Well, the finale of RWBY (Volume 1). Of course, we're nowhere near done with the story, so there's that... ANYWAYS, Ruby's ready to share her secret with Weiss and Blake... Yeah... heavy information time.
Disclaimer: RDF1 doesn't own RWBY, WATCH THE SHOW!
(Chapter Begin)
(Recap)
Blake ran and ran until she got out to the courtyard, she couldn't hold the tears at what she just ruined. She had made friends, though mainly with quirky Ruby and good-natured Yang. Now they were going to hate her. She took off her bow, freeing her ears for the first time in what felt like an eternity.
"I knew you would look better without the bow," came a familiar voice.
Blake looked over to see the Monkey Faunus from before, she couldn't bring herself to smile at his compliment though, because she still felt terrible for what she said to her team.
"Blake," came Ruby's voice from her other side, slightly winded from all the running she did today, "You don't have to do this. You don't have to runaway. Yang and I don't hate you, no matter what your past may have been like. If you need time, then take it. But if you're not back in 36 hours, we're coming to look for you." She then turned to the Monkey Faunus, "If anything happens to her, I'm blaming you, okay."
The guy audibly gulped, actually terrified of what the kid could do, since she moves that fast. Not even HIS reflexes would keep him alive.
Ruby then turned around and walked back up to her Team's Room. Weiss needed a lecture, even if she being honest, that's no reason to tear into Blake's people like that. Taking another breath to keep herself from lashing out like she did in the forest, this weekend. She needed to tell them. It would be the only way she could keep RWBY together at this point.
"They're my friends. I need to trust them with the truth," Ruby muttered as she worked her way back to her dorm.
(Recap End)
Once Ruby returned to the room, she noticed Yang literally had sat on Weiss, much to the White-Haired Girl's embarrassment and indignity, to prevent her from leaving the bed. Seeing Ruby, she got up, but kept an arm on Weiss's shoulder while Ruby approached.
"Weiss, that was single stupidest and tactless thing you ever said," glared Ruby, in a way that made Weiss back down from actually responding, "Blake is our teammate, our friend, and you go and say THAT to her. I understand the White Fang has made your life difficult, but you can't deny the fact your father and other people of this world don't make it easier on the Faunus. Now, I have given Blake 36 hours to come back on her own. During that time, you will think long and hard about how you're going to apologize to her for your actions and harsh words. You crossed a line. You have known Blake this entire semester. Just because she's former White Fang and a Faunus makes no difference. You now have met and known her personally for months, and to judge her based on previous actions only would be the same as her judging you for the crimes your father has committed. So sit and think of what you're going to say to Blake as an apology."
While Ruby walked away, Yang gave one last glance to Weiss before following her sister. Once in private, Yang spoke up.
"You know we can't let Blake go without apologizing too."
"I know, but giving Blake the time she needs to calm down will be helpful in the long run. We all need to make apologies anyway. You and I, mainly I, have been keeping a huge secret from them, and I feel it's the right time for them to know."
"Why now?"
"Because they've earned that trust. And this whole situation has made it abundantly clear that we can't afford to lose either of them. We're a team Yang, and a team trusts each other. Look at CFVY. Fox has trusted them and they have accepted that trust and returned it in kind. I just have to hope that Blake and Weiss accept it too..."
"Even if they don't, I'll always have your back. I love you, Ruby."
"Love you too, Yang," replied Ruby, giving Yang a hug, which the blonde returned.
The next day passed in relative silence. Weiss being deep in thought, as well as not looking at Ruby or Yang the entire day, and Ruby and Yang giving her space, while thinking of the best time to reveal Ruby's secret. JNPR did notice the lack of interaction between them, but Ruby told them it was an internal matter, and JNPR respected her wishes. Finally, the following afternoon, Ruby, Yang, and Weiss headed out to find Blake, who had yet to return. Along the way, Penny met up with them again.
"Hello Friend Ruby, Yang, and Weiss," greeted Penny.
"Hey Penny," said Ruby, "Yang, go on with Weiss, I'll go with Penny and we'll met up later."
"Got it Sis," replied Yang, following Weiss as she headed down another street.
"What's going on, Ruby?" asked Penny.
"We're looking for our friend Blake," replied Ruby, "The argument you started to hear yesterday got out of hand, and..."
"And she revealed that she was a Faunus, correct?"
"Yep," said Ruby, ignoring how Penny figured it out so easily.
"So she left because of how the Faunus are treated, which isn't helped by being on a Team with Weiss Schnee, daughter to one of the most notorious haters of Faunus in our current day."
"Well, I let her have her space, but as Leader, I have to address the issues that come up and now she's let her allotted time pass, so we're looking for her."
"Sounds logical, Friend Ruby."
"So what has you out and about in Vale today?"
"It's my first time here, so I wanted to explore," replied Penny, before looking at Ruby again, "Ruby, I... I want to ask you something, but I'm afraid I might breach something personal about you."
"Is it about the irregularities in my body?" countered Ruby, "Figured your sensors would be able to detect it."
Penny's eyes went wide.
"Ruby, what... How...?"
"It's okay," said Ruby, putting a hand on Penny's shoulder, "I have a secret too. Both of our secrets allows us to know that something's not quite normal about the other. I have no reason to say anything, because not only are you my friend, but I know you have a soul deep down, so the outside doesn't matter to me."
"..." Penny was silent for a moment, processing that, before finally responding, "Thank you, Friend Ruby. That means a lot to me; however, I would like to ask your secret, if that's okay?"
"You have to promise to keep it secret, even from Ironwood okay?"
"I won't disobey a direct order, Ruby, I actually can't," replied Penny, "but... that doesn't mean I automatically have to tell him if he doesn't ask or order it."
"We're going to be good friends, Penny," smiled Ruby, before pulling Penny to an alley, where no one was looking, "You see... the reason behind me not being normal is this..."
Ruby lowered the front of her outfit just enough to reveal the top of a scar right over her heart. This was something she was extra careful not to show around her team, not even in the dark because of Blake. Only her Father, Uncle, and Sister knew about it, until now. She suspected Ozpin figured something out, but she hadn't directly talked to him about it.
"How are you alive, Friend Ruby?" asked Penny as Ruby fixed her outfit, "There is no way you would have survived such an injury."
"I didn't," said Ruby, "I am actually dead, but not a Zombie. More like a... Reaper."
"I have no reference point of anything like that in my databanks."
"Well, unfortunately I wasn't in Atlas at the time, otherwise I could be a cool Cyborg like Ironwood."
"That's classified information Ruby!"
"I don't go around blurting out secrets, but I know I can trust you, Penny. That and... not telling you would be awkward and wouldn't prove to you I'm a good friend."
"That is some strange logic, Friend Ruby," replied Penny.
"Well, my life really has never been normal, so... trying to BE normal is counterintuitive."
Penny actually couldn't find fault in the logic now.
(AN1)
Meanwhile, Yang and Weiss had finished looking in another shop, Weiss being noticeably quiet.
"Weiss, I think now's a good time to ask: Have you decided on how you're going to apologize to Blake when we find her?"
"If we find her," spoke up Weiss, finally, "What I said was still true, no matter how harsh it sounded."
"You're right, it WAS true, but only in context. A lot of members in the White Fang are just wanting a place to belong. Like Ruby said, it's the corruption of a select few that have pushed the White Fang to such lengths."
"Even if I apologize to her, what then? She gets away with attacking SDC property? She gets off scot free stealing an entire train of Dust?"
"I can't say, because I don't know the circumstances she faced then," replied Yang, "That's why you have to listen to her. Let her fully explain herself. You owe it to her after this semester."
"You're right," sighed Weiss, "I've been the most difficult member of the team since day one, not the Ruby wasn't trying."
"You two got off on the wrong foot, but you're friends now. And besides, Ruby is our Team's Leader. You gonna fault her for actually doing her job?"
"That... would be hypocritical and in poor taste," replied Weiss, "I just... Living my life, the realities I've had to face... To be friends with a Faunus is something completely new to me, but at the same time... I can see why Blake never told us, well me at least. You're her Partner, the fact that it never came up between you two is rather hard to believe."
"I never asked, and she never said. Even if I knew beforehand, it doesn't change the fact that she's our friend and teammate. We've been working on Team Moves nearly all semester, so you can't say you'd have a hard time working with her when it counts."
"...You're not wrong," admitted Weiss.
Weiss was in a conundrum. Blake had indeed prove herself several times over, and while it still doesn't undo the train theft (or the other things the White Fang has done) it does show that she wants to make it right. Taking a breath, she resolved herself to give Blake the benefit of the doubt, because in the future, being friends with Blake may prove more beneficial in more ways than one.
(AN2)
Ruby and Penny were walking through the town, still looking for Blake, when an explosion occurred near the Docks.
"Oh crap," said Ruby, "Blake must be there!"
"What makes you say that Ruby?" asked Penny, as they took off towards the Dock.
"Because the SDC had a big Dust shipment come in, and with the string of thefts, Blake's most likely there trying to stop whoever's taking the Dust, even if it's the White Fang."
"And why didn't you realize this sooner?"
"Because I've been more worried about how Blake and Weiss will react to, well... my secret," replied Ruby, as they approached the docks and jumped up onto a container.
Ruby and Penny looked out onto the scene and saw Roman Torchwick go toe-to-toe with both Blake and the Monkey Faunus from before back to back with ease.
"That seems... overpowered," noted Ruby, pulling out Crescent Rose and shifting it into Scythe Form. Roman had managed to shoot a suspended container and separate Blake from the Monkey Faunus, before aiming his cane at the Blonde guy.
"HEY, ROMAN!" called out Ruby, getting his attention.
"Oh HELLO Red!" responded Roman, as if he was having a good time, "Isn't it past your Bedtime?"
"If you're stealing Dust, I will find you and I WILL stop you! No Curfew Law in Remnant is going to stop me!"
(AN3)
Roman couldn't help but chuckle at that retort, "I have to hand it to you Red. That is one HECK of a comeback!" Roman then fired on Ruby, who used her Aura to stop the blast with her hand, but it wasn't as successful as Cinder's attempt.
'Damnit!' cursed Ruby, rapidly shaking her hand to try and get rid of the stinging. Just because her Aura prevented contact and blast damage, the shock through her hand still hurt.
"Ruby, stay back," said Penny, moving forward.
"Penny, don't. We'll take these guys together," responded Ruby, holding her throbbing left hand with her right.
"I've got this, Ruby," declared Penny, her backpack-like device opening up, "I'm COMBAT READY!"
Several Swords, attached to nearly invisible strings, appeared and unfolded out of her backpack-like device and she jumped into the fray, striking several members of the White Fang near her, thankfully their Aura preventing fatal damage. Other members attempted to return fire, but she blocked the shots with her swords while using two more to move back out of firing range. Looking up, she noticed several ships attempting to leave.
"Who gave you permission to abandon the battlefield!?" quipped Penny, using the two swords to brace herself as she brought up her other swords in a circle formation in front of her, transformed into their gun forms, "PUPPET SLAYER SECRET ART: STRING! CUTTER! CANNON!"
(AN4)
Releasing a super powerful laser, she cut through most of the transports, sending the occupants into the ocean or onto the dock. Roman managed to leave on a different transport while a fifth was being held back by Penny.
"Okay, she's SUPER strong," commented Ruby, "I like her!"
(AN5)
The Police arrived moments later, arresting any White Fang Members that didn't escape. After giving their statements to the Police, Weiss and Yang made it to the Docks themselves and were relieved (though only Yang showed it) that both Ruby and Blake were safe. Before Blake could say a word, Ruby got between her and Weiss. Giving a pointed look as Weiss, she stepped out of the way a moment later.
"Blake... I wish to apologize for Friday. I shouldn't judge all Faunus based on the actions of some of them, regardless who they may be," said Weiss, after taking a deep breath, "I would also like to apologize for bringing up painful memories. I checked the records of the Train incident, and found that no one had been harmed or killed even though the dust was taken. I can only assume that was you, so thank you."
"I owe you an apology as well, Weiss. I shouldn't have tried to defend those I clearly knew had passed a line. The White Fang I was proud of was when my Father was its Leader. I also apologize for not trusting you, or Ruby or Yang more with the truth. I promise to be more forthcoming in the future."
"That sounds like a plan," said Ruby, before turning to the blonde, "I never did get your name."
"The Name's Sun Wukong," said Sun, "I was born and raised in Vacuo, but I'm currently a student at Mistral, here for the Vytal Tournament. I wanted to check the sights, and... well... volunteered to keep Blake occupied. Sorry for keeping her so late."
"Don't let it happen again," said Ruby, "I think we're done here guys."
(AN6)
Watching from afar, was Team CFVY, who knew Ruby had it handled if she really needed to, but were pleasantly surprised by Penny's performance, plus Velvet indeed happy to get four new weapons and fighting styles, thanks to her special Camera, and Semblance.
"Ruby didn't need to block that shot, did she?" asked Coco.
"No," replied Fox, "she could have dodged that effortlessly, though she did mention some time ago that Cinder, her target, managed to block her own Sniper Shots with her hand and she was, understandably, jealous."
"Jealous or not, this evening has allowed me to get some sweet pics, and those fighting styles are pretty neat," commented Velvet.
"Lady Penny fought with honor, if not a bit of overconfidence," mentioned Yatsuhashi.
They heard a pair of feet land not far from there, and they noticed Neo walking up to Fox, and handed him a folded piece of paper. Fox passed it to Coco, who read it aloud.
"'Ruby is certainly something else. But that Robot Girl is on a whole other level,'" read Coco, "'She's one to keep an eye on, for she could become a powerful ally if her friendship with Ruby is any indication.'"
"Penny is indeed powerful, but she has a counter with Pyrrha. No matter how good Penny is, she can't win against Pyrrha, especially because of her Semblance," finished Fox as the five of them made their way off the roof and away from the docks, Neo obviously going a different way.
(AN7)
Back at the dorm, Ruby took a breath herself, this was it. She turned to her teammates who were getting ready for bed.
"Blake, Weiss, there's something I have to tell the both of you," started Ruby, getting their attention.
"What, are YOU secretly a Faunus too?" quipped Weiss, "Because I am NOT going through THAT conversation again."
"It's Okay Ruby, just because I revealed I'm a Faunus doesn't mean you need..." attempted Blake, but Ruby cut her off.
"No, this is something I need to tell you. You've more than earned my trust this past semester," said Ruby, taking off her cloak.
"Ruby, I'm here for you," reminded Yang.
"Thanks Yang," replied Ruby, taking off a few more outer clothing, before stopping at her shirt, "I'm sure you've noticed certain comments I've made throughout this semester, as if I was more than what I seemed to be."
"Well, that information about the lifespan of a Grimm was certainly... terrifying, I won't lie," admitted Blake, who had seen some nasty Grimm from afar on Menagerie.
"And concerning exactly WHO gave you that information. While I haven't said anything until now, I've double checked on researches into Grimm Studies with help from Professor Port. No one has studied Grimm to the extent where the findings YOU had were even theoretical, let alone truth. So, where DID you get that information?"
"I will explain that, and more if you are willing to keep an open mind," explained Ruby, getting a nod from them, "Have you ever thought about people dying before their time? As if a single mistake cost them a future that would mean so much more their childhood dream could take them?
"Elder Grimm are indeed smart, and incredibly powerful. And one managed to exist on Patch Island, where our dad raised us and is still living there. BTW, you two are invited to join us when we go visit him during our Semester Break. Anyways, an Elder Beowulf came to exist on the Island of Patch, and one day, I managed to find myself confronted by said beast. I died. It killed me with its claws before I knew it. I died before my time."
Weiss and Blake gasped in horror and confusion, if Ruby was Dead, then how was she right in front of them, but they couldn't deny her words, as they have already faced Grimm of such deadly caliber, if not worse.
"Luckily, my dad and sister were close enough to hear the Elder, and my understandably loud scream, and dad was able to kill it after seeing what it did to me. As I laid there, dying in my dad's arms, him and Yang at my side, I felt myself grow colder and colder, until I no longer felt any pain. But before I moved on or anything like that, a giant of a being in a fearsome black cloak, wielding a truly powerful scythe appeared before me. He was known as Grim, with one 'M'. Because I died before my time, he allowed me a second chance at regaining my life, in exchange for servicing him. All I had to do was select and find three unforgivable idiots in this world and trade their darkened souls for my purer one. Many who have died before me that have agreed usually go their entire lifetime without finishing such a task, and others died again before completing it."
At this Point, Ruby stopped and took off her upper clothes, revealing the scar over her heart, from where the Elder Beowulf stabbed her. It went without question that Weiss and Blake were indeed surprised by this.
(AN8)
"As you can no doubt understand, this is proof of my story. I was ten years old," continued Ruby, putting on another shirt, while Yang changed as well into something a bit more casual, "Now, if you're willing, I would like to show you my world, well... at least the world I work for."
Ruby held out her hand, almost expecting them to recoil in fear and shy away, but to her surprise, and even Yang's, Blake gave a small smile, and placed her hand on Ruby's. Looking to Weiss, she did hesitate in joining.
"It's not that I don't believe you, that scar is more than enough, but..." Weiss took a breath before continuing, "Are you sure we're allowed there? I mean, it IS the realm of the dead after all?"
"Think of it more as a meeting place between the two," said Yang, "I've been there several times, but never to the land of the dead. Not even Ruby, because she's... well, I'll let her explain her official title."
Weiss let out a breath she had been holding and placed her hand on top of Blake's. Yang placed her hand on Ruby's shoulder and the four of them vanished from within the room.
(Chapter End)
CLIFFHANGER! Yeah, I'm evil, so don't hold back how pissed you are in the reviews. LOLZ! A LOT was covered in this chapter, and I have an original chapter next time, so... please be patient for that. While the Volume is technically over, I've still got some more to add to this ending.
Author Notes...
AN1: Kinda moving the Volume 2 conversation here, mainly because there's no way Penny, with her advanced sensors, would NOT pick up on the irregularities in Ruby's body. Note, that while I have probably only mentioned this in PMs to certain reviewers, I want to say this: Ruby's body is functioning as if it's alive, just... with a heart problem. That's the best way I can describe it medically. It doesn't really bother her, but it's there, so... yeah. Explanation given!
AN2: Subtle foreshadowing and reference to a Headcanon ending I have in mind for RWBY as a whole, despite how wrong it may be by Volume 10 or 20, whichever is the last Volume. And I DO mean Volume, not Season. If you want me to say season, Volumes 1-3 feels like Season 1, just saying.
AN3: Sonic Colors anyone? Also, accurate given that she's, well... a Reaper of Grimm (with two 'm's).
AN4: Just something weird in my head with Penny and Fairy Tail as a crossover. I seriously cannot watch that without thinking the Fairy Tail version of it.
AN5: On the note of shipping, My only Yuri and crack ship on here is Ruby/Penny, aka Nuts and Dolts. However, do not confuse that with the pairings in this fanfic. Nuts and Dolts is not in the pairings for this fic. Thanks for understanding.
AN6: And the domino effect yet again with Ruby being more active and leader-like throughout this fic. Trust me, a certain event will basically allow her to be her canon self... mostly.
AN7: Adding in this scene for two reasons. One: Because Fox and Neo are also Reapers of Grimm and I like to have them around every so often. (Probably every 2-3 or 2 out of 3 chapters at this current pace.) Two: Velvet HAD to have gotten Penny's weapon from this point. It's CLEARLY referencing these actions and dynamics in... well the invasion of Beacon to put it bluntly. Also, "I May Fall" is SUPER AWESOME, even in the slower pace.
AN8: And there it is. How Ruby died at age Ten. And how she went on to become a Reaper of Grimm, though to be fair... I have more in the next chapter.
And that's Volume 1 completed... well, the actual Volume. Next time is finishing up some odds and ends, though to be fair, Volume 2 will be starting in the chapter after that. So yeah... also, post credits scene with Mercury and Emerald not required in this fanfic, because it's focusing mostly on Ruby's story. Thanks for sticking with me this far, because in Volume 2, more things are going to change... well, to a degree.
Until then...
Later,
RDF1