RWBY AU PUPPET

Chapter 1: Plucked Petal

(Narrator)

Many centuries ago, four young teenage girls helped an old dying man. In gratitude, he bestowed upon his saviors each a piece of his magical powers that represented the four seasons, Summer, Winter, Spring, and Fall.

He warned them, however, that in addition to control of the elements and seasons, they had access to a dangerous secondary ability.

"Possession? Sounds… evil." A farm girl maiden said disdainfully, making the old man sigh defeated.

"Indeed, I guess you could say it's a packaged deal. Everything, even blessings, cast a shadow. Where there is light there is dark, such as this wicked ability I give you for example." He said sternly.

"Then why give it to anyone? Why not just take it with you when you go?" a maiden with a flower hat asked. The old man winced a bit, that was certainly something he was tempted to let happen many times he was in battle where he was targeted for it. His heart pounded nervously as he feared the same fate for these girls, but knew what was at stake.

"Because just as I used it with care to help others, I can tell you are all kind hearted girls. I doubt you would ever abuse that power. Power usually comes at a heavy price, it is unforgivable to murder and even worse to rob someone of his or her freedom. Using that power comes with those risks to you, but I bared them as well and did great good. I believe you and our descendants can do so as well. Call it a leap of faith." He said confidently.

And so many centuries passed. Despite being forgotten by the world, the maiden's powers passed on, inherited by the last woman in their thoughts before death. Though most maiden's didn't abuse their powers, especially that puppet ability over other's, the old man's faith wasn't flawless. A few unfortunate souls would find themselves face to face with that horrendous power, one that some mistook for a rare secondary semblance, but wouldn't be free if aura broke. No, the victim would never be free, their minds would be controlled and scarred for life.

A few years ago, that nightmare came true yet again….

"No… please don't.." Amber begged fearfully as a dark hand enveloped her left eye. It being the last thing she saw as her vision faded with the sense of energy she held within her. Her assaulter, a white young adult woman with black hair and a red Chinese dress smirked as she felt a surge of energy zap into her from her victim.

"It's all mine at last." The criminal thought as she smiled maliciously during the process.

There had been few who knew about the maiden's true powers in the coming years, and those few usually attempted to steal them for personal gain. And soon, another girl aside from the poor former fall maiden Amber would suffer a horrendous fate from such malice.

Weiss was walking back to her dorm room from professor Ooblock's class. She sighed lethargically, having endured an hour of that long-winded man's excessive fast pace lecturing. Suddenly a cheerful and familiar voice yelled, snapping her out of her melancholy and replacing it with a startling fright.

"WEISS!"

"Whoa! Ruby!? Slow….down?" Weiss yelled at the red head before she was silenced by a sudden hug and tackle. As they hit the floor, Weiss felt her head ache as much as her ears from all that.

"Heya, Weiss!" Ruby cheerfully said with a nonchalant smile before her hood was grabbed firmly by Weiss who shook her violently.

"YOU DOLT! WHY DID YOU JUMP ME LIKE THAT!?" Weiss yelled at the top of her lungs. She didn't need an assault at this point of the day… or really any point of her life. Her partner was a bit hyper, but she wasn't a football player she was a huntress. Weiss was going to let her have an earful for this and get her on track. But before she could lecture Ruby, Weiss was startled and silenced at the sight of tears and fidgeting from the younger girl.

"I-I'm sorry Wiess. It's just that… I.." Ruby tearfully cried.

"Oh no… she's crying!" Weiss thought, any anger in her was replaced by a drive to cheer her friend and partner up. She promised her and professor Port earlier this year she would be a better partner, one less stuck up and demanding. Weiss also knew this meant she had to be a good friend too, so she placed a hand on Ruby's shoulder.

"Is something wrong Ruby? You can tell me anything." Weiss said calmly with a sad gaze, trying to be calm as possible to ease the crying girl before her. Ruby took a long look at her partner, her somber gaze dampened her mood even more as she pondered the dark reason she hugged her. After a moment to collect her thoughts, Ruby sighed heavily.

"I don't really know what that was all about it's just…." Ruby slowly said somberly. Weiss's eyes widen with curiosity, though the sad tone of her partner almost made her spine chill as she dread to think what was upsetting Ruby. The girl was always so bright and headstrong so she had doubts anything could put her down like this. That was till the answer made Weiss shudder,

"When I saw you….I suddenly got the feeling this would be the last time I'd see you. So I really just wanted to hug you." Ruby sadly said. Weiss recoiled in horror at such a reason. Reason's like those were sometimes given by those with manic depression before they…. The ice queen shivered at the thought of something dreadful happening to Ruby, especially by her own hand. Weiss bit her lower lip, using the pain to steel herself for what she was about to do. As embarrassing as it was for her, Weiss reached out and gently grasped Ruby's hand with hers, making the crimson reaper blush as red as her cape by the startling physical affection. Ruby always assumed Weiss hated such things considering she never returned her hugs or high fives, save for that one when Weiss argued with Blake about their combat skirts being that instead of dresses. But this feeling was not one of friendly affection, Ruby couldn't tell what she was feeling as a strange warmth overtook her, almost making her lose all strength in her legs before a firm shout from Weiss snapped Ruby into attention.

"That's absurb Ruby!" I'm your partner, I'll always stand by your side. I'll never leave you, that's not something you should worry about Ruby." Weiss confidently said with a smile, fighting her fear with all her spirit to alleviate her friends worries. Weiss was filled with joy as it seemed to do the trick as Ruby's hand intertwined with on of hers firmly as she smiled back.

"Really? You promise?" Ruby asked.

"Yes Ruby, I promise. Tell you what. I'll go bake you some cookies after class ok?" Weiss asked leading to a squeal from Ruby who pounced her once again to her irritation.

"Hey! Careful you dunce!" Weiss yelled. Ruby would so be paying for her dry cleaning or a new outfit if she scuffled it any further.

(French Narrator) 1 Hour later…

A plate filled with hot chocolate chip cookies infected team RWBY's dorm room with its sweet aroma. Weiss had kept her promise and went to the cafeteria, getting permission from the chef's to use their oven when explaining they were a get well gift.

"OOH! Cookies! Mine!" a blond girl yelled enthusiastically.

The smell was too alluring for Yang Xiao Long, Ruby's half sister who ran up to the table in their dorm, but Weiss fixed a sharp glare at her, not willing to allow her present for Ruby to be stolen. She instantly smacked Yang's hand away furiously, making the blond brawler recoil a bit.

"HANDS OFF XIAO LONG! THESE ARE FOR RUBY!" Weiss screeched. Her order was met with puppy dog eyes from Yang.

"Can I have at least one please?" She asked the heiress politely with a fake kiddy tone, but was met with a snooty huff.

"Nope. They're all for Ruby." Weiss insisted firmly, making Yang snort a bit offended.

"Hmph, fine!" Yang yelled as Weiss took the plate and placed tin foil over the cookies to keep them warm. Yang was always irritated with Weiss's high and mighty behavior since she picked on Ruby since day one, but that irritation gave Yang an interesting thought. She went over to her own partner Blake who was currently putting on her pajamas and that cute black bow. Blake was a cat faunus, humanoid's with animal traits, and she was disguising her cat ears with that bow, not wanting anyone outside her team to know for fear of discrimination. Yang always felt it was unnecessary for Blake to hide any longer, as if her partner didn't trust the brawler to simply smash the faces of anyone who crossed her, just like Yang was feeling the urge to smash Weiss's face for her rudeness.

"Hey Blake, you got a minute?" She asked her partner who nodded.

"Sure what is it Yang?" Blake asked her partner curiously, who leaned in and whispered to her ear, obviously careful so that Weiss couldn't hear them.

"Is it just me or is Wiess only really nice to Ruby lately?" She asked her partner while pointing at the heiress wrapping up Ruby's gift attentively, catching Blake's eyes as they squinted curiously.

"Now that you mention it….It does seem like she is. I can see those two have a special bond with each other." Blake said, remembering seeing Ruby hugging Weiss all giddy earlier with the normally cold heiress surprisingly not fighting her off like she usually did, rather smiling warmly instead. Blake's answer only fueled Yang's discomfort, not only from someone else getting her little sisters affection, a right she felt only she deserved as the big sister, but also by something else disconcerting.

"Speaking of which, where IS Ruby, Weiss?" She asked nervously noticing her absence, hoping her sister's partner would know.

"Oh! She had to go on a mission for professor Goodwitch, she should be back soon." Weiss responded, confident in that statement, though would soon come to regret it as she had inadvertently set herself up for one of the biggest disappointments of her life.

Meanwhile…

Ruby was walking in the middle of a deserted town, having been called to slaughter a horde of Ursa's for the deputy headmistresses who was too busy helping professor Ozpin and her Uncle Qrow with a "sensitive matter". It was actually her Uncle who recommended her, citing confidence in her abilities to handle any Grimm. It honestly filled Ruby with pride, not just from tearing those Grimm apart with ease, as after so many verbal beatdowns from being called childish by Weiss it was a refreshing change of pace getting praise. Speaking of Weiss,

"Ugh! I can't wait to eat Weiss's cookies! Thank God the mission was an easy Grimm extermination, I need to hurry back." Ruby said, not wanting to wait much longer for those warm gooey chocolate chips and dough to melt in her mouth. It made it water but not as much as her eyes as they caught sight of a familiar figure. It was a woman wearing a cloak much like Ruby's, but white. She had red hair just like her, but the features that shocked Ruby to the core were those silver eyes just like hers that glistened like the woman's warm smile.

"I-It can't be…Mom?" Ruby tearfully said as she reached her hand out to the woman. But it couldn't be her, Summer Rose died years ago on a mission…though her body was never recovered Ruby remembered.

"Could she… Could she really have been alive all this time!?" Ruby's heart raced as she imagined this. Any lingering doubt was erased from her mind as she could only think of the figure smiling before her. The temptation was too great, Ruby just had to hug her mother and feel her touch after so many years apart.

"MOM! I'm so happy to-" Ruby yelled tearfully as she lunged for her mom, only to find to her shock and disappointment no warm touch in response, in fact, there was no touch at all as she simply phased through the woman and fell on her face.

"Ow! Mom?" Ruby groaned before eyeing the figure starting to fade into thin air.

"That wasn't mom so… what?" Ruby softly said both confused and filled with dread at the failed reunion she dreamed of for years. Her turmoil was replaced with a frightening jolt to her spine as she sensed a presence behind her, practically oozing killing intent. She jerked her head behind her to see a black girl with red eyes and emerald colored hair behind her, smiling menacingly at her.

"Hey there kid." She nonchalantly said before drawing twin knives and attempting to slash at Ruby, who jerked her body to the side to narrowly dodge, only by a hair's thread though as she could almost feel the jagged sharp edge of those blades from the transfer student from Haven.

"Emerald!? What are you doing!?" Ruby hollered confused, it made no sense to her why a student at Beacon was trying to kill her. After ducking and jumping back to avoid another knife slash aimed at her throat, Ruby realized it wasn't the time to be confused and do nothing.

"This isn't good, I need to call Weiss for backup!" Ruby thought as she took out her scroll and speed dialed Weiss, only for it to shot out of her hand and shattered against a brick wall. Ruby felt cold sweats trickle down her cheek as she eyed the assaulter responsible.

"Cinder Fall!?" She exclaimed at the sight of another transfer student now after her.

"Now, Now, we can't have you calling your friends… little red." Cinder mockingly sang as she aimed her crossbow's arrow at the reaper. Those last words clicked in Ruby's brain as she remembered who first said them to her, on the day she was scouted by Ozpin to become a beacon student.

"She's Roman Torchwick's partner from that robbery!" Ruby thought as she gripped Crescent Rose, ready to defend herself from this obviously dangerous duo after her.

Ruby wasn't the only one under pressure right now. Back at Beacon's dorm, Blake and Yang were sound asleep, which was more than what could be said for Weiss Schnee, sitting on her bed as she eyed the cookies on the plate she prepared for Ruby.

"It's getting late. Ruby should have been back by now, I hope she's okay." Weiss said softly, careful not to wake her teammates, though she couldn't comprehend how they could be sleeping and not worrying for Ruby right now.

"But when I saw you, I suddenly got the feeling this would be the last time I'd ever see you." Ruby's words echoed in Weiss's mind as a dark thought overtook her, raising her panic further.

"Ruby was scared she wouldn't see me again. She hasn't made it back yet even though she usually casually calls by now if she's out late. Something had to have gone wrong!" Weiss thought as she jumped off her bed and went for her sabre.

She quickly ran out the room after gently closing the door as not to wake the duo. She thought for a moment to enlist their aide, but Ruby was her partner and her responsibility. This also could really just be her nerves acting up, but as she ran outside beacon, she checked her scroll, seeing a call attempt from Ruby that was quickly canceled.

"S-She tried to call! There's no time left to get the others after all, Ruby needs me! Ruby, we WILL see each other again, nothing bad is going to happen to you I promise, just please be alright." Weiss thought as she soon found her heart beating rapidly as her fear for her friend and partner only grew with that desire.

"RUBY!" She hollered into the night, hopeful she could hear her wish.

But Ruby was too far away and too busy to hear those cries. She was too focused on trying to capture her assailants right now, particularly Cinder Fall.

"I always thought you looked familiar, but now I remember you! You're that woman who helped Torchwick escape me and Professor Goodwitch that night, and that masked one from the C.C.T too aren't you!" Ruby yelled beyond a flurry of scythe slashes Cinder nonchalantly evaded, not even phased as she refused to drop that annoying arrogant smirk pestering Ruby right now.

"And what if I am? What are you going to do about it?" Cinder eerily asked.

"I'll stop you and your plans that's what!" Ruby yelled defiantly only to earn a scoff from the assassin.

"And just how will you stop me? You going to kill me?" her question froze Ruby in place, shaking the reaper to her core. Her distraction amused Cinder, who charged her arm with some strange energy Ruby had never scene before that was sent right at her. She only had a second to jump and dodge the massive fireball that exploded near her.

"How could you possibly defeat me if you don't have the resolve to kill?" Cinder mockingly asked Ruby.

"Why should I kill you?" Ruby asked perplexed, it made no sense to the chivalrous huntress that someone would want another to try and take their head. Ruby had a strong belief in the sanctity of Faunus and Human life drilled into her by her loving parents since childhood. She wasn't going to drop them just because she was fighting, though Emerald certainly didn't care as Ruby caught her in the corner of her eyes from the sounds of 2 guns cocking near her. Emerald unleashed a volley of bullets that Ruby dodged by a hairs thread thanks to her lightning fast reflexes and sharp vision. She gripped her scythe, almost tempted to change it to gun mode to retaliate, but could only see vital spots open on the red eyed assailant. Cinder could feel the hesitation in her foes heart, it amused her to no end as she chuckled and charged at her.

"There's no prison that can hold me, as long as I live I will always hunt you." She menacingly said as she delivered a roundhouse kick to Ruby's sides making her crash and roll on the ground away from her and Emerald who sneered at her amused.

"She's right. As long as Cinder and I live you can't stop our plans. Your going to have to kill us but can you? Can you bring yourself to take another person's life" Emerald mockingly asked with a cocky grin.

"I can answer that for you. No she can't. Softhearted people like you don't have the stomach to do what needs to be done. That's why you're far too weak to win." Cinder said as she slowly advanced towards Ruby, who groaned as she raised her sore head off the ground and pondered these words.

"She does have a point." Ruby bitterly admitted in her thoughts. "There's no way I could kill someone. I want to be a huntress that kills monsters and saves people. I won't let her provoke me!" Ruby confidently thought as she rose and grabbed an ammo cartridge and jammed it into her scythe. Cinder and Emerald paused as their gaze towards Ruby narrowed at her stance, bracing themselves for an onslaught sure to come.

"I don't care what you say I will beat you!" Ruby defiantly yelled as she shot her rifle to propel herself at the duo, who saw a gust of rose petals in the corner of their eyes. Emerald's widen in terror as she felt the scythe slash at her stomach and Ruby delivered a triple kick at her head.

"WHOA! She's fast!" Emerald thought as she spat out a torrent of blood from her attack, her aura shining green as she collapsed on the floor seemingly unconscious upon impact. Cinder turned her gaze to her right as she summoned some small balls of fire to block a few slashes from the cluster of rose petals that jumped at her from Emerald, barely parrying them in time as she felt the heavy presence of that Scythe's blade aiming at her midsection.

"Damn! I was aware she had a speed semblance but I didn't expect her to be this fast! She caught us off guard!" Cinder cursed in her head.

Ruby landed a few feet away from her elegantly before turning around, preparing to transition her scythe to gun mode to shoot for a secondary assault. To her shock, Cinder and Emerald were gone.

"What the!? Where did they go?" Ruby thought bewildered. Emerald she knew was down for the count and couldn't have escaped already. As she pondered these thoughts, she was unable to see an arrow shoot at a tile near her feet. A mine was underneath it, having been placed by the dastardly duo in advance. Cinder was glad she did as the mine exploded, filling the air with smoke, fire, and the sweet (to Cinder) sound of Ruby's screams as she was caught in the impact and crashed into the ground, her red aura shattering as she passed out, her scythe falling and sticking into the ground right next to her, luckily avoiding its owner. The sight of little red down made Cinder sigh in relief at her victory.

"Good job putting her under an illusion after that attack." She said to Emerald who hacked up some blood and rubbed her throbbing head.

"Ugh… Wasn't easy after taking a huge blow to my aura." Emerald complained as she fought her muscles aching screams and stood up, wiping the blood off her mouth and eyeing her victim lying motionless before her.

"Still though, that speed attack was a surprise. She could have killed me right there." Emerald said wearingly, actually impressed deep down at the reapers skills. Cinder chuckled in response.

"That's the sad thing Emerald. For all her chivalrous bullshit, she just proved me right. Had she killed you she wouldn't have been defeated back there. This is just more proof how weak she really is." Cinder said with disdain as she knelt down towards Ruby.

"So what are we going to do with her now? Do we kill her?" Emerald asked but saw Cinder shake her head in denial.

"If I wanted her dead I'd have stabbed her already. No, I have big plans for little red here." Cinder said coldly as she reached out and grabbed the unconscious Ruby by the hair.

"She'll make a fine replacement for Roman. I'm going to turn her into a cold blooded killer just you wait." Cinder said with glee.

"I'll go grab her weapon so-" Emerald said before hearing footsteps from afar and gritting her teeth.

"Someone's coming." She said.

"Leave her weapon, we better get outta here before someone sees us." Cinder said, eyeing Emerald's bruises. She didn't want her pawn to get killed as she still served a use for her. Cinder flung Ruby over her shoulder and the two departed into the shadows with their "prize".

Weiss huffed as she began growing short on breath. She was running frantically towards the sight she saw the explosion from earlier when her bullhead had landed.

"RUBY WHERE ARE YOU!" Weiss screamed at the top of her lungs, only to be met with a chilling silence that made her shudder.

"Ruby? Where are you? Goodwitch said you called and completed your mission already. Did she leave ye-" Weiss said before gasping in fright, covering her mouth as she caught sight of a contradiction to that small hope for her partners wellbeing.

"T-That's…. Ruby's Scythe!" Weiss cried out fearfully as she saw her partners weapon stuck in the ground with soot and smoke on it, but no Ruby Rose. Weiss's heart almost stopped as she reached out to it, almost still feeling it's owners presence around as Weiss darted her head, vainly hoping to find her somewhere around, ignoring the truth she knew in her heart.

"RUBY!" Weiss screamed one more time as she was overwhelmed by her panic, everything soon going black.

AUTHOR NOTES

Weiss has just lost a friend, a partner, and maybe a potential lover? Will WBY ever reunite with Ruby and if they do… will it really be the Ruby they knew and loved? This Webcomic has brought me so much joy reading I thought it would be nice to make a novel version of it with minor changes in dialogue. Here is this stories inspiration on this link. I started at ch 6 as I felt narrative wise it made more sense to the story.

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