I'm so sorry for taking so long to update! I had some new ideas and it required changing the second half of this chapter so I had to rewrite it. It's a HUGE chapter too, almost 11k! Anyway, I had other reasons which I will talk about at the end, as usual. Hope you guys enjoy.
*This story is now dedicated to Monty Oum. Rest in peace Monty x
Chapter Ten
Game Of Power
Warm. It's warm.
Ruby peeled one eyelid open, already beginning to regret it as she felt the drowsiness sink in. She was exhausted and her eyes felt a little sore. Dry. Then she remembered.
Her tears. Her moment of weakness as she woke up abruptly from a nightmare. A nightmare that had gotten the best of her, somehow nullifying all her senses and ability to wake up, to know what was real. It felt so real. Too real. Terrifying.
Blake had been alive. Yang was awake. They were on the battlefield outside on the plains of Beacon and Professor Ozpin had been there, watching over them as he should be. Then the skies turned a fiery shade of orange before a rift tore open the ground like the crack between a piece of paper that was being shredded into two. The ground shook with earthquakes and the rift was set ablaze – Cinder at the centre of it all. Her raging eyes locked onto Ruby, looking menacing as always.
And Yang and Blake that had once been by her side, were suddenly held above the rippling violent flames that erupted through the ground.
She had a choice. Her sister... or her friend? It was cruel. How could one bring themselves to choose between two loved ones? Not her. She was too weak. And she lost them both, so when she heard their screams for help as they were flung into the fiery pits, Ruby screamed. Both in her nightmare and the real world where she had reached out and her hands had found the comfort of something strong.
Of someone.
With her heart pounding painfully, she angled her body towards her right where she could feel a warm presence lingering beside her and a tug on her cloak that had bundled up. She was surprised to see the pathetic blanket draped over her small body which she paused to analyse. She furrowed a brow in confusion.
Didn't Torchwick have this?
She turned over all the way, resting on her right side and immediately gasped, flinching back in alarm. Because just as she was supposed to face a dark stone wall, instead she was greeted with the image of Torchwick's sleeping face resting beside her with his back pressed against the wall. He was sleeping on his left side, an arm tucked under his head as a makeshift pillow – but his other hand was holding onto her red cloak pulled almost right to his face so all but one eye and his nose were visible. One would think he was sniffing her cloak had he not been asleep.
Ruby craned her head up to look over and see his entire long form laid down beside her, her cloak covering his upper arms just down to the elbows. There was mere distance between them as she turned over. A fine line that could easily be closed if she moved a degree closer. Her face grew hot as her pulse raced beneath her clothing. It was rather uncomfortable to be within such close proximity of Torchwick – again. Worse, she could barely remember how they ended up in their current state. The last time she was conscious she was reassured by none other than the thief lord himself, which seemed rather peculiar now that she thought about it. And yet somehow, she didn't resent the idea of having a little encouragement. It made the feeling of her loneliness and despair that much easier to bear.
Ruby stiffened.
What was wrong with her? When did she begin to ease her guard up, going as far as to feel comforted by her enemy? When did her feelings of hatred for this man begin to thaw? What was it about Roman Torchwick that seemed to emit the feeling of safety?
Just watching him, recalling how he shook her, forced her to come to her senses and calm down made her swallow. Hard. He remained by her side for however many dust forsaken hours she had been asleep for.
Why? Why was he doing this?
She dared to glance at his masked face, catching the long lengths of his dark lashes fanned out and the sound of his soft breathing as he slept soundly. His long bangs flopped across his right eye, brushing over his nose almost concealing his other eye from view. She had the urge to brush it away but forced her hands down.
What is wrong with me?
She shook her racing mind from her train of thoughts, disgusted at herself for having such compulsive ideas in the first place. She was going insane all right. Just as she was about to yank her cloak back, she hesitated as she kept a firm grip on the worn material. She bit her bottom lip anxiously.
To deal or not to deal with a conscious Torchwick?
Maybe it would be better if she didn't wake him up yet. He would jump straight into questioning her sudden cries of terror and her nightmares. She couldn't deal with that. For one thing, she would have no idea what to say in the first place. She felt ashamed to have felt and been so open with him to begin with, why couldn't she be rid of these nightmares already?
Ruby sighed deeply, closing her eyes. As she rested flat on her back, she began to rethink about everything that has happened since her capture and imprisonment. At the same time she was fighting of the emptiness in her stomach and dryness of her throat. She ran two fingers down her windpipe, feeling her crackled skin that needed a good soak. Her meagre drops of water seemed so precious, it made her stomach churn to think about what would happen once it was gone. Yet saving it wouldn't help her in any way either.
She had to do something. Sitting idle and waiting for an opportunity for escape to arise was something she could no longer rely on. There had to be another way to get out of here without having to agree to Cinder's terms.
But if I did, I could save Yang.
She frowned.
"You'll get frown lines if you keep doing that."
Ruby's eyes shot open as she sucked in a sharp breath. She turned her head to see Torchwick watching her silently with his glassy green eye, still looking somewhat tired. For a moment, she didn't say anything until he yawned beneath the alcove of her cloak. That's when it hit her.
"Quit doing that!" She pulled back, starting to sit up when she was stalled by her cloak.
"Stop pulling, Red," he complained. His voice seemed raspy from the long hours of sleep as he kept a tight hold on the red fabric.
"If you haven't noticed, that's my cloak," Ruby retorted. She tugged back, feeling the pull around her neck. "Let go of it."
He seemed to have a vice grip on the fabric because no matter how hard she pulled, it didn't budge. She could just see him grinning under the cover of her cloak. He closed his eyes and ignored her. Ruby gritted her teeth.
"I'm cold, and you have the blanket," he pointed out.
Ruby glanced at the blanket on her lap that covered her legs. She grabbed a hold of it quickly before pushing it off and throwing it over. It lay limp over his arm.
"Here. Now let go."
When he didn't answer or move, she tried pulling again.
"Let go of my cloak!"
"No."
Ruby could feel her temper flare at his stubbornness. God, he's like acting like an irritating child! She grimaced, continuing to pull. She felt him pull back, bringing the fabric closer up his face and then inhale deeply.
"It smells like roses..."
Ruby froze - her hands mid air as they stopped tugging. Torchwick's face remained concealed behind her cloak as he raised it further up his face, his hand moving underneath that held a firm grip on the material. She could see him taking long slow breaths and sigh. The sight and action itself made her catch her breath.
What am I feeling like this?
The emptiness of her stomach forgotten, she felt her insides knot up. Her heart pounding at a considerably high rate that she could feel the quickening beats echo in her ears. Her fingers clutched her cloak tighter as she swallowed.
"OW!"
Torchwick jumped up, covering the left side of his face with his hand as he cursed. He tilted his head down at her in astonishment and she could feel that he was glaring as she gathered up her cloak behind her.
"Why did you poke my eye?!"
"I told you to let go." Ruby grinned as she moved away, trying to bind down her previous feelings of – of something. She hated to admit it, but she felt flustered all of a sudden.
Torchwick rubbed his eye before dropping his hand to stretch after his slumber. He hissed, recoiling from his bruises before coughing. "You're a piece, you know that Red?" He cleared his throat and sighed before sitting back against the wall. "I would have asked if you were OK, but I fear for the safety of my other eye."
Good thinking, Ruby thought. Yet she couldn't help but feel somewhat touched which was rather alarming considering that this was Torchwick. She proceeded to ignore him and stood up but staggered when the overwhelming feeling of dizziness and fatigue wiped out the strength in her legs. She caught herself just before she toppled over, standing up straight. Her whole body ached.
"And I don't dare tread on the nightmare path..."
Ruby stiffened, keeping her back to him as she faced the bars. There was no way she could handle him asking about her nightmare episode. Just what does he think of her now? Did he think of her as weak?
Why does it matter? What do I care of what he thinks about me?
She wanted to scream in frustration. She wanted out of this cell. She needed out.
"We should sleep like this more often. I do say, I welcome the warmth," Torchwick muttered from behind her.
She jerked round with wide eyes. "I-Idiot! Like hell I'd let that happen again!"
Torchwick chuckled, tilting his head to one side so his bangs brushed against his nose. "Come now, why do you look so flustered? Are you embarrassed?"
She didn't like the taunting tone of his voice, teasing her. She could feel blood rushing to her cheeks as she tried to keep her cool. She turned her face away, keeping her nose up high. "Huh, you wish."
He laughed again followed by a choking cough.
"It only makes sense, we're sharing body heat to survive the cold!"
"You survived for over a year in this cell by yourself, if you could live through that then a little cold won't kill you," Ruby huffed, crossing her arms, suddenly feeling the chill sink into her skin.
Torchwick rolled his eyes and sighed. "How cruel Red, I thought you wanted to be friends."
"I would rather eat Grimm vomit."
"That's a rather grimm image." She turned to look at him grinning. "Get it? Grimm image, ha ha ha!"
Ruby stared at him in complete awe.
He stopped laughing when he caught wind of the look on her face. "Oh come on, you have to admit that was a good one."
"That was tragic."
"Be still my breaking heart," he mocked a hurt expression, clutching his chest. "No one appreciates good talent anymore."
Ruby could feel the hairs at the back of her neck shiver, like someone had just blown across the skin there. The tingly feelings of warmth returned and soon enough, she found herself smiling. Watching Torchwick's lousy acting and childlike behaviour made her forget all the negativity she had faced and focus on something else entirely. Again, she thought, biting her lower lip.
"Couldn't keep up the poker face for too long I see," Torchwick said, smirking as he caught her smile.
It vanished at once and she turned away from his view, ignoring the erratic beating of her heart at the same time. She hated how he always managed to shatter her ice cold composure, making her feel almost normal again. Like the old Ruby. But that Ruby was gone. Gone the moment she lost Blake.
Her arms dropped by her side, limply. Would it haunt her like this forever? Those short moments of freedom she had felt from all her burdens - when she laughed at Torchwick's annoying statements and attempts to make a joke, she hated to think it, but she was grateful for them. Though the guilt piled on subsequently, she cherished those short-lived seconds of happiness.
What did she sound like? She shook her head momentarily.
"Sitting around isn't doing us any favours." She walked towards the bars, grasping a hold of the cold metal laced with dust. "We need to find some form of method to get out of here. It would help if you actually told me what this great secret is that you're harbouring."
She could hear him behind her, scoffing. "No game, Red. That's my trump card."
She tightened her grip on the bars, feeling it dig into her skin. "Then use it! You've been trapped here for what, two years? Are you really going to wait until you die from malnutrition or until you're beaten to a pulp?"
There was silence. She yearned to turn around but she couldn't face him, not yet. She felt so angry, so done with waiting around and dealing with Torchwick's stubbornness to act. Why wasn't he trying? He held the winning card in this game, he could change things if only she knew what Cinder was keeping from them. And sure enough, he was a loose end that Cinder needed to tie up, right?
Ruby hesitated, turning her head to the side. She had asked him why he was here... but it never occurred to her that she didn't inquire the detailed explanation as to why. Sure he was captured and was a liability to Cinder, then surely it would make sense to erase the problem, right? So what was Cinder waiting for?
She forced herself to keep from turning to face him and eye him with suspicion.
Why is Cinder really keeping him here? Just what is Torchwick hiding?
"Hey," she called back.
She heard a grumble in response. At least he was listening.
"Where were you taken before?"
"What are you talking about kid?" he replied, his words came out rather sluggish.
"When they gave us our food. They took you somewhere, and when you came back you were-"
She stopped. To continue made her feel queasy on recalling the moment he was thrown back inside the cell with bruises and cuts, like whatever remained of his sorry life had been sucked out of him. Perhaps deep down, she feared that it would also be her fate.
After a long pause she got a response.
"I'm tired."
Ruby jerked around, ready to give him a piece of her mind. "Stop trying t-" She stalled, silencing her words. Before her, Torchwick was slouched against the wall, head leaning back almost like he was drowsy. Under the poor lighting she could see the paleness of his skin, the bruises on show like bad scars. But aside that, she was paying more attention to the way he was breathing. Laboured and heavy.
What... What was wrong with him all of a sudden?
"Torchwick?" she said steadily.
He peered out through a narrow slit of his eye, just briefly showing the green tint, but even then he frowned like he was fighting off a bad migraine.
"Hey, what's wrong with you?" Ruby edged closer towards him. He had one leg spread out, the other curled up so he could rest his arm atop it. From his body language, he seemed completely frail like one breath of air could break him apart into pieces.
Maybe he's just sleepy.
Yet deep in the pit of her stomach, she couldn't quite believe it. She brushed those feelings of doubt aside. It seemed he was aware of her change in tone and forced himself to look up, clearing his throat.
"What's with that face?" he smirked, his voice uneasy. "You look worried Red."
She didn't back away this time, instead ignoring his strategy to divert her attention. She wasn't worried. It was natural for her to question him, as any other person would do. She narrowed her eyes at him in suspicion.
"You look like you're s-"
"I'm fine," he snapped. His sudden hostile tone made her flinch as he glared at her. Then with a defeated sigh he turned away and lay back down, facing the ceiling. He folded his arms behind his head, wincing slightly before closing his eyes.
He wasn't going to admit it, but he was obviously succumbing to the cold and it was affecting his health. It was only a matter of time until she would follow in the same path. She looked around the cell, taking in the dingy walls and darkness that threatened to swallow them whole, the confinement she had been placed in and was doomed to die in if she didn't find a way out soon.
Her eyes stopped and lingered on her water bottle, just beside the thin mattress that carried her precious last drops of water. She could feel her thirst and her need to satiate it as she licked her lips to moisten them. Just staring at the clear plastic bottle was a painful reminder of her helplessness. She clenched her fists, mentally making up her mind on what to do. She strode over towards Torchwick and picked up her bottle of water.
For a moment she contemplated on whether this was the right choice, whether it was her only choice. There was no room for doubt.
She gripped the bottle before kneeling down to drop the bottle by Torchwick's head, immediately attracting his attention as he opened his eyes in alarm. His eye trailed to the bottle she had placed beside him making him arch an eyebrow before looking up at her in confusion.
Ruby swallowed the lump in her throat and kept her gaze away, standing back up.
"I don't want to owe you any favours," she said quickly.
She could feel his eyes on her, burning a hole through her. Before she could hear him respond, she marched back over to the bars, staring out into the pitch blackness. Up ahead was the entrance, a clear route of which could carry echoes, or in this case, her words. She gripped the bars once more with both hands and took a deep breath.
"HEY!"
Damn, that burned her throat. She tried to clear it but she could still feel the raw scratchy feeling of the arid flesh inside that screamed for water. She wouldn't give up now. She heard movement behind her and Torchwick's sudden voice.
"Oy, Red, what do you think you're doing?"
She ignored him and took another breath. "I'M TALKING TO YOU SNIVELLING RODENTS UP THERE, I KNOW YOU CAN HEAR ME!" she yelled with more enthusiasm.
Her words echoed through the silent dungeon, wafting through the air and out the exit, exactly as she wanted. When she heard no sound of movement from the other end she sighed, gritting her teeth together in annoyance.
"Stop it. You're not helping anyone by using up your energy on them. Why are you even trying to get their attention?"
"That is none of your business," Ruby barked back at him.
A pause made her believe Torchwick was piecing everything together. She could just heart the clockwork ticking inside his crafty mind.
"You're actually considering taking up on Cinder's offer? Are you insane?" Torchwick hissed.
Ruby gripped the bars tighter still until she almost felt her skin break on her fingers. Insane or not, she made up her mind. But first of all, she needed to talk to Cinder.
The distant sound of footsteps cut off her trail of thoughts and she focused on the shadowed entrance up ahead. Clearly it wasn't Cinder, there was a lack of delicate clinks to these footsteps. She detected male from the loud and heavy steps that echoed through the hall but at the same time she could also hear the scrape of metal running against the stone floor. Her eyes narrowed sharply.
The shadows moved up ahead, the outline of someone's lean frame appeared. Ruby could just make the out stature of someone tall but they paused at the entrance, hidden by the darkness.
"I want to talk to Cinder," Ruby called out, giving a clear implication of what she wanted.
There was a moments silence before someone spoke.
"Oh?"
Ruby grimaced. She knew that voice. In truth, he was the last person she expected to as she was about to think his name, he walked out into plain sight with a grin on his face. Those cold slate eyes of his watched her in amusement.
"And why should Cinder waste her time on an infantile little girl?"
Ruby glared at Mercury, trying to fit him in the persona he was currently playing. Was this really the same person she had befriended back at Beacon? The same guy who had impressed her with his skilled combat that time he challenged Pyrrha to a duel? The very same Mercury that had aided them in their battles against the Grimm?
No, that was just as act.
But was his friendship just an act?
She could feel her conflicting thoughts and memories cloud her judgment. He watched her like she was a lab rat trapped within a cage, powerless and weak. He stood tall and proud, arms folded across his chest, clearly enjoying himself in seeing her helpless.
"You were once friendly with this infantile little girl." Ruby sneered his words. She watched him furrow his brows then laugh, clutching his side. The sight of which somehow made her feel a little disheartened.
"You, are, hilarious!" He spluttered out between laughs. He pretended to wipe a tear away from his eye as he straightened up to smirk. "Can I just say, pretending to be your friend was the most irritating and excruciating process I ever had to go through? Man, I couldn't wait for the charade to be over and done with."
Something struck Ruby inside, like a knife being twisted inside of her chest and refusing to come out. She drew in a quiet breath.
Mercury rolled his eyes and sighed. "Honestly, it's kinda cute how you actually believed it all."
"I hate you."
Mercury tilted his head down, a knowing smile tugging at his lips. "Do you really?"
Ruby chose to release a smirk then. "With every fibre of my being."
The look of Mercury's face was enough to satisfy her for now, his smile forced and tight. She could tell he was eager to counterattack but something was stopping him. Instead he shrugged mindlessly.
"Take me to Cinder," she demanded.
Mercury clicked his tongue at her, waving a finger before him. "You don't give the orders around here."
"No, but I'm sure Cinder will be delighted when she comes to find out that one of her loyal subjects came in between her plans. I like to think I hold some importance here, don't you?"
She was toying with him, just as he did with her and as a result she had never felt more powerful. Such satisfaction came from having the superiority over one of Cinder's own. And she knew it chewed away at Mercury's patience because he dropped both arms by his sides and gritted his teeth. His eyes narrowed into two sharp slits, as if spewing venom. Then all of a sudden, he broke out a smile and straightened up.
"Oh I see. You're trying to pry out information from me, aren't you?" He tutted. "How fiendish!"
Ruby frowned. This was taking too long.
"Let's cut the idle chatter, I want to speak to Cinder about our terms," she repeated, a little more sternly this time.
Movement from behind her made her startle a little and look back. She watched as Torchwick eased himself onto his knees, using the wall as support before standing up, one leg at a time. A small ache rose in her chest, watching him struggle.
"She's has no idea what she's saying, don't listen to her."
Ruby clamped her mouth shut and turned back round to face Mercury who was indeed, watching the display taking place behind her too. A grave expression overtook his features, his eyes darkening to an extent that even made Ruby shiver a little. He was looking past her, to the thief behind.
"Stay out of this Torchwick, it doesn't concern you," Ruby hissed.
"You're not thinking straight. Don't do something stupid on the account of the lies Cinder has fed you."
"I said stay out of this."
"Damn it Red!" He barked. "Listen to me when I say that by accepting her offer, not only will you be signing over a death warrant but the people you care about so much? You guarantee their deaths too. This is what Cinder wants!"
His tone was almost desperate, surprising Ruby in the process. His defensive manner was so persuasive, she was almost ready to give in and admit he was right in what he was saying but she couldn't. Not when he was not willing to cooperate. He left her with no choice.
She locked eyes with Mercury, who seemed a little irritated watching them argue, ignoring Torchwick's protests.
"Open the gate."
Mercury hesitated for a brief moment before snapping his fingers, the action that immediately brought in two guard's that must have hung back on his command. They shuffled in, the sound of chains chiming indicating they were prepared with her cuffs that would bind her, preventing her from escape. Not that she would be able to. She envisaged her chances of a clean getaway to be low. Not to mention Cinder still had her weapon. And that serum...
She stepped back as one of the Faunus guard moved to unlock the gate.
"Red," Torchwick said warningly.
She ignored him, keeping her face blank.
The latch clicked and the high pitched screech of the gate opening made her recoil. Just as she was about to take a step forward, she felt a strong hold around her wrist, keeping her back. She jerked, looking round to see a gloved hand followed by a pale arm with the alarming bruises. Her eyes trailed up to meet the slanted green pair, a sense of pleading swimming within them.
"Don't fall into her trap," he warned, clutching on tighter.
"Give it a rest old man, she clearly knows what she's doing," Mercury retorted.
Torchwick briefly broke eye contact with Ruby for a moment, looking over her shoulder with a look of annoyance.
"Do you mind? Prison buddy's trying to have a conversation here."
Ruby blinked, still a little shaken by Torchwick's dramatic actions. He turned back to her, the 'serious' expression now back on his face, a look that captured all her attention.
"Let go of my hand, Torchwick."
"Not until you listen."
Ruby grimaced. "This is my decision, not yours! You have no right to tell me what to d- Hey!"
She was cut off when she was suddenly pulled forwards, almost clashing against his tall physique but managed to balance herself before she did. But again, she was now within close proximity of his cinnamon scented body that she could almost feel the crackle of the intense air that surrounded him. She swallowed as he brought his head down, the serious look never leaving his face as he eased down to her level.
On instinct, she inched her face back and opened her mouth to protest at his sudden actions that made her heart stammer. He brought his face right up to her ear, still clutching her wrist at his chest as he whispered words into her ear.
His breath tickled the tips of her hair and the exposed skin at her ear, making her shiver. It took a little effort to concentrate on the words he was speaking quietly into her ear, words she soon digested and narrowed her eyes in confusion. When he pulled back, she stared at him in questioning, seeking answers within those cloaked eyes and mastermind brain that seemed to be filled with secrets.
"W-"
The hold on her wrist tightened, silencing her but at the same time, she felt another grip on her other hand as she was pulled back through the opening harshly, forcing Torchwick to lose grip. The gate was slammed shut and locked, Mercury holding the keys.
"You're wasting my time," he said with a low voice. Ruby noticed the stiffness in his shoulders and the firm lock of his jaws as he spat the words through gritted teeth. "Sorry old man, guess you're back to square one. You can keep yourself company, right? Have fun!"
Ruby looked helplessly over Mercury's shoulder, through the bars that now trapped the thief alone who remained standing – the hand that held her wrist still uncurled. As the guards attached the cuffs around her ankles and wrists, she kept her gaze up.
What did he mean?
"Don't be a fool, kid," Torchwick told her as the last word.
She wished she was telepathic at the very moment, because Torchwick's earlier whispers didn't make an ounce of sense to her. Both Mercury and Torchwick exchanged bitter glances, Torchwick simply bowing his head with a grin to him before slouching off back into the corner and lying back down.
Mercury turned to face her promptly, a smile playing on his lips yet she could see the irritation still lingering.
"Shall we?" he proffered a hand to her as if asking her for a dance, knowing full well that she wouldn't be able to take it even if she wanted to.
She glared at him in disgust.
He pouted. "You're no fun." He chuckled briefly before standing up straight and brushing past her to lead the way out of the frozen dungeons.
With a final glance back at Torchwick, Ruby composed herself and swallowed down the lump that had formed in her throat before shuffling after Mercury.
The scenery changed as Ruby trekked along behind Mercury, the guards trailing behind closely as they walked up series of stairs and through the twisting tunnels and hallways of Cinder's lair. Once more, Ruby attempted to form a strategy to memorise the blueprint layout of the quarters. And once more, it was near to impossible. She kept focus on Mercury who hadn't looked back once on their short journey.
Even now, the atmosphere between them was tense, heavy even. Mercury seemed to be a foul mood though he was trying his best not to show it.
Soon enough, they entered a brightly lit hallway that burned Ruby's eyes as they tried to readjust to the familiar feeling of light after a decade of darkness in the cell. She rubbed at her eyes, the movement causing the guard to call out a sharp oi to ask what she was doing.
Still Mercury didn't turn back round. Why was she expecting him to in the first place?
"Mercury! What the hell are you doing?!" A loud sharp voice entered the fray, echoing through the empty hall as Emerald charged up towards them from the other end. Her red eyes ablaze, trying to figure out why her partner seemed to be hauling the prisoner behind him. She paused just in front of them as they stalled. Emerald shot Ruby a quick glare before turning sights on Mercury. "What is she doing out of her cage?! Cinder is going to kill you when she finds out."
"Relax," he chuckled in response. "I'm bringing her to Cinder. Looks like the Little Red Riding Hood had a change of heart."
Emerald raised a brow, glancing back at Ruby with scrutinising eyes. She narrowed them.
"I don't believe her."
"Yeah, me neither. We'll let Cinder take care of it - dealing with the brat is tiring." And to prove it, he yawned and stretched. Ruby winced. "Where is Cinder anyway?" He enquired, looking round as if the witch would appear out of thin air.
Ruby tapered her eyes at Emerald who refused to stop glowering at her. Suspicion was all that was on her mind, that much was obvious. As soon as Mercury asked for the whereabouts of Cinder, Emerald broke eye contact and looked shiftily to and fro between the two of them.
"Hellooo? Anyone home?" Mercury mocked, waving a hand in front of Emerald's wavering face. She eased back and scowled at Mercury, swatting his hand away.
"She's busy," Emerald said quietly, casting a fleeting glance at Ruby.
She's hiding something, Ruby thought. Cinder was obviously in the process of her next cunning scheme and Emerald was refusing to reveal anything before her. That was the only explanation.
"Well, tell her she has to be un-busy because we have a situation," Mercury groaned.
"She's..." Emerald hesitated, her eyes still shifting back and forth from Ruby to Mercury who now caught wind of Emerald's hesitance and had come to an understanding. His face dropped and turned serious. He sighed.
"Fine, I'll take her to Cinder's chambers. Make sure you let her know."
Emerald struck out an arm, blocking Mercury's path to advance down the hallway.
"Are you stupid?! Take her round the other way!" she said hastily, almost like she was... afraid.
Ruby watched her gestures and body language, the defensive stature and her state of flux as she blocked their pathway. Ruby edged her head closer, round Emerald to look down the hallway. Down the hall it seemed to be filled with a series of doors, leading to a dead end on the other side. Or possibly an L shaped corridor. The doors were heavily guarded which made things even more suspicious.
Something was down there. Something they didn't want her to see.
Was Cinder down there? Or in one of these rooms?
Ruby remembered what Torchwick had whispered into her ear earlier.
Perhaps... one of these rooms...
"That is an awfully long journey Emerald. Hey, I got an idea. How about you take her?"
She scoffed in response before walking away, keeping her back to them.
"It was your idea to go down to the dungeon, you reap what you sow Mercury."
Mercury groaned. "I'll give you my pudding for a week!"
She indicated a farewell by waving one hand up without looking back as she disappeared down the hall and into one of the rooms. Ruby kept a mental note of the door before she was shoved back round to walk back the way she was brought.
She heard Mercury curse before shooting her a dark look. He slid his hands into his pockets, closing his eyes as he barged past her.
"Come on."
"Nice to see you are friendly with some people."
She didn't know what made her say it, perhaps the feeling of betrayal got the better of her and it slipped out. Truthfully, she couldn't care less anymore but once they entered Cinder's room, closing the door behind them, she was immediately reminded of his banter with Emerald and felt the old wounds reopen inside of her - like a hidden yearning of wanting to be acknowledged by Mercury. Perhaps she was still looking for holes, anything to tell her that Mercury's and Emerald's pretence back at Beacon wasn't just a facade.
Why am I still hoping? They proved who their loyalty belonged to when Beacon was attacked. And yet... I still don't want to believe it. Why?
She pondered on her own thoughts whilst waiting for an answer from Mercury.
"Are you jealous?" Mercury implied, tilting his head.
He was leaning back against Cinder's desk, pin neat as ever without an item out of place. Ruby's eyes lingered over the small boxes and papers, assuming they were maps and blueprints, wondering where she could possibly hide a valuable object. The room felt the same with it's closed off and unwelcome atmosphere. How long ago was it since she was last in here? She lost track of time.
"Nope," Ruby said, making a popping sound with the p.
It earned a smirk. Mercury crossed his arms and rocked back on his heels, his boots lightly scraping the floor.
"You shouldn't lie to me."
Ruby paused, before looking around the room and turning back to face him.
"Why?"
Mercury arched a brow. "Why what? You're going to have to be a little more specific little girl."
"Why are you with Cinder?"
He said nothing and Ruby noticed how his eyes darkened although he was still smiling.
"Because it's more fun."
Liar.
Ruby shifted in her seat. She had been forced into the chair, her hands and legs still bound together but they were alone in the room with the guards at their posts just outside the door. Cinder yet to arrive but Ruby was desperate to get some answers, perhaps if she was lucky she might just be able to dig something out of Mercury. But he wasn't stupid, she knew that.
"It's not going to work," his voice broke her out of her trance. She looked up to see him looking smug, waiting for an answer. "The look on your face tells me you're trying to guilt-trip me. Aren't you a little minx?"
Ruby's heartbeat quickened but she did well to keep her face blank. There would be no way to turn him against Cinder.
"You see, this is why I'm suspicious," he exclaimed, pushing himself off the desk and now slowly walking towards her. "You don't intend to be loyal to Cinder even if you do agree to her terms, so why waste time? I should throw you back into the cell."
"So why don't you?"
He stopped just before her, looking down at her like she was a real lab rat.
"Because I want Cinder to see what she fails to see - a pathetic little girl capable of nothing..."
Ruby bit the insides of her cheek, glowering. She hated to let him have the upper hand, to toy with her and mess with her head but speaking up against him now would prove to be useless.
"You once said I could be capable of anything," she murmured under her breath.
Mercury laughed. "And you believed it?"
Ruby watched him intently, feeling her gaze soften. "I would have believed anything you said."
Something seemed to affect him once she blurted out those words, because he instantly recoiled like she had just slapped him and his smile faded - in place he straightened up and stared at her in surprise. A look of uncertainty drew over his face, his lips twitching like he wanted to speak but the words were trapped in his throat.
Then he looked angry, at himself. He growled under his breath and turned his head away before walking past her.
"Things were better when we were on the same side and you know it."
"Shut up!" he snarled, his voice shaking slightly.
Ruby glanced back over her shoulder to see him hovering by the door with his back to her. His fingers clenched into tight fists at his sides.
"She's just using you to get what she wants, and when she does, she'll throw you out and turn her back on you just like she's done to Torchwick."
"Torchwick was a traitor."
"Cinder was the traitor! She sent him to that warehouse to kill him."
"You know nothing!" Mercury snapped angrily.
Ruby lowered her voice. "I know enough, enough to know that Torchwick had discovered her secret that she tried so hard to keep hidden. Something that clearly would foil her schemes if the information ever got into the wrong hands. It forced her to eliminate him so who says the same won't happen to you?"
That got his attention. He turned round with a befuddled expression. "What are you talking about?"
Ruby forced herself not to look surprised. It was just her theory, but she couldn't be surer that she was right even if she tried because Mercury's expression and curiosity right now was proof enough.
He doesn't know. Mercury was just as in the dark as Torchwick had been!
If that were the case then did that mean... Cinder's entire army was clueless as to what was happening behind the scenes? Why would she keep it from her most loyal subjects? What was this secret she was hell bent on keeping hidden? If only she knew!
Ruby smiled. "Looks like your master hasn't been completely truthful with you, has she?"
The look on Mercury's face was priceless, like child that had been stripped off their happiness. He looked worried more than anything, perhaps even a little anxious. Anxious about the possibility that his beloved leader was lying to him.
"Torchwick needed to be put down. To form a plan of attack against your leader-"
"Is that what Cinder told you?"
Mercury froze mid sentence, hanging off the edge. He furrowed his brows, slowly walking towards her before standing in front of her once more. She looked up at him.
"This manipulative act is boring me. Think again if you thought you could turn me against Cinder. I'll never doubt her," he exclaimed confidently. His hesitance still showed through in his eyes.
Ruby raised an eyebrow at him. "But you already do, don't you?"
He slammed two fists on either arm of her chair, pinning her in the middle but she didn't flinch. Instead she kept a level head and blank face. He leaned towards her, staring directly into her eyes coldly. She could see it, a shroud of doubt lingering behind that face. She wanted to smile in victory.
"You don't know me," he spat. "Now shut up, you're getting on my nerves."
With that, he pushed off just as the room door flew open and the familiar clinks returned followed by the footsteps of another.
Ruby looked back to see Cinder walk in, stopping on seeing the sight of her comrade and her prisoner in a tense atmosphere. Her eyes shifted from one to the other, specifically at Mercury who seemed to be avoiding eye contact with her.
"What's going on in here?" Cinder ordered. She administered Ruby's presence before adding, "Why have you brought the prisoner here?"
Instead of letting someone else speak in her place, Ruby opened her mouth.
"I wanted to talk with you. Is that a problem?"
Cinder raised her head up in surprise, before glancing at Mercury for a moment. Ruby noticed the way she was trying to assess his behaviour which seemed to be off-putting. Mercury avoided her gaze and simply exchanged knowing looks with Cinder before walking out of view. Cinder's sharp footsteps led her to take her spot in her seat behind the desk.
Déjà vu.
"If you're here to waste my time Ruby, let me give you a fair warning that I will not be so lenient a second time." Her amber glowing eyes seemed brighter than ever, working in sync with her everlasting powers.
"What will I be required to do if I agree?" Ruby questioned, ignoring her warning.
Cinder smirked, placing both of her hands together and entwining the fingers. "Going straight to the point? I like that."
"Answer my question, Cinder."
"Watch your tongue, you don't give the orders here," Emerald called from behind her.
Cinder raised a hand to silence her. "It's fine Emerald. She's here to talk, so we shall talk." She turned to grin spitefully at Ruby. "First, I want to ask you something. Answer it honestly, and we can continue to discuss terms. I'll even sweeten the deal and add in a few clauses in your favour."
Ruby eased up. Did that mean she could ask for anything? This wasn't in her plan or how she thought things would go but perhaps... Perhaps this could work...
"All right, what's your question?"
Cinder's eyes flickered to the two traitors standing behind Ruby, signalling some form of unspoken scheme that was about to come into play. Ruby could feel her insides quake, anxiously waiting for what Cinder could possibly want to ask her. Terrified if it was anything related to the Resistance. She prepared herself.
Cinder eased her chin atop her hands, elbows on the table as she shrewdly smiled. The air became thick, heavier than it had been at the cell from the suspense. Ruby clamped her teeth together.
"Where is Ozpin, Ruby?"
Silence.
Ruby took in a sharp breath, her eyes widening in panic. Her heartbeat was pounding painfully against her ribcage, slowing her ability to breathe. Of all the questions... this wasn't the one she thought she would be asked. It seemed Cinder predicted her horror and chuckled darkly to herself as she waited for her answer. But what answer could I give? Ruby thought.
Cinder was still on the hunt for Professor Ozpin, but why? What was the thing between them that left everyone else in questioning? What led to him abandoning them in their greatest time of need?
"This is why you needed me," Ruby muttered, under her breath as she dropped her head down and allowed her hair to shadow her face. "You want to find Professor Ozpin... and you want me to tell you where he is."
A pause, followed by a short sound of movement coming from her desk.
"In simple terms, yes," Cinder replied.
Ruby sucked in another sharp breath, gritting her teeth together. She looked up, locking eyes with Cinder before smirking.
"Can't help you there, friend."
Cinder's smile wiped off instantly, hands dropping flat on the desk. The arch of her brow indicating that she was in no mood to play along.
"Need I remind you on what's at stake here?"
Ruby shrugged nonchalantly. "You imprisoned the wrong person."
Cinder glared. "Where is Ozpin?"
"You tell me." Ruby refused to break eye contact, confidently keeping her gaze straight. Cinder seemed to analyse her, trying to decide on whether or not to believe her. "We can continue to have this conversation Cinder, but I'll tell you now that you it will only lead to disappointment."
The lamp on her desk suddenly shot up in flames, the glass smashing and diminishing the light at the same time. The small glass fragments showered all over the surface of her desk and a few dropped to the ground like dew drops. Ruby looked down at them before looking up. Cinder's markings were glowing just as brightly as her eyes, the flame within them ignited. Cinder's rage had been fuelled.
"Cinder, do you want us to step in?" Ruby heard Mercury ask from behind. Her face fell slightly but didn't look back.
Cinder raised her head up high, giving a surly look at Ruby. She huffed before breaking out a content smile. She eased back into her seat, resting a hand on each armrest.
"Tell me something Ruby. How close were you to the old Professor?"
Ruby frowned. "What has that got to do with anything?"
Cinder tapped her fingers on her armrest impatiently, like counting down towards something. Something that wouldn't be pretty, Ruby had decided.
"I know for a fact that you were something... special, to Ozpin." She continued to leer, poking around for an answer that Ruby didn't have. "He trusted you more than he trusted anyone. Like you were his own daughter." Ruby waited as Cinder paused. "So if anyone would know anything about the Professor, it would be you."
Ruby snorted. In fact, she took advantage and had a full out laugh, enjoying the moment. She could hear a murmur of 'why that little...' come from behind her but she ignored it and sighed with satisfaction as she met Cinder's gaze to see her looking severely displeased.
"Sorry to thwart your plans, but I'm just as in the dark as you are," she said proudly, smiling happily. She enjoyed the scowl that crossed Cinder's face as she narrowed her eyes warily.
"I'm having trouble in trusting you."
Ruby scoffed. "That's no surprise. You clearly don't even trust your own comrades."
Another piercing silence and Ruby knew she had crossed the line because the grim look on Cinder's face said it all. She stiffened as if she had just been cursed, but her eyes hastily glanced to the people standing behind Ruby. Namely Mercury and Emerald and Ruby knew they were exchanging questioning glances. Ruby considered taking the risk and really pushing Cinder to the edge.
She looked back to see Emerald glaring at her but Mercury looked between worlds. Doubt, Ruby thought grinning inwardly.
"Oh, I'm sorry, has she forgotten to tell you her secret too?" Ruby feigned innocence, watching as Emerald blinked exasperatedly, her eyes flickering to Cinder with slight suspicion. Mercury looked pale, clearly watching Cinder for answers to clear his own doubt.
"Cinder, what is she talking about?" Emerald asked, her voice uncertain.
Ruby turned back round to see Cinder fuming silently but did her best to keep calm. She hadn't been expecting it and was caught off guard which pleased Ruby. Now things will start to get interesting.
"You see, I had a friendly chat with Torchwick," she informed openly, keeping her eyes on Cinder and watching as the blood left her face. But before she could breathe another syllable, she felt a burning sensation around her neck cutting off her vocal chords and airways.
Cinder had a hand raised, her markings alight as she formed glyphs around Ruby's throat, squeezing the binding marks tighter so she could barely breathe. Ruby's bound hands flew to her throat only to find nothing. She began to choke and splutter. It's burning.
"I was willing to look past your unwillingness to cooperate," Cinder hissed, the glyphs closing in tighter. "But you continue to try my patience. This conversation is over. I think you need to cool down."
Ruby clutched her throat, feeling the heat sink in and tear away at her exposed neck and worse, she couldn't pull away whatever was eating away at her neck. Cinder's powers continued to prove to be superior once more and the situation was a painful reminder of how Blake died, surrounded by these very glyphs of torture and squeezing in tighter and tighter... until nothing was left. Fear clutched her heart, consuming it in its entirety.
Cinder clicked her fingers and the room door swung open followed by the hurried footsteps of her guards. Ruby writhed in her seat, desperate for a chance to escape but her throat was on fire, she was screaming wishing for it to stop.
"Bind her," Cinder ordered.
Ruby's eyes flew open in between her struggles just as someone tied a piece of cloth around her mouth. She was pulled out from her chair, hands grappling her upper arms so tight she could feel her bones quiver beneath her bruised skin. Her field of vision was blinded as a black cloth was tied around her eyes, a knot tied at the back of her head. Now she was panicking, feeling her breathing hitch as she tried to scream but failed.
Her body was then tied down by what she felt was rope, stopping her from raising her arms as they were pinned to her sides. Her knees were next, bound tightly so she would fall over if she tried to walk.
The burning stopped and Ruby almost cried in relief, inhaling as much oxygen as she could through her nose. But before she could even get comfortable, she was lifted up, a pair of hands under her arms and another pair at her legs. The ground left her feet as her body helplessly was dragged out of the room.
"It'll only get worse if you keep struggling," she heard Mercury's stiff tone warn her.
Still, she refused to give up and made it as difficult as she could for them, trying to find an opening to roll out of their grasp.
Where are they taking me?
She could only keep her ears opened, her sight now temporarily inactive. Her pulse was racing, her throat dry and still feeling the after-effects of Cinder's power. Her body swayed as they finally came to a halt. Where? She had no idea. She could only follow the sounds of Cinder's glass heels clashing with the ground as she followed in behind them.
"Drop her in."
Ruby stiffened in horror.
With a wave of strength, her body was swung then thrown forwards like a corpse and all the while Ruby screamed, squeezing her eyelids shut tight, waiting for the impact of pain.
But instead of pain, she felt cold. Wet.
Water?
She froze.
Water. Oh my dust... she's going to drown me!
Ruby could feel the iciness of the water seep through her clothing, prickling her skin like little shards of glass as her body slowly sunk in the never-ending water. She could feel her ears clog up and disable her hearing with bubbles escaping through her mouth. Her lungs wouldn't hold for long, she needed to breathe. Ruby stopped moving, in hopes she would float but the weight of her clothing and the chains were stopping her from rising and instead were dragging her down even further.
Not yet... please, not yet. I need to save Yang. I need to see everyone and apologise. I need to find Ozpin! Ruby screamed in her mind, praying to anyone who could hear her pleas. She didn't want to die yet. She was petrified of dying. She feared death, of what it could take away from her. She had always wanted to die on the battlefield, fighting for what was right.
Not like this.
And like someone had heard her prayers, she felt something tug her cloak, pulling her up. Water eased its way into her mouth as she swallowed a mouthful, registering the salty taste of it, hating to wonder whether it was plagued with Grimm toxins.
Her head broke the surface of the water, some form of claw held her up by her collar. Water dripped off of her body as she choked, trying to take in air. Her lungs burned. Her body shuddered from the cold water.
She felt heavy, bloated and sore and wanted nothing more than to sleep for a few days and forget everything. The weight of everything soon became too much and darkness engulfed her mind wholly. She fell into unconsciousness.
Ruby...
Wake up Ruby...
You need to come back, I'm still waiting...
Wake up...
"Wake up!"
Ruby's eyes slid open, blinking profusely as the dark spots in her vision blurred her view. The first thing she felt was the instant feel of cold.
It's so cold... Am I dead? She thought to herself.
She looked around, feeling aches in the back of her head. Wherever she was, it was dark and her body was shivering violently. She felt damp, her clothing soaked and chilling her to the bone. As the room came into focus she noticed someone looking over her.
Bright orange bangs, pale skin and tall. He was mumbling something that she couldn't hear. Her head pounded and her muscles hurt when she tried to move. Something light brushed across her cheek, making her skin spike with goosebumps.
"You're frozen solid... Damn it all," he cursed. "Red? Hey, kid, hold on."
Ruby opened her stiff lips, they felt numb and all that escaped her mouth was a shaky breath and scratchy voice.
"T-T-Torch-"
"Sh. Don't speak just yet. Bloody 'eck, what the hell were you thinking?!" He shook his head at her.
She was back in the cell. Thrown back in after... That's right, she thought. She was drowning, right after her encounter with Cinder. She felt like she was dying. The way death held her in his grasp, she really thought that was it. Relief filled her within and she could feel tears wanting to escape her eyes but she was too cold.
Something was draped over her. The blanket but even then, she was quaking like her body was being consumed by the arctic air. She had no energy to spare, merely able to move her head around.
The halls were empty. There was no one else here but them. She must have been thrown back in to die in the frosty chills of the dungeons.
"We're alone. I was sure they were throwing in your dead body when I saw them come in. Damn near gave me a good scare that did!"
Ruby's senses were far too dulled to even register what Torchwick was saying and she coughed, watching as her breath fogged up in front of her.
So... cold...
Let me sleep...
She felt something shake her making her groan as it set off the aches in her body.
"Don't fall asleep on me! This is what happens when you don't listen. Tch, at this rate you'll die from hypothermia. Those bastards..."
Ruby forced to keep her eyes open, now a little more aware. She turned her head towards Torchwick, noticing the edgy behaviour and the frantic way his eyes watched over her and frowning as if he was thinking hard about something. The green of his eyes, though dark, she knew they were there.
She heard him sigh deeply.
"All right Red, unless you want to die from hypothermia, you're going to have to remove your clothes."
What?! She was conscious enough to grasp a hold of what he had just said. Her eyes shot open in horror. He rolled his eyes at her.
"For f- I won't look OK? There's nothing you have that would be even remotely interesting to look at, and don't go getting ideas about anything. I'm only instructing you on what's best right now," he said with a furtive grin but even then she could see a faint look of awkwardness on his face.
Despite freezing to death, Ruby could feel the blood rush to her own face and the quickening of her heartbeat once more. If she could speak she would curse him and if she could move, she would hit him. But the very image of undressing had her cheeks on fire and she didn't care if she suffered from the cold all her life, if it meant not getting undressed in the same room as Torchwick.
He sighed again, now frowning at her. "Your clothes are soaked Red, you're not going to get any warmer if you don't. Use the blanket, and your cloak if you need to but if you don't act now then you'll die then you can really kiss the chance to save your friends goodbye."
Save her friends...
The flashing image of being stark naked, hidden by a mere blanket in front of a man she loathed made her shudder to the core. She shook her head recklessly.
"N-N-N-No!" she cried, followed by a chain of coughs.
Her teeth chattered to a point she felt like they would shatter. She closed her eyes and turned her head away, clamping her mouth shut. She would be fine. Whatever energy she had left, she forced it into her arms to lift herself up.
"Quit being stubborn kid, this isn't the time for being embarrassed!"
What did he care about what happened to her anyway? She thought bitterly, ignoring him as she continued to move slowly but surely. If he thought she was going to undress in front of him, he could think again. Even if he swore not to look. Her arms gave out as her strength died. She fell back, flat against the thin mattress beneath her.
Torchwick groaned in despair but she felt him shift closer towards her.
"I have another idea... but you're not gonna like it Red," he said half heartedly.
Could it be any worse than his last one? She thought but hated to think what it could be. Right now she was on the brink of losing it and succumbing to the darkness because the cold was biting away furiously. She was ready to curl up and let it consume her. Her body had shut down, even breathing hurt.
Anything, just stop the cold, she begged.
Then she felt two strong arms grasp a hold of her, pulling her arms up taking care to avoid her healing gash. Her neck sagged a little as her she struggled to keep her head straight as she was lifted. Her eyes met Torchwick's only briefly as he focused on pulling her up.
"What-t-t..." she stammered, trying to protest.
He ignored her and pulled her right against his chest, arms circling around her tiny form that pressed up against his large structure. Her cheek fell against his broad chest, the soft material of his t-shirt sparking some form of electricity as it brushed against her skin. The overwhelming scent of cinnamon made her head spin as she tried to pull back. He held on tighter.
"Will you stop that struggling? You're making this even more difficult than it already is!" he rebuked, sliding her body closer that she was practically on his lap.
Ruby ignored him and tried to pull back, her heart now furiously hammering against her chest that she was sure he could hear it. Feel it even. But her struggling stopped at an instance when she felt a warm sensation sink into her icy skin. Her cheek, once numb, felt like it had been placed upon an open fire. The arms surrounding her drew her in closer and this time, she didn't protest and on instinct her body yearned to reach closer towards this feeling of sudden heat.
Where was it coming from? He's so warm...
Alarm bells were ringing but Ruby didn't care, she was too enveloped in this euphoric feeling of warmth after a long slumber in the cold. Her hands reached up slowly to her face, placing them flat against his chest where the heat seemed to generate from.
Actually, the heat was coming from everywhere.
"Jeez. Better?"
His voice rumbled beneath his chest, she could hear his vocal chords at work as he spoke but she was far too focused on the wonderful feeling of warmth. Right now she didn't care and inched closer, closing her eyes. The thudding of her heartbeat still fluid and quick, but less painful.
Her legs were curled up between his legs. She could feel the edge of his chin lightly brushing against the top of her head.
When her chattering teeth died down, she steadied her breathing, relaxing at long last.
"How..." she croaked.
She heard him chuckle throatily.
"Oh kid, you got a lot to learn about me," he said with evidence of a smile in his voice.
Ruby could feel life coming back into her muscles, her nerves awakening and senses return. She was aware of how wrong all this was... how it must have looked. The question as to why he was helping her so much was constantly echoing in her mind.
She inhaled deeply, taking in the distinct spicy scent and noticed how this time, she didn't flinch. This was fine... for now.
"Semblance." She murmured into his chest when she felt the strength return to her vocal chords. "Generating heat... it's your semblance."
He laughed, shaking slightly. "I can do a lot more than produce heat, Red."
A thought crossed Ruby's mind. Her eyes opened as she frowned to herself but before she could even question him, he answered before her as he always seemed to do.
"I know what you're thinking. Why on earth hasn't Torchwick used his semblance before? Complaining about the cold earlier? That lying scumbag!" He mocked in a high pitched voice.
And though she should be annoyed by this, Ruby cracked a small amused smile.
Again. He made me smile again. She was shocked by this revelation and a little terrified for what it could mean. She shook her head free of the thoughts.
He can produce heat huh? She had learnt one thing new about Roman Torchwick, and strangely, she found herself wanting to know more about the mastered thief.
Then she remembered his whispered words and stiffened. He noticed it too.
"What now?" he said grumpily.
Ruby hesitated. "The key..."
Now he froze, listening in closely.
"...I think I know where it's being kept."
She felt his arms tighten as he contemplated on this new piece of information.
With a low voice, he replied. "Looks like things are starting to look up for us, Red."
HOLY COW THAT WAS LONG. But let me know what you guys think! Especially about Torchwick's hinted semblance.
Anyway, I'm sorry I took forever to update. I really needed a break from RWBY. When I heard Monty Oum passed away, it literally shattered me. I felt like part of me was ripped away and it led to crying for 2 weeks and guys, I NEVER cry over the death of someone I don't know. Celebrity or not. It's weird because I've never met him and yet his death affected me, and hundreds of other fans, so bad. He was too young and had so much more to give. He brought us RWBY, he breathed life into one of my favourite characters - Ren. He was such a huge inspiration to thousands and his work, animations and dancing is unrivaled. It breaks my heart that I'll never get to meet him. My prayers go out to his wife, family and friends because god knows what they must have gone through and are still going through. I could say so much more but I'll drag on forever.
So now, I want to dedicate this story and any future RWBY stories I create to Monty. Even if he can't read this - thank you for everything you have given us Monty. We'll miss you.
Okay guys, I'm a zombie right now from sleep deprivation so I won't list all reviewers, but you know who you are! Thank you SO MUCH for your continued support and I'll try to answer some of your questions in the next update!
HINT: IT'S MY FAVOURITE CHAPTER SO FAR AND OMG IT'S GONNA BE SO GOOD.
Theories are welcomed!
Okay bye. x