And here we are, the introduction chapter. Character introductions, not fanfic intro chapter. (LOLZ!) Fair warning, I will have a song in here, but it's completely diegetic. If you don't know what that means, feel free to look it up. I wouldn't be able to explain as well as a dictionary or someone else.
Thank you all for reading through this fanfic. Volume 2 will have a delay, if only because I want to work on another fanfic simultaneously. I like going back and forth between two fanfics if I can help it.
Disclaimer: RDF1 doesn't own RWBY, WATCH THE SHOW!
One last thing: HAPPY BIRTHDAY RUBY!
(Chapter Begin)
(Recap)
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.
"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.
(Recap End)
Blake and Weiss weren't expecting the sudden change in location and nearly fell to the floor, if not for the sisters catching them.
"Welcome to my office," said Ruby, having steadied Weiss, heading over to her desk, "My official title is 'Reaper of Grimm,' with two 'm's. I share that with about a hundred others who have died before their time. We aren't in the afterlife, but this place is for the Reapers of Grimm to have their own space, do training, and take on missions. Not unlike what we'll be doing next semester, missions tend to vary, but mainly focus on destroying Grimm. Other missions are... finding Humans and Faunus who have crossed certain lines and ending their lives."
Weiss and Blake looked horrified again, but not at Ruby per se. It was more for the fact that they had to kill other Humans and Faunus, the lines they must have crossed must have been great.
(AN1)
"Once Ruby is done here, we can take you meet someone special to us. Someone who... doesn't get many visitors anymore," said Yang, having a sad look in her eyes.
It didn't take Ruby long to update her status and any other miscellaneous items and got up and stretched before heading to her door.
"This way," said Ruby, opening the door, "Be warned though, nearly everyone you see here is indeed dead, but you wouldn't guess it from first looks alone."
Team RWBY exited Ruby's office and headed out towards the common area. Ruby, and Yang to an extent, exchanged small greetings with various people, when someone appeared in front of them.
"Ah, little Ruby," said the older man, "and you brought along your sister. It's good to see you both again. I take it everything's well?"
"Everything's going fine, Robert," replied Ruby, "This is Weiss Schnee, Heiress of the Schnee Dust Company, and Blake Belladonna, daughter of Ghira and Kali Belladonna, former leaders of the White Fang. They are my Teammates at Beacon."
"Some fantastic Teammates you have," said Robert, bowing his head in acknowledgement, "Any questions you have while you're here, I can answer most of them for you."
"Robert? That name sounds familiar..." said Blake, as if recalling a memory.
"That would be because your Great Grandfather and I fought together during the great war," replied Robert, shocking Blake and Weiss, "He was a good friend. I was glad to have given my life for his... even if it wasn't my time."
"Robert is one of the oldest Reapers of Grimm. It's why his name doesn't have a color affiliation like most people here do," explained Yang.
"In all fairness, there's only a few of my generation left, alive or Reaper," informed Robert, "I'm close to hunting down my third Target, but after all these years... I may end up dying of old age afterwards...
"It's okay," smiled Robert, noticing even Ruby's look of concern, "I've enjoyed these years, and I don't have any regrets. It's your turn now, kid."
Robert ruffled Ruby's hair a bit, getting her to smile before heading off.
(AN2)
"Come on, the common area's over here. I've got something big planned for today," smiled Ruby, before leading her team into the common area.
Taking notice of everyone and everything in the common room, Blake and Weiss were impressed at the number of activities the Reapers could do here. Suddenly, Weiss noticed a big screen over a stage, and it was playing a familiar song... her song. It was the day of her last concert before heading to Beacon. It even showed her final trial against the Knight she defeated.
"Ruby, care to explain that?" asked Weiss, pointing at the video.
"Oh, that?" replied Ruby, as if it wasn't a big deal, "I recommended your concert about a month or so ago. It's been playing in rotation every week or so."
"But... how!?" demanded Weiss, "I understand the Concert, that was public. But the battle against the Knight was private!"
"And certain 'private' affairs are known among plenty of Reapers," replied Ruby, "We don't invade privacy, but if it's something like a battle like this, it's arguably fair game when it follows the theme of what we sing here."
"Wait, you guys sing?" asked Blake.
"Yeah, I did a number a few months back," said Yang. "The theme of songs sung by Reapers and their families have two important parts: One, the scene and two the lyrics. Two halves of a song. Weiss, your song matched your battle against that Knight, thus it worked here. My song was about my visit to a certain bar while Ruby was at a Dust Shop that had a visit from Roman Torchwick."
(AN3)
"And my dear Ruby has a song she's finishing today, with my help of course," came a third voice, causing Team RWBY to turn around.
"MOM!" called out Ruby and Yang, hugging their mother.
"Sorry I'm late you two," said Summer, hugging them back, "I was making sure I got my lyrics down for our song today, Ruby."
"No problem, mom," said Ruby, before turning to her teammates, "Weiss, Blake, this is Summer Rose, our mom. Mom, this is Weiss Schnee and Blake Belladonna, my Teammates at Beacon."
(AN4)
"It's wonderful to meet you both. I hope my daughters haven't given you too much trouble," greeted Summer with a knowing grin.
"It was... slow at first, with a few bumps, but we've managed to work things out," informed Blake.
"Yes, some bumps..." chuckled Weiss nervously.
"Alright, Yang, keep them company. Mom and I are heading up to the stage," said Ruby as she and Summer headed off.
"Oh this is going to be good," smiled Yang as she led Blake and Weiss to some good seats.
Ruby stepped out with a mic in hand as instruments began to play in the background. The screen changed scenes as it showed Ruby in front of Summer's Grave, before she entered Beacon, red petals falling off her in the wind as she stood before her mom's grave marker. Ruby on stage began singing...
Red Like Roses
Fills my dreams and
Brings me to the place you rest
Ruby on the screen turned around and walked away from her mother's grave, a somber feeling rolling off her in waves.
White is cold and always yearning
Ruby walked through the forest as dark shadows flittered across the screen.
Burdened by the royal test
Ruby stopped as she noticed the shadows gathering around her, but she wasn't worried. She had planned for this.
Black the beast descends from shadow
Ruby stood before the group of shadows, now revealed to be Beowulves. Though they didn't have any bones on them. A few of them charged forward and attempted to strike her down, only for Ruby to disappear in a flurry of petals.
Yellow beauty burns... gold
The scene continued, showing off Ruby's skill against the Beowulves in front of her. Ruby wielding Crescent Rose like a pro, taking out Grimm after Grimm, though more and more kept coming. The music was in a flurry with Ruby's movements, as if it followed them. Suddenly, the music slowed as Ruby was faced with even more Grimm than when she started. It was like for every Grimm she struck down two or three more showed up, like the fabled Hydra of legend. Ruby on screen wasn't worried though, as she simply changed out her regular ammo for one that had a crosshair on it. This symbolized maximum force in her shots, allowing her to reach top speeds more easily as she maneuvered throughout the field. The Music crescendoed into a beautiful, but terrifying segment as Ruby moved faster than ever, slaying all of the Grimm left and right. She was finished before a hail of bullet casings fell down around her, symbolizing hints at her true speed she had yet to show.
(AN5)
"That was..." started Weiss.
"Amazing," finished Blake.
"You haven't seen anything yet," smiled Yang as the screen changed yet again to a more familiar scene to all three of them.
"But that's..." gasped Blake.
"Yep," chuckled Yang.
"But then..." started Weiss.
"Just keep watching, and I mean the stage too," grinned Yang, knowing the best was yet to come.
Back on stage, the music had shifted alongside the scene, showing Team RWBY's initiation day, specifically their battle against the Elder Nevermore alongside JNPR's battle against the Elder Death Stalker. Ruby was still on stage, but this time, Summer joined her as the music had gone full rock.
I couldn't take it couldn't stand another minute
Couldn't bear another day without you in it
All of the joy I had known for all my life
Was stripped away from me the moment that you died
To have you in my life is all I ever wanted
And now without you I'm a soul forever haunted
Can't help but feel that I had taken you for granted
No way in hell that I can ever comprehend this
I wasn't dreaming when they told me you were gone
I was wide awake and feeling that they had to be wrong
How could you leave me when you swore that you would stay
Now I'm trapped inside a nightmare every single f-ing day
It's like a movie but there's no happy ending
Every scene fades black and there's no pretending
This little fairy tale doesn't seem to end well
There's no knight in shining armor who will wake me from the spell
I know you didn't plan this
You tried to do what's right
But in the middle of this madness
I'm the one (I'm the one) (I'm the one) you left to win this fight
Red Like Roses
Fills my head with dreams and finds me
Always closer to the emptiness and sadness
That has come to take the place of you
Then Summer took over, transition so smoothly you never noticed the beat that was in between their lines, it was that smooth.
I know you're broken down by anger and by sadness
You feel I left you in a world that's full of madness
Wish I could talk to you if only for a minute
Make you understand the reasons why I did it
I wanna tell you that you're all that ever mattered
Want you to know that for eternity I'm shattered
I tried so hard just to protect you but I failed to
and in a prison of abandonment I've jailed you
I never planned I would leave you there alone
I was sure that I would see you when I made it back home
And all the times I swore that it would be okay
Now I'm nothing but a liar and you're thrown into the fray
This bedtime story ends with misery ever after
The pages are torn and there's no final chapter
I didn't have a choice I did what I had to do
I made a sacrifice but forced a bigger sacrifice on you
I know you've lived a nightmare
I caused you so much pain
But baby please don't do what I did
I don't want (I don't want) (I don't want) you to waste your life in vain
Red Like Roses
Fills my head with dreams and finds me
Always closer to the emptiness and sadness
That has come to take the place of you
You're not the only one who needed me
I thought you understood
You were the one I needed
And you left me as I always feared you would
Would I change it if I could
It doesn't matter how
The petals scattered now
Every nightmare just discloses
It's your blood that's Red Like Roses
And no matter what I do
Nothing EVER takes the place of you
Red Like Roses
Fills my head with dreams and finds me
Always closer to the emptiness and sadness
That has come to take the place of you
As the song came to an end, there was applause from around the common area. The song was a hit and an instant favorite. Ruby and Summer bowed before heading backstage.
(AN6)
"That..." started Weiss.
"I... never knew..." continued Blake.
"How... how did she cope?" asked Weiss, looking over to Yang.
"It wasn't easy," replied Yang, who's grin had faded when Summer's part started, wiping a tear, she continued, "I don't think any of us were in any decent shape for several months, but I made a promise to Summer every time she left on a mission. That I would take care of Ruby. Dad was out of whack for months and Qrow... well, I don't think any of us has gotten over her death, even with being able to see her like this."
"You were stronger than any of us, sis," said Ruby, joining them with Summer, "You managed to take care of me, fulfilling your promise to mom."
"I didn't keep it well enough..." started Yang, before Summer bopped her on the head.
"No more of that talk, young lady. I raised you better than that," said Summer, getting a melancholy smile out of Yang, before turning to her teammates, "Ruby and I have been working on that for years. The words we never could say to each other for six long years. But, I get to see Ruby again. I get to see Yang and Tai and Qrow again. It's not ideal, but it is better than nothing."
"I'm... I'm so sorry," said Weiss, bowing her head.
"Weiss, there's no need to apologize. I mean, it's not like it's your fault," explained Ruby.
"I didn't know, and yet I treated you so badly when we first met," said Weiss, "I'm lucky to have my mother still alive. My sister... and even my father and brother to an extent. I've been spoiled by good things in my life, and... I should have been more sensitive."
"Weiss, it's okay," smiled Ruby, "you didn't know. You may not have asked, but I never said anything before now. We've been friends for an entire semester now. It's not like we're obligated to tell each other our life stories by now."
"Granted, Weiss's story is a bit more well known, all things considered," spoke up Blake, "You know about my parents, and what I once did, but that's only a small glimpse into what my life was like. It's okay Weiss, nobody's perfect. Not even you."
RWBY chuckled at Blake's words.
"So, who's up for some fun," said Yang.
"What's 'fun'?" asked Weiss, getting looks from RBYS, before laughing, "I'm kidding! I know how to have fun, I just... never had a lot of opportunities."
"Well, this will be the day you've waited for then," grinned Summer, "This is a day to have fun, and just hang out."
(AN7)
And RWBY did just that with Summer. All five of them enjoyed themselves with the various games, some competitive, others pure fun. It was a good day for RWBY, and by the end of it, they were ready for bed.
When RWBY reappeared in their Dorm room, it was about two hours later, and they headed for bed, wanting to rest up from the busy day. As they slept, they knew they had bonded more than ever and were ready for what came next.
(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: Yes, Jacques and Adam are on there. However, due to their Political and... devastating power respectively, it's hard to have anyone courageous and strong enough to take on their missions, so they're left on the board for now.
AN2: Had a more generalized concept of this conversation rolling around in my head for a few months now, name undecided until now. I had a few, but I doubt I remember them now.
AN3: See Yellow Trailer, also 'I Burn' song.
AN4: Note that Raven hasn't been mentioned yet around Weiss and Blake. I'm saving one conversation for V2. (LOLZ!)
AN5: Well, Red Trailer, actually described in a very basic version. Sorry, I still run with the writing style of 'you know what it looks like. If you've forgotten, go back and watch it again'. Sorry if that's inconvenient at times.
AN6: After Ruby's verse was done, feel free to imagine whatever miscellaneous scenes were happening over the course of the semester. Just saying...
AN7: I bet you're wondering: What's all in this common room I'm writing about but never giving any details... That... I leave to your imagination, within reasonability for Remnant. Just saying... Also, call back to V1 opening, because I know you didn't like it in Chapter One. LOLZ!
And thus, I'm done with all Volume 1 Material. When I write the next chapter, we have a certain challenge that needs to be met. Can Ruby stand up to this Challenge? Wait and find out!
Once again: HAPPY BIRTHDAY RUBY!
Until then...
Later,
RDF1