Greetings and welcome back to Remnant!
Like I said before, this is a chapter with Completely new scenes. I apologize if the quality isn't as great as my other chapters. Please, give me your thoughts so I can improve in future chapters!
Disclaimer: RDF1 doesn't own RWBY, WATCH THE SHOW!
(Chapter Begin)
(Recap)
Ruby headed over her desk and brought out a blank sheet of paper. The Room remained quiet for a bit while Ruby scribbled on the paper before giving it to Weiss, with Blake looking over her shoulder.
"That right there is basically an outline for the Grimm in our World."
Basic Grimm: 0-10 years
Alpha Grimm: 10-50 years
Elder Grimm: 50-200 years
Ancient Grimm: 200-500 years
Super Ancient Grimm: 500+ years
"And what is this supposed to mean?" asked Blake.
"It tells you how powerful a Grimm is, or the potential growth of one," informed Yang, moving next to Ruby, "It's something I don't know the full details of myself, but my little sis has found herself facing some nasty ones."
"I found an old notebook that dated back to before the Four Kingdoms being established. Someone studied Grimm for so long, or rather many people studied Grimm over the centuries and that is what was basically the result. The Ages aren't set in stone either, just that most fall within these age groups."
"You mean... there's a Grimm that's over 500 years old?" asked Weiss, feeling a bit Pale.
"Who knows," remarks Ruby, glancing to the left, "One thing I do know is that the Grimm we faced was far stronger and Smarter than any other Grimm this close to the Kingdom of Vale. I can't begin to explain things in a way for you to not only understand, but accept it in a way that doesn't affect you for the rest of your life. Elder Grimm are super rare as it is. Depending on the area and how frequent missions are given there, Elders are few and far between."
"What about the Death Stalker," brought up Blake, "Was that...?"
Ruby and Yang's looks was all the confirmation needed, it was an Elder. And while they were at Beacon, they weren't likely to encounter any Grimm remotely close to that power, it doesn't change how close they came to dying to two of them.
"We made it through because we worked together. No Grimm, Elder or otherwise, can stop teamwork like we did together. When Huntsmen work together, they are unstoppable."
"I... see..." said Weiss slowly.
"We have time, and we can spend time training together so we can be as effective if not more so than we were yesterday," said Ruby, who then went to get ready for bed.
Yang followed suit and Weiss and Blake took a few moments before getting ready for bed themselves. RWBY went to bed, knowing their tasks ahead of them was that much greater outside the school itself. Hopefully Ruby will lead them well.
(Recap End)
The next morning started a change in RWBY. Ruby showed more effort in her classes, Weiss managed to keep her pride under control and offered help if Ruby, Blake, or Yang needed it. Blake became a bit more open to the girls, having small talk when not discussing homework. And Yang offered to help with Hand-to-Hand combat in case they couldn't reach their weapons in time, like Weiss did against the Boarbatusk. Every Saturday, they spent part of the day working on team attacks and though it took a while, several weeks in fact, but RWBY slowly grew closer as they worked out some of their dysfunctional kinks.
(AN1)
During this time, Ruby had made several trips to the Office and taking on other missions, usually Grimm, and had to be extremely efficient so people at Beacon wouldn't notice her absence. Thankfully, she only got delayed once, and Yang managed to cover for her with Blake and Weiss when they were due to work on Team Attacks one Saturday. Ruby also worked on getting permission for Yang to come visit Summer once more, as it had been months and Ruby had been quite Busy between Signal, Roman and Cinder, and then Beacon.
Summer smiled. She enjoyed moments like this. She had missed them greatly after her death, so when Ruby showed up all too soon a few years later, it devastated her... until Death himself offered Ruby a position as one of his Reapers. Summer knew what this meant for not only Ruby, but Death as well. Having a Silver-Eyed Warrior as a Reaper of Grimm was a power play indeed. She herself would have been offered if she had died prior to Ruby being born, but to have Ruby herself die so young, Death couldn't have done anything differently. He had always been cryptic, but never failed to say that "Ruby is important, and being dead this early is something Time cannot afford happen. But now that she's died, Time can't undo her death, but I can give her a chance to earn her life back." Summer wasn't gung-ho about it, but if it gave Ruby a chance to live, then who was she to argue. She got to know her Daughter again, and help her heal from both of their deaths. She even got to see Tai and Yang again not long afterwards. Death had a curious way of allowing Family to visit on special occasions, or rather when a Reaper makes a request. Today, Ruby was bringing Yang to visit, and Summer couldn't help but smile at seeing her elder daughter again.
"Hey mom!" called out Yang, spotting her from afar and rushing over to hug her, which Summer returned with equal gusto.
"My little Sun Dragon! How are you?" asked Summer.
"I'm doing fine. Still searching for Raven, though," explained Yang.
"I'm sure you'll find her. And when you do, give her a smack for me!"
"You say that every time, mom," said Ruby, joining them, and hugging Summer as well.
"Because it's true. How dare she abandon Tai and Yang like that!" said Summer in mock anger. In truth, she knew completely why Raven left, but that didn't mean she didn't have a right to be angry.
"Enough of depressing topics, mom, we got a few hours to spend together. Let's go have some fun!"
"There's always the recording studio. You ready to add your song?"
"Actually, yeah. I have the perfect scene in mind. It'll 'Burn' into the memories of everyone here!" smirked Yang.
"Oh Yang, never change," giggled Summer, while Ruby rolled her eyes with a smile. Yang always loved sharing her puns.
The Recording Studio functioned much like any in Remnant, and it was a great way for Reapers share some personal moments they felt like through song. Yang had been practicing for while, and after the incident at Junior's, she figured out the rest of her song and now she was recording it. It was definitely a personal song as it showed her self, the one that shown brightly, and hurt those who dared get too close that she didn't want.
It didn't take too long, and about thirty minutes later they headed out to towards the common area, where several different families spent from time to time. There were various Reapers spread throughout, but some families were all dead, and having a close friend who was a Reaper was a great way to keep those friendships lasting. Having fun with the plethora of activities provided for the family, the Mother and Two girls spent their time together wonderfully so that once Ruby and Yang were heading out, Summer still couldn't keep the smile off her face as she headed back to her 'resting place', which basically meant where she stayed in the afterlife. Hey, even the dead need rest, right?
(AN2)
Ruby and Yang returned from their visit to see Blake and Weiss reading and studying respectively. It was the weekend, and since they were caught up on homework and had made great strides with their team attacks, they decided to have the day off for personal activities, which Ruby and Yang took with their Mother. Ruby decided to head out towards the workshop for some maintenance on Crescent Rose. Giving a short wave to her team, Ruby headed out.
'Things certainly have changed for me,' reminisced Ruby, 'Just a few a months ago, I was getting ready for another year at Signal, but thanks to Torchwick, and extension Cinder, I got to come here two years early. Dad certainly had a few opinions on the matter.'
(Flashback)
Ruby and Yang got home slightly later than usual, though both had equal reasons. Ruby was at the police station for a good while before Goodwitch gave her the riot act, mostly because it was how long it took for Ozpin to get there from the school, while Yang... was busy punching up Junior's goons, as well as Junior and his best help, the twins Miltia and Melanie. Their father, Taiyang Xiao Long, wasn't exactly pleased by them being later than the agreed time.
"So... care to explain yourselves?" asked Tai, a stern look on his face that intimidated his daughters, if only because he loved them so much.
Yang was about to open her mouth, but Ruby closed it.
"Dad, Yang and I separated while in Vale. I was at a Dust Shop, Yang was looking for Raven again. One thing led to another and she ended up getting into a fight with the staff at the bar. Some idiot thought to rob the dust shop I was at, and had to talk to the police about what happened."
"Okay then," replied Tai, unusually calm, his stern look diminishing, "Yang, go finish packing. I need to speak with Ruby alone."
"Okay dad," relented Yang, who wanted to be here of her sister, but new it wouldn't do any good.
Once Yang had left, Tai took a breath and sighed, "I got a call not ten minutes ago. A call from Professor Ozpin."
"So... you know then..." said Ruby, for it was not a question.
"Well, for one, I'm disappointed you got yourself into that situation," said Tai, walking over to Ruby, kneeling and placing a hand on her shoulder, "But on the other, you handled it very well. You stayed calm and focused, like a Huntsmen should. I know it's unfair that you're in this situation, with the Reaper, but you are a strong and capable fighter. I am proud of you, Ruby. I know Summer is too."
"She's probably ecstatic that I got into Beacon two years early," smiled Ruby.
"She also worries, just like Yang and I do, sweetie," replied Tai, "We love you, and we don't want to lose you again."
"Honestly, an Elder Beowolf on this Island is something that shouldn't be, but it was... five years ago," remarked Ruby, placing her hand over her heart, "You couldn't have known."
"This world is bigger than we'd like to think it is. The Grimm have also been here longer than we want to think about," mulled Tai, pulling Ruby into a hug, "I want you to be safe. Stay close to Yang if you can, if not, try to stay safe, and remember, you have trained for this. You are ready for Beacon."
"Thanks Dad," said Ruby, tears falling down her cheeks as she hugged her father.
(Flashback End)
(AN3)
As Ruby came out of her thoughts, the door to the Workshop opened before she got to it. Stepping back, Team CFVY exited the Workshop, noticing Ruby in front of them.
"Well, if it isn't Ruby Rose," greeted Coco.
"What brings you here on a Saturday?" asked Velvet.
"Just some maintenance on Crescent Rose," replied Ruby, "What about you guys?"
"Same actually," informed Fox, "We're heading out on a mission soon, need to make sure our weapons don't breakdown on us."
"I can see that," mused Ruby, "Best of luck with your mission!"
"Thanks," replied Coco, while Yatsu bowed, "We've been a little over due anyways."
"This mission is also for my convenience as well," said Fox, looking at Ruby, "Remember that mission for the Elder Creeper South of Vale?"
"Yeah, sounds tough, I'm sure Mr. Reaper will appreciate your success," replied Ruby, "Don't get in over your head though."
"I have a team that understands and can help me," smiled Fox, in an appreciative way, "They certainly are life savers at times."
"You honor us with the truth of your role," informed Yatsu.
"Maybe one day I can trust Weiss and Blake the same," responded Ruby, "Have a good day."
With that, Team CFVY left while Ruby headed inside. Gathering various tools, Ruby worked on her sweetheart, making sure it's in excellent condition for the foreseeable future. Glynda frowned upon poor weapon maintenance, but Ruby was never worried. She loved weapons too much to let them go too long without maintenance. She's even offered to help with Weiss and Blake's from time to time, which surprised them, but they were happy for the help.
All in all, the first few months at Beacon have been pretty neat. Ruby was glad she got to be here this year, though she did miss her friends from Signal off and on. She couldn't lose focus though. As a Huntress and as a Reaper of Grimm, she had a responsibility to Remnant. As she returned to her room after storing her Sweetheart back in her locker, she couldn't help but think something might happen soon. As a Reaper of Grimm, that was more likely than for most other people.
(Chapter End)
Isn't that interesting. More Information, a bit more of a time gap filled in, in more ways than one. And, return of CFVY! I like Team CFVY. Coco is cool, Velvet is cheerful, Yatsu is calm and patient, and Fox is awesome in not letting his eyes limit his potential.
Well, Jaundice is next, so... yeah, Jaune Episode. On that note, let's talk about Pairings: Team RWBY are friends and will eventually become like sisters, this is in the show, and it's not changing here. JNPR... well, considering Arkos and Renora, I'm not changing that up either. I think that's all for now, so...
Author Notes!
AN1: Kink: a quirk of character or behavior. So no unsavory suggestions.
AN2: This will be important later, so keep it in mind.
AN3: A Fairy Tale gone wrong, seems appropriate, in a... morbid way.
Thanks for all your support! I'm glad you guys are interested in this concept, because it's something I've had since watching V2-3. Please feel free to leave constructive criticism and thoughts about this chapter and story! See y'all next chapter!
Until then...
Later,
RDF1