"Why are we in the capital?" Ruby questions as Both her and Tatsumi Follow Mine.
"Because you both are supposed to." Mine answered "Boss put me in charge of you so suck it up."
'I would if you weren't so difficult to just be around with.' Ruby thought to herself.
"And besides! It's also your punishment for starting another fire in the kitchen again!" Mine yelled
"W-Well..." Ruby mumbled.
"baking cookies?" Akame asked while Tatsumi, Mine and Lubbock were in the kitchen alongside A happy Ruby approaching the Oven.
"Yup! they should be done by now!" Ruby happily answered "I'll even share with you guys too if you promise not to hug all of it to yourselves."
"Did somebody say cookies?" Bulat asked as he entered the kitchen.
"Perfect timing! 'Cause I think My cookies are almost done_"
*FOOWSH*
But the moment she opened the oven, A burst of flames were let out!
"WAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Ruby screamed while the others Gasped in horror!
Ruby tried to control the fire with her towel which proved useless, so she kicked the Oven close again.
"I'm just gonna give it a more minutes." Ruby then spoke as if there wasn't a fire.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Everyone, Even Akame, Yelled in panic as they ran toward the Oven before it burns the kitchen down.
"...Well, I tried." Ruby shrugged with Tatsumi sweat dropped and Mine sighed.
"Everyone looks pretty glum today." Tatsumi noted.
"It's because of the terrifying government and the poor conditions of the people." Mine answered.
"Are you sure you want to walk around in broad daylight like this?" Tatsumi asked.
"Well, My face isn't known to the capital so I'm in the clear." Mine said pointing at the wanted posters of Najenda, Akame, Sheele and...Another man?
"Who's this?" Ruby asked.
"Oh, That's Bulat." Mine answered.
"HUH?! THAT'S BRO?" Tatsumi asked while Ruby was surprised.
"He just changed his image when he defected." Mine explained.
"Wow. No one would recognize him now if they only had this poster of what he used to look like." Ruby said "No seriously! Let's drag Bulat Infront of one of the guards around here! They wouldn't recognize him at all! I'm sure of it!"
"Yeah, Not risking it." Mine disagreed "But now that we're here, We've got an important mission to take care of!"
"Important?" Ruby asked.
So they went around and Ate some food, Bought some clothes While Ruby decided to buy a few more underwear and some Shirts, Skirts, Shorts and even pajamas so she wouldn't have to sleep in her clothes or underwear again.
"Phew. We sure bought a lot!" Mine cheered as they all were sitting at a cafe, While Ruby was silently munching on a Strawberry sundae "Alright! Mission Complete!"
"ALL WE DID WAS SHOPPING!" Tatsumi yelled.
"How naughty!" The Mine brutally Smacked Tatsumi across the face sending him down, Which caused Ruby to gasp.
then Mine stood up as if she was overshadowing the two "I'm the one who's at the top! You two are nothing but button feeders! Underlings shouldn't talk back!"
"U-Underlings!?" Ruby gasped "Who decided THAT?!"
"The food chain did! Duh!" Mine then pointed her finger right into Rubies face "I've been in this job FAR LONGER than you newbies! So I have more authority than the two of you by default!"
"That's abuse of your Authority!" Ruby Shot back.
"You think I care?!" Mine yelled. "If I wanted to!" She then pulled out a huge roulette with Other series written on it, Alongside Corpse party which took at least HALF of the entire roulette!?
"I could just send you both into another series with this roulette!" Mine declared.
"EEEHHHHHH?!" Tatsumi gasped "W-Wait why is half of it just Corpse party?!"
"Oh don't be surprised tatsumi. ANYONE can make one of these out of nowhere." Ruby said.
"Oh really?!" Mine dared.
but then...Ruby just pulled out A BIGGER Roulette which housed MORE series from anime and videogames on it.
And they consisted of:
DEVIL MAY CRY
CASTLEVANIA
VAMPIRE HUNTER D
HELLSING
TRIGUN
GUNGRAVE
COWBOY BEBOP
FINAL FANTASY VII
TALES OF BERSERIA
DARKSOULS
ELDENRING
BLOODBORNE
SEKIRO SHADOWS DIE TWICE
DEMON SOULS
ENDER LILIES
HOLLOW KNIGHT
THE WOLF AMONG US
HI FI RUSH
HALO
DOOM
METROID
FATE/APOCRYPHA
JOJO'S BIZARRE ADVENTURE
RED VS BLUE
SHANK
PRINCE OF PERSIA
NO MORE HEROES
TEKKEN
STREET FIGHTER
KING OF FIGHTERS
DEAD OR ALIVE
BLAZBLUE
GUILTY GEAR
PERSONA
ATTACK ON TITAN
And finally...The one that actually terrified Tatsumi and Mine out of their sanity and dignity the most...
POSTAL
"See? Anyone can do it." Ruby said, showing off her far more superior roulette.
"Grrrrrr." Mine grumbled as she kicked her roulette away in frustration.
"...Hm?" Then Tatsumi noticed some people gathering around a street center "What's going on over there?"
"...It's a public execution for people that defied the empire." Mine answered them bitterly.
Tatsumi and Ruby both gasp in horror as they watch innocent people crucified and tortured nearly to death at the center. Some of their limbs were cut off, while they cried or whimpered in agony.
Seeing this, ruby started to feel sick and disgusted. She could even see that a few of them were teenagers or children. Without thinking, she began sprinting toward the execution center with a hand reaching for her Crescent Rose on the back of her belt.
Seeing this, Mine and Tatsumi both panic and they grab Ruby before she goes overboard!
"What the hell are you doing?!" Mine yelled as she grabbed Rubies cape, while Tatsumi held her back by her arm and waist.
"I...I..." Ruby tried to speak, But as she clears her thoughts for a bit, She finally takes in a few details: It was broad daylight, There were too many civilians around, and the security was tighter around the execution center.
grunting in frustration and with a feeling of uselessness, She smacked Mines and Tatsumis Hands off of her and begins to walk away from the scene.
Mine and Tatsumi Just watch as she walks away, Leaving them both behind while they watch her go with concern and unease.
"...I see..." Najenda Nodded at Mine and Tatsumis report "You both did the right thing. If she had gone loose in the public she'd be in a lot of trouble."
"...I get That it was better this way, But I'd definitely do the same if I was in her position." Tatsumi admitted.
"You better not think like that Tatsumi." Najenda ordered "People who act like Ruby... They don't last long in this world. But Ruby feels... different. there's Something about her that makes her stand out a bit...I just can't figure it out."
"Well She definitely will die one day if she keeps thinking with her guts instead of a braincell." Mine stated "I bet she's only been lucky until now before she came to the capital!"
'...If only she could see Rubies scars with her own eyes...' Both Najenda and Tatsumi thought at the same time, being the only ones that have seen Rubies injuries alongside Akame and Leone and no one else.
"She's been very gloomy eversince she returned..." Sheele explained as Akame and Leone watch Ruby sadly doodling in her notebook "She barely has paid attention in our lessons."
"...She was with Mine and Tatsumi today right?" Leone asked "If they went to the usual places that mine goes shopping at...then chances are they ran into the... Execution center."
"...Oh..." Sheele said, As all three watch Ruby Sighing and put her pencil away, placing her face down on the table by her forehead.
"...Maybe you should give her the day off Sheele." Leone suggested "I don't think she's in the mood for practicing After seeing how fucked up it was."
"... You're right." Sheele nodded.
"...I've got a plan." Akame spoke up, getting the other two's attention.
"Ruby?" Akame Called out, Making Ruby turn around to face her "Look what I got."
She then placed a plate of cookies in front of Ruby.
"...Thanks." Ruby said smiling, and began munching on the Cookies.
"Hey!" Leone greeted as she walked beside Ruby "You wanna go do something fun today?"
"I dunno, Like what?" Ruby asked, Taking another bite of her cookie.
"How about sight seeing?" Sheele suggested "The forest air is very refreshing this time of the season."
"That...Kind of sounds fun I guess..." Leone said "Oh wait! How about we go and Hunt down danger beasts?! the one that kills the most wins!"
"Leone, I'm not sure if I wanna." Ruby Refused.
"Aww come on!" Leone whines "And I told you to call me Sis!"
"Still not doing that!" Ruby refused further.
"Just tell us what you want to do." Akame asked.
"Hmm...Wanna help me with my weapons maintenance?" Ruby asked.
"...Um..." Sheele wondered.
"...Sure...we might learn something new anyway." Akame nodded.
'Did she seriously make this entire thing by herself?!' All 3 girls mentally yelled while they watched, and took some notes as Ruby checked up on Crescent Rose.
"So...Um, How long did it take for you to...Make your weapon?" Sheele tried to start a conversation.
"Oh, Not too long. I'm actually a weapon geek so I know a lot about weapons. Guns included!" Ruby answered.
"Yes we can tell." Leone said.
"As a matter of fact, From my 'Country', EVERYONE made their own weapons! Well...Mostly everyone. We had weapon shops too." Ruby began to explain.
"Is that so?" Akame asked.
"Must have been a crazy place then." Leone said.
"What other weapons were in your country?" Sheele asked out of curiosity.
"Well, One of my friends had a Hammer that could turn into a grenade launcher, Another friend had Handguns that also had knives attached to them, Another friend had a spear and shield which the spear was also a sword and a rifle, Some one else That I know had Revolver Sickles, another one had A bow staff that could turn into Nun chucks which also acted as Handguns_"
"EVERYTHING WAS A GUN?!" the girls all yell at once in shock.
"um...No, One of my friends just had a sword and shield. And some Jerk I used to know of had a Slow and clunky Mace." Ruby explained further.
"...Not gonna lie...That sounds pretty cool." Leone admired.
"But also unbelievable." Akame added.
"I know it sounds really impossible, but look at my Crescent Rose!" Ruby said.
"...Point taken." Akame nodded.
"And besides, I might be able to do some upgrades to your weapons while I'm at it." Ruby added as she surprised the girls "Like, Imagine if I added a CHAINSAW to Mines Pumpkin! I've been thinking about it for a while now!"
"...Please don't give Mine a chainsaw." Leone begged "She might go way too crazy with it."
"And I'm not sure if you should add alterations to A teigu." Akame added.
"...A what??" Ruby tilted her head.
"...Oh! right, Uh We'll tell you some other day!" Leone Assured.
"okay..." Ruby nodded "...Also I've been thinking about upgrading the Bosses Prosthetic arm so it'll shoot shotgun shells."
"Okay, Now that's actually Badass!" Leone said.
"You're country must have had some very powerful fighters if they had Weapons like that." Akame said "Added with their semblances and Aura too."
"Heheh. Yeah, They would even alter their weapons in a way so they could use them with their Semblances together." Ruby added "But...there would be some...Problems too."
"Problems?" Sheele asked.
"Well...If I remember right, One of my friends Had A Water Manipulation Semblance...But...um..." Ruby explains.
"But what?" Leone asked.
"...He had Aquaphobia too..." Ruby added.
...The room fell in silence
"PFF HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHA!" before Leone bursts out laughing and rolling on the ground uncontrollably!
"...How?" Akame questioned.
"I dunno, He was just...weird some times." Ruby answered.
"Wow...Having a Semblance sure sounds...Amazing." Sheele said "I almost want to have one myself."
"Yeah, I used to_WAIT!" Ruby then looks at Sheele "Repeat that again..."
"Having...a semblance sure sounds_"
"No the other thing!"
"U-Um, I almost want to have a semblance myself?" Sheele repeated.
"...OH. MY. GOD." Ruby gasped "SHEELE! you're a GENIUS!"
"EH?!" Sheele blushed at the praise "I am?"
"Are you okay?" Leone Asked ruby.
"No, I'm not okay. I'm an IDIOT for not thinking about this SOONER!" Ruby Answered "Go gather everyone! I just thought of something!"
"You can unlock our Aura?" Najenda asked as everyone looks at Ruby in surprise and confusion.
"In my country there are two ways to unlock ones Aura: They do it themselves by being in a very dangerous or life changing Situation, Or someone uses a bit of their own to unlock others!"
"...So you can do the second one?" Bulat asked.
"Well...I never tried it myself. But...My uncle gave me a clear idea of the HOW of it." Ruby answered "But Once I do unlock your auras...Getting a semblance is up to you from there on. You might accidentally unlock yours By either being at death's door, Watching someone you care about get hurt or to just be in a very hard and unwinnable battle."
"...Well that sounds like what we usually see and do." Lubbock said.
"But...what will our semblances be?" Tatsumi asked.
"I dunno, Semblance are a reflection of someone's soul. it's totally Random like I said before, Remember?" Ruby reminded.
"I bet Mines Semblance will be the ability to Nag and grumble more~" Leone joked while Mine glared at her.
"Alright then. Any volunteers?" Ruby asked.
"...I'll do it first." Najenda raised her hand before anyone else "I'm the boss, So it's my responsibility to test it out myself first."
"Okay." Ruby nodded.
And so everyone stands back, While Najenda stands before Ruby while she places a hand on her boss's Shoulder.
"Now don't worry, It's totally harmless. Your body just might feel a bit lighter once I do tho." Ruby assured.
"Got it." Najenda nodded, Bracing herself as everyone watches, eager to see.
'Okay... Consintrate Ruby...deep breaths...now slowly Channel Your Aura into Her...get a feel for her life force...' Ruby mentally thought, As she kept channelling Aura into Najenda.
...Soon, She could see... some kind of Shining little ball in her own mind.
the closer she fused her Aura, the clearer it became. She could make out a darkish Green Light to it.
'...This should be it...' Ruby thought before she mentally reached out to the Shining source of Darkish green light...
and back in reality, Everyone gasped as Najendas body began to glow brightly!
"W-Whoa!" Najenda gasped, Before Ruby slowly let go and opens her eyes, seeing how Bright Najenda was.
'...So the people of this world CAN have Aura too...it only makes sense, They have souls too.' Ruby thought to herself.
"...Did you..." Najenda wandered.
"Yup. It actually worked." Ruby nodded "And...Wow boss, You have A LOT of Aura. But be careful, It can still run out if you overuse it too much."
"I'll bare that in mind." Najenda nodded.
"ME NEXT!" Leone cheered as she ran forward.
"uuugh...I'm spent." Ruby groaned as she sat down in the kitchen, While Akame brought her some Tea and a cookie "Thanks."
"It's fine. Just save your remaining strength." Akame said.
After Unlocking everyone's Auras, Ruby had obviously become exhausted. But this way her new teammates would be stronger.
and Just like Everyone else back in Remnant, They all had their own unique Aura Colors.
Akames was blood Red.
Leones was golden Yellow.
Tatsumis was steel Gray.
Lubbock was light Green.
Bulat was bright brown.
Sheele was darkish Purple.
Mine was Baby pink.
And Finally, Najendas was Darkish Green.
As She munches on the cookies, Bulat suddenly runs in.
"I just did 18 Push ups in under 5 seconds!" Bulat informed.
"Yeah, Aura does increase Physical performance too to some extent." Ruby said with a chuckle.
"I love it!" Bulat cheered and Gave Ruby a Thumbs up "Thanks a lot Rubes!"
"Sure." Ruby gave a thumbs up back.
But then Leone ran in "I'm suddenly faster than ever!"
"Y-Yeah, Aura can increase your_" Ruby began to repeat, But then Leone hugged Her face straight into her breasts!
"Thanks a lot best buddy!" Leone said "Also just call me Sis!"
"Not...happening...!" Ruby refused while she suffocated in Leones orbs.
but luckily, Akame pulled Ruby away from Leone "Leone, She's already tired of unlocking all of our Auras. Stop torturing her more."
"Eh?! I'm not torturing her!" Leone yelled as she tried to pull Ruby back to herself, which resulted in both her and Akame hugging one of Rubies hands.
"Pleeeeease, Stoooooop." Ruby groans.
Later on, Akame carried Ruby to her room back.
"Seriously you didn't have to bother." Ruby said "I could walk fine!"
"You almost collapsed in the hallway a few times." Akame pointed out.
"If you say so." Ruby sighed As Akame lays her down on the bed.
"Do you need something before I go?" Akame asked.
"...Some milk would be nice." Ruby asked.
"What are you, a five-year-old?" Akame asked bluntly.
"Hey come on. Old habits don't leave you that easy!" Ruby said "And also what are you, a meat grinder?"
They both just stare at each other before they both laugh at their own childish insults.
"...Ruby...About today...Is it true that you tried to cause trouble in the execution center in broad daylight?" Akame asked.
"...Someone had to stop that." Ruby answered while looking away. "There were even kids there. I can't just stand by and watch innocent people suffer and do nothing. It was already hard enough to let it go and just walk away from all of that."
"...You truly are a kind person." Akame suddenly said and gently held Rubies hand, causing her to flinch a bit "but please, Don't be too rash or careless from now on. Acting out like that was the cause of the deaths of so many of my friends back then...And...I...I don't want you to die too..."
'...That would really mean a whole lot more to me if I didn't die once already...' Ruby thought to herself
'...But here...I actually have some people who will miss me once I'm gone...And I don't want them to go through what I went through...And not anymore of it for Akame.'
Ruby then sat up and held Akames hand with both her hands, shocking the other girl while giving her a smile
"I can't promise you that I won't be careless anymore, I'll promise you that I won't end up dead anytime sooner!"
Akame is shocked by her declaration, but Ruby only held her hand tighter with more warmth and comfort.
"I promise, I won't let you suffer anymore sadness and agony of losing anyone you care about. Bet on that!"
Akame looks at ruby wide eyed, unable to truly grasp what she said
"...You...Promise? You really mean what you said? You truly promise that?!"
Ruby Just smiles and suddenly grabs the sides of Akames shoulders, and pulls her into a warm and tight hug which shocked Akame more.
"Of course. I promise." She softly whispers, While Akame smiles and hugs her back.
"...Thanks...this means a lot to me." Akame said as she hugs Ruby closely "...Ruby?"
"zzz...zzz...zzzz..."
...And without warning, Ruby just fell asleep in Akames arms mid-hug.
"...And she's already drooling too." Akame sighed as she Gently laid Ruby down on her bed again, And removed her Cape too and neatly placed it on the table before pulling the Blanket over Ruby.
She also Cleaned The Drool on Rubies mouth, Before pushing her hair out of her face to see The reapers cute sleeping face.
"...I wish I could still just as bright and positive as her...like so long ago." Akame said to herself, Before finally leaving Ruby to sleep peacefully after unlocking hers and her friends Auras.