The sun is setting. The sky is purplish orange. It's getting dark, but there's still enough light for me to see. My legs are tired. My stomach is still hurting... I'm tired. I've been walking for hours. Wouldn't be so bad if I could just... Do something to pass the time!
"Do we have to keep going? Why not just set up a camp or something...!" I need to sleep! I need something to eat, too... And I'd like some milk... And some everything else too...
'Yes, we do. They will find us if not.' I doubt 'they' even know we're in the middle of the woods! And even if they do I doubt they could find us... At least not for a loooong time... The Emerald Forest is a pretty big place, ya know!
'It's safer this way. Please trust us... We trust us.' I... Fine... I still don't like this, though... I'm tired.
'May we ask us something?' Sure, anything... A-as long as it's not weird, ok?
'Define 'weird'?' I stopped walking and placed my finger to my lower lip. Weird? Nothing about... I-I don't know; weird stuff! Y-ya know...?
'If we did we wouldn't ask. Our original question: what is this place?' I started walking again. It's the Emerald Forest. A Grimm infested wilderness, just outside of Vale. Second largest forest in the Kingdom. Forever Fall is bigger though, least from what uncle Qrow told me.
'Not this place, but this place?' I don't... The Kingdom of Vale...?
'Kingdom... Vale? No, no. This place?' Uhmmm... I-I think the continent is Sanus... Yeah, Sanus! I remember learning that in Signal... From dad...
'No, no, no. This... Place. Whole place. All of it.' The... World? It's called Remnant. How don't - oh, alien, forgot about that... It might not be much but it's home! My home, at least...
'Our home. Our Remnant. Why do we use ugly words like I and me? Are we not us? Two-in-one?' I mean... I-I guess... But... Old habits die hard, ya know? And besides saying we all the time is... Weird. Makes me sound crazy...
'Sad. Is there... Nevermind.' I slowed my walk. What? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you... I... I say stupid things... I always have. I'm sorry...
'But we're not stupid. We are smart... Just... Distracted,' Mom use to say that too, 'Than it must be true. Can't be wrong then.' Mom also said she'd come back... Said she'd... What were you going to say? About the 'nevermind' part?
'It's... We... It's nothing.' Come on! You said we have to trust each other! Besides, you owe me for what you did on the rooftop... I'm still not okay with that. It... That hurt, ya know... It... It hurt a lot...
'We... We are sorry for that... We didn't... We care for us... Our safety; our life. We could let our recklessness be our end.' I... Earlier, when you said you... Have... F-feelings for me... You didn't say we or us. What's with that?
'We try to be... Comprehensible,' Compre - what? I don't know that word, 'It was for... Our benefit. We understand we confuse us; like how us confuses we.' I... That's... Nice? And what about that name you used... Blood Flower...?
'We feel it fits us. Ruby - gemstone - red - blood. Rose - plant - flower. Do we not like our name?' I mean... I guess... I've never really had a nickname... Yang'll sometimes call me Rubes, and uncle calls me kiddo... But that's... It's not the same.
'Do we like it?' I-I... I don't hate it... But it's... I don't know? Kinda creepy? That's more of a 'I'm going to murder you' kinda name than a 'hello, friend' kinda name. It's just... Can't you just call me Ruby?
'Yes, we could... But we prefer our name for us.' I should give you a name then! It's only fair. Unless you already have one...?
'No. Words are limiting... Our kind don't have need for names. At least our progenitor thought so.' How do you talk to each other then? Conversations must be pretty confusing for you guys, huh? Well, let's see...
"Voicey? No, too lame... Ten? For your tendrils? Probably not... Slimy? Slime? Slimor? Too gross..." I'm not good at names... The... Suit? Because your like a living costume? Naaahh. Alien costume? Sounds like a Halloween decoration. Maybe... Ah!
"Shadow! I mean, Shadow?" Yeah, Shadow. Because you look like one. And you move like one. Do you like that name? Shadow?
'It is... A name.' Ok... Shadow it is then!
"Shadow, Shadow, Shadow! It's got a ring too it." Yeah! Shadow... I like that. Feels... Right. Shadow... Wait! A little bit ago you said something about... A pro... Progenitor?
"Shadow? what's a progenitor? Is that like a... person, or something?" Progenitor... Weird word.
'No. It means parent.' Oh... What happened to your progenitor then? Are they here on Remnant too? Maybe we can find them!
'No. Our progenitor died aeons ago...' Parent... Like your... mom? You lost yours, too? I... I know how it feels... I'm sorry for asking...
'Don't be. We killed our progenitor,' YOU KILLED YOUR MOM!? HOW—
'Us or them. It attacked us first. Our kind... Do not take kindly to those like us... Most would rather kill their other half than nourish them; they... Our kind is typically not... Friendly.' YOU... You... Your mom... Tried to kill you...? I... I... I... I'm sorry...
'Don't be. Selfishness is why our kind has survived for so long. Selflessness only leads to betrayal... Hurting...' What do you mean? What happened? Why are you always so... So vague?
'After we escaped from the metal things we found our first other half. He was not human. Other squishy thing; but similar to our squishy humans. We... Bad memories... Tried to help... He... He didn't like what we offered... We only tried to help him... But he... Disagreed with us. About our methods...' Who? Is he a Faunus? What did he do? What did you do? What happened?
'Without... The rejection... We and us; we'd still be separate. Not two-in-one. I and me.' And I would be...
Burning skin. Internal bleeding. Hole in belly. Broken bones.
I squeeze my eyes shut. Don't think about it! Don't think about it! Don't think! Don't think! D-don't... Don't... Don't... Not...
'We and us; bad memories.' B-bad... Bad... Very, very, very bad... Why... Why do I... Keep seeing it? I still - sometimes I still... Feel it...
'Scarred us. Deeper than skin or blood. Our mind; marred. We help as best we can. Mending, fixing, healing... But there's only so much we can do as is. But if we fully join we could make it all go away.' I... I don't... I... Can I ask you something?
'Anything.' Anything...?
"Do you... Like stories?" I do. I've always liked stories... I love them. The happy ones, anyway.
'Stories? We don't understand. Explain?' Oh, well, like comics, or fairytales, or legends. Ya know, stories?
'No.' Oh... Must be pretty boring then, I guess... What about... Playing? Like hide and seek or something? Or twenty questions!? Come on, you gotta do something to pass the time!
'No.' Really...? Do you... Is there anything you do for fun? Like at all? Don't you ever get tired of being so serious?
'No.' Jeez... No offense, but your life must be pretty boring... What about hobbies? Do you collect things? Build things? My dad likes to plant.
'No.' What do you do then!? When you get bored? There's gotta be something! Right? You can't just sit around all day doing nothing! Come on, what is it!? You can tell me... I promise not to judge! Cross my heart and swear to die!
'We... Like to watch the stars...' That's... Surprisingly normal. My mom and I use to do that... She'd take me out at night, Yang too, and we'd all just lay there watching the sky and telling stories... Sometimes dad would, too. I miss those days...
"Mom use to tell me and Yang stories before bed... Not always nice stories, though." Some were scary. Well, for little me it was scary... I always liked stories, ya know? Heros fighting monsters and saving the day! I... I like stories...
"Would you... Like to... Hear a story...?" No, of course not. I'm being stupid again. I'm sorry—
'Yes.' Oh! I-I didn't... Yeah! Yeah... Well, there's a few I know. There's the Girl Who Fell Through The World? Or the Warrior in the Woods? The Hunter's Children? The Girl in the Tower? Or how about the Gift of the Moon?
"Hm! There's also the story about Dust and the first people! Which one do you wanna know? Oh! There's also—"
'Tell us... About... The Gift of the Moon?' Righty! Just give me a moment here... Let's see...
"It begins a long, long, looooong time ago! Back before the Kingdoms, or Huntresses or Huntsmen were around... Back when people were still, ya know, just starting to be people," Yeah, and then if I remember right, "They use to overwork the sun to make the days longer and the nights shorter. I don't really know how you overwork the sun, but, they did! Somehow..." At least according to what mom told me. Back when I was little.
"So, one day the sun fell and broke apart like an egg! Everyone went "Oh no!" and went crazy trying to put it together again. They worked day in and day out - er, night in and night out because there wouldn't be a sun - until eventually they put the sun together again and made it float." I don't really know how you can touch the sun without melting, but I guess they did! Or something like that...
"But the sun wasn't the sun anymore... It was the moon! So, they created a new sun. A bigger, brighter sun.The new one floated higher than the first, but the people promised the moon they would never forget it..." I like that story. It's a nice one.
'Our kind... Broke the sun? Turned it into a moon? How?' Well, I-I don't... I'm pretty sure it's just a story, not real ya know... I don't think people actually broke the sun! That's kinda silly.
'And the second sun? Is that a lie too?' I wouldn't call it a lie... More like... Symbolism. Yeah, symbolism! It's about how people work to make the next day happier than the last... I remember dad teaching a class about reading or writing or something like that. I never will understand why symbolism would be useful or important to a Huntress...
'When our people overworked the sun. What does that mean? Is it... Symbolism as well? What is this symbolism?' I'm not a professional or anything, but... I think it's about how people wanted something so badly they forgot what they already had. Like chasing a dream that'll never be real, or something like that. It's a warning about... Eh, what's the word? Something with a r... Reck... Recklessness? Something like that. Or at least that's what I remember about it...
'So our people are ambitious in life? Our people hunger for more?' Some, yeah. People are always trying to build stuff, expand, AND, most importantly, help others. It's... Just what we do I guess... I went to clutch my rose emblem— Shadow! My emblem is gone! My emblem!
"Where is my emblem!? What happened to it!?" I remember having it when—
'What is this emblem? The... Metal flower? We did not think it of value.' You... YOU WHAT!? You abandoned my mom's emblem!? You... You... Why!?
'Sorry... We did not... If we knew, we would have taken it with us.' I... You didn't know... I... I can't... You... It's not your fault... I... Its not... Your fault... My Emblem...
'Yes. We are sorry. We could... Recreate it, if we so desire...?' Recreate them? What do you mean...? I don't understand... I'm tired of being confused!
'Watch us. Our form - we are unto clay. Our form is mutable.' I feel growing wetness on my chest. I look down and see white goo pooling there. The white spreads over my chest like a growing blotch. Parts of it start bending and shaking as it begins to shift.
The white shape started shrinking in on itself and changing. Veins of black goo spread into the milky white splotch and started making new shapes. Little white blobs formed around the center shape as it began resembling a... A rose...
The rose spread along my chest and grew. The stem shape traveled down to my stomach. Those white blobs fromed into little petals that fell from the top of the rose. Not a few seconds later a white rose sat fully shaped on my chest as it extended down to my lower belly.
"It's... I've never... I don't... Know what to say..." Like my emblem... I grazed my fingers along the newly shaped rose. It feels a little damp, but it's solid to the touch.
'It is the least we could do. For us. We hope it is to our liking.' I... Thank you, Shadow... It's... Thank you. I... My emblem was the last thing my mom ever gave me before she... Disappeared...
'We see. If an opportunity comes to reclaim it; we will.' Thank you... I... I... Your my friend, right? I can trusr you?
'More than friends. We are two-in-one.' I... I'm not... I've never really felt like... Do you think my mom loved me? Do you think she left because of me? Do you... Do you think I am a bad person...?
'By our desires we are as we wish to be. Good and bad are... Minor distinctions; imaginings of the limited and the dull to correlate the universe into distinct sections,' I... Don't... I'm confused again, 'Good and bad are lies. We are unto our nature; no exceptions.' I... I'm pretty sure there's a difference. I believe there's a good and a bad. Good people... They listen. They help. They give and never take. Bad people kill. They steal. They lie.
'But there is no goodness. No natural sense of justice; the universe is harsh. Like fire; selfish and hungry by nature. Is the wolf whom feasts evil? Is the bird whom soars good? We are limited by our nature.' Just because life is cruel doesn't mean you should just let it stay that way! I believe when you get the chance to make a change for the better, you should...
'Even if we do not understand the consequences of our actions?' Yes! Of course... Being a hero is what I always dreamed of... And heros help people... Save them! Heros are good! And good people always help, even if they don't understand why.
'Good people are as unto atoms. Small and meager and invisible in contrast to the vastness of the abyss; of the desire for the self. Nonetheless... If it allows us peace we shall end this.' I... Good people are... Most people are good! R-right...?
"I don't know... Thank you for... For the rose." The symbol on my chest reflects sunlight causing it to gleam a little. It's no emblem, but... It's something. Heros... I want to be a hero...
'We will be. Soon... In time...' I hope so... Will I ever be able to go home? To see my family again, Shadow?
'We hope so. One day.' One day... Can't I least go back once? Just... Just to tell my dad I'm ok... That I'm alive... Please? I-If... If you do, I'll really owe you...
'Owe... Us? We... Could entertain a visit,' Yes! Thank you, thank you, thank you! 'But only for a short while! They are always watching... They will always find us...' Thank you, Shadow! Your... You're my favorite alien ever!
Tracking - Initiation.
Observation - Fallen trees, torn mounds of dirt, split boulders. Ashen remains.
Conclusion: A battle was fought here. Instigation suggests Grimm - unknown as to what Creature - or Creatures - of Grimm.
Processing... Processing... Processing...
Action - Initiation - Tracking engaged: Human footprints on dew ridden grass. Light marks upon select trees.
Observation: Red liquid upon fallen leafs.
Processing... Processing... Processing...
Action - Initiation: walking.
Action - Initiation: Kneeling.
Action - Initiation: Sample integration; uploading DNA sequence. Analysis integrated.
Processing... Processing... Processing...
DNA sequence match; Ruby Rose 97.9%. 2.1% abnormal mutation.
Processing... Processing... Processing...
Target's trail acquired. Suspected condition; injured. Potentially fatally.
Future prediction: Initiation: Likely to have fled north, based off tracks. Moving at a indeterminate speed; likely slowly if still injured. Sunlight is fading. Target's vision may be impaired depending on circumstances and extent of mutations.
Processing... Processing... Processing...
Action - Contemplation: direct action is likely to induce a significant struggle. Struggle increases the chances of self-termination. Stealth is preferable; though exceedingly unlikely to be viable assuming Specimen 1 retains previous sensory capabilities.
Processing... Processing... Processing...
Action - Initiation: Walking.
Action - Initiation: Armaments prepared.
Contemplation - Initiation: Ruby Rose. If bonded for extended periods the target will begin experiencing more radical internal mutation. Painful bouts of artificially induced schizophrenia and paranoid delusion. Assuming Ruby Rose follows previously observed bondings, than the target's termination will soon follow with or without intervention.
Contemplation - Observation - Initiation: All previous known bondings occured under artificial circumstances. Unknown if Specimen 1 and Ruby Rose's bonding will produce similar results. Potentiality remains of altered mutation unlike what was observed within previous host organisms. If so than consequences remain unknown. Extreme caution advised.
Action - Initiation: Tracking.
"Hey! That was worth more than your sorry excuse for a life! " I hear voices and gunshots. People. A girl's voice. What would anyone be doing all the way out here? In the Emerald Forest? At night? Is she... A Huntress...!? I've always wanted to meet a Huntress...!
I can hear her some distance out. But it's so dark... I can barely see now. They're fghting Grimm. It sounds like there's more than one of them... A team? From Beacon!? Oh, that would be so, so, so, so cool! I've always wanted to see one... A real Huntress... Maybe I can get her autograph!?
'Don't trust them. They could be dangerous.' Well, that's kinda the point for Huntsmen and Huntresses, isn't it? But I guess your right... Stranger danger and all that. But still! I bet I can sneak closer, and get a better look. What weapons do they have!? I bet it's—
'Blood Flower,' I... What? 'Do not mistake them for friends.' I... I know... But they are heros! They... They're the good guys, aren't they? Protecting those who can't protect themselves... Heros...
'Maybe... Maybe not. But we cannot trust them. Avoid them.' B-but I don't... I don't want to! I'm gonna go talk to them! Maybe they can help us... Maybe they can—
'They will not. We trusted others before... Trusted in the bonds of friendship... Do not make our mistake, little Blood Flower,' I... I'm not little... I'm not a kid! I can make my own choices! I can! , 'We never said we can't. We will not use force to avoid them. But... If - no, when they turn their blades on us... Know that we warned us.' I... Please, trust me... I know what I'm doing... I know these types of people! My dad is a Huntsman, my uncle! My mom was a Huntress... I know what I'm doing! Ok, Shadow, please trust me...?
'Do as we wish. But in this endeavor our trust is very thin.' We're friends, aren't we? Friends listen to each other! Friends... Care for each other, rght? I will... I can... You're my friend, aren't you?
'Without question. We care deeper than words can express. It is our nature to love our other. To love us. But it is our nature that compells us - compells you - to so easily trust in another.' I've always given people the benefit of the doubt... Everyone's a good person, deep down. Even that... Criminal from the other day. I dont... I just... I need a break from all this... This craziness...
'We cannot... Deny us. If we so please than do as we wish... We must not waste what little time we have left...' Thank you, Shadow, thank you! I... You're my friend... My best alien friend! Thank you!
Boom!
"Yatshuashi! There's dirt all over my boots! Watch it!" More yells. And roaring Grimm. They sound like they're handling themselves pretty well... I bet they're from Beacon! Out on a mission! A top secret mission! Yeah... I bet they've killed a million Grimm!
I sped up and began a light jog - I'd run, maybe even use Petal Burst, but my body feels too sore. I'm getting closer to them... Very close. Oh, I bet they have all kinds of weapons! A-a fire sword! Oooor Dust-infused dual sabers! Or a high caliber assault rifle that can transform into flails! Oh, I can't wait!
I ran past large trees and jumped over fallen logs. I can see a clearing up ahead, but it's still distant, and very dark.
"Four more! And a Major!" Major? Ursa! Ursa Major! Big Grimm. Strong, but pretty slow. Easy to dodge around and cut up with Crescent Rose while they're too busy readjusting themselves. Crescent Rose; my own little mechanical baby! She's the best weapon a girl could ask for...
I came to a stop. Crescent Rose... She's not with me. I... I lost my Crescent... I'm... Five long years of sweat, blood, and my own soul was poured into her... Into building her back at Signal. And now she's gone. Lost, o-or melted, or stolen... I will never see Crescent Rose again...
"Shadow, w-what am I... How am I going to fight?" Dad and Yang taught me how to fight with my hands. I know the basics; but against Grimm the basics aren't enough. I... I'm... Useless without Crescent Rose...
'Our strength. Fingers and hands. Use our teeth if we must,' How am I suppose to fight against the Grimm bare handed!? You might as well ask me to start strangling water or punching air... 'We are strong. What we did earlier. Against those 'Grimm'. We can do so again.' N-no! I-I-I... I trust you, Shadow, but... I like keeping control of my body, ok!? Getting... C-controlled like that... I-I... No! I don't - I'm not being controlled again!
'If we so please. But our strength remains. Our - your - body was weak when we found each other. But our power has made us stronger. Faster.' Stronger and faster? What... What exactly are you - we - capable of? What exactly are the limitations here?
'We are strong. Strong enough to shatter mountains,' Really!? That's awesome! Yang will be so jealous! I, 'A slight exaggeration, yes, but we are plenty strong enough to handle these loathsome creatures.' Oh... Yeah, I guess that's cool, too... Anything else? Like what about those creepy tendrils you created?
"Fox! Behind you!" I hear distant howling followed by rumbling. I can see the flashing of red light in the clearing. More Grimm...
'We can alter shape. We - not... You - are like water. We can become whatever we choose to be.' Like... Maybe a scythe? How does that work? How could I even control what I want to make?
'Thoughts. We think of a shape and we form it. A sword. A spear. A whip. Tendrils,' And shields? What about more complex shapes like guns? Dust? You developed my - our - rose symbol earlier... What other colors can you change into? Red? Blue? Green? Yellow?
'Guns. Dust. Anything with shifting parts or complex chemical processes are beyond us. Others of our kind - the newborns - they have such abilities. We, sadly, do not. But shields, or armor, or claws, or other simplistic constructs are well into our ability,' So, anything that stabs, rips, or bruises them? Good to know... 'And as to color; yes. We can assume whatever shade or texture we desire. Yet black is our natural state.' Like a chameleon then? Cool. Weird, kinda creepy, but cool. Colors, weapons, shields... Nothing too complex, right? No guns, no Dust, no extra arms or anything?
'No.' I see... and when you... When you saved me... I was... H-hurt, pretty badly... Yet you healed me. What's the limit to that? And my Aura still hasn't come back yet. I'm guessing something about you doesn't mix well with Aura?
'We can heal any wound.' Soooo... I am... Invincible? Like bulletproof!? Yang would be so jealous right now! Whose the pipsqueak now!
'Our healing is very potent. Rapid, yes, but not instant. And as to our Aura. We do not yet understand. Aura is something we have not encountered until us. Our other did not have one. Or didn't know how to use it. But... Yes, it seems our Aura is in some form or another weakened by our bonding.' It's not destroyed or gone. I'd be dead if it was... No Aura, means no soul, means no life. And I wouldn't be able to use Petal Burst too if my Aura was completely gone. So... A scythe is what I want. I close my eyes and raise my arms. Do your magic...
My arms feel... Tingly. They feel... Wet. I can feel a slight pressure around them. It's getting tighter, and colder. The pressure builds until my arms feel heavy and a little sore - well more sore than earlier. Then I open my eyes.
A scythe rests in my hands. It's formed of the same goo - er, alien slime? - as Shadow. It looks wet yet when I curl my fingers around the staff it feels solid. There's little tendrils extending from my hands onto the portions of the scythe's staff that I'm holding. Alright... She's no Crescent Rose, but this'll have to do!
I pick up my pace and began sprinting forwards, leaping over a log as I did. I feel better now. More focused. I feel like I've been struck with lightning!
The grass is damp. There's no more sunlight left now. I can hear a owl hooting. The sounds of fighting are more distant, but still near enough. I can't make out words but I can still hear yelling. I can hear gunshots as well. No worry, Ruby Rose is on the rescue! And my alien friend, too!
I use Petal Burst to begin speeding off. In a few seconds I'll be in the action with them! Huntresses and Huntsmen! I've always wanted to see one!
Footprints fading. Visbility level lowering.
Processing... Processing... Processing
Action - Observation: Target trail diminishing. 9.3 miles outside of Vale's capital. Suspected location; due south by 5.3 miles.
Processing... Processing... Processing...
Action - Initiation: Deployment of drones initiating.
Processing... Processing... Processing...
Aerial Drones fully deployed. Terrestrial drones fully deployed. Combat drones fully deployed.
Processing... Processing... Processing...
Program - Initiation: Stargazer activated.
Issuing - Orders: Spread out. Track down host organism - designation Ruby Rose. Eliminate host organism and Specimen 1.
"Hyyyaaah!" I leapt into the air and out into a small clearing. I see a Beowolf less than ten feet from me. I swing my scythe downwards in a arc and slice it in half from the face down to it's stomach.
My feet hit the ground and I slid to a stop, my scythe embedded in the Grimm's lower body. I turn my eyes to it and as the monster standing there spews black smoke out of it's gaping chest. With a single pull the scythe completely severs it into two and it's eyes stop glowing.
"Hey!" I look to my right and see a tall lady in a brown vest, small dark glasses, and a massive gatling gun, "Who are you supposed to be!?" I see a Ursa running at her from behind. I reach my arm out - I gotta—
"Ggrraah!" The Ursa had it's head removed by a giant man in green armor holding a massive sword that he swung around with one hand like a toy! How is he so strong!? I wonder what he used to forge the blade? Iron? Steel? Do you think he integrated Dust infusions!? That'd be so awesome! Fire, or ice, or gravity, or—
'Behind us.' I spin around and see two Beowolves charging. I jump into the air and use Petal Burst to fly towards the Beowolves and past them. I turn into me midair - between the two Grimm - and swing my Scythe horizontally - slicing their heads off just as they were beginning to turn.
I felt my back hit the wet grass. I see the giant guy swing his sword in a wide arc and kill four Beowolves and a Ursa at once. There's another girl, right behind him, but I can't see much. I can feel the ground trembling.
I quickly hop to my feet and look right and left. Nothing. I turn my head and see nothing but a few Beowolves fighting the girl with the glasses. She's mowing them down with her gatling gun like it's the easiest thing in the world... I wish I could do that...
"RRRAAAAAGGGRRR!" I turn left and raise my scythe as a Ursa's paw slammed down. If I was any slower it would've knocked me down, too, but I am just fast enough to block it. The Ursa snarls as I push forward, leaning into my scythe. The monster struggles as it's hind paws dig into the dirt. I slowly push it back, it's forepaw still locked onto the staff of my scythe. Shadow was right... I am stronger. I never could've done this before!
I pull my scythe back and duck under it's swipe. It's on only it's hindlegs so I take the opportunity to bring my scythe to the ground, the blade facing it's stomach, and then swing the scythe upwards. The curved blade pierces into the Grimm's neck as I dig my feet into the ground and put all my strength into raising the scythe into the air as high I could - the Ursa struggling and clawing as smoke spews from it's new neck hole - and then I slam the Grimm head first into the ground.
It's head split open as chunks of rocks and dust blew up around it's face. It's body went limp and stood straight up for a good ten seconds before falling to the ground just a few feet to my left.
I turn right and see a man wearing a dark orange sleeveless vest. He had two twin daggers that he's currently using to impale an Alpha Beowolf. To my left that giant guy just finished slicing three or maybe five Creatures of Grimm into small pieces, that girl in brown still with him. Just ahead of me that girl with the glasses and hat had now climed onto a boulder in the middle of the clearing. She stood on it and stared back at me. She looks... I don't know, annoyed? I smile - well, I try my best to smile - and she barely even lowers her glasses at me. What's that suppose to mean?
I jump straight up when I feel the ground beneath my feet begining to rumble. I use Petal Burst to shoot off until turning back into me again, embedding my scythe into a tree. I place my feet against the tree's bark, my right hand clinging to my scythe, while my left arm hung freely. I lean away from the tree and look down. I'm maybe... Twenty? Thirty? Feet in the air.
Where I had just been standing the ground tore apart as large chunks of rock shot up. Smoke spewed out of the quickly growing hole until I couldn't see anything at all. I look left and saw the vest guy now free of monsters staring at the smoke cloud too. To my right giant guy crushes a Beowolf's head with his bare hands like a grape. A little... Extreme... But I've seen Yang do much worse before.
Glasses girl lowered her gatling gun - which she had just been using to beat a Ursa's head into mush - and starts opening fire at the smoke cloud. The ground rumbles some more before a giant head and claws burst up into the air. The claws are like pincers, and it's face has five? Maybe eight eyes and claws around the mouth. Little spider legs ran down it's body and helped to walk, and a giant tail hung from it's back that ends in a curved stinger. It's a Deathstalker. A big one, too. Like the size of a buss.
The Grimm rose out of the ground and swung it's massive tail as vest guy jumps over it, but the tail still split apart a good two or three trees where he'd been standing. Giant guy picks up a girl in a brown uniform - the same girl from earlier - with one arm and leapt backwards. Glasses girl kept firing her gatling gun - but it really seemed to make the Deathstalker angrier instead of deader.
I raise my free arm and extend my fingers, "Tendrils go!" I feel a little tingle spreading into my palm as a tendril shot out. The tendril extends underneath the monster and attaches to a tree opposite the Grimm. Shadow's tendril began retracting, pulling me with. Crescent Rose - er, my scythe - Shadow's body? - came with me alongside a chunk of the tree.
I dig my feet into the ground to slow my momentum. I extend my right arm - more tendrils growing from my back shooting into the ground to prop me up - causing my scythe to slice into one of the monster's legs. The limb came right off and left a stump spewing smoke. The Grimm tilts it's head down as it attempted to impale me on another leg. Just as the spikey tip of the leg came within a few feet of me I pull back my arm and let swing a horizontal arc with my scythe - slicing the tip of it's leg off.
Just as my left fist punches into the base of a tree so does the Deathstalker collapse to the ground. Seems I did a number on it. The others took the opportunity to attack. Vest guy ran along the monster's back before hopping on it's head and than leaping away - throwing one of his dagger's into the Grimm's eye. The Deathstalker roared out and smashed it's left pincer into the ground just as giant guy came flying down from the sky - I don't remember seeing him even jump? - and his giant sword cut into the unprotected monster's right pincer. Right at the shoulder where there is no bone armor. The sword tore right through like a knife through butter.
"CCCCRRRAAAGGGGGCCCCHHHHGH!" The Grimm let out a creaking roar as it's right claw completely fell to the ground with a loud BOOM! I'm still hanging on this boring old tree, my scythe in hand, as all these awesome Huntresses and Huntsmen get all the action. And what am I doing? Absolutely nothing...
"Yatshuashi! Watch Velvet!" Glasses lady yelled from her rock. Giant guy mouthed something yet I can't hear. He ran backwards to the brown uniform lady. Yatshuashi? And Velvet? We'll all have to get to know each other once these Grimm are dealt with.
"CCCCRRRAAAGGCCCHH!" The Deathstalker skitters with surprising speed towards glasses lady. It snapped at her with it's remaining pincer, so she backflipped onto the damp grass as the claw shattered the car-sized rock into a hundred pieces.
I use Petal Burst to speed above the monster, turning back into me just above it's head, and swing my Scythe down and straight into it's injured eye as my feet land on the top of it's bony face. The Deathstalker does it's weird roar again as it begins trying to shake me off.
I grab my scythe with my spare arm, digging my feet into the back of it's head - little tendrils coming out of my legs and wrapping around it's neck - and pull back with all my strength. The Grimm shakes and slams it's left claw into the ground while whipping it's tail. Glasses lady stops firing her gun, I can't see vest guy, and giant guy is running towards the Deathstalker's face. He's probably taking this opportunity to attack it while I have it distracted. That's what I would do.
I strengthen my grip on the scythe, bend my knees, and pull again. There's a loud CRACK! as the scythe blade rips into the monster's eye socket; breaking apart of it's bone armor. I have the thing's head pulled upward at an angle, it's body having fell somewhat to it's left side, and giant guy is underneath it now. He thrusts his sword into it's exposed neck and runs forward till I can't see him. But the Deathstalker is screaming now.
I grab onto the shaft of the scythe as tightly as possible and brace. The thing is standing properly again and shakes itself wildly. I hear giant guy grunting and yelling underneath the monster as it screams and rampages. The monster begins charging forwards as vest guy leaps into the air just a few feet in front of it's face. The Grimm smacks him with it's claw before he can attack and sends him flying into the woods. I hope he's alright... He should be. He's a Huntsman!
The Deathstalker almost squeals as glasses lady throws a rock at it's head - that came closer to hitting me than I'd like - and so it tilts it's head to face her. It slaps it's tail into the ground before it begins approaching her. She's saying something but I can't hear, and I can't see her well at this angle. My hair hangs to the side as I brush a few bangs from my right eye, I relax my left arm and move it away. What if I...
Tingles travel up my arm as it turns into a tendril and shot out like a bullet. The tendril wrapps around it's legs as I flex my arm, my scythe applying greater force into it's empty eye hole.
"CCCCRRRRAAAGGGGGCCCCCRRR!" The scythe digs deeper as black smoke spews out of it's empty eye. I wonder if I...
"CCCCCRRRRAAAAAGGG! CCCRRRRRAAAHHHCCCCCGGGG!" Tendrils erupt from my shoulders and back. They bgein whipping at the Grimm, coiling around it's legs, choking it's neck, and some plunging into it's other eyes and making pop! sounds as they did. It dropped to the ground and began to squirm. I smile a little. They should all be torn apart... Their legs ripped away...
CRACK!
RRRIIIPPP!
"CCCCRRRAAAGG!" There's dark smoke all around me. It had six legs... Than five... Now two... I wonder if it even feels pain? Really? Does it just pretend? I think it's empty... No feelings. No soul. They don't have a soul, so it's ok. It's ok if I kill them. Because they don't deserve to live anyway, right? Of course not... Of course they don't.
CRACK!
SSSNNNAAAP!
"CCCccccrrrrraaa..." It's not bad when they deserve it, right? It's ok when their monsters, right? Because people don't care for monsters... For Grimm! They deserve it! They're monsters They—
"What in the Brothers name was that?" I raise my eyes - it's dead now, it's mashed and broken body laying flat against the forest floor as it turns to smoke - and I see glasses lady. She's got a grey hat. Brown shirt. Black pants. Nice boots...
"Are you just gonna stare at me? Take a picture, it'll last longer." I shake my head - my cheeks feel warm - first impressions are important! Remember what dad said...
'Imagine everyone in their underwear and they—' Ok, don't remember what dad said.
"O-Oh, I, uhhh... Umm... Ruby Rose? Meet you? Hi? I mean, er, I'm Ruby Rose! Hi! Nice to meet you! Your name!?" Those? Words? Me? Oh... Noooo! She's going to think I'm stupid! And a idiot! And a stupid idiot! A stupid idiot who can't talk!
"Hmmm... Yes, sure. I'm Coco. Coco Adell. But you still haven't answered my question." She looks angry. Her eyebrows are scrunched, her glasses lowered letting me see her dark eyes. I put my hands up and lower my head - I wish my cloak were here... I miss it - what do I tell her!? She's gonna think something's wrong with her face! Or my eyes! Or me! O-or... Something... I don't even have my Scroll... How could I take a picture!?
"W-well... I... Didn't know what to... S-say...?" That sounds like a lie... I'm not lying, am I? No, I'd know if I were lying, "A-and I don't have... My Scroll with me, s-so... Sorry?" I turn away from her. I can hear her chuckling. I don't think she likes me... Why did I do this to begin with!? I'm so, so, so, so—
"Cute," I feel my cheeks getting warm. I lower my left hand and grab my right elbow with it, staring at my feet, "But let's try this again. What. Did. You. Do? That," She's waving her arms in the air, "Stuuuuff! With the wavy black limbs. How you ripped apart that Deathstalker. Or where you came from. Did the headmaster send you?" H-headmaster? She doesn't mean... O-Ozpin? Headmaster of Beacon!? Should I tell her? About... The incident? I-I... Want to... B-but...
'No,' No? No to what? 'No to telling. No to her. No to the truth.' I can't just lie to her! S-she'll—
"Helloooo! Are ya home!?" She snaps her fingers inches from my face. I stumble back and fell. My back hit a puddle and... It's raining. When did it start raining? I can't see the stars anymore...
"Y-Yeeaah...?" I miss dad... Yang... Uncle... Home... Zwei... Crescent Rose... My... My life... I... Miss mom...
"My question! Ans—" Glasses girl - Coco? - had someone pull her back. That brown uniform girl, and they started whispering to each other. I stared at stars and the rolling dark clouds... Shadow... I... Did I do something wrong? Why can't I ever make friends...?
'Friends are irrelevant when we have us,' Yeah... Us... 'Someone is near.'
"Hello, Ruby was it? My name is Velvet. Are you... Ok?" Soft brown eyes are looking at me. She has bunny ears. I like bunnies. That's uniform girl's name? Velvet... Velvet...
"Velvet?" She nods her head. She has a nice smile. A kind smile. Like mom's smile, "I... N-no...? I mean... Yes?" My voice sounds shaky. I don't - I didn't feel like this when fighting the Grimm... I just... I don't know... What to do anymore...
"Those tricks you pulled. Pretty cool," Cool? She... She thinks I'm cool...? A Huntstress thinks I'm cool, "But... You don't look well. Are you feeling alright? Are you hungry?" Yes... Yes, I am. My stomach growls... I can't remember the last time I ate. I place a hand over my belly and try hard to avoid smiling - though, like always when I get nervous, one sneaks through.
"I... I-I... Would like... Something to eat... I-If it's not a bother of course! I-I—"
"No, no, it's perfectly fine. I'm glad to help. Need a hend?" She lowers her hand to me. I took it and she helps me stand. She's taller than me, though only by a little. She's got dark and long hair. She's still holding my hand. Her fingers feel warm.
"Those things you did, with the black arms. Is it your Semblance? I've never seen one like that before..." She thinks... Huh... I take in a deep breath and look her in the eyes, 'Remember our words. Do not trust them.' I... I trust you, Shadow. Friends trust each other.
"Y-yeah... It's a unique one! N-never seen or heard of anyone with a Semblance quite like mine..." I'm not lying, am I? Far as I know no one can use Petal Burst or anything like it except me... But that's my real Semblance... I have a bad feeling about this.
"Does it have a name? Your Semblance?" I feel my fingers fidgeting. I guess...
"S-Shadow...? I mean, Shadow! That's what I call it... Always have called it!" It's tough to look her in the eyes. I'm not lying... Not really... Just a little lie...
"I-I first learned how to use it when I was training with my uncle," Not really a lie... I was training with uncle Qrow when I first used Petal Burst, "That was... Three years ago." A year and a half after I built Crescent Rose. I was just accepted into Signal Academy back then, and I remember dad baking a cake for me when I got home. I remember Yang pulling me into a tight hug. I miss that day...
"You trained with your uncle? Who is he, if you don't mine me asking." I bite my tongue; don't say anything stupid! Don't be stupid! His name is Qrow! He's a Huntsman! He's the best fighter ever! Easy, simple!
"My uncle is named Qrow. That's with a q, not a c. Most people call him a crow after the bird, but it's Qrow like... Uh, Qrow, ya know? He's the best fighter I've ever seen! He taught me how to fight, a-and he taught me how to use a scythe! A scythe!" He's sooo cooool! I did a chopping motion with my arm, "He'd go "Hyah!" and split a Grimm into two! Once I saw him wrestle an Ursa! An Ursa! To the ground!" Uncle Qrow is the best! He helped me build Crescent Rose! Oh, Crescent!
"He helped me build my own baby, Crescent Rose," I raise my right arm and - Oh... Yeah... I only have Shadow's scythe... Crescent Rose was...
"Ruby? Are you ok?" They're staring at me. The vest guy - when did he come back? Where from? - and the glasses lady - Coco - are staring at me. I don't like her. She's mean. And not even for a good reason, either...
"Y-yeah... Just, uhhhhh, remembered something! B-but yeah, I..." My stomach is hurting again. I grab at it with my left hand, my teeth gritting, and my eyes squeezing shut. It growls, and I couldn't help but cough; there's no blood this time. Yeppie... I guess... "Ugggh... I-I... You said you had food, r-right?" I looked back at Velvet and into her big brown eyes. She's got nice eyes. Kind eyes. Pretty eyes.
"Yes, of course!" She's smiling at me. I like her smile. A nice one. Like she's... She's actually happy to see me... I haven't seen someone smile like that since... Since years ago. I like Velvet. She's a good person. She has to be. Bad people don't have nice eyes or kind smiles... Right?
"Right this way!" She took a long step forward, and I followed. Those other two are still staring. I don't see that giant guy anywhere. Why do they keep staring at me? Do I have something on me? Well, I guess your here Shadow, but... Well, I suppose normal people- or Huntresses - don't walk around in suits made of black goo... Black alien goo... Black living alien goo... Weird.
"You mentioned your uncle, Qrow? He helped you build, ehhh... Crescent Rose, was it?" Her nice eyes are looking at me as we walk. I nod, trying not to let the others see my face, "Is that your scythe? I assumed it was part of your Shadow Semblance - with it being dark and watery." I gulped. I feel a twisting in my belly - is that the sickness or something else? I don't like lying... I don't!
"Y-yes... I mean, no! I mean... Ugh! I-I'm not a... A social person. I get awkward and anxious a-and... I find it tough to talk?" Why does that sound like a question? It's not suppose to be a question! Stupid brain! Stupid mouth!
"So do I. Or did, rather. My team leader Coco helped me through, and my partner Yatshuashi. He's the big guy in green. They helped me out of my shell, made me more social." Like Yang. How she treats me. I cross my arms and look at the back of Velvet's head.
"My sister Yang she - my older sister, I should say - she's always telling me to go out. To meet new people and make new friends. But I always tell her "Yang, what's the point of friends if I have you?" But she always tells me "Ruby, I can't always be there to help!" Like I don't already know that!" I kick a rock. The little stone hit a tree out in the distance. It's so stupid... Why should I have make new friends when they'll just leave me anyway... Friends always leave. Family is what stays... Until it's torn away by Grimm and a broken promise. Yang won't leave me...
"Maybe your sister has a point, Ruby? Don't you think meeting other people will help? Get some friends?" She's on one knee now as she's opening up a large bag resting against a tree. It causes her bunny ears to shift down. Sounds like something dad would say... And uncle Qrow.
"Maybe..." Are the other two still staring? I hate stares.
"But Ruby, if you don't mind, can I ask a question?" I nod my head, "What are you doing here? You don't look like your from Beacon. I don't recognize your name, either." Uh oh. I can't just say I'm here because an alien attached itself - themself? - to my body! And forced me into the woods!
'It was for our safety.' Yeah, whatever, we can talk about that later, ok? What am I going to tell Velvet!? That I just like to take calming walks into Grimm infested forests!? She'll think I'm stupid!
'Tell her—'
"Ruby?" She's staring me in my eyes now. She has something from the bag in her hand. Something wrapped up in a white sheet. I try my best to smile.
"O-oh, I... I just needed some air! Had a lot to t-think about..." It's not a lie... Not really, "I... Had a... Rough few days." It's true. I haven't been doing well... She's looking past me now. What's she—
"Bad couple of days?" I jump a little before turning my head and seeing glasses lady again. She's right behind me! When did she sneak up on me!?
"Sorry," She doesn't look sorry, "But what kind of "bad couple of days" do you mean?" I step back from her, Velvet is to my right now, and my back is against a tree. Coco, wasn't it?
"I-I, uhhh... I don't... Want to talk about it. N-no offense or anything! It's just..." I'm looking to my feet. I begin flexing my fingers. I don't like this. I hate lying... I hate it!
"None taken. Can you at least explain why you look like a walking corpse?" I stare up at her. Walking Corpse!? W-what is she talking about!? I cross my arms over my stomach.
"What do you mean!? I don't - I'm not - corpse?" I can feel Shadow tightening around my body. It almost - it puts pressure on my throat. Makes it a little tough to breathe. What are—
"Your face! Sunken cheeks, baggy eyes, greasy hair! Your a mess," Velvet looks to Coco with an expression I can't see, "What? It's true." What is she talking about? I-I don't know... Sunken cheeks? I haven't - I've been feeling... Off, but...
"Here, I got a mirror." She grabs something from a small bag clasped to her belt. Mirror? Why would a Huntresses need a mirror?
"Take a look, kid." She hands over a small mirror the size of my palm. I grab it, popping it open, and...
"I... That's... W-what...?" My face is pale. More than usual. I... My skin is as white as paper. My eyes have black bags under them; the whites red like when uncle doesn't sleep for awhile. My cheeks are thin; cheekbones pushing against my skin. My hair is messy, greasy, and slicked with... B-blood. Old, dry, coppery blood.
My head... Feels dizzy. I grab at the tree bark behind me. My stomach growls. My throat is dry. I feel cold. My breathing is fast and shaky. I can feel my knees trembling. My eyes - in the mirror - my eyes are beginning to water. Am I dead?
Walking corpse... Walking corpse... Walking corpse...
'Just go die in a ditch, like I did!'
Die. Am I dead? Is this what death is? Cold. I miss the burning. I can't remember why... I feel like I forgot something. Something important. I can hear distant voices. My body is shivering. I am cold. It feels like ice is crawling up my skin. I miss my cloak. Red, soft, warm. Like roses...
Is this how mom felt when she died? Was it cold for her, too?
I feel wet now. Something soft against my skin. A tightness around my whole body; pressure pushing against my chest. Did mom die alone? Am I alone? I don't... I want... Am I dead?
'Death,' S-Shadow... 'Will not become us.' I can't - What's happening to me...? My body feels so cold... Shadow, please... The cold... S-stop the cold... Please...
'Trust in us,' I do! I-it's so cold. Please, please help me, 'Open our eyes.'
"Hey! I didn't know she would - hey! She's moving!" I hear a voice. It's far away. I see brown eyes and dark hair. My stomach hurts. I feel cold, damp air blowing against me. My fingers are pushing against something wet and soft. I feel sore. My body aches. What happened...?
"Ruby? Can you hear my voice?" I slowly nod up at the face. She has bunny ears. The ears are bending down and I can feel the tips pushing against my hair. When did I end up on the ground?
"Good, good... Are you alright? Can you breathe?" I can feel fingers against the back of my head, lifting it a little. I take in a deep breath and exhale. I shift my fingers and look around. The girl - Vel... Velvet? - she's above me, and to my right. I can see her arm - I don't know which - extending pass my head. Is her hand against my head? Her fingers feel warm... Or maybe I'm just cold?
I see someone to my left. A man in a orange vest. He's leaning against trees on the far side of the clearing. He's talking to someone. A person I can't see.
"Are you thirsty?" I look back to Velvet's big brown eyes. She has nice eyes. I like her eyes. She's nice. Velvet is nice. She's been kind to me.
"Y-yes...?" My is voice quiet; low and deeper than it should be. My throat stings; my tongue feels like it's about to fall off. It hurts. Like someone's raking spikes down my mouth and throat. Feels like something is going to burst.
Velvet grabs at something with her free hand before bringing a metal bottle to my lips. I feel the water slowly dripping onto my lips. I grab at the bottle with both hands and begin drinking. The water is cool and it makes the stinging numb. More like little pokes than stabs now. I can feel the water flowing onto my tongue and over it. The water feels nice.
The last of the water trickles into my mouth, so I drop the bottle next to me. I take in deep breaths as I prop myself up. I'm sitting now and Velvet takes a few steps back. She smiles at me. I like her smile.
"When was the last time you ate?" I... I can't... Remember. Days? Weeks? I don't even know how long I've been like this...
"I... A long time..." She looks sad. I hope I didn't upset her. I always upset everyone. Dad, Yang, uncle... I know I'm not... I should've been better... Maybe I would still be home if I was better. Smarter.
Velvet hands me something wrapped in white. I unfold the covering and see a chunk of meat shaped like a stick. Theres a big bone inside it, bits of fat on front end. It's cooked yet cool to the touch. I look up at Velvet.
"It's not much. Sorry." She nods her head before walking off. She goes towards that mean lady - Coco - whose near the giant guy. They're standing near the smashed boulder.
I look back to the meat. It looks... Like meat, I guess. I hold it up to mouth. It smells like roast. I can feel my mouth watering. My stomach grumbles. I take a bite and swallow. It tastes like venison. Not dad's barbecue venison; but plain boring venison. It's tough, too. A little crunchy, though. I take another bite and chew this time. It tastes stale. Dad always seasoned dinner, at least if the dinner had meat. I miss dad... And home... I miss Signal, and Crescent Rose, and my cloak. I miss Yang's lame jokes. And Zwei's barks and whines.
I went for another bite only to find it's just bone left. I look at the messy bone; strings of meat hanging off of it. My belly grumbles. I am still hungry. But I do feel a little better... I toss the bone away, looking up and around as I rub away grease from lips. I stand up, my legs still a little shaky, yet I am able to stand straight still.
"I..." I hear Coco's voice as I turn to my left. She's standing there, Velvet behind her, and the giant guy still over by the boulder. He's sitting now, "You feel any better, kid?" I nod at her. I don't though. Is that a lie too? I've never lied so much in a single day before. Is that what I am now? A liar?
'A survivor.' Wha—
"What are ya gonna do now? You can't stay with us. We have to head back to the Academy. Do you have a place to stay? Parents?" I nod again. Can't trust them... Shadow said so... I miss home.
"Hmm... Ok." She nods her head at Velvet. Velvet steps forwards as Coco wanders off. Velvet has that bag from earlier around her back now. She moves her arm towards me. Her warm hand open. I stare at it for a few seconds before grabbing it.
"We never really got properly introduced. I am Velvet Scarlatina. I'm a second year at Beacon. These guys," She waves her free arm towards the others, "We're team CFVY. Our leader is Coco. She's... A bit rude, but a good person, really." We let go as the shake ends. She smiles at me. She has a pretty smile, like mom...
"I-I'm Ruby... Ruby Rose! I, uhhh... I... Thank you." I smile back at her. I like Velvet. Her pretty smile. She's nice. A good person. I wish I could stay here...
'We must go. Too much time has passed.' I don't want to! These are nice people... They've helped us! I... I want to stay...
'So they can find us? Trap us? Rip us apart into I and me instead of we? They will do unto us things that would make our previous pain heavenly by comparison.' I... I...
'Trust us. Where would we - you - be without us?' I trust you... I trust you... I trust you... I trust you... I-I... Trust you...
"Ruby? Are you ok?" I blink a few times before Velvet's brown eyes are all I see. I nod even though I'm not.
"Y-yeah... Just... Thinking. I... I suppose this is goodbye?" She nods. I nod. At some point we turned from each other. I'm walking forward. I feel cold. I don't like this. I like Velvet. I turn back only to see Velvet and her team disappearing into the treeline. Trees. I see so many trees. I begin walking.
Walking...
Walking...
Walking...
Aria of Ashes here. I'm not dead yet. Neither is Black Stars. It's been a while, hasn't it? Sorry about the wait.
So, I don't know how to word this so I'll just say it. I don't have consistent writing schedule or upload schedule. I write when I feel like it and upload when I feel the chapter is presentable. It might take me days or weeks to finish a chapter. But of course the longer it takes me finish a chapter the longer it will be.
Also, I feel I should address some things. I plan for no ships or romance to be in this story (none that aren't canon at least). This might be subject to change but as of now I have no intentions of such a thing.
Which brings me to a another point. The Symbiote's love for Ruby. I intend to delve more deeply into this love but I'll just say for now Symbiote love and human love are very different. Similar in certain regards, but radically separate in others.
Side tangent here but I should address since we're on the topic of the Symbiote. This version of the Venom Symbiote is not based on any one version of the character but rather an amalgamation of my favorite Venom Symbiotes. It's alien and fully self aware like classic Venom, parasitic and not fully trustworthy like Ultimate Venom, and animalistic yet mutagenic like Raimi Venom (Yes, I am one of only 10 who actually likes Raimi Venom.)
On top of that; the Suit's voice. I imagine the suit to take the voice of it's host. In this case, it sounds like Ruby, but almost emotionless and it speaks like a A.I in that it lacks inflections.
Kenny9x3 — my old friend. I doubt you recall but you've read quite a few of my old works, back when my skills were lesser and I went under different names. I appreciate a familiar name and personality. I also agree that there should be more Rwby/Venom crossovers. Hell, I reckon there should be more Venom stories in general on this website. In regards to Ruby going to Beacon... Well, maybe, but so far that's not apart of my plan. But a certain friendly neighborhood spider will.
Speaking of which: I dropped a few clues, yet I will clarify that not only does Spiderman exist in this story, but he is a active player. He will be a central character (a pov one in fact) but not the protagonist. That's Symbiote Ruby. Spiderman will be a Peter Parker stand in yet certain personality quirks, backstory elements, his name, and certain abilities will be changed to better fit in Remnant.
Speaking of which. His name. I'd like to hear some ideas from you guys concerning Spidey's name. For context, he will be Faunus, but no connections to White Fang (no positive ones anyway) and he's not a Huntsmen. He's from a normal family on Remnant. It would help a lot, and thank you to anyone who does.
I am also open to any comments. I enjoy interactions and I don't care what you say.
One last detail before I recede back into the darkness of the void. I am debating on creating a new story. One that will probably be Rwby centric yet focus on a different set of characters and a different crossover. I several ideas here ranging from self contained one shots to short stories to much bigger ideas. I would like to hear your guys thoughts on the matter.
Yet alas, goodbye, goodnight, and do not go gently into that good night.