I'm sure you all know by now but Monty has passed away due to an allergy induced coma. However he lives on through his work so hopefully they will continue RWBY.
I don't own RWBY it now and always will be Monty's.
Red felt herself beginning to come back to the present as her vision was flooded with sunlight and groggily forced her body into a sitting position. Looking around she spotted the others all standing together, Yang even seemed to be crying. 'What's going on?' she thought and was about to get up when Yang spoke.
"Earth aura kills its host. At stage four most bodies die from the effects of it by internal bleeding before shutting down entirely," sobbed the blonde.
Red's eyes widened and had to hold in a cough as another series of pain wracked her body, noting the coppery taste of blood in her mouth. Struggling to her feet she forced herself to stand and leaned against the wall, attempting to listen in on their conversation.
Oobleck was silent for a moment before he spoke up, "stage five is if she survives, isn't it?"
Yang nodded but couldn't respond, leaving Red confused as to why this was a bad thing. 'Shouldn't she be happy that I might not die?' she wondered as Blake approached the professor.
"Stage five is when she loses her humanity and becomes little more than a violent monster, killing anything that gets in her way. They call this state Feral," explained the Faunus.
Red froze at what she had just heard before she caught sight of her reflection in the broken glass, her eyes were still cat-like and her hair was still black. But what caused her to pause was the tattoos along her arm had grown, nearly reaching her shoulders. Her mind began flashing back to her argument with Leah, what seemed like a lifetime ago.
"You have no idea what kind of powers you are toying with," growled the captain.
Red just scoffed in amusement and the fight continued until she knocked her opponent to the ground. "You said I don't what kind of powers I'm using, but I know full well. Aura is a tool, it is there to help us, to protect us. What's there to understand?"
Leah just gave her a hate filled glare, causing Red to back away slightly as the captain rose to her feet. "You think aura is there to protect us? You stupid, naïve little girl!"
Holding in another cough Red just collapsed back on to her makeshift bed and removed both her cloak and scythe and placed them on the bed in front of her. 'I'm not letting the others get hurt because of me," she decided. Wrapping the scythe in the cloak she gave them a longing look and sighed, 'they weren't mine to begin with, I don't have the right to take them.'
Giving her former teammates one last look, Red gave a sad smile before sprinting out of the ruined building as fast as her failing body would let her. "Good bye guys, we had fun and I would have like to stay longer. Maybe the next time around," she whispered as her vision grew blurry again.
"Professor how do you know that Ruby's this way?" questioned a skeptical Weiss.
"Because Miss Schnee, Ruby's scroll is still transmitting a weak signal," replied Oobleck, glancing up from his own device.
"But wouldn't the buildings get in the way?" asked Blake.
"Yes which is why her signal keeps dropping out. Thankfully wherever Ruby is she is up high so the interference is being kept to a minimum," replied the professor before he suddenly stopped in his tracks.
Barely stopping herself in time Yang glared at Oobleck but dropped her look as she saw the worried expression on the professor's face. "Professor? What's wrong?" asked the brawler.
"Her signal's disappeared entirely. Which means either it can't get any signal at all or the scroll has been destroyed," he informed them.
"What now?" cried Yang desperately.
"We'll head to her last known location and search the area she can't have gotten very far with that amount of damage," he ordered them.
The reminder of team RWBY nodded and followed the professor until they reached a large metal door hidden in one of the buildings.
"Well looks like we found the White Fang," commented Blake soberly.
"Indeed the question now is, did Ruby find them or did they find Ruby?" replied the professor.
Growling in frustration Yang slammed her aura infused fist into the doors repeatedly, only to give up when it didn't so much as bend under her assault. "Yang these doors are designed to keep out a horde of Grimm, nothing short of high explosives is getting that open," said Oobleck.
"Ruby's in there, we have to do something," stated Weiss.
"Indeed, we will spread out and search for an alternate way in. If any of you see anything call out, understood?" he asked, getting nods in return as they all spread out.
It didn't take them long to find something and they all gathered around a large hole leading in the pavement. "Do you think this leads into their base," asked Weiss.
Oobleck's eyes widened at her suggestion before him began pacing, "oh my. Of course! Of course, OF COURSE, OF COURSE! How could I be so stupid?!" he berated.
"Professor Oobleck what are you talking about?!" demanded Yang, grabbing him by the shoulder.
"The southeast quadrant of Vale is known for wild forests and deep caves! My dear, we're not just looking for an underground crime network, we're looking for an UNDERGROUND crime network!" he announced to their shock.
"They've been working in caves?" scoffed Blake.
"No no, Mountain Glen had a unique underground metro system that allowed safe transport between the settlement and the city. As the end drew near, the citizens of the territory made one last attempt at survival: They took up shelter beneath the city! In massive caves that they had cleared out for the subway. And they had cut themselves off from the surface!" replied Oobleck as he took out some rope from his backpack.
"An underground village?" exclaimed Yang.
The professor nodded, "in a matter of speaking, yes. A safe haven. Until... an explosion opened the mouth of another cavern, filled with subterranean Grimm. After that, the Kingdom officially sealed off the tunnels, creating the world's largest tomb."
Tying the rope to the nearby wreckage Oobleck threw it down the hole before climbing down into the abyss, the rest of RWBY just glanced at each other and followed him down. As they reached the bottom all four heard the familiar sound of gunfire echoing from the nearby chamber, wasting no time they headed straight for it.
Running around the ruins with failing body was not a fun experience as Red was finding out, 'still at least the view is as beautiful as ever, there are definitely worst things to die in front of.' After running around for what seemed like hours but in reality was probably only a few minutes she had climbed to the top of the buildings and looked out over the concrete jungle below.
"Come on hurry up! I don't want to be out here any longer than necessary," came an angry voice, causing Red to jump up.
Looking down at the streets below her Red frowned as she saw two Faunus walking along the ruined road, each bearing a familiar logo on their backs. 'White Fang? Now of all the times!' groaned Red as she watched them go.
"No rest for the wicked I guess," muttered Red with a sigh as she followed them, ignoring the pain flaring though out her body.
Red hopped from building to building, using her newly enhanced vision to tail the two White Fang members and frowned as she saw them heading into an abandoned building with two metal doors blocking the door way. 'Please Semblance work this time,' begged Red as she rushed the closing door. At first it seemed to be working as the buildings began to blur before her Semblance cut out mid stride, sending her crashing into the building wall as the doors slide shut. Cursing she tried to find another way in when she felt the ground begin cracking beneath her feet.
Realizing what was about to happen she tried to flee but wasn't fast enough and fell through the pavement into the caverns below. Red screamed as she fell, memories of Laura's death flashing through her mind. Having no option left she tried to flare her aura, praying that it actually worked this time as the ground came rushing up to meet her. As Red impacted the ground she felt even more pain erupt through her body as her vision blurred again.
"Holy shit that's Roman's old agent! What's she doing here?" exclaimed a voice as two blurred objects approached her.
"Come on let's take her to the boss," ordered another and Red felt two sets of hands restrain her before dragging her off.
As her vision started to return Red saw multiple Atlesian Paladins loading crates on to train carts as well as numerous other devices that didn't look friendly. She felt everyone turn to look at her as they made their way through the camp, some with looks of confusion and other's with recognition. Eventually they stopped before one of the train carts.
"Hey boss! Found something you might want to see!" called one of her captors.
"Is it good or bad, Perry? Because let me tell ya, I have had a day," called a familiar voice.
"It's an old friend," answered Red with a smile.
Roman stuck his head out of the cart and removed the cigar from his mouth, "that would be bad."
"So how'd you find this place, Red?" he asked, walking out of his cart.
"A little birdie told me," she replied, much to his chagrin.
The criminal turned to the one called Perry, "recall all patrols, double the security and prepare the carts for transport. She wouldn't have come alone."
Perry nodded and rushed away to spread the word as the carts were attached to the train and the Paladins were stored. Facing Red again he gave her a calculating look, taking in her eye and hair changes as he frowned.
"You know Red you were much scarier when I first meet you. When I saw you that night on the docks I saw a fierce determination to get what you wanted and destroy anyone who tried to get in your way," mused Roman as he stood in front of her.
"But now all I see is fear. Where are your killing instincts? Where is the Red that I met that first time? Who is this weak person in front of me?" he continued, causing her to flinch at his accusation.
"I'm not weak! And I'm not scared of you!" she shouted at him.
Roman nodded, "indeed you're not afraid of me. So, what are you scared of Red? Is it of killing? Or…is it the tower incident?"
The criminal smiled as Red flinched again, "well looks like I hit the nail on the head. Tell me how do you know that other personality from the tower isn't the real you? The one you keep locked up and hidden from the rest of the world? You can't tell me you don't enjoy hunting Grimm, is it really that much different from hunting people?"
"I'm a hunter so that I can save lives Roman, not take them," she replied, trying to ignore the quiver in her own voice.
"And that childish desire is going to get you or someone close to you killed some day Red. Believe me, you ether die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become a villain," informed Roman with a frown.
Red got up from the ground and just threw an aura infused punch into the crook with a roar of anger, Roman didn't even try dodging or blocking and just let it hit him in the chest. He then sighed in disappointment and threw a return punch into her face, sending her sprawling across the floor.
"Don't you realize it? You're so scared that you're subconsciously holding back on your blows, you could hit me all day and it wouldn't do anything. You were ruthless once Red, you were a survivor. But now you're just some child playing at being a hero, you could have been so much more," he sighed as he walked away from her.
"If you truly want to beat me then cast aside these fears and embrace your true nature Red. Show me the power that has my colleagues so concerned. Show me the beast inside. Show me the real you," ordered Roman.
Red shook her head as memories of fighting in the tower sprang into her mind, the almost childish joy as she tried to kill her opponent, to rip her apart limb by limb. Next the image of the Grimm she saw appeared, the familiar runic tattoos running alone its body. He's right she needed more power, she needed to stop him. She owed it to Yang and the others. You can't buy a new one if it's lost but by the same token you don't owe anyone for living out your own.
Blinking as Oobleck's words echoed across her mind, she climbed to her feet and stared at Roman with a determined expression. The criminal frowned as he took a couple of steps back and the surrounding White Fang grunts leveled their weapons at her as she doubled over and vomited up blood.
"I'm living on borrowed time as it is Roman, do you really think I'm going to spend my last few moments in this world as a mindless beast?" she growled as her cat-like eyes narrowed on him.
"Well then I guess you don't really care about your friends after all," baited the criminal.
"What do you mean?" asked Red.
Roman just smiled and held up a scroll showing the remainder of team RWBY and Oobleck attempting to break down the outside security door. "Wouldn't it be a shame if one of the bombs went off while they were trying to rescue you? If the blast didn't kill them then the Grimm certainly would," he mused.
"You're treading on thin ice Roman. Leave them out of this," she warned with a low growl.
"Well Red that all depends on you. Can you bring yourself to stop me? Can you sacrifice your humanity? No you're too scared to even take that chance. You're weak," he replied before turning to another White Fang grunt.
"Tie her up and place her in one of the train carts, our employers may still have a use for her," he ordered the grunt.
Red's mind raced as she felt hands restrain her again. He was threatening her pack! He was threatening her friends! He needed to pay! A familiar feeling of bones morphing occurred throughout her body as a black glow surrounded Red and the sensation of burning spread from her arms to her face.
"You know what Roman? Maybe you're right, maybe that me from the tower is my true nature," Red informed him, causing the crook to turn to look at her.
Roman took a couple of step backwards as she opened her eyes to reveal them glowing a baleful red, "because right now all I can think about, is how I'm going to tear you limb from bloody limb."
Roman and his posse took a couple of steps back as Red climbed to her feet, all their instincts screaming at them to run and yet refusing to move. They all watched as she was wreathed in a smoky black aura with small spots of red and flinched as they heard the sickening sound of bones shifting and changing. Suddenly their vision was cut off as the aura exploded outwards, throwing up dust and knocking most of his guards off their feet. As the dust cleared and Roman got his first look at Red, he had a sinking feeling that he might have bitten off more than he could chew this time around.
He took note of her new fang-like canines as well as her eyes now glowing a faint red along with some form of tattoos that certainly hadn't been there before and branched down from her face to her bandaged arms. When his gaze reached Red's arms the criminal's eyes widened, not only did she now have claws that made a Beowolf's look like butter knifes but along her arm was white-bone like armour covered in runic patterns, and it was growing. At first he though his eyes were playing tricks on him but sure enough not only did the armour bear an eerie resemblance to Grimm bone plates but he saw it growing steadily up her arms.
"What's going on here?!" he exclaimed as he gripped his cane tighter.
"There are things in this world that are far more terrifying than Grimm, Roman," replied Red in a voice that sounded like two people speaking at once.
Roman backed up and a shiver ran down his spin as she gave him a toothy grin, the light glinting off her sharp canines. "And now I'm one of them."
One of his White Fang guards chose this moment to attack as he fired his weapon into Red, but she had already moved out of the way and the rounds merely pinged harmlessly off the nearby train cart. The rest of the White Fang as well as Roman himself opened fire on their opponent but she dodged every round, displaying an almost supernatural sense of precognition. In fact to Roman's eyes it almost seemed like she knew where they were going to fire next before they'd even moved their guns.
"Damn it where's Neo and that bloody Bull!" he muttered as one of the grunts collapsed with a nasty gash across his chest and the rest took a couple of fearful steps backwards.
"Somebody kill her!" he screamed in frustration as numerous grunts began falling to the ground, while Red giggled gleefully.
The rest of the White Fang just looked at each other and did what any normal person would do when faced with something it was taking them out with an almost childish ease, they ran. Roman suddenly found himself all alone against Red and instantly the idea of running began to sound very good after all as she turned to face him.
"Come on Roman don't lose your nerve now, after all you wanted me to get serious. What's the matter? Didn't your mother ever teach you to be careful what you wish for?" grinned Red as she walked over to him.
The criminal felt a drop of sweat run down his back before clamping down on it as he reached into his pocket and threw the dust crystal at Red's feet and fired his cane, creating a large explosion that engulfed the reaper. Roman sighed as he lowered his cane, he never liked using his emergency dust supply on jobs but the situation had called for it.
"Really Roman? The same trick you used on Ruby? How disappointingly predictable," whispered a voice in his left ear.
Spinning around with wide eyes the criminal wasted no time as he sent his cane in a fast sweep towards her head, only for it to be blocked by Red's bone gauntlets with a loud clang. A triumphant smirk appeared on her face as she grabbed Melodic Cludgel and ripped it out of Roman's hands, causing him to stumble and look at her in surprise, obviously not expecting this level of strength.
"You lose Roman Torchwick," she announced and Roman could only watch as she gripped his beloved cane in both her hands and her runes began to glow harshly before a metallic shriek filled the cavern.
Realizing she was right Roman turned to run away and get help, only to feel something slam into the back on his head and send him crashing to the ground. Groaning he saw the bent remains of his cane laying broken on the ground next to him and cried out in pain as he was kicked back to the ground. Red looked down at the helpless crook beneath her feet with contempt, noting how easy it would be to kill him right now.
A single bite or scratch to jugular and the threat is removed. She could just blame it on the Grimm, after all if the Grimm got to him first then that's just a tragedy but hardly her fault. No she couldn't do that! She had to take him in, find out what he knows before standing trial for his crimes. There is more than one way to get the answers required, besides what rights does this criminal scum have left. He is still a person! He is prey, nothing more. One life holds no more value than another and both are equally precious. Lies for the weak! Beacons for the deluded.
Staring down at the struggling criminal at her feet as her inner conflict raged on, she felt pain wrack her body again as she stated coughing, blood dripping out of her mouth. Hearing something approaching the two of them with her enhanced senses she forced the pain to the back of her mind and turned look at this new threat, ignoring the crook squirming beneath her feet. She expected to see more White Fang grunts or maybe even a horde of Grimm charging them, she wasn't expecting an explosion followed by familiar group of people to come running around the corner.
"Ruby!" cried Yang before skidding to a stop at the sight of her, an expression of horror on her face.
Seeing her sister's expression Red felt shame fill her as she turned back to look at Roman. 'What am I doing? This isn't right!' she realized as her bone armour stopped growing. No! He's a threat to the pack, he needs to be dealt with! And he has been! He can't do anything now. Kill him! He is prey and you are the hunter. FINISH HIM!
"Shut up! And get out of my head!" screamed Red as the bone armour cracked and disintegrated and her body began to return to normal, leaving only her eyes, hair and tattoos remaining.
The minute she deactivated her aura an incredible pain erupt throughout her body and Red collapsed to the ground, coughing up blood. Realizing that he was now free Roman instantly jumped to his feet and sprinted on to the train as it began moving down the tracks, leaving team RWBY and Oobleck to watch it go. Red struggled to her feet, using Yang as support and turned to face Oobleck.
"Professor we have to stop that train."
There we go another chapter done and dusted. Well we're reaching the end of volume 2 so I wanted to inform you of my decision. Due to Monty's passing it isn't known whether or not RWBY will be continued and while I have a few OC arcs planned for after volume 2 they were just there to fill the gap until Volume 3 came out. If RWBY isn't continued I'll finish the OC arcs and then might put this story up for adoption or just continue it myself depending on how confident I feel.