Okay guys hope you enjoy the volume 1 finale of A Rose By Any Other Name. Unfortunately I'm going to have to take a little break from writing in order to finalise my ideas, after all there's an entire semester break between Volume 1 and 2, lots of time for non canon stories. Also am going to go back and edit the previous chapters, you won't need to reread them or anything they will just be grammar editing. You guys have been kind but I know all of them need it, even this one probably does. Anyway without further ado enjoy chapter 11.
I don't own RWBY if I did Faunus and humans would have switched roles.
Red ran the through the streets of Vale as fast as her semblance could carry her, the buildings beginning blur. 'Ok I can still salvage this, the only ways off Beacon are by airship or through Emerald Forest. She wouldn't have gone through the forest which means I might still catch her at the airship terminal if I hurry.' Arriving at the terminal, after nearly collapsing from exhaustion, Red scanned the crowd and sure enough there was Blake walking with Sun her bow back on her head. Talking a deep breath she walked over to them, 'acting skills don't fail me now.'
"Blake! What are you doing out at this time?" she called.
Both Faunus jumped and turned to see Red waving as she walked over. Sun looked ready to bolt but Blake grabbed his arm, giving him a stern look.
"I could ask you the same question Ruby," she responded coldly.
"Well I kind of got side tracked by a weapons store while exploring Vale," said Red, giving her best innocent expression.
"I see well if you'll excuse us," said Blake, dragging Sun along with her.
Red sighed, 'looks like I've got no choice then. This will either get them talking or sprinting as far away as possible.' Running up to Blake she grabbed the bow off her head and jumped back. Blake looked at her with a shocked expression that quickly dissolved into one of anger.
"Give me the bow Ruby," she growled.
Red shook her head, "not until you explain what's going on."
Blake's expression turned sombre, "you wouldn't understand."
Red gave her a stern look, "you want to prove that the White Fang aren't behind the recent string of dust robberies, judging by the fact that you're a Faunus who got into Beacon without going to training school I can assume that you're a former member as well. So how'd I do?" she said, her expression unchanged.
Both of them looked at her in shock, neither saying a word. Blake began to slowly reach for Gambol Shroud on her back, while Sun was reaching for Ruyi Bang and Jingu Bang. Red looked at both of them and sighed.
"Blake what do you hope to accomplish with this, say you're right and the White Fang aren't to blame what do you have to show for it? A team… no friends who you've now alienated because you couldn't trust them," she said sadly.
Red expected Blake to give up at this point or at least listen to reason, instead she got a slap across the face for her troubles. She looked at Blake and immediately backed away, the look she was giving could only be described as murderous rage.
"How dare you! You fucking hypocrite!" screamed Blake. "You're the one who's been alienating us, hiding things from us with this 'amnesia' nonsense, did you really think we wouldn't notice huh?"
Red was stunned at this outburst, they had noticed, probably since the first discussion they'd had back in the dorms. Seeing Red completely preoccupied with this revelation Blake quickly grabbed her bow and ran down the streets Sun following close behind. Red saw them leave but couldn't find it in her to chase them, Blake's words had hit closer to home then she may have liked. Realizing this was a failure she headed back to Beacon already pondering whether or not to tell the others about this encounter.
Team RWBY was falling apart and Yang knew it. Just when things were beginning to return to normal, Ruby had been opening up again, Weiss had become tolerable, Blake was actually socializing with them and the general atmosphere of enjoyment had returned to the two teams. Then it started going wrong fast, first Blake and Weiss had got into a fight resulting in finding out that Blake was a Faunus and a former member of the White Fang at that. Then said Faunus had run off and had yet to return, meanwhile Weiss was ready to report her to the cops. Then Ruby had finally returned but she hadn't said anything and just cried herself to sleep that night. That hit both Weiss and Yang most, seeing the cheerful smile and mischievous smirk they had grown accustom to over the past few days wiped clean from her face. Nothing they tried could get Ruby out of her depression, even a plate of freshly baked cookies got no reaction. Eventually giving up they decided to head out to find Blake whom still hadn't returned for two days, but not before asking Jaune to keep an eye on Ruby.
"Blake! Blake! Where are you?" called Yang.
Weiss just walked along side not even bothering to call. Yang turned to her glaring.
"Weiss you're not helping," she scolded.
"Oh you know who might be able to help? The police," snipped Weiss.
"Weiss," growled Yang with crossed arms.
"It was just an idea," said Weiss.
Yang just sighed, "Weiss I think we should hear her side of the story before we jump to any conclusions."
"I think when we hear it you'll realize I was right," responded Weiss.
"And I think Weiss' hair looks wonderful today" came a familiar voice from behind them.
Both of them jumped, there standing behind them was Penny. Weiss and Yang shared a glance, each daring the other to go first, sighing Yang gave in first.
"Hey Penny," she greeted halfheartedly.
"Hey guys, what are you up to?" asked Penny.
"We're looking for our friend Blake," answered Yang.
"Oh you mean the Faunus girl, shame she was a member of the White Fang, she seemed so nice," mused Penny.
Yang and Weiss looked at each other in surprise, "wait how did you know she was in the White Fang?" asked Weiss.
"Oh I overheard the conversation between Ruby and Blake two nights ago," she answered.
"Wait Blake told Ruby she was in the White Fang?" asked Yang.
'That would explain why she's so depressed, what did Blake say to her? Damn it once we find her I'll give her the beating of a lifetime,' thought Yang clenching her fist.
"Oh no, Ruby already knew, in fact I think Blake was in shock about how much she knew," explain Penny.
That caught their attention, it was possible that Ruby had guessed her Faunus heritage but there was no way she could have known about the White Fang. 'Ruby this is getting out of hand, how many more secrets are you hiding from us,' thought Yang angrily. Grabbing Weiss she began running back to Beacon dragging the heiress along as if she weighed nothing.
"Thanks for the help Penny but we have to go, I've got some questions for my little sister."
Red knew she had to get out, the fresh air would do her some good. Sneaking past a sleeping Jaune she made her way onto the roof. As she was looking up at the sky Red sighed hearing footsteps approaching her.
"Guys for the last time I just want to be left alone," she snapped.
"I see that is a shame, in my experience it is better to have someone to talk to at times like this," came a familiar voice.
Red quickly stood up, "Headmaster Ozpin, I'm sorry sir I didn't know it was you," she apologized.
Ozpin waved it off, "it's quite alright Miss Rose, now tell me what's wrong."
Red was silent as she sat back down, gathering her thoughts. "Do you ever wonder why we're here? I mean was it chance that you became what you are or was it all part of some greater plan? And if so what if someone deviated from that plan?" asked a depressed Red.
Ozpin turned to look at her, "I would think that person did so with the best intentions at heart," he replied.
Red began chuckling darkly, "best intentions huh? Well the road to hell is paved with good intentions," she scoffed.
Ozpin sat down beside her, "Ruby I can't help you if you don't tell me what's wrong, please let me," he said.
Upon hearing this Red deflated, "I… I messed up, I thought I was helping someone but I only ended up making it worse. I've always had a plan but now… I just don't know what to do," she confessed.
Ozpin got up from the ground and looked out over Beacon, "the heart is a strange thing, so strong and yet so fragile. Ruby I've made more mistakes then most people on Remnant and you know what I've found, you should listen to your heart it will rarely lead you astray."
"But what if I mess up again?" she asked.
Ozpin turned and offered her a hand, "what is worse to do something and regret it or to regret not doing it at all?" he replied.
Red looked at the offered hand and for the first time in two days a smile spread across her face. Accepting the help up she thanked Ozpin and walked back to the dorm bathroom, getting changed into her combat gear. Hearing angry voices coming from the dorm bedroom area she hesitated having last minute doubts. How would she explain what she knew and how will they react? Then she felt something behind her, turning she saw her own reflection in the mirror. Only it was smiling an innocent smile, not one of her mischievous smirks and her silver eyes were filled encouragement, suddenly a loud bang came from the door. Red jumped and walked over to it, taking one last look behind her showed only her normal reflection. Red frowned before taking deep breath and opening the door to a very pissed Yang.
"Ruby you've got some explaining to do," growled the blonde.
"Later Yang, I know where Blake is and she's in trouble," she said, causing Yang and Weiss to look at her in surprise.
The remnants of team RWBY raced through the streets of Vale heading towards the docks. After Red had explained the area they were looking for Weiss had immediately spoke up giving them the exact location. They picked up speed after hearing an explosion and seeing smoke rising from the shipyards, all doubt removed from their minds.
Red frowned, "ok listen here's the plan, I'll distract Roman while you guys deal with his henchmen. They have Bullheads so you'll need to be careful, got it?" she asked, seriously.
They both nodded in understanding, keeping their questions about how she knew Roman would be there to themselves, although Yang didn't look too pleased about the plan. Red wasn't surprised not even she knew how she was supposed to deal with Roman, with her team she might be able to beat him but by herself she would be hard pressed just trying to stay alive. The trio arrived just in time to see Roman aiming his cane at Sun.
"Hey," called Red, unsheathing Crescent Rose.
Roman turned to look at them with a shit eating grin, "oh hello Red, isn't it past your bed time?"
She just growled at him before semblancing to his side with Crescent Rose coming in for an overhead sweep. Romans eyes widen and he quickly blocked the strike with his cane, causing the two weapons to lock together.
"Sun go. Now! Help the others," she ordered the monkey Faunus, her eyes never leaving Roman's.
Snapping out of his daze Sun nodded before joining the rest of team RWBY in dealing with the White Fang grunts. Seeing Roman's calculating eyes following the Faunus she frowned, realizing they needed to fight without the distractions to help him. Taking one hand off her scythe she grabbed his shirt and semblanced to the other end of the dock. To his credit Roman was only briefly disorientated before he took advantage of situation by delivering a swift punch to her face. Red let go of his shirt, stumbling from the force of the blow. Shaking it off she saw Roman aiming his cane at her, unable to dive to the side in time she fired her scythe into the ground. Flying through the air she landed on top of one of the many shipping containers scattered around the docks. Roman looked up at her clapping looking mildly amused.
"Well Red I'll give that a 9/10, unfortunately you didn't quite stick the landing," he said, his voice laced with sarcasm.
Red said nothing instead she just glared at him with barely contained anger, causing his smug smile to drop slightly. Jumping down she charged the criminal feinting with Crescent Rose, smiling as he took the bait. Blocking the scythe with his cane Roman was unprepared for the knee to his stomach, coughing he backed away trying to regain his balance. Seeing an opening Red disappeared in a flash rose petals before unloading an entire clip into Roman from behind. He groaned and staggered as he turned to face Red, his face now wiped clean of any smugness for the first time. Slowly they began circling each other, neither breaking eye contact.
"Who are you? You're not the same girl I met before," asked Roman, without a trace of his usual condescending tone.
Red smirked, "oh and what makes you say that?" she asked.
Roman frowned, "you look like her, sound like her, hell you even fight like her. However you're aura is slightly different, a small difference that anyone who wasn't looking for it wouldn't notice. But your strikes are what give you away the most," he said.
"My strikes, how so you said I fight just like her?" asked Red confused, before closing her mouth realizing what she just said.
Unfortunately it seemed that Roman had also realized this and smirked, "I mean your instincts, when I fought our friend there was no killing intent behind the blows. But with you I can feel it behind every strike, when you attack you go for the kill," explained the criminal.
Suddenly there came a loud explosion from behind them, briefly looking back showed three of the four Bullheads had exploded. Red was mildly confused before she saw the burnt out remains of a dust shipping container. The last Bullhead quickly flew over to the two of them, forcing Red to dive behind cover least she be hit with the machine gun. Roman quickly ran over and jumped in, turning to look at Red once more.
"Well Red I must say this has been a very enlightening night, you've peaked my interest and I'm sure my employers will be interested as well," called Roman as the Bullhead took off.
Red just shook her head and collapsed from exhaustion.
It was hot, Ruby could feel the heat from here, she knew she should feel something at this sight but instead there was only a numbness. Walking up it she placed her hands on the door, reliving the memories they'd shared here. Sighing she walked back to Yang and Uncle Qrow, both whom carried lit torches.
"Ruby are you sure you want to do this?" asked Yang.
Ruby nodded before grabbing the torch off Qrow and throwing it into the house. Yang looked conflicted but with a nod from Qrow she too threw her torch in. The trio stood watching as the house began to go up in flames, Qrow was frowning and Yang was crying. Ruby just looked on with a blank expression as the house she'd spent her whole childhood in, the home of Summer Rose burnt to the ground.
Red opened her eyes to see the night sky above her. Sitting up she saw the docks were crawling with cops and that her teammates as well as Sun had gathered around a bunch of crates. Walking over Red caught the last of the conversation between Weiss and Blake.
"… next time something this big comes up you'll come to your teammates and not some… someone else," lectured Weiss.
Blake looked around seeing her smiling teammates, her eyes resting on Red as a very distinctive Ruby smile spread across her face. Blake wiped the tears from her face and nodded.
"Of course," she replied sincerely.
Red looked around feeling an innocent child-like joy welling up inside her. Looking up at the star lit night she felt, for the first time like she was home.
"Yeah! Team RWBY is back together!" she cheered.
Red's eyes widened and she quickly cupped her hands over her mouth, causing everyone to burst out laughing. 'Where did that come from?' she thought confused. In her confusion however she failed to notice a certain blonde was not joining in the laughter and instead looking at her with suspicion.
Sneak peak of the next chapter: Synchronized Souls
Red didn't think, if she had then she might have come up with a way to talk her way out of this. Instead she followed her instincts that had saved humans for many years and ran. Red began sweating feeling the heat rising behind her as her pursuer closed the distance between them.
"Get back here you imposter!" screamed her pursuer.
Annnnddddd CUT! Alright that's a wrap folks! Finally get to write for Roman! I love his lines in the show, unfortunately I didn't really get a chance to do many in this chapter. Anyway since it might be awhile until I update again I wanted to give you guys a sneak peak at the next chapter, yes I am that mean. Hope you guys liked this chapter and thanks to everyone who has supported the story you guys are great.