RWBY is property of Roosterteeth! I only own my characters.
CHAPTER 17
Alex yawned to himself as Patch's light breezes passed over him, the setting sun causing him to shield his eyes. Ruby and Yang had decided to pack the last few of their dwindling days in their hometown with as much activity as they could, in this case, a trip to the beach. Even though the next semester at Beacon was still a ways off, the two sisters didn't want to fall out of practice by taking things easy too long. Despite Taiyang's requests that they slow down and stay longer, Ruby and Yang adamantly decided to keep to their schedule and return to Vale in a few days.
"Tired?" Luna sat down next to Alex on the bench he was located on. The wooden seat looked like it had seen far better days. Its planks were chipped and jagged along the edges, and faded green paint peeled off at odd angles.
"A little," Alex nodded as Luna nudged closer and leaned into his shoulder.
"We saw you just sitting up here on your own and got worried that you were feeling left out," Luna nodded towards the nearby sandy beach, where Ryland, Ruby, and Yang were tossing a frisbee between each other while Zwei darted around happily underneath the flying disc.
"Nah, more worn out than anything," Alex replied.
"You getting old on me already?" Luna joked, planting a quick peck on his cheek.
"Maybe," the blond soldier smiled back. The couple sat quietly for a few moments, watching their three younger friends play in the sand. The silence was broken as the pair let out chuckles of amusement as Yang chucked the frisbee hard enough to knock Ryland off his feet. Zwei dove upon the downed boy, quickly licking his face and stealing the frisbee. Ruby gave chase to the Corgi while Yang helped Ryland up off the ground. The blonde student rubbed the back of her head sheepishly.
Ruby returned shortly with Zwei in her arms, the dog still holding the frisbee firmly in his jaws. Ryland checked the watch secured on his right wrist and said something Alex and Luna couldn't quite make out from a distance. The message was clear enough, as the trio joined Alex and Luna next to the bench.
"Time to head back?" Luna inquired once the others were in earshot.
"Yeah," Yang nodded, "Dad wants all of us back for dinner."
"He's worried Yang and Ryland are being... naughty," Ruby grinned impishly as the two in question began turning bright red. "Considering how these two go at it sometimes, I can't say I blame him."
"I- We- You- Ruby!" Yang managed to splutter out.
"What?" the red-cloaked girl's smile widened. "You two can get kinda loud." The red on Ryland's face had spread to the tips of his ears.
"Alright," Alex cut in, "stow the chatter for now and let's head back." Luna nodded her agreement, and the two rose to their feet. The five of them started their walk back to the girls' house, Ruby still holding the family pet in her arms. Yet another mischievous look crossed the cloaked girl's face, causing Alex to suddenly wonder whether or not she had picked up any bad habits by hanging around the members of the EDC. Ruby seemed to answer this thought by slowing her pace until she was beside Yang and whispering something in her sister's ear. Alex was close enough to pick out the words.
"Personally, being an aunt sounds kinda fun." Yup. Ruby had definitely picked up something.
Yang suddenly began chasing Ruby in a loose circle, the latter of whom responded by yelling, "I have a Zwei-shield! You can't harm me!" The two sisters quickly slowed down, both laughing at the exchange.
"Sorry, Ruby," Yang breathed out between subsiding laughs, "but I think you'll have to wait on that until I'm sure Dad or Uncle Qrow won't kill Ry."
"Not sure that danger is going to pass," Ryland quipped. "Your Dad's kinda... 'hug-y'... and he's not great in the 'holding-back' department."
"I'm totally worth it though, right?" Yang elbowed him in the ribs.
"You're extremely lucky that you are," the orange-haired soldier laughed before being silenced by a quick kiss from the blonde student.
Alex shook his head and chuckled at the back-and-forth. Judging from the look on Luna's face, she was having a difficult time not bursting out laughing at the antics unfolding in front of them. Ruby seemingly decided to stop teasing the younger couple. She placed Zwei on the ground and fell back to speak with the two soldiers for the rest of the trip.
"Are you glad to came along?" Ruby asked.
"Definitely," Luna nodded, "Patch is beautiful, Ruby. Thank you for inviting us."
"I'm glad you think so. I wanted to show you guys around before..." Ruby trailed off.
"Ruby?" Alex said worriedly as the girl's mood seemed to shift suddenly.
"I... wanted to make sure I got to spend as much time with everyone as possible... before I can't anymore..." Yang and Ryland slowed down, both their expressions becoming concerned at Ruby's words. Alex waved the two of them and Luna ahead, hanging back to speak to the small girl.
"Ruby, you know none of us are going anywhere, right?"
"You might not... but I- I was just thinking about my Mom... how she barely spent anytime at home... Sure, it was cool having a superhero for a parent... but..."
"You're afraid that your duties as a Huntress will prevent you from seeing the people you care about?" Alex guessed.
"Yeah," Ruby nodded sadly. "It's kinda dumb to have these thoughts when I'm so close to finishing my training, isn't it?"
"Not at all," Alex shook his head. "Just remember that we'll all be waiting for you when you get back." Ruby remained silent for a few moments.
"Thanks, Alex," she smiled. "You're the best 'big brother' I could ask for."
"It's in the contract," the soldier joked, lightly placing a reassuring hand on Ruby's shoulder.
"Careful, Alex, or all Ryland will have left is marrying Yang." The cloaked girl let a calm grin spread across her face. She wrapped her arms around the blond's waist to give him a quick hug. "Thank you."
"You're welcome, Ruby."
Blake found herself floating amongst an ocean of stars, the four stars of the Seasons positioned directly in front of her. The glowing orbs blinked and struggled to stay alight. The Summer star faded into darkness for a moment, then suddenly burned with new light. But it was not a kind or warm light, instead, the glow began to steadily grow, threatening to swallow its sisters. Summer sprouted large tendrils of flame, reaching out for its fellow stars. Winter and Spring seemed to shy away, but the Fall star was hit, stripping away most of its glow and leaving behind nothing but a faintly blinking golden orb.
Blake watched this process go on and on. Eventually, the Summer star grew to an immense size, swallowing its sisters and turning a bright white color. Blake shielded her eyes from the now-blinding light as the star continued to increase in size. It grew closer and closer to her, threatening to swallow the young Faunus student as well.
"-Lake. Blake," Dimitri's voice sounded from nowhere in particular. Blake felt herself being shaken lightly.
"Hmm?" Blake groaned out and her eyes blinked open. Her right cheek was rested on the page of one of many astronomy books laid out around her. She was in the dorm's common area, which she had slowly converted into her personal study area over the course of the last week or so. Numerous tomes were strewn about, all relating to the scientific, historical, or mythological significance of the four stars. Unable to shake that feeling of impending doom, Blake had dedicated almost all of her time to studying them.
"Did you fall asleep in here?" the Russian inquired. She nodded, stretched, and yawned. "Blake, you can't keep doing this."
"I'm sorry..." the black-haired student bowed her head. Dimitri sighed.
"You shouldn't be apologizing to me," he reached out and patted Blake's head. "I know you're a capable young woman, but you need to take better care of yourself."
"I just can't get those stars out of my head," Blake's bow twitched in annoyance. "I can't explain it."
"You're not alone in that," Firo stated, entering into the common area through a set of double doors. She was carrying a small tray with a teapot and several cups. Blake quickly cleared a spot for the rabbit-eared woman to set the items down. "I'm not sure why, but I've been uneasy since we saw the stars acting up."
"There's more than that," Dimitri added. "Several of our friends in Vale are experiencing varying degrees of this..." He searched for the right word.
"Paranoia?" Blake supplied.
"I suppose you could call it that. The point is, all the people affected seem to be Faunus."
"So it's what? Some sort of instinctual response? To the stars?" Blake tilted her head in confused thought.
"I couldn't say," Dimitri shrugged. "Still, you should take a break." He poured each of them a cup of hot tea.
"Thank you," Blake said softly, taking a sip of the hot liquid. The three of them sat quietly and relaxed for several minutes. Firo adopted a contemplative look. Blake looked at her questioningly.
"This is just a thought, Blake, but what if we're looking at this the wrong way?"
"What do you mean?"
"I remember an old story my father used to tell me..." Firo paused for a moment to recall the tale. "Essentially, the story spoke about how Faunus' had a natural instinct to inform us of close danger... What if the stars are nothing but a coincidence, and all of us are feeling something else?"
Agony stood in the center of the Mistral Senate auditorium, the once-proud room dark and devoid of people. Large pieces of rubble and the occasional bloodstain dotted the stands. Enigma sat atop a section of the roof that had fallen to the ground. The High Lord of the Order turned to face the room's entrance as it swung open. Europa, Golem, and Carnage entered through the doors, bits of stone and glass cracking under their feet.
"You called, Lord Agony?" Golem bowed.
"Indeed, my friends," the aging red-haired Lord nodded. "I once again have need of your services."
"Who do you wish for us to crush?" Carnage asked, a smile breaking across his skull-like face.
"From this city's databanks, I have learned the precise locations of the other large settlements. Once we are fully entrenched in this position, we must bring the other three Kingdoms to their knees so they are unable to interrupt us while I find our forces a way back to Earth," Agony explained. "Enigma, if you would, please..." The small female Lord hopped off her perch and held out a small holographic projector to her superior. Agony nodded his head in quick acknowledgment and set the projector down upon the stone table in the center of the room.
A map of Remnant appeared in the air, allowing Agony to outline the rest of his plan. One Lord would travel to each Kingdom with one ship and cause as much damage as possible in a single strike. Golem would head towards the northern-most Kingdom of Atlas, Carnage would head to the western Kingdom of Vacuo, and Europa would head South to Vale.
"Now, you all need to prepare," Agony said, turning as the three Lords bowed their understanding. "Enigma, you will continue the hunt for Senator Nikos. Don't fail me." The young female nodded.
"Yes... my... Lord..."
Dimitri sat down next to Firo in their room, the edge of bed creaking under his weight. The snow-haired Faunus edged closer, hooking her arm around his and grasping the Russian's large hand.
"Is she okay?" Firo asked.
"Blake is one of the toughest young women we know," Dimitri assured, "I think she just needs some real sleep." Firo leaned her head against his shoulder and nodded, her single rabbit ear flopping lightly.
"How about you?" she inquired. "It can't be easy being the only one who's not frightened at whatever's going on..."
"Personally, I'm more worried about you, Blake, or one of the other Faunus getting hurt because of their fear..." Dimitri sighed, resting his cheek lightly on the top of Firo's head, careful to avoid folding her rabbit ear.
"Well, whether it's the stars or something else entirely... we'll be able to handle it together, right?" Firo rotated her head slightly so she was looking Dimitri in the eyes. Despite her best efforts, the Russian could still clearly make out evident fear and worry. He sat up straighter and pulled Firo into a warm embrace.
"We'll deal with anything fate can throw our way," he nodded, "I promise."
The darkness of night cloaked the dense forest surrounding Vale. In the depths of the trees, a woman with long flowing stark white hair and ghostly-pale skin tasted the air. Her tongue darted out of her mouth for an instant, much like a snake's. A delighted grin spread across her face as she detected the trail she was after. She licked her lips hungrily.
"I suppose we'll finally meet soon..." She crossed her arms as if she were cold, shivering with gleeful anticipation. "I can almost taste it."
A/N: Threats have arrived on the horizon. Due to issues, the schedule for Bloody Evolution may slow down to updates every two to four days rather than every day. I will still upload chapters as quickly as I can though, so just expect things to occasionally get more sporadic!
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