AN: And here it is, Chapter 5. Took a bit longer this time, it seems shifting to the perspective of Ruby messed up my ability to write a bit. Got it done in the end though!
Review responses for the last chapter, at the end of this one.
Ruby Rose wandered through the small town of Patch, the familiar streets bustling with the usual crowd of market stalls and townspeople. She had just finished visiting a few of her friends from Signal Academy, but her mind was elsewhere as she walked. She'd been itching to get back to her training and work on some modifications for Crescent Rose, her beloved weapon. The latest tweaks she had in mind were going to make it even faster—just the thought of testing it out made her bounce with excitement.
She waved absentmindedly at a few familiar faces as she moved through the town, her boots scuffing the dusty road. It was a clear, warm day, the kind that made Patch feel safe, like home. But Ruby's pace slowed as she neared the market square, something drawing her attention.
At first, she couldn't quite place it. Her gaze drifted across the stalls, the familiar vendors, the usual chatter of townspeople... but then she saw him.
Her father, Taiyang, was walking with a tall stranger, someone she didn't recognize. Ruby blinked, her curiosity piqued. Her father didn't usually keep company with people she didn't know, especially not someone like... him. The man walking next to Taiyang was unlike anyone she had ever seen. His presence was impossible to ignore—he towered over everyone other than her father, his posture stiff and controlled, as if he were holding himself apart from the world around him.
Ruby ducked behind a nearby stall, keeping herself hidden as she peeked out at the pair. Something about the stranger sent a shiver down her spine, though she couldn't say why. He was dressed plainly enough, but there was something about the way he moved—so deliberate, so... powerful. And his eyes. Yellow. Cold.
Ruby didn't know what it was, but the man gave off a feeling that made her uneasy, like he didn't belong in the peaceful little village of Patch. Her instincts told her to stay out of sight, so she followed them, watching as her father and the stranger talked quietly, their footsteps slow as they made their way across the market square.
She strained to hear, but they were too far away. Her mind raced with questions. Who was this guy? Why was he with her dad?
Her father's face was calm, but she could tell something was off. Taiyang's body language was tense, though he tried to hide it. He wasn't acting the way he usually did when he was talking to someone from the village or even one of the visiting Huntsmen who sometimes came through. No, this was different.
Ruby's grip tightened around the fabric of her cloak as she continued watching. The stranger barely looked at the people around him, like they were beneath his notice. But then, just for a second, his gaze swept the market—sharp and deliberate. She ducked lower behind the stall, her heart racing as his eyes passed over the area where she stood.
Did he see me?
When he didn't react, Ruby let out a quiet breath, still keeping her eyes on them. Her father and the stranger moved further into the town, heading toward the blacksmith's shop. Ruby considered following them, but something held her back. As much as she wanted to know what was going on, a part of her didn't want to get too close to that man. There was something... dangerous about him, something that set her instincts on edge.
But Ruby was nothing if not curious. She had to know more, even if she couldn't explain why. There was something important about this stranger—something she couldn't ignore.
Deciding to follow from a distance, she trailed behind them as quietly as she could. Maybe she couldn't hear what they were saying, but she could at least figure out where they were going. And later, when her dad got home, she'd ask him about it.
Yeah, that's the plan. Ask dad. But even as she told herself that, Ruby had the strange feeling that her father wouldn't be eager to share everything about this mysterious stranger.
Ruby lingered near the edge of the market, careful to stay out of sight while her father and the stranger entered the blacksmith's shop. She leaned against the side of a building, pretending to look at her Scroll, but her eyes kept drifting back to the shop's door. She had no idea what was happening in there, and it frustrated her. Her mind ran through a dozen different scenarios, each one more mysterious than the last.
As the minutes ticked by, she started to wonder what she'd say if her dad spotted her there. She wasn't exactly supposed to be snooping around, but she needed to know what was going on. Who was that guy? He looked so out of place, and the way her father acted around him was so different from his usual, laid-back demeanor.
Finally, the door to the blacksmith's shop opened, and Ruby tensed, pulling back into the shadows as her father and the stranger stepped outside. They exchanged a few words, but she couldn't catch any of it from where she was. She bit her lip, her curiosity driving her to follow them once again as they made their way down the narrow road leading out of the market and toward the outskirts of the village.
Ruby trailed behind them, staying a careful distance back. She darted between houses and through alleyways, using every bit of cover she could find. Her heart pounded as they moved further from the market and the bustling crowds. The homes thinned out as they neared the edge of the village, and Ruby found herself in a quiet alleyway, peeking around the corner of a small house.
Her father and the stranger were ahead, just at the end of the road where the houses met the fields. But suddenly, the stranger stopped. He turned slightly, as if something had caught his attention. Ruby froze, holding her breath as his gaze swept back over the alleyways, his eyes briefly meeting hers, though he didn't fully turn his head.
For a moment, her stomach dropped. She was sure he had seen her, that she had been caught. But then, almost as quickly as he had paused, he looked away, dismissing whatever he had noticed with a subtle shift of his shoulders. He muttered something under his breath, and Ruby thought she saw a flash of irritation cross his face, but he simply continued walking.
After a few more seconds of watching them as they walked down the path to the old inn, Ruby turned and made her way back through the winding streets of Patch. She kept her pace casual, her hood pulled up as the early evening shadows began to stretch across the town. The village was quieting down, with most people already heading home. She exited the town limits and began to make her way home along the forest path. They didn't live far outside the town, but it was still a good walk. Plenty of time to think about what she had seen.
The forest around her was familiar, the tall trees and rustling leaves a comforting contrast to the strangeness of the day. She let her feet follow the worn path, the rhythmic crunch of twigs underfoot grounding her as she mulled over her thoughts.
The stranger's presence lingered in her mind, his image sharp and vivid against the backdrop of the quiet village. She couldn't shake the feeling that he was different—dangerous, even. There was something, a sense of coldness and control that seemed to emanate from him.
She knew her dad wouldn't like it if he found out she'd been sneaking around, watching him from a distance. But she couldn't help it—she'd always been curious. It was part of being a Huntress-in-training, she told herself. You couldn't be a good Huntress if you didn't keep your eyes open and ask questions.
That thought lingered as Ruby glanced down the path that led deeper into the forest. She hesitated, knowing she should probably head home. She felt restless however, and she wasn't ready to go back just yet. Her mother's grave wasn't far from here—just a short detour, maybe another twenty minutes' walk. She hadn't visited in a while, and after seeing that stranger in town, she felt a strange pull to go there.
With a soft sigh, Ruby adjusted her hood and turned down the familiar path that led to the small clearing where Summer Rose was buried. The forest grew denser as she walked, the canopy overhead filtering the fading sunlight into dappled patterns on the ground. She liked coming here, despite the bittersweet memories it stirred. There was something peaceful about it, a quiet place away from the hustle of town and the responsibilities of training.
As she approached the clearing, she slowed her steps, a sense of unease prickling at the back of her mind. Something was different. Ruby's eyes scanned the area, and she quickly noticed a few things that weren't usually there. Near her mother's grave, a makeshift camp was set up—a rough circle of stones marking where a fire had burned, with charred embers and ash still lingering. Whoever had been here hadn't bothered to clean up after themselves.
Ruby's brow furrowed as she moved closer, her gaze landing on the scattered remains of the camp. There were broken branches and scuffed dirt around the fire, as if someone had been in a hurry or possibly disturbed. And then she saw the dark stains on the ground, dried and barely visible in the dimming light. Blood.
She knelt, brushing her fingers over the rough patches where the grass was stained and flattened. It wasn't fresh, but it couldn't have been more than a day old.
Her instincts as a Huntress-in-training kicked in, and she began to piece together the scene. Whoever fought here had been injured. From the amount of blood, badly. The blood splatter, the claw marks on the ground, and the overturned earth—it all pointed to something vicious. A Grimm attack, most likely. But what kind of Grimm? And why here?
The presence of the camp made things even stranger. Whoever had been here hadn't just passed through—they had stayed long enough to set up a fire and try to recover. But why choose this spot? Her mother's grave was secluded, off the main paths. Hardly anyone ever came here, except for her family. Ruby's brows furrowed as she took in the signs of the camp again. Whoever had been here, they hadn't just stumbled across the spot. They had chosen this place deliberately. But why?
The thought gnawed at her as she slowly circled the clearing. It was strange. Grimm attacks weren't unheard of this close to town, but most people didn't fight them alone—not unless they had no other choice.
Ruby knelt beside the makeshift campfire, her eyes scanning the faint traces of burnt wood and ash. The person who had camped here had stayed long enough to build a fire, even while injured. She brushed her hand over the flattened grass, noticing the way the earth had been disturbed by something heavy—someone lying down, maybe?
Her stomach twisted slightly. She didn't know what to make of it yet, but it unsettled her. Someone had fought a Grimm here, and they hadn't come into town asking for help afterward despite being injured. Who does that?
Her mind flickered briefly to the stranger in town, the man with the cold, yellow eyes who had walked alongside her father earlier. It was a strange coincidence—too strange to ignore. But she wasn't ready to jump to conclusions yet. It could have been someone else, someone passing through. Besides, from how he had been walking around the man clearly was not injured. Aura could heal damage pretty fast, but from the amount of blood on the ground it would have taken at least a few days to stop feeling it.
She stood up, brushing dirt from her knees, and cast one last look at the grave. It didn't sit right with her, knowing there had been a fight here. Her mother's grave had always been a place of peace, and now it felt like that peace had been disturbed by something dark, something dangerous.
uby's heart sank as she looked at the gravestone, running her fingers over the carved rose, the petals etched into the stone like a gentle reminder of her mother's warmth.
She knelt down beside the grave, letting the silence settle around her. "Hey, Mom," she began softly, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "It's been a while. I've been busy, you know? I finished up this year at Signal, and it went pretty well. I think I'm getting stronger. Crescent Rose, too. She's faster than ever, I managed to reduce her weight a lot while keeping her just as sharp." She paused, glancing around the quiet clearing as if expecting an answer.
"I guess… I just miss you," Ruby continued, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Things are changing. Yang's been getting ready for Beacon. She's excited, and I am too, but… I guess I'm a little jealous." She gave a small laugh, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. "I know, that's silly, right? I should be happy for her. I am happy for her. She's going to be amazing, I know it. But I wish we could do it together. I've still got a couple years to go at Signal, and she'll be off doing big, awesome things."
Ruby bit her lip, her eyes growing distant. "I feel like everyone else is moving forward, and I'm just… here. Trying to catch up. Trying to be good enough. I want to be like you and Yang, strong and brave. I want to make you proud."
She took a deep breath, blinking away the prickling in her eyes. "Sometimes I wonder what you'd say if you were here. You'd probably tell me not to worry so much, to just keep going, right?" Ruby smiled a little, the ache in her chest softening. "It's just… hard sometimes. Yang is so confident, and Dad… well, he tries. He's been busy lately, I think he's worried about something. Maybe it's just the stress of getting Yang ready for Beacon. I don't know."
Ruby sat quietly for a moment, letting her words hang in the air. The wind rustled through the trees, carrying with it a hint of warmth that made her smile despite the autumn chill. She liked to think that was her mom's way of answering, reminding her that she wasn't alone.
Standing up, Ruby brushed off her knees and took one last look at the grave. "Thanks for listening, Mom. I'll be back soon. I promise." With a soft sigh, she turned and started back toward the path that led home.
It wasn't long before she found herself at the front door of her house. She paused for a moment, listening for any sign that her father had noticed her absence, but there was nothing. Just the faint murmur of voices from inside, along with the familiar scent of dinner cooking. Ruby let out a breath of relief and pushed the door open, stepping into the warmth of the house.
As she walked in, she heard the clatter of dishes and saw Yang, her older sister, in the kitchen, setting the table. Yang glanced up as Ruby entered, her bright blonde hair catching the light. She gave Ruby a grin, her usual carefree energy shining through.
"Hey, Ruby! There you are! I thought you were gonna be late for dinner. What were you up to?" Yang asked, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.
Ruby hesitated for a split second, but she quickly smiled and shrugged, pulling her hood back. "Oh, you know… just hanging out with some friends in town. Lost track of time, I guess. You're not cooking are you?"
Yang laughed, rolling her eyes. "Please, give me a little credit! I learned my lesson after last time. Dad's cooking tonight. He's just finishing up, so you got here just in time." She set down the last plate and leaned against the counter, crossing her arms with a smirk. "But come on, spill. Did you really just lose track of time? Or were you up to something more interesting?"
Ruby shrugged, trying to keep her tone light as she joined Yang in the kitchen. "Honestly, just wandering around. You know how it is. I went to see some friends, and then I kind of... wandered off." She hesitated, her mind drifting back to the stranger and the unsettling feeling she'd had all day. But she wasn't ready to talk about that yet. Not with Yang, anyway. Not until she knew more.
"Well, as long as you didn't wander too far," Yang replied, reaching over to ruffle Ruby's hair. "I mean, you never know what's lurking around out there. Remember last week when Dad said he spotted that pack of Beowolves close to the village? Gotta keep your guard up."
Ruby rolled her eyes, swatting Yang's hand away with a grin. "I can handle a couple of Beowolves. Besides, they don't usually come near town unless something's stirred them up. It's been quiet lately."
They moved around the kitchen together, the comforting rhythm of setting the table and chatting easing some of Ruby's tension. But her thoughts still lingered on what she'd seen in town—and at her mother's grave. She glanced at Yang, who was busy arranging silverware, and wondered if she should mention it. Maybe Yang had heard something about the stranger, but Ruby wasn't sure how to bring it up without revealing too much.
"So…" Ruby ventured, trying to sound casual, "did you see Dad with anyone today? Like, uh, in town?"
Yang looked up, her expression curious. "Oh, you mean that guy he was with earlier? Yeah, I saw him. Hard to miss someone like that, right?" She gave a low whistle. "He's intense. I haven't seen Dad look so serious around someone in a long time."
Ruby bit her lip, nodding. "Yeah, he did seem… different. I just caught a glimpse of him, but I don't think he's from around here."
"That's putting it mildly," Yang said with a laugh. "I asked Dad about him, but he was pretty tight-lipped. Just said the guy needed some help, and that was that. I dunno, something about him gives me the creeps. Like, he's hiding something."
Ruby felt a surge of relief knowing that Yang had picked up on it too. She wasn't the only one who'd sensed something off. "Yeah, I got that feeling too," she admitted. "I mean, he didn't even really look at anyone, just… walked through town like he was on a mission."
"Maybe he is." Yang shrugged, grabbing a towel to help Dad as he entered the kitchen with a big pot. "Who knows? Dad probably won't say much, but if that guy's still around tomorrow, maybe we can find out more."
Ruby nodded, her resolve strengthening. She was going to figure out who this stranger was, and why he was here. But for now, dinner and family were enough. She could wait a little longer. There'd be time for answers soon enough.
o - o - o - O - o - o - o
Ruby woke early, sunlight filtering through her bedroom window as the forest outside gradually came to life. She stretched, yawning as she tried to shake off the remnants of sleep. But even before she was fully awake, there was an itch in the back of her mind—a persistent urge that she couldn't quite shake.
She hadn't been able to stop thinking about him. Her dreams had been restless, filled with fragments of the day before: the tense look on her father's face, the strange man's cold, unreadable eyes, and the signs of a fight near her mother's grave. It all felt tangled up, like a puzzle she couldn't quite piece together.
As she got dressed, Ruby felt that pull growing stronger, a nagging curiosity that wouldn't let her ignore it. She needed to know more. Her mind kept drifting back to the clearing and the bloodstains in the grass. Whoever that stranger was, he had brought trouble with him, and she wasn't about to sit by and do nothing.
Quietly, so as not to wake anyone else, she slipped out of her room and made her way downstairs. Her dad and Yang were still asleep, or at least they weren't moving around yet. Ruby grabbed a quick bite from the kitchen, her movements instinctive as her mind raced with questions.
Outside, the morning air was cool and crisp, carrying the familiar scent of the forest. She took a deep breath, letting it clear her head. She didn't know exactly what she expected to find, but something told her she wouldn't be satisfied until she went looking.
Ruby moved with purpose, her boots lightly tapping the familiar dirt path into town. The village was still quiet, with only a few early risers milling about, but she barely noticed them as she made her way to the inn. The pull she felt was growing stronger, as if it were guiding her toward something she needed to see.
She arrived at the inn and hesitated, glancing up at the modest wooden building. She had no idea what she was going to say or how she'd even get close enough to learn anything, but she felt drawn to this place. Taking a deep breath, she stepped inside.
The inn was as quiet as she expected. Only the innkeeper was visible, organizing a stack of linens behind the counter. Ruby lingered near the door, unsure of how to approach her goal. She had no idea which room the stranger might be in, or even if he'd be up yet.
She glanced around, trying to seem casual, and saw a staircase leading up to the second floor. Maybe I could just take a quick look around, she thought, already moving toward the stairs before she could second-guess herself.
"Can I help you, dear?" The innkeeper's voice startled her, pulling her out of her thoughts.
Ruby spun around, giving the innkeeper a quick smile. "Oh! Uh, sorry. I was just looking for someone."
The innkeeper raised an eyebrow, folding her arms. "Looking for someone, eh? We don't usually get visitors this early. Who's the lucky friend?"
Ruby hesitated, trying to think of a quick answer. She couldn't exactly say she was snooping on her dad's mysterious acquaintance. "Uh, I don't really know his name," she admitted, scratching the back of her head awkwardly. "He's tall, kinda... intense-looking?"
The innkeeper's eyes narrowed slightly, and Ruby could tell she knew exactly who she was talking about. "Ah, him. New fellow. He left about an hour earlier, just after the sun came up. Asked where the nearest clearing in the forest was."
Ruby's heart sank slightly, but her curiosity only grew stronger. She didn't know exactly what she was looking for, but she couldn't shake the feeling that she needed to find him.
She thanked the innkeeper and stepped back outside, squinting against the morning sun. The streets were still mostly empty, but the few people milling about were enough to keep her from feeling completely alone. She glanced back toward the forest path, the one that led away from town and into the dense trees beyond.
Her instincts told her to follow it. It's not too late to turn back, she reminded herself, but her feet were already moving toward the trail.
As she entered the trees, the sounds of the village faded behind her, replaced by the quiet rustling of leaves and the occasional call of a bird. The forest felt alive, almost watching her as she moved deeper into its shadows. She followed the path until it split, then took a turn that led to a more secluded area she had seen only a few times. If the stranger wanted privacy, this was where he would go.
After a few minutes, she came upon a small clearing. It was quiet, with a sense of stillness that felt almost unnatural. She stopped, glancing around. The area felt... heavy, somehow. Almost as if the very air was different. A feeling of cold seemed to hang in the air, and she felt a shiver run down her spine.
Then she saw him.
He was sitting cross-legged on the ground, his back to her, as if deep in thought. His eyes were closed, his posture rigid but calm. He seemed entirely absorbed, unaware of her presence—or at least indifferent to it. She hesitated, debating whether to approach or retreat. The man radiated an unsettling aura, one that made her instinctively want to keep her distance.
She crouched low, staying behind a nearby tree, watching him. His hands rested on his knees, and though he wasn't moving, Ruby could feel something emanating from him, something she couldn't quite place. It was almost like he was reaching out with an unseen force, tapping into something that made the air around him feel heavier, thicker.
Meditating? she wondered, studying him closely. She had heard of Huntsmen and Huntresses using meditation to focus their minds, but this felt different, darker. She could almost sense the tension in the air, like it was crackling with an energy she didn't understand.
She didn't dare to move closer, but her curiosity held her in place, unable to turn away. She'd never seen anyone like him, never felt anything like this strange force that seemed to wrap around him like a cloak. Whatever he was doing, it was powerful, and it was beyond anything she'd encountered before.
Ruby felt an odd sensation, almost like a melody on the edge of hearing, faint but persistent. It pulsed through the air, wrapping around her, and she found herself drawn to it, unable to turn away. The feeling was intoxicating, like a drink she had never tasted but suddenly craved with a fierce longing. It was strange—she wasn't physically moving closer, but she felt herself being pulled into whatever this man was doing, as if the energy he exuded was calling to her.
Her heart raced, and she felt a chill crawl down her spine as she became aware of the emotions swirling around him. It was as though she could feel his very essence, the raw emotions he was channeling as he sat there, silent and unmoving.
First came the sadness, a deep well of sorrow that seemed to stretch on forever. She felt a weight in her chest, a profound sense of loss that made her eyes sting. It wasn't her own sadness, but it was so vivid, so present, that she felt it as if it were. The sorrow was ancient, layered, and for a moment, she thought she could see fleeting images of things she couldn't fully understand—flashes of faces, places, a past long gone.
Then came the anger. It hit her like a storm, fierce and relentless, a raging fire that burned hot and unforgiving. The fury was almost too much to bear, a force so intense that she had to grip the tree beside her to keep steady. It wasn't like the anger she'd felt before, the kind that faded with time. This was something darker, deeper—a hatred that had been nurtured, fueled by years of resentment. She felt it clawing at her, and for a moment, she understood why this man was so different. He carried that anger with him, a shadow that had never left.
But just as she thought she couldn't take any more, a new sensation swept over her—a strange, exhilarating joy. It was pure, unfiltered, and almost terrifying in its intensity. She felt his elation, the thrill of having a body unrestrained, of being whole again, though she did not understand how she knew this. It was a joy that carried a darker edge, almost like a victory over something or someone. It was a feeling so vibrant, so consuming, that it left her breathless.
The emotions blended together, shifting like a living, breathing thing, and Ruby found herself swaying slightly, entranced. The sadness, the anger, the joy—they all wove together, creating a tapestry of feelings that was as beautiful as it was terrifying. She felt like she was listening to a song only he could create, a melody crafted from the darkest corners of his soul.
Ruby closed her eyes, letting herself sink into the feeling, even as it frightened her. She had never experienced anything like this, and part of her wanted to run, to get as far away from this stranger as possible. But another part of her, a part she didn't quite understand, wanted to stay, to know more, to see what this man was truly capable of.
As Ruby remained hidden, her gaze fixed on him, a sudden movement in the trees behind him caught her attention. She squinted, trying to make it out, when she realized with a jolt that something dark was slinking through the shadows. A Beowolf.
It moved with a predator's grace, muscles rippling beneath its inky black hide, its eyes glowing a fierce red. Ruby's heart leapt into her throat. The man was completely oblivious, locked in his strange, meditative trance, and the creature was closing in on him with deadly intent.
She didn't think—she just reacted.
"Watch out!" she called, stepping forward without realizing it.
In an instant, the man's eyes snapped open, and Ruby saw the flash of golden-yellow before he moved. He didn't even turn to look at the creature. Instead, his hand shot up, his fingers curling into a claw-like shape as the Grimm leapt toward him, jaws wide, ready to strike.
But it never reached him.
The Grimm froze in mid-air, as if caught by some invisible force. Its massive, clawed limbs flailed helplessly, its red eyes burning with fury as it struggled against an unseen grip. Ruby's breath caught as she watched the man slowly stand, his hand still raised, his focus completely on the Grimm now.
He made a subtle twisting motion with his fingers, and Ruby saw the creature's body convulse, its limbs straining against the invisible bonds that held it. Then, with a slow, deliberate clenching of his fist, the creature's body began to contort, as if it were being crushed by an invisible vice.
Ruby could only watch, transfixed and horrified, as the Grimm let out a strangled roar. Its body shuddered, and with one final twist of the man's hand, the creature went limp, its form crumbling into black smoke as it dissipated into the air.
The silence that followed was deafening. Ruby could only stare, her heart racing, as the man lowered his hand, his gaze shifting briefly to the spot where the Grimm had been. He hadn't moved an inch from where he'd been sitting, but the sheer power he had wielded so effortlessly left a chill in the air.
For a moment, Ruby forgot to breathe. She knew she should back away, should leave before he noticed her, but she was frozen in place, unable to tear her gaze from him. She had seen Huntsmen and Huntresses fight Grimm before, but never like this—never with such cold precision, and never without even touching a weapon.
The man finally turned, his piercing gaze finding her through the trees. Ruby's heart pounded as their eyes met, and she felt that strange, heavy energy envelop her again. She wasn't sure what she had expected, but the intensity in his eyes was something she hadn't been prepared for.
"Why are you here?" he asked, his voice low, carrying an edge of irritation.
Ruby's mouth went dry, and she struggled to find her words, her mind still reeling from what she had just witnessed. "I... I was just... I thought you were in trouble," she stammered, hating how small her voice sounded.
The man narrowed his eyes, and Ruby could feel the weight of his scrutiny, as if he were seeing through her, reading her thoughts. She took a small step back, realizing with a sinking feeling that she was in far over her head. She didn't know who he was, or what he was capable of, but she knew one thing for certain—this was no ordinary man.
"Your concern is unnecessary," he said, his tone clipped, as if dismissing her entirely. "Leave."
For a moment, Ruby wanted to argue, to ask him what he was doing in their forest and why he was so... different. But the coldness in his voice made her think twice. She swallowed hard, nodding once, and took a few steps back, her eyes never leaving his until she finally turned and made her way back down the path.
Her mind raced as she hurried away, the memory of his power and the sight of the Grimm's last moments burned into her thoughts. She didn't know what she had just witnessed, but she knew it had been real, and it was far beyond anything she had expected to find.
AN: There it is, the first glimpse of Vader's power returning. Spolier alert: It was not as easy as he made it seem.
Review Responses!
AJStyles: "Is this a Taiyang who is still with Raven or with Summer?"
As Summer Rose's gravestone was in fact the gravestone Vader was camping by, it seems rather unlikely for Summer to still be around. As for Raven, afraid not. Things happened as canon up to the point that Vader has been introduced, which will of course have a cascading effect the further in to the story it gets. Be warned: While this may start somewhat canon, it most certainly will not end that way.
Cy Man: For the sake of time, I'm not going to write out your whole review, but I do genuinely thank you for it. Its always nice to hear that people are interested enough to write a couple paragraphs on my story. That being said, heres some answers to your not-quite questions:
"Vader is just as rutheless as ever!" - Yea, ive never agreed that Vader was redeemed at the end of RotJ. While he helped save his son, the path to redemption must be longer than a single action (betraying his former master). If he had survived the fight and Luke brought him home, I highly doubt he would have been a perfectly good Anakin again.
"Vader DESPISED his suit" - Yes, that is absolutely correct. It was made to purposefully limit his power and cause him pain, and throwing off the reminders of all of that will certainly be difficult. However, there is one thing he did like about it: His ability to intimidate. Turns out a big hulking machine with distinctive breathing is rather terrifying and iconic. While he wont rebuild the suit the exact same way, he certainly would use something reminiscent of it when he must... Which, spoilers.
"Does Vader have arms and hair, or just his legs?" - While he did not acknowledge it directly, his entire body has been returned to him, hair and all.
Again, a genuine thank you for the review. Questions help me create more of the story, and know what I need to touch up on. Thank you all.
The next chapter is already mostly done, and is roughly the same size as this one (5k-ish words). Let me know what you thought about this chapter, and wish me luck! The Hurricane is hitting pretty directly on top of me tomorrow.