NOTES: Thanks for the wait, as promised here is the next chapter. I can't believe all the hits this has been getting, especially so early in the story. I can only hope that I can continue to write what you seem to enjoy. Once again, if you have any criticism, suggestions or feedback, let me know! I would certainly appreciate it!

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Chapter Two: The Passing of the Rose

The light of an early morning sun was slowly beginning to fill the dorm room of team RWBY. The team leader in question was sitting on the top bunk, leaning her back against the wall of the room. No nightmares last night. It was the first time in a week that Ruby hadn't violently woken up, which was a good thing she thought. She was going to need all the rest she could manage for the days in front of her. Wait, what time is it? Quickly looking over at Yang's clock and jumped when she saw that it was 4:59 in the morning. Oh. Oh gods no! No please- thinking quickly, she dived under a pillow to cover her ears.

It was at that moment when an incredibly loud screech pierced the silence of the morning; as Yang's brutal alarm clock rang out. Weiss jumping out of her bed screaming "Turn that thing off!". Hesitantly peeking out from the covers Ruby watched as Yang scrambled to shut the noise off. I'll never understand why she got that thing, couldn't she get a normal alarm. Or at least one that doesn't make the ears bleed.

"Sorry." Yang mumbled "Forgot to turn that one off last night."

"I'm calling it now Yang. If the Grimm don't finish us off, It'll be you and your stupid alarms." Weiss growled.

"That hurts, Ice Queen."

"You'll survive it Yang." Blake yawned, she threw her legs off the bed and stretched.

"We should probably start getting ready." Ruby climbed down from the bunk and walked over to her dresser "It's going to be a long day."

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An hour passed and the two teams found themselves standing in front of a small Atlesian Gunship. Unremarkable, except for the gun emplacements and the colouring, it had been painted various shades of green. Which Ruby assumed was to blend in with vegetation.

"So this is our ship huh?" Jaune remarked "It doesn't look like much to be honest with you guys."

"My friends, you have no idea for the surprise you're in for, do you? This ship is more than combat ready!"

Everyone there jumped and looked up to find the source of the voice. Ruby covered her face with her hand to block the morning sunlight and made out a small shadow standing on top of the ship. "Penny?" she asked.

The figure jumped down from the top of the ship and landed in front of Ruby. "Salutations!" Penny smirked, smiling at the reference to how Penny had first met her friends.

"Penny!" Ruby squealed as she ran to embrace her old friend "Penny it has been far too long! What are you doing here?"

"I'm your pilot!" Penny replied, "I outfitted this work of art myself!"

"Oooh!" Nora was jumping up and down in anticipation "What have you got for us here penny?"

"You are going to just love this, follow me." Penny turned around and began walking around the gunship, pointing out aspects of it as she went. "Now I know what you're thinking, friends, and let me reassure you. This isn't just any normal gunship, I've reinforced the titanium alloy plating along the entirety of the ship; essentially giving it twice the armor protection. In a sustained conflict, this craft could withstand enormous punishment. It's not invincible, but it is certainly tough. Now, let's move on to the weapons section. On standard, Atlas sanctioned gunships, they have rotating dual Gatling guns. On this, we have four sets of them, equipped with interchangeable armour piercing rounds and shredder rounds. I figured you would love that addition, Ruby."

Ruby nodded, forcing herself to wipe a bit of drool coming out of the corner of her mouth. "It's... so... cool."

"This is great Penny, this will certainly aid us in our mission." Pyrrha nodded appreciatively.

"Of course! But we dust off in twenty minutes. But I think the others might want a word with you." Seeing the confused faces looking back at her, Penny pointed behind them "I mean them".

Ruby turned and saw the amused faces of Ozpin and Glynda standing a few feet behind them. "Wha- How?" she stammered.

"To answer your question Ruby, I would suspect it's because you were occupied with falling in love with your new ship." Ozpin let his eyes drift over the small group in front of him, "Were just here to see you all off."

Ruby looked over to Glynda. She doesn't look happy. Then again, she never does.

"If I might have a word with you, Ruby?" Glynda inquired.

"Um," She paused to look at her friends, Weiss nodded in the direction of the professors. "Yeah, sure I guess."

Both Ozpin and Glynda turned and walked away forcing Ruby to jog after them. When they were out of earshot Ruby nervously asked "Is something wrong?"

The two professors exchanged a glance, almost as if engaging in some private conversation. Ozpin sighed, he took a drink of his coffee and looked straight at Ruby. "There is always something wrong at any given time, Ruby, as for right now, I don't know."

Her eyes were flitting between the two teachers, "A little cryptic there, professor."

He laughed, "Yes I suppose so. Glynda if you would give her the parcel."

She waved her weapon of choice, a riding crop, and within a few seconds a small box came hurtling down from the school. Whoa, Ruby thought.

"This," Ozpin continued, "Is a gift from Qrow. I don't know what it is, but what I do know is that it once belonged to your mother; Summer."

Ruby froze at the mention of her mother.

"Of course, I understand if you wish to open this in private." Ozpin smiled down at her "Qrow told me to let you know that he will be arriving at Beacon in one week, I'm sure he'll be happy to see you when you get back from your trip."

"I-I, thank you. But I think I'll open it now." Ruby could hardly contain her excitement, she had been so young when her mother died that she had almost nothing to remember her by. She graciously accepted the box from Glynda and carried it over to a nearby bench. It's pretty light. Wonder what it is. In the blink of an eye Ruby had rid the box of its wrapping paper and pocketed the bubble wrap. She sat on the bench staring at the gift inside. It's some kind of white fabric. Gently removing the cloth from the box, she held it up. The folded material unraveled and she was presented with a white hooded cloak, much like her own.

Glynda's eyes widened. "It-" she paused "It has been a long time since I have seen that. So, the old drunk still has his surprises."

Ruby looked it over, it was almost identical to her own red cape. But this one still had its differences. This has clearly seen quite a bit of action. A small tear ran down her cheek as she traced her thumb over a jagged scar near the bottom of the cloak.

Mom. I- I try to ignore it, but. I miss you, so much. All of the joy that I have known for all my life, was stripped away from me the minute that you died. I know it's not your fault, but to have you in my life was all I ever wanted. But now without you I'm a soul- I just, I just can't help but feel that I had taken you for granted.

Ruby wiped her eyes, and as if on instinct she shed her own cape, watching as it drifted and piled at her feet. She looked at her mother's cape once again, and then she put it on.

"Ruby." Ozpin said softly. "If I hadn't known otherwise, I would have thought you were Summer."

"She would be proud if she saw you now, Ruby." Glynda said.

She looked at the professors in front of her as she wiped her eyes. "Thank you, this means a lot to me."

Ozpin just smiled and took another drink of coffee "Don't thank us, Ruby. This is all Qrow's doing. But it seems as though he left one more thing for you. Check the box."

She looked inside and saw a letter that must have been sitting underneath the cloak.

"I think you should read that on your own, don't you?"

She nodded, storing it behind the bubble wrap in her pockets.

"Then I'll take my cue. Your friends are waiting to leave." He pointed his mug at the gunship behind them. "We expect to see you in a few days."

Ruby grinned "Of course, keep the chairs warm for us." With that, she turned around and ran over to her team to show her new gear.

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Ozpin watched as the gunship started accelerating down the path.

"Are you sure this was wise Ozpin. The deep woods are dangerous." She sighed "With all due respect, the only team to ever venture out that far so young was Qrow's."

"I know." He replied. "But memories of that team have faded in the minds of the common people."

"What's your point?" the impatience clearly evident in her tone.

"I once told you that we needed a guardian." He turned to look Glynda in the eyes "We've found that guardian. The rose has been passed down from mother to daughter."