying to figure out what he was implying when he said.

Rujo stood up from his spot on the rock he was sitting on and clapped his hands together. A definite smile etched across his face. "Good talk. Now let's get going." His tone was commanding, yet friendly at the same time. Sora wordlessly followed Rujo lead

(Minutes later)

"So...Where do you think this could possibly lead to?" Rujo asked his partner when they stumbled across a huge hole in a ground that descends into a tunnel. Sora shrugged while peering into the complete darkness deeper in the hole. To say the least, it definitely wasn't the smartest idea to enter uncharted territory.

"Well, nothing ventured, nothing gained. But, ladies first." Rujo comically ushered Sora into taking the lead from here. Sora didn't look the least bit amused by his partner's manners. Sora forcefully shoved his partner into the hole without warning, though Rujo let out a small chuckle during his fall. Sora quickly followed along in the everlasting darkness.

(Midst of noon, Emerald Forest, abandon temple)

A hand had abruptly shot out from the ground, clawing away at the dirt to create a sizable hole. From out the ground, Rujo pulled himself up and dusted himself off after standing up. He reached back into the hole he made and proceeded to pull Sora from out the ground, as well as a single Creep gnawing at Sora's leg. Rujo nonchalantly grasped the Grimm by the nape and tossed it back into the hole. Well, that's one way to make an entrance.

"It wasn't even two Oum damn seconds! Is that too much to ask for?!" A sudden enraged scream caused Sora and Rujo to almost jump out of their skin, both of them turned to see a fiery blonde. Whom Sora recognized from the vomit incident on the airship. If looks could kill, they'd be dead right now. Sora and Rujo backed away with their hands up in surrender. They didn't mean no harm after all, and they had no idea what harm they caused.

The blonde girl sighed in exasperation, though calmed down considerably. "N-No, it's not you two, it's just-...aghh...just...look. There." The irritated blonde, as well as her partner who was a female ravenette, pointed in different directions.

Sora and Rujo turned their attention to where they had directed them to. It was then that they understood where the blonde girl was coming from and could see how this situation escalated quickly.

From behind the surrounding forest, a giant Deathstalker was ramming through trees, making its way to the clearing that is the abandon temple. And from above, a giant Nevermore was circling them with predatory intent. To make everything all the more bizarre, Nora mounted a dead Ursa and wouldn't stop telling it to go.

Sora and Rujo gave each other a perplexed look before returning their attention onto the blonde girl, who had soothed her temper by now. "What? Did we miss the party or something?" Rujo half joked, as it wouldn't be the strangest thing he's ever seen.

It was then that both Sora and Rujo got a good look at the people surrounding. Not only were they in company with friends they made here, but as well as old friends.

"Jaune." Sora and Rujo said in unison, to which they came to a halt and gave each other a questioning looked.

"Sora?" "Rujo?" Saying each other's name in question at the same time once again.

"Rujo!" Jaune called out excitedly.

"Jaune?" Sora questioned Jaune on how he knew Rujo.

"Sora!" It only made Jaune all the more happy to know another friend is present.

"Rujo?" A red haired girl in bronze armor called out, approaching.

"Pyrrha!" Rujo said in an almost too joyful tone.

"Weiss!" Sora called out to her, finally noticing her.

"Sora..." Weiss said while rolling her eyes, not particularly happy to see him.

"Nora!" Nora said her own name since no one else was going to. In that moment, Nora had Sora's leg in her arms, unbalancing him as he stood on a single leg now. A sickening snap echoed throughout the forest, followed by a thunderous roar in pain.

(Minutes later)

It took some time, but they were finally able to set Sora's broken bone back into place and patch him up. Like the whole leg breaking experience never happened. In that time, everyone was more or less acquainted with one another, to the very least knowing each other's names.

Nora wasn't the least bit sorry, even when Ren tried to convince to at least say it. "I told you I was gonna break his legs." Nora huffed and turned her head away in a pout. Looks like she didn't forget about that breakfast incident.

The Deathstalker from before had finally pushed through the foliage and was now pursuing the group, totalling at ten. The Nevermore began to circle back towards them, as if coordinating its attack with the other giant Grimm.

"This doesn't look good." Rujo discussed the situation before, admitting that they might be in over their heads if they were to battle under these terms.

"Huh, nothing I can't handle." The girl in the red hood confidently said as she pulled out her scythe. She ran out of formation, heading towards the Deathstalker on her own.

"Ruby! Wait!" Yang called out in vain, Ruby was already too far ahead to hear her.

Ruby launched herself forward at the Deathstalker by firing her scythe at an impressive speed. She held her scythe over her head, ready to hack and slash into the Deathstalker once she got close enough.

That was a bad move, scorpions in general excel in frontal combat. All parts of its body that it uses to strike are meant for that. From its pair of pincers, to the mandibles on its mouth, and the venom laced stinger hovering above its body. With these weapons at its disposal, the Deathstalker is no exception.

The Deathstalker covered its face with pincers, and with a well timed swing of both pincers it knocked Ruby back. She fell on her front and skidded against the ground. Her vision was distorted like the whole world was spinning. Ever so slowly, she got back on her feet. "I'm-I'm fine. I'm just fine!" She informed everyone, though wasn't very convincing. Her back was to the Deathstalker as she was facing her friends, it was closing the distance between her and itself. Yet another mistake.

By the time Ruby returned her sights onto the Deathstalker, it was already in front of her. It practically towered over her in a menacing manner. On instinct, Ruby fired at the Grimm, launching herself backwards to give her a running start. She began to flee, and was also quick enough to outrun the Deathstalker

"Ruby!" Yang broke out into a sprint, attempting to get to her sister to bring her back to safety. Although going it alone, just as Ruby did. Ignoring all signs of protests to let another member of their group to carry out such reckless actions. It seemed like everyone is running out in desperation and not at all thinking about the weight of their actions

"Yang." To what Sora could muster up into a yell, it still came out normally audible. There was no room left to think, someone had to do something before these two got themselves killed. Sora sucked his teeth in irritation and then removed his robe, which fell to the ground with an unnatural loud thud. At first the group was startled that Sora had suddenly started stripping right then and there, though it also caught them off guard when they experienced that a single piece of clothing could cause a small quake.

The Nevermore winded its wings back, then flapping both wings with such ferocity that it launched harpoon-like feathers at Ruby with deadly precision. It was like a black storm. The rows of feathers crept up behind her, embedding themselves into the ground. A single feather just barely missed her, although it managed to root her to the ground by snagging her cape. She felt the sudden tug of her hood choking her, squeezing the air out of her throat as he fell backwards onto the ground.

Yang disregarded the feather projectiles, even though she was heading straight towards it. Her legs couldn't stop moving, as they were fueled by instinct. She failed to notice that she was on a set course to be skewered by Nevermore feathers. It almost seemed like she had a death wish.

However, she was forced to come to a halt when the feathers rained down too dangerously close to even be considered a close call. Yang slide onto her rear, just barely evading three feathers that triangulated around her.

Yang was suddenly pushed back off her feet by a hand, at the exact where the feathers would have impaled her. Instead, someone else had taken her place. It was Sora, who had shielded his body with his arms. He huffed as he slowly lowered his arms and pulled out the feathers from out them. Blood leaked from the wounds, though Sora showed no signs of pain. He merely looked down at Yang with a concerned expression. Prioritizing her well-being over his own.

"Stupid." Sora insulted good-naturedly. He was just glad that he was able to push her out the way in time.

The Deathstalker from before had finally caught up with Ruby, whom had no means of escaping. The Deathstalker reeled its glowing stinger above its body for the killing blow.

Ruby could only watch in horror as she could only see this as the end of her life, fast approaching. She wanted to scream, but she was so afraid that she couldn't say a word.

"RUBY!" Yang screamed out to her precious little sister as the stinger came down like a hammer. Yang reached out to her sister in futility, hoping that it would make a difference in their distance. But that was just hopeless wishes. Both Ruby and Yang shut their eyes, not wanting to see the gruesome sight.

The sound of something slamming into each other was nearly deafening. Followed by a prolonged silence that made Ruby and Yang peel their eyes open. "Am I dead?" Ruby asked to no one in particular. Far from it. Their eyes finally laid upon the view that astonished them both.

Sora now stood in front of the Deathstalker, effortlessly grasping its stinger and keeping it at bay. Yet the Deathstalker is clearly larger and heavier than Sora, but he didn't so much as budge when the Deathstalker pulled and pushed at its stinger. The Grimm in his clutches screeched frantically as it was trying to free itself. He was between Ruby and the Deathstalker, it'd have to get through him before it could even think about touching Ruby. And there was no way he was gonnna let that happen. "Get up." His tone was affirming and commanding, though he only wanted her out of harm's way.

"I knew you'd be there to help me again." Ruby said with an earnest smile to her savior. She stood up, though her cape remained pinned to the ground by the large feather.

Sora let out a sigh of relief, he just managed to barely protect Ruby. If he had been a second late...he doesn't even want to think about what would've happened. Perhaps he should have removed more of his weighted training gear because that was all too close for comfort. Nonetheless, both Yang and Ruby are alive and well, that's all that matters.

Sora turned his attention back to the Deathstalker, with some newfound anger towards it. Sora removed the feather that kept Ruby from escaping and used it to stab the Deathstalker's stinger into the ground. It let out a screech in pain as it once again tried to free itself from another situation, but to no avail.

Abruptly, Sora felt something wrap around and apply warmth to his bare skin. Ruby being the cause, not at all minding her shameless action in front of everyone. She had him trapped in an embrace that Sora could not bring himself to break, not even all the strength in the world wouldn't allow him to do so. Instead, he accepted the hug by gently rubbing Ruby's back.

When Ruby and Sora returned to the group, they were greeted by relieved faces and various body checks for wounds. Yang made a bee-line for Ruby and held her close like they haven't seen each other for years. It was a heartwarming scene. Even in the face of danger, no one could bring themselves to interrupt them.

When Yang finally let go of her sister, she showed Sora the same affection by wrapping him her arms around him without warning. "Thank you." She whispered before letting him go. Sora averted his sights and nodded in embarrassment.

However, Weiss showed no type of sympathy for Ruby, as she delivered it with a slap across Ruby;s face. Ruby nursed her reddening cheek and fought back the pained tears. This angered Yang rather quickly, but she held back since she was Ruby's partner. Still, she could feel her eyes turning an angry red on instinct. Everyone shimmied a reasonable distance away from Yang just in case if she would metaphorically, and literally, explode again.

"Do you have any idea what would've happened if Sora wasn't there to save you?! Your reckless actions almost cost you your life! Do you really want that upon your shoulders? On your sister's shoulders?!" Weiss was practically furious, and Ruby could not defend herself as everything her partner said was true. Ruby's eyes began to well up, letting out a sharp hiccup as she fought back the tears. Weiss redirected her concerns with Yang and Sora. On the contrary, it was clear as day that she too feared the worst about losing her partner.

Yang substantially calmed down, now knowing that Weiss was not only thinking about Ruby's sake, but her's as well. It was Weiss' own way of showing how worried she was toward her partner, especially after pulling off a stunt like that.

Sora stepped between Ruby and Weiss to intervene, though was stopped short when Weiss pointed an instigating finger at him. "You're no better either! You should know that you're low on aura, and yet…-you could've gotten yourself killed!" Weiss was practically shouting at this point, as she began to tremble within frustration. She absolutely hated that these two are beyond her control that all she could is watch them risk their lives. Sora stood his ground defiantly, as he would do it all again if it meant saving Ruby.

He knew the risk, but he still chose to go with the plan even at the cost of his own life.

"They did what they think they had to do. That doesn't mean it's always the right thing. But both of them came back alive. That's all that matters." Rujo stepped in, neutrally defending Sora and Ruby, but at the same time agreeing with Weiss.

They were interrupted by the reminder that there is still one mobile Grimm that is still after them. The Nevermore. "It's circling back. And also..." Jaune stated as he pointed at the Deathstalker, its pincers began to cut through the feather that entrapped its stinger.

"Let's get what we came for and go." Rujo commanded everyone, as they hurriedly walked up to the temple ruins and grabbed their own respective relics. No one had any time to check what kind of relic they got since they were all in a hurry.

"We need to go now!" Ruby called out to the group, and they quickly followed behind her with hesitation. And just as they escaped back into the forest, the Deathstalker removed the feather from its tail and hissed angrily. Both the Nevermore and Deathstalker zeroed in on their trail.

(Midst of noon. Emerald Forest, castle ruins)

The group believed they may have found a way out of the deeper parts of the emerald forest without encounter Grimm. Jaune mentioned some castle ruins that Pyrrha and himself stumbled across on their way here to the abandon temple. As that is where they are heading towards now.

They exited from out the forest, and it was just as Jaune described it. Castle ruins with a bridge, as well as a chasm underneath the structure.

The Nevermore perched itself at the top of the castle ruins, stopping them dead in their tracks as they took cover behind some pillar. Looks like running away isn't an option anymore. "We can't seem to catch a break, huh?" Rujo remarked with an exasperated sigh..

The sound of timbering trees could be heard, and it only got louder with each passing second until the Deathstalker exited from out the forest and now had them in its sights. "Oh come on!" Jaune complained as everyone was forced out of their hiding spots and made a break for the bridge.

With salvation growing closer with each step they took, they failed to notice that the Nevermore was no longer on top of the castle ruins. That is when they caught that distinct darkness within their peripheral vision. Before they knew it, the Nevermore was only a few meters away from the bridge.

Up close and personal like this, the Nevermore looked absolutely menacing due its immense size. Their eyes widen in shock with the Nevermore upon them. None of them could react in time, as it rammed right through the bridge like it was nothing.

The everyone was divided, some of them had just barely made it across by leaping forward, while the others were forced to jump back and were now faced with the giant Deathstalker once again. Partners separated, the chain of command was quickly falling apart. No one knew who to exactly listen to other than trust in their instinct and try to support each other.

However, two people in the group were not as lucky. Sora and Rujo. They felt the full head-on collision of the Nevermore when it crashed against the bridge, forcing them from off their feet and into the air. Now the only thing beneath them was the chasm below. As they began to regain their senses after getting the wind knocked out of them, they could barely hear the screams of their names as the wind was whistling in their ears from gravity now taking its course. They disappeared into the white fog, and so began their fall.

I've come to the decision to mush the two chapters from the previous fic together, chapter 5 and 6. I've come to realize that the whole flashback with Ruby was a bit unnecessary, and could be view more as a filler. And I'm not into that kinda stuff. No, screw that noise. So yeah, that means this'll mean that I've finally caught up with the previous fic and the next chapter will be the long awaited chapter, as well as it'll be a new beginning. Like new levels added in remastered games to keep it fresh.

Waifu Pillow: I was afraid of this, but I knew this day would come. Guys, Waifu pillows have become sentient and now have a will of their own. Don't be jealous, but I now have the first Waifu pillow viewer in history. Anyway! You'd be right about adding another OC into the mix. Usually people would become discouraged as the numbers of OCs increase, but this'll be the only major two. Also, I would try grammarly, but the subscription for it would do a number to my budget. So I do what I can with Ginger instead since its free. I appreciate your concern though. I'll be seeing you in the next chapter then.