RWBY: A Thorn in My Heart
Chapter 15: Wilted Rose
Despite the panic in the streets from the aftermath of the destructive battle outside the restaurant, a wave of silence swept over Ruby's group.
Ruby stood there shocked, her face showcasing the immense confusion and distress within her. Qrow and Raven frowned in disdain; they hoped this day would never have to come. After all, it wasn't a fond memory for them. Ruby startled them by finally breaking the collective silence.
"What do you mean Cinder killed mom!" she yelled in confusion.
Qrow looked to his sister and gave her a stern look. She nodded her head and opened a portal to the Mansion infirmary room. She knew Blake needed to be treated for her wounds, and that Qrow was the better person to handle this story with their niece. Unlike her, Qrow was there to see what happened whereas she only heard it from him. Her spine felt a familiar chill. It was the same feeling she had on the day Qrow told her of their leaders death. She felt another chill as Ruby screamed at her while she went through the portal, almost pausing to turn back; but she knew she didn't have the heart to face her right now.
"Don't try running away, I want answers now!" Ruby demanded. She hated it when people kept secrets from her, especially family. Her anger was so intense right now she didn't even notice Blake anymore, as the slightly burned Faunus squirmed a little in Raven's arms, in and out of consciousness.
"Easy kiddo! My sis is getting Blake treatment, I'll tell you everything." Qrow said with a heavy sigh. Of all the days he gave up drinking he had to choose this one. This story was very depressing for him; it was a nightmare he saw many times in his sleep. But Qrow knew Ruby needed him coherent these days for her health, just like he knew Ruby had to know what happened if she was to have any sense of security.
Qrow's response finally managed to ease Ruby's tension as she ceased her yelling but stared intensely at him; showing she was still angry.
"Ruby, you know how your mother and I took a mission for your dad while he worked for Signal Academy?" Qrow asked, seeing if she could remember that day.
"Yeah, Yang told me after what happened to me that night." She bitterly replied. Ruby knew Yang wasn't trying to push blame on their father that day, she just wanted her to understand bad things just happen sometimes; no matter how great someone was like her or like Mom. Sometimes you could do everything right and still fail or get hurt, and Ruby knew from her rape that was a harsh reality.
"Well, we were hired to defend a Mistral village from some bear grim that had been invading it lately. Your mom sure was a badass like always, hammering and slashing them to dust with Plunder Rose." Qrow said with a smile, blissfully recalling his partner's prowess. Even Ruby couldn't help but smile a bit, she loved hearing stories of how amazing her huntress mother was, it's what inspired her to become one as well.
Both Uncle and Niece chuckled a bit before their hearts sank from what Qrow said to her next.
"But while we were fighting, we heard a little girl cry in pain. Your mom went over to her, a little black hair girl with a cut leg crying and bleeding." Qrow sadly said. Ruby winced a bit; she thought mom was likely going to be attacked by a grim saving a child who looked like herself. A bit of worry descended within her, as she panicked at the thought she may have played a hand in her mother's death. Qrow saw her turmoil, but knew he had to carry on.
"That little girl was Cinder. As your mother picked her up to save her from another grim, I saw something I'd never forget." He said as his mood darkened.
13 years ago….
Summer had finished slashing the last grim around her and noticed a little girl with a bleeding leg crying.
"It hurts, I want mommy!" the little girl cried.
Summer looked around to check on the situation. She saw Qrow handling the remainder of the grim and felt confident he could keep everything under control. She deactivated her scythe hammer hybrid and knelt as she picked up the hurt child.
"Don't worry sweetie, we'll patch that leg up and have your mommy kiss your boo boos." She said in a motherly tone. She had experience with 2 kids at home and one as hyper and adventurous as Yang made her used to scrapes and calming kids who got them. She turned around to keep a vigil on Qrow, wanting to make sure she wouldn't be attacked by any stray Grim.
The little 8 year old Cinder gave an evil smile as she noticed her "saviors" distraction and took out a knife she had hidden in her sleeve. Summer's eyes had widen in shock as her mouth bled a little from the impact on her chest. Qrow killed the last Grim when he heard a scream and saw the source of his nightmares. Cinder's blade had pierced Summer's heart as the latter collapsed on the ground.
"Summer!" he screamed as he rushed over to her side. He drew his blade as he prepared to murder his partner's attacker; he didn't care if she was a child or not.
Cinder merely stuck her tongue out and with her bloody finger flipped him off immaturely as she phased through a portal Salem had crafted.
Salem welcomed her child back after accomplishing her mission.
"Well done, the less silver eyes around the better. You've proven yourself deserving of your meal tonight." The older Witch said.
Cinder felt pride; she had accomplished her first mission and wouldn't go hungry tonight. She didn't even feel her hands tremble anymore like when she killed her parents.
Back at the village, Qrow cradled Summer in his arm as he pressed a bandana against her chest wound, trying to stop the bleeding. Frustration and fear corrupted him as he failed to stop the bleeding.
"Summer, Summer stay with me!" he screamed, but Summer merely gave him a somber look, knowing she wouldn't make it. Qrow winced as she placed a hand tenderly on his cheek, almost guessing what she was going to say.
"No, no, don't you do that to me you got to stay strong, for your daughters sake! He yelled in defiance. He couldn't even begin to imagine how he would tell Ruby and Yang they lost their mother, let alone her husband.
"Q-Qrow… please… watch over them." She weakly said, choking on her blood.
"You watch over them, your… *sobs*… your gonna make it!" he said in denial, his eyes stinging him for the inevitable to come.
Summer merely used up all her remaining strength to give him one last smile and say,
"You're a terrible liar like Ruby."
Summer's eyes then closed as Qrow felt her body grow cold and limp. He screamed her name as he cried and hugged her body, tormented by his new loss.
Qrow opened his eyes, now watering from the horrible recollection, to see Ruby merely looking down and averting his gaze. Qrow almost raised his arm towards her to try and say something, but quickly withdrew it. He did not have anything to say he could imagine would comfort her. He was shocked out of this depression by a sudden laugh from Ruby.
"Yeah, that sounds just like mom. There's no way she'd ever abandon anyone, even Cinder." She joyfully said as she wiped a tear from her eyes. While she was sad and angry at what Cinder did, she also felt a sense of comfort being reminded how kind her mother was even to those less fortunate than herself. It was one of the many great qualities of Summer that inspired Ruby to become a huntress and hero herself.
"You gonna be okay kiddo?" Qrow asked fatherly. Ruby nodded in return.
"Oh I am gonna slice Cinder's other eye out later! But for now I think I'll be fine." She said, Ruby was gonna make Cinder pay with more than an eye though, she wanted to slice that witches head clean off. Qrow could sense the murderous intent from her and grinned.
"You really are a bad liar like Summer." He joked, eliciting a laugh from his niece as they headed back to the Mansion to check on Blake.
Salem's base
Cinder and Emerald plopped on the floor as they exited the portal. The green goo on her stuck to Emeralds hair to the latters irritation. Cinder used her free arm to incinerate the goo and a small portion of Emeralds long hair, reducing it to a short cut. She screamed in anger in return.
"God Damnit! We were so fucking close to killing those bitches!" Emerald cursed. She usually kept her tongue cleaner but couldn't contain her rage and frustration over their failure. She didn't even care her new robot arm was sliced off, but someone else sure did.
"You want to tell me why that expensive arm we bribed to get is now ruined?" a calm but clearly irritated Hazel said as he entered the room with a dark glare.
Cinder quivered out of reflex. She had been on the receiving end of that glare in the past, before getting a tremendous beating from him whenever she failed to meet his expectations on missions. Though Cinder knew she was stronger now, she still couldn't shake the sense of anxiety his presence gave her when he was angry.
"W-We… We were ambushed while… scouting." She stuttered out, trying quickly to come up with an excuse that wasn't totally a lie.
"By whom!?" he growled in anger, demanding a response quick.
Cinder gulped, as she knew how he would react. After all, he had ordered her not to engage Ruby while she was in the Menagerie surrounded by her teams and experienced huntsman.
"Qrow and Raven Branwan." She uttered in fear. Her panic proved warranted as she recoiled at the sight of him punching a crate of weapons in two.
"I believe I told you to avoid combat with them!" he roared.
He was ready to pummel her to near death for her disobedience like had done many times. He then averted his attention to Emerald who groaned in agony as she soon clutched her chest. Her Aura began to fluctuate rapidly as her body glowed green and dust sparkled around her frequently on and off.
"What's happening to you?" Hazel asked. Though angry, he was nonetheless still intrigued by this event.
"That damn shot! My Aura feels like it's ripping me apart. It's almost like my blood is turning to acid!" she screamed, she was starting to regret taking that drug to get her semblance back. Her Aura began restoring and destroying herself, to Cinder's shock and Hazel astonishment. Soon Emerald hurled her lunch, as she was rendered unconscious from the pain as her Aura finally stabilized. Cinder noticed Emerald's scroll beep, as she was surprised to see her Aura level.
"Unreal! Her aura just became double what it was before." Cinder exclaimed, she had never seen such a thing before.
Hazel grinned, as he thought of something wicked.
"It would seem your pet made an interesting discovery for us. Perhaps you two can still help with my next plan." He said with a little hint of respect.
"And what plan is that" Cinder inquired as she used the scroll to call for medics who carried the unconscious Emerald away.
"Were going to Beacon and kill the one who took my real daughter from me!" he growled. Cinder clenched her teeth from his explanation. She knew how Hazel lost his biological daughter years ago and adopted her as a mere replacement, but still hated being treated as such. A part of her still wished her childhood dream of a loving family could come true from him and Salem, but knew from experience such comfort was beyond her grasp.
Her shadow hand trembled with red aura as it picked up on her negative feelings. She saw Hazel turn his back on her and felt an urge to strike. She didn't think as she raised her arm to do it. She could have her vengeance for the beatdowns in her youth before she was startled by his voice.
"Cinder, if you wish to kill little red, be sure to get your pet Emerald back into fighting form. You'll both join me soon for the mission and get your chance, but only if you behave this time." He sternly said without looking back. Cinder felt a chill down her spine as she retracted her arm. It was like Hazel sensed her intent and was ready to strike back and crush her head in her mind. She merely squeaked out a yes before he left, a wave of relief entering her body as she collapsed on the ground in exhaustion. She knew it wasn't the time yet, but soon she would strike him down and claim what she was owed.
Reclaiming the Crown
Belladonna Mansion Infirmary
"Geez that stings!" Blake said as Raven put Aloe lotion on her burns. Her clothes had taken the brunt of the fireball but she still had some nasty burns on her chest and neck.
"Quit your crying, theirs already one baby here that won't shut up!" Raven barked back.
Over her voice was the loud screeching of baby Thorn, being cradled by an exhausted Yang. Yang had been trying to rock-a-bye him to sleep for hours since Ruby left with no luck. She had checked and saw Thorn didn't need to be changed. She assumed he was hungry, but because she wasn't a mother Yang couldn't produce milk so he couldn't get a meal from her.
"I really wished you two could have brought back some baby food." She sighed. Blake glared at Raven; having wished the older woman didn't leave her bag full of baby food behind. Raven gave a sheepish grin as she rubbed her arms.
"I forgot about that okay! I was more focused on treating you since your ass got knocked out so lay off." She ordered the teen with an awkward but angrily defensive tone. Blake soon let her cat ears down in shame.
"I hope Ruby's okay… Oh right! And Qrow too." Blake said before startling herself after looking at Raven and trying to sound less selfish. She did care for the older huntsman but her mind was clearly more focused on Ruby.
"Don't worry, my brother saved her. He's just having a… uh chat with her." Raven said awkwardly. She knew the topic they were discussing was sensitive and didn't feel like disclosing it. Soon they were joined by Nora and Ren, the formers eyes growing bright seeing the infant while Ren covered his sensitive ears.
"Oh my gosh! Even when crying he is sooooo cuuuuuuteeeeee!" she exclaimed, her tone almost as loud as his crying.
"You want him? take him then." Yang said with a heavy sigh as she gave Nora her nephew and plopped on an infirmary bed, snoring as she instantly fell asleep.
Nora soon grinned with joy as she sang a tone death song. Ren instantly covered Blake's ears, which were more sensitive since like the baby she had an extra pair. Nora's horrible singing nearly knocked everyone out like Yang, except Thorn who grew more irritated and cried louder.
His crying screams finally lowered at the sound of the doors opening, revealing his mother Ruby.
"Hey sweetie, mama's home." Ruby sweetly said as she grabbed him from Nora. She sniffed her son to check his diaper and saw he wasn't in need of a change and tried to give him food. She had Qrow bring her bag from the restaurant and tried to feed him the food, but the infant wasn't taking it. Ruby sighed as she tried to breast feed again, assuming he was just having trouble being weaned again. To her surprise, he didn't take her breast milk and merely squirmed in her arms. She tried to burp him but that didn't work. As his crying and whimpering continued, Ruby grew desperate and sang a lullaby to him. She then kissed his cheeks, which finally got her a giggling coo from him. To everyone's relief, Thorn finally ceased his crying and snuggled in his mom's bosom and arms. He had just missed his mother and needed to feel her warmth as Qrow assumed. Blake felt her heart melt at this sight, but didn't have much time to enjoy it as Sun soon ran in with Ghira.
"Guys you'll want to come outside and check this out!" Sun said, fear infecting his voice.
Ghira supported his daughter from her bed as they all went to see what the monkey faunus was talking about. As they exited the mansion, they saw a grim sight.
Faunus citizen's were carrying pitchforks, torches, and signs reading…
"Get out Human filth!"
Ghira and Blake were especially disgusted by this sight and turned to Qrow and Raven.
"Did you beat up too many police?" they asked the siblings, who sheepishly grinned and shrugged their arms. They certainly did their part of the mission and kicked a lot of bad cops asses, but thought maybe they did too much and earned peoples ire. Blake soon turned to see some of her neighbors, not barring signs but frowning amongst the crowds. She was surprised, they weren't bigoted towards humans, or at least she thought they weren't. They even helped set up the first radio tower near her home to give her family access to limited Mantle channels, which helped her learn about huntresses as a kid. Ghira also took note of this and decided to address the crowd.
"Friends please! What is all the ruckus!?" he yelled to gather their attention. The sushi restaurant owner and waiter stepped forward from the crowd.
"Your human friends tore up my whole restaurant!" the owner yelled.
"And they beat up the cops we hired to guard our place from ruffians" the waiter yelled.
Ghira tried to explain Ruby and her friends merely defended themselves, but the crowd merely threw derogatory comments towards them as they slowly started advancing towards the mansion. Blake clenched her burnt chest, her pain not from her burns but from knowing they might destroy her home out of spite. She then took a look at Ruby holding Thorn with fear on her face. Blake then knew she couldn't stand by and let her Father fight for them anymore. She stepped forward to the crowed and yelled.
"My mother Shelena Khan betrayed and tried to murder my dad out of bigotry!" she said bitterly.
Her comment quickly silenced the crowed whose people looked at each other in confusion.
"She hated my father and me for loving humans. That's right! We love humans, I love a human girl that means the world to me. But you all can't stand humans because they treated you bad in the past right!?" she bitterly roared at the crowd. Her comment starting to rile them up as they grunted in agreement, earning a worried look from Ghira.
"We'll guess what? Human's didn't attack my girlfriend and me or attack that restaurant first that was us, the Faunus!" she roared. Her comment once again silencing the riot.
"My childhood friend tried to kill me because I didn't love her and those police "guards" you martyr, they tried to rape her earlier but you don't care about that unless a Faunus is the victim right?!" she said. Some faunus in the crowd lowered their heads in shame as they pondered her words. Ruby soon felt inspired by Blake's speech working and stepped forward and clasped her hand.
"This is Thorn Rose, he is my son! He is a Faunus like you and I gave birth to him willingly. A year ago, his father a white fang member raped me when I was captured on a mission!" Ruby yelled. It was hard for her to share such a bitter tale, but she had to stand by her lover to save her.
"Despite that, I love my baby with all my heart just like Blake, Faunus or not that will never change! I never blamed him for what happened to me, just his father, and I don't want you to share his fathers hate; that's how more pain is spread" she passionately said.
Ruby' words began to have their effect as many in the crowd started to lower their weapons. Ghira knew this was the chance they needed, not just to win the crowd but to do something else important. He felt pride in seeing his daughter and her girlfriend stand up for what's right and inspire that in others; they inspired it in him as well. He knew he couldn't run anymore and he had to what was necessary and stepped forward.
"Can't you all see? They have come together despite being different races and loved each other. Ruby in particular was hurt by a Faunus tremendously but chose to raise one herself with love rather then contempt." He said. His passionate speech earning smiles from the crowd who finally dropped their weapons to the ground.
"My friends, the white fang hurt them, they hurt us because we allowed their hate to infect us even now. Some of us, even myself, grew fearful of the divide between the White fang and us and between humanity. But we can't let that fear consume us anymore. The white fang needs to be stopped. I say we worked together and collaborate with the huntsman of Beacon that my daughter belongs to and restore the White fang to its original state; one of peace and bonds with humanity and each other rather than violence and hate!" he said with passion.
At first, there was silence, causing concern from him. But soon a wave of cheers erupted as they chanted Ghira's name. Blake smiled as she placed her hand on his arm.
"Well said dad." She said lovingly, earning a hug from her father and Ruby.
Ruby soon let out a sigh, as exciting these few days have been; she had grown exhausted from these near death experiences and had enough.
"Can we go home then?" she weakly said. She then realized she hadn't seen her father recently and he was probably worried.
"Yeah, Tai's probably gonna slug me again if I don't bring you back soon. Just expect a huge bear hug from him when you get home." Qrow chuckled despite knowing it was not really a joke. His jaw still sore from the first slug the angry father gave.
Raven nodded as she gathered everyone from the Menagerie and opened a portal, finally heading home.
Meanwhile in Atlas…
Adam grunted as he lifted two heavy boxes of dust to a truck. A schnee dust company employee, a human, walked towards him with a shock baton.
"Hurry up bull, any more turtle walks and your fired." He said as she slightly shocked the bull faunus.
Adam groaned in pain from the painful shock. He knew it could be worse; the shock baton had higher voltage settings and could be lethal, so he amped up his pace. He wanted to simply slug that slave driver in the face, but knew he had an important mission and had to put his pride aside.
He looked around and saw other faunus employees, some from the desert group he was in, lift heavy dust boxes while looking even worse for wear. Not only did they endure suffocating heat in this warehouse with no water, but also the food they were served was usually stale or moldy and couldn't be eaten. Some Faunus were emaciated from the lack of food while others had bruises and cuts from beatings like Adam endured. Though he was strong, he knew the average man or woman would not likely survive long here. This was the reality of the Schnee dust company, one that he grew up in as a child. His scar, hidden beneath his mask, still burned with pain as he remembered the look on an employee like that slave driver who sadistically branded his face. He wanted revenge more than anything and was unhesitant in accepting Ozpin's mission.
"You want me in infiltrate the Dust Company" he remembered saying to the headmaster.
"Yes, rumor has it they have not only been losing a shockingly suspicious amount of Faunus employees since the war, but also have had a large amount of dust stolen from their warehouses." Ozpin said.
"You think the White Fang are colluding with them to get dust?" Adam asked, his question only getting an eyebrow from the headmaster.
"Why don't you tell me, you were in the White Fang and Cinders circle once, did you ever meet a Schnee their?" Ozpin asked, suspicion clearly on his mind and Adam didn't blame him. The bull faunus only betrayed the White Fang and Cinder out of guilt for what Ruby endured because he didn't care what Timber did to her when he captured the poor girl. He swore since finding out she was pregnant because of that he would do the right thing by her and her friends.
"I didn't ever see one, but it wouldn't surprise me a Schnee would want to secretly sell them dust to get an extra buck. Money always comes before pride for rich people." He said with contempt.
Ozpin lowered his mug and apologized for stirring up bad memories.
"For now this is just a theory, I need you to go undercover there and find out for sure what is going on. Oh and wear this camera underneath this mask, it will help me see what you see for evidence." Ozpin explained.
Back in the present,
Adam was shocked out of his recollection by another Taser threat by the guard, who soon got a call on his earphone.
"Okay mutts! Move your tails down to your doghouses!" the guard mockingly yelled, earning glares from the faunus who complied. Adam had seen the living conditions they had, basically cramped bunkhouses with no A/C or toilets, just out houses. It was inhuman and Adam gritted his teeth at the emphasis of "human" in the word, he hated how his people weren't being treated as such.
While he and the others left the warehouse, Adam knew he had to get back there soon to find out who was making the deal. Why else would they be ordered to leave before finishing, the white fang was obviously coming to get Dust. He made sure to be the last in line to avoid drawing in the other workers into his next plan. Once they were near the bunkhouses, Adam stopped walking.
"Hey bull, you got a nail in your ears?! I said keep moving before I shoot one in them!" the guard behind him ordered as he raised a gun, causing the group to disperse towards the houses. Adam quickly used that to his advantage and delivered a back kick to the guard, dropping his gun. Adam quickly grabbed the gun and smacked the man with it and fired it at the guard that came from the front of the now dispersed group, knocking them both out.
Adam felt good to get some stress relief from this revenge, but he soon collected his mind as he raced back towards the warehouse. With his weapon and camera he felt ready to stop the deal and expose the dust company traitor once and for all.
Meanwhile
Ozpin sat at his desk and drank his coffee as he watched on his scroll the scene in Atlas unfold. He rarely paused to rest, wanting to make sure Adam was okay after being taken prisoner by Winter Schnee. He hated how brutal her tactics were, but the headmaster knew she would get away with her ruthless slaughter by pointing out "they ran from the police". A part of him hoped that she was the dealer for the white fang, but also hoped otherwise. He knew how prideful of her family Weiss Schnee could be and how such an event could destroy the young heiress confidence. Ozpin knew his academy already had enough people like Ruby depressed from bullying and worse the war. They didn't need more kids getting hurt by the previous generations mistakes, though knew it was a cruel reality they lived in.
"Just be careful my friend, I always prefer discretion over violence." He said to himself. He wasn't worried about Adam's safety, more like the guards he took down. It would be hard to get answers from suspects if Adam killed or hospitalized them all.
His eyes widen in shock as the doors to his office opened to see the branwen siblings.
"Qrow, Raven? I wasn't expecting you back so soon, how is miss rose doing?" he asked confused. He assumed they would stay and relax in the Menagerie a bit longer after their ordeal.
Ozpin grew suspicious, as the two siblings didn't give him an answer. Merely looking towards him solemnly. Ozpin's heart sank as he feared the worst.
"Don't tell me she has passed." He fearfully stated. He had heard she was attacked by Tyrian and poisoned, but had hope she would make it. He was now internally cursing himself for being naïve.
"No she's not" Qrow finally said as he broke the silence. Ozpin sighed in relief until Raven said something chilling.
"But you will be!" she roared as she morphed from Raven into Emerald who charged at him with her new iron arm. Ozpin jolted in shock from the surprise attack, barely having the time to propel himself using his cane to dodge. Before he could collect himself and counter attack or call for help, a fist collided with his cheek, threatening to knock all his teeth out.
As Ozpin was slammed to the wall, his aura being cut down in half as he felt it, he opened his eyes and saw through the initially blurry vision a visibly angry Hazel.
"Long time no see Oz, how many years has it been my old team leader?" he mockingly stated. Ozpin winced as he saw Hazel's smile; it was one that hid great rage as he felt it.
"So you've finally come for revenge huh Hazel" Ozpin replied, his response finally dropping the fake smile from his assaulter.
"Iv come to get justice for my daughter! Today's the day you finally pay for killing Gretchen!" the old man replied in anger. He took some dust from his pockets and plunged them into his arms as they glowed red and yellow. The terrorist was ready to get finally have his revenge. Ozpin glared at him and an approaching Emerald who clenched her iron fist ready to strike.
He sighed at the thought of facing two opponents at once and reached into his pocket, but to his horror, noticed his scroll was busted. Now he couldn't call for help, but hope Glynda or a staff member would here the commotion. He knew he had to make a lot of noise, so reluctantly gripped his cane.
"Guess it's time for a fireworks show." The headmaster said with a sigh, ready for round 2.
Next Chapter we'll have Ruby reunite with Tai, who makes a stunning request of her. Then we have Ozpin face the wrath of his ex-teammate Hazel who wants revenge for Gretchen (his daughter not sister like in canon) death. Did Ozpin really kill her or is this a misunderstanding. What role will Cinder play in this attack on Beacon. Find out in CH 16: Stubbornness