Loyde followed Roman Torchwick into the building, watching Torchwick restex his cane against the glass counter, "Now, I'm sure you know who I am, and why we're here. Hand over the Dust and nobody gets hurt. Understand?"
"Yes," the man nodded rapidly.
"Is there anyone in the store?"
"A couple of girls, out back. Please don't hurt them, they're just kids, and one-"
"Shhhh," Torchwick touched a hand to the man's lips, before nodding to Loyde and Azure. The two of them walked towards the two girls. One was using a cane to stand, silver eyes scanning a magazine on weaponry and wearing a black and red coat like a cape while a redhead with her hair in a braid wearing a red dress stood at her elbow.
Loyde felt a little sorry for them as they approached, only to stop for a second as the redhead looked over at them and slid protectively in front of the girl with the cane. Loyde drew his machete alongside Azure, only to blink and find the girl in an armored version of her dress, a hammer that looked like it was for polo resting on her shoulder.
The aura in the air said one thing. Go ahead. Try it.
Unfortunately for both of them, Azure was stupid enough to take that challenge, "Alright, put the weapon down and-"
Next thing they knew, the girl was in Azure's guard, slamming the hammer into his gut with a call of "Tödlichschlag!"
The other girl lifted her cane, a chunk coming from it as an empty casing fell to the ground and she said "Schießen!"
A beam of red energy smashed into Loyde's guard, sending him flying backwards, out the window and into the wall opposite the building, knocking him out.
—
Ruby limped out of the store as the goons followed her and Vita out, sending a silent call for help to the other Wolkenritter. They could probably deal with this by themselves, but Signum wouldn't be happy if they didn't warn her about this.
Vita stood in front of her, even as Ruby cast Sleipnir, six black wings spreading from her back. Graf Eisen, Vita's Device, grew bigger and gained a jet booster on the end. Ruby grabbed Schwertkruez, the gold, cross shaped staff fitting in her free hand perfectly.
A magical circle appeared in front of her as she cast Blutiger Dolch. Daggers of mana formed and fired at several of the goons, forcing them to dodge or be impaled. Ruby repeated the spell several times, distracting them as Vita engaged Roman Torchwick.
She said engaged because to call it a fight was far too generous to Roman. The Knight of the Iron Hammer had centuries more experience then Torchwick did.
Casting Blutige Sense, Ruby lifted herself into the air as a black and red scythe blade formed from Schwertkruez. Flashing down, she slashed through two of the goons, the scythe passing through their flesh without actually damaging it and sending tremors through their bodies and forcing them to drop.
A loud bang went off and Ruby watched Roman run from Vita, who was clenching her eyes shut and grabbing her face in pain. Had he actually just shot her at point blank range?
Oh… That was it, she was going after him!
Taking off as Roman ran across a rooftop to a waiting Bullhead, Ruby began to incant, "Resound, horn of the end-"
Before she could finish doing something she would regret later, a whip sword slashed the Bullhead in two, causing its passengers to spill out onto the ground. At the same time, a woman with a riding crop lept over, snapping her wand and causing the metal to bend around the duo before she turned to Ruby, Signum landing beside her and Vita climbing up, rubbing her eyes.
"Are you alright?" Ruby asked worriedly.
"Yeah, just a bit of flash burn because I wasn't expecting it. I'll be fine," Vita said before glaring down at the struggling Roman, "Hey, asshole! Try that again and I'll beat you across Vale!"
Ruby turned her gaze to Glynda Goodwitch, smiling sheepishly, "Hi?"
—-
Tai walked into the police station to Signum standing there with a frown on her face, "What's wrong?"
"Oh, hello, Taiyang," the pink haired General of the Raging Flames said, turning to offer him a halfhearted smile that quickly returned to a frown, "Professor Ozpin offered Ruby a position at Beacon, as a student of course, and I am just… Unsure that it is a good idea."
"Because you'd be apart?" Tai said, to a sharp nod from Signum, "I'll talk to Oz, we know each other."
"Talk to me about what, may I ask?" Ozpin asked, approaching suddenly, Glynda on his heels.
"Ruby," Tai said, "listen, Oz, if you want Ruby to go to Beacon, and I'm not asking you to tell me why, I'm pretty sure I know, you're gonna have to let the Wolkenritter come in some capacity. It's gonna be a dealbreaker to her, I know it."
"And what makes you think you know why I want Miss Rose at Beacon?" Ozpin asked
"There was an incident when she was ten. Destroyed half the house and banged up Yang pretty badly… Anyways, it ended with these, I think?" Tai waved his hand lamely over his eyes, to Glynda's own widening and one of Ozpin's brows hitching, "Yeah, thought you knew something about that if anyone did. Sorry for never telling you or Qrow but…"
"We insisted, Professor," Signum said, "No offense intended, sir, but we did not, and continue to not, trust you with our charge. So yes, Professor, unless you acquiesce to our request, no, demand to have us accompany Ruby to Beacon, she will not be going."
"Isn't that Miss Rose's decision to make?" Ozpin said, "Miss…?"
"Signum, leader of the Wolkenritter," she said, "and Ruby takes my opinion very highly, as she does each of ours. If we insist she not go, she will take our advice."
"And what, exactly, are the Wolkenritter?" Ozpin asked.
"An ancient order of Knights, bound to protect and serve the Mistress of the Night Sky. In this case, and for our lifetime, Ruby Rose."
"I can't say I've heard that title before," Ozpin said.
"You wouldn't have, it hasn't been given out in many years," Signum said coolly, "but it is a legitimate title, and one we hold in great respect. Our duty, our only duty, is to protect the bearer of it and carry out their will. And even if we didn't, I would still protest putting a fifteen year old with a disability into a rigorous combat facility. So yes, Professor, unless the Wolkenritter are allowed to accompany Ruby, you will not see Ruby at Beacon for as long as I draw breath."
"I see," Ozpin said, drinking his hot chocolate, "Very well. You may accompany her."
"Sir!" Glynda protested.
"You will allow me," Ozpin said to her, "to point out extra security can hardly hurt in this year, yes, Glynda?"
"We would be there to protect Ruby. Not act as security guards."
If Ozpin registered that comment, he didn't respond.
—
Upon climbing into the back of the minivan the introduction of the Wolkenritter had made a requirement in the Xiao-Long-Rose family's life, Signum immediately felt Ruby sag against her, and lifted an arm so Ruby could snuggle in, pressing a kiss against Signum's cheek. Signum smiled, and Ruby sank into the hug with a sigh and then a giggle, "I can't believe I get to go to Beacon."
Signum wasn't surprised by that. It was why she had felt bad about being ready to put her foot down when it came to the school. Ever since Signum had come into existence to protect Ruby, all the, at the time, wheelchair bound girl had wanted to do was be a Huntress. She had never given up on that dream, planning to take a licensing exam once she fully recovered from her Linker Core and, consequently, her body being eaten alive by the Book of Darkness… Not that anyone but her had thought recovery was a possibility in those dark days.
"I know," Signum said, kissing Ruby on the top of the head in return.
—