A Mountain of Roses

by RubysDragonX, Winter1112

Summary:

What if Ruby Rose grew up with a different, but still loving father, who took care of her and made sure to honor Summer's memory by making sure Ruby was raised right? Watch as Ruby goes through Beacon meeting new people Good and Bad and possibly even finding love.
(Relationship tags will be added as they form or are hinted)

Notes:

Hello everyone, here's a new story and no I'm not overloading myself, this is a team effort with a good friend of mine Winter1112, go check her out if you don't know her, her works a ART.

This Story will be replacing Healing Rose but for those of you who liked Healing Rose don't worry I'm not giving it up. Healing Rose will be on Freeze because I don't believe that my skills as a writer are up to that big of a challenge yet so for now it's on Weiss... *facepalms* why do I do this to myself, anyway I hope you all enjoy this first chapter.

Chapter 1: Wrong Place but Right Time

Saffron Arroya grumbles as she stumbles towards the front door of her small home on Patch. She has had a long day, complete with Yang Xiao Long wrecking her waiting room to avoid getting her vaccinations. Granted, Tai helped her clean up while Raven all but sat on the scared five year old to get her shots. But she stares in shock as she sees Alex Garibaldi standing in the rain holding a sleeping Ruby, her tail hanging limply over his arm.

 

"Do ya mind if we come in? Kinda rainy out here." He rumbles quietly as he shields her with a familiar white cloak.

 

Saffron nods as she steps to the side to allow him access. “Alex where is her mother? Where’s Summer?” She all but demands as she shuts the door behind him and glares. "She would kill you if she found out you have that poor baby out in this weather."

 

“Summer's dead Saffron.” Alex replies sadly as he continues holding a sleeping 3 year old Ruby closely. "Killed on her hunt, along with Adaliz Schnee. Kali Belladonna and Glynda Goodwitch barely escaped themselves." He explains quietly.

 

Saffron cups her mouth and gasps, she was clearly shocked and shaken by the news of her friend's death. “That can’t be.” She finally blurts out. "They're the best huntresses in the world right now."

 

“It's the truth." He informs her as gently as possible. "Ah ain't got no reason to lie to ya, specially when it comes to Sum."

 

Saffron nods as she looks up at him. "I'm so so sorry, Alex. Is there anything at all I can do?"

 

He nods. "Ah still got ah job to do. And ah Grimm to hunt down before it can kill any more good Huntsmen or Huntresses. An Ruby's too young for me to take along on my hunts still, so will you do it? Will you help me take care of my baby Rose while ahm out on hunts?” The large man asks, his calm demeanor threatening to crack at any moment as he begins to tremble.

 

“But why me?" She asks. "Wouldn’t Tai be a better choice since he has a little girl of his own that Ruby could play with?” Saffron was the one who delivered Yang, so it’d only make sense that Alex take Ruby there.

 

He shakes his head as he snorts in disgust. “I already tried that, but Tai turned her away saying it's too painful since Ruby is the spitting image of her Mama.”

 

Saffron was shocked, annoyed and a little pissed. “Are you fu-” She stopped herself remembering that there was a small child present. “Are you kidding me?”

 

“Ya know I wouldn’t joke around with stuff like this.” He reminds her. "Specially since me and Tai never really saw eye to eye back in Beacon. You know that."

 

Saffron sighs at the reminder, as well as the memories of all the times she had to patch them both up after another one of their brawls. “Alright Alex, I’ll take care of Ruby whenever you're gone."

 

Alex smiled as he handed Ruby over to Saffron gently, chuckling softly as she remains asleep. “Thanks Saffron, you don’t know how much this means to me.” He informs her as he motions to a suitcase just inside her door. “This has all her stuff in it, I know you ain't gonna need it, but I’ll still send you money for her till I get back."

 

“You better come visit us Alex, I’m not going to have you pull a Jacques on her.” Saffron says sternly.

 

Alex chuckles. “You ain't gotta worry about that, I’m the only family she has so I ain't going ta leave her alone, but I still have a job ta do.” Alex gave the sleeping Ruby a kiss on the head between her wolf ears. “You behave for yur Auntie, you hear? She’ll take good care of you mah pup.” With that Alex turns to leave before stopping once more. "If you need anything before you can get ahold ah me, call Salem. She knows what's goin on."

 

Saffron nods as she gently bounces the sleeping pup. "Be careful, Alex. Safe journey."

 

Alex smiles sadly and nods before leaving, closing the door gently as he goes. Saffron can't help but start to cry softly as she continues to rock the now motherless girl, as she begins to mourn her lost friends….

 

---

 

Over the years Alex did more than just visit his little girl. He cut down on alot of his smaller hunts, farming them out to younger Huntsmen and Huntresses that need the valuable experience. He began working with larger groups to cut down on the time he would be gone from Ruby as well. And when the opportunity presented itself, he accepted the position of Huntmaster of the Vale branch of the Huntsman's Guild and turned it into an even bigger success than it already was. All for his pup and in memory of his beloved wife.

 

Ruby grew up knowing what it was like to be loved and cherished by her Mountain of a father, and when she showed an interest in being a Huntress, he taught her how to fight with her hands as well as smaller weapons like knives and hatchets as well as started taking her out on smaller hunts. When she came of age, he personally enrolled her into Signal Academy which was a Combat school in Vale for those wishing to work their way up to being Huntsman and Huntresses. And through it all, Alex and Ruby both visited Summer regularly, making sure to celebrate all of her achievements with her, despite her being gone all of these years now.

 

Signal was the first stop for those who wanted to be a Huntsman or Huntress and after they completed their years there, they would move on to one of the four great huntsmen schools located in each of the four kingdoms. From the moment she started, all the instructors knew that she was something special. She was already a naturally talented sharpshooter, and thanks to her father's teachings, was already advanced in combat basics as well as field survival. She even inherited his natural curiosity for history as well as weapon's creation.

 

While Ruby was attending Signal, Alex was pleasantly surprised to find out that Qrow, unlike Tai, had taken a liking to Ruby and kept an eye on her for him while he taught her at the combat school. It also seemed that Ruby had taken to Qrow's weapon of choice as well, creating her own scythe with both his, as well as her father’s guidance.

 

But like all children, Ruby Rose-Garibaldi had to grow up. And like anyone, human or faunus, her destiny found her in the oddest of places, in the back of a small shop called from Dust till Dawn reading her favorite weapons magazine and listening to her favorite rock band while humming along. Of course, being a faunus has benefits like two sets of ears. But her headphones covered both sets of ears, so she didn't hear the small gang of thugs storm in and start robbing the store of all the dust it has. Nor did she hear the one thug that noticed her yell for her to put her hands up. Ruby only had ears for her music, and eyes on the brand new Sniper Rifle from the SDC's weapons division as well as the gorgeous white haired woman holding it.

 

But said thug definitely got her attention when he grabbed her shoulder and physically turned her around to face him. He was wearing red tinted glasses, a black business suit, and a matching Fedora hat. He signaled for her to take her headphones off, which she does with a sigh as she revealed her wolf ears to the man who didn’t seem to care. “Yes?” She asks calmly, despite quickly realizing the situation she has been brought into.

 

“I said put your hands in the air now!" he ordered  as he pointed his sword at Ruby, who points at herself.

 

"Are you talkin to little ole me?" She asks innocently enough as she drops the magazine behind her.

 

The thug nods. "Yeah you! Are you brain damaged or something?!"

 

Ruby frowned at the insult, and before the guy even knew what hit him, she kicked him hard in the gut, sending him flying across the store and into a display case full of gossip magazines like her friend Diane would read religiously. This catches the attention of another guy who came running and made the even dumber mistake of pointing his gun at her while yelling "Freeze!" Ruby rushed him and tackled him through the window of the store while using the momentum to propel herself outside as well to get more breathing space, and cause less damage to the poor old guy’s store.

 

As Ruby stood up, the other men who were robbing the store run outside as their boss just casually walked out after them. At least he seemed like their boss since he was the only one who didn’t look like a clone. Taking a quick headcount, she smirks as she takes her beloved scythe, Crescent Rose, off its magnetic holster on her back and settles it calmly on her shoulder. Only six of them total. Her Dad would offer to put both hands behind his back to try to make it fair for them, even though it wouldn't be remotely close.

 

“Well don’t just stand that gawking at her, go get her.” The man in the bowler hat commanded his men. With varying roars and war cries, they charge her clumsily, in a disorganized manner that any first year Signal student could handle easily. Slamming the heavy blade of her weapon into the ground, she prepares for close quarters combat.

 

As the first man got close, Ruby dodged the wide swing he made with his sword and kicked him in the side of the head knocking him to the ground and unconscious. As another goon rushes her, she leaps into the air and grabs her scythe, using it as a balance beam to knock him into a third unlucky thug and blast them both into a nearby wall with an almost sickening crunch. Spying the fourth idiot, she finishes her spin and lands perfectly to rip her scythe from the ground. Using the momentum of her spin, she slammed the back of her Scythe into the guy and sent him flying into his unlucky friend, number five, sending them crashing back through the broken window of the store.

 

The last of the goons had stayed back and started firing at Ruby with a sub-machine gun, but with very little accuracy. She almost wanted to stop him and force him to calm down before he accidentally shot himself, he was in such a panic. Instead, Ruby pulled the trigger on the handle of her weapon, showing that it was more than just a scythe. The force of the fifty caliber gravity infused dust round easily propelled her to the left and out of immediate danger. She pulled the trigger a few more times as she dashed around until she was behind the gunner and brought her scythe down on him hard enough to knock him out, but not to kill him. Spinning around quickly, she smiles at the leader as she grounds her scythe once again, this time the razor sharp butt end in the shape of a cross buried into the ground.  "Your move." She tells him as she takes an almost relaxed pose while leaning slightly against the massive weapon.

 

The man with the bowler hat looks at his men littering the ground. "You were worth every cent. Truly you were," He said sarcastically as he takes his cigar out of his mouth and puts it out with his cane. "Well, Red, I think we can all say it's been fun but as much as I'd love to stick around..." He says as he levels his cane at her, "I'm afraid this is where we part ways."

 

Judging from the way he was holding his cane it was also some kind of gun, a suspicion that is confirmed a moment later as he tosses a red dust crystal at her as a target sight flips up. Ruby sighs as she reacts faster than he was obviously expecting by the look of shock on his face as she triggered her semblance. Moving at half the speed of sound, she darts forward almost as soon as the crystal is launched in the air and grabs it in hand. Staying on the move, Roman looks like he is moving in slow motion as she jams the dust crystal into the now exposed barrel just as he was about to physically pull the trigger. Dashing past, she grabs the surprised looking owner and ducks for cover behind his open door as the cane explodes from the impact of the bullet on the red dust crystal.

 

With a scream, The man barely has enough time to toss the blocked weapon away before it explodes. But it still was enough to leave him holding his hand as it was shaking from the shock of the sudden turning of the tables. He let out a frustrated growl, but put his hands up as sirens could be heard approaching.

 

“The name's Roman and who are you, Miss?” Roman asked seeing if he could get a name with the face.

 

“It’s Ruby.” She told him nonchalantly as she helps the shopkeeper to his feet. Roman of course had moved his eyes past her face and down to the rest of her. She was wearing a pair of black shorts showing off her long, muscular yet shapely legs that end in a pair of red and black sneakers. Moving back up, he took note of the black and red tightly fitting long sleeved V-neck shirt that had her emblem printed over her well endowed chest. She also had her signature red hood on, which she was currently brushing dust and a few small pieces of his now destroyed cane off of.

 

He also took note of the rest of her features other than her bust and rear. Ruby had charcoal black hair which faded into a bright red as it reached the middle of her back and her right bang reached just past her chin, while her left was held out of her face by a simple beret type clip. She stood at least five foot eight and held herself with a quiet grace and dignity.

 

"So, how long have you been an active huntress, Miss Ruby?" He asks curiously as the police arrive and surround them both.

 

"Who, me? I ain't no active huntress yet. I'm only fifteen." She replies as she takes her student ID out to show the police, Signal Academy's emblem clearly visible.

 

Romans jaw almost hit the pavement but he had a good poker face so he managed to keep his composure. “Your joking right? You're only fifteen?!” He said in shock as he looked to her ample chest once more.

 

Ruby followed his eyes and immediately shielded her chest with one arm as she kept holding her student ID in the other. “I-I told ya mah real age and ya shouldn’t question a girl's age when she tells ya, it’s rude!” She replies, her odd accent coming out even thicker.

 

Roman hummed. “That’s quite an accent you have there Red, I take it your not from around here?”

 

Ruby cleared her throat. “No ahm from here, just mah Dad has an accent and as his daughter ah just picked it up growin up.” She explains as the police begin to handcuff Ruby and Roman both. "Oi! What the cookies?!"

 

“Please wait, that young lady stopped them from robbing me.” The old store owner said as he walked outside, looking better than when Ruby shielded him from the exploding cane.

 

“We are aware she helped you but we still will be taking her into custody to question.” A blond woman with a riding crop said as she walked up. "And we have many questions for the young lady." She adds before she used her semblance to fix the store owner’s window.

 

Ruby was at the woman's side in a flash, the handcuffs spinning around one finger as she gets glared at. But just as she opened her mouth to say something, Roman called out to her.

 

“Hey Red!” Roman called out causing Ruby to look at him while he was being put into the back of a cop car. “Who’s your dad?”

 

Ruby turned her body to him as she spoke, unconsciously covering her chest again. “His nickname is The Mountain.” Ruby replied with a wide grin. "And I'm the Mountain's Rose!" Roman lost his poker face at that point. He went wide eyed at the fact that he just had a run in with The Mountains daughter, and actually survived in one piece.

 

“Yea I like living.” That was the last thing Ruby heard him say as the police closed the door to the car. That explains why she looks like that. He thought to himself as they pulled away, his car leading a white van packed full of the fallen thugs.

 

Ruby turned her attention back to the blond woman as she keeps spinning the handcuffs around her finger, making the older woman snort. "So, you are that gigantic idiot's little girl." She comments as she snatches the handcuffs away. "And he taught you some of his dirtier tricks too, I see."

 

Ruby can't help but grin widely. "He is mah daddy!" And hey, you're a huntress, can I have your autograph!” Ruby asks excitedly as the back of her cloak begins to move excitedly. Glynda can't help but smile softly at how absolutely adorable she looks at this very moment. Just like Summer…..

 

---

 

"I hope you realize that your actions tonight will not be taken lightly, young lady." The blonde Huntress scolds Ruby as she paces back and forth across the room while Ruby just sits with a deflated look on her face. "You put yourself and others in great danger."

 

“They started it.” Ruby blurted out.

 

"If it were up to me you'd be sent home... With a pat on the back..." Ruby perks up at this before the woman sharply turns her head to glare at her, continuing, "And a slap on the wrist." She smacks her riding crop on the table in front of Ruby’s hand for emphasis, causing her to let out a cute little squeak as she jerks her hands away. "But…” She sighs out. “There's someone here who'd like to meet you." 

 

As she finishes a man in a black and dark green suit with glasses and gray-silver hair walks in carrying a plate of chocolate chip cookies and a mug of coffee in his hands.

 

"Ruby Rose..." The gray haired man says, leaning in for a closer look. "You... Have silver eyes." The man states calmly.

 

"U-Um…” Is all Ruby can get out.

 

The man straightens back up and nods at the screen the Huntress is holding as it broadcasts her fight with the thugs. "So! Where did you learn to do this?"

 

Ruby answers, "S-Signal Academy. Also where was the camera?"

 

"They taught you how to use one of the most dangerous weapons ever designed?" The man asked, completely ignoring Ruby's question.

 

"Well, one teacher in particular." Ruby answers.

 

"I see..." The man replies as he sets the cookies on the table in front of her.

 

She looks at him skeptically before slowly reaching out, she quickly took one of the cookies and ate it in one bite. After she sees that they are okay to eat she proceeded to eat the others in quick succession.

 

The man continues as Ruby eats her cookies, "It's just that I've only seen one other scythe-wielder of that caliber before….. A dusty old crow."

 

“Yeathat’smauncaqra.” Ruby says with a mouth full of cookies to which the man arches a brow at her. Ruby swallow's what she has in her mouth and wipes it on her sleeve.. “Sorry, that’s my uncle Qrow though he’s not my real uncle, he’s a teacher at Signa I was complete garbage trying to use a full sized weapon before he took me under his wing, well complete garbage is a bit strong but now I'm all like-- Waaaah! Whacha! SLICE! With a weapon, but my hand to hand combat was already good since because of my dad, he’s a Huntsman.”

 

"So I've noticed. And what is a beautiful young woman such as yourself doing at a school designed train warriors?" He asks quizzically before sitting down.

 

Ruby sits up straight and answers, "Well… ah wanna be a Huntress."

 

"You want to slay monsters?" He asks.

 

"Yeah! I only have two more years of training left at Signal! And then I'm going to apply to Beacon! You see, my dad is a great Huntsman and I'm trying to become a huntress cause I wanna help people. And my parents always taught me to help others even if they neglect and discriminate against you, so I thought, 'Hey, I might as well make a career out of it!' I mean the police are alright, but Huntsman and Huntresses are just so much more romantic and exciting and really, gosh, you know!?" When Ruby finishes her yammering.

 

The man just looks at her with a slight smile and asks, "Do you know who I am?"

 

"You're Professor Ozpin. You're the headmaster of beacon."

 

"Hello."

 

"Nice to meet you." Ruby says happily.

 

"You want to come to my school?" Ozpin asks already knowing the answer but he asked anyway.

 

"More than anything." Ruby says full of determination.

 

"Well okay." Ozpin says with a smile, he then stands up. “Now I believe your father is here to pick you up.” He says as a Mountain of a man walks into the room causing Ruby to pale but she was also internally happy to see him. "Hi Daddy!"

 

Alexander Garibaldi chuckles as he removes his wide brimmed jet black Stetson hat and looks at her. "Hey there, pup." He returns her greeting before looking at Ozpin. "You done with her, Ozzy? We got an early hunt in the morning. Need ta get some sleep."

 

Professor Ozpin nods as he motions with his cane towards the door. "I trust you heard the news?"

 

Alex nods. "Ah did. Ain't too sure who would be prouder, me or Summer. Pretty sure Sum would be." He declares, causing Ruby to all but tackle him in a hug, which he returns with one arm. "See ya Ozzy. Salem's waitin on us outside."

 

"Have a good rest of your evening, both of you." He tells them as they walk past, a proud father and his excited daughter.

 

---

 

The trip home was anything but silent, with Ruby and Salem talking excitedly over the good news. Of course, Alex had fallen silent since leaving Vale proper, his normal half smirk gone and a stoic mask in its place.

 

“Daddy, are you mad at me?” Ruby asks suddenly. Alex just bursts into a hearty laugh as he shakes his head.

 

“Angry? Why would I be angry at cha for doin what ya Mama would’ve done!” Alex continues to laugh which relaxed Ruby. “I woulda been disappointed in ya if ya hadn’t done something.”

 

Salem nods in agreement, the older blonde woman all smiles as well. "He's right. Summer would have been furious if she found out you did nothing at all." She states in agreement. 

 

“And your ok with me going to Beacon early?” She asked nervously as she pokes her fingers together, just now realizing how much trouble she could have really been in tonight.

 

“Of course, you’ve proven yourself more than capable with stoppin that robbery." Alex replies as his smile stays on his face. "Saffron will be sad to see ya go though, she thinks of ya as one of her own.”

 

"I for one will be thrilled to have you there." Salem adds. "Even though this old Mountain is going to bother me constantly asking for updates on you."

 

Ruby smiles. “Ah know and ah like to think of her as my second mom, just like ah think of you as mah auntie.” 

 

Salem looks at Alex, tilting her head at him. He shakes his head back as he looks in the rearview. "Ah already got ah list ah stuff you're gonna be needin. We can grab it all after our hunt tomorrow." He informs her, the pride still present in his voice.

 

"And Blue dorm just opened for use this year. You'll have a lot more room in there." Salem adds as she looks back at her. But she shakes her head with a smile as she realizes Ruby isn't paying attention anymore.

 

Ruby Rose-Garibaldi looked out the window of the truck and up at the broken moon. She never thought she’d get to go to her dream school early, or in such a way as she did tonight. And the thing that stood out most to her is the fact that her father and Salem both said her mother would be proud of her for her actions tonight. And that alone gave her comfort as well as pride.

 

Summer Rose-Garibaldi would have been proud of her, on the best night of her life…...

 

Chapter 2: Interesting New Beginnings

Notes:

Hi everyone! Wyn here with an exciting new chapter of A Mountain of Roses! We have worked really hard on this one, and hopefully you will enjoy it! Now sit back, make sure you have your pass, and let's fly to Beacon!

Chapter 2

 

-A week later-

 

"You got everything, right?" Alex asks Ruby as they stand outside his truck in front of the airship docks in Vale. Today was the day, and it was debatable as to who was more excited, father or daughter. But currently, it was Alex who was the more energetic one, as Ruby yawns sleepily.

 

"Yes Daddy, Salem helped me triple check before she left last night." She replies tiredly. She had been up almost all night in her excitement, and was now paying a heavy price in being almost too drowsy to care. Even her current wardrobe reflected her tiredness, as she was in a pair of sweatpants, sneakers, and an oversized Wuffie the Beowolf hoodie. Even her normally left loose hair is pulled into a ponytail that is hanging down her back.

 

Alex chuckles as he takes his hat off and plops it on her head, completing the fashion disaster look Ruby is going for. "Just wanting to be sure is all, Ruby. Even though I'm still shipping ya the rest of your stuff once your in your dorm room.."

 

Ruby sighs as she adjusts the Stetson on her head, her wolf's ears wiggling as they themselves adjust to the holes in the top. "You don't have to Daddy. The school's got plenty of tools." She points out as she smiles. "And I'm keeping the hat."

 

"It ain't ah hat. It's ah Stetson. And not for that damned overgrown farming tool." He reminds her as he reaches into the truck and hands her the box to keep it in, which she takes happily. "Had to have Qrow help me build those calibration tools special for ya. And the mattresses they use ain't worth ah damn either." He adds as he also passes her a large knife sheathed in a black leather scabbard, a burning rose detailed on it. "Got it razor sharp for ya, so be super careful with it."

 

Ruby nods and grins as she stores the knife in the front pocket of her hoodie. "Still worth it! Uncle Qrow said no one's ever built a fifty caliber sniper scythe before!" She declares proudly as she watches him reach into the truck and take a new Stetson out to put on. "I knew it! You did buy another one!"

 

Alex barks with laughter. "Well yeah! Ah promised ya you could have mine when you went to Beacon. Now git!" He tells her as he pulls her into a tight hug. "I love ya, pup."

 

Ruby hugs him back just as tightly. "I love you too, Daddy. I'll make you and momma proud."

 

Alex chuckles as he looks down into her face, glad to see her silver eyes are as full of life as ever. "You already do, Ruby. Don't you ever doubt that for ah second. Hell, your momma would be crying in pride right now and rushing you onto that flying death trap." Ruby just grins at the reminder of her giant Daddy's fear of heights, even as she returns to hugging him.

 

After hugging for a decent amount of time Ruby and Alex part. “Right well I should get on board.” Ruby turned around and made her way to the airship. Just as she was about to clear the checkpoint, she suddenly groans as she hears a whistle. Turning around, she blushes a bit in embarrassment as her father points to her duffel bag, messenger bag, and weapon case still sitting on the ground by the truck. Activating her semblance, she turns around and rushed back to her father and grabbed her things, smiling awkwardly and blushing an even brighter red as Alex chuckles at her. Ruby hurried onto the airship without a backwards glance, her tail wagging a mile a minute.

 

Alex just chuckled and shook his head at the scene. Beacon ain’t gonna know what hit it. He thinks to himself as he turns and begins walking to his truck. But he can't help but smirk at the sight of a familiar squirrel and meerkat faunus sneaking aboard at the last minute. Shrugging his shoulders, he decides that they're Ozpin's problem as he gets in his truck and drives off towards the Huntsman's guildhall and his own full day of work.

 

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

 

Once Ruby is aboard, she takes a moment to look around the airship, taking in the layout and the people also on board. More than a few people had already caught her eye. One was a blonde boy who's puking in a corner and, out of everyone there, seemed the most out of place. Many more were upper class men from Signal Academy, although she wasn't particularly close to any of them, having a preference for hanging out with people her own age.

 

Another was a girl with a golden mane she was talking to a bunch of people, Ruby recognized her from Signal, Yang Xiao Long. She is strong, beautiful and popular, and according to rumors just destroyed Junior's bar in a huge brawl. She herself never interacted with her since they were from different social groups, but during her time at Signal Ruby had caught the brawler staring at her for no apparent reason.

 

Shaking her head, Ruby puts her headphones on and scrolls through several different playlists. At least until a pair of roughed, weapon calloused hands cover her eyes. "Guess who?" A husky female voice asks with a chuckle.

 

Ruby smiles at her best friend Diane's antics as she mock scratches her chin. "Ummmm, Wuffie the Beowolf?" She asks teasingly.

 

"Dude, you need to marry that motherfucker!" Diane grumbles as the muscular six and a half foot tall squirrel faunus hugs her from behind, while Ruby wraps her hands around the other girl's massive arms and smiles wider. 

 

"You're gonna be in deep shit if they catch you, Squirrelly." The wolf girl giggles, getting an answering snort in reply.

 

"They can't handle this brutal bitch, Wolfy." She replies as she keeps hugging the shorter girl. "And Bubbles is here too. Between the three of us, we could take over this airship and go lay on a beach in Vacuo in like six hours."

 

"No Squirrelly." Ruby drones before she sighs. "Lemme guess, kidnapping me back to Signal?"

 

"You got it." The other girl growls as people begin to avoid them and Diane's almost five foot long tail, which is puffed out and twitching angrily along with her triangular ears on her head. "Your not breaking up the band."

 

Ruby releases her arms and wiggles free to look at her, not helping but musing on the mess that is Diane Brunneis. Her long, chestnut brown hair is a disaster, along with her clothes, which consist of an old Dire Wolves band shirt and a pair of shorts so short Ruby knows anyone behind her is getting a great look at her shapely ass. And of course, no bra and no shoes on. But at least she wore her bunny slippers. Ruby just shakes her head as she readjusts her hat on her head and grins. "You look like shit."

 

"Yeah well, stopping my best friend from going to Beacon takes priority over looking good." The other girl grumbles as she folds her arms across her impressive bust. "And why is it so cold in here?!"

 

Ruby giggles. "I'd let you borrow my hoodie, but I'd get arrested for indecent exposure!"

 

"Don't care! Gimme!" Diane roars as she lunges quickly and grabs the piece of clothing.

 

"Oi! Leggo!" Ruby roars back as the two of them begin to scuffle on the ground. But just as Diane almost has Ruby stripped of the hoodie and her modesty, both of them get smacked repeatedly by the butt of a rifle.

 

"Enough! This is why we can't have nice things!" A tall meerkat Faunus roars as she keeps whacking them both with her weapon.

 

"Owie! Stahp it Aqua!" Ruby squeals as Diane tries and fails to snatch the weapon away. 

 

The other girl smirks as she stops and looks at them both. "I get you guys are kinky, but in the middle of everyone else? That's a bit much, don't cha think?"

 

"Fuck off, Bubbles." Diane growls as she rubs her chest. "That was my tit, you bitch!"

 

Ruby just sighs as she picks her hat up and dusts it off a bit before looking at her other best friend, Aqua Burrell. At five feet, ten inches, the meerkat faunus with the brilliant seafoam green eyes and shoulder length crystal blue hair is a natural beauty herself, despite her small bust and small rear. But much of her height is due to her unnaturally long torso, as well as the small ears on the top of her head. Honestly, all of Aqua is long and skinny, but the girl herself makes up for her lack of curves with a dry wit and razor sharp sense of sarcasm. Honestly, her father's wandered more than once how the three of them get along so well, despite all the glaring differences between them.

 

But Ruby herself couldn't ask for better or more loyal best friends and virtual sisters.

 

"Hey! Earth to Rose!" Aqua calls out, derailing her train of thought. "I brought your gear bag that you left in your locker." She informs her as she holds out the mentioned bag, Ruby's huntress emblem as well as her father's both clearly visible on the ends.

 

Ruby winces as she takes it. "I knew I forgot something." She admits quietly as she looks at it. "It has my outfit and ammo bags. Thanks Bubbles."

 

Aqua smiles. "What would you do without me?" She teases.

 

Diane guffaws. "Show up for initiation in her birthday suit!" She roars as she begins to laugh.

 

Ruby just shakes her head even as she blushes. "No way! It's way too breezy this time of year for that!" She declares as she sets her hat back on her head and wiggles her ears. "Now, I know my gear bag isn't why the two of you are here. So spill." She declares as she tosses the bag with the rest of her things and looks back at them.

 

Aqua looks back at her. "Come back with us, Ruby. Between us and you and your partner, we can be the best team Beacon's ever seen since your mom's. We already know each other perfectly, work together perfectly, and we could still watch out for each other like always." She explains quietly. "This isn't just your dream you know. It's ours too." She adds quietly.

 

Diane nods. "We go back way too far just to have you leave us behind, Wolfy. Especially you and me."

 

Ruby sighs. "But…."

 

"No buts." Aqua cuts her off.

 

Diane nods. "Aqua came up with a foolproof plan to get you sent back to Signal. And, if that doesn't work, I have a plan of my own!" She declares happily as she pumps both fists in the air.

 

"Challenging Headmaster Ozpin in a duel to the death is not a good plan, Squirrelly." Aqua remarks as she rolls her eyes.

 

Ruby nods. "I'm voting with Bubbles, Squirrelly. Headmaster Ozpin graduated fourth in his class from Beacon. He won't be a pushover." She agrees as she moves to sit down in a seat next to her things, noticing the two extra gear bags as well as Gideon, Diane's massive two handed warhammer. Looking back at them with a raised eyebrow, she looks at Aqua first. "What's with the extra bags?"

 

"If plan A doesn't work, there's plans B through ZZ." She replies as she sits next to Ruby and takes her hand gently. "You're coming back to Signal one way or another."

 

Diane nods as she flips down on the floor and leans on one of each of their legs. "Dead or alive, your coming back with us." She agrees.

 

"Preferably alive." Aqua agrees. "But we know a guy who can help if we get you killed."

 

Ruby just giggles at her friend's antics as she puts her headphones back on. "Do what you gotta do. Me? I'm gonna listen to some music and try to relax. We still got like an hour before we reach Beacon." She informs them as she takes her Stetson off and places her headphones on her head. She smiles as she watches her friends also put on headphones and earbuds and watches as they connect to her scroll as she cues up Work Song from Hozier, knowing how much Aqua loves the artist. Settling back, she places the hat on her head at an angle as Aqua curls into her side and Diane just lays her head on their knees. Soon enough, the three of them doze off, several passengers as well as a steward snapping a picture of them.

 

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

 

Meanwhile a certain blonde is looking at Ruby again.

 

Yang Xiao Long has always suspected Ruby Rose to be special case. Mostly because a fifteen year old girl shouldn’t have such a developed body. She is tall, has a mature face, some muscle, and curves to boot as well. If she hadn't before, the normally hooded girl has now certainly caught her interest since she is also going to Beacon.

 

“Remnant to Yang, are you there?” One of Yang’s friends waved her hands in front of her face.

 

Yang blinked and looked back at her friend. “Sorry, did you say something Shion?”

 

Shion has been one of Yang’s best friends for as long as they have been going to Signal together. She is rather attractive, with her long black hair with a single gold highlight to the left of her bangs and pale skin. She also has a curvy, full figured body and she gives off a serious, yet mysterious aura. She is currently dressed in a white shirt and jeans that are missing the left pant leg.

 

“No, you were just staring at that girl again.” Shion looks at Ruby, Diane and Aqua. “What’s the deal? I thought she and her team are two years below us? Why are they on the airship to Beacon?”

 

“Honestly I’m not sure. I mean Dad said something about her being let in early, but not why.” Yang snorts. "Probably cause of her looks or something."

 

"What about Ruby's looks?" A new voice asks as a short wolf Faunus girl joins them. "She looks just fine to me."

 

Yang looks to her other friend. “Looks can be deceiving Amy.” Amy was a short white haired wolf Faunus, she was only 4 foot 8 and acted more like a cat than a wolf. She is shy and timid which makes her a prime target for bullying. That is until Yang and Shion befriended her. "I mean look at you." Yang finishes with a grin.

 

Amy blushed. “Y-Yang please stop, you know I don’t like it when people reference the fact that I’m a little older than you yet I look like a little kid.”

 

Yang just smiled. “Sorry Amy, but you know I’m only teasing and I don’t mean anything by it.”

 

Yang’s train of thought was interrupted by a news report appearing on the holographic screen in the airship. “In breaking news the infamous Roman Torchwick has escaped custody after being captured a few nights ago by an unnamed apprehender during a dust robbery at From Dust Till Dawn. If you see this man, please call the authorities at once. Roman Torchwick is considered armed and very dangerous.”

 

“Those robberies have been happening a lot lately.” Amy comments quietly as she watches the holoscreen, Lisa Lavender now moving on to other important news.

 

“Yea but this one was the first one where they actually managed to capture the criminals not that it matters since that guy escaped.” Shion noticed that Ruby was now sitting up and looking at the news report, and she didn’t look too happy. All three young women watch as Ruby, Diane and Aqua all gather gear bags as well as Ruby's weapons case and vanish into the bathroom.

 

"What are they planning?" Yang muses aloud, earning a shrug from Shion.

 

"Maybe they want the reward for recapturing him?"

 

Amy shakes her head. "Nuh uh. Ruby was saying something about stupid cops, then Diane said something about jumping ship to find him."

 

Shion smiles softly as she ruffles the shorter girl's hair between her ears. "My, what big ears you have Grandma."

 

"Gah! Quit it!" Amy yells as she swats at Shion, who easily keeps her at arm's length. "Stop messing up my hair!"

 

"Guys, cool it." Yang calls out, inwardly worried herself. Ruby's team at Signal has a well earned reputation for achieving almost impossible victories both scholastically as well as physically. She is still secretly nursing a bruised ego after the Reaper kicked her ass in a fight after school, and knows better than to underestimate her or her friends. But, she definitely feels sorry for this Roman Torchwick. He may not survive long enough to enjoy his freedom….

Chapter 3: When a Red Wolf, White Princess, and a Black Cat cross paths

Notes:

I told you guy's it'd be updated soon and here it is so please enjoy!

Ruby pauses at the end of the ramp and takes a deep breath, grateful that she is finally off the now foul smelling airship. Of course, she has no idea of the effect of that deep breath has on those around her, both men and women. Especially since she is now in her combat outfit of a knee length combat dress, with a long slit up the side for ease of movement, long sleeved black blouse that has a small slit on her chest showing off some cleavage but not enough to be too revealing, her normal corset that ends underneath her breasts, high heeled combat boots, and her ever present red cloak. Her bowie knife is now secured to her visible thigh, Crescent Rose on its magnetic holster on her back, and her Stetson firmly on her head. All in all, she cuts a magnificent figure as she stands there with her suitcase in hand, messenger bag over one shoulder, and now empty weapons case to her side. 

 

Of course the effect is ruined as the blonde young man shoves past her and throws up in a nearby trash can.

 

"Oh that's gross." Diane grumbles as she moves beside Ruby and wrinkles her nose. The once disheveled young woman has cleaned herself up, and her long chestnut hair is now hanging down her back in waves as she herself is now wearing an ankle length combat duster, armored vest over a long sleeved shirt, cargo shorts with armor plating on the thighs, and heavy steel toed combat boots.

 

"Who even let Vomit Boy into Beacon?" Aqua asks as she joins them. She has changed very little, only donning a harness covered in magazine holders, a webbed belt holding what appears to be an automatic pistol and several clips for it, as well as a jug of some kind. She has however ditched her sneakers for a pair of thigh high soft soled boots, and her hair is now in a tight bun right behind her small ears.

 

"I actually have to agree." Yang comments as she joins the three younger women, Shion and Amy flanking her. 

 

"Headmaster Ozpin's standards must really be slipping to let a loser like him in." Shion comments idly as the blonde slumps to the ground groaning.

 

Amy pops the taller girl gently. "Shion! Be nice! Maybe he gets motion sickness?"

 

"Then he's definitely in the wrong profession." Aqua comments dryly. "Bullheads are even worse to ride on."

 

Ruby sighs. "Enough. Let's get him up and out of the way." She orders. "And surprised your talking to a bunch of kids, Xiao Long." She comments as she looks at the Brawler, who shrugs.

 

"You musta done something pretty impressive to get in here." She admits. "Just don't expect me to work with you three."

 

Diane snorts as she leans down and grabs the blond by a pant leg and starts dragging him away. "Yeah, bet your still mad about that last assbeating you and your team took."

 

Yang glares at Diane as Amy tries to defuse the situation. “Come on everyone we need to get along, we’ll be working with each other for the next four years so we need to learn to forgive and forget, right?”

 

Yang just snorts and walks away with Shion following her, shaking her head and muttering about uppity lowerclassmen.

 

“Y-Yang, Shion wait up! Don't leave me with them!” Amy screams as she runs after Yang and Shion leaving Ruby, Aqua, Diane and Vomit Boy.

 

Ruby sighs. “Diane can you take Vomit Boy to the infirmary please?" Turning, she looks at her other friend. "Aqua make sure she gets there please? we don’t need her accidentally walking into the boy’s bathrooms again.”

 

“HEY!” Diane yells as she blushes. “I thought we agreed not to talk about that?!"

 

“True. But you also agreed to stop groping me in public.” Ruby deadpans as she looks sternly at Diane.

 

“She has you there Squirrely.” Aqua smirks.

 

“Yeah, that was never going to happen! They’re just so soft and fun to fill my hands with.” Diane teases with a grin as Ruby blushes brightly.

 

“Just go before he throws up again, will ya?!”

 

"Yeah yeah, keep your panties on Wolfy." Diane chuckles as she returns to dragging the groaning blonde away.

 

"I have to wear them first!" Ruby calls out behind her, making Aqua and Diane both burst into laughter. Of course, the three of them are so busy laughing that they didn't notice the luggage rack being pushed by the Atlesian servant droid, or the girl staring in horror, a slight bit of fear, and at Ruby's chest as she trips on a briefcase and starts falling towards it…..

 

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

 

-One Hour Earlier-

 

Weiss Schnee sighs as she sits on the company bullhead as it arrows towards Beacon Academy, where she earned a coveted spot in this year's class. Away from Atlas Academy, away from her overbearing father, and…..

 

"I would almost swear you are fleeing from me, twit." The raven haired, red eyed twin to herself comments idly as she sits across from her sipping on a cup of coffee.

 

"Oh do be silent, dolt." She replies in turn as she looks at her. "No one asked you to keep me company, you know. You could be taking the time to settle into your own dorm room with all your own precious friends."

 

"I shall in due time, Weiss. Kylie hasn't arrived from Atlas yet, and Salome, Aziza and I are already looking forward to the brawl to see who shall claim the bottom bunks." Willow Schnee informs her sister with a small smile. "Besides which, I wish you had joined me in Haven instead of Beacon. We are far stronger together than apart sister."

 

"I know Willow." Weiss sighs.

 

“So then why?” Willow asks. “Why go to Beacon instead of joining me in Haven?”

 

Weiss sighed. “Because next to Vacuo, Vale is the furthest away I can get from our overbearing father. The only reason I’m not going to Shade is because it is far too hot in Vacuo.”

 

Willow chokes and almost spits out her coffee all over Weiss. “Of course that’s the way you're thinking, twit.”

 

“Of course you dolt, I’d rather be as far from him as possible. The only downside is that Vale and Beacon are extremely open to Faunus, so there’s a strong possibility that there’ll be White Fang agents there.”

 

“Then why not take some security droids with you?” Willow asks calmly as she fixes herself another cup of coffee.

 

“Because they stick out like a sore thumb.” Weiss replies. "Besides, you're not taking any either."

 

"You took Cogsworth." Willow points out.

 

"He's different. He is programmed specifically for my own uses." Weiss points out. "And last I checked, you took Nana with you."

 

"Touché." The raven haired Schnee replies. "At least I don't have to run as far. Father despises me due to the fact that I have Grandmother's eyes and Grandfather's hair color."

 

"Yet you're clearly the better choice to be Heiress." Weiss sighs. "I'm just the preference over you due to having the more classic look of a Schnee." Weiss points out as she uses air quotes when she reaches the classic looks part.

 

“Well we both know he dyes his hair to make himself look like a real Schnee. I personally don’t see what mother saw in him.” Willow sighs as she looks out the window. "The Goddess only knows I can't stand him."

 

“Well mother did say he was different when they met." Weiss reminds her. "Power changes people and in our father’s case it changed him for the worse.”

 

"It turned him into a power hungry monster. One who desires for nothing less than perfection in everything we all accomplish." The raven haired girl snorts. "I certainly have never claimed to be perfect. Perfect is rather boring in my opinion."

 

The white haired girl ignores her twin, knowing the verbal barb was aimed more for her than their father. “Ahem, didn’t mother also say that she had dated someone who was the best person she had ever met, but chose the company over them because she wanted to live up to grandfather’s expectations?”

 

"And look at Mother now, Weiss. A drunken shade of herself." Willow points out quietly. "The burdens of her mistakes have broken her."

 

“I remember waking up one night and going for a walk around the mansion." Weiss sighs. "I overheard mother crying to herself while saying sorry and that she should have chosen to stay with that person. She was obviously drunk but it seems she deeply regrets not being with this person.”

 

“Mother is almost always drunk, Weiss. And she obviously should have chosen that person instead of Father, because then we might have had far better childhoods than the hell we have lived through.” Willow snorts in disgust. "I personally would almost prefer Irontwit to Father. Almost."

 

“What do you think happened to that person?” Weiss abruptly asks, catching her twin off guard.

 

Willow raised a brow. “Why are you suddenly so curious Weiss? And now of all times?"

 

“Well mother said this person was the best person she had ever met! It simply makes me wonder who this person is and what made them such a great person that she weeps over him almost nightly." She replies heatedly as ice blue glare into ruby red eyes. "Why she mourns his absence more than the subjugation we have suffered through?!"

 

Willow shrugs as she sips at her coffee. "Honestly? Not my concern." She replies calmly. "Both our concerns need to be maintaining our freedom from Atlas and Father, not worrying about Mother's mysterious past lover who obviously did not reciprocate her feelings enough to follow her back to Atlas." She continues to chastise the white haired girl as she looks out the window. "Now, can we please enjoy what little bit of time we have remaining before we are separated for the first time in our lives?"

 

Weiss blushes as she nods. "Forgive me, Dolt. I am simply angry is all. I simply hope mother will finally realize all she is missing out on is all."

 

The other girl smirks as she pulls a deck of playing cards from a nearby drawer and begins to shuffle. "Like what, twit? That you're a closet lesbian? Or my own hidden bisexuality? Or perhaps that Winter is all but married to Qrow Branwen despite the constant fighting between them? Or that Whitley is as big of an asshole as Father?"

 

Weiss simply rolls her eyes as she gathers the cribbage board and pegs. "Enough, I get it Dolt." She cuts her off with a fond smile. "I shall miss you."

 

Willow nods. "And I will miss you, Twit. But we are still two sides of the same coin, and always but a thought away at any time." She reminds her. "We are the Schnee Twins of Atlas, and it is our time to live our lives!"

 

"Agreed!" Weiss cheers as she sets up the board. "No cheating, Dolt!"

 

"How dare you, Twit?! You're the cheater!"

 

"I am not!"

 

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

 

-The Present-

 

Blake Belladonna is enjoying the warm fall weather as she settles down with a content sigh. Tukson had managed to get her several new books, including the latest Ninjas of Love: Passions within the Sand, and she found the perfect tree to sit under near the airship docks. So far, she hasn't been very worried about the various potential students that have been arriving on private airships like Pyrrha Nikos, or the first few privately owned vehicles, like Coco Adel's or Velvet Scarlatina's, the latter showing up on a motorcycle so loud it could be heard all across campus.

 

However there were some like Cardin Winchester’s or Weiss Schnee’s that just made her skin crawl. Both families were known to be cruel to the faunus, but kept within legal boundaries in front of others as to not lose face value. However those were the only two so far she’d have to watch out for, and she didn’t really care about the normal ships coming in.

 

She was busy enjoying her book when a ruckus drew her attention to one of the most recently arrived airships. She watches as Weiss Schnee yells and talks down to, or rather up to. Looking up herself, Blake takes a good look at who the heiress was yelling at and pauses. She was surprised to see a tall, extremely beautiful faunus girl being flanked by two others. Although she's already seen plenty of faunus not hiding their heritage since she came to Vale, this girl seemed to have more pride in it than anyone she had seen so far. Her wolf's ears were poking out of the top of a stetson hat, and the cloak on her back was moving as her tail wags in amusement. The part that sticks out the most though is the way she was just looking at the heiress like she wasn’t even yelling, even going so far as to yawn as if bored.

 

While watching the two, Blake has to admit that they were both beautiful but in different ways. Weiss is the definition elegance as well as style, but her personality as well as her mouth completely ruins it, while the other girl she's berating is gorgeous and proud, along with a surprisingly mature aura to her, which makes Blake wonder if she's a returning student just catching a ride with the new ones.

 

"Gee, we're just so sorry you ran into me face first in my boobs, Princess." The redhead faunus girl suddenly declares, jolting Blake out of her musings. Even though she was a good distance away, thanks to her enhanced hearing she could hear everything that was being said. And it sounds like it's about to turn serious.

 

"Th-that's not the point, you gigantic dolt!" Weiss shrieks as she blushes a deep red. "I wouldn't have even run into you had you not just been standing there like some kind of busty wall!"

 

Blake snickers as she watches the faunus girl blush herself.

 

"As if! Who could even hear anything with your face buried in Ruby's cleavage?" A massively tall squirrel faunus declares, making both of them blush so hard she's convinced they both might just explode.

 

“Well then obviously you weren't listening to me!” Weiss glares at the much taller girl while picking up a silver briefcase and opening it. Taking out a vial of red dust to inspect it, she closes the briefcase and storms towards the girl named Ruby. “Do you even know what this is?” She asks demandingly, not even waiting for a response before continuing. “This is dust and it is highly fragile and sensitive, you could have blown us all off this cliff!”

 

Weiss was too busy yelling at the taller girl to notice that the seal on the dust had loosened just enough to let the contents of the vial escape when she started shaking it. But, Ruby as well as her two friends had noticed it leaking, but since they couldn’t get a word in edgewise against the heiress’ constant yelling, they simply started stepping back slowly. Even Blake was on edge as she prepares to hide behind the wall from the eminent explosion.

 

Seeing the small cloud of dust emerge from the object currently being thrust into her face despite backing away, Ruby suddenly blows it away from her desperately, the cloud of burn dust hitting Weiss in the face instead and going up her nose. The white haired girl's resulting sneeze sets the dust off, causing a large explosion that was heard all over campus.

 

As the smoke cleared, Blake could see Weiss on the ground coughing up smoke from the explosion. But, why could she see at such a high angle? Looking up, she meeps in surprise as she realizes that she's in Ruby's deceptively powerful arms, her perfect reading spot now covered in debris. Looking up at the girl's face, she shudders a bit at the look of anger on her face as she herself is set back down gently on the ground.

 

"Are you fucking stupid, you white haired lunatic?!" The squirrel faunus yells as she emerges from behind a nearby tree, the blue haired girl clinging to her shoulders as some blonde haired guy groans as she drops him heavily to the ground. "You could have killed us!"

 

Blue hair nods. "That was a Xiao Long level fuck up." She agrees, a look of disgust on her own fair features.

 

Blake of course agrees with the two of them. "Especially for you, Schnee!" She adds as she walks up with Ruby. "Aren't you supposed to be some kind of heiress to the world's largest dust company? You know, the same one that enslaves our kind?" She adds, even as she tries not to laugh at her.

 

Weiss Schnee, the heiress to the world's largest and most powerful company in history, is covered from head to toe in black soot from the explosion, while also trying to preserve her modesty over the fact that the front of her dress was also mostly blown off. All in all, no longer the image of grace and sophistication she was when all of this even started.

 

Everyone stops and watches as Ruby casually walks up to an embarrassed Weiss and suddenly covers her with her cloak, preserving what dignity she has left. Nodding in satisfaction as the heiress wraps herself in the red garment, she grabs the case of dust that the Heiress had set down before the explosion hit her.

 

“Are YOU sure you know what this is? And, are you sure your eyes work? Because even a child could see that the seal to that vial had come loose. Not only that but you just said it was fragile and sensitive but then you start shaking it like a Vacuin maraqua.” Ruby lectures the stunned white haired girl.

 

Blue hair nods. "And especially with blast dust. You're lucky all you lost was the front of that tacky looking dress of yours. By the way, if that's supposed to be your huntress outfit, let me know when you head out so I can tell Wolfy to go watch you end up naked after one hit." She adds with a smirk.

 

"DAMMIT BUBBLES! SHUT UP!" Ruby shrieks red faced as she secures the briefcase to her messenger bag. 

 

Weiss however is still in shock. The only person in her life to talk to her like this is her twin sister. For a perfect stranger, especially a faunus, she was flabbergasted and at a complete loss for words.

 

"I…." She mumbles as she looks down in shame, while doing her best to hide within the large red cape. 

 

Ruby sighs. "You can come get your case when you grow up a bit more, Princess." She declares. "And gimme my cloak back later, after you find something else to wear."

 

Weiss just nods meekly as she looks up at her. "May I at least have your name? So I know who to look for?"

 

Ruby grins. "Sure, it's Ruby. Ruby Rose-Garibaldi." She introduces herself with a small flourish. "These are my friends, Aqua Burrell and Diane Brunneis." Both girls nod as she introduces them.

 

"I am Weiss Schnee." The white haired girl replies as she slowly stands and curtseys, while still staying covered. "And thank you for preserving what little bit of modesty my actions did not deny me."

 

Ruby just nods in return. "See? Already learning from your mistakes." She points out with a grin.

 

"Yo!" Diane calls out before either girl could say another word. "Let's take Vomit Boy to the infirmary and go find something to eat!" 

 

Both Ruby and the girl she called Bubbles nod in agreement, Ruby looking directly at her.

 

"Wanna join us? Least we can do is get you a cup of coffee or something since the Princess ruined your reading spot?" Ruby offers. "After Diane drops him off." She adds as she offers her arm in a well mannered fashion.

 

A small smile appears on Blake's face as she holds up a hand. "The offer is accepted, but I can walk on my own." She replied politely. But, she can't help but keep giggling over the fact that Weiss Schnee, heiress to the Schnee Dust Company was just scolded about Dust and by a trio of faunus no less! And now she's walking beside the most gorgeous wolf faunus she's ever seen in her life? This is definitely something she was going to remember forever!

 

"So, get a good look at the goods, Wolfy?" Aqua asks slyly as they walk away, leaving Weiss alone.

 

"So help me Bubbles…" Ruby growls, even as the image of all that creamy white skin comes unbidden into her mind, along with other, so not appropriate things. The heiress hadn't been wearing ANYTHING under the dress, and being so much taller and standing over her had given her an excellent view. And, she still isn't completely sure if her mind was playing tricks on her in one area or not.

 

"Ha! She did! Look at how red she's getting!" Diane teases, making Ruby pull the brim of her hat down as low as she can.

 

"Awwww, is widdle wuby in wuv?" Aqua asks with a grin, making the tall girl blush even harder.

 

Blake Belladonna just starts laughing at all the teasing. Her first day, and it's turned out even more interesting than she could have ever hoped for. And maybe, just maybe, she may have made some new friends too…. 

Chapter 4: Reflections and Speeches

Chapter by Winter1112

Notes:

Hey everyone! Wyn here with the next chapter of A Mountain's Rose! I hope this finds everyone doing as well as can be expected during this lousy health crisis, and I hope this helps with the blah I know I'm feeling during all this!

Using a glyph to bar the locker room door from opening, Weiss gently takes the borrowed cloak off while avoiding looking at herself in the mirror. She is ashamed, embarrassed, and disgusted with herself. Again.

 

Walking towards the closest shower, she turns the water on as hot as she can stand it before taking her hair down from its normal side ponytail. She sniffs it and grimaces as she smells the charred, singed parts of it from the explosion. Inspecting it as the water begins to fill the area in a light mist, she sighs as she realizes she may need to cut some of it off thanks to her lapse in judgement. 

 

So add her hair to the growing list of victims of her latest fit. Willow would be furious with her if she knew, and even say she deserved far worse for her loss of composure. She sighs as she remembers her last punishment for her temper from her twin, having to wear a sign around her neck for the entire day proclaiming that she has a shitty attitude and that she needs to relearn her manners.

 

Even Father fears the wrath of Willow Noir Schnee when she is upset, having been forced to wear his own sign at sword point for an entire day after she learned of the mines. And the petite co-heiress of the world's largest dust provider had been beyond furious that day. So furious she gave Father until their eighteenth birthday to fix his mess, or else.

 

No one needed to know what the or else meant. Willow's temper is legendary, along with her poise and confidence in herself, as well as the fact that of all the Schnees, she is a firm supporter and champion of faunus rights in Atlas.

 

Stepping into the shower, Weiss could barely feel the water hitting her skin. She was still lost in thought over what happened earlier. She lost her temper again, much to her regret now. But she couldn’t help it, if people didn’t act a certain way it just irritated her to no end. Of the two of them, she is the hot headed judgemental one, both of which makes finding and keeping friends hard. Something her personable and outgoing twin had no problems with. Willow has lots of real, genuine friends that stand by her and support her through thick and thin. 

 

She’d give anything to have at least one true friend that wouldn’t care about her position as the heiress to the Schnee Dust Company.

 

Weiss sighed as she begins to bathe now, the charring and dust residue flowing down the drain. Looking back, she honestly can't believe she made such a mistake like that, not noticing the seal on the vial of dust had come loose. If her father ever found out, she would be in major trouble for years to come, and all her siblings would never let her live it down.

 

Finished with her bathing and hair washing, she stands in the water and lets it run across her to soothe her. It normally works, except now she can't get the image of the redheaded wolf faunus out of her mind. She was much taller than her, and most definitely beautiful. She has a deliciously curvy body, a face that a model would be jealous of, and the way she carries herself would almost make Willow and Winter jealous.

 

Whatever, she needs to get ready for the speeches that should be starting soon. Shutting off the water, she steps out and takes a deep breath, letting the steam fill her lungs. Maybe Noiry's right, and she needs to make more of an effort to change, or maybe she should just continue being the frigid bitch she's always been no thanks to their Father's influence. 

 

After all, he wanted a son as his heir to the throne. A wish that was partially granted when it came to his twin daughters.

 

Stopping to clean off a mirror with her hand, Weiss looks at herself for a moment. She and Noiry both have that classic Atlesian look to them, being slender yet muscular like ballerinas and as flexible. But not for the first time, she once again wishes she had more curves then around her rear. With a sigh, she begins to get dressed slowly, making sure everything is properly in place before pulling her hair into a bun so as to address it properly later. Checking herself one last time, she nods in satisfaction. Her dress is much more appropriate to a formal ball at the Schnee Manor than a simple gathering of students. The ankle length garment hugged her meager curves and flattered them, and the three inch heels added to her diminutive height, as well as the added effect of making her rear look fantastic. 

 

Done with all this, she picks up the borrowed cloak and begins to fold it carefully, her thoughts trailed off to the Wolf Faunus she met earlier. The more she thinks about it, Ruby has to be at least in her third year, meaning it might be best to get on her good side to learn some things. After all, who better to learn from about school pecking orders and social circles than a returning student.

 

The fact that she is gorgeous and gives her an excuse to talk to her more is just a welcomed benefit, despite her being a faunus.

 

Checking herself in the mirror one last time, she nods in satisfaction before heading to Orientation. She won't have time to give Ruby her cloak back before it, so it will have to wait until the next time she could walk around the school to look for her.

 

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

 

Ruby sighs as she stands between Diane and Aqua, the latter standing next to Blake as they waited for Orientation to start. The four of them had had a surprisingly pleasant lunch, discussing books they had all read, places they have seen in common, as well as a discussion that turned into the merits of their individual weapons. 

 

Blake's Gambol Shroud is absolutely awesome! But, she couldn't help but make some suggestions as well. To her surprise, the panther faunus thanked her for the suggestions, and asked her for her help in making the optional changes, making them both blushing idiots as she agreed to helping her after initiation when time allows.

 

Which is how the four of them now find themselves standing in a shadowy corner of the auditorium. Blake and Ruby both agreed it would be best to avoid any more attention for now, due to Aqua and Diane being there without permission, as well as avoid any more embarrassing moments like with the gorgeous heiress. Gorgeous? Damn she already has it bad!

 

"Ruby." Diane nudges her gently to get her attention. "Schnee at two o'clock, and hot damn does she look gorgeous!"

 

Ruby looks in the direction that Diane mentioned and gulped as she looks at the Schnee, or more specifically her ass. She can feel her face heating up as she keeps staring, while her best friend giggles.

 

"The thirst is strong in this one." The squirrel faunus teases quietly as she smirks.

 

"Shut it!" The wolf Faunus growls back as she does her best to hide her face with her hat, failing miserably due to it being firmly held in place by her ears.

 

"She's got the sacred cloak." Aqua points out quietly. "The one Wolfy never parts with."

 

Diane nods. "Surprised she isn't already laying claim to it like the last girlfriend." She adds with a smirk. "What was Sasha threatening to do with it again?"

 

Ruby blinks at the memory of her now ex-girlfriend and the threats against her precious cloak. It wasn't the one she would kill over, but her mother made it for her nonetheless before she died. Looking around, she decides a quick burst of her semblance is appropriate and bursts into a cloud of rose petals, appearing next to the heiress, who squeaks in alarm as she holds the folded cloak against herself.

 

"Oh goddess you scared me, Ruby!" The heiress declares as she glares up at the grinning redhead. "Weren't you taught any manners?!"

 

Ruby can't help but grin as she looks at the heiress, noting how good she looks in the evening gown. "Nah, I was raised in a barn. You can ask my daddy if you don't believe me."

 

"Somehow I can believe that." Weiss agrees as she smiles softly. "Here, I am returning your cloak, as you asked." She declares as she holds it out to her shyly. "Thank you again, as well as the lesson in humility."

 

“Thanks, and you're welcome.” The wolf Faunus replies as she takes her hood and puts it back on, noticing the new scent of a wonderful smelling perfume lingering on the garment. “I lent this to you because it was the only choice I had, but it means a lot to me so thanks for taking care of it.”

 

Weiss blushes a bit at the genuine tone in the Reaper's voice. “Well my business here is done so bye.” The heiress hurriedly blurts out as she turns to leave, freezing when Ruby grabs her gently by the wrist.

 

"My friends and I are right over there. Why don't you join us?" She suddenly asks as a slight blush comes across her face. "I-I mean we would love to get to know you better. I mean… you're as elegant as the princesses in the books my daddy would read to me when I was a little girl, and ummmm." To the white haired girl's surprise, the taller redhead begins to poke her fingers together nervously as she goes quiet. 

 

A smile begins to form on Weiss's face as she suddenly takes Ruby's arm. "I would love too, actually." She replies, surprising both the wolf as well as herself. "I find myself a bit of a stranger in a strange land, and you're obviously from this area?" She asks the last part questioningly.

 

Ruby nods as a smile comes to her face, a smile that's reflected in her brilliant silver eyes. "Born and raised." She agrees in delight as they walk back to Diane, Aqua and Blake, all three of them staring in shock and more than a little surprise. "Granted, I grew up near the southern gates of the city, but my dad is the Guildmaster of the Huntsmen's Guild here in Vale, so I know the city really well."

 

This time, it was Weiss's turn to look surprised. "Your father is Alexander Garibaldi?" She whispers quietly. "The Mountain of Vale?"

 

Ruby smiles as she stands a bit taller in pride. "That's my daddy!" She declares proudly, getting more than a few stares and even more leers. Weiss of course glares at them in return, making more than a few of them blanche and turn away.

 

"Excuse me, you two." Aqua interrupts them as they return to the group. "Check out who else is here." She adds as she motions with her head back into the crowd and a distinct red haired figure.

 

"Is that who I think it is?" Weiss whispers, knowing the faunus she finds herself with can hear her perfectly.

 

Blake nods as she settles back against the wall. "The Mistrali champion herself, The Invincible Girl Pyrrha Nikos." She confirms. "And I don't trust you, Schnee." She adds. "You're not your sister. She struggles against your father for our people."

 

Weiss nods as she looks directly at Blake. "My sister is in the right." She admits loudly enough for anyone nearby to hear. "So far, Ruby has shown me nothing but kindness and respect, despite my temper tantrum, all of you have. And I am also no supporter of my father either. He is an evil monster, and I plan on redoubling my efforts to depose him as the tyrant he is. No one, human or faunus, deserves to be a slave to anyone."

 

Blake moves to stand before her, looking down at her impassively. "How can I trust your word, Weiss?" She asks quietly, while Diane nods.

 

"No offense, but it takes more than Ruby liking you to earn my trust, short stuff." Diane adds as she stays in place, the handle of her warhammer within easy reach. "My parents were in the mines in Vacuo. Only my dad managed to escape with me. My mom died stalling the guards."

 

Weiss nods as she takes her scroll out from under her dress and swipes it open. "Give me all you know of them both. We can use this against him when we make our move to dispose of him." She declares as she hands the scroll to the faunus girl. "Feel free to explore my scroll if you wish as well. I have no secrets."

 

Diane takes it hesitantly as she looks at her. "I…."

 

The heiress smiles reassuringly at her. "Yes, I am a spoiled brat. Yes, I am used to getting my own way at all times because I am the preferred heiress. But, I can learn and I can admit when I'm in the wrong." She sighs. "And earlier today, I was in the wrong. It was my own fault that I ran into Ruby, then made a huge scene out of my own embarrassment."

 

Diane nods as she begins to type, while Blake suddenly holds out her hand. "Blake Belladonna." She introduced herself. "And that's a good start." She adds reluctantly.

 

Weiss takes the hand and shakes it with a surprisingly firm grip. "Just Weiss is fine. And I look forward to earning your trust."

 

"Hey Weiss, when you say everything, does that mean like everything?" Diane asks as she looks at the heiress. "That's not exactly a pretty story."

 

Weiss nods. "Anything and everything you're willing to share, Miss."

 

"Diane, my name's Diane Brunneis." 

 

"Diane then. If you need to consult your father, feel free to do so." Weiss finishes with another smile as she tightens her grip on Ruby's arm. "Ruby?" 

 

Ruby's attention was still on Pyrrha, as well as Aqua's, the two of them more than a little surprised to see her here. Anyone who has ever heard of the Mistrali girl has been expecting her to attend Haven Academy instead of Beacon. After all, there's more than a little bit of national pride when it comes to the Invincible Girl. Enough to where Haven should have been more than prepared to roll out the red carpet for her.

 

But she also can't pass up a chance to tease Aqua, who's a huge fan of the woman. “You checking out the Mistralian champ there, Bubbles?" Ruby asks teasingly.

 

“Shut up Wolfy. I'm just surprised to see her here that’s all.” Aqua replies almost instantly as she looks back to the stage, where some activity has begun.

 

“Hey there’s nothing wrong with wanting to check out a gorgeous woman like her you know. Not really my type, but hey you never know what's going to happen." She continues onward, knowing her asexual friend wouldn't rise to the bait.

 

Aqua shakes her head as she frowns. “Wolfy, you really need to get your libedo under control. I just think it's strange that she's here of all places.”

 

Ruby shrugs as Weiss calls her name, getting her attention. "Who knows? And yeah?"

 

Weiss smiles as she points to the stage with her free hand. "They're finally starting. Should you really be here?"

 

"Well why not?" Ruby replies as she grins toothily. "I'm a first year, just like y'all. Time for me to earn my place is all."

 

Weiss blinks at the news, even as Ozpin takes to the stage. "You're only a first year?!" She cries out. "I swore you were older!"

 

Ruby blushes as she shushes Weiss. "Shhh, they're starting Snowflake. We'll talk more later, ok?"

 

Weiss nods as she turns her attention back to the stage, and the grey haired man taking the center behind the microphone. Oh yes indeed, she and Ruby would be having a long talk after all of this. She was already beginning to like her, and if she really is this mature for a first year, then by the Goddess Weiss isn't passing this opportunity up!

 

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

 

Headmaster Ozpin walks calmly on stage, his normal coffee cup in hand. Standing at the microphone, he clears his throat to signal for silence. “I'll... keep this brief." He begins as soon as silence falls over the assembly. "You have traveled here today in search of knowledge, to hone your craft and acquire new skills, and when you have finished, you plan to dedicate your life to the protection of the people."

 

Pausing for a moment to take a sip from his cup, he takes a quick scan of the gathered initiates. He of course spots Ruby Rose-Garibaldi and her stowaway friends, more than a bit surprised to see them standing with Weiss Schnee as well as Blake Belladonna. A surprise to be sure, but not nearly to the level that their companions Diane Brunneis and Aqua Burrell are about to receive. Alas, Glynda gets the honor of that particular surprise, as he has other matters to attend to.

 

Swallowing his coffee, he decides to continue. "But when I look amongst you, all I see is wasted energy. Energy in need of a purpose and direction. You assume knowledge will free you of this, but your time at this school will prove that knowledge can only carry you so far. It is up to all of you to take the first step."

 

Taking another moment to sip at his coffee, he notices that Pyrrha Nikos is standing alone. A pity really, as he and Salem had spoken to the young woman at length before approving her application. Salem had been impressed with her robust general knowledge, while he himself at her humbleness and genuine humility. Perhaps he could put the bug in certain ears about befriending the lonely young woman hiding behind a façade of an Invincible Warrior set upon an unwanted pedestal.

 

With a sigh as he adjusts his glasses, he addresses the assembly once more. “Now, in order to guide you on that first crucial step, I’ll introduce your future professors. First, is Professor Glynda Goodwitch who will be your combat instructor as well as Deputy Headmistress of this hallowed institution. She shall guide you in sharpening your skills against each other as well as against more humanoid opponents.” 

 

Glynda steps forward, wearing her normal huntress attire of a black business dress with a white undershirt and small black cape with purple lining. "Greetings." She declares curtley before walking off stage.

 

“Your Grimm studies teacher is Professor Peter Port." The Headmaster continues as he notes how many eyes continue to follow Glynda as she leaves. "He is one of Remnant's foremost experts in the Grimm, and shall be instructing you in all the various weaknesses, habits, and habitats of the Grimm.” Peter is a big, hearty man well into his fifties, with broad shoulders and a jovial attitude to match. He wore a dark red suit with gold trimmings and black pants and dress shoes. Unlike Glynda though, he simply smiled and waved to the assembly, having been warned by several of the instructors to not begin another one of his long winded yarns of his Huntsmen days.

 

“Your History class will be taught by Doctor Bartholomew Oobleck. Many of you may think that you don’t need to learn about the mistakes that happened in the past, but I assure you that the past can help you better yourselves. The old saying of repeating the mistakes of the past is indeed far more accurate then you believe, so don’t make the same mistakes as those who came before you.” 

 

Bartholomew is a bit sloppily dressed, part of his dress shirt wasn’t tucked and his hair is sticking out in all directions as if he stuck a knife in an electric socket. "Indeed!" The man declares as he also drinks from a cup of coffee. "A sad state of affairs when no one chooses to listen to the lessons of the past!"

 

“Professor Salem Arc is our Dust Studies teacher, as well as our head librarian. She is just as knowledgeable about dust as the legendary Adaliz Schnee, and as well versed in history as our own Professor Oobleck.” Ozpin smirks for a moment. "If she cannot teach you at least the basics of dust use, then there is no hope for you."

 

"David!" Salem is a pale skinned woman with pale, almost platinum blonde hair and vivid blue eyes. Her hair is styled in a half ponytail, with the fringe swept off to the left. She would normally be quite beautiful, if she wasn't currently glaring daggers at the Headmaster. "You and I both know that isn't the case! Some people simply have no sensitivity or talent when it comes to dust. Look at you for example!"

 

Ozpin blushes slightly as the assembly snickers, although he does hear several loud guffaws and a distinct voice yelling attagirl. Clearing his throat, he continues on despite the fact that one of his professors is still glaring at him and tapping one high heeled foot.

 

“Your professor in Field Tactics and Survival Studies is Professor Celestia Peach. In the field, it’s not just Grimm that can kill you and that’s where she comes in.”

 

The falcon faunus woman steps forward, and Ozpin has to resist the urge to laugh at all the attention the beautiful young professor is getting. Her tight fitting clothes are simply an accent to her carefully preened feathers that flow down her head and back, and her peach colored eyes reveal her amusement at all the looks. "Now now, no undressing me on stage ladies and gentlemen. All of you will be hating me soon enough, as I run a strictly professional class." She declares in a surprisingly rich contra alto voice. "And all of you are simply too young for my tastes." She adds with a smirk.

 

“Finally we have Doctor Ara Ebony who is the head of the Medical staff here at Beacon.” He continues. "She holds a rank equivalent to a professor here on campus, and she will be respected as such." He adds sternly.

 

Ara seems rather young for a doctor. She has long black hair held back by a simple purple headband, large azure eyes and pale skin, as well as being rather well-endowed. She is wearing a long sleeved wooly shirt that has an opening around the top exposing a good amount of cleavage, a black fitted skirt, matching heels and a white doctor’s coat which was left open.

 

"At this point, Professor Arc has several announcements to make, before all of you are dismissed to the cafeteria for dinner as well as time to rest before initiation tomorrow morning." He declares. "Again, welcome to Beacon Academy, and may the odds be ever in your favor." He adds the last with a small smirk before departing, while Salem groans, Peach giggles, and Ara rolls her eyes at the yearly parting reference.

 

Clearing her throat, Salem takes to the microphone. “You will gather in the ballroom tonight after dinner. Tomorrow your initiation begins, be ready as it will not be easy.” She pauses and sighs. "Also, I will remind all three hundred and eighteen of you that Beacon has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to bullying and discrimination. This is a place of learning, and prejudices and petty hatreds will not be tolerated." She reminds them as Port and Oobleck join in the firm looks. "All of you are hereby dismissed."

 

All the remaining professors watch as the assembly begins to file out quickly, with several social groups already forming amongst them. But Salem can't help but feel a bit of pride in Ruby as she stands with her own small group of friends, which has already begun to grow some more. But she can't help but smile as Glynda intercepts them before they leave, watching as Diane and Aqua stand in stunned silence as the deputy Headmistress informs them that not only are they not leaving to return home to Vale, but are expected to participate in initiation.

 

And of course Ruby is laughing hysterically at her friends, all while teasing them mercilessly at the same time. Just like her father did to her mother when Summer was caught like Diane and Aqua all those years ago as well. Sometimes, history indeed has an odd way of repeating itself after all...

 

Chapter 5: Mother like Daughter

Notes:

Hey Everyone a few things before you get started, I know I said I was going to do White Rose week and I was, I had everything planned out and I even had all days done but I had them done about a week or so early and when I looked back on them I wasn't happy so I erased them and started over, I was only able to get day one finished so if you want to see it let me know. Elegance of a Black Rose is coming I'll explain why I didn't post when I said I was when I post the new chapter soon.

"And stay lost!" Diane roars as four young men scramble away from the angry squirrel Faunus. Shaking her head as she chuckles, she looks down at Amy. "You ok?"

 

"Yeah. Nothing I'm not used to." She admits quietly as she stands up and brushes herself off. "Thanks."

 

"Hey, no big deal Amy. I'm a bitch, but not a heartless one." Diane replies as she smiles. "Especially when I see somebody picking on another faunus."

 

Amy raises an eyebrow. "No offense, but I thought you guys hated us? Yang isn't exactly nice to any of you."

 

Aqua shakes her head as she joins them, the last bit of a roll in her hand. "Why? We don't hate you or Shion. And Yang isn't worth the time to even consider her." She adds. "Her beef's with Ruby, not us anyway."

 

Diane nods as she pulls an apple out of her coat. "So chill out. Hell, stick with us. I dare another one of those racist assholes to lay a hand on you."

 

"If Squirrelly doesn't kick the shit outta them, I will." Ruby declares as she walks up with Weiss and Blake, the former on her arm. "And before you say a word, I don't hold Yang being your friend against you. Everyone has that one embarrassing friend."

 

"Oh really Wolfie?" Aqua looks at her. "And who's yours?"

 

Ruby's eyes twinkle as her grin widens. "Squirrelly." She replies without hesitation. "But she's going to regret grabbing my breasts again."

 

"Oh yeah? Why's that?" The brutal tank asks with a grin. One that vanishes when the tip of Ruby's knife appears and touches the tip of her nose.

 

"I'll stab you. And I won't lose a second's sleep over it." The Reaper informs her with a wicked grin.

 

Diane nods nervously as she holds up her hands. "You win." She acknowledges as she backs up several steps. "No more groping the mammaries."

 

"That's what I thought." Ruby replies as she sheathes the blade. "Anywho, what's next?"

 

Amy points to the ballroom. "We all have to gather in there for the night. 

 

"Sleeping bagging it, huh?" Diane murmurs. "Inside?"

 

Weiss sighs. "I didn't know about all this. My sister said Haven Academy already accepted her team makeup from Atlas. She was waiting for her teammate Kylie to arrive."

 

Blake smirks. "What's wrong, Schnee? Can't handle a sleeping bag?"

 

Weiss smirks back. "My sisters and I are accomplished campers. We earned our top marks in basic survival class. I simply like my sleeping bag and wish I had brought it from my things."

 

Ruby nods. "Saaaaaaame! I wonder if they'll let us grab 'em real quick?"

 

Diane grins. "I got it. Where's your stuff, Weiss?"

 

"Look for the servant droid. His name is Cogsworth." She informs the faunus girl. "Tell him…" She pauses as she grimaces. "Tell him Princess White needs her field pack."

 

There is mass silence for a long moment, Ruby breaking it as she squeals in delight. "He calls you Princess White?! That's adorable!"

 

Weiss facepalms while muttering darkly, while Blake shakes her head. "And that's one against you."

 

Diane chuckles. "Sorry, Blake. She's earning mine slowly. You may be stuck hating her by yourself." She declares, her tail wiggling gently. "Want yours too, Wolfy? Bubbles?"

 

Aqua nods. "Yeah, I'm not sleeping in somebody else's sweat."

 

"I gotta agree with Bubbles on this one." Ruby adds. "Meet you in the ballroom."

 

"You got it boss!" She calls back as she takes off at a steady walk, her tail wiggling more in anticipation.

 

"I take it the three of you simply prefer the comforts of your own gear?" Weiss asks as she looks up at Ruby, who smiles.

 

"Something like that." She replies calmly. "More like we don't trust too many people."

 

Aqua nods. "Blame some hard-headed idiots from Pharos. They decided to sabotage the tents during a joint training mission. Any faunus who grabbed one of the tents they were handing out got soaked."

 

Amy nods as she shudders. "It took me days to feel dry again."

 

Blake shakes her head. "As always." She mutters darkly.

 

Ruby nods while ignoring the panther faunus. "We were lucky, Diane always brings a tent cause she's so damned huge already. But boy was Uncle Qrow pissed!"

 

Aqua grins. "Yeah, they accidentally gave him one of the rigged tents. He was furious along with that white haired woman who tagged along."

 

Weiss blinks as she realizes she knows exactly what they were talking about. She remembers Winter coming home, beyond furious at having been given a faulty tent that collapsed during the heavy rains the night before. She and her then boyfriend both…

 

"Are you talking about Qrow Branwen?" She asks while looking between the two faunus women.

 

"Yeah, he's my godfather, but I just call him Uncle." Ruby admits. "Used to be Drunkle, but he cleaned himself up a few years ago. How do you know him?"

 

Weiss begins to giggle as she takes Ruby's arm and starts guiding her towards the ballroom doors. "Because it's a smaller world than I thought." She replies. "Your Uncle is my sister's fiance. And she's the one who sobered him up."

 

Ruby stops and looks at her closer, a sudden look of recognition appearing on her face. "Page 52."

 

"Page what? What are you talking about?"

 

"Page 52 of the latest issue of Guns Against Grimm. You're holding the latest sniper rifle from the SDC!" She declares in her excitement, her tail wagging a mile a minute.

 

"Don't buy it. It's a hunk of junk." Weiss replies almost instantly before groaning. "I thought I told them not to run that ad!"

 

Blake raises an eyebrow. "Why? Afraid you would get in trouble with your slaver father?"

 

Weiss looks at her coldly, her arms folding across her chest. "No. I told them not to run it because that particular rifle was built using substandard parts, cannot handle it's own recoil, and WILL get someone killed. Yes, my father ordered me to take the pictures, but I did so under protest. I will not have my own name sullied by a substandard weapon that I personally stopped from reaching full mass production." Her glare turns glacial as she looks at Blake. "Contrary to popular belief, and despite the fact that until recently I have been a spoiled brat, even I have lines I will not cross."

 

"Ummm, Weiss?" Ruby begins as she taps her forefingers together. "The weapon's available now actually. My dad and soon to be stepmom offered to buy me one, but I said no way. I was honestly staring more at you than the article."

 

"What?!" She shrieks angrily as she pats her pockets for her scroll. "Dammit, Diane must still have it!"

 

"Let me guess, you 'didn't know'?" Blake asks as she makes air quotes, a self satisfied smirk on her face. A smirk that vanishes a moment later as the heiress looks at her in pure fury.

 

"I need to make a phone call." She declares through gritted teeth. "Please bring my things with you." She asks before storming off.

 

"Hey Blake?" Aqua calls out calmly as she looks out from behind Ruby.

 

"Yes?" She replies as she stands still in shock.

 

"Can you do us all a favor AND NOT PISS HER OFF ANYMORE?!" The meerkat woman screams at her.

 

Ruby nods as she looks around sniffing. "Come on, I think Amy climbed a tree to hide in." She then looks at Blake. "And lay off of Weiss. She was genuinely pissed that she was disobeyed. And she seemed really upset about that rifle too."

 

"Didn't you already test fire one?" Aqua asks as she begins to sniff the air as well, trying to catch Amy's scent.

 

"Yeah, it's why I was in Vale the night I stopped the robbery. Daddy took me to check it out."

 

Blake starts looking up in the trees. "What stopped you from buying it?"

 

Ruby grins as she spots a familiar tail. "Stupid thing literally broke apart in my hands after one shot. Even the gun shop owner was pissed." She replies. "She's gone Amy, you can come down now."

 

"I'm fine. I like it up here." She calls back. 

 

Blake joins Ruby, staring at just how far up the wolf faunus girl made it up the tree. "How on Remnant did she do that?"

 

Aqua giggles as she joins them. "She's part cat faunus. And she can climb better than even Squirrelly or another cat faunus we know."

 

Ruby nods. "Amy? Don't make us send Diane up to get you."

 

"She can't reach me. She's too big."

 

"Uh huh." Ruby stops and looks around before taking a black object out from under her cloak.

 

"Ruby, this is a bad idea." Aqua informs her as she and Blake watch the second scythe extend in Ruby's hand.

 

"Nah, I got this." Ruby replies as she pulls back on a lever, bringing the scythe back to lock into a war scythe configuration. "Retribution can cut through this, no problem."

 

"You're still that heavily armed?!" Blake adds in surprise as she takes a step back in alarm.

 

"Look at who her dad is! He walks around his own home with a pistol on him!" Aqua yells as Ruby raises the weapon to strike. "Fuck, run!" 

 

"Who's her dad again?!" Blake yells at the fleeing meerkat as she turns and follows her.

 

"The Mountain of Vale!" Aqua yells over her shoulder. "Ruby's the Mountain's Rose!"

 

"Oh shit!" Blake exclaims as she begins to push herself even faster.

 

"Last chance!" The Reaper calls out as she raises the scythe, the darksteel blade seeming to absorb light as well as the aura Ruby begins to channel into it.

 

"No! I don't wanna! She's scary!" Amy yells back. "Wait, why do you have a second scythe?!"

 

"Ruby! For the love of the Goddesses Three don't do a stupid!" Aqua yells as she slides to a stop by the doors to the auditorium. 

 

"This isn't a stupid!" Ruby yells back as she draws the scythe as far back as she possibly can.

 

"This is a stupid! I don't want to die cause you did a stupid!" Amy shrieks.

 

Stopping beside Aqua, Blake herself can only stare as Ruby swings the scythe only once, cutting so cleanly through the tree it actually slides a bit before coming down with a crashing sound.

 

But everyone hears Amy's scream of terror, Ruby's extremely loud "OH FUCK!" and the sound of the tree crashing down almost on top of her and the ballroom both...

 

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"Of all the stupid, hard-headed, short sighted things you could have done, you had to cut down a whole tree?! And with Summer's Retribution?!" Salem stops her pacing to yell at a wincing Ruby, who is covered in leaves, tree sap, and claw marks from Amy landing directly on top of her.

 

"It seemed like a good idea at the time?" She offers weakly as she pokes her fingers together. "And it's my scythe now." She adds weakly, wincing as Salem turns back to glare at her.

 

"It's not the point and you know it!" Salem glare could melt metal from its intensity. "I will be hanging onto Retribution until after initiation. Ah!" She stops Ruby with a single finger. "What did we discuss last night before I left?"

 

"When you're on the job clock, you're definitely the boss." Ruby replies in a defeated tone.

 

"And I am most certainly on the clock." She declares as she hefts the weapon with a grunt. "How did Summer ever carry this?!"

 

"Can I-"

 

"Hush Ruby. Between you acting like a female Paul Bunyan, and Diane breaking into the storage room to get all your field packs, the two of you are already on thin ice with me." She informs the wolf faunus, who sinks even lower in embarrassment. "I expect you to behave like you have the manners I have been struggling to beat into your thick head the last few years. Otherwise, despite my pride in you, I will send you, Diane and Aqua right back to Signal. Am I clear?"

 

"Yes ma'am, Professor Salem." She mumbles as her tail tucks firmly between her legs.

 

"Good. Now go back to your friends. Relax, make a few more new ones. You're certainly more than capable of it." Salem sighs as she finally gets the heavy weapon onto her own magnetic holder on her back. "And trust in me, no one else but me, to keep you safe tonight, ok?"

 

Ruby nods as she looks at the older woman and smiles sadly. "Sorry. I didn't think that through, did I?" The Reaper asks quietly, her tail still tucked firmly between her legs as her ears fold back.

 

Salem chuckles as she shakes her head. "Just like your mother. She did the same thing during our initiation eve. But she actually hit the building."

 

"She did?" Ruby asks as her smile brightens, her tail slowly emerging and wagging gently.

 

"She did. You may be Alex's daughter, but there is plenty of Summer in you as well." Salem reminds her. "And I've enjoyed helping you become the young woman you've grown up to be. But right now, you need to be more like me and Saffron then Summer and Alex, ok?"

 

Ruby nods as her tail keeps wagging gently. "Yes ma'am, I'll be on my best behavior the rest of the night."

 

"Good. Now shoo fly. And no more shenanigans."

 

Ruby nods as she suddenly pulls the older woman into a hug, one she returns. "Thanks Mum to be." She whispers.

 

"You have no idea how proud I am of you, Ruby. You really don't." The professor replies. "And stop trying to steal Retribution."

 

"Fiiiiiiiine." Ruby replies with a giggle. "Worth a try." 

 

"Oh it was." Salem agrees as she looks at her stepdaughter to be. "Now go. I believe there's a cute girl with a bow in her hair looking at us strangely."

 

"That's a panther faunus." Ruby informs her quietly. "Her belt's her tail, but shhh."

 

"My lips are sealed." She nods as she releases Ruby. "Go, be with your friends. Ozpin bent a lot of rules so you could be comfortable here."

 

"Uh huh, sure he did." Ruby teases as she starts walking towards the waiting faunus girl. "Bet it had nothing to do with the fact that if I'm not there, Headmaster Elvorite would kick them out in a week." Ruby reminds the older woman of the numerous times that her and her team got on the Headmaster of Signal's bad side.

 

"Oh they're banned, Ruby. All three of you!" Salem calls back as she walks off in a different direction.

 

Ruby chuckles as she joins Blake, who is looking at Salem oddly. "Who is she?"

 

"Professor Salem soon to be Garibaldi and my already favorite stepmom." The Reaper replies as they walk back to the others. "Why?"

 

Before Blake can answer, of all people Pyrrha Nikos herself walks up to her smiling. "Excuse me, but did I understand correctly that your father is the Mountain of Vale?" She asks excitedly. 

 

Ruby nods as Aqua glares jealously at her. "Yeah? So?"

 

Pyrrha grins. "Your father is my inspiration! I even chose to attend Beacon because he too once studied here!"

 

"Same here!" A ginger haired girl declares excitedly. "I told Rennie I won't come to any other school!"

 

"He's a living legend, even in Menagerie." Blake admits quietly. "My dad hates his guts though."

 

"Pfft! You guys think my dad's a legend?" Ruby laughs as she looks at them all one by one. "My dad, who's a beer swilling, sports fanatical, history obsessed, genuinely nice guy is some kind of legend?"

 

Pyrrha nods without hesitation. "Your father is a living legend. My father still remembers him fondly from the various missions they took together. I grew up listening to stories of those hunts."

 

"Yeah!" The short ginger haired girl declares in her excitement. "Everyone wants to be the Mountain of Vale! He can even wrestle ursas barehanded!"

 

"Nora, are you certain that he can indeed do so?" A tall, raven haired young man informs her. "And who are you even speaking of?"

 

"But it's the Mountain!" The girl named Nora protests. "And how haven't you heard of him Renny?!"

 

"Guys, he doesn't wrestle ursas." Ruby groans as she holds up her hands. "Or Beowolves, or sabers, and he never once indian wrestled a Goliath."

 

"He indian wrestled a Goliath?!" Nora declares excitedly.

 

"She just said it didn't happen Nora." Ren groans. 

 

Pyrrha blinks in confusion at Ruby's declaration. "Wait, your dad doesn't hunt barehanded while only wearing nothing but war paint? My father said he did that once to prove his manliness!"

 

"He better not be doing that!" Salem roars from a different part of the ballroom. "I'll flay him myself!"

 

"He isn't, Salem!" Ruby calls out reassuringly. "He's too busy trying to suck your face off when I'm not looking!"

 

"Shut up!"

 

Aqua snorts. "Ruby does have everything right. Her dad may be awesome, but he's not perfect."

 

"But he can make some amazing ribs!" Diane declares as she begins to visibly drool. "His grilling is definitely legendary."

 

"Count on Squirrelly to be thinking with her stomach." Ruby smirks. 

 

"Oi! Low blow Wolfy!"

 

Pyrrha nods as she mulls over the information. "Thank you for satisfying my curiosity." She smiles at them all. "Let me rejoin my friends. If I don't help Ren keep Nora calm, she's going to pester you all night."

 

Ruby giggles. "So even the Invincible Girl has regular old friends, huh?"

 

Pyrrha nods as she looks at Ren and Nora fondly, the former currently holding the latter as they lay together in a sleeping bag made for two. "They were accepted at the last minute, and I'm grateful for that and for them." She waves a hand at the small group gathered around the Reaper. "I see you're also blessed with good friends you too can rely on."

 

The wolf faunus nods as her tail wags. "Sure am! And hey, look out for us tomorrow! There's always strength in numbers, right?"

 

"Yes there is. Perhaps the Goddesses will guide our paths." Pyrrha replies before bowing and walking back to her friends. 

 

"You suck!" Aqua blows a raspberry as Ruby shakes her head. "But seriously, how do you not know her if your dad and her's have a history?"

 

"Dad never took me to Mistral." Ruby informs the meerkat girl as she turns back to face them, Weiss having an odd look on her face as she busies herself with her things. "I was still pretty young, and Mum and Auntie Saffron both have good jobs here."

 

"Makes sense." Blake admits as she settles down by a nearby wall with only a blanket. "But why do you keep mentioning that he's only interested in 'sucking face' as you put it?"

 

Ruby sighs as she takes her hat off her head and rolls it around in her hands. "My Daddy's getting older and he's not taking as many hunts." She pauses as she chews on her lower lip. "Come to think of it, the only hunts he takes lately are with me and Mum. And I've been doing all the work as part of my training." She admits.

 

Amy's head pops out of her sleeping bag, the tiny wolf faunus still glaring at Ruby despite her curiosity. "So he really isn't as active as he used to be?" She asks quietly. 

 

"Hell no! Our last hunt, he made me do all the actual hunting while he stayed at camp and sucked face with Salem!" Ruby declares in amusement before kneeling down. "Sorry about what I did. You aren't hurt are you?"

 

"Believe it or not, I'm used to it. Shion and Yang never climb up to get me either. At least you just cut down the tree." She replies with a shy smile. "Have you seen them?"

 

"Sorry, haven't seen them." She admits quietly. "But I did just get done getting yelled at by my dad's favorite face sucking victim!" She adds the last loud enough for Salem to hear.

 

"Hey!" Salem screams out as she blushes. "Stop saying that!"

 

"Come and make me!" Ruby taunts her, before squealing and ducking from a well thrown pillow. "Ok, ok! I'll stop! Jeez future mum!"

 

Blake looks thoughtful as she looks from Ruby to Salem, then back to Ruby. "You're fine with having a human stepmother?" She asks quietly.

 

Ruby nods. "We're all the same in the end, Blake. We're all born the same, we breath the same air, eat the same food, and in the end, go back into the same ground. The only real difference between us and humans is we have extra abilities they don't have. But it doesn't make us better than them." She lectures the cat faunus. "If anything it makes our jobs to protect the world from the Grimm easier, and that's the only enemy that really matters to me."

 

Diane grins as she puts her hand on Ruby’s head and starts to roughly tussle it. “That’s right! Wolfy is all about treating others as equals even if they’re human. And she especially likes kids. She started helping out at a local kindergarten class that only had human kids while we were at Signal. The best part was she couldn’t deal with kids for shit for a while after!" Diane began to laugh as Aqua snickered at the memories.

 

“AHHHH! Squirrelly stop!” Ruby pushes herself away from Diane blushing. "And I can deal with kids just fine thanks!"

 

"Yea now, but when you first started you couldn’t handle them as much as Squirrelly can’t wait in line." Aqua deadpans as she tosses the wolf faunus her field pack, which she catches easily.

 

Weiss looks oddly at the Reaper, her white and blue sleeping bag already unrolled and ready to use. "So I take it then that none of you support the White Fang?"

 

Ruby, Diane, Aqua and even Amy all shake their heads, some more vigorously than others.

 

"They only see things in black and white." Ruby replies first as she moves to an empty space between Amy and Weiss, setting her pack down gently next to the heiress's. "They don't realize that all the so called fighting for equality they're doing is only making things worse on all of us, faunus and human both." She elaborates while setting up her own red and black sleeping bag.

 

Diane nods. "They keep trying to recruit me and my dad, cause I'll be honest we both hate humans." She admits as she sits cross-legged on her own bronze and brown sleeping bag, a small dust powered clock radio next to her pillow. "But not to where we want to kill every last one we see. That doesn't solve anything either, and makes us look bad."

 

"I don't really care one way or another." Aqua admits. "People have always gone out of their way to kill people since the beginning of time. Humans and Faunus killing each other is just the latest excuse. That and religion." She adds as she settles down on her own green and blue gear. "And there hasn't been a holy war in a couple of centuries now though."

 

Amy just mutters something about she's bullied by everyone, earning a look from all the gathered women that makes her squeak and vanish back under her golden yellow cover. “But Yang and Shion look out for me so it’s not as bad as it used to be.”

 

This makes Ruby smile slightly, she may not get along with the blonde hot head but one thing she can admit that she likes about her is that she does care for others.

 

Weiss turns to look at Blake. "What are your feelings on this?" She asks politely as she begins to brush her hair.

 

“I don’t really have much to say. Both sides have reasons to hate each other, but it did start with humans treating us faunus like nothing but animals." The panther faunus replies as she opens a book. "That being said, I don’t believe what the White Fang is currently doing is right.” 

 

Weiss nods as she looks thoughtful. "I have no qualms with the White Fang. To be honest, I can understand how they feel justified in their actions." She begins as she stares at the floor, her brush moving to her lap. "It took Willow showing me the real reports from the mines to make me open my own eyes. To see that my father is indeed enslaving living, breathing, free thinking people. And yes, I said people. Because I do agree with Ruby. There are only physical differences between us. In the end, we really are all the same. We live, we love, and we die."

 

"Weiss, you're really making it hard for me to hate you." The panther faunus admits grudgingly.

 

"I don't want to be hated, Blake. Especially not for something I knew nothing about until recently, and that I as well as Willow are fighting our father to change." She replies sadly. "I'm quickly realizing that I have been wrong about so many things all my life, and I can only hope to change those things, thus better myself as a person."

 

"I can respect that." Blake admits quietly as she looks away from the white haired girl.

 

"Me too, Schnee. Especially since I've been gossiping with your sister for the past hour." Diane informs her with a grin.

 

"What?!" 

 

"Oh yeah! She said you're in deep shit for the dust explosion! Said to be ready for her next visit!" The squirrel faunus adds as she hands the heiress her scroll.

 

"Ladies, it has been a distinct pleasure to have met you all." Weiss sighs as she takes the object back and slides it under her pillow. "Unfortunately, I am now living on borrowed time."

 

"Speaking of borrowed time, it's light's out ladies." Salem declares as she appears around them. "Including you, Miss Belladonna."

 

"Yes ma'am." Blake replies as she blows out a nearby candelabra, while the others settle down into their own sleeping bags. One by one, they begin to drift off save for Ruby, who's taken it upon herself to guard their sleep throughout the night, despite Salem's reassurances. Not out of lack of trust, but because two in particular may have more enemies at Beacon then they think. Enemies Ruby's already decided to protect them from.

 

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“Shion have you found her yet?” Yang asked with concern evident in her voice.

 

“No I haven’t and I’m getting worried, we shouldn’t be up either.” Despite what she said Shion was also rather worried for the small wolf Faunus.

 

“I know but Amy is more important than a stupid curfew.” As Yang said this she could vaguely make the outline of someone coming towards them.

 

“What are the two of you doing up?” Professor Peach asks, making both girls jump.

 

“Sorry Professor, we were looking for our friend, we lost track of her and we heard that some people were being less than pleasant to her, so we're really worried about her.” Shion tells her.

 

“What does she look like?” She asks.

 

“She’s a wolf Faunus with white hair and red eyes.” Yang describes her.

 

“Oh her, she’s over that way with some others, both faunus and humans.” Peach informs them. “She seemed fine so you both need to head to your sleeping bags and get some rest. Tomorrow will not be a walk in the park.”

 

“Alright we’ll head back but can you tell us who she was with please?” Yang asks, desperately wanting to know who Amy was with.

 

“There were a few of them though there were three who stood out: Pyrrha Nikos, Weiss Schnee and Ruby Rose. Those three couldn’t keep a low profile if they tried.” Peach declares as she walks off shaking her head.

 

Yang sighed with relief as her and Shion went back to their spots.

 

“You're unusually calm right now.’ Shion pointed out. “Normally with anything Ruby related you're fuming and irritated.”

 

“Yea but despite that I also know Ruby won’t harm or do anything wrong to Amy. So long as she’s alright then I don’t care if it is Ruby that she’s with.”

 

“Well how very mature of you Yang.” Shion smirked. “You're growing right before my eyes.”

 

“Oh can it. We should do as Professor Peach says and get some rest, night.” Yang says as she and Shion lie down and cover up, the two of them soon in a snoring competition.

Chapter 6: A Wake Up Call

Chapter by Winter1112

Notes:

Hiya everyone! Wyn here with another awesome chapter of a Mountain's Rose for everyone! I hope you all enjoy this one, and keep staying safe during these trying times!

"Ruby?" Weiss calls out softly as she waves a hand across her face. "Hello? Ruby? Are you still alive?"

Aqua giggles as she rolls up her sleeping bag. "She's fine, Weiss. Just asleep."

"This dolt can sleep with her eyes open?" The heiress asks skeptically as she looks over her shoulder at the grinning meerkat faunus, who nods. 

"Trust me, she creeps us all out with that." The younger girl replies as she squats down next to her two friends. "Wanna know the trick to waking her up without getting killed?" She asks.

Weiss nods. "It may be valuable information, considering…" she suddenly blushes a deep red.

Aqua nods. "Lemme show you." She scoots a little bit closer. "See, you have to get a little bit closer to her, while looking into those big silver anime eyes of hers."

The heiress nods as she does so, while carefully adjusting her dress. "Like this?"

"Little bit closer than that." Aqua motions for her to move with her hands.

Weiss nods as she does so, while realizing that even asleep, Ruby's bright quicksilver eyes are almost hypnotic. But her musing turns into surprise as Aqua suddenly pushes the two of them together and into a surprise kiss while guffawing. And the dolt is already wrapping her arms around her shoulders! And… and Ruby is a surprisingly good kisser! But wait, why are her eyes closing, why is her breathing getting faster, and is that dolt smiling?! Why?! Why can't she just die of embarrassment?! Why is her body betraying her like this?! Why?!

Ruby breaks the kiss, her smile still on her face. "You know, Princess. We just met yesterday and all. And don't get me wrong, I could definitely get used to this, but don't you think we're moving too fast?"

"Y-you d-dolt! Aqua d-did this!" She stammers out as she blushes a deep red color while not attempting to escape from the surprisingly powerful arms wrapped loosely around her shoulders. She can feel Ruby's corded muscles as they twitch and move against her own muscular shoulders, and she has to admit she's enjoying the sensation. 

"Sounds like my Ace bestie." Ruby nods knowingly as her smile softens, a blush beginning to appear on her face. "Sometimes she knows me a bit too well."

Weiss can only duck her face as she feels her cheeks burn. "Ruby I…"

"Weiss, I think you're beautiful." The Reaper admits quietly. "And I really love how perfectly you fit in my arms. But, I'm not quite ready to be in a relationship right now. I just broke up with my last girlfriend not too long ago, and there's still a few raw emotions there, ya know? Still a few hurts that ain't healed yet." Ruby sighs deeply. "I don't wanna jump into nothing yet, does that make any sense to you?"

Weiss looks the wolf girl in the eyes and nods. "It does, and I can respect that." She replies quietly. "But I am interested, I won't lie about that."

Ruby chuckles as she finally unwraps her arms from around the heiress's shoulders. "Thanks. That actually means alot to me, Princess." She admits quietly. "But Weiss?"

"Yes Ruby?" The white haired girl asks as she looks into those bewitching silver eyes.

"You're a really good kisser."

Weiss makes an odd noise as she blushes a deep red while standing quickly and dashing away, Ruby watching her go with a smile as she stands and begins to prepare for their long day. But she fails to notice a look of jealousy coming from the panther faunus, one that is mixed with longing.

“You need to slow your roll there Wolfy, you already have an interested princess and a jealous kitty cat, what’s next a dragon?” Aqua chuckles to herself while making Ruby blush.

“Shut it Bubbles! Why don’t you go suck face with your Champion of Mistral.” Ruby retorts, earning a look from her friend.

"You know I don't do that kind of stuff, Wolfy." She deadpans.

The wolf faunus winks. "Still fun to mess with ya, though!" 

"Whatever. Let's go eat before we get our gear." Aqua chastises her as she stands while expertly slinging her field pack across her back.

Ruby nods as she hoists her own pack as well as Weiss'. "Come on, Blake. Breakfast Is important, especially today."

The panther faunus tilts her head at Ruby's odd statement as she stands with her book and blanket both in hand. "While I agree, why are you saying it like that?" She asks as she moves to the Reaper, taking the heiress' gear to lighten the taller girl's load. However, she wasn't expecting it to be so damned heavy! "What does she have in here?!"

"An armored dust case." Ruby informs the panther, who blinks.

"How do you know?"

"I peeked." The younger girl admits with a blush. "I'm guessing she's a dust mage or something."

"Uh huh. And that still doesn't answer my question." The panther reminds her. But she blinks in surprise at the sudden grim look at the wolf faunus's face.

"Cause we might still end up becoming something else's lunch." She declares bluntly as she leads the two of them out of the ballroom and towards the cafeteria. "Only the Goddess knows how today's gonna work out, and I got a bad feeling."

"Oh shit." Aqua groans as she keeps pace with Ruby's long strides. "How bad?"

"Bad enough to where I'm even bringing the hatchet." She replies.

"Shit." Aqua mumbles as Blake looks at them both. 

"I'm a little lost." She admits. "Why is that a big deal?"

Ruby sighs. "The last time I had a feeling this bad, we almost got killed by a Wyvern during a training exercise at Signal. Uncle Qrow, Diane and I barely killed it while Bubbles and Sasha were running interference."

Aqua sighs. "It killed ten students before we could even react. It was a disaster."

Blake looks thoughtful. "They aren't native to here, are they?"

Ruby nods as they reach the cafeteria. "I don't really want to talk about it. Let's eat so we can go get ready." She states calmly before moving inside.

"Did I say something wrong?" Blake asks Aqua, who shakes her head. 

"It killed a couple of close friend of ours." She explains briefly. "Ruby still blames herself for their deaths, even though she was nowhere near either of them when it hit us like a train."

"I see. She took it personally?" 

The meerkat nods. "He was the closest thing she ever had to a brother, and she and Ruby… ignore that. He was the one that supported her coming out to her dad, stood up for her when they went to primary school with Diane, even defended her when a bully went after her cause she was a faunus. And she was someone really special to Ruby. She's still in mourning for them both."

"They're why she doesn't hate humans, isn't he?" Blake asks quietly as they watch Ruby sit next to Pyrrha Nikos and strike up a conversation, while Diane and Nora were gorging themselves on pancakes and Weiss speaking on her scroll with a smile on her face.

"He was, well, him as well as Saffron and Salem that is. She was a faunus, a really pretty wolf faunus like her." Aqua agrees. "He even gave me hope that maybe we could live side by side with them all one day."

"What were their names?"

"Talon Winchester, he was that prick Cardin's older brother. And her name was Rosella Altobelle." She replies bitterly. "And he would be beating his brother's ass if he knew what he tried to pull on Amy last night." She sighs. "Come on, and don't tell Wolfy I filled you in. Like I said, Talon was her best guy friend and all, and Rosella… Goddess but even I miss her. She was as unique as Ruby."

"My lips are sealed." The panther agrees as she and Aqua proceed to get their food before joining the others. Soon enough, the two faunus women are chatting and laughing along with the growing circle of friends gathering around Ruby and her magnetic personality, the wolf faunus laughing and talking the loudest of all.

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Ruby leads the way into Beacon's state of the art locker room and armory, everyone scattering as they seek their own specially designed rocket propelled lockers that line the walls, many of them personalized by the owners.

The Reaper grins as she walks up to hers, which is no exception. Band stickers cover most of it, along with pictures of weapons, Grimm covered in crosshairs, and at the forefront, her burning rose symbol. 

"Yeah! They got my locker! Wazzup now, bitches?!" She hears Diane cheer, making her roll her eyes even as she punches in her passcode to open hers. 

"Hello gorgeous!" She calls out as she reaches in and takes Crescent Rose out. "How's my best girl doing this morning? Ready to go kick some ass?" She asks before proceeding to unfold and check the weapon over. The last thing she needs today is for something to go terribly wrong due to a jam she could have avoided. Nodding in satisfaction, she sets the scythe to the side and begins to gather the rest of what she needs.

Ammo? Check!

Knife? Check!

Hatchet? Check!

Comm device? She pauses for a moment as she reaches for the throat comm and small microphone earwig she and her team grew used to using at Signal. It was one major reason for their success, being able to communicate in the field instantly. But should she use it here?

"Comm check Wolfy!" Aqua calls out from her own locker as she too prepares. 

With a sigh, she takes the device out and begins to connect it to herself. Placing the receiver into one of her human ears after wrapping the throat mic on, she clears her throat. "Comm check ladies. Sound off."

"Bubbles online." Aqua replies. 

"Squirrelly here! Gonna run the playlist?" Diane asks excitedly.

Ruby grins as she connects her scroll to her own comm next, a little personal modification of her own. "I'll cue it up in a second, Squirrelly. Finish all your checks."

"Wolfy? I have Bunny's comm. What should I do with it?" Aqua asks as she holds the object in midair, only to have it snatched out of her hand a moment later by Weiss.

"Mine." She declares. "Help me put it on please?" She then asks after staring at it a moment and offering it back to the meerkat.

"Do it. The more people working together the better." Ruby orders as she grabs a spare unit she keeps in her locker before closing it and pressing the lock button. "Squirrelly, you got your spare too?"

"Yeah, but I'm locking it up." She replies. "We don't have a sixth or anything."

"Bring it anyway." Ruby replies as she walks towards Blake. "We may or may not need it."

"Copy! Going in my bag now."

"Blake?" Ruby calls out as she reaches the panther faunus. 

The woman turns and smiles softly. "Hey Ruby. What's all this comm stuff about?" She asks.

Ruby smiles as she offers Blake her spare unit. "Diane, Aqua and I got used to using them back at Signal." She explains. "It lets us stay in touch whenever we have to split up. Let us know when someone needed help without screaming too."

Blake looks at it for a moment, before looking at Ruby. "Isn't this cheating?" She asks, even as she seems to make up her mind and takes the offered device anyway.

"Maybe." Ruby admits with a shrug. "But if cheating means I keep my friends safe, then yeah, I'll be a dirty cheating scumbag."

Blake marvels at her words, even as she expertly puts her unit on. "That was rather… blunt." She points out as she powers it on. "Mic check?"

"Hear you loud and clear, Kitty." Diane chuckles.

"Kitty? Really?" She deadpans.

"Don't complain. I've just been dubbed Princess." Weiss grumbles.

Ruby grins. "It fits her, considering she even did her makeup to go out to initiation."

"Silence! One must always look presentable, even if it's foul creatures of sin and avarice that you are presenting yourself to." She calls back. "And these aren't from the SDC, are they?"

"Nope." Aqua replies as she begins to make her way to exit. "Custom built right here in Vale by the huntsman's guild. Standard issue for any and all teams, duos, and solo hunters to stay in touch, with the guild especially."

"Really?" Blake asks in surprise as she and Ruby follow. "That is something I didn't actually know."

Ruby giggles. "How do you think it's so successful? It was Daddy's idea, and I built the prototype and the final model too. Best part? They don't run off the CCT tower, but our own series of relays and towers daddy's had set up all over Vale and Vacuo both. The guild out in the sandbox uses them too."

"Huh." Weiss smiles as she looks back at her. "So beautiful, talented and brilliant?" She asks teasingly, making Ruby blush a deep red.

"Awww, did the princess grab your tongue, Wolfy?" Diane calls out teasingly.

"Shut it!"

"Seems that way." Blake drawls. "You could probably cook something on her forehead right now."

"We already tried. It doesn't work." Aqua replies with a snicker. "She ended up getting egg in places it doesn't need to be."

"Oh really?" Weiss asks with an arched eyebrow.

"Can y'all quit all this?" Alex asks, a tone of amusement in his voice. "And by the way, using these is definitely cheating." He adds.

Aqua, Diane and Ruby all smirk at each other. "Who gives a fuck?" They all reply in unison.

"There are the musketeers I know and done gave me an ulcer. Go kick some ass, and swap to 1-7-2. I cleared it y'all to use." He orders.

"Thanks Daddy." The Reaper replies as she does so, hearing the telltale tones of other comms entering the same frequency.

"Head's up. We're heading for the cliffs." Diane calls out in warning.

Ruby nods as she looks at Blake. "Make it look good. Soon as we know what we're looking for, we head that way and link back up there. Wolfy out."

Blake nods. "It seems like life is about to get interesting?"

Ruby grins. "Damned straight. Let's get to work, Kitty."

Blake giggles. "Right behind you Wolfy."

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Ozpin was in the middle of another speech as he looks at the gathered group of teenagers. “Somewhere in the forest you will find some ruins. Your mission is to find it and take a single relic per team and bring it back here. We have hidden cameras monitoring the ruins so there will be no hiding the other relics from others. If this is done, then you will be expelled from Beacon and banned from ever becoming a Huntsman or Huntress.”

This brings a small smile to Ruby’s face. From the moment she saw him she knew that Cardin Whinchester was going to be a troublemaker, and it seems that Ozpin had already taken countermeasures for people like him. Ruby turned her attention back to Ozpin as he was finishing his speech.

“Now does anyone have any questions?” He asks before taking a sip of his coffee.

Jaune puts his hand up but gets completely ignored. “Good.” He declares as he gives his cane a practiced twist into the ground, the initiates starting from the left and going right launching one by one.

Weiss launches first, a wide smile on her face as she uses wind dust to reach an amazing height. Ozpin can't help but smile as he watches the young woman reach towards the skies as if trying to catch a cloud in her outstretched hand before she begins to fall towards the ground.

“Um I didn’t get my parachute before.” Jaune calls out with his hand still raised.

Amy screams as she launches, Yang and Shion both facepalming before launching behind her.

“We didn’t give anyone parachutes, Mr Arc.” Glynda informs him, a hint of annoyance in her voice.

Aqua launches quietly into the air, her rifle already spinning out into a trident, a bubble of water forming between the forks.

“B-but then how are we going to land?” Jaune is getting more and more visibly nervous as the students getting launched are getting closer to him.

Ruby launches with a howl, Crescent Rose already in hand and gleaming brightly in the morning sun. Blake launches next, looking a bit nervous as she holds her Gambol Shroud so tightly her knuckles are turning white.

“You will be coming up with and using your own landing strategy. These are all skills you should have from your time at combat school.” Ozpin informs him before he witnesses the sight of Ruby, who had activated her semblance in mid flight, catch a laughing Weiss, who wraps her arms around the Reaper's neck before they vanish from view. To his continued surprise, Blake throws her chain scythe after the two, and gets pulled closely behind them as she hangs on tightly. With a chuckle, he returns his attention back to Jaune, who's stammering is also amusing him greatly.

“R-right, right, I knew that… but uh…” He looks in terror as the person next to him, Diane, launches.

“YEAH!!!” Diane yells as she goes flying, her warhammer in both hands and glowing a faint gold color.

“I-I think i’m just going to goOOOOOOOOOOOOOO~!” Glynda smirks as Jaune is sent flying and flipping through the air with his arms and legs spread out like a starfish.

"Ahhh, that never gets old." Ozpin chuckles as Pyrrha Nikos launches next, her eyes already tracking Jaune with concern.

Glynda nods as she watches Nora launch next, the girl actually riding her warhammer like some kind of medieval scooter and using a grenade to extend her flight time as well. "How can he even be related to Salem? They're nothing alike."

Ozpin takes a sip of his coffee as Ren launches, the young man keeping his limbs tightly together. "He's here as a favor to her sister, Jeanne. Her hope is that he toughens up." He deadpans as Cardin Winchester launches, his cronies following in a line.

"From what I've seen so far, that may be impossible." The deputy headmistress sighs as another wave of students begin to launch.

“This year will be interesting, I have high hopes for this batch of students.” Ozpin admits as he sips his coffee.

"I don't." She replies bluntly. "Especially Miss Rose and her cohorts. I still wish I knew what the hell you were thinking, letting those three in two years early."

Ozpin looks at her as he sips at his coffee. "I personally have higher expectations for them than Miss Xiao Long and her own friends, Glynda. Despite their youth, as well as some issues within their team, they constantly out performed and out classed even other more experienced student teams like Miss Xiao Long's. Both in field exercises as well as academically." He informs her calmly. "Frankly, Miss Rose-Garibaldi taking matters into her own hands with her midair claiming of Miss Schnee will be of great benefit to her continued success here as well. Miss Schnee's own marks are top class, and James was as upset at losing her and her twin sister as Leonardo Lionheart was over losing Miss Nikos."

Glynda mulls over all the information Ozpin has presented her as she watches the last of the initiates enter the forest. "David, it's far too quiet." She finally states as he too looks out over the Emerald Forest.

"I agree. But their fates are in their own hands now, Glynda." He reminds her as he taps his cane on the ground. "Win or lose, live or die, it is now up to all of them to either succeed or fail."

She nods as she reaches up to hold one arm by the bicep while looking in the direction of the temple itself. "David, I've heard a rumor that Ada is alive."

He nods as they hear a distant scream, one that stops suddenly. "As have I. James is highly suspicious that it is another reason why the twins suddenly departed Atlas with no warning whatsoever. If the rumors are to be believed, she is a shell of her former robust self, besotted with wine and regretting a past indecision."

Glynda nods. "He doesn't know, does he?"

"Nor should he." He replies. "Ada missed her chance with him after his unfortunate and dramatic breakup with Carolina Scarlatina. She hesitated for that brief moment when his heart was shattered and he was in need, and Summer swept him into her own caring arms since she had finally come of age herself." He sighs as more screaming is heard, along with the sounds of fighting erupting. "Enough of this for now. We have an initiation to witness."

"Velvet is demanding to meet her, Ozpin. To meet them both now that her mother is dead and can no longer keep them apart out of spite. You won't be able to keep them separated forever."

"Ruby must first survive initiation. If she does so, then and only then will she be informed that she has an older half sister. One even her own father knows nothing about, no thanks to a woman's pettiness and jealousy." He declares firmly as he looks at his deputy headmistress. "And not a moment sooner, am I clear?"

"Yes sir." Glynda replies, surprised at the sudden steel in his gaze. Looking away, she winces as a fireball rises deeper in the forest, as if a tree was suddenly lit like some kind of funeral pyre. She can't help but wonder if it is some kind of harbinger of things yet to come…

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“Could you not wait to land to come find me you dolt.” Weiss asks calmly as they walk through the forest.

“What? All he said was that the first person we make eye contact with will be our partner, he never said we had to land first.” Ruby replies with a smirk.

“Do you always read between the lines like that?” Blake asks the wolf faunus, who shakes her head.

“Not always, but for shit like this? Abso-fucking-lutely.” Ruby declares firmly while holding a branch out of the way for the other two. "Daddy and Mum both made sure to beat it into my thick head that today's dangerous."

“Speaking of why did you tag along Blake?” Weiss asks the panther faunus. “You can’t be mine or Ruby’s partner since we saw each other first.”

“True but he never said we couldn’t form groups.” Blake replies with a smirk.

Weiss was about to say something but nothing comes out which makes Ruby laugh. “And you asked me about reading between the lines?" 

“Just because I asked you doesn't mean I'm not going to either.” Blake smirks at the Reaper, who grins back.

“Yea I guess you’ve got me there dontcha?” Ruby just laughs harder. “Let's check in on Diane and Aqua.” Ruby pressed the comm. “Squirrely, Bubbles have you found each other yet?”

“No.” Aqua replies first. "But I'm close to someone."

“Um…” Is all that comes from Diane.

“Squirrely? What happened?” Ruby questions firmly. 

“I…. already have a partner.” Diane finally admits quietly.

“WHAT?!”

“Goddess guys, not so loud.” Diane grumbles. 

“Who’s your partner.” Aqua asks, the squirrel faunus staying quiet.

“Diane, now's not the time.” Ruby reminds her. "Is it Yang?"

“No… it's Amy.” Diane finally responds. "I hit the tree she had latched onto. Barely caught her in time before we both hit the ground." She explains quietly. "I couldn't leave her, Wolfy. She was scared out of her mind."

"You made a good call, Squirrelly. We'll sort shit out later." Ruby replies. "Work towards the temple, we'll link up there and blast our way out."

"Whoa! Hey Rennie! I found someone else using comms like we are!" A voice cuts in.

Ruby chuckles as Weiss and Blake both roll their eyes. "Hi Nora." She greets the hyper Mistrali girl, who had out eaten even Diane this morning. "You and Ren partnered up?"

"We did." The young man replies calmly. "May we stay on this frequency?"

"Please do." Weiss cuts in as she looks at Ruby, who nods approvingly. "Since we're all violating the rules, we may as well go all in."

"Ren, Nora, anyone you see with a comm, share the channel." Ruby adds as her hearing catches the report of a familiar shotgun blast. "Blake, go check out the noise over there."

With a nod, Blake darts into the forest with ease, vanishing quickly from sight. 

"As you wish, Ruby." Ren replies before going silent.

"Shall we continue?" Weiss asks calmly as she looks expectantly at the taller girl, who nods.

"Yeah, I got a sudden bad feeling." She mutters as her ears wiggle.

"We have company." Weiss states calmly as she draws her rapier and holds it ready. 

The first beowolf bursts out of the trees a moment later, it's howl cut off by a wide swing of Crescent Rose catching it viciously in the skull, cleaving it in two. The second one comes roaring out a moment later, Weiss neatly sidestepping the creature and scoring a slashing hit to its side, her rapier wreathed in flames.

"Weiss, move!" Ruby calls out as she leaps into motion, her scythe a blur as she cuts the second one in half with brute force.

"Behind you!" She yells back as she dashes forward almost impossibly fast, an odd black snowflake symbol left behind where she just stood a moment before. Before the Reaper could even react, the heiress skewers a third beowolf with her still burning rapier, causing it to howl as it clutches at the burning wound in its head. She watches as the white haired girl lands on a second floating snowflake and lunges again, her second strike taking the Grimm in its throat and killing it neatly, while she herself spins in midair to land on her feet. "I'm more than capable of guarding your back, Ruby." She states with a huff as she keeps her weapon in hand.

Ruby nods, a smile on her face. "Then let's rock and roll, Princess." She declares as Aqua suddenly bursts through the underbrush, Shion with her and both young women panting. "Whoa! Where's the fire?"

"Ursas!" Aqua pants out as she struggles to catch her breath. "Big ursas!"

Shion nods as she takes several deep breaths while reloading the battle rifle in her hands. "One of em has to be a major, cause it tanked an entire mag. Son of a bitch has some heavy armor."

"Did you kill it?" Weiss asks as she looks around. But all four young women turn pale as the massive Ursa Major appears with a roar of challenge, a pair of smaller ursas flanking it. "You led it right to us?!"

"Ruby's got the scythe!" Aqua shrieks as she rises up, a large bubble of water forming in her free hand.

Ruby nods as she steps forward, Crescent Rose raised threateningly. "Come on ya big overgrown teddy bears. Lemme show ya what I can do with this thing!" She roars as she suddenly explodes forward, leaving a trail of rose petals behind her as her movements become a blur. The three ursas are soon roaring in pain as she hits and moves, her movements a dance as deadly as it is precise. 

Weiss also darts forward as Myrtenaster's rune covered blade begins to glow brightly, her dust chambers spinning to yellow. Leaping forward, she lands on a glyph with a pair of arrows that begin to spin like a clock, the hands moving faster and fast before she launches herself into the fray. Aqua and Shion both watch in fascination as the heiress joins the Reaper, her own strikes a blur as the two young women hit almost impossibly fast and hard against the three Ursa.

Within the kill zone, where time seems to be moving in slow motion for the two, Ruby smiles at Weiss as they both strike at the Ursa Major, the Reaper at his flank, and the Heiress at his unprotected eyes to blind it. "You're good, Princess."

"Trust me Ruby, I am no sheltered princess." She replies with a smile. "You will never find me lacking as your partner."

"Heh." Ruby chuckles before continuing her own run, her scythe's blade now cutting through one of the smaller ursas with ease now that his armor had been shattered by one of Weiss's own heavy strikes with her still glowing rapier. "I think we're gonna get along just fine." She adds as the two halves of the defeated Ursa go flying off in slow motion to her senses, while she lands against a thick tree, her powerful legs already coiling to launch her again.

"As do I." She agrees as she finishes the second Ursa with a direct hit to its chest, the tip of the rapier digging into the evil beast's black heart before being ripped free, Weiss already reading for her next strike at the now roaring Ursa Major while she lands on another golden glyph, the clock hands still spinning rapidly. "Let us finish this!"

"Yup! Sorry Fuzzy Wuzzy, but you heard the lady! But thanks for playin!" Ruby roars as she and Weiss both move towards the leader of the trio with deadly intent.

Aqua and Shion just stare dumbly as the Heiress and the Reaper bring down the Ursa Major a moment later, Crescent Rose lopping it's head off at the shoulders as Myrtenaster is buried into its chest, the tip nearly driving through the Grimm's back. Ruby and Weiss both finally slide to a stop, weapons still held as if ready to strike once more even as the massive Grimm falls backwards dead.

"Holy hell…" Shion mutters as she keeps staring, while Aqua nods.

"No one's ever been able to keep up with her before. No one." Aqua murmurs as they both watch the partners walk towards them quickly.

"Pick them jaws up, ladies." Ruby orders as they walk up. "We need to get on the move."

Weiss nods. "That's not likely to be the only group of Grimm we'll encounter here." She adds as she opens the rapier to replace the now empty lightning dust container with a practiced efficiency. "Better to stay on the move and try to strengthen our numbers." 

"What the hell was that shit?!" Shion suddenly declares as she waves a hand. "Ruby's semblance let's her move at half the speed of sound! It's impossible to keep up with her!"

Weiss smirks as she snaps Myrtenaster closed. "My semblance is Glyphs. I can create a wide variety that include traps, shields, even gravity and time dilation. I'm only limited by my aura, which I can assure you is quite robust."

"But you and Ruby have never fought together before." Aqua points out as they get back on the move.

"Ah, as to that. I do have a twin sister, Aqua. We trained rigorously to work together in combat. All I needed to do was get a feel for Ruby's own rhythms to adjust my own to match." She replies. "My sister is no less deadly with her friend Kylie."

"Wolfy! This is Kitty! Where are you?!" Blake calls out over comms, panic in her voice.

"Ummm, heading towards the temple again. We got held up by some ursas." Ruby replies in rising concern. "Why? What's up?"

"I'm at the temple with my new partner, and it's crawling with beos and a few boarbatusks." Blake replies. "How fast can you get here?"

Ruby pauses as she looks around. Catching a glimpse of a winged creature in the sky, she smirks. "Gimme a few. Gotta catch a flight."

"Oh hell, Ruby's about to do another stupid." Diane declares with a chuckle. "And hang tight, Kitty, my partner and I are almost there."

"Everyone stay fluid." Ruby orders as she tracks the nevermore's flight path, deciding on a good spot to get it's attention. "Nora! How far are you and Ren?"

"Kinds busy getting chased by a Deathstalker, Ruby!" The Mistrali girl declares as she's heard panting. "Fucking dumbass Pyrrha partnered with woke up a Gigant!"

"Oh that's not good." The Reaper mutters as she reaches the top of a small cliff and aims carefully with Crescent Rose at the Nevermore, which is lazily circling nearby. Ruby and Aqua both can hear the screams of terror and pain coming from its general direction and neither of them hold any illusions as to what has its attention. Taking a deep breath, she holds it as she squeezes the trigger, getting the Grimm's attention as she sends a gravity dust loaded round screaming right past it's head. Pulling back on the slide, she ejects her spent casing and reloads, quickly firing once again to keep its attention. "Get ready, I just called our ride." She calls out as she spins her rifle back into a scythe.

"Ummm, Ruby?" Aqua calls out as she points. "That's not a normal Nevermore."

Shion nods as she takes a grappling hook and a length of rope out of a satchel on her side. "Bet it's a fucking ancient class."

Weiss sighs. "Attracted here by all the fear and pain." She adds as she spins her dust chambers to black.

Ruby sighs. "People are dying. A lot of people are dying." She admits as her ears fold back. "Sometimes it sucks having really good hearing."

"Here it comes." Shion calls out as she puts the grappling hook into a spin. "Aqua, need some rope?"

The younger girl nods as she puts Aquarius on her back. "Yeah, jumping's not one of my strong suits."

Ruby gathers Weiss into her arms, her semblance already active as she sheds rose petals. "Let's get to the temple, ASAP. We'll just need to deal with stuff as we go."

The other three nod in agreement as the enraged Ancient Nevermore reaches a point where they can reach the Grimm. Ruby leaps high with a semblance fueled leap as Shion catches the giant bird around the ankle, her and her own partner holding onto the rope tightly as Ruby uses her own strength as well as well placed swipes with Crescent Rose to force the nevermore to fly towards the temple in the distance, where flashes of gunfire can already be seen, while a beowolf is seen getting launched into the air with a howl.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Diane pants heavily as she takes a knee, her dreadnaught semblance finally forcing her to either discharge all the kinetic energy she's had stored up to this point or risk it collapsing her aura altogether while leaving her completely unable to even be able to move. At least all she needs is a quick breather, even though it will be a full day before she'll be able to use her semblance again. But she doesn't regret it, seeing as how she had hammered the beowolf trying to get the jump on Amy away and hopefully halfway to Mountain Glenn.

"Diane! Diane I'm so sorry!" Amy cries out as she moves to shield her partner, her claws dripping in the dark ichor the Grimm use for blood. 

"It's all good, Amy. Told ya yesterday, stick with me." She reminds her as she forces herself back to her feet with Gideon's help. Reaching into a pocket of her coat, she wraps her fingers around a preloaded injection device. Taking it out, she puts it to her skin and hisses as the needle pierces easily, smiling in relief as she feels her aura jumpstart a moment later.

"Was that an aura booster?" Amy asks as she stares.

"Yeah. Don't worry, not an addict. Just keep one handy for lousy assed occasions like this." She reassures the smaller woman. "Dreadnaught knocks my aura out for a full twenty four hours after I discharge. Now is so not a good time to not have any aura."

"That's a bit of a lousy semblance." Blake declares as she comes running up, the last of the beowolves and boarbatusks retreating back for the time being, her new partner Yang yelling and cursing at them as she continues to fire shotgun rounds at them.

"Not really. I'm a big fucking ruthless bitch of a tank." The squirrel faunus replies as she tosses the empty injector away. "My job's to bring em to me, so you faster types can work to bring em down. My semblance lets me absorb the energy from the hits to do it. I just can't hold it or actually get stronger from it like Yang can. I eventually have to discharge, and when I do, it either hurts me or hurts whatever I hit."

Blake nods as she looks at Yang, who's now questioning Amy while looking at the squirrel faunus suspiciously. "Is she going to be a problem?" She asks quietly.

"Who? Yang? Nah, she's not a hater." The tank replies as she scans the air. "I don't particularly like her, cause of reasons, but she's ok enough."

Blake nods as she hears a commotion behind them. Turning to look, she tilts her head at the sight of Nora and Ren appearing at the head of about thirty other initiates while the ginger and her partner… "Are they riding an Ursa?!"

Diane chuckles as she leans against her warhammer. "Looks like it. Looks like fun too." She replies as they watch Nora put the barrel of her weapon to the base of its skull and pull the trigger, the Grimm's head exploding as she and Ren leap clear. "That's messy."

"Hey! Have you heard anything about Shion?" Yang asks as she walks up, Amy in tow. 

The two faunus women both nod as they look at the brawler, who's look of worry on her face appears to be genuine. "She's with Ruby, Weiss, and Aqua. Apparently they found a faster way to get here." Blake informs her as Nora and Ren approach.

"Woo hoo! Who says you can't ride an Ursa?!" Nora declares as she pumps both fists in the air. 

"Has anyone seen Pyrrha? We got separated from her and her partner by accident." Ren asks in concern as a shadow passes overhead, followed by screaming that gets louder by the second. 

"Hold up." Diane replies as she looks up. Taking several steps to the side, she holds her arms out and catches a stoic Aqua, who has her arms folded across her chest.

"Don't you dare." 

"Fancy catching you here, Bubbles." The squirrel faunus smirks while making the obvious pun.

"Just die Squirrelly." 

Shion however lands heavily on Yang, her screaming stopping with a loud "OOF!"

"Aw fuck, Shion! You're on my fucking hair!" Yang shrieks angrily.

"Fuck off, Yang! This hurts!" Shion snarls back as she struggles to get off the brawler, the normally calm and composed young woman obviously frazzled by her unusual method of transportation, and it's abrupt ending.

"Here comes Wolfy! She's gonna do a superhero landing!" Diane calls out as the Reaper hits the ground next, Weiss securely in her arms and a faint glow to her silver eyes that has been missing until now. Her cape as well as her long hair do indeed billow a bit in the breeze as Weiss and Blake both gaze at her. Amy starts clapping while Nora cheers and even Ren nods, impressed by the regal look the younger woman has taken as she looks them all over.

"Show off." Yang grumbles, getting a smack across one arm.

"Hate her all you want, she's got style Yang." Shion points out as to all their surprises, Nora suddenly hugs Ruby, who hugs back with a smile and a blush.

And then they all hear the roar right before Pyrrha and Jaune break free of the treeline along with another large group of students, the Gigant Deathstalker hot on their heels. To add to the horror of the moment, they can all see a young initiate trapped within one massive claw, blood flying as she screams in pain before the Grimm uses her as a projectile to knock down a small group of fleeing youths. None of them fail to notice her screaming stop with a sickening cracking sound as the Deathstalker descends rapidly upon the knocked over students.

But the Grimm stops suddenly as it gets blasted back by a warhammer and a war scythe hammering into it, Ruby and Nora roaring in righteous fury as Weiss strikes the ground, causing a sheet of ice to appear under it and forcing it back further. But the final blow was struck by Pyrrha, who's thrown shield forces the beast back into a massive tree that gets ripped out by the momentum and weight of the Grimm, entangling the creature temporarily.

"This ain't no spectator sport!" Ruby roars as she turns to look at the gathered initiates. "Get your relics and get the hell back to the cliffs! Now!"

"Nevermore!" Jaune screams as the Grimm caws loudly while it comes to a hover, launching a wave of arrow-like feathers at the larger of the two groups of initiates.

"NO!" Ruby screams as her eyes flare brightly, the wolf faunus suddenly moving even faster as she puts her weapon into a spin. With a roar, she leaps forward as she swings Crescent Rose, knocking many of the feathers away while using her own body as a shield to block several more as she screams.

"RUBY!" Weiss shrieks as she charges forward, while Nora and Pyrrha already keep pace with her, the three of them vanishing from sight behind the surging group of initiates rushing towards the temple.

"You heard the lady! Grab a relic and get moving!" Diane roars as she motions with a hand. "Get moving!" She repeats herself as she glares at a pair of red haired wolf faunus girls, who glare back at her but do so.

"Now!" Blake adds as she as well as several other firearms equipped fighters shoot at the Nevermore, managing to force the flying Grimm away temporarily. "Princess! How's Wolfy?" She calls out over comms as she watches Aqua, Diane, Ren and several others get the rest of the initiates organized and moving.

"She's fine. Her aura took a hell of a hit though." Weiss replies. "Blake, Ruby said to just grab us the same relic as yours. Said she doesn't want to force Diane or Aqua or their partners to get mixed up."

"Already done." She replies as she cuts a glance at the Brawler, who is busy arguing with her two friends. "But Ruby's not going to be really happy about this."

"Beggars can't be choosers." Ruby calls out with a groan. "Keep them moving Blake, the four of us are gonna do our best to slow the Deathstalker down. You guys are gonna have to worry about that damned Nevermore."

"Ruby, that's ill advised." Ren calls out as he and Shion as well as several others open fire at the Nevermore again, forcing it to veer off before it can make another attack. "Gigant Deathstalkers require multiple teams of advanced huntsmen and a coordinated plan of attack."

They all hear Ruby chuckle into the comms. "Well all I got is a beautiful heiress, a hammer happy ginger, a shield tossing Mistrali girl, along with little ole me. Gonna have to make it work. You guys get to the cliffs and start funneling the survivors up the cliff trail. Oh, and make sure to keep that Nevermore off yourselves. Wolfy out."

Chapter 7: Fight and Flight

Chapter by Winter1112

Notes:

Hiya everyone! Wyn here with the newest chapter of A Mountain's Rose! Rubes and I are having a blast getting this written, and we want to thank all of you for reading! All your comments and kudos are our inspiration, and we hope you stick with us!

“Goddess dammit! Not that way you dumbasses!” Ruby yells as a small group of six initiates stupidly break off to the side, thinking they can escape while the living tank of a Grimm chases the main group. She grimaces as she hears their screams, as in their haste to flee they run straight into a group of Beowolves and Ursas that were lying in wait.

The Gigant Deathstalker screeches in triumph as it finally frees itself from the tangle she, Weiss, Pyrrha, and Nora knocked it into, it's monstrous limbs once more getting it into motion as it begins to leak black ooze, more Grimm forming from the drops. 

Ruby wants to go and help them, despite her self imposed duty to act as the rearguard. She can hear them fighting back desperately, several beos and an ursa roaring in pain, but it's too high of a risk and with the Gigant Deathstalker about to be back on their asses she wouldn’t make the entire group stop to save a few.

"Wolfy! What the fuck is going on back there?!" Diane roars over comms as the sounds of combat can be heard in the background before she clicks off.

“Keep running! Don’t break off for nothin, and stick together if you want to live to get ta second base!” She orders as she watches a sole girl emerge from the woods in a panic, not realizing how close she is to the massive Grimm. Before she can become the Gigant's next victim, Nora is there unleashing a salvo of grenades while Weiss and Pyrrha order the girl to run, which she does.

“Wolfy now is so not the time for stupid sex jokes.” Aqua comments calmly out over the comms. "But I'm keeping them moving with Shion!" She adds as the report of her rifle is heard.

“It wasn’t a joke.” Ruby deadpans. "Big Daddy's back on the move!"

“OH SHIT! Barrage of feathers incoming!” Ruby and the others hear Blake yells over the comms.

"Somebody fuck that fucking overgrown parrot up!" Diane yells.

"I'm working on it!" Shion can be heard yelling back as her rifle can be heard firing.

Ruby looked ahead to see the barrage of feathers rain down on the heads of the fleeing group. “Aqua?! Aqua are you there?!” Ruby yelled back over the comms.

“Y-yeah, nearly became a meerkat kebab.” They could hear her breathing heavily. "Getting everyone back on the road."

"Ruby!" Weiss calls out. "We need some more help back here!"

“We'll keep going." Diane calls out. "Bubbles, we lose anyone in that attack?” She asks quietly.

Ruby growls as she charges the Gigant, Crescent Rose a blur as she and Nora renew their heavy attacks while Pyrrha supports them at range with well placed shots to the Grimm's eyes. To their surprise, Weiss manages to trap several of its legs with a gravity glyph, and the two heavies are quick to capitalize. Using a coordinated attack, they manage to break two of the ancient Grimm's legs off at vital joints, causing it to collapse and buy them some more time to withdraw back to the main group, Pyrrha and Ruby managing to shoot out two of its eyes as they fall back, while Weiss uses all the ice dust in her rapier to freeze it to the ground.

"Sit rep!" The wolf faunus roars as her group quickly reloads.

“I don't see seven in total. Don’t know if any of them are still alive.” Aqua finally informs them. "I can't double back to look either." 

“Keep going, it’s still a way to the cliffs." Ruby orders as they keep moving themselves, while staying aware of the Gigant. "Blake, I need you to keep pressure on that overgrown feather duster. Organize anyone with a gun, grenade launcher, I don't give two shits if their weapon shoots rubber fucking chickens! Keep that Nevermore from hitting you guys again, but keep moving!” Ruby orders as her rear guard approaches the field of feathers.

"I'll do my best!" Blake replies. "But we're going to run out of ammo sooner or later, Ruby! What then?"

"Throw that jackass I chased away from Amy last night at it. Maybe the Nevermore'll eat 'em and decide we taste just as bad." Diane offers.

"Ha ha." Ruby deadpans as she suddenly grabs Weiss and explodes into rose petals to avoid a group of Beowolves led by a big Alpha. Nora and Pyrrha roar in a rage as they quickly and efficiently deal with the beos while Ruby reappears a short distance away and sighs. "Too close."

"So is that Gigant." Weiss reminds her as she looks up at the Reaper. Her dress is torn and definitely ruined, but the heiress is still standing proudly.  "I have no intentions of dying today, Ruby. We still have a burgeoning relationship to discuss at a later date."

"Weiss, we survive this, and I'm definitely rethinking my no dating idea." She admits grimly as Pyrrha and Nora rejoin them.

"Ruby, at this rate, we will be overwhelmed soon." Pyrrha pants out. The normally brilliant and shiny hoplight is covered in black ichor, and one of her greaves is dented and cracked. 

Nora nods, the hammer wielder having lost her jacket in the last skirmish. "Yeah. Don't get me wrong, this is how I wanna go out, but not before I have a chance to make sure I'm a legend first."

Ruby nods as she motions for them to get moving, the Gigant's roar of rage echoing around them. "Me either. Let's get moving."

Soon enough, the four women hit the area where the Nevermore struck last, all of them staring in horror at the dead, who never stood a chance from the ranged attack from the skies.

"Help me! Oh Goddess help me!"

Ruby only needs a moment to spot the young man, his leg pinned to the ground by one of the Nevermores feathers. Never hesitating, she rushes over and slides to the ground next to him. "Cover me!" She orders.

"Wolfy, it's Squirrelly. I got good news and bad news."

"Talk to me." She replies as she rips one of her sleeves off her blouse, tying it around the young man's leg above the feather. "I'm sorry, we don't have time."

"Do it!" He replies through gritted teeth, giving her permission. 

"Ok, so good news we see the cliffs." Diane continues. "The bad news is there's another set of fucking ruins with open bridges, and fuckface is still in the area."

“I’m really sorry about this.” With a sad look on her face, she takes her hatchet off her hip, and with one clean slice she severs his leg below the tightly tied sleeve, wincing as he screams in pain.

"Ruby! What do you want us to do?!" Aqua calls out as weapons can be heard firing. 

"Risk it. If the cliffs are right past the ruins, we're going to have to make a break for it anyway." She orders as Weiss moves next to her, a handful of ice dust in her hand. Putting it on the stump despite the blood and viscera, she soon has a cap of ice set on it, the other three nodding in approval.

"Ummmm, Ruby?" Nora calls out as the ground begins to shake. "I think your new boyfriend's coming!"

"Fuck that. I'm the poster girl for lesbians everywhere. I don't do real dicks, just fake ones that buzz." She replies as she picks Crescent Rose back up, leaving her hatchet buried in the ground. "You three take him and haul ass. I'm gonna do a stupid."

"No." Nora declares as she looks at Pyrrha. "Like she said, haul ass. See you back at the cliffs." She adds as she moves to stand next to the Reaper.

To both their surprises, Weiss moves to Ruby's other side, her grip on Myrtenaster turning her knuckles white. "Without me, you two won't last two minutes."

Ruby smiles. "Go Pyrrha. Keep 'em moving. If you have time, grab the spare comm from Diane."

"Yes Ruby. The Goddesses be with you three!" She calls out as she adjusts the young man in her arms and sprints in the direction of the gunfire and cawing.

"What's the plan, Boss?" Nora asks as the three of them stand shoulder to shoulder, the ground now moving with growing violence.

"Weiss, try to slip it again with Ice or stop it with gravity. Nora, put every single grenade you can in its face. While Weiss has it slipping around or stuck, I'll try to knock it down again." She orders as she pulls the scythe blade back and locks it in place. "Oh, definitely try not to die." She adds as she reaches up to her comm. "Bubbles, how are things there?"

"Well, they could be alot better." The meerkat faunus admits. "But Big Bird's evil cousin in law is just circling. We got people already heading across the bridges and up the stairway to heaven."

"Hey! Couldn't we get sued for saying that?" Blake asks. "Keep moving! No one cares if you just lost your stupid hat!"

"I ain't saying shit." Ruby replies as the Gigant Deathstalker breaks free from the nearby treeline and approaches the three initiates with far more caution than it's been showing up to this point. 

"I think we got its attention." Ruby points out as they watch the cargo van sized pincers clack as it stops a short distance away.

"My sister would love to claim you as a summon." Weiss smirks as she spins Myrtenaster's dust cylinders to blue dust.

"Same plan?" Nora asks as she keeps her grenade launcher at high ready, her muscles already twitching in anticipation.

Ruby nods as her scythe begins to glow, along with her eyes. "Beat his ass!" She roars as she bursts forward with her semblance, war scythe already raised to strike. The Gigant roars, answering the challenge as it surges forward on its remaining legs, stinger raised to strike as pincers open wide to catch and tear any of the three women apart the second they make a fatal error…

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Blake grimaces as all hell breaks loose. Everyone, initiates and Grimm heard the Gigant roar, followed by explosions. They had all been distracted for that one split second, and the Ancient Nevermore took full advantage. Folding its great wings, it dives towards the smaller of the two bridges with a caw of triumph, destroying it in the middle and sending a group of twenty something initiates tumbling to their deaths, all of them screaming in terror.

But Blake is already on the move as she puts Gambol into a spin while she looks around and finally spots… "DIANE! GRAB MY HAND!" She roars as she launches her weapon at a corner piece of the ruins, the razor sharp blade catching easily.

"GET ME TO THE BASTARD!" The squirrel faunus roars back as she takes off running parallel to the panther, while taking her hand as ordered. The two faunus women leap from the edge, Blake holding tightly to her ribbon as she grunts at the added weight of the heavy tank. But that extra weight proved to be a boon as they begin to swing, the Nevermore still moving in the right direction needed.

"NOW!" Blake launches Diane, who's roar catches the attention of the Grimm, making it pause in midair. But the Grimm soon caws loudly in pain as Diane lands a direct hit to one large beady eye with the hooked side of the warhammer's head, blinding the Grimm on its left side. With a growl, the squirrel faunus woman uses the haft of her warhammer to climb up further, until she hoists herself up to its head, which she slowly stands up on, her facial expression promising more pain to come.

"Hey shithead!" Diane roars as she sets Gideon into a spin, the weapon trailing flames behind it. "Watch this shit!" She screams as she brings her weapon down in a ruthless arc, slamming it into its other eye and actually cracking it's skull from the force.

The Ancient Nevermore, long the undesputed King of the Skies over the Emerald Forest screams in real pain as it tries to throw the muscular woman off. But it's blindness prevents it from seeing Yang leap up with assistance from an arriving Pyrrha, who sent her flying with a thrust from her shield. Reaching its beak, the blonde brawler sets her feet and left hand firmly as she begins to fire blast after blast down it's throat with her right, silencing the Grimm while shredding its insides with fire dust infused buckshot.

"Let's bail!" Diane yells, the brawler nodding in agreement. The two tanks leap free just in time to avoid a renewed salvo from the various gunners, both on the ruins as well as those who have reached the tops of the cliffs and refuse to simply walk away now that their goal is achieved.

"What the hell do we do now?!" Aqua calls out as she reaches for another magazine, only to feel leather instead. "Oh shit! I'm out!"

"Me too!" Shion yells as she lowers a pistol. 

"It's hide is still too tough!" Amy adds as she climbs up Diane's back to hang onto her shoulders. 

"Incoming!" Blake yells as the nevermore begins to launch feathers indiscriminately, while silently screaming in agony still.

"I got regrets." Diane mutters as the group of girls watch the feathers fly towards them, all of them realizing it's too late to move.

"Nora, I will always love you and Ren." Pyrrha admits quietly. 

But to all their surprises, a shield of ice appears over them, the feathers hammering into it mercilessly. "I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU DUMBASSES TO KEEP MOVING!" Ruby roars as she, Weiss, and Nora break free from the woods at a sprint.

"RUBY! WEISS!" Blake calls out in relief, surprising herself at the addition of the heiress's name. 

Ruby slides to a stop, Weiss and Nora doing the same as they all watch the Nevermore scream silently and continue to fling feathers in all directions. "Fuck me but that thing's pissed!" The Reaper declares in amazement.

"Yeah, me and Yang fucked it up." Diane informs her as the dome begins to crack. 

"Where's the Deathstalker?!" Amy calls out in fright as they watch the cracks get bigger.

"Don't worry about it." Ruby replies as she studies their surroundings quickly, a smile forming on her face. "Blake, how far can you stretch that ribbon of yours?"

The panther smiles. "How far do you need?"

"Across those two pillars. Yang, you, Aqua, and Shion help her hang on!" Turning, she looks at Diane and Pyrrha. "Use Gideon and your semblance to pull back on the ribbon, and yes I figured it out already Pyrrha. Weiss!"

"Yes Ruby?"

"Can you give me a row of Glyphs up the wall?"

The heiress nods as she spins to black dust. "I can! I'll try to stop it at the top, ok?"

"Nora! Come on!" Ruby pulls Crescent Rose back into a scythe, a large crack in the blade. "We got a Birdy to catch!" She adds as the others swiftly follow her orders. Looking around, she spots Ren and Jaune already at the top of the cliffs and points to the Nevermore. "KEEP SHOOTING THAT MOTHERFUCKER!"

Ren nods as a renewed salvo erupts from the gunners with him, bullets, grenades, even a rocket hammering into the Grimm and forcing it closer to the cliff face, which is exactly what she needs.

"What do you need from me?" The ginger asks as she runs up.

"I need you to hit Crescent Rose with everything you got left when I say now, ok?" The wolf faunus orders before leaping onto the makeshift slingshot, motioning for her to follow.

The Mistrali woman nods as she joins the faunus, both of them standing on their weapons. "Gonna finish off your scythe if I do."

"Do it." Ruby growls as the Nevermore blunders into their range. "NOW!"

Pyrrha and Diane release Gideon's hook from the slingshot, launching them towards the injured Grimm. Weiss takes Myrtenaster in both hands and slashes upwards, sending a row of black Glyphs up the cliff face, then stops it with a look of determination on her face.

Everyone else present watches as Ruby lands on the bottom most glyph, her eyes glowing brightly as she hooks the doomed Nevermore around the neck with Crescent Rose. Nora herself lands on the feathered chest, a firm grip on its feathers and the barrel of her grenade launcher pointed downward. 

And then Ruby Rose-Garibaldi launches the three of them skyward, using every last bit of aura she has left to fuel her semblance and keep them moving, Nora contributing by using the concussive force of her grenades to keep them moving ever upward and towards the edge of the cliffs.

Weiss waits, the topmost glyph spinning faster and faster as it turns even darker. Hoping her timing is as precise as it needs to be, while watching the woman she is beginning to like more and more climb closer and closer until she suddenly thrusts forward, the glyph stopping the Nevermore.

"RUBY NOW!"

"NOW!" Ruby roars as she feels the nevermore stop, caught firmly by Weiss's gravity glyph. Nora comes up roaring, her own forward momentum not halted like the Nevermore's as Magnhild spins into a warhammer, the ginger already putting it into a powerful swing that connects solidly with the blunt side of the scythe. The Nevermore's head goes flying from the combined force of the two mighty weapons, while Ruby and Nora both soar into the air amidst the triumphant cries of the gathered initiates.

But Ruby watched as the blade of her precious weapon, which has been her constant companion since it's creation shattered from the blow. But, she has to admit, a fitting end for her beautiful weapon as she and Nora land on edge of the cliff, the Mistrali woman holding her own Warhammer in the air in triumph as Ruby's long hair and cloak flutter in the breeze, the proud remains of her Crescent Rose still in hand, her duty to protect her mistress as well as others fulfilled… 

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

"Shion Negras, Amy Moon, Aqua Burrell, and Diane Brunneis the four of you collected the White Knight pieces, and will be known as team SAAD, lead by Shion Negras." Ozpin announces at the podium, a tired look in his eyes. "Once again, congratulations to you all, and welcome to Beacon Academy." He finishes before walking off stage.

Ruby begins to snicker, while Yang looks absolutely furious. The good mood over their team effort after defeating the Nevermore lasted only until arriving back at the ballroom, when Yang found out that not only had Amy and Shion not picked their artifacts, but her own partner had picked theirs as well as Ruby's and Weiss's. Which means that…

"Ok, that's the last of em all, team." Ruby declares as she stands. "I need some food, a hot shower, and a nice warm bed."

"Need someone to cuddle with?" Weiss asks slyly, making Blake glare at her.

"Nooooooo. Not tonight anyway." She looks at them all sadly. "I'm not gonna get a lot of sleep tonight."

"Wolfy!" Aqua calls out as she hops down off the stage. "Don't start with all the self blaming shit!"

"Yeah, not your fault." Diane backs the meerkat faunus up as she joins them, Amy sitting on one of her broad shoulders.

"I coulda done more." She mutters.

“Like hell you could have.” Aqua almost yells. “You did everything you possibly could and it even cost you Crescent Rose, if it weren’t for you so many more people would be dead.”

“But-” Ruby tried to speak but was cut off by Aqua.

“But nothing, I’ve seen you blame yourself for stuff that was out of your control and I’m not going to watch you do it again here.” Aqua’s tone was both stern and serious but it also held a hint of concern and caring.

“I…..’ Ruby was going to retort but couldn’t, she knew what her friend was getting at and it was pointless to fight her on the matter.

“Good, now let's get something to eat, I’m starving.” The meerkat smiles at her best friend. "Besides, others are watching and they both look ready to cuddle you the entire night to make you feel better."

The Reaper shakes her head as Weiss walks up and takes her arm like normal, Blake moving to her open side. "Bubbles, shut it."

"Yeah Bubbles, shut it." Yang grumbles as she storms past, Shion and Amy in tow along with several other former Signal students. "Stop ruining the hero of the day's buzz."

"What did you say?!" Ruby glares at the blonde as her hands clenched into fists. "I'm no hero!"

"Well you sure acted like one! Barking orders like you’re your dad, and expecting everyone to just obey. And you looked like you enjoyed getting to be a hero in a red cape!" Yang taunts. "Even struck a hell of a pose with your busted up weapon!"

Shion sighs. "Yang, enough." Shion declares as she grabs the Brawler's arm. "Being petty doesn't suit you."

Diane and Aqua move to flank Ruby, along with Blake and Weiss remaining in place at her sides. But Ruby herself is furious enough for her aura to be manifesting visibly. And Yang's begins to rise in challenge, a wicked grin on the blonde's face.

"Ruby? Can you escort me to our new dorm room." Weiss suddenly asks. "I'm not hungry, and my dress is ruined."

"Yeah. Lost my appetite too." She replies as she breaks the glaring contest between herself and Yang to look at the heiress. "And you're almost indecent, ain't ya?"

"I fear I may need to invest in much more durable battle wear." She agrees as the two of them walk off. "Can you recommend any place?"

"Yeah, Ashley's. Her stuff's the best." The Reaper replies as they walk out of the auditorium, the doors closing behind them.

Blake however has taken Ruby's place, glaring at the brawler. "That was uncalled for."

"Says you. You didn't go to school with her. She was a bossy little shit at Signal, and she's still a bossy little shit now." Yang counters as she folds her arms across her chest. 

"She's our team leader." The panther points out bluntly. "And whether you want to admit it or not, she saved a hell of a lot of lives out there today by taking charge. What were you doing in the meantime? Hmmm? It wasn't you out there calling out orders or even making sure they were followed."

"Cause I'm not a leader, I'm just a beater." She replies without hesitation. "But she's not my leader, and she will never be my leader."

"Yang, seriously, enough." Shion repeats herself. "Let's go grab some dinner and talk, ok? I owe you an apology for earlier."

"Save it." The blonde declares as she turns on her heels and continues to storm off, the same group as before turning to follow her.

All except for Amy, who looks up at Diane with tears in her eyes. "Why is she being this way?"

Diane shakes her head. "I dunno partner, but I'm with Ruby. Lost my appetite too. You want me to get you to the cafeteria?"

She shakes her head. "I want to go lay down. Today was long enough without this same old argument starting."

Blake blinks at that declaration. "This is nothing new?"

Aqua shakes her head. "Ruby's a hell of a natural leader, and a lot of the students in our year and even some of the older ones took to listening to her. All except for Yang and her circle of friends."

Amy nods. "Yang hates her, and nobody knows why. And… and I'm too tired to deal with it. All she's going to do now is complain about Ruby, eat herself stupid, and complain some more until Shion finally gets her to stop."

Blake sighs. "I got myself a difficult to deal with partner, didn't I?" She asks aloud.

"Yeah. Come on Kitty. You guys get to rest, I have to clean out the dust lines on Gideon so they don't get clogged up." The squirrel faunus declares as she turns to leave. "Takes a while to do."

Aqua nods. "Look, we aren't saying Yang's a bad person. She's actually a pretty decent human being as long as she's not around Ruby." She reassures the panther, who's taken the ribbon off from around her ears to let them breath for a bit while her tail unwraps from her waist. "And she's not a hater, Amy can attest to that."

The diminutive wolf faunus nods nervously. "She's looked out for me since we started at Signal. Talon too, but he died last year."

Blake sighs. "I heard. Look, I got a few cans of tuna in my things. Why don't we just avoid a tense situation?"

Diane nods while chuckling at Amy climbing up to sit on her broad shoulders. "Sounds good. I always have trail mix and fruit. I don't eat a whole lot of junk food like Aqua."

"Oh shut up!"

"Come on." The panther motions for them to follow her, grateful to have at least made a few new friends out of the madness of the day. Now if only she could figure out a way to get her partner and her new team leader to get along…

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Afterwards: An Interesting Story

Willow Schnee stares at the new summon before her, wondering how in the ten hells Weiss defeated…

"The Goddesses be praised…" Her partner, Salome breathes out as she stands next to the heiress. "Ye don't think it killed her?" 

Willow shakes her head as she looks at her partner, who is an average height blonde woman with brilliant purple eyes, a natural hourglass figure, and dressed in a form fitting white peasant styled dress with dust filled runes along the sleeves, along with matching blue tights and ankle high low heeled boots. "My sister could not have defeated a Gigant Deathstalker on her own, Salome! Not without my help!"

"To my thinking, surren ye be right." She admits quietly. "Perhaps ye should call?"

"Tomorrow, she feels absolutely exhausted." Willow replies as she walks forward and examines the Grimm, who stands patiently. "Ah, I see how she claimed it for us."

"How, love?" The dust mage asks.

The heiress smiles as she points to the top of its carapace, an obvious shatter point on the top. "Someone weakened it's armor enough to allow Weiss to strike last." She stops and closes her eyes, shaking her head a moment later. "She's asleep, warm, and comfortable."

Salome giggles. "Ay would wager she's curled up with someone. Yur sister's a cuddle bug."

"You would know, you two dated for what? Two years?"

"Aye, and ay miss her still." Salome admits quietly. "But ay let her go, and with no regrets, Willow. Ay didn't make her as happy as someone else could."

Willow Schnee smiles as she dispells the summon before taking her partner's arm. "Come along, twit. Let's get some rest."

"Aye." Salome agrees with a smile. The two women return to their dorm room, their own first day of classes looming in their own future.

Chapter 8: The Next Morning

Chapter by Winter1112

Notes:

Hi everyone! Win here with an early morning posting of Mountain's Rose. Just as a bit of an update, my posting schedules might turn a bit erratic soon due to me getting a job! (Yay!) But I'll still do my best to keep things moving along at their normal pace! Otherwise, please enjoy this next chapter and I'll see everyone next Friday with the next chapter of Red Reaper and the White Princess!

Ruby moans softly as she wiggles a bit to free her pinned tail, which has fallen asleep under… someone surprisingly cold to the touch. But it kinda works too, cause she's always hated sleeping alone. Ever since she was little, she's always shared her bed with another living being, whether it be one of the many pet hunt trained dogs she and her daddy have had over the years, Saffron or Salem when she had to stay with one of them while daddy was gone on another hunt, and most recently Sasha, who is definitely not a cuddler.

Whoever this is, they are most definitely a cuddler, and if what she's feeling is any indication, is also naked, and so is she. Oh. Shit.

"Ruby?"

She can feel her face heating up as she again realizes that she's completely and totally naked with a just as naked Weiss curled into her so perfectly part of her doesn't want to move. "Yeah?"

"I don't mind you holding my bum, but can you stop caressing it. It's making it very difficult for me to control myself and respect your wishes."

"Please say we didn't…"

Weiss raises her head, a smile on her face. "We didn't. We basically fell asleep the second we got to the room and stripped down." She informs the taller girl. "And you're delightfully warm." She adds.

"Yeah, noticed you're a bit cold, which I kinda like a lot." The Reaper admits as she surrenders and smiles back at the heiress, whose long white hair is framing her face rather beautifully. "I…"

Weiss presses a finger to her lips as her smile doesn't leave her face. "I made a promise, and I keep them. But again, I'm definitely interested, much more so after yesterday." Leaning up, she kisses the younger girl's cheek, making her blush again. "But right now, I need coffee and a bagel."

"No clothes?" Ruby teases, getting a wink in return.

"Those are optional. I may not have the most feminine of figures, but I still despise undergarments and most clothing. I find them restricting." She replies as she uncovers them both and stands, taking a moment to stretch.

Ruby can't help but stare, while realizing something. "I guess I was seeing things." She mutters.

"What was that, dolt?" 

"Nothing." The Reaper replies as she too stands and stretches, her arms above her head. "Blake, you alive?"

"I swear you two are here to punish me for being a bisexual disaster." She admits quietly from under her blanket.

"Take a good look, Kitty." Weiss teases as she walks towards the bathroom holding a towel and a bag full of what she has to assume are toiletries and other personal hygiene products. "Trust me, I've been accused on more than one occasion of being an exibitionist."

"Are ya?" Ruby asks with a smirk as she pulls her duffel bag onto the bed she shared with the heiress and begins searching for a clean bra and clothes.

"Why yes, yes I am. And it drove my last ex crazy." She declares with a wink before closing the door to the bathroom.

"Hot damn." Ruby mutters as she once again blushes, the panther faunus making some kind of unintelligible noise that she has to assume is one of agreement. Grabbing her own bag with her toothbrush, toothpaste and the rest of her toiletries, she cracks the door open to the bathroom. "Weiss, you mind?"

"You can come in. As you already noticed, I have no body taboos and I'm beginning to think you don't either." She replies as she opens the door wider herself, toothbrush in hand. She even scoots over a bit so the taller girl can share the sink to brush her own teeth. 

"Nope." The Reaper replies before thanking her even as she takes another good look at the heiress while brushing her teeth, while also considering everything she's told them about herself so far. And honestly, she's really liking what she's seen and heard so far. Weiss, despite the fact that she's a self admitted brat who is used to getting her way is respectful, proud, and…

And damn it but they already work great together.

"Ruby? Remnant to Ruby?" Weiss calls out looking up at her. "Are you done ogling me? Because I'd like a shower before heading off to breakfast."

Leaning down, she kisses the white haired girl's cheek gently. "Thanks for respecting my wishes, Weiss. Definitely earned you some brownie points."

The heiress blushes. "You're welcome, Ruby."

Exiting the bathroom while Weiss gets the shower going, Ruby grabs her bra as well as one of her ever present band shirts and a pair of shorts, quickly gets dressed before grabbing her Stetson and putting it on. "Blake, I'm gonna go roust Bubbles and Squirrelly and make sure they eat. Wanna come with?" She asks even as she grins at the noises the faunus girl is trying to make quietly.

"I-I'm good! I'll m-meet you down t-there." 

"If it helps any, I can do this thing with my fingers that came out of Ninjas of Love: Nights at Sea." Ruby grins as she waits a moment.

"P-page 87?"

"Pages 87 and 145." The Reaper confirms as her grin gets wider.

"Ruby…. Get out before I do something we won't regret!" The panther shrieks as she sits up and starts throwing books at her. "GET OUT!"

Cackling, Ruby avoids the projectiles by slamming the door behind her before walking next door to team SAAD's dorm room and knocking gently. Of course, she's still trying to figure out how in the hell she got the attention of two women with such gorgeous asses?! Ugh! She's in her own personal hell!

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Velvet Scarlatina paces nervously outside the dining hall, her mind as well as her emotions a complete disaster. A disaster that began over the summer break with a deathbed confession from her dying mother.

"Your father's still alive, and you have a younger sister."

All her life, she was raised believing that her father had died during an accident, that he had been a simple researcher working for the legendary Doctor Hephaestus Polendina. To hear her mother inform her that not only was the one picture she ever had of him was a fake, and that he in fact was alive and well in Vale had been a slap in the face to the shy rabbit faunus girl. A slap in the face made to sting more when she learned that her entire first year at Beacon, he and her sister were less than an hour's bullhead ride away the entire time.

"Your real father is the Mountain of Vale, little rabbit. Your sister is the Mountain's Rose. The man you call your father was my brother, who died before you were even born."

She had been numb during her funeral, not just because her mother had passed, but because of the dust bomb she had hit the young woman with. But soon, numbness was replaced by anger, anger by rage, until rage finally replaced itself with a bitter calm. She had been lied to her entire fucking life. All because her mother was jealous of the fact that her father moved on despite being destroyed by her herself in a fit of anger.

"I broke his heart, little rabbit. I did it because I hated his best friend. I hated how close they were, how right they were for each other. I knew she was waiting, little bunny, and I broke him in a fit of rage cause I wanted him to suffer. And when she put him back together? I hated her even more. Goddess forgive me, but I was happy when I heard she had died, little rabbit. I was happy because now he would finally be miserable like I always wanted him to be."

Velvet is frightened now. Word had spread throughout all of Beacon like a wildfire that this year's initiation had been a near disaster, and she's terrified that Ruby will push her away because she may have lost a friend yesterday. But Coco, who she had turned to after she had calmed down, told her that she needed to do this today. To not run away like a scared bunny running from a wolf. That she deserves a family too.

"Velvet, go find your father and sister. Go make a new family with them. I'm already paying for my sins of keeping you away from a damned good man who never deserved what I did to him. Go meet your sister, she never deserved what your cousin Sasha did to her. Ruby cared deeply for her, and Sasha did wrong by her like I did wrong by her father."

"Excuse me, do you mind if me and my friends squeeze by ya?" Ruby asks politely as she smiles at her. "We’re all kinda hungry, and Diane's threatening to cook a beowolf."

"Yo-you're Ruby Rose, right?" Velvet asks softly as she stays rooted to her spot in front of the doors.

The younger girl tips the brim of her hat. "Yup, guilty as charged." She confirms with a smile.

"C-can w-we t-talk? I-in p-private?" She stutters nervously as she spots a yawning Diane, who's massively muscled arms stretch above her head casually as she yawns.

"Say yes, Wolfy! I'm starving!" Aqua declares as she glares at the rabbit faunus. 

Ruby bonks the blue haired meerkat girl before nodding. "Sure, let's get outta their way though, before they trample us both." Ruby says with a giggle.

Velvet nods in agreement as she steps to one side. "T-thank you." 

Ruby smiles. "So, what did you need me for…. Sorry what was your name?" She asks calmly.

"M-my name is Velvet Scarlatina. Y-you went to S-signal with m-my cousin S-Sasha." She begins as she struggles to control her stutter. "I'm s-sorry by t-the way. S-she's always b-been a bit of a b-brat."

"Don't think anything of it." Ruby replies as she holds up a hand. "We fixed most of our shit before the end of last year."

"R-Ruby, I'm y-your s-si…" Velvet begins before breaking out into a blush and mumbling.

"My what?" The wolf asks in confusion as her ears wiggle. "I didn't catch that last part."

Velvet tries again, but still can't get the words to come out of her mouth despite all her best efforts to motivate herself.

"Miss Rose?" Ozpin calls out as he approaches the two, his mug of coffee in hand and a serious look on his face. "May I see you both in my office, please? And also, can you contact your father and ask him to join us?"

The Reaper nods as she reaches into her shirt and takes her scroll out from her bra, thumbing it open. "Yes sir, but what should I tell him?" She asks.

"Tell him it's about Carol, and something important you both need to know. He'll understand." He replies. "And to come to my office directly."

Ruby nods as she types quickly before pushing send with a nod. "Done. Doubt he'll respond for a sec though. It's Sunday. Him and Salem both sleep in."

"He'll show up. In the meantime, let us go to my office." He motions for them to follow him, Velvet doing so in a growing panic, while Ruby stares longingly at the cafeteria doors as her stomach growls.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Alex grumbles as he appears in the office while wearing a pair of shorts, a white sleeveless undershirt, white bunny slippers, a long grey bathrobe, and his signature Stetson, all while sipping coffee from a cup labeled 'World's Best Daddy'. "Ozzy." He finally declares as he looks at the Headmaster. "This better be damned good. It's my day off, and Atlas East is playing Vale South in the semifinals at noon." 

Ruby groans. "I thought the game was at three?!"

To their surprise, Velvet shakes her head. "Kuo Kuana plays Vacuo Central at three. One of my cousins is the keeper for Kuo Kuana." She informs them before blushing when she realizes she had interrupted them.

"Wut she said." The Mountain chuckles as he looks at the rabbit faunus, his look of good natured irritation becoming one of surprise as he stares at her.

"Daddy?" Ruby calls out as she begins to look alarmed, her wolf ears wiggling.

"Who are ya kid?" He asks quietly.

Looking to Ozpin, who nods as he motions for her to proceed, Velvet stands up to look up at the Mountain a bit more closely. "My name is Velvet Scarlatina, and I'm your daughter." She announces calmly before preparing herself for the angry denials and horrible words.

"Wow, I got a really pretty sister!"

"You do look alot like your Mama, so I ain't too surprised. But you got my momma's facial features an my human ears."

"EH?!" Velvet cries out in surprise as she looks from one smiling face to another. "I… but… wha?!"

Alex chuckles as he hands Ruby his coffee cup before striding over to the confused and shocked faunus girl. "Look, not gonna lie, but been expecting this for a while now." He begins as he leans against Ozpin's desk to better look Velvet in the eyes. "Something never did sit right with me after your mama quit fourth year. Granted, she done broke me and did it good too, but Sum and I both thought about it for a long while afterwards. I kept meaning to go pay your mama ah visit in Vacuo, but then your sister was born, Sum died, and ah got busy." He explains. "It ain't excusing the fact that I was suspicious and all, and never took the time to go see for myself."

"I…" Velvet looks down at the floor. "I never knew. She lied to me all my life until she died of breast cancer over the summer. It's the last thing she told me before…" To her surprise, she's suddenly pulled into a hug by the Mountain, who sighs deeply.

"Ozzy, any idea why?" He asks the man as the rabbit faunus in his arms bursts into tears as she returns the hug.

"That I cannot answer, Alex. But I can in fact confirm she is telling the truth." He replies solemnly. "I had the Huntsmen's register confirm it via DNA matching when Miss Scarlatina came to me about it after my welcome speech yesterday."

"Heard things turned into a shit fest." The Guildmaster rumbles as he begins to stroke her hair gently, Ruby working her way into the hug as well to comfort the sobbing faunus girl. 

"I must remember to unban comm devices for established groups. Had it not been for the blatant cheating, Ruby and her friends wouldn't have been able to coordinate their efforts nearly as well, and far more would have died." He smiles at the Reaper, who is singing softly to her newly found sister to calm her as they both stay in their father's broad arms. "Even Glynda was silenced after Ruby, Nora, and Weiss brought down the Ancient Nevermore after Blake, Diane, and Yang crippled it."

"Heh. Been telling ya for years." The Mountain points out. "But still, how bad?"

"One hundred and eighteen died, sixty one crippled, and almost all of them injured to the point where we will need to delay beginning the new year for several days." He informs the Guildleader grimly. "I plan on having a word with the headmasters of Signal and Pharos both."

"I'll come with ya. Guild can't stay silent, not with them kind of numbers." He agrees as Velvet and Ruby pull away.

"Daddy, I'm gonna go talk for a bit with Velvet here." Ruby declares as she looks up at him. "We'll be home next weekend, ok?"

Alex nods as he leans down and kisses her forehead, then Velvet's. "Go on then. Love ya both."

"Love you too, Daddy." The Reaper replies with a small smile. "Come on, I need to go check on Aqua and Diane. They both got a bit messed up yesterday by skipping dinner."

Velvet nods as she looks up at him. "I…" She sighs. "I wish I had known earlier."

"Me too." He agrees as he takes his new Stetson off his head and plops it on her's. "There. Now ya match your sister ah bit more. Go on with her, an ah'll see y'all this weekend."

She nods as she lets Ruby pull her away, the two of them vanishing into the elevator and leaving the two men alone.

"What the hell happened, Ozzy?! I had five of my best teams sweep the forest for a damned week solid before initiation! They reported it clear enough to not be fatal." Alex reminds the Headmaster, who nods in agreement. The giant wolf faunus frowns a moment later as he goes to take another sip of his coffee, only to discover his cup empty. "Damned kid drank all my coffee." He grumbles.

"I was under the same impression as well. Unfortunately, Jaune Arc and Pyrrha Nikos awoke a Gigant Deathstalker they stumbled upon, and the ensuing chaos attracted an Ancient Nevermore." He explains as he pours himself a fresh cup from his own personal machine. "I shall be frank, had it not been for Ruby, Pyrrha Nikos, Weiss Schnee, and Nora Valkyrie acting as rearguard to stall the Deathstalker, the casualties would have been far worse." 

Alex stays silent as he mulls the information over while fixing his own cup of coffee. "They make a team together?" He finally asks as he knocks his spoon against the edge of his cup gently. 

"Unfortunately no." Ozpin replies as he sits behind his desk while motioning Alex towards a nearby chair. "Only Ruby and Weiss partnered together, and all four have ended up in two separate teams."

"Gus might have some issues there. He was hoping Pyrrha would be in Ruby's team. As good of a fighter as she is, she ain't no leader." The Mountain comments as he sits down carefully. "He said she took too much like her momma, all bite but no bark."

Ozpin nods in agreement. "And Ruby is once again proving her worth, and justifying why I brought her a full two years early. You, Saffron, and Salem taught her well, my old friend." 

"Me? I just taught her how ta fight and track. A few tricks for camping too. Qrow taught her how to fight with his and Summer's choice ah weapons, and Sass taught her to be human." He smiles at his former classmate and still best friend. "It was Salem who taught her how to lead. She was the one who saw Summer's gift for leading folks and brought it out of her like she did her mama."

Ozpin smiles. “Either way I don’t think you all could have done a better job.”

“Thanks. So, mind telling me who my daughter's teamed up with?” Alex asks as he gets a bit more comfortable.

Ozpin ponders it for a moment before speaking. “I suppose I can, but please remain calm. We are waiting for all the death notices to be taken care of as well as giving the injured time to heal as well as grieve before we announce teams to the public.”

Alex nods. “Alright, so who are they?”

“Blake Belladonna and Yang Xiao Long.” Ozpin states to him as he pulls up their profiles on a holographic projection.

Alex facepalms. “This’s gonna be one hell of a year for ya Ozzy. You do know that my younger kid and Tai’s don’t get along right? And to make it even better, you got Ghira and Kali’s little girl on the same team as Weiss Schnee.”

“About Miss Belladonna, she is actually not hiding who she is, and she and Miss Schnee are getting along so far. As for your younger daughter and Miss Xiao Long, I know they don’t get along but they will have to work things out one way or another. Whether they see it or not, they actually make a solid and well balanced team. One that could even surpass STRQ or even your own.”

“Ozzy you know I’d love that and so would her momma, but I honestly think you'd have an easier time french kissin ah Beowolf.” Alex replies with a chuckle. "Me an Tai? We still don't get along, an him refusing to help with Ruby didn't help matters. And Yang? Ruby tried her first year at Signal, an little Tai smacked her hand away." He sighs. "Hell, Ghira still don't talk to me. Dumbass still thinks I slept with Kali before they started their thing."

"And did you?" Ozpin asks with a smirk.

"My momma taught me to never kiss and tell, Ozzy." Alex declares before roaring with laughter. "Imma get back. Salem's been proddy as hell lately, and I'm thinking I might have me a third youngun on the way."

Ozpin shakes his head. "I'm honestly surprised the two of you waited so long."

Alexander Garibaldi smiles as he stands. "I put Ruby first, an I got lucky she respected that for all these years. But she's here now, an she's your problem during the week. Me?" His smile fades a bit as a haunted look crosses his eyes. "I got a new daughter to get to know. Too damned many years to make up for cause of her momma. An all of it while worrying if my heart's up to handling a newborn."

"I'm here if you need someone to talk to, old friend. You know that." The headmaster replies with a smile. 

"Yeah, I know." The Mountain of Vale replies before vanishing, leaving Ozpin alone with his thoughts, as well as his own nagging worry of whether or not he should intervene and make a change to a pair of teams. Tai's notes on Ruby had been a bit disturbing to read, as his were the only ones that were negative on her record. The rest of her records show her to be a bright, respectful young woman with a small childish streak but still a solid and reliable leader who can think quickly on her feet in a crisis. Meanwhile Yang has several notes in her own records concerning her temper, as well as the fact that her grades were barely above passing. And the two of them have inherited the feud between their fathers? 

David Ozpin is genuinely concerned that instead of it being Ruby and Weiss, who's personalities should clash but so far haven't, be one's oil to another water, it will instead be Ruby and Yang. But while Ruby is the water with her generally easy going but still serious when necessary personality, Yang is the highly flammable oil, just waiting to explode...

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

After a quick stop at the dorm room for Ruby's cloak, the Reaper and her newfound sister walk back to the cafeteria while chatting quietly, both of them thankful that classes weren’t starting today. Ruby is starving, and now that Velvet's calmed down, her own stomach is rumbling. Fortunately, they didn’t have to hurry to avoid missing out on breakfast, which was simply being combined into a brunch style Vacuin style buffet. The sisters continue to chat quietly as they picked out what they wanted. Velvet got a chef salad and some orange juice, while Ruby piles a plate full of chocolate chip cookies and strawberry milk.

“Ruby, that can’t be a good breakfast.” Velvet points out with concern for her younger sister.

“It is to me, I’ve always eaten like this and look how I am.” Ruby states with pride before using her tongue to scoop one into her mouth and hum. "Sho goo!"

Dumbfounded, she looks Ruby up and down again and just couldn’t believe her eyes. "How could she look like that if she eats two dozen cookies for breakfast?!" Velvet thinks to herself.

“Oh hey, there they are!"  Ruby declares as she points to her gathered group of friends. “So lemme introduce you to most of my team, my friends from Signal, and it looks like Pyrrha's new team is here too.”

Velvet looks over at the large group and freezes when she sees Weiss, who is talking animatedly with Nora and Ren. ‘R-Ruby, isn’t that Weiss Schnee?”

Ruby looked over at her partner, then back to Velvet. “Yeah, what about her?”

“Well i-is it really a g-good idea to be around her?” Being a faunus who grew up in Vacuo, Velvet certainly knows all about the SDC and how they treat their kind there.

“It’s fine sis, I promise that she’s a really nice person. She's a bit cold to the touch, but not once you get to know her. Kinda surprised me considering anyone else would be cold as hell after having to be around a father like her’s.” Ruby reassures her while gently pushing Velvet to keep moving.

"Cold to the touch?" The rabbit asks curiously as she starts moving forward again on her own.

Ruby blushes a bit. "Long story." She mumbles. The two join the larger group, Ruby sitting down next to Blake who is sitting across from Weiss and Nora. “Hey guys, whatcha talking about?”

“Hey Wolfy.” Diane greets her from her spot next to Amy, who's snoring softly with her head on her arms.  “Not much, just wondering what the hell you did to get pulled into Ozpin’s office? You do a really stupid like killing Yang?”

"Where is Yang?" Aqua asks as she looks around from her own spot next to Pyrrha.

Blake shrugs. "She never came to the room last night. Which is a good thing considering I had to cover up a pair of naked sleepers."

"Hey! We were tired!" Weiss protests, squealing when Ruby kicks her under the table a second later.

“No." She declares loudly enough to get everyone's attention. "It was to tell me and Daddy that he has a daughter and I have an older sister.” Ruby gestures to Velvet, who begins to blush from all the attention. “Guys this is Velvet Scarlatina. Velvet this is Diane, Aqua, Weiss, Blake, Nora, Ren, Amy, Pyrrha, and Juane.” Ruby gestures to each of them as she says their name.

"Umm, it's Jaune, not Juane." The blonde young man corrects her, having been quiet up until now.

“Nice to meetcha!” Diane says with a big grin.

Aqua nods. "We won't hold Sasha against you."

“H-Hello. And p-please don't!” Velvet greets them nervously. "Her parents grounded her the entire summer when they found out."

The Reaper frowns. "That was between me and her."

Diane shakes her head. "Ruby, let it go. She doesn't know what she lost yet, ok?"

Weiss smirks as her foot goes across Ruby's bare leg, making her jump, her chin resting in the palm of her hand. "Her loss is most definitely my gain." She declares with a wink, Blake bristling as she glares at the Heiress.

“Mine too.” Blake says quietly under her breath.

Velvet begins to tremble as she looks between the jealous panther and the playful heiress. "Are they going to fight?"

Ruby laughs. “Don’t worry they don’t bite."

"Actually, I do." Blake purrs as she leans into the wolf girl, this time Weiss glaring daggers at her. 

"Ok guys, cut it out. You're scaring the bunny." Ruby points as she reaches for a cookie, only to feel the empty spot where her precious chocolate chip goodies were.

“Oi?! Who the fuck stole my cookies?!” Ruby yelled as she looked around angrily.

“Sorry Ruby, but we heard what your eating habits are.” Weiss says as she passes the plate of cookies down to Diane, who takes one and bites into it with a wink.

“You can eat your cookies once you’ve finished with your actual breakfast.” Blake continues as she places a much more balanced and healthy breakfast in front of the Reaper.

"But but but but…" Ruby begins to whimper as she stares at the plate full of eggs, bacon, sausage and biscuits.

“And if there's still food on your plate when we leave then no cookies for the whole day.” Weiss declares firmly while folding her arms across her chest.

“WHAT?!” Ruby screams as she looks at Weiss. “You can’t do that! This isn't some kind of dictatorship!”

Weiss levels a glare at Ruby. “We can and we will.”

Ruby starts to pout, her lower lip beginning to quiver as her eyes start to get bigger and full of tears when Diane suddenly reaches over the table and pulls Ruby’s hood over her face. “Oh no you don’t!”

Weiss, Blake, Velvet and Team JNPR all look at the squirrel faunus in varying states of confusion, while Amy giggles and Aqua shakes her head in amusement.

“H-Hey what’s the big idea!” Ruby yells as she starts to struggle against the tank.

“Diane what are you doing?” Weiss asks first, Blake tilting her head.

“Whatever you do, don’t look Ruby in the eyes when she starts pouting. If she hits you with the puppy dog eyes, then it’s game over.” Aqua explains.

Amy nods. "She even used them against Headmaster Elvorite last year to get out of trouble after she and Yang got into another fight."

"Yang started it!" The Reaper cries out as she keeps struggling against Diane, the two of them growling as the squirrel keeps a tight grip on the edge of the hood. "LEGGO!"

"FUCK NO!" 

Weiss looks at Blake, who sighs before nodding, before looking at Aqua and Amy. "It's that dangerous of a weapon, huh?" She asks.

They both nod. "Her dad doesn't stand a chance. Ever." Aqua informs her.

"The only person who can is Yang, it just makes her angry." Amy informs her. "But Ruby makes her angry." She adds as they all hear a sudden ripping sound.

"AHHHHH! MY HOOD!"

"OH SHIT! I'M SO SORRY!"

"Maybe try again tomorrow, Blake?" Weiss asks as Diane flees the cafeteria screaming, Ruby chasing after her while screaming in a rage.

"That may be best." The panther faunus agrees. "And maybe we should stop them?"

Aqua shakes her head. "Nope. Let them get this out of their system. It's not the first time one or the other has messed up either Ruby's cloak or Diane's Gideon. Won't be the last either."

"How can they be best friends?" The heiress asks curiously, Blake nodding in agreement to her question.

The meerkat faunus smiles. "Because they forgive each other in the end. Even help fix what they broke. And you two?" She points at both of them. "You two need to learn to share. Plenty of the Mountain's Rose to go around."

Both their jaws drop at Aqua's statement, even as they begin blushing and stammering and going into full blown denial, even though they all know different.

/\/\/\/\

"YOU STABBED ME!" Diane screams as she clutches her arm.

"OH SHIT! I'M SO SORRY!" Ruby shrieks as she sheathes her knife and rushes over. "Is it bad?! Oh Goddess it can't be too bad can it?!"

"Relax Ruby, it went straight through." She reassures her best friend as she smiles. "I guess we're even?" Diane asks as Ruby wraps her arm with her own shirt.

"Yeah, let's go get you stitched up." Ruby smiles and holds out her hand, which the squirrel faunus takes as they walk towards the infirmary...

Chapter 9: Doctor Knows Best

Notes:

Hey guys, Rubes here with another chapter of Mountain, Wyn and I hope you all enjoy this chapter as we had fun making it, you'll learn a bit more about our Remnant and some of the character's too.

P.S: For anyone here who has read and likes Strongest Family I need help, I need a beta reader or better yet a co-writer for it, I'd love to get more chapter's for it out but it's proving difficult.

Hiya everyone! Wyn here and adding her two cents in as well. Someone please help Rubes with Strongest Family! I'm at my limit now with stories along with work. Otherwise, please enjoy!

Ruby and Diane are near the doors when they and the rest of teams RWBY and SAAD, are called over the school's PA system to come to the Medical Center for a check up.

 

"Huh, talk about perfect timing, right?" Diane chuckles.

 

"No shit, right?" Ruby grins as she opens the door for them both. 

 

"Oh hey, did you get any sleep last night?" The squirrel faunus asks the wolf as she walks to a tall counter and signs herself and Ruby both in.

 

Ruby nods as she blushes. "Yeah… mighta crashed cuddling Weiss after all last night."

 

Diane chuckles as she shakes her head. "How do you do it, Wolfy? How do you manage to attract only the most gorgeous women to you?"

 

"I do not!" 

 

"Sasha was gorgeous, Ruby. You can't deny that. She had all that red hair, that banging body, and don't think we didn't know you two were fucking. If I was gay, I definitely would have been trying."

 

"Shut it! Why do you do this to me?!" The Reaper protests.

 

"Oh please, you two were even messing around with that one girl? What was her name again? Rosella? She was the one with the really hot ass!"

 

"Please stop, Squirrelly…" Ruby whispers as genuine tears begin to well up in her eyes. "Please…"

 

She nods. "Too far, sorry. I forgot." The squirrel faunus sighs. "Damn but I'm sorry." 

 

"I can't help who and what I am, Squirrelly. And Bunny and I agreed that when she died… We fell apart after that." Ruby doesn't resist when she gets pulled into the taller girl's tight hug. "Stop bleeding on me…"

 

"Shhhh. Wolfy, you gotta mourn. You lost two people you cared for a whole hell of a lot. But you gotta know when to let go too." Diane keeps holding her as Ruby lets out a loud sob. 

 

"Miss Rose, please come to my office." A voice calls out over the intercom.

 

"Ummm, I'm kinda bleeding out here!" Diane yells as Ruby does her best to compose herself.

 

"Then you first, Miss Brunneis."

 

"Calm down, ok?" The squirrel faunus declares as she squeezes her best friend before standing and walking to the back.

 

Ruby sighs as she curls up in the chair, her scroll in hand and a look of sadness on her face as she goes through her pictures. Aqua always teases her about being a selfie queen, and she honestly can't deny it. But right now, as she stares at Talon Winchester as well as a smiling blonde haired wolf faunus girl standing on either side of her, she can't help but to start sobbing as she leans her head against her knees. 

 

"Ruby?" She catches Blake's scent as she sits next to her and begins to rub her back gently. "Are you ok?"

 

"Yeah!" She declares as she wipes her tears away. "Yeah, I'm good. Just wandering around memory lane, even if I should know better."

 

Blake smiles at her as she keeps rubbing. "Memories aren't always a bad thing, Ruby. Especially ones that keep people's memories alive in our hearts."

 

"Sounds like you're talking from experience, Kitty."

 

"I am." She freely admits as her smile becomes melancholic. "Her name is Ilia, and she used to be really important to me." She sighs as she settles back in her chair, Ruby adjusting to lay her head on the panther's shoulder. "But we grew apart, because I lost faith in what the White Fang stood for."

 

"So you were Fang?" The younger wolf asks quietly as she looks up at the older girl, who nods.

 

"I was, yes. But somehow I think you already knew that." She agrees as she smiles down at her. "The question is how?"

 

Ruby giggles. "My daddy and your mum were partners here at Beacon. And when you vanished a few years back, she called and asked us to keep an eye out for you."

 

Blake sighs as she lays her head on Ruby's. "Well you caught me, so now what?" She asks calmly.

 

"You go through Beacon of course." Ruby replies with an impish grin. "Cause if you leave, who else am I going to have to tease with kinky mental images?"

 

The panther blushes a deep red at that, even as she squirms a bit. "You really can't do those things, can you?"

 

"Call my ex. She'll vouch for it." Ruby grins as her name is called and she stands, while Weiss, Shion, and Amy all walk in. "Oh and for the record, I can also do page 126 from Ninjas of Love: Cold Snowfilled Nights too."

 

Blake, Weiss, and Amy all stop and stare at the wolf faunus as she begins to whistle while walking towards the door.

 

"It's not possible! Even the author said that one can't be done!" Weiss blurts out.

 

"How do you know, Schnee?!" Blake retorts even as she turns redder than Ruby's cloak.

 

"Oh please! What hot blooded lesbian doesn't read Ninjas of Love?!" Weiss shrieks back at her. "And that position is impossible!"

 

Ruby stops at the door and looks back at them. "Not if you can do perfect splits!" She singsongs just as she is about to knock.

 

“You can come in.” A woman's voice calls out, a tone of smugness in her tone. "And please stop torturing the useless lesbians?"

 

Ruby grins as she opens the door, leaving Weiss and Blake sputtering and Amy looking ready to die of embarrassment, "By the way, the reason why page 126 exists is because it works better for hetero couples." Doctor Ara Ebony informs her as she stands by an examination table.

 

Ruby's jaw drops as she stares, while Diane snickers. "Uhhhh." 

 

"Miss Ruby Rose-Garibaldi." Ara declares as she picks up her medical records and opens them. "Quite the active young woman. Fourteen broken bones, not including a fully broken right hand that required surgery to repair. Various other injuries, including a slashing claw wound on your left shoulder, a stab wound on your left thigh, and you have hyperopia, for which you wear corrective lenses for it. But, your natural eyesight is exceptional, and adds to your skill as one of Vale's best snipers." She closes the file and smiles. "According to your file, you're otherwise absolutely healthy, even though you and Miss Brunneis here both are taller than average for your faunus types."

 

Diane giggles. “Don’t forget our age too.”

 

The wolf faunus blinks. "Uhhhh, yeah? Have you met my daddy?"

 

The human woman smiles and nods. "My husband is a huntsman, Miss Rose. He works with your father often." She informs the teenager with a soft smile. "Now, is there anything I need to know about Miss Brunneis's stab wound?"

 

Ruby sighs. "I keep telling her to stop running with sharp objects, but she just doesn't listen to anyone." She declares, the two of them sticking to a well rehearsed script they've used before.

 

"See? Told you!" Diane calls out as the faunus boy stays in her lap playing on a scroll. "She even chased me trying to stop me."

 

"Uh huh. Wait here.” Ara turns and walks into her office with a natural sway in her hips.

 

Ruby looks at Diane who's staring at Ara through the glass window of the door. With a sigh, she looks at her best friend. “Squirrely no, this is bad.” Ruby quietly chastises her.

 

Diane grins. "But she's hot! I mean, have you seen her?!”

 

"Nooooooo."

 

"I'm going for it! Back me up, Wolfy."

 

"You're just going to embarrass yourself again, Squirrelly. You're not gay." The wolf faunus reminds her.

 

"It's worth one more try!" The squirrel faunus protests. "I can't let you do your thing alone, bestie!"

 

Ruby smiles as she finally sits next to her best friend and takes her uninjured hand. "I got me, ok? You need to start worrying about you, not me. Not that way."

 

"I… but…" Diane tries to protest, only to be silenced by one of Ruby's long fingers.

 

"I need a best friend, Diane. And that's you. But I need a best friend who's going to support me, and not try to be something she's not." Ruby smiles sadly at her. "My love life's a disaster already, especially after last night and this morning. So I really need you to finally be honest with yourself so I'm not worried about having to hold your hand while you have a psuedo gay crisis cause you overdid it again, ok?"

 

Diane chuckles as she shakes her head. "I got it Wolfy."

 

"Well said, Miss Rose." Ara declares as she enters. "Besides, even my husband can't handle me sometimes, so I doubt a fifteen year old could either."

 

"Jeez, can't even let a girl down easy, huh doc?" The squirrel faunus chuckles even as she blushes in embarrassment. 

 

"No, and both of you have detention." She replies as she hands them each a slip. "I checked the cameras, and saw where she stabbed you. So that's a day for you, Miss Rose, and a day for you Miss Brunneis for covering for her."

 

"Awwwww!" They both whine as they take the slips.

 

“You two may go and wait outside for your teams to finish, Miss Schnee come in! Miss Belladonna you’re next!” Ara calls out as she continues her check up of the teams.

 

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

 

All the check ups had taken about 45 minutes and for the most part Ara was happy that they were all healthy young teens. She stepped out of the room and into the waiting area where both teams were chatting. 

 

Ruby and Yang were sitting as far away from each other as possible, with matching looks of distaste on their faces.

 

“Well you’re all the picture of health, Miss Brunneis, don't forget to come in on the first of next month for your depo-provera. Miss Burrell, you put that you didn’t want to begin it?”

 

Diane nods. "Yes ma'am. I have my calendar set to remind me to come in. Don't need any kids at fifteen."

 

“I'm not sexually active, nor plan to be.” Aqua replies calmly as Amy, Shion, and Yang all stare at them for being so open about their sex lives.

 

“Alright, and Miss Rose, your father told me, and I quote, 'let her decide Ara! Quit bugging me about that female crap!' Unquote.” Ara mimics while looking up from her clipboard.

 

“I don't need em. Not unless they figured out how to get rubber to shoot sperm.” The Reaper replies with a grin.

 

The doctor chuckles. "No need to ask you, Miss Belladonna. Already taken care of, as well as Miss Moon. Just remember, although they are not necessary, they are recommended but we cannot force you either.” Ara tells them. "Just know that Beacon cannot be held liable at this point either."

 

Ruby’s nose twitches “Excuse me Doctor Ebony but are you a cat person? I picked up on it when I was in the room and again now. You have a cat smell lingering on you even though you're wearing an amazing perfume.”

 

“I am, but I don’t own a cat. I'm happily married to one and have a kitten of my own.” Ara smiles as both teams stare at her.

 

Everyone except Ruby and the rest of the natives of Vale and Patch were surprised at the declaration, Human/Faunus relationships were still rare outside the progressive kingdom, and to hear a human woman declare it proudly was a first for several of them.

 

Blakes eyes narrowed a little. “Sorry, but I'm having trouble believing you, Doctor. Aside from Ruby’s father and soon to be step mother, I haven’t really heard of too many Human/Faunus relationships in any kingdom."

 

“That’s understandable, Human/Faunus relationships are not as rare here in Vale as they are in other parts of the world. I can even understand why most keep it a secret to avoid being hated or persecuted by both sides.” Ara replies to the panther faunus, while Weiss looks at Ruby curiously. "But here in Vale, things are much more different than you can believe. For example-" She was cut off by the door to the medical Center bursting open. A small boy with cat ears and a tail is the culprit as he ran straight for Ara. 

 

“Mommy!” He squeals in delight.

 

Ara smiles as she scoops up the small boy and peppers his face in kisses, causing the boy to giggle, both teams could only stare with some of their jaws dropped. Blake especially couldn't tear her eyes away from the little boy who definitely favors his mother.

 

“How’s my special little guy?” Ara asked as she smiles at the boy.

 

“Good, Daddy got me a snowcone.” The boy declares happily, his tail waving in his delight.

 

“Did he? I hope you said thank you."

 

“He did, at least a dozen times give or take.” A deeper voice informs her, the owner of said voice walking in a moment later. He is a large tiger faunus with dark colored hair, yellow eyes with slitted pupils, rounded cat ears and a black striped tail. He isn’t as tall or as powerfully built as the Mountain, but still physically imposing nonetheless.

 

“Dear, I wasn’t expecting you till later.” Ara declares in delight.

 

“I managed to finish work early so I picked Jacen up and came right over, sorry if we interrupted your work.” The man replies as he walks up to Ara, giving her a kiss to the cheek.

 

“Not at all, I just finished some check ups.” Ara looks at the two teams and smiles brightly. “Teams RWBY and SAAD this is my son Jacen.” The little boy shyly waves before burying his face in his mother's hair and shoulder. “And my husband Ryker Khan.” Ara smiles as she then gestures to the large man.

 

Ryker looks at the teams critically before his eyes fix onto Ruby's. “Well I didn’t expect to run into the Mountain's little girl while visiting my wife, how is Old Man Mountain?”

 

“He’s alright for the most part, but he’s having to retire soon.” Ruby’s ears flatten a bit as she looks at the floor sadly. "Just found out I got an older sister too."

 

“I heard, and I’m sorry to hear that. He was a damned great mentor to me and I own him alot.” Ryker admits with a sad smile of his own.

 

“I'm willing to bet Dad's already talked to you about taking over?" Ruby asks quietly, getting a look of genuine shock from Blake. 

 

Ryker nods. “Yeah, he has." He replies quietly. "I told him I needed to talk to Ara about it first."

 

“Wait! Your name is Ryker Khan?! You mean The Berserk Tiger Ryker Khan?!” Yang suddenly declares in delight, finally catching his name. "You're one of the best huntsmen in the world right now!"

 

Ryker chuckles. “Yup that’s me." He flashes a grin. "My wife is just as famous as me though.”

 

Ara blushes at the praise. “Flattery won’t get you anywhere…. For now at least.”

 

“Wait, if you're the Berserk Tiger then that means.” Amy says as she points to Ara. "You're the Berserk Healer! You're my hero! I want to be a combat doctor like you when I graduate!”

 

“Ara ara, looks like I’ve been found out.” Ara then glares at all of them. “Don’t think that you can start calling me that, I’m Doctor Ebony to all of you.” She reminds them firmly while holding her son in one arm and pointing at the two teams with her free hand.

 

“Yes Ma’am.” They all nod and say in unison.

 

Amy however looks at her eagerly. "Can I apprentice with you? Please?! I'm already a fully certified medic!"

 

The doctor smiles at the suddenly eager young wolf faunus. "I'm afraid you have to be in your third year, and already beginning more in depth medical training to apprentice with me." She informs the now disappointed girl. "But, you're definitely on the right track."

 

Weiss looks at Ryker and Ara both. " So Beacon does allow apprenticeships pre graduation? Atlas doesn't allow them, another reason why I chose not to attend."

 

“Yes, but ask your counselor about it. Now skat, I’d like to spend some family time with my son and husband.” Ara says as she makes shooing gestures with her free hand.

 

Both teams quickly move to clear out but just as Ruby is almost out the door to leave, Ara calls out to her. “Oh Ruby, I almost forgot but  Salem is looking for you. Something about reading you the riot act." Ara adds with a smug grin. "Welcome to Beacon!"

 

Ruby pales a little before leaving, muttering under her breath. “Shit.”

 

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

 

Blake's mind is a swirl of emotions right now. Her old life seems to keep colliding with her new one here in Beacon, no matter how much she tries to and fails to avoid it. Right now, she's pacing outside the medical center, while Yang had stayed behind to keep an eye on her.

 

Ryker Khan is here. Ruby and her father both know she was White Fang. She can almost feel the handcuffs around her wrists.

 

“Blake what’s the matter? You’ve been in an edgy mood ever since we got back from our check ups. Not a fan of doctors?” Yang calls out from a nearby bench, her scroll in her hands. 

 

“No, it's nothing like that Yang.” Blake replies in a quiet time. 

 

“Then what’s bugging you partner?” Yang asks.

 

"No offense, but why do you care?" The panther replies as she stops pacing. "You haven't exactly been the nicest of people since the other night."

 

She nods. "Yeah, I haven't been. But right now, something's bugging you big-time, and I would be a shitty partner to not see what's going on."

 

Blake sighs and takes a deep breath before looking at Yang. “It's nothing to do with our check up, it's just that I recognized The Berserk Tiger’s last name.”

 

“What about it?” Yang asks with an eyebrow raised.

 

“He has the same last name as the current leader of the White Fang, Sienna Khan.” She declares evenly. "And… she's not happy with me right now."

 

"No, my sister sure as hell isn't, Miss Belladonna." Khan confirms as he walks out of the clinic alone. "Ara sent me out to see why you two are still loitering. And yeah, I know who you are too. I still keep tabs on what goes on with our people."

 

Blake pales as she takes an involuntary step backwards, while Yang stands as she slips her scroll into a pocket. "There going to be a problem?" The brawler asks as she moves between them.

 

"Nope." The tiger faunus grins as he motions with his hands for them to stand down. "I could care less what kind of bone my sister has to pick with you. The Fang doesn't exist here in Vale, and we work hard to keep it that way."

 

"Really?" The panther whispers, her tail still waving in alarm as her ears stay folded back on her head. 

 

He nods as Yang slowly calms down. "Blake, stick with Ruby. She grew up a faunus in Vale, and will be the best guide you could hope for." He informs her, to her surprise Yang nodding in agreement.

 

"Hate to agree, but I gotta." Yang sighs. "Ruby's dad is widely considered the Alpha here in Vale."

 

Riker nods. "We wish he would consider running for a position on the Valian council, but he refuses to do so." He suddenly looks at Blake, his face a mask. "Blake, was it self defense? Or was it murder like my sister claims?"

 

"Neither." She replies as she locks her molten gold eyes to his. "He was planning on executing innocent people, faunus and human both. I wouldn't allow it, especially to the two faunus on board."

 

He nods in satisfaction. "Then I'll tell my sister you aren't here like she thinks." He informs her with a nod of his head. "Just try to keep a low profile?"

 

Blake smiles softly as she turns to leave. "That's going to be tough with a team like mine, Huntsman Khan." She reminds him as she walks off, while taking her scroll out of her pocket. "Hey Ruby? Where are you and Weiss? Yeah, wanna meet for dinner?"

 

Yang frowns as Blake walks off and Riker walks back into the clinic, leaving her alone. She'd almost swear her new partner's in trouble with someone in some kind of position of power, and that worries her. Just what is Blake actually guilty of?

Chapter 10: A Series of Eye Opening Experiences

Chapter by Winter1112

Notes:

Hey everyone! Wyn here with a midweek posting of Mountain's Rose! As always, I hope everyone enjoys this tantalizing chapter, while keeping a few announcements in mind!

First! With the holidays coming up, I tend to slow down on posts for the month of December. Christmas, a couple of birthdays, and the impending birth of my first Grandchild are not going to leave me with a whole lot of free time. Oh, and work. Good old work. Yay...

Second! This however is also that time of year where I do some writing, a boatload of editing, and me getting ahead of the game once more, so Rubes and I can be sure you have plenty of this story to look forward to in the coming year! So don't worry, nothing will be left behind or forgotten, I just need to get ahead a bit once more.

Third! Enjoy! Read away, like, and comment! We love to reply when we're able, and we love you, our wonderful readers! Yes, even you back there hiding behind that chair! We love you all!

-Winter 1112-

Weiss is in a crisis. A major crisis of epic proportions. She just finished reading everything Diane wrote in her scroll, and she is horrified. But when she saw the second testimonial from her father, her horror only grew worse. Their stories match so many more of the ones she and Willow have gathered in the past months, but these are some of the most horrific yet. 

 

"Weiss, are you ok?" Blake asks quietly as she sits next to the heiress at the bed she and Ruby had shared. Reaching up, she gently wipes some tears away from the heiress's face, a look of concern on her face.

 

"No." She whispers as she looks at the panther faunus, pain in her eyes. "Vergrin. Diane and her father escaped from Vergrin in Vacuo."

 

"Goddesses…" The panther breathes out quietly. "No wonder she hates humans on general principal. My father also worked in Vergrin. He refuses to talk about it."

 

"Blake, I swear to you, I knew nothing of this! I never once knew how terrible things were." The white haired woman looks ready to break into tears. 

 

"I… I believe you, Weiss." Blake takes the human girl's hands in her's. "How close are the two of you to deposing your father?"

 

"Not close enough." She admits quietly as Yang enters the dorm room grumbling, her bags in hand. 

 

"Can't believe I have to share a room with her." The brawler stops and looks around. "Which one's her's?"

 

Weiss ignores her, still lost in her thoughts as Blake sighs. "This one we're sitting on. And can you please just give it a rest?"

 

Yang nods as she claims the bunk furthest away by throwing her bag on it. "Whatever. My dad already said he's filing an appeal to get me off this bullshit team."

 

Blake sighs as she takes Weiss's scroll and sends a text before looking at the brawler, who's busy unpacking. "Yang, what is your issue with Ruby? What did she ever do to you?"

 

"None of your business, Kitty." She replies with a sneer. "Go back to drooling all over her and whitey there."

 

"That's enough!" Weiss declares angrily as she hands the panther her scroll, a return message on the screen. "Whatever issues you and Ruby have, keep them to yourself. But if you want to drag me or Blake into them, then I promise you that you will regret that decision." The heiress declares coldly as she glares at the taller blonde.

 

"What? Gonna beat me up? I'd love to see you try." Yang retorts with a smirk. "I could break-" The rest of what she was going to say is lost as Weiss levels the tip of her rapier at her, the chamber set on blue dust.

 

"Watch your words, Xiao Long. Watch them very carefully. You are a human, and frankly a stark representative of everything I am growing to despise of humanity." The fencer informs her in a tone of voice that is a contradiction to the inferno that is her right eye. "As I said, what is between you and Ruby is between the two of you. Do not drag Blake or myself into it because you consider us guilty by association."

 

The Brawler's smirk fades as she realizes that Weiss is too close, and she isn't wearing Ember Celica. And she definitely doesn't do well against ice, being a hot natured individual. "Fine." She growls out as she glares back at Weiss. Shion had told her that Weiss and Ruby had brought down an Ursa Major as a duo, and Weiss had stood with the Reaper against a Gigant Deathstalker as well. 

 

The entire school had seen the pictures of the defeated ancient class Grimm, it's stinger driven through its carapace, which looked melted. It hadn't taken long for everyone to realize how Ruby's precious scythe had been damaged, and even she has to admit she's impressed. Just not enough to stop hating her.

 

"See to it you remember this, Xiao Long." Weiss replies coldly. "As I told my partner, I am no one's sheltered princess, and she will never lack for a better partner and friend in me." She states as she lowers Myrtenaster. "Do not make me regret not getting my point across in a firmer manner."

 

"Yeah, whatever Ice Queen." Yang snarls back as her hands close into fists.

 

"I am a Queen compared to you, brute." The heiress smirks at her. 

 

"Ok you two, enough." Blake gets between them, while she offers Weiss her scroll. "Dad's agreed to send you his own story, along with someone else." She informs the heiress before grabbing her partner by the arm. "Yang and I need to go have a chat."

 

Weiss takes the scroll with a nod. "Thank you. Every story will help. My father must be removed from his seat of power, no matter the cost to me or my sisters."

 

Blake smiles. "You're welcome." She replies as she pulls the brawler out with her. The two of them stay silent until they reach one of the still empty common areas in the dorm, the panther closing the door behind them. "Enough is enough." She declares as she folds her arms across her chest. "You're being absolutely ridiculous."

 

"Whatever." The blonde grumbles as she tries to force her way past the panther faunus, surprised when she is the one forced back by a pair of odd looking clones made of shadows. "Let me the fuck out."

 

"No." Blake replies firmly as she stays in place. "You're acting like someone I hated more than anyone or anything in this world, and I am not putting up with it twice in one lifetime."

 

Yang catches the way she referred to this person in the past tense, as well as how the faunus is standing, as if coiled and ready to pounce at her. "Look, I hate Ruby for my own reasons." She begins as she slowly steps back, putting some space between herself and her partner. "And I got a big mouth and a bad temper." She admits quietly. 

 

"Whatever beef you and Ruby have, it needs to stop. We're all on the same team, and she's in charge." Blake reminds her bluntly. 

 

"Doesn't mean I gotta like it." 

 

"But you have to deal with it." The panther replies. "Yang, everyone keeps telling me you aren't the type of person to worry about. That you're a decent human being who normally has no issues with the faunus. So far, I'm not seeing that. All I'm seeing is a hothead who can't put her differences aside long enough to even get to know me, your partner."

 

"Cause you're crushing on that spoiled brat! She thinks that just because her father's famous, and her mother's famous, everyone should do what she says!" The brawler protests as her arms wave in the air. 

 

Blake tilts her head in her confusion. "A brat? Yang, are we even talking about the same person? Yes, Ruby took charge yesterday, and we all listened to her because she didn't lead us wrong. She consistently put herself in harm's way, and many of us owe her our lives. And, she's been nothing but unfailingly polite to me, to Weiss, to everyone she's met. And she's gorgeous and doesn't even act like she is!" She says the last with a blush. "Granted, she's definitely not shy either."

 

"See? You're already falling for it too. Next you're going to claim she's perfect and worship the ground she walks on." The brawler counters as her sneer returns. "Just like everyone does her dad."

 

"Ok, I'm going to stop you there." The panther cuts her off. "The Mountain has more than earned the respect everyone shows him. Even my dad admits that no one's worked as hard as he has to make things better for not just the faunus, but humans too. The Vale Huntsmen's Guild is the most successful one in the world, and it's because he's busted his ass to make it a success."

 

"There's the hero worship."

 

"You know what? He is one of my heroes. He commands respect because he's earned it, and even the Khan herself considers him worthy of it for all he does for my people. Only in Vale can we walk the streets with our heads held high. Only in Vale can we not worry about being discriminated against, we aren't denied service, we aren't called animals and treated as such. And all because of the Mountain." Blake looks at Yang, her expression neutral. "He does everything in his long dead wife's name, and so his daughter… daughters can live their lives as they please. Tell me, can your father say the same? Or your mother?"

 

Yang stays silent, unable to offer even a sliver of an argument even as she feels her rage begin to boil once more at the mention of her parents.

 

Blake notices Yang’s hair start to faintly glow but continues. "Ruby's father is dying." She informs the blonde as she unlocks the door and opens it. "And he is leaving behind a legacy that Ruby is preparing to inherit, no doubt Velvet will be as well now. Before you keep protesting, before you continue to deride her and denigrate her, remember that yesterday she was prepared to do whatever it took to see everyone survive initiation. Were you?" The panther faunus looks at her. "She even sacrificed her own weapon to save us all from the Nevermore, and she's thinking of sacrificing her mother's weapon to rebuild her's, HER MOTHER’S WEAPON!" She punctuates each word deliberately as her glare intensifies. “Is that something you would do? Because if not, then honestly any real reasons you have to hate her are pretty much invalid."

 

Yang remains silent as she looks at the floor.

 

"Ruby earned my trust yesterday, Yang Xiao Long. She earned my respect by not only taking charge, but putting the safety of us all before her own. And yes, I have a crush on her already, because she is the kind of woman I myself would love to be, and would be willing to spend the rest of my life with." She sighs. "Think about it, Yang, because if you force me to choose, I'm going to choose Weiss and Ruby over you."

 

"Why Weiss?" The brawler asks in surprise.

 

"Because she's working to improve herself, to redeem her family's company and restore it's good name. I can respect that, as well as her." She pauses and smiles. "Besides, she's definitely my type too. I love petite girls." She adds before leaving, closing the door behind her.

 

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

 

"Ugh! How could this have happened?!" Ruby declares in disgust as she sits with Professor Peach, who is her advisor. "How could none of us be a qualified medic?!"

 

Celestia Peach shakes her head. "In your case, it's understandable. You're already well on your way to becoming a fully qualified weaponsmith, and have it listed as your intended specialty. Unfortunately, your former medic is now in team SAAD, with another highly qualified medic." She pauses to check over her files again. "To be honest, not one single member of your team even qualifies for medic training. Weiss has focused on dust studies and manipulation, Blake's science scores are too low, and…"

 

"And?" The Reaper asks as she raises an eyebrow.

 

"You may be better off dying then relying on Miss Xiao Long to be able to save you. She has the most abismal health and science scores I've ever seen!" The Professor declares in surprise. "Are you aware that she is in remedial courses?!"

 

"How the hell did she even get into Beacon?!" The red wolf declares in shock, her hands waving in the air. "I mean, my grades aren't the best in the world, but I'm not in any remedials!"

 

"Ruby, you're already starting at the top of this year's class in geometry, physics, and biology. To be honest with you, you are the best qualified to attain your medic's certificate."

 

"Am not!"

 

"You passed anatomy with a perfect grade." Peach deadpans. "Which is a college level course, I might add."

 

Ruby winces. "Well I gotta know where to shoot, don't I?"

 

"Ruby, your team needs a medic before you can take your first field assignment." Peach begins as she touches something on her screen. "I suggest asking your father if he'll bring you the following books." She adds as Ruby's scroll dings. 

 

"This isn't fair!" She protests. "Can't I just trade Yang for Aqua or something?! Aqua's the one who likes hauling around bandages and antibiotic lube!"

 

"Teams are now locked in, Miss Rose." Peach replies firmly before sighing. "Ruby, this gives me no pleasure. I'm aware of your long term goals once your huntress days are behind you. You can still achieve those goals, but as a leader, you must also know when to put the needs of your teammates ahead of your own." Peach waves to her screen. "And being a fully certified medic as well as a fully accredited weaponsmith will go a long way in assisting you as a huntress."

 

"Yes ma'am I know." Ruby sighs herself as she picks up her scroll and sends a message. 

 

"I don't envy you, Ruby. Yes, you're a full two years early. Yes, we are already expecting great things from you. But, you are still a young woman. A young woman with a very full workload. Adding this, and leaving your coursework for smithing, you won't have a lot of free time. Professor Irons even has classes on Saturdays, which are mandatory."

 

"If I drop everything to do with smithing, how far back will that set me?" The teenager asks quietly. "I'm not sure I can pull all this off, while playing catch-up with the courses I'm having to take here instead of Signal."

 

Peach looks at her. "Ruby, if you can catch up by the end of this year, which is entirely possible considering you're a bright and intelligent young woman, then you can sign up for it next year, and still graduate fully certified."

 

The Reaper looks critically at her courses. Many of them are courses she would have taken at Signal, where she would have graduated while satisfying Vale's prerequisites to earn a high school diploma. Several of them will be easy enough, seeing as how she's a natural with math and math based sciences. Some, like english, will be a lot more difficult. And she has to admit, putting her smithing certifications back a year will help her alot, considering she's also going to be playing catch-up to become her team's medic. And it would look good on her if she admits she's overdoing it now, instead of tomorrow when classes start. "Alright fine, I’ll drop everything to do with smithing for now." She declares with a small frown. "Just have to keep my hand in it when I have time, so I don't get rusty."

 

Peach smiles as she begins to make the adjustments. "I personally believe you're making an excellent decision, Ruby. And between us…" She pauses for a moment. "I would have requested Amy Moon instead of Aqua. You are aware she graduated top of her class at Signal, right?"

 

"Ehh?!"

 

Peach giggles. "Ruby, Amy is already taking premed courses. She plans on becoming a combat doctor like Ara Ebony."

 

The Reaper nods. "I remember her asking Doc Ebony to go ahead and apprentice with her."

 

"Amy Moon has the potential to become one of the finest huntresses we've seen in years, Ruby."

 

"We're talking about skittish little Amy, right? The same girl Diane's partnered with, right?"

 

"Watch, Ruby. You aren't the only one here at Beacon we're watching." Peach smiles at her. "And not every team graduates together. It's actually been ten years since a team stayed together through all four years, and they're still working together even now."

 

"Team KNGT." Ruby smiles. "They still take the occasional contract from Daddy."

 

"Exactly. Now, if there's nothing else, I need to yell at a Jaune Arc." She declares as she motions for Ruby to leave. "Your soon to be stepmother's favor to her sister is a walking disaster. He may as well have written his application in crayon."

 

"That bad, huh?" The Reaper asks as she stands and moves to the office door. 

 

"He may as well walk in the Emerald Forest naked and covered in barbeque sauce." She deadpans, getting a deep laugh out Ruby.

 

"See ya, Professor." She calls out as she leaves, still chuckling as she passes the young man in question. She can't deny he looks extremely nervous, considering a lot of the surviving initiates blame him for unleashing the Gigant during initiation. But mistakes happen all the time.

 

"Mr. Arc? Come in please!" She hears Professor Peach call out, the young man's nervousness reaching near panic as he walks in, the veteran huntress and educator not even giving him time to close the door before she starts in on his own coursework.

 

Deciding it's none of her business, Ruby drifts through the grounds for a while, seeing Beacon in a far different light. Everytime she has ever come here, it was either with her father when he had business with Headmaster Ozpin, or Salem when she had to teach classes while Daddy was away. Before she knows it, she reaches the Wall of the Honored, and instinctively moves to her mother's name.

 

Summer Rose-Garibaldi 17/Sep/2108 - 04/Mar/2133, Master Huntress, Beloved Wife, Devoted Mother

 

Below her name… Wait… There was her partner's name below it. They had become partners after graduating from Beacon together, and worked together for several years. But now, someone's taken some kind of putty and covered it over. And to her growing surprise, whoever had done it had even written over it in surprisingly neat handwriting.

 

She lives in shame…

 

Who would cover up Weiss's mother's name like this?! Patting her left thigh, she groans as she realizes that she left her knife under her pillow and hurries off to retrieve it. Her Daddy's told her stories of one of her Mama's best friends here, and she will be damned if she gets dishonored like this! 

 

Adaliz Schnee died at her mother's side, as a hero! And Ruby won't stand to see her dishonored like this!

 

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

 

Weiss and Blake both jump at Ruby's appearance, the younger faunus woman having flung the door to their dorm room so violently that it slams against a desk. Both of them look at the enraged faunus and then at each other.

 

"Ruby? Are you ok?" Weiss calls out first as she stays seated at the desk she's claimed. 

 

"You seem really upset." Blake adds as she stays on her bed.

 

"Some dumb son of a bitch defaced the Memorial Wall!" She growls as she strides to her bed and pulls her giant knife from under her pillow. "I gotta go clean it off!"

 

"Was it the spot where Adaliz Schnee's name is?" The heiress asks quietly, making the wolf faunus pause.

 

"Yeah. Yeah it was." She replies cautiously, unsure of the white haired girl's possible reaction. "That's your mom, right?"

 

"She isn't dead, Ruby." Weiss sighs as she sits back in her chair. "She has no business being on a memorial to the fallen, when she is a drunken shadow of a woman." 

 

Ruby and Blake stare at the heiress, both their jaws sitting open at the revelation.

 

"Daddy thinks she's dead." The red wolf whispers, Blake nodding in agreement.

 

"How can she still be alive?" The panther adds as Yang walks out of the bathroom and stares. 

 

"Uhhhh, is this a bad time?" The brawler asks as she looks from the heiress, to her partner, then to Ruby. But what keeps any comments about the younger girl silent is the look of growing sadness in her eyes. Yang went to Signal long enough to know there are only two things that will bring her to tears.

 

Her mother and Rosella.

 

She may hate the younger girl, but she won't dare disrespect the dead. Especially one who was her best friend since childhood.

 

"She's alive? How? How is she alive when my own mom died?" The Reaper whispers.

 

Weiss shakes her head. "My mother is confined to a wheelchair, Ruby. Whatever it was, it crushed her spine to the point that prosthetics are not an option." She pauses to wipe a stray tear away. "You at least have the memory of a good woman to bolster you. All I had growing up is a shadow who drowns her sorrows in wine and vodka to forget."

 

"Oh Weiss…" Ruby drops the knife on the bed and moves to kneel in front of her. "I'm so sorry. Goddess, I wish I had known before I opened my big mouth."

 

"It's fine, Ruby. I… please keep this to yourselves, all of you? I fled Atlas to get away from her and my father both. It is to the point that it even affects my relationship with my older sister, who still attempts to defend her." She looks at them all. "Please? I do not want to be pitied."

 

Blake nods. "My lips are sealed, Weiss."

 

Yang shrugs. "Yeah, no problem Ice Queen. None of my damned business anyway."

 

Ruby looks at Weiss, quicksilver meeting sky blue. "I will never say a word, not even to Daddy."

 

"Thank you." She sighs as she looks at the Reaper. "Now, did you get your scheduling conflict resolved?" The white haired girl asks quietly as she removes the wolf faunus's hat and scratches behind her ears, getting a wag of the tail.

 

She nods as she instinctively butts her head against the heiress's hand demandingly. "Yeah. Moved a few things around to take medic's classes. Apparently, I'm the best qualified for em." She replies as she begins to melt to the constant scratching at the base of her ears.

 

Blake giggles as she moves to lean against the heiress's desk. "You know your way to a wolf faunus girl's heart, huh?"

 

Weiss smiles down at Ruby, whose head is now laying in her lap. "Willow's teammate Aziza is also a wolf faunus. She adores scratches like this." She suddenly reaches up and starts scratching behind one of Blake's ears. "But cats are not much different."

 

To Yang's surprise, the panther faunus begins to purr, and soon the white haired girl has two faunus in her lap. "Ok, I'm actually impressed Ice Queen."

 

"Please don't call me that." She asks quietly. "That is what they used to call my mother. Honestly, if it hadn't been for Willow's team and a mutual friend we share, I don't think she and I would be nearly as well adjusted." She looks up at the brawler, tears in her eyes. "I honestly do not wish to be judged for my father's sins, Yang. I am not him, nor do I wish to be."

 

"Yeah well, hanging out with Ruby ain't going to get you any points with me." The brawler replies as she climbs onto her own bed. "Far as I'm concerned, she's even more of a spoiled brat then you."

 

"Why are you like this, Brute?" The heiress glares at her, the two faunus still too lost in their scratches to pay attention.

 

"Because I can be." Yang replies as she turns over to face away from them. "Mind your own business, Ice Queen…"

Chapter 11: Team RWBY and the Genius of Beacon

Chapter by Winter1112

Notes:

Happy New Year's! Wyn here with another exciting chapter of this humble little story of ours! I myself want to personally apologize for the extra week's wait, as a brutal week at work, combined with some nasty writer's block, as well as celebrating the birth of the most beautiful granddaughter a proud grandma like me could ever hope for!

And, not gonna lie, been having a lot of self doubts about my writing as of late too...

Anywho, I hope everyone enjoys this newest chapter!

"Yang, this just screams bad idea." Shion whispers to the blonde, who is holding a whistle in her hand.

"Yeah well she shouldn't have fallen asleep curled up to the Ice Queen." Yang's grin is wicked as she moves the elongated metal pipe to her lips.

"Yang, is that a dog whistle?!"

"Shut it! This is gonna be funny!" The blonde declares. The leader of team SAAD surges forward to stop her best friend, but it's far too late as the whistle reaches her lips and she blows on it. Hard.

With a shriek of pain, Ruby sits up while struggling to keep her wolf's ears closed, while Amy screams bloody murder in the next room over. Weiss, and to both their surprises, Blake are sent flying as Ruby keeps screaming until the brawler runs out of air. 

Looking around, Ruby levels a look of pure hate at the grinning brawler as she reaches for something under her pillow. "I'M GONNA FUCKING SKIN YOU ALIVE, XIAO LONG!"

"Looking for this?" Yang replies as she holds Ruby's massive bowie knife up by a strap. "Time to get your lazy asses up. Classes start today, and a kid isn't going to slow me down." 

"Point against you, Yang." Blake mutters as she stands slowly, her own eyes narrowed into slits as she pulls one shoulder of her yukata back into place.

"YOU BRUTE!" Weiss shrieks as she stands on the side opposite the brawler, the panther, and the wide eyed other team leader, Myrtenaster in hand and already in flames. 

"Time to go!" Shion declares as she grabs Yang by the collar of her uniform jacket and rushes the brawler ahead of her, slamming the door just as Weiss and Ruby both clear the bed. She can still hear Amy's shrieks of anger, along with several other raised voices promising vengeance on the owner of the whistle. Deciding that discretion is the better part of valor, she keeps shoving the unrepentant blonde until they are clear of the dorm before looking at her. "That was fucked up, Yang. You even hurt Amy, and she's been awake for at least an hour now."

She shrugs as she pockets the whistle. "I'll apologize later. Let's go eat while the food's all there, before all the bottomless pits show up."

"What the hell is wrong with you?!" She asks demandingly, even as they start walking towards the cafeteria. "I mean, I get it, you don't like Ruby. You really don't like Ruby, but a dog whistle?! You could have ruptured her ear drums!"

"Whatever. She wants to play with the big kids, she needs to be ready for it." She replies as she suddenly raises her arm and throws Ruby's knife high up into a tree. "And no weapons in the dorm, she knows that."

Shion shakes her head as the straps for the knife's sheath get tangled in several branches, ensuring it will take some time to get down. "She's going to kill you, and I'm almost at the point where I won't stop her." No matter what my orders are. She adds silently.

"She couldn't actually hurt me if she tried. I went and checked, her precious scythe is still busted up, and Professor Salem still has her mom's locked up. And no one can beat me in hand to hand." She declares cockily as she points to herself with her thumb.

So you think. Shion thinks to herself as she shakes her head. "Pride goeth before the fall, Yang. And even dragons can have their wings clipped."

"Yeah whatever. Not this dragon's!" She grins as she pulls the door to the cafeteria open. "And especially by some fifteen year old wanna be huntress who thinks she's better than everyone else."

"I don't even know why I bother." She grimaces. "Rosella was the only person who could keep you on a leash, and she would be beating you until you were dumber than you already are now!"

"YOU SHUT THE FUCK UP!" Yang roars in a sudden rage, her eyes flashing dangerously red. 

"No, you shut the fuck up!" Shion counters. "She would be ashamed of you, Yang! She would be ashamed of how you're acting, and we both know it! Now grow the fuck up, and ditch the chip on your shoulder before you land so far up shit creek even a ten foot long paddle wouldn't help you!"

Yang glares at her before storming off, her aura visible in her rage. Shion herself sighs as her shoulders slump. She hasn't had to play the dead best friend card in months now, and feels so dirty in doing it. Rosella had been such a wonderful person, with a giant heart to go with her caring personality, and she had been proud to call her a friend. But she had chosen sides before she died, and Shion will never, ever forget the wolf faunus girl who pushed her out of the way as the Wyvern struck, a sad smile on her face as she died to save her. 

Rosella had died before she and Yang could repair their friendship, and Shion feels responsible for taking that away from the brawler, as well as taking away the first love of the Reaper's life.

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Professor Peter Port is perhaps one of the most misunderstood teachers at Beacon Academy. Many of his students consider him a blowhard who spins impossible sounding stories of his days as a huntsman, and they would only be partially right.

The smart ones know he more than earned his nickname of the Genius. He learned to trust his instincts during hundreds of hunts, as well as his Makeshift semblance, which can turn even a spoon in his hand into a deadly weapon. Oh yes, he loves to recount his many exploits during his classes, but the smart ones have learned to still listen carefully, because not only is everything he says the truth, but can possibly even save their lives one day.

And now, as he looks around his classroom, full of eager to learn first years, he also mentally consults the notes sent by his peers at Signal and Pharos Academies against what he sees. He listens to the soft chatting of newly made partners and fledgling teams as they endeavor to get to know one another. He listens to established friends as they catch themselves up on the other's going ons during this first full day of classes. And he notices three members of team RWBY actively avoiding their fourth, even going so far as to actually sit right in front of him, while Yang sits in the back of the class with her own small circle of friends from Signal, including Shion Negras and Amy Moon.

Tai, you damned fool! He thinks to himself as he moves to stand at the middle of the raised dias in his classroom and clears his throat as he smiles jovially.

"Monsters! Deeeemons... Prowlers of the night! Yes, the creatures of Grimm have many names, but I merely refer to them as prey! Ha-ha!" He begins as always, getting the attention of everyone present. To his surprise, he gets a giggle out of young Miss Rose, who shakes her head. But, as the daughter of an old friend, she has already grown up listening to many of his stories. He still has fond memories of her as a young pup, sitting cross-legged on the floor as she listens eagerly to him, her tail a blur underneath her oversized cloak. 

"And you shall too, upon graduating from this prestigious academy! Now, as I was saying: Vale, as well as the other three kingdoms, are safe havens in an otherwise treacherous world! Our planet is absolutely teeming with creatures that would love nothing more than to tear you to pieces! And that's where we come in. Huntsmen! Huntresses..." He pauses to give Ruby a wink, getting a bright smile in return as Blake and Weiss both lean back to witness her tail wagging a mile a minute in her delight, her wolf's ears raised as high as she can manage to listen to every word. "Individuals who have sworn to protect those who cannot protect themselves! From what, you ask? Why, the very world!"

"YEAH!" The Reaper cheers as she pumps both fists in the air, while the rest of the class simply stares at her. "What?" She asks as she looks around, Weiss and Blake both pulling her arms down a moment later.

"Calm down, Ruby." Weiss smiles good-naturedly. 

"Please don't get us in trouble our first day." Blake adds as she also smiles.

Professor Port simply chuckles as he shakes his head. "I will never be one to punish enthusiasm, Miss Schnee and Miss Belladonna." He informs them with a bright smile. "Now, that is what you are training to become. But first: A story. A tale of a young, handsome man... Me! When I was a boy…"

He continues to talk, while also paying close attention to who has tuned him out already, who has fallen asleep, and who is actually listening. He inwardly frowns at the number of students already gone to their own little happy places, while making mental notes as to whom will be earning their first detentions of the year as well. He decides to raise his voice a bit, and see who he can roust from their obvious stupor. "...Despite smelling of cabbages, my grandfather was a wise man. 'Peter', he told me…"

Not many . He thinks with a sigh. Ruby of course is hanging on his every word, while Weiss does start taking notes when she realizes that he slips in the knowledge he considers important in his words. And he can't help but snicker as Ruby snatches a book away from Blake and hands her a pen while glaring at her, the panther faunus scowling a bit but paying attention.

"Ah-heh-hem!" He pauses for a moment, watching as partners poke each other, as teammates jostle each other, and a scowling Yang stomps down to join her team, a glaring Shion ripping a piece of paper with what appears to be an unflattering picture of him drawn on it into shreds. A pity, he loves collecting them to compare with Bart's at the end of every school day. "In the end, the Beowolf was no match for my sheer tenacity, and I returned to my village with the beast in captivity and my head held high, celebrated as a hero!" He takes a bow as Ruby cheers, while the heiress and the panther both glare at the brawler as she sits as far away as she can manage from them.

Why did you instill Yang with your hate for Alex, Tai?! You've all but ruined your daughter with it! 

"The moral of this story? A true Huntsman must be honorable!"

Yang flips Weiss off, the heiress glaring back at her in a rage.

"A true Huntsman must be dependable!

Ruby grabs the white haired girl by her long side ponytail before she can retaliate, getting a squeal of pain out of her.

"A true Huntsman must be strategic, well-educated, and wise!"

Oh dear, Ruby is glaring at Weiss now, the heiress looking ready to explode in her rage. He'd best hurry this along.

"So, who among you believes themselves to be the embodiment of these traits ?"

"I do, sir!" Weiss's hand shoots up into the air, as well as several others, Ruby's included. He nods in approval as he walks back to a corner of his classroom and pulls the cover off a cage, glowing red eyes glaring outwardly as a snort of irritation is heard.

"Well, then, let's find out!" He declares as he stands up straight. "Who among you still believes themselves to be all that I named? Hmm?" He asks again as he scans the crowd, some hands lowering while others raise in their stead. That's to be expected of course, seeing as how even a juvenile boarbatusk is a surprisingly dangerous opponent to the unprepared.

Professor Port continues to look around as some students wave their hands eagerly, while he decides who to call forth to deal with the juvenile boarbatusk in the cage, once again consulting his mental notes and comparing them to his own observations.

Weiss Schnee? She's looked bored throughout his class, despite taking notes on occasion. And considering she's already proven to be capable of the impossible? This would be no challenge for her or her partner, who also has her hand raised eagerly, her tail a blur.

Nora Valkyrie? No, she's just as capable as Weiss and Ruby, as well as capable of causing massive amounts of damage. 

Yang Xiao Long? See above. So he begins to scan the hands that aren't raised instead.

Jaune Arc? Absolutely not. He would most likely die from the first blow alone.

Lie Ren? It would be an interesting fight to say the least. But the lad isn't quite ready yet either, despite his brilliant handling of the King Taijitu during initiation, he struggled against quicker, more agile Grimm types that his own partner handled with surprising ease until she threw her own lot in with Ruby.

Pyrrha Nikos is a surprise. But considering the way she has been deferring to Jaune's poor decisions already, he sighs as he realizes that Alex and David both are right, and the poor girl is a follower, and not a leader. A true pity she isn't on Ruby's team, considering how well she and Nora both performed under the Mountain's Rose's command. He and Bart both are already questioning why Beacon's Headmaster won't reshuffle the teams, as the four young women achieved perfection together. But it is not his place as he returns to looking around, soon dismissing Shion and Aqua in his thoughts as he focuses on...

Ahhh, Amy Moon. Perfect. Her partner would leap to her defense in a heartbeat if she gets overwhelmed, and she has so much untapped potential. She simply needs to get out from under Yang and Shion's overprotective shadows as well as her own fears and realize she is a natural huntress whose skills could rival or even surpass many of the others here.

She especially needs to get past the death of Talon Winchester, who died in her arms after saving her life.

She is another one who would thrive under a leader like Ruby, who has inherited her mother's gift for finding and bringing out the best in people. Qrow Branwen and Alexander himself being the best examples. Qrow is a fine man and huntsmen, and his students emerge from his combat classes at Signal focused and deadly, Alexander is Vale's most stalwart defender as leader of the Huntsmen's Guild, the mountain who has dedicated his life to protecting the people as whole.

Summer Rose left behind a grand legacy, one Ruby has not only inherited, but added to with her own achievements despite her age.

"Amy, why don't you come down and show us all how it's done." He declares as he smiles, trying not to shake his head at the terror in her eyes, while the Grimm in the cage begins to grunt louder, feeding off her fear. Yes, she will definitely need her partner's supportive presence, as well as a better leader's support than her own.

"M-me?! I didn't raise my hand!" She protests as she feels a hand on her shoulder.

"Come on, partner. I'll come down with you." Diane smiles down at her as she stands. "You can make quick work of 'em, and we'll go grab some chow after, ok?"

"O-ok." She whispers as she takes her scroll out of her pocket and sends for her locker, which appears from a tube in the corner of the classroom a minute or so later. Leaving her scroll as well as her jacket at her seat, she walks to her locker trembling and takes her Cat's Paws out, equipping them slowly as she looks between the Grimm and her tank of a partner.

"Amy, calm down." The tank whispers to her as she leans down to look her in the eyes. "I watched you take more than a few of these things down during initiation. And this one's a baby, you got this."

"I wish I was as confident as you are." She whispers back as she looks at the cage nervously, the boarbatusk stomping the ground and squealing. "What if I mess up? What if it gets away?"

"It won't, partner. And if you're worried about all of them, don't. Ruby's got you too." She points to the Reaper, who's standing up and glaring at the assembled students while cracking her knuckles, Weiss sitting on the desk beside her and filing her nails as she cuts her own icy glares as well. But to Amy's surprise, Blake is on Ruby's other side and idly winding a ribbon in her own hands, forming a makeshift garrote before unwinding it again as her freed ears flicker in irritation. And even Yang is glaring around, her eyes red as her hair smolders, her gaze focusing on Cardin Winchester.

Team RWBY, despite their obvious division, is making it clear that no one is going to interrupt the battle. And if they do, the Goddesses help them.

"I don't deserve any of you as friends." She murmurs as she smiles shyly.

"Sure you do, Amy. Now come on, and let's show everybody how much ass you can kick." The squirrel faunus replies with a smile as she motions towards the dias. The much shorter girl nods as she climbs the stairs to the dias, her shoulders still slumped.

“Ready!” Port says as he raises his weapon above his head, Amy readies herself by getting into a defensive fighting stance.

"Ready!" Diane calls out for her, the tank standing just beside the dias, her tail bristling.

“BEGIN!” He yells as he brings his BlunderAxe down on the latch of the cage freeing the grimm. But nothing happens at first, which doesn't help Amy’s nerves as she turns her head a little to peek at her partner. However the moment she does this, the juvenile Boarbatusk comes rolling out of it’s cage at high speed.

Her eyes widening in fear, the wolf faunus barely dodges in time to avoid taking a heavy blow from the Grimm. The boarbatusk makes a sharp turn and comes rocketing back, Amy barely able to dodge as her face portrays the pure terror she's feeling.

“She’s losing it.” Nora comments quietly, Pyrrha nodding in agreement.

"Perhaps I should have volunteered?" The Mistrali woman whispers back, getting a shake of the head from the hammer wielder.

“You can do it partner! I know you can beat this pig!” Diane cries out encouragingly.

All Amy can bring herself to do is dodge until she finds herself backed into a corner, all her fear and panic making her forget her training. Feeling her back hit the wall, she begins to scream as the Grimm readies itself for another charge.

Cardin starts laughing. “HA! The Runt's just running! How much more pathetic can this get?"

Dove smirks as he leans back in his chair. "What do you expect from a Faunus? All they're good for is a good laugh and cannon fodder for Grimm.”

Russell nods. "Looks like one less to use like that here in a second."

Sky shushes them. "Shut up! The stupid animal's about to get smashed!"

"That's enough!" Port roars. "Team CRDL, report to me after class!"

Everyone's attention is suddenly drawn to a loud bang, looking at the source. Yang's fist is smashed into the desk and centered around a burnt crater, her hair ablaze in her visible fury over the other team's comments. Ruby however is currently being restrained by several of Weiss's glyphs, along with Blake, the eyes of the two faunus women promising nothing but pain as they struggle to free themselves.

"Give me one more reason to release them upon you bigots." Weiss declares coldly as her glare focuses on Cardin. "Please." Cardin and his cronies glare back stupidly, but go silent, allowing everyone's attention to return to the fight. Although now everyone is on edge thanks to Yang, Ruby, and Blake.

Amy herself is buckling under the pressure as the Grimm stomps it’s right hoof a few times while snorting before going into a full on charge at the diminutive wolf faunus, who closes her eyes as she screams even louder than before. She hears rather than feels the impact of the boarbatusk, her screaming growing even louder.

"Hey Amy? Do ya mind stopping with all the screaming?"

Silence falls over the room as she herself goes quiet. Cracking her eyes open to peek, they grow wide in her shock and surprise as she watches Diane holding the Grimm back by its tusks easily.

“D-Diane I-I can’t—”

“Don’t you say it.” She grunts out as she and the Grimm continue their shoving match. “You can do this Amy, you don’t give yourself enough credit.”

“But I can’t do it, I’m not as strong as you.” The wolf faunus replies quietly as she looks down. "I'm not as big as you, or as tough as you and Yang. I'm not proud of myself like Ruby is. I'm the last person anyone ever wants to be like." She sniffles a bit. "I'm just a nerd with a deception semblance that lets me hide behind a mask."

“So? Strength isn’t everything you know." The massive squirrel faunus replies with a grin. "I’m physically stronger than Wolfy, but she kicks my ass plenty of times because she’s faster than me and can outmaneuvered me, and you're the same.” Diane informs her. "I still take her on though, cause one of these days I'm gonna finally kick her shapely ass."

"Excuse you?! That's my ass now!" Weiss growls out, getting a glare from a still restrained Blake and an eye roll from an equally restrained Ruby.

"Whatever!" The tank calls out before looking back at her partner. “Ok yeah, you're not as fast as Wolfy, you're not as tough as me, but you don’t need to be. You're smaller and nimble and I’m willing to bet that you’re more agile than anyone else in our year." Diane pauses and grins. "I watched you take plenty of these things apart faster than they could react to you attacking them. You can do this, partner, and all your friends know that and believe in you. So stop panicking, remember your training, stay cool, calm, and collected, and always remember that us, your friends and especially me will always have your back.”

Amy wiped away a few tears from her eyes as she smiled. “Ok, I-I’ll do my best.” She declares as she readies herself again with a look of determination.

“That’s my partner. Now kick this sucker's ass so we can go get some dinner. I'm starving!” Diane releases the Boarbatusk while jumping to the side, kicking it in the ass to get it moving towards the wolf faunus.

Amy doesn't move as she watches and waits for the Grimm to once again charge her. She keeps waiting until it gets close enough to where it can't dodge, exploding into action once she feels like it has crossed that point of no return. Jumped up, she twists her body in the air as she retracts her claws to expose a pair of barrels hidden between them. Pulling the triggers, she peppers the Boarbatusk's back with bullets as it passes under her, the Grimm squealing in pain as it slams face first into the wall. Taking advantage of the opening, she re-extends her claws as she dashes forward, thrusting the blades of her left paw into the creature of Grimm's gut, causing it to squeal in pain. Drawing back her right arm, Amy thrusts the blades of her right paw into its chest, silencing it permanently.

“Bravo Miss Moon! Well done! Well done indeed!” Port starts clapping, most of the class follows suit including a now freed Ruby and Blake, who cheer for her along with a clapping Weiss. Yang however glares at the three of them, as if offended by them cheering for her friend.

Diane smiles as she walks over to her partner. “Told you you could do it.” She declares as she hoists Amy up onto her shoulder to sit.

“Thank you for believing in me.” Amy smiles happily at her partner, the smile Amy has on her face combined with her size made for one of the cutest sights alot of the students in the class had ever seen.

"What are partners for?" The squirrel replies as Headmaster Ozpin enters the classroom.

"Team CRDL! Outside, now!" The older man declares, his eyes betraying the anger he is otherwise keeping under tight control. The four young men rise and walk outside sullenly, Cardin unable to resist getting the final word in.

"Not bad for an animal killing another animal."

"ENOUGH!" Ozpin roars in a rage. "My office, NOW!" 

Unfortunately, the hateful words have the effect of putting a damper on the once jubilant mood. Port releases them once he is sure David has the racist team far enough away, as well as giving Ruby and Blake enough time to once again calm down, Weiss having been forced to once again restrain them with her Glyphs. But he takes note of Yang leaving well before anyone else, and resolves to have a quick word with her before things between her and her team grow any worse…

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

The only sounds in the gym are fists smashing into a punching bag heavily. Yang has retreated here after Port's class, ignoring the fact that she's late for her math class. Her mind is in a fury as her fists keep slamming into the heavy bag, her now red eyes reflecting her internal rage.

No one can know Ruby terrified her for a split second, her rage filled silver eyes focused on Cardin as she struggled to free herself from Weiss's Glyphs. 

Amy is HER friend, damn it! She's the one who's always looked out for her, made sure people left her alone, and made anyone who did mess with her pay! But to see Ruby, who has no reason to be so angry or so overprotective of HER friend in such a rage…

She had to get away. She could hear Rosella yelling at her again. She could hear her Dad's bitter words again.

She finally stops for a moment, panting as she clings to the heavy bag, her anger and fear dissipated for now. 

"She's a loser! The daughter of a no good bastard of a wolf faunus!"

Yang's panting slows itself as she keeps leaning against the bag, her mind in turmoil.

"Ten people died! Her team of freaks shouldn't have been there!"

She feels the tears begin to well up as her right hand balls itself into a fist and punches the bag once more.

"I love her, Yang! Ruby has such a huge heart, and she and her father both would help you get away from Tai if you just asked them for help instead of hating them for no good reason other than because your dad does!"

She punches again, her anger struggling against her sorrow. Rosella had been her best friend, and their fights over Ruby and Sasha had been… bad.

"Don't make me choose, Yang Xiao Long. Because I won't side with you. Not as long as you're acting like that drunk."

She screams as her semblance ignites in her rage, in her grief, in her fear. Her fists begin to hit the heavy bag like hammers, as she roars. To her regret, the bags at Beacon are made especially for aura and semblance using students, and holds against her onslaught of rage. 

"This solves nothing, Miss Xiao Long." She doesn't turn around as she stops once more, panting once again as her efforts to punish the piece of exercise equipment for her own crappy life has failed once more. 

"Why do you care?" She asks petulantly as she stares at the bag and not the senior huntsman who comes to stand by her. 

"Because you are the daughter of a woman I once respected." Professor Port replies solemnly as he looks at her. "A young woman with an amazing opportunity to put the past behind her, and move forward as a part of a much greater whole."

"Why should I?" She looks at him bitterly. "My mom vanishes during a mission the same night Ruby's dies, and my dad fell into a bottle. He blames everyone for Mom leaving, for Ruby's mom dying, for Ruby's dad stealing away the woman he really loved. It's all I know. It's all I've ever known, and it's way too late to change it now."

"Miss Xiao Long, it truly isn't too late…"

"Yang, it's not too late. I told Mr. Alex everything. He said he'd even sue for custody to get you away from him! Please!"

The brawler shakes her golden haired head. "It's too late for me. I fucked up my last chance when I got into the fight with Ruby and Sasha that night." She pauses to look the Professor in the eyes, her own lilac orbs full of pain and loss. "All I have left is my rage. All I have left is my bitterness. That's all I am anymore, and all I want is to be forgiven for being the cause of my best friend dying." She begins to tremble as tears form in the corners of her eyes. "Rosella was fighting to save my soul, and she's dead because I didn't know when to shut the fuck up."

Her shoulders begin to shake as Port pulls her into a hug, her sobs shaking her very bones as she clings to him.

"I'll always be your best friend, Yang. I promise. Wait here, let me go get Professor Qrow! He can call Mr. Alex right now!"

Yang Xiao Long gives in to her grief. She gives in to her pain. She had finally had enough of her own father, but he once again came out in her when Ruby and Sasha had found her and not Rosella. She started a fight, and had gotten her best friend killed.

"ROSELLA! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

She still hears Ruby screaming in her nightmares, along with the screeching of the Wyvern. It's the single thing she has never once blamed the younger wolf faunus for. Because, it's her fault. It's all her fault...

Notes:

Thanks for reading, and I'll see everyone next week with Red Reaper and the White Princess!

Chapter 12: A Roses Pain

Notes:

Hiya everyone! Wyn here with another exciting chapter of a Mountain's Rose! Ok, so due to this being a rather busy chapter, I finally had to give up on thinking of a good name for it, so Chapter Twelve it is! XD Anywho, I hope everyone enjoys it, and I'll see you all next time with RWBYFall!

Ruby smiles as she catches her knife, Amy having climbed up to retrieve it. "Thanks Amy! I owe you one!"

"No, call it even." The diminutive wolf faunus replies as she easily climbs back down, her Cat's Paws easily helping her scale down the tree. "It was you, Blake, Weiss, and Yang standing up for me along with Diane that helped."

"You found your own strength, Amy. We simply made sure Cardin and his foolish team shut their mouths." Weiss smiles as she watches Blake help Ruby put her precious knife on her leg. "And I have a feeling I'm going to be cuddled up to that knife too."

"Nah, Wolfy broke herself of that nasty habit when we were younger." Diane responds with a wide grin. "It's how she got the stab wound on her leg."

The wolf girl nods in agreement. "Yeah, took five staples to close it up. Never ever did it again."

"Well try not to leave it where Yang can find it again, ok?" The panther declares while finishing tying the final strap to Ruby's well defined leg, getting a nod of agreement from the younger woman in response. But before another word can be said, a chiming noise is heard from the school's PA system.

"Attention all students, please report to the auditorium for a mandatory meeting." 

"I wonder what's going on?" The panther asks as she stands back up, not noticing the looks between Diane and Ruby.

"You think he's about to rip into them publicly?" The squirrel faunus asks, getting a curt nod in response from her best friend.

"I won't bet on a sure thing, Squirrelly." The wolf girl replies as Weiss takes her right arm with a small smile. "You know he has a zero tolerance policy that's even harsher than Daddy's."

Blake tilts her head, her face betraying her curiosity. "Zero tolerance?"

Amy nods as she settles down on the tank's shoulder, while the other four young women start moving towards the aforementioned area. "Headmaster Ozpin kicked three students out last year for racist comments. He even had them arrested for violating Vale's anti discrimination laws."

"Are they that firm?" Weiss asks quietly as she looks up at Ruby curiously. "Atlas's are a joke on a good day."

"Not here in Vale." The Reaper informs her. "The Valian Council has faunus on it, and every single member takes the treatment of the faunus very seriously.” Blake and Weiss go wide eyed at Ruby's declaration.

“I thought faunus being on Vale's council was just something they said to make the faunus more at ease here.” Blake admits quietly.

Diane grins. “Nope, a few of the human council members even have faunus mates and lovers. It’s like Dr. Ebony said, here in Vale faunus and human couples are completely free to express themselves than anywhere else in the world.”

Amy nods. "My parents are both faunus, but they loved my human boyfriend. Well, my mom did, my dad was kinda indifferent." She informs them quietly as Blake opens the door for them, the four of them entering while still chatting amongst themselves.

Weiss hangs back as the other women enter the auditorium, her scroll now visibly in her pale hand. "Did you hear all of that?" She texts.

"All four of us did." Willow replies quickly. "Maybe… Maybe we should have come to Beacon as well. Aziza is already miserable no thanks to some jackass who keeps yanking on her tail. Kylie finally snapped and beat his ass earlier, and just got out of detention."

"Noiry, what if we were both wrong?" She asks as she begins to pace. "What if this is where we should move the company instead of Mistral?"

"Slow down, Lizzie. Send a copy to Win, and one to Qrow as well for confirmation. Keep gathering more information as well. If all of this is indeed true, then perhaps we should change our plans."

"I will. I miss you dolt."

"I miss you too, twit. I don't know if I can handle this distance, Weiss. It feels like a part of me is missing."

Weiss sighs deeply while wiping her tears away. Ruby, and to her growing surprise Blake, have been wonderful in keeping the empty feeling of being separated from her twin at bay. It is difficult to explain a connection like theirs to outsiders, and even Willow's long time team as well as her own ex never completely understood. But it's difficult to explain to someone how, due to a twist of fate, the Schnee Twins of Atlas share a soul as well as the hereditary semblance of Glyphs and Summons. "Do your best to qualify for Vytal then, Noiry. I will do no less. I love you."

"I love you too, Lizzie. Be careful, and stay near these two women who occupy your thoughts, sister. They make you happy, even if you yourself haven't realized it yet. And, have you told them you are blind in your left eye?"

"Not yet." She admits as she grimaces. "I've been keeping Ruby on my left whenever possible. I've barely known her for a few days now, yet I already trust her and Blake both implicitly."

"Good. Let me go. Remember to send those copies."

Weiss pauses for a moment to double check the recording on her scroll before sending it to Winter and Qrow both to listen to. She had recorded every word that was said from the point where she had asked if Vale was really that firm with their zero tolerance with descrimination, and is still surprised at what she and her twin have heard so far. There is far more to Vale that the two did not know, along with their siblings, and with every new discovery, it adds to her growing hope that it is where the Schnee Siblings can restore their family's honor and pride...

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

"Team CDNL, to say I am angry is a complete and total understatement!" Ozpin roars as the team in question stands stoically in the face of his rage. "Especially from you, Mr. Winchester! Your father carries the torch of equality and freedom proudly in Vale!"

"I can't help my father picks stupid causes." Cardin grumbles, making Ozpin swell up even more angrily before verbally tearing into them once more.

Ruby herself is bored. She already knew Cardin was an asshole from Talon, and her Daddy and Mum both loathe Aguila Winchester on general principle alone. In her personal opinion, Cardin needs a good old fashioned ass beating, one that there's no way in the Ten Hells he would ever forget.

"Ruby, Weiss incoming." Blake whispers softly. "I don't think she can see us."

"Huh, must be worse than I thought." The reddish black wolf girl mutters in response as she holds a hand out and into the white haired girl's visual range. A hand she takes with a look of gratitude as the faunus girl pulls her willingly into the seat between her and the panther. "Are you completely blind on your left?" She whispers, getting a nod in response. 

"Then stay by us, Weiss." Blake declares as she offers the heiress her arm, which she takes gratefully. "One of us will do our best to stay on your left at all times."

"Thank you." She murmurs as she blushes a deep red. 

"You're up then Blakey. I got my first medic's class after this." Ruby grumbles. To all their surprises, Salem suddenly stops beside her soon to be stepdaughter, while pulling her to her feet. Reaching up with her hands, she pulls her hair away from her back to reveal Retribution. Reaching forward, the wolf faunus takes her birth mother's weapon and slips it slowly and carefully onto her own back. To the heiress's and the panther's further surprise, Ruby wraps her arms around her future step mother's shoulders, giving her a gentle kiss on the cheek as thanks before the two separate, Salem returning to moving up and down the isles as Ozpin continues his verbal roasting of team CRDL. "And that's why she's best mom." The Reaper chuckles quietly as she sits back down carefully, mindful of the weapon now on the small of her back.

"I miss my Mum." The panther admits sadly.

"I wish I had a mother worthy of being called one." Weiss mumbles as she looks at the back of the seat in front of her. To her surprise, Ruby wraps a muscular arm around her shoulders. 

"Don't sweat it. If Mum doesn't adopt you, Auntie Sass will." The wolf informs her as Ozpin reaches a crescendo with his tongue lashing. 

"My Mum is going to love you." Blake adds just as quietly as she pats the arm held in her own with her free hand. 

Both faunus women lean closer to the white haired human woman as she bursts into tears at their words. Of course, Ozpin mistakes her tears of joy for tears of shame and embarrassment, and rounds on team CDNL in an even louder, even more ruthless, and even more rage filled manner. 

To this point, Weiss Schnee has been worried that she was making a mistake in following her heart, in changing herself to become better. But now, sitting between a wolf faunus and a panther faunus who have no reason to say the things they are saying except by their own choice, she can't help but to cry as she realizes that she made the right decision for her life...

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

"Weiss, Blake, can we talk?" Aqua calls out as the panther and the heiress walk past her dorm room arm in arm while chatting quietly. The entire school is still talking about the verbal roasting team CDNL just took, betting pools run by some of the older students already taking bets on how long it will be before they meet the same fate as last year's team SBLE.

"Of course." Blake replies with a nod as they stop, Weiss smiling as she nods as well.

Moving aside to let them enter, she chuckles at the sight of the panther's tail wrapped around Weiss's waist gently. "Aren't you two cute?"

"It still feels odd being able to walk around Beacon without being stared at or derided for being a faunus, or for being in the company of a beautiful human woman." Blake admits quietly as she looks around the dorm room, while Weiss blushes a deep red. There aren't too many personal touches as of yet, save a few posters and pictures. Diane is sitting on a bed she has moved in front of one of the built in desks, glasses on her own face as she mutters while doing research for Port's homework on what appears to be a homemade desktop. Meanwhile, Amy is preoccupied with slowly reloading bullets into circular magazines for her Cat's Paws while reading quietly from a medical book of some kind.

"You'll get used to it." The meerkat reassures her as she motions them towards the one empty bed left, Shion cleaning her battle rifle on her own while sitting on a chair. "Vale's not the other kingdoms. We don't have to really worry about bigots like Cardin."

Weiss growls at the mention of the bully, his team's dressing down still fresh in everyone's minds. "I had more than enough of that garbage from my own father."

"Trust me, my Dad's screaming at the fact you're on Ruby's team, Weiss." The squirrel faunus calls out without looking away from her screen. "You read our stories, so I doubt I gotta explain."

"No, you do not." The heiress admits quietly as she looks down in shame.

Blake shakes her head. "Aqua, you wished to talk to us?" She reminds the other faunus to take the sudden attention off her growing crush.

"Rosella Altobelle." Amy sighs as she stops what she's doing to look at them, a look of deep sadness in her red eyes. 

The meerkat nods as she moves her eyes from Blake to Weiss, sadness in her own blue-green eyes. "Ruby's first love. She…"

"She sacrificed herself to save me." Shion declares as she stops what she is doing to stare at her still dismantled weapon. "She's dead because I froze." She adds sadly.

"We all did, except for Ruby, Rosella, Professor Branwen, and a visiting senior Huntress." Diane admits as she leans back in her chair, her glasses now in her hands. "Ruby… I can still hear her screaming when I have a nightmare about it."

Aqua nods as she chews on her lower lip. "It was last year, during a final joint training trip to finish certifying for basic field survival between Signal and Pharos. Professor Branwen ended up being one of the only two fully certified huntsmen on the trip, along with that white haired woman, cause the two Professors from Pharos got food poisoning before they arrived."

Weiss blinks at that news. "White haired woman?" She asks quietly as she slips her scroll out of her pocket and thumbs it open.

"Yeah. Yang's dad backed out, cause him and Professor Qrow got into a huge argument, along with white hair before we left." Diane is still facing away from them, her head now resting against the palms of her hands. "Over Ruby, Rosella, and Sasha. He found out they had a thing together, and flipped his shit. Kept calling them freaks and that they should be left behind, along with our old team. That the four of us shouldn't be going, even though we qualified thanks to our grades."

The blue haired meerkat nods as she moves to the tank and rubs her back gently. "He said Ruby's dad pulled strings, which wasn't true. We busted our asses to make the grades and log the field time needed to go on the trip. Sasha and Ruby didn't want Rosella going without them or us to back her up."

"Why would she be going alone?" The heiress asks as she checks her scroll, seeing that she has an incoming picture message.

"The rest of her team failed out." Shion answers quietly. "No, that's not accurate. Two of them quit before the year even started because they were moving away, and her partner failed out at the end of the prior year. Even Yang, with everything going on between her and Ruby, was determined to look out for her too."

"Wolfy and Bunny kept her between them constantly." The squirrel woman adds as she wipes tears of sorrow from her face. "As long as Yang kept her big fucking mouth shut, they put up with her too."

"I see." The panther hums as she considers everything she's heard so far. "So Yang's father objected? And considering my partner, it was loud and public?"

Amy sighs. "Talon was so pissed when he heard Professor Xiao Long insulting Ruby, I had to literally sit on him to keep him from doing something stupid." The wolf faunus sniffles as she wipes some tears away. "I miss him so much."

"You and this Talon?" Blake asks gently while waving the tip of her tail a certain way, getting a sad nod from the wolf in response. "I am truly sorry for your loss, Amy." 

Disentangling herself gently from her growing crush's soft tail, Weiss moves to her side and hugs her as she begins to sob. "I'm so sorry too." The white haired woman whispers, the smaller woman clinging to her as her shoulders shake with her tears.

"It was a really shitty night." Diane straightens up in her seat, before finally turning to look at the heiress and the panther. "A lot of people died. People we all cared about."

"I've never seen Mr. Alex so furious in my life when he arrived with Sir Khan and his team. Him and Miss Salem both." Aqua adds. "Goddesses, but the look in his eyes when he saw Ruby holding Rosella and screaming. Like he had been dreading something like this happening." The meerkat pauses as her eyes close, her tears flowing between the tightly held lids. "Because…"

"Because twelve years ago, it was him." Diane finishes heavily. "When he lost Ruby's mom."

"It took Professor Salem hours to calm Ruby down. Yang…" The leader of team SAAD stops to wipe away her own tears, which have finally started to fall. "I took her back to my place. I wouldn't let her asshole father anywhere near her after that." She pauses to look in the direction of team RWBY's dorm room. "She's never forgiven herself either."

Blake and Weiss look at each other. There is concern in the heiress's eyes, while the panther's are golden mirrors of withheld emotion.

"Look, what we're basically trying to say is that there's a lot of bad blood between Ruby and Yang. And it all boiled over after that mission." Aqua informs them quietly. "And Wolfy's never, ever forgiven herself for Rosella's death."

"She needs to." Diane adds, her voice heavy with emotion. "Goddesses Three, but she needs to. Never saw her move so fast."

Shion nods, the team leader wiping more of her own tears away. "That fucking Wyvern hit us out of nowhere, all because…"

"Because?" Blake asks gently, her curiosity outweighing the horror she has internally felt of the joint story they're being told. 

"Because Yang had picked a fight with Sasha and Ruby." Amy finally informs them between her hiccuping sobs. "It was drawn to all the hate between them."

"Sasha blames herself too, but blames Yang more." Aqua adds as she moves to Diane's side, the normally gruff tank sobbing quietly. "Yang was pissed that her dad didn't come with them. But he was drunk when he got into the fight with Mr. Qrow and Miss Winter."

"So it was my sister." Weiss mutters as she checks her scroll, shaking her head at the now downloaded image of a summoned Wyvern she just received from her eldest sibling, along with a short text stating she loathes and despises that particular summon for her own reasons.

"She killed it, while Ruby, Qrow, and Diane kept it pinned down." Shion confirms quietly. "But not before it killed ten students, six from Signal and Talon's team from here at Beacon."

"Those cowards from Pharos ran!" Amy shrieks in a rage. "They ran when Talon threw himself in front of it to save me!" Weiss's response is to pull her closer, the wolf faunus howling in her grief and anger.

Blake sighs as she shakes her head. "A lot more things make so much more sense now. Thank you for telling us."

Shion nods as she slowly begins to put her rifle back together. "The one thing we're all sure of is that neither of them blame the other for what happened."

"Wolfy blames herself. So did Bunny at first. It's what tore them apart." Diane informs the heiress and the panther. "But then Bunny started to blame Yang. Got to the point where she was suspended for almost three months from Signal cause she kept on about it, demanding Yang be expelled and all."

"Yang almost did quit, but her father wouldn't let her." Amy adds brokenly as she stays curled up in Weiss's embrace. 

Shion reaches under her pillow and takes out a flash drive, tossing it to Blake. "Ruby's records from Signal. I called in a favor with a guy who worked for Headmaster Elvorette. I got curious when we all heard Professor Xiao Long failed Ruby, and her father had to file an appeal. She was her year's best fighter until then."

"Hands down." Diane agrees as she looks at the two women. "Sasha could never keep up with Ruby's brute strength, and Rosella never bothered to try. She wipes the floor with me constantly, and Aqua still refuses after Wolfy scared the shit out of her."

"Shut up, Squirrelly." The meerkat grumbles. "But the point here is, you're going to hear Ruby blame herself a lot. And we do mean a whole hell of a lot. It's who she is."

"Yeah, she took after her father there. He knows the name of every huntsman and huntress he's ever lost in any of his hunts, or hunts for the guild." Amy agrees quietly. "And you're a cuddle bug, aren't you Weiss?"

"Yes." She admits quietly as she blushes.

Diane looks at them both, a sad smile on her face. "You two might be my prayers being answered then." She admits quietly. "I love Wolfy like a sister. We grew up together, and I spent every chance I could at her place once her Dad took over the guild here, and they moved into their house." The squirrel faunus woman shakes her head. "I basically lived between her place and Bubbles's. All my stuff is between the two of their houses. And it's killing me that I haven't been able to help her mourn. It's killing me that I just can't do much more than be there for her when she starts crying."

Aqua nods. "Ever since the attack, she's been quiet. That's not normal for her. But since she met you two, she's almost back to her old motormouth, selfie taking self."

Shion finishes attaching the barrel of her rifle back to the body with an audible click. "The one thing we may have to deal with is one last fight between Ruby and Yang. It may be the only way to get them to finally get along."

"And that could be bad. Very bad." Amy adds as she nods in agreement. "There's a lot of pent up anger between them, over a lot of things."

"Like what?" Weiss asks curiously as she looks at all of them.

"Because Wolfy'll give her a hell of a fight, but she'll pull her punches so Yang can get her anger out." Diane declares quietly, while ignoring the question. 

"That's not good." Blake admits with a grimace. "She took down two Ursas easily during initiation. And she even admitted she wasn't taking them seriously until one clawed at her hair."

"If and when it happens, we must be ready to break them up." The heiress declares firmly. "Before they truly hurt one another."

Diane shakes her head. "Before they kill one another." She corrects the white haired woman. "Yang and Ruby are pretty evenly matched, and a fight between them could turn destructive."

"Define destructive?" The heiress asks cautiously, her own growing feeling of dread growing when Shion looks at her.

"Ruby is the last of the Silver Eyed Warriors." She informs the heiress. "And her control of her soul ignition isn't the best. Yang's semblance lets her absorb the energy from hits and add it to her own strength. If it goes too long, and Ruby keeps feeding her semblance, it's gonna turn into a slaughter…"

...None of them realize that Velvet was outside the door, a hand covering her mouth as she cries silently. Since meeting her sister, she has wondered why there's a hint of sadness in her bright silver eyes. And hearing the truth? She is horrified beyond even her own ability to comprehend. She lost her mother after a long battle against cancer, but Ruby? Ruby's loss seems so much worse in comparison. And to make it worse, her mother's actions kept her from being there for her like she was for Sasha, who never told her the whole story. From being there for the sister she is already growing to adore...

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Medic's class sucked. The course, which is taught by Dr. Ebony, was two hours of learning how to identify everything that goes into a proper medic's field bag. No introduction, no warning whatsoever, just a straight jumping into the course. And of course, she wasn't nearly ready for it either, the books she needs to study on backorder at the Beacon Student Union's bookstore. Thank the Goddesses that her sister's partner offered to tutor her when she could make time. Yatsuhashi was amazingly patient with her as she struggled to pack her kit properly, even showing her several small tricks to fit things better.

But, the class still sucked, so she decided to indulge herself in a nice hot shower when she got back to the dorm room, willing her mind to remember all the nine bazillion things that she needs to make sure is in her new medic's bag at all times. Deciding she's done trying to drown herself in her strawberry scented body wash and her various skin products, Ruby opens the door to the bathroom not bothering with a towel as she prefers to air dry, only to walk straight into Yang causing the two to collide and topple over.

The red wolf groans as she tries to pick herself up, only for her hand to press down on something soft. Sneaking a peek, she finds her hand firmly planted on someone's breast however it was too big to be Weiss’ or Blake’s and considering she's not holding her own, that leaves only one person.

Oh. Shit.

Ruby’s head slowly moves as her eyes follow the line of her body till she comes to her breasts, where she could see a head with blonde hair. She couldn’t see Yang’s face but considering the brawler wasn’t trying to kill her meant she didn’t know it was Ruby that was on top of her.

Ruby went to get off Yang when a pair of hands sink into her own mounds. They were Yang’s hands of course, the blonde screaming something she couldn't quite make out. Scrambling up, she immediately covers herself with her hands as she blushes a deep red, the brawler herself just as red faced.

"Are you fucking kidding me?!" The blonde suddenly roars in both anger as well as embarrassment, her own eyes looking anywhere but at the wolf faunus woman, who's tail is now tucked firmly between her legs.

“S-Sorry Yang, I wasn’t expecting someone to be so close to the bathroom door.” Ruby apologizes quietly as she slowly scoots towards her closet.

“Of course you weren’t paying attention! Why would you when you walk around like you fucking own the place!” Yang retorts angrily, her hands on her hips.

“I said I was sorry and I don’t walk around like I own it, it’s the team’s dorm."

Yang growls as she keeps trying to avoid looking at the naked woman. “Sure looks like you walk around the place like you own it, Rosey! What? Hoping to show your tits and ass off to anyone and everyone who walks in?!”

“You’re one to talk!" Ruby yells back as she snatches her cloak from a hook on the closet door and wraps it around herself. "All your clothes show off your breasts! Your combat gear puts them even more on display along with your stomach and legs, and you're only barely not showing off your own ass, you ass!”

“It’s like that to let me move around more freely!"

“Funny, because I need to move around even more than you but mine's nowhere near as revealing.”

“Whatever, just keep yourself covered! I don’t want to have to see your naked ass whenever I come into the room.” she declares as she blushes a bright red once more.

Ruby smirks. “Awwww, is somebody jealous that someone two years younger than them has almost the same size boobs? Or that she looks just as good naked as she does dressed?"

“You fucking wish! Now fucking get dressed already!” Yang all but screams at her before storming out of the room, leaving Ruby to herself.

"Yeah, this ain't gonna work." The red wolf mutters as she grabs some clean shorts and a t-shirt, pulling them on quickly. Looking around, a slow smile forms on her face as she comes up with a solution. She just needs to know where the beams in the ceiling are. Finding them, she takes out some rope from her field pack and approaches her bed with a grin. 

Her Daddy always did say higher ground is always safer in the field, and she doubts this particular dragon can fly…

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Ruby blinks at the coffee cup that suddenly appears through the curtains she hung up over her bunk. After the recent huge argument with Yang over boundaries and what is and what isn't appropriate, she decided to just seal herself away to avoid another explosion between them.

Hanging her bed from the ceiling had been a genius idea in theory. In reality, it took her forever by herself, and the way it keeps creaking from her weight is kind of worrying her. Oh well, at least the canopy keeps her sealed away, and she doesn't have to deal with all of the brawler's dirty looks.

"Are you taking this damned cup or not?" Weiss asks as her head pokes in next.

"You're standing on a glyph, aren't you?" She asks as she takes the cup with a smile. 

"It wouldn't be necessary if someone hadn't insisted on making her own top bunk." The heiress huffs as she climbs in, clad in only a blue nightgown that she sheds just as quickly.

"Weiss…" The wolf girl begins, only to be silenced by a finger across her lips.

"I tried already. Between listening to you eat cookies and rumble over homework, Yang and her stupid fighting game, and Blake grumbling as she varies between reading a book and glaring at Yang, I don't stand a chance in hell of getting any sleep." Weiss smiles as she glances at Ruby's books. "And considering you're already moving ahead with next week's homework, you can't sleep either."

"Nope." She admits truefully before taking a sip of the coffee Weiss brought her before putting her things away. "Daddy likes to tell people I'd cuddle a Taijitu if it would let me when I'm sleepy."

"Ruby, please? I don't care what the brute has to say anymore! I'm exhausted and need sleep to be functional for Oobleck tomorrow!" The heiress almost squeals as she suddenly finds herself pulled into the Reaper's side, a gentle smile on her face.

"Last chance, Blakey!" Ruby calls out, getting a growl in response as a book slams closed, the panther climbing in a moment later and settling down opposite the heiress, who sticks her tongue out at the raven haired girl impishly.

"This doesn't mean…" She begins, only to be cut off by a smiling Ruby.

"I ain't blind." She begins as they settle down. "But I still ain't ready yet. But I'm willing to cuddle to get some sleep, and two's always better than one."

"You make it sound like you're some kind of prize, Ruby." The white haired girl huffs.

"Nah, not little ole me. You two are the prizes, I just gotta be sure I can let her go." She replies quietly.

"Let who go, Ruby?" Blake asks quietly as she and Weiss share a look.

"Rosella." She mumbles sleepily. "Ain't forgiven myself yet. Don't know if I can."

Weiss and Blake share another look, save this time it is full of worry for the Reaper they are both growing to love. They've heard the story from Aqua, Diane and the rest of SAAD sharing their own pieces of the tale during the entire retelling, and they're both concerned. Ruby is such a caring person, with a huge heart, and to hear the pain in her voice hurts. 

But they also can't deny the attraction they are also feeling for each other as well, and they soon drift off holding hands gently, Ruby's powerful arms holding them securely to her sides.

Yang turns over in her bunk, a look of guilt on her face. Rosella Altobelle had been her best friend growing up, before she met Shion and Amy, before the girl fell in love with Ruby and Sasha. Her death hurt her just as badly as it hurt Ruby, since they still hadn't mended their own broken friendship. And to hear Ruby blaming herself for failing to save her?

It makes her own guilt over Rosella's death so much worse…

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

-Afterword: A moment with Qrow and Winter-

Qrow Branwen sighs as he lowers his scroll, looking thoughtful as he mulls over the recording Weiss sent him earlier. To hear Ruby, Diane, and Amy talking so openly and with pride about Vale and it's struggle to achieve equality is a point of pride for him, but there is still so far to go. 

"Qrow?" He smiles as he looks up at Winter, who is dressed in a simple blue gown, her long hair free of its normal bun and streaming down her back. He knows just how damned lucky he is, and counts his blessings daily.

"What's up, Ice Queen?" He replies with a chuckle, while patting his lap. His fiance of course scowls at him even as she takes his offered seat, one arm wrapping around his shoulders.

"Is what they said true?" She asks quietly. "Is Vale truly this progressive?"

"Alex, David, and all the others keep it that way." He informs her. "I don't put up with it at Signal either, neither does Elvorette. Last thing I need is Sum coming back from the dead to beat my ass, especially since Ruby's my goddaughter."

"That doesn't answer my question."

"Yes, Winter. Vale's this damned progressive." He declares firmly as he looks her in her crystal blue eyes. "It all actually started with Summer's parents, and kept going with Summer and Alex. Then Alex after she died. He was determined to make sure Ruby grew up in a kingdom where she wouldn't feel like an outcast in her own home. Where his daughter could grow up without having to worry about being hated for being a lesbian and a Faunus."

"He is a far better father than my own." She admits sadly. "If only Mama hadn't hesitated."

"Eh?" He asks in confusion as he wraps his arms around her waist. 

"It's nothing, Qrow. Simply an old sadness I too reflect. A moment in time that almost broke my mother mentally before the Hound broke her physically." She looks into his blood red eyes, her own shining in unshed tears. "Mama loved a man deeply, so deeply that she has never recovered from her own broken heart. And my sisters and brother have paid the price for her fractured state of mind, broken body, and shattered soul."

"I see." The older man murmurs as he holds her closer, Winter free to be herself while in Vale with him, and not the straight laced, dispassionate Specialist she portrays herself as being back in Atlas. "Seems to me like you have yourself, babe."

"I am the only champion my mother has left. The twins despise her, and Whitley ignores her." She shakes her head. "I am her confidant, her nursemaid, and the only person she truly has left."

"You know we can always put her up here, babe." He offers quietly. "We got plenty of room, and the place next to us is for sale. The owner already offered it to me first." 

"Qrow, you do realize what that entails, correct?" She looks at him in surprise. "My mother drowns herself in alcohol constantly, and requires constant around the clock care. Care we cannot afford on either of our salaries. Not only that, but I won't continue to leave my brother with that man for much longer."

"What? You think he's worth saving Win?"

"They both are." She replies with a voice choking with emotion. "But my mother also made her bed, and I have no choice but to allow her to lie in it. My brother is only fourteen, and has a full life ahead of him. One he can make something of if we can get him out of that hellhole."

Qrow looks at her with a smile. "Then I'll call the guild tomorrow. See if Old Man Mountain will help us out to get your brother."

Winter looks at him in shock. "You would do that?!"

"Well yeah?" The older man smiles down at her. "I love you, Ice Queen. So yeah, I'm willing to help you fight to get your brother out of that place."

Winter's response is an enthusiastic kiss, a kiss that soon turns erotic as she decides to thank him in a much more intimate fashion...

Notes:

Crap! I knew I'd forget! Rosella Altobelle is the brainchild of a wonderful friend of mine, Centurion, in a server I'm a member of in Discord! Between us, we've fleshed her out pretty well, and it meant a lot to me when he said I could borrow her! Thanks again for reading!

Chapter 13: That First Weekend in Vale, Part One

Chapter by Winter1112

Notes:

Hiya everyone! Wyn here with another exciting chapter of Mountain's Rose! The first week of classes is over, so let the weekend begin! And for Weiss... Well you'll just have to read it and see! Anywho, I hope everyone enjoys, and I'll see you all next week with... Something? Look, I'm going to be honest with everyone. My work schedule is chaos right now, and so is my writing schedule. And with prepping for White Rose Week, trying to untangle a freaking plothole I accidentally created in RWBYFall, and editing Red Reaper and the White Princess, I'm having to rely heavily on some of my backlog stuff that I post in my random RWBY stories here on AO3. So please, be patient with me, and I promise I'll have things back on track soon! Thanks, and I love you all!

-Beacon-

"FREEDOM!" Ruby cheers as she skips ahead of Weiss, Blake, and Velvet, the latter shaking her head in amusement while the heiress and the panther giggle at the red wolf's enthusiasm. "No more teachers, no more books! No more of Professor Goodwitch's dirty looks!" She singsongs happily.

"Wow, she's energetic." Velvet comments, getting nods from the other two women.

"She is usually the last one out of bed every morning." Weiss informs the older woman. "But a ball of energy the entire day."

Blake nods in her agreement. "She is a bit difficult to keep focused, but nothing we can't handle."

The rabbit faunus nods as they approach the bullhead docks. "It sounds like Fox. We can barely keep him focused on anything ourselves. It takes Coco and I both to get him to do any of his schoolwork." She pauses to look around. "I'm surprised, Weiss. I figured you would have a vehicle at your disposal."

"I have to pick it up while we're in Vale." She admits quietly. "The problem becomes, I'm normally not allowed to drive due to a pre-existing medical condition."

"I have a license, Weiss." Blake reassures her. "I'm actually an excellent driver."

"Do you have a car, Velvet?" The Heiress asks.

"Me? Nope, I got a motorcycle." She replies with a grin. "A Harlan Wilkerson Fat Girl."

"Such a sexist name!" The panther protests.

"Not really. It was two women who founded the company. All their bike names are nothing but sexual innuendos and slams against men." The rabbit explains, her grin getting wider.

Weiss giggles. "The name suddenly makes so much more sense."

"WEISS! BLAKE! LET'S GO!" Ruby calls out as she waves from the door of the bullhead.

"Don't let her forget that I'll be there tomorrow." Velvet reminds the two women, who nod. "Dunno why Coco wants to have a damned team meeting tonight, it's only been a week since classes started."

"See, now you sound more like Ruby." Weiss points out, Blake nodding in agreement.

"We better go, before she scoops us up again. I almost threw up the other day when she used her semblance to get us to Oobleck's class on time." The panther turns a distinct shade of green at the memory. But to her surprise, as well as Velvet's, Weiss suddenly hugs the rabbit faunus, who freezes.

"We'll see you tomorrow!" She declares cheerfully after releasing the brief gesture of affection, before dashing away to join the red wolf.

"I may have to burn my mask at this rate." The rabbit faunus admits quietly, getting a nod of agreement from the panther.

"She may be the real hope for our people, Velvet." Blake looks at her and smiles. "Thanks again for everything."

"Go be free, Blake Belladonna. The Khan thinks you're in Vacuo." Velvet informs her. "And call your mum, she's worried sick about you."

"I will soooooOOOOOOON! RUBY, NOOOOOOOOO!" The panther shrieks as she is scooped up and taken rapidly back to the waiting bullhead by the impatient wolf woman, while Velvet stands back and laughs hysterically. Of course, it stops being so funny when Blake does vomit a moment later all over the landing pad, a profusely apologizing Ruby holding her hair while Weiss calls her a dolt and reads her the riot act...

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-Central Vale: The Schnee Dust Company's Vale Headquarters-

Ruby whistles as she leans back to look at the SDC-V building, the sun seeming to highlight the pale white skyscraper located in the heart of Vale's business district. "Nice building your family's got here, Princess!"

For her part, the petite heiress sighs as she looks at their immediate surroundings instead. "Father hates this branch of the company. Ever since Vale overhauled their laws and policies concerning workplace safety, he claims it does nothing but hemorrhage money annually."

Blake stays silent as she watches a human kissing a deer faunus woman deeply outside a neighboring pizza parlor openly. Her eyes widen in surprise as the faunus woman whispers something to him once they break the public display of affection, turning red as they rush off together hand in hand. Looking around, she blinks as she realizes that other faunus simply chuckle and continue along on their own business, while the surrounding humans simply shake their heads and mutter about young love instead of calling them freaks or traitors.

"Blakey? You really aren't used to this, are you?" Ruby asks as she leans her head over the panther's shoulder, while gently wrapping her arms around her waist.

"No." She admits quietly, her tail wrapping itself around the wolf faunus's waist gently, while the white haired woman takes her arm. "Things are so different in Mistral." She looks at Weiss, her internal conflict clearly in her eyes. "They would have been harrassed and derided just for the kiss alone."

The heiress nods, a look of sadness on her own features. "They would have been arrested in Atlas for public indecency, and the faunus given double the punishment."

"That's some bullshit there!" Ruby declares angrily. "Punishing someone just for being in love?! That's crap!"

"It is a sad state of affairs, Miss Garibaldi. One that I am pleased to say doesn't exist here in Vale." A much older snow leopard man wearing a perfectly tailored suit declares proudly as he walks up to them. He has a newspaper held under one arm, and is carrying a pair of coffee cups in each hand, one of which he hands to a gleeful Weiss.

"Dizmuth!" The Heiress's smile is from ear to ear as she looks up at the grey haired faunus man. "Willow and I have been wondering where you went after last year's debacle concerning the mines!"

"I decided taking over your's and your sister's business interests here in Vale was a much better option for my career at that point than to remain in Atlas." He replies as he looks from her to Blake and Ruby. "And I approve of the company you keep as well, Miss Weiss. Especially the Mountain's Rose." 

Ruby blushes a bright red, as does Blake, while Weiss giggles at them both. "I heartily enjoy their company, Dizmuth, and have no regrets in deciding to finally stand beside my sibling in public instead of working from the shadows as I have been."

"Forgive me, I've been rude." The faunus man chuckles as he offers Blake a hand. "Dizmuth Novus. I'm the current director of operations for the SDC here in Vale, as well as one of the twins' staunchest supporters in the company."

"Blake Belladonna." The panther replies quietly as she takes the offered hand, wincing at the strength of the older man's grip. 

"I'm aware, child. Tuk speaks of you quite proudly, especially in the mornings when he's preparing to open the shop and I'm preparing for work." He replies with a small smile. "But please, call your mother before he breaks and informs her that you are here in Vale."

"You're Uncle Tukson's boyfriend?!"

Dizmuth chuckles as he turns his attention to Weiss next. "There are several vehicles prepared for you, Miss Weiss. The penthouse is also open for your use as well, considering Miss Winter refuses to use it when she sneaks to Vale to see Qrow." He informs her while also offering her a black debit card. "From the SDC-V's own generous coffers. I see no need to have you depend on him for your lien."

"Thank you. Willow told me the Mistrali director exchanged her card for her as well as offered her own support against him." The heiress takes the card with a small smile while handing him a light blue one in exchange, which he slips into a pocket of his trousers. "And I may take you up on the penthouse offer once we reach that point."

"We?" The snow leopard's smile grows wider as he looks more closely at the three young women. Blake's tail is still wrapped around Ruby's waist, while Weiss's arm is wrapped tightly around the panther faunus's arm. The Reaper herself has one of her arms still around Blake's waist while the other has found its way around Weiss's as she smiles with pride. "Ah yes, we indeed." He declares as he nods in approval. "And Miss Garibaldi, I'm grateful to see you finally moving past the tragedy. Many of us are still in deep mourning, especially my assistant. Now!" He winks at them as he points to one vehicle parked in front of the building in particular. "I suggest the blue Aurorus C-650. I had it customized with several cameras to help compensate for certain limitations." He informs the heiress as he taps at his left eye, getting a nod of agreement in return. "If you'll excuse me, I need to take up my normal mantle of being one of the many thorns in Jacques's side while overseeing the overhaul of Aymur."

"Wait!" Ruby calls out as she instinctively reaches for the older man. "How… how are they?" She asks quietly, while Blake and Weiss look at her curiously.

"Praying you find the strength to move on." He replies solemnly. "Praying that the vibrant, beautiful young woman who loved their daughter with all the passion she has in her heart finds love once more." His smile is reassuring as he looks from her to the panther and the heiress. "Prayers that I firmly believe are finally being answered."

"I… can you tell them I said hi, please?" The wolf faunus pauses as she looks at the two women who are now looking at her in concern and caring. "And… and that I'm doing better these days."

"Of course." He replies with a nod of his head. "If you'll excuse me."

Reaching up with her free arm, Blake wraps it around Ruby's neck and squeezes gently. "You know we know, right?" She whispers, not surprised that the wolf nods her head.

"I heard Diane crying when I passed by their room last night, and all of you talking." She admits quietly. "It's why I said what I said." Taking a deep breath, she releases it slowly. "I'm…"

"Take your time, Ruby." Weiss smiles up at her reassuringly. "We aren't going anywhere."

Blake nods as she looks at the suggested car. "I'm scared to drive that thing." She declares quietly, while taking advantage of the chance to change the subject before Ruby closes up on them again.

"Bah! I learned to drive on their J line!" The heiress declares haughtily as she pulls both faunus women towards the vehicle. "The C line sacrifices performance for luxury and safety, and the sound system is superior!"

"How much do one of these cost?" The red wolf asks curiously as they look inside the vehicle. "And are those real leather seats?!"

"List price is one hundred and fifty thousand lien. This particular model is quite a good bit more of course." Weiss smiles as she runs a gentle finger across the metal, shivering in her delight. "Goddess, but there are only two things more beautiful than this car!"

"Oh really?" Blake deadpans as she opens the door, blinking in surprise at the smell of freshly fallen snow rising from the interior of the luxury vehicle.

"Mhmm. And I have the distinct pleasure of being in their company." The heiress replies with a saucy wink as she finally releases them both and moves to the driver's door, opening it slowly. "Now hop in! I'm driving after all!"

Ruby chuckles as she climbs into the back, while Blake gets into the passenger seat. "Wow, Weiss is a gearhead. Never saw that coming."

The panther nods in agreement as she watches the white haired woman make all the necessary adjustments to her seat, steering wheel, and console. "Should we be scared?" 

"Of course not, Dolt! I'm an excellent driver given the proper aids to compensate for my disability!" The heiress replies haughtily. "And it would be a crime to ruin such a beautiful vehicle!" She smiles in an almost sultry fashion as she turns the engine over, a low almost orgasmic moan issuing from her throat as the powerful machine begins to rumble. "Oh he had the engine swapped to a J-14…" 

"You and Daddy are going to get along just fine, Weiss." The Reaper declares as she lowers the brim of her hat over her eyes. "He's been rebuilding an old Hebi Python in the shop in the back of the house for the past year."

"REALLY?!"

Ruby grins in response. "He's been having issues timing the carb to the engine."

"Quickly, what's your address?!" Weiss demands as Blake looks around for a second seatbelt to don, while mumbling a prayer under her breath. Inputting it as Ruby rattles it off, she puts the vehicle in gear and pulls onto the road with a wide smile on her face.

Blake soon relaxes as she realizes that Weiss is actually as good of a driver as she claims. At least, until she realizes once they are on the interstate and heading towards the southern district of the sprawling metropolis that they are easily doing almost a hundred and fifteen miles an hour, the white haired woman she is rapidly growing fond of smiling brightly as she puts the vehicle through its paces without hesitation. That is when she internally panics and begins to whisper prayers once again.

Ruby sits quietly in the backseat, looking out the window while lost in her thoughts. At least until she gets a picture message. Opening it, she begins to laugh at the picture of Velvet leaning against her partner, the two of them looking bored out of their minds. But her laughter increases as she reads the caption: " She won't shut up about Vytal! Help me!"

Pushing the reply button, she grins as she texts back: " Guess who's a secret gearhead?" She texts before snapping a pic of the heiress, who has a look of deep satisfaction on her face.

"I kinda figured." Is the immediate response. " She caught the joke about my motorcycle as soon as I said it. Pretty sure your other girlfriend hasn't quite caught it yet."

"They aren't my girlfriends…"

"Sis, you better snap Weiss up soon. I'm definitely interested." Ruby blinks in surprise at her sister's admission, almost dropping her phone in her shock before her fingers go flying across her screen.

"Wait, what?!"

"Her twin's even hotter. Just wait until you meet her." She almost scowls at the laughing emoji she gets next, even as she begins to feel the first tendrils of a forgotten emotion begin to wrap themselves around her heart. "Crap, let me get off my scroll. Coco's glaring at me with her sunglasses off. Back to being good old passive Velvet."

Ruby almost breaks her scroll as she closes it, a soft growl emerging from her throat as she looks out the window once more. But she is also confused as well at the growing feeling of jealousy she is once again feeling. She didn't feel this way when Sasha began dating another girl named Sarah, a fellow student at Signal with a technomancer semblance that's really neat! She even built her own giant combat robots! She knows Weiss and Blake are interested, and she has to admit that they are both extremely beautiful, as well as everything she loves in potential girlfriends. But...

Can she really let Rosella go? Can she really forgive herself? Can she really accomplish her lover's final wish and forgive Yang?

She honestly is going to try, for her as well as for them...

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Southern Vale: The Den

"Wow." Weiss whispers as they stand outside Ruby's home, a beautifully maintained ranch style with a large barn like building behind it. Made of brick, with a large front porch that spans the entire front of the sprawling house, she smiles as she looks at the wolf woman. "It's beautiful, Ruby!"

The younger woman blushes. "Daddy and I built it ourselves when he settled down for good. I think I was ten?"

"It still seems a bit large for just you, your father, and Salem." Blake points out as she finally joins them, having taken a moment to compose herself.

"It's got a few surprises." She admits as she scratches the side of her face. "And Diane, Aqua, and the rest of our friends are always coming over, so it's hardly quiet."

"Tell me about it!" Alex roars from the front door. "I can't damned sleep, it's too damned quiet without all your damned noise!"

Ruby rushes forward, her father catching her in his arms with a chuckle. "Daddy!"

"Hey there, pup." He smiles. "I see you brought company."

"Sure did. Velvet said she'll be here tomorrow. Something about Coco declaring a team meeting about Vytal." The wolf woman informs him with a grin.

"Well y'all go on in. Don't mind the mess, Salem's got me building some new furniture for Velvet's room." He informs them with a grin. "Damned weekend off and I can't even enjoy it."

"Just Velvet's room?" His daughter asks him slyly. 

"You shut your mouth." He mock growls before looking at Weiss and Blake. "Come on, we don't bite. Just leave your shoes at the door."

"Yes sir." Both women reply in unison as they walk in, while Ruby and her father stand on the porch, talking quietly. But neither of them miss the look of hope in his eyes as his beloved daughter wipes tears away.

"She said she's trying to finally forgive herself." Blake whispers softly to Weiss, who nods as she slips out of her heels.

"I have to agree with Diane and Aqua, she needs to." Weiss replies as she looks around, blinking in her surprise. "Hey kitten?"

"Yes, Snowy?" The panther replies absentmindedly as she stands. Looking in the direction that the white haired girl is looking, she too blinks in surprise. "Isn't that Vomit Boy?"

"I do believe it is." The heiress agrees as she shakes her head. "Didn't Ruby say something about him becoming her cousin-in-law?"

Blake nods. "I think so."

Looking away from her nephew, Salem smiles brightly. "Hey you two! You can come into the living room, just mind all the boxes. Alex and I are still working on Velvet's room." She calls out as she waves a hand at Jaune. "I do believe you know my nephew, Swan?"

The blonde haired young man groans. "Not you too, Aunt Salem! Don't I get enough grief at school?!"

The older woman looks at him firmly. "If your confidence was as good as your swordsmanship, you wouldn't be picked on nearly as much, now would you?"

"I can't help it! I'm on a team with Mistral's best fighter, Mistral's second best fighter, and a freaking ninja warrior!" He whines. "And Pyrrha and Nora constantly compare me to Ruby!"

"Then be a man and step up!" His aunt declares bluntly. "Be a damned Arc, and not your father!"

"Hey! What's wrong with Dad?!"

"He's an even bigger sissy than you are! He didn't even put up a fight when Jeanne divorced him and married her new husband!"

"He's still the CFO of the company!" Jaune protests weakly.

"He's a glorified accountant! Your mother hasn't fired him because then she'd get no peace from your older sisters!"

Weiss looks up at Blake, more than a bit disturbed. "No wonder my father is genuinely terrified of Jeanne Arc."

The panther nods in agreement. "Professor Salem is terrifying enough at Beacon. I didn't think she'd be this scary at home too." But both young women freeze at the chuckle behind them.

"Aw hell, Jaune just needs a pair of balls." Alex declares as he moves past them, Ruby following behind him with a grin. "Boy's so damned whupped by all the women in his family, he might as well have spontaneously grown a damned vagina."

"That ain't nice, Daddy!" Ruby declares as she shakes her head. "Some people can't help certain things."

"Exactly, Ruby!" Salem nods in agreement as she looks at Jaune again. "Your older sisters have ruined you, and I plan on having a word with all of them." She declares firmly as Jaune begins to shrivel from the glare being leveled at him. "I don't care what it takes, I don't care what has to be done, I'm going to make a man out of you, even if I have to beat the bitch out of you to do it!"

It is this particular combination of words that triggers an almost forgotten instinct within Weiss. An almost forgotten memory of an older Mimsey movie that suddenly spurs the white haired young woman to suddenly grin wickedly. "Be a man!" She suddenly sings out, getting matching wicked gleams in both Blake's and Ruby's eyes.

"You must be as swift as the coursing river!" Ruby sings next, her eyes gleaming with mischief.

"Be a man!" Alex suddenly declares in his deep bass voice, a look of mischief to match his daughter's.

"With the force of a great typhoon!" Blake adds in a warbling alto, her own mischievous smirk still on her face.

"Be a man!" The Mountain once again cries out firmly.

"With all the strength of a raging fire!" Weiss, Ruby, and Blake all sing together as they strike a pose, the heiress in the middle of the two faunus women, who each have one arm around her middle as they raise the other to the heavens.

But it is Salem, who stands and manages to tower over the cowering young man as her own smile turns wicked. "Before I beat you like a government mule!" She adds in her own soprano voice. To his credit, despite his sudden scream of terror, Jaune doesn't soil himself before he faints from the sheer fright of the impromptu sing along, along with the promise of coming pain in his Aunt's eyes.

"I think you done broke 'em, Mum." Ruby declares as she separates herself from Blake and Weiss and walks over.

"Meh. It's been too long since we've had a nice family night, and I refuse to let him ruin it." The older woman declares with a frown. "Help me get him to a guest room, please?"

"Sure thing, Mum." The Reaper replies with a grin as she grabs him by an ankle and starts dragging him along behind her.

"I don't think that's how it goes." Weiss offers quietly, getting a chuckle out of Alex.

"Trust me kiddo, that worked way better." He replies before clapping his hands together and smiling fondly at Blake. "I got a surprise for ya. And Weiss, the Hebi's out back in the shop." He chuckles again as the white haired girl darts out the backdoor, making a beeline for the barn while squealing in delight.

"Oh?" She winces a bit as she looks at him, despite the kind smile on his face. 

He nods as he offers her an arm, which she takes hesitantly. "Ah made a promise, and I'm not one to break em. And ah promised an old friend you'd be calling her the second you got here." He informs her as he leads her away, escorting her down a surprisingly wide hallway. 

"I… But… Isn't it expensive to call there?" The panther protests as she walks with him.

"It's just money, darlin." Alex smiles down at her. "Worth every last lien so Kali finally calms down. She's been worried sick bout you." Stopping in front of a door, he opens it for her. "Connection's already pending. You just gotta push the green button."

Blake nods as she looks into the darkened office, her vision still crystal clear. "I miss her too." She finally admits before looking back up at the Mountain. "Thank you, sir."

"Bah, call me Alex." He replies as he pushes her into the room gently before closing the door. But his wolf's ears wiggle as he hears the familiar throaty roar of a high powered engine, a growing look of surprise on his face. "Son of ah bitch, she got the damned thing timed that fast?!" He declares as he vanishes with a look of eagerness, leaving Blake alone to speak to the parents that have worried and prayed for her safety for three long years now...

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Blake stares nervously at the tel-com on Mr. Garibaldi's desk. He's assured her that her parents aren't angry, that they're worried sick, but she's still scared. But she almost leaps out of the chair with a scream as the screen suddenly lights up in the darkened office, startling her.

"Blake? Is that you?" A woman's voice asks, a rising tone of hope filling it.

"H-hey Mum." She mutters as she looks at Kali Belladonna for the first time in three years. But she whines a bit when her mother bursts into tears. "Mum, please don't cry."

"The Eternal Light be praised! My prayers have finally been answered!" She manages to exclaim between her sobs. "You're alive! You're safe!"

Blake suddenly bursts into tears of her own, her hand reaching up to touch the screen. "I'm fine, Mum. I promise I'm fine! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"

An older faunus man appears, smiling while he offers Kali a tissue. "Blake, there is nothing to be sorry for." Ghira Belladonna declares firmly. "I have been waiting for this call since your text, asking for my story of my time in Vergrin. Although I am curious to know why?"

Kali looks at him in a rage, her own hand on the screen. "You knew?! And you told me nothing?!"

"It's important, Mum. Weiss and her sister need them to dispose of Jacques. To remove him from power before he can hurt any more of our people." She explains in between sniffles. "Weiss…"

"I am a bit disturbed that you are on a team with her, Blake. " Ghira admits. "She isn't Willow Schnee. She fights for our people publicly, despite the fact that it puts her in direct opposition to her father."

"Weiss is working in the background." His daughter replies firmly, her ears flattening a bit as to both their surprises she begins to growl. "And I won't stand for her to be derided. I know her quite well now."

"Do tell, kitten." Kali begins to smile despite her tears. "Tell me about her then. It won't do your father too much good, I plan on punishing him for not telling me he already knew your whereabouts." She adds, the faunus man behind her suddenly looking nervous.

"She's… beautiful, smart, sweet, and drinks more coffee than anyone should." The panther admits quietly. "But she's still struggling to come to terms with the fact that everything she knew, everything she was ever taught was a lie. She's struggling to better herself, to show the world that she too can change for the better, despite everything she grew up believing was the truth."

"To be fair, I still have my moments where I am a stuck up, snobbish, self righteous bitch." Weiss admits as she appears next to the panther, her arms wrapping around Blake's shoulders. "I was and still unfortunately am a spoiled brat, although Blake and Ruby have been gentle when deflating my ego."

"Except when you blew yourself up." The raven haired faunus reminds her with a grin.

"My modesty was a small price to pay for that particular lesson in humility." She admits with a sigh. "Although I loved that outfit."

"Miss Schnee." Ghira begins, an odd look on his face, while Kali has a smirk on her own. 

"Weiss, please. I am beginning to loathe being called by my last name." She pauses. "The more I learn, the more your people come to me and tell me, the more horrified I am that my father has so successfully destroyed everything we once stood for. My grandparents, the Goddesses bless their souls, are no doubt spinning in their graves. They never would have wanted this."

"Weiss, I plan on coming soon to see my daughter." Kali declares as she glares up at Ghira, who again winces. "As well as to remind Salem, Peachy, and Ara Ara who is the best poker player among us four. I look forward to meeting you then."

"Will you be coming too, Dad?" Blake asks hopefully.

"Unfortunately not." He informs her, his face turning grim. "The White Fang are becoming a problem here, and are taking too much of my time and attention to deal with. However." He smiles at Weiss. "It gives me more hope to know that now two of Snowy and Nicolas' granddaughters are fighting for our people, alongside Elias and Elizabeth's granddaughter."

"For Blake and Ruby, I will fight for your people with everything I am." The white haired woman declares firmly, getting a blush from the panther and widening eyes from her parents. 

"Oh yes, I do indeed need to meet this young lady, kitten. I do believe you are quite smitten." The older woman singsongs, smirking at the deepening blush. "I would almost wager that not only is my kitten smitten, but a certain Mountain's Rose as well." She declares as she looks at a point behind them both. Turning around, they both blink at Ruby, who is blushing a deep red of her own.

"I ain't got no comment." She murmurs quietly, getting a guffaw from the elder Belladonna, as well as matching blushes from Blake and Weiss both.

"Oh, kitten? How are you on clothes and uniforms?"

"I need some." She admits quietly. "Especially bras and panties. Ruby's bras are a size too small."

"Ruby, can you take my kitten to Ashley's?" Kali asks with a smile. "Tell her Kali Natsume needs to reopen her credit account, and that I'll settle the bill when I arrive."

The Reaper nods as she smiles. "Yes ma'am. Need to take Weiss too. She needs a combat outfit that ain't gonna leave her indecent."

"Awwww, but I thought you and Blake enjoyed it when I emerged from a battle with my knickers showing?" Weiss declares with a smirk. One that vanishes when she sees the looks on both their faces.

"Not particularly." The panther grumbles.

"Need to get you something sturdy, before I gotta start hurting people for staring." Ruby adds darkly.

"Weiss, Ruby, and Blake, sitting in a tree! K.I.S.S.I.N.G!" Kali starts singing, Ghira laughing in the background.

"I need to go Mum!" Blake squeals in embarrassment as she searches for the end button. "Where is it?!"

"First comes love!"

"I think that part is growing now, Kali."

"Then comes auramating!"

"Don't you think it's a bit too soon for that?"

"Stop ruining my fun! Now where was I? Oh yes, THEN COMES MY BLAKE PUSHING A BABY CARRIAGE!"

"BYE MUM! BYE DAD! LOVE YOU!" Blake shrieks as she finally pushes end, disconnecting the call which has turned embarrassing for the three young women.

"Well that was ah thing." Ruby admits, her forefingers poking together.

"Indeed it was. I can feel Noiry laughing hysterically at me." Weiss admits, her own face still red in embarrassment.

"So where's Ashley's?" Blake asks, trying to change the subject.

"Near the government center in Central Vale." The Reaper informs her as Weiss takes her arm. "We can head there tomorrow, cause dinner's almost ready."

The panther nods in agreement, her stomach rumbling. "What smells so good?"

The heiress nods as she looks up at the red wolf, her own stomach rumbling as well. "It smells delightful!"

"That's for tomorrow." Ruby informs them both as she grins. "Daddy fired up his smoker when he got home from work. Gonna be eating good tomorrow night!" She informs them both excitedly. "And you get to meet Sasha! She's dying to meet you both!"

The panther and the heiress look at each other, both their faces a mask.

"Is that such a good idea, Ruby?" Weiss asks calmly, an odd gleam in her good eye. 

The taller wolf woman sighs. "Guys, we're still friends, and besides she's dating Jaune's little sister with her second husband. And Sarah's agreed to come beat her brother into shape too." She smiles reassuringly at them both. "Just be grateful it's just Sasha, cause her big sister's a bitch."

"Oh?" Blake raises an eyebrow as the three of them walk towards the door, the knob in her hand. "Who's her sister?"

"Her." She declares as she points to a tall redheaded rabbit faunus who could almost pass for Velvet, save with brilliant green eyes that look familiar to them both. She is surprisingly muscular, yet with a still feminine figure and her chocolate brown hair easily reaches her knees. A blonde haired human woman standing next to Salem and speaking to her quietly. She's well endowed, and wearing a tight fitting tank top and a pair of shorts that are showing off her figure to full effect. But what catches their attention is the metallic right arm and shoulder. "Weiss, Blake, meet Sarah Arc and Tara Scarlatina-Nikos."

"Hiya!" The blonde waves with her robotic hand, while the rabbit faunus woman narrows her own eyes.

"Care to inform me about a dog whistle?" Tara asks too calmly, her bare foot tapping on the floor.

"Excuse me, Ruby?" Salem calls out as she turns to look at her stepdaughter. "What about a dog whistle?"

"It ain't nothing to worry about." She replies firmly as she waves a hand. "I'll deal with it later."

Weiss however keeps looking at Tara curiously, a small frown on her face. "Why do you look like Pyrrha Nikos?"

The rabbit woman smiles brightly at the mention of the Invincible Girl. "She's my cousin! My Mum married her Uncle back when they all went to Haven. Had me, Sasha, and the Brumbies!" She declares as her cotton tail wags. "She's at my place with Nora and Ren now!"

Blake blinks at that revelation. "In Mistral? I find that hard to believe!"

Sarah and Tara look at each other, shaking their heads. "They got the hell out of Mistral when Mum found out she was pregnant with me. It was a huge uproar and all that shit."

The blonde nods in agreement. "Nobody back home talks about Chrysafénios Nikos, not even his brother. Soon as Signal accepted my application, I got the hell out too with Mama and Jenna."

"Are they here too?" Ruby asks eagerly, her tail wagging.

"Nah, back at the Warren. Sorry, Rubes." The blonde apologizes. "Mama'll probably tag along with me tomorrow." She pauses as she grimaces. "Jenna and Sasha got themselves into some shit with a Deathstalker, and I have tons of repairs to do on her."

"Are you two partners now?" The Reaper asks quietly, getting a smile and a nod.

"Me, Mama, and Jenna have got her now, Rubes. Don't worry about her." The blonde reassures her. 

"Ahem, dog whistle?" Salem finally repeats herself, getting the attention of everyone present.

"Don't worry about it. I'll deal with it." Tara informs the older woman firmly as she looks at Ruby. "Got it?"

The Reaper grimaces as she nods. "Yeah, got it, Tara."

"Sarah, we need to go. I gotta call Automne and Petunia, and I left my scroll on charge." The older woman declares as she looks at Blake and Weiss, before looking at Ruby again. "Sasha's gonna be thrilled to know the sparkle's back in your eyes. She's been worried sick about you."

"Nice to meet you guys!" Sarah declares before giving Salem a hug. "Love ya, Auntie!" 

"I love you too, tech head." The professor replies fondly. "You better show up tomorrow!"

"Looking forward to gaining a million pounds!" She calls back as she waves. "See ya!"

Ruby sighs as the two women depart, Weiss moving over to take her arm. "Are you ok, Ruby?"

"Me? Yeah." The taller woman smiles brilliantly at her. "Come on, it's leftover night, and we got tons of them!"

"Leftovers?" Blake asks curiously as Salem smirks.

"I still cook for an army every night." She declares as she motions for them all to enter the kitchen. "Normally, weekends around here are fend for yourself, but Alex and I wanted to welcome you both properly with a meal tomorrow."

The taller huntsman nods as he grins. "Probably end up being a block party like always. All the neighbors are already volunteering dishes and shit."

Ruby grins as her tail wags in her delight. "Tomorrow is going to be awesome!" She declares as she looks at Weiss. "Just wait, after tomorrow, you'll have all the help you'll need to bring your father down!"

"How so?" The heiress asks nervously as she clings to the wolf faunus. But everyone turns their heads to Salem as she chuckles.

"Because this is the old faunus district, Weiss. From before Eli and Beth Rose started their reforms. And many of the faunus live here still." She informs the white haired woman. 

Alex nods in agreement. "Including the Valian section of the Scarlatinas, like Tara and her siblings. Impress them, and they'll go to war for ya."

"Weiss, meet with Sasha, please?" Ruby asks softly. "If you two can be friends, Miss Virginia will force the rest of the clan to help."

Weiss looks at Blake, who is already in the kitchen, a plastic bowl in hand and a fork full of what appears to be fish halfway to her mouth. Pausing, she nods. "Impress my Mum, and she and Da both will get Menagerie involved as well."

Salem smiles at the heiress reassuringly. "My sister has already spoken to yours at length, Weiss. She is simply waiting for my own opinion of you before turning the might of Arc Industries on the SDC. And, Azura Adel will follow without hesitation, along with Sapphire Tanager of Red Bird."

"What?!" The heiress squeals as she looks at the older woman in shock. "But why?!"

"Because Coco is already singing your praises, Weiss." Ruby points out. 

Salem nods. "Both of Sapphire's sons attend Haven, and Willow has already managed to impress Kore. That alone is no small feat. And, she heartily endorses and defends Gorri and his auramate, Melissa Brandstelle, taking in an human orphan and raising him as their own. That alone cemented her opinion of her, seeing as how much she adores Oliver."

The Mountain nods as he stops eating out of a bowl full of noodles with a slurp. "Sapphire loathes your father, and she's been fighting to take over all the SDC mines in Vacuo for years now. Trust me, her supporting you and Willow is a huge thing that's already got alot of the faunus here talking."

"Jeanne and Azura are fighting for equality for the faunus in Mistral, alongside the SDC-M's director, Sarah LeBlanc. The three of them are finally starting to gain ground now that Willow has joined them in the struggle." The professor adds proudly. "My family will see Mistral join Vale in true equality, no matter the cost."

Weiss takes a deep breath and releases it slowly as she realizes that this is indeed her best chance to truly start wrestling control of the SDC away from the bastard who almost completely ruined her. Who almost successfully filled her with his venom, his hate, and his prejudices against a people who once again have welcomed her with open arms and warm smiles. Who are looking past her family name and seeing her as Weiss, and not Jacques Schnee. Taking another deep breath, she smiles as she looks at Ruby, then her parents. "Then I must do my best to impress everyone that shall be present tomorrow." She declares confidently as she smiles winningly. "Any advice?"

Alex nods as he looks at her. "Be yourself. Be one of the reasons that my pup's heart is finally healing. Be the woman ah know your momma would want you to be, an not the train wreck she is now, or the terror Jacques wanted." He declares sadly as he shakes his head. "Still can't believe she's alive."

Walking over, the heiress wraps her arms around the massive wolf faunus sadly. "Win must have told you?"

"She did." He admits as he wraps an arm around her shoulders gently. "She needs my help to get out of her contract with Jimmy, and to get Whitley out of Atlas. Told her I would go have a chat with em both."

Weiss blinks as she looks up at him. "You realize that means you have to speak to my father, right? He abhors faunus!"

"Don't worry, Weiss. I'm going with him. I need to speak to Ada." Salem reassures her as the three of them ignore Blake and Ruby slowly working their way through the mountains of plastic storage bowls, the red wolf humming in delight as the panther demolishes everything she finds eagerly. "I'll make sure he doesn't do anything stupid, like beat him half to death in a killing rage."

"He ain't worth it. Him or Jimmy both." The Mountain admits as he reaches over and snatches a plate before Ruby can attack it's contents. "Nope! That's mine!"

"But it's ribs! I want some!" The Reaper whines.

With a chuckle, he offers one to Weiss as he looks at his daughter. "I got you your own rack for tomorrow, Ruby."

"Woo!" 

"Alex, mind your plate." Salem calls out as she watches Weiss rapidly pick her offered rib clean eagerly. "I think you have a new fan."

"Bah, let 'er eat." The wolf faunus declares as he doesn't resist the heiress stealing said plate and moving to join the wolf and the panther, who have now spread all the bowls and containers out on the table. Moving to the shorter woman, he smiles as he watches them eat and chat about how delicious everything is. "Damn, but I forgot how quiet it gets around here."

"I'm grateful to see her so happy again." Salem declares as she looks up at him. "Hopefully, she's going to be thrilled about Dusk when she arrives."

"She will be, her and Velvet both." Alex replies as he looks down at her. "Just as thrilled as we are…"

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Interlude: Motherhood

"You didn't have to drive me home, Diane." Amy declares once more with a sigh, the two young women themselves driving through the southern section of Vale in the younger woman's giant truck, which she claims is the only vehicle she's ever found that she sits comfortably in. "And turn here." She adds as she points to an upcoming road.

"Nah, it's no big deal, Amy." The Squirrel Faunus replies with a grin whole following her directions. "You actually don't live too far from Wolfy or Bubbles. I'll go to one of their places after I get you home safe and sound."

"Don't be too surprised if my parents interrogate you." The wolf faunus informs her quietly. "My father works for the Vale Police department, and my mother is an attorney for the guild."

"I got a clean record, so no big deal there." Diane replies confidently. "And my Dad's a huntsman in good standing with the guild, so I'm covered there too."

"Yet you hate humans." She points out. "The house with the big fenced in front yard."

"Got it. And yeah, for good reasons." She mutters darkly. "Honestly, Talon and his team were the only ones I ever liked. But I gotta admit, Weiss is growing on me." She admits as she pulls into the unfenced driveway and parks. "She really isn't as bad as I thought she would be."

"Weiss isn't as damaged or as ruined as she thinks she is." Amy points out as she opens the passenger door and slides out. "You coming?"

"Sure." The tank replies as she shuts her vehicle off and climbs out through the window. "I really have to fix this damned door." She grumbles.

"I thought it was pretty funny watching you climb over the center console." The tiny wolf faunus admits as they reach a gated fence. Reaching a hand through a small gap, the tiny wolf faunus grasps at a lever as she looks up at her titan of a partner. "Want to come in?"

"Sure. Need to use the bathroom real quick, if you don't mind."

The wolf faunus nods as she opens the gate and looks around with a smile. "I wonder where she is?"

"Where who is?" Diane asks as she follows the much shorter woman through, closing the gate behind her.

"She must still be at day care." Amy muses aloud as she walks towards the door, opening it with a wave of her scroll. "Come on in, and please leave your boots at the door."

"No problem." Diane replies as she enters and kneels down to start unlacing them. "But seriously, who are you looking for?"

"Bianca." She replies as she finishes slipping her own shoes off, wiggling her toes. Looking around, she takes a deep breath and smiles. "She's my little girl, and the reason I missed graduation."

Diane's jaw drops as she stares at her partner. "Are you serious?! Is she…"

"Talon's? She is." The wolf faunus admits quietly. "She's all his father and I have left of him, and she's my life." She sighs as she sits next to her partner, who's stopped taking her boots off to listen. "I wasn't supposed to be on that exercise that night, but Professor Xiao Long screwed up my paperwork when I informed Signal I was pregnant."

"It's not the only thing that bastard screwed up." Diane mutters darkly as she returns to taking her boots off. "He screwed up his own daughter too."

Amy looks at her curiously. "You think so too?"

"I remember Yang in elementary school. Ruby and I started together at Longshoreman, and she was already in second grade." The tank sighs sadly. "Yang… was actually really friendly to us back then, and she and Ruby got along. But then he found out, and that was the end of it."

The wolf faunus shakes her head. "I got tired of arguing with Yang about Ruby. So tired that I focused on my relationship with Talon, who had been so patient with me while I figured a few things out about myself. And when I went into that last heat…"

"He took good care of you?"

"He was marvelous with me, Diane. He made me feel… he made me feel safe, like you do now. Like I wasn't a burden, but someone that could be valued. He loved me, and I loved him, and that meant so much to me." Amy sniffles as she wipes her tears away with one hand. "It's been over a year now, and I still can't sleep on his side of the bed. That pillow I cuddle every night? It was his pillow. I miss him so much."

Diane sighs as she throws an arm over the grieving woman's shoulders. "He was your mate."

Amy nods as she leans into her partner. "He was my mate, and I proudly had his daughter." The two of them sit there for a moment, lost in their own thoughts before the tank clears her throat.

"Amy, I know the signs of PTSD. My dad has it, and he'll be the first person to admit it's crippling." 

"A lot of my problems are the fear of leaving Bianca alone." The petite wolf faunus admits quietly as she unconsciously leans against her now blushing partner. "A lot of them are the nightmares of watching Talon die in my arms over and over again."

"Then why keep going?" The squirrel woman asks quietly. "Why keep training to become a huntress?"

"Because… being a combat doctor is all I've ever wanted to be." Amy looks up at Diane, a look of determination on her face. "I'm trying, I'm trying so damned hard to stop letting my fear get to me. And you help me out a lot there."

Diane blinks as she hears the giggle, along with a pair of tiny hands playing with her tail, which she begins to wiggle for the tiny giggle's amusement. "Well, I made you a promise, and I'll always have your back, Partner. And she sounds really cute."

"She's adorable." Amy smiles as she looks back, her look of delight turning into a grimace. "Oh no… Someone gave her a PB&J…"

"My tail's sticky, isn't it?"

"I'll help you wash it out." Amy replies as she gently brings a tiny wolf faunus girl around. She has her mother's white hair, but her father's dark brown eyes. Her smile is brilliant, and even the brutal tank can't help but to instantly fall in love herself. 

"Damn. I just had to like kids." She can't help but to bring her tail around and tickle the little girl's face, making her giggle. 

"Diane?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for driving me home. You can crash here tonight."

Diane smiles as she takes the sticky toddler, who giggles. "Wait until your older kiddo. Wolfy and I have a ton of stories to tell you about your old man. But first, you and I both need a shower." She declares as she stands easily, despite the child in her arms. "He's one of the best humans I've ever met. Him, Professor Salem, and your Grandpa."

Falco Winchester and Amy's mother Sola watch as the massive tank and the medic walk down the hall chatting, both with smiles of pride on their faces.

"She may never stop loving him, Falco." The wolf faunus woman declares as she looks up at the taller human. 

"As far as I'm concerned, Amy will always be family, Sola." Falco replies firmly. "Amy and Bianca both."

"What about Cardin? How does he feel about all this?" She asks with some concern as the two of them return to the kitchen, where they had been sitting until Bianca caught her mother's scent.

"He is still… Hardheaded." The High Councilor of Vale replies worriedly as the two of them sit back down at the table. "David was not exactly pleasant when he called me about his recent behavior."

The wolf faunus snorts as she sips at her tea. "David Ozpin being pleasant when someone threatens the peace of his Academy? You'd be better off challenging Alex Garibaldi to trial by combat."

"I know." The human man sighs as he finishes his coffee and rises. "I'd better go. I don't need to set Diane off, especially if she's already talked to her father. Edward's furious with me again, this time over something Aguila did."

"Edward Brunneis is always angry, Falco. Thank the Goddesses Three he didn't pass all his anger and loathing on to his daughter."

"Have a good rest of your evening, Sola." Falco declares with a wave before leaving, the wolf faunus woman watching him go almost mournfully. For too long, he has worked hard to insure Vale remains the center of peace and equality in the four kingdoms, and she knows how stressful his life is, while she has supported him quietly. But right now, she has to worry about her daughter and their shared granddaughter, and how Amy will take the news that her father is leaving now that she's attending Beacon Academy. Their marriage has been rocky for years now, even though they've done their best to hide it from her, but she can no longer turn a blind eye to certain actions from her husband.

She especially cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that he has joined the White Fang, and she will never tolerate that kind of hate in her home. Goddesses but she wishes it had been an affair, abuse, anything but him joining the worse thing that could have ever happened to the Faunus...

Notes:

As always, my most heartfelt thanks to Akirou 02 for lending me her wonderful OC characters. See you all next time!

Chapter 14: That First Weekend in Vale, Part Two

Chapter by Winter1112

Notes:

Hiya everyone! Wyn here with another exciting chapter of A Mountain of Roses! I'm so sorry for the wait, but it's been a pain to edit all these different little viewpoints into a cohesive chapter, and I drove myself crazy with the editing. Anywho, I hope everyone enjoys, and I'll see you again!

Saturday Morning

Southern Vale - The Den

 

Velvet sighs as she sets her helmet down onto her fuel tank before removing her sunglasses. She can't help but to be a little jealous of her sister's home here in Vale, with it's wide porch, it's welcoming feeling, as well as it's simple beauty. Her home back in Vacuo had been a small, two bedroom apartment she and her mother could barely fit into while she was growing up. And when her love for photography began to blossom, her mother supported it by allowing her to turn her own bedroom into a dark room and spending every spare lien she could on her expensive camera equipment. She herself turned their tiny dining room into her own, hanging a sheet for privacy.

The rabbit faunus is still filled with anger towards her mother. So many wasted years, so many missed memories. She's still struggling with the fact that not only is she not an only child, but an older sister to a younger sibling she's come to adore greatly, and a daughter to a man she's long considered a hero.

"Oi! You coming in or what?" Alex calls out as he appears on the porch, a smile on his face and two cups of coffee in his broad hands.

Grabbing her scroll off it's holder on her bike, she moves towards the porch with a smile. "You're up early." She comments as she takes a cup from him, noting it says World's Best Big Sister on it. 

"Had to haul Ruby and them up. They needed to head to Ashley's early, afore the fun starts later on." He replies as he motions for her to sit on a nearby chair, while he eases himself into an identical one next to it. "That and I called Virginia. She and I need to have a damned talk about her sister."

Velvet nods as she sits next to him, a small frown on her face. "I have questions for her too. She's been avoiding me since the funeral, and now I know why." Taking a deep breath, she exhales slowly as she looks at him. "Why?"

"Why didn't I come looking? Or why didn't I stay with Carol?" He asks calmly as he looks her in the eyes.

"Yes."

"Carol and I ended bad, little bunny." He begins, stopping at the frown on her face.

"Please don't call me that. Mom called me that." 

"Fair enough." He rumbles as he looks into his coffee. "I loved her. I loved her so damned much, Velvet. But she and Sum hated each other, and I wouldn't give Sum up as my best friend." He admits quietly. "Sum always accused her of treating me like crap, which she did." He holds up a finger to forestall the coming retort. "But I ignored it cause I knew I was causing a lot of problems by still talking to Summer."

"So she wasn't completely to blame?"

"No, she wasn't." The older wolf faunus admits. "And I'm owning my part in it."

"It doesn't help that your mother did something terrible. So terrible she and I didn't talk for years." A new voice declares. Both of them turn to look at the raven haired rabbit faunus walking up to join them. As tall as Salem, with brilliant chocolate brown eyes, Virginia Scarlatina-Nikos is a rather heavyset woman who is walking with a pronounced limp while leaning heavily against an ornate cane. "I only re-established contact because you were beginning your huntress training, and Carolina was hoping I could use my pull at Signal through your Uncle Chrysafénios to get you in there."

"Not to say I'm blameless, Velvet." Alex adds quietly as he stands and moves to the side for the woman, who sits down gratefully. "Leg acting up again, Bun?"

"Yeah, there must be a storm coming in." She grumbles as she settles down. "Alex, do you have any tea? A cup of Earl Grey would be wonderful."

"I gotcha." He replies as he nods at her. "Back in a sec." He declares before vanishing.

"STOP TELEPORTING, YOU IDIOT! YOUR HEART CAN'T TAKE IT!"

"KISS MY ASS, BUN!"

"I'm surprised, Auntie. You barely come out of the Warren these days." Velvet comments as she looks at her mother's only sister, surprised at the nod of the woman's head.

"My leg's giving me worse fits lately. Even had to step down as Guild Treasurer." She admits as she adjusts her weight a bit. "Chrys is ready to drag me to Sass if I don't lose some more weight. But why bother? All your cousins are getting older, Tara and that damned Petunia are all but married, pretty sure Sasha found her forever in Sarah, and the Brumbies are both growing at the speed of light." She chuckles as she takes her niece's hand. "And now that you're in your father's life, so I can finally break my own silence."

"What did Mom never tell me?" The younger rabbit faunus whispers as her ears fall to the top of her head. "What did she do?"

"Alex asked her to marry him." She informs her quietly. "And Summer tried to be the bigger woman and end their feud."

Velvet blinks at the news that her father had tried to be with her mother, even as she realizes that it means Ruby may have never have been born, or even may have had a different father. "He really tried?"

"He did. And my sister, my dumb bunny of a window licking sister, threw the ring back in his face." Virginia confirms even as she shakes her head sadly. "She started giving Alex so much damned hell, she even started cussing Summer out, and blaming her for them never having a chance at a good relationship. Her mouth went out of control to the point where even Ada Schnee and Glynda Goodwitch had stopped their own arguing to stare. She didn't stop until…"

"Until Salem slapped the taste out of her mouth to make her shut up." Alex finishes as he reappears with a cup of tea. "That's part of the reason I never came looking for you, bunny."

"Because Mom went too far?" She asks curiously.

Virginia shakes her head. "And because she never told any of us in her own family the truth." Reaching over, she takes one of Velvet's hands in both of her own as she looks at her sadly. "Bunny, she even lied to me. And when Summer came asking questions about Carol, about if the rumors were true and she had really had you, I honestly couldn't answer her as to whether or not you were Alex's. Because she never told anyone."

"Velvet, Summer…" Alex pauses to wipe tears away. "Summer was on her last hunt. When she got back, she and I were heading to Vacuo to confront your momma. We wanted the truth. We wanted Ruby to grow up with ya in her life, we wanted to make peace with Carol so she would come home to her family, and not live in exile. We wanted…" Both rabbit women watch as the Mountain bursts into tears. "We just wanted the hate to end, the bitterness to end. We just wanted our friend back, and to let you meet and grow up with your sister."

Putting her cup to the side, Velvet stands and pulls her now sobbing father into her arms, his own muscular arms wrapping around her gently as his shoulders shake with his tears. "Dad, I'm so sorry. I wish I could say she talked about you, but she didn't. She never said a word about you, about Summer, about Ruby, nothing."

"I miss em both so much, Velvet." He manages to get out between sobs. "I loved em both so damned much, and it took years for Salem to finally get ah spot in what's left of my heart." He admits to her quietly. 

"She seems really amazing, and more than a little scary." The younger woman admits quietly. "And now I really do wish Summer had lived. Mom sacrificed so much to keep me happy. She worked so many crappy jobs to make sure I had a roof over my head and food in my mouth." She sighs as she looks at her father in his still pain filled eyes. "Ruby's mom sounds really amazing too."

"She was." Alex admits as a small smile reappears on his face. "Honestly? She was one of the best damned things to ever happen to me."

Velvet Scarlatina has spent her whole life wishing she could have met her father, and comes to a decision. She may be angry at her mother for her decisions, but she cannot keep staying angry at her for her entire life, not when she finally told her the truth, when she could have died with it untold. After all, the failed huntress made so many sacrifices to make sure she grew up as happy as she could. A smile comes to her face as she reaches up and wipes her father's tears away gently, getting a brighter smile from him as well as her aunt. "Da? Can I have my stuff sent here? I'm gonna need it now that I'm home."

"Is it here in Vale?" He asks, getting a nod in response.

"Coco's mom is being nice, and letting me store it all at the Adel Conglomerate's warehouse near the docks." She informs him. "I told her I could give her some money for storage fees, but she glared at me until I ran and hid behind Yatsu."

"Virginia, feel like riding along?" The Mountain asks as he looks at the rabbit woman, not surprised when she shakes her head.

"I want to meet Weiss, so I'll wait." She informs him firmly as her eyes turn from warm brown to as solid as the earth itself. "I want to see for myself if this Schnee is worth me rallying the clan."

To the surprise of both adults, Velvet takes a white object out of her back pocket and offers it to her aunt. To their growing shock, they see the revealed object as a white fang mask. "I already believe in her." She admits quietly. "I honestly think with our support, she can take back the SDC." The teenaged rabbit faunus smiles. "She can free the slaves with our help, with Ruby's help, with Blake's help."

Virginia Scarlatina-Nikos nods as she takes the mask in both hands and snaps it in two before handing both pieces to Alex. "Burn that piece of shit, please?" She asks, getting a nod of agreement as he moves back into the house. Looking at her niece, her eyes manage to turn even harder, making the younger woman pale and take a step back. "I find out you're still mixed up in that nonsense, you're going over my knee, am I clear?" 

"Yes, ma'am." Velvet replies nervously as she shrinks from the glare.

"Alex, David, and Falco work too damned hard to keep that garbage out of Vale. And I support them wholeheartedly, because the Fang is full of nothing but garbage, slime, and terrorists." Virginia rumbles angrily as she slowly stands, her niece shriveling before her in her own growing terror. "And to find out my own flesh and blood was a part of it?! Give me one good reason why I shouldn't take strips out of your ass right now?!"

"BECAUSE I HELP BLAKE BELLADONNA GET AWAY AFTER SHE KILLED ADAM TAURUS!" Velvet screams out in terror, making the older woman pause, while Alex, who was pulling up in his own truck looks shocked. 

"The rumors are true? The Mad Bull really is dead?" Virginia looks at Alex, who is already out of his truck and approaching rapidly. "No wonder the Khan is threatening an all out war!"

"Velvet, what kinda proof do you got about that?" Alex asks calmly as he comes to stand next to his daughter. 

The young woman looks at him trembling in fear. "I have his weapons. I hid them with my stuff while Blake hid until Beacon's school year started." She admits quietly. 

"Let's go get your stuff, Velvet. I need to lock that damned weapon down in my armory." Alex declares as he looks at his daughter. "But I ain't mad at you. You made ah choice, and you're walking away from em now."

The young woman nods. "Blake's safe now. And I… I want to come home."

Virginia nods as she takes her scroll out. "I'll have Chrys meet you there." She declares before smiling kindly at her niece. "Your father's right. You made a good choice, and you helped a woman who ended the life of one of the Khan's worst killers for what we heard was all the best reasons. But, my threat still stands."

"Yes ma'am." Velvet whispers softly as she looks at the ground. But she almost squeals in surprise as her father lifts her head by her chin, a brilliant smile on his own face.

"Welcome home, Velvet."

Velvet Garibaldi's smile is no less brilliant as she looks back up at the Mountain of Vale. "Thanks, Da. And you can call me Bunny, my team does too…"

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Central Vale - Ashley's Fashions

 

"I've never heard of this Ashley before." Weiss admits as they get out of Salem's car, a Hedge Dominator.

"Her stuff is the best in all the kingdoms!" Ruby declares as she rises from the passenger seat. "Everyone uses her, and she always cuts Huntsmen and Huntresses the best deals!"

Salem nods in agreement as she closes her own door. "She's been here since I was a student." She admits as she looks at the simple storefront, which has a sole outfit in the single window next to a single door. "From what old Professor Magenta used to tell us, she's been here since before the Vytal accords were even signed."

"She refuses to take sides too. Humans and Faunus both are welcomed here, and she doesn't put up with any kind of fighting." The Reaper adds as she helps a shaken Blake out of the car next. "You good, Blakey?"

"Why?! Why am I doomed to being in cars with crazy, too fast driving people?!" She whines as her tail waves in her agitation.

"I'm not as bad as Alex. He drives like he's racing his truck." The professor informs her, making the panther turn even paler. "Oh, the name is deceptive. Her name is actually Aramina Sable, but she'll no doubt tell you to call her Mina."

Ruby nods as she offers Weiss an arm, which she takes with a grin, while also supporting Blake on her other side. "Don't let her eyes creep you out, either. You get used to them."

The heiress nods as she starts pulling them forward. "Come along then, my dolt and my kitten. I need suitable combat attire, before you both commit murder." But considering Blake is on her blind side, she misses the dark look that comes over the panther's eyes for a brief moment before they become mirrors once more. But she stops in amazement as they enter, her eyes widening at the sheer selection of clothes available. "Goddess…"

"I've been called that before." A tall, dark haired woman who could almost rival Ruby's father in height declares in her amusement as she approaches them. She is wearing a loose fitting black peasant's blouse over a matching ankle length skirt, both of which leaves her wondering what kind of figure she truly has. Her feet are bare, revealing her perfectly pedicured toes, while she smiles a brilliant white toothed smile that almost blends with her porcelain skin.

But her scleral eyes are indeed as creepy as Ruby warned. Almost as if she can stare into a person's soul with them.

"So, Kali's little girl and one of Ada's twins have finally come to me for clothes." The woman declares in a voice surprisingly deep for a woman. "Winter speaks highly of you, Weiss. She did however warn me that you have a penchant for being constantly covered in grease and motor oil." 

"You've met my sister?" The heiress asks curiously as she stares at the woman, whose smile brightens.

"I make all of Winter's uniforms." She informs the white haired woman, who nods.

"She always is impeccably dressed." She admits.

"I also made all of Ruby's school uniforms for Signal and Beacon, as well as all of Salem's various dresses." She adds as she begins to walk around the heiress, who remains calm as she vanishes from her sight. "A pity you took after Snowy in height and build, and not Nic. His clothes had to be durable, yet functional. You never knew if he was going to be helping in a mine, or falling asleep in a board meeting."

Weiss giggles as the woman reappears into her field of vision. "That does sound like grandpa."

"Now, as to you, Miss Belladonna." The woman declares as she begins to walk around the nervous panther faunus. "You are Kali made over, but with Ghira's rear."

"Hey!" She squeals in embarrassment as she covers said rear with her hands.

"I meant it as a compliment, child. I am quite content with my current lover, and I am not looking to replace her anytime soon." She smiles reassuringly at the Faunus woman as she moves back around her. "I see more of him than just that in you as well. His pride, his commitment to your people, and the large caring heart you inherited from them both." Stopping, she looks at both young women before looking at Ruby. "It's good to see your smile returned. They are good for you, and you for them."

"Thank you, Mina." The Reaper replies as she blushes a deep red.

"Now, I assume you need a myriad of clothes, Blake?" The tall woman asks, getting a nod in return. "I figured as much. If I'm correct, that is Ruby's bra you're wearing, and your currently going commando." They watch as she walks over to a rack and hums softly as she begins to glow softly. "Yes, this one and this one will do." She begins to gather undergarments, shirts, pants, and even several dresses and skirts with matching blouses. But they all hear the panther's squeal of delight as the woman holds up a brand new black yukata. "Sleep wear."

"I love it!" She declares happily as she rushes over and stares at all the clothes. "I… my parents can't possibly afford all this." She admits as she realizes just how high quality everything is.

"Nonsense." Mina waves a hand as she puts the rather large pile into the panther's arms, Ruby rushing over to help before she collapses underneath the small mountain of clothes. "Kali is a dear friend, and a valued customer. And I will not allow the daughter of a dear friend to return to Beacon wearing rags. That would be shameful of me." Turning, she takes a critical look at Weiss as she hums. "You… clothes are almost wasted on you."

"I don't have much use for them." The heiress admits sheepishly. "Neither of us do."

"As bad as Ruby, but Salem at least taught her the value of looking her best when it matters." 

"It took several cricket bats!" The professor informs her, getting a surprisingly high pitched giggle from the shop owner. "Oh, and a shovel!"

"Stupid shovel hurt." Ruby grumbles as she absentmindedly rubs her rear.

"But, unlike Ruby, you also know the value of what you wear and how you wear it. The problem becomes, your clothes are flimsy, as is anything from those thrice cursed Atlesian designers." Mina declares in disgust. "Imagine, wearing a dress made of gossamer strands and held together by nothing but spider string and the hope that a woman isn't left nude with one good blast of air."

"That actually happened to Win last year." Weiss admits with a giggle. "Qrow almost killed several people before they could retreat to her own quarters. Father was quite cross."

"Now they make for an interesting match." The shop owner smirks. "But a good one. Qrow will defend her to his own demise if necessary." She suddenly claps her hands together. "I will have the beginnings of an excellent huntress outfit by this evening. Stop by on the way to Beacon, so I can make any needed adjustments." Pausing, she looks from Weiss to Blake and smiles softly. "I cannot wait to properly outfit you both in proper uniforms as well. And, I insist that I create your wedding gowns when that time comes."

All three young women begin to sputter and make wild denials as they shake their heads, Salem and Mina laughing heartily at them. 

"Let's not tease them too much, Mina." Salem calls out as she wipes tears away. "We don't want to scare them away while they are still exploring the possibility of a wonderful relationship together."

"You are right of course." The shop owner replies with a smile. "I will go ahead and start on much more suitable uniforms for the both of you as well. And Weiss, don't allow David to find out that you do not wear undergarments. He gets extremely cross about it."

"Ugh! Why?!"

"Because it's a running argument between him and Peachy is why, Weiss." Salem explains as she points to the racks of said pieces of clothing. "Enough for a week, and no backtalk young lady."

"Yes ma'am." The heiress replies sullenly as she begins to go through the racks, an occasional blush crossing her cheeks as she explores them.

"Now, let me look at you, Ruby Michelle." Mina motions to the wolf faunus to come over, which she does so with a smile. "Good, the joy is returned to your eyes, along with the mischief. And you are going to need more clothes soon yourself."

"Oh please don't say that! Daddy's still grumbling about the last bill from you!"

"Let him. He more than has the funds to afford my regular prices, and he knows it goes to a good cause." The woman reminds her with a smile.

"A good cause?" Blake asks as she carefully folds one of her new blouses.

"I am not just a long time business woman, but I also run an orphanage." She explains with a look of pride. "The same one that Summer was forced to live in until Alexis and Garrett took her in when they returned from the war with Vacuo." 

"Your mother was an orphan?" Weiss asks curiously, getting a nod from Ruby, Salem, and Mina.

"As was I, Weiss. So I drove myself to become a success, and now I take care of the children of fallen Huntsmen and Huntresses. I guide them, nurture them, and help them find their way in this world."

"But I thought Salem said you've been here for years?" The panther comments curiously.

Mina chuckles as she points to the wall behind the sole counter, the symbol of the Goddess of Darkness behind it. "I made a bargain with Her Dark Majesty. As long as I care for those she considers sacrosanct, I will never age." She informs the two younger women. "I have had years to perfect my craft, while caring for the children of the honored fallen, and I am still humbled by her gift to me." Pausing, she sighs. "I am not one of her chosen, yet I still feel honored all the same. I do not regret selling my soul, for I did it for the children who would have otherwise been forgotten."

Weiss nods as she curtseys deeply to the woman. "Her Dark Majesty chose well. And!" She smiles as she takes her debit card out. "I insist on paying full price for my things as well as Blake's."

"Very well then, Weiss. I shall not argue." The woman replies with a smile as she moves towards the counter and settles the bill before helping Blake and Weiss package their new clothes. She smiles as she watches them leave, knowing that Kali would be proud of the fact that her daughter has grown into a woman of herself, while wondering just how much damage Ada truly did to her secretly shy and sensitive youngest daughter. Perhaps a trip to Atlas would be in order, if only to have a word with a woman who was once one of her finest customers...

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Southern Vale: The Warren

 

Pyrrha Nikos is laughing. It isn't the laughter of someone trying to be polite, or the laughter of general amusement. It is a deep, hearty laugh that comes from the heart as she watches her cousins Sasha, Tara, Silver, and Nickel argue over the coming party at Ruby's house. 

"And I already told you idiots, I'll be there later! Petunia and I already made plans!" At twenty one, Tara is by far the oldest of her siblings, as well as the bossiest. She took far too closely to her mother in that regard, and she is a terror at Beacon Academy, where she is a fourth year.

"You are not about to duck out on another party, you bossy bitch!" Sasha snarls back at her older sibling. At fifteen, she is the second born child of her uncle Chrysafénios and his wife, Virginia. Even she has to admit, her younger cousin is one of the most beautiful women she has ever met, what with her perfect hourglass figure, long brilliant red hair, and lively chocolate brown eyes. The second born child has won several beauty pageants and the like here in Vale, and is a frontrunner to represent the nation at the next Miss Remnant competition. However, anyone who makes the mistake of underestimating her soon finds themselves either pinned to the ground with her Gravity semblance, or the victims of a smear campaign from the surprisingly gifted information broker. 

"Awwww let her go, Sasha." Nickel declares with a smirk. The older of the twin twelve year old boys nicknamed the Brumbies, he is a gifted athlete whose talents at Blitzball are rivaled by his penchant for causing trouble both on and off the field. "Let her go get her face sucked off by her girlfriend."

Silver nods as he folds his own arms across his muscular chest. "Probably not the only thing that's going to get sucked off, considering Petunia's trans." He adds. Blunt, honest, and loyal to a fault, Silver Scarlatina-Nikos's goal of becoming a Specialist in Vale's military is supported wholeheartedly by the entire clan. But his skill in combat pales in comparison to his brutal playing style in Rugby, and many an older boy has been hurt badly by the young rabbit faunus. But, he is also the hope of the clan with his brilliant silver eyes. A hope that the power of Soul Ignition still exists in their bloodline.

"Oh my Goddess! I hate you guys!" Tara shrieks as she pulls at her ears. "Why?! Why was I cursed with assholes for siblings?!"

"You hear that, Silver? We're assholes!" Nickel declares with a grin.

"Well thank you, Tara. We always knew you cared." The younger of the twins deadpans, despite the smirk on his face.

"Excuse me?! I'm a bitch, not an asshole, you dumbass!" Sasha screams back, her face red in her growing rage.

"Ah, I see I haven't missed the morning fistfight yet." Turning, Pyrrha smiles brightly as her uncle, Chrysafénios, sits next to her, while offering her a cup of tea. A surprisingly short man, he was and still is the opposite of her own father, who is a hard working, no nonsense leader of men. A surprisingly gentle soul, he works hard at Signal Academy as the head of the many councilors at the combat school.

But anyone who makes the mistake of thinking him weak or a coward has been re-educated at the business end of his spear, including his own brother back when they both attended Haven Academy. The two of them had a falling out over his now wife, Virginia, one that ended violently. To her own dismay, the brothers have not spoken in over twenty years now, despite Augustus not saying a word as she and her own mother maintained contact with him and his own family.

"I give them two more minutes." Pyrrha responds as she takes the offered cup with a smile. "Sasha almost has Tara fighting mad."

Chrys chuckles as he shakes his head. "Unlike Virginia, I think Petunia is good for Tara. She's calmed down a lot since they started dating during their second year." He comments idly before grabbing his niece and pulling her to one side before she gets brained by a thrown coffee mug. "Granted, all my children inherited their mother's temper and not mine, but they are still perfect to me."

"Hopefully they don't wake Sarah up. She was up far too late doing repairs on Jenna." She remarks idly as she uses her semblance to catch a frying pan before it can hit the older man, who nods in thanks. "I have to admit, she is a delight to talk to."

"She's refreshingly honest." He admits as he stands and catches a screaming Sasha in his arms, the teenager growling in rage as she immediately hops out of them and dashes back into the brawl. "I truly don't think she even knows how to lie, and Jeanne is beyond proud of the woman she is becoming."

"YOU SON OF A BITCH! THAT WAS MY FAVORITE SHIRT!"

"I KNOW MOM'S A BITCH! WHERE THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU AND TARA GET IT FROM?!"

But everyone freezes at the sound of knuckles cracking, along with a familiar voice clearing her throat. "I was up all night fixing Sasha's titan." Sarah declares angrily as the four siblings stare at her in growing terror. They watch as she reaches up and takes an odd looking sword off her back and twists the handle, a small, but powerful engine revving up as the blade begins to glow.

"Babe, let's not do anything we're going to regret later!" Sasha calls out fearfully as she shrivels under her girlfriend's rage filled blue eyes.

"You got part of that right." The blonde replies as she twists the handle again, the blade growing brighter. "You guys are gonna regret waking me up."

"Oh fuck…" Is all Tara manages to get out before the Mechromancer goes on her own rage fueled offensive. 

Chrysafénios shakes his head as he stands. "Pyrrha, will you accompany me? Alex needs my help getting his daughter's things from storage."

"Of course, Uncle." The Mistrali woman replies happily as she stands and moves to the side, a screaming Nickel flying through her chair a split second later. "Oh, I spoke with Mom last night. She plans on publicly announcing her own support for the Faunus in Mistral."

The older man pauses, as do all of his children and plus one. "Athena is going against Augustus?" He asks quietly. 

Pyrrha nods as her eyes harden. "She has finally lost her patience with him. He claims a deep friendship with the Mountain, yet does nothing for his people in Mistral. Nora and I prospered under the Mountain's Rose's command, and are fighting to be moved back to her team." Her eyes turn into shards of emeralds as her eyes narrow. "I came to Beacon to become a Huntress. As long as Jaune Arc is my leader, I will be nothing but a laughingstock."

The older man looks thoughtful as he motions for his niece to follow her. "I have to admit, I never expected you to speak against an authority figure in this manner." He admits quietly as they move through a well lit tunnel. "And don't you want some shoes?"

Pyrrha shakes her head as she continues to follow him. "I will be fine. I normally don't wear them unless I need to back in Mistral. And…" She sighs as they reach a garage, which is currently filled with a variety of vehicles and a pair of giant combat robots, one of which is doing repairs on the other. "I am losing faith in what is going on back home, Uncle Chrys. Mother and I both." Stopping, she bows to the larger of the two robots. "Good morning, Mama."

"Good morning, Pyrrha ." The twenty two foot tall Titan replies as her giant core swivels to look at her. "Where are you two heading?"

"Alex Garibaldi needs some help getting his daughter's things out of storage." The older man replies as he opens the door to a short truck. "And we still have the trailer we borrowed from him."

"Need me to tag along?" She asks as she stands. "Damned idiot cops have finally cleared me to walk on the streets, and I'm tired of being cooped up."

"But Mama!" Jenna, an eighteen foot tall robot protests as she holds up an amputated leg. "I'm still in pieces!"

"Just walk it off, Jenna!" Pyrrha calls out as she helps hook the trailer up to the truck with her semblance.

"Hey! That's not funny!" The giant sized bot declares as she pouts, while everyone around bursts into laughter. 

"Sure it is, kiddo. Stay put, I need to talk to Alex anyway. Our maintenance isn't cheap, and Sarah needs financial help for that maintenance bay thing she wants to build us." Mama declares as she stands and slings a multi barrelled gatling gun onto her back. "And we don't need licenses to go on the big hunts that pay good."

"Jeanne must have cut her off again?" Chrysafénios asks as he starts up his truck, Pyrrha climbing into the passenger seat.

"Nah, she wants to prove herself is all." Jenna replies proudly as she returns to repairing herself. "And we would be shitty friends by not helping her."

"Speak for yourself. That's my grease monkey!" The larger mech declares as she points to herself with one giant thumb. "And if I gotta raise hell in the field to help her, then that's what I gotta do. She already lost one arm cause I got careless, I'll be damned if she loses another one trying to prove we aren't a waste of money and resources!"

"Then follow us!" The older man declares as he puts his vehicle into gear and begins to drive up a long, upward rising tunnel. The Titan follows behind him closely, while the other waves them goodbye.

But no one notices a quietly crying Sarah standing by the entrance, Sasha hugging her tightly as she smiles in pride at her creations…

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Saturday Afternoon

Western Vale - The Adel Conglomerate's Warehouse 24

 

"Son of a bitch!" Alex declares in surprise as he looks inside the packed building. "How much crap does Azura and Cacao have packed into this place?!"

"A lot." Velvet admits as she leads him inside, neither faunus turning on a single light to guide them. "Coco said this is where most of the office stuff went when they tore down their old building to build the new one she's supposed to run next year."

"So Azura's givin Coco some responsibilities, huh?"

"She wants to restart the old fashion division that was here in Vale." The rabbit explains as they turn a corner and keep walking carefully. "That's her real passion after shooting Grimm with a mini gun that's also a purse."

"Uh huh. Now she sounds like Cacao. I ain't seen him in years." The Mountain admits sadly as he stops to look at a set of double doors emblazoned with the Adel Conglomerate's symbol. "Not since that hunt went bad."

"You were there?"

"Bunny, he was part of the group that went with me to find what killed Summer. Problem was, we found more than we bargained for." He explains as a haunted look crosses his features.

Velvet walks back to her father and wraps her arms around him. "The Hound?"

"No, something worse." He admits. "Something bigger, stronger, and meaner." He sighs as he looks at her. "A different, more dangerous Hybrid. A woman I once called a friend, and who lost herself to the darkness within her."

"Wait, it wasn't the Hound?!"

"No, her name was Tyrantia. And she was something even I've never seen before." He explains quietly as they hear footsteps approaching. "And I had to kill her afore she killed a kid."

"Daddy? Maybe we should talk about this later?" Velvet declares softly. "And does Ruby know?"

"Yeah, she knows. Her and Salem both. So does David and the Professors at Beacon. They all needed to know."

"And we kept it at that." Salem declares as she approaches with Ruby, who is guiding her slowly. 

"Before you ask, Weiss is at the house with Blake talking to Miss Virginia." Ruby informs them both quietly. "Said she needed to talk to them in private or something like that."

Alex smiles as he takes Salem's hand gently in one of his own, the shorter woman's vanishing easily. "Why didn't ya'll cut the lights on?"

"And listen to you raise hell for hours?" The woman counters as she smiles up at him. "No thank you, I would rather stumble around in the dark."

Ruby and Velvet look at each other, the older sister shrugging as the younger one grins. "Ya know, considering your preggo and all, shouldn't you have considered turning them on?"

Velvet nods as she smiles softly. "No sense in risking our new sibling or your own well being." She adds quietly.

Alex suddenly howls as Salem begins to smack him repeatedly. "YOU TOLD THEM?!"

"WE'RE FAUNUS! WE ALREADY FIGURED IT OUT BEFORE YOU DID!" He shrieks back as he tries to deflect her rapid blows.

"We really did, Mum." The Reaper points out as she ducks behind Velvet, who shakes her head in her amusement.

"I knew the moment I caught your scent." The older girl adds. 

Salem stops and sighs. "This is not how I wanted to tell you both, even though this giant idiot insisted I needed to go ahead and confirm it."

Velvet giggles as she starts moving forward once more, Ruby at her side and the two of them agreeing that discretion is in fact the better part of valor. Reaching a quartet of wooden shipping containers, Ruby takes note of the customs labels of both Vacuo and Vale on them, as well as one that has been opened. There are pillows and blankets set carefully into a makeshift bed in front of it, along with what appears to be a small side table holding a small, dust powered lamp on it.

But what she finds suspicious is the fact that she can smell Blake over the whole area, especially in the bedding.

"Sis, was this where Blake hid out until the start of the year?" She asks quietly, getting a nod in return.

"Yeah, she and I go back a ways." The rabbit faunus admits quietly, her face a mask. 

"I see. And she must have been pretty important for you to let her hide out in your stuff." Once again, Ruby can feel the jealousy rising from her heart, Velvet wincing from the obvious reflection of the emotion on her face. 

"It's not like that, I promise. She just… She needed to lay low for a bit, and my stuff is just sitting here collecting dust."

"Uh huh." Both of them pause and groan as the overhead lights suddenly blaze to life, while several voices call out to the Reaper and her older sibling. "We'll talk later."

"Ain't no need, cause it ain't none of your business." Alex declares as he arrives with Salem next, the older wolf faunus blinking repeatedly to adjust his eyes to the bright lights. "Fuckin lights." He adds with a grumble.

"Excuse me?! Blake is my business!"

Salem smirks. "So, admitting there is something going on between you three now?" She asks slyly, a smirk on her face.

"You know damned well I like her, Mum! Like really like her and Weiss both!" Ruby protests as she begins to sulk. "I just don't like thinking my older sister dated her first is all."

"It really isn't like that!" Velvet protests as she glares at the younger girl. "But it's none of your business either!"

"Then whose business is it?!"

"It's guild business, and you're still in training, Ruby Michelle Rose-Garibaldi." The Mountain declares in a tone of voice that silences his younger daughter's protests completely. "Now, go get Pyrrha and Chrys, so we can get this done. We still got shit to do tonight."

"Yes sir." She replies sullenly as she storms off, huffing as she vanishes around the corner. But both adults shake their heads when they hear metal strike wood, a crashing sound echoing a moment later along with soft, fluent swearing. 

"And there's your temper." Salem remarks dryly as she looks up at him. 

"Yep." He agrees just as dryly before looking at the rabbit faunus. "Where are they?"

Holding up a finger, Velvet stoops down, then leaps upwards and onto the top of one of the still closed containers. Closing her right hand into a fist, a rough copy of Ember appears around it before she drives it into the wooden container. Reaching in, she tosses a cloth wrapped bundle down to him as the copy vanishes, and leaps back down to join them. "I made my own copies of it already, for my collection." She admits to the two adults, who nod.

"That copy was messy." Salem comments, getting a grimace from the young woman.

"My camera lens is messed up again. I can't get it to focus really well like I want it to."

"Remind me to look at it later, bunny." Alex rumbles as he holds the still covered weapons at arm's length. "Damn, but you can smell the blood on these damned things." He glances at Salem and sighs. "I got a better idea than locking it up in the vault at the Guild or at Beacon."

"Mama did come along, and a watery grave would be suitable as well for such tainted weapons." She agrees. 

"Yep. Be right back." He declares as he vanishes, the older woman shaking her head.

"He needs to stop teleporting everywhere, but he's lazy."

"Miss Salem, is he really…"

Reaching over, the human woman takes her soon to be stepdaughter's arm and smiles reassuringly at her. "He's on a transplant list. He's just not happy about it, because he won't be able to use his semblance for some time, if ever again. Especially since Ruby has yet to fully master teleporting as well."

"Ruby… I swear I never slept with Blake!" The younger woman blurts out. "She's… not really my type." She admits.

"It's fine, Velvet. Let her calm down a bit, and then talk to her about it." Salem reassures her as she pulls herself free and moves to the open crate. "Now, let's get you packed back up and back home, ok?" She declares as she begins to pick up pillows and blankets. But they both pause as they hear the report of a large weapon being fired nearby, the rabbit faunus wincing.

"The hell was that?!"

"Mama's Predator Cannon." The older woman replies calmly as she begins to fold the blankets next. "Wilt and Blush have been consigned to a watery grave, and good riddance."

"Amen, Miss Salem. May the Eternal Light hide em for all time too." Velvet agrees as Ruby returns with Pyrrha, the two younger women giggling and speaking together quietly. The rest of the time went quickly, Velvet's things soon loaded on two trucks and a trailer and the blended family on its way home. All of them are equally determined to insure that Weiss wins over the faunus community in Vale, in order to insure Jacques Schnee's downfall…

Chapter 15: That First Weekend in Vale, Final Part

Notes:

Hello everyone, I’d like to announce we’ll be holding a poll through which you can impact the future development of our story.

Winter and I have been discussing the possibility of adding Pyrrha to the relationship we have developed. We feel that Pyrrha would mesh well with this Ruby, and think it could add interesting new dynamics for us to explore. However, this would be a drastic change to our current direction, one our readers may not appreciate, so we’d like your input.

Please comment below whether or not you’re in favor of the addition of Pyrrha, however Pyrrha would be the very last one to join them and whether she joins or not NO one else will be joining the relationship.

You have one month to make your voices heard, so I ask you once again, please leave a comment below. Now, without further ado, please enjoy chapter 15.

By the time both vehicles and the combat robot arrive back at the Garibaldi home, to Velvet's surprise, there is already a large crowd gathered in and around both it as well as the neighbor's yards. "Da, is this normal?" She asks the giant wolf faunus, who chuckles.

 

"Sure is. Old Mrs. Zimmerman is gonna have my damned head again, but it's worth it." He replies as he honks the horn to his truck, people quickly moving aside to allow them to pass. "Let's get ya unloaded, then we can make the rounds."

 

"There's not a big rush, and alot of my stuff is kinda delicate."

 

"Nah, it's gonna rain soon. I can feel it now in my damned knee." He admits gruffly as he slows to a stop near the backdoor. Waving to Virginia, who is sitting in a nearby chair and chatting quietly with Weiss, he grins. "That's a damned good sign. Bun's still talking with her."

 

"I wonder where Blake went?" The rabbit muses aloud as she opens her door.

 

"Ain't no telling. Probably hiding under my bed, considering Ruby's is set into the floor." He replies with a grin. 

 

"In the floor?!"

 

"Yup. Solved the problem of her breaking beds by jumping on them or wrestling around with Diane when they was younger." He shakes his head with a wider grin on his features. "Damned girl took after Summer there. She could never sit still for long, unless Pete was over and telling her another one of his damned stories. Then she could sit still for hours before using one of Salem's bras to pretend to catch Grimm with 'em with Diane and Aqua."

 

Velvet giggles at the thought of her younger sister doing so. "They must be close."

 

"Diane's been her best friend since before Kindergarten. And when Aqua came along in fifth grade, they took to her quick too. They've been the terrible trio ever since." He explains as they both move towards the back of the truck to begin to unload, many of the guests already coming forward to assist. "Hey there Ed!"

 

"Alex." Velvet can't help but to stare at the massively muscular bear faunus moving to stand beside her own father. Of almost equal height, the other man is definitely distinguishable by the large chainsaw sword on his back, as well as the open front vest he is wearing that is showing off his musculature to full effect. "Need some help?"

 

"Not gonna say no." Alex replies with a grin. One that fades when he takes note of the look of seriousness on the bear's face. "What did Aguila do now?"

 

"Don't worry about it for now." He replies quietly as he offers the wolf a prybar. "Tonight is about that Schnee, and the fact that Virginia is talking to one."

 

"Be careful there, Ed." Alex rumbles. "Ruby's fond of her, and to be honest, so am I."

 

"She… I've been listening, old friend. Very carefully." The other man admits quietly. "She is not Jacques Schnee or Aguila Winchester. She admits to her faults, her guilt. And she has sworn to fight against them both."

 

Alexander smiles as he clasps the other man on his shoulder. "See? Not all of 'em are bad. Just gotta get Falco divorced from that harpy he's married to, and we can run her outta Vale along with the rest of 'em like her."

 

"Now that I can agree to." He replies as the two men get to work on opening and unloading the shipping crate in the back of the truck while chatting about the local blitzball team and other subjects. 

 

Velvet however can't help but to smile at the fact that Weiss has won over yet another supporter here in Vale. And by the sounds of it, Edward Bruenius is a major piece of the puzzle that is the support of the faunus population of Vale.

 

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Salem Arc considers herself the luckiest woman alive. She is a highly successful huntress whose career has led her to her dream position as Professor of Dust Studies at Beacon Academy as well as the head Librarian. She is about to be married to a wonderful man who loves her and cares for her deeply, and she is even pregnant with her first child by him. 

 

They've agreed on Dusk as her name.

 

She has even been blessed with an amazing stepdaughter all these years that she adores, and is proud of the woman she is growing into. A young woman who is finally moving past a tragedy of her own and is exploring what could be an amazing relationship with two fine young women. 

 

She has no regrets in taking on the challenge of raising the Mountain's Rose, and is proud of her role in her life as her mother figure.

 

But her new challenge is getting to know Ruby's older sister better than the Professor/student dynamic they have had until now. The shy, beautiful young woman does in fact resemble her younger sibling greatly, and she is already impressed with her as a student. But even she can see that Coco Adel, who has just arrived in her own loud, attention grabbing style, has a huge crush on her.

 

She shakes her head when Velvet steals the other woman's beret and dons it with a smirk, not realizing that the look on the human woman's face is not of irritation, but longing.

 

She also has Weiss and her potential impact she may have upon the faunus here in Vale. And all while making sure Blake doesn't run and go back into hiding from the growing crowd gathering in the long, narrow backyard or wide back porch of the home she has shared with Alex and Ruby since it was built and the two adults entered into a formal relationship. She worked right beside the two of them as they built the ranch style home with the large basement and her dream kitchen any chef would be jealous of. 

 

She had been surprised that her input had not only been accepted, but implemented in the overall design of the house, and she had even been given full reign on the overall decor under the agreement that the basement and shop were off limits. Those are his places to hide during her weekly poker games with Glynda, Saffron, Ara, and Celestia.

 

Of course, Ruby is being the perfect young hostess, rushing around while wearing an overly large red hoodie that covers her to right past her shorts (how that became the style she may never know) while dragging Weiss and Blake around alongside her. Weiss of course is being a charming young lady, greeting everyone she meets warmly, while Blake looks ready to run the moment her hand is released from Ruby's firm grip. 

 

Weiss is more like her mother than she realizes, the two of them being natural social butterflies, while she has to wonder who Blake took after, Kali being an open and friendly person, and Ghira a natural at speaking in public.

 

Now that she is home, she herself is supervising the setting up of tables and chairs on the porch, the lawn, as well as in front of the shop that takes up most of the backyard, with the exception of the small pool tucked into a small corner, and under the supervision of a young shark faunus woman and dolphin faunus girl who are watching over several children who are already splashing and playing. Otherwise, music is already playing on the sound system, food is cooking on the grill and in the kitchen, and more food is being brought by the neighbors and guests by the plate, pot, and container full. 

 

No one ever goes hungry at one of their neighborhood parties, no matter how late they may arrive. It's a point of pride that she and Alex both have for years now.

 

But she does watch with some concern as the rest of Virginia's family, except for her eldest and her own niece, arrive next. She watches as Ruby rushes over with Weiss and Blake, making hand gestures as she obviously introduces them to Sasha, the twins, and Chrysaphenios. She calms down as Sasha returns the enthusiastic introductions with her own, and soon the four teenagers begin to talk excitedly, while Chrys and the Brumbies get roped into what is no doubt a spirited discussion of the local Blitzball team's chances heading into the playoffs by Alex and Edward.  

 

"Sasha's talking to them. That's a good sign." Virginia admits as she moves to stand next to Salem, a smile on her face. 

 

"It is." She agrees as she smiles proudly. "Rosella would be thrilled for them both."

 

"Yeah, just got off my scroll with Dom. He and Vina are gonna stay home, but they're happy for them both too." The rabbit admits as she shakes her head. "They don't want to ruin any good moods, and Leo's being a pest again."

 

"Leo's a good boy, just energetic and curious." 

 

"He got caught taking apart the microwave." Virginia informs her with a grin. "Again."

 

"...If a bit destructive." Salem admits, conceding the point. "So, have you come to any decisions?"

 

"Yeah, I have." She admits as she turns her gaze to her own husband, who is speaking to Alex while waving his arms around in the air animatedly in his excitement. "Mind giving me a whistle?"

 

Salem nods as she raises her fingers to her mouth and does so, nodding in satisfaction that everyone begins to turn in their direction. "There you go." 

 

"Thanks." Taking a moment, Salem knows the rabbit woman and leader of the largest faunus clan outside Menagerie is gathering her thoughts, and takes the time to look around to see who else is present. She smiles as she spots Ryker Khan along with Ara Ebony and their son Jacen, the little boy riding on his shoulders, along with so many other faunus/human couples present. To her surprise, she even spots Lisa Lavender, the human TV anchorwoman, as well, along with her own Ox faunus husband Gren and their own two children near the pool. There are so many more humans than she expected, many of them beside a faunus of some kind that she is personally surprised.

 

So many humans have joined the faunus in their old district. Living, laughing, and loving one another in peace and harmony. Just like her, Sarah, and perhaps Weiss.

 

"So!" Virginia's sudden declaration startles her out of her musings, while getting the attention of everyone present. "First, I want to welcome my niece to her new home. Velvet, your father and soon to be stepmother are two of the best people I know, and I know you'll be happy here with them."

 

Velvet, who is standing with Coco near the pool blushes at the sudden attention, all but hiding behind the fashionista.

 

"Second, today I had the pleasure of meeting Blake Belladonna, the daughter of the chief of Menagerie." Virginia continues as she smiles brightly. "She is of course welcomed here, as her parents would be as well, and I am grateful that she is one of the reasons why Ruby has a smile on her face again."

 

Now it is Blake's turn to blush and try to hide behind Ruby, who grins as she takes a selfie of herself and the panther faunus, who is blushing a bright red.

 

"Which brings me to the other person who has brought a smile back to Ruby's face. A smile many of us have sorely missed since last year's tragedy." Virginia continues as she slowly makes her way down the stairs of the back porch. "And that reason is a Schnee who is among us. A Schnee I as well as Ed Bruenius have talked to at length today."

 

The Bear faunus nods as he looks around him. "Let Virginia finish, then I'll add my own thoughts." He declares firmly.

 

"Thank you Ed. Now, I admit I was skeptical. Why would a Schnee come to this, the heart of the Faunus district with two faunus women? From what I heard, she even showed up in a vehicle worth more than even Alex, as guild master and a Master ranked huntsman makes in a year. Hell, several years!"

 

Many of them begin to mutter as they look at each other, while Ruby wraps her arms gently around a nervous looking Weiss's shoulders. Blake meanwhile begins to look around as her tail waves in her aggravation, a frown on her own face, while Ruby simply smiles.

 

"But then I heard from her own mouth that she paid for Blake's new wardrobe with her own funds without batting an eyelash." She continues as she smiles. "I heard from her own mouth that she opposes her father quietly, while acting as his perfect child to fool him. So that she and her twin can take back the SDC from that bastard Jacques and restore their family's honor."

 

The murmurs grow louder as everyone looks at Weiss, who now looks exceedingly nervous.

 

"She showed me the proof. She showed me everything they have gathered. The stories, the reports, the pictures." Pausing, she looks at Edward and frowns sadly. "Ed, I am so sorry for your loss. I wish you had told me yourself, because so much would have made so much more sense before now."

 

"If it brings Jacques down, then finally telling it will be worth it." He admits quietly as Alex reaches over and clasps his shoulder. "Then maybe Lexi will rest in peace, and I can let my own pain go."

 

"All of you, she needs our help." Virginia admits as she walks towards Weiss and stands before her. "I believe her when she claims that she is not her father. That she wants to see us all free of him." The rabbit woman smiles down at the heiress as she offers her a hand. "The Scarlatina Clan stands with you, Miss Schnee. And we will do all we can to help you in your fight."

 

"Thank you." The heiress replies as she slowly begins to smile while taking the offered hand in her own. "You don't know how much this truly means to me. To my sister as well!"

 

Virginia nods as she releases the handshake. "I think I do, Weiss. No, I know I do. Ed?"

 

Edward Bruenius grunts as he moves to stand before the petite heiress, even Ruby now looking a bit nervously at her best friend's father. "Weiss, I… I wish you were already in power." He finally admits quietly. "I wish Lexi could meet you, and Diane already speaks highly of you."

 

"She is already a good friend to me, Sir." Weiss admits as Ruby nods in agreement. "And I wish I could turn back the clock. I wish I could stop her death, if only so Diane would still have her mother."

 

 "So do I." He agrees with haunted eyes. "So do I."

 

"Welp." Alex declares loudly enough to gather everyone's attention. "Now that the serious stuff is outta the way, let's go ahead and enjoy the rest of the evening!" 

 

"Here here!" Salem calls out as she motions to the heavily laden tables set on the expansive porch. "Everyone dig in!"

 

Salem Arc is happy with how her life has turned out, and as she watches the crowd begin to gather to serve themselves from the myriad plates and bowls, while chatting and joking around with one another. She is proud of her choices in life, and her only wish now is for Ruby's continued happiness, along with her own.

 

That, and to know where her niece has vanished off to so suddenly that even Mama can't seem to track her on her radar...

 

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-Afterword: Punishment-

 

Yang groans as she clutches her ribs with both arms, her eyes tightly closed to keep from looking into the eyes of her attacker. Of course, this doesn't keep her from hearing his wicked chuckle, or those of the woman who's with him.

 

"Had enough yet, Xiao Long?" The man's voice asks as she feels a pair of rough hands lift her back to her feet. "Or does this little lesson in manners need to continue?"

 

"Fuck off!" She manages to yell, yelping as she gets hit in the jaw with another one of the older man's escrima sticks.

 

"Wrong answer." He declares as the hands shove her into a wall. "See, a good friend of mine lives in Blue Dorm, along with one of my girlfriends, and that good friend just happens to be her teammate." He explains as he uses the tip of the metal stick to push her chin up. "Lucky for you, Eve made me promise to not hurt you too badly. Otherwise, even your drunk ass dad wouldn't recognize you in the ICU."

 

"I still think we should fuck her up some more!" One of the pairs of hands, a second female, chimes in.

 

"Or even better, see if my little sister isn't too busy. She and blondie here have some bad blood going." The second pair of hands, a third female, declares.

 

"Nope. This is good enough." The first female declares right before a fist connects with her midsection, knocking the wind out of her. The two sets of hands release her, one cackling and the other chuckling to let her fall heavily to the ground. But she starts screaming as someone grabs her hair and yanks hard on it, pulling her head up and into a painful angle.

 

"Completely forgot, name's Automne." He introduces himself with a smirk. "The two that were holding you are Tara and Petunia, and the other blonde is Sarah, in case you forgot who she is."

 

Tara Scarlatina and Petunia, a muscular orange haired girl smirk at her. Sarah however glares hatefully at the Brawler as she cracks her human knuckles.

 

"Now, let me make one hundred percent sure we're clear: If you ever blow a dog whistle anywhere near Beacon Academy ever again in your lifetime, not only are we going to beat the shit out of you again, but that whistle's going someplace very, very uncomfortable. Got it?" 

 

"Yeah… got it…" Yang manages to moan out as she tries and fails to break the older man's grip. But to her surprise as well as his, Sarah takes his place and lifts her easily back to her feet by her full head of hair with a mechanical arm.

 

"Your war needs to end with Ruby, got it?" The blonde snarls angrily as her blue eyes flash dangerously. "Or else I'll sic Mama on you, then beat your ass some more myself!"

 

"Yeah… Got it…" She repeats as she begins to feel the first tendrils of fear actually start to take root in her heart. The twenty two foot tall combat machine Sarah built with her semblance is one of the most dangerous opponents she ever faced off against, along with her pilot. The Mistrali girl is also one of the few people alive who's faced off with Ruby and fought her to a standstill.

 

Granted, she still lost to the Reaper, but she held her own longer than most people.

 

But they all stop at the sound of a gunshot ringing out in the alleyway and Automne is forced to drop his weapon from said shot. "That's enough, let her go now!" Shion cries out as she levels her battle rifle at the four of them, Petunia and Tara dropping Yang heavily to the ground. 

 

"Lesson's over anyway." Petunia declares as she takes Tara's offered arm. "Let's bail, Automne."

 

"Later losers." He declares with a smirk as he picks up his weapon and they walk off down the alley, Sarah stopping one last time to glare at Yang before vanishing around a corner after the three older students.

 

Rushing forward, Shion kneels down and begins to check her friend over as she looks at her worriedly. Boss is gonna kill me if she's too badly hurt! She screams inside her own head as the blonde groans.

 

"I'm fine Shion, jeez." Yang grumbles as her aura flares to life around her once more. "Fucking cheap ass move, negating my semblance."

 

"Your lucky all they did was rough you up, Yang." Shion deadpans as she helps her back to her feet, grunting from the effort. "Jeez, have you been putting on weight?!"

 

"More muscle." She admits as she glares down the alleyway, despite the absence of the three older students and one younger one. "Fuck but I forgot how strong that arm makes Sarah." She admits quietly as she dusts herself off. "I'm gonna beat her ass next time I see her."

 

"Good luck. With you and Ruby gone, she's Signal's new top fighter. Her and Sasha both." Shion informs her as she slings her rifle onto her back. "And she doesn't need Mama or Jenna to fight for her. She does great on her own."

 

"Yeah." The blonde grudgingly agrees. "Let's go, I need a drink."

 

"You need a shower and some sleep." Shion counters bluntly. "And some clean clothes."

 

"Yeah yeah, whatever mom." Yang snarks as she follows her friend out of the alleyway, the two of them heading in a different direction than the others. "I'll get my payback, just you wait, Shion."

 

"You'll get your ass beat." Shion declares calmly as she shakes her head. "Team TAPES is the toughest fourth year team in Beacon now, and nobody messes with them, not even CFVY. They turned their shit around after being expelled first year, and adding a fifth member made them even better."

 

Yang Xiao Long of course has already tuned her friend out as her thoughts linger on her recent beating. She resents the fact that Sarah Arc of all people got involved, while also regretting the use of the dog whistle. Even she's heard of the team once called the worst in Beacon, and doesn't ever want to cross them again. 

 

Team TAPES saved the world from a renegade Beacon professor, then spent a full year proving themselves worthy of returning to Beacon Academy. And the team of Tyra Oozuki, Automne Ombre, Petunia Kapelle, Eve Howlette, and Sienna Brandstelle don't tolerate even the slightest insult to any faunus at Beacon. And Yang knows deep down if she screws up like that again, the next whistle will need to be surgically removed from someplace very, very uncomfortable… 

 

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

 

A Mountain of Roses Family Tree, Part One

 

Summer Rose is the child of Elias and Elizabeth Rose. Elias was once the High Councilor of Vale, and Elizabeth the Guild Master of Vale until their deaths via assassination by pro-human extremists. She married Alexander Garibaldi and had their only child Ruby. 

 

Alexander Garibaldi is the son of Garrett and Alexandria Garibaldi. Garrett was the leader of Vale's Military, and Alexandria the Dust Studies teacher at Beacon. They took Summer in after the deaths of her parents, and lived long enough to see Summer and Alex married. Garrett died of lung cancer, and Alexandria mourned to death.

 

Velvet Scarlatina-Garibaldi is the oldest of Alex's children, and related by blood to the Scarlatina faunus clan of Vale. 

 

Ruby Rose-Garibaldi is Alex's second born child with Summer, and the last surviving member of the Rose faunus clan of Vacuo and Vale. 

 

Next Chapter: The Arc Family and the Nikos family trees!

Notes:

Thank you guys for reading and again please cast your vote for whether you want Pyrrha to be added or not.
See you all in the next chapter.

Chapter 16: Growing Problems

Notes:

Hello everyone Rubes here with another chapter of Mountain, to start things off the results of the poll are in, I'm sorry for those of you who didn't want it but Pyrrha won with a landslide victory however let it be know that NO one else will be added to their relationship from here on out, Pyrrha was the LAST, now without further ado please enjoy chapter 16.

-Beacon Academy: Brown Dorm-

To say Ruby is on top of the world would be an understatement. It is getting closer to her birthday, which is less than a month away, and she’d be spending it with all the new friends she had made. However in her excitement she had completely forgotten to tell the two most important people, Blake and Weiss.

There is only one thing wrong at the given time and that is her relationship with Yang. Things still hadn’t gotten better after RWB came back from her home a month ago, Yang is still walking on eggshells around her and it is affecting the team.

However she had recognized the marks that covered Yang’s exposed body from the recent beating. She had worked on many weapons over the years and she recognized the marks made by that staff, and now that she had some free time, it is time to have a good talk with a certain fourth year team.

As she entered and made her way through Brown Dorm she got looks from other fourth years but ignored them. She made it to TAPES' door and knocked a little bit harder than she should have.

Sienna, a tall wolf faunus with shoulder length auburn hair and burning amber colored eyes, opened the door and smiled. “Hello Ruby, did you need something?”

“Yes I do actually, I need to have a word with you and your team.” 

“As you wish.” Sienna let Ruby in and closed the door behind her.

All of TAPES was in the room and when Ruby entered their attention was drawn to her.

“So why’d you do it?” Ruby asked.

“What are you talking about?” Automne responds, his face blank.

“Don’t play dumb.” Ruby said as she looks at Automne. "Those marks on Yang were done by your weapon.”

Automne faces Ruby with no remorse on his own features. “She got what she deserved.” He admits, the rest of his team nodding in agreement.

“It wasn’t on you to punish her, I get what she did was wrong in many ways but did you stop to think what it’d do to my team?” TAPES stays quiet. “Yang is literally walking on eggshells around me and she barely talks to her own partner, granted some of that is because she’s annoyed with my relationship with Blake but that’s besides the point.”

“Ruby, if it wasn’t for the fact that I respect you and your old man, she would have gotten worse and to be honest I’d love it if she got expelled. Vale is meant to be a place where both Humans and Faunus can live together without worrying that the other will do something. Not only that, but we’ve been watching the first year teams and we all think that Pyrrha is wasted on her team mainly because of her leader, and would do way better on yours. I mean we all heard what happened with the initiation.”

“I get it ok? But please leave dealing with my team to me, I’m afraid this might have shortened the fuse between Yang and myself.” Ruby pauses and smiles softly. "But seriously, Pyrrha's become a really good friend to us too."

"Ruby, I'm telling you. Go to the headmaster and get him to trade Yang for Pyrrha." Automne urges her. "You and your team would be almost unstoppable. Shit, you would even give us a run for our money." He adds with a smirk.

Eve Howlette, a shorter girl with long straight black hair and wearing a full white jumpsuit with gloves and a pair of horn rimmed glasses, clears her throat. "I wouldn't dare to fight any of you." She admits quietly. 

"We know Evie." Tyra, a tall raven haired athletically built young woman calls out. "You know the plan for Vytal." 

"Let you four do the fighting." She repeats in a droning tone of voice. 

"But when Pyrrha is moved to team RWBY, then that's going to be the best fucking fight ever!" Petunia chimes in excitedly. 

"It will be a challenge, and an excellent one." Sienna adds with a smile of her own.

"Whoa whoa whoa!" Ruby holds out her hands as well as shakes her head, her long haired whipping back and forth. "Pyrrha's not on my team!"

"Yet." Automne informs her ominously. "People are talking, Ruby, and they're all noticing you're not as effective as you should be. They're also noticing Yang isn't listening to you either, and that's not something a leader like you should be putting up with either."

"Yeah I know." She admits quietly as she opens the door. "But for Rosella, I can keep trying. I have to keep trying to at least mend fences with her." 

Team TAPES watches Ruby leave quietly, all of them lost in thought for a moment before Petunia breaks the silence. "Isn't it already a done deal, Automne?"

"Nobody's supposed to know yet, Tunia." He replies quietly. "Xiao Long's got a month to get her head out of her ass, or she and Nikos are being traded around."

"Good thing Peach loves to bitch so loudly." Tyra declares as she returns to packing a field pack. "In the meantime team, we have a mission to prep for, so asses in gear!" Team TAPES gets back to their preparations, not realizing the effect their talk had on a certain Mountain's Rose...

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-Beacon Academy: Blue Dorm-

“So what are we going to do?” Blake asks for the hundredth time as she sits on the heiress's bed.

“I don’t know yet, give me some more time to think.” Weiss replies as she paces back and forth.

Blake grabs Weiss and pulls her into her lap with a soft purr. “You’ve been pacing back and forth for forty minutes now, you're making me dizzy.” She declares firmly. 

“Sorry it’s just that that dolt didn’t even tell us, and if it wasn’t for Aqua we wouldn’t even know when her birthday is.”

“I know but wearing down the carpet isn’t going to fix it.” The Panther points out.

“Wait!” Weiss shoots up from Blake’s lap and pulls her scroll out. “Why didn’t I think of this sooner?!” She said as she presses one of her contacts.

“Think of what Weiss?” Blake asks, tilting her head to the left with her right ear drooping.

The other end picks up, Willow's cheery voice coming over the speaker. “Hey Sis what’s going on?”

“Can you help me plan a party?” Weiss asks, a hint of desperation in her voice.

“A party? You should know how to plan those.” Willow replies teasingly. 

“No not that kind of party, I mean a birthday party, Ruby’s turning sixteen and we have no clue how to plan it.”

“We?”

“Blake’s here with me, so are you going to help or not?”

“Sure I’ll help.” Willow giggles on her side. "Glad to see you're taking some initiative."

"Sh-shut up dolt!" Weiss stammers out as she blushes a bright red. "Not all of us can be as sociable as you!"

"Sociable? My dear twit, it's called I was able to be myself while you played your role with Father. But now that we are both free, I will be more than happy to help teach you the social skills you're still lacking. Like planning a simple birthday party for your girlfriend."

"Must you, Dolt?"

"I must, Twit." Willow replies cheerfully. "I love you, Lizzie. I have to go, email me all the details that I need to know to help."

"I love you too, Noiry. And I will." Weiss replies before hanging up and sighing. "I miss her."

Blake stands and quickly envelops her girlfriend in a hug. "I know, Weiss. She's your twin and you two sound especially close even for twins."

"We share a soul, Blake, along with our semblance. And if I defeat it, she can… summon... it." Weiss's eyes grow wide as she realizes something. "I just added a powerful Deathstalker to her summons…"

"So you defeated the Deathstalker from initiation?" Blake asks in surprise.

"After Ruby and Nora punched through it's armor that last time, I hit it with all the fire dust left in my rapier." She admits. "It stunk as it started burning from the inside out."

“I’m glad I wasn’t there then, if it stunk for you I can hardly imagine what it would have been like for me or what it was like for Ruby.”

“Actually she didn’t seem to react all that much.” Weiss looks out the window and towards the Emerald Forest. “She has a lot more experience than us when it comes to combat. We’re going to have to stay on our toes in order to keep up with her.”

“You worry too much, we’ll be fine.” Blake reassures her.

“Yes….” Weiss then notices out of the corner of her right eye that the small bin beside her bed that Ruby uses is full which makes it twitch. “I thought I told Ruby yesterday morning to empty that.” Weiss declares angrily as she walks over to grab the handles of the plastic bag that lined the small bin.

“She did, I watched her bend down and pick it up.” Blake informs her. "Just like I'm watching you do it now."

“Are you sure you were watching her empty it or were you watching her ass.” Weiss asks bluntly.

Blake blushes a deep red. “I watched her empty it… though… I may have looked a little.”

“Sure.”

“I swear she emptied it though, I mean I remember seeing a box of her favorite brand of chocolate chip cookies sitting on the top.”

‘“So you're telling me that she emptied this bin and then filled it with food bags in less than a day, because I’m mostly seeing chip packets. There’s no box of cookies at the top, just an empty jumbo package of sticky barbeque rib flavored chips.”

“Wait, I saw those in the cupboard yesterday.” Blake walks over to their kitchen area and looks. Where she was expecting to see a large bag of chips only to find nothing, in fact less than nothing. She opens all the cupboards to find them all completely empty.

“Um Weiss we’re out of food.” Blake called out.

“What?! How? We should have had enough to last us until next week!” Weiss comes walking in and sees the same thing Blake saw, nothing.

“Actually now that I think about it, hasn’t Ruby been eating a lot more at all our meals?”

“I can’t say I was measuring how much she has been eating but yes, her plates lately have been rather piled with food, however it hasn’t been affecting her since it doesn’t look like she’s put anything on.” Weiss replies as she rubs her temples. "That was a lot of food…"

“Either way we’re going to need to get more food and maybe ask Salem for some help on this.” Blake declares firmly as she shuts all the cupboard doors.

“Why ask Professor Salem?”

“Something from the time when we went to get clothes while staying at Ruby’s is bugging me.”

“Ok?” Weiss raises a brow.

“Just come on.” Blake starts pulling Weiss along, keeping to her left as always, stopping only long enough to let the petite heiress put a pair of shoes on...

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-Beacon Academy: Beacon Library-

Blake walked into Salem’s office with Weiss in tow and holding her hand. She had checked while on their way if it was ok for them to come speak with her, the professor informing them that she was free to talk.

“Hello you two, what did you want to talk to me about?" Salem greets them cheerfully. "I find it hard to believe that you’d have any questions about class so I’m going to guess this has something to do with Ruby, am I right?”

Blake nods. "Yes it’s about Ruby.”

“Figures.” Salem sighs expecting something bad. “What has the not so little nut job done this time?”

“She hasn’t done anything per sé but I was wondering what Ruby meant when she brought up Alex complaining about the last bill for her clothes." The panther explains as she and Weiss sit down across from Salem, who is still seated behind her own desk.

Salem is a little relieved but she hadn’t missed that ‘per sé’ part. "Oh that. To understand fully what I'm about to say you should know that when Alex first started Beacon he was only slightly taller than what Ruby is now." She informs the two girlfriends. "But on his side of the family they go through spaced out but extreme growth spurts."

"Wait, what?!" Both women exclaim in surprise.

"During her last growth spurt we had to replace her entire wardrobe multiple times which is why the bill was so high." She explains after a brief pause to let them think. "However, it's the last growth spurt that's always the most drastic according to Alex. So I've been secretly building up a little fund to prepare."

Weiss and Blake look at each other before looking back at Salem, the former speaking up first. "When you say drastic what do you mean exactly?"

"I mean she's going to grow up and out and when I say up and out I mean get ready to have to stand on something or pull her down in order to suck face with her. Pretty much she’ll get bigger in every aspect." Salem smiles as she watches both younger women start to blush a bright red.

"Do me a favor, that girl doesn't realize just how gorgeous she is, so please show her and get her to realize that would you?"

“Of course.” Weiss responds. “I have overheard the more senior students speaking about a ball later in the year and have already started looking for dresses for the three of us.”

Salem smiles. “Thank you. Now, what did you mean by ‘per sé' before Miss Belladonna?”

“Well you see Ruby ate everything in our cupboards so we have no food left.” Blake admitted.

Salem sighs and shakes her head. “So it’s begun.”

“Begun?”

“You don’t mean…”

“Yes this is how the growth spurt starts. Their appetite grows because their bodies are preparing for the rapid growth. During this time their metabolism is greatly accelerated.” Salem looks up at the girls. “I’ll talk to Alex and get him to send more food over. Thankfully we’re friends with a very skilled butcher.”

“This must be really bad judging from how you’re reacting.” Weiss comments with concern evident on her features.

“When it was Alex’s turn we had to chain him down at night so he wouldn't get into trouble for raiding the school's cafeteria.”

“Wow… that’s…. That’s something.” Blake admits quietly.

“Tomorrow’s Saturday, so why don’t you take advantage of it and take Ruby down to Vale.” Salem tells them as she digs through her drawer and pulls out a flyer, handing it to them. “There’s a eating competition being held that will nab you a prize and help feed her temporary black hole of a stomach.”

"This will be useful." Weiss admits as she takes the flyer with a smile. "Thank you for letting us know, Professor. Between her not telling us about her birthday, and now all this, it's taking everything we have to keep up with her."

Salem facepalms as she mutters darkly for a moment. "Remind me to give you a list of birthdays and special events we all care about." She informs them as she takes out her scroll. "Knowing that not so little tornado, she's been distracted with dealing with Yang."

"We all have been." Blake admits as she takes her own scroll out, Weiss mimicking the action herself. 

"We've all been trying to." Weiss adds quietly as she accepts a list of dates from Salem's scroll. "But she's taken to avoiding us as well as Ruby ever since we became a formal thing."

"That's… not good." The professor admits as she leans back into her seat. "Even David's noticed, and has finally begun to act. But!" She holds up a finger. "That is none of your concern yet. My advice is to continue to include her in team activities as well as exercises for the time being until such time as Headmaster Ozpin intervenes. Understood?"

"Yes ma'am." Both young women reply quietly, getting a nod in return.

"Good. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to make a call to Alex. You two need to get Ruby to that eating competition tomorrow. I suggest asking Diane to help convince her and perhaps even accompany the three of you as well. She knows where the venue is."

"Thank you again, Professor." Weiss smiles as she stands with Blake. 

"Yeah. This is all good to know, and we'll keep it all in mind too." The panther adds as her tail waves from side to side. Offering Weiss her arm, she smiles down at the heiress. "Let's go find Diane. More than likely she's with Amy getting ready to head to Vale for the weekend."

"Then we need to hurry. Amy never wastes a single minute more than is necessary in her rush to go see her daughter." Weiss replies as the two of them leave.

Salem shakes her head as she picks her scroll back up and pushes a contact on the screen. "Hello Alex? It's time. We're going to have to help a kitty and a gearhead keep Ruby in food." But she begins to laugh as the wolf faunus begins swearing on the other side of the screen, even as she mentally begins to add up all the lien she has saved up for this, while hoping it is more than enough to cover clothes for a growing Mountain's Rose...

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

-Beacon Academy: Blue Dorm-

Team JNPR has lost again. Heading to their dorm room after another loss in combat class, this time to team SAAD. In his defense, Shion never gave Jaune a chance to even try to gather his thoughts before unleashing a raging Diane on his team, while she and Aqua supported her at range and Amy worked as a flanker to Diane's unmovable wall. Had he not been eliminated by a volley of shots from Shion's battle rifle, he might have been able to direct his team in a more efficient manner. 

Instead, Nora had turned the entire spar into a brawl, one she lost when Diane unloaded her Dreadnought semblance on her, knocking the ginger through a wall. After that, it became a simple war of attrition between Shion, Amy, and Aqua, versus Ren and Pyrrha. Ren fell easily enough to a speedy Amy, while Aqua utilized her own aquamancer semblance along with dust fortified water to simply shut Pyrrha down from a distance, while Shion simply sniped at her with her rifle.

All in all, it was yet another loss for a team rapidly becoming the new worst first year team in Beacon's long history. And one particular member has had enough.

"I am growing tired of this, Jaune." Pyrrha declares evenly as she walks behind him, Ren and a limping Nora bringing up the rear.

"I know." The young man replies in a monotonous tone of voice, having gotten used to the Mistrali woman's constant complaining since their second week of school and their loss to a team RWBY that barely had the support of Yang. A loss that Jaune is still not completely convinced that Pyrrha hadn't sabotaged. At least Nora's stopped demanding to be changed over to team RWBY since Weiss, Ruby, and Blake have entered into their relationship, the ginger not wanting to disturb the trio. 

But everyone knows Pyrrha and Yang want off their respective teams, and even more senior teams and some of the professors are wondering why Ozpin won't make the change.

"Did you hear me, Jaune?" He is shaken out of his musing by a now angry Pyrrha, who is glaring at him as they stand outside the team's dorm room. "I said I am done with this! I am done with this team! I will no longer participate in any kind of team activities until I am transferred off of it!"

This gets the blonde young man's attention, along with the look of pure rage on the redhead's face. "Wait, what?! You can't do that!"

"I no longer care!" Pyrrha counters hotly as her hands clench into fists. "I am tired of being a laughingstock! I am tired of being on a team that does nothing but lose constantly because our leader is completely ineffective!"

"I can't help that I keep getting eliminated first!" Jaune protests as he glares back at the redhead. "I at least took Cardin down last week, and without too many problems!"

"I took down the entire team by myself yesterday!" Pyrrha counters hotly as her glare intensifies. "And Ruby and Diane did it three weeks ago, and made them look like even bigger fools than normal!"

"There it is!" Jaune declares in barely disguised anger. "There's today's Ruby reference! What next? That I'm a shitty leader compared to her, even though she has her own problems with Yang?!"

"At least you admit that you are not at the same level of leadership as she is." Pyrrha declares mockingly. "And she already works like a well oiled machine with Blake and Weiss."

"Because they're all dating each other!" Jaune counters hotly as Ren and Nora finally put themselves between the two enraged teammates. 

"Let us all calm down." Ren begins, his face a mask. "Arguing solves nothing, Pyrrha."

"Yeah, Pyr. I mean I get it and all, but Jaune really has been improving." Nora adds in a surprisingly calm tone of voice. "Like really really slowly, but he's been improving."

"Not to the same amount that Ruby and her team have." Pyrrha declares dismissively, even as she calms herself now that her two best friends have interjected themselves between the two combative individuals. "My stance hasn't changed, I want off this team."

"Even if it means leaving us behind?" Nora asks quietly as she moves next to Ren, the two of them standing shoulder to shoulder and blocking Jaune and Pyrrha from each other.

"I am truly sorry, Nora. But my dream is to be as great of a huntress as my mother. Perhaps even greater than her. But I will never realize that dream under Jaune's command." Pyrrha declares even as she looks at her two friends sadly. "I do not have any faith that he will improve enough to keep us from being laughed at or derided by the other first years. We are already being compared to team TAPE, and they were the absolute worst team to ever set foot here at Beacon."

"But look at them now." Ren counters calmly. "They are now the best team here at Beacon, and set to graduate at the top of their class."

"It only took them being kicked out, then having to take a full year and a fifth team member to get back into Beacon." Pyrrha points out negatively. "It took them five years to graduate! I do not want to repeat their mistakes!"

"Then go." Jaune suddenly declares angrily. "Go join your precious Ruby's team and see how much farther you can get." He adds as he waves his scroll over the door lock and opens it. "Send us a postcard from on top of the pedestal you're used to being on." He adds the last bitterly before slamming the door closed. 

Before Pyrrha can counter with another caustic comment, an almost ear piercing whistle is heard in the hallway. "Wow, I didn't think things were this bad between you guys." Diane comments idly as she walks up with a sigh. 

"Diane, not now." Nora groans as she and Ren both look at the squirrel faunus, while Pyrrha stays standing facing away from her.

"Actually, now is a really good time." The brutal tank declares as she shakes her head. "Especially considering Aqua and Shion are busy refereeing an argument between Yang and Ruby outside.

"What?! What now?!" Pyrrha declares even as she hurries off. "I am almost as tired of Yang as I am with Jaune!"

"Wow, she's got it bad." Amy muses aloud as she suddenly appears next, her expression one of tiredness. "And Ren, you're a pain to keep up with. I thought Ruby could change directions on a dime. You're even better at it than she is."

"Wait, what do you mean she's got it bad?" Nora asks as the diminutive wolf faunus climbs up and onto her partner's shoulders, settling down comfortably on them. 

"Exactly that." Diane replies with a grin as she moves past the Renora couple. "Pyrrha's got a hell of a crush on Ruby. And I got money on that not being her only one."

"Weiss is really pretty, so I don't blame her there." Amy comments idly as they reach their own door. "And Blake has that whole mysterious thing going for her."

"Weiss is freaking gorgeous, Amy." Diane declares confidently as she opens the door. "Not as gorgeous as someone else, but still damned close."

"Oh? And who are you crushing on, Squirrelly? Hmmm?" The wolf faunus teases as the door closes behind them, cutting off the other woman's reply. 

But for Ren and Nora, they are left in a state of shock as they look at each other. Neither of them ever considered that part of Pyrrha's desires are being fueled by a growing crush on a certain Rose. A certain Rose who is already dating two beautiful women.

"Wow, I did not see that coming!" Nora finally declares with a grin.

"Neither did I. I never once even realized that Pyrrha was gay." Ren admits, getting a facepalm from his own partner.

"Ren, you really need to pay more attention to other people."

"Why?" The quiet young man replies as he pulls the shorter woman into his arms. "I myself have my Queen of the Castle, and so I am content to let others live their lives as they see fit."

Nora blushes at the rare show of public affection, even as she cuddles deeper into his embrace. "Ok, I'll give you that. I can be a handful."

"Nothing I cannot handle, Nora. Nothing I am not willing to handle for as long as you will have me."

"Is forever long enough?" She asks quietly as their heads slowly move towards one another.

"Perhaps. Perhaps not. We shall see." Ren replies right before the two of them kiss tenderly...

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-Afterword: A Hot Dog Eating Contest-

The Wing Shack is one of Vale's most popular places to eat for families seeking a fun, child friendly atmosphere. Part arcade, part miniature amusement center, and complete with its own state of the art animatronics, it is popular with people of all ages, save toddlers who are terrified of the larger than life cast of Wolfy and Grimby's Wild Adventures. It is normally always crowded to capacity, and has a two to three month waiting list for birthday parties, and today is no different, for today is the annual hot dog eating contest, sponsored by Tanner's hot dogs.

There is an air of excitement as the crowd watches the contestants climb onto the raised dias which normally houses such stars as Wolfy the Beowulf, Grimby the Saber, and Petey the Nevermore (Roy the Boarbatusk had been retired years before, after a mishap involving his voice actor and allegations of shenanigans with a cherry pie). But to her surprise, the crowd cheered wildly for her as Ruby took to the stage last. It is as if the crowd had almost been expecting the Mountain's Rose this year, and was welcoming her with open arms.

She's personally suspicious that Weiss, Blake, Diane, and Amy (the later two having tagged along along with Amy's daughter) bribed the crowd, but she has no real proof of it either.

But her confidence soon drains out of her as she watches the faunus and human women start carrying out tray after tray of steaming hot dogs. Ruby can't, no, doesn't want to eat them, she hates them. Ever since her eighth birthday, when she and Diane ate themselves sick on poorly cooked hot dogs, she hasn't been able to bring herself to eat them again.

“Well so much for that, she doesn’t even want to touch them.” Weiss comments as they watch Ruby slowly back away from the table, a look of disgust on her features.

"Told you guys so." Diane comments as she stands next to Blake, who looks thoughtful. "Me and Wolfy both can't even look at a hot dog without getting sick."

"Maybe what you guys need is a bribe?" Amy points out as she holds her daughter in her arms, the little wolf girl struggling to escape from a Petey the Nevermore that is slowly coming closer to them, balloons in one winged hand and a look of false cheer on its rubber and foam face.

"That's it! A bribe!" Blake cups her hands around her mouth and shouts as loud as she can. “RUBY! If you win I’ll bake you as many chocolate chip cookies as you want!”

Ruby’s head shoots up her eyes wide with renewed excitement. “You promise?!"

“I promise, now eat!”

Ruby gets sucked in and begins eating as fast as she can. Soon she has a rhythm going, and surpasses the fourth place eater, a massive gorilla faunus man who already looks green from his own eating efforts.

"That did it, Blake!" Weiss cheers as she hugs the blushing panther faunus. "Look at her go now!"

"She's really moving now." Diane comments idly as she takes a squirming and softly howling Bianca from Amy. "She needs to remember to breathe though. And calm down, sweetie. Diane's got ya."

Amy nods as she glares at Petey, who beats a hasty retreat after she extends her left hand claws from her Cat's Paws. "Might be a good thing we tagged along. They all might need a medic."

"She just passed the third place eater!" Blake declares excitedly as Ruby outeats a surprisingly skinny human male next. "Look at her go!"

"Indeed so, kitten." Weiss comments idly as she begins to turn green herself from watching the spectacle. "How can eating this much be possible?!"

"Guys, Wolfy and I have shut down all you can eat buffets before. Especially when we're both going through a growth spurt." Diane points out as Ruby takes over in second place. "Especially the last one. We both grew over six inches that time, and got kicked out of three all you can eat Mistrali and Vacuin style buffets. Her dad and Miss Salem paid out a fortune to cover all the food we ate."

"That's extreme!" Amy cries out, aghast at the confession. "Are you going to keep growing like that?!"

"Nah. My ummmm... My meds I'm taking have finally slowed it down." The squirrel faunus admits with a blush. "Which I'm fine with, since it gets me closer to my own goals and all."

"And what goals would that be?" Weiss asks as the announcer declares that Ruby and the first place eater, a panda faunus, are now neck and neck for the lead.

"That's personal. No offense, but I don't know you well enough still." Diane admits quietly. 

"That's fair." The heiress agrees as a horn sounds, signalling the end of the contest.

"And with one hundred and one hot dogs eaten, our winner by one single dog is Ruby Rose!" The announcer declares jubilantly. "What an amazing come from behind victory, ladies and gentlemen!"

"I'm going to be baking for days, aren't I?" Blake suddenly groans as Ruby waves from the dias, right before throwing up into a trash can beside her.

"After she feels better." Weiss comments as she turns even greener. "Excuse me!" She suddenly blurts out as she runs towards a nearby trash can and vomits as well.

"Huh, never figured Weiss to be a sympathy puker. Better keep that in mind for future reference, Kitty." Diane chuckles as she helps Amy onto her shoulders with a free hand, while holding Bianca in her other arm.

"We'll go check on Ruby. You check on Weiss." Amy orders as the three of them move towards the dias, and the now groaning Mountain's Rose.

Blake nods as she moves towards Weiss, but is surprised to see a supportive Pyrrha there instead, holding the heiress's hair while she empties the contents of her stomach into the trash bin. "Hello there!" She calls out chipperly as she waves with her free hand. "I have Weiss if you want to check on Ruby."

"Uhhhhh, ok?" The panther blinks as the Mistrali woman handles her girlfriend in a gentle, almost caring manner. 

"Oi! Watch it Wolfy!"

"Blargh!"

"Oh you need clean clothes now, Diane!"

"Motherfucker!" 

Shaking her head, Blake instead heads for the dias to assist with her other sick girlfriend, while also wondering where exactly did Pyrrha come from, and how long had she been there. Had she watched the entire contest? And most importantly, does she know how to bake cookies, because she certainly doesn't…

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

A Mountain of Roses Family Tree Part Two

The Scarlatina faunus clan of Vale is one of the largest faunus clans on Remnant. Led by Virginia Scarlatina-Nikos, it's numbers include many different types of faunus as well as humans who have married into the clan. This includes Virginia's husband Chrysafénios Nikos, brother of Augustus Nikos and Pyrrha's blood uncle. Velvet is directly related to Virginia, who is her aunt, and both her's as well as Pyrrha's cousins are named Tara, Sasha, Nickel, and Silver.

The Arc family is a powerful, business minded, but still highly supportive of huntsmen family from Mistral. But, their roots begin in Vale before Jaune's grandfather moved the family and company, Arc Industries, to Mistral. (Author's Note: We will not be filling in all the names of Jaune's sisters due to them still not being introduced in Canon yet. Saphron is still one of his many sisters, and we will be using Sarah as a younger sibling.)

Jaune is the middle child of the family, sandwiched between all his various sisters. Sarah is his next youngest sibling, and the firstborn between Jaune's mother Jeanne, and her second husband Terry. However, Jaune resents Terry and is not as close with his three younger siblings as he is with his older ones. 

Chapter 17: Falling Apart

Notes:

Rubes here with another chapter of Mountain but before you start I'd like to tell you all how much all your support for this story means for Winter and I, also everyone really hates Yang but that kinda can't be helped with how we've done her but we have plans so hold onto you butts because it's going to be a hell of a ride.

-Beacon Academy: Blue Dorm-

 

Blake smiles as she sips at her tea, while watching Ruby and Weiss argue about how much food is too much to pile onto her plate this morning. On the one hand, Weiss does make a rather tasty omelette that she can stuff full of all sorts of fillings, including tuna for her and bacon for Ruby. But on the other hand Ruby is at the beginning of a major growth spurt and is eating everything she can find. And just like the disastrous eating competition, she has overdone it two more times and thrown up as a consequence. 

 

"Please Snowflake! Just one bite!"

 

"No you glutinous dolt! This is my breakfast! You already ate yours!"

 

Blake chuckles as the heiress struggles to keep her own cheese filled omelette out of the Reaper's desperate clutches. Thankfully, Ruby also hates tuna, and thus her own fish filled omelettes are safe. 

 

"You're going to make me drop it!"

 

"Please! I'm starving, Weiss!"

 

Taking a bite of her fluffy, tasty, Goddess but she wishes she could cook breakfast as well as Ruby and Weiss can omelette, Blake smiles as she watches the two of them continue to struggle for the remainder of Weiss's own food. 

 

"I thought you loved me!"

 

"Just because I am fond of you doesn't mean you can have all the food you see, you titanic dolt! Especially mine!"

 

Hearing a knock at the door, she tears herself away just as the petite heiress manages to take her last overly large bite into her mouth, thus denying the Reaper even a single morsel of the tasty breakfast food to go and answer it, not surprised when she sees Pyrrha on the other side.

 

"Good morning!" The statuesque woman declares as she waves with one hand, while she holds a plate full of pancakes in the other. "I couldn't eat all my food, and decided to see if any of you wanted the rest."

 

At this point, Blake is torn. Ren's pancakes are a food group onto themselves, and even one of the tasty disks is highly prized by anyone who has been fortunate enough to have gotten their hands on one of them. But, she also knows her growing girlfriend is going to pout if she steals them for herself, so she smiles as she moves to the side. "Ruby needs them more than I do. She's acting like she's starving to death."

 

"I figured as much. We could hear her begging Weiss for more food in our own dorm room." The Mistrali woman replies as she steps into the dorm room. But before she can even call out to Ruby, the reddish black haired wolf girl is already upon them both and whimpering as she stares at the plate. The same plate Pyrrha offers her a moment later with a smile. "Here, Ruby."

 

"Thanks Pyrrha!" She replies as she takes the offered plate and begins to stuff her face with the circular disks of perfection.

 

"You know Pyrrha, you don't have to go hungry to help us with Ruby." Blake informs the redhead as she looks at her. 

 

"Exactly. The gluttonous wolf needs to learn that no means no!" Weiss adds as she begins to get ready, the Mistrali woman trying her best not to stare as the heiress begins to change without caring about who could be watching.

 

"I ummmm, I don't mind." Pyrrha finally replies red-faced as she looks back at Blake. "I normally eat lightly at breakfast anyway, and after this weekend, it seems like you could use all the help you can get with her appetite."

 

She honestly can't deny that last part. After the disastrous eating contest, Ruby's father treated them all to an all you can eat wing feast the next day at the Wing Shack, which led to Ruby getting cut off after her tenth basket of twenty of the tasty wings along with generous helpings of crinkle fries. Even Salem was aghast at how much Ruby managed to eat, while Weiss and Blake simply stared in horror at the growing pile of bones and empty fry baskets. 

 

Alex had almost cried at the size of the bill, and the poor waitress had to pry his credit card out of his vice-like grip to settle the tab. 

 

Fortunately, Ruby hasn't been banned from the popular eatery, which is good because Blake wants to return to try more of their generous varieties of wing flavors soon. She herself found the three flavors she tried to have been tasty, while Weiss disliked how messy it all was, along with Salem. But her attention is regained by the taller Mistrali woman, who clears her throat with a small smile.

 

"So, are you all ready for classes this morning?" 

 

"I have a free period this morning, which works because I need to do more studying for Doctor Oobleck's class." The panther admits as Weiss and Ruby both groan at the reminder that they have the hyperactive instructor this afternoon.

 

"I have English Lit this morning." Ruby volunteers as she finishes her pancakes. "Part of my classes to get my high school diploma."

 

"I have field studies with Professor Peach this morning." Weiss declares with a sigh. "Apparently, my knowledge of Vale's flora and fauna is not up to her standards."

 

Pyrrha smiles as she looks at Blake. "I'm free as well this morning. Perhaps we both can study for history together?"

 

Blake smiles and nods her head, even as she feels an odd stirring in her chest at the thought of spending more time with the redhead. "Sure. I have a bit of an advantage considering we're discussing the faunus rights movement, but it never hurts to have someone to review it all with."

 

"Excellent!" She replies excitedly as she bounces a bit in place. I'll meet you in the library!" She adds as she dashes away and back into JNPR's dorm room.

 

"Studying with Pyrrha, huh?" Ruby teases the panther, who blushes a bright red. 

 

"Don't get too cozy with the Invincible Girl." Weiss adds with a smile of her own. "Aqua may get jealous."

 

"And not you?" Blake asks in surprise. 

 

"I won't deny I've had a crush on her for some time." The heiress admits with a blush of her own. "And now meeting her in person? Seeing the kind of woman she truly is with my own eye? I will not deny my interest is still there and growing."

 

"She is something, ain't she?" Ruby asks as she finishes the last of the pancakes with a smile. "I'm almost tempted to see where things go between all of us as well."

 

"That's… a surprise." Blake admits quietly. 

 

"Kitten, Ruby is poly and I myself am intrigued by the relationship we now enjoy. We obviously do not believe in limiting ourselves to please what society believes to be right." Weiss declares firmly. 

 

Blake nods as she stands. "For now there's no point in discussing it. We don't even know where Pyrrha's heart may lead her. For all we know she's only interested in Ruby, or Weiss, or even myself. I don't think we should push the issue."

 

"Gotta agree with Blakey." Ruby admits as she finishes the pancakes the Mistrali woman brought her with a flourish. "No sense in pushing any issues with her."

 

Weiss nods as she finishes getting dressed. "But I will admit, it would be an interesting dynamic, and I won't feel quite as left out by being the only human." Holding up a hand, she smiles as the two faunus pause their impending protests. "I regret nothing, you two. I only feel left out by my own limitations as a human being, not being able to do the things you two can do, such as the ability to track by scent and the ability to hear things I cannot."

 

"Being a faunus is not it's all that is cracked up to be." Blake replies soberly as she walks to her own desk to retrieve her books and supplies. 

 

"I think being a faunus is awesome!" Ruby declares excitedly as she washes and dries their plates and silverware. 

 

"Of course you do, Ruby. Look at where you grew up. Atlas is terrible towards the faunus." Weiss points out as she picks up her own books and supplies. Moving to the door, she smiles as Blake joins her at the door to the dorm room. "Try not to be late to class, My Dolt."

 

"I won't be." Ruby replies as she gathers her own things. "Just gotta make my shower quick and all." Smiling as her two girlfriends leave, Ruby does indeed rush through her own morning routines and takes off like a bolt of lightning to her own first class, leaving the dorm room empty. 

 

A dorm room Yang sneaks into to gather her own things before departing to her own classes, having successfully avoided her teammates yet again...

 

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Dr. Bartholomew Oobleck admits that his class is one of the most unpopular ones taught at Beacon. Yet in his eyes, it is the single most important one offered at the hallowed institution of learning. Yet, his own wife admits she listens to audio copies of his many lectures to fall asleep to at night, and his daughters run in terror whenever he gets onto another long winded rant about this or that event in Remnant's history. 

 

In his opinion, Glynda, Silentia, and Serenity don't appreciate history nearly enough, and it is his duty to ensure that they understand just how important history truly is.

 

And today, it is once again his student's turn to learn from the past in order to insure it doesn't occur in the future. Fortunately, this period includes several attentive students, such as Pyrrha Nikos, Ruby Rose, Weiss Schnee, and several others. Of course, for as many attentive and appreciative students such as them, there are others who are either inattentive, like Jaune Arc and Cardin Winchester, or overwhelmed like Velvet Scarlatina and Nora Valkyrie. 

 

For example, Jaune is currently groaning as he lays his head on his desk, while Cardin leans back in his own chair with a bored expression on his face. Ruby, Weiss, and Pyrrha are all taking careful notes while paying close attention, and Velvet and Nora both look to be nearly in tears as they simply struggle to keep up with him. He must remember to pull Ruby to the side and ask her to take her older sibling under her wing with his class and tutor her when time permits. Velvet has already failed once, and is in danger of failing again despite this being her second time in his class. 

 

"Yes! Yes, prior to the Faunus Rights Revolution--more popularly known as the Faunus War..."  He continues today's lecture at his normal speed, which is almost as fast as Ruby when she is using her own semblance, while moving to a map behind his cluttered desk. "Humankind was quite, quite adamant about centralizing the Faunus population in Menagerie." He lectures as he points at the map of said-area with his stick. Stopping for a moment to zoom off to the side for a sip of his coffee, he appears in front of his desk while looking around. "Now! While this must feel like ancient history to many of you, it is imperative to remember that these are relatively recent events! Why, the repercussions of the uprising can still be seen to this day!" 

 

Pausing for another moment, he adjusts his glasses and allows the gathered class to catch up on their note taking before continuing onward at his almost breakneck speed. "Now! Have any among you been subjugated or discriminated against because of your Faunus heritage?"

 

Ruby looks around at everyone and grimaces. She's the only faunus present not raising her hand. Only he himself, who she's grown up knowing almost her whole life, is smiling as he nods his approval. With a sigh, she stands to face her class.

 

"Yeah, I'm a wolf faunus. Yeah, had a few moments here and there where people treated me like shit too. But!" She holds up a finger. "I grew up here in Vale. My daddy busted his ass to make things change here while I was growing up. Him and Uncle David both. They both wanted more for me, and so did my Mama."

 

"Uncle David?" Velvet asks curiously.

 

Ruby grins. "Sis, Headmaster Ozpin and Daddy have been best friends for almost twenty five years now, along with Dr. Oobleck and Professor Port. And them, and so damned many others worked hard, lobbied hard, and busted their asses to not just pass the laws, but enforce em. You wanna know why the White Fang has such a hell of a time setting up here in Vale?"

 

"Actually yes, I do at least." Blake looks at her curiously, something left unsaid.

 

"Cause you can't get a foothold in a place where nobody agrees. Ask Diane and Aqua, ask any faunus other than Amy, they'll all tell you the same: We ain't treated no different from the humans here. Ain't no signs on the windows saying where we're welcome and where we ain't, we get the same shitty service the humans get, and we got the biggest faunus population outside of Menagerie in the world."

 

"Actually, Ruby. According to last year's census, Vale has more faunus living within its borders than even Menagerie." Dr. Oobleck informs them all. "Vale has no tolerance for the issues that plague the rest of the world, and the council here works hard to keep it that way."

 

Ruby nods. "Y'all saw what Uncle David did to CDNL. He came down on them like a hammer, and that was a first warning. Here, in Vale, we faunus are just people with some extra bits and pieces. Even marriages between humans and faunus are allowed, recognized, and are as protected as human/human marriages. And I should know, my parents were legally married when they had me." She declares in pride. 

 

"You swear to this?" Blake asks as hope fills her eyes. "Vale is really, truly, as progressive as you say."

 

Ruby grins. "Soon as I turn sixteen, I could go and marry you and Weiss both, and nobody would blink an eye. Even poly couples have rights here."

 

"We, the last generation, have worked, struggled, and given all to insure you, the current generation, as well as all the future generations can have one kingdom that doesn't just claim equality, but embraces it." Dr. Oobleck declares with pride. "And as the Goddesses Three my witnesses, Miss Belladonna, we will never stop working to see to it that the world follows our example. All are welcomed here in Vale, all can strive for citizenship within our borders, and human and faunus both can strive for better lives here. That is the fight Elias, Elizabeth, and Summer Rose began and that we have continued."

 

Ruby grins. "Never tell a Rose woman she can't do something. She'll do it just to prove you wrong."

 

"And that was?" Velvet asks.

 

"Mama tried to file for a marriage license with Daddy and got denied." Ruby replies with a chuckle. "Boy was she pissed!"

 

Oobleck chuckles. "It took Glynda, Raven, Celestia, and Alex to drag her out of the courthouse, all while trying to avoid getting hit with her scythe."

 

"Mom was there?" Yang asks, a look of surprise on her face.

 

"Indeed she was. Raven and Summer were partners and best friends, Miss Xiao Long. Perhaps you should take a cue from that instead of Tai?" He deadpans.

 

“Sir.” Pyrrha raises her hand. “Then what about the other three kingdoms?"

 

“One kingdom at a time, Miss Nikos. One kingdom is hard enough to change but it will make changing the others a bit easier as gradually people will see Vale as an example of actual Human/Faunus coexistence.” Pausing he adjusts his glasses once more before looking at them all while pointing at his map of Remnant. “Let’s look at Vacuo first. Out of the other three kingdoms, Vacuo has started to treat Faunus better but that is also because Vacuo has an unforgiving and rough ecosystem that makes humans and Faunus work together in order to survive a necessity. Then there is Mistral, Miss Nikos and Miss Negras. You both are from Mistral, so how would you describe it?”

 

Pyrrha thought for a moment. “It’s a very beautiful place however a lot of smiles seem forced to me.” She admits quietly.

 

Shion then spoke up. “Mistral is beautiful, however that beauty hides the dark and ugly side of the kingdom.” This earned Shion some stares from everyone in the class.

 

“That is an interesting way to describe it, moving on we finally have Atlas and as you all should know Atlas is an unforgivable place for Faunus and few live freely there, those who have military families are the lucky ones.” He explains as he zooms back to the front of the class. "Now, let us continue!" He declares before the bell rings, signalling the end of the class. "I expect reports on the aftermath of the battle on my desk next class!"

 

He smiles as he watches his students leave, especially at the sight of Weiss and Blake leaving arm in arm, while Ruby has taken one of Velvet's in her own. He watches as the two sisters talk quietly, Velvet looking more and more relieved as they walk out the door. Perhaps he doesn't need to have that talk with Ruby after all. But then he sighs as Cardin Winchester opens Jaune's shield right as the young man walks out, bouncing him back while leaving the shield trapped in the doorway. 

 

In his opinion, it's not just Yang Xiao Long Headmaster Ozpin needs to deal with, but that bully as well...

 

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“Did anyone else find what Shion said in class weird?” Nora asked out of the blue while teams RWBY, SAAD and JNPR were all eating together along with Velvet but minusing Yang and Shion.

 

“It is but that just seems like Shion, ever since we met her back at Signal she’s always been like that.” Diane states.

 

“She’s around Yang pretty much all the time, how are you two doing Bubbles?” Ruby asks.

 

“Alright, I’d say our relationship is purely work and nothing else more or less.”

 

“I know! She’s into Yang!” Nora almost shouts as she jumps up only to be pulled down by Ren.

 

“Nora you shouldn’t assume things like that, that’s how bad rumors start.”

 

“Sorry Ren.”

 

“She could be right though, her and Yang are always together especially despite being on different teams.”

 

“I don’t think so.” Everyone turns their heads to look at Amy. “They’ve always been like that. Shion is a nice person however she doesn’t go out of her way to do anything, back at Signal and even here she isn’t trying in class, she only ever does enough to pass even though she could do better, she simply just doesn’t care.”

 

“If that’s how she is then why is she even here?” Weiss asked.

 

“I don’t know but she has gone out of her way for me a few times but she almost always does for Yang, it’s like when they first met they acted like they had known each other for years.”

 

“She certainly has an air of mystery to her.” Blake points out. “But I also feel like she’s hiding something.”

 

“Like what?” Pyrrha asks curiously.

 

“I don’t know but when I first met her I could smell the stench of blood on her so her hands are not clean and given what she said in class it makes sense.”

 

"Guys, maybe we should drop this." Ruby offers as she looks around. 

 

"I have to agree with Ruby." Velvet adds. "It's rude to talk about people when they aren't present."

 

"We're just trying to figure things out when it comes to Shion and Yang is all, you two." Nora grins mischievously. "Relax, they aren't going to find out."

 

Ruby shakes her head as she stands. "I have enough problems with Yang as it is. I don't want to cause anymore by gossiping about her and Shion." She declares before walking away.

 

"That was expected." Aqua shrugs. 

 

"That's Wolfy for you. Never one to gossip, even though her old man is a terrible one." Diane adds with a smirk. 

 

"I think I'm going to go find Coco. I'll see you all later as well." Velvet adds as she too stands and walks off. 

 

Pyrrha sighs as she stands. "I think this is honestly none of my business either." She admits as she picks up her tray and walks off. "Ruby! Wait up!"

 

Aqua sighs as she watches them all go. "Wolfy needs to give it up. Things have gone too far between her and Yang to fix."

 

Amy nods. "Shion's offered to trade one of us to get Yang onto our team."

 

"I told her no way it's gonna be me or Amy." Diane adds hotly as her tail bristles. "Bubbles either."

 

Jaune snorts as he looks at the members of team SAAD. "I requested Pyrrha be taken off my team this morning. I'm done dealing with her crap."

 

"You did what?!" Nora asks aghast.

 

"It seems to me like a lot of teams are about to be shaken up." Blake points out idly.

 

Aqua nods as she looks up from a sketchbook on the table. "The question becomes who's getting moved where, and when?"

 

"So long as I get taken off that brat's team, I could give a fuck less." Yang declares suddenly as she appears behind them all and glares at them. "And seriously Amy, who the hell's friend are you?!"

 

"I'm friends with anyone willing to be my friend." The wolf faunus replies evenly, even as she locks glares with the blonde. "Especially if they treat me like a person and not like a victim or someone to pick on."

 

"Oh yeah? So who looks out for you now then?" 

 

"Me." Diane replies as she stands to her full height, her tail bristling dangerously. "I already almost turned Dove and Lark into a pair of trees just yesterday, and Cardin almost got his balls handed to him before Oobleck's."

 

"Me as well." Weiss adds as she too stands. 

 

"The next time Cardin lays a finger on a single faunus, I will crush him like the bug he is." Blake declares almost hatefully. 

 

"I'll break anyone who touches my friends." Nora flexes Magnhild in her hands as she glares.

 

"It's called being someone's friend, Yang." Aqua points out as she closes her sketchbook and stands, while laying a hand on Diane's shoulder. "Enough, Squirrelly. Let's go study for Port's class, we do have that report on the nesting habits of Nevermores to finish."

 

"I need to work on it too." Blake sighs as she stands and offers Weiss a hand to rise. "Only Weiss and Ruby have finished theirs so far."

 

"That's because I refuse to slack on my assignments, and Ruby and I stay up late to work on assignments since she has so much to do." The heiress points out as the group of friends rise and part, leaving Yang staring at them as they all walk off. All except for Ren and Nora, the former looking at her.

 

"Yang, your dislike for Ruby does not translate to the rest of us." He declares calmly. 

 

"Yeah, and I bet she was talking shit about me and Shion too." The brawler counters hotly.

 

"Actually, she told us to stop." Nora informs her, getting a look of surprise out of the blonde. "Then she left."

 

"She is still convinced that she can make peace with you." He adds as he offers Nora his arm, which she takes with a smile. "Perhaps that, and not your own dislike for her should be what you should consider, before it is too late and the harm is irreparable." 

 

Yang watches them leave with a look of shock on her features, while Shion stands nearby and shakes her head in agreement. But then the brawler storms off, her aura visible as she mutters angrily about stupid opinions and how people should mind their own business. Shion follows her, a blank look on her own features and her own hands in her pockets...

 

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Afterword: The End of a Legacy

 

It is the sound of sobbing coming from Beacon's forges that draws Velvet's attention as she walks by. Entering, she sighs as she sees Ruby standing over a workbench, fists clenched at her sides as she stares at the jet black scythe before her. Moving to her side, she wraps her arms around the younger woman and hugs her tightly.

 

"She would have loved you…" Ruby mumbles as she keeps staring at the weapon her mother wielded during her own life and career as a huntress.

 

"Shhhh. It's ok, Ruby." Velvet replies quietly as she keeps her sibling in her embrace. "What are you doing?"

 

"I want to rebuild Crescent Rose." She replies quietly as her hands clench and unclench slowly, while the younger woman leans into her older sister. "But I want to use Mom's scythe blade to reforge mine."

 

"I see." Velvet nods as she looks at the weapon on the bench. "This is definitely going to be a lot of work."

 

"Yeah I know." Ruby looks at Velvet, her lower lip still trembling. "Stay? I don't know if I can do this alone."

 

"Sure, Ruby." Velvet replies as she releases Ruby from her embrace and steps back. She watches as the wolf faunus begins to remove the blade from the shaft, the whole time with shaking hands that, more than once, almost cut themselves on the razor sharp object. And when Ruby howls once her work is done, she doesn't hesitate to wrap her arms around her sibling once more.

 

It is a terrible, tragic thing they have in common. They both have lost their mothers, and in their grief, they cling to one another as both their tears fall, while Retribution lies in pieces before them...

Chapter 18: Hopes, Dreams and Fears

Notes:

Merry Christmas everyone from Winter and myself, we hope you are all having a great day and that you enjoy this chapter of MoR.

-Ozpin's Office-

 

Friday afternoons are a joy for all the students. They are free for two whole days from the rigors of studying and cramming for classes, training relentlessly in combat, and other scholastic endeavors. But for the faculty, they still have to survive a week's end staff meeting with Headmaster Ozpin. Some meetings can drone on and on for hours on end, while others are quick and simple. 

 

Today's meeting looks to be the former, and not the latter.

 

Ozpin himself is sitting behind his desk, looking over his notes before looking at the rest of his staff at Beacon Academy. In his own opinion, this is the finest staff ever gathered in any combat school or academy on Remnant, and he is always quick to brag to anyone who is listening that he has the highest amount of graduates of the four huntsmen academies. But today is not about school pride, but about the coming Vytal festival and all that will occur as a result. Clearing his throat, he smiles as he looks upon his faculty. “As you all know it’s almost time to take in teams from other schools.”

 

“Ah that time already.” Port declares excitedly, ready and happily willing to welcome new temporary students.

 

“So far we only have Teams SSSN and CNME from Haven, other teams have yet to be decided.” Glynda informs everyone from her place next to Oobleck, who nods in agreement.

 

"No doubt both James and Theodore both will hold their entrants until the last possible moment, as they have done before in years past." The Doctor adds, Glynda nodding in her own agreement. "Thus making our lives and routines more difficult."

 

Professor Irons, a surprisingly short, tan skinned human male with massive tree trunk like arms and with a close cropped military style haircut, sighs. "Great. More idiots trying to come into my forges and workshops to fix their weapons and equipment at the last minute." Beacon's forgemaster grumbles as he shakes his head, a scowl on his pockmarked face. "Bad enough I had Ruby and Velvet crying in one of them last night and scaring everyone away."

 

"Have a heart, Irons." Salem chides him as she matches scowls with him. "She was taking Summer's scythe apart. That couldn't have been easy for her."

 

"Cry someplace else! The forge is to get real work done!"

 

Salem smirks as she looks the forgemaster in the eyes. "I can't wait to hear you say that to Alex. He'll be here this weekend to help Ruby reforge her scythe." Professor Irons turns pale under his forge tanned skin at her declaration, but goes silent under her continued scrutiny until she turns her attention back to Ozpin with a huff. "Is there anything else, David? Or can we finally go home?"

 

"Actually, I have something I would like to propose to you all while we are all here." Ara declares as she looks at the gathered professors and the headmaster. “With the arrival of guest teams just on the horizon, I’d like to introduce a new class into the school’s curriculum as well.”

 

“What kind of class are we talking about?” Peach asks calmly, even as Salem groans and Glynda pinches the bridge of her nose.

 

“A sort of biology class, one that teaches our students about faunus as well as humans.” She informs them as she smiles.

 

Port strokes his mustache. “Interesting. Is this an attempt to bridge the gap between faunus and humans of the next generation?”

 

“Yes but I’d like to hear everyone’s opinions on this topic.” Ara replies as her smile widens, the woman knowing how much she is driving Glynda and Salem both crazy with dragging the meeting out more. 

 

"I myself would not be against it." Doctor Oobleck replies with a smile of his own. "I can even provide historical evidence of the evolution of both races through time." He adds excitedly.

 

"I have several different accurate books on faunus anatomy in the library." Salem offers with a smile of her own. "And I'm certain the student union has sources available to them to get you formal textbooks as well, Ara."

 

Glynda nods. "I'll check with the union on Monday morning, before my first class."

 

"My classroom is available on Wednesdays and Friday afternoons." Port volunteers with a wide smile of his own. "You are more than welcome to use it."

 

Peach grins at Ara and winks. "I told you everyone would be on board with this, Ara Ara." She points out, getting a nod and a blush in response.

 

"Thank you all."

 

“Good. Now with that sorted, does anyone have anything else to bring up?” Ozpin asked, looking around at everyone.

 

Oobleck nods as he clears his throat. “Yes actually. I’d like to know what it is you're planning to do about Mr Winchester and Miss Xiao Long.”

 

“I’ve been wondering this as well to be honest.” Port admits.

 

"Alex and I both are getting more and more concerned, David. Things are not getting better between Ruby and Yang." Salem adds.

 

“All of you must think I’ve lost my mind keeping the teams the way they are.” Ozpin begins solemnly, his hands folded across his desk. "But I have excellent reasons for doing so."

 

“Well we just can’t see your reasoning behind letting this continue." Peach begins as she frowns. "Team SAAD worked out far better than I had thought but JNPR is barely keeping up while RWBY is on the verge of falling apart, why are you ignoring the team changes?”

 

“I have my reasons. For JNPR, Jaune Arc needs to learn to step up to the plate and to take offered help. Miss Nikos needs to learn that rather than having an already capable leader she should use her skills to support her current one and truly help them grow as a team.”

 

“What about RWBY?” Peach asks calmly, despite her body language betraying her worry. “I have a feeling that if something isn’t done soon then something bad will happen.”

 

"I agree, David. Something needs to be done before Ruby loses her own temper with Yang, and the whole situation explodes." Salem adds. 

 

“I’m aware however I believe it’s best to watch and let things unfold.” As Ozpin declares this Salem shakes her head.

 

"David, please just make the changes before it's too late."

 

“Team RWBY is like a village that has been suffering from a drought. Before things get better they are going to get worse.” At this all other professors share a troubled look between each other. 

 

"David, this is far past a drought." Glynda chimes in.

 

"Indeed. This is more akin to a smoldering fire." Doctor Oobleck adds solemnly. "One in which a single spark will affect not just Miss Rose and Miss Xiao Long, but their team as well as their fellow first years."

 

"This will not end well." Port adds as he shakes his head.

 

"Even I can see the growing problem here, Ozpin, and I barely leave the forge." Irons agrees as he leans back in his own chair. 

 

"I have faith that things will work out." Ozpin repeats firmly, silencing his faculty. “Now as for Mr Winchester and his team, I know I’ve given them more than enough chances however Aguila is doing everything she can to keep him here since no other school will take him. At this point until some things are finalized in Vale I won’t be able to expel him.”

 

"Things like what?" Peach asks calmly, while Salem can be seen texting on her scroll angrily, her fingernails clicking on her screen.

 

Ozpin smiles as he looks at them all. "Falco has filed for a divorce." He informs them calmly, taking note of the looks of surprise on many of their faces.

 

"It's about damned time!" Port declares as he grins. "She was never right for him, and I told him so before their wedding."

 

"I knew things had gotten worse since Talon's death and Bianca's birth." Glynda adds as she looks at the headmaster. "But have they really gotten that bad?"

 

"Worse than even we believed." Ozpin confirms. "Aguila refuses to even acknowledge Bianca, and encourages Cardin and his anti-faunus rhetoric. But his final straw was the way she dismissed Cardin's latest antics as him simply being an overenthusiastic young man."

 

"This is all well and good, but if you aren't going to do anything else to him or Yang, then I'm leaving." Salem suddenly declares as she stands while glaring daggers at the headmaster. "You aren't wasting any more of my time here with idle chit chat when I have a wedding to finish planning in a week's time."

 

Glynda nods as she and Oobleck stand as well. "We have two little girls to get home to ourselves, David." She begins as she sighs, while Salem storms out of the room and into the elevator, the doors of which close behind her. "And David, please stop ignoring us when it comes to Miss Rose and Miss Xiao Long."

 

"Indeed. Both their tempers are well documented in their records, and their last battle left Signal's training area unusable for the remainder of the school year." Doctor Oobleck adds solemnly.

 

"The same for Mr. Winchester, David." Port chimes in as he too stands. "Velvet Scarlatina has been patient with him this year, but even the most meek and timid of mice will eventually fight when cornered, and that young woman is too dangerous as well."

 

"I'm personally tired of seeing his victims in the clinic, David." Ara adds as she too rises to her feet. "Deal with him in a much more appropriate manner before I ask Ryker to teach him some respect for his fellow living beings."

 

David Ozpin watches as his remaining professors save Peach depart as well, the falcon faunus sighing as she looks at him. "This is becoming a mess, babe."

 

"I'm aware, Celestia." He groans as he slumps down in his chair. "I myself am praying that nothing happens for the remainder of the deadline I set. Or even better, a miracle that Miss Nikos and Miss Xiao Long come to their senses."

 

"I personally think you have a better chance of taming a Goliath." Peach informs him with a sad smile. "Because this is not going to end well. Not with Yang and Ruby butting heads whenever they even see one another."

 

"I am planning one last mandatory team building exercise, Celestia." He admits to the Professor. "A group report of the preparations being made by the city of Vale proper for the Vytal Festival. Hopefully the four members of team RWBY will be able to work together and complete this assignment without there being any kind of altercations between them."

 

"And if there is?" She asks curiously.

 

"Then I must be prepared to break apart two solid teams for their own good." He admits as he brings up Yang's and Pyrrha's records on his computer screen. "While also hoping that there is no actual violence involved with Ruby and Yang's final confrontation."

 

"David…" Peach sighs as she lays a hand gently on his. "I normally back you no matter what, because I firmly believe that you have the best interests of this school and your students at heart."

 

"But?"

 

"But this time? I think you're making a mistake." She informs him bluntly. "And I agree with the others. Make the changes now, before it's far too late to take back whatever they may say or do to one another. Separate Yang and Ruby to give them the space they actually need to perhaps eventually build a healthy and productive friendship." Standing up, she walks to a door and opens it to reveal a spacious living area behind it. "I'm going to start on dinner. Don't sit out here obsessing too long please?" She asks before walking through the doorway and closing the door behind her.

 

David Ozpin watches her go with a soft smile. One that fades as he looks at the two sets of records before him. Taking note of the glowing transfer button hovering between them, he sighs as he too stands and walks into the personal quarters he and Peach have shared for several years now, ever since she took the place of a former professor who went rogue and almost succeeded in overthrowing the Valian government. 

 

Hopefully, he is correct about the current situation between Ruby Rose-Garibaldi and Yang Xiao Long, and that things will end as he predicted. Otherwise, he isn't sure how he will be able to face his best friend if things truly do go wrong as Alex keeps warning him they will…

 

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-Saturday Morning. Beacon Forge-

 

Saturdays at Beacon Academy are well known for being either times of quiet and peacefulness, or times of noise and merriment. But at the forges, there is always the sounds of hammer meeting metal, the roaring of flames, and the other various sounds of business and purposeness. And this morning is no different as a particular father and daughter take up one of the larger forges to work in. 

 

Clang clang clang…

 

"Listen up, pup. I'm only gonna teach ya how to aura forge ah weapon once." Alex declares as Ruby begins the painstaking process of melting down Retribution's darksteel scythe blade to reforge to fit to her own Crescent Rose. "And before you ask, no, your momma never aura forged her scythe's blade. Otherwise, this wouldn't work."

 

Clang clang clang…

 

"The trick to it ain't in the quality of the metal. You can use pig steel if ya want, it won't make no difference. The real strength of that new blade of yours is gonna be in how much aura you put into it, along with how much you use in the hammer ta shape it."

 

"So it's a balancing act?" She asks as she watches her mother's scythe melt down and start to fill the mold she needs.

 

"It is. Ya don't want ta be over excessive with your weapon. Then it's gonna be a hassle to work the metal cause you're basically gonna be fighting yourself the whole damned way."

 

Clang clang clang…

 

"Best part of aura forging? You can inscribe the blade with runes." He explains as he leans against another anvil, while Ruby begins to mold the new pieces of the blade carefully. "It's ah form of magic, runes. They can help ya from lightening the blade ah bit, to making it sharper, or even givin ya more defenses. Just remember, runes can counteract each other, canceling themselves out."

 

Ruby pauses as she quenches the blade to look at her father. "Runes? Like what Weiss has on her rapier?"

 

He nods. "Mhmm. Iffin what you told me is right, it sounds like Weiss uses her runes to extend the duration and strength of her glyphs. Smart of her."

 

Ruby sighs. "Why would I need em though? I'm plenty strong enough without em."

 

"Again, cause depending on how you combine 'em, they can be a huge help. Even Diane has runes on Gideon to help her defend herself better." Alex points out. "Honestly, may not hurt ya to inscribe Crescent Rose with runes ta make her sharper, or more durable considering how often you break the tips or crack ah part of the damned blade."

 

"Like you've never cracked one of your blades." She counters as she begins the painstaking process of sealing the molten metal into the mold for the biggest section of the blade, while setting more darksteel to heat in the forge itself for the two smaller sections. And all while still being careful about the amount of aura she keeps channelling into the metal inside the mold proper.

 

"Nope, cause of the runes on 'em. Them blades'll never even chip as long as the proper heir wields 'em." 

 

Ruby stops and looks at her Mountain of a father, one eyebrow raised. "Eh? And how would ya know it?"

 

He smiles as he draws one of his own bastard swords and offers it to her, hilt first. "Here. Take it."

 

The younger girl nods as she does so, grimacing at how heavy it is. "Damn, I figured I put on enough muscle over the summer to finally lift it."

 

"Look at the runes, pup. See how they ain't glowin?"

 

She checks and nods. "Yeah. So?"

 

"Means you ain't my successor." The Mountain informs his little rose. "Remember, you're part of two old clans, pup. We Garibaldis have been the defenders of Vale for bout as long as it existed. We served the old king proudly till the war, and we sided with the faunus cause that was the right thing to do." He sighs as he smiles. "My Momma and Daddy would be proud of the woman you're growing up to be. Your momma too. But, it also means ya took after Summer too, and the blade knows it."

 

"So who's your successor then, Daddy?" Ruby asks as she sets the sword down by the forge next to her own to return to her own work.

 

"Velvet is. She's the oldest, an I hate to tell ya this, but she's way stronger than you." He replies with a grin. "Apparently, her semblance is strong enough to where she's already banned from Vytal."

 

"I call bullshit." Ruby replies with a snort. "They ain't banned nobody since Ozpin."

 

"No, I'm banned." Velvet admits as she enters the forge, Coco in tow. "My copycat semblance got a lot stronger than even I expected. Enough to where I have to wear limiters."

 

"What was that, pup?" The Mountain calls out as his wolf's ears wiggle in amusement. 

 

"Ok ok. You win." The Mountain's Rose grumbles as she returns to working on the new blade for Crescent Rose.

 

Coco however keeps looking from Velvet to Alex, then Velvet to Ruby before smiling. "Ok, I can believe it now." She declares with a small smile.

 

"Believe wut?" He asks as Velvet walks over to him and looks up.

 

"That you three are related." The fashionista confirms. "She has your ears, and she and Ruby have the same curves."

 

"Coco!"

 

"What?!" 

 

"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" The wolf faunus roars with laughter as both his daughters sputter and blush madly, while Coco smirks. Ruby returns to her forging as she blushes a red that could rival her cloak, while Velvet just looks at Alex.

 

"I got your message, Da."

 

The older man smiles. "Thanks for coming so early, bunny. And yeah, grab that sword over there." He orders as he points to Justice, which Ruby left by the current unlit forge. 

 

Nodding, she walks over and lifts it up with ease as the blade flares to life, a series of runes glowing brightly enough to get even Ruby's attention. "Whoa."

 

The younger woman smiles. "Ok, guess you win this one Daddy." She whispers before returning to her work, the blade beginning to take a deadly shape.

 

Alex smiles in pride. "A Garibaldi woman, through and through." He declares as the rabbit woman stares in surprise. "Y'all want your proof, there it is. Only my successor can even lift it like it's made of air."

 

Velvet turns to look at Alex, tears in her eyes. "I'm your successor? We just met."

 

"Don't matter." He replies. "You got both justice and mercy in your heart, and the bloodline of knights runs through your veins." He informs her as he stands to his full height. "Means I gotta teach ya how ta wield em."

 

"We just met." The rabbit faunus whispers as she keeps holding Justice in her hand. "My mom did so many wrong things to you. Why are you being so kind to me?"

 

Ruby pauses her work to quench her blade again, the piece of darksteel definitely shaped into the curve needed for a scythe. "Are you your momma?" She asks her sister, who shakes her head. "Velvet, all me and Daddy want is a chance to be your family. Fifteen, almost sixteen years is more than long enough for me to not know ya."

 

"Bout to be nineteen, right?" Alex asks, getting a nod. "That's nineteen years I gotta hear from ya, nineteen years ah missed, and I don't wanna miss no more."

 

Coco smirks as she looks at the rabbit faunus. "Told you, Bun Bun. So did Headmaster Ozpin."

 

Velvet smiles as she looks at them all, while wiping her tears away. "What do you want to know, loves?"

 

"What's your birthday?" Ruby asks as she picks up her scroll. "I'm awful with dates, so I gotta put it in my calendar."

 

"September fourteenth." She replies, getting a choking cough out of Alex. "Are you ok?!"

 

Alex waves her off. "Mine's the twenty eighth, and Ruby's ah Halloween baby."

 

Coco looks at the younger girl, a smile on her face. "Please say you party on Halloween?"

 

"Costumes are mandatory!" She calls back as she resumes her work. "Even Daddy and Mum don't get out of it."

 

"Mum?" Velvet asks, getting a smile from the Mountain.

 

"Me an Salem are getting married in ah week. Think she's wanting you there for sure, probably as one of my groomswomen."

 

"Headmaster Ozpin is Daddy's best man." Ruby adds as hammer keeps meeting metal, Alex nodding in approval at his younger daughter's progress.

 

"Do I need a dress?" The rabbit asks.

 

"Nope. Huntsmen's wedding. Wear your gear." He informs her with a smile. "Neither of us are wanting anything big or fancy."

 

"Can I bring my team?" The rabbit asks.

 

"Yup. Ruby's bringing her's, and Diane and Aqua are supposed to be comin too."

 

Coco nods. "Thank you sir. We'll be there, also." Coco smirks as she looks at Ruby. “I guess that means you're out of luck when it comes to not having a big or fancy wedding.”

 

Ruby blushes. “What do you mean?”

 

“I’m meaning Weisss is filthy stinking rich and from what Velvet tells me Blake’s family are super traditional Faunus.”

 

Ruby’s face grows brighter as she fumbles a bit from embarrassment.

 

Alex couldn’t help but let out a roar of a laugh. "She’s got ya there pup. Now, how's your momma and daddy? Ain't talked to Azura and Cacao in ah bit." Alex asks as he settles back down against the anvil.

 

"She sends her warmest regards actually." Coco replies as she and Alex settle down into chatting, slowly drawing Velvet into their conversation.

 

Clang clang clang…

 

Ruby focuses on the task at hand. She isn't disappointed that Velvet is the heiress to the clan. She's inwardly relieved, as she keeps putting hammer to metal, grateful that the scythe blade she is reforging is going smoothly. She had been worried about sacrificing her mother's scythe to rebuild her own, but as smoothly and as easily as it's going, she feels like she has the long dead woman's blessings, and that means the world to her…

 

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

 

-Island of Patch-

 

Shion Negras hates coming to Patch. It reminds her too much of the wilds of Mistral, where she grew up as a member of a proud and dangerous bandit clan. But, Yang insisted on coming home for the weekend, as she needed parts for her precious Bumblebee, which has been sabotaged again. When she finds out who keeps messing with that damned motorcycle, she may end up killing them herself before Yang can beat the shit out of them.

 

Unless it is team TAPES, them she even steers clear of.

 

Sighing as they approach Yang's home, she takes note that Tai hadn’t shown up himself to pick them up, which she assumes that he must be drunk out of his gourd again. Nothing new with him, and nothing new to Yang either. She takes note that Zwei's doghouse is empty, and assumes that the corgi has gone to find his own food again, more than likely at a neighbor's house where he is viewed with sympathy. She makes a mental note to find him at some point this weekend, and see if she can smuggle him into Beacon. 

 

She hates to even think it, but she's a hundred percent sure Ruby would immediately fall in love with the hunt trained animal and take better care of him than Yang and her father would. Unlike Yang, she pays attention to the information she has gathered on the younger woman, and knows that she has had many pets before, and is an acknowledged excellent and responsible pet owner. Yeah, she needs to take Zwei to Beacon for his own good.

 

Yang can barely take care of herself, much less the active and hopefully still friendly corgi.

 

Reaching the front door of the cabin, she takes note of how dilapidated the front porch is, with it's half broken swing, it's sagging eaves, and missing middle step they both have to jump over to reach the porch proper. She sighs as Yang ignores the condition of the porch and opens the front door, wrinkling her nose at the overwhelming smell of alcohol that emerges from the opening. Yang of course ignores it, while she wishes she had a mask to cover her nose and mouth. But she follows behind the blonde, who walks in as if this is commonplace.

 

She sighs again when she hears Yang cursing as she knocks over several empty beer bottles near the entrance to the living room, while wondering why there are no lights on. Moving to a switch, she groans as she flips it and nothing happens. Tai must not have paid the power bill, again, which is going to piss Yang off completely and totally. 

 

"Dad?" She hears the brawler call out, and she herself looks around as well to see if she spots the older blonde man. Perhaps he is passed out on the ruined piece of furniture they call a couch, or he may be passed out in his own bed upstairs. A normal toss up with him.

 

"Fuck it stinks in here." Yang declares in disgust as she moves about in the near darkness. She herself takes a flashlight from her satchel and turns it on, instantly regretting the action as she sees the piles of empty take out packages, rows upon rows of empty alcohol and beer bottles, and the general state of filthiness of the living room and attached dining room.

 

"Yang, let's just get the parts and go." Shion suggests as the brawler uses her light to navigate her way through the disaster of a living room.

 

"No, I need to see if the washer and dryer are working. I need more clean clothes from here." Yang replies curtly as she makes her way to the stairs, and flips another light switch with the same results. "Or not."

 

"Just grab what you need and you can wash everything at my place." Shion insists as she moves around another pile of empty liquor bottles. "And fix your damned bike too."

 

"All my tools are here, and the power has to still be on." Yang replies heatedly as she glares at her friend. "I can hear the fridge still running."

 

"But-" 

 

"No buts, Shion. I wanna stay home for a weekend. I need to do some stuff, and it looks like Dad isn't home to bug you or harass me." Yang continues as she slowly and carefully goes upstairs. "You coming or what?" 

 

"Yeah I guess." Shion deadpans as she follows, careful to avoid all the various debris and castoff clothing on the stairs and the railing, some of which Yang picks up as she mutters too quietly for her to hear. Not for the first time she wishes the boss gave more of a shit about Yang to do something more about the situation, but that's akin to hoping a Taijitu can learn to kiss itself on each head. Taking note that the upstairs isn't as trashed as the downstairs, she follows the brawler to her bedroom, which is covered in clothes, shotgun shells, and a mirror with a picture of Yang and Rosella during better days, when the wolf faunus girl was still alive and Yang gave more of a fuck about things. 

 

These days, Yang normally doesn't give a damn about anything, however she is feeling guilty about how she spoke to Amy and wants to apologize to her but missed her chance to do it face to face opting to do it the next time they saw each other. 

 

Time passes as she helps Yang gather up clothes to wash, track down the parts she needs to fix Bumblebee, and just straighten up in general. During that time, Shion notices that there really isn't even a scrap of food in the cabin, even for Zwei, that the power is still on, but there is a disconnect notice in the mailbox, and that the mess is worse than even she thought. It's as if with Yang being gone to Beacon, Tai has stopped even caring about the cabin in general, as evident by the general lack of cleanliness and the badly needed repairs to the place. 

 

And so help her, if she falls through the ceiling, she doesn't care what her orders are, she is shooting Taiyang Xiao Long.

 

It is almost midnight when the two of them stop for the night. Yang has two bags filled with now clean clothes, underwear, and assorted objects including the picture of her and Rosella. The parts for Bumblebee are stacked neatly by the garage door along with a toolbox and various larger tools, and the two of them have even managed to wash some bedding to sleep with. Zwei still has yet to reappear, and that is concerning her, but Yang hasn't even worried about the corgi even once. 

 

When she gets back to Vale, she is calling Sir Alex about the corgi. He deserves so much better than this.

 

Settling down, Shion sighs as she checks to be sure her battle rifle is within reach before drifting off to sleep. She doesn't trust Tai to not do something stupid if he were to come home before they leave, and she wants to be ready to do her job: Protecting Yang at all costs…

 

/\/\/\/\/\

 

Shion is awoken to the sounds of breaking glass and yelling voices and groans. It's barely past eight in the morning, yet one voice sounds drunken, and the other sounds apologetic. Rising from the mattress she laid down on Yang's bedroom floor, she rushes out into the walkway and groans once more as she sees Yang arguing with Tai.

 

"Why are you even here?!" Tai demands as he glares at his daughter, a bottle of some kind of alcohol in his hand and anger in his body posture. "Aren't you Ozpin's problem now?!"

 

"I needed some stuff from my room, and parts for my bike!" Yang replies as she tries her best to look imposing, but fails as she begins to shrink away from her father's obvious anger.

 

"Why do you need crap from here?! Don't you have enough crap already with you?" 

 

"I needed more clothes!"

 

Shion sighs as she slings her battle rifle onto her back and makes her way to the stairs. Once again Yang is shriveling under her father's overbearing glare and needs some moral support. And as drunk as Tai is, she doesn't doubt that the older man is on the verge of trying to hit his daughter, something she won't allow.

 

"I bet you're still on that freak's team, aren't you?! Aren't you ashamed of being a member of a team with someone who got people killed?!" Oh no! Not this, anything but this! Yang still shuts down when the night of the incident gets brought up, her own guilt and loss affecting her deeply. And as if on cue, the younger blonde does indeed deflate as her father's glare gets even more intense.

 

"I'm sorry…"

 

"You're damned right you're sorry! You've been at Beacon for a month and you keep screwing up! Your grades are shit, you're on a team with a shit leader, and you're not doing anything about it!"

 

"But…"

 

"No buts!" Tai roars, making Yang cringe even more in fright. "Either make that sorry bitch regret being accepted to Beacon two years early, or don't ever come back here!"

 

"That's enough!" Shion roars back as she reaches the two of them, putting herself between the two of them as a shield. "Professor Ozpin's been more than clear that he isn't changing the teams, and Yang has to deal with it!"

 

Tai snorts as he looks at the shorter young woman. "Then she needs to establish her dominance." He declares before taking a deep pull from the liquor bottle. "She needs to show that little freak who's the better of them once and for all."

 

"And what will that solve?" Shion counters through gritted teeth. 

 

"It'll show everyone that she's better than the no good freak daughter of a no good wolf faunus." He replies evenly, Shion almost gagging at the smell of alcohol on his breath. 

 

"It won't change a thing." 

 

Tai smirks. "It'll show me that my own daughter is better than I thought. That maybe she's cut out to be more than a loser as long as she stays on that team." He declares as his smirk turns into a sneer. "Maybe then I'll even respect her enough to respect her decision to be a huntress."

 

Shion shakes her head as she turns and looks at the brawler, who is crying silent tears. "Yang, let's just go. We can borrow the tools you need at Beacon from someone." Yang just nods silently as she turns and starts walking up the stairs. But both of them pause when they hear Tai take another breath.

 

"Yeah, get out of my house." Tai mimics cruelly before taking another long drink. Gasping once he's done, he sneers at the two young women once more. "And don't come back until you show that little wolf freak who's really the better of the two of you."

 

Shion sighs as she and Yang quickly and efficiently gather the brawler's things and leave the cabin as quickly as they can manage, Tai's cruel laughter chasing them as they hurry down the driveway. The young woman's blood is boiling as she hurries to keep up with the brawler, who is now sobbing as she all but breaks into a run to get away even faster from the father who keeps breaking her heart.

 

But Shion Negras is sure of one thing, her boss is going to hear about this. And, she hopes for Yang's sake she finally gets involved before things are too late and Yang does fight Ruby in an effort to finally earn Taiyang Xiao Long's misguided approval. That and she needs to tell Sir Alex about Zwei. Even the corgi deserves so much better than all of this...

 

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

 

-Afterword: The Khan and her Black Guard-

 

The average member of the White Fang will probably never get to meet their supreme leader, Sienna Khan. Even the above average warrior for the paramilitary organization may consider themselves lucky to even get to meet her even once, and that is for what amounts to be a brief moment in her normally busy schedule. It is only the truly gifted, the truly talented, the truly useful to the organization that get to bask in her commanding presence. 

 

Unless you are a member of her Black Guard. 

 

The White Fang's Black Guard are her elite warriors and bodyguards. Wholly committed to her cause, they are the silent enforcers of her will both in Mistral as well as Remnant in general. No one escapes them once they have been set on their trail, and several of their targets have even committed suicide or worse to get away from the elite warriors and assassins. 

 

Only one man has ever escaped them, and Jacques Schnee will still fall to them in the end. His wealth can only protect him for so long.

 

But now, the quartet of deadly faunus have been summoned by the Khan, presumably for another mission, and they are as eager as always to prove themselves worthy of her trust. The four faunus are as different as can be, yet have forged a bond between them closer than that of friendship or even family. 

 

Leading them is a tall reptile faunus man wearing a dark longcoat and carefully tailored clothes to take advantage of his obvious faunus features of a scaly tail, clawed hands, and scales running down his back. Beside him is an angelfish faunus woman wearing a beautiful anima styled dress which leaves her own scaled arms bare. Ferox Bestia and his wife Rena have led the Black Guard for several years now, and are among Sienna's most trusted lieutenants in the organization. 

 

Behind them and chatting quietly with one another are Genus Arachne, a spider faunus man with four eyes, and Emma Serpentia, a boa constrictor faunus with a long scaley tail of her own poking out from a carefully tailored dress. The two of them have earned their places in the Black Guard by deed, and the electronics expert and the surprisingly gifted assassin are considered close friends by the Bestias, and indispensable comrades in arms.

 

But now the four of them are curious. It's been some time since they have been ordered out, and they have begun to worry that they have somehow fallen out of favor with their leader since the failed attempt on Jacques' life. Fears they all realize are unfounded when they enter the Khan's throne room and see the woman herself waiting for them with a broad smile.

 

"Welcome, my Black Guard. My thanks for coming so quickly." Sienna greets them, putting them more at ease. 

 

Ferox steps forward and bows deeply. "My lady, we stand ready to serve you as eagerly as always."

 

"Excellent!" Sienna declares with a smirk as she motions them towards a map of Remnant, the four kingdoms displayed prominently upon it. "I have a simple enough task for the four of you, one that you may take personal delight in, Genus and Emma."

 

"Any task you give us honors us." Genus replies with an air of humble humility.

 

"Indeed, My Khan." Emma adds as she bows deeply. "You need only sssay the word, and we will deal with anyone foolisssh enough to defy you."

 

"This mission is more… personal than most." The White Fang leader admits as her smile turns wicked. "A new agent in Vale has informed me that Blake Belladonna is hiding at Beacon Academy."

 

"Forgive my impudence, My Khan." Rena chimes in as she looks at the map, the word 'Freedom' written in bold letters under Vale. "But I thought you forbade us from running any kind of operations in Vale since they have proven themselves to be friends to the faunus?"

 

"Normally yes." She admits as she too looks at the map. "But for Blake, I will risk a war with Vale to see her captured and punished for Adam's death." She growls out as she glares at the symbol signifying Beacon Academy. "She will pay in blood for his."

 

Ferox nods as he studies the map. "Understood, My Khan." He declares as he looks at his team. "We shall capture Blake and return her to you for punishment." 

 

The rest of the Black Guard bow as well, getting a nod of satisfaction from their leader. "You will travel to Vale as another team competing at Vytal. I've already made the arrangements with Leonardo. You simply need to come up with a team name he can pass on to the professors at Beacon."

 

Ferox smiles as looks at the Khan, his team grinning as well. "We already have one, my Khan. Simply enroll us as team FEAR. We shall handle the capture of Blake Belladonna and perhaps see for ourselves if the claims of Vale of true equality are true or not."

 

"They are." Genus chimes in as he offers Ferox his scroll, an article about Falco Winchester filing for divorce on the screen. "He is one of our greatest champions now in Vale, and even has a faunus granddaughter."

 

Emma nods in agreement. "We grew up in Vale before joining the White Fang here in Missstral." She adds confidently. 

 

"Then we may need to handle this all quietly." Rena admits as she looks up at Ferox, her eyes full of concern. 

 

"Indeed." Sienna agrees. "I don't want you four running afoul of my brother, or the Mountain himself. Even you would be hard pressed to defeat him, Ferox."

 

To her surprise, Ferox pales a bit at the mention of the Valian guild leader."No need to involve him if at all possible." He agrees as calmly as he can manage. 

 

"We better do some information gathering when we arrive." Genus declares as he taps on his scroll. 

 

"A lot of it." Emma adds as she looks at the Khan. "Genusss and I enjoy going home occasssionally to visssit."

 

"Do as you must." Sienna orders as she turns away from the map and her Black Guard. "But do not start a war with Vale unless there's no other way to capture Blake Belladonna. And!" She pauses and looks at them one last time. "Do not fail me again. I ignored your failure with Jacques Schnee due to circumstances being beyond even your controls. But, I will not ignore or tolerate another failure. Am I understood?"

 

"Yes, My Khan." Ferox replies as he bows low, the action repeated by his own team. "We will not fail you again."

 

"Good. Once you arrive in Vale, meet with a man named Perry Moon. He is a loyal member who claims that Vale is not as progressive as we believe. See with your own eyes if his words are true or not." She informs them as she sits on her throne. "Bring me Blake Belladonna, or do not return at all." She adds before motioning for them to leave with a dismissive gesture of her hand.

 

Once clear of the throne room, the four of them begin to talk quietly with one another, Emma and Genus being loud with their protests that this Perry is mistaken with his assessment of Vale. Ferox ignores them all as the wheels in his mind turn rapidly. He knows better than the others that they cannot fail in their assigned task, while also worried about a possible confrontation with the Mountain of Vale. Only he knows that twelve years before, a different Bestia challenged the Mountain, and lost their life to his blades.

 

Sabrine Bestia, his own mother, killed Summer Rose and Adaliz Schnee in cold blood after losing control of her inner Tyrantia. And the young man can only hope that Alexander Garibaldi is not still angry over his loss. He can only hope that things go smoothly, and Blake Belladonna can be taken from Vale with ease without even involving the legendary huntsman...

Chapter 19: The Gauntlet

Chapter by Winter1112

Notes:

Hiya everyone! Wyn here with a long overdue and promised chapter of Mountain! So, in response to a few comments about Ruby needing to step up, start kicking butt, and taking names, this particular chapter was born. And with that said, if anyone has any issues with some of the events of this chapter, please blame me. I wrote this one myself. Now! Without any further ado, let's get Baby out of her corner and kicking ass like she needs to be, shall we?

"Today class, you will be participating in something unique." Professor Goodwitch declares as she stands before her combat class. "Today we will be having a continuous single elimination match, otherwise known as a gauntlet. That means that the fights continue until the first person called is eliminated by either low aura or ring out. 

Ruby sighs as she unbuttons her jacket, then her vest before removing both. She knew sooner or later she would need to start doing things solo, but not like this. Not when her opponents are literally every other first year in Beacon. Reaching into her locker, she smiles as she takes her blouse out and sets it to the side to put on in a moment.

"Now, for our first combatant." Glynda pauses as her randomizer spins until it finally stops on… "Ruby Rose. Miss Rose, please go and prepare yourself."

"Awww hell. Wolfy's about to kick all our asses!" Diane groans as her head hits her hands. "I knew I should've skipped today!"

This isn't her first gauntlet, but the last one had ended with her and Yang trashing Signal's arena for the remainder of last year. Uncle Qrow even informed her that they are still patching up parts of the wall and ceiling from the disastrous battle between them.

"Wait, I still don't understand what this exercise means." Weiss chimes in as she looks around in confusion. "I've never even heard of it."

"It's a survival battle, Snowy." Blake informs her seriously, Pyrrha nearby and nodding as she looks on with concern in her own eyes. "It's to see how many people Ruby can defeat before her aura goes red or she gets knocked out."

Taking a moment to stretch, she sighs once more as she finishes removing her uniform and begins to don her huntress gear. If she is going to do this, then she is going to be as comfortable as possible. Besides, her daddy'll raise hell if she ruins another uniform before she outgrows it, and she doesn't want to get him stirred up, not with the wedding in just a few days.

"That's extreme!" Weiss protests as she looks around her, noting that everyone is looking at Ruby with varied looks on their faces. Some are concerned, some are excited, and some have genuine fear etched into their features as the realization that they are potentially facing the Mountain's Rose in combat sinks in. 

"You had best prepare Miss Schnee. You may have no choice but to battle Miss Rose today." Glynda points out as kindly as possible.

"Weiss, get ready." Aqua calls out next as she stands and looks at the heiress. "Wolfy may be your girlfriend, but today she's going to be a huntress. Don't disappoint her by not giving it your all."

First is her sports bra, to hold her breasts in place better. Then her blouse, which is tucked neatly into her skirt. Taking a moment to change from her tights to a pair of socks, she then dons her boots and begins to lace them slowly and carefully. The last thing she needs today is for a lace to break, or her heel to snap during a critical moment in the fighting to come.

"I… but…" Weiss tries to protest, but is suddenly silenced by a short, but tender kiss from Ruby.

"Come get me, Snowflake." Ruby whispers once she breaks the kiss. "I'll be waiting for you in the center of the ring."

"O-ok…" Weiss can't help but to blush as Ruby walks off and towards the locker rooms, while around them people are beginning to prepare for the showdown between them and the Reaper.

Lacing up her corset, she grimaces as she realizes that it is not fitting as well as it should. She also noticed her skirt isn't quite as long as it used to be, as well as her sleeves. Great, another combat outfit outgrown in less than two years, which pisses her off because she was rather fond of this particular one. Oh well, something to take care of after the wedding this weekend.

"You don't think she's going to go all Red Reaper on us, do you?" Amy asks Diane, who shrugs. 

"I dunno." The taller squirrel faunus woman replies quietly as she checks over her warhammer. "Last time, she even went through me like I wasn't even trying. It didn't turn into a disaster until she hit Yang."

"Red Reaper?" Blake asks curiously as she looks at her fellow faunus. 

"Rosella Altobelle called Ruby something other than the Mountain's Rose." Shion informs the panther faunus as she checks over her own battle rifle, before attaching a long weapon case to her lower back. "She called her the Red Reaper."

"Hate to say it, but it suits Wolfy much better than Mountain's Rose." Aqua chimes in as a bubble of water forms between her hands, the meerkat radiating nervousness. 

"Just don't let her hear you call her that." Yang suddenly informs them as she flexes her fingers, then closes them into fists. "Only Rosella called her that, and ever since…" The Brawler goes silent as she looks into the battle arena. 

"We understand." Blake smiles reassuringly at her partner, while inwardly amazed at the fact that she willingly volunteered the information.

Strapping her knife to her leg, Ruby pauses a moment as she studies an uncovered necklace with a heart shaped charm hanging in the back of her locker. Reaching for it with a trembling hand, she grasps the golden chain for just a moment as she takes a deep breath and releases it slowly.

"I've got this." She whispers quietly as her eyes close and she takes a second deep breath. "I can do this." Releasing the chain, she takes up her reforged Crescent Rose and rises to her feet, her cloak now free to billow in the small amount of wind coming from a nearby air vent. It's been some time since she's fought solo, and the thought of it scares her a bit considering she may have to fight Weiss, Blake, and perhaps even Pyrrha. 

Pyrrha… Now that would be an interesting challenge.

Her eyes begin to glow softly as she closes her locker before triggering the mechashift in her weapon, unfurling Crescent Rose into its restored glory. Her reforged scythe almost seems to absorb all the nearby light as it's deadly edge begins to glow with an almost eager light of its own.

You're my Red Reaper, Ruby. Rosella once told her during a quiet moment between the two of them. I know you'll always be there to protect me.

"I'm so sorry Rosella." Ruby whispers as she looks back at her locker one last time. "Goddess but I hope I make you proud today." Turning her back to her locker, she strides with growing confidence and purpose back into the middle of the arena. Presenting her scythe with a flourish, she grounds it into the exact center of the floor and smiles. 

"I'm ready."

"Excellent Miss Rose." Glynda replies as the randomizer begins to spin once more, landing on Cardin Winchester's smug face next. "Mr. Winchester, you will start things off."

"What a waste of my time." The older man grumbles as he enters the arena, Ruby not even moving an inch, while her smile turns into a smirk.

"Yeah, you're a waste of my time." Ruby counters, making his eyes narrow in anger. Cardin will be simple enough. His combat style is all about brute force with no type of finesse whatsoever. And get him angry enough, and he even loses what little bit of self control he does have. This shouldn't take long at all. "Come on, iffin you think you can take lil ole me out."

Rosella would already be clapping in her excitement. There! There's my Red Reaper! Go get em babe!

With a roar, Cardin charges forward with his mace raised to strike. But Ruby is ready for the predictable overhead slam that he is all but telegraphing. Darting forward while leaving Crescent Rose in the floor, she meets the older man in the middle of his attack, her own hands grasping his mace easily while her body absorbs the kinetic energy of the swing without issue. Her smirk turns vicious as she looks him in the eyes while they begin a tug of war for the mace held between them.

"Nice mace. Mind if I borrow it?" Without waiting for a response, Ruby twists her body as she lashes out with her left knee, connecting solidly with Cardin's midsection and blasting the air out of his lungs. With a grunt, she finally wrestles control of his mace from him and with a brutal swing, knocks him away and onto the ground, where he lays still with a groan.

"Cardin Winchester has been eliminated due to knockout! Next is Blake Belladonna!"

That's… not good. Unlike Cardin, who she knew would be a pushover, Blake is far more skilled and deadly. Gambol Shroud is a ruthless and efficient weapon in her hands, and the panther faunus can easily match her in normal ground speed and has her superior agility.

Come on Ruby! You can do this! Rosella would still be cheering her on, despite the odds suddenly swinging against her. Show them what my Red Reaper can do!

Ducking to avoid Gambol as it swings in an arc from the ribbon attached to Blake's arm, she goes on the move once more while keeping the mace in her dominant hand. If Blake has any real weakness, it is the fact that she isn't used to having someone who can challenge her in close quarters combat effectively. Drawing her knife while her opponent pulls Gambol back, she brings the mace around in a vicious sidelong chop that is stopped by Shroud, while the panther faunus's eyes widen in surprise at the force of the blow. 

"Goddess…" Is all Blake manages to get out before being forced onto the defensive as Ruby continues her assault. Fighting with Cardin's weapon is harder than she expected, but her father drilled her relentlessly in using a wide variety of weapons over the years. 

You never know what can happen, pup. He would lecture her as they train in the backyard with something new. Sometimes you can't get to that overgrown gardening tool of yours, and you gotta improvise. Even a table leg can be a damned good weapon in the right hands.

Growling as they get closer and closer to the edge of the platform, she knows she can't waste anymore time. Blake has gotten too close too many times now, and she's actually managed to score two solid hits against Ruby's robust aura. Time to get in closer and hope her hand to hand is better than Blake's. Aiming with another sidelong chop, she smirks in satisfaction when the panther takes the bait, while her own knife is currently locked against Gambol's razor sharp edge. Rearing back, she suddenly darts her head forward and connects with Blake's face with her own, getting a squeal of pain in response.

"Sorry about this, kitty." Ruby mumbles as she shoves forward while keeping all four weapons pushed to either of their sides. Rearing back once more, she almost winces as she sees Blake's eyes widening then narrowing in anticipation of the next blow, which comes all too soon as Ruby headbutts her again. She watches as the panther's eyes cross from the sheer force of the blow, before falling back and outside the ring, Gambol Shroud falling from hands no longer able to hold them as their wielder is knocked senseless.

"Blake Belladonna has been eliminated due to both knockout and ring out. Next is Jaune Arc!"

Keeping her weapons in hand, she turns to glance at Jaune, who is slowly approaching her with sword and shield at the ready. But her eyes glance at the digital readout below her image, and she winces at the fact that she is almost down a full quarter of her aura already. Not good. She needs to take Jaune down hard and fast to allow her aura to recharge. Only two people in, and she refuses to be stopped now. She has to make Rosella proud. She has to prove to her classmates that she isn't broken still, that she has plenty of fight left in her.

She may need Crescent Rose.

She watches cautiously as Jaune takes a stance, sword held at a high ready while his shield stays in front of him defensively and considers her options. Cardin's mace is surprisingly well made, and durable enough to be effective against Jaune's shield. Her knife on the other hand is far shorter than the longsword in his dominant hand, and she doesn't doubt that she will need to use it defensively.

Listen up, kiddo. A scythe is great for heavy combat and the like, but that's not always going to be the case. Qrow would lecture her during her training to master Crescent Rose. But that's why I got a sword mode on Harbinger. Sometimes you gotta be able to get in close, and a scythe won't work as well. 

Crescent Rose won't do for this fight. 

To her surprise, Jaune takes the initiative and charges forward with his shield leading the way, forcing her to dodge to the side to avoid a vicious slam with it. But to her surprise, Jaune stops and charges once again, Crocea Mors staying off to the side as he uses his shield as a weapon instead. Almost too late, she realizes that he is attempting to keep her on the move and unable to bring the mace to bear against him, while her off hand is still filled with a knife she cannot use while the shield is in play as a bludgeoning weapon. But out of the corner of her eye, she spots Gambol still sitting on the edge of the platform, a still dazed Blake still being tended to by Weiss and Pyrrha both.

Perfect. 

Leaping to the side as Jaune once again rushes her, she no hand cartwheels over towards her girlfriend's weapon and lands next to it while dropping her knife, grimacing when it falls to the floor outside the platform with a clatter. Leaning down as she keeps the mace in front of her defensively, she keeps her face carefully composed into one of worry as she looks at her opponent. She sees the confident gleam enter his eyes as she herself tenses up. She's only going to get one chance at this, and she has to be absolutely precise.

"Haaaaaaa!" Jaune roars as he charges forward, shield once again leading. Ruby herself leans down slightly and grabs ahold of Gambol's ribbon, while mentally preparing herself for her next move.

Come on, Ruby! You can do this! You can do anything!

She's waited long enough. Leaping to the side as Jaune reaches a point of no return, she quickly wraps Gambol's ribbon around the handle of the mace and throws it at Jaune's undefended back. She smirks as it hammers into the young man, getting a roar of pain out of him even as she pulls back on the ribbon and thus pulls both weapons back into her waiting hands. Unfortunately, despite the ruthless blow, Jaune manages to stay within the ring by jamming his sword into the ground to stop himself from sliding any further.

Damn, he really is a better fighter than she expected. But she isn't done yet, not by a long shot.

Dashing forward as she puts Gambol into a spin, she swings the weapon low while bringing her mace downwards in an overhead chop. Jaune of course raises his shield to block or deflect the powerful blow, while Gambol wraps around one of his legs uncontested. With a snarl, Ruby yanks back on the ribbon while keeping the pressure on Jaune's shield with the mace, almost howling in triumph as the blonde loses his balance and hits the ground hard. Releasing Gambol, she takes the mace in both hands and swings once again, the heavy weapon slamming into Jaune's shield with such force that it slams into his face and upper chest, while a cracking sound is heard.

Oops.

"Jaune Arc has been eliminated due to injury! Next is Sky Lark!"

The next several fighters are simply not good enough, and Ruby puts the mace and Gambol to good use as she continues onward in the gauntlet. Through it all, her mind can still hear Rosella cheering her on, her body continues to remember the thrill of fighting solo, and her smirk continues to widen into a genuine smile as she continues to cut loose against one person after another.

Aqua refused to fight her, instead laying down her Aquarius and walking away.

To her surprise, Amy gave her back her knife and then proceeded to give her a surprisingly good fight. One that ended with her aura noticeably dropping once more before Amy was defeated by ring out.

She finally had to toss the now battered and slightly bent up mace to the side as Nora entered the arena with a grin on her face and Magnhild on her shoulders. She finally needs her sweetheart. She won't dare give Nora anything less than her best, and for that she needs Crescent Rose.

"You ready, Boss?" Nora calls out as she swings Magnhild lazily, loosening up her arms.

"You bet! You ready for little ole me, Nora?" Ruby asks back as she pulls her scythe free of the floor and spins it around and into her normal ready position, one hand holding the action while the other holds the shaft near the trigger.

"This is gonna be fun!" Nora roars as she charges forward, her warhammer pulled back and into a position that could be used to swing in several different angles. Ruby also darts forward, a glow to her eyes that has been absent thus far during the latter half of the gauntlet. She respects Nora enough to give the ginger her all, and that even includes her own hidden gifts. Crescent Rose sings as she finally swings her weapon, while Nora's Magnhild sings its own warsong as it comes in at an angle that will intercept the scythe.

The clash between Ruby and Nora as their weapons meet is almost deafening as scythe meets warhammer, while the two young women themselves grin at each other. To the surprise of the gathered assembly, which has grown from just the first years to almost half the academy itself, neither combatant moves an inch as their weapons remain clenched to one another. 

"Crap. I figured I would last longer than this." Nora suddenly declares as her expression turns into one of chagrin. "Guess I shoulda done more repairs after that fight with Diane and her Gideon."

"Sorry thunder butt." Ruby apologizes as a series of runes flare to life along Crescent Rose's side. "I'll help you fix Magnhild later."

"I'll hold you to that." The ginger replies chipperly as the scythe suddenly and without warning begins to cut into the hammer itself. "Maybe help me make some improvements on Maggy."

"You bet Nora." Ruby replies as they break the clench, both their weapons dropping to their sides.

"Nora Valkyrie has been eliminated due to a weapon break. Next up is Weiss Schnee!"

Shit.

She barely has time to activate her semblance and dart to the side before the black glyph activates under her feet. Raising her scythe, she barely has time to put it in front of her before she is blocking a rapier that is moving almost faster than it can be seen as Weiss goes on the offensive. She can see the yellow glow running across the runes of Myrtenaster and realizes that Weiss is using time dilation to bring the fight to her.

Clever girl, but two can play at this game.

"Come along my Dolt, show me the strength you have been holding back!" Weiss calls out as she continues on her offensive, rapier darting in and out as it weaves and spins in the heiress's capable hands. "Prove to me you love me by giving me all that you have!"

Show me how much you love me and respect me, Ruby. Show me the true power of my beautiful Red Reaper!

Weiss's wish is her command. Flaring her eyes as she begins to push her semblance even harder, she puts Crescent Rose into a spin as she surges forward and towards the heiress, who meets the charge with one of her own. But at the last minute, Weiss flips to the side while leaving an ominous red glyph hanging in midair where she had been a moment before. Chambering a round, Ruby fires her weapon to stop herself, the round piercing the glyph and causing a small explosion.

"Not today!" Ruby roars as she slashes with her weapon in the direction Weiss leapt towards, forcing the older woman to somersault backwards to keep from getting hit with the deadly edge of Crescent Rose. Getting back on the move, Ruby begins to press Weiss, who has lost her momentum and is now on the defensive. She sees more than one opening on Weiss's left that she could have easily capitalized on, but ignores them in favor of pressing onward. Crescent Rose continues to sing her warsong as she is used to block and parry, to strike and counterstrike, and soon enough Weiss and Ruby are fighting near the edge of the arena itself. 

Don't you dare stop now! Rosella would be yelling at her, despite her impending defeat. I'm not done yet and neither are you!

"Don't you dare take it easy on me now, dolt!" Weiss snarls as she uses a shield glyph to block another vicious swing of the scythe, while darting forward with her rapier to strike at Ruby's almost completely unguarded chest, forcing the Reaper to break off her attack to avoid the blow. "I am no one's sheltered princess! I am no one to be pitied or to have sympathy for!" She snarls in a rage as several glyphs appear around them both, the snowflake like symbols of Weiss's hereditary semblance spinning rapidly. "I will prove myself worthy of claiming my freedom once and for all!" She all but shrieks as she leaps back and onto the closest glyph, her muscular legs tensing as she prepares to strike.

Uh oh. This is not going to be good. 

Ruby grimaces as she barely avoids the first lunging strike, the heiress moving almost too fast to be visibly seen with the naked eye. But she can't help but to yelp in pain as Weiss strikes again, this time connecting solidly with her still exposed side. To her growing shock, she barely has time to raise her scythe to block the third blow, amazed at the fact that her other girlfriend is moving faster and faster with every pass. She can smell the rage radiating from the petite heiress, even as she rolls to avoid the next heavy blow, one that she would have taken to her exposed back. Rising to her feet, she blocks another blow that causes her scythe to groan from the strain while pulling the lever to extend the blade out and into a war scythe. She is only going to get one chance at a counter strike, and she thinks she sees her opportunity coming as Weiss rebounds off another glyph and darts towards her yet again. 

Don't ever lose your head, Ruby. Salem smiles at her even as they sit across from one another and playing a board game. Impatience and anger can cost you more than just a game. It can cost you your life as well as the lives of those who are relying on you. 

Taking a stance, her warscythe pulled back as far as she can manage, she grunts as she takes an undisputed strike to her midsection and waits. Her aura can take a few more hits, and she only has one chance to capitalize on the heiress's obvious rage fueled offensive. And finally, the white haired girl she has fallen in love with makes a single mistake. She hesitates on another glyph for a brief second before launching herself forward with a warcry, rapier leading and prepared to make another devastating strike to Ruby's body and aura.

That brief second's hesitation is all she needs.

Swinging Crescent Rose in a brutal arc, Ruby catches Weiss in her midsection and blasts her upwards with a scream of pain. But she cannot stop now, Weiss's aura is among the most formidable of all the first years, and she's capable of recovering at an amazing rate. She can't give up her advantage now that she has it. Leaping upward with her own semblance, she makes it to the ceiling before the petite heiress and strikes once more once she is in range, hammering the older woman back down towards the ground as the glyphs still in play disappear. Rocketing downward as she draws back her weapon, Ruby swings one final time and knocks the still screaming heiress out of the ring and into a nearby wall, where she hits with a heavy thud before bouncing off and onto the ground.

"Weiss!" Pyrrha cries out as she rushes toward the downed heiress, who is laying as still as a corpse. 

"Weiss Schnee is disqualified due to both knockout and ring out." Glynda calls out as Ruby leans against her scythe and pants, while looking worriedly in the heiress's direction. "Next is…"

"Is she ok?" 

Pyrrha sighs as she looks up and at Ruby. "I think she will be fine, Ruby. But Goddess why did you have to hit her so hard?!"

"Miss Negras, please enter the arena." Glynda calls out, getting Ruby's attention. She watches as Shion looks from her to her rifle, then back to her as if trying to come to some kind of decision.

"Professor Goodwitch, she's exhausted." Shion finally chimes in as she looks at the display next, Ruby wincing at how low her aura has gotten. 

What's wrong, Shion? Afraid of my beautiful Red Reaper?

"I ain't done yet." Ruby growls out as she stands up straight and brandishes her scythe. "Come on, or go on." She adds as she takes a ready position. But to her as well as everyone's surprise, Shion sets her battle rifle down and climbs up to the platform as she locks her gaze to Ruby's.

"I spend so much time defending you." Shion declares evenly as she slowly takes the weapon case off her back and holds it in her left hand. "I honestly don't understand why Yang hates you so much. You're honest, you're smart, and you're a good friend to everyone you meet."

Ruby blinks at Shion's words, even as her scythe dips downwards towards the ground. She really is tired now that she has taken out over half the first years, and she still has so many more to go. And the Goddesses only know what will happen if she and Yang take one another on yet again. Or even worse, a Pyrrha who is still fresh and ready for battle, and if the look in her eyes is any indication, more than a little upset at her over Blake and Weiss. 

Yup, she's sleeping alone tonight.

"But this is where your rampage ends, Red Reaper." Shion calls out as the end of the case pops off, revealing the handle of a sword. "If it makes you feel any better, I'm willing to bet Rosella would be thrilled at how well you've done."

She knows she's seen a handle like that before, but from where?

"Don't call me that…" Ruby growls out as her eyes narrow and her scythe raises up once more. 

"That's right, Rosella was the only one allowed to call you that." Shion continues as she stands opposite Ruby, her own eyes narrowing dangerously as her right hand grasps the handle of her new weapon. "You should really let her go, Red Reaper. You would be so much stronger without that weight around your neck."

"SHUT UP!" Ruby screams as her semblance activates and she rushes forward, Crescent Rose raised to strike. "STOP CALLING ME THAT!"

Shion stays still as the rush of rose petals and rage approaches her until the last possible moment. And then she strikes. Pulling a bright yellow katana from the case, she swings and connects with the war scythe, which is angling downwards and towards her own exposed neck. But to the surprise of everyone gathered, Ruby suddenly howls in pain as electricity surges through her body, throwing her backwards and onto the ground.

"Tsk tsk." Shion shakes her head as she sheathes her blade, staying in place as Ruby writhes in pain on the ground. "Shouldn't have lost your temper, Red Reaper. It makes you much easier to defeat."

"Shion! Stop calling her that!" Yang suddenly roars angrily as she storms down to the edge of the ring and glares at her.

"Why? It's who she really is." The other girl declares matter of factly as a whirring noise is heard coming from her sword case. "The deadliest and strongest fighter to ever enter Signal Academy. She was already almost unbeatable before she met Rosella and Sasha, and only got stronger by their sides." She adds as she steps towards Ruby, who is laying on the ground and panting. "All this about her being the Mountain's Rose is just a cop out to avoid dealing with the fact that Rosella is dead, and part of her died with her."

"Fuck you…" Ruby murmurs as she slowly rolls onto her side and glares at Shion. 

"You could be so much stronger than you already are." Shion continues undeterred as she stops a safe distance from the younger girl. "Even Yang wouldn't stand a chance against you if you would just let her go and focus on becoming stronger." She motions with her free hand towards Blake and Weiss, who are both leaning against one another and in obvious pain. "You even managed to defeat both of them, which is no easy feat. So why keep hiding who you really are?"

Ruby slowly rises to her feet, leaning against Crescent Rose as she does so. But the look in her eyes is one of pure hate as she glares at Shion while still struggling to stay standing. "Because I never want to be that person who sacrifices everything to be stronger than anyone." Ruby declares evenly as she finishes straightening up. "Because all the strength in the world will never bring Rosella back."

"Let her go, Red Reaper. Become the force of nature you should be." Shion shakes her head as her face remains a mask. "Become a true Silver Eyed Warrior and finally gain the strength to truly wield that scythe of yours with power and authority. Enough to where no one would dare disrespect you."

"I don't want or need power like that." Ruby replies quietly as she keeps her eyes locked to Shion's. "Because that's not what life is about."

"Oh? And what's life about, Ruby Rose?"

"Being happy." She replies with a smile as she looks at Blake and Weiss, both of whom are still being fussed over by a concerned Pyrrha. "And for a long time, I forgot what being happy meant. I forgot to be happy, and I never want that again."

"You can't hope to protect them, not like this." Shion counters as her hand once again grips the handle of her sword. "Not as weak as you are now."

"I'm plenty strong enough, Shion." Ruby points to the overhead display, where the pictures of her defeated opponents still hang on the screen. "Still got some gas left in the tank iffin you wanna go another round or two too." She adds with a smirk. "But you ain't gonna get under my skin again."

"I've said my peace." Shion replies quietly as she releases the handle of her weapon. "But you can be so much stronger than this."

"Strength ain't all it's cracked up to be." Ruby sighs as she shakes her head. "I was Rosella's Red Reaper, and I still failed her in the end. Now I'm their Mountain's Rose, and I got ah lot of making up to do for beating the crap out of them." She stops and looks at Professor Goodwitch, who nods as she smiles. "I'm done. Think I've made my point."

"I believe you have as well, Miss Rose." Glynda replies as she shuts off the overhead. "Class is dismissed. Miss Rose, please see Miss Belladonna and Miss Schnee to the infirmary."

"Is it over?" Weiss asks in confusion, her eye still a bit clouded over.

"It is, Snowy." Blake reassures her as she smiles softly. A smile that grows as she is scooped up into Ruby's arms a moment later and into a princess carry. "Oh hai!"

"Yeah, you're still punch drunk." Ruby admits as Pyrrha lifts up a dazed Weiss a moment later.

"I think you hit them both too hard, Ruby." The Mistrali girl points out disapprovingly.

"They'll be all right in a day or two." She replies as she begins to walk towards the door. "Come on, let's get them checked out."

"Right behind you, Ruby." 

Ruby Rose-Garibaldi walks out with her head held up high. She knows her own self worth, and she knows she made her Rosella proud today. And she firmly feels like she has taken another step in letting the wolf faunus girl she loved go as she keeps moving forward towards a bright future with Weiss, Blake, and maybe, just maybe Pyrrha as well. 

The Red Reaper died with Rosella Altobelle. But the Mountain's Rose is coming closer to spreading her wings and learning to fly once again…

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Yang pauses for a moment in wide eyed amazement as she enters the medical center, while looking at everyone Ruby defeated during her run in the gauntlet. No one was spared a trip here, and some students are worse off than others.

Even Nora was here, at least checking on Ren and Jaune, both of whom suffered bone breaking injuries. Jaune with a broken nose, and Ren with a broken arm that may take some time to heal. 

"Excuse me! Coming through!" Ara Ebony yells as she rushes past with a groaning Russel in a wheelchair, the young man in question having been beaten down brutally with his leader's mace. He'll be down for a while too.

Shaking her head, she continues onward carefully through the chaos, passing by several others until she reaches who she is searching for, Amy. Unlike her teammate Aqua, scaredy pup Amy stood up to Ruby and gave it her all against the Reaper, and she couldn't be prouder. But she is definitely surprised to see the tiny wolf faunus sitting in her partner's lap, Diane holding her almost lovingly as she smiles down at her.

"You did great, Amy!" The tank reassures her partner, who grimaces as she favors her left side.

"Yeah, if I did so great, why do I feel like I got hit through a wall?"

"Nah, that hurts even worse. Wolfy hit me through a wall back in Signal." The squirrel faunus chuckles as she rubs the back of her head. "I kinda deserved it though."

"Oh really? What did you do?" Amy asks curiously, even as she motions for Yang to approach. "Hi Yang."

"I grabbed Sasha's ass. Boy did that piss her off."

"Hey Amy. How bad is it?" Yang asks as she ignores the other woman for now, moving towards a still empty seat and sitting down. 

"Pretty sure I have at least two broken ribs." The smaller wolf faunus replies, getting a huff out of her partner. "Not the first time, and it won't be the last."

"Still, she didn't have to hit you so hard." Diane and Yang both grumble, getting a giggle out of Amy. 

"I knew what I was getting into when I stepped into the arena, you two." The wolf faunus reminds them. "I even gave her back her knife, knowing that would make her more dangerous."

"Yeah, well you could have been seriously hurt, Amy." Yang points out with a growl, her eyes flickering between lilac and red. "I doubt you saw what she did to her own girlfriend."

"Which one? Blake or Weiss?" 

"The Ice Queen. She hit her so hard even I thought she was dead for a second." Yang climbs back to her feet and starts pacing. "She could have done that to you, and…"

"And what?" Amy asks with a raised eyebrow. "You would have attacked her again, like you did back in Signal?" With a sigh, she shakes her head as she looks at her friend. "Yang, you have to give this up. You of all people need to learn to let things go."

"I can't, Amy! What if she had crippled you?! Or even accidentally killed you?!" The Brawler counters hotly as her eyes keep flickering, save even faster than before. "You have a daughter to think about!"

"I made my choice." Amy replies bluntly, making the brawler stop to look at her. "I chose the life of a huntress, which means I will always be putting myself into dangerous situations. Which means there's always going to be the chance that my mother may end up raising Bianca for me, because I never came back."

"But…"

"Yang, Ruby isn't the only one who needs to let someone go." The look in Amy's eyes is one of kindness as well as sadness. "But you need to let so much more than Rosella go. You need to let all your anger and all your hate go too."

"I…"

"Shion told us what happened when you went home for the weekend." Diane adds, her voice heavy with emotion. "I'm so sorry, Yang."

"Yang, please. Please let things go." Amy begs as she looks up at her friend. "Please. You saw for yourself that Ruby gave it her all. And it's still something even if it's still not where she was before the incident."

Yang stops and looks at the two of them, even as tears come to her eyes. "I came to say I'm sorry. I'm sorry for how I talked to you last week."

"You don't need to apologize, Yang." Amy smiles at her even as she holds out her hand, one that Yang takes hesitantly. "Not to me. Just stop being so angry. Stop being your father and start being my friend again. The friend who is amazing, kind, punny, and kinda motherly. That's the friend who I miss and wish would come back."

"How can you be so forgiving?"

"Because I learned the hard way that life is far too short to hang onto anger and hate." Amy replies bluntly. "I lost someone too, someone special to me, but I keep moving forward because that's what Talon would want. Because I want Bianca to grow up knowing that both her parents were brave, kind, and willing to protect everyone they know and love from the Grimm. From people who want to do harm to others." 

"Now you almost sound like Rosella." Yang admits with a sniffle as she looks from Amy to Diane. "I…"

"I never had a problem with you, Xiao Long." Diane admits as she smiles. "Even Ruby doesn't have a problem with you, and genuinely wants to make things right with you. She wants to be a team, Xiao Long, and not three people and a hothead."

"I dunno if I can." Yang admits as she looks away. "Every time I look at her, I can hear my dad yelling. Every time I think of her, I can hear Rosella yelling at me about her." Taking a deep breath, she releases it slowly as she looks at the tank. "How do you let things go?"

"By remembering that I have friends who love and care for me. By remembering that my dad still loves me, even if he is gone all the time on missions." Diane shakes her head as her eyes close. "By remembering that my mom would want better for me than giving up on humans and joining the White Fang." 

"Yang, please. Please make peace with your team." Amy adds quietly as she squeezes the Brawler's hand with her own. "Please, be my friend again and not your father. Be the woman I know you really are and not let your anger consume you anymore."

"I don't know if I can…"

Diane lays a hand on both of theirs and sighs. "Yang, sit down and talk to Wolfy. Actually talk to her instead of yelling and screaming like you both always do. Talk to your team instead of running away from them because they're dating each other."

"Aqua is running a betting pool on them bringing Pyrrha into it next." Amy points out with a small smile. "I got ten Lien on them all just being friends."

"Don't ever bet against Aqua, she's normally always right." Yang surprises herself by saying, while also surprising the other two women. Standing up while releasing their hands, she smiles sadly at them both. "I need to think."

"Think and don't just let your thoughts fester, Yang." Amy points out to her, getting a slightly wider smile out of her. 

"Why don't you go check on your team?" Diane adds with a wink. "Maybe start mending some fences?"

"Yeah, that's not a bad idea." Yang admits as she turns to leave. "If they aren't too mad at me."

"Yang, Ruby keeps trying to take that first step. She keeps trying to be your friend. Meet her in the middle and at least talk to her." Amy adds as she looks up at her partner, who nods, before looking back at the Brawler. "But the next time you're mean to me, you gotta deal with Diane."

"And I won't be nice about it."

"Yeah yeah, I get it." Yang sighs as her shoulders slump a bit. "I gotta figure a lot of things out." Walking away, Yang loses herself to her thoughts and barely pays attention to her surroundings. At least until she finds herself standing outside another curtained off area. Taking a deep breath, she steels herself for a moment before moving the fabric back to reveal a reading Blake, who looks up from her book.

"Yang?" 

"H-hi Blake. Ummmm, can we… can we talk?" Yang asks nervously even as she looks around, anticipating the return of Ruby and Weiss from wherever they have run off too. But to her surprise, she watches as the panther faunus closes her book and smiles at her as she motions her forward. 

"Come in, Yang. Ruby and Pyrrha went with Weiss while she gets checked out for a possible concussion." Blake replies quietly as she smiles reassuringly at her. "Ruby hit her a lot harder than she hit me."

"Yeah, I noticed." The Brawler admits as she enters and sits in a nearby chair. "Listen, I ummm."

"Let's just talk, Yang." Blake declares as her smile never wavers. 

"Yeah. Yeah, I can do that." Yang replies as she settles into the chair. The two partners do indeed begin to speak quietly as time passes, one of whom never realizes that Ruby, Weiss, and Pyrrha have returned and are keeping their distance while the two partners talk to one another. Ruby smiles in pride, Weiss simply sighs as she cuddles deeper into Ruby's arms, and Pyrrha nods in satisfaction.

But for Yang Xiao Long, a simple talk with the panther faunus brings her a small bit of peace of mind, despite the looming thought of maybe, just maybe, making peace with a woman who has never once deserved her rage and her hate. Who has always tried to be her friend, and who is also still in mourning for a wonderful woman they both loved in their own way…

Chapter 20: A Huntsmen's Wedding

Chapter by Winter1112

Notes:

Hiya everyone! Wyn here with another exciting chapter of Mountain of Roses! Before we begin, I want to once again thank all of you who keep reading this humble little story of ours. Your support, your kind words, and your comments always brighten our days a bit more when we read them, and we are always thrilled to see more and more people enjoying our Ruby's adventures with the women she loves and all her friends. Thank you all so very very much for reading, and as always, we hope you all enjoy!

Now, without any further ado, let's all attend a wedding!

-Beacon Academy-

Ruby is excited as she goes through her morning at Beacon Academy. Today is the day Salem and her father finally get married, and she is beyond thrilled for them. For ten long years, the two of them have danced around the growing Goliath in their relationship, and it hasn't been aided by the fact that she herself has been pushing for the two of them to take this step since she turned thirteen. 

"Ruby? Why are you up so early?" Weiss calls out sleepily from their bed, the white haired girl yawning. 

"I gotta go help finish all the decorating for the wedding." She replies in her excitement as she scoops up her Crescent Rose and places it on her back. "That and make sure neither one of them chicken out at the last second."

"Do you really think they will?" Blake asks as she sits at the table, her hair still disheveled from sleep and a cup of tea cradled in her hands.

"It took them ten years to get here. I'm not about to let either of them back out now." Ruby grabs her messenger bag and stuffs her huntress gear into it. "Especially Daddy. He's been the main one dragging his ass all this time."

They all ignore the snort from under Yang's blanket, the brawler having finally been caught sleeping in an empty dorm room by Professor Goodwitch, and told in no uncertain terms that her place is with her team. The brawler now simply ignores them, and they the same unless necessary.

"Hey Yang?" Ruby suddenly calls out as she stays by her own dresser. "You know you're welcome to come. My parents want my whole team there."

The silence in the room could almost be deafening, only broken by a gentle cough from Weiss. "And you're certain we can catch up later?"

"We don't mind helping." Blake adds as she glares at the bed holding the blonde.

"Nah, me and Velvet have got it. It's not much to do, and we can spend a little more time together too." Ruby replies with a grin. "But since Yang wants to be a spoilsport!" She suddenly dashes out the door and to team JNPR's door. Knocking on it, her grin widens when a sleepy Pyrrha opens the door.

"Good morning Ruby." The redhead gets out before yawning. "What can we do for you?"

"I was wondering if you wanted to come to my parent's wedding?" The Reaper asks excitedly as her tail wags. "You, Ren, and Nora, cause Jaune's already going to be there with his family and all."

The Mistrali woman blinks in surprise before blushing slightly. "I would love to, Ruby. But I have nothing appropriate for a wedding, and I'm certain Nora and Ren do not either."

"Besides, Rennie and I have plans." Nora adds as she peeks around the edge of the door. "Thanks though, Ruby!"

Ruby's smile doesn't fade a bit as she looks between the two young women. "Don't sweat it Nora. I know it's last minute and all. And Pyrrha, it's a huntsmen's wedding, so your gear will be fine." Pausing, she pokes her fingers together as she blushes a bit. "I would really love it if you came."

"We would like it if you came." Weiss corrects the wolf girl as she appears next to her, her arm linking with her's. "And you can ride with Blake and myself there. I know the way to Ruby's."

"Then I would be more than happy to attend!" Pyrrha declares as she claps her hands together, her smile as brilliant as her joy filled eyes. "I even promise to not argue with Jaune!"

"Yay!" Ruby cheers as her tail accelerates to a near blur. "You're going to have a blast, I promise!"

"Indeed you are. Mr. Alex and Miss Salem have a beautiful home with plenty to keep a person entertained." Weiss adds with a smile of her own. "Blake and I enjoy going there on the weekends when Ruby wants to go home."

"I look forward to this then." Pyrrha admits as her smile stays plastered on her face. "And I will be in excellent company as well."

"You sure will." Velvet declares as she appears, a helmet under arm and a second one in hand that she offers to her younger sibling. "Let's go, Ruby. We have a ride ahead of us."

"Ok sis!" She replies before leaning down and kissing Weiss gently on the cheek. "See you there, Snowflake."

"Of course, My Dolt. We will be right on time." The white haired girl reassures the wolf faunus, who vanishes back into the bedroom, a purr emanating from it a moment later before Ruby reappears, this time with her messenger bag over one shoulder. "See ya!" She declares before departing with her rabbit faunus sister.

"It's not fair." Pyrrha mumbles as she looks down at the floor. But she blinks a moment later as her chin is lifted by a perfectly manicured finger.

"Pyrrha, perhaps we all need to sit down and talk soon." Weiss begins as Blake appears next to her and offers her an arm. "Because we have noticed the amount of attention you have paid the three of us as of late, especially during and after the recent gauntlet."

Pyrrha grimaces as she keeps looking at the floor, the look on her face akin to the hope that it will open up under her and swallow her whole. "I assume you aren't as interested in me as I am in all of you?" She asks quietly.

"Quite on the contrary." Blake replies, the Mistrali woman's eyes widening as she looks up at the two of them. "I'm warming up to the idea of us entering into a polycule."

Weiss giggles as she nods. "I have always been interested, ever since I watched you win your first championship." She admits cheerfully. "Your grace, your humility, and your determination have been most attractive to me, especially since we have met and become friends."

"Really?!"

"Yes, really." Blake smiles softly at her, her own tail waving gently behind her. 

"After the wedding, and after the coming team exercise in Vale, I believe Ruby was going to broach the subject between all of us." Weiss adds as she holds up a finger. "So please, be patient until then."

"Of course!" Pyrrha all but cheers as she bounces in place. But then she calms down for a moment before looking into team RWBY's still quiet dorm room. "What of Yang? What does she think of all this?"

"We don't know." Blake admits quietly. "She barely says two words to most of us."

"She only talks to Shion and Blake as of late." Weiss adds as team SAAD's dorm room opens, Amy and Diane walking out a moment later still yawning and stretching. "Good morning you two!"

"Morning!" Amy calls back as she waves, while Diane simply nods her head, her eyes still half closed. "Oh no! Please don't tell me I owe Aqua ten Lien!"

"What do you mean?" Weiss asks curiously, getting a grin from the squirrel faunus.

"That you three were going to pull Pyrrha into a polycule." Diane answers, making all three of them blush. "Yep, Bubbles called it!"

"Dammit!" Amy swears as she looks up at her partner. "Come on, I have to stop at an ATM to get her money for her."

"We need to go and get Bianca too." Diane reminds the diminutive wolf faunus. "We got that wedding at Wolfy's today to go to."

"Yes, I know." Amy smiles as she looks at the three young women still blushing and looking anywhere but at each other or her and her own partner. "Will you three be there?"

"Of course!" Pyrrha declares as her smile returns. "Speaking of, we need to get ready ourselves." But the Mistrali woman squeals a moment later as a heavy duffel bag hits her in the back and falls to the ground.

"Go away!" Nora declares as she smiles impishly. "Some people are trying to sleep! Get ready in their room!" 

Weiss, Blake, Amy, and Diane all begin to laugh as an embarrassed Pyrrha picks her bag up, while the door to JNPR's room slams shut. "Do you two mind?" She finally asks as she looks at Weiss and Blake, who nod.

"Sure." Blake replies as she and Weiss turn to return to their own dorm room. 

"Come along, dolt. You can go ahead and shower if you need to. I showered last night, and Blake doesn't take very long."

"Thank you." Pyrrha replies as she shoulders her bag and follows them in, the door closing behind them.

"Diane?" 

"Yeah Amy?"

Amy smiles as she looks up at her massive partner. "Think they can make it work?"

"Yeah. Yeah I think so." The tank replies as they begin to walk down the hall. "Wolfy isn't the type to ignore someone in favor of another. Besides, I think Pyrrha will fit in with them just fine."

"Yeah, I think so too." The petite wolf faunus agrees as she walks next to her partner, the two of them reaching the stairs. "But I think we need to have a talk ourselves, Squirrelly."

"Yeah, maybe." Diane agrees quietly as she opens the door to the stairwell for her partner. "But not today. Today's about Mr. Alex and Miss Salem. Wolfy's been waiting too long for today, and I don't want to take any attention away from them."

"I understand." She replies as she walks through the open door. "But we're spending the night at my place. I want to have that talk."

"Yes ma'am." Diane replies quietly as she lets the door close behind them. 

None of them notice Aqua standing at the opening of team SAAD's dorm room, a small smile on her face as she holds out a hand. A hand in which a grumbling Coco Adel puts a fifty Lien card into a moment later as she passes by.

"A pleasure doing business with you!" 

"Yeah yeah. Rub it in." Coco sighs. "It's not fair though. How come everyone is getting their girl and I'm not?"

Aqua smiles as she backs back into her dorm room. "Because it looks like Velvet's as oblivious as her dad. It took Miss Salem years to get him to notice her, and then ten years to marry her. You may have to try something drastic."

"Drastic?"

"Yeah, like kiss her or something. According to Ruby and Diane both, that's what it took to make Mr. Alex finally notice Miss Salem was interested." Aqua informs her as she closes her door. 

"That's… not a bad idea." Coco admits as she herself walks off. "Not a bad idea at all…"

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

-The Den-

Salem Arc is a nervous wreck. Today is her wedding day, and so far nothing is ready. The food is still cooking under the watchful eye of her niece Saphron and her nephew Jaune. The decorations are only halfway done, with Ruby and Velvet on their way to finish those. And Alex left in the early morning, citing a last minute errand he had to run. Nothing is going as she planned, and it is making her pre wedding jitters even worse.

"Sister, you need to calm down." Jeanne, her older sister declares as she walks behind her and lays her hands on her shoulders. "Everything will come together, I promise."

"How can you promise me that?!" Salem replies aghast as she looks in the mirror at her sibling. "The girls haven't arrived yet, Sarah is late as well, and Alex is the Goddess only knows where doing the Goddess only knows what!"

Jeanne smiles as she looks down at her sibling fondly. "And if I recall correctly, our roles were reversed when I got married to Terry." She points out calmly. "And you were my voice of reason."

"That was sixteen years ago! And things were much different then!"

"Not really." Jeanne counters as her smile brightens. "Dad dragged Terry off to have one last talk with him, Mom had fired my caterers, and the twins were being unholy nightmares."

"It all worked out in the end." Salem points out. 

"Yes, because my beautiful younger sister took charge and made sure it was a success." She points out as she smiles reassuringly. "I owe my baby sister a big favor for the miracle she pulled out of what was going to be a huge disaster, and I'm going to make sure her own wedding goes off as planned."

Salem sighs as she looks into the mirror of her vanity, her hands rubbing her growing stomach gently. "Do you think I waited too long?"

"I respect Alex, and I respect that you both put Ruby ahead of your own desires for so long." Jeanne begins quietly as she looks thoughtful. "But I think you two put all this off just a wee bit too long too sis. I mean, Ruby has been dying for you two to get married for forever, so have Saphron and Sarah, and even Jaune is excited for you." She sighs as her smile fades a bit. "I wish you had started a family just a little sooner, and not waited until you were in your forties."

"Mom and Dad had me in their forties." Salem points out. 

"And look at them now, Sis. They're in their eighties and all but beside themselves that their baby is finally tying the knot." Jeanne counters. "And you know they've treated Ruby like their own grandchild since they met her, so you can't use that as any kind of excuse."

"I'm grateful they have." Salem murmurs as she looks at her hands, which are still on her stomach. "Ruby adores them, and they adore her. I just hope they adore Dusk."

"You know they will." Jeanne smiles as she squeezes her sister's shoulders. "Dad is already planning her future as a proud huntress, and Mom's already added her to the family tree, along with Ruby and Alex."

"What?!"

Jeanne nods. "Ruby has been added to the Arc family tree. Mom, Dad, and I all agree that she is following the family tenants despite not being born into the family." She explains.

"That's… incredible." Salem whispers as she looks wide eyed at her older sister. 

"Mom and Dad want to tell her personally, so shhhh." Jeanne presses a finger to her lips as she smiles. 

"Tell who what?" Kaya Arc asks as she enters the room. Despite her advanced age of eighty two, the woman herself still stands tall and proud, with her long gray hair pulled into a tight bun on her head, and her formal dress reminiscent of her old huntress gear she once wore as a senior huntress. 

"I was just letting Salem know that Ruby has been added to the family tree." Jeanne explains as Salem looks wide eyed at her mother. 

"Ah yes, indeed I did add her with your father's blessings of course." The older woman admits as she smiles. "She has a fine future ahead of her as a huntress, and we would be remiss to not offer her all the support Arc Industries has to offer."

"Mom, Ruby will be honored to hear that." Salem admits as her smile returns to her face. 

"Good. Now, tell me about this Velvet we keep hearing about from Alex." Kaya asks as she settles down in a chair next to her youngest daughter. The three women settle into speaking quietly with each other as Salem returns to getting ready for her coming wedding. But they pause as they hear the throaty roar of a motorcycle approaching.

"There they are! Finally!" Salem declares in relief as she checks her scroll. "We really need to see if Velvet wants to borrow a vehicle though. It's supposed to start raining tonight and not let up for a week at least."

"Eh, I never argued with Eugen about moving the company to Mistral." Kaya comments idly. "I always hated the damned weather here in Vale. Sunny one day, then rainy for weeks on end."

"We are near the equator, Mom." Salem points out as someone knocks on the door. "Come in!"

"Hiya Mum!" Ruby declares as she enters, Velvet in tow and the two of them flush from their recent ride. "Velvet's bike is awesome!"

"It's just a bike, sis." Velvet chuckles as she looks from Salem to Jeanne then Kaya. "Ummm, hi?"

"Velvet, meet my sister Jeanne, and my mother Kaya." Salem introduces the two older women, who smile and nod. 

"It's a pleasure to meet you Miss Scarlatina." Jeanne declares smoothly as she offers the younger woman a hand, one she takes a bit hesitantly.

"It's a pleasure ma'am." The younger woman replies as she looks at Ruby then Salem nervously. 

"Relax, Velvet. Aunt Jeanne is cool, and so is Grams." Ruby reassures her as she grins, while leaning down to hug the Arc Matriarch, her tail wagging in her delight. 

"Hello Ruby, it's good to see you." Kaya smiles as they break the hug. "My goodness, but I think you've gotten even taller!"

"She's in the beginning of another growth spurt." Salem offers as Velvet slowly slides behind her to hide. "Fortunately, she isn't chewing on the furniture this time around."

"I only did that once! Once!"

"Once was enough. You and Diane were terrors during that last spurt."

"Where is your shadow, Ruby? You two are normally inseparable." Jeanne asks as she looks around.

"Diane's been spending a lot of time with her new partner lately." Ruby informs her with a wide smile. "But she and I still hang out alot along with my girlfriends and her partner and Bubbles."

"Girlfriends?" Kaya asks as she raises an eyebrow.

"Are you really dating again?" Jeanne adds quietly, her eyes filling with hope.

"She is." Salem answers for her as Kaya stands and hugs the teenager once more. "A beautiful panther faunus named Blake and, of all people, Weiss Schnee."

Jeanne's eyes narrow at the mention of Weiss, her body language displaying her concern. "Schnee, huh? As in Willow's twin sister?"

"One and the same." Ruby replies as she smiles winningly. "I promise, she isn't anything like how she was back in Atlas."

"I trust your word, Ruby. And Salem's as well. She's already vouched for her as well." Jeanne's eyes return to a more jovial look in them as she smiles. "And if she makes you happy, who am I to argue?"

"Thanks Aunt Jeanne." Checking the time, Ruby grimaces. "Come on, sis. We gotta finish getting all the decorations up."

"Coming Ruby!" Velvet responds as she all but barrels out the door, her nervousness almost palatable as the two teenagers leave.

"Still a handful as always." Kaya chuckles as she returns to her seat. "And Alex's older daughter is beautiful."

"Yes she is." Jeanne agrees as she smiles, her smile fading a moment later. "A pity he didn't know about her until now."

"Well he's determined to catch up all he can with her." Salem declares as she stands. "Now, hopefully I still fit into my damned dress, and I don't have to wear a maternity dress."

"Bah, you'll still look beautiful no matter what, Salem." Kaya declares as she stands as well, suddenly pulling her daughter into her arms. "I'm so grateful your father and I lived to see you finally get married. And to a good man."

"Thanks, Mom. That means a lot to me." Salem replies as she sniffles. "I'm so sorry for making you wait for so long."

"The wait was worth it, sis." Jeanne adds as she joins the hug. "He makes you happy, and that's all we ever cared about."

"Jeanne's right." Kaya smiles at Salem, who smiles back despite the tears forming in the corners of her eyes. "Now, let's get you ready for your big day, shall we?"

"Yes ma'am!" Salem is calm now as her mother and sister begin to fuss over her. She knows that between the two of them, they won't allow her wedding to be a disaster like she fears it will be. And she begins to smile when she hears Alex's loud and commanding voice someplace nearby, signaling his return. But of course, there is always a snag in any well laid plan, as the three women are forced to scramble for an alternative dress, as her own battle gear won't fit over her swelling belly, which holds an already loved and cherished new member of both the Arc family as well as the Garibaldi family, despite her not being born yet…

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Jaune Arc sighs as he stirs a pot full of noodles on the stove, while his older sister Saphron barks orders at the others helping with all the cooking. A benefit of having four older sisters is the fact that he is a surprisingly good cook, as well as a neat freak who cannot stand a mess. As Saphron likes to say, he will make a wonderful house husband one day. 

A thought that he will never admit to making him more than a bit happy.

He will be the first person to admit that Beacon was the last place he wanted to go to. He was all set to attend culinary school in Mistral before his grandfather and mother caught wind of his plans, the two of them sending him off to Beacon and the watchful eyes of his Aunt Salem and younger sister Sarah. But, his older sisters know him better, and are secretly plotting ways to get him out of Beacon and back home where he belongs. 

The problem becomes Aunt Salem watches him like the proverbial hawk, and is determined to make a huntsman out of him. 

It doesn't help that he is a naturally gifted swordsman, who was trained by his mother personally. It doesn't help that he actually does have a fine head for tactics honed from hours and hours of playing chess, Remnant the Game, as well as online MMOs. He can't help that he is out of his element here in Vale, and quite frankly miserable. And he especially despises being made a team leader, when he didn't even want to come to Beacon in the first place!

Leading others has never been his strong suit, having grown up with four strong willed older sisters who have spoiled him rotten as the only boy in the family. But right now he is in his element, in a kitchen helping to cook a large, delicious meal for the gathering family and guests. His mood is almost jubilant as Saphron even chases his grandfather out of the kitchen, citing she needs all the help she can get to get the food ready, thus sparing him from having to listen to another long winded rant about him living up to the Arc family name.

But then his mood is ruined when his little sister arrives to help.

It's not that he hates Sarah. If anything, they simply don't see eye to eye. Where he wants to live his own life by his own choices, she already lives her life by the rules set by his grandparents, which is a life of duty to the cause of hunting the creatures of Grimm before being able to contribute to the family business. A duty she accepts wholeheartedly even as she constantly tinkers with this gadget or that gizmo to see how they work, and if she can make it work better. She could make the family even wealthier than they already are, if she would just stand up for herself instead of simply following along like a sheep.

"Hiya big brother!" She greets him, getting a grunt in reply as he checks his noodles before leaving them to prepare a homemade sauce. "Or not."

"What is it Sarah? I'm busy."

"Grandpa wants you. He wants me to take over for you." She informs him as she slips a glove over her robotic hand to cover it. 

"And I'll tell you the same thing I told Gramps, Jaune is my helper today!" Saphron calls out from her spot next to the ovens, where she is baking several pies at once.

Wincing, she looks from her older sister to her older brother and sighs. "You guys just like getting me in more trouble with him."

"No one wants to get you in trouble, Sarah." Jaune finally speaks to her calmly. "But we're super busy here, and this stuff isn't going to cook itself."

"I can help you know! I'm not completely useless in the kitchen!"

"Then help peel potatoes." Saphron orders as she points to a nearby mound. "That is if you can keep from crushing them." This makes Jaune wince as Sarah simply nods and trudges off to do as she was told. Her arm is always a sore subject with the older siblings, due to the fact that it was a moment of negligence on Sarah's part that caused her to lose it at the shoulder. In his own opinion, another valid reason to shut down those two stupid robots of hers.

Saphron especially hates them, seeing as how their beautiful younger sister is permanently disfigured. But she genuinely adores the three younger siblings, while Jaune is simply… indifferent to them most of the time.

"So… I made some modifications to Mama's weapons." Sarah tries to strike up a conversation in the once peacefully quiet kitchen.

"No one wants to talk about your tinker toys, Sarah." Saphron replies evenly, a dark look coming across her features. "Especially the one that maimed you."

"It was an accident!"

"You always say that, Sarah, but it doesn't change the fact that it still happened." Jaune interjects as he begins to season his sauce carefully. "Mom is still livid about it, and frankly so are the rest of us."

"Except you." Sarah mutters as she looks at him. "You could give a fuck less about me." He shrugs as he continues to focus on his task, earning a look from Saphron.

"Jaune, is that true?" His older sister asks quietly, getting another shrug in reply. "Why don't you care about her?"

"Can we not talk about this now?" He replies as he returns to his boiling pot full of noodles. "We still have a lot to do."

"It's cause he hates my dad, so he hates me too." 

"Jaune!"

"What? What do you want me to say, Saphron? That I'm happy about the divorce? That I'm happy Mom moved on so fast? That I have three younger half sisters I can't really bond with?" Jaune stops to glare at his older sister. "Well I can't. Sometimes I wish mom had stayed with dad. I wish dad would stand up for himself more than he does. I wish I could stand up for myself more than I do." He pauses and sighs as he removes the noodles from the burner. "Sometimes I wish I wasn't an Arc, just so I can live my life as I want, and not according to how everyone else wants me to live it."

"That doesn't change the fact that Sarah's your sister." Saphron reminds him bluntly. "Or that she needs your love and support considering her condition."

"What condition?" The younger Arc asks as her eyes narrow.

"Your arm of course." Jaune points out as he drains the noodles. "Saphron and the others still think you're just a cripple who needs to be coddled and sheltered." Taking a moment to dump the noodles back into their pot, he looks at his younger sister while ignoring the growing tears in her eyes as well as the look of rage in Saphron's. "Me personally? I don't know how you can keep defending your tinker toy considering it blew your arm off. If it was me, I would have destroyed it along with any dreams of mine I would have had to that point."

"Jaune! That's enough!" Saphron roars, but to no avail as their younger sibling runs out of the kitchen sobbing. "We never did that to you!"

"Sometimes I wish you had." He replies evenly as he begins to prepare another dish. "Sometimes I wish you and the others had never filled my head with dreams, with hopes, with lies. Then my reality would be a far less bitter pill to swallow."

"I…"

"Can we get back to work?" He asks as he continues to prepare more food. "We have a lot to do, and we're running out of time to do it." 

It's not that Jaune Arc hates his younger sisters, he just hates the fact that he has no control over his own life while they have all embraced the plans laid out for them. And he especially hates the fact that he is stuck on a team that is training to make all their dreams come true, while all of his dreams were left behind in Mistral…

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

"Hey, you doing ok, Partner?" Kali Belladonna smiles up at Alexander as he looks down at her with a touch of concern. 

"I'm fine you old wolf." She replies as she stretches a bit, both of them wincing at the pop that comes from her back. "Perhaps I shouldn't have taken that last hunt before coming to Vale."

"You? Turn down a hunt? Ha!" Alex chuckles as they both return to watching the last minute preparations be finished. "I think I would stand a better chance of teaching a boarbatusk to tap dance."

"Oh hush." She chides him as she smiles at Ruby and Velvet, both of whom are busy setting up the last of the chairs for the many guests that will be in attendance today. "But it really is about time you and Salem did this. You waited for far too long."

"Yeah I know." The Mountain admits as he looks at his two daughters, who are chatting while decorating the ends of the aisles with wreaths of flowers next. "Honestly been expecting Ruby to march us both down to the judicial center with my own damned shotgun and force the issue for a while now. Especially now that she's having a little sister."

"Well at least you avoided that, you old wolf." Kali chuckles as the two young women finally take note of them, Ruby's tail wagging as Velvet looks at them curiously. "I think we've been spotted."

"Looks that way, Kitty." He replies right before getting hit by a flying missile named Ruby, whom he catches in his arms with a laugh. "Hey there pup!"

"Hiya Daddy!" Ruby looks at Kali next, her eyes widening in her surprise. "You're Blake's Mom! She's going to be thrilled to see you!"

"Indeed I am. And look at you, Ruby!" Kali gushes as Velvet approaches and joins the hug a bit more shyly. "The last time I saw you in person, you were just this tiny little thing in your mother's arms."

"She's done grown up on me." Alex admits as he holds his daughters in his arms. "Kitty, meet Velvet. She's my oldest."

"Your oldest?" 

Velvet nods as she looks from her father to Kali, a blush on her features. "My mum had me in Vacuo after leaving Beacon. Me and Da just met a few months ago now."

"That bitch!" Kali growls as her ears flatten on her head. 

"Easy, kitty. It's in the past now." He rumbles as Velvet shies away in her growing fear. "Me and Bunny here just got some more time to catch up on."

"I never did like her." Kali admits as she looks at Velvet. "Well it's a pleasure to meet you, young lady. And before either of you start calling me ma'am, it's Kali. I don't stand on any kind of formalities."

Alex chuckles as he looks down at his two daughters. "Better listen to her, pup and bunny. Kali's just one of them type of people." Straightening up, he looks at the backyard and nods. "Looks like everything's just about squared away."

"It is Daddy." Ruby replies as she checks her scroll. "Any minute now."

"Any minute for what?" Velvet asks curiously as she looks at her sibling.

"Why can't you slow down and drive like a normal person, Snowy?!"

"Because I am far from normal, Kitten!"

"For that." The Reaper replies with a grin as Weiss, Blake, and Pyrrha all come around the corner of the house, where the heiress no doubt parked on the street. Blake looks visibly shaken, Pyrrha's eyes are still as wide as dish plates, and Weiss simply has a smug grin on her face as the three young women approach the two adults and two teenagers.

"There's my Kitten!" Kali declares happily as she opens her arms, her smile as bright as the sun.

"Mum?!" To everyone's surprise, Blake squeals as she barrels into the older panther's arms, Kali catching her as easily as Alex caught Ruby. But none of them are surprised when the younger panther bursts into tears as she clings to the mother she hasn't seen in several years now.

"Now that's a damned beautiful sight." Alex declares as Ruby and Weiss both take pictures, while Velvet and Pyrrha look on, but he doesn't fail to take note of the fondness on Pyrrha's face, and smirks as he looks down at his own daughter. "Iffin ya can't beat em, join em?" He asks Ruby, who shakes her head.

"Already beat the cookies out of Blake and Weiss the other day." She replies with a look of guilt on her features. "I called it quits before I got to Pyrrha."

"I heard about that gauntlet Glynda put you in." He admits as Blake and Kali begin to talk softly with one another as they move away for more privacy, Weiss and Pyrrha watching them go as they stand arm in arm, the Mistrali girl on Weiss's left. "Always figured you for poly, but even Pyrrha?"

"Dammit! I owe Aqua twenty lien!" Velvet curses as she looks from Weiss and Pyrrha to her own sibling. 

Ruby shrugs before looking at all of them. "I follow my heart, and it ain't ever led me wrong before." She declares proudly, getting a blush from Pyrrha and a grin from Weiss. "Yeah, it was broken. Broken good too, but it's finally healing and filled back up with plenty of love for others."

Alex nods as he smiles down at her. "That's good, pup. As for me, Salem's got what's left of mine, and I need to go finish getting ready to marry that woman before you haul us both off to a justice of the peace."

"Not just Ruby." Velvet declares, getting his attention. "Miss Salem's good for you, even I can see that, Da. And you two dragged it out for ten whole years?"

"Yeah, well we put Ruby first is all." He protests, yelping when Ruby pinches him a second later.

"Don't blame it on me, Daddy!" She growls at him angrily. "And I got Crescent Rose on me."

"I borrowed Coco's mini gun." Velvet adds darkly as she adds her own glare to her sister's.

"Sounds like you're getting married today, whether you want to or not." Qrow calls out as he and Winter appear arm in arm, Weiss squealing in her joy as she rushes into her own sister's arms.

"Hello little snowflake." Winter greets her with a bright smile.

"I didn't think you would make it today, Win!" Weiss replies as she looks up at her sister.

"Qrow convinced me to delay returning to Atlas for one more day so I could make it." The older sibling replies impishly as she looks from Weiss to her own fiance. "Such a bad influence."

Qrow just chuckles as he looks back at her lovingly. "Hey, I just made the suggestion. She decided to piss old Ironpants off by calling in sick."

Alex roars with laughter as he releases his daughters from his embrace and stands to his full height. "Serves Jimmy right. Damned slave driver. Now!" He claps his hands together as he looks at the group gathered around him. "I got a wedding to get ready for, before both my girls make it into a shotgun wedding. Iffin you'll excuse me." He declares before vanishing.

"He better come back." Ruby grumbles as she moves to Pyrrha's side and takes one of her arms, causing her to blush a bright red. "Come on, Red. You can help us finish off the last few touches."

"O-of course. I would be happy to." She stammers out as she blushes an even redder color. But she suddenly blinks as Ruby lunges forward and catches Sasha Scarlatina, who is storming past them with rage in her chocolate brown eyes.

"Whoa there, Bunny! Where's the ass kicking?" The Reaper asks calmly as the other girl struggles against her. 

"I'm gonna kill that little blonde fucker!" She shrieks as she struggles to free herself from Ruby's powerful arms. "I'm getting sick and tired of her family always making her cry! I'm getting really sick and tired of them all calling her a cripple!" 

Pyrrha and Ruby look at each other before looking back at Sasha, who now has tears in her eyes. "Is this about Sarah?" Pyrrha asks calmly as she leans down a bit to look her shorter cousin in the eyes. 

"Yes! I'm so sick and tired of her family being assholes to her! Our family took her in and loves her to pieces, but her family keeps downing her! They keep telling her she needs to shut down Mama and Jenna, and they're the real future, Pyr!" Sasha begins to tremble as she looks between the two. "I see my future in her eyes, and I'm terrified that she's gonna finally cave and give up just to please them. And she's so close! She's so close to having Mama and Jenna reliably combat ready, and the Valian government's interested in making more of them! So we can finally stop relying on Atlas tech and bots!"

"Is that so?" A new voice calls out, making them all turn their heads to look at a tall, powerfully built blonde haired man wearing a tight fitting pair of jeans, a white tank top underneath an old battered red jacket, and a faded and well worn red hat with a single true steel plate running across the front. He has a garment bag hanging over one shoulder, and is looking between the three teens with a look of amusement. "So, my tech head's finally got the last few bugs fixed? I was worried when she admitted she was having issues with Mama's targeting system for her Predator Canon the last time I talked to her."

"Mr. Terry, please! Please, she's so close! She's so damned close and all I want is for her to succeed! Please don't make her shut them down!" Sasha begs as she shrugs her way out of Ruby's arms to stand before the older, much taller man. "Please! She's crying in Ruby's room right now because Jaune called her a cripple, and told her all her older sisters think she is too! She just wants to prove herself, prove that she's worthy of being an Arc! She's so desperate for your approval, and to show you guys she made the right decision to come to Signal! Please! Please don't take her dreams away! Don't take Mama and Jenna from her!" Pausing, she looks at Terry with tear filled eyes. "Please, please don't take her away from me."

Terry sighs as he looks at Qrow, who shrugs before looking back at the silently crying rabbit faunus before him. "You feel that strongly, huh? Strongly enough to fight for her?"

"Yes." Sasha admits quietly as she looks at the ground. "I… I love her. She makes me feel loved. She makes me feel wanted again. She… she makes me feel like I can finally forgive myself for failing Rosella, for ruining things with Ruby after she died. She's helped me turn my life around, and she's making me feel like I can be loved again. She's slowly dragging me out of my depression and my self destruction, and I can't lose that. I can't lose her."

"Sasha." Reaching over with his free hand, Terry lifts her chin gently to look into her eyes as he smiles. "Relax, we aren't here to pull her out of Signal and take her home to Mistral. She's happy here, way happier than she ever was back home. She adores your family, and she's definitely head over heels for you." Pausing, he looks at Ruby while raising an eyebrow. "Do you mind if I invade your room to go calm my tech head down?"

"Sure. Just don't mind all the blueprints and stuff. I like to tinker with weapons when I'm home, and my room's where I gotta store all my stuff." She replies with a grin before looking at Sasha. "Glad to hear you're moving on too, Bunny. Me, Squirrelly and Bubbles have been worried."

Sasha nods as Terry offers her an arm, which she takes. "Take care of my cousin, Wolfy. I see the way you two are starting to look at each other, and I approve." Pausing, she smiles at Pyrrha while wiping her tears away. "She's making you smile, Pyrrha. A real one, and not the fake one you and I both have got down to perfection. They all are, and I just want you all to be happy."

To everyone's surprises, Ruby suddenly leans over and kisses Pyrrha on the cheek, the Mistrali woman turning as red as her hair. "I think we'll be having that talk I wanted to have after the wedding, instead of after that team exercise. Sound good, Red?" They all chuckle and giggle as Pyrrha turns even redder, her mouth opening and closing like a fish's. Turning, she looks at Sasha and smiles sadly. "You're always gonna have a piece of my heart, Bunny. You're still my friend, even after all that happened."

"And you're always in mine, Wolfy. Let me go and calm down and calm Sarah down. You need to finish up all the small touches yourself." The rabbit faunus replies as she looks at her former girlfriend and still friend. "We both needed to move on, Ruby. And I think we did."

The Reaper nods as she looks from Pyrrha to Weiss, who is now sitting next to Winter while the two of them chat with someone on the white haired woman's scroll, then to Blake, who is still talking quietly to her mother. "Yeah, yeah I think we both did, Bunny. And I think we did pretty damned good."

Qrow watches as Terry, Sasha, Ruby, and Pyrrha walk off in two separate directions before looking up at the nearby roof and smirking. "Still worried, you overdramatic feather duster?" He calls out to a jet black raven sitting there and watching over everything. But he starts chuckling as the bird turns a single red eye at him and glares. "Whatever. You gonna join us properly? Or are you just gonna sit there and eat birdseed and stew?"

"Qrow? Who on Remnant are you speaking with?" Winter asks as she joins him, looping an arm around one of his as she stares curiously at the raven. "You don't see too many of those around here. They are far more common in Mistral."

"What? That overgrown feather duster?" He replies as he chuckles once again, while the raven begins to caw angrily at him. "I wouldn't sweat the bird too much. But, we're in for one hell of a show after the wedding. Maybe even pay per view worthy."

"Have you started drinking again? Because you aren't making any sense whatsoever." Winter glares at him as she drums the fingers of her free hand across his arm. "You promised me that you stopped completely!"

"And I have, Ice Queen. You're not worth losing over even a drop of booze. Just trust me, things are about to get a lot more interesting in Vale." He replies as he pats her hand. "Now, who were you talking to?"

Winter smiles brilliantly at him, her eyes sparkling. "Willow! She actually asked to speak to me, and we did so without any arguing between us! She even approves of the present I am giving Ruby for her upcoming birthday."

Qrow chuckles as he shakes his head. "That kid's not gonna know what to do with a military level discount to every supplier in Atlas."

"And free shipping. Let's not forget the free shipping." Winter adds with a smile as she looks at Weiss, who has joined Ruby and Pyrrha. They both watch as the heiress starts to laugh at something Ruby has said, while Pyrrha just shakes her head in amusement. "She's brought a smile back to my sister's face. A genuine one that is not plastic and forced. I would honestly do more if I could."

"Pretty sure that's good enough, Win. You gotta remember, the mini Ice Queen isn't under your dad's thumb anymore. She's living her own life, by her own rules and her own choices. I bet you anything she's helping Willow with bringing the bastard down."

"I would imagine so. And I shall enjoy watching him get crushed like the annoying bug that he is!" Winter declares angrily as her eyes flash. 

"Now all you gotta do is get your brother outta that hell, and maybe even your Momma." Alex points out as he reappears next to them, now in his full huntsmen's gear of a long black drover's coat, his jet black stetson, gray button up shirt, and black pants tucked into a pair of steel toed combat boots. A shotgun is in a holster behind one shoulder, and his bastard swords are on his hips. "But for that, you're gonna need ah little bit of help."

"Indeed you will." Salem agrees as she moves next to him and takes his arm while smiling up at him. She is in a long, beautiful dark colored maternity dress with matching heels, her long blonde hair hanging loosely behind her and her makeup carefully done. "It's been a long time since we've been in Atlas. Perhaps a bit too long."

"Isn't it bad luck to see the bride before the wedding, you old wolf?" Kali calls out, Salem blinking and staring at her.

"You made it?! How?! I thought you weren't due in for another week?" Salem calls out happily as she releases Alex and hurries to the panther faunus, the two of them hugging one another. 

"I lied. I wanted to surprise you. And guess what?"

"What is that you old cat?"

"Surprise! Miss me?" Kali grins as she looks at the bride to be before hugging her once more. "Don't answer that, cause I miss you too, Blondie."

Alex chuckles as he shakes his head, while noticing that Blake has wandered over to the others and joined them, one of Ruby's arms wrapping around her shoulders while Pyrrha moves next to her and taking one of her hands gently, and Weiss takes her arm. "Awww hell, they already look good together." 

Winter blinks at the sight of her sibling surrounded by the other three women, as well as the look of affection she has as she looks from one to another while chatting excitedly with them. "I… huh?!"

Qrow just smirks. "Good thing's she's gonna be a small mountain herself. She's gonna need all the arm space she can get to hold onto them all."

"Yeah. Summer would be proud of her. And she'd already be pestering me to start making nurseries and more damned bedrooms and all that crap. Hell, Salem already is." Alex admits quietly as he looks up at the raven, who looks away in shame. "And you? You got some explaining to do. And a whole hell of ah lot of work too. But my word's still my bond. Iffin she comes to me, I'll move mountains to get her outta being stuck with Tai. Got it?" He declares firmly before looking back at Ruby and the others and smiling proudly. "Now, let's get this damned show on the road!"

"Aren't we expecting anyone else?" Ruby asks as she looks around. "Not a whole lot of folks here yet, Daddy."

"Ozzy's on his way with Peachy, Glynda and Bart'll make it sooner or later, and Ara and Ryker are already sitting in the living room and talking with Eugen and Kaya." He replies as he looks around, then up. "Oh, there you are."

Mama chuckles as she waves with one giant sized hand. "Sup?" She calls out as Jenna stands next to her and flashes a V sign.

"What is that thing doing here?" Jeanne asks as she spots the titan and glares. 

"Came to see them get married. Staying to watch all of you get drunk and stupid." The legion replies flippantly as her core focuses on Jeanne, who scowls back at her. "That and Sarah's dad wanted to talk to us. Something about a final check."

"Oh my, they certainly have turned out to be quite impressive, haven't they?" Kaya declares as she emerges from the house next, while walking next to an older gray haired man whose smile of amusement is a contradiction to the firmness of his crystal blue eyes. Eyes that are taking in his surroundings while he adjusts the tie to his perfectly tailored suit. Looking up, Eugen Arc nods as he sees the two Titans before looking at his daughter.

"Jeanne, it appears they are in combat ready condition." He begins as his eyes narrow at his oldest child, who grimaces. "I was under the impression that they were in much less acceptable working conditions considering the amount of Lien that has already been spent on Sarah's project."

"Dad, they're the reason Sarah's arm is gone! They're the reason why she's-" Jeanne's eyes widen as her father levels a glare at her, while she herself goes silent. 

"You don't think accidents happen, Jeanne?" The much older man asks calmly as his gaze bears down on his child. "Because they do, my daughter. They happen quite often, and normally without any kind of notice or warning whatsoever. And many of them are life changing, as we all saw the day the larger one's weapon misfired and almost ended my granddaughter's life." He pauses and sighs. "Or the day your brother died."

"Exactly! She would have died just like Lance had, had Terry not been there!" Jeanne glares back at him as she motions to the two war machines. "My daughter-"

"Your daughter is a brilliant inventor, a brilliant huntress in training, and has created something truly incredible." Kaya declares as she interrupts her daughter next, while looking at Alex and Salem. "My apologies. It appears this needs to be resolved before I'm forced to beat the stubbornness out of your sister."

Salem waves a hand. "This needs to be done, and we're still waiting on Glynda and Bart. Please, I'm finding all of this amusing anyway."

"Not me. I wear this shit enough." Alex grumbles as he pulls at the collar of his shirt. "That and Ozzy just text and said him and Peachy ain't gonna make it. Something about taking her to the hospital cause she can't stop puking."

"She's pregnant." Salem and Ara both deadpan as the doctor and her own husband join them next. 

Ruby sighs as she steps forward. "How bout this? Let's let Mum and Daddy get married real quick, then y'all can go back to fighting about Mama and Jenna, while me and Bunny go beat Jaune stupid over calling Sarah ah cripple."

"Nooooooooo." Weiss rolls her eyes as she looks at the Reaper.

"Definitely not Ruby. You already broke his nose during the gauntlet." Blake adds. "And that doesn't mean you get to go do it either, Pyr."

"And don't deny that you weren't thinking about it." Weiss adds as she wags a finger at her. 

Pyrrha sighs as she nods. "I did make a promise to behave." She admits.

"Ummmm, guys?" Velvet calls out hesitantly from the back door. "Someone named Priestess Azurite just called. She won't be able to make it. Something about her car won't start."

Salem looks at Alex. "That's who was marrying us!" She declares with a groan. "I knew this was going to end up being a disaster!"

"Fuck that. I always got a backup plan." Alex grumbles as he looks at Qrow, who grins back. "You still an ordained minister of the church of the sacred drunks or whatever?"

"It's the church of the Sacred Balance, and yeah. Why? I just get promoted from being just a guest?" Qrow replies impishly.

"You sure as shit did. Now, watch this. Salem!" Pausing, he smiles as he looks at her. "Yeah, took us too damned long to get to this here point. Ten years when honestly we shoulda done it after we settled down and put down our roots." Pausing, his smile widens even as he sniffles. "Ruby and I, we didn't want to put down them roots without ya, cause you stuck with us both. Ya stuck with me and helped me ta put my heart back together, and you stuck with Ruby and raised her right like a momma should. And now we're having ourselves a youngun of our own, and I couldn't be happier. I love ya, Salem Arc. I love ya, and I want to do right by ya, just like you've been doing right by us." Pausing, he looks around and grins. "I've said my peace."

Qrow looks at Salem next, giving her a moment to wipe her tears away. "You're up, Blondie. You better have something good to say after that rather touching verbal vomit."

"Oh shut up, Qrow." She fires back with a glare before looking back at Alex and smiling brilliantly. "I love you, you giant idiot. I've honestly loved you since we all went to Beacon, and I put my feelings to the side when Summer won your heart first, after Carol went and pulled what she did. No offense meant, Velvet." She adds as she looks over to the rabbit faunus, who is standing next to a panting Coco and grinning Fox. Yatsu stands behind them, looking stoic as his arms fold across his chest.

"It's ok, Mum. Mom did what she did, and in a weird kind of way I'm glad it worked out this way. I have a wonderful new family now." The young woman replies as she smiles at Coco, who looks back at her oddly. "Bout time you made it."

"Had to sprint up the fucking driveway!" She manages to gasp out. "Thought we still had twenty more minutes!"

"Now, to continue." Salem clears her throat as she looks at Ruby next. "My life changed that same night your father took you to Sass's. She called me in the middle of the night, frantic because she couldn't get you to stop crying. And Ruby, I never hesitated to come, and I knew I could never leave you alone as I rocked you back to sleep that night. I knew you would need me, and I made my choice, even as I cried for your mother. And I have never regretted it." Pausing, she wipes her tears away before looking at Alex next. "As for you, you are the best man I know. The best father, the best boyfriend, the best fiance I could have ever wished for. And…" She pauses to once again wipe a tear away as she sniffles. "I love you. I've loved you for over twenty years now, and I'm just grateful that you're finally becoming my husband. I'm grateful that I have been such an important part of all your lives for so long, and I always will be, for as long as you'll let me."

"Forever's good! It really works for me!" Ruby calls out next as she grins. 

"Hush dolt! Let them finish!" Weiss hisses at her, even as she wipes her own tears away.

"I've said my own peace, Weiss." Salem declares as she keeps looking into Alex's eyes. "I love you, you idiot."

"I love you too, bossy ass." He replies before looking at Qrow. "Well, what's next?"

Qrow smirks as he looks around. "Who's got the rings? We're kinda up to that point?"

"Ummm, Daddy? Doesn't Uncle David have those?" Ruby points out, making the giant wolf faunus facepalm while muttering darkly.

"Wait, I think we can make something work." Kaya declares as she slips her own wedding band off her finger and offers it to him with a smile. "Welcome to our family, Alexander."

Eugen nods as Sarah, Sasha, and Terry join them, the two teenaged girls smiling as Terry walks next to Jeanne and throws an arm over her shoulders, making her smile even as she blushes. "We do tend to argue a lot. And we aren't always in agreement on many things, like any typical family. But, we are all honored that you and Ruby are now an important part of it." He declares as he offers his wife an arm, which she takes with a smile.

"Thank you, Sir, Ma'am." He replies as he gently takes the wedding band in one hand before gently lifting Salem's left hand. "I reckon one's better than none."

"Ok, repeat after me: With this ring, I thee wed." Qrow begins as he motions to Salem, who has renewed tears in her eyes as she stares at the wedding set. Alex does so without hesitation, his smile even more brilliant than before. But to all of their surprises, Winter offers a second wedding band, one that appears to have belonged to a large fingered man.

"That's Grandpapa's wedding band, Win. Are you sure?" Weiss whispers as she looks from it to her sister.

"I'm sure. I hope it brings you as much luck as it brought our own grandfather, Mr. Alex." Winter smiles as she finishes removing it from a chain. "As much luck as it has brought me." She adds quietly as she looks at Qrow, who winks at her with a smile.

"Thank you, Win." The Mountain mutters as they all watch Salem take it gently. 

"Ok, Salem. Same deal as with Alex. With this ring, I thee wed." Qrow repeats as he looks at her. "Hopefully that thing fits." He adds.

"With this ring, I thee wed." Salem repeats as she slips the wedding band onto Alex's finger, smiling at the near perfect fit. "I do believe we've already had our first bit of good luck today."

"Nah, we've had plenty of that the past ten years." Alex counters with a chuckle.

"Ok, now that we're at this point, I genuinely don't remember all the actual vows crap your supposed to say." Qrow admits as he looks from one to the other. "So, we're going to skip straight to the important part. Alex, do you take this woman to be your wife?"

"Wait a damned minute! What do you mean you forgot all the damned words?! There ain't that damned many of em!"

"Fine, then you say them all!" Qrow counters with a smirk. "If you can remember that is."

"Uhhhh, well damn, you got me there." The giant wolf faunus admits before looking at Salem and smiling. "Yeah, I do."

Qrow nods as he looks at Salem next, who is shaking her head. "Are you sure about this? It's not too late to run for your life while screaming in terror."

"I've never been so sure of anything in my entire life." She replies as she looks back at Alex. "And I'll go ahead and skip to the I do."

"Oh thank the Goddesses. This is why I don't do weddings, too much repeating stuff." Qrow Branwen grins as he looks at the couple before him, while still holding Winter Schnee's arm in his own. "But this is always the best part. You can now kiss the bride!"

Alexander Garibaldi smiles as he kneels down, while Salem Arc, now Salem Garibaldi leans in to press her lips to his. They deepen the kiss as the gathered guests cheer for them, her arms wrapping around his shoulders as the kiss deepens even more, their eyes closing as they smile amidst their tears of joy.

"Finally! Thank the Goddesses Three!" Ruby declares as she throws up her hands to the sky. "I can finally quit bugging the hell outta them to finally do this!"

"Be careful there, sis. You're up to three beautiful women on your arms." Velvet points out with a smirk. "And like Coco said, you're screwed on getting out of a big and fancy wedding with two of them." Pausing, she looks at Pyrrha and smirks. "And all of Mistral's going to want to watch it, considering who you're also dating now."

"Wait, what?!" Ruby looks at Pyrrha in shock. "Is she serious?!"

Pyrrha nods as she blushes, her hands twisting around one another. "My father is the Lord Proctor of Mistral, Ruby. And my mother is the leader of the Mistrali Huntsmen's guild, and a Master ranked Huntress with a record amount of missions successfully completed."

"Not to mention she's an undefeated tournament fighter, and her face is absolutely everywhere in Mistral as well." Coco points out as she looks from Ruby to Velvet, her face a mask. "Hold that thought." She suddenly declares before sweeping Velvet off her feet and into a deep kiss. The rabbit faunus's eyes widen in surprise as her ears shoot straight out from her head before flopping down to hang limply as her own arms wrap around Coco's neck. 

"Now that's a kiss! You should take notes, you old wolf!" Kali cries out, getting laughter from many of the gathered friends and family.

"Whatever, kitty cat! You gotta climb Ghira when you want some smooches!" Alex counters with a grin. "Now that's what you call the Garibaldi charm right there!" He brags as Salem shakes her head and Ruby whistles.

"Then what do you call Ruby's charm?" Blake asks slyly, making the wolf faunus woman blush.

"Oh that? That is the Rose charm in action." Salem replies with a smirk as she looks at Alex, who nods in agreement. "Unresistable, unstoppable, and illegal to bottle to sell to the general public."

"Damned woman coulda had anyone she wanted. Everybody 'cept Carol loved her." He admits as he shrugs. "Dunno why she chose me."

"Because she only loved you, Alex." Qrow replies bluntly as he smiles. "Spent her whole time at Beacon just waiting for Carol to screw up, and when she did, she took it before anyone else had even a second's chance." 

"Even Tai never stood a chance. Not even a little one." Ara offers, Ryker beside her and nodding. "But we also owe Summer everything as well. She was who set me and Ryker up while were all at Beacon."

Kali nods as she sighs. "She set so many of us up while keeping Birdie on a leash and dodging Tai constantly. She was always playing matchmaker for us, and…"

"And all of you miss her." Pyrrha looks at them all, while Weiss wipes some tears from Ruby's cheek, and the other members of the same graduating class as the long dead woman nod as they look at one another. "Perhaps she is here? And she has given her own blessings?"

"Maybe." Alex admits as he looks down at Salem, who nods as she smiles. "Things still worked out, even with all the disasters."

"At least the kitchen hasn't exploded." She adds as they all turn to look at the house. "Granted, they have gotten disturbingly quiet."

Saphron appears and grimaces as she uses a towel to wipe her hands clean. "Ummmm, dinner may be a bit delayed. I lost my help."

"Oh, and what happened to Jaune?" Eugen asks as he raises an eyebrow.

"I knocked him the fuck out with my metal hand while we were passing through." Sarah admits as she looks at them all unrepentantly. "He's gonna be asleep for a while."

"Terry!" Jeanne looks at him aghast.

The tall blonde shrugs. "I keep warning him that he needs to start treating his younger sisters better. He chooses to keep acting the way he does, and Sarah won't be the only one who's going to put him on his ass."

"Welp, I tell y'all what!" Alex declares as he claps his hands together. "Fuck all the fancy shit. Iffin you don't mind waiting ah spell, I can get the grilled fired up and we'll be eating good."

Salem nods as she smiles brightly. "I'll see what all is already done, and Ruby and I can help to finish them all."

"Sounds good Mum!"

Ryker chuckles as he looks at the Guildmaster. "Cooking at your own wedding, huh boss?"

"Why the hell not? It's not like we're leaving for our honeymoon yet. We ain't leaving for a few days and we're heading to Atlas to take care of some stuff." He admits with a shrug. "And besides, I could use a steak. A nice thick one with a damned beer!"

"Would you like any help, Miss Salem?" Weiss asks as she looks at the older woman, who smiles and nods. 

"The more hands the better. Especially with all these mouths to feed." Salem smiles as she looks at Velvet and Coco, who are looking at each other and smiling. "About time. Coco's been pining after her since last year."

"Come along everyone!" Kaya calls out as she smiles. "Let us move this inside, where we can all sit and be comfortable." 

"Here here!" Qrow calls out as the gathered family and friends head back inside until only Blake and Pyrrha are left outside, along with Sarah and Terry, who are speaking quietly a short distance away while Mama and Jenna both kneel before them with their pilot's compartments opened.

"Pyrrha, do you mind if we talk?" Blake looks up at the taller Mistrali woman, who tilts her head curiously.

"Of course. I would be more than happy to speak with you." She replies as she smiles brightly. 

Blake Belladonna smiles back as she offers Pyrrha her hand. "Good, because I really want to get to know you better. A lot better."

Pyrrha Nikos smiles brilliantly as she nods while taking the offered hand. "As would I, Blake. As would I…"

Chapter 21: Coming Together

Notes:

Hey everyone, this chapter is a bit of a filler we felt was needed to round some things off and because of that it's a fairly long chapter but we hope you enjoy it.

Saturday Night: The Den

 

Venturing into Ruby's room in the Den can be an eye opening experience for the uninitiated. Everyone always expects it to be a disorganized, cluttered mess typical of a teenager, but are always surprised at her organized chaos. Her windows are opened wide to allow the cool Valian night wind to enter, even though her blinds are closed tightly to maintain her privacy, and her walls are covered in weapon schematics, pictures of herself, her many friends, and most especially of her with her parents, and posters of her favorite bands and movies. A massive Wolfy the Beowolf plushie is sitting in one corner of her room, next to a bookshelf that is full of well worn, well cared for books. Bean bag chairs are scattered throughout the room, and a large trivid sits by the windows, a pair of well used video game systems hooked up to it. Next to it is a surprisingly sophisticated scroll dock connected to a rather expensive surround sound speaker system, and on the opposite wall is a large work bench covered in tools and parts for her Crescent Rose along with another massive sword type weapon of some kind. And in the center of the room, a large bed is set into the floor, where Pyrrha, Blake, and Weiss sit and chat while Pyrrha's eyes sweep all over the room while taking it all in. 

 

But her gaze focuses on a single small table next to the giant plushie, a picture of a beautiful young blonde haired wolf faunus sitting on it, along with a single burning candle. And the redhead offers a silent prayer while knowing it for the memorial that it is. 

 

Ruby herself smiles as she looks at the gathered young women around her, her smile brightening as she watches them all chat quietly while she herself strips out of her corset and blouse, leaving herself in just her bra and combat skirt. With a deep breath, she stretches her arms above her head and releases it slowly, oblivious to the reaction she is getting from all those gathered.

 

Weiss is blushing a deep red, while her eyes stay focused on Ruby's sculpted abs and clearly defined midsection.

 

Blake's eyes are a bit higher, her mind obviously in the gutter as she stares at her chest, and the lacy red bra that is barely restraining her obvious assets.

 

Pyrrha's mouth hangs open as she just stares. Her eyes are sweeping up and down her figure slowly, drinking in her entire form as if it is a fine wine.

 

Ruby finally stops the stretch and moans in delight as she bends backwards and gets a loud pop from her back. Her tail becomes a blur as she smiles in relief, before bending over to unlace her boots to remove them one at a time. 

 

Weiss now looks ready to melt, while she continues to stare at the Reaper.

 

Blake has begun to drool as she herself keeps staring at Ruby's assets, which are now much more prominently displayed. 

 

Pyrrha whimpers as she keeps looking at Ruby, her own full body blush getting redder and redder with every passing second as her eyes keep wandering up and down Ruby's form. 

 

Her boots now off, Ruby chuckles as she stands straight once more and grabs a nearby shirt and pulls it on, getting moans, groans, and whimpers from her gathered girlfriends. "Y'all are acting like you ain't ever seen me walking around the dorm room naked or something." She comments idly as she suddenly and without warning loosens her skirt and allows it to fall, making all three young women blush a bright red at the sight of her actually wearing matching red lace panties. "Before any of y'all ask, Mum told me I had to wear em today. So shut it."

 

"Wait, she does that?!" Pyrrha declares in surprise, getting nods from Weiss and Blake. "And what does she mean had to wear them?!"

 

"Now that I am used to. It's difficult to keep me in clothes as well." Weiss admits as her blush deepens. "And Ruby never wears panties, except for class."

 

"I have constant nosebleeds." Blake admits quietly. 

 

Pyrrha shakes her head before leaning forward and looking to the side at Blake. “What about you?”

 

“I’m not comfortable doing it myself, unlike Weiss and Ruby, who like sleeping nude, I’m more relaxed in my yukata.”

 

"Uh huh. Buuuuuuuuut." Ruby grins as she looks at the panther, who turns a bright red once more.

 

"But that's usually all I'm wearing at night." She admits before hiding her face in her hands in embarrassment.

 

"Goddesses…" The redhead mutters as she turns an even brighter shade of red. "All I tend to wear is a sleep shirt and a pair of panties."

 

Ruby chuckles as she sits down next to Blake, who leans into her with a purr while her blush fades. "It ain't nothing to get excited over. Just some skin is all. Now, I do believe we need to have ourselves a chat before things go any further."

 

Blake nods in agreement. "We are definitely entering into something new and frankly rather exciting for me at least." The panther admits as she smiles softly. "Especially since Pyrrha and I took some time to talk while you all were helping with cooking and everything."

 

Ruby nods as she looks at Weiss. "You definitely earned some brownie points with Mum tonight, helping with the cooking. She's always worried I'm gonna end up being the only cook in any of my relationships."

 

Weiss smiles softly as she blushes. "Klein and Leigh made quite certain all of us could fend for ourselves once we were able to escape from the Manor. And Zeff made damned certain that we could cook for ourselves as well." She explains as her smile brightens. "But you should taste Winter's cooking. She is even more amazing than Noiry and I both in the kitchen."

 

Pyrrha chuckles. "I am surprisingly horrible in a kitchen. My mother constantly teases me that I can find all new ways to set food, pots, pans, and even stoves on fire."

 

Blake sighs. "I can cook big mass meals pretty well, and I'm really good at cooking on a campfire. But that's about it. And I'm terrible at anything except pots of oatmeal for breakfast."

 

Ruby grins as she pulls Blake closer, the panther's purring growing louder. "Mum started teaching me to cook as soon as I could see over the counter. And her cooking is amazing!" Pausing, she looks at a picture on her wall of herself, Sasha, and Rosella gorging themselves at the table. "Bunny would always bitch that she couldn't fit into her pageant dresses, and we would have to roll Rosella to my room while she kept claiming it was all worth it." 

 

Weiss nods. "I cannot dispute that. We devoured all the leftovers our first weekend here, and not much was even left. Blake and I couldn't even move, we ate so much."

 

Ruby chuckles as she looks at Pyrrha. "Had to carry them both in here, and Weiss went into a food coma as soon as her head hit the pillow. Poor Blake couldn't move for hours because of her food baby."

 

Pyrrha smiles as she shakes her head. "I've already missed so many good things."

 

"Nah, there's plenty of time to make even more memories." Ruby reassures her with a smile. "Trust me, my life is never boring."

 

Weiss nods as she leans into Pyrrha with a smile. "Indeed, our beautiful warrior. You are with all of us now, and our lives are never boring."

 

Blake smiles reassuringly at the Mistrali woman. "All we ask is that you communicate with us. Don't ever be afraid to speak to us, or speak your mind."

 

Ruby nods as she turns to look at Pyrrha, she smiles. "Seriously, don't be afraid to talk to us. Ask us questions. Get to know us while we really get to know you."

 

The Mistrali woman nods slowly as she muses over everything she's heard and seen so far. "Ruby, how close were you and my cousin?" She asks quietly as she looks at the floor. 

 

Ruby sighs as she looks at the floor before looking back at Pyrrha. "Been friends since kindergarten, along with Squirrelly. Kinda drifted apart when she became a beauty queen by third grade though, and we didn't really start talking again until we all started at Signal. By then, I had met Rosella, and she kinda just got pulled into it. And when Rosella died, we fell apart cause of our own grief and pain." Pausing to take a deep breath, she looks at Weiss with a small smile. "How about you, Snowflake? When did you figure things out?"

 

Weiss sighs as she looks blankly at the ceiling. "I myself have had to hide who and what I am my whole life. I figured out at an early age that boys and men hold no attraction to me, while Noiry had no such reservations." Pausing, she sighs deeply. "I lost track of all the times she would distract another loathsome suitor Father would bring in for me to meet so I could escape to my room."

 

"So your gay and she's straight?" Blake asks quietly.

 

Weiss shakes her head as she smiles. "My twin sister is bisexual, Kitten. Men and women both hold her attention, and she is not particularly picky when it comes to looks. It is their personalities she pays attention to, as well as their character." Shaking her head, she looks at Ruby with a smile. "I may be forced to fight her for you."

 

"Nope. One princess is more than enough." Ruby declares confidently as her arm tightens around Blake's shoulders. "Along with a panther and a redhead."

 

“When did you figure it out Blake?” Pyrrha asks out of curiosity.

 

“I only fully figured it out when I saw Ruby.” The cat faunus confessed. “I used to think I liked both sides but until I met Ruby and Weiss I guess I just hadn’t truly figured myself out.” Pausing, she sighs. “I had a crush once but never acted on it and for a while there was this guy named Sun who was always trying to get my attention but I never felt anything for him. But the moment I saw Ruby and Weiss, I didn’t want to be with anyone but them. And then as we got to really know you, you claimed a part of my heart too, Red."

 

"And what about you Red? when did you figure yourself out?" Ruby asks with a grin. "Better yet, when did you jump on the sapphic train?"

 

"Not long ago actually." She admits as she looks at them all with a blush. "My trainer is a bit older than me, and fills out her own gear quite well. It was my mother however who pointed out to me that what I had was much more than admiration for her, but a genuine crush." She admits as her blush turns a deeper shade of red. "I swear she knows me better than I know myself at times."

 

"Your mother sounds really great, Pyr." Blake admits as she looks towards the door to Ruby's room, her own mother no doubt still sitting in the living room and still chatting with all the gathered guests. "I've missed mine, and she's surprisingly supportive of all of this."

 

"Mum was really happy to see her too." Ruby adds with a grin. "It was a really great surprise for her on her wedding day."

 

"I honestly hope you all get to meet my mother soon." Pyrrha admits quietly. "She's one of my heroes, and I want to be like her when I get older. I want to make a difference, I want to be a master ranked huntress like her, but I want to earn it like she did. By doing great things, not because I'm just an amazing fighter."

 

"I wish… I wish my mother would be a mother." Weiss sniffles as she looks at the floor. "For the majority of my life, she has been a drunken ruin of a woman. A broken disaster who self medicates with alcohol to avoid the fact that she was crippled during a mission, and that her own best friend was killed while she lay broken and dying. She blames herself for her partner dying, for allowing Father to take control of the company while spreading a falsehood that she was dead, for failing to seize a moment in time in which someone she truly loved slipped through her fingers because she had a moment of indecision." Looking up, they all see a tear falling from her good eye. "I lost my vision in my left eye, and Noiry in her right, yet we fought on and claimed Father's Arma Gigas for Noiry. We proved our worth to leave the Manor behind and venture forth into the world and our freedom, and she was too drunk to even notice."

 

Pyrrha wraps her arms around the white haired woman gently as she pulls her closer. "Please, Weiss. No tears, ok? My mother is going to adore all of you, and will welcome you all warmly to our family. I know she will."

 

"Mum loves the hell out of ya, Snowflake." Ruby adds as she reaches over and wipes her tears away with a finger. "She's planning on kicking your momma in the ass soon."

 

Blake nods as she runs her fingers gently across Weiss's cheek. "Mom wants to sit down and talk to you tomorrow. She wants to talk to your sisters too. She's ready to bully Dad into making you three honorary citizens of Menagerie for all your efforts in helping the faunus. But this is still taking me too long to get used to." She mutters.

 

"I will admit, this is going to take me some time to get used to as well." Pyrrha adds as she frowns. "Human/faunus relationships are rather rare back home. Especially since there is still fallout occurring from my Uncle and Aunt, and it's been over twenty years now."

 

"And we are not in a relationship with just one, but two faunus, my warrior." Weiss admits quietly. "Two extremely beautiful and amazing faunus women."

 

"You know, I never once realized how different things are for the faunus in other kingdoms until now." Ruby sighs as she looks at them all. "I grew up here in Vale. Worse thing that ever happened to me was Cardin, and he quit messing with me and my friends after his brother and I put him in the hospital during second year in Signal."

 

"Is that why he avoids you like you have some kind of deadly illness?!" Pyrrha asks in surprise, her eyes widening at the growl that emerges from the younger woman.

 

"I downplay how good I really am in a fight, like big-time downplay it." Ruby admits as she looks at them all sadly. "I have ever since last year, when I knocked Sarah into a wall. She was stuck in it for almost an hour before they could pull her loose."

 

"Glad to know knocking people into walls is a habit of yours." Weiss comments dryly as she rubs the back of her head. "My skull is still bruised, as is my chest."

 

"I said I was sorry!"

 

"And I said don't be!" Weiss counters with a smile. "I told you to prove your love to me by showing me all you can do. To prove your respect for me, and you did so. You even stood against my Ice Palace, and didn't flinch. You actually stopped me, and only Noiry has ever managed it before you. Even Winter concedes once she sees those particular glyphs come into play, and you stood your ground." Removing herself from Pyrrha's embrace, she crawls forward and kisses Ruby gently on the lips, making the wolf woman blush a deep red. "You never have to worry about me leaving you, Ruby Rose. You proved your love to me, and I love you as well."

 

Blake giggles as she shifts around to sit next to Pyrrha, while Weiss crawls into a now furiously blushing Ruby's lap with a self satisfied hum. "I think we have some competition, Red." Blake declares as she curls into the taller woman's side, a low purr starting a moment later. But both of them squeal as Ruby pulls them into her side a moment later, a look of concern on her features.

 

"This ain't no competition, you two. I love ya all, and I know we'll make this work." She declares confidently as Pyrrha settles into her side with a smile, Blake still nestled into hers and purring louder. Checking her scroll, she frowns. "I knew Bubbles wasn't going to make it, but Squirrelly and Amy never showed." 

 

"I hope everything's ok." Weiss murmurs as she gets more comfortable in Ruby's lap. 

 

Blake nods in agreement. "They seem to be getting closer too. A lot closer than just partners."

 

Ruby chuckles as she slowly lays down on her bed, being careful to not disturb a now dozing Weiss while also pulling Pyrrha and Blake down with her. "Diane's falling for her. And falling hard." She pauses and sighs as she shakes her head. "I just hope Amy knows what she's getting into. Diane can be a handful and a half, especially if she's jacked up on energy drinks. Then she's just a pain." Ruby grumbles as she claps her hands twice, the overhead light shutting itself off.

 

"Ruby, do you seriously have a clapper connected to your light?" Blake asks impishly. "That's beyond lazy."

 

"I get it honestly. Daddy's even lazier than me." She admits with a yawn. "Only reason why my light's even on is for Pyrrha and Weiss. Normally don't even have it on unless Aqua's over. She ain't got night vision, but an even better sense of smell than I do."

 

"I see. Goodnight Ruby. I…" Pausing, Blake blushes a bright red as she looks away.

 

Ruby giggles as she turns her head and places a gentle kiss on the panther's head. "Ain't no need to rush it. Say it when you're ready, ok?" She reassures the panther, who nods. "Love you Kitty." She whispers, getting another nod in return. Settling down while shifting Weiss to her side, Ruby is still smiling as her ears flicker, while wondering just how much longer the gathered adults are going to be talking and catching up in the living room…

 

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

 

"And that is why I never listened to another ridiculous idea from that old wolf ever again!" Kali declares with a grimace as the rest of the gathered adults laugh at her expense. 

 

"I did try to warn you, Summer and I both." Salem offers as she grins. "Going mudding with us always got messy, especially in Summer's old jeep and his old truck!"

 

"I had mud in places that it never should have been!" The panther faunus groans as she glares at Alex, whose smile is so broad that it's threatening to split his face in half. "I still have no idea how it even got into my underwear! I had to throw them away!"

 

Qrow chuckles as he shakes his head. "I still remember when Summer dragged me and the feather duster along after that one huge storm. Raven was covered from head to toe in Valian red mud so bad all you could see was her eyes and her teeth."

 

Alex chuckles. "I remember that one. Sum got her damned jeep stuck and I had to pull it out. Blew my rear end but we got it loose."

 

Salem smiles as she nods. "The wrecker driver wouldn't let any of us in his truck. We had to call Alex's dad to come get all of us."

 

"Oh Goddesses, Daddy and Momma ran us through every damned mudhole they could find on the way back." Alex declares as he rolls his eyes. "Then Momma sat there and hosed us all off in the backyard while Daddy smoked a cigar and laughed his ass off."

 

"It just quit being so funny when Summer and Salem just started stripping though." Qrow points out, making the mentioned woman blush a bright red. "Man I thought Alex could run like a Goliath was after him, but his old man looked like the Goddess of Darkness herself was after him."

 

"No! You really did that?!" Winter asks Salem, who hides her face in her hands as she nods, blushing a deep red. 

 

"We were drunk." Alex declares with a grin. "Like a whole case of beer, along with a couple of bottles of tequila and vodka drunk. We caught hell from Momma for driving drunk through mud puddles and fucking up my truck and Sum's Jeep."

 

Kali smirks as she looks slyly at Salem. "Did you give the old wolf a good look, Blondie?" But the panther starts laughing as Salem only nods as she turns even redder, her face still hidden from view. 

 

"Did that happen while you and Mom were still together?" Velvet asks curiously as she appears next to Alex, an odd look on her face.

 

"Nope. Happened after we all graduated from Beacon and we were all still working together as a bunch of rookie Journeymen huntsmen and huntresses." He replies firmly as he looks at her. "By then me and Sum were together, and working with Salem and Qrow on a team. Iffin we weren't out on a mission, looking for your momma, or dodging Senior huntsmen to avoid having to take crap ass missions for them, we were just having fun and enjoying our lives as much as we could."

 

Qrow nods as he looks at the rabbit girl, a frown on his face. "Me, the feather duster, and Sum were trying to track Carol down most of our free time too, whenever Alex and Salem took tandem missions. They always seemed to work best as a duo, while we worked out as a trio until Ada Schnee came back to Vale. Then we became a four person team for years."

 

Salem nods as she finally looks up. "We never gave up looking for her, Velvet. We all wanted her to come home, especially after..." Pausing, she looks at Alex, who looks at her blankly. "Alex, it's time. She needs to know the truth."

 

Velvet looks between the two of them suspiciously. "What truth?"

 

"Salem and I ran into her during a mission to Vacuo, one we were doing as a courtesy hunt." Alex suddenly admits as he walks to a nearby bookshelf and opens a small wooden box. Taking an old scroll out of it, he walks over to Velvet and offers it to her with a look of sadness on his face. "You were so damned beautiful, Bunny. I wanted to hold you so badly, but…"

 

Velvet takes it with a shaking hand as her lip quivers. "You knew? You really knew?"

 

"Velvet, watch the video. Trust me on this." Salem adds quietly. "Miss Alexis and Mr. Garrett were still alive and they were furious. We ended up having to abandon the mission, Alex was so inconsolable."

 

The rabbit girl nods as she looks at the scroll in her hand before pushing play on the video on the screen, a tear running down her face as she looks at her now dead mother, while she is in her arms and crying…

 

"Carol?" Salem calls out as the camera gets closer to the rabbit faunus. "Carol, is it really you?"

 

"Hello Salem." Pausing, her eyes narrow as she looks up. "Alex."

 

"Carol…" His voice drifts off as one of his hands comes into the video, as if he is reaching for the crying little rabbit girl in her arms, who is struggling against her mother while reaching for him. "Carol, who is this? Is she…"

 

"She's none of your business." The woman replies coldly as she turns away, blocking him from reaching her. "As long as you're with her, she's never going to be any of your business."

 

"Carol, please!" He begs as he takes a step forward, something falling past the lens. 

 

"Fuck you, Alex!" She screams back at him as she takes a step back. "You and that bitch will never be a part of my daughter's life, do you hear me?! I will never tell her about you, about her, about us, nothing!" 

 

Salem steps into the frame, her eyes narrowed in anger. "Carolina, that isn't right. We've been looking for you for over three years now. We want you to come home, to stop all this."

 

"Ain't this enough, Carol?" Alex adds as another object falls past the screen, followed closely by a second one. "Bunny, please. Please, come back with us. Virginia's worried bout you, so are we." They hear a pause as he takes a deep, shaking breath. "Bunny please, she looks just like my Momma. Momma's sick, Bunny. Her and Daddy are dying. Don't let em die without meeting their granddaughter."

 

"Carol please. Please, come home." Salem begs as more objects keep falling past the screen. "Please?"

 

"All of you can go to hell, especially you, you blonde bitch." Carol snarls out as she takes several more steps back while shielding Velvet from them. "She's my daughter, got it?! Not yours, not your precious parents, and especially not that silver eyed bitch! Velvet will never know about any of you if I can help it, do you understand me?!" 

 

"Bunny, please!"

 

"Stop calling me that! You don't get to call me that anymore, you bastard!" She screams at him as she keeps backing up. "I bet you married that bitch, didn't you?! I bet she moved right on in the second I was gone, didn't she?! I bet my side of the bed wasn't even cold yet when she weaseled her way into it!" She snorts as he stays silent, unable to offer even a token argument. "That's what I fucking thought. Were you ever even with me? Was it ever even about me? Or was I just a way to pass the time until she was old enough for you to fuck without getting thrown in jail?"

 

"Carol, it ain't like that. I swear it ain't like that at all." Alex replies quietly as more and more objects fall off the screen. "Carol…"

 

"SHUT UP!" The rabbit faunus screams at him as she takes a sword off her hip and brandishes it threateningly. "SHUT YOUR FUCKING MOUTH, YOU NO GOOD SON OF A BITCH! STAY AWAY FROM ME, DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?! STAY FAR AWAY FROM ME AND MY DAUGHTER! BECAUSE THE NEXT TIME I SEE YOU, I'LL KILL YOU!"

 

"Excuse me, but I need everyone to calm down, now." A man dressed as Vacuin policeman calls out as he appears on screen, moving to block the camera. "I need to see weapon permits and huntsmen licences, now." The video cuts off at this point, Velvet still staring at the screen while Alex stands by stoically and Salem sits quietly in her seat.

 

"You… you really tried." The rabbit whispers as she looks at her father, who nods. "I just… why Da? Why did she hate you so much? Why did she hate you so much that she kept me hidden away?"

 

"I wish I knew, bunny." He rumbles quietly. "But I swear to you when I was with her, I was with her and just her. I always told Summer she needed to find someone for herself, that I was happy even if me and your momma argued like rabid Beowolves all the damned time."

 

"I believe you, Da. She argued with everyone. She even argued with me when I started asking questions about who my father was. She always said it was a man who looked like us in a picture, even though she looked more like him than I did." She admits quietly. "I finally called bullshit the night before I left for my last year at Signal, cause by then Ruby, Sasha, and their friends had just started there and I was getting suspicious." Pausing, she looks at him as tears begin to fall down her cheeks. "I did a report on Grandma my third year at Signal. Even my partner then said I looked just like her."

 

"You still do, Bunny." Salem calls out soothingly as she stands and approaches them, her hands at her sides. "Miss Alexis trained me personally while we were all at Beacon, and that's when I got to know everyone."

 

Qrow nods as he comes to stand next to Velvet, a frown on his face. "Summer's heart was broken the day she decided to try to make peace with Carol, kid. She was going to publicly give your dad up, and try to move on. She was so determined to go to Vacuo after Ruby was born, and drag her back kicking and screaming if she had to, but we all got busy."

 

"It's still no excuse." Kali adds as she remains seated, while looking downward at the floor. "Even I was swamped in Menagerie, all while trying to help Ghira calm things down after he turned the White Fang over to Sienna." Pausing to take a deep breath, she releases it slowly as her molten gold eyes close. "I was so busy I missed my own daughter's mind getting twisted around by Adam Taurus, until it was far too late and she left to follow him. Summer was long dead, Salem had finally put Alex and Ruby back together again, and I even called Carol begging her to keep an eye out for Blake. And that fucking bitch told me to go fuck myself before hanging up on me. And for that, I will never forgive her."

 

"She died, and things changed." Velvet admits quietly as she looks from one to another one of the adults, who nod in agreement. "Everything changed, and you forgot about me."

 

"Nope." Alex declares firmly as he reaches over and grasps her shoulder gently before initiating a teleport, the two of them suddenly appearing in the basement. Blinking as she looks around, she pauses as she looks at a wall covered in pictures of her that no doubt came from various sources on the internet, during her time at Signal, and even at Beacon. They cover the entirety of her life, and she can't help but to release a sob as she sees a picture of herself being held in her father's arms along with Ruby in Ozpin's office set in the middle of the massive collage. "The basement's my turf. Nobody's allowed down here without me, not even Ruby."  The wolf faunus admits quietly as he turns his daughter gently to show her a second wall covered in pictures taken of her mother during more happy times. Turning her again, she feels her knees begin to weaken as she sees Summer next, then again to Ruby. "Salem's is a bit further down, but you get the gist of it." He rumbles quietly as he turns her one last time back to her wall, his hands trembling. "All the women in my life are down here. Where I can come and lose myself in my memories, in my sorrows, in all the regrets that I have. Where I can remember your momma, Summer, my momma and daddy, and all the huntsmen and huntresses I've lost since I became Guildmaster. Where I can keep all of y'all alive in my heart while remembering how good of a life I've had still, bunny. Where I can remember all my blessings, and where I can keep some things safe." 

 

"Things? What things?" Velvet asks as she trembles in her barely restrained emotions. She doesn't resist as he leads her down a short hallway lined with more pictures, this time of him on various hunts with a variety of men and women that no doubt he worked with during his long career. Stopping in front of a door, he opens it slowly to reveal wrapped objects, boxes, and even a multitude of stuffed animals, along with a brand new tripod for a camera and other assorted photography related objects. 

 

"Nineteen years worth of presents." He admits quietly as he looks at her, tears in his own eyes. "Nineteen years of cards too, along with letters and the like. They're all in the box over yonder." He informs her as he motions to a spot by the tripod. "Momma… She watched that video when we got back, and wrote you a letter too. It's in there towards the top, cause she said she wanted you to read it as soon as you could. Daddy wrote you one too, it's with her's." Pausing, he looks down at his daughter with such sadness, even as he lifts his shirt to reveal a narrow scar on his chest. "I tried one last time, Bunny. And your momma was as good as her word. She tried her damnedest to kill me, and almost did it. She's the reason why I need a new heart, Bunny. She's the reason why I gotta start training you to use Justice and Mercy as soon as you're ready. Why I gotta step down as Guildmaster, even though I know I got a few more years in me. She got her revenge already, Bunny. She kept you away from me, from Ruby, and almost killed me to do it." 

 

Velvet nods as she lowers his shirt, before looking at the room and all it's various contents. "Da…" Pausing, she smiles softly. "Daddy, do Ruby and Salem know about all this?" 

 

"Yeah, they do. Hell, Salem's the Queen of Valebook stalkers. She's the one that got me all the pictures of you all these years. She's the one that's kept my hopes alive that one day I could finally meet ya face to face and tell you that I always loved you, that I hate how much of your life I missed, how much time you and Ruby missed being sisters." Pausing, he sighs deeply. "Ruby knew she had a sister, just not who. We didn't want to get her hopes up just to see her get hurt iffin you didn't want anything to do with us. Especially after Rosella died. She's been hurt enough, what with losing Summer, then Rosella, and all while trying her damnedest to make peace with Yang."

 

Nodding, Velvet walks forward slowly while looking at everything, tears in her eyes. "You always loved me, you even almost died to try to be in my life." Pausing, she smiles despite her tears as she picks up a stuffed Ursa and hugs it tightly as she sniffles. "I always loved Fuzzy the Ursa. I always wanted one of these, but Mom could never really afford it. Even she was surprised when I got that absolutely huge one at Yule when I was eight…" Pausing once more, she stares at a picture of herself as a child sitting on an absolutely massive Fuzzy the Ursa with a wide grin on her face that is leaning against a gift wrapped box. Looking next to the picture, she sees a smaller one of Alex standing in the Plushie Palace, the wolf faunus smirking as he stands between the Fuzzy and an equally huge Wolfy and suddenly so many more things begin to make sense. 

 

There were so many times when she got presents for her birthday and Yule, when she knew her mother had no lien to pay for them. They were always her favorite things, especially the monstrous Fuzzy, and she still has many of them. 

 

Groceries that would suddenly appear at their doorstep when they had no food and no way to pay for them. Their rent would always be paid as well, and without her mother ever having to make sacrifices for her daughter. Sacrifices that would have eaten away at her soul, despite her making them for her beloved child.

 

Brand new clothes and school supplies would always be waiting for her every year before another school year would begin. She would always be well dressed, and more than well prepared, much to the envy of her fellow students who actually had money and means. 

 

Her mother would always go quiet whenever this would happen, tears in her eyes as she would make sure every last piece of clothing, every last scrap of food, every single present would be put up and taken care of as best she could. She would always excuse herself afterwards, and it always broke her heart to hear her crying in the bathroom for hours. 

 

How she was desperate to figure out a weapon for herself when she first began at Signal, until she found a weapon design named Anesidora on her desk in her dorm room. How it got there is still a mystery, but the easy to follow instructions led to her creating a weapon that compliments her semblance perfectly.

 

"Velvet, go find your father and sister. Go make a new family with them. I'm already paying for my sins of keeping you away from a damned good man who never deserved what I did to him."

 

Her mother's words suddenly make so much more sense as the pieces fall into place. So many things make complete and total sense as she thinks of all the pictures and sees in her mind's eye the portrait of her life that they paint. The way they tell the story of a man who did his absolute best to care for his child despite the distance between them, despite the tragedies that struck him and her sister as well. A story that reaches a happy ending as she clings to her father and sister while crying in her own joy.

 

Every picture tells a story, and Velvet knows that despite the loss of her mother, her father, stepmother, and little sister are there for her. That they will always be there for her as her story continues with them at her side.

 

Making her decision, she turns and looks at him as her tears begin to fall. "It was you. You were the one that always sent Lien when we were broke and had no food or lien for rent cause she lost another job. It was you who always made sure I had presents on my birthday and on Yule. It was you who sent me the designs for Anesidora when I was training to become a huntress at Signal…" Pausing, she sniffles as she holds the stuffed Ursa closer. "You never gave up, Daddy. You never once gave up, no matter how horribly she treated you. You never ever gave up…"

 

"Nope. Never did." He admits quietly as he stays standing in the doorway. "Even paid off your bike after your momma died, so you would at least have it to get around." He pauses and looks thoughtful for a moment. "You need something a bit bigger to get around in though. You know how to drive a stick?"

 

She nods as she wipes her tears away with the back of her arm. "Momma's car was a stick shift. I had to learn fast to drive her around when she got sick. I don't know how she managed when I was gone to Signal though. She insisted I keep going, even though she kept getting worse." Pausing, she looks at him. "Did you help there too?"

 

He nods as he maintains the eye contact. "She finally called me a few days before she died." He admits quietly. "She thanked me for everything. For helping when you guys were at your lowest, for making sure you still had a good childhood even though she forced me to stay away. For making sure she still made it to her chemo treatments even while you were gone to Signal, then Beacon." He shakes his head as he gives a wry chuckle. "She still said she wished she had killed me when she stabbed me, even though she knew I would be waiting to give her a hug around her damned neck with my bare hands."

 

"Would you have?"

 

"Yeah, just because then you and Ruby both would have been alone, and probably would've never met except by accident." He admits. "Dunno there though, I mean Salem does know about all of this, about everything that ever happened and everything I ever done did for ya and your momma. Hell, she was the main one who bought most of this over the years, even wrapped it and everything."

 

"Ruby's right, Mum's an amazing woman with a huge heart." Velvet admits as she looks at all the various objects in the room before looking at him once more. "She's also right, you two dragged out getting married for way too long. You should have done it years ago."

 

"Been damned lucky three times in my life, Bunny." He admits as he smiles softly. "The Goddesses willing, me and her are gonna grow old together while watching all the grandkids grow up while we sit on the back porch and enjoy em all. But the dragging part ain't completely my fault either. But that's on both of us there, and nobody's fault but both of ours."

 

"And why didn't you come to me when I got back from Vacuo after her funeral?" She asks quietly. "Why make me come asking about you?"

 

The giant wolf faunus sighs. "I didn't want to pressure you. You just lost your momma, and as bad as I wanted to be there for ya, I didn't want you to feel like you needed to accept us either. So I gave ya some space to figure things out for yourself, and make your own decisions."

 

"Then why the lie in Headmaster Ozpin's office the day we met? Why the whole song and dance?"

 

Alex chuckles as he shakes his head. "What would you had thought iffin I had said that I've basically been stalking your momma's Valebook all your life to keep track of ya? That I'd been praying for that day to come since I saw ya when you were just a little bitty thing in her arms." He pauses and taps his chest. "And that your momma almost did me in to keep me away from ya? You probably woulda thought that I was some crazy assed stalker or something."

 

"You… have a really good point." Velvet admits as she looks at all the presents one more time. "She told me to go and make a new family with you and Ruby. She called you a damned good man who never once deserved what she did to you. And seeing all this, knowing it was you, Summer, and Mum…" Her voice trails off as her gaze focuses on the box full of letters and cards, an envelope with her name on it sitting on top, save the last name is Garibaldi and not Scarlatina. Leaning down, she picks the envelope up and looks at it before tucking it in her back pocket. She looks at the picture of herself with her Fuzzy one last time as the memory of seeing it for the first time comes to her, along with her delighted screaming. "He's still my favorite, even after all these years. He reminded me of this giant of a man who kept reaching for me years ago, when I was little. Who kept crying even as he begged my Mom, even though I never understood everything you two said. Who I kept reaching for because somehow I knew him, even though I never met him before in my life."

 

"It broke my heart to see you crying that day, Bunny." He admits quietly. "And when Summer saw the shape I was in, she didn't care what it took, she was gonna bring you and Carol home to Vale." Alex admits quietly. "Then she died, and I tried one last time. I went alone after we killed Tyrantia, and almost got killed myself." Taking a deep breath, he releases it slowly. "You good, or you need a little more time?"

 

The rabbit faunus simply shakes her head as she moves back to him and presses against him, her stuffed animal still in her arms. She begins to smile as he gently wraps his powerful arms around her as she lays her head on his broad chest. "Thank you for everything, Daddy. For being there for me, for us. For never giving up." Pausing, she looks up at him. "You realize I may never get rid of any of this, right?" 

 

"Been nice and safe in here all this time. Ain't no need for any of it to go anywhere iffin you don't want it to." He replies as he teleports them once more, this time into the shop behind the house. Pausing, he smiles as he looks down at her once more. "Bring your bike in before you head to bed. You can park it over by my old work truck." He motions to a corner, where a battered old Horde J-350 is sitting.

 

She nods as she looks at him in confusion. "Why, Daddy? How am I going to get back to Beacon tomorrow night?" She pauses and grimaces. "Oh wait, it's supposed to rain. I hate riding in the rain, it takes me hours to feel dry again."

 

"Gotcha covered." He replies as he gently guides her to a bay holding a covered vehicle sitting next to an expensive looking sports car of Mistrali origin. One she recognizes almost instantly. 

 

"That's a Nihan KT-R!" She squeals in her surprise as she stares at the red and black vehicle. "Those things are almost as expensive as Weiss's car, and even rarer! They aren't even mass produced, they're all custom made!"

 

"Yeah, that's your sister's car for when she gets her license in a couple more weeks. I traded the guy who owned it that Hebi I was working on for it." He admits as he moves forward and lays a gentle hand on the covered vehicle, a look of remembrance on his features even as he looks up. "I know it's driving you crazy that this old thing's been collecting dust, Sum." He whispers as a tear falls down his cheek. "I hope you don't mind, but I think it'll suit her a lot better than that old beat up piece of shit work truck of mine." But father and daughter both pause as a soft breeze blows through the shop a moment later from the wide open bay doors, making him smile softly. "Thanks, Sum. I knew you wouldn't mind."

 

"Daddy?"

 

His smile brightening, he slowly pulls the cover free of the vehicle to reveal it to be an older model Jeep Wrangler on an impressive lift kit, with a full roll cage as well as a heavy duty brush guard with a built in winch set on the front. Walking around as Velvet begins to stare at it, he runs a gentle finger across the red paint job as his smile widens. "She's got some miles on her, but she's got a completely overhauled straight six engine with a brand new transmission along with rebuilt front and rear differentials." Pausing, he looks at his daughter, who is still staring at the revealed vehicle in wide eyed wonder. "Just had all the seats completely reupholstered and weather proofed, and the stereo system is weatherproofed too. Even the lights on the roll bar up top work, Ruby just rewired them a few months ago, cause the wires were all brittle and fucked up. Hell, she rewired the whole damned thing, cause the headlights weren't working either."

 

"Was this…"

 

"Summer's? Sure was." He admits as he grins, while opening the driver's side door. Reaching in, he checks to make sure the vehicle isn't in gear before he turns the key in the ignition, the engine roaring to life instantly. "She drove this damned thing everywhere, even to missions when she could. Hell, we even brought Ruby home in it after she was born." 

 

"Daddy, I…"

 

Turning the vehicle off, he pulls the key from the ignition and tosses it to her, smirking when she easily snatches it out of the air one handed. "She'll go anywhere you want her to go, and she's got more than enough horsepower to get you there and back." Pausing, he pats the canvas top while grinning. "Damned thing even pulled my truck out of places that I couldn't get out of, and made it look easy."

 

Velvet shakes her head before looking at him. "Ruby doesn't want it?"

 

"She may borrow it from time to time, iffin you don't mind." He admits as he shrugs. "That girl ain't ever met a mud puddle yet she ain't driven through or jumped into when she's in the mood. Dunno where she got that from." He adds with a grin. 

 

"Uh huh. Sure you don't." She replies impishly as she moves back to him, while looking at the Jeep. "I promise to take care of her. And drive her through a mud hole or two." She adds as she smiles up at him. "Maybe three or four once I get the hang of it."

 

"Ain't nothing to it." He rumbles as he lays an arm across her shoulders. "Love you, Bunny. Always have, even though I had to do it from a distance for so damned long."

 

"I love you too, Daddy. And… I'm glad you did. I'm glad you never gave up, and still gave me the best childhood you could." She replies as she leans into him while still holding her stuffed animal. "You know I still have that giant Fuzzy. He takes up an entire corner of our dorm room. I still sit on him to study or to read a book."

 

"That thing was damned huge." He agrees as he smiles. "Cost me a fortune to have it shipped to Vacuo from the Plushie Palace. Hell, I actually think the shipping cost me more than that Ursa."

 

"It was worth it, Daddy." Velvet reassures him as she smiles up at him. "I love you, and I'm ready for you to train me to use your swords."

 

"Love you too, Bunny." He replies as he smiles back at her.  "And we'll get started tomorrow. Need to get you and your sister working well together too, like she can with Sasha. Them two are a damned nightmare together and they're taking a fight seriously."

 

"I'm really good in combat class when I can cut loose." She admits with a smirk. "I destroyed the arena last year during a Gauntlet, and beat the crap out of almost half the first years before I called it quits cause I ran out of weapons I'm willing to use in Anesidora, and my hand to hand isn't very good." Pausing, she looks thoughtful. "Come to think of it, Ruby beat my record there by a good bit."

 

"You two are the future, Velvet. A future I'm gonna make sure you two are ready for." Alex declares firmly as he nods. "Cause you might be a Scarlatina, and Ruby might be a Rose, but you're both Garibaldi women too. And our family's defended Vale for generations now, and the Goddesses willing, you two will keep protecting Vale and the world with pride, and with justice and mercy in your hearts."

 

"You know you still need to take a look at my camera." She reminds him, making him grimace. "And I need to find a way to make my copies stay saved permanently, even if they break after being used. I have a few weapons I won't use because I'll lose them forever if I do." Pausing, she looks up at him. "Especially Mom's sword. I had it buried with her."

 

"I'll look at it first thing, see what's wrong with it." He rumbles as he scratches his chin. "As for the other, I might have somebody who can help you out there. Iffin I can wake his ass up in the morning, lazy bastard."

 

"You have no room to talk about someone being lazy, Daddy." Velvet smiles impishly at him. "You even teleport to the bathroom."

 

"You ain't really met Falco Winchester, kiddo. Or really gotten to know Ozzy either. Them two could give me a run for my damned money on my days off when it comes to being lazy." Alex snorts as he grins. "But when it comes to something like Anesidora, Falco's your best bet. That man's a tech genius. Hell, he helped me and Ruby design the comm system for the guild, and helped Ruby make her changes to the prototype and the first version. He taught Ruby a lot about tech like that growing up, all while ignoring me when I would fuck with him about Sola." Pausing, he sighs. "Bianca's gonna be the closest he'll ever get to having a kid with her. He loves that little pup, and Sola and Amy too. Goddesses but he was so happy for Talon when he started dating Amy. His own son was brave enough to chase after the daughter of the woman he's loved his whole damned life, and never had the courage to claim for himself."

 

Velvet sighs as she looks at the Jeep once more. "Daddy?"

 

"Hmm?"

 

"Can we go in, now? I'm getting cold. Five years, and I'm still not completely used to the temperature at night here in Vale."

 

"Sure Bunny." He replies quietly as he teleports them back into the living room, where Salem and Kali are still waiting. "Where's Qrow and Win?" He asks as he looks around.

 

"They left, you old wolf." Kali replies quietly as she looks at them both. "I'm guessing she finally saw everything?"

 

"I did." Pausing, she pulls herself free of Alex and moves to Salem, who wraps her arms around her tightly while smiling. "Thanks, Mum. For everything."

 

"Of course, Velvet. It was just as important to me as it was to Summer to keep his hopes alive to meet you someday." She replies quietly as they maintain the tight embrace. "And I see you found that much smaller Fuzzy. I still can't believe he bought you that huge one along with the huge Wolfy for Ruby." Pausing, she shakes her head as she chuckles. "Ruby's is still in her room. She tried to take it to Beacon and I told her no."

 

"Mine's in my dorm room. It drives everyone crazy." She admits with a giggle as she looks from Salem to Kali then to Alex. "Now I honestly feel like I'm home, Mum and Daddy."

 

"Good, because this is your home, Velvet." Salem declares firmly as she turns the younger woman's head to look her in the eyes. "And it always will be, no matter what."

 

"Wut she said, Bunny." Alex agrees as he walks over and envelops both women in his wide embrace with a smile of his own.

 

Velvet can't help but to smile as she nestles closer into Salem, while giving in to the feeling of being safe and loved in their arms. A feeling she honestly has missed since her own mother died. And she is grateful to have a father that never once gave up on taking care of her, of finally meeting her despite all her mother did to him, and of making her feel welcomed in her new home. And she is especially grateful for the woman in her own arms, who not only helped him to keep track of her as she grew up, but also welcomed her with her own open arms as she begins to fill the motherly void left with her birth mother's death. And she begins to make soft, happy noises as a sleepy Ruby joins their family hug, the wolf girl giving her a gentle kiss on the cheek along with a soft smile, while Kali takes a picture of them standing together and holding one another closely.

 

Velvet Scarlatina-Garibaldi is finally home, with a family that has more than proven they love and care for her, and her soul is at peace…

 

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

 

Sunday Morning: The Den

 

Ding!

 

Ruby groans as she hears her text messaging go off again. Fumbling around above her head with her only free hand, Weiss having a death grip on her other one, she finally finds the maker of the offensive noise and glares at it. "Shut it…" She mumbles as it dings again, this time getting a groan out of Blake.

 

"Turn the alarm off…" The panther faunus whines as she turns over and buries her head into Pyrrha's side, the Mistrali woman wrapping her arms around her as she smiles softly in her sleep. Thumbing it open, she has her finger closing in on the power button when another message comes in.

 

"FOR FUCK'S SAKE, WAKE THE FUCK UP WOLFY!"

 

She blinks before groaning, realizing that the offending party is her own best friend. Pushing on the message, she reads through them before rising as carefully as possible, shaking her head at the way Weiss almost immediately scoots into Blake, while Pyrrha wraps her own arms around them both. Covering them up with a small smile, the wolf faunus leaves the three of them sleeping while making her own way into the kitchen, where she encounters Salem sitting with her face pressed into the table and a cup of coffee held in a virtual death grip, along with Velvet who is reading something while sipping at her own cup of coffee.

 

"You know it works better when you drink it." She suggests with a snicker, getting a middle finger salute in return from Salem, while Velvet looks at Salem with an eyebrow raised. 

 

"You ok, Mum?" 

 

"I loathe getting up this early on a Sunday." Her voice is muffled by the heavy everoak table she and her father bought last year, after a fight between her and Diane caused the two of them to fall into and crush the last one. "But Mom and Dad insisted on stopping by to say goodbye, and they're used to being on Mistral City's time. They were far too chipper for me this damned early in the morning."

 

The wolf scowls as her scroll dings again. "At least your best friend isn't in the middle of another damned psuedo gay crisis again." She grumbles as she lays the offending object on the counter and moves towards the coffee machine. "I basically begged her to stop doing this!"

 

Velvet frowns as she looks at Ruby. "Psuedo gay crisis? Has she not figured herself out yet?"

 

Salem sighs as she looks at the rabbit faunus. "Velvet, there's a few things you don't know about her. A few very important things."

 

Ruby nods in agreement as she looks at her sister. "Things that aren't any of our business to tell. Sorry."

 

"No need to apologize, Ruby. I understand all too well." Velvet replies with a small smile. "I still have a friend in Vacuo that's struggling to define herself and her sexuality, and honestly it took me a while to figure myself out as well." She admits quietly as Ruby begins to fix herself a cup of coffee, pausing when Salem clears her throat.

 

Salem looks at her as she leans her head against her free hand. "Ruby, that girl adores you. The two of you have been best friends since preschool, and I don't doubt you will continue to be best friends well into your eighties." She smiles a bit. "But she went through a lot when she first arrived, she went through so much more growing up, and she has all but become the beautiful young woman she's always seen herself as. So please, cut her some slack if she still has moments where she's having issues."

 

Ruby pauses, stirring her coffee to look thoughtful. "I never even think about that anymore." She admits quietly as she shakes her head. "I honestly don't think I ever really saw her that way. She's always been Diane."

 

"Exactly. And despite her appearance, she's always had issues defining her sexuality, unlike you." Salem grins at her. "Or have we forgotten our first moment of puppy love?"

 

Velvet smirks as she raises an eyebrow. "Oh, some puppy love huh?"

 

Ruby grins back as she sits down across from the two of them. "Yeah, it was right after we got done building this place and moved in. Never will forget her either. Especially when we both got our butts tore up for playing doctor in the treehouse."

 

The older woman rolls her eyes. "I've never seen your father run so fast in the opposite direction before. All because he saw your bare butt!" The two of them laugh hysterically at the memory of a screaming Alex, while Salem had to deal with the two embarrassed girls. Velvet herself just smiles as she shakes her head before going back to reading the letter in her hand. "But seriously, considering your messages have continued unabated, answer that poor girl before she has a heart attack."

 

"Ok, Mum." Ruby replies as she once again opens her messages and catches up before responding. "What's going on now, Squirrelly?"

 

"I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO! HER KID IS SO FUCKING ADORABLE! SHE'S SO FUCKING ADORABLE OUTSIDE OF BEACON!"

 

"Who's kid? And who's adorable?"

 

"AMY! SHE HAS A KID, REMEMBER?! AND SHE'S SO FUCKING CUTE! SHE SLEPT ON MY CHEST LAST NIGHT WHILE AMY CUDDLED UP TO ME! AMY SAID BIANCA'S NEVER DONE THAT BEFORE EVEN WITH HER! WHAT THE FUCK DO I DO?!"

 

"I dunno? Take it as a compliment?"

 

"SHE KNOWS! SHE KNOWS AND SHE'S STILL TREATING ME THE SAME, WOLFY! SHE'S STILL TREATING ME LIKE ME! SHE'S NOT GROSSED OUT OR KICKING ME OUT OR ANYTHING! OH SWEET GODDESSES SHE'S TALKING ABOUT US DATING WOLFY! HELP ME!"

 

"Oh crap." The wolf faunus mumbles as she thinks for a second. "Squirrelly, get a hold of yourself will ya? You're starting to worry me a little here."

 

"I CAN'T FUCKING CALM DOWN! I'M FUCKING FALLING IN LOVE WITH MY GORGEOUS PARTNER AND I ALREADY LOVE HER ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE KID AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO FUCKING DO! THIS NEVER HAPPENS TO ME!"

 

"Diane! Calm down! Please?"

 

"DON'T TELL ME TO CALM DOWN! OH MY FUCKING GODDESS, SHE JUST STARTED ASKING ME QUESTIONS ABOUT BEING TRANS! SHE'S ASKING HOW FAR I AM WITH IT AND ABOUT THE MEDS I TAKE AND EVERYTHING! I THINK SHE'S REALLY OK WITH THIS! WOLFY WHAT DO I DO?!"

 

"Ummmm, Mum?" Ruby looks up at her stepmother, who tilts her head. "I may need to go rescue the squirrel. She's in full meltdown mode." But she pauses as she gets another ding and grimaces at the message. "Oh fuck me running…"

 

"Hey Ruby? It's Amy. I think I just broke Diane. I ummm I kinda just kissed her, cause I wanted to show her that I'm really serious about being with her, and I'm pretty sure I heard her brain pop, which isn't medically possible, but it is Diane we're talking about. I kinda need some help with her, please?"

 

"You know where your keys are. Make sure you don't get pulled over." The older woman replies quietly. "Is everything ok though? Or do I need to wake your father?"

 

"Apparently Amy's daughter slept on Diane last night while Amy cuddled up to her." She replies as she walks over to the door leading towards the back and takes a set of keys off a hook. "Squirrelly was flipping her shit big-time, then I guess Amy kissed her to show her she was serious, and broke her big ass. Now Amy's asking me to come and help with her."

 

"Oh boy. Let me warn Sola you're coming." The older woman replies as she picks up her own scroll from the table and opens it. "Hopefully she doesn't have some unexpected company over."

 

Velvet sighs as she folds up the letter and sets it on the table before standing. "Here, I'll drive Ruby. I need to get used to the jeep." Pausing, she looks at her sister, who smiles at her. "If you don't mind that is."

 

"Don't mind at all." The wolf woman replies instantly as her tail begins to wag while she sets her own keys back on the wall. "Gives me a chance to talk you through all the stuff we've done to it."

 

Salem nods as she shoos them with her hands. "Go, get some quality bonding time in with that beast of a vehicle. Sola just responded, and she said she's going to keep her own company closed up in her room until you girls get Diane, Amy, and Bianca out of the house."

 

"Anyone we know, Mum?" Velvet asks curiously, even as Ruby begins to hop from foot to foot in her anxiety.

 

"Don't worry about it for now, Velvet. You two get going. Ruby's going to start panicking soon if she doesn't go rescue Diane from herself." Pausing, she grimaces. "When that girl starts screaming, she can almost shatter glass, and I hate using my semblance to fix windows."

 

"Yeah sis, my bestie needs me ASAP. We need to hurry before her brain fixes itself."

 

Velvet nods as she takes the jeep key from her pocket and walks towards the door. "Let's go then. This sounds really important."

 

"Sis! Bra! Shoes!" 

 

"Why? You aren't wearing any either." Velvet declares with a smirk as she walks past her sibling while poking her in her own breast. "You're a fine one to talk, little Miss Growing Rapidly."

 

“I had to leave the room before I woke Weiss, Pyrrha, and Blake up so I didn't have a chance to grab one.” Ruby explains with a slight blush. "I don't really like going without a bra anymore, not since they got big enough to be more than a handful." She adds as she follows her older sister, who snorts.

 

"That's the only reason why I even wear one. I'm too big up top to normally run around without one on anymore. I hate those damned things with a vengeance." Velvet admits as they walk across to the shop, a frown on her face as Ruby shakes her head. "I love it when it's just me in the dorm room. I love to just lay naked on my bed or on my Fuzzy and relax and read a book."

 

Ruby giggles as she looks at her sister. "Daddy said I get it from Grandma. I guess we both get it honestly from her."

 

Velvet raises an eyebrow as she looks at her sibling. "You too?" She asks as they climb into the jeep, the rabbit faunus cranking it up while smiling. "Goddesses, but she's going to be fun to drive."

 

"I lost track of all the times I would go skinny dipping in the pool." She admits as Velvet experiments with the clutch and gearshift before slowly putting the vehicle into gear, the jeep moving forward slowly. "Daddy would get so pissed when he caught me. Mum would just tell me not to get caught by Daddy." Pausing, she looks conspiratorially at her older sister. "Me and Weiss snuck into the pool last weekend while they were gone grocery shopping and Blake was reading a book. I thought Daddy's head was gonna explode when they got back before we got out."

 

Velvet grins as she pulls to the end of the driveway, turning once Ruby indicates the direction. "Sis, we're a lot more alike than I thought. We both like plushies, we both like a lot of the same bands and shows, we both like to read a lot of the same books, and we both like being as naked as the day we were born."

 

Ruby nods as she smiles back at her. "I'm glad we met, Velvet. I'm glad I've got a really awesome big sister like you."

 

"I'm glad too, Ruby. Now, let's focus on rescuing your friend, ok? Before she explodes." Velvet smiles as she expertly shifts gears, getting a nod of approval from her younger sibling. "Any more messages? And where do I turn next?"

 

"Turn left on Sycamore, then right on Everoak. Amy's house is gonna be number 124." She replies as she checks her scroll. "And no, not yet. Hopefully Squirrelly's brain stays busted long enough to get her out of Amy's. She's gonna flip her shit even worse once reality sets in, and she realizes that Amy really likes her as much as she likes Amy." Pausing, she shakes her head. "I'm definitely eating my damned words right now."

 

"What do you mean?"

 

Ruby sighs as she explains what happened the day of the team physicals, from the time that she chased Diane out of the cafeteria to their talk while waiting for the tank to get stitched up from her stab wound. She goes on to explain other things about the young woman who's been her best friend since before kindergarten, finally pausing long enough to get her sibling's attention. 

 

"Ruby, she's transgender, isn't she?" Velvet asks quietly as they come to a stop in front of Amy's house, the petite wolf faunus standing on the front porch waiting for them with her daughter in her arms, a worried look on her face.

 

"Yeah. And like I said, she's always been Diane to me. Ever since we were little." Ruby admits quietly as she opens her door. "You aren't gonna…" Ruby's eyes widen as Velvet stops her with a finger on her lips.

 

"Remember my friend who's still trying to figure herself out?" She asks, getting a nod in response. "That's why. She's still on her own journey, and she calls me all the time to talk, to vent, and to hear me reassure her that she's becoming the woman she's always seen herself as. That she's becoming the woman I've always known her to be. May Zedong's a wonderful woman, with a bright future ahead of her on a team that adores her and supports her, and I hope they make it to Vytal, so you can meet her."

 

"We'll see sis. You gonna stick around for a sec while I get them loaded? Diane's only sixteen, so she legally can't cover for me if we get pulled over." Ruby explains, getting a nod in reply.

 

"I'll wait for you guys so I can follow you back." The rabbit faunus agrees as she begins to fiddle with the radio, a bright smile on her face as she finds a country music station. "I love this song!"

 

Ruby rolls her eyes as she gets out. "Oh Goddesses save me, you and Daddy and y'all's country music."

 

"Get out of my car! You're banned now!" Velvet declares good naturedly, making the wolf faunus shake her head as she closes the door. Walking to the gate, she smiles as Amy walks off the porch and opens it, her look of worry still on her own features. 

 

"She still drooling on herself?"

 

"Ruby, is this normal?" Amy asks as she closes the gate after Ruby steps through. "All I did was kiss her."

 

"Amy, that was her first kiss." Ruby admits as they walk towards the front door, a grin on her face. "You're the first person who likes her and wants to be with her even though she's a giant pain in the ass with her own secrets. Secrets she works hard to keep secret from people."

 

The diminutive wolf faunus blushes as she follows Ruby, Bianca whimpering as she struggles to free herself. "I don't understand why, Ruby. Why not be proud of herself and all she's done to become who she wants to be?"

 

The Reaper sighs as she pauses by the front door. "A lot of that is her dad's fault. He wasn't very supportive of her for years, not until Daddy got involved, and he still really isn't. It's why she never goes home unless she doesn't have a choice. She literally just crashes either with me or with Aqua. Hell, Daddy's the one who bought her her truck, and Mum's the one who takes her to all her appointments and stuff."

 

"I see." Amy muses aloud as they step inside. "She's back in our room." Pausing to release Bianca, who scampers off down a hallway at top speed, she blushes even brighter. "Our room. That sounds so…"

 

"Right?" Ruby teases gently as she begins to follow Diane's scent, a small smile on her face. "Diane really likes you, Amy. And goddesses but does she adore Bianca. You two are the screensaver on her scroll, you know." 

 

Amy nods as her blush intensifies. "She took that picture of us at the park two weeks ago. She's always looking at it and smiling."

 

Ruby pauses at the doorway of a room, Diane sitting on a bed and still looking shell shocked as Bianca sits on her lap and whimpers. "Amy, just take care of her and love her like she deserves to be loved. She's not that hard to figure out, just keep her away from energy drinks and keep her in trail mix. She loves that crap."

 

The smaller wolf faunus smiles as she looks at the massive tank, who has slowly wrapped her arms around her daughter while her tail comes around to cover her gently, making the tiny wolf girl giggle. "I like her a lot, Ruby. And honestly? I'm glad I met her. I'm glad I got to know you too, along with Aqua." Pausing, she looks up at Ruby as she sighs. "I wish you and Yang can fix your shit, Ruby. I'm gonna see what I can do to start getting through to her too. She needs a friend like you, someone who can help her get away from her Dad and not shelter her constantly like Shion does."

 

"Yeah." Ruby sighs as she moves forward and stands before Diane, who is still holding Bianca closely. "Hey Squirrelly? You good? Need to come over for a bit and talk to Mum or something?" But she frowns as the brutal tank stays silent, her tail tightening around the toddler. "Oh fuck, this ain't good."

 

"What's wrong?"

 

"She's in defense mode." Ruby replies matter of factly as she looks around, finally spotting Gideon leaning against a wall next to a closet. "Ain't no talking to her yet. She's still processing and she's on autopilot, which is when she's at her most dangerous." Thinking for a moment, she smirks as she grabs her best friend's keys off the dresser before looking at Amy, who looks confused. "Ever been kidnapped before?"

 

"Wolfy…" Diane rumbles warningly.

 

"Uh no, my Dad's a cop and my Mom works for the guild." She replies as she looks even more confused. "Don't you remember what happened when that last kid got kidnapped here in Vale? Your Dad ordered out the entire guild to find her, and Sir Ryker kicked the shit out of the kidnapper before the cops got there to arrest him."

 

"Yup. I remember that. Diane and I helped look for her, along with Bunny, Bubbles, and Rosella. But that ain't why I'm asking." She replies as she edges closer to the warhammer, her smirk on her face. "Hey Squirrelly, I'm gonna just borrow this and your girlfriend for a bit. Hope you don't mind." She declares as she grabs Gideon and hoists it easily. 

 

"Wolfy, put my hammer down, now…" 

 

"Iffin you want either of em back, they'll be at my place. You remember where that is, right?" Pausing, her smirk turns into a massive grin as Diane finally looks at her, a growing rage in her eyes.

 

"Don't you dare touch my mate!"

 

"Wait, I'm your mate?!" Amy squeals in surprise as she stares at Diane, her blush now spreading to her bare feet as her ears and tail all stand straight up in her surprise.

 

"Good, that makes this a whole hell of a lot easier. Oh, and I got your keys, too. Try to keep up." She declares right before dashing to Amy and throwing her over her other shoulder. "I'll try not to ruin her too badly for ya!" She adds before bursting into rose petals while launching herself back down the hallway, Amy screaming in surprise.

 

Diane stands up slowly, mindful of the toddler in her arms. "Come on, Bianca, I gotta go kill my best friend." She growls out as she takes off in hot pursuit, her aura full of rage as she growls. 

 

Ruby pauses long enough to stop next to the jeep, a look of concern on her face as Amy stops screaming. "Sis, head on home. I'm gonna lead Diane back to the house on foot to hopefully tire her big ass out. And word of warning, she's gonna be pissed when we get there."

 

"Do I need to let Mum and Daddy know?" She asks as she looks towards the doorway. "Here she comes, and she looks a lot more than pissed off."

 

"Yeah. Get going. Amy, do me a solid and keep screaming. If she thinks you're not in actual danger, she's gonna shut down again." Ruby grimaces as the squirrel faunus appears in the front doorway, a look that screams murderous intent on her face as she keeps charging forward. "Nevermind, she's ready to kill me."

 

"Oh crap, wait a minute Ruuuuuuuuuuby!" Amy screams as Ruby once again uses her semblance and takes off, a growling Diane following her.

 

Velvet just shakes her head as she puts her vehicle in gear, following them. "Life is never boring around you sis, that's for sure." She admits with a chuckle before returning to singing along with the radio while staying a safe distance from the enraged squirrel woman, who is following the trail of rose petals, while Amy can still be heard screaming in the distance…

Chapter 22: Coming Undone

Chapter by Winter1112

Notes:

Hiya everyone! Wyn here with another exciting chapter of this humble little story of ours! I'm so sorry for the late post, but today's been super busy for me, and I just now got a chance to post it. I hope everyone enjoys, and I'll see you all next time!

Monday Morning: Beacon Academy Blue Dorm

Ruby sighs as she finishes putting her stetson on, her ears wiggling a bit to get the hat into a proper position on her head. Today is the official arrival day for teams already qualified for Vytal, as well as the final scheduled day of decorating for the city of Vale proper. Her team, minus Yang, have decided to accompany team SAAD into town and write a joint report on Vale's preparations for the festival itself, with team RWBY focusing on arriving teams, while team SAAD focuses on the city's many decorations. And while everything has gone smoothly so far, the only real problem has been Yang. Again. 

So far this morning, Shion and Blake both have had to drag the Brawler out of her bunk, force her to shower and get ready, and currently the blonde and Shion have been wrapped up in an intense staring match with one another, while Shion's grip on her sword case continues to tighten. And all this while Yang has continued to complain and mutter darkly to the point where even Blake has lost her patience with her partner.

"Ok you two, that's enough." Ruby calls out as she settles her messenger bag over her shoulder, before scooping Crescent Rose up and placing her on her normal spot on her back. "Let's get a move on." She adds as she double checks her Bowie knife, making sure it's ready to draw at a moment's notice. Turning, she sighs at the dirty look she's getting from the blonde while shaking her head at her. "Time to give it up, Yang. This is a group project, and there ain't no getting out of it."

"Whatever." The brawler declares angrily before storming out of the room, Shion trailing behind her and still glaring at her back. 

"Today's gonna suck." Diane declares firmly as she looks at Ruby, Amy already on her shoulders and looking far more relaxed than normal. Relaxed to the point that she almost appears to be dozing. "Wolfy, are you sure about this?"

"We don't have a choice, Squirrelly." She replies quietly as Weiss and Blake walk out the room arm in arm next, the two of them chatting quietly while the heiress flashes the squirrel faunus as well as the wolf faunus dirty looks. "You doing ok?"

"Who, me? I'm good." Diane replies with a chuckle as she nods. "Just another black eye from my best friend is all. I think I got the better end of the deal this time around."

Ruby grimaces as she instinctively wraps her right arm around her ribs. "Three damned cracked ribs. You weren't playing around this time, Squirrelly. Gotta remember to never use Amy against ya again."

"You can mess with Gideon all day long. You'll help me fix it afterwards. Mess with my mate again, and I'll fuck you up some more." The tank growls out as her tail bristles. But she yelps a moment later as her girlfriend grabs her by said appendage and tugs.

"That's enough. You two made Bianca cry with all your fighting, and I'm still really mad about that." The petite wolf faunus declares as she looks from her own girlfriend to the Reaper, who grimaces. "Weiss is really upset with both of you too. And she's right, best friends should never fight like that."

"It ain't our first brawl." Ruby begins, pausing at the look in the medic's eyes.

"But it needs to be the last. Find other, less violent methods of resolving your differences." Amy declares firmly as she slides off her girlfriend's shoulders and walks around to look at them both. "Ruby, you really shouldn't be walking around Vale today either. You need to take some time to heal."

"This project ain't gonna do itself, Amy. And it's a team assignment, so we all gotta participate in order to pass it." Ruby reminds her while wincing as Diane pokes her in the ribs. "Dammit stop it!"

"Just take it easy, Wolfy. If anyone needs their ass beat down, I got it today. Got it?" The tank growls out as her eyes narrow at her best friend.

"Yeah yeah, let you handle the rowdy stuff. Got it." The Reaper agrees as she holds her hands up before turning and walking back to the door to open it. "Let's go, before Shion and Yang get into a fight next."

Amy and Diane both roll their eyes as they walk through the door next. "Yeah right, like that'll happen." The squirrel faunus declares with a snort. "Shion'll back off like always, and Yang'll just run her mouth for hours."

Amy sighs as she nods in agreement. "Even Aqua's starting to avoid talking to either of them. Honestly, she looks kind of scared to be in the dorm room when Yang comes over to vent."

Ruby and Diane both pause to look at the petite wolf faunus, looks of concern on both their features.

"How scared?" Ruby asks quietly. 

"She keeps her nose in her sketchbook." Amy admits. "She's constantly drawing while looking at Yang and Shion."

Ruby looks at Diane, an eyebrow raised. "And you ain't noticed?"

Diane sighs as she shakes her head. "I'm too busy with schoolwork and making sure Yang doesn't do anything stupid." She admits as she grimaces. "I'm gonna need your help, Wolfy. I'm failing Oobleck's class big-time, and I don't have Bunny to copy off of."

Ruby nods. "Help me with English, and I'll get you through History. I got a twelve on my last essay, and Weiss sucks at tutoring me there. Valian ain't her first language, and even she's catching hell from Port and Oobleck about her reports being written in ah mix of Valian and Atlesian cause she doesn't know ah word and just writes it the way she knows it."

Amy clears her throat as she looks at Ruby while they reach the bottom of the stairs. "Do I need to worry, Ruby?"

"I'll deal with it, Amy. Been worried bout Aqua since we got here and she ended up with just Squirrelly." Ruby explains as they walk towards the main door of the dorm. "She ain't ah people person, and she tends to withdraw when people start fighting and arguing."

"I'll try to start paying more attention too. Do my best there anyway." Diane adds quietly. "Getting jumped up two years isn't easy to catch up on." She admits as she follows Amy and Ruby out the door, the three of them groaning as they discover that now Yang and Pyrrha are glaring at each other, the invincible girl standing between her and Weiss, who is trembling in her barely restrained rage.

"It's gonna be a long damned day." Ruby groans as they watch Blake move to stand beside Pyrrha, her own glare joining hers. 

"Wolfy, this is a bad fucking idea." Diane admits as she looks on at the brewing situation, the rest of JNPR standing off to one side and looking from the trio of girlfriends to Yang in their own concern. But Ruby is surprised to see Jaune suddenly walk over to her, his facial expression one of concern.

"Ruby, let's go and trade Yang for Pyrrha before anyone leaves." He suddenly declares as he looks at the four women, whose glares could start melting truesteel at any moment. Shaking his head, he looks at Ruby in obvious concern. "This isn't going to end well today. They're all ready to kill each other."

"I see that." The Reaper admits quietly as she shakes her head. "I can handle it." 

"Ruby, you aren't in any shape to handle anything." Amy points out, the petite wolf faunus going silent at a look from the taller one.

"I can handle it." She repeats herself as she raises her fingers to her mouth and whistles loudly. "Oi! Let's get moving! Time's a wasting!"

"How are we doing this, Ruby?" Blake asks, even as she keeps glaring at Yang, her tail waving in her irritation. 

"Let's go grab a bullhead." She replies as she turns in the direction of the docks and starts walking. 

"But Ruby, we can easily take my own vehicle." Weiss protests, Diane nodding in agreement. "And Diane's truck is more than large enough to carry her own team as well."

"I've got my bike. I can make my own way to Vale." Yang declares as she glares at Ruby next.

"Nope. We all take a bullhead and stay together." The Reaper counters as she pauses and looks at them all before focusing on Weiss first. "You drive like Daddy and Mum, and Diane's truck can't keep up." She points out, making the heiress blush. She then looks at Diane and smirks. "Your truck keys are still at my place. And you lost your spare." She reminds the tank, who grimaces. Turning, she looks Yang in the eyes as her face becomes a mask. "And I ain't stupid. You're gonna take off and we won't see you at all, and I'm not failing this assignment just because you got your panties in a twist." Yang stays silent, even as she visibly trembles in her anger. Turning, she smiles and holds a hand out to Pyrrha, who takes it while blushing. "Heading our way, Red?"

"I am." The Mistrali woman admits as her blush turns deeper when Blake takes her other arm, Weiss beside her and beaming brightly. They are followed by a scowling Yang along with team SAAD, Amy and Diane walking beside an unusually quiet Aqua. Shion brings up the rear, her own face a mask. 

Jaune shakes his head as Nora and Ren join him, the three of them looking at the group walking off in concern.

"Ruby's got at least two cracked ribs. Maybe three." Nora suddenly declares as she looks up at Ren, who nods in agreement. "Maybe I should go tell Doctor Ebony?"

"Perhaps." He agrees as he looks at Jaune, who is stroking his chin while looking thoughtful. "What are our own plans?"

"We have a report of our own to do. Hopefully nothing happens while we're in Vale." He replies quietly as they too begin to move towards the school's bullhead platforms. "But Nora, are you sure about the ribs?"

The hammer wielder nods as she keeps watching Ruby in concern. "Had plenty of them over the years, so I can tell when someone's overcompensating. Besides, I'm second behind Amy in medic's class now, and Ruby's still struggling, even with all our help."

"That bad huh?" Jaune asks in growing concern. 

"Jaune, if it ever comes down to it, and it was Ruby trying to save your life, just go ahead and die." Nora admits bluntly. "Rennie and I know a guy who can at least reanimate your corpse so you can still make it to classes and all that."

Ren nods as Nora takes his arm, his own face a mask. "He isn't cheap."

Jaune groans as he facepalms. "I fucking hate it here." He grumbles as they follow the larger group. "I just want to go home, where the only thing I have to worry about is the occasional kitchen fire and my mother yelling at me."

"Nora and I have decided to immigrate here." Ren suddenly announces, Nora nodding in agreement as she smiles brilliantly. "Vale is everything we have ever sought in a new home for ourselves, and where the two of us would much rather raise a future family together."

"We've even sent for all our stuff, and Professors Peach and Salem both are willing to sponsor us." The ginger adds happily as Ren actually smiles. "Pyrrha's Dad is a little pissed with us, but Mrs. Nikos is making sure it all makes it here, including my third baby!"

"Wait, you guys already have kids?!" Jaune declares in surprise, his surprise growing as they both shake their heads.

"We are still far too young for that, Jaune." Ren corrects him kindly as Nora starts laughing. "But Nora was a highly successful tournament fighter in her own right, and I am a rather good cook as well."

"Rennie here is my first and most important baby. Maggy's my second, and Sleipnir's my third!"

"Sleipnir?" Jaune asks in confusion as they reach the school's bullhead docks, boarding behind Shion.

"Yup! She's my motorcycle!"

Pyrrha's head pops up from behind a seat, a look of terror on her face. "I will never ever ride on that thing again! Never! Not even if my life depends on it!" She declares, getting looks of confusion from everyone else on board. "I'll even confess my feelings to Cinder before I even touch it again!"

"Cinder? Who is that?" Weiss asks curiously as Ren, a hysterically laughing Nora, and even an amused Jaune find seats and sit down. 

"Remember the trainer I told you all about? The one I had a crush on?" The redhead asks, getting nods in response. "Her name is Cinder Fall, and she isn't just my trainer, but a powerful huntress as well as a Professor at Haven."

Ren nods. "She is the Professor of Huntsmen's Ethics at Haven. She is a very popular teacher as well."

Ruby blinks in surprise before taking out her scroll and going into her pictures. Entering a specific folder, she swipes through them until she finds one and gasps. "I thought I had it!"

"Had what, Wolfy?" Aqua asks curiously as she peeks over the wolf woman's shoulder. "Holy Goddesses, I don't even have her card, and I'm the one that did her artwork! It's an ultra rare!"

"Wait, you collect the Huntsmen of Remnant cards?!" Ren declares in his surprise, his eyes wide. "I've been looking for somewhere to play here in Vale."

Ruby grins as she looks at him, while the bullhead lifts off. "Remind me to introduce you to someone named Sienna Brandstelle. She's Beacon's resident judge for official and unofficial games. She's really awesome, and she knows the rules from front to back!"

Diane nods as she settles down in her seat, a smirk on her face. "Wolfy doesn't actually play, she just collects the cards. It's me who plays, and I've got some powerful decks." But then she looks at Aqua, who blushes as she ducks her head. "But Bubbles has done a lot of the artwork for the last two card sets that have come out. Enough of it to where Huntmen of the Coast have been offering her a job with them."

Pyrrha looks at the meerkat, whose blush grows even brighter. "Wait, if you did the Cinder Fall commander card, then are you the one who did my own card?" She asks, making Aqua's blush grow so bright everyone begins to worry about her spontaneously combusting.

Ruby grins as she looks at her girlfriend, then her other best friend. "Red, Aqua's one of your biggest fans. She was thrilled when her artwork was selected for your warrior card, along with Professor Fall's commander card." She informs her as she closes her scroll. "She even did Nora's warrior card, and I bet she has artwork ready for all of us, once we make it through our first year, and we can get added to the game too."

Diane nods as she looks at the meerkat, who now has her sketchpad out and is engrossed in it, her pencil moving with quick, clean strokes. "Bubbles is an amazing artist, and honestly I think she's missing her real calling."

Weiss nods as she opens her purse and takes a pad of her own out, offering it to the meerkat with a smile. "My original designs. You should recognize them as soon as you see them." 

Aqua nods as she accepts the offered pad, her eyes widening in surprise as she flips through the pages slowly. "These are the Defenders of Solitas. They're some of the best artwork anyone's ever seen for Huntsmen of Remnant." She whispers in wide eyed wonder as she stops at a drawing of a white haired woman sitting in a wheelchair with her head bowed, a bottle of alcohol dangling from her hand. "Bowed and Broken. This is one of the most dangerous cards ever made. It can even lock down commander cards, especially when combined with an Apathy's demoralizing presence ability." Pausing, she looks at Weiss with newfound respect. "Your Winter Schnee, Atlesian Specialist is one of the most beautiful cards I've ever seen."

Diane sits up and stares at Weiss as well. "You drew the Ironwood, Atlesian General card, didn't you? I use him all the time as the commander of my soldier deck. The artwork is amazing."

Aqua nods in agreement as she stares at the Bowed and Broken card. "This is both beautiful and heartbreaking. You can almost feel the sorrow that's breaking her. But who is she? Or is she someone you made up?"

Weiss shakes her head as a look of sorrow enters her eye. "That's my mother." She admits quietly as Ruby takes her scroll out of her pocket and sends a message before putting it back up. "A once proud huntress now broken and lost to herself and to us. My twin sister and I have given up on her, and my brother gave up years ago. Only Winter still tries to care for her, to support her and defend her, and she and Qrow are up to something concerning her and my brother both."

Ruby nods as she stretches her legs out, while adjusting her hat on her head. "Mum and Daddy are heading to Atlas after my birthday. I figured they would take their honeymoon on Zagama beach, cause they both love it, but they want to go there instead."

"Sounds like your parents are about to go meddle in someone else's life without being asked to do it." Yang declares angrily, her arms crossed across her chest. 

The Reaper snorts as she keeps her hat over her eyes. "Nah, they don't meddle unless they're asked, Yang. Otherwise, and you can trust me on this, they would have been meddling with someone else's life a long damned time ago. And, we wouldn't be in the mess we're in now."

"Yeah, whatever." The brawler grumbles as everyone goes silent on the bullhead. A silence that lasts until they reach Vale…

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

The assignment is a disaster. A complete and total disaster. Yang has done nothing but argue with everyone, to the point that Aqua and Amy both are hiding behind Diane, while even Blake and Shion have finally lost their patience with her and have started to ignore her as well. What few pictures they have managed to take are blurry and virtually unusable, and even Weiss has given up on taking notes. Even she is ready to throw her hands up in the air and return to Beacon. She has a ton of studying to do for several of her classes, including medic's class, which she is failing so miserably that she's scared to put a bandaid on herself.

They all, except for Yang, agreed to try to at least see if any teams arrive at the civilian ship docks near the western edge of Vale's central district. Maybe they can salvage something of this at the last minute, and stop risking having a completely failing grade.

"I wonder how many teams have already arrived?" Amy muses aloud as they come to stand at the edge of a dock holding what appears to be a small cargo freighter that is at the beginning stages of being unloaded.

Weiss checks her scroll and frowns. "Willow claims her team qualified, but she refuses to give me a date of arrival for them." Closing her scroll with a frustrated sigh, she looks at Amy. "Knowing her, she is planning on surprising me and giving me a heart attack."

"Have you guys qualified yet, Wolfy?" Diane asks quietly, getting a shake of the head in response. 

"We take on team SLVR Wednesday afternoon. We beat them, and we're in." She replies quietly as she looks at the shop next. "Problem is, we bomb this assignment, and it won't matter who we beat. We won't make Vytal cause of our grades."

Hearing a growing ruckus on board the vessel, the eight young women begin to look curiously at the ship. "What on Remnant?" Blake muses aloud as they suddenly hear a door slam open, a young man appearing on the railing of the vessel with a cocky grin on his face. But the panther's jaw drops as she stares at him, her eyes widening in her surprise. "Impossible…"

"HEY! Get back here you no good stowaway!" They hear a man yell out, making the one on the railing look behind him and grin.

"I'll have you know I'm not a no good stowaway, I'm a great stowaway!" He calls back before leaping off the railing and landing on a nearby streetlight, where he begins to eat a banana. But to everyone's surprise, Blake storms over to the lamp and glares up at him as she scowls.

"Sun WuKong! Get your monkey ass down here right now!" She orders him as she folds her arms across her chest and starts tapping her foot. 

Looking down, his smirk grows even wider as he pauses from taking another bite of his snack. "Well well well, look at what the cat dragged in. If it isn't the Bellabootie! How's it hanging?" He replies as he suddenly spins on the pole to hang from it upside down by his tail. 

"Stop calling me that!" She growls at him as her glare grows even more heated. "Now get down here and explain yourself!"

"Nah, I'm good. You look like you're about to get a little catty, and I'm not in the mood to be a scratching post." 

"Keep making puns. I dare you." She hisses out as her eyes narrow.

His own eyes narrow as he keeps looking down at her. "Or what? You gonna end me like you ended Taurus? Doncha think it's a little too public for that, Bellabootie? Or are you not worried about witnesses here in Vale?" Nodding in satisfaction at the look of fear that comes across her face, he suddenly spins around on the light post and lands lightly a short distance away. "Oh well, I guess we'll need to catch up later, Bellabootie. See ya!" He calls out as he suddenly takes off at a sprint, giving Shion a wink as he passes by her.

"No wait! Come back here!" Blake suddenly screams out as she takes off after him, her look of terror still on her face. 

"Quickly, after them both!" Weiss suddenly orders as she begins to run after the two faunus both. "Blake! Come back!"

"Crap! Come on!" Ruby orders as she takes off quickly after her two girlfriends, leaving Yang as well as team SAAD behind. Diane just starts to whistle as she and Amy follow along at a sedate pace, leaving Aqua, Yang, and Shion behind. 

An Aqua who is staring nervously at the two of them.

"I wonder what he means by ending Taurus." Yang suddenly muses aloud as she looks at Shion, who shrugs.

"I wish I knew." She replies in her normal monotone voice. "Nothing about this makes any sense to me."

"Why not?" Aqua suddenly chimes in as she takes a step back, a globe of water forming slowly in between her hands from the seawater around them. "She smells like you, Shion. Like blood. Like violence." Pausing, the meerkat locks her gaze to the other woman as the orb grows larger. "You both smell like death, and it scares the hell out of me."

Yang looks oddly at Shion, who keeps her own gaze locked to the frightened faunus'. "Shion, what's she talking about?"

"Nothing. Nothing at all." She replies as she keeps her hands visible, before looking at Yang. "Let's go before they get too far ahead of us."

"Fuck that, this is my chance to bail. I could give a fuck less about this stupid assignment anyway." Yang counters as she looks back in the direction the others ran off to. 

"No Yang. This is a major grade. Even I'm taking it seriously, and you know I normally could care less." Shion admits as she adjusts her grip on her sword case. Pausing, she looks at Aqua once more. "Come on." 

Aqua shakes her head as she maintains the orb in her hands, her eyes now glowing softly as she uses her semblance to keep control of the water. "Not with you. Not with either of you." She whispers as she takes another step back while looking at Yang. "Stay away from Shion, Yang. She's only making things worse for you. She's not your friend, and you're too blinded by your anger and your hate to realize it. You're too hell bent on being angry with Ruby to realize that Shion's sheltering you. That she's keeping you from being a part of something so much better."

"Oh yeah, and what's that?" Yang declares with a snort. 

"A real family. A real one that's been waiting for two years now for you to admit that your life sucks and that you can do so much better." The meerkat replies quietly. "A family that will love you, that will support you, and that will help you finally put Rosella's death behind you."

"What the hell do you know?!" Yang replies angrily as she glares at the faunus woman, who immediately turns the orb in her hands into a shield before her as she cries out in fear. "That's what I thought. Come on, Shion. I guess let's get this bullshit over with. I got a huge paper I need to finish for Oobleck tonight."

"Go ahead. I'm going to calm Aqua down." Shion replies as she sets her sword case down gently on the ground. "And try not to cause any trouble?"

"Whatever." The brawler counters as she storms off, soon turning the corner and vanishing, leaving the two teammates alone.

"Aqua, you can drop the shield. I'm not going to hurt you." Shion calls out as she keeps her hands up. "If I thought you were a threat, I would have dealt with you already." She adds as she shakes her head. "Everyone keeps warning me to not underestimate you. That you can figure things out that no one else can."

"Why are you here, Shion?" Aqua calls back as she keeps her shield up. "Who's Yang to you? Why is she so important that your hands are covered in blood?"

"She's important to my boss." The other woman admits as she keeps staring at the shield. "That makes her important to me. And my orders are clear when it comes to Yang: Keep her safe no matter what."

"There's more to life than orders, Shion." Aqua declares as she begins to move forward, her shield staying angled to keep it between the two of them. "There's so much more to life than blindly following orders that are going to end up blowing up in your face."

Shion's eyes narrow as she stays in place, her hands still calmly at her sides. "Oh really? Because it seems to me like my mission's been pretty successful. Yang's alive and in one piece."

The meerkat shakes her head as she reaches the alleyway leading back towards the main street, where everyone else ran off to. "That's where you're wrong. Yang's so broken she doesn't know what to do with the only emotions she has left. She doesn't know what to do with her anger, with her rage, and with her fear. And that's your fault. And when Ruby finally gets fed up, that's going to be on you too."

"Wait, what do you mean my fault?" The raven haired woman asks in confusion.

Aqua finally drops the shield, the water splashing onto the pavement as she looks at Shion sadly. "Ruby's trying to save Yang's soul, despite everything that's happened between them. She's the one person who's never given up on Yang, but even her patience has its limits. And if they fight because you haven't let Yang get the help that she needs, the same kind of help that Ruby needs, then the fight that's coming between them is on you."

Shion begins to growl as she grabs her sword case and begins to move forward. "That's not going to happen!"

Aqua starts walking backwards, her eyes still focused on the other girl's. "You couldn't take Wolfy in a million years if she was to actually take a fight seriously for a change. And she's not me or Diane, Shion. She will kill you and not think twice about it."

"I still knocked her down in the gauntlet, Aqua. Sorry, but that doesn't impress me."

"That was Ruby, not the Red Reaper." Aqua counters as she reaches the corner and begins to go around it. "The Red Reaper terrifies me. The Red Reaper terrifies Squirrelly, and neither of us will ever fight her again. Because the Red Reaper isn't as dead as Ruby wishes she was. She's just hurting, grieving, and starting to attach herself to three beautiful women that she would kill for, that she would die for." Pausing, she looks Shion in the eyes one last time as she stays by the corner. "The Red Reaper of Vale is who Ruby truly is, and if Yang keeps going the way she's going, she's going to find out first hand just how deadly she truly is." She declares before turning and dashing away.

Shion shakes her head as she follows swiftly, while growing more concerned at the fact that Yang has remained silent all this time. But she stops as she sees the scene before her, all the blood draining from her face as she bears witness to the brewing fight before her. Once again, Weiss and Yang are glaring at each other, Blake by her girlfriend's side and a heated glare on her own face. But Ruby is standing with her back to the brawler, her shoulders bowed as she looks at the ground. But there is no mistaking the aggressive position of Ruby's tail, nor the way her ears are flickering as the heiress and the brawler keep arguing about the faunus they had been chasing. And there is definitely no mistaking the growing growl coming from the younger woman, a growl that grows louder with every insult Yang flings at the white haired woman.

Ruby Rose is priming herself for a fight, and if she doesn't get in between them now, all hell is about to break loose.

"Why don't you just mind your own business, Brute?!" Weiss suddenly declares in her rage. "It's no one's business why Blake suddenly started chasing that Sun individual but her's!"

"It's not like he needed to run away." Ruby adds as she turns around slowly, her eyes reflecting her barely restrained anger. "All he needed to do is explain what he meant, and we would've let him go. This ain't Mistral or Atlas. He wasn't in any kind of trouble."

"Says you. Bet the Ice Queen here would have just called her father and had him shipped off to the mines just for pissing her precious kitten off." The brawler counters with a sneer, the heiress turning even redder in her growing rage.

"I WOULD NEVER WISH THAT KIND OF HELL ON ANYONE! EVEN YOU, YOU INSUFFERABLE BITCH!" The heiress shrieks at her at the top of her lungs, Blake and Ruby suddenly restraining her.

"Yang, that's enough!" Ruby snarls out as her eyes flash. "You don't know what her life was like before she got here! For all you know, Weiss's life was probably an even bigger shit show than yours!"

"Oh you know what?" Yang suddenly declares as she turns to glare at Ruby, a look of hate in her eyes. "Not all of us have it as good as you, Mountain's Rose!" 

Ruby narrows her eyes at the brawler. "Excuse me?" She replies angrily. "Why don't you just come out and say what you want, Xiao Long?"

Weiss nods in agreement as she looks directly at the blonde. "The Goddess only knows you've been hinting around things for a while now. And frankly, we're all getting tired of it."

The brawler snorts. "Fine! The truth is I can't stand you!" She declares loudly enough for everyone in the general vicinity to hear. "I haven't liked you since the day you started at Signal with your two little cronies in tow, I started to really not like you when the three of you and your ex started to act like you were the biggest and best team there. And I started to really hate you when you two stole my best friend from me! And when I saw you on the fucking airship, it took everything in me not to toss your ass off!"

"Is that so, Yang?" Diane asks almost too calmly as she eases Gideon off her back. "Must have really chapped your ass when Blake chose the same pieces for you two and Ruby, huh?"

"It sure as fuck did!" Yang replies angrily, her eyes beginning to flicker between lilac and red. "All my life, all I ever heard about is how great his life used to be! How great things used to be, all until Summer got killed." She snorts. "All my fucking life, you think my dad would care about being a dad since my mom ran out on me, right?! Well guess what?!"

"What? What am I guessing?" Ruby replies heatedly, one hand gently caressing the hilt of her ever present knife as she moves to stand before Weiss. "Better yet, let's hear you keep blaming me for what sounds like your shitty life which I had no part in." She adds as she cuts a quick glance at Blake and Aqua both, who are also preparing for trouble.

But Shion is just standing there watching the situation unfold in front of her, Aqua's words already coming back to haunt her. She isn't stupid, she always knew it was only a matter of time before both would explode. But she also thought that there would be some way to stop it. But she is beginning to realize that both of them were beyond the point of listening to anyone.

Shion knows it's far too late to stop the fight that is coming now, but she still has to try. She has to try before it really is the Red Reaper fighting the brawler, and not Ruby Rose-Garibaldi. Because Aqua is right, Yang won't stand even a small chance then.

"Because it's your fault!" Yang screams as she begins to smolder. "Your's and your stupid, faunus loving mother's fault! Because she had you! Because she had to go and get herself killed!" Yang's glare turns hateful as her hair ignites in her rage and hate. 

"Yang? Please stop? You're starting to sound like Cardin and his cronies." Amy calls out as she peeks around Diane, the squirrel faunus already in a defensive stance and glaring almost hatefully now at the angry woman.

"Still sounding like a personal problem to me, Xiao Long." Ruby comments calmly as she folds her arms under her ample chest. "Still not seeing how any of this is my fault!" She adds as she stays in front of Weiss, who has a firm grip on her hood. "And Amy's right. You do sound like that jackass."

"Because she chose your fucking father instead of mine!" She roars as Ember Celica activates and extends around her wrists. "I hate you because if she had chosen my dad instead of yours, maybe my life wouldn't have been such a shit show!"

"This is enough, Yang!" Shion finally speaks up, moving to stand between her and Ruby. "You're crossing one of those lines you promised me you would never cross!" She figured this wouldn’t work but she had to try.

"Who gives a fuck, Shion?! I've had it with Miss Perfect!" She bellows back. "I'm done taking her orders, I'm done living in the same dorm room as her and her little ass kissing nobody friends, and I'm especially done with you trying to keep the peace!" Yang declares as she reaches out and grabs Shion by her shirt, tossing her aside roughly. "Just you and me, Rosey! Or are you just a chickenshit without your cronies and whores to back you up?"

Ruby nods as she draws her knife slowly. But, to everyone's surprise, she suddenly hands it to Diane, who takes it with a look of concern as she stowes it on her back. "Wolfy, let me handle this."

"Nope. This one's mine, Squirrelly." Ruby declares as her eyes narrow. "Stay out of it."

"But…"

Yang snorts as she cuts a glare at the tank. "Yeah, Squirrelly, stay the fuck out of this." She mimics the wolf faunus. "This is between me and her, iffin she doesn't pussy out." She adds as she over exaggerates Ruby's South Valian accent, making the Reaper growl angrily.

"Then let's go." Ruby declares almost too calmly as she takes her hat off next, putting it on Blake's head after gently taking her ribbon off, the panther faunus wiggling her ears to get it in place. "You wanna keep blaming me for your shitty ass childhood? Fuck you." She deadpans as she wraps her cloak around Weiss next. "You wanna keep taking shit out on my friends, including Amy and Shion, just because you're pissed at me, and too afraid of me to confront me? Fuck you." Pausing from taking Crescent Rose off her back, she instead moves her hands away from her weapon and onto the white haired girl's shoulders as Weiss keeps looking at her.

"Please. Please don't do this. You're already hurt." The heiress whispers desperately as she begins to tremble, while clinging to the Reaper's corset. "Please, my Dolt, this isn't necessary. Just let it go!"

"I got to, Princess. This ain't gonna stop till me and her have it out one last time." Ruby admits quietly as Yang's aura begins to flare brightly in her growing rage.

"Fuck me?! Are you fucking kidding?!" The brawler roars back. "You keep taking everything from me! You even took my best friends away from me again!"

"Ruby, please?" Weiss begs one last time, a tear falling down her cheek as Ruby shakes her head gently.

"I'm so sorry, Weiss." She mutters as she closes her eyes for a moment before opening them once more, the normally bright, life filled quicksilver orbs turning into hardened steel. "No, I ain't. And no I didn't. You keep pushing them away when you do stupid shit like this." Ruby points out bluntly as she turns to face the enraged brawler, while pulling her long hair into a tight bun on the top of her head between her wolf's ears. "But I'm damned tired of your bullshit, Yang. It stops today, or else."

Yang grins wickedly as she closes her hands into fists. "Or else what, wolf bitch?" She replies, a tone of eagerness in her voice.

Ruby's answer comes in the form of her semblance enhanced fist to the blonde's face, followed by the Reaper grabbing her by the hair and yanking downwards hard, her rising knee connecting next. A snapping sound is heard as the Reaper then shoves her away hard enough to make her fall. "Else I gotta show you that my daddy taught me how to fight dirty too." She declares harshly as her eyes glow softly.

Yang grimaces as she stumbles back to her feet, her nose bleeding profusely, and her head spinning a bit from the sheer force of Ruby's blows. It was like she somehow bypassed her aura! But that's impossible!

"Come on, Blondie." Ruby calls out as she crooks a finger at her. "Cause after today, you ain't gonna blame me for the fact that your dad was a piece of shit. You're gonna stop hating me for actually having a dad worthy of being called Dad. And you're gonna quit taking your shit with me out on Weiss, Pyrrha, and Blake. That, I definitely ain't gonna stand for no more!"

Yang looks to Amy, who looks away in shame. She then looks at Shion, who simply shakes her head as she mouths. "You did this to yourself."  

But Yang's blood is roaring through her veins now, her clenched fists are already demanding she retaliate in kind. Their wishes are her command. Dashing forward, she snaps off a series of quick rights and lefts to Ruby's face and chest, not surprised that the younger girl chose to defend her face and tank the chest shots. Just a pretty girl bitch! She roars mentally as she keeps on the aggressive attack.

But everyone gasped when they heard Ember Celica roar with each unchallenged blow. They all hear Ruby's grunts of pain as she catches every single point blank blast. But, before Weiss, Blake, or anyone else can interfere, Ruby manages to finally deflect a third heavy blow to the chest and catch Yang in the face again with an equally heavy elbow smash to her already broken nose.

"AAAAUGH!" The blonde screams as she instinctively covers her nose with her hands, giving the Reaper a much needed opening for a brutal assault of her own. A quick sweep of the legs, followed by an almost faster than can be seen somersaulting axe kick to the midsection blast the air from Yang's lungs. Still moving, Ruby quickly pins the brawler to the ground with her own body, and begins to rain heavy blows of her own to her chest, shoulders and face.

Yang grunts with each rapid blow while keeping her face covered with her still free left arm. Unlike her opponent, she knows she can take every last one of her hits all day. She welcomes it, as she feels her semblance absorbing each and every last one of them, adding to her own strength. Feeling Ruby finally begin to slow, Yang grins wickedly as she suddenly pulls her right arm free and lashes out, backhanding the other girl away and into the side of a building, where she yelps and falls to the ground.

"There! See that? Miss Perfect isn't so perfect after all, is she?" The brawler brags as she rises to her feet, flames burning brightly as her semblance stays active. "Just call me One Punch Woman!"

"More like a bully!" Amy screams back as Weiss and Aqua rush over to check on Ruby, who is struggling to get back on her feet. Blake and Diane move to block the brawler, the panther faunus's own weapons drawn.

"Nope!" Yang grins as she struts towards the injured woman cockily despite her defenders. "She forgot that I'm still better than her in a real fight!"

"Heh heh heh." Ruby chuckles weakly as she looks up at her teammate. "You call this a fight? I ain't even warmed up yet!" She declares as she moves away from Weiss and Aqua, putting her hands back up. "Round two, you blonde bitch!"

"Wolfy, this really isn't a good idea." Diane calls out, Blake nodding in agreement. 

"Ruby, please! Enough is enough! Just let it go!" Blake begs, Ruby shaking her head as she wipes a small trail of blood from her chin.

"Stay back, this is between me and her." The Reaper calls out as she takes another slow step forward. "Time to put the blonde bitch in her place!"

Yang growls as her semblance flares even brighter and hotter in her renewed rage. "Oh I'll show you who the bitch is, Rosey! After I hand you your ass!" She roars as she once again dashes forward, arm raised to strike.

But before she can even reach the Reaper, Ruby is already on the move herself. Rose petals are the only things Yang sees as she feels a powerful blow to her kidneys, followed by a flash of silver as a second heavy blow strikes her in the back of her head, sending her flying.

But she can hear Ruby's labored breathing as she collides with the ground and tumbles several feet. Oh yeah, you're hurting wolf bitch! She thinks to herself as she quickly gets back to her feet. This fight is mine as long as you keep feeding my semblance!

The Reaper is already closing the distance when Yang feints a charge directly at her, tumbling to the side just as Ruby tries and fails to hit her with a roundhouse kick so powerful she can't help but wince at the wind she churns up. That… would have hurt… Yang has to admit as she closes the gap with an off balance Ruby, who is clutching her ribs as tears fall from her eyes, a small line of blood beginning to flow from her mouth once more as she gasps for air.

"Please! Stop this! She's hurt, Yang, isn't that enough?!" Blake screams as she scrambles towards them both, Diane also trying to reach them as well as Weiss, who is screaming for Ruby.

No! It's not enough! I haven't made her suffer enough! The brawler screams inside her own mind as she reaches her opponent first and slams Ember directly into Ruby's right kidney, pulling the trigger without a second's hesitation. The wolf girl screams in real pain as her aura finally shatters, visible deep red shards falling about her as her eyes grow dim and she herself is sent flying like a ragdoll across the pavement to land in a heap almost at Weiss's feet.

"Awwww, is Rosey all washed up?" Yang declares with a sneer as she watches Weiss kneel down next to the Reaper, tears in her eyes as she gently checks her over.

"This isn't funny, Yang! Ruby is seriously injured!" The heiress suddenly screams at her as she draws her own rapier and brandishes it protectively over the wolf faunus. "Why are you being such a bitch?!"

"Me being a bitch?! Me?!" Yang snarls back as her muscles twitch while watching as Ruby struggles to stand back up. "She's always been the bitch! She's always acted better than everyone, just like her dad! She's the one who stole my best friend from me, along with that bunny bitch! She took what should have been my life from me, and I hate her for it! My life's always been a shit show, and it's all her fucking fault!"

"Touch her again and I'll kill you, you brute!" Weiss shrieks as her dust chambers begin to spin. But they stop as a gentle hand lays itself on her's. 

"Yeah, then prove it." Ruby declares weakly as she finally rises back to her feet as she pushes Weiss gently back behind her, while finally taking Crescent Rose off her back and unfurling it. Reaching into her pocket, she takes something out of it and touches it to her skin, her eyes suddenly reigniting as her aura flares back up. "Round three, Xiao Long. You got your free shots in, now it's time to finish what we started back at Signal." She declares evenly as her eyes narrow. "Or what, you gonna pussy out now that I'm using my sweetheart here?"

"Fuck you!" Yang shrieks as she launches herself forward with twin blasts from Ember Celica. "Let's settle this once and for all, you wolf bitch!"

"My damned thoughts exactly!" Ruby roars back as she launches herself forward with her own blast from Crescent Rose. They once again meet in the middle of the street, scythe clashing against armored gauntlets, but this time things are much different than before. Both young women are snarling in their rage as they once again clash, sparks flying between their weapons, along with rifle shots and shotgun blasts. Even the Valian police who have arrived to stop the long brewing battle can only stare as the brawler and the Reaper fight in a surprisingly close quarters contest, neither of them giving or taking a single inch from one another.

"Damn, it's finally happened." Alex declares sadly as he appears next, standing next to Weiss, who is crying while staring at the two combatants.

"Please! Please make them stop! Please!" Weiss begs the older wolf faunus, who can only shake his head.

"Ain't nobody alive that can stop this anymore, Weiss." He admits as Blake joins them, along with Pyrrha, who arrived during the fighting as well, the three of them watching as their girlfriend fights it out with the brawler. "Only one person in the world them two would listen to, that could stop them by yelling both their names, and she's gone."

"We have to try!" Blake declares as she holds Gambol Shroud, while struggling to follow the fast paced battle. "We can't let them kill each other!"

"Blake is correct." Pyrrha adds as she draws her own weapons, a look of intense concentration on her features. "We must wait for the first opportunity that presents itself."

"You won't get one." Diane admits as she and Amy join them, her own Gideon in hand and a look of concern on her own features. "This isn't Yang and Ruby going at it. This is the Golden Dragon and the Red Reaper finally settling things once and for all." She adds worriedly as they all watch Yang narrowly avoiding getting decapitated while firing back at Ruby, who bursts into petals to avoid the blast. "This isn't going to end well at all."

Aqua nods as she stands off to one side, her own hands free. "Only she could stop them whenever they got like this. Only she could get through to them when their mutual anger and hate for each other overwhelmed them. And they both blame themselves for her death, and have never forgiven themselves."

"So what do we do?!" Weiss asks in desperation, a look of terror entering her eye at the stoic look in Alex's. 

"Pray we ain't about to bury them beside her." He replies bluntly as Ruby once again narrowly misses a killing blow on Yang, who snarls as she barely misses a near perfect uppercut while Ember roars as her trigger is pulled. 

"Oh my. So this is why my customers are complaining about not being able to come to my shop from this direction." Aramina declares as she walks up to join them, frowning at the sight of Ruby and Yang still fighting it out. "I was under the impression that the two of them have begun to form a bit of a friendship with one another. At least, that is what Rosella reassured me the last time I spoke with her."

Alex looks at the giantess oddly, a frown on his own features. "Mina, you really need to get out more. Rosella's been dead for almost a year now, and these two ain't no closer to being friends than ah damned Wyvern gets along with a damned Drake!"

"So I see." The woman replies quietly as they watch the two fighters circle one another while growling and reloading. "They are entirely consumed with bloodlust, with sorrow, and still in deep mourning." 

"We need to break them up now!" Pyrrha declares as she makes to move forward, only to be stopped as the giantess places a hand on her shoulder. 

"No. This must happen, Miss Nikos. This fight must reach a proper conclusion so that the two of them may finally find a new peace with one another." Aramina declares sadly as they once again dash forward and clash. "However, I shall break them apart myself if I feel they are in too much danger, and far too close to killing one another."

"How?!" Weiss asks desperately as they watch both young women once again narrowly miss killing blows. "I'm not even sure if we can stop them, Miss Mina!"

"I know I can't." Alex admits calmly, even as he winces from Yang finally landing a solid blow on his daughter's midsection, while Ruby catches her solidly in the head with the haft of her scythe. "But they're finally starting to slow down. Must be getting tired."

"They've been at it for over twenty minutes now." Aqua informs them as she checks her scroll. 

Aramina nods as she watches them both closely. "Ruby has run out of ammunition. She just ejected her last magazine."

"She's lightening her load. She's up to something." Alex agrees as he grabs the hilts of his own swords. "Showtime?"

"Not yet. Let us see what your adorable but deadly middle child is planning." The giantess replies as she reaches into a pocket and removes a vial of refined earth dust. "The six of you prepare yourselves. Ruby is preparing for one final assault, and Yang will not be able to keep up with her at that point, especially if she extends the blade of her scythe out. We will need to step in at that point."

Weiss, Blake, Pyrrha and Amy all nod as they ready their weapons, while Diane raises her own warhammer and a large bubble of water forms in between Aqua's hands. They all watch as Ruby visibly begins to speed up now that her scythe is lighter, the brawler now noticeably struggling to keep up as Crescent Rose becomes a blur. A blur that gets closer and closer to the blonde, whose eyes are quickly filling with fear at the realization that the wolf faunus she has been fighting has still been holding back all this time. That Ruby has still been pulling her punches despite the ferocity of her own attacks, her own overwhelming rage, and her own pain. 

"You think you're the only one who misses her, Yang?" Ruby suddenly asks as her scythe arcs ever closer to the brawler, who is doing her best to avoid the deadly weapon. "You think you're the only one who wonders what if? Cause you're not!" She adds the last with a snarl as she suddenly brings the scythe down in a vicious overhead chop.

Yang grunts as she crosses her arms, catching the scythe blade in the middle where Ember Celica's armor is at its thickest. But to her horror, she realizes that she herself is trapped by the wolf faunus, who suddenly and without warning hand loads one final round into her scythe, the slide closing with an ominous click. Ruby's finger is on the trigger, and a look she hasn't seen in months now is in the younger woman's eyes as her own red eyes stay locked to her's.

Ruby's eyes are devoid of any emotion, her finger tense on the trigger, and her other hand is firm on the scythe's haft to help keep the weapon in place, her own arms now trapped as she struggles to keep the deadly tip of the scythe blade from piercing her skull. Her semblance is of no help, nor her aura, not at this close of range and with her arms pinned. "I…"

"Don't make me pull this trigger, Yang. Even Miss Mina can't reach us in time." Ruby points out. "Or even Daddy. But that's always been the problem between us, ain't it? Our Daddys have always hated each other, and we inherited that hate. Well, you did, cause I never forgot the little blonde girl who played with me and Diane back in kindergarten, and who had her own nickname and who gave me one that wasn't Wolfy. I never forgot the girl who was my friend until her own daddy found out. Who Rosella cried about in my arms when we were alone at night. Who I keep holding a hand out to, even though she keeps spitting in my face."

Yang stares at Ruby as she begins to tremble in fear. Her eyes are as dead as they were for so long after Rosella's death, even after their last violent battle that took almost everyone at Signal to break up. All except Sasha, who stood by and watched with her own dead eyes. She can see her death in Ruby's eyes, and knows deep down that this is it. That this really is their last confrontation. And depending on her own responses, this may be her final moments on Remnant. "I…"

"Best think long and hard before you open your mouth, Yang." Ruby cautions her as her finger twitches on the trigger. "Cause we ain't doing this again. This ends today, one way or another. Either we both walk away and we start trying to fix our shit, or I walk away and in handcuffs, and you get to rest in peace next to Rosella. I got no problems helping you. I got no problems ending your pain one way or another, you following what I'm saying?" The Red Reaper declares as she keeps the pressure on their clench. "Personally, I want us both to walk away from this, Yang. I really want us to at least be friends after all of this, after we both go and get some help." Pausing, she sighs. "After me and Daddy finally get you away from your shithead sperm donor and show you what family really means."

"You knew?" Yang whispers as she stares at the wolf woman in surprise, a tear coming to one of her eyes, the red slowly bleeding out of them to reveal pain filled lilac orbs. 

"Of course I knew. I told ya, Rosella used to cry in my arms, she used to beg me to make peace with ya." Ruby admits quietly. "I promised her I would, and I'm still willing to even now. But I'm done fighting with ya, Yang. I'm not joking about this being our last fight. One way or another, this ends today."

"He hates your Dad so much. He hates you so much. He always says that you should be his child, and not Mr. Alex's." Yang admits as her arms begin to shake from the strain. "All he does is hate and drink and make my life a living hell, and I don't know how much more I can take, Ruby." 

"All you gotta do is say you need our help, Yang. All you gotta do is look at Daddy and tell 'em you've had enough of him. He's been ready for almost two years now to get you away. Him and Mum both." Ruby informs her calmly, despite the still dead look in her eyes. "We even got a room ready for ya."

"Why? Why try to keep saving me? You can't say it's because of her." Yang asks as more tears begin to roll down her cheeks. "Why give a fuck about me?"

Ruby sighs as her finger finally moves away from the trigger slowly, her own arms releasing much of the tension on their weapons. "Cause it's the right thing to do, Yang. Cause we've all seen the pain you're in, the way you're suffering, and it ain't right. None of that is right, and it's time to make it right. And not because we made a promise to Rosella, but because it ain't ever been fair to you. It's why I never stopped trying to be your friend, and I ain't gonna stop now."

Yang begins to crumble as her arms start lowering, her tears falling freely as she releases a long held sob. "I… I don't want to hate you anymore." She finally admits. "I don't want to hate your dad anymore. I'm tired, Ruby. I'm so tired of being so full of hate, of missing her."

"Just say it Yang. Please?" Ruby begs as she finally breaks the clench, her scythe lowering until the tip touches the ground, tears in her own eyes. "Please? Just ask, Yangarang."

"You haven't called me that since we were kids, Rubaloo." Yang admits quietly as her own arms fall to her sides, a bone shaking sob emerging from the brawler before she looks at Alex, her tears continuing to fall. "Please? Please help me. I can't. I can't keep living my life like this. I can't keep doing this anymore. I can't take him anymore. I don't want to be him anymore."

Alex nods as he looks at a nearby rooftop, where a raven sits. "Let's go. We got a blonde to beat even more stupid." He declares as his eyes fill with rage. "I got a promise to keep. And me and Ozzy need to have a damned chat too."

"I shall join you. I shall no longer tolerate this situation, not when it has gone on for far longer than even I was led to believe." Aramina adds as her own scleral eyes fill with her own anger. "Summer would not have tolerated this, and to be quite honest Raven, this should have been dealt with years ago." She adds as she cuts her own glare at the bird, who looks back in terror. "Be grateful your partner is not here now, Raven Branwen. Her fury would be awe inspiring."

Ruby sighs as she drops Crescent Rose to pull Yang into her arms, hugging her tightly as the brawler clings to her and wails. "Enough's enough. Let's let things go, Yang. We've fought and argued long enough." The Reaper declares quietly as she begins to rock back and forth gently. "Ain't no reason for us to keep on like this. Not anymore."

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry, Ruby! Oh Goddesses I'm so sorry!" Yang cries back in between her heartbreaking sobs. "I got her killed! She was trying so hard to save my soul, and I got her killed!"

"Shhhh. It ain't all your fault. Sasha and I knew she was looking for Uncle Qrow. We shoulda just left things alone, but we were still pissed over what your dad had said about us, about all the nasty things he called us." Ruby sniffles as her arms tighten around the Brawler. "It ain't all your fault…"

"Miss Schnee, Miss Belladonna, Miss Nikos, go to them. Get them back to Beacon." Aramina orders them firmly as the raven lands on her shoulder, the avian visibly trembling in fear. "They must calm down, and do be sure that they do not attract any Grimm."

Weiss nods as she looks at the two young women while shaking her head. "Does this mean all this is over?"

"Nope. Just the beginning." Alex admits as he looks at the heiress while frowning. "Gonna be a long road to making y'all a proper team. But first, gonna have to break y'all up for both Yang's and Ruby's goods. They got a lot of shit to work through."

Pyrrha nods as she looks at them, a frown on her features. "Perhaps Headmaster Ozpin can be persuaded now that this has happened?"

"Oh I doubt David will keep arguing, Miss Nikos." Aramina replies as she looks at the Mistrali woman. "Once Celestia and Salem learn of this, they along with Alexander shall not leave him a choice. Speaking of." Turning, she looks at Alex, who has his scroll out. "Perhaps that needs to be dealt with first. These two need time apart to heal the wounds left by Rosella's tragic death. And there should be no further wasted time."

"Yeah, you got a point. Keep bird brain with you, will ya? Got a feeling Ozzy's gonna insist on calling in Tai, and that ain't gonna end well there either." He replies calmly as he closes his scroll. "Especially iffin he's already drunk."

"As you wish. Just remember I cannot stop her if she uses a portal." Pausing, she sighs as she watches the two teams walk back towards the bullhead docks, a sobbing Yang being supported by Blake, as Pyrrha and Weiss support a now limping Ruby, who has tears of pain rolling down her cheeks as blood once again begins to slowly roll down her chin. "She is badly injured, my old friend."

"So I see. I'll call ya later and let you know how it all works out. See ya." The Mountain replies as he strides forward and scoops his daughter into his arms before vanishing, leaving the heiress and the invincible girl to assist with a distraught Brawler. But to her surprise, Shion slowly walks up to her, the young woman conspicuous in her sudden absence until now. 

"Boss? Boss, I'm so sorry. I've been trying to keep them apart, to keep this from happening." The young woman declares as she stares at the raven on the giantess's shoulder. "I swear I've been doing my best to keep her safe!"

The bird takes wing, only to suddenly transform into a tall, imposing woman with long black hair and wearing a Grimm mask. One that stays on her face even as a pair of rage filled red eyes glare down at the younger woman. "Go back to Beacon and wait there." Raven Branwen orders coldly as Shion begins to tremble in her own fear. "This mess is worse than what you've been telling me, and I'm not amused. Because Aramina is right, this should have been dealt with a long time ago, Shion."

"I never thought-" Shion begins, only to get cut off with an even darker glare from the masked woman. 

"That's the problem right there, you didn't think. You just followed your orders to the letter, and left out so many other things, didn't you?" The bandit queen's voice turns even colder as Shion's trembling grows worse. "And because of that. Because of the fact that Vernal is just as stupid as you are and keeping things from me herself, my daughter isn't the strong and commanding huntress she should be, with a worthy rival and worthier friend in Ruby Garibaldi. She's a broken wreck that I now have to help put back together before she gets herself or Summer's daughter killed."

"I… Vernal and I both thought you wanted her to join the clan…"

Raven snorts as she motions to Shion. "Why? So she can be a weakling like you, like Vernal, like the others? Ha!" Raven chuckles bitterly as she shakes her head. "Yang was supposed to become more than I ever was. She was supposed to have a life that was different from mine. She was supposed to do great things with her life that didn't involve becoming the leader of a group of pathetic failures that only exist because I keep them alive. Only Qrow ever understood why I left, only Summer ever earned my respect and my loyalty, and only Yang and Ruby ever had my love."

"Love? You taught me that love was for the weak! That only fools dare to love, and that love always ends in failure and rejection!" Shion protests weakly, her trembling growing into actual shaking as Raven lifts her mask, revealing her rage filled visage.

"My heart only has love in it for Yang and for the child of my leader and best friend. My only friend who made me that child's godmother, and I was never prouder. And today, I watched as my daughter and my goddaughter fought like lionesses when they never should have been pushed to that point, all because of my weakness, because of Tai's stupidity, and because of you and Vernal keeping the truth of the situation from me!" Raven declares in a voice so full of rage that Shion screams in her own terror. "Yang could have been killed today, Ruby is badly injured, and not only am I to blame, but so is Tai and so are you! Now get back to Beacon and stay put until I come to you, Shion Negras! Don't you dare set one foot off the campus grounds until you and I have a long overdue talk, and you better start praying now that I calm down before then, or else, got it?" Shion doesn't even take a moment to reply, instead she turns and runs as if a horde of Grimm are chasing after her, easily surpassing the slow moving group ahead of her and leaving them behind. 

"I trust you feel better after terrifying that poor girl?" Aramina asks calmly as she looks at Raven, who has lowered her mask to conceal her face once more.

"Shion needs to learn that some things are more important than orders, Aramina." Raven replies gruffly as her arms fold across her chest. "Ruby's the next to last of the silver eyed warriors, Yang is my hope for a better future than living in a shitty camp in the middle of nowhere in Mistral, and both of them have so much more potential than even Summer realized." Raven explains as she shakes her head. "Maybe Ruby needs to meet that old woman after all." She mutters.

"What old woman? Are you referring to her?" Aramina asks with a raised eyebrow. "I sincerely doubt she will be interested in teaching Ruby like she taught Summer. Meeting her perhaps, after all she was quite close with Eli and Beth."

Raven snorts as she cuts a look at the giantess. "Maria is more than eager to meet Ruby, she's chomping at the bit to do so. The problem is she has to leave Mistral to do it, and she doesn't want to come back to Vale. Too much pain for her here. Too many regrets. She misses Eli and Beth too much, along with Nic and Snowy, and besides, she has her own career to keep her busy still."

"The Grimm Reaper is a busy woman, even at her age." Aramina chuckles as she shakes her head. "But I am aware of something you are not, Raven."

"And what's that?"

Aramina turns her scleral eyes towards the bandit, making her start to tremble in her own nervousness. "My old partner and teammate is already here in Vale, Raven Branwen. She is currently at my shop enjoying a cup of tea with my daughter and her adorable teammate and partner, and waiting patiently to meet her." The giantess declares with a smirk. "And to say Maria is not amused is quite the understatement. She plans on having quite the word with many different people, including Alexander as well as David. But most especially with Ruby. Now, if you'll excuse me, it would be rude of me to keep her waiting any longer."

Raven Branwen can only nod as she watches the giantess turn and walk off, somehow managing to lose herself in the crowds quickly. She breathes a sigh of relief as she realizes that the much older woman has forgotten that she was supposed to stay with her, until she herself realizes that her sword case is missing. Her sword case that includes the special blades needed to open her portals. With a loud curse, she turns back into a bird and begins to fly towards Beacon, the whole while still cursing at the twist of fate that has brought her back to Vale, back into her daughter's life, and most especially, Ruby's. 

Back to Ruby's, the girl she still secretly wishes was her daughter and not the Mountain's...

 

Notes:

I'm so sorry for hurting Ruby. I really am. All of this was me, so please don't take it out on Rubes. Also, the idea for the card game came from reading Power_Taco's amazing fics, just with my own spin on it. You guys should really read their stuff, it's amazing!

Chapter 23: The Aftermath

Chapter by Winter1112

Notes:

Hiya everyone! Wyn here, and Rubes and I welcome you all back to A Mountain of Roses! And I'm so sorry it's been a year since the last update. I am really really sorry, but I had to step away from writing for RWBY for a while. To be really honest, I lost my passion for it for it for a while, and I wanted to try my hand at something new and different. I needed a break, and I took it while also considering where we stood with this story as well as the rest of my RWBY fics, and I made a few decisions.

And the truth is, I love this story along with all my other ones, but I will no longer exclusively write for this fandom either. Which, if you follow me directly, you may have already noticed that as well.

Anywho! Please don't worry, this story is back on the move, and we are already starting to plan out the next few chapters. My other RWBY fics will get moving again soon, as I hate leaving things unfinished, including a few of my older ones as well. Otherwise, I hope everyone enjoys this next chapter, and I will see you all next time!

And to my HP fic readers, the next chapter of Crookshanks is ready, and I will be posting it next week!

I love you all! Happy reading!

-Wyn-

Pyrrha sighs as she keeps following the directions on her scroll, a very helpful receptionist assisting her in downloading an app for Vale Medical Center, which includes a highly detailed map of the entire hospital including a navigation system to help reach your destination. But why is Vale's central hospital so huge and built like a virtual fortress?! Mistral City's is a third of this size, and not nearly as well prepared for as many eventualities as Vale's. She's counted at least six heavily armored doors housing storage areas she doesn't doubt are filled with medical supplies, emergency rations, dust, and even ammunition for any chosen to aid in the hospital's defense in times of war. And every doctor, nurse, and even service personnel she has seen or spoken with are armed, and the last nurse's station she passed was having an armored partition serviced, the two men working on it looking extremely focused on doing their absolute best to insure the important defensive fixture was in perfect working order.

She would almost swear Vale was prepared to weather even a full out siege considering the robust defensive walls covered in extremely modern and very deadly weapons that aren't of Altesian origins, along with the fact that the city has so many dead end alleys, streets that remain straight as an arrow for miles at a time and perfectly designed to be a killing ground from both sides, and heavily armored streetlight mast poles that she suspects hide deadly surprises in the form of lethally dangerous weapons to use against the Grimm and invaders both.

Vale is well prepared for even a full fledged invasion, whether from the Grimm or an invading army. Unlike Mistral, which is still recovering from their own war with Atlas for almost two decades now, Vale learned their own lessons from their brief war with Vacuo, when the desert nation in a moment of desperation drove a massive horde of Grimm into Mountain Glenn, the now abandoned city easy prey with its many wide open spaces, meandering roadways, and easily breached buildings and homes. 

Tens of thousands of humans and faunus died during the fall of Mountain Glenn, and Vale learned its deadly lesson very well indeed.

But as she turns another corner, she smiles as she hears a familiar, beautiful voice and starts moving faster. She promised Blake and Weiss that she would stay by Ruby's side until they could return, and she is never one to break a promise without a valid reason. Pausing at the doorway, she hesitates a moment, so as not to interrupt a rather intense conversation between Ruby and her father.

"I'm being arrested?! That's some bullshit! Yang started it!"

That could prove to be a very valid reason for breaking her promise.

"Calm down, will ya?!" Her father's voice echoing down the hall behind her. "I already talked to Bill. He said it's just a formality, and you'll be released to me once Sass clears you. But you're still in ah heap ah trouble, pup, and I'm not getting you outta this one."

"But Daddy!"

"But nothin. You gotta take your lumps for this one, Ruby Michelle." Alex declares firmly as he looks sternly at his daughter, who sighs. "You still got into ah fight in the middle of a street in Vale, caused plenty ah property damage with all your damned rounds, and could ah hurt someone."

"Ah know." The Reaper admits quietly as she backs down, her ears flat against her head.

"Then act like it, Ruby." He growls out as his look intensifies. "Ah taught ya better than this. The occasional brawls you and Diane have are bad enough, and you two cause enough damage with just your fists. This time, you drew your weapons and were fightin to hurt one another badly. You could have killed Yang, pup, and not a damned one of us would have been able to stop ya. Not as close as ya both were."

Ruby sniffles as a tear falls to her lap, Pyrrha rushing to her side to hold her. "Ah just wanted her to wake up. To stop being a bitch. To realize she's hurting everyone around her." Pausing as she wraps her own arms around the Mistrali girl, she sighs. "Ah just wanted my friend back, Daddy. Not the miserable bitch her Daddy turned her into."

Alex sighs as he shakes his head. "Pretty sure she finally got the message, pup. Not gonna lie, I'm pretty damned sure all of Vale got it too." He adds as he moves to a nearby chair and sits down heavily. "Hopefully Salem doesn't kill Tai. She's gonna handle the meeting with Ozzy for us."

Ruby nods as she pulls Pyrrha into the bed next to her while scooting over, the redhead pulling herself closer as well. "Hey Red. Ah really fucked up."

Pyrrha sighs. "I'm more than certain we all did. I'm sure we will also be charged for not stopping it."

"Nah." Alex shakes his head as he looks at the two teens. "Happens a lot more than you think. Get ah bunch ah drunk huntsmen and huntresses wandering round the bars on ah Friday night, and you get plenty of brawls. Ah night in jail to dry em out, their pay docked till the damages are paid back, and ah month ah wall duty." Shrugging his shoulders, he looks from Pyrrha to Ruby, who grimaces. "And huntresses in training gotta walk the walls too, we don't make exceptions."

"Ah hate having wall duty! It's so boring sitting in the sniper's towers for eight whole hours with nothing to shoot at!"

"But we aren't compensated for hunts yet, Mr. Alex." Pyrrha points out, an eyebrow raising at both their chuckles.

"Red, we get paid for every confirmed Grimm killed." Ruby informs her calmly. "Check your student account."

Pyrrha takes her scroll out and enters Beacon Academy's app, quickly selecting her personal funds account. Her eyes almost pop out of her head when she sees the total amount, her jaw dropping as well. "What on Remnant?!"

Alex grins. "Vale don't believe in not rewarding even huntsmen in training, Pyrrha. Granted, Beacon gets ah cut of every kill since you are still students, but you still get paid based off size, estimated age, and threat level."

"But!"

Ruby nods as she smiles. "We all got fat paid for killing that Ancient Nevermore during initiation, along with the Gigant Deathstalker and all the other Grimm we took out individually and as groups. We even earned the full bonuses for taking down two ancient class Grimm, just split between all of us!"

"But this total can't be right! My mother has to destroy entire mega packs of Beowolves to make this much!" Pyrrha protests even as she takes a screenshot of her account screen and sends it to someone. "She's threatening to start charging contracts by the actual number of Grimm involved instead of the flat rates the Mistrali council forces her to charge."

Alex shakes his head. "Nope, not here in Vale. We quit doing that years ago, when Summer's momma ran the guild. Couldn't get enough huntsmen to take bigger missions cause the money wasn't right for the amount of risk they were taking. Old man Eli backed her with the council, which pissed the Arcs off, so they moved to Mistral." 

"What?!"

Ruby nods. "I love Grams and Gramps, but they're cheap when it comes to paying people. But they're always developing stuff for huntsmen and huntresses, and sell them all of it for hellaciously good prices. I buy all my ammo only from Arc Industries because I get it for cost thanks to Mum."

"Actually Ruby, you'll start getting a family stipend every month for ammunition, dust, and gear. And it's a hell of a stipend for active huntsmen and huntresses." Alex informs her with a smile. "Remember, you and I are part of the Arc family now."

"Awesome! Ah need some new armor plating for my next outfit! Their stuff is the best!"

Pyrrha sits there in shock, amazed at yet another huge difference between Vale and home. Yes, Arc Industries is a huge help with their deep discounts and generous aid with resources and transportation methods, but she is also aware of the fact that Mistral may have won the war against Atlas two decades ago, but paid a heavy price for victory. Many old villages are still abandoned or sparsely populated, and the White Fang has expanded to them as they slowly take the eastern and southern parts of her home country over.

But she suddenly jumps as her scroll begins to ring, her mother's smiling face looking back at her.

"Is that your Mom?" Ruby asks as she peeks, Pyrrha nodding as she blushes at the way her wolf's ears brushes against the bare skin of her chest. "She's beautiful, Red."

Pyrrha nods as she pushes the accept button, her smile brightening considerably as she looks at her mother, the legendary Athena Nikos. "Hello Mother."

"Hello, Pyrrha. I saw that picture you sent me and simply couldn't believe it! How have you earned so much in such a short amount of time?! Especially as a simple huntress in training?!"

Alex chuckles as he takes the scroll. "Better let me explain, kid. And I ain't talked to your Momma in years now. Best to break the silence on that too." Turning the scroll to face himself, he smiles sadly at the redhead, who gasps as she stares at him, tears coming to her eyes.

"Alex. It has been far too long, my old friend."

"Yeah it has, old friend." He replies as he settles down in his chair, tears in his own eyes. "Summer's funeral to be exact."

"I'm sorry, Alex. I am still so ashamed that we didn't arrive in time to save her and Ada. That they died and left so many behind."

"It's fine, Athena. It's in the past where it belongs…"

Ruby sighs as she cuddles into Pyrrha, who wraps her arms back around the wolf faunus woman while they both wiggle themselves into a more comfortable position. 

"You know, this is kinda nice. Nobody but Diane is normally tall enough to cuddle me like this." Ruby admits as she runs her fingers through Pyrrha's hair, releasing it from its normal ponytail gently. 

"It is very nice, Ruby." Pyrrha agrees as her eyes slowly close in pleasure. She loves having her hair played with gently, and she knows if she was a cat faunus she would be purring loudly. 

"Heh. Someone likes her hair played with."

"My idea of Heaven is having my hair washed and brushed, Ruby." She admits as she slowly lowers herself to lay her head on the wolf woman's chest, a soft smile on her face. "It was the only way my mother could get me to sleep as a child."

"Good to know." Ruby smiles down at the redhead in her arms fondly before yawning. "I could use a nap. They've got me pumped full of aura boosters and pain meds right now to help my ribs heal better."

"I can imagine. Nora hit me once in a match with Magnhild. Broke six of my ribs and my sternum. I was in the hospital for a week while they healed." The Mistrali woman admits before yawning herself. Using her toes, she pushes her boots off one by one before getting more comfortable. "Your so warm, my Reaper. So comfortable. I could live my life happily like this." 

Ruby freezes for a moment before smiling, her eyes closing slowly. "Careful Red… too many comments like that… and I may have to keep you…" She mumbles sleepily.

"I am yours now, Ruby. Your strength, your sense of honor and justice, and your determination to bring an end to your long feud with Yang without causing either of your deaths have won me over fully." Pyrrha admits quietly as her own eyes slowly close. "And you're gorgeous…"

/\/\/\/\

Alex smiles as he points Pyrrha's scroll at the two sleeping women. "Damn, they really do look good together."

"My baby is happy, Alex. That is all I have ever wanted for her." Athena admits as she wipes her tears away. "Not the fame she has gained at Nora's side in the arena. Not the attention she receives as the Invincible Girl of Mistral. But the freedom of being a young woman who can find a good future with a good woman at her side."

Alex chuckles. "Try two more."

"Yes, Pyrrha has been singing Weiss Schnee's and Blake Belladonna's praises as well. I myself need to start preparing for grandchildren."

"You and me both, Athena. You and me both…"

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

David Ozpin looks at a quiet Salem Garibaldi nervously, while she sits next to a still quiet Yang Xiao Long. The poor girl still looks numb, her lilac eyes staring blankly out one of his many office windows. He takes note that Ember Celica is still extended, and he sees the knicks and scratches from Ruby's scythe blade across their once smooth metal, along with the deep cut from the final clench across them both.

It had truly been close. A single pull of the trigger, and two lives would have been over.

Yang is indeed lucky to be alive and still have the use of her arms. Ruby's control is still extraordinary as always though, and he is both proud that Ruby finally resolved the situation without causing Yang's death, while saddened that it still came to this in the end as well. He had been honestly hoping for a more peaceful resolution, but it simply wasn't meant to be.

But the peacefulness of the moment is shattered when his elevator dings before opening, Salem turning green with almost instant nausea while he himself gags from the sudden overwhelming aroma of strong alcohol that all but assaults their senses of smell. He watches as an obviously drunk Taiyang Xiao Long steps out of the elevator, stumbling a bit before walking in a relatively straight line towards them. Stopping before Yang, who continues to look out the window, he sneers at her.

"I always knew you were as useless as your mother."

One second, he is looking down at his daughter with scorn, fresh tears coming to her eyes. His hand starts to rise, Salem looking at him calmly even as a shield of thick glass forms between them. The next moment he is flying through the air from a heavy blow from a masked woman striking him. "SHUT YOUR USELESS DRUNKEN MOUTH!" Raven Branwen roars in her unleashed fury as her mask gets ripped off and sent flying. 

"Finally. It's about time you showed up, Birdie. I thought I was going to have to put something shiny in the window." Salem deadpans as she pulls a now sobbing Yang into her arms. "Don't look, my beautiful new daughter. Don't look. Let Raven handle this now, like she should have been all this time." She adds the last with a glare directed at Raven, who is advancing towards Tai in her own fury.

"YOU BASTARD! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO MY DAUGHTER?!" Raven roars as she reaches him, her fist smashing downward to connect with his head, knocking him back down to the floor.

"I suspect years of mental and emotional abuse, Miss Branwen." Ozpin chimes in as he watches calmly from behind his desk, Celestia emerging from their private quarters and offering him a cup of coffee, which he takes with a smile. "Thank you, Celestia. Are you feeling better?"

Peach nods. "The doctor did say the first few months were the roughest. But morning sickness at five in the afternoon still sucks. I don't know how Salem handles it."

"Lots of peppermint." Salem informs her helpfully as she strokes Yang's hair gently. "I hate peppermint now, but Dusk obviously loves it."

Raven is now straddling Tai, the drunk barely shielding himself as she keeps aiming heavy closed fist blows at his face and upper chest. "Fuck off you crazy bitch! You ran away! You abandoned us both!" He manages to get out while struggling to block his ex wife's punches.

"Liar! You told me to get out! You called me weak! Pathetic! That I wasn't good enough for you!" Raven screams back at him as her arms keep pistoning with heavy blow after heavy blow. "SUMMER WAS DEAD BECAUSE I WAS TOO WEAK TO GO WITH HER! I FAILED MY LEADER! I WASN'T WORTHY OF HELPING WITH HER CHILD OR RAISING MY OWN!"

Salem sighs as she shakes her head. "It took us years to break Qrow of the brainwashing. Obviously Raven is still a puppet of her parent's teachings."

Peach nods as she settles more comfortably into Ozpin's lap, one of his arms wrapped gently around her waist and his hand laying on her stomach. "Do we still have the number to Qrow's therapist?"

Ozpin shakes his head. "Chrysafénios is no longer seeing adults, not since he took over as head of the counseling department at Signal. They keep him very busy."

"Chrys will make an exception for me and Alex. I'll call him once Raven stops bellowing like an Ursa Major." Pausing, Salem shakes her head. "Raven? You forgot about the fact that it was Tai that forbade you to go with Summer on that last mission. Something about taking care of Yang wasn't his job."

Raven screams as her blows begin to rain down even harder and faster on a now shrieking Tai. They all hear the cracking of bones, and nod as Raven is obviously working through years of buried emotions and pent up frustration while doing her best to, as Alex and Ruby both would call it, violently rearrange his DNA with her own fists and obvious fury.

Yang doesn't look. She doesn't turn her head with every scream, with every angry word. She has returned to looking out the window, where a crow has taken to flying back and forth while doing the occasional flip, spin, or loop the loop to keep her attention. A small smile starts forming on her face as she leans into Salem, who lays her own head on her blonde hair with a smile of her own.

Winter Schnee enters the tower next, walking over to Ozpin's desk while ignoring the savage beating going on nearby. With a small smile, she offers Ozpin a flash drive, which he takes. "I'd like to accept your generous offer to become Beacon's new head of security."

"Excellent. Is there anything I can offer you to ease your transition to Vale?" He asks calmly, pausing as Raven rises back to her feet while panting. "A moment please, Miss Schnee. Actually, would you be so kind as to inform Miss Branwen of your mother's status?"

Winter nods as she turns and looks at the panting woman. "My mother is still alive, Miss Branwen. However, she is a broken, drunken disaster, and Headmaster Ozpin, Guildmaster Garibaldi, and High Councilor Winchester have all been kind enough to offer their personal assistance in helping me retrieve her and bring her to Vale to get the help she too needs. My brother as well."

Raven freezes, her leg in midair and aimed directly for Tai's battered chest. "Ada's alive?" She whispers softly.

"She is going to need you, Birdie. You two have something else in common other than loving someone you could never have." Salem chimes in, Yang giggling as the crow smacks into a closed window and slides down it slowly while cawing in pain. "Well, two things in common. One is you both have idiots for relatives. The other is you both blame yourselves for Summer's death."

A single tear falls down her cheek even as she stomps downward, Tai screaming in agony as she viciously twists her heel to cause him more pain. "I should have never left. I should have stayed. But then I never would have found Shion." She admits quietly as her head bows. "She needed me too. She was all alone, living in a burned out village. Surviving off of trash and whatever she could find. I tried to teach her to be strong, and I failed her too."

Salem sighs as Yang stands and helps the crow inside, holding it gently in her hands as it pants and caws weakly. "Summer is dead, Raven. It took me years to put Alex and Ruby back together, only for Ruby to suffer her own devastating loss. But they are both moving forward and prospering now. Perhaps that is the example you now need to follow?"

"Yeah, maybe." Raven admits after a long pause before turning hate filled eyes back towards Tai. "But first, I'm not done with this son of a bitch yet." She adds as she stomps down on him again, the cracking of more bones clearly heard above his weak scream of pain. "Because MY daughter is a mess! She should be strong! She should be best friends with Ruby! She should be the first one willing to stand by her side, just like I did next to Summer for years! YOU MIND FUCKED MY DAUGHTER, TAIYANG XIAO LONG, AND YOUR GOING TO PAY IN BLOOD!"

Winter sighs as she walks over and pokes at the crow. "Must you be such a drama queen, Qrow?" She asks, the bird nodding weakly. 

"He hit that window really hard, Ma'am." Yang offered quietly as she kept holding her uncle. "He was trying to make me feel better."

Winter nods as she takes him gently, while in the background Raven kicks a weakly moaning Tai in the head. "I know. He worries about you constantly. He still calls you a firecracker. And it's not ma'am, it's Winter."

"Ok… Winter."

Ozpin sighs as he shakes his head. "As long overdue as this particular, and to use another Alex euphemism, ass kicking is, she is getting alcohol filled blood all over my floors and walls."

Salem nods as she looks at Raven, who is still kicking Tai with her heavy boots. "Raven, it's time to take out the garbage please. No need to spread his filth over any more of David's office. I'm more than certain Peachy will also agree with me there."

"He stinks! Our own dumpsters don't smell as bad as he does!" Peach calls out.

They all watch as Raven lift Tai up and carries him towards the open window, none of them saying a word as he summarily gets thrown out like a sack of garbage while screaming. "Oh look, she still has that thing for throwing people out windows, just like my blockhead husband and daughter." Salem deadpans as she takes her scroll out and thumbs it open. 

No one winces at the quiet thump, and ignore the renewed screams of pain.

"He survived. What a pity." Peach deadpans as she takes her scroll out from under her blouse, before setting it down on Ozpin's desk with a huff. "Oh no. It's dead. I can't call for help." She adds in a monotone tone, the sarcasm still evident in her voice.

Ozpin pokes at his own scroll, which is next to Peach's. "Mine's been giving me such terrible issues as of late. My service is absolutely horrible in here."

"I just don't give a damn." Salem admits as she keeps looking at her scroll.

Winter rolls her eyes as Qrow starts cawing hysterically. "Joy. I'm going to be working with a bunch of drama queens and sarcastic assholes."

Salem nods as she stands. "Best get used to it. I'll go make sure he at least survives." Sitting back down, she takes out her scroll. "In ten minutes or so. I still feel a bit nauseous from his smell."

Raven keeps looking out the window, her features full of uncharacteristic sorrow as a second year falls. "She's alive." She whispers over and over again. "She needs me. Yang needs me. Shion needs me. But I'm still so weak. I failed them all." Raven stiffens up when a pair of arms wrap around her from behind, a pair of battle scarred gauntlets locking together around her midsection.

"We need each other, Mom." Yang whispers as she holds her mother, who finally bursts into deep sobs as she screams in all her pain, suffering, and misery. Over a decade's worth that finally overwhelms her as she is held in her daughter's arms. The daughter she was forced to abandon no thanks to her weakness, and who she has so much to make up to…

/\/\/\/\

Celestia takes a moment to look out the window, shaking her head. "Oh, so that's how he survived. He fell on Jaune."

"Oh no. Poor Jaune. I should go check on him. In eight more minutes." Salem deadpans as she keeps looking at something on her scroll. "Oh good, I got the confirmation email for our tickets to Atlas."

Ozpin nods. "You and Alex are still committed to this course of action, Salem? You realize Alex is more than capable of crashing Atlas to the ground if Jim pisses him off too badly."

"We are." She replies as she taps a message out on her scroll, then changes screens. "We're bringing Ada home, along with young Whitley, and hopefully without committing a murder or two along the way."

Celestia tilts her head while still looking out the window, before looking at Ozpin. "Haven's students have started arriving. There's a group of them staring at Tai and Jaune, but not helping them up."

"They probably either don't want to get involved, know Jaune and don't want to touch him, or a combination therein." Ozpin points out before taking a sip of his coffee. "But then again, he is an Arc. They may assist him at the least to curry favor with Eugen or Kaya."

"I doubt it. Daddy isn't very popular in Mistral. His cheapskate ways are starting to rub even the Mistrali council wrong, and Mama can't keep his mouth on a leash anymore." Salem reports as she closes her scroll. "I keep warning Mama that times are changing, and no one is going to take a company hunt for a handful of lien and some dust and bullets. You can't eat dust or ammo." 

Winter shakes her head. "General Ironwood insures Atlas' military is well funded and supplied. Robyn Hill focuses on Mantle, and her many huntsmen and huntresses are surprisingly well equipped and well funded as well." She informs them, not surprised in the least that none of them look even remotely surprised.

"We are in constant contact with Mayor Hill, Win. Unfortunately, we do not have any reliable sources of information in Atlas." Salem admits as she holds out her hand, Qrow flying to her and landing on it with a caw. "Keep an eye on Yang for me. Bring her to the house tonight as well as Raven. Raven can house sit for us while we're gone."

Qrow nods once before cawing, before looking at Ozpin while cocking his head at Yang.

Ozpin nods as he sighs. "I have no choice but to suspend her and Ruby both pending a final decision from the Valian courts. I'm expecting the usual punishment though, and I'll forward Biggs their class schedules so he can include them in the Wall's guard rotation."

Winter tilts her head. "You have enough troops and huntsmen to mount a full wall guard? General Ironwood is currently under the impression that your walls are barely automated and undermanned at all times."

David Ozpin, Salem Garibaldi, and Celestia Peach all smirk as Qrow once again begins to caw hysterically. "Future Mrs. Branwen, I can assure you that the city of Vale is not just properly defended, but fully prepared to withstand a long term siege from anyone foolish enough to test us." 

Salem nods. "We have a full force of almost sixty five hundred active duty huntsmen and huntresses, and almost twice that of semi-retired personnel as well, all of whom take their duties with deadly seriousness."

Peach wipes a few tears away before grinning at Winter. "Vale learned their lesson from the war with Vacuo, when we lost Mountain Glenn to the Grimm. We maintain a full standing army that supports the Guild, and even takes large scaled eradication missions when needed. They recently destroyed two huge spawning pools deep in the wilds between here and Westlund, with only two casualties and very few injuries."

"Vale is more than prepared for war, Miss Schnee, while we encourage our people to dream their dreams of brighter, more vibrant futures." Ozpin declares proudly. "We welcome the future artist, visionaries, and leaders of the next generation with open arms, while we, the huntsmen and soldiers of Vale, protect them all with our lives if necessary."

"And as the Goddesses Three as our witnesses, we, the professors of Beacon, will continue to prepare our defenders to carry on our mission to future generations, while we rest easy in their merciful embrace." Salem adds with a firm nod.

Qrow chuckles as he lays an arm across Winter's shoulders. "Feel better now?"

Winter nods as she smiles up at him. "I do. I'm starting to see why Weiss is swearing that Vale is where we will regain our honor, and where our future truly lies." Taking a deep breath, she releases it slowly. "I have to go back one last time to pack the last of my things, turn in my uniforms, and resign my commission."

Salem smiles at her. "Don't worry, Alex and I will be there for you, Winter. And I do so enjoy my personal village idiot and Atlas' dummy verbally sparring."

"Why do you call him that, Miss Salem?" Winter asks curiously, surprised at the laughter she gets from the gathered older adults, including Raven's weak chuckles.

"Alexander Garrett Garibaldi is a certified genius, Miss Schnee, with an IQ in the high one hundreds." Ozpin informs her with a smile. "He is the mastermind behind Vale's radical redesign after the war with Vacuo, and also easily runs the guild with a bare minimum of assistance."

Peach nods. "Ruby took after him with her own genius, but she has Summer's deadly Huntress instincts as well. But just like Alex and Summer both, she struggles with English mostly because her handwriting is atrocious, and she uses entirely too many slang terms common to South Vale instead of proper ones."

"Me calling him that is a long running joke, Winter." Salem admits with a fond smile. "I was the one who got him, Summer, your mother, and Raven through anything to do with English, writing essays, and I even wrote Summer's speech when she graduated at the top of her class the year we graduated."

"Hence why she's also our librarian as well as our dust studies professor." Ozpin chimes in.

Winter nods. "I understand. It's your way of keeping his ego in check."

Raven joins them, Yang under one arm as she pulls Qrow into a hug with the other. "I need help, Qrow. I need to come home. I'm needed here, more than even I thought."

Qrow nods. "We'll get you some, sis. I'll call Chrys myself."

"Go and prepare, Winter. Alex and I are leaving in two days." Salem informs her as she stands. "The ten minutes are up. Let me go check on the useless drunk and the favor I never should have done for my sister."

Ozpin sighs. "Tell Alex he wins. Jaune is his to do with as he pleases when you both return from Atlas."

Salem pauses, Qrow smirks, Peach shakes her head, and Raven looks at Ozpin in horror. "You've just doomed that kid, Oz." The Bandit Queen declares. "I thought you liked your students!"

"And yet, sometimes tough love is necessary, Raven. And in Jaune's cause, tough love was still a gentler mercy than handing him over to Alex to make a leader out of him."

Salem nods. "My tough love's failed. It's Alex's turn now. If you'll excuse me, let me go make sure Jaune survived having garbage land on him ass first."

Everyone begins to chat quietly as Yang returns to looking out the window, but with growing hope in her eyes. And if they could hear her thoughts, they would be pleased to hear that she is cautiously optimistic about her mother coming back into her life, but thrilled that Salem is calling her her beautiful daughter. And she's growing hopeful that she can finally fix things with Ruby, while finally putting last year's tragedy behind her…

Chapter 24: Fallout

Chapter by Winter1112

Notes:

Hiya everyone! Wyn finally here with a very long overdue chapter of this little story of ours! Now, no one is to blame Rubes, I'm the one that dragged my big butt on this chapter, because I honestly didn't know what to do with it for so long. It was during a brainstorming session that he reminded me of something I wrote a few years back, and that I adapted for this story.

It doesn't help matters that my muse finally started talking to me again, she was very ill with me.

Anywho, thanks for your patience, thanks for sticking with us, and I hope you all enjoy!

Quick Update! To DoomMarine56, I let your toxic comments go on my last fic, because I am very much a believer in free speech and that everyone is entitled to their own opinions. But, two fics in a row? And this time you disabled comments to keep others from rendering their own comments to yours?

Congratulations! You've become my very first ban on AO3!

Oh, and PS! I don't post on FF.net because for some reason I can't get the stupid app to work! Otherwise, I would be crossposting on both sites like I used to, and I refuse to use Wattpad. Fun to read on, but the system itself is really weird and I don't like it.

Winter Schnee is the first person to admit that she loves to watch her sister Weiss draw. Despite her limited vision, her drawings have an attention to detail that is absolutely breathtaking. Her twin Willow can sit next to her for hours as she puts pencil to paper, her twin's carefully and deeply hidden emotions emerging with every clean line, with every intentional smudge. Whitley treasures every drawing Weiss has ever gifted him, each one carefully framed and hung from his walls and guarded with his very life.

She loves to draw new cards for the Huntsmen of Remnant card game, and cheers every time one of her works of art are chosen.

The Schneeblings as they are known in their native Atlas sat together and cried after she drew their broken mother for the Defenders of Solitas expansion. She captured her mother's broken spirit and shattered soul so perfectly that for one moment, they were united in their sorrow for the woman so lost to her own grief and sense of failure that she's forgotten about them all. It even reached the point that Willow, the one who loathes Adaliz the most, got on her knees before her and begged her to come back to them. That they needed her.

She was so drunk she didn't even lift her head to acknowledge the eldest of her twin girls, who has her own mother's eyes.

But the events of today have frightened her to her very core. Despite only having one functional eye, Weiss sees things with frightening deep perception and amazing clarity, and today someone other than her hated father frightened her to the depths of her now unfrozen heart and equally unfrozen soul. Yang frightened her to the point that she was nearly frozen in said fear, before overcoming it enough to actually be willing to fight her to keep her from hurting Ruby any further. Only Ruby saw Myrtenaster held in her shaking hand, and saw the true depths of her fear for her, one of the ones who finally unfroze her heart and have her hopeful for the future. 

Ruby calmed her with just a touch, saw the absolute terror in her eye, and finally rose to challenge Yang instead of allowing the one sided beating to continue. She finally fought back and forced Yang to confront her own demons, while hopefully starting to put her own ghosts to rest.

But one thing stuck out to her, inspired her to put pencil to her ever faithful pad, the rest of the world fading away to a dull roar in her ears as she allows her normally hidden gift to take control of her.

Blake, beautiful, ever faithful Blake has sat on her left and watched in growing amazement as the image burned into her mind's eye is returned to life and immortalized forever in artistic form. An image she will share with the entire world that despite a deep, unending pain shared by both Ruby and Yang, they finally took that first all important step in healing.

A long needed hug between two young women in mourning for the same person, as they finally take the first step in ending the enmity between them. 

Pausing to examine her handiwork, she nods in satisfaction before adding a few more small details. The lines of Yang's pocket. The way Ruby's blouse is rumpled just so after such a brutal fistfight between them that escalated to the use of her deadly scythe, which now lays on the ground beside them. 

The closeness of the hug they share as their tears fall. The intense pain they are both in, even the trails of tears falling down both their faces as they finally unite in their shared grief for the same woman they both loved, but in far different ways. 

"Hopefully they can both finally heal." She whispers as she stops once more, this time finalizing her art with a simple stylized 'W' in a single corner. 

"Snowy, this is amazing." Blake looks at the picture in undisguised admiration. 

"Thank you kitten." She murmurs as her mind wanders for a moment, her sole eye unfocused. "Can you open the door? Willow's just about here."

Blake nods as she rises carefully, moving towards the door while worrying over the fact that the Heiress still hasn't tried to move. "Weiss, are you really ok?" She asks as she opens the door, squealing as she almost gets steamrolled by an almost identical version of her girlfriend barging through and aimed directly at her, while dropping a bag next to the door in her haste to enter. But to her surprise, her petite girlfriend is in tears as she holds her arms open to her obvious twin, who is by her side almost instantly and pulling her into a tight hug.

"Shhh, it's ok, Lizzie. Shhh, it's ok. She's going to be ok."

"What if she's not, Noiry?! We haven't heard from Pyrrha yet!"

Grimacing at the reminder, she checks her scroll and facepalms. "She texted me hours ago, Snowy. I was too engrossed in watching you draw and didn't notice."

Weiss' twin smiles softly as she keeps holding her sister. "I can understand that. It's amazing watching Weiss draw, isn't it?"

Blake nods as she checks her messages while sitting on her girlfriend's other side, her tail wrapping around Weiss' waist out of habit. "Ruby's ok. In a lot of trouble, but otherwise ok." Opening a second message from Mr. Alex, she smiles at the picture before showing it to Weiss and her twin, who also smile.

"They look beautiful laying together. We are certainly blessed, kitten." Weiss smiles even as her twin wipes her tears away gently before drying her hand and offering it to Blake.

"I'm Willow, this hysterical twit's twin."

Taking the offered hand, Blake smiles softly. “Blake Belladonna.” She returns the introduction as a rare gleam of mischief comes to her own eyes. “And if I recall correctly, you owe Weiss a bit of a punishment for losing her temper the day before Initiation.”

“Kitten!” 

Willow gets a similar gleam in her own eye, before turning to look at her twin. “Why yes, yes I do. And now that you're over your justified fears for your beautiful girlfriend, it is time for justice to be served, Twit.”

Weiss looks at Blake in shock, before a look of anger crosses her face. “I thought you loved me, you traitor!” She screams out as she grabs a nearby pillow and lobs it at the now laughing faunus, who catches it easily and sniffs it. 

“Thanks, Snowy. I’ve been needing to wash it. You drool.” 

“I DO NO SUCH THING, YOU DOLT!”

“Oh gross. Since when do you drool in your sleep, Twit?” Willow teases her twin, who screams as several more pillows and a balled up blanket go flying towards her twin and her faunus girlfriend, who duck and dodge, Blake catching a second one and holding it in her arms while smiling.

“Ok, got my favorite one.” She declares, a small smile on her face as her tail waves gently behind her.

Weiss mumbles something, a blush forming on her cheeks as she ducks her head while smiling.

Willow, not one to let a perfect opportunity pass, grins. “What was that, Twit?”

“I said that better be her favorite one, considering that it is mine!” 

“Oh ho! So my Ice Queen of a sister has let a beautiful panther sink her claws deeply into her heart, has she?” Willow teases as she moves to sit in front of her twin, the two of them now holding hands as they press their foreheads gently together. “I'm happy for you, Twit.”

“Thank you, Dolt. They all make me happy, not just my kitten.” Weiss replies quietly. “Do you have them?” 

“I do. And how in the ten hells did you manage to kill such a huge Gigant?!” Willow asks in surprise, Weiss now smiling broadly. “It actually takes a significant portion of my aura to summon him! Almost as much as it takes to summon a different one I recently acquired!”

Weiss turns her head, her smile still on her face. “NORA!” She cries out loudly. “COME TELL MY SISTER THE STORY OF HOW WE KILLED THE GIGANT!”

“REALLY?! GIVE ME A SEC!” Nora calls back from her own dorm room, the ginger barrelling into team RWBY’s dorm room a moment later dressed only in an overly large purple shirt, Ren following her while shaking his head, clad only in a pair of uniform pants. 

“So! There we were, me, the Boss, and the midget, facing off against a Gigant Deathstalker that's bigger than a train!” Nora declares in her excitement, while Willow stares wide eyed at the ginger, Weiss mock growls at being called a midget, and Blake joins Ren in shaking his head. “When the Boss pulls her scythe back and screams BEAT HIS ASS! and then charges towards him! I swear if she had a beer, she wouldn't have even asked anyone to hold it! She would have held it the entire time while we kicked his ass!” 

Blake leans over to Ren, who raises a single eyebrow. “Snowy didn't interrupt anything did she?”

“No. Nora was napping with her head on my chest when Weiss called her name.” Ren reassures her with one of his soft smiles, Nora now describing the action while physically demonstrating some of the more action packed moments, the entire time singing Weiss’ praises considering she fought beside them the entire time, despite her weapon being ill suited for the battle with such a heavily armored Grimm, as well as her diminutive height. “She's quite easy to wake up, and does so quickly in case it is an emergency. And, she respects you, Ruby, Weiss, and Pyrrha enough to take a moment to at least put a shirt on. Anyone else? They would have gotten the full Nora Effect.”

“You two haven't had an easy life, have you?” Blake asks, Ren nodding his head. 

“We were fortunate when we were found by Augustus Nikos, and taken in by him and his family. He and his wife Athena took on the responsibility of raising us, while also training us all to be warriors, and they both watched with pride whenever Nora and Pyrrha both decimated and dominated another tournament.” He explains as Nora describes Weiss climbing a tree near the sight of the battle, Myrtenaster clenched in her teeth and determination in her eye as she rose above the Gigant and waited. They all watched as Nora actually jumps off a bed while mimicking making a stabbing motion, repeating Weiss' actions of stabbing through the weakened section of armor, before emptying every single dust chamber of her rapier into the Gigant to kill it. 

Willow looks at her twin with pride, while Weiss looks embarrassed as Nora continues to sing her praises for her courage. 

“I… my goodness, Twit! That actually was rather brave of you!” Willow admits as she hugs her twin. 

“Ruby inspires that kind of bravery.” Blake admits, Willow looking at her in surprise. “She doesn't just make you believe in yourself. You actually feel like her crazy ideas and spur of the moment changes in plans will actually work.” 

“And they do! Remember the Nevermore?” Nora reminds them, Ren, Blake, and Weiss nodding in agreement. “Me and her blasted through it, and it was all another one of her crazy ideas!”

“You mean Feathers?” Willow asks curiously, the building suddenly shaking as a loud caw is heard outside. “He is almost as big as Clackers, and just as difficult to summon.” 

They all rush to the window, all of them staring in shock at the sight of the Ancient Nevermore standing outside the dorm room, a clear line in its neck confirming without a doubt that it was the same creature Ruby and Nora defeated.

“Weiss, did you help defeat the Nevermore?” Willow asks quietly, Weiss nodding slowly.

“I held it with a gravity glyph. I put all the aura I had left into it to make sure it stopped where they needed him stopped.”

“I think both our abilities have evolved, Weiss. I can summon quite a few more Grimm than I used to, including multiple Ancient class ones.” Willow admits as more and more summon gates appear, Weiss gasping at the sight of the Ursa Major she and Ruby both defeated, along with many other Grimm she at least had a hand in destroying, including a pair of beowolves with obvious burn marks. “How hard is it to for you to use Ice Palace?” 

“It came easily during my fight with Ruby.” She admits quietly as the commons are soon filled with the one hundred and sixteen Grimm she either defeated personally, or aided in killing, including the Ancient Nevermore, the Ursa Major, and the Gigant Deathstalker during initiation alone. “I barely even had to stay focused on it, and moved easily from glyph to glyph, each one actually working properly.” She pauses and looks at her twin. “Where are the others?”

Willow looks away, her good mood visibly vanishing. “Salome is with her mother. Kylie and Aziza… they aren't here. Our initiation was horrendous.” She admits quietly. “Just as bad, perhaps even worse than your own.”

Weiss doesn't hesitate to turn Willow’s head, the twins looking at one another. “How bad was your initiation, Dolt?”

“Four hundred and two participated.” She replies quietly, a sole tear rolling down her pale cheek that Weiss wiped away gently with her thumb. “Lionheart changed his mind about us keeping our team together at the last minute, and forced us to participate as well, claiming we needed to learn to work with others. Only a hundred and ninety eight survived, and Kylie and Aziza were badly injured when their new useless partners made several fatal mistakes of their own.” She pauses as a tear rolls down her cheek. “And in the end, Kylie and Aziza still didn't make it. I had to call their parents, and it was the hardest thing I ever had to do. That bastard Lionheart couldn't be bothered to do it himself, considering the fact that it is his fault that they are dead.” She whispers, Weiss pulling her twin into her arms, holding her as she sobs.

“But my new summons saved me and Salome, Weiss. They helped me, Salome, and the other survivors who still had courage in their hearts in defeating her, when she ambushed us all while waiting to be transported back to Haven. He didn't set a sufficient enough guard, and she took full advantage of it.” 

Ren, Nora, and Blake all turn back to the window and stare as a massive summoning gate appears behind the small army of Grimm already gathered, a massive head emerging and roaring in challenge. Ozpin and the other professors all arrive just in time to watch as a pair of clawed hands grasp the sides of the gate to pull itself further free of the absolutely massive summoning gate. The Grimm’s head resembles that of the largest and oldest of Drakes, while its long scaled body is covered in thick, cruelly ridged bone armor as well as a wicked row of spikes running down its back all the way to its similarly spiked tail. Its jaw is full of wickedly curved and razor sharp teeth, and its malevolent red eyes gleam with not just rage but intelligence. It easily dwarfs even the largest of Goliaths, and its roar of challenge deafens them all even as it finishes emerging, standing in the center of a small army of similar summons.

They all, Professors and students both, look at a terrible legend given life once more in the central courtyard of Beacon Academy.

“You defeated Tyrantia, the Nightmare of Mistral.” Nora whispers as she clings to Ren, both of them trembling in genuine fear. “She's one of the four Greatest Grimm!” 

“She killed two of my best friends! She slaughtered them with no mercy as they laid wounded, while the medic tending to them died trying to defend them as we rested after barely surviving our own initiation!” Willow declares savagely as she glares at the summon with her tear filled ruby red eyes. “My new summons aided in dragging her down, empowered by the rage in my soul and my newfound strength born from my overwhelming losses, and I drove Schwarznaster through her skull before echoing your actions and unleashing every speck of dust I had left to kill her and avenge my friends. She is mine now, and she shall serve me for all eternity in penance for all the lives she has destroyed!”

“She's ours now, Dolt.” Weiss whispers as she stares at the reason why her twin has been so silent for months now, maintaining a bare minimum of a link between them. She has been in deep mourning for two women she has been friends with since they were all small children, while learning how to control all these dangerous new summons of her's. 

But then the reality of her sister's words strike her with no mercy. 

She too was friends with Kylie Reynolds and Aziza of the Northern Wolf Tribes, grew up beside them, and she and Kylie even dated for a brief while, deciding their friendship was more important to them than pursuing a relationship that never truly felt right to either of them.

And she will never see them again. 

She stares at Willow in growing horror as she turns away from the window and walks towards the bag she dropped at the entrance to their dorm room, her twin near to bursting into her own tears as she picks the bag up and holds it to chest. Turning, she looks at Weiss, sorrow in her eye. “She left you Overture…”

“No…” Weiss whispers as Willow walks towards her, now offering her the nondescript bag. 

“She didn't just leave you Overture. She left her legacy to you too, Weiss.” Willow informs her, her tears now falling freely. “She only wanted you to have them both.”

Blake is staring at the bag, a hand covering her mouth as tears begin to fall from her eyes. Ren and Nora both look at the bag sadly, more than aware of its actual importance. The three of them are more than aware that what it holds within is more than just a weapon. It holds a small, heavily armored dust case as well, the contents within a fallen huntsman's final legacy. 

“This is my legacy.” Nora whispers as she looks up at Ren with tears in her eyes. 

“Left to the One I Love Most.” Ren whispers back as he returns the look of sadness with one of his own.

“Care for them and love them.” Blake continues as she looks worriedly at Weiss, who only has eyes for the bag.

“And never forget my love for you or for them.” Willow finishes as she stops in front of her twin sister, the bag held out to her in trembling hands. 

“No. No no no no no no…” Weiss whimpers as she takes the bag, the two of them both now holding it between them. “Why me?” 

“She still loved you.” Willow admits quietly. “She… she died in my arms… she was asking for you as she died…” Willow grits her teeth, her tears falling as thickly as the two rivers that feed into Vale’s huge bay. “I pretended to be you… so she would return peacefully to the Goddesses and their welcoming embrace…”

Weiss finally bursts into tears of her own, while clinging to both her twin as well as the bag held between them as she mourns her now dead friends, one of whom she still held especially close in her heart. Blake is quick to wrap her arms around them, Ren and Nora quick to join them, the three of them holding the twins as they mourn…

…None of them notice Shion walking slowly towards Tyrantia, while staring at her in uncharacteristic horror. Her eyes stare at the nightmare that has plagued Mistral for hundreds of years now, while her memories replay the day her own world turned upside down, inside out, and changed her forever. 

Of the day that the nightmare given flesh attacked her small village with an army of Grimm in tow…

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

“She looks like shit and smells like blood, Boss.” 

She was the only survivor of her village, which was destroyed by the Grimm, while the so called Huntsmen of Mistral did nothing to stop them or even try to save them. She doesn't remember everything to do with her birth parents, she doesn't remember what they did or what purpose they served in their small village. But, she has one powerful memory of them that she represses constantly to stay in a proper mindset for her mission. A memory of them hiding her in a stone cabinet that they then defended as they gave their lives to save hers, their only daughter. 

“She looks weak.” The woman with the Grimm mask declares as she looks down on her with her blood red eyes. “Where did you find her again?”

“In a village not far from Kuroyuri.” The man dressed like a bandit replies as she looks back at the woman with no fear. “We watched her kill a beo by herself, with just an old hatchet.”

It was her father's hatchet. She remembers him using it to cut wood every day. Her mother would use some of the wood to cook with, while her father took the rest away. For what, she still doesn't know. 

“That entire area is off limits!” The masked woman reminds the bandit, who simply smirks at her. “Why in the fuck are you going there?!”

“Because there's plenty of good shit for the taking, Boss. That's if you got the balls to risk running into the Nuckelavee or Tyrantia to get it.” She can tell the woman's getting angrier with every word, but she doesn't care despite being in front of him. Not after surviving an attack by the Nightmare of Mistral. It's hard to care about anything when you're the one who buried your own parents, what was left of them, and instead of trying to flee to Mistral City or one of the larger villages, she surrendered to her need for revenge, inadvertently activating her own semblance of Full Counter. 

Many a now dead Grimm thought they were about to strike a mortal blow against her, only to die as double the original force of the blow was deflected back upon them, before her hatchet was buried in a vital area even they require to exist before they could recover.

“My orders are absolute!” The woman snarls as she and the man square off with her still in the middle. She is fingering the handle of her hatchet, while sensing the growing fear coming from the man as he raises his weapons in hands growing shaky from his rising terror. 

Fear brings the monster that killed her parents. That slaughtered her gentle mother and ripped her courageous father to pieces. He is a danger to her, and she won't allow this coward to put her in danger, not when she has nowhere left to hide now that she is away from her home. 

She spins around, the hatchet now in her hand and aiming directly for his gut, considering she is shorter and unable to reach his neck. She hears his scream as the still sharp blade sinks into his stomach, while she pushes him forward with all her strength to knock him down. His screaming grows worse as she stands on the arm holding his remaining weapon, pinning it to the ground, before pulling the small hand axe free, fear in his eyes as she looks down at the coward dispassionately.

Her parents kissed her forehead and cheeks as they placed her inside that stone container, along with her blanket. They told her to be strong, to live, and to prosper before locking her inside to keep her safe just as something big and snarling burst into the room. She didn't make a single sound as she cried silent tears into the blanket her mother made her, while telling her that it is filled with her absolute love for her, while listening to them die. Her tears ran thickly as her mother screamed in agony and her father died cursing them, and she didn't come out until she was hungry and needed to pee. 

She showed her last moment of weakness as she looked upon the ruins that had once been her parents, and she barely made it out of the house before vomiting. 

The first layer of blood and filth on her ruined clothes belongs to them. The many Grimm she has killed to avenge her parents have added many more layers after that. This next layer will belong to this coward whose death will keep her safe. So that her parents’ sacrifice won't end up being in vain.

Her hatchet sinks into his throat next, silencing him even as it sprays her in his blood. She put all her strength into the strike, to kill him quickly before his fear brings the monster to them. She hates the monsters more than she fears them, but she knows she is no match for them either in large groups. 

She is no match for the unstoppable Nightmare of Mistral, yet she will grow stronger in order to take her revenge. There is no price she isn't willing to pay to take her revenge, for taking her gentle mother and proud father from her. She will avenge them, or die trying.

“Well done.” The woman congratulates her as she lays a hand on her narrow shoulder despite the blood now on it. “You're stronger than you look.”

“I have to be strong.” She replies in a monotone, her eyes still focused on the corpse. “My parents died so I could live.”

The woman turns her to face her, actually lifting her mask to look at her face to face. “And you killed a beowolf all by yourself?” She asks next, getting a small nod. 

“Lots of them.”

“Why?”

“I want revenge.” 

Raven tilts her head in a moment of curiosity. “Oh? And who does a kid need revenge against?” 

Shion doesn't flinch as she looks into those blood red eyes that seem to be judging her. “Against the Nightmare of Mistral. She killed my parents, and I won't stop until I've destroyed her.”

“You're too young for that.” The woman admits as she rises, not laughing or deriding her. “But everything you’ve survived makes you strong. Strong enough to learn what I have to teach you.” 

She learned all that Raven Branwen had to teach her, never once hesitating to continue to sublimate her emotions, in order to both make difficult choices, as well as to start acting as Raven’s Executioner when needed. And when she was old enough, she was sent to Signal Academy with a single mission entrusted to her by Raven herself. 

To keep Yang safe while helping her grow stronger. 

Thanks to Vernal, who has been telling her to keep to the mission, while ignoring her growing concerns for the blonde. Even she, with her lack of actual empathy, could tell there was something seriously wrong with the brawler, and despite her best efforts to prevent it, her rage, her sorrow, and her jealousy erupting into an all out brawl in nearly in the middle of Central Vale. 

In the middle of a huge crowd, her hero and mentor, she would even dare say her mother figure, Raven Branwen, told her she was disappointed in her. For the first time since she was taken back to the bandit camp she came to consider home, she was told that she was a weakling, a disappointment, and a failure, and she doesn't know what to do. 

She falls back on obeying her orders for now, not willing to risk any more of Raven’s wrath coming down on her.

She is sitting in her dorm room, performing maintenance on her weapons in an absentminded fashion. Her battle rifle is completely dismantled, laying on the surface she normally uses for this, and her mind is completely blank as to what to do next with it. It's an activity that she can perform with her eyes closed and blindfolded, yet for the life of her, all she can do is stare blankly at the dismantled weapon she has used since she was tall enough and strong enough to fire it effectively. 

“Hey, does Shion seem off to either of you?” Amy asks her other teammates in a hushed tone as the three of them look at their leader.

“She’s been staring at her rifle since we got back from Vale. Once she took it completely apart, she just froze, and she hasn't moved or even checked over her katana or it's case either.” Aqua points out.

“She’s seemed off ever since the fight.” Diane points out as she slowly moves into their room, Gideon held defensively before her. “Oi, Shion! You good?” She calls out, shaking her head at the lack of a response. “Any ideas, Bubbles?”

Aqua shakes her head as she enters next, while keeping her distance as much as possible. “A person can't live like she does without it finally catching up to you.” She points out, Amy sighing as Diane shakes her head once more. “She reeks of blood, of violence, and she scares the hell out of me.”

Amy nods in agreement. “We might be friends, but honestly I can barely even say we're even remotely close. I'm closer to you two, along with Ruby and her bunch more than her and Yang. They've always been a bit isolated from others.”

Aqua sighs. “Today was my last straw.” She declares firmly. “I'm leaving.”

“What?!” Diane declares in her surprise, while staring wide eyed at the meerkat faunus girl she's been friends with for years. 

“I'm sorry, Diane. This isn't the life for me.” Aqua admits bluntly as she starts to pack her things. “I'm going to take Aeon up on his offer, and learn to do tattoos, while still submitting artwork for Huntsmen of the Coast.”

Amy, who is standing by Shion, nods. “I can respect that, Aqua. Do you need a place to stay?” She asks, getting a shake of the head in reply.

“My family lives above the Bear’s Den Tattoo Parlor. My mother works as a piercer there.” She explains as she shoulders her duffel bag. “She actually called me crazy for sticking to this for so long.” She admits as she picks up her Aquarius and puts it on her back. “She's going to be thrilled to have me home again.”

“Then why do this at all?” Shion whispers, her eyes still focused on her dismantled weapon. “Why did you stick with it for so long?”

“To try to be brave like my two best friends, who are two of the bravest faunus I know.” Aqua admits as she looks at her former team leader. “But I'm not, and after today, I know for sure I never will be. I'm not the Red Reaper like Ruby, or the Dreadnaught like Diane, or even the Golden Dragon like Yang. And I'm especially not you, Shion the Executioner, and the Goddesses willing I never will be.”

Shion turns her head, a rare flash of anger in her eyes. “How do you know that name?”

“It's what everyone at Signal calls you when you aren't around.” Diane admits as she moves in front of Aqua, who hides behind her. “After what you did to those two upperclassmen last year who were making fun of Blondie for having a drunk ass Dad and a runaway Mom.”

“Your lucky Headmaster Elvorite covered for you there, otherwise you would still be in prison.” Amy points out, while blatantly reloading her Cat’s Paws. “You're lucky I vouched for you too. My Dad was ready to drag you to jail.” 

“None of you know what my life has been like.” Shion declares angrily, losing more control over her emotions. 

“You're right, we don't.” Diane agrees as she flexes her fingers before closing them into fists. “You don't talk to us, you ignore us unless it's combat class and we have to fight as a team, and stay focused on keeping Blondie in a bubble, and that bubble broke today.” 

“I’ve been trying to tell you for a year now Yang needs help, Shion.” Amy adds firmly. “So do you. Because Aqua’s right, you reek of blood and violence, and now you smell like despair and sadness, and I don't want Bianca anywhere near you.” 

“I tried to warn you today, and you didn't listen.” Aqua adds quietly. “You dismissed me, and then the fight happened like I said it would.” 

“I…” Shion goes silent once more, unable to deny that she has been warned multiple times that her course of actions have been proven to be the wrong ones repeatedly. She continues to watch as Diane and Aqua hug one another tightly, as Aqua kneels down to hug Amy properly, while finally working up the courage to ask one more question.

“What does your father think of all this?” 

Aqua shrugs. “I don't know. I'm a Legacy baby. My mom volunteered to have me.” She admits quietly. “I do know that Mr. Alex trained under him, and that he died during the Fall of Mountain Glenn, along with his entire team.” Pausing, she smiles softly. “My mom was the sister of the team leader, and she never hesitated to claim his teammates’ legacies when she turned eighteen. And I know both my little brothers will be happy to have me home. And maybe I’ll volunteer and have a legacy child or two myself.”

“Oh wow! That's awesome of her, Aqua!” Amy declares, the meerkat standing taller in pride. 

“Aqua's mom is awesome, and Mr. Alex and Miss Salem are constantly watching out for her.” Diane informs the petite wolf faunus. 

Shion can only look at the meerkat, who is looking back at her expectantly. She is a legacy child. The child of a long dead huntsman, and…

They all nearly jump out of their skins at the sound of a loud caw from the courtyard. Rushing to their own windows, the four young women all look at the Ancient Nevermore they know for a fact was defeated at initiation. They continue to watch as more and more Grimm appear in the courtyard, all of them standing as if in wait for orders, all three of the Valian born faunus screaming in fright as one final nightmare emerges from a massive summon gate and roars in challenge. 

Shion doesn't scream, instead she looks at it with a growing rage in her heart. 

She hurries out to the courtyard, her eyes filling with horror at the fact that this is indeed the legendary Nightmare of Mistral. Her heart empties itself of her brief moment of rage as she keeps staring at Tyrantia, who seems to be staring back at her, through her, and then moves her head away as if dismissing her. 

That sole gesture finishes breaking her, and she falls to her knees. She stares at her hands, still stained with all the blood she has spilled in her quest to become strong enough to be able to challenge a legendary beast to take her revenge. In the end, she is still weak, still a terrified little girl hiding behind her rage and her bitterness, who sought to make the Grimm pay for taking her parents from her. To make them pay for driving her onto a path covered in the blood of countless victims, as she sublimated her emotions, her memories, her kindness and compassion in an effort to gain the strength she needed to take her vengeance.

She throws her head back and screams at the undeniable proof that her vengeance will forever be denied her. Unyielding proof that despite all her sacrifices, all her best efforts, she is still too weak, and the girl she was supposed to protect and guide to find her own strength almost lost her own life. 

Shion Negras has confronted her weakness and lost, and she doesn't know what to do anymore now that even her life’s goal is forever denied her…

Notes:

To be a Legacy child is no small thing, and to be left a Legacy is both a great honor as well as a painful reminder of what was lost. And for Weiss, to also be left her exes' weapon as well? Trust me, this is just the start of her own journey...