AN: *Peeks from the hiding spot* What's going on? It's too calm... *checks reviews, before face-palming*. You gotta be kidding me. The power of denial is greater than I thought. Oh, well, let's bring people back on the ground with this one.
New Beginnings
The chirping of birds was the first thing Ruby heard in the unknown darkness. Then she realized that she was lying in a bed. With significant effort, Ruby was able to open her eyes. The first thing she noticed that the ceiling she was looking at seemed familiar. Then she stood up with some effort. Every part of her felt sore. then Ruby looked down and realized that she was wearing black pajamas. "Who changed me?" Ruby wondered idly in her head until looking around the room. Now recognizing it as her room back at Patch. And then she noticed her father sleeping on a chair.
"Dad?" Ruby called out groggily.
Which was enough to make the blonde man open his eyes to see his daughter awake. "Ruby! You're awake!" Taiyang exclaimed in relief as he rushed to his daughter's side.
"What happened?" Ruby asked, again groggily.
"Your uncle Qrow found you, he brought you back safe and sound." Taiyang explained calmly.
Then Ruby's sleepiness wore off in an instant as she remembered something, "Wait, Yang! Is she okay!?"
"Hey, hey! It's okay," Tai tried to calm his little girl, "She's…fine. Just…needs some time to get back on her feet. But don't worry, she's too strong to stay down." Then the man sniffed a little, "I'm just glad I got my girls back at home," Tai said, before hugging Ruby. Unfortunately, Ruby knew where her sister got her bone crushing hugs.
Until she remembered more. "Dad, what happened to the school, Vale, the Grimm. Were they able to clear them out?" Ruby started asking frantically.
Tai released the hug before shushing Ruby gently. "Things at Vale are under control," Taiyang started before looking down for a moment and sighed. "But the school…That monster, whatever it was, was frozen after what you did to it, but it wasn't dead. Thankfully, that thing that was fighting it was able to finish it off. But…it's now staying at Beacon grounds. And it's kind of in the way of rebuilding," Taiyang then explained with a small sigh, before letting out a smile, "But on the bright side, it doesn't seem to tolerate the few Grimm that still try to approach the school."
There was a small part to that explanation that confused Ruby, "I did what?" Which earned an odd look from Tai. "You said I did something. What do you mean?" Ruby asked with a confused look.
Ruby's father seemed to be unsure of how to respond. "That's…look it doesn't matter at the moment," Tai chose to say, "Everything is a mess right now."
"You got that right." Said Qrow who had come inside and was taking a sip from his flask.
"…Qrow, I'm telling that girlfriend of yours," Tai threatened at the sight of the flask.
"She's not my…darn girlfriend," Qrow protested angrily, before sighing, "Look, can you give us a minute?"
"What, I can't be here?" Tai asked with an annoyed look.
"Tai, please," Qrow asked with a deeper sigh.
Reluctantly, Tai got up and kissed the top of Ruby's head, "I'm glad you're alright. I'll go make some breakfast for everyone." With those words, Ruby's father left the room as he gave a sidelong glance to Qrow.
With that, the druncle took the same chair Tai had sat on and brought it closer to Ruby's bed before slumping down on it. "So, how you doing kiddo?" Qrow asked his niece.
"Kinda hurting…all over," Ruby said as every movement felt mildly painful.
"Makes sense, after what you did," Qrow said with a smile.
"You keep saying that, but what did I do?" Ruby asked again.
With that, Qrow leaned towards Ruby, "What's the last thing you remember?"
With that question Ruby started straining her memory. "I ran to the top of the tower with…Where's Roze?" Ruby asked, realizing that her Blade isn't in the room.
"He's in the house," Qrow replied simply, "He would still be in this room if it wasn't for Tai."
Satisfied with that response for the moment, Ruby tried to remember more. "I reached the top, and I saw Pyrrha…and Talos…and Cinder." That last one made Ruby look angry. "We fought her together, then the tower was collapsing. Roze helped us down…and then…" Ruby trailed off as she remembered Talos' spear lodged into Cinder. And then her eyes widened again, "Pyrrha! Is she alright!?" Ruby had to know that.
Qrow let out a weary sigh, "She's gone. I'm sorry."
"Wh-what about Talos?" Ruby asked, tears getting into her eyes.
"No one knows. Keep going though, what else do you remember?" Qrow said, while trying to keep Ruby focused even if it meant subverting her questions for the moment.
"Cinder…attacked Pyrrha and Talos finished her…and…then Talos screamed that we were losing her." At this point, Ruby was in full on tears as she was now sobbing and clutching her blanket. "And then everything went white," Ruby finished.
Qrow's heart was breaking at hearing Ruby like this, but he had to press on.
"I will NOT wait anymore." Came from the door, earning both Ruby's and Qrow's attention.
"Roze," Ruby said, finding herself smiling. That smile was quickly wiped as she took in Roze's appearance.
The silver embroidery across his leather jacket now had clear thorns as opposed to simply being lines. The randomly placed roses on his jacket were now all embroidered and blooming. He also now had fingerless gloves with glowing blue studs on each knuckle, including the thumb. In the middle of the glove was a small circular glowing blue stone at the back of the hand. But perhaps the most startling thing about Roze was his cloak, whereas it looked like it was exactly the same as Ruby's cloak. Now the cloak had rose petal patterns on the entire thing. The bottom was slightly torn and rose petals seemed to be coming off few at the time constantly, which soon faded from existence. And the Core Crystal which is normally covered by a part of the cloak was now on full display, acting as a buckle that kept the cloak around his neck. But finally his face, there were thin blue lines going from the corners of his eyes, all the way down to his jawline. But his eyes were still the same empty white.
"Roze, what happened to you?" Ruby asked as she noted the differences on her Blade
"This is how I looked when I woke up," Roze said simply as he looked at the glowing blue stones on his gloves, "I think I look cool." A part of Ruby couldn't help but agree with that. Then the Blade moved to sit at the foot end of Ruby's bed. "Ruby, I want to know what happened to you out there, so please…bear with Qrow's questions just a little longer," the transformed reaper Blade told his Driver.
"…Okay," Ruby said as she looked at Qrow.
"You said that everything went white, was there anything else?" Qrow asked, while still giving Roze a mildly suspicious look.
"My head hurt," Ruby said, before her eyes jolted to Roze, "I heard Roze screaming."
"I felt excruciating pain in my eyes," Roze said, remembering the incident himself, "I established an affinity link with Ruby to snap her out enough to get help for Pyrrha. And then…whatever Ruby did happened."
"Did…I kill Pyrrha," Ruby asked, hiccupping at the thought.
"No!" Qrow quickly said. "She was still alive when I found you both." The scythemaster looked unsure about something before sighing. "Listen…We managed to get Pyrrha to a hospital, but her wounds were too great…The best anyone could do was slow down her death. Then…someone broke into the hospital and finished her off."
"Why…? Why would anyone do such a thing?" Ruby asked with sobs, which prompted Roze to get up from the foot of the bed and switch seat to right next to his Driver. Then Roze wrapped one arm around her and Ruby hugged her Blade fully. The Blade also gave Qrow a look, receiving a nod to do whatever it was Roze asked permission for.
"No one knows. Maybe someone wanted revenge for Cinder. Maybe someone thought Pyrrha should be…euthanized." There was clear distaste in Roze's voice at the last part, "But what worries me the most is that whoever killed Pyrrha also made off with Talos' Core Crystal when he reverted."
"What are you saying?" Ruby asked with worry.
"…If our enemies have Talos' Core, we might have to face him as an enemy," Roze said, wrapping the other arm around Ruby.
"…But…why?"
"Ruby, remember what I told you on our first day together?" Roze said, not wanting to say it himself anymore.
"…When a new Driver awakens a Blade, all the memories of that Blade's previous life are erased," Ruby said, now fearing that Talos might be with the bad guys and not remember anything about when he was with Pyrrha.
"Yes," Roze said simply, before releasing the hug. "But that's not what we should worry about now," the reaper Blade said as he then looked at Qrow again, "I believe you plan to tell us about what happened with Ruby."
Qrow nodded before addressing Ruby again, "Ruby, what was the first thing Ozpin said when you met him?"
"…I don't know," Ruby said, not remembering that conversation clearly anymore.
"Silver eyes," Qrow helped, causing Ruby to jolt a little. "It's an extremely rare trait," Qrow continued.
"What does it mean?" Roze asked, getting curious himself.
"It means Ruby is special," Qrow said before addressing the girl in question, "And not in, daddy loves his special angel, kind of way. You're special, like your mom was." At this point, Ruby's eyes widened ever so slightly. "Remnant is full of legends and stories. Some of them are true, some made up. But there is one Ozpin told me about. Of the silver eyed warriors. Legendary warriors who even the Grimm, the most fearsome enemy mankind has ever faced, fear them." Qrow explained further, earning the Driver's and Blade's attention. "It was said that even a single look from these fighters could strike a Grimm down." Then the dusty old crow chuckled, "It's a ridiculous story, really."
"But," Ruby piped up, "You think I might be one of them?"
"Well, I saw a giant Grimm frozen in place, until that Titan blasted it to kingdom come," Qrow said with a chuckle, "Although it would be nice if that thing wasn't lying right in front of where the tower used to be."
Ruby nodded at the explanation, glad to hear that the dragon Grimm was gone. But then she realized something, "Wait. How did you know about my talk with Ozpin?" This made Roze curious too, until now he thought Qrow was there with Ruby.
"All those missions I've taken. All the times I'm gone for a long time," Qrow explained as he got up from the chair and moved to lean against a window, "They've been for Ozpin. And he's gone too, according to Talos. Something's been set in motion, and I have to pick up from where he left off."
"Then how can I help?" Ruby then asked, earning her uncle's attention again, "If I'm so special, then…There has to be something I can do, right?"
"You wanna help," Qrow said as he stepped away from the window," Get some rest. You're in no condition to help right now." Then he started walking outside, "Besides, it seems that our enemies' trail leads all the way back to Haven. It's quite a trek for a pipsqueak." Qrow added a wink before exiting.
Ruby got the hint and turned to Roze as soon as Qrow left, but as soon as the girl opened her mouth a cookie was shoved in. Which made Ruby pause and chew on it. All the while an amused reaper Blade was looking on before speaking. "It doesn't matter to me what you choose, as long as I get to come with you," Roze said with a smile, answering the question Ruby wanted to ask.
"Where did you get the cookie from?" Ruby then asked.
"Took it from the cookie jar in the kitchen," Roze replied easily, which made Ruby freeze for a moment
"The one that's chained with a pad lock?" Ruby asked with mild dread. That cookie jar was only allowed to be opened on special occasions, such as when Ruby was admitted into Signal.
"Yup, found the key," Roze said sounding proud of his accomplishment.
"…Dad's gonna kill you," Ruby said with a pouty look.
"Only if he finds out," Roze said with a grin, earning a giggle from Ruby. Which sadly didn't last long as since her thoughts drifted to Yang.
Soon enough, Ruby knocked on the door where she knew Yang would be at. Then she opened it, "Yang?" Ruby called out softly, seeing her sister propped on her bed and looking out the window. Instead of her normal clothes Yang was wearing a brownish orange t-shirt from what Ruby could tell from what was above the blankets. The blonde didn't seem to acknowledge her sister. Taking this as a sign that Yang didn't want to see anyone, Ruby turned to leave.
"Ruby," Yang barely acknowledged.
Taking that as an invitation to enter, Ruby dashed to hug her sister. "I'm so glad you're okay," Ruby said as she tried to squeeze the life out of her sister. But thankfully she's nowhere near as strong as Yang.
"But I'm not," Yang said in a depressed tone, "They're gone. The school…Pyrrha."
"What about Weiss and Blake," Ruby then asked.
"Weiss' father came for her," Yang responded glumly, "No one knows what happened here outside of Vale. So Weiss' father took her to Atlas where he thinks it's safe." Then Yang looked downright hateful, "And Blake…ran!"
"What?" Ruby asked in confusion.
"Sun saw her go and Nox disappeared with her," Yang added in, clenching her fists in anger. "She ran, even after…," Yang was unable to finish that sentence as she placed her hand on the spot she was stabbed.
Ruby tried to reason with Yang, "There has to be a reason she-" "No there doesn't!" Yang shouted, "Bad things just…happen." At this point, Yang looked out the window again and her frown deepened for a moment. "Great, now he shows up again," Yang says sarcastically, causing Ruby to look through the window to see Dragunov arriving from the woods that surround the house.
"What's he doing?" Ruby asked.
"Don't know, he just started going out whenever he pleases," Yang said, looking down again in depression.
"So…what do we do now," Ruby then asked, wanting to know what her sister thinks.
"…You can do whatever you want," Yang said as she lowered herself to lay down, "I'm just gonna lie here."
"Okay, Yang," Ruby said sadly as she left the room, "I love you." were Ruby's last words before shutting the door.
Downstairs, Roze had come to the lobby of the house to receive the fire Blade. And then the said fire Blade entered. "Did you find anything?" Roze asked, making sure that no one else was here to hear this.
"No," Dragunov responded, "No signs of anything that could be out of the ordinary, as far as I can tell."
"…Maybe Nox was wrong," Roze said hopefully.
"More like they may have better things to do right now. And we don't know how high up that guy was," the draconic Blade retorted as he walked past Roze further into the house.
"How long will you keep this from Yang?" Roze then asked, causing Yang's Blade to stop.
"…Until I'm sure she won't cower at the threat," Dragunov said with a sigh, "By the way, is the pipsqueak awake?"
Before Roze could answer a shout came from Ruby further in the house, "PENNY!?"
"Never mind," Dragunov said as he shook his head in amusement.
In the living room of Xiao Long-Rose household, Ruby had practically pounced on the mechanical girl, who had the synthetic skin on her face restored. "Salutations, Ruby." Penny said from the floor where Ruby had tackled the girl with a hug. All the while Kos-Mos sat on a sofa and looked on impassively.
"How are you here!?" Ruby almost screamed.
"Well…that's," Penny said awkwardly while looking away from Ruby.
"Master has run away from home," Kos-Mos said, earning a blanched look from Ruby, before looking at Penny who blushed. If she could.
"But…how?" Ruby asked as she got off of Penny.
"Well…we may have found an opportunity to disappear," Penny said while pressing her index fingers together, "And we may have discreetly managed to send my father a message that tells him I'm okay. And…Kos-Mos may have disabled and disposed of the tracker that was placed on me upon my completion," Penny finished sheepishly.
"Master forgot to mention sneaking on the ferry without paying the proper transaction," Kos-Mos added in.
"Kos-Mos!" Penny shouted in embarrassment.
"Or that I almost accidentally threw a man overboard when we were almost discovered," the android Blade added, almost like she wanted to screw with her Driver. "And I was able to steal enough files concerning her that I was able to synthesize a new skin. It's not perfect, but it should fool strangers." That last one especially.
"Hey!" Penny shouted as she looked around to see if anyone who wasn't in the know heard that. Not that there probably wasn't any after her face was broadcasted in Vale. All the while Ruby squinted her eyes, comparing the two sides of Penny's face. She wasn't sure if she was seeing right or if it was a trick of the light, but the brunette with red tips could swear that the color of the fake skin was just a teeny tiny bit mismatched.
"Kos-Mos did a good job," Ruby told her mechanical friend.
"Thank you, Ruby," Penny said with a wide smile, "But how are you? You have been out for 3 days from what I have heard."
"Well I'm- wait, what!?" Ruby exclaimed as Penny's words fully registered, "Three whole days!?"
"Yeah, your dad said he would make a large meal for all of us when he came back down," Penny said, not fully understanding what Ruby's problem was.
"I think we all need it," Roze then said as he stepped into the living room alongside Dragunov.
And just as Roze said that, Ruby's stomach let a very loud growl. "I guess," Ruby said with a sheepish look.
"Well, breakfast is ready soon!" Taiyang called from the kitchen, "So if I just got some help on setting up the table, we could get to it!"
"Coming dad!" Ruby called out as she got up off the floor and moved towards the kitchen, with Roze following dutifully.
"I'll go get Yang," Dragunov called out to Tai as he started moving to Yang's room. Although he was a little hesitant with his steps, he wasn't looking forward to dragging her to eat, again. Penny and Kos-Mos also got up and went to check if they could help with anything.
Some weeks later, the first snow had come to the Island of Patch. And it was then that Ruby and Penny, along with Roze and Kos-Mos exited the house. The two girls were carrying backpacks they had prepared for the journey to Haven. And Ruby's dad was out right now, and by the time he would return, Ruby and the others would be long gone. Although she did leave a note for him.
"Hey." Said Jaune who had come to meet Ruby as per their agreement. The blonde knight was carrying his own pack with supplies they would need for the trip.
"Hey, Jaune," Ruby said with a weak smile.
"Salutations," Penny said too, just a little bit subdued from her usual demeanor.
"I know Ruby and you talked about this, but are you sure you want to come?" Roze asked the Arc boy.
"Yeah. I mean, Haven is far away, but it's the only lead we have," Jaune said, with a small sigh.
"Fear not, Milord," Joana said with an attempt of a smile, "We shall find the answers we want."
"That is entirely uncertain and you know this," Said Otohime who was standing next to Ren who also had a pack. And Nora and Electra were also here, ready for the long trip as well.
Ren decided to follow up on Otohime's words, "Not to mention that the journey will be perilous."
Nora grinned while hefting Magnhild against her shoulder, "But we wouldn't be here if we weren't up to it."
"Yeah," Electra said with a determined look.
"Don't worry friends, Kos-Mos and I will help in any way we can," Penny also declared.
"Thanks Penny," Jaune said with a grateful smile. With that, the merry band of five Drivers and Blades moved out on their journey to Haven Academy.
Although Ruby was still thinking about a lot of things. Pyrrha's death, which she now felt a little guilty about. Qrow's words about her silver eyes. She couldn't help wondering if her mom was capable of destroying her enemies with a single look. But then her greatest worry came in. The possibility of facing Talos as an enemy if whoever stole him was working with Cinder. "I hope we don't have to fight our friend," Ruby thought with fear gripping her heart for an instant, which was soon dissipated as she felt Roze's hand on her shoulder. The little red reaper sent her Blade a grateful look. Which made her briefly wondered what it was about her silver eyes that changed his appearance. Not just appearance, Roze had gained knowledge about things he lacked before. Some of which were the very things Tai and Qrow were happy that he didn't know about. "I hope Weiss and Blake are okay," Ruby thought as the five pairs of Driver's and Blades kept walking, even as a crow flew off it's perch and started following them.
AN: And there we go! Slight twist, Roze has gone under a minor wardrobe change. Yang is depressed at Blake running away, despite taking a stab for her. Weiss' father was still able to take her away. And Blake ran away again... although considering what happened in the last chapter, hardly surprising.
And finally, Pyrrha is confirmed dead, and Talos is now who knows where. Now then, back to hiding. Oh, and I might put this fic on a slight hiatus to iron out a few details. *goes back to hiding*.
