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REAPER IN RED

Chapter 17

Dusk had descended on the docks as we all got into position, scrolls at the ready. Weiss and Sun, Yang and Blake, and me and Penny all crouched at our assigned spots. Assigned by me, because I was a leader and a great one at that! Okay, fine. We voted on the teams and I got stuck with Penny because she kept on calling me 'friend' and I think she scared everybody else. But I chose where we would be positioned! No, it was Blake and Weiss, but I helped! A little...

We all had our roles. Our jobs. So cool! Who would think a Reaper would have a huntress job? I was on look-out. It sounded so important. I got to... well, look out for meanies and baddies and stuff. Keep my team safe and all. I was the team leader and only one with any sort of scope on my weapon, so it made sense. I knew Crescent Rose would come in handy!

But there we were, all crouching. Through Crescent Rose's scope, I took a peak in the direction of humans -faunus- approaching from the dock's abandoned warehouses. Almost as soon as they got to the metal containers, a human -a human-human- joined the fray. I squinted and racked my brain for why he looked so familiar. And then he removed his bowler hat to wipe at his red hair and swing his cane around freely.

"Mr. Torchwick," I muttered under my breath. What was he doing here? He could ruin everything!

"Well how'd you all do, my fine, furry friends. As you can see right behind me, I have been on a sort of winning streak. Being faced with my very mortality tends to do that sort of thing. For me, that means I'm stuck with a bunch of weapons and dust I stole for the hell of it and now have nowhere to put them. For you, it means some quality goods at cheap, cheap prices."

The White Fang members, all in their weird Grimm-like masks, looked at each other, some nodding, others smirking. Why would anybody want to look like Grimm? The one who was probably the leader stepped forward, "what else you got?"

Mr. Torchwick chuckled heartily , "if you got the lien, I got some great prizes for you. Course, these things over here don't come cheap. I had to outsource some of their collection to others, no not you animals. Neo!"

A short girl with multi-coloured hair suddenly appeared beside the suave criminal mastermind. With her pink umbrella, she whacked at something inside the metal container. It started to shake and I heard the unmistakable chirping and squeaking of what was inside.

"Peris" Mr. Torchwick's words reflected my own.

I glanced back at Penny, who was still crouched beside me, quiet yet focused on the men in front of us. My scroll buzzed as I received a message from Sun.

Did he say Peris?

I sent back a confirmation reply. He had captured a Peris. Friendly spirits to be sure, but tricky ones at that. In all my life, I had only seen a Peris from a distance. Let's just say that ancient spirits forced to remain on Remnant don't take too kindly to beings whose sole purpose it is to help souls pass through the divide. Not that I wouldn't help them if i could... just... it's not possible to Reap a soul from a body without a body to Reap from.

"Perri here is my finest. My piece de resistance. My creme de la cream or however they say it. He's had a busy few days handing out requests to pass on. And oh golly is he close. That means that he still owes humanity, maybe three favours. He's stuck here until those three favours are granted and I am his oh so generous benefactor, finding him his final master to serve."

There were smiles all around, as Mr. Torchwick continued explaining his wares. It wasn't just dust and weapons. He had Salemites as well. Nothing as powerful as the Peris, but a few household brownies and a supposed map to the Atlesian Mountain Witch or something. Who I might add, was neither Atlesian, nor a witch. I shuddered, Atlas sucked. The faunus didn't seem particularly intrigued with those things, not that I could blame them. Brownies were useful to humans, but not the smartest of creatures.

"I am sorry, my furry friends. That little item isn't for sale." I heard Mr. Torchwick shutting a container of some sort with a loud snap before he began talking, causing the White Fang leader to take a step back, scowl on his face.

"Why not?"

"It's much too powerful for you and incredibly out of your price range. Besides, there is already a perspective buyer."

"You would sell us the Peris and not that? How could that little thing be worth more than-" he stopped for a second, his features showing his sudden realization. "That's a syren."

"Not JUST a syren. That my dears, is a syren hatchling. Pulled away from her mama and papa and ready to have her song molded to her buyer's content. But the Peris is more up your alley anyways. Who wouldn't want to give a creature of angelic power orders?"

"Think what we could do with that." Said one faunus operative, his mind still obviously on the syren.

"We'd never have any traitors anymore."

"Traitors, shmaitors, we get it to give the right song, we could have the White Fang take over Vale without firing a single shot," replied another. "We could turn humans into slaves and have them willingly accept their role in society."

I saw movement. The members of the White Fang, all fifteen of them, were humming their approval. And Mr. Torchwick was just lazily twirling his cane. More movement, almost akin to shadow travel-

Oh.

Oh no.

Blake leaped down into the gaggle -group? team? tribe- of terrorists, ripping off her bow and revealing her cat ears. "Brothers of the White Fang! Why are you consorting with this human? Why are you considering forcing these creatures to do you bidding, like slavers. Doesn't the White Fang stand against slavery and helping human criminal scum?"

"Hey, I resent that. I am a human master criminal, thank you very much." Mr. Torchwick chimed, leaning heavily on his cane with a satisfied expression. "And the animals and I have come to quite a pleasant working relationship. Why don't you take care of the twerp for me and everything is five percent off. Pleasure doing business with you."

Blake gasped in shock.

"Help her!" I shouted, allowing Yang and Sun to rush to her aid while I watched for any more signs of trouble.

At once, Yang came in fists a blazing, firing shot after shot from her gauntlets towards the masked assailants. One jumped out of the way, only to be caught in a torrent of ice from Weiss. I could only smile at the sight. One down, only a whole bunch more to go. Now, if only I could keep out of the fight without Mr. Torchwick seeing me...

Blake twirled and twisted around Fang members, heading towards Mr. Torchwick, Sun only steps behind her. I saw Mr. Torchwick grit his teeth as he flipped his cane around, propelling the hook forward, and giving it a jerk as it found it's place behind Sun's knee. He buckled and fell into a roll. Wow, that was a pretty good move. The three huntresses and huntsman in training were doing quite well against the White Fang, but against Mr. Torchwick? I knew they didn't have a chance.

It surprised me how agile he was, ducking and weaving around strikes from Sun's staff-gun-nunchucku -so awesome!- weapon, as if it were nothing. Add to that, using his cane to strike at Blake just as she appeared at his side with her semblance... How in Salem's wisdom was he so injured when I met him?

I turned to Penny, who was staring at the ensuing fight with childlike glee, her eyes wide and unblinking, her smile showing sparkling white teeth, cheeks stretched to their absolute limit. Maybe passed it. Her eyes darted to me, the rest of her head not moving at all.

"Fighting. Blood. Hunger? Penny is full, but I am hungry."

"Penny?"

Her head began to twist. Her ear touched her shoulder and her smile only grew larger. Then it continued. Turning, flipping upside down. Her body bent unnaturally, collapsing into itself so she stood on her hands and feet, stomach in the air. Her bright red hair, once tied in a tight bun, now hung loose, touching the roof under her. It swung as she moved forward, her entire body bobbing and cracking unnaturally.

"Penny?"

"Salutations! I am Penny Polendina. I am sixteen years old and I would so love to become a huntress!" Her voice was cheery and young. She sounded so much younger than she did before. "Oh, father. Father. Will you let me go to school in Atlas Academy just as you did? You will? You wish to hug me first? Of course I will hug you. Oh father, you are the best father ever! I promise not to let you down. What? What is that? Are aren't father. Father! Please help me!"

Her piercing scream echoed through the docks, as the fighting stopped and all eyes were on her. No, it.

And then, it blinked. A slow blink, eyes deliberately closing her sparkling and happy green eyes. Only to reveal glowing red.

"Penny?" I asked one last time. What was she? No.. it couldn't be. Could it?

It lifted a hand out slowly. "Penny is not home right now."

Her arm shot forward, skin ripping, sending blood splattering around and bone cracking as her hand and wrist, only attached by tendon and blood vessel rocketed through the closest member of the White Fang, nearly 20 feet away. It punched a hole clear through his shoulder and he collapsed with only a whimper. It was silent for a moment.

Just a moment.

"Skin-Crawler!" The faunus leader screamed as all hell broke loose.

The skin-crawler in Penny's body leaped from her spot on the solid ground, still bent at an awkward angle. It's limbs tore out from Penny's body, flying forward as long whips, striking at anything in its path. A leg pinged off a metal container, leaving a large dent. A knee hit Sun's block, sending him flying. A hand grabbed on to a faunus, tearing his arm from its socket as he screamed it pain.

All the while, it howled that piercing scream. A cross between pure rage and a dying shriek.

It was all happening so fast. Team RWBY and Sun were no longer fighting the White Fang or Mr. Torchwick. No, they banded together to fight against this creature of the Higher Order. It was too powerful to fight alone.

But not for me.

So why was I still standing there? Stuck in place, watching as my friends got hurt. As they tired themselves out facing an opponent that powerful trained huntsmen had trouble defeating. As the blood seeped through the cracks in the stone and whimpers of fear and tears filled the eyes of the dying.

There was pressure. So much pressure. That amazing pulsing feeling. My heart quickened, each beat increasing in strength and tempo as I watched those humans in the White Fang get thrown around. I was breathing quickly. Unconsciously licking my lips. I knew I was running out of time on this ancient vampire soul. When would I get another chance like this? Another chance to Reap? There were so many of them. None of them were particularly old, but together they could buy me a little more time. Maybe a week or two. But it would be enough. Enough for now. I felt sweat beading on my forehead and my body temperature start to cool. I looked at my friends, all fighting fiercely in desperation. Penny flipped out of reach, sending giant metal shipping containers flying around her. I heard the Peris shriek in her cage.

Yang went in for a strike, slamming her fist into the creature's chest, only to be flung across the docks by something which had once been a leg.

Its smile tore through her cheeks, leaving blood around Penny's face. I saw Mr. Torchwick start to run.

"Ruby!" Yang called out in desperation, a limb rocketing towards Weiss.

I knew what needed to be done. I threw myself from my perch, unfurling my weapon as I fell. With a solid strike, I cleaved through the tendons of the skin-crawler's outstretched limb. It screamed in agony and rage. Not in pain, but because it couldn't reach its target. Weiss gave me a nod of thanks as she rejoined the fight.

The pulsing filled my ears. Four minutes. Ninety-three seconds. Eighty-eight seconds. Six and a half minutes. The lifespans of the dying men filled my mind as they were bleeding out. I let loose a volley of gunfire at the Salemite, yet it continued rushing ahead, not even bothering to pay me a glance. I was running out of time.

"Keep it distracted! I'm going to get help!" I shouted, flying off in a wave of petals made from shadow. Hoping somebody had heard me over the inferno which was starting to blaze.

I heard the fighting in the distance. I stopped and looked back, panting hard. Realizing nobody was around to see me, I stopped panting. No point in wasting my time with that.

"Little Red, is that you?" I turned to Mr. Torchwick.

"Long time, Mr. Torchwick." I gave him a small smile.

He was battered and bruised. A gash left blood on his cheek and there seemed to be dirt on his bowler hat. Not to mention his normally pristine white coat. "Is Neo gone? She could be incredibly useful against a Salemite as powerful as a skin-crawler."

He gave me a half-chuckle, as he shuddered, gripping a wound on his arm. "Not the most powerful one here."

I shrugged.

"I sent her away the moment that thing attacked us. She knows to come back for me if I give the signal."

"Why send her away at all?"

"Our employer would probably find it interesting that a higher order Salemite found its way into Vale without anybody noticing. Though I guess I shouldn't be surprised. They did let a Reaper in as well," he said with a grin.

"You know our deal. I kept you alive-"

"And I forge your transcripts, birth certificate, Beacon fight, the whole shebang-"

"And you don't tell anyone, including your employer, whoever it is, that Reapers can live among humans."

Mr. Torchwick whistled, "I am sitting on the mother of all riches with that bit of information, I'll have you know. Would be a shame if word got out."

"Would be a shame if you happened to die."

"And you said Reapers can't kill."

I shook my head, "I said Reapers don't kill. Shouldn't kill. But, it's technically not killing if I happen to bring you back to the skin-crawler and have you help us try to defeat it."

Mr. Torchwick glowered. "You've been around us humans too long, picking up some dirty tricks." He shrugged, "fine. What do you want from me."

"Get in touch with the huntsmen, or the police and have them come here. Try to stall them for a bit, I need some time."

Mr. Torchwick nodded, muttering something about needing a hard drink after seeing me again, and I let the change overcome me. The sky grew darker and Mr. Torchwick took an involuntary step back; his shadow leaving his frame and pulling into me. Every shadow was pulled to me. My hood darkened and filled out into a true thick black cloak. My pale skin became even more so. Then nearly translucent. My eyes changed from silver to ruby red, piercing and sparkling in the dark as if it were the only source of light present. All other light dimmed.

Mr. Torchwick let out half a shriek of terror before he fell into a calm silence. I looked at him. I knew there was some fear behind that now-calm demeanor, but there was also acceptance. He had no choice but to accept. If that was truly what I had wanted. But no. Not him. He still had forty-seven years, give or take four months before his natural death. There were those dying here and now. Those humans with their masks like Grimm, blood seeping from their torn limbs and aching bones. One had already succumbed to the blood loss. I felt sorry for him. Dying without a Reaper was a truly horrific way to go.

My bare feet left the ground as I sailed towards the sounds of fighting and shrieks of despair. Shadow pooled around my finger tips, lengthening into the tool of my species. The gleaming dark silver metal finished forming around that sleek black staff I had come to know and love over the many decades I had used it. My scythe.

I first saw the monkey faunus, flipping over top an attack from the skin-crawler.

"Reaper!" Came the shout from the white-haired girl, before my gaze paralyzed her in place. I smiled slightly, but inside I wished her well. It was fear which paralyzed her. Not any sort of magic I might possess. My aura of calmness could not reach far enough to properly affect her. I wished my mouth could move properly. She stumbled and fell, eyes still fastened on me.

I moved over to her. She was my friend. I knew her. I had to make sure she was safe. As I descended next to her, I reached out to her hands, helping her back to her feet. I smiled at her and squeezed her hands gently. She was going to be alright. No bumps or bruises. Safe. I would make sure of it.

But first, I needed to Reap.

The skin-crawler's head, now detached and hanging from powerful tendons and muscles many feet from the rest of the body spun to face me, that ever present smile turning into a frown. I paid it no mind. There was no intelligence behind those angry eyes and blood-curling scream. No way to think and act against me. It was useless. Weak. Everything was, in the face of those that walk alongside Death.

Those faunus whom had fallen. Who were dying, coughing up blood. That was my sole focus. They may be terrorists in the eyes of fellow humans, but to me, they were living the lives they wanted to. Helping the world in their own way. Continuing the story that was the life of this world. That's what mom told me. My presence soothed them as I approached. I leaned down, allowing a hand to rest on one dying man's. He looked up at me with tears in his eyes. "I'm not ready. Please," he whispered.

I could only give him a small smile, filled with as much emotion as I could. I wanted to tell him that I understood his pain. That I was there to make his passing easier. Our hands tightened against each other and he took one last shaky breath before nodding at me and closing his eyes. He was ready. As ready as one could ever be. I leaned my scythe down and gently plucked his soul from his torso. His hand loosened on my own, but I held firm until I felt his soul pass.

I stood up as he slumped over. There were five more waiting to be Reaped.

I felt pressure on the back of my skull. Turning to see what it was, I noticed the Salemite shrieking, pulling back from an attack on me. I could only shake my head as its limb rocketed towards me. The limb went straight through me. I held my smile as I heard the limb hit whatever was behind me. Then it pulled back and I regained my tangibility. I turned back to my work. That Salemite was most bothersome, but I had humans -faunus- to Reap. It bounded towards me on it's long extremities, shrieking. I let it draw near. It was wasting my time. I swung my scythe, letting the flat part of the blade strike the creature. It soared away, slamming into the mass of containers across the dock, others collapsing down on it.

It was hard seeing so many faces pass to whatever was beyond. They were all scared. Maybe of me at first, but then of what came next. I understood that fear; I sympathized with it. That fear of the unknown. I just knew it was a better place than this. It had to be. Mom said there was no pain over there. I hope what she said was true. That they could still look down on us and watch over us. I hoped mom was watching me. I was doing the best I could.

As I Reaped the final soul, helping the slumped body to the ground with care, I turned back to the skin-crawler. Back to the humans -no, my friends- petrified. To them, it was two higher order Salemites in one location. I heard somebody shout something.

"Where is she?!" Oh, it was Yang that spoke. Why was she crying and shaking so?

"Where is my sister? Did you kill her, you monster?"

I didn't know what I could have said at that point, even if I could. I sent out shadow, letting them wrap around her and fill her with my calming embrace. I heard her tear-filled heavy breathing slow. I gave a soft smile. She was going to be alright.

"Aargh!" Yang screamed rushing forward, breaking free from my hold as her semblance ignited, striking at my shoulder. She attacked mercilessly. I dodged where I could, but she was fast. So fast. Attack after attack. Her eyes blazing red and hair alight in flame. She hit my torso, I didn't budge. "Where is my baby sister, you Reaper! I will kill you!"

How could she break free from my presence? Why wasn't she calming down? Was this some ancient magic coming back to Remnant after generations? No, that only happened in stories. Was this a side-affect of what I did to her? No, it couldn't be. I did that to so many others and none of them were like this.

Was it love?

Amid the pointless attacks made by my human-sister against me, I heard the sounds of bullheads approaching. That must be Mr. Torchwick's reinforcements. My attention turned back to Yang, just in time to block a strike for my neck with my scythe. With the glimmer of unshedable tears in my eyes, I floated up and out of her reach. All the while she screamed at me. Begging for her sister's life. Begging for my life to be spared from the Reaper's clutches. It was heart-breaking to see her so sad and scared.

As the bullheads landed and huntsmen leaped out to finish the battle with the skin-crawler, I found a place to hide.

It only took a second to regain my human appearance, but it was like everything hit me at once. I noticed how cold it was outside and I couldn't help but to laugh. It was cold! I was feeling the cold again!

"Yang," I gasped, rushing back to the docks. I threw myself at my sister, tackling her to the floor. "Yang!"

"Ruby!" She replied, behind tears.

"I'm so sorry!" I felt my eyes glisten. We stared at each other, hugging. While the sounds of that dying Salemite filled the air around us. That monster. That thing which had once been Penny, had died. As much as a thing like that could die.

"All of you get on the bullhead." Came an order from a huntsman. I helped Yang up and onto the airship, before returning to help Weiss, who had a noticeable limp. Blake and Sun held onto each other as they stepped towards the ship.

"Team ORNG, Team COPR, find any animals you can and burn them. Teams SAPR, BAAG and ZRCN, make sure the blaze continues to spread through the immediate surroundings but doesn't reach the civilian quarters. We need to make sure nothing is left living in the area. If any humans are nearby, perform the regular tests. If they fail, exterminate with extreme caution. Find the caged daemons and angels.." The many huntsmen and huntresses followed his orders and proceeded on their missions as he belted them out. Our bullhead ascended.

We were all quiet. That was not how we thought the night was going to go.

"I'm sorry I brought you in-into this. It.. it's my faul-" Weiss broke down into tears and sobs before she could finish. Yang placed an arm around her and pulled her into a tight hug. We all joined them.

It was a lot for them to take in. I felt Yang holding onto me tightly, but even with the discomfort, I allowed it. I knew what she was going through. I knew what they all were going through. Tears fell freely among the team and Sun. Higher Order were no laughing matter.

Reapers were on a whole other level.

I felt a twinge of guilt. I wish there was something more I could do.

But for now, I buried my head into Blake's shoulder and continued the hug for as long as I could.

And this wraps up the climax for this arc. I know you all probably have a lot of questions and I will be happy to answer them. This arc is an important one. This isn't the Remnant you are used to. PS. I wrote the outline for this arc before RWBY V7 came out.

dragonqueen1993 - Heh, still have a long way to go for that.

Alucard45 - Hopefully this was a satisfying little bit of kicking butt.

lasereye27 - Keep looking out for those little changes. ;)

snoopykid - Secrets tend to come out in the most inopportune moments.

ProDutchChees - Not a werewolf! Funny enough, out of all the monsters I looked up and stuck into this story, werewolves were one of the few I intentionally left out. Skin Crawlers are a lot of fun to write.

Sm0keyPanda - I know! Penny is adorable.

Guest - I can promise you now. One of your three guesses is correct. :)

FN75 - 2 down, 2 to go! Higher Order and Grimm are a little different. We already know that Ruby doesn't really have Grimm colouration (well, she does had a black hood and red eyes in Reaper form, but not always), so who's to say that isn't true for all Higher Order? Or any non-Grimm magical creatures? And there is no way I'm going to mention Higher Order creatures and not reveal them all. They are just too much fun to write.

AssassinAkame - Glad you are enjoying it! As of now, I'm unsure if Winter will appear, but who knows what the future holds?

AHH! This story has reached over 300 followers! You guys know what that means? A double chapter week! I will see you all again on Thursday!