Hey hi! Been a while. How are all of you guys doing? I'm back with a new chapter of Aeon of Roses. This chapter should be one of the last chapters before ending the Rubedo arc. And gotta say I'm pretty excited to leave this arc behind to start a new one. We haven't reached anything major yet but we're getting close! (Probably)
But on to the reviews!
Night after morning: thanks for taking interest and stopping by to read it, hope you like this chapter.
Dhestrya: thanks hope you enjoy reading this one
Guest: Touma will appear later in the story, Rubedo arc is more focused on Ruby's development and character growth with a bit of focus on the others from Beacon academy. That's basically the purpose of this story. To let different characters shine that aren't just Jaune or Touma. Touma will play a major role in the next arc and would be always close to the center of the story but for now RWBY is the main focus.
As for in another world with my Imagine breaker, I haven't abandoned the story. Been working on a chapter for a while but hasn't been going smoothly for sometime. I do apologize for letting you wait but I'll try my best to make it up to when I have some time to spare. Thanks for reading this in the meantime.
Amatsumi: I have no idea what you're so nervous about? I mean what could go wrong with this crossover? And I should really come up with a better summary. It sounds kinda misleading haha! But no this isn't a retelling of Ruby Crowley's life. I'm not that cruel man. (Pout)
kyurega: totally, I check the last updated practically everyday when I have the chance. Some authors can really come out of nowhere with stories that blow my mind. As for our favorite highschool boy? He'll appear soon. For now he's doing some saving elsewhere.
123ABIR123: thanks! I appreciate it, hope this chapter is to your liking.
craytherlay: to be honest, when I got a notification that you dropped a review, I was really nervous when the person who wrote LOTCG had something to say about this small piece of fanfiction. Not saying you're a negative person or anything. Just more of a critical person that's very direct with what he wants to say, the kind that is not afraid to tell the honest brutal truth which could hurt but I enjoy (reading this makes me sound like a masochist lol) anyways, I did want to draw parallels between them. I'm guessing you can already tell that the chieftain's son, the silver eyed girl and the woodcutter all happened in the past. I even dropped some important info on them in previous chapters. Why are they so important? You just have to wait and see, though I thought it was pretty obvious what I'm about to do.
Where in the timeline the story takes place? RWBY is after the jaune bully fiasco. Toaru in GT. As for Aureolus? We will see if he gets his memories back somehow.
About mana and aura? They are pretty similar and I do believe it's easier for the people of Remnant to cast spells. What does hold them back is knowledge. While performing a spell is easy, understanding the theory is way harder, especially for Ruby who just started. I also find it fitting that Ruby learns alchemy as it fits love for creating weapons.
But enough about that. Let's just begin!
A Cruel joke
A_bitter_taste
Cold.
Ruby woke up feeling a cold shiver running through her body, her eyes slowly opening. She was disoriented, and it took a moment for her to adapt to the darkness around her. The young huntress stretched her arms and let out a long yawn.
Ruby felt tired, and there were obvious reasons for that. Throughout the two weeks that had passed, Ruby's life had been nothing but hectic. With Kai's fast recovery thanks to a newly learned spell from Aureolus, Ruby went back to trying to balance her school life and being an assistant to an alchemist.
If Ruby had to be honest about how her life had gone until now, she could say with absolute confidence that it was…
Not good.
Not good at all. Juggling the two had become an almost impossible task as both demanded the young huntress's attention. With her school life at Beacon, there were assignments with deadlines that flew by faster than a bullet fired head-on.
If we also count the new material that has to be drilled and the strategic planning that has to be remembered, Ruby's mind could very well collapse under the sheer amount of new information dumped on first-year students like her.
For example, depending on where you live, the toxin that a manticore carries in its tail can vary from causing paralysis to inducing hallucinations, and even venom potent enough to kill ten adult males. Or consider the fireballs from a sphinx, which are made up of a slimy liquid comparable to ethanol and ignite upon firing. The list goes on with herbs that can be used as antidotes against poisoning, weapon management, and, of course, team building.
'The last one was already bad since the beginning of the school year though…'
Ruby gave a depressing sigh as she slumped deeper into her seat. Not much had changed since Blake disappeared from the picture. They had study sessions, and Ruby was grateful for the time they put into it (even if it was just Ruby and Yang copying most of Weiss's notes and nodding along to whatever the Schnee heir had to say). It was better than nothing. Still, having Blake not around felt wrong. Ever since Ruby's stupid move, she hadn't seen the cat faunus.
Was Blake still mad at Ruby for being inconsiderate? Still annoyed at Ruby for touching a faunus trait without permission? Ruby didn't have a clear answer for why Blake was so upset that she refused to come to school. If this kept up, she would be expelled thanks to her! And the last thing Ruby wanted was to destroy someone's career when she was the one who created the whole fiasco.
Yet that wasn't the only thing that had the young huntress busy. The other side was an entirely different realm of the unknown.
Magic.
Something Ruby first thought was a simple piece of fiction was actually a real phenomenon that defied the very laws of this world. Even if she disliked the original story of how magic came to be, Ruby herself couldn't help but feel a rush of adrenaline when magic was demonstrated right in front of her eyes.
It was so alien, yet the young huntress couldn't help but feel a surge of familiarity. It was like remembering how to walk after years of being disabled. The steps you took felt weird, but you knew how to take a step nonetheless. Aureolus theorized that Ruby's efficiency in controlling her semblance gave her an edge in refining her mana into functional spells. That was the only thing Ruby had going for her, though.
While learning spells in practice was easy to follow, it was the theory behind them that made it hard to understand how the basis of a spell works. As idle theory can be based on almost anything, it also makes it harder for Ruby to recognize certain spells since they can be identical but come from completely different foundations.
Ruby compared it to mathematics, where there are millions of ways to achieve a certain answer. It doesn't really matter if you use two plus two or three plus one—you have the same answer. However, Aureolus rebuked that theory, saying that different methods don't always lead to the same conclusion, as the flame of Olympus isn't the same as the flames from Gehenna, even if both are infernos.
With no clue what Olympus or Gehenna even meant, Ruby simply nodded along and went back to learning as much alchemy as she could muster, even secretly trying to create some of her own spells with no success.
Luckily, not all hope was lost. Even while juggling and almost failing both, there was something Ruby was glad for.
Namely, the children of the orphanage. Throughout her time learning more about magic, the young huntress felt that her bond with them had become stronger. During the little breaks the "demon teacher" Aureolus gave, Ruby spent them getting to know the other kids better.
There was Martha Beige, who became Ruby's drawing companion. There were Lukas, Nero, and Diane, who kept asking the girl dressed in gothic red to play tag. There were also Lisa, Aaron, and Yuto, to whom Ruby told her experiences at Signal and Beacon Academy, along with Samuro, Lily, and Gray.
But the ones she spent the most time with were sweet Gerda and the faunus boy Kai. Ruby mused as she leaned back. Kai had changed. The canine boy seemed to mellow down with the insults, only talking to Ruby when she began the conversation. Their exchanges were short and ended with a "stupid" or "idiot," but Kai did try his best to make up for his rude behavior.
Just yesterday, he shared some of his sweets with her. Seeing the blush on his face while he stuttered if Ruby wanted any was adorable! Was this it? Was this the power Yang held when Ruby was younger? Had Ruby finally gained the position of elder sister that made boys like Kai blush and stutter!?
"Hehehe… hah! Take that, Yang! You're not the only one who can radiate the older sister vibe!" Ruby couldn't help but speak those words in triumph. Her voice echoed across the room, but she still felt the satisfaction of being one step closer to equaling her older half-sister.
Speaking of rooms, where did the young huntress find herself this time?
Ruby's eyes, now adjusted to the darkness, scanned the area to determine where she was. Below her was a stage lifted a third of a meter, surrounded by rows of stairs similar to a stadium.
"The… amphitheater?"
What was she doing here in the middle of the night? Was she beginning to sleepwalk? If so, how was she even able to open doors and get fully clothed in her normal attire? As Ruby pondered, a single light flashed on, illuminating the stage like a play was about to start. At the center stood a lonesome girl with hair as white as snow, dressed in the typical Beacon Academy outfit. In her hands, she held a simple violin, with her bow ready. The girl stood silent.
Ruby frowned. Hadn't she met this girl before? Even from a distance, Ruby could somehow discern her features. Her amethyst irises glowed with mystery, turning to slits like a cat's. Hadn't they met at the libra—
A soft tone halted Ruby's thoughts. The girl, bathed in the only light, began to play her melody.
The gentle tune vibrated across the amphitheater, echoing to the furthest seats with ease. With each stroke of the bow, the violin let out its chords.
The girl dressed in gothic red was mesmerized. Her surroundings faded away as the melody dragged her deeper into a trance. The gentle sound of the violin tugged at Ruby's heart, bringing forth all sorts of emotions. Sorrow, sadness, joy, rage, desire, selfishness—all composed a storm of chaotic pieces that were also harmoniously pleasing to the ear.
The image of a thousand blades materialized before Ruby, passing through her as if she were some meat pierced on a skewer. But that was all it did, passing through her like a ghost, leaving only a slight tingling feeling behind.
The girl stopped playing. The spell was broken, and Ruby snapped back to reality. It was over; the song that was so chaotic yet harmonious had come to an end. Without any hesitation, Ruby stood up and gave the violinist a round of applause.
The violet-eyed girl's eyes widened before turning into a big grin. She gave an elegant bow and took a step forward. Distance seemed to be ignored as that one small step was all it took for the girl to reach the huntress in training. Ruby, too focused on remembering the ghostly melody, didn't notice the abnormal feat the girl performed. The girl, whose name Ruby did not know, gave a smug smile and puffed her chest forward.
"Didn't think I would play in front of an audience. Oh my, oh my! I already feel self-conscious!"
"Don't be! That was amazing! I've never heard something so… beautiful!" Ruby grinned.
"Hehe, after thousands of years, I still haven't lost my charm. But enough about that! How have you been, onee-chan? How long has it been since we last saw each other? It has been soooo long!"
"Uh… have we… met before?" Ruby couldn't help but blurt out. Up close, she had a feeling they had met before, but she couldn't pinpoint when.
"Do you still recognize me? Do you, do you?"
"Huh? N-not really. Sorry, but I do feel like we met once, right?" Ruby muttered more to herself than to the girl, who was (yet again?) invading her comfort zone. Ruby gave a light cough into her hand. Was the cold getting to her? Strange.
"Never mind that! I'm happy to see you again! Do you know how boring it was? Let me tell you. It was boring! Boring! Boring! I could only play in the middle of the night to cure my boredom! If that alchemist would just hurry up, then I could finally manifest!" The girl grumbled, wearing a cute pout that made Ruby question if she was really the same age as her.
'wait…alchemist?'
"Are you talking about—"
"Ding-ding-ding! That's right! That's right! I'm talking about none other than my contractor, Aureolus Izzard!" The girl beamed an innocent smile, causing Ruby to jolt in place. She could have sworn she had this feeling of discomfort before. The cold was really bothering her.
"Hey, onee-chan, onee-chan?"
"Ehm… yeah?"
"What are your thoughts on that boring alchemist?"
"What… I think of Mr. Aureolus?"
The girl nodded rapidly, almost a blur. "Yup, yup! What do you think of him? No, better question… What is he to you?"
Ruby was silent for a moment. What was her relationship with the self-proclaimed alchemist? On the surface, it seemed like a professional agreement where only one side would benefit. Aureolus had requested her help, and Ruby had accepted it. But was that really all there was to it? Had their relationship evolved into something else entirely? It was difficult to place Aureolus on a spectrum. Since the day they met, there had been things that didn't quite fit.
The way he used terminology, for one. It was like he spoke a whole other language when talking about magic. Ruby could grasp some bits and pieces because Aureolus simplified them or related them to geometry, algebra, or trigonometry—skills she used in building and maintaining Crescent Rose. Aside from that, his words often sounded like the babble of a madman.
Then there were his odd questions on basic topics like dust and aura, questions that drained Ruby to her core. It was more challenging than reciting a whole passage in front of Weiss until she was satisfied. Sometimes Ruby even felt Aureolus had been born just a few months ago. She had joked that he might be from a different world altogether.
'Wonder… Why was he so silent that day when I joked about it?'
Oh well, each person is unique in their own right, Ruby shouldn't be judgmental. Besides, Aureolus, though a bit of a fanatic like herself, is a sweet and understanding person. Working hard to find a cure for Gerda's aura disruption and willing to listen to Ruby, treating her as an equal, not just some kid but just Ruby. Ruby coughed into her hands again. "He's… A great person!"
"Oh?"
"Yeah! The first time I met him, I was kinda nervous, but getting to know him better, Aureolus is an awesome person. Even if he's a bit weird sometimes, he is hardworking and cares a lot for Gerda and the other kids."
Those were the young huntress's honest feelings. She had respect for the tall man who was loved by the kids he cared for. In a way, he was a hero. Not like Huntsmen who fight off Grimm, but a hero who stretched out his hand to those in need of a home. A strict but patient teacher to Ruby in regards to magic.
A friend that Ruby made who was not Jaune, Pyrrha, Weiss, or anyone from Beacon Academy, and Ruby was happy with it.
The girl fell silent after hearing the huntress's confession. Her amethyst eyes glaring like lenses at seeing Ruby's gentle smile.
"...pffft."
A snort escaped her lips.
"Hehehehe…."
Then a chuckle that soon transformed into…
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
full-blown mocking laughter..
Ruby just sat there, taken aback. The girl's laughter echoed throughout the arena, creating the illusion that the whole room shook from her amusement.
"H-hey, what's so funny?"
"Wow! You really are pure, onee-chan!" Wiping a tear away, she tried to hold her laughter but failed miserably. "Never in my whole existence have I met a girl as pure as you! How exciting, how exciting! Let me tell you, onee-chan… Do you really believe Aureolus Izzard is a good person?"
"What is that supposed to mean? Of course he is! Kids aside from Kai adore him! Doesn't that already scream good person? Ruby couldn't even believe Aureolus was a bad person even if someone told her and backed it up with evidence. It just doesn't seem right in Ruby's mind.
"He is a good person! Also, who are you calling pure? I'm pretty sure I'm older!"
"Nope~ I existed way before you were even born, onee-chan. I'm even older than the very world you live in!"
"Now I just know you're lying!"
The mysterious girl pouted at Ruby's accusation. "I'm not lying! Beh! Humans these days, always doubting everything they see!"
"Humans? So you're a faunus then?"
"Hehehe something better!"
Ruby raised an eyebrow as the girl puffed her chest forward. Something better than a faunus? Being one comes with its difficulties, but saying such things as 'better' is a bit over the edge.
"As in…"
"The King who rules over the west! The genie that grants wishes for a price of equal pay. That is me! That is me! The ninth spirit of Ars Goetia!"
Her exclamation bounced like a trumpet on Ruby's shivering body. (Why does it feel so cold here?) Ruby blinked before giving the girl an expression of condolence.
"...suffering from 8th grade syndrome it seems…"
"Did you just call me a Chuunibyou!?"
"No clue what Chuuniboy means, but I guess it's the same as 8th grade syndrome? You get it. Though what does Onee-chan mean? And why do you keep calling me that?"
"Never mind that! We're getting off topic! Off topic! What makes you think Aureolus is a good guy?"
"Aren't you his business partner or something? The answer should be pretty obvious. He is a good person."
"Oh really?" The smug smile plastered on her face annoyed Ruby in some way. The young huntress coughed. Why does it feel like there is some lump stuck in her throat?
"Then…" the girl continued slowly, relishing the suspense. "What if I told you he lied to you about Gerda's condition?"
"..."
Yeah, Ruby could already tell this was loads of bullshit from the start. What's wrong with people nowadays? What good does it do to drag someone's name through the mud? Is it jealousy of another's success? Anger at seeing someone else take credit? Ruby couldn't see any reason for such selfish behavior.
"You never wanted to tear someone down?"
"What?"
"Did you ever think about it? Destroying someone else's reputation? Dragging their name through the mud so that all eyes would be on you." The girl crept closer, embracing Ruby and making her blush.
"O-of course not! Why would I want that?"
"Then what do you want?"
"Huh?"
"What do you want?" She repeated. "If you could wish for anything, no matter how impossible the task, what is that thing you long for?"
Ruby was quiet for a moment. What did she wish for? What was something she wanted more than anything if she had the chance to obtain it? Ruby was already sure it wasn't money, fame, or status. She wasn't much of an attention seeker, after all. In short, Ruby didn't feel like she lacked anything she needed to be satisfied with what she had.
"What I want… Oh, I know!" Ruby smiled as if she remembered something important. "There's this new weapon I was working on with Martha! It's a blade that can fold itself like a pocket knife, but it needs the right spring to make the movement smoother! And—"
"I'm being serious here." The sweet tone of the girl distorted into something hoarse. "You know what I mean. Dodging the question is pointless against me."
"I'm not dodging, that's what I really need right now! Finding the right springs and coils for a sword that can extend up to three times its length isn't an easy task!"
"...that naive nature of yours really does get in the way. But tell me…" Amethyst eyes stared directly into silver as she placed her forehead against Ruby's, their lips almost touching.
"Don't you want to be selfish for once onee-chan?"
Ruby shivered, feeling the girl's icy breath teasing her lips. Their lips were just a little over three centimeters apart. If one of them leaned a bit closer—
"W-w-w-waaaaaiiiit!"
"Huh? Onee-chan? What are you doing— waaah!"
In her embarrassment, Ruby pushed the perverted girl away, causing her to let out a yelp and land in the chair a row below them.
"How rude, how rude! If you didn't want a kiss, you could have said so, onee-chan!"
"Who in their right mind would climb onto a stranger's lap and try kissing them!"
"Eh? Lots of people do that as a sign of affection, I'm just showing mine! Now come here, come here onee-chan! It's more fun draining you that way!"
"Draining! She did not mean what Ruby was thinking right now, right? Draining can mean a lot of things! Like draining a pipe that was about to burst! Wait, no, that was a bad comparison. You can also drain water from a coconut! Yes, coconut water! Juicy, not slimy coconut water!"
"Is this your first time onee-chan? No need to worry, I'll be gentle~"
"Eeeeeehhh!?"
Is she actually proposing that they engage in that "thing" here? Like, right now!? This doesn't seem right. Is her interest in Blake's reading preferences clouding her judgment? Was it even a good idea to read explicit material last night? Ruby's fair skin was now flushed like a tomato. Everything was moving too quickly for her to handle. Despite her knowledge of birds and bees, her lack of past romantic or sexual encounters, she was struggling to keep up.
"teehee~ was joking, joking onee-chan! You can be so easy to tease sometimes!"
"..."
"Hehehe….. don't look at me like that, you fell for it yourself, though I don't mind if we get steamy- Ow! My head! S-stop! I yield, I yield!"
Ruby let out a pout as she sat back in her seat. They really should stop teasing her. Next time, Ruby decided, Crescent Rose would do the talking.
"Owie… Anyhow, back to the topic at hand. You really shouldn't trust a word he said."
"Why? You're not making any sense."
"Hmmm…" The girl hummed before snapping her fingers. "Let me explain it this way. Imagine an apple. What color do you think it is, onee-chan?"
"Red?" Ruby answered unconsciously.
"Wrong, wrong, onee-chan! Apples are green! You liar~"
"What? I'm not! Everyone would say red in this situation."
"Then are you calling me a liar?"
Ruby sighed and ruffled her hair. With the cold biting her and her annoying coughs becoming more frequent, Ruby was getting frustrated. "No, apples can also be green but—"
"So you're a liar then?"
"Just get to the point already."
"The point is, onee-chan, both of us can be telling the truth, but both of us can also be lying. While apples can be red or green, they can also be yellow. Since we can only imagine, both of our statements are wrong, but also true, causing a contradiction. To simplify what I'm trying to say, Aureolus lied about aura disruption, but at the same time, it's true that Gerda suffers from aura disruption." The girl finished, letting those words sink into the young huntress's mind.
"… Say what now?"
This was getting too confusing. How can someone be lying and telling the truth when those two statements heavily contradict each other? This paradox didn't make any sense. What did Aureolus even gain by lying? Ruby had nothing much to offer except being an assistant. Was the girl playing with her head? Ruby coughed, louder than before. Damn it! Why was she coughing so much?
"Oh! Seems I drained a bit too much. Oh well, oh well, guess I'll see you later, Onee-chan!" The girl stood up from her seat and began to leave.
"Wait!"
"Hmm?" The girl stopped, turning around as Ruby caught her attention. "What's wrong? If you want to kiss me now, Onee-chan, I'll be happy to, but I don't think you'll survive, hehe."
"Is that seriously what occupies your thoughts!?" Ruby couldn't understand what that girl was thinking. She was so strange, was she even human?
"...Why are you even telling me this?"
"About what?"
"About Aureolus, the lying or telling the truth dilemma thing," Ruby clarified. "Aren't you working for him? Shouldn't you guys be on the same side?"
"Eh? We are on the same side. I also play a huge part regarding Gerda's aura."
Now Ruby really wanted to lie down in bed, drink some warm glass of milk, and sleep to keep herself warm.
"Although, although… if you really want to know why a being like me is telling you this, then I suppose I can tell you."
Ruby narrowed her eyes. The tone with which she spoke held something Ruby felt she should be cautious about, something dangerous, as if a group of Beowolves could ambush the huntress at any given moment.
The girl pointed her finger at Ruby, wearing the biggest smile with her canine-like teeth fully exposed.
"It's very straaaaightforward Onee-chan!" The pupils on her eyes turned to slits as she took a step closer to Ruby.
"I'll be the one! The one and only that will strip away that purity of yours, I'll be the one that destroys your innocence and shatters it to a billion pieces. So get ready Onee-chan! Ready, ready, ready! As I will keep on playing with you till you break!"
"..."
"Huh? Onee-chan?"
Ruby took a large step back and covered herself in a protective manner.
"How rude! Why are you looking at me as if I'm going to commit a crime? Huh!? Huh!?"
"Y-you tried kissing me without any consent first! That is already an act of sexual assault! So I would rather not take any chances…"
Ruby already read enough of what the mysterious girl was applying. Taking away her purity? Shattering her innocence? Playing with her till she breaks!? What kind of confession was this even? Where did the heavy pressure of a serious go? Why did the plot change from mystery to porn!
"Mooooah, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable but I think we should end it here."
"End it?" Ruby tilted her head in question.
"Yup if I don't leave, I would end up killing you without meaning to, your soul is too addicting Onee-chan. Even more than Gerda's!"
"!?"
"one last thing, prepare to be feel pain~"
"Huh?"
Something thin struck Ruby's skull, causing her to clutch her head in pain. The young huntress let out a soft whimper, rubbing her sore spot as she looked up at the person who had hit her."Ouch! What's the deal…"
Before the youngest student of Beacon Academy stood Professor Goodwitch, a middle-aged woman in the typical attire of a female teacher. Ruby's face turned a new shade of white, her mouth dry as she met the stern gaze of the professor.
"I assume combat classes don't interest you, Ruby Rose."
'ugh…. She said my full name!'
Ruby glanced around as all eyes were fixed on her. Sitting a few seats away, Weiss wore an expression of disappointment.
'That will definitely be a full on lecture!' Ruby screams from the inside.
The other students simply snickered as pale emerald eyes from Beacon's strictest teacher awaited her answer.
Ruby gulped. "Of course not... haha... I was definitely watching."
"Then can you tell me what Mrs. Valkyrie did wrong when fighting her opponent?"
Ruby's mouth went dry as Professor Goodwitch asked her a question she had no way of answering. With a quick glance to Team JNPR, Ruby blinked in desperation.
Pyrrha, Ruby's savior and hero, mimicked swinging her hands in a spinning motion. Jaune made hand motions like a… helicopter?
Ren pointed at his back, while Nora made mouth motions. Glancing in the opposite direction, Yang twirled her finger around her head as if she had lost her mind. Ruby skipped Weiss as she tried to formulate a possible answer.
'I get this in the bag!'
Ruby's eyes gleamed as they finally saw the light. With newfound resolve, the young huntress met Professor Goodwitch's intense gaze. There was no way she could mess this up, not when her friends had her back. Ruby could do this. Ruby would escape from the clutches of Goodwitch's trap question.
"What Nora did wrong was... she forgot to incorporate Zephyrus as a wind pillar, causing the levitation spell to malfunction since it requires four corners for stabilization!"
"..."
"..."
"..."
The room fell silent as everyone stared at the weary girl in a red cape with dark bags under her eyes. She wore a confident smile, though no one knew quite what to say. Fortunately (or unfortunately), Glynda Goodwitch had no qualms about dismantling someone's confidence if it meant they would survive another day on the battlefield.
"Ruby Rose, what you just said was completely off the mark. If you haven't guessed already from the obvious signs the others gave you, Mrs. Valkyrie had her back exposed to the enemy. Though it was just a slight moment, it still left her vulnerable."
Ruby gave a nervous chuckle as those pale green eyes bore right through her. In her sleep-deprived state, she had mixed up Aureolus' teachings with Beacon's. How she even made that dumb mistake was beyond her.
"Hah… For the past few days, we teachers have noticed you've been sleeping an awful lot in class, Mrs. Rose."
"W-well, I didn't mean to. I—"
"Then there is also the fact that for two weeks straight, Mrs. Belladonna has been absent for far too long a period," Goodwitch interrupted. "Care to explain why she is absent for so long?"
"..."
"We should have kept a better eye on her, Ozpin…" Professor Goodwitch sighed, rubbing her temples as the youngest student to ever join Beacon didn't respond.
"Don't forget that you are the future of Remnant and also a leader. We expect you to take your role seriously, Mrs. Rose. So please start acting like one."
"But I—"
"Be aware that as a leader, you carry not only the lives of your teammates but also the lives of innocents." With her piece said, the strict professor walked back to the stage, leaving the girl amidst murmurs and whispers.
"Lol, did you see how pissed Goodwitch was?"
"No kidding, she looked absolutely done. Kinda feel bad for her, she's just a kid, right? Must still be in that 'hero' phase. Do you think she still believes in make-believe stuff?"
"You heard her, levitation spell or something. Who even thought it was a good idea to let her in? Can't they see she's far from ready?"
"Ssssh! Not so loud! She might hear you!"
Ruby clenched her hands into tight fists, trying her hardest to ignore the whispers slipping into her ears. Hushed voices mingled, judging the girl they deemed unfit to lead a team that wouldn't even listen to what she had to say. Silent voices wondered if such a young girl was even ready to bear the burden of lives at stake.
Ruby bit her lip. She wanted to tell them, wanted to explain that she was trying her best. She was doing everything she could to become a huntress like her mom once was, striving to connect with her teammates, and waiting late for any sign of the cat faunus' return. She wasn't some kid who needed babysitting; she was just a student like the rest of them.
And magic is real. If Ruby could, she would perform the levitation spell right then and there to prove it... if she got the hang of it. And when the crowd was a bit smaller than it is now. There was no way she would embarrass herself any further. She coughed slightly into her hand, feeling a shiver. Was it always this cold here?
"You okay Rubes?"
Ruby turned to her sister who placed her hand on her shoulder in hopes of showing some comfort.
"Don't mind them, they don't know that it's okay to make mistakes, you're still learning the ropes. Just give it some time, I'm sure you'll mature enough."
'You basically saying the same thing Yang.'
"Not enough apparently…."
"What's that gloomy look for?" Yang frowned before turning her face in a big grin. "hmmm… That sad face doesn't suit you one bit sis." a strange Aura enveloped Yang as she leaned closer. "But I can fix that with my secret technique!"
Ruby turned pale. "Y-Yang! Not here! I don't care if you want to cheer me up but for god's sake! Anywhere but not here!"
"You'll be fine. I'm low on cute sister energy so I need some boost Ruby~"
Without warning, Ruby's waist was assaulted by Yang's fingers.
"MMMHAAAAH!"
The girl in red let out a moan, causing those seated close by to shift their attention. Yang wasn't stopping there. With a bit more force, the blonde dug deeper, causing Ruby to jolt from her seat. Wiggling and shifting as she tried to break free from her half sister's grasp.
Now with everyone watching, and some light blushes from some with a more special imagination, Ruby really wanted to hide in her own cape or dig a hole where she could hide for the rest of her life or erase this scene from everyone's memory. Maybe Aureolus knows some spell that did exactly that.
"S-stop! Hahaha! Stop it! Y-you're embarrassing meeeeeeeee!"
"hehehe. Then smile Rubes! Come on! I can do this all day!"
"We don't have all day! Hahaha! T-the next roll is coming up!"
"Ouch, you don't like playing with lil ol' me? Last time I checked you were muttering about being the older one. So if you want to be on my level, you have to pass the trial!"
"NOT FAIR!" Ruby managed to spill out between the laughter and coughing.
"Already short of breath? Last time you lasted much longer. Did I hit a weak spot already?"
"W-whoah… weak spot…"
"Keep those thoughts of yours out of the gutter Russel." Weiss warned from her seat as she gave disgusted glare at team CRDL. "And could you two idiots stop that! You two are making a fool out of us!"
"Say that to Y-Yang! How is this a-any of my fault!"
"If you had just gone to bed early instead of making some meaningless pair of rings with a pentagram, this situation could have been avoided entirely."
Yang stopped her assault, giving Weiss a curious glance before glancing back at poor little red who suffered from labored breaths.
"Really? Like in actually identical rings? Don't you think that marriage is a bit too early Ruby? I mean you can Like Jaune, he is a sweet guy and all but you miss some important steps sis."
"Eh? Really Ruby?" Jaune, now curious, looked at Ruby who turned as red as her hood.
"It's nothing like that! I made it for a friend! A friend! She wanted them for someone else andsheaskmetodoitsoIThoughtwhynotand-"
A loud crackling snap came from the stage below as Glynda Goodwitch slapped Disciplinarian against a nearby wall.
"pay attention, I'll be announcing the next sparring match. Be ready when your name is displayed."
All students looked at the giant monitor to see whose name was going to pop up this time. Calming down, Ruby's gaze intensified; this wasn't over. She could still do something to fix her silly mistake and avoid Weiss's nagging by winning a sparring session. She may not be gifted in academics, but fighting was one thing she excelled at.
Sparring matches were something she excelled at in Signal Academy and continued to do well at Beacon. This could be her saving grace to show she should be taken seriously like the rest. This wasn't the same as fighting street punks, so Ruby didn't need a reason to hold back. Best part, only a small crowd was watching! As long as she didn't screw up, she could win this.
As the wheel spun, the girl in gothic red crossed her fingers, hoping by some miracle to make it on the monitor. With eyes closed, Ruby gave a small peek. Her face lit up the moment she saw her name, though it soon turned into a thin smile as the name of her opponent was also revealed.
Ruby Rose vs Pyrrha Nikos
"Ruby Rose and Pyrrha Nikos, please prepare yourself and meet each other on the arena" Goodwitch announced.
"Oof… tough luck Rubes. Break a leg!"
"Try your best to last as long as you can Ruby." Weiss saluted. Eyes turned somewhat softer.
Ruby cringed. Did her own teammates really believed that she didn't stand a chance against Pyrrha? Ruby got the whole invincible girl thing but even Pyrrha struggled against the Deathstinger and the Nevermore they fought before.
"...Do you really think you can achieve the same results as someone who was born special?"
Ruby's fingers twitched, trying to push Aureolus's words aside. Without saying a word, she silently walked towards her locker. She wasn't aiming to overthrow Pyrrha; that was not what she wanted. This was about fixing her mistake of sleeping in class and disappointing Weiss and Professor Goodwitch. They were right. She should have acted more professionally than what she had pulled off back there. What would her mom think if she saw her in that state?
With a cough, Ruby reached her locker.
Typing in her combination, the door unlocked, revealing Crescent Rose in all her glory, desperately waiting to be used for more than just fighting small fry like those idiots willing to hurt a kid.
"Hey~ You miss me?"
"..."
"Yeah, I missed you too, but fret not! You will have your action! We're gonna have a showdown against Pyrrha!"
"..."
Ruby rolled her eyes. "What makes you think that? Just because others don't believe in me doesn't mean we'll lose. We have worked hard, and we shall reap our rewards and show them that we can do this!"
Ruby beamed before falling into a fit of coughs. She really started to hate how cold it was turning. Hand covering her mouth, Ruby coughed again, feeling the wetness from her saliva sticking to her hand. Gross—
Her thoughts came to a stop when Ruby's hand was dyed in red.
"...Blood?"
Ruby coughed some more as little red droplets spattered about. She furrowed her brows. Since when did she begin coughing up blood? Did Yang put too much strength into tickling, causing her internal organs to be in shambles? Ruby wouldn't be surprised. Yang's tight bear hugs weren't the safest form of affection, even with having an aura. The problem now was...
What was Ruby going to do about this?
She was already in a fit of coughs the moment she was forced awake by Goodwitch. Backing down now wasn't an option either. Ruby was being relied on. A bit of cold shouldn't stop her from being a huntress.
"Ruby?"
Ruby jolted and wiped the blood off with her cape.
"Hey Pyrrha! What's up?" The young huntress let out a cheery smile as she met the redhead that stood behind her. "Didn't see you there. What are you doing here?"
The redhead gave a smile. "Going to get Miló and Akoúo̱. My locker number is 435."
Ruby's ears perked up at the mention of Pyrrha's weapons. She had only seen the javelin and shield in action but never had a good look at them. Without a moment's thought, Ruby burst into petals to stand face-to-face with the pride of Mistral. "What kind of weapon is Miló?"
Pyrrha tilted her head. "It's a—"
"Is it a javelin or a sword?"
"W-well, it's—"
"What kind of caliber?"
"E-eh? About—"
"How much does it weigh? What's the interior like? Can I touch it? Do you need an upgrade? I can add something and—"
"Slow down, Ruby!" Pyrrha had her hands in a retreating manner. With how close her face seemed to be, Ruby backed away and gave the redhead a sheepish smile.
"Sorry, got a little excited. Can I still have a look?"
Pyrrha chuckled. "I don't mind. It would be reassuring if a weapon expert would take an examination on it."
"Then let's go!" Ruby laughed, dragging Pyrrha to her locker.
The redhead punched in the code and handed over Miló first. Ruby's silver eyes sparkled like the shattered moon in the night sky. Miló was surprisingly light, weighing less than Crescent Rose. The metal was also of high quality. Was that type of ore only found in Atlas? "A musket model AR-15?" Ruby muttered as she examined the weapon. "caliber of around 80, right? Old model but still a beauty nonetheless. The transition between blade and gun is even smoother than my own scythe!"
Pyrrha giggled. "It was a gift from my hometown, Argus. My grandmother came up with the idea together with my parents. The metal is made from a mix of aluminum, earth dust, and some wind dust to keep it sturdy but also lightweight enough to throw."
"How long did it take you to master such precise throws?" Ruby handed Miló back, marveling at Akoúo̱. Are those two holes at the end of the shield making it aerodynamic? Ruby could only applaud the genius who designed this shield as a functional boomerang.
"I started training early, so I'm not sure when exactly."
"How old were you? Four?" little red joked as she tested the weight of the shield once more.
"Around that age, yes."
Ruby froze. "Say what."
"Uhm… around the age of four?" Pyrrha repeated as if it was like answering what the weather forecast would be.
Four years old? Wasn't proper training to become a huntress supposed to start at ten? Maybe even younger, but four?
"Isn't that way too young!?" Ruby blurted out. What could a four-year-old possibly do? Weaponry, even starting with dummies, is too heavy for a child of that age.
"That's what many people say," Pyrrha replied, brushing off Ruby's amazement. "But in Argus, starting early is quite normal. We have a tradition of passing down the torch from generation to generation."
"But starting at four… Why so early?"
"It's part of our tradition in Argus. Children are taken to the temple of Lady Cynthia for a blessing to secure their future. It's been like that for generations. The process is somewhat complex and carries symbolic meaning, so I'll spare you the religious details. But in short, those who take up the sword follow the path of a warrior." Pyrrha's eyes focused on Miló as a thin smile graced her lips. "...And that's the path I chose."
Ruby didn't quite understand the expression Pyrrha wore. There seemed to be something behind those eyes, something that the champion of Mistral wasn't entirely satisfied with.
"Didn't you always want to be a huntress?" Ruby asked.
Pyrrha looked up in surprise but shook her head. "No, I've always wanted to be a huntress. Saving others always brings a smile to my face… I just wish it wasn't so... difficult."
Difficult? What did that mean? Was Pyrrha struggling with something? The red-haired girl seemed so perfect. Ruby couldn't recall any weaknesses in the pride of Mistral. Pyrrha was everything everyone aspired to be: excellent grades, top fighter, sweet personality. She embodied the ideal image of a huntress—flawless to the point where others found it impossible to reach her level.
"It is frustrating, is it not? You work so hard to improve your skills; make sure you learn from previous mistakes just to be left in the dust for someone who did the same thing with less effort but higher results. Ever felt that way?"
Something tugged at Ruby's heart. An ugly feeling she pushed back as fast as it appeared out of thin air. Aureolus words didn't mean anything. They were wrong in all kinds of ways. Doesn't matter if a person excels in something or not. Everyone could achieve the same thing if they try hard enough.
"Then prove it. If you're so hellbent on being right, then show me how far that naive thinking can last?"
"Are you ready, Ruby?"
"Huh?" Ruby blinked as Pyrrha waited for her, spear and shield equipped.
Ruby stared straight into Pyrrha's eyes before realizing. Crap, how could she forget?
It was her turn to spar against the best of the first years, perhaps the very best at Beacon Academy!
"Oh, right! Silly me! Let's make the most of it and—" Ruby coughed, spitting saliva mixed with a little red liquid onto the floor for all to see.
"R-Ruby! Are you okay!?" The red-haired girl wasted no time, rushing to Ruby's side to check on her condition. Placing her hand on Ruby's forehead, Pyrrha's face turned into a deep frown. "Ruby… you're cold. I'm going to call Professor Goodwitch to check on—"
Ruby stopped her. "No need, my voice is a bit hoarse today, it happens all the time!"
"Are you sure? It looks serious. We can call off the sparring session."
Ruby shook her head, seeing Pyrrha's concern. It was just a bit of blood; no reason to back down now. Goodwitch had explicitly called her a leader. She had told Jaune that the team should come first, and a leader second. Ruby couldn't back off now and be a hypocrite. "Pyrrha, thanks for being worried, but I'm fine, really. Let's get going and give it our all!"
Pyrrha scratched her head, unsure how to respond to Ruby's stubbornness. After some thought, the pride of Mistral chose to let it be. "...If you say so. I'll be waiting at the arena. But don't push yourself too hard; it's okay if someone your age can't keep up. I'm sure Professor Goodwitch understands that."
Ruby's knuckles tightened. "Will do! See you there! Gotta check if Crescent Rose is in tip-top shape!"
Pyrrha chuckled, seeing Ruby Rose's beaming smile as she left for the arena. Now alone, Ruby's flashy smile faltered. She ran her fingers through her hair and let out a long sigh, feeling a twinge of guilt in her gut. It was wrong of her to push Pyrrha away like that. Pyrrha was worried. Still, Ruby couldn't afford to lose. This sparring match wasn't just for her team. It wasn't merely about proving herself as a capable leader. There was something far deeper motivating her to fight Pyrrha Nikos.
It was a reason Ruby hated from the core of her heart.
A reason that made her stomach curl.
A reason that made her despise her own train of thought for even considering such things about her friend.
"...Do you really think you can achieve the same results as someone who was born special?"
...Ruby's sole reason was to prove the Alchemist wrong: to show that talent didn't guarantee instant victory, and that hard work could bridge gaps and change the world, contrary to what Aureolus claimed about the talented. Ruby found it disgusting that she was using Pyrrha as a means to prove her point. Using a friend to demonstrate to Aureolus that magic didn't have to stem from selfish desires wasn't something the young huntress desired.
Yet…
Ruby tightened her grip on Crescent Rose. She couldn't stop now. It wasn't selfish to prove a point about everyone having equal chances and rights to achieve and surpass the impossible.
This match would prove it. It was the silver-eyed, dorky weapon-nerd girl versus the girl deemed invincible by her peers.
A battle between hard work and talent.
Ruby Rose vs. Pyrrha Nikos.
The silver-eyed girl walked up the stage, Crescent Rose buckled to her waist. Pyrrha and Professor Goodwitch were waiting for Ruby's arrival. Pyrrha gave a small smile as she passed Ruby a wristband.
It was an Aura Precision Meter, or APM for short. This adjustable wristband could calculate and project how much Aura a person had left through the monitor. It was an invention from the most technologically advanced kingdom of Remnant. From the looks of it, this was a newer model than the one from Signal Academy. It was lighter in weight and smoother to avoid discomfort. Ruby slapped on the wristband, giving it a moment to calculate the exact amount of Aura. With a red light flickering and turning green the next moment, Ruby raised her eyebrow at the percentage the wristband showed.
'85%, That can't be right?'
The young huntress hadn't done anything fight-related today, so for her Aura to have already dropped by 15% was beyond her. Or was it? Ruby turned to the crowd, specifically toward her sister Yang, who shouted supportive words, with Weiss doing the same at a milder pace. Ruby's eyes turned dull for a moment. She loved her sister to death and wouldn't trade her for anyone else in the world, but did Yang really need to show such affection that Ruby's Aura suffered from it? 85% was more than sufficient to enter a match, but it was still a slight annoyance to fight with a bit of a disadvantage.
"As this isn't the first sparring match, I do not need to explain the rules," Goodwitch said, pushing her glasses up with her middle finger. "But for the sake of it, I'll explain them once more. You start when I say 'start' and stop when I say 'stop.' No aiming at vital organs with intent, and you lose the battle when your Aura drops to red or when you fall off the stage. Is that clear?"
Ruby and Pyrrha both nodded as they stood in position. The amphitheater held its breath, waiting for Professor Goodwitch to begin the match.
"Both huntresses ready?"
"... Are you sure you wanna do this, Ruby?"
"... Pyrrha, I'll be okay. I've always wanted to spar with you!" Ruby chirped, standing in position. "May the best person win!"
"...Right…"
Ruby's brows knitted together, seeing Pyrrha still being hesitant. Was she… afraid of hurting her? Ruby slapped both her cheeks. Focus, Ruby! You can't lose this match! People are watching!
"... You may begin!"
Neither girl moved, each intensely focused on the other's slightest twitch. A bead of sweat trickled down Ruby's cheek as she searched in vain for an opening. The girl with the fierce red hair held her shield, Akoúo̱, perfectly positioned to block attacks from above and below. Realizing her options were limited, Ruby decided on a straightforward approach.
In a flash, Crescent Rose transformed into a sniper rifle, sending a shot straight at Pyrrha's upper body. Pyrrha quickly ducked behind Miló to shield herself. Ruby seized the moment, becoming a blur of rose petals as she sped around Pyrrha. With lightning speed, she reformed and swung her scythe in a devastating arc, aiming for a powerful blow from behind.
"!"
Pyrrha turned at the last moment, blocking Crescent Rose with her shield. No, she did more than just block it—she was pushing Crescent Rose away. Her monstrous strength threw Ruby off balance, causing her to stumble as Pyrrha leapt backward. Now seven meters apart, Pyrrha swiftly transformed Miló into a musket and fired, not giving Ruby a second to catch her breath.
The three shells came at Ruby with terrifying speed, but she quickly deflected them. With one of the most dangerous weapons in her hand, the young huntress shot herself forward.
The red-haired girl raised Akoúo̱ once more, just as Ruby had hoped. Using the blast from her high-caliber sniper rifle, Ruby slammed her foot against the shield. The sheer impact sent vibrations through the arena, causing the crowd to erupt in excitement.
"Not bad, Ruby," Pyrrha grinned as she flung Ruby away from her. Ruby returned her own cheeky grin, noticing Pyrrha's arm twitch slightly. It was just as Ruby had hoped. Pyrrha's arm was partially immobilized for the moment, the numbness likely to give Ruby a window of about a minute or three.
Meaning it was now time for Ruby to best Pyrrha, the epitome of talent. Ruby dashed forward, Crescent Rose dancing around her body with grace as she unleashed a flurry of slashes upon Beacon's strongest first-year prodigy.
Pyrrha's eyes widened slightly as Ruby dashed forward, forcing her to hold her ground. She parried every attack with extreme accuracy—uppercuts, sideways strikes, downward slams, diagonal slashes—all flawlessly blocked by her javelin with little effort. Ruby grunted. This was getting nowhere. Even removing Pyrrha's shield hadn't been enough to breach the red-haired warrior's defenses.
"Hold on there, Rubes!" Yang cheered. "You're doing great! A bit more, and the record for lasting the longest is yours!"
"Who actually holds the record now?" Jaune asked from his seat, with Nora jumping from adrenaline as the sparring match continued below.
"It's me, of course, by twenty minutes," Weiss huffed. "I doubt Ruby could break it, but she's already seven minutes in, longer than average."
"Hear that, sis! Seven minutes! Keep it up!"
Ruby swung her scythe, prompting Pyrrha to gracefully dodge into a perfect split. The battle remained surprisingly balanced. For every strike Ruby delivered, Pyrrha countered with precise parries using Miló. While Pyrrha's own attacks were skilled, none posed a big threat to Ruby. Pyrrha had landed a few hits, but they were ones Ruby could shrug off.
Yet Ruby felt something was off.
Pyrrha hadn't made a big counter yet.
Ruby's palms were a bit sweaty at the thought that Pyrrha was coming up with a plan. Ruby hadn't landed one successful hit yet, and her aura wasn't as sturdy as Yang's, so one hit could drop her aura significantly. Still, Ruby was lucky that she had been able to avoid Miló's slashes.
Their weapons clashed, sending sparks flying as both fighters strained against each other's strength. Ruby, feeling sweat on her palms, furrowed her brow and locked eyes with Pyrrha, who maintained a resolute expression. Not a single bead of sweat adorned Pyrrha's face, nor did any sign of fatigue show in her posture. It was a display of unwavering focus that made Ruby tighten her grip on Crescent Rose. Surely Pyrrha wasn't doing what Ruby thought she was doing, was she?
"Pyrrha?"
Pyrrha refocused her gaze on the young huntress.
"You aren't holding back... right?"
The red-haired girl cast her gaze elsewhere, giving Ruby the confirmation she needed but wished she hadn't. The young huntress pulled back, pointing her scythe towards Pyrrha, who stood her ground.
"Pyrrha, I already told you I was fine! Please take me seriously!"
"But you're not fine!" Pyrrha whispered, clashing Miló against Crescent Rose, causing more sparks to fly. "You coughed up blood! It wouldn't be fair for you to just lose without trying."
"How is this any better? I'm not some frail kid that needs protection. I'm a student just like you!" The young huntress sped up her barrage of slashes. "So don't hold back, treat me like the rest 'cause I won't lose to talent!"
Pyrrha was lost on what to do; Ruby's stubbornness made choosing any action difficult. Was it okay to go all out against a girl younger than her, even if she was just a student like her? Ruby wasn't one of the top students, and Professor Goodwitch wasn't in the best mood after the stunt Ruby pulled.
"Here I come, P!"
Ruby closed in, twirling and twisting Crescent Rose like a chainsaw from different angles. With Miló in hand, Pyrrha gave Ruby what she wanted.
Positioning her back, Pyrrha parried sideways before kneeing Ruby in the gut, causing her to buckle over.
"Bleugh!"
Pyrrha wasn't done yet, far from it. Her leg raised, the red-haired girl slammed her foot against Ruby's head. With only seconds to spare, Crescent Rose blocked it, leaving Ruby's arm tingling a little. Was Pyrrha always that strong? This was nothing like what Ruby had seen during the selection or in any sparring match Pyrrha had fought in. Did that mean she had been holding back on Weiss too?
From the corner of her eye, Miló was aimed at the young huntress' head, forcing her to tilt her scythe and let the javelin glide upwards.
Ruby's eyes lit up as Pyrrha's midriff was exposed, both hands occupied with Miló. Turning her body sideways, Ruby swung with whatever force she could muster.
"Gotcha!"
"Close, but not quite." Pyrrha gave an awkward smile, balancing herself on Crescent Rose. Using it as a springboard, the invincible girl spun through the air, using the momentum to throw her javelin straight at Ruby.
Gritting her teeth, Ruby shot herself to safety, avoiding Miló as she halted herself abruptly.
'Close range is definitely a no no.'
With a heavy breath, Ruby's eyes wandered to the monitor.
72%.
"Still plenty," she sighed in relief before plotting her next move. There was no way to breach Pyrrha's defenses up close, and long-range attacks were futile. So her only viable option was what she excelled at most.
Ruby lowered her body, cautiously circling Pyrrha. The redhead squinted, her vivid green eyes tracking the young huntress's movements as Ruby picked up the pace.
There wasn't much in Ruby's favor. Pyrrha simply outclassed her in combat, weaponry, and strength.
Ruby smirked.
Except for one thing.
Activating her semblance, Ruby accelerated, enveloping Pyrrha in a tornado of rose petals.
"If combat prowess won't work, then I'll just have to outspeed you!"
Employing hit-and-run tactics, Ruby struck Pyrrha from different angles, hoping to wear her down. It wasn't the most honorable tactic, but effective nonetheless.
With her scythe's blade ready, Ruby attacked Pyrrha from behind. The heavy scythe met the golden shield protecting the champion.
Ruby grinned at the unexpected reaction.
Polarity.
Ruby had seen Pyrrha's semblance in action before—control over magnetism. Pyrrha was finally taking her seriously. Just a bit more and— A metallic taste filled Ruby's mouth, a cough escaping her throat.
"Ruby, I really think we should stop," Pyrrha hissed.
"I already told you, I'm fine!"
"You're not! You're only going to hurt yourself trying!"
"... Then how else will I prove that hard work can achieve as much as talent?" Ruby's tone softened inexplicably.
Pyrrha frowned in utter confusion of what the girl in red had to say. She didn't expect Minstral's prodigy to understand. Hell, she herself didn't know why she was so angry. Was it because of her earlier blunder? Was it because she couldn't measure up to someone like Pyrrha? Or was it because she wanted to prove the alchemist's ideology wrong?
The more Ruby thought about it, the more she acted out. With a flick of her hand, the scythe transformed into a rifle. Drawing a red bullet from her ammo pouch, she fired at point-blank range.
An explosion occurred.
Pyrrha was pushed backwards, rolling across the arena and coming to a halt near the edge as Ruby fired her second explosive dust shell.
Boom!
The young huntress staggered back, the smoke engulfing the arena. Ruby struggled to catch her breath, her sniper rifle trembling in her hands. Her whole arm felt numb; holding the weapon loosely was not the smartest idea. It was basically Weaponry 101 to always maintain a firm grip to avoid damaging recoil.
But it didn't matter. Lowering Crescent Rose, Ruby turned to check the monitor.
52%.
Her aura had dropped by twenty. It wasn't ideal, likely due to both recoil and the clean hits Pyrrha had landed on her. Ruby coughed, wiping saliva from the corner of her lips, then weakly flashed a peace sign to the crowd. It wasn't the victory she had aimed for, but it was a victory nonetheless. "Yang, Weiss! I won... Hehe."
"The match isn't over yet, Miss Rose."
"Huh!?"
Professor Goodwitch's voice sent shivers down Ruby's spine. Whirling around 180 degrees, Ruby aimed Crescent Rose at the smoke cloud.
Her heart pounded. The numbness hadn't fully subsided, making it difficult to steady her rifle.
Silence hung heavy. No sound could be heard, intensifying Ruby's anxiety. What was Pyrrha waiting for? Where was she hiding?
'No, calm down Ruby. You got this. She's definitely going for a feint to surprise you. Shooting now won't help, even if you can't see. Wait patiently for the smoke to settle.'
"Why not use magic?"
Ruby shook off her clouded thoughts. She didn't need magic; relying on it would be like using a living cheat code. She could beat Pyrrha on her own. This wasn't stubbornness; it was about proving her point that there are equal opportunities in the world. Through unity and hard work, anything was achievable. This wasn't just about Ruby—it was about everyone striving to achieve their dreams and change the world around them!
"Don't you want to be selfish for once, onee-chan?"
Ruby gritted her teeth. What was she thinking right now? She needed to focus! Pyrrha could come out at any moment—
Suddenly, Miló was thrown from nowhere.
"W-what!" Ruby yelped, barely avoiding the javelin as she almost tripped over her own cape.
"Sorry, Ruby."
"!"
Everything froze. Pyrrha sprinted full speed, shield in hand, seizing the opportunity Ruby had inadvertently left open when she almost tripped.
"Blaagh!"
Ruby's body was lifted from the ground. Turning her view upside down, all she could see were faces cringing in their seats. She felt nothing, her brain unable to register what had happened. One moment she saw Pyrrha running towards her, and the next she found herself bouncing off the stage, landing heavily on the ground with a thud. The red glow around Ruby, a sign of her aura, shattered like fragile glass, indicating it had been depleted by a mere bash from a shield.
Her head throbbed with pain, but soon the sensation faded along with her consciousness.
"..."
"..."
"...Is it that bad?"
"...It looks like you've been hit by a truck."
With a sigh, Ruby let herself fall back, resting her head on a fluffy pillow, only to wince in pain. The back of her head felt like it was exploding. Her cheek didn't fare any better. Yang gave an awkward smile as she watched Ruby gently touch her cheek, which had turned from rosy to blue.
After Ruby was knocked out cold by an unforgiving bash to the face by Pyrrha's shield, she was immediately brought to the infirmary. With Yang by her side, the two half-sisters sat in silence, neither uttering a single word.
"Don't beat yourself up, Rubes," Yang cheered. "You did great."
"Yeah, right. I couldn't even lay a finger on Pyrrha!"
Yang shrugged as she looked through the window. "She is called invincible for a reason. Lasting longer than ten minutes is already an achievement on its own. Especially for someone like you, Rubes!"
Ruby had some serious doubts about that. Pyrrha wasn't even taking her seriously the first ten minutes they were in. It was she who attacked first. It was Ruby who pushed herself while the pride and joy of Mistral stood there like it wasn't even a big deal. It felt like a slap in the face, with a lingering burn that wouldn't go away.
Heh, how ironic that Ruby could feel it both mentally and physically.
"Are you upset about something?"
Ruby frowned at what Yang was asking. Violet eyes drilled into her back in search of anything that wasn't true. Did she sound upset? Was she complaining? Was she not being what she needed to be?
Ruby took a deep breath and faced the blonde with a cheery smile. "Hehe, I guess I am a bit upset about losing. I really thought I had a chance for a moment!"
"Pfff, the face you made when Goodwitch said it wasn't over was hilarious!"
"H-hey! It wasn't! R-right?"
Yang snorted. "Sorry, but the way your eyes went wide was like when Zwei tasted watermelon for the first time. Even Weiss couldn't hold in her laughter."
"Eugh! You're the worst! Speaking of Weiss, where is she?"
Yang's smile faltered for a moment, gaining Ruby's full attention. From as long as the young huntress could remember, if Yang's smile ever dropped for even a tiny second…
Something really must be wrong.
"...Did something happen?"
The elder sister scratched the back of her head as if she was deciding whether or not to tell Ruby.
"Yang?"
"If I'm being honest, I have no clue."
"Yang. If it's serious, tell me I–"
"I am being serious," she confessed. "After you were knocked out, Weiss had an important call she needed to pick up. I heard some bits and bobs here and there, but long story short, she told me she had to leave to join a video conference."
Video conference?
"Does it have something to do with the SDC?"
"I guess, all I heard was 'important' and 'you should be present.' There was also a name mentioned. Ladylee Tangletoad or something?"
"You think we should go talk to her?" Ruby asked, her silver eyes gleaming with the hope of finally being able to help her teammates.
"Nah, just let her be. Weiss would just be more moody. I don't think we should interfere in others' family affairs."
Little Red's shoulders slumped. What did she expect? Ruby should know better. Asking Weiss directly if she needed help wouldn't work. It worked on no one who was part of Team Ruby.
"Ouch!" A flick on the forehead made the young huntress flinch. Looking up, she saw Yang standing there with her hand outstretched, wearing a cheeky grin that was as bright as the summer sun.
"What's that look for? Weiss and Blake may be gone, but I'm still here."
"Yeah… guess you're right."
"Of course I'm right. Since when was the older sibling wrong in the first place–"
Ping!
Both sisters stopped as a short bell sound rang across the room. No words were said as Yang slid her hand into her pocket to fish out her scroll. Reading the notification, Yang's expression went from curiosity to doubt.
Ruby tilted her head, a gnawing thought in the back of her already pounding brain about what that ping could mean. "Who's that?"
"Just some buddies of mine asking if I'm free to go shopping with them. I'll tell them next time and—"
"You can go if you want to."
"Eh? Are you sure? You don't have to let me go if you don't want to."
"Don't you want to be selfish for once, Onee-chan?"
'Shut up.'
"It's fine, really! I'm not a kid anymore, Yang. Go have fun!"
There was still some doubt lingering behind those violet eyes, though it disappeared at seeing the bright smile Ruby wore to soothe her worries.
"Looks like my baby sister is finally taking her first steps to maturity."
"Hey!"
"Thanks, Ruby." The elder sister ruffled the younger one's hair, causing Ruby to groan in annoyance. "I'll make it up to you by buying you something cute on the way back. See ya!"
"See—" The girl flinched as Yang accidentally slammed the door behind her. "...ya later…"
Ruby's smile dropped as she released a heavy sigh. She couldn't hold it in any longer. With her severe headache, the stinging sensation, and the constant feeling of needing to spill her guts, Ruby felt like shit.
What the hell was she thinking? Why did she even think she had a chance against Pyrrha anyway? Pyrrha had trained to be a warrior since the age of four, which was borderline inhumane. Was the gap between them that large? Was Aureolus right?
Ruby slammed her head into her palms, hiding her gaze from the ceiling as if dozens of eyes were judging her from above.
"Stupid, stupid, stupid!" What was she so upset about? Winning or losing wouldn't prove anything. It wasn't like the alchemist was there to see her blunder. She had no reason to fight and push herself to prove a point to someone if that someone wasn't even there!
…Then why?
"You never wanted to tear someone down?"
'...shut up.'
Why was that rotting feeling still lingering near her?
"Did you ever think about it?"
'Shut up.'
Why did she feel so… pissed?
"Destroying someone else's reputation?"
'Shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up,
shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up!'
"Dragging their name through the mud so that all eyes would be on you."
Shut the hell up! Why can't those voices shut up for once?
"May I come in?"
Ruby snapped out of her thoughts as a gentle knock was heard.
"S-sure! Come in!" Ruby said, her voice nervous and mixed with a bit of relief. A bit of distraction never hurts. She needed those voices gone anyway.
The door sighed open, revealing tousled silvery hair accompanied by the all-too-familiar clicks of his cane. The man known as the youngest member of the Council and responsible for the education at Beacon Academy took a seat in front of Ruby, and her relief was quickly overtaken by nervousness.
"P-Professor Ozpin!"
"Greetings to you as well, Miss Rose. I see you have recovered well. How are you feeling?"
Ruby opened her mouth, but no sound came out. How was she feeling? A moment ago, it felt like she was being tormented by ugly thoughts that made her stomach curl. She couldn't really say something like, "I'm upset because I lost against Pyrrha in a sparring match." That would sound childish and immature!
"Feeling better!" Ruby lied. "My head is throbbing a little bit, but I'm mostly fine!"
Ozpin gave a gentle smile. "That's good to hear. I heard from Professor Goodwitch about what happened, so I came to check if everything's alright. But since you're physically fine, we can jump straight to the point."
"Uhm… I don't follow?"
Ozpin breathed through his nostrils, making the girl sitting upright more anxious.
"Miss Rose, teachers have been talking about your lack of involvement in classes. Sleeping through lectures, forgetting to do your homework, and let's not forget arriving later than usual to your next study session. So, Miss Rose, to be blunt, I'm here to ask the reason for all these mishaps that have happened lately. I'm also here to see if you have any information about Miss Belladonna."
Ruby gulped when Blake was mentioned. Skipping two weeks' worth of classes was already a landmine. How was she going to explain where Blake was? She had tried searching through Vale, but to no avail had she found any trace of the cat Faunus. It also didn't help that Yang and Weiss didn't do much searching on their own.
"There... was some tension between me and Blake," Ruby shrank as she confessed to the headmaster. "It wasn't on purpose! But it was my fault it happened. Please don't expel Blake! I'm sure I can talk to her and bring her back!"
"No need to worry, Miss Rose. Miss Belladonna isn't going to be expelled."
Little Red blinked. "She's… not?" Ozpin shook his head while taking a sip from his cup.
'Where did that even come from?'
"Is being a leader a difficult task for you?"
That question came out of nowhere. Were her mistakes that obvious? A chuckle escaped her lips, devoid of humor. "I kinda suck at being a leader, huh? Sorry that I couldn't do better."
"Nonsense. It takes time to learn the ropes. Each individual needs to start somewhere. Summer Rose once stood in the same shoes when she was younger."
Ruby's ears perked up at the mention of her mother. "You knew my mom?"
"She was a student here at Beacon, after all. Surely your father has told some stories?"
Ruby's expression fell a bit. Her father wasn't really the most talkative person when it came to touchy subjects. She couldn't remember the last time they talked about Summer Rose in their cozy cabin on Patch. It was as if it were somehow taboo to even utter her name. The only things Ruby had were fuzzy memories and the stories Yang used to tell. Anything else was just a mental image Ruby had no idea if it was accurate.
"What was she like?"
Professor Ozpin took another sip from his coffee mug, which left a faint smell of chocolate. His eyes grew a bit distant, as if replaying a memory from long ago.
"She was one of the best huntresses Vale has ever seen," he began, a small smile gracing his lips. "All of Remnant wasn't sure what to expect from Summer Rose. She was the kind of person who comes along once a century."
"Once a century?"
"She had quite the personality, a bit of heroism with a sprinkle of stubbornness. She was also a bit of an airhead. Makes me wonder if all silver-eyed people share that same trait."
Ruby gave a slight pout at hearing Ozpin's comment about silver eyes being airheads. She could take a hint! She wasn't some dumb kid that knew nothing about romance!
"But when it came to Grimm and combat, she was a monster of a talent. Each mission was a complete success, besides me, Summer had never lost a fight to anyone in Beacon academy."
"...Never lost a fight in her school years...* Ruby didn't know what to do with that info dump. 'guess mom really was a super mom. Just like you said Yang.'
The girl's lip quivered but she bit them down to focus on the professor Ozpin.
"Mom really is badass!" Ruby chirped. "Still have a long way to go I guess!"
"Your mother was the same, while she was a talented person, blades need to be sharpened regardless of what type of metal they are made of. She reminded me quite a lot of a departed friend of mine."
The young huntress grimaced when his brown eyes seemed to turn dull. "someone else similar to mom's personality?What happened?" Ruby questioned.
"... She had died a noble death protecting Minstral and still protects Mineral by being their guardian... That is a tale for another time. For now, it's the new generation that has to protect Remnant. Take some rest. I have high expectations for your future, Ruby Rose."
The young huntress unknowingly gripped the sheets tighter. "I'll try my best!"
"That's good to hear. Remnant's peaceful days might come to an end sooner than I would have anticipated."
"?"
The headmaster of Beacon Academy didn't say anything afterward. He quietly left with the sound of his cane tapping through the halls, leaving the little red alone with her thoughts.
And we are finally near the end of this chapter. Not gonna lie, it was a struggle. Writing Ruby's turmoil of emotions was something I put a lot of thought into. As you can already tell, this version of Ruby is different from the one in the canon. I guess you could say she's a more mature (or childish) take on her character.
I really wanted to explore more of her inner struggles and how Aureolus slowly influenced Ruby's train of thought until she was finally pushed over the edge.
Anyway, there are still two chapters left until we finally come to a close for the Rubedo Arc. Hooray! But for now, I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter. Leave a review and let me know what you think.
Till then,
Sayonara!