Hey everyone! So so super duper incredibly sorry for the huge delay in posting this chapter but thank you all for your feedback and reviews! I have a lot to say at the bottom so please read the notes! But for now, enjoy this lengthy chapter!

Chapter Eight

What Once Was Remnant

It was strange. They both seemed to have forgotten their earlier episode, well, to an extent. Ruby still hated the guy, but being cooped up and alone in a cell together really put the pressure on your self control. They should be ignoring each other. Torchwick mentioned nothing about his sudden episode of hatred and she was beginning to wonder if he ever would. Perhaps he had an alter ego? Made sense.

She noticed he had kept his half of bread from earlier. How was he not starving? She received more in her share and still she was famished. Then again, he has been here for a while so he must have found a way to deal with the hunger. Though she had a good couple sips of water left over, she wondered what would become of them once they had run out of their small luxuries. After turning down Cinder's offer to join her, it really seemed to fire up Cinder's rage. Who knew what it could compel her to do? Perhaps they really would starve now.

"What do you keep humming?"

Torchwick raised his head. The edge of his lip curved up a little. "Why, does it bother you?"

"It was just a question," Ruby looked away, suddenly feeling vastly annoyed.

"Then I choose not to answer it, or will you entertain us both by persisting?"

She sneaked a look to see him staring right at her, a glint in his green irises. He was enjoying this far too much. What happened to ignoring each other? She narrowed her eyes sharply in return and turned to look at her hands. Her fingernails were grubby, her slender fingers holding multiple scars from previous battles. She fiddled with her cloak.

She was slowly losing motivation. The cell trapped her in like a gilded cage only it was Dust within those bars instead of plain steel – which she would much rather prefer. It was suffocating. The air was stale and dense and sometimes it took a little energy to even breathe. She missed the freedom of looking up at the skies, even if they were no longer the beautiful shades of blue's and yellows. Now they were left a ghastly green, fog almost everywhere which was practically toxic. A part of everyone at the camp died that day when Beacon was attacked.

Ruby recalled the sirens that were alarmed, the shrilling noises of explosions, walls crumbling down, the piercing screams of those who had fallen victim to Cinder's army. It was also the day Professor Ozpin went missing.

He wouldn't abandon them, no, they all knew that. Ruby believed deep inside of her heart that he must have had a very good reason to leave. Cinder had been furious to find out their headmaster slipped through her fingers. What she wanted with Ozpin was a mystery to all. Perhaps she saw him as a huge threat. He was an incredible Huntsman after all and Ruby always thought the Professor was hiding a lot more secrets than he let on. There was a connection between Cinder's secret and the Professor's own. The only thing was, how was she supposed to find out what?

Whatever forms of protection were left out there, they were most likely struggling just the same. The Resistance was run by Glynda Goodwitch, one of the only remaining Beacon professor's. She claimed to be just as confused as the rest of them regarding Ozpin. A flashback to when they first met had Ruby stiffen. It was the first time she faced Cinder and Torchwick, the night she was granted entrance to Beacon Academy as a student, even if she was only 15. On thinking about Ozpin made her heart ache. She wanted nothing more than for their headmaster to return and make everything all right. She knew he could make things better but he needed their help. She could feel it.

"Hey," she called out without realising, still deep in thought. "Have you once stepped outside since coming here?"

She wasn't sure why she was asking. The answer was pretty clear but somehow, she wasn't able to believe it. Picturing Torchwick in this cell, alone with no company, half starved and cold, it was a lot to take in. Or maybe she was hoping they would get the opportunity to be let out where she could make a break for it.

"Not really."

Ruby looked up. "That's not exactly...a clear answer."

Torchwick shrugged and lay back down on his back, arms folded behind his head to prop it up. How are his arms still working? She could see the silly grin on his face and frowned. It made her feel like a child, a kid, as he would call her and it irritated her more than she liked.

"Did you expect something else?" he replied haughtily.

"Ugh, you're so frustrating! If the silence doesn't drive me mad then I'm pretty sure talking to you will do the job."

That earned a chuckle from Torchwick.

"Who says you aren't a little crazy already?"

"Yeah, well, being around you would drive anyone insane," she snapped. She hadn't felt so active in days, it oddly felt good.

"I shall accept that as a compliment." He was definitely smiling.

"Why am I even talking to you?!" Ruby folded her arms across her chest and huffed out a sigh, looking down. Her arm stung a little from the sudden pressure. "We're not friends, remember. So maybe you should try acting like it."

She instantly regretted her words and stiffened. Did she dare look up to meet his gaze? She pointedly blurted out that his words had affected her and she hated herself for being so stupid. Not only did she look pathetic right now, but he would have the pleasure to mock her for it.

There was low whistle, followed by a quiet snicker. "Did my words really have that much of an impact on you?"

He dragged out the words, long and slow on purpose.

I knew I should have kept my mouth shut. Ruby sunk her head lower into her arms, cowering away to curse herself for the rest of eternity. He was amused by it all and why wouldn't he? He could read her like a book.

"How adorable! You really want us to be friends!"

"You're wrong!" Ruby jerked her head up in retaliation, ignoring the satisfying grin dancing on Torchwick's lips. The steady beating of her heart took another course and began to speed up. Why was she struggling to form words all of a sudden? It was as if her snappy comebacks were trapped at the base of her throat and struggled to come out. Her eyes shifted uneasily from side to side, trying to counter his accusation. "D-Don't take this the wrong way! I want nothing to do with you."

She avoided his eyes and swallowed. What was it about Roman Torchwick now that made her stammer and shatter her composure? Perhaps due to the close proximity and constantly being in each other's presence for all hours of the day and night? Maybe she was still in denial that he was still alive. That had to be it.

"Now why do I have a hard time believing that?" Torchwick replied, making Ruby glance up with a scowl.

He sat up with difficulty, wincing as he set off the obvious aches. She hadn't asked him again about where he was taken or what happened, though it was clear he got a beating. From the look of things, Mercury and Emerald knew it was coming but there were endless reasons as to why he had those fresh bruises. She couldn't stop staring at them, horrified by each one. He leaned back against the wall and exhaled loudly before looking at her. She tore her gaze away at once, feeling her cheeks burn as if she was a child that had gotten caught stealing.

God, did he just snort?

"So tell me Red, what exactly happened since warehouse day?"

Surprised, Ruby looked back to see him watching her carefully but also sincere, like he was truly curious. Well that makes two of us then. She narrowed her eyes.

"What gives you the right to ask when you're hardly welcome to the idea of sharing information?" she snapped.

"Wh-oah! Take it easy, it was a harmless question! I'm not sniffing for details."

"Yeah? You don't even warrant a small explanation."

Torchwick seemed to grimace, rolling his eyes as he raised a knee up with effort. He ran a hand through his bangs, revealing the hidden eye for a brief moment. She was suddenly angry. So angry. How was it that he thought it okay to continue to casually ask her questions yet whenever she demanded for one answer, he would brush her away and throw in a few harsh words? How dare he?

He sighed, defeated. His green eye focused on her once more. "What's it like... outside?"

Outside?

Ruby blinked, reflecting on his question. It wouldn't require revealing anything personal, but did he even deserve to know about the world and the disastrous state it was in right now? He had played a part in all of it. When she considered giving him another mouthful, she stopped, taking in the darkness and solitude of the cell. He had been trapped here. Alone. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to tell him, who knows? Maybe he'll feel bad. She smiled to herself.

"Chaos," she mumbled into her arm. "Destruction. Dead. Ruins."

"And the negative words keep on coming..." he murmured to himself, resting his head against the wall and looked up exasperated.

"Your fault."

His attention soon snapped to her, his eye tapering sharply as a thick sheet of ice clouded his expression. Ruby would not falter and held her ground. It wasn't a lie, so why react? He had played a part in the destruction of their world, she wasn't wrong about that.

Her memories faded back to the glorious days before Cinder's reign. The monsters she would kill for fun. The food fights in school, even classes that she spent most of her time sleeping in. She missed it all. Her stomach twisted agonisingly. The beautiful forests, valleys and hills they would explore. The towns she and her friends would circle. Thinking of towns reminded her of Penny.

Penny.

The robot with an aura. The girl who risked everything to protect her friends. Ruby recalled how she worked so hard to fit in, to be acknowledged and treated equally. She admired Penny's commitment. But Penny isn't here anymore. She left me too. Her only robot friend had chosen to abandon them all, joining James Ironwood's side with her Father to leave Vale in search for a better location to inhabit. Ruby felt betrayed yet every time she told herself that this was what Penny wanted, it was only right for her to follow her creator.

"Blaming me won't bring back the old Remnant."

Ruby was broken out of her thoughts, suddenly aware that she was still in a conversation with the thief. Torchwick looked annoyed, distressed even as his eyes sleepily dropped from exhaustion. He looked up at the ceiling, glancing at her from the corner of his eye. Ruby got the sudden urge to ram a fist in his face. She turned her head so her cheek rested flat on her arm.

"You have no idea... how bad it is out there."

Pause.

Ruby allowed the darkness of Remnant overtake her mind as she flicked through each and every disaster.

"The only birds that scour the skies are Nevermore's," she said quietly, almost shuddering on thinking of the huge beasts. "Most of the trees are dead. It's getting harder to find food or even clean water. That's all under Cinder's control now."

She decided to look up to see his reaction. He was still staring up, lost in thought but there was a definite look of concentration. His eyes narrowed spitefully. Could he picture it? The world they once called home now in ruins?

"Grimm are everywhere, contaminating everything in their path." Ruby sighed, rubbing her arms for friction. "I miss Beacon."

Neither of them spoke for a moment, their thoughts occupied. Ruby felt the dreaded chills of having remembered the situation outside, of what she had lost and who she had lost. Her hands gripped tight onto her sleeves. The white of her shirt was practically discoloured, torn up and grubby, not to mention the dried blood stains. She sighed quietly to herself, somewhat disgusted at the state of her.

How were any of them to fight back? There were only but a handful of huntsmen and huntresses left at their Resistance camp – with a traitor – and then there were the remaining camps in the other kingdom's, in the same situation. Perhaps if they rallied together, they may stand a chance of defeating Cinder even if the percentage of them winning was considerably low. Anything was worth a shot these days.

Professor Ozpin, where are you? Ruby asked herself. Even Yang's mom had gone AWOL, leaving them to deal with the harsh consequences of the apocalypse and Cinder's brutal attacks. Would Summer Rose have done the same had she been alive? Ruby yearned to see her mother once more. She yearned for a lot of things. But like anyone else would say, it was just wishful thinking. She was after all, trapped within this cage.

"She went too far."

Ruby glanced up. Torchwick continued to look up but ran his teeth across his bottom lip before lowering his gaze to her level, a sudden intensity to his eyes.

"An apocalypse was never the plan."

"Bit late for that, isn't it?" Ruby spat out bitterly.

He didn't look amused, grunting to himself as he mumbled words under his breath. His bangs brushed against his nose as he swerved his head to look out the cell, as if someone was about to materialize out of thin air. Ruby followed his gaze, strangely expecting the same. All she saw was darkness.

"What would you do if you escaped this place?"

She hadn't meant to ask anything but the words left her mouth before she could stop herself but truth be told, she was curious. Perhaps even a little hopeful. If there was any way to pry out that all-important secret he harboured, then forging an alliance may be the only way.

Torchwick shrugged then winced, regretting it. "Plot my next big heist?" He grinned to himself.

"Don't you ever learn?" Ruby rolled her eyes.

"I've learnt enough kid, apocalypse or not, I am what I am."

He said that with a little too much pride, almost glowing and pleased with the fact he openly advertised his hobby. Ruby found herself frowning at his words, almost wanting to have heard a much different response. She brushed it aside. Did she really think there was the tiniest possibility that he would join their flanks? So what if they shared a mutual hatred for Cinder? For all she knew, if he ever got out then he would surely plot to take over Remnant, replacing Cinder. She shuddered.

"Oh! I almost forgot," Torchwick abruptly startled her.

She watched with mild interest as he reached into his trouser pockets and pulled out a small white box with red patterns on it. He raised it with a smirk.

"Fancy a game of cards?"

Ruby felt her eyes widen in shock. "Where did you even get those?!" suddenly eager as to what else he may have hidden from her.

He chuckled and began to pull out the deck of cards from its box, all the while she watched incredulously.

"You'd be amazed by some of the stuff Cinder leaves lying around in her room. She won't miss a pack of cards." He winked.

Ruby felt herself stiffen then shook her head, disapproving. "Don't you ever learn?!" she repeated, a little more enthusiastic this time. Secretly, she was a little impressed by his skills of thievery even in his battered state. Why couldn't the idiot steal something a little more useful? Like a knife. Or even better, the keys to their cell? Furthermore, what the hell was Cinder doing with a pack of cards in her room?

"You already asked me that. And before you start giving me a lecture, no, Cinder is not stupid enough to leave the cell keys lying about her room."

How does he keep doing that? Ruby shivered again, hating how he seemed to always know her thoughts. She kept note to hide her emotions better. She watched as he expertly shuffled the deck, fingers frantically twisting and twirling the cards, halving them then fanning them out and back into a solid deck in one smooth move. The guy obviously plays.

"Figures," she muttered.

"What was that?"

"I said fine."

Torchwick continued to shuffle, but this time without even looking at his hands. He watched her from under the shadow of his eyelashes, looking somewhat delighted. Ruby furrowed her eyebrows. Now he's just showing off.

"You plan to sit all the way over there and play?" he called out. He must have picked up her hesitation because he smirked again, amused. "I won't bite y'know."

"I'm not scared of you," she said quickly, getting up and shuffling over so she sat cross-legged with a good sized gap between them. He moved positions so he mirrored her but kept one knee curled up against his chest. The fleecy blanket rested across his lap. Ruby had a sudden flashback to when she pulled it over him, watching him sleep and almost immediately, she felt her pulse quicken and her face warm. Thank god he hasn't asked about it.

He cut the cards, the swift sharp sounds of them brushing against each other echoing around them, before glancing up at her.

"What do you insist on playing?" he asked.

Ruby rested her chin in her palm and thought hard. When was the last time I played cards? Besides, she wasn't much of a card player. She was more of a board game kind of girl.

Or that's who I used to be.

Maybe her tastes had changed. She wasn't a kid. Not anymore. Too much rested on her to be a responsible and mature being, an adult even. She gave up with games when Blake died. In all honesty, she gave up games way before that – when everything started going wrong. The city centres being swarmed by Grimm, the constant unexpected heists pulled off by Torchwick himself slowly followed by Cinder's lackeys and when Remnant died.

Or, was dying.

"In your own time Red. A reminder, I don't do Go Fish."

Ruby couldn't help but snort. It felt good to snort. She sat up straight, staring straight into Torchwick's revealed eye, being sure to avoid looking at the ugly purple-yellow mark on his left jaw.

"We aren't playing Poker."

Torchwick pouted at this. "You're no fun." He sighed. "Then again, we really don't have anything to bet with so our options are pretty limited." In that moment, she saw how his eyes flashed behind her, towards her sleeping area where her water bottle stood. She reacted at once.

"No way! I'm not giving up the only water I have, who knows when we'll be given food and drink again," she snapped furiously, heart pounding from the fear of losing the small luxury.

But Torchwick didn't seem fazed by the fact she refused to gamble her water, instead something else flickered across his face. An anxious look, like he was wallowing in something dreadful. It faded quickly but she saw it. He looked down as he shuffled the cards again, as if to distract himself. Ruby eyed him curiously. What had gotten him so quiet all of a sudden? Perhaps the thought of waiting for their next meal made him feel uneasy. After all, they were heading towards starvation from the meagre grains of food Cinder provided them with.

"Go Fish sounds good right now."

She was eager to ease the still atmosphere that made the hairs on the back of her neck stick up. And it worked because Torchwick raised an eyebrow at her in disbelief, mixed with disgust.

"Hn, child's play." He dealt the cards, throwing a couple cards towards her then keeping a few for himself before dropping the rest of the stack on the floor, face down. He took the top card from the stack and revealed it face up, placing it beside the stack. The card revealed the 3 of Spades. Ruby watched him pick up his cards and examine them carefully. She did the same.

"We're playing Blackjack. Familiar with the game?"

"I'm not an idiot."

He chuckled. "Of course not. Only an idiot would attack an army by herself, all for revenge."

"I'm going to wipe the floor with you." Ruby clutched the cards tightly, feeling her inner rage spilling out. Torchwick's words were teasing yet she couldn't help but remember her helplessness which was all thanks to her stupid actions. For now she would forget about it and Remnant. At least, for a little while.

"Because I'm such a nice guy, I'll let you go first." Torchwick gave her a smile that concealed away his true intentions but she was no fool. She would rather starve than let him beat her.

She shrugged and began to plan out a route that would get rid of the cards in her hands, and all the while she could feel his eyes on her. Watching. She ignored him.

"For someone that is so quick on their feet, you sure do take your time to make a play."

Instead of snapping a reply, she slammed down one card after another until she only had 3 left in her hand before tilting her chin up at him defiantly. She could see his eye flicker to the small pile in front of them, running a quick check through the cards she had thrown down to make sure they were correctly played before another smirk appeased his lips.

"Well, well, you're smarter than you look."

"Just get on with your turn," Ruby snapped.

"Do I sense an edge of hostility to your tone?"

"I sense my foot in your face if you don't shut up and play."

"Jeez, calm down kid." He chuckled throatily before peering at his own cards, the swift green of his eye barely visible in the little light they had, as he inspected his hand carefully before picking out a card.

"For a thief who is quick to make a getaway, you sure do take your time to make a play," Ruby commented smugly, keeping her tone condescending.

He narrowed his eyes at her. "Touché." He thrust down a few cards until he had 4 remaining before looking up to grin at her. "Pick up 4 cards."

Damn him, she cursed as she picked up a further four cards. Looks like he was going all out on her which made things all the more exciting.

They continued to play on for a while, dropping down cards, picking up cards whilst the air surrounding them grew tense with the feeling of competition. Neither of them wanted to lose. Ruby scanned her cards, glancing up over the edges of her hand across of her to see Torchwick doing pretty much the same. As their eyes met they quickly looked away.

Ruby looked at the remaining three cards in her hand. If he played the right card, she would win this within a flash. It all came down to what he places down. Her breath was even, unaffected because she had nothing to fear. Nothing to lose.

Torchwick picked a card, holding the edge but didn't pull it out, almost as if he was slowing the process of him losing yet he didn't seem to be hesitating but enjoying himself. His eye flashed across to her, practically gleaming. She wrinkled her nose.

"You seem anxious, Red," he said aloud as he raised his desired card, keeping the face hidden from her view.

She hated the smug look of confidence he had on his face, it was the face she had seen far too many times on the battlefield. A little light of hope filled her heart. He only acted overconfident when he was about to lose and run away. A smile replaced her straight line of lips.

"You're the one that's sweating," she replied.

He scoffed quietly, placing down his card and kept a finger pressed on the face as he placed it down flat on the stack that had built up underneath. Ruby stiffened slightly, her eyes glued to the card as he finally removed his finger away.

Queen of Hearts.

She looked back up at him and waited. When he made no move to continue, she narrowed her eyes, holding her breath.

"You need to cover it."

Her heart was slowly beginning to pound with excitement. She could feel every hair on her body stick up with anticipation.

Torchwick rested his chin against the cap of his knee and stared at his cards, flickering short glances up at her that said nothing. No snarky comment, no further plays, nothing. He had two cards remaining in his hand yet Ruby had the feeling he wasn't done yet. She watched as he picked up a card from the deck, surprising her.

"Your play Red."

It should have been the moment where she would throw down her cards and declare her victory, but because it felt far too coincidental that such an opportunity had been given to her she couldn't bring herself to show her enthusiasm. She eyed Torchwick sceptically, watching the way he casually flicked through his cards and ignoring her completely. His blank expression was frustrating, she almost wished for him to talk because not knowing what he was thinking was driving her mad. She shook her head roughly, already horrified that she even cared to know what he was thinking.

She threw down her cards in order until her hands were empty. For a moment, no one said anything until she finally had the courage to look up at meet his gaze. His unruly bangs were out of place as he brushed them aside and sighed, dropping his cards face down.

"Luck seems to be on your side," he shrugged, gathering the cards up quickly.

Ruby watched diligently, eyeing his every posture and expression though the rat was doing well to hide his emotions so if he had been lying, she couldn't tell. He was either a really good liar or just really good with accepting losses and right now the latter seemed like a miracle. Suddenly she was furious.

"Hey."

He paused, looking up. "Hm? What?"

Ruby grimaced. "Did you let me win?" she accused, feeling her blood already beginning to boil.

"What are you t-"

"You know exactly what I'm talking about!" She had raised her voice and even moved closer, her rage radiating off of her body. She didn't need him to cheat. She was completely capable of beating him in a game of cards. She was capable of winning without his help.

Without his help...

She sat back for a moment, any sign of anger completely faded, and thought things through. Maybe she didn't need his help, to break out, because she was capable of doing things herself. Now she did feel better. Torchwick could rot in this cage for all she cared because she needed to get out of here and get back to the Resistance and seek out the traitor. And then she would find Ozpin. When all of that had been done, she would come for Cinder's head and Mercury's and Emerald's for good measure. Maybe even Torchwick's.

"I don't need your help," she blurted out, meeting his gaze directly once more. "And that accounts for everything, I don't mean just this stupid card game."

Her tone of voice was toxic, venomous, exactly how she wanted it because he seemed to be digesting just how serious she was. His lips thinned into one tight line and his slanted eye, shifted uneasily. He continued to shuffle without a word. Then without warning he smirked.

"Whatever you say. Another game?"

Ruby stared at him in disbelief. He still made no comeback, not even a sarcastic comment to counter what she had just said. It was as if he had brushed aside everything she said and carried on as usual. She wasn't sure what to say or do.

For a while, they played a few games without cheating, or so Ruby believed. They were even in the number of games they had won but more importantly, she had forgotten about everything else even if it was only for a short while. It felt good to be doing something other than lying around and sleeping in the cold or awkward silence.

Torchwick chuckled, grabbing her attention.

"Looks like this game will be the decider of who wins." He shuffled out the cards, sending her fleeting self-righteous looks time and time again.

Ruby had a brainwave. She sat up straight and smiled. "The winner gets to ask for anything from the other person, and they have to do it no matter what."

Torchwick stopped shuffling for a moment and met her eyes, hesitantly. She could see the dread in the green iris, the fear of having to lose this game and it pleased her. Because she was confident. There would only be one winner.

And it will be me, Ruby thought to herself as she watched him like a hawk as he dealt the cards. This would be her chance to find out that secret he had been hoarding. But just as they picked their cards up, they were interrupted by the familiar sharp sounds of glass coming into contact with the stone flooring. Ruby froze, her eyes looking up to meet with Torchwick's who had lost all forms of humour and playfulness and frowned. They both turned their heads towards the bars, looking out into the darkness.

Clink. Clink. Clink.

"You are trying my patience, Roman," a low menacing voice called out.

Cinder walked out into open view, her glowing markings visible to their eyes as she paused a few feet away from their cell with the most rampant expression on her face, her eyes alight brighter than ever and they were focused on Torchwick. She was looking at the cards between them and glared, pointing her eyes at them both.

"You just caught us at a good time, fancy a game?" Torchwick offered, flashing his cards at Cinder with a grin on his lips.

Cinder grimaced, clearly unimpressed. Ruby wouldn't have known what to think if she saw her own prisoners playing cards like they were at home. Stolen cards at that. But she stopped short when she noticed the number of White Fang members that had followed Cinder in, all of them silently waiting in line, watching them from behind their masks. Something was off here.

"Why are you here?" she questioned.

"Isn't it obvious? She's here for round two," Torchwick answered in her place. He was still shuffling as if nothing was happening.

Ruby frowned at him before facing Cinder once again now smiling at her. She placed a hand out to the side, motioning for one of the guards to step forwards. Ruby watched as the Faunus stepped forwards, pulling out something from behind him. A silver case. Ruby tensed.

"I have something for you Ruby," Cinder gave her a knowing look.

The silver case was opened with a loud click before the lid was opened and a glass cylinder was pulled out with some form of glowing liquid that shone silver, green and blue in the darkness. It was illuminating and Ruby could sense a great wave of power coming off of it. Her eyes widened as the cylinder was placed into Cinder's palm. She brought it forwards, staring at it briefly with a smile before flickering her eyes up to look at Ruby assertively. She raised it up in front of her.

"The cure to your sister's coma."

Ruby stifled a gasp, her whole body icing over with chills and shock. Her eyes fixated on the glowing cylinder unable to believe Cinder's words. Could it really be a cure? She examined Cinder's face for any little tell that would give off that she was lying... but nothing. Ruby felt her throat dry up drastically.

Ignore her bribes Ruby, she's only tempting you. She's lying. She has to be.

Ruby shook her head and recomposed herself, sitting up straight.

"You lie. That could be anything for all I know."

"Despite your lack of trust in me Ruby, I happen to be telling the truth. In fact, this little syringe does one better and can cure pretty much anything." She inspected the small tube, her eyes exchanging looks from Ruby to the glowing liquid floating inside the cylinder, almost tempting Ruby in.

"She's already told you to stick your deals up your a-"

"Wait." She silenced Torchwick, knowing exactly what she was getting herself into but right now she was more interested in the syringe Cinder now held. Because if she was right, if she had been telling the truth then she needed that syringe. For Yang. She had to make a right after so many wrongs.

She took no notice of Torchwick's incredulous looks at her, shocked that she was actually considering taking up on Cinder's offer despite everything. Blake was gone and nothing was going to bring her back and she would never forget who had been the root cause of her death, but if she planned things right then perhaps...

She stood up, with a little struggle, and straightened herself, looking directly through the bars.

"How do I know that this isn't another one of your lies?" She narrowed her eyes dubiously.

Cinder's lip twitched into a smirk as they stood in silence for a moment. Her hand then reached towards the White Fang guard beside her, still holding the silver case. She grabbed the handle of his blade at his belt, pulling it out. Ruby's eyes widened because she knew what was coming before she could say anything.

Cinder pulled out the blade and drove it right through the guard's stomach with one swift move making him strangle a cry of pain. She twisted the blade making the blood curdling cries increase before yanking the blade out. Ruby swallowed, feeling knots in her own stomach twist nauseously. What had she just witnessed? Cinder's eyes were still on her, still smiling.

They watched the guard drop to the floor, dropping the case as he clutched his stomach. Ruby stepped forwards to protest when Cinder uncovered the lid of the syringe to reveal a sharp needle before driving it right into the fallen injured guard on the floor. Ruby watched closely, feeling shivers ripple up her spine with eagerness.

The liquid was injected into the body before Cinder pulled out the empty cylinder, satisfied. She waited, glancing at Ruby from the corner of her eye.

The guard had stopped writhing in pain and instead had gone completely silent, raising the tension in the room. Ruby clutched the edge of her skirt anxiously, leaning forwards to get closer. Her heart was pounding - she was terrified of what would happen next because it would change everything.

A cough came from the guard, snatching all their attention as they watched him stand up slowly but surely. Ruby was seeking for the wound but to her horror she could see no blood, not fresh anyway. There was only the cut through his clothing and that was it.

No bleeding.

No danger.

He was completely healed.

He's fine.

Ruby sucked in a breath, unable to believe it. Cinder had truly created something that could cure even the injured. What could this mean for her? Where did that put her?

"I can promise you this, in exchange for your allegiance," Cinder offered, pulling out a second syringe with the same glowing liquid floating inside. She held it out, in direct line of Ruby's view.

Her chest constricted, tightening further and further in until she felt like she could no longer breathe normally. Her fingertips tingled, itching to reach forwards and snatch the one thing she desperately needed. She kept her hands curled into fists by her sides and took a deep breath, closing then opening her eyes slowly.

"Now this is something new. I've never seen you so worked up on getting a little kid's loyalty, it's rather amusing to watch," Torchwick snickered, grinning at Cinder.

"I am not a kid!" Ruby defended, wishing he would keep quiet and stay out of their business.

Torchwick turned his eyes on her, amused by her outbreak and smirked. "You're a kid to me, Red."

Ruby stiffened. Why should it matter if he called her a kid anyway? She didn't need to prove herself to him because she was going to get out of this place and he would remain here. Alone. The thought of it suddenly dawned upon her and she eased up, wondering just how he would continue to survive in these conditions.

Whatever.

But it did occur to her that Cinder was being incredibly persistent in trying to win her over. Why was she so desperate to have her on her side? What did she have planned?

"What if I say no?" Ruby challenged, staring right into Cinder's blazing eyes.

They glinted, turning more orange as if to seem more threatening. "I would advise you don't say no."

When Ruby said nothing, Cinder turned her back to them, but turned her head to the side.

"I will give you time to consider my offer. Don't be a fool Ruby," she warned before walking off until the glow of her markings was no longer visible.

Ruby sighed. They were alone in the cell again. Now she had a decision to make.

She had seen first-hand, the cure to what could save Yang but in exchange for the cure... meant teaming up with Cinder and betraying her friends. How could she possibly choose between her friends and her family? Between the right and the wrong? What was right in this case? And what was the wrong?

Her body suddenly lost all strength and she collapsed to her knees, hands falling out flat onto the cold surface of the stone flooring. Her messy hair tumbled around her face as she kept her head down.

"A word of advice kid," Torchwick's voice echoed from beside her. She didn't look up. "Don't take up the offer."

That caused her to look up in frustration.

"You don't know how hard this is on me! My sister's life is on the line here and that cure is the only thing that can save her now."

Torchwick rolled his eyes, picking up all the cards and shuffled.

"You'd rather become one of Cinder's lap dogs?" He said, raising an eyebrow.

Not really, but what choice do I have?

Ruby shook her head slowly, feeling a headache coming on. She rubbed her temples, pulling her hair out of her face.

"I thought you had more guts than that, guess I was wrong. How pathetic!"

"I am warning you Torchwick, don't piss me off," Ruby threatened, looking up to face him and instantly feeling like hitting him when seeing the smile on his face.

He chuckled instead. "Oh kid, you have so much to learn."

Ruby wasn't in the mood to take anymore of his nonsense and headed back to her spot and curled up, keeping her back to him.

He doesn't understand, it's not his sister's life on the line, he has nothing to worry about. It's not like he cares about anyone and no one cares about him so he would be stuck here.

She bit her bottom lip and pushed out the feelings of sympathy she was beginning to feel for the thief and closed her eyes tightly.

Wow that was long! No breaks in between. Let me know your thoughts!

Okay so I want to apologize for the delay in updating. I actually took part in National Novel Writing Month in November where you write a book (50 thousand words) in a month so I dedicated November to writing my novel hence why there was no updates for this fic. But now it's christmas break and I have no work so I'll try to get out as many chapters as I can during the break!

As for the Torchwick POV chapter, I've decided to wait before I post one but I might not. I'll see how it goes. Thank you all for your responses and for those worrying a Torchwick POV chapter would give away too much, guys, you know me! You think I'd make things that easy? :P I like to keep you all suffering in suspense haha. So don't worry!

I've also had someone comment about Team JNPR. Everything will be revealed in time, I write everything for a reason and explanations come later. You'll know what happened with JNPR and everyone else little by little as the story progresses. I won't leave anything out!

OK. So that's all I have to say for now. Thank you a huge amount for the reviews guys! I really love reading them and am so thankful for your support for this story! Next chapter, things will get a little heated so look forward to it!

Thanks to rwbybomb21, Mr Ruffles, Saber Knight, kcharling, Zephyrus Genesis, bowow0708, TheMAO17, SirDerpsAlotThe7th (lol xD), onegracefulqueen, SpringFallionLettuce, DiamondStarz8, Fourze, frik1000, Hopelessromantic, Cheraichan, SilverstormXD, Aidis, King Vesuvius, ewiik, Foxtrot Agent 21 and Cattycheeno! WOW a lot of you! Thank you all, I love you guys!

Til next time! x