Author's Note:

Going to have to take a longer break from writing. Four chapters, not counting the first one, in one and a half weeks. Phew. It won't be that long don't worry, just need a breather. I made an update to the second chapter on 11/12/23, just expanded on Blake and Yang's reactions as I don't really think they came off how I wanted them to, Blake especially.

I hope this came out well, honestly I'm not really sure how it will be received. Feel free to leave a comment, constructive criticism is definitely welcome. Thank you all for reading.

Chapter 5

Ruby saw the roundhouse kick before it was thrown, chains clinking as they prepared devastation. Posture and instinct relayed a strike at the upper body, easily evitable. Leaning back, the pristine white boots that cruised by would have indicated the wearer to be of class, of high repute and of proper manners. These speculations were dashed by the cutting edge of the bladed heels, hungering for blood as it swiped at the air in front of her throat. Ruby felt her aura tingling and tickling her throat in reaction to the passing blade, yet she didn't agonize, nor did she jump. She was in control.

The dodge put Melanie Malachite on the backfoot, her eyes widening as her kick sailed by and her back faced Ruby. Many knew it was a dangerous position for anyone to be in, and Ruby ensured that one more joined their ranks as Ruby squeezed Crescent Rose's trigger. With a spin aided by the recoil of a 50 Caliber, Ruby unleashed a vortex of strikes that were further aided through athleticism that came as easy as breathing.

A frustrated yell from a bruised Miltia prepared Ruby for the cross punch that rapidly encroached, a red black thoroughly whetted claw further dissuading Ruby from being caught on the end of it. The yell served its ulterior motive well, alerting Melanie to the well disguised cry for coordination.

Face contorting in pain from Ruby's maelstrom of attacks, she threw her body into a sweeping kick, striving to rid Ruby of her footing. A strike to upper body, and a sweep of the legs. Most wouldn't have a way out of this, stumbling over their footing and panicking, trying to dodge either one. The twins together were a formidable force, because even those with training such as Torchwick struggled to keep up with the harmonizing attacks that seemed to border premonition of each other's.

Few were able to survive their onslaught, and many had resigned to retreating on sight. Among the few however, was Yang Xiao Long. Her sister fared no different.

After all, how could you draw blood from rose petals? The mist of roses obscured sightlines, causing the twins to narrowly dodge each other's attacks instead. They took a moment of recollection to take in the battlefield, frantically glancing at each other and silently liaising panic inflicted by the evanescing enemy.

A pop of gunfire above them signaled the sharp turn of their heads. Ruby Rose rapidly approached from above, nearing them with inconceivable speed and a hail of petals fluttering out behind her like a backdrop of wings. Just before Ruby made contact, the twins grimly made out the contemptuous sneer that she wore, one that emitted the cruel satisfaction of finally being able to unleash fury kept padlocked.

Most had no answer for the twins, while the twins had the solution for most. In that moment, the twins weren't sure if this was an enigma they could ever comprehend.


"So… this is what fighting a Huntress feels like", Melanie is more on the side of wonder than bitterness, which is a void Miltia is happy to fill.

Miltia grumbles, frustration evident. "She's not a huntress, she got kicked out of the club remember"

Both the twins were panting on the softened floor of the sparring room, and while Miltia struggled to sit upright in an attempt to preserve the illusion of vitality, Melanie had succumbed to the temptation to lay spread eagle, taking in heavy breaths to calm her racing heart.

Melanie doubles down fervently, "Exactly, she isn't even a full-fledged huntress, and we still got our asses handed to us".

Ruby sat cross-legged idly nearby, rocking back and forth with a musing look on her face, as though pondering what to say in response. Eventually settling on honesty and bluntness, Ruby said: "Both of you rely too much on each other." Ruby met Melanie's interested look, "Once I took down Miltia, you couldn't cope".

"Yeah yeah, tell us something we don't know. Just so you know, if you didn't have that scythe, and I didn't have my claws? I would have won", Miltia shoots back with a frown.

Ruby shrugs, not completely confident about the outcome of a fist fight with Miltia, who had proficiency bordering on the level of Yang. "I'll be working on that. I wouldn't mind some pointers you know?" Miltia's frown dissolves into a smirk.

"You scratch my back I scratch yours?", to which Ruby nods with a small smile.

The creak of a small wooden door announced the arrival of Junior, walking in with his signature ensemble with a black duffle bag to match. Upon taking in the state of the twins, Junior quirked an eyebrow, giving an impressed low whistle. "Damn, knew I struck gold hiring you". Melanie threw her head back, giving a short laugh, while Miltia rolled her eyes and presented Junior the finger.

Adopting a focused expression, and dropping the bag with thump of finality, Junior began: "Alright guys, you got a job. Just the three of you". Ruby perked her head up, curious eyes darting to Junior. Miltia smiled wickedly, exhaustion disappearing momentarily.

"Bout time red gets her first job, its been almost a week and its been so boring. Though riling red up and finally getting a spar today was pretty fun". Ruby shoots a pressing stare at Miltia, who simpered annoyingly.

Ignoring the growing feud beneath his very nose, Junior continued. "As the twins already know, a few weeks ago I lost three of our guys after I contracted them out to an idiot. They're locked up tight in VPD, almost impossible to break them out without bringing the whole force down on us." Crossing his arms, annoyance fueled by this 'idiot' simmering beneath the surface.

Ruby raised an eyebrow questioningly. "Why lend them out for something risky enough to get them arrested? Aren't Xiongs all about staying under the radar?"

Junior scoffs, grunting as he fishes out a cigar, possibly to quell his rising temper. "Normally yes, but that fool omitted the fact that he was conducting robberies. And just when that wasn't bad enough, he goes and bribes my men to get them to not say a word"

"Doesn't that say more about your-"

"Anyways back to the job", Junior hastily interceded, ignoring the blank stare Ruby was giving him. "An informant I have within the department has leaked the prison transport schedule. According to the document, the truck will be filled with all the nasty types. Murderers, thieves, and gang members from all around Vale… and then some from Mistral"

Miltia growled. "Damn Spiders, been crawling into our territory for a long time now, good riddance I say"

Cogs turned in Ruby's head, her mind screaming at her that they were missing something detrimental, and it clicked.

"Transporting gang members from all around at once? In one transport? It sounds like they're making it too easy. Don't you think?"

Junior shoots her an impressed look, while Melanie lets out a surprised laugh. "You weren't kidding boss, this one has a real good head on her shoulders".

Junior grins. "Told you I got a real eye for talent. Anyways right on red, a trap like that would catch most unawares. However this time, it isn't a trap". A unconvinced look from Ruby prompts his explanation: "The VPD has been lacking in protocols for a while, they really are this lax. My informant has solid documentation stating that they are assigning this transport the standard security detail. No backups, no extra men hidden, no nothing".

"And this… informant. His info is good? Just doesn't seem like something the VPD would gloss over", Ruby questions an incredulous look apparent, as though in amazement of the widely renowned police department's fall from grace.

Not minding Ruby's skepticism, it pays to be skepticism in an industry like this after all, Junior assured her. "Don't worry, my informant is good on his info", a puff of the cigar interposed his words. "All my informants, no matter which department they are posted to, ensure that their leaks are airtight before reporting back. It was a standard enforced by my predecessor. A gang that specializes in information has to make good on their information after all, gotta enforce accuracy and truth and all that".

Smirking and placing her palms beside her head, Melanie initiates a smooth kick up back to her feet, dusting off imaginary specks. "You give the VPD too much credit Ruby, these days they are all about getting things done fast, which leads to laziness, which leads to breach of security protocol. Great news for those interested in taking advantage, it's their fault really", Melanie reasons with a shrug and a shake of the head that oozed mocking disappointment.

Ruby just couldn't fathom how the VPD could be the ones in charge of enforcing the laws in Vale with such disregard. Anger crept into her heart like a parasite, siphoning her patience and remaining goodwill for the posse behind the scenes. Ozpin knew the VPD wouldn't be equipped to deal with criminals such as Torchwick, and yet inaction was his reaction, rather choosing to sit up in Beacon and play games of deceit. Ozpin was on the council too, and much the same, they chose to ignore the rampant gang activity and drug use of the industrial district in favor of projecting the grandeur of Vale, bolstering the already thriving upper class district. Disgust was at the forefront of her emotions. If she weren't in her current employ, it would've been abhorrence.

Noticing the glower on Ruby's face, Melanie gave an understanding look, before glancing back at Junior and nodding for him to continue. "This is our one chance at getting them out. Delays will increase the chance of them cracking, leaking our name. And these men by default aren't the trustworthy sort, not without money anyway. We will intercept them at the agricultural district, where any civis will be easy to control due to open space. Ruby will be taking advantage of the large fields of grain, camouflaging to get a good shot on the transport vehicle's tires. You are not to be seen, because of well, you know". Gesturing to the folded-up Crescent Rose, which Ruby responded with a nod that exhibited both disinclination and comprehension. Averting his eyes to the twins, "Both of you will go in from the front and back. As per standard detailing, there will be a squad car at both ends of the transport".

Shooting a quick look at Ruby, who was fixing him with expectant scrutiny, he continued: "No killing, knock them out quick on the double. The transport will be moving at night with less traffic, but don't think VPD has fallen so far that their response isn't anything more than 15 minutes. It's almost a given they'll be alerted, because the driver of the transport is trained to stay in the vehicle, and will most certainly have hit the panic button". Idly twirling the almost fully consumed cigar, he finishes with a steady expression.

"Only three of you means we only need one four-seater for the job. One vehicle means a quick getaway, but I'm sure all of you already gathered that". Walking over to a nearby ashtray, he put out his cigar, opting to let it burn out instead of grinding it. "One last thing, you will need these".

Unzipping the bag, Junior pulled out two objects, holding them one on top of the other. One was a hoodie that was shabby in nature, though perhaps that was the intent. It was dark purple all over, with the exception of the long gray stripes running down the sleeves. The other was a standard purple eye mask that concealed much of their features besides their lower faces. The questionable fashion choice had everyone else showcasing different shades of repulsion.

Junior rolled his eyes, throwing a hand up in exasperation. "I promise there's a reason for this. One that I'll explain after, too long a story and I don't wanna bore you. Get some rest Ruby. Twins, I need both of you with me". Miltia groans, pushing herself up to her feet with exaggerated effort, before following closely behind Junior along with Melanie as they strolled back out.

In the empty silence of the training room, Ruby could hear her doubts hounding her, invisible demons screaming and tearing at her morality. Was this really what she had to do, break dangerous criminals out of the very institution she was striving to one day put people like them in? Was this truly the best way to earn the lien she needed in the shortest timeframe? Ruby answered those questions with a reluctant yes, burying her head in her hands and giving a dispirited sigh.

From a reputable Beacon student to an ungraceful expellee to a gang member, wouldn't mum be so proud of her now? Some Huntress she was.


The hoodie itched against her skin, the coarse material unforgiving in its assault. Nothing she couldn't brush away however, and so she remained steadfast in her assignment. At least the hoodie did little fending off the frigid night, leaving her shivering as the cold penetrated the flimsy material. The wind howled in her ears, a demented sound echoing from the heavens that further accentuated Ruby's uneasiness. The uncertainty from earlier resided in the back of her mind, screams regressing to hushed murmurs that targeted ethicality.

Stalks of half-grown wheat tickled her cheeks, as if chiding her for flattening their brethren in her attempt to force camouflage and snugness out of them. Ruby adjusted her mask, ensuring no obscuration of her vision. Not much longer now till the trucks were scheduled to pass by, and despite the itchiness and the cold, she wasn't sure if she wanted them to arrive on time.

Alas, like the herald of a tragedy, headlamps illuminated the dirt road that passed through the crop field, slicing through the murk with a radiant sword. In the far distance she saw the transport, its hulking mass protruding over the top of the front security detail.

"You're up Ruby, let's liven up their night", Melanie's voice caused a small jolt of surprise to stab through her, having almost forgotten she wasn't alone in the pitch black.

Once again, the earpiece crackled to life, "Try not to miss, please?". Miltia's sarcasm was relayed by the earpiece, betraying its intention for essential messages only.

As the convoy rumbled closer, the vibrations threatening to upset the pool of dread she played host to. Shaking off her stupor, she looked through the scope of Crescent Rose, settling on the back tire and endeavoring to slow the transport down without the risk of it flipping on its side.

In her scope, it got closer…and closer…and the whispers of condemnation seemed almost frantic in their assertion. The trigger felt heavy, like her tendons couldn't summon the strength that necessitated the implications of her actions. Whispers became clear voices of admonishment, which became stentorian roars of beration. Through the maelstrom of voices that clouded her judgement and conviction, she faintly heard the panicking voice of Melanie to take the shot.

It just became too much. Ruby shook her head strenuously, silver eyes snapping and squeezing shut as she sought reprieve.

"RUBY TAKE THE BLOODY SHOT"

Silver eyes shot open. The truck wasn't in her scope. Rumbling reverberated behind her, rapidly dwindling in decibels. Through the turbulence, she found something else, something other than remonstrance. Desperation.

Spinning around onto her back, she slammed the front blade of Crescent Rose in between her legs, anchoring it into the soil. Eyes to the scope, she quickly found the back wheels of the escaping transport. She held on to the desperation to prove everyone wrong, told herself that this was the only way to fulfil her dream, the only way to become a Huntress to help those that needed saving. She pulled the trigger, muzzle flash illuminating a sordid picture, hand coming up automatically to bring back the charging handle. Actions repeated once. Twice. Each gunshot sliced through the sereneness of the night, alerting nearby residents who no doubt had scrolls in their hands, trembling fingers making frantic emergency calls. Their timer ticked on.

Bullets flew and tires burst in a hail of burning rubber, the truck screeching to a precipitated stop with minimal turning radius due to Ruby's precise tire shots. The security detail at the rear on the other hand weren't so lucky. In an attempt to dodge the transport, they ended up in the fields by the side of the narrow dirt path, a little ways ahead of the transport.

Groans and confused murmurs reached Ruby, who lay on her back with unbelief written all over her face, breaths coming out shallow. A relieved sigh into an amused laugh emitted from the earpiece. "Nice shot Ruby, but please don't pull that shit again", Melanie said breathily, taking the radio silence and inaction on Ruby's part as a prank in bad taste.

"Laugh it up Mels, the front-rear pincer movement is a no go now that its past us. I'll take the left, you take the right, we work our way to the front. Stay back red, keep that scythe hidden"

Ruby nodded absently, collapsing Crescent Rose as she hugged it close in an attempt to alleviate the pressure in her chest. Startled shouts followed by cracks of gunfire did little to distract her, and the twins engaged the security detail in a brutal scrimmage, synchronization and cohesion enforced by blood and toil. Ruby couldn't help but feel that a line had been crossed, that she was more like the criminals she endured to protect people from. No turning back now.


Approaching the convoy, Ruby grimly noted the splayed-out bodies on the ground, though she took solace that all of them appeared to take breath. Crescent Rose hidden securely beneath her hoodie, she regarded the twins who were fumbling with a key ring at the back of the transport.

The night gave no respect for their vision, having cast them all into inkiness that environed them on all sides. "No, I'm telling you…Its this one! This one!", Militia grumbled as though they were fighting over which splash of color looked best, and not breaking into a prisoner transport vehicle. Ruby brought up her scroll, eyes squinting at the bright screen as she checked the estimated amount of time they had left before backup descended on them.

"Around 5 minutes left, whichever is the right one find it fast"

Melanie gave a nervous laugh as she rapidly sorted through the keys. "Way to put the pressure on Ruby. Also I know I said this, but great shot on those tires. You really had me and Mils going for a moment you know?"

Miltia threw her a suspicious sidelong glance, eyes narrowing as she regarded Ruby, who crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow questioningly in response. "Yeah…great joke".

Melanie gave a huff of frustration as yet another key failed her, before breaking out into a relieved smile as the next one slotted in smoothly. Turning her head hurriedly to Miltia who met her with a guarded expression, she nodded. With her right hand on the key, Melanie prepared for resistance from the vehicle's internals.

Ruby started, in motion to assume a similar stance of readiness before a reflection of sanguine permeated the night. Melanie's hands were uncovered, both of theirs' were, and the pale skin wasn't unembellished. The back of their hands sported a spider emblem, a wicked arachnid of exaggerated proportions lounging on a web. The scarlet in the spider's eye reflected the moonlight with a minacious gleam, and it was unmistakable to those that caught it. It was a mark from Mistral, and from very dangerous people. The Spiders.

"You guys are-

Melanie twisted the key and yanked the door open harshly. Four pairs of eyes replied to the intrusion, varying from glee to horror, the horror sourced from two Ruby knew to be their men. The remainder of those affiliated with the Xiongs, a burly man with tattoos decorating his face, threw his head back with a surely chortle. "Well I'll be damned! Thought I was gonna spend my entire life in max security. Thank goodness for you all." Ruby hadn't been briefed on what they were going to do with the last prisoner, shrouded in shadows all the way to the back of the vehicle, assimilate them maybe? More manpower was a boon Junior could deal with.

Miltia scoffed. "You got this?" Eyes going down to her nails as she picked them disinterestedly.

"You always give me the dirty job don't you?"

Ruby always thought her semblance would catch everything. A blade to the head, a kick to the side. All effortlessly sidestepped. In the mist of roses, carmine, and combat she was the Queen, a ruler that appeared infallible. Yet, those were in combat, when her blood raced, and the battle haze quickened her reactions, enabled her instincts. So in this moment, could she be forgiven when all she caught was the flash of silver gleaming off from the revelation of a handgun held at the hip?

Three shots muted shots burst out unhindered into the night, three heads dropped with no more than a wet drop.

Drip. Drip. Drip.

"WHAT THE FUCK?!"

Ruby stumbled back in abject horror at the mutilation, bile churning and rolling in her stomach, threatening its release. Slapping a hand up to her mouth, she fought the instinct to gag and heave with the stoppage of breath. Her shoulders were shaking, cheeks burning, and knees buckling. Nothing in Beacon had prepared them as witnesses, much less the takers of life. It happened in an instant, no grand scenes, nor a fight to the death. A cold execution at the hand of a bewildered Melanie Malachite.

Melanie tilted her head questioningly. "Did…Did I get some on your shoe? I'm sorry about that I should've angled the bullets elsewhere but not much room to work-"

Miltia flicked her in the forehead, eliciting a shocked indignant noise from her sister. "Honestly Mels for being the more forthcoming one, you really are ignorant sometimes. Red here is in shock, plain as day", a look of comprehension befell on Melanie's face, mouth opening in a silent 'o' of understanding.

Ruby felt horror, disgust, and fury. She clung to the last one like a lifeline, lest she succumb to the tears pickling at her eyes. "This wasn't the job! Our mission was to-"

"Your mission. You were briefed on your mission. News flash Ruby, this ain't Beacon no more. There are no career long teams here. Not everyone receives the same mission briefing, not everyone gets the same target. Now we are running out of time, from your earlier time check its been 2 minutes, and I don't fancy ending up in one of these", Miltia said bluntly.

A frightened cry alerted Ruby to the fact that she counted only three shots directed to a truck of four, and that Melanie had pulled a frightened Faunus boy out of the carnage. He was a ram Faunus, made evident by the curled horns protruding out from the top of his head. Dressed in an orange prisoner garb and a chain binding his wrists and legs, tears cascading down sunken cheeks, he painted the disturbing image of broken innocence. An underfed boy, fourteen at best, locked up with the worst that Vale had to offer.

Throwing the boy over her shoulder, which extracted another scared whimper, Melanie gestured back down the dirt, to where Ruby knew they had a four-seater waiting for them. "Listen Ruby, look I'm sorry about all this. But we can do the talking later alright?"

Ruby could hear the sirens now, sounding too close for comfort and audibly multiplying in magnitude as they made haste to their location. With trembling fists, and teeth gritted so hard she risked cracking teeth, she pulled her eyes away from the bloodbath, spinning around and breaking into a run alongside murderers.


Silence hung precariously on the ride to the safehouse, save for the quiet breathing of the boy who Melanie had knocked out. The safehouse was like entering another world, one alternate to the one where Ruby was an accomplice to manslaughter. A quaint apartment fit for four, it had the basic amenities to sustain short term occupancy. Dropping the boy onto the floor with an unceremonious thump, Melanie turned to the duo that followed her in.

"Alright, we just gotta lay low till day breaks and-"

Ruby moved. Or at least, Melanie assumed she must have. How else could Miltia have ended up slumping against the fissured wall with a broken aura, or how could she have ended up on her back, staring down an incensed Ruby whose eyes swirled with abhorrence and loathing, with Crescent Rose threatening to spill her throat.

Raging tides of silver pierced apprehensive pale green, and the air was thick with trepidation. "Talk. Now". The simple demand spoke magnitudes, conveying the willingness to take cross a line marked in blood.

Melanie chuckled nervously, head flattening against the floor as she felt Crescent Rose prick deeper. "You wouldn't kill me, right? After tonight? I mean I should've realized Beacon didn't add killing into their curriculum, thought they would've added killing an animal or something to ease you into it but-". A hand ripped her mask off, before a combat boot slammed into her face, breaking her nose and earning a sickening crunch.

"Shit!", Melanie yelped, clutching at her nose as blood flowed and desecrated pale skin. She looked back up to see cold impassiveness staring back.

"I won't kill, but I sure as hell will scar. Talk."

Venom entailed compliance, and so Melanie relented. "The plan was almost the same for us at the start. Take out the transport's tires, knock out the guards, open the doors. But we" gesturing to the slumped over Miltia, "had one more requirement. We had to show this". She brought up her bloodstained hand feebly, yet it in no way obscured the arachnid that marked the twins.

"You guys were Spider?"

"Yeah. A long time ago, turns out The Spider's mark is made of sturdier stuff. Me and Mils can't get it out, though it finally came useful I guess". Melanie swallowed as Ruby glared a warning.

"We had to reveal to the guards the mark. Make them think we were Spider, they wouldn't know any better with the masks"

Ruby gave a grunt of frustration, teeth gritted and eyes ablaze. "I get that, frame an encroaching gang. What I don't get is why you killed all those people"

Melanie hesitated, though prompting from Crescent Rose transposed it with reluctant cooperation. "In order to frame Spider, we killed our men", the sharp intake of breath from Ruby sent Melanie into a frantic explanation: "These were murderers and thieves! They didn't have a shred of innocence nor hope for rehabilitation. Our men's loyalty was beyond questioning once they took that bribe, and an example had to be set. And…and the Spiders aren't in the habit of leaving Xiong alive if they can help it"

"Why would Spiders care to leave cops alive?"

"It's an agreement set in place by most gangs. Killing cops brings the pressure on them to do something, more so than unaffiliated murders. Gets you hunted down to the last man, not just by cops. It's just not Spider's MO, an organization that wants to stay in the shadows"

Ruby motioned to the boy out cold on the floor. "And him?"

"The boy is from Spider, their mark is on his back. They aren't above using children for espionage because they garner less suspicion, and the event that they do get caught, they normally receive a more lenient sentence due to the Juvenille Crime System. We needed to extract him so it would look even moreso like Spider orchestrated this", it all made sense now. A grand scheme by Junior to take out disloyal men and bring pressure down on his rivals. Leaving witnesses to 'Spider's' assault on the transport in an attempt to break out one of their own. Though the coming of another revelation made Ruby's blood freeze, dread making her heartbeat echo in her ears.

"What…were you going to do with him"

Though Melanie tried her best to refrain, setting her mouth into a thin line, her betraying eyes flicked to the corner of the room where the kitchen resided. Where the glinting metal of the garbage chute which led to Vale's centralized incinerator was.

A haze descended over her, like an apoplectic filter over her senses, dulling reason, control, and mercy. She yanked Melanie up by the bloodstained hoodie's neckline, a roar of rage emanating from every fiber of her being, propelling her aura coated fist forwards. Then back. Forwards. Then back.


Vale port was dead silent, except for the soft patter of roses as they contacted the ground. Ruby Rose stood beside the now conscious boy, who still had his arms and legs shackled, though the chains that locked the shackles together were sliced in the middle. He groaned and hunched over, clearly not enjoying the aftereffects of Ruby's semblance.

The boy had awoken screaming in fear as Ruby was carrying him out of the safehouse, distrust and a refusal to cooperate was something Ruby really didn't need. In a split-second decision, she removed her mask, showing her youthfulness and using it as a crutch to ensure the boy she wouldn't hurt him.

Silver eyes were hollow, tired, and sunken. Mouth set in a grim line as she shrugged spiritlessly. "Sorry, you sure this is where Spider arranged for their members' extraction?", to which the boy nodded assuredly.

Approaching the edge of the docks, Ruby made out a woman standing in the dimness, wearing a dark colored jeans and a black jacket for concealment. Behind her was a standard passenger ship, bobbing up and down on the calm waves that rhythmically crashed against the docks. Upon noticing their arrival, the woman made a surprised noise as she noticed the shackled boy.

"Max? Word was you were picked up."

Regardless, she let him pass, and the boy made short work of the gangway, pausing only to throw a meaningful look back at Ruby. A satisfied twinge of pride sparked in her, but it was overshadowed by the sheer weight of the day's events.

The woman threw her a distrustful look. "I don't recognize you, you're not one of our members in Vale. Who are you?", the woman demanded, before the whirring of Mechashift and a glinting blade edge to her eye caused her to gulp audibly.

Ruby gave a long, tired sigh. "I've had a really bad day. Don't make it worse". Receiving a frightened nod from the woman, Ruby collapsed Crescent Rose, walking a short distance away before disappearing in a shower of red. Had she stayed a minute later, Ruby would've seen Vale port anticipating the arrival of the VPD.


The club was untenanted besides Junior, who sat idly at a table with a glass of expensive liquor in hand. Watching Ruby approach through red tinted glasses, and taking in the dry specks of blood on her hands, he sighed and took a small sip from his glass. "Judging from how Melanie and Miltia aren't with you, I'm assuming you know?"

Ruby crossed her arms, leaning against one of the columns surrounding the dance floor. She brought a forearm to her face, rubbing exhaustion out from her features, and summoning the last bit of energy she had for the day. "You're a heartless monster"

Junior sighed. "In this business, its standard. From the bloodstains I'm assuming the twins tried something with the boy? I know you don't kill, so I just hope you didn't knock them about to badly. I never told them to kill him, but it seems that that's the first dark corner their mind runs off to." Regret showed on his face, before a sip of the liquor washed it away. "Where is he?"

Ruby told him about the docks.

"That's dangerous Ruby, having someone out there who knows your face could ruin any future of you as a Huntress."

"I'm not about to kill a kid Junior", Ruby scowled, nostrils flaring with the narrowing of her eyes.

Junior raised his hands up in an action reminiscent of their first encounter. "I wasn't asking you to, just warning you. It doesn't matter to me anyways, so long as everything else went smoothly"

Standing up straight with clenched fists and rolling back her shoulders, Ruby growled. "I left Beacon because of surreptitious operations like these"

"You did, but in Beacon, its unexpected and unwarranted. Here, it's the norm, everyday life. If you want out, I get that. You've been through your first week, and I'll make good on payment. But if you need to stay, you have to get with the program", Junior reasoned placidly.

Scoffing, Ruby turned to the door sharply. "I think I need sleep. We'll talk about it in the morning". It was clear from Junior's resulting hum that he knew Ruby wasn't in control, that she merely had the illusion of choice and Junior realized that from the get-go. She needed this, and Junior was taking advantage. A job for the wicked, and Ruby was staining her hands with the rest of them.


"Your tip was spot on. The port was the only way they could exfiltrate, airships would've been spot on radar, and Spider shouldn't have the funds to sponsor the materials necessary for a stealth craft."

Headmaster Ozpin and Qrow regarded the scene with calculative eyes, the spotlights doing wonders for their investigation. Ozpin nodded at the officer relaying the information to continue.

"The boy spilled the appearance of the girl that helped him, after some encouragement and the prospect of a lighter sentence being made known to him. Description from the woman we apprehended also matches. We are looking for a girl with red hair, silver-"

Ozpin brought a hand up, giving an apologetic smile. "Thank you for your information. We will have the details of the suspect delivered to your department", despite being startled by the hasty interruption, the officer recovered quickly, and gave a hasty nod before rejoining his colleagues.

Qrow turned his head to Ozpin, studying his pondering expression. "That's my niece. Tai and Summer's daughter Oz."

Sighing and sinking his weight onto long memory, Ozpin gave Qrow an apologetic look. "Qrow, I understand trying averting Ruby from the path her mother took. I truly do. But she's a suspect to murder, and at the very least, an accomplice to murder".

"Ruby wouldn't do this! The ones that killed the prisoners aren't even the same caliber as her weapon. It doesn't even make sense how or why Ruby is running with The Spiders", Qrow turned defensive, adamant in clearing his niece of suspicion.

Ozpin shook his head, regarding Qrow with a sad glance. "You know that's not grounds to clear her. The officers who were knocked out reported fighting styles based around kicking and punching, yet the prisoners died to bullets. It takes little effort to hold a gun, and any one of the perpetrators could have done it. Even then", gesturing to his hand, one that held a .50 caliber bullet casing. "the police found this, and surely have collected some as evidence long before we arrived."

At Qrow's frustrated growl, Ozpin surveyed the site idly. "There's no covering this up Qrow, the VPD needs someone to go down for this, they have the description of Ruby and silver eyes aren't common anymore as you know. The council is up and about thanks to the Vytal festival, and this is a time where I can't be seen lacking in security measures. I can't let this slide."

Qrow shot Ozpin a thoughtful look, a stratagem developing in the grey. "If you do this…spread it far, as far as you can. I'll get to her first before the council does. Vale has no jurisdiction in Patch, and my standing in Patch will be enough to get her conditional immunity"

Comprehension and resignation overcame Ozpin, prompting a deep breath and a hand being brought up to pinch at his nose bridge. "And when I thought to have seen it all. You would go this far? You know the minimum of that conditional immunity would be lifelong confinement in Patch, and it can go as far as house arrest without a foreseeable end. She would never forgive you for this."

Qrow spun on his heels, walking deeper into the fields and searching for a place he could transform without witnesses. "I know she won't. But she'll be alive and that's enough. With the world at her heels, Ruby will have nowhere to run but home. An unofficial Huntress without a license is possible, and I'm sure stubborn as she is, Ruby would have done it. A cold blooded murderer as a Huntress is not."

"So be it, good luck."